Doctor Who_ St. Anthony's Fire - Mark Gatiss [109]
Standing up to his ankles in cool water, the Doctor decided that he really did like Massatoris an awful lot.
Bernice called to him from the lakeside. He waved and splashed out of the water.
Bernice looked him up and down. ‘You look awful.’
The Doctor examined his destroyed waistcoat and trousers. His Gladstone collar hung limply from one stud. ‘Hmm. I think it’s time we were going. I need a bath. And we have a few loose ends to drop off.’
He glanced over towards the TARDIS, inside which Libon and a whole gaggle of recovering converts were awaiting transportation to a new life elsewhere.
Bernice and the Doctor walked together over the brow of the hill towards the familiar village. It was blackened and ruined, of course, and none of the original inhabitants of Massatoris were present. But now the little planet had a new group of colonists.
The Betrushians whom Bernice and Liso had rescued were wandering through the wreckage of the village, discussing repairs and ideas for their new planet. In the middle of the square, sitting on a long bench, were Ran and Imalgahite.
The Doctor approached them. ‘We have to go.’
Imalgahite smiled and touched the Doctor’s chest with his claw. ‘I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve given us a chance of survival.’
The Doctor frowned. ‘There aren’t many of you. But it’s fitting that you should come here. Another world they ruined. Perhaps you can make something of it.’
He shielded his eyes and looked over towards the remains of the burnt forest where the bulk of the black ship stood.
Bernice and Liso stood apart from the little group. The one‐eyed Ismetch took Bernice’s hand in his claw. ‘Quite an adventure, eh beast?’
She smiled. ‘More like an ordeal.’ She closed her hand over his claw. ‘Goodbye Liso – and good luck.’
He smiled, the fresh, real, glorious sunlight glinting off his eye.
Bernice returned to the Doctor. He was peering into Ran’s box, which was finally open. Bernice looked inside. Nestled on a bed of oily cloth were three leathery brown eggs.
‘Yours?’ said Bernice in surprise.
Ran looked down proudly. ‘I was too stubborn to admit it. My children. They’re a gift from someone very special. Now they have a chance too.’
The Doctor smiled. ‘To the future,’ he said. ‘And do keep them warm.’
They turned away and walked back towards the TARDIS.
‘Did you ever remember why you wanted to come here?’ said the Doctor.
Bernice laughed. ‘I did. It was when I was in the airship with Liso. I was worried for Ace for a while but now I think I know what it all means.’
‘How so?’
‘Well, I remembered that the eleventh colony disappeared and that another race, an alien race, was found to be living here some time later. Everyone assumed they were an invasion force. I had visions of the Betrushians attacking Massatoris. Now…’
‘So perhaps they’ll make it after all,’ smiled the Doctor.
Bernice paused at the TARDIS threshold. ‘Where’s Ace? She doesn’t want to –’
‘No, no,’ said the Doctor. ‘Here she comes.’
Ace ran up the hillside, beaming and a little out of breath.
‘Come along then,’ said the Doctor briskly. He put the key in the lock and turned to Ace. ‘Am I forgiven?’
Ace smiled. ‘For what?’
‘Letting the Chapter off the hook?’
Ace cocked her head. ‘Of course.’
The Doctor nodded happily and went inside. Ace took Bernice’s arm and winked at her.
‘They’ll pay for it one day,’ she said.
They stepped inside and the doors closed behind them. A few moments later, with a strangulated, grating whine, the TARDIS melted away into the air.
* * *
First published in Great Britain in 1994 by
Doctor Who Books
an imprint of Virgin Publishing Ltd
332 Ladbroke Grove
London W10 5AH
Copyright © Mark Gatiss 1994
‘Doctor Who’ series copyright © British Broadcasting Corporation 1994
Cover illustration by Paul Campbell
ISBN 0 426 20423 9
Phototypeset by Intype, London
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading, Berks
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired