Part 19 (1/2)

Atissa stepped forward. 'Be silent, Chancellor, or you will be next. Aggedor has rea.s.serted his rule over our planet. His will is ours. Yours, mine, our king's.'

Geban was still protesting. And just who is to perform this execution, Atissa? You?' The double doors crashed open, knocking the guards back slightly. Framed in the doorway stood High Lord Savaar.

'No, Chancellor Geban. Atissa will not be beheading anybody tomorrow.'

Oh thank G.o.d for that,' said Bernice.

Alpha Centauri's silent but gesticulating hysteria abated as well. Slightly.

'Your Majesty, Pels and Federation members. I, Savaar of the family of La.s.saal, supreme commander of the Martian fleet and chief executive of the Federation Corps have claimed my right as the arbitrator of Federation law regarding Federation citizens. Tomorrow, at midday, I will have the glorious honour of beheading the Doctor. For his crimes against Mars. For his crimes against New Mars. For his crimes against Peladon and for his crimes against Federation Unity.' Savaar pushed past the astonished grouping and crossed to the Doctor. He hauled him to his feet, ignoring the flash of pain that crossed the Time Lord's face. 'Tomorrow, Doctor, the ”Ice Warriors” will finally get their revenge!'

Bernice almost screamed in shock. Instead she composed herself and walked up to Savaar. She looked him straight in the face. 'You b.a.s.t.a.r.d.'

6: Are Friends Electric?

'Actually, it's really quite comfortable here. Not too dark, not too light. Not too loud, not too quiet. And you brought me my chess set. Thank you.'

'Need anything else?' said Bernice.

The Doctor shook his head. 'No. Everything's just right.'

except of course that Savaar there has about as much brains in his head as Centauri has natural valium.' Bernice didn't even cast the Martian the look of loathing she wanted to. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

The Doctor tutted. 'Never judge a book by its cover, Benny. Remember that.'

Bernice stared at the Doctor, trying to read the message in the words. He obviously thought Savaar was up to something, but she wasn't convinced.

The venom in his voice as he had made his proclamation the previous night was totally convincing. She hoped the Doctor was right, but wasn't convinced. I hope you're right,' was the only response she could manage.

'So, Doctor,' said Savaar from behind her, 'why were you in the Lady Lianna's room at the time of the murder?'

'I wasn't. I arrived about a minute later.'

'Why did you have your hands on the Lance of Aggedor?' was Sskeet's contribution.

Oddly enough, I was trying to save her.'

Bernice tried not to look at Savaar as he walked past her and stood directly in front of the cell. 'How long had she been dead when you arrived?'

'She was still alive. She died in my arms.'

Bernice registered this with the same degree of surprise as the two Martians evidently did, although without the hissing. 'Did she say anything?' she asked.

'Shsurr Summerfield, please let me continue the questioning. This is important.'

'Don't you Shsurr me, Savaar.'

'Benny,' warned the Doctor. 'Let the High Lord do this his way.'

'Thank you. Both,' Savaar said 'Nevertheless, a good question from the Professor. Did the Lady Lianna say anything before she died?'

The Doctor grinned broadly. Oh yes. She told me who killed her.'

It took a second for this to sink into Bernice's angry consciousness. 'What?

Why didn't you say? Who killed her?'

The Doctor just smiled. And put his finger to his lips to indicate silence.

Geban slammed the door to his chancellery as he entered. He collapsed into his chair and shook his head.

Why? Why had the Doctor killed Lianna? Had he? Why did Savaar want to execute the Doctor? Would he? And why had King Tarrol suddenly done a complete about-face? And why was Atissa there in the throne room when no one had got any sense out of her since the Doctor's interrogation?

There was a soft knock on his door. 'Come,' he yelled, louder than he'd intended, and tried to smile as Nic Reece sheepishly entered.

I can come back later,' the human suggested but Geban waved him in.

I could do with some rational company. Things are not going well.'

'Too right, Geban, old man. I'll get straight to the nitty-gritty. Upstairs is a room full of priceless Pel antiques. First the Lance goes, now the Crown of Sherak. If the double-bladed Sword of Truth is lost, Peladon is going to lose its attraction to the Federation mult.i.tudes.'

Geban stared at Reece. Am I to understand that you are concerned with a few of Atissa's trinkets while your friend is to be executed?'

'Hey, don't get me wrong. I like the Doctor a lot. Good soul and all that. But my job is ensuring this planet's economic survival - and while you go around hiding your heads in the clouds, holding executions and suchlike, there will be serious repercussions. Apart from no pretty things to show the punters, an execution during the restatement vows bash isn't going to sit well either. Neal Corry will have a field day. Where is he, by the way?'

Geban shrugged. I have no idea. Haven't seen him since yesterday morning. On his shuttle with his drink?'

Reece grinned. 'Should have known you'd find out about that. No, he's not there, I checked earlier. Oh well, he'll turn up.' He got up to go. I know you've a lot on your plate, Geban, but I thought you ought to think about these things. Sorry.'

Reece left, leaving Geban to think over the new problems as well as well as the old.

Atissa looked up at the empty s.p.a.ce in the relic room where the Lance of Aggedor ought to be, and smiled.

'You have been returned. Savagely abused and tainted with my mother's irreverent blood, but returned nevertheless. Although the Crown is gone, you shall a.s.sume your place as the most important, most beloved of our treasures.'

She picked up the Lance from the mauve velvet bag it rested in at her feet.

As her fingers touched it, she heard the door open behind her but didn't turn around. I would be alone,' she said.

Behind her came a deep breathing and a sibilant breath. Alien,' she said, I thank you for your offer to execute the Doctor. Please accept my grat.i.tude but also my refusal. He is my . . . our enemy. Not yours.' She stood up and started to turn to where she imagined Savaar was standing.

Instead, something large and heavy crashed across the back of her neck and she fell senseless to the floor, the Lance rolling across to the feet of her attacker.

'Back where you belong indeed, Lance of Aggedor. And where you really belong is with me.'

The Doctor was alone at last. Bernice had gone to rest, and probably vent her frustrations on Nic Reece. Savaar and Sskeet had gone to prepare for the execution. He was finally alone with his chess set.