Doctor Who: The Myth Makers Read Online Free PDF

used to having their master-plans so abruptly rebuffed... He tapped the table with a fist like diseased pork.
    ‘When?’ he inquired irritably. ‘How in Hades did that happen?’
     
    ‘This afternoon,’ explained Achilles, rather lamely – his whole effect spoiled. ‘I slew him myself, after an hour or so of single combat,’ he added hopefully, trying to recapture the original impetus.
    ‘Oh, you did, did you? Well, congratulations, of course. Still
    – there’s another good idea wasted!’
    ‘What do you mean “wasted”?’ pouted the understandably crestfallen combatant; ‘Here, have I been wearing my sandals to shreds...’
    ‘Yes, yes, yes – of course you have,’ agreed Agamemnon, too late for comfort, ‘it’s just that Menelaus here was about to challenge him, weren’t you? Well, now we’ll just have to think of something else for him to do, damn it! Still, you mustn’t think I’m not pleased with you, because I am. You’ve done very well –
    better than anybody could have expected. So, why don’t you sit down and tell us about it?’
    ‘If you don’t mind,’ said Achilles, rather stiffly, ‘I think I’d prefer to make my report officially, tomorrow morning – before our assembled forces, if that could be managed.’
    ‘I suppose something might be organized on those lines...’
    ‘But for the moment, I have other more important news!’
    ‘More important than the death of Hector? What a busy day you’ve been having, to be sure. Go on, then.’
    Achilles took a deep breath. This, you could tell he felt, was the high spot. ‘At the height of my battle with Hector, there came a sudden lightning flash, and Father Zeus appeared before me!’
    There was a silence, during which Menelaus spilled his wine.
    ‘Eh?’ he enquired nervously.
    ‘It’s all right, Menelaus,’ comforted his brother, ‘he’s been listening to too much propaganda, haven’t you Achilles? Mind you, I don’t say we couldn’t use a story like that – it’s quite a good notion in fact. But you mustn’t go taking that sort of thing seriously – or you’ll lose the men’s respect.’
    ‘But it’s true, I tell you!’ said Achilles, stamping petulantly,
    ‘He appeared from nowhere, in the shape of a little old man...’
    Agamemnon considered. One had heard of these cases, of course. ‘Hmm... did he, indeed? And where is he now, this little old man of yours?’
    ‘I’m afraid I have to report that Odysseus and his men took him prisoner!’
    Now it was Agememnon’s turn to attempt the leaping to the feet routine. He succeeded only partially – then thought better of it, and did the table-thumping trick again instead. ‘They did what ?’
    ‘Odysseus mocked him. Then they seized him – and they’re dragging him back here now. I ran ahead to warn you..
    ‘You did well.’ Recognition at last! ‘Perdition take Odysseus!
    After all, you can’t be too careful these days. It may , in fact, be Zeus – and then where would we all be?’
    ‘Precisely,’ agreed Menelaus, taking another large gulp of his medicine.
    ‘ May be Zeus?’ trumpeted Achilles, indignantly, ‘I tell you, he appeared out of thin air, complete with his temple.’
    ‘Oh, he would do – that’s what he does!’ moaned Menelaus.
    ‘Heaven help us!’
    ‘Be quiet, Menelaus!’ said Agamemnon. ‘Guard, go seek the Lord Odysseus and command his presence here.’
    But it wasn’t a good day for Agamemnon; for the second time in as many minutes, his initiative was frustrated by events.
    Even as the guard struggled to attention, preparatory to completing his esteemed order, Odysseus himself barrelled through the tent-flap.
     
    ‘Command?’ he questioned, bubbling with menace, ‘who dares command Odysseus?’ And he flung the good Doctor into the centre of the appreciative audience before him.
     
    7

Agamemnon Arbitrates
    It was not, perhaps, the dignified entrance the Doctor would have chosen, left to himself; but with his