Doctor Who: Virgin New Adventures [017] - Birthright by Nigel Robinson

Author:Nigel Robinson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426203933
Publisher: Doctor Who Books
Published: 1993-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Schmidt’s Wine House, 48 Dean Street, Soho, London,

2.30 p.m., Friday 23 April AD 1909

‘In Russia this would not happen,’ insisted Popov, as he slurped back a glass of Beaujolais in Benny’s local. ‘In the Motherland the police would listen and investigate our accusations!’

‘In Russia they probably aren’t in the pay of Khan and his cronies,’ said Benny, who together with Popov had spent an unsuccessful morning trying to file an official complaint against Khan. ‘Every single figure of authority in this blasted country seems to be connected with the New Dawn in some way or other.’

‘The society has a long and influential history,’ said Khan.

‘Some say it is almost as ancient as the Knights Templar themselves.’

‘And its base is in London?’

‘No one knows. Some say London, some say Rome. At one time it was thought to have had its origins in China; people have even said that it truly began in Scotland some seven hundred years ago.’

‘But I can’t believe that all their members want the Charrl to overrun the planet,’ said Benny, and sipped her wine thoughtfully. ‘The Charrl would destroy them. Every species looks after its own kind first; survival is the paramount instinct…’

‘Perhaps Khan has them all in his thrall?’

‘It’s possible. He has enormous mental powers – I’ve experienced them. I suppose it’s just possible that he’s placed them under some sort of massive hypnotic spell. After all, it can be done: just look at Hitler.’

‘Who?’

‘Never mind.’ A worrying thought suddenly struck her. ‘I once heard my friend, the Doctor, speak to me of a man he once knew. Called himself the Master. Master of what he would never tell me, but he was supposed to be one of the greatest mind-manipulators alive.’

‘And you think that Khan might be this scoundrel?’

‘Khan doesn’t look anything like him,’ Benny admitted, ‘but he could have… disguised himself,’ she said, choosing her words carefully so as to avoid discussing with Popov the finer points of bodily regeneration. ‘But it’s probably all a massive con job. The quest for survival might be a species’ first overriding instinct, but it’s closely followed by another one – greed. Look at Bellingham: he can’t wait to get his little fingers on a bit of promised power.’

She turned back to the matter in hand. ‘So the police won’t help us. What about Asquith?’

Popov shrugged his shoulders. ‘I telephoned 10 Downing Street this morning, Benny. The Prime Minister’s private secretary and MP for Mummerset West, Mr Edwin Rutherford, informed me that Mr Asquith is on a trip abroad.’

‘Great! So that leaves only one option open for us.’

‘And that is…’

‘If no one is willing to believe us, then we’ll have to bring them some proof.’ She drained her glass, and stood up, slapping Popov amiably on the back.

‘Tonight, Misha, you and I are going Charrl-hunting!’

As she climbed the stairs to her flat, Benny felt a stabbing pain in her side. Although the graze she had received from the Charrl had quickly healed itself, the skin which it had punctured still throbbed.

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