Part 2 (1/2)

'Those Jekkari,' said Kurt slowly. 'All that tapping business...You were communicating with them.'

Smith nodded. 'The Jekkari don't speak because they have no vocal cords. They communicate by a very complex system of signing.'

'But if the Jekkari are as intelligent as you say why do they hang round doing dirty jobs for the colonists...Kurt saw the answer as soon as he asked the question. 'Yes, of course...'

'That's right,' said Smith. 'Intelligence agents. Spies if you like. It cost them quite a few lives at first, but as soon as the colonists became convinced they were dim and harmless, the Jekkari could come and go as they liked. They were studying the colonists to discover their weaknesses. They completely fooled the colonists. With luck, they'll fool the Sontarans too.'

Kurt was only concerned with his own survival. 'Will they help us to escape?'

'They'll help me,' said Smith. 'And you might as well come along if nothing else, it'll annoy the Sontarans.'

'Thanks a lot. So what do we do now?'

'We wait till dark.'

As the shadows of night spread across the little cell, there came a m.u.f.fled thumping from the corridor outside. The heavy metal door of the cell began to creak and groan and vibrate. With a shriek of metal it disappeared ripped from its hinges from outside.

Smith and Kurt moved out into the dark corridor. They could just make out the ma.s.sive shape of a Jekkari crouched over the p.r.o.ne body of a guard. It was rocking mournfully, to and fro.

'He's upset because he killed the guard by mistake,'

whispered Smith. 'They hate killing.'

He drummed rapidly on the Jekkari's shoulder, and the giant anthropoid rose and led them down the corridor.

Another guard came round the corner, saw them and said, 'Hey '

It was all he said because the edge of Kurt's hand took him across the throat. Kurt drew back his arm for the second, killing blow, but Smith caught his wrist in a surprisingly powerful grip.

'No! I hate killing too.'

Smith's fingers gripped the still-choking guard's neck, and the man went limp. Kurt caught him and lowered him to the ground. He rubbed his wrist. Little Smith was stronger than he looked.

They moved across the dark, silent landing field until they reached Kurt's freighter.

'Can you pilot that thing by yourself?' asked Smith.

Kurt nodded. 'I had it adapted for solo use. Partners cut down profits.'

'Then I'd get on board and blast off. I don't think the Sontarans will follow you. Most of them are out subduing Port City. The ones left here are due for some unexpected trouble at their command centre. The Sontarans won't find this planet as easy to hold as they think.'

As if to belie his words, a harsh voice croaked, 'Halt!'

Kurt, Smith and the Jekkari all froze, as a Sontaran trooper stepped from the shadows, covering them with his blaster.

'You are all my prisoners. Return to the command post.

Resist and you will be killed.'

Kurt decided that he couldn't face losing his freedom now.

He tensed himself for a suicidal attack. If he could get his hands on that blaster Smith put a restraining hand on his arm.

A huge dark shape materialized behind the Sontaran trooper. Giant hands seized him, raised him high in the air then dashed him head-first to the stony ground with such shattering force that they heard the skull shatter and the thick neck-bones snap.

Kurt let out a long shuddering sigh. 'I thought you said they didn't like to kill.'

'They don't. But they can do it now, if they must. It's something I had to teach them,' said Smith sadly.

Kurt swung the metal wheel that opened the entry-hatch.

'Come with me. I'll take you anywhere you like.' Sudden, overwhelming grat.i.tude pushed Kurt into utter recklessness.

'h.e.l.l, I'll even give you half my profits on this trip well, a third, anyway...'

Smith smiled and shook his head. 'Keep your profits, Kurt.

If they're big enough, you could even turn honest.'

'How are you going to get away from here”

'I've got my own transportation, hidden in the forest.

Besides, I'm not leaving yet. I've got unfinished business here.'

Kurt opened the hatch. 'Suit yourself.' He paused, looking at the strange little man, flanked by his two giant allies.

'I owe you, Smith, I owe you big. I'm an honest criminal, I always pay my debts. Anything I can do, anywhere, any time.'

He grinned. 'John Smith! I don't even know your real name.'

'Few people do. Why don't you just call me the Doctor?'

The Doctor turned and vanished into the darkness.

Kurt scrambled inside the hatch, closed it behind him, and climbed the ladder to the control room, praying that the ancient engines would fire first time.