Doctor Who_ Last of the Gaderene - Mark Gatiss [62]
He gave the crowd a cheery wave and walked slowly down the steps on to the green.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Fête Worse Than Death
The track to the aerodrome had been pummelled into deep ruts by the ceaseless convoys of lorries. The Brigadier’s jeep rattled over them, dust flying from the tread of its tyres.
‘So, no joy with Cochrane?’ shouted Lethbridge-Stewart above the roar of the engine.
The Doctor shook his head. On his knee was the notepad on which he’d made the drawing of the strange vertical wind tunnel. It fluttered as they sped along.
‘There’s obstinacy and then there’s wilfulness,’ he said, sketching in further details with a pencil. ‘Our Mr Cochrane seems very keen to keep this place under wraps.’
The Brigadier frowned. ‘But he’s the Defence Secretary!’
he cried, genuinely shocked. ‘Are you suggesting...’
‘I’m not suggesting anything,’ muttered the Doctor. ‘But if Legion International are not from this planet – as I suspect –
they may well have some pretty sophisticated methods of brainwashing.’
The Brigadier shook his head and tried to keep his mind on the road ahead. ‘Good Lord.’
The jeep trundled along until it came within sight of the aerodrome perimeter.
‘So where are they from?’ asked the Brigadier.
‘I haven’t the faintest idea,’ confessed the Doctor. ‘But I think that wind tunnel is some kind of simulator. They’ve been experimenting with a process which will bring them to Earth.’
‘They’re definitely alien then?’
The Doctor nodded. ‘I’m sure of it. And you must admit, it gives a whole new meaning to the term “friends in high places”.’
He grinned broadly. The Brigadier seemed unamused.
The Doctor’s attention was suddenly riveted. ‘Hello.’
Lethbridge-Stewart looked through the dusty windscreen.
The entire perimeter was ringed by Legion troopers, arms folded, each and every one in identical black uniforms and sunglasses.
The Brigadier pulled on the brake and the jeep shuddered to a halt. He swung himself out at once and stood with hands on hips, gazing at the human barrier.
The Doctor joined him. ‘Something tells me they don’t want us to come in,’ he said quietly.
The cabin of the simulated Legion aeroplane was packed.
Despite the heat outside, a carefully controlled air-conditioner kept it pleasantly cool. There were precisely fifty-eight passengers seated in the spacious chairs, talking in excited whispers and gazing in wonderment at the projected view visible through the small windows.
The Reverend Darnell, with the diminutive Miss Plowman at his side, gazed absently at the three-dimensional image of Zurich airport.
Bliss’s honeyed voice drifted through the cabin.
‘Now approaching Zurich...’
The passengers gave little gasps of pleasure as the whole cabin appeared to tilt, shifting on invisible pistons, a simulated wing appearing to rise in their eye-line as the aircraft banked to the left.
‘Or is it really Kenya?’
A wave of awed sighs washed over the cabin as the view outside altered again, this time showing a blazing sunset over the African plains. Giraffe tugged at the leaves of tall trees. A herd of elephants careered through a dusty landscape then splashed into a lake, far below.
‘It’s amazing!’ cried Miss Plowman, her beady eyes bright with excitement.
‘Miraculous,’ muttered Darnell, chewing on his fingernail.
Suddenly, a small sign blinked into life. There was a soft chime and Bliss’s voice returned.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching an area of turbulence. Please fasten your safety belts.’
There was rush of chatter, then a whoop of frightened delight as the cabin suddenly lurched downwards. Outside, the view appeared to be of a thunderstorm. Rain and lightning lashed at the cabin windows.
‘I didn’t think it would be a roller coaster too!’ trilled Miss Plowman.
Darnell smiled weakly and clutched the arms of his seat as the aircraft plunged again. His stomach flipped over.
‘Please do not be alarmed,’ soothed Bliss’s voice.
There were more excited giggles