Friday, March 9, 2007

The Twin Dilemma IX

(ROLL OPENING CREDITS)

1. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

A close up of the MINISTER’s impassive face against the Master’s insane laughter.

MINISTER
Fire.

A hand punches the firing stud.


2. MODEL SHOT

Volleys of bright green light shoot down like a cross between rain and lightning. The pulsing of the energy canons mingles with the laughter. The endless volleys of neutron bolts intensify, flaring and blocking out the screen...


3. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

Explosions in the background. The DOCTOR and the CHAMBERLAIN stand in the gloom.

DOCTOR
I assume your Master’s brilliance is responsible the chaos going on about our heads? Does he have a plan to save you all?

CHAMBERLAIN
He is Mestor the Magnificent, Doctor.

DOCTOR
If he’s so Magnificent, why doesn’t he face me himself?

The Chamberlain grandly indicates the direction of the throne. The Doctor, unimpressed, hands in pockets, swivels to face the throne as the chair and its occupant is illuminated for the first time. It is a Gravis Tractator. MESTOR.

(FINISH OPENING CREDITS)
(THE TWIN DILEMMA)
(EPISODE THREE: INFINITY OF SURPRISES)

4. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (CON’T)

The Doctor stares up at the hideous beast.

MESTOR
Welcome to Joconda, Doctor.

The Doctor rolls his eyes in disbelief, gesturing to the squalor around them.

DOCTOR
This is a welcome?

MESTOR
It would have been courteous for you to announce your presence without forcing me to seek you out.

DOCTOR
I try to slip in unnoticed as a rule. Of course, I’m not normally wearing these clothes which, before you ask, are the height of sophistication on Vesta 95.

A pause. Mestor blinks.

MESTOR
Really?

DOCTOR
Yes. And anyway, I have a feeling that I couldn’t have slipped past you whatever happened.

MESTOR
I am aware of all new arrivals.

DOCTOR
Do you treat them so roughly?

MESTOR
Do you expect me to apologize?

DOCTOR
If you did, it would be too little, too late. My experiences so far on this world have not been pleasant.

MESTOR
Be grateful you are worthy of being kept alive or else your visit would be short.

DOCTOR
Oh, I intend to leave very soon.

MESTOR
You would be advised to change those plans.

DOCTOR
Why? Don’t tell me, when the tourist season starts, the wastelands will suddenly be the verdant forest groves they used to be? Or that the Jocondans had good reason to make an overgrown garden pest their ruler? Looking at you, Gravis, you seem to be the cause of Joconda’s problems rather than a symptom.

MESTOR
You have encountered my race before.

DOCTOR
Statement or question? Either way, I have. I’m sure you’ll be delighted to know that you Tractators are still around after the destruction of the Earth, far beyond the Gallifreyan noosphere.

He grins evilly.

DOCTOR
And you still haven’t got anywhere.

MESTOR
On Joconda, things are different.

DOCTOR
Yes, I did notice the slight swelling of your cerebellum. Does your massive presidential brain have any clue how to deal with the neutron bombardment blowing this planet to pieces? Or are you just hoping it will go away?

MESTOR
Hope is not needed Doctor. Watch.

The hologram sphere appears, showing the ships in orbit firing on the planet below.

DOCTOR
And what are you going to do about that, then?

MESTOR
My knowledge and abilities go beyond anything you are able to comprehend.

DOCTOR
I’ve heard that before, Mestor. Somehow, I always wound up being disappointed.


5. EXT. SHANTY TOWN (DAY)

All the ZOMBIE JOCONDANS are standing around, staring expressionlessly up at the sky. Above there heads is a crackling storm of green light. Every flash triggers a thunder-like explosive noise, but none of the bombardment is reaching the surface.


6. MODEL SHOT

The ships continue their bombardment. The energy seems to be gathering up into a patchy shell outside the surface of the planet, an invisible wall holding the energy back.


7. INT. PALACE CORRIDORS (DAY)

HUGO and PERI are crouched by the air duct, covering their heads. Finally Peri lifts her head. There is the chaos outside, but no other ill effects.

PERI
We’re still here... They must be aiming their guns somewhere else!

Relieved, she gets to her feet. Hugo keeps his face covered.

HUGO
They can’t be. They’re right on top of us.

PERI
Then they’re rotten shots. We’re fine! Even that shaking has stopped.

HUGO
You’re the one who ran.

PERI
Yeah, amazing argument there, Lieutenant. Do you want to rescue the twins or what? Come on, we better start moving before...

She turns and notices that three JOCONDAN GUARDS are standing further down the corridor, facing her, guns raised and aiming at her. She turns and sees another three GUARDS at the other end of the corridor. Hugo looks up, sees this and hides his head again. Peri raises her hands and puts on her most dazzling of smiles.

PERI
Hi!


8. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

The sound of the neutron blasters pulse in the background. FABIAN is studying the main screen troubled. The Minister notices.

MINISTER
What’s wrong?

Fabian reaches forward between the PILOTS and checks the control panels.

FABIAN
We’re not getting through. No surface explosions.

MINISTER
Why not?

FABIAN
No idea.

He addresses the pilots, pressing the communicator.

FABIAN
Cease fire! All ships, cease fire and stand down!

The firing cuts out. The Minister crosses to a control and activates it. ELENA’s surprised face appears on a monitor.

MINISTER
Examine all incoming sensory data, compute and analyze the anomaly.

He switches off before she can reply. SYLVEST stares at the screen. Large patches on the atmosphere are glowing with crackling green light. He’s shocked.

SYLVEST
It’s not touching the surface, it’s being held back.

MINISTER
A deflection barrier?

FABIAN
Over the entire planet? It’s not possible!

MINISTER
It’s happening.

SYLVEST
I can’t be a deflection barrier, the blasts aren’t dispersing... It’s just sitting there!

MINISTER
Cause?

Sylvest turns to the Minister. He has that wretchedness of the condemned.

SYLVEST
I think that the Master of Joconda was ready for us...

The Minister looks back at the screen, realizing what Sylvest is saying.


9. INT. SPECIAL INCIDENTS ROOM (NIGHT)

It is calmer than before but red lights still flash. Elena and other TECHNICIANS are typing at their consoles. Data streams up the scanner. Elena’s eyes widen.

ELENA
Impossible...

She reaches out and opens the communicator. Fabian appears.

FABIAN (ON SCREEN)
What’s going on?

ELENA
All the signs are of a massive force field covering the planet. The power required is astronomical, General, nothing Joconda could produce on its own.

The Minister steps into view.

MINISTER (ON SCREEN)
What is happening to the bombardment? Why isn’t it just dispersing?

ELENA
I don’t know. It’s as if gravity’s changed and is holding it together.

MINISTER (ON SCREEN)
That’s preposterous.

Elena struggles not to squirm.

ELENA
Maybe, Minister but...

She glances at another technicians, who nods helplessly.

ELENA
All computer data confirms.


10. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

As before. They turn away from the screen.

MINISTER
Then the Master of Joconda is holding the bombardment in place. Why?

Fabian starts to answer, but then stops. His eyes widen in horror as he understands.

FABIAN
Because he’s going to slam it straight back at us!

He runs to the control panel.

FABIAN
Red alert! All ships disengage immediately! Red alert! Once out of orbit go to warp drive!

The pilots are taken by surprise. The Minister glares at them murderously.

MINISTER
Do it!

They start operating the consoles before them. The engines noises build up and the flight deck sways and angles as the ship rotates 180 degrees.


11. MODEL SHOT

The flagship is turning away from Joconda faster than the others. The cloud of energy crackles and sparks. An ominous, storm like rumbling is heard.


12. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

The rumbling is louder, the whole room shaking.

FABIAN
What’s that turbulence?

MINISTER
Get the flight computer to analyze!

We focus our attention on Sylvest, who stares at the monitor showing the twisting hues of the energy storm. He has a look of horror on his face.

FABIAN (VO)
It’s just giving out gibberish!

MINISTER (VO)
Contact Earth Command!

SYLVEST
That’s not good. That’s not good at all.


13. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

The hologram shows the energy storm.

DOCTOR
Very phantasmagoric. You’re holding the neutron cloud together with your gravity?

Mestor nods.

DOCTOR
Presumably the force field is extrapolated from that TARDIS you possess.

Mestor nods again.

DOCTOR
So what are you going to do with all this neutron energy? Reverse its polarity?

MESTOR
Something like that, Doctor.

The Doctor’s face falls instantly. He understands.

DOCTOR
No! You can’t! They won’t stand a chance!

MESTOR
It is too late, Doctor. It is done!

DOCTOR
NO!

The Jocondans leap forward and grab him, dragging him back with such ease the movement is almost balletic as they reel the angry Time Lord back. The hologram sphere pulses.


14. MODEL SHOT

The ships are now facing away from Joconda and moving. The patches suddenly swirl together into a solid green circle and explode upwards in a pillar of green light.


15. EXT. SHANTY TOWN (DAY)

The zombie Jocondans stare upwards as the energy flies back out of the sky.


16. INT. AZMAEL’S LAB (DAY)

AZMAEL, DRAK and the TWINS stand near the scanner, which is showing this.

DRAK
What is happening?

AZMAEL
More senseless, evil killing. What else would be happening?


17. MODEL SHOT

The pillar smashes into the fleet. All the ships inside the beam are immediately vaporized. One is caught half way – the rear half vanishes, the second falls apart in explosions before reeling backwards into the beam and vaporizing. The pillar surges forwards, consuming two more ships. The flagship is all that is left. This all happens in seconds.


18. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

The green glow floods the chamber. Sylvest flings his hands in front of his face.

FABIAN
Scramble! All ships!

MINISTER (SIMULTANEOUS)
Power-dive!

The Minister dives at the controls.


19. INT. SPECIAL INCIDENTS ROOM (NIGHT)

Elena watches in horror as green static consumes the screen.

ELENA
GENERAL!

The screen goes dark.


20. MODEL SHOT

The edge of the pillar bites into the flagship as it corkscrews away. There is a massive explosion consuming a wing and an engine. Another explosion guts the flagship as it hurtles into the night. Another explosion, this time on the underside of the craft.


21. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

Small explosions run through the room as circuitry burns out, overloads and blows up. The turbulence grows worse. One pilot is unconscious, the other one concussed and struggling to control the ship. Fabian frantically punches controls. A shrill alarm is going off.

FABIAN
Precision guidance lost! Drive two and three burn out, massive power loss.

The Minister grabs a chair to steady himself. He’s still remarkably calm.

MINISTER
Can we still reach warp drive?

FABIAN
It’ll be a miracle if we can avoid flipping over and breaking up!!

Sylvest ducks and whimpers as feedback causes another explosion. The ship bucks.


22. MODEL SHOT

The flagship, listing to one side, veers drunkenly, as if being tugged backwards.


23. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

The Doctor watches the hologram stony-faced.

DOCTOR
This ends, Mestor the Mundane, this ends here and now.

MESTOR
Was that demonstration of my power insufficient, Doctor?

DOCTOR
A tractator using gravity as a weapon? You’ll be expecting me to applaud a fish learning to swim next!

MESTOR
My weaponry, offensive and defensive, is the most powerful in this galaxy.

DOCTOR
No doubt.

MESTOR
I do not exaggerate, Doctor. And you know that.

The Doctor’s cold fury becomes troubled.

DOCTOR
Do I?

MESTOR
I can see into your hearts, Time Lord.

The Doctor gives a sudden, disarming smile.


24. INT. PALACE CORRIDORS (DAY)

Peri and Hugo are being escorted down the passageway by the guards.

PERI
Like I said, we’re just lost tourists... pilgrims! Here in search of peace! And maybe the odd bit of meditation...

The guards pay no heed. Hugo rolls his eyes.

HUGO
They’re not listening.

PERI
No, but they’re not hiding in the corner and leaving me to face the music, either, Lieutenant (LEFT-TENANT) Hugo Lang of the Interplanetary Pursuit A Squadron. The Doctor was right, you suck at this job.

HUGO
I’ll have you know I graduated top of my year from Star Fighter pilot school! I’m destined for great things!

PERI
Like for example, lying face down in a pool of your own blood?

HUGO
Just you wait, Peri. When I get the twins back to Earth, the publicity will make me a hero! After the combat experience I had...

PERI
...when you chased the wrong people and were shot in the back?

HUGO
You know, it’s not hard to be a hero. Just have to be in the right place at the right time and do something the public will love and the government approve.

PERI
That’s political heroism.

HUGO
What other sort of heroism is there?

PERI
True heroism? You know the one where all you need is enormous courage, presence of mind and compassion even if you don’t know the person you’re saving? Like the way the Doctor is?

Hugo stares at her. She’s talking gibberish. They wander onwards.

PERI
Political heroism is a crummy imitation of the real thing. It’s shabby and mediocre.

HUGO
Well, I’m going to succeed.

PERI
You know, I totally believe you.


25. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

The Doctor stares intently at Mestor. Mestor stares back.

DOCTOR
Oh, where are you coming from, soldier, gaunt soldier?
With weapons beyond any reach of my mind?
With weapons so deadly the world must grow older
And die in its tracks, if it does not turn kind?

MESTOR
The poem Song for Three Soldiers by Stephen Vincent Benét.

DOCTOR
Very good. What’s the next verse?

A beat.

DOCTOR
You don’t know, do you? Because I’ve pulled the blind down. Oh, nothing personal, Mestor. I’m just secretive by nature. I’m not sure if there was a specific origin to it, but maybe in my youth a giant slug tried to read my brain and I developed some sort of neurosis.

MESTOR
Your mockery is designed to make me lose my temper.

DOCTOR
Not really, I just feel like mocking you. I do so hate people who take themselves terribly seriously. And someone who goes around with “The Magnificent” after their names sounds like they’re overcompensating for some shortcoming. Now what could that be? Shall we count the options, together, Mestor?

MESTOR
You may have encountered my species before, Time Lord, but not me. I am unique.

DOCTOR
Who isn’t?

MESTOR
I control this planet by the power of my mind.

DOCTOR
I didn’t think it was your attractiveness. And yes, pun was intended.

MESTOR
Gravity control is but the easiest of our capabilities. I have much more.

DOCTOR
Yes, instead of using gravity, you use telepathy. I’m not exactly impressed nor am I surprised. Being mobbed like that would have been very dangerous if you hadn’t been coordinating every last moment of that crowd.

MESTOR
And you think I could not do that to you?

DOCTOR
A Jocondan, you could. A human, you could. But a Time Lord is not on the menu. We place barriers around our minds that not even other Time Lords can break through without permission.

MESTOR
Do you wish me to demonstrate how puny the Time Lord mental defenses are?

DOCTOR
Oh, I’m game. We’ll see who rusts first!

The Doctor’s confidence does not fade as the Chamberlain and the guards back away. The antennae on the monster’s face begin to wave and sway. A glow engulfs the Doctor – not the purple glow of the Frontios tractators, but a bright blue one. The Doctor stiffens, but keeps his steely gaze on Mestor’s sightless eyes. A rapid cross-cut between the two faces, with Mestor clearly using more and more energy to no avail.


26. MODEL SHOT

The flagship is being tugged back towards Joconda as if on an invisible thread.


27. FLIGHT DECK

The room is trembling violently. Every so often a part of a control panel explodes, causing another jolt. The others are sitting in their chairs, trying not to be thrown around by the turbulence.

FABIAN
Full power! Maximum thrust!

The ship rocks violently.

MINISTER
We’re not moving!

SYLVEST
All the readings say we can’t achieve escape velocity!

MINISTER
Impossible! We’re in interplanetary void!

FABIAN
So where’s the gravity coming from?

SYLVEST
I don’t know, but it’s getting worse. It’s like the planet’s getting bigger... or heavier. The gravitational pull’s gotten worse.

The Minister considers his option in a second. Then he nods.

MINISTER
We have to get out of here! Sacrifice everything except life support!

Fabian and the pilots struggle with the control. The engine wails get louder.


28. MODEL SHOT

The flagships’ engines glow brightly and it begins to drift forward and then stops altogether.


29. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

Mestor’s tendrils wave even more furiously. The blue glow around the Doctor pales, but he clearly is struggling to talk.

DOCTOR
Need a break... Mestor? Getting... tired... are we?

Mestor growls. The antennae on his skull wave faster, his exposed brain throbbing.


30. MODEL SHOT

The flagship moves away from Joconda slightly, but quickly freezes again.


31. INT. PALACE CORRIDORS (DAY)

Peri and Hugo are still under guard. Suddenly one grabs Peri and takes her into a side passage leading into darkness.

PERI
Hey, what are you doing?

HUGO
Where are you taking her?

For one horrifying moment, it looks like Hugo may try and help her, but the nearest guard aims a pistol at his face and he thinks better of it. He smiles weakly.

PERI
Some hero you are!

The guard shuffle Hugo onwards. He speaks through his fixed grin.

HUGO
If I do get out of this, no more SI, no more interplanetary pursuit. From now on, only things that are safe. Like politics. Or as a guest on a chat show. It’s safe, it pays well, the public adore you and above all it’s safe.

They move out of view, Hugo babbling to himself to cover how terrified he is.


32. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

Peri is lead by the Jocondan into the throne room where the Chamberlain watches the mental battle between the Doctor and Mestor. The blue glow is fading in and out. The Doctor is just managing to hold it back. Mestor’s voice is strained.

MESTOR
Slarn...
CHAMBERLAIN
Yes, Master?

MESTOR
Kill... that... creature!

The Chamberlain is mildly surprised, but quite prepared to it. She draws a gun from her dress and aims it at Peri, who is held in place by her guard.

PERI
Hey! L-let’s discuss this...

DOCTOR
No! Kill her... and I’ll destroy your kind, Mestor... every last... one!

MESTOR
Slarn!

The Chamberlain nods and aims at Peri’s head. The Doctor howls in agony and moves to grab the gun. Instantly, the blue glow intensifies. The Time Lord howls, contorts and collapses as if undergoing the bends. He screams. Mestor speaks calmly.

MESTOR
Lower your weapon, Chamberlain!

The Chamberlain smiles cruelly and lowers the gun. The Doctor screams again.

PERI
What are you doing to him? Leave him alone!

No reaction.

PERI
He came here to help!

MESTOR
I know.

PERI
Let him go! Please.

MESTOR
Not just yet.


33. MODEL SHOT

The flagship, frozen in space. The engines dim and whine.


34. INT. FLIGHT DECK (NIGHT)

The engine noises are strained and very loud. Every alarm is going off.

FABIAN
All emergency circuits overloading! The engines will cut out any minute!

MINISTER
If this force stays as strong we’ll be smashed to pieces against the surface. Power down in stages. I want to land, not crash!

Fabian moves to touch a control when a string of explosions rip through the controls. The room shakes violently before calming, but the turbulence doesn’t end. The lights flicker, and most of the alarms cut out.

FABIAN
The flight computer’s broken down... We’re out of control!

Sylvest closes his eyes, ignoring the jolting and sparks.

SYLVEST
I doubt it.


35. MODEL SHOT

The flagship, tumbling end over end, is dragged down towards Joconda rapidly.


36. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

The glow around the Doctor is connected to Mestor by a beam of blue light. A dark shadow forms over Mestor’s form and gathers itself into the beam, beginning to travel down it towards the Doctor who howls in agony again.

PERI
Leave him alone. I said LEAVE HIM ALONE!

Peri manages to twist out of her captor and runs towards Mestor. A wave of the tentacle smacks her and sends her reeling into the Chamberlain who grabs her and aims a gun at her throat.

MESTOR
A foolish waste of time and energy... I have matters to attend to.

The black shadow is just reaching the Doctor, then suddenly is sucked back into Mestor. The blue glow vanishes and the Doctor groans, half conscious. Peri struggles to go to him, but the Jocondan holds her in place.

PERI
Doctor! Doctor!

CHAMBERLAIN
Oh must you make so much noise, you silly mammal!

PERI
Oh, go eat some bird seed! What have you done to him?

The Chamberlain aims her gun at Peri.

CHAMBERLAIN
Quiet.

Peri swallows a retort. Mestor is swaying, antennae now aimed at the ceiling.


37. MODEL SHOT

The flagship is plummeting out of the sky, the engine howl growing deeper and deeper.


38. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

Mestor’s antennae wave furiously.


39. MODEL SHOT

The flagship slowly straightens out, losing more and more speed. Suddenly it is hanging suspended in mid-air.

40. INT. FLIGHT DECK (DAY)

A few, sparking explosions but the room is now steady. Everyone bar Sylvest is looking around in surprise, slowly relaxing as they realize they are alive and safe. The lights flicker and brighten enough to see by.

MINISTER
What happened?

FABIAN
I don’t know. We haven’t struck ground yet...

Fabian rises unsteadily and checks displays.

FABIAN
We’re still in flight. But not moving.

MINISTER
They must have reversed the tractor beam to cushion our fall. I don’t suppose we can use this respite to escape?

FABIAN
Not a chance. The energy banks are almost completely drained, computer malfunctions well above danger level. This ship will never fly again.

SYLVEST
Yeah, thanks, that cheers me up no end!

A rough vibrations shakes them all. Fabian falls flat on his face.


41. EXT. WASTELANDS (DAY)

Similar to the area where the TARDIS landed. The ship sits askew on the hillside, patches scorched and smoking. We pull out slightly. We see the Jocondan zombies are standing in no real pattern, every single one of them staring straight up at the ship.


42. INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM (DAY)

Mestor finishes waving its antennae. The Doctor has managed to sit up, clutching his head in utter agony and barely able to stay conscious yet alone speak. Peri looks at him with obvious concern, but the gun at her throat is slightly more important.

MESTOR
Things are now proceeding to plan.

The Chamberlain doesn’t take her eyes – or her gun – from Peri.

CHAMBERLAIN
What about these two, Lord Mestor?

MESTOR
Take them both to Azmael. If the Time Lord is truly damaged, Azmael will know how to revive him. In any event, it will remind him that he is not indispensible.

The Doctor lifts his head and struggles to focus.

DOCTOR
Azmael?

He winces, as if the sound of his own voice hurts his head. A guard reaches forward and roughly lifts him to his feet. For a split second it looks like the Doctor has got his balance and then with a groan he falls. The guard catches him and another helps him support the Time Lord. They head for the exit. Mestor is alone.

MESTOR
The Time Shift is nearing completion. The war fleets are on course and schedule. All possible futures are collapsing. Events are leading to one moment. It will not be prevented. It cannot be prevented. Everything is prepared for. The purpose will be achieved and the moment of transcendence will occur. And as of that moment, every living thing in this universe will be my creature, bound to my will and nothing else!!
to be continued...

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