Doctor Who_ Companion Piece - Mike Tucker [41]
The third priest was set upon by the three lift-guards, who thundered around the curving passage, tossed him to the deck and hacked him to pieces.
Before the Doctor could react, del Toro had run forward, dropped to his belly and seized the heavy machine-gun from the priest with the split head. Expertly, he raised the gun and opened fire on the savage orgy. Bullets ripped through invaders and robots alike. By the time the Grand Inquisitor stopped firing, none of them was moving.
`W ell done, said the Doctor dryly.
Del Toro got to his feet, somewhat breathless.
`If he wishes to progress, a priest of the Holy Inquisition must learn many skills, Doctor,' he said.
`To the death of God!'
And then the chink of bottles.
Cat tried to focus on what she was seeing. They were back in front of that massive black cross. Bishop Agatho was sitting lopsidedly on a crate, wine dribbling down his chin and onto his robes. Philippo was fumbling drunkenly with a spherical control console.
Strange lights and nightmarish noises echoed around the hold. Lightning flickered across the coal black arms of the cross.
Ah, you're back with us, my dear,' Agatho called cheerfully. 'W ould you care for a drink? W e found the stock of communion wine. There's a veritable lake of it down here!'
`W hy didn't you kill me?'
Agatho took another swig.
`In time, my dear. There's a . . . subtler way of dealing with you. But it will have to wait until I am sober. Del Toro's machine is proving . . . difficult to master: He waggled an unsteady finger at her. 'No matter. W e have plenty of time; nobody comes down here:
`No? Then who's that?'
She could hear hurried footfalls.
And the Doctor's voice!
`Hello, Cat. W hy are you lying on the floor?'
`It's a long story, Doctor, but basically this creep tried to kill me, then changed his mind:
Agatho attempted to stir from his crate, then gave up.
`G'day day to you, Grand Inquisitor,' he slurred.
`Get up, Agatho,' snapped del Toro. 'The ship's been boarded. W e're getting off!'
`Off? How?'
`In the Time Lord's TARDIS:
`No!' Philippo, hitherto silent, let out a howl. I'll not get in a Devilbox! Never!'
`Silence, imbecile,' snapped del Toro.
`This is all your fault,' Philippo said in a low snarl. 'You, Grand Inquisitor! You took me from Braak — took me right off Haven — '
Del Toro's hand swept across Philippo's face, striking the words from his mouth.
A low, gurgling moan rose in Philippo's throat. It became a scream of rage and anger. He launched himself at the Inquisitor, hands grasping at his neck.
`You are no man of God!' screamed the trader. 'You are an instrument of evil! You and all your kind:
Del Toro clawed savagely at Philippo's face, his breath gurgling horribly in his throat. His feet slipped on the slick deck-plates as he found himself being forced remorselessly back towards the gaping chasm beneath the cross.
The Doctor tried to wrestle the two men apart, but Philippo kicked him savagely out of the way. The Doctor crashed to the ground, hard.
Blood streamed from Philippo's face. Del Toro scrabbled desperately for the blaster hidden within his robes.
Philippo snatched the blaster from the Inquisitor's grasp and hurled it aside. It skittered across the deck and tumbled into the void beneath the cross. There was an angry clashing of gears, and sparks tore from the void. Del Toro whimpered in pain as blue lightning flickered around him.
Inch by inch, Philippo pushed the struggling instrument of the Holy Inquistitioin towards the machine. He slammed his hand down on the control globe. A deep, resonating throb shook the hold. Lights blazed and a high, keening whine tore through the air. Robotic arms whirred into life, reaching out for the struggling men.
The Doctor tried to haul himself across the juddering deck, reaching desperately for the control console.
`No, Philippo, no!'
Philippo shot him a look of total despair.
`Forgive me.' W ith superhuman