Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom Read Online Free PDF Page A

homicidal maniac on the loose?’
    â€˜More dangerous than that, I’m afraid,’ replied the Doctor. ‘If he... or rather it, is still alive, then it will be desperate to reach food and warmth. And there’s only one place it can find these things.’ He weighed his words carefully and looked for their effect on the two strangers.
    â€˜You mean this Camp?’
    â€˜Yes, comforting thought, isn’t it?’ said the Doctor airily. ‘I advise you to keep all doors and windows locked. That is, if you’re planning to stay.’ He smiled sweetly, like a benevolent hotel proprietor.
    Keeler looked anxiously at his partner. ‘What are we going to do?’ Sarah could see the other man was not convinced.
    â€˜I want some more answers. But not in here.’ Scorby nodded towards the bed. ‘He gives me the creeps. Come on, you two. Move! ’ He prodded the Doctor and Sarah out of the Sick Bay and into the corridor.
    In the Power Unit the creature was growing stronger by the minute, bathed by the warm glow from the Fuel Cell. All vestige of humanity had long since disappeared and it was now a mass of tendrils and fibrous shoots, like some giant, malformed plant; but a plant that could move and crush and kill. Slowly, it began to stir. From where the green growth was thickest there came a strange, low rattling sound. Then, the whole monstrous shape started to creep towards the door.
    The Doctor and Sarah were led into the Crew Quarters and bound hand and foot on the floor. So far the two men seemed to have forgotten about Stevenson, who was busy locking the doors and windows of the outer huts. The Doctor wondered how long it would be before he returned. Stevenson still had his rifle with him. If they could play for time... He became aware of Scorby’s pistol again.
    â€˜Right, Doctor, let’s have the truth. Where’s the plant that came out of that pod?’
    â€˜That grew in the bed that was part of the house that Jack built?’
    â€˜I am not a patient man,’ threatened Scorby.
    Suddenly Keeler interrupted. ‘Ssshh! Hold it. Someone’s coming. Must be the other guy.’
    Scorby turned from the Doctor and pointed his gun at the closed door.
    â€˜Doctor? Miss Smith? Where are you?’ came a voice from outside.
    The door opened and Stevenson entered.
    â€˜Come and join the party.’ Scorby lowered his pistol to wave the visitor in. Stevenson reacted like lightning and fired his rifle point blank at Scorby’s chest. There was a harmless click.
    Scorby chuckled. ‘Not very friendly.’ He grabbed Stevenson by the shoulders and hurled him across the room. ‘Get over there!’ Stevenson fell with a crunch beside the others.
    â€˜Good try,’ said the Doctor.
    â€˜What’s happening?’
    â€˜For some reason these two want to get their hands on the pod.’ He looked meaningfully at Stevenson. ‘I’ve told them how dangerous...’
    â€˜The pod’s still safe?’ interrupted Stevenson, misunderstanding. ‘They haven’t taken it out?’
    Scorby’s ears pricked up visibly and Stevenson realised his blunder.
    â€˜Taken it out where?’ Scorby turned to Keeler, a look of triumph on his face. ‘Know what that means?’
    Keeler grinned. ‘They’ve got a second pod!’ Stevenson shot the Doctor an anguished look.
    Scorby crossed to them both. ‘Where is it?’
    â€˜Don’t be a bigger fool than you already are,’ said the Doctor angrily. ‘Don’t you understand, it’s dangerous!’
    â€˜Where is the pod?’
    The gun pointed menacingly at them, but the Doc-tor and Stevenson remained mute.
    â€˜Stubborn pair, aren’t they,’ said Scorby, controlling his venom. ‘All right...’ He put