Ambition's Debt (audio story)

Ambition's Debt was the fourth and final audio story in the audio anthology Manoeuvres, the fourteenth series of Gallifrey. It was written by Katharine Armitage and featured Louise Jameson as Leela, Seán Carlsen as Narvin, Carolyn Pickles as Ollistra, Ken Bones as the General, Chris Jarman as Rasmus and Beth Chalmers as Veklin.

Publisher's summary
Tensions run high in the War Room as the battle for control intensifies. A world has gone missing, the Daleks are too quiet, and something new lurks in the shadows...A dangerous plan is set in motion with the potential to change everything.

Plot
Orrison has disappeared and Rasmus steals an infostamp from Ollistra's office in the hopes of finding out why. Leela passes it on to Narvin for decryption and learns that the planet has been moved by the Daleks and Ollistra is prepared to sacrifice thousands of Time Lords to get through the time winds protecting it. Rasmus learns that Ollistra also intends to send Leela and Cresta to the front lines and releases a computer virus exposing her plans, leading the General to propose that Rasmus take control of the War Room pending a review.

Leela arranges for Clemantia to provide transportation for herself and Rasmus to Orrison using MX technology to deactivate the barrier around the planet, although Veklin, looking out for Ollistra's interests, joins them as they leave. They find that the population is being forced to make casings and sedated and converted into Berserker Daleks when they are no longer able to work. Leela, Rasmus and Veklin set fire to boltaric acid to kill the Berserkers, which reform, and deactivate the barrier. The General informs them that temporal backlash is tearing Orrison and the TARDISes above the planet apart.

Leela, Rasmus and Veklin return to the Capitol and find that the MX was sabotaged by Clemantia to destroy the Berserker factory, but it is Leela and Rasmus that Veklin declares are traitors for using Resistance intelligence. Veklin exposes them to Ollistra, who reveals that everything went as planned; she faked the battle plans to manipulate Leela, the General and Rasmus and have them be responsible for the loss of lives, allowing her to regain control of the War Room with the help of Clemantia, her cousin. Despite this, Ollistra does not report them to Rassilon and orders them to obey.

Cast

 * Leela - Louise Jameson
 * The General - Ken Bones
 * Cardinal Rasmus - Chris Jarman
 * Cardinal Ollistra - Carolyn Pickles
 * Veklin - Beth Chalmers
 * Daleks / Berserker Daleks - Nicholas Briggs
 * Clemantia - Janet Amsden
 * Narvin - Seán Carlsen
 * Eris - Mark Hawkins
 * Cresta - Faith Omole
 * Traitor - Harry Myers

Worldbuilding

 * A report is overdue from Tenacity III.
 * Clemantia mentions the Lakes of Iridescence.
 * Rasmus gives a false account to Rassilon.

Continuity

 * Veklin has seen Ollistra die before. (AUDIO: The Side of the Angels)
 * Veklin mentions Rasmus’ arrival and the Candassia. (AUDIO: The Passenger)
 * Leela is familiar with gravity grenades. (AUDIO: The First Days of Phaidon)
 * Leela recalls Rasmus and Veklin destroyed a Berserker Dalek. (AUDIO: Remnants)