Doctor Who_ Full Circle - Andrew Smith [29]
The Doctor and Adric remained totally silent and still as from the black corners of the cave they heard a chorus of hurried clickings.
'Doctor...' Adric could barely contain his fear as the spiders ventured forwards into the light. They were a solid line, all around, exercising the same strategy as they had used on Romana earlier.
Their glowing, multi-faceted eyes surveyed the human intruders.
These humans, too, would become their victims.
'We have to be very careful, Adric. Do what I tell you, when I tell you, exactly as I tell you. Understood?'
'Understood.'
The Doctor considered the gap between themselves and the open doors of the TARDIS, and wondered how fast the spiders were capable of transporting themselves. He would find out soon enough.
He saw K9's body, to the right of the TARDIS. Spiders were clustered around and all over him. There was no sign of the head. Despite himself, the Doctor felt a surge of anguish. K9 had always been more than just a computer.
'Doctor?' Adric stooped to the floor next to Romana and, with more than a touch of apprehension, lifted the ugly carcass of the spider which had bitten her. 'It's dead.'
'Get it into the TARDIS, Adric. Take Romana with you.'
'What about you?'
'I'm going to fetch K9.'
Adric paled as he considered the number of spiders grouped around the remains of the Doctor's computer companion. 'You won't stand a chance!'
The Doctor seemed not to have heard him. 'You'll have to move quickly, Adric. As soon as we make a start for the TARDIS the spiders should head towards us. Ready?'
'Not in the slightest,'Adric answered.
'Good.'
Adric helped Romana to her feet, took a grip of her arm and prepared himself for the Doctor's signal. He noted that Romana still seemed distant, somehow removed, but for the time being there were more pressing matters with which to concern himself.
'Now! Go, Adric!'
Adric sprinted for the TARDIS doors, dragging Romana with him. As the Doctor had predicted, the spiders started to move in. They travelled quickly on their eight legs, a seething, clattering mass of malevolence.
At the TARDIS doors, Romana stumbled and fell. Adric heaved her up with a burst of adrenalin-inspired strength, and hauled her into the TARDIS.
The Doctor had reached K9. With a number of swipes of his long burgundy scarf he sent the spiders which clung to the computer crashing to the cave floor, only to upright themselves and advance on their human assailant.
There were spiders crawling up the Doctor's legs, and it was a continuing effort to shake them loose before they could sink their venom-loaded fangs into him.
He clutched K9's body with both hands, one gripping tightly to the neck aperture, and lifted it up. Kicking the spiders away from around his feet, he started to make for the TARDIS.
He was almost there when a spider emerged from the neck aperture, crawling out onto his hand.
For an instant the Doctor knew total fear then, once again in control of himself, he swiped at the arachnoid, sending it scattering across the floor. Nimbly he ducked into the TARDIS, kicking away the last remaining spiders at his feet.
'Doors!' he shouted and Adric hit the control. The TARDIS doors swung closed. They were able to relax, secure once more within their Space/Time craft.
The Doctor settled K9 on the floor and turned his attention to Romana. She was leaning back against the console, looking inquisitively around the room.
'Are you all right, Romana?' he asked in concern.
'I'm fine,' Romana replied, then scowled at him.
'But who are you?' she asked.
8
'I am Beginning Surgery'
Nefred and Garif regarded the comatose form of the Marshchild with apprehensive wonder. It lay, as before, on the operating couch in Dexeter's Science Unit, the gills at its neck rippling gently, in time with its rising and falling chest.
Dexeter stood close at hand, nervous, waiting for their decision.
Nefred spoke almost to himself. 'In past ages,' he began, 'these creatures were regarded with superstitious awe. Figures symbolising the whole