Read Online Doctor Who: War Machine by Ian Stuart Black - Free Book Online Page A

production.
    Inside, the first machine was taking shape, and was remarkable in its resemblance to the human form. A small square ‘head’ now topped the massive body. In this way it was similar to Wotan. Perhaps that was why the model was turning out as it was – Wotan had been designed by man... influenced by his own experience, and Wotan in turn had devised a generation close to its own experience. Even as he worked, Brett guessed that future generations would create other forms for themselves, less and less like their originators.
    But he had no time for such speculation. He was involved with the new functions that Wotan had produced. This machine – the War Machine, as it was coded – had a mobile base. It had wheels which it had power to direct and control. This gave it great flexibility for such a heavy structure.
    The other aspect that Brett noted with the any fragment of his mind that seemed to remain his own, was that although the body of the machine was not complete, the ‘head’ was alive! It was functioning, thinking, instructing, turning from left to right, observing balefully, shining its blinding beams of light, dazzling all those on whom it turned, even as they worked to complete the whole. It was an uncanny feeling to be putting together the creature – if creature it was – while the thing was already alive in so many of its parts. Deep within, the computer existed like a nervous system, throbbing with an energy and power that even Wotan could not match.
    Brett was no longer capable of rational thought; he followed the flow of blue-prints that arrived from his own office, his energy unflagging.
    There were sections under development about which Brett knew nothing. Like all those around, he obeyed orders, and he stood aside as Major Green waved away the rest of the work force. The Major carried a short, squat object which looked like an automatic shotgun. After all, that would be something the Major would understand.
    ‘Stand back!’ shouted the Major. ‘Destructive mechanism to be fitted for testing.’
    The mechanism fitted exactly into the War Machine. Everything came together with a mathematical precision which Brett noted with approval. The arms of the Machine were able to turn the weapon at any angle.
    ‘Prepare for demonstration,’ called the Major.
    The group around the Machine parted as the weapon was raised and sighted. They looked on, impassively. A short distance away another worker stacked crates against a wall. He heard the Major’s order and began to move away.
    ‘Stay where you are!’ called the Major. ‘And stand still.’
    The man made no protest. He faced the Machine as it adjusted its sights.
    The Major read an instrument before him. ‘Bearing 52 degrees. Distance thirty feet. Elevation five feet ten inches. Impact to be fatal.’
    The Machine flashed and crackled a spate of signals. ‘Aim adjusted,’ said the Major. ‘Results to be logged.. Test... Fire!’
    There was a flash of white light, and a faint, dull explosion.
    The man against the wall slowly slid to the ground. ‘Effective at thirty feet,’ said the Major.
    There was an urgent message for both Brett and Krimpton. They were to return to Brett’s office. They stood before Wotan as the computer rattled out a single question... Where was the Doctor?
    ‘We have had no word from the girl,’ said Brett.
    ‘She may have failed again,’ said Krimpton.
    ‘Other means must be used,’ Wotan burst forth. ‘The Doctor is essential. Failure is not permitted nor tolerated.’
    There was the sound of the outer door opening. ‘That could be the girl.’ Brett opened the door. Polly hurried in, A look of relief lit up her face as she saw Brett. ‘Thank goodness you’re here, Professor,’ she said. ‘Something very odd has been happening. Are you all right?’
    Brett moved behind her and closed the door.
    She was aware of something strange about the two men. They moved stiffly, their eyes were blank. She was