Doctor Who_ Match of the Day - Chris Boucher [24]
„We have to get out of here first,‟ the Doctor said.
„When you do, and if I haven‟t, I want you to do something for me.‟ Fanson‟s expression had become earnest, too earnest to be entirely convincing. He leaned closer and looked the Doctor directly in the eye. „A favour?‟
The Doctor could not help smiling at the blatant effort to manipulate him, but he had said he and Leela were in his debt and he had meant it. „Yes?‟ He had meant it at the time.
Fanson‟s expression did not change. „Find Keefer, find my fighter. Tell him what‟s going on.‟
He had meant it at the time but this was potentially a bigger favour than the Doctor had in mind and a commitment he was not anxious to make. „Tell him what‟s going on? I‟m not sure I know what that is,‟ he said hoping that Fanson might take the hint. It was, he realised immediately, a forlorn hope.
„Tell him there‟s something wrong,‟ Fanson said. „Tell him I think there might be someone out to get us. Someone major.
Someone with serious contacts,‟ he dropped his voice slightly as though he had only just realised what that might mean.
„I‟m talking a big player. Warn Keefer to keep his head down.‟
„Why should we do that?‟ Leela demanded.
„Because I helped you. Because we‟re...‟ For once he seemed genuinely at a loss for words.
„Because we‟re in this together,‟ the Doctor said. „We‟ll do our best.‟
„I need your promise,‟ Fanson said.
The Doctor nodded. „I promise we‟ll do our best.‟
Fanson was not satisfied. „Your word as an agent, on the life of your fighter?‟ he pressed.
„No one swears on my life,‟ Leela interrupted angrily. „It is my life and mine alone. No one swears on my life except me.‟
„Then I want your word,‟ Fanson said and, when Leela remained silent, he added, „Gratitude not one of your strengths then.‟
„I will give you my word as a warrior,‟ Leela said, her voice cold and flat, „we will find this Keefer and warn him.‟
Fanson smiled cheerfully. „Good enough,‟ he said and stood up and stretched.
Watching him the Doctor got the distinct impression that Fanson was pleased with himself and the way things had just gone. He probably saw this as a successful negotiation, or possibly as a successful con. As far as the Doctor was concerned it could have been either.
„Do you want to rehearse your open court arguments?‟
Fanson offered. „I‟ll stand in for the referee.‟
„Why not?‟ the Doctor said. „You can never be too well prepared.‟
Fanson sat down on the edge of the workstation and folded his arms. „In the arena,‟ he intoned, „only the fundamental kill rules apply. This is a sacred trust of which I am the sole trustee.‟
„I object,‟ the Doctor protested. He stood up and pulled his hat from his pocket and jammed it on his head. Then he put his hands round the lapels of his coat and grasped them lightly in the best courtroom manner. He had often thought that the wig and gown worn in certain eras and jurisdictions on Earth were rather appealing. „I object,‟ he repeated. If he had realised this was going to happen he might even have been able to find some appropriate legal robes in one of the wardrobe rooms of the TARDIS. „As a material witness and a direct participant I challenge your right to sit in authority here.‟
„No,‟ said Fanson. „No, no, no. You must remember Doctor
“challenge” is not a word to be used lightly. He could take it as a legal justification to kill you right there, right then.‟
Despite the fact that he had been studying case law and listening to detailed advice from Fanson, the Doctor still could not quite believe what he was hearing. This was a technologically advanced society whose attitude to killing didn‟t seem to have got beyond the stone-axe stage. And they had what appeared to be a sophisticated legal system entirely devoted to deciding who could hit whom, when and with what. „I won‟t be armed,‟ he said, rather lamely.
Fanson nodded. „Which is a very good reason not to take the chance of using words like challenge. And take that thing off your head;
„My hat? What‟s wrong with my hat?‟
„It looks ridiculous.‟
The Doctor took his