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

addressing him as the older of the two men.
    ‘No doubt about it, Madam. They locked on and boarded us. We both saw them. ‘They were Dragons—’ Hardy corrected himself. ‘I mean, they were Draconians all right.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said the President. ‘You can go now. I hope you will soon be fully recovered from your ordeal.’ She nodded to General Williams who ushered the two pilots to the door. Then she turned to the Ambassador. ‘Well, Your Highness?’
    ‘With all respect that is due to you, Madam President,’ said the Draconian, his voice cold and words clipped, ‘those men are your servants.’ He stole a glance at Williams, now returning to the desk. ‘They say what they have been ordered to say.’
    ‘Ordered by whom?’
    The Ambassador spoke as though from a prepared speech. ‘It is not the policy of the Emperor’s Government to interfere in the internal politics of a neighbouring empire, but clearly there are those among you who seek hostility with us.’
    Williams, who realised all this was directed against himself, spoke up. ‘On this occasion, Your Highness, we have more than our servants to confront you with. We captured two of your human agents.’
    A deep hiss of anger came from the Ambassador’s green snout. ‘We have no human agents! Subversion and espionage is expressly forbidden by the Treaty of Peace between our two empires.’
    ‘A treaty which you have broken,’ remarked the General.
    The Ambassador gathered his cloak. ‘With your permission, Madam President, I shall return to my embassy—’
    She rose, a restraining hand outstretched. ‘No, please, Your Highness. I’m sure the General regrets his rudeness. But I would like you to see these two human prisoners.’ She nodded to the General. He was already half way to the opening in the wall, where guards were bringing in the Doctor and Jo. ‘General Williams, please explain to His Highness who these people are.’
    The Doctor and Jo, flanked by palace guards, were brought forward to the President’s desk.
    ‘These people,’ said the General, ‘stowed away on the cargo ship that your battle cruiser attacked, Your Highness. They transmitted signals which enabled your people to home-in on their prey.’
    The Ambassador stared at the two prisoners. ‘I know nothing of these humans.’
    ‘Perhaps you don’t,’ said the President. ‘But someone in the Draconian Empire employed them.’
    Jo blurted out, ‘This is all stupid! You’ve all got it wrong!’
    ‘If someone would have the courtesy to listen to me,’ said the Doctor, ‘perhaps I might explain that we are not employed by anyone.’
    The Ambassador turned from the prisoners to face the President. ‘How can these two humans, found on an Earth spaceship. concern the Draconian Empire?’
    ‘Because you put them there!’ General Williams face reddened with anger at what he thought was the Ambassador’s evasion. ‘They are traitors to their own race, bribed by you!’
    ‘We aren’t bribed by anyone,’ insisted the Doctor. ‘We are harmless civilian travellers, being very badly treated—’
    ‘Quiet! ‘ stormed the General. ‘You were part of the Draconian attack on our cargo ship.’
    ‘There was no Draconian attack,’ answered the Doc-tor. ‘The attack was made by Ogrons.’
    The President looked to General Williams. No one had explained this to her. ‘What are they talking about, General?’
    He scoffed. ‘They’ve invented some ridiculous story about a totally unknown life-form. It’s obviously an attempt to protect their Draconian masters.’
    The Doctor asked patiently, ‘If we were working for the Draconians, why did they leave us on your ship after the attack?’
    ‘To act as spies,’ replied the General, ‘when you were brought back to Earth.’
    ‘Allow me to congratulate you, sir. You have the most totally closed mind I have ever met.’
    ‘You’ll regret your insolence.’ The General turned to the palace guards. ‘Take them