Part 8 (1/2)

Before eliminating his loathed adversary, he intended to turn the screw; orchestrate his suffering to a crescendo.

Peri's future was determined; she would be given to the Rani. But what of the Doctor's favourite planet? 'A turbulent time, Doctor, in Earth's history?'

'Not one of its most serene, I agree.'

'A critical period?'

'You could say that.'

'Oh, I do. The beginning of a new era.' He sought Peri's opinion. 'Why do you think that should happen now?'

'I guess I've never given it much thought.' She was mesmerised by the Rani's clinical preparations with the brain extractor. She had no concept of what the tubes and the crystal flagon were for, but this cold-blooded woman gave her the s.h.i.+vers!

'Ah, but you should.' He caressed the left side of Peri's neck, knowing that soon the tube would be grafted there.

'I'm talking about the impact of the individual. Has not your country based its philosophy on the cult of the individual.

Repelled by his black-gloved touch, Peri recoiled.

The contemptuous exposition droned on: 'A sentimental concept that squanders the opportunities presented by the exceptional gifts of these men of genius.'

'Doctor, do you get his drift?'

'Only too well, Peri.' Indeed he did! The mosaic was complete and the picture formed had at its centre the forthcoming meeting: the congress of George Stephenson's talented contemporaries.

'He wants to pervert history!' Peri suddenly realised.

'I'm afraid the Prince of Darkness here would not see it as perversion.'

'Maudlin claptrap!' A vehement reply from the Master.

Travelling Time Lords were forbidden to interfere with events on earth, but he rejected such edicts. Why should he observe the rules of Gallifrey? He'd been cast out and no longer recognised the Council's jurisdiction. 'The talents of these geniuses should be harnessed to a superior vision.

With their help, I can turn this insignificant planet into a powerbase unique in the Universe!'

Mustering all the self control he could, the Doctor tried to maintain his pretence of nonchalance an att.i.tude that might incite the Master to overplay his hand. 'And you intend to use the Rani's bag of tricks to achieve this egocentric scheme.'

'You are indeed a worthy opponent, Doctor. It is what gives your destruction its piquancy!'

Nevertheless, the Doctor's condescending stoicism was beginning to rankle. The Master pressed the vermilion tabs of the scanner.

'Excellent! Feast your eyes, Doctor, on the imminent demise of the TARDIS!' He swivelled the scanner round.

'Demise?' Peri could see the TARDIS being shunted through the village.

'Death! Destruction! Finito TARDIS! How's that for style?' The Master's exuberance knew no bounds.

'Doctor, if they destroy the TARDIS '

The Doctor cut in. 'Very clever. Optical illusion recreated on the screen. I've tried that but never succeeded.'

'It's no illusion!' The Master's affirmation was unequivocal.

'I hope you're right, Doctor.' Troubled, Peri watched the progress of the TARDIS along the street.

'He's not.' Uncompromising dismissal from the Rani.

'Believe me I am, Peri. The Rani's cleverer than any of us. She's obviously been able to modify this scanner so that it reflects what is in the mind instead of what is happening in reality '

'Pus.h.!.+' The Master had had enough.

'The the trolley?' Peri felt disorientated. What the heck was happening?

He levelled the TCE. 'One false move...'

'Push it where?'

'Outside.'

'No!' The Rani was too astute to be gulled by the Doctor's ploy. 'He doesn't leave here.'

From his breast pocket, the Master yanked the phial of brain fluid and flaunted it before her. 'I wonder how many weeks of work this represents.'

Balefuly, the Rani refused to concede.

'And how many of the Doctor's precious humans have contributed,' the Master continued.

Even in her confusion, Peri sensed everything hinged on the resolution of the confrontation.

The Rani accepted defeat. 'Do as he says.'

A magnanimous smile. 'You shall have the girl when we return.' The Master tucked the phial into his breast pocket, then brandished the TCE. 'Now, pus.h.!.+ Unless you prefer a swifter end!'

Fear giving her added strength, Peri trundled the trolley through the bath chamber and into the hallway.

They reached the street just as the procession with its noisy pall bearers was pa.s.sing. From their yells and roars, only the words 'pit' and 'shaft' could be distinguished.

'The Last Rites, Doctor!'