graveyard of the daleks page 3

After a long arduous climb, they reached the next level. The Doctor had gone first followed by the Captain. They both helped up each subsequent climber until all of the equipment had been brought up as well.

Johnson studied the corridor they were in. It looked identical to the one below. 'Is this it now?' he asked.

The Doctor glanced around. 'I should think so.'

Further down was another door. It was larger than most doors that they had come across. The Doctor stepped over towards it and checked the panel to one side. He tried a few sequences on it but nothing happened. 'It isn't sealed,' he said, 'we just need to force it open.' He turned towards the crew. 'Come over here and move this, will you?'

Johnson was consumed by a sudden hatred for this man. 'Wait a minute!' he yelled. He grabbed the Doctor by the shoulders and threw him back. 'Who is in command here? tell me that!' he roared.

The Doctor looked very unimpressed. 'You are of course,' he pointed out.

'Then what do you think you're doing?' Johnson continued, shouting.

The Doctor stormed to his feet and pointed. 'Getting this door open. I thought you were too busy being clever to think of it. Why don't you resign? Let someone more youthful command your ship?'

Johnson tried to push the Doctor back again, but he was held in check...He screamed, 'I'm the best Captain...'

'In the fleet!' the Doctor added. 'Yes we know. At least you were, maybe.'

'I should have you shot!'

'Doing it the hard way now?' the Doctor laughed, 'How nasty of you!'

'Wha-'

'Let's just get the door open,' the Doctor interrupted, his voice dropping, 'you can tell us all about your famed service in the fleet when we're in the mood for fairy storie. Now, you get the door open!'

For a moment Johnson looked as though he was going to strike the Doctor, but the anger in him subsided. 'I don't need to prove myself to you.'

The Doctor looked away. 'You'd better.'

'Everyone on this door!' Johnson yelled.

The crew piled onto the frame and started to heave. Johnson gave them instructions and the door began to slide open.

'When this door slides back,' Johnson continued, 'I want all your torches on whatever's on the other side. Understood?'

A grumble of ascent went up. The Doctor moved forward, facing the door. Those who were holding torches drew level with him and aimed them forward similarly.

Suddenly, the door gave and vanished into the wall. The captain and his crew fell to the floor in a heap, revealing what lay in wait behind. Immediately they caught the light the group fell back. 
 
One of the objects was very close and it caught the light in sharp, horrifying contrast to the dark all around. It had no legs, and was set on a rounded base. No human features, but a lens on a flexible shaft acted as an eye and what appeared to be like arms with mechanical grips for hands.

Daleks.

Instantly, the Doctor threw himself to the floor. 'Get down!' he shouted, 'All of you!'

Johnson drew himself to his feet dreamily, staring at the nearest Dalek in horror. He was unsteady on his feet and wavered uncertainly. He couldn't think.

'They'll kill you!' The Doctor shouted out.

END OF PART ONE

written by
NEIL HUNTER
copyright 2009

artwork by
JOE McINTYRE
copyright 2009
 
 
 
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