Doctor Who: The Masque of the Mandragora by Philip Hinchcliffe
Authors: Philip Hinchcliffe
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snarled Federico and motioned his guards to keep a firm grip on the Doctor’s arms. Then, suddenly throwing back his hood he ran towards the altar and pointed an accusing finger.
‘Hieronymous! You traitor!’
The masked figure whirled round. Federico signalled to his men to seize the astrologer. The guards started to obey then stopped in their tracks. They seemed frozen with fear, transfixed by the devilish staring mask.
‘Hieronymous!’
Federico rushed forward, screaming with fury. An inner demon drove him on to seek vengeance on his old astrologer. He leapt up the altar steps and tore the golden mask from Hieronymous’s face. Instantly he fell back in horror. There was no face behind the mask! No flesh, no bone, nothing. Nothing but a blinding searing light framed by the edges of the black hood. It was clear there was nothing beneath the cloak, no person at all, just a power source in the shape of a man.
The ‘Shape’ raised its arm and pointed a gloved finger at Federico. The Count cringed in terror. The Doctor looked on in horrified fascination, unable to intervene. The gloved finger levelled at Federico’s heart and daggers of blue light spurted from the tip striking him instantly. Federico gave a hideous shriek and exploded into a mass of flames. His guards ran to his aid but they too were instantly devoured by a burst from Hieronymous’s outstretched arm.
The Doctor turned pale as he gazed at the charred and smoking pile which an instant before had been Count Federico. The effects of Mandragora Energy were more lethal than a laser beam, more powerful than nuclear fission. And in this temple a multitude were already armed with the same weapon. Unless he could escape, Earth was doomed. Had his alien presence yet been detected by the intelligences of Mandragora? As if in reply the gloved finger of Hieronymous swung sharply round and pointed ominously in the Doctor’s direction.
10
Siege
For a moment the Doctor felt his heart stop beating. Time stood still and it seemed to him as if the sum total of his existence lay naked and defenceless before that threatening accusing finger. He closed his eyes and waited.
‘So shall perish all our earthly enemies.’
The voice of Hieronymous echoed exultantly round the cavernous chamber. The Doctor opened one eye. The masked figure had lowered its arm and now addressed the enraptured brethren.
‘Surround me with the Helix of power, brothers, and none can overcome us.’ Hieronymous lowered his head reverentially and sank into a kneeling position. The Doctor stood in a daze of relief as the brothers nearest to him jostled and pressed their way towards the base of the altar.
There they formed a circle and began a low chant while Hieronymous continued to address them with messianic fervour.
‘All has happened as was foretold down the centuries. The waiting, the prayers, the sacrifices. Now, at last, the Empire of Mandragora will encompass the Earth. For Demnos is only the servant of Mandragora and Mandragora is the mighty master of all things.’
The Doctor looked cautiously about him. Everyone seemed preoccupied, So, bowing his head and mumbling furtively he took his chance and backed away towards the nearest exit. Luckily it was the one through which Federico’s men had gained admittance. He knew he could remember the way out.
‘Let the power flood into you, brothers. Tonight we shall witness the last prophesy.’
The Doctor reached the shadows. Hieronymous raised his voice. ‘As it is written, Mandragora shall swallow the moon. Then shall we strike!’
The masked figure leapt to his feet and made a sweeping gesture with his fist.
The Doctor raised an eyebrow, interested. Battle plans? Of a sort, yes, but puzzling. Now was not the time to work them out.
Swiftly and stealthily he left the sacrificial chamber and retraced his steps towards the
‘Hieronymous! You traitor!’
The masked figure whirled round. Federico signalled to his men to seize the astrologer. The guards started to obey then stopped in their tracks. They seemed frozen with fear, transfixed by the devilish staring mask.
‘Hieronymous!’
Federico rushed forward, screaming with fury. An inner demon drove him on to seek vengeance on his old astrologer. He leapt up the altar steps and tore the golden mask from Hieronymous’s face. Instantly he fell back in horror. There was no face behind the mask! No flesh, no bone, nothing. Nothing but a blinding searing light framed by the edges of the black hood. It was clear there was nothing beneath the cloak, no person at all, just a power source in the shape of a man.
The ‘Shape’ raised its arm and pointed a gloved finger at Federico. The Count cringed in terror. The Doctor looked on in horrified fascination, unable to intervene. The gloved finger levelled at Federico’s heart and daggers of blue light spurted from the tip striking him instantly. Federico gave a hideous shriek and exploded into a mass of flames. His guards ran to his aid but they too were instantly devoured by a burst from Hieronymous’s outstretched arm.
The Doctor turned pale as he gazed at the charred and smoking pile which an instant before had been Count Federico. The effects of Mandragora Energy were more lethal than a laser beam, more powerful than nuclear fission. And in this temple a multitude were already armed with the same weapon. Unless he could escape, Earth was doomed. Had his alien presence yet been detected by the intelligences of Mandragora? As if in reply the gloved finger of Hieronymous swung sharply round and pointed ominously in the Doctor’s direction.
10
Siege
For a moment the Doctor felt his heart stop beating. Time stood still and it seemed to him as if the sum total of his existence lay naked and defenceless before that threatening accusing finger. He closed his eyes and waited.
‘So shall perish all our earthly enemies.’
The voice of Hieronymous echoed exultantly round the cavernous chamber. The Doctor opened one eye. The masked figure had lowered its arm and now addressed the enraptured brethren.
‘Surround me with the Helix of power, brothers, and none can overcome us.’ Hieronymous lowered his head reverentially and sank into a kneeling position. The Doctor stood in a daze of relief as the brothers nearest to him jostled and pressed their way towards the base of the altar.
There they formed a circle and began a low chant while Hieronymous continued to address them with messianic fervour.
‘All has happened as was foretold down the centuries. The waiting, the prayers, the sacrifices. Now, at last, the Empire of Mandragora will encompass the Earth. For Demnos is only the servant of Mandragora and Mandragora is the mighty master of all things.’
The Doctor looked cautiously about him. Everyone seemed preoccupied, So, bowing his head and mumbling furtively he took his chance and backed away towards the nearest exit. Luckily it was the one through which Federico’s men had gained admittance. He knew he could remember the way out.
‘Let the power flood into you, brothers. Tonight we shall witness the last prophesy.’
The Doctor reached the shadows. Hieronymous raised his voice. ‘As it is written, Mandragora shall swallow the moon. Then shall we strike!’
The masked figure leapt to his feet and made a sweeping gesture with his fist.
The Doctor raised an eyebrow, interested. Battle plans? Of a sort, yes, but puzzling. Now was not the time to work them out.
Swiftly and stealthily he left the sacrificial chamber and retraced his steps towards the
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