Doctor Who: Terror of the Vervoids Read Online Free PDF Page A

stable,’ he asserted.
    Even so, she plunged into the dank growing-area, her angry features jaundice-hued by the ochre low spectrum light.
    In the eerie glow, the tall plants remained broodingly dormant. There was no evidence of the pulsating prompted earlier by the shaft of white light. Nothing to indicate that it had ever happened. The sole movement was the liquid gurgling through transparent feeder-tubes.
    ‘Professor Lasky!’ It was Bruchner calling urgently.
    Anxious to avoid the verbal flack his colleague was suffering Bruchner had gone directly to the work but where he had found the empty seed jar.
    ‘The Demeter seeds, Professor! They’ve gone!’
    Puzzlement rather than alarm was the reaction of the three agronomists as they gazed at the empty jar...
    Racing along the corridor towards the lounge, Mel had forgotten all about Lasky’s and Doland’s strange behaviour in the gym. Only the relayed message was on her mind.
    And the need to deliver it to the Doctor.
    He, meanwhile, was engaged on other matters: subjecting Janet to his beguiling wiles.
    ‘You’re very persuasive, Doctor, but I can’t possibly –
    ah, here’s the man who could give you permission.’
    Rudge had entered the lounge.
    Rudge! The Doctor had no desire to join combat with the Security Officer. ‘No, no. Don’t bother –’
    Too late!
    ‘Permission for what?’ asked Rudge.
    It’s not important. A mere whim. I’m subject to whims.
    So I’m told.’
    ‘The Doctor wants a passenger list.’ Janet supplied the answer.
    A sheepish grin quivered on the Time Lord’s lips as he prepared for the inevitable chastisement.
    None came. Instead: ‘Why not? Indeed the idea makes good sense.’ Examining the Doctor through half-closed lids, Rudge offered the clipboard.
    ‘If I could spot a familiar name...’ faltered the Time Lord lamely, skimming through the list.
    ‘We’d have our culprit’ – Rudge intervened unctuously
    – ‘And you’d be bidding us farewell. Should’ve thought of that myself. Sign of age. Due to retire after this trip.’
    Diminutive she might be, but Mel’s entrance into the lounge would have done credit to a small posse of wildebeest! Not only the Doctor but every other occupant glanced up as she clattered in.
    ‘Er... no... no... Complete strangers, I’m afraid.’ The Doctor returned the clipboard.
    ‘Pity!’ Rudge sounded sincere.
    ‘Many thanks.’ With affected indifference, the Doctor sauntered across the lounge to his keyed-up companion.
    Conscious that the security officer was watching them, Mel spoke quietly but urgently. ‘He’s been in touch. He wants you to meet him in Cabin Six!’
    ‘Did you see him? Get a name?’
    ‘No, just a message through my headphones when I was in the gym. Let’s go!’
    She was about to move when the Doctor stopped her.
    ‘Mel, before you rush off, d’you know what a Judas goat is?’
    ‘Um – er – yes, a decoy goat that’s tied to a stake to lure the tiger into the open.’
    ‘Getting badly mutilated in the process. I think I shall refuse the role.’ He began to mount the spiral staircase.
    ‘Then where are you going?’
    ‘For a non-provocative stroll around the deck.’
    ‘What about Cabin Six?’
    ‘Tiger trap!’
    Tiger trap indeed. For Cabin Six was a shambles. The scene of a tremendous struggle. Sheets and pillows were strewn about the floor. Clothes torn from the wardrobe.
    Tap-tap-tap on the door.
    Another tap-tap. Then the handle revolved.
    Mel ventured tentatively in. ‘Hello, anyone at home –’
    Her voice took on a dying fall as she registered the disorder.
    Circumspectly she ventured further in, stumbling over a discarded black and white shoe.
    Lying on the bed was the briefcase the passenger Grenville had dumped in his frustration at being recog nised by the elderly Mister Kimber. Only now the briefcase was savagely ripped asunder and its contents ransacked.
    ... a soft footfall from the bathroom...
    Stifling a scream, Mel