Doctor Who_ Dinosaur Invasion - Malcolm Hulke [8]
Lodge grinned mischievously. ‘I stayed back for the pickings, didn’t I? Same as you two.’ He looked over his shoulder at the soldier who was guarding them. ‘There’s only him,’ he whispered. ‘We could make a break for it. Want to try?’
‘I don’t think so,’ said the Doctor. ‘We haven’t done anything wrong. What I really want is to speak to someone in authority—’
A sergeant marched into the hall, banged his feet on the bare floorboards as he stood to attention, and shouted, ‘Right! On your feet!’
The soldier guarding them came over. ‘You heard the sergeant! Jump to it!’
They stood up. A young Army lieutenant entered the hall, looked at the prisoners, then sat down at the desk. He took off his cap, placed it carefully on the desk, and spoke to the sergeant. ‘Bring them over, please.’
The prisoners were herded towards the desk. ‘I’m terribly glad to meet you,’ said the Doctor, offering his hand. ‘This is just the opportunity I’ve been looking for to—’
The sergeant barked, ‘The prisoners will remain silent unless spoken to!’
The lieutenant asked. ‘What are the charges?’
The sergeant pointed to Lodge. ‘This one, sir, was found illegally in the Central Zone, and illegally in the possession of two tape recorders, one radio, and a colour television set.’
‘Anything to say?’ The lieutenant seemed very bored, and not at all interested in whatever the prisoner might have to say.
Lodge said, ‘I found the stuff, see. I was going to hand it in.’
‘Yes, I see,’ said the lieutenant, as though he had heard that story many times before. ‘You have been found guilty of looting. Under the authority vested in me by the Emergency Powers Act I am sending you to be held in detention for an indefinite period. You will be handed over to the civil authorities for trial and sentence when time permits. Next prisoner step forward.’
The Doctor went up to the desk. ‘Lieutenant, I really must protest. My young companion and I are totally innocent of the charge—’
‘Be quiet,’ said the lieutenant. ‘What is the charge?’ ‘Picked up with the girl,’ said the sergeant. ‘Found in possession of furs and a stolen lorry.’
‘Anything to say?’ asked the lieutenant.
‘A great deal,’ said Sarah. ‘We found other people stealing those furs—’
‘And you were going to hand them in?’ queried the lieutenant, with an unconcealed sneer.
The question threw Sarah off her guard. ‘Not exactly,’ she admitted. ‘We were mainly concerned with escaping from a pterodactyl.’
‘And I think you were mainly concerned with getting away with those furs,’ said the lieutenant. He cleared his throat before pronouncing verdict. ‘You are both found guilty of looting. Under the authority vested in me by the Emergency Powers Act I am empowered to hold you in detention for an indefinite period. You will be handed over to the civil authorities for trial and sentenced when time permits.’ He stood up and clapped on his cap. ‘Thank you, sergeant. Get them away from here as soon as possible.’
‘Yes, sir! ‘ The sergeant stood to attention and saluted as the lieutenant hurried out of the church hall. The sergeant turned to the prisoners. ‘Back in your corners, you lot.’
‘I’m hungry,’ said Sarah. ‘Is starvation part of the punishment?’
‘If you behave yourself, I’ll get some food sent in to you.’ The sergeant turned and left the hall.
One soldier now remained to guard the prisoners. He levelled his gun at them. ‘Back to the corner, and sit down. You won’t have long to wait. Transport will be arriving to take you to the detention centre any minute now.’
Seated on the floor once more, the Doctor turned to Lodge, ‘Did you say something about making a break for it, old man?’
‘Doctor,’ exclaimed Sarah, quite shocked, ‘we mustn’t do anything of the sort! We’ll get ourselves into even more trouble.’
‘I hardly think that’s possible,’ said the Doctor. ‘No one will listen to us. Escape seems the only way out of this mess.’ He turned back to Lodge. ‘How do you propose we get away?’
Lodge glanced round furtively at their guard. The soldier had sat down, his back to them. ‘There’s three of us. We could