A black box? A homing device? That's, well, prehistoric!' said Jav.

'Not quite, but certainly a few centuries old. As technology bounds forward, it's trinkets like this, which operate on primitive but still effective carrier waves, that enable me to do business. The Federation are so busy flaunting their modern biomorphic computers and A.I.s that a little beauty like this is ignored. It's from the twenty-fifth century, you know. Remarkably preserved.'

Jav nodded. Is it? Well, that's interesting but not-'

'Not what you came to see me about, eh? No, you presumably want money to stop you running upstairs and telling the Federation observers exactly what you've discovered.'

'Basically, that's it.'

'How much?'

'Enough. Enough to buy me a new, luxurious life out there.' Jav pointed towards the sky.

'Ah. An entrepreneur. I admire that.'

Jav grinned. This was going well. 'Glad you see it my way.'

Oh, indeed I do. If I was in your position, I'd do exactly the same.

However, I'm not in your position, I'm in mine.'

Jav didn't like the sound of that. 'Now hold on...'

Oh do shut up, you pathetic little rat. You made a big mistake coming here.

You should've held out a little longer. This time tomorrow I would be ready to leave Peladon, with its art treasures and of course the Pakhar Diadem. I could have used some help, for which I would have paid heavily. But you played your hand too early, Jav. Too early...'

If anyone had been listening carefully at that moment they might have heard a terrible scream as a metre-high Pakhar, by the name of Javi'ta'ko was bodily picked up and shoved through a window in the Citadel on Mount Megeshra. If they'd looked they might have seen a blur as his still screaming body was hurled hundreds of feet down the mountainside where, after four or five bounces on jagged black rock, the pulpy remains came to rest, spread over a cl.u.s.ter of stones.

However, with the savage murder of Lianna upmost in everybody's minds, and the ever-present storms howling and crashing around outside, looking and listening out of Citadel windows was the last thing on anyone's mind.

It was almost certainly the last thing on a desperate Jav's mind, but no one would ever know for sure.

To the person who had just thrown him out, Jav was just the latest in a long line of people murdered to keep his presence hidden on Peladon, including the Lady Lianna who, like Damajina and O'Brien before, had realized too much to be allowed to live.

But again a mistake had been made. Two people did witness Jav's unaided flight, although they were impotent to do anything about it, except store the knowledge for future use.

King Tarrol kicked out at a chair and sent it crashing across the throne room. A totally irrational and futile gesture, but it released a fraction of the pent-up anger he felt.

The doors opened and Geban entered, bowing and closing them again. As he walked towards his friend and monarch he casually righted the chair as if it was the sort of thing he did every day.

Oh, Geban. What has gone wrong?'

Geban shook his head. 'Your Majesty, what can I say? The Lady Lianna has been killed and the Doctor looks the most likely candidate.'

'But we are supposed to be his friend. And he to us. Tell me, Geban, do you believe he did it?'

'Unfortunately, Your Majesty, what I think will have little effect. Atissa has dredged up every ancient law and unamended ruling from history to support her case for the Doctor's execution.'

Tarrol slammed his fist on his throne. Am I not king? Am I not this planet's highest judge and jury?'

'According to Atissa's researches, no, Your Majesty, you are not.' Geban frowned. I am afraid that we may have been placed entirely in the high priestess's hands on this one.'

'Why? The Doctor has not affronted Aggedor. He has not breached Atissa's shrine,' said Tarrol.

Geban nodded. 'True, Your Majesty. But by the time we have proved that Atissa is wrong, she will have bent the will of the people and executed the Doctor. She is not well.'

'Not well?' said a voice from the doorway. Bernice jabbed her finger against her temple repeatedly. Is that the best you can do? Not well?

She's two sandwiches short of a picnic if you ask me. Three steps short of a staircase!'

Geban rose. 'How dare you enter-'

Tarrol waved him down, wearily. I cannot be bothered with protocol, Geban. Let the professor speak her mind. She only says what we haven't the courage to acknowledge ourselves.'

'Thank you, Your Majesty. May I have the honour of addressing the king?'

She copied the bow the Doctor had made at the meal last night. Tarrol nodded and Bernice continued: All three of us know that the Doctor would not murder Lianna. They were old friends. Indeed, it was Lianna who alerted the Doctor that things were not right on Peladon.'

Tarrol was immediately interested. 'Did she? Neither of them spoke of this to Us.'

'Well, I can't speak for Lianna, but I know the Doctor would not wish to alarm the king so near to such an important event as the restatement vows.

I a.s.sure you that his silence was a considered judgment.' Christ, she was talking c.r.a.p. Still, the king seemed to fall for it. He nodded and suggested that an audience with the Doctor was again necessary.

I know Atissa will be angry, Geban, but bring the Doctor here. Call all the Federation representatives. We must discuss this further.'

Geban stood up, bowed and walked towards the door, swiftly and firmly grasping Bernice's arm and propelling her out with him. As they pa.s.sed through the doors and closed them, he let go. 'You were very good,' he said. 'You should be a diplomat.'

'Listen, Chancellor. I don't give two hoots for your king or this planet, frankly. The Doctor is my friend and I want him off the hook. If I have to go cap in hand and charm a few favours, then I'll do it. We came here looking for trouble, the Federation knew something was up. Somehow I don't think getting the Doctor shot for killing someone was part of the plan!'

'Oh, if Atissa has her way, he won't be shot. Just beheaded. In her temple to make it really dramatic.'

Bernice exploded. I don't believe this! You're so b.l.o.o.d.y calm. The Doctor's going to die and you know Atissa's flying without a license but you just accept it. You let her run your lives because of this fragging Aggedor thing!'

Geban held up a warning hand. 'Professor Summerfield, your diplomatic hat is slipping. Our "fragging Aggedor thing" is the spiritual guide here. The Pel people believe in it, it brings us together as one common people. We have none of the differing religions, creeds or sub-cultures that dominate so many other plants. We are a united people. Do not mock us simply because it does not suit your taste.'

Bernice breathed out. Okay, you're right and I'm sorry. But right now it looks like the Doctor's going to end up going home in a diplomatic bag and I'm powerless to stop it.'

Geban placed a hand on her shoulder. a.s.semble the Martians, Amba.s.sador Centauri and Nic Reece outside the throne room. The king will talk to them. I will fetch the Doctor.' He wandered towards the cell area and Bernice headed towards the Federation Representatives' room.

'Well, what am I to do with you two?'

Keri looked up at Savaar and smiled. 'Let us go, yeah?'

In the light of what has happened this evening, the fewer Federation citizens roaming free in the Citadel the better. No, tonight you stay in the shuttle where Pilot Ha.s.sek can watch over you. Besides, I . .

Savaar was cut off as the shuttle's computer relayed a message from Alpha Centauri.

'This is an important message for High Lord Savaar from Alpha Centauri.

King Tarrol wishes to see us. We are to gather outside the throne room in fifteen minutes.' The message terminated with a distorted Federation jingle.

'Sskeet,' Savaar called. His adjutant was beside him in a second. 'Go to the throne room and keep Centauri calm. Shsurr Summerfield as well. He is likely to panic, she is likely to say something we will all regret. I will join you when I have finished with our two . . . guests.'

Sskeet got out of the shuttle and headed up the long tunnel. Savaar watched him go and then turned to Pilot Ha.s.sek. 'Call Hissel on the Bruk.

Tell him I need my... toy.' He smiled and licked his lips. 'Hissel will understand.'

My Lord.'

Oh, Ha.s.sek. Use this. I don't want any further messages between here and the Bruk to use standard communications nets. Our guests have shown us how easy it is to be . . . interrupted.' Savaar produced from under his jerkin a small black box with a red light on top. He tossed it to Ha.s.sek who caught it and looked at it with obvious unfamiliarity. 'Learn,' Savaar hissed and Ha.s.sek nodded and went to the back of the shuttle.

Savaar sat in the pilot's seat and gazed at Keri and Kort. An interesting predicament for the Doctor. And myself.'

'How?' asked Keri.

'The Doctor does not like me. In fact he carries a burning dislike for Martians generally. Xenophobia is an extreme bigotry that I would not expect from someone such as him, but it is there. He hides it well most of the time, but sometimes the mask slips. He desperately wants to prove that I and my people are behind the troubles here.'

And are you?'

'If I were, I would hardly be telling you my thoughts.'

Keri snorted. ever heard of the double-bluff?'

'I am familiar with the concept. Nevertheless, Martians do not lie. It is a contemptible act and beneath us.'

'But you bend the truth now and again.'

Savaar smiled, his tongue again moistening his cracked lips. 'Perhaps.

Now tell me, Ker'a'nol, why are you here?'

'Because you captured me slicing your ship's door and Kort here slicing the Fed Net, yeah.'

'The longer you are flippant, the less likely the Doctor's chances of a hearty dinner tomorrow night. Please. Answer the question.'

Keri sighed. 'GFTV-3 are covering the restatement stuff. Corry wanted some highbrow coverage and paid me far more than I'm really worth to come and do this. By the way, why did Ha.s.sek say that Neal was effectively out of things?'

Savaar looked genuinely surprised. I am not sure. Unless . . . Of course.

That explains why Hissel broke com silence. I believe Mister Corry is safe and well but will have to remain "out of things" for a while longer. Let us return to you and your team. Tell me about holocamera operator, Jav.'

'Jav? Barely know him. Why?'

'Because what is left of him is currently spread over a few square metres at the foot of Mount Megeshra. If I have the time, I'll get Ha.s.sek to sc.r.a.pe up the remains and ship him back for whatever religious ceremonies you have on Pakha. I am intrigued to know why someone would throw him out of a window. Anyone on your team dislike him enough for that?'

Keri rubbed her whiskers. 'Can't say he'll be too missed. Can't say anyone would want to kill him either. He's good at his job but not a team player. I worked with him back in the Operation "Galactic Storm" coverage and he made a few mistakes. When he was a.s.signed to me here, I mentioned this to Corry but he wasn't too concerned. Jav kept out of my way and probably thought he was too insignificant for me to remember. But I never forget anyone. Ever. Yeah.'

'We'll draw a veil over Jav then. How well do you understand the holocameras?'

'You are joking? I've never yet worked with equipment that I don't know every sonic screw and plastigrip on. I could dismantle a holocamera and put it back together blindfolded. It'd probably work better afterwards, yeah.'

'Good. I have a job for you.'

Kort finally spoke up: And me?'

'You? You will help Ker'a'nol with her work. Or I'll ship you straight back to the Bruk and send a message to your father about your behaviour.

Whichever.'

'Right. Okay. Pa.s.s me a sonic screwdriver.'

Bernice wanted to scream. Alpha Centauri was bobbing up and down, changing colours and knocking everyone flying with six totally uncoordinated arms. 'This really is too bad,' he wailed. The Doctor is innocent. He must be released.'

'Look, I know that. You know that. Frankly, King Tarrol knows that. But apparently Aggedor doesn't. And unless we can make Atissa see sense, or preferably beat some into her, we have to be tactful, okay?'

Centauri stopped moving and a.s.sumed his normal olive green. He blinked very slowly at Bernice and seemed to sag slightly. 'You are right to admonish me, Professor Summerfield. I apologize. I'm getting too old for all this excitement and I tend to. . . over-react. If you feel I am speaking out of turn in future, please alert me so that I may...'

'Centauri!' Bernice barked. "Nuff said. Finito. El quitto.'

Geban had his back to Bernice but still managed to whisper without looking in her direction. 'That was good. Give me some tips one day.'

'When this is over, let's write a book together, Chancellor,' said Bernice.

One hundred and one ways to deal with hysterical hexapods.'

'Here's Sskeet,' said Nic Reece as he too arrived.

'You're both late,' muttered Bernice. And where's Savaar?'

'High Lord Savaar will be along shortly.'

The double doors were pulled open from within and the a.s.sembled Federation representatives walked in. Behind them, two guards closed the doors and crossed their lances over them.

Bernice took in the sight before her.

The Doctor, his arms bound behind his back, his bright question-mark pullover looking grimy and a bit threadbare, was at the bottom of the three steps leading to the throne. He looked like death warmed up. He tried to grin at her, but she saw straight through it - and so did he. King Tarrol stood in front of his throne and beside him, looking what Bernice could only describe as very smug indeed, was Atissa.

I, Tarrol, King of Peladon and regent of Aggedor,' the king said, 'have reached a decision. The Doctor is guilty of the murder of Lianna, our lady-of-the-court. He is guilty of the murder of Fabon, guardian of the relic room.

Tomorrow, at midday, he will be escorted to the Shrine of Aggedor. He will be stripped of all honours, rank and privileges. There he will swear an oath of apology to Aggedor, to cleanse his soul.'

Bernice breathed a sigh of relief but as the king continued she realized she had been too quick.

After that, he will be dragged before the Great Statue of Aggedor and beheaded, as befits our laws and beliefs.'

There was a stunned silence, broken by an outraged Geban. 'Your Majesty, you cannot - '