Doctor Who: Fear of the Dark: 50th Anniversary Edition by Baxendale Trevor

Author:Baxendale, Trevor [Baxendale, Trevor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781448140282
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Published: 2013-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE DOCTOR ENTERED the cavern at a fast run, leaping the last set of steps and skidding to a halt when he saw the Bloodhunter advancing on Tegan. He called out to distract it. The creature turned and snarled angrily.

For a moment nothing happened and nobody moved. Then the creature took a step towards the Doctor.

A brilliant flash of energy burned past the Doctor’s ear and struck the Bloodhunter in the chest. It staggered back, then turned and fled, blaster beams chasing it as it disappeared down a side tunnel.

Cadwell jogged up brandishing his blaster. ‘Lucky one of us came prepared.’

But the Doctor was already helping Tegan to her feet. She was shaking uncontrollably. He hugged her and let her cry: he had already seen the huddled, rag-doll remains of Bunny Cheung lying on the ground nearby.

Cadwell examined the crumpled body with distaste.

‘No one deserves to die like that,’ the Doctor said roughly.

The Consortium man shrugged.

A number of Adamantium crewmen appeared, all carrying blasters and looking worried. ‘It went that way,’ Cadwell informed them, indicating the tunnel.

‘Don’t bother going after it,’ said the Doctor. ‘There’s no point: you won’t find it, and besides, there have been too many needless deaths already.’

The men looked uncertainly to Cadwell for orders. Cadwell pursed his lips and said, ‘Then what do you suggest, Doctor? An ambush, perhaps? We could all stand here and wait for it to return for dessert.’

‘Is sarcasm all you have to offer?’

Cadwell smiled grimly. ‘Let me know when you have anything useful to contribute, Doctor. In the meantime I shall begin another search for the creature. You can escort Miss Jovanka to the Adamantium, where she may remain safely out of the way.’

The Doctor glowered. ‘You’re not thinking, Cadwell! You’re just reacting.’

Cadwell walked slowly over to where the Doctor stood and returned his stare easily. ‘Point taken, Doctor. May I suggest that you return to the Adamantium with your friend and have your little think, and leave the reacting to us.’

‘With pleasure.’

Stoker took the news of Bunny’s death badly. The Doctor told her what had happened as gently as he could, but it was a deeply unpleasant task. Lawrence fully expected Stoker to lash out in frustration, but she merely sat down heavily in the armchair in his cabin and stared blankly at nothing.

Lawrence had never seen her so shaken. He poured her some Kalazak brandy but she ignored it. Lawrence settled for simply standing by her as the Doctor quietly withdrew.

‘I can’t believe he’s gone,’ Stoker said in a whisper. ‘Not Bunny. Not Bunny.’

Lawrence bit his lip and held out his hand. He was slightly surprised when she took it, holding it in a tight, cold grip.

‘I’m sorry,’ Lawrence said.

She shook her head, unable to speak. She grasped his hand until her knuckles turned white.

The Doctor draped his frock-coat over Tegan’s shoulders as she sat down. She barely noticed. Her head was buried in her hands, and when she looked up her face was streaked with tears. ‘Why did it have to be him? Why?’

The Doctor stood awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

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