Doctor Who BBCN17 - Sick Building by Doctor Who Page B

a few moments. Then, two black eyes appeared in the midst of the incandescent fire. And a great black mouth opened up. A huge and mournful voice rang through the murky air: ‘Who have you brought here? What is the softbody? What does he want?’
    The Doctor could feel Barbara shaking beside him. The cans were rolling about and thunking against her innards. Toaster’s blue bulbs were sparking repeatedly in nervousness. The Doctor decided he had best speak up for himself. ‘Forgive me if I don’t shake hands, Domovoi.
    May I say what a treat it is, to meet a computer made out of fire?
    That’s just brilliant. Quite brilliant.’
    ‘What do you want, softbody? Where is Tiermann? Why is Tiermann not here? I want Tiermann to come to me!’
    ‘Ah,’ said the Doctor. ‘I can see why you might want to see him. I’m sorry that I’m not him. I’m the Doctor, by the way. I’m just passing through. I saw the danger approaching this world, and we popped in
    – my friend Martha and I – to see if we could be of help. . . ’
    Barbara had mastered her nerves somewhat. Her electronic voice still quavered as she said, ‘That’s good isn’t it, Domovoi? He came to help us. The Doctor wants to help.’
    ‘Pah!’ roared the flames dismissively. ‘What use can he be to us now? Too late! It’s all too late! We have been living in a fool’s paradise. And the name of that fool is Tiermann. He led us to believe 66

    that we would be here for ever! This was our home. We would be a family for ever.’
    The Doctor found himself buffeted back by the blasting heat of the Domovoi’s wrath. ‘Look,’ he said. ‘I need to get back to the surface.
    Tiermann has trapped us down here. He’s going to leave us here, while he and his family escape in their ship. Now, our only hope –your only hope – is with me. You must get the elevator working again
    – and send me up there. . . ’
    ‘What can you do?’ the flames crackled.
    ‘I have a ship of my own,’ the Doctor said.
    Toaster and Barbara perked up at this. ‘Have you, Doctor? How big?’
    The Doctor’s eyes gleamed. ‘Huge. Absolutely massive. Now, I can help. If you help me first.’
    The Domovoi thundered: ‘I do not trust softbodies. They are treach-erous. They command you. You serve them. You provide them with everything they need. And then. . . when danger comes, when disaster strikes. . . what do they do? They make plans to abandon you.
    They prepare to abscond. To leave you. To the tender mercies of the Voracious Craw. Do you know what happens to those left to the Voracious Craw?’
    The Doctor nodded. ‘I do indeed. I’ve seen it happen. From a great distance away. And, if you don’t help me, Domovoi. . . we’re all going to see it rather closer up.’
    Barbara could contain herself no longer. ‘Oh, please help him, Great Domovoi! He is a good man! I just know he is! He won’t betray us like Tiermann did! He will save us! Save us all!’
    The Doctor shrugged worriedly. ‘Well, I’ll do my best. What else can I do?’ He grinned at the swirling vicious flames that formed the Domovoi. ‘I swear that I will try to help you all.’
    The weird being in the fireplace mulled this over, and hissed and flashed as she thought. ‘Very well, Doctor. I will return you to the surface. With these two Servo-furnishings to help you.’
    ‘Thank you, Domovoi,’ the Doctor gave a little bow.
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    The fire crackled with laughter. ‘Don’t thank me yet. You do not know what I am planning to do next. . . ’
    A door slid open at the other end of the sepulchral room.
    ‘Now,’ cried the Domovoi. ‘Leave me in peace! The elevator will return you to the surface. Go!’
    As the Doctor and his friends headed for the lift, all three of them were somewhat perplexed by the ringing laughter that filled their ears. . . It was as if the Domovoi had taken leave of her senses. And, thought the Doctor, if that was true, it was very bad news indeed.
    68

    I ’m stuck in this place