Doctor Who_ Atom Bomb Blues - Andrew Cartmel [22]
38
The Doctor sighed. ‘True. It’s a shame that poor creature had to die, but the oils it contained are essential to the diet of the fishing tribe. It endows them with the large and efficient brains they need to calculate the trajectories for deployment of their lines and hooks and harpoons against the corresponding trajectories of fast moving schools of fish. They make these calculations with tremendous accuracy, from the most swiftly moving schooner. The oils that enable them to do this are similar to the omega lipids you find here on Earth, though much more powerful. In a human brain these alien fish oils stimulate the centres involved in abstract thinking, specifically mathematical calculation. Making you an indispensable asset in a world where electronic computers are only available in their most primitive and cumbersome form.’
‘All right, all right, I promise to be a good girl and take my capsule every day. I can already see one problem, though.’
‘Which is?’
‘That Professor Apple had no interest at all in me when he thought I was the common dunce that I really am. But as soon as he saw me in action as a mathematical wizard he started giving me that look.’
‘Which look? The one of awestruck adoration?’
‘Yes, that one.’
The Doctor chuckled. ‘Still, don’t be too harsh on the poor fellow. He’s been stuck up here on the Hill for months without much in the way of female companionship.’
‘Well he isn’t getting any companionship from me. Anyway, it’s not really me he’s interested in. It’s just my turbo-charged brain when I’m under the influence of the oil.’
‘Yes, it does seem to be your idiot savant aspect that thrills him.’
‘Idiot savant? Thanks a lot.’
‘Silly expression, forgive me,’ said the Doctor. ‘Now that I’ve rescued you from the good Professor I have a job for you.’
‘More calculations?’
‘No, not calculations. A mission.’
‘Good. I was starting to get bored. I could do with a mission. What do you want me to do?’
‘Actually, it’s more like a diplomatic mission. I need you to make friends with someone.’
Ace paused and shot the Doctor a suspicious look. ‘Who?’
‘Cosmic Ray Morita.’
‘Oh no.’
‘Ace, please.’
‘You should have heard what he said about my outfit last night. He was drunk out of his mind.’
39
‘Well, there you go. Today he’ll be sober, hung over and penitent. He’ll be receptive to your overtures.’
‘I won’t be making any overtures. I’m not going anywhere near that big fat. . . ’
‘You like the records he plays.’
‘But I don’t like him.’
‘Nonetheless,’ said the Doctor firmly. ‘I need you to go to him and get to know him. Make friends and let him start talking to you. And pay careful attention to what he says.’
‘Why should I? Why can’t you do it?’
‘I have my own mission. I need to talk to Edward Teller.’
Ace felt a brief, disquieting chill, as though the sun had gone behind a cloud.
‘The bloke who was arguing with Oppy? Mr Inflammable Atmosphere?’
‘Yes Mr Inflammable Atmosphere. I need to convince him his calculations are wrong.’
‘Thank gawd for that,’ said Ace, feeling a tremendous rush of relief. ‘You have no idea how worried I’ve been ever since last night. It’s been in the back of my mind all day. The idea that the bomb they’re building could blow up the entire world. Ridiculous idea, really. It was silly of me to even worry about it.’
The Doctor looked at her, saying nothing.
Ace felt the smile fading from her face. ‘I mean,’ she said. ‘They did detonate it and it didn’t blow up the entire world.’ The Doctor still said nothing.
Ace kept talking, hoping he might say something, something reassuring. ‘And now, I mean now you’re going to Teller to explain to him that he’s got it all wrong. So everything’s all right, isn’t it?’
The Doctor didn’t reply.
‘Doctor please, you’re scaring