Chapter 9

"We May Be Able To Use This…"

In Security Control, Guard Leader Saunders was becoming frantic. In spite of the fact that he had put every available man on the search for the intruders, it was proving to be futile. On top of this, no one had any idea where Prince Jason had disappeared to, either.

Someone suggested the Alterran might have gone to one of the labs to work. It was common knowledge he was an adept chemist and had taken to using the labs whenever he became bored.

Out of desperation Saunders sent a detachment there. He knew if something did not turn up, sooner or later he would be forced to make another report, and he dreaded the thought of returning to the Commander empty handed again.

The disused lab had been silent for some time as the Doctor and his companions considered all that had been said.

"You know…?" the Doctor said finally. "There's still one piece that doesn't fit in all this."

"There is?" Jason was confused. He was certain they had covered all bases, and was thinking that what they had already come up with was terrifying enough without adding to it.

"Yes. The last thing the Master said to that guard. You remember. He wanted some Prince brought to his office for, of all things, a social visit." Waving his arms to take in the Complex, the Doctor asked pointedly, "Now where does he figure into all this?"

Jason laughed in spite of himself. "Doctor, I'm the Prince the Master wants."

"You!"

"Of course, me. Who did you…?" Seeing the astonished look on the Time Lord's face, Jason said, "Surely you knew?"

The amazed Doctor shook his head, prompting his friend to tell of how, not long after they had parted company, the King of his home planet had died quite suddenly after a brief illness. By human standards he would have been considered old, but for an Alterran he was actu ally quite young. The problem had been compounded by the fact that he left no heirs. Since this was virtually unheard of among the Alterran hierarchy, a search of the Royal Bloodline had to be made to find a successor. According to the laws and traditions of Jason's home world, the oldest living resident member of the Bloodline, which turned out to be his father, was the rightful heir. Suddenly Jason found himself going from one of the thousands of titled members of the Royal Bloodline to the heir apparent of his home world.

"Now, among all my other useless titles, I am officially His Most Royal Highness Crown Prince Jason of Tel-Shye," Jason said wearily. Moving to the center of the room, his body shimmered and replacing the guard's uniform was his flowing cloak and velvet attire. With a broad smile, he gave a courtly bow.

The search of the Complex was at the halfway point, and proving fruitless. The search of the labs and offices was also proving fruitless. None of the staff had seen the Alterran Prince since the tests were completed the night before.

Saunders was not looking forward to reporting his inability to locate the Crown Prince of Tel-Shye. He jumped when the Commander suddenly called demanding an update—in person. Draw ing a deep breath, the Guard Leader began steeling himself for the confrontation. There was something fearfully overpowering about his superior and no matter how he tried, he could offer no resistance to the oppressive personality, feeling no better than a mindless slave. The others guards were beyond resisting. They were all so young, ambitious, and malleable to the power exerted over them by the odious persona.

"This certainly puts things in a new light," said the Doctor, dazzled by this latest revelation.

"How? Doctor, don't think my newfound status has changed anything," Jason said defiantly. "The whole reason I'm here is—"

"Don't get defensive. We may be able to use this to our advantage."

"I ask again, how?"

"Well…it's obvious the Master's after the both of us for the same reason," the Doctor began.

The Prince nodded slowly. He did not like where this was leading, and positively hated it when the Doctor said, "The only way to stop him may be to give him what he wants."

"What!" Tegan was aghast. "Doctor, you're not serious?"

"Just turn yourself in?" the equally shocked Turlough gasped. "You're mad."

Unlike Tegan and Turlough, the Doctor knew Jason very well, possibly better than anyone. He was also more familiar with the Alterran's adaptability. By the same token, Jason had an inkling as to what his friend was planning. He also knew he was right. As much as he hated the idea, it was the only thing to do—turn themselves over to the Master. He stared intently into his old friend's face a moment before saying calmly, "Separately, I assume."

Turlough could not believe his ears. "You're both mad! Totally and completely mad." He threw up his hands in disgust.

"Now, Turlough—"

"Don't 'now, Turlough,' me, Doctor. That's the Master out there," he said, pointing to the door. "And he has a nasty habit of killing people."

"I'm well aware of that!" snapped the Doctor harshly. The Professor's death was still very fresh in his mind.

His tone stung the ranting Turlough. "Then why?" the young man asked quietly.

"Two reasons," the Time Lord replied calmly. "The first is, it's the only way to get near enough to destroy the transference device."

"And the second?"

"The Master has the TARDIS."

Guard Leader Saunders had come to the conclusion that misery loves company and ordered the detachment that had searched for the missing Prince to accompany him to the Commander's office. Let them explain, he thought.

The Doctor was wishing he had a more clear-cut plan in mind. Unfortunately, with the Master involved, and the fact that they did not know precisely what they were dealing with, there were just too many variables. They would just have to improvise—a talent he excelled at. He only hoped Jason was as up to following his lead as he claimed, considering how badly shaken he had been earlier. Still, he had always come through in the past. There was no reason to doubt he would not now.

The plan was very straightforward. The Doctor would allow himself to be arrested and taken to the Master. Jason would follow in his Princely guise shortly thereafter. And then…

"Then our troubles really begin," Jason remarked darkly.

"And we stay here the whole time, I suppose?" protested Tegan.

"You'll be safer here," the Doctor said, knowing she would argue anyway.

"Now don't you think for one minute—"

"Tegan, you must, please," Jason cut in quickly. He could tell by the pained expression on the Doctor's face that he was recalling the threat they had overheard in the air duct. "If either of you is caught, the Master will use you as a lever against the Doctor. What we're doing is dangerous enough. Please, don't tie our hands from the outset."

Tegan glared back at him, but said nothing. She knew he was right. That's exactly what the Master would do.

"Besides," the Prince added brightly, "I have a job for the two of you."