Part 17 (1/2)

The Doctor, meanwhile, was discussing strategy with Valgard. 'You need publicity,' he was saying. 'Get. rid of the secrecy that surrounds this place, and Terminus Incorporated won't be able to do anything against you.

Forget the shame and the mystery, and emphasize the treatment.'

'There isn't any treatment without the Garm,'

Valgard pointed out. 'You've seen to that.'

'I took away the compulsion, that's all. I'm sure you'll have no problem if you invite him to co-operate.'

'Co-operate?' Valgard said with some incredulity.

'The Garm? You're joking. The Garm's just a dumb beast.'

'Then I think you've got a surprise coming,' the Doctor said.

They were about to climb the stairs between decks, but a loud protest from behind made them stop. The Doctor looked back and saw Tegan, shocked and worried, pulling Nyssa forward.

'Doctor,' Tegan was saying, 'Doctor, talk to her!'

Nyssa was looking at the ground, and she seemed a little embarra.s.sed at being made the sudden focus of attention in this way. The Doctor said, 'What is it?'

Nyssa looked up at him. 'I'm not coming with you,'

she said.

And, deep inside, he'd known it. He'd known from the moment he'd seen her again, eyes blazing with righteous fury at the poor excuse for a caring process that she'd been put through. Lives were changed by such experiences, and there was no going back.

'There's the Hydromel to be synthesised, and I can do it,' she added. 'That's what I was trained for. I don't regret one moment of the time that I've spent on the TARDIS and I'll miss you both, but I'm needed here and I'm not going to walk away.'

'Please, Nyssa,' Tegan said tearfully, but Nyssa wasn't to be shaken.

'My mind's made up,' she said. 'Let's not fall out over it.'

The Doctor said, gently, 'I suppose you understand the commitment you'll be taking on.'

Nyssa nodded. 'Yes.'

'And that life here's going to be hard. Not to mention dangerous for a while.'

'And interesting, and fulfilling...'

'All right,' the Doctor said, holding up his hand and smiling. He'd got the message. Nyssa was fully aware of what she was taking on, and she was determined.