Read Doctor Who: War Machine for Free Online

Polly told him. ‘We think she must have gone.’
    The Doctor frowned. ‘But where could she go? She doesn’t know anyone here nowadays.’
    ‘She had a phone call... about half an hour ago. We haven’t seen her since, ‘Who was the call from?’
    No one knew.
    ‘And who is this young man?’ He indicated the young sailor.
    ‘The name’s Ben. He’s been helping to look for Dodo.’
    ‘Very well,’ said the Doctor. ‘We’ll have another quick search. After all, she might still be somewhere in this crowd.’
    There was no longer any discord in the office. The three men were united in a common purpose.
    ‘We are here to serve Wotan,’ said Brett. ‘On his instructions new machines must be constructed. The best and finest human brains must be conscripted to accomplish this task. It is top priority. We must design the new models to supersede human life, then they in turn will take over the march of progress, and they will design a further generation. We are all servants to this cause. It is the purpose of our existence.’
    The other two men nodded. They understood and approved.
    ‘We must plan this campaign under the instructions of Wotan,’ went on Brett. ‘We are fortunate to be enlisted at the very start of this historic undertaking. Once we have collected the team that Wotan demands we will launch the next step in the operations.’ There was a moment’s silence before he continued. ‘I speak for Wotan and, Major, you are in charge of planning.’
    He handed a slip of instructions to Krimpton. ‘You are to supervise the electronic design and construction of the new machines.’ There was total acceptance and dedication from all.
    ‘We failed in one important aspect when Wotan was designed,’ added Brett. ‘The new machines are to be mobile, able to move freely, and each is to have an independent, self-generating, source of power.’
    Krimpton read out his fresh instruction. ‘They must all carry their own weapons.’
    There was a rapid outburst of signals from Wotan. It was possible to feel the frustration within the machine at having to be dependent on three such fallible human beings.
    ‘All control is to be centralised in this office,’ said the Major.
    There was a pause, then Brett announced, ‘The first step to be taken is to complete the planning team. For that Wotan demands one special brain. We are instructed to make sure he is brought here with great urgency. In three days’ time a switch-on which links up a network of computers will take place. That is our deadline.’
    ‘What is this special brain?’ asked Krimpton. ‘It is forbidden to ask questions,’ said Brett. ‘We obey orders,’ said the Major.
    ‘The task of enlisting the special brain is already under way,’ Brett told them. ‘To lure him here we have had to provide ourselves with bait.’
    The Major lifted a warning hand. ‘Someone is coming.’
    Brett was not concerned. ‘It is the fourth member of our planning staff. Summoned to receive instructions.’ They didn’t know whom to expect as the door opened, but they were startled to see a girl walk in.
    ‘The Doctor’s secretary!’ said Brett.
    Dodo didn’t appear to notice the three men. She walked towards Wotan and stood directly before the machine.
    ‘What are my instructions?’ asked Dodo.
    The computer reacted explosively. Noise and lights reached an alarming pitch... but there was no electronic message, no slip of paper with instructions followed. Instead there was a sudden silence, then a strange metallic sound. The voice that came from the machine was synthetic, and high-pitched – totally impersonal.
    ‘You... are to... bring the Doctor... here... The Doctor... is required... You understand?’
    Dodo made no reply. She turned and left the room as she had entered, oblivious of everything else around her.
     

5. Putting the Team Together
    The two powerful lights that shone from Wotan dominated the office, and they now appeared more than ever like