Timewyrm - Apocalypse by Nigel Robinson

Author:Nigel Robinson [Robinson, Nigel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426203599
Publisher: Doctor Who Books
Published: 1991-12-14T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Ace was roughly shaken awake by one of the Unlike, an old woman shrivelled like a dried apple who scampered away when Ace sat up.

She groaned and rubbed her aching back, sore and stiff from the coarse straw mattress she had slept on. Groggily she looked at her surroundings.

The Unlike had accommodated her in a ramshackle wooden but built high in the branches of a tree. It was a stark contrast to the comfort of her bedroom in Kirith, and yet she felt strangely much more at ease here than she had ever done in the sumptuous splendour of the town.

The curtain before the entrance was pulled back and Arun walked smartly in.

‘You slept well?’ she asked. Ace had the impression that politeness wasn’t one of Arun’s virtues. Before she could reply, Arun came straight to the point. ‘We now have to decide what to do with you: Ace wasn’t about to have her fate decided by anyone other than herself. ‘I have to get back to Kirith and find the Professor,’ she said firmly.

‘The Doctor is no longer in Kirith. My spies say that he was captured and taken to the Harbours last night.’

‘Then that’s where I’ll go.’

‘After your little adventure last night the Harbours are being patrolled by Companions,’ Arun stated flatly. ‘You wouldn’t stand a chance.’

‘Codswallop!’ retorted Ace, and thought she saw the former scientist suppress a small smile. ‘You could help me,’ she said.

‘Indeed we could,’ agreed Arun. ‘But why should we?’

Ace angrily stood up to go, not prepared to plead for help from anyone, least of all the heartless brutal woman before her. Arun raised a hand to stop her.

‘I didn’t say we wouldn’t help you, Ace,’ she said. ‘But we want something in return.’

‘What’s that?’

‘The Darkfell has been poisoned by the Panjistri in an attempt to destroy us all. Our vegetation and foods are slowly withering away, and our rivers are contaminated with their toxins. The radiation they have bathed this-area in has infected us all and is slowly killing us.’

‘And you want the Professor’s help?’

Arun nodded. ‘If you can guarantee that the Doctor will cure us of our sickness, and make our food grow again, then we will help you. Otherwise you’re on your own.’

Ace glowered at her and for a second contemplated going to the Harbours alone. But Arun had told her the previous night that her people were skilled in tracking and navigation. Finally, and not without some reluctance, she agreed.

Arun smiled smugly. ‘Good. I will organize a small group to accompany you to the Harbours.’

‘I’m very grateful,’ Ace said sarcastically, and added: ‘Tell me, don’t you ever trust anyone?’

Arun shook her head sadly. ‘The Kirithons did, and look what happened to them.’

Unaware that his assistance had just been promised to a group of people he didn’t even know existed, the Doctor banged despairingly at the door of the large cell in which he, Raphael and Miril found themselves.

Shrugging his shoulders in defeat, he walked back to his companions, who were sitting despondently at a table at the far end of the room.

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