Doctor Who: BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures [072] - To the Slaughter by Stephen Cole

Author:Stephen Cole
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780563486251
Publisher: BBC Books
Published: 2005-04-26T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

It was close to eleven, and Tinya’s menagerie was assembled in the stadium ground; not just the zoo animals, but journos and shutterbugs from across the galaxy, waiting for Halcyon: the star attraction.

She looked at the wild animals. There were hundreds of them, no expense spared – with the size of the arena, anything less would have looked lost. And this was about wonder. For wonder, you needed scale.

It was a good selection – big grey things with tusks, flapping ears and long noses, side by side with big catlike animals, all stripes or spots and large teeth, bears, birds, fat snakes… Their keepers circled about the creatures warily with force wands. The animals had been doped, of course, so they weren’t moving about much, and the really dangerous ones were in invisible force cages. That was doubtless the way everyone preferred it.

Her wristpad chimed, and she looked to see who was calling. She’d already heard from a resentful Pent Central representative; Falsh’s team had been granted access to the space slug on the President’s personal say-so. They were converting a shed in the newly appropriated industrial park into a presentable little facility. Perfect. Now Falsh could disappear happily off into orbit on his oh-so-secret business… and leave her free to go about hers.

An image of Halcyon appeared on the tiny screen. He didn’t bother with pleasantries.

‘I won’t be coming to your press-op.’

‘Oh?’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘Did Roddle tell you –’

‘Roddle and Sook have related the details to me.’

‘I think it’s in the best interests of everyone –’

‘I think it’s a ghastly idea and not one I wish to be associated with at this time.’

‘I see.’ Tinya’s enhanced cheekbones made it so much easier to hang a smile on her face. ‘Well, thank you for letting me know. But I’m having the side stores here converted to a holding area. At the very least,’ she said, allowing her voice to harden a touch, ‘they will make good filler for tonight’s vidcast while we await a final decision on the demolition.’ She paused. ‘I trust you will be present for vidcast rehearsals this evening?’

‘Oh, yes.’ He smiled thinly. ‘The vidcast shall be going ahead, never fear.’

‘I’ll inform Falsh.’

‘Do as you will. Until later, then…’

The screen cut out. Tinya looked at the blank image thoughtfully. She well recognised the look of someone with a winning trick up his sleeve; she’d rarely seen him so self-assured. She sighed. One more thing to keep tabs on…

In the meantime, really, Halcyon’s no-show wasn’t such a bad thing. It would simply fuel speculation about the nature of the vidcast tonight, tantalise press and public alike. At least he was doing the vidcast. That was good.

There’d be a massive audience here, almost a million. All of them led here by the promise of the greatest spectacle ever witnessed…

And that was exactly what they’d get.

She checked the time. Better get moving. She had important visitors arriving soon.

‘If I could have your attention, everyone?’ She smiled as she turned to address the thronging press.

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