Part 11 (2/2)

Jamie nodded. The Colonel flung open the surface door and immediately staggered back. The doorway was filled with a glowing, pulsating ma.s.s. The Web had reached the upper level. It started to ooze through the open door and down the stairs.

Jamie leaped forward and helped the Colonel. They heaved desperately on the door but the pressure of the Web was too great. Slowly the. door was forced back.

'Secondary fire door, just along the corridor,' gasped the Colonel. 'Go and unhitch it Jamie. I'll hold on here.'

The heavy metal fire door lay folded back against the wall. It was rusty with disuse and Jamie had a terrific struggle to get it in position. He managed it at last and yelled, 'I've got it! Come on, Colonel!'

Abandoning his struggle with the upper door, Lethbridge-Stewart sprinted down the stairs, the Web rolling slowly after him. He leaped through the half-open fire door, then he and Jamie slammed it shut, securing it with heavy metal bolts. 'The stuff's moving pretty slowly,' gasped the Colonel. 'And even when it gets here this ought to hold it for a while.'

'Aye,' said Jamie drily. 'I hope it does.'

Unaware of the approaching danger, Anne Travers and the Doctor were working busily.

The Doctor had rea.s.sembled the sphere and stood looking thoughtfully at it as it lay before him on the bench.

'Now if this thing is functioning, it ought to be picking up the signals of the Intelligence. So why doesn't it move?'

The Doctor glared at the sphere which remained obstinately still. 'Move, you stupid thing!' shouted the Doctor, slamming his fist down on the bench in childish rage. Immediately the sphere bleeped faintly, and started to roll along the bench.

The Doctor fielded it neatly as it floated off the edge. 'Hah!

Success!' he shouted. 'How are you getting on, Anne?'

'Nearly done. Sony to be so long, but it's a fiddly job.'

'I'll come and give you a hand,' the Doctor promised.

But instead he went on playing with the sphere, exactly like a child with a new toy. He put it on the ground and watched delightedly as it rolled towards the door. The door opened suddenly, and the Doctor had to dive for the sphere as it made a sudden dart to escape.

Lethbridge-Stewart looked down at him as he lay stretched out full length, the sphere in his hand, like a cricketer pulling off a spectacular catch. 'What are you doing, Doctor?'

Unabashed the Doctor scrambled to his feet. 'I've managed to get the sphere working again.'

'Och, never mind that,' said Jamie. 'We tried to get out by the surface door and...' He told them what had happened.

The Doctor nodded. 'So we can only go the way the Intelligence allows us to go-through the tunnels.' The Colonel looked at the sphere. The Doctor had put it back on the bench and it was making repeated attempts to roll towards the door, only to be stopped by the Doctor each time.

'Just how is this thing going to help us, Doctor?'

'Well it isn't,' said the Doctor, 'not in itself. But it will help us to test Professor Travers's control unit.'

Jamie was unimpressed. 'Och, is that all? You're not getting on very fast, Doctor.'

Lethbridge-Stewart cleared his throat. 'Must say I agree.'

Anne Travers and the Doctor had been working frantically, and Anne felt that the reanimation of the sphere was a considerable achievement. 'Perhaps we'd get on quicker if you left as alone,' she flared.

Jamie and the Colonel gave each other looks of mutual sympathy, and retreated in dignified silence, As they walked along the corridor, Lethbridge-Stewart said, 'Seems as if it's up to as, Jamie. Since we can't go overground, we'll have to risk the tunnels.' They turned into the Operations Room to find Evans hiding behind the door. He jumped out nervously, covering them with his rifle. The Colonel glared at him. 'What do you think you're playing at, Private Evans?'

'Been working it out, sir. I know I'm I'm not working for the Intelligence-so it must be one of you two.' not working for the Intelligence-so it must be one of you two.'

'Och no, it was yon bloke Chorley,' said Jamie. 'I said so all along.'

Lethbridge-Stewart brushed aside Evans's wavering rifle. 'Put that gun down, Evans, and listen to me. Jamie and I are going into the tunnels. You will remain here. You'd better guard the Doctor in the laboratory.'

'Sooner stay here, sir, if you don't mind. Er-better strategic position, see? I can watch the corridor.'

'Very well, carry on. Come along, Jamie.'

On the platform at Piccadilly Circus a strangely motionless group stood like pa.s.sengers waiting for a train. In the middle stood Victoria, gripped firmly by Travers. On her other side was the towering form of a Yeti. Travers's hand round her wrist felt like a steel clamp. 'Please Professor, let me go. You're hurting me. I won't run away, not with the Yeti here.'

Travers stared blankly ahead, giving no sign that he'd heard.

A voice boomed out, echoing hollowly. 'Release her, Professor. She will not escape.'

Travers's hand opened, and Victoria pulled her wrist away, rubbing it tenderly. She looked round fearfully.

The voice spoke again. 'There is no reason to fear, child.'

'Who are you? Where are you?!

'I am everywhere,' said the cold, gloating voice. 'I am the Intelligence!'

12.

The Fall of the Fortress There was a strange, crackling sound every time the voice spoke. It amused the Intelligence to make use of the station's public address system. The voice boomed again, and this time Victoria realised it came from a loudspeaker just above her head.

'Travers, you have served my purpose. Awake!'

Travers jerked suddenly and came to life, his old, kindly self once more. He rubbed his eyes and looked round in confusion. 'What's happening, Victoria? Where are we?'

Victoria led him towards a bench. 'You'd better sit down and rest.'

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