Doctor Who_ Bunker Soldiers - Martin Day [97]
‘Then perhaps this “angel” and I have something in common.’ Batu took another step forward. ‘Stand aside, by order of Batu Khan!’
The great, curved sword was unsheathed to underline the point.
Dodo and the others exchanged worried glances. It seemed they were now protecting Dmitri against the Mongols. Dodo had little doubt in her mind that the Khan would kill him, and there seemed to be nothing any of them could do to stop him.
Without warning Dmitri started to push his way towards the front of the group. Dodo placed a hand on his arm, to try to halt him, but the man looked back at her with a sad, placid smile. The insanity, for the moment at least, was gone. Now there was only grim resignation on his face, and unfathomable tiredness behind his eyes.
Dodo and the others parted for him, and he stood tall at the front of the group. ‘I am Governor Dmitri of Kiev,’ he said, his voice strong and unwavering. ‘I hail you, Batu Khan, and your victorious army.’ He bowed his head as a mark of respect.
Before Batu could respond, the beast drew itself to its full height, its mouth and claws a mess of barbs and spines. Then it flew through the air towards Dmitri.
XXV
Libera me de sanguinibus
I watched nervously as the Mongol soldiers stepped into the control room. If they were amazed by what they saw, they did not show it.
The Doctor turned to face them, an imperious figure. ‘And what is the meaning of this intrusion?’
You can’t fault him for trying.
One of the soldiers turned to him, while the other inspected the controls, the screen, the items of furniture that dotted the room. ‘What is this place?’ the leading Mongol asked.
The Doctor returned to the controls, pressing switches here and pulling levers there. ‘I will explain everything,’ he said, ‘but first I must finish my work. It is vitally important!’
‘No,’ said the soldier. ‘We must report to the Khan. He has scientists and sorcerers who may explain this. Come!’
The Doctor refused to move. ‘I cannot comply, sir,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘There are other matters to consider.’
‘You will do as I say,’ snapped the soldier.
‘The creature must be destroyed!’ exclaimed the Doctor, anguished.
The soldier paused, saw that the Doctor did not obey him, and nodded to the other. He strode towards me, and held my arms behind me.
I struggled, but the Mongol was surprisingly strong. In any event, he held a sword to my throat. I could feel his breath on my neck, and with every moment that passed he gripped me more closely, the cold steel pressed more tightly against my neck.
‘Do as I say,’ the leading Mongol ordered the Doctor, ‘or your friend will die.’
XXVI
In extremis
Reloading test signals...
Complete.
Reloading heuristic diagnostics...
Complete.
Loading of situational archives...
Skipped.
Loading present mission diagnostics...
Complete.
Initial summary:
Unassigned bunker penetrated. Provisional target GJU-435- FBK attacked and compromised.
Mission success index: 87.1%.
The creature’s attack on Dmitri brought an instant response from the Mongol archers. Arrows whistled through the air, raining down on its slender back. Most fell away – the skin of the creature was tougher than it appeared – but many impacted, bringing forth trickles of grey-blue blood.
None of them stopped the beast arcing through the air towards Dmitri. In the blink of an eye, it landed – its clawed feet clicking on the rough stone floor – just as a second hail of arrows fell. One arrow embedded itself in the soft tissue at the base of its skull, and the creature paused, flapping at it with its claws. Then its arms powered forwards, lifting Dmitri bodily from the ground.
A Mongol soldier ran forward, attempting to attack the beast with his sword, but the monster did not even turn to look at him Instead its jaws and fists, now a mess of barbed spines, came down towards Dmitri’s terrified, screaming face.
XXVII
Deus ex machina
‘Very well,’ announced the Doctor suddenly. ‘Let us go to Batu.’
I let out a sigh of