Doctor Who_ Longest Day - Michael Collier [21]
'It's a digital transmitting device,' he announced out loud, bored with the silence. 'And a receiver. But for what?' There was no answer save for the gentle, omnipresent hum, but the Doctor continued speaking regardless.
'What were you picking up, hmm?'
He studied the object closely, his fingers moving over the keypad underneath the crystal display as he walked from the room.
***
Sam fought down panic. It hadn't worked. She hadn't helped the woman and she couldn't help herself. She was history, and would probably end up being present and future too.
'Stay there!'
She was squeezed into the tiny compartment, legs bunched up to her chin, neck cramped, arms behind her back. It didn't seem real to her. This was something she often found: at a moment of extreme danger - and this was clearly one of them - things became less real. She and the Doctor would bluff their way out, things would just happen , as if someone else was calling the shots for them. Luck has no place in a rational universe, she remembered reading. But then to her mind neither did half the hideous monstrosities she'd run up against. Maybe your luck was determined by how far your mind could accommodate the thought of the hideous creatures and situations that must dominate the universe. Or maybe she was just rambling to take her mind off her impending -
Suddenly, the lights flared. She tried to turn her head but it was blocked into the tiny chamber by her shoulder. The brightness carried a heat that burnt her skin. She heard Vasid howl. What the hell was happening?
***
The Doctor came to an abrupt halt and covered his eyes as the corridor flooded with light. He reached out a hand to the wall for support as he instinctively ducked, then snatched it back with a gasp as the metal burnt his skin.
The onslaught lasted about thirty seconds. Then the lights faded back down to their former level.
And began to dim further.
The Doctor quickened his pace, feeling for the outline of the receive/transmit device in his coat pocket.
***
'Was that your doing?'Vasid swayed about, groping the air.
'Can't say it was, gorgeous,' Sam retorted.'I can't quite reach the lights from here. Or hadn't you noticed?' She struggled furiously to get out of the cramped container, to slide the flimsy glass partition along with her fingers.
While he was distracted...
'Why can't things just be normal? Why did you have to get rid of Vost? I'm sick of trying to think, sick of it!'
'Vost probably buggered off 'cause he was bored listening to your whining,'
called Sam. She was starting to get a purchase on the glass. A little more time and she might just do it. I believe in slug-headed giant porcupines that want to conquer the universe. I believe in giant pig-bee hybrid creatures that cruise round the galaxy in huge metal sties, and I'm going to get out of here.
'I'm going to get rid of you and I'm going to get some sleep,' slurred Vasid.'I'm sick of all this. You're probably not even real. I don't think any of this is real.'
'Oh, it's real enough, I assure you.'
Sam's heart leapt at the familiar voice.'Doctor! I'm here!'
Vasid whirled round, and almost fell over. 'She was telling the truth!' Then he started giggling.'A doctor? You're too late to help the others.You here to see me?'
'Well, you're clearly in a bit of a state,' said the Doctor, gently but firmly.'Sam, are you all right?'
She almost smiled to hear such concern in his voice. 'Half left,' came her weak quip. She cringed as the words came out. She had to work harder on her tight-corner dialogue.
The Doctor tried to look at her predicament more closely over the bank of instruments, but Vasid lurched towards him. The Doctor held his ground, and stared challengingly at the flabby figure before him.
'And who might you be?' he inquired, politely.
'Vasid,'called Sam.'He's mental.'
'Doesn't matter how many of you I send down, there're always more of you, aren't there?'Vasid shook his head as if