Doctor Who_ Halflife - Mark Michalowski [107]
Behind them, rounding the hillock, was another levicar – travelling at full speed, judging by the feverish whine of the engines. Sat up in front were two figures – the Imperator, and another offworlder. It had to be Trix, the woman that the Doctor had spoken about. As if things weren’t complicated enough.
‘Stop him!’ called Tannalis, his voice hoarse and cracked. He swayed on his feet until the woman pushed him back down into his seat.
‘Stop him!’ the woman echoed, pointing at Trove. ‘Kill him if you have to.
Just stop him.’
The other Guard in his levicar raised his gun, uncertainly.
‘Remember our deal, Imperator,’ Trove shouted, as Tannalis and his companion drew closer. ‘Remember what I promised you!’
‘You bastard!’ shouted back the Imperator. ‘I’ve seen what you did to my son. D’you think our deal is worth anything now?’
‘That was an accident,’ Trove lied. Javill found some of my equipment and interfered with it.’
‘So you did that to him? You’re responsible, Trove,’ the Imperator said, rising from his seat again. This time, the woman didn’t attempt to push him back down. ‘And you’re going to pay, believe me.’
‘Think about it, Tannalis!’ Trove urged. ‘Eternal life for you – a new body.
How long have you got left in that one? A year? Five years? Imagine having your whole life to live over again.’
‘And what kind of life would that be, man, knowing I had it at the cost of my son?’ He looked around. ‘And where’s my wife? Where’s Alinti?’
‘There was another accident,’ Trove said flatly. ‘I’m sure you’ll miss her deeply. But if you won’t think of yourself, Imperator, think of your nation.
Think of Saiarossa. The bioship beneath us can create a whole army of soldiers. This world can be yours, united under your benevolent rule. No more wars, no more bickering and fighting.’
Tannalis laughed harshly ‘Accidents seem to follow you around, don’t they?
And another war to end all wars, Trove? More slaughter? We might have thrown away the history books here, but there are some lessons that you don’t have to be able to read to learn. The only future worth having is one that people take through choice. And it’s no choice if it’s forced.’
‘And what kind of choice does an Imperator offer them, then? Hardly the head of state of choice for a shiny democracy, is it?’
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‘You let me take care of my country, Trove, and my family. You’ve done enough damage. Now let my daughter go.’
Trove grimaced, and Calamee realised that he’d made a mistake: he should have seized her. If he used his weapon on Sensimi, the Imperator would order the Guard to kill him without a doubt. He glanced around, obviously wondering if he could grab Calamee and use the thing on her first, a demonstration.
But she saw him staring, and backed away.
‘Looks like you’re stuffed,’ she said and pulled a sad face. ‘And you were so close.’
In Tain’s inner chamber, the Doctor and Fitz backed up against the wall as the face of the night beast began to extrude itself, as though pushing through a thin, rubber membrane. It twisted this way and that, its beaked mouth opening and closing silently.
‘Tain!’ the Doctor shouted.
There was no answer: the Trojan was indeed back in control.
‘Maybe we should get out,’ Fitz whispered at his side.
‘Maybe you’re right,’ the Doctor agreed, moving closer to Fitz.
Unfortunately, the pucker of the duct was right next to where the Trojan’s soldier was appearing. As they watched, its shoulders appeared – and then one slender, clawed foot. The Doctor doubted they’d both get out in time.
‘Tain!’ he called. ‘You’ve got to fight it. Fight the Trojan, don’t let it take you over. You know what happens if it does: the Oon have won and you’ll be picked apart, dissected – if you’re lucky or forced to go back to war, but this time for them. More deaths, Tain, more slaughter. Is that what you want?
After all you’ve done, is that what you really want? We can help you find a way around the Gaian thing, but not if we’re dead.’
The creature twisted its lumpen, birdlike head this way and that, as an arm slid from the wall and began