Doctor Who_ The Twin Dilemma - Eric Saward [35]
The more he thought about it, the more the idea excited him. He had always dreamed of being declared a hero, ever since he had joined starfighter command. His natural good looks, easy charm and ability to look good in a uniform made him, so Hugo thought, a perfect choice.
As a hero he would be able to give up flying -something that still frightened him - possibly enter politics, or specialise in appearing on the numerous chat shows that dominated the public viddy channels. The money was good, the adoration overwhelming and, most of all, it was safe.
Heroes never slipped in the ratings. As they grew older, wiser and better informed, they would transfer to the debate programmes, of which there were even more than chat shows. If Hugo proved really successful, he might even be granted the ultimate accolade, that of becoming the chairman of his very own show!
Carried away on the wings of his own fantasy, Hugo had overlooked one thing: he still had to find the twins. There was also the Doctor and Peri to consider, but Hugo had decided to dump them at the first opportunity. He didn't want to risk anyone eclipsing his success. Neither did he need the Doctor to pilot the TARDIS. Careful study of it in flight had convinced Hugo that he was capable of handling the ship alone.
As the group continued to move cautiously along the passage, Peri whispered. 'Are you sure we're going the right way?'
The Doctor nodded. 'Azmael gave me a conducted tour the last time I was here. This passage leads to his laboratory.'
As he spoke, the group became aware of a strong, pungent smell, very similar to the one that had pervaded the wasteland they had visited earlier.
Quickly, the Doctor pushed Hugo and Peri into a deep alcove leading off the passageway.
They were no sooner in place then through the silence they heard the faint mooing and slithering of two gastropods.
As Hugo silently drew his gun, the Doctor gripped his arm and indicated that he should not use it. The risk was too great as there were bound to be armed guards nearby.
As they pressed deeper into the dark shadows which shared the alcove with them, the two gastropods slithered by. The stench which emanated from them was so overpowering that Peri started to retch. Quickly, the Doctor placed his hand on his young companion's mouth to silence her.
With gastropods gone and their sickly smell beginning to clear, Hugo decided to take his chance. Unnoticed by the Doctor and Peri, he slipped into the main passageway, his intention to find the twins and get back to the TARDIS while the Doctor was dealing with Mestor.
Cautiously, he started to make his way along the passage, but suddenly became aware that something was dragging at his feet.
Looking down, he saw that his boots were covered by a dense, sticky mucus.
As he tried to move on, Hugo realised that the mucus was beginning to set hard. Seconds later, he was stuck fast, as though someone had glued him to the floor.
'Doctor!' he called in a loud, hoarse whisper. 'I'm stuck!'
The Doctor and Peri peered into the passage and immediately saw the literal mess the pilot had got himself into.
That's what you get for wandering off!'
'Spare me the lecture. Doctor!' Then softening his tone, he added,
'Please get me out of here!'
'Can't.'
'Why not?'
'Gastropod slime trails set like concrete.'
'You can't abandon him!' pleaded Peri.
The Time Lord prodded the thick, hard slime with the toe of his shoe. There's nothing I can do.'
A look of horror spread across Hugo's face. 'You can't leave me here!'
'I can and I must. I have more important matters to attend to.'
'If those gastropods come back, they'll kill me!'
'You should have thought about that when you tried to sneak away.'
Hugo levelled his gun and took careful aim at the Doctor. 'Leave me here and I'll kill you.'
The Doctor smiled. 'Then how would you get home?'
Hugo didn't reply.
‘I saw the way you were watching me when I was operating the TARDIS's controls. Looked simple, didn't it? But you'll find there is more to flying the TARDIS than pressing a few switches.'