Part 15 (1/2)

' You get back here You get back here. That Machine of yours has broken loose.

It's moving around the prison. It's killed Lenny Vosper, and it nearly killed me.'

'I tell you I can't leave.'

As far as the Master was concerned, the Machine could kill everyone in the prison and welcome. Mailer's next words forced him to think again. 'Now you listen to me, mate. My mob won't stay here with that thing on the loose.

They'll start running, and I'll be running with them.'

'But you'll be caught.'

'Maybe so. But if I get caught, remember, so do you.

They'll be asking where that missile is and I just might tell them. Think about it.'

There was a click, as Mailer slammed down the phone.

The Master sighed. He really should have killed Mailer once he was no longer useful. It was always a mistake to be too compa.s.sionate. He turned to Mike Yates, and swung round the swivel chair so that his captive faced him. 'You can stop shamming unconsciousness, Captain Yates. I hope you're quite comfortable?'

Mike opened his eyes, still a little dazed from the combination of his wound, the fall, and the subsequent rough handling. 'Why?'

'Why did I take the missile? I intend to use it.'

'You'll never be able to fire it, it's too complex.'

The Master chuckled, glancing at the firing control console which he had already rigged up in the corner of the office hut.

'Nonsense. The mechanism is childishly simple.

Besides, I have all the technical a.s.sistance I need.' He waved towards the open door of the hut, through which could be seen a team of uniformed men hard at work readying the missile for launching.

'I was going to ask you about those soldiers.'

'Hired mercenaries in faked uniforms. Everything's a matter of money these days, my dear Captain. Now, if you'll excuse me?'

The Master turned away, then paused in the doorway.

'Ah, yes, you're probably wondering why you are still alive?'

'It did cross my mind.'

'In the event the extremely unlikely event of your UNIT friends finding us before the missile is ready to fire, you will make a very useful hostage. Remember that!'

The Master left.

As soon as he was out of sight, Mike Yates set to work, sawing his bonds against the steel strut at the back of the chair. It was a slim chance, but so long as there was any chance at all he would go on trying.

Mailer looked disgustedly at the Doctor, Jo and Barnham.

'Well done, Fuller, where did you find 'em?'

'Outside in the courtyard,' said Fuller. 'Waving to a helicopter.'

'What? Did it see them?'

'Dunno. I don't think so. Anyway, it's cleared off now.'

Mailer looked uneasily at Barnham, who smiled back at him.

Mailer s.h.i.+vered, thinking of what he too might have become. 'Get that zombie out of here, he gives me the creeps.' One of the convicts led Barnham away. Mailer turned back to the Doctor. 'I don't know what we're going to do about you, Doctor.'

The Doctor leaned forward, and Mailer raised the automatic. 'Back ofll'

'Mailer, why why are you helping the Master?' demanded the Doctor. are you helping the Master?' demanded the Doctor.

'Simple. I'm helping him because he's helping me.'

'What did he promise you?'

'Money. A free pardon. A ticket to anywhere in the world.'

'Do you really believe he'll keep his promises?'

'Why not?'

'He doesn't care if you live or die,' said Jo. 'He's using you.'

Mailer shrugged. 'He's using me, I'm using him. Can you make me a better offer, Doc?'

The Doctor considered. 'Let us go free and I'll do my best for you.'

Mailer chuckled. 'Well, if that's your best offer, it really ain't good enough. All right, Fuller, wheel 'em out. Back to the condemned cell.'

The Brigadier was back in his mobile HQ with Major Cosgrove. 'I tell you I know exactly where that missile is, Major.' He pointed to a wall map with his swagger stick.

'Stangmoor Prison. It all adds up. Benton saw a Black Maria when the convoy was ambushed, and I saw the Doctor and Miss Grant. The Master's taken over the prison and I'm convinced he's using it as a hideout for the missile.'

Cosgrove nodded. 'I a.s.sume we'll be taking the place, sir?'

'Major Cosgrove, have you ever seen seen Stangmoor Prison? Stangmoor Prison?

It used to be an old fortress. You'd need an army to get in there.'

And for political reasons, thought the Brigadier, an army was just what they couldn't have. The place would have to be taken with his own relatively small force of UNIT troops.