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.Those monsters drank his blood.''Why?' whispered Veros.`Why?''For a warning, I suppose, and to frighten the others.Maybe they suspect me, because I talked to the strangers.' Ivo laughed bitterly.'Don't let it worry you, Kalmar, you're safe enough, aren't you? Technological rats, living safely in your little hole.''I'm sorry; Ivo,' said Kalmar slowly.'We're all sorry, you must know that.'Ivo said gruffly.'I didn't come to tell you about Karl.I've discovered something important - one of the guards had too much wine.There's something happening at the Tower tonight, some kind of ceremony to make the power of the Lords greater than ever.They'll all be busy.Whatever's going on, we've got to stop it.I'm going to attack - tonight.I've got quite a few supporters in the Village now, and they're almost as angry as I am about Karl's death.I shall wait until tonight, gather all my people and attack the Tower.'Kalmar was horrified.'Ivo, it's too soon.''No, Kalmar it's too late.Too late for Karl, and probably for me as well, but I can wait no longer.We attack tonight.Are you with me?'Kalmar was silent.Ivo looked round the room.'I see.Well, it's what I expected.You and the rest of your heroes can watch us die on the scanner, Kalmar.But remember this - very soon, when they've finished with us, they'll be coming for you!'Tarak led the Doctor and Romana unerringly along through the Tower.Avoiding the main corridors and using sub-corridors and access tunnels, be brought them at last to the still-unguarded door by which he had entered.The Doctor paused in the doorway.Briefly he told Tarak of their discoveries.'Now, listen, Tarak, we've got to go back to our ship for some vital information.Something I hope will help us to defeat the Lords.I want you to go to Kalmar.Tell him to prepare a full-scale attack, but not to move before I join you.''Very well, Doctor, I'll try.And you needn't worry about old Kalmar acting too quickly.The problem will be to get him to attack at all.''Well, do your best.Come along, Romana.'Romana did not move.'Doctor, we've forgotten something.''What?''Adric.He's still a prisoner here.We've got to rescue him.''Romana, if that thing down there is what I think it is, and if it escapes into our universe, billions of lives will be lost.I can't endanger all those lives for the sake of just one stowaway.'"I'm afraid I can't think in billions,' said Romana.'I can only think of Adric - alone and a prisoner in this Tower.You go to the TARDIS, I'll join you as soon as I can.''But I can't leave you here alone,' insisted the Doctor.'She won't be alone, Doctor,' said Tarak.'I'll stay here with her.''But I've no right to ask that of you.''You're not asking, are you? Now, you go and do whatever you have to, and Romana and I will find the boy.'The Doctor still hesitated.'Are you sure?''I've already rescued two prisoners, what's one more? On your way, Doctor, we'll see you at the TARDIS or at Kalmar's HQ.'The Doctor nodded.'Goodbye Tarak.Thank you.Goodbye Romana.' He slipped out into the night.Romana turned to Tarak.'Where do we start?''Well, if he's a prisoner, he'll be where you were, somewhere in the detention area.''I don't think he is a prisoner, not exactly, or if he is, he's a very privileged one.They said something about him being chosen to become one of them.'Tarak frowned.'There's a place they call the Inner Sanctum.No one is ever allowed there but the Three, and it's always guarded.''Right,' said Romana firmly.'Inner Sanctum, please!'They turned and began their journey, back into the heart of the Tower.The VampiresThe Doctor flattened himself against a tree trunk, as a bat fluttered through the leaves above him.But it went on its way without showing any particular interest in him, and when it did not swoop down to attack, or return with hordes of its fellows, the Doctor moved on, reassured.Maybe without the telepathic mind of Aukon to control them, the vampire bats of this planet were like the vampire bats of Earth, timid nocturnal creatures, a danger only to the sleeping cattle in the fields.And Aukon, the Doctor hoped, was convinced that he was still a prisoner, and with any luck was preoccupied with his unholy ceremony [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]