Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [35]
Ì don't know, Sergeant.'
Vollmer sighed heavily. Now I don't know what you two have been getting up to but mark my words - one more step out of line and I'll have you cleaning latrines for the next five years. Is that clear?'
`Yes, Sergeant,' Johnson and Hawthorne mumbled in unison.
Ìs that clear?'Vollmer bellowed.
‘Yes, Sergeant!' the privates shouted back, snapping to attention.
`That's better. Hawthorne, you can remain on sentry duty for the rest of the night. Johnson, you can get some rest, you obviously need it more than the rest of us. But may I suggest you put your clothes back on before returning to camp. We don't want tongues wagging now, do we?'
`No, Sergeant' Nicholas blushed with embarrassment and began picking up his discarded uniform as Vollmer marched away, cursing quietly. Hawthorne helped him find all the bits and pieces thrown aside in the rush to catch up with his brothers. Even now, in the glint of the moonlight, Johnson thought he could see something moving under the water. No, it was probably just a reflection, something shining dully beneath the surface...
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: No sooner had James's mood changed than I noticed a sudden surge in his life signs. 'Doctor, you should hurry.
James's blood pressure just surged upwards and his pulse almost doubled at the same time. Plus I'm reading some unusual energy fluctuations.'
The Doctor nodded. 'James, listen to me, I need you to be calm. You're perfectly safe, nothing can happen to you -'
`No, something's wrong!'
The energy levels doubled, then trebled within seconds.
`Doctor, you've got to get him out from the hypnosis - now!'
`James, I want you to come back to the present,' the Doctor said, his voice soothing and quietly insistent. `Retrace your steps over the bridge'
`No, stay back from me!' the young man shouted, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. 'Let me go!'
The Doctor reached forward towards James. 'You must listen to me -'
But James slapped the Doctor away, his eyes wild with rage and fear. 'Get away from me! I won't let you take me!'
One by one the monitors began to overload, showering the room with sparks and broken glass as display units shattered.
I threw myself backwards to escape the explosions, still watching the cause of all this. James stood up - but at the same time his body remained seated, twitching and convulsing, blood gushing from both nostrils. The standing figure was translucent, a figure comprised of glowing energy.
It reached towards the Doctor, fingers curling into a talon-like grasp.
`No!' I screamed. 'Leave him alone!'
The apparition turned its attention towards me.
Mary was sharing a joke with Michael at the end of the corridor when Sir Henry Ponsonby strode into view. `Haven't either of you duties you should be performing?' he demanded.
Mary stepped away from the page, mortified at being caught in such a compromising position. 'We were just -'
Ì am quite aware of what you were just doing. Be thankful I came round that corner and not Her Majesty!'
Mary curtsied deeply and backed away towards Nyssa's bedchamber. Ìf you'll excuse me, Sir Henry...'
He dismissed her with a gesture, shifting his attention to the red-faced Michael. 'I am looking for a guest of Her Majesty, a man called the Doctor. Have you seen him?'
Michael's eyes flashed past Sir Henry's face to the retreating Mary. She desperately signalled for him to deny all knowledge. 'I'm sorry, Sir Henry, but -'
`Sorry? You will be when I've finished with you. Now go to my office and stay there. I will deal with you presently!'
Mary had reached the door and rapped on it three times.
`Lady Nyssa - Doctor - it's Mary! You should -' Her words were cut short by a ghastly scream from inside the bedchamber. Mary stumbled back from the door as the wood bulged outwards at her, the features of a face straining to escape the grain.
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: The figure of light moved towards me, sliding through the equipment between us.