Doctor Who_ Lungbarrow - Marc Platt [121]
'It can't be him,' whispered Romana. 'Tell me I'm wrong.'
'It is him,' said Innocet. 'The first Doctor. This is where he fled to. Into the past. The one place where he could not be followed.'
Glospin, who was closer, turned to them sneering.
'The circle is complete, Cousin.'
The crowds lining the route were not cheering aloud, but the roar of their thoughts was almost deafening. A ceremonial car was trundling past dragged by a horned and crested monster. Its occupant, crowned in triumph, raised his hands in acknowledgement.
'It's him,' muttered the old Doctor. 'Rassilon himself! Incredible! Who does he think he is, eh? Behaving like some mythical potentate!'
He glanced towards a small pyramid of yel ow stone that stood nearby, incongruous against the vaulting architecture. A door opened in its side and the Hand of Omega, battered with age, slid into view.
Immediately, alarms echoed across the city. The commentary of the populous was eclipsed.
'What are you doing?' complained the old man as the box nudged at him, forcing him forward.
Below, Rassilon's carriage was hurried on by its drivers. Guards were clearing the crowds.
The box drove the old Doctor on, forcing him down flights of steps, heedless of being sighted, until they moved out on to a deserted square.
The Omega Memorial rose above them.
'Well?' said the old man. 'And what is this to do with me, hmm? Why bring me here?'
The box ignored him, steering him to the foot of the monument, where it settled and made contented noises.
He poked his stick uncertainly at a wreath of pearl-grey roses that lay at the Memorial's foot.
Shouts disturbed him. Guards were running across the square from all directions.
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Instantly, the box rose to meet them. More and more guards surrounded it. They carried heavy-duty weapons, clearly designed specifical y to overpower the Hand.
As the first angry flashes began, the old Doctor slipped behind the monument and ran nimbly for cover.
Guards came after him. He dodged into a side alley only to find there was no way out.
***
Time froze again. The Doctor was there in his vest.
'Cousin Glospin and the Famous Five,' he said. 'Seen enough yet?'
'I already knew,' said Glospin. 'This just confirms how you've used us.'
'Then go away,' snapped the Doctor.
Romana moved in. 'We came to bring you back.'
'Why? Can't you afford to lose me? Well, you may have to. Don't stare like that, Innocet. I can't help who or what I might have been.'
'Did you know?' said Innocet. 'That's what matters.'
The Doctor looked at the older/younger version of himself, trapped in his blind alley.
'No,' he said. 'I had no idea.'
'Liar!' said Glospin.
Leela lunged at him. 'Take that back, snake tongue!'
'Does it matter?' said Chris. 'Don't we all owe him more than this?'
Dorothée was nodding. 'Of course, we do. Whoever he is, he's still...' She floundered. 'He's still the Doctor.'
'And more,' said Chris.
'Yes. Plenty more.'
Glospin moved close to the little man. 'What more is there, Wormhole? What else are you hiding?'
The Doctor smiled. 'Nothing, Cousin. It no longer matters. Just remember. I didn't know.'
***
The old Doctor was trapped in the alley. He turned to defy his pursuers, but a door opened beside him and a ragged girl looked out.
'Grandfather, in here!'
He stared for a moment before darting inside. Behind him, came the loud boom of explosions.
He let her take his hand and lead him between enclosed colonnades until they reached a small courtyard fil ed with stacks of rags and old clothes.
'Child,' he said, wheezing to catch his breath, 'how can I thank you?'
Her dark hair was straggled and her face was thin. She looked at him with huge brown eyes.
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'Grandfather? You said I'd know you when you came back.'
'Grandfather?'
She flung her arms around him. 'Oh, I knew it was you. I'd know you anywhere.'
'Nonsense, child,' retorted the Doctor. 'Grandfather indeed! I've never seen you before in