Free Doctor Who: Galaxy Four by William Emms Page A

had examined on the way in. He was certain now that it was a converter for the ammonia gas the Rills needed for survival, so if he could not save Vicki immediately he might be able to in the long term with the aid of a little sabotage. Fishing out his screwdriver he crossed to the grill and started to unfasten it. The screws, tight at first, began to wind out. He grunted with satisfaction, aware of the need for speed.
    ‘Doctor, they’re nearly here,’ Vicki said anxiously. ‘I’m aware of that.’
    ‘What are you doing there?’
    ‘Trying to interfere with our big-eyed friend’s well-being,’ he said, moving on to the next screw. ‘Just try to stay calm.’
    ‘Calm?’ Her voice was climbing with fear. ‘I’d much rather you had another go at these bars.’
    ‘A complete waste of time.’ This screw was also coming free. ‘They’re as solid as rock, whereas this will do a lot more damage–eventually.’
    ‘I think that’s too late,’ she said in a small voice. ‘They’ve arrived.’
    The Doctor looked up and through the bars to see Vicki still clinging on to them, but a Chumbley now beside her and pointing its gun in the usual meaningful way. ‘Ah, yes,’ he said. ‘Whatever you do, don’t make any sudden moves.’
    ‘I’m not likely to,’ she said.
    The Chumbley moved forward and nudged against her legs. She clung on to the bars and it did it again. Vicki clutched even tighter. ‘I think it wants me to go with it.’
    The Doctor was philosophical. ‘Then your wisest course is to go.’
    ‘But that thing in there. I don’t think I can bear to see it again.’
    ‘Don’t look.’
    ‘I’m frightened,’ she wailed.
    ‘Listen to me, my dear,’ he said in a low voice as the machine nudged her yet again. ‘If you go along quietly and cause no trouble I’ve a feeling they won’t harm you. But play for time so that I can help you. I’m sure I can do something with this converter, but I need more than a couple of minutes in which to do it. Now be brave and do as I say, there’s a good girl.’
    She nodded stiffly and released her grasp on the bars. ‘You will be as quick as you can, won’t you?’
    ‘Depend on it.’
    She moved away down the passage, taking small and reluctant steps. The Chumbley went behind her, chittering so loudly now that it could almost be taken as crowing with triumph, though it occurred to the Doctor that it only seemed that way because such a small passage acted as an echo chamber. He watched until they vanished, then turned back to his work, conscious of what he had not said to Vicki: that he had no idea what might happen to her.
    Steven lay in the padded corner and pretended he was sleeping, even though he had not dozed for a moment. He thought it better that way. Since he was not allowed to speak he might learn something by being silent, though he was inclined to doubt it. Maaga would reveal nothing of importance in his hearing and the others were privy to nothing. It was all very strange and all very well for the Doctor. He was used to whistling about through space and time like a demented flea and encountering weird life forms such as these were turning out to be, but he and Vicki were not. Steven did not think he would ever get used to it. Too many things occurred at the same time and most of them turned out to be troublesome. Nearly always the Doctor remained calm, interested and calculating, but even he was prone to tetchiness in certain circumstances. It was not unknown for him even to lose his temper. In fact it was becoming a familiar spectacle. Sometimes he was short on tolerance.
    Steven’s thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Drahvin Two, still standing beside One near the bulkhead. ‘Maaga, shall we go?’
    Steven watched as Maaga turned from examining her charts. ‘Where?’
    ‘To patrol.’
    ‘I see no need.’
    ‘We might be able to find out what his two friends are doing.’
    ‘No,’ Maaga snapped. ‘And besides, it is dark. You