Enter the Rogue

I mentioned previously that I had just finished reviewing a report on Idare composed by The Collector. I'll record that report shortly, but first, I should explain The Collector.

It's a long story.

With bits that would trigger a few large-scale manhunts from numerous law enforcement agencies throughout history and the universe as some statutes of limitations won't be reached for another millennium or two. So, I'll be leaving much of that out.

I've already recorded the story of the first life form I met in SL-Space. This is the story of the first fellow Time Lord.

Shortly after Bifrost had self-repaired and I left Earth, I felt it was time to look for any fellow Gallifreyan who had managed to make it here. The search took a little bit of time, understandably. However, I managed to locate one in... an unusual place.

There's a world on the outskirts of Andromeda called Culculex. To those who know of it, it's reputation is one of rampant crime, corruption, and vice. It's a world run by crime syndicates that border on royalty, with private armies and riches most empires couldn't dream of.

It is said, if there is a depravity you want to try, Culculex has perfected it to an artform.

It is on Culculex, I met The Collector.

The Collector, also known as Nataleigh, had come to Culculex to, as one would imagine from her chosen name, "collect" an item.

Yes, I say collect, but I mean something somewhat less LEGAL.

You see, the head of the Darthox Syndicate was visiting Culculex and he had brought with him a rare gem: The Tear of the Titans.

To understand the rarity of this gem, one must understand certain properties of it.

The Tear of the Titans is a clear gem of absolute vibrational perfection and, at it's center is a stable quantum singularity. It is said that The Tear of the Titans is the perfect gem with the perfect moment of time trapped within it.

It is also 300 meters in height.

The Collector had just... liberated this stone in her TTC, Ned (Not sure I'll ever understand Ned.) when I ran into her.

Well, more accurately, Bifrost ran into Ned.

I am, at this time, admitting no fault for the resultant cataclysm that befell Culculex on that day.

After this incident, The Collector and I travelled together as partners for half a centruy.

I say partners because, well, I was highly amused by her proclivities revolving around her admittedly vast collection of rare and unique artifacts, trinkets, gadgets, gizmos and various other bits and bobs she picked up throughout her travels.

I won't deny we wound up on the wrong side of the law on multiple occasions, but... The chase was always fun.

Amoung other things.

When I finally entered New Gallifreyan society in a more... respectable way, Nataleigh came along, but... she kept going out on her runs to add to her collection.

Her ability to find whatever she's looking for and retrieve it from seemingly impossible locales is why, once I became Cardinal Pro Temps of Patrex, I recruited her to become our Artificer.

And why I recommend against any Patrexe ever setting foot on Galtex VI.

Just trust me. It would be a BAD idea.