Doctor Who_ War Games - Malcolm Hulke [47]
The Doctor was alarmed at the prospect of being in the Security Chief’s care. ‘But, sir—’
‘Have no fear,’ said the War Lord. ‘The Security Chief will carry out my orders and give you all the protection you need.’ He gave a signal for the Security Chief and the Doctor to depart.
‘Now,’ said the War Lord to the War Chief. ‘These resistance groups. What is the position?’
The War Chief pointed to the war map. ‘They are all in this one area. I have ordered our human specimens to move in on them.’
‘To capture or to kill?’ asked the War Lord.
‘To capture if possible,’ replied the War Chief. ‘Once re-processed we have good fighting men there for our eventual conquest of the galaxy.’
‘Good, good,’ said the War Lord. ‘Let us never lose sight of the eventual aim. As soon as that’s done we need all security guards returned to this base. All communications units are to be repaired or replaced and the war games are to continue.’ The War Lord rose. ‘I shall retire to my chamber now. Very soon we must start selecting the survivors of our games, War Chief. We must put them into storage for the great mission of galactic conquest that is to come!’
The prisoners stood waiting in the processing room, surrounded by silver-uniformed guards.
‘They will shoot us,’ said Villar. ‘What else you do with prisoners, huh?’
‘No,’ said Lieutenant Carstairs. ‘they will re-process us and send us back to fight their wars. Still, I suppose that comes to the same thing. The average length of life of a British officer at the front line is only three weeks.’
‘Sir,’ said Sergeant Russell, quietly, ‘shouldn’t we be trying to break out of here?’
Carstairs looked at the armed guards. ‘With that lot on top of us?’ He turned to Jamie. ‘You’ve always seemed a decent young fellow. Who is this Doctor really?’
Jamie was at a loss to answer. ‘He’s... well, he can travel through time and space. I don’t really know.’
Zoe said, ‘I don’t like the way he seems to know that War Chief. It’s as though they had some bond—’
The door opened. The Security Chief pushed the Doctor into the room. ‘Let’s see what you can do with these prisoners, Doctor. Prove what you promised to the War Lord.’
The Doctor was hesitant. ‘I shall do my best.’
‘Good,’ said the Security Chief. ‘Unfortunately, I cannot spare all these guards to protect you from your friends. You will have to fend for yourself. Guards—outside!’
The half dozen security guards left the room. The Security Chief remained at the door. ‘Turn them all into docile specimens for our war games, Doctor. I shall return later—much later.’ He stepped out of the room and closed the door.
The Doctor swung round to open the door. It was locked. He turned to the prisoners, his back to the door.
‘There are certain things you should understand,’ he started to say.
‘We understand,’ said Arturo Villar. ‘First I kill you with my bare hands, then I listen.’
Villar lunged at the Doctor, hands reaching for his neck.
Jamie made a cross tackle, pushing Villar away, while Zoe took up a position in front of the trapped Doctor.
‘You want I should kill you first?’ thundered Villar. He laughed unpleasantly. ‘I never kill a man before wearing a skirt!’
‘I don’t think, anyone should kill anyone,’ said Carstairs. ‘But Doctor, I think you owe us an explanation.’
‘Thank you,’ said the Doctor. ‘I am trying to save your lives. They were going to use the neutron bomb, and that would have killed every human on this planet. This way we still have a chance. If you do exactly as I say, you will come to no harm.’
Villar thrust Jamie aside. ‘We don’t listen to no more lies! We execute the traitor!’
Pushing Zoe out of his way, Villar successfully grabbed at the Doctor’s throat. Zoe rained blows onto Villar’s back that he did not seem to notice. Jamie tugged at his arms.
‘This is plain murder,’ stormed Lieutenant Carstairs.
He appealed to the resistance leaders. ‘Help me stop this madman.’
Sergeant Russell shook his head. ‘No, sir. This is justice—’
The door flung open. Two armed