Island of Death by Barry Letts

Author:Barry Letts [Letts, Barry]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780563486312
Publisher: BBC Books
Published: 2005-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was the Doctor who noticed first.

Still chuckling over Pete’s ludicrous interpretation of the flower-like scent – yet pigeon-holing the oddity of their different reactions as something to be considered later – he turned to look at the island.

Now that they were no longer trying to see through the thick mist, the landing place was quite visible, between cliffs of ancient volcanic rock that were white with nesting seabirds, some of which were circling overhead. At a glance, the island didn’t look much like the description in the whaler’s report.

‘They were right about the seagulls, anyway,’ said the Brigadier.

‘They’re gannets, aren’t they?’ said Sarah.

‘Boobies!’ said the Doctor, picking up the glasses that the Brigadier had discarded.

‘I beg your pardon?’ said the Brigadier, indignantly.

‘The birds. They’re boobies. More specifically, masked boobies. You get them all over the world in the tropics.’

‘They look like gannets,’ said Sarah.

‘I thought you did Biology at school,’ replied Doctor, looking through the glasses at the beach. ‘Gannets don’t have black tails.’ He paused. ‘Well, well, well,’ he went on, ‘the developers have been busy.’

He was surprised to feel the glow of pleasure that surged up inside him at the sight of a beach of golden sand framed by lush greenery covered with flowers. A number of figures clad in white were gathered near the shore, gazing out towards the ship. Behind the beach was what could only be thought of as a street: a double row of little pavilions or stone chalets of shining white (of course!) separated by a wide avenue of elegant palms, curving away into the interior, the causeway of golden sand looking for all the world like the yellow-brick road in Oz.

‘Here, Lethbridge-Stewart, take a look,’ he said, handing him the glasses.

‘Good grief!’ said the Brigadier, after a moment. ‘There you are you see, Doctor,’ he went on. ‘I never did buy your doom-and-gloom scenario. We’re going to look a proper lot of onions if we charge in all dressed up ready for World War Three. Like a police raid on the vicarage tea party. I’ve always believed we were dealing with nothing more sinister than a few New Age Utopia merchants. Harmless nuts.’

‘I’m not sure about the nutty bit,’ said Sarah. ‘I jolly nearly joined, myself. I wish I had now.’

Pete Andrews lowered his own binoculars. ‘Stand ’em down, shall I? Bit hot in all that gear.’

‘Of course, of course,’ replied the Brigadier, as if it went without saying.

Down below on both sides of the boat deck there was a rising tide of chatter from the two landing parties. The Petty Officer’s voice could be heard gently admonishing his charges. ‘Now, now. This is no way to behave on parade. Let’s have a bit of hush, shall we? There’s good boys.’

He was utterly ignored.

‘Can the boat trip stand, sir?’ he called up, when Pete told him to belay action stations. ‘I’m sure the lads would appreciate a run ashore.’

Pete’s instant agreement was drowned in a cheer, and a chorus of

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