Doctor Who_ Attack of the Cybermen - Eric Saward [38]
She nodded. ‘But the Cryons will not be satisfied until the Cyber Controller is dead.’
The Doctor agreed. ‘Especially now they have the ability to time travel.’
Satisfied that the door-opening mechanism was housed behind the plate, he turned back to Flast. ‘It’s their ignorance which concerns me most,’ he said, rubbing his hands together like a demented person. ‘Misuse of a time vessel could irreparably damage the Web of Time.’
‘That is what they intend to do.’
‘How?’
‘You know about Mondas, Doctor?’
‘The Cybermen’s original planet... yes.’ The Time Lord was becoming agitated.
‘It was destroyed...’
He already knew that. ‘So?’
Flast’s chest heaved with the effort of speaking. ‘They intend to change history.’
The Doctor momentarily closed his eyes; he felt sick.
‘How?’ he asked, praying quietly she would not give the anticipated answer.
But she did.
‘Mondas will not be destroyed as it always has been. The Cyber Controller has decreed it.’
Too stunned to answer, the Doctor simply stared ahead into the gloom. He could not believe the proposed stupidity. Mondas had always been destroyed. For it not to happen would wreck the Web of Time, with disastrous repercussions affecting every corner of the Universe. The thought was almost too awful to consider. Billions would die; major civilisations instantly disappear. The Doctor wasn’t even certain the fabric of the Universe could withstand such an upheaval.
Regaining his composure, he questioned Flast closely concerning her extraordinary statement, but she remained adamant.
‘I couldn’t invent such a story,’ she protested.
He knew she was telling the truth. It would require the kind of emotionless, uncaring mind of a Cyberman to think up such a diabolically destructive plan.
And that was precisely what the Cyber Controller had done...
8
The Great Escape
The star which provided Telos with heat and light had started to set. Another day was coming to an end. From the north a chilly wind had begun to blow causing spirals of grey dust to eddy across the planet’s surface. Now that the work parties engaged in laying explosives had returned to base, the terrain seemed bleak and devoid of all life.
At least that was how it felt to Charlie Griffiths and Commander Gustave Lytton as they pushed open a heavy grille leading to the planet’s surface.
‘We must be out of our minds,’ moaned Charlie as he stepped into the swirling dust. ‘We’ll never find them.’
Closing the grille cover, Lytton ordered him to move off. Then taking out the electronic device supplied by the Cryon, he switched it on.
‘How will that help?’ asked Charlie.
‘Not only will it lead us to the time vessel, but it also detects the presence of Cybermen.’
Suddenly scared, Charlie looked around. ‘Are those things out here as well?’
‘Like your worst fears and fantasies,’ teased Lytton,
‘they are everywhere.’
Charlie was not amused. He had always thought Lytton did not possess a sense of humour, and now Lytton had started to deliver the occasional quip, Charlie decided he preferred the less droll side of his nature.
They trudged on, their long spidery shadows dancing before them. As they neared a hillock, a tiny neon began to flash indicating the presence of Cybermen. Lytton nudged Charlie to show him the warning light. He then slipped the machine quickly into his pocket and unshouldered the Cyber gun.
‘Hold it!’ a voice boomed. ‘Throw down the weapon.’
Charlie was surprised that it wasn’t the flat, emotionless tones of a Cyberman.
Lytton did as instructed, then both he and Charlie raised their hands. Behind them they heard two pairs of feet scrambling down the hillock. It was Stratton and Bates.
‘Don’t turn round,’ commanded Stratton.
A moment later rough hands were frisking Charlie in the search for concealed weapons. ‘This one’s flesh and blood!’ exclaimed Stratton, prodding Charlie in the chest.
He then searched Lytton. ‘So is he.’
‘What’s he talking about?’ muttered