Part 21 (2/2)

In the gap between the nearly closed doors, they could see the huge black helmet of the Cyberman.

'He must be holding them,' said the Doctor. 'Push, Jamie.'

They pushed desperately with all their strength against the doors but were no match for the strength of a Cyberman, even a damaged one. Slowly, slowly, the doors began to inch open again.

'He mustn't get out, Jamie,' grunted the Doctor. 'All... our...

work... will be wasted.'

Every muscle in Jamie's strong body was standing out, but still the doors were pressing open. More than a gleam of silver hand now showed, they could see a leg. and arm of the Cyberleader.

'I can't hold him, Doctor.'

'We must.'

But the doors were opening wider, inch by inch. 'It's no use,'

Jamie cried despairingly.

Suddenly the doors stopped opening and held fast; beside them, his arms flexed, with one giant hand on each door, was Toberman. Now the match was a more even one.

'WE... WILL... SURVIVE...' came the voice of the Controller, but with the combined strength of the three of them, the doors were slowly closing, sealing up the last of the Cybermen.

The door closed to a narrow.gap. The two ends of the fatal circuit were now only inches apart.

'Toberman!' cried the Doctor. 'Let go now. When these doors close, you'll be killed.'

'They... are... evil,' grunted the Turk.

'If he lets go, the Cyberman will push the doors open again, Doctor,' cried Jamie.

'He must,' cried the Doctor. 'Do you hear me, Toberman?' The doors closed to a bare inch. Toberman flexed his shoulders and gave a final great push. The doors closed; there was a blue arc of current that flung the Doctor and Jamie away like ninepins. As they picked themselves up, they saw the great figure of Toberman, his metal arms spreadeagled as he slid slowly down to the ground, still for ever, in front of the doors he had closed with his life.

The Professor sat beside the s.p.a.ce orbiter with his head in his hands. Another life. Another life for which he was responsible. For the rest of his life he would be burdened with this. What a terrible toll for an archaeological expedition.

'Come on, Professor,' said Hopper briskly. 'Blast off in nine minutes.' He looked round him. 'Anyone else coming for the ride?

What about you, Vic?'

'We have our own flying machine, thank you,' said Victoria politely.

'Flying machine!' said Hopper. 'Did you say ”flying machine”?'

'At least, it works,' said Victoria, getting the last word in and turning her back on him.

Hopper laughed. 'Guess you're right at that. So long, Doctor, Jamie. O.K., let's go,' he said to the others and stepped into the orbiter.

The Professor sighed and got up. 'Yes,' he said. 'We must go.'

He turned to the Doctor. 'We can never thank you enough,' he said.

'Goodbye, Professor,' said Dr Who, taking his hand and giving him his rare, ancient, four hundred and fifty year old smile.

'I'm sorry it had to end this way,' began the Professor.

But the Doctor raised his hand to stop him saying more.

'I know,' said the Doctor. 'I know.'

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