Search and Deceit

Author’s Notes: Peter Ling wrote The Mind Robber, the episode of Doctor Who referenced herein.
The character of the tall mandarin was created by Brian Hayles.

Candle light illuminated three figures as they picked themselves up off of the cold, stone floor. They regarded one another and began to peer cautiously along the arched passages branching away from them.

“Where are we?” a young man wearing an open jacket over a black turtleneck tucked into a kilt asked.

“How did we get . . . wherever we are?” a pretty, dark-haired girl wearing a silver catsuit asked.

“Jamie and Zoe, I need both of you to listen to me very carefully,” a short, dark-haired man said seriously, regarding the boy and the girl respectively.

“Yes, your Majesty,” the pair said simultaneously, studying his deeply-lined face.

The man who had assumed the identity of Gotham City’s supercriminal, the Clock King, continued. “We’ve been brought to a world ruled by someone I’ve dealt with before. I’m afraid we have no choice but to play a little game he’s prepared for . . . well . . . the two of you really. I’m only allowed to advise.”

“So, what’s this game then?” the boy asked.

“You have to find the TARDIS,” Clock King explained. “To reach it, you must first locate the center of this labyrinth.”

“Wouldn’t we be looking for the ship even without playing this game?” Zoe asked.

“Eventually, I’m sure we would,” Clock King agreed. Then, he brightened. “Of course, playing the game, you know where to look.”

“Wait a minute,” Jamie suspiciously said. “We arrived here in the TARDIS, didn’t we?”

“Of course we did,” Clock King answered tartly. “The TARDIS can take us anywhere in time and space.”

“Right,” Jamie said. “If we arrived in the TARDIS, how did we get outside the ship and how come we have to look for it? Shouldn’t we know where it is?”

“Our . . . um . . . game master . . . is the absolute ruler of his domain, and there are rules, Jamie. You should get started before . . . something . . . in this labyrinth . . . finds you!”

“So, while we hunt for the TARDIS, we ourselves are being hunted?” Jamie asked.

“Correct,” Clock King said. “Now, come along.”

“Do either of you have any string?” Zoe asked.

Both men glanced at her. Since they, as well as her, were under the influence of the Metamorphosis Formula (which turned them evil) they could not help being momentarily entranced by the way candlelight glittered on her garment as it clung closely against her, displaying all her physical assets, while keeping them completely covered.

“I think I might,” Clock King said, digging into one pocket of the shabby coat he wore over a collared shirt and his baggy, plaid trousers. “Yes. Here we are. I thought I had some.” He chuckled gleefully and handed the girl a ball of string.

“Right, Jamie,” she said, turning her prize over to the boy. “Tie the end of the string to that door behind you and unwind the ball as we move through the maze. We’ll be able to follow it back in case we take a wrong turn.”

“Aye,” Jamie agreed, obeying. “Good idea." He paused as the knot tightened. “Hey! Won’t whatever is hunting us be able to find us by following this string?”

“Maybe,” Zoe thoughtfully said. “I’d feel better if we avoided getting lost despite that risk. Besides, if we stay ahead of the hunter, it won’t pose a problem.”

“Aye,” Jamie agreed, nodding.

“Come along, both of you,” Clock King gently urged. “We’d better get going.”

The trio moved carefully along the passages, backtracking occasionally, but less frequently as their journey proceeded. Presently, Jamie reached out and touched the man ahead of him on the shoulder. “I’ve run out of string.”

Clock King frowned, but Zoe glanced over her shoulder smiling. “It’s all right. I’ve worked out the pattern.”

“What pattern?” the men asked in unison.

“It all fell into place after we avoided the first few dead ends,” she explained. “One left, two rights, three lefts, four rights. It’s a simple arithmetical progression.”

“Yes,” Clock King agreed. “It’s wonderful to have an arithmetical brain. Negotiating the labyrinth was your first challenge and you’ve met it admirably. I wonder what you’ll face next.”

“You said we were being hunted,” Jamie reminded him.

“Yes, I did. We are not alone in this labyrinth. I sincerely hope our luck holds. Come along and follow Zoe.”

The girl eventually led them from the maze to a sunlit, tree-lined glade above which the mesa containing the labyrinth towered.

“Is this the heart of the labyrinth?” Jamie asked.

“It must be!” Zoe insisted. “I don’t see the TARDIS, though.”

“Neither do I, Zoe,” Clock King said. “Nevertheless, the ship could easily be here anyway. Our host can be tricky.”

“How do you hide a tall, blue box with a light on top in a natural setting like this?” Jamie demanded.

“You forgot to mention the words ‘Police Box’ being written above the doors and the inside being larger than the outside,” Clock King reminded him. “Although the size of the interior would not be apparent, even if we could see the ship.”

“If the TARDIS is here, it must be invisible,” Zoe decided aloud. “We’ll have to search for it carefully and avoid walking into it.”

She began to move forward, feeling around with outstretched hands. Her companions did likewise.

The trio had not yet found their time/space craft when a loud voice obliterated the serenity of the glade. “Halt, trespassers!”

Clock King, Jamie, and Zoe whirled to spot a huge, man wearing a shirt simulating a muscular, bare chest; a smooth, black cowl which matched his cape; and boots in addition to his pants.

“It’s the Mighty Karkus!” Zoe exclaimed.

“Who?” Jamie demanded.

“He’s a comic strip protagonist from the year 2000,” Zoe explained.

“What’s he doing here?”

“I have no idea,” Zoe answered. “He’s fictitious. He shouldn’t be anywhere!”

“I say, old fellow,” Clock King began, “as long as you’re here, have you seen my ship? It’s very distinctive—”

The Karkus pulled a futuristic looking gun and aimed it at the trio. “Silence!” he loudly commanded. “You are all my prisoners! Raise your hands at once!”

“Now see here!” Clock King cried. “You’re behaving in a very heavy-handed manner for a comic strip—”

The Karkus shot the Clock King without another word.

The supercriminal vanished.

Jamie and Zoe glanced at one another before raising their hands.

“You have been charged with criminal trespassing and will now face your trial. The method of trial shall be combat. You, boy, shall stand as champion. Is it agreed?”

“Aye, laddie,” Jamie said.

“Wait a minute!” Zoe protested. “Jamie, you don’t seriously expect to be able to take him with just your dirk! He has an antimolecular ray disintegrator gun! Fight him without weapons.”

“Aye, Zoe,” the Scottish lad agreed. “Good thinking.” He looked up at the muscular figure. “I’ll throw away the dirk and you get rid of your gun before we fight. Right?”

“Agreed,” the Karkus bellowed, tossing his gun up on top of the mesa where it was far out of all of their reach. The big man motioned for the boy to approach.

Jamie tossed aside his dirk, clenched his fists, and began moving forward in a fighting crouch. “Come on! I’m going to beat you for what you did to Clock King!” He got close and sent both fists into the big man’s gut and was surprised when the back of the futuristic superhero’s hand slammed into his chest and knocked him to the ground.

With a fierce roar, the man leaped forward and would have landed on the boy, had Jamie not rolled aside. Jamie whipped a leg at the back of the man’s knees and grimaced as the force of the blow made his leg go almost numb. Despite the lack of feeling in his limb, Jamie returned to his feet.

The Karkus attacked immediately.

Jamie dodged and ducked beneath a blow to drive a shoulder into his opponent. The man did not move.

Two enormous hands clapped against Jamie’s back and strong fingers curled around his shoulders. The big man lifted the boy above his head and turned Jamie over so he faced the sky.

Zoe stood transfixed with horror as Jamie’s opponent spun him around and around, using only his hands and arms. The lad suddenly flew away from his opponent and landed heavily in the grass.

Both Zoe and the Karkus stared at Jamie as he remained utterly still.

“You have been found guilty in trial by combat.”

Zoe turned her head and regarded the Karkus with narrowed eyes.

“I object!” she protested. “The fight was utterly unfair. You have superhuman strength. Jamie never really stood a chance!”

“I admire ze boy’s spirit. You had no alternative.”

“Oh really?”

“Of course.”

“Well,” Zoe said. “I could fight you! After all, I’m not interested in being found guilty in this farce and someone needs to avenge what you did to Clock King.”

The Karkus laughed. “Fighting a woman is unprecedented!”

“You’re wise to say so,” Zoe said, “because you’d inevitably lose!”

The Karkus stared at her incredulously for a beat. “Never!–”

“You’re afraid,” Zoe accused, approaching him and smiling. “Aren’t you?”

The Karkus blinked. “I fear nothing!”

“Then fight me!” Zoe said, beginning to circle behind him. She pulled at his cape and balanced herself as he turned around, tearing it from her hands and tossing it carelessly aside.

“You should not have done that, girl!” the enraged Karkus declared. “I will tear you limb from limb!” He charged at her with upraised arms and fell to the ground as Zoe darted to one side and cut his legs from beneath him.

“It seems you’re as much of a farce as this trial,” the girl chided. “Those impressive chest muscles I see are just painted on your shirt. Does your Mommy dress you, by the way? Never mind. If there were anything real underneath your shirt—”

“Zoe!” Jamie cried. “Be careful! Did no one tell you never to tug on a superhero’s cape?”

The Karkus stood and shook his head, turning to face Zoe once again. He slowly raised his arms, crouched, and motioned for Zoe to approach.

“Your defeat will involve pain you cannot imagine!” the Karkus threatened.

She smiled and took a step toward him before darting to her left. The Karkus lunged to his right and the girl spun, ducking under his outstretched arm while dropping to one knee. She pulled on the man’s arm and rose slightly, flinging him to the ground. “Have you had enough?” she sweetly asked.

The big man got to his feet and reached for Zoe, who had moved back beyond his grasp and pivoted to face him. “You will not defeat me, girl!” the Karkus told her, rushing forward and leaping at her.

She sidestepped and spun toward him to push him forward as he tried to regain his balance. The Karkus failed and fell to the ground once again.

“Zoe,” Jamie happily cried. “You’re doing it!”

“For the moment,” she grimly muttered.

Both combatants glanced at Jamie as the big man regained his feet. They turned toward one another and the Karkus flung himself at Zoe once again.

She ducked beneath another blow and spun to push him sideways. He fell near Jamie who leapt at the fallen, masked man, who swept the Scots boy aside.

“Jamie!” Zoe cried.

“I’m all right,” he called after a moment. “Get him!”

Zoe’s face hardened and she marched warily toward where the beguilingly bare-chested behemoth had reached his knees. “Get up!” Zoe ordered.

As he did so, the Karkus threatened, “I will tear you both into minced meat with my bare hands!” stretching one arm out sideways and lifting the other above his head.

“In my experience,” Zoe declared, “you’re more talk than anything else!” She lunged at him with her arms outstretched. “You promised me unimaginable pain. You try demoralizing humiliation!”

“Impossible!” Karkus replied loudly.

Seconds later, Zoe’s opponent was spinning head over heels in midair. He landed hard on the ground once again. The girl was waiting when he reached his feet again. “We can stop whenever you’d like,” she offered tauntingly.

“Never!” the Karkus shouted. He reached for her once again, but grasped only empty air as she nimbly leaped back.

Zoe smiled and grasped the man’s outstretched wrist. She moved forward, pulling his arm to twist his wrist behind his back. Her stratagem went awry as a meaty hand closed around hers. The Karkus spun, releasing her. She flew backwards as the masked giant regained his feet and threw his head back, laughing.

Jamie rolled away from the big man’s foot as he stomped at his male opponent and lunged at Zoe with widely spread, outstretched arms.

Zoe stood her ground, waiting as he lowered his head.

The charging giant gained speed and momentum as he approached.

“Zoe!” Jamie cried.

“Using your head for a change I see,” Zoe taunted. The onrushing Karkus was nearly upon her when Zoe swung her leg, launching a straight-legged kick with all the power she could muster.

Zoe’s attacker seemed to sink lower as his charge continued unchecked. She dropped to the ground and rolled toward him, feeling her legs impact his below the knees. The behemoth’s startled cry was cut short when his face hit the ground.

The girl in the glittering garb sprang to her feet and ran to where the fallen figure was slowly rising. She got behind him and crouched, wrapping an arm around his neck.

“Submit!” Zoe commanded. “Our trial is over, and we are innocent!”

“Never!” her opponent responded. “I defeated ze boy, your champion. Fighting women is unseemly.”

“I’ll break your neck if you don’t submit!” Zoe threatened.

“Women—”

“I’m beginning to find your sexist attitude tedious!”

“I’ll spare your lives,” the defeated behemoth offered.

“To twist off your head,” Zoe whispered, “all I have to do is pivot!” She turned her shoulders slightly, applying pressure to the man’s throat. “Your Mommy will miss you when you’re dead!”

“Very well!” the Karkus loudly agreed. “I submit! I am your slave.”

“Splendid,” Zoe said, releasing him and straightening as her arms fell to her sides. She exhaled gratefully. “What happened to Clock King when you shot him?”

“He was taken to his place.”

“I don’t understand,” Zoe replied, folding her arms.

“He was taken to his place,” the Karkus repeated.

Jamie found his dirk and put it away before approaching to join the conversation. “Hey,” he said. “There is only one thing here that belongs to the Clock King.”

“The TARDIS!” Zoe exclaimed, beaming at Jamie. She turned to the other man. “Is Jamie right?”

“I do not know,” the Karkus replied.

“Can you take us to the Clock King’s place?”

“Of course,” her slave replied.

“Do so at once,” Zoe commanded. The man nodded and turned. “Oh, put on your cape first.” Her guide paused. “I do not approve of your Mommy’s dress sense.”

“Mistress?” Karkus hesitantly asked. Zoe waved him away dismissively.

“I remember him now!” Jamie exclaimed. “We met him before, when we met Gulliver and the Princess Rapunzel in the Land of Fiction.”

“That’s right,” Zoe agreed. “I rather like having a superhero as a slave.”

“Zoe,” Jamie said.

She was smiling as she turned to regard him.

“You were amazing.”

“You weren’t so bad yourself,” the evilly-influenced Zoe said, “and you’ve earned a reward.” She reached to draw his mouth to hers.

When their kiss broke a long moment later, Jamie said, “You give me a kiss when I lose a fight miserably. I’m not complaining, but what will you do to me if I win?”

“You’ll have to thoroughly thrash some poor sod for me to find out,” Zoe said, grinning. “Come on. The Karkus is getting away!”

“Aye,” the lad agreed as he appreciatively watched his companion begin following the Karkus and hurried after them.

“Jamie and Zoe are playing the game well, my friend.”

“So far so good,” the Clock King softly muttered. Then, he addressed his companion sharply. “You told me I would be able to advise them!”

“You did,” the tall man dressed as a mandarin answered. “They know your TARDIS is missing and that they must find it. I did not say you would be allowed to advise them indefinitely.”

“No,” Clock King said, folding his hands resignedly. “I don’t suppose you did.”

“Come, Doctor, you cannot advise your companions on the rules when you don’t know them yourself.”

“I know you’re a terrible loser and that defeat, in the end, means nothing to you!”

“This is true. It will always be true, Doctor.”

“I’m calling myself Clock King now!” the little supervillain haughtily announced.

“Since you were exposed to that human professor’s formula,” Clock King’s companion said. “Names mean so little to us, Doc—Clock King.”

“You’re well-informed, but you may be right. Perhaps . . . .”

“Maybe you would like to play a game with me while we wait for your companions to find the TARDIS.”

Clock King glanced sharply at him and spoke slowly as he replied, “I might agree to play, if we agreed their game was nothing but a game and they would go free afterward.”

“You know I take no prisoners, Clock King.”

“Yes, not even when you are defeated.”

“Only one being has defeated me completely, or as completely as it is possible to defeat me.”

Clock King bowed. “Yes, you must want to play me again very badly.”

“It’s so rare to encounter a really worthy opponent.”

“You don’t ‘encounter’ anyone!” Clock King exclaimed. He began to speak progressively more quickly and loudly as he continued. “You lure your opponents to your world and compel them to play! If Jamie and Zoe had not been taken from the TARDIS–”

“With one exception!” the tall mandarin calmly said, gesturing.

Clock King smiled. “What about my terms?”

“You suggest your companions must go free, following their game–”

“Whether they win or lose!”

“May I choose where to release them?” the tall mandarin asked.

“I suppose,” Clock King suspiciously said, “as long as they have a reasonable chance to live their lives!”

“Of course they would.”

“You’re a notoriously bad loser!”

“I give you my word, Clock King,” the tall mandarin said, “provided you agree to a rematch.”

Clock King bowed his head. “Very well,” he softly said. “I will play you again.”

“That is splendid, my dear old friend. You are a marvelous sport.”

“Why don’t we see how Jamie and Zoe do, before we begin?”

“As you wish, Clock King,” the mandarin agreed. “I doubt they’ll fare so well against their next challenge, despite Zoe’s new slave.”

Meanwhile, Jamie and Zoe were following the Karkus thorough a white void. “How does he know where we’re going?” Jamie complained.

“I really don’t know,” Zoe admitted. “I do know I won’t be able to retrace our steps if we lose him.”

“What would be the point?” Jamie asked, frowning.

Before Zoe could think of a response, the sound of energy weapons’ discharges preceded a startled, anguished bellow. Jamie and Zoe stared at the Karkus as he vanished in a burst of light. Both remained transfixed as a squad of white robots emerged from the void. Their weapons cooling, they approached the youngsters.

Zoe screamed and Jamie gripped her shoulder, fiercely spinning her around. “Come on! Run!” he shouted, running and almost dragging her behind him.

Their progress was checked as more white robots appeared in their path.

“This way!” Zoe said, moving to one side until still more white robots appeared in their path. Turning around again, they both raised their hands when they realized they were surrounded.

The white robots continued moving toward them.

“Hey!” Jamie cried. “We surrender!”

The white robots ignored him, continuing their inexorable approach.

“Jamie!”

“Hold this,” the boy said, slipping off his jacket.

“What are you doing?” Zoe demanded, handing the jacket back. “We’re faster than they are.”

“Aye,” Jamie agreed, “but they’ll just shoot us down.”

“Some of them will be in the others’ way for a few moments,” Zoe disagreed.

"I might be able to prevent one from seeing us,” Jamie proposed, spreading his jacket between his hands.

“Oh, never mind,” Zoe said, indicating the white robot ahead of both of them. “Let’s just go around that one and run. Come on!”

Jamie slipped his jacket back on as they separated and darted around the white robot Zoe had indicated, plunging forward as the white robots began to slowly pursue.

Elsewhere, Clock King laughed as he watched his companions flee on the monitor ahead of them. “If your white robots had been sent to shoot them, they’d be dead already,” he said.

“Your companions have no idea where they are going and what awaits them,” the tall mandarin calmly answered.

“I wonder,” the Clock King thoughtfully said. He brightened and went on, “Regardless, I think their tactics provide your players with some interesting surprises . . . assuming you’re orchestrating the obstacles Jamie and Zoe are facing.”

“Oh, I am, Clock King.”

‘Good,’ Clock King thought. ‘I thought as much.’

The tall mandarin continued, “I think it’s time Jamie and Zoe become acquainted with the rules to this game they’re playing.”

“What do you mean?” Clock King suspiciously asked.

“You’ll see, my friend,” the tall mandarin replied. “You’ll see. Remember my power!”

“I do,” he murmured. His mind went on working madly as his memories and observations slowly fit together. ‘I think I’m beginning to understand completely,’ he thought.

Clock King followed his companion’s gesture to where Jamie and Zoe could be seen on a monitor running at top speed.

“You’d think we’d have lost them!” Zoe complained, bending and resting her hands on her knees.

“Keep running!” Jamie urged, panting. “The white robots are right behind us!” He glanced over his shoulder.

“We’ve seen them before!” Zoe exclaimed. “You remember?”

“Aye,” Jamie agreed. “They chased us at about the time we met the Karkus the first time.”

“Jamie! Look out!” Zoe shouted.

The lad spun around and slid to a halt. He stared at the white surface standing in his path. Black symbols covered the impediment. The girl was in front of him and to his left. Another white surface with additional symbols blocked them further to her left, and a vertical gap bisected both surfaces between the girl and the second surface. “Zoe, would you look at the size of that . . . book?”

“I am looking at it,” she said, examining the page she was facing. “The characters appear to be Arabic, but in what language is it written?”

“Oh, who cares?” Jamie cried, glancing away from the enormous, incomprehensible page facing them to the approaching, white robots. “They want us here in the book. Come on! Let’s get out of here!”

The white robots, however, were much too close, and both Jamie and Zoe vainly tried escaping by pressing themselves against the page ahead of them. Jamie covered Zoe’s body with his, attempting to protect her from a threat he did not fully understand.

Clock King’s eyes widened as he stared at his companions on the screen in front of him as their fate unfolded. “You’ve thrown the book at them I see!” he said.

“Now, Jamie and Zoe will become intimately familiar with the rules,” the tall mandarin predicted.

Both men watched on the monitor as the book into which the youngsters had been herded began to close on them.

“What’s happening to them?”

“They’ll return to the TARDIS, in accordance with our agreement,” the tall mandarin explained. “Of course, you could always let them stay with me.”

“I think not!” the Clock King snapped. “Would you let me speak to them and reassure them before we get started?”

“Of course,” the mandarin replied kindly, gesturing.

“What happened?” Zoe asked, as her eyes fluttered open.

“I don’t know,” Jamie replied, slipping his arms through the sleeves of a white, collared shirt, “but look where we are.” Both took a moment to stare at the circles on he walls of the large, bright room in which they stood. Joyfully, they stared at the hexagonal console opposite a pair of double doors.

“We’re in the TARDIS!” Zoe exclaimed. “Is Clock King here?”

The double doors opened to admit the Time Lord. The trio greeted each other warmly and Clock King approached the console. He began to speak softly and quickly.

“Listen to me, both of you. We’re not out of the proverbial woods yet.”

“Why not?” Jamie protested, reaching for the jacket he had set aside earlier. “We found the TARDIS!”

“We are standing in it,” Zoe pointed out.

“Yes,” Clock King said. He began to move rapidly around the console and manipulate switches, push buttons, and note the readings on gauges. “We’re here as the result of a bargain I made with an old acquaintance. He is powerful enough to have brought us here and he will be very reluctant to let us go, when the moment comes.”

“You said this acquaintance was in charge of the game we were playing,” Jamie said.

“Will we be forced to stay with our host?” Zoe asked.

“I hope not, Zoe,” Clock King answered.

“Can whoever is in charge make us stay here?” Jamie asked.

“Yes, Jamie,” Clock King admitted. “I’m afraid so.”

“How is that possible?” Zoe asked.

“Do you know from where your adventures looking for the TARDIS came?” Clock King asked.

“We met the Karkus again and more of those white robots we faced in the Land of Fiction,” Jamie said.

“Yes. Both the Karkus and the white robots come from your past. My old opponent found them in your minds. As long as he remains focused, he can do as he pleases. Zoe, stand by to dematerialize. We have a chance if I can distract or confuse him–”

“Clock King,” the tall mandarin said, as his face, unbidden, appeared on the scanner screen. “Have you said goodbye to your companions?”

“Our reunion is complete,” Clock King declared. The trio looked up at the scanner, regarding their host.

“Then, it is time for you to come and play our next game.”

“You and I have just finished playing a game,” the Clock King said.

“You lost,” the tall mandarin sternly replied. “Our bargain is all that prevents you all from paying my price right now!”

“I disagree!” the Clock King said loudly.

“You . . . what?”

“You told me I would be allowed to advise my companions. Instead, I was removed from play! Thus, I changed strategies and negotiated a means for my companions to find the TARDIS in a way you did not anticipate!”

“You can’t be serious!”

“I’ve never been more serious!” Clock King replied.

The tall mandarin on the scanner screen frowned.

“Close the doors, Jamie,” Clock King quickly said. The double doors began to close.

“We made a bargain, Clock King!” the tall mandarin declared.

“I will honor our bargain, but not until you’ve finished sulking and build yourself a new world!”

“I shouldn’t have to build a world after winning!”

“You lost!” Clock King replied, smiling. “Jamie and Zoe found the TARDIS!”

“No!” the horrified man on scanner replied. “My world . . . it’s vanishing! You . . . you tricked me!”

“Zoe, quickly, throw the master switch!” Clock King hurriedly commanded.

The wheezing, groaning noise the TARDIS made as it operated slowly began. Simultaneously, the center of the console began to spin as it slowly rose and fell. The noise grew stronger as the miraculous craft faded into the time/space vortex.

“We got away!” Zoe said, throwing her arms around Clock King.

“Possibly,” the Time Lord said, frowning. “I should check!”

“Hey!” Jamie said pointing. “That chap is still on the scanner.”

“That’s impossible,” Zoe objected, releasing the royal rogue.

“No!” Clock King said. “Jamie is right. I’ll have to execute some evasive maneuvers and weaken his grip on us!” He darted to another side of the console.

“I’m tired of all of your nonsense, Doctor!” the tall mandarin said.

“I told you, I’m the Clock King,” the Time Lord snapped.

“You know what a bad looser I am. It’s time to take off the gloves,” the man on the scanner screen said. “Goodbye.”

“What did he mean by that?” Jamie worriedly asked.

“I don’t know,” Zoe said, trepidation evident in her voice, “but I don’t like the way he said it at all!”

“Neither do I!” the Clock King agreed. He was moving rapidly, manipulating controls and concentrating. “The TARDIS is the only real thing anywhere near us. My acquaintance is immortal though and should not--No! That’s impossible, even for him!”

“What is that chap doing?” Jamie demanded, tossing his jacket onto the console and removing his shirt, which he draped over the scanner in a vain attempt to rid them of their powerful enemy.

“Quiet!” Clock King commanded. “He must have focused on us to the exclusion on everything else. That means he is obsessed with revenge! Oh my Gideon!”

The wheezing groaning noise began to grow erratic as gaps began to appear in the TARDIS walls.

“What’s happening?” Zoe tersely asked.

“He’s trying to destroy the TARDIS!” Jamie cried, slipping on his jacket once again.

Jamie and Zoe clung to one another and felt the console begin to fall as the walls, ceiling, and floor of the room separated.

“Jump on!” Clock King cried. “Whatever happens, don’t let go!”

“Where are we going?” Zoe asked, as she and Jamie released one another and obeyed.

“I set the coordinates for the Earth in twenty-first century Gotham City,” Clock King said, “but, under the circumstances, I don’t know! With luck, we’ll materialize. Otherwise . . . . ”

With a startled cry, he was torn away from the switch to which he was clinging.

“Clock King!” Jamie cried as Zoe screamed. The TARDIS console continued spinning and falling.

“Hold on, both of you!” the Time Lord called. “Don’t let go, whatever happens!” His voice trailed away.

Jamie and Zoe clung desperately to the spinning TARDIS console as it whirled through the space/time continuum.

Back to the Batgirl Bat-Trap Homepage!