Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Warhead of the Daleks VII

43. INT. WAREHOUSE – UPPER LEVEL (NIGHT)

Archer sits near the door, rifle in his hand, a dark look on his face. Laird is dozing near Calder and Galloway, who are huddled near the lantern, playing cards. Tegan sits next to the bed where Turlough is sitting up, sipping some tea.

TURLOUGH
Another cold damp place. Is it too much to ask to land somewhere tropical for a change?

TEGAN
What? With lots of pretty girls in bikinis?

TURLOUGH
I’ve had worse offers! At first I thought we were on Frontios again.

TEGAN
Things aren’t that bad.

TURLOUGH
Bad? It’s paradise compared to this place. I wish I’d stayed.

Tegan looks at him, surprised.

TEGAN
Do you?

TURLOUGH
Yes.

TEGAN
On a barren planet at the edge of the universe full of those tractator monsters? I thought they gave you the willies?

TURLOUGH
They’re harmless now. And there was Norna. It wasn’t the Meridan Palace, but...

TEGAN
Well, if you liked the place so much, why didn’t you stay? The Doctor wouldn’t stop you.

TURLOUGH
I know... I can’t go home, Tegan. I can’t even settle on one of the outer worlds. They’d still find me.

TEGAN
Who?

TURLOUGH
Does it matter?

TEGAN
It might. You could tell this to the Doctor. He’d understand.

TURLOUGH
Oh, he means well, I know that. Look, just accept that if I was to stay behind somewhere, to be safe I’d have to be centuries into the past or the future, and maybe not even then. And I wish I could go home. Don’t you ever get tired of this?

Tegan shrugs, avoiding his eyes.

TEGAN
I couldn’t stand it at first. I did everything I could to get out of it. Then I finally got home, right place, right day, right life... Seemed so small. So petty. I got a second chance with the Doctor and Nyssa and I took it. It was one of the worst times in my life, when they left without me. Without even saying goodbye.

Tegan sighs.

TEGAN
It was a lot more fun back then.

TURLOUGH
So what went wrong? If you’re missing Nyssa Kamelion’s always there...

TEGAN
It’s not the same, Turlough.

TURLOUGH
Oh, is it me then?

TEGAN
No. It was at first... You’re not so bad.

Turlough grins at her.

TURLOUGH
No, don’t tell me - I’m worse?

TEGAN
It’s just the Doctor’s changed so much.

TURLOUGH
His face?

TEGAN
No, not his face. Though that did change, at the beginning. But now you can’t tell what he’s going to do next. The way he was suddenly hyper, redecorating the TARDIS like that, and rearranging all the furniture. Even Kamelion was surprised.

TURLOUGH
Did he say anything about it?

TEGAN
Nothing worth repeating.

TURLOUGH
Aw, come on, Tegan. What did he say?

TEGAN
He said the Doctor knew where the TARDIS was going.

TURLOUGH
That’s a first.

TEGAN
Apparently, the TARDIS is going in a straight line and then everything gets distorted as we come to a curve.

TURLOUGH
A curve? In what? Space?

TEGAN
No.

TURLOUGH
Time?

TEGAN
No.

TURLOUGH
Well, what then?

TEGAN
"Destiny". That’s what Kamelion said. We’re entering a curve of destiny.

TURLOUGH
That’s probably his way of warning us about that time corridor. Too little, too late, as always. Or too soon, knowing him.

TEGAN
Maybe he wasn’t talking about the TARDIS. Maybe he was talking about us.

They fall into silence, thinking on this.

44. EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT (NIGHT)

The deserted streets. We pan from one end to another. The policemen guard either side.

45. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDORS (NIGHT)

The Doctor cautiously moves down the corridor. He turns a corner and in front of him are the crewmembers. They aim their guns at him and he raises hands.

DOCTOR
Good evening? Er... I’ve come to read the meter.

Mercer slams him against the wall and aims the gun at his head.

DORAN
Kill him!

ZENA
Wait!

STYLES
Zena’s right, at least question him first!

DOCTOR
Thank you, Zena, I’m the Doctor!

He holds out his hand for her to shake. Mercer jabs the barrel into his neck.

DOCTOR
We’re going to get on famously, I can tell.

DORAN
Shut up!

MERCER
And just what do we need to know so urgently, anyway, Styles?

STYLES
Oh, maybe, like where the Daleks are? Thick head!

MERCER
All right. Where have the Daleks concentrated their main force?

DOCTOR
Well, I’m not sure to be honest but...

Mercer slams the Doctor hard in the stomach with his gun butt. The Doctor doubles over, pained, but takes it well.

ZENA
Leave him alone!

MERCER
Hide your eyes if it offends you!

ZENA
It won’t bring Phin back! Or Aliza or anyone!

MERCER
It’ll make me feel better!

He slams the Doctor against the wall.

MERCER
This is the last time of asking: where are the Daleks?

DOCTOR
I haven’t the faintest idea – mainly because I’m not working with them!

DORAN
You’re not a member of the crew. You must be with the Daleks!

DOCTOR
Oh, must I?

ZENA
Are you from Earth?

DOCTOR
I’ve just come from there, yes. You see, there’s a time corridor linking Earth to the Dalek’s battle cruiser.

STYLES
A time corridor?

DOCTOR
Yes! The Daleks are capable of time travel. Didn’t you know?

Mercer glances at the others.

MERCER
You really believe that?

ZENA
Why should he lie? He’s not even armed!

DOCTOR
I dislike carrying weapons.

DORAN
Why?

The Doctor stares at Doran, confused.

DOCTOR
Because they kill people.

STYLES
With an attitude like that, it’s a miracle you’re not dead already.

DOCTOR
Must be divine intervention then.

MERCER
We’re not letting him go, surely?

DORAN
No... But we’re not going to wait here for those troopers to find us either. Let’s go.

They hurry off. Mercer jabs the Doctor with the gun.

MERCER
Move. MOVE!

The Doctor moves off, hands raised.

DOCTOR
Was the universe always so nasty or have I only just noticed?

46. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CRYOGENICS UNIT (NIGHT)

As before. Kiston is working on Davros’ chair.

KISTON
Life signs strengthening. Heart rate stabilizing, breathing optimum, brain activity normal. The chair systems are self-regulating, but still sluggish from cryogenic suspension. Repairing the systems will not be difficult.

LYTTON
Then do it.

A pause.

DAVROS
Tell me about the Daleks’ defeat.

LYTTON
I assumed you knew most of it already.

DAVROS
The Daleks and the Movellans were locked in an impasse of logic. Each time their respective fleets attempted a stratagem it was instantly anticipated and counted by the opponent’s battle computers. Two totally logical war machines unable to outthink each other. It was fascinating. I was there. But human prisoners prevented me from providing the answer.

Lytton nods thoughtfully.

LYTTON
To simply stop using the battle computers. The Daleks didn’t deduce that, but realized that somehow organic, irrational mindsets had the key. They abandoned their enslavement to logic, allowed their impulsiveness to rise to the surface.

DAVROS
Did it work?

LYTTON
No. It might have, but all it did was create a few space battles. Daleks were taken prisoner by the Movellans who developed a virus. Para Type QX345. It exclusively attacks Daleks, destroying the linkages between the organic and computer systems. The Daleks could not do the same for the Movellans, as they were totally robotic.

Davros gurgles painfully. Kiston hastily re-plugs in a cable.

KISTON
I apologize.

Davros growls.

DAVROS
What happened next, Commander?

LYTTON
Once the virus was released, the battle fleet was destroyed. A few ships survived and fled to distant parts of the universe so as to avoid the risk of further infection and to work on a cure.

DAVROS
Have they succeeded?

LYTTON
Not yet. There is now only one other faction, based on Azorius Minor in the constellation of Andromeda. The rest were destroyed either by Movellans or empire squads.

DAVROS
And so, on the edge of oblivion they have returned once more to their creator. Like an errant child returning home. But this time it shall be different.

LYTTON
In what way?

DAVROS
How much research has been carried out on this virus?

LYTTON
Over sixty years worth on Azorius Minor. The major setback is that the test subjects keep dying and the Daleks no longer have the resources to replace them. Do you really think that you can find an antidote?

DAVROS
Of course. I am Davros – the Daleks are my creation. I believe that they require genetic reengineering. To be improved. If the virus is programmed to attack only what it recognizes as Dalek, I will change what the Daleks are. Mr. Kiston, have you finished?

KISTON
Almost.

DAVROS
Commander Lytton. On my arrival I noted a well stocked laboratory on this station. I shall work there.

LYTTON
A laboratory has already been prepared on the Dalek ship.

DAVROS
Accidents cannot be risked. If the virus were to escape on board the Dalek ship, the last of the species would be destroyed!

LYTTON
Every precaution has been taken, Davros!

DAVROS
I work here. Or not at all.

LYTTON
I’ve already explained, we don’t have time! I don’t know why you’re so determined to abuse what little patience the Daleks possess...

DAVROS
And I do not intend to tell you. My reasons stated are enough for the Daleks. Discuss it with them if you require confirmation.

LYTTON
Why don’t I do that?

Lytton strides out of the room. Kiston finishes with the panel.

KISTON
I’ve finished, Davros.

DAVROS
Close the panel. There is much to be done.

Kiston closes the panel and rises, returning his tool to his belt.

DAVROS
Why are you working for the Daleks? Are you expecting to be paid?

KISTON
No. We were at the start. But the Daleks conditioned us all to obey them.

DAVROS
What about your Commander?

KISTON
The mental surgery was less on him to allow his tactical skills to remain at optimum. That is why we have internal communication implants and Lytton has an external communicator.

DAVROS
Thank you.

Davros begins to discreetly flick switches on the console on the chair.

DAVROS
That is all I needed to know.

47. INT. QUARANTINE CHAMBER (NIGHT)

A transparent image of Lytton’s face fills the crystalline sphere. The Supreme Dalek and two other Daleks are present.

LYTTON
I’m telling you, he’s utterly insane! We shouldn’t be bothering with him...

SUPREME DALEK
I ORDER YOU TO OBEY DAVROS!

LYTTON
And what happens when the task force arrives from Earth?

SUPREME DALEK
WE SHALL BE GONE BY THEN.

LYTTON
To do that we need a plan that will force Davros to leave of his own free will!

DALEK 2
YOU WILL SHOW MORE RESPECT TO THE SUPREME DALEK, LYT-TON!

SUPREME DALEK
YOU WILL SUPPLY DAVROS WITH EVERYTHING HE DEMANDS! ALLOW HIM TO ACCESS THE SPACE STATION’S LABORATORY! YOU WILL OBEY! OBEY! OBEY!

48. INT. WAREHOUSE – LOWER LEVEL (NIGHT)

Turlough is pacing. The others watch on.

TURLOUGH
Are there any more of those grenades?

TEGAN
Upstairs, a box full.

LAIRD
Surely those can stop these things?

ARCHER
And if they don’t – what then?

TURLOUGH
All we need to do is get back to the TARDIS.

TEGAN
We can’t fly it, Turlough.

TURLOUGH
You
can’t, I know a trick or two. If we relocate the TARDIS in there...

He points to the wall.

TURLOUGH
...we can get the Doctor back.

TEGAN
He should have got out of there already. Kamelion was with him.

CALDER
What? You think he could just lift up the wall with his bare hands?

There is a slight scraping noise. They all look at the wall.

TEGAN
Now you come to mention it...

The wall has risen enough for human fingers to curl around the edges. After a few false starts, the wall is lifted up and slammed upwards, jammed open. The expressions of those outside turns to amazement.

GALLOWAY
Can’t be...

Emerging from the shadows are three figures – DUPLICATES of Archer, Calder and Galloway. They are refreshed, neat, clean and armed.

‘ARCHER’
Good evening. I am Colonel David Archer of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce. You are going to surrender – or we will be obliged to shoot to kill.

The fake soldiers cock their weapons.

49. INT. SHIP CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

Kamelion moves unsteadily down the corridor, looking almost ill. He shakes his head painfully and turns a corner. He faces a recessed alcove with a door and control similar to the shutter to the terminal chamber. Kamelion peers at the controls and toys with it as he senses something and looks around. Further up the corridor, a Dalek appears. Suddenly anxious Kamelion places his hand over the control. Silver sparkles surround his hand, which becomes a Dalek sucker shape. The door slides back and Kamelion runs inside, the sucker sparkling.

50. INT. BIO HAZARD STORE (NIGHT)

We stay on Kamelion as the door slides shut. His hand is normal again. He looks around. It is gloomy and the shelves contain half a dozen blue metal canisters – each half a metre long with six thick ridge-like protrusions along the length and tapering at either ends. Kamelion clutches his head.

KAMELION
No... I won’t go back...

He closes his eyes, breathing hard and painfully.

51. INT. QUARANTINE CHAMBER (NIGHT)

The Dalek monitoring controls ‘double takes’ as a light starts flashing.

DALEK 1
ANOMALY. ANDROID DETECTED IN THE BIO HAZARD STORE. ALL ANDROIDS ARE NOW AT THE WAREHOUSE.

SUPREME DALEK
IS VISION AVAILABLE?

The crystal sphere clears to show Kamelion.

SUPREME DALEK
ANALYZE!

DALEK 1
ANALYSIS CONFIRMS ANDROID MANUFACTURE. DATA INDICATES ROGUE UNIT LOST AT THE WITHDRAWAL OF XERIPHAS. NO INFORMATION TO ACCOUNT FOR ITS PRESENCE.

SUPREME DALEK
IT IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE. REPROGRAM PSIONIC RELAY! THE ROGUE ANDROID WILL BE BROUGHT BACK UNDER OUR CONTROL! THE DALEKS WILL BE OBEYED!

In the sphere, Kamelion looks even more unwell.

52. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDOR – OUTSIDE THE LAB (NIGHT)

Lytton and Davros move down the corridors. Following them are Grogan, Kiston and three troopers. They turn into the passage to the lab.

LYTTON
The laboratory has been scanned and should prove suitable.

DAVROS
Good. Does it contain chemistry reduplication equipment?

LYTTON
Not on a large scale.

DAVROS
It does not matter. Once the cure is synthesized, Dalek technology will do the rest.

The door slides open and they enter.

53. INT. STYLES’ LABORATORY (NIGHT)

A few bits of furniture have toppled over. Davros slowly finishes circling the room. The others stay by the door.

DAVROS
It is primitive, but adequate for my purpose.

KISTON
You realize how vital it is to complete a cure?

DAVROS
To do that, I will have to conduct researches.

LYTTON
And how long will that take?

DAVROS
That depends on outside factors. I will need a sample of Movellan virus.

LYTTON
There are samples. We will bring some to you.

DAVROS
Excellent. I will also require three Daleks.

LYTTON
Why?

DAVROS
Experimentation.

Grogan speaks with surprising harshness.

GROGAN
That is forbidden.

Davros doesn’t even look at him.

DAVROS
I will need living Dalek tissue if I am to find a cure.

GROGAN
The Supreme Dalek will need to be consulted.

DAVROS
Then do so. Quickly. Already I grow impatient!

LYTTON
My men will be outside.

DAVROS
Guards?

LYTTON
Protection – there are still members of the crew at large.

Davros is not convinced. Sarcasm drips from his voice.

DAVROS
Yes. They must be a considerable threat.

LYTTON
It’s purely a precaution, Davros.

DAVROS
I am very difficult to kill. The Daleks already know that. And Kiston will stay with me.

Kiston is mildly surprised.

KISTON
Davros?

DAVROS
You have proved yourself to be a competent mechanical engineer.

Lytton glances at Kiston, then nods.

LYTTON
As you wish. We will return with the virus directly.

DAVROS
And the Daleks.

LYTTON
Perhaps.

They leave. Davros begins flipping controls on the console.

KISTON
What shall we do now?

DAVROS
The Daleks communicate with you via sub-ether communications. Millennia have passed, but the basic pattern continues to exist and the communications network is fundamentally unchanged. The new code is simple to crack.

Davros flips a final control. A light starts flashing.

DAVROS
And now I am part of the system, I can influence it.

KISTON
To what end?

Davros gurgles in amusement and slams down a lever. Kiston’s expression turns to horror and his mouth opens as if to scream, but he cannot speak. He gasps, clutching his throat, as if in sudden agony.

DAVROS
My chair computer is now overriding the Dalek implant in your mind. You will obey me.

Davros flips up the lever. Kiston’s face contorts, but his arms jerkily fall to his side and his expression melts to a distant pained expression. His eyes roll madly.

DAVROS
Now. We have little time.

Davros presses a button. A small hatch beside the control panel opens and a hand grip rises out. Davros grasps this and pulls free a small, sinister-looking triangular black device ending in a thin, needle-like probe.

DAVROS
Now we can begin again.

54. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDORS (NIGHT)

Mercer hurries up to the door. The others follow cautiously.

MERCER
It’s here!

ZENA
No guards anywhere.

DORAN
Be grateful.

STYLES
Oh, if this is a trap, I’ll let you know just how grateful I am.

The Doctor peers at the faded writing on the door.

DOCTOR
‘Self-Destruct Chamber’? I don’t like the sound of that.

DORAN
Tough. Right, let’s get it open.

He taps a code into the entry mechanism. The door slides back smoothly.

STYLES
Typical. Now the doors start working!

They enter.

55. INT. SELF-DESTRUCT CHAMBER (NIGHT)

A large chamber, lit by an eerie blue light. There is a computer screen against the far wall and a cylindrical console rising out of the floor. Mounted on top is a large, transparent dome. Visible through the dark blue dome is a complex array of electronics.

DORAN
Welcome to the doomsday machine.

DOCTOR
What exactly are you intending to do?

Styles looks at him in disbelief.

STYLES
Guess!

ZENA
Where do we start?

Doran drums his fingers on the dome in frustration.

DORAN
This dome contains every system that controls the priming and detonation of an explosive device which registers a borderline earth-shock level.

MERCER
It looks complicated.

DORAN
We just need the ignition sequence to release this dome and then pull the red lever.

MERCER
All right, not that complicated, but what’s the code?

DORAN
Not sure.

ZENA
Try the computer.

DOCTOR
You’re going to prime this bomb? You don’t seem the self-sacrificial type.

DORAN
Met a lot have you?

The Doctor gives Doran a look that could boil lead.

DOCTOR
Too many. Some of them very close to my hearts. But it isn’t necessary for us to die along side this station!

STYLES
Who said anything about dying?!

DORAN
Look, none of us got up this morning with a desire to become martyrs and I still don’t. But the troopers must be working for the Daleks and must therefore be here for the Prisoner. Once we have the system active, we give them an ultimatum – leave or we all blow up. They won’t be able to take the risk we’re bluffing.

ZENA
Why not?

DOCTOR
This isn’t just a bomb, is it? It’s linked to the fusion reactor. The explosion will destroy everything inside the Exclusion Zone. Even Cassius will take a battering!

DORAN
But it’s abandoned, there’s no one down there. It’s up here I’m concerned with.

DOCTOR
I have a way out! The time corridor I mentioned DOES exist! It’s real and gives us a direct route back to Earth on the twentieth century, safe and sound.

STYLES
The dark ages! You expect us to survive there?

DOCTOR
It doesn’t have to be for more than a few minutes. I have a ship that can bring us back, but it’s at the other end. All we need to do is set up some kind of timer...

DORAN
Not possible. The circuit is one way.

DOCTOR
More crude technology...

DORAN
The cruder the better in this case. Once activated it cannot be stopped by anyone. So, either we try and bluff the Daleks out or one of us stays behind to commit suicide.

STYLES
Mercer can do it.

MERCER
Hey!

STYLES
You’re the most dedicated one left here – and you don’t have much of a life to lose.

MERCER
Don’t I get a say in this?

STYLES
Yes, but no one will be listening.

DORAN
Wait! Look, we don’t even know for sure there is a way out. Now it will take a while to find a way into this thing. Styles, take the Doctor back to the Dalek ship if you can, check it out. Mercer, go with them, keep an eye on the Doctor. If there is a way out, come back for us.

STYLES
We won’t get past the troopers and the Daleks!

MERCER
They’re busy with the Prisoner – how else did this maniac get pass them?

ZENA
They may not still be doing that.

DOCTOR
Then the sooner we start, the sooner we finish.

MERCER
He’s right. Move.

Mercer aims the gun at the Doctor. He glares at him.

DOCTOR
After five centuries, I’m getting sick of this.

MERCER
MOVE!

ZENA
Good luck, Korin.

STYLES
Yes... Good luck, Zena. I’ll see you soon.

They head out. Doran crosses to the computer and begins to operate.

56. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

The Doctor, Mercer and Styles move out of a side-passage into a main corridor. Styles draws he gun and heads down the corridor.

STYLES
This is where you and I part company. Good luck.

MERCER
Styles, where are you going?

STYLES
My laboratory, and more specifically, my escape pod.

MERCER
You’re not serious! The Daleks would shoot it down!

STYLES
Not while they’re busy trying to stop Captain Kamikaze from blowing them to kingdom come! One of those pods will be able to get me into the Leonis system easily...

MERCER
You’re just going to abandon us?

STYLES
I’ve got a better chance with oxygen and fuel if I go alone.

DOCTOR
The lieutenant is right, Dr. Styles. The Daleks won’t risk any witnesses escaping! It’s just a different form of suicide.

STYLES
I’ll take my chance.

Styles turns the corner and strides off. Mercer hisses after her.

MERCER
Don’t be stupid, Styles! STYLES!

Mercer moves after her. The Doctor stays where he is.

DOCTOR
Mercer? Mercer!

At that moment, Lytton and the troopers appear at the far end of the corridor. The Doctor turns, spots them and ducks as Grogan fires a shot at him. The Doctor flees down the side-passage back to the self-destruct chamber.

LYTTON
After him!

57. INT. SELF-DESTRUCT CHAMBER (NIGHT)

Doran presses a button on the console and the screen on the wall activates. Words are typed out on the screen. Zena reads it out. Doran scowls.

ZENA
‘Access to self-destruct procedure is classified information. Please insert your security clearance number.’

DORAN
Thanks a lot.

ZENA
You don’t remember your number?

DORAN
I never tried to remember. All the codes are in a secret compartment in my cabin – and that is in the depressurized area.

ZENA
What about Lieutenant Mercer? He might have security clearance.

DORAN
That’s a point. But he’s gone off with the others. Get him on the radio?

ZENA
But the Daleks could trace the transmission.

DORAN
Then again they could not, Zena! Look, try on the ultra high range – they can’t monitor all the frequencies. I’ll see if I can find them on the security cameras. Those that are still working, anyway...

He adjusts a control and the message changes to show corridors from different angles. Then the Doctor being chased by the troopers.

ZENA
That’s outside!

DORAN
Close the doors, Zena!

Zena slams her hand on the control and the wall starts to descend.

ZENA
No, wait, the Doctor...

She presses the control and door stops its decent as the footseps run nearer.

DORAN
Zena, close it!

ZENA
WAIT!

58. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

The Doctor dives under the closing door just as Lytton and the troopers turn the corner. They can barely raise their weapons before the door slams down, shut.

59. INT. SELF-DESTRUCT CHAMBER (NIGHT)

The Doctor gets to his feet, regaining his breath.

DOCTOR
Thank you, Zena.

DORAN
Now we’ve got nothing to lose, we might as well detonate.

DOCTOR
Yes, and they know that – which gives us the advantage.

60. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

Lytton runs his hand over the locked door.

LYTTON
They must have seen us.

He turns and looks around, eyes resting on a winking red light along the corridor where the wall meets the ceiling. Lytton points to it.

LYTTON
Take out that camera.

Grogan immediately raises his gun and fires. There is a small explosion where the light used to be.

61. INT. SELF-DESTRUCT CHAMBER (NIGHT)

The screen turns to static. Doran switches it off.

DOCTOR
Captain, see if you can make any sense out of those controls to open the dome. Zena, you can help me.

ZENA
Help you do what?

DOCTOR
We something that we can use for protection, maybe to fight from behind, to slow down the others while he primes the self-destruct device.

ZENA
A barricade?

The Doctor grins at her.

DOCTOR
A barricade!

They set to work. Doran starts twisting the dials outside the dome on the console.

62. INT. CASSIUS FOUR CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

As before.

LYTTON
If they activate the bomb we will have at best three seconds for the station’s fusion reactor to go critical and then Cassius Four and everything in the immediate vicinity will simply boil away into space.

GROGAN
We have sent two men to the bridge to try and override the systems.

LYTTON
They may not have time... Can we blow a hole in that wall?

GROGAN
Of course.

Lytton nods, all worry gone now he has a plan.

LYTTON
We attack on two fronts.

63. INT. STYLES’ LABORATORY (NIGHT)

Davros circles the room as Kiston feverishly adjusts a mechanism which is connected to the needle-tipped device by several intravenous cables. A liquid pumping noise begins.

DAVROS
You will appreciate this gift, Kiston. You are crippled with agony from your implant, but this device will free you from pain. Just from the pain, however. You shall be the first recruit of my new order. The first of many!

Perspiration beads on his forehead, Kiston’s shaking hand hovers over the control.

DAVROS
Obey me. Obey!

Davros flips a control. Kiston sobs loudly and almost involuntarily hits the button. Green liquid is pumped straight into the device. Kiston sways, muscles tense, as if struggling to turn around.

DAVROS
Such strength. But foolish. You shall make an excellent slave.

Davros adjusts a final control. Kiston switches off the machinery and picks up the device, turning it to face his own unprotected neck. Kiston convulses, fighting and desperate to stop the needle end. Davros watches. Finally, it plunges into his skin. Davros laughs as Kiston activates the control. There is a buzz and a green light glows from the device. Davros flips a control.

DAVROS
I now release your implant. Controlling it is no longer necessary.

The gasping revulsion on Kiston’s face is already fading. His eyes are struggling to focus. Soon he is standing rigidly to attention, then seems to come out of his trance. As if back to normal.

DAVROS
Obey my will.

KISTON
As you command.

to be continued...

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