Doctor Who: Enlightenment by Barbara Clegg

Author:Barbara Clegg
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction:Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426195375
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1984-05-15T19:54:24.541314+00:00

‘I’d no idea Ephemerals were so entertaining,’ he said.

‘Perhaps that’s why Wrack stopped to pick up your friend.’

Tegan turned her back on him. As she did, she saw that she had been right about the activity on the deck of the distant galleon. A launch from the Buccaneer was heading straight towards them.

The Doctor was having little success. All his efforts to persuade the Captain to collect Turlough had so far failed.

Striker was adamant. In fact, he had turned the tables and was asking questions himself, wanting to know why Turlough had jumped. ‘I’ve no idea,’ the Doctor answered.

‘But we must get him back.’ Striker simply turned away. ‘It was an impulse , that’s all,’ the Doctor went on, trying to think up some excuse. ‘You know how impulsive the young are. No, I don’t suppose you do.’ He broke off; a ridiculous thought running through his head. ‘Can Eternals have an age?’ he was wondering to himself, when Marriner came in, an open letter in his hand and Tegan behind him. ‘There is to be a reception aboard the Buccaneer,’ he announced. ‘We have received an invitation from Captain Wrack. Delivered by hand.’ Mansell stepped into the room, with a brief bow. ‘By hand? I am overwhelmed.’ Striker was sardonic. ‘You will of course decline,’ Marriner said. ‘Naturally,’ and the Captain dismissed their visitor with a gesture. But before Mansell could withdraw, the Doctor had stepped forward.

‘If you would allow us to go, we could collect Turlough,’

he said, reasonably. Tegan was much more impassioned.

‘Please let us! Please can’t we?’ she implored.

Striker seemed bored as he gave his consent, the First Mate impassive. But when Mansell had left and the four of them were alone again, save for the helmsman, Marriner turned to Tegan ‘I will escort you,’ he said. ‘With the Captain’s permission.’

‘I thought you didn’t want to go,’ Tegan retorted. For a second there was something almost like concern in the Eternal’s eyes.

‘I think you might need me,’ he replied. ‘Captain Wrack has strange ideas of entertainment.’

Turlough was chained to the wall, trying not to give too much away, as Wrack paced round the wheel-house cross-examining him. She was obviously enjoying herself.

‘Have you ever seen a man flogged to death?’ She stopped just in front of Turlough to ask the question. ‘Or keelhauled? Very painful. Ephemerals have such inventive ways of inflicting pain.’ Her voice dwelt lovingly on the last word, and then she became businesslike again. ‘Now –

tell me what you wanted aboard my ship.’

‘Why ask?’ Turlough said stubbornly. ‘I thought you could read minds.’

‘Yours is such a devious one, it’s fascinating.’ She looked into his eyes. ‘I should like to peel it away, layer by layer – until there was nothing left,’ she added with relish.

Turlough was extremely frightened. He was not quite the coward that he always claimed to be, but he was terrified of pain, and the creature pacing round him was clearly a sadist. ‘Perhaps your intention was sabotage?’ she cooed again. He shook his head.

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