Assassin at Peking

(Having arrived at the Kublai Khan's palace in Peking some days later, the Doctor and Kublai Khan now sit at a table in the throne room playing backgammon. Next to the Doctor, the Princess sits, watching the game. The Doctor, after a moment of thought, makes a move and smiles.)

DOCTOR: (To Kublai Khan) My game.

KUBLAI KHAN: You're too good for us at backgammon.

(The Doctor chuckles and Kublai Khan joins in.)

KUBLAI KHAN: Tea?

DOCTOR: Please.

KUBLAI KHAN: You, Princess?

PRINCESS: That'd be lovely, thank you.

(The Kublai Khan rings a bell. Kublai Khan then sees the Doctor looking over a piece of paper in his hand.)

KUBLAI KHAN: (To Doctor) Oh, is that is our reckoning?

DOCTOR: Ah, yes, it is, sire, yes.

KUBLAI KHAN: What do we owe?

(The Doctor reads from the piece of paper.)

DOCTOR: Er…thirty-five elephants with ceremonial bridles, trappings, brocades and pavilions. Four thousand white stallions, and twenty-five tigers.

KUBLAI KHAN: That's not too bad, so far.

(The Doctor and Kublai Khan chuckle.)

DOCTOR: And the sacred tooth of Buddha, which Polo brought over from India.

KUBLAI KHAN: Oh, that? What else? What more?

DOCTOR: Well, I'm very much afraid all the commerce from Burma, for one year, sire.

KUBLAI KHAN: (To Princess) Perhaps I would have better luck if I played against you.

PRINCESS: Most certainly you would, my lord. I confess, I'm not familiar with this game.

KUBLAI KHAN: (Grinning) Perhaps you should join me at my side, so I might teach you.

(The Doctor hides a chuckle.)

PRINCESS: That's…a most gracious offer, my lord. But I'm quite comfortable watching from here.

(Suddenly trumpets sound.)

KUBLAI KHAN: Oh, the Empress. (To Doctor) Hide it, hide it!

(The Doctor puts away the list of his winnings. As the Empress then enters, surrounded by her escort, the Doctor and Princess rise from their seats. The Doctor and Princess then bow to the Empress, as she approaches their table.)

EMPRESS: (To Kublai Khan) Winning, my love?

KUBLAI KHAN: One wins, one loses, my dear.

DOCTOR: The great Khan is far too modest, my lady.

EMPRESS: (Critically) You're not wagering, are you? You know how it affects your gout.

(Kublai Khan looks away guiltily.)

PRINCESS: Do you wish to join us, Empress?

(The Empress glares at the Princess. The Empress leaves with her escort. The Doctor and Princess sit back down.)

PRINCESS: (To Kublai Khan) Was it something I said?

KUBLAI KHAN: (Chuckling) No, no. She just gets upset when I eye something more beautiful than her, such as yourself.

(The Doctor laughs out loud, while the Princess' eyes widen and her cheeks redden.)

DOCTOR: (Laughing) How charming.

KUBLAI KHAN: (Chuckling) Charming indeed, and yet there are moments, old friend, when we wish our character were more like that of our lamented grandfather, Genghis.

PRINCESS: If it were, Khan, you'd be in for a slap.

KUBLAI KHAN: You would slap the great Genghis Khan?

PRINCESS: If he was as forward as you're suggesting, I'd have no choice.

(Kublai Khan laughs.)

KUBLAI KHAN: If I didn't have my eye on you, I imagine my empress would like you. You're both very fierce indeed. Oh, she will be furious with me when she finds out what I have lost.

DOCTOR: Oh, then you've lost nothing, sire.

KUBLAI KHAN: No, no, no. These are bets of honour.

DOCTOR: Well, one more game then, and if you win, you can take it all back again.

KUBLAI KHAN: And if you win?

DOCTOR: Well, er… Marco Polo has taken away my caravan and given it to you, sire. If I win, perhaps I could have my caravan back again?

KUBLAI KHAN: No, not that. No, take something else. The Island of Sumatra. We can't give you Marco's gift. We haven't even seen it yet.

DOCTOR: But none of this is important to me, sire. You see, win or lose, you can have it all back again. But if I win, my ship, Tardis, comes back to me, hmm?

KUBLAI KHAN: (Cautiously) Let's play at that stake.

DOCTOR: Yes. Yes…

(They begin resetting the backgammon board when there's a knock at the door.)

KUBLAI KHAN: (To the door) Oh, go away!

MARCO POLO: (From beyond the door) It's Marco Polo, my Lord!

KUBLAI KHAN: Oh, Marco Polo. (To Doctor) Well, would you object to one interruption?

DOCTOR: No, no, no.

KUBLAI KHAN: Enter!

(Marco Polo enters and starts to bow before Kublai Khan.)

KUBLAI KHAN: We are too busy for that, Marco. Be brief, please. Be brief.

MARCO POLO: (Standing up) As my lord commands. The War Lord Tegana has arrived in Peking. When he reaches the palace, shall I bring him directly to you?

KUBLAI KHAN: No. No, we'll grant him an audience as soon as possible. Oh, we want to tell you something, Marco. We owe half of Asia to our friend at backgammon.

MARCO POLO: It is unusual for you to lose, my Lord.

KUBLAI KHAN: Oh, he is a fortunate one. But our friend here made a truly royal gesture which we have accepted, although it might upset you.

MARCO POLO: Why should it do that?

KUBLAI KHAN: That's our last game. Our losses against your gift to me.

MARCO POLO: The caravan?

DOCTOR: Yes, Marco. We're playing for the Tardis.

MARCO POLO: (To Kublai Khan) But my Lord…

KUBLAI KHAN: Well?

MARCO POLO: Nothing, my Lord. I will leave you to your game.

(Marco Polo exits, disappointed. The Doctor chuckles as he rolls the dice about in a cup excitedly.)

DOCTOR: (To Kublai Khan) My throw?

KUBLAI KHAN: Yes, your throw.

PRINCESS: (Whispering to Doctor) I hope you know what you're doing.

(The Doctor smiles, then throws the dice.)

(One game of backgammon later, the Doctor and Princess are walking through the corridors of the palace. The Princess looks angry.)

PRINCESS: (To Doctor) I can't believe you.

DOCTOR: Oh, do calm down, my dear.

PRINCESS: The Khan said himself, you were taking far too many risks that game.

DOCTOR: You have heard of the concept, 'Risk and Reward,' haven't you?

PRINCESS: Yes. I've also heard of not counting your chickens before they hatch!

DOCTOR: What does that have to do with anything?!

PRINCESS: That was our best chance of getting back the ship and you–

DOCTOR: Lost. Yes, I know, you don't need to keep going on about it.

PRINCESS: Well, I don't suppose you have any other ideas on how to get the ship back?

DOCTOR: I do as a matter of fact. You see, my dear highness, if perhaps you'd stop prattling on, you might have realised something. Our dear Khan, is a gambler. He initiated the game of backgammon. He raised the stakes over and over. He can't help himself. He clearly enjoys our company. So inevitably he'll invite us for another game. The same thing will happen again, and soon enough, he'll wager the ship and we'll win it back.

(While the Doctor smiles, the Princess continues to glare at him.)

PRINCESS: But you could have won it today–

DOCTOR: My dear, why is it every discussion with you has to be an argument? Hmm? Dear, dear.

(The Doctor shakes his head as he walks off ahead. The Princess stares after him in disbelief and annoyance. After a moment, the Princess then follows the Doctor outside and onto one of the palace's balconies. Marco Polo, Barbara and Susan are already there, along with Ling-Tau, the rider they'd met previously. Upon seeing the Doctor and Princess, Susan and everyone else look over to them.)

SUSAN: Grandfather! Grandfather, you've not lost?

(The Doctor and Princess approach them. The Princess still unhappy.)

DOCTOR: He gave me this, a consolation prize. A piece of his paper currency.

(The Doctor holds up a single note of the local currency and begins to chuckle.)

SUSAN: Oh, Grandfather!

(The Princess holds the upset Susan, comforting her.)

PRINCESS: It's all right, Susan. We'll figure something out.

(The Doctor continues to chuckle. And while Susan can't see her face, the Princess glares over at the Doctor.)

(Later that day, the Princess is walking through the corridors of the palace, when she comes across Marco Polo. Marco Polo has his back to the wall and his eyes closed, with a sad look on his face. The Princess approaches him.)

PRINCESS: Marco?

(Marco Polo opens his eyes and stands up.)

MARCO POLO: Princess, I didn't–

PRINCESS: Is everything all right? You seem sad.

(Marco Polo forces a sad laugh.)

MARCO POLO: I'm sure you're quite glad of that.

PRINCESS: Marco, I know we've had a…strained relationship, since you declared your intentions for the Tardis. But that doesn't mean I want you to suffer. Like you, we all simply want to go… (Realisation) The Khan isn't going to let you go home, is he?

MARCO POLO: No, I'm afraid not.

(The Princess gently touches Marco Polo's arm.)

PRINCESS: I'm sorry, Marco. Really, I am.

MARCO POLO: It is to be expected. I took your caravan for selfish reasons. I shouldn't be surprised that I am now being punished for doing so.

PRINCESS: Karma?

MARCO POLO: Yes, I suppose so.

PRINCESS: And now you know how we felt when you stopped us from leaving.

(Marco Polo is quiet for a moment.)

MARCO POLO: Yes. It's a horrible feeling.

PRINCESS: That it is.

MARCO POLO: If I could undo what I have done to you and your friends, I would.

PRINCESS: (Smiles) I believe you.

MARCO POLO: I am sorry about Ian. If there was anything I could do–

PRINCESS: I know.

MARCO POLO: But it's Tegana whose accused him.

PRINCESS: Susan and Barbara told me. They also mentioned Ping-Cho's safe. I'm glad. (Pause) Do you still trust Tegana?

MARCO POLO: (Hesitant) Not as I once did, no.

PRINCESS: Then be careful, Marco.

(The Princess continues down the corridor…)

MARCO POLO: Princess?

(The Princess looks back.)

MARCO POLO: Thank you.

PRINCESS: I'm always happy to listen and talk, Marco.

MARCO POLO: What will you all do, should things continue as they seem?

PRINCESS: Oh, I suspect we'll be found soon enough.

MARCO POLO: 'Found'? Is someone looking for you?

(The Princess walks back over to Marco Polo.)

PRINCESS: You remember my, 'war torn land?'

(Marco Polo nods.)

PRINCESS: Well, I have family there. And they want me back. To be honest though, I'm surprised they haven't appeared already, since we've been in one place for so long.

MARCO POLO: What are you talking about, Princess? We've been on the move for weeks.

PRINCESS: Yes, but… (She shakes her head) It doesn't matter. My only hope now is that they arrive in time to save Ian. And if they do, then this might be the last chance we get to talk. And despite it all, Marco, it was nice meeting you. I can tell you're not a bad person underneath it all. You just want to go home.

MARCO POLO: I too wish we could have met under different circumstances.

PRINCESS: Have hope, Marco. I believe you'll get home one day.

MARCO POLO: Do you want to go home, Princess?

PRINCESS: (A sad smile) We don't always get what we want. Goodbye, Marco.

(The Princess walks away.)

MARCO POLO: Goodbye, Princess.

(Later, the Doctor, Princess, Susan, Ian and Barbara are sat in one of the palace's rooms where Ian is being held prisoner.)

SUSAN: (Defeated) The Khan won't even see us.

DOCTOR: What's the point. We've tried everything.

PRINCESS: We can't give up, Doctor. Surely the Khan will wear in time.

IAN: Unfortunately, Princess, we haven't got much of that left. I'm to be executed, and the Khan now has the Tardis.

BARBARA: There's something equally important that you're forgetting, Ian.

IAN: Hmm?

BARBARA: Tegana. I just wonder what he's after.

IAN: Well, we can be quite clear about that. Tegana said, I serve Noghai and he will conquer the world with the help of the Tardis.

DOCTOR: I always knew Tegana was a two-faced villain.

PRINCESS: Yes, but you might not have given the issue your full attention.

DOCTOR: Oh, my dear, this is hardly the time for, 'I told you so's!

SUSAN: (With attitude) Either way it doesn't help Ian, does it? He's got to take the blame.

(The Princess gives Susan a parental look for her attitude.)

SUSAN: (Quietly) Sorry.

BARBARA: I wish I could remember what it was the Khan said that upset Marco so much.

IAN: What's it matter now?

BARBARA: Well, it was something about Noghai and Tegana.

PRINCESS: When was that?

BARBARA: When we first met the Khan, at the summer palace.

PRINCESS: Oh.

(Both the Princess and Barbara try to remember.)

SUSAN: I'm sure Tegana was behind that bandit raid too. But why?

DOCTOR: It wasn't just my ship then. Whatever double-game Tegana is playing, he must have decided upon a long time before we appeared on the scene.

BARBARA: I remember!

DOCTOR: Hmm?

BARBARA: The Khan was furious because Noghai had moved his armies from Samarkand to Karakorum.

PRINCESS: Yes, that's right!

DOCTOR: And that's why he delayed Marco Polo's caravan. To give Noghai more time to move his armies nearer Peking.

IAN: Yes, that makes sense. Even so, why should Kublai Khan fear Noghai? He has an enormous army, and he's already defeated him once, surely.

DOCTOR: Yes, but what you have to take into account where battles are concerned, dear boy, are its leaders. Kill the leader and where are you? What happens? The whole army dissipates itself into chaos, and utter confusion. It's happened throughout your history time and time again!

SUSAN: Grandfather, do you mean to say Tegana's going to assassinate the Khan?!

DOCTOR: Exactly, and what could be a better answer than to disorganise everything here. It gives Noghai the perfect answer to overrun the country.

BARBARA: But then, we must get to the Khan before Tegana kills him, otherwise…

IAN: I've had it.

DOCTOR: Yes, we've all had it.

PRINCESS: And history changes.

(The Princess looks to the Doctor and they share worried looks.)

SUSAN: Look, how are we going to get Ian past the guard?

(They think for a moment. Then the Doctor has an idea. He indicates for Ian to stand behind the door. The Doctor then mimes how Ian will jump the guard as he enters and then knock him out with his cane. Ian nods in acknowledgement, as the Doctor hands him his cane. Ian then takes his position behind the door.)

DOCTOR: Guard! Open the door.

(The guard enters, and Ian whacks him from behind with the cane. The guard hits the floor unconscious and the travellers all run outside into the corridor, with Ian handing the Doctor back his cane.)

SUSAN: Which way?

IAN: Let's try down here.

(They run to the end of the corridor. They go around the corner and run into Marco Polo coming the other way with a guard.)

IAN: Marco!

MAROC POLO: Ian, what are you doing, you fool?!

IAN: Marco, you must stop Tegana! He's going to kill the Khan!

MARCO POLO: (To the guard) Seize him!

IAN: Marco, listen to me, Tegana–

MARCO POLO: (To the guard) Take him back to his cell and keep him under close surveillance.

SUSAN: But Messer Marco, you must–

PRINCESS: Marco, this is life or death–

(Ling-Tau arrives in a hurry.)

LING-TAU: (To Marco Polo) My lord!

MARCO POLO: What is it?

LING-TAU: A messenger has just arrived. Noghai's army is marching on Peking.

DOCTOR: You see!

IAN: Marco, it's Tegana!

SUSAN: He's going to kill the Khan!

PRINCESS: Where is he?!

MARCO POLO: Tegana? He's in the throne room with the Khan now.

DOCTOR: Well, then, look, somebody must protect him.

MARCO POLO: All of you, stay here.

(Marco Polo runs off to towards the throne room with the guard and Ling-Tau behind him.)

IAN: We can't just let him face Tegana alone.

PRINCESS: I quite agree.

DOCTOR: Well, let's get after him!

(The time travellers begin to follow, but at a slower pace because of the older members of the group.)

(By the time the time travellers arrive at the throne room, it's all over. Tegana has been defeated, now held captive by two guards while a dozen others, Marco Polo and Kublai Khan surround him. To the side of the room is the time travellers' ship.)

KUBLAI KHAN: We warned you, Tegana, those who rise against us will be humbled. You must die.

(Tegana manages to shove away one of the guards holding him, but the other holds on tightly. Tegana, however, is able to reach out and grab the spear of another guard. Tegana pulls the head of the weapon towards him and throws himself on the weapon. Susan and Barbara scream. Susan hides herself against the equally shocked Princess, while Barbara does the same with Ian.)

MARCO POLO: Take him away.

(As the guards move back, allowing those needed to move Tegana's body pass, Marco Polo moves towards the time travellers.)

MARCO POLO: Doctor, take the keys quickly.

(Marco Polo gives the Doctor the keys to the ship.)

DOCTOR: Thank you.

MARCO POLO: Now go.

DOCTOR: Thank you!

MARCO POLO: Go!

DOCTOR: (To the others) Come along!

(The Doctor hurries into the ship with Ian and Barbara right behind him.)

PRINCESS: Marco–

MARCO POLO: There's no time, go, your highness!

PRINCESS: If I get the chance, I'll thank you properly one day.

(The Princess dashes towards the ship with Susan.)

PING-CHO: Susan! Goodbye.

SUSAN: Bye, Ping-Cho.

(Susan gives Ping-Cho a kiss on the cheek.)

PING-CHO: Your caravan, quickly.

PRINCESS: She's right, come on, Susan.

(The Princess pulls Susan inside the ship.)

SUSAN: Goodbye!

(Now inside the ship, the Doctor activates the door controls and has the wall close over.)

IAN: Everyone onboard this time?

PRINCESS: Yes, we're all here.

IAN: Right, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Don't rush me, my boy.

(The Doctor is working the controls, when the column in the centre begins to move up and down. The wheezing sound of the ship's engines follow, and the ship dematerialises.)

SUSAN: Is it over? Did we finally escape?

DOCTOR: (Sighing) Yes. We're away now.

(They all sigh in relief.)

PRINCESS: Where to next then?

BARBARA: Home I should hope.

DOCTOR: Well…I didn't have much time to set the controls, what with Charlatan breathing down my neck.

IAN: So, you have no idea where we're going?

DOCTOR: Well, it's…somewhere in the future. So, it could be your home planet.

IAN: (Chuckling) Forgive me if I don't hold my breath.

DOCTOR: Faith, young man, that's what you need. With it, anything is possible.

Next Episode – The Sea of Death