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“You never learn, do you?” said the Doctor. “I’d have thought smuggling Ghareihi younglings onto this planet would have been a step too far, even for you!”
The Master only gave another cry and clutched at the wall. “Now is not the time for lectures, Doctor! Help me!”
“Oh, do stop play-acting, there’s a good chap. I’ve dealt with your allies. Now, show me where you’ve hidden the creatures. You can hardly want to be stuck with a lot of squawking green blobs who think you’re their parent! Even if you did, I couldn’t allow it. Goodness knows what you’d do to them.”
Jo slipped in behind him. “What a horrible idea! Poor little things.” Then she moved forward. “Doctor, I think he’s really in pain!”
“Keep back, Jo, he’s just crying wolf, as usual –”
The Master screamed and fell to the floor. His stomach bulged and rippled in a highly disturbing manner, and then a six-legged green blobby infant crawled out from under his black jacket.
“Good grief!” said the Doctor. “Your plan backfired, did it? Thought you could invite this criminal gang of Ghareihi to join you in a spot of smuggling – fund whatever other fiendish plot you’ve got going, eh? And then they turned on you. Well, I hope this will be a lesson to you!”
Jo crouched down beside the newborn Ghareihi, gathering it into her lap. “Yes, but, how exactly did this happen? I mean,” she added hastily, “it’s clearly not the usual way!”
“The Ghareihi quite often use other life forms as hosts. The younglings typically devour the unfortunate victim afterwards. I suppose this was either revenge or a distraction while they made their getaway. And serve you right!” he added, kneeling down beside the Master and Jo. He shook his head at them both. “Still, we can’t leave him like this. Jo, I wouldn’t hold that thing if I were you!”
“It’s cute,” she said. “Look at its tiny claws! And it doesn’t seem to be trying to eat me.”
The Doctor stroked his chin, surveying the Master closely, and giving a wince as the Master’s stomach rippled and he screeched again. “Hmm, well, I suppose we could find it a more ethical dietary alternative. It is only other hosts they tend to consume, not their own parents.”
Two more tiny green Ghareihi scuttled out from under the Master’s jacket and looked hopefully at the Doctor and Jo.
“They’re adorable,” said Jo. “And, I mean, you can’t hold children responsible for what their parents do, can you?”
The Master lifted his head. “Just get rid of the wretched things!”
“Not very paternal of you,” said the Doctor. “I don't see why I shouldn’t let them stay here and eat you. Who am I to overset the natural bond between unwitting guest host and parasitical infant?”
“Because,” the Master hissed, “if I don’t make it out of here alive, I won’t be able to deactivate the time bomb I left here as a little gift for you.”
“Charming,” said Jo. She hastily ushered the little green creatures further away from the Master. “I wish I knew where your ears were, because I should probably cover them. Don’t list to anything your nasty Daddy says. He’s just a horrible intergalactic criminal, and you can’t take it personally.”
The Master narrowed his gaze. “Thank you, Miss Grant.”
“All right,” said the Doctor. “Tell me where that bomb is and I’ll keep you and the creatures well apart – and get you medical aid if you need it.”
The Master held up a hand and then stiffened. “No – wait – Doctor – I think there’s one more!”
“Well, scream where the bomb is, then,” said the Doctor. “It’s not my fault if you don’t think things through.”
“Next time,” said the Master, through gritted teeth, “I am going to kill you, and it’s going to be every bit as painful as – aargh!”
“Yes, yes,” said the Doctor, unable to help enjoying this at least a little bit, “I’m sure it will, my dear chap. I’m sure it will.”