Doctor Who_ Lungbarrow - Marc Platt [44]
Almoner Crest Yeux placed his glass of tea on the Chancel or's desk. He had scarcely been briefed about this summons, when he was suddenly transducted, complete with his chair and the tea he was drinking, directly into the Presidential suite. An unnerving and discourteous experience.
'Director of Al egiance Lord Ferain presents his compliments to the President,' he said.
Theora shook her head slowly. The miracle of rococo styling that constituted her labyrinthine hairpiece was unassailable. It defied gravity and description in about equal measure. 'What about the Lady Leela?' she demanded.
'It is my understanding, madam, that the Lady Leelandredloomsagwinaechegesima has breached the security of the panotropic network in the Capitol. Not normal y an Agency area, I grant you, but she is the consort of the Castellan -'
' My Castellan,' said the Chancellor.
'And his involvement with the suspect would make his judgement unreliable,' continued Yeux.
'Furthermore, she is an unGallifreyan, which is very much an Agency concern, despite the ancient and outdated laws of hospitality.'
The Chancellor lifted a document from her desk. 'This order, signed by President Romanadvoratrelundar, grants the Lady Leela diplomatic immunity and the protection of the Presidential Retinue.'
He waved the document away. 'Regrettably, madam, such immunity can only be granted by the vote of the Inner Council.'
Theora replaced the paper. 'In which case, the Lady Leela will be afforded the status of Alien Ambassador to Gallifrey.'
'And that issue would have to be laid before al the Cardinals of the High Council... as have the applications for all the other newly acquired Ambassadors. The Lady Leela must be exceptional y highly regarded to be elevated so quickly. An Ambassador from a primordial planet whose location is not even registered? Oh no, I think not.'
Theora smiled cool y. 'Not registered? Surely there can't be an oversight in the Agency's data catalogues.'
'Ah,' he said, folding his hands over his generous stomach. 'Perhaps the President should advise me on that matter herself. Or isn't she available at the moment?'
'Regrettably, she is busy,' said Theora.
'How comforting to know that, like Lord Ferain, she is untiringly devoted to her duties wherever they take her.'
Yeux sipped his tea. It was cold.
59
'And Lady Leela?' Theora reminded him.
'Unfortunately the Lady Leelandredloomsagwinaechegesima has been detained for using illegal codes in an attempt to contact the former President.'
'Do you mean the Doctor?' said Theora.
'Apparently so. I daresay our current President might explain the attraction. She knows the Doctor rather better than the rest of us. How unfortunate that she isn't here. Do you know if she wil be away for long?'
'But I am here,' said a voice.
Yeux turned and saw the diminutive figure of President Romanadvoratrelundar standing behind him. She was wearing a simple white robe and her hair was loose about her shoulders. He had not heard her enter and was unsure exactly how long she had been standing there. 'Madam President,' he blustered, 'Lord Ferain presents his compliments to you.'
Romana walked round to the Chancellor's side of the desk. 'Almoner Crest Yeux,' she said gravely, 'while I respect your cover as a senior official in my Intervention Agency, I am most displeased by the conduct of the Director of Allegiance in the matter of the Lady Leelandredboomsagwinaechegesima.'
'He is carrying out his duties, Madam President. The Lady Leela has committed a number of crimes defined under the laws as unGallifreyan activities.'
'Nonsense,' snapped Romana. 'I am also aware that a guest of mine, who was travelling to Gallifrey under Presidential protection, has been hijacked in transit. She is also being held illegally by the Intervention Agency.'
Yeux shifted awkwardly in his chair. 'On that matter, I cannot comment, Madam.'
'Not good