Part 20 (1/2)

'It's where where he'll escape to that worries me. What right have we to turn him lose on some other planet?' he'll escape to that worries me. What right have we to turn him lose on some other planet?'

'Well, unless you've got a better plan, I see no alternative.'

'My dear Brigadier, of course I've got a better plan. Just you listen to me...'

The Doctor drove the Black Maria along the path towards the hangar, where the Master stood waiting by his missile.

In the back sat Barnham, desperately clutching the Machine, with Jo beside him.

The Master looked suspicious as the Black Maria drove up to him.

Suddenly there was a gun in his hand. 'A very strange form of transport, Doctor. I hope you're not going to try anything silly.'

'No, of course not. It's just that Bessie's broken down.'

'Bessie?'

The Doctor made driving motions with his hands. 'You know, Bessie!'

Jo opened the rear door of the Black Maria and she and Barnham began a cautious descent.

They could hear the Master's voice. 'I think I should warn you Doctor that my ' the Master mimicked the Doctor's driving movement ' is all primed and ready to fire.'

The Doctor looked up at the towering bulk of the missile like a tourist admiring the Eiffel Tower. 'That's very clever. My word, you have done well. Shall we get on with it?'

'Did you bring the circuit with you?'

'Ah, yes here.'

The Doctor slipped a little box from his pocket, and opened the lid to reveal the circuit.

The Master's eyes gleamed. 'May I examine it?'

'How do I know you won't take the circuit and fire the missile anyway?'

'You don't. Just this once, Doctor, you'll have to trust me.'

The Master held out his hand.

16.

The Farewell For a moment no one moved or spoke.

Then the Doctor said slowly. 'Trust you? No I don't think so.'

Jo and Barnham appeared round the side of the Black Maria.

'Now, Doctor,' shouted Jo.

Barnham put the Machine down as close to the Master as he dared. The Master stared at it in horror and the Doctor kicked the gun from the Master's hand.

The Master leaped upon him and for a moment the two Time Lords grappled furiously.

Jo grabbed Barnham's hand and dragged him towards the hangar.

Released from the restraint of Barnham's presence, the Machine began throbbing furiously.

With a final desperate heave, the Doctor threw the Master bodily towards the Machine, then turned and sprinted for the hangar office.

The Master tried to get to his feet and follow, but by now the Machine was fully aroused. It began drawing the Master towards it, inflamed no doubt by the super-abundance of evil in his mind...

The Master used every atom of his will to resist. He was poised, locked, trapped in an almost perfect balance between his will and the strength of the Machine.

But the Machine was stronger. The Master writhed in agony as the Machine forced him to crawl towards it.

Jo Grant was talking into her RT. 'h.e.l.lo, Brigadier, Jo Grant here. Over.'

The Brigadier's voice crackled back. 'h.e.l.lo, Miss Grant, we read you. Over.'

'The Doctor is working on the missile abort circuit.

Stand by for abort instructions, over.'

'Well done, Miss Grant. Greyhound to Windmill 342.

Come in to land. I say again, come in to land.'

From somewhere overhead, Jo heard the drone of a UNIT helicopter.

The Doctor meanwhile was busy at the console, reinstating the abort circuit. Fortunately the Master had just removed it, and not destroyed it.

With the circuit in place, the Doctor finished the last few connections and ran from the hut. 'Right, Jo.'

Jo spoke into the RT. 'We're on our way!'

The helicopter touched down just as Jo, Barnham and the Doctor ran from the hangar towards it.