Doctor Who: Planet of Giants by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction:Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426203452
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1990-04-15T10:00:00+00:00

‘Well, maybe, but I doubt it.’ He sniffed. ‘It’s got a weird smell... I’d keep well away from it.’

Barbara considered telling him that his good advice had come far too late, but then what was the use? It would only worry him, and there was nothing he could do. She wondered how long before the poison would start to affect her. Or perhaps it was harmless to humans after all.

‘Ian, listen, we’ve got to find the others and get back to the TARDIS.’

‘I know, but I can’t seem to work out how. We’re so high up here, it’s like being trapped on a mountain. Have you got any bright ideas?’

Barbara shook her head. ‘I only wish I had.’

There was such despair in her voice that Ian looked at her in concern. ‘Look, we can get down, you know. All we need is a ball of string!’

Barbara tried to enter into the spirit of things. ‘String would be too thick. What we really need is a reel of cotton

— oh, it’s all too ridiculous!’

‘We’ve got to forget how absurd things are and concentrate on the main problem, all right?’

Barbara managed a smile. ‘All right.’

‘What about the briefcase, Barbara? There’s all sorts of stuff in there. If we could find enough paper clips we could link them up and make a metal ladder.’

‘It’s certainly an idea.’ Barbara’s tone made it clear she didn’t think it was a very good one.

Ian was hurt. ‘Well, it’s worth a try. Come on, Barbara, don’t give up.’

‘I am not giving up. I’m perfectly willing to try anything, you know that.’

Ian started moving back towards the briefcase. ‘We’ll have to get it open somehow. I don’t fancy working in the dark...’

‘Maybe there’s something in the briefcase that will tell us what this insecticide stuff is...’

Ian looked at her in surprise. ‘Well, maybe. Does it matter? Getting away from here is what counts.’

He set off and Barbara followed him, still rubbing her fingers with the handkerchief. Somehow the stuff just wouldn’t seem to come off.

The Doctor clung to a niche in the pipe, hearts pounding and lungs straining for breath.

Susan’s voice echoed down from above. ‘Are you all right, grandfather? It’s not far now, I can see light up above.’

The Doctor braced himself for a final effort. ‘Coming, my child, coming!’

Wearily he resumed his climb.

Ian was sitting on a brass plate, heaving at a brass turret —

the catch of the briefcase.

‘It doesn’t move downwards, that’s for sure,’ he grunted.

Barbara stared up at him. ‘Try left to right.’

‘Great minds think alike,’ called Ian. He shifted position and heaved again. ‘No, that’s no good either, I’ll try right to left.’

‘All right,’ called Barbara. ‘Good luck!’

She stood looking up at the struggling figure on the briefcase, quite unaware of the giant shape hovering above her. Then she heard a strange, rustling sound and turned...

At his final attempt, Ian felt the briefcase catch give way. He heaved again, there was a loud click, and the briefcase flap flew open. ‘Hurray, success! I’ve done it, Barbara!’ There was no reply.

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