Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom (6 page)

At the far end, seated in a throne-like chair, sat an immaculately dressed man wearing black gloves. Not for the first time in his life the Doctor sensed he was in the presence of danger and evil.

The figure rose as the two captives were pushed forward. ‘So, the meddling Doctor.’ The Doctor felt the man’s powerful gaze sweep over him. ‘You lead a charmed life. Not even a touch of frostbite.’

The Doctor eyed his opponent with undisguised contempt. ‘Are you behind this whole murderous exercise?’

Ignoring the Doctor’s challenge the man turned to Sarah. ‘And Miss Smith—still beautifully intact, I see.’ He leered at her.

‘No thanks to your friend over there,’ retorted Sarah, indicating Scorby.

‘Hand over the pod, Chase,’ commanded the Doctor in a voice of steel. ‘You’re tampering with things you don’t understand.’

Chase gave a chuckle. ‘Hand it over? After all the trouble I’ve taken to acquire it? No, Doctor. My pod, when it finally flowers, will be the crowning glory of a life’s work.’ The voice grew shrill and excited. ‘Perhaps you didn’t know, Doctor, that I have assembled in this house the greatest collection of rare plants in the world.’

‘Yes, I’ve noticed a bit of greenfly here and there.’

Chase’s expression turned sour. ‘Your envy, Doctor, is understandable. However, since I propose to have you both executed...’

Sarah gasped incredulously. ‘You’re not going to kill us?’

‘My dear Miss Smith, you leave me no option.’ The voice regained its smooth, feline purr. ‘You and the Doctor keep interfering... As I was saying, however, you will be granted a unique privilege before you die.’

‘How generous,’ remarked the Doctor with heavy sarcasm.

Chase smiled coldly. ‘The last thing you will ever see will be my beautiful collection of plants. Come this way.’ He crossed to a side door.

‘I’ve heard of flower power but this is ridiculous,’ muttered Sarah under her breath.

A dig in the ribs from Scorby’s gun put an end to further conversation, and she and the Doctor were propelled out of the room.

They were led to another part of the house, into what looked like a large laboratory. Various experiments seemed to be in progress, supervised by white-coated technicians. Plants were being nourished by drips, like hospital patients, or supported on strange metal structures suspended from the ceiling. Chase ushered them in with mock politeness and pointed to a flower the Doctor had never seen before. ‘This is the famous Shanghai Saffron. It... er... defected from the East last spring.’

The Doctor remained unimpressed. ‘Are we going much further?’ he said. ‘I do so hate guided tours.’

Chase moved on, unheeding. ‘Here we treat our green friends as patients. If they are puny, we build them up; if they are sick, we give them succour.’ He paused by a row of plants which faced a battery of flashing blue bulbs.

‘These must feel they’re in a disco,’ quipped Sarah.

Chase smiled. ‘You’ve heard of the theory that irregular light patterns can effect the senses of so-called mindless things?’

The Doctor nodded. ‘Yes, like Scorby here. Incidentally, where’s his friend?’

‘Keeler is engaged in important isolated research.’

‘On the pod?’

‘But of course.’

They continued towards a pair of large metallic doors, engraved with swirling designs in the shape of flowers. Chase swung them open with a flourish.

The sight which met their eyes made Sarah gasp with astonishment and even the Doctor raised an eyebrow in surprise. Before them lay a vast expanse of luxuriant foliage. It spread out in all directions so that it was impossible to tell where the forest of green ended and the walls and ceiling began. As his two prisoners eyed the vivid tangle of plants and creepers, Chase strode to a gleaming metal box set into the stone wall and fiddled with some knobs. Immediately the air was filled with an eerie, discordant sound.

‘The song of the plants,’ cried Chase. ‘I composed it myself. People say you should talk to plants. I believe that, just as I believe they also like music.’

‘Doctor, we must get out of here,’ whispered Sarah in desperation.

‘Yes, the music is terrible.’ The Doctor grinned at her. Sarah grimaced. This was no time for jokes. She scanned the room for possible exits, but apart from a long iron catwalk which led into the thick of the creepers, there was nothing.

Suddenly an agitated figure, obviously the butler, burst into the room behind them. ‘Mr Chase!’ he called.

The music stopped abruptly. ‘What is it, Hargreaves?’

‘It’s Mr Keeler—something is happening to that thing, sir. He wants you to go to the Special Projects room straight away.’

Chase turned to Scorby. ‘Take them out,’ he pointed at the Doctor and Sarah. ‘I’ll join you in a moment. I’m sure our two friends won’t mind a slight delay before they die.’ He swept towards the door.

The Doctor shouted after him. ‘You’re insane, Chase! You don’t know what a terrible thing you are unleashing!’

Chase gave a sinister smile, but said nothing. An instant later he was gone.

Scorby immediately took command. He dismissed the remaining guards, then propelled the Doctor and Sarah out of the room at gunpoint. As they passed through seemingly endless stone corridors, the Doctor reflected dismally on their plight. They had fallen into the clutches of a madman—without doubt—and despite warnings, he was evidently conducting his own experiments on the pod. It was imperative to get to the pod and prevent any further risk. But how? They were being led to their deaths this very instant.

By now they had left the house and were being marched through the overgrown gardens. ‘Where are you taking us, Scorby?’ asked the Doctor.

‘Don’t worry, it’s strictly a one-way journey,’ came the chilling reply.

Ahead lay the same arched wall which had concealed them less than an hour beforehand. Imperceptibly the Doctor quickened his pace. Sarah was a fraction behind and a little to his right. Scorby followed, covering them with his gun.

As he drew level with the nearest arch the Doctor took a sudden step to his left, thus putting solid masonry between himself and the gun. Taken unawares Scorby let out a cry and raised his arm to fire. But the fleeting figure of the Doctor dodged about the arches without presenting a clear target. In the split second that Scorby’s attention was diverted, Sarah seized her chance and leapt on his arm like a tigress. As Scorby struggled to shake himself free the Doctor darted in and sent the gun flying with a skilled, mule-like kick. Scorby wrenched himself clear of Sarah and lunged at the Doctor. The Doctor side-stepped, grabbed his head in a Venusian neck lock, and gave it a short, sharp twist. There was a nasty click and Scorby sank to the ground.

‘Time to leave,’ said the Doctor calmly, but Sarah needed no bidding this time, and the two of them hared off towards the undergrowth.

Once they had gained cover the Doctor paused. ‘We can’t handle this on our own,’ he said. ‘Sir Colin must be warned about the danger.’

‘Right, so let’s get out and phone him,’ responded Sarah urgently.

‘
You
are going to phone him,’ ordered the Doctor. ‘I’m staying here.’

Sarah began to argue but the Doctor cut her off. ‘I must get a look at that pod... see what state it’s in.’ He tore off the chauffeur’s clothes. ‘Come on, the outer wall can’t be far.’

Pistol shots could now be heard and the distant barking of guard dogs. The Doctor led Sarah stealthily through the undergrowth like an Indian brave until, finally, they reached the high wall which skirted the perimeter of the grounds. Luckily the barbed wire had come away in places and there was just enough room for Sarah to squeeze through.

‘Fancy a little mountaineering?’ said the Doctor and hoisted Sarah on to his shoulders. The gun shots and barking were growing nearer. With difficulty, Sarah heaved herself to the top of the wall. There was a fifteen-foot drop on the other side.

‘All right?’ whispered the Doctor.

‘I think so.’ She took a deep breath and let go.

The Doctor heard her land heavily. ‘The main road should be straight ahead. Good luck.’

‘And to you.’

The Doctor waited until he was sure Sarah was on her way, then quickly retraced his steps towards the house.

Sarah pressed on towards the main road. She could hear the odd car passing and this kept her on a straight course. Although she was out of the grounds there was still a large stretch of woodland between herself and safety.

Suddenly, she froze like a statue. A twig had snapped near by. In front of her was a dense thicket. She scanned every branch and leaf for sign of movement. There was another, fluttering sound, then a blackbird flew out of a bush. Sarah let go her breath with relief and continued forward.

The next thing she knew a large hairy hand was clamped over her mouth and a voice from behind said, ‘Make a sound, little girl, and you’re dead.’

In the Special Projects room Chase was crouched inches away from the pod, as if in a trance. ‘It’s growing! It’s alive!’ he murmured, his eyes wide with rapture.

‘I shouldn’t get too close,’ warned Keeler. ‘From what happened at the Camp base, the germination could be spontaneous. It’s alien, don’t forget.’

Chase continued to stare spellbound at the pod. It was larger now, more bloated looking, and several cracks had begun to appear on the surface.

Suddenly Chase snapped out of his reverie. ‘Inject more fixed nitrogen!’ he ordered.

Keeler hesitated. ‘I don’t think that would be wise.’

Chase glared at him. ‘I pay you, Keeler, so that
I
can make the decisions. Now, inject another fifteen grammes!’

Keeler nodded nervously and carried out the order.

The Doctor halted and peered through a clump of bushes towards the house. So far so good. He had performed a detour and calculated correctly that it would bring him out at the rear of the building. Apart from one guard posted on a corner he had a free run to some stone steps leading down to a basement door. Once in the house he then had to find the Special Projects room. He had a hunch it might be on the top floor where there would be plenty of light and more privacy.

He waited. The guard was still facing towards him. After a few moments the guard took out a walkie-talkie receiver and put it to his ear. From his reaction the Doctor guessed he was receiving orders, perhaps news of their escape. The guard pocketed the receiver, took a quick glance round then ran off down the side of the house. The Doctor seized his opportunity and belted towards the steps. The door opened easily and he entered.

He was in a long, dark passage with a flag-stone floor. At the far end was a narrow staircase, originally for the servants’ use, but probably still a good route to the top of the house. Cautiously, he traversed the passage and started up the stairs.

‘I don’t like it. It’s like waiting for a bomb to explode.’ Keeler rubbed his hands together in agitation and paced the room.

‘Where’s your enthusiasm, Keeler?’ crowed Chase gleefully. ‘This promises to be the high point of your career—a moment of history!’

Chase’s triumphant mood was abruptly shattered as Scorby burst in, dragging Sarah behind him.

‘I thought you had them safely locked up?’ he hissed.

‘They escaped,’ replied Scorby sheepishly. ‘A guard found this one in the woods beyond the wall. The Doctor’s still at large.’

Chase crossed to Sarah and grabbed her savagely beneath the chin. ‘Where is he?’ he demanded.

Sarah stared defiantly back at him. ‘I don’t know, and if I did I wouldn’t tell you.’

‘How uncooperative. However, I’ve just had an idea. You’re going to help with my experiment. Re-move her coat.’

Scorby quickly tore Sarah’s coat from her shoulders. ‘What are we going to do, boss?’

Chase dragged Sarah over to the bench. ‘Miss Smith will be our subject... like so. Get some clamps!’ He forced Sarah’s arm on to the bench. Sarah let out a gasp of horror as she caught sight of the pod.

‘You can’t! It’s inhuman!’ protested Keeler.

‘I don’t care,’ cried Chase. ‘I must see what happens when the Krynoid touches human flesh!’

Sarah struggled desperately as they clamped her arm to the bench. Already the pod was beginning to throb and split in places. Chase stood gloating at the sight, like a fiend possessed.

The Doctor reached the top of the stairs. It was dark and dusty, and there was very little headroom. Through the gloom he could just make out a door down a narrow passage. He clambered along and tried the knob. The door opened to reveal an attic with a second door which led on to the roof of the house. He crawled out. To his left was a large section made of glass. He edged towards it and peered through.

The sight which met him made his blood run cold. Twenty feet below in the room, Sarah was imprisoned in a chair, with one arm clamped to a wooden bench. Less than twelve inches away lay the pod, hideously swollen and vibrating menacingly. Even as the Doctor looked it began to break open.

The Doctor launched himself through the glass roof in a spectacular dive, landing feet first on the bench. It snapped instantly beneath his weight, spewing plants, instruments and broken glass in all directions. Before anyone had time to react, the Doctor hurled Scorby to the ground, grabbed his gun and yanked Sarah clear of the pod.

‘Untie her!’ he yelled fiercely. Keeler started to release Sarah.

Chase, his hands held high, watched in cool amusement. ‘What do you do for an encore, Doctor?’ he asked.

The Doctor levelled the gun at Chase. ‘I win,’ he smiled. ‘Come on, Sarah.’

Sarah followed the Doctor to the door. He pushed her outside, followed then quickly slammed the door and locked it behind them.