Part 28 (2/2)

'Why not? Because he let you flirt with me? Maybe I sussed him better than you ever had. I doubt you matter that much. He's after the same thing as me. Power.'

'The Diadem? He wants to destroy it.'

'Computer. Summerfield Code-A.'

'Confirmed.'

The safe-seal vanished and Reece grabbed the two items from within. As the safe resealed itself, he jumped backwards out of the shuttle, still aiming his blaster at Bernice. He stripped the dead Pakhar of his belt which had carried audio spares. Throwing them on to the floor, he climbed back in and used the belt to tie the Lance of Aggedor to the casket.

'Time for a little walk, I think.'

'Why?'

'Because the Doctor has proved he has the same number of lives as a cat and Sontaran frag grenade or not, I want a hostage. Just in case.'

Bernice crossed her arms and smiled sweetly. I don't think I'm quite hostage material, actually. You usually find the job spec requires a small blonde screamer who trips and faints at the slightest provocation.'

Reece shook his head and grinned. A hostage is anyone who your opponent is not prepared to sacrifice. If the Doctor's still alive, you fit the bill one hundred per cent. Now move!'

'Here. We were supposed to meet here. Why isn't he here?' Cooper kicked a rock over the precipice. She waited but never heard it land.

Townsend was admiring the Citadel. 'Good bit of architecture, you know.

Well built. Last for ever. Better than most domes and prefabs back in our neck of the woods.'

'Maybe that explosion was him getting killed,' suggested Lambert.

Townsend shook his head and pointed to the side of the Citadel where a gaping hole was clearly visible. 'See? There. That's our bang - half that section must have gone boom. He shouldn't have been anywhere near the Citadel when that went off.'

Sadler looked down at the vacuum case.

How much longer? I need to be free. Open the case and touch me! Sadler found that her hand was moving towards the catch. Surprised, she pulled it away. What on earth was she doing?

'Reece! Reece or whatever your name is!' The Doctor stared at the shuttle.

Huddled by the door way he could see two bodies but neither of them was Benny's. A Martian - the pilot, he presumed - and a Pakhar, one of Corry's team. Two more lives Reece was responsible for wasting.

'Good question, Doctor,' came an amplified shout back.

From the shuttle's communications system. I don't honestly know what my real name is. Ever since the inst.i.tution, I used other people's ident.i.ties.'

A patient. Ah.'

Oh, don't tell me, Doctor. You think that explains everything. Anti-social behaviour? Psychosis?'

'No, Reece. Nothing so simple could explain your evil.,'

'I was examined by the Federation's best shrinks, you know. When I was ten they decided I was already too far gone. Do you think I've gone too far?'

Oh yes. Far too far.'

The side of the shuttle melted away and Benny staggered out, Reece holding her tightly. One false move and. .

And you'll kill her. Yes, I know, I've seen it all before. Done by far better than you as well.'

'But few with so much relish.'

Oh thanks.' That was Bernice.

'You won't do that, Reece. You'd have done it by now otherwise. Any time within the last couple of days.'

'You know, you and Savaar ought to go into entertainment. The people who keep coming back to life. I thought I'd made sure you were both dead.'

'Self-preservation is an art, Reece,' said the Doctor. 'From the moment I realized it was you, I've been watching my back. Or had others do it for me.'

And when was that?'

'I guessed when you made that error in your homework. We'd never met, Nic Reece and I. Then you made your second mistake.'

Lianna?'

'Exactly. She was still alive and told me.'

'Wait a minute,' cried Bernice. 'You knew it was this crukhead and you still let me carry on seeing him?'

'I had to let him carry out his plan, Benny. I had to get nearer to the Diadem. I'm sorry.'

'You b.l.o.o.d.y will be when I get hold of you!' she yelled.

'Listen Doctor, you and your Martian pals can take a step or fifty back. The lady - the Shsurr I think you call her, Savaar - and I have a date back there.'

'Your mercenaries have the Diadem, Reece. Just in case you were wondering.'

'Cheers, old man. A great weight off my mind.'

'What are you planning to do with it?' squeaked Alpha Centauri.

'G.o.d, what a stupid question, Centauri. You know, I had the chance to kill you but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to do it. Just a little tap on the head so that I could have the time to dispose of Torg's body. You're weird, Centauri - so d.a.m.n nice to everyone all the time.'

'Thank you, Nic, but you're still a traitor!'

Answer the question, Reece,' rasped Savaar. 'What will you do with the Pakhar Diadem?'

'Rule. It's been my lifelong ambition to find it. You know, I actually studied archaeology. That's how I found out about it. They made me do that at the clinic. I should thank them. Maybe I'll use the Diadem on them as well.'

'More likely that it'll use you, Reece. It is alive.'

<script>