Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [53]
'Remember the signals?' Kempshall shouted to the sergeant.
Vollmer nodded. Òne quick tug on the guide rope means pump the air down to you faster. Two quick tugs means pull you up. Three quick tugs means jump in and get you'
Satisfied, the lieutenant turned towards the water and let himself fall forwards, plunging into the river with a resounding splash. The guide rope and air hose rapidly unwound themselves over the edge of the pontoon as Kempshall tumbled down through the water. 'Keep those flywheels turning!' Vollmer commanded. 'The lower he gets, the greater the water pressure around him becomes and the harder you'll have to pump the air!' The sergeant crouched by the edge of the pontoon, looking down into the water. Already he had lost sight of Kempshall. Vollmer wasn't a religious man but he made the sign of the cross anyway, just for luck. You wouldn't get me down there for love nor money, he vowed.
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: After several hours the train stopped to shed and gain passengers, giving the Doctor and me a chance to seek out the TARDIS. The tall blue box was wedged behind a selection of trunks and howling animals in cages. Once inside I went in search of more comfortable clothes, choosing my favourite crimson tunic and trousers. The Doctor was still calibrating the instruments when I reappeared. 'I know, I know, this is hardly typical clothing for a Victorian lady,' I said when the Doctor raised a quizzical eyebrow at my attire. 'But I am not a Victorian lady. If anyone asks, I will simply say this is traditional on Traken'
Àdult women on Traken traditionally wear long gowns and dresses,' he said.
`You and I know that but nobody else does. Since everyone here is too polite to ask where Traken is, they can hardly contradict me about what people wear there. So making any progress?'
`Just about,' he replied. 'I had hoped the TARDIS might be able to locate James from his artron energy signature, but no such luck.'
I suggested the parasitic organism inside him only registered during a manifestation.
`Perhaps. But I'm not sure if this creature is a parasite.
The two of them may well have a symbiotic relationship. It's difficult to tell without proper examination.'
I began studying the displays on the opposite face of the central console from where the Doctor was standing. 'What about the weakness in the space-time continuum?'
`That's much easier to identify now the TARDIS is not moving through the continuum. The weakness is much clearer - it's to our north, still a few hundred miles away.
Corra Linn is definitely the site of the rift.'
I noticed a warning light blinking on the console panel nearest to me. 'Doctor, I think you'd better have a look at this.'
`Just a moment. I just need to lock off these dials and -'
`Not in a moment, Doctor - now!' I insisted.
The Doctor hurried to join me. 'Oh no,' he whispered upon seeing what was blinking. The weakness - it's expanding.
Somebody is approaching the rift!'
Kempshall sank slowly to the bottom of the Clyde. The water was thick with silt and other particles, so what light penetrated the surface quickly melted away, replaced with an inky blackness. The lieutenant felt his breath catch as he plunged deeper into the water, cold seeping into the diving suit from his surroundings. He gave the guide rope a single tug. After a few moments more air surged down to him.
Kempshall bent his knees and spread his legs slightly to brace for impact, arms held out to ensure the diving suit did not tip over.
Finally, his heavy boots touched the bottom, their impact cushioned by a thick layer of sediment underfoot. He looked about himself but could certainly see no glowing light. The orders from Her Majesty had been rather vague about quite what it was he could expect. Kempshall decided his best move was to find the edge of the riverbank and begin