Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [78]
One quick conversation and a hastilysketched map later, and Fitz was heading down into the depths of Hope. When the Brotherhood had mentioned, during his aborted initiation ceremony, that there were hideous creatures living in the tunnels beneath the city, Fitz had been intrigued. Mirasos attempts to warn him off only heightened that interest. If there was a dark side to this brave new Hope, then this was the lead to follow. Fitz wondered when a warning of extreme danger had stopped being a threat to him, and become an invitation too good to resist.
The Brotherhoods map had been eccentric, but clear. Fitz headed down a rickety stairwell and into the side door of one of Hopes large tenement blocks. Inside slits of light crisscrossed the corridors, breaking in through shattered, boardedup windows. Fitz took a stairwell down into the basement, where he had to find his way with a pocket torch. In the far corner there was a manhole cover, just as the Brotherhood had said. He levered it up, and lowered himself down slimy rungs.
He was now in the real undercity, where pipes and tunnels formed a web between the struts. The Brotherhood had advised Fitz to follow the tunnel until he reached a barrier, but not to approach that barrier. If he stayed at a distance, he would get a good look.
The concrete tunnel was dripping with foul water, and Fitz had to stoop to walk down it, torch piercing the darkness. Mould crawled up the grey walls around him. Eventually he approached a grating that blocked the way ahead. By his reckoning Fitz had to be nearly under the Silver Palace by now. Fitz waved his torch at the grating, but couldnt see anything. He whistled, leaning forward to get a closer look.
Doctor, said Silver, standing on the deck of the submarine. Well be ready to leave shortly.
The Doctor vaulted over the railing along the Pier, landing a few feet below on the deck. Excellent, he said, smiling disconcertingly at Silver.
One of Silvers crimsonuniformed staff came up from the depths of the sub, an environmentsuited figure with handcuffed wrists staggering in front of him.
Mr Stephens, said the Doctor, peering through the suits visor. Welcome to the world above. Even with his eyes shielded by the tinted visor, the old man seemed to squint at the bright sunlight.
Take him to the watchtower, said Silver. Powlin will be waiting for him.
Stephens said something obscene as he was led away.
You know, the Doctor told Silver. I dont think our Mr Stephens likes being on the surface.
His kind have lived in a hermetically sealed world for a long time, replied Silver, as if it had been a serious question. They have no resistance to disease, their skins are unused to natural light. He is right to feel threatened the whole environment up here is hostile to him. But it is vital the people of Hope see him stand trial.
I couldnt agree more, said the Doctor, watching as the old scientist shakily ascended a ladder to the Pier.
The sensor finished whirring and withdrew its antennae, the unit settling into a contented hum. Anji had walked around many of the rooms with it in her hand, watching figures and symbols scroll down a little screen in the front of the unit. She had no idea what the information represented but, in spite of her knowledge that the Doctor would so vehemently object to his secrets being taken from him, Anji found herself conscientiously hoping that the information would be of use to Silver.
Sliding the scanner into her pocket, Anji went to her room to retrieve the precious hair of Daves. As she did so she thought about what she was doing, placing the Doctors treasured secrets and her most prized possession into Silvers care. Then again, surely Silver had proved himself trustworthy by now? He had rescued the Doctor and was in the process of trying to improve Endpoint for all its people. In spite of his menacing appearance,