CHAPTER 25
JAKA
The physically restored Teggellans followed the Doctor and Jason to the console room and Alex, who had been unconscious when brought aboard, was astounded by the TARDIS' vast interior. By this time he was very glad that his obviously alien hosts were on his side.
"What happens if the Cult comes back while you're working on the computer?" the Security Chief asked as they entered the console room.
"There is no more Cult," Jason replied with unnerving finality.
Frankie was puzzled and annoyed by this comment. "What do you mean there is no more Cult? Did you manage to get Brogan and his lunatic followers arrested after all?"
"Not exactly," the Alterran responded guiltily. Holding up a hand, he said firmly, "Please, don't ask, Frankie. You don't want to know."
The Doctor activated the scanner and the image of the computer room appeared on the screen. His companion looked at it and shuddered. How could he possibly have wanted to go back to that accursed place?
The Time Lord took the circuit from Frankie and ordered her and Alex to remain in the TARDIS. He then vanished through the doors before anyone could respond. Jason gave the Teggellans a weak smile and followed his friend out.
"I wonder how they'll explain away the disappearance of twenty-three people, most of which were top level officials, not to mention the High Priest of Jaka," the Alterran remarked.
"I just hope they don't come looking for them," the Doctor replied. "An Earth-type police box in the middle of an ancient Teggellan temple will be rather more difficult to explain away."
Jason crossed to the main control panel and sat down, holding out a hand. "Epsilon circuit, please." The Doctor complied, handing him the sphere, but instead of fitting it into the console, Jason held it in his hands, studying it in wonderment. "It's such a waste," he sighed, shaking his head. "So much good could be accomplished with this. It seems a crime to destroy it."
The Doctor stiffened, not liking where this seemed to be going. "They're dangerous, Jason. You know that better than anyone. You're the one who said there was evil here, remember?"
"Yes. But was it the spheres or the Cult I could feel so strongly? I mean, how can a thing be evil?"
"I don't know," the Doctor said cautiously. "Why don't we talk about it?"
His companion looked up, the worried expression on the Time Lord's face making him laugh. He fitted the sphere into the center of the star-shaped control dial and flipped a switch to bring the ancient computer to life. The room was filled with the sound of the massive unit reviving flawlessly after centuries of inactivity. Jason looked up again, his eyes sparkling at his uneasy friend. "Don't just stand there patronizing me, Doctor," he grinned. "Help me deactivate these control systems."
The Time Lord's eyes narrowed. "You brat," he scolded, going to the far side of the room. "Keep that up and I'll take you back where I bought you."
"I'm terribly sorry, sir," Jason chirped brightly, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "All sales final. No refunds. No exchanges. No…no…" His voice was suddenly filled with anguish as he cried out, "No!"
The Doctor spun around to see his companion sitting with his hands to his head in obvious distress. "Jason, what's wrong?"
Jason did not seem to hear him. "No! I won't…give in. I…won't," he said through gritted teeth. He fell from his chair, ending up on his knees.
The Time Lord was immediately at the young man's side, at a loss as to what to do for him.
"Doctor, get out, quickly!" Jason said painfully. "You're in danger! Get out! Please, get out!"
"Doctor, what's happening?" a worried voice called from the Temple area.
The Doctor looked up to see Frankie and Alex just outside the TARDIS. "I don't know," he replied helplessly.
Jason whimpered loudly, his hands pressed against his temples. He seemed to be fighting some unseen force and drew himself into a ball. Suddenly a thin shaft of light was projected from the Epsilon sphere, fixing itself upon the struggling youth. Then the computer came to life on its own and a screen started displaying scenes from the Alterran's past.
"No!" the Doctor gasped. Turning sharply to the now motionless figure beside him, he ordered, "Jason, concentrate! You must shield your mind!"
"Doctor, what's happening?" Frankie demanded.
Without looking up, the Time Lord snapped, "Get back into the TARDIS!"
"Doctor—!"
"Do it!" the Doctor snarled. "If you value your lives, do as I say. Now."
Alex needed no further prompting and dragged Franking back into the TARDIS.
The images on the screen started to blur and the Doctor hoped that it was a good sign, despite the fact that Jason was still in a tight knot on the floor. The screen suddenly went blank and the Alterran relaxed. After a second or two, he started to get up, stopping when he saw his own hands. He stared at them as if seeing them for the first time.
"Jason…?" the Doctor said hesitantly. The youth looked up at him and he fell back in horror. The Alterran's human-like blue eyes had been replaced the by crystalline sensors of his true self.
An evil laugh rumbled from the Alterran's throat. "At last…I'm free!" he announced, his voice now deep and sinister with a vaguely familiar metallic edge.
The glittering eyes turned to fix themselves on the Doctor, who recoiled in spite of himself. "Who are you?" he asked almost hesitantly.
The question was answered with another laugh, the sound rolling like thunder around the room. Rising to his feet, the gentle face that was Jason's darkened and distorted into one of pure hate. "Don't you know, Time Lord?" he replied, a distinct edge of bitterness in the rich, resonant voice. "I am Jaka, God of Water and Light. The one your people but into bondage."
"That's impossible!" came a voice from the Temple area.
The Doctor's head snapped around and he saw Alex standing at the TARDIS door. "Get back in the TARDIS, now!" he commanded.
Jaka pointed a finger and an energy bolt flashed from it, striking the door of the police box a split second after it was slammed shut.
"What've you done with Jason?" the Doctor demanded.
"That insipid boy?" the false god sneered. "I've destroyed him, of course. He served his purpose. My purpose."
"No!" The Doctor jumped to his feet. "I saw the transference. Now, what've you done with him?"
The Alterran waved a hand dismissively, which only served to make the Doctor angrier. He turned to the main control board, reaching for the Epsilon circuit.
"No!"
Before he knew what was happening, the Doctor was lifted off of his feet and flung across the room. He slammed into the far wall, the force of the impact knocking the breath out of him. He had to grab the wall to keep from falling, barely managing to stay on his feet. A split second later, a force field encircled him, trapping him where he stood.
"You see, Time Lord?" Jaka laughed. "I am all powerful."
"Hardly…all powerful," the Doctor observed breathlessly. "You've only…one Epsilon circuit left."
"No. I have the Epsilon circuit left." So saying, the being across the room placed a hand on the sole remaining sphere. The Doctor watched in a combination of horror and fascination as the thousands of fragments on the floor suddenly returned to their original shape, rising into the air and installing themselves in to the control panel.
"The power of old is mine at last," the sinister voice purred.
The Doctor's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered where he'd heard the voice before. It was in the console room when Jason was delirious. Or was he…?
The jewel-like eyes turned back to see the aghast expression on his face. "Yes, Time Lord, it was I who brought you here. The open telepathy circuits in your TARDIS were most helpful. As was this boy while he was out of his mind."
"It was you in the console room!" the Doctor gasped in disbelief. "You. You're the reason for Jason's amnesia."
"Yes," came the proud reply. "It was ingenious the way you cured him."
"Thank-you," the Doctor said acidly.
"He couldn't bring himself to kill you," Jaka's deep voice rumbled on, "and I wasn't in control enough to overcome that. I am in control now, no thanks to you. Were I to've been denied my freedom, I would've made certain your death was excruciating."
The Doctor stiffened, choosing not to reply to the obvious threat.
In the TARDIS console room, Frankie and Alex watched in trepidation as the events played out on the scanner.
"Alex, we've got to do something to help him!" Frankie cried desperately.
"Like what?" Alex wanted to know. "If we so much as poke our noses out there, we'll be fried to cinders."
"I'm not going to stand her and let that…that…thing kill the Doctor!" Frankie exploded.
"Frankie, what can we do against that?"
Turning slowly back to the view screen, Frankie had a brainstorm. "It's not what we can do. It's what I can do. As soon as he turns his back, we'll slip out the door."
Following her gaze, Alex shook his head. "I hope you know what you're doing.