Part 4 (2/2)

With a roar of disappointment, the stoners redoubled their efforts. For a time the Doctor was able to fend off the hail of missiles but suddenly a stray rock got under his guard, taking him in the temple.

The Doctor staggered back and fell...

In the Courtroom the screen went blank.

'Why stop it at the best bit?' protested the Doctor. was rather enjoying that.'

'I'm sure you were, Doctor,' said the Valeyard.

'Clever, eh, that trick with the umbrella?'

'Most ingenious, Doctor.'

'Well, I always like to do the unexpected, take people by surprise.'

'See how he takes pride in his interference,' thundered the Valeyard. 'Hear how he boasts! This is not the behaviour of a responsible Time Lord.'

'We are aware of that, Valeyard,' said the Inquisitor coldly. 'What point are you trying to make?'

The Valeyard sprang to his feet. 'These proceedings began as a mere Inquiry into the Doctor's activities. I now suggest that they become a Trial. And if he is found guilty I strongly recommend the termination of his life!'

5.

The Reprieve The Doctor sat back in his chair, and looked thoughtfully at the Valeyard. 'So you want me dead, eh?'

There is something very wrong here, thought the Doctor.

Something very odd about this trial, or enquiry, or whatever it is.

Time Lord justice could be politically influenced, even corrupt at time, but this was something quite extraordinary.

As if to confirm the Doctor's suspicions the Inquisitor said, 'What the Valeyard wants and what the Court decides are two entirely different things, Doctor.'

The Valeyard bowed, his sudden fit of anger choked off.

The Doctor bowed too. 'Thank you, My Lady.'

'Proceed, Valeyard,' said the Inquisitor frostily.

The Valeyard bowed again, and the screen lit up.

Once again the Doctor saw himself felled by a rock thrown at close range...

There was a roar of triumph from the crowd as the Doctor fell, and his attackers gathered round to finish him off.

Suddenly an alarm siren cut through the excited shouts.

Balazar held up his hands. 'The train guards!'

From out of the nearby tunnel an extraordinary vehicle glided into the open area. It was an electric truck with a uniformed driver at the controls and half a dozen guards sitting back to back in two rows of three on a trailer.

Behind the driver sat the Chief Guard called Grell, the black-clad Merdeen beside him.

The little train glided to a halt, the guards jumped down and the yellow-clad work-units fell respectfully silent.

The dreaded train guards patrolled the tunnels day and night, alert for enemies from above ground or offences against the laws of the Immortal.

'This station is a work-unit over strength,' announced Merdeen. 'There must be a cull.'

Balazar stepped forward, pointing to the body of the Doctor. 'It is being dealt with,' he said proudly.

Merdeen studied the body curiously. 'See that he is dead, Grell.'

He turned to Balazar. 'Where is he from?'

'I do not know. He told many lies. He even said he had read our sacred books.'

Grell was kneeling by the Doctors body. 'He still breathes.'

'Then kill him,' said Merdeen.

Grell drew his blaster and put the muzzle to the Doctor's head.

In the main control room, Drathro the Immortal was studying the scene on his monitor.

'Stop!' he boomed.

Merdeen and Merdeen alone, heard the voice from the transceiver implanted in his helmet. 'Wait!' he ordered.

The Immortal speaks.'

Grell lowered his blaster.

After a moment Merdeen said, 'The Immortal wishes to question the stranger. How near death is he?'

Grell put a hand to the pulse in the Doctor's neck. 'He is merely stunned.'

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