Read Online Doctor Who: The Dominators by Ian Marter - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ian Marter
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‘There’s no need, Jamie,’ he explained tactfully. ‘Dulcian society is totally pacifist.’
Jamie grimaced. ‘Then how are they going to fight those Dominators and their Quarks?’ he demanded.
The Director sat upright in his luxurious chair. ‘It would seem to be true that you come from another planet,’
he announced.
‘So do the Dominators,’ said the Doctor earnestly. ‘We have seen them. We were taken inside their craft. They are utterly callous and they are here on Dulkis for some sinister purpose.’
The Councillors began stirring uneasily in their reclining seats. Senex called for order and was instantly obeyed. He turned and courteously addressed the Doctor.
‘We should be grateful if you would inform us what has occured on the Island,’ he declared.
‘Och not again,’ Jamie exploded. ‘We’re hanging aboot blethering and Zoe’s in danger...’
With phenomenal patience the Doctor briefly recounted events since the TARDIS had materialised on the Island.
‘... and once the physiological tests were completed...
well, they let us go,’ he concluded at last Senex appeared to be convinced. ‘Did you discover the purpose of these tests, Doctor?’ he asked.
‘To see if we were clever enough to be useful,’ Jamie spelt out with painstaking rudeness.
‘Evidently you were!’ Deputy Bosem retorted.
Before the quick-tempered Highlander could bite the bait, the Doctor again intervened. ‘With respect, Director Senex, I know that it is the Dulcian custom to deliberate and discuss at leisure, but the situation is urgent. Send someone to the Island to confirm our story,’ he pleaded.
‘Aye, and we’ll be organising a way to defeat these Dominators,’ Jamie added with relish.
The Director raised his hands, palms upward. ‘The Dominators let you go free, so why should we fear them?’
he demanded simply.
The Doctor adopted a menacing air. ‘Don’t expect them to think and act as you do,’ he murmured, leaning very close to Senex. ‘They are aliens. From another world.’
Senex smiled. ‘So are you, Doctor.’
Disconcerted, the Doctor blinked and retreated a little.
Senex inclined his head kindly, as though he were talking to a small child. ‘What could such aliens possibly want from Dulkis?’
The Doctor frowned. ‘Well, they talked about refuelling their fleet...’
The Director laughed: ‘We have no suitable minerals here. The aliens are welcome to whatever they can use,’ he said, to murmurs of agreement from the Councillors.
TheDoctor shook his head thoughtfully. ‘There is the puzzle about the disappearance of radiation from the Island,’ he mused. ‘Perhaps that is what they came for...’
Senex shrugged. ‘That is no cause for alarm, Doctor.
Why seek menace where there may be none?’
The Doctor bit his lip for a moment, restraining his growing frustration. ‘I am only guessing,’ he went on. ‘And there is the possibility that they are slavers – recruiting for some vast project.’
‘You can’t just sit here and do nothing!’ Jamie shouted.
‘Better do nothing than do the wrong thing,’ remarked an aged member in a wavering croak.
Senex held up his hand. ‘What do you suggest we do?’
he asked the irate young Scot.
‘First send an armed force to rescue Zoe and Kully...’
Jamie began eagerly.
‘An armed force?’ Bovem echoed in astonishment.
‘Impossible.’
Outraged voices broke out all around the Chamber.
‘For decades we have lived in peace,’ Senex calmly replied. ‘We have proved that universal restraint eliminates aggression.’
‘Och, just try telling the Dominators that!’ retorted Jamie scornfully.
The Doctor stirred himself into action. ‘Jamie’s right. I suggest you contact Balan on the Island – at least he might have some more news by now,’ he proposed earnestly.
After a pause, Senex touched a button on his video panel. Amidst a snowstorm of interference, the interior of the survey module flickered
Jamie grimaced. ‘Then how are they going to fight those Dominators and their Quarks?’ he demanded.
The Director sat upright in his luxurious chair. ‘It would seem to be true that you come from another planet,’
he announced.
‘So do the Dominators,’ said the Doctor earnestly. ‘We have seen them. We were taken inside their craft. They are utterly callous and they are here on Dulkis for some sinister purpose.’
The Councillors began stirring uneasily in their reclining seats. Senex called for order and was instantly obeyed. He turned and courteously addressed the Doctor.
‘We should be grateful if you would inform us what has occured on the Island,’ he declared.
‘Och not again,’ Jamie exploded. ‘We’re hanging aboot blethering and Zoe’s in danger...’
With phenomenal patience the Doctor briefly recounted events since the TARDIS had materialised on the Island.
‘... and once the physiological tests were completed...
well, they let us go,’ he concluded at last Senex appeared to be convinced. ‘Did you discover the purpose of these tests, Doctor?’ he asked.
‘To see if we were clever enough to be useful,’ Jamie spelt out with painstaking rudeness.
‘Evidently you were!’ Deputy Bosem retorted.
Before the quick-tempered Highlander could bite the bait, the Doctor again intervened. ‘With respect, Director Senex, I know that it is the Dulcian custom to deliberate and discuss at leisure, but the situation is urgent. Send someone to the Island to confirm our story,’ he pleaded.
‘Aye, and we’ll be organising a way to defeat these Dominators,’ Jamie added with relish.
The Director raised his hands, palms upward. ‘The Dominators let you go free, so why should we fear them?’
he demanded simply.
The Doctor adopted a menacing air. ‘Don’t expect them to think and act as you do,’ he murmured, leaning very close to Senex. ‘They are aliens. From another world.’
Senex smiled. ‘So are you, Doctor.’
Disconcerted, the Doctor blinked and retreated a little.
Senex inclined his head kindly, as though he were talking to a small child. ‘What could such aliens possibly want from Dulkis?’
The Doctor frowned. ‘Well, they talked about refuelling their fleet...’
The Director laughed: ‘We have no suitable minerals here. The aliens are welcome to whatever they can use,’ he said, to murmurs of agreement from the Councillors.
TheDoctor shook his head thoughtfully. ‘There is the puzzle about the disappearance of radiation from the Island,’ he mused. ‘Perhaps that is what they came for...’
Senex shrugged. ‘That is no cause for alarm, Doctor.
Why seek menace where there may be none?’
The Doctor bit his lip for a moment, restraining his growing frustration. ‘I am only guessing,’ he went on. ‘And there is the possibility that they are slavers – recruiting for some vast project.’
‘You can’t just sit here and do nothing!’ Jamie shouted.
‘Better do nothing than do the wrong thing,’ remarked an aged member in a wavering croak.
Senex held up his hand. ‘What do you suggest we do?’
he asked the irate young Scot.
‘First send an armed force to rescue Zoe and Kully...’
Jamie began eagerly.
‘An armed force?’ Bovem echoed in astonishment.
‘Impossible.’
Outraged voices broke out all around the Chamber.
‘For decades we have lived in peace,’ Senex calmly replied. ‘We have proved that universal restraint eliminates aggression.’
‘Och, just try telling the Dominators that!’ retorted Jamie scornfully.
The Doctor stirred himself into action. ‘Jamie’s right. I suggest you contact Balan on the Island – at least he might have some more news by now,’ he proposed earnestly.
After a pause, Senex touched a button on his video panel. Amidst a snowstorm of interference, the interior of the survey module flickered
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