Part 18 (1/2)

Suddenly the junction box in the corridor exploded.

The console blew up and the coil disintegrated in a shower of sparks.

The Machine disappeared.

Two Prison officers, newly restored to freedom and authority were walking along the corridor, enjoying things being more or less back to normal.

They stopped in astonishment at the sight of the exploded, still-smoking junction box.

Suddenly the Machine materialised in front of them, throbbing hungrily.

A blood-red s.h.i.+mmering filled the air as it sucked the life force from them in one fearful surge of power.

The Doctor was still muttering calculations as Jo came back into the Governor's office with a tray on which was a bowl of tomato soup.

'Here you are, Barnham, some nice hot soup for you,'

she said encouragingly. 'Eat it all up.'

Barnham took the soup. 'Thank you, miss.' Obediently he began to eat.

'That's it,' said the Doctor suddenly. 'I think that might just do it!'

He jumped to his feet and dashed out.

As always, Jo's insatiable curiosity got the better of her.

'Wait for me, Doctor,' she called and ran out after him.

Barnham looked on in mild astonishment.

Benton's phone rang. 'Sergeant, sorry, Acting Governor Benton.'

'It's Doctor Summers here. I was wondering if those extra medical supplies had arrived?'

'Medical supplies? Hang on, Doctor Summers, I'll check.'

Benton began sorting through the file of receipts and requisitions on his desk.

Suddenly he became aware of Barnham hovering over him. 'What do you think you're doing mate?'

'Doctor Summers,' said Barnham happily.

'You what?'

'I'd like to talk to Doctor Summers.'

Benton found the paper he was looking for. 'You go and talk to whoever you like mate,' he said absently. He picked up the phone. 'Doctor Summers? They're here all right.

Should be on their way over to you now.'

By the time Benton had finished his conversation and put the phone down Barnham had wandered off.

Jo and the Doctor looked down at the exploded junction box and the two crumpled bodies.

'Oh no!' whispered the Doctor. 'That thing's escaped again.'

'But how?'

'It must have stored up all its energy until it had enough power to fuse the circuits.'

Which meant that it would be hungry again, thought the Doctor. He got up and walked slowly towards the Process Chamber, as if dreading what he might find.

'Be careful, Doctor,' called Jo and hurried after him.

They stood in the doorway of the Process Chamber, looking round in horror at the wrecked room. The place was a total shambles, smashed furniture and shattered equipment scattered everywhere.

'What happened?' whispered Jo.

'It's stronger than ever now, Jo. How on earth am I going to stop it?'

Barnham came wandering along the corridor.

He stopped for a moment staring in distress at the two bodies. Then, as if drawn by some compulsion, he made his way towards the Process Chamber.

'Will you be able to set up that thing with the coils again?'

asked Jo.

The Doctor shook his head despairingly. 'No, that would never work twice. The thing's too intelligent. It would probably kill me before I got near it.'

Suddenly they heard the familiar throbbing noise and the Keller Machine materialised on the table before them.

They could feel its pull now, and Jo in particular seemed transfixed. She began taking stumbling steps towards the box.

The Doctor tried to pull her back, and found to his horror that he couldn't move. The mind parasite had become too strong for him.

Jo stumbled nearer the Machine...

15.

The Mind of Evil Suddenly the throbbing of the Machine died down.

The Doctor pulled Jo back and Barnham stumbled into the room.