Part 22 (1/2)

And where've you been?' growled Bernice. I could have used your help.'

Kort just indicated Keri with his head and whispered back, exploring possibilities.'

When Nic Reece stole in, he shot a guilty and apologetic look at Bernice.

She averted her eyes. He apparently took this as a rejection and stood nearer the king.

In reality, Bernice's mind was whirling. There was something very odd about Reece's behaviour - it was almost as if the scene in his room hadn't happened; as if he was guilty about something different. He stood awkwardly, wringing his hands behind his back. Briefly it crossed her mind that he might be genuinely worried about the Doctor, after all they were old friends. Then the Doctor's admission that he'd never met Reece before the feast reminded her that there was something odd about this man she liked on the surface. The discussion with Lianna - the kiss. Heartfelt, she had thought, and yet he'd flirted with her the following morning as if she were the first woman he'd noticed since his wife's death.

Her attention was suddenly distracted: Tarrol had begun a proclamation sentencing the Doctor to death for the murder of a royal personage of Peladon. Beside her, Bernice could sense the anger and resentment pouring out of Centauri. To her left were Keri and Kort. From them she sensed . . . antic.i.p.ation? 'You're actually enjoying this,' she hissed at Kort.

In reply he reached out and squeezed her hand. Angrily she yanked it away.

The only people missing were Geban, Atissa and, of course, Savaar.

One of them walked in at that moment. Geban shuffled over to Tarrol, who had interrupted his soliloquy to listen to his chancellor's whispered message.

'd.a.m.n,' was the only response Bernice could hear.

Tarrol tapped at the floor with an ornate staff he plucked out of a guard's hand. 'Let the sentence be carried out.'

Bernice wanted to pull forward but Kort grabbed her with surprising force and shook his head. She looked over and saw Sskeet beside Reece.

Slowly Sskeet's head turned and he seemed to be staring at her. Staring hard. She wanted to turn away but there was something in his almost totally unreadable face, hidden behind his face mask. Then she realized.

Something else was happening here. It wasn't just the Doctor's execution.

Sskeet, Kort, probably the Pakhar as well. They were all in this together.

The plot? The theft of the treasures? My G.o.d, they've planned this all along. The Doctor and I have been framed!

Sskeet turned away as Savaar strode into the chamber. He was no longer dressed in full military regalia. His cloak was gone and he was sheathed in a tight-fitting ebon suit. His dark green helmet had been removed and in its place was an identical black one, his eyes hidden behind golden squares of gla.s.s. Bernice recognized the ancient code of attire as that worn by High Martian warrior chieftains centuries before, during the Martians' most barbaric period. She also noted that his slim belt had been usurped by a concession to the Pel calls for justice: a thick leather affair, decorated with metal shapes. Dead centre on the belt, just below his waist, was yet another carved image of Aggedor. The light flickered off its metallic sheen, almost giving the impression that the beast's head was actually moving.

But it was what he carried that really caught Bernice's attention: the sacred sword of Tuburr. He was going to use the Martian equivalent of the Pel Lance of Aggedor to seek retribution. His twisted idea of Martian justice.

The Doctor had been right to distrust the Martians all along.

The Doctor fell to his knees and bowed his head and Bernice held her breath. Dimly, from the corner of her eye, she was aware that the Pakhar was twitching her hand. As if it had gone to sleep. Then she realized she had her data-pad.

The b.i.t.c.h was actually recording the whole thing! Savaar raised the sacred sword of Tuburr above his head.

Tarrol spoke: 'Doctor. For crimes against everything held dear on Peladon, I now p.r.o.nounce you executed.'

Centauri went white.

Reece stared, his eyes suddenly eager? Geban turned away.

Sskeet was observing everyone.

Kort gripped Bernice's arm tighter.

Keri was still twitching her data-pad.

Tarrol nodded.

Savaar brought the sacred sword of Tuburr down.

On to the Doctor's neck.

Centauri squealed.

Kort gasped.

Geban shuddered.

Bernice screamed: 'No!' And the sacred sword sliced straight through the Doctor's neck and then hit the stone floor with a crash that sent sparks flying.

7: Soul Protection

Darkness. A bright, stabbing light. Cold. Solid. Nausea. Reaching out.

Solid. Push.

Atissa heaved herself up, groaning quietly. The cold floor of the relic room made her body shudder involuntarily and she managed to sit back as the wave of dizziness pa.s.sed. Her head hurt. She reached back and felt a large lump on the back of her skull, near the top of her spine. A few inches lower and her neck would have been broken. Either Savaar had meant to leave her alive or he had just been clumsy. The lump was sore but not angry - she'd been unconscious for a while.

The execution. She must have missed it.

Savaar was a fool. He should have killed her when he had the chance.

Now she could tell the king, Geban and everyone just how duplicitous the Federation really were.

Casually she noted that not only had the Lance of Aggedor gone but the Sword of Truth was also missing. She felt strangely calm about this. Along with the Crown of Sherak, all three items of the Pel crown jewels were now gone. Her case against Nic Reece and his Federation ideals was complete.

By the time she had finished, Peladon would be free. The king's easy compliance over the Doctor's execution was just the beginning. She had him eating out of her hand. Now it was time for the final blow.

Peladon was hers.

The old ways would once again be the new ways. For the good of her civilization, Atissa had to act quickly.

The throne room on Peladon was dark and underlit. King Tarrol sat hunched on his throne, Geban's abandoned robe beside him. A solitary guard stood by the door, staring ahead, not looking at his king.

'Find out where she is. She demanded an audience, she is keeping me waiting,' murmured the king.

The guard stood to attention and turned to leave when there was a knock on the doors. Slowly he opened it and saw Atissa standing outside.

'His Majesty has been waiting for you,' was his only comment as he pulled the door wide enough for the high priestess to enter.