I realize I've been quiet for a bit, as Poe pointed out. Not something I intended, but the 'simple question' I began looking into became a much more... delicate issue than it first appeared. One that required not only equations, research and reviewing technical documentation and readouts, but whatever else I could find that might shine light on this.
Firstly, some good news. As I promised
Mr. Wilson Sam, I looked into those who had disappeared from the TARDIS. Biometric readings, internal sensor records and the TARDIS' memory banks all confirm that they are no longer aboard. I can confirm these individuals have returned home, but this is where things get interesting.
To Explain: The last time the Doctor undertook communication - simply
communication - with a parallel universe, it took the TARDIS using up the power of a dying sun to puncture the walls between universes. In the last weeks, the TARDIS readouts have been showing
immense energy outputs every time we move. They have been larger than anything I've ever seen from her before. At first, I thought that it was solely related to bringing all of us here. However, now with the slowdown in new arrivals, the two weeks without movement, and the calculations I had Kelly do last night regarding our current position vis-à-vis relative astral bodies, I can say with general confidence that the TARDIS is currently... well... refueling, for lack of a better term. She's brought us as close to a dying star as she can without risking our safety, and is taking on its energy in preparation for her next jump.
This is where things get complicated, or have been complicated, and what I've been trying to figure out since this all began. For Time Lords and TARDISes, travel between parallel universes is something that has been largely impossible since the end of the Last Great Time War. I was taught it could only happen under the most extraordinary of circumstances. As of this point, the TARDIS has undertaken it on her own
twice! This means she is foregoing what she knows to be protocol because her Doctor is out
here somewhere, and that is... That leads to many questions that will have to be answered later.
For all of us, at this moment, the use of this particular 'fuel' means a few changes to things. Likely we'll be making fewer stops as she needs to refuel. Additionally, we're going to need to do maintenance checks. Going through universal barriers is physically hard on a TARDIS. A well maintained one may have few issues, but the Doctor's is a Type 40, an old model. We're going to need to ensure that we're taking care of her, as she's taking care of us, to ensure that we're all getting where we need to be in one piece.
So.... now that that's out of the way, I want a drink. Anyone else want a drink?