Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [91]
Instead, the light spiralled out to coalesce into a number of spheres in the centre of the room. Names and numbers floated around in midair, marking out each of the spheres.
Fascinating, said the Doctor, casting away caution and walking into the centre of the hologram. This is a galactic map noting places of interest. Look, heres Endpoint and its sun, complete with the cloud of debris that isolates it from the rest of the universe. He pointed to two spheres within a miasma of fragments. The level of detail here is really astonishing. The planets are rated on a number of statistical bases. This one has a very high rating on all counts its a centre of imperial power, with a healthy ecosphere and good prospects. This poor little world, on the other hand, is completely dead, a graveyard planet. The Doctor prodded the holographic planet with his finger, and the name A2756 and a string of coordinates appeared. The Doctor read them closely before proceeding with his lecture. The most notable aspect of this map is that both planets seem only an arms length apart. The Doctor sighed. Prosperity and devastation, so close together. Some things never change.
Fitz watched the Doctor as he stood, silent, among the hologram stars. It was as if he were at peace, as if he felt at home standing taller than worlds, able to snuff out suns with his hands.
You know, I was sent to lock this place up, said a familiar female voice. Guess Im too late for that.
Miraso, said the Doctor, turning around. Star systems were disrupted briefly as his coat tails flapped through them. Have you seen this map before?
No, she said, thoughts of security clearly forgotten. This might be new. Its hard to tell.
I think this was the most recent thing Silver consulted, said the Doctor. Now, considering his current ambitious state of mind, why do you think that might be?
He wants to take it all over, said Miraso, stepping between the stars. The Doctor backed away to make space for her. Silver has never had the chance to expand his influence, now he wants to make up for it. I dont know whether hes mad to want to rule the galaxy, or that Im mad to think he might be able to pull it off.
The Doctor sat on the edge of Silvers great desk. And where do you stand on this? he asked politely. Do you want to be Deputy Dictator of the Universe?
Miraso stood amongst the stars for a while, not answering.
No, she said eventually. Keeping order here was one thing, but now Silver is throwing away everything we built. I dont know what he wants to do next, but I know there isnt room for people like me in his plans. What do we do?
The Doctor pushed a button on the control, and the starfield disappeared, light flooding back through the window. Silver has access to all the technology of the Endpointers and humanity,said the Doctor. Hes an expert in genetic experimentation with a penchant for radical, brutal tests, and down in that bunker he has a whole army of frozen humans as test subjects. Whatever he is up to down there, we need to get in and stop him.
Well, said Miraso solemnly, unhappy about the inevitability of betraying her former leader. I guess Ill be giving you a lift, then.
The Bunker seemed like a different place. Not as radical a transition as that which had occurred on the surface the change was one of mood rather than environment but a tangible change nonetheless.
As above, so below, thought Anji.
Since her previous visit, which Anji had to remind herself had been less than a day before, the Bunker had gone from being an echoing, empty space, to being more organised, closer to a military base. Boxes of equipment littered every available space.
I see youve moved in, she said to Silver, her voice more nervous than she would have liked.
This will be my base of operations now, yes, replied Silver. The facilities here are more suitable for my purposes than those on the surface.
And more easy to cover up, thought a rebellious part of Anjis brain. She quickly suppressed the rogue thought. Paranoia would get her