THE BRAIN DRAIN 

Sara recovered consciousness to a sort of swaying motion. She opened her eyes 
and saw corridor walls going past. She was being carried somewhere on a 
stretcher. But why? 

She was lifted from the stretcher and placed on a table. An operating table, 
thought Sarah wildly. She'd been hurt in an accident and now they were going to 
operate. She was in a small circular room that was packed with complicated 
equipment. Lights flashed before her eyes, and there was a low background of 
electronic hums and beeps. 

A face appeared, hovering above her. It was Harry. Good old Harry Sullivan. 
Naturally, he'd be there if she'd been hurt. 

Harry? she whispered weakly. Sudden panic swept over her and she started to 
struggle. But she couldn't movethere were clamps holding her to the table. 

Harry moved away and a moment later another face appeared. It seemed strangely 
distorted, and Sarah blinked furiously, forcing herself to concentrate. As her 
vision cleared, she gave a gasp of pure horror. The face hovering over her was 
broad and flat with leathery greenish skin. The hideous vision loomed largerthen 
Sarah slipped into unconsciousness. 

The voice of Harry Sullivan said impassively. She is ready, Styggron. 

Good. Commence the analysis of the brain. 

DOCTOR WHO 

AND THE ANDROID INVASION 

by Terrance Dicks 

PINNACLE BOOKS 

NEW YORK 

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book 
are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely 
coincidental. 

DOCTOR WHO AND THE ANDROID INVASION (#9) 

Text of book copyright (c) 1975 by Terrance Dicks 

Doctor Who series copyright (c) 1977 by the British Broadcasting Corporation 
Introduction copyright (c) 1980 by Harlan Ellison 

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions 
thereof in any form. 

A Pinnacle Books edition, published by special arrangement with W. H. Allen & Co. 
Ltd. First published in Great Britain. 

First printing, January 1980 

Second printing, May 1981 

ISBN: 0-523-41619-9 

Cover illustration by David Mann 

Printed in the United States of America 

PINNACLE BOOKS, INC. 

1430 Broadway 

New York, New York 10018 

Contents 

Strange Arrival 

Village of Terror 

The Watcher 

Hunted 

Captured 

The Test 

The Countdown 

Blast Off 

Hero's Return 

Takeover 

Death of a Doctor 

DR. WHO AND THE ANDROID INVASION 

Strange Arrival 

A soldier was marching through the forest. He wore the uniform of a corporal in 
the British Army. His buttons gleamed in the sunlight, his boots shone a glossy 
black, his trousers were sharply creased and his beret was set at the regulation 
angle. The rifle on his shoulder was clean, bright, and slightly oiled. 

He crossed the forest clearing in a dead straight line, the handsome young face 
set in an expressionless mask, eyes staring blankly ahead. But a heavy, dragging 
limp in his left leg marred the military precision of his pace, that and a 
spasmodic clenching and unclenching of his left hand. 

Although he avoided the trees, lesser obstacles didn't seem to register. A patch 
of brambles barred his path and he smashed through them like a tank. A thorn 
ripped a Jagged tear down the right side of his face but the soldier didn't seem 
to notice. He moved on through the forest with his odd, limping march, like a 
clockwork toy that someone had wound up and sent marching blindly forwards. A 
clockwork toy that wasn't quite working properly. He reached a dense clump of 
bushes on the far side of the clearing and came to a sudden jerky halt, standing 
motionless at attention, as still as one of the trees. 

Minutes later, a strange sound disturbed the peace of the forest, a kind of 
wheezing, groaning noise. An old blue police callbox materialized out of nowhere, 
standing four-square and solid in the little clearing. The door opened and a 
very tall man stepped out. He had wide staring eyes and a tangle of curly hair 
and he wore an assortment of loose-fitting tweedy, vaguely Bohemian garments 
topped off with a battered broad-brimmed soft hat and an incredibly long scarf. 

A slender dark-haired girl followed him out of the police callbox. She wore 
casual, late twentieth-century clothes, with a brightly-colored scarf at her 
throat. She looked searchingly at the forest around her and drew a deep, 
satisfied breath. There you are, Doctor, I told you we'd reached Earth. Just 
sniff. That's real air, that is. 

Possibly, Sarah. Possibly. 

Sarah looked uneasily at him. She had been the Doctor's companion through two 
lives and a number of fantastic adventures, journeying through Time and Space in 
his TARDIS. By now she was looking forward to returning homeand she didn't even 
want to consider the possibility that something had gone wrong with the TARDIS's 
ever-erratic steering mechanism. What do you meanpossibly? 

The coordinates were set for Earth, but the linear calculator's been a little 
unreliable recently. It may just possibly have---- 

Gone up the-creek again? Sarah shook her head. No, this is Earth all right! 
She took another deep breath. I love that fresh smell you get just after rain. 

The Doctor sniffed. Yes, it does have that characteristic smell of wet earth... 
which is rather strange, when you look at the ground. 

What about it? 

The Doctor stooped and picked up a handful of soil. It was dry and crumbly, 
trickling away between his fingers. It's bone dry. There hasn't been any rain 
here for weeks, He fished a small compass-like device from one of his pockets 
and studied the dial. The needle oscillated wildly for a moment, then swung 
firmly to the top of its scale. Now what could be causing that? 

Causing what? 

There's some enormous energy source, not very far away. The Doctor moved over 
to a tree and began studying it suspiciously. 

Sarah followed him. You don't really think there's been some mistake, do you? I 
mean we are on Earth? 

Well, unless someone's started exporting acorns. English oaks don't grow 
anywhere else in the galaxy, as far as I know. 

Sarah felt reassured. Come on, Doctor, let's try and find out where we are. 

As they moved away, they passed the clump of bushes which was hiding the soldier. 
He was still standing there, perfectly motionless, eyes staring fixedly ahead, 
and they went by without seeing him. Soon after they'd gone, he resumed his 
jerky march, as if someone had wound him up and set him going again. 

The Doctor and Sarah moved on through the silent forest, Sarah staring uneasily 
around her. Although things looked normal, somehow they didn't feel normal. Just 
as they reached another clearing, Sarah stopped, putting a hand on the Doctor's 
arm. Wait a minute. 

What is it? 

I heard something movingover there. 

Four figures came out of the trees. They wore white, high-necked overalls, and 
strange-looking helmets with dark visors that hid their faces. They looked 
vaguely like racing drivers or mechanics, thought Sarah. But what were four 
racing drivers doing in the middle of a wood? 

Oh, good! said the Doctor cheerfully. Now we can find out where we are. 

No, wait, I don't like the look of them... 

But the Doctor had already stepped out into the clearing. Hullo, there! I 
wonder if you could tell us exactly where we are? 

The four white-clad mechanics stopped. Then, moving as one man, they raised 
their right arms in front of them, fingers pointed accusingly at the Doctor. 

The Doctor stared hard at those pointing fingers and realized they ended in open 
tubeslike gun-muzzles. He flung himself down just as the fingers spat fire. 

Scrambling to his feet, the Doctor ran back into the shelter of the trees. Not 
a very friendly welcome home! We'd better get away from here: 

They ran through the trees, shots whizzing close to their heads. 

The four mechanics lowered their arms and turned to face each other. They stood 
motionless, for a moment in silent conference. Then they split up. Two of them 
turned and went back the way they had come. The two others began following the 
Doctor and Sarah through the woods. 

Sarah ran blindly on, the Doctor close behind her. The woods thinned out, and 
she saw that a tall thin hedge bordered the edge of the forest, barring their 
way. Sarah turned and got a glimpse of white overalls moving through the trees 
behind them. Frantically, she forced her way through the hedge, bursting through 
to the other sidethen the ground disappeared from beneath her feet. 

The Doctor shot through the hedge behind her and threw himself forward, grabbing 
Sarah's wrist as she disappeared from sight. He dropped face down, bracing 
himself to take the shock of her weight. 

Sarah found herself dangling in empty space, supported only by the Doctor's grip. 
She looked down and saw the rocky ground horribly far below her. Slowly the 
Doctor began hauling her back to safety. 

Sarah scrambled back over the cliff edge, and sat gasping for breath. They were 
on the edge of a deep quarry which ran parallel with the edge of the woods. 
Apparently disused, it formed a deep, narrow valley, the sides overgrown with 
bushes and scrubby grass, Sarah looked at the Doctor. Thanks. I should have 
looked before 1 leaped! 

The Doctor grinned. My pleasure. After all, I couldn't leave you hanging around, 
could I? 

Sarah groaned, thinking .that nothing seemed to quell the Doctor's taste for 
terrible jokes. She got shakily to her feet. The Doctor indicated a steep path 
winding its way down to the quarry floor. Let's try that way, shall we? Not so 
quick as your method, but a lot safer. 

He was about to lead the way when he saw movement in the bushes some way away. 
At first he thought the mechanics had caught up with them, and prepared to run. 
But the figure that emerged -wore not white, but khakithe uniform of a corporal 
in the British Army. It came forward in a jerky, limping march, making straight 
for the sheer drop at the quarry's edge. 

Hey, look out! yelled the Doctor. Stop! Stay where you are! 

The soldier didn't seem to hear him. Face blank, eyes staring, he marched 
steadily forward. 

Stop! yelled Sarah. Look out, you'll fall. They began running along the edge 
of the quarry. But the distance between them and the soldier was greater than 
that between the soldier and the quarry edge, and they had no chance of reaching 
him in time. He marched jerkily over the edge and hurtled down to the ground. 

Sarah stared down at the spread-eagled body, so far below that it looked like a 
broken doll. Why didn't he stop, Doctor? He must have heard us. 

The Doctor was already heading for the path. It's probably too late but we'd 
better get down to him. Come on. 

They scrambled down the path and across the rocky ground to the crumpled body. 
It was sprawled face down, huddled like an old sack. To Sarah's relief there 
didn't seem to be any blood. 

The Doctor shook his head. The fall must have killed him instantly. He began 
looking through the pockets in the army uniform. 

Sarah still couldn't believe what she'd just seen. He went over that cliff as 
if he was sleep walking. She shuddered at the memory. Found anything? 

The Doctor held out a handful of coins. Take a look at these. 

What about them? 

They're all mint-fresh. No scratches, no tarnish. There's something else too. 
He looked expectantly at her. 

Sarah examined the coins one by one. They look all right to me. No, wait a 
minute. They've all got the same date! 

Exactly, And what are the odds against someone getting a whole pocketful of 
small change all of the same date? 

I just don't understand it... 

The Doctor plunged his hands into his pockets and began pacing about the quarry, 
rather like a bloodhound questing for a lost scent. Neither do I-yet. But... 

But what? 

What indeed, said the Doctor absently. His attention had been caught by an 
oddly-shaped rock on the far side of the quarry and he went to examine it. 

Sarah followed him. The rock, if it was a rock, was about eight feet long, and 
it seemed to have split into two identically shaped hollow halves, rather like a 
giant pea pod. Put together they would have made a long, hollow object, shaped, 
thought Sarah uneasily, rather like a lumpy coffin. The outer surface was made 
of charred, pitted rock, rather like a meteorite, The Doctor ran his hand along 
the hollow interior. It was lined with some dark, soft mossy material that felt 
rather like foam rubber. 

Sarah watched him impatiently. Come on, Doctor, time we were moving on. 

Wait a moment, this is fascinating... 

It's just an old canister. People are always dumping rubbish in disused 
quarries. 

Thing is, I've seen something like this before. My memory's getting terrible 
these days. 

It certainly is. You seem to have forgotten we were being shot at just a few 
minutes ago. 

As if to reinforce Sarah's words a bullet spanged off a nearby rock. 

The Doctor looked up. Two white-clad figures had appeared on the rim of the 
quarry. We seem to have annoyed them again, don't we? Come on! 

They ran along the quarry and out of a broken gate at the far end. Bullets 
buzzed angrily around them like giant bees, but Bone seemed to be coming very 
close. Perhaps their attackers had only got short-range fingers, thought Sarah 
hysterically. 

The gate led into a muddy country lane between high hedges, and the lane in turn 
joined onto a country road. They rounded a bend and there before them lay an 
extremely pretty country village. They slowed their pace, and soon the road 
widened and became the village's main street. They saw a traditional village 
green complete with war memorial, thatched cottages, old-fashioned shops, and an 
appropriately rustic-looking village inn. It all looked like the cover 
photograph on a Holidays in Britain travel brochure. The fact that there wasn't 
a soul in sight added to the growing feeling of unreality. 

Well, well, said the Doctor cheerfully. Civilization at last! He surveyed 
the picturesque scene. Something familiar about all this... I think I've been 
through here before. 

Sarah fell into step beside him, gazing curiously about her. As they walked 
through the village she too felt a growing sense of familiarity. Devesham! she 
said suddenly. 

You know this village? 

I came here on a story a couple of years ago. 

Is it always this quiet? 

Sarah looked round. They were in the center of the village by now, but there 
wasn't a single human being to be seen. No, it isn't. It's usually a bustling 
little place. 

Hello! yelled the Doctor suddenly. Anyone about? Silence. His voice echoed 
across the empty village green, but no one answered. 

The village of Devesham lay peacefully in the morning sunlightcompletely 
deserted. 

Village of Terror 

Let's try the village inn., said the Doctor hopefully. Bound to be someone in 
there. 

He led the way to die inn, pushed open the door, and stopped, looking round in 
astonishment. 

They were in a typical English country pub. A long mahogany bar-counter ran 
across . the rear of the room. There were gleaming beer-pumps, and an array of 
bottles on shelves behind the bar. There were oak booths against the walls, and 
a scattering of chairs and tables. A mixed assortment of drinks stood on the 
tables, half-finished pints of ale, glasses of lager, the occasional glass of 
whiskey or gin. There was sawdust on the floor, horse-brasses gleaming on the 
walls, a dartboard, all the ingredients of a picturesque country pub. Everything 
but people. Like the village outside, the place was deserted. 

The Doctor marched up to the bar. Landlord? There was no reply. 

Anybody here? shouted Sarah. Silence. 

The Doctor looked round the empty bar. What's this pub called? 

The Fleur de Lys. 

They ought to re-name it 'The Marie Celeste'! 

It's crazy. A village full of people can't just disappear. 

The Doctor went round behind the bar and opened the old-fashioned till. Here we 
are again... 

What? 

He flung a handful of coins on the bar, Freshly-minted money. Brand-new coinsand 
all the same year. Sarah... yon said you came down here on a story. What story? 

Something about a missing astronaut. It was at that new Space Research Center. 
It's just outside the village. 

The Doctor nodded. Yes, I know the placeI actually went there once with the 
Brigadier. He rubbed his chin. You know, that could explain a lot. If we 
landed in a prohibited area those people who shot at us could have been some 
kind of guards. 

With built-in finger guns? Trespassers are prosecuted in England, Doctornot 
shot. And they weren't dressed like guards, 

The Doctor shrugged. Protective clothing, against some kind of radioactivity. I 
detected an energy-source, remember... the soldier who walked over the cliff 
could have been affected by it. 

Radiation sickness? 

Something of the kind, yes. 

And this village? 

Evacuated. 

Sarah waved towards the unfinished drinks on the tables all around them. It 
must have been done in a pretty big hurry. 

There may have been some kind of emergency. A sudden radiation leakage... 

That's great! And we've been walking around in the middle of it like a couple 
of great idiots! She nodded towards the coins on the bar. And what about all 
this new money? 

Anti-contamination procedure, perhaps. Money changes hands. They might have 
thought it necessary to bring in completely clean currency. 

Are you serious, Doctor? 

The Doctor shrugged. I'm just trying to build a theory that fits all the facts 
as we know them. It's only a guess, mind you - 

Well, it's a pretty nasty one. Sarah heard a noise and looked out of the 
window. Hey, Doctor, look! The village isn't deserted any more. 

The Doctor came to join her. Four white-overalled figures were moving down the 
center of the street, a fifth, uniformed figure walking just behind them. As the 
little group moved nearer, the fifth figure came into view. Sarah gasped. No... 
it can't be... it can't! 

The fifth man wore the uniform of a corporal in the British Army. It was the 
soldier they'd seen in the woods a little earlier. The one who'd marched 
straight over the edge of a cliff. 

Sarah stared unbelievingly at him. There was no mark on his face, no spasmodic 
clenching of the hands, no trace of a limp, as he marched along the empty street. 
He was a dead man walking, apparently none the worse for a fall that should have 
shattered every bone in his body. 

He was dead, whispered Sarah. We saw him... She backed away from the window, 
and caught the edge of a table. A glass crashed to the floor. 

The little group outside suddenly paused, their heads swinging round in uncanny 
unison. 

They heard me, whispered Sarah. 

The Doctor shook his head. No, I don't think so. Look. 

An army truck was trundling slowly along the high street with about two dozen 
people in the back. There were both men and women, some young, some middle-aged. 
They sat bolt-upright on hard wooden benches, staring straight ahead of them. 
They looked like shop-window dummies, thought Sarah, or a load of wax figures 
being taken to the museum. The truck came to a halt outside the pub. For a 
second nobody moved. Then, as if obeying some secret signal, they, all rose, 
climbing stiffly down from the truck. Once on the ground they scattered, most of 
them heading for the shops and houses along the high street. About a dozen of 
the men stayed together in a group. Still moving with that frightening, silent 
unanimity, they began marching towards the pub. 

Sarah pointed. That man in front, the one in the checkered sports jacket. That's 
Mr. Morgan, the landlord. 

The Doctor was already looking for a place to hide. Not behind the bar, someone 
would be bound to go through there... He spotted a little door in the wall, just 
beside the bar flap. Seizing Sarah's arm he hurried her towards it. 

They found themselves in a tiny storeroom, not much bigger than a cupboard. It 
was stacked high with empty beer crates and cracker tins. A second door opened 
on to a rear corridor. The Doctor closed the door to the bar, leaving a crack so 
they could see into the room. 

The front door opened, and a group of men came in. The mysteriously revived 
soldier came in with them. As if following some prearranged plan, each man moved 
swiftly to a specific position, some standing against the bar, others sitting at 
the tables. Morgan went behind the bar and stood with his hand resting on a beer-pump. 
The Corporal leaned on the bar in front of him. 

When everyone was in position, the scene froze. The men stood quite still 
staring ahead of them. They looked like people posing for one of those old-fashioned 
photographers, thought Sarah, in the days when you had to stand perfectly still 
for several minutes. Or like actors, waiting for their cue. So complete was the 
silence that Sarah could hear a faint whirring, clicking noise, the sound a 
clock makes just before it strikes. She looked at the big old-fashioned clock. 
It was a few seconds before twelve o'clock. Suddenly the big hand jerked and the 
first chime rang out. 

Immediately the bar came to life. Morgan reached for. a glass, pulled back the 
beer handle, and served a pint of beer to the waiting Corporal. All over the 
room men reached for their glasses. There was a low rumble of conversation. A 
couple of men started playing darts, and at the corner table two others got on 
with their game of dominoes. Everything was utterly, shatteringly normal. 

The Doctor studied the scene for a moment, then pulled the storeroom door closed. 
Extraordinary. Quite extraordinary, 

What's the matter with them all? whispered Sarah. 

I don't knowbut I intend to find out. 

How? 

The Space Research Station. I think UNIT are responsible for security there. 
Maybe they'll. have some answers. 

(UNIT was the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, to which the Doctor was 
loosely attached as Scientific Adviser,) 

And what do I do? 

Keep an eye on things here. You'll be all right. 

I've heard that one before! 

The Doctor slipped the TARDIS key-chain from around his neck, and handed it to 
Sarah. Can you find your way back to the TARDIS? 

Of course I can. 

If anything goes wrong, meet me there. He opened the rear door, slipped out 
into the corridor and disappeared. 

'Typical, thought Sarah bitterly. Goes off and leaves me to it just when 
things are getting tricky. What was she supposed to do now? Keep an eye on 
things was a pretty vague instruction. 

In the bar everyone was still chatting amiably. The Corporal finished his pint, 
and pushed his mug across the bar for another one. As Morgan began refilling it, 
the Corporal glanced idly round the barand caught sight of the handle of the 
storeroom door. It was moving, and as he watched, the door opened the merest 
crack. 

He stepped swiftly across the bar, caught hold of the handle and jerked the door 
fully open. Sarah was revealed, standing on the threshold. All conversation cut 
off immediately, and everyone in the bar swung round to look at her. 

Sarah decided that since she'd been discovered she might as well try to bluff 
her way through. She stepped bravely into the bar. Afternoon everyone! She 
looked up at the clock. Well, just about afternoon anyway. She moved over to 
the bar. Hullo, Mr. Morgan. You remember me, don't you? Sarah Jane Smith. I'm a 
journalist. I came here on a story a couple of years ago. 

Morgan didn't say anything. No one said anything. They just stood silently 
looting at her. There was a kind of threat in the silence, and Sarah felt a 
growing sensation of unease. Well, somebody say something. 

It was the Corporal who spoke at last, Who sent you here? What do you want? How 
did you get here? 

Sarah didn't want to get into involved explanations about the TARDIS. I walked. 

Where have you come from? Why are you here? 

The succession of questions began to fray Sarah's nerves. She turned angrily to 
Morgan. Do you let him grill all your customers like this? Just because he's in 
the Army... 

Morgan said heavily, We don't have strangers here. He spoke as if repeating 
some kind of universally accepted law. 

That ridiculous. This place is always full of tourists. 

The Corporal began moving purposefully towards Sarah, reaching out as if to take 
her arm. As Sarah backed away Morgan said, Corporal Adams, wait. She may be 
part of the test. 

Adams nodded, and stepped back. 

Sarah was beginning to feel trapped in some endless nightmare, Test? What test? 

Adams looked at Morgan. She does not know. 

Look, what's going on here? demanded Sarah. What don't I know? 

Perhaps they would not have told her, said Morgan slowly. He turned back to 
Sarah. I think you'd better go, miss. 

Why? 

It might be best. 

Sarah looked round the circle of blank, silent faces. Look, if there's some 
sort of trouble here, why not tell me about it? Perhaps I can help 

No one spoke. Sarah shrugged and moved towards the door. Well, I intend to find 
out anyway. She looked at Corporal Adams, unable to resist a parting shot. As 
for you, I'm sure you shouldn't be drinking, so soon after breaking your neck! 
With that, Sarah marched out of the bar. 

For a moment the silent figures stared after her. Then they jerked into life, 
and the babble of conversation struck up again. Morgan filled Corporal Adam's 
mug and pushed it across the bar. Adams paid for his beer, and took an 
appreciative swig. Just a normal morning in an English country pub. 

* * * 

Sarah marched indignantly down the village street, wondering what everyone was 
playing at. She decided to follow the Doctor to the Space Research Center and 
insist on some explanation. By now her journalist's instincts were .fully roused. 
Something very odd was happening in this picturesque little village, and there 
had to be a story in it. 

As she came level with the parked army truck, a white-clad figure stepped out 
from behind it. Coming forward, it raised the dark visor on its helmet. Sarah 
stopped, looking curiously at its face. But there was no facethe space beneath 
the visor was dark and empty. The thing was headless, yet it was stalking 
towards her. In blind terror, Sarah turned and ran. 

The Watcher 

The Doctor walked confidently up to the main gate of the Space Research Center. 
It was a vast, sprawling, ultra-modern building, all glass and concrete. A 
forest of weirdly shaped aerials sprouted from its roof, which was dominated by 
a huge saucer-shaped radar dish. The Center had its own rocket landing field 
close by, and the whole complex was enclosed by a high wall. Usually the main 
gate was almost excessively well-guarded. It was impossible to get inside 
without much flashing of top-secret passes, and the Doctor was quite prepared to 
have to talk his way in. But to his astonishment he found the main gates 
standing open, with no sentry in sight. The whole place seemed deserted. Puzzled, 
the Doctor went up the front steps and through the main doors. 

* * * 

The scanner room lay in the very heart of the Space Research Center. It was 
packed with complex instruments which monitored the surrounding countryside and 
reached far out into deep space. 

A white-coated figure was hunched over a central control console, headphones 
over his ears. Grierson was chief technician at the Center, a burly figure who 
looked more like an engineer than a scientist. He was listening intently, a 
worried frown on his face. After a moment he took off the earphones and 
straightened up. He hesitated for a moment, then his finger stabbed at a button. 
Immediately, the face of a man in his forties appeared on a monitor screen. He 
looked worn and haggard and he wore a black patch over his left eye. Well, what 
is it now, Grierson? You know I'm busy. 

Sorry to disturb you, Commander Crayford. But I've got a strange audio response 
on the ground scanner. Some kind of energy-source. 

The monitor went dark, and a few minutes later Crayford hurried in. He wore the 
simple military-style uniform of the newly created Space Service. All right, 
let's have a listen. 

Grierson handed him the headphones. I reckon it's a power-frequency of some 
kind, sir. 

Crayford listened for a moment, then took off the headset. Turn it to maximum. 
A steady, resonant pinging sound came through a nearby loudspeaker, Any 
movement? 

No, sir, it's quite stationary. 

Crayford studied a display panel. Seems to be about a mile away. When was the 
last scan? 

About three hours ago, sir. It was negative then. 

Gently Crayford rubbed his eye-patch. Some kind of machine... 

It must be a spacecraft, sir. Come down since the last scan. 

Crayford shook his head. The detectors would have picked it up. 

If it is a spacecraft, it could have its own jamming equipment. 

Crayford switched off the speaker. A spacecraft... No, it's just not possible. 
But his tone was less positive now. 

Encouraged, Grierson said, We've never picked up anything like it before, sir. 
It's got to be something external. That's why I thought I'd better call you. 

It may be some kind of test, said Crayford thoughtfully. Something they've 
arranged without telling me, just to keep us on our toes. Can you fix its 
precise position? 

Not from here, sir. We'd have to send out a mobile scanner and take a cross-bearing. 

Crayford considered. No need for that yet. I'll report it. There may be some 
perfectly simple explanation. 

Grierson returned to his control console. Very good, sir, 

With a last worried look at the instrument panel, Crayford hurried away. 

* * * 

The Doctor came to a door with a notice on it. Inner Security Area. No Entry 
Without Proper Authority. All Passes Must Be Shown. Unhesitatingly, the Doctor 
flung open the door and found himself facing an armed sentry standing rigidly 
to attention. 

Hullo there, said the Doctor. Where can I find your Commanding Officer? 

The soldier said nothing. Rifle on shoulder, trousers creased, boots gleaming, 
he stood rigidly to attention like one of the guards outside Buckingham Palace, 
forbidden to react, whatever the tourists say or do. The Doctor stared into the 
man's face. It was completely immobile, the eyes glazed. Somehow the sentry 
lookedswitched off. The Doctor frowned. Well, I'll tell you what, perhaps I 
needn't bother you. I'll just go and find him myself. The Doctor moved away. 
Slowly, very slowly, the sentry turned his head to look after him. 

* * * 

Sarah had run clear out of the village, and was back in the shelter of the woods. 
Too tired to run further, she hurried on as quickly as she could, heading for 
the clearing where they'd left the TARDIS. She reached it at last, and leaned 
against its comforting blue bulk, gasping for breath. Whatever was going on in 
this sinister place Sarah wanted nothing more to do with it. She was going to 
wait in the TARDIS until the Doctor turned up and took her to safety. Or more 
likely, took her somewhere even more dangerous, thought Sarah gloomily. Still 
for the moment at least she was safe. She slipped the TARDIS key from around her 
neck and turned it in the lock. She was about to open the door when something 
caught her eye. Close to the TARDIS, half-sunk in the soft earth of the forest, 
lay one of the strange long, coffin-shaped rocks, like the one they'd seen in 
the quarry. But this one was still intact. Sarah hesitated, but her curiosity 
was too strong for her. She went over to the canister and bent to examine it. 
Like the other, it had a scarred rock-like surfaceand it was warm to the touch, 
Suddenly she heard a familiar groaning, wheezing noise behind her. She spun 
round and the TARDIS dematerialized before her eyes. No, Doctor! she yelled. Doctor, 
don't leave me. But the TARDIS was gone. 

Sarah stared in amazement at the space where it had stood. He can't have gone, 
she thought dazedly. I just don't believe it. She was certain the Doctor 
wouldn't just go off and abandon her. But if the doctor wasn't inside, who or 
what had moved the TARDIS? She rubbed her hand over her eyes, wondering what on 
earth she should do. 

Meanwhile, something was happening to the canister. A seam cracked open all 
along its length, and the upper half sprang silently open like a lid. A hand 
flopped out of the gap, catching Sarah on the leg. She screamed and jumped back. 

The hand didn't move again, and Sarah studied it cautiously. It was certainly 
human, and by the looks of it, female. Cautiously she came forward and lifted 
the canister lid fully open. Lying inside, looking uncannily like a laid-out 
corpse, was a woman in her fifties. She was neatly and plainly dressed in a 
simple tweed suit, and looked exactly like the kind of middle-aged lady you'd 
see shopping in any main street. So, what was she doing in the middle of a wood, 
lying inside a meteorite? 

The woman's eyes flicked open and she stared up at Sarah. Sarah felt she ought 
to say something, but could only manage a stammered, Can I help you? 

She bent over the canister, wondering whether to help the woman out or leave her 
where she was. She touched the woman's shoulder, and two hands shot up and 
caught her by the throat. Sarah grabbed the woman's wrists and tried to pull her 
hands away, but despite her age her attacker was tremendously powerful. With a 
desperate wrench, Sarah pulled free and backed away, gasping. 

The woman sat up. Slowly, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Sarah, she began 
climbing out of the canister. Sarah found that the problem of what to do next 
had been solved. For the second time that day she turned and ran for her life. 

* * * 

Crayford's office was large, spacious, and ultra-modern in design. It had an 
empty, unused feel, as though no one had moved in yet. Crayford came into the 
room, and sat down behind the desk. Chin in hands he gazed blankly ahead of him, 
as if not entirely sure who he was, or what he was doing there. After a moment 
he began rubbing nervously at the black patch over his left eye. 

A voice spoke from a concealed speaker. Crayford! Crayford, I say! The voice 
was deep and throaty, with a kind of gurgle in it. It was not a human voice. 

Crayford jerked upright. Yes, Styggron? 

I ordered all units to recharge stations. The order is not being completely 
observed. 

I'm sorry, Styggron, I don't understand. 

We have detected movement within the complex, growled the alien voice 
impatiently. Another unit may have gone random. 

But the Corporal Adams unit has been recovered and repaired began Crayford. 

Check and report. There was total arrogance in the alien voice, as if it was 
inconceivable that its orders should be disobeyed, or even questioned. 

Crayford jumped to his feet. Immediately, Styggron. He hurried from the office. 

As he came out into the corridor, he saw a tall figure turning the corner. 
Immediately, Crayford ducked back out of sight. He hurried to the desk and 
snatched a revolver from a drawer, then hid himself behind the half-open office 
door. 

The Doctor came into the office and looked round. He moved over to the desk and 
began leafing through the pile of papers. Crayford stepped out of hiding. Keep 
your hands where I can see them, please. 

The Doctor turned round. Now those are the friendliest words I've heard since I 
got here. 

Yes, I'm sure. And just how did you get here? 

Oh, I just dropped in, said the Doctor vaguely. I do from time to time, you 
know. He picked up a map from the desk and began studying it with interest. 

Crayford took a pace forward and snatched the map from the Doctor's hands, 
tossing it on the desk. I can get the truth from you. 

But you're getting it, said the Doctor mildly. Who are you, by the way? 

I'm the one holding the gunand asking the questions. 

The Doctor reached out and took a red-braided Army officer's cap from the top of 
a filing cabinet. I just wondered. You're in someone else's office. It says 
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart on the door. 

You know the Brigadier? 

Known him for years. As a matter of fact, I'm his acting unpaid Scientific 
Adviser. 

The Doctor, said Crayford slowly. Yes, I've heard about you. 

Good. And you are? 

Guy Crayford. I'm Senior Astronaut here. 

How do you do? said the Doctor politely. 

He held out his hand, but Crayford stepped back, raising the revolver. Let's 
have those hands up, Doctorif you are the Doctor. You could still be an 
imposter. 

The Doctor raised his hands, studying Crayford thoughtfully. You're very 
nervous, aren't you? I think something very strange must be going on here. 

Crayford frowned. You've come to that conclusion, have you, Doctor? Interesting. 
I think we'd better have you taken care of. 

Look, said the Doctor patiently. I've a suggestion to make. Call the 
Brigadier and get him to identify me. My arms are beginning to ache. 

Lethbridge-Stewart's away in Geneva. Colonel Faraday's in charge at the moment. 
Crayford moved behind the desk and touched a button. 

If you're ringing for the butler, said the Doctor hopefully, I'm very partial 
to tea and muffins. He moved closer to the desk. 

You'll be held in detention until your identity has been verified, said 
Crayford curtly. 

The Doctor didn't care for being locked up at the best of times, and he was 
particularly set against being locked up by people he didn't know or trust. He 
had an uncomfortable feeling that Crayford already knew he was really the Doctor. 
That was why he wanted to lock him up. 

Detention! said the Doctor indignantly. Not detention. I can't bear being 
detained. With that, he tipped the desk on top of Crayford and shot out of the 
room. 

Crayford fired automatically, but the shots went harmlessly into the ceiling. He 
began struggling out from under the desk. 

The Doctor dashed along the corridor, and saw the soldier who'd come back to 
life marching towards him, rifle in hand. He turned and ran back the way he'd 
comejust as Crayford lurched out of his office doorway and took another shot at 
him. The Doctor ducked down a side corridor. Unfortunately, it was a dead endbut 
there was a ladder bolted to the wall, and a hatch in the roof. He swarmed up 
the ladder, shoved open the hatch and climbed through. Adams and Crayford 
arrived at the end of the little corridor just in time to see his legs disappear. 

Get after him, snapped Crayford, Hampered by his rifle, Adams started to climb 
the ladder. 

The Doctor came out onto the flat roof of one of the long low buildings that 
made up the complex. He ran to the edge of the roof and looked overand jumped 
back as bullets whined about his head. A little group of soldiers stood on the 
path below, and they seemed to be using him for target practice. 

Sarah was climbing the rear wall of the complex when she heard the sound of 
shooting. Since the TARDIS had disappeared and she didn't fancy going back to 
the village, she'd decided to go to the Space Research Center and look for some 
answers there. 

She struggled to the top of the high wall, and got a grandstand view of the 
entire proceedings. She saw the Doctor running along the roof, and the soldiers 
firing from below. As she watched another soldier appeared through a hatch in 
the roof and knelt down, rifle at his shoulder, taking aim at the Doctor... 

The Doctor saw his danger, and dealt with it in the only way possible. There was 
no cover on the flat roof and at this range the Corporal could scarcely miss. 
The Doctor ran to the far edge of the roof on the other side from the firing 
squad below, and took a flying leap into space. He made a soft landing in a 
flower bed, Jumped to his feet and ran along the path-straight into the middle 
of a group of white-overalled helmeted mechanics who'd appeared round the corner 
of a building. The mechanics raised their fingers in that strange, pointing 
gesture. The Doctor remembered the way those fingers could spit bullets, and 
raised his hands. The mechanics surrounded him and led him away. 

Sarah watched from the top of the wall as the Doctor was led along the path 
alongside the building. When the Doctor and his captors were far enough away, 
she jumped down from the wall, and began trailing after them. 

The mechanics led the Doctor to the far side of the complex. They took him 
through a side entrance and down a long corridor lined with metal doors. They 
opened one apparently at random, thrust him inside, and slammed the door behind. 
He heard the rattle of bars and bolts, and then footsteps moving away. 

The Doctor was in a standard prison-type cell, just a bare metal room furnished 
only with a built-in bunk. To his utter astonishment, he heard a familiar voice 
whisper. Doctor? Are you in there? Can you hear me? 

He went to the cell door and peered through the spy-grille. Sarah was in the 
corridor. What on earth are you doing here? he whispered. 

Sarah grinned, Rescuing you, for a change. She began wrestling with the heavy 
bolts. 

In the wall just behind her a little metal panel slid back. It was about the 
size of a mail box, and through it two deep-set alien eyes were staring 
unblinkingly at her. They were the eyes of Styggron, Chief Scientist of the 
Kraals. 

Hunted 

The bolts drew back at last, and Sarah pulled open the cell door. (Behind her 
the metal panel slid back into place, and the watching eyes disappeared.) Sarah 
sensed a flicker of movement and swung round but there was nothing to be seen. 
The Doctor shot out into the corridor, and saw Sarah peering over her shoulder. 
What is it? 

I thought I saw something. What have you been up to, Doctor? 

Tell you later, said the Doctor briefly. Come on, let's get out of here. 

* * * 

Like a spider at the center of its web, Styggron crouched over an instrument 
console in the secret Kraal control room below the Space Research Center. He 
touched a control and Crayford appeared on a monitor screen, Yes, Styggron? 

I have just observed a second random unit in the cell area. It has released the 
first, What has gone wrong? 

A second unit? 

These patterns were not programmed, growled Styggron. Explain! 

Was this second unit a female? 

Yes, one of the village section by the looks of her. Check the control 
directives, a fault must have developed. 

It's not a random unit at all, Styggronand neither was the first. Something 
quite extraordinary has happened. 

If they are not random unitsthen what are they? 

Space travelers! The male is known as the Doctor. He advises the humans on 
defense. The female is his companion. They have arrived in the biomagnetron by 
error. 

There was a moment's pause, then the alien voice said suspiciously, By error? 
Or by design? If this Doctor advises the humans on defense? He was interrupted 
by the howl of the alarm siren. 

The guards have spotted them, said Crayford eagerly. 

After them, Crayford, after them! They must not escape! 

* * * 

As the sound of the alarm siren died away, a squad of rifle-carrying soldiers 
came clattering down the corridor and disappeared through the doors at the far 
end. Once they were gone, a closet door opened, and the Doctor and Sarah slipped 
cautiously out. 

That was a near one, whispered Sarah. What on earth did you do? 

Do? 

To stir them all up like this. I mean, they seem to be taking you very 
seriously. 

I didn't do anything. Finding me on the premises was enough to upset Crayford. 

Sarah stared at him. Did you say Crayford? 

The Doctor nodded. Chap called Guy Crayford. Said he was Senior Astronaut, 

But that's impossible. You remember I told you I came here on a story, about 
two years ago? That's when Guy Crayford was killed. 

How? 

It was the first test of the new XK5 scout ship. They sent him out into deep 
space, then they lost him. The ship just vanished. They thought he must have hit 
an asteroid or something. Take it from me, Doctor, Guy Crayford is dead. 

* * * 

Crayford sat at his desk, looking up at the tiny monitor lens concealed high in 
the opposite wall, I assure you, there is no cause for alarm, Styggron. The 
complex is being thoroughly searched, section by section. All exits have been 
covered and the guards have been ordered to shoot on sight. 

Countermand that order, said the alien voice. They must be kept alive for 
pattern analysis. 

We already have a complete pattern analysis for both the village and the 
defense complex, protested Crayford. 

Do as I say. The Doctor may have learned of the Kraal plan. He may be here to 
spy on us. It is essential for us to know. 

Crayford shook his head. No, Styggron. While they live they are a danger to all 
of us. They must be destroyed. 

* * * 

The Doctor and Sarah hurried along yet another corridor. Behind them they could 
hear distant sounds of pursuit: the clatter of booted feet, shouted orders, the 
braying of the alarm sirens. For the moment at least, their pursuers seemed to 
be heading in the wrong direction. The sprawling layout of the research center 
was working to their advantage. 

As they approached a corridor junction, the Doctor paused and held up his hand 
for silence. Someone was walking up and down not far away. The Doctor glanced 
round. They were in a stretch of bare corridor, no handy offices or closets to 
duck into. The Doctor peered cautiously around the corner, then straightened up 
with a smile on his face. Well, well; well! He motioned Sarah forward. The 
corridor led to a reception area, and a familiar figure stood guarding the doors. 

Small world, isn't it? said the Doctor delightedly. 

Sarah hurried forward. Hello, Mr. Benton! 

The tall uniformed figure of Company Sergeant-Major Benton swung round to face 
them, a submachine gun cradled in his arms. But there was no sign of the welcome 
grin that Sarah had expected. The big soldier's face was cold and hard. The 
machine-gun swung up to cover them. 

Sarah stared unbelievingly at him. Benton was an old friend, a loyal companion 
in many a dangerous adventure. Now he didn't even seem to recognize them. Mr. 
Benton, she called. It's us! 

The machine-gun was trained on them now, rock-steady in Benton's big hands. 
There was a click as he thumbed back the safety-catch. 

No, Benton, shouted the Doctor. Don't! 

* * * 

Styggron wasn't used to opposition, and he didn't care for it. Enough, Crayford, 
he roared. You shall do as I say. 

Crayford wilted beneath the blast of anger. Very well. He spoke into his 
communicator. All units. The order to kill is cancelled. I repeat. Cancelled! 

* * * 

Helplessly the Doctor watched Benton's finger tighten on the trigger. Then, 
miraculously, the finger relaxed. Benton lowered the gun and stood as if waiting, 
his face blank. 

The Doctor sprang forward, gave Benton a shove that sent him reeling back, 
grabbed Sarah by the hand and hauled her through the doors. 

Benton staggered against the wall, recovered, and ran around the corner to a 
phone set into the wall. Immediately, the main doors opened again, and the 
Doctor tiptoed back through them, pulling an astonished Sarah. They ducked down 
behind the central reception desk, which was big enough to hide them both 
completely. 

Benton was still talking into the phone. That's right, the entrance to B Block. 
They've just escaped. Minutes later a squad of armed soldiers came thundering 
through the main doors. Immediately Benton took charge. Corporalwith me. Well 
alert the other patrols. The rest of you, after them. Spread out! 

Benton and the Corporal hurried off down the corridor, while the rest of the 
soldiers dashed away. Cautiously the Doctor raised his head. 

From somewhere below him a muffled voice said, Why did we come back? We should 
have hoofed it while we had the chance. We're bound to be caught now. 

The Doctor shook his head, listening as the sounds of pursuit moved away from 
the building. On the contrary, we've got them going in the wrong direction. The 
farther they spread out searching for us, the better our chances of getting away. 

They heard the sound of running feet and ducked down. The Doctor risked a quick 
look and saw yet another squad of soldiers, this time led by Crayford himself. 
With them was a handsome broad-shouldered young man with curly hair, immaculate 
in the uniform of a naval lieutenant. 

The Doctor heard Crayford say, Sullivan! 

Yes, sir? 

Take a mobile troop, and put a cordon on the perimeter road. 

Very good, sir. I'll get on to it right away. 

At the sound of the answering voice, Sarah almost popped up again, but the 
Doctor's hand held her down. The footsteps moved away, and after a moment the 
Doctor released his hold. Sarah shot up like a jack-in-the-box. That was Harry, 
Doctor! Harry Sullivan was UNIT's medical officer and another old friend. What 
does he think he's up to? He's not even a soldier. 

The Doctor grinned. Well, that should improve our chances a bit. 

Baffled, Sarah shook her head. All our old friends are turning against us ... 
hunting for us. 

Led by a dead man, said the Doctor. Fascinating, isn't it? 

Sarah shivered. Doctor, what is going on here? 

I think Crayford didn't die in space after all. And when he finally came back 
to Earth, he wasn't alone. Something came with him. Something that is 
controlling every human being for miles around. 

Including Harry and Benton. Sarah sighed. Where to now, Doctor? 

Back to the village, I think. Somehow we've got to tell London what's going on! 

* * * 

The Doctor and Sarah dropped down from the perimeter wall, and ran for the 
shelter of the woods. As the Doctor had hoped, their enemies were widely 
scattered and hunting in the wrong part of the complex, and they'd managed to 
get clear of the center unseen. 

Once inside the wood, they paused to regain their breath. 

Well, so far so good, said the Doctor optimistically. 

As the man said when he fell off the skyscraper/' added Sarah. She looked round 
the woods. It was gloomy in between the sheltering trees, and uncannily silent. 
Have you noticed something, Doctor? There are no birds in these woods. 

The Doctor listened. Well, now that you mention it ..,w 

It's eerie. No birds, no animals of any kind. 

From somewhere behind them there came the sound of deep, full-throated baying. Bloodhounds 
are animals, said the Doctor grimly. I think we'd better get a move on. 

They hurried on through the forest, but it was difficult to move quickly over 
the soft leaf-covered ground, and the baying came closer and closer. The Doctor 
loped ahead, and Sarah did her best to keep up with him. Then her foot caught on 
a hidden root, and she tripped and fell. The Doctor helped her up. All right? 

Yes, I think so. 

Good girl. Come on then. The Doctor ran on, but when Sarah tried to follow, a 
stab of pain went through her leg. It's no good, Doctor, I seem to have hurt my 
ankle. 

The savage baying rang out again, much closer now. The Doctor turned back. Don't 
worry, Sarah, I'll carry you. 

Oh no you won't, said Sarah determinedly. I'd just slow you down and then we'd 
both be caught. You'll have to leave me. 

The Doctor thought hard. Unfortunately, Sarah was right. If he tried to carry 
her over this uneven ground the dogs would be up with them both in no time. He 
made a quick decision. Give me your jacket then, Sarah, I'll try to draw them 
off. You can hide in a tree. 

Sarah took off her jacket, and the Doctor lifted her until she could grab a low-lying 
tree-branch. He boosted her up until she could haul herself higher into the tree 
and conceal herself amongst the leaves. The Doctor dragged Sarah's jacket across 
the ground, making a trail leading away from the tree. As he moved away he 
called, You stay up there until they've gone by. I'll meet you back at the 
village inn. If I'm not there in about an hour, head for the TARDIS. 

Trailing the jacket, the Doctor disappeared amongst the trees. Doctor, called 
Sarah softly. 'There's something I forgot to tell you... But the Doctor was 
already out of earshot, and Sarah didn't dare shout louder in case she alerted 
their pursuers. 

Clinging to the branch, Sarah listened as the barking dogs came nearer and 
nearer. So much had happened since her rescue of the Doctor... now she'd 
forgotten to tell him the TARDIS had mysteriously disappeared! 

Captured 

Dragging the coat behind him the Doctor ran through the forest at breakneck 
speed. Anyone who thought the fox actually enjoyed the hunt, should try being 
chased across country by dogs themselves, he thought grimly. 

Despite his speed, the hounds were getting steadily closer. The Doctor ran on. 
Soon he was out of the shelter of the trees and running across a patch of open 
country. The ground sloped downwards suddenly. The Doctor bounded to the bottom 
of the slope and found a huge lake barring his way. He paused for a moment, 
looking behind him. The country around the lake was bare and open. The barking 
dogs were very close now, and he'd run straight into his pursuers if he turned 
back. The lake was broad: if he swam across the soldiers might arrive while he 
was still in the water, an easy target for their rifles. 

The Doctor thought hard. The lake was bordered by several thick clumps of reeds. 
He plucked a reed and blew thoughtfully through the hollow tube. Quickly he 
stripped off his coat, and shoes, and bundling them together with Sarah's coat, 
thrust them into the middle of a nearby bush. He hurried back to the lake. 

Not long afterwards a squad of soldiers ran down to the lake. Corporal Adams was 
in command, and two of the soldiers held huge bloodhounds straining at the leash. 
The hunters stopped, and looked about them. There was open country all around, 
the lake lay placid and undisturbed, and there was more open country on the far 
side. But the Doctor was nowhere in sight. 

The baffled dogs cast up and down the bank, looking for a scent, and soon one of 
them unearthed the bundle of clothing. 

Adams turned it over with his foot. They must have swum across to confuse the 
scent. Half of you go around that way, and the rest come with me. We'll try to 
cut them off, The group divided and set off in opposite directions around the 
lake. 

A few minutes after the soldiers moved off, one of the rushes rose from the lake's 
surface like a submarine periscope. Beneath it was the Doctor, the hollow reed 
in his mouth. He'd been hiding under the surface, using the reed as a breathing 
tube. 

Wringing out his wet clothes he hurried to the bush, and put on those that were 
still dry. 

* * * 

Sarah crouched motionless on her high branch while die soldiers and dogs moved 
beneath her through the forest. After that she waited and waited. Finally her 
patience ran out, and she climbed carefully down from her tree. Supporting 
herself on the trunk, she tested her ankle. Luckily it had been bruised rather 
than sprained, and she found she could walk with only the slightest of limps. 
Remembering the Doctor's instructions, she set off for the village. 

* * * 

When he found no trace of the Doctor and Sarah on the far side of the lake, 
Corporal Adams began to suspect his quarry must have doubled back. Quickly he 
led his men back through the woods. Then as they neared the village, the dogs 
began to whine and bark, and Adams saw a figure hurrying through the trees. There 
she is, he shouted, and the soldiers ran forward. 

Sarah heard the noise behind her and tried to run. But her ankle slowed her pace 
to a stumbling trot, and very soon the soldiers began to close in. She stumbled 
and felland by the time she got to her feet, she was surrounded by armed men. A 
fist struck her behind the ear and she fell to the ground. The soldiers picked 
up the limp body and carried it away. 

* * * 

Styggron looked up as Crayford's face appeared on his monitor screen. Well? 
Report! Report! 

The girl has been taken, Styggron. The Doctor must be somewhere nearby. Soon we 
shall have him too. 

No! Locate him, but do not seize him. I have other plans for the Doctor. 

* * * 

The Doctor squelched towards the village, thankful that at least some of his 
clothes were still dry. Luckily his Time Lord constitution was strongly 
resistant to colds. He hurried through the outskirts of the village and turned 
into the main street. As before, it was completely empty. He saw a bus shelter 
just ahead, a telephone booth standing just beside it. He hurried to the box and 
was about to go inside when he heard the rumble of a car engine. Quickly he 
ducked down behind the shelter and waited. An army ambulance drove slowly down 
the street. Peering from his hiding place, the Doctor saw Corporal Adams at the 
wheel. As soon as the ambulance was out of sight, the Doctor slipped into the 
phone booth and picked up the receiver. The phone was dead. He jiggled the 
receiver-bar, but nothing happened. He slammed down the phone, and headed for 
the inn. 

* * * 

Sarah recovered consciousness to a sort of swaying motion Slowly she realized 
that she was lying down, yet moving at the same time. She opened her eyes and 
saw corridor walls going past. She was being carried somewhere on a stretcher. 
But why? Had she been ill? Was she in a hospital? Everything seemed hazy and 
vague, like that shadowy interval between waking and sleeping. Perhaps she was 
having a nightmare , . . 

She was lifted from the stretcher and. placed on a table. An operating table, 
thought Sarah wildly. She'd been hurt in an accident and now they were going to 
operate. Strange that there didn't seem to be any pain... But of course, they'd 
given her some kind of drug. That was why everything was so vague. She forced 
herself to open her eyes, and saw she was in a small circular room which was 
packed with complicated equipment. Lights flashed before her eyes, and there was 
a low background of electronic hums and beeps. Sarah frowned. It wasn't like any 
hospital she'd ever seen... The equipment and the room itself were strange. 
Sarah could distinguish monitor screens and a number of complex instruments, but 
their shapes were twisted and alien. The place looked like some gloomy 
underground grotto, a home for trolls and goblins. 

A face appeared, hovering above her. It was Harry. Good old Harry Sullivan. 
Naturally, he'd be there if she'd been hurt. After all, Harry was a doctor 
himself. Sarah smiled weakly at him, but his face was cold and hard. It's all 
right, Miss Smith. Just lie still. 

Harry? she whispered weakly. Sudden panic swept over her and she started to 
struggle. But she couldn't movethere were clamps holding her to the table. 

A low hypnotic beep began filling Sarah's ears, multicolored lights pulsed 
steadily in her eyes, and she felt consciousness slipping away ... 

Harry moved away and a moment later another face appeared. It seemed strangely 
distorted, and Sarah blinked furiously forcing herself to concentrate. As her 
vision cleared, she gave a gasp of pure horror. The face hovering over her was 
broad and flat with leathery greenish skin: It was heavily jowled with a 
squashed pig-like snout, underhung jaw, and enormous ears set flat against a 
massive skull. Huge eyes glowed in cavernous sockets beneath the jutting brows. 
The hideous vision loomed larger and largerthen Sarah's head slumped and she 
slipped into unconsciousness. 

The voice of Harry Sullivan said impassively, She is ready, Styggron. 

Good. Commence the analysis of the brain. 

* * * 

Some time later, Styggron left the disorientation laboratory and returned to his 
control room. Almost immediately the agitated face of Guy Crayford flashed up on 
his screen. The Doctor has been located in the village. He is being kept under 
observation as you ordered but... 

Well? 

I don't like leaving him even this much freedom. He's a dangerous man. 

The Doctor is not a danger to us, Crayford. Not when we can keep him under 
constant observation. 

But I know his reputation. He's a man of exceptional intelligence. He might 
discover our entire plan. 

'That is why he will make such an excellent subject for experiment, said 
Styggron arrogantly. After all, if the Doctor is deceived, we shall know that 
our programming is perfect. 

* * * 

The Doctor pushed open the door of the inn and looked around. Once again the 
place was empty. He saw a telephone on the corner of the bar, and he hurried 
over to it and lifted the receiver. But the phone was deadjust like the one in-the 
village phone booth. The door behind the bar opened suddenly and a burly figure 
appeared. It was Morgan, the landlord. Something you want, sir? 

The Doctor replaced the receiver. Yes, a telephone that works. Yours is out of 
order. 

Morgan leaned on the bar. Ah, likely it is, he said placidly. 

So is your public phone booth. 

There was a gale last night, sir. Brought all the lines down, it did. 

The Doctor sighed. I always told Alexander Bell wires were unreliable. 

Morgan looked blankly at him. Can I get you something to drink, sir? 

The Doctor beamed, Certainly, he said expansively. I'll have a pint. 

A pint of what, sir? asked Morgan patiently. 

A pint of gingerale! 

Morgan reached under the bar and produced a bottle and a glass. As he poured the 
Doctor's drink, he asked casually, I suppose you'll be one of them scientists 
from the Research Center, sir? 

Yes and no, said the Doctor vaguely. Or rather, no and yes! He took a swig 
of the gingerale. Get a lot of customers in here, do you? The Doctor began 
wandering aimlessly round the bar. 

Morgan watched him uneasily. Not a lot, sir. No one comes here very much. 
Nothing here, you see. Nothing for strangers in a place like this 

The Doctor lifted a set of darts from the ledge beside the board. Too quiet, I 
suppose. Is it always this quiet? 

On and off, sir. Except for darts club night, of course. 

The doctor walked back to the aiming mark, turned, and flung all the darts at 
once. All three landed quivering in the bullseye. The Doctor strolled back to 
examine his score. I see you've got a brand-new board, he said chattily. This 
one's never been used. 

* * * 

As he peered curiously at the dartboard, the Doctor's face loomed large on 
Styggron's monitor screen. Styggron turned triumphantly to the figure at his 
side. You see? He is puzzled, suspicious even. But he is not certain. 

Styggron's companion was called Chedaki, He had the same flat pig-like features 
as Styggron, and wore the same tabard-like uniform, with its curious resemblance 
to a kind of armor. But the insignia on Chedak's uniform were of different shape 
and color. Styggron was the Chief Scientist of the Kraal Expedition, while 
Chedaki was only its military commander. 

Not for the first time, scientist and soldier were at loggerheads. There is no 
value in this experiment, rumbled Chedaki, Our strategy is already settled. 

Strategy must be formulated upon knowledge, Chedaki. 

The time for experiments is past, Styggron. 

Wearily Styggron shook his massive head at the perpetual narrowness of the 
military mind. In the case of Earth, perhaps so. But there are other worlds for 
the Kraals to conquer. It is important to see that our basic techniques are 
flawless. And the Doctor is unprogrammed, Chedaki! A free agent. He can provide 
a test better than any we can set up ourselves. Crayford! 

Crayford appeared on the screen. Yes, Styggron? 

We will now go ahead with the final test. 

Direct communication, Styggron? Is that wise? 

Yes I Are the preparations complete? 

Crayford said worriedly, Everything should be ready by now. Ill check, He 
moved away from the screen. 

Chedaki was studying the flow of symbols flashing across a read-out screen. According 
to the data drained from the girl, this Doctor has a long association with 
libertarian causes. His entire history is one of opposition to such conquests as 
ours. While he is alive he is a threat to us. 

Styggron chuckled hoarsely. The Doctor's history will come to an abrupt end 
soon. I shall end it when I have nothing further to learn from studying him. 

Do not underestimate him, Styggron. Chedaki gestured towards the read-out 
screen. The Doctor's record is here. I suggest you study it. He turned and 
marched angrily from the room. 

Styggron gave a snort of disgust, and turned to the monitor, where the Doctor 
could be seen sipping his gingerale and chatting idly with the landlord. 
Styggron brooded over the screen. 

There is no way of escape. What can he do? He is like a wingless fly trapped 
under my microscope. When his usefulness is endedI shall crush him. Styggron's 
great clawed fist smashed down on the control console. 

The Test 

When Crayford reached the disorientation laboratory the operating table was 
empty. Harry Sullivan was moving about the control room checking instrument 
readings. Crayford nodded towards the table. You have finished with the girl? 

The analysis is complete. We have her memory print and body parameters. They 
are being coded now. 

See that the girl is well guarded. Styggron wants to run a final test on the 
Doctor. Inform me as soon as the program is complete. 

* * * 

Plastic horse brasses, said the Doctor reprovingly. Ugh! For some time he 
had been wandering around the bar examining anything and everything with a 
curiosity that was somehow both casual and intense at the same time. He looked 
at Morgan, who was watching him impassively. I've arranged to meet someone here, 
Mr. Morgan, but don't let me detain you. 

That's all right, said Morgan heavily. 

The Doctor grinned at him. I can see you're a busy man. Barrels to tap, empties 
to count, that sort of thing... 

Plenty of time for all that, sir. 

Right then. In that case, I'll have another pint. 

Pint of what, sir? asked Morgan mechanically. 

Gingerale, of course. 

The Doctor sank into a chair and glanced idly at a calendar on the wall beside 
him. It showed the month of September. He lifted the calendar-sheet, but there 
was no page for October underneath it. Strange. A village without a future ... 

Morgan responded to this observation with the same blank stare that had greeted 
all the Doctor's earlier remarks. He was about to open another bottle of 
gingerale when the phone rang and he picked it up. Fleur de Lys? He listened 
for a moment and then looked at the Doctor. I think it's for you, sir. 

The Doctor took the receiver. Hullo? 

Doctor, is that you? 

Well of course it is. Is that you, Sarah? What's happened? Where are you? 

Sarah's voice was hurried and urgent, and the words seemed to tumble out. Listen, 
Doctor, Crayford caught me. They drugged me but I woke up earlier than they 
expected, and I managed to escape. I heard them talking when they thought I was 
still out. I've found the whole plan. I can't come to the inn, it's one of their 
centers, so I came here. 

Sarah, where are you? 

Village post office. You can cut through to it along the alleyway behind the 
pub. I'll wait for you here, but be careful. Those robot mechanics are 
everywhere. 

Don't worry, Sarah, I'll be careful. Who'd notice an inconspicuous chap like me 
anyway! The Doctor put down the phone and turned to Morgan. I've got to be 
going now. Thanks for your hospitality. 

He turned to leave, then suddenly turned back, snatched up the phone and 
listened. Well, would you believe it, it's out of order again! With a farewell 
wave, the Doctor picked up the still unpoured gingerale bottle and shot out. 

* * * 

Styggron looked up as Chedaki marched impatiently into his control room, and 
demanded peevishly, How much longer? 

Styggron went on checking instrument readings. Once this experiment is 
concluded, we shall be ready. 

Chedaki said impatiently, Always one more experiment! 

This is the last, said Styggron calmly. The Doctor is an ideal subject. It 
would be foolish to waste him. 

The longer he is allowed to live, the more he learns. The more he learns the 
more dangerous he becomes. 

You said I should not underestimate him, Chedaki, but I think you overestimate 
this Doctor. He is completely in my power. 

But he is unprogrammed, a free agent! 

Only in appearance. In reality, he is trapped. 

I have studied his record with great care, Styggron. It is necessary to know 
the enemy. The Doctor has formidable intelligence, great resources, strange 
abilities... 

Styggron produced the dry croaking that is the Kraal form of laughter. Stop, 
Chedaki, stop, or I shall be frozen with fear! 

Oh, I know I am no scientist, said Chedaki angrily. But a dead foe is a safe 
foeevery soldier knows that. 

(The Kraals are a short-tempered race, and spend almost as much time fighting 
each other as in planning the conquest of other races. This ferocious 
temperament was the cause of the many savage atomic wars which had devastated 
their planet and reduced the Kraal race to a mere handful, totally dependent on 
the androids.) 

Now Styggron too became angry. Keep your imbecilic military maxims for your 
recruits, Marshal Chedaki. I shall destroy the Doctor in my own timeonce he has 
served my purpose. 

The closeness of zero hour made Chedaki nervous and tense, and he seemed 
perversely determined to find reasons to worry. 

If the androids fail in their task the Kraal invasion of Earth is doomed. 
Suppose the Doctor turns the androids against us? He could ruin the entire 
operation. 

Styggron spoke with the weary patience of someone attempting to calm the 
irrational fears of a child. That is impossible. He tapped the console. The 
androids are all centrally governed. Their programming is controlled from here. 

Since the androids are programmed, they could be re-programmed. The Doctor has 
the knowledge. That is why he is so dangerous... The androids are a double-edged 
weapon, Styggron. They are unstoppable, indestructible. 

Styggron stared impatiently at his frantic colleague. To some extent the Marshal 
was only expressing an old grievance. All Kraal soldiers resented the dominance 
of the scientists who ranked far above mere soldiers in Kraal society. 

The questions you raise have already been considered, Marshal Chedaki, said 
Styggron coldly. Perhaps it is time for me to give you a demonstration. 

They were interrupted by the entrance of Crayford. Everything is ready, 
Styggron. 

The Kraal scientist snapped, Not quite, we need one more android. I am afraid 
we must call upon you for help in its production. 

Crayford said wildly, Please, Styggron, not again. I've been through it once. I 
can't stand the strain... 

We need one more random unit, Crayford, said Styggron implacably. We need an 
android programmed to attack Kraals. I am planning a little experiment to 
reassure the Marshal. Do not argue, Crayford. Come with me! 

Meekly Crayford followed the Kraals from the control room. 

* * * 

Crayford lay in a coffin-shaped plastic container, electrodes clamped to his 
temples. Not far away was another, similar container, at present empty. A 
complex web of electronic circuitry bridged the two. Styggron stood at a nearby 
control panel. Chedaki looked on impatiently. 

Styggron's hand moved over the controls. This should answer all your fears, 
Marshal Chedaki. From the suppressed hatred in Crayford's memory-cells we shall 
now create a totally hostile android. He touched a control. 

Crayford screamed. Don't, Styggron, I beg you... His body arched and he lost 
consciousness as the power flooded through him. 

A formless bubbling substance was flooding into the second container. It heaved 
and bubbled and hissed, half-gas, half-liquid. Styggron adjusted more controls. 
I shall feed in the physical parameters of one of the Earth soldiers. 

The substance in the other container solidified, took shape. Gradually it 
assumed the form of a soldier, dressed in combat gear, and armed with a rifle. 
The soldier's eyes snapped open and he stepped from the coffin. 

I shall now activate the hostility circuits, said Styggron calmly. The soldier 
sprang into a sudden crouch, his eyes sweeping round the room. At the sight of 
the two Kraals his eyes narrowed with hate. His gun swung up to cover themand 
Styggron stepped forward. In his hand was an oddly shaped pistol with a bulbous 
handle. He fired and the weapon sprayed a fine mist around the attacking soldier. 
The soldier staggered back. He tried to raise the gun, but already his shape was 
beginning to blur. Styggron fired again and again, and the android soldier 
dissolved into a land of globby puddle across the floor. Half-seen inside it was 
the spindly shape of the robot skeleton, 

Styggron looked down in satisfaction. You see, the androids are not immortal. 
What I can create, I can also destroy. 

Chedaki was unable to keep the awe from his voice. That weapon... It is new, 
Styggron? 

The Kraal scientist nodded. Matter dispersion. So far it is effective only at 
short range. But we are developing a more powerful version for our space 
cruisers,- Science, Marshal Chedaki! It is science that will make the Kraals 
invincible. Now if you have no further objectionsmay I continue my experiment 
with the Doctor? 

* * * 

The Doctor reached the post office without incident, slipping along the lane 
that bordered the village. He walked round to the front of the building and went 
inside. The shop was the usual combination of newsstand, tobacconist and 
candyshop, with a counter across the back to mark off the post office. There 
were no lights on in the post office section, and the whole area was dark and 
shadowy, 

A board creaked as the Doctor moved forwards, and suddenly a shape popped up 
from behind the counter. Is that you, Doctor? 

Of course it is, Sarah. What happened after I left you up that tree? 

Sarah leaned weakly against the counter. I climbed down a bit too soon and 
those soldiers caught me. They knocked me out, and I woke up in a sort of 
operating theater. I was so frightened, Doctor. 

I'm sure you were, said the Doctor soothingly. Here, have some gingerale! He 
fished the bottle out of his pocket and handed it to her. 

Sarah drank thirstily, and went on with her story. Harry Sullivan was there, 
Doctor. Not the real Harry of course, but I thought it was. 

What do you meannot the real Harry? 

That's what they're doing, Doctor. They're copying people. 

Who are? 

I don't really know. But Crayford was there too. I think he's behind it all 
somehow. 

The Doctor shook his head. No, it can't be Crayford. Not all by himself. Go on, 
what happened next? 

There's not much more to tell. They put me in some kind of machine and I passed 
out. 

How did you get away? 

When I came round for the second time I heard Crayford talking to someone. That's 
when I discovered what they're doing. They're replacing people with these 
duplicates they make. The must have thought I was still unconscious. They went 
off and left me without a guard and I managed to slip away. 

The Doctor looked thoughtfully at her. So you not only got away with suspicious 
ease, you were lucky enough to reach this place undetected and find the only 
telephone in the village that seems to work! 

Sarah hacked away. I don't understand. 

Don't you see, Sarah, they let you escape. They let you make that telephone 
call. We're being tested. They want to find out how smart we are. 

Sarah rubbed a hand across her eyes. No, Doctor, it can't be that. 

Of course it's that! The Doctor rubbed his chin. But if they're so 
technologically advanced they can make facsimile humans who'll stand face-to-face 
examination, load them into those canisters and send them through a space-time 
warp to Earthwhy should they be worried about us? 

Sarah stared blankly at him, as if she couldn't take in what he was saying. The 
Doctor went on, They must possess the weaponry to attack Earth by force. 
Instead they've created a bridgehead by stealth using fake humans, these 
androids. Suddenly he headed for the door. Coming, Sarah? 

Where are we going? 

To use the communications equipment in the TARDIS. He hurried away. 

Sarah called, Coming, Doctor. Wait for me. She hurried after him. 

As if in confirmation of the Doctor's theory, they made their way out of the 
village and through the woods without seeing a soul. Once a patrol of android 
mechanics passed by, heads moving from side to side as if scanning the 
countryside, but the Doctor and Sarah ducked behind a tree trunk and the 
mechanics passed them by. 

Some time later, the Doctor stopped and looked round, We must be almost there 
by now. The TARDIS should be just behind that next clump of trees. But it wasn't. 
When they reached the spot the TARDIS was nowhere to be seen. I'm sure it was 
here, said the Doctor. It was standing by that very tree. 

Sarah looked round. It's not here now, is it? She shivered and buttoned up her 
jacket. 

The Doctor seemed to be thinking aloud. Well, it's not programmed to auto-operate. 
Unless of course... 

Unless what? 

When we landed here, I still had my doubts about where we, wereso I set the 
TAKDIS onto pause-control, with the coordinates for Earth locked into the 
guidance-system. He paused, then said abruptly, Have you still got the TARDIS 
key, Sarah? 

Sarah shook her head. I must have lost it. 

The Doctor's voice hardened. No! You haven't lost it because you never had it. 
Sarah came here and put the key in the lock, and left it there. That canceled 
the pause control and the TARDIS continued on its set co-ordinatesback to Earth! 

Sarah looked at him as if he was mad. I don't understand... 

Oh yes you do, said the Doctor savagely. He pulled a twig from the nearest 
tree and snapped it in half, This isn't wood, it's plastic. Those aren't real 
trees, this isn't real Earthand you're not the real Sarah! 

The Countdown 

As the Doctor moved forward, the android Sarah jumped back and pulled a gun from 
beneath her jacket. Get back, Doctor. 

I began to suspect when I saw that jacketa jacket I left under a bush! And you've 
buttoned it on the wrong side. You're a mirror-image Sarahjust like that mirror-image 
Harry, with his medals on the wrong side. The Doctor sprang forward, grasping 
the android's gun-arm and forcing it upwards. The gun exploded in the air, and 
the Doctor wrenched it from the android's hand, shaking his captive savagely. Where's 
the real Sarah? What have you done with her? Answer me! 

The android broke free, tripped, and cannoned into the trunk of the nearest tree, 
hitting its head on the trunk. Horrifying, its Sarah face was jolted loose, 
rolling away across the ground. The Doctor looked down at the collapsed android. 
Packed into the skull cavity was a maze of wire and miniaturized transistors. 

Sickened, he turned awayand the android's fingers groped towards the gun butt 
which lay close to its hand. The Doctor heard the movement, spun round and a 
bullet whizzed close to his head. Ducking and weaving as he ran, the Doctor 
turned and fled. 

* * * 

The Doctor's retreating figure could be seen on the monitor screen in Styggron's 
control room. Chedaki said mockingly, So much for your foolish experiment, 
Styggron. Now the Doctor is at large. 

There is no way of escape. He can do no harm. But there was a trace of 
uncertainty in Styggron's voice. 

Chedaki seized his advantage. Your experiment is at an end, Styggron. The 
androids are now fully trained, and the village simulation has served its 
purpose. It must be destroyed in precisely nine minutes and the Doctor with it. 

Styggron seemed stunned by the Doctor's escape. Nine minutes? 

The invasion countdown has begun, Chedaki reminded him sternly. There can be 
no variation in the schedule. You have arranged a safe method of destroying the 
training ground? 

A matter-dissolving bomb. I shall place it in position myself. 

Excellent! Chedaki turned to leave, and noticed a shrouded figure laying on a 
wheeled gurney. He bent to examine it. This is the Earth female. Why is she 
still alive? 

Another of my foolish experiments, said Styggron wearily. The virus which our 
androids will use to cleanse Earth of its human population has been tested only 
in the laboratory. I wish to try it on a living organism. Now, shall we attend 
to the evacuation and destruction of the simulation? He led the way out of the 
room, and Chedaki followed. As they left the sheet over the gurney was thrown 
back, and Sarah, the real Sarah, sat up. She had been conscious for some time, 
and had lain still, gathering her strength. She swung her legs down from the 
gurney and stood up. She was still a little shakybut she could walk. Nine 
minutes, she muttered. Got to find- the Doctor. Hurriedly she followed after 
the two Kraals. 

* * * 

The Doctor was moving cautiously through the deserted village when the wail of a 
siren shattered the peace of the empty street. A truck roared around the corner 
and parked in the center of the main street. People began emerging from the 
buildings, houses and shops and climbing into the back. Mr. Morgan appeared from 
the pub and got in with the others. As soon as the truck was full, it drove away. 

The Doctor stepped out into the street and looked around. There was no one in 
sight. Now the village really was deserted. 

* * * 

Sarah followed the two Kraal leaders through a long gloomy tunnel. She heard the 
bustle of a crowd somewhere ahead of her. The tunnel led steeply upward to an 
open door, through which the entire population of the village seemed to be 
returning to the Kraals' underground headquarters. It was rather like Noah's ark. 
Crayford and Harry Sullivan stood and watched as villagers, soldiers and white-overalled 
mechanics marched in and moved away. A last squad of soldiers came through, 
followed by Benton. That's the lot, sir, he reported. Everyone's inside. 

Crayford nodded. Good, See that all blast doors are closed, Sullivan. Styggron 
is placing the bomb now. It is due to explode in exactly four minutes. 

Yes, sir. Harry Sullivan, or rather his android replica, hurried away. 
Crayford touched a control and the door slid closed. Then he too moved off, 

Sarah waited until everyone had gone, ran down the tunnel and went over to the 
door. She touched the control she'd seen Crayford use and the door slid open. 
She stepped outside and found herself in another long tunnel, sloping upwards. 
She followed it and emerged in an empty barn. The Kraals had hidden the entrance 
to their headquarters in a disused building. 

Sarah was about to run off, when she paused, looking at the open door. She 
hunted around the door area and found a small control button set just above it. 
She pressed it and the door slid closed. Sarah turned and sprinted towards the 
village. She reckoned she had about three minutes to find the Doctor and bring 
him back to safety. 

* * * 

Blissfully unaware of his danger, the Doctor was wondering what to do next. He 
decided to go back to the Research Center and look for Sarah when the problem of 
his future was abruptly solved for him. He turned into a street that led towards 
the Research Center, and ran straight into Styggron. Immediately the Kraal's 
great paw flashed out and clamped round his arm. I heard you coming, Doctor. 

With those ears, I'm not surprised. The Doctor tried to pull free but the grip 
on his arm was quite unbreakable. 

Resistance is inadvisable, growled Styggron. We Kraals are the strongest 
species in the Galaxy. 

As well as the ugliest? asked the Doctor impolitely. Kraals, eh? So we're on 
Oseidon, And who might you be? 

I am Styggron, Chief Scientist of the Kraals! The Kraal began dragging the 
Doctor towards the village green. Come. There is no time for pleasantries. 

How about unpleasantries, pig face? said the Doctor rudely. He didn't much 
care for being hauled along like a reluctant toddler, but there was little he 
could do about it. Styggron dragged him to the war memorial that stood in the 
center of the village green. It took the form of a simple granite pillar on a 
low stone pedestal. Styggron slammed the Doctor against the pillar with a force 
that knocked the breath from his body. Two white-coated mechanics appeared and 
lashed the Doctor to the pillar with a coil of plastic rope. 

Styggron went away for a moment, and reappeared with a plain metal cylinder 
which he placed at the Doctor's feet. I think you will find this unpleasant 
enough, Doctor. 

The Doctor looked down. There was a simple timing dial set into the top of the 
cylinder, which gave off a steady 'beeping' sound. A matter dispersal bomb? 
asked the Doctor calmly. 

Exactly. In precisely three minutes everything within a radius of one-quarter 
Earth-mile will evaporate. Goodbye Doctor! 

Styggron turned away. 

You're not leaving already, called the Doctor plaintively. Styggron ignored 
him, and disappeared between the buildings. The mechanics followed. 

The Doctor began struggling furiously, but the plastic had some kind of self-binding 
quality. The more he struggled the tighter it became. 

At his feet the bomb beeped steadily away. To his astonishment he heard a voice 
somewhere in the distance. Doctor, can you hear me? Where are you? 

Sarah, over here! yelled the Doctor, and a few seconds later Sarah came 
running across the green towards him. She was shouting as she ran, Doctor, they're 
going to blow this place sky-high any minute. Don't just stand there-come on I 

I am not just standing here, said the Doctor with dignity. If you'll look a 
little closer... 

Sarah saw the plastic ropes fastening the Doctor to the war memorial, the 
ticking bomb at his feet. Oh no, she gasped and began wrestling with his bonds. 

But the plastic had a life of its own and it seemed to fight against her fingers. 
Find the free end and give one steady pull, said the Doctor calmly. 

Sarah did her best, but the plastic seemed determined not to budge. How long 
have we got? 

A little over a minute. I think you'd better give up and save yourself, Sarah. 

No, I've got it... it's coming, The plastic coil began to pull away at last, 
and Sarah unwound with panic-stricken haste. As the Doctor stepped down Sarah 
grabbed his hand. Come on, Doctor, run. There's only one place well be safe. 

The bomb timer was already measuring off its last few seconds. 

* * * 

Styggron glared angrily at the empty gurney. He returned to his console and 
touched a communicator switch. The Earth girl has escaped. Find her. He paused 
and checked his instruments. The countdown to matter-dispersion has entered 
final phase. He began counting off the last few seconds. Zero minus sixty... 
fifty-nine... fifty-eight... Magnified by the communication system, Styggron's 
voice boomed through the Kraal base. On his monitor screen the village of 
Devesham basked peacefully in the sun. 

* * * 

The Doctor and Sarah sprinted across a field and into the barn. Sarah hurried to 
the corner and opened the hatch that concealeed the Kraal tunnel. 

As they ran down the steep tunnel they could hear a voice chanting. Ten... nine... 
eight... seven... 

They reached the blast-door at the end of the tunnel at last and Sarah groped in 
the darkness for the control. Six... five... four... chanted the voice. 

The door slid back and the Doctor and Sarah dived through. The magnified voice 
boomed in their ears. Three... two... one... A shattering explosion rocked the 
corridor, knocking them both off their feet... 

* * * 

(In Styggron's control room, the peaceful village scene faded from the monitor. 
It was replaced by a barren rocky landscapethe natural surface of Oseidon). 

Dislodged rock was still falling from the ceiling as the Doctor and Sarah picked 
themselves up. A close-run thing, said the Doctor solemnly. 

I wouldn't care to have run it any closer? 

Sarah broke off as Crayford and a squad of soldiers appeared at the end of the 
corridor. The Doctor and Sarah turned to run, but Harry Sullivan and more 
soldiers were blocking the way behind them. 

The Doctor looked at Sarah, and they raised their hands. They were prisoners 
again, but at least they were alive. Take them to the detention cell, ordered 
Crayford. I must report to Styggron. 

That's the warty chap with the big nose, isn't it? said the Doctor 
conversationally. 

Move, snapped the android, and the soldiers bustled them off. 

As they were being led away, the Doctor said, I prefer our version of Harry, 
don't you, Sarah? Much better mannered. 

* * * 

On Styggron's monitor, the barren landscape of Oseidon was replaced by a 
rocketship. 

Marshal Chedaki's voice came over the communicator. Leader rocket ship in 
launch frame. 

Have the pre-launch checks been completed? 

Yes, Styggron. The androids are being loaded now. 

Crayford hurried in. Styggron, we have recaptured the girl. He paused. The 
Doctor was with her. 

Styggron swung round, the deep-set eyes flaring with anger. The Doctor? I 
destroyed him with the village. 

It seems he escaped. 

Styggron turned back to his controls. He must be disposed of. Kill him, 
immediately. Kill them both! 

8 

Braindrain 

Crayford stared at the Kraal leader in distress. Kill them? Surely that's no 
longer necessary. 

You sing a different song now, Crayford, Jeered Styggron. They must be 
eliminated. Isn't that what you said? 

Crayford was aware that somehow his feelings had changed. When I thought they 
were a danger to the plan, yes. But the preliminary stage is over now. What harm 
can they do locked in a detention cell? 

Styggron said indifferently, The Doctor is no longer o any use to me. 

You're wrong, Styggron. He would make a valuable subject for your braindrain 
machine. 

To what purpose? 

He's a brilliant mana genius. All his knowledge and experience would make a 
useful addition to your data banks. 

Styggron said scornfully, You were prepared to accept his death provided that I 
killed him. You are squeamish, Crayford, a puny weakling, like all your race. 

Think what you like, Styggron. But you gave me your word. You said no one would 
be harmed unnecessarily. 

Styggron turned away. Oh very well, very well. Let him live for now. 

Thank you, Styggron. 

As Crayford left the control room Styggron muttered, I shall drain every atom 
of knowledge from his brainand then he shall die! 

* * * 

The Doctor was busily attacking the cell door with his sonic screwdriver, though 
without much success. As he worked he did his best to explain the Kraal plan to 
Sarah, who was finding it difficult to take in. 

Not Earth, Doctor? What do you mean? 

Surely you've realized by now? Harry and Benton and all the others aren't real 
people at all. 

Not real? 

Fakes, said the Doctor patiently. Copies. Electronic and mechanical androids, 
with programmed computers instead of brains. If I'd had my wits about me I'd 
have realized earlier. Remember that high radiation level I noticed when we 
first left the TARDIS? Oseidon, the planet of the Kraals, is the only inhabited 
planet in the galaxy with a level that high. The Kraals fought one atomic war 
too many. Not many of them survived itand they ruined their planet into the 
bargain. He turned from the door in disgust. No good, I can't shift it. 

There's an armed sentry outside anyway Sarah interrupted herself. Radiation? 
Won't we get radiation sickness or something? 

I doubt it, we weren't exposed for long enough. 

Sarah shuddered. Still, the sooner we get away from here the better. 

That's what the Kraals think. You see the radiation level on this planet isn't 
just high, it's unstable, increasing all the time. It won't be too long before 
the place is uninhabitable, even for the few Kraals that are left. That's why 
they're planning to leave and take over the Earth. 

So everything we've seen here has been a fake? 

That's right. The woods, the Research Center,, even the village. Everything 
copied down to the last detailincluding the inhabitants! 

But why? As a sort of training ground? 

Exactly. They've made hardly a slip. Oh, one or two minor details were wrong, 
like mint-fresh coins all with the same date. But otherwise they got nearly 
everything right. 

The door was flung open and Crayford came into the cell. They caught a glimpse 
of Corporal Adams on guard outside, then the door closed. Crayford said abruptly, 
I've been listening to youI was just outside. 

Bad habit, eavesdropping, said the Doctor reprovingly. Still, no one's 
perfect. 

Crayford stared wildly at them. He felt a strange need to talk to the two 
prisoners, to explain things, to justify himselfbut somehow he didn't know 
where to begin. Still in the same jerky fashion he said, So, you're impressed 
with the thoroughness of this operation? 

It's impressive right enough, agreed the Doctor. Doomed to fail though, all 
the same. 

For some reason Crayford felt it was important to convince the Doctor that he 
was wrong. No, Doctor. Very shortly I shall be leaving for Earth. The Kraals 
will project me through their space-time warp, and my ship will make a normal re-entry 
through Earth's atmosphere. 

A normal re-entry? said the Doctor skeptically. You've been away for two 
years. They gave you up for dead. 

Crayford gave a triumphant smile. That's where you're wrong, Doctor. Not long 
ago I reestablished radio contact with Earth. I told them about the stabilizer 
failure that sent my ship out beyond Jupiter. I told them how I'd rationed my 
provisions, rigged up re-cycling apparatus. Every telescope on Earth is trained 
on the sky waiting for the gallant XK5 to reappear. 

A hoax, said the Doctor softly. A giant hoax. 

Exactly. All planned by Styggron, Chief Scientist of the Kraals. 

Helped by you. He couldn't have done any of it without drawing on your memories, 
your knowledge. 

Crayford said, The superb technology of the Kraals 

Sarah interrupted him. Why did you do it? What made you betray Earth to the 
Kraals? 

And didn't Earth betray me? shouted Crayford hysterically. I was sent out 
with faulty equipment and then written off, abandoned, left to die in space. It 
was the Kraals who saved me. I was dying, torn apart by gyro-failure. They re-created 
me, Miss Smith. Re-created me in every detailexcept for this one eye which 
couldn't be found. Crayford rubbed nervously at the black eye-patch. I owe the 
Kraals everything. 

And that's what they want in return, said Sarah bitterly. Everything. They 
want the worldand you're giving it to them. 

The Kraals are a doomed race. They must leave their own planet because of the 
radiation level. Why should a race with such skills be left to die? 

Earth has one or two skills of its own, said the Doctor gently. 

The Kraals have promised me no humans will be harmedas long as they accept the 
ultimatum. The Kraals will take the northern hemisphere of the planet and live 
in peace. I have their word. 

The Doctor looked sadly at him. And you really believe that? You've been 
brainwashed, Crayford. Although I think it's starting to wear off a little .... 

Stubbornly Crayford shook his head. Before my ship lands the space shells 
containing the androids will be launched. If they are seen, they'll be taken for 
meteorites. The androids will take over the Space Research Center and Marshal 
Chedaki will be able to bring in the invasion fleet without detection. Not a 
shot will be fired. 

If your Kraal friends are so peace-loving, why did Styggron try to blow me up 
with the village? 

He thought you were a danger to the plan. Miss Smith's memory-print revealed 
your past involvement with the defense of Earth. Crayford paused, rubbing 
nervously at his eye-patch. Styggron still thinks you're dangerous. I've 
managed to persuade him to utilize your knowledge rather than waste it. He has a 
machine that extracts the entire memory and intelligence of any living creature, 
and feeds it into a computer. It's a painful process, Doctor-but it's better 
than dying. 

A Kraal voice crackled over the communication-system. Service mechanics to 
leader rocket loading bay, 

Crayford went and rapped on the door. It's time for me to go. Believe me, 
Doctor, I know what I'm doing. The door opened and Crayford went out. 

The Doctor stared hard at the locked cell door. I've got to get to Earth and 
warn them. 

How? asked Sarah despairingly. We haven't even got the TARDIS any more. 

The Doctor was staring into space. In his mind a plan was forming. It was 
insanely risky?but it might be the only chance to save Earth. 

* * * 

Marshal Chedaki came bustling into Styggron's laboratory. The launch count-down 
is about to begin He broke off in surprise. A metal tray stood incongruously 
on top of the control console. It contained a jug apparently full of water, a 
cup, and a platter on which rested some chunks of coarse bread. Standing over 
the tray were Styggron, and the Harry Sullivan android. It was taking the 
stopper from a plastic phial. Carefully, hissed Styggron. Only one drop. 
Handle it carefully. It was clear that the Kraal scientist was in a state of 
tense excitement. 

Suddenly Chedaki understood. This is the culture you spoke of? 

Yes, Marshal. This little phial holds the death-sentence of the human race. 

The android allowed one drop of colourless liquid to drip from the phial into 
the water-jug. Be careful, said Styggron again. 

His evident nervousness affected Chedaki. Is the virus safe to handle? 

As long as only the androids come into contact with it. You do well to be 
concerned, Chedaki. Even we Kraals are not immune to its effect. 

With some relief Chedaki watched the android reseal the phial and place it in a 
sterilizing chamber. Now, take the tray to the detention cell, ordered 
Styggron. We shall test it on the girl. 

* * * 

The Doctor had abandoned his attempts to open the door, and was attacking the 
floor instead. He had succeeded in lifting one of the metal plates, and was at 
work on the tangle of electric cables underneath. This has possibilities, Sarah, 
distinct possibilities. 

What are you trying to do? 

Androids work through electronic circuitry. If we can lure that guard in here 
and give him a good stiff jolt... The Doctor heaved a length of cable from the 
tangle of wires, breaking one end free. 

Electrocute him? 

Well, randomize him, to be strictly accurate. He's only a machine, remember. 

Sarah heard footsteps along the corridor. Someone coming, Doctor. 

The Doctor thrust the loose cable back into the gap and slid the cover plate 
into position, hoping no one would notice it wasn't fastened. The door opened 
and the Harry Sullivan android came into the cell carrying a tray. Styggron 
sends you this. He put the tray down on the bunk. 

The Doctor looked at it. How very thoughtful. Bread and water, I see. 
Traditional prisoners' fare. 

It's better than nothing, said Sarah. And I'm thirsty. She poured water into 
the cup. 

The android turned to the Doctor. You will come with me. It took the Doctor's 
wrist in a painful grip. 

The Doctor winced. Careful! You androids don't know your own strength! 

Come, said the android tonelessly. It began dragging the Doctor away. 

Sarah was just about to drink the water, but at this new development she put 
down the cup. Where are you taking him? 

The android didn't answer, but the Doctor shouted, Treat that water with 
caution, Sarahand don't waste it. Water's an excellent conductor, remember! 

The door slammed behind him. Sarah looked at the loose plate on the floor, and 
then at the tray. She reached for the water jug. 

* * * 

The Doctor looked curiously around Styggron's laboratory, So this is where you 
put Crayford back together again! Careless of you to lose his eye, wasn't it? 

Styggron gestured towards the operating table. Hurry. I have little time. 

The android dragged the Doctor towards the table. The Doctor made a desperate 
attempt to break free, but the android forced him onto the table with 
unconcerned ease. 

Leaving soon, are you, Styggron? gasped the Doctor. 

Very soon, Doctor. Styggron moved over to the table and began securing clamps 
to hold the Doctor in place. The Doctor struggled wildly, but against the 
combined strengths of Kraal and android he was completely helpless. 

* * * 

Sarah finished sloshing the water in the jug around the door. She picked up the 
cup, hesitated for a moment. One cupful wouldn't make much difference. She 
remembered the Doctor's warning and poured the cup of water onto the floor. 

Lifting up the floor-plate, she pulled out the cable. One end was free, and 
presumably, live. Now all she needed was some way to get the guard in the cell. 
She could yell, of course, but he'd probably ignore her... She thought hard for 
a moment then slipped the brightly colored scarf from around her neck. 

Cautiously she rubbed the ends of the cable against the metal floor-strut. There 
was a shower of sparks. She did it again, holding the scarf near the end of the 
cable. The scarf charred and began to smoke. Eagerly Sarah blew on it, fanning 
the glowing red sparks into flame. 

* * * 

Despite his struggles, the Doctor was now firmly secured to the operating table, 
held down with clamps so that he could scarcely wriggle. The Sullivan android 
had gone, and Styggron was fastening electrodes to the Doctor's head. 

In a moment, Doctor, the knowledge and experience of your entire life will be 
transposed into our data bank. 

That's stealing, said the Doctor indignantly. 

And while you are making your small contribution to Kraal culture, I shall be 
on my way to destroy the humans you have so often defended. Styggron looked 
mockingly down at the Doctor. This time you will be powerless to help them. 

So, you intend genocide, do you? 

Earth's resources are limited, said Styggron indifferently. They cannot be 
wasted in the support of an inferior species. 

And just how do you plan to wipe out the human race? Nuclear fission will raise 
Earth's radiation level above even your tolerance. 

Nothing so crude, Doctor. The androids will spread a virus that will rid Earth 
of its human population within weeks. The virus is self-limiting. It will burn 
itself out, and Earth will be ours. 

And where will you be while all this is going 

Crayford's rocket will automatically be placed in quarantine. I shall remain 
inside until it is time to signal Marhsal Chedaki to bring in the invasion fleet, 

The best-laid schemes of mice and Kraals gang aft agley, said the Doctor 
defiantly. Something will go wrong, Styggron! 

Nothing can go wrong. Styggron pulled a switch and the Doctor's ears were 
filled by a high-pitched electronic buzz that seemed to echo around his brain. 
Multi-colored lights began flashing in front of his eyes and the laboratory 
seemed to be spinning around him. 

Styggron made a final adjustment to his instruments. In a few minutes, Doctor, 
the analyzer will have completed its recording. To avoid harming the subject, it 
must then be switched off. Unfortunately, I shall not be here. Your brain-tissue 
will expand under the stimulation until your head explodes. I imagine it is a 
most unpleasant death. 

The Doctor's face was twisted with strain, as he marshaled all his strength to 
resist the effects of the machine. Styggron laughed. Defiant to the last, I see, 
Doctor. Soon you will be screaming for mercy. And there will be no one here! 

Blast Off 

Sarah held the smoldering scarf close to the grille in the cell door and blew 
frantically. Would the guard even notice the smoke drifting out into the 
corridor? If he did, would he feel it his duty to investigate? A human guard 
might, but who could tell how an android would react? 

Suddenly she heard the sound of bolts being drawn back. Dropping the scarf she 
stepped back and picked up the cable. 

The door swung open and Corporal Adams came through the doorway, his booted feet 
in the puddle of water around the door. He raised his rifleand Sarah jabbed the 
end of the cable against the metal barrel of the gun. 

The results were spectacular. The android went rigid. It staggered back, arms 
and legs flailing wildly, puffs of smoke coming from its body as connections 
overloaded and blew up. It gave a final convulsive jerk, then dropped to the 
ground like a puppet with severed strings, 

Sarah looked down in horror. The android's entire chest had exploded and she 
could see a smoking tangle of wires and circuits inside its torso. Leaping over 
the android, and over the puddle of water in which it lay, Sarah set off to look 
for the Doctor. 

* * * 

Styggron looked with satisfaction at the writhing form on the table. The Doctor 
was resisting the effects of the braindrain machine for an amazingly long time, 
but soon he would have to give way. Styggron wished he could stay and watch the 
process, but on the eve of the invasion he had many other duties. Reluctantly he 
left the laboratory. 

Sarah turned a corner just in time to see Styggron come out of the laboratory 
and move away. She dodged back, waited until he was out of sight, then ran into 
the laboratory. 

To her horror, she saw the Doctor stretched out on the operating table, body 
writhing and face twisted with strain. She ran to the console and began turning 
off every control in sight. In a few seconds the electronic howling died away, 
and the Doctor slumped back unconscious. 

Sarah began unfastening the clamps that held him to the table. When she'd 
finished, the Doctor was still unconscious. In desperation she slapped his face 
to revive him. He opened his eyes and looked reproachfully at her. Ouch that 
hurt! 

Come on, Doctor. You've got to wake up. 

I am awake, I think, said the Doctor dreamily. Once upon a time there were 
three sisters and they lived at the bottom of a well. Their names were Olga, 
Marsha and Irene. Are you listening, Tilly? 

Sarah shook him by the shoulder. Wake up, Doctor, this is no time for fairy-stories. 
And I'm Sarah! You're in the Kraals' laboratory. 

The dreamy look faded from the Doctor's face and he swung his legs down from the 
table. Yes, that seems to make sense. Come on, Sarah, we've got to hurry! 

Where to? 

Crayford's rocket. It'll be leaving for Earth any minuteand we're going with 
it! 

* * * 

As they ran along the corridors they heard the dull roaring of the rocket motors. 
The Doctor ran steadily towards the sound, using it as a-guide. They came to a 
long corridor with a heavy door at the end, ran through it, and found themselves 
in the open air. 

They were in a huge square launching bay, a kind of concrete pit. In the center 
of it, supported by a metal gantry, was the XK5, the rocket ship in which 
Crayford had been sent off to explore the universe. 

A magnified Kraal voice was ringing through the area. Launching area should now 
be cleared. Time to lift off, zero minus sixty... 

The rocket's motors were running up to launch point, and a blast of exhaust 
gases swirled through the launch area t like a desert wind. Sarah backed away, 
but the Doctor yelled, Come on! He grabbed her by the wrist and began dragging 
her towards the rocket. 

When they reached it, the Doctor began swarming up the metal gantry that 
supported the rocket. Frightened as she was, Sarah had to follow. It was a long 
and terrifying climb. Finally the Doctor edged along a narrow metal beam, and 
wrestled with a hatch until he got it open. This should take us into the cargo 
hold. In you go, Sarah. He helped Sarah through, scrambled in after her, and 
closed the hatch. 

They were in a metal chamber about the size of a small room. Its walls were 
lined with racks upon which rested long coffin-like shapes. The racks had metal 
caterpillar tracks on them, and the whole effect was rather like that of a bomb-bay. 

The Doctor hurried towards the canisters and wrenched open first one and then 
another. Androids lay corpse-like inside the shells, a motherly looking women 
and a middle-aged man. Sarah jumped back and the Doctor grinned. It's all right, 
these ones aren't activated yet. He grabbed the man android and chucked it 
casually aside. Quick, Sarah, in you get! 

What for? 

Protection. The G-force will be crushing when the ship blasts off. We'll have 
to use these as acceleration-couches. 

The Doctor helped Sarah into the shell, dumped the second android and climbed in 
himself. Lying back in the chair, he waited calmly for take-off. 

A Kraal voice boomed through the ship. Time to lift off, fifteen seconds. Close 
vents! They braced themselves. The voice came again. Ten... nine... eight... 
seven... six... five... four... three... two... one... 

The roar of the rocket motors rose to a shrieking crescendo. Sarah felt a giant 
invisible hand crushing her down into the shell. It pressed harder, harder, 
until her whole body seemed flattened by the enormous strain. It's crushing me... 
she gasped, and everything went black... 

She awoke to find the Doctor looking down at her. Time to wake up, Sarah, we're 
on our way. 

Slowly and painfully, Sarah sat up. Every inch of her body seemed to be bruised. 
I must have blocked out. 

The G-force cut the blood supply to what you humans laughingly refer to as your 
higher centers. 

Sarah groaned and climbed out of the shell. I hate sarcasm, especially when I'm 
dying. I feel as if I've been put through a mangle. 

Never mind, said the Doctor cheerfully. That was a gentle massage compared to 
what's ahead. 

Don't tell me, implored Sarah. I don't want to know. 

Of course you do, said the Doctor cheerfully. Now listen carefully. Just 
before Crayford brings his ship into re-entry orbit, these containers will be 
shot out through those cargo-shuttle ejectors like seeds from a lemonand we'll 
be in them. 

Oh will we? Why? 

Because the space-shells will reach Earth before the shipand there's no other 
way we can get a warning to the Space Research Centerthe real one, I mean. 

And what do we use for air? 

The Doctor was examining a couple of tiny rocket-vents set into the side of one 
of the shells. There'll be enough air in the containers to last the few minutes 
in space. I'm more concerned about the efficiency of the retro-tubes. 

You mean they might not work? asked Sarah nervously. The more she heard about 
this scheme, the more risky it sounded. 

Oh, I imagine they'll work all rightenough for androids to survive impact. 
Kraal technology is pretty reliable on the whole. But we may be in for a nasty 
jolt as we come down. 

I see, said Sarah, summing up. So, providing we don't burn up on re-entry, 
and aren't suffocated on the way down, well probably be smashed to bits when we 
land? 

The Doctor said solemnly, You've put your finger on the one tiny flaw in our 
plan. 

Our plan? This is your plan, Doctor! 

Well, if you've got any better ideas, I'm open to suggestions. 

Sarah thought hard for a moment, then shook her head. How long before all this 
starts? 

The Doctor's face was grave. Quite soon, Tin afraid, Sarah. The Kraals must be 
beaming us through the space-time warp now. We'll soon be close to Earth. 

* * * 

In the scanner room of the Space Research Center (the real Space Research Center, 
not the now-exploded Kraal reconstruction) there was an air of scarcely-suppressed 
excitement. Technicians sat hunched over their instrument panels, each wanting 
to be the one to spot the returning spaceman. One of them, a girl called Tessa, 
was peering excitedly at a shadowy, hardly-visible spot on her scanner-screen. 
Was it a genuine sighting, or just a ghost-signal? At last she could keep silent 
no longer. I think I've got him, sir. Bearing one four three. 

Almost immediately another technician said, Contact confirmed, bearing one four 
three. There was a babble of relief and excitement. 

Grierson, the burly chief technician, said, Well done, Tessa. He leaned 
forward to his communicator-mike. Colonel Faraday? This is the scanner room. We've 
picked up Crayford's ship. Yes, sir, absolutely on schedule. 

* * * 

Harry Sullivan and Benton (the real Harry Sullivan and Benton) walked along the 
corridor of the Space Research Center deep in conversation. They'd followed 
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart there on his temporary assignment as head of 
station security, and had been left behind when some crisis in the affairs of 
UNIT whipped the Brigadier off to Geneva. Now they were with Colonel Faraday, 
his replacement, a likable enough old chap, but, in Harry's view, a bit of a 
fusspot 

I don't like it, sir, Benton was saying. The TARDIS turns up in the woods by 
itself, but no Doctor! And where's Miss Smith? Benton was fond of Sarah, and 
took a protective interest in her. 

Harry shrugged. He hadn't known the Doctor as long as Bentonbut long enough to 
feel that nothing the Doctor did could surprise him any more. 

Worriedly Benton went on, We've searched the area for them and made inquiries 
in the village. Not a sign of 'em. Suppose they're in some kind of trouble? 

You're a pessimist, Mr. Benton, said Harry cheerfully, The Doctor can look 
after himself. Besides, what could possibly happen to him in Devesham Wood? 

Benton shook his head. I don't know. It's just I've never known him to leave 
the TARDIS with the key in it before. 

As they were passing one of the side-entrances a portly self-important figure in 
army uniform shot through the doorway and bumped into them. Ah, there you are, 
you two. Crayford's just been picked up on the scanners. Come along, men. 
Faraday hurried away, and the other two followed. 

Benton was still worrying. He was glad they'd got their lost astronaut back all 
right. But what had happened to the Doctor and Sarah? 

They followed Faraday into the scanner room and Grierson hurried forward. There's 
Crayford's ship, sir, on the master scanner. 

Faraday studied the little blip on the giant screen. Fantastic. This is a 
moment that will go down in history, Grierson. 

That it is, sir. 

A two-year journey, eh? He's been farther out into space than any other human 
being. 

We're trying to raise him on audio now, sir. 

A technician was leaning over the long-range communicator. Hullo XK5, Hullo XK5, 
this is Devesham Control calling XK5, do you read? 

There was a moment's tense silence, then a voice crackled weakly from the loud 
speaker. Hello, Devesham Control, this is XK5, I'm receiving you. 

Grierson indicated the speaker-mike to Faraday. Sir, would you care to say 
something? 

Faraday leaned forward and sputtered, Hullo, Crayford! This is Colonel Faraday. 
What can I possibly say at a time like this except... welcome home! 

Thank you, sir, Earth certainly looks good. I've had some problems with... 
There was a crackle of static and the voice faded away. 

Before Faraday could answer Tessa called excitedly, Look, sir, on the scanner! 

A tiny cluster of dots was rushing through space. Faraday turned to Grierson. Is 
that him? Has he started re-entry? 

It was Tessa who answered. Not yet, sir. Something else is coming in the same 
flight-path. 

Something else? demanded Faraday irritably. What? What is it, Tessa? 

Difficult to say, sir. Could be a fireball, or a shower of meteorites. Whatever 
they are, they're heading straight for Earth. 

Hero's Return 

The XK5 was on its way down to Earth now and the modifications built in by the 
Kraal technicians were coming into effect. In the leading bay the space shells 
slid one by one across the racks and towards the launching tubes. Two more 
jolted towards the exit point. Sarah lay in one, the Doctor in the other. 

Sarah clenched her teeth in an effort not to scream as she felt her canister 
slide towards the launch tube. There was a rumble, a jolt, and she felt herself 
dropping into endless space... 

The Doctor lay in his canister, stretched out calm and relaxed. At least it was 
a novel way to travel, he thought. The space-shell trundled along the tracks 
into the tube. Seconds later the Doctor too was hurtling down towards Earth. 

* * * 

In the scanner room the freak meteor shower was still baffling Grierson. They're 
down to seventeen thousand now, sir. 

Never mind the wretched meteorites, bellowed Faraday. Have you still got a 
fix on the ship? 

She's just hit the upper atmosphere, sir, said Grierson soothingly. Looks as 
if she's on a perfect re-entry path. Don't worry, sir, he'll be back in the mess 
in time for breakfast. 

Oh no he won't, growled Faraday. Not after two years in unknown space. That's 
why I'm here. Hell go straight into quarantine, him and his ship. 

Benton edged closer to Tessa, who was still studying the meteor swarm. Don't 
they usually burn up before they hit Earth? 

She nodded. This lot aren't going to though. There's something funny about them. 

What do you meanfunny? 

Well, I'd swear they're slowing downand that's impossible! 

* * * 

Like a flock of strange birds the space-shells hissed down over Devesham woods. 
Most dropped in or near the quarry, others overshot and crashed down amongst the 
trees. 

Before long a number of shells lay scattered at the edge of the quarry. One of 
them rocked and sprang open, and the Doctor clambered stiffly out, looking 
around him. There was no telling which of the other space shells held Sarah, and 
if he started opening them at random he might have to cope with the attack of 
some re-activated android. Sarah would have to make her own way to safety. 

The Doctor turned and hurried through the woods. Ah1 round him was the whistle 
and thump of the descending space shells. 

* * * 

Inside the control room, the atmosphere of excitement returned. Things were 
entering the last, most dangerous phase now, the landing itself. The ship was to 
be brought down to a hard landing on the little rocket-field that adjoined the 
Space Research Center. A single mistake and the returning astronaut would be 
dashed to pieces against the planet he had waited so long to reach. Everyone's 
eyes were fixed on the master scanner. Re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere was 
the trickiest time. A failure in the heat shielding and the ship could flare 
into nothingness like a meteor. Suddenly, Grierson snapped, That's it, sir. He's 
made it. He's through! 

A voice came through the speaker. XK5 to Control. This is XK5 calling Control. 

Grierson leaned over the mike. Devesham Control to XK5. We're locking on. 

Roger, Devesham, I copy. 

Grierson's voice was calm and level. He might have been carrying out the 
simplest of test routines. Ignition minus thirty seconds. On my mark, mark. 

Crayford's voice came back equally relaxed. Mark thirty, Devesham. ACS reading, 
four hundred plus one. 

Ten seconds to ignition. 

There was a long, tense pause. Then, I have ignition, Devesham. Commencing 
descent. 

A technician's voice began droning out the instrument readings. Altitude forty 
thousand meters... thirty nine... thirty eight thousand... Descent velocity six-fifty 
meters per second... 

Faraday turned to Harry Sullivan. He'll be landing in just a few seconds, 
Sullivan, I'll want you to give him the preliminary check-up. Got everything you 
need? 

Harry held up the traditional black bag. The tools of the trade are all in here, 
sir. 

Goodman... 

Grierson said, You're looking good, Commander Crayford. 

Things look good to me too. Got the champagne on ice, have you? 

Ready and waiting. Grierson's voice became formal again. You are cleared for 
landing, XK5. 

Roger, Devesham. Beginning final descent now. 

The technician began reading off more figures. Coming down at five hundred 
meters... four hundred... two-fifty... two hundred. Slight drift to the right... 

Correcting now, snapped Grierson. 

Then Crayford's voice. Descent completed. Engine command override off. Engine 
arm off... That's it, gentlemen. Open up the bubbly. An excited babble of 
congratulations filled the control room. Grierson's voice cut through the 
chatter as he turned to Faraday. The XK5 has landed, sir. He smiled for the 
first time. 

Now it's over to youand I can't say I'm sorry! 

Faraday slapped him on the back. Well done, my dear fellow. Well done! Come on, 
Sullivan, well go on board straight away. 

Faraday bustled Harry out of the room, and Grierson said, Commander Crayford? 
Colonel Faraday and the Medical Officer are on their way up to you now. 

* * * 

On the flight deck of his rocket, Crayford was stretching in his chair. Thanks 
Control, I'll be waiting. Don't forget that champagne! 

He glanced up at Styggron, who stood waiting behind his chair. The Kraal 
scientist smiled. Good Crayford. As you say, we shall be waiting. 

* * * 

The Doctor hurried up to the main entrance to the Space Research Center, hoping 
that none of the androids had arrived before him. The precise arrival point of 
the shells was a matter of pure chance, and if some had landed very close to the 
Center... This time everything was as it should be. There were armed sentries at 
the gate, and Corporal Adams came hurrying out to meet him. Can you tell me 
where I can find Colonel Faraday? demanded the Doctor. 

I think he's in the scanner room, sir. The Doctor made to go inside, and 
Corporal Adams said firmly, Excuse me, sir, I'll need to see your pass. 

The Doctor fished through a number of pockets and finally managed to produce the 
special pass the Brigadier had given him. It was lucky he still had the thing. 
He hated identification papers and passes, and usually managed to lose them. 

Adams checked the pass carefully. Very good, sir. You can go ahead. 

'Thank you. The Doctor set off for the main steps and then turned back. Do you 
know who lam? 

Yes, sir, Scientific Adviser, aren't you? You came here once with Brigadier 
Lethbridge-Stewart. 

That's right. Now, listen carefully. Is this the first time you've seen me 
today? 

What's that, sir? 

It's a simple enough question, surely. Is this the first time I've been in here 
today? 

Yes sir, said Adams woodenly. 

The Doctor nodded, satisfied. Good, now if you should see me again today, I 
want you to report it to me immediately. I'll be with Colonel Faraday. The 
Doctor disappeared inside the building. 

Adams stared after him. Talk about your mad scientists . 

* * * 

In the scanner room everything was winding down. Technicians were sipping 
machine-made coffee and discussing the recent landing. In the corner, Benton was 
busy with a personal telephone call. Okay, then, he was saying, eight o'clock 
outside the Chinese takeout. And don't be late. 

You've got her well-trained, said Grierson cheerfully. 

Benton looked embarrassed. It's my kid sister. She's coming down to see me this 
evening. I promised to take her to the village dance. He broke off in 
astonishment as the Doctor sailed into the room. Doctor, where on earth have 
you been? 

The Doctor grinned and shook Him by the hand. Not on Earth at all, actually. 

You realize we've had search-parties out for you began Benton indignantly. 

The Doctor interrupted him. Where's Colonel Faraday? 

Gone over to the rocket with Mr. Sullivan. You know Commander Crayford's just 
landed, Doctor? 

I do indeed, said the Doctor grimly. Now listen, we've got to stop them. He 
turned to Grierson who had been looking on in amazement. Call them back. 

Grierson was shocked. I can't do that, Doctor. The Colonel would be furious... 

The Doctor looked ready to explode and Benton said warningly, Better do as the 
Doctor says, sir. He usually knows what he's doing. I'll take the responsibility. 

Very well, if you're sure. Grierson went to the microphone. Hullo, Devesham 
Control to rocket field. Is Colonel Faraday there? 

A voice said, He's in the rocket elevator with Doctor Sullivan. 

Grierson adjusted a monitor screen, and tapped the Doctor's arm. Tin afraid you're 
too late, Doctor. Look! 

On the screen they could see Crayford's XK5 rocket standing in the middle of the 
little field. A support gantry had been wheeled in place around it, and they 
could see the tiny cabin of the elevator by the rocket entrance. 

The Doctor pushed Grierson aside. You at the rocket field! Is there a 
communication set up in that elevator? 

Why, yes sir, but... 

Then patch me through to themnow! 

Such was the authority in the Doctor's voice that the man obeyed without 
question. There was a crackle and a voice said, You're through to the elevator 
now, sir. 

Hullo! Harry Sullivan! said the Doctor urgently. Harry, can you hear me? 

Harry's astonished voice said, Doctor! Is that you? 

Yes it is! Don't get into that rocket! 

They heard another voice in the background, I don't understand? What's going on, 
Sullivan?'' 

Just trust me, Colonel Faraday, shouted the Doctor. If you go into that 
rocket you'll be in the most terrible dangerand so will the rest of the planet! 

Takeover 

For a moment nothing came from the other end but an astonished silence. Then 
they heard the nimble of Colonel Faraday's voice. I don't understand, Sullivan. 
What's the matter with this chap? He must be insane! 

There was a soothing mumble from Harry Sullivan, more spluttered expostulations 
from Faraday. Then they heard Harry say, Really sir, I think we'd better do as 
the Doctor says. We can always come back after we've found out what's worrying 
him. After all, Commander Crayford's already waited two years. He won't be 
worried about a minute or two longer! 

To the Doctor's relief he heard Faraday mumble, Oh very well then. 

Bring that elevator down now, Harry, said the Doctor. I'll explain the whole 
thing when you get back here. 

He heard Faraday's voice Very well, Doctor, well do as you say. But your 
explanation had better be a good one. 

Grierson pointed to the monitor. Look, the elevator's started down again, 
Doctor. 

The Doctor gave a sigh of relief. Perhaps he'd arrived in time after all. 

A technician popped his head into the scanner room. Mr. Benton, there's a call 
for you. Could you take it on the corridor phone? 

Benton groaned. Probably his sister, saying she'd missed her train. Shan't be a 
minute, he said apologetically, and slipped out of the room. 

The Doctor was studying the main control console. Tell me, Mr. Grierson, does 
this console here control the angle of your radar dish? 

Grierson looked suspiciously at him. Yes, it does, Doctorwhy do you ask? 

I've got a little scheme, Mr. Griersonand I shall need your help. 

* * * 

Corporal Adams came along the corridor, just relieved from gate duty, his mind 
full of ham and eggs in the canteen. He turned a corner and saw someone in the 
corridor kneeling by a slumped body... Mr. Benton's body! He raised his gun to 
cover the kneeling figure. What's going on here? 

The kneeling man turned and looked up at him and Adams gave a gasp of 
astonishment. The soldier leaning over Benton, was Benton... He opened his mouth 
to shout an alarm, and a savage blow struck him down from behind. The android 
technician caught the falling body and laid it down beside the body of the real 
Benton. The android Benton got to its feet, and gave a nod of satisfaction. Good. 
Have them taken away. I shall go and dismiss the sentries at the main gate. It 
turned and headed for the entrance hall. 

* * * 

The Doctor finished explaining his plan to an ever more astonished Grierson. There 
you are then. Now, could you do that for me? 

Well, I could, Doctor. I mean it's theoretically possible. But it'll take time. 
I'd have to rejig about eleven circuits. 

Then I suggest you get started at onceand tell no one, no one what you're 
doing. 

Grierson dropped voice. We can't do it, Doctor. If we point the radar dish 
downwards as you suggest and feed all our power into it, well jam every bit of 
radio and electronic equipment for miles around. There'll be utter chaos. 

Believe me, Mr. Grierson, nothing like the chaos there's going to be if you don't 
do it, whispered the Doctor. Now, get moving, man. 

Grierson opened his mouth to protest further, but before he could speak an angry 
Colonel Faraday burst red-faced into the room, towing Harry Sullivan behind him, 
So, there you are, Doctor! Now, do you mind telling me what all this is about? 

It's about an invasion of Earth, Colonel Faraday. I suggest we go to your 
office. You've got some very important phone calls to make. 

Calmly the Doctor led the way out of the room, talking as he went. I've got 
some rather unpleasant news for you, Colonel. Crayford has sold you out to the 
Kraals. 

Faraday hurried after him. Kraals? Who the blazes are the Kraals? 

An alien race bent on the conquest of Earth. They've evolved a very ingenious 
plan... 

The Doctor's voice faded as he disappeared along the corridor, trailing Harry 
Sullivan and Colonel Faraday behind him. 

Grierson looked thoughtfully at the console that controlled the radar scanner 
dish. On the face of it the Doctor's request was absurd. But there had been 
something curiously compelling about him all the same. And it was an intriguing 
idea... Thoughtfully Grierson began removing an access panel from the console. 

He looked up as Benton popped his head into the room. ''Where's the Doctor? 

Mr. Sullivan and the Colonel are back. They all went up to the Colonel's office. 

The Benton android nodded, glancing round the room. Everything seemed in order. 
Just a technician busy at some minor repair job. It turned and went out into the 
corridor. There was much to do. 

* * * 

In Faraday's office the Doctor was finishing his explanations. He knew that 
Harry Sullivan would take the truth of his story on trust, hut Faraday was still 
looking very doubtful. The Doctor wished desperately that Lethbridge-Stewart 
hadn't chosen this moment to go rushing off to Geneva. Most of the time the 
Brigadier was under his feet, and the one time he needed him the wretched fellow 
wasn't there. 

As the Doctor finished, Faraday slumped lower behind his desk, muttering, Kraals, 
androids... the whole thing's utterly fantastic. 

Harry was fascinated by the Doctor's story. You've seen these androids, Doctor? 
They really are good enough to pass for the real thing? 

Indeed they are, Harry. You could chat to one for ages and never know. 

I'd know, growled Faraday. I'm not going to have any aliens infiltrating my 
command. 

I wouldn't be too confident, Colonel, said the Doctor mischievously. I happen 
to know they've made a replica of Harry. They've probably made one of you as 
well. 

Harry looked alarmed. If these android things are as good as the Doctor says, 
some of them might be amongst us already, without our knowing, He looked 
meaningly at the Colonel. Tell you what, sir, I could run a medical check on 
everyone on the base. As soon as I pass anyone, then we'll know they're all 
right. 

Faraday was enthusiastic. Good idea, my boy. What do you say, Doctor? Will that 
take care of your worries? I'll give Sullivan a special squad of men. He can vet 
the whole place for us. 

A proper medical examination of everybody would take too long. Luckily there's 
a shortcut. The Doctor produced a small torch-like device from his pocket. 

Harry stared. What is it? 

It's a simple robot detector, said the Doctor proudly The little bulb on the 
end lights up in the presence of an android. You use it like this. He pointed 
the instrument at Colonel Faraday. The bulb lit up. 

There was a moment of silence. Thing must be faulty, rumbled Faraday. 

The Doctor shook his head. No, I don't think so. It's pretty well foolproof. 
He pointed the device at himself. The bulb went out. He turned the instrument on 
Harry Sullivan. The bulb lit up again. 

I see, said the Doctor softly. So, I was too late after all. The real Harry 
Sullivan and Colonel Faraday did go into that rocketand they're still there! 
You two came back down in the elevatortwo androids! 

From behind him an astonishingly familiar voice said, A pity you had to find 
out, Doctor. We didn't really want any shooting until the takeover was complete. 

The Doctor turned. Standing in the doorway he saw himselfa self that was 
covering him with a heavy revolver. Cheerfully the Doctor said, Hullo, Doctor! 
We've been waiting for you. 

He studied his other self with some admiration. I must say the likeness is 
absolutely astonishing. For a moment I thought I was seeing double. Calmly the 
Doctor strolled up to the door and put his hand on the knob. 

The android Doctor raised the revolver. Keep back, Doctor! 

The Doctor smiled mockingly at his other self for a momentthen slammed the door 
into it, sending the android reeling into the corridor. 

He whirled round and shoved the other two androids aside. Shielding his face 
with his arms, he took a flying leap, disappearing through the window in a 
shower of broken glass. 

The Doctor landed on the lawn just below, thankful the Colonel's was a first-floor 
office. He rolled over, got to his feet and sprinted for the corner of the 
building. A bullet chipped stone from the wall beside him, and he glanced back 
to see the android Doctor firing from the window. Then he was round the corner 
and out of sight. 

He found he was by the main gateand Sarah was strolling innocently through it. 
Without even slowing his pace, the Doctor grabbed her by the arm and dragged her 
along after him. They ran round the side of the building and eventually found 
shelter behind a concrete fuel bunker at the edge of the rocket field. 

As they crouched down panting, the Doctor reached out and solemnly took Sarah's 
pulse. She stared at him. What are you doing, Doctor? This is a funny time to 
worry about my health 

The Doctor grinned, It's my health I'm worrying about, Sarah. I'm just making 
sure you're really you. 

Well, I know you're you all right, Doctor. I could hear them shooting at you. 
What's going on here? 

Colonel Faraday's voice echoed over the rocket field. Attention all units. It 
has been confirmed that the person calling himself the Doctor is an imposter. He 
is attempting to sabotage the Research Center. He is believed to be at large in 
the area of the rocket field. A saturation search will begin immediately. 

The Doctor looked at Sarah. Does that answer your question? 

We were too late. The androids have already taken over. 

Faraday's voice boomed on. This man is armed and dangerous. All military 
personnel are authorized to shoot on sight. That is all. 

What's happened to the real Colonel Faraday? 

The Doctor pointed to the rocket. He's in there with the real Harry Sullivan. 
They're prisoners of Styggronif they're still alive. 

Doctor, we've got to help them. 

We've also got to stop the Earth being taken over, pointed out the Doctor. I'm 
going back inside the Center. 

Is there anything I can do to help? 

Well, not really. It all depends on whether a chap called Grierson has done 
what I asked. 

Right. Then if you don't need me, I'm going to go and help Harry. I'll see you, 
Doctor. 

Before the Doctor could stop her, Sarah was on her feet and running towards the 
rocket. 

The Doctor sighed and got to his feet. He was as worried about Harry as Sarah 
wasbut the fate of the entire Earth had to come first. Now, how was he going to 
get into the Center with a gang of armed androids hunting for him? Suddenly the 
Doctor smiled. By turning the enemy's strength against them of course, and 
taking advantage of the confusion they themselves were creating. 

He got to his feet and walked confidently towards the Center. Deciding that the 
main entrance was too public, the Doctor walked round the edge of the building 
until he found a small side door unguarded. Once inside the sprawling building 
with its maze of corridors, he began working his way towards the scanner room, 

Things went surprisingly well at firsthe seemed to have chosen a relatively 
quiet area. 

Suddenly the Doctor's luck ran out. He turned a corner and found himself face to 
face with Benton. 

For a moment the Doctor had a wild hope that this was the real Benton, but he 
was soon disillusioned. The usually cheerful face was cold and hard, and a gun 
swung up to cover him. 

The android cocked the gun with a metallic click. Helplessly the Doctor watched 
its finger tighten on the trigger... 

Death of a Doctor 

The Doctor remembered that all this had happened before. This time there would 
be no miracle to save him. Not unless he could manage one himself. He put a 
slight robotic stiffness into his movements, and deliberately flattened the tone 
of his voice. Don't be a fool, Benton. Can't you see I'm one of you? He walked 
straight towards the leveled gun. 

The android Benton backed away, the gun still raised. 

The Doctor continued his advance. ''Didn't you hear the Colonel just now? The 
Doctor isn't in the building at all, he's over on the rocket field. 

The gun muzzle was touching the Doctor's chest. He stared confidently into the 
android's face, and suddenly it lowered the gun and stepped back. Sorry, sir. 

The Doctor said casually, That's all right. But keep your wits about you, 
Benton. Nobody knows who's who around here. Pleased with his little joke, the 
Doctor went on his way. 

* * * 

Sarah crouched by the foot of the rocket gantry, staring up at the black bulk 
looming above her. She looked longingly at the elevator. But using that would be 
bound to attract attention. Besides, she could scarcely go marching in the front 
door of the rocket and tell Styggron she'd come to release his prisoners. She 
needed some more secret entrance. Like the cargo hatch she and the Doctor had 
got through when the rocket was still on Oseidon. She could see the hatch now, 
but it looked terribly high above her. Still if she climbed up the gantry and 
reached across ... Sarah shivered. She hated heights, and she'd done this climb 
once already. It didn't seem fair that she should have to do it again, without 
the Doctor to help her. Still, after announcing she was off to rescue Harry, she 
couldn't just cower in hiding until some passing android captured her. Screwing 
up her nerve, Sarah started to climb... 

* * * 

The Doctor hurried into the control room just as Grierson was making a final 
circuit connection. Have you finished? 

Grierson went on working. Almost there. 

Hurry, man, urged the Doctor. There isn't a second to lose, 

Grierson finished the re-connection and replaced the access hatch. There, that 
does it I just have to switch on full power. He crossed to a master power-switch 
on a nearby panel. As his hand touched the switch a shot rang out. He staggered 
and fell, clutching his shoulder. 

The Doctor whirled round. The android Doctor stood in the doorway, revolver in 
hand. A clever way to jam android control circuits, Doctor. But I'm afraid you 
weren't quick enough. 

The Doctor went to kneel beside Grierson. The wound was a bad one but perhaps 
not fatal. He ripped off the edge of Grierson's white coat and made a pad to put 
over the wound. 

He straightened up to face his android selfand it raised its revolver. The 
doors opened and Crayford hurried into the room. Quickly he took in the scene, 
the wounded Grierson, and the android Doctor covering the real one with its 
revolver. What's going on here? 

Emotionlessly the android said, I am about to dispose of the Doctor. He has 
interfered in out plans for the last time. 

Crayford stepped between them. No! Styggron promised me there would be no 
unnecessary killing. 

You are a fool, Crayford, said the android Doctor coldly. Do you really thing 
the Kraals will spare humanity? Styggron has a virus on board that ship that 
will kill every man, woman and child in the world. 

How strange, thought the Doctor, that an android should take such pride in the 
ruthlessness of its creator. Yet perhaps it was natural. Created by Kraal 
technology, such values and emotions as it had were those of Kraals. The Doctor's 
eyes were fixed on Crayford's face. The humanity in Crayford was beginning to 
break free of the Kraal conditioning. In that reviving humanity lay the Doctor's 
only chance of escape. 

An expression of horror came over Crayford's face. No, I don't believe you, 
Styggron wouldn't do that. He's a surgeon, a healer. Look at what he did for me. 
As always at moments of stress, Crayford rubbed his hand nervously over the 
black eye-patch. 

The Doctor raised his voice. Styggron did nothing for you, Crayford, Nothing 
whatsoever, except brainwash you! 

Crayford stared wildly at him. It's not true. He turned to the android. Tell 
me it's not true. 

The android said nothing. It stood there patiently, waiting for Crayford to move 
so that it could kill the Doctor. It had no objection to killing Crayford first, 
but as yet it had not been instructed to do so. 

You were hijacked by the Kraals, shouted the Doctor. 'They drew your ship off 
course. Nothing went wrong with your rocket, and you were never healed by the 
Kraals because you were never injured. Take off that eyepatch and look for 
yourself. 

Crayford could see his own face reflected clearly in a nearby monitor screen. 
Slowly his hand went up to the eye-patch. 

The Doctor waited, hoping desperately that his guess was correct. He had felt 
all along that the story of the missing eye had been no more than a detail 
invented to convince Crayford that he owed the Kraals his life. 

Staring at his reflection, Crayford ripped away the patch. From the screen, two 
perfectly good eyes looked back at him. For a moment Crayford stood frozen. Then 
he gave a scream of desperate rage. Styggron! he screamed, and ran from the 
room. 

For a second the android was distracted. The Doctor's foot shot out in a 
beautifully timed kick, smashing the gun from its hand. Instantly the android 
leaped for him, and the Doctor found himself in a nightmare struggle with 
himself. 

The worst of it was that he had no chance of winning. The Doctor himself had 
more than human strength but he was fighting a machine, a creature of metal and 
plastic, an enemy who would never tire and could not be hurt. 

The android's hands were reaching for his throat and it took all the Doctor's 
strength to keep them away. He smashed his arms upwards to break the android's 
grip, broke free, and made for the power switch. The android caught him and 
flung him back, sending him staggering across the room. Calmly the android 
pressed an alarm button on the wall and a bell beside it began an ear-splitting 
clangor. Then it attacked the Doctor again, grappling with him as he rose and 
made another desperate lunge for the power switch. Locked in each other's arms 
the two Doctors, real and android, staggered across the room. 

* * * 

All over the complex, androids heard the alarm signal, and guessed its 
significance. The android Benton, Harry Sullivan and Colonel Faraday, android 
soldiers and android technicians, all ran towards the scanner room. 

The Faraday, Benton and Sullivan androids arrived first, android soldiers close 
behind them. They stood in the doorway watching the final struggle. They made no 
attempt to interfere, knowing their fellow-android's victory was only a matter 
of time. 

With a last desperate effort, the Doctor broke free again, the android leaped at 
him, the Doctor dodged, tripped it and lunged for the power-switch. As his 
fingers grasped it the android's hands clamped round his throat. The fingers 
tightened and the Doctor heaved on the switch, dragging it down with his own 
weight as he slumped to the ground. 

As the power-relay snapped home the fingers choking the Doctor released their 
hold. The android Doctor fell twisting and writhing to the floor. It thrashed 
about for a moment and then lay still. Exactly the same thing happened to the 
other androids in the room, a flurry of uncontrolled movement, followed by total 
collapse. 

Rubbing his throat tenderly, the Doctor got slowly to his feet. He looked down 
at his android self as it lay crumpled on the floor. 

Grierson stirred and moaned, and the Doctor went over to him. Are you all right? 

I think so, Grierson looked round the body-littered room. What happened to 
them? 

We jammed their circuits, said the Doctor happily. He looked round the room. Where's 
Crayford? 

No idea, said Grierson painfully. He suddenly rushed off. He was shouting 
about someone called Styggron. 

The Doctor nodded. I was forgetting him. I'd better get over to the rocket. 

The Doctor went over to the door and then he paused. His hand went to his pocket, 
searching for his sonic screwdriver. 

* * * 

After a long and hazardous climb, much of it with her eyes shut, Sarah managed 
to wriggle through the cargo hatch. She found herself in the cargo hold she'd 
shared with the Doctor. Colonel Faraday and Harry Sullivan were tied up on the 
floor. 

Harry! said Sarah happily. She went across to him and began unwrapping the 
plastic bonds. 

Harry said delightedly. Sarah, old girl! What on earth is going on? 

Sarah grinned. It's a very long story, Harry. Did you know you had a very nasty 
twin? 

Twin? Harry stared blankly at her. 

That's right. An android Harry. It keeps trying to kill me! 

She finished untying him, and went to help Colonel Faraday. 

What's all this about androids, young lady? he spluttered. 

They're robots, duplicates of people on Earth. The Doctor will explain... 

As Sarah finished untying Faraday she heard a noise behind her and turned. 

Styggron was covering her with a blaster. He seemed even more astonished than 
she was. The enterprising Earth girl. Sarah stepped forward and he raised the 
weapon. No, don't move. This is a neutron blaster, it will annihilate you 
immediately. I heard the sounds of an intruder. I hardly expected to find it was 
you. 

I suppose you thought I was still a prisoner on your rotten planet! 

Styggron shook his massive head in amazement. I know the Doctor managed to 
escape. I constructed an android of him as a precaution. But youyou must indeed 
have a charmed life. 

What are you babbling about Styggron? 

You were to have been the first human victim of the virus that will destroy all 
humanity. He held up a sealed phial. See, it is here. How did you escape the 
virus? Did you not drink the water? 

Water? Sarah was horrified. You mean that water you sent me in the cell was 
infected? 

Crayford appeared in the doorway behind Styggron. Sarah saw with surprise that 
he wore no eye-patch, and his other eye seemed perfectly all right. 

Crayford's face was white and his eyes glittered feverishly. Sarah thought he 
looked like a man on the point of total breakdown. You have betrayed me, 
Styggron! he screamed. 

Styggron laughed. Betrayed you, Crayford? I used you, as I use the androids. 
But I fear you are no longer of any value to me. He raised his blaster. 

With the courage of madness, Crayford jumped on him, knocking the blaster aside, 
and sending the phial flying from Styggron's hand. 

With a bellow of rage, Styggron flung Crayford away and fired. The force of the 
neutron blast slammed Crayford's dead body into the corner of the hold. 

As Styggron swung the blaster to cover Sarah, and the others a tall figure 
appeared in the doorway behind him. Doctor! screamed Sarah. Look out! Before 
Styggron could turn, an arm took him around the throat. The Doctor's other hand 
reached in front of Styggron, trying to get a grip on the neutron blaster. 

With a roar of rage the Kraal broke free. He jumped back to get a clear shot but 
as he did so, a foot shot out to trip him. Styggron crashed over backwards. His 
head thudded down onto the phial of virus solution which had rolled unnoticed 
into the corner. 

The impact of Styggron's massive skull shattered the phial. A pool of colorless 
liquid spread around his head. The effect of the virus in its concentrated form 
was immediate and terrible. Styggron's head began to dissolve, like a ball of 
wax in a roaring flame. Soon it was a shapeless, horrible blob. Such was the 
strength in the stocky figure that the dying Kraal's body thrashed about for a 
moment longer. By some dying reflex, its finger tightened on the trigger. The 
blaster fired and the full force of its impact took the tall figure standing 
above him full in the chest. It crumpled and lay still. 

No, sobbed Sarah. No! Oh Doctor! She was kneeling to examine the fallen body, 
when a familiar voice said, Spare no tears for him, Sarah, He was only an 
android! 

Sarah looked up. Standing in the doorway was the Doctor, miraculously unhurt. He 
pointed to the huddled shape beside her. That was only my replicaan android. 

Sarah still couldn't take it in. An android, she said dazedly. But it 
attacked Styggron. 

I fitted it with a shielding device and then reprogrammed it, said the Doctor. 
I decided to turn one of their own weapons against them. 

Sarah straightened up. Please, Doctor, don't ever do anything like that again! 
One of you's quite enough! 

The Doctor smiled and helped her to her feet. There was still much to be done. 
The immobilized androids would have to be collected and dismantled before the 
low level scanner, beam could be switched off. But soon life in the Space 
Research Centerand in Devesham villagewould return to normal. Marshal Chedaki 
would wait in vain for Styggron's signal to bring the invasion fleet of the 
Kraals to an unsuspecting Earth. With Styggron dead, his master plan had come to 
nothing. The android invasion was over. 