Barbara glanced nervously around. He was right. Wherewas the Doctor?
Susan rose shakily to her feet. She felt like the victim of a bad parlour trick. She had fallen about eight or ten feet but, except for one or two bruises, she was uninjured. The wall above had locked shut and she was standing in a gloomy passage about fifty yards long, with shallow alcoves at intervals along both sides. She set off along the passage.
She had not proceeded ten paces when someone appeared at the far end of the passage. The figure wore a monkish robe, his head concealed by the cowl. Susan edged back into the shadows. The figure disappeared. Then in the silence Susan became aware of another noise - like the breathing of an animal. Her flesh crawled as she realised something was standing behind her! The next instant a clammy arm pinned her to the wall and she caught a glimpse of a hideous, rubbery head. She screamed and wriggled to get free. Then there was a sharp groan, the creature's grip slackened, and it slid to the floor, writhing. Gasping from fright, Susan steeled herself to look at it.
The creature lay face down, a small dagger protruding from its side. With horror, Susan realised she must have forced the creature onto its own blade in the violent struggle. It was humanoid, but with reptilian hands and feet. Its head was smooth and oval with bulbous eyes and flat ears.
It was several seconds before Susan noticed the hooded figure. He was advancing slowly towards her, blocking her exit from the alcove. She was trapped!
"The only thing we can do is make another circuit of the walls,' resolved Barbara.
"I've been all round it,' replied Ian. "I can't see any sort of a door anywhere.' He disappeared for the umpteenth time.
"Of course, there's just a chance that Susan didn't come this way at all.' Barbara gazed wearily towards the shore. "She might be waiting for us in the ship.'
There was no reply from Ian.
Barbara called out loud. "I said we might go back to the ship.'
There was still no reply. Barbara scrambled to her feet and walked to the corner.
"Ian!'
The length of wall was completely deserted. Barbara bit her lip, fighting the sudden well of panic. There must be an explanation. People didn't just vanish into thin air! There was a gentle click in the wall behind her and the marble blocks slid magically apart. Barbara span round. In the opening was a tall, robed figure. His arms groped towards her.
Ian scanned the dim passage into which he had been unceremoniously dumped. It ran underground for about fifty yards towards a wide junction. The walls were buttressed at regular intervals, creating pockets of shadow along the route. He glimpsed something on the floor in one of the alcoves. It was a body - he had found one of the creatures from the submarines! This time the cause of death was obvious. A small, pointed dagger jutted from the creature's side. Ian drew back from the body and glanced apprehensively up and down the passageway. If Susan was still sightseeing near here she had to be found quickly. He set off at a run to explore the remaining corridors.
"It was awful. The wall just seemed to swallow me up. Then this creature grabbed me and the next thing he was dead.'
The speaker was Susan. She was addressing Barbara and the Doctor. The three of them were locked inside a dingy cell to which they had been led independently by the robed figure.
Barbara looked puzzled. "Do you think the creatures live here?'
The Doctor shook his head. "No. The one in the long robe seems to belong to this building.'
"Then the creatures from those glass submarines are intruders like us.'
"With one difference,' the Doctor wagged his finger emphatically, "they died, and we are only imprisoned.' "Perhaps we're going to be killed too.'
"Well now, we mustn't worry too much,' said the Doctor cheerfully. "That young friend of yours is a man of infinite resource. Whilst he is free our chance of rescue is quite good.'
"He isn't free,' said Barbara. "They captured him before me.'
The Doctor's face fell.
The hooded figure strode purposefully along one of the many corridors in the Great City. He looked neither to left nor right, seemingly preoccupied with his own thoughts. For this reason he was caught totally unawares. A clammy forearm suddenly gripped his neck and forced him to the floor.
At that moment Ian turned the corner. He saw the Voord, the robed figure and a flash of steel. Ian hurled himself at the Voord and the knife clattered to the floor. Ian scrambled to his feet. The Voord, surprisingly nimble, was already up and advancing on him. With a quick feint Ian locked both arms round the creature's neck. The Voord tried to wrench itself free and they fell to the ground. As they rolled about the floor the robed figure ran to the wall where a carved lever was embedded in the stonework. The Voord lunged at Ian and slammed him against the wall, knocking the breath from his body. Then, gripping Ian's neck between its webbed fingers it began to throttle him. With a last, desperate jerk, Ian wheeled the Voord round into an alcove. As the Voord hit the wall the robed figure pulled the lever and the creature tumbled backwards, pulling Ian with him. Ian chopped at the clammy arm with his bare fist until it released its grip on his neck. Screaming horribly, the Voord plunged into the blackness. There was an echoing splash as it hit a pool far below, then silence. Ian stared at the gaping hole. It closed to. He turned, panting for breath, and faced the robed figure.
The stranger spoke first. "Why do you protect me?' he asked. The voice was low and forbidding.
Ian swallowed, "Are you a prisoner here?' It was all he could think of.
The stranger nodded and pulled down his hood. A sombre, regal face was revealed, straight-nosed, with clear, deep-set eyes surmounted by a long, sloping fore-head and sparse grey hair.
"In a way, for I can never leave here. In another way, this is my home.'
Ian didn't find this very helpful. "Where are my friends?' he asked.
"Safe,' intoned the stranger. "I saw your machine materialise. Until I knew otherwise, I had to treat you as potential enemies. The Voord were already trying to penetrate the walls.'
"The Voord?' repeated Ian, uncomprehending.
"The creature who attacked me was a Voord,' explained the stranger. "It is many years since their last assault. Now they have returned.' He sighed and his eyes grew cloudy. "If they continue to come, eventually they must succeed.'
"I would've thought this place impregnable,' said Ian, looking round at the thick walls. "How many of you defend it?'
"How many?' The stranger let out a hollow laugh. "I am alone. But please...' he raised a polite hand, "first we will release your companions. Then I will try to explain.'
Relieved to hear the others were safe, Ian followed the stranger.
As they moved off a shadowy form glided after them.
The stranger led Ian to the cell where there was a joyful reunion with the others. Then the old man, who introduced himself as Arbitan, took them to the upper levels of the City. There, in the Archive Room, he began to recount the history of his planet and people.
When Arbitan had finished, the Doctor said, "So, your technology reached its peak over two thousand years ago?'
Arbitan nodded. "Yes. All our knowledge culminated in the manufacture of this.' He gestured proudly towards a large machine which they had noticed on entering the room. It reached to the ceiling, an elegant, spherical structure made of transparent material with cross struts intersecting at six equidistant points on the circumference. The machine's power base was located in the centre and a network of connecting filaments ran all over the outer shell like a tracery of nerves. The entire machihe glowed with a pure white light.
"At the time,' continued Arbitan, "it was popularly called the Conscience of Marinus. Marinus is the name of our planet. At first the machine was simply a judge and jury that was never wrong or unfair. We added to the machine, improved it. It became more and more sophisticated. It was possible to radiate its power and influence to the minds of men throughout the planet. They no longer had to decide what was right or wrong. The
machine decided for them.'
"Then surely it was possible to eliminate evil from the thoughts of men,' asked the Doctor.
"That is exactly what happened. Our planet was unique in the Universe. Violence, robbery, war, hate, fear... these things were unknown on Marinus.'
Arbitan looked proudly at his listeners. "For seven centuries we prospered. Then a Voord named Yartek invented an immuniser. He made many of these immunisers for his followers. They were able to rob and cheat, kill and exploit. Our people were unable to resist because the machine made violence alien to them.' He paused. Anger showed in his eyes. Outside the Archive Room the creature which had followed them was startled by the sudden silence and slipped away.
"But surely by that time your machine was a great source of danger,' said Ian. "If it fell into the wrong hands they could control the whole of Marinus. Why didn't you destroy it?'
"We always hoped that we would overcome Yartek's immuniser,' replied Arbitan. "So instead of destroying it we removed the five micro-circuits.' He pointed to the junction points on the circumference of the machine. "I kept one of them.' He removed a clear, plastic plate about two inches square from the remaining socket. "The others were taken to places of safety all over Marinus.' Arbitan's eyes burned brightly. "Now the time has come when they must be recovered!'
"Why can't you simply make new keys?' enquired Barbara, sweetly.
"The keys themselves are simple. The micro-circuit inside each one is extremely complicated.' He held the key aloft for them to see. Laminated into the plastic was an intricate pattern barely visible to the naked eye.
"A permutation of numbers and signals which would take a thousand years to unravel. I have done all I can by modifying the machine.'
The Doctor nodded. "And given all the keys in their proper places your machine would be irresistible?'
"Yes.'
"Isn't there anyone you can send for the keys?' asked Ian.
An anguished expression appeared in the old man's face.
"Over the years all my friends and followers have gone but never returned.' His voice grew tremulous. "Last year I sent my daughter. She has not returned and all I have had to comfort me has been the distant echo of her voice and the imagined fall of her footstep.' His expression filled with a look of infinite sadness.
There was an embarrassed silence, then Arbitan turned to them.
"But now your coming has brought new hope!You must find the circuits for me!' he said, exultantly.
The visitors looked at each other in dismay.
The TARDIS rested on the beach like an abandoned toy. The fierce sun beat down on the peeling blue paint-work, highlighting its tatty, battered appearance. Any thing less like a sophisticated Space-Time machine would be difficult to find. But looks deceive. The TARDIS, and its master may have seemed decrepit and unreliable on the surface but both harboured powers which had eluded countless civilisations since the dawn of Time itself.
Barbara and Ian rounded the spit of rock and the TARDIS came into view. They paused for the Doctor and Susan who were some way behind.
After a moment Barbara spoke. "I don't know about you, Ian, but I hated leaving that old man. We must have been his last hope.'
Ian looked across at her. "Yes, I wish there was something we could do.'
There was a flurry of pebbles and Susan bounced into view.
"Sorry we've been so long. The climb was a bit steep for the Doctor.' She turned and called impatiently. "Hurry up Grandfather!'
"I'm coming, I'm coming. I don't know what all the rush is for.' The Doctor scrambled into view. "Well, don't just stand there.' He glared at them and stomped off towards the TARDIS, hot and irate.
Five yards from the TARDIS the Doctor stopped in his tracks.
"What the...!' He reeled backwards in surprise.
A moment later Ian did the same thing.
"What is it?' cried Barbara. She ran up and felt the air in front of them. "It's an invisible wall,' she said, amazed.
"Yes, but there's no substance here,' added the Doctor.
Susan felt her way along it. She reached the far side of the TARDIS. "It's all the way round. There doesn't seem to be a corner.'
"There wouldn't be,' explained the Doctor. "Molecules would be at their weakest.' He turned to Ian excitedly. "Look here, Chesterton, this is fascinating. I believe a force barrier has been thrown up around the ship.'
At that moment a voice rang out from the air above their heads.
"I am sorry you have forced me into keeping you from your ship. But your refusal to help me left me no alternative!'
It was Arbitan. The four travellers stared at one another blankly. The voice seemed to be coming from all around them.
"Arbitan! Where are you?' shouted Ian.
"That is not important. If you help me find the keys of Marinus I will let you have free access to your machine... when you have delivered all the keys to me. If not, you will stay on the island without food or water. The choice is yours.'
"Choice? What choice?' demanded Ian angrily. There was no reply.
They regarded one another in stunned silence. A matter of yards away, but impregnable, stood the TARDIS, their only means of escape. They were marooned on Marinus.
The Doctor paced the Archive Room, simmering with anger. Susan's attempts to pacify him had met with little response. Ian and Barbara were poring over various maps and charts. Finally, Ian turned aside from the papers.
"Now we know roughly the locations of the keys. All we have to do is get them.' He gave Barbara a wry grin.
"As soon as you begin your journey,' explained Arbitan, "I shall remove the force field. Your ship will be available to you on your return.'
"If we return,' said Barbara pointedly.
The Doctor could contain himself no longer. "I know we have no choice but this whole affair is outrageous! Blackmail! Pure and simple blackmail!'
Ian sighed. "Doctor we've been through all that. Now let's just get on with it.'
Arbitan turned to Barbara and said in gentle tones, "Perhaps you will bring me some news of my daughter. I miss her.'
"And another thing,' the Doctor burst out again, "if you think I'm going to cross that wretched acid sea in one of those primitive submersibles you are quite mistaken.'
"I have no intention of asking you to travel in any such absurd way,' replied Arbitan, unruffled.
"Oh?' The Doctor tried to hide his surprise.
"I shall give you a device that will enable you to move from place to place.'
"Oh! Really?' A faint interest showed in the Doctor's face.
"Its principle is much the same as your ship, from what you have told me. Except that this can only cross the barriers of space, not time.' Arbitan took two wrist-straps from a shelf and handed one to the Doctor.
The Doctor examined it carefully. It bore a small square dial like a watch face.
"It separates molecular structures and reassembles them at one's destination,' explained Arbitan.
"In the same order, I hope,' joked Ian.
"Don't be ridiculous, Chesterton,' snapped the Doctor, intrigued by the device. "This is a perfectly acceptable method of travelling. Very compact too, sir, if I may say so. Very neat.'
Arbitan smiled politely and handed them each a strap. After they had donned them, he said, "Each strap is programmed to the same destination. You need only twist the dial once.'
"Like this?' said Barbara and she turned the device on her wrist.
There was a shimmering effect and she vanished. "Barbara!' cried Susan.
Ian turned angrily on Arbitan. "What have you done to her?'
"Don't waste time. You must follow her quickly. One final thing,' the old man's face grew solemn, "if, when you return here, you find the Voord have taken the building, you must not let them get the keys. You under-stand that? Destroy them.' He delivered these last words with great emphasis. "Now! Twist the dials!'
Ian, Susan, and the Doctor did as they were bid. The room
shimmered and they were gone.
Arbitan stared at the empty space. "For the future of all our people,' he prayed fervently, "I hope you succeed.' Gathering up his robe he crossed to the machine and began to check it.
He had been engrossed in this task for several minutes when a shadow fell across the open doorway. Arbitan's back presented a defenceless target. The Voord slithered noiselessly across the polished floor. Too late, Arbitan sensed the creature's presence behind him. As he turned the Voord's blade rammed deep into his chest. With a pitiful cry the last Keeper of the Keys slumped to the floor, dead.
The Doctor, Ian and Susan rematerialised together.
"Mmm, quite exhilarating,' remarked the Doctor.
"Where's Barbara?' Susan demanded.
They were standing before an impressive portico fronted by a flight of carved steps.
Ian gave a cry. "Look!'
On the top step lay Barbara's wrist-strap. Ian retrieved it and a look of dismay crossed his face. He turned to the others. "There's blood on it,' he whispered.
3: The Velvet Web
The Doctor took the wrist-strap from Ian and stared at the drops of blood. "I can't imagine why Barbara would leave of her own free will.' He looked towards the steps. "Whatever lives behind those doors must have taken her by force.'
"Then let's get it,' urged Ian. He bounded up the steps and shouldered the heavy doors apart.
Utter darkness awaited them on the inside. The travellers peered warily into the gloom for several seconds. Suddenly, they were engulfed in a flood of light, which stabbed their eyes like steel darts. The light was accompanied by an earsplitting noise. The Doctor and his companions writhed with pain until, just as suddenly, the light faded and the noise ceased. They opened their eyes. Before them they now perceived a huge chamber, like a state-room or banqueting hall. Fluted marble columns supported an elaborate ceiling, painted in rich blues and purples. Silken drapes of deep vermilion hung against the walls, and the marble floor was patterned with intricate mosaics. A fountain played in the centre. Around it were arranged several couches. Draped over one of these, entirely at her ease and attended by two diaphanously clad beauties, was Barbara.
Doctor Who And The Keys of Marinus Page 2
