Doctor Who_ War Games - Malcolm Hulke [32]
Carstairs was astonished. ‘How did you do that?’
‘I disintegrated that part of the wall’s molecular structure. Now let us see what we can see.’ The Doctor peered through the hole.
The resistance fighters stun-gunned in the ambush lay on the floor. Two silver-uniformed guards were lifting the young French soldier onto an inspection table. The scientist put a headset on the man, touched a button and watched a little screen.
‘Put him in the re-processing chair,’ he ordered.
The guards sat the Frenchman in the chair that Carstairs had once occupied, clamping his wrists and ankles.
‘The one in the skirt,’ said the scientist. ‘Put him on the table.’
The Doctor turned to Zoe and Carstairs. ‘I can see Jamie,’ he said excitedly. ‘He’s unconscious but he’s alive.’
Carstairs was puzzled. ‘The guns didn’t kill?’
‘Apparently not. They were adjusted to stun.’ The Doctor returned his attention to the hole. ‘Now let’s see...’
The headset was on Jamie. The scientist was looking at the little screen, puzzled.
‘Something wrong?’ asked a guard.
‘Yes,’ said the scientist. ‘Very wrong. Take this specimen to the Security Chief. Tell him that this skirted man was never processed in the first place.’
‘How is that possible?’ said the guard.
‘Have your Chief explain. He has an opinion.’
The two guards lifted up Jamie to carry him out. As they approachd the door, it opened. The War Chief stepped into the processing room with his two personal bodyguards. The scientist paled at the sight of him.
‘Have you commenced re-processing yet?’ asked the War Chief, pleasantly.
‘Er, I was just going to start with this one.’ The scientist indicated the Frenchman strapped in the chair.
‘And this one? Where is he going?’ The War Chief looked at the two guards carrying out Jamie.
‘The Security Chief,’ mumbled the scientist. ‘He wanted to question one of them before re-processing.’
‘Why did you select that one?’
‘He... His brain patterns are different, sir.’
‘How different?’
Through the hole the Doctor could clearly see the scientist’s Adam’s apple working up and down in his throat. ‘How is he different, sir?’
‘At least you are not deaf,’ said the War Chief. ‘Yes, I clearly asked how are his brain patterns different.’
The scientist’s mouth opened but no speech came out.
‘Come now,’ said the War Chief in a friendly way. ‘We have no secrets, do we?’
‘He... I mean, I think... Well, it’s possible that he hasn’t been processed before.’
For a moment the War Chief said nothing. Then he smiled. ‘How extraordinary. Well, I suggest you keep me informed of any such... unusual developments.’ He turned to go and paused in the doorway. ‘We are very proud of your work, you know. The War Lord remarked only yesterday that without your genius none of this would have been possible.’
The scientist glowed with delight. ‘Oh, thank you.’
‘Thank you,’ said the War Chief and left the processing room with his two bodyguards.
Alone, the scientist turned to the unconscious Frenchman strapped in the chair. ‘Did you hear that? The War Lord says I’m a genius!’
The Doctor turned to Carstairs. ‘We’ve got to get in there before the guards come back.’ He studied the wall. ‘If I could change its entire molecular structure...’
‘There is another way,’ said Carstairs. ‘It’s only a dividing panel. Watch.’ He put his hand into the hole and quietly lifted out the entire panel. ‘You were saying something about its molecular structure, sir?’ He put the panel down to one side.
As Zoe stifled a laugh, the Doctor and Carstairs stepped into the processing room. Carstairs had his revolver drawn.
The scientist, about to work on the young Frenchman, had his back turned.
‘May I, sir,’ said the Doctor, ‘add my praise to that of the War Lord? You truly are a genius.’
The scientist half turned. ‘Thank you. Thank you very much.’
‘And may I,’ said Lieutenant Carstairs, ‘request you to raise your hands?’
The scientist swung round.