Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [7]
The killer had clearly landed on the ice, but a quick sweep failed to reveal him. Perhaps his heat signature was shielded. Powlin flicked a switch, overlaying motion detection over the thermal scan. Something very fast was running across the ice towards... three slowmoving heat signatures?
Powlin didnt have time to worry about that. He raised his gun, thumbing the pad next to the trigger, selecting explosive shells and headsup linkup. The goggles allowed him to lock on to the running figure, and he unleashed a volley of shots, miniature heat signatures streaking across his field of vision.
What a nice, friendly place, thought Fitz as he threw himself to the cold ground. Five minutes since they arrived, and someone was shooting at them. Shrapnel flew as whatever was being thrown at them hit the ground, exploding and sending ice fragments flying. Fitz looked up, only to see a white blur jump over him, running away from whoever was firing, towards the TARDIS.
The ground began to shake or was it just concussion? Fitz couldnt tell. The firing had temporarily stopped, but Fitzs ears were still ringing.
Oh dear, said the Doctor, lying on his back where an explosion had thrown him. I think we may have made a dangerous misinterpretation.
What are you talking about? shouted Anji from nearby.
I dont think were on solid ground here, said the Doctor, scrambling to his feet on the slippery surface.
Fitz could feel the ground if ground it was shaking beneath him. As if something was pressing up from beneath the surface. Fitz had the sneaking suspicion it wasnt a very big mole.
Powlin couldnt lock on to anything now. His target had disappeared into a greater blur of motion, as something large cut through the ice in the distance. Tremors were moving across the entire area, and the heat signatures were totally obscured by the fallout from his own explosive shells. Feeling dizzy just looking at the chaotic mass of signals, Powlin tore off his goggles. What the hell was going on out there?
Gas seeped out of the crack as it developed, liquid spraying out. A droplet hit Fitz on the back of his bare hand, and he yelped as the vile liquid burned his skin, flesh sizzling. He backed away.
Watch out, that stuff is lethal! he shouted to his companions, pulling out a hanky and wrapping it around his hand. Probably not the most hygienic dressing, but it would have to do.
Somethings coming, said the Doctor, over the roar as further cracks developed in the ice around them. Were on some kind of lake, and somethings breaking through the ice.
Can we get to the TARDIS? asked Anji, jumping off a section of ice that was slowly sinking under her weight, detached from the rest by the increasing cracks.
The Doctor shook his head. No, were cut off. He pointed in the direction they had previously been walking towards, the dark mass in the distance looming ahead. We need to get to solid ground before the ice breaks up totally.
As if to illustrate his point, a crack developed between his feet, the two sections of ice sheet pulling apart. Even the Doctor covered his nose and mouth with his cravat as noxious gases bubbled out from the liquid beneath.
Run, shouted the Doctor.We havent got long.
They ran, skidding and pitching on the uneven, slippery surface. Cracks shot across the ice, and Fitz saw Anji nearly slip into a chasm that opened up before her, jumping across on to a wobbling, uneven section of ice before the Doctor helped her to safer ground. Fitz himself had to duck out of the way as a geyser spurted between the cracks nearby, acid raining down around him. Fitz felt something sting the back of his neck, but managed to protect his face and eyes. He could swear that, somewhere behind them, he could hear the grinding of metal tearing through the ice, but didnt have any inclination to go