Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [96]
Eventually, Silver arrived, and they stepped back to let him through.
I dont have time to deal with you now, Silver said, marching towards her. As he approached, his servants backed completely away, leaving Miraso to stand, shakily, on her own two feet. She forced herself to stay upright. It was a wasted effort, as Silver grabbed her by the lapels of her jacket, slamming her up against the wall. She couldnt help noticing that she was being lifted by Silvers human arm, that he wasnt even using hisstrong arm to lift her.
When theres something that needs to be done later, many people put notes on a pinboard, Silver said, conversationally. The anger seeped into his voice, a sign of emotion he rarely allowed to become visible. The same principle applies here.
Miraso struggled under Silvers grip as she realised what he had in mind. Her eyes widened as he raised his robotic hand, the hand that held the viciously pointed rod of metal. When the spike went through her shoulder, pinning her to the wall, she had cried out, her scream echoing down the empty corridor. Silver turned and walked away. He didnt look back, and neither did his creatures as they followed their master.
Miraso was left hanging there, a metal rod pinning her to the wall. Left to feel the cost of betraying Silver. She was uncertain whether being left alone was a good or a bad thing, but there was one thing that, even in her current irrational state, she was fully aware of: Silver was going to come back for her. And whatever happened to her then, it would make her current misery seem mild by comparison.
Fitz had listened in growing horror as Anji had explained what had happened. He had gradually retreated into the corner of the room as Anji had described her deal with Silver, and betraying of the Doctor to fulfil her side of the bargain. Fitz looked nervously across at the Doctor, whose expression had darkened considerably. This was going to be a rough one.
Well, I think youve excelled yourself, said the Doctor slowly. He was being very careful with every word, twisting each barb. This acidic, imperious side to the Doctors character was one Fitz was very glad he rarely had to see. Youve betrayed me, youve given the secrets of time travel to a man who is determined to mutate and corrupt your entire race. Oh, and youve done all this in an attempt to reverse death. In terms of things not to do, thats a pretty clean sweep.
Im sorry, Doctor, said Anji, slumped and tearful. But I had to do it. I had to do it for Dave.
Dave is dead, said the Doctor, more sympathetic now. People die, Anji. We cant start reversing death at whim. Some things are not for us to interfere with.
Fitz noticed the tide turn before the Doctor did, the flare of defiance in Anjis eyes as they sprung up, fixing themselves on the Doctor. When she spoke, the tone of conciliation had gone.
Since when? replied Anji bluntly. Death isnt a constant, it hasnt been for a while. Those kids on Ceres Alpha, I saw them die and come back. I pretty much died myself there. Ive seen you walk through lethal situations dozens of times, and come out with barely a scratch. You were dying for months, but you pulled through. How come youre allowed to cheat death, but everyone else has to play by the rules? Youre supposed to have forged a link with Earth, with humanity, yet you still look down from your immortal status and tell us when we can and cant die. Well Im sick of it.
I can die! exclaimed the Doctor. Surely my illness showed that. I risk my life every day, and there are no guarantees Ill survive, certainly not now. All I can do is keep going, try to help people. I have no idea whether Ill live forever, or a normal human lifespan, or whether my remaining heart will fail and Ill drop dead tomorrow. There are no guarantees, Anji, not for any of us. But when we die, we die.
Then why