Doctor Who: Space War by Malcolm Hulke Read Free Book Online

attack.’
    General Williams smiled. ‘You put forward convincing arguments, whoever you are. But these arguments are based on fallacies. A spaceship that can materialise inside another, that can be picked up and carried away, and now talk of Ogrons... No, sir, this tribunal only deals in known facts. I suggest that the Draconians re-sealed the air-lock door to preserve the lives of their own two agents.’
    ‘If you’re going to adopt that attitude,’ said the Doc-tor, ‘there’s little point continuing this discussion. I’d better talk to your superiors.’
    General Williams said, ‘Only the President is superior to this tribunal.’
    ‘Very well,’ said the Doctor. ‘Let me talk to him.’
    This brought quizzical looks from the Earthmen. ‘Him?’ said General Williams. ‘Your masters didn’t brief you very well. I’d have thought the Draconian Secret Service was reasonably aware that the President of Earth is a woman.’
    ‘Then maybe she’ll have sense enough to listen to us,’ said Jo. ‘When can we see her?’
    ‘You won’t,’ replied the General curtly. ‘You’ll be taken to Security Headquarters for questioning. If you are Draconian agents, they’ll find out soon enough. The tribunal is closed.’
    Jo shouted, ‘But this isn’t fair! You’ve taken no notice of us. You’re so unreasonable!’
    The Doctor and Jo were seized by Earth guards.
    As the General stood up he turned to Jo for a parting word. ‘Young woman, once you’ve been inside Security Headquarters you will think of me as the most reasonable man you’ve ever met.’

4
The Mind Probe
    Half an hour later General Williams found himself defending his actions to the President.
    ‘Draconian agents? Are you sure, General Williams?’
    ‘What else can they be, Madam President? Their story is obviously nonsense.’
    ‘But why did the Draconians leave them on the cargo ship after the attack?’
    ‘Perhaps they hoped we would accept them as simple stowaways,’ said the General. He had not given much thought to these possibilities. ‘The punishment for stowaways can be as little as a hefty fine. They thought these two would soon be loose within Earth society to spy for them.’ He knew there were many holes in this argument, so quickly went on to the central issue. ‘The fact we must face, Madam President, is that the Draconian Empire is preparing for war—’
    She raised her hand. ‘So you presume, General. There is still no proof.’
    ‘The continued attacks on our cargo ships are no way of establishing friendly relations, Madam.’
    She knew there was no answer to that. ‘If you are right in believing these two humans to be Draconian agents, the sooner we confront the Draconians with their duplicity the better.’ She had a sudden thought. ‘Have the prisoners brought here.’
    ‘To your palace, madam?’ The General was amazed.
    ‘I want to see them, and I intend to bring them face to face with His Highness, the Draconian Ambassador.’
    The Doctor and Jo were taken from the cargo spaceship in what Captain Gardiner referred to as a ground-transporter. This was an ultra-streamlined coach with seating for up to thirty passengers. It had barred windows and a heavily locked door, and the word Security painted along both sides of its black body. It did not, however, have any wheels. When the driver touched the starter control, the coach lifted a few inches off the ground and glided forward. The driver and the four guards who arrived with the coach wore distinctive black tunics and helmets also bearing the word Security . They were all armed with blaster guns; batons, handcuffs and personal radios hung from their heavy black belts. They treated Captain Gardiner with the same indifference afforded to the Doctor and Jo.
    The coach sped fast through almost deserted city streets. Occasionally they caught glimpses of crowds of people in metallic coloured tunics on escalators, or in piazzas between the high buildings, and