Doctor Who: The Mutants by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction:Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426116905
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1977-02-15T10:00:00+00:00

The Fugitive

The Marshal surveyed the rock-filled mine entrance with satisfaction, and turned to the guard Captain. 'I am now returning to Skybase. I want every exit sealed, you understand. Every exit!'

Nervously the Captain said, 'That's impossible, sir. We've covered the main exits, but these galleries run on for miles. We'd need an army to cover them all.'

The Marshal brooded. 'All right. Give the gas time to clear, then take a patrol down. You might be able to mop up one or two survivors.'

Jamming his oxy-mask in place, and summoning his escort, the Marshal set off back through the jungle.

Sondergaard bustled about the laboratory, which was also his home. He provided a simple meal for his guests, water, fruits, a little native bread. It wasn't much, but they all ate and drank hungrily. To Jo it seemed a feast. While they ate, Sondergaard chattered continuously. The effect of company after so many years of solitude had suddenly gone to his head. 'Naturally there is radiation, after all this was once a thaesium mine. But it is not dangerous, unless you approach the unstable area—the one where I found you, young lady.'

Jo swallowed a mouthful of peach-like fruit and said, 'It was you I saw then? You brought me out?'

I was so surprised that I didn't know what to do. I couldn't leave you there. I took you to where your friends would find you.'

Jo smiled her thanks and went on eating.

Ky looked curiously at the brown-faced little man.

'We thought you had died long ago, Professor.'

'And all the time I was a fugitive in the mines— like your Mutants. They were my only friends.'

Jo looked up. 'The Mutants attacked us, tried to kill us—didn't they, Ky?'

Sondergaard shrugged. 'There are more of them now, many more. As their numbers increase, so does their aggressiveness.'

'Who made them aggressive?' said Ky indignantly. 'The Overlords, by hunting them like animals.' He looked suspiciously at Sondergaard. 'Why have you hidden in the caves all this time? Do you experiment on my people?'

'Do you think I live in these conditions from choice, young man?' asked Sondergaard mildly. 'I was young and ambitious when I came to Solos. I hoped to make great discoveries. My first was that Solos was becoming a slave planet. I sent a secret report to Earth Council. The Marshal intercepted it. I was lucky to escape with my life. I fled to the shelter of these caves. I have been here ever since.'

The Doctor looked round the improvised laboratory. 'But you have continued with your research?'

'As best I could. As you see, my equipment is primitive. If it were not for the Mutants I would never have survived here.'

'The Mutants help you?' said Ky. 'You can communicate with them?'

'After a fashion. Once they stole food for me and clothing. We were all outcasts, we helped each other. But now they have changed.' Sondergaard shook his head mournfully. 'Strange things are happening on Solos. Not just to the people, but to the soil, the plants, the atmosphere… the planet itself is changing…'

The Doctor leaned forward.

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