Read Online Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen by Malcolm Kohll - Free Book Online Page A

had finished eating he felt his world restored to calm; he was once again ready for anything –
    except possibly an attack by murderous spacemen.
    Billy had laid a towel on the sand for the baby who was by now about the size of a three-year-old. Crawling everywhere, it made strange high-pitched noises which were half musical and half insect. He watched it with undisguised fascination.
    ‘That noise she makes – it’s almost like singing,’ said Billy.
    ‘It’s partly a song and partly a defence mechanism,’ said Delta.
    ‘Against the Bannermen? asked Billy.
    Delta made no reply. She gazed out across the water. ‘It seems a long time since I felt so calm. I feel very happy here with you. I even forgot my worries for a while.’
    ‘That’s what I like about this place,’ said Billy. ‘It makes you want to soar high above the horizon.’
    A few miles away the Doctor was clinging limpet-like to the back of Ray’s scooter as she threaded a path through the bracken. Ray hooted wildly at loosely scattered clusters of sheep, to warn them not to stray into her path.
    Eventually they arrived in a leafy dell. ‘It’s called Fern dell.
    We used to play here as children. But I don’t see his bike anywhere,’ said Ray.
    The Doctor peered through the tangled foliage. ‘It couldn’t be hidden anywhere, could it?’ he asked.
    ‘Not the Vincent,’ said Ray. ‘It’s much too big.’
    ‘Then let’s not waste any more time,’ said the Doctor brusquely. Ray managed to turn the scooter around in the clearing and they were soon off across the open moorland, divots of earth flying in all directions.
     

Chapter Nineteen
    Murray was standing beside the bus holding the glowing crystal regeneration cylinder in his hand. Furrowing his brow, he attempted to beam mental energy into the jar, thereby accelerating the growth of the silvery Quarb crystal. He wasn’t having much success. Brain power was never his strong suit.
    Mel trotted up from the camp, somewhat out of breath.
    ‘Fortunately they don’t have much packing to do,’ she said to Murray.
    ‘No,’ he replied, ‘It’s well known that Navarinos travel light. I suppose it’s because in our natural habitat we don’t have much call for clothing.’
    ‘How’s the crystal coming?’
    ‘I’m trying to use mind power to make it grow faster,’
    said Murray, scowling into the jar. Mel decided to make herself useful. Scowling like Murray she concentrated all her energies on the crystal.
    An old bus chugged up the road and stopped with a clatter before the camp. Moments later Burton marched through the gates, leading a column of staff and campers behind him. He gestured for them to get onto the bus while he strode over to Mel and Murray. ‘I’m doing this with grave misgivings, but I can’t risk my staff,’ he said.
    ‘Just like a captain, eh Burton,’ said Murray with some sympathy. Burton nodded, ‘Well, I’m still not sure what I saw in there,’ he said pointing at the TARDIS, ‘but I can’t risk my people for it.’
    ‘You’re doing the right thing,’ said Mel.
    Burton crossed to the bus as the last of his staff disappeared on board. Only Vinny remained, a lonely figure on the tarmac.
    ‘Remember, Vinny, you’re in charge now. You’re responsible for the staff in my absence,’ said Burton encouragingly.
     
    ‘Yes sir!’ said Vinny saluting Burton and briskly boarding the bus. Burton smiled one of his superior smiles.
    He was extraordinarily fond of Vinny and always knew how to get the best out of him. Vinny would sometimes behave very stubbornly if he thought that he might be missing out on the action. But on these occasions all Burton had to do was to appeal to his strong sense of duty and Vinny would immediately tow the line. Burton shut the door firmly, and waved the driver on his way. He didn’t know when, or if, he’d ever see them again.
    High above them, aboard the Bannerman cruiser, the flight deck was a hive of activity. Gavrok