Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [138] - Attack of the Cybermen by Eric Saward

Author:Eric Saward
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426202905
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1989-06-14T22:00:00+00:00

6

Telos

By the time the Cyber Leader’s group had reached the TARDIS, Russell’s body had been removed from the console room and dumped in an undignified heap in the corridor; and as though to show there wasn’t any discrimination, the destroyed Cyberman had been dealt with in a similar fashion.

Peri, her eyes red from crying, stood by the console. She had wrapped her arms around herself, as though in a reassuring self-cuddle, but it hadn’t helped. She still felt isolated, scared and very, very unhappy.

Sitting next to her on the floor, the Doctor nursed his bruised neck. He felt very angry, aware that his thoughtlessness had precipitated the current shambles.

Both Peri and Russell had advised waiting for help, but he hadn’t listened, foolishly preferring to take on a squad of the fiercest warriors in the galaxy. Not only had his folly cost Russell his life, but the TARDIS was now controlled by Cybermen. And as though to endorse his stupidity, Commander Gustave Lytton was glaring at him from the other side of the room, a reminder of yet another major blunder in his life.

As the Leader crossed to where he was sitting, the Doctor, using the edge of the console, pulled himself to his feet. Once upright, he noticed that his fingers were only millimetres from the distress-call button. All he need do was extend an index finger and a signal would be transmitted directly to Gallifrey. Whereas, in the past, his pride had deterred him from involving the High Council of Time Lords, the theft of a TARDIS, and the consequences it could have on the space/time continuum, were far too important. What was more his pride had already cost the life of one man and it was a mistake he was determined not to repeat. As he turned to face the Cyber Leader, he pressed the button, despatching its urgent signal across the Universe.

‘So…’ intoned the Leader, ‘you have once again changed your appearance.’

The Doctor nodded. ‘And once again you are attempting to invade Earth. I should have thought you’d have tired of that by now – certainly of the defeats you’ve always suffered.’

Pressing a red lever on the console, the Leader closed the double doors, sealing the TARDIS from the outside world. ‘It won’t happen this time,’ he said. ‘Now that we have the ability to travel in time.’

‘Not through my TARDIS!’ growled the Doctor. ‘It will take forever to learn how it functions.’

‘We already have our own time vessel.’

The Time Lord laughed, but it was empty and hollow.

The Doctor knew Cybermen did not boast.

Lytton, who was standing by the closed double door, shifted the weight of his body from one foot to the other.

‘The Cyber Leader speaks the truth,’ he said, matter-of-factly. ‘They have a craft on the dark side of the moon.’

‘Really.’ The Doctor glared at him and foolishly contorted his face into an expression of contempt. The gesture proved as hollow as his laugh. ‘I know Cyber technology,’ he muttered. ‘It will be many years before they are capable of time travel.

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