Part 11 – Locking Up Chekhov's Armory
(By Morag MacPherson)
"Y'know, it's traditional among your run-of-the-mill guardsmen everywhere to take us to your leader before you clap us in chains,"remarked the Doctor as handcuffs were placed on his wrists behind the back.
Chet, the guard who'd firmly secured the Doctor's bonds, spun his captive around and waved the sonic screwdriver in front of his face."And I suppose this little item here is perfectly harmless and could in no way help you escape?"
Clark grunted as he was bound in much the same way as the Doctor was."Well, it'sh not like you had to take my gun and bulletshs away theeing as you've tied my armsh together tho tight."
Dawn, who was strapped around one of the horses, lifted her head."Yeah, and I think that putting Emort into that hamster ball is just excessive."
Chet mounted the horse in front of Dawn. "Just because we're in the hire of a woman named Mad Miriam doesn't necessarily imply that we're morons, folks. Now you three have been trespassing on her property, which implies that byou/b might actually be the morons. Of course, given the interesting item that we've already delivered to our sanity-challenged employer, you also might just be adventurers. Which, as far as I'm considered, just makes you a particular flavor of moron." Chet's minions had finished mounting their horses and held ropes which pulled Clark and the Doctor by a collar at the neck. "So let's get a move on, and I really hope you don't have any bright escape ideas before Mad Miriam figures out what to do with you and your property."
The ride to the factory was uneventful. Clark and Emort both failed to chew through their bonds. Dawn couldn't wriggle off of the horse and found that, combined with her earlier drinking, the motion of the horse made her nauseous. The Doctor thought about breaking his own thumb in order to escape the cuffs, but decided that such action was still premature, considering that they were being escorted to exactly where they wanted to go.
Finally they came to a courtyard in Mad Miriam's estate. Clark's gun belt, the Doctor's sonic screwdriver, and Emort's hamster ball were laid in a pile in the middle of the square. Dawn was taken off the horse and bound in a manner similar to her friends. Chet had his men check the fastness of each and every knot and lock: all was in order. Afterwards they were led to a long hall, at the end of which stood the TARDIS.
Dawn leaned towards the Doctor and Clark. "Have you ever heard of something called deus ex machina?"
"Yes," said the Doctor.
"Do you think one's coming to save us?"
"It would be nithe if one did."
Dawn nodded. "However, short of that, I really hope you have a plan.'Cause I'm fresh out."
Chet cleared his throat. "I can hear you, y'know."
They reached the end of the hall. A tall, thin, elderly lady who could only be Mad Miriam stood next to the TARDIS. "All right. You've got ten seconds to explain why Chet shouldn't shoot you right here and now."
