7.
Man Overboard!
"Man overboard!" the Doctor"s cry was taken up by the lookout on the fo"c"s"le-head, and there was shouting as several sailors came scrambling up from below. Jackson was the first through the hatch. "Who is it?" he yelled.
"Where?" Tegan pointed, mutely. A small figure was floating gently in s.p.a.ce behind them, and getting smaller every minute as the ship moved away at speed. "It"s Turlough!" the Doctor was unfastening one of the lifebelts as he spoke. In a few seconds he and Jackson had torn it loose and hurled it over the side. Tegan grabbed Marriner"s arm and almost shook him.
"Don"t just stand there!" she shouted. "Do something!
Stop the ship! Turn back!"
"It would be ridiculous to risk losing the race for an Ephemeral," came the calm reasonable reply. Tegan could hardly believe her ears. "You can"t just leave him!" she gasped. "He"ll die out there." Marriner patted her hand. "It will be over for him quickly," he said, soothingly, "His oxygen supply is very small."
Tegan flung away from him in disgust and hurried to join the others at the rail. They were all staring after the lifebelt as it floated towards Turlough, the line it was attached to snaking out behind. Turlough stretched his arms towards it, and they held their breaths. Then, as it was almost within his grasp, it reached the extent of its line and stopped. Turlough clutched frantically, but ship, line and lifebelt moved relentlessly on, leaving him behind in their wake. Tegan buried her face in her hands, she could hardly bear to watch. A ragged cheer from some of the sailors made her raise her head.
"Look!" Jackson shouted, triumphantly. "The Buccaneer Buccaneer!
She"s putting her sails back!"
The Doctor made a dive for the telescope, and swung it frantically towards the ship astern. Marriner simply stared in disbelief. "She can"t be!" he said in a surprised voice.
"She is!" came from the Doctor at the telescope. "She"s heaving to!"
To Turlough, drifting hopelessly, the great hull looming over him seemed like a cliff face. From somewhere above, a net floated down and enveloped him. He was already finding it difficult to breathe, and as he felt himself being swung up and saw the side of the ship flashing past him, he lost consciousness.
"He"s safe!" the Doctor said, and turning away from the telescope, he hurried towards the hatch. "Where are you going?" Tegan demanded. But the Doctor was already out of sight. "To talk to Striker," his voice floated back up the ladder. "We must get to that ship."
Tegan turned to look at the Buccaneer Buccaneer, and caught sight of Marriner"s puzzled expression. "Surprising of Captain Wrack," he commented mildly.
"Surprising?" Tegan blazed at him. "To save someone"s life?"
"To turn aside from the race," he answered.
"At least Turlough"s safe," she said triumphantly. But Marriner did not seem to share her relief.
"Is he?" he answered in a detached voice. "Your friend might be better dead than with the captain of that ship."
Turlough was only vaguely aware of lying on a deck and of faces peering at him. He heard strange voices, but faint and far away through the roaring in his ears. It was all like a nightmare: and when he surfaced and his senses returned to him, it was to find himself being dragged along a companionway by two seamen. They were a ruffianly-looking pair, one with a long scar up his arm, the other with gold earrings and broken teeth, and they did not handle him gently. His knees were sc.r.a.ped and bruised before he managed to find his own feet. It was not until then that he took in the man walking ahead of them. He was obviously an officer of some sort, his brocaded coat flashed with gold thread, but it appeared to have belonged once to someone else, for it fitted him poorly. His broad shoulders were nearly bursting the seams. He walked with the lithe power of a black athlete, and even as Turlough noticed the burnished ebony skin and the panther-like tread, the man flung open a door ahead of them. The room into which he was dragged was very different from Striker"s. He caught a glimpse of Persian rugs and a negro statue holding a great candelabra, and then he was thrown to the floor. The officer gave him a shove with his boot.
"Crawl!" he said. "Lick the Captain"s boots." The booted feet were just ahead of him. He raised his eyes to see velvet breeches, a wide sash with a dagger stuck in it, and then, as he came to the face, he got the surprise of his life. Captain Wrack was a woman. She was also beautiful, with white skin and auburn curls, and a smile. "Just what I"ve been waiting for," she said lazily. From an ivory-inlaid table next to her, she picked up a cutla.s.s, unsheathed, with a jewelled hilt. Still smiling, she tested the blade, and then raised it above her head as though to decapitate him. Turlough closed his eyes. He heard it swishing through the air an inch from his ear, but when he looked again, she was smiling even more charmingly. "The balance is perfect,"
she said. Then, as if losing interest in him, she turned to the officer. "Mansell " there was sudden authority in her voice, and the man stepped forward smartly. "For Captain Davey," she continued, handing him the cutla.s.s ceremonially. "With my compliments." And as he took the weapon, she added, "A handsome gift, don"t you think?"
"A staggering jewel for a rival," Mansell answered. He smiled rather strangely, Turlough thought: and then he saw the man"s eyes fixed on one of the gems in the hilt, a huge star sapphire.
"May it have as great an impact as my present to the Greek," the Captain replied, and again the same strange smile pa.s.sed between her and her officer. Then she was once more brusque and businesslike, "Deliver it," she ordered, "And these." She picked up several ornate-looking letters from the table and handed them over. "The invitation for Captain Striker first."
Both of them turned and looked at Turlough. "Striker is bound to accept," Wrack went on. She nodded briefly and Turlough found his arms seized by the two sailors, while the Captain walked over and stood in front of him. "He can"t refuse," she went on. "Not when we have live bait.
Wriggling on the hook" and she smiled into Turlough"s face.
Tegan was leaning over the ship, looking towards the Buccaneer Buccaneer. She had caught sight of a flurry of activity on the deck, and was concentrating hard, trying to make out what. was going on there, when she was startled by a voice directly behind her.
"Your friend is safe." It was Marriner speaking. "We have received a message. I thought you would like to know."
"Thank you," Tegan said, as politely as she could. But there was something about the First Mate that she found unnerving, and she was just about to move away when he stepped in front of her.
"I hope you will forgive me for saying so," he remarked, "but I have never experienced a mind such as yours before."
"Really?" Tegan said vaguely, wondering how she could dodge round him. "Where"s the Doctor? I must go to him."
Marriner went on as though she had not spoken. "I find your mind a fascinating place to be. So full of riches. Of life." Tegan closed her eyes firmly.
"What are you doing?" there was dismay in his voice now. "You"ve killed your thoughts! You"re hiding them from me!" But it was impossible to keep her mind a blank for long, and she opened her eyes despairingly, to see Marriner gazing into her face with even greater interest.
"I"d no idea Ephemerals were so entertaining," he said.
"Perhaps that"s why Wrack stopped to pick up your friend."
Tegan turned her back on him. As she did, she saw that she had been right about the activity on the deck of the distant galleon. A launch from the Buccaneer Buccaneer was heading straight towards them. was heading straight towards them.
The Doctor was having little success. All his efforts to persuade the Captain to collect Turlough had so far failed.
Striker was adamant. In fact, he had turned the tables and was asking questions himself, wanting to know why Turlough had jumped. "I"ve no idea," the Doctor answered.
"But we must get him back." Striker simply turned away. "It was an impulse , that"s all," the Doctor went on, trying to think up some excuse. "You know how impulsive the young are. No, I don"t suppose you do." He broke off; a ridiculous thought running through his head. "Can Eternals have an age?" he was wondering to himself, when Marriner came in, an open letter in his hand and Tegan behind him. "There is to be a reception aboard the Buccaneer Buccaneer," he announced. "We have received an invitation from Captain Wrack. Delivered by hand." Mansell stepped into the room, with a brief bow. "By hand? I am overwhelmed." Striker was sardonic. "You will of course decline," Marriner said. "Naturally," and the Captain dismissed their visitor with a gesture. But before Mansell could withdraw, the Doctor had stepped forward.
"If you would allow us to go, we could collect Turlough,"
he said, reasonably. Tegan was much more impa.s.sioned.
"Please let us! Please can"t we?" she implored.
Striker seemed bored as he gave his consent, the First Mate impa.s.sive. But when Mansell had left and the four of them were alone again, save for the helmsman, Marriner turned to Tegan "I will escort you," he said. "With the Captain"s permission."
"I thought you didn"t want to go," Tegan retorted. For a second there was something almost like concern in the Eternal"s eyes.
"I think you might need me," he replied. "Captain Wrack has strange ideas of entertainment."
Turlough was chained to the wall, trying not to give too much away, as Wrack paced round the wheel-house cross-examining him. She was obviously enjoying herself.
"Have you ever seen a man flogged to death?" She stopped just in front of Turlough to ask the question. "Or keelhauled? Very painful. Ephemerals have such inventive ways of inflicting pain." Her voice dwelt lovingly on the last word, and then she became businesslike again. "Now tell me what you wanted aboard my ship."
"Why ask?" Turlough said stubbornly. "I thought you could read minds."
"Yours is such a devious one, it"s fascinating." She looked into his eyes. "I should like to peel it away, layer by layer until there was nothing left," she added with relish.
Turlough was extremely frightened. He was not quite the coward that he always claimed to be, but he was terrified of pain, and the creature pacing round him was clearly a s.a.d.i.s.t. "Perhaps your intention was sabotage?" she cooed again. He shook his head. "So why did did you come to me?" Turlough suddenly had a bright idea. "Because you"re going to win the race," he gabbled. He had obviously said the right thing. Wrack stopped her pacing and looked at him approvingly. "Am I?" she sounded pleased. "What makes you so sure?" you come to me?" Turlough suddenly had a bright idea. "Because you"re going to win the race," he gabbled. He had obviously said the right thing. Wrack stopped her pacing and looked at him approvingly. "Am I?" she sounded pleased. "What makes you so sure?"
"Oh what other people have said about you." Turlough invented desperately.
"That I was ruthless perhaps?" She sounded as though she liked the idea, so Turlough agreed. "Yes yes, that"s right." Then he decided to embroider a little. "I"m the same," he said bravely. "And I"m very determined just the same as you. I like to win."
"You please me," Wrack said, slowly and reflectively.
Turlough pressed his advantage. "I also want to learn the secret of your power," he went on glibly. The minute the words were out of his mouth, he realised that he had said the wrong thing. Wrack"s eyes were like steel. "Power?" she asked in a cold voice. "To win, to control, to read minds "
Turlough babbled frantically. And somehow everything was all right again. Wrack smiled. "Then don"t resist," she said in a honeyed voice. "Open your mind. Show faith." She stroked his chains and they glimmered to nothing under her hand. "Thank you," Turlough said, in a small voice. He had pins and needles from the uncomfortable position he had been kept in, and he was trying, un.o.btrusively, to stretch and flex his cramped muscles, when Mansell spoke from the doorway. "Captain." The parchment he handed to Wrack clearly contained good news, for she smiled at Turlough with positive delight.
"Your friends have accepted my invitation. They"re concerned about you. Isn"t that sweet? I look forward to meeting them," she said, and there was relish in her voice.
8.
The Buccaneer.
The Doctor knocked impatiently on Tegan"s door. "Hurry up!" he said, for about the fifth time. "I"m being as quick as I can!" a m.u.f.fled protest came from the cabin. The Doctor sighed and raised his voice even louder. "The launch will be alongside in a moment." And then there was a click of the k.n.o.b, the door opened, and Tegan came out.
But it was a transformed Tegan who stood there. The pearly satin of the Edwardian ball gown made her skin seem more l.u.s.trous than ever; the low-cut bodice revealed elegant sloping shoulders, and a diamond tiara sparkled in her hair. He nodded approval, but before he could say anything there was a juddering under their feet and the whole floor started to vibrate. A jarring impact made Tegan clutch for the door, and the ship seemed to shudder convulsively. "We"ve been hit!" the Doctor said. "You mean we"re under fire?" Tegan gasped. The next minute Marriner hurried round the corner. "Quick! Follow me!" he called out. Something rocked the ship main, so hard that all three nearly lost their footing. "The wheel-house!"
Marriner yelled, disappearing from view. And the Doctor grabbed Tegan"s hand and pulled her along after him.
"Point-and-a-half to starboard..." They could hear Striker shouting directions to the helmsman even before they reached the door. "Topgallant"s gone, sir!" came from Marriner. And then Striker"s voice again. "Take in more sail!" As they rushed in, Marriner was bawling down the speaking-tube, "Take in more sail! Batten down the hatches!" Then they caught sight of the port ahead and stopped dead in their tracks. They were in the middle of an asteroid storm. The view through the screen was terrifying: showers of rocks were hurtling towards them at breath-taking speed. A fusillade of small asteroids could be heard hitting the hull of the ship, and every so often there was a thud and a jar as a larger fragment caught them.
"They must know how to avoid a collision!" said Tegan, appalled at the thought of what would happen if a really ma.s.sive asteroid hit. "They must must with all their technology!" with all their technology!"
"They may choose not to use it," the Doctor replied. "It might be against the rules of the race."
Tegan looked at him in blank horror. "We could be splintered to matchwood!"
"I don"t think that worries them," the Doctor answered.
He was looking at Marriner, and as her eyes followed his, she saw that the First Mate was thoroughly enjoying himself. On Striker"s face there was a look of ecstasy as he gazed into the teeth of the storm.
At the wheel of the Buccaneer Buccaneer, Wrack was alight with the same excitement and pleasure. Turlough, standing at her side, found her enjoyment of the danger quite incomprehensible.
"Captain " Mansell"s urgent voice sounded from the doorway, "Davey"s ship is gaining on us."
"Good!" Wrack exclaimed, to Turlough"s surprise. "Take the wheel." And as the officer jumped to obey she went on, "We"ll wait till she"s alongside. Be ready to move away from her fast when I activate." Then she was striding from the room. "Come with me," she shouted over her shoulder to Turlough.
"Where are we going?" he asked nervously, trotting at her heels down the corridor.
"You wanted to learn the secret of my power," she said.
"Now is your chance." And as they reached a companion-ladder, she swung lightly down, deeper still into the bowels of the ship.
It was distinctly uncomfortable in Striker"s wheel-house, and Tegan clutched the Doctor"s arm as the ship was jolted about more and more violently.
"What speed are we doing?" she whispered in his ear.
"I don"t know," the Doctor replied, grimly, "But it"s increasing."
And then Marriner"s excited voice broke in, "Davey"s moving up on the Buccaneer Buccaneer."
All eyes swung to the scanner screen, as a ma.s.sive nineteenth-century clipper sailed into view, clearly gaining on Wrack"s much smaller ship ahead.
Turlough half-scrambled, half-fell down yet another ladder. This must be about as far down they could get, he imagined, and looking round, he saw that Wrack had at last stopped. She was standing in front of a heavy door with a "Danger" sign over it, operating the opening mechanism. Beside the door was a control panel, marked "Vacuum Shield", and he just had time to notice that she had set the Force Field gauge to "full", when the door swung open. She paused for a second on the threshold, and Turlough joined her, panting slightly. "What is this place?"
he asked. She turned to him, her face alive and spiteful.
"Would you like to know?" she asked, and in one swift movement, stepped through and slammed the door in his face. He could hear her laughing on the other side, and then silence.
Everyone in the wheel-house was crowded round the scanner screen, except for Striker himself.
"Davey"s taking the wind out of her sails," Marriner shouted back to him.
The asteroid storm had almost died, and they could see clearly. Out in deep s.p.a.ce, the clipper was edging ahead of Wrack"s ship.
"What"s going to happen?" Tegan said quietly to the Doctor.
His face looked grim. "I fear disaster," he replied.
Turlough"s ear was pressed to the "Danger" door, but he had difficulty making out what was going on beyond. He thought he could hear Wrack"s voice, in s.n.a.t.c.hes, and then someone else spoke. It was a man. The deep reverberating tones were unmistakable. For a moment of horror, Turlough thought that he recognised them, and then he was flung back against the wall as a distant explosion rocked the ship. It was still being buffeted about, and Turlough was only just recovering himself, when the door opened and Wrack came out. "What have you done?" he asked, with sick presentiment. Wrack finished securing the door. "Improved my chances of winning," she said coolly, and walked away with barely a glance at him.
Striker and the Doctor were at the wheel together, wrestling to keep the ship on even keel, for the explosion had shaken the yacht too. The others gazed at the scanner screen in fascinated horror. The clipper was burning in front of their eyes. Another ma.s.sive explosion, and she disintegrated, leaving only flames behind. Marriner was the first to recover.
"Davey"s gone," he called to the Captain, in a matter-of-fact voice. "An asteroid. Looked like a direct hit." Then catching sight of Tegan"s appalled expression, he added rather lamely, "Accidents will happen."
"Especially to anyone who challenges Captain Wrack and the Buccaneer Buccaneer!" The Doctor"s voice made him swing round. "What do you mean?" he asked, sharply. The Doctor sauntered over to him. "Have you forgotten the Greek who challenged Wrack"s ship?" he asked the First Mate. "I wonder if the same thing will happen to us." Marriner seemed interested, but before he could reply, a whistle from the speaking tube sent him hurrying to answer it.
When he looked up a second later, it was to address his Captain.
"The launch is waiting, sir," he said impa.s.sively.