Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [067] - The Underworld by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426200680
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1979-12-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The Smoke

Herrick brought up his own weapon at the same moment, but not to fire it. He simply held the shield gun in front of him. The Guard’s own maser beam was reflected straight back on him, killing him instantly.

Herrick gave a grunt of satisfaction, moved forward and picked up the man’s gun, examining it curiously. To his astonishment a tinny voice came from the butt.

‘Guard Klimt! Guard Klimt! Clear Tunnel Nine Complex, clear Tunnel Nine Complex. It is being closed for fumigation. Guard Klimt, come in please!’

Herrick found the communicator button and pressed it.

‘Guard Klimt has just retired – suddenly!’

There was a pause and the astonished voice said, ‘Who is that? Identify yourself.’

‘This is Trog Herrick here! Who are you?’

In the security area Tarn looked up at Rask, who had just returned from his unsuccessful hunt for Idas. ‘He says he’s a Trog – and he’s armed. Close down Complex Nine for fumigation – now!’

Rask moved to a nearby console and began operating controls, ‘Complex Nine closing down.’

Tarn watched him, worried. Armed, organised revolt by the Trogs was the one thing he and his kind had always feared. So far it had never happened. There had only been the occasional solitary rebel, like Idmon, now a prisoner awaiting sacrifice.

Fumigation was one of the Guards’ main weapons in keeping the Trogs under control. Any of the tunnels could be closed off by steel shutters and flooded with gas from a series of vents in the walls. The ostensible purpose was to keep the tunnels free of disease. In reality, fumigation was a way of reminding any potential troublemakers that their lives were in the hands of the Guards.

Tarn remembered the cheerful, arrogant voice that had come over the communicator. ‘That was no Trog! A Trog wouldn’t dare attack a Guard and take his gun – and as for being insolent over the communicator…’

Rask stared thoughtfully at the winking lights on the electronic map. ‘Well, the two I saw in the tunnels were no Trogs.’

‘Aliens?’

‘We still don’t know what caused that Skyfall.’

Tarn came to join him at the map. Light-bars were appearing across Tunnel Nine, showing that the steel shutters were sliding into place. Tarn smiled. ‘Well, we’ll know soon, won’t we – when we find the bodies.’

Herrick was hurrying down the side tunnels, following his markers to find his way back to the others. To his vast relief he saw them in the distance standing at the junction to the main tunnel. ‘Captain!’

Jackson peered down the tunnel. ‘Herrick? Are you all right? I thought I heard a blaster.’

Herrick began running towards him. ‘Yes, I’m fine. I –’

A steel shutter slammed across the tunnel in front of him.

‘Nine close-down completed,’ reported Rask.

Tarn studied the map for a moment. ‘Fumigate the whole of Complex Nine.’

‘It’s a big area,’ warned Rask. ‘The gas will take quite some time to build up to effective levels.’

‘That doesn’t matter. We’re in no hurry – are we?’

Rask’s hand reached for a main control lever. ‘Very well,’ he said formally.

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