Doctor Who_ Beyond the Sun - Matthew Jones [48]
‘It’s a shame he’s not coming,’ Emile said, leaning on the rail and waving at Leon. ‘I liked him.’
Scott rested a hand on Emile’s shoulder. ‘He’s a man of passion.’
‘Is he . . . is he your best friend or something?’
‘Best friend? Leon’s my brother.’
‘Brother . . .’ Emile’s eyes came to rest on the scales which were just visible above the collar of Scott’s uniform. ‘Oh, half-brother, right?’
Scott looked surprised and amused. ‘How could someone be only half a brother? Best? Half?
Why do you try and measure people all the time? It’s so crazy. People just are. A person is either your brother or not. Leon’s right, you are really weird.’
‘I’m not weird!’ Emile exclaimed, remembering the look Leon had given him that morning in the dorm.
‘All of you. You profiteers, none of what you say makes any kind of sense.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Emile turned back to the large glass window which made up the wall of the airship’s cabin. They didn’t speak for a while. The engines of the airship drummed noisily, and the rail that Emile was leaning against vibrated to the rhythm of the sound.
They were high over the orange plain now, gliding quickly over the land. The city was a sprawling patch of grey in the distance. Some of the other passengers in the cabin had joined them at the window and were pointing out towns and villages as they passed over them. Emile discreetly listened to their conversations. Simple stories about family and friends who lived in the places below them. The conversations were so ordinary that it was hard to believe that the planet was in the grip of an invasion.
The airship began to descend as it entered the airspace over the edge of the city. As it did so it was caught in the rush of powerful air currents. The cabin lurched and rolled on to its side. Suddenly the floor he was standing on became the wall. Emile felt his stomach turn over. He lost his grip on the rail and tumbled over it.
For a second all he could see was the distant ground beneath as he fell towards it, and then he hit the thick glass of the window. His face was squashed up to the glass. A wisp of cloud passed beneath him.
Beneath him!
He could see the grey tarmac of a spaceport. Battered black ships lined up like toys. All that was preventing him from falling down on top of one was the plate of glass under him. How thick was it?
There was a cracking sound and he felt something shift beneath him. In his mind’s eye he saw himself fall through the ribbon of cloud and hit the hull of one of the black spaceships below.
‘Help!’ he squealed.
‘I’ve got you.’ Strong hands gripped his wrists and he was pulled up and over the rail. Emile allowed himself to be held in Scott’s arms for a moment. The young man’s long emerald hair tickled his nose. Emile had never been this close to Scott before. Never actually touched him.
Emile was vaguely aware that the Ursulan smelt of cheap soap and old sweat beneath that. He had an urge to tell the boy that he needed to invest in some cologne, but didn’t dare speak because he didn’t trust his voice not to crack.
After a moment Emile lifted one of his hands in front of his face. It was trembling violently.
The airship was still shaking as if it were struggling in turbulence. Scott guided Emile away from the window to where the rest of the passengers were huddled in the centre of the room. The pilot’s voice came over the intercom, trying to reassure the passengers.
‘Nice flying,’ Tameka replied. ‘When’s his second lesson?’
‘I don’t think we can blame the pilot.’ Scott pointed to the window at the other side of the cabin.
‘Oh my God!’ Emile exclaimed. A huge black ship was rising up past the dirigible. It reminded Emile of a giant hornet. Whoever was piloting the ship obviously hadn’t cared about the effect it was having on the airship, which was tiny and inconsequential next to it. The black vessel was so close that Emile could make out every detail.