Doctor Who_ Time Warrior Part 6

Sarah said furiously, 'Look, just pack this up, will you?

I'm a reporter and I'm working on a very big story-'

With a sweep of his arm, Irongron threw Sarah across to Bloodaxe, who held her firmly. 'Take her away, Bloodaxe.

Put her in the dungeons, we'll question her later.'

Sarah was still more angry than frightened. 'Why don't you take off that ridiculous costume and go home to your butcher's shop? I suppose this is your big event of the year, your local historical pageant or something? I warn you, if you don't leave me alone I'm going straight to the police...'

Irongron chuckled. 'By my oath, Bloodaxe, she has a spark in her! Loose her.'

Bloodaxe released Sarah's arms, and she moved thankfully away from him. 'That's better. Now, if I can just use your telephone...'

There came the sounds of struggle from outside and a yell of rage. (Hal had managed to break free, but had soon been re-captured and pulled down.) Now, bruised and bleeding, he was dragged into the hall and flung down at Irongron's feet.

'This is the dog that shot at you, Captain,' said Bloodaxe. 'See.' He pointed to Hal's bow and quiver, now held by one of the guards.

Irongron promptly kicked his captive in the ribs. 'So!

You thought to kill Irongron, eh?'

'Aye,' gasped Hal. 'I would have too, but for her.' He pointed to Sarah. 'She spoiled my aim.'

Irongron kicked him again. 'Did Sir Edward send you?'

He s.n.a.t.c.hed up his axe and raised it menacingly. 'Speak, dog!'

'It was Lady Eleanor.'

'That narrow-hipped vixen! Make preparations for the attack, Bloodaxe. Tomorrow we dine at Sir Edward's castle.'

'Yes, Captain. What of the archer here?'

Irongron ran a grimy thumb along the edge of his axe.

He tossed it to Bloodaxe. 'I leave him to you, Bloodaxe. See that you attend to him- sharply sharply.'

Bloodaxe caught the axe, looking puzzled. Then a slow grin spread over his long face. 'Sharply, eh? 'Tis richly put... A fine jest, Captain.'

Irongron gave a self-satisfied smile. 'I'm not one of your stuffy n.o.bles, Bloodaxe, I like a bit of rough fun.'

''Tis true, Captain. Indeed you have a merry wit.'

Bloodaxe nodded to the guards, and they dragged Hal away.

Sarah had been looking on in unbelieving astonishment.

'Look, please, you've had your laugh. Won't you stop it now and talk sensibly? I mean, if it's any consolation, you're scaring me out of my wits.'

Bloodaxe shook his head. 'The wench is crazed, Captain.'

'Please,' said Sarah. 'What is this place?'

Irongron bowed. 'You are in the castle of Irongron, my lady,' he said ironically. 'Few uninvited guests come here-and few of those that do come leave alive.'

Sarah said resignedly, 'All right, if you insist on playing guessing games... Not a village pageant then, too elaborate for that... Film set? No, no lights, no cameras.' She looked thoughtfully round the hall. It was filthy, dust and grime everywhere. It was furnished only with the long central table and a scattering of heavy, crudely-made stools and chairs. The table was covered with well-used metal platters and tankards, the floor strewn with dirty rushes and littered with old bones. Sarah looked at her two captors, the ma.s.sive bearded leader and his lanky, fair-haired henchman. Both wore rough homespun clothing and leather top-coats studded with steel. They had swords and daggers in their belts. Their hair was long and dirty, their hands and faces grimy, and they gave off a reek of savagery, like wild beasts in a zoo. Sarah made a last desperate attempt to find some rational explanation. 'I've got it! One of those special tourist places. Medieval castle all restored to its original condition-I see you've even got a minstrels'

gallery. Jolly banquets for the tourists, with authentic middle-ages food and foaming mugs of ale handed out by buxom serving wenches. That's it, isn't it?' She smiled winningly at Irongron.

Irongron said, 'You were right, Bloodaxe. The wench is crazed. A pity, she is not uncomely despite these strange clothes she wears.'

Sarah went on chattering brightly, talking to dispel her own fears. 'Mind you, I think you're overdoing things a bit.

I mean, I know things were pretty scruffy in the middle ages, but really! You might leave the tourists a bit of glamour and illusion. I've never seen such a scurvy, smelly pair in my life!'

Irongron hammered the table with a huge fist. 'For pity's sake wench, stop this lunatic babbling!'

Sarah stopped. For all her protestations, she knew that this was no game or tourist pageant. This was real.

Bloodaxe whispered, 'Captain, look!'

Linx was standing in the doorway. 'Ah, Linx!' growled Irongron. 'Where are my weapons?'

'I have something to show you.'

As the Sontaran came forward, Bloodaxe edged nervously to the door. 'By your leave, Captain, I will see to the execution.'

Irongron nodded. 'Aye, and do it sharply, eh, Bloodaxe?'

'I'll have the dog fetched to the courtyard, Captain, and send word when all is ready.' Bloodaxe went out still chuckling. 'Sharply. 'Tis richly put!'

Linx looked hard at Sarah. 'What is this?'

Irongron shrugged. 'A girl, taken in the forest.'

'Girl? Ah, I see. You have two species on this planet?'

'What say you?'

'This creature is not of your kind. The hair is finer, the thorax of a different construction.'

'h.e.l.l's teeth! Have you no girls up there in the stars? No one to do the lowly work?'

'Ah, I understand. You still have a primary and secondary reproductive cycle. It is very inefficient. You should change it.'

Irongron was completely lost. Could no one talk sense this day? 'Change? Change what?'

'In the Sontaran Military Academy we have hatchings of a million cadets at each muster parade. Thus we can sustain enormous casualties and still renew our numbers.'

Irongron groaned. 'Linx, your tongue clatters worse than the wench's-'

The Sontaran touched Sarah's sleeve. 'The cloth she wears is machine-woven. This girl is not of your time.'

'Curse the girl! Show me my new weapon.'

Linx took out a metal tube and shone it into Sarah's eyes. She went rigid, staring straight ahead of her. 'Who?

What? How?' snapped Linx.

She answered in a monotone. 'Sarah Jane Smith.

Reporter. In a... machine. I did not understand it.'

'Century?'

'Twentieth.'

'Your civilisation had no conception of time-dimensional technology. Explain the machine which brought you here.'

'I cannot. It belongs to someone called Doctor John Smith.'

'Linx,' said Irongron impatiently. 'My new weapon The Sontaran waved him away. 'Silence. This is important. The security of my mission may be threatened.'

He turned back to Sarah. 'Explain this Doctor.'

'He's a scientist. He said he was interested in delta particles.'

'Ah! Is he here with you in this time zone?'

'Somewhere. I was still hiding in the machine when he left.'

Linx put the tube back in his belt. It was all becoming clear. Someone had pursued him back from the twentieth century. But how?

He became aware of Irongron's insistent voice. 'Have you done, Linx? What of my new weapon?'

Linx swung round in anger, controlling himself with an effort. He still needed the help of this primitive so he must provide the toys to keep his friends.h.i.+p. He took a metal box from his belt-pouch. A number of controls were set into the lid, and Linx stabbed at one with a stubby finger.

There was a clang of metallic footsteps and a giant figure stalked into the hall, sword in hand. It was a knight in black armour, the helmet-visor down.

Irongron sprang to his feet, drawing his sword. 'Who are you? How dare you come in my castle?' The figure did not move or speak.

Irongron brandished his sword. 'Speak, fellow! Answer me, or lose your head for your insolence!'

There was grim amus.e.m.e.nt in Linx's voice. 'It cannot answer you. It is a man made of iron.'

'But it walks.'

'It walks and it fights, Lord Irongron. Is it a good weapon?'

'Does it kill?'

'It does nothing else. And it cannot be killed.'

Sarah came out of her trance with a start. She tried to remember what had happened but the last few minutes were a blank. She was sure only of one thing. She wanted to get right away from this terrible place.

Without moving her head, she glanced around her. The black bearded man and a strange squat-looking knight were studying what appeared to be a suit of black armour.

The others had all gone. Slowly, Sarah began to edge towards the door...

8.

The Robot Knight Irongron looked admiringly at the huge black figure of the robot knight. 'By Heaven, Linx! Can you make me more of these?'

'If you wish.'

'With such soldiers, I could conquer the world!'

'When I have left this primitive planet it will amuse me to think of it under the rule of King Irongron. Provide me with everything I ask and I will make you many of these fighting robots.'

'It is a bargain! By my sword, Linx, I little thought when I first saw you that I should come to love you as a brother. Now, quickly, show me how your iron man works.'

Linx looked round. 'Wait! The female creature has gone.'

Engrossed in his new toy, Irongron had no time to worry about stray prisoners, especially mad ones. 'She'll not creep far before one of my guards catches her tail.' He looked eagerly at the black knight. 'Make it walk, Linx.

Make it fight!'

Linx touched the hand control, and the knight began stalking towards them. He adjusted another control and it raised its sword. The knight marched forward chopping up with its sword, up, down, up, down in mechanical fury. It stumbled into a heavy wooden chair and shattered it to matchwood with a series of smas.h.i.+ng blows.

Irongron's eyes shone. He saw an army of these metal knights, smas.h.i.+ng down all who stood in their way, bringing the whole country, the whole world under the rule of King Irongron!

Sarah got clear of the hall without being seen, and even managed to reach a door that led to the courtyard. Two of Irongron's men were lounging just beside it, and she'd been forced to turn back into the castle. Now she was hurrying along one of the back corridors, hoping to find another way out. She came to a T-junction, hesitated, turned left-and ran straight into the Doctor. For a moment they stared at each other in astonishment. Sarah spun round, and fled.