Part 6 (2/2)

The Professor felt that the death of the crewman at the doors would be somehow justified if they found the great archaeological treasure they were seeking. A find that would make Professor Parry the outstanding archaeologist of his time.

'And a great deal more than that will be in vain,' said Klieg to himself.

'I beg your pardon?' said the Professor, still angry with the other man and his arrogant manner. If only scholars didn't need money all the time!

'Just talking to myself-that's all. Now if you would perhaps photograph this room and leave me to my work. We shall make much better progress.' Parry glared at him for a moment, then turned away.

In the Cyberman recharging room, Viner, aided by Kaftan, was examining the mechanism of the huge Cyberform.

'That's all you can remember-darkness, no sparks, flashes, electrical shocks?' The Doctor spoke quietly to Victoria, who was sitting down, now calm and composed again, on a bench by the console.

'Yes, Doctor. I don't think I was actually touching any part of the interior.'

'Hmm.' The Doctor looked down at her heavy practical walking shoes with rubber soles. 'I see. Of course, you are a little smaller than the average Cyberman... and very, very lucky.' He turned away. 'Come on.'

'Where to, Doctor?'

'Eh?' He turned back as if surprised that she had not read his thoughts. 'To find Jamie, of course.'

'Jamie?'

'We haven't seen him for nearly an hour-goodness knows what trouble he's in, by. now.'

'You think he's in trouble, Doctor?' said Victoria a little anxiously.

The Doctor smiled for the first time since entering the grim Cyberman recharging room. 'Well, look at you-it only took you twenty-five minutes to get yourself nearly fried. Out!'

He pushed the girl before him and they left the room. As they left Viner looked up from his notetaking and glanced at Kaftan.

'I sometimes feel that man has been here before,' he said a little pettishly. 'He never tries to record or examine anything, you notice.'

Kaftan nodded. 'I have noticed. As if he understands the whole workings here.'

'Exactly. And regards our work as a waste of time.' Viner snapped his notebook shut.. 'We might be better occupied in following him.'

'You follow him, Mr Viner. I will stay here.' Kaftan, smiled, her eyes dark and inscrutable.

'Yes, I think I will.' Viner nodded to her, adjusted his gla.s.ses and went over to the archway-then remembered his manners. 'But, are you sure you're not afraid of being left alone?'

Kaftan raised her head proudly. 'I am never afraid.'

Viner peered at her anxiously for a moment, then left.

In the target room Jamie and Haydon had made Some progress. Jamie had pressed the b.u.t.ton, standing with his eyes away from the wall, and the dancing circles were again swirling in their intricate patterns. Haydon, his hands gripping the rail, had his eyes closed, only risking the odd look.

'Is that all?' asked Haydon. 'Nothing more happening from that b.u.t.ton?'

'Aye, that's all,' said Jamie.

'Any more b.u.t.tons we haven't tried?'

'Och, two you didn't find.' Jamie was pleased 'with himself.

'You have to lift up this wee tray herethey're underneath it. White and black. What do they do?'

Haydon looked over briefly. 'I'm not sure, but we'll soon find out.' He turned his back on the colours and walked over to the opposite wall. 'I'm going to trace the source.of these shapes. There must be a projector somewhere.'

He pa.s.sed his hand along the gleaming wall, but felt nothing.

'When I give the word,' he said, 'press both b.u.t.tons.'

'Together?' asked Jamie.

'Yes. They must be set there to work in unison.'

'Aye, then,' said Jamie. 'When you're ready.'

Haydon walked back to the centre rail, held it and looked back at the moving circles.

'O.K.,' said Haydon. 'Go ahead.'

Jamie stretched his hand and put his thumb on the black b.u.t.ton, his forefinger on to the white. He pressed them both down- hard!

Whirr! Hmmm! Whirr! The sound came from the end of the room opposite the circles.

There was a flash of light at the far end of the room, the wall lit up like sheet lightning.

'JAMIE!'.

It was the Doctor's voice, as he and Victoria rushed in from the door.

'DON'T TOUCH THAT CONTROL!' shouted the Doctor.

'It's too late, Doctor, I have.'

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