The Plain People--Chapter Two

The Plain People
MIA #7
Chapter 2.
Amish Mash of Activity!
by The Antiwesley

 The figure loomed towards Tegan with no uncertain step. The Doctor studied it as it approached.

 "Doctor, please ... HELP!" Tegan screamed.

 The Doctor fidgeted about for a second or two in his pockets then simply pulled his hands out and snapped his fingers. The figure turned and slowly started lurching towards him.

 Tegan gulped."I hate it when you do that."

 

Bessie pulled into Paradise, at a slow leisurely pace. The town was small, one paved road ran through the center of town. The shops were filled with many turn-of-the-century looking items. Buggies sat in front of some of the stores.

 "You see Jo,even if the Master has set up an ambush for us, it would be common sense to go in expecting one."

 Jo nodded. "But what if he hasn't set up an ambush, Doctor?"

 The Doctor nodded. "A good question, Jo. I suppose that we will have to be conspicuous as well as secretive."

 Jo looked confused. The Doctor answered her unspoken question.

 "I need you to investigate the missing people, Jo. In a very open way."

 "And what will you be doing?"

 "Investigating the missing people as well."

 Jo sighed.

 

"I say,you wouldn't be able to point us towards a quilter, can you?" asked the Doctor.

 The figure rambled closer. The Doctor put his hands into his pocket.

 "My friends and I were just stopping by to purchase one."

 The Doctor smiled. The figure loomed ever closer, stretching his arms out as if to choke the Doctor. He stood impassively as the Amish man walked closer. Turlough grew concerned.

 "Doctor,watch out!" he called.

 "No need to worry, Turlough." The man was almost on top of him. The Doctor then stepped out of the way at the very last second, lightly tapping the gentleman on the back of his neck.

 "You see, Turlough, I was in no danger at all." The Doctor smiled.

 

Somewhere, in a hidden bunker.

 The figure stared at the screen. "No, you fool! You've found the wrong person!" he yelled at no-one in particular. "You should have gone for the eariler one."

 He pressed a few buttons, severing the connection.

 "If you would've gone for the earlier incarnation, we might have had a chance to rid ourselves of the Doctor once and for all!"

 The figure sighed.

 

Jo entered the general store. The shelves were lined with most modern day foods, and the freezers held very little.

 "How can I help ye?" said the proprietor.

 Jo turned, somewhat startled as the voice came out of nowhere. Turning around, she noticed a small, black haired man walked out of the back room.

 She stared at him intently for a minute, catching her breath.

 "Sorry I startled ye, ma'am. We don't get many outsiders this time of year."

 "And I suppose with the disappearances, you'll be getting less ..." said Jo.

 "Aye. You be here to investigate these disappearances, young miss?"

 Jo nodded. "Do you know anything?"

 "Aye. The people have been vanishing after the nightfall, some have been seen walking into the corn fields at twilight. Most good folk are readying for bed after twilight falls, so we found this all a tad strange."

 "And nobody has ever seen or heard from these people again?" asked Jo.

 "Aye. Best you be asking Father Roger about this. He be knowing more of them than I."

 "Thanks ever so much, Mr?"

 "Call me Mr.Anthony."

 "Good day, then Mr. Anthony."

 Jo left the general store. Looking in through the shop window, she saw Mr. Anthony laugh as he entered the backroom.

 

As the Amish fellow fell to the ground, the Doctor proudly raised his hand to show the device that nearly fell with him.

 "What's that, Doctor?" asked Turlough with some curiousity.

 "This is a mind control device. If placed properly, the wearer can be influenced over many miles with a small signal from a lobe enhancer. I haven't seen one of these for many years. Not since the '70s. Oh dear."

 "What?" asked Tegan?

 "I have a very nasty suspicion about this. And I don't like the answer to the one question I have."

 "Which is?" pressed Tegan further.

 "The only person I've ever seen use this device. And last I saw of him, he was on a one-way trip to Xeriphas."

 "You mean?"

 "Yes, Tegan. The Master is back in business. But I find it strange that he's using a trick I beat a long time ago. A couple regenerations back. Interesting."

 

Jo went to the church, finding the door open, she entered silently. Finding no-one about in the church, she left to visit the town's library.

 

A small figure came through the corn field.

 "Ah, I see you have found Mr. Murphy."

 "Yes." Said the Doctor.

 "We have been concerned for many a day about him. Alas, it is sad to see him dead." The small figure was dressed in a parishioner's outfit. He had black hair and a small black beard.

 "And you are?" asked Tegan.

 He stepped back. "Father Roger. Local priest at your service."

 "Well, Father Roger, it seems as if your services will be needed. The poor man was under the influence of an evil man named The Master. He tends to use his victims Ôtil they are no longer of any use. And sadly, Mr. Murphy is no longer of use since his attack failed."

 Father Roger sighed. "I will go fetch the lads to bring his body back. Then, we can sit and you can tell me more of this attack." Father Roger left the way he came. Minutes later, a stretcher party arrived and escorted the body of Mr. Murphy and the rest into town.

 "Well, this got us into town, Doctor ..." Tegan smirked.

 The Doctor frowned.

 

Father Roger's face appeared on a monitor in the hidden lair.

 "Well, Father?" the figure asked.

 "The plan is proceeding to schedule. They are both here and have already entered the town. I've lost track of the older one, but I have the younger one on the way."

 "Good. You let me worry about the older one. I have been watching his companion closely. He will reveal himself soon enough. When he does, we will both have our revenge on the Doctor. Both of them."

 The figure maniacally laughed and the Father joined in.

 "Excellent, Mr. Anthony. We shall have our revenge!"

 TO BE CONTINUED!!

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