Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [22]
Doulton nodded happily. It seemed his communication to the Yard had been acted upon with greater alacrity than he could have imagined.
'The Doctor believes there is a serious threat to the stability of the space-time continuum centred on this locality,'
Nyssa added helpfully. A sterner look passed to her from the Doctor, but the general was already nodding sagely.
‘I know nothing of this continuum, but any threat to the Queen is serious,' he said. 'We can never be too vigilant in safeguarding the ruler of our mighty empire!'
'Quite right too,' the Doctor said. 'Safety first, that's my policy. Well, perhaps we could move indoors. Night is closing in rather quickly and all that...’
Doulton replaced his pistol in its holster and led the arrivals back into the Mausoleum. must say, I am most grateful for any light you can shed on events, Doctor. The claims made by this young man and his guardian, they seem to beggar belief.'
'Is that so, General?'
'Damnably so, yes. The Queen will listen to no counsel, heed no warnings nor brook any opposition. Perhaps you can help to dissuade her from this course of action.'
'Well, I will endeavour to do what is best, as always...'
'Capital, Doctor, capital. I must say, I was taken aback by your sudden appearance and curious garb but you seem exactly the right sort - a gentleman and a scholar.'
Nyssa cleared her throat conspicuously as they reached the entranceway to the Mausoleum again. 'Perhaps I could have a few words with my fellow traveller - alone?'
The general concurred. 'I will go ahead and seek a brief audience for you with Her Majesty. If you would be so kind as to wait here.' He disappeared inside and found the Queen preparing to leave, accompanied by her attendants, the young man Lees and his guardian.
'Yes, General, what is it?'
'Your Majesty, I have located the cause of the disturbance.'
'Indeed. And what, pray tell, was responsible? And who are those people outside?'
`Two visitors, one of them sent by the police at Scotland Yard. They have come investigating reports of strange phenomena close to the castle.'
'Intriguing. Have them brought before us.'
`Yes, Your Majesty.' The general turned and beckoned the Doctor and Nyssa inside. 'This gentleman is Dr John Smith, and his companion is Lady Nyssa of Traken.'
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: As in most things, the Doctor was right about the reception we received upon arrival. A military man was the first we encountered, a bluff individual waving a projectile weapon and asking bluff questions. But the Doctor quickly talked his way inside our interrogator's trust and within minutes we were to be introduced to Queen Victoria. The Doctor did his best to school me in the protocol of the time.
'Never speak until you are spoken to. When you are introduced, curtsy respectfully. Call the Queen "Your Majesty"
when you first speak to her and "ma'am" after that.'
The general reappeared, waving us forward to meet the Queen. She was surprisingly small of size but suitably regal, with a tranquil grace and piercing eyes. Behind her were three other women, no doubt just a few of her many servants.
Off to one side stood an awkward young man and a stern-faced woman. She had a hand clamped on the young man's shoulder in a manner I can only describe as proprietorial.
The monarch welcomed us and began to introduce those attending her. Just as she reached the young man I felt my stomach twist with nausea. Something was wrong, very wrong, I could feel it. Again, the stench of burning sugar assaulted my senses, just as it had done in the TARDIS
earlier. I swallowed hard to keep down a surge of bile.
'And this young man is James Lees, a gifted psychic,' the Queen said grandly. 'We have decided to appoint him as our Royal Medium.' That brought mutterings from the attendants and a smile to the stern-faced woman's pinched features.
The young man nodded graciously at this honour,