Part 6 (1/2)

'So it is. Perhaps it's time for a little mutual trust.

Turlough was telling the truth, you know.' With that, the Doctor handed the blaster to the astonished Vorshak, and started climbing out of his disguise.

Bulic reached for his weapon, but Vorshak stopped him with an abrupt gesture.

There was a bleep from the intercom, and Vorshak crossed over to it. 'Vorshak here.'

Even over the intercom, Lieutenant Preston's voice sounded tense, uncertain. 'Commander, I think we've found the intruder's craft.'

'Go on,' snapped Vorshak.

'It's amazing. I don't think it can possibly come from this planet... it's... it's bigger on the inside than the outside.

There's a control room, corridors, more rooms, all packed into a little blue box.'

'Is it armed?'

'Not as far as we can tell, Commander.'

Vorshak stood for a moment, considering this astonis.h.i.+ng new information. 'Very well. Leave the craft alone. Put a guard on it, and report back to the Bridge.'

'Well, Commander?' said the Doctor gently.

Vorshak looked at Turlough. 'Multi-dimensional.'

That's what the boy had said. 'It seems your friend may have been telling the truth after all.'

Icthar stood waiting on the Bridge of the Silurian s.h.i.+p. He showed no tenseness, no excitement, even though the plan that might well determine the fate of all his people, and of the Earth itself, was about to be put into effect.

Sauvix approached him and saluted. 'All is ready. The Warriors are armed and at their battle stations.'

'Excellent, Sauvix.' Icthar turned to his two companions. 'Scibus, Tarpok, commence the power build-up. It is time to begin.'

Clawed hands moved over the strange organic-looking controls and soon the Silurian s.h.i.+p began throbbing with energy, like a living being. It rose from the undersea volcano crater and slid through the murky waters, like some great predator, poised for attack...

Tegan was growing impatient in her'hiding place. The Doctor had been on the Bridge for some little time now.

Since he hadn't returned with Turlough, something had presumably gone wrong. In which case, it was up to Tegan to rescue them both.

She stepped cautiously out of her hiding place, and found herself facing a young woman and a guard, both armed.

The guard covered her with his blaster-rifle.

The young woman said politely, 'Did you want something?'

'All right, Doctor,' said Commander Vorshak. 'I'm prepared to believe that you're not actively hostile, despite your interference with the reactor.'

The Doctor looked rather shamefaced. 'Thank you.

You're very kind.'

'But that doesn't mean I trust you completely. I should like to see a demonstration of this s.h.i.+p of yours.'

'Well, when I've repaired her, you'd be most...'

He broke off as Tegan came onto the Bridge, escorted by a woman officer and a guard.

Lieutenant Preston saluted. 'The third intruder, Commander. I found her lurking outside.'

Turlough moved to join his fellow captive. 'Are you all right?'

Tegan nodded, looking worriedly at the hostile group around them.

Suddenly the wail of an alarm filled the Bridge.

Lieutenant Karina called, 'Commander, the screen!' A cylindrical shape was registering on the main scanner screen. 'It's some kind of s.h.i.+p, Commander. And it's heading straight towards the Base.'

Vorshak studied the image. 'Isn't that the thing we picked up before?'

'I think it is, sir.'

Maddox called across from his console. 'We're getting a clear sensor-reading, Commander. It's a s.h.i.+p all right. But it's not one of ours. The readings don't correspond with any known enemy s.h.i.+p either.'

A terrible recognition was dawning in the Doctor's mind.

The shape on the screen continued its remorseless advance.

'Prepare to fire energy-tracers,' ordered Vorshak.

'No!' shouted the Doctor. 'You mustn't. I think I know what it is!'

Vorshak swung round. 'Are you saying you recognise that thing?'

'Yes. You mustn't attack it.'

'You're hardly in a position to give orders here, Doctor.'

'Ready to fire, Commander,' reported Bulic.

'If you open fire you'll regret it,' warned the Doctor. 'I tell you, I know what that s.h.i.+p is!'

'Are you telling us not to defend ourselves?'

'I'm telling you you have no defence. That's a Silurian battle cruiser.'

Vorshak stared at him. 'Silurian?'