Free Doctor Who: The Savages by Ian Stuart Black Page B

moment later Exorse stepped into the mouth of the cave. ‘This is an order,’ he called. ‘Bring out the strangers.’
    The savages huddled against the rocks looked at him in fear. In the tunnel Steven whispered, ‘What will he do?’
    ‘Nothing worse than they have done many times before,’ said Chal. ‘Come.’
    Chal went on ahead of them. They could hear Exorse calling, ‘The strangers, girl. Where are they?’ But Nanina said nothing and Exorse called loudly, ‘Tell me — or suffer.’
    And when Nanina did speak she simply said, ‘I will tell you nothing.’
    In the cave Exorse stared at her in surprise. He wasn’t used to such defiance. ‘When I find them,’ he said, ‘I shall teach you to obey.’
    He had no time to waste. Others of these wretched creatures would answer far more quickly. ‘You,’ he said. ‘Where are they?’
    One of the terrified savages covered his face. ‘Don’t talk,’ said Nanina.
    Exorse raised his gun at the cowering savage. ‘They went into the rock face,’ cried the man.
    Chal led the way along the tunnel while Dodo and Steven followed, but a loose stone moving under somebody’s foot brought them to a stop while they listened in case they had been heard. The tunnels seemed to echo. But no one was following.
    ‘Which of these did they take?’ Exorse asked the savage as he pointed to the many openings.
    Nanina tried to protect him, but she was pushed aside by the butt of Exorse’s gun. ‘Which?’ he shouted.
    The savage pointed a shaking finger.
    ‘You have betrayed them,’ said Nanina accusingly.
    Exorse moved cautiously into the tunnel, glancing at the dust on the ground. It had been recently disturbed. He kept a finger on the gun trigger as he moved on.
    Dodo whispered softly, ‘It’s getting darker.’ ‘Less chance of being seen,’ replied Steven. ‘Listen,’ said the girl.
    Somewhere behind them they could hear the sound of footsteps. The sound stopped, but they knew it must be the guard. He was playing a game of cat and mouse with them in this blind alley, and there was no way out.
    As they moved Exorse picked up the faint sound and knew he was on the right track.
    ‘It’s hopeless,’ said Dodo. ‘There isn’t anywhere to hide.’
    ‘He may not follow,’ whispered Chal.
    ‘He will,’ muttered Dodo resignedly.
    ‘She’s right,’ agreed Steven. ‘If the tunnel gets much narrower we don’t stand a chance.’
    A voice echoed along the tunnel. ‘I know you are there, strangers. It is better to give yourselves up now.’
    ‘Come on,’ whispered Steven. He pushed ahead. A few steps further on, the passage twisted sharply. ‘This could be it!’ Steven sounded excited. ‘We could just have a chance!’
    Exorse called along the passage again. ‘Come back, I tell you. It’s for your own good.’
    Steven shouted back, ‘Thanks very much. You come and get us.’
    ‘Do not anger him,’ said Chal in alarm.
    ‘Why not?’ said Steven. ‘An angry man is more likely to do something rash.’
    Then he shouted down the tunnel, ‘Come on, soldier boy. What are you frightened of? You’re the man with the gun.’
    ‘He will destroy us all,’ said Chal in despair.
    ‘Tell me,’ whispered Steven, ‘how does he use that gun?’
    ‘What does it matter?’
    ‘Hurry up! I have to know how it works.’
    ‘There is a trigger on the right side. They point the muzzle at us, and pull the trigger. Then we cannot move.’
    ‘Does the beam reflect?’ asked Steven.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘If the light from the gun reflects — if it strikes water and reflects onto the victim — is it still powerful?’
    ‘Yes,’ Chal nodded. ‘I have seen it reflect from the water of a lake.’
    ‘Right.’ Steven turned to Dodo. ‘Let me have the mirror they gave you, Dodo, at the presentation.’ ‘This?’ She handed it to him.
    ‘Now, round the rock, both of you. Keep out of sight.’
    ‘What are you up to, Steven?’
    ‘Just a little experiment... And