Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [60]
At least youve been in the centre of things, moaned Fitz. Im on the outskirts of Boredom nothing ever happens here. Hows the Doctor?
You mean you dont know? said Anji.
Know what? asked Fitz, pulling himself up on to one elbow, in spite of his previous determination not to move.
The Doctor is missing, she replied. Youre the last person to have seen him. Silver is trying to trace where hes got to. We think he might be in the hands of the killer, whoever that is.
What time is it? asked Fitz, rolling off the bed and on to his feet. He waved from side to side slightly, and Anji had to help him to stay standing.
Almost sundown. Why do you ask?
Because Ive got one lead left that might help us, said Fitz. And if I dont get going Ill miss my assignation.
Anji watched, concerned, as Fitz staggered out of the door. Something told her there was no point trying to stop him.
They gathered in Stygian darkness in one of the citys foulest meeting places, dark within the struts of Hope. Their piety and faith burned even as they were shrouded in shadow, waiting for the new member of their number, the one who wished to transcend. Eventually he came, an innocent wandering into their presence. He made a gesture of supplication and indicated his inferiority.
Hey, said Fitz. Sorry Im late.
The three Brothers accepted the mans apology for his human weakness. They bowed to him, acknowledging acceptance. Soon they would make him more than human. As the three brothers led the way through low corridors to their sacred place, the man experienced uncertainty in the face of the challenge ahead of him.
Are you sure you know where the hell were going? asked Fitz.
The Brothers nodded again. This crisis of faith was understandable. The step into the light was a distance of many miles, an effort of will. Even the strong faltered. It was only more evidence of the human weaknesses that needed to be erased, a cry for help and salvation. In faltering, the faithful demonstrated how much they needed purity.
In the sacred place they gathered. It was their sanctuary, a haven for the Brothers. The three led the potential new follower through the hooded ranks, and as they passed those hoods were thrown back, revealing proud modifications and enhancements. The new follower showed his admiration.
Nice box on your face, said Fitz. Does it get Radio Luxembourg?
Behold, said one of the three. Behold the shrine of our queen. They bowed down, presenting the magnificence before them.
Thats nice, said Fitz, looking at the box on the stage. Its really... shiny.
The faithful gathered around their new potential member, and presented their knowledge to him. He listened patiently as they outlined the tenets of their faith, their principles and belief. He listened to tales of their victories and achievements, sacrifices and sufferings, all with the greatest of respect. He listened as the Brothers told him their secrets, of their journeys through the citys undertunnels, of the twisted creatures that lived down there, howling their demented pain.
Then, when he had listened enough, they asked him if there were any theological issues he would like them to resolve, any questions of faith he had before he committed himself to the cause.
And so the newcomer asked his questions. He asked why Silver was their enemy, when he seemed to represent everything they strived for? And while some among the Brothers refused to hear this heresy, others found they could not answer his question, and were disturbed. While he was at it the newcomer also asked why the Brotherhood claimed to be committed to the abandonment of all human emotion yet always seemed so bloody angry? Yet again, some of the Brothers were angered while others listened to the newcomers words with interest.
So, with his audience at least partially warming up, the newcomer asked more questions, picking apart the belief of the Brothers bit by bit, pointing out the contradictions,