Read Online Doctor Who: The Doomsday Weapon by Malcolm Hulke - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Malcolm Hulke
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weapons.'
Dent closed the file and looked up at Morgan. 'Politics, dear boy. Earth Government is supposed to care for all its people, not only the interests of big business.' He smiled. 'We have to do things in a legal way.'
'I did everything the way you told me, sir,' said Morgan. 'But it seems such a long way to go about things.'
'Maybe,' said Dent. 'But the IMC way is best. You're young. You'll learn.' He heard Caldwell 's heavy footsteps coming along the main connecting corridor and quickly put the survey file out of sight in case Caldwell had the colonist with him. But Caldwell entered alone, and very angry.
'I've just come across a colonist,' Caldwell exploded. 'He says two people were killed last night!' He swung round on Morgan, 'You're only supposed to scare them, Morgan, not slaughter them!'
Dent was also annoyed with this news, but for different reasons. 'Did you know about this, Morgan?'
'He must have known!' bellowed Caldwell .
'Let him answer,' Dent said. He turned back to Morgan, who looked scared of Caldwell 's anger. 'Well?'
'It was an accident,' Morgan said, his face flushed with guilt. 'They found me and started shooting.'
'You acted very foolishly,' said Dent. 'You should not have let them see you.'
Caldwell returned to his attack on Dent. 'Is that all you can say? That Morgan was “foolish”?!'
Dent hated rows. During arguments people exposed what was really going on in their minds, and Dent never wanted other people to know what he was thinking. He said nothing for a moment, then retrieved the survey file from where he had put it out of sight. He opened the file under Caldwell 's nose. 'Look at these figures, Caldwell . This planet's got enough duralinium to double IMC's profits next year. Your own bonus will be big enough to retire on.'
Caldwell stared at the report. Dent watched Caldwell 's eyes as they sped from line to line of the figures.
One of the many lessons Dent had learnt from the IMC Staff Management School , which he attended for six months before becoming a Captain, was that money overcomes most staff problems.
'You're sure this survey is correct?' Caldwell asked.
'The computer's never been wrong,' said Dent. Caldwell drew a deep breath, a sign that he was seeing Dent's point of view. 'All right,' he said. 'But no more killings.'
Dent snapped that the file. 'Agreed. Where is your colonist?'
'I left him in the crew room,' said Caldwell .
That was a mistake. Non-IMC people should never be left alone anywhere in an IMC spaceship. But Dent just said, 'Fine. I'll go and see him.' He put the file away again, left the control room and went down the connecting corridor to the crew room. The door was locked on the outside, and Dent was pleased to note that Caldwell had shown at least some sense. He turned the holding bolt, and quietly opened the door. The eccentric-looking man he had seen on the monitor with Caldwell was standing watching the screen of the crew's entertainment console which no doubt Caldwell had turned on for him. On the screen was an architect's drawing of high-rise living units on a floating island in the sea. A woman's voice came from the console, explaining the drawings. 'With every square metre of the Earth's land masses now covered with building complexes,' said the voice, 'scientists have turned to new means for providing accommodation for our ever-growing population. These floating islands, rising to three hundred storeys, will provide living space for five hundred million people...' The man, apparently aware that Dent was watching his back, switched off the console and turned round. 'Welcome on board,' said Dent, crossing to the man with his hand extended. 'My name's Captain Dent. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. - '
'Not Mister,' said the man. 'Just Doctor.'
They shook hands.
Dent said, 'I'm surprised and shocked to find colonists on this planet. It seems your people made some navigational error coming here. This planet's classified for mining. Still,
Dent closed the file and looked up at Morgan. 'Politics, dear boy. Earth Government is supposed to care for all its people, not only the interests of big business.' He smiled. 'We have to do things in a legal way.'
'I did everything the way you told me, sir,' said Morgan. 'But it seems such a long way to go about things.'
'Maybe,' said Dent. 'But the IMC way is best. You're young. You'll learn.' He heard Caldwell 's heavy footsteps coming along the main connecting corridor and quickly put the survey file out of sight in case Caldwell had the colonist with him. But Caldwell entered alone, and very angry.
'I've just come across a colonist,' Caldwell exploded. 'He says two people were killed last night!' He swung round on Morgan, 'You're only supposed to scare them, Morgan, not slaughter them!'
Dent was also annoyed with this news, but for different reasons. 'Did you know about this, Morgan?'
'He must have known!' bellowed Caldwell .
'Let him answer,' Dent said. He turned back to Morgan, who looked scared of Caldwell 's anger. 'Well?'
'It was an accident,' Morgan said, his face flushed with guilt. 'They found me and started shooting.'
'You acted very foolishly,' said Dent. 'You should not have let them see you.'
Caldwell returned to his attack on Dent. 'Is that all you can say? That Morgan was “foolish”?!'
Dent hated rows. During arguments people exposed what was really going on in their minds, and Dent never wanted other people to know what he was thinking. He said nothing for a moment, then retrieved the survey file from where he had put it out of sight. He opened the file under Caldwell 's nose. 'Look at these figures, Caldwell . This planet's got enough duralinium to double IMC's profits next year. Your own bonus will be big enough to retire on.'
Caldwell stared at the report. Dent watched Caldwell 's eyes as they sped from line to line of the figures.
One of the many lessons Dent had learnt from the IMC Staff Management School , which he attended for six months before becoming a Captain, was that money overcomes most staff problems.
'You're sure this survey is correct?' Caldwell asked.
'The computer's never been wrong,' said Dent. Caldwell drew a deep breath, a sign that he was seeing Dent's point of view. 'All right,' he said. 'But no more killings.'
Dent snapped that the file. 'Agreed. Where is your colonist?'
'I left him in the crew room,' said Caldwell .
That was a mistake. Non-IMC people should never be left alone anywhere in an IMC spaceship. But Dent just said, 'Fine. I'll go and see him.' He put the file away again, left the control room and went down the connecting corridor to the crew room. The door was locked on the outside, and Dent was pleased to note that Caldwell had shown at least some sense. He turned the holding bolt, and quietly opened the door. The eccentric-looking man he had seen on the monitor with Caldwell was standing watching the screen of the crew's entertainment console which no doubt Caldwell had turned on for him. On the screen was an architect's drawing of high-rise living units on a floating island in the sea. A woman's voice came from the console, explaining the drawings. 'With every square metre of the Earth's land masses now covered with building complexes,' said the voice, 'scientists have turned to new means for providing accommodation for our ever-growing population. These floating islands, rising to three hundred storeys, will provide living space for five hundred million people...' The man, apparently aware that Dent was watching his back, switched off the console and turned round. 'Welcome on board,' said Dent, crossing to the man with his hand extended. 'My name's Captain Dent. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. - '
'Not Mister,' said the man. 'Just Doctor.'
They shook hands.
Dent said, 'I'm surprised and shocked to find colonists on this planet. It seems your people made some navigational error coming here. This planet's classified for mining. Still,
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