Chapter 5

The Commander

Prince Jason waited impatiently inside the Commander's office, having relegated his hapless bodyguard to the hall outside. In the adjoining room he could hear a heated exchange in progress. Someone was in trouble. The door was ajar, and the Prince moved closer to do a little eavesdropping. There were two voices coming through the door; one harsh and tyrannical, the other that could only be described as servile.

"I'm not interested in excuses!" snarled the harsh voice that could only belong to the dreaded Commander. "I'm only interested in results. Results that you have failed to produce." The Commander's voice was full of fury, his last statement being punctuated by the sound of a fist slamming down.

There was a flood of apologies from the recipient of the verbal assault.

"I've heard enough! You've taken far too much for granted. You're not dealing with an ordinary human. The Doctor is a Time Lord and should never be underestimated!"

Jason stiffened at the mention of the Doctor's name. He had only been thinking about him the day before. What is he doing at the Institute? And with security looking for him? He threw a quick glance back at the door. It was a pretty good bet his old friend was in trouble—as usual—and would very likely need inside help. Now he definitely needed to lose that bodyguard!

A buzzer sounded and the Commander answered it. There was a muffled exchange and then the recipient of the Commander's venom was dismissed. The guard fled from the presence of his superior so quickly he nearly crashed headlong into the waiting Alterran. With a quick bow, the man continued his flight from the office. Jason recognized him as the arrogant Guard Leader Sunders whom he had encountered the previous evening. How the mighty had fallen.

"Please, come in, your Royal highness," came the invitation from the next room. "I had no idea you were waiting to see me."

Prince Jason entered and found himself in a large computer room that was apparently the heart of the security system. The Commander had his back to him and was making an entry on a terminal that was only a small portion of the computer covering the entire wall. There were multiple screens and several keyboards set into a console that ran the length of the massive unit. Turning, Jason made a quick survey of his surroundings and was puzzled to see a small podium in the center of the far wall. It stood several meters away from two identical, and equally puzzling, clear plastic booths. A number of thick cables snaked away from them and into a door marked STORAGE.

The mystified Alterran was jolted back to reality when the Commander spoke again. "I'm so sorry our first meeting must be under such appalling conditions, your highness," the officer said in a velvety tone. He continued to punch commands into the computer as he spoke. "I actually wanted to hold a small reception before you left us. Professor Turner has told me so much about you that I simply had to meet you face to face."

Finishing his entry the same moment he finished his sentence the Commander turned to face his guest. He wore an impressive black uniform with silver piping. He had a distinguished face with piercing eyes and a beard cut neatly to a point. The instant he saw it, Jason's blood ran cold. Regeneration notwithstanding, this was the face of evil. It was the face of the Master.

Just then a door directly opposite from where Jason stood opened and some of Professor Turner's technicians entered, carrying boxes of equipment.

"Perhaps we should speak in my office," the Master suggested politely and led the way through the door, giving the shocked Alterran time to recover. He was glad his cloak would conceal the fact that he was trembling. He had been expecting something after hearing the Doctor mentioned. But not this! Thankfully, the evil Time Lord did not seem to have recognized him, something Jason hoped was due to the extraordinary change in his status, and the fact that it had been more than a century and a half since their last, and only, encounter.

Joining the Master in his office, Jason decided to bluster. He was, after all, an aristocrat. It was expected. "Commander, I've come to protest the fact that you deem it necessary to assign me a babysitter," he said in his best how-dare-you tone. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, cameras or—"

"Your highness," the Master broke in, "I was only concerned for your safety. And I'm concerned even more so now."

"Why now?"

"You may be aware of the cameras being out, but I wonder if you're aware of the fact that there are dangerous intruders in the building? They've killed one of my men already."

"No, I wasn't aware of that," Jason replied bluntly. Now he was certain the Doctor was in trouble.

"Your highness, as the only guest in the Institute, I cannot rule out the possibility that you may be their target. I beg you to return to your quarters until these people are captured. It would ease my mind, and be of considerable assistance." The Master smiled engagingly. Jason was repulsed.

"I apologize, Commander." Jason felt he might choke on the words. "I'm sure you were only doing your job. I'll return to my quarters at once." With that, he swept from the room.

The Master smiled. "Yes, my Prince," he crowed softly, "return to your quarters. I'll send for you when you're needed." This reminded of another order that had, as yet, to be complied with, he hit the intercom button, giving orders for Professor Turner to be brought to his office, by force if necessary.

Still badly shaken, Saunders returned to his post in the Security Center. To his relief, the room was empty. He crossed to the main console and dropped heavily into a chair. Flipping a switch on the now fully operational communication system, he ordered, "All units report positions and status to the control center immediately."

Time to restore order and collect this elusive Doctor.

Jason walked purposefully to his quarters. He had to find the Doctor somehow and warn him. Help him. But first he had to get rid of his troublesome shadow of a bodyguard and wondered how he could send Jameson away when they reached his quarters. With this done, he'd be free to roam.

After leaving the safety of their hiding place, the Doctor and his companions had been trying to make their way back to the Containment Area. It had been very slow going. The Complex was like a rabbit warren, and they had to stay away from the main corridor, which was alive with security guards. They had even been forced to double back on several occasions to avoid the search parties. Hearing the approach of the Alterran Prince from the opposite direction, the three time travelers found an unlocked door and dashed through it.

Prince Jason caught a glimpse of someone taking refuge in a disused lab as he came around the corner. His bodyguard, on the other hand, was so busy watching his charge that he failed to notice the intruders, who had turned the peaceful Institute into madhouse, were practically under his nose.

"There'll be no need for you to remain with me after we arrive," the Prince said loftily. "I shan't be going anywhere with murderous intruders about."

Jason hoped his warning had been heard.

It had.

"Well, now we're the homicidal maniacs," Turlough observed, tossing the laser pistol to Tegan to make his point. He then decided it might be best to continue listening at the door.

The Doctor, in the meantime, prowled the room. It was long and narrow with an L-shaped counter set along the sidewall that wrapped around the end of the room. There was a sink built into the end portion; a computer station set into the wall beside it. The Doctor tapped a few keys. Dead. He looked up when Turlough commented on the Prince's statement.

"Turlough," the Time Lord began softly, "I'm very grateful for what you did for me back there."

Turlough stiffened, clearly uncomfortable at this sudden expression of gratitude. Playing the hero was not his chosen role in life. The Doctor quickly burst his bubble. "Now do be quiet. I need time to think."

Turlough's jaw dropped open. Tegan had to stifle a giggle.

Saunders had received reports from all his security units. The intruders still had not been located, but one patrol had made an important discovery in the Containment Area. They did not know it yet, but they had succeeded in locating the TARDIS.

"Say again, you've found what?" Saunders called in to the microphone.

"A big blue box on containment level six. I've never seen anything like it."

"What's in it?"

"I don't know, sir. It seems to be locked."

Jason had successfully dismissed Jameson with the promise that he would not venture out of his quarters until the danger had passed. Turning from the door, he then wondered what he should do next. He caught sight of himself in a large decorative wall mirror and laughed. "This won't do at all for a covert mission," he said to his reflection, removing the elaborate collar of rank from around his neck. His body shimmered and he transmuted into the combined likeness of several security guards.

"Prince Jason, may I introduce you to Prince Guard," the Alterran grinned, bowing to his reflection. He frowned and cocked his head to one side. Maybe just one thing more, he thought. Running his fingers through his hair, it instantly changed from his usual long black curls to a blond military style haircut.

Perfect.