Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [130] - The Wheel in Space by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780491033565
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1988-04-14T22:00:00+00:00

9

The Trap

Gemma Corwyn knelt to examine the body. After a moment she rose, shaking her head.

Bill Duggan was looking inside the open cupboard. The last pile of Bernalium had been scattered and corroded like the rest.

There was an empty aerosol spray can lying near the body… And there was something else.

Gemma Corwyn knelt down and touched it. ‘What’s this?’ Sealed to the floor was an irregularly shaped lump of what seemed to be solid plastic…

Some time later, the plastic lump was reposing on a tray by the Doctor’s couch, with the Doctor, Zoe and Jamie all peering at it.

‘The Commander’s mounting a full enquiry,’ said Zoe.

She tapped the lump. ‘But what I’m interested in is this!’

The Doctor said thoughtfully, ‘Found by the body, was it?’

‘They had to get one of the men to take up a floor plate. The polymer strength of this plastic is higher than chrome steel. You can’t cut through it.’

‘The Gordian Knot couldn’t be untied either,’ said the Doctor quietly.

‘What does that mean?’

‘I think he means there’s always a solution,’ whispered Jamie.

‘And the Bernalium is useless, is it?’ asked the Doctor.

Zoe nodded. ‘Completely. We’ve got a few spares, but nowhere near enough.’

‘And the laser, the main defence of the Wheel relies on Bernalium…’

‘Maybe there’s a real saboteur on the Wheel,’ suggested Jamie. ‘Yon Bennett talked about some group or other…’

‘There are people who want to stop the space programme,’ said Zoe.

‘Aye well, mebbe they planted someone on board. The rocket comes along with us on board, and the saboteur uses the opportunity and strikes.’

‘And murders?’ asked the Doctor.

‘If he was caught, he might have had to kill.’

‘It’s an interesting theory,’ said the Doctor.

‘Well, everything fits,’ said Jamie.

The Doctor tapped the lump of plastic. ‘Except this.’

‘Och, it’s just a spare part. The man tried to defend himself with the plastic and it misfired and went over some lump of machinery.’

‘There’s one way we can find out,’ said the Doctor.

‘How?’ asked Zoe.

‘Use the X-ray machine!’ said the Doctor simply.

In the control room, the Commander’s enquiry was in progress. Jarvis Bennett sat behind a table, Doctor Corwyn beside him. A miserable-looking Bill Duggan stood before the table. ‘You’ll be sent back to Earth when the next ship comes in,’ the Commander was saying. ‘I want a written report on the whole affair in my hands first thing tomorrow. That’s all.’

As Bill Duggan turned away Jarvis Bennett said, ‘He’s to be confined to quarters. Leo, you’ll have to take over some of his operations. Tanya, you’ll have to cover for Leo.’

‘Very well, Commander.’

Jarvis turned back to Leo Ryan. ‘Remember, I want the laser working as soon as possible.’

‘Right, Commander.’

Jarvis swung round. ‘Enrico, is the boarding party ready?’

‘Laleham and Vallance are standing by, sir. Just waiting for the go-ahead.’

‘Then give it!’

‘Commander.’

As Enrico spoke into the intercom, Jarvis Bennett turned to Gemma. ‘I want a word with you in your quarters, Doctor Corwyn. As for the rest of you, let’s get back to normal working conditions.’ Leaving a flurry of activity behind him, Jarvis Bennett strode away.

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