Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor - 14 - Vanderdeken

Home > Other > Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor - 14 - Vanderdeken > Page 23
Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor - 14 - Vanderdeken Page 23

by Christopher Bulis (pdf)


  have been a self-propelled energy cannon, though it was now reduced to a twisted pile of wreckage. It was impossible to tell who had been attacking or defendingtheasteroidbase.

  'This did not happen recently,'Vega said.'But many years ago there was

  certainlyabattlehere.Ourinstrumentsarepickingupradiationtraces.

  Possiblyweaponresidue.'

  'We can't afford the time to examine them properly,' the Doctor said.'Let's keepgoing.'

  The tunnel ran on before them as they glided cautiously forward. Side

  passages opened off it but all seemed quite empty. Occasional blast marks scarredthewalls,buttherewerenosignsofghostsortheircaptives.

  Bendixcalculatedtheyhadtravelledaboutfourkilometreswhentheycame

  to a pair of doors.The outer had been twisted and buckled while the inner was intact but standing open. Bendix took them carefully through. A rock ledge under them faded away into the darkness on either side.The Doctor stared throughtheforwardportintently.

  'There'ssomethinghere,'hesaid.'Turnofftheexternallightsandletyoureyes

  adjust.'

  They did so. Slowly, like a moonlit landscape growing into being, their surroundingsbecamevisible.Itwasanothercavernslightlysmallerthantheone

  thathousedthealienship.Butunliketheroughwallsoftheformer,thesewere

  sculptedintosweepingglassedterraces,pickedouthereandtherebythefeeble

  glimmerofemergencylights.Betweenthemwereprojectingdockingboomsand

  transfer tubes and the dark mouths of hangars and launchways. It was

  unmistakablyacommercialstarport.

  Orwhathadoncebeenastarport.

  The glass on the terraces was shattered, docking booms were bent and

  twisted, wreckage littered the lowest levels. It had not been spared by the conflict that had apparently swept through the rest of the base. But what filled Bendix's mind, as he took in details of the ruins, was a growing sense of shockingfamiliarity.

  'We'rehome,'hechokedout.

  'Whatareyoutalkingabout?'Rextonsnapped.

  'Don'tyousee?Thederelictmustbeinthenavybase.We'vepassedthrough

  tothecommercialsection.ThisisStarportonEmMinor.

  Cirrandaria'shomeport!'

  'He's quite correct,' Delray said simply with infinite sadness, causing the Doctortolookathimcuriously.

  ButBendixhardlyheardhim.'What'sgonewrong...What'shappened...?'

  HetookthecontrolsandsenttheDoriaskimmingacrosstheporttowherea

  palediscoflightappearedtohangintheroof.TheDauntlessfollowedintheir

  wake.

  'That's the main access shaft,' Bendix said breathlessly. "There's only one likeit...'

  TheDoriasoareduptheshaftthatcutthroughhalfakilometreofrockand

  burstintoopenspace.Thecrater-pockedsurfaceofasmallasteroidmoonshrank

  beneaththem.OverheadhungEmindaringibbousphase,fillinghalfthesky,the

  outlinesofitscontinentsunmistakable.

  Butitwasnolongertheblueandwhiteglobehehadlefttwentydaysbefore.

  The oceans were grey; where green forests had been there were only brown stains. Ugly phosphorescent glows played about the horizon of its nightside hemisphere.Theywerethescarsoftotalplanetarywar.

  Emindarwasadeadworld.

  Rextongapedopenlyindisbelief,hisironcontrolbrokenbytheimageofthe

  onethinghehelddearaboveallothersinruins.EvenfromtheDauntlesscame

  gaspsofdismay.

  'A corridor through space... and time,' said the Doctor, filling the awful silence. 'I said you couldn't manipulate one without affecting the other. I think thisisyourfuture.'

  Chapter29

  Standoff

  LanchardcouldtellthatCaptainSargrooftheHermesofCyrenewasnotahappy

  man.Butorderswereorders.Hisshipchancedtobetheonlyoneinthesector

  within range, and with the necessary capacity to evacuate their two hundred or soFederationpassengers.

  Now theHermes was docked with the Cirrandaria and Sargro was

  contemplatinghisnewchargesgloomily.Hewasmoreusedtocargothatdidn't

  expect four-star accommodation and cuisine.The Hermes was a freighter with limited passenger space and personal facilities. It would be a long trip to the nearestFederationportforbothevacueesandcrew.

  Evan Arcovian had also returned to his vigil on the bridge, looking more distraughtthanever.However,atleasthewaskeepinghisopinionstohimself.

  Lanchardwouldhavelikedtosparehimalittletimeforconsolation,butshehad

  otherworriesofherown.

  Several Emindian citizens wanted to join those leaving on theHermes and

  had to be told bluntly that there simply wasn't room for non-Federation passengers.TocomplicatemattersfurtherafewFederationpassengers,whohad

  lostfriendsorrelativesintheghostattack,wantedtostaybehindinthehopethat therescuepartymightyetbringthemback.TheEngerseswereofcourseamong

  them. Eventually, on advice from head office, Lanchard had them all sign waivers confirming they were staying of their own free will and absolving the companyofanysubsequentliability.

  InthecircumstancestheabilitiesoftheCirrandaria'screwwerestretchedto

  theirlimitstocalmupset,anxiousorplainbelligerentpassengers.Butuntilthe main engines were repaired or their own forces arrived, those who were left wouldsimplyhavetobepatient.Howthecompanywashandlingthematterof

  thoseFederationcitizenskilledortakenbytheghostswasajobforlawyersand

  politicians,Lanchardcouldonlyputacopyofherordersinthesafereadyforthe inevitable board of inquiry. For the moment she was concerned only with ensuringtherewerenofurtherlosses.

  Thatdependedonmaintainingaveryfragilestatusquo.

  She assumed the Indomitable would not instigate any overt action against themafterhavinggonetothetroubleofsavingthemonlyhoursbefore-

  even though she felt Fayle.Vega's second in command, was a less than

  sympathetic character. But what if the Nimosian reinforcements arrived before theirown?

  AnhouraftertheHermesdockedwiththem,thatwasjustwhathappened.

  The detectors gave little warning before dark-grey predatory forms slid out of the darkness like sharks. They could identify the bristling bulk of a carrier, accompaniedbytwoheavycruisersandtwodestroyers:anentirebattlegroup.

  ThecarriertookupstationbesidetheIndomitable,disgorgingfighterwings

  which began circling like bees round a hive.The other craft took up sentry stationswheretheycouldwatchspacefortheinevitablearrivaloftheEmindian

  forces.ItwasnotlongbeforeaprioritycallcamethroughforLanchard.

  'This is Admiral Mokai, commanding the carrierStarfire ', said the severe, beribbonedfigureonthescreen.'YouareinNimosian-controlledspace.Youwill

  relinquishanyclaimonthealienvesselandleavethissectorimmediately.'

  Lanchard had been expecting something like this and was ready with a

  suitablereply.

  'Ourgovernmentdisputesyourrighttoanyclaimonthissectorofspace,but,

  in addition to that, be informed that we cannot leave. First, our main drive is under repair and won't be fixed for anot
her day at least. Second, we have a shuttledowninsidethealienvesselonahumanitarianmission.

  They are looking for some of our passengers and crew who have been

  abductedbyhostileforces.YoucancheckwiththeIndomitable.Theysawwhat

  happened and have a shuttle down there as well. Now if you will excuse me I haveashiptorun.'

  She cut the connection, wondering whether Mokai was merely being

  perverse or hadn't been fully briefed on the latest situation. A sudden thought struckherandshecalledupthepurser'soffice.

  'Have the last of the Federation passengers transferred to the Hermes yet, Oscar?No?Good.Losetheirbaggage.That'sright.Anddon'tfinditagainuntilI tellyou.'

  Sheswitchedtoengineering.'Nel,sendatechtothedockingport.Makesure

  there'saproblemwiththetubestotheHermes.Yes,youheard:findaproblem.

  Anything,justkeepthatshipnexttousuntilfurthernotice.'

  Suddenly Captain Sargro and his ship had become their best insurance

  against the Nimosians. They wouldn't dare try anything while a neutral

  Federationvesselwaspresent.Nowitwassimplyaquestionofwaitingfortheir

  ownforcestoarrive.Forsomereasonthatprospectdidnotreassureher.

  ***

  Lester took his headache along to the clinic. He felt slightly guilty because he knew they were still treating far more serious cases in there. But the pain was

  gettingquiteintenseandtheannoyingbuzzing,whisperingsoundwasstillwith him.Andthere,quiteunexpectedly,wasIngrid,wearingawhitesmockoverher

  casualwear,assistingthenursesastheytendedthebedsoftheinjured.

  She smiled when she saw him. He could manage only a foolish,'So you're helpingouthere.'

  'Wellthey'reveryshort-staffedandIdiddoabasictherapeuticcourseonce.

  Areyouallright?Youdolookpale.'

  He felt embarrassed explaining his relatively trivial complaint, but Ingrid was very sympathetic. She found him a seat in the extended waiting area and promisedshe'dfindanurseassoonasonewasavailable.

  hiduecourseanursecame,examinedhimbrieflyandsaiditwasprobably

  delayedshock.Sheputasmallcerebralmodulatoronhisforeheadandgavehim

  a couple of pills. After a few minutes the headache eased and even the whispering buzz seemed to fade a little, possibly masked by the bustle in the surgery. Lester found himself strangely content to sit quietly in the corner, watchingtheactivityaroundhimandknowingIngridwasnearby.

  'Atlast,thereyouare!'

  Rhonda's voice jerked him back to reality so forcefully that the modulator felloff.Ashescrabbledonthefloortorecoverit,hebecameawarethatRhonda

  wasstaringacrossthebusywaitingroomwithadeepfrownonherface.

  'Whydidsheleavelikethat?Whoisshe,Lester?'

  'Who,dear?'

  'Youknowperfectlywell,who.ThewomanIsawyouwithinthecorridor.

  Shewastalkingtoyou.ButIseenowitwasn'taheadpieceshewaswearing:

  itwasbandages.Quiteunsightly.Don'ttellmeyoudidn'tseeherthistime.'

  'ButIdidn't,'heprotested.

  'Nonsense!Whyareyoulyingtome?Whatisgoingonbetweenyou?'

  'Nothing,mydear.'

  But he pleaded in vain. For the first time ever he saw serious distrust and suspicioninhereyes.And,whichwasalmostmoreshocking,ahintoffear.

  ***

  Theunexpecteddiscoverythathisbrotherwasnowonlyafewkilometresaway

  fromhimdidnoteaseRaskChen'stroubledmind.Hecouldstillnottalktohim

  directlywiththeEmindianforcesexpectedatanymomentandageneralalertin

  effect. So he sat hunched over his section of the control board with his head bowed,occasionallypinchingthebridgeofhisnoseinthehopethatitwouldall

  goaway.

  Faylere-enteredthebridgelookingsternerthanusual.He'dbeenonthelink totheStarfire,briefingAdmiralMokaiforsometime.Vegahadlefthimwitha

  lot of explaining to do and it didn't appear as though his report had been well received.Faylewasclearlylookingforsomebodyorsomethingonwhichtovent

  hisangerandChenwastheunluckyonewhocaughthiseye.

  'Sitstraightwhileyou'reonmybridge,MrChen!'hesnapped,ashetookhis

  ownseat.

  'Sir!' said Chen, trying to pull himself together. But Fayle wasn't to be so easilysatisfied.

  'Areyousick,MrChen?Orareyouhavingmoreofthosetroublesome

  "feelings"?'headdedwithmorethanatraceofsarcasm.

  Thisdrewcuriouscovertglancesfromtherestofthebridgecrewandmade

  Chenfeelevenworse.'Iwouldrathernotsay,sir.'

  Fayle'sfacedarkened.'Iaskedyouaquestion,MrChen.Iexpectananswer.'

  'I...justcan'ttellyou,sir,'Chengrated.

  "Thenyouarerelievedofduty,MrChen.Reporttosickbay.Ifthesurgeon

  cannot find anything wrong with you, go to your quarters and stay there until youdohaveasatisfactoryexplanation!'

  Stiffly,awarehewasthefocusofmanypairsofshockedeyes,Chengotup

  andleftthebridge.

  ***

  'Whatsortofshipareyourunning.CaptainLanchard?'Sargrodemandedanhour

  later, his face pushed up close to the camera pickup so it filled the screen.'I've never known it take so long to embark twenty people, or fix a pressure coupling.'

  Lanchard was listening with only half an ear. Her attention was divided betweenmonitoringtheprogressoftherepairworkontheenginesandwatching

  theNimosiansonthehigh-magmonitor.Theirdestroyershadmadeseveralclose

  passesoverthealienshipbuttheyhadsofarnotattemptedanyactuallanding.

  Wastheirreticenceduetocautionortechnicalproblems?Andwhenwouldthe

  rescuepartyreportback?Whathadtheyfoundontheothersideofthatthing?

  'Sorry, Captain,' she said vaguely.'We've had a difficult time here.Just be gratefulyou'llbeleavingsoon.'

  'Butwhenwill-'

  Lanchardsawanewsetofblipsappearonthemasternavigationscreenand

  interrupted.'Veryshortly,Ishouldthink,Captain.Yes,anyminutenow,infact.

  Goodbyeandgoodluck.'

  Sheswitchedchannels.'Oscar,findtheFedevacs'luggageandgetitaboard topspeed.Callofftheengineerandbereadytosealoff.Let'sgettheHermesout ofhere.Wedon'tneeditanymore.'

  Sixbattlecraftdroppedoutofhyperspaceandspiralledcautiouslyintowards

  the alien ship, the Nimosian squadron and the Cirrandaria . As the Hermes finally undocked and sped away they took up their positions in a defensive sphere,spillingfightersandattackcraftfromtheirhatches.Thescreensshowed

  adreadnought,twoassaultcarriersandthreelightcruisers.Thetwosideswere

  veryevenlymatched,Lanchardthought.

  Anewfaceanduniformappearedonthescreens.

  'ThisisCommodoreGelbertJ.SternbyfromtheESSKorgon,commanding

  Task Force Alpha.This is an Emindian protectorate zone. All Nimosian-

  registeredvesselsmustleavethisareaatonce.'

  Mokaicamebackonthegeneralbroadcastchannel.

  'Thissectorofspacewasclaimedillegally.Wehavedeclaredanemergency

  exclusionzone...'

  Thebattleofwordscontinued.Lanchardwonderedifeithersidereallyknew

&nbs
p; whattodonext.Theycouldn'tsimplysnatchthealienshipawaywithatowline

  orbeam,andthepresenceofpartiesfrombothsidessomewhereinorthroughit

  complicated matters even further. Still, while they were arguing at least they weren'tfighting.Whohadsaid:'Tojaw-jawisalwaysbetterthantowar-war'?

  Sherealisedjusthowsickofthesightofthealienhulkshehadbecome.It

  almostfeltasthoughshewouldneverbefreeofit.TheDoctorhadbeenright:it shouldbedestroyed.

  A call from the Emindian fleet came through on another channel. It was a harassed-lookingtechnicalofficer.

  'LieutenantProthero,'heannouncedhimselfbriskly.'Captain,Ineedtospeak

  to your engineer urgently. We've duplicated the neutraliser according to her design,butthefieldcollapseswhenwetrytoexpandittocoveranyvesselover

  thirtymetreslong.'

  'She'stoobusytryingtorepairourengines.Look,can'tyoutowusclear?

  We'vestillgottwothousandEmindianciviliansonboard.'

  'We can't spare a ship at the moment, even for civilians.You can see how evenlymatchedwearewiththeNimosians.'

  'Well,Ican'tsparemyengineer.Ofcourse,ifyoucouldsendateamoverto

  lendahand...'

  UnderstandingdawnedonProthero'sface.'Ah.I'llseewhatIcando.'Andhe

  broketheconnection.

  Almost immediately a call came through on her wristcom direct from Dr

  Gilliam.Therewasastrainededgetohernormallycontrolledvoice.

  'Captain,willyoupleasecometoStateroomThreeCatonce.'

  'Why?That'sDelray'scabin,isn'tit?'

  'Yes. A servo cleaner found... something in here and alerted a steward. He calledme.Pleasecomedownnow.'

  "Thisishardlyagoodtimeformetoleavethebridge.Whatisit?'

  'Sorry,butIcan'texplain.Youhavetoseethisforyourself.'

  There was something disturbing and compelling in her tone. Lanchard

  handedoverthewatchtoherthirdofficerandmadeforthelift.

  Therewasasickly-lookingstewardstandingguardoutsidethecompartment.

 

‹ Prev