Doctor Who_ Space War - Malcolm Hulke [37]
The Master laughed. ‘He is not only a criminal, Your Majesty. He is also mad!’
‘Ogrons?’ said the Emperor. ‘It was Earthmen who have been attacking our spaceships. They have been seen many times.’
‘No,’ cried the Doctor, ‘your people have seen Ogrons, who appeared to them as Earthmen because of an hypnotic device.’
Jo piped up, ‘It’s true, Your Majesty. And when Ogrons attacked Earth ships, Earthmen saw them as Draconians.’
The Prince hissed very loudly. ‘Silence! No female may speak in the presence of the Emperor.’
Jo said, ‘What a stupid rule. Still, anything to oblige.’
‘If what you say is true,’ said the Emperor, ‘it would explain much. We have lived in peace with the Earthmen for many years. Then, suddenly, they began to raid our spaceships. When we protested they said we were attacking their ships.’
The Prince said, ‘Was that not to cover up their own attacks?’
The Emperor ignored his son’s remark. ‘Doctor, what action do you suggest?’
‘Meet with the Earthmen. Combine with them to discover the truth.’
The Court official hurried back into the throne room. ‘May I have permission to address the Emperor?’
‘Yes?’
The official bowed. ‘Your Majesty, an Earth spaceship seeks permission to land in the palace space port. By radio they say they are on a special mission from the President of Earth.’
‘This is a trick,’ said the Prince. He looked up to his father’s throne. ‘I implore you not to allow them to land! We should rather blast them from our sky!’
‘I will hear what their President has to say,’ said the Emperor. ‘I grant my permission.’
The Court official bowed and hurried away.
‘Thank you, Your Majesty,’ said the Doctor. ‘Only if Earth and Draconia will work together can we arrive at the truth.’
‘I also wish to applaud Your Majesty’s wisdom,’ said the Master, who seemed more cheerful since news of the impending arrival of an Earth spaceship. ‘No one could be more devoted to peace than I am. As a commissioner for Earth’s Interplanetary Police, I have devoted my life to the cause of law and order, which can only be maintained in a state of peace.’
The Doctor grinned, ‘Are you feeling all right, old chap?’
‘Only in a time of social and international stability,’ the Master went on, ignoring the Doctor, ‘can society deal with criminals such as this man and this unfortunate girl.’
‘What cheek!’ Jo exclaimed. She pulled a face. ‘Oh, sorry, I forgot that mere females aren’t allowed to speak in His Majesty’s most regal and high-and-mighty presence, so I’ll try and control my natural tendency to expect to be regarded as an equal even though I am just a girl—’
‘Silence!’ screamed the Prince.
The Prince’s protest was drowned by the roar of a spaceship landing in the Palace grounds.
‘Once that ship has landed,’ said the Doctor, ‘we’ll see who is the real criminal.’ He turned to the Master. ‘’They’ll check up on those phoney credentials of yours, you know.’
‘I await the arrival of my colleagues with the utmost confidence,’ the Master replied. ‘Believe me, once they are here all my problems will be over.’
As the Master spoke, Jo started to hear the strange humming sound. ‘Doctor, listen. That sound!
The Prince roared at her, ‘Be silent, female!
‘Be silent yourself! Doctor, it’s the sound the Ogrons make.’
The Doctor nodded. ‘Your Majesty, I fear something may be very wrong. The ship that’s just landed in your grounds, I beg you to place it under guard immediately.’
‘Under guard?’ said the Emperor. ‘A moment ago you wished me to receive this special mission from the President of Earth.’
‘The Doctor’s changing his tune,’ said the Master, very sure of himself now. ‘He knows that justice is at hand.’
‘Your Majesty,’ said the Doctor, ‘please take warning—’
But he was too late. From outside the throne room they heard the crackle of blaster guns. The guards surrounding the Doctor and