Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor - 14 - Vanderdeken

by Christopher Bulis (pdf)

  Chapter4

  ExecutivePressure

  SamfeltasombremooddescendovertheCirrandariainthehoursfollowingthe

  Nimosians'disastrousattempttosecureafootholdonthealienship.

  At first there had been mild alarm and not a little excitement when the gravity waves generated by the derelict had struck and Captain Lanchard had hastily put them into a higher orbit. The Indomitable , being closer to the derelict, had evidently been more seriously affected. But as soon as she was stabilised they saw several shuttlecraft leave her bays and begin quartering an expanding volume of space about the huge craft. It was obvious they were searchingforsurvivorsofthemission.Fromthereluctantmannerinwhichthey

  were recalled after several hours, it was equally obvious they had been unsuccessful. Captain Lanchard announced, in the spirit of the common bond betweenspacefarers,thatshehadsentamessagetoheroppositenumberonthe

  Indomitable expressing sympathy for the loss of their crew. It had been acknowledgedwithgraveformality.

  There was a slight but noticeable shift in feeling towards the Nimosians. A sneakingadmirationfortheiringenuityandboldness,coupledwithasecretsense

  ofreliefthattheyhadfailed.

  'Perhaps this'll frighten both sides off,' Sam suggested to the Doctor in his cabin,ashefinisheddressingfordinner.

  AsurreptitioustriptotheTARDISanhourearlierhadallowedthemtopack

  some bags, which had then been dispatched by internal cargo tube to their rooms, both of which were adjacent to the promenade deck and sumptuously furnished. Sam could happily have spent longer in her bathroom merely

  experimentingwiththeaccessoriesprovided,buttherewasjusttimeforaquick

  shower,choosingafewpiecesofjewellery,andslippingonasheerfloor-length

  dressofdeepmetallicblueshehadbeenwantingtotryoutforsomewhile.The

  Doctor, of course, had freshened up but not changed his costume. Style and fashion, beyond the ensemble he was comfortable with, apparently held little interest for him. But he had deferred to the occasion sufficiently to put a fresh redroseinhisbuttonhole.

  Examininghisnewfloraldisplaycriticallyinamirror,theDoctorshookhis

  headinanswertohersuggestion.

  'No,Sam.Ifanythingthiswillonlystrengthentheresolveonbothsides:the

  Emindians to succeed where their rivals have failed, and the Nimosians as expiationfortheirinitialfailure.Ijusthopetheydon'tattemptanythingfoolish.

  Meanwhile, we have a few hours' grace to establish ourselves as bona fide passengers, just in case we need to bring ourselves to the attention of the commandstafflater.UntilIcanovercometheinterferenceproblemwe'llhaveto

  use the Cirrandaria as a base to monitor the alien ship.This is one occasion wheretheTARDIS'snormalmodeoftranslocationisadistinctdisadvantage.'

  'Howdoyoumean?'

  'Well,ifIdon'texactlynegatetheinterferenceoftheenergyfieldwemight

  materialisenotjustinsidetheship,butoccupyingthesamespaceassomepartof itssolidstructure.'

  'Ugh,nasty.'

  "That's one way of putting it. I made a few tests while you were sorting throughyourwardrobeintheTARDIS,butIcan'tnegatethefieldsufficientlyto

  allowmaterialisationsafelyin,orevenon,thederelict.Unlesswestealashuttle, we'llneedtheEmindians'cooperationtovisitit.AndIfeelcertainweshallhave to do just that, sooner rather than later. I sense tremendous potential power contained within that vessel, a power that neither Emindar nor Nimos can be allowedtopossessatthisdelicatestageintheirrelationship.'

  Samtriedtosoundoffhand:'Soonbetimeforustomakeamovethen.'

  Hesmiledbrightlyandofferedherhisarm.'Butnotbeforewedine.'

  ***

  TheCirrandaria'smaindiningsaloonwasfurnishedsomewhatafterthemanner

  of the great Earth liners of the past, which in turn reflected the style of grand restaurantsoftheperiod.Aforestofmarble-facedcolumnsreacheduptoasix-metre-highceiling,whilealushundergrowthofexoticplantsborderedthewalls.

  A small holographic orchestra played convincingly in one corner. A hundred large round tables, each decked with a brilliant white linen cloth and glittering tableservice,filledthefloorspace.

  The Doctor's earlier prediction had almost been fulfilled. Thanks to their newly assumed status they had been seated at a table adjacent to the Captain's own.Lookingacross,SamthoughttheCaptainlookeddistracted,andsuspected

  shewasputtinginanappearanceonlytoreassurethepassengers.Seatedbeside

  herwasagreyingbuthard-lookingmiddle-agedman,withwhomsheconducted

  severalbriefandapparentlyterseexchangesduringthecourseofthemeal.

  Theirowntableseatedeight.Asithappened,duetotherotationofplacesto

  ensure an interesting social balance at dinner and their integration into the complement, they shared it with Lyset Wynter and Don Delray.The small man they had seen marshalling the crowd on the promenade was also there and

  introduced himself as Evan Arcovian, Delray and Wynter's agent. As Sam had suspected,WynterwasaprofessionalphotographerwhileDelraywasafamous

  Emindian vid star - a fact Arcovian had made clear to everybody within two minutesoftakingtheirplaces,byrecountingthedetailsofhisclient'slatestepic withbubblingandapparentlygenuineenthusiasm.

  EventuallyDelraysaid,'Ithinkthey'vegotthemessagenow,Evan.'

  Arcovianbunked,lookingalittlelikeasnubbedpuppy.'Sorry,Don.'

  ThelastthreeseatsweretakenupbytheEngersfamily,comprisingDaniel,

  his wife Jeni and Dan Junior, aged about ten.They were senior environmental engineers from a Federation colony world. Dan Junior was looking in awe at DonDelray,whorespondedbygivinghimawinkandgood-naturedsmilewith

  practised suavity, which made the boy blush and squirm with embarrassed

  delight.

  'You'rehisfavouriteactor,MrDelray,'hisfatheradmitted.

  'GladtoknowmyworkgetsseenoutsideEmindar,'Delraysaid.

  Menu pads appeared, hovering over the middle of their place settings, and they keyed in their orders. In a minute the floral display in the centre of their table,whichSamhadassumedwasreal,meltedaway.Glassesofwineandthen

  their food appeared, rising up through irising hatches to be placed before the respectivedinerbydisembodied,white-gloved,roboticarms.

  Sam almost caught herself saying 'thank you' to them before the arms and hatchesvanishedtobereplacedbytheholographicbowlofflowersoncemore.

  As they ate, Sam could not help admitting that Lyset looked extremely

  attractive. Sam felt distinctly dowdy in her presence and was still wary of her interest in the Doctor. However, Lyset turned out to be disarmingly

  straightforwardaboutitall.

  'AndwhatdoyouandMsJonesdo,Doctor?'sheasked.

  'Oh,we'remereFederationfunctionaries,'hesaidlightly.'Civilservants,you

  know.'

  'OddthatIdidn'tnoticeyoubefore.'

  'Weonlyjoinedthecruiseatthelaststop,'Samsaidquickly.

  'And we've been dining in our cabins up to now,' the Doctor continued

  smoothly.'Hyperspacelag,youknow.'

  'Youhaveaninterestingface,'Lysetdec
laredsimply,'andIlikeinteresting

  faces. If you've the time I'd be pleased if you could sit for me for a proper study.'

  'Nowyouwon'tgetanofferlikethatveryoften,Doctor,'saidDelray.'You

  knowhowmuchpeoplehavetopaytogettheirportraittakenbyLysetWynter?'

  'You'veseenLyset'sworkofcourse,'Arcovianadded.

  'Iregretwehavenot,'theDoctoradmitted.'Ourownworktendstotakeusto obscurecornersofthegalaxy.'

  'Placesyou'veneverheardof,'Samsaid.

  'We're out of touch for quite long periods,' the Doctor continued, adding gallantly,'Ourloss,I'msure.'

  Inevitably,asthemealprogressed,thediscussionturnedtothealienship.

  'Whatdoyouthinkaboutit,Dan?'DelrayaskedEngersJunioroverdessert.

  The boy blushed at being included in the adult conversation. 'I think it's reallyweird,MrDelray,'heblurtedout.Thenadded,'Iftherearealiensonboard, willyoufightthemlikeyoudidinTheBlackStarSquadron?

  Delraychuckled.'I'monholiday,Dan.Idon'tplanonfightinganybody.

  Besides,Ididn'tbringmybattlesuitalong.'

  'Betyoucouldbeatthemevenso!'theboysaidloyally.

  'Andwhatdoyouthinkaboutthealienship,Doctor?'LysetWynterasked.

  The Doctor sipped his wine meditatively for a moment. 'I think there are timestoleavewellalone.Atleastuntilyoufullyunderstandwhatyou'redealing with.'

  "Theremaybesomethinginthat,'EvanArcoviansaid,addingquickly,

  'Don'tgetmewrong.I'masmuchapatriotasthenextEmindian:Idon'tcare

  fortheNimosiansinanyway.Butwe'renotsoldiersorscientistsorexplorers.I mean, what's so important about that hulk anyway, eh? And there are some pretty important people on board here too, like Don and Lyset.' He glanced at DanEngersJunior.'Andchildren,ofcourse.Theyshouldthinkofthat.'

  Sam thought he was hiding more anxiety than he was letting on. Delray

  shookhishead.

  'Wecan'tdothat,Evan.Sometimesyou'vegottotakerisksforwhat'sright.'

  'But we're not part of your dispute with the Nimosians,' Daniel Engers

  pointedoutforcefully."Theyshouldn'tinvolveforeignnationalsinthis.'

  His voice rose over the last words and Sam was aware that diners at the adjacent tables were looking at them. Don Delray spoke up clearly: 'You're worriedaboutyourfamily,MrEngers,andIrespectthat.AndIhopeyougetoff

  thisshipassoonaspossibleifthat'swhatyouwant.Buttherestofuswillstay, ifourbeingherestopstheNimosiansfromgettingsomethingthey'renotentitled

  to.We've been fighting them on and off for the best part of a century and sometimesyou'vegottodrawthelineandstandfirmonaprinciple.Andright

  nowwe'reonthatline.Maybethere'snothingworthwhileinthatshipoverthere,

  butifwegivein,whatcomesnext?TheNimosianstakingoneofourshipsjust

  becausetheytakeafancytoit?No.

  It'sourspaceandwedon'tmoveuntilwe'regoodandready.'

  There was a scattering of applause from the other diners, which Delray acknowledgedwithagravesmile.

  TheDoctornudgedSam.AjuniorofficerhadcometotheCaptain'stableand

  waswhisperinginherear.Afteramomentshequicklymadeherexcusestoher

  guestsandwalkedbrisklyout,followedbythesterngreyman.

  'I think something might be happening,' the Doctor said.'Who's the man

  goingoutwiththeCaptain?'

  'HighCouncillorRexton,'saidLysetWynter.

  'Ishesomebodyimportant?'Samasked.

  'Mostpeopleseemtothinkso,'Lysetsaiddrily.'He'scertainlybeentakinga

  closeinterestinthealienship.'

  "Then I think I will be making his acquaintance very shortly,' said the Doctor. He glanced at Sam, who nodded fractionally. 'After we've finished dinner,perhaps.'

  'Well,theywon'tletyouin,'Delraysaid.'EvenIcouldn'tswingit.Rexton's

  had them put guards on the entrances to the command deck after some of the passengersstartedturninguptocomplain.ItriedtotalkhimintolettingLysetin therebuthewasn'ttakinganycalls,evenwhenIsentanoteremindinghimthatI madesomeprettybigdonationstoStabilityPartyfundsbeforethelastelection.'

  'Ah,atellingargument,'saidtheDoctor.'Itusuallyworkswithpoliticians.

  Perhapsit'sameasureoftheseriousnessofthesituationthatthecouncillor

  hasn'tbeenpayingyoudueconsideration.Nevertheless,Ithinkthey'llseeus.'

  'Do you really think so, Doctor?' Daniel Engers asked. 'Will you remind themthey'vegotquiteafewFederationcitizensonboard?'

  'Ishallcertainlydothat,'hepromised.

  'Butwhyshouldyougetspecialtreatment?'Delraydemanded.

  'YoumightsayIhaveanaceupmysleeve,'theDoctorsaid.

  'Andacardinhispocket,'Samadded,thinkingofthedocumenttheDoctor

  hadprovidedforherandhopinghe'dgotallthedetailsright.

  "Thendoyouthinkyoucouldgetmeinonthistoo?'Lysetasked.'Iwantto

  recordeverythingasithappens,especiallyifthere'sachancetovisitthatship.'

  Evan Arcovian gaped at Lyset Wynter in obvious alarm. 'You aren't

  seriously thinking of going over to that thing? Not after what happened to the Nimosians.'

  'Butit'swhatIdo,Evan,'sherepliedsimply.

  'You may not thank me,' the Doctor said gravely.'You know it could be

  dangerous.'

  'Iknow,'Lysetsaid.'ButI'dkickmyselfforpassingupthechance.'

  'Well if Lyset's set on going, you'd better put me down as well,' Delray

  sighedingood-naturedresignation.'Ifyoucanswingit,thatis.'

  'Not you too, Don,'Arcovian exclaimed.'You should be talking her out of

  this.'Delraysimplygrinnedandshrugged.

  'Promiseyou'lltry?'Lysetadded,gazingintentlyattheDoctor.

  Sam saw the mercurial mix of concern and irreverence within the Doctor

  brieflycompetefordominance,andshethoughtsheunderstoodwhy.Howvery

  quintessentially human, he was thinking, to risk danger for the sake of a few pictures.Slowlyawistfulsmilespreadacrosshisface,encompassingthemallin

  itswarmthandsofteningforamomentevenDelray'simpatientself-assurance.

  'Weshallsee,'hesaid.

  ***

  Captain Lanchard read the message slip twice after it came out of the decoder beforehandingittoRexton.Hescanneditrapidlywithoutdisplayinganysignof

  specialsatisfaction,asthoughitwasmerelywhathehadexpected.

  From:G&CLinesCo.HQ,NewRenberg,Talasia,Emindar.

  To:-Capt.Lanchard,C,CommandingCirrandaria.

  Subject:Salvageofunidentifiedalienderelictspacevessel.

  Undergovernmentemergencypowersdirective351,youareherebyordered

  toremainintheimmediatevicinityofthealienvessel,protectingtheEmindian

  claimtosalvagerights,untilasuitablereliefforcearrives.

  You are further ordered to give every assistance toJ.K. Rexton, HC, in

  pursuanceoftheabove,solongassuchactiondoesnotplacetheCirrandariaor

  its complement in imminent, repeat imminent, danger. The Federation Central AssemblyonMizarhasbeeninformedofthesituationandisreroutingashipto

  evacuatetheircitizens.Suchatransferwillbeexpeditedwithallhasteassoonas itbecomesfeasible,withoutprej
udicingthesituationrelativetothealienvessel andNimosianwarship.

  Meanwhile you are authorised to inform the passengers that they will be fullycompensatedforanyinconvenienceordelaycausedbythecurrentspecial

  circumstances. The crew will also be eligible for hardship and special-duty bonuses.

  You are further notified that Councillor Sexton's military rank (General in the Space Reserve) has been reactivated, and he should be given all

  considerationspursuanttosuchstatus.

  Signed:Palverly,A.C.,President.

  pp:BoardofDirectors,G&CLines.

  'Well, you have your orders, Captain,' said Rexton, looking up from the document.'Itrustyounowappreciatethevitalimportanceofoursituation.'

  'I see how it is perceived back home,' Lanchard corrected him. 'But unless youtellmewhatallthisisreallyabout,Idon'tyet"appreciate"anything.

  However, I shall follow my orders to the letter , General,' she assured him pointedly. "The moment I judge the ship to be in "imminent" danger, we shall leavewithoutargument.Itrustthatisclear.'

  'Quiteclear.'

  LanchardglancedatLorronBendix,herfirstofficer,whohadbeenwaiting

  patientlyinthecornerofherdaycabineversincehehadbroughtherencrypted

  message. He need not have carried the message personally, but perhaps,

  guessingwhatitcontained,hewantedtoseetheexpressiononherface.Bendix

  wasacompetentofficer,butkeenandperhapsalittletooambitious.Sheworked

  withhimwellenough,buthisattitudemadeitalltooplainthatheregardedhis

  positionmerelyasasteppingstoneinhiscareer.

  Hehadnoreallovefortheship.

  'Progressreportonthemodificationstothelaunch,MrBendix?'sheasked.

  'Chief Manders says the work will be completed on schedule, Captain,' he repliedsmoothly.'Requestpermissiontoleadtheboardingparty.'

  'EvenafterwhathappenedtotheNimosians?'Lanchardasked.

  'We'll be better prepared, Captain,' Bendix replied calmly.'We won't make thesamemistakes.'