Doctor Who: Virgin Missing Adventures [023] - Killing Ground by Steve Lyons

Author:Steve Lyons
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426204749
Publisher: Doctor Who Books
Published: 1996-07-13T22:00:00+00:00

8

How Does It Feel?

Grant and Jolarr had been left alone with seven Bronze Knights for over two hours, and in that time, not a word had been spoken.

After twenty minutes, Grant had built up the courage to slip through the semi-circle of cyborgs and to take a seat beside their alien captive.

Jolarr had rewarded his attempt to give moral support with a faint appreciative smile.

At last, Max reappeared at the curtain. Looming behind her were the shadows of two more Knights. Grant rose and stared at them as they tottered, unsteady on their new legs, into the already overcrowded area.

He was fascinated by the thought that one of them had been his close acquaintance of the past few weeks. The creatures were identical, though; he couldn’t make out which was Henneker. Jolarr stood too and edged behind Grant for what little shielding he could offer. His expression was stiff with apprehension. Grant hoped that Max would protect him.

‘Where are the next two volunteers?’ the foremost of the new Knights asked.

‘Nobody has entered the bunker,’ a predecessor reported.

‘They have failed us. I will collect them.’

Max reacted with astonishment. She darted to block the Knight’s path to the exit ladder. ‘Are you mad? You can’t show yourself out there, you’ll terrify people!’

‘That is unimportant.’

‘And what if the Cybermen learn about you? We’ll lose our element of surprise.’

‘We need organic stock. If the humans will not honour their promises to provide it, they must be made to do so.’

‘Henneker?’

Grant didn’t know what had made him call the name, apart from the recognition of something familiar beneath the artificial tones which all Bronze Knights shared. He was terrified of what the rebel leader had become, but at the same time, he felt himself compulsively drawn to this awesome fusion of biology and technology. The Knight pivoted to face him and Grant stepped forward tentatively and reached out. His fingers brushed against the coarse, grainy texture of its – his? – armour. He recoiled, one whispered, impassioned question leaping to his tongue. ’ How does it feel?’

‘I do not understand.’

Gesticulating hopelessly, Grant tried to put thoughts into words.

‘The brain alterations. What have they done to you?’

‘I am unchanged.’

‘How can you be? You’re acting so differently, You were talking about “the humans”. You seem more…’ Grant stopped before he said something that the new Henneker might not like.

‘All very interesting, I’m sure,’ Max cut in, ‘but do you think we can get on with the business of defeating Cybermen?’

Henneker thought for a moment. Then, without a trace of emotion, he said, ‘It will take more time to find volunteers for the Project. We are behind schedule. We already outnumber our enemies.’

‘You’re saying we should attack now?’

There was a sudden flurry of movement. Two Bronze Knights lurched towards Grant, who instinctively shied away. Henneker swung around to see what was happening, lost his delicate balance and collided with one of his fellows. Three Knights went crashing to the floor, their armours impacting with hard dirt.

Grant saw the cause of the disturbance.

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