Doctor Who: The Green Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’ll try Blackpool.’
    A few moments later the TARDIS re-materialised in the Doctor’s laboratory at UNIT Headquarters. The door opened and the Doctor tumbled out, his clothes still wet through. He sneezed violently. The telephone started to ring. He lifted the phone.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘Ah, there you are, Doctor.’ It was the Brigadier’s voice. ‘I’m speaking from Llanfairfach. Miss Grant told me that you might be coming down here after all. I’d like you to use the UNIT chopper and get here as quickly as possible.’
    ‘Are there any unicorns there?’ said the Doctor. He sneezed again.
    The Brigadier laughed. ‘I very much doubt it. Is that some little joke of yours, Doctor?’
    ‘I’m not joking,’ said the Doctor. ‘What about eagles?’
    ‘Not in Wales,’ replied the Brigadier.
    ‘What are the flowers like?’
    There was a note of reprimand in the Brigadier’s voice. ‘Doctor, the business at hand here is serious. But if you must know about the local flora, I did notice a few wild daffodils.’
    ‘Good,’ said the Doctor. ‘Then I’ll be there straight away!’

4
Into the Mine
    The Brigadier replaced Dr Stevens’s slimline telephone. ‘Well, that’s a start. The Doctor is on his way.’
    ‘The Doctor?’ asked Mark Elgin.
    ‘My “scientific chappie”, as you call him,’ said the Brigadier.
    ‘What was all that about daffodils?’ asked Dr Stevens.
    ‘The Doctor’s a bit of a botanist,’ said the Brigadier, lying quickly to cover his embarrassment. ‘Now, gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll take a look at that mine.’
    ‘As I understand it, Brigadier,’ said Dr Stevens, rising from his chair, ‘your purpose here is to protect the interests of Panorama Chemicals?’
    ‘And so it is,’ agreed the Brigadier. ‘There’ll be no rabble breaking in to destroy your plant while UNIT’s here. But I think it is also important for me to know more about that mine. So, if you’ll excuse me... ‘ He smiled and made for the door.
    ‘Of course,’ said Dr Stevens. ‘Mark, show the Brigadier out.’
    Elgin opened the door. ‘This way, sir.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    Dr Stevens watched them leave his office. Then he pressed a button on the inter-communication unit on his desk. ‘Send in Hinks at once,’ he said towards the built-in microphone.
    While he waited for Hinks to arrive he stood at the window and looked out towards the mountains. Years ago he had enjoyed climbing mountains. But now his family had all deserted him, leaving a gap in his life that could only be filled by work. He was delighted when he was invited to become Director of the main British plant of Panorama Chemicals because he realised this was a job of such size and complexity he would be able to devote night and day to it. What he did not realise was that the job would provide him with the best and most faithful friend he had ever had.
    His intercom buzzed and the voice of his secretary, Stella, spoke through the built-in loudspeaker. ‘I’ve located Mr Hinks, sir. He’s on his way to your office.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Dr Stevens said to the intercom.
    He went back to studying the mountains. Maybe, he thought, he should try a little climbing again one day. Unfortunately he would not be able to take his new friend with him. But the exercise might do him good, and he loved the sense of history that emanated from those mountains.
    Dr Stevens had enjoyed studying history when he was a boy at school. Sometimes he wished he was still there. But now he was a man and had the responsibilities of a man.
    He turned from the window. His headache was starting to trouble him again. He wished Hinks would hurry and come to take orders, because he had to get rid of this headache.
    There was a tap on the door and Hinks entered. ‘You wanted me, sir?’ Hinks was over six feet tall, and very broad-shouldered. He had a face like an ex-boxer who had lost too many fights.
    The headache was very bad now. ‘I want you to...