Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen by Malcolm Kohll Read Free Book Online Page B

Mel and Billy sat mutely on the bed waiting for an explanation, while Delta cuddled the green infant in her arms. The Chimeron Queen sat like this for some time, studying the child, her features softened in an expression of tenderness. She knew that the baby she held in her arms was the only hope of survival for her race. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she was determined to fight to the bitter end.
    Eventually, she made a decision and raised her eyes.
    ‘Please Billy, you must promise me that you won’t tell anyone what you have seen here tonight. My life is at risk,’
    she said. Billy nodded. ‘If I’m going to trust you then I think you deserve a full explanation. Close the door. What I am about to tell you is for your ears only,’ she continued, glad to have found some support at last.
     

Chapter Fifteen
    Dawn insinuated its rosy fingers between the cabins, driving the last feathers of mist into the sky. A cock crowed in the distance.
    In Burton’s office his wrinkled assistant, Vinny, sipped a glass of hot water and honey. He cleared his throat several times and did his voice exercises, which consisted of saying ‘Mi! Mi! Mi!’ very fast. As the hands on the large wall clock crawled round to seven o’clock, Vinny turned on the camp’s Public Address system.
    In Delta’s cabin Billy was sitting boggle-eyed as she finished her incredible tale. ‘... and so I am the last Chimeron Queen. Our planet right now is in the grip of the invaders who slaughtered my people,’ she said.
    Looking sadly at Billy she held up the sleeping child. ‘She is our last hope. Her life must be protected at all costs.’
    Throughout the long night a warmth had developed between Billy and Delta, the young man beginning to feel a strong protective instinct rise within him. If anyone were to try and harm Delta they would have to deal with him first.
    Mel lay on her bed, asleep. Unlike Billy, she was used to tales of intergalactic conquest and war. The peace was suddenly shattered by the sound of Vinny singing, ‘When the red, red, robin comes bob-bob-bobbin’ along’, through the camp’s PA system.
    Mel stirred but didn’t wake. Delta smiled at her, saying,
    ‘Poor Mel’s exhausted. We’ll let her get some sleep. I feel like a walk, Billy. It may help me to think.’
    Billy leapt to his feet and stretched. Back on familiar territory he felt more confident. ‘This hills around here are really beautiful. We’ll go somewhere special,’ he said.
    ‘I can’t walk too far with the baby...’
     
    ‘I never said anything about walking,’ said Billy with a grin.
    Delta threw a shawl around the baby and she and Billy tiptoed out of the cabin. As the door closed Mel opened an eye, smiled, and snuggled down to catch up on her lost sleep.
    Billy led Delta behind the old boat shed where a tarpaulin covered a huge bulky object. He whipped off the cover to reveal his gleaming motorbike and sidecar.
    ‘It’s a monster!’ cried Delta.
    Billy puffed up with pride. ‘It’s a Vincent Black Shadow
    – my pride and joy,’ he said.
    He offered his arm to Delta and helped her into the sidecar, placing the baby safely in her lap. Billy pulled on a pudding-basin crash helmet and swung the kickstart.
    With a window-shaking roar the mighty Vincent burst into life. Bily turned towards the gate and thundered out onto the open road.
    In the linen store the Doctor and Ray were still unconscious. They looked very peaceful as the dawn light tinted the sheets a gentle shade of red. As the Vincent hurtled past, it drowned out Vinny’s song. The cacophony stirred the Doctor into consciousness and he got groggily to his feet. Shaking his head he slowly felt for broken bones. His eyes lighted on Ray and registered a look of concern. Pulling a large white hanky from his pocket he gently fanned her face while patting her hand. ‘Ray, Ray,’
    he called softly so as not to frighten her. She slowly came around,