Doctor Who_ The Zarbi - Bill Strutton [65]
Barbara moved to join the old Menoptera. His eyes on the controls of Doctor Who’s control table were alive with interest. He pointed at the communicator knobs.
‘Does this thing work?’
Barbara hesitated. ‘Well, yes — I think so.’
‘Could we contact our invasion forces on it?’ Prapillus demanded. ‘Warn our people...?’
Barbara shrugged doubtfully. ‘Well... yes — if I can find the frequency. I’ve only ever seen the Doctor use it once.’
She reached and adjusted the knobs, pointing to the transmission and wavelength controls. ‘Now... that... and there... you can try it now — this is the speaker.’
Prapillus bent towards the speaker. He switched on the speaker button and called in his high-pitched treble.
‘Fortis to main force. Vortis to main force... warning.
Repeat — warning... Electron-guns are useless against the Zarbi... Sayo Plateau heavily ambushed... await instructions... acknowledge please... over.’
He paused, switching over to ‘receive’ at Barbara’s silent direction, and listened.
They waited but no answering sound came — not even the whispering spatial echoes that told of a transmitter switched on and operating on the Menoptera’s wavelength.
‘Either they haven’t heard us,’ Hilio said. ‘Or, they don’t trust us.’
‘Or I haven’t set it right,’ Barbara said, staring at the set and frowning. She took over and checked the controls. She cleared the table of its clutter and as she did so an implement caught her eye. She held it up. It was the Web Destructor, the precious weapon they had entrusted to Doctor Who! She wheeled.
‘Prapillus — look!’
Prapillus and the others stared in dismay.
‘We must take it to the centre ourselves!’ Hilio snapped.
‘But... the doctor — what happened?’ Barbara stammered. ‘Why didn’t he take it?’
‘They must have discovered his plan,’ Prapillus answered sombrely.
Hlynia said. ‘It was hidden under that equipment, why?’
‘We haven’t the time to stand guessing!’ Barbara said.
She turned towards the big doorway which opened off the control room into the largest corridor, ‘Let’s hurry!
Please...!’
Barbara strode to the door. Hilio took up the Web Destructor and hastened to catch her up. Prapillus and Hlynia followed, quickening their pace.
They came stealthily into the vast corridor and moved down it. From the far end a glow shone so brightly that at first Barbara thought it was a furnace. She saw that it came from beyond a huge webbed door.
She and her companions pressed on stealthily. They paused as they heard a chirruping sound somewhere and darted into a recess — a short side corridor. Hilio peered out while they waited. The corridor remained empty.
‘All clear,’ Hilio reported, and they emerged into the main corridor again and headed down towards the huge door.
‘Can you hear it?’ Hlynia whispered suddenly. She pressed her delicate hands to her temples.
‘Hear what?’ Barbara asked.
‘A... sort of... throbbing! Oh, it makes my head spin!’
Hlynia exclaimed.
Hilio came abreast of Barbara and tapped the Web Destructer he carried. ‘Remember — whatever this creature proves to be, this must be aimed towards its darker side, where it will be more vulnerable.’
Barbara nodded.
‘... and,’ Hilio reminded her, ‘we must all try and capture its attention. The one best placed will fire this and detonate the cell mutator. Understood?’
‘Understood,’ Barbara answered.
‘Zarbi!’ Prapillus suddenly yelled.
Barbara, Hilio and Hlynia froze in their steps. From a recess ahead of them a squad of Zarbi had scurried into view, driving before them the squat hulk of a sting grub, which wheeled and headed down towards them. Barbara and the Menoptera looked wildly about for cover.
‘There’s no going back!’ Prapillus shouted. We must rush them! It needs only one of us to get through with the Destructor! Come on!’
And the old Menoptera led them impetuously, charging down the corridor to meet the advancing Zarbi and their venom grub. With only a moment’s hesitation, the others leaped forward to join Prapillus in his charge.
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