Chapter 27
The Hearing
As the Doctor entered the courtroom, he was relieved to see it was the same one he recalled from that morning. After taking his place in the prisoner's dock, he hoped his handcuffs would be removed to give him free movement, but this was not to be. Not that he blamed them. Were conditions reversed, he would have objected vehemently had they attempted to free the real Master.
The Doctor then took in the occupants of the room. Jason was quietly conferring with the presiding judge, a look of astonishment suddenly coming to his face. He stared over at the Master a moment before turning back to the bench. This reaction went unnoticed by the impostor, who had taken his place in the first row of observers, Tegan and Turlough on either side of him.
The Doctor completed his visual sweep of the room, returning his attention to his companions, whom he had not seen since that morning. His eyes came to rest on the pale and haggard Tegan. She looked up at that very moment and caught her breath when she saw the dark inquiring eyes fixed on her.
Hearing the gasp, the Master followed her gaze, causing the Doctor to shift his intense stare to him. Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The Master's expression clearly told his rival that he defied his ability to escape the immobilizing snare rapidly tightening around him. The challenge was accepted, the Doctor returning the arrogant look with one of open defiance. This silent battle of wills was interrupted when King Aaron finally entered and court was called to order.
Just as the Master predicted, the charges for the murder of Lady Tostine were waved in lieu of the previous convictions, all of which were read into the record. It was completely accurate and irrefutable. The Doctor listened to the litany in revulsion, the final outcome as he expected. The Time Lord known as the Master was to be taken to Krystos where he would be terminated in the vaporization chamber.
This is my cue if ever I heard one, the Doctor thought. He had not uttered a word during the entire proceeding, but had noticed that his appointed representative had failed to voice one rather important point. "If I may make so bold, your Honor," he began in a voice that was far more placating than he intended. "I feel I must point out that the official sanction for this sentence was never received from Gallifrey. And this court, therefore, has no authority to order my immediate execution."
The presiding judge remained unruffled. "This is quite true," he agreed urbanely. "However, since the Lord President of the High Council happens to be present at these proceedings…" He paused before dropping the bombshell, "I believe that makes the necessity of a written sanction a moot point."
The Lord President! The Doctor cursed himself for having forgotten the high office he held himself, however unwillingly. No wonder Jason had looked so shocked.
The Master returned his look of consternation with a smug inclination of the head and the Doctor felt the snare tighten further. Check, he noted. So much for the guile of the Master. That plan just went straight out the—window! The Doctor had a flash of inspiration. If his plan had gone out the window, why shouldn't he follow it? Right! Time to start acting like the Doctor.
"In that case, your Honor," the Doctor said, glaring audaciously at his rival, "I wish to make a final statement. I'm sure the Lord President will agree that even a condemned man has the right to make a final statement."
The Master's face fell, delighting the Doctor. Check and Mate, he thought, inclining his head at his opponent.
"You may proceed, Time Lord," the judge replied in a no nonsense tone. "But let me warn you. I am well acquainted with your…gift for grandiose displays. I will not tolerate any such displays in my court. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly," the Doctor said airily. Turning to the Master, he added pointedly, "As clear as crystal." Stepping out of the prisoner's dock, he began pacing back and forth in front of the bench, looking as though he were composing a final profound soliloquy. "I have only one thing to say," he began soberly. "Everything that has been said in this court regarding the Master is absolutely true."
There was a collective gasp of sheer astonishment from the assembled observers and the Doctor had to wait for order to be restored before continuing. Seeing the constrained expression on the judge's face, he gave a wry smile. If you didn't like that, then you're going to hate this. He resumed his pacing, moving ever closer to the window as he spoke. "However, since I am not the Master, I have no intention of being executed in his place!" With that, and before anyone could stop him, he threw his hands in front of his face and launched himself headlong through the window, vanishing in an explosion of shattered glass.
Rolling to his feet as he hit the ground, the Doctor sprinted down the lawn and through an open French door, slamming and locking behind him.
The courtroom was in chaos: orders being shouted, guards trying to reach the window, and onlookers rushing for the exits.
Jason was beside himself, slamming a fist against the wall in frustration. The Master escaped again!
The real Master was also beside himself. The Doctor escaped again! He too had a healthy respect for his opponent's inventive intellect. He was well aware of the fact that the Doctor was never more dangerous than when the odds were against him.
The Master turned to storm from the room only to waver unsteadily on his feet. He had to grab a chair and concentrate to maintain control, fighting the dizziness brought on by the unstable link. Too much was at stake for his plan to end now. He had to stay in control!
"Doctor! Are you alright? What's the matter?" Tegan asked. She took hold of his arm to help steady him, more certain than ever that the Time Lord was not as healthy as he claimed.
The impostor snatched his arm away, glaring scornfully down at her. "Will you stop hovering over me!" he snarled, brushing her aside and storming from the room.
Dumbfounded, Tegan watched him go, too hurt and confused to think of an appropriate response to this totally uncharacteristic behavior. Any other time she would have had plenty to say. The Doctor could be quite irritating at times, and she did not fail to point this out to him. Nevertheless, his manners were impeccable, and she could not recall a single instance when he had not apologized for losing his temper, which was rare in itself.
An equally baffled Turlough came up beside her, watching the retreating figure of the Time Lord who was rapidly becoming a stranger to them. "I think we're all a little edgy," he observed gently. "It's late. Come on, I'll take you to your room."
Tegan was about to object when she took a step forward and realized she wasn't as steady on her feet as she thought. She gave Turlough a weak smile and allowed him to help her from the now empty courtroom.