C - Day X

17. INT. SUMMER’S OFFICE (DAY)

Two CLEANERS are tidying the room as much as they can. Summer watches on through a black eye, his lip is scarred and his left forearm is bandaged. Stone limps in. Stone is not in good shape. Livid bruises cover his face, his arm is in a sling, and his speaks as if the effort is painful.

STONE
I didn’t finish the interview.

SUMMER
Well...

He coughs painfully.

SUMMER
It nearly finished me. Go away.

STONE
No doubt there’s a good reason your friendly bobbies aren’t all over this place, or why were aren’t at hospital...

SUMMER
There are. Now go away.

STONE
That... maniac... tried to kill us. Am I so insane as to want a bit of compensation?

SUMMER
You’re alive, aren’t you?

Stone rolls his eyes in disbelief.

STONE
You’re just going to let him get away with it?

SUMMER
Yes and no. Mainly yes.

STONE
Well, I am not. And that psychopath regardless, I can spread the word about C-Day. And I’ll tell them about you.

SUMMER
No one will believe you.

STONE
They don’t have to believe it. Just read it.

Summer looks like he might lose it and forces himself to stay calm, looking at the cleaners suspiciously.

SUMMER
Can’t we discuss this outside?

STONE
Yeah. Let’s attract even MORE attention.

SUMMER
Mr. Stone... the people Major Green works for will not let themselves be compromised for anything. There’s no evidence, they’d make sure of that. We will not be allowed to stop C-Day, take it from me.

STONE
That freak nearly killed us! Is that how your employers operate?

Summer avoids his gaze.

SUMMER
I admit. It lacks their normal subtlety.

Stone can’t help but laugh.

STONE
Subtlety? Your liaison was dressed up like a zombie and he tore your office apart! My primitive reporting instincts say he may be working to his own agenda. In fact, I think he’s gone nuts!

SUMMER
Green was steadfast and loyal.

STONE
Fine. That means his boss have gone nuts. Damn it, we have got to do something.

SUMMER
What do you suggest, Mister Stone? If we call in the police, we’ll drive everything underground and put our lives at risk.

STONE
Are you blind? We’re ALREADY at risk!

Summer hisses angrily at journalist.

SUMMER
The police won’t be able to stop them!

Stone hisses back with equal fury.

STONE
Then call in the army!

SUMMER
The army?!

STONE
You must have some kind of special powers – if the big switch-on is threatened...

SUMMER
And what do I say to them?

STONE
Tell them to go to Covent Garden. That’s where the, the operation is happening!

SUMMER
The operation we were told not to interfere with on pain of death.

STONE
It won’t be us interfering, will it, smart alec? It'll be the army. Won’t it?

Summer nods, seeing the logic there.


18. INT. POLLY’S FLAT (DAY)

KITTY is still lying asleep on the couch. Her eyelids flutter and with a mild groan, she wakes up and looks around, blearily.

KITTY
Hello? Where... Oh.

A look of worry crosses her face.

KITTY
Doctor! Doctor?

Quickly realizing she is alone, she struggles to get off the couch, seemingly exhausting herself as she does so. Looking around, she stumbles through a doorway. Then stumbles back, having found the kitchen. She tries another door and that one leads to the stairwell. She hurries down it.

KITTY
Hey! Doctor? Polly! Navy boy?


19. EXT. STREET (DAY)

A car drives past as Kitty emerges unsteadily from the flat. She looks around, clearly having no idea where she is. Swallowing her panic, she heads down the street, then hurries back and pulls the door shut. She then heads off in a different direction.


20. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

We zoom in on the tower.


21. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

Brett is checking over the completed War Machine. The other workers are concerned with other set up while Krimpton is checking a computer bank near ODIN.

BRETT
Circuit integration... now complete... Activate.

The antenna starts to revolve.

KRIMPTON
Sensors now all activated. Direct communications link established.

The computer parts of the machine start to flash and spin.

SIGI
I... live. This... unit designated Sigi. I am Sigi. Sigi lives.

ODIN
Direct link established to War Machine computer designated Sigi.

Thor’s voice booms around the chamber.

THOR (VO)
Prisoners have been located and recaptured. No witnesses to the operation.

ODIN
Then continue the processing. All thought control circuits are prepared.


22. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

As before. Tom, Polly and Major Green restrain the Doctor, Ben and the tramp respectively. Workers are groggily working on Thor.

THOR
All outside doors are now locked. Escape from this building is impossible.

BEN
These goons look like they’re gonna pass out any minute.

DOCTOR
They’ve been working all day and night without food and rest...

He angrily addresses the War Machine before him.

DOCTOR
You’re working them to death, you realize!

THOR
They are organic and inefficient.

DOCTOR
So you said! They need rest or they will, in your terms, break down altogether!

THOR
That is of no concern. Bio-assistance systems are already being devised.

The Doctor’s eyes widen in horror. Ben notices, and his worry grows.

BEN
What is it? What does he mean?

THOR
We intend to improve humanity, alter it and remove all weaknesses. All human beings will be altered, enhanced, improved.

BEN
We’re fine at the moment, thanks, mate.

THOR
Robert Tarn will step forward for processing.

TRAMP
Huh? H-how do you know...

THOR
Robert Tarn will step forward for processing.

TRAMP
No way, you’re not turning me into a zombie.

Green wrenches the tramp’s arms, causing him to scream.

THOR
Obey or you will be punished.

The tramp sobs and looks at Ben and the Doctor. They are both held fast and although Ben struggles, he cannot free himself.

DOCTOR
I’m sorry, Robert, but it looks as though we are out of time.

Green releases the tramp and nudges him towards the phone. The tramp whimpers as he picks up the receiver. We stay on the Doctor and Ben as the tramp’s choked off scream is heard. The Doctor closes his eyes, trying to blot it out.


23. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

Energy ripples out from the red ‘eye’ of ODIN, before fading.

ODIN
Next subject for processing.

The red glow returns.


24. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

The tramp lowers the phone, and stiffly moves to one side. Polly shoves Ben forward.

THOR
Ben Jackson. You are to be next.

BEN
Tell me you’ve got a plan up your sleeve, Doctor.

DOCTOR
I’m afraid not, my boy. All I can suggest is that you concentrate on what is real, Ben. Don’t allow a, a heap of transistors to take your mind over. It is all I have to offer.

Ben struggles to escape Polly, who just manages to hold onto him.

BEN
Oh, brilliant! We might as well have stayed here in the first place!

Major Green and the other techs move to help Polly. The Doctor is suddenly outside the crowd. He looks down and notices a spanner. Snatching it up, he palms it.

DOCTOR
Ben! Ben! Please! Resistance is quite useless... trust me. It is best.

Ben looks wildly at the Doctor, who nods slightly. Ben stops struggling.

BEN
All right, all right, leave it out. I know when I’m licked.

THOR
Continue to restrain him.

The workers lead him over to the phone. Tom picks up the receiver and holds it to Ben’s ear. Ben listens for a second and then convulses and cries out. Immediately, Polly and the technicians try to hold him still. The Doctor turns, and hurls the spanner as hard as he can at a junction box. The impact smashes the hatch open and there is a crackle and a flash. Ben, who seems to be trying to peel his ear from the telephone, suddenly snaps free and lets out another cry. The crowd hold him. Thor revolves to face the Doctor.

DOCTOR
Oh dear. I must have been wrong. Resistance is far from useless.

THOR
The human will still have been processed.

The crowd disperse around Ben, who is still shaken and dazed. The Doctor steps forward.

DOCTOR
Well, my boy? Has contact been established? Are you now one of them?

Ben struggles to focus on the Doctor, then very faintly smiles.

BEN
I understand... and obey... ODIN.

The Doctor beams, but his voice is crestfallen.

DOCTOR
Then it seems that ODIN has won.

MAJOR GREEN
The rule... of man...

DOCTOR
...has ended, yes, yes, yes, you cadaverous fellow. Either say something useful or shut up. As your telephone is now out of order, what shall be done about me? Time is short, isn’t it?

Thor’s antennae spins faster.

THOR
Status of thought control?


25. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

A device not too dissimilar to an electric chair has been constructed beside ODIN. Circuits and machines are built into the sides. Krimpton is examining it as Brett helps the workers finish the War Machine.

ODIN
Beam signal interrupted. Probability of successful control at 50 per cent exactly.

THOR (VO)
Orders?

ODIN
The Doctor and Robert Tarn will be brought to the tower. Ben Jackson will aide final construction – he will soon betray himself if he is not under our control. All internal circuits are now to prepare thought control relay as maximum priority.

THOR (VO)
We obey.


26. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

The technicians are now unpacking more boxes. Polly joins them. Thor turns to face the Doctor as Major Green, the tramp and Wallis close in on the old man. The Doctor grips his lapels, unafraid.

DOCTOR
Tell me then, what are the latest words from the one-eyed god in Valhalla, mmm?

THOR
Final construction shall be concluded here. Take the Doctor.

WALLIS
You will come with us.

DOCTOR
Will I? Where?

THOR
The General Post Office Tower.

DOCTOR
Good gracious, I don’t even get a chance to say goodbye! I don’t suppose you... no. I don’t suppose you would.

The group move for the door. Ben watches them go. Thor swings to face him.

THOR
You are to aide final construction.

Ben looks up, slightly startled.

BEN
I obey.

He crosses over to other technicians. As he goes, he takes something from his pocket, glances at it, then returns it to his pocket. He turns his attention to Polly, who is struggling to load a box.

BEN
Let me help.

She does not thank him as he aides her place the box down with the others. Thor continues to stare across at the group of humans.


27. INT. SUMMER’S PRIVATE ROOM (DAY)

A small study area not dissimilar to his office, except in far better condition. Stone sits by the fireplace, legs up, knocking back some pain-killers with a hip flask. Summer is talking into a telephone, clearly slightly more recovered than before.

SUMMER
Put me through to the Delta Technologies Foundation, please. It’s Sir Charles Summer, Chief Executive of the C-Day Operation. Yes, THAT C-Day Project! Just do it please. Hello? Hello? Hello? Operator?

He glances at Stone.

SUMMER
I seem to have been cut off. No, wait... Ah, is that you, Minister?


28. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

The conversation filters through the chamber’s speakers. The technicians are finishing up on the chair. Brett and Krimpton, now struggling to stay upright, are checking the controls on the side of Sigi.

SUMMER (VO)
Minister?

SECRETARY (VO)
This is the Permanent Undersecretary, Sir Charles.

SUMMER (VO)
I need to speak to Minister of Delta Technologies at once.

SECRETARY (VO)
Mr. Fidler is in the middle of a very importance conference at the moment, I’m afraid.

SUMMER (VO)
Well, for heaven’s sake, call him out of the conference, girl!

SECRETARY (VO)
Is this some kind of emergency, Sir Charles?

SUMMER (VO)
This is EVERY kind of emergency!

SECRETARY (VO)
Is it possible for you to be slightly more specific, sir?

SUMMER (VO)
Not at present. This is crucial to the project!


29. INT. SUMMER’S PRIVATE ROOM (DAY)

As before.

SUMMER
What’s that? No, I’m not telling you again. ... Ah, ah, is that you Minister? Yes, yes this is very serious indeed. It involves ODIN, the Valkyrie Project and Major Green. He’s gone insane and today tried to attack me. I firmly believe that the army need to be called in. What? No, I think we’re a bit beyond the call for firearms, we’ve reached the call for the militia. Minister, please, do I sound like I’m joking? I can’t explain over the phone like this, but we need a strike on the Covent Garden area. YES I DO TAKE THAT TONE! If you want more details, you’ll have to get down here, but I’d stake my reputation on there being a matter of national security... What do you mean “what reputation”? Yes, Mr. Fidler, I realize exactly what the implications would be if I’m wrong.

Angrily he slams down the phone. Stone swigs from his flask.

STONE
Keep calm, Summer.

SUMMER
Keep calm. You have no idea how calm I am. If Green turns up again...

STONE
Then we have to run away.

SUMMER
There’s nowhere to run.

STONE
Lovely optimism there. You were scared out of your wits an hour ago. Now you’ve got the righteous passion that made England great. Can I get a quote for the article?

SUMMER
A quote? Stone, it doesn’t take ODIN to work out what the Covent Garden operation is.

Stone glares at him, anger entering his voice.

STONE
Forgive me. I’m somewhat slow after being beaten half to death by Major Skeleton, so why don’t you explain what the Covent Garden operation is, and just why don’t we want to be a part of what happens there?

SUMMER
The Valkyrie Project.

STONE
Valkyrie? Wait a minute, I read up on this... they were Odin’s gang of lady warriors who went around recruiting for his army. So...

Stone’s eyes widen in understanding.

STONE
ODIN’s warriors... some kind of tank?

SUMMER
Killer machines, built for war, almost indestructible.

STONE
You wanted ODIN to build robot soldiers?

SUMMER
Yes. And if someone has got control of the Project, if ODIN is no longer reliable then...

He trails off and stares out the window, gnawing on his knuckles as he tries to keep him voice steady. Stone looks just as worried.

STONE
Then?

SUMMER
Then it’s the end of Western Civilization as we know it.


30. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

Brett and Krimpton face ODIN. Their voices are faint.

KRIMPTON
The authorities have been alerted to the operation.

BRETT
They... they will attempt to interfere.

KRIMPTON
They have acted too soon.

ODIN
The situation is well within safety margins. Phase Four will continue. The War Machines will be ready for military action by noon. All units have been programmed that human life that opposes them should be spared wherever possible.

BRETT
None are... fully complete yet...

ODIN
Unit designated Thor is now on its final tests. Programming is now complete for all active War Machines. When Phase Four re-commences, the simultaneous attack on all strategic centres will allow computer control of all human authority in England. Prepare the processor for subject 001.

KRIMPTON
Insufficient... equipment... and raw materials.

ODIN
Irrelevant. The human being is the ideal form to exist on Earth. Full conversion is not necessary – only the initial stages need to be carried out.

BRETT
We... obey.


31. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (DAY)

Kitty is stumbling down the street, still not fully recovered. She pauses and looks around as if trying to remember what she’s doing. She spots the closed door to the inferno and weakly heads for it. As she reaches the door, it suddenly swings open, a hand emerges, grabs Kitty and hauls her inside and slamming the door shut before she can make a sound.


- to be continued...