Doctor Who: Timelash by Glen McCoy Read Free Book Online Page A

her unpredictable future. Peri cursed her luck, quite annoyed at the Doctor’s irresponsible and fickle act of ‘off-loading’ her merely to accelerate his thirst for knowledge of the Timelash.
    Glancing around, there seemed little point in deliberating any further. Action was required, but there was not a lot to choose from. Northward lay sand; south, more sand and gorse bush vegetation; east, the Citadel, and west, more rocks and caves. Perspiring more than ever, she put on a brave face and trudged in the direction of the caves. Perhaps some shade would revive her before she decided her next move in the parched inhospitable environment.
    Brunner questioned the android as they scanned the horizon for their lost guest.
    ‘Nothing that way but sand, thirst and Morlox,’ he reasoned, allowing the android to firmly close the sealing hatch once more. ‘Those creatures’ll make a meal of her soon enough. Either way she’s finished, poor child.’
    The councillor took his leave, allowing the android to continue its way to the lower vaults in order to make a report to the Borad. Brunner had other matters to attend to, none of which he relished. Mainly this concerned an explanation of Peri’s disappearance to Tekker, but he would think of something.
    The search for Peri was on. Guardoliers were called up in large numbers and scattered throughout the Citadel. The Borad was angered at the girl’s escape and Tekker knew his delicate, if not dangerous, position. He had to locate her and fast, passing the buck to his troops and helpers. An emergency Council meeting was called and heads of departments summoned. For some reason, Peri’s importance had been overlooked and now she was searched for with all the vigour of a major rebel hunt and more. An exterior search unit was assembled before Tekker himself.
    The lean, hungry-looking Maylin stared at each member of the six-strong unit which stood rigidly to attention.
    ‘I want that girl alive,’ seethed Tekker. ‘If you dare come back empty-handed it will mean a Timelash execution for each and everyone of you.’
    Tekker paused to check he had instilled sufficient fear into the souls of the guardoliers before him. ‘Is that understood?’ The group howled their understanding and obedience before being dismissed, leaving Tekker to move on and stimulate others into action with equal threats.
    Most important of all, he had to ensure the safety and future of his own neck.
    Peri scrambled along a sharp rock face which led to a narrow escarpment, giving her enough room to stop and inhale deeply. At the back of her mind lurked the chilling features of the pursuing android and, even knowing she had evaded this hunter, Peri still continued to glimpse over her shoulder all the same. She felt sticky and uncomfortable, wondering how a reunion with the Doctor could be organised. The inhospitable atmosphere and rugged terrain surrounding did little to boost a flagging morale.
     
    Then the young traveller sensed a strange fragrance.
    The smell increased, forcing Peri to investigate the source of the rich aroma. Moving off the narrow ledge, she crawled into a confined space, a small cavern eaten out of the rocks by water over hundreds of years. There in the half-light a long rounded boulder invited Peri to stretch out and relax. She did so, parking herself squarely on the wedge of compact stone. Lifting up her legs, she threw her head and shoulders back, enjoying the cold feel of the icy rock, protected from the incessant rays of the twin suns.
    In the quiet of this unguarded moment, Peri effected a casual gaze about her. Then the rock beneath trembled as if monitoring an impending earthquake. She jumped to her feet and watched the granite mass elevate slowly, taking on the shape of a gross vile-headed beast. Two bright eye sockets completed the visage of this bizarre creature as its craterous mouth slid open to reveal yellow cracked teeth as sharp as any knife. It salivated with thick green