Sentence of Death

(It has been almost a week since the Doctor and Princess separated from their companions and travelled to the city of Millenius. Now, the Doctor and Princess make their way through a corridor, as they do the Princess looks about nervously. The Doctor notices as they stop outside a door.)

DOCTOR: (To Princess) You know, you really must stop worrying, my dear.

PRINCESS: I'm sorry. It's just, for them to be so close–

DOCTOR: They were close. Now, we are on the other side of the planet. They might have tracked us to this time and planet, but they've done little more than that. Think about it, we've been here an entire week and they've failed to catch up to us. Now, what does that tell you?

PRINCESS: Yes, all right, but that doesn't mean they couldn't show up here at any moment.

DOCTOR: I see little sense in worrying about things outside of our control. If they arrive, then we shall deal with them as best we can. For now though, our friends are in need of our help, wouldn't you agree?

PRINCESS: Yes, you're quite right.

DOCTOR: Come, I think seeing Susan and everyone else again will put your mind at ease.

(The Doctor and Princess enter through the door. Inside the new room is a reception desk. A guard sits behind the desk. Another stands over a chair, which Ian sits in. Around him stand Barbara, Susan, Sabetha and Altos. They do not notice the Doctor and Princess' arrival, as the two stand by the door.)

IAN: We must find them, Barbara. We must. The laws in this country are a mockery.

DOCTOR: I quite agree with you, my boy.

(The group all look over to see the Doctor and Princess, the two are smiling.)

IAN: Doctor!

SUSAN: Grandfather! Princess!

(Susan runs over, hugging them both. The Doctor is modest about her approach, but the Princess hugs the child back with just as much enthusiasm.)

PRINCESS: Susan!

(The others come over, except Ian who remains seated.)

BARBARA: How did you get here?

ALTOS: We looked everywhere.

SUSAN: I'm just glad we're back together again.

PRINCESS: Oh, it's so good to see you all, we've missed you.

(The Princess smiles at them all before giving Susan another hug.)

DOCTOR: Yes, however, we have some important work to attend to. Excuse me.

(The Doctor makes his way over to Ian's side.)

DOCTOR: Chesterton, you and I must have a talk.

IAN: We haven't much time for a talk, Doctor. In a moment I've got to go in there and face an accusation of murder. I need a man to defend me.

DOCTOR: I am that man.

(A few moments later, in the courtroom, everyone is seated. The three judges enter and take their seats on the bench at the front. Ian is stood in the centre of the room. In front of him sit the judges. To his left the prosecution consisting of two men in uniform – one named Eyesen and another named Tarron, the same man who'd stood beside Ian in the reception room. And lastly on Ian's right, his defence. There sits the Doctor and next to him the Princess and Barbara while Susan, Sabetha and Altos stand behind them in support.)

JUDGE: Our decision on the report of Chief Enquirer Tarron is that the prisoner, Ian Chesterton, is guilty of murder and that his sentence is death. The said sentence to be administered three days after the end of this hearing, unless the representative for the accused can show positive proof why the execution should not be carried out. (To Doctor) Will you stand up?

(The Doctor rises.)

JUDGE: Representative for the defence, you have a grave duty. You have offered your services in this matter, which complies with the law of the city of Millenius, in that any person may speak on behalf of another. Are you acquainted with our laws?

DOCTOR: Eh, yes, I have studied some, my Lord.

JUDGE: Every latitude will be allowed to you, and if you are at fault, I will give you directions.

DOCTOR: Thank you.

(The Doctor sits back down.)

JUDGE: The representative of the court, Eyesen, has spoken his facts. You may now reply.

(The Doctor once again stands up.)

DOCTOR: My Lords, I cannot defend a man when I have not considered every aspect of the case. I must have time to examine witnesses, read statements and to prepare my case.

EYESEN: I object most strongly.

JUDGE: The demand is reasonable in itself. The crime of murder in Millenius, is in itself unusual. (The three judges talk amongst themselves for a moment. Then to Doctor) I grant you two days.

DOCTOR: Thank you, my Lord.

(The judges then rise, as does the rest of the room, the trial suspended for now. As the people move around, Eyesen makes his way over to the Doctor.)

EYESEN: (To Doctor) I congratulate you.

DOCTOR: Thank you.

(Eyesen and the Doctor shake hands.)

EYESEN: It will not alter the outcome.

DOCTOR: We shall see.

(Eyesen leaves and Ian rushes over to the Doctor.)

IAN: Well done, Doctor!

DOCTOR: I've been starting and studying their laws ever since I heard that Eprin had been murdered.

ALTOS: (Shocked & saddened) Eprin?

PRINCESS: Yes, I'm sorry, Altos.

IAN: (To Altos) He was your friend?

ALTOS: Yes.

PRINCESS: (To Altos) We met him a few days after arriving. He'd been working this whole time to infiltrate the guards, so that he could take the key.

DOCTOR: Yes, and when we found out we offered our help which he wisely accepted. However, something must have happened. That's why he tried to take the key earlier than we'd arranged.

SABETHA: And he was killed?

DOCTOR: Yes. He must have told his plans to someone else, and that someone else killed him and took the key.

IAN: Then all we have to do is find out who took the key and why.

ALTOS: In two days?

DOCTOR: Yes, and we shall need every minute of that. Now, we must all take a task on. Murder, I gather, is very rare here. (To Sabetha & Altos) Now, I want both of you to go to the library and find out all the case histories you can. Facts and figures.

ALTOS: And previous sentences.

SABETHA: And reasons for people being found not guilty.

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, quite. Now, off you go, both of you, and meet me back here in three hours.

ALTOS: Right.

(Altos and Sabetha leave.)

SUSAN: What can I do, Grandfather?

DOCTOR: Well, you, my child… You, Barbara and the Princess, can be my detectives. (To Ian) And you, my friend–

IAN: Yes? What can I do, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Trust me.

(Ian is disappointed that he can't help, but the Doctor smiles and give him a pat on the shoulder.)

DOCTOR: We'll be back soon, my boy.

BARBARA: Be strong, Ian.

IAN: I will.

(The Doctor, Princess, Susan and Barbara leave while Ian remains behind.)

(The Doctor, Princess, Susan and Barbara are stood in the vault – a room with a heavy metal door that is currently open. Around the room are glass cases with rare, precious and expensive artefacts. Tarron is also stood with them. The travellers are all currently listening to Tarron very carefully.)

TARRON: There was a mace beside the body, and there was blood on it. Chesterton was on the floor, unconscious. Either he slipped and bumped his head, or Eprin had got a blow in before he died.

BARBARA: And the key was gone, you say.

TARRON: Yes, and that's the only element of the case I don't understand. My men did a heat reflector search of this room. It is absolutely certain that the micro-key isn't in here. It is equally certain that it's not been taken from here.

DOCTOR: Oh, come now, Tarron. We're not dealing in magic, you know. It's obvious to me the key must have been taken from this room.

TARRON: No. Every person that came in here was checked by the autho-ray scanner as they went out. If anyone had the key on them, the scanner would have detected it.

(Susan steps forward.)

SUSAN: Supposing the murderer hid the key on the body?

TARRON: The body was searched. It wasn't there.

PRINCESS: Well, what about what happened after the alarm sounded?

DOCTOR: Yes, describe it in as much detail as you can, if you'd please.

(Tarron moves towards the vault door as he begins to explain.)

TARRON: Well, the relief guard was the first to reach the outside of the door. He was joined almost immediately by the Controller, and a Guardian who was on patrol outside. When I reached the door, it was opened and, well, you know what we found inside.

SUSAN: (Confused) That's fantastic, but it couldn't disappear into thin air.

DOCTOR: Precisely. And I rather gather, when we discover its location, we shall also discover the real identity of the murderer.

TARRON: But we know the murderer. It was Chesterton.

DOCTOR: Mr. Tarron, I wonder if you'd mind leaving us alone for a few moments. We'd like to discuss the aspects of this case.

TARRON: (Reluctantly) Very well.

DOCTOR: Thank you.

(Tarron leaves through the door but leaves it open behind him.)

DOCTOR: (Muttering) Yes, well, hmm…

BARBARA: (To Doctor) Any ideas? Well?

DOCTOR: What?

BARBARA: Have you any ideas how the key got out of here?

DOCTOR: Oh, well, elementary, elementary.

SUSAN: Grandfather, do you mean you know? How? Where?

DOCTOR: All in good time, my child. The important is I believe I know who did the killing.

BARBARA: But how? Tarron's been working on it all day. You've only been here a few minutes.

DOCTOR: You see, Tarron never doubted that Chesterton was guilty. A grave error. (Chuckling) Yes, a very grave error.

SUSAN: Yes, where as we know he's innocent.

DOCTOR: Precisely, but someone did it. And we also know there was a third man in the room. How he got in here we shall know in a moment. Now, let us assume he was hiding. Yes. Yes. (He moves behind the vault door) Behind this door. Now, Barbara, you imagine that you are Chesterton for a moment. Come here.

(The Doctor guides Barbara so that she is standing on the other side of the vault door as if about to enter.)

DOCTOR: (To Barbara) Now, please. You look into the room, you see a body on the floor. What do you do?

BARBARA: I'd see if I could help.

SUSAN: I'll be the body.

(Susan gets down on the floor.)

DOCTOR: Good.

PRINCESS: (To Doctor) And what should I do?

DOCTOR: Oh, just stand over there and observe, and try not to disrupt my train of thought for a change.

(The Princess raises her eyebrow as she stares at the Doctor, but he continues on.)

DOCTOR: (To Barbara) Right, now let me see you do it.

(Barbara enters as Ian would have, and bends down next to Susan – the dead body.)

DOCTOR: (To Barbara) There's a weapon beside the body. Do you examine it?

BARBARA: Yes. Yes, I think I would.

DOCTOR: Good. Then you look up in front of you and you see exactly what you came here for, the micro-key.

(Barbara gets up and goes to the glass case in front of her.)

DOCTOR: (Continuing) Unbeknown to you, the third man comes out of hiding, creeps up behind you and… (The Doctor has snuck up behind Barbara without her seeing. He then slaps her harmlessly on the back) You are struck down! Now, he could take what he came here for. He opens the case, lifts the key, the alarm bell sounds. Now, he only has a few seconds, so he conceals the key, runs to the door, opens it, gets out and then closes it. But he can't go any further because already the security guards and officials are on their way. So, he decides to pretend that he is first on the scene.

SUSAN: The relief guard!

DOCTOR: Yes.

BARBARA: Yes, of course. That's why the guard inside let him in in the first place. He knew him, he even expected him.

PRINCESS: So, Eprin didn't try to steal the key earlier, he merely got caught up in someone else's heist.

DOCTOR: Yes. The killer came in, killed Eprin, heard Chesterton in the hall, hid behind the door and the rest we know.

SUSAN: That must be how it happened. I'll go and tell Tarron.

(Before Susan can run out, the Princess grabs her and holds her back.)

PRINCESS: Not so fast, Susan.

SUSAN: (Confused) What for, Princess?

DOCTOR: My dear child, this is only a theory. We must have proof.

BARBARA: But surely, if you know where the key is, that's proof.

DOCTOR: If Tarron were to know that now, his case against Chesterton would be complete. I can't prove at this very moment that Chesterton didn't hide in its present location.

BARBARA: Oh… What do we do, then?

DOCTOR: I have a little errand for you all, and I think you will find it very, very interesting.

(The Doctor begins to laugh while the three women share confused looks.)

(The Princess, Barbara and Susan arrive at an apartment building. They head up a few flights of stairs before stopping outside a door where Barbara rings the bell. A buzz from inside before a woman answers the door. Her name is Kala.)

KALA: Oh. Please come in.

BARBARA: Thank you.

(Barbara, the Princess and Susan enter the apartment.)

KALA: I'm afraid my husband isn't here at the moment. Do sit down.

(The three travellers take a seat on the sofa, with Susan in the middle.)

BARBARA: (To Kala) We did want to talk to your husband. We thought there might be some facts he'd overlooked.

KALA: I'm sure he'd want to help, but he's already told you everything he knows.

PRINCESS: Well, perhaps if we heard his account ourselves it would help us. Maybe we might ask him questions no one thought to before.

KALA: The Guardians are very thorough, you know. Anyway, he'd want the murderer to be caught, Eprin was a good friend of his. He wouldn't conceal anything.

PRINCESS: Of course, we completely understand. We all just want justice for that poor young man.

BARBARA: (To Kala) Tell me, why would anyone want to steal the micro-key?

KALA: Because there are only five of them in the entire universe. It was brought to the city years ago by a man called Arbitan. It was the sworn duty of the Elders to protect it.

SUSAN: So, they'd pay highly to recover it.

KALA: Yes. But you know all this. Why else would your friend steal it?

SUSAN: But he–!

(The door opens and a man in uniform quickly enters. Kala's husband, Ayden.)

AYDEN: (To Kala) I had to go to the Guardian building again. They're asking questions about–

(He turns after closing the door and only then notices intruders in his house.)

AYDEN: (To Barbara) You're with that old man aren't you, the one who's defending Chesterton? What are you doing here?

(Barbara gets up.)

BARBARA: We wanted to talk to you.

AYDEN: I have nothing to say to you. Get out!

(Ayden storms past Barbara and over to join Kala.)

KALA: (Calmly) Ayden…

AYDEN: (To Kala) I don't want people prying into my affairs. Have they been asking questions about me?

(Susan gets up.)

SUSAN: (To Ayden) Not as many as my Grandfather will ask when he calls you as a witness.

AYDEN: Get out!

(Susan jumps back and the Princess stands up in front of her to protect her.)

AYDEN: You heard me, get out!

PRINCESS: Now, there's no need to shout.

(The Princess, Susan and Barbara back up a little.)

AYDEN: I told you to leave!

SUSAN: I thought you might like to know that we know where the key is hidden.

PRINCESS & BARBARA: Susan!

AYDEN: (Panicked) But you couldn't know where it is. I– (He stops himself) Yes. Yes, you know where it's hidden because Chesterton told you where he hid it. And now you're trying to throw suspicion on me. Well it won't work. Now get out before I–

BARBARA: Before you what?

SUSAN: Kill us like you killed Eprin?

(Ayden goes to strike Susan with his hand, but the Princess stand in between them and doesn't flinch. He hesitates to hit her as they lock eyes. Then Kala pulls Ayden back.)

KALA: (To Princess) You'd better go.

(They say nothing, but the travellers leave the apartment. However, once the door is closed, the Princess motions them back towards the door. The Princess puts her finger to her lips, before they all then lean in towards the door to listen.)

AYDEN: (Angrily to Kala) What were they doing here?

KALA: Asking a few questions, nothing more.

AYDEN: What did she mean about the key?

KALA: (Angry) I don't know what she meant, but you shouldn't have lost your temper like that. It was very foolish of you.

AYDEN: Don't you talk to me like that!

(The sound of someone getting slapped. The Princess, Barbara and Susan all look alarmed at one another. They then hear footsteps coming towards them. Barbara motions for them to leave and the Princess nods before they sneak back towards the stairs.)

(A few days later, back in the courtroom. Ian is once again stood in the centre of the room. The three judges at sat at their bench before him. To his right sits his defence, the Doctor, with Sabetha and Altos sat behind him. At the moment the prosecution, Eyesen stands before the judges with a mace. In the crowd behind Ian sits the Princess, Barbara and Susan.)

EYESEN: This mace, a weapon used in primitive times by vicious, savage, warmakers. The same savagery that wielded it then lives on, in men like the accused. Members of the tribunal, the evidence already offered is more than enough to ensure the conviction of this man. But add to it the fact, that under psychometric examination, this mace was found to have been held in the right hand of the prisoner. I need say no more. (He puts down the Mace before the Judges) That concludes the evidence for the prosecution.

(As Eyesen sits back down, the crowd talks among themselves momentarily.)

SUSAN: (To Princess) Do you think Grandfather's plan will work?

PRINCESS: I hope so, but he's taking an awful risk.

BARBARA: Yes, well, we don't have much other choice, do we?

PRINCESS: No, we don't.

(The crowd quietens for the Judge.)

JUDGE: We will now hear the statement from the representative of the accused and convicted.

(The Doctor stands up.)

DOCTOR: My Lords, let me begin by saying that the murderer is without any doubt in this chamber. The trouble is, he's not under arrest, but my young friend here is.

JUDGE: But, can you substantiate this?

DOCTOR: I can, my Lord. You will know his identity in a moment. I will now call my first witness. Thank you.

(Sabetha stands up and makes her way around to the witness stand before the judges. As she does, the Doctor holds up a picture of the micro-key.)

DOCTOR: This, my Lords, is a reproduction of the stolen micro-key. (To Sabetha) Do you recognise this, young lady?

SABETHA: Yes.

DOCTOR: And do you know where it is now?

SABETHA: Yes, I do.

DOCTOR: Then please tell the tribunal where its present location is.

SABETHA: It is here.

(Sabetha holds up a micro-key for all to see. There's a commotion from the crowd watching.)

DOCTOR: Where did you get it?

SABETHA: It was given to me by the man who killed the guard.

DOCTOR: Is he here?

SABETHA: Yes.

DOCTOR: Then please point him out to us.

SABETHA: (Pointing to Ayden) There, sitting in the front row.

(Ayden stands up.)

AYDEN: (Panicked) But she can't have found it, I–

(Realising he's caught, he tries to make a run for it. However, Barbara and Susan jump from their seats and grab Ayden before he can escape. The crowd quickly swarm around Ayden, entrapping him.)

AYDEN: All right, I'll tell you everything. I'm not in this alone. They made me do it! I'll tell you–!

(There's a flash of light. Ayden screams, before then going limp and collapsing to the floor. Everyone goes quiet as the Princess kneels down next to Ayden. The Princess then checks Ayden for a pulse…but looks up mournfully.)

PRINCESS: I'm sorry… He's dead.

(Kala, the wife who is standing nearby, shrieks. Then Kala cries as she drops down next to her dead husband, Ayden. As the Princess tries to console her, Kala pushes her away, before crying on her dead husband.)

(A little while later, after Ayden's body has been removed, the tribunal is about to resume. However, as everyone is getting settled in, the Princess looks around with a frown from her seat in the crowd.)

PRINCESS: (To Barbara) Where's Susan?

BARBARA: She said she went to get Ian's statement for the Doctor.

PRINCESS: And she's not back yet?

(The Princess continues to look around for Susan as the trial begins again.)

JUDGE: It is clear that Ayden was involved in either the theft or the killing. It is also clear that he had an accomplice. Bearing in mind that the accused came here with the express purpose of recovering the micro-key, and remembering the evidence against him, his guilt becomes even more obvious. Will the prosecutor please summarise.

(Eyesen stands up.)

EYESEN: Despite the dramatics and hysterics of recent events, very little has changed. I submit that the accused did, by threat or coercion, involve Ayden in the murder and robbery. His last dying words were, 'They made me do it.' 'They,' were the accused and his accomplices. They were standing near him when he was killed. One of them is responsible for his death.

(While Eyesen speaks, a man in a guardian's uniform approaches the Princess. It is the clerk from reception. He leans in so only the Princess can hear him.)

CLERK: (To Princess, quietly) There's a phone call at reception for you, they say it's urgent.

PRINCESS: For me?

CLERK: Yes. They said to look for the old woman with the red hair, and well…you do stand out.

PRINCESS: Yes, all right.

(As Eyesen continues, the Princess stands up and follows the clerk towards reception. Barbara, seeing her leaving, follows with Sabetha and Altos behind her.)

EYESEN: I submit that the defence has offered no new evidence, and the sentence of the tribunal should be carried out.

(The rest of the tribunal fades away as the travellers exit. In the reception, the clerk leads the Princess in, followed by Barbara, Sabetha and Altos. They approach the reception desk and the clerk hands the Princess the phone – only this phone is a rod with a microphone at one end and a receiver at the other.)

CLERK: (To Princess) Here you are.

(The Clerk then leaves, and the Princess holds the phone to her ear.)

PRINCESS: Yes, hello. Who's calling?

SUSAN: (Frightened) Princess?

PRINCESS: Susan? It's me, what's going on?

SUSAN: They made me call you…

PRINCESS: Who made you call me?

SUSAN: Princess, help–!

(A slap from down the phone. The Princess' eyes widen in fright. Barbara, Sabetha and Altos see this reaction and also look worried.)

PRINCESS: (Panicked) Susan? Susan, are you there? Susan?!

SUSAN: (Timidly) They're going to kill me.

PRINCESS: I won't let that–

(The line goes dead.)

PRINCESS: Susan? Susan?!

Next Episode – The Keys of Marinus