Doctor Who_ Full Circle - Andrew Smith [14]
Nefred reached out with trembling hands and punched a sequence of keys on the terminal.
ONE: REQUEST YOU REVIEW BIO-STATUS OF EXMON DRAITH.
All three Deciders had a bio-link with the computer, part of the machine's programming to monitor the well-being of the community's three most important men. As long as they lived, heart beat, respiration and other vital functions were constantly relayed into the computer.
REVIEW: THIS TERMINAL RECEIVES NO BIO-DATA RE EXMON DRAITH. EXMON DRAITH IS DEAD.
A coldness swept over Nefred. It was inevitable that this should have been the response, but this cold confirmation of his colleague's fate shocked him nonetheless. Nefred was not an unambitious man, but he fervently wished Draith were back and safe in the starliner.
Nefred forced himself to punch out another sequence on the keyboard.
TWO: STATE MY IDENTITY.
STATEMENT: YOU ARE NEFRED. FIRST COMMUNITY DECIDER.
As designated by Draith. Nefred relaxed a little and punched out a new sequence.
THREE: I REQUEST ACCESS TO ALL SYSTEM FILES.
Immediately, the screen began to fill with data. The legendary System Files released all their knowledge to Ragen Nefred. They told him secrets known only to a very few over the centuries... and when he knew all these secrets, Ragen Nefred was a shocked man.
After the terminal screen had gone blank, he deactivated the chamber lighting and sat there in the darkness contemplating the information he now held in his head.
It was going to be an awesome burden to carry.
The Doctor knelt to examine the mess of footprints in the mud at his feet. There were the signs of a scuffle as Adric had described it. The discovery of Draith's staff, lying among some nearby reeds, was enough to confirm that Adric's story was true... and that gave cause for very grave concern.
The Doctor looked up and around at the murky, swirling folds of mist which hung on the air like devious intent made tangible.
'What do you make of this fog, K9?'
The automaton moved up beside his master and replied, 'Initial analysis indicates non-toxic.'
'Non-toxic?' the Doctor queried. That wasn't in keeping with Adric's story. The Mistfall legend said that the mists were lethal after prolonged exposure.
The Doctor suddenly scowled, peering closely at the surface of the water in front of him. Had he seen a ripple of movement, a fleeting dark shape under the surface?
He leaned closer.
'Where are you going?'
Adric stopped in the doorway and looked back at Romana. 'To warn my brother. I have to.'
Romana knew by the look on his face there would be no talking him out of it. She fished in the pockets of her dress and pulled out a small green metal orb. 'Better take this, then. It's a homing device. It'll help you find your way back to the TARDIS.'
Adric took the object and examined it. When he pressed a button on the side, it emitted a high-pitched pulsating whine. He switched it off and thanked Romana.
'What about your knee?' Romana asked. 'Are you fit enough to walk?'
'Oh, it's healed,' he said. Noting the look of incredulity Romana directed at him, he reached down and whipped off the bandage.
Underneath, there was no sign of there ever having been an injury. The tissue had mended perfectly.
Romana was astounded.
The Doctor narrowed his eyes as he stared into the water. There was no sign of movement now. Had his eyes deceived him?
The whirring of K9's ears interrupted his thoughts. 'Master - alert.'
The Doctor looked down at his metal companion. Then, hearing the sounds of disturbed water, he looked back at the marsh.
They rose from the waters of the marshland one by one, tall, powerful, scaly creatures, dripping mud and slime. Their clawed hands tore at the air around them as sounds of inhuman ferocity were released from their throats.
They stood erect, sucking in breath, and by the nature of their stance declared that they claimed this territory as their own.
The Doctor tensed. He had nowhere to run.
4
'We're Taking Over Your Ship'
Amazingly, the creatures did not move. They seemed oblivious