Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [66]
I believe he who rules should not just be able to rule, to give orders, said Silver, brushing his subordinates aside. He should be able to do everything his subjects can, and more. He should stand when others kneel, run when others are too weak to even stand. He should assert his right to rule through stretching the boundaries of the possible.
Silver stood over Miraso, arms crossed over his chest. With his extra protective equipment on, he was even bigger than before. The rising sun shone off every metallic detail.
I will do this impossible task in full public view, said Silver, red eye flaring. And in doing so prove that no one is superior to Silver.
I believe you have been interrogating my staff, said Stephens, waking the Doctor from his meditative state. I hope you have found humanity to your interest.
Oh, this is hardly my first brush with humans, said the Doctor flippantly, pushing his dirty hair out of his eyes. They had kept him in this box for what seemed like days, the same air being recycled again and again, the overhead lights never dimming. He wasnt at his best, but he put up a brave front. I have quite a long history with the human race. I have visited many points in your species history. I lived among humans for years before I even realised I wasnt one of them. The Doctor realised he was perhaps saying too much in his dazed state, but was aware that he needed to draw Stephens out somehow, find his vulnerable point.
Fascinating, said Stephens, tilting his head as he watched the Doctor. A time traveller. No wonder you are so much more impressive than those bovine mutants who roam the surface of this rock. He couldnt conceal his interest. So, Doctor, what do you know of humanity?
That they are an immensely creative and adaptable species, replied the Doctor. In the time I spent among them, cultures and ideologies rose and fell, whole new areas of science and knowledge were discovered. They fought wars, created nations, and made their first ventures into space. And, in my travels since I left that distant century, I have discovered that adaptable, creative spirit to have continued into space, into the future. Even this far towards the universes end, it still exists.
Stephens smiled. So, you may disapprove of our methods, but you acknowledge that our humanity has its advantages?
Oh, I didnt mean you, replied the Doctor. What creativity, what adaptability, do you have? None whatsoever. You have cloistered yourselves away from the wider universe, protected your bloodline and in the process created an enfeebled species forced to crawl under rocks until the end of time. No, the true inheritors of the human spirit are those mutants you despise, the Endpointers. They have shown all the survival instincts and resourcefulness of their human ancestors. They are the true holders of the human legacy, not your inbred, murderous kind.
Doctor, said Stephens, backing away from the Doctors enclosure. You do not know how much I am looking forward to cutting you open.
Fitz staggered into the main hall that morning to find Anji, Miraso and a number of the other Palace staff watching a large screen erected above the bar. Fitz couldnt help noticing that the Palace didnt seem to have heating and lighting, but had a television running. He asked Miraso if she was certain she had her priorities straight.
Surely getting the power back is the most important thing? he asked.
Miraso shook her head. We made certain to get communication channels open first for damn good reasons, she said, standing with her back to a pillar, eyes glued to the screen. The people need to see this. Theyre Endpointers, they can survive a little hardship. What they need right now is to be reminded who the boss is around here.
The screen buzzed, and resolved into an image of a bulky figure, standing in front of a railing. The murky sea was visible behind him. Fitz realised it was Silver, albeit with all his human parts covered. A diving mask covered