Doctor Who_ Prime Time - Mike Tucker [29]
The screen suddenly cut to static.
+TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED+
A moment later the IntraVenus logo flickered into life and a calm female voice filled the office.
‘We apologise for our loss of transmission, we are experiencing technical difficulties, but hope to resume—’
‘Shut that off!’
Saarl stabbed at a control and the office went quiet. ‘Do you want that crew dealt with?’ he asked.
Lukos slumped back into his chair, his voice barely more than a whisper. ‘No, Roderick, leave that to me.’
‘Damn!’
Greg punched at one of the tables. The Doctor looked at him, puzzled.
‘Is something wrong?’
‘Cut off. Those bastards at Channel 400 have cut us off.’
The Doctor’s face fell. ‘Oh, what a shame. I was just about to demonstrate my Alpha Centaurian juggling techniques, as well.’
Ace patted him on the shoulder.
‘Well, let’s be thankful for small mercies, eh, Professor?’
The Doctor glared at her. Ace crossed to Greg and Eeji.
‘You OK?’
Greg slumped at the table, his head in his hands. Eeji was arguing with someone down a communicator link.
‘Our fault not. Jamming there is.’ There was a loud angry babble from the communicator. Eeji winced.
Greg shook his head. ‘Bombed out again. Always happens. Just when I think things are going my way. Just when I’ve got a good feeling about something.’
‘Yeah, I know what you mean.’
Greg looked at her guiltily.
‘I guess I owe you an apology.’
Ace shrugged.
‘Ace, this was important to me, OK. I’m not going to pretend that I wasn’t a bastard to you. I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t use you to get to the Doctor. I had a story to follow, that’s my job.’
‘And to hell with anyone who gets hurt along the way, is that it?’
‘No, that’s not what I’m after.’ Greg could feel the situation running away from him.
‘But it’s what happens.’ Ace was looking at him angrily He shook his head, unable to think of anything to say.
‘You’re not really cut out for this sort of thing, are you?’
Ace’s expression had softened. ‘Much as I hate to admit it, you’re not enough of a bastard.’
Greg smiled at her. ‘I’ll take that as a compliment – I think.’
‘What now?’
‘Pack up here and get the hell off Blinni-Gaar. We won’t get our fee for the live transmission, but we’ll flog the tapes somewhere. Eeji’s got a good business head. This trip won’t be a total loss.’
Ace looked at him severely. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’
Greg’s heart sank again. ‘No. That’s not what I meant...’
Ace leant forward and gave him a peck on the cheek.
‘Goodbye, Ashby. Get yourself another job, OK?’ She stood up. ‘See you, Eeji.’
Greg watched her saunter back over to the Doctor and her friend. Mentally he was kicking himself. Another disaster. He was aware of Eeji Tek’s eyes on his back. He turned and glared at the Monteekan.
‘Don’t start, right.’
Eeji Tek blinked mournfully. ‘IntraVenus happy not.
Dogbolter says...’
‘I don’t give a toss what Dogbolter says,’ Greg snapped.
Eeji started packing the camera into its case.
‘Off this planet get now, yes?’
Greg nodded. ‘We’ll head over to the shuttle port. See if we can get over to one of the inner planets. I know a couple of commissioning editors for some of the smaller networks. Let’s see if we can get a deal with some of this footage.’
Eeji Tek nodded to where Ace and the others were sitting.
‘She right, maybe, Ashby. Out of this business time to get.’
Greg nodded. ‘I know, Eeji, I know. But what the hell else is there that we can do?’
He heaved a holdall on to his shoulder. ‘Come on, if we’re lucky we can get an overnight flight.’
‘Lucky you call that?’ The Monteekan picked up the camera bags and pushed open the restaurant door. Greg took one last look back to where Ace was sitting, but she was engrossed in some story of the Doctor’s; he could hear her laughter echoing across the room.
Shifting the weight of his bag, Greg stepped out into the car park.
The evening was getting cold. There was no cloud cover and the moon was brilliant and silver. Eeji was already halfway across the car park, heading for their hired skimmer.
Greg groaned. Another expense they would