Doctor Who_ Divided Loyalties Part 8

Walking on air?

She shot a look of confusion at the three servants, but they seemed to be idly chatting, as if this was some sort of picnic.

Elisabeth Jane was picking flowers and even Charles had begun laughing as he chased a rabbit.

No,' she muttered. No, this is wrong. We were in the house, in the living room' But no one seemed to take any notice, if they even heard her.

They were at a gate in a high hedgerow that separated the meadow from the next patch of land.

Bird song greeted them as LeFevre held the gate open and ushered them through.

They saw not gra.s.s, as she had expected, but a huge expanse of black and white squares.

A chess board,' Charles murmured.

Trying not to show her terror, Mrs Rugglesthorpe reached out to LeFevre. Monsieur, kindly explain this tomfoolery.'

Madam, rest a.s.sured this is not tomfoolery,' said a new voice to her right. My games are never to be taken lightly.' The speaker was an older man, who was smiling charmingly with his mouth but not, she noted, with his eyes. His eyes were quite, quite dead-looking.

I am the Toymaker,' he said. Welcome to my domain.'

Where on earth...' started Jenkins, but the Toymaker held up a hand.

Not on Earth, Mr Jenkins. Not any more.' The Toymaker took a step to the left. I believe you know this gentleman.'

Henry,' breathed Mrs Rugglesthorpe, relieved. Oh Henry, what is going on? Who are these awful people?'

Sir Henry couldn't speak; he lacked a mouth. Indeed, his skin was slightly s.h.i.+ny, almost glazed. And his cheeks were very red, as if they had been painted. His eyes stared dimly ahead, registering nothing.

You'll have to excuse your husband, but I'm afraid he's not quite the man he was.'

What have you done, you fiend?'

The Toymaker walked towards the centre of the chess board. Your husband, Mrs Rugglesthorpe, is a very bad card player and a sore loser. I have met a lot of bad card players over the aeons - indeed, Monsieur LeFevre will confirm that but few have been as disappointing as your husband.'

He stretched his arms out, as if in apology. I offered him a second chance. An opportunity to redeem himself. All he had to do was play a simple game of snakes and ladders but, alas, it was not to be. He didn't really try, you see.' The Toymaker said this as if it explained everything. No stamina for all those ladders, no skill at avoiding the reptilian aspect of the game, either. So, well, he lost. And so, by default, have all of you.'

There was suddenly something at the back of Mrs Rugglesthorpe's mind. A memory of a giant, brightly coloured game board, filled with stepladders and hissing snakes... but it was like a dream from... a long time ago.

Or yesterday.

She couldn't be sure, but it struck a chord.

The Toymaker clicked his fingers and from nowhere came a terrible creature made of metal, which walked like a man but made a strange noise with every step - akin to that made by a steam train as it departs a station. In its crude hand it held the chess set LeFevre had brought to the house. There was still only one team. The creature dropped the white pieces to the ground and instantly the far end of the chess-board meadow was filled with them. All were on the correct squares, all were the size of human beings, albeit in the form of traditional chess sculptures.

You'll notice, Mrs Rugglesthorpe, that I appear to have lost my red set. And that is where you come in.' He smiled and pointed to her entourage.

Mrs Rugglesthorpe was alone, apart from the Toymaker and her gla.s.sy-eyed husband.

The three of them now stood at the other end of the meadow, next to an accurately positioned red chess set that was minus two pieces.

And Mrs Rugglesthorpe wanted to scream.

Both rooks had Eliza's face carved into the battlements.

Each knight had its horse face replaced by that of poor Jenkins. And the bishop was clearly Tom the footman. But these weren't facsimiles. The faces were moving, contorting as if trying to stretch away from their new bodies.

They were screaming silently.

But before Mrs Rugglesthorpe could do the same, the eight p.a.w.ns wobbled around to face her. And each alternate one was an identical terrified, painted face of either Elisabeth or Charles.

Just think,' the Toymaker said in her ear. Despite your husband's inadequacy, the two of you can now achieve your dreams. You are now royalty.'

And Mrs Rugglesthorpe realised she was towering over her p.a.w.ns, over her bishops, her knights and her rooks.

Beside her was her king - Henry's face staring blankly ahead, unaware of anything.

And she was the queen.

Just as she had always been, ready to battle it out with the white team opposite.

At the edge of her mind she felt sure there was something she needed to think about, something to remember.

No. No, of course not, it was time for a new match.

Time to do as she always had - to play to win for her master.

What else was a red queen to do?

9.

Taking Sides Again

Are you mad, Doctor?'

The Doctor sighed. Couldn't this silly Oakwood man see that what he was suggesting was by far the quickest solution to their problem? No, clearly not, as he was stomping around his bridge, getting fl.u.s.tered. Most likely because he couldn't see a logical reason to ignore the Doctor's idea and therefore was getting frustrated.

To go down to Dymok would break every rule, every reason for this station's existence. What you're suggesting is the equivalent of treason. Not to mention a court martial for any of the crew who go with you.'

Let us go by ourselves, then,' Tegan suggested - the first sensible thing she had said all day.

Oakwood shook his head. Riiiight, just let the four of you jump into your weird s.p.a.ce s.h.i.+p and vamoose, leaving me no closer to solving the problem.'

We'll solve your problem,' insisted Tegan.

I rather think, Tegan,' the Doctor said quietly, that Commander Oakwood feels we're more likely to just run away and do nothing.'

Tegan laughed. Doesn't know you, then, does he.' She faced Oakwood. Believe me, Commander, I wish the Doctor was the sort to just give up and go. Get me home, perhaps. But oh no. You've got a mystery here - and that is the cheese in whatever mousetrap he wants to get caught in.'

Nice a.n.a.logy, Tegan,' the Doctor muttered, easing her aside, and so facing Oakwood himself. He slowly took off his gla.s.ses, folded them and placed them in his breast pocket without actually taking his gaze from Oakwood's eyes. Two things, Commander. Firstly, Tegan is right - I sense something here that isn't very straightforward. Something... familiar even. Secondly, if I am going to help you, I need a shuttle to go down there. My TARDIS isn't too good on short hops.'

No, it's not,' Tegan murmured. Still, try it. You never know, maybe it'll accidentally take us to Heathrow.'

The Doctor ignored her. So I promise you, Commander, I want to sort this mystery out just as much as you do.'

Oakwood shook his head and turned away. The Doctor let his shoulders slump. Tegan put a hand on one.

What did you mean, something familiar?'

Why?'

Tegan frowned. I don't know, really. There's something at the back of my mind... Remember at the TARDIS, something happened to me?'

The Doctor quickly turned to face her, bending slightly, staring hard. Yes, Tegan. What was it?'

I... I don't know, but there is... was something.'

Something important? Something I need to know?' Tegan nodded. I'm sorry...'

Think, Tegan! It could be important.'

CPO Townsend started frowning at her console and then tapping furiously at it.

Oakwood was beside her in a moment. Problem?'

Townsend nodded but said nothing. Instead she pointed something out to him. Oakwood's eyes widened and he hurried to the readouts on his own console. They confirmed her readings.

Anyone care to say what's going on?'

If the Doctor thought Tegan's question was out of order, he didn't say so. More likely he was equally intrigued.

Ma.s.sive energy spike emanating from Dymok,' murmured a telemetry technician called Desorgher, tapping away at his own readings.

Aimed directly at us,' Townsend added.

What sort of energy?' The Doctor was at Townsend's side, peering closely at the facts and figures in front of him.

Unknown,' replied Desorgher. But it's aimed directly at us.

specifically... at the bridge...' Desorgher trailed off, staring at the centre of the bridge.

One by one, the others, including the Doctor, followed his gaze.

Tegan?'

She stood, head lolled to one side as if she was asleep, her eyes wide open. Not blinking.

Her mouth dropped open and a voice came out. She didn't form the words. They just came from within her.

Come to Dymok,' said a rasping voice. It is imperative that you bring her to Dymok.'

Bring who?' the Doctor asked loudly. Tegan?'

This one,' replied the alien sounds from the girl. Oakwood walked towards her.

I really don't think that's a good idea...' the Doctor started, but Oakwood ignored him.

Who are you?' asked the commander.

Come to Dymok. Now.' Tegan spasmed and fell into Oakwood's arms, gasping. Holding her, as Townsend called for a medical officer, the commander turned to the others.

Best invite I've ever had,' he said. Townsend, Desorgher, Braun, you're with me. You too, Doctor.'

That's very... trusting of you, Commander,' the Doctor said quietly.

Have I any choice, Doctor? I want... I need to solve this and get things back to normal. I have to take whatever opportunities offer themselves up.'

The Doctor smiled at him. Which is why you are the commander,' he said quietly.

The doors to the bridge slid open, disgorging Paladopous, Adric, Nyssa and an albino female medic called Dieter, who joined the Doctor beside Tegan.

I need my team with me,' the Doctor said. Particularly Tegan.'

Is that wise?'