Free Doctor Who: The Sensorites by Nigel Robinson Page B

the
Administrator, silently cursing the Second Elder. 'They are
Earth-creatures and therefore dangerous to us.'
    'No. They are
civilised beings. They are talking to the First Elder in a most
friendly fashion. The First Elder has already agreed to cure the man
known as John. We need not fear them.'
    'The trust we give
to each other we cannot give to the Earth-creatures,' protested the
Administrator. 'They are aliens: they threaten our entire way of
life.'
    The Second Elder
ignored him and demanded the Firing Key of the Disintegrator. He held
out his hand to the Engineer who had remained in shaken silence
throughout. Such was the authority in the Second Elder's voice and
bearing that the Engineer could not refuse.
    'I will place this
in the safekeeping of the Chief of Warriors,' the Second Elder said
as he took the Key.
    Clutching the
Firing Key in his hand he turned to go; but before he left the room
he addressed the Administrator. 'I am doubtful about you,' he said.
'Do not let my doubts become a reality.'
    As the door closed
behind him, the Administrator turned furiously to his accomplice. The
Second Elder's humiliation of him in front of his servant would not
go unavenged.
    'We are being bound
hand and foot and given to these Earth-creatures,' he said. There was
no mistaking the hate in his voice. 'Our leaders have grown weak.'
    'I will follow
you,' volunteered the Engineer. 'I do not trust these creatures
either.'
    'I am grateful for
your loyalty,' said the Administrator sincerely. 'The First and
Second Elders have let themselves be deceived. If they do not change
their attitudes they may have to give way to another Sensorite of
stronger thought.' It was obvious who he thought that Sensorite
should be.
    The Engineer
pressed his fist to his chest in an oath of allegiance. 'Command me,'
he said.
    'Have patience,'
the Administrator advised him. 'The time for action will not be far
away . . .'
    The First Elder had
greeted the Doctor's party with great cordiality and, as the Second
Elder had revealed, had readily agreed to the Doctor's request that
John be treated by the Sensorite scientists. However, declared the
Doctor, that did not alter the fact that the Sensorites were
responsible for his condition in the first place.
    Before explaining
his actions the First Elder urged them all to sit down and called for
refreshments. As if from nowhere, Sensorite servants appeared,
bringing with them plates piled with exotic fruits. Ian noted with
some astonishment that the plates were made of solid gold.
    Satisfied that his
guests were well provided for, the First Elder began his story: 'John
was like the other humans who came here ten years ago. When he
discovered that our planet was rich in molybdenum his mind just
opened up to us. We were able to see the pictures in his mind: he
dreamt of a fleet of spaceships coming to mine our metal and
transport it back to Earth. It would have been the end of our way of
life. We had no alternative but to imprison him and his friends in
orbit above the Sense-Sphere.'
    'That's still no
reason for driving him out of his mind,' Ian insisted as he
munched thoughtfully on a peach-like fruit.
    The Sensorite
raised a hand in protest. 'That was . . . unfortunate. It happened
because his excitement opened up his mind. The others fell into a
deep sleep, as we planned, but he heard the full power of our voices
in his brain. His mind had no reserve, no defence . . . We had no
wish to harm anyone at all: that is not our way. Please believe me.'
    As the Doctor, Ian
and Susan realised that they might have misjudged the Sensorites
after all, another servant entered the room. He carried on a tray
goblets of sparkling water. Ian looked wonderingly at the drinking
vessels: they looked suspiciously as if they were fashioned from pure
platinum.
    As the Doctor
raised a goblet to his lips, the First Elder stopped him and angrily
rose from his seat and turned to his servant. 'Why do you insult our
guests?' he demanded.