Saturday, March 10, 2007

The Attack of the Cybermen I

1. MODEL SHOT

A lingering, slow moving panning shot of space, focusing on distant stars, swirling galaxies. The camera slowly comes to a rest when it is hit by the glare of a close sun, but which is soon blotted out, by a strange, spinning metallic cylinder.


2. INT. TIME CAPSULE (NIGHT)

It is a small, uncomfortable-looking room, centred around a glowing dome in the centre of the room, that shows the Time Vortex spinning violently. The whole room is shaking around, as if caught in turbulence, with sparks leaping of exposed wiring. There are four stations on the walls - each consisting of bars for armholds and futuristic headsets. All four are occupied: there are BATES, STRATTON, PROSER, and GHAN - all are wearing matching light-blue uniforms. They shout to make themselves heard.

GHAN
I think we're losing Nav Control!

STRATTON
We will if you don't calm yourself down! Bates, what's the bearing?

BATES
No idea - there's too much interference!

GHAN
We're breaking up!

STRATTON
The only one breaking up here is you!

At that point a valve seemingly busts and they are briefly flooded in steam. Proser starts coughing.

PROSER
Power levels are dropping fast, we'll need an emergency landing-

STRATTON
It's a hostile system, Proser, you must be mad!

PROSER
We can't cope with the drain! I'd rather land now than crash!

Ghan grimaces and grits his teeth.

GHAN
Don't say that word, please...

BATES
What's causing the drain?

PROSER
Same thing causing the interference! Oh, god... hold on tight!

The cabinet is thrashed around wildly, while all four of them scream in terror. Ghan loses his grip on the bars and begins to bounce around all four walls of the small cabinet, off his crewmates who groan in response. As suddenly as the turbulence started the cabinet comes to a complete stop - for the first time since the scene began. Ghan lies groaning on the floor. There is a buzzing noise and the scanner-dome displays the Seal of Rassilon.

BATES
Oh, no....

The image of the seal is soon replaced with the coy face of a young blond woman, vaguely reminiscent of Romana. But not on a good day.

STRATTON
The Time Lords?

TIME LADY
Of course. We are the Celestial Intervention Agency.

BATES
Yep, they're Time Lords too.

TIME LADY
The Agency has spoken with you and your colleagues, Commander Stratton. At length. Sadly you don't seem to have listened.

STRATTON
We’re our own people. We have our own rules. You cannot stop us!

TIME LADY
Can't we? Are you moving now, Commander Stratton? No, you are not. But you should be thankful - the alternatives will not be to your liking.

STRATTON
How about you start talking straight?

The Time Lady shrugs and sighs, bored.

TIME LADY
Very well, Commander Stratton. You have no defensive capabilities, no navigational powers, and are in full traction-lock of our TARDISes. You can't run and you can't fight. You must surrender yourselves, it is your only option. Do it before we lose patience and we will be lenient.

PROSER
Wait a minute! If you've got us trapped, why are we even having this conversation?

The Time Lady ignores him.

TIME LADY
You have NO advantages.

PROSER
But why? You could have us all shipped to a penal colony by now.

GHAN
Don't tempt her!

Bates nods in realization. He grins.

BATES
It's the door... They can't get through the door!

Stratton laughs cruelly.

STRATTON
Not exactly God-like powers, eh?

The Time Lady is not amused.

TIME LADY
The locking system of your vessel is exceptionally complicated. Beyond even our skill. All we ask is that you surrender yourself and open the cabinet. Judgement will be passed upon you, but we can assure no physical harm shall be done to you.

STRATTON
What about metaphysical harm?

TIME LADY
Clever, Commander. No doubt your cleverness had a part to play in your impressive rise through the ranks, but it must have deserted you when you considered even for a moment you could get away with this. The eyes of the Time Lords have been on you for a very long time, Lintus Stratton. We knew you would be the most likely to challenge it. We were ready for you. Now, will you surrender yourself?

BATES
Give it in, Stratton. It's not worth it.

STRATTON
She can't DO anything to us! It's an empty threat! Talk, that's ALL those Time Lords are!

TIME LADY
Is that your final word, then, Commander?

STRATTON
Yeah! So, tell your bosses in the High Council that it's over.

TIME LADY
No. I'll tell them that YOU are over.

The screen fills with blinding light as there is a loud banging noise, and the crewmen are all screaming, terrified, as the capsule spins violently around them again.


3. MODEL SHOT

The Time Capsule, shooting space so quick that stars flash past blindingly, heading towards a small yellow planet.


4. INT. TIME CAPSULE (DAY)

With a loud crashing noise the Capsule comes to a smashing halt - throwing Stratton, Bates and Proser down onto the floor - at the same instant the lights cut out, and after a few seconds of darkness in which we hear crying, red emergency lighting kicks in. We see Ghan, huddled up in the foetal position in a corner, crying. The others are sprawled on the floor, looking sore.

PROSER
We've landed.

Bates laughs weakly.

BATES
Don't think we need a navigator to tell us that, mate.

GHAN
Let me out. Please let me out...

PROSER
Where are we?

Stratton peers at some dials.

STRATTON
All systems out - needs repairs...

GHAN
Let me out, let me out, let me out!

Aggravated, Stratton pulls Ghan up to his face by his shirt-front.

STRATTON
You want out then, Ghan? EH?!

Ghan sobs pathetically in response. Stratton furiously punches a button in the roof - one of the walls folds out upwards making a door.

STRATTON
YOU CAN HAVE IT!

He throws Ghan out the door, onto the grey, rocky desert outside. Ghan, sobbing uncontrollably, runs off hysterically. Bates and Proser angrily confront Stratton.

PROSER
What do you think you're doing?

BATES
He needs help!

STRATTON
He needs to calm down first. Fresh air will probably do him a world of good.

On that note, there is a brief pulsing zap. All three look out the door in shock.


5. EXT. TELOS SURFACE (DAY)

The Capsule stands in a crator of yellow rock under an overcast sky. A little way from it, Ghan is gripping a smoking hole in his chest, still trying to cry but not finding the breath to do so - he slowly falls down onto the ground. Proser and Bates are looking out in horror from the capsule door, and run over to help him.

BATES
Ghan!

Stratton tries to grab Bates but the latter gets out of his grip. Stratton runs after him.

STRATTON
No, you morons! It's not safe!

There is an ominous clicking, and we see several familiar-looking laser guns being levelled at the trio from different vantage points on hills surrounding the capsule. The crew are seen from the POV of their attackers - pixelated shapes seen through scrolling text data.

CYBERLEADER (VO)
Resistance is useless.

The trio look around warily.

CYBERLEADER (VO)
You belong to us. You will be like us.


(ROLL OPENING CREDITS)
(THE ATTACK OF THE CYBERMEN)
(EPISODE ONE: UNEASY ALLIES)

6. INT. LYTTON'S LOCK UP - GARAGE (DAY)

Before the camera establishes the entire room it drifts across a notice-board in the corner of the room.. various newspaper articles have been cut-out and stuck up. Among the headlines that stick out are: "MYSTERY" ROBBERIES CONTINUE, 6 BANKS HIT IN ONE MONTH - POLICE CLUELESS, LONDON - GANG CITY? As we see the rest of the room, it becomes evident that it is dominated by a silver sports car in the centre. It is an untidy room with clutter on the floor and on various shelves - mundane objects such as empty bottles and car parts for the most part. There is the incongruous presence of incredibly detailed scientific diagrams, architectural plans and city maps on the walls, but the general feel of the room is sustained by a large Arsenal FC flag which dominates the rear wall.

Present in the room are JOE PAYNE, who is wearing blue overalls and working on the underside of his car, and CHARLIE GRIFFITHS, who is staring at the frontpage of a newspaper and looking distinctly worried. There is a ghetto blaster on the floor playing rock music right near Payne's ear.

GRIFFITHS
I don't like it, Joe.

PAYNE
What?

GRIFFITHS
I said "I DON'T LIKE IT!"

PAYNE
Yeah, well, it's like I said. Means that much to you, you can put a United flag on your own damned wall but the Gunners are here to stay!

Griffiths trying to control his exasperation.

GRIFFITHS
Not that!

PAYNE
What?

Irritated, Griffiths switches the stereo off. Payne emerges from underneath the car, grimy and smoking, looking annoyed.

PAYNE
Ey! I was listening to that, Charlie!

GRIFFITHS
You seen today's paper?

PAYNE
Can't say that I have, no. Another one for the notice-board, is it?

Griffiths looks at the paper grimly.

GRIFFITHS
You could say that.

He turns the paper around to show Payne - "SUSPECT SIGHTED: FIRST BREAK IN ROBBERY CASE, CLAIM POLICE". There is a sketch of Payne occupying most of the front page.

PAYNE
Oh, bol-

GRIFFITHS
Yeah, that's right! I haven't been liking none of this publicity – I been tryin’ to keep my nose clean, keep my head on my bleedin’ shoulders and now this!

PAYNE
You think I wanted this? Cos I didn’t Charlie, thought you’d have gotten that through your thick skull.

GRIFFITHS
Don’t you dare call me thick – you insisted on bringing the Jag.

PAYNE
We had to get out fast the Boss said. Nothin’s faster than this.

GRIFFITHS
So I keep hearing, but it ain’t exactly inconspicuous in the middle of Brixton. You’d best enjoy it while you still can, reckon we’ll all be rumbled soon.

PAYNE
Oh, really?

Payne goes back under the car.

PAYNE: Are you pullin’ out then, Charlie?

Pause.

GRIFFITHS
No. Not today.

PAYNE
‘Not today’? So. You reckon you’re leaving?

GRIFFITHS
I don’t reckon I’m leaving, Joe. I am.

Payne nods in a somewhat cynical manner.

PAYNE
Right. Don’t get your knickers in a twist ‘bout that paper, mate. Terrible drawing – don’t even look like me. All I gotta do is start growin’ a beard, wearing hats… Bob’s your uncle.

Griffiths shakes his head in exasperation, and tosses the paper onto one of the workbenches. After a short pause, Payne sticks his head out from under the car again.

PAYNE
Has the Boss seen it?

GRIFFITHS
Nope. Been in the office since this morning.

PAYNE
You ever wonder just what it is he does in there?


7. INT. LYTTON’S LOCK UP – CORRIDOR (DAY)

A dank, brick corridor, that is notable for a large, steel door that has a sign on it saying “DO NOT DISTURB”.


8. INT. LYTTON’S ROOM (DAY)

A dim, poorly-lit room. All we are shown is a tight shot of LYTTON’s black-gloved hands handling some controls in front of some sort of screen, which is showing extremely hazy images. As Lytton slowly adjusts the controls we hear different voices being broadcast.

CYBERMAN #1 (VO)
Eastern Sector Six Work Party rotation commencing.

CYBERMAN #2 (VO)
Shuttle 755Alpha docking – station B.

CYBERMAN #3 (VO)
Coolant increase of 4% requested in Technical Zone 23. Transferring full report.

CYBERMAN #2 (VO)
Newly interred units – 250 standard units. 70 scout units...

The dial is re-adjusted slightly.

CYBER CONTROLLER (VO)
Report status.

PROSER (VO)
It looks about right.

CYBERLEADER (VO)
Specify in exact terms.

PROSER (VO)
Well… it should work. Sir.

CYBERLEADER (VO)
Specify probability.

Lytton's hand presses a button and the voices are almost muted.

LYTTON (VO)
Request visual.

The sound is interrupted by a negative tone. The computer responds.

COMPUTER
Request cannot be completed. Target zone is beyond maximum range.

CYBER CONTROLLER (VO)
Alpha Test shall commence. 5, 4, 3,…

LYTTON (VO)
I want a lock on this target.

COMPUTER
Confirmed.

There is a thundering bass electronic noise, and we hear a sound that seems to be a Cyberman screaming. However, the sound comes into contact with extreme interference, and when it clears we hear the sound of classical music. Lytton is taken aback.

LYTTON (VO)
What is this?

COMPUTER
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B Minor.

A pause.

COMPUTER
An inferior piece.


9. INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (DAY)

PERI walks in through the door, wearing a pink leotard and denim shorts, to see THE DOCTOR giving a spirited mock-conduction to the tune of the music which is playing on a clapped out old gramophone on a coffee table.

PERI
You're feeling good, then?

DOCTOR
Good? Good? I am ALIVE, Peri!

Peri gives an awkward smile.

PERI
That's nice.

DOCTOR
Very! You don't know how good until you've died as many times as I have.

Suddenly looking tired, Peri slumps on a chair. The Doctor does not notice.

PERI
Please, Doctor, it's hard to take this stuff in...

DOCTOR
I do have to say, though, that being poisoned beats falling off a radio-telescope hands down!

Peri's only half-listening, as she still isn't fully awake.

PERI
Really?

DOCTOR
Oh, yes. All those bones to knit. Awful. Don't think I really recovered, either... I could swear I hadn't got the backbone right.

PERI
Doctor, do you have any coffee?

DOCTOR
Coffee? What would I do with coffee?

PERI
Drink it?

DOCTOR
What a strange idea. I...

The Doctor trails off as he notices Peri's clothes for the first time.

DOCTOR
You went to sleep in that?

Peri realizes what he's talking about and shrugs.

PERI
That's what was in the cupboard. Beggars can't be choosers. Case in point.

She indicates the Doctor's coat. He rolls his eyes and turns back to the console.

PERI
Anyway, it's just for wearing around the TARDIS...

DOCTOR
How odd.

PERI
You changed your face and then went on to defeat an evil slug, Doctor! I think that trumps everything when it comes to weirdness.

DOCTOR
That's not what I meant!

Peri sighs and struggles to sound interested.

PERI
Then what did you mean?

The Doctor gestures at the controls. Peri glances at them.

DOCTOR
These! They're odd!

PERI
They're odd?

DOCTOR
Yes! I've never seen such oddity! Well, obviously I have - there's barely anything in the universe I haven't seen... the siege of Troy, the collapse of Star One, C-Beams glittering in the darkness of Tennhauser Gate-

PERI
Doctor? You're babbling.

DOCTOR
What?! Oh, sorry. It appears our holiday is temporarily canceled.

He returns to the console.

PERI
Aw. Why?

DOCTOR
There's something out there... something big.

PERI
Well, open the scanner.

DOCTOR
No, no, no! Not 'there' there... it's-

There is a major jolt – Peri sits bolt upright. Suddenly the central column of the TARDIS starts shifting rhythmically, moving faster and faster.

PERI
What was that?

DOCTOR
We hit it!

PERI
... hit what?

DOCTOR
Something!

PERI
Open the scanner!

The Doctor looks ready to burst, but restrains himself.

DOCTOR
It's not in space, it's in the Vortex! Like... a tear in the space-time continuum!

PERI
A-and that's bad isn't it?

DOCTOR
Bad? BAD?! It'd destroy the universe!

PERI
What?!

DOCTOR
You heard what I said.

PERI
W-we'd all die?

DOCTOR
No doubt about it.

PERI
Oh... oh my god...

DOCTOR
So it's a good thing that hasn't happened!

Peri is now utterly confused.

PERI
What?

DOCTOR
I said LIKE a tear in the space time continuum. This is something completely different. But similar.

Peri rubs her face.

PERI
Doctor, please don't do that to me so early in the morning...

The Doctor ignores her, moving around the console to check other displays.

DOCTOR
We're being carried along, through time... BACKWARDS through time... this isn't Time Lord technology! Towards... Earth!

PERI
We're going to Earth?

DOCTOR
At the moment. And we're not the only ones.

Peri rubs her temples, trying to keep up with his thinking.

PERI
So... someone else is coming to Earth, through the beam?

DOCTOR
Yes. From the future. Interfering in history?

PERI
Well, what could they want?

DOCTOR
It could be anything. Anything at all!

PERI
That doesn't help!

DOCTOR
No? No. It doesn't. But maybe you can! Did anything important happen in 1985?

PERI
I'm from 1984!

DOCTOR
Well... was anything important STARTING to happen?


10. INT. LYTTON'S ROOM (DAY)

As before.

PERI (VO)
Are you serious?

DOCTOR (VO)
Yes, this could be VITAL!

Lytton's hand turns down the volume, bored.

LYTTON (VO)
Who are these people?

COMPUTER
Insufficient data.

Lytton is unimpressed.

LYTTON (VO)
Insufficient data. They're travelling on the time stream, that should narrow the field.

COMPUTER
Confirmed.

LYTTON
Then give me candidates.

COMPUTER
Races with limited time travel capabilities listed on database include: the Argolins, the Sontarans, the Cetenes, the Daleks...

Lytton's his voice icy.

LYTTON
Computer – never mention the Daleks again.

COMPUTER
Confirmed. Continue specified actions?


11. INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (DAY)

The Doctor is tapping his foot impatiently while Peri shifts uncomfortably in her seat, trying to concentrate.

PERI
It feels like a lifetime ago... I think Harrison Ford was doing another movie.

A beat before the Doctor realizes she isn't going to say anything else?

DOCTOR
Is that ALL?

Peri shrugs helplessly. The Doctor frowns.

DOCTOR
Who's Harrison Ford?

Peri smiles and shakes her head.

PERI
It doesn't matter. So, are we in any danger?

DOCTOR
Danger? Danger! The fabric of the space-time continuum-

PERI
Yeah, yeah, I get the stuff about space-time... but I'm talking about US. Personally.

DOCTOR
Well, if you want to be selfish then no. We're not in danger.

PERI
So... we're just going where the currents taking us? Back to Earth, 1980s?

DOCTOR
Yes.

PERI
So we just go there, right?

The Doctor glares at her, his voice stern.

DOCTOR
No.

PERI
No?

Suddenly, the Doctor's eyes glaze over.

DOCTOR
Nay, I'll conjure too!

Peri looks up sharply as the Doctor starts wildly fumbling with the controls. Peri leaps to her feet as the Doctor starts to shout and yell, punctuating each word with operating a control.

DOCTOR
Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover!

His last control causes a minor explosion and the room shakes. Peri grabs the console, yelling.

PERI
Doctor! What the hell are you doing?

The Doctor continues to manipulate controls.

DOCTOR
Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge!

PERI
Doctor, calm down!

DOCTOR
...with Ate by his side come hot from hell, shall in these confines...

PERI
Doctor! Stop it! You don't operate heavy machinery when having fits!

DOCTOR
...with a monarch's voice...

Peri firmly grabs his arms and leads him away from the console.

PERI
And you're definitely having another fit!

The Doctor doesn't seem to notice.

DOCTOR
Cry HAVOC... AND LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR!!

PERI
DOCTOR!!

The Doctor blinks and stares at her, coming out of it.

DOCTOR
I'm fighting back!

Suddenly, he shrugs her off and runs around the far side of the console, laughing. Peri follows him, and now they are chasing each other around the console.

DOCTOR
Suffering slings and arrows!

PERI
Well, stop!!

Peri is on one side of the console, the Doctor on the other, trying to outmaneouver each other. The Doctor scowls, petulant.

DOCTOR
NO! I'm going to find out just where they're coming from-

He snaps down a few controls, and reaches to adjust another control, ducking his head to do so. There is a massive explosion out of the wall behind him. The gramophone takes the brunt ofthe blast and topples over. The Doctor straightens up, continuing to speak as if nothing had happened.

DOCTOR
-by going against the currents. We should be there - wherever it is - in no time!

PERI
Yeah, if we HAVE any time! Look, you're starting to freak out again, so let's just relax before things get violent...

The Doctor stares at her as if she's talking gibberish.

DOCTOR
What ARE you talking about?

There is another shower of sparks from the console next to his hand, and then smoke starts to pour from beneath the time rotor. The Doctor pulls out a polka dot handkerchief and idly waves the smoke away.

DOCTOR
I'm fine. I've never been better. Peri, what's wrong?

Peri points at the thickening clouds of smoke.

PERI
That!

DOCTOR
Teething troubles, that's all. Ever tried to teach an old dog new tricks?

The room shakes violently, forcing them to cling to the console. The smoke starts to come out thicker.

PERI
You know why I like dogs, Doctor? THEY DON'T CATCH ON FIRE!

DOCTOR
Now THERE'S a generalisation if ever I heard one! Canine is quite a common species galactically speaking, I'll have you know, and the dogs on-

There is a very large explosion inside the central column. A massive jolt knocks both Peri and the Doctor off their feet and they fall to the ground. More and more smoke is spewing out of the console.


12. INT. LYTTON'S ROOM (DAY)

The computer has been speaking for a very, very long time. Lights flash and then extinguish on the display.

COMPUTER
...the Third Zoners, Cryptovene, Khaskarg…

LYTTON (VO)
I've lost the trace. What's happened?

COMPUTER
...Hatre Sedtrines, the Vordjan and, according to unverified sources, the Gam.

LYTTON (VO)
Repeat: I have lost the trace. I require more information on target.

The computer is not listening.

COMPUTER
Races possessing unlimited time travel capabilities contains only one entry: the Time Lords, native to the planet Gallifrey in Universal Sector T-delta17, also known as Kasterborous.

For the first time the camera shows Lytton's face. He has a look of realisation.

LYTTON
The Time Lords?

He smiles thinly.

LYTTON
Precisely what I need.

COMPUTER
Confirmed.


13. INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (DAY)

A haze of smoke. The Doctor and Peri are kneeling by the console, hanging onto it as the room buckles.

PERI
Doctor, what are you doing?!

DOCTOR
What am I doing?! Trans-vector re-alignment parabolaic-reversal, that's what I'm doing!

PERI
You're just making these stupid words up! WHAT'S GOING ON?!?

DOCTOR
Fine, if you must have everything SPOON FED to you, then I'm trying to dam the time-stream, halt the flow, and bring us to a nice, safe landing! Isn't that what you want?

PERI
Yes, but I don't want to choke to death either!

DOCTOR
Then hold your breath!

PERI
I am so going to remind you of that when you're back to normal!

Peri leans in over the console to berate the Doctor, and doing so accidentally slams her hand onto a button. The TARDIS goes completely out of control.

DOCTOR
You know what I just said about a safe landing?

PERI
Yeah?

DOCTOR
Forget it!

to be continued...

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