Doctor Who_ The Twin Dilemma - Eric Saward [37]
With all the swash and buckle of a Sabatini hero, the Time Lord threw open the door and bounded in. 'Still bullying children, eh, Azmael?'
Rapidly the bemused quartet in the room turned to see who was making so much fuss and noise. Who in the world is this fool?
their expression said.
The Doctor glanced over his shoulder to see who they were really looking at.
Then slowly, painfully, he realised they were looking at him.
Meanwhile, Hugo had managed to free himself from the hardened slime. Although Peri had protested long and forcefully, the young pilot had refused to return to the TARDIS. His mission, he had declared rather pompously, was to save the twins.
Unfortunately, Hugo had proclaimed his quest too loudly, and, as he moved off in the same direction the Doctor had taken, two Jacondan guards stepped from the shadows rendering him unconscious neatly and efficiently with the butt of their guns.
As Peri turned to run, she had come face to face with a third guard who smiled politely then twisted her arm painfully behind her back.
Once more she was a prisoner, and like the times before, she hated it!
9
END GAME, PART ONE
Drak, who had been slouched in a corner reading a comic, was the first to move. As he got to his feet he tugged his laser pistol from its holster.
Romulus and Remus watched the Jacondan in eager anticipation of violence. But they were unlucky.
Azmael, momentarily struck dumb by the unnecessary aggression of the Doctor's arrival, located his voice, then stepped forward to greet him.
'My dear friend,' he said extending his hand. Tm delighted to see that you're safe.'
The Doctor, feeling less affable, responded with a mouthful of abuse. He demanded to know why Azmael had found it necessary to try and kill him.
Deciding it was time to play the diplomat, Drak stepped between the two arguing men. 'Azmael didn't know the self-destruct mechanism had been set.'
The Doctor didn't believe the Jacondan.
'He's telling the truth,' said Remus.
'It was the other man,' added Romulus. 'His name's Noma.'
The Doctor looked around the room. 'Where is he?'
'With Lord Mestor,' said Drax. 'And I wouldn't be too quick to blame him. He was only obeying Mestor's orders.'
Azmael extended his hand again. 'I am truly delighted you survived, my dear Doctor.'
This time the hand was accepted.
'Now we must find somewhere for you to hide.'
The Doctor shook his head. 'First tell me what's going on here.'
Quickly Azmael told of Mestor's plan to move the two outer planets of the Jacondan solar system and turn them into agricultural paradises.
Silently the Doctor listened, both amazed and impressed at the boldness of the plan, until his eye fell on the astronomical model.
Followed by Azmael, the Doctor crossed to examine it more carefully. There was no need for him to ask whether the model was of the Jacondan solar system, as a small, neatly engraved plaque announced the fact.
'Is this model to scale?' enquired the Doctor.
'Of course.'
'Very interesting,' muttered the Doctor.
'Is there something wrong?'
But before the Doctor could answer, the door of the laboratory was thrown open and two guards entered, supporting a stunned Hugo.
Gently they lowered him into a chair. As they did, Noma appeared at the door. 'The Lord Mestor wishes you to exmaine the humanoid for internal damage.'
'Of course,' said Azmael crossing to Hugo.
At the same moment Noma noticed the Doctor. 'You certainly get around,' he smirked. 'I think you'd better come with me. The Lord Mestor would like a few words with you.'
'Where's Peri?' demanded the Doctor.
'Quite safe,' echoed a sickly, sibilant voice which definitely wasn't Noma's.
As the Doctor glanced around, wondering where the sound had come from, a hologram image started to form in the middle of the room.
It was Mestor, showing off again.
'Welcome to Jaconda, Doctor,' the voice hissed. 'Although I would have thought it more polite if you had announced your presence without me having to seek