Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [82]
Anji shook her head. Ill only pass it over when the process needs to begin. I need to be there, to make sure youre using the right hair. I just need to be sure, to see it happen.
I understand, said Silver. He stood up. Shall we go then? Im afraid my scientific operations have been moved to the human bunker, but the journey is a brief one.
Youre going to begin straight away? asked Anji with a lurch of apprehension.
Why not? boomed Silver. He extended his metal hand to her, to help her up. She found herself taking it, allowing him to bring her to her feet once more. She realised her hand was shaking slightly. What she was about to do...
Dont be nervous, said Silver, his red eye gleaming at her. We are about to embark on the creation of life. What is there to fear?
Part Four
The Silver Age
Chapter Thirteen
Paranoia
Banners fluttered in the air, there were chants and singing and the smell of smoke. Night had fallen, but the gas torches flared brilliant blue as the parade crossed one of Hopes most central bridges, gathering more people as it went. The people were wearing halfmasks over one side of their faces, a single red eye drawn on each mask. The object of their affections, their celebration, was unambiguous. The atmosphere was giddy, unreal, as if they would all wake up the next day to find that the fogs had descended once more, that the air and the sea burned again.
Fitz found Miraso on a higher, smaller bridge that crossed over where the parade was dancing past. He stood by her, leaning over the railing, looking down at the happy crowds with their homemade Silver masks.
One of yours? he asked, nodding to the parade.
No, said Miraso, voice flat and unreadable. This is genuine, a spontaneous show of the peoples love for Silver.
You dont sound too happy about it, commented Fitz.
She turned to him. Her eyes flared brighter than Silvers when she was angry, bluer than the clearest sky.
Have you ever been in love, Fitz? she asked.
This was rather more intense than Fitz was comfortable with, even from an attractive young woman like Miraso.
Its not been unknown, replied Fitz warily.
Well, in that case you know the state theyre in, said Miraso, pointing down at the parade. Blind to reason, theyll do anything for the one they love. Now imagine a whole world like that, dizzy and jubilant, walking on air. Unstable, vulnerable to suggestion.
Its like a collective madness, said Fitz, clarifying for himself apart from anything.
Miraso clicked her fingers. Exactly. She stared at the crowd intently, her voice dropping to a whisper. Manipulating public opinion, trying to keep control of people on the edge... we were fighting a losing battle, that was the fun of it. It was a struggle, but we knew with Silver we were maintaining order in a hostile world, introducing stability. Now... I dont know what these people could do.
And you dont know what Silver might ask of them, said Fitz.
Miraso didnt answer, but Fitz suddenly saw a startling vulnerability in her eyes. She needed someone to understand her predicament.
I went down into those tunnels, said Fitz. I saw the creatures he created.
Rejects, said Miraso. The result of his experimental failures. Sometimes I wonder whether it would have been more merciful to kill them, or if were doing them a favour keeping them alive.
Were they people? asked Fitz in disgust.
Not really, said Miraso, shaking her head. Although they would have become people if the experiments had succeeded. No, they were embryos manipulated in their early stages and fast grown in the lab. Unfortunately Silvers modifications didnt take.
Silver certainly puts on a good show, said Fitz. The Doctor and Anji seem to have been convinced.
He gives people what they want, said Miraso. Thats what makes him so persuasive.
Fitz snorted. That explains it. Silver doesnt have anything I want. Although I still didnt see anything wrong with him until now.
He only acts ruthlessly when