Doctor Who_ Battlefield - Marc Platt [69]
‘What do I care — when Arthur is such a coward that he will not face me?’ Her eyes were blazing with rage. ‘This is war!’
‘You hate Arthur so much’?’ he asked, trying to force a way to the console.
She forced him away again. ‘I offered Arthur the greatest gift — the enduring power of the immortal. He snatched it and turned against me. For twelve centuries have I waited to destroy him.’
31 —30—29 —
‘And what else will you destroy?’ Anger and pity mingled in the Doctor’s voice. ‘Folly from the sky. Blind.
Random. No one is safe, no one is innocent. Machines of death, Morgaine. Who needs the Destroyer? A scream from the sky. Light, brighter than the sun. No war between armies or nations — just Death. Death gone mad!’
He felt a slight resistance in her strength and redoubled his attack.
17 — 16 —
‘A child looks up at the sky. His eyes turn to cinders. He weeps ashes. Is this your honour? Is this war? Are these the weapons you would use?’
She could no longer face him. Her eyes were full of tears.
‘Tell me!’ he cried.
Her head shook. ‘No,’ mouthed her lips.
‘Then stop it, Morgaine! End the madness!’
She released his hand and pressed the red button.
01.
Time froze. The Abyss receded a little.
The Doctor closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
Morgaine’s eyes were cold as she issued her challenge.
‘I honour your petition, Merlin. Now tell Arthur to meet me with honour in single combat. It’s time he ceased hiding behind your coat-tails.’
The Doctor looked down at the countdown symbol.
‘Arthur is dead,’ he said quietly.
She was startled by his bluntness. ‘No,’ she smiled. ‘I don’t believe you.’
‘It’s all true.’
‘Merlin, Prince of Deceit! This is another trick.’
‘Arthur never took your immortal gift, Morgaine. He died over twelve centuries ago.’
‘You lie...’
‘You know better than that.’
‘It cannot be.’ She steadied herself on the control desk.
Her voice submitted to the yearning so long submerged beneath the hatred that drove her.
‘Arthur, who burned like starfire and was as beautiful.
Where does he lie? I would look on him one last time.’
‘He is gone to dust,’ said the Doctor.
‘Then I cannot even have that comfort.’ The Battle Queen trembled and her will was lost. ‘I shall never see him again. Arthur. We were together in the woods of Selladon... The air was like honey.’
‘I’m sorry, Morgaine,’ said the Doctor. ‘It was over long ago.’
The sound of clashing swords outside had ceased. The Doctor extracted the computer abort key from the console, pocketed it and left Morgaine alone with her tears.
The battle between Ancelyn and Mordred had run its course. The knight was a better and more agile swordsman, but the Prince, with the advantage of his powered armour, tired less easily.
Ancelyn’s responses were growing weary. His attack turned to the defensive. Finally, a mighty blow smashed the sword from the knight’s blooded hand.
Ancelyn backed up against the trailer. The point of Mordred’s sword pressed into his stomach.
‘I do not fear death, Mordred,’ he said. ‘Your noble father, the High King, is dead also. I have seen his body.’
The Prince’s eyes narrowed.
‘Come, despatch,’ Ancelyn demanded. ‘You have slain my beloved. There is no life without her.’
‘So be it,’ said the Prince and pulled back the sword to strike.
The swing of a rifle butt knocked him senseless. He fell at Winifred Bambera’s feet.
‘Shame,’ she said.
‘My lady...’
She dropped the rifle and massaged her injured arm.
‘Nice speech, Ancelyn. Next time check that I’m dead first.’
The door of the Command Vehicle opened and the Doctor stepped out.
‘Ah Winifred,’ he said quietly, ‘I have a prisoner in here for you.’
‘That makes two then,’ said Bambera and she pointed to the unconscious Mordred.
The Doctor nodded inside the trailer. ‘I don’t know what you do with imprisoned royalty these days. I doubt the Tower will hold her, but treat her with honour anyway.
She’s just had a nasty shock.’
From the lake came the deep boom of an underwater detonation.
A second later, the surface erupted into a