Doctor Who: Virgin Missing Adventures [010] - The Menagerie by Martin Day

Author:Martin Day
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426204497
Publisher: Doctor Who Books
Published: 1995-05-16T22:00:00+00:00

Eleven

‘I am very grateful to you,’ said the Doctor as he followed the shrew-like being through the corridors and streets of the city.

‘I am sad that I could not rescue your companions,’ he replied. The Doctor had come to think of the creature as male, although there was no evidence to support this. ‘The poison proved fatal to the other surface-dwellers: your body must be unusually resistant.’ He stopped for a moment, sniffing the air, and then turned into another dark street, his bouncing gait requiring the Doctor to walk briskly to keep up. The Doctor could tell that they were now in the dimly lit residential area. The blazing power station that so troubled the Doctor was a beacon in the distance, casting disturbing shadows on the solid sky overhead.

The little animal looked exactly like some anthropomorphic children’s character, a bipedal shrew a couple of feet in height and dressed in a simple uniform the same orange-brown colour as its glossy fur. His paws were hitched casually into a utility belt covered in miniature tools. The Doctor noticed a couple of ostentatious gold rings at the creature’s elbows.

‘I’m the Doctor, by the way. I’m very pleased to meet you.’

The creature twitched its nose in what seemed to be an expression of amusement. ‘I know of this habit you surface-dwellers have, this desire to label everything, including yourselves. It seems more than a little egotistical. I am a Dugraq scout. That describes my position within our society. I am recognizable, and can recognize my friends. We Dugraqs find we have no need for titles.’

‘That must make sending Christmas cards rather difficult,’ observed the Doctor.

‘You talk a great deal,’ said the Dugraq. ‘Talk is good. Talk is the enemy of fear. Only when reunited with their Queen can the Taculbain communicate properly. That has always been their species’ downfall.’

‘Taculbain?’

‘I have just rescued you from the Taculbain. With their Queen they are a sensible race. Without her they are impressionable and become aggressive because of their fear.’

‘What has happened to the Queen?’

‘She was taken by a surface-dweller many years ago. He now governs the Taculbain. He doubtless arranged for you to be attacked.’

The Doctor nodded. ‘I did sense something more than mere animal savagery at work. What will happen to the dead knights?’

‘They will be eaten,’ said the Dugraq simply. ‘One species consumes another. That’s how the planet spins.’

‘And who captured the Queen? Was it this magician I’ve heard so much about?’

The Dugraq made a little clicking noise with his tongue that the Doctor took to be laughter. ‘Defrabax? No, Defrabax is in league with the Rocarbies.’

‘The Rocarbies?’

‘You have much to learn, and ask many questions. Questions are also good.’ The creature pushed open a rusted gate and followed the Doctor into what had once been a huge park and recreation area. The plants had died back, and swings and slides sulked sadly in the corner. ‘This is where we live. Welcome to the Dugraq camp.’

Jamie stared at the jailor, trying to work out why he looked so familiar.

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