Doctor Who - [093] - The Invasion Of Time Page 6

  Briefly Rodan told him of the Vardan invasion.

  Nesbin took the news calmly, almost as if it didn't much concern him. 'So, you do want something from us then. Food, protection, help. You can't survive out here on your own.'

  'I can survive anywhere!' said Leela fiercely.

  'That I can believe. What are you anyway, girl? You're not from Gallifrey, are you?'

  'I am a warrior of the Sevateem.'

  'She's an alien,' said Presta worriedly. 'Aliens are forbidden on Gallifrey. It's dangerous to keep her here, the guards will surely come hunting for her.'

  'We'll think about that in a moment,' said Nesbin. He looked hard at Leela. 'Well, warrior, perhaps you might survive. What about your friend here? I doubt if she's ever set foot outside the Capitol before.' He turned to Rodan. 'Well have you?"

  'No,' muttered Rodan.

  'It's all different out here, you know, you have to fend for yourself. How are you going to eat?'

  Rodan produced a handful of tablets from the pouch at her belt. 'I have supplies.'

  'They won't last long. How will you manage when they're finished? Have you ever eaten flesh, or fruit? Do you know how to find shelter? You wouldn't last three days out here!'

  Nesbin seemed to be taking a positive pleasure in taunting Rodan; he obviously had some grudge against Time Lords. By now Rodan was near to tears. 'I didn't realise. Oh, I'm so tired, and cold...'

  Nesbin said gruffly, 'All right, all right... You'd better get inside.'

  'Are you going to let them stay then?' demanded Presta.

  'We'll decide when we've heard more about this invasion.'

  K9 glided through the corridors of the Capitol like some great metal rat, keeping close to the walls, hiding in quiet corners, behind statues and tapestries, lurking in patches of shadow. Several times he narrowly escaped being seen by patrols of guards, and once three shimmering alien shapes glided along a nearby corridor, making K9's antennae bristle with their alien presence.

  At last K9 reached his goal. Swiftly he glided up to the still-open door of the TARDIS and disappeared inside.

  Once inside the control room, K9 paused and gave out a complex series of beeps. Activated by remote control, the door slid closed behind him.

  More bleeps, and a small panel slid open in the base of the control console. K9 glided up to it and extended his main antenna so that it fitted into the socket inside the panel. The TARDIS console hummed into life. K9's eye-screens lit up and all his antennae quivered ecstatically, as data began flooding in from the TARDIS console.

  The next stage of the Doctor's plan was under way.

  The Doctor swept into Kelner's office, followed by Borusa. The Cardinal's face was grim. The Doctor however was in high good humour.

  Kelner was not alone in his opulent office. Two tall, hooded shapes were shimmering at his side.

  'I'm sorry to have kept you waiting,' said the Doctor cheerfully.

  Kelner bowed his head. 'Not at all, Your Excellency.'

  'I wasn't talking to you,' said the Doctor, with a nod to the Vardans. He installed himself behind Kelner's desk. 'Right, shall we start? These are your new masters, and I authorise you both to acknowledge their absolute power.'

  'I am Acting-Chancellor,' said Borusa stiffly. 'You have no authority under the Constitution to order me to do any such thing.'

  'The Constitution is suspended,' said the Doctor. 'As of now!'

  'This is monstrous.'

  'Yes, but it's happening Borusa, so just do as you're told!'

  'Never. I will not submit to these aliens. I am a Time Lord, a Cardinal--'

  A ray of light shot from one of the shimmering shapes, a red glow suffused Borusa's frail old body, and he twisted and fell.

  The Assassin

  Even in his agony, Borusa managed to mutter defiance. 'I will not submit... I will not submit...'

  The red glow burned more fiercely.

  'Stop,' shouted the Doctor. 'Don't destroy him. He can still be useful to us.'

  'You will be responsible for him?' said the Vardan threateningly,

  'Yes.'

  The glow faded and Borusa lay still. The Doctor looked down at him. 'He can't help being so stiff-necked. Castellan, have the Chancellor removed to his quarters. Don't let anyone in or out, he's under house arrest.'

  Kelner was terrified. 'Immediately, sir. Guards, you heard the President.'

  Two guards came forward and helped Borusa to his feet. The old man was recovering fast, though still very weak. Sustained only by his indomitable will, he shook off the aid of the guards and walked from the room.

  The Doctor looked after him. 'You have to admire him, you know, he does have courage.'

  'He is a fool,' said the Vardan dispassionately. 'If he causes trouble we shall destroy him-and you also.'

  The Doctor looked hurt. 'I've kept my part of the bargain so far, haven't I? What more do you want?'

  'More?' The Vardan's voice was scornful. 'We have not begun yet, Doctor. When we are certain that we have achieved complete dominance over your people, we will reveal our requirements to you.'

  'And return to your true forms? I find it disconcerting, talking to shimmering shapes.'

  'The time is not yet right. First, you must complete the arrangements for the conquest of your people.'

  'Naturally, naturally,' said the Doctor, as if this was a matter of only minor importance. 'Well, Castellan, the Chancellor doesn't seem too keen to help us. What about you?'

  Wringing his hands in terror, Kelner bowed low. 'It is my duty to serve the President at all times. My only desire is to do whatever you wish.'

  'Somehow I thought you'd see things like that. You can start by making sure nobody tries to organise any sort of resistance. That's the last thing we want.'

  'Yes, sir, I quite agree. Peaceful co-operation is a much more fruitful course.'

  'That's the idea. Listen, why don't you just regard yourself as acting Vice-President, eh?'

  Kelner was thrilled. 'Thank you, sir.'

  'You'd better make me a list of all Time Lords in official positions-the ones you think are reliable.'

  'Yes, of course, sir.'

  'And you'd better give me a list of known troublemakers as well,' added the Doctor carelessly. 'Just so we know who's most likely to resist.'

  'Immediately, sir. I'll begin at once.'

  'That's the stuff,' said the Doctor encouragingly. 'Off you go then.'

  Kelner hurried away and the Doctor turned to the Vardans. 'I knew we'd be able to rely on him. Well, now you're safely here, why don't you relax, make yourselves at home?'

  Sitting down, the Doctor swung his feet up on Kelner's desk and beamed at the two Vardan invaders as if he hadn't a care in the world.

  The Vardans shimmered and vanished.

  The Doctor grinned. 'Unsociable lot!'

  He sat there for some time, staring into space, thinking hard. He was still in the same position some time later, when Kelner hurried back into the room. 'Ah, there you are, Kelner!'

  'Is there anything more I can do for you, sir?'

  'Yes, get me a jelly baby.'

  Kelner looked baffled and the Doctor said, 'In my right-hand pocket, man.'

  Kelner hurried round the side of the chair. Gingerly, he fished the bag of jelly babies out of the Doctor's pocket.

  'What colour would you prefer, sir?'

  'Orange.'

  'There doesn't seem to be an orange one left, sir,' said Kelner worriedly.

  He offered the bag and the Doctor took a jelly baby at random. It was black. 'One grows tired of jelly babies, Kelner.'

  'Indeed, one does, sir.'

  'Tired of almost everything-except power.'

  'Yes, sir.'

  'Except power,' repeated the Doctor musingly. 'Is the curfew effective, Castellan?'

  'Yes, sir. No incidents have been reported.'

  'Splendid! What a superbly subservient Capitol you run, Castellan.'

  'You are most
generous, sir.'

  The Doctor's voice hardened. 'Where are those lists I asked for?'

  Kelner jumped, produced a mini-recorder and handed it to the Doctor.

  The Doctor touched a control, and a list of names began flowing across the tiny screen. 'I see. These are the people you feel we can rely on.' He adjusted the setting, and another list appeared. 'And these are the Time Lords you regard as potential rebels against our regime?"

  'I do, sir. I've checked bio-data extracts of all the Time Lords in the Capitol personally.'

  'Have you now?'

  'With one or two exceptions,' added Kelner hastily. 'Such as your good self, of course."

  'I should think so too!' The Doctor frowned at the recorder. 'Well, if these are our potential rebels, we'd better do something about them, hadn't we?'

  Suddenly a Vardan was with them. 'Unreliable elements must be destroyed.'

  The Doctor beamed at the newcomer. 'Oh, I hardly think so. I'm sure they can be all made to see reason, given time. Besides, they have a good deal of knowledge and experience between them. Some of them might be very useful.'

  'They must be destroyed. There is no other choice.'

  'Oh, but there is, isn't there Kelner?'

  Kelner had no wish to become involved in a dispute between the Doctor and his new masters. 'There is?'

  'Expulsion!'

  'Oh, yes, an excellent idea, sir."

  The Doctor looked at the Vardan. 'None of them can survive out there without help-and there is no help out there.'

  Kelner hastened to agree. 'It really would be an admirable deterrent. All Time Lords fear the Outside. Once they realise that rebels face expulsion, they'll soon come to heel.'

  The Vardan said, 'Very well. We approve. But Chancellor Borusa will be kept here in confinement as a hostage.'

  'Naturally, naturally,' said the Doctor. 'All right, Castellan, get on with it. I suggest you put them out one at a time-the effect will be more terrifying if they don't have company.'

  'Yes, sir. I'll start immediately, sir.'

  Kelner hurried away.

  The Doctor beamed at the two Vardans. 'A good day's work, wouldn't you say?'

  'Your progress so far has been-satisfactory,' said the Vardan grudgingly.

  'Listen. Don't you think it's time you showed a little trust? You could relax now, materialise properly.'

  'It is not yet time. Your next task is to dismantle the Quantum force field around Gallifrey.'

  'I sabotaged the barriers so you could come through. But dismantling the force field completely-that's impossible.'

  'You will find a way.'

  'But if we tamper with the force field the whole planet may vaporise!'

  'You will find a way!'

  'I can't...'

  'You will.' The Vardan disappeared. The discussion was ended.

  Suddenly cheerful again, the Doctor snapped his fingers at his bodyguard Varn, who stood waiting by the door, and hurried from the room.

  Varn hurried after him.

  A fire burnt in the centre of the log hut, and the air was warm and smoky. Leela and Rodan sat in the middle of a circle of grim-faced Outsiders, while Nesbin questioned them in detail about the invasion of Gallifrey.

  When he was satisfied he had extracted all they knew, Nesbin growled. 'Gallifrey invaded, eh? It was supposed to be impossible.'

  'How do you know that?' asked Leela. 'You're not Time Lords, are you?'

  'Oh, but we are,' growled Nesbin. 'Some of us, anyway. Or at least, we were-until we decided to drop out.'

  'Drop out? You fell from the Capitol?'

  'Some of us were expelled, others left of their own accord. All that peace and tranquillity can get very boring, you know.'

  Leela turned to Rodan. 'Does he speak the truth?'

  'Sometimes rebels and criminals are punished by expulsion. I've heard rumours of people leaving voluntarily, but it's a subject that's never mentioned.'

  'No, it wouldn't be,' said Nesbin scornfully. 'It might upset their cosy little world, where violence is taboo.'

  (Nesbin himself had been expelled for physically attacking a rival Time Lord, an offence almost unknown in Time Lord society.)

  'Then you are ready to fight,' said Leela. 'Good!'

  'Now wait a minute girl--'

  'No! You must listen to me, before it is too late. I tell you we must fight.'

  'Why should we listen to you? You can't even look after yourselves.'

  Ablif was sitting close to Leela, and before anyone could stop her she snatched her knife from his belt, and jumped to her feet. 'Try me!'

  Leela was crouched cat-like, ready to spring. Suddenly Nesbin knew that not only was she capable of killing him, she was positively looking forward to it. He backed away. 'We'll settle this later, when I'm not so busy.'

  Leela swung round on the Outsiders. 'Listen to me, all of you. Gallifrey is your planet, and it has been invaded. Whatever your differences with the Time Lords, you must fight to defend it! Are we agreed?'

  There was a fierce growl of agreement from the crowd.

  Castellan Kelner was in the process of expelling Gomer, taking a good deal of pleasure in the task. 'Your record shows that you are politically unreliable, Lord Gomer.'

  Standing before Kelner's desk, flanked by two guards, Gomer was quite unafraid. 'How dare you, Kelner. There isn't a more loyal Time Lord on Gallifrey.'

  'Loyal to the old ways, perhaps.'

  'What other ways are there?' asked Gomer simply. 'Honour does not change.'

  Kelner scowled under the implied rebuke. 'We consider you to be dangerous, a threat to the new regime.'

  'At my age, I take that to be a compliment, Castellan Kelner. I may be getting on, but if I knew of any way of attacking these invaders...'

  'You'd do it!' concluded Kelner. 'Yes, I'm sure you would. We'll all be safer with you out of the way.'

  'What are you going to do with me?'

  'By order of the president, you are to be expelled from the Capitol.'

  To Gomer's ears it was a death sentence, but he accepted it unflinchingly. 'I go gladly. I prefer to die honourably, even Outside, than to live on here as a slave.'

  Andred stepped forward. 'You'd better come with me, sir,' he said gently, and led the defiant old man away.

  Execution of sentence was immediate, and soon Gomer was being marched along the corridors leading towards the Outside. The walk was a long one and the old man's steps began to falter. 'I'm sorry, I can't go any faster, it's my age, you know. I'm nearing the end of this regeneration.'

  'Yes, sir, I know,' said Andred gently. 'You just set your own pace.'

  'In my younger days I was considered lively enough,' said the old man sadly. 'I was quite a rebel.'

  'No doubt that's why you're being expelled now, sir.'

  'No doubt. Kelner and I never got on, you know, never saw eye to eye. To tell you the truth, I still can't stand the fellow.'

  'You're not alone in that, sir.'

  Gomer chuckled. 'You'd better take care, young fellow, or you'll be following me Outside.'

  'I don't think so, sir. Some of us are going to try and change things.'

  Gomer nodded warningly towards the two guards, and Andred smiled.

  'Don't worry, sir, they're on our side. So are quite a few others, more than Kelner and the president realise. We're gaining new recruits all the time.'

  Gomer was delighted. 'Good for you young fellow, good for you! Can I stay and help?'

  'Thank you sir, but I'm afraid I must put you Outside, for the time being at least. We're not ready to attack yet, and Kelner will grow suspicious if the expulsions aren't carried out.'

  'I understand.'

  'But you may find help Outside, sir. The Outsiders may be rebels and criminals, but I'm sure they'll be loyal to Gallifrey. Rodan and the alien girl are out there already. Try to find them, I'm sure they'll help you if they can.'

  Gomer nodded and hobbled bravely towards his fate.

&n
bsp; They reached the tunnel to the Outside and then Andred led Gomer through it. He blenched at the sight of the bleak empty moor, but his courage did not fail him. 'Goodbye, young man, and good luck.'

  'Good luck to you sir.'

  For a moment Andred watched the frail old figure hobble across the moorland. Then, grim-faced, he turned and went back to the Capitol.

  A short time later, in a hidden vault beneath the Panopticon, Andred was addressing a small meeting of rebel guards and Time Lords, telling them of Gomer's expulsion, and of more expulsions to follow. 'We must act soon,' he concluded, 'and the first thing we must do is kill the President!'

  A shocked murmur of protest came from the little group.

  'I know it's against every law of Gallifrey, and I know it will mean my breaking my sacred oath, but there is no other way. The new President has forfeited the right to our protection. He is the traitor who made this invasion possible, and he must die for it. Are you with me?'

  There was a moment of silence. To a Time Lord an elected President had a sacred aura.

  'Well?' said Andred fiercely.

  'I agree,' said a guard grimly. 'I don't like it, but it's the only way.' There was a reluctant chorus of assent.

  'Right. Well, first we must find him when he's away from his alien friends-and away from that tame bodyguard Kelner's given him. Then we can strike!'

  The Doctor was trying very hard to get away from his tame bodyguard at that very moment. He had been marching the man up and down the Capitol on a vague tour of inspection for ages, but Varn refused to be shaken off.

  'May I ask where we're going now, sir?' he panted.

  'Sssh!' said the Doctor mysteriously. 'I'm not at liberty to tell you.'

  The Doctor led the way briskly down a few more corridors, then into a small ante room where a blue box stood at the bottom of a ramp. He produced a key, and opened the door of the box.

  Varn started to follow him.

  The Doctor halted. 'No, no, you stay outside.'

  'I can't sir, I must stay with you. Castellan's orders.'

  The Doctor was struck by a sudden inspiration. He flung open his coat to reveal a shining chain of linked bands across his chest. 'Do you know what that is?'

  Varn bowed his head. 'Yes, Your Excellency. The Sash of Rassilon!'