Plague of the Cybermen by Justin Richards

Author:Justin Richards [Richards, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, General
ISBN: 9781849905749
Google: LxeEMAEACAAJ
Amazon: 1849905746
Publisher: BBC BOOKS
Published: 2013-04-02T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The Watchman stepped forward, fascinated. ‘A complete automaton! Up until now I have only seen the components, the pieces.’

He turned to the Doctor.

‘How does it work?’

‘Never mind how it works!’ The Doctor grabbed the man and pulled him back, away from the Cyberman.

‘What is it?’ Lord Ernhardt demanded. He put his arm protectively round his wife. ‘What have you brought here, Watchman?’

The Watchman shook his head nervously. ‘Not me.’

‘It’s a Cyberman,’ the Doctor told them. ‘And we need to keep well clear of it.’

The Cyberman watched, unmoving and impassive. Like a statue.

‘Is that the power converter you spoke of?’ Lady Ernhardt asked, pointing to the device the Cyberman held.

The Doctor nodded. ‘We have to dismantle it. It works by induction, so it doesn’t need a direct connection. It’ll be gathering and converting power already, probably storing it up in its internal batteries ready to be plugged into the Cyber systems. And if that happens …’ He left the thought unfinished.

‘We will revive,’ the Cyberman said again – as if it was a challenge. It took a step forward, and the Doctor pulled the Watchman back another pace.

‘I’m afraid I don’t understand any of this,’ Lord Ernhardt said. ‘Except that this … creature is somehow a threat to us?’

‘And then some,’ the Doctor agreed.

‘This one and others,’ Olga added.

‘And if we don’t get that power converter off him this place will be overrun with Cyber-Plague Warriors before you can sneeze,’ the Doctor said.

Lord Ernhardt stepped towards the Cyberman. Lady Ernhardt put her hand on his arm, but he carefully removed it, patted her shoulder and smiled reassuringly, before taking another step forward.

‘Then you had better put that device down, hadn’t you,’ he said to the Cyberman.

The Cyberman turned its head slightly, angling it to look down at the man. It did not reply.

‘Put it down, sir!’ Ernhardt’s voice was loud but calm and full of authority.

‘Um,’ the Doctor said. ‘I really don’t think …’

But Ernhardt was striding across the room, eyes fixed on the Cyberman. ‘I am the authority in this area, I’ll have you know. I am the law. And I order you to lay down that device or suffer the consequences.’

‘Shall I fetch the guards?’ the Watchman asked. His voice was strung out and taut with fear.

‘No time,’ Lord Ernhardt said, without turning from the Cyberman. ‘And no need.’

‘Alexander,’ his wife said quietly. ‘Let me …’

‘I can handle this, my dear.’

‘Doctor!’ Olga hissed. ‘You have to stop this. It will kill him.’

‘You think you are invincible,’ Lord Ernhardt was saying, ‘because you wear armour. But I tell you, my friend, things are not always what they seem.’

‘Friend?’ the Cyberman countered.

‘If you put that device down and discuss terms, then yes – potentially, friend.’

‘Ernhardt!’ the Doctor warned.

‘Cybermen do not discuss terms. Cybermen are not friends.’

‘Enemy, then,’ Ernhardt said simply. And launched himself at the Cyberman.

Olga screamed. Lady Ernhardt’s hands were over her mouth. The Doctor gave a cry of warning and the Watchman whimpered.

The Cyberman raised its arm – the same almost casual gesture that Olga had seen kill Drettle.

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