Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Warhead of the Daleks XV

35. INT. SELF-DESTRUCT CHAMBER (NIGHT)

Styles and Mercer enter. Mercer guards the door as Styles flips some switches. After a moment the transparent dome retracts.

STYLES
So far so good.

MERCER
Any sign of a timer?

STYLES
No.

MERCER
So we couldn’t use that escape pod of yours?

STYLES
We’d have to get past the Prisoner first and he’s not going to let us in, is he?

Styles starts adjusting more controls.

MERCER
We’re not going to get out of this, are we?

STYLES
Don’t come apart now, Mercer. You want to die a hero.

MERCER
Roylan. My name’s Roylan.

Styles looks up at him and smiles.

STYLES
Korin.

Mercer smiles.

MERCER
I just wish we’d met somewhere else.

Styles places her hand over his.

STYLES
Regret’s part of being alive. We’re not going to have to worry about it for much longer.

She goes back to the controls.


36. INT. QUARANTINE CHAMBER (NIGHT)

As before.

SUPREME DALEK
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE DALEK SENT TO RESCUE DAVROS?

DALEK 1
ITS TRANSPONDER HAS CEASED TRANSMITTING. IT HAS BEEN DESTROYED.

DALEK 2
ALERT! POWER FLUCTUATIONS ABOARD CASSIUS FOUR! THE SELF-DESTRUCT SYSTEMS ARE BEING BROUGHT ON LINE BY MANUAL CONTROL! HOSTILES HAVE BROKEN INTO THE SELF-DESTRUCT CHAMBER! EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!

SUPREME DALEK
SEND THREE DALEKS THERE AT ONCE! THEY MUST BE STOPPED! EXTERMINATE THEM!


37. INT. RECEPTION AREA (NIGHT)

The Doctor and Kamelion run down a corridor into the chamber. The Doctor fiddles with a button on the door and the shutter slides up. The Doctor ducks into an alcove.

KAMELION
Daleks are approaching!

DOCTOR
I just need a few more seconds. Go through!

KAMELION
I should stay with you, Doctor.

The Doctor hurries back with a cylinder.

DOCTOR
Just the thing.

We see the shadows of an approaching Dalek squad. The Doctor hands Kamelion the cylinder and bundles him inside, then uses the rifle to shoot out the control. The Daleks turn the corner and spot him as he ducks inside.

DALEK 1
IT IS THE DOCTOR! EXTERMINATE!

DALEKS 2 & 3
EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!

The shutter closes as they fire. The beam explodes against the shutter.

DALEK 1
HAVE THE TIME CORRIDOR SEALED OFF!

DALEK 3
IT HAS ALREADY ACTIVATED.


38. INT. TIME CORRIDOR TERMINAL (NIGHT)

The Doctor and Kamelion are bathed in the red glow and they disappear.


39. INT. RECEPTION AREA (NIGHT)

The Dalek studies the burnt control.

DALEK 1
ORDER RE-CIRCUITING OF TERMINAL SHUTTER.

DALEK 2
I OBEY.


40. INT. WAREHOUSE – LOWER LEVEL (NIGHT)

The red glow deposits the Doctor and Kamelion in the empty, sealed off area. They immediately hurry for cover. The Doctor points at the TARDIS, which is now visible to them. The Doctor smiles at Kamelion and the duo hurry over to it.


41. INT. WAREHOUSE – UPPER LEVEL (NIGHT)

It is now total mayhem. There is the constant sound of Dalek firing and there are flashes of negative light rapidly, interspersed with explosions. Archer, Galloway and Calder are hiding by a crate. Archer raises a grenade, pulls the pin and drops it into the box. They hurl the crate across the floor into the middle of the fighting.

ARCHER
Down!

They duck. There is a sheet of flame, and two Daleks are caught. They explode spectacularly. The soldiers turn and see another Dalek gliding down the edges of the warehouse straight towards them.

ARCHER
Run!

Galloway runs for the door as Archer opens fire. The Dalek fires and Calder is struck. He screams and falls to the floor. The eyestalk explodes as Archer continues firing.

DALEK
I CANNOT SEE! MY VISION IS IMPAIRED!

GALLOWAY
Come on, Colonel!

The blinded Dalek spins towards the source of the voice and fires once.


42. INT. WAREHOUSE ENTRANCE (NIGHT)

Galloway is bathed in the lethal glow and, screaming, falls back over the rail and crumples in a heap on the floor below. We pan across to the doorway where the Doctor and Kamelion are standing. They look down at him sadly.


43. INT. WAREHOUSE – UPPER LEVEL (NIGHT)

The blinded Dalek swings to face Archer when a stray energy beam impales it. As it explodes, Archer gets to his feet and runs for cover. But he runs straight past another Dalek which shoots him in the side. Archer lets out a horrible, undignified scream and collapses, clawing at his face as he falls to the ground. Archer moans once more and relaxes in death. He has fallen nearby the sprawled body of Lytton. Who suddenly cracks open his eyes and peers out into the carnage.


44. EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT (NIGHT)

The Doctor carefully pushes open a door and looks around. Just as he is about to step out, he freezes. Further up the road is a Dalek, facing the two policemen.

DALEK
ANY HUMANOIDS WHO ESCAPE THIS WAREHOUSE ARE TO BE EXTERMINATED!

The policemen nod. The Doctor scrambles back inside, but has not been spotted.


45. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (NIGHT)

As before.

TURLOUGH
If we head out there now we’ll all get killed!

LAIRD
We’ve got to help the Colonel!

TURLOUGH
He knew what the risks were, he told us to stay here!

TEGAN
They might need our help.

TURLOUGH
Or they might be suffering rigor mortis!

The doors open and the Doctor and Kamelion enter.

TEGAN
Doctor!

She embraces him.

TEGAN
Thank God you’re safe.

A bit embarrassed, he pats her reassuring on the shoulder.

DOCTOR
Of course we are, Tegan.

TURLOUGH
What about the others?

KAMELION
They remained on Cassius Four.

LAIRD
Now you’re here, we can go after the Colonel.

DOCTOR
Don’t.

The tone in his voice stops them all. Tegan releases the Doctor.

TEGAN
They’re dead, aren’t they?

KAMELION
I cannot detect their mental signatures. I am sorry, Ms. Jovanka.

DOCTOR
We can make sure they didn’t die for nothing. Kamelion?

Kamelion hands him the canister.

LAIRD
What’s that?

DOCTOR
A canister of the Movellan virus, specifically engineered to wipe out all Dalek life in the immediate vicinity.

TURLOUGH
You could cause an epidemic with that!

DOCTOR
Oh, the virus is harmless on all other life forms, isn’t that right Kamelion?

KAMELION
Yes, Doctor. No non-Dalek casualties of QX345 have ever been recorded.

DOCTOR
Perfect. Now, pop outside and tear open that fireplace, would you? Turlough, go with him and keep his mind on the task at hand.

Turlough and Kamelion exit.

TEGAN
What’s happening up on the next floor?

The Doctor smacks the end of the cylinder.

DOCTOR
Lunch has arrived for our friend here.

Tegan looks at him in horror. The Doctor notices.

DOCTOR
Too many people have died for us to be squeamish, Tegan. If there was another way, you know I’d take it.

TEGAN
But you’re not even looking for one!

The Doctor sounds disgusted and bitter.

DOCTOR
I looked for one on Sea Base Four and how did that turn out?

TEGAN
That’s just... rabbits!

DOCTOR
As maybe, but whether you like it or not it is going to be done!


46. INT. WAREHOUSE – LOWER LEVEL (NIGHT)

Turlough and Kamelion stand by the old fireplace beside the office.

TURLOUGH
Ready?

KAMELION
Of course, Mr. Turlough. Although I must admit to being a trifle insulted by the Doctor’s insistence that you accompany me.

TURLOUGH
It’s because you can’t be trusted.

Kamelion effortlessly rips the frame off the wall and throws it to one side.

KAMELION
I did rescue the Doctor.

TURLOUGH
You also ran out on Tegan and me – and killed that trooper. You really are a nasty piece of work. The Doctor told me that Xeraphas was a lifeless ball of rock – we should have dumped you back there. At least you wouldn’t have caused any more trouble.

KAMELION
Very well, Mr. Turlough.

TURLOUGH
Cut the hurt-little-robot routine. It doesn’t become you.

KAMELION
On the contrary, I think it suits me rather well... Junior Ensign Commander.

Turlough looks at Kamelion with rabid paranoia.

TURLOUGH
And you can keep out of my mind while you’re at it!

KAMELION
I detect hostility in your thought patterns, Vislor Turlough.

TURLOUGH
You won’t dare tell the Doctor about that!

Kamelion kneels down and fingers the brickwork.

KAMELION
If your mind was stronger, you could be assured of the fact.

Turlough speaks in a dangerous whisper.

TURLOUGH
If you say one word about the Custodians to the Doctor, I’ll destroy you.

KAMELION
I never doubted it.

Kamelion tugs some more bricks from a hole near ground level. He exerts no strength at all – unlike Turlough who is struggling to clear the loose mortar. The Doctor, Tegan and Laird emerge from the TARDIS.
LAIRD
What good will this do?

DOCTOR
You’ll notice the rain has left puddles everywhere – that’s because this warehouse is decayed at the edges. With this in the ventilation system, the gas will spread right through this building and wipe out every Dalek within.

TURLOUGH
If you can get it to work?

The Doctor arches an eyebrow. Then he smacks one end of the cylinder and runs a hand across the topmost face, this time pulling back a small square hatch. Inside is a small valve.

DOCTOR
Seems simple enough, don’t you think?

He twists the valve and a thin stream of white smoke emerges. Holding the cylinder at arms’ length the Doctor places the cylinder inside the hole. It is now giving off more and more smoke. The Doctor turns to the others.

DOCTOR
Let’s get out of here, shall we?

Turlough and Kamelion enter the TARDIS. Laird shakes her head.

LAIRD
This is mass slaughter!

DOCTOR
No, that is what will happen if any Daleks leave this warehouse. Davros or the Supreme Dalek, whoever wins, we lose! That virus will wipe every last one out and once it’s done that is programmed to die out.

TEGAN
Just like the hexachromite.

The Doctor glares sharply at Tegan.

DOCTOR
You know nothing about the Daleks, Tegan! There’s nothing to reason with, nothing good about them. If we don’t kill them then they will kill us.

LAIRD
Do you have to be so callous about it?!

TEGAN
She’s right. First you murder someone, now mass gassings?

DOCTOR
Tegan, I didn’t...

At that moment, the door explodes and a Dalek glides through.

DALEK
EXTERMINATE ALL HUMANS!

It fires a shot. Tegan, further from the others, ducks around a corner into the unsealed chamber as the Doctor and Laird are caught in plain sight. Laird hurls the Doctor through the doors and makes a break for it. The Dalek fires. The beam slams into Laird, who lets out a shrill scream and collapses, face first on the floor. She’s dead.

TEGAN
NO!

Tegan runs over to Laird and looks her over in horror. The Dalek glides forward towards them. Gas is now spreading from the hole in the wall. Tegan looks up, furious.

TEGAN
Why did you do that?! She couldn’t have hurt you!

DALEK
ALL INFERIOR BEINGS MUST BE EXTERMINATED! ONLY DALEK LIFE IS REQUIRED!

The gas is now surrounding them both. It’s POV: the bulls-eye of Tegan’s face suddenly distorts badly.

DALEK
EMERGENCY! MALFUNCTION! MALFUNCTION!

The image breaks up completely and goes dark. Normal: The Dalek begins to screech and sways from side to side. The Doctor sprints through the smoke.

DOCTOR
Tegan!

DALEK
I CANNOT SEE! MY VISION IS IMPAIRED! MALFUNCTION! EMERGENCY! EMER-MER-GEN-GEN...

The Doctor grabs Tegan’s hand and hauls her to her feet. They run over to the TARDIS. The Dalek spins to follow them, but suddenly can’t seem to stop itself.

DALEK
EXTER-EX-STAR-STARRRRRRR-STAR-MEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN-AAAAAAAA....

It comes to a halt, its voice an unintelligible slur that fades to silence as its lights goes out. There is a muffled grunting, thumping from within. Then, its eyestalk slowly moves up 90 degrees and stays there, eye rolled back in death.


47. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (NIGHT)

The Doctor hurries inside, supporting Tegan who looks stunned.

DOCTOR
Close the doors!

Turlough does so. Kamelion opens the scanner.

KAMELION
The QX345 is already taking affect. That Dalek is now dead.

TURLOUGH
And the Professor?

The Doctor shakes his head.

DOCTOR
Tegan? Are you all right?

Tegan has a lost expression on her face.

KAMELION
The gas will be spreading to the upper level by now. We are winning, Mr. Turlough.

Turlough speaks bitterly.

TURLOUGH
We’re surviving. There’s no such thing as winning.


48. INT. WAREHOUSE – LOWER LEVEL (NIGHT)

The Dalek stands inert. Laird’s body is slowly lost by the swimming clouds of thick white gas that coils and rolls. Soon the Dalek is lost in it as well.


49. INT. WAREHOUSE – UPPER LEVEL (NIGHT)

The gas is already seeping from the grilles in the brickwork. As it thickens we see scattered between the bodies of the soldiers and troopers are several exploded Dalek remnants. Daleks are gliding back and forth from behind pillars and taking shots. Near the exit, a Dalek breaks cover and exterminates a trooper. Lying on the floor, Lytton suddenly comes to life, leaps to his feet and sprints towards the door. He skids to a halt as Kiston emerges from the shadows, gun aimed.

KISTON
Stand still.

LYTTON
Kiston. It’s me. Gustave!

Kiston aims the gun at Lytton’s head. Suddenly there is a strangled Dalek cry and they both look across the room. The Dalek nearest the gas is beginning to sway and jerk uncontrollably, its eye-stalk swinging in every direction.

DALEK 1
ALERT! MALFUNCTION! MALFUNCTION! CRITICAL MAL-MALFUNCTION-TION!

Another Dalek spins and takes aim at the ailing Dalek.

DALEK 1
ANALYSIS-SIS-SIS CON-CONFIRMS! MOVELLAN VIRUS! ALERRRT.... ARGH! AGH!

The Dalek fires. The diseased Dalek explodes spectacularly. Another Dalek glides from behind it and aims at the second Dalek. It begins to convulse as well.

DALEK 2
WHAT IS HAPPENING? I CANNOT SEE! EMERGENCY! EM-EMERGENCY!

The smoke is spreading thicker and thicker. The Daleks stop firing and begin to sway, as if lost. More smoke floods from the vents.

DALEK VOICES
MY VISION IS IMPAIRED! I CANNOT SEE! EMERGENCY! VIRUS DETECTED IN ATMOSPHERE! RETREAT! WITHDRAW! I CAN-NO-CANNOT SEE! ARGHH! EMERGENCY! WITHDRAW! EXTERMINATE! WI-WITHDRAW!

Several Daleks are jerking and swaying, as if unable to control themselves. One starts to scream and then its eyestalk jams upwards and its limbs point to the floor. One Dalek, seemingly unaffected, glides for the loading doors.

DALEK 3
WITHDRAW! ALERT! CONTAMINATION! CONTAMIN-MIN-MIN-ARGHHHH!

The Dalek suddenly spins violently on the spot before slowing down, making the same squawking noise. Another Dalek dies. The two troopers watch on as the background cacophony is slowly drowned out with screams.

KISTON
What’s happening to them?

LYTTON
They’re dying. And so are you.

Without taking his eyes of the display, Lytton casually fires over his shoulder. Struck in the chest, Kiston is slammed against a crate and falls heavily at the trooper. The nearest Dalek swings and faces him, gun aimed.

DALEK 4
EX-EX-EXTERMINATE! EXT-ER-EXTER-EX-EX—ARRGH...

It fires a shot, but the bolt misses Lytton completely. Its gun stick makes a pained clicking noise. The Dalek begins to swing left and right, grating and gasping. Without changing expression, Lytton turns and strides out. The Dalek continues to convulse.

DALEK VOICES
CONTAMINATION IRREVERSIBLE! EXTERMINATE! ARGH!! EXTER-TER-TER-ARRRRGHHH!


50. INT. WAREHOUSE ENTRANCE (NIGHT)

Lytton strides down the steps, into the thickening mist. He slings the pack from his shoulders and takes out the police sergeant’s cap. He looks at it thoughtfully and polishes the insignia with his elbow.


51. INT. WAREHOUSE – UPPER LEVEL (NIGHT)

The gas is getting thicker. All the Daleks are now affected, swaying and convulsing, some screaming insanely, others slurring to a halt. Only one Dalek is still speaking clearly.

DALEK 4
EMERGENCY! I CANNOT SEE! EMERGENCY! EM-MER-EMER-EMERGENCY! I... ARGH!

We pay attention to the Dalek that tried to kill Lytton. It is now lifeless and inert. We see its grille section is now beginning to dissolve, as if acid has been poured over it. As we see this, the other Daleks lose the power of speech and just scream.


52. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (NIGHT)

Tegan stands in a corner, as if composing herself. Turlough and Kamelion watch her out the corner of their eyes, concern on their faces. The Doctor is staring at the scanner, which shows the Daleks lost in the lethal fog.

DOCTOR
I think that’s that.

He sounds grateful. He adjusts a control and the scanner closes.

TURLOUGH
It’s over?

DOCTOR
It’s over.

TEGAN
It’s horrible.

The Doctor avoids her gaze, and tries and fails to sound reassuring as he sets controls.

DOCTOR
All the Daleks on Earth are dead, so the Earth and humanity are now safe. Some consolation at least.

KAMELION
What about Davros and the Daleks in the future?

DOCTOR
No doubt we’ll have to deal with them – but later. Much later. At the moment, I think we could all do with a rest.

TURLOUGH
Assuming we can get the TARDIS out of their time corridor.

KAMELION
We can but try.

Still glancing at Tegan worriedly, the Doctor begins adjusting controls.

DOCTOR
So far so good...

The time rotor starts to move.


53. INT. WAREHOUSE – LOWER LEVEL (NIGHT)

The TARDIS slowly fades away, as if swallowed up by the mist.


54. EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

Not far from the warehouse stand the policeman, standing to attention, staring ahead. Lytton emerges from the shadows, now wearing his police sergeant uniform. He approaches the policemen who slowly turn to look at him. A pause. Suddenly, the policemen salute. Lytton gives a satisfied smile, turns and strides up the street. The policemen follow, and soon we lose the group in the dark. Pan over to the smoke coiling from the open doorway to the warehouse.


55. INT. WAREHOUSE – LOWER LEVEL (NIGHT)

Almost lost in the gas, only a few of the Daleks are still alive – swaying and juddering, lost in their death throes. Their eye stalks point randomly as they moan and grate, voices slurring into silence. One by one they fall inactive and dead. The bodies of the troopers and soldiers are lost in the mist. The only noise is the hissing of the virus.

to be continued...

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