Doctor Who_ Storm Harvest - Mike Tucker [79]
the entrance to the cave, a small river forming at their feet.
Ace reached back and caught hold of Rajiid’s hand. ‘Ready?’
‘As I’ll ever be.’
Leaving MacKenzie shivering in the cave mouth, Ace and Rajiid descended into the dark.
A gust of wind slammed against the buildings of the colony, making Holly jump. Rain streamed down walls, sheets of water blew across the near-deserted streets.
Holly struggled across the harbour, her jacket pulled tight against her. She cursed as the wind pushed her sideways, her feet slipping on the wet flagstones.
She could see the glow from her workshop ahead of her. A wave crashed over the jetty. Where were those damn sea defences?
On cue there was a deep throbbing hum and the shimmering line of the repulsor field arced across the harbour. Slowly the huge metal shutters that formed the storm wall slid from the beach once more.
The air overhead shimmered with the effects of the force field and at once the wind lessened and the rain eased off.
Beyond the defences the sea churned and roared.
Holly shivered, watching the Cythosi ships pitch and roll in the ocean. One by one they activated their own defence shields and the bay was filled with shimmering shapes.
She hurried into the workshop. R’tk’tk bobbed in the water.
‘About time! I was beginning to think you were going to let us all get swept out to sea.’
Holly grunted and crossed to the heater in one corner. She shrugged out of her soaking jacket. ‘It took some time to get the Cythosi equipment patched in. Not all of it was compatible.’
‘Cythosi?’
‘Our new-found benefactors.’ Holly struggled into a thick pullover.
‘Big, ugly bastards, but clever technicians. She looked grim. ‘They got our sensor grid back on line. That’s one hell of a storm out there. We only just got the shutters running in time.’
R’tk’tk squeaked worriedly. ‘Any news on Rajiid and Ace?’
‘They’re still out there, somewhere. The Doctor wants to try and keep them a secret from our guests.’
‘He doesn’t trust the Cythosi?’
Holly shook her head. ‘No, and I don’t think they trust him. The Doctor has just been called for an audience with their great white chief.’
* * *
152
Ace’s eyes had gradually adjusted to the dark, so when the glow filled the tunnel it seemed as if it were almost as light as day. She ran her hands over the faintly luminous walls. Natural phosphorescence. The Doctor would have liked this.
Rajiid crept close behind her. She could feel the warmth of his body pressing against her through her damp clothes.
‘Here. There’s no time for that sort of thing,’ she whispered.
‘It’s perfect. Low lights, soft music,’ he nodded towards the distant sound of drums. ‘They’re playing our song.’
Squeezing his hand, Ace adjusted her grip on her machete and crept forward.
The tunnel began to widen out into a natural cavern. The throbbing, insistent beat of the drums was all around them now Ace and Rajiid ducked back as wild flickering shadows danced over the walls.
Motioning to Rapid to stay put, Ace dropped on to her belly and began to edge forward.
About thirty Dreekans were gathered in the centre of the cave, all of them bare chested, all of them slick with sweat. The floor of the cave was marked out with a trail of wet sand – huge, sweeping, swirling patterns on the rocky floor. A fire blazed in the centre of the cavern, sending clouds of sweet-smelling smoke into the air. Dancers swirled through the smoke, breathing deeply.
Ace cursed. There was no sign of Garrett.
The cave was irregular, the far wall deep in shadow. Ace tried to see if there was any other exit, any other chamber where he might be lurking. It was difficult to see, difficult to concentrate. She could feel her head swimming. The smoke...
Water trickled from the ceiling. Ace slid her head under it, trying to clear some of the fuzziness. Cracks of light broke the dark of the distant rock roof; water was beginning to stream