Part 11 (2/2)

Sil giggled with delight. 'How useful to have a Time Lord in one's employ... I will allow their application for credit.'

He pressed the 'Credit agreed' b.u.t.ton and leaned back as if he had completed a week's work. A servant brought Sil his favourite snack. The green wigglesome delicacies writhed on the platter. Sil offered the dish to his guest.

'Marsh Minnow, Doctor?'

Absently the Doctor helped himself and popped a minnow into his mouth. A taste like a mixture of iron filings mixed with used engine oil blighted the taste buds of the Time Lord. 'Ugh!' He spat out the offending minnow.

Sil grinned while gobbling down his lunch greedily. 'I should have warned you Doctor, they are something of an acquired taste.'

'I can believe it,' gasped the Doctor shuddering at the memory of the experience.

Sil gobbled down the last t.i.tbit and sighed contentedly.

'The Lord Kiv will be most pleased with me for my great foresight over those s.p.a.ce rangers. I must be sure that I am the first familiar face he sees with his new eyes.'

'That would be comforting for him... should we go and see how the patient is getting on?'

The Doctor sat in the courtroom and despaired at the sight of himself consorting with his enemy, Sil.

He lifted his head and spoke quietly. 'My actions cannot be as they seem.'

The Valeyard was quickly on the attack. 'Perhaps you would tell us why a Time Lord with all his privileges should not only meddle in a swamp world like Thoros-Beta but also help the Mentors make money from his inside knowledge of the future.'

'There is an explanation, there must be... yet I can't recall it. There has to be some event my mind won't let me recall.' The Doctor stood up, fists clenched, and stared wildly around the court.

'Are you unwell?' the Inquisitor asked. 'Perhaps you would like me to call for a recess, Doctor?'

'No!' the Doctor's voice was fierce with a determination not heard before. 'I've had enough of wondering why I acted as I did on Thoros-Beta. Let's get to it. Let's find out what happened. Play the Matrix, let it show what it will!'

Twelve.

'How is the Lord Kiv?' Sil enquired as he entered the lab with the Doctor. The Matrona and Crozier glanced at each other.

'He has had a crisis...' the Matrona began.

'Crisis. Crisis... what... what?' Sil said with alarm.

'He's through it now,' Crozier said.

'When will he wake up?' Sil asked, staring at his master who lay, unmoving, eyes closed, on the operating table.

'Soon. Soon,' the Matrona said soothingly.

'There has been some cardiac flutter. A little worrying neural activity, some piczoelectric imaging array.'

'That's all right, then,' said Sil. 'I will stay here and await Kiv's return to life. Sit down, Doctor, you may wait too.'

To pa.s.s the time the Doctor began to check the equipment that cl.u.s.tered all around the unconscious Thoros-Betan leader. He was thinking that Kiv should have returned to consciousness by now if what Crozier had boasted about had really been achieved and a living brain been transposed from one head to another.

Yrcanos had expounded his plan to Tuza and the other Alphans. They were impressed by Yrcanos and his belief in ultimate victory but Tuza had a remaining doubt.

'Your aim is a sound one, but our men are untrained.'

'Under my leaders.h.i.+p, they will fight like demons!'

Peri tried to interject a note of sanity. 'Yrcanos, let's not get too carried away, I know it's nice to have a few guys to command.'

The Lukoser opened his great jaws. 'I have se... see...

seen him inspire disheartened rabble to acts of he...

heroism.'

'But how many survived?' Peri said gloomily.

Yrcanos moved an impatient step. 'A minor consideration when glory is to be won.'

Tuza internipted the growing dissension. 'We do not have anything to lose. At present all we do is hide like vermin. King Yrcanos of the Krontep, we will follow you!'

'But will you fight?'

'Yes!' The Alphans followed Tuza's lead.

'Vroomnik!' Yrcanos yelled. His shout exultant and booming over too far a distance for Peri's liking. 'Now to your weapon dump and on to glory!'

'Here we go again,' said Peri as Yrcanos went striding off with even more purpose than ever. After six strides he turned and raised his right arm. His new followers paused expectantly. 'This hand that has not touched steel for what seems an age, I dedicate to the service of gaining your liberty!'

The Alphans cheered. Tuza spoke quietly to Ger, a trusted confidant. 'Find Sorn and his men. Tell him the day of action has finally come.' Ger nodded and left the group, while Yrcanos and Tuza became engrossed in a discussion of tactics and resources.

'Look!' Peri called out, drawing their attention to an old man tottering towards them. Peri ran to support the white-haired Alphan who stumbled and fell before she could reach him.

'What's happened. What can we do to help?'

The old man tried to raise himself but his failing strength caused him to collapse on his side and Peri could see his life-force draining away. Soon the struggle was over.

'What happened?' Peri asked bewilderedly.

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