Prince Polonius thumped the arm of the heavy gold throne. "What do you mean we're being invaded? Why isn't the Federation sending aide?"
Alpha Centauri bowed again. "Sorry Polonius but ever since your ancestors declared independence the Federation has been under no obligation to protect this planet."
"I know, I know. We have no right to demand their assistance but I call upon you and the Federation to aide us."
"Very well, I shall intercede on your behalf."
"If the Federation has forgotten the people of Peladon remind them of our wealth. We can count on their greed."
"I am deeply hurt by that Prince Polonius."
"I'm sorry Alpha Centauri. You have been here since the beginning. You are more a part of this planet than I am in some ways."
"True, but I am still the Federations advisor."
"My friend you are my peoples greatest hope, please send the message." Polonius sat back down on his throne. He could feel the burden of responsibility on his shoulders. "Terrileptils? I thought they had been vanquished years ago."
Alpha Centauri shuffled back into the throne room. "I have sent the emergency message as you requested, I fear it is being jammed however."
"Then we are doomed, my people need a champion Centauri, they need a hero now more than ever." Polonius hung his head in thought. He looked up when he heard a strange sound and he saw a blue box materialise out of thin air.
Alpha Centauri almost fainted with shock. "It is the Doctor, the Doctor has returned." The excited alien started to wave all six arms about.


"I remember this place." The Doctor switched the wall-sized view-screen off. "It's Peladon, quite a while after my last visit. Hurry up you two, shake a leg." The Doctor pressed the button to open the inner doors.
Polonious and Alpha Centauri both gasped at the tall elegantly dressed blonde woman who emerged from the TARDIS.
The Doctor was dressed in a slightly crumpled green velvet trouser suit which sported a delicate purple orchid on one of the lapels. "Alpha Centauri? Is that really you? My you are looking well. It's been too long." She took its two upper hands in hers and she looked at them. "I came here as soon as I got your message."
"Doctor? You've changed your appearance again."
"Yes, several times since we last met. Oh let me introduce my two friends. The one trying on the helmet is called David and the girl sulking in the corner over there is called Claire. Come on over here Claire and say hello."
"Hi." Claire waved to the attractive and well muscled prince. "Excuse me I'll just stop my brother making a fool of himself anymore." She stalked over to her sibling and pulled the helmet off his head.
"I've informed the nearest Federation legion, they should be here in the next hour but until then we will just have to sit tight and wait. This palace is over two miles from the surface so they will have a long way to climb. The Federation troopers have transmat facilities so they should get here first in theory. There's just one problem, the Trisilicate. The Terrileptils could weaken the mines with explosives and bring the whole mountain down."
"What?" Polonius leapt to his feet.
Claire's heart leapt.
"I thought I should warn you in advance." The Doctor inspected a carefully manicured fingernail. "Maybe if some of your miners got down there and used that to your advantage?"
"You mean bring the roof down on them? That's awful, I can't allow that."
"I know it's not the best solution but it would buy your people some time. They know that capturing you alive is the easiest way to secure victory so they're coming here after you."
"Doctor, can't we hide him inside the TARDIS?" Claire smiled at the prince. He really had nice legs she thought.
"That's a good idea, once it's locked no-one can get in. We can wait for the Federation troops to arrive."
"I can't abandon my people Doctor."
"That's right, you can't abandon them. If you're captured then you really will be abandoning them."
Claire took hold of the prince's arm and tugged him gently in the direction of the TARDIS. "Come on, I promise I won't bite."

They watched the battle, it was short and bloody. The Terrileptils burst into an Ice Warrior and Draconian ambush; they had to turn away in the end.
"That was dreadful. I never suspected that people would want to do that to one another."
"I know Polonius, I know." The Doctor patted him on the shoulder gently. "Claire why don't you take Polonius outside now, his people will want to make sure he's alive."
"Sure thing Doctor. This way your highness." She held on to his arm as tightly as possible.
The Doctor turned to Centauri. "They will need help to repair the damage. I think they will rejoin the Federation but don't pressure them. They are a proud people, let them decide for themselves."
"I will Doctor, will you stay for the coronation? You missed Peladon's ceremony as I recall."
"Yes, why not? I haven't seen a good coronation since Romana and I saw William the Conqueror's."