Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [110] - Fury from the Deep by Victor Pemberton

Author:Victor Pemberton
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426202592
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1986-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

8

The Impeller Shaft

‘Rig D… Rig D… Control calling Rig D. Come in, please!’ There was a note of desperation in Price’s voice as he tried to restore video contact with Rig D out at sea.

But the central monitor screen at the Control Cone remained stubbornly blank. Price turned to van Lutyens and the Doctor, who were anxiously watching the screen. ‘I’m sorry, sir. I can’t raise them.’

The Dutchman rubbed his chin despondently. ‘Try Rig A again.’

Price shook his head. ‘I’ve been trying them ever since first light this morning, sir. That’s three of the rigs not answering now.’

Van Lutyens was in a quandary. Robson had vanished, and Harris had rushed off in a panic to look for his wife. If someone in authority didn’t soon take action, the morale of the men out on the remaining rigs was going to crack. He turned to Price again, who was waiting for further orders. ‘Try the Guard Posts again. See if there is any sign of Mr Harris.’

‘Yes, sir!’ Price turned back to the Control Console.

Van Lutyens, deep in thought, moved off slowly towards the office Area. The Doctor walked with him.

‘Three rigs now,’ said the Dutchman gravely, ‘with absolutely no contact with them whatsoever. Something’s happened to them, I just know it.’

‘Can’t you send someone out to investigate?’ suggested the Doctor.

‘Unfortunately, I have no authority. I am here purely as a technical adviser. Harris is in charge now. When he comes back he must authorise the Company helicopter to go out and take a look at the rigs.’

As they reached the office Area, van Lutyens stopped and turned. He was looking up at the pipeline tube curling around the Communications Hall.

‘Are you absolutely certain there’s nothing we can do?’ asked the Doctor.

‘Nothing,’ replied the Dutchman pessimistically. ‘All we can do is to sit – and wait.’

In the Impeller Area, the Chief Engineer was also staring up at the pipeline tube. It was an abomination to him that the impeller – his impeller – was being silenced by forces beyond his control. The safe running of the Refinery impeller had preoccupied the Chief’s life for so many years now. To many, he was the impeller. They called him the ‘Chief’ mainly because few even knew his real name.

The Chief’s crewmen were just as despondent. They were lounging around aimlessly, some squatting on the floor, some standing with hands in pockets, others nodding off from sheer exhaustion.

The deadly silence was to be short-lived.

Everyone suddenly sprang into life and turned to look at the surface of the shaft. Their blood was chilled with terror. It was the sound again. That sound.

Thumping. Pulsating. Somewhere down below, in the dark bowels of the impeller shaft…

Jamie and Victoria were back in the crew cabin they had first been taken to after their capture by the Refinery Security Guards. Jamie was half asleep on the upper bunk, but Victoria was sitting on the edge of the lower bunk, deep in agonising thought.

Victoria sighed, and finally spoke. ‘Jamie?’

There was no reply.

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