Doctor Who_ Match of the Day - Chris Boucher [111]
The woman waved the pistols. „You refuse a challenge. You know the penalty for that.‟
„It is you who have refused a challenge,‟ Leela shouted.
There is no challenge,‟ the Doctor said loudly and firmly.
„There has been no challenge.‟
„Keep silent. This is not your business.‟ The command was dismissive.
„Of course it‟s my business. I‟m the Guild-registered agent for these fighters. Leela and Keefer are both clients of mine.
You, as it turns out, are merely a wealthy fan.‟
The woman pointed both pistols in the Doctor‟s direction.
He had her attention, he could see, but not her full attention as yet. „Get ready to head back to ship,‟ he murmured at Sita and Ronick as he walked forward to stand between Leela and Keefer. „Not that I have anything against wealthy fans,‟ he said loudly. „But it does fundamentally alter our relationship.‟
„You imagine we have a relationship?‟
The Doctor pointedly ignored the withering comment. „Our negotiations must now be in private,‟ he went on imperturbably. „You may be wealthy but rules are rules, I‟m afraid.‟ He turned to Keefer. „If you and Leela would like to go with my associates.‟ He nodded towards Sita and Ronick.
„Now if you don‟t mind. You cannot be present while I discuss the arrangements for this private match.‟ He smiled encouragingly at Leela. „Leave this to me. Please.‟
Leela hesitated. The Doctor was almost sure she was going to be her usual uncooperative self but then she turned and strode across the deck to where Sita and Ronick were waiting. „I don‟t know who you are,‟ Keefer said quietly, „but Jerro Fanson‟s my agent.‟
„He sent me after you,‟ the Doctor said. „Don‟t make me regret doing this for him.‟
Keefer hesitated and then he too strode across the deck and joined the others and they all headed for the doorway.
„Wait,‟ Hakai commanded.
Hakai-warriors moved to block the doorway.
The Doctor smiled up at her. „I have explained the situation but if you want me to go over it again more slowly... with shorter words perhaps?‟ He paused to see if the insult would penetrate the woman‟s arrogance and when it didn‟t he said,
„We could go to your private quarters if you‟d prefer. I can understand your embarrassment at having to admit your ignorance of the rules in front of your friends.‟ Still the woman sat unmoving and he realised that she hadn‟t been listening to him. It appeared she was thinking, and, the Doctor thought, it appeared she was slow of thinking.
In the doorway Ronick tried to bull his way through the hakai-warriors but made no progress. Frustrated he turned round and noticed Finbar in the shadows. „What are you skulking there for?‟ he demanded.
Hakai finally stirred and gestured for the doorway to be cleared.
As the group moved on through, Ronick snarled at Finbar,
„Get yourself over here. You‟re with us.‟
Finbar hung back. I‟m in this for the money,‟ he said.
Nothing else.‟
Ronick moved towards him menacingly. You‟ve been paid.‟
„Not enough. Not enough for what I‟ve done.‟
„Who is that?‟ Hakai asked of no one in particular.
„I‟m the pilot,‟ Finbar shouted. „I‟m the one who brought them to you.‟
Hakai fired both handguns and went on firing. Even the hakai-warriors were ducking for cover but the shots were much more accurate, as the Doctor had thought they would be. „Run!‟ he shouted and set off after the others as they rushed out though the doorway. The Doctor reached Finbar, caught him as he fell and bundled the skinny young man out into the corridor where the others were waiting. Finbar had been hit three times and was already dead.
„We‟re scuffed,‟ Ronick said. „What do we do for a pilot?‟
A fusillade of shots spattered into the corridor. „I shouldn‟t worry about it,‟ the Doctor said and smiled his best smile. „If we get to the ship in one piece it‟ll be a major achievement.‟
He could see immediately that his attempt at humour was about to misfire when Leela and Keefer both tensed and turned, clearly ready for a last ditch battle. „Come on, come on,‟ he said, setting off down the corridor. „Stop hanging