Part 36 (1/2)

'You have brought me the greatest gift any Sontaran can ever have, Supremo: Two gifts. The honour of fighting in a legendary battle and a glorious death.'

The red eyes closed.

Slowly the Doctor stood up. He turned to the Sontaran trooper who had brought the news.

'How did this happen?'

'The Battle-Major saw two mercenaries aiming a small field-cannon. He threw himself directly on the cannon and it exploded, killing the crew and the Battle-Major as well.'

'Where was the cannon being aimed?'

'At you, Supremo. When you were on the ruined tower.'

The Doctor nodded, his face impa.s.sive.

'You'll see the body's taken care of?'

'It will be thrown in the burial pit with the others, Supremo.

It is not our Sontaran custom to concern ourselves with the bodies of the dead.'

'd.a.m.n your customs! Battle-Major Streg will be buried with full military honours, and every soldier in the Alliance will attend.

See to it.'

'It shall be so, Supremo.'

The Doctor turned away and saw Peri coming towards him, tears in her eyes.

'Streg's dead, Peri.'

'I know, I heard. I was coming with you when I saw someone else.'

She led him to where a pale-faced, handsome young man, lay on his back, wide-open eyes staring at the darkening sky.

'It's Taro,' said the Doctor incredulously. 'He wasn't even supposed to be fighting. The Denali were just hired to crew my flags.h.i.+p.'

'I know,' said Peri. 'Taro smuggled himself off the s.h.i.+p. He got hold of a uniform and a blaster somewhere and joined Ryon's people. He said he wanted to fight for you.'

The Doctor nodded. 'Streg died saving our lives.' He bowed his head, accepting the burden of these two deaths, and of many others. Every unit of the Alliance forces must have sustained heavy losses.

'There's always a price to pay,' he said. 'In Nelson's navy they called it the butcher's bill.'

A slender figure ran towards them. It took them a moment to realise that it was Ensign Vidal he was far from his usual immaculate self. His white uniform was blackened and bloodied, he had one arm in a sling and there was a bandage around his head.

He came to attention and saluted. 'Congratulations upon a great victory, Supremo.'

'Thank you,' said the Doctor. 'I suppose this isn't the time to remind you that you were ordered to remain on the flags.h.i.+p?'

'I couldn't miss the battle, Supremo. I'm a soldier, after all.'

'So you are and the only member of the Capitol Guard to have done any actual fighting in generations!'

'Cardinal Borusa requests your immediate presence in the Great Hall of the Castle. A conference is to be held.'

'Tell him I'll be there when I'm ready.'

Vidal swallowed. 'In those words, Supremo?'

'In those words.'

Vidal turned and sped away.

' He's He's still full of martial enthusiasm,' said Peri. still full of martial enthusiasm,' said Peri.

The Doctor nodded. 'The young ones always are, they think they're immortal. That's why we go on having battles.'

'Well,' said Peri, 'he was luckier than Taro.'

They turned and walked slowly towards the castle.

The Great Hall of the Castle was still impressive, even though its floor was strewn with rubble and part of its roof was now open to the sky.

Lord Delmar sat at one end of the great stone table, Borusa at the other, with the staff officers of the Alliance down one side, and Makir and the various commanders of the late-appearing volunteer force down the other.

The Doctor and Peri arrived last, largely because the Doctor, seemingly unconcerned by Borusa's summons, had insisted on returning to his flags.h.i.+p for a meal, a bath and a change of uniform.

When he appeared, flanked once more by two Ogron bodyguards, Lord Delmar gave him a stately nod of welcome, and a rather battered-looking Hawken a friendly wave.

Everyone else, except for Borusa and Ratisbon, rose to their feet.

'Supremo!' they roared.

Cheers, wild applause and shouts of congratulation filled the hall. Smiling, the Doctor bowed his thanks and waved them back to their seats.

He held up his hand for silence.

'You are late, Doctor,' snapped Ratisbon.

'No, you are early. This conference begins when I say it begins and not before.'

The Doctor walked to where Borusa sat beside Ratisbon at the head of the table.

'I think you are in my place.'