Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [51]
Vollmer quickly washed, dressed and marched down to the water's edge. The crates had been left there the previous evening during the search for Ashe. With the lieutenant dead, it was up to Vollmer to ensure the mission met its challenge.
He used the tip of a bayonet to crack open the lids of both crates. Inside the first was an upright box of burnished wood and metal, a heavy wheel mounted on either side of it. Two round gauges were set into the wood. From near the base of the box a pair of thick, hollow pipes protruded.
The second crate contained what Vollmer deduced must be the diving suit. It was like a pair of bulky rubber long johns.
The suit had ties at its wrists and ankles, but round the neck was a metal and leather collar with fixed screws protruding upwards. Beside it lay a helmet of brass that would encase the entire head of whoever wore it. At the back of the helmet was an opening into which the hose nozzle could be screwed. At the front of the helmet was another circle of glass, screws and bolts holding it in place to seal off the interior. Vollmer picked up the helmet - god, was it heavy!
Kempshall must be stronger than he looked to bear the weight of this monstrosity. Last but not least was a pair of heavy leather gloves, again with ties at the wrists, and a mighty pair of boots.
`Quite a feat of engineering, isn't it?' The sergeant spun round to find the naval officer approaching. Kempshall was smiling and rubbing his hands together, anticipation in his eyes. He was not wearing most of his uniform, just a vest and trousers over his unlaced boots. 'I had this especially made for me by a clever chap called Augustus Siebe in Denmark Street. Quite the craftsman, let me tell you. All the best fixtures and fittings, not like most of the suits Her Majesty's navy has to use.'
`How can you even move carrying all of that weight?'
Vollmer asked.
Ìt's easy - once you're in the water. But on dry land it's something of a pig.' Kempshall picked up the helmet and blew on the glass porthole at the front, buffing the surface with his palm. 'Look, I wanted to say sorry about yesterday. It had been a hell of a journey up and I probably came across as quite the cad. This all seemed like some jolly adventure until we got back here and found your commanding officer was dead' The lieutenant slipped the helmet under his left arm and offered his right hand.
The sergeant shook it, grateful to make peace. He dug out Ashe's orders and handed them to Kempshall, who read the page before giving a low whistle. `Cripes. Can't say I know what's afoot here, but I'll do my best to help out' The lieutenant began checking over his equipment to ensure it had survived the journey intact. He looked up at Vollmer.
'Look old chap, I think it best if you take charge of your men.
Strictly speaking I outrank you, but I can't see a lot of army lads taking well to orders from a naval officer. What do you think?'
Vollmer agreed, finding himself rapidly revising his opinion of Kempshall. For someone who liked mucking about in boats for a living, the lieutenant was proving to be a man of common sense and sound judgement. The sergeant went off to rouse his men. He had noticed how short the days were this far north during the dead of winter. The sooner everyone got moving, the quicker they would be in completing their mission. Vollmer had little urge to spend many more nights in this place, curse or no curse.
* * *
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: The train journey north to Scotland proved to be long, monotonous and uncomfortable. I had suggested to the Doctor we take to the TARDIS, which had been loaded into a carriage packed with other boxes and possessions. But the general was keeping a close eye on us, so we had to keep to our compartment for the first part of the journey. I took the opportunity to put a few questions to the Doctor who, for once, had no distractions