Doctor Who_ Space War - Malcolm Hulke [2]
Hardy tried again. ‘Do you read me? Are you in need of assistance?’
Again no answer.
‘We’d better enter it in the log-book,’ said Stewart, reaching for the records they kept on every journey. ‘How would you describe it?’
Hardy said, ‘Small, black spherical craft, no markings, no recognisable classification...’
As Hardy spoke they both heard the strange rhythmic high-pitched sound coming over the loudspeaker. The sound rose to a peak then died away. Neither man spoke while the sound lasted. When it ended they both blinked. Now as they looked at the monitor screen they could see a Draconian spaceship, a large battle cruiser bristling with heavy armament. The guns were pointing straight at them.
At the port-hole Jo also blinked when she heard the strange sound. She saw the spaceship blur in her vision, then form into a mighty ship with what might be heavy guns protruding through its hull. But the effect was only temporary. By concentrating hard and blinking her eyes rapidly, the ship resumed its original shape.
‘Doctor,’ she called loudly. ‘Come here!’
The Doctor was already on his way. ‘I think I know where we are, Jo, and I’ve got a pretty good idea about when ...’ He stopped, realising he hadn’t got her full attention. ‘What’s up?’
Jo pointed. ‘Look out there.’
The Doctor peered through the port-hole. ‘Just a spaceship,’ he smiled. ‘I think we’re in the twenty-sixth century. Space travel is pretty routine by now.’
‘That spaceship changed shape,’ said Jo. ‘When I heard that sound.’
‘What sound? I was inside the TARDIS.’ The Doctor went on with his own thoughts. ‘Anyway, we’ll have to find the crew of the ship we’re on. I need to know the exact date for my calculations.’
But Jo wasn’t listening. ‘Doctor, look at that thing. It’s coming straight for us!’
Hardy was staring in disbelief at the oncoming battle cruiser. ‘Dragons! ‘
‘This close to Earth?’
‘They’re going to attack us! ‘
Stewart tried to hide his fear. ‘Then we fight back. How about getting the blasters?’
‘I thought you said there wouldn’t be war?’
‘I said they’d steal some of our cargoes and we’d steal some of theirs.’ Stewart swung round to the older pilot. ‘Whatever I said, get the blasters. You have the authority.’
Hardy remained in his scat. ‘We can’t take on a battle cruiser.’
Stewart knew he looked and sounded frightened now. ‘We can defend ourselves if they try to board us. For goodness’ sake, Hardy, get the blasters!’
Hardy nodded. ‘For what good it may do, I’ll get them.’ He went off down the corridor that led all the way through the length of the spaceship.
Stewart grabbed the microphone towards his mouth. ‘Emergency, emergency! Earth Cargo Ship C-982 on co-ordinate 8972-6483. We are under attack by a Draconian battle cruiser of the Galaxy class, equipped with neutronic missiles. We need immediate assistance.’
The spaceship’s blasters, guns that could stun or kill according to the user’s adjustment, were kept in a locked metal cupboard in the main corridor. Hardy swiftly unlocked the cupboard and lifted down two of the special guns. He was about to return to the flight deck when to his astonishment a tall man with a head of tousled fair hair approached him from the cargo hold. The man was dressed in the clothes of six hundred years ago—a long velvet jacket, frilly shirt, tight trousers.
‘How do you do?’ said the Doctor. ‘I’m sorry about this intrusion—’
As Hardy tried to gain his wits the strange rhythmic sound was heard again. Instantly the man standing before Hardy seemed to blurr and shimmer. Hardy blinked and tried to concentrate his mind. He knew now that he was facing a Draconian soldier and he was frightened. The appearance of the ‘Dragons’ was enough to terrify any Earth person. Their shape was basically humanoid but their claw-like hands, green dragon-shaped faces and tapered ears made an awe-some spectacle. The one now facing Hardy wore Draconian military uniform and carried a gun. Hardy aimed one of the blasters directly at the Draconian he believed he could see.
‘Filthy