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

suddenly very frightened.
    ‘We must destroy in order to protect,’ said Krimpton, as though he were repeating a lesson. Brett was locking the door.
    The Doctor watched Dodo being driven away, still asleep as if drugged, and then returned to the house. He was surprised to find a visitor.
    ‘Bless my soul, it’s Ben! How did you know I was here?’
    The sailor looked worried; the cockney sparkle had gone. ‘Hope you don’t mind me turning up, Doctor, but I had this appointment to meet Polly. Lunchtime, she said. ‘Course she might have thought better of it, and just given me the elbow.’
    ‘She didn’t keep the appointment?’
    ‘She didn’t. And they told me at the Post Office Tower that she’d come here.’
    ‘She’s already left,’ the Doctor told him. ‘This is something I feared.’
    ‘Something wrong, Doc?’ He glanced round. ‘No sign of Dodo?’
    ‘Dodo has gone to the country for a few days’ rest. I am no longer worried about her. It’s Polly who might need your help.’
    ‘’Course she might have gone upmarket and doesn’t want to know me in the light of day.’
    ‘I doubt that,’ said the Doctor. He picked up the morning paper and handed it to Ben. ‘Have you seen this?’
    He glanced at it. ‘Yes, I thought it was the old fellow we met last night. Bit of a coincidence. What’s that got to do with Polly?’
    ‘I’m not sure it has anything to do with her... but it may have. Indeed, it may have something to do with a greater problem.’ He hesitated. ‘I wonder if you’d like to help me, my boy?’
    ‘Spell it out, Doctor.’
    ‘You remember when we left that club last night?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I seem to remember the poor fellow was still with you as we drove off?’
    ‘Right,’ said Ben. ‘I asked him if he had a bed and he pointed to this warehouse. Said he had a place to doss down there.’
    ‘Do you think you could find it?’
    ‘Certain I could.’
    ‘This might be dangerous,’ warned the Doctor. ‘Spice of life,’ grinned Ben. He was beginning to enjoy himself.
    ‘Vary dangerous,’ added the Doctor.
    ‘I’ll watch it,’ Ben nodded.
    ‘I’d like you to have a look round there. A little investigation. Don’t attract attention... and take care.’
    Ben grinned again. ‘Will do, Doc.’
    He didn’t lose any time, leaving the Doctor poring over a sheaf of documents, plans, photos and information about the Post Office Tower and the research that went on there. He was already putting together the pieces of a jigsaw, and the picture grew more alarming.
    Ben was surprised to find the area round the warehouse so sparsely populated. It was almost like a no-go area. The truck which had been parked there the night before was still in position. The only people he saw were a couple of men, hanging about, apparently doing nothing. Ben read the signs. They were on guard... but guarding what?
    He walked casually by, went down an alleyway, made sure he wasn’t watched, then doubled back.
    The tramp had said there was a side door. Ben slipped into the little courtyard that backed onto the buildings. It was stacked with boxes, rubbish, rotting vegetables.
    The side door was hidden by the litter, but he found it. As he began to open it, he heard a strange sound from within. He tried to make out what it could be... A clanking noise, probably mechanical... and the hum of something electronic, reminding him of a ship’s engine.
    There were also voices, a subdued mutter, as though many people were speaking very quietly. It was an eerie feeling to be standing at that door, listening.
    He pushed the door gently, and it swung in slightly. He could hear quite clearly.
    A man called out, ‘Silence... Stand by... Fire..
    A burst of faint explosions followed – not like any gunfire that Ben had ever heard before. He was startled. The Doctor had warned him it might be dangerous, but what was this? He moved cautiously into the darkened corridor. Another door lay ahead.
    Major Green