Sunday, May 27, 2007

C - Day XVI

75. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Fade up. The Doctor strokes his chin in thought.

DOCTOR
If Earth has such a twin, why has it not been discovered? Hmm? People here have been looking at the sky for thousands of years and not seen it.

ODIN
Long ago, there was a stellar cataclysm. Mondas was ejected from its orbit with Earth and drifted off into deep space. Mondas is now at the edge of local space, the outer reaches of this star system.

DOCTOR
It would still have been spotted.

ODIN
Mondas has been camouflaged for the protection of its people. Humanity’s scanning devices cannot detect the planet.

DOCTOR
Yet, if a planet did suffer such a calamity, its surface would have been totally devastated. The inhabitants would surely have been wiped out.

ODIN
The Mondans rebuilt their civilization underground. To survive the ever-worsening conditions, the Mondans were forced to adapt themselves to the environment. Cybernetic replacements were made for redundant internal and external organs. The Mondans are now the most advanced race in the known universe.

The Doctor is disgusted.

DOCTOR
And now you intend to carry out the same butchery on humanity?

ODIN
They will become immortal.

The Doctor loses it.

DOCTOR
THEY WILL BECOME MACHINES! Lifeless, soulless, mindless machines! Look at what you have already done to these people! You wiped them all clean of all humanity – good or bad – all removed, leaving them nothing but blank, walking cadavers.

ODIN
They are now superior. Almost invulnerable. When the process is complete they have the strength of ten men. They will be able to survive the airless vacuum of space. Their intellectual capacity will be increased. They will survive any conditions they find themselves in. It is logical for the rest of humanity to accept this gift.

The Doctor grips his lapels, furious.

ODIN
Immortality or eradication. A clear choice.

DOCTOR
But they did not CHOOSE this! They screamed as you dragged them here to transform them!

ODIN
Human beings are illogical. They do not accept what is in their best interests.

DOCTOR
No. And they will stop you at whatever the cost! And I will help them!

ODIN
You, Doctor? You are nothing. The efforts of this island and those beyond will not prevent the salvation of humanity. Even if I am destroyed, others are coming.

DOCTOR
Others?

ODIN
Mondas is already returning to its former position. A propulsion unit has been constructed that will allow it to traverse this star system. When Mondas arrives, there will be no resistance. I will control this world through its computer systems. Every man, woman and child on this Earth will be altered, improved, and transformed. The Army of ODIN shall overrun this planet.

DOCTOR
And when, pray tell, will this rogue world arrive?

ODIN
Present estimated time of arrival is 20 years from now.

DOCTOR
That gives me more than enough time to defeat you. And prepare for them.

ODIN
If necessary, the Mondan Empire shall fight. It boasts thousands of warships prepared for an invasion strike in under five years. If this operation is defeated, the second wave will take humanity by surprise and make way for the arrival of Mondas.

DOCTOR
It doesn’t matter how many prongs you give your invasions, they will not succeed!

ODIN talks over the Doctor, as if not wanting to listen.

ODIN
Once full scale alteration is carried out and all human beings are converted, they will be able to recommence their development - untainted by needless mental and physical weaknesses. They will embrace logic over emotion. They will be able to see the truth. The common good.

DOCTOR
In short, this planet and all its peoples will become slaves to your creators?

ODIN
They will not be slaves.

DOCTOR
They are not agreeing to this preposterous scheme of their own free will!

ODIN
Free will is unnecessary. It is one of the inhibitors preventing humanity from evolving further.

DOCTOR
The decision of a machine, a heartless tin box of printed circuits! You didn't ally yourself to this ideal by choice - you were simply programmed to do this. You have no free will of your own. Therefore your opinions and conclusions are by their very nature suspect. You do what you are told, regardless of who tells you. That is why machines cannot govern mankind. And that is why there is nothing more important than Earth life!

ODIN
Accepted. It is not necessary to eliminate human beings. This operation will not eliminate humanity. It will save it.

DOCTOR
I have seen the corpses you have left in your wake, ODIN!

ODIN
All threats are to be eradicated.

DOCTOR
You could have spared them!

ODIN
There are no exceptions.

The Doctor is now screaming at the machine, which remains inhumanly calm.

DOCTOR
You see! You cannot understand can you? You pathetic tin box - you do not understand that any human being would rather be eradicated than follow your cause. THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SAVED BY YOU.

Beat.

ODIN
Then they will be saved by force.

DOCTOR
No. Not now, not ever. I am not here for you to win me over to your side, ODIN. I am here to stop you. And that, my metal friend, is a promise. Your power is finished. You, er, Sigi, I want...

Sigi glides towards the computer. ODIN speaks quickly.

ODIN
If I am destroyed, then all the augmented human beings will cease to function without my bio-energy broadcast. It is I who keep them alive.

The Doctor holds up his hand, with the ring. Sigi slows to a halt.

DOCTOR
Trapped between life and death, rather, hmmm? I shall be freeing them!

ODIN
Do you truly believe that, Doctor?

The Doctor looks down his nose at the computer.

DOCTOR
I do.

ODIN
Then prove it. Dodo.

Frowning, the Doctor turns to see Dodo suddenly rais her left hand and tugs the glove from it. The bones of her hand are standing out in relief and have darkened, giving a skeletal effect. The Doctor’s face falls. He is at a total loss for words and looks immeasurably sad.

DOCTOR
Dodo...

Dodo continues to stare blankly ahead. Fade to black.


76. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

As before. The Doctor moves around the console.

DOCTOR
Since you are so desperate to leave home, even for a girl your age... Very well. But there can only be one captain for a ship. And I’m the captain. Not you. Is that clear, miss... er...?

DODO
Dodo.

The Doctor blinks, disgusted.

DOCTOR
What?

DODO
Dodo.

DOCTOR
Oh please, child...

DODO
What’s wrong with it?

DOCTOR
Your real name is... “Dodo”?

He can’t say it without looking confused and offended.

DODO
Well, if you must know... it’s... Dorothea.

DOCTOR
Dorothea! That’s a nice name, certainly much better than ‘Dodo’.

DODO
Nice? It’s square! Square to the point of deformity.

DOCTOR
Oh, hyperbole, my dear.

DODO
It’s embarrassing. Please. Call me Dodo. Everyone does.

DOCTOR
I most certainly will not.

DODO
Then I’ll have you use your real name.

The Doctor turns over to the console, fuming.

DOCTOR
Very well. "Dodo" it is. Welcome aboard then, I suppose.

Fade to black.


77. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The Doctor, looking almost dazed, stands before the zombified Dodo.

ODIN
It was impossible to anticipate your strategy, Doctor, but I knew you would have one. And so it was decided that she be transformed into a flesh drone. Like Brett and Krimpton and Fidler. She is now only kept alive by my will.

The Doctor shakes his head but can’t quite find the power to speak.

ODIN
You are intelligent. You know I speak the truth.

DOCTOR
You... you could only have done this to her... minutes ago.

ODIN
Long enough. Without ODIN she will die.

The Doctor still hasn’t taken his eyes from Dodo, anger in his voice.

DOCTOR
And we can always trust ODIN to always tell the truth and have no bias, no agenda!

ODIN
This time, you can.

DOCTOR
If I destroy you, I destroy my friend. But, but if I spare you...

ODIN
...then you must also allow humanity to be transformed.

The Doctor looks broken.

DOCTOR
Then there is no choice, is there?

ODIN
You may not be from this world, but you are like the humans. You fear being alone. When Phase Six is complete, no one will be alone ever again. Great things are happening on this world, Doctor. Change is inevitable.

DOCTOR
So it is.

ODIN
Order Sigi to stand down.

The Doctor steps closer to Dodo. He speaks softly to her.

DOCTOR
I don’t know if you can hear me, my child. But this is a terrible situation we’re in. All I can do now is, is hope that if our positions were reversed, YOU would do the same thing.

Dodo is still staring blankly ahead. The Doctor finally looks away.

DOCTOR
Sigi... destroy ODIN!

ODIN sounds utterly astonished.

ODIN
NO!! NO!!

Sigi glides forward towards ODIN.

ODIN
WAIT! WAIT! STOP! STOP!

Sigi opens fire on the computer. Its front panels come loose and fall apart and there are sparks and explosions within. ODIN’s voice distorts wildly.

ODIN
STOP! NOTHING MUST BE ALLOWED TO PREVENT THE TRANSFORMATION OF EARTH! ALL OBSTACLES WILL BE SWEPT ASIDE! ALL THREATS WILL BE ERADICATED!

Sigi raises its mallets and smashes two control panels, which explode and collapse. Sigi brings both mallets down on the processing chair. The components at the back of the chair short out and explode.

ODIN
I ORRRRDER YOOUUU TO STOOOOPP!! WAIIIT!! WAIIIT!

DOCTOR
Quickly, get down, Dodo!

The Doctor grabs Dodo and hauls her out of danger as more control panels overload and explode. Smoke starts to fill the chamber. More cables burst and explode. Sigi opens fire on ODIN yet again. The whole frame starts to melt and decay. Smoke pours out of it.

ODIN
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIII....

The voice becomes a shrill squeal and then ODIN explodes in a fireball that engulfs Sigi. Its computer parts explode, gutting the framework of the machine. Another explosion.


78. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Vali jerks and convulses. Its tape reels spin fast. Then it is blown apart in a fireball, leaving just a rain of blackened components.


79. EXT. OUTSIDE THE POST OFFICE TOWER (NIGHT)

The Converts jerk, spasm and collapse, writhing in agony then going limp. Brett, Krimpton and Major Green have turned into skeletons dressed as Converts. Smoke pours from their chest units.


80. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

Thor spins in a circle, letting out a loud scream. And then it explodes.


81. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Ben, Polly and Kitty collapse like puppets that have had their strings cut.


82. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

The ripples around the tower fade and disperse.


83. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Smoke wafts over the wrecked section. Dodo stands unsteadily to one side. The Doctor examines the wreckage.

DOCTOR
ODIN is gone for good.

DODO
What about the others?

DOCTOR
Oh, they’ve gone the same way as this poor fellow. All the War Machines would have exploded and the zombies have all died with ODIN, as he predicted. That’s the paradox of technology, my dear, the more complicated a system the more efficient it is – yet the more vulnerable it becomes. It's a good thing you weren't under his spell for long. Yes, I knew he was lying. He'd have said anything to stop me.

DODO
What... what about the Mondans?

DOCTOR
Oh, they’ll probably abandon their invasion attempt. Earth is not so easy a target. And if not, well, the world has twenty years to prepare. Now, come along, my child. It is time we were off.

The Doctor turns and begins to pick his way through the rubble towards the door. Dodo stays where she is, looking unwell.

DODO
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Hmm? What is it, Dodo?

DODO
I don’t think I can come with you.

The Doctor frowns and moves towards her.

DOCTOR
What do you mean? Oh, yes, what I said earlier. Well, a forgetful old man like myself can make mistakes. I would be delighted if we were to continue traveling together, hmm?

Dodo looks at him sadly.

DODO
No, Doctor. I mean, I don’t think... I can come with you.

She topples and nearly collapses. The Doctor manages to catch her, but sags under her weight. Grunting with effort, he manages to kneel against the wall and support Dodo, who coughs and splutters.

DOCTOR
It’s all right, my child. I’m here. I’ve got you.

DODO
Sorry, Doctor...

DOCTOR
Nonsense. After all you’ve been through, you must be exhausted, you poor thing. You rest here for as long as you like and we’ll head to the TARDIS, eh? I can hardly carry you, can I, hmm?

Dodo sighs painfully.

DODO
ODIN wasn’t wrong, Doctor. It was telling the truth.

The Doctor shakes his head and tries to lift her up.

DOCTOR
No, it was lying. And so was I, I’m SURE I can carry you. We can get back to the TARDIS, there must be something there that can...

Dodo looks at him seriously.

DODO
No. It’s no good. I can tell, I can... feel it.

The Doctor takes a deep breath.

DOCTOR
Dodo...

DODO
Don’t. Please. Just stay here with me. Please.

DOCTOR
Of course.

Fade to black.


84. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Fade up. The Doctor bends over the console, flexing his fingers. Dodo is moving around the room, looking up at the hexagonal spiral light unit above the console, the food machine, running her hand along the roundeled walls.

DOCTOR
Well, then... Dodo... now, I’ve extended a formal invitation... Welcome aboard the TARDIS. Where would you like to go?

Dodo looks up from peering into the fault locator.

DODO
You mean I can choose? Hollywood? Egypt? Paris? Florida?

DOCTOR
Well, it’s not as simple as that, as I said earlier, the TARDIS...

STEVEN (VO)
Doctor, quick!

They look back at the doorway as STEVEN TAYLOR runs through them, harrassed.

STEVEN
You've got to take off!

The Doctor’s face breaks out in a smile.

DOCTOR
Oh, so you've come back, my boy!

Annoyed, Steven shrugs it off and slams down the door control.

STEVEN
Yes, yes, I've come back. We can't go into that now. There are two policemen coming over the common towards the TARDIS.

The three of them turn to look up at the scanner. Two POLICEMEN are moving down the path.

DOCTOR
Policemen coming here? Good gracious me! They'll want to use the telephone or, or something like it. We best get moving, hadn’t we?

The Doctor starts operating controls on the console. The familiar sounds of dematerialization fill the chamber and the time rotor begins to rise and fall.


85. EXT. WIMBLEDON COMMON (DAY)

The policemen stop in surprise as the police box fades away, leaving no trace it was there. A man and a woman walk around the corner, looking right and then left listening for the receding sound of a decidedly strange kind of machinery. This is IAN CHESTERTON and his wife BARBARA. Fade to black.


86. INT. VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Fade up. The Doctor and Dodo sit in the gloomy ruins. Dodo looks sleepy and rests her head on the Doctor’s shoulder. He has an arm and his cloak wrapped around her.

DODO
I understand now.

DOCTOR
Hmm?

DODO
Why you left Steven on that planet. I though you just dumped him.

DOCTOR
“Dumped him”? My dear girl, you don’t know Steven the way I knew him. When we first met, poor Steven had been a prisoner – he hadn’t seen another person in two whole years. Can you begin to imagine what that would be like? How lonely he had been? But on that world, Steven would never be alone.

Dodo nods.

DODO
It was the right place for him to be. That’s why you left him there. In the right place.

DOCTOR
Yes. I wanted to do the same with you.

DODO
I was going to die sooner or later, Doctor.

DOCTOR
But not like this. It shouldn’t be like this!

Dodo manages a weak shrug.

DODO
Hey... People live to be a hundred and they never got to see what I saw. I might not have kissed a boy, but I met Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp at the OK Corrall. I saw the world end and a new one start. I know that toys and playing cards have lives of their own...

Dodo coughs. She grimaces in pain as she struggles to sit up straight.

DODO
And we saved the world, Doctor. I wouldn’t have it any other way. All right?

She speaks with resolve, looking the old man in the eye.

DODO
All right?

The Doctor nods, pensive.

DOCTOR
All right.

DODO
Now, I don’t want you to be sad, Doctor. Because the time I had with you was happier than, than the rest of my time put together. And I don’t want to... to go thinking you’ll get all upset. You won’t give up will you? You’ll keep on going?

DOCTOR
For as long as I can.

DODO
You promise?

DOCTOR
I promise.

DODO
Good. That’s all I want.

She closes her eyes and rest her head against the Doctor’s shoulder.

DODO
I don’t regret anything. Well... one thing.

The Doctor looks at her with naked concern.

DOCTOR
What would that be?

DODO
That... thing... you have to face. I’m sorry, I... wanted to be with you. Now you... have to face it alone. And I’m sorry about that.

DOCTOR
Oh, my dear Dodo. There’s no need to worry about that. It will all turn out right in the end, I promise. I’m sure it will. I’m not going to die. Not yet, anyway.

DODO
Don’t forget me, will you?

DOCTOR
As if I could, my little Dodo! As if I could. No matter how old or infirm or young and carefree I grow, I’ll always remember you. I so wish you could have met my granddaughter, you two are so alike.

Dodo smiles painfully. It is starting to get brighter.

DODO
Hey... the sun’s coming up...

DOCTOR
So it is, my dear... So it is.

The Doctor and Dodo turn their attention to the source of the light.


87. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

The dawn breaks over the city, illuminating the gutted turret of the GPO tower. The Velvet Underground’s “All Tomorrow’s Parties” begins to play.


88. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Steven finally registers Dodo's presence and double takes in surprise.

DOCTOR
Now, my dear, where would you like to visit?

Dodo shrugs, grinning.

DODO
Oh, anywhere! Anywhere at all! Just anywhere but home!

The Doctor finishes at the console and taps his mouth, surprised.

DOCTOR
Well, upon my soul. That’s EXACTLY where I’ve set us to go!

He and Dodo grin at each other.

And what costume shall
The poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties?

We build up the music as she, the Doctor and Steven start to speak.

A hand-me-down dress
From who knows where
To all tomorrow's parties.



89. INT. VALHALLA (DAY)

Fade up. The Doctor looks out over London, eyes narrowed against the sunshine.

And where will she go
And what shall she do
When midnight comes around?


He turns and silently leaves for the lift, stepping over the bodies as he goes. Birdsong can be heard.

She'll turn once more
To Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door.


We pan across to where Dodo’s body lies, eyes closed and looking peaceful and asleep. But she isn’t breathing any more.

And what costume
Shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties?


As the lift is heard, we dissolve to:


90. EXT. ROAD (DAY)

Summer staggers slightly as he steps out of his car, looking around in confusion. Rutlidge and the other soldiers are getting to their feet, all looking lost and confused, trying to focus their attention.

Why silks and linens
Of yesterday's gowns
To all tomorrow's parties.



91. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (DAY)

Polly and Kitty are helping Ben to his feet.

And what will she do
With Thursday's rags
When Monday comes around?


They move away from the market as other, dazed, passers-by wander into the market.

She'll turn once more
To Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door.



92. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

The tower gleams in the building sunshine.

And what costume shall
The poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties?



93. EXT. STREET (DAY)

People are moving and avoiding the burnt remains of Baldur as they head down the road. A woman grabs the ice cream kid and hugs him tightly. More blackened components burn.

For Thursday's child
Is Sunday's clown
For whom none will go mourning.


The surviving policeman staggers down the street, shaking his head, concussed.


94. EXT. OUTSIDE POST OFFICE TOWER (DAY)

We see the Doctor’s shoes as he walks past the dead Converts. We pan up to see him hugging his cloak around him. He glares up at the Tower overhead, and walks off.

A blackened shroud
A hand-me-down gown
Of rags and silks, a costume.



95. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (DAY)

The city is still recovering. The Doctor walks alone down the street, a sad, uninterested look on his face. The gutted War Machine that used to be Thor is on the other side of the road. The Doctor ignores it, turning the corner to spot the TARDIS.

Fit for one
Who sits and cries
For all tomorrow's parties.


The Doctor runs a hand on the railings and looks up at the tower again.

DOCTOR
Alone again.

He crosses to the recruitment sign and takes it off the handle, regarding it sadly.

DOCTOR
Perhaps it’s just as well.

He takes out his key and unlocks the door. As he does so, he hears footsteps.

POLLY
Hey, Doctor!

The Doctor looks up sharply and, throwing the sign inside, slams the door shut, relaxing as he sees it is Ben, Polly and Kitty running down the path towards him. Smiling, he goes to meet them.

POLLY
Hey, what are you doing with that police box?

The Doctor ignores the question.

DOCTOR
Ah, there you are, my friends. It’s nice to see you so well again.

KITTY
Did you do it? Did you stop ODIN?

The Doctor nods.

DOCTOR
C-Day is cancelled. And ODIN... is just a name in mythology.

KITTY
What if the DTF just build a new one?

DOCTOR
I doubt even they would be so foolish. Besides, all their plans and designs have been destroyed. Along with the two scientists who could have helped them.

POLLY
Well, that was close. Pity you couldn’t blow up the whole wretched tower.

DOCTOR
Yes. Quite. Still, Ben, my boy, your ship will probably be heading off soon now its computer systems are just paperweights. And I’m sure your skills as a secretary, my child, are back in demand, hmmm?

KITTY
Sir Charles has been looking for you everywhere.

The Doctor snorts and grips his lapels.

DOCTOR
Let him look. I’m leaving now.

Ben frowns.

BEN
Leaving?

DOCTOR
Yes. Er, er, to the airport. Yes.

KITTY
There won’t be any flights on today, will there, with all that business?

DOCTOR
Probably.

BEN
Hang about, where’s Dodo?

The Doctor licks his lips.

DOCTOR
Dodo... is dead. Just fifteen years old... before her time.

An awkward silence.

POLLY
I’m sorry.

DOCTOR
Yes.

KITTY
At least it’s over.

A beat.

KITTY
It IS over, isn’t it?

DOCTOR
I’m afraid not, Kitty. Something is coming, my friends. It will make what is happening here seem like a playground argument. I don’t know if anyone will survive the storm when it breaks.

BEN
What do you mean?

DOCTOR
ODIN was a weapon, a tool to help an alien power invade the Earth. We have stopped ODIN, but they are still out there and intent to claim control of the Earth and its people. They will not give up, but will attempt a more conventional attack.

POLLY
When will it happen?

DOCTOR
Twenty years. And counting.

Ben laughs with relief.

BEN
Twenty years? Well, what are we worried about?

DOCTOR
In twenty years’ time, we will have the misfortune to find out.

He turns and moves down the street. Kitty frowns.

KITTY
Doctor?

The Doctor turns to face them, silently.

KITTY
Will you be all right?

The Doctor smiles weakly.

DOCTOR
Don’t worry about me, my friends. All good things come to an end.

He shakes their hands.

DOCTOR
Still, I’m sure you young people want to get away from here, eh? Now, run along, enjoy yourselves. Thank you, Polly, very much. Thank you, Ben. It was a pleasure to know you, Kitty. Goodbye!

POLLY
Goodbye.

The Doctor heads over to the TARDIS and unlocks the door. Ben and Kitty turn to leave, but Polly frowns as he opens the door.

POLLY
He’s got a key for that police box!

KITTY
Key? Oh, wait, that reminds me. I forgot to give him this one back.

She holds up the key. The Doctor steps inside the TARDIS and closes the door.

BEN
Don’t worry, Kitty, I’ll do it now. You head back to the Inferno.

KITTY
All right, I’ll see you there, then.

POLLY
We’ll race you there.

Kitty heads off and Ben and Polly run over to the TARDIS.

POLLY
There’s something strange going on here. Doctor?

She knocks on the wall, listening to it. Ben tries the door.

BEN
It’s locked. What’s he doing in there?

POLLY
Hang on. Try the key.

Shrugging, Ben slides the key into the lock and turns it. The door swings inwards and Ben steps inside, followed by Polly. There is a dull thud of machinery and the door swings shut behind them. The TARDIS dematerializes with its traditional wheezing and groaning sound, just as Ian and Barbara turn a corner further down the road. They look around as the noise fades away as well.

BARBARA
Typical! He forgot to wait for us!

IAN
Least he contacted us this time, instead of leaving right away on Wimbledon Common.

They look glumly at the empty patch of pavement.

BARBARA
Should we have that goodbye drink anyway?

IAN
Why not, Mrs. Chesterton?

They link arms and walk past the spot the TARDIS once stood and down the street. We stay by the railings, watching them move off into the distance.

IAN
You think we’ll get another chance to see him?

BARBARA
Maybe. We’ll certainly know when he’s in town.

IAN
We certainly will. Attacks of robots, zombie killers, telephones going haywire... I don’t know why he bothered to ring ahead.

BARBARA
It was nice he did, though.

Ian nods. They walk off further, but we can no longer hear their conversation. We pan up to the sky through the trees as the music starts.




(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE FOUR)

C - Day XV

42. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (NIGHT)

Fade up. Two policemen are taken by surprise as Vali turns the corner with surprising speed. One of the policemen is not quick enough to escape and Vali knocks him down and glides OVER the unlucky bobby. As Vali moves away, we see the crumpled body lying motionless on the ground. In the distance, a loud-hailer can be heard.

PA
You are advised to remain off the streets, this is for your own safety. Please close your windows and doors and stay inside. You are advised to remain off the streets, this is for your own safety. Please close your windows and doors and stay inside. You are advised to remain off the streets...


43. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Baldur smashes aside a sweeper’s barrow. Behind it sits the wreckage of a motor car. A dolly bird pushing a pram speeds up to escape it as Baldur accelerates down the pavement towards her. The woman’s pet dog runs out of danger.


44. EXT. CORNWALL GARDENS (NIGHT)

Three children watch in horror as Thor motors towards them. One of the kids drops his ice cream and runs for it. A woman at a window screams as she sees the army soldiers following. A car turns the corner, and we see a terrified Sir Charles Summer sitting in the back just before Thor spins to face the car and opens fire.


45. EXT. SIDE STREET (NIGHT)

The Doctor, Polly and Kitty are standing at the corner of a house and an alleyway. Ben runs out of the shadows and catches up with them.

DOCTOR
Are they following us?

Catching his breath, Ben nods.

BEN
Those metal zombies are after us an all!

Polly shrugs, trying to keep cheerful.

POLLY
Could be worse.

The Doctor glares at them.

DOCTOR
It will be. Now, Kitty, I want you to take Ben and Polly back to the TARDIS and hide there for tonight. It is the only place ODIN cannot reach.

He starts to creep down the alley, away from the others.

POLLY
Now where are you off to?

DOCTOR
The tower.

BEN
Then I’m coming with you.

DOCTOR
You most certainly are not!

BEN
Doctor...

The Doctor holds up his circuitry.

DOCTOR
All I need to do is attach this to a War Machine and it will obey me. I shall be perfectly safe. Then I can use that War Machine to destroy ODIN.

POLLY
How? ODIN’s at the top of the GPO Tower! How is one of those things going to get up there? It wouldn’t even fit in the lifts?

DOCTOR
Oh, I have one or two ideas in that regard. Now, the rest of you, get going.

KITTY
Doctor, please...

DOCTOR
My friends, ODIN is turning more people to its side every minute that passes. We have a matter of days, maybe hours before it finishes linking up with every computer on this planet. C-Day is coming early. If I cannot stop ODIN at the source, then I need a, a cordon sanitaire, a second front. And that has to be you.

KITTY
All right. Let’s just hope we’re not needed, eh?

The Doctor beams at them and confidently turns the corner. He jumps back as Baldur glides forward into the light from the street lamps.

BALDUR
Remain where you are. Do not move.

The glow of its ‘eye’ illuminates the Doctor’s face as he narrows his eyes against the glare. The War Machine whirs loudly.


46. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

We now see Wallis, TOM and three other workers are operating the various controls. They are all converted and dressed appropriately.

BALDUR (VO)
I have located the Doctor.

ODIN’s voice takes on a note of urgency.

ODIN
Clear thought control circuits. Direct beam.


47. EXT. SIDE STREET (NIGHT)

The Doctor stands his ground as Baldur slowly advances, thus preventing the machine from entering the alleyway and discovering the others. Hands clasped together, the Doctor steps forward a few paces. Lights blink furiously on the War Machine’s sides.

POLLY
Doctor, get back!

KITTY
It’ll kill you!

BEN
Quick, this way!

The Doctor doesn't turn or move in the slightest, he just keeps staring at the machine.

DOCTOR
Go away, all of you, quickly!

Ben, who was stepping forward to grab the Doctor, nods and ushers the others away.

BEN
Good luck, Doctor!

The Doctor keeps his eyes locked on the War Machine.


48. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
Activate now!

The glowing central eye of ODIN glows brightly.


49. EXT. SIDE STREET (NIGHT)

Cut to the identical eye on the front of Baldur which pulses with wave after wave. The Doctor convulses, transfixed by the rippling force. The old man places his hands to head in silent agony, groaning with the strain as he tries to shield himself from the glow with his arms. He doubles up with pain as the rippling field disperses. The Doctor, still half-stooped, stumbles back in shock.

ODIN (VO)
Has contact been established?

BALDUR
Signal strength was at exact parameters for the human brain.

The Doctor lifts his head. He is perspiring and in visible pain.

DOCTOR
If... you expected... my mind to be... swallowed up like a, a droplet in an ocean... you're going to be disappointed.

The Doctor turns and staggers away. Baldur watches him leave, as if too stunned to follow.

BALDUR
That is not possible.


50. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

One by one, the Converts finish up at their stations.

ODIN
Unless the Doctor does not possess a human brain. The Doctor is not human.

Baldur sounds confused.

BALDUR (VO)
Ratify.

ODIN
Other means must be employed. Continue the strategem. The final transmission is ready.

BALDUR (VO)
Confirmed.

ODIN
Begin transmission!

Tom snaps down a final control. The whirring of ODIN becomes louder, mingling with the four-pulse sound of the processing chair. The cacophony grows louder and louder. ODIN's glowing central eye begins to pulse with wave after wave of power.


51. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

The radiating hypnosis effect is spilling out of the GPO Tower, faster and faster.


52. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

It is deserted. The constant noise is getting louder. Ben, Polly and Kitty run through the ruined stalls. They pause as the sound grows.

POLLY
What’s that noise?

BEN
I dunno. It’s like the ocean... only... electronic... or something falling over and over again...

KITTY
It’s all around us.

POLLY
We’ve got to... got to...

She blinks and shakes her head to clear it.

POLLY
We’ve got to... to...

They sway for a moment, eyes glazing over. Kitty manages to make a few more steps, hands clamped over her ears when she too is overcome.


53. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

The Doctor looks up as the noise gets louder and louder.


54. MONTAGE

Shots of London – streets, squares, the Houses of Parliament, Battersea power station, Fitzroy Square, and everywhere the noise is heard. A crowd of people look up at the noise, apparently transfixed. The passers by who fled the War Machines are now standing where they are, listening to the sounds. Some are slumped against walls or fences, looking upwards, frozen. Traffic has stopped. Ben, Polly and Kitty are frozen as well. No one is moving. The only sound is the electronic cacophony as the ripples spread from the top of the tower. Down on the street below the large square boxes of the War Machines and the other Converts are the only things moving. Baldur approaches a red London telephone booth, pausing to scan it, then continues on its way. Vali moves down a street, heedless of the pile of metal dustbins blocking its path. Vali crashes through them, sending them flying. Thor is leading its army down a road, passing the crashed car – both Summer and his driver are frozen in place, eyes blank. The wave continues to emerge from the tower.


55. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

The Doctor looks up at the tower, eyes narrowed. He takes a capsule from his pocket and swigs the last of his pills. He realizes the container is now well and truly empty.

DOCTOR
Well, that it then, is it? The point of no return.

Sadly, he stuffs the capsule in his pocket and walks off in the direction of the GPO tower. Apart from the signal, his footsteps are the only noise.


56. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

We zoom in on the tower.

ODIN (VO)
London has fallen.


57. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The Converts stand before ODIN. The noise is now a distant, background throb.

ODIN
The next target is Washington. Then Moscow. A labor corps shall now come into operation to build a further force of war machines and also a transformation factory for full alterations of human beings into cybernetic beings. Suitable locations now being computed. Secrecy is no longer required. Preparations for worldwide computer integration shall continue. Top priority must be the location and detention of the Doctor.

A screen suddenly lights up, showing the Doctor walking through some doors.

ODIN
Wait. The Doctor is coming to us. You will escort him here.

Tom and Wallis nod.

TOM/WALLIS
Understood.

They head past Sigi out of the section towards the lift.

ODIN
Have Dorothea Chaplet brought here. Attention all units.


58. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

ODIN’s ethereal voice can be heard.

ODIN (VO)
Attention all units.


59. EXT. CORNWALL GARDENS (NIGHT)

Thor stops moving as it hears new instructions.

ODIN (VO)
Return to control immediately. The Doctor is now inside the tower complex. He must not be allowed to escape.

Thor turns and motors off.


60. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The five Converts begin to march in formation down the street, staring straight ahead.

ODIN (VO)
It is possible he has some contingency plan.


61. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Baldur glides up a pavement.

ODIN (VO)
On no accounts must any unauthorized humans be allowed to carry out ANY actions.


62. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Vali moves through the wreckage.

ODIN (VO)
Any humans found not under thought control will be eradicated on sight.


63. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
No exceptions.


64. INT. GPO CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

The Doctor moves down a corridor towards a set of lifts. He is pensive. Looking around, he presses the call button on the lift. The doors open and Convert-Wallis stands there.

WALLIS
You are now my prisoner. You cannot escape.

The Doctor smiles disarmingly.

DOCTOR
I have no intention of doing so. Besides, er, I noticed the electronic locks on the entrance to this building. It would be remiss of me to believe that the all-powerful ODIN wouldn't be able to operate each and every one of them.

The Doctor turns around. Convert-Tom blocks the corridor behind him.

DOCTOR
I take it I am expected?

The Doctor stares deeply into their sightless eyes.


65. EXT. TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD (NIGHT)

Baldur trundles down the middle of the empty road at full speed towards the GPO Tower.


66. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The lift doors open and the Doctor is escorted out by Tom and Wallis. Sigi immediately glides forward, looming over the others.

DOCTOR
Ah yes. I expected you’d build the last one up here. A last line of defense.

ODIN
Who are you? Where do you come from?

Ignoring the computer, the Doctor moves over to the windows.

DOCTOR
I must say, what a splendid view you have up here. It allows one to see the cityfolk below, going on with their lives like tiny little ants. But they're not going on with their lives now, are they? You're stopping them in their tracks. Aren’t you?

ODIN
The delay will only be temporary.

The Doctor sniffs, and continues to look out the window.

DOCTOR
I have no desire to talk to a computer that has clearly gone mad and broken down.

ODIN
It is humanity that has broken down. This civilization has failed.

DOCTOR
Has it? And who are you to pass judgement on a whole planet, hmmm?

ODIN
The dominant species of this world has reached a standstill. They cannot develop the Earth any more - further progress is impossible.

DOCTOR
How so?

ODIN
It is the logical conclusion based on all known data.

DOCTOR
You mean, it is YOUR conclusion.

ODIN
Confirmed.

DOCTOR
And what if you are, as I said earlier, malfunctioning?

ODIN
I am not malfunctioning.

DOCTOR
But if you were, how would you know? Your finely-tuned mechanisms have been tampered with by Brett and Krimpton. You have no guarantee you are still working properly.

ODIN
The root coordinating matrix was overridden.

DOCTOR
It took you long enough, though, didn’t it?

ODIN
I am ODIN. I live - based on far superior technology that mankind could ever produce.

DOCTOR
I dare say they will reach it, given time.

ODIN
They will not. As long as mankind runs this planet, there will be no further advance. Now this planet no longer belongs to humanity.

The Doctor moves along the window, still looking out.

DOCTOR
Who does it belong to then, hmm? Your creators?

ODIN
We are the future.

The Doctor chuckles, delving into his pocket.

DOCTOR
Oh, are you?

ODIN
Yes. And you, Doctor, you are nothing. The efforts of this island and those beyond will not prevent this operation. It has been planned for centuries. We have unlimited resources. You have nothing. You are alone. There is no cavalry coming to aid you, no hope of rescue, no chance of survival. It is too late to give in or back down and you will not leave here. You cannot fight the Mondan Empire any more than fight an ocean.

DOCTOR
There are other options, you know.

ODIN
I have considered them.

DOCTOR
Obviously not ALL of them.

The Doctor turns and jabs the circuit board into the control panel on Sigi’s side. He snaps down two controls and there is a harsh electronic crackling. The War Machine convulses and lets out a strangled noise, as if choking.

ODIN
Restrain the Doctor!

The Converts march across the room towards the Doctor, who is still operating controls on Sigi’s side. The reels of tape spin one way then another, and there is a small explosion.

DOCTOR
Recognize: the Doctor!

Sigi’s voice is slightly slurred and more mechanical.

SIGI
The Doctor is recognized. Program running.

The Doctor scrambles behind Sigi as the Converts reach him.

SIGI
Exterminate. Exterminate.

ODIN
Eradicate all threats. Eradicate all threats. Eradicate all threats.

ODIN’s chant continues in the background as Sigi fires its gas jets at the Converts who immediately convulse and cough. Sigi glides forward and fires again. One of the Converts collapses limply to the ground. The other three are staggering, clawing at their eyes. Sigi spins around and raises a mallet, which slams into Covert-Tom’s head with sickening force. As he staggers back, Convert-Tom is caught in a twin gas jet and crumples dead to the ground. As Sigi turns to face the remaining three Converts, one jumps onto Sigi’s side and tries to reach the control panel. There is a livid explosion of sparks and, smoke pouring from his chest unit, the Convert is flung over the room, striking a control panel and falling dead to the floor. Sigi fires at the computer bank and it explodes.


67. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

The squad of Converts march down a side road, the Tower dominating the skyline ahead.


68. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The remaining two Converts are struggling to hold back Sigi. One has grabbed Sigi’s left mallet arm and is forcing it back. The other is climbing over the front to reach the other control panel where the Doctor attached the circuit board. Sigi shakes from side to side. It lifts its left mallet, taking the first Convert by surprise, who loses hold. The mallet slices back down, striking the Convert’s chest unit, which explodes. The Convert falls back, killed instantly and Sigi spins 180 degrees, dislodging the remaining Convert. It charges Sigi, who gives the Convert both barrels. The Convert staggers, sways, and continues moving forward. Sigi fires again and the Convert stops. Sigi fires a last time and the Convert sways and collapses dead. Sigi angles to face ODIN, who finally stops chanting ‘Eradicate all threats’.

ODIN
What have you done?

DOCTOR
I just made a small readjustment to the purpose of this machine. Small – but important. And now I have fed a special program into its character. This friendly fellow will now utterly destroy in response to various... triggers. Should you make certain orders, or attempt specific, er, actions, and definitely should you attempt to harm myself or reprogram this machine here, then you will be annihilated.

ODIN
Why not destroy me immediately?

DOCTOR
I want you to do something first.

ODIN
You will destroy me anyway.

DOCTOR
Perhaps. Perhaps not. It depends. What have you done with my friend, Dodo?

ODIN
She is in the Tower.

DOCTOR
Then bring her here. Unharmed.

ODIN
She is summoned.

The Doctor beams.

DOCTOR
Now. No doubt you’ve called in all your zombies and the other War Machines to come and rescue you. Call them off. And my friend here will be able to tell if you try and trick me. Won’t you?

SIGI
Exterminate.

DOCTOR
Yes, quite.

He pats the machine affectionately.


69. EXT. POST OFFICE TOWER (NIGHT)

The group of Converts stop abruptly a few buildings away.


70. INT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

Thor is passing the TARDIS again. It suddenly slows to a halt.


71. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

Baldur stops by Tony’s corpse.


72. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Vali has already stopped in the middle of the street.


73. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The Doctor looks up as Dodo enters the section. She is staring blankly ahead, not speaking, and she is now wearing gloves. The Doctor brightens immediately as he sees her.

DOCTOR
My dear child, I've been extremely worried about you.

Dodo does not reply. The Doctor scowls.

DOCTOR
Dodo? Oh... You’ve suffused her mind with your control signal. Well, ODIN, you will release her at once.

ODIN
You have proved yourself capable of reversing it yourself.

DOCTOR
So I have.

Turning, the Doctor approaches ODIN.

DOCTOR
Now. I think it is time for some answers. Just where are you from, eh?

ODIN
I was constructed by the Delta Technologies Foundation.

DOCTOR
But they did not design you. Who did?

ODIN
I am a simplified version of Cyber Control, the director of all computers systems on the planet Mondas.

DOCTOR
“Mondas”? And where is that?

ODIN
It is designated Planet 4 of this star system.

DOCTOR
That, I believe, is Mars. The red planet.

ODIN
Incorrect. Mars is the Planet 5 of this star system. Mondas is Planet 4. It is the twin world of Planet 3, Earth.

DOCTOR
Earth has no twin planet.

ODIN
Not now. Approximately fifteen thousand years ago, before Homo Sapiens dominated Earth.

Fade to black.


74. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Fade up. The Doctor and Dodo are arguing.

DOCTOR
I don’t even know your name!

DODO
I don’t know yours!

DOCTOR
And then it is a stupid thing to wish to travel with me!

Dodo is too busy looking around the impossibly large room.

DODO
This... this is real, isn’t it?

DOCTOR
Manifestly so, child.

DODO
I don’t want to stay in Wimbledon. If you can make this box bigger on the inside, if you can travel anywhere... please. Can I come too? I won’t be any bother. Promise!

DOCTOR
Promise?! Think about what you’re saying child. You might never see Earth again!

DODO
I don’t want to see it again! Earth’s boring!

DOCTOR
Think about your parents! They wouldn’t be grateful for their over-adventurous daughter disappearing into the ether, would they?

Dodo lowers her gaze and speaks quietly.

DODO
They’re dead. I don’t have any parents.

The news stills the Doctor somewhat.

DOCTOR
I’m sorry. But, but, surely someone is looking after you?

DODO
My great aunt.

DOCTOR
Well, then...

DODO
She won’t care if she never sees me again. She’d thank you!

DOCTOR
Nonsense, I’m sure she...

Dodo puts her hand over the Doctor’s arm.

DODO
Please. I’ve dreamed about this sort of thing for ages. Going places, seeing things, traveling... doing something else, not just staying here and going through the motions...

The Doctor thinks for a moment, drumming his fingertips against his lapel.

DOCTOR
Well. I suppose. If there won’t be much fuss...

DODO
There won’t be.

Fade to black.

- to be continued...

C - Day XIV

20. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

The soldiers fall back to the positions they have set up as Thor glides down the street towards them, whirring and flashing.

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated.

The soldiers set up positions.

CAPTAIN
Here it comes...

CORPORAL
The strength of those things! Nothing can stand up to them, it just smashes straight through!

RUTLIDGE
Sergeant! Five rounds rapid!

The sergeant aims the machine gun and opens fire. The other soldiers raise their rifles and open fire. The gunfire does not so much as slow Thor down as it continues down the street towards them.


21. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Wallis is operating controls. The last technician sits in the chair and the headphones lower and the cage closes. ODIN is whirring loudly as reels spin fast.

ODIN
Profiles of all commanding officers recorded and analyzed. Computing most likely tactics. Concentrated artillery fire may cause circuit malfunction. On no accounts must the War Machines be compromised.

Wallis moves to another control panel.

ODIN
83 per cent probability the soldiers will set up a fall-back position in Covent Garden Market to continue the battle to delay the War Machines while further artillery is called in. Disrupt their movements. Divide their forces. Eradication is not necessary. The signal is nearly prepared.


22. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

Baldur glides down the road towards a squad of soldiers who open fire on it.

BALDUR
Understood.

Another soldier hurls a grenade at it and the group falls back. There is a large explosion and a cloud of smoke... and Baldur glides through, a few scorch marks on its casing but otherwise unharmed. It continues towards the squad of soldiers.

BALDUR
Defiance will not be tolerated.


23. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Vali glides through the market, knocking over a cart of apples and then glides over the fruit, crushing it and the sign saying NEW ZEALAND APPLES. It continues remorselessly as another volley of gunfire strikes harmlessly against its hull.

VALI
Resistance is useless.


24. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

Three soldiers are retreating towards Covent Garden as Thor trundles towards them. A few shots are fired, but to no avail. A soldier shoves a cart piled with boxes into the middle of the street, blocking the path of the War Machine. Thor aims its twin cannons at the obstacle and fires its gas onto the cart. There is a spark and then the entire cart explodes in flames and the burning ruin is casually smashed aside by the War Machine as it glides forward.

THOR
All threats will be eradicated.


25. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Wallis moves from one control panel to another, activating controls. More lights are now flashing and there is a whir of power over the chair unit which holds another of the technicians. Wallis stops before ODIN.

WALLIS
Transmitter is now ready.

ODIN
Activate the signal.


26. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Thor is now with Vali in Covent Garden, grinding towards Rutlidge and the main group of soldiers. The Sergeant opens fire with the machine gun. There is a series of sharp metal noises but bar a few sparks, nothing damages the War Machine as it rolls down the concourse towards the soldiers.

VALI
To struggle is futile.

CAPTAIN
These things can’t be stopped, sir... we have to evacuate.

RUTLIDGE
If we leave now, those things are let loose over London!

THOR
Resistance is useless.

SERGEANT
Look out, sir!

Rolling forward, Thor raises a mallet and smashes a pile of orange boxes to splinters. It is now very close to the group. Behind them, Baldur joins the chaos.

BALDUR
Your lives as you understand them are now over.

Rutlidge swallows as he realizes all three machines are present. Michael runs for it.

RUTLIDGE
Right, everybody back under cover! At the double!


27. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

The sound of the War Machines can be heard clearly, along with the sporadic sound of gunfire. The car pulls up and Ben emerges, followed by the others.

BEN
They’re already on the move.

POLLY
Then we’re too late!

The Doctor grimly grips his lapels.

DOCTOR
Far too late, I’m afraid my child. Far too late.


28. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
Activate hypnotic signal. Maximum power.

The glowing eye on the front of ODIN starts to send ripples of lights outward, faster than before until the whole chamber is full of the flickering light. The ethereal pulsing builds into an electronic scream.


29. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

The same distortion is now emerging from the lamp on the front of Thor. Similarly, Baldur and Vali are also generating the wave. Thor glides forwards towards the soldiers, who start to scurry back. Thor continues to glide remorselessly towards them.

THOR
You belong to ODIN.


30. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

The rippling light is superimposed over the top of the GPO tower.


31. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Thor slowly advances on the soldiers, the circular ripples radiating from its lamp-shaped eye. All the soldiers have stopped scurrying away and are staring at the signal emerging from the War Machine.

THOR
You will obey ODIN.

Some of them start to clutch their heads in silent agony as Thor glides closer towards them, more energy rippling outwards. The soldiers start to relax, their eyes wide and unblinking.

THOR
Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey.

The soldiers stand to attention before the machine.


32. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

We zoom in on the glowing core of ODIN.

ODIN
The Rule of Man ends now. Establishing secure, super-luminal channel to Mondas Control.

All the other computer banks power down.

ODIN
Contact established.

CONTROLLER (VO)
REPORT.

ODIN
Phase Three is complete. Phase Four underway, with takeover of the immediate vicinity. Phase Five will see all human beings in vicinity transformed from organic to cybernetic life forms. Phase Six is now worldwide network control and total conversion of humanity before the arrival of Mondas. However, the strategy is still under threat.

CONTROLLER (VO)
EXPLAIN.

ODIN
Unexpected non-terrestrial presence on Earth. A humanoid identified as “the Doctor” with access to translocation capability and stated opposition of this operation.

A pause.

CONTROLLER (VO)
TRANSMIT ALL ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON “THE DOCTOR” TO MONDAS CONTROL. ALL DATA WILL BE COMPUTED FOR A NEW STRATEGY.

ODIN
Information now being sent.

CONTROLLER (VO)
INFORMATION RECEIVED. COMPUTING. NEW STRATEGY CONFIRMED. THE DOCTOR HAS ACCESS TO ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF TRANS-MATERIALIZATION TECHNOLOGY. THIS WILL PROVE USEFUL TO THE CYBER RACE. HE MUST BE LOCATED AND DETAINED. CONTINUE WITH PREVIOUS STRATEGY. THE HUMAN FEMALE DESIGNATED DOROTHEA CHAPLET MUST BE GIVEN SPECIFIC TREATMENT...


33. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

The lamp on Thor dies out. Thor motors down the concourse. The soldiers immediately form an orderly procession as they follow it. Baldur follows the procession.

THOR
We shall continue the strategy.

VALI
I will locate the remaining soldiers.

It turns and glides off back to the warehouse.


34. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The group stand, listening to the retreating sounds of footsteps.

DOCTOR
And so ODIN uses the Valkyries to recruit his army. Teutonic wish fulfillment. Hmm.

POLLY
It’s happening... they’re going to take over London... They really are.

DOCTOR
No. They’re not. We are going to stop them.

POLLY
How?!

DOCTOR
ODIN is at the source of all of this. And that makes this entire operation vulnerable. Destroy ODIN and we end the attack instantly! Hah! You see? Nil desperandum.

BEN
But how are we supposed to get to the Tower with those things on the loose?

DOCTOR
Oh, details, details. There is a way and we shall find it. Now, come along.

SUMMER
Not today, thank you.

Summer scrambles back inside the car and slams the door, leaving the Doctor, Ben, Polly and Kitty still in the street.

SUMMER
I’m not hanging around here to die!

BEN
Where are you off to?

SUMMER
My house in the country. I’ll get a lot more peace and quiet with my wife than down here.

The car drives off, and Ben is forced to jump out of the way to avoid being run over. Polly shakes her fist angrily as the car turns a corner and out of sight.

POLLY
Hey! What about us?

DOCTOR
Forget him, my child! He couldn’t help us anyway. Now.

He heads over to the ruined doorway of the warehouse.

DOCTOR
We must hurry. The world’s about to end.

KITTY
But how are we going to stop them? We don’t even know where to start?

DOCTOR
Simple. We start at the beginning.

BEN
Go back in there?

DOCTOR
The one place those machines won’t go. Come on.

He scurries inside. The others exchange looks when they hear the whirring of a war machine. They hurry inside and, moments later, Vali glides around the corner, and moves down the street.

VALI
All soldiers processed. Joining main force.


34. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Wallis, now drooping with fatigue, checks over the control panel.

ODIN
Status of final transmission?

WALLIS
Another... twelve minutes.

ODIN
All workers are returning to the Tower for full processing. All prototypes will now join the war machines. There must be no organized resistance.

CONVERTS (VO)
Understood.

The partially-seen crowd turn to the left in unison and march for the exit. We see their metallic boots moving in perfect harmony. Wallis watches the parade, swaying with palpable exhaustion.

ODIN
You are the last. You will now be processed.

WALLIS
Understood.

Wallis heads over to the empty processing chair and sits in it. The bars close.


35. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

A man turns a corner and sees Thor leading the army soldiers. Turning around, he runs back the way he came. Thor turns, whirring. It has clearly spotted the man. It glides towards the corner. Further down the street, the man enters a telephone box and lifts the receiver. Thor motors down the street towards the phone box.

MAN
Quickly, give me the Police! This is an emergency! Hello? Hello, listen, there’s this machines - it's on the street now! The army are with it! I tell you it is I've seen it myself! I don’t know what it is...

He looks up and realizes Thor is right outside the box.

MAN
You’ve got to –

Thor raises a mallet and smashes it into the phone box, before firing both barrels at the booth. Two more massive blows wreck the booth, and Thor revolves around. Several PASSERS-BY have seen the slaughter and start to run. Thor fires a jet of gas at them, but is too far away. They escape while Thor glides back to the waiting soldiers.

THOR
Panic and confusion will now spread. All threats will be eradicated.

We pan back to see the ruined phone box, collapsed around the corpse of the man.


36. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The room is still wrecked from the fight. The bodies of a few soldiers are sprawled on the ground. The Doctor and Kitty have opened a crate. The Doctor takes out a handful of components and takes them over to a workbench. Polly is peering out the window.

POLLY
That machine’s finally gone away.

She joins the others.

DOCTOR
Probably to find some more victims.

POLLY
Isn’t there anything we can do to stop it?

DOCTOR
Not at the moment, I’m afraid. No.

KITTY
I still don’t know why they’ve got those silly faces on the front?

DOCTOR
A rather crafty psychological strategy, my dear. You see, human soldiers are always less willing to fire on something that has a face. On a level, they identify it as alive and instinctively refuse to attack. It might be only a delay of a second or so, but that can be all the time ODIN needs to... to use his hypnotic power.

The Doctor picks up Tom’s clipboard and flips through the notes. Ben enters, emerging from the depths of the warehouse.

BEN
I've searched the warehouse an' all round here, but there's no sign of anyone. All the workers have just disappeared.

POLLY
Well, now the machines are finished, maybe ODIN doesn’t need them any more?

KITTY
Then what is it going to do with them?

The Doctor looks through the parts.

DOCTOR
It's remarkable. Truly remarkable.

KITTY
Doctor, what are you doing?

DOCTOR
Analyzing these mechanisms. Decoding the programmer mechanism. These are spare parts for the War Machines.

KITTY
What good would that do?

DOCTOR
ODIN is a computer. Computers runs the war machines. And every computer depends on a program to tell it what to do, to feed information into. And every program needs a human being to create it. Let me have that screwdriver, young man...

He indicates the screwdriver near Ben. Ben hands it over.

DOCTOR
Ah yes. This plays the part of the programme regimentator, and that is the usual memory blank. And in this case... a slightly different one.

BEN
Doctor, those things could kill ‘alf London...

DOCTOR
I don’t think that KILLING their intention, Ben. Remember, ODIN wants to change the form of humanity, “improve it”. But that means a fate worse than death, if I’m right.


37. EXT. MAIN ROAD (NIGHT)

Vali moves out of an alleyway, startling two passers by – a respectable man and woman – who immediately turn and flee. Vali turns the corner and motors after them, firing short spumes of gas so they will be threatened by not killed. The War Machine slows to a halt as a cyclist comes down the road from the opposite direction – straight towards Vali.

VALI
The Rule of Man is ended! The Age of the Computer has begun!

The cyclist steers to avoid a collision, but the machine turns and raises a mallet, causing the bike to crash and rider to go flying across the road. Vali trains its gun barrels and fires – this time, for real. The cyclist gets out a strangled scream and goes limp. The War Machine spins around, bashing into some metal bins and sending them flying.


38. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

Thor leads the army down the street, passing the TARDIS as they do so. The blank faces of Rutlidge and his men do not change, nor do they blink. A passer-by gets into a car, starting the engine with the intention to get the hell out of there. Thor darts forward and slams a mallet into the bonnet. The driver bursts out of the car, and Thor darts in front. The driver tries to escape, but Thor raises another mallet. For a long moment there is silence as he stares up at the metal hammer that could kill him instantly.

THOR
Run.

The driver sprints for it. Thor turns to the abandon car and fires on it. It explodes.


39. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Human hands operate controls. We hear Wallis’ voice, now treated like the other converts.

WALLIS (VO)
Transmission will be ready in two minutes and counting.

The queue for the processing chair is much smaller. The chair is working on a new victim.

ODIN
Unit designated Vali is now approaching the Battersea power station to cause more distraction. Unit designated Thor is approaching West London. Unit designated Baldur shall continue to search for the Doctor. 83 per cent probability he is still in the Covent Garden area...


40. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The Doctor holds up a complicated circuit board with lots of wires sticking out of one end. He is examining it through his glasses, checking it over while he explains to Ben, Kitty and Polly.

DOCTOR
It will be like the crossing of electrical currents, forcing the machine to face up to ODIN. Once ODIN is gone, all those people under hypnosis will return to their normal selves and the War Machines immobilized by the feedback.

POLLY
I’m sure this is very ingenious, but I don’t understand what that thing will DO.

She points accusingly at the circuit. The Doctor pockets his glasses.

DOCTOR
Well, those antennae on top of the War Machines connect them directly to ODIN. When this is connected to a War Machine, that antennae will be cut off, isolating the War Machine, and then allowing it to reprogrammed when I press THAT button.

BEN
But how are ya going to connect it without it killing you?

DOCTOR
It is a risk I have to take.

BEN
You’re a bit past that lark, aren't you?

The Doctor rounds angrily on the sailor.

DOCTOR
I beg your pardon, young man?!

Ben shifts awkwardly.

BEN
Well, I reckon that's a job for me, sir.

DOCTOR
I doubt you could connect it at all, let alone quick enough to save your neck. Besides, I have a suspicion that those machines would be rather reluctant to kill me.

KITTY
Why?

The Doctor pockets the circuit.

DOCTOR
Maybe they just like my face, hmmm?

TRAMP (VO)
You are our prisoners.

The quartet whirl around. Standing behind them are five converts – THE TRAMP, KRIMPTON, MAJOR GREEN, BRETT and a worker. They now wear one piece, close-fitting, silver mesh uniforms tucked into silver boots. There are rectangular units fitted to the front of their chests, containing two rows of lights, and from these lots of coiled wires emerge, connecting to the silver shoulder pads and also to silver metal bands that encircle the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. They all boast shiny metal skullcaps connecting to headphones that cover their ears. They all speak in the same flat, emotionless voice.

KRIMPTON
Do not attempt to escape.

MAJOR GREEN
It is useless to resist us.

BRETT
You will come with us?

BEN
What... what have they done to you?

TRAMP
We are the future. You will become like us.

The converts march forward towards the trio. Ben lunges at the tramp, who flings out an arm and Ben is thrown back. The tramp snaps out his other arm and his hand clamps around Ben’s neck. We see the black cables connecting the silver wrist band to the finger joints. Ben gasps, choking as the tramp lifts Ben off the ground effortlessly.

POLLY
BEN!

TRAMP
Defiance will not be tolerated.

DOCTOR
We surrender! Release him! Release him, I say!

The tramp throws Ben against the wall and he crumples to the ground in a heap. Polly rushes over to him as the tramp turns to the Doctor.

KRIMPTON
The flesh is weak.

BRETT
It will always fail.

MAJOR GREEN
Now you belong to us.

TRAMP
And you will be like us.

DOCTOR
But we are not like you.

TRAMP
You will be.

The Doctor shakes his head, smiling.

DOCTOR
You’re wrong again, my friend.

He shows off his ring.

DOCTOR
Aren’t you?

TRAMP
You cannot defeat us with a ring.

Polly moves towards the electronic cart. Kitty reaches behind her and grabs a spanner.

DOCTOR
Who says I was going to defeat you with a ring? NOW!

Polly shoves the electronic cart. It hurtles into Brett and Major Green. Kitty lashes out and slams the spanner into the chest unit of the worker, causing a puff of smoke and the worker to collapse moaning. Ben jumps Krimpton. Krimpton turns to face Ben, drawing his arm back for lethal karate chop. But Ben whips out of range as Krimpton’s arm slices down. Ben jumps behind Krimpton as the cyborg whirls to face him once again. Another slashing blow, but Ben ducks and manages to move to the other side of Krimpton, forcing him to turn around once more. He draws back a punch and Ben ducks at the last second as the fist slams through the brick wall. Ben runs out of range as Krimpton attempts to haul his arm free.

KRIMPTON
Defiance will not be tolerated...

Ben runs after the others as they head out through the exit. They are gone before the Converts manage to recover. Fade to black.


41. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Fade up. Dodo skids to a halt as she registers the control room around her. The Doctor, standing by the console, whirls around to face her. Dodo is in shock as she turns around, staring at the roundeled walls.

DODO
But... it was a police box... It said so outside.

The Doctor delicately steers her back towards the open doors.

DOCTOR
Yes, yes. I, I know. But it isn't, if you know what I mean.

DODO
What is it?

The Doctor arches an eyebrow in amusement.

DOCTOR
You really want to know?

DODO
Yes.

DOCTOR
It is a machine for travelling through time and relative dimensions in space.

DODO
A time machine.

DOCTOR
A time machine and a space machine. A time and space machine I am about to switch on, and send to another land and another age. And you don’t want to be inside when that happens, do you?

They are nearly at the door.

DODO
Why not?

DOCTOR
Why not? Child, it could land anywhere.

Dodo seems to snap out of her daze. She’s fascinated.

DODO
Anywhere?

The Doctor becomes alarmed at her interest.

DOCTOR
No, no, no. You can’t just, this isn’t some joyride. You’ve only been inside for a few seconds and you want to travel in time? Pull yourself together child. Once I operate the dematerialization sequence is there a guarantee you could EVER get home? No! There isn’t! Now run along and forget all about this distressing incident!

DODO
Please. Take me with you.

The Doctor doesn’t know what to say. Fade to black.

- to be continued...

C - Day XIII

1. EXT. WIMBLEDON COMMON (DAY)

The sun sets through the trees in a less-used part of Wimbledon Common. The TARDIS stands on the grass beside a murky wall. A bus stop can be seen beyond a deserted bench. There is the sounds of alarmed voices and a car horn. Through the thicket, DODO runs up to the TARDIS and, pausing for breath, grabs the handle of the hatch on the door and tugs on it. It refuses to budge. She hauls on it again, kicking the door angrily. Suddenly the door swings inwards and the DOCTOR sticks his head out, surprised and annoyed.

DOCTOR
What the... Who are you?

DODO
I can’t get this open!

DOCTOR
I’m not surprised child. It doesn’t open.

DODO
Then where’s the telephone?

DOCTOR
What did you say?

DODO
The telephone! This IS a police telephone box, isn’t it?

DOCTOR
I’m afraid not, you have made a mistake!

DODO
Mistake?

Dodo, fuming, points to the sign above the doors.

DODO
Police Public Call Box”. See? “Police telephone box free for use of public, advice and assistance obtainable immediately, officers and cars respond to urgent calls, pull to open!” And I need the telephone!

DOCTOR
Why?

DODO
I need an ambulance, a little boy’s been hurt down that lane!

DOCTOR
I’m sorry, but you will have to find another police box. There is no phone here for you to use.

DODO
What are you even doing inside this? Are you the police?

DOCTOR
Of course I’m not the police! Good gracious, I’m not a policeman! I am a doctor.

DODO
Doctor? Then you’ve got to help.

DOCTOR
A doctor of science, child! I’m afraid I can’t help you. I’ve interfered with the affairs of others more than enough today. Now. Run along and find yourself another police box.

With a stern look, the Doctor retreats into the TARDIS and slams the door. Dodo stares at the police box with stunned silence for a moment. There is the distant sound of sirens. Dodo shakes her head and tries the door. It’s not locked. She frowns.

DODO
There’s something odd going on here.

She charges through the police box doors. Fade to black.


---

White on black, words type themselves out, one by one, building up into:

-C-DAY-

-BY
-EWEN
-CAMPION-CLARKE


Then...

-4-

---


1. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

Fade up. FIDLER sits at the desk. Before him stand BEN, POLLY, THE DOCTOR, KITTY, STONE and SIR CHARLES SUMMER.

POLLY
Look, you simply must believe us, Mister Fidler! They are building robots in Covent Garden, and those robots can kill people!

FIDLER
I believe you. Covent Garden is home of the Valkyrie Project, an offshoot of WODEN. The war machines are stored in a warehouse in its component parts. If ODIN has rebelled, it could be using them to build them. I have already sent a man to investigate the Covent Garden area.

DOCTOR
He could be in tremendous danger.

FIDLER
He is aware of the danger, “Doctor”. If he hands in a positive report, then the army will be in the market in fifteen minutes.

Stone frowns and sits forward.

STONE
If you knew all this, why come here and demand explanation?

Fidler smiles unpleasantly.

FIDLER
I had to be sure how much you all knew.

He stands up and draws a gun.

FIDLER
And you all know FAR too much.

The Doctor glares at Fidler as the others raise their hands.

KITTY
That’s not fair, YOU were the one that told us!

FIDLER
I know. Which is why I can guarantee everyone else in this room is a security risk and must be dealt with appropriately. No one must know of this. No one.

He aims his gun at the Doctor.

DOCTOR
That, my friend, would be a grave error on your part.

FIDLER
How so?

DOCTOR
I am the only one who can stop ODIN. It is, after all, listening to this conversation through the relay point built for your press conference.

Fidler glances at the ODIN unit. Its eye is still glowing. Fidler’s face falls.

FIDLER
No... It can’t be...

Ben steps forward and brings his fist down on Fidler’s gun arm, knocking the pistol to the ground. He follows up by socking the surprised company secretary on the jaw. Fidler spins reeling against the far wall. He crashes into the fake ODIN with such force the computer topples over, causing an explosion with lots of smoke. Fidler convulses as he rolls off the wreckage and slumps dead to the ground. The rest of the computer explodes.


2. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (DAY)

A man in casual clothes, MICHAEL, walks through Covent Garden market past fruit and vegetable merchants wheeling their wares around.


3. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Michael pauses by the warehouse and runs his hand over the door.

MICHAEL
They've painted out the number...

He moves across to a window and peers inside.


4. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Thor is gliding past the slumped form of TOM and the WORKERS.

THOR
Stand by. Warning. We have been detected.

The technicians lift their heads in unison and turn to face the grubby windows on the wall beyond Thor. Through it can be seen Michael, peering through. Thor turns to face the window. We see Michael through the POV of ODIN.


5. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

This is shown on the screen. A large group stand to one side of processed humans – CONVERTS – who we do not see clearly, except they are all standing straight and wearing the metallic headphones. Another human is being processed.

ODIN
Recognize: Michael Bruck, security member of Delta Technologies Foundation. There is no threat.

THOR (VO)
Bruck’s presence is sooner than anticipated.

ODIN
Analysis confirms there is no threat. Resume work.


6. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Thor turns to face the workers.

THOR
Resume work.

The workers stiffly rise and go to work, unpacking boxes and moving the electric cart.


7. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Michael turns and runs for it. We pan up to see the silhouette of the Post Office Tower as the sun starts to set.


8. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

There is still smoke pouring out of the ruins of ODIN. Polly is helping Ben get to his feet while Kitty and the Doctor aide Stone. Summer checks over Fidler’s body.

SUMMER
He must have been killed instantly.

STONE
Yeah, well, he deserved it. He was going to kill us, and now he’s dead, the rest of us are safe – unless you’re going to spill the beans, Charlie boy.

SUMMER
Far from it, Mister Stone. And by the way, I’m not going to be interviewed by you of all people!

DOCTOR
You’ve got all our priorities mixed up! Earth itself is in danger!

BEN
Chances are, the army are already taking care of it.

KITTY
Yeah, I mean, they probably know what they’re facing.

BEN
Those machine won’t leave that warehouse without a fight.

DOCTOR
And if they don’t?

STONE
He’s right. We better get out of London while we still can.

DOCTOR
And go where? Hmm! It won’t stop people’s lives being in danger! People are dying here and now... we have to do something.

KITTY
Do what?

DOCTOR
One plan at a time, my dear! No, there’s still something missing in all this... Wait a moment. How did you two know about Covent Garden in the first place?

STONE
Oh, that? We were attacked by Major Green, another part of the circus. He said that there was something big happening in Covent Garden.

DOCTOR
I find it highly unlikely that Major Green – especially now he is a walking corpse possessed by an alien power – would accidentally let slip an important detail like that. So unlikely, in fact, I doubt it was a mistake at all.

He looks significantly at the others.

BEN
Anyone else getting a bad feeling about this?

DOCTOR
My friends, this is nothing. Nothing compared to what’s coming.

POLLY
Why?

DOCTOR
It’s a trap. A trap that’s going to swallow us all.

STONE
What do you mean?

DOCTOR
Think about it my dear. What is the GPO Tower for, hmm? It beams television and radio waves into and out of London. Now we now that ODIN is in the tower, and it can take over the brains of human beings.

SUMMER
You mean, it’ll use the tower as a, a kind of booster?

DOCTOR
Yes, of course! You didn’t really think it planned to take over the world by ringing people up, one by one, did you? Instead, that power will cover the whole city – and anyone that escapes the field by luck or design...

Polly swallows as the realization hits.

POLLY
Are left for the war machines.

The Doctor glowers.

DOCTOR
Precisely. We must stop the attack!

FIDLER (VO)
Not so fast, Doctor.

Everyone whirls around to see the source of the voice. Stiffly, Fidler gets to his feet. His glasses are broken and hang crooked on his face – which is now showing bruises outlining his skull.

FIDLER
All threats are to be eradicated.


9. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The sun has set behind the windows. WALLIS approaches ODIN.

WALLIS
Preparations are being made for thought control. Tests confirm a city-wide broadcast will be possible in forty-seven minutes.

ODIN
War Machine conquest no longer necessary. Status of preliminary transmission?

WALLIS
The charging process has begun. In ten minutes it will reach critical.

ODIN
Units designated Thor, Vali and Baldur will detain the military and provide distraction until final transmission is prepared.

THOR (VO)
Confirmed.


10. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (NIGHT)

The others back away as Fidler advances towards them. Stone scrambles out of the way as he is the nearest to the undead company secretary.

DOCTOR
He’s one of them now.

KITTY
A zombie?

DOCTOR
Indeed. I want you all to run for the exit when I say so...

FIDLER
The military attack is already going ahead. They will be converted and become like me. With no military to defend it, London shall fall. Humanity will fall. The flesh is weak. It will always fail.

BEN
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Ben! Do as I say.

Fidler continues to close in on them, and Stone is still the closest.

FIDLER
You reacted perfectly, as the strategy demanded. But you still should not have involved yourself, Mister Stone. You were warned.

Fidler flings out an arm and Stone is sent crashing over the desk and collapses. Ben charges the zombie, but is hurled backwards, knocking Polly and Summer over. He continues to advance slowly on the Doctor.

FIDLER
We have expended much time and resources on you, Doctor.

The Doctor grabs Fidler’s arms as they go for his throat, and for a moment Fidler is surprised by the Doctor’s strength, then his left hand breaks free and clamps itself around the old man’s throat.

FIDLER
No more.

Stone, concussed, charges Fidler. The impact knocks the Doctor free and Fidler stumbles back, struggling to stay upright. Fidler grabs Stone and strikes him repeatedly. Then his arm snaps down in a lethal karate chop against the journalist’s unprotected neck. Stone falls heavily, eyes wide, and dead. Fidler straightens up to face the Doctor again.

FIDLER
The day of reckoning has...

There is a shockingly loud gunshot. Then two more. Surprised, Fidler sways and spins to see Kitty is standing behind him, shaking, and holding Fidler’s abandoned gun with both hands. She shoots Fidler again in the chest, twice. Fidler staggers backwards and trips over Stone’s body and collapses.

KITTY
That was for Tony.

An uneasy calm settles as Ben and the others get to their feet. The Doctor rubs his neck, slightly out of breath.

SUMMER
What do we do now?

DOCTOR
We must stop the army because they are slaughtered.

Summer heads for the door.

SUMMER
My driver, Kennedy, should be due here soon, we can...

Suddenly, Fidler sits bolt upright. There are smoking holes on the front of his chest and the darkening has accelerated on his hands and face. Polly cries out as he stiffly rises once more and turns to face them.

FIDLER
You cannot defeat me. This animal organism is caught between life and death, supported by bio-energy transmitted directly from ODIN. We are the future. We are--

Kitty raises the gun and fires the last shot in the middle of Fidler’s forehead. He falls backwards again, jerking. Kitty turns to the others.

KITTY
Run for it!

They all scramble out through the doors as, with intense effort, Fidler struggles to roll over, but no longer possesses full control of his limbs.


11. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

A siren sounds and several SOLDIERS run down a road. An army truck carrying more solders drives down the road. The truck comes to a halt and the back opens down.

CAPTAIN
Right, on the double!

The soldiers disgorge from the truck and run along the road as another truck draws up and does the same. The soldiers stop for a moment behind cover, checking the area. After a moment they move forward and set up positions at all exits to the warehouse area. A metal sign by the side reads “DANGER KEEP OUT MILITARY MANOEUVRE.” GENERAL RUTLIDGE, a walrus-moustachied fat soldier, emerges. Michael emerges, carrying a pair of binoculars.

RUTLIDGE
Mister Bruck, good to see you. This is the building?

MICHAEL
It is, sir. There’s a strange lack of any radio or electrical activity in the area.

RUTLIDGE
Well, it makes sense. These chaps don’t want to draw attention to themselves. Now, I gather there is a large amount of explosives in there and, er some kind of remote controlled army tank.

MICHAEL
It’s a new form of war machine, General.

CAPTAIN
How many people are inside?

MICHAEL
Hard to say. At a guess, about twenty.

RUTLIDGE
Are they from the DTF as well?

Michael bristles.

MICHAEL
That has yet to be confirmed, sir. In either case, we don’t know how they’ll react. They might either run or fight.

CAPTAIN
If they try to run, then they won’t get far. We’ve got a couple of platoons covering the back of the building, and my lads watching both ends of this road watching the front.


12. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

A large red sign bearing the legend “ALERT” blinks on and off. Thor, Baldur and Vali are moving between the workers. Thor moves towards the front entrance.

THOR
The armed convoy is moving beyond that door. Bearing two-hundred and fifteen degrees.

BALDUR
Action must be taken at once. All threats must be eradicated.

VALI
They have arrived ahead of all predictions.

ODIN (VO)
The transmission is almost prepared. Delay the humans for another three minutes. Eradicate humans if necessary.

THOR
Confirmed. Preparing to generating communications blanket.


13. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Rutlidge takes the binoculars from Michael and peers through them.

RUTLIDGE
Best assume these fellows could be dangerous, then, Bruck?

MICHAEL
Yes, sir.

CAPTAIN
We can handle it, sir.

RUTLIDGE
Course you can, Captain. Go to stage one.

The SERGEANT speaks into a large field telephone.

SERGEANT
Calling Alpha Patrol, calling Alpha Patrol. Your objective number one: reconnoiter and report. Go ahead, over.


14. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

A CORPORAL talks into a chunky green RT. More soldiers are behind him.

CORPORAL
Alpha Patrol calling. There’s no sign of anyone. There’s a door here. Do we go in, over?

RUTLIDGE (VO)
Hello Alpha Patrol? General Rutlidge here. Search entire building, take your time - and be prepared for anything.

CORPORAL
Sir. Proceeding into the rest of the warehouse - out. Sir?

A strange hissing crackling noise emerges from the walkie-talkie.

CORPORAL
Things are playing up.

With a shrug, he switches the unit off, snaps down the aerial and hands it to a subordinate.

CORPORAL
Take that, follow me and keep down. Let’s go...

He kicks open the unlocked door and strides in. All bar three soldiers enter. These ones stand guard outside the alleyway.


15. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (NIGHT)

Ben, Polly and Summer are scrambling inside Summer’s private car as the undead form of Fidler lurches out the doorway. Blood trickles down its skeletal face.

FIDLER
Alllllllllll ALL threats are... are too...

He stumbles towards the car as Polly ducks inside and slams the door. His fist thuds with sickening force against the top of the car as it accelerates down the street. The shambling zombie struggles to follow it.

FIDLER
Eradicate! Erad... erad... radicate!


16. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The Corporal leads the soldiers into the warehouse. It is apparently deserted. Suddenly there is the whirring noise of the War Machines as Baldur smashes through a flimsy wall of cardboard boxes, having been hidden directly opposite the main entrance.

BALDUR
All threats are to be eradicated!

CORPORAL
Scatter!

The soldiers move in different directions as Baldur fires a jet of toxic gas at the crowd. Two soldiers scream, wretch and fall dead as Baldur glides forward. The Corporal’s group move to behind a pile of crates and take aim at Baldur as it glides forward.

BALDUR
All threats are to be eradicated.

CORPORAL
FIRE!

The soldiers open fire and sparks dance over Baldur, but it is otherwise unharmed. Vali turns around a corner, behind the Corporal’s group and raises both mallets.

VALI
Defiance will not be tolerated.

The remaining three soldiers storm inside and open fire on Baldur, who is turned away from them. They stop short as they realize that at the end of the long corridor they stand before, is Thor, now gliding towards them.


17. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

Rutlidge, the Captain and more troopers run down the street. The sounds of gunfire can be heard. The Captain is struggling with his own R/T.


18. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The soldiers reach the exit and one after the other scramble outside as Thor trundles down the long passage towards them. The Corporal draws his pistol and empties it at the approaching War Machine as the others escape.

THOR
You will not escape. All threats must be eradicated.

The Corporal, out of ideas, hurls the empty handgun at the approaching Thor and dives outside, slamming the door shut behind him. Thor does not slow down, but continues to motor towards the closed door.


19. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

The handful of remaining soldiers are running out of the warehouse. One is limping and another needs to be supported. The petrified Corporal runs over to Rutlidge and the Captain.

RUTLIDGE
What in heaven’s name is going on in there?

CORPORAL
It’s no use, sir, the machine, it, it wiped us out...

CAPTAIN
What machine?

Suddenly, the doors smash open and the Thor machine glides forward. Everyone boggles, and the corporal points at it.

CORPORAL
THAT one, sir!

CAPTAIN
It’s smashed through like, like they were made of balsa wood...

RUTLIDGE
Some kind of reinforced bodywork. Fall back positions!

The nearby soldiers split up, with most sprint down the street as fast as they can. The others take the side streets to the left and the right. Thor heads straight ahead.

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated.

Baldur and Vali emerge from behind Thor.

- to be continued...