Doctor Who_ St. Anthony's Fire - Mark Gatiss [99]
Imalgahite was standing helplessly at the navigation console. Jones and the other freed Chaptermen were at their posts. Sitting in Yong’s chair, looking out at the swirling globe of Betrushia below, was De Hooch. He swung round in the chair and smiled.
‘Welcome back,’ he said in a quiet, dangerous whisper.
Yong scowled at him. Grek’s blaster was wrenched from his claw and he was pushed over to join Imalgahite.
‘I’m sorry,’ said the Cutch leader. ‘They came out of nowhere. I don’t know how they escaped.’
Yong strode towards De Hooch. ‘You’re sitting in my chair, De Hooch,’ he hissed.
‘Magna De Hooch to you,’ said the dwarf, licking his lips with relish.
Yong smiled. ‘A bloodless coup? Really, that’s not our style at all.’
De Hooch frowned. ‘Things will be different now. Zeal will be tempered with pragmatism. This scheme of the Doctor’s, for example, is clearly very sensible. We can’t allow this creature to spread from Betrushia. It would destroy everything. Including us.’
Yong’s eyes lit up with messianic fervour. ‘Oh, you are so blind, De Hooch. Don’t you see? Saint Anthony led us here for a purpose!’
‘And what was that?’
‘A meeting with our destiny! That creature is Saint Anthony: Saint Anthony personified. Grief, pain, suffering, misery, judgement, all in a physical form. It is exactly what I’ve been searching for all these years. The crusade is at an end. We must submit to it! Glory in the devastation it brings!’
Grek looked at the raving Yong and swallowed. ‘You’re completely insane.’
‘Am I?’ Yong seemed to consider this and then smiled, saliva dribbling over his beautiful lips. ‘You know, I think you may be right.’
De Hooch turned away in disgust. ‘Once we have finished here you will be executed for treason. A new order will begin.’
He swung round in the chair, swamped by its size, his little legs dangling over the side. ‘You,’ he addressed Grek. ‘The power from our ships is to be redirected through these… these rings of yours, yes?’
Grek’s scalp contracted in the familiar Betrushian affirmation. ‘Yes.’
‘And how is this to be achieved?’
Grek looked around. ‘The Doctor will co‐ordinate the operation. Your second ship should be coming into position about now.’
De Hooch nodded slowly. ‘And where is the Doctor?’
On cue, the bridge filled with a cacophonous wailing and the TARDIS materialized out of thin air right next to De Hooch’s chair. The Chaptermen stepped back in shock.
Yong seized his chance, punched his guard in the face, grabbed his blaster and ran out of the room.
‘After him!’ squealed De Hooch, jumping madly up and down on his chair. ‘But I want him alive!’
Three Chaptermen tore from the bridge in pursuit.
The TARDIS doors opened and the Doctor and Ace stepped out. The Doctor smiled as he saw Grek and Imalgahite but his face fell as he looked around the bridge.
‘The status quo has been restored, Doctor,’ said De Hooch. ‘Or something like it. As predicted, I am now in command.’
‘But I have to stop this creature…’
De Hooch held up a pudgy hand. ‘I appreciate that. I have a little more sense than my illustrious predecessor. We will co‐operate with you. For now. Begin your work.’
Ace was disarmed and nudged over to join Grek and Imalgahite. The Doctor moved towards the console. He leant over and pressed a button.
‘Bernice? Bernice, Liso, can you hear me?’
There was silence. The Doctor frowned. Ace shot him an anxious look.
‘Ber–’
‘Doctor? Yes. Sorry. Couldn’t find the right switch.’
The Doctor sighed in relief. ‘Are you ready to begin?’
‘I think so.’
* * *
A few corridors down from the bridge, Yong stood panting against a wall, strands of his sleek black hair tumbling into his eyes.
The Doctor’s conversation boomed from hidden speakers in the stone passageway.
‘Remember,’ came the Doctor’s voice, ‘it’s crucial that the two suns’ power be aligned simultaneously. Have the modifications gone through?’
‘The helmsman says yes,’ came Liso’s voice.
‘Very well,’ said the Doctor. ‘Let’s begin.’
Yong smiled as he listened to the