Doctor Who_ Match of the Day - Chris Boucher [116]
Now look at her. She thinks, she reasons, she understands.‟
„Is she going to fight or not?‟ the State Security Minister asked.
„She does seem reluctant,‟ the Enforcer of the Guild of Agents said. „I assume from the size of the purse that there is not going to be any sort of hitch at this late stage.‟
There was a murmur of agreement from the other dozen or so people who were present in the suite.
„The fight will begin when Hakai says it will begin,‟ the Doctor said, hoping that he‟d pitched the flattery right and that the vain old woman would want to make the others wait.
„This is her project.‟
„It is the last match of the day,‟ she said. „I want them to be spontaneous.‟
The Doctor said, „I suppose when you‟ve planned every detail up to now, spontaneity would be the final triumph. I am right in thinking you did plan every detail up to now?‟
„What is it you want to ask me?‟ she said without looking at him. „Speak up, Doctor, stop wasting time.‟
The Doctor was surprised by her directness. He had thought he would have to draw her out gradually, perhaps trick her into a confession. But if directness was what she wanted... „Why did you send the android to kill Keefer?‟
Hakai continued to stare at the screen. „He is the remarkable one,‟ she said.
„Believe it or not it was a trial run,‟ the Enforcer said, matter-of-factly. „Keefer was picked because he was promising: a strong fighter who was good enough to be a genuine test but not too famous and with a small-time agent.
We had to adjust death records and so on without drawing unwanted attention.‟
This wasn‟t what the Doctor expected. He looked around at the others. Nobody was shocked. His plan seemed to be going spectacularly wrong. This wasn‟t just about Hakai. This was some sort of a conspiracy.
„You may have noticed there were other high-profile deaths around that time,‟ the Enforcer went on. „Most of them were as they appeared to be. But there were two other androids being tested. Both of them were successful.‟
„The redheaded woman who killed Baloch?‟ the Doctor suggested.
„And Maidenly. And there was one that killed Starvil.‟
„Only Keefer has prevailed,‟ Hakai said.
The Doctor was puzzled. „I don‟t understand why you‟ve done what you‟ve done.‟
The minister stood up. „We‟ve decided this is over,‟ he said.
„The system has to be changed. We cannot have all this killing any longer. It has got to stop. We have to move on.‟
„If that‟s a campaign speech,‟ the Doctor said, „I think it needs work.‟ He could almost have laughed. It was almost funny. „What you‟re saying is: you‟re killing everyone involved in order to stop the killing? You do know that‟s insane don‟t you?‟
„We are undermining, sidelining and ultimately destroying duelling and all it represents. That isn‟t mad,‟ the Enforcer said. „That‟s progress.‟
What do you give someone who has everything, the Doctor suddenly thought, looking at Hakai. „How many of you are there in this psychotic conspiracy?‟ he asked. You give them a faith, something to believe in.
The minister smiled. „You have to keep a conspiracy small,‟
he said wryly, „otherwise it‟s a political movement. Actually most of us are here.‟ He glanced around. „Actually all of us are here I think.‟ He looked uncertain for a moment. „You managed to invite everyone involved. How did that happen?‟
The Doctor shrugged. „Lucky coincidence I imagine.‟ How
did that happen he wondered? „I suggested a couple of people. Sergeant Ronick invited the rest.‟
„Be quiet,‟ Hakai commanded, staring obsessively at the screen. „They are going to fight.‟ Her voice was thick and slurred with excitement.
The Doctor looked at the screen. He saw Keefer square up to Leela. They were going to fight. „They most certainly are not going to fight,‟ he said, heading for the exit. Hakai clicked her fingers and two heavy-set security men appeared in the doorway and grabbed him and threw him to the floor.
„Enough!‟ Keefer raged. „You will not defile this place any more! We fight. I name and claim the