Doctor Who_ The Green Death - Malcolm Hulke [3]
‘Maybe the professor should come in here,’ he shouted. ‘He might be able to understand it.’
Professor Jones pushed his way forward. ‘What is it?’
‘See for yourself,’ said Bert Pritchard.
Professor Jones entered the office, followed by Dai Evans and Bert Pritchard. Ted Hughes was seated there, his hand still on the siren lever as he had pulled it. By his stillness and staring eyes they knew he was dead.
His hands and face and neck were glowing bright green.
2 The Doctor Plans a Holiday
In the Doctor’s laboratory at UNIT Headquarters Jo was reading the morning newspaper, eating an apple, and occasionally looking up to see what the Doctor was doing. The door of the TARDIS was open and the Doctor kept popping in and out making adjustments to an electrical circuit unit. After a while Jo asked:
‘What are you trying to do?’
The Doctor, about to enter the TARDIS again, paused. ‘I’m not trying to do anything. I’m doing it.’
‘Great,’ said Jo. ‘But what is it?’
‘I’m preparing the TARDIS to travel to Metebelis Three.’
Jo asked, ‘Whatever for?’
‘I thought we could do with a little holiday,’ said the Doctor. ‘It’s a particularly beautiful planet. Everything is blue, even its sun.’
‘What if you’re needed here?’ said Jo. ‘Have you asked the Brigadier’s permission to take leave?’
‘My dear Jo,’ said the Doctor, ‘I’m not bound hand and foot to UNIT. I’m the scientific adviser, not a clerk. I am free to go and come as I please.’
‘Provided you can make the TARDIS actually go anywhere,’ retorted Jo. ‘I thought the Time Lords decided where it could go?’
The Doctor looked quite affronted. ‘I admit there have been occasional problems, but this time I shall be in complete control. Metebelis Three is somewhere I’ve always wanted to show you—’
But Jo wasn’t listening. Something in the newspaper had caught her eye. ‘Listen to this,’ she said indignantly, and read from the newspaper : ‘“The Ministry has at last given the green light to Panorama Chemicals.”’
The Doctor completely misunderstood Jo’s sudden interruption of his train of thought. ‘Not a green light,’ he said, ‘a blue light. The sky is blue, the ground is blue. They even have some very pretty blue birds there...’
But Jo was equally absorbed. ‘Listen to this bit,’ she said, and read from the newspaper again : ‘“Common-sense has triumphed at last”.’ She threw down the paper. ‘Don’t the Government realise the pollution that’ll be caused if Panorama Chemicals goes ahead?’
‘Also,’ the Doctor went on, ‘they have some very beautiful blue sapphires, and I hope to get hold of one.’
‘Were you listening to me?’ asked Jo.
‘You seem to have gone off at a tangent,’ said the Doctor.
‘I’m going to do more than that,’ said Jo. ‘I’m going to go off at a... Well, I mean I’m going to pack a suitcase.’
‘What a good idea,’ approved the Doctor. ‘I should have the TARDIS ready to leave in a few minutes.’
‘The TARDIS?’ said Jo. ‘Oh no, I mean that I’m going to this place in Wales, Llanfairfach.’
The Doctor looked astounded. ‘Whatever for?’
‘Why don’t you read the newspaper sometimes?’ said Jo, making for the door. ‘Then you’d know what for.’ She stormed out.
The Doctor carefully put down the electrical circuit unit and picked up the discarded newspaper. He was just beginning to read about the Government’s decision to support Panorama Chemicals when the Brigadier came in.
‘Morning, Doctor,’ he called chirpily. ‘Reading the newspaper, I see.’
‘How very observant of you,’ said the Doctor.
‘Well,’ said the Brigadier, ‘I’ve got a very interesting little job for you. Chap in Wales came up from a mine glowing bright green. Think you might be able to find out why?’
‘Why what?’ asked the Doctor.
‘Why he’s glowing bright green,’ said the Brigadier. ‘Bit odd, don’t you think?’
‘Has anyone tried asking him?’ said the Doctor.
The Brigadier put on his solemn expression, reserved for State occasions and military funerals. ‘The poor