Doctor Who_ The Dying Days - Lance Parkin [33]
'London Control, this is Mars 97 Orbiter. Time 11:02 Zulu. Update: have not, repeat have not, been able to re-establish contact with the Lander. This is not, repeat not, a technical fault. I have no transponder response from Lander. Am forwarding al data collected from the surface. Please advise. Over.'
By the clock mounted on the wall, Staines worked out that the signal was already five minutes old.
32
Computers began chattering as more information from the Command Module reached them. Quickly, the staff at Mission Control readied their response. It was quite a skill, coming up with the best possible response, keeping the time-lag to an absolute minimum, but at the same time sending as much useful information or instructions as possible. Within a minute they had transmitted their response.
'Mars Orbiter, this is London Control. Time 11:08 GMT. We confirm communications lost with surface. Advise redeployment of survey satel ites. Show us the surface of the Mare Sirenum. How are you all up there? Over.'
It was going to be a full ten minutes until the brief response. 'Well done, everyone,' Lord Greyhaven congratulated the scientists, leaning awkwardly over one of the consoles to shake Theo Ogilvy's hand.
Something about that was bothering the Home Secretary until Theo Ogilvy stood up to make an announcement, interrupting his train of thought.
'There is nothing more we can do for the time being, ladies and gentleman. If any of you need a coffee or to stretch your legs then do it now.' A few of them left, but most stayed at their posts.
***
The Doctor bought a bunch of violets from the flower seller by Charing Cross tube station as Benny studied the note he had been passed again.
'Do you know where Chesterton Road is, then?'
'No, but that lad knew that I'd be able to get to it in plenty of time.' The Doctor ducked into a newsagents, Benny followed in his wake. Her ballgown was getting her funny looks now.
The Doctor had found the rack with the street maps and tourist guides on it.
'Ah, there we are.' He flicked through to the right page. Benny smiled wanly at the young Asian woman at the till.
'And that's the nearest tube station.' He measured out the distance with his thumb. 'Only about two minutes' walk away.'
Benny looked at him in his frock coat, eyes gleaming as he leafed through the A-Z, still clutching that bunch of violets in his hand.
'Have you any idea why he wants to see you?' she asked tentatively.
'No,' the Doctor said happily, replacing the A-Z. 'Do you?'
'Wel ... I was just wondering if he'd want me to come along.'
'What do you mean?'
They stepped out of the shop and out onto the busy pavement. The Doctor stood waiting for the answer, forcing the pedestrians to flow around him.
Benny collected her thoughts and began. 'Doctor, your new body is very ... well, I say "very", that doesn't mean that I personal y think ... I mean, compared to the way you used to look, of course, but not everything goes on looks.
But when it comes to the initial, y'know ... ' She blushed, realising she might be implicating herself here.
'Bernice, I don't understand what you are trying to say.'
'What I'm saying is that he might just want to see you because he fancies you.'
The Doctor looked blankly at her. 'Don't be ridiculous.'
'Who's being ridiculous?'
A big, fat man walking past glanced at her dress and smirked knowingly. Benny replied with one of her more severe frowns.
***
The Home Secretary stepped over to Ogilvy.
'Anything I can do, Professor?'
Ogilvy smiled wanly, 'There's nothing any of us can do for the moment.'
Staines nodded and returned to Greyhaven's side.
'What do we do, Teddy?'
'We wait. Al is not lost.'
'How can you say that? Those poor men.'
Suddenly, in front of them,