Doctor Who_ Interference_ Book One - Lawrence Miles [59]
‘The UN,’ Sam prompted.
‘Oh yes. Thank you. The important thing is, you shouldn’t get too close to Coldicott and his friends while I’m gone. The UN’s up to its elbows in espionage and counterespionage. They’ve got triple agents who think they’re double agents, and double agents who think they’re quadruple agents. I wouldn’t be surprised if Coldicott’s superiors try to plant a few bugs on you. I’m sure their technical staff wouldn’t mind keeping a closer eye on me.’
‘I thought these people were supposed to be on our side.’
Yes. Concentrate on the flow of the conversation. Forget the pain. Ignore the break in your arm. The past is another country; everyone there is more ignorant than you.
The Doctor tutted. ‘Sam, Sam, Sam. Let’s not forget, the UN’s only involved in all this because it wants to get hold of the hardware. We’ve got to expect these people to be ruthless. At this point in its history, the UN’s busy setting up its own Security Yard project. Did I mention that?’
Sam crossed her arms. ‘You know you didn’t. Stop lecturing.’
‘Ah. Well. It’s not important. The point is, the UN’s people are already starting to look into alien technology, and we don’t want them getting their hands on any more. That’s why I want Fitz to keep an eye on what they’re doing in Geneva. There’s a very delicate power balance in this century, technologically speaking. What with UNIT, UNISYC, the ISC –’
‘So what’s to stop them locking Fitz up and giving him the third degree?’
The Doctor paused, and did his best not to look guilty. ‘I shouldn’t think they’ll go that far, Sam. Not unless UNISYC’s entirely corrupt.’
Sam huffed at him. ‘Let’s stick to basics, all right? Where are you going, and how long are you going to be there for?’
‘Let’s just say I’m going where you probably wouldn’t want to follow me. And I’ll be back in a day or two. Hopefully.’ The Doctor fished a set of keys out of his top jacket pocket, and held them out to her. Sam took them. ‘The keys to the safe house. You’ve got the notebook?’
‘Yeah. Listen, what do I do if you’re not back in time for this COPEX thing?’
‘Oh, I will be. I’m expecting Guest to put in a personal appearance there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘So we’re on the guest list?’
‘I have friends in low places.’
Sam snorted. ‘Can’t we shut the place down?’
The Doctor tutted at her. ‘Getting rid of the dealers would mean getting rid of a large portion of your country’s establishment, Sam. The security market affects everything. The government, the economy…’
‘Sounds good to me.’
‘Sam! Don’t try to interfere in local politics. Not while you’re travelling with me.’
Then he paused, realising what he’d just said.
‘Until you leave my company,’ he added.
No. Don’t think about that part of it. Sam’s important. She’s the only thing you’ve got left to focus on. Don’t think about her leaving.
Leaving. What happens when she’s gone? What do you do for a lifeline then? There’s Fitz, of course, but Fitz is different. Not part of the same process. The TARDIS doesn’t trust him yet, and he can feel it, you know he can. No way of telling which way he’ll jump. No way of knowing who he’ll side with in a crisis. He probably isn’t even sure himself, not after everything he’s gone through. The poor thing.
The conversation. Keep concentrating.
‘Just tell me something, all right?’ said Sam. If you had to vote in an election, who’d you vote for?’
‘“None of the above”,’ said the Doctor. ‘We’re supposed to be apolitical.’
‘There’s no such thing as apolitical. You’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.’
‘Then I’m part of the solution,’ the Doctor told her. ‘But it’s a very long‐term solution. Now. Have you got everything you might need from your room?’
Sam saluted. ‘Yes, sir. Can I ask you one more thing?’
‘If you insist.’
‘What’s the point in having a time machine if you can’t kick the crap out of politicians every now and then?’
‘Don’t ask me,’ said the Doctor. ‘I’m just a Time Lord dreaming he’s a man.’
Then he frowned.
‘Or is it the other way around?’ he said.
* * *
Dawn
They