Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [77]
It just all seemed too easy, he concluded. The whole of Endpoint had been turned on its head, a new golden age was supposedly dawning. It was all far too easy, too uncomplicated. The Doctor had his TARDIS back, Silver having fulfilled his side of the bargain, without any tricks or subterfuge. The killings had come to an end. Even Anji seemed to have perked up a bit. Alls well that ends well.
Way too easy, no doubt about it. There had to be a catch, some dark secret waiting to get them. The Doctor had disappeared into the TARDIS, eager to discover to what extent the ship had recovered from the exertion of pushing this far into the future. Anji was elsewhere. If Fitz was to discover whatever dark secrets were lurking beneath the surface of this supposedly happy ending, he would have to discover them himself.
The blue painted wood of the TARDIS felt warm beneath Anjis hand; whether from the sun beating down on it, or from its own internal heat, she wasnt entirely sure. She pushed gently, and walked into a brightness entirely different from that outside, the clinical whiteness of the TARDIS. Electric hum and conditioned air, a hygienic, alien space only one step and a whole world away from the Pier.
Anji, said the Doctor cheerily. How are things? He was examining the controls when she came in, but gave her his full attention as soon as he was aware of her presence. He seemed fully recovered from his ordeal beneath the sea just as, only a short while ago, he had recovered from one of his hearts failing then being gouged out of his chest. The Doctor always survived, always pulled through.
Fine, fine, she replied hurriedly, running her fingers around the edge of the console. I just wanted to check how the TARDIS was, get a couple of things from my room.
Well, the TARDIS seems to have recovered perfectly well from my idiocy. Well be able to leave soon, said the Doctor, scraping his fingers through his hair. As a slight frown appeared on his forehead he paused, became so absolutely still that for a second Anji thought there had been some horrible time spillage, that the Doctor would be stuck like that, one hand in his hair, frowning, for the rest of eternity.
But then she noticed his chest rise and fall, and realised that this pause came from within him. He wanted to say something, but was conflicted. So she said it for him.
Were not leaving quite yet, she said.
The Doctor came back to life. No, I dont think we are. Its an exciting time for the Endpointers, I think we should see them through the next few days at least. And he smiled, but his forehead creased further as he did so, torn between his desire to get away from Hope and his awareness that their business here wasnt quite finished.
The Doctor smiled an unconvincing smile. I offered to help Silver with his researches, he said, walking towards the outer doors. Close the door on your way out. The Doctor paused, smiling at her, framed by the sunlight from outside. Then he left.
I will, said Anji, sliding down the lever that closed the TARDIS doors. There was a faint hum as the double doors clicked back into place. She reached into her coat pocket, and pulled out a thin black rectangle given to her by Silver. One button press released a couple of antennae which flicked out of the side of the scanner, whirring as they absorbed information about everything around them.
Just let me get what I came for, said Anji quietly, delicately holding out the instrument of her betrayal.
It hadnt been too hard to find the members of the Brotherhood, as they were out sunbathing on a rooftop near their lair. Sunbathing while wearing full ceremonial robes, admittedly, but sunbathing nonetheless. When Fitz arrived they were engaged in a debate over whether Silvers miracles should upgrade