"Susan! Ian!' She beckoned them over.
Susan ran across and hugged her.
"Barbara, we found your wrist-strap with blood on it.'
"I know. That was silly. I turned the dial and seemed to be falling through space. I got frightened and tried to tear it off my wrist. Scratched myself, see.' She showed Susan the mark.
Ian grinned at her. "Well, I must say, it's quite a nice little place you've got here!'
Barbara winked. "You haven't seen anything yet.' She turned to the beautiful attendants. "Will you bring some food for my friends?' The two girls curtseyed and withdrew. The Doctor raised an eyebrow as they brushed past him.
"You may be seated,' said Barbara with a smile, indicating the empty sofas.
Ian bowed low. "Your Royal Highness is most gracious. Perhaps if your Majesty would stop hogging the grapes we could all have some!'
Barbara laughed and handed round a large bowl of fruit. Ian turn turned to the Doctor. "What do you think of it, Doctor?'
The Doctor frowned disapprovingly. "Sensuous and decadent...' a ghost of a smile appeared, "but rather pleasant. I say, is that a pomegranate?' He leaned forward and extracted a large, green fruit from the bowl.
Susan noticed several bolts of silk lying on the floor. "I'd love a dress made from one of these,' she cried, "they're gorgeous.'
"That's what they're here for,' explained Barbara. "They asked me to choose the materials I wanted for my robes.' A gong sounded and six silver platters full of gastronomic delights were brought in and set down before them.
"All most remarkable,' said the Doctor, shaking his head in amazement.
"Well, I'm starving,' announced Susan. She began tucking into the large spread.
The others quickly followed suit.
"Mmm. I do believe these are truffles!' said the Doctor approvingly.
They ate hungrily for several minutes until Susan whispered, "We've got a visitor.'
Approaching them across the room was a tall young man in a silken tunic. His features were finely chiselled, straight nose, high forehead, framed by long blond hair.
"This is where we pay the bill,' said Ian quietly.
The young man reached the group. "No, don't get up,' he said as they rose to greet him. His voice was soft and cultured. "I apologise for intruding. I wondered if there was anything you desired?'
A moment of embarrassment followed, then Barbara spoke.
"Could you tell us about this place? Whom do we have to thank for all this?'
"You are in the city of Morphoton,' replied the young man, smiling. "Our people are perhaps the most contented in the Universe. Nothing they desire is denied them.'
Susan's face brightened. "I'd love a dress made from that silk.'
"Susan, I will not have you taking advantage...' snapped the Doctor.
The young man silenced him with a wave of the hand. "She takes no advantage, truly. Our one wish is to fulfil your every need. She shall have the dress.' His mild gaze traversed the group, gently questioning them in turn.
"And you?' he said, addressing the Doctor. "Have you no wish? No great desire?'
The Doctor coughed. "Yes, well... perhaps... but I'm afraid it's not quite as easy as giving Susan a dress.' He inspected his fingernails self-consciously.
"What is it then, Grandfather?'
The Doctor eyed the young man shrewdly.
"Well, perhaps if I had to choose... a well-equipped laboratory with every conceivable instrument. Hmm?'
"It will be arranged.'
Ian's jaw dropped in amazement.
"It will? You mean he can have it?'
The young man smiled knowingly. "Perhaps in the morning when you see the laboratory, you will find our way of life easier to understand. Now, as it is late, I suggest you sleep. When you wake you will learn everything about Morphoton.'
He gave them a low bow and left the room.
The Doctor turned to the others. "Charming young man, charming. I think a study of this culture is going to prove very fascinating.' He stifled a yawn. "Do you know, I'm suddenly tired.' He slumped onto a sofa and closed his eyes.
Barbara noticed Susan nodding off too. She arranged a few cushions around the young girl and returned to her couch. Ian was staring vacantly into space.
"You don't look very happy,' she said.
"Perhaps it's my materialistic side. How rich and powerful do you have to be to give things away free?'
"Now don't spoil it all,' said Barbara, plumping a cushion. "You can't apply Earth's standards here.'
"No, it's certainly very different.' Ian looked round, then lowered his voice. "Did you see that man's eyes?'
"What about them?'
"He didn't blink once. Am I being ridiculous?'
"Yes,' replied Barbara sleepily. "They're just kind, hospitable people. Try to get some sleep. You'll feel differently in the morning.'
Ian lay on a couch and tried to banish his feeling of scepticism. It was all too pleasant, too neat, too... friendly. Not like the Doctor to be taken in either. Mind you, the old boy had a few weak spots. He could just imagine him like a child with a new toy if he got that laboratory... Ian's thoughts tailed off and he slipped into a deep sleep.
The travellers dozed and for some time only the gentle splashing of the fountain broke the silence in the room. Then, quietly at first, another noise could be heard, like the hard breathing of a wild animal. It came from behind a carved plaque on one of the walls. After a moment the plaque slide aside and in the darkness beyond I could be seen two eyes, about six inches in diameter. The eyes slowly scanned the room, taking in the sleeping forms. Then the plaque slid back into place.
The lights in the room grew dim and after a few moments a second, larger panel opened in the wall. One of the girl attendants glided out. Her expression was glazed. Trance-like she approached the Doctor, and placed a small metal disc on his forehead. She did the same to the others then retreated through the open panel which shut noiselessly behind her.
The Doctor, Ian and Susan slept on undisturbed, but Barbara, who was dozing fitfully, suddenly awoke. She felt something cold on her forehead. She sat up and removed the small metal disc.
She was just wondering how it got there when a blaze of light irradiated the room, bleaching the picture before her eyes to a fiat, dazzling negative. The light seemed to be inside her head, scouring her brain like a powerful searchlight. It was accompanied by a loud, sonorous beat which echoed round the marbled walls.
Barbara reached out to wake Susan, but the effort was too great. She felt drained of all energy. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound emerged. With a shudder she fell back onto the couch and lost consciousness.
Morning came to find the Doctor, Ian and Susan breakfasting together. They appeared bright and cheerful after their night's rest. Barbara lay asleep on her couch, dead to the world.
As he ate, Ian eyed one of the attendants admiringly. She was tall and blonde and returned his greeting with a friendly smile. He noticed, however, that her eyes were curiously devoid of expression, like those of the young man the night before.
"Most refreshing,' said the Doctor, downing a large fruit juice.
Ian casually rubbed his forehead. It was unaccountably itching this morning.
The Doctor noticed.
"What's the matter?' enquired the Doctor.
"I don't know. A sort of mild irritation.'
"I have rather a sore spot there myself.'
A delighted shriek from Susan interrupted them. One of the girl attendants was handing her a beautiful silk dress.
"Look, Grandfather. Isn't it beautiful? I'm going to wake Barbara and show her.' She crossed to Barbara's couch and shook her gently.
Barbara stirred, then sat up and stared incredulously at the others.
"What's happened?' she cried, and gestured crazily at the room.
The Doctor moved swiftly to her side. "She's not properly awake. Susan, hand me that fruit juice.' He offered it to B
arbara. "Here, drink this.'
Barbara looked at it in revulsion and dashed it from the Doctor's hand. "It's filthy!' The glass shattered into fragments on the marble floor.
"What's got into you?' demanded Ian.
Barbara looked at them in disbelief. "Can't you see? And the room, they've changed it!'
"It's the same,' said Susan.
"No it isn't, it isn't.' Barbara began to sob. "This terrible dress!' She ran her fingers down her clothes. "And the furniture!' She shrank from the couch where she had been sleeping.
The Doctor looked across at Ian. "What's happened to her?' he asked quietly.
"WHY CAN'T YOU SEE IT?' Barbara was now screaming and shaking.
Ian grabbed her by the shoulders and slapped her hard across the face. "Get a hold of yourself!'
Barbara gasped at the blow, then looked imploringly into Ian's face.
"Ian, try to see... please. Try to see the truth.'
Ian stared at her in bewilderment. The Doctor looked equally baffled.
Susan gently squeezed Barbara's hand. "Don't be afraid. Look, they brought me my dress.' She showed Barbara the silken gown.
Barbara recoiled from the garment as if it were a snake. "Dirty, dirty rags!' she cried. "I don't know what they've done to you or why it hasn't worked on me, but Imust find a way to show you. Imust ... before it's too late.' She gazed forlornly at her companions. It was as if a million light years separated them.
"Here comes Altos,' announced the Doctor. "Perhaps he can convince you.'
Their host was approaching.
"He knows it's failed me,' whispered Barbara.
A moment's anger showed in the young man's face, then he advanced smiling and full of concern.
"What's the matter, aren't you feeling well? Let me take you to our physicians.'
"No, no.' Barbara backed away from him.
"Please, I only want to help you.' He took hold of her arm.
"No!' Barbara broke away and ran across the room.
"Barbara!' yelled Ian, but she had already reached the door and disappeared.
"Please don't concern yourself,' said Altos. "She is overwrought. I will deal with it. You stay here.'
He strode quickly out of the room, leaving the others stunned and perplexed.
Barbara raced along acres of marbled floor. She needed somewhere to hide. Altos would pursue her and she was desperate for time to collect her thoughts. She flew past rows of locked doors, before spotting one slightly ajar. She peered inside. A flight of steps led down to a bare floor. She slipped in and closed the door. The room was empty apart from a wooden table, a couple of chairs and a straw mattress.
Immediately, footsteps echoed along the corridor outside. Barbara crammed herself behind a piece of jutting wall at the side of the steps. Seconds later the door was thrown open and someone surveyed the room from the doorway above. After a long pause, the door clanged shut.
Barbara slumped to the floor, her nerves all but shattered. The previous ten minutes had been the worst in her life. She half wondered if she had not woken at all and it was all a nightmare. She had read once that mad-men thought they were the only sane people in the world. But she was not mad.She was in her right mind, and somehow the minds of her companions had been tampered with. How else could they not have seen what she saw. The splendours of that room were trickery, a deceitful mirage. She had seen the reality: dank, drip-ping walls, furniture made of rough boards, inedible scraps for food, and Susan's dress a bundle of rags. Everywhere was not richness and beauty, but filth and squalor. Like this cell she now sat in.
Barbara rose unsteadily to her feet. She must lift the spell from the minds of her friends. There had to be some kind of controlling force which operated through the discs, maybe in the building itself. She would have to find it.
She mounted the steps and cautiously tried the door. It was stuck. She gave it a good pull but to no avail. It had been locked from the outside.
The young man, Altos, arrived at a heavy, studded door and knocked. After a polite pause he entered. The room, in semi-darkness, was large and resembled a medical laboratory.
Altos stood to attention. "One of the women has resisted the power of the Mesmeron,' he reported. "She has escaped into the City.'
He addressed himself to four glass domes, similar to Victorian display cases, which dominated the room. Housed within each was a full-sized, pulsating brain. The four brains, fed by a mass of rubber tubing connected to nearby liquid containers, rose slowly up and down in their cases, giving out the same low animal sound Barbara had heard the previous night. From the tops of the brains sprouted two stalks supporting a pair of giant, luminous eyes. A soft light glowed at the base of each dome, dramatically illuminating the throbbing lump of matter within. These creatures were the rulers of Morphoton.
A voice, no more than a breathless croak, emanated from one of the brains.
"Who placed the discs?'
"The girl Sabetha.'
"She has failed us and must be punished. Return now to the other three. Reassure them about their friend... take them to their laboratory. In four hours we will give them the final exposure to the Mesmeron.' The Voice wheezed and cackled. "They will be completely... subjugated.'
Altos bowed. "And what of the one that has escaped?'
"She has seen the truth and is beyond our control. Find her and destroy her!'
4: The Brains of Morphoton
Barbara had fallen into a light sleep but was awakened by the sound of approaching footsteps. She scrambled to her feet and hid against the wall. The door was un-locked and someone was shoved roughly down the steps into the cell. Barbara gasped with surprise as she saw who it was. "You're the girl who put the discs on our foreheads!'
The girl turned to Barbara and stared. "I made a mistake. I am to be punished.' She spoke in dull, robotic tones which contrasted oddly with her soft, blonde features.
"Tell me about this place,' said Barbara.
"I am to be punished,' replied the girl mechanically.
Barbara took her by the shoulders. "Listen, I believe you are under some form of deep hypnosis.'
"I am to be punished,' replied the girl again.
Barbara released her hold, exasperated. Everyone she met in this place seemed incapable of carrying on a normal conversation. She decided to leave the girl for a while and try again later.
Altos was explaining to the Doctor and Ian about Barbara. They had nothing to worry about. The physicians had diagnosed a highly nervous condition. She was now under deep sedation but would soon recover. Ian and the Doctor accepted this news without question, unaware of the brainwashing they had undergone.
"Perhaps we can visit her later,' ventured Ian.
"Yes. Of course,' came the smooth reply.
"Well, naturally we're all glad she's going to be alright,' said the Doctor brightly, "so if there's nothing more we can do for her I suggest we... er... get a look at the laboratory, mmm?' He flashed an inquisitive smile at Altos. The young man bowed graciously and led them off.
A few moments later they were ushered into a tiny room, bare but for a single, rough table on which lay a few cups and plates. The Doctor paused admiringly in the doorway, as if he was entering Aladdin's Cave.
"Mmm. I think I shall find considerable scope here.'
Ian crossed to a rough hewn wooden stool. "Doctor, isn't that a cyclotron?'
"Yes, yes. A simple toy. I'm sure it will amuse you.' He gave a dismissive wave of-the hand. "Ah, now this might be helpful. Yes, if I can have instruments likethese ,' he picked up a tin mug with great reverence, "I might be able to overcome the fault in the time mechanism aboard the ship.'
Ian surveyed the room once more. "So they really can do it. They can give you anything you ask for!'
Altos allowed himself a tiny smile.
Barbara studied the girl across the cell. She was indeed lovely. She had thick blonde hair, flawless skin and a tall, aristocratic bearing. Only the eyes, large and ex
pressionless, seemed out of keeping. Barbara had managed to extricate one word from this sphinx-like beauty. Her name was Sabetha.
Barbara eyed the girl despondently. She was stroking something which hung from a chain around her neck, like an amulet. Barbara shifted her position to see what it was. She recognised with a shock one of the micro-keys shown to them by Arbitan.
Barbara took hold of the key.
"Where did you get this?'
"It's mine.' The girl held it fiercely to her breast.
"I don't want to take it away from you,' explained Barbara gently. "I just want to know where you got it.'
Sabetha eyed her suspiciously. "They gave it to me... my masters... it was the thing I desired most... it's mine...'
"But why? Why did you want it?'
"It's mine.' The girl turned away defensively.
Barbara sensed an opening. "Does the name Arbitan mean anything to you?'
"Arbitan,' repeated the girl dully.
"Yes. Please try to remember.'
Recognition flickered in the beautiful face. "Arbitan. He sent me here. I was... I... I can't remember.'
"Is Arbitan your father?' Barbara grasped the girl by the shoulders and willed her to concentrate. There was no response. The recollection, ignited by a faint spark of memory, had disappeared.
Night had fallen. The Doctor, Susan and Ian had retired, and were asleep in the fountain room.
The Control Room, illuminated by the vapid glow from beneath the four Brains, was quiet. A girl attendant stood silently awaiting orders, in a deep trance.
Finally one of the Morphos spoke. "Open the panel.' The girl pressed a button and the panel slid back to reveal the room beyond. As the Morphos watched, Altos entered and began placing Somnor discs on the foreheads of the sleeping travellers.
The Brains started to pulsate. "Already I sense their will weakening,' croaked the Voice. "Memory is fading. When they wake all resistance will have ended. They will remember her no more.'
Altos re-entered the Control Room and stood to attention. "What are your orders for them when they have recovered?'
"The two men will join the working parties. We can use the younger one's strength with the haulage gangs. The old man is weaker but intelligent. Isolate him and put him to work on the scheme for increasing manpower. As for the child, she must be trained rapidly. She will take the place of Sabetha, the one that failed us.'
Doctor Who And The Keys of Marinus Page 3
