Read Online Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen by Malcolm Kohll - Free Book Online
Authors: Malcolm Kohll
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hard facts. ‘Truth is, there’s a Bannermen warfleet on the way.’ Murray barely had a chance to finish before everyone was fleeing towards the doors. ‘Nice ‘n’ easy, folks. Don’t panic!’ cried Murray, but most people had already left.
Just then the Doctor appeared with Ray and Burton.
Murray hopped off the table and headed in their direction.
‘They were difficult at first, Doctor,’ he said. ‘But once I told them the real reason they didn’t need much persuading.’
‘Good, I’m glad that’s all been taken care of. I think we’d better go and check the crystal. As soon as it’s ready, you have to leave, Murray.’
‘You won’t see me for dust, Doctor.’
‘Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!’
The gong reverberated across the PA system. Inside his office Burton had changed into a smart suit and was hitting the small dinner gong in front of the microphone.
When he was certain that he had everyone’s attention he put the gong aside. ‘Good morning everyone. This is a matter of some urgency – could all staff assemble in my office immediately. I repeat, ALL employees, without exception, to my office. Right away please.’
Ray, Mel and Murray had gathered at the bus. They could hear Burton’s voice faintly in the distance. The Doctor emerged from the TARDIS carrying a luminous glass vessel.
Inside, a large crystal hung suspended in red liquid. ‘It’s almost regrown. Another half hour should do it. And then you must leave, Murray, regardless of whether or not I’m back,’ said the Doctor, carefully handing Murray the glass jar.
‘Back from where?’ asked Murray.
‘I have to find Delta,’ the Doctor replied. ‘Mel, you stay and help Murray organize things. Let’s go, Ray.’ The Doctor jumped on the pillion of her scooter, Ray started her hike and they raced off.
‘Don’t worry, you can depend on me!’ Murray called to the Doctor as he disappeared in a cloud of dust.
In Burton’s office the scene was sober. The staff were all standing in silence. They had never seen Burton looking so grave before. Vinny shifted from foot to foot in agitation.
Beads of perspiration stood out on Burton’s forehead.
Mopping at them with a hanky he took a deep breath. ‘I’ve called you together at such short notice because we are facing a crisis. What I would like you all to do is go back to your cabins and pack whatever you need for one night. I have already ordered a bus to take you away in a few minutes’ time. You’ll spend the night in Llandidrod Well and return in a day or so. Any questions? Splendid!’
Burton’s tone of voice implied that he hoped there were no questions forthcoming.
Whispering excitedly to one another, Burton’s staff left the room. Everyone except Vinny that is. ‘I don’t like running away, Major. What’s up?’ he said, trying to look like Burton’s batman once again. He and Burton had served together in the army twenty years ago and they had remained together ever since.
‘It’s because we face an attack from... it’s... uh... because we are in danger from... uh... it’s top secret! Had a man here from the Ministry of Defence. Now, look sharp!’
barked Burton.
‘Are you staying, sir?’ asked Vinny. ‘Yes Vinny. They’ll have to drag me away from here,’ said Burton.
‘I’ll stay too, Major.’
‘Thanks Vinny, but you all have to go. And that’s an order!’ said Burton, looking as stern as possible.
Vinny saluted and left. Burton sank down into his chair.
He reached into the bottom drawer of his desk. There, under a pile of papers, was a bar of wholenut chocolate.
There was only one thing for Burton to do – he ate it. It was a little habit Burton had picked up years ago.
Whenever a crisis loomed or he felt under considerable stress he would experience an urgent craving for chocolate.
It was not an urge he could easily ignore. Therefore in case of emergency he would always keep a bar in his desk drawer. When he
Just then the Doctor appeared with Ray and Burton.
Murray hopped off the table and headed in their direction.
‘They were difficult at first, Doctor,’ he said. ‘But once I told them the real reason they didn’t need much persuading.’
‘Good, I’m glad that’s all been taken care of. I think we’d better go and check the crystal. As soon as it’s ready, you have to leave, Murray.’
‘You won’t see me for dust, Doctor.’
‘Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!’
The gong reverberated across the PA system. Inside his office Burton had changed into a smart suit and was hitting the small dinner gong in front of the microphone.
When he was certain that he had everyone’s attention he put the gong aside. ‘Good morning everyone. This is a matter of some urgency – could all staff assemble in my office immediately. I repeat, ALL employees, without exception, to my office. Right away please.’
Ray, Mel and Murray had gathered at the bus. They could hear Burton’s voice faintly in the distance. The Doctor emerged from the TARDIS carrying a luminous glass vessel.
Inside, a large crystal hung suspended in red liquid. ‘It’s almost regrown. Another half hour should do it. And then you must leave, Murray, regardless of whether or not I’m back,’ said the Doctor, carefully handing Murray the glass jar.
‘Back from where?’ asked Murray.
‘I have to find Delta,’ the Doctor replied. ‘Mel, you stay and help Murray organize things. Let’s go, Ray.’ The Doctor jumped on the pillion of her scooter, Ray started her hike and they raced off.
‘Don’t worry, you can depend on me!’ Murray called to the Doctor as he disappeared in a cloud of dust.
In Burton’s office the scene was sober. The staff were all standing in silence. They had never seen Burton looking so grave before. Vinny shifted from foot to foot in agitation.
Beads of perspiration stood out on Burton’s forehead.
Mopping at them with a hanky he took a deep breath. ‘I’ve called you together at such short notice because we are facing a crisis. What I would like you all to do is go back to your cabins and pack whatever you need for one night. I have already ordered a bus to take you away in a few minutes’ time. You’ll spend the night in Llandidrod Well and return in a day or so. Any questions? Splendid!’
Burton’s tone of voice implied that he hoped there were no questions forthcoming.
Whispering excitedly to one another, Burton’s staff left the room. Everyone except Vinny that is. ‘I don’t like running away, Major. What’s up?’ he said, trying to look like Burton’s batman once again. He and Burton had served together in the army twenty years ago and they had remained together ever since.
‘It’s because we face an attack from... it’s... uh... because we are in danger from... uh... it’s top secret! Had a man here from the Ministry of Defence. Now, look sharp!’
barked Burton.
‘Are you staying, sir?’ asked Vinny. ‘Yes Vinny. They’ll have to drag me away from here,’ said Burton.
‘I’ll stay too, Major.’
‘Thanks Vinny, but you all have to go. And that’s an order!’ said Burton, looking as stern as possible.
Vinny saluted and left. Burton sank down into his chair.
He reached into the bottom drawer of his desk. There, under a pile of papers, was a bar of wholenut chocolate.
There was only one thing for Burton to do – he ate it. It was a little habit Burton had picked up years ago.
Whenever a crisis loomed or he felt under considerable stress he would experience an urgent craving for chocolate.
It was not an urge he could easily ignore. Therefore in case of emergency he would always keep a bar in his desk drawer. When he
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