Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom by Philip Hinchcliffe Read Free Book Online Page B

heart skipped a beat as she followed suit. Any second she expected to be enveloped in a hail of bullets. At the same time she found herself laughing inwardly at the comical figure of the Doctor, in the chauffeur’s hat and coat, attempting to walk quickly yet casually away from the guards.
    They were half way towards the house when a voice rang out behind them. ‘Hey you!’ The Doctor quickened his pace. ‘Halt!’ The sound of a safety catch being released was clearly audible.
    â€˜Run!’ yelled the Doctor and sprinted towards a narrow gate at the side of the house.
    â€˜I said halt!’
    The Doctor burst open the gate with his shoulder and pushed Sarah through. As he did so a shower of bullets slammed into the masonry inches above his head and alarm bells began to ring inside the house.
    They were now running along a narrow terrace. Suddenly, more guards appeared at the far end. The Doctor grabbed Sarah’s arm and leapt with her off the terrace on to the ground and headed on a zigzag course towards the surrounding cover of trees. The barking of tracker dogs could be heard above the din of bells and machine-gun fire. ‘One thing is certain,’ thought the Doctor, ‘Harrison Chase doesn’t take kindly to strangers.’
    Seconds later they reached the belt of trees and plunged in. Branches, thorns and razor-sharp leaves cut their skin and clawed at their clothing as they crashed through the jungle-like vegetation.
    â€˜This way, Sarah,’ gasped the Doctor and struck out to his left. The hue and cry was falling behind them and to their right. Any plan to penetrate the house was now useless, but if they could make the outer wall, thought the Doctor, they might still escape. Ahead of them appeared a solid mass of giant bamboo. Sarah felt she was acting out a nightmare. This couldn’t be happening in England. The Doctor beat a way through. ‘Come on, nearly there!’ Sarah willed herself on.
    Suddenly, she literally fell into a clearing. Ahead was a small pathway. The Doctor saw her fall and ran back. ‘Quick!’ He hauled her to her feet and dragged her forwards again. The blood was pounding through her veins and her lungs were bursting for air. Then, all at once, Sarah felt the Doctor’s grip slacken. He had stopped.
    â€˜Hello, Doctor, I heard you were on your way.’ Sarah froze as the unmistakable voice of Scorby cut through the air. Gun in hand, his familiar dark figure blocked the pathway ahead. At the same moment three armed guards appeared from nowhere and seized them both.
    Scorby stepped up to them, savouring the moment. ‘You weren’t thinking of leaving, I hope. Mr Chase is so looking forward to meeting you.’

6
A Visit to Harrison Chase
    Moments later the Doctor and Sarah found themselves inside the house. They were bundled along dark corridors and through a doorway into a large baronial hall. An oak-beamed ceiling towered above their heads, and on either side the panelled walls were lined with suits of armour and ancient hanging tapestries.
    At the far end, seated in a throne-like chair, sat an immaculately dressed man wearing black gloves. Not for the first time in his life the Doctor sensed he was in the presence of danger and evil.
    The figure rose as the two captives were pushed forward. ‘So, the meddling Doctor.’ The Doctor felt the man’s powerful gaze sweep over him. ‘You lead a charmed life. Not even a touch of frostbite.’
    The Doctor eyed his opponent with undisguised contempt. ‘Are you behind this whole murderous exercise?’
    Ignoring the Doctor’s challenge the man turned to Sarah. ‘And Miss Smith—still beautifully intact, I see.’ He leered at her.
    â€˜No thanks to your friend over there,’ retorted Sarah, indicating Scorby.
    â€˜Hand over the pod, Chase,’ commanded the Doctor