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Jezak shook her head and sat down at a table nearest to her. 'No, I thought I'd get some help first.'
Before Napier could say anything, Valla said: 'Well, what are we waiting for folks? Let's go and check it out.' and with that she upholstered her side arm and moved towards the door.
'Valla!' shouted Napier. He looked at her with anger in his eyes. She'd never seen him like it and it took her quite by surprise.
Things were serious, he thought and it was about time he did something positive. 'Lodge, you go with Valla and checkout airlock nine. That's where Zaran said he was sending Ridge.'
'Yes, sir!' said Lodge and gave a mock salute as he followed Valla.
'And Valla,' called Napier, 'look after your pet poodle here.'
Valla looked back and smiled at him. 'And what about me? Who's going to look after me?' she asked.
'You can look after yourself,' and with that Valla and Lodge left the room as Napier turned to the others. 'Malikyan and Lindley checkout the other airlocks while Dr.Jezak and I check in with communications.
As they all turned to leave they were all unaware as one of the creatures observing from outside the window, its jaw dripping saliva as it viewed the crew members leaving the rec-room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 he Doctor and Ace meanwhile had entered through the airlock door and into the base itself. As they entered the corridor they noted that, like the airlock, it too was engulfed in the eerie glow of the emergency lighting.
As they looked up and down the length of the corridor, Ace could make out several doors leading off to other parts and the corridor itself was cluttered with various pieces of equipment not recognisable to her, and several large crates stacked up against the concave walls.
'Bit small, isn't it, Professor?' asked Ace.
'They seem to be an advanced party of colonists.'
'Advance party?'
'Yes. Probably here to study the planet and prepare it for future colonisation.'
'Well, they won't get many in here!' said Ace as she examined the crates to see if there was anything of interest.
'By the time the other colonists arrive this place will have grown in size,' moaned the Doctor, 'and don't touch anything!' he snapped.
'Anyway,' said Ace as she moved back over to the Doctor's side, 'It's time you answered a few questions.'
'Must I?' mumbled the Doctor.
'Like for instance, what were those things out there which nearly had us for dinner?'
'Well,' began the Doctor, 'the creatures are called Armarytes and they originate from the planet Tiaun.'
'So what are they doing her?' whispered Ace, as she cautiously looked about her, looking for any sign of life.
'Good question,' replied the Doctor. 'I believe they were put here.'
Ace gave him a slightly puzzled look. 'How?'
'You remember those capsules we found?'
'Yes - you mean they travelled here?'
'Yes, but they don't have the capabilities nor the intelligence for that matter.'
'So, somebody brought them here,' said Ace.
'Not brought. Sent. Those creatures were incubated within those capsules and once here they "hatched" open.'
'You mean those creatures were a sleep inside, while they travelled through space.' said Ace. Yet she was somewhat astonished to think that anything could survive such a journey. 'So how far is Tiaun from here?' she asked.
'No, no. they never travelled from Tiaun, no they came from somewhere quite near here.'
'What about that space ship, the one I saw before the shuttle blew up?'
'Possibly-' The Doctor stopped. He had sensed something and he looked from left to right in order to see what it was that he had heard.
 
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saros five pt2 page3
