who_contest | 'Centaur' ('Light and Dark' entry)

Title: 'Centaur'
Rating: G
Genre: General/Dialogue/Missing Scene
Word Count: 414
Pairings or Characters: Eleventh Doctor (regular typeface), Cyberplanner (italicized typeface)
Spoilers: Takes place just after the handshake in 'Nightmare in Silver'
Warnings: None
Summary: Is this really how you want to go down in history? As the man who lost the universe in a Chess match?

That was probably the most dangerous handshake in the history of the universe.

You're probably right. And I'm not convinced that your strategy for defeating me is a very wise one. Think about it. Is this really how you want to go down in history? As the man who lost the universe in a Chess match?

Why not? It's more challenging than tossing a coin. Or don't you think you can win?

Can I win? It's a foregone conclusion: I will win.

Don't count your chickens, Robot Boy; I happen to be a pretty fair hand at this game.

Good. You'll need to be. Because my own skills are more than adequate.

That's only because you're in my brain. Greatest mind in the universe, this one; you couldn't help picking up a few tricks here and there.

Don't flatter yourself, Doctor. Which pieces do you want to be? I think I can guess, actually. You'll want to be the White Chessmen. The Light fighting back the Darkness. The Good Guy versus The Bad Guy.

Can we get on with this, please? I have people to save, remember?

Of course you do. You're so arrogant. The big hero, striding forward to face insurmountable odds. How cliché.

You're the one spouting them out, not me. Besides, there's nothing wrong with going up against insurmountable odds. Makes it that much more impressive when you beat them.

And you always did like to show off. Waste of energy, that. Perhaps you'd like to know just how insurmountable these particular odds are? I'll tell you right now: Your situation is impossible.

How do you mean?

Are you familiar with the concept of Centaur Chess?

I've heard the term. A human player works in tandem with a computer. They combine the computer's analytical skills with the human's intuition and dexterity, often surpassing the greatest human players and the greatest computers.

That's correct. Together, they make the best of both worlds.

What are you driving at?

Simply this: A Time Lord brain is vastly superior to a human brain.

We've established that.

And Cyberiad tech is infinitely greater than human tech.

I see. You think that you're the ultimate Chess player.

I don't think I am. I know.

And who's being arrogant now, ey?

I'm going to defeat you. That fact alone gives me every right to a certain degree of arrogance. Do you want to play White?

Yes.

First move's to you, then, Doctor. Let's see how well you play.