Doctor Who_ The Zarbi - Bill Strutton [58]
‘Don’t worry, my dear. Um... in fact... I don’t particularly want to go back there either.’
Vicki mustered a smile for him. ‘It’s all right. After all, we do stand the best chance. Anyway – the Tardis is still there...’
‘Good girl, good girl.’
A call from Prapillus checked them.
‘Doctor...?’
Doctor Who crossed to join Prapillus. ‘Yes – what is it?’
he asked, testily.
Prapillus pointed at the captive Zarbi. er, wondered if we could borrow this creature. He will be very useful in our attack.’
Doctor Who stiffened. ‘You think so?’ he sniffed icily.
‘And how, pray, do we get back into the Headquarters without it?’
Prapillus smiled calmly. ‘I’m sure your brains are equal to that. Besides, if a lifetime of slavery has robbed me of a scientific career – at least I have made a study of the Zarbi..
and could use him better.’
Doctor Who drew himself up in thunderous outrage.
‘Oh, really! Better than I, Mmm? And who managed to gain control of it? Eh?’
‘That may be. But I have the experience, I am an old man...’
‘And what do you think I am – sweet sixteen?’ Doctor Who roared. ‘How old are you?’
Barbara heard the dispute and moved smoothly towards the two old men. ‘Doctor... Prapillus – is something wrong?’
Doctor Who turned brusquely away. ‘Oh, nothing, my dear... nothing...’
‘A small matter, a small matter,’ Prapillus muttered and glared at the Doctor’s back.
Doctor Who simmered down, relented. ‘Prapillus made the brilliant suggestion that he took this creature with your party... that’s all...’ he said.
‘... and I was congratulating the Doctor on his achievements over the Zarbi,’ Prapillus said, gently, swallowing hard and mustering a polite smile for the Doctor.
‘Oh – for a minute it sounded like a row...!’
‘Bless my soul,’ Doctor Who exclaimed, ‘Never...!’
Prapillus wagged his head reprovingly at Barbara.
‘Really, nothing could be farther from the—’
‘I should have thought you’d have known me better than that, my dear,’ Doctor Who added. He gave his rival Prapillus a wintry smile. ‘Young people have very little respect, Prapillus. You must forgive her.’
‘Come, Vicki,’ Doctor Who called. He raised a commanding hand at the Zarbi.
‘Here, you – what did you call him, child?... Zombo...!’
The Zarbi scuttled obediently forward. The Doctor thought a moment and turned to Prapillus.
‘There is a way in which this creature may... serve us both...’ he mused.
‘How, Doctor?’
‘... supposing I were to use the Zarbi to get me back to the centre... and then – I sent him back to you...?’
Prapillus beamed delightedly. ‘Capital, my dear Doctor... a truly splendid thought...!’
Doctor Who bowed. ‘Coming from a thinker like yourself, that is a compliment indeed.’
Doctor Who paused for a last look at Barbara and the Menoptera, gathered to watch them go.
‘When we meet again,’ he said quietly, ‘let us hope this evil that rules on Vortis will be ended forever.’
The Doctor turned and strode away, with Vicki holding his hand.
Hrostar watched them go gloomily.
‘ If we ever meet again...’ he said, and stared out at the gloomy Vortis landscape as the rock wings parted to let them through.
Ian, Vrestin and the pigmy-menoptera leaders had now broken clear through into another tunnel and were hurrying along, stumbling over rock and around the bristling stalagmites in the direction pointed out by the aged Hetra.
As they forged ahead they became aware of a pulsing sound which seemed to come from the very rock itself above their heads. It was like a faint, steady heartbeat. Ian heard it and paused, clutching at Vrestin’s arm. They went on slowly now - and then the frail land of Hetra stayed them with a warning gesture.
They listened. Hetra stared around above him, head cocked.
He turned to Ian and Vrestin - and nodded.
‘The web - it is right above us now.’
He turned and signalled to his diggers. They came running forward, looking up - a little awed.
Ian braced himself. He pointed to the roof of the tunnel.
‘We go up - there!’ he announced.
The stocky diggers hesitated a little, then mustered