Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [68]
When they came for him, they came in force. The Doctor watched as thugs gathered around his contained area, Stephens at their centre. The Chief Scientist stepped forward to address the Doctor.
Now, Doctor, youve told us about how low weve sunk, said Stephens. Well, here we have humanitys fighters, descended from long family lines of bruisers and battlers, guards and soldiers. Imagine how low they can sink, what violence they will inflict on you. So play nice, Doctor. Youre out of your league now.
The Doctor didnt reply, but settled into a crouch, a tiger preparing to leap.
Very well, said Stephens, turning to address his men. Take him, and dont use the tranqs I want him to feel this.
Stephens activated a remote control, and the clear barriers around the Doctor began to retract into the ceiling. Dizzying, purified air slid in beneath the walls, but the Doctor didnt allow himself to be distracted. Stephenss thugs were moving in, batons at the ready, clothed in simple clinical overalls. The Doctor was sure he recognised the killer he had chased across Hope among them, although frankly their appearances were much too similar for him to differentiate. What had Stephens said about family lines? These men looked like they had been inbred to increase their fighting capacity. A pure strain of the worst of humankind.
When the cage above him was a few metres above the ground, the Doctor sprang, grabbing the inner rim of the cage as it retracted into the ceiling. The thugs looked up, confused, as he continued to rise. There was nowhere to go the cage would retract fully, a couple of feet more, then stop. But nonetheless the Doctor clung on by his fingertips. It lifted him up until his feet were dangling a couple of metres above his captors heads. The cage ground to a halt, and he hung there, looking down.
Stephens shook his head, bored. From his perspective the Doctor could see the old scientists bald patch.
Get him down from there; said Stephens wearily. Now! he snapped, and the thugs moved into action. They started jumping, trying to grab the Doctors shoes, trying to hook his trouser leg or hit him with their batons. But the Doctor swung himself out of their grasp, playfully avoiding them. They moved in tighter, jumping higher. The Doctor tensed, puffing his knees up to his chest.
Then he let go, wrapping his arms around his knees. The Doctor dropped like a stone, landing on top of his captors, sending them reeling. One was knocked unconscious, the rest went flying. One landed face down, the Doctors entire weight pressing on his back. The Doctor rolled off on to the floor, landing in a catlike posture and springing to his feet, striding towards Stephens, who was between him and the door. The other scientists were backing away, while the thugs behind him were swearing as they regrouped.
Get out of my way, the Doctor told Stephens firmly. He moved to push Stephens out of the way, but to his surprise the old man ducked under his arm, aiming a low punch that hit the Doctor in the ribcage, sending him spiralling off course. The Doctor slammed into the wall, flipping around to face Stephens with a confused expression.
We are fighting for our survival here, Doctor, said Stephens, slipping into an offensive stance, one palm raised. Even a man like myself has to have combat skills implanted. The body may be weak, but the will to fight back will always be there.
The thugs were back on their feet and advancing, while the other scientists had gained confidence from Stephenss words, and had stepped forward to back him up. The Doctor glanced around desperately; there was nothing to use against them, no useful equipment, not even a fire extinguisher or an alarm to set off.
The Doctor tensed, preparing to defend himself. His assailants advanced towards him. The Doctor counted fifteen of them.
Before they could attack an alarm went off, a wailing siren that caused wincing from the humans. The lights went out, emergency red lighting clicking on.
Perimeter breach! said the younger scientist, the one called