Doctor Who_ The Ice Warriors - Brian Hayles [33]
‘That’s it!’ he blurted out, elated. ‘The Omega factor!
Clever chap, your friend Penley. Why did you ever get rid of him?’
Clent was too preoccupied with checking the formula to react to this sharp observation. As he reached the final equation, his face smiled in admiration and pride.
‘It’s amazing! And it was staring us in the face all the time...’
Jan hadn’t the same theoretical training as Clent or Penley. She had been trained to rely on the computer for formula analysis. ‘Will it work?’ she asked Clent anxiously.
Clent quickly copied down the essential numbers. ‘I’ll run it through the computer myself!’ the Leader exclaimed.
and hurried out, followed by Jan and the Doctor. The Doctor, turning to Jan, sighed and shook his head disapprovingly.
‘It doesn’t need running through a computer,’ he complained, ‘its perfect!’ He glanced mischievously at Jan, as they hurried along the corridor leading to the control room and the computer. ‘I deserve an apology,’ he said, and then added, ‘Penley, too. Thank you for digging out his notes.’
‘I thought they might help...’ murmured Jan, leading the way across to ECCO, where Clent was studying the computer print-out He was completely absorbed. his eyes glued to the machine. He made no sign of hearing the ensuing exchange between the Doctor and Jan.
‘Pity Penley turned traitor...’ remarked the Doctor innocently. Jan’s reaction was immediate, and angry.
‘He was not a traitor! He’s the most brilliant scientist we have, and if you—’
The Doctor cut her short and smiled gently. ‘I’m glad he’s still got some friends here at Base. I needed to know—’
‘It works!’ cried Clent. ‘The computer says it works!’
Suddenly, the static-distorted voice of Arden crackled out from the video-communicator. The geologist’s hooded face showed fuzzily on the videoscreen. and he spoke urgently.
‘Glacier Task Unit to Base,’ he called, ‘Arden to Leader Clent. Over, over!’
Clent moved quickly to establish contact. ‘Clent here, Arden. Report’
‘We’ve arrived at the glacier site...’ Arden’s words faded in a sudden rush of static, then cleared again. ‘There’s something strange here. Can you hear me?’
‘Bad atmospherics,’ replied Clent, emphasising his words for clarity. ‘You’ll have to speak up. We’ll try and boost you...’ He waved a vague hand towards Jan, and she tried to adjust the controls.
‘What has he found?’ asked the Doctor impatiently.
‘The ice face,’ crackled Arden’s disembodied voice. ‘It’s been excavated... into a sort of cave.’
‘Excavated?’ queried Clent.
‘How?’ demanded the Doctor tensely.
‘Not a drill,’ replied Arden, ‘nor explosives... some sort of power tool, I’d say.’
‘Is there any sign of a space craft?’ demanded Clent.
Arden’s blunt answer brought them all forward, tense and expectant.
‘Yes... at the back of... the excavation... there’s what looks like—a metal door!’
Clent looked first at Jan, and then at the Doctor. The space craft theory was right—but would its propulsion unit bring the danger that they feared?
‘The place seems deserted...’ Arden continued. ‘But the Ice Warrior couldn’t have done this... alone.’
‘Don’t get any closer than you need,’ warned the Doctor.
‘Arden, get those radiation readings quickly—and come back here at the double! Don’t take any chances!’
For once, Arden didn’t need Clent’s warning. He shuddered as he began to set up the radiation detector, apprehension mingling with the enjoyment of discovery.
Jamie looked about, but he could see no sign of the warrior, or that Victoria had ever been here...
‘We’ll take the readings first, Jamie...’ murmured Arden,
‘and then we’ll have a look round outside for Victoria. All right?’ He gave the Scots lad a quick smile.
‘Fair enough,’ agreed Jamie. He knew the importance of the mission Clent had ordered; but he was glad that Arden shared his own feelings about Victoria.
‘What readings are these, then?’ he asked, as they unwound the power pack connections.
‘Radiation—magnetic field—ion density... it won’t take