
DOCTOR WHO and the-GENESIS OF THE DALEKS-
by 
TERRANCE DICKS 
SECRET MISSION 
It was a battlefield. The ground was churned, scarred, ravaged. Nothing
grew there, nothing lived. The twisted, rusting wrecks of innumerable war
machines littered the landscape. There were strands of ragged, tangled
wire, collapsed dugouts, caved-in trenches. The perpetual twilight was made
darker by fog. Thick, dank and evil, it swirled close to the muddy ground,
hiding some of the horrors from view. Something stirred in the mud. A
goggled, helmeted head peered over a ridge, surveyed the shattered
landscape. A hand beckoned, and more shapes rose and shambled forward.
There were about a dozen of them, battle-weary men in ragged uniforms,
their weapons a strange mixture of old and new, their faces hidden by gas
masks. A star shell burst over their heads, bathing them for a moment in
its sickly green light before it sputtered into darkness. The thump of
artillery came from somewhere in the distance, with the hysterical chatter
of automatic weapons. But the firing was some distance away. Too tired even
to react, the patrol shambled on its way. A man materialized out of the fog
and stood looking in bewilderment after the soldiers. He was a very tall
man, dressed in comfortable, old tweed trousers and a loosely hanging
jacket. An amazingly long scarf was wound round his neck, a battered,
broad-rimmed hat was jammed onto a tangle of curly brown hair. Hands deep
in his pockets, he pivoted slowly on his heels, turning in a complete
circle to survey the desolate landscape. He shook his head, the bright blue
eyes clouded with puzzlement. This was all wrong, he thought. It was all
terribly wrong. The transmat beam should have taken him back to the space
station. Instead he was here, in this terrible place. How could it possibly
have happened? Greetings, Doctor. The Doctor spun around at the sound of
the voice behind him. A tall, distinguished figure in flowing robes stood
looking at him quizzically. A Time Lord! The Doctor knew all about 
Time Lords-he was one himself. He had left his own people untold years ago
to roam throughSpace and Time in his borrowed TARDIS. He'd rebelled
against the Time Lords, beencaptured and exiled by them, and had at last
made his peace with them. He had served themoften, sometimes willingly,
sometimes not. These days their hold on him was tenuous. But itwas still a
hold, a limitation of his freedom, and the Doctor never failed to resent
it.He glared at the elegant figure before him. So! I've been hijacked! he
said indignantly.Don't you realize how dangerous it is to interfere with a
transmat beam?Oh come, Doctor! Not with our techniques. We transcended
such simple mechanical deviceswhen the Universe was young. The languid
voice held all the effortless superiority that theDoctor always found so
infuriating.He controlled himself with a mighty effort. Whatever I may
have done, whatever crimes Icommitted in your eyes, I have made ample
restitution. I have done you great services, and Iwas given my freedom as a
reward. I will not tolerate this continual interference in my lives!The
Time Lord looked thoughtfully at him and began to stroll across the
battlefield, with theair of someone taking a turn on the lawn at a garden
party. The dull rumble of gunfire camefrom somewhere in the distance.
Continual interference, Doctor? We pride ourselves weseldom intervene in
the affairs of others.Except mine, the Doctor said bitterly. He hurried
after the Time Lord.Ah, but you are an exception, Doctor-a special case.
You enjoy the freedom we allow you.Occasionally, not continually, we ask
you to do something for us.The Doctor came to a halt, his arms folded. I
won't do it, he said obstinately. Whatever youwant-I won't do itThe Time
Lord spoke one word. Daleks.The Doctor spun around. Daleks? Well, what
about them?The Time Lord paused, as if collecting his arguments, then
said, Our latest temporalprojections foresee a Time-stream in which the
Daleks will have destroyed all other life forms.They could become the
dominant creatures in the Universe.
That has always been their aim, agreed the Doctor grimly. Go on. We'd
like you to return to Skaro at a point in time just before the Daleks
evolved. Immediately the Doctor guessed the Time Lord's plan. And prevent
their creation? That, or alter their genetic development, so they evolve
into less aggressive creatures. At the very least, you might discover some
weakness which could serve as a weapon against them. The Doctor tried to
look as if he was thinking it over. But it was no more than a pretence. He
couldn't resist the idea of a chance to defeat his oldest enemies once and
for all. Oh all right. All right. I suppose I'll have to help you-just one
more time. Return me to the TARDIS. No need for that, Doctor. This is
Skaro. The Time Lord gestured at the desolate scene around them. Skaro-
after a thousand years of war between Kaleds and Thals. We thought it would
save time if we assumed your agreement. He tossed something to the Doctor,
who caught it instinctively. He found himself holding a heavy, ornately
designed bangle in a metal that looked something like copper. It wasn't
copper, of course, any more than the object was the simple ornament it
appeared to be. A Time ring, Doctor. It will return you to the TARDIS when
your mission is finished. Don't lose it, will you? It's your life line.
Good luck. The Time Lord vanished as suddenly and silently as he had
appeared. Just a minute, yelled the Doctor. What about my two human
companions? As if in answer a voice called from the fog. Doctor? Where
are you? Sarah? The Doctor began running toward the sound. Almost
immediately he lost his balance and skidded down a long muddy slope. Sarah
Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan were waiting for him at the edge of a big
shell crater. Sarah was a slim, pretty girl in fashionable clothes. On
Earth she was a journalist, though that life seemed very far away now.
Harry was a square-jawed, blue-eyed, curly haired young man. He had the
rather dated good looks of the hero of an old-fashioned adventure story.
Harry was a Naval man, a doctor. He was attached to UNIT, the Security
Organization to which the Doctor was Scientific Adviser. Harry had made the
mistake of doubting the power of the TARDIS. This amazing device, in
appearance an old-fashioned police call box, was in fact the machine in
which the Doctor traveled through Time and Space. Harry had rashly accepted
the Doctor's challenge to come for a little trip. Now, after a number of
terrifying adventures, he often wondered if he would ever see Earth again.
The Doctor's two companions looked at him indignantly. I say, that was a
pretty rough landing, protested Harry. Sarah had known the Doctor for
longer than Harry; her travels had accustomed her to rough landings and
unexpected destinations. All right, Doctor, where are we? This isn't the
beacon. They were supposed to be returning by transmat beam to the space
station, where the TARDIS was waiting to carry them home. The Doctor looked
at her apologetically. Yin afraid there's been a slight change of plans
... There was a sudden whistling sound. The Doctor wrapped his arms around
his two friends and threw himself into the crater, dragging them with him.
They raised their heads to protest-then lowered them hurriedly as heavy-
artillery shells roared overhead. One thudded into the rim of the crater,
showering them with mud. The barrage went on for an appallingly long time,
but at last it died away. The Doctor lifted his head and looked cautiously
out of the crater. Not what you'd call a very friendly welcome. He turned
at a muffled scream from Sarah. She pointed shakily. They were not alone in
the crater. A raggedly uniformed soldier crouched on the other side, his
rifle aimed straight at them. Nobody moved. Then the Doctor walked
cautiously toward the soldier. The man didn't react. The Doctor touched him
on the shoulder and the soldier pitched forward, landing facedown in the
mud. The Doctor knelt beside him. It's all right, Sarah, the poor fellow's
dead. The Doctor examined the body, noticing the strangely shaped gas
mask, the holstered hand blaster, the ancient projectile rifle. He pointed
out the last two items to Harry. You see? These two weapons are separated
by centuries of technology. 
Sarah joined them. She pointed to a small dial sewn into the ragged combat
jacket. What'sthis thing, Doctor?A radiation detector.Worn with a gas
mask straight out of the First World War? asked Harry incredulously.Sarah
examined the uniform more closely. That combat jacket's some synthetic
fiber-and therest of the uniform seems to be made of animal skins!The
Doctor nodded. It's like finding the remains of a stoneage man with a
transistor radio.Harry chuckled. Playing rock music eh? Even in the most
macabre circumstances, Harrycould not resist a joke. He looked at the
others, hurt at their lack of reaction. Rock music-cave man-get it?Sarah
threw him an impatient look and said, What does it all mean, Doctor?A
thousand-year war, the Doctor said sadly. A once highly developed
civilization on thepoint of total collapse. Come along, you two.He jumped
out of the crater. Sarah scrambled after him. Where are we
going?Forward, of course.The Doctor set off at a great pace, Sarah and
Harry following. They were picking their waythrough a very nasty clump of
barbed wire when the Doctor stopped. His keen eyes had seen asinister
shape, half-buried in the mud.What is it? asked Sarah.Apologetically the
Doctor said, I'm afraid we seem to be in the middle of a mine field.
Keepclose behind, and follow in my footsteps.You sound just like good
King Wenceslas.The nightmare journey continued. Fog swirled around them,
gunfire rumbled in the distance,and their feet squelched through clammy,
clinging mud. In between studying the groundbeneath his feet, the Doctor
swept occasional glances about the desolate landscape.What is it, Doctor?
Have you seen something? asked Harry.I'm not sure. I keep getting the
feeling we're being watched.
Me too, said Sarah. Ever since we set offRubbish, said Harry
vigorously. There's nothing out there except mud and fog.Then let's hope
it's just my over-active imagination. Still looking around him, the
Doctortook another step forward. Suddenly he stopped. Beneath the mud his
foot was jammedagainst something round and metallic. Silently the Doctor
pointed downward. Harry and Sarahlooked.All three held their breath. Slowly
the Doctor started to withdraw his foot, then stopped atonce as he felt the
movement of the mine. He spoke in a quiet, conversational voice.
Harry,this mine seems to be resting on something solid. If I move my foot
it will tilt-and that couldbe enough to detonate it.Harry edged cautiously
forward and dropped to his knees beside the half-buried mine. Hebegan
clearing mud and gravel away from the mine's surface. The Doctor stood
motionless,like someone caught in a game of Statues.Seems to be a rock
underneath, said Harry slowly.Sarah spoke in a whisper, as though the very
sound of her voice might be enough to explodethe mine. Cant you wedge it,
Harry? jam something underneath to make it firm?Without looking up, Harry
said, That's what I'm trying to do, old girl. He groped around
thesurrounding area and picked up a suitably sized lump of rock Very slowly
he slipped itbetween the mine and the rock on which it rested, holding the
mine steady with his free hand.All right, Doctor, give it a try. Sarah,
you back away-and keep to our footsteps. Sarahobeyed-it was no time to
argue.You get back as well, Harry, said the Doctor.Still crouching at the
Doctor's feet, Harry shook his head. No. you'll have a better chance if
Ihold the mine steady while you move.Don't be stupid, Harry.Don't waste
time arguing, Doctor. just move that footgently.
The Doctor moved it. Nothing happened. He watched as Harry Sullivan took
first one handand then the other from the mine. It didn't shift. The Doctor
let out a long sigh of relief.Thank you, Harry.My pleasure, Doctor,
said Harry Sullivan, a little shakily. As they moved clear of the
minefield, a huge twisted figure in a shapeless fur hood slipped after them
through the fog. TheDoctor's and Sarah's instincts had been right.
Something was following them across thebattlefield ...The Doctor trudged to
the top of a long steep rise. He stopped and pointed. Look!Harry and
Sarah joined him. There in the distance they saw -what? A giant, semi-
transparentdome, fog swirling around its base, odd shapes just discernible
beneath it.A protective dome, said the Doctor softly. Large enough to
cover an entire city.Harry gazed at it in wonder. If these people can
build something like that, why are theyfighting a war with barbed wire and
land mines?Why indeed? replied the Doctor.Sarah looked at him curiously.
Doctor, isn't it time we had a few explanations?The Doctor sighed. Yes,
of course it is. I must begin with an apology ... Briefly the Doctortold
them how the Time Lords had intervened to prevent their safe return to the
TARDIS, andof the vital mission that had been imposed on him. I'm only
sorry you two were caught up intheir highhanded action.He seemed so
genuinely distressed that Sarah said, It's all right, Doctor. Not your
fault, is it,Harry?Of course not. If these Daleks are as bad as you say,
it'll be a pleasure to help scuttle 'em.The Doctor grinned, spirits
restored by Harry's cheerful confidence.So where do we begin? asked
Sarah, sounding a good deal braver than she actually felt.The Doctor
pointed toward the dome. There! he said. And they started moving toward
thedistant city.
But getting to the city wasn't so easy. It was guarded by an elaborate
system ofinterconnecting trenches, similar to those that had covered Europe
during the First World War.Fortunately the trench network appeared to be
completely deserted. The Doctor and hiscompanions were going through a kind
of maze, moving, they hoped, ever nearer to themysterious city.Maybe all
the troops have been withdrawn, suggested Harry.Or killed, said the
Doctor. See here.They followed him around a corner and found themselves
in a large trench, floored withwooden planks and barricaded with sandbags.
It was lined with men, propped up along itsedge as if awaiting attack.
Even the dead have a part to play in this war, said the Doctor.They've
been stood here to make the trench look fully manned.They moved along the
row of silent figures. Harry examined one more closely. Same
scrappyuniform as that chap in the crater. Seems to be different insignia
though.Different side, Harry, the Doctor said. He was one of the
attackers. These are defending thecity.Sarah shivered as she glanced at
the line of dead men, their sightless eyes staring out into thefog. She
wandered further along the trench. Set deep into the rear wall was a heavy
metaldoor. Look at this she called out.Harry and the Doctor joined her.
We must be getting near the city, said the Doctor. That'sprobably the
entrance to some kind of service tunnel.Harry heaved on the door, but it
wouldn't budge. Seems to be locked solid, he grunted.Suddenly there was a
whistling sound, followed by a thud from over the rim of the
trench.Cautiously the Doctor looked out. A metal projectile lay half-buried
in the mud. Evil-lookinggreen smoke was welling out of it, and creeping
slowly toward the trench.The Doctor jumped back. Look out, he yelled.
Poison gas, and it's coming this way!
2-PRISONERS OF WAR-
The Doctor was already reaching for one of the propped-up bodies. Get gas
masks, quickly! he shouted. Sarah and Harry ran to obey. It wasn't
particularly pleasant grappling with the stiff, cold corpses, but things
were too desperate for any fastidiousness. All three pulled tight the
straps of their gas masks, just as green smoke began creeping into the
trench. There was a sudden burst of rifle fire. Bullets sprayed the edge of
the trench, thudding into the sandbags and whining over their heads. The
Doctor peered cautiously out. A small group of ragged soldiers was pelting
toward them, yelling and firing as they came. He turned to shout a warning
to Sarah and Harry, but it was already too late. Troops leapt over the
sandbags and dropped into the trench. Seeing the gas masked forms of the
Doctor and his companions, they hurled themselves upon them. They had no
chance to explain their neutrality. within minutes they were engaged in
savage hand-to-hand fighting. Luckily the trench was so packed with
struggling bodies that the attackers had no chance to use their weapons,
not daring to shoot for fear of hitting each other. The Doctor and Harry
closed ranks to defend Sarah. They put up a splendid fight. Harry had boxed
for the Navy in his time and he dealt out straight rights, lefts and
uppercuts in the best traditions of the boxing ring. The Doctor fought in a
whirl of long arms and legs, using the techniques of Venusian Aikido, to
drop one opponent after another. But so heavily were the two outnumbered
that the sheer weight of bodies soon bore them down. Crouched in one corner
of the trench, Sarah heard a grinding noise. Peering through the struggling
mass of bodies, she saw the heavy metal door slide open. A fresh contingent
of soldiers appeared. They were better uniformed than the first attackers,
and better armed too. There was a sudden fierce chattering of automatic
weapons. Sarah jumped up to warn the Doctor, but a wild swing from a rifle
butt caught her on the temple. She collapsed face downward. The Doctor
heard the chatter of machine guns and realized that the character of the
battle had changed. These new arrivals had no hesitation in shooting.
Down, Harry! he yelled, and flung himself to the ground. As the two
dropped down, heavy shapes began falling on top of them-the now
bulletridden corpses of their first attackers. Shielded by the bodies of
their former opponents, the Doctor and Harry laid low. The rattle of
machine-gun fire ended at last. The leader of the victorious soldiers saw
that the green gas had drifted away. He pulled the gas mask from his face
and took in great gulps of the foggy air. He was very young. As the others
pulled off their gas masks it could be seen that they too were little more
than boys. Pushing aside the dead body which held him down, Harry began
struggling to his feet. Instantly the nearest soldier raised his gun. The
Doctor struggled up, shouting, No ... Then came the sound of more
shooting from outside the trench, the yelling of a fresh wave of attackers.
The leader indicated the Doctor and Harry. Into the tunnel with them-
quick! Harry and the Doctor were clubbed down and dragged unconscious
through the metal door. The leader followed his men, and the door clanged
shut behind them. Outside the trench the sounds of yelling and shooting
faded as the attack moved on to another section of the line. Hidden beneath
a pile of bodies, Sarah lay unconscious, a trickle of blood running from
her temple. 
Harry and the Doctor were carried along a dark tunnel into a small,
concrete-walled room at its far end. The place was primitively furnished
with wooden tables, benches and a couple of bunks. One of the tables held
some kind of field communications equipment. On the far side of the room
was an arched opening in which stood a small passenger trolley. The trolley
was on rails which disappeared into the blackness of the tunnel. It looked
like the terminus of a miniature underground railway. 
As the patrol crowded into the room, Harry and the Doctor were dumped
casually on the ground. The soldiers began struggling out of their
equipment. Looking at his two prisoners with a satisfied air, the young
patrol leader wrenched the gas masks from their faces. His expression
changed to one of puzzlement. They don't look like Thals ... He thought
for a moment. Stick them in the transporter, I'll take them to Command
Headquarters. A couple of soldiers grabbed the two prisoners and threw
them into the trolley. The patrol leader climbed in after them and operated
controls. The trolley rumbled away into the darkness. 
Harry and the Doctor recovered to find themselves rattling through pitch
darkness at terrifying speed. The trolley shot into a big, well-lighted
area and jolted to a halt. Armed guards swarmed around and dragged them
along more concrete corridors and into a large room. By now the Doctor had
recovered enough to take an interest in his surroundings. They were in some
kind of central command post. Maps covered the walls, there was more
communications equipment, and in the center of the room was a huge map
table holding a relief map, a kind of model landscape. It seemed to depict
two dome-covered cities, with the trench-riddled battlefield between them.
A fitting image for the present state of Skaro, thought the Doctor. He
noticed that the guards were smartly uniformed here, their weapons modern
and well cared for. Strange how all wars were the same, thought the Doctor.
The staff back at H.Q. always had better conditions than the men actually
out fighting. ... A tall, very young officer, elegant in his gold-braided
uniform, was sshifting symbols on the relief map. He straightened up and
looked coldly at the patrol leader. Well? Two prisoners, General Ravon.
Captured in section one-zero-one. For interrogation. The officer smiled.
Excellent I enjoy interrogations. The Doctor looked at him. The young
face was hard and cold. -Yes, he said cheerfully, I must say, you look
the type. A blow from the rifle butt of one of the guards sent the Doctor 
staggering. Insolent muto, said Ravon. He turned to the patrol leader
who stood rigidly toattention, obviously waiting to speak. Well, what is
it?My section totally destroyed the Thal attackers, sir, except for these
two prisoners. But-well,the men are exhausted, and ammunition is running
low.Your men will fight until they are relieved. As for ammunition,
conserve it. Use the spearsand knives you were issued with whenever
possible. Return to your patrol.Sir. The patrol leader saluted wearily
and marched out, taking the guards with him. TheDoctor glanced quickly
round the room. Except for the soldier manning the communicationsunit, they
were now alone with the General. ...As if guessing the Doctor's thoughts,
Ravon drew his blaster and covered the two prisoners.So-the Thals have
degenerated to recruiting mutos, have they? Turn out your pockets!The
Doctor shrugged. Why not? I always try to turn them out every year or so!
He beganpiling up an incredible assortment of junk on the edge of the map
table-a yo-yo, a bag of jellybeans, several lengths of string and a
miscellaneous collection of scientific instruments. As hedid so, he took
the opportunity to study the relief map.Ravon noticed the Doctor's
interest.Take a good look, he sneered. In a few weeks we're going to
change the shape of that mapfor ever. We shall sweep the Thals from the
face of Skaro! A note of hysteria was in hisvoice.The Doctor studied him
thoughtfully. Basic insecurity there-or why would he bother to boastto a
couple of prisoners. In tones of deliberate provocation the Doctor said,
Oh yes? Andhoware you going to do that-with worn-out soldiers, no
ammunition and boy generals?Ravon reacted with hysterical rage. You've
been warned about your insolence-Harry Sullivan, who had been watching all
this with keen if baffled interest, felt a pressurefrom the Doctor's foot
on his own. He tensed, ready for the next move.The Doctor gave Ravon one of
his sudden, brilliant smiles. I'm sorry, General. But you doseem to be
having problems with this final campaign.
Ravon felt he had to convince this infuriating prisoner. When victory is
ours, we shall wipe every trace of the Thals and their city from this
planet. We will avenge the deaths of all the Kaleds who have fallen. Our
battle cry will be, 'Total extermination of the Thals.' Ravon's voice had
risen to a ritual chant. He was repeating a lesson drummed into him since
childhood. Deliberately the Doctor made his own voice low and soothing.
That's very impressive, General. You mean you're going to sweep across
these trenches ... The Doctor suited his actions to his words, flinging
one arm out in a sweeping gesture. At the end of it, the edge of his hand
hit Ravon's wrist in a precisely timed blow. Ravons hand opened, the
blaster flew through the air. Harry Sullivan caught it with the skill of a
born cricketer. The Doctor turned to Ravon, who was rubbing his hand. Did
I hurt your fingers, old chap? The soldier at the communications set
turned around to find Harry covering him with the blaster. You won't get
out of here alive, Ravon blustered feebly. The Doctor ignored him. He
crossed to the communications set, took the blaster from the startled
soldier and put the set out of action with a few well-aimed blows.
Outraged, the soldier jumped him-and the Doctor silenced him with a swift
tap from the blaster. He lowered him gently to the floor with genuine
regret. The Doctor's expression hardened as he swung back to Ravon. Now
then, Alexander the Great, you're going to take us out of here. Ravon
struck a heroic attitude. Never! Harry jammed the blaster under his chin.
You won't get any medals for being stupid, General. In fact you won't get
any more medals for anything-ever. Ravon looked from the Doctor to Harry.
These two were obviously desperate men. Surely his own life was too
valuable to risk? It wasn't as if they stood any real chance of escaping
... All right. Where do you want me to take you? Back to where we were
captured, said the Doctor. We left a friend behind. 
In the Wastelands? said Ravon. Yes, I suppose that's home to you mutos,
isn't it? Well,come on. I can promise you won't get far.The Doctor and
Harry fell into step beside Ravon, the stolen blasters concealed in
theirpockets. Ravon led them out of the room and along the corridor.
Passing guards glancedcuriously at them, but no one dared question the
actions of the General.They followed him along one corridor after another,
twisting and turning until Harry at leasthad lost all sense of direction.
He gave Ravon a jab. Where are you taking us? This isn't theway we
came.There's a platform elevator at the end of this tunnel. You know what
an elevator is, don't you,muto?'Yes, but I don't know what a muto is,
said Harry. 'You're making a mistake, General.If you come from the
Wastelands, you're mutos! Clearly that settled the matter for Ravon,and
Harry didn't bother to argue. The elevator appeared at the end of the
corridor. Ravontouched a control beside it, and they all stood
waiting.Harry gave the Doctor a worried look. I hope Sara's still
there.Ravon couldn't resist the opportunity to sneer.If you're not mutos,
then you won't last long up there. There came the sound of jack-bootedfeet
on the concrete floor. Someone was walking along the corridor toward
them.Harry gave Ravon a warning jab with the hidden blaster in his pocket.
Just remember we'reyour friends, won't you?The newcomer was a slightly
built, thin-faced man. His black uniform was plain except forsilver
insignia, and seemed somehow different from Ravon's. Not a soldier, thought
theDoctor, but some kind of policeman. Ravon's greeting confirmed the
Doctor's theory.Greetings, Security Commander Nyder.Nyder's reply was
equally formal. Greetings, General Ravon. I was just on my way to seeyou.
He stared curiously at the oddly assorted trio. The Doctor beamed, and
Harry managed acurt nod. Nasty-looking customer, he thought.
Ravon coughed nervously. Perhaps you would be kind enough to go to my
office and wait. Ishall only be a few minutes longer.Nyder nodded, but
made no attempt to move on. He looked more closely at the Doctor andHarry.
You're civilians?The Doctor nodded. Just here on a brief visit to our
old friend General Ravon. don't let usdetain you.You won't. As if
satisfied with this riposte, Nyder started to walk away. Then suddenly
hejumped back, drawing a pistol. Ravon-get down! he shouted.Ravon flung
himself to the ground as Nyder fired at the Doctor. The bullet sang past
his head,chipping concrete fragments from the wall. The Doctor yelled, Run
for it, Harry, and thetwo fugitives disappeared around the corner.Nyder
produced a pocket communicator. Alert all guards. Two Thal intruders in
commandcomplex. Sound the alarm.A few seconds later, a high-pitched siren
began to blare through the corridors. Nyder looked atRavon, who was
shamefacedly picking himself up. You're a fool, General Ravon, he
saiddispassionately.Ravon tried to justify himself. They took me by
surprise. What kind of soldier allows twounarmed prisoners to overpower
him in his own headquarters?Stung by Nyder's scorn, Ravon said, Those
weren't ordinary prisoners. there's somethingdifferent about them. they're
not mutos and they're not Thals.Nyder looked at him sceptically. No?
Well, if they are different-we'll find out when they'rerecaptured. There
was total confidence in his voice.
The Doctor and Harry sprinted along a corridor with no idea where they were
going. Their onethought was to escape the pursuing guards. Unfortunately
more guards appeared ahead, andonly a providential side corridor saved them
from capture. Shots ringing all around them, theyturned left, then right,
ran down an even smaller corridor and found themselves in a dead end.
The corridor ended in a pair of elevator doors like the ones where they'd
left Ravon and Nyder. They turned to go back, but heard guards running
toward them. Instinctively the Doctor pressed the elevator controls. The
running feet came nearer. As guards appeared in the corridor the elevator
doors opened and Harry and the Doctor dived inside. The soldiers raised
their guns, the Doctor stabbed frantically at the controls, and the doors
closed-just in time to save Harry and the Doctor from a hail of bullets.
Nyder arrived to see what had happened. He snatched out his communicator.
Alert surface patrols to watch for intruders in area seven! 
The high-speed elevator whisked Harry and the Doctor to the surface in a
matter of seconds. The doors opened on a featureless stretch of open
country-Wastelands as Ravon had called it. As yet no soldiers were in
sight. Harry stared out into the drifting fog. Where to, Doctor? Figures
loomed out of the fog, then came the sound of shouted orders. Just keep
running, called the Doctor, and shot off across the battlefield like an
ostrich, Harry close behind. The Kaled patrol lumbered after them. The
Doctor and Harry tore across the churned-up landscape leaping over pill
boxes, dodging barbed wire, stumbling in and out of shell holes. In their
frantic burst of speed they left the patrol far behind. It began to look as
if they bad succeeded in making their escape. But the battlefield held more
dangers than pursuing soldiers. Stumbling down a muddy slope the Doctor's
foot caught some kind of buried trip wire. He gave Harry a tremendous
shove, yelling Mine! and threw himself in the mud beside him. There was a
muffled crump, and a fountain of mud shot up in the air as the long-buried
mine was detonated. Harry and the Doctor escaped the flying shrapnel but
they were close enough to be deafened and halfstunned by the blast. Dizzily
they stumbled to their feet, shaking their heads to clear the ringing in
their ears. The Doctor rubbed the mud from his eyes and glanced round. 
They were completely surrounded by the Kaled patrol, covered by a ring of
rifles. The Doctorlooked round at the circle of hostile faces. Slowly he
raised his hands. Now what was it theysaid on Earth, back in the Kaiser's
day?The Doctor smiled round at the soldiers. Kamerade? he said hopefully.
No one smiled back.The soldiers began to close in.

3-THE SECRET WEAPON-
The Doctor and Harry were marched across the Wastelands, into the elevator,
through the corridors of the Command Center and back into the room they had
just left. Security Commander Nyder and General Ravon were waiting for
them. Nyder was turning over the odds and ends taken from the Doctor's
pockets. He held up a small, complex instrument surmounted with a dial.
What is the function of this object? The Doctor leaned forward and
examined it. Very interesting little gadget, that, he said chattily.
Actually it's an etheric beam locator-but you can use it for detecting
ion-charged emissions. Clearly Nyder was none the wiser. It is not of
Thal manufacture. Well, of course not. My friend and I don't come from
your planet. Nyder turned the instrument over in his hands. I have heard
Davros say there is no intelligent life on other planets. And Davros is
never wrong-about anything. Then he must be an exceptional man. Even I am
occasionally wrong about some things. Who is Davros? Nyder looked at the
Doctor keenly, then, realized that the question was genuine. Davros is our
greatest scientist. He is in charge of all scientific research in the
Bunker. Ravon, who had been standing by in the background, made an attempt
to assert himself. They could be mutos, Commander Nyder. Mutos who've
managed to develop some kind of technology ... Nyder gave him a look of
silent contempt, but said nothing. Harry, equally silent up to now, burst
out, Look here, I wish you wouldn't keep calling us mutos. We don't even
know what they are. 
Nyder looked wonderingly at him. Mutos are scarred and twisted monsters
created by thechemical and radiation weapons used in the early part of this
war. They were banished to theWastelands, where they scavenge like the
animals they have become.In other words, you just abandon your genetic
wounded? There was horror in the Doctor'svoice.The Kaled race must be
kept pure. The imperfect are rejected, sent into the Wastelands.Some of
them survive.' That's a very harsh policy.Nyder shifted uncomfortably.
Your views are unimportant, he said dismissively. GeneralRavon-I am
taking these two prisoners for interrogation by the Special Unit.But they
are prisoners of the Army ...You will release them to me. The Special
Unit will get more out of them than your crudemethods.Ravon crumpled
before the cold authority in Nyder's voice. If you insist ...I do
insist. Nyder produced a sheaf of papers from inside his tunic. I have a
list of supplyrequirements here. All these items are to be delivered to the
Bunker immediately.Ravon scanned the list with growing resentment. I
simply cannot spare this amount ofequipment. Your spare parts requisition
alone would take over half my available supply.Nyder smiled coldly.
General Ravon, you will notice that the requisitions are counter-signedby
Davros himself. Perhaps you would prefer to discuss the matter with
him?Ravon shuddered, and shook his head. I'll have the supplies at the
Bunker by dawn.By midnight, General. The orders specify midnight. Very
well. Midnight.Nyder turned to the guards. Bring the prisoners.As they
were marched away after him, the Doctor thought that it had been a very
interestingdemonstration. It was clear that the real power among the Kaleds
lay not with the army, butwith Davros, and those who served him.
Sarah had one of the most horrifying awakenings of her life. Buried beneath
a pile of rapidly stiffening corpses, she could feel her face wet with
blood. At first she felt confusedly that she must be dead too, or at least
badly wounded. But as she struggled groggily to her feet she realized that
the blood came from a shallow cut on her forehead. Miraculously, she was
more or less unharmed. She looked around. Along the line of the trench lay
more bodies, sprawled in the grotesque and ungainly attitudes of sudden
death. The metal door was closed. There was no sign of the Doctor or Harry.
Sarah began to move along the trench calling softly, Doctor? Doctor, are
you there? Harry? There was no answer. She paused, thinking. It would do
her no good to stay here. She started to climb out of the trench. Sarah
wandered across the Wastelands for what seemed a very long time, with no
clear idea of where she was going or why. The gray half-light, combined
with the drifting fog, made visibility very low. She stumbled in and out of
shell holes, and disentangled herself from clumps of rusting barbed wire.
Occasionally she heard distant gunfire, but saw no soldiers. Clearly the
battle had moved away from this section of the line. All the time she had a
feeling of something following her, of unseen forms creeping toward her. It
was this, as much as any real hope of finding the Doctor, that kept her
staggering wearily on her way. As the darkness deepened, the following
shapes moved closer. Sarah told herself it was all imagination, but she
knew very well it was not. At last she paused exhausted, and a hideous
shapeless something loomed out of the darkness, reaching for her. Sarah
screamed and ran. The shapeless thing pursued her and soon others joined in
the chase. She was hunted across the Wastelands, soft footsteps thudding
behind her. Fear gave her fresh energy and she ran blindly at full speed,
taking no care where she was going. Suddenly the ground vanished beneath
her feet. ... She felt herself falling. It wasn't a long fall, something
like five or six feet, and luckily she landed on soft ground. But it was
enough to knock the breath out of her. She lay gasping, pressed close to
the ground, and to her relief heard the sounds of pursuit pass by. 
Scrambling to her feet, Sarah began to take a look at her surroundings.
Close by she could just distinguish the outline of a broken wall. She moved
toward it and felt her way along. It seemed she had fallen into the
basement of a ruined house. She decided she might as well stay. At least
the ruins offered a chance of rest and safety. She made her way out of the
basement, climbing some broken steps. As she reached the top, Sarah
suddenly drew back. She was in a ruined entrance hall. She could see the
sky through the broken roof. Light was streaming from a room on the other
side of the hall. Sarah crept up cautiously, feeling that she was more
likely to meet enemies than friends on this dreadful planet. Flattening
herself against the wall, she peeped into the room. It was a large room,
and might once have been some kind of conference chamber. A space had been
cleared in the center of the rubble littered floor, and a portable field
lamp made a central pool of light. On the far edge of the cleared area, a
man was setting up a target, a life-sized, wooden cutout in the shape of a
soldier. The man wore the white coat of a scientist. He was tall and thin,
and his features had the dark, thin-faced intense look, so typical of most
Kaleds. There was another man in the room, but Sarah was unable to see him
clearly. He was on the near side of the pool of light, his back to her, and
was almost hidden by shadows. All Sarah could see was the back of an
elaborate wheelchair. A withered right hand hovered constantly over the
controls built into the chair arm. The man finished setting up the target.
I am ready, Davros. He walked over to stand beside the man in the chair,
his back to Sarah. Observe the test closely, Gharman, my friend. This will
be a moment to live in history. The voice was almost inhuman, filtered
through some mechanical reproduction system. It had a harsh, grating
quality that Sarah found familiar. She saw the claw-like hand touch a
switch. There was a whirring sound from the outer darkness and something
moved into the pool of light. It was a gleaming metal creature with a
rounded base. The body was constructed of heavily studded metal panels, the
top was a dome from which projected a lens on a metal stalk. Sarah
recognized the creature at once. It was a Dalek. 
True, it wasn't a fully-evolved Dalek, the kind she had seen in ruthless
action on the planet of the Exxilons. The movements were jerky and the arm
with the curious sucker-like tip was missing. But the gun was there, and
the eye-stalk. This must be an early model, a kind of prototype. Sarah
realized that the calculations of the Time Lords had been accurate. The
Doctor and his friends had been brought to Skaro as the Daleks were about
to be born. Davros was putting the Dalek through its paces. Left, left,
forward ... now right. Stop. The Dalek obeyed its movements faltering and
uncertain. Sarah realized now why the voice of Davros sounded so familiar.
It was just like that of the Dalek he had created! At last Davros had the
Dalek position to his satisfaction. It stood in front of his chair,
opposite the target on the other side of the room. Now, grated Davros.
Exterminate! The Daleles gun roared, and the target exploded in flames.
'Txcellent, said Davros. Locomotion is still faulty, and we must improve
the sense organs. But the weaponry is perfect. We can begin! As Davros's
chair swiveled around Sarah jumped back into hiding. Crouched low she saw
the shape in the chair glide past her, followed by the Dalek. Gharman came
last, carrying the field lamp. Sarah watched the bobbing light move away
across the Wastelands. She leant against the wall, thinking hard. Obviously
she had stumbled on some kind of secret test, and she ought to get the
information to the Doctor. But where to look for him? Presumably in the
city. Sarah decided to follow Davros. As she started to get up, a huge,
misshapen hand reached out of the darkness and touched her lightly on the
shoulder. Sarah turned to see the black bulk of a hooded creature looming
over her. The shock was too much, and she fainted dead away. 
To their surprise, the Doctor and Harry were marched out of the domed city
and across several miles of the Wasteland. Soon they saw lights ahead, and
the shape of a small, low-lying building, a kind of blockhouse. Nyder
halted the party by a massive metal door. A voice spoke from a metal
grille. You will announce your name, rank, serial number, purpose of visit
and authorization reference. Nyder glared irritably into what the Doctor
guessed must be a hidden camera. All right, Tane, use your eyes. This is
Security Commander Nyder with prisoners and escort. Yes, sir,' squawked
the voice in evident alarm. Nyder was obviously a character to be feared.
The heavy door slid open and they marched through. They found themselves in
a largish anteroom. One wall was filled with complex scientific equipment,
and another metal door faced them. Two black-clad officers stood waiting
stiffly to attention, one beside the door, the other at a kind of control
console. More black guards lined the walls. Nyder nodded to the first
officer. Captain Tane, I want these two screened and passed to Ronson.
Full interrogation. Here are their belongings. Handing over a sealed
plastic envelope, Nyder turned. The second officer hurriedly touched a
control. The inner door opened, revealing a tunnel stretching downward.
Nyder disappeared along it, and the door closed after him. The Doctor gave
Harry a reassuring grin. Any situation that started with Nyder leaving
couldn't be all bad! He nodded affably to Tane. that's a relief. Any
chance of a cup of tea?' Tane glared at him speechlessly. Any light
refreshment would do, the Doctor added helpfully. We've been through some
very trying experiences, haven't we, Harry? Very trying, Doctor. Harry's
agreement was heartfelt. Tane pointed to a sort of upright coffin
surrounded with complex instruments. Step into the security scan. The
Doctor glanced at Harry. 'No tea, he said sadly. Tane's voice was coldly
angry. Let me point out to you that you have no rights here. I have full
authority to execute any prisoner who does not obey orders. Two soldiers
seized Harry and shoved him into the scanning device. As soon as he was
inside a powerful light shone from above, seeming to pin him down. Harry
went rigid, white lights flashed and instruments buzzed all around him. 
The lights went out, and Harry staggered out of the machine on the point of
collapse. A soldier grabbed him, propped him against the nearest wall, then
pushed the Doctor into the machine. Once again the light flashed and the
instruments buzzed. But this time there was a new noise; a highpitched,
warning shriek. Tane glanced at the instrument panel. Scan detects power-
source on prisoner's left wrist. The scan was concluded, the machine
switched off and the Doctor stepped out. At a nod from Tane two guards
grabbed him. Remove object on the left wrist of the prisoner. One of the
guards started to wrench away the bangle. The Doctor struggled wildly. You
can't have that. It isn't a weapon, and it's of no possible interest to you
... A brutal blow from the rifle butt of one of the guards choked off the
protest. Tane took the bracelet, then dropped it into the plastic envelope
with the Doctor's other odds and ends. The officer in charge of the scanner
gave Tane a sheaf of cards, and he put them in the envelope without looking
at them. As he caught hold of the collapsing Doctor, Harry hissed in his
ear. Stop making a fuss, Doctor. That Time bracelet is our only hope of
getting back to the TARDIS. We've got to get it back. I know that,
whispered Harry. But we don't want them to know, do we? The Doctor
subsided. Tane turned to the nearest guard. The prisoners are to be given
over to the custody of Senior Researcher Ronson. Take this with you. He
handed over the plastic envelope. The two prisoners were taken through the
inner door and down the long tunnel. They were led along endless buttressed
corridors and into an enormous underground room. Looking around in
interest, the Doctor guessed he was in an advanced research laboratory. Or
rather a collection of laboratories. The place was sectioned off, and in
different cubicles and enclosed areas white-coated scientists were hard at
work. They were taken across the room to a corner desk, where a haggard,
gray-haired man sat wearily studying some figures. The guards handed over
the envelope and the prisoners, then marched away. Harry and the Doctor
stood waiting before the desk. The gray-haired man tipped out the contents
of the envelope and examined them. The Doctor's eyes gleamed at the sight
of the Time bracelet and he took a pace forward, but Harry nudged him,
looking around significantly. The huge room had many doors, but armed
guards stood at every one. The man behind the desk looked up. My name is
Ronson, he said. Do sit down. Harry and the Doctor, taken aback by the
first kind words they'd heard on Skaro, pulled over a couple of metal
chairs and sank into them gratefully. Thank you. I take it you're not with
the military? the Doctor asked hopefully. I am a member of the Special
Scientific Division. Excellent. Perhaps we can have a conversation that
isn't punctuated by rifle butts. The Doctor rubbed his aching head. A
little shamefacedly Ronson said, 'That depends. if you don't answer my
questions satisfactorily, I must hand you back to the Security Guards. As
if glad to leave a distasteful subject, he turned to the objects on his
desk Where did you get these things? The Doctor smiled. Ob, here and
there. Different places, different Times. If I didn't know better, said
Ronson slowly, I would swear they were produced on some other planet. But
it's an established scientific fact that Skaro, is the only planet capable
of supporting life. Suppose there are more planets than you're aware of?
suggested the Doctor gently. Ronson picked up the batch of coded cards.
When you went through the scanner the instruments checked your physical
make-up-encephalographical patterns, physiological composition and so on.
So if you are from another world... His voice faded away as he studied the
cards. You were saying? asked the Doctor politely. 
Ronson looked up with awe in his eyes. His makeup, he nodded toward
Harry, is comparable to ours, with a few minor differences. But yours ...
nothing conforms to any known life form on this planet. Nothing-except the
external appearance. Just goes to show-you should never judge by
appearances. Ronson leaned forward. Who are you? Where do you come from?
Tell me. The Doctor recognized pure scientific curiosity in Ronson's
voice. It's a very long story. Do you have any knowledge of the Theory of
Space Dimension Correlated to Relative Time? The Doctor was interrupted by
a low gonging sound. Every single scientist, Ronson included, reacted with
eager attention. The sound stopped and a voice said Davros will address
the Elite Scientific Corps in the main laboratory assembly. Almost at once
more white-coated scientists began to enter the room, workers from
adjoining laboratories. Our session will have to wait, Ronson said.
Davros is coming. His voice was hushed with reverence. I gather Davros
is your Chief Scientist? Our Chief Scientist and our supreme commander.
He must have something of importance to tell us. I shall be interested to
meet him, said the Doctor politely. But even he was not prepared for the
strange apparition that glided into the room. The Doctor was seeing, at
close range and in clear lighting, the strange being Sarah had only
glimpsed during the secret test in the ruined building. Davros was no more
than the shattered, ruined remnant of what had once been a man. He glided
along in an advanced form of wheelchair that moved under its own power. The
withered husk of a body was swathed in a high-collared, green plastic
overall, and surrounded by a variety of life-support systems. The Doctor
guessed that both heart and lungs were mechanically operated and
maintained. Only the right hand was visible, a withered claw hovering
constantly over the controls built into one arm of the chair. But the most
horrifying thing about Davros was his face. Parchment-thin skin clung to
the outlines of the shriveled skull. The eye sockets were blank and sunken,
the mouth a lipless slit. A helmet-like arrangement of wires and plastic
tubes surmounted the head, supporting a single lens that rested in the
center of the forehead. Speech, sight and hearing must be mechanically
aided too, thought the Doctor. Harry Sullivan looked at Davros in horror.
What happened to the poor devil? An atomic shell struck his laboratory
during a Thal bombardment, whispered Ronson. His body was shattered, but
he refused to die. He clung to life, and himself designed the mobile life-
support system in which you see him. Harry said nothing. To himself he
thought that death would surely be preferable to the kind of existence
Davros must be leading now. Davros had taken up his position in the center
of the far wall, flanked by the black-clad figure of Security Commander
Nyder. Davros spoke. If I may have your attention ... There was utter and
complete silence. Helpless in his chair, Davros should have been pitiful.
Instead, he was terrifying. The Doctor could almost feel the burning
intelligence, the powerful, inflexible will that radiated from the crippled
form. For some time, Davros continued, I have been busy on a top secret
project. There is still much to be done. However, I am anxious that you
should see the remarkable progress made so far, and to that end I have
arranged this demonstration. Davros wheeled his chair to face the door by
which be had entered. His withered hand dropped to touch a control, and
seconds later a metallic shape glided into the room. Like Sarah before him,
the Doctor had no difficulty in recognizing a Dalek. Armless, weaponless,
but still unmistakably a Dalek. As the machine glided up to Davros, his
metallic voice commanded, Halt. The Dalek stopped. He's perfected voice
control, breathed Ronson. That's magnificent. Move left. Halt. Move
forward. Halt. Circle. Halt. Obedient to Davros's commands the Dalek moved
jerkily about the room. 
Nyder! The Security Commander stepped forward. He took a sucker arm and a
gun, and fitted them onto the Dalek. As you see, grated Davros, our
machine is now fitted with a tactile organ and a means of self-defense. I
shall turn the machine over to total self-control. It will then be
independent of all outside influence. A living, thinking, self-supporting
creature. Davros touched a switch. For a moment the Dalek did nothing.
Then, slowly and uncertainly, it began to move around the room. Davros
followed in his wheelchair. Somehow the two were curiously alike. Suddenly
the Dalek seemed to see the Doctor. It moved slowly toward his corner,
balting just in front of him. The Doctor stood quite still. Alien,
croaked the Dalek suddenly. Exterminate ... exterminate ... exterminate!
Slowly the gun stick raised until it was pointing straight at the Doctor. 

4-ROCKET OF DOOM-
Nobody moved. It was clear to everyone in the room that the Dalek intended
to kill theDoctor. Suddenly Ronson darted forward and fficked one of the
switches on Davros's console.hnmediately the Dalek switched off, gun arm
and eye-stalk drooping.Davros was furious. You dare to interferel You have
the audacity to interrupt myexperiment!Ronson was clearly terrified but he
made himself speak out. It was going to destroy him.And you consider his
worthless life more important than the progress we have made? Mycreature
showed a natural instinct to destroy everything alien-and you
interceded.Davros ... I'm sorry, pleaded Ronson. But this is no
ordinary prisoner. I believe he hasinvaluable information. Let me
interrogate him first-then your creature can do what it likeswith
him.Davros considered. Very well. You will be punished later for your
insubordination.Meanwhile you may interrogate your prisoner until the end
of this work period. After that, Ishall resume my experiment.Davros
wheeled and glided away. Ronson heaved a sigh of relief. The Doctor took a
deepbreath. 'Thank you, he said simply.Ronson seemed hardly able to
believe his own temerity. I was simply doing my duty. Nowyou must
cooperate with me. If you don't provide knowledge to justify what I have
done,Davros will resume his experiment as threatened.Nyder crossed over to
them. Take the prisoners to the cells. You can finish the
questioningthere. Davros wants them kept safely.As the guards bustled them
away, the Doctor glanced longingly behind him. The Time ringstill lay among
the odds and ends on Ronsons desk...
Sarah's faint lasted only a few minutes. She awoke furious with herself-
she'd always believed she was the sort of girl who never fainted. As
consciousness returned, she heard low whispering voices. She decided to
fake unconsciousness a little longer. Two cloaked and hooded figures were
crouched beside her, one huge and massive, one thin and spindly. The big
one touched her cheek with a misshapen hand. Sarah lay perfectly still.
When the figure spoke, its voice was deep and gentle. She is beautiful...
no deformities or imperfections. The smaller figure had a shrill whining
voice. She is a norm, Sevrin. All norms are our enemies. Kill her. Why?
asked the deep voice sadly. Why must we always destroy beauty, kill
another creature because it is different? Kill her, the other voice
insisted. It is the law. All norms must die. If you will not kill her, I
will. The creature produced a knife from under its cloak and long,
incredibly thin arms snaked out toward Sarah. Sevrin moved protectively in
front of her, grabbing the knife wrist. For a moment the two creatures
struggled. They broke apart as they heard footsteps and muffled voices. A
patrol, muttered Sevrin. They're sure to check the building. The smaller
creature squeaked in panic. -We must get away. No, said the deep voice
authoritatively. Keep still. If you move they'll see you. But the
slighter figure was already on the move, scuttling spider-like along the
wall. From the darkness a voice yelled. Hald The glare of a spotlight
pinned the shuffling figure. Don't move, ordered the voice, and the sound
of booted feet came closer. Suddenly the spindly creature made a run for
it. A single shot rang out and it dropped to the ground. Two fairhaired
Thal soldiers came forward, one carrying a hand-beam, the other an old
fashioned single-shot rifle. The first shone his light on their kill. Only
a muto. You wasted your ammunition. The soldier with the rifle began to
reload. His companion swept the torch-beam along the wall. Here, there's a
couple more of 'em. 
The torch-beam lit up Sevrin crouching over Sarah's body. The soldier with
the rifle took aim,but the other stopped him. Hold it. Remember orders.
They need expendable labour for therocket loading. He shone the torch on
Sevrin, pulling the mutant to his feet. This one's notso bad. Got all it
needs to walk and carry. Sevrin stook meekly, making no attempt to
resist.The soldier shone the lamp down on Sarah. No reason this one can't
work. Looks almost anorm. He poked her in the ribs with his foot. Come on
you, up you get.Sarah got slowly to her feet. So much had happened since
she'd come to that she was stillconfused. She staggered a little as she
stood up. The soldier with the rifle called, No good,this one's too weak
and slow. Better let me finish it off. He raised his rifle.Sevrin stepped
in front of Sarah, shielding her. She'll be all right, I promise. I'll
help her.The soldier hesitated, then nodded. All right. Then move. He
gestured with the rifle. Sarahstumbled into the darkness, Sevrin supporting
her.She felt better once she was moving, and was soon able to walk unaided.
The soldiers herdedthem across the Wastelands for what seemed a very long
way, until at last they came to withinsight of a huge dome-covered city. It
was very like the one Sarah had seen earlier with theDoctor and Harry,
though the design was slightly different. She nudged Sevrin.
Where'sthat?He looked at her in surprise. It is the city of the
Thals.They were taken through a guarded access tunnel, along endless
concrete corridors, andherded into a huge, bare cell. Small groups of
prisoners like themselves were scattered all overthe room. Most were
cloaked and hooded like Sevrin-mutos, as the soldiers had called them.But
there was also a sprinkling of raggedly uniformed, dark-haired Kaled
soldiers. Sarahsupposed they must be prisoners of war.Sarah and Sevrin
joined the rest of the prisoners, slumping down on the floor, backs
againstthe wall. Sarah looked around and shivered. I wonder why theyve
brought us here?I heard the soldiers say they needed workers for their
rocket project. I don't mind working.They may even feed us. A nearby
prisoner leaned across to them. He was a Kaled soldier,
very young with a bleak, bitter face. Although neither of them realized it,
he and Sarah had met before. The Kaled had been leader of the patrol which
had emerged from the Kaled dome to capture Harry and the Doctor. Later he
had been captured himself by a Thal raiding party. He gave Sevrin and Sarah
a pitying look. You'll work all right, muto. On the kind of job that kills
you just as sure as a bullet will. What work? asked Sarah. The young
Kaled seemed to take a gloomy pleasure in breaking the bad news. The Thals
have built a rocket. Used up the last of their manpower and resources in
one final gamble. If they manage to launch it they'll wipe out the Kaled
city and most of the Kaled race in one blow. Sarah gave him a puzzled
look. So what are we needed for? 'Ibeyre packing the nose cone of the
rocket with distronic explosives. To reduce weight, they're using no
protective shielding. Every load we carry exposes us to distronic
radiation. After two or three shifts you feel weaker. Eventually you die!
Sarah looked at him in horror. Before she could speak a siren blared out
and the prisoners shuffled wearily to their feet. She turned to the Kaled.
What's that? Rest periods over-time to start loading again. A Thal guard
came over and prodded them to their feet with his rifle. All right,
snapped Sarah. No need to push! She joined the long line of prisoners
shuffling out of the door. Already her mind was busy with thoughts of
escape. The prisoners were marched through corridors and tunnels and
finally into a huge concrete enclosure. Sarah caught her breath. Towering
far above them was the deadly silver shape of the Thal rocket. The base of
the rocket was supported by a framework of scaffolding, its nose-cone
touched the roof far above their heads. Sarah guessed that a section of the
dome would slide back at the moment of firing. Meanwhile the rocket was
securely hidden inside the Thal city dome. 
Sarah noticed that the guards in here wore all-over radiation suits,
gauntlets and masks. She saw too that there was a dial inset in one wall,
and that the final third of it was shaded red-presumably for the danger
zone. A steel door slid back and a small lifting-truck emerged, driven by a
radiation-suited guard. The truck was loaded with ingots of some dull,
silvery metal, and as soon as it entered the rocket silo, the needle on the
radiation dial began climbing slowly toward the danger area. By now the
prisoners had been formed into a line, with Sarah and Sevrin somewhere near
the end. One by one the prisoners lifted an ingot from the truck and,
hugging it to their bodies, staggered over to the doors in the base of the
rocket. When it came to Sevrins turn, he lifted the ingot with ease and set
off with it. Sarah was next. She hesitated, reluctant to touch the ingot,
but the guard threatened with his rifle, and she was forced to pick it up.
It was astonishingly heavy for its size and she had to hug it to her body
to carry it. The ingot in her arms, Sarah stumbled toward the rocket doors.

In a tiny windowless cell in the Kaled bunker, Harry Sullivan sat on a bunk
and waited. It seemed ages since they had taken the Doctor away. The longer
Harry waited, the more worried he became. At last he heard the thump of
booted feet in the corridor outside. The cell door clanged open and the
Doctor was shoved in by a guard, who promptly shut and locked the door
behind hin. The Doctor threw himself on the bunk with a groan of relief.
Harry perched on the metal stool beside him. How did you get on, Doctor?
Are you all right? The Doctor gave him a weary nod. Did you tell them
anything?' The Doctor managed to grin. I told them everything, every bit
of scientific gobbledygook I could think of. They took reams of notes.
Their scientific experts will be confused for tweks! The Doctor chuckled.
I learned more from them than they did from me! What about this Bunker,
Doctor? Where are we? What's it all forr Most of the place is underground,
like these cells. It's a few miles from the main Kaled dome, bomb-proof and
completely impregnable to attack. 
What are they all doing here?The Doctor yawned and stretched, rubbing his
bruises. Harry guessed that the security guardshad given him the occasional
thump to loosen his tongue.Years ago the Kaled government decided to form
an elite corps. All their leading scientists,plus security men to protect
them. Over the years, this Elite has become so powerful that nowit can
demand anything it wants. ...The Doctor stopped talking as they heard
someone approaching outside. Perhaps it's the tea,he said hopefully. The
door opened and Ronson appeared in the doorway, a guard behind him.He
entered the cell. and turned to the guard. it's all right, you needn't
wait. The manhesitated and Ronson snapped, I am armed. You can stay on
duty outside. The guard noddedand closed the door. Ronson looked at the
Doctor stretched out on his bunk. I hope they didn'thurt you too much. I'm
afraid I was unable to interfere.The Doctor waved a dismissive hand. I'm
all right. The main thing is that you saved me frombeing the very first
victim of a Dalek!Ronson started. How did you know that name? just a few
minutes ago, Davros announcedthat his new device would be called a
Dalek!I have a certain advantage, in terms of Time, said the doctor
solemnly. In fact the reason Icame was because of-well, let's say future
concern about the development of the Daleks.Ronson sank wearily on to the
end of the bunk. I too am concerned, he confessed. Othersfeel the same,
but we are powerless.The Doctor sat up, leaning toward him. Perhaps I can
help. But you'll have to trust me.Ronson glanced toward the cell door and
dropped his voice. 'We believe that Davros haschanged the direction of his
research into something immoral. The Elite Corps was formed toproduce
weapons that would win this war. But soon we saw that was futile. Already
theweapons used had begun to cause genetic changes. We were forced to turn
our attention to thesurvival of our race.
The Doctor nodded grimly. Meanwhile the early products of these genetic
changes-themutos-were banished to the Wastelands?That's right. Davros
believed this trend was irreversible, so he decided to work Oth it,
toproduce accelerated mutations in an effort to find our final mutated
form. He produced whathe calls the ultimate creature. Ronson rose to his
feet. Come with me, Doctor. He rappedon the door and the guard opened it.
I require the assistance of these prisoners in certain top-secret
experiments. You will release them into my custody.The guard looked
doubtful, but the habit of obedience to the scientific Elite was too strong
inhim. Dismissing the guard, Ronson led Harry and the Doctor in another
direction. He tookthem along dimly lit passages to a short corridor. The
roof was supported by heavy buttressesjutting out from the walls. The
corridor ended in a massive metal door in which was set asmall viewing
panel, covered by a shutter.Ronson pulled the shutter to one side,
revealing a thickly glassed window. From inside it camea pulsating green
glow. Take a look, Doctor.The Doctor peered through the little window
then hurriedly stepped back. Harry saw the lookof revulsion on his face but
couldn't resist taking a quick look through the panel. He caught afleeting
glimpse of long rows of tanks, holding twisted, hideously deformed shapes.
Then theDoctor moved him aside, sliding the shutter closed. I wouldn't,
Harry. Not unless you want tolay in a permanent stock of nightmares.Ronson
looked at them, and Harry saw the bitterness in his face. You see, Doctor?
If Davroshas his way, that is our future. That is what the Kaleds will
become!
In the big communal cell, Sarah was trying to whip up a spirit of revolt.
Look, she saidfiercely. We have to do something now. A few more shifts
and we won't have the strength.We've got to get out of here.The young
Kaled patrol leader glanced across at the doors. That's just not
possible.
Sarah looked at the guards. They were leaning against the doors, rifles
held casually in the crooks of their arms. Oh yes, it is. Those guards
aren't expecting any trouble-not from a group of worn-out slave workers.
Supposing we do get out-we'll only be in the rocket silo. The exit from
that goes through a Thal command point--and that'll be crawling with
troops. There's another way out from the silo, replied Sarah. Straight
up! The scaffolding goes right up to the nose cone of the rocket. From
there we could get out onto the surface of the dome, then climb down to the
ground. Beside them the giant mutant Sevrin sat huddled beneath his all-
concealing cloak and hood. Climb that scaffolding, he protested mildly.
it's very high. I know, said Sarah gently. I don't exactly fancy it
myself. But it's our only chance to survive. She had endured one long
work-shift lugging the metal ingots into the rocket's storage chamber. The
Kaled soldier had explained that while the first few shifts produced only
normal fatigue, further exposure would begin a dangerous build-up of
radiation effect in the body. Sarah was prepared to face any risk rather
than that. The patrol leader had already endured several shifts, and his
face was gray and drawn. Why not, he muttered. -Better to take a chance
than rot away here. All right, whispered Sarah. Now-move around among
the others. Recruit as many as you can! Guards came in with cauldrons of
gray, mushy porridge, food providing the absolute minimum of nourishment,
just enough to enable the prisoners to work. Bowlfuls of the stuff were
passed out and the prisoners ate greedily with their fingers, afterward
licking the bowls till they were clean. During the general confusion
produced by this feeding time, Sevrin and the young Kaled moved among the
prisoners, explaining their plan for a breakout. Some prisoners fled from
them in terror, others just stared blankly. But here and there they found
some willing to listen. There were still a few whose spirits were not
completely broken. 
When feeding was over and the bowls handed in, the three conspirators met
in a corner.Well? asked Sarah.The Kaled soldier nodded fiercely. Some of
my men were captured with me. They'll fight. Sowill most of the other
soldiers.Sevrin however shook his head. The mutos are too frightened, he
explained sadly. We arealways frightened. But I will help.'We'll just
have to do the best we can, Sarah said. Once we get started the rest will
probablyjoin in.
The first part of the breakout was surprisingly easy. Sarah, Sevrin and the
more aggressiveprisoners all drifted slowly toward the door. When Sarah was
opposite the nearest guard shestumbled and fell against him, pretending to
faint. Instinctively the guard grabbed her-and theKaled soldier chopped him
down from behind. Before the second guard could react Sevrinsprang upon
him, lifted him high in the air and dashed him to the ground. He stood
looking atthe motionless body as if astonished by his own daring.Come on,
yelled Sarah. Quicklyi She threw open the doors and the prisoners
streamed out,overwhelming the guards on the other side. The breakout had
begun!

5-ESCAPE TO DANGER-
The Doctor, Harry and Ronson were hurrying along the corridors beneath the
Bunker. Fromtime to time a passing guard glanced curiously at them, but the
presence of one of thescientific Elite proved a good enough passport. They
talked in low voices as they walked.Ronson went on with his explanations.
Davros says that having evolved our ultimate form, hethen created a travel
machine in which to house it.The Doctor nodded. And the two combined have
produced a living weapon-the Daleks! He'screated a monster Utterly devoid
of conscience. Are you prepared to help me stop him?I must, said Ronson
simply. 'There are those in the Kaled government who may still havethe
strength to act. If they knew the full truth they could end Davros's power,
close down theBunker and disband the Elite. I myself am not allowed to
leave the Bunker... But you twomight make it.Help us to escape, urged
the Doctor. Give me the names of the men you speak of and Ipromise you
I'll make them listen.Was it going to be as easy as that, Harry wondered.
He turned to Ronson. Can you really getus out?One of the ventilation-
system ducts leads to a cave on the edge of the Wastelands. The exit
isbarred, but you might get through. But there's an added danger.I knew
it, said Harry. Go on.Some of Davros's early experiments- were with our
wild animals. Horrific monsters werecreated-some of them were allowed to
live as a controlled experiment.don't tell me-they're in this cave we go
through?Ronson nodded. Harry sighed. It certainly wasn't going to be so
easy!
Ronson led them through smaller and smaller corridors, until they came to a
short rock-walled tunnel. It ended in a blank wall into which was set a
ventilation duct, just large enough to admit a human body. A metal hatch
covered the duct. It was stiff with disuse, and it took the Doctor and
Harry quite a time to wrench it open. As they worked, Ronson was scribbling
rapidly in a plastic-covered notebook. The hatch creaked open and he handed
the book to the Doctor. I've written down the names of all the people you
should try to contact giving the facts about Davros's research, and I've
added a note of introduction to confirm your story. ... If anything goes
wrong... Don't worry, I'll see it's all destroyed. The Doctor knew that
with the notebook Ronson was placing his life in their hands. Harry jumped
up to the opening and wriggled through into the cramped tunnel. Ronson
helped the Doctor to climb in after him. Hurry, he gasped. I think
someone's coming. Good luck! The Doctor's long legs disappeared into the
duct and Ronson slammed the hatch-cover closed behind them. He turned and
hurried back down the tunnel. At the point where the tunnel joined the main
corridor, he ran straight into a patrolling guard. The guard was surprised
to see an eminent scientist leaving what was essentially a maintenance
area, but Ronson looked haughtily at him, and the man went on his way.
Concealing a sigh of relief, Ronson headed back to his laboratory. 
In the ventilation duct, Harry and the Doctor edged their way through total
darkness. Harry didn't know which to worry about most, the perils behind
them or the dangers ahead. 
A yelling crowd of prisoners burst out of the cell and milled round the
base of the giant rocket. Some began running blindly toward the exits, only
to encounter Thal guards running out from their command posts. The guards
started shooting wildly into the crowd. 
Sarah saw the young Kaled soldier fall early in the melee, but the giant
form of Sevrin was still at her side. Together they pushed their way to the
scaffolding and began climbing. Up and up they climbed, hand over hand
until Sarahs arms were aching and the sounds of shooting and yelling seemed
faint and distant. Gasping for breath, Sarah made the mistake of looking
down. She hadn't realized how far they'd come, and the dizzying drop below
her made everything spin round. Luckily Sevrin was close enough to lean
across and grab her arm. Don't look down, Sarah. And keep climbing.
Something bounced off the metal scaffolding near Sarah's head and whined
away into space. She looked down and caught a brief glimpse of a Thal
guard, his rifle pointing upward. They're shooting at us, she gasped.
Come on. By now other prisoners were following their example, swarming up
the scaffolding like monkeys. Many were picked off by the rifles of the
Thal guards and crashed to the ground at the base of the rocket. Others
were luckier, and the Thal Guard Captain soon realized there was real
danger that many of his prisoners might get away. As more reinforcements
arrived to deal with the prisoners, he slung his rifle over his shoulder
and assembled a small group of reluctant soldiers. Come on-we're going up
after them. The soldiers began to climb. High on the scaffolding, the
nose-cone very close now, Sarah hung gasping. It's no good. I can't climb
any more. Sevrin was close behind her. There seemed to be enormous
strength in the great twisted body, and he could swing apelike along the
scaffolding with no sign of fatigue. You must go on, Sarah. See, they are
coming after us. Sarah glanced down to see Thal soldiers swarming up the
scaffolding in pursuit. Stronger and better fed than their escaping
prisoners, they were catching up rapidly. Sarah started to climb again, but
her tired sweating hands slipped on the scaffolding. She felt herself
dropping. A sudden jerk arrested her fall. Sevrin had caught her arm,
taking her whole weight with one hand while he clung to the scaffolding
with his other. Sarah swung back close to the scaffolding and managed to
find a fresh hold. She glanced down again. Because of the delay, the
pursuing Thals were now much closer. Yet the narrow escape had stiffened
SaraVs determination not to be recaptured; she began climbing even higher.
There wasn't far to go. At the top of the scaffolding, Sevrin was waiting
for her. They were right by the nose-cone of the rocket, and the roof of
the dome was only a few feet away. Look, Sarah. There's a section of the
dome that slides away. We could reach it from the tip of the nose-cone and
get out! How do we get onto the nose-cone? 'We'll have to jump for it-
I'll go first, then I can catch YOU. Sevrin poised himself for a moment,
then leaped like a giant spider across the gap between the scaffolding and
the nose-cone. He landed spread-eagled on the very tip of the rocket, hands
scrabbling for a hold on the smoothly polished metal. When he felt secure
he yelled, It's all right, Sarah. jump and I'll catch you. Sarah looked
across. The gap seemed enormous, and stretching down below her was the
entire length of the huge rocket. The figures round its base seemed like
tiny moving dots. She clung to the scaffolding, shivering with fear.
You've got to do it, called Sevrin. Jump! Sarah looked down again. The
pursuing Thal soldiers were very close. She jumped. She hit the nose-cone
with a thump, and immediately started sliding off, but one of Sevrins huge
hands caught her and dragged her to safety on its rounded tip. A narrow
ledge gave a foothold. We're nearly there, he muttered reassuringly.
Just a bit more and we'll be on the dome surface. We'll be safe. Slowly
Sevrin climbed to his feet. Balancing precariously on the very tip of the
rocket's nose-cone he slid back the panel in the dome. Sarah felt a rush of
cold air and saw the night sky through the gap. Sevrin had one hand on the
edge of the gap, and was reaching down to pull Sarah through when a voice
called out, That's far enough. The Thal soldiers had caught up with them.
The Guard Captain was clinging to the scaffolding with one hand, leveling
his rifle at them with the other. Close to him, the rest of his men were
doing the same. Right, he ordered. Back on the scaffolding. 
Sevrin sighed. Releasing his grip on the opening he took a flying leap and
landed back on thescaffolding. Immediately a Thal soldier jammed a rifle in
his ribs. Start climbing. No tricks,or you'll go down the quick way.
Obediently Sevrin started to descend.The Guard Captain turned to Sarah.
Now you.Hanging grimly on to the nose-cone, Sarah didn't dare move. All
right, said the Captainsoftly, I'll come and get you. He leaped
confidently across the gap and landed on therounded tip of the rocket where
Sevrin had stood a moment earlier. Take my hand, heordered. Sarah reached
up and he grasped her wrist. Suddenly he jerked. Sarah's feet slid fromher
precarious foothold. She was dangling over empty space supported by the
Captain's hand.The Guard Captain knew he would be punished because of the
prisoners' revolt, and theknowledge made him cruel. He grinned down at
Sarah. All I have to do is slacken my grip. ...They say people who fall
from great heights are dead before they hit the ground. I don'tbelieve
that, do you? He pretended to let Sarah go and she moaned in fear. Tiring
of his gamethe Captain pulled her back to safety. 'don't worry, you're
going back to work, Before longyou'll wish I had let you drop. He called
across to one of the soldiers. Better throw a ropeover, or this one will
never make it down. As the rope was lashed round her Sarah felt
onlyrelief. The escape had failed-but she was still alive.
Harry felt the journey through the cramped dark tunnel was never going to
end. Maybe theywere lost, he thought, maybe they'd die here in these
tunnels. Suddenly he felt cold, damp air,and saw a dim glow of light. I
think we're nearly there, Doctor, he called behind him. Thetunnel widened
a little toward its end, which was blocked by heavy wire mesh.The Doctor
squeezed up beside Harry. That must be the entrance to the cave. So all
weve gotto do is. A snuffling grunt came out of the darkness.Must be one
of Davros's little pets, Harry whispered nervously. They waited in
silence.Something big and shapeless brushed past the other side of the
grille, and they heard itshamble away into the darkness. They waited a
moment longer.
Well, whatever it was, it's gone, the Doctor said cheerfully. Give me a
hand, Harry. Using their combined strength, they managed to prize off the
grille. After you, Doctor, said Harry politely. The Doctor grinned and
slipped into the cave. Harry followed him. The cave was very dark, and he
was aware of little more than a dank rock wall close beside him. But there
did seem to be a lighter patch somewhere in the distance. The Doctor tapped
his shoulder. Keep close to the wall, Harry, and make for the light. As
they shuffled along, Harry was almost grateful for the darkness. Whatever
was in the cave, he thought he'd be a lot happier if he didn't see it. They
reached the light source without incident. It proved to be a very small
barred window looking out onto the Wastelands. We've made it, said Harry
exultantly. Come on, Doctor. He hurried towards the window. The Doctor
was peering cautiously at the ground just beneath the window. A giant round
shape was half-buried in the ground. Harry, be careful- the Doctor
called. But he was too late. The hump seemed to split into two separate
halves. They widened like gaping jaws and clashed down on Harry's leg.
Harry let out a howl of pain and the Doctor ran to his side. Harry's leg
was gripped tight by what appeared to be a kind of giant clam, several feet
across. Hissing fiercely the creature was trying to drag Harry into the
darkness of the cave, no doubt hoping to digest him at leisure. The Doctor
grabbed a chunk of rock and hammered at the shell, but it was iron-hard.
Remorselessly the sliding horror dragged Harry further away. The Doctor
glanced round for a weapon. He saw a jagged spear-like piece of rock
projecting from one wall. Using his rock as a hammer he broke it away, ran
back to Harry and jammed the improvised spear into the gap in the giant
shell. He rammed the sharp stone deep inside the clam, using all his
strength. With a hiss of pain, the jaws sprang open. Harry fell backward,
free, and the creature slithered away in the darkness. 
The Doctor knelt beside Harry who was moaning and clutching his leg. He
made a briefexamination. Nasty bruise there, but nothing seems to be
broken, he said briskly. You had alucky escape, Harry. That must have
been one of Davros's nastier experiments.Harry rubbed his leg tenderly.
Why is it always me who puts his foot in it? he grumbled.The Doctor
slapped him on the back. You'll be all right, Harry. Can you walk
yet?Just about. Harry hobbled a few steps.Then we'd better get out of
here. It's not a place to hang about.As they wrenched at the rusting bars
in the window Harry said, When we're out in theWastelands, Doctor, can't
we have a look for Sarah?The Doctor shook his head. At the moment we're
just a couple of fugitives. We'd be shot orimprisoned in no time. There's
still a war going on, remember. But if we warn the Kaledgovernment about
Davros-well, they'll owe us a favor, won't they? We can ask for an
officialsearch.Harry looked worried and the Doctor gave him a reassuring
grin.Don't worry, Harry, we'll find her, I promise you. But one problem at
a time. And ourproblem now is to get past these bars.
In the Bunker's main laboratory, Davros was holding a demonstration. This
time two Daleks:were gliding backward and forward along the laboratory.
They completed a complicatedsequence of evolutions, then came to a halt
before Davros's chair. The grating voice of thenearer one said, We await
your commands.Chillingly like that of his creation, the voice of Davros
spoke, No further command.Disengage automotive circuits. The lights on
the Daleks' heads went out, their guns andsucker-arms drooped. Excellent,
said Davros in a satisfied voice.One of his retinue of scientists, a plump,
smooth little man called Kavell, leaned forwardobsequiously. They are
perfect, Davros. A truly brilliant creation.
The rasping voice corrected him. A brilliant creation, yes. But not
perfect. Scientist. Technicians! Davros raised his hand and a group of
younger men hurried forward. Improvements must be made in the optical
systems and the sensory circuits. Their instincts must be as accurate as
any scientific instrument. Working will begin at once. You will carry out
the following adjustments ... As Davros's voice droned on, Kavell slipped
away from the group and moved across to the corner desk where Ronson sat
working. He peered over Ronson's shoulders as if checking his results, and
said quietly, Does Davros know that your two alien prisoners have
escaped? Ronson glanced up quickly, then went on with his work As far as
I know the prisoners are in their cell. Don't worry, Ronson, I won't
betray you. you're not the only one worried about Davros's plans. Now
answer me. Does Davros know? The prisoners are in their cell  repeated
Ronson. He didn't trust Kavell enough to make any damaging admissions. The
plump little man chuckled. I have some news for you, Ronson. Your two
prisoners have managed to cross the Wastelands and make contact with
certain members of the government. How do you know that? Kavell smiled
complacently. There are still some advantages to being in charge of the
communications system. He looked across the laboratory to where Davros sat
surrounded by his admiring assistants. All we can do now is hope that your
friends manage to convince our leaders that Davros's work must be ended.
Kavell walked away, and Ronson buried his head in his hands. They must
succeed, he muttered to himself. They must! 
In the Kaled City, Harry Sullivan sat in a luxurious underground conference
room, scarcely able to believe what was happening. Only the Doctor could
possibly have managed it, thought Harry. No one else would have the cheek! 
When the window bars had finally given way, the Doctor had led Harry
across the Wastelands to one of the main entrances to the Kaled City.
Marching straight up to an astonished sentry, the Doctor had demanded to
see his superior officer. Then he had bullied his way up the chain of
command, intimidating a captain, a colonel and finally a full-blown
general, with impressive but vague talk of a vitally important top-secret
mission, and repeated demands to be put in touch with certain important
members of the Kaled government, dropping their names freely, as if they
were old friends. Several times Harry felt that various officers had been
on the point of having them shot, but the Doctor's bare-faced audacity had
at last succeeded. They had been granted an interview with Mogran, one of
the names on Ronson's list. Mogran had listened sceptically at first, then
with increasing concern. He had studied the letter and the details of
Davros's experiments in Ronson's notebook. Finally he had summoned a secret
meeting in this hidden conference room. Now Mogran was addressing his
fellow councilors, while the Doctor waited beside him. Harry was amused to
see that Ravon, the young General from whom they'd first escaped, was also
at the meeting, puzzled to find his former prisoners being treated as
honored guests. Mogran, an impressively robed figure with silver hair, was
concluding his speech, ...and it is only because I am personally convinced
of both the accuracy and importance of the Doctor's information that I ask
you to listen to him now. Doctor? The Doctor stepped forward, as relaxed
and authoritative as the guest-of-honor on some state occasion. Some of
what I am about to tell you concerns events in the future. Events not only
on this planet, but on other planets whose existence is not even known to
you... A murmur of surprise went up from the audience. The Doctor raised
his hand. I realize that may be hard to accept, but my knowledge is based
firmly on scientific fact. I know that Davros is creating a machine
creature, a monster that will terrorize and destroy millions. He has given
this vile creature a name-a name that is a distortion of that of your own
race-DALEK! The word is new to you, but for a thousand generations it will
bring fear and terror. 
The Doctor paused impressively. Davros has one of the finest scientific
minds in existence. But he has a fanatical desire to perpetuate himself in
his creation. He is without conscience, without soul and without pity, and
his creations are equally devoid of these qualities As the Doctor went on
with his speech, Harry slumped down in his seat. Would the Doctor be able
to convince them? The fate of this world, and of many more, depended on his
success. ... 

6-BETRAYAL-
Davros watched with satisfaction as a team of scientists and technicians
toiled to make the improvements he had demanded for his Daleks. Through the
vision lens that provided him with sight, he saw Security Commander Nyder
enter the laboratory and come toward him. Davros wheeled his chair to a
secluded corner and Nyder joined him. He leaned forward urgently, keeping
his voice low. Davros, I've just had word from one of our supporters in
the government. Your old enemy Councilor Mogran has called a meeting. Only
known opponents of your scientific Elite have been invited to attend.
Davros clenched and unclenched his withered hand. I want a full report of
everything that's discussed. I don't care how you get the information ...
just get it! After a moment he went on more calmly. I don't think we need
be too concerned. Many times in the past fifty years opponents in the
government have tried to interfere with my research. They have always
failed-they will fail again. There's something else, Nyder said. The
two alien prisoners left in Ronson's charge. They are attending the
meeting. Davros turned his chair so that he could see Ronson working in
the corner. Nyder followed the direction of his gaze. What action shall I
take concerning the traitor Ronson? The lipless mouth of Davros twitched
in what might have been a smile. For the moment, none. I shall deal with
him in my own way. 
The meeting was drawing to its close. The Kaled politicians were talking
among themselves, occasionally glancing across to the Doctor and Harry.
General Ravon, who seemed to take no part in the deliberations, was
standing nearby. Harry wondered if he was guarding them. The suspense was
getting on his nerves. Do you think you convinced them, Doctor? he
whispered. I'm not sure, Harry. I tried, but sometimes words just aren't
enough. Harry saw a bustle of movement on the other side of the conference
room. Looks as if they've reached a decision. With muttered farewells the
other councilors were hurrying away, leaving Mogran behind. He came over to
the Doctor, who jumped eagerly to his feet. Well, what have you decided?
It has been agreed that an independent tribunal will investigate the work
being carried out at the Bunker. That could take months, protested the
Doctor. Davros has prototype Daleks ready for action now! Mogran held up
his hand. It has also been agreed that pending the result of the
investigation, Davros's Dalek experiments will be suspended. The Doctor
brightened. Now that's more like it-though mind you, its less than I'd
hoped for... Mogran gave him the reassuring smile of a politician. 'I
assure you, Doctor, if your allegations are borne out the Bunker will be
closed down, and Davros dismissed. Meanwhile, you are welcome to remain
here as our guests. I'm afraid we haven't time for that, the Doctor said
briskly. One of my companions was lost in the Wastelands almost as soon as
we arrived. I'd be very glad if you'd give us some help in finding her.
Mogran looked ill-at-ease. Glancing around for a solution he caught sight
of General Ravon, and passed the buck with polished skill. I'm afraid
that's outside my sphere. But General Ravon here will give you all the help
he can. I must go and inform Davros of my Commitee's decision. Mogran left
the room, and Harry turned aggressively to Ravon. He didn't much fancy
leaving Sarahs fate in the hands of one who'd so recently been their enemy.
Well, General, he demanded, can you help us? 
As a matter of fact, I believe I can, Ravon replied surprisingly. One of
our agents inside the Thal dome sent a report about a newly arrived girl
prisoner who led some kind of breakout among the slave-workers. Gave the
Thals a lot of trouble before she was recaptured. Harry said eagerly,
Well, that certainly sounds like Sarah. What's all this about slaves?
The Thals are using prisoners to load their last great rocket. It's their
super-weapon. They think they'll win the war with it. You don't seem very
worried. Ravon smiled confidently. No matter how powerful the rocket, it
will never penetrate our protective dome. Davros had it reinforced with a
protective coating, a new substance with the strength of thirty-foot
concrete. Congratulations, said the Doctor drily. Now how can you help
us find Sarah? Ravon looked doubtful. One of my agents could get you into
the service shafts under the Thal rocket silo. But after that, you'd be on
your own. Understood, said the Doctor. Let's be on our way. He seemed
ready to set off at once. Harry caught his arm. I'm as anxious to rescue
Sarah as you are, Doctor, but do you think there'd be time for a bite to
eat first? It's been all go since we arrived. The Doctor looked at Ravon
who said, Yes, of course. Come with me and I'll arrange it. As they
followed him from the room Harry said, I suppose we'll have to cross those
Wastelands again. That's right. The Doctor smiled. And then our
troubles will really begin. You might almost have thought he was looking
forward to it. Councilor Mogran was an extremely worried man. Somehow
everything was going far too smoothly. He'd expected fiercely determined
opposition from Davros. Instead he was encountering an unnerving degree of
cooperation. An investigation? Davros was saying. But of course,
Councilor Mogran. I welcome your inquiry into my work here. The Kaled
people sacrifice much to give us the materials we need. They have a right
to know how our 
work is proceeding. My only hope is that when they learn of our
achievements their patriotismwill be re-fired.Mogran could say little in
face of such sentiments. I am grateful for the way you haveaccepted this
decision, Davros. There is one thing more-until the inquiry is concluded,
allwork on the Daleks must be suspended.If that is your wish, then I must
obey. It will take time to close down certain equipment. Shallwe say
twenty-four hours?The request was so reasonable that Mogran did not dare
to refuse it entirely. Shall we saytwelve hours? he countered.It will be
difficult-but it will be done.Mogran prepared to leave. Then it remains
only for me to thank you for your co-operation.Davros bowed his ghastly
skull-like head. It is simply my duty. The investigation will revealonly
my loyalty and total dedication to our cause.Mogran left the laboratory.
Nyder, who had been a silent witness to the confrontation, leanedover
Davros's chair. We cannot allow this investigation. The stupidest
councilors cannot failto see that the Daleks will give you total power.
They will end the experiment.There will be no investigation, Davros
answered. Mogran has just signed the death-warrantof his city. Only we,
the Elite, will go on.Nyder looked at him in astonishment, but said
nothing.I want twenty of the genetically mutated creatures installed in
the machines immediately.They will be our shock-troops in the battle for
survival.they're still erratic, mentally unstable, Nyder protested.
They will not be allowed total self-control. I shall prepare
a computer program to limit their actions. Come, Nyder. We are going on a
journey! 
The Doctor and Harry were close to their destination-the Thal rocket silo
where they hoped to find and rescue Sarah. After a hasty meal, Ravon had
handed them over to one of his agents, a weasel-faced man who spoke only
when strictly necessary. Disguised in the hooded cloaks of mutos, the
Doctor and Harry had been led by way of hidden paths and abandoned trenches
across the central Wastelands to the outskirts of the Thal dome. Shifting a
carefully hidden hatchway, the agent had then gone underground, leading
them through an interminable series of cramped tunnels and passageways
where mysterious machinery hummed and throbbed. Finally he had stopped in a
corridor junction, pointing to a ladder, bolted to the wall, which gave
access to a hatch cover. you're right underneath the silo now. That's all
I can do for you. Here's your map! And with that he had slipped away into
the darkness. Harry and the Doctor stripped off their muto disguise. Well,
might as well get on with it, said the Doctor. He climbed the ladder till
he was high enough to raise the hatch cover a few inches and peep through
the gap. Seems clear enough. Come on, Harry. Carefully the Doctor lifted
the hatch and climbed through, reaching down to help Harry after him. They
replaced the cover and looked at their surroundings. They were in a
featureless concrete corridor. Nearby was a door, the top-half glassed in.
A notice read, LAuNcH CONTROL. The Doctor checked his map. We seem to have
surfaced in the administrative block, he whispered. -But we're pretty near
the rocket. Impelled by his usual curiosity, the Doctor couldn't resist a
swift peep through the glass panel in the Launch Control door. He stiffened
in sudden surprise and beckoned Harry over. Harry joined him. The place was
crowded with all the paraphernalia of a rocket control room, but now it was
full of people too. Some wore military uniform, others robes like those of
Kaled councilmen, though of different design. They were surrounding two
central figures, who were set apart from the rest. To Harrys astonishment
he saw Davros, in his wheelchair, Nyder beside him. He nudged the Doctor.
What's the chief scientist of the Kaleds doing in the Thal rocket base?
The Doctor touched a finger to his lips. With infinite caution he opened
the door the merest crack, and Harry heard the metallic, inhuman tones of
Davros. ...my concern is only for peace, for an end to the carnage that
has virtually destroyed both races. Davros was talking to a high-ranking
Thal minister, summoned especially for this incredible meeting. Like his
Kaled opposite number Mogran, the minister was a tall, imposing man with an
air of great authority. There was scepticism in his voice. Why not try to
convince the Kaled government to make peace? I have tried, time and time
again. They will settle for nothing less than total extermination of the
Thals. Davros's deliberately provocative announcement was greeted with
angry murmurings. Then they deserve to perish:' the minister replied
coldly. And perish they shall. Our rocket- -will be a total failure.
The voice of Davros completed the sentence. The Kaled city dome cannot be
penetrated. It is protected by a special material of my invention. Your
rocket will hardly scratch it-unless you accept my help. Nyder produced a
sheaf of papers and held them out. This is the measure of our sincerity. A
simple chemical formula. Load the substance into normal artillery shells
and bombard the Kaled dome. The dome will be weakened, its molecular
structure made brittle. Then your rocket will penetrate with virtually no
resistance. The Minister took the papers and looked at them incredulously.
Why do you give us this information, when it means the end of your city?
No price is too great for peace, Davros said solemnly. When the war is
finally over, I ask only to be allowed to take part in the reconstruction
of our world. And, remember, by dawn tomorrow this planet could be at
peace. The Minister spoke slowly, If you would give me a moment to confer
with my colleagues alone? 
Davros's chair began moving toward the door. The Doctor and Harry ducked
back, and disappeared around the corner. After a moment they heard Nyder's
lowered voice. Do you think they believed you, Davros? They are hungry
for victory. They will use the formula and fire their rocket, no matter
what they think. The door opened and again they heard the minister's
voice. A barrage of shells containing the formula will begin at once. The
rocket launch will follow immediately. I shall see that you are given safe
escort from the city. As the Minister led his two visitors away, the
Doctor and Harry emerged from hiding. 'Ve'll have to warn the Kaleds,
muttered the Doctor. Not before we find Sarah, Harry said firmly. Of
course not, agreed the Doctor. Come on, Harry, don't just stand there.
Guided by the Kaled spys map, they made their way along the corridors
toward the rocket. Suddenly the Doctor heard footsteps approaching from an
intersecting corridor. He peered round the corner and saw two Thal guards,
both dressed in antiradiation suits, marching along the corridor toward
him. He ducked back, whispered a few words to Harry, and then stepped
blithely around the corner. Hat on the back of his head, long scarf
dangling, the Doctor had passed the two guards before they had time to take
in his extraordinary appearance. As soon as it did register, both guards
spun round, rifles leveled. Hey, called one of them. Who are you? The
Doctor walked back toward them, his eyes wide and innocent. Well, as a
matter of fact I'm a spy. I wonder if you could help me-I'm looking for
this rocket of yours ... The astonished guard gaped at him-giving Harry
Sullivan time to fell him with a rabbit-punch below the ear. The first
guard dropped, the second turned-and the Doctor knocked him out. They
dragged their victims around the corner and out of sight. 
Beneath the towering bulk of the huge rocket, the motley band of slave
workers was coming to the end of their task. Sarah staggered wearily as she
came out of the rocket. Sevrin caught her by the arm, supporting her. One
of the guards laughed. Don't worry, that was the last consignment. You can
have all the rest you need now. As the prisoners came out of the rocket
they were bunched into a group under the rifles of a couple of guards. The
rest of the Thal soldiers marched away. Sarah looked at Sevrin. If the
rocket is loaded, why are they keeping us here? The giant muto shrugged.
Why should they bother to move us? Sarah looked up at the rocket. But
when that thing goes off, we'll all be killed. Our lives are of no more
interest to them. Sevrin seemed resigned to his fate, but Sarah certainly
wag not. Their second shift on the rocket had been a fairly short one, and
so far Sarah was feeling no ill effects other than normal tiredness. She
was fairly sure her exposure had been too short to do serious damage, and
she was by no means ready to abandon hope of escape. She looked around.
Only two guards now-they could always have another go at breaking out. Her
heart sank as two more guards in radiation suits walked into the silo. They
walked up to the soldiers guarding the prisoners, then suddenly jumped
them. There was a flurry of blows and the Thal soldiers were knocked out.
The new arrivals started removing their radiation suits. To her amazement
and delight, Sarah found herself looking at the Doctor and Harry Sullivan.
The Doctor ran across and gave her a hug. Are you all right, Sarah? I am
now, she said. But weve got to get out of here. The Thals are just about
to set this rocket off. I know. Sarah, you've got to go with Harry.
Harry, here's the map, you can find a way out. Get to the Kaled dome and
tell General Ravon what we've learned. He must evacuate at once. Sarah
looked at the Doctor sadly, realizing that their reunion was to be very
brief. What are you going to do? 
I'll try to sabotage the rocket and delay the launch. There's no time to
argue, off you go! Heturned to the other prisoners. Go on, all of you-
you're free. Escape while you can!Dazedly the prisoners began stumbling
off. Sarah noticed a bewildered Sevrin staring about.You come with us,
Sevrin, she called. The muto moved over to join them.The Doctor waved his
arms. Off you go, the lot of you've work to do.Sarah still hesitated, but
he was obviously quite determined. Harry took her arm. Comealong, old
girl, or we'll all be caught. Sarah allowed him to lead her away.Harry
took Sarah and Sevrin out of the silo and along the corridors. His eyes
were on theground and he stopped when he saw a hatch like the one they'd
emerged from. This'll do.With Sevrin helping, Harry lifted the hatch and
sent first Sevrin, then Sarah down into thedarkness of the service tunnel.
just as he was about to climb down himself, Thal soldiers ranround the
corner, firing as they came. Harry bolted through the hatchway, bullets
whizzingover his head, landing on top of Sarah and Sevrin. Come on,
they're after us, he yelled. Thethree disentangled themselves and set off
along the tunnel at a run.
In the silo the Doctor heard the sound of firing and hoped his friends were
still safe. Then bedismissed them from his mind, reserving all his
concentration for the task at hand. He studiedthe rocket thoughtfully.
Perhaps if he started by severing the exterior fuel lines ... The
Doctortook a knife from the body of an unconscious guard and purposefully
approached the massivetail fin of the rocket. He leaned forward, jabbed
with the knife ... there was a sudden shower ofblue sparks, and a crackling
noise. Twisting in agony, the Doctor's body was thrown clearacross the
silo. He crashed to the ground and lay still.
In the Rocket control room, a technician studied a flickering dial. Better
check the silo, hecalled to a guard. Someone's trying sabotage.The Thal
minister, waiting to watch the launch, said anxiously, Any damage?
The technician shook his head. He ran into our electrical defense system.
Probably dead by now. 
In the silo, guards were running toward the motionless body of the Doctor. 

7-COUNTDOWN TO DESTRUCTION-
The Doctor heard a voice moaning and muttering. Must stop rocket ... warn
... To his surprise he realized the voice was his own. There came another
voice. Still alive is he? A shock like that should have killed him
immediately. Then a gruffer voice, What do we do with him, Minister?
Oh, I've no time now, said the first voice fussily. Leave him where he
is till after the launch. I'll interrogate him myself if I've time.
Otherwise you chaps can have him. The Doctor opened his eyes cautiously,
then closed them again, since the whole room was spinning like a Catherine
wheel. He made a mighty effort and tried again, first one eye than the
other. He was in the rocket control room, the room in which he'd watched
Davros betray his people not so long ago. But he couldn't move. ... The
Doctor realized that he had been lashed by the arms into a wheeled metal
chair and shoved into a corner, a piece of unimportant, unfinished business
to be dealt with later. The room was a bustle of activity as civilian and
military VIPs got in the way of the technical staff desperately preparing
for the countdown. The minister was looking at a monitor screen which
showed a picture of the Kaled City beneath its protective dome. The dome
was in a bad state now, broken in several places, with creeping stain
spreading over its surface. It's working, said the minister exultantly.
The Kaled dome is breaking up. Starting the countdown! Helpless in his
chair the Doctor shouted No-youcan't. No one took any notice-except for
the guard, who gave him an absent-minded cuff to silence him. Everyone was
intent on the big digital clock which dominated the main control panel. It
was counting down from fifty-forty-nine, fortyeight, forty-seven ... 
Other monitors were alive now, showing the missile on its launch pad. The
clock was still counting down, through the thirties, twenties, into single
figures ... ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five ... Using the wall behind
him as a lever, the Doctor kicked fiercely backward, sending his wheeled
chair skidding into the main control console. He lashed frantically with
his feet at the instrument panel, but the guard pulled him back, and the
Doctor's feet flailed uselessly in the air. Two ... one . . . blast-offl
Helplessly the Doctor watched as the missile lifted from its pad and set
off on the brief journey toward the Kaled dome. Now everyone's attention
shifted back to the monitors showing the dome as, battered and broken, it
awaited final destruction. There was a blinding flash, a distant explosion
that shook the control room. When the smoke cleared the Kaled dome bad
disappeared. Flames roared in the crater that had replaced it, like those
of some newly born volcano. Cheers and shouts echoed through the Thal
control room. Only the Doctor sat silent, his head slumped on his chest,
appalled as always by the corrupting brutality of war. Thousands of their
fellow-creatures dead, and these people were cheering. On top of that,
there was his own, personal loss. He had sent Sarah and Harry back to the
Kaled City-the city that was now no more than a guttering inferno on the
monitor screen. 
The same terrible picture was seen on another monitor screen, this one in
Davros's Bunker, some miles from the Kaled City. The Bunker had been far
enough away, and sufficiently deep underground to escape the effects of the
rocket. Davros and his Elite Corps of scientists and security men were
quite unharmed. Davros wheeled his chair away from the screen. Switch it
off, he ordered, and one of the scientists hurried to obey. Davros turned
to the awe-stricken group around him. Never fear, my friends. We shall
avenge the destruction of our city with retaliation so massive and so
merciless that it will live in history. He touched the control of his
chair arm and a group of three Daleks glided into the laboratory. They
formed a line before Davros, awaiting his commands. Davros looked around
the room. Let our vengeance begin with the destruction of the Thal agent,
Ronson. It was he who betrayed us to the Thals. He gave them the formula
which made the destruction of our beloved city. Gliding smoothly, the line
of Daleks swung around to encircle Ronson, who cowered back into his
corner. No, no, be babbled. It isn't true ... Viciously Davros hissed,
Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate! The Dalek guns blazed and Ronson
was hurled across the room. His body collapsed, a charred and smoking ruin,
against the far wall. Davros spoke, not to the horrified Thal scientists,
but to the Daleks. Today the Kaled City and much of the Kaled race was
ended, consumed in the fires of war. But from the ashes will rise the
supreme creature, the ultimate conqueror of the Universe-the Dalek! No one
moved or spoke. Still ignoring the scientists, Davros addressed his
creations. Today you begin a journey that will take the Daleks to their
destiny of Universal and absolute supremacy. You have been programmed to
complete a task. You will now begin. In response to Davros's speech the
leading Dalek spoke only two words. But in them was the whole of the Dalek
creed. In that grinding, metallic voice, so hideously like Davros's own, it
said, We obey. The Daleks turned and glided from the laboratory. 
In the Thal rocket control room, the rejoicing went on. Wine was produced,
toasts were drunk. No one thought about the Doctor, slumped headdown in his
corner. The minister was in the full flood of his eloquence. 'A thousand
years of war, and now it's ended. Listen to the people, they know already.
From outside the control room came a growing rumble of distant cheering, as
the good news spread through the Thal City. I must speak to them, said
the Minister. There must be a victory parade. Come, there is much to be
done... He began to lead his fellow VIPs from the room. As they passed the
Doctor, one of the minister's special aides, a tall, severe-looking girl
called Bettan, asked, What about him? 
The Minister glared indignantly at the Doctor. He must be punished,
executed ... Theminister broke off. He was a kindly man at heart, and he
really wasn't in the mood to thinkabout such distasteful matters as
executions. No-let us show that although ruthless in war, weThals can be
merciful in victory. All political prisoners will be freed, and all charges
dropped.Release him! The minister swept out, and at a nod from Bettan the
guard began untying theDoctor. He rose and stretched his tall figure, his
face sad. Bettan turned to go, then hesitated.There was something curiously
compelling about this odd-looking man in the strange clothes.You had
friends in the Kaled City? she said gently.Two people very dear to me.
The worst of it is, I sent them back into-that. He glanced at themonitor
where the ruined remains of the Kaled City could be seen, still burning
fiercely.What will you do now?Start again. Try to complete what I came
here to do. What was that? Bettan askedcuriously.Stop the development
of the Daleks, the machine creatures Davros has created. Creatures asevil
as he is himself. Davros is interested only in achieving peace. He told
us how to destroythe Kaled dome, Bettan protested.The Doctor shook his
head emphatically. The Kaleds themselves realized the danger ofDavros's
experiments. They were about to stop him. Rather than let that happen, he
betrayedhis own people.You'll never convince the Thals that Davros is
evil, said Bettan. He's become a popularhero!The Doctor nodded, lost in
thought.You're free now, said Bettan. You can go where you please.Thank
you, the Doctor said absently. With a charming smile, he wandered
away.Bettan was an efficient and hard-working young woman, with an
important official position.Arrangements for the victory celebrations kept
her busy during the next few hours. But she
often found herself thinking of the strange man in the control room. She
had no idea of theterrifying circumstances under which she was to meet him
again.And there you have it, gentlemen. That outlines the chromosomal
variations to be introducedinto the genetic structuring of the embryo
Daleks. They are to be implemented at once.Through his vision lens, Davros
looked irritably around the small group of leading scientists.Their faces
did not hold the approval and adulation to which he had become
accustomed.Instead they looked shocked, disapproving even. It was Gharman,
the group leader, who spokefor the rest.Davros ... the changes you outline
will create enormous mental defects.They will not be defects-they will be
improvements, snapped the metallic voice.It will mean creatures without
conscience. No sense of right or wrong, no pity. They'll becompletely
without feeling or emotion.That is correct. That is the purpose of the
changes. See that they are carried out-withoutquestion, Gharman.No one
dared object further, and the scientists left to begin their tasks. Nyder,
who had enteredin time to witness the end of this scene, smiled thinly and
went over to Davros. 'The Dalektask force is in position, he said. They
await your order.I see no reason for further delay. The withered hand
dropped down on a control. Milesaway, on the edge of the Thal City, Daleks
began to move forward.
The Doctor made his way with difficulty through the rejoicing Thal City.
The place wascompletely roofed-in, like one enormous building. Corridors,
streets, squares and walkwayswere jammed with excited revelers, all
celebrating the end of a war which had been going ontheir whole lives. It
was rather like being forced to attend an enormous, noisy party when
notreally in the mood. People hugged the Doctor, slapped him on the back
and even tried to kisshim. Others pressed food and drink on him, and urged
him to join parties in their homes.
Slowly the Doctor forged ahead, accepting some refreshment, but smilingly
refusing all other invitations. At last, as he came to the edge of the
city, things were a little quieter. The Doctor was looking for a way out
into the Wastelands. He intended to make his way to Davros's bunker, though
he had no very clear idea what he would do when he got there. Dodging a
group of revelers dancing in a city square, the Doctor moved on. He could
still hear the sound of shouts and laughter behind him. Suddenly, silence
fell. Then there were screams, shouts of terror. The Doctor ran back the
way he had come. Turning into the little square he stopped appalled. The
bodies of the dancers were strewn all over the square, contorted in
attitudes of sudden death. A Dalek was methodically shooting down the
fleeing survivors. A second Dalek glided out to join it. Across the square
came the familiar, hated voices. Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!
The Doctor turned and ran back toward the gate. There was nothing he could
possibly do here. It was all the more urgent that he tackle the evil at its
source. As the Doctor ran he heard shouts and screams of terror from all
over the city. He could easily guess what was happening. The happy,
careless Thals, the sinister shapes gliding from the shadows, the cries of
Exterminate! and the blazing Dalek guns ... then the heaps of charred,
smoking bodies as the Daleks moved off to continue their dreadful work. ...
The main gate of the Thal City stood open and unguarded. No wonder the
Daleks had entered so easily. As the Doctor ran up to the gate he collided
with a fleeing figure. It was Bettan, the girl he had seen in the control
room. She clutched his arm. There are-machines all over the city. Killing
everybody without mercy. Are those the things you told me about, the things
you said Davros made? The Doctor grabbed her and pulled her into the
shelter of a doorway. A line of sinister metal shapes glided into the
square, driving before them a group of running figures. Dalek guns opened
fire, the fleeing Thals twisted and fell. The Doctor and Bettan froze
motionless in their doorway. The Daleks surveyed the square a moment
longer, then turned and glided back into the City. Only then did the Doctor
answer Bettan's question. Yes, he said softly. Those are the Daleks.
Come on, we'll be safer in the Wastelands than here. They made their way
out through the gates and across the Wastelands. Soon the City was
invisible behind them, lost in the perpetual fog and darkness of the
Wastelands. They found an abandoned trench and sat down to rest. Bettan was
still unable to take in what had happened. Davros didn't need to go that
far. When our leaders saw they were beaten they would have surrendered.
Perhaps they tried, said the Doctor. The Daleks accept no terms. Davros
has conditioned them to wipe the Thals from this planet. Some of us will
survive, Bettan said fiercely. And we'll fight back. The Doctor looked
bard at her. Do you mean that? Are you really prepared to help me? I'll
do anything I can. Even go back to the City? Bettan winced, but her
voice was steady. Even that ... if it'll really help. The Doctor leaned
forward. To destroy the Daleks, we must destroy Davros himself, he said
urgently. I'm going to go back into the Bunker and do whatever I can. But
I need the backing of some kind of fighting force. Bettan looked puzzled.
What can I do? You said yourself, there are bound to be some survivors.
If you could organize them, find arms and explosives, make an attack on
Davros's Bunker-it could be the diversion I'll need. As yet there aren't so
many Daleks in existence. If you stay out of their way there's a chance.
Will you try it? Bettan nodded. She stood up. Goodbye-and good luck
Bettan slipped out of the trench and began retracing their steps, back
toward the city. As she came within sight of the main gate she saw Daleks
gliding through the streets, illuminated by the flames of the burning
buildings. Dodging from one hiding place to another, she made her way back
to the city center, steeling herself against the horrors she would find
inside. 
The Doctor meanwhile moved across the Wastelands in the opposite direction.
He was working his way along a slit-trench that seemed to run in the right
direction, when suddenly a cloaked form sprang down and grappled with him.
Of all the times to run into a hostile muto, thought the Doctor
despairingly. Enemies to everything but their own twisted and abandoned
kind, the mutos attacked all strangers on sight. The Doctor disposed of his
attacker fairly easily, but soon realized that he had more than one to deal
with. More and more cloaked and hooded figures piled on top of him, and
soon the Doctor was spread-eagled on his back in the mud, held powerless in
the grip of many hands. One of the mutos, evidently a leader, looked round
for some weapon to finish him. There was a jagged rock on the ground
nearby. The muto lifted it up, poised, ready to crash the rock down on the
Doctor's head ... 

8-CAPTIVES OF DAVROS-
The Doctor struggled desperately to escape, but too many bodies were
holding him down. just as the rock seemed about to fall, a burly figure
shoulder-charged the muto, sending him flying. The Doctor looked up into
the face of Harry Sullivanl The jagged rock thudded into the mud close to
the Doctor's head. Then a huge figure started plucking the other mutos from
the Doctor, throwing them through the air in all directions. Terrified by
the sudden assault, the band of mutos scuttled off into the darkness. The
next thing the Doctor knew, his two friends were helping him to his feet.
The Doctor greeted them in astonished delight. Sarah! Harry! I don't
believe it. I thought you'd been blown up in the Kaled City! We never got
there, explained Sarah. Halfway across the Wastelands we were attacked by
a band of wandering mutos. While we were fighting them off-the rocket blew
up the KAled City. 'You could see the flames clear across the Wastelands,'
Harry said. The poor old mutos were so scared they just ran for their
lives. The Doctor shook his head wonderingly. Then what are you all doing
here? Harry grinned. We knew you'd try to get back into the Bunker
through the cave. We came to help. Must you really go back? Sarah asked.
I must, Sarah. There's still a chance I'll manage to complete my mission.
What's more, there's another very good reason. To recover the Time ring?
That bracelet the Time Lord gave me is our lifeline. Without it, we'll
never get away from this planet. 
That was reason enough to convince even Sarah. They made their way out of
the trench,across more Wastelands, until they reached the window in the
rock wall through which theydemerged earlier.The Doctor moved aside the
broken bars and helped Harry through. Sevrin was about tofollow when the
Doctor laid a hand on his arm. 'Will you do something for us, Sevrin-
something important?If I can, Sevrin spoke in his deep, gentle
voice.Over in the Thal City there's a girl called Bettan. She's trying to
organize a resistance group.Will you round up any of your people who can
fight, and join her? She's going to stage anattack on the main gate of the
Bunker. The attack probably won't succeed, but it will keep theElite troops
occupied while I try to complete my mission.Very well, Doctor. I will do
what I can.Sarah took one of Sevrin's great hands in both of hers.
Goodbye, Sevrin-and thank you. Themuto slipped away into the darkness.
The Doctor helped Sarah through the gap and climbedthrough after her. Harry
was waiting on the other side.We'd better stay close together, Sarah,
warned the Doctor. This cave is full of Davros'srejected
experiments.Sarah shivered. Did you have to tell me that? Harry
chuckled. Not scared, are you, Sarah?Of course not!Well you should
be, said the Doctor severely. One of them nearly had Harry for
lunch!With these consoling words the Doctor moved off into the darkness,
Sarah and Harryfollowing close behind.
The Doctor's Time ring lay still unnoticed on Ronson's desk No one was
particularlyinterested in odds and ends taken from some mysterious alien,
and the desk had been leftundisturbed since its owner's death.
The plump communications scientist called Kavell was working at his own
desk nearby when Gharman, Davros's chief assistant, came over to him. He
cast a quick glance at the Elite guards on the door, and held up a piece of
electronic circuitry. I'm having a problem with the dimensional thought
circuit, he said loudly. I wonder if you'd have a look at it. Kavell
looked up in surprise. The problem was completely out of his area. He was
about to say so when Gharman whispered, Kavell-weve got to stop the
Daleks! Kavell took the circuit and pretended to examine it. I want no
part of it, Gharman. You saw what happened to Ronson. Davros will have us
killed too, if he thinks we're plotting against him. If we plan carefully
he won't suspect. Kavell nodded toward the guard. What about the Elite
Security Guards-they'll stay loyal to Davros. That isn't important-not if
the whole of the scientific corps turns against him. We can demand that the
Dalek project is halted. Every day I become more convinced that this whole
project is evil and immoral. These latest genetic changes- What do you
expect me to do? whispered Kavell. He had no wish to prolong the
conversation. Spread the word. Help me to convince the others that it's
vital the whole Dalek project is ended. I'll do what I can. I promise
nothing- Kavell broke off short as Nyder came into the laboratory. Gharman
snatched back his equipment and returned to his place. Kavell bent over his
papers, working furiously. Nyder seemed to have noticed nothing. He had a
brief discussion about security matters with the guard on the door, then
walked back to his own cubicle. As he sat behind his meticulously tidy desk
Nyder's mind was working furiously. He could very easily guess the kind of
conversation Kavell and Gharman had been having. The only question in his
mind was what should he do about it? 
Some time later, Nyder came back into the laboratory.Kavell was no longer
there, but Gharman was still working at his desk. Nyder walked acrossto
him. Gharman, I must talk to you. It's very important.Gharman didn't look
up. You can see I'm busy .Then soon, insisted Nyder. Not here,
somewhere private.Gharman looked up curiously. There was strain in Nyder's
voice. What's all this about,Commander?Nyder seemed to be groping for
words. Look, Gharman, you know me ... I've served Davrosfaithfully for
years, just as you have. I've never questioned anything he's done until
now.Go on, said Gharman cautiously.He's become a megalomaniac. He's
ready to sacrifice all of us just so his Dalek project can
becompleted.Gharman felt a sudden exultation. If even Nyder was coming
round to his way of thinking ...with him on their side victory was certain.
Don't worry, Commander, he said reassuringly.You're not alone in your
fears. Where can we talk safely?Nyder answered thoughtfully, There's the
detention area on the lower level. Davros nevergoes there. We could use one
of the cells.Very well. I'll meet you down there as soon as I can.
Gharman bent over his papers, andNyder walked quietly away.
Deep beneath the Bunker, Sarah held Harrys hand as she walked through the
dank anddripping darkness of the caves. She kept her eyes tight shut most
of the time. Variousunpleasant hissings and gruntings came from all around,
and Sarah had no wish to see whatwas making them. Harry's other hand was
gripping the end of the Doctor's scarf, as the Doctorled them unerringly
through the darkness. At least Harry hoped it was unerringly...
Not much further, whispered the Doctor. The entrance to the ventilation
duct is just alonghere.Harry stopped and looked around. Are you sure,
Doctor? I don't remember passing this littlelot. A colony of the giant
clam creatures was clustered by the cave wall. They gave them awide berth,
but Harry couldn't resist giving the nearest one a passing kick-a gesture
instantlyregretted as the creature slid towards him, hissing loudly and
jaws gaping wide.Sarah screamed and backed away-straight toward the opening
shell of another clam whichgaped eagerly to receive her ...The Doctor
pulled her to one side just as the clam shell clanged shut. Harry jumped
awayfrom his clam, and all three ran off into the darkness. The clams
followed, hissing, loudly,then suddenly subsided, waiting for another
victim to pass by. Sarah shuddered. I'll never eatoysters again.Lucky
for us they're not very mobile, said the Doctor. Maybe that's why Davros
discardedthem. Well-we've arrived. He pointed to an opening in the cave
wall-the other end of theventilation duct.Nervously Sarah said, Doctor,
suppose there's something nasty waiting for us in there?That's a
thought, the Doctor said cheerfully. Tell you what, we'll send Harry in
first.Harry grinned, knowing full well that if the Doctor had suspected
danger, he'd have gone infirst himself. Harry crawled into the tunnel, then
turned and helped Sarah to follow him. TheDoctor took a last look round the
cave and climbed after them. Harry in the lead, they beganworking their way
down the narrow tunnel.
When Gharman reached the lower level, he found Nyder waiting for him.
Without saying aword Nyder led the way through the detention area and into
an empty cell.In a low voice Gharman began, 'We'd better make this as quick
as possible. We don't want tobe missed.Nyder said, Tell me your plan.
Quite a number of scientists feel as we do. When we've collected enough
support, we can give Davros an ultimatum.' What kind of ultimatum do you
suggest? Gharman had worked it out in his mind. We shall only continue
work on the Daleks if he restores comcience to the brain pattern. The
creatures must have a moral sense, the ability to judge between right and
wrong ... all the qualities that we believe essential in ourselves. Nyder
nodded thoughtfully. And if he doesn't accept this ultimatum? We will
destroy all the work that has been done so far-everything! It will be as
though the Daleks had never been created! 'Txcellent, Nyder said crisply.
I shall do my best to get some of the security corps on our side.
Casually he asked, Who can you count on among the scientists? Gharman
considered. Kavell to begin with. Frenton, Parran, possibly Shonar ... He
reeled off about a dozen names. All those have already been sounded out,
and there are plenty of other likely ones we haven't spoken to as yet...
Thank you, Gharman. That is exactly what I needed to know. Gharman stared
at him. There had been a sudden change in Nyder's tone. Then Gharman heard
an all-too-familiar whirring sound. Davros was coming through the cell
door, a squad of security men behind him. Davros will be most interested
in your information, added Nyder coldly. Gharman stared round wildly. He
was trapped in the little cell. There was nowbere to run. In a sudden
frenzy he launched himself at Nyder, who sidestepped neatly and dropped him
with one short chopping blow. Gharman collapsed in front of Davros's chair.
Davros looked down at the sprawled body. A pity. He had a good scientific
mind. Nyder drew his blaster. Shall I kill him? he asked mildly. No. A
little brain surgery will remove these stupid scruples, and we shall still
have the benefit of his inventive skills. Nyder holstered his blaster
regretfully. And the people he named? The same for them. 
'I'll arrange for the arrests. Not yet. We must move carefully. First we
must learn exactly who are our allies, and who our enemies. Nyder snapped
his fingers and a couple of security guards dragged Gharman away. Nyder was
about to follow when he saw that Davros: had not moved. What is it? I
heard something-in there. Davros's withered hand gestured toward a tiny
ventilation duct high in the cell wall. Nyder could hear nothing. But he
knew that Davros's electronically boosted hearing was far better than his
own. He put his ear close to the little grille. Was there something-a faint
scuffling sound? I think there's someone in the ventilation system, he
whispered. 
Harry pushed aside the already loosened hatchcover and slithered out.
Everything's quiet, Doctor, he called, looking along the little tunnel.
He helped Sarah out, and then the Doctor jumped down. Harry was just about
to replace the hatch cover when a dazzling spotlight illuminated the three
of them. Behind it the Doctor could make out Davros, Nyder and a squad of
black-uniformed security guards. Welcome back, Doctor, said Davros. The
Doctor sighed, and turned to Sarah. There was something nasty waiting for
us after all. The security squad marched the three captives to a room in
the detention area. Various oddly shaped pieces of electronic equipment
lined the walls. There was something indescribably sinister about the
place. The Doctor guessed the room was a kind of electronic interrogation
chamber. Its equipment was designed to loosen the tongues of those
unwilling to speak, and to check the truth of their stories. The guards
worked swiftly and efficiently. The Doctor was strapped into a metal chair,
heavy straps holding his wrists and ankles. A metal helmet was lowered over
the top of his head. He assumed that the contraption was some kind of lie
detector. What worried him far more was to see Sarah and Harry strapped to
metal tables. These had clamps at each corner, holding the 
prisoners helpless. Electrodes were taped to their temples. Leads from the
two tables wereplugged into the control console on the arm of Davros's
chair.Their work finished, the security men stood back. Davroswheeled his
chair directly in front of the Doctor. Nyder, as always, was at his
master'sshoulder. There was a recording machine on Davros's other
side.Davros was leafing through a sheaf of computer printouts. 'I have read
the reports of yourinitial interrogation. The suggestion that you had
traveled through Space and Time wasrejected by the computer.The Doctor
shrugged. Computers are limited. It had probably never been programmed
forsuch a concept.Such travel is beyond my scientific comprehension,
stated Davros. But not beyond myimagination. Why did you come here, from
this future of yours?The Doctor saw no point in evasion. To stop the
development of the Daleks. In what is to youthe future, I have seen the
carnage and destruction they will create.So-my Daleks do survive?As
machines of war, weapons of hate. The Doctor leaned forward, straining
against hisbonds in his urgency. 'There is still time to change that. You
could make them a force for goodin the Universe.You have seen my Daleks
in battle? Davros- demanded. Do they win? Do they alwayswin?They have
been defeated many times-but never utterly. The Dalek menace always
returns.If they are the supreme war-machine, how can they lose?Many
reasons. Overwhelming opposition, poor information, simple misfortune
...You must tell me, Doctor. Where do the Daleks fail? What mistakes do
they make?The Doctor shook his head. No, Davros. That is something the
future must keep secret.
Davros glided his wheelchair closer to the Doctor. You will tell me what I
want to knowbecause you have weaknesses. Ones that I have eliminated from
myself, and from my Daleks.You are afflicted with a conscience, Doctor, and
with compassion for others.The Doctor said nothing.Davros went on
remorselessly, Let me tell you what is going to happen, Doctor. You
willanswer all my questions, carefully and precisely. The instruments to
which you are attachedwill instantly detect any attempt to lie.And if I
refuse to answer?Your friends are attached to rather different
instruments, Doctor. Davros waved a handtoward Harry and Sarah. At the
touch of a switch I can make them feel all the torments andagonies ever
known.The Doctor's voice was hoarse with strain. If I tell you what you
want to know, I betray thefuture. I can't do that. You can and you will,
Doctor, said Davros gloatingly.You will tell me the reason for every
Dalek defeat. With that knowledge I can program myDaleks so there will be
no errors, and no defeats. We shall change the future.The Doctor looked
from Davros to Harry and Sarah. It was the most agonizing decision hehad
ever faced. Davros was becoming impatient. Doctor! Either tell me about
the Dalekfuture, or watch the suffering of your friends. Which is it to
be?Slowly Davros moved his withered hand toward the switch. ...
9-REBELLION!-
The Doctor knew he was beaten-at least for the time being. 'All right,
Davros, all right. just leave my friends alone. Davros kept his hand
poised over the control. Then begin, Doctor. The Doctor paused,
collecting his thoughts. In a flat, hopeless voice he began a catalogue of
Dalek defeats, and the errors which had caused them. The Dalek invasion of
Earth in the year Two Thousand was foiled because of an overambitious
attempt to mine the core of the planet. The magnetic core of the planet was
too strong, the human resistance too determined. On Mars the Daleks were
finally defeated because of the virus which attacked the insulation cables
of their electrical circuits. The Dalek war against the Venusian Colonies
in the Space Year Seventeen Thousand was ended by the intervention of a
rocket-fleet from the planet Hyperion ... The Doctor's voice went on and
on, every word recorded by the tape-recorder at Davros's elbow. Sarah and
Harry listened in horror, relieved to have been spared the torments with
which Davros had threatened them, realizing how much it must cost the
Doctor to place such priceless information in the hands of his enemy. The
Doctor talked till he was hoarse, dredging every possible scrap of Dalek
history from his memory. At last his head slumped on his chest and he
mumbled, That's all-all I can remember for now. At the same moment the
tape-machine clicked to a halt, its recording spool exhausted. Davros
nodded slowly. This seems an opportune moment to end this particular
session. We can always resume later, under the same conditions. Commander
Nyder, take the Doctor's two friends to the detention cell. 
Security guards unstrapped Sarah and Harry, lifted them down from the
tables and draggedthem away. The Doctor too was unstrapped from his chair.
He slumped back exhausted. Asthe guards came to fetch him, Davros waved
them away. I must thank you, Doctor. All thisinformation will be
programmed into the Dalek memory banks. Davros slipped the tape spoolfrom
the machine and handed it to Nyder. Commander, you will place this in the
safe in myoffice. Its security is your personal responsibility. Remember,
its value is beyondcomputation. The Doctor's eyes followed the tape
longingly as Nyder put it inside his tunicand left the room. He and Davros
were alone now, though the Doctor guessed there would bemore guards
outside. He let himself slump deeper in the chair, doing his best to give
theimpression of utter defeat. But in his heart, or rather hearts, the
Doctor was far from giving in.Characteristically, the Doctor wasted no time
in regrets. He had given Davros the informationhe needed because there had
been no alternative. He couldn't have allowed Sarah and Harry tosuffer.
What was done was done, the important thing now was to retrieve the
situation.With his enemy broken and defeated, Davros was in a relaxed,
almost genial mood. Now,Doctor, he said. Let us talk for a while, not as
prisoner and captive, but as men of science. Itis seldom that I meet
someone whose intelligence even approaches my own.
Sarah and Harry were marched along the corridor to a guarded cell and
thrown inside. A tall,thin man in the uniform of one of Davros's scientific
Elite was stretched out on the bunk. Hejumped to his feet and helped them
to pick themselves up. Are you all right? he askedanxiously.Just about,
said Sarah.The man looked at Harry more closely. 'Forgive me, but aren't
you one of the prisoners whoescaped? Harry nodded. That's right Who are
you?Until a little while ago I was a senior member of Davros's scientific
Elite. MY name isGharman.And now you're a prisoner like us? asked Sarah.
What happened?
Gharman told them of his attempt to rally the opposition to Davros, and his
mistake in trustingNyder. What's happening up there? I suppose the whole
place is in an uproar?'We didn't get a chance to see very much, said
Harry. 'But as far as I could tell, everythingseems to be running
smoothly.Gharman began pacing about the cell. 'Yet Davros knows we're
planning action against him. Ishould have expected mass arrests, executions
...Maybe that's too obvious for Davros? suggested Sarah. Gharman looked
at her hopefully.He's being too clever for his own good. Every moment he
delays our movement grows instrength. A majority of the scientists now want
to end the Daleks. If they act now, they couldbreak Davros's strength.
Gharman pounded his fist against the wall in an agony of frustration.If
only I could get in touch with them.
In the corridor outside, the plump little communications scientist, Kavell,
was walking towardthe cell door. The guard covered him with his rifle.
Halt!Kavell glared back indignantly. I wish to question the
prisoners.No one may see the prisoners without a pass signed by
Davros.I'm aware of that. I have one here somewhere...Kavell moved
closer to the guard, his fingers reaching for the truncheon concealed
inside histunic...
Davros was still enjoying the spectacle of the Doctor's defeat. His
prisoner's will seemedcompletely broken and he slumped dejectedly in his
chair. I have committed the greatest actof treachery ever perpetrated,
groaned the Doctor. I have betrayed the unborn millions.Davros, I beg of
you, stop the production of the Daleks.Too late, Doctor. My automated
workshops are already in full production of Dalekmachines.
it isn't the machines that are evil, it's the minds of the creatures
inside them. Minds that you created. Evil? said Davros thoughtfully.
No, Doctor, I will not accept that. When all other life forms are
suppressed, when the Daleks are the supreme power of the Universe, then we
shall have peace. All wars will end. The Daleks are the power not of evil
but of good! The discussion seemed to revive the Doctor a little. He
leaned forward in his chair. Evil that good may come, eh? Tell me, Davros,
if you had created a virus in your laboratory, one that could destroy all
life-would you use it? Davros seemed fascinated by the concept. To know
that life and death on an enormous scale was within my choice ...  that the
pressure of my thumb breaking the glass of a capsule could end everything
... such power would set me among the Gods ... yes, I would do itl And
through the Daleks I shall have such power! The Doctor abandoned any faint
hope he might have had of reasoning with Davros. He knew he was looking
upon the face of utter madness. In one swift movement he sprang from his
chair and grasped Davros's single wrist. Release me, croaked the metallic
voice. The Doctor ignored him. With his free hand he reached for the row of
controls on Davros's chair arm. I imagine these switches control your life-
support system. How long would you survive if I turned them off? Answer me,
Davros! Less than thirty seconds. The Doctor moved his hand closer to
the switches. Order the complete close down of the Dalek incubator
section. Destroy the Daleks? Never! With one sweep of his hand, the
Doctor flicked an entire row of switches into the off' position. The body
of Davros slumped forward, like a puppet whose strings have been cut. The
Doctor waited a few seconds, then turned the switches on again. Eerily,
Davros jerked back into life. When he was sure Davros could hear him the
Doctor said, Next time I press those switches, they stay pressed. I mean
it, Davros. Now give the order! 
The lens in the center of Davros's forehead seemed to glare at the Doctor.
Even if I obey,there will be no escape for you!'That isn't
important.Davros realized the Doctor was sincere. Tonelessly he said,
Press thecommunicator switch-the red one at the end. The Doctor did so.
Leaning forward to a built-in microphone, Davrossaid, Davros to Elite Unit
Seven. All survival maintenance systems are to be closed down.The Dalek
creatures are to be destroyed.Tell them the order is final and cannot be
countermanded, said the Doctor urgently. Davroshesitated. Tell them! The
Doctor's hand hovered over the switches.Reluctantly Davros began. This
order cannot...Intent on his battle of wills with Davros, the Doctor
realized too late that someone had enteredthe room. Nyder's truncheon took
him across the back of the neck and he pitched to the floor.Again Davros
leaned forward, almost gabbling in his haste. This is Davros. My last
order iscanceled, repeat canceled. No action is to be taken. He sat back
with a sigh of relief.Nyder prodded the Doctor's body with the toe of one
polished jackboot. What shall I do withhim? It would be safest to kill him
now.Not yet. He still has knowledge that is vital to our future success.
I shall wrench every lastdetail of it from his mind-and then he dies! Now,
what of our rebellious scientists? How arethey progressing?Feeling
against you is rising fast Many of the scientific Elite speak openly
against you sincethe destruction of the city. Now some of the military are
joining them.It is as I expected.Nyder's face showed that he did not
share his leader's calm. The rebels already outnumberthose still loyal to
you. Let me take a squad of Elite guards to deal with them. I could wipe
outtheir leaders in an hour.You think like a soldier, Nyder. Rebellion Is
an idea. Suppress it too soon and it hides awayand festers, bursting out
elsewhere. My way is best.
'As you wish. Nyder hauled the semiconscious Doctor to his feet. I'll
take this one to thedetention cell myself. He kicked the Doctor brutally
with his boot. Come on, you-move!Nyder heaved the half-dazed Doctor to
his feet and shoved him from the room.Davros leaned toward his microphone.
All Dalek units. All Dalek units. This is Davros...
The Daleks swept through the burning Thal City killing all before them. As
a party of themshot down some fleeing Thals another Dalek glided into
sight.Davros has commanded all Dalek units to disengage and return to the
Bunker immediately.'We obey.The Daleks spun around and glided toward the
city gates. just outside the city, the girl Bettanand a ragged group of
Thals crouched in a trench, watching the City burn. Bettan tensed,Quiet,
there's something moving out there.The giant cloaked shape of a muto
appeared over the edge of the trench. Bettan raised her riflebut a deep
voice rumbled. No, do not shoot. I am a friend.The muto jumped into the
trench, hands stretched out appealingly. You are the Thal girlcalled
Bettan?That's right. How did you know?My name is Sevrin. The Doctor
sent me to find you. He asked me to raise a band of mypeople to help you.
'Well-where are they?Sevrin bowed his head. My people will not fight. The
old hatreds are too deep.Bettan nodded, unsurprised. Then we'll have to
manage alone.Sevrin looked at the tattered little group. They were a
mixture of soldiers and civilians,clutching a motley assortment of weapons.
This is all of you?All I could find alive, Bettan said simply. I
covered most of the city. We managed to raidthe armory, though. We've got
plenty of arms and ammunition. Explosives too. Sevrin sawthat some of the
Thals were clutching bombs and packs of explosives.You plan to attack the
Bunker, with so few? he asked doubtfully.
Why not? At least we can die fighting.Then I will help you, Sevrin said
determinedly. I am not afraid to fight.Well, there's no point in delay.
Bettan began rousing her small group. 'Come on-it's time tomove out!
Nyder half-dragged, half-carried the semiconscious Doctor toward the
detention cell. He waspleased to see that the guard on the cell was alert.
As soon as the guard saw Nyderapproaching with his prisoner he turned to
unlock the cell door. The door swung open and theguard turned around. Only
then did Nyder realize that the guard was Harry Sullivan.immediately Nyder
threw the sagging Doctor at Harry and sprinted off down the corridor.Harry
caught the Doctor, who was rapidly coming to, and led him into the cell.
Things didn'tgo quite as planned, he said apologetically.Shaking his head
to clear it, the Doctor saw that the cell held Sarah and two members
ofDavros's scientific Elite. On the bunk was a guard, stripped of his
uniform and bound andgagged with torn-up blankets.Sarah helped the Doctor
to sit down. Hes still a bit groggy, Harry said.Sarah saw the Doctor
looking at the two scientists. They're called Kavell and Gharman,
sheexplained. Kavell helped us escape. He and Gharman are leading the
opposition to Davros.Gharman started to leave the cell. Come on, Kavell,
weve a lot to do. We must act quickly...Wait, said the Doctor. I think
Davros knows about you. just as I was coming to, I heardhim talking to
Nyder.Then why hasn't he taken more action against us? Perhaps he
doesn't care? suggestedKavell. Knocking out the guard had given him new
confidence. Davros knows we are toomany for him.The Doctor shook his
head, then winced as a stab of pain shot through him I think he hassome
trap ready for you. Be careful.
Gharman too seemed to be filled with confidence. Thanks for the warning,
Doctor, I think wecan take care of Davros. That's right, agreed Kavell.
We're too many for him now.Eagerly the two scientists bustled out of the
celL hurrying off to rally their fellowconspirators.The Doctor sat for a
moment, head in his hands. He was summoning all the powers of hisresilient
Time Lord body to overcome the effects of his recent blow. Suddenly he rose
andstretched, apparently as good as new. Sarah looked dubiously at him. I
suppose it's no goodtelling you to rest for a while?No, it isn't. For one
thing this place isn't safe. For another, there's too much to be done.
First,we've got to recover that Time ring. Remember, we'll never get off
this planet without it.Second, I must find and destroy that tape Davros
made. The knowledge it holds could makethe Daleks totally invincible.Full
of his old determination, the Doctor led Harry and Sarah from the cell.
Outside the Bunker armory, two of Nyder's security Elite stood on watch,
immaculate in theirblack uniforms. A head popped around the corner of a
nearby corridor, and then popped back,It was Gharman, three more scientists
behind him. 'Now remember, he whispered, we resortto violence only if
there is no other way.Chatting idly among themselves, the scientists
strolled round the corner. The guards paid noparticular attention as they
drew level. Suddenly Gharman drew a hidden pistol and jammed itinto the
nearest guard's ribs. The second guard reacted instantly. Grabbing the
nearest scientistas a shield, he hurled him into Gharman, who was knocked
to the floor. Raising his rifle, theguard shot down another scientist, then
crumpled and fell himself as Gharman fired from thefloor. By now the third
scientist had produced a gun, and disarmed the remaining guard.Gharman got
to his feet looking at the two bodies. A stupid waste of life, he said
sadly. Ourintention is to make a bloodless revolution. He waved toward
the captured guard. Take himaway and lock him up with the others. Get his
keys first.
Gharman unlocked the armory door and they went inside. The plain metal room
was linedwith racks of weapons, and shelves holding detonators and
explosives. Gharman turned to thescientist. Take as many weapons as you
can carry and pass them out to our people. At thatmoment Kavell hurried
into the armory.Well done, Gharman! Before Gharman could reply the little
man went on excitedly. they'recoming over to our side in droves. Security
Guards too. We have the backing of at least eightypercent of those in the
Bunker. We're winning, Gharman, we're winning...Gharman took a rifle from
the rack and passed it to Kavell. He took another for himself.Holding the
unaccustomed weapon awkwardly, he made for the door. Very well, he
said.Let's finish it off ...
In the huge emptiness of the main laboratory, Davros sat alone in his
chair. From the corridorsall round, he heard the sounds of shooting, the
bustle of running feet even the occasional burstof cheering. Davros showed
no reaction. He just sat there, silently, waiting, a faint smile onthe
thin, lipless mouth. Slowly the fingers of his one withered hand began
drumming on thearm of the chair.
10-DECISION FOR THE DOCTOR-
Nyder ran into the laboratory, blaster in hand. His uniform was disheveled,
and his usual coldmanner replaced by an air of terror. Davros, they're
taking over. Soon they'll be in totalcontrol. Everyone's turned against us,
even men I thought I could trust...Davros didn't answer. The only sound
was the drumming of his fingers.Nyder's voice rose in panic. Listen, I've
got a squad of men in section nine. If I order theminto action now, they
might stay loyal. Davros ...The metallic voice was so quiet as to be
almost inaudible. I hear you, Nyder.Then tell me what to do! Nyder had
grown so used to the support of Davros that without ithe felt lost and
abandoned. Find their leaders. Hand over your weapons to them.Order all
members of your security guard to do the same. Tell the rebel leaders that
I havegiven these orders to avoid bloodshed. Tell them I will submit to
their demands.Nyder shook his head incredulously. We admit we're beaten?
We simply surrender?That is what they will believe.The evasiveness of
this answer gave Nyder new hope. You mean to-Davros interrupted him.
Nyder! You-and the rebels-will find out what I mean in good time.Now-carry
out my orders.The route followed by the Doctor and his friends took them
past the armory. The doors gapedopen, and Harry couldn't resist taking a
look inside. Hang on, Doctor. This might come inhandy.They followed him
into the armory. There were still plenty of weapons on the shelves.
Harrygrabbed a rifle for himself and offered one to the Doctor. The Doctor
shook his headabsentmindedly and began hunting around the wall cupboards.
Sarah saw that he was filling
his pockets with small waxed cartons, spools of wire, and a variety of
other objects. That'sexplosive, isn't it, Doctor? she asked.Explosives
and detonators, agreed the Doctor. Seems almost providential.What are
you going to use it for?The Doctor sighed. The Time Lords gave me three
options. Discover the Daleks' weakness-ifthey have one. Alter their genetic
development, so they become less evil. or destroy thementirely. Now only
the last option is still open. As the Doctor looked down at her, Sarah
wassurprised to see the sadness in his eyes. I'm going to kill everything
in that incubator room.I'm going to destroy the Daleks forever.Davros sat
silently in the empty laboratory. Nyder entered, still under strain, but
calmer now.Everything has been done as you ordered. They are on their
way.Davros nodded, but said nothing. Nyder took up his usual position
behind Davros's chair. Afew minutes later Kavell and Gharman entered. They
made a strangely incongruous picture,one short and plump, the other tall
and thin. Davros spoke, You have something to say tome?Hesitantly Gharman
stepped forward. He knew that he had won, that Davros was in his power,yet
the habit of years made his voice respectful. Davros, no one questions
that under yourguidance we have made incredible progress ...Ruthlessly
Davros interrupted. You did not come here to flatter me. You came to
deliver anultimatum. Do so.Very well. Initially the Dalek was intended as
a life-support system for the creature intowhich we Kaleds must ultimately
evolve. However we feel the concept has been perverted.You have tampered
with the genetic structure of your forced mutations to create a
ruthlesspower for evil. This must not continue.What do you suggest?
All work on the Daleks will cease immediately. Those created so far will
be destroyed. If you agree to these terms we shall be proud to work under
your guidance on the rebuilding of our society. And if I refuse?
Gharmans voice hardened. The Daleks will still be destroyed. You will be
imprisoned, and we shall continue under a democratically elected leader.
Davros was silent. After a moment Gharman said nervously, Well?' At least
do me the courtesy of allowing me time to consider. Davros spun his chair
and wheeled it to the other end of the laboratory. Gharman and Kavell
looked nervously at each other, wondering how they had lost the initiative.
After a long and agonizing pause, Davros wheeled his chair back to them. I
have made my decision. I will accept your ultimatum-on condition that I am
first allowed to speak to a full meeting of the Elite, both scientific and
security. When I have finished, a vote will be taken. I will abide by the
decision of the majority. Taken aback, the two delegates said nothing.
Well? snapped Davros. Do you agree? You wish to be 'democratic,' do you
not? Gharman looked at Kavell, who shrugged. Both knew that ninety percent
of those in the Bunker were now against Davros. What harm could it do to
let a once-honored leader save his face? Very well, Gharman said. It is
agreed. Davros retained control till the last. The meeting will take
place immediately. Arrange it. You may go now. Dismissed, Gharman and
Kavell turned and left. Once they were out of the room, Davros spun his
chair to face Nyder. There was a fierce exultation in the metallic voice.
'Victory is ours, Nyder. Democracy, freedom, fairness ... Davros spat out
the words like oaths. Achievement comes through power, and power through
strength. They have lost! 
Concealed in a trench near to the Bunker, Bettan and her small force
crouched in hiding. Outside the trench a long line of Daleks was sweeping
past. Bettan looked up as they 
disappeared from sight. The blockhouse is just over the next rise. That's
where they must beheading.Sevrin tapped her on the shoulder. Keep down.
There are more coming.Another line of Daleks glided by. When they were
gone Sevrin said, Will you still attack theBunker now the Daleks are
back?Bettan nodded slowly. Why not? Davros- and his Daleks will soon be
inside the Bunkertogether. We're going to make sure they stay there-
forever!
The Doctor, Harry and Sarah stood outside the heavy door with its glass-
viewing panel-thedoor to which Ronson had earlier brought the Doctor. The
Doctor slid back the panel coverand a greenish light spilled over his face.
Are there really Daleks in there? asked Sarah.The flesh and blood part
of them-if indeed it is still flesh and blood after Davros's
genetictampering. He began busying himself with detonators, explosives and
coils of wire. Harryplucked up courage and looked through the panel.Morbid
curiosity made Sarah ask, What do they look like? Harry peered into the
dim light.They seem to be in different stages of development. Some are in
jars and tanks ...  othersseem to be able to move around. Maybe they're
fully grown ones ...The Doctor, his preparations completed, passed Harry a
large spool of wire. Uncoil this outto me slowly, will you? He put his
hand on the door.You're not going in there, Doctor? asked Sarah.Only for
a moment-the creatures are harmless-I think just rather unpleasant
...Harry braced himself. Do you want me to come in with you?To his
relief the Doctor said, No need, Harry. It's just a matter of setting the
charges wherethey'll do most damage.
Shouldn't take long. Unwinding wire from Harry's spool as he went along,
the Doctordisappeared inside the incubator room.After a time the tugging on
the spool stopped. Evidently the Doctor had all the wire heneeded. Nothing
happened for quite a while. All they could do was wait.
Inside the incubator room, the Doctor bent his head over his work, paying
no attention to thehorrors all around him. Greenish light from the tanks
filled the room. Inside those tanksghastly shaped creatures twisted and
writhed in agitation, while in the darker corners of theroom other
monstrosities cowered away timidly. The Doctor moved from place to
place,planting packets of explosives, connecting his central wire to the
terminal on each packet. Hedidn't notice that out of the darkness something
shapeless was oozing across the floor towardhim ...
In the corridor Sarah looked worriedly at Harry. What's taking him so
long?It's a pretty delicate job, planting explosives.'Well he should be
finished by now. I'm going to take a look. A choking cry from inside
theroom sent them running through the door. In the dim green light, they
could see the Doctorswaying wildly. Something like a coating of live black
tar was covering his legs, flowingsteadily upward as if to engulf him.
...Harry, help me, yelled Sarah. She dashed into the room and grabbed one
of the Doctor'sarms. Harry grabbed the other, and they heaved him free of
the pool of black liquid, which letgo its grip with an ugly squelching
sound. All three stumbled out of the room, and Harryslammed the door behind
them.Sarah shuddered. What was that awful stuff?Some kind of nutrient, I
think. Seemed almost alive, didn't it? The Doctor had held on to thewire
which was now running under the door. For want of a knife, he bit through
the wire withhis teeth and began peeling back the protective plastic
coating, revealing the gleaming metal
underneath. Then he peeled off another length of wire, bared both ends and
looked round for a power source. A wall light glowed dimly nearby. In a
moment the Doctor had dismantled it, and fixed one end of his wire to its
inner workings, sucking his fingers as blue sparks shot out. Holding the
wire from the light in one hand, the wire from under the door in the other,
the Doctor said, All I have to do is touch this wire to this one, and the
explosives will go off. Sarah spoke impatiently, Then what are you
waiting for? Do I have the right? said the Doctor simply. Sarah was
astonished. To destroy the Daleks? How can you possibly doubt it? You know
what they'll become. In an agonized voice the Doctor tried to explain, It
isn't so simple, Sarah. The evil of the Daleks produced counter reactions
of good. Many future worlds will stop warring among themselves, join in
alliance to fight the Daleks. Sarah looked at him, unable to believe that
the Doctor was held up by ethical scruples at a time like this. But the
Doctor was perfectly serious. To him the moral issue was real and vital.
Suppose somebody who knew the future told you a certain child would grow
up to be an evil dictator-could you then destroy that child? Sarah made a
last attempt to talk sense into him. We're not talking about some
imaginary child, Doctor, we're talking about the Daleks. The most evil
creatures ever created. Complete your mission and destroy them. You must!
The Doctor stared at the gleaming wires as though mesmerised. I simply
have to touch this to this and generations of people might live without
fear, never even hearing the wor d'Dalek.' Then do it, urged Sarah.
Suppose it was a question of wiping out the bacteria that caused some
terrible disease. You wouldn't hesitate then, would you? The Doctor looked
at her solemnly. But if I wipe out a whole intelligent life form, I'll be
no better than the Daleks myself. In an agony of indecision, the Doctor
repeated his question. I could destroy the Daleks, here and now. But do I
have the right? 
11-TRIUMPH OF THE DALEKS-
They were never to know how the Doctor would have resolved his moral
dilemma. A shout from the other end of the corridor interrupted them. They
turned to see Gharman running toward them his face alight with triumph.
Doctor, I've been looking for you. We've won! Davros has submitted to all
our terms! Davros surrendered? just like that?' Gharman waved a
dismissive hand. He is trying to save face, of course. He asked to be
allowed to speak to a full meeting of the Elite. But that's no more than a
formality. The voting will be a landslide against him. The Doctor took the
wire projecting beneath the door and gave a sudden heave. Somewhere inside
the room the wire snapped. The Doctor reeled it in until the broken end
came from under the door. Gharman, I'm more grateful than you'll ever
know. You've saved me from the most terrible decision of my life. Gharman
was too excited to listen to him. The meeting is just about to begin,
Doctor. I wanted you to be there. Will you come? Taking the Doctor's
assent for granted, he led the way back down the corridor. With the
greatest of pleasure. The Doctor followed the eager Gharman, and Sarah and
Harry hurried after them. At the back of her mind, Sarah was wishing
Gharman had arrived a moment later. The Doctor might have decided to set
off those explosives after all. ... 
The big central laboratory was an impressive sight. Every scientist and
security man in the Bunker had somehow managed to squeeze inside. They were
all tightly packed on one side of the room. On the other Davros sat alone
in his chair, Nyder by his side. The Doctor, Harry and Sarah watched from a
position by one of the doors. Gharman stood at the front of the crowd,
opposite Davros. Everyone is here, Davros, he said. We are waiting to
hear whatever you have to say. Davros began to speak. He described his
years of struggle to develop the travel machine that would protect the
creatures into which their race must evolve, of his desire that when the
war was over, his own race should stand supreme. The assembled crowd
listened in courteous silence, but it was clear that his words had no
appeal for them. At long last the Kaleds were sickened of war and
slaughter. They wanted no part of Davros's dreams of conquest. Satisfied
that the vote against Davros would indeed be a landslide, the Doctor
whispered to Sarah and Harry, Let's get the Time ring while they're all
occupied. They began working their way round the edge of the crowd toward
the corner desk that had once been Ronson's. Progress was slow, since the
crowd was densely packed. All the while they heard Davros droning on. By
now the crowd was shuffling restlessly, impatient for him to end. At this
very moment, Davros was saying, the production lines stand ready in the
workshops, on the lower levels. They are totally automated, fully
programmed. The Daleks no longer depend on us-they are a power in their own
right. Would you end everything we have achieved together? The Doctor and
his friends reached Ronson's desk at last. The Doctor's possessions were
still strewn on top of it, and he began stuffing them back in his pocket.
But there was no sign of the Time ring! Frantically they began to search.
Davros had wheeled his chair over to a control panel set into one wall, the
crowd falling back before him. He pointed his withered hand at a large red
button. This is a destruct button. Press it and you will destroy
everything in the Bunker, outside of this room. You will destroy the
Daleks, and with them the future of our race. Which of you will do it? The
crowd shuffled uneasily. Such was the dominance of Davros's personality
that no one dared step forward. You are men without courage, Davros spoke
scornfully. You have lost the right to survive. 
Stung by the contempt in his voice, Gharman stepped forward to address the
crowd. Youhave heard Davros's case. What he does not tell you is that
there is another way-to destroy hisconditioned, conscienceless creatures
and allow our mutation to follow its natural course. Ourrace will survive-
survive with all the strengths and weaknesses we have ourselves, not as
anunfeeling and heartless monstrosity. That is our choice. Now it is time
to decide.Most of this debate was lost on the Doctor and his friends, since
they were franticallysearching the area round the desk. It was Sarah who
spotted the Time ring at last. It had fallenfrom the desk and had been
kicked by some careless foot until it was almost out of sightbeneath a work
bench. Sarah wriggled underneath, scooped out the bracelet and handed it
tothe Doctor, who slipped it back on his arm with a sigh of relief. Bless
you, Sarah. Now if wecan only manage to find that tape recording and
destroy it-we can all go home!Over the heads of the crowd they heard once
more the voice of Davros. You have heard mycase, and you have heard
Gharmans. I will give you a few more minutes to decide. Then youmust
answer, not only to me, but to your future.
Outside the blockhouse that led to the Bunker a small army of Daleks was
grouped, silentlywaiting. Hidden in a trench nearby, Bettan, Sevrin and
their little band looked on, wonderingwhat was happening.
In the center of the laboratory, isolated amidst a largely hostile crowd,
Davros was alsowaiting. He glanced at a digital clock set in one wall. As
the figures clicked up to record thepassing of another time unit, his
finger stabbed down on one of the buttons on his console.
The metal gates of the blockhouse slid smoothly open.Bettan and Sevrin
watched as the army of Daleks glided through. The inner gates opened,
andthe Daleks disappeared down the tunnel that led to the Bunker. No sooner
were they out ofsight than Bettan and her ragged band of commandos ran
through the gates after them.
Bettan gave swift orders. Right. Set charges there ... there, and more
there. Go as deep insidethe tunnel as you can without being seen. She
turned to Sevrin. This is the only way into theBunker?It is now, Sevrin
said grimly. There was once a way in from the Kaled City, but your
rocketburied that for ever. Bettan nodded satisfied. Then if we do the
same to this entrance, we canbury the Daleks with those who created them.'
There was no pity in her voice. The slaughterand destruction she had seen
in her own city were too fresh in her mind.But surely you will give the
Doctor and his friends time to get clear?Bettan shook her head. I can't. I
must blow the tunnel as soon as the charges are prepared. Ifanyone sees
what we're doing, we're too few to fight them off.How long? asked
Sevrin. Thirty minutes, Possibly less.Then I must go inside and warn the
Doctor.That's very brave of you, said Bettan. She hesitated. You
understand, I can't delay things?If you're not back by the time we're
ready...I understand, said Sevrin. But I must try.Bettan nodded. Good
luck. I hope you make it. It was clear that she never expected to seehim
again. Swiftly and silently Sevrin ran down the tunnel into the Bunker.
Sarah, Harry and the Doctor were waiting impatiently. How much longer?
asked Sarah.Not long, whispered the Doctor. It's nearly time for the
grand finale. As yet he didretrealize the ghastly truth of his
words.Davros wheeled his chair to face the crowd. You have had ample time
to decide. Let all thosewho are loyal to me and to the future of our race
move forward to stand at my side. The gapbetween Davros and the crowd
seemed very large now. At first no one moved to cross it. Atlast one man
moved. Then another. A handful more, and that was all. Davros looked
round.No more? he asked ironically. Kravos, will you betray me? Fenatin-
my science saved your
life. Do you turn against me? The named men shuffled uneasily. But they
did not move to join him. The Doctor watched, almost with pity, as Davros
appealed in vain to first one man then another. It was somehow degrading to
see him plead. Why didn't he just accept defeat. Harry noticed that Nyder
had edged away from Davros and was slipping out of the laboratory. He
nudged the Doctor. Where do you think old Nyder's off to? The Doctor gave
him a thoughtful look. A strong feeling of unease was creeping over him.
Something about Davros's behavior just didn't ring true, and Nyder's
disappearing act made the feeling stronger. Let's find out, he suggested.
They slipped out of the laboratory after Nyder. They followed him down one
of the perimeter corridors that ran round the laboratory and up some steps,
catching up with him along an upper corridor. At the sight of his unwelcome
followers Nyder reached for a gun, but Harry tackled him hard, and sent him
crashing half-stunned to the ground. Nyder scrambled to his feet and
started to run, but the Doctor reached out a long arm to grab him. Harry
joined in and there was a wild three-cornered fight which ended with Nyder
disarmed and subdued. Now, where were you off to in such a hurry? panted
the Doctor. Nyder shrugged. I was getting out while I could. Davros is
finished-that means I'm finished too. The Doctor shook his head. That
doesn't ring quite true. Let's try something else. Where's Davros's office?
I want the tape recording you took away. Nyder said nothing. Harry grabbed
him by the throat and shook him till he choked. Just along there ...
Nyder nodded to a heavy steel door along the corridor. They moved to the
door. It was locked. Nyder produced a key to open it and they all went
inside. Davros's office was small and functional, the walls covered with
blueprints of early Dalek designs. The main feature was a small inner
window which looked down on to the main laboratory below. They could see
Davros haranguing the crowd, still with only one or two supporters beside
him. The Doctor looked at Nyder. Where is it? he snapped. Nyder said
nothing, but instinctively his eyes flickered to a safe set in the wall.
There was a combination dial in the door. Be a good chap and open it for
us, urged the Doctor. Only Davros knows the combination. The Doctor
looked at the safe. It was set fairly high in the wall. He pushed a chair
underneath and sat down. I doubt that. Davros has the use of only one
arm. The Doctor raised his own right arm. From a sitting position the safe
dial was well out of reach. You must have to open the safe for him. So
open it for us, Nyder, or I'll let Harry throttle you. We're desperate men,
remember. Harry did his best to look ferocious. He must have done pretty
well. Nyder went to the safe and spun the dials. The door swung open,
revealing the tape spool on a shelf in plain sight. The Doctor took it out
and dropped it into a metal waste bin. Now, we need some way to destroy
it. How about this, Doctor? Harry had picked up a Dalek gun from the
desk. Evidently an experimental model it was plugged into a portable power
pack. A Dalek gun, said the Doctor, pleased. How very fitting! With an
appropriately ceremonial air, he raised the gun and fired it. The spool
exploded into flames. They stood and watched it burn. Unfortunately they
forgot to watch Nyder at the same time. Seizing his chance, he sprinted
through the door, slamming and locking it behind him. Harry rattled the
door furiously but it was no use. The Doctor was quite unconcerned. Let
him go, Harry, he's not important. Our job here's over now anyway. The
power of Davros has been broken. Old Gharman will see that the Daleks of
the future are, well, humanized, you might say. What about the ones
Davros already has operational, Doctor? Sarah asked. The ones you saw
attacking the Thal City. 'Gharman will have them recalled and destroyed,
said the Doctor reassuringly. Harry thumped the door. Well, we're still
locked in. 
The Doctor smiled. Doesn't matter in the least, old chap. We'll simply
leave from here. All we have to do is stand in a circle and touch the Time
ring ... The Doctor touched his wrist. Oh no! The Time Ring wasn't
there. They stared wildly at each other. it's outside, said Sarah
suddenly. It's got to be. It must have come off in that fight with Nyder.
Suddenly getting the door open became a matter of vital importance. Harry
and the Doctor kicked at it to no avail. They tried the Dalek gun on it,
but the power-pack must have been nearly exhausted. After charring the
steel quite promisingly, the gun suddenly went dead. The Doctor produced a
piece of wire and tried to pick the lock. It's no good, he said
disgustedly. He's left the key in the lock on the other side. Oh well,
never mind. When the dethroning of Davros is over I expect someone will
turn up to let us out. The Doctor wandered over and looked at the scene in
the laboratory below them. You know, he said slowly, I still can't help
feeling it's unlike Davros to give in so easily. The Doctor noticed a
switch near a speaker-grille beside the window. He flicked it idly.
Immediately they could hear the voice of Davros in the laboratory below.
Isolated and alone, he was still talking as if he was the one who held
power. This is your last chance. join me, or suffer the consequences! No
one moved. Pityingly Gharman said, Accept defeat. It is over for you,
Davros! No! shouted Davros suddenly. It is over for you! I allowed this
charade for only one reason. I wanted to know who was truly loyal to me.
He gestured at the small group around him. With these few faithful
helpers, I shall continue my work. From his viewpoint above the
laboratory, the Doctor saw Gharman shake of the head. You are insane to
talk like this, you must see that you are totally outnumbered. No, said
Davros again, this time his voice low and menacing. It is you who are
outnumbered, Gharman, you and your traitor friends. With an elaborate
gesture, Davros pressed a control. Every one of the many doors around the
laboratory slid open. Framed in each stood a Dalek. 
The crowd fell back in terror as the Daleks glided into the room. 
12-A KIND OF VICTORY-
Davros and his supporters retreated into one corner of the room. The rest,
the vast majority, were herded into a tightly packed circle, surrounded by
a ring of Daleks. Tighter and tighter the circle was drawn until men were
jammed one against the other. For a long, terrible moment Davros regarded
his enemies. Then he said, Exterminate them! Fire blazed from the Dalek
guns. The Doctor and his horrified friends had grandstand seats at a
massacre. Bodies fell in swathes as the Daleks fired into the tightly
packed crowd, and the room was full of screaming. Nyder entered from a door
by Davros's side, and stood looking on with evident satisfaction. Not all
of Davros's supporters were so lacking in feeling. One of them, an officer
of the security Elite, recoiled in horror from the carnage. Stop them,
Davros, he screamed, you've got to stop them. He grabbed Davros by the
shoulder, but Nyder pulled him back, shoving him out into the crowd. Away
from the charmed group around Davros, he was immediately shot down by Dalek
guns. Sarah turned sickened from the slaughter below and hammered
hysterically on the door. Let us out. Please someone let us out! she
screamed. Harry tried to calm her. it's no use, Sarah. The Doctor tapped
him on the shoulder. don't be so sure, Harry! He pointed. The handle of
the door was moving, turned from the outside. They heard the key in the
lock. The door began opening slowly, and a gun muzzle appeared. The Doctor
and Harry backed away-and Sevrin's hooded face appeared round the door.
Sarah ran to him and hugged him, but he cut short her thanks. I was looking
for you when I heard your voice. We have very little time. The Thals have
set explosive charges at the entrance. They'll detonate as soon as they're
ready. 
Thank you, Sevrin, said the Doctor. Now if I can just find that Time
ring... They found the Time ring easily enough, in the corridor outside.
just as the Doctor snatched it up, a Dalek appeared at the end of the
corridor. They set off at a run, only to find a second Dalek facing them at
the other end. Skidding round they hurled themselves down a side corridor,
relieved to see no more Daleks. They ran frantically down endless
corridors, not pausing till the Daleks were far behind. The Doctor stopped
in a wide corridor, buttressed by huge pillars. We are near the entrance
now, gasped Sevrin. If we can make it through the next section we'll be
safe. The Doctor slipped the Time ring from his wrist and passed it to
Sarah. Look after this for me, will you? Sevrin-I'm relying on you to get
my friends out of here. Sarah stared at him. What are you going to do?
I'm going back to the incubator room. The charges are still laid. This
time I'll blow the place up as I should have done before. Now, you three
get out of here. Before anyone could argue the Doctor was sprinting down
one of the side corridors. Come, Sevrin spoke urgently. Time is short
now. Quickly he led them on their way. 
Davros regarded the bodies of his fallen enemies. Now the traitors have
been disposed of, the Daleks will take over security of the Bunker. The
rest of us will go on, working to improve every aspect of Dalek design.
Nyder ran back into the laboratory, stepping casually over the fallen
bodies. Davros, the alien prisoners I locked in your office have escaped.
Davros could not bear that anything should mar his triumph. Then they must
be found. Seek them out and exterminate them. Immediately there came a
chorus of Dalek voices, We obey! Daleks glided from the laboratory. 
Bettan stood waiting in the blockhouse, looking nervously down the tunnel.
A Thal soldiercame running out of the tunnel, playing out flex behind him.
He ran up to Bettan. That's thelast charge in position.Very well,
prepare to detonate.The soldier began wiring the flex to a big portable
field detonator. Bettan stood watching him,spinning around as she heard
footsteps running out of the tunnel. It was Sevrin with Harry andSarah.
I'd given you up, she said, amazed. Better move back, we're almost ready
todetonate.Sarah clutched her arm. You can't, not yet. The Doctor's still
inside...Harry added his plea. Give him a few minutes more at
least.Bettan hesitated. Very well, just a few minutes. But if the Daleks
start coming up that tunnel-then I detonate!
The Doctor crouched in the incubator room, rewiring the charges with nimble
fingers,ignoring once more the horrors gibbering all around him. His work
concluded, he backed outinto the corridor, trailing the wire behind him.
The wire from the wall power source was stillstretched from the other side
of the corridor. The Doctor grabbed it and was just about to bringthe two
wires together when a Dalek appeared at the end of the corridor. It fired,
charring thewall by the Doctor's head. The Doctor leaped back letting go of
both wires as he did so. Hesheltered behind the wall buttress and peered
out. The Dalek hadn't moved. The Doctor couldsee the ends of the two wires,
tantalizingly close together. If he could only manage to jointhem. He
stretched out a long arm, grabbed the nearest wire, and started edging it
toward theother. The Dalek spotted the movement and fired again. The edge
of its blast caught the tip ofthe Doctor's fingers and he snatched his hand
back in pain.A wild thought struck the Doctor. He looked at the ends of the
two wires, so very near eachother. ... It might work, he thought.
Suddenly the Doctor leaped from cover and zigzagged down the corridor in
full view of theDalek. It fired, missed, fired again. The second blast
missed too, and the Doctor leaped into aside corridor out of sight. Angrily
the Dalek started in pursuit. As it glided down the corridorthe metal of
its body casing, vibrant with static electricity, passed over the two wires
andcompleted the circuit. There was a huge detonation and the wall of the
incubator roomexploded outward, burying the Dalek in rubble. The Doctor
popped his head around thecorner, took a quick look at the wreckage. He
gave a satisfied nod and started sprinting for themain exit.
In the blockhouse checkpoint, the anxious group looked down the empty
tunnel. Nervouslyone of the soldiers began fiddling with the scanning
equipment. Suddenly he shouted, 'Look,I'm getting a picture on one of these
scanners. Sure enough, one of the screens was showing ablurred picture 'of
the main laboratory. They could even hear a faint murmur of sound.Try for
more volume, ordered Bettan. We may be able to find out what's happening
downthere.Obediently the soldier adjusted controls. The picture improved,
and sound came throughclearly. Sarah shivered as she heard the voice of
Davros. Send a patrol of Daleks to securethe main entrance.I obey.'That
is it, snapped Bettan. I must detonate right away. Give it one minute
more, beggedHarry. Please!Bettan said, I'm sorry. I daren't wait any
longer. She turned to the soldier. Get those tunneldoors closed and we'll
detonate from in here.
The Doctor was baring down a corridor, running for his life. A patrol of
Daleks appearedbehind him. Their guns blazed and their metallic voices
filled the air. Exterminate!Exterminate! Exterminate!
Safe in his laboratory, surrounded by a guard of Daleks, Davros was
preparing to resume work. His eye was caught by flashing lights on an
indicator panel. He wheeled his chair round angrily. The Dalek production
line has been started. I gave no such order. Who is responsible? Davros
looked angrily at the handful of surviving scientists scattered about the
room. None of them spoke. A Dalek glided forward. I gave the order, said
the metallic voice. Davros looked at his creation angrily. Some minor
malfunction, no doubt. It could be corrected, perhaps even by a simple
verbal re-programming. He glided his chair up to the Dalek and spoke slowly
and clearly. You will perform no function unless directly ordered by me.
You will obey only my commands. The Dalek production line will be halted
immediately. The Dalek did not move. Davros was enraged. You heard my
order. Obey! Obey! Still the Dalek did not move. Nyder sighed. He moved
toward the control panel. All right, I'll do it ... He reached for the
control. Almost casually, the nearest Dalek swiveled round and blasted him
down. Davros looked on unbelievingly as Nyder's smoking body twisted and
fell. The Dalek spoke again, Production will continue. Davros backed his
chair slowly away. ... 
Harry and Sarah watched helplessly as the iron doors of the tunnel began to
slide slowly closed. Bettan stood watching too, beside her a soldier with
his hand on the plunger of an old-fashioned field detonator. Bettan said,
Fire! The soldier heaved up the plunger handle. He was about to force it
down, when Sarah screamed, Wait, please wait. The Doctor's coming! The
soldier hesitated. Harry and Sarah ran to the doors and held them back by
force. The Doctor came tearing along the tunnel, a patrol of Daleks close
behind him. just as their strength failed, the Doctor reached the fast-
narrowing gap and squeezed through. 
The Daleks glided in pursuit, gun sticks blazing, then were hidden from
view by the closingdoor. ...Bettan tapped the soldier on the arm. He pushed
the plunger down with all his force. Athunderous explosion on the other
side of the doors shook the checkpoint, sending them allflying.Sarah picked
herself up, and staggered over to the scanner screen. Incredibly, it was
stillworking. On it they could see Daleks in a menacing circle around
Davros. Davros wasdesperately trying to regain control of his creations but
they could hear the fear in his voice.You must obey me, he was saying. I
created you. I am your master!One of the Daleks seemed to be speaking for
the others, as if already they had evolved theirown leaders. Our
programming does not permit us to acknowledge any creature superior tothe
Daleks.Without me you cannot exist;' insisted Davros. You cannot
progress.There was total arrogance in the Dalek voice, the arrogance that
Davros himself had given it.We are programmed to survive. We have the
ability to evolve in any way necessary for thatsurvival.Another Dalek
glided in. Ignoring Davros, it reported to its leader. Main exit blocked
byexplosion to length of one thousand units.The Dalek began issuing orders
to deal with the problem. Other Daleks glided to obey.Sarah nudged the
Doctor. Did you manage to do anything in the incubator room?Quite a bit-
with a little help from a Dalek. The damage I did will set them back a
thousandyears.That's pretty good then, isn't it?The Doctor smiled
ruefully. In the totality of Time, it's no more than-that! and he
snappedhis fingers.Harry drew their attention to the screen. 'Look,
something's happening.
Fascinated they gathered around to watch the inevitable end of the clash
between Davros andthe monsters he had created. The terrified handful of
scientists who had elected to supportDavros were being herded into a
corner. The Dalek leader spoke. All inferior creatures arethe enemy of the
Daleks. They must be destroyed.Davros began pleading for the few men who
had been loyal to him. Wait. These men arescientists. They can help you.
Let them live. Have you no pity?Pi-ty? The word sounded strange in the
Dalek voice. I have no understanding of the word.It is not registered in
my vocabulary bank. It wheeled to face the other Daleks.
Exterminatethem! Once again the Dalek gun sticks roared, and the handful
of humans crumpled and fell.In the center of the laboratory, Davros
confronted the Dalek leader. For the last time I amyour creator. You must
... you will ... obey me.'We obey no one. We are the Daleks!The watchers
saw Davros spin his chair and speed it toward the destructor button on the
wall.As his withered hand reached up, they heard the voice of the Dalek
leader. Exterminate him!All the Daleks seemed to fire at once, and Davros
and his chair exploded in flame, thedestructor button still untouched.The
Dalek leader glided forward to address its fellows. The action brought it
closer to thescanner screen so that it seemed almost to be talking to the
small group watching in thecheckpoint. We are entombed here, but we still
live on. This is only the beginning. We willprepare. We will grow stronger.
When the time is right, we will emerge. We shall build ourown City. We
shall rule Skaro. The Daleks will be the supreme power in the Universe
...!Suddenly the screen went blank.Thank goodness, said Sarah. Please-
can we go now? Sevrin, Bettan and the others werealready leaving, assuming
the Doctor and his friends would follow them out of theblockhouse.The
Doctor said, The Time ring please, Sarah.As Sarah gave him the ring she
said, We've failed, haven't we, Doctor?
Not entirely. We've given the Daleks a nasty setback, perhaps that's all
we were intended todo ... it's a kind of victory.He smiled at Sarah who
said, You don't seem too disappointed anyway.Hand on the ring, please,
said the Doctor briskly. He held it up, and Harry and Sarahobeyed.Their
fingers touched the metal and after a moment Sarah felt a strange
disembodied sensationsweeping over her.Sevrin, who had come back into the
checkpoint to see what was delaying his friends, wasastonished to see them
simply fading away into nothingness. Sarah waved, called Goodbye,Sevrin
... and vanished.Sarah felt everything dissolve into spinning blackness.
But somehow she could still hear theDoctor's voice echoing hollowly.
Disappointed, Sarah? No, not really. You see, although Iknow that Daleks
will create havoc and destruction for untold thousands of years  ... I
alsoknow that out of their great evil ... some ... great   good ... must
come.
DIVERGENT CONTINUITYPART ONE:
As the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry walk towards the Kaled dome, the Time Lord
apologises to his companions and explains their mission. When the Doctor
and Harry 'escort' General Ravon, they encounter and are stopped only by
Nyder (instead of Nyder and several guards). Upon capture by the Kaleds,
the Doctor asks, Kamerade?...nobody bothers to answer. 
PART TWO: 
Nothing to mention. 

PART THREE: 
When the Doctor and Harry arrive at the Kaled dome, the Doctor intimidates
and name-drops his way straight up the chain of command until he gets to
Mogran. After the meeting with the Kaled government, General Ravon gives
Harry and the Doctor into the care of 'a weasel-faced man' who leads them
across the Wastelands to the Thal dome, and then to a corridor junction
directly under the rocket silo. Instead of the Doctor bashing two guards'
heads together, he tackles one while Harry rabbit-punches the other. 

PART FOUR: 
The Doctor awakens in the Thal control room to find himself 'lashed by the
arms into a wheeled metal chair and shoved into a corner'. 

PART FIVE: 
Instead of being strangled by a Kaled mutant, the Doctor finds his legs
encased in a tar-like nutrient which seems alive. Harry and Sarah run
into the incubator room to save him. 

PART SIX: 
When the Daleks fire on Davros, he and his chair explode in flame, which
scuppers any hope of an easy link to Doctor Who and the Destiny of the
Daleks. 


DIVERGENT CHARACTERISATIONTHE DOCTOR:
He's 'a very tall man, dressed in comfortable old tweed trousers and a
loosely-hanging jacket.' He also wears 'an amazingly long scarf [and] a
battered, broad-rimmed hat'. He has 'bright blue eyes' and 'a tangle of
curly brown hair'. Even in this body, he is still very capable in the art
of Venusian Aikido. His pockets contain 'a yo-yo, a bag of jelly babies,
several lengths of string and a miscellaneous collection of scientific
instruments'. 
SARAH JANE: 
She is 'a slim, pretty girl in fashionable clothes'. 

HARRY SULLIVAN: 
He is 'a square-jawed, blue-eyed, curly-haired young man'. He makes rather
daft jokes. He's boxed for the Navy, and uses his best moves against the
Kaleds. 

DAVROS: 
He is 'a withered husk...swathed in a high-collared, green plastic overall,
and surrounded by a variety of life support systems'. His head is
'parchment thin skin [clinging] to the outlines of a shrivelled skull...the
eye-sockets were blank and sunken, the mouth a lipless slit'. He wears 'a
helmet-like arrangement of wires and plastic tubes' above his head, which
supports 'a single lens' on his forehead. His voice is 'almost inhuman,
filtered through some mechanical reproduction system'. His wheelchair moves
'under its own power' (some connection to Davros' brain?). The cover art
would have us believe that his 'vision-lens' is red, not blue. 





