Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [71]
Yes, said the Doctor. And killed far too many people. Was that really necessary?
Silver shrugged. I found you. But have you found me my killer?
The Doctor stepped back, making an expansive gesture. This entire project was responsible for those killings. The Doctor leaned past a couple of scientists, who backed away quickly, and picked up a glass test tube, which he threw to Silver. The cyborg gingerly caught the tube between giant fingers, and held it up to the light. Silvers red eye widened, clearly scanning the tubes contents.
The vivactic gland, said Silver. Interesting. It seems your theory was right, Doctor. Congratulations. You have fulfilled your side of our agreement. I will retrieve your box as soon as possible. Now. He turned to the gathered humans. Who is in charge of this project?
There was a difficult silence.
Mr Stephens, said the Doctor coldly. I think you should take credit for your excellent work, dont you?
The old scientist grimaced and stepped forward. He retained his defiance as Silver stepped slowly towards him.
Silver, warned the Doctor. I dont want any more deaths. There have been enough of them on Endpoint of late.
Silver slowly turned his head to the Doctor, impassive, and turned back to Stephens. He towered over the old man.
Mr Stephens, boomed Silver. I wish to see the facilities in my new bunker.
Richard found himself dizzied by the thought processes of the two beings from the planets surface. The young scientist had been given the task of showing them around the bunker, as requested by Silver, Stephens being too old for the task. And so Richard had taken them around the main locations, constantly amazed by how little he needed to tell them. He had always been taught that no one could outthink a human being, but Silver and the Doctor only needed to glance at the highest technology they had to understand its operation and application.
While touring the cryochambers Silver had made an estimate of the number of humans frozen there he placed the figure at around two thousand while the Doctor suggested alterations to the cooling system. In the control centre the Doctor had fixed a monitor problem that had been plaguing maintenance for months. Silver had closely examined many items in the armoury, while the Doctor had seemed keen to keep moving.
So Richard had not been surprised when, as they were cutting through a storage area used by the guards for recreation, the Doctor had suddenly stopped, knocking over a makeshift card table to expose the rounded, brass object beneath it. Richard realised with a jolt that the card players had probably died in Silvers attack.
Do you know what this is? the Doctor asked, examining the brass object.
Richard checked his inventory. Unidentifiable item, purpose unknown, he read.
It looks like a cloud seeding pod to me, said Silver. The kind used in heavyduty environmental reengineering. A few of these could fundamentally alter a planets atmosphere.
That would make sense, said Richard. His inventory said that even Stephens had been unable to identify the pod. We are supposed to be equipped to create a new Earth in the future, to recreate a planet as our new home.
The Doctor marched towards him. And did it never occur to you that these resources might be better used to solve the environmental problems on this planet? That alleviating the suffering of others might be a more humane option than hoarding your resources for some supposed future glory? No, of course it didnt. Forget I said anything. The Doctor waved a dismissive hand in Richards direction and wandered away.
Silver pointed a finger at the pod. Find me the rest of these, he said. And soon.
Let me guess, said the Doctor, spinning back around to face them, sulk dissipated, enthusiasm restored. Were going to do a spot of decorating?
The day