Doctor Who_ The Infinity Doctors - Lance Parkin [30]
‘Your presence is an unexpected honour,’ the Doctor said.
He’d been expecting a Cabinet member, but not its head. He recognised a Sontaran handful of the others: Admiral Krax of the Three Millionth Fleet, Chancellor Stroc, Chief of Staff Grol. All with enough firepower at their command to level a galaxy. But Sontar had the power to level them.
‘My presence is a clear demonstration of the priority the Sontaran race assigns to the campaign for peace,’ Sontar bellowed.
If things went wrong, then no doubt there would be another General Sontar on the Sontaran Throne by this evening, the Doctor mused. In the early days there had been civil wars and schisms as rival General Sontars vied for supremacy, each convinced – and each of them correct in the assertion by every definition – that they were the rightful heir. Nowadays, the Sontaran War Cabinet simply declared which of them was the one, true General Sontar, and all Sontarans followed that order, that Sontar, without question.
Life was less complicated that way.
‘General, I appreciate exactly the significance of your presence.’
‘Good,’ Sontar barked. He looked around. ‘So this is the fabled city of the Time Lords.’
The materialisation platform was thirty-five storeys above ground level, and allowed excellent vistas of the Capitol. It must have been difficult for an outsider to distinguish the larger computer banks and machines from the tower blocks.
Everything under the Dome was carefully harmonised, joined with a delicate network of walkways and roadways. There were terraced gardens, sculpture parks, clock towers and ornamental lakes. Architecture without any limitations on the architect’s imagination, lit perfectly by the holographic lamps fixed to the roof of the Dome, preserved in this weatherless, controlled environment.
‘The Capitol has stood for millions of years. It was Rassilon’s capital, although of course in those days it looked very different and the Dome had not yet been built. The Time Lord Citadel dates from the time of Rassilon and Omega, although many parts are much older. Negotiations will be held in there.’
The Doctor indicated the Citadel, although he didn’t need to – it was the largest building, set right underneath the apex of the Dome.
‘Proceed,’ Sontar ordered. Before the Doctor could react, the Sontarans began marching as one along the walkway that led to the Citadel. The Doctor kept pace, and although the Capitol Guard were caught unawares, they quickly closed ranks to escort the alien delegation.
Sontar had fixed his gaze on the dark structure, but gave no sign of an emotional response. ‘Military Intelligence informs me that not all Gallifreyans are Time Lords.’
‘Quite correct. And not all Time Lords are Gallifreyans, although the vast majority are.’
‘All the Time Lords are in that Citadel?’
‘Correct. All the colleges, living quarters, control rooms and scientific research facilities.’
‘It seems too small for that.’
‘The Citadel, like many of the Capitol’s buildings, is larger on the inside than the outside.’
‘Who lives out here?’ Sontar asked, indicating the city with a sweep of his claw.
‘Ancillary staff and their families. Technicians, artisans, cleaners, artists, engineers, cooks, musicians. Everyone the Time Lords need to support them and their Citadel. Although truth be told the Citadel is probably self-sufficient.’
‘It was once a fortress,’ Sontar stated.
The Doctor turned to him, puzzled. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Of course it was,’ the General laughed. ‘Look at the thickness of the walls, the buttresses and battlements. I should say it was a stronghold built to withstand a siege. No need to be coy about your race’s past with me, Doctor.’
‘I’m not. You are clearly right, it’s just that it never occurred to me before.’
‘There are no great legends of those battles? Does every Time Lord not sing praise of that day?’
‘No.’
There was a gleam in Sontar’s eye. ‘I wonder who it was that the Time Lords fought? It must have been a glorious conflict, and a magnificent victory. Yet you choose to honour those