The Ice Warriors by Brian Hayles

Clent. The artificial head turned expectantly. ‘State the work potential and group value of this new member of our team.’
    The computer’s answer was immediate and passionless.
    ‘
More information needed for complete evaluation. Interim judgement: high IQ but undisciplined to unit’s immediate needs. Possible use on research projects. Could be obstructive in certain subjective situations
.’
    The last sentence went largely unheard. At that moment, the door burst open and the Doctor stumbled rather breathlessly into the room. ‘There you are!’ he exclaimed.
    ‘We’ve been waiting for you, Doctor,’ Clent pointed out with icy formality. ‘Perhaps you wouldn’t mind sitting down?’
    ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere!’ replied the Doctor. ‘Why don’t you label your doors, or something?’
    ‘Perhaps you’d let us complete our official business before making unnecessary complaints about administration,’ said Clent coldly.
    ‘No, I’m afraid not,’ insisted the Doctor. ‘I’ve got something pretty important to tell you actually. It’s about that thing in the block of ice.’
    ‘The Ice Warrior!’ exclaimed Arden anxiously. ‘Has something happened to it?’
    ‘We have more serious matters on hand than amateur archaeology!’ interrupted Clent. But the Doctor was not to be shouted down.
    ‘This is serious,’ he continued grimly. ‘It’s the thing’s helmet – it’s not what we think it is.’
    ‘You’ve discovered that it’s a prehistoric drinking cup, I suppose,’ said Clent sarcastically.
    The Doctor was looking at Arden as he spoke. ‘It has electronic connections,’ he said.
    There was a tense silence, as this remark struck home. Clent frowned. Was this stranger, dressed like a scavenger but with the brain of a scientist, a complete eccentric or, even worse, a practical joker? On the other hand, his face was deadly serious.
    ‘What are you talking about, man?’ he demanded, uncertainly.
    Arden’s amazement exploded into words. ‘It’s not possible! You must’ve made a mistake!’
    ‘I’m quite sure.’ The Doctor was almost apologetic. ‘Of course, you do realise what this means?’
    Clent said nothing, but it was obvious that thoughts were racing through his mind. Arden groped for an explanation.
    ‘It must mean…’ he paused, then plunged on, ‘it
has
to mean its culture was even more advanced than we first thought!’
    ‘So much more advanced,’ remarked the Doctor drily, ‘that they even had astronauts?’
    ‘What!’ exclaimed Clent.
    ‘That headpiece of his,’ observed the Doctor, ‘it’s not a warrior’s tin hat, you know. It’s a highly sophisticated space helmet!’
    Miss Garrett firmly decided that the Doctor was having them on. What he was saying was impossible – and somebody had to tell him so!
    ‘Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions, Doctor – for a scientist?’ she said coolly. ‘I mean to say – a prehistoric spaceman! It’s ridiculous!’
    Arden’s face was shining with excitement. The implications were fantastic! ‘If it’s true,’ he whispered, his mind in a turmoil… But the Doctor’s next words brought him down to earth.
    ‘If it’s true,’ the Doctor repeated grimly, ‘the Ioniser programme here could be finished for good.’
    Clent had the barest premonition of what the Doctor’s warning could mean. But it was too startling to be admitted openly.
    ‘In what way?’ he asked, smiling. ‘How can one deep-frozen body, no matter how many centuries old, affect our project? You’re talking nonsense, my dear chap!’
    The Doctor studied Clent’s seemingly amused face, and understood why he didn’t want to admit the truth. It really was an impossible dilemma – but it had to be faced. He sighed. He’d better explain, gently – as if to children.
    ‘How did the Ice Warrior get there then?’ The others remained silent, baffled. ‘He didn’t walk there, did he?’
    Reluctantly, Clent answered.