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By Root 342 0

was of the essence. The Doctor would have to be stopped before his activities became more than merely aggravating. He also needed the TARDIS.

The Leader turned to the android. 'Go,' he said. 'Fetch the Doctor and his friend.'

Without hesitation, the android glided out of the laboratory, across the cellar and past Tegan, who was seated at a rough, wooden table, a control bracelet fitted to her wrist.

Carefully, with very precise movements, she packed small blue ampoules into reinforced carrying boxes.

Before climbing the cellar steps, the android wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and fitted his death's-head mask. Again he was every inch the Great Reaper.

When the android had gone, the Leader spoke into his communicator, informing his comrades, who were already at their town base, that his work was nearly complete and that he would be joining them as soon as it grew dark and was safe to travel. But it was the news that he had discovered the Doctor and his time machine that drew an enormous hiss of pleasure and satisfaction from his fellow Terileptils.

Adric sat on Tegan's bed and watched Nyssa attach the frequency enhancer to the sonic booster. Although outwardly he was much calmer, he was still concerned about Tegan.

With the enhancer in place, Nyssa used a magnetic clamp to secure it. The machine looked very clumsy and top heavy.

'It looks very vulnerable,' said Adric.

Nyssa nodded. 'It really needs an energy barrier to protect it.'

'Can't you fit one?'

'I don't have the components.' Nyssa looked worried. 'I wish the Doctor would hurry up.

He knows far more about these things than I do.'

Adric slid from the bed and crossed to the door. 'Didn't you say he'd gone to the mill? I'll go and look for him.'

'No! If you miss each other we'd have to send out a search party for you.'

Adric paused at the door. 'I lack the skill to help you with the booster,' he said. 'I want to do something.'

Nyssa smiled weakly; she knew how he felt. 'Look,' she said, gently, 'the sooner the booster is finished, the sooner we can get back to the house for Tegan.'

Adric nodded. But it didn't help his feeling of helplessness.

'And cheer up,' she said. 'Being sad isn't going to help Tegan.'

Dust flew everywhere as bales of straw were thrown down from the loft in the stable.

Eager hands grappled with them as they were dragged outside to build a bonfire. The man in the smock, his face red with excitement, urged the villagers on.

'Come on, lads! Quick as you can! Let's have them burnt before they can work any more of their magic!'

In the harness room, the two alleged warlocks worked away at the planking.

'I fear the man who built this wall knew his trade too well,' said Mace.

'We must keep trying.'

Mace worked at the timber with the knife. 'If only we possessed the skills of which we are accused. A small spell would work wonders.'

'Keep trying.' But the words were no sooner out of the Doctor's mouth than Mace was sent stumbling across the room, as the planking he was working on was punched inwards. Stunned, Mace watched in horror as other planks were splintered and wrenched from their place. The pounding continued until the hole was large enough to admit the android, cloak billowing, his death's-head almost seeming to glow.

Mace crouched in the corner where he had fallen.

'It's all right,' said the Doctor, helping the terrified actor to his feet.

'He isn't here to harm us.'

'How can you be so sure?'

'If he were, we would be dead already.'

Although unable to speak, the android made it very clear that they should follow him.

Slowly Mace walked towards the hole.

There were raised voices in the stable. Someone shouted, 'Quickly! The warlocks are escaping.'

Rapidly the bolts were drawn and the harness-room door thrown open. Expecting to see the Doctor and Mace, the villagers were greeted instead by the android, his massive body filling the doorframe.

'Death!' screamed the man in the smock. 'The warlocks have summoned up Death.'

The villagers turned