Doctor Who_ Island of Death - Barry Letts [83]
„Unless what?‟
„Unless, Doctor, you‟re willing to become a Skang yourself.‟
Dafydd had been quite proud of the way that he‟d garnered support for Brother Alex. But when he saw the master himself at work, he had to acknowledge that it was only right that he should take second place in the coming reign of the Skang.
„I already have the promise of more than seventy per cent,‟
Alex was saying to Brother Joseph.
Seventy per cent? So far it couldn‟t be more than forty...
Ah, but Brother Joseph didn‟t know that, did he?
„But the last thing we need is another visit to the talking shop. The time has come for action, direct action.‟
„I‟m listening,‟ replied the man from Poland.
„If we leave it until after the Prime Assimilation, it will be too late. We‟ll be stuck with Nanny Hilda in the foreseeable future. Is that what you want? Or would you rather be in charge of your own destiny?‟
In charge? Joseph wouldn‟t be in charge, thought Dafydd, with a shiver of satisfaction. Thank goodness he‟d gone along with Alex. It was working out for the best after all.
On the other hand, Joseph had been near the top in the secret police before he‟d defected to the West. He knew all the tricks. Yes, it might be a good idea to consider putting him in charge of security.
Alex, another scalp in his belt, strode on through the gathering groups of the faithful, seeking out especially those amongst the teachers and organisers who had the necessary ruthless streak, with Dafydd trotting happily after him.
„To be truthful, I‟ve been wondering why you are not one of us already. You‟re not a human being, are you?‟
She really was a remarkably astute woman, thought the Doctor. „I‟m a nearer cousin than the Skang,‟ he said, „but no, I‟m not human.‟
„That would explain it.‟
Was she making him a real offer? And did she expect him to take it seriously? He remembered how he had felt only too recently, and shuddered. It would be easy to be seduced. But how could such a thing be possible?
„How can I even consider such a thing unless I know everything about the Skang?‟ he said. „Every detail. You fobbed me off once before. How do I know that you won‟t try again?‟ How indeed?
„I told you no lies, Doctor. It was nothing but the truth. Not the whole truth, I admit. But when can anybody know the whole truth of any matter?‟
The Doctor reminded himself again that the being he was dealing with was not only a professor but the recipient of the recently introduced Nobel prize for philosophy. If he could make her angry, perhaps she would give herself away.
„That, my dear Hilda, is as neat a bit of sophistry as I‟ve heard for years.‟
„Touché!‟
She was taking it all far too lightly. He must bring her down to earth... „I remember what you said verbatim. “The Skang pierces the very heart and mind...” But it‟s not only the mind that is pierced, is it? The Skang are space parasites. Isn‟t that right?‟
Hilda was no longer smiling. „It might seem that the Skang is parasitic. I would prefer to see its life process as symbiotic.
What, after all, is the purpose - the most sublime aim - of a human, of any life beyond that of the mere animal?‟
„The “good life”? That will be debated as long as intelligence lasts,‟ replied the Doctor.
„To be free from suffering, to be happy in this existence, and ultimately to experience the joy of the unity of being that lies beneath the world of appearances. Would you disagree with that? And that‟s exactly what we offer.‟
„If I were offered the Mona Lisa for a fiver, I‟d know it was a fake. I can buy paradise on the street corner of any big city -
yes, and end up as dead as your victims.‟
He wasn‟t succeeding in making her angry, but her response was passionate.
„They are not victims! They die, yes, but who will not? Are you immortal, Doctor? You didn‟t finish your quotation.
“...the devotee vanishes forever in the ecstasy of the divine union.” Remember?‟
Careful! He mustn‟t let her make him angry, or the advantage would swing to her side. „How very uplifting! Presumably your prey...‟ He lifted a hand to stop