Doctor Who: The Trial of a Time Lord : The Ultimate Foe Read Online Free PDF Page A

world? We stepped through a door, that’s all.’
    ‘Exactly. Into the Matrix. Where the only logic is that there is no logic!’
    ‘I knew this was a mistake. Never wanted to come in the first place!’ He rummaged in his pocket. ‘My grip on reality isn’t too good at the best of times.’ He found what he was seeking - a rumpled sheet of paper. ‘Grab hold. This is for you. Now, where’s the quickest way out of -’
    ‘It’s a note from the Master!’ exclaimed the Doctor after glancing at the note.
    ‘I know that! I’ve just given it to you!’ He squinted over the Doctor’s shoulder. ‘He said it would be useful.’
    ‘Did he!’
    ‘ "The Fantasy Factory, proprietor J. J. Chambers",’ read Glitz.
    ‘The Valeyard’s base!’
    ‘Yeah?’
    ‘Has to be. Why else was I sent the information?’ The Doctor set off into the gloom.
    ‘Where’re you going?’
    ‘To find Mr J. J. Chambers.’
    ‘I can’t see no factory round here.’
    ‘Neither can I. Come on, Glitz. Best foot forward.’
    Glitz hesitated. Either he had to find his way out alone.
    Or dog the Doctor.
    Discretion being the better part of valour, he tagged after the Time Lord. Jettisoning an article of faith he cherished, Sabalom Glitz wished he were back before the beak! Even that court room would be preferable to these threatening surroundings.. !
    ‘In all my experience I have never before had to conclude a case in the absence of both the accused and the prosecutor.’
    The Inquisitor had resumed her seat in the Courtroom.
    ‘One and the same person, Madam,’ insisted the Master from the Matrix screen.
    ‘Couldn’t you switch him off or something?’ said Mel.
     
    ‘He gives me the creeps!’
    ‘May I say you’re a charming girl,’ countered the Master, stroking his Vandyke beard.
    ‘And may I remind you that this is a courtroom in which we are conducting a very serious trial!’ The Inquisitor’s anger subdued neither protagonist.
    ‘How can you when you’ve no one to try!’ Mel piped.
    ‘Unless you try him – them as you would phrase it – in absente reo , Madam.’
    The Inquisitor rounded on the Master. ‘You continue to maintain this absurd notion? Can you prove it?’
    ‘Indeed I can. I know them both. Intimately,’ he affirmed.
    ‘Look, Madam Inquisitor, I’m not meaning to be disrespectful and all that... I don’t really know much about legal protocol... what I do know is the Doctor could be in danger and we’re doing nothing to help!’
    ‘Not could be , my dear young girl. Is !’ chortled the Master. ‘As you will be privileged to see on this sacred screen. I intend to occupy it for relatively few moments more. I have business affairs that require my presence.
    Duty, as they say on your planet, calls..!’
    ‘You have become a material witness in this trial,’
    blustered the Inquisitor. ‘I order you to remain.’
    ‘Madam, you have no jurisdiction over me. However, since I am minded to remain a while longer, I am content to be debriefed – I believe that is the jargon.’
    The Inquisitor adjusted her scarlet sash before commencing her cross-examination: it allowed pause to contain her growing sense of frustration. ‘Assuming I accept what you contend regarding the Doctor, how much of the evidence we have seen was contrived?’
    ‘For a lie to work, Madam, it must be shrouded in the truth. Therefore, most of what you saw was true.’
    A sibilant murmur rustled along the benches as the august Time Lords digested this statement.
    ‘It rests with us then, to discover which was truth and which falsehood?’
    ‘Precisely. Although I could elaborate.’
    ‘A fat lot of use that’d be!’ retorted Mel. ‘He’d twist the facts to fit his own convenience!’
    ‘You have a delightfully blunt approach. Quite an abrasive personality. An unusual choice of companion for the quixotic Doctor.’
    ‘Talking of companions...’ the Inquisitor remarked.
    ‘You could answer one question.’
    ‘I am at your