Doctor Who: Galaxy Four by William Emms Read Free Book Online

screwdriver again. He went to the hull and scratched through the space-dirt to the body itself. He looked closely. ‘As I thought, Steven. There’s nothing particularly advanced about this material. It’s tough, but not impregnable. A reasonably common metal with nothing special about it.’
    ‘So?’ Steven said.
    ‘So?’ The Doctor sniffed. ‘So much for their female scientists.’
    ‘Biased, aren’t we?’
    ‘Amateurism never impresses me. Well, let’s go and see our lady friends. It’s no good you standing here admiring the scenery.’
    Vicki was relieved to see them. ‘What took you so long?’
    ‘We were held up by a Chumbley,’ Steven said. ‘Were you hurt at all?’
    ‘No, no, my dear.’ The Doctor smiled soothingly. ‘Even though it tried to blow up the TARDIS while we were in it.’
    Maaga had entered while he was speaking. ‘He did not succeed?’
    ‘Well, of course he didn’t,’ the Doctor snapped. ‘We’re here, aren’t we? And my ship isn’t a piece of old tin like this.’
    ‘It serves its purpose.’
    ‘More or less. Frankly, I wouldn’t venture anywhere in it. I’d be terrified of it falling to bits about me.’
    Maaga gestured to Drahvin One who had brought them in. The minion depressed a lever and the door hummed shut. The Doctor was annoyed. ‘Is that necessary?’
    ‘We have to protect ourselves against the machines,’ Maaga replied. ‘But we are wasting time. Did you learn anything more about this planet?’
    ‘Only confirming what you already know.’ The Doctor saw no reason for telling the truth. ‘This planet has exactly fourteen dawns to live. Then comes the big bang.’
    Steven concealed his surprise at the Doctor’s words. He saw no reason for the lie, but then no-one ever knew what was going on in the Doctor’s mind. It was murky and devious and ploughed its own furrow, when it wasn’t flying off in all directions.
    ‘Fourteen dawns,’ Maaga mused. ‘Doctor, will you help us?’
    ‘To do what, exactly?’
    ‘To capture the Rills’ spaceship so that we can escape.’
    ‘And how do I do that, mmm? And, of course, the other question: what happens to the Rills if you succeed?’
    Maaga’s lips tightened. ‘They stay on this planet.’
    ‘But they’ll be blown up,’ Vicki protested. ‘Why couldn’t you take them off with you?’
    Maaga was growing tired of this girl. She was not used to being questioned and doubted. Hers was to command and others to obey. Without that arrangement there could be no order. And already she was being delayed. But then, she reminded herself, she had to be civil or it was possible that this strange fellow called the Doctor would refuse to help. Of course, he could be forced, but willing co-operation would be better. She contained the snappy answer she’d been about to give. ‘They are murderers and they are evil. Totally evil. If you were to see them you would know it immediately.’
    ‘We have only your word for that,’ the Doctor observed. ‘But I’d better point out to you that we cannot help you at all.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Because I kill nothing. I’m not permitted to even if I wanted to, which I don’t. As for my friends here: they aren’t made that way. No, no, anything involving the death of another being is out of the question.’
    Maaga stared at him coldly. ‘I am interested to know how your species has managed to survive this long.’
    ‘By the use of a moral code.’
    ‘And what is that?’
    ‘I don’t believe it,’ Steven said. ‘You don’t know what a moral code is?’
    ‘If I did I would not have asked the question.’ ‘It’s– ‘
    But he was interrupted by the Doctor. ‘Never mind all that. You might as well talk to a post for all the good it’ll do. The point is, we are in no position to be of assistance. Now if you’d be so kind as to open that door we’ll be on our way.’
    ‘You do not fully understand the situation,’ Maaga said. ‘It is a very basic one: either the