Doctor Who: Dictatormocracy

Chapter Three

'What do we do now?' asked Sami alarmingly.

'There is only one thing we can do' replied the Doctor mournfully 'get it back'

Rob was sat gazing at the worried looks on their faces. He wasn't entirely sure about the cause of the others' distress.

'Is something wrong?' he asked

'Yes' replied the Doctor 'They have taken some very valuable property of mine. I left it here and those thugs have stolen it!'

Rob was saddened by this, but not surprised. The Caliprebuns were bound to take anything by fair means or foul if only as a means of which to bribe someone. He invited them to stay at the Hotel that had laid host to the Comradetic campaign as they would be safe from the Caliprebuns and their spying.

They returned to the transport and travelled back in the darkness the night brought to the Hotel. It was an awe inspiring sight. It had been suitably decorated with banners advertising the Comradetic party with Jack Kelly's face strewn across them. The Doctor, Sami and Alice walked up to the rooms that were assigned to them by the Hotel receptionist and settled in. When Rob said his goodbyes the Doctor arranged a meeting.

'How are we going to get the TARDIS back?' asked Alice 'Where do we start looking?'

The Doctor was however not interested in the TARDIS at this moment. He was concerned about the motive behind their release. It was obvious that it was more than a charitable gesture. They were going to be used for some purpose and now that they had been unable to escape in the TARDIS, they were going to become more and more entangled in the campaign – something "they" would scorn at.

'We need to discuss our present situation' said the Doctor carefully.

'What do you mean?' asked Sami, noticing that he was not referring to the TARDIS.

'We have been released and brought here by the party of which that man is a part of. They plan to use us for something'

'To help with their campaign' replied Alice

'Yes. But it is something we cannot and must not do'

'Why?' replied Alice shocked 'We are fighting for the better side – the more humane side. The democratic side'

'Alice; you have much to learn about Politics. These brutal gestures are enacted equally by both sides of the divide. True, this particular party cannot imprison people but they can still use bribery and do other horrible things'

Alice was puzzled until the Doctor carefully removed a surveillance device from his pocket.

'You see what I mean now Alice?' he finished

'Then we need a plan to get us out of here and get the TARDIS back' suggested Sami.

The Doctor nodded.

'We must however do it in such a way so that our hosts suspect us. We are being watched equally by both sides. If we step outside and start searching, then our jailers will see us and our hosts will not be pleased'

'Then we've got to do something now!' replied Alice

'I'm afraid not. We shall play their game, but not say or do anything that will aid the campaign. We must be discreet and use Rob as a detective'

'How?'

'The normal way. Persuade him that finding the TARDIS would boost the campaign and could be used as evidence against the other party.'

'Before we run inside and take off?'

'Correct. It's heartless I know, but it's the only way'

Daybreak. The Doctor could hear the sound of rushing feet in the corridor outside. It appeared that the news of their arrival had not reached the more important people within the party else they would have been awoken by now. Still; he would rather be greeted when ready rather than when still in bed. He walked into the small bathroom and took a shower using the fluids provided.

After his shower, he walked over to Alice and Sami's room and knocked thrice on the door. He stood sheepishly outside for ten minutes, most of which were spent knocking on the door repeatedly until Sami appeared at the door.

'Ready?' he asked.

'Not yet. We've only just woken up. What do you want?' she replied wearily

'I just wanted to alert you that the welcoming is likely to occur soon and that we would be best greeted fully clothed and ready'

'Give us thirty minutes then'

Sami closed the door and the Doctor went for a walk around the Hotel hoping to find out where in the town the Hotel was located.

'Here? In the Hotel?' asked Cordineezer in shock.

'Yes' replied Rob simply 'They've had some property stolen from them as well. I put them up here to ensure that the Caliprebuns couldn't get hold of them'

'Very well' said Cordineezer 'Please excuse me'

Cordineezer walked out of the hall and down the stairs into the basement, where she found a small laundry room full of towels perfectly suited for her purpose. She pulled out her communicator and started speaking into it.

'This is mole to burrow' she said

The reply came from the man who had been stalking the Doctor, Sami and Alice.

'Report' he said very officially

'The three targets are staying here at the Hotel. There was an operation last night to release them and it has succeeded'

'This is very worrying news. You must do what you can to prevent them talking'

'I shall do my best. Robert Byron mentioned some stolen property?'

'Yes a tall blue box was found in the wood in the southwest corner. We are analysing it now. It could be useful to us. Get back to work and don't arouse suspicion'

Cordineezer turned the communicator off; placed it in her pocket and checking that no-one was nearby made her way back up to the hall.

'At last!' said the Doctor, who was at Sami and Alice's door after his walk.

'Find anything interesting?' asked Alice

'I'm afraid not. It is very difficult to determine where we are from here' replied the Doctor

Rob appeared from the end of the corridor.

'I'm glad you're awake. How are you this morning?' he asked cheerfully.

'A little better' replied the Doctor 'I'm still very concerned about my property though'

'Yes. So am I also. Rest assured that I shall do everything that I can in order to retrieve it. No doubt that it will help to expose our current government's abuse of power'

'Indeed' said the Doctor sorrowfully

Rob led them into the elevator and into the dining hall. It was quite a sight. There were around two hundred smartly attired people sitting around the tables in there. Sami and Alice looked down at the clothes that they were wearing and were quite embarrassed as they sat down at a table. The Doctor (who quite frankly looked out of place wherever and whenever he went) didn't really care.

Rob sat down with them hoping that for his efforts, he too would be given a proper breakfast (a change from the usual overcooked microwave meals of the past months!). Luckily the waiter took the orders from all four of them and started to talk. Rob sat there deep in thought. He was very concerned about Cordineezer's strange behaviour of late.

'What do you mean you can't get in?' said the stalker angrily.

'We can't sir' replied the party worker 'We've tried the lot! Laser torches; axes; matter expansion charges. Nothing is having an effect!'

'I want that thing opened! We haven't got forever; those Comredatic people are bound to come looking'

Furious he left the room and slammed the door behind him. Time was of the essence.

After breakfast Rob showed the Doctor and his companions to the hall. This was his chance to get their stories and use it in his publicity campaign. He got to work.

'Doctor?' asked Rob 'You wouldn't mind telling me how you came into trouble would you? Your story would help our campaign greatly and would lead to a review of the security services'

The time had come for the questions it seemed to the Doctor. Reluctantly, he answered.

'Well when we arrived on this planet of yours, we came across your president's speech in the square and were intrigued. I am an explorer with a keen interest in cultures alien to my own, as are my two companions. However Alice here spoke out after he mentioned that your candidate was having an affair. She became quite upset because she felt that the remarks were libellous and should not have been used in the speech.

It was after that when we were followed whilst shopping in the main street that we were lead into an ambush. My friends and I were promptly and viciously thrown into jail for some ridiculous environmental charge! That's our story'

'OK. Thanks very much Doctor' said Rob, who placed the recorder back down onto the desk.

He has been given a satisfactory; though short account of their capture and one that could be easily improved upon with more information about it later as well as some creative writing. Rob decided that it was time to consult Cordineezer – if he could find here that is! He thanked the Doctor and his companions again and began searching for her.

Like she had done earlier, Cordineezer was tucked away in a basement laundry room. The stalker had some information for her.

'We are preparing a trap for our three targets' he said

'A trap?' replied Cordineezer 'What for Darien?'

'Our team have been unable to get inside this blue box. I plan to lure them into a trap so that they will have to open it up.'

Darien informed Cordineezer of what she was to do. She then exited the laundry room cautiously; instructions embedded into her memory to search for the three enemies.

'Oh there you are!' said Rob sarcastically 'I've been looking all over for you. Where have you been?'

'It's none of your business' replied Cordineezer sharply 'I have found out where your friends' property is being secured. It is inside the Extra Terrestrial Terrorist Detention Centre'

'That's great news' replied Rob happily 'I've just finished a preliminary interview with them. It has been recorded and gives a rough account of what happened to them'

'Recording?' she replied trying to hide her shock 'Could you show it to me please'

Cordineezer's task had now been made more complicated. She now had to dispose of a recording as well if their plan was to be a success. When Darien's trapped had been laid the re-election of President Gorge was inevitable. Victory was theirs.

END OF CHAPTER THREE