Post by Fitz Kreiner on May 11, 2009 10:56:57 GMT
“Facsimile? What do you mean? What are you going to do with me?” Jess managed to splutter after several seconds whilst struggling against the strong grip the Autons were holding her by.
Calmly, the Master strode around the desk, his hands held behind his back. Reaching out, he picked up a cigar from where it rested on the ash tray and took a slow, leisurely puff, watching the smoke as it curled up towards the ceiling. Finally he turned to Jess and smiled.
“You see, my dear Miss Lawton, had you been kind enough to allow yourself to succumb to my hypnosis techniques then I would simply have allowed you to return to UNIT. However, as you seem intent to hinder my moves then somewhat more drastic measures are called for.” Pausing, the Master took another puff of the cigar and placed it down. “No,” he said turning to face her. “You shall be taken down to the factory floor where an exact facsimile will be made of you and sent back to UNIT in your place. You, meanwhile, will remain here to help support and provide the memory prints for the facsimile.”
Jess swallowed hard. She wasn’t to be killed, just copied. She still didn’t like the sounds of it, she had no idea whether the process would be painful or not. At the very least, she knew that somehow her entire memory print was to be taken, which mean that she had to have a scan or something. The thought of that didn’t exactly fill her with much confidence.
“Take her,” the Master commanded, snapping his fingers.
Jess found herself being half marched, half dragged by the two Autons, following Lemaitre from the office. She saw Andrea smile slightly as she was dragged passed her. A sudden thought came to Jess as she was dragged towards the office doors; what would the people in the administration area make of the Autons, unless they too were under the Masters’ control. She was surprised when their route took her through a door she hadn’t noticed before and into a hidden lift.
As the lift jolted and clanked its way down to the ground floor, Jess toyed with the idea of trying to talk to Lemaitre, see if she could create a connection between the two of them. However, if the man was indeed under a hypnotic influence, courtesy of the Master then conversation would most probably be somewhat on the lacking side. She’d have probably got a better conversation from a Dalek, or one of the Autons.
She was still contemplating this thought when she was lead out of the lift and down another short corridor and outside the building. Walking along ahead, Lemaitre seemed to be leading Jess and the Autons towards another building. Jess could already see that there were security notices hanging around it and a large “No Entry” sign above the door.
Struggling against the unrelenting grip of the two Autons, Jess found herself getting taken ever closer to the building where she no long had any doubt, would be where she would be copied by the creatures.
Rutunga Mbutu shifted in his seat and folded over the last page of his paper. He’d lost track of the time he’d been sat waiting for the girl who had hired him and offered him double the fare. He glanced up at the meter. It was now reading £39.80. It was certainly going to be a profitable day, especially as this girl was his first fare of the day. Reaching down, Mbutu picked out another cigarette from the carton and popped it into his mouth. He shook the near empty packet and mentally made a note to buy another pack of twenty Richmond when he was near a shop. Patting his shirt pockets for his lighter, he looked down the cab of the Taxi. Eventually he discovered it, sat in the foot well beside his seat.
Sitting up straight, he flicked open the top of the silver Zippo lighter and struck the flame up. His eyes widened and the cigarette drooped in his mouth as his eyes fell onto the sight in the grounds of the factory his fare had gone into. The girl, unmistakable with her raven black hair, was being dragged across the grounds by two large, bald thugs in boiler suits, being led by a short man in a business suit. Reaching down, Mbutu grabbed the rubber covered wooden handle of the weapon he kept beside his seat at all times. After all, he could never be too certain.
Pushing open the car door, Mbutu climbed out of the car, hefting the cricket bat and ran towards the factory. Wielding the bat, Mbutu swung it at the back of one of the bald men.
“You so big, pickin’ on girl? You pick on someone you own size.” Mbutu stopped when he caught sight of the other bald man as it turned to face him, letting Jess go. Its face was blank, with no eyes, or any discernable features. It was a mannequin.
As Mbutu watched, the bald man raised its arm and held its hand out. The fingers dropped away and a short stubby tube emerged from the hand. Mbutu’s eyes widened as the figure raised its hand and pointed the tube at him.
“Careful, that’s a weapon,” Jess shouted, from where she was picking herself up.
Swinging his cricket bat, Mbutu brought the Willow bat down onto the dummies arm, knocking it down as there was a soft explosion from the tube like weapon. Its gun off target, the back of the Auton Mbutu had knocked down exploded in a mass of molten plastic. Mbutu looked down, shocked as the fallen Aton’s head and shoulders disintegrated.
“Come on, don’t just stand there. Run while we have the chance.”
Mbutu looked up as Jess ran at him grabbing his arm and pulling him along with her. Taking a last look around, Mbutu saw the man in the suit up ahead had stopped and was moving towards him. The plastic creature that was still standing was turning towards him, its hand rising again. Mbutu didn’t need telling twice and set off at a sprit after Jess. The girl was already several yards ahead of him, but the fear drove him to close the gap on her.
Several smoky explosions erupted about him as he heard the strange sound of the creature’s weapon fire. As he ran, Mbutu threw his arms over his head until he reached the taxi and dived inside. He heard the door behind him slam closed and jumped when he heard something impact against the Perspex partitioning behind his head. Fearing that the girl had been shot, he looked around. Her hands were up against it and there was a look of horror on her face.
“Quick, drive,” she cried. “Get us the hell outta here. Back to where you picked me up.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice, missy.” Mbutu said, revving the engine and setting off at speed.
Turning a tight circle, Mbutu saw the plastic creature running towards the edge of the car park, its arm outstretched as it fired at the taxi. He heard the girl in the back let out a short shriek as the rear window shattered over her in an explosion of glass.
In his rear view mirror, he saw the girl, her hands over her head protectively and covered in glass, almost falling over as Mbutu swerved round a corner, cutting in front of a lorry that was about to pull out onto the mini roundabout. Mbutu swore softly as the lorry driver flashed his lights and hit the horn, sticking his finger up at him out of the window. Waving an apology, Mbutu stepped his foot down onto the accelerator. It wasn’t long before he had the taxi out into thicker traffic and had to slow down.
He took another glance in his rear view mirror and then wing mirror. There was something bothering him about the traffic behind him. There seemed to be a car following them, swerving back and forth as if they were trying both to keep an eye on the vehicle and stay out of sight at the same time. Turning, Mbutu turned a corner at a junction, keeping his eye on the mirror. Sure enough, the car turned with them. He swallowed hard, hoping he was being paranoid.
“I hate to say this, Missy,” he said glancing over his shoulder. “But I think we bein’ follo’d.”
Jess spun in her seat to try to see. She wasn’t sure which car Mbutu meant. Surely it couldn’t have been the car directly behind her; there was a woman behind the wheel with an infant in the back. Behind that, well, Jess couldn’t see very well, it kept swerving back and forth, as if the driver wasn’t too sure of themselves. Squinting, Jess tried to look through the windows of the car behind to see the driver but it was nigh on impossible. The only explanation she could think of was Lemaitre or the Auton had jumped into a car and was following her. She could think of only one reason why they would be doing that; to kill her.
“You have to lose him; I don’t care how you do it, but lose him.” She cried, turning back to Mbutu.
“No problem, Missy,” Mbutu grinned. “I know me city like back of me hand.”
“She escaped?” The Master boomed getting to his feet.
Andrea Rogers shuffled her feet uncomfortably and shrank back from him on the other side of the desk. “Monsieur Lemaitre said that she had an accomplice, a man who attacked the Autons, with a cricket bat.”
“A cricket bat?” the Master bellowed, almost disbelieving of the word. “And did that imbecile Lemaitre not think to intervene?”
“He didn’t say, Master.” Andrea said sheepishly.
The Master snapped his head up and looked at Andrea. Slowly and calmly he walked round the desk gently placed his hand on her cheek. “I do apologise my dear,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t be angry with you. After all, it’s not your fault.” Turning the Master took a step towards the monitor screens, holding his hands behind his back. “Would you please fetch me Lemaitre? I believe he has some explaining to do.”
“Yes Master.” Andrea said, smiling and turning, leaving the office and closing the door behind her.
When he knew he was alone, the Masters smiled turned down into a scowl. The girl had escaped, along with her the knowledge of parts of his plans. There was no way that he, or anyone else from the factory would be able to catch up with her now, her lead was too great, unless Lemaitre had the sense to order an Auton after her.
The Master heard the door behind him open and could sense that both Andrea and Lemaitre had entered. He remained still until he heard the door close again and then waited several seconds, enjoying the feeling, knowing that Lemaitre was already in an anxious state. Slowly the Master turned round. Lemaitre was nervously shuffling his feet and wringing his hands.
“Well?” the Master asked simply.
“Sh- She escaped Master, she had help from another man.” Lemaitre said nervously.
“And you didn’t think to stop her,” the Master purred.
“I would have, Master, but,” Lemaitre paused and looked down at the floor. “One of the originals of the UNIT facsimiles’ escaped also, I tried to stop him.”
“So not only has the girl who discovered what we were up to escaped, but now you’re telling me that you let another prisoner escape and not only endangered our Facsimile infiltrators but has jeopardised out entire operation?” The Master said as he walked back to his desk calmly before rounding on Lemaitre. “You’re a foolish incompetent,” he shouted reaching into his inside jacket pocket. “And your usefulness has reached its end.” His face a picture of pure anger, wrath and malice, the Master withdrew his Tissue Compression Eliminator and trained it on Lemaitre.
“No, Master, no sil vous plait!” The Frenchman begged backing away.
His lip upturning in what looked like a snarl, the Master fired the TCE gun at Lemaitre who screamed in agony as his body twisted in the deadly beam. With every single muscle in his body contracting and cramping, Lemaitre collapsed into a heap in the middle of the office.
A small smile now playing across his lips, the Master watched as Lemaitre’s body twisted and shrank as the deathly beam destroyed the cells of his body, shrinking it down to a mere six inches. When the body stopped twitching and jerking, the Master shut off his gun and put it back in his inside pocket and looked up at Andrea, his face calm and collected once again.
“Would you arrange for an Auton to come and clear that mess up?” He asked nodding to Lemaitre’s remains. “And then remove his car from the premises.”
“Yes Master,” Andrea nodded turning to leave.
Pausing, the Master turned back to her. “And activate the UNIT Facsimile’s; it looks as though we may have to advance our plan.”
Jess ran up the stair case and down the corridor to the lab. She had no idea where anyone was, but she thought that would be the best place to find either the Doctor or Tom. Skidding round the corner, Jess flung herself into the lab; it was empty. Realising she was out of breath, she sat down heavily on one of the chairs near the computer terminals and sighed. She’d left Mbutu downstairs, promising she’d be back down to sort payment as soon as possible.
She’d spoken to the girl at the reception desk, but she didn’t know whether Morris, Lovatt or Loding were back in HQ either. Jess had to admit, she felt sorry for the poor girl, especially after the way she’d responded to the negative replies to her questions. She told herself to go down and apologise as soon as she had found someone.
Looking up, Jess realised that the strip lighting and computer monitors were on. Tom must have got the fuses working again since she’d left. That meant that there had to be power going to the operations room. She was about to get up to try it when she became aware of a figure stood in the doorway. Turning round she was greeted by the familiar figure of Tom.
“Oh Gods, you made me jump,” she said, putting her hand to her chest. “Thank Gods you’re here, I’ve figured it out; what the Master is up to. I just escaped from him actually.”
“Go on,” Tom urged stepping into the lab.
“Well, all these people who were killed have been replaced by relative unknowns, people who’ve come into prominence in the last few weeks or so. All except this guy who took over the police; James Duncan or whatever his name is. But the rest, they’re facsimile’s, duplicates. The Master ordered the real people killed so he could put these people into power so he can take over. It’s the only explanation.” Jess paused to take a breath, she was getting excited finally telling her conclusions to someone who wasn’t going to order her death or anything. “Anyway, I was going to tell someone when I bumped into the Master, I mean literally, and I followed him back to his base. It’s that French place, you went to with the Doctor. I’m surprised you didn’t spot him, but yeah, my taxi driver helped me when they were gonna copy me and now, well I’m back here.”
Jess breathed a sigh of relief as she looked up at Tom. His expression was blank and he was staring at her. Something suddenly sent a shiver down her spine.
“You got the phones working?” She asked.
“Yes,” Tom replied monosyllabically.
“Well, I need to contact the Doctor, or Captain Morris,” Jess said reaching for the phone.
“No,” Tom said loudly as he stepped forwards, stopping Jess in her tracks and making her turn to face him. “You have found out too much about us.”
“What-?” Jess began as Tom raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Before she knew what was happening, the plastic wires from the phone and computers whipped out and flashed around her arms and waist strapping her to the chair. She looked up as Tom took another step towards her, his arm outstretched. She watched in rapt horror as his fingers dropped away and the short gun of an Auton emerged from his hand. Against all her better instincts, Jess opened her mouth and screamed.
Calmly, the Master strode around the desk, his hands held behind his back. Reaching out, he picked up a cigar from where it rested on the ash tray and took a slow, leisurely puff, watching the smoke as it curled up towards the ceiling. Finally he turned to Jess and smiled.
“You see, my dear Miss Lawton, had you been kind enough to allow yourself to succumb to my hypnosis techniques then I would simply have allowed you to return to UNIT. However, as you seem intent to hinder my moves then somewhat more drastic measures are called for.” Pausing, the Master took another puff of the cigar and placed it down. “No,” he said turning to face her. “You shall be taken down to the factory floor where an exact facsimile will be made of you and sent back to UNIT in your place. You, meanwhile, will remain here to help support and provide the memory prints for the facsimile.”
Jess swallowed hard. She wasn’t to be killed, just copied. She still didn’t like the sounds of it, she had no idea whether the process would be painful or not. At the very least, she knew that somehow her entire memory print was to be taken, which mean that she had to have a scan or something. The thought of that didn’t exactly fill her with much confidence.
“Take her,” the Master commanded, snapping his fingers.
Jess found herself being half marched, half dragged by the two Autons, following Lemaitre from the office. She saw Andrea smile slightly as she was dragged passed her. A sudden thought came to Jess as she was dragged towards the office doors; what would the people in the administration area make of the Autons, unless they too were under the Masters’ control. She was surprised when their route took her through a door she hadn’t noticed before and into a hidden lift.
As the lift jolted and clanked its way down to the ground floor, Jess toyed with the idea of trying to talk to Lemaitre, see if she could create a connection between the two of them. However, if the man was indeed under a hypnotic influence, courtesy of the Master then conversation would most probably be somewhat on the lacking side. She’d have probably got a better conversation from a Dalek, or one of the Autons.
She was still contemplating this thought when she was lead out of the lift and down another short corridor and outside the building. Walking along ahead, Lemaitre seemed to be leading Jess and the Autons towards another building. Jess could already see that there were security notices hanging around it and a large “No Entry” sign above the door.
Struggling against the unrelenting grip of the two Autons, Jess found herself getting taken ever closer to the building where she no long had any doubt, would be where she would be copied by the creatures.
*
Rutunga Mbutu shifted in his seat and folded over the last page of his paper. He’d lost track of the time he’d been sat waiting for the girl who had hired him and offered him double the fare. He glanced up at the meter. It was now reading £39.80. It was certainly going to be a profitable day, especially as this girl was his first fare of the day. Reaching down, Mbutu picked out another cigarette from the carton and popped it into his mouth. He shook the near empty packet and mentally made a note to buy another pack of twenty Richmond when he was near a shop. Patting his shirt pockets for his lighter, he looked down the cab of the Taxi. Eventually he discovered it, sat in the foot well beside his seat.
Sitting up straight, he flicked open the top of the silver Zippo lighter and struck the flame up. His eyes widened and the cigarette drooped in his mouth as his eyes fell onto the sight in the grounds of the factory his fare had gone into. The girl, unmistakable with her raven black hair, was being dragged across the grounds by two large, bald thugs in boiler suits, being led by a short man in a business suit. Reaching down, Mbutu grabbed the rubber covered wooden handle of the weapon he kept beside his seat at all times. After all, he could never be too certain.
Pushing open the car door, Mbutu climbed out of the car, hefting the cricket bat and ran towards the factory. Wielding the bat, Mbutu swung it at the back of one of the bald men.
“You so big, pickin’ on girl? You pick on someone you own size.” Mbutu stopped when he caught sight of the other bald man as it turned to face him, letting Jess go. Its face was blank, with no eyes, or any discernable features. It was a mannequin.
As Mbutu watched, the bald man raised its arm and held its hand out. The fingers dropped away and a short stubby tube emerged from the hand. Mbutu’s eyes widened as the figure raised its hand and pointed the tube at him.
“Careful, that’s a weapon,” Jess shouted, from where she was picking herself up.
Swinging his cricket bat, Mbutu brought the Willow bat down onto the dummies arm, knocking it down as there was a soft explosion from the tube like weapon. Its gun off target, the back of the Auton Mbutu had knocked down exploded in a mass of molten plastic. Mbutu looked down, shocked as the fallen Aton’s head and shoulders disintegrated.
“Come on, don’t just stand there. Run while we have the chance.”
Mbutu looked up as Jess ran at him grabbing his arm and pulling him along with her. Taking a last look around, Mbutu saw the man in the suit up ahead had stopped and was moving towards him. The plastic creature that was still standing was turning towards him, its hand rising again. Mbutu didn’t need telling twice and set off at a sprit after Jess. The girl was already several yards ahead of him, but the fear drove him to close the gap on her.
Several smoky explosions erupted about him as he heard the strange sound of the creature’s weapon fire. As he ran, Mbutu threw his arms over his head until he reached the taxi and dived inside. He heard the door behind him slam closed and jumped when he heard something impact against the Perspex partitioning behind his head. Fearing that the girl had been shot, he looked around. Her hands were up against it and there was a look of horror on her face.
“Quick, drive,” she cried. “Get us the hell outta here. Back to where you picked me up.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice, missy.” Mbutu said, revving the engine and setting off at speed.
Turning a tight circle, Mbutu saw the plastic creature running towards the edge of the car park, its arm outstretched as it fired at the taxi. He heard the girl in the back let out a short shriek as the rear window shattered over her in an explosion of glass.
In his rear view mirror, he saw the girl, her hands over her head protectively and covered in glass, almost falling over as Mbutu swerved round a corner, cutting in front of a lorry that was about to pull out onto the mini roundabout. Mbutu swore softly as the lorry driver flashed his lights and hit the horn, sticking his finger up at him out of the window. Waving an apology, Mbutu stepped his foot down onto the accelerator. It wasn’t long before he had the taxi out into thicker traffic and had to slow down.
He took another glance in his rear view mirror and then wing mirror. There was something bothering him about the traffic behind him. There seemed to be a car following them, swerving back and forth as if they were trying both to keep an eye on the vehicle and stay out of sight at the same time. Turning, Mbutu turned a corner at a junction, keeping his eye on the mirror. Sure enough, the car turned with them. He swallowed hard, hoping he was being paranoid.
“I hate to say this, Missy,” he said glancing over his shoulder. “But I think we bein’ follo’d.”
Jess spun in her seat to try to see. She wasn’t sure which car Mbutu meant. Surely it couldn’t have been the car directly behind her; there was a woman behind the wheel with an infant in the back. Behind that, well, Jess couldn’t see very well, it kept swerving back and forth, as if the driver wasn’t too sure of themselves. Squinting, Jess tried to look through the windows of the car behind to see the driver but it was nigh on impossible. The only explanation she could think of was Lemaitre or the Auton had jumped into a car and was following her. She could think of only one reason why they would be doing that; to kill her.
“You have to lose him; I don’t care how you do it, but lose him.” She cried, turning back to Mbutu.
“No problem, Missy,” Mbutu grinned. “I know me city like back of me hand.”
*
“She escaped?” The Master boomed getting to his feet.
Andrea Rogers shuffled her feet uncomfortably and shrank back from him on the other side of the desk. “Monsieur Lemaitre said that she had an accomplice, a man who attacked the Autons, with a cricket bat.”
“A cricket bat?” the Master bellowed, almost disbelieving of the word. “And did that imbecile Lemaitre not think to intervene?”
“He didn’t say, Master.” Andrea said sheepishly.
The Master snapped his head up and looked at Andrea. Slowly and calmly he walked round the desk gently placed his hand on her cheek. “I do apologise my dear,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t be angry with you. After all, it’s not your fault.” Turning the Master took a step towards the monitor screens, holding his hands behind his back. “Would you please fetch me Lemaitre? I believe he has some explaining to do.”
“Yes Master.” Andrea said, smiling and turning, leaving the office and closing the door behind her.
When he knew he was alone, the Masters smiled turned down into a scowl. The girl had escaped, along with her the knowledge of parts of his plans. There was no way that he, or anyone else from the factory would be able to catch up with her now, her lead was too great, unless Lemaitre had the sense to order an Auton after her.
The Master heard the door behind him open and could sense that both Andrea and Lemaitre had entered. He remained still until he heard the door close again and then waited several seconds, enjoying the feeling, knowing that Lemaitre was already in an anxious state. Slowly the Master turned round. Lemaitre was nervously shuffling his feet and wringing his hands.
“Well?” the Master asked simply.
“Sh- She escaped Master, she had help from another man.” Lemaitre said nervously.
“And you didn’t think to stop her,” the Master purred.
“I would have, Master, but,” Lemaitre paused and looked down at the floor. “One of the originals of the UNIT facsimiles’ escaped also, I tried to stop him.”
“So not only has the girl who discovered what we were up to escaped, but now you’re telling me that you let another prisoner escape and not only endangered our Facsimile infiltrators but has jeopardised out entire operation?” The Master said as he walked back to his desk calmly before rounding on Lemaitre. “You’re a foolish incompetent,” he shouted reaching into his inside jacket pocket. “And your usefulness has reached its end.” His face a picture of pure anger, wrath and malice, the Master withdrew his Tissue Compression Eliminator and trained it on Lemaitre.
“No, Master, no sil vous plait!” The Frenchman begged backing away.
His lip upturning in what looked like a snarl, the Master fired the TCE gun at Lemaitre who screamed in agony as his body twisted in the deadly beam. With every single muscle in his body contracting and cramping, Lemaitre collapsed into a heap in the middle of the office.
A small smile now playing across his lips, the Master watched as Lemaitre’s body twisted and shrank as the deathly beam destroyed the cells of his body, shrinking it down to a mere six inches. When the body stopped twitching and jerking, the Master shut off his gun and put it back in his inside pocket and looked up at Andrea, his face calm and collected once again.
“Would you arrange for an Auton to come and clear that mess up?” He asked nodding to Lemaitre’s remains. “And then remove his car from the premises.”
“Yes Master,” Andrea nodded turning to leave.
Pausing, the Master turned back to her. “And activate the UNIT Facsimile’s; it looks as though we may have to advance our plan.”
*
Jess ran up the stair case and down the corridor to the lab. She had no idea where anyone was, but she thought that would be the best place to find either the Doctor or Tom. Skidding round the corner, Jess flung herself into the lab; it was empty. Realising she was out of breath, she sat down heavily on one of the chairs near the computer terminals and sighed. She’d left Mbutu downstairs, promising she’d be back down to sort payment as soon as possible.
She’d spoken to the girl at the reception desk, but she didn’t know whether Morris, Lovatt or Loding were back in HQ either. Jess had to admit, she felt sorry for the poor girl, especially after the way she’d responded to the negative replies to her questions. She told herself to go down and apologise as soon as she had found someone.
Looking up, Jess realised that the strip lighting and computer monitors were on. Tom must have got the fuses working again since she’d left. That meant that there had to be power going to the operations room. She was about to get up to try it when she became aware of a figure stood in the doorway. Turning round she was greeted by the familiar figure of Tom.
“Oh Gods, you made me jump,” she said, putting her hand to her chest. “Thank Gods you’re here, I’ve figured it out; what the Master is up to. I just escaped from him actually.”
“Go on,” Tom urged stepping into the lab.
“Well, all these people who were killed have been replaced by relative unknowns, people who’ve come into prominence in the last few weeks or so. All except this guy who took over the police; James Duncan or whatever his name is. But the rest, they’re facsimile’s, duplicates. The Master ordered the real people killed so he could put these people into power so he can take over. It’s the only explanation.” Jess paused to take a breath, she was getting excited finally telling her conclusions to someone who wasn’t going to order her death or anything. “Anyway, I was going to tell someone when I bumped into the Master, I mean literally, and I followed him back to his base. It’s that French place, you went to with the Doctor. I’m surprised you didn’t spot him, but yeah, my taxi driver helped me when they were gonna copy me and now, well I’m back here.”
Jess breathed a sigh of relief as she looked up at Tom. His expression was blank and he was staring at her. Something suddenly sent a shiver down her spine.
“You got the phones working?” She asked.
“Yes,” Tom replied monosyllabically.
“Well, I need to contact the Doctor, or Captain Morris,” Jess said reaching for the phone.
“No,” Tom said loudly as he stepped forwards, stopping Jess in her tracks and making her turn to face him. “You have found out too much about us.”
“What-?” Jess began as Tom raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Before she knew what was happening, the plastic wires from the phone and computers whipped out and flashed around her arms and waist strapping her to the chair. She looked up as Tom took another step towards her, his arm outstretched. She watched in rapt horror as his fingers dropped away and the short gun of an Auton emerged from his hand. Against all her better instincts, Jess opened her mouth and screamed.