Part 18 (2/2)

King Tarrol wishes to see us. We are to gather outside the throne room in fifteen minutes.' The message terminated with a distorted Federation jingle.

'Sskeet,' Savaar called. His adjutant was beside him in a second. 'Go to the throne room and keep Centauri calm. Shsurr Summerfield as well. He is likely to panic, she is likely to say something we will all regret. I will join you when I have finished with our two . . . guests.'

Sskeet got out of the shuttle and headed up the long tunnel. Savaar watched him go and then turned to Pilot Ha.s.sek. 'Call Hissel on the Bruk.

Tell him I need my... toy.' He smiled and licked his lips. 'Hissel will understand.'

My Lord.'

Oh, Ha.s.sek. Use this. I don't want any further messages between here and the Bruk to use standard communications nets. Our guests have shown us how easy it is to be . . . interrupted.' Savaar produced from under his jerkin a small black box with a red light on top. He tossed it to Ha.s.sek who caught it and looked at it with obvious unfamiliarity. 'Learn,' Savaar hissed and Ha.s.sek nodded and went to the back of the shuttle.

Savaar sat in the pilot's seat and gazed at Keri and Kort. An interesting predicament for the Doctor. And myself.'

'How?' asked Keri.

'The Doctor does not like me. In fact he carries a burning dislike for Martians generally. Xenophobia is an extreme bigotry that I would not expect from someone such as him, but it is there. He hides it well most of the time, but sometimes the mask slips. He desperately wants to prove that I and my people are behind the troubles here.'

And are you?'

'If I were, I would hardly be telling you my thoughts.'

Keri snorted. ever heard of the double-bluff?'

'I am familiar with the concept. Nevertheless, Martians do not lie. It is a contemptible act and beneath us.'

'But you bend the truth now and again.'

Savaar smiled, his tongue again moistening his cracked lips. 'Perhaps.

Now tell me, Ker'a'nol, why are you here?'

'Because you captured me slicing your s.h.i.+p's door and Kort here slicing the Fed Net, yeah.'

'The longer you are flippant, the less likely the Doctor's chances of a hearty dinner tomorrow night. Please. Answer the question.'

Keri sighed. 'GFTV-3 are covering the restatement stuff. Corry wanted some highbrow coverage and paid me far more than I'm really worth to come and do this. By the way, why did Ha.s.sek say that Neal was effectively out of things?'

Savaar looked genuinely surprised. I am not sure. Unless . . . Of course.

That explains why Hissel broke com silence. I believe Mister Corry is safe and well but will have to remain ”out of things” for a while longer. Let us return to you and your team. Tell me about holocamera operator, Jav.'

'Jav? Barely know him. Why?'

'Because what is left of him is currently spread over a few square metres at the foot of Mount Megeshra. If I have the time, I'll get Ha.s.sek to sc.r.a.pe up the remains and s.h.i.+p him back for whatever religious ceremonies you have on Pakha. I am intrigued to know why someone would throw him out of a window. Anyone on your team dislike him enough for that?'

Keri rubbed her whiskers. 'Can't say he'll be too missed. Can't say anyone would want to kill him either. He's good at his job but not a team player. I worked with him back in the Operation ”Galactic Storm” coverage and he made a few mistakes. When he was a.s.signed to me here, I mentioned this to Corry but he wasn't too concerned. Jav kept out of my way and probably thought he was too insignificant for me to remember. But I never forget anyone. Ever. Yeah.'

'We'll draw a veil over Jav then. How well do you understand the holocameras?'

'You are joking? I've never yet worked with equipment that I don't know every sonic screw and plastigrip on. I could dismantle a holocamera and put it back together blindfolded. It'd probably work better afterwards, yeah.'

'Good. I have a job for you.'

Kort finally spoke up: And me?'

'You? You will help Ker'a'nol with her work. Or I'll s.h.i.+p you straight back to the Bruk and send a message to your father about your behaviour.

Whichever.'

'Right. Okay. Pa.s.s me a sonic screwdriver.'

Bernice wanted to scream. Alpha Centauri was bobbing up and down, changing colours and knocking everyone flying with six totally uncoordinated arms. 'This really is too bad,' he wailed. The Doctor is innocent. He must be released.'

'Look, I know that. You know that. Frankly, King Tarrol knows that. But apparently Aggedor doesn't. And unless we can make Atissa see sense, or preferably beat some into her, we have to be tactful, okay?'

Centauri stopped moving and a.s.sumed his normal olive green. He blinked very slowly at Bernice and seemed to sag slightly. 'You are right to admonish me, Professor Summerfield. I apologize. I'm getting too old for all this excitement and I tend to. . . over-react. If you feel I am speaking out of turn in future, please alert me so that I may...'

'Centauri!' Bernice barked. ”Nuff said. Finito. El quitto.'

Geban had his back to Bernice but still managed to whisper without looking in her direction. 'That was good. Give me some tips one day.'

'When this is over, let's write a book together, Chancellor,' said Bernice.

One hundred and one ways to deal with hysterical hexapods.'

'Here's Sskeet,' said Nic Reece as he too arrived.

'You're both late,' muttered Bernice. And where's Savaar?'

'High Lord Savaar will be along shortly.'

The double doors were pulled open from within and the a.s.sembled Federation representatives walked in. Behind them, two guards closed the doors and crossed their lances over them.

Bernice took in the sight before her.

The Doctor, his arms bound behind his back, his bright question-mark pullover looking grimy and a bit threadbare, was at the bottom of the three steps leading to the throne. He looked like death warmed up. He tried to grin at her, but she saw straight through it - and so did he. King Tarrol stood in front of his throne and beside him, looking what Bernice could only describe as very smug indeed, was Atissa.

I, Tarrol, King of Peladon and regent of Aggedor,' the king said, 'have reached a decision. The Doctor is guilty of the murder of Lianna, our lady-of-the-court. He is guilty of the murder of Fabon, guardian of the relic room.

Tomorrow, at midday, he will be escorted to the Shrine of Aggedor. He will be stripped of all honours, rank and privileges. There he will swear an oath of apology to Aggedor, to cleanse his soul.'

Bernice breathed a sigh of relief but as the king continued she realized she had been too quick.

After that, he will be dragged before the Great Statue of Aggedor and beheaded, as befits our laws and beliefs.'

There was a stunned silence, broken by an outraged Geban. 'Your Majesty, you cannot - '

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