Doctor Who - [083] - [Target Novel 09] -The Android Invasion Read online

  She awoke to find the Doctor looking down at her. "Time to wake up, Sarah, we're on our way."

  Slowly and painfully, Sarah sat up. Every inch of her body seemed to be bruised. "I must have blocked out."

  "The G-force cut the blood supply to what you humans laughingly refer to as your higher centers."

  Sarah groaned and climbed out of the shell. "I hate sarcasm, especially when I'm dying. I feel as if I've been put through a mangle."

  "Never mind," said the Doctor cheerfully. "That was a gentle massage compared to what's ahead."

  "Don't tell me," implored Sarah. "I don't want to know."

  "Of course you do," said the Doctor cheerfully. "Now listen carefully. Just before Crayford brings his ship into re-entry orbit, these containers will be shot out through those cargo-shuttle ejectors like seeds from a lemon—and we'll be in them."

  "Oh will we? Why?"

  "Because the space-shells will reach Earth before the ship—and there's no other way we can get a warning to the Space Research Center—the real one, I mean."

  "And what do we use for air?"

  The Doctor was examining a couple of tiny rocket-vents set into the side of one of the shells. "There'll be enough air in the containers to last the few minutes in space. I'm more concerned about the efficiency of the retro-tubes."

  "You mean they might not work?" asked Sarah nervously. The more she heard about this scheme, the more risky it sounded.

  "Oh, I imagine they'll work all right—enough for androids to survive impact. Kraal technology is pretty reliable on the whole. But we may be in for a nasty jolt as we come down."

  "I see," said Sarah, summing up. "So, providing we don't burn up on re-entry, and aren't suffocated on the way down, well probably be smashed to bits when we land?"

  The Doctor said solemnly, "You've put your finger on the one tiny flaw in our plan."

  "Our plan? This is your plan, Doctor!"

  "Well, if you've got any better ideas, I'm open to suggestions."

  Sarah thought hard for a moment, then shook her head. "How long before all this starts?"

  The Doctor's face was grave. "Quite soon, Tin afraid, Sarah. The Kraals must be beaming us through the space-time warp now. We'll soon be close to Earth."

  * * *

  In the scanner room of the Space Research Center (the real Space Research Center, not the now-exploded Kraal reconstruction) there was an air of scarcely-suppressed excitement. Technicians sat hunched over their instrument panels, each wanting to be the one to spot the returning spaceman. One of them, a girl called Tessa, was peering excitedly at a shadowy, hardly-visible spot on her scanner-screen. Was it a genuine sighting, or just a ghost-signal? At last she could keep silent no longer. "I think I've got him, sir. Bearing one four three."

  Almost immediately another technician said, "Contact confirmed, bearing one four three." There was a babble of relief and excitement.

  Grierson, the burly chief technician, said, "Well done, Tessa." He leaned forward to his communicator-mike. "Colonel Faraday? This is the scanner room. We've picked up Crayford's ship. Yes, sir, absolutely on schedule."

  * * *

  Harry Sullivan and Benton (the real Harry Sullivan and Benton) walked along the corridor of the Space Research Center deep in conversation. They'd followed Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart there on his temporary assignment as head of station security, and had been left behind when some crisis in the affairs of UNIT whipped the Brigadier off to Geneva. Now they were with Colonel Faraday, his replacement, a likable enough old chap, but, in Harry's view, a bit of a fusspot

  "I don't like it, sir," Benton was saying. "The TARDIS turns up in the woods by itself, but no Doctor! And where's Miss Smith?" Benton was fond of Sarah, and took a protective interest in her.

  Harry shrugged. He hadn't known the Doctor as long as Benton—but long enough to feel that nothing the Doctor did could surprise him any more.

  Worriedly Benton went on, "We've searched the area for them and made inquiries in the village. Not a sign of 'em. Suppose they're in some kind of trouble?"

  "You're a pessimist, Mr. Benton," said Harry cheerfully, "The Doctor can look after himself. Besides, what could possibly happen to him in Devesham Wood?"

  Benton shook his head. "I don't know. It's just I've never known him to leave the TARDIS with the key in it before."

  As they were passing one of the side-entrances a portly self-important figure in army uniform shot through the doorway and bumped into them. "Ah, there you are, you two. Crayford's just been picked up on the scanners. Come along, men." Faraday hurried away, and the other two followed.

  Benton was still worrying. He was glad they'd got their lost astronaut back all right. But what had happened to the Doctor and Sarah?

  They followed Faraday into the scanner room and Grierson hurried forward. "There's Crayford's ship, sir, on the master scanner."

  Faraday studied the little blip on the giant screen. "Fantastic. This is a moment that will go down in history, Grierson."

  "That it is, sir."

  "A two-year journey, eh? He's been farther out into space than any other human being."

  "We're trying to raise him on audio now, sir."

  A technician was leaning over the long-range communicator. "Hullo XK5, Hullo XK5, this is Devesham Control calling XK5, do you read?"

  There was a moment's tense silence, then a voice crackled weakly from the loud speaker. "Hello, Devesham Control, this is XK5, I'm receiving you."

  Grierson indicated the speaker-mike to Faraday. "Sir, would you care to say something?"

  Faraday leaned forward and sputtered, "Hullo, Crayford! This is Colonel Faraday. What can I possibly say at a time like this except... welcome home!"

  "Thank you, sir, Earth certainly looks good. I've had some problems with..." There was a crackle of static and the voice faded away.

  Before Faraday could answer Tessa called excitedly, "Look, sir, on the scanner!"

  A tiny cluster of dots was rushing through space. Faraday turned to Grierson. "Is that him? Has he started re-entry?"

  It was Tessa who answered. "Not yet, sir. Something else is coming in the same flight-path."

  "Something else?" demanded Faraday irritably. "What? What is it, Tessa?"

  "Difficult to say, sir. Could be a fireball, or a shower of meteorites. Whatever they are, they're heading straight for Earth."

  Hero's Return

  The XK5 was on its way down to Earth now— and the modifications built in by the Kraal technicians were coming into effect. In the leading bay the space shells slid one by one across the racks and towards the launching tubes. Two more jolted towards the exit point. Sarah lay in one, the Doctor in the other.

  Sarah clenched her teeth in an effort not to scream as she felt her canister slide towards the launch tube. There was a rumble, a jolt, and she felt herself dropping into endless space...

  The Doctor lay in his canister, stretched out calm and relaxed. At least it was a novel way to travel, he thought. The space-shell trundled along the tracks into the tube. Seconds later the Doctor too was hurtling down towards Earth.

  * * *

  In the scanner room the freak meteor shower was still baffling Grierson. "They're down to seventeen thousand now, sir."

  "Never mind the wretched meteorites," bellowed Faraday. "Have you still got a fix on the ship?"

  "She's just hit the upper atmosphere, sir," said Grierson soothingly. "Looks as if she's on a perfect re-entry path. Don't worry, sir, he'll be back in the mess in time for breakfast."

  "Oh no he won't," growled Faraday. "Not after two years in unknown space. That's why I'm here. Hell go straight into quarantine, him and his ship."

  Benton edged closer to Tessa, who was still studying the meteor swarm. "Don't they usually burn up before they hit Earth?"

  She nodded. "This lot aren't going to though. There's something funny about them."

  "What do you mean—funny?"

  "Well, I'd swear they're sl
owing down—and that's impossible!"

  * * *

  Like a flock of strange birds the space-shells hissed down over Devesham woods. Most dropped in or near the quarry, others overshot and crashed down amongst the trees.

  Before long a number of shells lay scattered at the edge of the quarry. One of them rocked and sprang open, and the Doctor clambered stiffly out, looking around him. There was no telling which of the other space shells held Sarah, and if he started opening them at random he might have to cope with the attack of some re-activated android. Sarah would have to make her own way to safety.

  The Doctor turned and hurried through the woods. Ah1 round him was the whistle and thump of the descending space shells.

  * * *

  Inside the control room, the atmosphere of excitement returned. Things were entering the last, most dangerous phase now, the landing itself. The ship was to be brought down to a "hard" landing on the little rocket-field that adjoined the Space Research Center. A single mistake and the returning astronaut would be dashed to pieces against the planet he had waited so long to reach. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the master scanner. Re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere was the trickiest time. A failure in the heat shielding and the ship could flare into nothingness like a meteor. Suddenly, Grierson snapped, "That's it, sir. He's made it. He's through!"

  A voice came through the speaker. "XK5 to Control. This is XK5 calling Control."

  Grierson leaned over the mike. "Devesham Control to XK5. We're locking on."

  "Roger, Devesham, I copy."

  Grierson's voice was calm and level. He might have been carrying out the simplest of test routines. "Ignition minus thirty seconds. On my mark, mark."

  Crayford's voice came back equally relaxed. "Mark thirty, Devesham. ACS reading, four hundred plus one."

  "Ten seconds to ignition."

  There was a long, tense pause. Then, "I have ignition, Devesham. Commencing descent."

  A technician's voice began droning out the instrument readings. "Altitude forty thousand meters... thirty nine... thirty eight thousand... Descent velocity six-fifty meters per second..."

  Faraday turned to Harry Sullivan. "He'll be landing in just a few seconds, Sullivan, I'll want you to give him the preliminary check-up. Got everything you need?"

  Harry held up the traditional black bag. "The tools of the trade are all in here, sir."

  "Goodman..."

  Grierson said, "You're looking good, Commander Crayford."

  "Things look good to me too. Got the champagne on ice, have you?"

  "Ready and waiting." Grierson's voice became formal again. "You are cleared for landing, XK5."

  "Roger, Devesham. Beginning final descent now."

  The technician began reading off more figures. "Coming down at five hundred meters... four hundred... two-fifty... two hundred. Slight drift to the right..."

  "Correcting now," snapped Grierson.

  Then Crayford's voice. "Descent completed. Engine command override off. Engine arm off... That's it, gentlemen. Open up the bubbly." An excited babble of congratulations filled the control room. Grierson's voice cut through the chatter as he turned to Faraday. "The XK5 has landed, sir." He smiled for the first time.

  "Now it's over to you—and I can't say I'm sorry!

  Faraday slapped him on the back. "Well done, my dear fellow. Well done! Come on, Sullivan, well go on board straight away."

  Faraday bustled Harry out of the room, and Grierson said, "Commander Crayford? Colonel Faraday and the Medical Officer are on their way up to you now."

  * * *

  On the flight deck of his rocket, Crayford was stretching in his chair. "Thanks Control, I'll be waiting. Don't forget that champagne!"

  He glanced up at Styggron, who stood waiting behind his chair. The Kraal scientist smiled. "Good Crayford. As you say, we shall be waiting."

  * * *

  The Doctor hurried up to the main entrance to the Space Research Center, hoping that none of the androids had arrived before him. The precise arrival point of the shells was a matter of pure chance, and if some had landed very close to the Center... This time everything was as it should be. There were armed sentries at the gate, and Corporal Adams came hurrying out to meet him. "Can you tell me where I can find Colonel Faraday?" demanded the Doctor.

  "I think he's in the scanner room, sir." The Doctor made to go inside, and Corporal Adams said firmly, "Excuse me, sir, I'll need to see your pass."

  The Doctor fished through a number of pockets and finally managed to produce the special pass the Brigadier had given him. It was lucky he still had the thing. He hated identification papers and passes, and usually managed to lose them.

  Adams checked the pass carefully. "Very good, sir. You can go ahead."

  'Thank you." The Doctor set off for the main steps and then turned back. "Do you know who lam?"

  "Yes, sir, Scientific Adviser, aren't you? You came here once with Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart."

  "That's right. Now, listen carefully. Is this the first time you've seen me today?"

  "What's that, sir?"

  "It's a simple enough question, surely. Is this the first time I've been in here today?"

  "Yes sir," said Adams woodenly.

  The Doctor nodded, satisfied. "Good, now if you should see me again today, I want you to report it to me immediately. I'll be with Colonel Faraday." The Doctor disappeared inside the building.

  Adams stared after him. Talk about your mad scientists .

  * * *

  In the scanner room everything was winding down. Technicians were sipping machine-made coffee and discussing the recent landing. In the corner, Benton was busy with a personal telephone call. "Okay, then," he was saying, "eight o'clock outside the Chinese takeout. And don't be late."

  "You've got her well-trained," said Grierson cheerfully.

  Benton looked embarrassed. "It's my kid sister. She's coming down to see me this evening. I promised to take her to the village dance." He broke off in astonishment as the Doctor sailed into the room. "Doctor, where on earth have you been?"

  The Doctor grinned and shook Him by the hand. "Not on Earth at all, actually."

  "You realize we've had search-parties out for you—" began Benton indignantly.

  The Doctor interrupted him. "Where's Colonel Faraday?"

  "Gone over to the rocket with Mr. Sullivan. You know Commander Crayford's just landed, Doctor?"

  "I do indeed," said the Doctor grimly. "Now listen, we've got to stop them." He turned to Grierson who had been looking on in amazement. "Call them back."

  Grierson was shocked. "I can't do that, Doctor. The Colonel would be furious..."

  The Doctor looked ready to explode and Benton said warningly, "Better do as the Doctor says, sir. He usually knows what he's doing. I'll take the responsibility."

  "Very well, if you're sure." Grierson went to the microphone. "Hullo, Devesham Control to rocket field. Is Colonel Faraday there?"

  A voice said, "He's in the rocket elevator with Doctor Sullivan."

  Grierson adjusted a monitor screen, and tapped the Doctor's arm. Tin afraid you're too late, Doctor. Look!"

  On the screen they could see Crayford's XK5 rocket standing in the middle of the little field. A support gantry had been wheeled in place around it, and they could see the tiny cabin of the elevator by the rocket entrance.

  The Doctor pushed Grierson aside. "You at the rocket field! Is there a communication set up in that elevator?"

  "Why, yes sir, but..."

  "Then patch me through to them—now!"

  Such was the authority in the Doctor's voice that the man obeyed without question. There was a crackle and a voice said, "You're through to the elevator now, sir."

  "Hullo! Harry Sullivan!" said the Doctor urgently. "Harry, can you hear me?"

  Harry's astonished voice said, "Doctor! Is that you?"

  "Yes it is! Don't get into that rocket!"

  They heard another voice in the background, "I do
n't understand? What's going on, Sullivan?''

  "Just trust me, Colonel Faraday," shouted the Doctor. "If you go into that rocket you'll be in the most terrible danger—and so will the rest of the planet!"

  Takeover

  For a moment nothing came from the other end but an astonished silence. Then they heard the nimble of Colonel Faraday's voice. "I don't understand, Sullivan. What's the matter with this chap? He must be insane!"

  There was a soothing mumble from Harry Sullivan, more spluttered expostulations from Faraday. Then they heard Harry say, "Really sir, I think we'd better do as the Doctor says. We can always come back after we've found out what's worrying him. After all, Commander Crayford's already waited two years. He won't be worried about a minute or two longer!"

  To the Doctor's relief he heard Faraday mumble, "Oh very well then."

  "Bring that elevator down now, Harry," said the Doctor. "I'll explain the whole thing when you get back here."

  He heard Faraday's voice "Very well, Doctor, well do as you say. But your explanation had better be a good one."

  Grierson pointed to the monitor. "Look, the elevator's started down again, Doctor."

  The Doctor gave a sigh of relief. Perhaps he'd arrived in time after all.

  A technician popped his head into the scanner room. "Mr. Benton, there's a call for you. Could you take it on the corridor phone?"

  Benton groaned. Probably his sister, saying she'd missed her train. "Shan't be a minute," he said apologetically, and slipped out of the room.

  The Doctor was studying the main control console. "Tell me, Mr. Grierson, does this console here control the angle of your radar dish?"

  Grierson looked suspiciously at him. "Yes, it does, Doctor—why do you ask?"

  "I've got a little scheme, Mr. Grierson—and I shall need your help."

  * * *

  Corporal Adams came along the corridor, just relieved from gate duty, his mind full of ham and eggs in the canteen. He turned a corner and saw someone in the corridor kneeling by a slumped body... Mr. Benton's body! He raised his gun to cover the kneeling figure. "What's going on here?"

  The kneeling man turned and looked up at him and Adams gave a gasp of astonishment. The soldier leaning over Benton, was Benton... He opened his mouth to shout an alarm, and a savage blow struck him down from behind. The android technician caught the falling body and laid it down beside the body of the real Benton. The android Benton got to its feet, and gave a nod of satisfaction. "Good. Have them taken away. I shall go and dismiss the sentries at the main gate." It turned and headed for the entrance hall.