Part 14 (1/2)

11.

Counterattack Turlough and Preston emerged from the ventilation system into one of the Sea Base's innumerable corridors. It was empty except for the sprawled bodies of a couple of Sea Base guards.

Preston looked around, getting her bearings. 'This way.'

She picked up one of the dead guards' blasters.

s.n.a.t.c.hing up the other guards' blaster, Turlough followed her.

Sauvix strode angrily onto the Bridge. 'The prison room is empty, Icthar. The primitives have escaped.'

'How is this possible, Sauvix? Explain.'

Sauvix was looking around the Bridge. 'Where is the Doctor?'

The Doctor was nowhere to be seen.

Icthar turned threateningly on Vorshak. 'Commander?

Where is he?'

'I've no idea.'

Icthar moved over to the computer bay and opened the door. Sauvix followed him. They looked around the room, and registered the gaping entrance to the ventilation shaft.

'Find them, Sauvix,' hissed Icthar furiously. 'Find the Doctor, find the escaped primitives and kill them!'

As they hurried along the corridor, Turlough and Lieutenant Preston heard the crackle of blaster-fire.

'They must be mopping up survivors,' muttered Turlough.

'Those survivors could be your friends. Shouldn't we try to help them?'

They moved towards the sound of fire.

Not far away, the Doctor, Tegan and Bulic were also emerging from the ventilation system into a corridor.

The Doctor was the last to climb down and Tegan reached up to help him. 'Hurry, Doctor!'

Suddenly there was a whining sound. A nearby lift door slid open and two Sea Devils emerged. Raising their weapons they stalked towards the helpless Doctor and his companion.

Then Turlough and Lieutenant Preston appeared around the far corner, behind behind the Sea Devils. They raised their weapons and took aim. 'Remember,' whispered Turlough, 'Aim for the head. We won't get a second chance.' the Sea Devils. They raised their weapons and took aim. 'Remember,' whispered Turlough, 'Aim for the head. We won't get a second chance.'

Taking careful aim both fired almost simultaneously and both Sea Devils fell.

Once again there was a hurried exchange of greetings.

Tegan looked suspiciously at Turlough. 'What are you doing here?'

'You didn't really think I'd leave you to go it alone, did you?'

Tegan was far from convinced. But Turlough's presence pointed to some kind of change of heart. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. 'It never crossed my mind!'

'Where are you making for, Doctor?' asked Lieutenant Preston.

'The chemical store.

'This way,' said Bulic, and the combined party set off.

Vorshak watched his Silurian captors intently, still hoping to find some way to frustrate their plans.

At the very least, he could make a last desperate attempt to wreck the command console. It probably wouldn't succeed, but he'd be doing something...

The complex piece of Silurian equipment was linked to the computer now, gently throbbing with energy.

'Is the computer fully operational?' asked Icthar.

The Silurian called Tarpok said. 'It is restored and tested.'

'Excellent. Then align the Manipulator to the computer.'

Tarpok began working busily at the console. Vorshak poised himself to attack. There was very little time left.

Moving swiftly down the corridors, hiding from occasional Sea Devil patrols, the Doctor and his companions reached the chemical stores at last.

The Doctor looked round the room. 'Watch the door, Turlough.' He began examining the labels on the stacked chemical cylinders piled high all around them.

'What are you looking for?' asked Tegan.

The Doctor tapped one of the cylinders. 'This stuff here is Hexachromite it's a deadly poison to reptiles.'

'Then isn't that what you want?'

'I want an alternative, if I can find one. Something less lethal that will do the job just as well.'

As the Doctor continued his search, Bulic asked. 'Do you know what the Silurians are planning, Doctor?'

'Oh yes, they were very forthcoming, all in all. They intend to launch your proton missiles and trigger off the war to end all wars. A war between you humans, that is.

When it's all over, the Silurians will emerge to rule the Earth.'

'Look out, Doctor!' called Turlough. 'Sea Devils!'