Gallifrey: Mindbomb

Plot

The first presidential election on Gallifrey in millennia commences. Vying for the position are former President Romana, duplicitous Inquisitor-Prime Darkel and the young and newly ordained Cardinal Matthias. But Darkel asserts that Romana is ineligible and should be arrested for treason. Surprisingly, Matthias agrees. As Romana sits in a prison cell, the Time Lords consider the two remaining candidates. At their first debate, someone fires a gun at Darkel, mildly wounding her. Her poll numbers immediately rise, but the investigation soon shows that Darkel herself orchestrated the assassination attempt.

The candidates and other highest ranking Time Lords gather in the Panopticon to hear the election results. But the proceedings are interrupted by the reappearance of Chancellor Braxiatel. He had exiled himself when he used his mind to trap elements of Imperiatrix Pandora. But with the Matrix having been destroyed, the risk of infecting others is lessened. As Chancellor, Braxiatel declares himself the rightful President of the High Council. He frees all political prisoners, including Romana, and has Darkel arrested. Furious, Darkel tries to coax Pandora out of Braxiatel's head. But all that remains of Pandora is a mindless, instinctual, non-corporeal monster that has an insatiable hunger for the ruthless ambition in people's souls. So when it escapes, it feeds on Darkel's mind until they're both dead.

There is still enough residual elements of Pandora in President Braxiatel's mind to force him to resign and leave Gallifrey forever. His last act in office, as tradition dictates, is to name his successor. While all in attendance assume he will name Romana, he instead names Cardinal Matthias. Braxiatel and Matthias have been secretly manipulating events to bring them to this outcome. Romana sees this as a betrayal from her oldest friend, but Braxiatel has other plans for her.

Cast