Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [50]
Thats partially the Kallisti talking, of course, said the Doctor, addressing all of them once more. And partially a response to the hard lives you lead here. But its a definite trait, nonetheless. Just look at the names of your towns Hope, Survival, Triumph. All that posturing in the face of adversity. He dropped down to his knees in front of Miraso. Remember what you just said: no plan of attack, no coherent defence. A combative culture permeating your every word. So its understandable that certain things would never occur to you. It would never occur to any of you to act weak, to lay yourselves open to attack.
Fitz chuckled, which seemed to rile Miraso slightly. He covered his mouth. He could see where this was going, but the other two couldnt. Yet. The Doctor had to take them there by hand.
Why would we want to lay ourselves open to attack? asked Miraso.
The Doctor placed his hands on her shoulders.
Because, he said quietly, the best way to trap a predator is to look like prey.
Silver slowly got to his feet, and offered his steel hand to help Anji up. With a slight gesture she was dragged upright it was like being given a helping hand by a forklift.
Silver was looking her straight in the eye. Clouds passed overhead, and for a second both his eyes seemed to glow red in the brief gloom. Then the sun passed over and the illusion was gone.
You want something from me, said Silver. You ask questions about my power, about what I can do. You coyly ask about the technology, the sciences available to me. This does not seem like simple curiosity. What do you want, Anji?
She didnt answer, instead staring at her feet. The moment she had thought about, toyed with in those halfdreaming moments before sleep and after waking, the decision she had realised could come the moment she had looked around the Silver Palaces laboratory.
Simply ask, Anji, said Silver, his rich, deep voice almost seductive in its intensity. If it is possible, Im sure we can come to some arrangement. And most things are possible for me.
I had a friend, said Anji, matteroffactly, as if telling an anecdote that was leading nowhere. Dave. He died, and Id like him back. I have a hair of his, I keep it close to me. She looked up at Silver, making eye contact, opening up to him. She had started now, there was no point in holding back. If you had the hair, could you bring him back?
I wouldnt be able to restore his memories, or even guarantee he would have the same personality, said Silver. This new Dave... he would be a different person, genetically the same but with a different upbringing, different influences. He would not be the man you knew.
Anji shook her head. This isnt for me. I dont want my boyfriend back. All I want is for him to be able to start again, to live another life. What happened to him was pointless, random, stupid. She felt weak tears crawling down her cheeks, her skin itching in their path. He deserves another life. Not the life he had, but another life.
Silver nodded. Then this I can do. But it will be a complex, resourceintensive operation, expensive even for me. I must ask for a high price.
What do you want? Anji asked. The first full grown apple fell out of the tree, rolling across grass and blossom to land at her feet. She realised she hadnt much to give. Would he ask for her soul? No, that was stupid...
This box, said Silver. The one I am retrieving for the Doctor. I presume that it is his time machine, correct?
Anji shook her head. Its not mine to give, she insisted. I cant take it for you, and I wouldnt know how.
Silver stepped closer to her, laying his human hand on her shoulder.
Thats not what Im asking for, he said. Im sure the Doctors craft has numerous security measures to prevent the likes of me from walking off with it. No, all I want you to do is wander around inside with a scanning device, gathering data for me. The Doctor need never know, and after you and your friends have left I will be able to use that knowledge to further my own studies. I want to