'Professor Rhukk, I . . . well all of us are sorry about your brother. Of course we didn't know him but we'd heard of him. If he was anything like you, he must have been quite a special Martian.'

'Thank you, child. He was. Please send a dispatch back to both the Federation and the Braxiatel Collection on my behalf. By the time I've walked back to base camp, it'll be mid-afternoon and the heat will prevent me from returning here until tomorrow. I can't afford to waste the time, alas.

Tell them both that I shall mourn and honour both parties but I feel both Sharrod and Savaar especially would prefer if I got on with my work.

Funerals are not for me, Krissi. The long-dead I can cope with. The recently departed remind me too much of my own approaching mortality.'

Krissi managed a smile. 'Oh Professor, you've another hundred years at least.'

'Oh child, how you do flatter me! Now, off you go.' Krissi grasped the data-pad back and headed off on the long trek to base camp, leaving Rhukk staring at her footprints.

With a rasp, he ordered his cabin open and hauled himself back in. As the wall closed behind him he commanded a drawer to open. As it did, he reached down and removed his own data-pad. Like all Martian pads, it did not have a Neysc.r.a.pe, just a traditional b.u.t.ton to depress. He did so and muttered 'Family.'

In front of him, six young Martians sprang up. They stood ranged from left to right, ranked by age and therefore height. 'Increase two far left.' As the right-hand four vanished the pixels coalesced into a larger hologram of the eldest two, both males. Savaar and his 'first baby' La.s.saal hatchling brother Rhukk.

As always, Rhukk hid his public sadness behind a front of bravado and wit.

In private now he openly wept. Savaar wouldn't have appreciated the grief but nevertheless Rhukk was not like most Martians. He couldn't be bothered to suppress his emotions or worry what others might say if they found out. He just let them all out.

Seven hours later, he was back outside with Krissi and the others, the drooping sun making a clear and cooler evening, just right for exploring, sifting and cleaning. To the outside world Professor Rhukk was just getting on with his job.

Inside, he was wrecked.

8 I Die: You Die

It's locked.'

'Let me try,' said Savaar, pushing forward.

Centauri backed away from the door of Nic Reece's room, muttering that if it was locked, it was locked and there wasn't much that anyone could do about it.

'Privacy is integral to the Federation's code of conduct.'

'Your code of conduct isn't much good if you're trying to track down a criminal and murderer,' said Keri.

'Well, I feel I should point this out, there is no proof that Nic Reece has hurt anybody, actually,' corrected a prim Centauri.

Kort marched up to Centauri and jabbed a stubby orange finger at him. It wasn't your sister they shipped back in a body bag. It wasn't your sister they blew into little pieces. It wasn't your sister who trusted him: He turned back to the door, satisfied that Centauri had got the message.

Actually, I don't have a sister,' Centauri moaned, 'but even if I did, I wouldn't be so rude.'

The Doctor hooked his umbrella around one of Centauri's rapidly purpling arms and tugged him away from the others. 'Stand over there, old friend, and keep an eye out.'

Savaar meanwhile was pushing against the door of Reece's quarters but to no avail. 'Magnetically sealed,' he rasped eventually.

The Doctor nodded. I thought as much.'

Sskeet brought up his gun. 'Lord Savaar?' The Doctor pushed it down again.

'No, no, no. If Reece is our man - and I'm convinced he is - then I imagine the door is b.o.o.by-trapped. Let's think this through rationally.' He turned to face the group. Eager faces looked back at him, expecting him to tell them what to do, how to do it and why. Positive that he would know all the answers and solutions? Why couldn't someone else think for once? It had been so obvious that Reece had been the villain, this mysterious Alec that Damakort had talked about. Who else had arrived on Peladon so recently?

Nic Reece had gone to investigate his family's death - no doubt engineered by Alec - and presumably met a similar fate.

Of course, he'd given himself away to the Doctor instantly. Obviously the imposter had studied Reece well before selecting him and Peladon as his target. He knew how well Reece knew everyone but he, the Doctor, was the joker in the pack. The odd one out. The piggy in - anyway, Reece had pretended to know the Doctor. Totally convincing of course - Benny had instantly a.s.sumed they were old friends as had Savaar, Tarrol and all the others. But the Doctor had realized then.

The Doctor had known many people in his lives, but the best-remembered ones were good friends and bad enemies. Nic Reece had acted as if they were the oldest pals in the galaxy: his charm and general ambience would have made him unforgettable. But the Doctor hadn't recognized him from anywhere, least of all from his dealings with the Galactic Federation.

There had been other, somewhat larger slips - like leaving Lianna alive long enough to tell the Time Lord who had killed her. The framing of Savaar for the a.s.sault on Atissa was neat but clumsy and desperate - if Atissa had thought about it, anyone could have provided the Ice Lord with an alibi - but the high priestess had so wanted it to be the Martian, to further discredit the Federation.

What was his plan? Even Reece, or whoever he really was, couldn't imagine getting away with ruling the galaxy, no matter how powerful the Diadem would make him.

Of course!' The Doctor froze momentarily and then started waving his hands animatedly. It's Peladon. I was wrong, the choice was not an accident. He's far cleverer than I gave him credit for.'

'What are you talking about, Doctor?' asked Geban.

'Don't you see?' It was evident that no one did. He sighed. 'The planet Peladon is looking forward, trying to find new prosperity. Reece, the real Nic Reece, suggested opening the place up as a tourist spot. Cheap, nasty little trinkets and plastic Aggedor statues. Nevertheless, a sure-fire winner within a regalia-starved Federation. As technology takes over our lives, so the less-civilized aspects fade away. Peladon has them all here. Millions of people would flock to see it.'

'That was the idea,' agreed Geban.

And you, Mister Corry, you, Keri and all your team, you were the real bonus.'

Us?' Corry frowned.

Keri twitched her whiskers excitedly. 'What did we do?'

'With the power of the Diadem, he could have easily taken over the minds of everyone here on Peladon. Even you would have become his puppets.

So with a permanent holocrew here, the simple draw to the public would have been too great. Imagine, a vast museum here. And in the centre of it, the chance to have yourself recorded with holographic reproductions of Aggedor and the like. Something to take away. To treasure. To show your friends. And within that, subliminal messages, the Diadem using a whole new medium to spread its evil.'

And this Pakhar Diadem can do all this?' asked Kort.

Oh yes. It's very clever.'

Geban frowned. 'Doctor, are you suggesting that this Diadem is actually alive?'

The Doctor stared open-mouthed at those around him. 'You mean, you didn't realize? That's why it is so important that this man who is pretending to be your friend Nic Reece doesn't get hold of it. He doesn't comprehend its full power. At least, I hope he doesn't.'

'Why?' asked Alpha Centauri.

'Because if he does know it is alive and intelligent and he still wants it, then he has to be stopped. Permanently'

Of course,' Sskeet said.

'No. No, I had hoped to reason with him. To explain what he was actually doing. Having manipulated this society so that its leaders are at each others' throats, he could easily take over.'

'Nonsense, Doctor,' said Geban. 'The king would never allow it. Nor would Atissa or myself.'

'Forgive me, Geban, but it is time you faced a few truths. Due to Reece's machinations, Lord Savaar and I had to destroy the trust between you and your king. Now, a ruse it may have been, but I've no doubt you've both said and thought a few dark thoughts about each other since. Atissa - well, frankly, she's not running on full batteries, as Benny would say. And Tarrol?

He's indecisive and as we discovered, easily manipulated. I'm sorry, Geban, this planet's ruling caste is a pale shadow of its past. I doubt it would take much for Reece to take control.'

Geban digested this and looked at his feet. 'You may be right, Doctor, but do not underestimate King Tarrol. When he needs to, he can a.s.sert control with great forcefulness and solicitude.'

Oh, I hope so, Chancellor. I really do.'

Anyway, Doctor, hadn't we better get after Reece?'

I'm not entirely sure he's on to us yet, Mister Corry. Just because the door is locked doesn't prove a thing.'

'You said it was b.o.o.by-trapped,' pointed out Keri.

I imagined it was. I don't know for sure. I tend to err on the side of caution.'

'What about Benny?' asked Kort. 'Lord Savaar said that she was with him.'

'Yes! That's it! I have remembered,' exclaimed Savaar suddenly.

'What?' was a chorus of replies.

'When Reece arrived in Shsurr Summerfield's room, he said he thought I was dead. But he could not have known that. He did not witness my death or return to the Federation Representatives' room. Indeed, he was apparently in here, in his quarters, packing to leave. He could not have known of my fake execution.'

'Bother,' exclaimed the Doctor. 'Then he might have an inkling that I must have guessed.'

'He might not, though,' suggested Corry.

I can't take that risk any more. Not with Benny's life at stake.'

I apologize, Doctor. I should have realized sooner.'

'That's no problem, my Lord. What we have to do now is consider our plans very carefully.'

'What about the stolen treasures? Are they in this room?'

Unlikely,' said Savaar. 'He had his cases with him when he went off with Shsurr Summerfield.'

'They won't be in there, though,' returned the Doctor. 'He'll have put them somewhere safe while waiting for his couriers. A safe or something.'

'There's nothing like that in our quarters, Doctor. The Pels do not build safes,' said Centauri.

'The shuttle! The safe-seal,' Savaar shouted.

'Yes! That would explain the dead pilot,' confirmed Keri.

'Then that's where he'll be meeting the others with the Diadem.'

'But my crew are there.' Keri waved her paws around. 'We must get back to them.'

'Yes. We must.' The Doctor looked around him. 'This could get very dangerous. I've already explained this to Commander Ra.s.sbur. I will say it to you.'

'Who's Ra.s.sbur?' whispered Kort.

Keri just shrugged.

The Doctor continued: 'The Diadem is my responsibility. Its safe capture and eventual fate is my problem and mine alone. Call it an atonement if you will. Do what you will to save other people, but the Diadem must not escape.'

'Doctor, I am sorry to ask this, but practicality is important.' Savaar looked slightly awkward.

'Yes, I know. How will I make sure it doesn't take me over? It won't. It tried that once, a long time ago. It failed then and I'm four lives wiser now. I can cope.' He paused. If I'm wrong, Savaar, I am relying on you to totally destroy me. Completely. Is that understood by you all'?' Everyone nodded sadly. 'Good. Make sure you tell Benny afterwards. She's likely to shoot you for real otherwise.' He smiled at Savaar.

Savaar saluted.

Sskeet was examining the door again. 'Lord Savaar,' he started, I think I can just force this open.'

Everyone turned to look and the Doctor heard a minute sound. A tiny click.

A small tick. A slight 'Get do-' The Doctor never finished his cry as the door, Reece's entire room and a large portion of the neighbouring rooms and corridor were hurled out on to the lethal side of Mount Megeshra in the largest explosion ever recorded on Peladon.

'What the cruk was that?' asked Lambert.

Townsend drew his blaster and patted his Kevlar-8 battle suit. 'Don't know.

Don't like it though. Seemed to come from down there.'

The four mercenaries were in an open chamber that looked directly down over the Citadel, part of the curious curve that formed the right-hand side of Mount Megeshra. Although they didn't know it, this strange location had been one of Nic Reece's (the real Reece) plans for his tour of Peladon. To be within the same mountain but due to strange geological faults to be capable of overlooking the actual Citadel as well was, he had hoped, one of the newer wonders of the universe.

Many years ago, when Peladon had faced its last terror, the deranged miner Ettis had positioned stolen Federation technology in the cavern, a ma.s.sive sonic lance. He had aimed it at the Citadel, threatening to destroy it unless Queen Thalira handed rule over to him.

Due to sabotage the lance had self-destructed when he had tried to carry out his threat, destroying both Ettis and the weapon. Since then, the cavern had just been a place from which to look and admire Pel workmanship.

Until now.

Townsend pointed the Citadel out to Cooper.

It's a long drop in between,' she said.

He nodded. 'Don't go too near the edge, it looks a bit crumbly. Especially you, Sadler.' He looked back at the woman. I don't want you and the vacuum case going for a dive.'

Ignorant pup. Such a drop could not hurt me.

'Don't worry, I've no intention of going anywhere that suddenly,' she said.

Suddenly she staggered slightly and Lambert grasped her arm.