by John Peel
Steven moved over to join Bret at the controls. ‘There must be something we can do.’
Bret looked up, impassively. ‘There’s nothing.’
Wildly, Steven suggested: ‘Why not depressurize the airlock?’
The Doctor snorted. ‘That wouldn’t work – they’d both be dead before we could get in there.’
‘All right.’ Steven thought hard. ‘How about putting on space suits and going round the outside of the ship to the airlock. Then Bret could open the outer door...’
‘And they’d both be shot out into space by the outrushing air!’ the Doctor finished. ‘It’s quite out of the question.’
‘Well, what can we do then?’
Shaking his head, the Doctor said softly: ‘We’ll have to do as he says. We’d better change course. Let him go to Kembel – and see if he likes his reception by the Daleks!’
‘And what about us?’ Steven asked. ‘The Daleks might be glad to see us with their core, but they won’t let us live.’
‘I’ll think of something,’ the Doctor snapped, testily. ‘Until then, we have no option but to do as he says’ He reached towards the controls.
‘Get away from there,’ Bret said, coldly, holding up his pistol. ‘Go on, move away.’
The Doctor stared at him and the gun incredulously. ‘What are you doing? That’s a madman in there – we have no choice but to do as he says.’
‘You may have no choice, Doctor,’ Bret informed him, ‘but I do. The important thing is to get to Earth and warn them about the Daleks.’
Steven couldn’t believe it. He pointed wildly to the airlock. ‘You want that maniac to use that knife on Katarina?’ he cried. ‘We have to change course.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Bret truly was sorry; he had come to like these three travellers very much. But when it was a case of their lives or his mission, he had no option. He tried to make them understand. ‘The whole of the Solar System is in danger. I can’t afford to let the life of one person jeopardize the lives of billions of people. I’m sorry.’
Steven was stricken. ‘I don’t care about billions of people,’ he said. ‘They’re just figures. Statistics. I care about that girl in there. She risked her life to save mine. I can’t just abandon her.’
‘We’re going to Earth,’ Bret said, flatly. ‘If either of you tries to change that, I’ll be forced to kill you.’
Kirksen was not a patient person. He was getting more and more annoyed as the discussion between the three men was being played out. ‘They’re not doing anything,’ he told himself in disgust. ‘They’re not changing course.’ It was obvious that they simply didn’t believe he would do what he had said. He crossed to the microphone again, and slapped it on. ‘You don’t believe me!’ he howled. ‘I’ll show you I mean it! I’ll show you!’ He moved towards Katarina, his knife at the ready. Perhaps he’d just cut up that pretty face a little, let her scream a lot... that would show them. Yes, that would do it!
‘Please!’ the old man called. ‘We must have time! It’s not a simple decision we face. If we don’t go to the Earth, billions of people will die.’
‘I don’t care about people,’ Kirksen snarled. ‘I only care about me. And if you care about this girl, you’d better do as I say.’
Katarina swallowed hard, and summoned all of her courage. She did not understand everything that was happening. This travel between the stars was beyond her comprehension, for one thing. Yet she was not a fool. She knew that Bret, the Doctor and Steven had to get to Earth to warn everyone about the evil ones on Kembal, and what they were planning. She knew that while she was being held hostage by this madman, they were forced to consider doing as he demanded. She was the crux of the problem now. It all rested in her hands.
She suddenly knew what she must do. All her fear fell from her as she made her decision. Cassandra had been correct when she had prophesied her journeys. Now she would be correct about her fate. Katarina remembered how worried Bret had been about the airlock door being open when they had taken off from Kembal, and she had observed the Doctor operating the magic controls when they were on Desperus.
Before Kirksen could move closer, she jumped to her feet and brought her hand down hard on the outer door control.
Kirksen had time only to start a scream of sheer terror. The airlock door hissed open into the star-speckled darkness. The air shot both of them from the small chamber, sending them tumbling into infinity...
Steven stood, trembling, at the inner airlock door, his face contorted by horror. After a heart-wrenching second, he turned anguished eyes on the Doctor. ‘She... she hit the wrong button.’
‘I don’t think so.’ The Doctor was having trouble seeing straight. Uncharacteristically, there were tears in his eyes. ‘She did what she wanted to.’
Bret, his gun away again, touched Steven gently on the shoulder. ‘It must have been quick.’
The Doctor stared at the stars visible in the gaping lock. ‘I hope she’s reached her Place of Perfection,’ he breathed, mostly to himself.
‘Not that way!’ Steven was having a great deal of trouble handling her death. ‘Not like that!’
‘She wanted it that way,’ the Doctor said, firmly, getting control of himself. ‘She wanted to save our lives. And, perhaps, the lives of all the beings in the Solar System. She deserves her perfection. That is the way I shall always remember her: as one of the daughters of the gods!’
Steven nodded, trying to accept what the Doctor was saying. ‘A daughter of the gods,’ he repeated, dully. The hard ache within him was not comforted yet. But perhaps, one day, it would he.
Trantis was fuming. It had been two days now since the intruders had fled the planet Kembel, and nothing seemed to have been done. The Daleks were certainly active, but none of them had deigned to inform the delegates of progress. It was as though they were considered unimportant. They had complained about this a number of times to one another, but none of them had had the courage to ask the Daleks what was happening. Trantis didn’t lack the courage, but he felt that having to elicit information was beneath his status.
By the end of the second day, however, he realized that he’d either have to swallow his pride or remain in the dark. He eventually stormed into the Dalek control room, and looked around. When he spotted the Black Dalek, he marched over.
‘What is happening about the Taranium core?’ he demanded.
The Black Dalek spun around. Its first instinct was to order the alien from the control room, but that might cause problems. For the moment, the delegates were necessary. Finally, it replied: ‘The ship is now approaching the Earth.’
‘Then they have escaped?’
‘No. Guardian Mavic Chen has been given his instructions.’
‘To do what?’ Trantis demanded.
The Black Dalek turned away, dismissively. ‘It is not necessary for you to know.’
This hurt Trantis in his most vulnerable spot – his pride. He walked around the Black Dalek until it was looking at him again. ‘As representative of the largest of the outer galaxies, I have the right to know!’
The eye-stick focused on him again. ‘You will be informed as to what you have the right to know.’
Changing his tack slightly, Trantis said: ‘We’re supposed to be allies. You trust Mavic Chen – why will you not trust me?’
‘We trust no one,’ the Dalek replied. ‘Particularly Mavic Chen.’
Trantis was interested at this piece of news. He wondered if Mavic Chen knew that. Chen had an over-inflated opinion of his own worth. It needed cutting down to size.
‘Ship has entered Earth approach,’ the monitor Dalek called out.
The Black Dalek ignored Trantis again. ‘Inform Mavic Chen. This time, the intruders most be intercepted. The Taranium core must be recovered and the thieves must be exterminated. Exterminated!’
Chapter 11
The Traitors
The Spar ’s instruments were already registering their path through the Solar System. T
he Doctor hovered over Bret, as he threaded their way through the Solar defences. He was feeding out the correct recognition codes that would allow them to penetrate into Earth’s orbit. Steven was still off alone, mourning Katarina’s death.
‘We’ll be ready to land soon,’ the Doctor said, in anticipation. ‘We should have quite a reception.’
‘That’s what worries me,’ Bret admitted.
Chuckling, the Doctor squeezed his shoulder. ‘You’ll soon get used to such gatherings. I have.’
‘That’s not what I mean,’ the agent answered. ‘We can’t land at the space-port itself.’
‘Oh?’
‘Mavic Chen has had plenty of time to reach Earth before us, thanks to that enforced stop-over on Desperus,’ Bret explained. ‘It’s possible that he’s waiting for us. The landing field is where he’d expect us to come down.’
This had not occurred to the Doctor, who had been so happy they had made it this far unchallenged. ‘Hmm, yes, I see. Well, where can we land, um?’
Bret called the information up on the screen. ‘Just here,’ he said, gesturing to the map. ‘It’s an experimental plant a little way outside New Washington itself. I’ve a friend there with connections who I think will help us.’
‘Splendid.’ The Doctor nodded in approval. ‘I see you have it all well thought out, young man. I couldn’t have done better myself. Well, carry on, carry on.’
Sighing to himself, Bret began preparing for the impending entry into the Earh’s atmosphere.
* * *
Mavic Chen felt happiest back behind his desk again. It was the one place where he was in total control. Behind him was the huge map of the known Universe that the Science Section had had specially made for him. In front of him, his desk, with the built-in terminals. Quick movements of his fingers over the keyboards could bring him information from any place on the Earth – and from many places beyond it. In seconds, he could evaluate any situation and deal with it. This desk was the centre of his power, and the kernel of his sphere of influence.
At the moment, a piece of paper lay on the desk, the only thing marring its smooth perfection. On the other side of the desk stood Karlton, the head of Special Security Service, and Chen’s deputy. ‘So this is our traitor?’ Chen said, softly, studying the paper again. It showed a picture of Bret Vyon, together with a brief description of him.
‘That’s him.’ Karlton was dressed in the standard black of the SSS. His craggy features were lined with care, and his hair was thick and grey. ‘Bret Vyon. One of the top men in the department. Born on Mars, Colony 16. He’s a very able man. He and his partner, Ken Gantry, were investigating a missing agent, Marc Cory.’
‘I don’t need their life-stories,’ Chen said. ‘Merely their apprehension. And, of course, their deaths.’
‘All agents have strict orders to shoot if they attempt to resist arrest.’ A slight smile played over Karlton’s face. ‘I can’t imagine Vyon not resisting arrest.’
‘Vyon and Gantry never reported in from Kembel,’ Chen mused. ‘They most be the men who stole my Spar . They may, however, be working in association with some other creatures.’ He considered the matter for a moment. ‘I want all Special Security agents recalled to Earth. If Vyon and his accomplices are not captured within an hour, I want all of Central City cordoned off until they are found.’ Chen stared off at the ceiling. ‘Really, Karlton, I’m most disappointed with you. Allowing two security teams to investigate Kembel when you know how important it is that the place should remain untouched.’
Karlton replied stiffly: ‘I’ve already given instructions that all future operations are to be cleared with me before they are begun.’
Chen turned cold eyes on to him. ‘If you’d done that in the first place,’ he said, smoothly, ‘we wouldn’t be in this spot.’
Karlton didn’t like the sound of that. ‘Cory’s mission was one he undertook himself,’ he protested. ‘It was done without official sanction at any time. He was like that. Then, when he vanished, I had no option but to send in an investigation team.’
‘With Vyon?’ Chen held up the wanted poster. ‘One of your best operatives? Who would find out the truth if anyone did?’
‘He was the closest,’ Karlton said, sulkily. ‘I had no logical reason to by-pass him. Besides, I thought that the Daleks would kill him for sure!’
‘You must do better than that,’ Chen said, standing. ‘I would hate to have to lose you.’ He stared pointedly at his deputy, and enjoyed watching Karlton squirm. Both of them knew that any such loss would end with Karlton in a grave.
The Spar entered the Earth’s atmosphere rather unsteadily. The shuddering and buffeting the ship was receiving made itself felt inside. Steven grabbed hold of one of the panels to steady himself.
‘Don’t tell me we’re going to crash?’ he called. He could recognize a bad landing when he felt one.
‘At this stage,’ Bret snapped, impatiently, ‘I may not be able to help it. My repairs on Desperus were rather makeshift, and some of the systems have failed. I’m having enough trouble trying to kill our speed.’
‘As long as you don’t kill us as well.’
Bret cast him a filthy look, then busied himself with the controls. Either way, it was going to be a close landing. If he was lucky as well as skilful, they should be able to walk away from it. What was it they always told you at the Academy? Any landing you walk away from is a good one? Well, they needed a good one now...
The ground came up at them fast. Bret struggled with the sluggish controls, forcing the ship to inch its nose up, and trying to lose some more of their forward speed. The wind outside was buffeting them strongly, and it was getting harder and harder to retain control.
The screens showed the plant below them, as Bret struggled to keep the ship in the are a few seconds longer. The buildings whipped past under them, and suddenly there was the meadow Bret had recalled. Crossing all fingers – at least mentally – Bret brought the Spar back down to Earth.
The ship hit hard, spun, and slid. Huge furrows were gouged in the turf, and the heat of the impact sent flickering flames along the grass. Finally, the ship lost its forward momentum completely, and it came to rest in the smoking soil, tipped over slightly.
There was no sign of life aboard it.
Chen had almost forgotten that Karlton was still with him as he stared up at the huge map of the Universe behind his desk. Stars, galactic clusters, quasars... everything that science could ferret out was marked on that map. The known Universe.
‘That’s what I want,’ he breathed. ‘Guardian of the Universe!’ It was the only position that could sate his burning inner ambitions.
‘Surely Trantis will be first, after the Daleks?’ Karlton said, softly.
Chen spun around. ‘Trantis?’ he mocked. ‘Trantis? They don’t like him.’
‘Agreed. But his is the largest galaxy.’
Chen dismissed the thought with a wave of the hand. ‘He is already demanding too much say in what goes on,’ he explained, oblivious to the fact that such were his own demands. ‘They want him out of the way. And I have a plan which may help them to achieve their goal. Then it will be I, Mavic Chen, who will be next in line!’
‘And I,’ Karlton reminded him, ‘will be there behind you.’
‘Of course,’ Chen agreed.
‘Of course.’ Karlton knew that he would be behind Chen only as long as Chen didn’t feel threatened by the presence of another. It would be up to him to assuage Chen’s doubts as long as possible.
Chen abruptly came back to the present. ‘Is your special force dealing with Vyon?’
‘Not directly. I thought it would be wiser to use some of the ordinary security men.’
‘Very good,’ Chen approved with a smile, taking his seat again. ‘You’re learning. Who’s in command?’
‘Kingdom.’
Chen’s eyes lit up in appreciation. ‘Kingdom! Splendid! A thoroughly reliable agent with an impressive record.’
‘I do. I would like a private word with Kingdom, please.’ ‘I thought you might.’ Karlton bent forward and triggered the intercom. ‘Have agent Kingdom report to Mavic Chen’s office immediately.’
Chen stared off at the door, across the luxurious room. The carpet was rich and thick, the paintings on the walls were originals from a dozen worlds. The sculptures were all his own choices from the museums of Earth. Being Guardian of the Solar System had a few good aspects to it. ‘I have one or two special instructions for dealing with Bret Vyon,’ he mused.
‘Is that any better?’ Steven asked, finishing winding on the bandage he had found in one of the cupboards.
Bret winced, and tried to stand again. ‘It helps. But it still hurts like crazy,’ he admitted. His trouser leg was torn open, and the bandage was already slightly bloodstained from the gash on his leg.
The Doctor stopped his pacing back and forth for a moment. ‘It’s your own wretched fault, young man,’ he snapped, most unsympathetically. ‘If you had landed that ship in a workmanlike fashion, then you wouldn’t be suffering.’
‘I did my best, Doctor,’ Bret snarled back, stung by the unfair criticism.
‘Yes, indeed,’ the Doctor retorted. ‘Still, I should have known better than to expect a degree of skill from a member of the younger generation. Every one of them fails you when you need them, and then tells you they did their best!’
This was so grossly unfair that Bret’s anger drained away. He realized that the Doctor’s irritation was merely masking his impatience. ‘I got you back to Earth, didn’t I?’
‘Yes – and almost put us six feet under it!’
Steven gestured around the office that they were waiting in. Bret had directed them here through the security screen about the buildings. ‘I still can’t see why we’re hanging around in here. Can’t we just go ahead and inform the Government about the Daleks and have done with it?’