"TerranceDicks-DrWho-DoctorWhoAndTheMonsterOfPeladon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dicks Terence)

Ortron turned to the Commander of the Queen's Guard. `You heard him! There are aliens in the tunnels, enemies of Peladon and the Federation. They must be found and destroyed.'
As the guards ran from the cavern, Eckersley said, `Everything is ready, Your Majesty. May we begin?'
Thalira inclined her head.
Eckersley said, `If you will kindly keep your eyes on that section of wall over there . . . ' He pointed to the rock face on which the sonic cannon was trained.
Vega Nexos bent over the controls, there was a hum of power, and a circular chunk of the rock face exploded into fragments, instantly creating a miniature cave.
`Direct access to the main seam in a matter of moments,' said Eckersley proudly. `Take weeks to do that by hand.'
A fierce light blazed from inside the newly created cave, and a shattering savage roar filled the cavern.
The Peladonians were transfixed with fear, but before anyone could stop him, Vega Nexos hurried forward to the gap. `Do not be afraid, it is only some trickery . . . '
As he reached the hole there was another terrifying roar and a beam of brilliant light shot out. His body glowed brightly and vanished.
`You see,' screamed Ettis. `It is the curse of Aggedor! Now do you believe?'
`Come, Your Majesty,' shouted Ortron. `You must leave this place at once.' He led the Queen away, and the others hurried after them.
The Doctor stopped at a tunnel junction and looked thoughtfully around him.
`Go on, admit it, Doctor,' said Sarah. `We're lost!'
`Well, a little mislaid possibly.'
`Why don't we go back to the TARDIS?'
'For two very good reasons, Sarah. Firstly I don't want to leave Peladon without seeing my old friend the King.'
`Name-dropper!'
`And secondly-we're lost!'
The Doctor led the grumbling Sarah along the tunnels. `Cheer up, Sarah, we're nearly there.'
`As far as I'm concerned a tunnel is a tunnel is a tunnel,' muttered Sarah.
They heard voices and the sound of marching feet. `That'll be the palace guard,' said the Doctor cheerfully. `We'll be all right now.'
A squad of savage-looking soldiers, armed with spears, swords and pikes, swung round a bend in the tunnel.
`Don't run,' said the Doctor. `As soon as I explain who I am . . .'
They heard the voice of the guard Captain. `There they are! Kill them!'
`I've changed my mind,' shouted the Doctor. `Run!'
The guards clattered after them as they fled down the tunnels. There were tunnel openings on all sides and the Doctor took first one and then another, apparently at random. His last choice seemed to be a bad one, since the tunnel ended in a blank wall, in which was set a single flaring torch.

They could hear the sound of the guards running up behind them. `We're trapped, Doctor,' gasped Sarah.
`Oh no we're not,' said the Doctor cheerfully. `I've been here before.' He reached up and twisted the torch-holder. It turned sideways, a section of wall slid back and they hurried through.
The door closed behind them and the pursuing guards turned the corner to find only a blank wall.
The Doctor and Sarah were in a dark and gloomy chamber, lit by flaring torches. The walls were decorated with rich tapestries, and at the far end was an altar, dominated by an immense stone statue, a bear-like beast with a single terrifying horn.
`There we are, Sarah,' said the Doctor. `The Temple of Aggedor in the very heart of the Citadel of Peladon.'
`Very impressive. What about those guards? I thought you said they knew you here?'
`Oh, just a little misunderstanding, I imagine we startled them. Take a look at old Aggedor, there he is - bless him!' The Doctor beamed affectionately at the terrifying statue.
Sarah came to join him. `Doesn't look very loveable to me.'
`Well, this is a symbolic Aggedor, the real animal is very different.' The Doctor stared up at the statue. `You know, when I first came here, Peladon was just on the point of joining the Galactic Federation. There was a good deal of trouble . . . '
`Not now, Doctor,' whispered Sarah suddenly.
The Doctor was hurt, `Well, of course, if you don't want to hear about it.'
`It isn't that, Doctor - but I think there's going to be some more trouble. Look!'
The Doctor turned.
Armed soldiers were filling the door to the temple.
As they were marched into the throne room the Doctor was saying cheerfully, `Don't worry, Sarah, as soon as we see King Peladon. . . '
He broke off in astonishment, at the sight of the slender young woman on the throne.

The bearded figure beside the throne stepped forward. `You stand accused of both sabotage and of sacrilege. Do you wish to confess, before you die?'
`No, we don't,' said Sarah spiritedly. `I don't know what you're talking about.'
`Silence, slave. I addressed your master.'
`He's not my master,' said Sarah indignantly.
Ortron ignored her, glaring at the Doctor from beneath bushy eyebrows. `Well, alien?'
The Doctor bowed low before the throne. `May I ask who I have the honour of addressing?'