Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [15]
Soon a fiery, righteous light will emerge from that limb, as the acolyte assists in the slaughter of the abomination. The acolyte lets the pain wash over him, knowing that this upgrade will make him stronger, better. Soon they will attack the Silver Palace, and if anything gets between them and the abomination, then they too will die. This is not supposition, this is not faith, it is logic.
Nothing stands in the way of the Brotherhood and lives.
Chapter Three
A Fistful of Fingers
The Silver Palace was hard to miss, although Anji thought it was somewhat misnamed; it was more a fortress than a palace, a twisted mass of shining metal rising up from between the blocky tenements. Strings of electric lights illuminated the metal, while torches burned either side of the entrance. This stunning work of medieval futurist insanity was surrounded by a sheer drop, with only one slim metal bridge leading towards the buildings entrance, a yawning archway that appeared like a grotesque mouth, the slitlike windows above resembling desperate, unfocused eyes. All the windows on the vast castles outer walls seemed small, and Anji thought she could see the glint of weapons aimed out at a potentially hostile world.
This is not good, said Fitz, articulating Anjis exact thoughts.
Oh, Im sure its not that bad inside, said the Doctor uncertainly. They could have a crazy golf course in there for all we know.
Well they definitely have the space for one, agreed Anji. This place is big.
They dont just have space, they have resources too, added the Doctor. Look at all the electric lighting. I should imagine that very few could afford to expend that amount of energy in a place like Hope. This is definitely the place we want to be if were going to find anyone to help us.
They carefully crossed the bridge which Anji suspected could retract into the palace, acting as an automated version of a drawbridge and approached the archway. Two simian figures emerged from the shadows, holding long, rusty spears. A slight crackle at the end of each spear suggested they might do more than deliver a sharp prod. The guards themselves seemed to be from a slightly different subspecies to Pazon and Powlin. Although still hairless and humanoid they seemed overdeveloped, threateningly tall and rather wide with thick fingered, widespanned hands poking out from their scruffy robes. Their brows were thick and hung heavy over their dark, red little eyes.
Good morning, said the Doctor. We would like to come in, if we may.
Not regulars, said one guard, his voice a deep rumble.
New entrants require proof of liquidity, said the other, his shoulders flexing with suspicion.
The Doctor frowned. Im not sure quite what I have that might be of use to you. He began to dig around in his pockets, and cupped the contents in front of him. Anji peered over at the tangled mess. She recognised a poodles woollen bootie, and there were a couple of mismatched shoelaces, a few coins of various denominations, a battered supermarket reward card, what looked like a diamond engagement ring, a nugget of gold, a wrapped sweet, an old computer chip, a toy VW Beetle and, rather disgustingly, an old apple core.
The two guards hovered over the Doctor menacingly, and prodded the collection of valuables with interest.
See anything that takes your fancy? asked the Doctor hopefully.
One of the guards lifted the apple core by the stalk, staring at it thoughtfully.
This is new, he said. What is it?
Its an apple, said the Doctor. A fruit.
The other guard waved a flat metallic scanning device over the apple core, and it made a disgruntled beeping noise.
Interesting, said the second guard, examining the readings on the scanner. In exchange for this sample we offer you a preliminary credit rating of 750, with an accumulated credit