Jo and Beatrice were taken by the guards to the President's office while the Draconian's took away the Doctor. They were greeted by the sight of the President and the General who appeared to have just finished an argument. The President looked incredibly stressed. Although much of the sympathy Beatrice would have felt for her was mitigated by the fact that she hadn't believed them.
"Come forward, my dears," she said kindly. Jo and Beatrice approached, Jo slightly nervously while Beatrice maintained an air of defiance.
"You realise that the escape of your colleague has left you in a very serious position?" asked the President.
"But he didn't escape - he was kidnapped!" exclaimed Jo.
"He was rescued - by your Draconian paymasters," replied the General coldly.
"As if," scoffed Beatrice.
"The wisest course you can take now is to make a full confession. Remember your colleague has left you to your fate." recommended the President.
"Oh, but you've got it all wrong! You see, the Doctor was pleased when you sent for him because he wanted to talk to you. And..." Jo was cut off by the General.
"We have eye witness reports on what occurred."
"We need to know how you came to work for the Draconians." said the President not unkindly.
"When were you recruited? How many agents do they have on Earth? What are their plans?" Demanded the General. Beatrice could see Jo beginning to get overwhelmed.
"If you tell us everything, I'll promise I'll see to it personally that you will be treated leniently." suggested the President as if a game of good cop/bad cop was going on.
"Well that's just not going to happen is it?" said Beatrice stepping closer.
"I beg your pardon?" said the President.
"You won't get a confession out of us. We have only told you the truth since we set foot on earth. But you won't believe us. The only thing we can tell you that you will believe is a false confession. And I can assure you neither of us intends on giving one. You are so convinced of one idea that you refuse to accept even the possibility that we might be telling the truth. "
"How dare..." began the General, but Beatrice talked over him. She was fed up with being accused of things she hadn't done. Her voice rose.
"I must say for a President and General who as supposedly trying to maintain peace your close-minded attitudes are going a long way to prevent it! We have told you all we know. We don't work for Draconians. We don't want anything to do with a potential war. And we did not help to attack the cargo ship. So if all you are going to do is tell us to confess and that we're lying you might as well leave us in our cell and quit wasting time!
"We're wasting time. I suggest you let me apply depth interrogation techniques without delay." said the General.
"Look, you can use your mind probe or whatever - we're telling you the truth," said Jo.
"Not that it counts for much. You wouldn't believe we were telling the truth if the proof was right in front of you," said Beatrice tersely as she crossed her arms.
"Take them away. We'll let you think on our admittedly generous offer." said the President. Beatrice sighed in exasperation but said nothing else. They were led back to their cell and the two of them sat down on one of the benches attached to the wall.
"Well, the Doctor was right. Those are some of the if not the most, close-minded and stubborn people I've ever met."
"No kidding, and now we don't even have the Doctor. What do you think happened to him?" asked Jo.
"I haven't the foggiest. Hopefully, he'll turn up soon. It'll take more than a couple of overgrown lizards to get rid of him." Beatrice smiled reassuringly. The door to their cell opened and the Doctor stepped inside.
"Hello," he said with a small wave.
"Impeccable timing as ever," said Beatrice with a wry smile.
"Where have you been?" asked Jo.
"I've been paying a brief but unwilling visit to the Draconian embassy. And I'm afraid I had to leave in rather a hurry and found myself back here."
"I don't suppose they are any keener on believing us than the representatives of Earth are?" asked Beatrice without much hope.
"I've afraid not. They think we're working for General Williams and trying to provoke a war." This last part didn't surprise Beatrice. She had been suspicious of the General for a while and wouldn't have been surprised if he were involved in trying to provoke war. Not that it eliminated the possibility of a third party.
"Oh no!" said Jo slumping on the bench. The Doctor sat down.
"Yes, Earth is blaming Draconia and Draconia is blaming Earth."
"And both sides are blaming us," added Jo. Suddenly, both Beatrice and Jo stiffened. The faint whirring sound from the cargo ship was back.
"What's the matter?" asked the Doctor.
"Well, that sound...the one I heard on the cargo ship. I think I can hear it again," said Jo.
"As can I," said Beatrice. Suddenly shots were heard outside the door and two Ogrons came bursting through. All three of them stood and Jo screamed in shock. Beatrice's eyes widened as the ape-like creatures came through the door.
"You, come with us," ordered the Ogron in broken English. Given that it had a gun the three of them had no choice but to comply. They were led out of the building but just as they exited a shot rang out and one of the Ogrons fell down. The Doctor grabbed Jo and Beatrice and they ran to take cover behind a wall.
"That was close," said Jo. The was a noise behind them and they turned to find an Earth guard pointing his gun at them.
/
This time after being taken back to a cell the Doctor was sent away and Beatrice and Jo were instructed to change into black prison uniforms that looked like a cross between a dressing gown and a martial arts outfit.
The fabric was at least relatively soft and they were permitted to keep their shoes. In Beatrice's case her usual heeled victorian lace-up boots and in Jo's case ridiculously high heeled black gogo boots.
"You know maybe we should have been more helpful to the Ogrons," said Beatrice dryly.
"Why?" asked Jo.
"At least they might have taken us to the TARDIS."
"I see. So now our only hope is to wait for those jolly old Ogrons to turn up again," said Jo with mock cheerfulness. Beatrice smiled slightly.
"Yes, barring another kidnapping attempt I don't see any way out at this point."
"I suppose not," said Jo. They both fell silent. Beatrice was at least glad if the Doctor couldn't be with them that the guards hadn't separated her and Jo. She hated to think what might happen if all three of them were separated. Then there would be no chance of getting home. Her musings were interrupted by a familiar voice speaking in her mind.
"Beatrice?"
"Master?" she replied in disbelief.
"Who else?" Beatrice had to stop herself from smiling at the teasing tone of the Master's voice.
"Are you here at the Earth embassy? You'd have to be for us to be in telepathic communication, wouldn't you?"
"Correct my dear, I'm about to discuss the release of yourself and Miss Grant with the President."
"Good luck. They're a bunch of stubborn fools who wouldn't believe the truth if it bit them on the arse. Particularly that General Williams." Beatrice heard the Master chuckle.
"Well, I won't be telling them the truth, will I? So that shouldn't be a problem."
"I suppose not. Good luck then." She didn't receive a reply but was comforted slightly by the knowledge that she and Jo would soon be free of this place. At least the Master she could handle.
"You know Jo. Maybe that kidnapping idea isn't so far-fetched after all," she said with a small smile.
/
The Master hadn't expected to have the Ogrons return with the Doctor's TARDIS and was even more surprised when they reported that Beatrice was with the Doctor. Of course, he had immediately created false criminal histories for Beatrice, Miss Grant, and the Doctor. As well as forge credentials so it appeared he was a commissioner of the colony Sirius Four.
Not exactly difficult work. The real trick was going to be convincing the President to release the three travelers into his custody.
The Master had had to resist laughing at the annoyed tone in which Beatrice described General Williams and the President. He had a feeling the two had been given a taste of his dear Beatrice's rather sharp tongue. Having been on the receiving end of it a few times he didn't envy the individual who angered her. Never irritate a Scottish redheaded female.
This ran through his head as he entered the President's office and bowed.
"Madame President, an honour," he said politely.
"Please sit down commissioner," said the President, and the Master took a seat in front of her desk.
"Now I'm here to discuss the release of three of your prisoners."
"They are spies of the Draconian empire. We must keep them in custody until they confess to their crimes," said General Williams.
"Yes, although from what I hear that hasn't been working very well," said the Master slyly. The General looked affronted and the Master smirked. So Beatrice had given them a piece of her mind.
"You must see this is a difficult position for us," said the President.
"Truly, Madam President, I sympathize with your position. But my government has sought these criminals throughout the galaxy." lied the Master easily.
"There are now prisoners of the government of Earth. That's good enough," said General Williams coldly.
"With the greatest respect, General Williams, I must disagree. They are citizens of Sirius 4," said the Master politely.
"Part of Earth's empire," said the General.
"Yes, but it has been granted dominion status," corrected the Master. Technicalities were always extremely useful.
"He has a point, General Williams. Once a colony has been raised to dominion status it enjoys certain autonomous rights - including the right to try and punish its own citizens," said the President who seemed slightly more reasonable than the General.
"Exactly. But I feel assured that once these two have come to trial, my government will be only too happy to send them back to you for further interrogation. But meanwhile, my orders are clear - I must take them back with me to Sirius 4," the Master insisted calmly.
"I will not hand over vital prisoners to some...tin-pot colony!" said General William's furiously. The Master already knew he had won. There was nothing the General could do to prevent him from collecting The Doctor and his assistants.
"As the commissioner has pointed out, General Williams, Sirius 4 is no longer a colony. It is a dominion," the President interrupted sternly. She turned back to the Master. "Your request is granted." The Master stood and bowed.
"Madam President. I am most grateful."
"Heaven help you if you let them escape!" said General Williams. The Master did his best to limit the smugness in his tone as he said,
"You may rest assured, General Williams, they will be perfectly safe with me. I'll go see them now then."
"Take the commissioner to the prisoners." said the President.
/
The Master was taken to a dreary cell where Beatrice and Miss Grant were being held. The door opened soundlessly and he stepped inside, waiting until the door had slid shut again to speak. Miss Grant was sitting cross-legged on the bench attached to the wall, facing Beatrice who had her legs stretched out with her ankles crossed and her back against the right wall.
Miss Grant appeared to be deep in thought while Beatrice looked slightly bored with the situation her hand toying with the Gallifreyan pendant around her neck. The Master was pleased to see her wearing it. Beatrice looked over as the door shut as did Miss Grant.
"You!" said Miss Grant.
"Well, speak of the literal devil," Beatrice told him. He could tell she was doing her best to keep her reaction mostly neutral around Miss Grant although her lips twitched upward in a small smile.
"Thank goodness, it's you," he heard her add telepathically.
"Words never spoken before in regards to me. Normally it's the opposite reaction," he replied.
"What are you doing here?" asked Miss Grant as the Master drew closer.
"To coin a phrase - I've come to take you away from all this," he said.
"Our hero," replied Beatrice dryly. He gave her a small smirk. Miss Grant, on the other hand, looked confused.
"What are you talking about?" The Master raised an eyebrow.
"Well, surely you don't want to spend the rest of your life in here, do you?"
"Well, we're not going anywhere with you - that's for sure," the small blond said defensively.
"Oh, but you are, you know. Believe it or not, I am a fully accredited commissioner from the planet Sirius 4..."
"Yes, your also a Colonel, a Professor, and a vicar." cut in Beatrice with a smirk of her own. The Master continued.
"Indeed I am, and you Miss Grant, and the Doctor are two dangerous criminals being handed over into my custody.
"So it was you! You ordered those Ogrons to attack the ships and pretend they were Draconians!" said Jo.
"I knew you had something to do with this," Beatrice told him as she swung her legs off the bench.
"Of course! Those lumbering idiots could never have thought up such a brilliant scheme by themselves."
"Brilliant's one word for it," he heard Beatrice say in his mind.
"Why did you want to start a war?" asked Jo.
"Because he wants to cause trouble and war certainly fits the bill when it comes to causing mass chaos," Beatrice told Miss Grant.
"You flatter me Beatrice."
"No, I just know you too well."
"That you do my dear."
"Now, come on, Miss Grant, be reasonable. You want to see the Doctor again, don't you?" the Master reasoned.
"Where is he?" asked Beatrice as she stood.
"He's in another prison, on the moon. We're going to collect him." explained the Master
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" asked Miss Grant
"You don't. And the only way you'll find out is by coming with me."
"What do you think Beatrice?" asked Miss Grant.
"I don't think we have any other option but to go with him. Besides, the Devil you know is better than the one you don't," said Beatrice.
"I suppose." Miss Grant said as she stood. "One last question. Why are you taking us with you?" The Master smiled slightly sinisterly.
"Oh, need you ask? How could I leave two dear friends in such dire straights?" at this Miss Grant scoffed.
"Oh, you don't seriously think that I'm going to believe that you want to help us...?!" The Master interrupted her. Tired of attempting to politely convince her to come with him.
"Believe what you think, Miss Grant, I have my reasons! Now, are you coming, or do you really wish to vegetate in this hole for the rest of your natural?" Miss Grant nodded.
"Very well. I guess Beatrice is right. I'll come."
"Excellent!" said the Master pressing the call button causing the door to slide open, revealing the guard.
"The prisoners and I are ready to leave now, guard." He gestured for Miss Grant to leave first.
"Anywhere is better than here," she told him before stepping outside. Beatrice fell into step next to him.
"I assume I'm one of those reasons you mentioned?" she asked him telepathically, a small smile on her face.
"But of course," he replied. Her hand briefly brushed his as they walked and he shot her a brief, small smile of his own. He was glad to have her back by his side.
Author's Note: Well, there's part 3 for you. Thank goodness for the Master. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. I should be making updates sooner now that I have more free time. I do like to wait a few days for feedback from my readers so if you can please like and COMMENT I would really appreciate it. It goes a long way towards making this book the best it can possibly be. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks for reading. Until next time Whovians!