Menagerie - Martin Day [75]
'Brothers and helpers, we are here to celebrate a turning point. The Brotherhood of Rexulon now has the power to overthrow the men of evil and let the light of the Higher shine across our land!'
The Doctor thought that he recognized the voice as being Zaitabor's, although there was a puzzling stiffness in the man's movements.
'Our friends are here to receive back their Queen,'
continued the leader of the brotherhood. 'They have faithfully followed their orders, though they did not know what they were doing, and they shall receive their reward.'
The Doctor noticed that even the impassive Taculbain were beginning to fidget with excitement. The man turned directly to the red-robed brotherhood. 'As for you, my brothers, you have much to celebrate now. I tell you truthfully, we shall not meet in this manner again! My elevation to the position of Grand Knight will ensure that the Kuabris never stray from the true and shining path of the Higher. We shall feast well when we burn Himesor's heretical writings!'
The leader's comments had made the Doctor certain that Zaitabor was behind the mask. The knight turned and raised his hands heavenwards. 'Oh Higher, we praise you for using the false magician to begin your destruction of all things that reek of science.' The Doctor could hear Defrabax grunting in displeasure at this description but the Taculbain closest to them appeared not to hear. 'Help us this very moment,' continued the leader of the brotherhood, 'to serve you always and do what must be done.'
There was a commotion among the Taculbain as a huge creature, bound with ropes and chains, was brought into the chamber. It resembled the humanoid Taculbain only in as much as it had recognizable limbs and head. Lacking wings and pulling a bloated body behind her, the Taculbain Queen crawled painfully into the brotherhood's chamber.
A number of Taculbain rushed forward, incensed at the sight of their leader in such humiliation. She quelled them the moment she spoke. 'No, be patient!' Her voice was deep and rich, echoing with many tongues. 'A little longer and we shall all be free. But . . . What have we done to ensure our liberation from the dungeons of this place?'
The Rexulon leader was becoming more frenzied by the moment, his voice shrieking loudly over the disquieted chirrup of the Taculbain. 'Nothing matters now! You can attack us or we attack you and whatever the outcome we shall all be swallowed up. The steam engines in every city on this world shall soon be silenced as the Higher welcomes us all through the gateway of death.' At this even the brothers sounded a little concerned, and some began to mutter to their companions.
'The Menagerie of Ukkazaal exists, my brothers! And there are dark creatures within it!'
Despite her chains, the Queen twisted to look at the Taculbain. There was a crushed sadness in her voice. 'Oh our people, what have we done?'
'They are called Mecrim,' continued the man as the Doctor's heart pounded. 'I myself have examined and destroyed texts that refer to the Mecrim, to the grim destroyers of old. They will swarm across our planet like flies and pick clean the corpse of our corrupted world. We all share in the sins of the scientists and the false leaders, and therefore we all must die!'
A number of the brothers were shouting in outrage. The Doctor was quickly assessing the situation to see what could be done.
Suddenly two brothers broke ranks and ran towards the altar. Through the flapping red robes the Doctor recognized Jamie's unmistakable garb, and he smiled proudly.
Jamie moved to the altar to release the young man whilst the other figure — a girl — ran towards the leader of the brotherhood. The Doctor could see the fear-fuelled anger that coursed through her. She had a huge sword in her hands. 'This must end!' she screamed. 'I don't know what you have done, but you must be stopped!'
The figure in red laughed.
The girl swiped clumsily with the sword but it bit keenly into the man's neck . . . and swept effortlessly through to the