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[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara ought to look excited, despite the natural wariness and frustrated curiosity. Instead, she looks a little devastated.]

You know when you're pretty sure something isn't going to work, and you try it anyway? It's silly, isn't it? [Her voice almost cracks.

Then she takes a deep breath, and sets her shoulders, and makes herself sound strong.]

I've got to wonder if combining our abilities would let them reach further, but it's not an experiment I'm willing to try just yet.

Could everyone who's ended up with Admiral abilities check in, please? [She's kept track, of course, but that's no guarantee, she hasn't spoken to everyone directly.] I'd like to know what everyone's managed to do, and what their status is.

Cambridge - do you think scanning us would be worth it?

Comments

[routemistress]

I brought Victor back after Jax shot 'im and I flipped the switch on Ceres' power.

Oh, and I sent our Tiggy some Admiral cookies, you know the sort. That's it. I always thought I'd do a roller disco if I ever got the chance, but ...I don't really want to muck about with this too much.

[bodilesswarrior]

[She smiles, reflexively, as soon as Iris appears onscreen. It's strained, with worry and disappointment and frustration, but no less sincere for it.]

Good call, I think.

Does it - feel anything like your normal abilities, as a Time Lord? [It's a different sort of perception, she knows, a higher level of awareness. Something your average human can't truly comprehend. (Her memories tend to slide around those days she spent bonded to a TARDIS.)]

[routemistress]

That's an interesting question.

[It's one that hadn't really occurred to Iris. Working the barge's power felt like pumping up a football, where her own capabilities are as normal and effortless as breathing: but when she steps back and really thinks about it, perhaps they are both essentially the same set of actions.]

Not to me, but that might just be 'cause this boat's not meant to be connected to my mind. There's too much of 'er I could never really get me 'ead around - still is. It feels like trying to 'it a dartboard in the dark when you're not sure where you're facing - and I'd be worried about what else we might accidentally poke 'oles in.

[bodilesswarrior]

[A slow nod. She's frowning, now, concern plain on her face.]

That's how I'm feeling, too. The connection is there, but it's - not whole enough, not strong enough. I've been wondering if it's because the Admiral's power is dispersed through all of us, but maybe you're right - maybe we're just not calibrated for this.

[If only they knew how the Barge was meant to function.]

[routemistress]

[Iris nods vigorously: Barbara always has a way of snatching the vague smoke-rings of her thoughts out of the air and shaping them into solidity.]

That's 'ow it feels. And it's funny, 'cause really this boat doesn't do anything you couldn't do with a TARDIS. I'd've wondered if she was one, except I'd know - I've always assumed she were some kind of parallel. Same but different.

I think she's using us 'cause we're all she's got right now. I really, really, really 'ope that's going to be temporary. You know what a TARDIS does when she loses 'er pilot?

[bodilesswarrior]

[The smile flickers back, for a moment - it's so easy for them to find the same wavelength - before her frown deepens.] I'm guessing it's not good.