'Why didn't you let us into the secret?'
'I didn't dare. It was just because all your reactions were genuine that the Master was finally convinced.'
Jo smiled with relief. 'So you wouldn't really have gone off and left us in the lurch?'
The Doctor looked rather uncomfortable. 'To be perfectly honest, Jo... Yes and no!'
Jo was indignant. 'And what does that mean?'
'Well yes, I would have gone off—but no, I wouldn't have left you in the lurch. I had a sort of double plan, you see. First to dispose of Axos—which I did. Then to get away from Earth in the TARDIS.'
'Which you didn't,' said Jo. 'Why not? A change of heart?'
The Doctor looked even more guilty. 'I'm afraid not, Jo. The Time Lords have programmed a return circuit into the TARDIS. Even if I do get it going, it will just take me back to Earth. I seem to be some kind of cosmic yo-yo,' he concluded indignantly.
Filer stood up. 'Well, goodbye, everyone. The disappointed bloodhound will now trail back to Washington.' He shook his head ruefully. 'And to think I reckoned England would be dull.'
After a round of handshakes, and a kiss on the cheek from Jo, Filer went on his way.
The Brigadier stood up too. 'Well, we'd better be getting back to UNIT H.Q. Make sure Chinn doesn't grab all the credit.'
Chinn was already safely back in Whitehall, explaining to the Minister how his genius had solved the problem.
The Doctor was looking out of the window, watching Yates, Benton and a squad of UNIT troops trying to get the TARDIS off its pile of rubble and onto a waiting lorry. They were using a ricketty-looking improvised derrick, made from ropes and wooden beams. The TARDIS gave a sudden lurch, and the Doctor uttered an indignant yell. 'Hey, just you be careful with that—it's the only one I've got!
Cloak flying behind him, he dashed out of the room, obviously determined to supervise operations himself.
The Brigadier collected his hat, gloves and swagger-stick. 'Come along, Miss Grant. It looks as if we'll have the Doctor with us for some time yet. Good job we've got you to keep an eye on him!
Jo smiled to herself. Maybe the Doctor would defeat the Time Lords and get away from Earth—some day. She couldn't help hoping that it wouldn't happen too soon.
She crossed to the window. The Doctor had joined the little group around the pile of rubble, together with Sergeant Benton and Captain Yates. All three were arguing furiously, waving their arms, disputing the next move in rescuing the TARDIS. The Brigadier joined them, and the arguments broke out afresh. Jo grinned, and went down the stairs to join in. It was nice to see things back to normal...
DOCTOR WHO AND THE CLAWS OF AXOS Page 11
