Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who. This story is based on the Doctor Who characters and universe.
Science Assassin: Chapter six
"...And so in 1834, the Palace of Westminster was overtaken by fire, and this clock tower was built..." Donna yawned. She was getting sick of Wanda's monotonous voice. She looked up at the Big Ben. It looked almost the same as when she had last seen it in her time, but it was now covered in metal plating to support the old frame. The large clock at the top was still the same though, with its long hands and shining white face.
"Now, shall we go up?" Wanda led the group inside an entrance door and up a long flight of twisting spiral stairs. They were extremely narrow, and made of a light metal. At the top, Donna found herself in a completely modern viewing room. To her right was the back to the clock face, covered in many cogs and wheels, but straight ahead was an opening with a balcony, so that visitors could see the whole of London.
"Wow!" The scientists all ran to the balcony, looking over. Sam Apricot produced a pair of binoculars, and these were passed around to everyone. When it was the Doctor's turn, he peered through them at the Hotel Noble, and then handed them to Donna.
"Look Donna. That's a motroid."
"Where?" Donna eagerly looked through. The Doctor guided the binoculars to the Hotel Nobel. Donna could see the pale faced porter lounging outside the front doors, waiting for visitors. He was extremely thin, and his eyes were a mangy yellow. She turned to the Doctor. "That's a motroid?"
"Yes. They all look similar to that. Pale, thin, and with yellow eyes."
Donna took one last look and then handed the binoculars to Mr Long. "I don't think I'd like to meet on the street. They look hideous!"
The Doctor shrugged. "With make-up and contacts, they can look like any other person. And you're standing less than 10 feet away from one."
Donna turned, and saw another pale faced man sweeping the viewing floor. He had a turning down mouth and bushy eyebrows.
"Do all motroids have eyebrows and mouths like that?" asked Donna.
"No, I think only that one does. Like humans, all motroids have their unique characteristics." The Doctor stifled a laugh, and looked back over London.
Donna stared over at the giant city. Many of the buildings had been covered in bright metal, giving the city a polished look. Suddenly, next to her, Sam Apricot let out a yell as he was shoved violently forwards. Everyone ran to grab him, but too late. He teetered, and then tipped over the balcony, spinning down to the ground below. Donna turned away, she couldn't bear to look as he hit the ground with a loud crack. Bubble cars screeched and skidded around his motionless form.
"Ooh!" cried all the scientists, wincing. They began hurrying down the stairs, hustling and bustling. Wanda seemed to appear from a toilet door.
"What happened?!" she cried.
"Mr Apricot was pushed over the edge," replied the Doctor. He had the binoculars and was looking down at the crumpled man, his arms and legs at odd, unnatural angles. The scientists had now reached him, and Mr Hew bent down to feel his pulse. He looked up at the Doctor and shook his head sadly.
"He's dead." The Doctor put down the binoculars.
"Oh no." Wanda turned pale, and hurried down the stairs, muttering to herself.
"Doctor, the sweeping motroid is gone!" Donna pointed to a broom standing against the wall. The motroid was nowhere to be seen.
"Hmmm." The Doctor frowned thoughtfully. "Did he push Sam Apricot off the balcony and then run away? But why would he leave such noticeable evidence, like a broom?"
At that moment, the motroid returned, carrying a garbage bag, which he placed in an empty bin. He looked around. "Where did everyone go?" he asked in a reedy voice.
"Someone was pushed over the balcony," explained the Doctor, watching the motroid's expression. A surprised look came over his face. He does seem genuinely surprised, thought the Doctor. Then, suddenly, the motroid burst into tears!
"Don't cry." Donna ran forward. "It wasn't your fault." She found herself putting one arm around the motroid's shoulder to comfort him. She could feel his thin body shaking as he sobbed.
"I know! I know! But what a thing to happen!" cried the motroid. "And to think I could have stopped it if I hadn't gone to empty the garbage at that very moment! The person must have waited until I was gone."
"Did you see anyone prowling around?" asked the Doctor.
"No." The motroid sniffed, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "There was only you, this lady, the 9 other importantly dressed men, and that quiet, dark-skinned lady."
"Hmmm, Wanda," said the Doctor thoughtfully. "She claims to have been in the toilet when he was pushed. Was she really? Everyone was looking over the balcony except her. Come on Donna! We have to get down and look for evidence."
After patting the motroid's shoulder comfortingly, Donna followed the Doctor down the stairs. "I don't think he did it Doctor. Did you see how upset he was?"
"I know." The Doctor frowned thoughtfully. "I was thinking about Wanda. It's strange that she was the only one not looking over the balcony, yet she doesn't seem like the sort of person who would do something like that."
"Yes," agreed Donna. "She's more of a perfectionist. Has to be in charge. But the evidence is pointing to her at the moment."
"Don't accuse her just yet," warned the Doctor. "I think we're already in her bad books. And remember, there was no way she could have been hiding in that panelling in the dining room this morning. Seconds before, we personally saw her walk out."
The Doctor and Donna stepped outside, where the scientists and a few onlookers were gathered around the body. An ambulance was there, as well as the police. The body was wrapped in a sheet, and ambulance officers carefully lifted it, and put it in the back of their floating vehicle. A police officer stepped forward, the same as the day before.
"Morning sir. Terrible case here. Can't believe anyone could be so violent sir."
The Doctor suddenly remembered that he was posing as a Scottish detective. "Yes. I've been upstairs, and there isn't any evidence there. The only person is a motroid sweeping, and he was terribly upset about it all."
"Well, I think we've done all we can here. This is a serious case. I'll have to get the forensic detectives down here to have a look at it, after we rope it off. " The officer pocketed a notebook and camera. "See you later sir."
At that moment, a bus flew up and the doors swung open. Wanda stepped inside. "Please everyone. The bus has come to take the committee back to the hotel. You will be given a light morning tea, and then you will be shown to the board room for your meeting."
Following the scientists onboard, Donna sat down on one of the comfortably cushioned seats. She watched Wanda sit in a special place in front. The woman was staring at the Doctor. Was that a stare of guilt? Confusion? Donna wasn't sure. Then she noticed Wanda take a tiny instrument out of her handbag and hold it up. There was a tiny flash. A camera! Why was Wanda taking a photo of the Doctor? Donna was confused. She leaned back against her seat and tried to sort out the many confused thoughts floating around in her mind.
More to come...
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