Doctor Who_ Attack of the Cybermen - Eric Saward [24]
‘Where are we going?’ Peri inquired, running to catch him up.
‘Back to the TARDIS for a rethink.’
The Doctor switched on his torch and pointed it ahead of them.
‘Wait!’ cried Russell. The duo stopped and turned. ‘Can I come with you?’
The Doctor nodded and the policeman hobbled towards them.
As Peri returned to assist him, a tiny lens, mounted in the ceiling of the tunnel recorded their presence...
At the Cyberman base the Leader said to Lytton: ‘There are three humanoid intruders in the tunnel. Do you know who they are?’
Lytton shook his head.
‘P’raps it’s the old bill,’ muttered Charlie. ‘They’ll soon sort this fancy-dress party.’
Not understanding Charlie’s slang, the Leader demanded a translation from Lytton.
‘He implies it could be the police.’
‘Then they must be dealt with.’ The Leader turned to his Lieutenant. ‘This time,’ he added, indicating the glass cabinets, ‘they must not be damaged. We cannot afford to be wasteful. Our forces must grow in strength.’
Lytton gave a tiny smile. Although Charlie witnessed this unique event, he assumed, as he had only ever seen Lytton scowl, that it had been caused by wind. But Charlie was wrong. Lytton was feeling very pleased with himself indeed.
‘All these tunnels look the same,’ Peri said.
‘ This is the right way,’ said the Doctor.
Peri was doubtful. Russell, whose knee had improved, shuffled along dreaming of hot coffee, a rare steak served with sautée potatoes and apple crumble covered in cream.
Such was his hunger, he would have been content to eat them all together from the same plate.
Suddenly the Doctor dropped to the floor and started to scrabble about looking for scuffs and scratches.
Peri stooped down next to him. ‘We are lost.’
‘Of course we’re not,’ he snapped.
Russell, not having the energy to restart if he stopped moving, hobbled past the duo and continued on into the gloom.
‘Do you know the way?’ called Peri.
‘I think so,’ mumbled the policeman.
The Doctor jumped to his feet as Russell turned into a side tunnel. ‘That was the direction I intended to take,’ he said tartly, running after him.
Peri followed, ruminating on the churlishness of a jealous Time Lord.
But when they caught up with Russell, they found him pressed flat against the wall at a point where two tunnels crossed. ‘Stop!’ he whispered, hoarsely.
They obeyed.
‘What is it?’ murmured the Doctor.
‘Look for yourself.’
Cautiously, he peered into the adjacent tunnel. At the far end he could see, in silhouette, the unmistakable shape of a Cyberman. Like a motionless sentinel, the creature stood tall and erect, its massive form blocking the tunnel.
Then suddenly, as though aroused, it jerked into life and started to stride in his direction.
Quickly the Doctor withdrew his head, hoping he hadn’t been seen.
‘What is it?’ asked Peri.
‘A Cyberman! A particularly unpleasant life form.’ He felt in his pocket for the sonic lance.
‘What’s it doing here?’
The Doctor scowled. ‘That’s what I intend to find out.’
He switched on the lance and fiddled with the controls.
As he worked, he felt a finger gently prod him in the back.
The Doctor turned and saw the butt of the Beretta being proffered by Russell.
The Time Lord smiled. ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ he said, holding up the lance. ‘This will work even better.’
Peri was horrified. ‘You’re not going to fight it?’ she exclaimed.
He shook his head. ‘Just shake it up a little.’
Quickly he glanced into the adjacent tunnel and saw the Cyberman advancing steadily. Holding the sonic lance like a dagger, the Doctor braced himself. As the Cyberman came level with where he was hiding, the Time Lord shot out his arm and thrust the lance into his chest unit.
The effect was immediate. For a moment, the Cyberman froze, statue-like, as though he had been drained of all energy. Then, very slowly, movement