Part 10 (1/2)

Suddenly the static-distorted voice of Mike Yates, crackled through the lab. 'This is Greyhound Three Over.'

The Brigadier's voice came in reply. 'This is Greyhound, Greyhound Three. And where have you been, Captain Yates? Over.'

'Won't be long now, sir. We're about ten miles away. Over.'

'Well, get your skates on will you? We need the Doctor's TARDIS here double quick.

Out.'

'Greyhound Three. Wilco. Out.'

The Master replaced the crystal and its TOMt.i.t mounting, and studied a watch-sized mini-screen strapped to his wrist. He had left the audio-scanner switched to the UNIT frequency and now the vision scanner had homed in on the signal. To Krasis's astonishment the little screen now showed the UNIT convoy going on its way.

He shook his head in wonderment. 'Images that move and speak, wagons with no oxen to draw them . . . this is indeed a time of wonders.'

'I will show you greater wonders than either,' said the Master savagely. Still studying the screen he began operating controls with his other hand.

Krasis looked on fearfully. 'Master . . . Lord . . . you are not bringing the Mighty One here once more?'

'Certainly not. Just a little demonstration of my power over time. Watch carefully.'

Mike Yates was at the wheel of the land rover, leading the little convoy. They were on a long straight stretch of road, completely empty.

Then, all at once, it wasn't empty any longer. A knight in full armour, lance levelled, was galloping towards them.

9.

Time Attack

'Look out,' yelled Mike and swerved off the road to his right, jamming on the brakes.

The two vehicles behind him swerved off to left and right in turn and the armoured knight clattered through the gap and galloped on down the road.

Mike jumped out of the land rover, now slewed off the road at an angle and s.n.a.t.c.hed up his RT. 'Greyhound? This is Greyhound Three. We're stuck in the mud. Forced off the road by some goon in fancy dress, I think. Over.'

On the other end of the radio link, the Brigadier stared disbelievingly at his RT. 'Are you suffering from hallucinations, Captain Yates? Or have you been drinking? Over.'

'No sir, but I could do with one, I don't mind telling you,' said Mike Yates frankly. 'This character in armour just galloped straight at us. You know sir, the King Arthur bit.

And then he vanished '

'In a puff of blue smoke, I suppose,' came the Brigadier's sarcastic voice. 'Really, Yates, you have been drinking!'

In the lab, the Master looked at the stranded convoy on his mini-screen and smiled evilly.

'And that, Captain Yates, was just a sample.'

He busied himself at the controls. Amongst its other functions, the TOMt.i.t apparatus recreated the powers of the legendary Timescoop of the Time Lords, forbidden by Ra.s.silon in the Dark Time. The Master was enjoying this opportunity to try it out...

Captain Yates raised his voice and bellowed, 'Righto, lads, out of the lorry and get these vehicles out of the mud. Get a move on, I want to get out of here.'

There was a flat crack, and something spanged off the side of the land rover.

Mike Yates whirled round, and opened his eyes in astonishment. On a little hill not far away a handful of men had appeared from nowhere, grouped around a cannon.

They wore old fas.h.i.+oned doublets and breastplates and round helmets, and they carried long muskets. Roundheads!

'Take cover!' yelled Yates - just in time, as a ragged volley of musket b.a.l.l.s hummed overhead like angry bees. 'Hey, what do you think you're up to?' he yelled indignantly.

The cannon boomed and a cannon ball whistled overhead.

'Keep down,' shouted Yates. 'They mean it!'

Yates and his men peered from behind the flimsy shelter of their vehicles, and the Captain reached his RT. Heaven knows what the Brigadier was going to make of this one . . .

'I'm listening, Captain Yates,' said the Brigadier impa.s.sively. 'Over.'

'Another hallucination, sir. Roundhead troops, attacking us with ball ammunition.

Cannon b.a.l.l.s, in fact. Over.'

'Captain Yates, if this is some sort of joke '

The Doctor interrupted him. 'Believe me Brigadier, this is no kind of a joke. This is deadly serious.'

'All right, Doctor, you tell me what's going on.'

'Don't you see? A horseman in armour - roundheads - the Master's using that crystal to bring them forward in time.'

'So why don't we get over there and stop him.'

'It would be suicide without the protection of the TARDIS.'

'Which is stuck in the mud being battered by roundheads,' said Sergeant Benton.

'We'd better go and fetch it then,' said the Doctor cheerfully. 'Come along, Jo.

Coming, Brigadier?'

'Benton, you stay here,' ordered the Brigadier. 'If the Master pokes his nose out you know what to do.'

'Yessir.' Benton was determined that the Master wouldn't escape him a second time.

'Can I come?' asked Ruth.