Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [101]
There, that should do the trick, said the Doctor. Anyone injected with this Kallisti will bear all the physical hallmarks of a Silverati, but retain human personality traits. Whats more, Ive added a degrading element to the substance, which will cause anyone infected to revert to human normal within a day. Oh, and just to be on the safe side, theres a short term protocol to help the both of us with any requests.
Wonderful, said Anji. But whats the point if were blowing this place up anyway?
Well, this sample is for the next stage in my plan, said the Doctor with a sigh. Which, Im afraid, you may not like very much.
As the Doctor spoke, he extracted a sample of the new Kallisti from the machine. He trapped the sample in a test tube, and waggled it under the light as if he could read the code he had programmed into it.
Why wont I like this? asked Anji apprehensively. What are you up to now?
We need someone to go Silver, so to speak, to go undercover as a Silverati and sabotage Silvers plans, said the Doctor, sliding the test tube into his pocket. And unfortunately theres only one obvious candidate.
The Doctor picked up a microblade, and waggled it around in a couple of sockets. He then spun the blade between his fingers and slipped it into his pocket.
What candidate? asked Anji. She had a horrible feeling where this conversation was going, and was about to protest when the Doctor put a finger to her lips.
Not just now, cautioned the Doctor. Ive just shorted the power relays. This whole room is about to explode into a fireball. He walked across to the door, pulling the bar out from between the handles. I suggest we retire to a safe distance before having any arguments.
Richard was walking back to one of his old labs which felt like a nostalgia trip, even though he had barely been away for a day when two figures jumped out of the shadows, grabbing him and bundling him into a cupboard. He tried to squeal, but a hand was clamped over his mouth. The cupboard was dark, and whoever had seized him was close he could feel himself pressed between two warm bodies. It wasnt an experience he was used to.
Shhh! hissed a familiar male voice. Its me, Fitz. Be quiet, we only want your help.
Richard calmed down, and found the hand had gone from his mouth. It was still terribly dark, though.
What do you want? asked Richard.
We need to secure one of the submarines, said another voice that Richard recognised as Miraso. It may be necessary for us to make a quick exit. Can you help us?
Richard sighed. He could feel himself about to agree, without the slightest idea why. He had a funny feeling that any attempt by him to understand what was going on would only confuse him further. Better just to get on with doing what he was told.
His resolve was cemented when he heard the explosion nearby. The Bunker didnt seem to be a safe place to stay.
The sound of the explosion reached the Hypertunnel chamber. The lights flickered, power threatening to cut out altogether.
What was that? Silver asked one of his Silverati, who calmly walked across to a control panel in the wall.
Internal systems indicate power loss and a conflagration in one of the main laboratories, said the Silverati.
Which laboratory? Silver asked.
G, came the reply.
Silver resisted a sudden urge to bite into his knuckle. Laboratory G was where the Kallisti synthesis was taking place. There could only be one person responsible for the disruption the same man who had previously been caught trying to damage the equipment.
The Doctor is free, said Silver. And no doubt intent on wreaking havoc here. No matter, this bunker is dispensable. Let the Doctor have his fun.
Silver turned to the Silverati, who was waiting patiently for further instructions.
Put out a general order, snapped Silver.