The Killertrine Storm

by Doctor Who

  'So, why here? Why Earth? If you plan to set up somewhere else anyway, why put the people of this planet at risk? There are a thousand uninhabited worlds out there you could be using right now.'

  'Overheads and logistics, primarily. A native population at a certain stage of technological development gave us ready access to locally sourced food supplies and an easily adaptable infrastructure, like this rather beautiful building.' A flicker of guilt momentarily crossed Febron's face before she continued: Along with a ready supply of live meat for our stock.'

  The thrill of the hunt improves the quality of the oil.' The Doctor recalled Henk's words. 'Homo sapiens. The

  117

  D OC T O R W H O

  gift that keeps on giving. I can't believe a biologist can have such disregard for an indigenous species.'

  'We are all but links in the food chain, Doctor,' replied the scientist.

  Though I must admit, that aspect does not sit well with me. I would rather we let them hunt domesticated or wild mammals, but they seem to prefer sustenance from higher life forms. I suppose we should have expected as much.'

  'Considering they've built up a small empire basically eating their way through the inhabitants of the planets they've invaded, I'd say that should have been the least you'd have expected.'

  'Perhaps. But Mister Henk is quite correct, it does improve the purity of their glandular secretions. The oil, as you call it."

  The oil that you're "farming".' The Doctor craned his neck, trying to get a clear view of the screens behind Febron, wondering where the oil was being siphoned off to. 'But what do you need it for? What possible use could it be to you?'

  Febron smiled and casually flicked off the monitor. She got up and walked behind the Doctor, patting him on the shoulder as she passed by. 'You seem to be a clever boy. Work it out for yourself With that, she unlocked the door leading up into the Cathedral, and spoke to a monk standing guard outside.

  'I need to prepare myself for this evening. Watch the prisoner, and if he tries anything, or talks too much, use this.' She handed the guard a hypo and left.

  118

  TH E K R I L L I T A N E S T O R M

  The hooded monk watched her go, making sure she had disappeared from site before he closed and locked the door.

  The Doctor gave him a cheerful wink. Looked like the strong silent type, he thought, which was good. He needed some peace and quiet to figure out what to do.

  The monk took a step towards him and then, seeming to remember that the hood was all but covering his face, he reached up and pushed it back. 'Doctor,' he cried.

  'Captain Darke. You clever old soldier.' The Doctor would happily have hugged the grizzled warrior, had he not been so effectively stuck to the chair. 'You couldn't untie me, could you? These ropes are beginning to chafe.'

  The control centre was busy, fully manned and operational for the first time since its installation in one of the larger rooms leading off from the cloisters. There was abuzz of excitement about the place, nervous energy as the grand plan moved into a crucial phase.

  Henk was deep in conversation with Branlo, standing near a flatbed monitor which showed a digital aerial representation of Worcester and the surrounding countryside. Coloured markers indicated the landing areas for five starships, each located at equidistant compass points, far enough from the city to avoid the attention of its inhabitants and each other. Smaller blinking blobs in matching colours indicated the current location of each ship's occupants.

  119

  D O C T OR W H O

  'We've had a transmission from the Calabrian shuttle.' Branlo was reading from his datapad. They had some stability issues when they made planetfall. They want to recalibrate their flight control before leaving their ship, and send apologies for the delay to their arrival.'

  Henk wasn't concerned at this development. 'I was wondering where they'd got to. It's not important. The Calabrians aren't major players anyway. They don't carry the same financial clout as some of our prospective customers. The Octulan delegation, for example

  - I'm expecting big things from them. Besides, all they'll miss will be the drinks and nibbles. What about the others?'

  Branlo checked his list. The Octulan vessel has landed at its designated safe zone. They should be on their way here now. The Vrelt are still complaining about the density of Earth's atmosphere, and the X Imperative are making themselves at home in their quarters. Well, running a sensor sweep to make sure they aren't being bugged, but it seems to make them happy.'

  'And the Siilutrax?'

  'Should be here any second. I sent Gee out to meet them.'

  'Excellent. Which leaves our late-running Calabrians.' Henk pondered. 'Let's hope they make it before nightfall. It would be embarrassing if they fell foul of our very own curfew. Perhaps I should instruct the Sheriff to lower the state of alert. I'm sure his troops would benefit from a night's rest.'

  'Shall I run a final check on the presentation?'

  120

  THE KRIUIT ANE S T O R M

  'No, no. We've run through it often enough. I don't want my performance to seem over-rehearsed. Good work, Branlo. Carry on.'

  As Henk made to leave, his attention was drawn to the security grid.

  A sudden urge took him to check on preparations in the Chapter House.

  Ignoring Archa, who sat sullenly at the terminal controls, doing his utmost to avoid being noticed by his boss, Henk reached in and switched security-cam views.

  The Chapter House was the awe-inspiring venue for the evening's launch, and Henk had to admit that Earth's architects had a flair for grandiose simplicity. The cylindrical building contained just one large, round room, in which his people had constructed an impressive and sumptuous presentation space. At its centre, supporting the shallow conical roof, was a thick, tall pillar, surrounded at its base by a stage. Behind this, filling a substantial proportion of the room, was a glasscrete-fronted containment tank.

  Henk smiled. If his guests weren't hooked in by his well-practised sales pitch, then the contents of that tank would have them reaching for their banker's drafts in no time.

  121

  NINE

  othing moved in the silent woodland. Emily stared at the dead Nwoman, whose body she'd discovered only minutes before but who was now apparently fully recovered and asking for help.

  It had thrown Emily, still confused by the speed with which Henk's men had been killed, the ferocity of the attack. Why had she been spared?

  The realisation immediately hit her that her situation had, if anything, just become a great deal more dangerous.

  Emily blinked away the shock. 'Who are you?' she stammered. It was a lame question, but it was the only thought on her mind.

  The Calabrian smiled gently, and bowed. 'I am Sister Toch'Lu of the Krillitane Horde, though you maybe more

  123

  D O C T OR W H O

  familiar with the name that Henk's servile vagabonds saw fit to give me - Toeclaw.'

  The Doctor had been right about the Krillitanes' ability to disguise their true forms. Emily looked at the calm, friendly woman before her, astonished that this could be the same brutish creature she'd glimpsed through her binocs, feeding on one of its victims. That memory was too potent to forget in a hurry. She would have to tread carefully. There was going to be no easy way out of this.

  'Why would you need my help to kill Henk? From what I've seen, he wouldn't stand a chance against you.'

  'When the time comes, his life will be mine the instant I choose to take it." There was a hint of savagery behind the cultured tones of Toch'Lu, which was not lost on Emily. 'However,' the Krillitane continued, 'one needs to get close enough to one's prey before one can devour it, which is why I need you. Help me, and I shall ensure you do not come to any harm.'

  Emily was well aware that she had no choice in the matter. She nodded. 'I'll help you. As it happens, I need to get back to the city, too. I have a friend there, so maybe we'll be able to help
each other.'

  Toch'Lu smiled, a smile as cold as the wintry mist clinging to the landscape around them, and offered a hand to Emily. She shook it, warily.

  'Good. Good. Unfortunately we have little time. Follow me.'

  Toch'Lu moved off, but Emily remained where she 124

  TH E K R I L L I T A N E S T O R M

  was and nodded in the opposite direction. The city is that way.

  Where are you taking me?"

  'Don't worry, I've eaten.' Toch'Lu stopped, flashing a demonic grin over her shoulder. 'First we must find a suitable disguise for you, which will gain us entry to Henk's stronghold as if we were welcome guests. By a stroke of good fortune I know the very place.

  The Calabrian ship is in this direction. There are uniforms aboard of which the crew no longer has any need.'

  Emily watched as Toch'Lu continued on her way, obviously confident that the girl would follow her. Compared to the fate that had befallen her attackers, Emily realised she was doing well, for the time being at least. Still, it didn't make her feel any less uneasy about her current predicament.

  They marched for a mile or so in silence, Emily keeping her distance from the Krillitane, watching for any sign of betrayal.

  Finally, they arrived in a cleared area of dense woodland which had obviously been prepared as a serviceable landing area for the Calabrian ship.

  Toch'Lu had been honest about one thing — the crew really wouldn't be needing anything any more. A fresh pile of bones near the frigate's main hatch, which Emily did her best to ignore, suggested the Krillitane had already made herself a fine meal from the ship's crew.

  The crew's quarters are through there.' Toch'Lu pointed towards a cabin along the main access corridor. 'Apologies for the mess. One of the crew was particularly evasive.'

  125

  D OC T O R W H O

  Emily stepped gingerly into the cabin, noting the smears of blood trailing across a bulkhead where some poor Calabrian had tried desperately to cling to life. She quickly changed into a close-fitting security guard's coverall. It was ideal: the uniform included a helmet with an opaque visor that would disguise her lack of forehead cartilage, such a prominent feature of the Calabrian race. This disguise was certainly more comfortable than the last one, she thought, adjusting a light but well-equipped Calabrian utility belt to sit better on her hips.

  She was ready. Checking that Toch'Lu couldn't see, Emily took her phase pistol from her parka and hid it beneath the armour padding of her new clothes, close enough to get to quickly if things turned nasty.

  'It was fortuitous I came across you when I did.' The Krillitane's voice echoed through from the flight deck. 'Henk is no doubt expecting a delegation rather than an individual. Questions might have been asked.'

  'Well, let's not keep him waiting,' replied Emily, grimly.

  That's the second time I've been tied up in less than twenty-four hours. Business as usual.' The Doctor stretched, glad to have full use of his limbs once again. 'Nice outfit. Where did you get it?'

  Darke looked down at the cassock that disguised his armour. 'It belonged to our mystery visitor. The dead man we found last night.

  It is a bit bloodstained, but you can't really tell against the black cloth.'

  126

  TH E K R I L L I T A N E S T O R M

  'Wish I hadn't asked.'

  'It served its purpose. I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner, or I would've been able to warn you. At least they haven't killed you.'

  'Always a bonus. How are things outside? Come to think of it, I don't even know what time it is.'

  'Late afternoon, approaching dusk. There are a great many comings and goings.'

  'Really?' asked the Doctor, thoughtfully. Both Henk and Febron had seemed preoccupied, excited even. 'I wonder if today's the big day?'

  Sitting back down in the chair he'd vacated only moments before, the Doctor wheeled over to the computer terminal, sticking on his spectacles as he did so. With a flick of a switch, the screens glared brightly in the darkened room, and the Doctor leaned forward, fascinated. Now he had some idea of context, the myriad of data before him began to make perfect sense.

  Darke, however, was almost overcome by the sudden glimpse of this technological devilry. Uncomfortable, he backed away. 'What is this, Doctor? These symbols that dance, this unnatural light...

  Such things are impossible.'

  'Oh, the impossible is usually just a possible you hadn't thought of before. I knew someone once who tried to do twelve impossible things before breakfast. Always ended up burning his toast. Ah!' the Doctor exclaimed, enthusiastically.

  'What? Are you hurt?' Darke stepped forward, hand 127

  D O C T O R W H O

  on the hilt of his sword, fully expecting the strange metal monster to leap into life and attack.

  'No, no, it's fine.'

  The Doctor pointed at the view he'd called up on one of the screens. One of Henk's monks was welcoming three tall, grey aliens in the nave. Those fellas there are Siilutrax, and unless they just happened to pop by for a cuppa, then they must be here to do business with the Bishop.'

  Thoughtfully, the Doctor worked his way through various other cameras. No wonder Henk had been keen to keep him locked up and out of the way. The Cathedral was buzzing with activity.

  'Interesting. They're pumping the Krillitane Oil out to a small plant in one of the buildings near the river. It's going into barrels. Easy to sell, barrels. But first it's going through some kind of distillation process.' He looked over at the sealed door leading into the crypt. 'In there.'

  Darke followed his gaze. These Krillitanes are the horrors of which you spoke before? The monsters from beyond the stars?'

  'Not really from beyond the stars as such, more various little bunches of stars they've plundered and called their own.'

  Then who are these people who have taken control of the Cathedral?'

  'A different kind of monster. All too common. One fuelled by greed and avarice and profit. So the big question is, which monster do I deal with first, and how?'

  128

  TH E K R I L L I T A N E S T O R M

  The Doctor checked the data streams monitoring the life signs of the imprisoned Krillitanes, this time paying more attention to the finer details. 'Well, I suppose as we're here already, we might as well start with the Krillitanes. They're being fed on a perfectly balanced diet, a mixture of vitamins, proteins and animal fat, via nutrient tubes, but Febron is mixing in a constant flow of sedatives.

  If I alter the dose, then I should be able to revive one of them, get some answers.'

  'Or we could slit their throats while they sleep.' Darke suggested, glancing sideways at the Doctor. 'Killing two birds with one stone. No more monsters.'

  In cold blood? Not my style, Captain. Not my style at all.' With that, the Doctor made his decision, reducing the flow of sedatives to the Krillitane that looked closest to consciousness. The same Krillitane that Febron had been tending to earlier.

  'Prepare yourself, Captain. You're about to meet the Devil's Huntsman in person. All thirteen of them.'

  The dreams folded in upon each other, a mess of sights and sounds, some memories, some imagined, but all so real.

  The Brood Mother, falling away from him, always just out of reach, her head engulfed in flame, screaming, dying. Then the wide, fat visage of Henk, laughing in his face. Broken Wing lashed out, but his arms were no longer there, and Henk dissolved, mutating into Febron, holding some blunt metal object, pushing it into his body.

  129

  D O C T O R WHO

  A roar of anger, mute in his chest. There was nothing he could do.

  Nothing.

  And then there was the unmistakable sound of prey, the cautious footfalls, the scent of an easy kill.

  Darke's sword was in his hand, his senses screaming at him to run, to get away from the nightmare beasts that hung in the half-light all around him. He gripped the hilt of his sword even tighter, ready to defe
nd himself against inevitable attack. They walked slowly through the pillars, towards the alcove where one of the beasts was beginning to stir.

  Broken Wing lifted his head at the sound of approaching footsteps, and the Doctor stopped instantly. The Krillitane blinked weakly at him, not yet fully conscious, but close to it. Close enough to be dangerous.

  'Krillitane. We have a common enemy. The man that holds you and your brothers captive. Henk.'

  The Krillitane let out a terrifying hiss at the name, back arched, striking out with his claws. After a moment it began to weaken, its arms falling back, limply.

  'Are you sure about this, Doctor? This beast. It is the very Devil.'

  Darke whispered. He had lost any faith in a benevolent God many battles ago, but had never discounted the existence of the Lord's opposite number. He had never thought he might encounter the Devil face to face, however.

  'Quite sure.' The Doctor stepped closer towards the 130

  TH E K R I L L I T A N E S T O R M

  injured alien, examining a trail of wounds seared across its body, the scar betraying a surgical procedure having taken place at the nape of its neck.

  The Doctor carefully tested the area with his fingertips, feeling a solid lump that suggested an implant of some kind had been grafted to the Krillitane's cerebral cortex.

  They really have worked a number on you, haven't they?' he said softly, crouching down to make eye contact. 'What happened?'

  An orange eye rolled from Darke to the Doctor, and Broken Wing spoke, his voice pained and cracked. 'What business is it of yours? This is a matter for the Brood. They killed her. They killed the Brood Mother, and we shall have our vengeance.' His voice cracked as his body convulsed into a fit of coughing, and he was visibly weaker when the spasms eventually subsided.

  The Doctor glanced at the remote panel linked to Broken Claw's cell nearby, and expertly adjusted a few settings. 'I'm increasing the pain-relief dosage. It should help. I met your Brood Mother, and she was very much alive. There's a good chance she still could be.'