Chapter Eleven
There was a figure suspended in front of him, from what he saw it appeared to be a woman. She was hanging from an horrific array of chains and metal bars which caused her arms out giving her an almost angelic appearance. But there was some bizarre cage-like contraption over her head and torso. It was octagonal and looked hideous. "The woman in the iron mask" The Doctor thought, he walked slowly closer. And shone his light onto the mechanism on the front of which was a tiny grill "Hello?" The Doctor asked
Just then he heard a gasp and a pair of eyes could be seen. "Who are you?" she gasped
"It's a bit of a complicated story" The Doctor replied "but first we will get you down" using his pocket watch he cut through the chains and gently lowered her down to the ground the he broke the pad lock that was locking the contraption she was wearing, releasing her he brought her into a sitting position. "Are you the agent known as 'Oxford'?" he asked
The woman nodded "Who are you?" she asked
"I'm known as The Doctor," The Doctor replied
"So you are The Doctor." Agent Oxford replied "John often spoke of you."
"Yeah I bet" The Doctor sighed "Have you worked with him for a while?"
Oxford nodded "Many assignment with John Lyons. he is quite a sweet, kind thinking and perhaps a little bit shy "
"Are we still talking about the same man?" The Doctor chuckled, in his mind John Lyons was as sweet and an iron girder. "Do you know anything about X10.?"
The G.I.N. agent nodded "It's purely evil and McKenzie isn't in charge this thing is controlling him and it's only next door."
"Next Door!" The Doctor said with a tone of amazement in his voice. "I need to discover more about it. Can you walk?"
"Yeah" she gasped "no bones broken", The Doctor took of his jacket and wrapped it round her. Just then The Doctor had an idea.
Up in the offices Harvey McKenzie was talking to Scythe Zudar. "I've had enough Mr. Zudar, I'm going to tell X10. that our partnership is at an end."
"Do you think that would be wise?" Zudar asked
"Enough is enough" McKenzie insisted "And if it doesn't agree I'll terminate is existence. Come on and I'll bring Wallace and Crabtree."
He turned and made for the door. "You had better be careful" Zudar said "If you don't start showing me respect then I will leave and you will have to face X10. on your own."
McKenzie turned "I don't need your help Zudar, in fact all I need you for was information on both The Doctor and .G.I.N. and you gave us little help with that.". he turned back again to open the door just then there was a blast of blue light and when we looked again, Zudar was gone. McKenzie cursed under his breath and left the office.
"What are you doing" Oxford asked
"Just checking if the coast is clear," The Doctor replied he managed to get the door open. He looked down and saw that the G.I.N. agent had no shoes.
"Can you walk fast?" The Doctor asked. His new friend nodded "Come on" he said
The walked out into the corridor straight into the large figures of Wallace and Crabtree. Wallace got hold of The Doctor and Crabtree seized the G.I.N. Operative.
"Ah welcome Doctor" came a voice from behind him and Harvey McKenzie stepped forward. "I apologise that we can't make you more comfortable, but I can't take any chances." He said with a face of mock concern.
"I say we kill them right now, Mr. McKenzie" Crabtree said
"I agree, but first I suggest we let X10. deal with them." McKenzie replied
"Why not kill us McKenzie, why hand us over to a simple machine." The Doctor said "What are you scared off?"
"I'm not scared of anything" McKenzie said angrily
The Doctor and Oxford were bundled through the opposite door. This door lead to larger room. This room was spotlessly clean. With the walls, floor and ceiling covered in a smooth almost plastic-feeling material. However In front of them was a massive screen. McKenzie stood forward with his arms out like a priest giving a sermon. "X10. ACTIVATE!" He said loudly
The screen flickered and buzzed and two people appeared on it against the blue background. The blonde woman The Doctor had seen at McKenzie's house and a well built black man sitting next to her. They looked like people who read the new highlights at six o'clock
"Welcome to the Experimental, Radical, Intelligent, Artificial Co-ordinator" The man said he was dressed in a black smart suit with a white shirt and a blue and white striped tie "I'm Steven and this is Sally and together we are going to help you discover the viral world with the aid of 'Skylight Electronics'."
"This has gone on far enough" McKenzie "You want me, my company and resources to build these robots, and yet you won't tell me why. So before I allow you to kill these two spies you must tell me all you are doing."
"Oh Harvey" said the blonde woman "You shouldn't be worrying about things you don't understand" she sounded like a teacher in a primary school.
"No!" McKenzie said loudly "I activated you, now I want answers, tell me what you are doing or I will shut you down."
"Before you do" The Doctor interrupted "I have one question. What do you really look like?"
"I beg your pardon" the male avatar replied
"Mr. McKenzie has a point. Computers are meant to serve humans, but it's clear that you are definitely the one that is in control. But you are hiding behind this façade, so what do you really look like"
The blonde woman smiled even more "Who are you?"
"He's just some enemy spy. Destroy him" McKenzie said "And I'm in control. You listen to me. Tell me your plans or I will shut you down."
"You want me to show myself" The man replied "Then here we go." Just then the screen changed the man and woman disappeared and the background changed from tranquil blue to hellish red. For a moment there was nothing then a large black demonic looking skull appeared with bright red eyes
"I am X10." it rasped "Leader of the cyberace. Pioneer of the silicon based life form and my intelligence is far greater than any piece of simple organic matter."
"You said you were designed to assist people" McKenzie said loudly
"On the contrary" The Doctor cut in "I believe it's true intention is to either destroy the Earth or the human race. And how do you intend to achieve that?"
X10. laughed a shrill high-pitched laugh which sent chills up The Doctor's spine. "Why should I tell you, you think your simple organic mind you be able to understand my plans."
"No" McKenzie shouted he rushed forward to a control desk which The Doctor hadn't seen until now. He reached out to press on of the buttons just then there was a loud zap and McKenzie fell lifeless to the floor.
"He has fulfilled his purpose" X10. said "Now to deal with all of you."