Doctor Who_ Cave Monsters - Malcolm Hulke [4]
The Doctor produced a pocket compass, took a reading. 'We have to be sure,' he said.
'I got you all the way through the London traffic,' Liz said, 'up the M1 and off at the right exit.'
'You did very well,' he said, not really listening. He made a calculation on the edge of the map. 'It must be,' he said, making his calculation, 'in a perfectly straight line—there!' He pointed, straight at the ridge of hills.
'That's what I said.'
'Did you?' He put the map away and started the engine again.
The six cylinders, twin carbs, and electronic ignition burst into life.
They shot forward. 'I rather like map-reading.'
Liz said nothing. They roared along, not speaking, until the road went along at the foot of the rising ridge of land. In a very determined way Liz said: 'It's that track over there.' She pointed to a gravel road that led up the hill from the main road.
The Doctor slowed down, reaching for the map again. 'Well, better be safe than sorry.'
'Over there!' she screamed. 'That rough track. I've studied the route thoroughly.'
The Doctor stopped the car, then turned gently to Liz. 'Do I irritate you?'
'No, Doctor,' Liz said. 'You are the most thoughtful and considerate scientist I have ever worked with!'
He beamed, taking her quite seriously. 'How very kind of you.
I hope that our association together will be a long and happy one.'
Liz closed her eyes to stop herself from screaming again. 'Yes, Doctor,' she said quietly, 'let's hope it is.'
The Doctor drove slowly up the winding gravel track. Towards the top of the hill they came to a high electrified fence that went all the way round the hill. A gate was set in the fence with a sign that read: 'RESEARCH CENTRE—GOVERNMENT PROPERTY—
KEEP OUT.' Security guards were standing by a little hut next to the gate. One of them came up to the visitors.
'Government property,' the guard called. 'Sorry, you can't come in here.'
'We are the government,' said the Doctor.
Liz quickly got out their passes and showed them to the guard.
The guard checked them, and handed them back. 'All right,' he said.
'Now give me the password.'
Liz said, 'Silurians.'
The guard was satisfied and nodded to his companions. They opened the gate. One of them called to the Doctor, 'Park that thing over there, then show your passes to the guards by the lift.'
The Doctor turned furiously. 'What do you mean? "Thing"?'
Liz pulled at his arm. 'It was a joke.'
'I should jolly well hope so.' The Doctor put Bessie back into gear, and parked it where the guard had indicated. They crossed to a small concrete building with double sliding doors. Another guard checked their passes, asked for the password again, then pressed a button set in the concrete. The doors slid open, revealing a lift. Liz and the Doctor went inside. The guard grinned at them, shouted 'First stop—Australia' and pressed the button again. The doors closed, and suddenly the lift plummeted down into the earth. Liz gulped, then swallowed as her ears seemed to block up. After what seemed only a few seconds the lift started to slow in its descent, then came to a stop.
The Doctor seemed impressed. 'I'd say that was about five hundred feet in three seconds,' he said. Liz just tried to keep her balance, and waited for the doors to open. When they opened a moment later it was to reveal the Brigadier standing waiting for them.
'Terribly glad to see you, Doctor.' The Brigadier shook hands with the Doctor. 'And you, too, Miss Shaw. There's a meeting in progress now. This way.'
The Brigadier strode off down a long metallic-walled corridor.
The Doctor took long easy strides, behind the Brigadier. Liz had to run to keep up with them.
'How deep is this place?' said the Doctor. 'And how long has it been built?'
Without turning the Brigadier called back: 'Tell you all about it later. Turn right, here.'
The Brigadier did a smart military about-turn at a T-junction