and it materialised into a thing with a crocodilian head set on a lion's body, carryingoneextrapairoflegs.Thecrewmenfired,knockingthecreatureoutof
the air and sending it tumbling backwards. It writhed and twisted under the gunfire, metamorphosing into new forms that swallowed the blast holes in its bodyevenastheywereformed.
'Doitlikewedidintheengineroom!'Samshouted.
Theyforcedthecreaturebacktothehull.AtthelastmomentSamreversed
thenormaliser'spolarityanditfellbackwardsandwasgone.
***
Down in the hold Manders withdrew her arms from the cable conduit and said
intoherwristcom,'Captain,mainenginesbackonline!'
Theengineroomtrembledasthepowerflowedintotheimpellerbankswhile
theship'sframegroanedagainunderthenewload.
The Doctor sprang to his feet. 'Which is the quickest way to the hold from here?'hedemanded.
***
Delrayheardthedistantsoundsofbattlebutmadenomovetoleavehiscabin.
Once a shadowy form slid through the wall. There was a fierce snarling and snappingofunseenteeth.Withanunearthlyscreamofpainandragetheghost
retreated.Thegrowlssubsidedagaintoalowwhine.
Delrayhardlynoticed.
The voice was deep within him now. There was nowhere to run or hide. It wasconfirmingwhathemostfearedabouthimself.
***
'The Cirrandaria's main engines have cut in,' the monitor reported to
Vega.'Motiontowardsthealienshipisdecreasingagain.'
'Maintainthrustatthislevel;heconfirmed.'Anysignofsystemfailuredue
toproximitytothealienship?'
'None yet, sir. We are twenty-nine hundred metres from the craft. Estimate descentwillceaseattwenty-sixhundred.'
We'll just make it.Vega thought. On the screen was a view along the tow beam.TinygreyformscouldbeseencirclingtheCirrandarialikewaspsaround
ahive.Everyfewsecondsonewouldemergefromtheship,actuallythroughits
hull,andtumblefreelydownthecoreofthebeamandintothecentralshaftof
thealienvessel.Itlookedasthougheachofthemwascarryingsomething.
'Sir, something else is coming up the beam. It's larger than the other creatures...'
***
A vehicle glided through the hull of the Cirrandaria as though it was no more substantialthanairanddroppedintothemeleeonthelifeboatdeck.
Itwasaglitteringcraftthesizeofasmallshuttlebutapparentlymadeofmist
andsoapbubbles:avehiclelesssubstantialthanitscrew,whomSamcouldsee
riding inside it even as it set down on the deck. They were manlike figures in
bulky armour, who piled rapidly out through the vehicle's hatchways.They carriedtridentsandnetsinthemannerofancientRomangladiators.
Andtheystartedattackingtheghosts.
Whereenergyboltshadpassedthroughthemwithlittleeffect,theprimitive
andapparentlyinsubstantialweaponsofthenewcomerstrappedandstabbedand
drew blood and ichor from the ghostly veins. The ghosts turned upon the warriors,buttheirblowsandslashesglancedofftheirplatedarmour.
Itwasasshewastryingtomakesenseofthisunexpectedturnofeventsthat
SamsawJeniEngers.
Sherecognisedher faceclearlythrough thesimpleglobe ofheremergency
pressure suit. She was holding on to the arms of a small figure in another suit who could only be Dan Junior. A ghost had the boy by the legs. Sam lunged forwardthroughthethrong,raisingthenormaliserandshoutingforBendix,even
as Dan Engers Senior threw himself at the creature that was trying to steal his son.Athicktendrillashedoutandsmashedhimaside.Asecondblowknocked
Jenioverbackwards.BeforeSamcouldlineupaclearshot,theghost,withDan
wrappedinitscoldembrace,ranataviewport,divedthroughitandflewoutinto space.
JustthenoneofthearmouredwarriorsthrewanetoverSamandpulledher
offherfeet.
***
Aghost,driftingthroughthecargostacksofthehold,hadalmostpreventedthe
Doctor from reaching the TARDIS. But he had driven it away with his sonic screwdriverandmanagedtogetwithintheTARDIS'sownshieldedwalls.Now
hewasworkingfranticallyoverthecontrolconsole.
His first priority had been to prevent the ship crashing. Now, perhaps, he coulddosomethingabouttheintruders.
"Thenormaliserfunctionsasintended,'hemutteredtohimselfashishands
flew across the controls, 'confirming that the ghosts are susceptible to frequencies nineteen to thirty-seven... combine the characteristics and channel output through the ship's power distribution grid... allow for containment and amplificationwithinthehull...crossfingersand-'
Hethrewafinalswitch.
***
ThelightsthroughouttheCirrandariabegantopulserapidly.Piecesofelectrical
equipmentstartedupoftheirownaccordandseveralimmediatelyfused.Alow drone of power reverberated through the length of the ship, rising rapidly to a shrill whine that drilled into the brain.The humans who heard it winced and coveredtheearpiecesoftheirsuits.
Theghostsfled.
Like fog shredded before the wind, they billowed through compartment
wallsandoutthroughthehull,theretodropawayintothecentralvortexofthe
redbeamandreturntowheretheyhadcomefrom.Andthearmouredwarriors
alsodepartedintheirimpalpablecraft.AndwiththemwentSamJones.
***
Two minutes later, by which time the labouring engines of the Cirrandaria and Indomitableliftedthetwocraftfivekilometresfromthealienship,theredbeam flickeredanddiedawayasthoughithadneverbeen.
Chapter24
ThroughtheTunnel
The terrible cold numbed Sam's body and mind. She just had sense enough remaining to clasp the normaliser to her chest, though she no longer had the feelinginherhandstooperateit.Forthatmattershecouldhardlyfeelanything aboutherproperly.Theonlygoodthingaboutthecoldwasthatithadapparently
numbedherfear.
Shewasinagreytwilitworld,allfuzzedattheedgesandalmostbleachedof
colour. She lay helplessly entangled in the net on the insubstantial deck of the armouredwarriors'ghostlycraft.Fourofitscrewofsixsatwiththeirfeetresting uponher-whichshewouldhaveresentedhadshethestrength
-withtheirweaponsheldready.Outsideintheglowingredmistofthebeam
the ghost creatures spiralled thickly about them on their batlike wings. Sam muzzily realised there were figures struggling feebly in their grasp, and automatically tried to spot Dan Engers. Turning her head to follow them down shefoundherselflookingthroughthecraft'stransparentdeck.
Andthroughherownoutstretchedforearm.
Shecoulddimlyseethebonesandevenasuggestionofthemusclesaround
them,wrappedinthetransparentlayersofhersuit.Shehadbecomeaghost!
Thefearatlastpenetratedhersluggishbrainandshehadtofighttostayin
control.TheDoctorwouldn'tpanic,shetoldherselffirmly:hewouldreason.
They knew touching the ghosts made them more solid, but obviously the
processworkedintheotherdirection.Intheirdealingssofartheyhadmad
eonly briefcontactwiththem.Butevidentlyifthecontactwasextensiveorprolonged,
the living person became equally out of phase with reality. That was why everythingappearedsohazytoher.Partofthelightnormallyinterceptedbyher
retinawassimplypassingthroughitandtherestofherinsubstantialbody.And
itwasinthatstatethatshehadbeentakenthroughthehulloftheCirrandaria.
Butwasthechangepermanent?
No! That was why they were resting their feet on her. It was only their continuingcontactthatstoppedherregainingnormalityandfallingthroughthe
hulloftheiralmostnonexistentcraft.
It meant her condition was reversible. She would not remain a ghost for ever!
Sheclungtothisrationalisationevenasthecraftdivedintothegapingtunnel
mouthofthealienship.
Around her were stars, smeared and distorted as though by a funhouse
mirror.Thenshefeltspacepressinginabouther.Thecraft,thewarriorsandher ownbodywerebeingsickeninglytwistedandstretched.Thestarscontractedto
pinpoints once more, blazing brilliantly as they flew past.The cold deepened.
Shewantedtocryoutbutshecouldn'tmove.Itwastheinterfaceeffect,spread
out along the entire length of the shaft. Time slowed to ah eternal moment. A fewtrillionkilometresandseveralaeonscrawledby.
Her stomach knotted again and she writhed in pain as the process slowly reversed.Thefarendofthetunnelopenedaroundthemandtheywereclear.
Sheheardsoundsthatmighthavebeenmuffledwords.
Craning her neck, she saw that one of the two warriors seated before the craft's glassy control console was swaying from side to side and flailing about with his arms. His comrade seemed to be trying to restrain him.The warriors seatedaboutherstartedforwardasthoughtohelp,butitwastoolate.
The disturbed one rose from his seat, tearing at his armour, which was splittingandfallingawayfromhisbody.
Thenarockwallcameoutofthedarknessstraightatthem.
Iftheyhadbeeninanormalstateofbeingtheywouldhavebeensmashedto
pieces.As it was, the crash resembled hitting foam rubber. But evidently they were still travelling too fast to pass cleanly through as they had the hull of the Cirrandaria.
Thecraftsankafewmetresin,buckledanddisintegrated.
Sam,stillbundledinthenet,wasthrownthroughitsfragmentinghullandhit
the rock wall. She felt its substance soak into her flesh before peeling away again and letting her go. Then she was falling slowly into darkness, the life coming back to her as she receded from the ghosts and their craft, sharing her storeofrealityonlywiththeirnet,whichremainedtangledabouther.
By the time she hit ground the rock felt as hard as it should have -and the impactknockedthesensesfromher.
Chapter25
Aftermath
BendixspokeregretfullytotheDoctor.
'Yourassistantwasheadingforthewomanandchild.Wewererightbehind
herwhenwewerehitbyaghost.Ittookoneofmymenandknockedmeover.'
He touched the fresh bandage on his forehead.'By the time I'd got back on my feet, the warriors had already bundled her into that craft of theirs.Then your alarm,orwhateveritwas,startedupandtheyallsimplypouredoutoftheship
backthroughthehull.TherewasnothingIcoulddo.
I'msorry.'
TheDoctor'sfacewasapale,setmask.Theothersroundthetablelookedon
sympathetically.
'Iwishwe'dleftwhenyousuggested,'Lanchardsaidtohim.Shethoughtof
DanandJeniEngers,whomshehadvisitedinthesickbaywhileDanwashaving
his injuries treated. The look on their faces would stay with her for a long time.'Now we can't leave. Not with all those people missing. Unless you think there'snohope...'
"There's always hope,' the Doctor said firmly. A little animation seemed to flow back into him. 'We'll have to go after Sam and the others who were kidnapped,that'sall.'
'Intotheship?'
'Not quite. Into the interdimensional tunnel that runs through the middle of theship.Thehullalreadyformedtheinitialhyperspatialbridge,andnowthey've usedittoopenthemaincorridor.ButIcan'tdeterminewheretheotherendlies, sothere'snootherwaybuttotravelalongit.Myinstrumentsshowit'spassable
forthemoment,butitwillinevitablycollapseinafewhours.'
'Whatifthatredbeamappearsagain?'Lanchardasked.
"The vortex field? I doubt it. It's a secondary hyperspatial effect.The creaturesneededittolaunchtheirattack.Vacuummaynotharmthem,butthey
can'tmovethemselvesthroughit.Isuspecttheirwingsweretoworkagainstthe
resistanceofthebeam.Ifyoukeepclearyouwon'tbetroubledbyitagain.'
'What about those humanoid warriors?' Bendix asked. 'They seemed to be
fightingtheghosts-atleastatfirst.'
'Ihavenoideawhattheirmotivesare-yet.ButiftheystillhaveSamthen
wewillcertainlybemakingcontactwiththem,'theDoctorassuredhim.'Butnow
wemustgetready.'Hefishedapieceofpaperoutofhispocketandhandeditto
Manders.'Howsooncanyouproduce,say,fourofthese?'Sheunfoldedthesheet
to reveal a hand-drawn circuit diagram and a set of specifications.'It's a normaliser,liketheoneSamhad.Theyseemtobeourbestdefenceagainstthe
ghosts.'
'Yes,we'llcertainlyneedalltheprotectionwecanlayourhandson,'
Rextonagreed.'Weunderestimatedthosecreatures.Ontheshiptheyseemed
to be no more than wild animals acting purely by instinct. But this attack was verydeliberate.Theonethatgotaboardexaminedtheengineroomsystems,then
settheshiponaveryprecisecoursetotakeitwithinrangeofthatbeam.'
'I take it you are prepared to accompany another party to the alien ship, Councillor?'theDoctorasked.
'Iam,'Rextonsaid.
'Butourobjectiveisnottheshipitselfbutwhateverliesonthefarsideofit,'
theDoctorpointedout."Thatismostlikelywherethepassengershavebeen
taken.Unless,ofcourse,you'restillthinkingoftryingtorecoverthedatafrom theotherhalfofthecontrolroombeyondtheinterface.Logicallythatshouldbe
accessible from the other side. But be careful, you may find it quite literally a ghostshipnow.'
BeforeRextoncouldreplyLanchardsaidsharply,'MayIremindyoumyship
anditscomplementhavebeenputatrisk,Councillor,soIamatlibertytoleave
this zone of space as soon as I am able. Remember also that you will get a volunteer crew to accompany you on arescue mission, butnot for more
intelligencegathering.'
Rextonhadthesensenottoprotest.'SupposeIgetachancetoobtainthedata
myself?'
'At your own risk; Lanchard conceded. 'It must not jeopardise the safety of theothers.'
'Agreed,'Rextonsaid.
He doesn't lack courage, Lanchard thought. Aloud she said, 'Nel, how
quicklycanyoumakemoreofthesedevicesoftheDoctor's?'
Mandershadbeenscanningthediagram.'Mostofthislooksprettystandard.I
think I can use some regular items. Say a couple of hours. That is if it has priorityoverrepairingthemaindrive,Captain.It'sprettywellburntout.'<
br />
'Howlongtofixthat?'
'Aship'sday,maybethirty-sixhours.'
Lanchard pinched the bridge of her nose, realising how tired she felt. 'If there's the slightest hope, we must try to recover passengers. We can hold our positionwiththrustersuntilthen.'
'Good,'saidtheDoctor.'NowI'dbetterhaveawordwithCommanderVega.
Ithinkhe'llwanttobeinvolvedinthis.'
'You don't mean to ask the Nimosians along?' Rexton said incredulously.'Theycannotbeallowedtosee-'
'It's too late, Councillor,' the Doctor interjected sharply.'After what's
happened it won't take them long to deduce the alien ship's purpose. Your secret'sout.Startthinkingofsomecompromise,becausethisisonetrophyyou
won'tbetakinghome.'
Rextonglaredbackathimbutsaidnothing.
'AndI'dalsolikeanitemofmyluggagemovedfromtheholdintotheDoria!'
theDoctoradded.'I'veafeelingwemayneedit.
***
'I shall complain to the shipping line,' Rhonda Plecht said angrily,'It's quite intolerable.Wewerecrushedintothattinylifeboatfornoreasonatall.'
Theyhadreturnedtotheircabinoncetheallclearhadbeengiven.Rhonda
hadapparentlytakeninthedamagedonetotheshipandthesightoftheinjured
being tended with the same critical eye she turned on an unmade bed. The generalatmosphereoffearanduncertaintytouchedhernotatall.
'Itwasanemergency,dear,'Lesterpointedout.'Andwewereluckyenough
toavoidbeingattackedbythoseghostcreatures.'
The argument did not seem to count with Rhonda. That sort of thing
happenedtootherpeopleandcertainlyshouldn'tbeallowedonawell-runcruise.
Lesterknewshewasn'tverygoodatempathisingwiththesufferingofothers.It
wasnotcallousnessexactly,moreaninabilitytoacceptsimplemisfortune.She
Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor - 14 - Vanderdeken Page 20
