Doctor Who_ Delta and the Bannermen - Malcolm Kohll [24]
The Doctor clambered back onto the bike and they set off across the open meadow along the clifftops, avoiding numerous small boulders scattered in their path. Ray shouted against the wind, ‘I hope you’re all right Doctor.
I’m sorry if this is a bit like an army assault course.’
‘My dear child, this is as smooth as glass. I once had a similar ride on the planet Themlon. I was TARDIS-bound for a week afterwards,’ he replied. Suddenly the land dipped, and there in the hollow was the Vincent!
‘They’re probably down on the beach!’ cried Ray as she put the scooter onto its stand.
Delta had just opened her knapsack and produced a wafer of waxy cells which she fed to her hungry baby.
‘She’s growing so fast now that she needs to be replenished every half an hour or so. If I can get the hatchling safely to the brood planet then I can take my case to the intergalactic tribunal. They will send an expeditionary force to get rid of Gavrok and the Bannermen.’
‘I’ll do whatever I can to help,’ said Billy. Although he genuinely meant what he said, Billy couldn’t quite imagine how he was supposed to get Delta and the hatchling safely to the brood planet. He didn’t think that his Vincent was going to prove very useful. Delta glanced up to see two distant figures scrabbling down the cliff-face towards them.
‘Look!’ she said.
Billy followed her gaze. ‘Hey, that’s Ray and the Doctor.
They look like they’re in a hurry.’
The Bannermen, said Delta to herself. She and Billy quickly gathered everything up and hurried along the beach to meet them.
‘Thank Heavens!’ gasped Ray as they finally came within shouting distance of each other.
‘Why’s everyone in such a lather?’ demanded Billy peevishly. He felt that he was just beginning to get to know Delta at last and he was annoyed that their peace had been disturbed so soon.
‘At last we’ve found you,’ panted the Doctor. Delta gazed steadily at the Doctor, knowing the worst.
‘Gavrok?’
‘Yes. We overheard Keillor giving the position of the camp,’ said the Doctor.
‘A space mercenary,’ Delta said looking shocked.
‘Yes. There’s a price on your head,’ he continued.
Billy indignantly drew himself up. ‘Yeah? Well where’s this mercenary? I reckon we’ve got a score to settle,’ he said.
‘He’s been ionized!’ said Ray smugly. Billy suddenly became aware of her presence.
‘Uh... hi Ray,’ he mumbled, being unsure of what to say next. Something about the way she looked at him made him feel guilty.
‘We have to get back at once,’ said the Doctor. ‘Burton has already evacuated all the other staff. Murray is fitting the crystal back into the bus and then your tour will be able to leave. But we must go now!’ he insisted, already heading back up the narrow path. He was closely followed by the others.
At Shangri-La Murray had finally managed to install the navipod, and, after checking that it was again functioning correctly, slammed the hood with a grin. He gave a thumbs-up to Mel who let out a sigh of relief.
You see, I’m not totally useless! Murray felt he had redeemed himself for nearly breaking the crystal. ‘Now everyone, get ready to board,’ he said authoritatively. The passengers assembled in a neat line while Murray produced a clipboard and pen. ‘When I call your name I want you to climb aboard – Adlon – Crovassi – Diptek – Ethnon – Frag
– Gil – Herret – Keillor – uh, where’s Keillor?’ asked Murray. Mel leant forward and whispered into Murray’s ear, explaining that all that remained of the space mercenary was a pair of scorched blue suede shoes. Murray nodded. He did not wish to know the gory details and quickly continued with the roll-call.
On the outer fringes of the galaxy Gavrok stared gleefully at the blipping light on his screen. ‘Transmitter identified. Triangulate and set course.’ He leant back into his stabilizing chair and smirked. He was relaxed in the knowledge that his mission was nearly completed.
Chapter Twenty-One
Hawk finally removed the headphones with a look of disgust. ‘Ain’t no use, Weismuller. There’s nothing out there,’ he said, gesturing