Exile’s Return is another preliminary to the actual battle to liberate Gallifrey. It had the misfortune of being posted the same night that the finale of Doctor Who’s Season Four was broadcast, but even so it had plenty of response from readers.

Chrístõ’s meeting with Silis Bonnoenfant was especially popular, firstly because of the password used to identify Silis as a friend. Jai Guru Deva, Om, is of course from the Beatles song, “Across the Universe” which has featured more than once in Theta Sigma, with Chrístõ telling people it was his mother’s favourite song. The reply ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change My World’ is rather ironic since his world has been changed greatly.

The Tower, and Silis, first appeared in a Marion and Kristoph story, and Silis proved a very popular character in that series. It was made clear, however, that Silis wanted to be left as a hermit, living alone, and would not be a regular member of the social circle. This was virtually the only way I could bring him back as a character. Unfortunately, he isn’t destined to remain for much longer. But he is, nonetheless, established as a crossover character from Marion and Kristoph to Theta Sigma.

Is his father dead? Some readers immediately pointed out that he couldn’t be, because he is mentioned in some of the Ninth Doctor stories as being alive when the Time War occurred. It’s really rather nice to find that people read and remember that much detail. Chrístõ Mian’s plight will be revealed in future stories, of course. At this juncture, Chrístõ believes him to be dead.

The Allies coming to the aid of Gallifrey are, of course, all planets that Chrístõ has helped in his brief spell as a traveller in time and space. The big question is whether Gallifrey will prove grateful in the long run!

http://www.pearsecom.co.uk/Marion/58silis.htm