Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace

Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace by Nigel Robinson

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Authors: Nigel Robinson
Tags: Science-Fiction:Doctor Who
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a cursory examination. The Professor was still breathing, although erratically, and his heart was also beating. ‘I don’t know,’ said the Doctor. ‘It seems to be some sort of heart attack.’
    ‘Well, that’s stopped him then,’ said Ben practically. ‘He certainly can’t go ahead now.’
    ‘I’m not so sure,’ said the Doctor. ‘We’d better make certain.’
    ‘What will you do?’ asked Jamie.
    ‘Get into his laboratory and try and stop the Project from there.’
     
    Both Ben and Jamie volunteered to accompany the Doctor.
    ‘No,’ he said. ‘Someone’s got to stay here and look after Zaroff.’
    ‘I’ll stay,’ offered Polly.
    Jamie shook his head. ‘You can’t bide here by yourself,’
    he said. ‘You’re only a wee girl.’
    Before Polly had time to remind the Scotsman that he was no longer living in the eighteenth century Ramo offered to stay with Polly and help her to guard Zaroff.
    The Doctor eventually agreed, albeit with some reluctance. But there was no doubt that he would need both Ben and Jamie if he was to get past the guards and into the laboratory. Zaroffs condition seemed to be worsening and it seemed unlikely that he would pose a threat to Polly and Ramo in such a weak state.
    When her friends had left, Polly looked down at Zaroff.
    His breathing had become weaker and his eyes were closed.
    ‘It hardly seems possible, does it?’ she said to Ramo.
    ‘What?’
    ‘Well, look at him. He doesn’t look very menacing, does he?’
    ‘There is still evil in the man. It hangs over him like a shroud.’
    Zaroff s eyes fluttered open as Ramo continued: ‘You will pay dearly for your crimes, Zaroff.’
    ‘I know, I know,’ croaked the scientist. His voice was weak; there seemed to be little life left in his body. ‘But before I die you must pray to your goddess for atonement.’
    Ramo was instantly suspicious. ‘Why should I trust you?’
    ‘Have pity on me,’ pleaded Zaroff. ‘At least help me to stand at your side so that I may feel the priestly aura of your goodness.’
    ‘I think you ought to,’ Polly told Ramo. ‘He does look very sick...’
     
    ‘It is more than you deserve, Zaroff,’ Ramo said ‘
    begrudgingly. ‘But I cannot refuse even one such as you the chance of redemption. For the blessing of Amdo alone will I grant you this last request.’
    Bending down, he helped the weakened Zaroff to his feet. As soon as he was standing Zaroff grabbed Ramo by the throat with a new-found strength. Perhaps Ramo’s outrage at having been deceived by Zaroff gave him added strength but he managed to push the crazed scientist away from him. He turned and picked up a spear which lay in the corner of the chamber. He lunged at Zaroff with it, but the Professor was too quick for him and expertly snatched the spear out of Ramo’s hands.
    Zaroff ran at the priest with the spear. The weapon pierced Ramo’s ribcage and he fell down with a terrible cry of agony. Polly screamed.
    Zaroff turned round instinctively at the sound and slapped her across the face, shutting her up. ‘You will come with me,’ he said. Grabbing her roughly by the hand he dragged Polly out of the secret chamber.
     

8
    ‘Nothing In The World Can Stop Me
    Now!’
    Speed was of the essence if Zaroffs plans were to be halted.
    Rather than make their way through the winding tunnels at the back of the secret chamber, the Doctor, Ben and Jamie had risked cutting across the temple which was fortunately empty. They had just reached the great double doors when the Doctor stopped in his tracks.
    ‘Just a minute, I’ve had a thought,’ he said. ‘Jamie, you’d better stay and watch Zaroff.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘We need a guide and only Ramo knows all the passages.’
    Accepting the Doctor’s logic, Jamie turned back to the statue of Amdo in time to see Ramo staggering down the altar steps, his tunic soaked in blood. Jamie and the Doctor rushed to help the dying priest who fell to the floor, Ben rushed up to the

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