Doctor Who_ Delta and the Bannermen - Malcolm Kohll [25]
‘Well, you know I’m not the sort to say “I told you so,”
but...’ Weismuller had stopped mid sentence, his mouth hanging open. He was staring at something behind Hawk.
There, silhouetted against the trees, stood the menacing black Bannerman fighter. Hawk blinked in disbelief before whispering, ‘Hey Weismuller. D’you think that’s it?’
Weismuller turned and looked in the direction of the spaceship. He paused before answering, trying to make sense of the strange vessel. ‘Well, I don’t rightly know. I ain’t never seen a satellite before. I expected it to be smaller, somehow...’
The hatch opened and Gavrok appeared in view. He unfurled the Bannermen standard and coldly surveyed the landscape before him. Unsheathing his blaster he stepped into the field; throwing back his head he let out an ear-splitting whistle. A column of half a dozen heavily-armed Bannermen responded by marching through the hatch and lining up behind him.
‘Listen Hawk, I dunno what’s going on here, but I reckon we should get outta here fast!’ said Weismuller, backing towards the Morris.
‘Yeah, for once I think you could be right,’ Hawk agreed, stumbling over the radio in his haste to get away.
Suddenly Gavrok’s mournful horn blew across the valley. ‘HALT!’ he cried. Hawk and Weismuller froze.
Within moments they were surrounded by the Bannermen.
Weismuller was the first to speak. Putting on his most charming voice he said, ‘Hi... uh... we weren’t going anywhere.’
‘No, we thought maybe we’d just sit in the car for a while. But we’re not that fussy, I guess,’ Hawk added.
‘Where is the Chimeron Queen?’ barked Gavrok.
Hawk shrugged, ‘Beats me, pal,’ he said.
Gavrok gave a tiny nod. One of his men fired at the radio. When the smoke cleared, all that remained was a mangled piece of twisted scrap iron.
‘Hey, that’s the property of Uncle Sam!’ cried Weismuller in alarm.
Gavrok turned his icy glance on Weismuller. ‘Where is he, your Uncle Sam?’
Hawk raised a hand, saying, ‘No, you don’t understand...’ But he got no further. Gavrok gave another small nod and the tent caroomed into a massive fireball.
‘Boy, what are you so sore about?’ asked Weismuller, watching the scraps of burnt canvas fluttering away in the breeze.
Gavrok levelled his gun at the American agent.
Weismuller’s face drained of colour but Gavrok had already turned away. ‘I won’t waste good ammunition on these fools,’ he said. ‘I will lead the main party. You two remain here to protect the vessel and guard these incompetents!’ He motioned to two of his men who nodded in reply. ‘Come!’ Gavrok strode away down the valley followed by his henchmen.
‘Boy! These guys really mean business,’ whispered Weismuller.
‘Weismuller, I think I get it. The Chimeron Queen –
that must be the satellite.’
‘And if the enemy get their mitts on it we’re both sunk,’
Weismuller replied gloomily. They were both under the impression that the Bannermen were agents from some other world power. The true reality of the situation was totally beyond their comprehension. Before Hawk and Weismuller had a chance to draw any more conclusions the two Bannermen sentries advanced on the trembling Americans.
The Nostalgia Trips cruiser was ready to fly. All the Navarinos were aboard, except for Murray who was talking to Mel. He scuffed his feet in the dirt, saying, ‘Well, we’re all gassed up and ready to go.’
‘Then you must leave at once, Murray,’ said Mel.
‘But the Doctor and Delta...’ he said.
Mel smiled, ‘Wherever you go, we can find you in the TARDIS.’
‘I know, but I feel bad about leaving you here alone.
This is your last chance to hitch a ride,’ Murray pleaded.
From inside the bus came the sound of Murray’s name being called repeatedly. The space passengers were very nervous by this time and wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Mel glanced up the valley. She didn’t relish the idea of being left alone but she had made a promise. ‘No, Murray, I’ve made up my mind. When the Doctor and I agree on something we always stick to it, come what may. Thanks anyway,’ she said.
‘Okay,’ said Murray,