Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [36]
`Nyssa, think of your father!' the Doctor shouted. Think of Tremas!'
Ì can't!' I cried, unable to tear my gaze away from the creature looming over me.
`Close your eyes, Nyssa - picture his face in front of you!'
Fighting every instinct in my being, I forced my eyes shut and tried to conjure up images of my father. I opened my eyes again and saw him reaching towards me, his eyes kindly and warm. 'Come to me, my child.' The voice was full of affection and love, a voice I had thought I would never hear again. My father Tremas stood before me, his gentle hands held out, waiting for me to embrace him.
`Doctor?'
`You're safe now, Nyssa - that spirit won't harm you,' he replied.
The creature of glowing light had been replaced by a being of flesh and blood, as solid as any mortal. I got up and threw myself into my father's arms, hugging him with all my strength. I had missed him so much, more than I had realised. 'Never let me go again,' I begged him.
`Lady Nyssa has been having bad dreams, Sir Henry,' Mary said, her back pressed against the bedchamber door. 'She asked me to make sure she wasn't disturbed, in the hope she would get a good night's sleep'
Ponsonby scoffed at this. 'Stand aside! I wish to see the truth for myself.'
Mary refused to budge. 'I'm sorry, sir, but it wouldn't be right to allow a married man into Lady Nyssa's bedchamber at this time of night'
Ì am the Queen's private secretary and you will do as I command! Stand aside!'
Mary finally acceded to his demand. Once she was out of the way Ponsonby rapped on the door with his knuckles.
`Lady Nyssa, this is Sir Henry Ponsonby - may I come in?' he called.
When no reply came, he knocked more firmly on the door.
'Lady Nyssa, can you hear me? Is everything all right in there?' Ponsonby tried the handle but the door seemed to be locked from the inside. He stooped to peer through the keyhole.
`Sir Henry!' Mary exclaimed in shock. Lady Nyssa may be undressed!'
He glared at her. 'Go and fetch that page. I may require his assistance to break down this door.'
Mary scampered away, trying to recall the quickest way to Sir Henry's office. She had done her best. Whatever happened now, she could not be blamed. Behind her the private secretary resumed banging on the door. 'Lady Nyssa, can you hear me?'
Another scream burst from the room, but this time it was the strangled cry of a man's voice. Sir Henry redoubled his efforts to open the door.
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: James cried out in agony, his figure twitching and convulsing.
My father and I watched as the Doctor examined the young man. 'He is dying - heartbeat highly irregular, hardly breathing at all. I think the strain is becoming too much for him.' The Doctor stood up and looked at my lather. `Tremas, I'm sorry but...'
Ì understand, Doctor,' my father replied.
From outside the bedchamber I could hear someone
,'flouting and the door being thumped repeatedly. Understand what?' I asked. 'What's going on?'
My father placed his hands on my shoulders. `Nyssa, I must go now I can't stay here any longer.'
`Please don't go - I can't stand to lose you again,' I pleaded.
`You know I can't stay, my child. If I remain here James will die - you don't want him to die for me, do you?'
`No, of course not. But why does -'
`James is sacrificing his life force to sustain your father's presence here, Nyssa,' the Doctor said quietly. `Tremas is right - you have to let him go now'
`Please, I can't - you don't know what you're asking!' I begged.
`Yes, I do. Every time one of my friends dies, I have to let them go - just like I did with Adric. Every time one of my travelling companions leaves the TARDIS, I have to let them go - just as I did with Tegan. One day you will leave me too, Nyssa, and when that day comes I will let you go. Now you must do the same with your father.'
`No. .. no...' I sobbed.