Doctor Who_ The Ice Warriors - Brian Hayles [16]
Clent and his subordinates were seated in a tight semi-circle around the table top formed by the ECCO control area.
A stranger would have observed that the video-eyed communicator was not merely treated as a convenient information source, but was functioning as a member of the group. In fact, it had several jobs. Like an electronic secretary, it was taking minutes of the meeting; it produced relevant statistics when required, and it evaluated group decisions in the light of world policy. At the moment, however, it was passive. Clent was completing the summary of his confrontation with the Doctor.
‘It took him just ninety seconds to propose and explain Ionisation,’ he stated, ‘and with no prior knowledge!’
Arden was impressed, but cautious. ‘It took us and the World Academy of Scientists years.’
‘And the computer three millisecs,’ interrupted Miss Garrett. Brilliant though this stranger might be, he could never be superior to her beloved computer. Arden disagreed.
‘It couldn’t do anything without proper programming,’
he pointed out shrewdly, much to Jan’s annoyance. But Clent shared her absolute faith in the machine.
‘I’d like an assessment from the computer,’ he insisted,
‘before we make any final decision about this... Doctor.’
‘I agree.’ nodded Miss Garrett. ‘We have to be completely certain.’
‘ECCO!’ instructed Clent. The artificial head turned expectantly. ‘State the work potential and group value of this new member of our team.’
The computer’s answer was immediate and passionless.
‘ More information needed for complete evaluation. Interim judgement: high IQ but undisciplined to unit’s immediate needs.
Possible use on research projects. Could be obstructive in certain subjective situations. ’
The last sentence went largely unheard. At that moment, the door burst open and the Doctor stumbled rather breathlessly into the room. ‘There you are!’ he exclaimed.
‘We’ve been waiting for you, Doctor,’ Clent pointed out with icy formality. ‘Perhaps you wouldn’t mind sitting down?’
‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere!’ replied the Doctor. ‘Why don’t you label your doors, or something?’
‘Perhaps you’d let us complete our official business before making unnecessary complaints about administration,’
said Clent coldly.
‘No, I’m afraid not,’ insisted the Doctor. ‘I’ve got something pretty important to tell you actually. It’s about that thing in the block of ice.’
‘The Ice Warrior!’ exclaimed Arden anxiously. ‘Has something happened to it?’
‘We have more serious matters on hand than amateur archaeology!’ interrupted Clent. But the Doctor was not to be shouted down.
‘This is serious,’ he continued grimly. ‘It’s the thing’s helmet—it’s not what we think it is.’
‘You’ve discovered that it’s a prehistoric drinking cup, I suppose,’ said Clent sarcastically.
The Doctor was looking at Arden as he spoke. ‘It has electronic connections,’ he said.
There was a tense silence, as this remark struck home.
Clent frowned. Was this stranger, dressed like a scavenger but with the brain of a scientist, a complete eccentric or, even worse, a practical joker? On the other hand, his face was deadly serious.
‘What are you talking about, man?’ he demanded, uncertainly.
Arden’s amazement exploded into words. ‘It’s not possible! You must’ve made a mistake!’
‘I’m quite sure.’ The Doctor was almost apologetic. ‘Of course, you do realise what this means?’
Clent said nothing, but it was obvious that thoughts were racing through his mind. Arden groped for an explanation.
‘It must mean...’ he paused, then plunged on, ‘it has to mean its