‘Is there anywhere you’re not about to attack?’ the Doctor asked distastefully.
‘I’m doing what I must, Doctor,’ Barlow answered calmly. ‘Britain needs a firm hand and a guiding vision right now Haldoran and London are – were, whatever – both fools. I’m not. There’s a power vacuum right now, and I intend to fill it.’
‘If the Daleks don’t beat you to it,’ the Doctor muttered.
‘In case you’d forgotten,’ Donna said furiously, ‘I happen to be Lord London’s daughter. You’re talking about deposing my father and murdering him.’
‘Yes,’ Barlow agreed. ‘I’m sorry if you become a widow and an orphan in one day, but sometimes the world doesn’t work the way we want it to.’
‘Did anyone ever tell you you’re a cold‐blooded, heartless bastard?’ she demanded.
‘Everyone,’ he replied with a faint smile. ‘It’s not news.’ He turned to his aide. ‘Get through to Craddock,’ he ordered. ‘Tell him that Haldoran and Downs are both dead, and I’ve assumed command here. Tell him to press home the attack on New London – and that if there are any overtures for surrender to accept them. There’s no need for any further killing.’ The aide saluted and left.
‘How noble of you,’ Donna sneered.
‘We don’t need to be fighting on more than two fronts,’ Barlow explained. He turned to another man. ‘Get the runabouts ready for departure. Ten men, plus the four of us here.’ He glanced at Donna. ‘Unless you’d rather stay behind?’ he suggested.
‘I’m coming,’ she said, daring him to deny her.
‘I thought you might.’ Barlow glanced around as people started moving out of the castle and into the courtyard. ‘Get them together,’ he ordered one of his men. ‘I’ll talk to them when they’re ready.’ His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of someone he recognised. ‘Except her. Have her brought to me right now.’
Donna stiffened as she saw who it was he’d indicated. It was her cousin, Brittany, looking pale and panicky as ever. Anger and hurt began to bubble up inside of her again. It might have been several years since she’d been betrayed by Brittany, but Donna knew that none of her anger had died down.
A soldier hurried her over. Brittany was distracted, and this allowed Donna to slip behind the Doctor and David without being seen. Both of them must have seen the pain in her eyes because they closed ranks without comment.
‘Barlow!’ Brittany said, her dark hair dishevelled. She’d obviously been sleeping not too long before. She had only a robe on over a long nightdress. ‘What’s happened? I heard this terrible explosion, and I was coming out to see what was going on when your men hurried me out.’
‘If you’ll let me get a word in edgeways,’ Barlow said drily, ’I’ll be happy to explain. First of all, allow me to offer you my condolences. Your husband, sadly, is dead.’
Brittany paled, and then gave a brittle laugh. ‘What is this, a coup?’
‘Of sorts,’ Barlow admitted. ‘But I didn’t begin it. Your husband was dead by the time I arrived. One of his old girlfriends, I believe.’
‘The stupid bastard deserved it,’ Brittany spat. Then she blinked rapidly, realising what this meant. ‘Then you’ve taken his place as the new Lord Haldoran?’
‘Something like that,’ Barlow agreed. ‘Though I’m none too fond of the title. I’m not quite as egotistical as your late, and apparently very unlamented, husband.’
Brittany snorted. ’As if I’d mourn his passing! All I was to him was a breeding cow.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Does that mean you aim to… remove his sons?’
‘It might be politically wise,’ Barlow said practically.
Donna felt bile rising up inside her.
‘I can show you where they are,’ Brittany offered. ‘I heard that you’re a widower now, and if I’m a widow… Well, marrying the niece of Lord London would improve your political standing.’
Donna was even more disgusted than she had been before. She started to move around the Doctor’s back, but Barlow waved her to stop.
‘Your motherly devotion is as well developed as your love for your husband,’ he said drily ‘Fortunately for your… offspring, I’m not an overly bloodthirsty man.’ He stared into her eyes. ‘They deserve pity for having two such parents, not murdering. As for your other kind offer, of marriage for political gains… Well, you’re right: my claim to power would be strengthened by marrying into the London family.’ Brittany had looked worried at first, but now brightened. ‘However, you’re not the only prospect. I believe you know your cousin?’ He gestured at Donna.
Brittany whirled around, her eyes wide and panic‐stricken. She tried to pull her tattered dignity together, but that was beyond her right now.
Another payback. ‘Hello, Brittany,’ Donna said cheerfully. ‘Remember me? It’s so good to see you again.’ She whipped her fist out, punching her cousin hard on the jaw. With a scream, Brittany collapsed backward, arms and legs flailing. Donna rubbed her hurting fist, but it had been worth the pain. She glared down at where Brittany lay in the mud of the courtyard, sobbing.
Barlow actually looked amused as he gestured to the soldier. ‘Find somewhere to lock her away,’ he instructed. ‘And keep her away from her children. I’d realty like them to survive the night.’ He turned to Donna. ‘Unless you’d like a punching bag?’ he suggested.
Donna’s face was flushed. ‘I’m finished.’
‘Good,’ the Doctor interrupted, irritation in his voice. ‘I’m glad that at least one person has come to their senses.’ Donna could see the disappointment in his face as he regarded her for a moment. Then he turned back to Barlow. ‘Now can we get on with the important matters? The Daleks could be planning to overrun Earth while the two of you enjoy yourselves.’
‘Patience, Doctor,’ Barlow answered. ‘As soon as everyone’s here, I’ll speak to them. They can either agree to join my side or be imprisoned. Then we can be on our way.’
‘About time,’ the Doctor muttered impatiently. ‘Just keep the speeches short, please!’
Susan smiled to herself as she finished working on the lock. It really hadn’t been as difficult as she’d feared. Dalek logic was simple once you got the hang of it. She tapped in the code, and hesitated before she made the final entry. She’d been assuming that the Daleks had better things to do with themselves than to guard one weak, unarmed prisoner, but what if she was wrong? There might be a Dalek on the other side of the door…
In which case, it would either try to kill her for attempting to escape, or simply relock the door. If it chose the latter, it wouldn’t hurt to have a plan…
She went back into the circuit boards, and set up a power drain. To relock the door, the Dalek would have to interface with the lock. If it attempted that after her little act of sabotage, it would get a power surge down its probe that would short out its internal computers. That would fix it.
If it tried to kill her, of course…
Ignoring that possibility, because there was nothing she could do about it, she finished the code to unseal her prison door. It hissed upward, and Susan winced as she saw that there was indeed something waiting for her. But it wasn’t a Dalek. Instead, it was a humanoid form, and one she recognised with surprise.
It was the guard captain who had captured her Yet he stared at her without recognition. He started to bring up the machine gun he still held.
‘You are a prisoner of the Daleks,’ he intoned, in a flat voice. ‘You will remain in your cell or die.’
Susan’s throat went dry as she stared at the helmet encasing his head.
A Roboman…
12
Countdown to World’s End