'The magic words - the "Fail-safe Release Code".'

'No idea.'

'I doubt that,' said Morgaine. She leaned forward and stared into the tiresome creature's eyes. In this instance, she did not require a full mind. She only needed one slip of knowledge. 'What is the code?'

Bambera stuttered and her eyes rolled upwards.

Ancelyn knelt by the body of Winifred's sergeant-at-arms.

This was the third corpse he had encountered on returning to the UNIT encampment.

It was an attack from within, for the stationed guards had no trouble to report.

The door to Winifred's command pavilion opened and Mordred stepped forth. He carried Winifred over his shoulder.

He flung the woman to the ground and she lay unmoving.

Ancelyn gripped the sword and called the prince's name.

They faced each other at last. Ancelyn, a mortal without hope, could never take the life of his immortal enemy. His family had suffered through generations under the yoke of the tyrant queen and her b.a.s.t.a.r.d son: but such impediment was nothing now the life of his own beloved Winifred had been s.n.a.t.c.hed.

With a roar, he flung himself upon Mordred. Sparks flew from the ringing steel. They clashed, locked by hatred into one final test of strength. Pushing against each other; their ferocity matched.

In a coup de pied coup de pied, Mordred abandoned honourable combat. Twisting his foot around Ancelyn's ankle, he forced the knight backwards, stumbling into the mud.

Mordred raised his sword to finish the job, but a figure in eccentric dress darted between them. It casually threw out a hand that sent the astonished Prince toppling over.

'Excuse me,' said the Doctor as he hurried up the trailer steps.

Ancelyn was up in a moment. Steel clashed again as the enemies renewed their tournament.

Morgaine spun in her chair as the Doctor entered the Command Vehicle.

'Too late, Merlin,' she crooned.

The VDU screen that she sat before displayed a Countdown to Detonation symbol. It was flicked remorselessly from 74 to 73 to 72.

'Not when there's an off switch,' the Doctor said. He scanned the control bank and saw a recessed red b.u.t.ton marked 'Abort' in j.a.panese.

She followed his glance and caught both one and then the other hand as he reached for the b.u.t.ton.

'No,' she said and pushed him back.

He had not antic.i.p.ated her strength. She matched his attack with ease.

'If this missile explodes, you will die,' he growled.

'Millions will die.'

'I shall die with honour, knowing that cursed Arthur dies with me.'

'All over the world, fools are poised ready to let death fly,' he insisted. 'One spark will turn into an inferno.'

'What do I care - when Arthur is such a coward that he will not face me?' Her eyes were blazing with rage. 'This is war!'

'You hate Arthur so much'?' he asked, trying to force a way to the console.

She forced him away again. 'I offered Arthur the greatest gift - the enduring power of the immortal. He s.n.a.t.c.hed it and turned against me. For twelve centuries have I waited to destroy him.'

31 -30-29 - 'And what else will you destroy?' Anger and pity mingled in the Doctor's voice. 'Folly from the sky. Blind.

Random. No one is safe, no one is innocent. Machines of death, Morgaine. Who needs the Destroyer? A scream from the sky. Light, brighter than the sun. No war between armies or nations - just Death. Death gone mad!'

He felt a slight resistance in her strength and redoubled his attack.

17 - 16 - 'A child looks up at the sky. His eyes turn to cinders. He weeps ashes. Is this your honour? Is this war? Are these the weapons you would use?'

She could no longer face him. Her eyes were full of tears.

'Tell me!' he cried.

Her head shook. 'No,' mouthed her lips.

'Then stop it, Morgaine! End the madness!'

She released his hand and pressed the red b.u.t.ton.

Time froze. The Abyss receded a little.

The Doctor closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

Morgaine's eyes were cold as she issued her challenge.

'I honour your pet.i.tion, Merlin. Now tell Arthur to meet me with honour in single combat. It's time he ceased hiding behind your coat-tails.'

The Doctor looked down at the countdown symbol.

'Arthur is dead,' he said quietly.

She was startled by his bluntness. 'No,' she smiled. 'I don't believe you.'

'It's all true.'

'Merlin, Prince of Deceit! This is another trick.'

'Arthur never took your immortal gift, Morgaine. He died over twelve centuries ago.'

'You lie...'

'You know better than that.'

'It cannot be.' She steadied herself on the control desk.

Her voice submitted to the yearning so long submerged beneath the hatred that drove her.

'Arthur, who burned like starfire and was as beautiful.

Where does he lie? I would look on him one last time.'

'He is gone to dust,' said the Doctor.

'Then I cannot even have that comfort.' The Battle Queen trembled and her will was lost. 'I shall never see him again. Arthur. We were together in the woods of Selladon... The air was like honey.'

'I'm sorry, Morgaine,' said the Doctor. 'It was over long ago.'

The sound of clashing swords outside had ceased. The Doctor extracted the computer abort key from the console, pocketed it and left Morgaine alone with her tears.

The battle between Ancelyn and Mordred had run its course. The knight was a better and more agile swordsman, but the Prince, with the advantage of his powered armour, tired less easily.

Ancelyn's responses were growing weary. His attack turned to the defensive. Finally, a mighty blow smashed the sword from the knight's blooded hand.

Ancelyn backed up against the trailer. The point of Mordred's sword pressed into his stomach.

'I do not fear death, Mordred,' he said. 'Your n.o.ble father, the High King, is dead also. I have seen his body.'

The Prince's eyes narrowed.

'Come, despatch,' Ancelyn demanded. 'You have slain my beloved. There is no life without her.'

'So be it,' said the Prince and pulled back the sword to strike.

The swing of a rifle b.u.t.t knocked him senseless. He fell at Winifred Bambera's feet.

'Shame,' she said.

'My lady...'

She dropped the rifle and ma.s.saged her injured arm.

'Nice speech, Ancelyn. Next time check that I'm dead first.'

The door of the Command Vehicle opened and the Doctor stepped out.

'Ah Winifred,' he said quietly, 'I have a prisoner in here for you.'

'That makes two then,' said Bambera and she pointed to the unconscious Mordred.

The Doctor nodded inside the trailer. 'I don't know what you do with imprisoned royalty these days. I doubt the Tower will hold her, but treat her with honour anyway.

She's just had a nasty shock.'

From the lake came the deep boom of an underwater detonation.

A second later, the surface erupted into a white column of solid water a hundred metres wide against the evening sky.

Along the promontory, the Doctor saw two figures. One, solid and stentorian, stood watching the explosion, unblanching at its fury. The other, tiny and nimble, capered around the first in a sort of dance of triumph.

The Doctor put his umbrella up. It was torn to shreds.

That night, it rained fish in Carbury.

Chapter 4.

It was warm enough for Doris to show the Doctor around the garden. She had been wary of the stranger to begin with, but now their arms were linked and they laughed together like old friends.

'I'd wondered about a surprise reunion for Alastair,' she said. 'Or would he clam up at the thought?'

'I'm sure he'd secretly love it,' smiled the Doctor. He twirled his brolly, which had been refitted with camouflage disruptive pattern material, as he admired the daffodils.

'And you must come and bring anyone you'd like,'

Doris went on. 'We've plenty of room. It's a shame you missed Easter.'

'Christmas,' the Doctor suggested. 'It'll give you time to prepare, and me time to fetch everyone. They're a bit scattered.'

She looked at him knowingly and squeezed his hand.

'Christmas which year, Doctor?'

'Ah, I see that Alastair trusts you,' he said.