Doctor Who_ The Forgotten Army - Brian Minchin [52]
The Doctor didn't answer, and Amy was soon distracted by the television. 'What is wrong with Trinity Wells, though? Not a great day for her fashion-wise... I think her shirt is on inside out.'
The Doctor leant in close to the television.
Amy tried again for a reaction from him. 'And why is she wearing that ridiculous hat? What does she think she looks like?'
The camera cut back to Commander Strebbins. She was telling Trinity with evident pride that her team had been working throughout the night to restore power and had successfully apprehended the insurgents responsible. There was a quick shot of some tired-looking men being hurried into a police van, ragged in boiler suits and red-eyed. Then Strebbins went on to explain again that the city was safe. That it would always be safe, and New York could rely on having the biggest and best Police Department in America.
'She's got all the wrong people,' Amy protested. 'She's mad, she'll try and shoot anything that moves.
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I bet she's rounded up everyone who can't defend themselves. It's outrageous!'
The Doctor had become very pensive. 'Oh, Amy, I think I've missed something very important... I should have seen it... How did I ever think they'd actually make all those people slaves'? Especially when they came here looking for Triceratops and Diplodocuses to haul rocks for them. I don't think that's Commander Strebbins at all. We've been doing what they wanted all along! They put the best people they had out on the streets, and now they're under Vykoid control.'
'Explain?' Amy demanded.
'Last night every single police officer in New York went onto the streets and disappeared.'
Amy realised what he meant. 'Now they're all back, walking a bit funny, and telling us to carry on as normal.'
"That's clever.’ the Doctor marvelled. 'They created the threat. Made everyone hide indoors. Now the police are the heroes of the hour, and they're going to line the streets and pretend to save everyone.'
The TV screen was now showing Grand Central Station.
Hundreds of police officers were standing on every side of the road.
Trinity Wells announced: "The streets of Manhattan will be protected today by thousands of special forces...'
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The Doctor turned to Amy. 'We have to stop this. All of New York is about to be dragged into slavery by its own leaders, and no one will believe a word we say.'
'But how are they going to do it? They've only got a mammoth, and they left it at the Zoo.'
'If they're advanced enough to put a Time Freeze over all Manhattan, they must be a Level 18 civilisation, maybe higher. They don't need that old mammoth any more. New York's built on grids, very regular pattern, pretty easy to map a high-intensity teleport matrix on top of this place. They'll take everyone that's out on the streets. And at 9 a.m., seven million people will be on the streets of New York. They'll be sitting ducks.'
Amy plunged in with her own ideas. 'So, we get Sam, recall the police, let everyone know what they're up to, and shut down the transmitter. Whenever our gang of kids finds it.'
The Doctor didn't answer. Amy looked round and was infuriated to see that he'd wandered off.
She ran to catch up with him, 'Oi! Where are you going?
Oh...'
The Doctor was facing a line of NYPD officers, who were pointing their guns straight at him. As one, they stiffly raised their arms and took off their hats. Sitting under the baseball cap of each trooper was a tiny Vykoid, grinning and waving at the Doctor and Amy.
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Amy tugged at his arm. 'Er, Doctor. Are we the only people in New York who know they're not really the police?'
'I see your point.’ the Doctor agreed. 'In that case we should run!’ They hurtled off down the street with the police-Vykoids following stiffly behind.
'Slow down, Doctor!' Amy called out. 'They can barely walk,