Part 31 (1/2)

For a few, their lives were effectively over. For others, a new life dawned.

It's too good an opportunity, Doctor. I have to go. Don't let's part on bad terms. Please?'

The Doctor stared at his brogues, noticing some Pel roak dust scuffed into the toes of one. He licked his finger and rubbed it away.

'Has this got anything to do with my using you? To get at Reece?'

'No. Yes. Oh, I don't know. I just feel that a break will do me good.' Bernice started pacing around the Federation Representatives' room. Kort, standing by the door, was picking at a scab on his elbow. Apart from him, they were alone. 'Look. I'm not saying goodbye - I'm not throwing in any towels or saying I don't ever want to see you or Ace again. I just want a holiday.'

'Florana is quite nice at this time. Marvellous floating seas and beaches of weaved gold...'

Oh no you don't!' Bernice plopped down in front of him, resting her elbows on his knees. She smiled up. 'You've tried that one before. I want a holiday by myself. Read my lips. Hol-i-day. No Daleks, no mad monks and especially no Time Lords. Just me and my trowel.'

'Where will you go?'

'Phaester Osiris. Savaar's brother, or whatever he calls him, is a professor there. He's leading the expedition to uncover the riddle of the Osirians.'

I did that centuries ago,' said the Doctor sulkily.

Bernice dropped her head into her hands, letting her hair fall on to his knees. Oh G.o.d. Look, I want to discover it. I want to learn something new.

Something I haven't been told tenth-hand or read about in the TARDIS data bank. I want some open air, the smell of diggers, the feel of dirt under my fingernails. . .'

'How gross,' muttered Kort.

'Shut up, Kort.' Bernice and the Doctor said in unison.

The two friends stared back at each and laughed. I understand Rhukk is something of a celebrity' The Doctor beeped her nose. 'Well, according to Keri, I imagine you'll be in good hands.'

I hope so. Anyway, Savaar is coming with me. We discussed it last night.

He feels that he also wants to see something of Rhukk. I understand that they've not been very close in the past.'

'Ah, Martian family life. Complicated business.'

The Doctor got up and rolled his hat up his arm until he could bow his head down and roll it on to that. He held his arms out as if expecting applause.

Bernice just grinned. I'll miss you, you know.'

'We'll miss you. According to Kort's father, Ace is getting itchy feet on Io.'

'Hardly her sort of place. Nothing to blow up.'

Bernice walked over and hugged the Doctor. 'Nip forward three months and pick me up. To you, you'll never notice I'm gone.'

The Doctor walked to the door. I'll tell Savaar you're ready to go. By the time we've reached Io, shown Kort here the inside of the TARDIS and had a few official dinner parties, three months will just fly past. Take care.'

'You too.'

The Doctor pulled Kort out of the room and closed the doors behind him.

He seemed to sag just a little. 'They make it all sound so easy, don't they?

Thanks for the ride - come back and see me soon.'

Kort looked up at him and smiled. 'Never mind. You've got me for company now!' The Doctor stared at him and said rather too insincerely, 'Yes, I rather think I have.'

Atissa stood in front of her statue, flambeaus casting dark shadows around the temple. Tarrol stood facing her, a new burgundy robe draped around his shoulders.

To Atissa he seemed to have grown a few inches.

'So?'

Tarrol turned away from her and ran a hand over Aggedor's image. 'He was beautiful.'

'To some of us, he still is. You are turning your back upon him?'

The king turned and looked at her. 'For years I was in love with you, Atissa.

I always knew that one day I would be king of Peladon. I had long hoped you would be queen at my side. Alas, our paths took different turns and instead of growing together, we grew apart.'

I could never be a queen, Tarrol. Nor could I ever have loved you. We are too dissimilar.' Atissa stepped away from the statue and opened the door to her chamber. Tarrol noted with some surprise it was clean and spartan: the relics and busts that normally cluttered it up were gone. 'What have you come for, Your Majesty?'

Tarrol considered his words carefully, looking at anything but Atissa. 'You betrayed us, Atissa. You betrayed your king. You also betrayed Geban and the whole of Peladon. I suspect you also betrayed Aggedor.' He turned and faced her. 'By the rules and laws that you so frequently cite and use to your own ends, you should be executed. At the very least the most lenient I should be would be to exile you to the plains. Unprotected and unaccompanied.'

And?'

'And I will not. I have lost too many dear friends over the last seventy-two hours. Your mother and Chancellor Geban amongst them. Peladon is going to need you in its future. I will need you.'

'But you will never trust me, Your Majesty. And I would never accept you.

You are still a puppet to the Federation. Everything I did, I did for Aggedor, for my heritage. You would brush that aside for your alien paymasters.' She reached up and slipped her high priestess's robes off and draped them across the bed. She stood dressed in a simple brown robe, the only indication that she was of any kind of rank the brooch she still wore, Aggedor's savage beauty echoing her own. 'You should abide by the ancient laws, Tarrol, and execute me.'

I cannot.'

I know. You are still weak. You always were and always will be: She walked to a ma.s.sive wardrobe and withdrew a huge fur-lined coat that reached to the floor. She tugged away the hairpin that kept her hair up, and brown locks fell below her shoulders. 'No, Tarrol. You will not kill me. Nor will you exile me. I leave of my own free will. The plains, maybe. I may go to the dark side of Peladon, to join with the nomads. Maybe, just maybe I will find a real Aggedor out there.'

And you will raise an army to conquer me?'

Atissa suddenly laughed. Oh, Tarrol, listen to yourself. An army? How could I? Why would I? Frankly, this society isn't worth the bother: She crossed back to the door. 'Farewell, King Tarrol of Peladon. I leave you and my life here far behind. We shall never meet again.'

Tarrol closed his eyes and heard the click of the door behind him. After a few moments he left the room, crossing through the temple and out into the corridor. At the last moment he looked through the small window at the granite Aggedor, bearing down into an empty temple.

Empty.

'How's the arm?' The Doctor patted Neal Corry on the shoulder.

Apparently I can get it rebuilt properly on Pakha. Keri and I are heading back there later today. Our s.h.i.+p ought to be in orbit in about three hours and I can't pilot my own shuttle like this.'

I think I'll retire, yeah,' said Keri, twitching her whiskers as always.