Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [037] - The Keeper of Traken by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426201489
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1982-02-12T23:00:00+00:00

7

Prisoners of Melkur

The cell was in the form of a long cellar, with an arched stone roof, a heavy metal grille barring the far end, and bunks along the walls. The Fosters opened the grille dumped the semi-conscious bodies of the Doctor, Adric and Tremas on the bunks, then left, slamming the grille shut, and locking it behind them.

Kassia and Neman watched the process from the corridor outside the cell. When the process was complete, Kassia said, ‘They must be closely guarded at all times. They are to have no contact with anyone without my authority.’

‘Yes, Consul.’ Neman hesitated. ‘What is to become of them?’

‘My husband and his friends have betrayed the Keeper,’ said Kassia coldly. ‘I shall require a full confession to satisfy the Traken people and then… You understand me?’

‘Yes, Consul.’

‘Excellent. Your services will not be overlooked, Proctor Neman.’ Kassia strode away.

Outside the Sanctum she found Katura and Luvic, their heads together in serious discussion.

‘Ah, Kassia,’ said Luvic, with an attempt at his usual cheerfulness. ‘Where are the strangers?’

‘Closely guarded.’

‘And – Tremas?’

‘Consul Tremas is with them.’ Kassia looked hard at the two remaining Consuls, dominating them with the force of her personality. ‘It is our duty to the Keeper to propose a new successor. Tremas has forfeited his right, and Seron is dead.’

‘It must be one of us three, then,’ said Luvic.

Katura nodded. ‘We must come to our formal decision at the proper time.’

Kassia nodded, coldly, and walked away.

Groaning and rubbing their aching limbs, the three prisoners were taking stock of their situation.

The Doctor looked round. ‘Quite a little home from home, isn’t it?’

‘We are in the old penal wing, Doctor,’ said Tremas. ‘We have had no use for cells like this for many years.’

‘Not till we came along, eh?’ The Doctor went over to the grille and peered through it, examining the area of the lock.

‘Can you get us out of here, Doctor?’ asked Adric.

‘A rather old-fashioned electron lock, I think. The sonic screwdriver should deal with it easily enough.’ But the Doctor didn’t move.

‘Get on with it, then,’ said Adric.

‘Unfortunately the control panel is well out of reach.’ The Doctor fished the sonic screwdriver from his pocket. ‘Be a good chap – nip outside and open it for me.’

Adric groaned. ‘Is that all you can do?’

‘I’m not a magician, you know,’ said the Doctor plaintively.

They heard footsteps in the corridor, and soon two patrolling Fosters marched by.

‘Lovely day,’ called the Doctor.

The Fosters ignored him.

Kassia stood in the Grove, looking up at Melkur, the twin rays from the statue’s glowing eyes illuminating her face. ‘All is as you predicted, Melkur. Seron is dead, Tremas in disgrace. He cannot become Keeper now. You have saved him.’

‘Tremas will continue to live,’ whispered Melkur. ‘As long as you continue to obey.’

‘Is there yet more to be done?’

‘Oh yes, my servant. Much more. The Doctor is a most cunning enemy. While he still lives, the cause of Melkur is in danger.’

‘Must the boy die also?’

‘Yes! The Doctor and his young friend… You must finish what you have begun, Kassia.

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