Doctor Who_ MacRa Terror Part 1

DOCTOR WHO.

THE MACRA TERROR.

by IAN STUART BLACK.

1

Interference on the Scanner

The Doctor had complete and utter faith in the TARDIS, accepting it as almost an extension of his own nervous system. His continued existence in time and s.p.a.ce and indeed the existence of his small crew depended on its mechanics, its electronics, and on the very fabric of its structure.But in the galaxies through which his s.h.i.+p voyaged there was no way of forecasting the unpredictable. External events could hit the TARDIS, and there would be a split second a fragment of this 'time' in which they travelled before the s.h.i.+p's computers made adjustments. And in that split second they were all vulnerable. That was the moment in which might be glimpsed the unexpected the unexplained and sometimes it was truly terrifying.The Doctor himself seemed very little put out. He had seen the vision that had appeared on the screen of the time scanner, filling the entire vision-plate, indistinct and abrupt, before it disappeared, hardly giving one a chance to record the picture, and making memory doubt itself.In fact, the Doctor continued to play a tuneless jig on his recorder. When Jamie turned to look at him, hoping for some rea.s.surance, the Doctor appeared more interested in his music, as he moved away thoughtfully to check the instruments that now began to indicate the moment of arrival.None of the others spoke, but Jamie was sure they had all seen that 'something' on the screen, for both Ben and Polly looked shaken.'What was that?' asked Ben. His voice wasn't much more than a whisper. The strength seemed to have gone out of him.But the Doctor heard him from across the deck, for he cheerfully called back in reply: 'Atmospherics.'The others looked at him blankly. It didn't seem to be any sort of an explanation.The Doctor smiled and busied himself with the indicators. 'Yes,' he added. 'Simple, you know. Atmospherics cause interference. A build-up of forces. Electrical discharges. A thunderstorm. A number of things can cause the normal pattern to be broken, and then a radio signal or a television picture suddenly is broken into, and you get an alien signal. We have checks and balances on board the TARDIS to counter-act such interference, but every now and again a message or picture breaks through from another point in s.p.a.ce and we pick it up.'He went on fussing over the gears, and finely tuned the materialisation. Had the Doctor not seen what they had seen?'That was horrible,' said Polly. She s.h.i.+vered.Neither of the young men blamed her; her fear was obvious in her eyes.'I didn't see exactly what it was,' said Jamie.'Nor did I.' Ben nodded. 'It filled the screen but I couldn't see its shape.''It was like a... like a huge claw!' Jamie tried to recall the picture they had seen. 'But not exactly real real, not animal. Just a great claw with nerve ends like feelers.''There was something about it. It made my skin go cold,' said Ben.'Don't talk about it,' Polly whispered. 'You heard what the Doctor said. It's probably something that flashed across our screen from millions of miles away. From another time, perhaps.'The others fell silent. Each in his own way wanted to believe Polly's explanation, but it was hard, and jamie felt they had better be ready for anything.The sound of the s.h.i.+p's engines took on a new quality, as though they were driving into increased pressure.'Here we go!' sang out the Doctor. 'Stand by, et cetera, et cetera. Prepare to land, or go ash.o.r.e.' He glanced up at the scanner. The outline of a green and wooded landscape loomed up.The Doctor snapped off the controls before him. He gave an encouraging grin, and waved his recorder towards the screen. 'We're there!'Vision control was automatically programmed to pinpoint items of importance, according to the Doctor's pre-setting, and the screen revealed a countryside of hills, woods and streams. It reminded them very much of Earth, though it was perhaps a little more primitive. Over the sound system they were surprised to hear music, applause and laughter. The picture on the screen came to a halt, resting on what looked a familiar sight to Ben.'What's that?' asked Jamie.'It's a holiday camp,' said Ben. 'I've been to one.''What do you do there?' asked jamie.'Just what it says,' Ben told him. 'It's all fun and games. We went once when I was a kid. I thought it was a lot of fun at the time. There was a band.''Look!' Polly pointed. 'There is is a band!' a band!'It had just come into view on screen. The camera panned upwards from the Drum Majorette's wellshaped legs to the girl banging the big drum.She was standing outside an enclosed compound. The gates beside her were wide open. Beyond lay gardens, chalets, swimming pools, sports grounds, with one or two larger buildings in the background.'It's a holiday camp, all right,' said Ben with growing enthusiasm. 'We've come to the right place.' Whatever the horror was which they had seen on the TARDIS scanner, Ben had forgotten. 'Cor!' he grinned. 'Takes me back.'The picture on the scanner changed as vision control panned from the Drum Majorette and her fellow musicians, and focused on the crowd who were looking on with pleasure. Some had begun dancing.Watching from a short distance away were two men. Unlike the rest of the crowd, they were not dressed in holiday style, but wore a subdued dress that could have been a uniform. One was clearly of importance a dark, powerful fellow, watching everything. Ben immediately recognised him for what he was.'There you are! See them? They always have them in these camps. That'll be the Commandant. He has to keep the fun going, or the customers will want their money back.'The Doctor stood silently at their backs. When he spoke it was as though to himself. 'I shouldn't wonder if he isn't called the Pilot of this Colony,' he said.'Colony?' Ben questioned.'Colony, camp, call it what you will,' said the Doctor. Doubt had vanished from his face, and he was grinning cheerfully again.'Okay,' said Ben. 'Commandant, Pilot. Anything you like.''They can't be far away,' said Polly.The Doctor made a calculation. 'Less than a mile.''Let's see if we can find them,' she suggested. 'That looks like fun.'They turned off the screen and headed for the door. Had they stayed watching for a few moments more they might not have been quite so sure of the welcome they would get.The Doctor was right. The dark, powerful man was indeed called the Pilot, and by his side was a man, clearly an a.s.sistant, whom he addressed as 'Barney'. They had an amused, almost proprietary look as they watched the band play and the crowd begin to dance.A carefree holiday air was all around. Dancers, players, officials, all were in a relaxed mood, as though they were enjoying a special occasion a holiday after a long hard stint of work, the Doctor guessed.As the band marched to its own music and headed towards the building inside the gates, the Pilot turned to the man beside him and clapped him on the shoulder. 'A first-rate band you've put together there, Barney. Nice rhythm, well rehea.r.s.ed. Splendid.'The other man flushed with pleasure. 'Thank you, Pilot.''I won't say you'll come out first at the Festival,' added the Pilot cautiously. 'You'll have pretty good compet.i.tion. But you'll do well.' He lapsed into a number of cliches. 'Never say die. Nothing succeeds like success. If at first you don't succeed...'They were heading back with the crowd towards a tent with a sign saying Refres.h.i.+ng Department Refres.h.i.+ng Department swinging above the door. The crowd broke into applause as the band swung past, then suddenly, above the music and laughter they could hear a man shouting: 'Stop him! Don't let him get out. Stop Medok!' swinging above the door. The crowd broke into applause as the band swung past, then suddenly, above the music and laughter they could hear a man shouting: 'Stop him! Don't let him get out. Stop Medok!'The Pilot was suddenly concerned. 'It's Ola's voice,' said Barney.'What's the matter with him?''It sounds like Medok's giving trouble,' said Barney. They couldn't see for the crowd round them.'Medok?''Yes. Ola is in charge of him.''Shut the gates! For his own sake, shut the gates!' someone shouted.'That's Ola, all right,' said Barney. He ran to the mechanism that controlled the big gates.At that moment a man burst from the tent ahead of them and raced for the opening.'Medok!' shouted Barney.The man barged his way through the crowd. Some made a half-hearted attempt to stop him, but he pushed past. Most of the band and dancers got out of his way, and watched him with a mixture of pity and alarm.'This is very stupid, Medok,' called out the Pilot. 'Whatever is being done is for your own good. You know that!'He tried to bar the man's path.'Get out of the way!' There was no doubting Medok's determination. There was a fanatical look in his eyes. He was running from something he feared. He knocked the Pilot aside and ran for the gates as they were beginning to close.'Medok!' It was a last plea, but the frightened man ignored it. He was out before the gates shut, and headed for the tree-covered slopes.They watched from the look-out posts as he vanished into the woods. It was dark in the undergrowth ahead, but there was no stopping him.An alarm bell began ringing, and an alert sounded in the camp. A moment later a squad of men raced to the gate.The Pilot greeted them sharply. Turning to the officer in charge, he said, 'Why were you not in readiness, Ola?''We tried to stop him.' Ola was clearly alarmed by his own failure.'You're Security in this Camp area. You'll have to go after him,' the Pilot said grimly. There was a movement of unease. 'I don't care where he's gone. Get going. Bring him back. Medok is too dangerous to be on the loose.'The Security guards went ahead cautiously. Ola was about to follow.'What happened?' the Pilot asked hirn.'It was time for his medication,' explained Ola. 'But Medok said he would have no treatment as long as my guards were there. So I dismissed them, and he made a dash for it.'The Pilot frowned. 'Get after him. You know the situation. Don't come back without Medok, or you will be answerable for his escape.'Ola was white-faced as he hurried after the rest of his guard.'This could be bad for all of us,' said the Pilot as he watched them go.

2

A Wash and Brush-Up

Medok knew he would be only a few minutes ahead of his hunters, and they would be many. He had to make as much use as possible out of his start. He was a strong man: years of hard work had made him tough, and he went up the slope at speed, through bracken and bushes, crossing boggy ground, leaping dead wood and fallen branches. These were forests no one carne to, and for very good reason, Medok thought grimly to himself. Even now he feared what he might see through the trees. But he told himself he would be in no danger here at least not until night and a pale sun still glinted through leaves.But he knew the guards those blind, stupid Security guards who didn't believe a word he had told them they would soon be after him. And the appalling thing was they thought he was mad, that they were protecting him from himself. He cursed them under his breath as he heard them shouting to one another, hacking their way through the undergrowth. He would not be hard to follow: his tracks would be there for all to see. He could hear a stream ahead, and when he carne to it, he went downstream for a a hundred yards before he crossed over. They might lose him there for a bit. But he knew in his heart that it was only a matter of time. The best he could hope was to delay capture.At the foot of the hill he could see open country, and decided to make for it. There would be less chance of leaving tracks out there.He went down the slope. Not far behind the guards were now coming on at a run. From time to time they shouted out his name. What the devil did they expect? He would give himself up? Go back into that treatment room? Have the truth slowly destroyed in his mind? However horrible it was, Medok was determined to keep that truth alive. Perhaps he was the only man in this world who knew the truth though he didn't fully understand it. But he was sure that what he had told the Pilot told the Security guards, told everyone who would listen, in fact he was sure that was was the truth. And unless he could get his fellows to listen and understand, then they would be doomed as he would be doomed to a terrible life forever, and for some horrible, unknown purpose. the truth. And unless he could get his fellows to listen and understand, then they would be doomed as he would be doomed to a terrible life forever, and for some horrible, unknown purpose.He scrambled over rocks to the edge of the trees, and was about to burst from cover when he halted in his tracks.Ahead of him was an extraordinary-looking construction, a sort of small, upright hut. He'd never seen anything like it before. He couldn't think what it meant. Was it a trap? He didn't have long to make up his mind. The guards would be all round him in a couple of minutes.The first thing Jamie did as they left the TARDIS was to find himself a solid, tough-looking stick.'What's that for?' asked Ben.Jamie looked at him in surprise. 'Have you forgotten what we saw on the scanner?''I asked you not to talk about it,' said Polly.'I'm no' talking,' said Jamie, 'but I'm no' going to get caught without something to defend us with.'He lashed out a couple of times with the stick to show what he intended.Ben grinned.They didn't think the Doctor was paying any attention, but he said thoughtfully, 'I'm afraid you're wasting your time, Jamie.''Why?'The Doctor pushed ahead as he said, 'Unless I'm very much mistaken, these creatures are of such a nature that they are going to see us long before we see them.'It was said in such a calm, matter-of-fact way that the other three followed in subdued silence. What had the Doctor guessed, they wondered? He didn't seem to have given any thought to the creature on the scanner, yet now he was speaking with the quiet confidence they knew so well. None of them liked to question him further, and it was an apprehensive trio that followed him towards a patch of rocks and trees.

Medok saw the strangers coming. He had no option. They would soon be on top of him. He had to make a break for it.'Look out, Jamie!' Polly shouted.She was too late. A man had leapt from the rocks beside them and grappled with Jamie, struggling to s.n.a.t.c.h the wooden club from him.'Hang on!' shouted Ben. 'I'll drag him off.'They pinned the man to the ground.'Gently, gently,' coaxed the Doctor. 'I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you.'For once the Doctor was clearly wrong, and the prisoner lashed out, kicking and struggling to his feet again. He would have broken away but for a flying tackle by Ben. They went down in a heap with Ben on top. Jamie's stick went flying, landing at the feet of three total strangers who emerged panting from the woods.They looked with amazement at Medok on the ground, pinned there by Ben and Jamie.It was Ola who got his breath back first. He saluted the Doctor. 'I don't know who you are,' he said. 'But you have done us a great service, and we are very grateful.'Medok made a last desperate effort to free himself. Ola signalled to the two guards. 'Help the strangers,' he said. They soon had Medok's arms tied behind his back.Ola continued. He was a man of some pompous dignity, and for a moment it seemed to the Doctor that he was giving a lecture or perhaps repeating some message he had been taught. 'You must understand,' said Ola, 'we have very few patients in our hospitals in the Colony. That is, none with the exception of this poor fellow, Medok. We are doing all we can for him, but he is more dangerous every day. Suffers from delusions, I'm afraid.' He frowned and took a sharp look at the Doctor and his friends. 'I don't think we have had any information that there were to be strangers in our district today.''Very likely,' said the Doctor. 'Indeed, probably not.' He had squatted down on the ground and was now scarcely paying any attention to Ola, but appeared to be examining the soil in preoccupied fas.h.i.+on, sc.r.a.ping together a little of the earth and running it through his fingers.A couple of other security guards carne hurrying through the wood. Ola called to them. He was scribbling a note on a pocket book.'Here!' He gave the note to the guards. 'Hurry back to the Colony. Give this to the Pilot. He must know at once what has happened.'The guards went off at a trot.'The Pilot?' questioned Ben. Wasn't that a word the Doctor had used before?Ola nodded. 'The Pilot of our Colony. No doubt he will wish to thank you in person.'He examined the cord binding Medok. 'Tighter,' he ordered. 'You don't want him racing off again!'Jamie stood by the Doctor as he crouched on the ground. 'Any point asking?''Asking where we are?' grinned the Doctor.Jamie nodded.'Well, by my calculations,' said the Doctor, 'we're certainly in the future. Most certainly in your your future. And we're on a planet very like the Earth.' future. And we're on a planet very like the Earth.''How do you know?' Jamie was always sceptical.The Doctor winked up at him, still running the soil through his hands. 'I don't know know,' he said. 'But I rather like to guess.'He smelt the dust in his palm. 'Hmm,' he said thoughtfully.'My name is Ola.' The man stood before them and gave a brief bow. 'I am Chief of Police.''That sounds very important,' said Polly.'It is,' said Ola. 'The responsibility is considerable. We carry out instructions from our Control Centre. That is our main function, and it works well.' He waved his hand airily as he moved off. 'You will see. Please, follow me.'As the Doctor pa.s.sed they were still tying Medok up. The Doctor leant forward confidentially. 'Not too tight,' he said softly. 'So bad for the blood pressure.' He smiled cheerfully and trotted after the others.They recognised the entrance to the Colony from the pictures they had already seen on the TARDIS scanner. The gates were open in welcoming fas.h.i.+on, and a crowd waited to cheer them.As they arrived a tune was playing over the sound system. It was a pleasant little jingle, and reminded Ben of his boyhood days in the holiday camp. Oddly enough, he felt the same determination that everyone should have a good time, that there were to be no dull moments.The Doctor must have sensed his thoughts, for he murmured, 'How exhausting.'The jingle stopped as they carne through the gates, and a cheerful voice took over, singing briskly: 'Thank you, s.h.i.+ft Number One... Time to have fun... Now s.h.i.+ft Number Two... It's up to you.'The Doctor winced slightly.The disernbodied voice continued: 'Off to work with a song... And you're merry and bright all day long.'Waiting to receive them was the other man they had seen on the scanner. Ola saluted him.'Pilot, these are the strangers who helped us...'The Pilot raised a hand. 'I've already had your note, Ola. I understand. I will look after our guests. I am sure you will want to go and take care of poor Medok. You may leave.'He dismissed Ola then turned to the Doctor. 'We welcome you with our thanks. You must indeed be a brave man to have subdued a fanatic as disturbed as Medok. He is strong and dangerous.'The Doctor gave a modest shrug. 'It was nothing. Anyone would have done the same.'Jamie and Ben looked at one another. Neither could recall the Doctor having lifted a hand to help.But the Doctor was now looking round the colourful crowd, with flags waving, music playing, tents flapping, and the carnival moving into top gear.'This is all very cheerful,' he said. 'Is it always like this in your Colony? Is there always this music?'The Pilot nodded. 'We believe in it. We regulate our day by music. It keeps things merry and bright. It eases the burdens...''Ah yes,' the Doctor cut in.'Now I suggest you take advantage of our Refres.h.i.+ng Department after your adventures?''Good thinking,' said Ben. 'Lead me to it. I'm starving.'The Pilot smiled. 'You will, of course, eat later. But first we revive the weary body. That is the refreshment we supply in this place.'He led the way, with the Doctor trotting behind him. Polly and Ben were about to join them when Jamie muttered, 'Keep your eyes skinned.''What's up?' asked Ben.'I don't know,' whispered Jamie. 'I canna put my finger on it, but they're a weird lot. All this laughing and singing. It's not natural.''Not natural North of the Border,' grinned Ben.'I'm telling you,' said Jamie grimly. 'There's something funny going on.''Keep laughing!' mocked Ben. He hurried after the others.There was nothing else for it. Jamie followed, but he was very wary.'This is the Refres.h.i.+ng Department,' said the Pilot with a gesture that took in the splendid hall in which they found themselves. It was an unexpected sight, with a bevy of attractive girls in the costumes of attendants at a health farm or a fas.h.i.+onable spa.To either side were cubicles white, clinicl, brightly lit and beyond a number of exercise areas with steam baths, mud baths, ma.s.sage tables, and a collection of instruments that filled Jamie with alarm.The others, however, were taking things very happily.Even the Doctor looked round with approval.'A wash and brush-up indeed,' he remarked.On one wall a huge television screen dominated the hall.'Switch on,' called the Pilot. 'Control wish to welcome the strangers in person.'One of the girls hurried to obey and the screen lit up. Smiling down at the newcomers was a fine-looking man in his late forties. An ideal father-figure, noted the Doctor.'Who's that?' asked Polly.'Our Controlier.' The Pilot did not disguise his admiration and respect.'He's really something,' Polly whispered.The Doctor looked on with a puzzled air as the man on the screen began to speak. 'We wish to extend a sincere and joyful welcome to the visitors to our Colony. We are very grateful to them. They have performed a valuable service. Everyone is to make our guests happy and contented during their stay. Welcome again, friends... Now, back to work, all s.h.i.+fts.'The screen went blank, and there was a ripple of applause from those watching.'Can't wait,' said Ben.'He was slighly out of sync,' mused the Doctor.'Out of what?' Polly frowned.'His lips and his words didn't exactly synchronise. The sound was a fraction later than the movement.'The other three blinked at him.'What's that supposed to mean?' asked Ben.The Doctor smiled. 'Funny way to speak, don't you think?'The Pilot joined them, leading a round-faced, jovial little man.'This is our supervisor in this department, Barney. Everyone calls him "dear old Barney"! I'm going to put you in his capable hands. And willing hands make light work, you know. I have work to do, so I must leave you. And hard work never did anyone any harm.''Why that clap-trap?' thought Ben. But the Pilot was already on his way in lordly style, leaving Barney fussing round them.'Delighted to see you,' he said, 'Delighted to have you with us.' They all seemed to speak this way, like the organisers in a real holiday camp.Barney indicated the apparatus round the hall of which he was obviously very proud. 'You have a complete choice of all our treatments. Just say the word,' he said. 'Steam baths, beauty treatments, ma.s.sage. And of course you want all your clothes cleaned... Then there is sun-ray treatment... Moonlight treatment... Sparking and effervescent sprays...' He appeared to be concentrating on the Doctor, who looked a little reserved.'I feel perfectly all right as I am,' said the Doctor stiffly.'Well, I know what I want,' said Polly. 'Can I have a shampoo?''Of course, dear lady.' Barney beamed his delight. He snapped his fingers, and they were immediately surrounded by attendants.'A shampoo for the lady,' called Barney.Polly was hustled off to a glittering alcove while Jamie looked on with apprehension.'And now the young gentlemen.' Barney bowed towards Ben and jamie. 'We have the latest in regeneration treatments. If you will just come into this special compartment...'Jamie was appalled. 'Me? You're not going to do anything like that to me! I'm no la.s.sie!'Ben shook his head. 'It's no good, Jamie. The la.s.sies have got you!' They were surrounded by a crowd of girls, coaxing and smiling their encouragement. Jamie was helpless as he was led away.Ben called after him, 'And believe me, mate, I'm not going to put up much of a struggle!' He let himself be escorted to a further cubicle.Barney turned with pleasure to the Doctor. 'And now, sir. You?'The Doctor looked at him blankly.It wasn't often the Doctor allowed himself and his friends to be so completely separated. For all his comic att.i.tudes and clowning he kept a watchful eye on them. But now they had been split up, and two of them at least Polly and Ben were enjoying themselves.Ben basked in rays of artificial suns.h.i.+ne. 'Could be on the Med,' he told the attentive girls around him.'Protective oils for our guest,' ordered Barney.'This is the life,' murmured Ben.And the Doctor caught a glimpse of Polly as she carne out from behind her beauty mask. The scatter-brained, kooky, vivacious blonde with the long legs had vanished and become a glamorous woman.Only Jamie failed to respond as they put the finis.h.i.+ng touches to him, turning the tough little Highlander into a courtly gentleman. It didn't sit well on Jamie's shoulders.'Call the ladies away,' he pleaded with Barney. 'I'm feared what they'll do to me.''You look charming, sir. Positively charming,' Barney a.s.sured him.'That's why I'm feared,' said Jamie.And when the Doctor emerged from the cubicle in which he had tolerated treatment, he was a changed man. Gone was the casual disarray, the crumpled clothes, the untidy hair, the general air of confusion and in his place was a neat, tidy, well turned-out academic hair plastered down, shoes s.h.i.+ning!'Let me out!' he called. 'I'm done to a turn!'He appeared to be starched from top to toe, walking like a robot.'Doctor! You look marvellous,' Polly greeted him.He looked in horror at his shoes. 'My shoes!''Fantastic,' agreed Ben. 'You can see your face in them.''Who wants to see his face in a pair of shoes?' demanded the Doctor.He spun round. 'What's this thing?' He banged his fist on a tank-like contraption.Barney explained. 'A rough-and-tumble machine, sir. For toning up the muscles.''Just what I need.' There was no stopping the Doctor. He opened the metal door and disappeared inside.'Not with your clothes on ' begged Barney.The engine whirred into life, and they could hear him calling cheerfully, 'Great! Wonderful!'A moment later he stepped out. Gone was the spick and span stranger who had gone in, and now there stood the Doctor as of old, his clothes in their familiar state of confusion, and everything about him as before ruffled hair, crumpled jacket. Somehow even the s.h.i.+ne had disappeared from his shoes.He viewed himself in one of the many mirrors. 'That's more like it,' he said with approval.It wasn't until a little later that the Doctor began to wonder why their hosts had gone to such lengths to entertain them. It was as though they had wished to divert their attention from something. He was only able to make guesses about their motives and perhaps he was wrong. The little bits and pieces that he had put together in his mind did not add up to very much. But he guessed he must remain on the alert. Some sixth sense was warning him that what they had been allowed to see was not the complete story.But then it seldom was.

3

The Man Who Suffered from Delusions

From inside the Refres.h.i.+ng Department the Doctor could hear the sound of cheering.'They've got him!' the shout went up.He tried to move to the door, but Barney and his attendants made that difficult. They turned up the volume of the music, and the Doctor was hard put to hear anything else from outside. But he had a good idea of what was happening.With his arms tied behind his back, Medok was being led in by the guards who were headed by Ola.'Get back, everyone,' Ola ordered the crowd. 'You can't trust him. He's violent.'Someone called out; 'I don't understand. He's an old friend of mine.''But he's not himself,' Ola explained. 'He suffers from delusions, doesn't he?'The Doctor recognised Medok's voice as he replied, 'I'm not the one suffering from delusions! It's you! All of you. You don't know what's happening to you! What's happening in this Colony!''That's enough, Medok,' said Ola.From where he stood, the Doctor could see the edge of the crowd. A man had pushed forward. 'It's me Questa,' he called over the heads of those around him, 'Remember me, Medok, old man? We're old friends. Tell us, what's happened to you?''You can't reason with him,' interrupted Ola.They were about to move off when Questa shouted out: 'Just a minute! He's a great chap. As happy and bright as any of us. I want to know what's happened... Medok! Tell us. What's all this rubbish about you seeing things?''It's not rubbish, Questa, you fool!' Medok replied. 'I do do see things! Because they are see things! Because they are there there to be seen. It's to be seen. It's not not a delusion. Listen to me! There are things horrible things!' a delusion. Listen to me! There are things horrible things!''What things?''Too monstrous to describe...''It's just as I said he's deluded,' interrupted Ola. 'Move on there!'But Medok shouted above the noise.'There are creatures moving through this Colony at night. Infesting the place... Evil... Not like us. Not like any other animal... Another Another sort of thing...' sort of thing...'They were dragging Medok away and his voice was becoming fainter.'Medok! You can trust me,' Questa called after him. 'You've just been working too much, too hard! You'llbe all right when you've had a rest.'The sound system boomed throughout the Colony: 's.h.i.+ft rest is over. Back to work everyone. We all depend on each other. The Colony needs you. Preparations are to be made for tonight's reception. We must welcome the strangers.''Another welcome?' wondered the Doctor. Wasn't this overdoing things a little?'Great,' said Ben.Questa's voice could be heard outside, calling into the distance. 'Did you hear that, Medok? A reception tonight? A Colony party! Why don't you join in like the rest of us? Like you used to do? There's a good chap.'The voice over the sound system backed up this idea: 'It will be fun for one and all.''Fun!' Medok shouted his defiance. 'Right! You have your fun while you can! Before these things things start crawling all over you.' start crawling all over you.'A chill ran through those who heard him.Ola shouted, 'That's enough! Keep moving.'The Doctor peered out. Medok was being taken into another part of the same building. He made a careful note before he rejoined his fellows.'Marvellous place you have here,' said the Doctor as he moved away to take a look round. He was just in time to see one of the guards bolting a door at the far end of the corridor. A moment later, he took another look down the corridor and the coast was clear. He ambled down it slowly. Once he was outside the door he bent down to peer through the lock.'Can I help you?'The Doctor straightened up sharply. One of the pretty girls watched him, smiling.'Oh no, thank you,' he said innocently. 'I thought I'd dropped something.' As she left him he made a show of searching the floor.The moment she was out of sight he unbolted the door and slipped in.Unlike the sumptuous cubicles in which he and the others had received their treatments, this was a prison cell. Set high in the wall there was one small window which was strongly barred. Medok was standing on a bench trying to peer out. He turned to frown at the Doctor.'I see you're still trussed up like a chicken,' said the Doctor. He took a penknife from his pocket and flicked open the blade.'What's the game?' Medok was startled.'I'm cutting you free,' the Doctor informed him blandly. He severed the cords which bound Medok's arms.'There you are,' he added. 'Don't bother to say thanks.'He looked thoughtfully at the bewildered Medok. 'Now tell me something. About these things you've seen. Do they, for instance, appear to move slowly over the ground? A sort of crab-like movement?'Medok looked at him in amazement. 'Have you seen them?''No.''Then how did you know?''I just wondered,' said the Doctor.Medok lifted a warning finger. 'Someone's coming,' he said.'Don't worry. If I explain...''You can't do anything,' said Medok grimly. 'You don't understand. There's nothing anyone can do.'He jumped from the bench and hurried to the door.'If you'd listen to what I have to say...' urged the Doctor.'Save your breath,' said Medok. 'I'm getting out of here.'He was out of the cell before the Doctor could stop him. He felt he could have helped the man, and making a dash for it like this would be useless. The Doctor was surprised to see Medok hurrying down the corridor and crossing the hall without being challenged. Obviously no one had expected a prisoner to escape.But Barney saw him running for one of the exits, and he sounded every alarm he could lay his hands on. The Department echoed with the noise.Guards raced up and down, checking first the empty cell as the Doctor stood a few paces away, vainly trying to get a word in. The place was suddenly packed with people. The Pilot arrived.'It's not possible,' he said incredulously. 'Not again. What happened?''No one knows,' Ola told him. As Head of Security he was a very shaken man.'Someone must be responsible,' insisted the Pilot.The Doctor managed to make himself heard: 'I told him not to worry, but he didn't believe me...'They crowded round the cell door. The Pilot picked up the pieces of cord. He couldn't understand. 'You?' he peered at the Doctor. 'You let him go?''Not exactly,' said the Doctor lamely. 'I didn't expect him to run off like that. I merely wanted a little chat.'They looked at him as though he were mad.'He let the prisoner escape!' Ola was in a fury. 'That is a crime in this Colony! For that, men work in the Pit!''The Pit?' The Doctor was puzzled.'That's enough, Ola,' said the Pilot sharply.'Guards!' shouted Ola. 'Arrest him!'There was a surge through the crowd, but it wasn't the guards who surrounded the Doctor. Polly, Ben and Jamie pushed their way through to stand by his side.'You can't touch him,' Polly challenged. 'He doesn't know your laws.'The Pilot looked at the four strangers. He was making a quick calculation. 'That's true,' he said. 'He is is a stranger, Ola.' a stranger, Ola.''What's more,' added the Doctor hopefully. 'I merely set free a man we had caught in the first place.'The Pilot nodded. 'A reasonable point of view.'Ola glared.'Nevertheless,' went on the Pilot, 'Medok is dangerous. The Colony will be terrified to think he is roaming about at night. Get your patrols to search for him, Ola. He can't be far away.'Ola marched away sharply.'Don't forget,' the Doctor called after him, 'Medok is is a man. He a man. He can can move fast. He move fast. He can can run. He doesn't have to run. He doesn't have to crawl crawl over the ground.' over the ground.'That stopped Ola in his tracks.'What do you mean by that?' asked the Pilot coldly.'Nothing. Nothing especially. Just that...''Anyone who spreads that sort of rumour in the Colony will finish up in the Hospital for Correction.' There was no mistaking the threat.'Is that why Medok was there?' the Doctor asked innocently.The Pilot took a deep breath. 'I think you will understand more about Medok if you talk to the people who knew him best.''Splendid!' the Doctor beamed.'Take them to the Labour Centre, Ola. See they learn something about us.''This way.' Ola saluted the Pilot, and directed the Doctor to follow. Once outside Ola continued to stride smartly ahead; the others hurried to keep up with him. He was still very angry.They went past a number of buildings, small office blocks or public buildings. There were a great many unfinished houses. Clearly this was an area of expansion. They crossed building sites, went along muddy roads, hard put to it to keep pace, while the Doctor trotted in their wake.He even came to a dead stop at one point!Polly was concerned. 'Are you all right, Doctor?'He could only nod. After all, it would have been imprudent to have told anyone that he had just seen the figure of Medok in the shadows of one of the unfinished buildings. Medok had ducked out of sight immediately. But the Doctor knew who it was. He had caught his eye, but the hunted man was sure that this very odd stranger would not betray him.They followed Ola into a squat, solid building, crowded with young men and women. The noise of machinery was continuous.'The Labour Centre,' said Ola. 'The workers organise their own s.h.i.+fts.''Very democratic,' approved the Doctor.The young people around them paid the newcomers little attention; they were absorbed in what they were doing. There was a total dedication about them all, sitting before machines, checking figures, referring to lists, activities which carne to a stop only when the huge screen lit up and the face of the Controller smiled down on them.'Your Controller speaking. There is no cause for alarm. You may all continue your work and your play, confident that the best is being done for you. But our unfortunate companion, Medok, has been allowed to escape. Emergency Patrols Two and Three are now searching for him, and he is sure to be caught before it is dark. Now return to your duties with fresh hearts and renewed energy.'The picture faded and the screen darkened as the jingle of music began to play again.'Still out of sync?' asked Ben.'Better,' agreed the Doctor, 'but it's still a fraction out.'The busy crowd had got back to work again.'I wish you to meet Section Leader Alvis,' said Ola as he came through the crowd with a fair-haired young man. 'He will answer any questions.''First question,' said Ben. 'That chap who keeps bobbing up on the screens like that. Who is he? A blooming politician?''As he said, he is our Controller. He brings us help and encouragement.''Can't be a politician then,' Ben told him.The Sound System came to life: 'Number nine s.h.i.+ft to stand by. Leader to report to the Labour Centre.'Alvis turned to a speaker on one of the desks. 'Work s.h.i.+ft ready to leave,' he replied.The music blared loudly.'A nice wee tune,' said Jamie.Ben nodded. 'If you're happy at your work.' It seemed to him that everything was geared to produce more effort.The Doctor recognised the man who had called himself Medok's friend. This must be Questa. He saluted Alvis smartly. 's.h.i.+ft leader reporting,' said Questa. 's.h.i.+ft number nine, all present and correct.'Could be back in the Navy, thought Ben, as Questa marched off.'What does everyone do?' asked Jamie. He had been looking round. 'I mean, what's the actual work? Are you fis.h.i.+ng or farming?'Alvis looked grave. 'We work very hard here.'The Doctor moved in with interest. 'Yes, but what exactly exactly do you do?' do you do?'Alvis hesitated. 'We tap and refine gas,' he said.'For heating?' asked Polly.Ola waved his hand dismissively. 'We use it for many things. The Colony depends on the work done here. It is absolutely essential.''Gas,' said the Doctor thoughtfully. He looked at the brightly-lit rooms. 'That isn't gas, is it?''It is essential...' began Ola sharply...He broke off as a metal panel on one of the walls slid back.Beyond was another world, and out of it staggered two young men, one of them holding the other upright. They were both covered with black stains, dirt, dust, and were giddy with exhaustion.There was no panic in the Centre. It was as though a well-rehea.r.s.ed process clicked into gear.'Stand by for oxygen,' Alvis broadcast over the sound system. A team of young men and women were helping the two, adjusting breathing masks over their heads as they led them away. It was done with speed and proficiency.'Any other losses?' asked Alvis.Ola pressed a b.u.t.ton on the instrument before them and read off the signal. 'Two more with gas sickness,' he said.'What happened?' asked Ben, suddenly sobered. This was another side to the bright picture around them.Alvis shrugged. 'It is their work. It can't be helped. An accident from time to time... But, as you have heard, it is essential. The work must go on.'Polly turned to the Doctor, as always for an explanation, but to her surprise he was no longer by her side; in fact she couldn't see him anywhere in the room.

4

There's Really Nothing There

Medok had watched the patrols go past. They would have a wide area to search, and he guessed his best chance was to lie low until it was dark. The people of the Colony had a deep-seated resistance to going abroad once night had fallen, and Medok reckoned he knew the reason why.Not that he wasn't afraid himself. He went cold at the thought of what he had already seen. But there was nothing else for it. He must stay under cover, wait till dark, stay where he was until the Colony battened down for the night...Suddenly he almost jumped out of his skin. There was a hand on his shoulder. He had the wit not to call out. He rolled over, ready to defend himself with an iron spike he had picked up on the building site.He couldn't believe it as he saw the incongruous figure of the stranger they called the Doctor.'Don't make a sound,' whispered the Doctor.'What the devil do you want?' asked Medok nervously. This fool would attract attention.'That's not very polite,' said the Doctor blandly. 'I saw you as we trotted past. I just wanted to continue our interesting chat.'The stranger must really be crazy!'Who knows I'm hiding in here?' asked Medok.'No one,' the Doctor rea.s.sured him. 'I didn't think it advisable to tell anyone... Now, about those creatures. What were they like? Did you get a good look at them?'Medok was in two minds whether to trust the man or not. 'What's it got to do with you?' he asked.'I'm interested. So... what were they like?''All right. If it's important... But don't forget I saw them in the dark. They move at night. So I didn't get a proper view. Besides... I was very shaken... They were so horrible to look at... like insects... great insects.''With large claws?' suggested the Doctor.Medok nodded. 'Yes. Like huge crabs.''In the Colony?''Yes?''Has anyone else seen them?''A few.''I'd like to have a word with them. Just to check. Get a general picture.''You can't,' Medok told him. 'They're locked up in the Correction Hospital.''Hmm. Any special reason for that?''Strict instructions from Control. And they never get out. That's where I'll be going as soon as they catch me.''Dear, dear,' said the Doctor thoughtfully.Medok looked at him sharply. 'And that's where they'll put you if they find you here!''I a.s.sure you...' The Doctor broke off.In the distance there carne the sound of voices. 'Doctor! Doctor!''What a nuisance,' the Doctor said. 'My young friends...''Get out!' pleaded Medok.'I promise nothing,' said the Doctor, 'but if I am able to help...' He hurried away as both Jamie and Ben continued to shout his name.Medok lay in the building rubble without moving. He had a feeling he might have a better chance without this extraordinary Doctor's help.They were beginning to get alarmed when the Doctor strolled up with Ben and Jamie.'Where have you been?' Polly was inclined to scold.'A little air,' said the Doctor casually. 'A stroll.''Everyone's searching for you.''I just had a look round.'They pa.s.sed the Refreshment Department and Ola called them in. 'It's dangerous to go off like that,' he chided. 'Especially at this time of day. Just as it's getting dark.''I'm used to the dark,' said the Doctor. 'I like it.''We are confined to our Rest Cubicles,' said Ola stiffly. 'That's an order from Control. If you go out in the Colony at night you may be killed.'As if on cue the voice over the sound system boomed throughout the Department. 'Curfew time. All personnel not on duty must retire to quarters.''There you are,' said Ola. 'You heard that?'The voice continued: 'Emergency Patrols Two and Three are to remain on duty. Work s.h.i.+fts are to continue until dawn. Visitors will retire for the night to the Refres.h.i.+ng Department.''Barney will see you to your cubicles,' said Ola. The Doctor thought it wisest to make no objections.If Ola and his colleagues had known the Doctor they would have posted a guard outside his room.Barney wished him goodnight. 'Your young friends are in rooms close at hand,' said Barney. 'I hope you sleep well.''I'm sure I will,' said the Doctor.He gave Barney a couple of minutes to leave and then slipped from his bed and listened at the door.He wondered if he'd triggered off some mechanism, for, as he silently opened the door, the voice boomed out: 'It is now dark. No one will go outside. A dangerous man is in hiding. The patrols have orders to shoot on sight. So go to sleep everyone... Go to sleep... Go fast asleep... Happy, happy, Sleeptime.'There was something hypnotic about the Voice. The Doctor gave his cheeks a little slap.'Wake up!' he scolded himself, and tip-toed out of the building.He had to duck back in sharply. Two patrolmen, carrying what looked like automatic rifles, were going slowly past, scanning the road on either side.The Doctor waited until they had gone, noting how edgy they were, how quick they were to bring their guns up to readiness at the slightest sound. If they were that that nervous, he wasn't going to take any chances. nervous, he wasn't going to take any chances.In a curious way, Medok half-expected the stranger to return. He lay in the sh.e.l.l of a house, hidden by the debris of the building site, listening to the sounds of the hunt that was going on for him.Ola was in charge. His orders carne through a loudhailer. 'Search Section West,' he called, 'and Patrol Three follow me. You are to use your weapons. Aim to kill!'Medok closed his eyes; there was really no hope.When he looked up again he was horrified to see Ola and the guards strung out in line, moving toward the building in which he lay.He kept motionless as long as he dared. If he made a run for it now... It was just possible... He might get over the Colony wall... In his heart he knew he was trapped, but it was better than lying here until one of the guards trod on him.He began to scramble up when one hand was clapped over his mouth, and another held him to the ground.The Doctor's voice was a whisper. 'Don't move...' For a few minutes they were absolutely motionless: to Medok it felt like a lifetime. Then the Doctor lessened his grip.Medok peered at him through the half-light. He was at a loss; he just couldn't understand what made this strange fellow tick.Ola's voice sounded close at hand.'They'll be here any second,' whispered Medok. 'We'll have to get out.' He was desperate, but for some reason he felt it best to follow the Doctor.'If they come,' whispered the Doctor, 'we'll back off. If they move in from behind, we'll go out through the front.'It meant a few moments more of holding onto what was left of his sanity, thought Medok. But he would try.'Over there,' called Ola. 'Search the buildings under construction.''That's us,' said Medok.'I have an idea,' whispered the Doctor. 'You go.' 'What about you?''I'll stay. I'll find some way to distract them.''You must be mad!' said Medok. 'They'll kill you.''Do as I say! I'll be close behind.'Medok wanted to thank this bizarre character, but couldn't say anything. He crawled low over the ground. Outside, Ola and one of the guards were searching through a pile of timber. Medok looked back to see the Doctor waving him to move on. He went forward on his elbows, keeping in shadow, heading for cover.He stopped: he could hardly breathe... There was something moving ahead, maybe forty, fifty yards away.'Doctor... Doctor!'The Doctor crawled after him.'Look!' said Medok. 'Over there!'The Doctor peered into the night.'In that patch of moonlight... I told you... I told you I'd seen them!'It was not easy to pick out anything as they crouched in the mud and rubble. But the Doctor saw enough. Partly shrouded in shadow, partly obscured by unfinished buildings, something huge was making slow progress towards them.Medok's face puckered with disgust.The Doctor was motionless. It was more horrible than he had visualised, more nauseating giving off a suffocating odour a very alien creature; moonlight glinting on its hard sh.e.l.l, a skin that glistened, prehistoric, giving the Doctor a feeling it was already dead... Yet moving slowly, with the speed of a gigantic slug, towards them.Then he saw what he had already seen on the TARDIS scanner the great claw of the creature, lurching forward.Medok was transformed, throwing caution to the wind. He leapt to his feet.'What did I tell you!' he said excitedly. 'That proves it! I'm not insane. It's there!''Medok!' The Doctor was shaken. 'You'll be heard.''It doesn't matter. They can't lock me up now! It's no illusion! These things are real!'Medok was on his feet, making no effort to keep under cover, pointing into the darkness.The Doctor caught his arm. 'Listen to me! The problem is...'Medok was in no mood to listen. He pulled free. 'There's proof,' he called. 'Proof for all the world to see.''Medok,' shouted Ola. 'We know you're in there.''Don't worry, Ola,' Medok called back. 'You can put the guns away, and put on your gla.s.ses! I'm coming out.''Who's with you?' shouted Ola.'The Doctor,' said Medok. 'So I've got a witness.''The Doctor?' Ola peered towards them, gun still at the ready. 'What is the stranger doing here?''Don't waste time,' called Medok. 'Come over here. Fast.''You're not giving orders,' said Ola sharply. 'Just stay where you are!''I want to show you something,' said Medok. 'Something that will open your eyes.''Stand still,' ordered Ola.'For the sake of the Colony, Ola. Come and look. Before they've gone. Before it's too late!''Don't move, Medok.''Ask him! Ask the Doctor. He'll tell you!''Yes,' called the Doctor. 'I think I can confirm.''You're going to have some explaining to do yourself,' said Ola sharply. 'And where do you think you're going?'The Doctor had begun to move away.'I just thought I'd have another look. To be absolutely positive.''Stay where you are.' Ola turned to his guards. 'Search him.'The Doctor was surrounded.'Oh dear,' said the Doctor.'Right, guards. Lead the way.' Ola marched along by their side.'As a matter of interest, where are we going?' asked the Doctor.'You will have to answer to the Pilot,' said Ola. 'You've been found in the company of a criminal. And you were out of your billet at night.''I'm sorry,' said Medok as he marched beside the Doctor. 'I thought Ola would listen to reason.''Reason is the last thing you must expect,' said the Doctor sadly, 'in this or any other world.'The Pilot's office was dominated by a large wall screen, as elsewhere in the Colony. It also housed an impressive array of instruments through which he exercised control of the Colony.He dictated as he strode up and down, while an attractive secretary operated a recording machine, picking up his voice and displaying the words.'All work s.h.i.+fts must undertake greater efforts. The increasing number of accidents must stop. The supply of gas is essential to all of us. The pressure and amounts must be constant and sustained. Life depends on this. Our life. All our activities...'He broke off as a light flashed on the desk and a bell rang.He spoke into the transmitter on his desk. 'The Pilot is not to be disturbed.'A voice replied. 'This is an emergency. Ola requests an audience.''I'm extremely busy...''Medok has been taken,' interrupted Ola, 'and with him one of the strangers.'The Pilot looked incredulous. 'Bring in the stranger,' he ordered.A moment later a light switched on over the door and the door panei slid open. Ola pushed the Doctor in. He showed no signs of concern or alarm, but wandered in, gazing at the equipment with admiration.'Good evening, Mr Pilot. What a splendid office you have! Absolutely remarkable.''He was with Medok on the building site,' explained Ola.'Wasn't there a guard on his quarters?''All guards were involved in the search,' protested Ola.The Pilot dismissed him. 'I will carry out this investigation myself,' he said.'A telescopic viewing machine.' The Doctor tapped the instrument beside him as Ola left. 'With this one could keep track of all the Colony. You could direct inter-communications... co-ordinate activity... manage the running of...''Do you realise the seriousness of the crime you've committed? asked the Pilot.'What crime?''Why were you found with Medok? You know how dangerous he is.''Ah... I'm not so sure about that.''You've been told,' said the Pilot sharply. 'He has refused to cooperate. He disobeys orders. You know he has hallucinations.''That's just the point,' said the Doctor. 'Has he?'The Pilot looked at the Doctor coldly. 'What exactly do you mean by that?''It's like this ' began the Doctor.The lights flashed again and the bell rang stridently.'I don't want any interruption,' barked the Pilot. 'Ola reporting,' came the voice.'What now?' asked the Pilot.'I've just had a statement from Medok. It changes everything.' Ola sounded agitated.'Bring him in,' said the Pilot.Medok came in ahead of Ola. 'h.e.l.lo, Doctor,' he said. 'How have they been treating you?''I'm perfectly all right.''What is this statement?' asked the Pilot.'Medok has just given us information,' said Ola. 'It's about the Doctor.''About me?' The Doctor was intrigued.'That's right,' said Medok. 'The Doctor wasn't helping me to escape. He was trying to persuade me to give myself up.'That took even the Doctor by surprise.'Why didn't you tell us this yourself, Doctor?' asked Lhe Pilot.'Ola didn't give him a chance,' went on Medok.'My dear fellow...' began the Doctor.'Pack it in, Doctor,' interrupted Medok. 'You did your best. Better this way.'The Doctor nodded slowly. Perhaps it would be better, but he would have liked to have been able to thank the man.'Take him away,' said the Pilot, and Ola went out with his prisoner.'What will happen to him?' asked the Doctor.'He goes back to the Hospital of Correction for another course of treatment. When he comes back he'll be a changed man. He'll fit in with everyone else, just like he used to.''I see. Conformity is the watchword here?''For your information, Doctor, this Colony was founded by our forebears centuries ago. They came from the planet Earth, as I believe do your three friends. They believed in the virtues of work, health and happiness. We have tried to keep these ideais alive. Sometimes it is necessary to protect our Colony from within. Then we use any means including force.'He pressed a b.u.t.ton on his desk and said, 'The Doctor is returning to his quarters.'As the Doctor left, the screen lit up and the Controller viewed the Pilot thoughtfully. 'The Doctor and his friends are to have all the help we can give. High-powered adaptation. At once. They are to be as happy and useful as others in the Colony. Transfer them to Deep Sleep and uncritical thinking patterns. We cannot have discord amongst us. Begin the process immediately.'The Pilot picked up his transmitter. 'Top priority. Emergency from Control. Special Rest Cubicles to be connected to Deep Sleep circuits.'The Controller continued, 'Programme One: Control must always be believed and obeyed. Programme Two: There is no such thing as Macra men. No such thing as Macra men. No such thing as Macra men...'

5

A Voice in the Night

Polly slept soundly. She had become very tired: perhaps the events of the day had caught up with her. And as she was overcome with sleep, she was not aware of a faint sound in her room a gentle hiss of escaping air... or gas.It was difficult to know where the Voice came from. It was gentle, insidious, soft and persistent imprinting its message on her pa.s.sive mind.Relax... and sleep, the Voice whispered. the Voice whispered. Relax... and sleep. A deep, deep sleep... Listen and believe... Everything in this Colony is good and beautiful. You must accept without question... all you are told. Obey orders from Control. It is for your own good. For the good of this fortunate Colony. The leaders know best... They always know best. Relax... and sleep. A deep, deep sleep... Listen and believe... Everything in this Colony is good and beautiful. You must accept without question... all you are told. Obey orders from Control. It is for your own good. For the good of this fortunate Colony. The leaders know best... They always know best.Polly breathed steadily and deeply. Her expression was one of peace and content, like a child, confident in the protection of some all-powerful parent.And in a cubicle close by, Ben lay with the same idyllic look on his face. It was a relief to feel all responsibilities lifted from one's shoulders. He even smiled as he slept. The Voice was even softer, seemingly very close: In the morning you will wake up and be given some work. It is good to play one's part in the community. Good to repay for what you receive. You will do this work unquestioningly. Glad to obey. In the morning you will wake up and be given some work. It is good to play one's part in the community. Good to repay for what you receive. You will do this work unquestioningly. Glad to obey.In the next bunk Jamie stirred uneasily. Was this a nightmare? This Voice sounding somewhere in his head? Alien to his conscience, whispering convincingly, You will question nothing... oppose nothing... You will question nothing... oppose nothing...It was more than he could stomach. Jamie sat upright, startled by something he couldn't understand.Ben was sleeping a few feet away. Had he heard nothing?'Ben... Ben!'Ben struggled out of oblivion. 'What is it?' he asked.'Did you hear something?''No.''There was a voice.''You're always imagining things!''I've never heard anything like it before.''I don't doubt it.' Ben pulled the sheet over his head.'Ben!''Good night, Jamie.''There was something evil about it... Although it was very soft... very gentle... And... I nearly believed what it said.''Oh, mate!' said Ben. 'Get some sleep. We've got a long day's work ahead of us.'Jamie looked at him sharply. 'Why do you say that?''Because we've got to do something to help the Colony. We can't just sit on our backsides and do nothing. It we eat their nosh we've got to help out.' It seemed obvious.'You sound just like the Voice,' said Jamie.'I don't know what you're on about. It wouldn't be too bad to work in a place like this.''Since when did you think it was so great to work?' asked jamie.'Since now.' Ben closed his eyes.Jamie lay staring into the dark.The Doctor carefully examined the items in Polly's room. She slept heavily as he checked lights, switches, furniture, puzzled that he could find nothing.All the time he was conscious of a faint humming. The Doctor could make nothing of it, but in Polly's ear it sounded clearly and distinctly: You will not resist the sleeping gas. Breathe deeply... In the morning you will wake and obey. You will not resist the sleeping gas. Breathe deeply... In the morning you will wake and obey.The Doctor had a further thought. He pressed his ear to the walls, moving slowly over each panel.Listen and relax, said the Voice in Polly's ear. said the Voice in Polly's ear. Control is looking after you. You will be given work. No matter how hard or dangerous, you will be happy to do it... at all cost... at all cost... even at the risk of your life. Control is looking after you. You will be given work. No matter how hard or dangerous, you will be happy to do it... at all cost... at all cost... even at the risk of your life.'Aha...' said the Doctor softly. He had located something at last on the wall and almost invisible. There was a pin amongst Polly's things by the bed. The Doctor took it carefully and pressed it into the wall. A tiny puff of smoke belched from the hole, and Polly awoke with a start.'Doctor! What are you doing?''Scotching a rumour,' said the Doctor with satisfaction.'What's happened?''I think you've been listening to some bad advice,' said the Doctor.'I've been asleep.' She was still puzzled.'I know you have. Sound asleep. Very Very sound asleep.' He sniffed the air. 'Do you smell something? A rather sweet perfume?' sound asleep.' He sniffed the air. 'Do you smell something? A rather sweet perfume?''No.''Well, never mind. I suggest you forget everything you've been dreaming.''Why do you say that?''There's a chance you might get a series of orders. You know, "Do this, do that". Now, it's my advice to you don't do anything! Never be blindly obedient. Always make up your own mind.'He had been sitting on the end of her bed as he talked. Now he jumped to his feet. 'What am I thinking about! Ben and Jamie!' He hurried frorn the room.When Ben awoke the Doctor was close by his bed, examining the wall with a piece of wire in his hand. Polly stood by, looking on.'h.e.l.lo, Doc,' he said. 'Is it morning?''Not yet,' said the Doctor, 'but it's on its way.' He pushed the wire into the fabric of the wall. Ben was suddenly wide awake.'What do you think you're doing?' he demanded.'By my calculations,' said the Doctor as he probbed the wall, 'there should be a thin strand of wire, rather like a nerve tapping the subconscious of the human brain...''Lay off, mate,' said Ben sharply. 'You could find yourself on a charge.'The Doctor had reached a critical stage in his examination. 'I should say... just about here...'With great delicacy he manipulated the wire in his fingers, his ear to the wall, as though he were detecting the combination of a secret lock.Ben scrambled from his bed. 'Pack it in. Don't muck about! You could do a lot of damage!''Better a little damage than a great loss of willpower,' said the Doctor.'What are you on about?' scolded Ben. 'That's typical of you. A trouble-maker! Get out of it! It's against the law!''What law?' asked the Doctor.'The law, of course. This This law. The law of the Colony.' Ben was very sure. law. The law of the Colony.' Ben was very sure.This time the puff of smoke was quite thick, and accompanied by a crackle of sparks.Ben was appalled. 'Now you've done it! You'll get chucked in jail for that.'Polly looked at him in amazement. It was so unlike the Ben she knew. 'What's the matter with you?' she asked.Ben swung round on her. 'He thinks he knows best all the time. Well, he doesn't. Not this time!'Jamie lifted a sleepy head from his pillow. 'What's the row?''h.e.l.lo, Jamie. How did you sleep?' asked the Doctor. 'Not too well... I told Ben. I kept hearing these voices.'The Doctor looked pleased. 'That's good. It shows you were aware of them. They haven't been able to get deeply into your mind.''I don't know what you mean.''Then let me show you.'The Doctor moved to the wall panei beside Jamie's bed.'Watch.' He put the thin strand of wire into the wall. The puff of smoke was immediate.'Very clever,' snapped Ben. 'You know what you've done?''Tell us, Ben.''You've ruined a lot of very valuable equipment. Someone's going to pay for this!'Polly tried to rea.s.sure him. 'Listen, Ben. The Doctor's told me what's happened. This is a way to implant ideas into people's minds... your mind, my mind... Things they want us to believe... They could make you believe black was white you would be absolutely sure... You'd accept any rubbish...'Ben stared at her. 'It's not not rubbish,' he told her. 'It's true. Control rubbish,' he told her. 'It's true. Control does does know best. They want us to cooperate. What's wrong with that? We should be helping, not disrupting and destroying things.' know best. They want us to cooperate. What's wrong with that? We should be helping, not disrupting and destroying things.'Polly had never heard him talk like that before. 'Ben! What's happened to you?''We must learn to obey,' said Ben loudly. 'And he's in trouble.' He pointed at the Doctor as he headed for the door.'Where are you going?' called Polly.'I'm turning him in,' said Ben. He had the door open before Jamie had jumped up and grabbed him.'Let go, you fool!' Ben struggied to pull free.'What's wrong with him?' Polly was close to tears.'I'm afraid I wasn't quite in time to help Ben,' said the Doctor.'Guard! Guard!' Ben yelled down the corridor.'Let him go, Jamie.''You know what he'll do, Doctor?' he said.'Nothing can be solved by force,' said the Doctor.Ben jerked free and raced down the corridor.'We'll have to get out of here,' said Polly.The Doctor shook his head. 'We can't go and leave Ben like this.''But he's betraying you,' pleaded Jamie.'Not Ben,' said the Doctor. 'It's not Ben who's betraying us. At this moment he can't do anything else. He isn't in control of his actions.'The door was thrown open and Ben burst in. He pointed to the Doctor, as Ola and his guards crowded behind him.'There he is,' accused Ben. 'He put the entire system out of action. It's burnt through!''This time,' said Ola, 'we have all the evidence we need, Doctor. And from one of your friends. And this time we will take no chances.'As they began to push the Doctor towards the door, Jamie ran forward.'Get your hands off him!''Right,' said Ola. 'You too, my friend. Out! Both of you!''All right, Jamie,' said the Doctor. 'I'll go with Captain Ola.''You should stick him in that hospital of yours,' urged Ben.Jamie turned on him. 'You traitor!'The guards g