Doctor Who_ The Forgotten Army - Brian Minchin [61]
229
DOCTOR WHO
The Doctor took a needle out of his pocket and jabbed at three points on the baton. The vortex of green light changed to orange, and a huge wave rolled out across Manhattan.
'Now that's better. Isn't that clever? Unless your little people jockeys have got a bit faster, the police won't be moving quite as niftily any more. That's the problem with relying on modern technology, you see. Me, I just have a good old sonic— Oh.'
General Erik was grinning. He looked like an expert poker player who had picked too ignorant an opponent, and was disappointed by his lack of effort. 'Move, and I'll shoot her,' he said.
Sam Horwitz was holding a gun to Amy's head and was forcing her down onto the floor.
'No, Sam!' The Doctor was horrified.
As he held her tight, Amy could see that a tiny Vykoid had dug a control chair through Sam's messy hair and was gleefully controlling him. Sam had become a puppet of the Vykoid Army.
Amy kicked and struggled, her elbows digging into Sam as she tried to fight him off. But Sam overpowered Amy and pinned her to the floor.
General Erik strolled over and regarded Amy at her eye level.
'Oi, troll-face!' Amy yelled at him. Tell him to let go of me.'
General Erik ignored her. 'Fascinating... You're so important to him, and you don't know why.'
230
THE FORGOTTEN ARMY
'You better let go of me, or he's going to do something terrible to you...'
If General Erik was at all moved by Amy's big, fierce eyes, he didn't show it. Instead, he called his lieutenant forward and instructed him to kill Amy Pond.
On top of Trump Tower, Joe turned to Polly and asked: 'Will my dad be OK?'
Polly didn't know what to say.
Millie pulled at her hand. 'Shouldn't the Doctor be doing something now?'
Again, Polly was stumped. Far below, she could see that people were beginning to panic. The police were shoving the crowds along, truncheons drawn as they ordered everyone to cram onto Broadway. Polly could imagine how terrified they must feel down there. Squad cars were lining up on each cross street, lights flashing and sirens blaring. They had shut the city down, and no one knew why.
231
Chapter
22
Inside the Statue of Liberty, the Doctor and Amy had their hands tied and were taken from the Crown Room. As Sam dragged them out, Amy could see General Erik take his position at the window, ready to start transporting the people of New York to the asteroid mines.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Amy started on the Doctor.
'Why did you surrender?'
"They were going to kill you!'
'But you gave him back that remote control thing. There are millions of people out there!'
'Did I mention, he was going to shoot you?'
'I thought you'd do something clever.'
'Yeah, me saving you, that was the clever bit.
233
DOCTOR WHO
Honestly, Amy, is being brave not good enough for you? I thought you'd be showering me in kisses.'
Amy snorted. 'Unlikely. Not if it means I'll be mining fossilised Space-Boar droppings for the rest of my life.'
The Doctor sighed.
Amy hadn't finished yet. 'So what are you going to do?'
'Where do you think we are, Amy?'
'I don't know. Some kind of round hut thing? Oh, don't go changing the subject on me.'
But the Doctor was too interested in his surroundings.
They had been tied up and dumped inside the Torch of the Statue of Liberty.
Sam Horwitz stood back, and looked at them with a disinterested expression. 'You'll be pleased to know that you've been chosen as the first. It is a great honour. The General himself has overturned your evaluations to ensure you have a long and glorious service in the mines.'
'Sam - can you bend down?' Amy whispered. 'I want to tell you something.'
Sam obliged. And Amy headbutted him hard on the side of the head. The controlling Vykoid clung on for his life, digging his hands into Sam's hair. But he hadn't been dislodged, and Sam stepped back.
The Vykoid was laughing at Amy now. 'Did you ever look at big animals and wonder