Doctor Who_ War Games - Malcolm Hulke [41]
‘He is my prisoner.’
‘And I am your superior. Get all that stuff removed, please.’
In silent outrage the Security Chief turned to the security guard. ‘You heard what the War Chief said.’
The security guard removed the pain cowl and the straps.
‘I shall question him in my own way in the war room,’
said the War Chief. ‘No doubt you will wish to report that to the War Lord the moment we have left this room.’
Escorted by the bodyguards the Doctor left the room followed by the War Chief. The Security Chief stood staring at the closed door, his face crimson with anger.
The War Chief took the Doctor into his private office just off the war room and told his bodyguards to leave.
‘Now,’ he said, ‘a traveller in a time-space machine. There is only one person you can be.’
‘I had every right to leave,’ said the Doctor.
‘And to steal a TARDIS?’ The War Chief smiled. ‘Not that I am criticising you. I left our people too. We are two of a kind.’
‘We most certainly are not!’ the Doctor protested.
The War Chief shrugged. ‘Well, we were both Time Lords. Tell me, why did you decide to desert our kin?’
‘I had reasons of my own. Rather different from yours, I imagine.’
‘Probably they were. Why don’t you sit down?’ The War Chief settled himself into his own comfortable chair. ‘How much have you learnt of our plans here?’
‘Obviously you have kidnapped soldiers from various times in the history of the planet Earth, and you’ve brought them here to kill each other.’
The War Chief nodded. ‘Very good observation. But do you realise our ultimate objective?’
‘No objective can justify such slaughter,’ said the Doctor.
‘The war games on this planet are simply a means to an end,’ the War Chief explained. ‘The War Lords intend to conquer the entire galaxy. For this an army is needed not only of immense size but also of the utmost ferocity. Our purpose with these mock wars is to eliminate the cowards and the fools. We are only interested in recruiting the survivors.’
‘How disgusting,’ said the Doctor. ‘But tell me, whyhave you only abducted fighting men from the planet Earth?’
‘Mankind is the most vicious species of all in the galaxy.
Consider its history. Since they emerged from apes they have been systematically killing each other, either to gain land, or in the name of God, or for politics. We can turn the savage instincts of these humans to good purpose. We shall bring a new order of peace to the galaxy. And you can help.’
The Doctor eyed the War Chief. ‘You have given these War Lords our knowledge and science to carry out this despicable scheme?’
‘To create eternal peace, Doctor.’
‘It sounds more like an empire of slaves.’
‘With you and me in control.’ The War Chief leant forward in his chair. ‘Doctor, I am trying to save your life.
If I can convince the War Lord that you will help us—’
He stopped short as the door opened. The War Lord entered followed by the Security Chief and his guards.
‘Interrogation,’ said the War Lord, ‘is the business of the Security Chief.’
The War Chief stood up, but not so quickly as to suggest humility. ‘I know this man. He is a fugitive Time Lord.’
‘Like yourself,’ said the War Lord. He turned to the Doctor. ‘Have you informed the Time Lords of what we are doing?’
‘He dare not,’ said the War Chief. ‘It would betray him.’
‘He has allied himself with the resistance,’ said the Security Chief. ‘He has organised them against us. He must die.’
‘On the contrary,’ said the War Chief. ‘He now knows that the resistance is futile. I have convinced him to join us. He can help us destroy the resistance.’
‘He should be killed now,’ the Security Chief insisted.
‘We cannot possibly trust him.’
‘Silence!’ The War Lord paused to consider. ‘If he helps us to destroy the resistance then his life will be spared. War Chief, I shall hold you personally responsible. Failure will mean death—for both of you.’
The War Lord turned and left the little office. After a moment’s hesitation the Security Chief and his guards followed.
‘I didn’t promise to help you,’ said the Doctor.
‘I have just saved your life,