Doctor Who_ Interference_ Book Two - Lawrence Miles [38]
‘Not pointless.’ Guest was still looking up towards the ceiling, contemplating the surface of the media globe. ‘Small helpless animals. The ultimate implicate humans. The essence of vulnerability, and therefore the hardest sacrifice to make. Especially bearing in mind the girl’s own… political beliefs. Billions more animals must have died on Ordifica.’
‘What is it you’re doing?’ Compassion demanded. ‘What is it you’re so interested in?’
Then Guest looked at her, at last. His eyes met hers. It wasn’t a comfortable experience.
‘I want principles,’ he said.
‘What?’
‘I think you heard me.’
Compassion shook her head. ‘Principles are the one thing we can’t afford. You said it yourself. We’ve grown out of politics. We’ve grown out of morality. We’ve got the signals. If we start getting principles, our whole society’s going to fall apart. Isn’t that obvious?’
‘You’re missing the point,’ said Guest, quite calmly. ‘Think. For generations, our people have had no objectives. No aspirations. Except for one.’
Compassion stared at him.
‘To find the Cold,’ Guest elaborated. ‘It’s the only ambition any of us can remember. Then again, perhaps it’s my crusade more than anybody else’s. The more I’m remembered, the stronger the impulse gets. I’ve become… I think the word is “obsessional”. The Cold has to be found. Found and set free.’
‘So what –’ Compassion began. But Guest cut her off.
‘Don’t you see?’ he said. ‘I want to find the Cold because that’s my function. But you’re helping me to do it. You, Kode, a few of the others. Why?’
‘I don’t know why,’ snapped Compassion. ‘Who needs a reason? It sounded like a good idea, that’s all.’
‘Exactly. Because of the signals from the transmitter, and because of the way you interpreted those signals. You don’t really care. Even I don’t really care. I’m just doing what seems appropriate. Or I was, until a few moments ago. You understand? Our presence on Earth has been noticed, we know that. There are people who want to stop us. Before, we probably would have let them. We wouldn’t have cared enough to see the plan through. But that’s not true any more. Now we’re determined. Principled. We will reach the Cold. No matter what we have to sacrifice. Even if it kills us.’
‘You had this planned right from the start, didn’t you?’ growled Compassion.
‘No. But I had… an idea. An idea it might be necessary.’
Compassion looked up, towards the great black mass of the media. ‘It’s too late, isn’t it?’ she said, and she was surprised how quiet her voice sounded. ‘The “sacrifice” idea. It’s already in the media. Being broadcast to everyone else in Anathema. You’re going to tear this city apart, Guest.’
‘Not important. The Cold is the only thing that matters. Nothing can stop us now. Nothing.’
Compassion stepped back towards the edge of the platform, her legs a little more solid this time. Down on the ground, the people were looking around, confused, trying to figure out what was different. Trying to figure out why they suddenly seemed to care more about the environment around them.
‘I won’t die for you,’ Compassion said, quietly.
‘But you’re sure you won’t die for me?’ Guest asked.
‘I’m sure.’
‘Well, at least that’s something.’ Compassion heard his footsteps behind her, moving towards the lift shaft. ‘And the girl’s thoughts have told us something else, remember. Wherever this Doctor is now, he’s got a TARDIS. Which is the most important part of the plan, after all.’
Compassion heard the slight whoosh of the lift platform as it arrived on this level. She didn’t turn. She was listening, still tuning in to the receiver. Feeling the buzz in her ear.
‘It’s not over,’ she said.
‘What?’ said Guest. He actually sounded startled, for once.
‘There are more signals. Listen. From the girl.’
‘Not important. Sacrifice is already part of the media. Anything else is just… background noise.’
‘Isn’t everything?’ said Compassion.
‘Not any more,’ said Guest.
* * *
Travels with Fitz (IX)
Anathema,