Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [74]
Someone was pulling at Powlins shoulder.
Shouldnt we do something to stop it, Chief? asked one of the militiamen.
Powlin tracked the craft with his eyes, not turning to look at his colleague.
What can we do? he said simply, watching the object glide deeper into Hope.
The environment suit was bulky and inconvenient, but it was the only protection Miraso had against the rains. She stomped out on to the roof in her heavy boots, trying to see where she was going through the cowls narrow visor. At least Silver wouldnt miss her the suit was bright yellow, apart from the black, insulated gloves that prevented her from scratching the many itches the damn suit was giving her.
When the spotlight shone down on her, Miraso instinctively dropped to her knees, searching for her gun. Of course the environment suit prevented her from reaching it, but she soon gave up, stunned by the ship hovering above her. It was dark and tubular, like a submarine or missile, but hovering from a series of rotors whirling above it. On its underside was the spotlight that surrounded her. Something fell from the top of this magnificent vehicle, dropping like a stone nearby. She turned to see Silver pulling himself to his feet. Where he had landed there was a crater in the roof a couple of inches deep, the shape of his boots and left knee clearly imprinted where they had hit.
The rain was pouring down Silvers face as he approached. Miraso realised he wasnt wearing his diving equipment, that the toxic fluid was touching his skin, dripping into his human eye.
Doesnt it sting? she asked, the only thing she could think to say.
Silver didnt reply. Instead he gripped the cowl of her environment suit in his metal fist and ripped it away, thick material tearing across the shoulders. Miraso instinctively closed her eyes and tried to force her head down, out of the rain, but a steel thumb pushed her face up, gently but firmly. She kept her mouth shut, waiting for the water that pooled in her eye sockets to start stinging. But the pain never came.
Open your mouth, said Silver, and Miraso found herself obeying, guts clenching as the rain drops fell on her tongue. But instead of stinging, the water was cool and refreshing. She opened and closed her jaw, tasting the rain water. It was clean, fresher than anything she had tasted before.
Miraso opened her eyes. She had to blink the water out of her eyes to see, but it didnt hurt at all.
She looked at Silver.
Forget the rain, said Silver, and breathe.
Miraso breathed, first tentatively, then filling her lungs. The air was as clear as the rain water, oxygenated and invigorating, even more so than the processed air within the Palace.
Clean water, clean air. Miraso, who had spent her entire life fearing the damaging effects of Endpoints polluted environment, had never experienced anything like it before.
Its a miracle, she told Silver, staring up into the sky and feeling the cool rain on her skin, the breeze sweeping the droplets off course.
My miracle, said Silver, the metal on his body gleaming wet. His eyes were burning with the immensity of his achievement. He raised his fist to the sky. This is my gift to the world!
Chapter Twelve
Blue Sky Propositions
In the orchard, an apple falls. Red and juicy, it plummets towards Anjis sleeping head, although whether its impact will cause any scientific revolutions is debatable. The point becomes irrelevant as the apple is snatched out of the air before it can hit Anji, then lifted up to eye level for a solemn confrontation.
Keep the Doctor away, do you? Well see about that.
The confrontation ends with the apple being bitten into hungrily, the chomping and appreciative sounds from its consumption finally causing Anji to stir. She stretches out on the grass, back arching, eyes flickering open.
Doctor, she says. Youre alive.
Yes, I am, he replied happily, dropping his apple core and kicking it across the orchard. Did you doubt I would be?
No, said Anji sleepily. I didnt.