Doctor Who_ St. Anthony's Fire - Mark Gatiss [73]
The Doctor looked up. ‘What happened?’
‘It was a disaster. No one could agree on anything. It was then that the Chapter stepped into the breach. Nature abhors a vacuum. People need discipline, the Chapter gave it to them.’
‘Really?’ said the Doctor sardonically.
Yong put his hands behind his back where they hung, pale and ghostly, like a clump of dripping church candles.
‘The Old God tempted Saint Anthony. His faith was tested. The Chapter has extended this brave principle to our missionary cause. We travel throughout the wastes of the galaxy in search of those not yet blessed.’
The Doctor swallowed hard. ‘I see. So you root out these… heathens and test their faith. How do you test it?’
Yong swung round, artificial sunlight glittering in his black, black eyes. ‘How else, Doctor? By completely destroying them.’
* * *
Bernice and Liso crept from the edge of the jungle and around the steaming mass of the black ship. They pelted towards the dug‐out and Liso pulled Bernice over the lip of the trench, sliding expertly down the ladder. They waded through the filthy trench‐water towards Grek’s quarters and, as they emerged through the doorway, Grek and Imalgahite whirled round.
‘Liso!’ cried Grek delightedly. ‘I never thought I’d be… Well, good to see you.’ He clapped a claw on the young officer’s shoulder and nodded to Bernice. ‘We thought you’d perished in the explosion.’
‘We escaped over Porsim,’ said Bernice simply. ‘But they followed us. I think that little bang was a show of strength.’
She shot a hostile look at Imalgahite. ‘Hello again.’
Imalgahite turned away shamefacedly. ‘They do look a lot like her, don’t they? You have to admit it.’
Bernice held up her hands. ‘Don’t blame me just because they’re humanoid. What are they up to out there anyway?’
Imalgahite sighed. ‘Just scouting about. They’ve taken most of our men on board. We managed to get away.’
Grek sat down heavily on the ruins of his bunk. ‘I must admit they’re not how I imagined the Keth.’
Bernice shook her head. ‘They’re not the Keth. I’m sure of it. More like your average everyday invasion force.’
Liso looked up. ‘I think she’s right. They’re flesh and blood. We can fight back.’
Imalgahite waddled towards him. ‘But you saw what they did to your airships. And your cities? Yes?’
Liso looked down. ‘Yes.’
‘Then what can we do against firepower like that?’
‘Whatever we have to,’ said Grek gravely.
Liso looked around concernedly at the devastated room. The earthquake had left it virtually unrecognizable.
‘There’s more to it than you think, I’m afraid,’ he said. ‘We saw Ran. He and the Doctor went up there.’ He jerked his claw upwards. ‘Into space. The Doctor said the whole of Betrushia is pulling itself apart. It could be days. Even hours.’
‘What?’ breathed Grek. ‘You’re sure?’
‘If the Doctor says so,’ said Bernice with a shrug.
Imalgahite gnawed at his talons. ‘Then our priority is not to fight these invaders but to get away from here as soon as we can.’
‘How?’ cried Grek.
Imalgahite trotted to the dug‐out entrance and pointed outside. Just visible over the lip of the trench were the spiky protuberances of the black ship.
* * *
Much to his surprise, the Doctor had been given the run of the ship. It was certainly impressive, in an unhealthy sort of way, although to an expert eye the stonework of the seminary was clearly artificial. The sun which gave light and heat to the ship and simulated day and night, however, must be an engineering marvel.
But the Doctor’s only concern now was Ace and how she had come to be in this fearful place.
He found his way to her cell without difficulty and pushed open the door. She was sitting in the corner, her knees pulled up to her chin, eyes closed, ersatz sunlight bathing the side of her face.
‘Did you do it for a bet?’ asked the Doctor with a small smile.
Ace looked up quizzically.
‘The haircut,’ said the Doctor. He wandered over and sat down next to her. ‘Between you, me and the gatepost, I don’t think it really suits you.’
Ace smiled wearily and buried