Doctor Who_ The Sea-Devils - Malcolm Hulke [53]
‘There is no need to speak to anyone in London,’ said Mr. Walker. ‘I can tell you what must be done. We need a massive underwater nuclear strike—immediately!’
Captain Hart put down the useless telephone.‘I couldn’t do that without orders from the Admiralty.’
‘Leave the question of orders to me,’ said Walker.
Jo spoke up. ‘Shouldn’t we wait till the Doctor gets here? You ought to listen to his opinion.’
‘According to your very own words,’ Walker said to Jo, ‘your friend the Doctor was last seen helping the enemy. In a time of war, people get shot for that.’
Jane Blythe hurried in. ‘Sir,’ she addressed Captain Hart. ‘I’ve found out where the Doctor is. One of the ratings saw him going off to sea in a power-boat.’
‘Going off to sea?’ Captain Hart was astounded. ‘I sent a message for him to come here immediately.’
‘I’m sorry, sir. But that’s what the rating told me. The Doctor seemed to be going after another power-boat.’
‘The Master!’ Jo exclaimed. ‘Can’t you see what’s happened?’
‘I can see very clearly,’ said Mr. Walker. ‘Your Doctor has gone over to the other side.’ He turned to Captain Hart, ‘I am giving you the following order, Captain. Strike, and strike hard, and do it now, using an underwater nuclear warhead. Obey my command, or face a charge of insubordination.’
Captain Hart looked at Jo. ‘I’m sorry, Miss Grant. I shall have to do what I’m told.’
In a workshop section of the Sea-Devils’ base, many fathoms below the surface, the Doctor again found himself being forced to help the Master complete the re-activation device. A Sea-Devil guard remained with them, its raygun pointed at the Doctor.
‘I still don’t understand why you want to help them,’ the Doctor said quietly as they worked.
‘Revenge,’ said the Master, ‘against the entire human race. It was they who sentenced me to life-long imprisonment.’
‘It was they,’ said the Doctor, ‘who did not sentence you to death. They had good reason to execute you. Instead, they showed mercy.’
‘For that,’ said the Master, adding another component to the already complex device. ‘I was truly grateful—while I was a prisoner. But now that I’m free, I can think clearly. And I want revenge!’ He looked across curiously at the work the Doctor was doing. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Carrying out your commands,’ said the Doctor. ‘You told me to deal with the polarity of the neutron flow.’
The Master crossed to where the Doctor was working, and looked at the complicated component which he had just attached to the device. ‘Yes, that seems all right. You’re working very well.’
‘Thank you,’ said the Doctor. ‘I think that completes the job.’
Another Sea-Devil entered the workshop. ‘I am now the new leader,’ it said slowly. ‘When will you complete your task? We wish to re-activate our kin throughout this planet!’
‘I’m pleased to report,’ said the Master, ‘that I have just finished.’ He added with a chuckle, ‘With the help of my slave, of course.’
The new Chief Sea-Devil regarded the device. ‘Then put it into operation.’
‘Delighted,’ said the Master. ‘Please stand back, Doctor.’
The Doctor stood away from the device, and the Master switched on the main electrical current. The device started to hum gently.
‘You realise,’ said the Doctor, ‘that it will take some hours for the power to build up.’
The Master ignored the Doctor’s remark, and addressed himself to the Chief Sea-Devil. ‘Within a short time from now you will begin to receive signals from your other shelters and bases as they start to revive from their hibernation. Since we no longer need the Doctor, I suggest you put him into one of your cages.’
‘I agree,’ said the Chief Sea-Devil. It raised its hand and three Sea-Devil guards entered. ‘Put these creatures into the cages. Don’t kill them yet, not until we are sure that their device works.’
The guards grabbed both the Doctor and the Master.