The top of Delani's head exploded, splattering over half of the wall behind him. There was a sickening scent of blood. His dead body collapsed into a dribbling heap.

'I'm sorry, Doctor, Sam,' Ayaka sighed, lowering her rifle. 'But you were right. He was no longer fit to be our commander.'

Chayn stared at the woman in shock. 'You killed him!' she exclaimed. She didn't dare look at the body again, afraid that this time she would faint.

'Of course I did!' Ayaka snarled. 'What did you expect? You didn't think I could just ask him politely not to have you murdered, did you? If I'd tried, he'd have killed me and then the three of you.'

The Doctor stepped forward, his eyes burning. 'There must have been another way,' he said gently.

'There wasn't, Doctor,' Ayaka said. She was still wet-eyed, but resolute. 'I knew Delani better than anyone. There was no other way.'

After a moment, the Doctor nodded slightly. 'Right, then, we'd better get to work.'

'No.' Ayaka held up the weapon again. 'Doctor, I would not obey his orders to kill the three of you, but my primary loyalty has not changed. Guards!'

The door opened, and the three guards on duty came in. They'd clearly been expecting to see a corpse on the floor, but none of them were prepared to see whose it was. Ayaka held out her rifle.

'I have killed our commander,' she said firmly. 'You must now arrest me and hold me for trial.'

One of the women looked at her in consternation. 'But... with Delani dead, you are now in charge,' she protested.

'No,' Ayaka said, forcing the woman to take her rifle. 'I cannot be. Dyoni must now take command of the mission. I will contact her and inform her of the situation.'

Sam could see that the troopers were having as hard a time understanding what was happening as she was. She'd hoped that Ayaka would understand that what Delani was doing was wrong, but she had never expected this to happen. Was his death in some part her fault? She had baited and prodded Ayaka into rebellion. Sam felt hollow inside, her emotions too tangled to sort out quite what she felt. Except distinct relief that she was still alive.

Ayaka triggered her transmitter, and contacted the main Thal ship. 'Ayaka to Dyoni.'

'Dyoni,' came the reply. 'What's your status?'

'Delani is dead,' Ayaka reported. 'I... killed him. I have ordered myself arrested, to be held for military tribunal. I formally pa.s.s command of this mission on to you.'

There was a stunned silence from the other end, and then Dyoni's startled voice, 'You did what?' Ayaka didn't bother replying, and Dyoni demanded, 'Why?'

'Because he wanted me to murder innocent hostages,' Ayaka replied simply. 'I could not obey the order.'

There was another pause, and then Dyoni's voice sounded harsher. 'Very well. You have made the correct decision. I am coming over to the ship. The mission will be completed.'

'No!' the Doctor exclaimed. 'You can't continue!'

But Ayaka had already cut the connection. She regarded the Doctor coolly. 'Personally, I believe you, Doctor. I feel that taking Davros back to our home world is madness. But it is what we were ordered to do, and we must obey those orders.'

The Doctor looked as if he were about to tear his hair out in frustration. 'I thought you were finally starting to understand!' he exclaimed. 'I had to provoke Delani so that you'd see how crazed he was. Why are you stopping with the job only half done?'

'Because I can bring myself to do no more,' Ayaka answered simply. There was another tear trickling down her cheek. 'I have killed my commander, and betrayed my people once. I cannot do it again. There is no use in asking more of me.' She began to unfasten her armour, and turned to the female trooper. 'I will surrender all of my equipment, and stay here for now with these aliens. When the time comes to return to the ship, I will accompany you.'

'Understood.'

Ayaka stripped off the armour, handing it over to the Thal. Sam couldn't help feeling another burst of envy when she saw Ayaka without the bulky clothing covering her. She was dressed in simple leggings that were held together all the way up the side of her legs by leather thongs. Above this, she wore a Y-shaped tunic, the upright up her spine, the two bars across her shoulders and down her front. These, too, were laced together with thongs. The clothing covered only what it had to, and showed that the rest of Ayaka's figure matched the perfection of her face.

Ayaka caught Sam's look and said, 'It is our traditional fighting costume, handed down from the time of our ancestors who first fought the Daleks.'

You wouldn't catch me dead in it, Sam thought to herself. Not that I've got the body to fill it out... She glanced at the Doctor, worried that he'd be staring at Miss Universe Whatever-Year-It-Was, but he didn't seem to be giving Ayaka a second glance. He was brooding deeply, obviously trying to figure out how to get to Davros again.

The three troopers now left and sealed the door again, leaving the captives all alone once more. Sam didn't know what to do, so she collapsed into the nearest chair, trying to sort out her thoughts. She wished that Delani's body had been removed, too. His eyes were staring wide open under the mess of blood and bone the blaster had left behind.

The communications officer, Faylen, crossed from the frightened group of the crew to stand in front of Chayn. 'Both Balatan and Loran are dead,' she said simply, her face pale. 'We don't know who that leaves in charge.'

Chayn made an obvious attempt to bring her mind back from wherever she'd been thinking. 'Oh. Well, I guess it might as well be you as anyone,' she said. 'It really doesn't make much difference, does it, right now? When the Thals leave, if we're still alive, then we can worry about it.'

'Maybe,' Faylen agreed uncomfortably. It looked like she'd been hoping Chayn would volunteer for the job. 'But there's something odd happening.'

Chayn gave a very bitter laugh. 'We're occupied by Thals, the captain and his son are dead, there's a resurrected monster in our hold and you say there's something odd happening?' Faylen flushed, and Chayn was immediately contrite. 'I'm sorry, that was cruel of me. It's just that my nerves are so tight... What is it that's odd?'

'Take a look.' Faylen held out her palm comp. 'I tried to get an outside signal, figuring maybe I could call for help.' She snorted. 'Who, don't ask me. But I had to try something. Anyway, when I patched into the communications system, I found that.'

'What?' asked the Doctor, suddenly springing to life. He put a hand gently on Chayn's shoulder and stared down at the palm comp in her hand.

'A signal,' Faylen answered. 'Someone's already managed to set up a distress call. It must have been Loran, before they killed him. So maybe there's a chance of a rescue.'

'I don't think so,' Chayn replied. 'How would Loran have sent a signal? He's... was... hopeless with anything mechanical.' She bit back her emotions. 'It couldn't have been him.'

'Can you tell where it's being sent from?' the Doctor asked, flashing Faylen a high-wattage smile.

She almost simpered, and Sam rolled her eyes. 'Storage bay eight,' she said.

The Doctor's face clouded. 'And Davros is in storage bay eight,' he said grimly. 'Somehow, I can't see this being coincidental. Do you know when it began?'

Faylen shrugged. 'If I were at my station, I'd be able to tell you to the second. Here... Well, within the last couple of hours, I'd say.' She looked worried. 'You don't think that's a call for help, then?'

'Oh, yes,' the Doctor replied. 'But good help is hard to find.' He turned around. 'Ayaka.' When the Thal didn't move, he went over to her and placed a hand gently under her chin, lifting her face to look up at him. 'Ayaka, this is very important. Where are we?'

She blinked, and focused in on his face. 'On this junk ship,' she answered.

'No, no, no,' he said impatiently. 'What area of s.p.a.ce? Who controls it?'

'No one, at present,' she replied. 'It's on the border between our s.p.a.ce and Dalek s.p.a.ce.'

'Dalek s.p.a.ce...' he breathed, thinking furiously. Then he let her go. 'Ayaka, you've got to contact Dyoni immediately. We're in very grave danger.'

'What are you talking about?' she asked, confused.

'That signal.' The Doctor gestured to Chayn's palm comp. 'It began when Davros was resuscitated. It can only be heading in one direction.'

Ayaka went pale. 'The Daleks.'

'Right.' The Doctor was very disturbed now. 'And it can't be Davros's doing. He knows his forces were wiped out when I destroyed Skaro. That means it must be the Imperial Daleks. They must have found his pod and planted a signalling device on it. But why didn't they simply take him with them?' He looked confused.

'Doctor,' Ayaka said, troubled. 'About Skaro '

'There's no time for that now,' he told her. 'Get Dyoni moving. I'm certain that the Daleks are already moving in on us.'

Sam could see how worried he was, and how unsure. Clearly the Daleks were up to something, and, equally clearly, he couldn't figure it out. But Sam knew the source of his urgency. If he was correct in his beliefs, then the Daleks could be here at any moment. And, from all she'd been told about the Daleks, that would sign everyone's death warrants.

Dyoni strode into cargo bay eight keeping her emotions in tight check. How could Ayaka of all people have behaved so insanely, killing their commander and endangering their mission? It was almost unthinkable. Ayaka had been her best friend and confidante for two years. She thought they had no secrets from each other. And now this! It made no sense.

'Cathbad,' she snapped, as she walked across to him. 'I don't care if Davros is powered up fully or not. Transfer him over to your ship and prepare to get under way. I want to see the back of this garbage scow as soon as possible.' She glared at the creature who had created the Daleks without disguising the hatred and contempt she felt for him. 'There's no need to be gentle with him.' She added, thoughtfully, 'The Doctor is aboard, and I understand his vessel is in cargo bay twelve. Have that removed to your ship also.'

'Understood,' Cathbad agreed. He hesitated for a moment. 'And the crew of this ship?'

'They're immaterial,' Dyoni answered. 'I'll have them freed when we leave. They can get on with their miserable little lives like before.'

He looked relieved at this. Dyoni briefly wondered why, and then dismissed the thought. It didn't matter.

There was a signal from her ship, which she answered as she began moving again, heading this time for the room where Ayaka was being held prisoner. She'd have to transfer her friend back to a holding cell on her own ship until a tribunal could be convened. If Ayaka had done what she claimed, however, there was little doubt in Dyoni's mind that she would be swiftly executed. She felt a pang at the thought. But what else had Ayaka expected?

The call was from her communications officer. 'We're picking up a signal,' she reported. 'Another ship is approaching.'

'One of ours?' Dyoni demanded.

'We're not getting a recognition code,' the officer replied. He paused. 'It is possible that it's another neutral vessel, like the one you're on...'

'But we'd be fools to a.s.sume it,' Dyoni finished for him. 'Very well. Go to full alert, and prime all weapons. a.s.sume it's a Dalek ship unless it manages to identify itself first.'

'Understood.'

d.a.m.n. Dyoni paused for a second, and then hit her communicator again. 'Dyoni to all occupying forces. Return to your vessels and prepare for combat.' She didn't wait for acknowledgement, but finished the trip to the makeshift prison on the run.

Dyoni burst into the room, glancing around, taking in the crew, and then the smaller group with Ayaka. They had to be the Doctor, Sam, and the female engineer that Delani had been having trouble with. 'All right, listen to me, everyone.' All attention was hers in a moment. 'The Daleks are heading this way, and I don't need to tell you what that means if they get here and find an unarmed vessel. I'm setting you all free so that you can at least try to make a run for it.' She gestured with her rifle at the Doctor, Ayaka, Sam, and Chayn. 'Not you four. You're coming with me. Any argument, and you die here and now.'

'Dyoni, listen to me,' the Doctor began. Dyoni pointed her rifle at him and held the trigger.

'Is that an argument?' she asked, softly and dangerously.

He saw the determination in her eyes and shook his head. 'No.'

'Good.' She glanced at the crew. 'If you value your lives, move.' They didn't need any further urging. Like frightened animals, they streamed past her. Then she gestured with her rifle. 'Come on.'

They moved quickly through the ship to the airlock where Cathbad's ship was docked. Since none of them were wearing armour, they couldn't get across to her ship. Instead, she greeted the troopers at the airlock.

'Transfer these four to a holding cell,' she ordered. 'Once we've dealt with the Daleks, I'll let you know what to do with them. As soon as they're aboard, cast off and prepare for engagement. I'm returning to my own ship.'

'Understood.' They took command of the prisoners, and closed the airlock door.

Dyoni sealed her armour. As soon as the ship pulled away, she started her flight pack, and returned to her own vessel.

Battle was about to be joined.

The whine of the signal for battle stations was in her ears as she raced for the bridge. She split her armour open as she ran, but there was no time to remove it now. She entered the bridge at a run, and flopped into the command chair. 'Status!' she demanded.

Ioki turned from her station at communications to face her new commander. The bridge was circular, with all stations laid out in a two-thirds of circle about her, so that she could have immediate access to any of them. 'We're at full alert and ready,' she reported. 'We can have drive whenever you command it.'

'Good. Stand by for manuvres.' Dyoni lit up her own console, which was tied in to all of the rest. She could call up any information she might need here. She wanted to know where the Dalek ship was coming from. Should she fight? It was tempting, but she had their prize on Cathbad's ship to think about. It was more important to get Davros to the home world than to kill a few more Daleks. Regretfully, she ordered Navigation, 'Prepare a course to take us home, and have our sister ship lock trajectories with us.'

Preparations were begun. Dyoni knew that they had time. The Dalek ship was at extreme range, and couldn't be upon them in less than half a unit. Plenty of time for them to retreat, no matter how bitter the decision tasted. As soon as Navigation reported the course laid in, Dyoni ordered the drive started.

Two seconds later, Ioki called out, 'I'm picking up multiple contacts.'

'Multiple?' Dyoni sat straight in her chair, and called up the screen on her panel. Ioki was correct. There were at least five more ships closing in on them from the direction of home. Reinforcements? If so, why hadn't they contacted her?

No, there was only one possible answer. It was a Dalek trap, and it was closing in neatly about them. They had known she would order a retreat, and had been waiting for it. They must have been arranging all of this while the Thals were occupied on the Quetzel Quetzel. Five more ships... they were outnumbered three to one. Now what?

She wished Delani were here to take charge. Or even Ayaka. She had more confidence in their abilities to plan than in her own. But she was all they had now. 'All hands to battle positions,' she announced. 'We fight.'

Ioki looked startled, and stared at her. 'I'm getting a signal... from the Dalek vessel behind us.'

'A signal?' This made no sense. The Daleks never talked. They simply killed. 'What do they want? Relay it to me.'

The speaker in her console lit up, and the familiar, hated Dalek tones grated forth. It said only one word, but it was one word she never expected to hear from a Dalek.

'Surrender!'

Dyoni stared at her console, and then at Ioki. This was totally unprecedented. In generations of warfare, the Daleks had never before demanded surrender. They simply annihilated all opposition or died trying.

What was going on?

What was going on? Sam wished she knew. It was bad enough being a prisoner of the Thals without knowing that they were going up against the Daleks. 'This is what you call a lose-lose situation, isn't it?' she asked the Doctor. 'Whether the Thals or the Daleks win, we've still had it.'

They were in a small Thal holding cell. Since joining the Doctor, Sam had become quite familiar with the interior of almost all kinds of jails. As far as they went, this wasn't bad. It was intended for only one person, so it was rather small. Apparently there weren't too many criminals or prisoners on Thal ships. There was a small bed, on which Ayaka and Sam were currently sitting. There was a small unit that was clearly a toilet, and a small washbasin. Nothing else at all, except the locked door out of there.

'I think that sums it up,' the Doctor agreed, and then smiled. 'Of course, that's without taking into account that we're four very resourceful people in here.' He glanced at Ayaka, who seemed sunk in depression. 'Well, three at least. And that we pa.s.sed the TARDIS, which is now stored just inside this ship. All we have to do is to get out of this cell and we've as good as escaped.'

Trust the Doctor to look on the bright side of things. But at least his optimism gave Sam hope. Maybe they would make it out of this alive, after all. 'So, can we get out of here?' she asked.

He grinned and held up a familiar device. 'Sonic screwdriver,' he announced. 'Now, all I have to do is work on the lock, and...' He bent to do precisely that when the door slid open, catching him by surprise.

It caught the Thal guard by surprise, too. His rifle was up, though, and he stuck it under the Doctor's nose. 'I'll take that,' he said. Meekly, the Doctor handed him the device, which the guard slipped into a tunic pocket. He was dressed in the same style of thonged leggings and Y-shaped tunic as Ayaka, and was holding out a communicator. 'Ayaka,' he said. 'Cathbad wishes to speak to you.'