Doctor Who_ Space War - Malcolm Hulke [36]
‘Surely we shall now declare war upon Earth,’ said the Prince. ‘Let me lead your battle fleet to crush them! ‘
‘They too have battle fleets, my son. Such a war could bring down both Empires.’ The Emperor had never forgotten the enormous loss of Draconian life in the last war with Earth.
‘Not if we strike first,’ replied the Prince with enthusiasm. ‘Then we shall be the victors.’
‘In such a war there are no victors.’
‘But father,’ implored the Prince, ‘the nobles of the Court are demanding action. The throne depends upon their support. Emperors have been disposed of before when they displeased the great Draconian families.’
The old Emperor was silent. Although the position of Emperor passed from father to son, he knew from Draconian history that weak Emperors in the past had been suddenly, sometimes violently, removed from office, when they lost the support of Draconia’s nobles.
‘I shall question these Earthmen myself. I have already sent for them.’
‘And waste more time listening to their lies?’
The Emperor looked keenly into his son’s eyes. ‘Sometimes I think you might be the first to depose me.’
‘Never! I am your willing servant, father. I only wish to warn you—’
A Court official hurried into the throne room. ‘May I have permission to address the Emperor?’
The Emperor nodded.
‘The prisoners, sir, have arrived.’
‘Then let them be brought in,’ replied the Emperor.
The official hurried out.
‘They are bound to lie to you,’ said the Prince. ‘They’ll want to save their own lives.’
‘We shall see,’ said the Emperor. ‘We shall see.’
The captain from the Draconian battle cruiser that had caught the Master’s ship over the frontier came in with the Doctor, Jo and the Master. ‘I bring the prisoners, sir.’ Five armed guards entered behind the trio, blaster guns held at the ready.
The Doctor stepped straight towards the throne. ‘May I have permission to address the Emperor?’ He took a step closer, hand held out to take and kiss the Emperor’s claw. Three of the guards stepped forward.
‘Wait!’ said the Emperor. He waved the guards aside.
‘Thank you.’ The Doctor took the Emperor’s claw and kissed it. ‘My life at your command.’
The Draconian Prince was outraged. ‘This is an insult! He mocks our ways!’
The Doctor turned to him. ‘Don’t I know you from Earth? You were the Draconian Ambassador there.’
‘How dare you address the Emperor in the manner reserved for nobles of Draconia!’
‘I am a noble of Draconia,’ said the Doctor. ‘The rank was conferred on me by the fifteenth Emperor.’
The Prince hissed loudly. ‘The fifteenth Emperor reigned five hundred years ago!’
The Master saw his opportunity to step forward. ‘Your Majesty, do not be taken in by so absurd a story. This man is a dangerous criminal.’
‘Be silent!’ The Emperor raised his claw angrily. Then he turned to the Doctor. ‘There is a legend of one from Space who assisted the Emperor of five hundred years ago at a time of great trouble. But you cannot be that person. No Earthman lives so long.’
‘The man you speak of, Your Majesty, was he not known as the Doctor? Did he not help your people overcome a great plague which came from Space?’
The Emperor nodded, scratching his snout. ‘That is the legend.’
‘The race from which I come lives longer than any Earthman, Your Majesty. Moreover, we have the power to travel both in Space and in Time. Believe me, I am the Doctor.’
‘Even if I accept your claim,’ said the Emperor, ‘you have broken our laws. Why did you violate Draconian Space?’
‘If I may explain, Your Majesty,’ said the Master, before the Doctor had time to reply, ‘this man was—and still is—my prisoner. Perhaps I can show you my credentials—’
The Doctor cut in. ‘It is true I was brought here as a prisoner, Your Majesty. Yet I came here willingly. This man, who pretends to be