Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [81]
So what are you going to do, just kill me? asked Stephens. Put me up against a wall somewhere and shoot me?
Powlin shook his head slowly. No, Mr Stephens, were not murderers like yourself. You see, the forces of justice are about to expand, taking over several territories previously beyond our reach. Your trial will be a vehicle for this process of unification, showing why Hopes laws should be spread across Endpoint. By sentencing you in full public view we show everyone why theyre becoming part of our new order. Congratulations, Mr Stephens, youre going to become poster boy for law and order.
Im honoured, said Stephens. Do I get a fair trial, or will you just lock me up whatever the decision?
Oh, itll be a fair trial. But you better hope we lock you up, said Powlin. You see, there are a lot of people on this planet like those you killed, a lot of people to resent what you did. And once youve been labelled as the one responsible, well... the worst thing that could happen to you might be an acquittal.
Powlin walked over to the door. Have fun, alone with your thoughts, he told Stephens. You can guarantee there are plenty of people out there thinking of you.
As the door closed, Stephens was left alone to face his future, his defiance wilting in the darkness.
The Silver Palace was closed for business. It was now merely Silvers base of operations, a genuine Palace for the saviour of Endpoint to reside. Anji walked into the main hall and over to the bar. There were no bar staff, as it was no longer a commercial concern. Anji considered this to be reason enough for her to jump on the bar, and lean over to grab a bottle and glass from underneath it. If it wasnt a commercial concern, she didnt need to pay for anything, did she?
She poured herself a drink of a fruity liquid she had become increasingly fond of, and went to sit at her usual table. She could feel the weight of the datapacked scanning unit in her pocket. That weight was both literal and metaphorical, as the strain it exerted on her was mainly due to the nature of what she was about to hand over. Checking that no one was around she would have hated to have to lie to Fitz or anyone else about what she was up to Anji slid the unit out of her pocket and placed it on the table. She had a sudden urge to smash the damn thing to pieces, to tell Silver to go stick his deal.
But then she remembered the other thing she had taken from the TARDIS Daves precious hair, a reminder of why she was doing this. And she was certain once more that she had made the right decision. All she could do was wait. She slid slightly down in her chair, staring up at the stars emblazoned on the ceiling. She was looking at the early part of the mural, staring at the picture of stars and planets comfortably located, before most of those worlds were destroyed.
The system as it once was, said Silver, following her gaze as he entered the room. And beyond, showing all the worlds that are still out there but inaccessible. The star on the far left is the Prime Sun, around which the Imperial Throneworld orbits. Once ships from all across the system visited there regularly to pay homage. Now a hypertunnel would be required to make the journey.
I have no idea what you are talking about, replied Anji.
That, said Silver, sitting opposite her, is why I am telling this to you.
Anji blinked. She had more important business to attend to than solving Silvers riddles. She placed a finger on the data unit, sliding it across the table. Silver picked it up, flicking a switch casually. Anji could see the twitch of obsession beneath his eye as he began to look over the data, the giveaway signs beneath his attempts to appear disinterested.
Fascinating, said Silver, flicking the switch back into place and sliding the unit into a pocket. This will prove interesting reading. As the Doctor did before, you have fulfilled your side of our bargain. Now, as I did for him, I will fulfil mine. Do you have the genetic sample?
Anji patted her pocket to indicate that she did.
Silver raised