The End of the Road XVI

37. INT. TR CORRIDOR (DAY)

Takis, Grigory, Natasha, the DJ and Peri stand by the entrance to the catacombs. Smoke wafts through the open doorway.

TAKIS
We can’t hang around here. The blast will tear right through this section.

Takis turns and hurries off.

NATASHA
He’s right, Peri, we’ve got to get clear while there’s still time.

PERI
The Doctor is still down there.

GRIGORY
So are we! That bomb’s about to go off!

DJ
He might be catching us up, but we can’t take the risk.

The DJ puts a meaty arm around her and leads her away. Her eyes are locked on the empty doorway until they finally turn the corner and start to run.


38. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

The attendants are still milling around, unsure of what to do. Suddenly, Lilt bursts in followed by Vargos, who is out of breath.

LILT
Everyone! We’ve got to clear the complex immediately! We’ve got to head to the landing port and board the President’s Ship!

No one moves.

LILT
This place is about to explode!

There is mass panic. The attendants start running around in screaming panic, some of them running deeper into the building. Lilt and the President are pushed aside as the group turns into a mob. Lilt rolls his eyes.


39. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

As before. The bomb blinks on and off. The Black Dalek addresses Davros.

BLACK DALEK
WE WILL RECONDITION YOUR ARMY AND USE YOUR METHODS. THE DALEKS WILL DESTROY THE MOVELLANS AND THEN CONQUER THIS GALAXY. ALL SUITABLE ORGANICS WILL BE CONVERTED AND THE REST WILL BE EXTERMINATED. THE DALEKS WILL NOT BE DEFEATED AGAIN!

DAVROS
It is my genius that you need! None of the mutation generators or casing synthesizers can work without my guidance. Take all the technology you wish – but exterminate me and it is worthless. You will become extinct. You have nothing else to protect you from the Doctor or the Time Lords.

BLACK DALEK
WE WILL NOT EXTERMINATE YOU.

Davros is silent for a moment.

DAVROS
Well? What WILL you do?

BLACK DALEK
WE DO NOT WASTE RESOURCES. YOU ARE EMOTIONAL, IRRATIONAL AND ILLOGICAL. WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT USING SUCH QUALITIES IN OUR BATTLE COMPUTERS ALLOWS INCREASED TACTICAL ADVANTAGE AGAINST BOTH MOVELLANS AND HUMANS.

DAVROS
You have been using organic life forms to do your thinking for you?

BLACK DALEK
YES. THEY ARE OUR BATTLE COMPUTERS. AND YOU WILL BE THE SUPER BATTLE COMPUTER. THE DALEK DATA CORE.

DAVROS
Never! I am Davros!

BLACK DALEK
YOUR INVENTIVE AND INNOVATIVE SKILLS WILL BE UTILIZED. YOUR BRAIN WILL BE CONDITIONED TO OBEY THE DALEKS, TO RESTRUCTURE OUR EMPIRE. EVERYTHING IS PREPARED.

Another shape teleports in. It is a different sort of Dalek to those we have seen before. Its base is normal, but the upper half is a huge spherical globe with two lights and an eye-stalk. It glides forward and then the top half of the dome slides backwards to reveal a hollow chamber filled with cables.

TECH DALEK
DALEK DATA CORE READY FOR INPUT.

BLACK DALEK
DISCONNECT DAVROS. PREPARE FOR TRANSITORY SURGERY.

DAVROS
No! I am Davros! I created you! I am your master!

BLACK DALEK
NO, YOU ARE MASTERED. THE ROAD ENDS HERE.

The Black Dalek glides to the computer bank.

DAVROS
You fools! I have the power to make all Daleks supreme! You must obey me! I AM DAVROS!!!

The Dalek fires. The emerald beam slams into the computer bank and it explodes. The chain reactions guts the walls and the white console. Davros screams and keeps screaming as lights go out and black smoke fills the glass tube. He spins and writhes, the scream fading into silence and then the writhing stops. Davros head is still, jaw hanging open.

TECH DALEK
DISCONNECTING ORGANIC COMPONENTS...


40. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

Lytton sprints down the passage to the entrance to Tranquil Repose. He runs through without breaking stride.


41. INT. TR CORRIDOR (DAY)

We can hear the shouts and yells. One or two panicked attendants run down the corridor, change their mind and head back while another keeps going. Takis runs down the corridor in the opposite direction, followed by the DJ, Natasha, Grigory and Peri.

TAKIS
We’ve got to get to the upper levels – we’re too close to the sub sections!

NATASHA
But the freezer units, if they...

TAKIS
I know, now come on! MOVE!

Takis runs out of sight. Peri hears footsteps and turns around.

PERI
Wait!

Lytton turns the corner and heads towards them.

PERI
Lytton! Where’s the Doctor?

Lytton runs past. Peri grapples with him.

PERI
Where is he? WHERE IS HE?

Lytton flings his arm and she is thrown against the wall. He runs off. Grigory helps her up again.

NATASHA
We’re running out of time!

GRIGORY
God, I need a drink. Come on. Peri. Come on!

PERI
No, we’ve got to wait for the Doctor!

DJ
We’ve only got seconds, Peri!

Peri turns and runs back down the corridor.

DJ
Peri! Peri! There’s nothing we can do!

He runs off after her. Grigory shakes his head and runs off after Lytton, away from the danger. Natasha is left alone. She looks around helplessly, then runs down the passage after the DJ and Peri.


42. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Doctor groggily shakes his head. He gets to his feet, looking back at the burning Dalek and Tasambeker’s body. Then he turns and stumbles away as fast as he can.


43. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

The glass tube has been smashed. We see the severed head of Davros is now linked at the neck to the mass of cables inside the special casing.

BLACK DALEK
WE SHALL RECREATE THIS FACILITY ON AZORIUS MINOR TO INCREASE THE DALEK RACE. CONTACT MOTHERSHIP AND DIRECT MAIN WEAPONRY ONTO TRANQUIL REPOSE. ONCE WE ARE TELEPORTED ABOARD, OPEN FIRE AND DESTROY ALL EVIDENCE. NO ONE MUST KNOW OF OUR PRESENCE HERE.

The tech Dalek moves back and the top of the casing closes up, covering Davros’ lifeless face.

TECH DALEK
ORGANIC INSTALLATION COMPLETE. PROGRAMMING NOW UNDERWAY.

BLACK DALEK
PREPARE THE MAIN FORCE OF RENEGADE DALEKS FOR ACTIVATION.

TECH DALEK
I OBEY.

It moves and then stops.

TECH DALEK
ALERT! SUB-ETHER SIGNAL DETECTED!

The light flashes on the bomb and stays on. The Black Dalek sees it.

BLACK DALEK
ALERT! WITHDRAW! EMERGENCY TELEPORT!

We hear the whine of the mechanism, we see the whole chapel blur and shimmer.

BLACK DALEK
IMMEDIATELY! EMERGENCY--

Everything in the chapel swirls together into a mass of primary colours that finally turns a flat dazzling white. Fade to silence.


44. MODEL SHOT

The grounds beyond the Pyramids of Tranquil Repose erupt in a massive fireball. It forms a mushroom cloud as a chain of crackling explosions rip through the landing port. The sudden, deafening explosion of noise.


45. INT. TR CORRIDOR (DAY)

The explosion noise rumbles as the Doctor is flung to the floor. Steam and smoke washes past him. Several caskets explode outwards. People are screaming.


46. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Masonry falls from the ceiling. Attendants scream and get out of the way. Lilt and Vargos try to appeal for calm when another explosion throws them to the floor. Lytton runs in, looking around at the chaos. He gives a satisfied nod and runs for the exit doors, almost but not quite losing his balance. A peacock feather display topples and smashes on the place he was a split-second before.


47. INT. OUTSIDE RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Lytton scrambles away. The communication screen changes from the TR logo to static and then explodes outwards. More masonary falls from the ceiling.


48. INT. TR CORRIDORS (DAY)

The whole place is trembling. Natasha and the DJ are still present. Peri turns the corner and sees the coiling smoke.

PERI
Doctor? Doctor!

Her voice echoes and re-echoes through the rolling explosions.

DJ
Peri, he’s had it! We’ve got to get the surface!

A chunk of ceiling collapses.

PERI
I’m not leaving him here!

NATASHA
All the cryogenic caskets are going to blow! Remember what happened to that Dalek, we have got to leave!

A casket burst open and gout of flame.

PERI
Doctor!

The Doctor staggers around a distant corner.

DOCTOR
Peri!

He stumbles towards her when another casket behind him explodes. He is flung to the floor. Peri and the DJ manage to help him up. More of the ceiling collapses.

DOCTOR
The mutation generators are overloading... We’ve got to move.

The group hurry away. There is another explosion. Then we see every casket explode, each corridor being torn apart.


49. MODEL SHOT

One of the Pyramids caves in as explosions belch through the remains. There is a final explosion from the grounds and then silence. The snow storm returns. The blackened hole that was once the catacombs is soon filled.


50. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Rubble buries the sarcophagus, pillars have toppled, there are a few fires burning in what used to be pot plants. Most of the attendants sit on the stairs, their uniforms loose and in disarray. Many are smoking. Peri is cleaning up a cut on the Doctor’s forehead. Takis looks around in disgust, Vargos beside him.

TAKIS
Jobel said this day would go down in history. He was right for once.

PERI
At least there were few casualties from the bomb.

TAKIS
Few casualties? I suppose so. Lucky the thermal insulation has held up or we'd freeze. The Garden of Fond Memories is itself a fond memory now, and there’s so much structural damage, and seismic disturbance this place is a lost cause. But our location over the old catacombs was part of the appeal!

VARGOS
You said yourself, my friend, it was a flawed venture.

TAKIS
But it was a happy one. From time to time. And the whole economy of the planet is based around it!

Lilt approaches with the DJ.

VARGOS
Well?

LILT
Only a couple of other guards were in the pyramid when it collapsed, but they’re getting emergency treatment and should be all right.

PERI
What about your collection?

The DJ shrugs and avoids his gaze trying not to sound bothered.

DJ
Most of its on computers on Talok. I can start again. Cold wax as a data storage system... Bound to be wrecked in the end.

PERI
I hope your grandfather won’t mind.

DJ
Ah, they got played non-stop for the best part of a decade. Just wished someone had liked them apart from the Great Healer.

LILT
I rather liked Love Me Do.

The DJ looks up in surprise.

DJ
Did you?

The Doctor gets stiffly to his feet and crosses to Takis.

DOCTOR
Well, Takis, don’t worry. Tranquil Repose won’t be missed. It ceased to have any practical function months ago – all the chambers were empty, remember?

TAKIS
But what do we do now?

DOCTOR
There is the matter of the late Kara’s factory. Davros was fulfilling the demand for synthetic protein. If we let the factories run down, it won’t reach the worlds that need it. If you take it over, you can save lives AND get a hefty pay check.

VARGOS
The Great Healer never revealed the formula for the extract, Doctor. The only other person who could know is Madam Wardras and she’s dead.

The Doctor looks at them all in disbelief.

DOCTOR
You mean, you hadn’t guessed? The purple smoke from the chimneys, the purple uniforms, the purple packaging and you never even noticed?

DJ
Noticed what?

The Doctor rolls his eyes, crosses to an intact bunch of flowers. He plucks one and shows it to the others.

DOCTOR
Herba baculum vitae – the Staff of Life. As they say, it does what it says on the tin.

LILT
The weed plant?

DOCTOR
In food value, it rivals the Earth soya bean plant and it grows anywhere – even on Nekros during the long cold. When refined, it produces protein. It’s what Davros discovered. Now you know what it is, you can make a new life for yourself. Prosperity for all.

Takis takes the flower and stares at it.

TAKIS
You can EAT this?

DOCTOR
Yes. A far more productive thing to do with it than decorate dead bodies or put in your button hole. And with your knowledge of flowers and Nekros, what better career change than to become a farmer?

DJ
We can’t take over someone else’s factory. The unions won’t stand for it.

VARGOS
Mr. DJ, I am not without influence.

DJ
Oh, sorry, Mr. President. Er... you’d help us?

VARGOS
Of course. How could I not, especially when the safety of the galaxy is at stake?

The Doctor moves stiffly away. Peri rushes to help him.

PERI
Are you sure you’re all right?

DOCTOR
It’s been a long day, that’s all. Let’s just find the TARDIS and leave.

Natasha approaches them.

NATASHA
You’re going then?

PERI
Well, this place is called Tranquil Repose. We should leave in peace.

DOCTOR
Where’s your friend?

NATASHA
Grigory’s busy helping the injured. He’s decided if he can save the lives of everyone here without drinking voxnic once, then he’s cleared his debt and President Vargos will let him back on the medical register.

PERI
He still sounds drunk to me.

Natasha chuckles.

NATASHA
Well... it’s something to strive for. I don’t know what I’ll do now.

DOCTOR
Your father was the finest agronomist in the galaxy. You must know a thing or two about gardening – and there’s a horticulturist enterprise about to begin.

PERI
Stop it, you’ll convince me to stay here too.

The Doctor is surprised and a tad upset.

DOCTOR
Will I?

PERI
Nah. We’ve got a few days left of my vacation and we’re going to enjoy them.

The Doctor grins.

DOCTOR
Well, we’ll be off then, Natasha.

NATASHA
Won’t you say goodbye to the others?

The Doctor looks at Takis, Lilt, Vogel and the DJ talking animatedly.

DOCTOR
You know, I can’t for the life of me remember saying hello to them...

PERI
Come on. There’s plenty of the road left. We can stay a bit longer.

The Doctor smiles and they head towards the group.


51. MODEL SHOT

The snows are fiercer than before. We see the wrecked Tranquil Repose.


52. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

The Doctor and Peri are present. The Doctor closes the doors.

PERI
They couldn’t find the Dalek ship. It must have left.

DOCTOR
Well, as I so carelessly gave away the secret of their cloaking device, they won’t be able to pull that trick again.

PERI
Do you think they got Davros?

DOCTOR
No idea. He and the other Daleks might have been wiped out in the explosion. Or they might have decided to execute him. But he did say we’d meet again, and he was right about that before. Still, the New Order of Daleks has been destroyed along with all the conversion technology. The Daleks are no better off than they were yesterday.

PERI
And Lytton?

DOCTOR
Well, no one can find him. He’s probably gone to ground, he’ll leave Nekros once the weather clears. He never fulfilled his contract. If anything, he broke it. The Wadifalayeen definitely won’t approve.

PERI
We’re not going after him, are we?

DOCTOR
No. Let’s just get out of here, shall we? Where to next? Anywhere but Netora.

PERI
Maybe we can take a real holiday?

DOCTOR
A real holiday? Well, yes, today has been rather tiring.

The Doctor begins to program the console.

DOCTOR
And I know a place that is TRULY tranquil. Peaceful. Restful. A panacea for the cares of mind. Of course, anywhere would be peaceful after Nekros, but at least there’s no bothersome destiny to worry about there.

PERI
Ah, but is it FUN?

DOCTOR
Oh yes. Fun, safe, mysterious, exciting, no crowds, no danger, no Daleks!

He activates the console. The time rotor begins to rise and fall. The sound of the engines roars in the background before fading away.

PERI
And where exactly are we going?

DOCTOR
We, Perpugilliam Brown, my best friend in the universe, we are going to Blackpool!

There is a sudden shocking vibration and they are flung against the console.

DOCTOR
However. There might be a slight delay as we seemed to being pulled through the Milky Way towards the centre of the universe.

PERI
But we’ll get there in the end, right?

DOCTOR
Oh, definitely. Just have to get out of the space-time vortex, and that’s easy! But this one does appear to be at the centre of the Danger Zone, which might add a few minutes to the journey.

PERI
Just a few?

DOCTOR
Well...

Another vibration.

DOCTOR
Considering we’re plunging through the Primeval Cauldron of Space Time itself, maybe half an hour. At most.

PERI
You have absolutely no idea where we’re going to end up, have you?

DOCTOR
None at all. Isn’t it wonderful?

His deadpan expression changes to a grin. Peri grins back.


53. MODEL SHOT

The TARDIS spins off through the rainbow stars of the end credit sequence.

(END OF THE END OF THE ROAD)
(DOCTOR WHO
WILL RETURN IN
ARCADE GAMES)
(ROLL END CREDITS)

DOCTOR WHO
THE END OF THE ROAD


THE DOCTOR Colin Baker
PERI Nicola Bryant
DAVROS/THE GREAT HEALER Terry Molloy
LYTTON Maurice Colbourne
PRESIDENT VARGOS William Gaunt
TAKIS Robbie Coltrane
KARA Anna Carteret
JOBEL Clive Swift
TASAMBEKER Nerys Hughes
NATASHA Bridget Lynn-Blosse
GRIGORY Stephen Flynn
LILT Ray Brooks
VOGEL Hugh Walters
STENGOS Alex Linstead
DALEK VOICES Roy Skelton
and
Alexei Sayle
THE DJ

Written by EWEN CAMPION-CLARKE
Based on ideas by ERIC SAWARD and EVELYN WAUGH
The Daleks and Davros created by TERRY NATION

The End of the Road XV

25. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

There is a background roar of Dalek firepower and the strange banshee moans of the white Daleks. A trio of Grey Daleks materialize and advance on two white Daleks already facing a Grey Dalek. There is another exchange of fire. Only two Grey Daleks survive. Further down the tunnel, a victorious white Dalek plugs its sucker in a wall socket.

DALEK 2
ALERT! EMERGENCY! HOSTILE DALEKS ON NEKROS! FULL ALERT!!

A Grey Dalek shoots the white Dalek in the back. It explodes.


26. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

Silence.

DAVROS
You have condemned me.

PERI
Yeah. And after what I’ve seen you do today, I’d do it again.

DOCTOR
Don’t, Peri. We’ve unleashed a great white shark to catch a mackeral! The Daleks cannot EVER be trusted!

We cut to Kara and Vogel who whisper to each other.

KARA
The medal I awarded you for service.

VOGEL
Yes, Madam?

KARA
You know what to do?

VOGEL
I have an idea, Madam...

We concentrate on the others.

DAVROS
The Doctor calling on the Daleks for aide. Yes, the tables HAVE been turned this time. But it is no matter.

DOCTOR
It isn’t?

DAVROS
Azorius Minor is far from here – beyond the beyond of beyond at the endless edge of this galaxy as it was once called. Many thousands of light-years away from the puny scattering of stars humanity likes to call their galactic empire. Even if the Daleks believed you and had sufficient armaments to attempt a raid, it would be days before they could even enter the Pherran System. You, Doctor, have lost. Exterminate them!

The Daleks turn to face the Doctor, Peri and Vargos.

DALEK 2
ALERT! EMERGENCY! HOSTILE DALEKS ON NEKROS! FULL ALERT!!

DAVROS
WAIT! All Daleks return to main control! ALL DALEKS! Exterminate the usurpers!


26. EXT. HILLSIDE (DAY)

Three white Daleks move through the swirling snow.


27. INT. TR CORRIDORS (DAY)

In a hurry, four Daleks converge into a queue and head for the double doors into the catacombs, smoke coiling around them.

DAVROS (VO)
All Daleks return to main control! All Daleks return to main control!


28. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Daleks glide down into the catacombs... where the Grey Daleks emerge from hiding. Caught in the emerald crossfire, the first few white Daleks explode spectacularly. The remaining white Daleks open fire.


29. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

The battle is shown on the screen. It changes to several other views, then a diagram with a series of lights. They start to go out.

DOCTOR
You’re running out of replacements, I think, Davros...

DAVROS
Active Daleks are being overrun, but my main taskforce will beat them with sheer weight of numbers! I am Davros! I cannot be defeated!

The screen changes to show the battle. Grey Daleks are exploding.

DAVROS
Surrender! You are completely outnumbered!

KARA
Now!

Vogel raises his medallion and presses it. A wave of purple light slices into the nearest Dalek, causing it to scream. Smoke pours from its grills and its limbs go slack. The Doctor’s group head for the exit, but one of the remaining two Daleks blocks their path.

DAVROS
No!

The Doctor turns and runs over to the console and taps at the bomb.

DAVROS
Doctor, you cannot...

The Doctor punches every control he can, his fingers a blur as if in fast forward.

DAVROS
Stop him!

The lights of the bomb start flashing. The other Dalek turns from Kara and Vogel and fires at the Doctor, who ducks. That part of the console explodes and the bomb is sent crashing heavily to the floor. Kara and Vogel duck behind the dead Dalek.

The confusion allows Peri and Vargos to escape. Lytton kicks at the Dalek guarding the door, sending it reeling before it can aim at him. The Doctor ducks another blast and reaches the doorway. Davros rotates, following him.

DAVROS
You have not heard the last of me, Doctor! I SHALL RETURN!

DOCTOR
And I shall be waiting for you. Goodbye!

The Doctor ducks as the nearby Dalek fires a bolt at him. He sprints away. The Dalek glides after him, and the second moves to join it. Kara and Vogel take their chance and break cover from the wreckage of the third Dalek and race up the steps to the upper entrance. Davros whirls to watch them leave.

DAVROS
Kara!! I ORDER YOU TO STOP!


30. INT. OUTSIDE CHAPEL (DAY)

Vogel and Kara turn the corner and move to run to the left when a Grey Dalek glides out of the shadows in front of them, gun-stick raised.

VOGEL
I’m so sorry, madam.

KARA
It’s all right, Vogel. You did splendidly.

GREY DALEK
EXTERMINATE!


31. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

Davros’ head revolves as we hear the sound of Dalek fire.

DAVROS
Daleks! Protect me!

The Grey Dalek appears in the doorway and fires a blast at the nearest white Dalek. It explodes, the top half gutted. The Dalek in the catacomb entrance spins to face the Grey Dalek.

DALEK 1
HOSTILE DALEK UNIT RECOGNIZED. EXTERMINATE!

The Grey Dalek fires first. The white Dalek is slammed against the stone wall. A second blast causes an explosion. Davros looks up at the entrance as two more Grey Daleks join the first and look down at him.


32. INT. CATACOMBS

The Doctor, Peri, Lytton and Vargos run up the passage.

LYTTON
What did you do to the bomb?

DOCTOR
Rigged a crude timer. I entered a very complicated sequence. Once the computer program clears, it detonates – but I don’t know how much time we have.

VARGOS
Look out!

They dive down a side corridor as more Grey Daleks appear. In this passage they turn and bump straight into Tasambeker, who is slumped against the wall, staring into space. Beyond them is the DJ, Natasha, Grigory and Takis and Lilt.

PERI
Well, fancy meeting you here!


33. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

The Grey Daleks surround the console and Davros.

DAVROS
How dare you come here!

GREY DALEK
SILENCE.

The BLACK DALEK enters through the lower entrance. Of the same design of the Greys, but matt black with silver trimmings. It is followed by a TECH DALEK. It is a normal Dalek buts its sucker arm is replaced with a slender, welding torch-type tool.

BLACK DALEK
DAVROS, YOU WILL SURRENDER YOURSELF TO THE DALEKS.

DAVROS
I will not.

BLACK DALEK
YOU WILL SURRENDER.

DAVROS
This is not possible! How could you cross from the Andromeda Constellation to Nekros in such a time?!

BLACK DALEK
OUR SHIP IS IN ORBIT. IT HAS BEEN IN ORBIT AROUND NEKROS FOR THE LAST NINE POINT SIX SOLAR YEARS. BEFORE THE SUPREME DALEK WAS DESTROYED WITH THE CASSIUS FOUR SPACE STATION, IT DETECTED AN ESCAPE POD LEAVING THE STATION. YOU WERE THE ONLY POSSIBLE CANDIDATE. WE CHARTED YOUR POSSIBLE VECTORS AND LEARNED YOU ARRIVED HERE – AND THAT THE RADIATION SHADOW FROM THE EXPLOSION CURED YOUR INFECTION.

DAVROS
So you returned to Azorius Minor and immunized yourself against the virus?

BLACK DALEK
WE RELAYED THE INFORMATION AND IMMUNIZED OURSELVES. WE THEN SET UP ORBIT AND CLOAKED OUR SHIP FROM HUMAN SCANNING DEVICES. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THIS DAY.

DAVROS
Why?

BLACK DALEK
YOU HAVE CREATED A NEW RACE OF DALEKS, IMMUNE TO ALL VIRUSES, REENGINEERED TO THE STANDARD THE TIME LORDS FEAR. YOU HAVE CREATED A PROCESS TO CREATE NEW DALEK UNITS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT. WE SHALL NOW TAKE CHARGE.

DAVROS
No! This is my design! My New Order! You cannot trap me!

BLACK DALEK
WE ALREADY HAVE.

It turns to face another Grey Dalek.

BLACK DALEK
PURSUE AND EXTERMINATE THE HUMANS.

GREY DALEK
I OBEY.

It turns and leaves. On the floor, the bomb’s light continues to flash.


34. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

As before. They generally getting their breath back.

TAKIS
If the real Daleks are here, then it’s finished! This will be a good place we can enjoy working here again.

DJ
Don’t be too certain, Takis.

PERI
We’ll be lucky to be alive at the end of this. There’s a bomb about to go off!

TAKIS
You can’t destroy this place!

LYTTON
There’s no way of stopping it now. We’ve got to leave.

Vargos hurries away, as does Lytton. Lilt starts to follow.

LILT
Come on Takis!

Takis, Natasha, Grigory and the DJ follow. The Doctor crosses to Tasambeker.

DOCTOR
Come on, young lady. No time to lie around when we could be running for our lives.

PERI
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Go. I’ll catch up with you I promise.

Peri isn’t convinced.

DOCTOR
Peri, I’m not dying here if I have any say in it. And neither is she.

He points to Tasambeker.

PERI
I can help...

DOCTOR
Please, go and find a safe place. If you can, go the TARDIS! Move!

Peri turns and runs off. The Doctor manages to, with some strain, lift Tasambeker.

DOCTOR
That’s it, come on. Tasambeker? Tasambeker can you hear me?

She does not react. She stares sightlessly ahead.


35. INT. TR CORRIDORS (DAY)

Lilt and Vargos sprint down the corridor.

LILT
Can you ship take the rest of the staff?

VARGOS
I think so! We’ll take off and escape the blast area!

LILT
The Long Cold...

VARGOS
Shut up about the Long Cold!

They run onwards.


36. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Doctor is still persuading the catatonic Tasambeker to move. Lytton returns. The Doctor spares him a glance and then concentrates on Tasambeker. Thus, he does not see as Lytton places a small compact unit against the wall then turns and runs off.

LYTTON
I’ll see you on the other side, Doctor!

DOCTOR
Not if I see you first!

He turns back to Tasambeker.

DOCTOR
Tasambeker, come on. We’re very close to the surface now.

She stares at him, blinking. She speaks like a child.

TASAMBEKER
I want to stay here.

DOCTOR
What?!

TASAMBEKER
Jobel is here. This where the dead go. He was not frozen, he is dead and he is here and I want to stay. I don’t want him to be angry that I killed him. I didn’t want to do it. I’ve been asleep so long but now I’ve woken up.

DOCTOR
Jobel isn’t here – his body is up there, in Tranquil Repose!

TASAMBEKER
He will sleep forever, the sleep of the just...

DOCTOR
Tasambeker! Please!

TASAMBEKER
So many years alone. To be in sight of love... real love... not to be alone.

A grey Dalek turns the corner. The Doctor drags Tasambeker into an alcove.

TASAMBEKER
From the earliest memory, so alone... He promised no feelings, no pain and now this... Oh, Jobel, my love, why didn’t you wait for me? We could have gone together. You called me taramasalata when we first met...

GREY DALEK
HUMANOID FUGITIVES DETECTED! ALL HUMANS ARE TO BE EXTERMINATED!

The Doctor takes a chance. He runs from the alcove, dragging Tasambeker with him and up the corridor, but Tasambeker uses her weight to wrench free. She stares through the gloom at the approaching Dalek. Around the corner, Lytton stands, listening.

TASAMBEKER
Look at the way it gleams!

DOCTOR
Tasambeker, don’t end it like this!

GREY DALEK
ALL INFERIOR LIFE FORMS ARE TO BE EXTERMINATED!

The Doctor runs in front of Tasambeker.

DOCTOR
Wait! I am the Doctor and this is my companion Annabel. We surrender. The Dalek Leader will want us – secrets of time travel, all that.

GREY DALEK
YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF THE DALEKS! YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!

DOCTOR
Cross-check your orders!

A pause. A low buzzing noise is heard as the Dalek does just that.

TASAMBEKER
The emptiness of the desert... The emptiness. Was it joy or was it sadness?

GREY DALEK
SILENCE!

TASAMBEKER
Was it pain or was it bliss? The emptiness! But now, to know...

GREY DALEK
STANDING ORDERS RECEIVED. YOU ARE THE DOCTOR, THE BRINGER OF DARKNESS!

TASAMBEKER
How could I have known? How could I have known then? How could I have ever known? HOW?!

Angrily, she pushes the Doctor aside, throwing him to the floor and charges towards the Dalek. Totally taken by surprise, it retreats down the corridor. Tasambeker advances on it, all trace of sanity gone.

DOCTOR
Tasambeker!

TASAMBEKER
You are nothing! No creature so contemptible can bear true, shining glory! The burning fire, the searing nothingness of bliss! The glorious Jobel is dead, his divine countenance in communion with the universe! Profane it and be crushed underfoot!

The Dalek stops retreating down the corridor and holds its ground. Its gun-stick is aimed at Tasambeker. She’s never been happier. Beside them, on the wall, is the bomb.

TASAMBEKER
The emptiness, Jobel! The emptiness!

GREY DALEK
EXTERMINATE!

TASAMBEKER
JOOOOBEEEEEEEEEEEL!

The Dalek fires. Tasambeker laughs with sheer delight as she is bathed in the negative glow. There is a look of adoring wonder and awe on her face. The glow disperses and Tasambeker falls to the ground, a broad smile on her face.

DOCTOR
Tasambeker...

The Dalek aims its gun stick at the Doctor. Lytton stabs the control.

GREY DALEK
EXTER--

There is a massive explosion. Once struck, the Dalek explodes. Lytton runs as the flame and smoke rush down the concourse towards him. He escapes it. The smoke clears. The burning base of the Dalek is intact, and rubble now fills the corridor. The Doctor lies on the outskirts, eyes closed, and a nasty cut to his forehead.

- to be concluded...

The End of the Road XIV

16. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

The Doctor is escorted in by the Dalek. Davros revolves to face him.

DOCTOR
Afternoon Lytton. You’re looking well.

DAVROS
Doctor. Now you are here, Doctor, NOTHING stands in the way of the New Dalek Order!

DOCTOR
We humanoids generally just say “Hello”.

DAVROS
It appears the rumors of your death have been slightly exaggerated.

DOCTOR
Have they? I liked the statue by the way. It was like being in Soviet Russia when it fell on my head like that.

DAVROS
It was meant to kill you.

DOCTOR
It very nearly succeeded. Which is still a failure, but ten out of ten for style. A very good likeness too, though you shouldn’t have bothered. That pack of lies about Netora wasn’t in the least bit convincing.

DAVROS
Was it not? Perhaps that is because truth is stranger than any fiction. I spent my first few years here researching you, Doctor. This particular enfleshment of yours is the most famous – or at least, the most well known after your activities in the 30th century.

The Doctor shrugs.

DOCTOR
He walked by himself and all times were alike to him.

DAVROS
I found your apparent death from the Sleeper on Netora extremely convincing.

DOCTOR
Ah, well, that hasn’t happened to me yet. Which means you best let me go. If I were to die here there’d be all sorts of unrealized destinies and collapsing time lines. The Web of Time would splinter.

DAVROS
What should I care of your beliefs in history, Doctor? You and your people have changed the course of events. You rewrote time to leave the Daleks puny, defeated and uncontrollable wretches. You stole their destiny!

DOCTOR
Be glad I didn’t take anything else. I could have erased them completely.

DAVROS
But you lacked the courage.

DOCTOR
Davros, you are under the misconception I care what you think. Your courage rendered all life on your planet extinct. Your courage got you blasted by your own creations at point blank range. Your courage has left you a severed head in a second-hand chapel on an ice-coated world where people visit it with the express purpose of dying. I am not impressed by you or anything you have ever done. You’re an insane megalomaniac that hasn’t got the hint the universe doesn’t want you. You should have expired a million years ago.

The Doctor strides around the chamber, acting like he owns the place.

DOCTOR
Oh, I’ll grant you the statue was clever. A temporal trap I had to investigate. Well, I wouldn’t come here for a holiday, would I? Nekros during the Long Cold? Not exactly an ideal spot. Speaking of spots, the last one I saw you in seemed pretty terminal. The Dalek battle cruiser and that space station – what was it called?

LYTTON
Cassius Four.

DOCTOR
Yes, thank you. Cassius Four. Blown to smithereens.

DAVROS
Cassius Four contained several escape capsules, Doctor. I survived.

DOCTOR
In somewhat reduced circumstances.

DAVROS
The Movellan virus was released on the station. Dalek tissue is similar enough to untreated Kaled tissue. My body was ravaged. The explosion of the station bathed the capsule in a heavy radiation shadow. The virus burned out, but my body was left useless. My life support system began to fail.

DOCTOR
And you crashed here?

DAVROS
There I was fortunate. Jobel and Takis found me, were able to repair my chair enough to keep me alive. In return, I discovered a temporary cure for Takis’ sister. I was unable to save her life. But in her last months, she did not suffer.

DOCTOR
And that was the inspiration for Tranquil Repose.

DAVROS
Takis was absolutely right. Had I been able to stop the progress of the disease, to pause it, Silmarina would have been saved. Jobel handled the proposal. As an elaborate assassination service to keep the resting ones resting, the government at the time gave us all the funding we needed before the plagues wrecked the galactic community.

DOCTOR
Such a long time. And so subtle!

The Doctor pauses by a beheaded statue.

DOCTOR
Does this signify something?

DAVROS
Surviving the Movellan virus has changed me, Doctor. In more ways than just physical. The universe is not the predictable realm I knew on Skaro. Strategy and subtlety is needed. I have modified my approach.

DOCTOR
Have you? Last time we met you did promise to create Daleks with conscience.

DAVROS
Did you really think I would? What do Daleks need of a conscience! Already my new Daleks have crushed resistance to my power here on Nekros. Once I have transformed the human race, I will reconquer Skaro and take my rightful place as ruler of all Daleks!

The Doctor laughs in his face.

DOCTOR
Yes! You’ve changed SO dramatically I barely recognize you!

Davros growls with anger.

DAVROS
Your arrogance will be your undoing, Time Lord.

Lytton looks down at the box on the white console. It is the unit Kara gave him. The Doctor catches this and looks curiously at the box. Lytton nods. So does the Doctor – and all the while he speaks.

DOCTOR
I’m not the one who wants to rule the universe, ‘Great Healer’. ‘Great Healer’? How pretentious! Couldn’t you have used an anagram or something? Sorvad? Vasord? Rodavs? VS Road? Dr. Vaso? It pays to improve your word power...


17. INT. INCUBATION ROOM

Natasha is now inside a cubicle and is illuminated as well. Lilt enters. The Dalek swings to face him.

DALEK 3
ENTER THE CUBICLE!

Lilt does so and the door shuts him in. There is a chiming noise.

DALEK 3
MUTAGENIC COMPOUND FOR FIRST SUBJECT COMPLETE. BEGIN SATURATION!

Grigory looks panicked and starts bashing his fists on the glass no noise can be heard. The Dalek plugs its sucker arm into the computer panel. A liquid throbbing fills the air. Grigory is screaming silently.


18. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

A Dalek escorts a subdued Peri down the tunnel. Just before they are out of sight there is a low whining buzz. A red glow forms and in it appears another Dalek. The glow fades and the Dalek glides out into the light.

It is a GREY DALEK. The old design and colour scheme. It looks around and crosses straight to the double doors leading to the Incubator room. As it enters we see the white Dalek and Peri turn a corner and out of sight, oblivious.


19. INT. INCUBATOR ROOM (DAY)

We see the Glass Dalek is still on its podium. The doors open and the Grey Dalek enters.

STENGOS
ALERT! HOSTILE DALEK UNIT RECOGNIZED! ALERT!

The white Dalek spins around and fires at the Grey Dalek.

DALEK 3
EXTERMINATE!

There is a small explosion, but the red beam just clips the intruder. The Grey Dalek fires back – an emerald green ray that strikes the white Dalek, the negative colour turning the Dalek black. The white Dalek screams and explodes. Green slime turned purple by the red light gushes through pipes towards Grigory’s cubicle. He tries to escape. It is useless. The green slime heads towards Natasha’s cubicle.

STENGOS
YOU ARE TRAITORS TO THE CAUSE OF THE NEW ORDER! NOTHING MUST INTERFERE WITH THE TRUE DESTINY OF THE DALEKS! YOU MUST SERVE THE GREAT HEALER! YOU MUST SERVE DAVROS!

The Grey Dalek stares at the Glass Dalek.

STENGOS
DAVROS MUST BE HONORED! OBEY HIM FOR ALL TIME! EXTERMINATE!

The glass gun-stick aims at the Grey Dalek. The Grey Dalek fires first. The Glass Dalek turns negative then a dazzling white. The Glass Dalek ruptures and collapses, there is an electrical short-out explosion. The blob inside melts.

GREY DALEK
THE NEW ORDER ENDS HERE.

The heartbeat noise fades to silence and the red light disperses. The creatures inside stop floating. The glass cubicles crack open. Grigory and Lilt scramble out as green slime floods the former’s cubicle. They frantically grab Natasha and haul her free. There is a familiar buzzing of teleport.

LILT
Whatever you do, don’t let that stuff touch you!

They hurry away as green slime spills out of Grigory’s cubicle onto the floor. More flows into Natasha’s open casket. Lilt looks up – there’s no sign of the Grey Dalek. Grigory can barely support Natasha.

LILT
Where’s it gone?

GRIGORY
Who cares! We’ve got to get out of here!

LILT
It can’t have gone far, we’d have heard it leave. Wouldn’t we?

GRIGORY
SHUT UP AND HELP ME!

More of the bubbling green slime spills out of the casket.


20. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

As before. The Doctor is standing on a statue, peering out the barred window. Above him, the screen shows the reception area. Attendants are milling around.

DAVROS
Now Jobel is dead, Tranquil Repose stops. He would appreciate that. The staff will be too confused and panic to resist when the time comes to transform them.

The screen blinks off. The Doctor hasn’t been listening.

DOCTOR
Very inclement weather. I am glad we’re indoors, I hate getting chill blains.

DAVROS
Your casual demeanor is not impressing me, Doctor.

DOCTOR
I’m casual because you’re not impressing ME, Davros.

DAVROS
I have been busy over the last decade, Doctor. Not just the statue in the Garden of Fond Memories and the sight of Stengos on display.

DOCTOR
Grave-robbing. Whatever next?

DAVROS
I am no grave robber, Doctor. You cannot steal what has already been abandoned. No one is interested in the clients of Tranquil Repose.

DOCTOR
That’s not what I’ve heard.

DAVROS
You will not hear the complaint again. Your grave-robbing friends are already undergoing conversion into new Dalek units.

The Doctor drops the act. He’s angry. And ever-so-slightly-scared.

DOCTOR
Why not just kill them? It’s what they’d want!

DAVROS
I no longer kill. I am known as the Great Healer. A somewhat flippant title, created by the late Mr. Jobel – but not without foundation. I have conquered the diseases that have brought their victims to Nekros. Those who came here anticipated being cured and one day brought back to life. I have complied in their wishes in every way.

DOCTOR
Was their wish to come back as Daleks? Yes, if ‘wishes’ is your way of saying ‘never in their worst nightmares’.

DAVROS
All the bodies are people of status, of ambition. They have no place in the galaxy at present – they are out of date and training, paupers unwanted by the present population. They would understand. Especially as I have given them the opportunity to rule the universe itself.

DOCTOR
But they will have to be ruled by you. It’s where this scheme always falls down.

DAVROS
You would prefer I had killed them all.

DOCTOR
You might as well have.

DAVROS
They still live on as Daleks.

DOCTOR
That is not life. Their organic content has been recycled. Stengos, Carnavon, Aarglok, Tasker, Morlko, Darak, Ficus, Darin and all the rest are dead. Their thoughts, their feelings gone forever!

DAVROS
Those thoughts and feelings exist but are... suppressed. Utilized. A personality print override has caged each and every mind into the perfect Dalek.

DOCTOR
Then you have condemned them to hell.

DAVROS
Hell? An outdated concept, Doctor. The afterlife no longer has relevance. Because now no one will die. All life will become immortal. All life will become Dalek!

DOCTOR
What about the lives lost? Hmm?

The Doctor angrily points at the area where the screen was.

DAVROS
If they refused immortality, it means they embraced death. Like the late Jobel.

DOCTOR
Oh, he hurt your pride, did he? It’s nice to know the God of the New Order would let something as petty as polite rejection justify cold-blooded murder.

DAVROS
Tasambeker killed Jobel. Not I.

DOCTOR
And what about the Daleks – how many lives have they extinguished?


21. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

A quartet of Grey Daleks are present.

GREY DALEK
SEEK AND LOCATE DAVROS. ALL NON-ALIGNED DALEKS ARE TO BE EXTERMINATED!

They move off. At that moment, a groggy DJ and Takis are shoved down the corridor by another white Dalek. The Grey Daleks turn to see this.

TAKIS
Oh, no, now what...?

DJ
Get down, Takis!

They dive. The white Dalek opens fire. A volley of shots, but one strikes and a grey Dalek explodes spectacularly. The white Dalek let out a terrifying howl, like a thousand voices screaming at once. It fires again. The humans crawl out of sight as the Grey Daleks combine their fire. The white Dalek explodes.


22. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

As before. Vargos is now present. He approaches the Doctor, who is leaning forward, thoughtfully studying the glass tube containing Davros. Vogel and the Doctor catch each other’s eye. The Doctor winks craftily.

DAVROS
The Daleks left me for dead on Skaro before human civilization began. All ties between us were severed. I can no longer be held responsible for their actions during my slumber. Can your parents be held accountable for what you have done? These new Daleks do not take life. They preserve it at all costs.

DOCTOR
And when you have the biggest army in the galaxy, what then?

DAVROS
The Movellans.

DOCTOR
Oh, of course. Petty revenge, first Jobel, then the Movellans, then the Daleks that rejected you and then anyone who looks at you in a funny way!

DAVROS
Your mockery is unimpressive, Doctor. Do you think it is coincidence that Lazar’s Disease is cured the exact same way as the Movellan Virus? That the sudden outbreaks of killer viruses in the galaxy so soon after the Movellan triumph is a coincidence?

DOCTOR
The Movellans have caused this?

DAVROS
Oh yes, Doctor. I have checked and confirmed this. The plagues were meant to wipe out all life it found – whether it be humanoid or simple food. If it were not for my work as the Great Healer, the few survivors would now be enslaved by the Movellans. They used the tactic successfully on the Daleks, and now will do it to the rest of the universe.

DOCTOR
And so you’ve decided to turn everyone into disease-proof Daleks?

DAVROS
A New Order. The Movellans are android hoards – not LIVING. I cannot upgrade them. But when all organic life in the universe is elevated to being Dalek, when the Movellans are utterly annihilated, there will be peace. And we can rest at last.

DOCTOR
Immortal? Invincible? Unending?

DAVROS
Yes.

The Doctor folds his arms.

DOCTOR
Then the end of the road is here for you, Davros. The Daleks are a cul-de-sac. They won’t advance, they won’t change and they won’t improve. They’ll just be frozen – like the bodies you used to create your oh-so-magnificent army. Death is the price we pay for progress, “Great Healer”!

DAVROS
And Progress is in the culture of your favorite species the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse.

DOCTOR
Is that what you’re up to? Turn everyone into Daleks and there’s no death, pestilence, famine or war? What fascinating... self-justifying... claptrap!

DAVROS
When you finally become a Dalek, Doctor, you will suffer for every indignity that you ever caused me!

DOCTOR
Every indignity I cause YOU! Wake up, Davros! I didn’t start the war on Skaro, I didn’t fire the shell that wrecked your body, I didn’t force you to invent the Daleks, I didn’t ask you to wipe out your own people, and I didn’t turn the Daleks against you. You dug your own grave and you’ve spent the last dozen millennia trying to stay out of it. Ironic that you would end up running a funeral home.

DAVROS
A funeral home containing the largest army of Daleks anywhere ever! Observe!

The screen changes, showing a cavern lined with row upon row of catwalks. There are hundreds of white and gold Daleks. The screen pans over them.

DOCTOR
Are they hibernating?

DAVROS
Yes, Doctor. All of them frozen in cryogenic suspension. Only the final signal is needed and they will awake.

Kara and a drunk-looking Vogel are escorted in from the upper entrance by a Dalek. They scale the steps while the white Dalek glides away. Kara steps forward, trying to sound confident and act innocent.

KARA
Ah, my dear Great Healer...

Davros revolves to face her. Kara swallows.

KARA
Thank you for sparing my secretary, Great Healer.

DAVROS
It is a mere respite. The box on the console.

Kara looks at the black box. Vogel swallows.

DAVROS
Yours, I believe?

KARA
Oh, what a pretty little box. What does it do?

LYTTON
It is a transmitter you gave me to signal you once the Great Healer was dead.

DAVROS
Lytton is your assassin.

KARA
How can you say such a thing, Great Healer? There are none more loyal to you than I.

VOGEL
Except me, madam.

KARA
Except Vogel, but I definitely come a close second!

DAVROS
If that were true I would be very, very depressed. I have never trusted you, Kara. That is why I could never show you my face.

Kara’s anger covers her fear.

KARA
Good! Because you’re utterly disgusting! No one should see that excuse for a face! And I refuse to be drawn into whatever conspiracy you’re cooking up to cheat me out of further funds that are mine by right!

DAVROS
If you are expecting your factory workers to rescue you, you are mistaken. They are, at present being taken to Tranquil Repose to be converted into more Daleks.

He revolves to face Lytton.

DAVROS
Well, Commander. Please take this box.

Lytton nods and takes the box in his hand.

VOGEL
Is that wise, Great Healer?

DAVROS
Please. Call me Davros. While you still breathe.

VOGEL
Davros?!

KARA
Whatever your name, that man is a murderer, a common assassin, you said so yourself!

DAVROS
This is Commander Gustave Lytton from Riften Five, one of the Charnel House’s finest warriors – until the plagues destroyed the Charnel House and everything in it.

Lytton closes his eyes in pain. The Doctor looks up sharply.

DOCTOR
That wasn’t the Movellans, was it?

DAVROS
No. It was me. I infected a researcher with a very specific virus, sent them to the Charnel House. It was one of the earliest plagues I cured.

DOCTOR
Because you designed it yourself!

DAVROS
Curing a major outbreak before it could in my first year here proved an immediate dividend. The governments of the galaxy realized what I could offer them.

The Doctor looks to Lytton.

DOCTOR
I’m sorry.

LYTTON
I’m not.

DAVROS
But to return to my point - Lytton is the last of his kind, if not his race. A mercenary capable of surviving in different time zones, one who was employed by the Daleks, double-crossed them and survived. A dedicated follower of the Wadifalayeen Grand Design. There is little that is “common” about him as you claim, Kara. Now Commander. What were you to do with this transmitter?

Lytton stares at Kara.

LYTTON
I was to type in a code. 1-1-8-6-4.

DAVROS
Do so, please.

DOCTOR
Don’t be stupid, Lytton...

DAVROS
Do it.

Not taking his eyes off Kara, Lytton slowly and deliberately punches a button.

LYTTON
One... One...

Kara’s eyes dart to Vogel. He’s as scared as she is.

LYTTON
Eight...


23. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

Grey Daleks head down the corridor. Three white Daleks are waiting. There is an ambush. There is a flurry of emerald and ruby laser beams. One Grey Dalek explodes. Then two white ones. There is another horrible wailing noise. The remaining white Dalek is destroyed. The surviving Grey Daleks advance. Another horrible wailing noise. The Grey Daleks stop and turn around. The wailing continues. They look up. A white Dalek hangs over them like a ghost, making the noise. It fires a volley of red bolts...


24. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

As before. Kara is now sweating. Vogel holds her hand. Lytton presses another button.

LYTTON
Six... Four...

He moves to press the final button.

KARA
NO! IT’S A BOMB! IT’S A GREAT BIG BOMB TO BLOW US ALL INTO A THOUSAND TINY PIECES!

Vargos and the Doctor are startled, but Davros and Lytton are unfazed. He casually drops the box onto the console.

LYTTON
I suspected as much.

Davros chuckles.

DAVROS
Thank you, Kara.

Vogel glares angrily at Lytton.

VOGEL
You fool! How dare you let Madam down, you IMBECILE! I thought you were a professional and now my Madam is going to die! ARE YOU SATISFIED? We’re all going to die!

LYTTON
You before me.

DAVROS
An excellent suggestion Commander.

The Daleks move around towards Kara and Vogel who back away.

DAVROS
You have a desire to feed the whole galaxy, Kara. I respect that. When I am finished with you, your body will be taken back to your precious factory and be thrown into the processing machines. You SHALL feed the galaxy.

KARA
You can’t be serious! It’s monstrous!

DAVROS
The Great Healer never wastes a valuable commodity. The humanoid form makes an excellent concentrated protein – almost as excellent as the true product.

VOGEL
You can’t turn us into food!

DAVROS
I could feed you to the spielsnapes and voltroxes that live outside. This way, the others in the Pherran system will be allowed to go on living. With gratitude!

VARGOS
And what happens to me?

DAVROS
You, President Vargos? Nothing so crude. Even with my genius to convert the population of the Pherran system’s seven planets will take many years – and will be far smoother with your cooperation. I don’t expect you to do this willingly. But I can be very persuasive.

VARGOS
Mental conditioning?

DAVROS
At first.

VARGOS
You’ll be disappointed Davros. Takis contacted me several months ago about his concerns for Tranquil Repose. The government that set up this façade is not mine. I wanted this place closed down and left precise instructions back on Earth. No matter what you do to me, the reputation of Tranquil Repose and its Great Healer will never be restored.

DAVROS
Then you shall join your wife... in death!

VARGOS
Ronya isn’t dead. I needed an excuse to come here without attracting undue suspicion, “Great Healer”. What better than a dead wife? It was all a ploy.

Davros sounds rather annoyed.

DAVROS
Not a clever enough one!

The Doctor yawns exaggeratedly, his voice dripping with contempt.

DOCTOR
It fooled you. I’m sorry, Davros, but I’m bored rigid here. You’ve been droning on and on about your tedious desires to conquer the universe which, bar the odd novelty, might as well come out of the mouth at a convention of Cyber Controllers and renegade Time Lords. Enough is enough!

DAVROS
I am not a man to cross, Doctor. You know that.

DOCTOR
Do I? I’ve changed since we last met, Davros. My outward appearance is the least of it. No more delusions, disillusionment, dementia or depression for this Time Lord. I am not the man I was. You’re older than I am, Davros. You’ve been clinging to life for longer than the recorded history of mankind. I think you’ve had quite enough. The end of the road beckons.

DAVROS
You couldn’t kill me in cold blood, Doctor. Not then, not now.

DOCTOR
NOW is different. If you think I’ll sacrifice every single person in the galaxy if not the universe itself just because you batter your non-existent eyelids, you are VERY much mistaken!

Davros lets out his gurgling chuckle.

DAVROS
I suggest you turn around, Doctor.

The Doctor, refusing to be impressed, turns around. Peri stands there, with a Dalek behind her, its gun-stick aimed in her back.

DAVROS
Do you wish me to transform her into a Dalek – or dissect her right before your eyes?

The Doctor looks ill. Peri swallows, trying to stay brave.

PERI
Don’t worry, Doctor. We got the message through. To the Daleks!

She directs that with scorn at Davros.

DAVROS
What?!

DOCTOR
Peri. Please don’t tell me that...

PERI
The Daleks know Davros is here on Nekros! All the proof they need! They’re probably already on their way here right now!

Davros is silent.

- to be continued...

The End of the Road XIII

(ROLL OPENING CREDITS)

1. INT. INCUBATION ROOM (DAY)

The DOCTOR, NATASHA and GRIGORY stand around the podium containing the glass Dalek – and the mutated remains of ARTHUR V. STENGOS.

DOCTOR
He’s been put here as a display. The Great Healer is mocking us.

NATASHA
Father, what happened to you?

STENGOS
I... am to become... a Dalek.

Grigory, face aghast, slides a hand around Natasha to keep her upright.

NATASHA
A Dalek? But how? What does it mean?

STENGOS
I am to become a Dalek. You are to become Daleks.

The single eye rolls back. A mechanical note enters his voice. He no longer sounds like a human being, the grating in his voice a familiar screech.

STENGOS
WE ARE ALL TO BECOME DALEKS!

(FINISH OPENING CREDITS)
(THE END OF THE ROAD)
(EPISODE FOUR: A MEETING WITH DESTINY)

1. INT. INCUBATION ROOM (DAY)

As before.

DOCTOR
The poison within is taking control.

STENGOS
WE ARE TO SERVE A NEW ORDER – WE ARE TO BECOME THE SUPREME BEINGS!

Stengos painfully blinks. He gasps.

STENGOS
Help me... Natasha... please...

NATASHA
What can I do?!

STENGOS
WE MUST MULTIPLY. THE SEEDS OF THE DALEKS MUST BE SUPREME.

DOCTOR
He’s losing. The conditioning’s taking over.

NATASHA
What can we do?

DOCTOR
Nothing! I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. The programming is in his subconscious, eating it away... Stengos is dying!

STENGOS
WE MUST CONQUER AND DESTROY ALL THOSE WHO RESIST THE POWER OF THE DALEKS!

Natasha can’t understand.

NATASHA
Father?

Stengos whimpers.

STENGOS
Kill me, child...

NATASHA
What? I can’t kill you. You’re my father... I love you.

STENGOS
IT IS OUR DUTY TO ERADICATE ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO POLLUTE THE PURITY OF THE DALEK RACE.

DOCTOR
There’s only one way out.

NATASHA
What do you mean?

DOCTOR
Euthanasia.

GRIGORY
Youth in where?

STENGOS
Natasha! I love you... but if you ever loved me, save me...

NATASHA
I can’t kill you!

STENGOS
You can’t save me any other way! PLEASE! KILL ME! IF YOU EVER LOVED ME, KILL ME!

GRIGORY
Maybe I could do it. I’ve had experience.

STENGOS
NATASHA! PLEASE! KILLLLLL MEEEEEEEEE!

NATASHA
How?!

STENGOS
I DON’T KNOW! I DON’T KNOW! I ONLY... KNOW... THAT... IT IS MY DESTINY!

The eye closes.

STENGOS
IT IS OUR DESTINY. THE DALEKS WILL BE SUPREME IN ALL THINGS. WE SHALL MULTIPLY. ALL LIFE WILL BECOME DALEK LIFE. WAR HAS FAILED US. WE HAVE STARTED A NEW ROAD. THIS TIME THE DALEKS WILL TRIUMPH.

DOCTOR
The Dalek’s won. Stengos is dead.

STENGOS
THERE IS NO ESCAPE. YOU ARE POWERLESS. YOU WILL ACCEPT YOUR DESTINY IN THE NEW ORDER.

The doors collapse inwards to show the two DALEKS outside. They glide forwards. Grigory and the Doctor whirl to face them, but Natasha continues to stare at the glass Dalek.

STENGOS
YOU ARE MASTERED BY THE GREAT HEALER. WE SHALL FULFILL YOUR DESTINY. ALL RACES SHALL BE UNITED BY THE GREAT HEALER INTO THE DALEK RACE. THE GREAT HEALER SHALL BE SET UP AMONGST THE GODS.

The trio are herded into a group by the Daleks.

STENGOS
ALL ORGANIC LIFE FACES EVENTUAL EXTINCTION. THE DALEKS DO NOT. EVOLUTION HAS FAILED. HUMANOID LIFE MUST GIVE WAY TO THE DALEKS. SURRENDER TO DESTINY!

DALEK 2
NO MORE ENSLAVEMENT.

DALEK 3
NO MORE ELIMINATION.

DALEKS 2 & 3
DEATH IS NO LONGER AN OPTION!

STENGOS
YOU WILL ALL BECOME DALEKS!!


2. INT. DJ’S RECORDING SUITE (DAY)

Bruce Springsteen’s War plays in the background. The DJ is now dressed in an attendant outfit, without any makeup or wigs. He has constructed a miniature cannon mounted on a tripod. Cables are linking it to the computer bank.


3. INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE DJ’S SUITE (DAY)

We can faintly hear the music through the door. PERI and TAKIS stagger into view.

PERI
All these corridors... Why can’t you make them look different?! Just for once!

TAKIS
They got Lilt... They got him. After all that and they still got him!

Through the window of the door we see the DJ look up in surprise.

PERI
You said there was another chance to get a communicator?

TAKIS
I never get it right. They just keep dying. No matter what.

PERI
Takis! Please! Snap out of it!

Takis looks at her, lost.

TAKIS
What’s left?

The doors slide open. The music pulses loudly.


4. INT. DJ’S RECORDING SUITE (DAY)

Peri and Takis enter the room. The doors shut. The DJ looks at them.

DJ
Jobel’s dead.

PERI
What?

DJ
Tasambeker. The Great Healer, he made her kill him. He’s dead.

TAKIS
Jobel too...

Takis slumps in the chair, head in his hands.

DJ
I don’t know what will happen when Vargos finds out. Those Daleks might just snap and start zapping everyone. They stunned Lilt, I dunno if they’ll spare us.

Takis looks up.

TAKIS
He’s not dead?

DJ
Well, he wasn’t when they blasted him. Just unconscious. Oh, hello.

He smiles shyly at Peri.

DJ
I don’t often get visitors.

PERI
Oh, well, er, I’m Peri.

She smiles and shakes his hand.

DJ
Yeah, I know. Peri Brown. Well, I’m the DJ. But you knew that. My name’s Denari Jerzei William Warlock Avocardo Alexei Brian Your Immature Mind Would Never Quite Understand It Balowski. My mum was a bit indecisive, you understand. It’s why they generally call me DJ. Denari Jerzei.

She chuckles kindly. The DJ blushes and crosses to the control panel.

DJ
You’ll be wanting to use my radio transmitter. I was keeping an eye on you and your friend the Doctor. I can bounce the signal off the transmitter and get to Morania, Talok, Clion and Skorpios. Beyond that, I can’t help.

PERI
You know all about this?

DJ
Tasambeker was telling you the truth, all the cameras were set up to give me inspiration for the DJ routine. It was the Great Healer’s idea. Never really thought there was another agenda till today. Sorry if it seems voyeuristic. Eight years of reporting everything that goes on in this place to people who weren’t listening and now it turns out they weren’t even here. Sorry. Babbling a bit.

Takis rises, resolute.

TAKIS
Yes you are. Now send a message to Talok. If you have any recordings of the Daleks put that in the message. The Great Healer is really Davros, he’s built a new army of Daleks and Nekros is where it is. With the Long Cold, he’s trapped here for the next few days, maybe enough time to assemble the fleet.

DJ
What about the Daleks?

TAKIS
What do you mean?

DJ
The other Daleks, the first ones. On Azorius Minor?

PERI
What about them?

DJ
Well, I was watching you and that Mr. Lytton did seem to know what he was talking about.

PERI
You sent them a message?

DJ
Yeah. No idea if they got it, let along if they’re going to do anything about it.

PERI
Well, we’ll just have to assume they won’t. Let’s move.


5. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Doctor is shoved out of the Incubation room by a Dalek.

DALEK 3
YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO THE GREAT HEALER.

DOCTOR
What about my friends?

DALEK 3
THEY WILL BECOME LIKE US – DALEKS. THE SUPREME BEINGS.

DOCTOR
No, leave them alone! They’re not needed for that...

DALEK 3
THE NEW ORDER RECOGNIZES NO EXCEPTIONS. MOVE. MOVE!

The Doctor scowls, but is herded down the corridor.


6. INT. KARA’S OFFICE (DAY)

KARA and VOGEL have their arms interlocked, holding glasses of purple wine.

KARA
Now we have established what the real formula for the protein is, we will be invincible.

VOGEL
Salut, madam.

KARA
Please. Kara.

VOGEL
Kara.

He smiles. They begin to drink from their glasses. At that moment there is a huge explosion. They are flung to the floor. Their glasses and the bottle of champagne fall to the floor and shatter. Vogel scrambles to the desk and hits the communicator.

VOGEL
What the hell is going on?

VOICE
Mr. Vogel! Those Dalek things, they’re coming out of the snow! Hundreds of them! They’ve destroyed the perimeter defenses, they’re shooting everyone!

KARA
The Great Healer’s learned the truth! Lytton must have failed!

VOICE
What?

VOGEL
Drive them back with everything you’ve got! Is Madam’s personal hover car still functioning? Mr. Bostock, report!

There is the sound of Dalek firing.

VOICE
They’re here! They’re inside... ARGHHH!

DALEK VOICE
THIS FACTORY IS NOW UNDER DALEK CONTROL! KARA WARDRAS WILL SURRENDER AND BE TAKEN TO THE GREAT HEALER TO ANSWER FOR HER CRIMES! RESISTANCE IS USE --

Vogel switches off. There is another explosion outside.

VOGEL
We’ll risk the hover-car. We should be able to reach the President’s ship and then we’ll be able to hijack it. The Long Cold’s still weak enough to let us reach orbit.

KARA
But if Lytton sends the signal...

VOGEL
We have to take the chance, Madam or risk...

There is Dalek fire and there is an explosion.

VOGEL
RUN, MADAM!

The doors judder open and three Daleks enter, one after another. Kara flees for another exit and Vogel strides up to them. He is furious.

VOGEL
How dare you enter unannounced?! This is the office of Madame Kara Wardras, galaxy famous actress and soon to be Empress of the Known Universe! Show some respect!

DALEK 1
NO.

The Dalek blasts Vogel at point-blank range. He manages a single howl and falls onto his back, his eyes narrowing and then closing. Kara stares in horror.

KARA
Vogel...

The door behind her opens to reveal another Dalek. Kara approaches Vogel. She is in shock. The four Daleks close in around her. There are tears in her eyes.

KARA
How inconvenient. You know how difficult it is to find good secretaries these days...

DALEK 4
HE IS NOT DEAD. DEATH IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. THE NEW ORDER BECKONS!

DALEK 1
YOU WILL COME WITH US!

KARA
My escorts... to death or worse.

Kara rises, eyes still locked onto Vogel’s body.


7. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

TASAMBEKER is sitting on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees, rocking slightly backwards and forwards. JOBEL is sprawled on the floor, very dead. GUARDS have their guns trained at her. PRESIDENT VARGOS rises from crouching over Jobel. The ATTENDANTS are milling around the place, shocked and muttering amongst themselves.

VARGOS
Died instantly. How is she?

Tasambeker is ignoring everything.

VARGOS
Catatonic. I was right. Something disastrous is happening here.

He lifts his head to give orders.

VARGOS
Very well. Tranquil Repose is now under martial law. All attendants are to...

DALEK 1
SILENCE!

Vargos and the others spin around. Three Daleks stand on the sarcophagus podium above the stairs, gun sticks aimed. Two more Daleks glide in behind the group.

DALEK 1
YOU ARE OUR PRISONER. YOU WILL COME WITH US.

VARGOS
Never!

The Daleks open fire. First one, then two, then three guards are struck, glow bright red and collapse. The attendants scream and flee the area. The Daleks close in on Vargos.

DALEK 1
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

VARGOS
So it seems.

He raises his hands in surrender.


8. INT. DJ’S RECORDING SUITE (DAY)

Takis is working on the control panels. Peri is watching the screen.

PERI
The Great Healer’s not even pretending any more. He’s kidnapped the President.

DJ
If he kills President Vargos... well, he’s one of the few things keeping the galaxy together. It could be a new dark age.

He blinks and looks up at Peri.

DJ
Look, sorry, I have to know, is that your real accent?

Peri is surprised.

PERI
Uh, yeah. I hope so.

They laugh. A hysterical relief.

DJ
Amazing! Totally amazing!

PERI
Yours is a bit different from when I first saw you.

DJ
Is it?

PERI
Yeah. At first I thought you were from the States.

The DJ stares at her in awe and respect.

DJ
The UNITED States?! Of AMERICA? On EARTH?

PERI
Yup.

DJ
Amazing!

Takis finishes up at the controls.

TAKIS
The signal he sent will reach Dalek Space in a few minutes.

PERI
What do we do now?

Takis crosses to the closed doors.

TAKIS
Barricade ourselves in here and try to sit it out. DJ? The lock’s a standard psycho-physio isn’t it?

DJ
Er, yeah. I scrambled the outside lock, but if you want to make sure...

TAKIS
I do. Do you have any sort of weaponry?

The DJ gestures the cannon he has been building with a flourish.

DJ
Ta-da!

PERI
What’s that?

DJ
Second-hand sonic cannon. I’ve had it for years. Uses highly-directional ultrasonic beams, bit like a Wadifalayeen sonic knife. Ultra-high or infa-low frequency vibrations can smash up anything you want.

TAKIS
How about Daleks?

The DJ shuffles awkwardly.

DJ
Yeah, well. Guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?


9. INT. TR CORRIDORS (DAY)

Three Daleks glide up the corridor, straight towards us.


10. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Dalek escorts the Doctor along through the building mist.

DALEK 3
THE NEW ERA BEGINS. MANKIND WILL BE CONSUMED BY THE DALEKS TO INCREASE OUR NUMBERS.

DOCTOR
Yes, and you haven’t once said ‘Exterminate’, I’m amazed.

DALEK 3
NON-DALEK LIFE WILL ACCEPT THEIR FATE OR FACE TOTAL EXTERMINATION.

DOCTOR
I knew it couldn’t last.


11. INT. INCUBATION ROOM (DAY)

A Dalek guards Natasha and Grigory. A hatch slides back in the wall and a hidden segment of wall glides forward containing three upright glass cubicles with the TR logo stamped on them. The glass covers spring open.

DALEK 2
YOU WILL ENTER.

NATASHA
Why? What are you going to do?

DALEK 2
YOU WILL BECOME DALEKS. YOU WILL SERVE THE NEW ORDER.

NATASHA
Not a chance!

The Dalek fires. Natasha falls without a scream. Grigory is appalled.

DALEK 2
ENTER OR YOU WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE.

Grigory looks around helplessly, then steps up and climbs into the cubicle. The glass cover swings shut and clicks loudly.

DALEK 2
REPROGRAMMING MUTATION GENERATOR.

A bright light shines down on Grigory who covers his face, pained by the light.


12. INT. DJ’S RECORDING SUITE (DAY)

As before. The DJ is linking a last cable to the cannon.

TAKIS
How did you get a sonic cannon through security?

DJ
Well, it doesn’t have the focussing core, so essentially it’s just a novelty paperweight.

PERI
And how’s that going to stop Daleks?

DJ
Because we can jury-rig a new focussing core. All we need is a source of random noise modulation, and I happen to have the best rock and roll collection this side of Alpha Centauri!

Takis turns his attention to the screen.

PERI
How did you get this?

DJ
My great granddad got it cheap in a market on Mars. You know, the usual. He was on this bargain basement tour of the solar system, and when he visited Earth he found all these recordings. A time capsule from the 20th century, just buried in this quarry. He took it home and I just LOVED, I really LOVED the sounds of those old American disc jockeys.

He slips into his on-air accent.

DJ
So, I, er, kinda decided to base ma style of pre-sentation on um, y’know.

PERI
Oh well, it’s very good.

DJ
Thanks!

PERI
Had me fooled. I knew it was too good to be true. It almost makes me homesick.

DJ
Glad someone likes it. I mean, the regular listeners never complain. Apart from Mr. Jobel... But he always let me stay because the Great Healer loved it. I’m gonna miss Jobel. Didn’t half aggravate me every day for the last eight years... Relentless drivel, that’s what he said. “Why transmit relentless drivel to the dead and why haven’t the government done a thing about it?” His toupee nearly fell off, he’d get so mad...

TAKIS
Time to panic!

DJ
What?

TAKIS
Look!

The scanner screen fills with an image of the corridor. Daleks approach.

DJ
Even in the face of death, ‘the show MUST go on!’


13. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

A groggy-looking LILT is being escorted along by a Dalek. They reach a junction and another Dalek and Vargos are present.

DALEK 1
THIS PRISONER IS TO BE TAKEN TO THE INCUBATION ROOM FOR TRANSFORMATION.

DALEK 2
VARGOS WILL BE TAKEN TO MEET THE GREAT HEALER.

Vargos is escorted elsewhere. There is a sudden chime.

DJ (VO)
Good afternoon, Tranquil Repose! This is the DJ with a very special message for you all! The Great Healer is Davros, there are Daleks everywhere and we are all gonna die! I’m broadcasting live from by reinforced recording suite up at the top of the Pyramid and any Dalek that tries it will get a special dedication – of DEATH! This is the broadcast to end ALL broadcasts! YEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Jeff Beck’s Shapes of Things blares over the following sequences:

LILT
Things are becoming decidedly surreal, Lilt.

DALEK 1
SILENCE! MOVE TOWARDS THE INCUBATION ROOM!


14. INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE DJ’S SUITE (DAY)

Jeff Beck plays. The Daleks advance on the door and open fire. The door explodes.


15. INT. DJ’S RECORDING SUITE (DAY)

Takis and Peri hide behind the DJ. The first Dalek smashes through the remnants of the door. The DJ fires his canon. A colourful kaleidoscope of energy rays shoot out, zig-zagging as they slam into the Dalek. For a split second it is frozen, shimmering and blurring like a mirage. Then it explodes. Peri cries out as a mutant blob (like the things in the incubation tanks) falls, steaming out of the wreckage.

The second Dalek shoves aside the wreckage of the first. The DJ fires again. The beam smashes into the wall. The Dalek fires, and the beam destroys the screen. The DJ fires again, gritting his teeth. The second Dalek is struck and moments later it explodes.

For a moment there is just music. The DJ rises. Two more Daleks suddenly sweep in and open fire. There is a string of explosions and the DJ is struck in the chest. He lets out an agonized shriek and falls flat on his face. The Daleks fire again and Takis collapses in a heap. As the music hits its final, abrupt end – the Daleks shoot out the control panels. There is a final explosion and total silence.

DALEK 1
YOU MUST SURRENDER. YOU ARE TO COME WITH US. RESISTANCE IS USELESS.

Peri looks at the bodies of her friends, too horrified to do anything else but raise her hands in horror.

- to be continued...

The End of the Road XII

44. INT. TR CORRIDOR (DAY)

The Doctor, Natasha and Grigory run down the corridor that ends in the double doors.

NATASHA
That leads back to the catacombs! It’ll be freezing down there!

GRIGORY
I’ve had enough frost bite for today.

DOCTOR
Fine, stay here!

The Doctor pushes the door. Darkness and steam beyond. At that moment Lytton runs around the corner, turns and fires a volley down the corridor.

LYTTON
There’s hoards of them!

DOCTOR
Lytton! Over here!

Lytton turns and is about to move when a ruby red beam skewers him. Immediately a thick haze of red light enshrouds his body, turning him a flat, dazzling negative. He groans and collapses on the floor, his weapon skittering away. Grigory moves to help him, but the Doctor grabs his arm.

GRIGORY
No, I’m a doctor!

DOCTOR
And I’m THE Doctor, you lush, now move!

The three scramble into the dark as the Daleks turn the corner. They pause, regarding Lytton’s twitching body. The doors close.


45. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

They hurry down the ramp. The doors shut. The Doctor taps at the code by the door.

NATASHA
Is Lytton dead?

DOCTOR
I doubt it. He has an uncanny knack for surviving. The fact the Dalek shot him with barely enough to render a human being unconscious would help. Why aren’t they exterminating everyone in sight? They’re Daleks, it’s what Daleks DO!

He hurries down the passage.

GRIGORY
If we don’t freeze to death down here, those Daleks will catch up with us eventually!

DOCTOR
Will they? Davros didn’t choose to base himself in these catacombs out of tradition.

NATASHA
He chose it because it was beneath Tranquil Repose!

DOCTOR
And because these catacombs were never properly charted – it was abandoned at the first signs of winter. That means it’s unfinished in places which means it could have access to the surface. Secret exits for a Dalek army out of the complex.

GRIGORY
If we get outside we’ll be snow blind in minutes, and dead from exposure soon after.

DOCTOR
You’re right. Stay here for the Daleks. I’ll take my chances.

The Doctor heads deeper. Natasha looks at Grigory.

NATASHA
Well?

GRIGORY
You’re letting me take the decision?

NATASHA
Assuming there’s a decision to make.

GRIGORY
Either we face certain death in the harshest clime on the planet or stay here and throw ourselves on the mercy of the deadliest war machines ever created in the history of everything ever!

A beat.

GRIGORY
Put like that, it’s a flimsy but nevertheless convincing argument. Let’s move.

They hurry after the Doctor.


46. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Apparently deserted. Peri, Takis and Lilt race in. Takis is exhausted.

PERI
Are they still following us?

LILT
No idea.

TAKIS
We better keep going... and hope the Doctor catches us up!

They are about to run when Jobel, Vargos and the guards enter.

JOBEL
Ah, Takis, I see you located Ms. Brown for us...

A Dalek glides beside the sarcophagus.

DALEK 3
RESISTANCE IS USELESS!

It fires. The group scatter, but Lilt is hit. He glows, screams and collapses with an agonized sob. Takis stares at him, frozen up. Peri grabs him.

PERI
We can mourn him later! Move!

DALEK 3
DO NOT! DO NOT MOVE!

The Dalek fires another volley at their retreating form. The Dalek glides forward and floats through the air before landing beside the shocked Jobel and Vargos.

DALEK 3
APOLOGIES. NORMAL SERVICE WILL BE RESUMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

It turns and glides away. They watch it go, in shock.

JOBEL
Maybe we should have that drink we were discussing.

VARGOS
Yes. Let’s.


47. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

The Dalek approaches Davros.

DAVROS
So... only the Doctor’s companion and Takis are still free. But not for long.

DALEK 1
REVIVIFICATION PROGRAM COMPLETED.

DAVROS
Activate. Get me Tasambeker. It is time to deal with Mr. Jobel once and for all.

DALEK 1
I OBEY.

The Dalek plunges its sucker into the console, twists and lights start activating. The heartbeat noise suddenly builds up, faster and faster and faster.


48. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Doctor has paused by a hatch. He wipes away some of the frost to reveal a Dalek staring back at him. Unafraid, he pulls at the hatch until it comes loose.

DOCTOR
There! Fascinating.

Grigory and Natasha run into view. They are shivering.

NATASHA
S-slow down...

DOCTOR
Look at this!

The Dalek is smothered in a light blue cobweb substance that seems to pulse.

GRIGORY
It’s breathing.

DOCTOR
Yes. I saw something like it once on Spiridon, but this... Is that noise in my head?

The heartbeat noise becomes audible. The catacombs tremble.

NATASHA
It’s happening again!

DOCTOR
He’s reviving the Daleks in front of us! Run!

They turn and run down the corridor. We stay with the Dalek. Smoke curls around it as the blue substance dissolves as if it was never there. The eyestalk, sucker arm and gun begin to twitch, and then the whole Dalek moves out. The vibration grows worse. More hatches suddenly slam open. The Doctor and the others skid to a halt as reviving Daleks emerge from the tombs in front of them. The Daleks close in on the trio.

DOCTOR
Plan A!

NATASHA AND GRIGORY
Which is?

DOCTOR
RUN!

The trio run down the curving corridor into the mist. The Daleks turn in their direction and begin to follow.

DALEK 2
YOU CANNOT ESCAPE.

DALEK 3
RESISTANCE IS USELESS.

DALEK 2
YOU WILL SERVE THE NEW ORDER.


49. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

The Dalek approaches Davros.

DALEK 1
THREE INTRUDERS IN THE CATACOMBS. ONE OF THEM IDENTIFIED AS THE DOCTOR. ORDERS?

DAVROS
Have two of the revived Daleks follow the intruders. The rest are to continue onwards towards Kara’s factory – maximum speed!

DALEK 1
I OBEY.


50. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Doctor turns a corner and spots a pair of double doors at the back of an alcove. He scrambles over to them and they open at his touch.

DOCTOR
In here!

Natasha and Grigory follow, and behind them are the two Daleks.


51. INT. INCUBATION ROOM (DAY)

A room vaulted with arches, clearly built into the catacombs. It is lit from below with a sinister red light. A heavy heartbeat-like pulsing throbs in the background. The Doctor, Natasha and Grigory scramble inside and slam the doors. The Doctor rips out the control panel beside the door. There is a vomit of sparks.


52. INT. CATACOMBS (DAY)

The Daleks stand outside the door.

DALEK 1
DOOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. UNABLE TO OPEN.

DALEK 3
MAINTAIN POSITION UNTIL FURTHER ORDERS.


53. INT. INCUBATION ROOM (DAY)

The three of them stand back from the door. The Doctor begins to explore.

NATASHA
How long will that keep them out for?

DOCTOR
Long enough for us to find either another exit or something to bargain with. Now... no ventilation shafts, no nuclear reactors, no weapons stockpile, no secret passages, no one on the outside available to stage a rescue attempt, no easily-adapted booby traps... Not even the sonic screwdriver could get us out of this one. Assuming I hadn’t let it in the TARDIS in the first place.

GRIGORY
But what’s this place for?

The Doctor pauses by computer consoles stacked up against the walls.

DOCTOR
These link up to every single casket. Monitoring synthesized armor.

NATASHA
Armor?

DOCTOR
The actual Dalek travel machines. I’ve seen this sort of thing before, but not quite so... gothic. This chamber coordinates machinery in every one of those cubicles outside. Dalek casings are formed, constructed, filled, stored and then released.

NATASHA
Filled?

DOCTOR
Must you repeat every other word I...

The Doctor turns around and stops. Natasha and Grigory follow his gaze. They see the source of the red glow – a large glass tank containing four strange, crab-like creatures floating in chemicals.

NATASHA
Gruesome...

DOCTOR
Fed from the collection hatches at the rear of Tranquil Repose cryogenic caskets. Every body frozen has been defrosted and dumped into that vat before being relocated into waiting Dalek bodies.

GRIGORY
Reminds me of medical school. Only without the sex and drugs and Wardas film festivals.

One of the creatures twitches and the lights flicker in sympathy.

NATASHA
Those were once human beings?

DOCTOR
Yes. So Davros has finally done it. Daleks that can reproduce anywhere anytime. No more need to exterminate the lesser races, just add them to the ranks. Like the Cybermen, the Daleks have gained a zeno-consumptive directive compulsion with a replacement meme of self-generation.

NATASHA
What does he mean?

GRIGORY
They don’t kill you, they make you like them.

The Doctor double takes at Grigory’s perceptiveness.

DOCTOR
Yes. If you like.

The Doctor moves on between the pillars.

DOCTOR
There still doesn’t seem to be anything here we can use.

GRIGORY
Can we shut it down though?

DOCTOR
Easily, but it wouldn’t be worthwhile. I doubt there are any sleepers left to... save...

He stops again. At the far end of the chamber on an illuminated square podium is a Dalek – as if a Dalek outside has turned to completely transparent glass. We can see straight through it, and we see it contains a large purple blob in the neck-section.

DOCTOR
Yes. Gruesome. That’s exactly the word.

Natasha and Grigory join him. We see closer on the purple blob – a throbbing mass of flesh fused through with wires, cables and imbedded circuitry. The Doctor narrows his eyes. We see closer and can make out and exposed brain and the right-half of a human face is fitted there, an intact and closed eye, and a gaping mouth revealing teeth mixed with metal fang strips.

DOCTOR
If you believe the Dalek propaganda, then THAT poor creature is half-way to becoming the ultimate pinnacle of universal evolution.

A pause as we regard the half face. A beat. The eye snaps open. Grigory and Natasha flinch involuntary.

GRIGORY
It’s alive.

DOCTOR
If you call that living.

NATASHA
Can it see us?

The mouth moves. A weak, tired voice but treated so it grates like a Dalek.

STENGOS
Na... ta... sha? Na-ta-sha?

GRIGORY
It knows you... How?

STENGOS
Na-tasha... Is that you? Na-ta-sha?

Natasha steps forward, her jaw dropping as she recognizes the face.

NATASHA
It’s my father!

We see the ruined face. It speaks miserably.

STENGOS
Oh, Natasha...


54. INT. OUTSIDE RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Tasambeker stands before the screen which shows Davros’s face.

TASAMBEKER
Then that leaves only the Brown woman and Takis on the loose. I’ll have the guards search for them. I have a feeling I know where they’re going.

DAVROS
They are not the important issue, Tasambeker.

TASAMBEKER
Great Healer?

DAVROS
It is time for you to decide, Tasambeker, as to where your true loyalties lie.

TASAMBEKER
I am loyal to you, Great Healer. Of course I am. You’ve been more of a friend to me in the last day than anyone else in the last twenty years! My loyalty is to you!

DAVROS
Words are no more than words, Tasambeker. To swear loyalty is easy. But I require action. Proof. A positive commitment.

TASAMBEKER
I have shown commitment!

DAVROS
You let that treacherous malignancy conspire against me because of your affection! Is that commitment, Tasambeker, is that loyalty?

TASAMBEKER
He won’t harm you, I won’t let him.

DAVROS
He will not harm me because he will harm you. It is you he despises. It is you that he hurts and mocks and jeers and torments. I offer you immortality, I offer you the universe – all he offers you is misery and depression. Are you as mad as he is?

TASAMBEKER
No!

DAVROS
You must free yourself for your own good!

Tasambeker’s so upset she’s finding anger.

TASAMBEKER
And how the hell am I supposed to do that?

DAVROS
KILL JOBEL!

TASAMBEKER
No... never! I won’t!

DAVROS
You will not be free of him until you do. And I will not be able to trust you.

TASAMBEKER
Trust me? Why do I have to kill him? Why not hire an assassin yourself! There are plenty of Wadifalayeen out there! Why me?

DAVROS
YOU need him dead. And assassins kill for money. That means anyone who offers them more money can turn them against me. Kill Jobel, spill his blood, free yourself... prove your loyalty to me. Retake your life and I will make you truly immortal. It is the end of the road. Make your choice, Tasambeker.

The screen darkens. Tasambeker, breathing heavily, suddenly turns and runs out with new resolve.


55. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Everyone is leaving the area for the entrance to the ship. Jobel is at the rear, eyes closed as if summoning his strength.

JOBEL
Of course, minor earth tremors at to be expected during the solstice.

He sighs, and then snaps out of it as he sees Tasambeker approaching him. Vargos and the others have left.

JOBEL
And what do you want?

TASAMBEKER
You must leave with me! Now!

He looks at her in disgust.

JOBEL
That’s the bluntest proposal I’ve had all week.

TASAMBEKER
If you don’t, the Great Healer will have you killed! He hates you!

JOBEL
Obviously.

Tasambeker loses some of her energy.

TASAMBEKER
You knew?

JOBEL
Of course I did. I saved his life, I’ve been his loyal servant for ten LONG years! And what does he do? Replace me with YOU. YOU! And I am Jobel, the Chief Embalmer, Tranquil Repose depends on me!

TASAMBEKER
Tranquil Repose is just a breeding ground for Daleks!

JOBEL
Not for much longer! It’s time we dealt with that bodiless mutant freak!

TASAMBEKER
He wants you dead! He wants me to kill you to earn his favor!

Jobel’s eyes widen.

JOBEL
Does he? He wants YOU to kill me. The most undignified demise possible. After all the work I have done for that skull-faced degenerate!

TASAMBEKER
But I won’t!

JOBEL
Of course you won’t. You’re a useless, brainless and graceless hippopotamus!

She grabs his arms.

TASAMBEKER
BUT I LOVE YOU!

She stares at him, as if unable to believe she finally said it. He does not react.


56. INT. DJ’S RECORDING SUITE (DAY)

The DJ stands, staring at the screen. His jaw has dropped.

DJ
She told him. She really told him.

He shakes his head in disbelief.


57. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

As before. Tasambeker clings desperately to Jobel, who stands like a statue.

TASAMBEKER
I love you. I’m risking my own life telling you this and I don’t care because I love you.

Jobel fastidiously removes her hands.

JOBEL
But I don’t love you. No one loves you. No one ever could love you. And I’d rather stay here, facing this two-credit Dalek farm than go anywhere with you.

TASAMBEKER
You think any of the other women here would do this for you? They don’t love you!

JOBEL
And I don’t love them. But I prefer them to your wretched form! I would rather elope with my own mother than a fawning little creep like you.

TASAMBEKER
And you’re SUCH a catch! A fat, bald egotist whose had a nervous breakdown!

Jobel bitch-slaps Tasambeker.

JOBEL
Fat? My figure is the height of fashion! This galaxy is starving – my figure proves how important, how rich, how well-fed I am! Yours just shows your for the repellent subhuman blob you are! Throw everything you’ve got away for me, see if I care!

Tasambeker turns away, crushed. She looks at the tray of surgical implements and grabs the hypodermic with white knuckled hands.

JOBEL
The three months you’ve infected this establishment are the worst I have ever been forced to experience. Your very name being said kills my soul a little each time.

Tasambeker weeps silently. Her voice is unnaturally calm.

TASAMBEKER
I always knew you were cruel.

JOBEL
I haven’t even started yet.

He spits on her. For real.

TASAMBEKER
I – HATE – YOU!!

Furious, Tasambeker spins round, raises the hypodermic... and Jobel’s fist hammers into her face. She is sent sprawling, the hypo falling and bouncing on the floor.

JOBEL
And I hate YOU, Tasambeker! The only thing in the whole of creation that could equal my hatred for you is my awe at your God-like stupidity! Do you honestly think that I could ever possibly be interested in you!

Tasembaker rises and swings a punch at Jobel, who ducks it.

JOBEL
I knew true love, Tasambeker! Your filthy little infatuation spits on her memory!

Tasambeker lunges at Jobel and a kick to her shin makes her collapse. Jobel grabs the back of her head.

JOBEL
The Great Healer didn’t heal her, did he? He let her die! And so I’m going to kill him – and any of his scum that he sends to stop me, starting with YOU!

He punches Tasambeker in the face.

JOBEL
The fact you lived when others died sickens me! You make me SICK, Tasambeker! The disgusting way you assume you have a right to breathe the same air as me!

He slams her head onto the ground. Tasambeker cries out.

JOBEL
More annoying, senseless noise! JUST SHUT UP!

He raises his boot to slam down on Tasambeker’s head and she rolls away as he stamps onto the ground.


58. INT. DJ’S RECORDING STUDIO (DAY)

The DJ frantically punches controls.

DJ
Oh, no, Jobel, please, don’t do this...


33. INT. RECEPTION AREA (DAY)

Jobel adances on Tasambeker.

JOBEL
The Great Healer thinks YOU can replace ME? I’ll crush his wrinkled skull like a Maston egg! And I’m going to have YOUR blood on MY hands when I do it!

Tasambeker scrabbles desperately for the hypodermic.

JOBEL
Because there is nothing on the other side, Tasambeker. Void. Darkness. Oblivion. And I find it so much more enticing than a realm that contains your foul presence! You want to kill me, then get on with it! Because I AM JOBEL! I AM TRANQUIL REPOSE! AND NOTHING AND NOBODY CAN CHANGE IT – LEAST OF ALL YOU!

DJ (VO)
STOP!

Jobel looks up, taken by surprise.

DJ (VO)
This is the DJ! And I’m telling you to stop! You’re about to kill a girl that loves you more than life itself! You’re letting the Great Healer win! Please, for once, someone just listen to me!

JOBEL
And as for you, you plankton-brained fat git... You’re NEXT on my list! It’s time I stopped working with corpses and started making them!

Tasambeker rises and charges him. He flings out his arm in a clothesline. Tasambeker cries out and collapses. He turns away.

JOBEL
Say your prayers, Balowski! I AM JOBEL AND I WILL BE...

Tasambeker, gasping, plunges the hypodermic into the back of his neck.

JOBEL
... back...

Blood starts to pour from his mouth. Suddenly, he smiles.

JOBEL
Selrin...

He falls heavily onto the ground, rolling onto his side. His toupee slides to the floor. He is smiling serenely and the hypo still jammed into his neck. Tasambeker lets out a mindless moan, covering her mouth with her hands.

DJ (VO)
Tasambeker? Tasambeker! Hello? Can you hear me! Tasambeker!!


59. INT. CHAPEL (DAY)

Davros stares up at the image of Jobel’s corpse.

DAVROS
I offered you immortality. You wanted your death, Jobel, and I have given it to you.

He revolves to face a Dalek.

DAVROS
Bring Tasambeker here. She has earned her salvation.

DALEK
I OBEY.

The Dalek turns and glides out. The scanner images changes to the catacombs.

DAVROS
Begin to burn down the door. The time has come to cease these games. Is that not correct, Commander Gustave Lytton?

We pull back to see Lytton is slumped in the chair, conscious but apparently drugged.


60. INT. INCUBATION ROOM (DAY)

They stand around the podium.

GRIGORY
Horrible... It’s growing. Just like an embryo.

Natasha reaches out to touch the glass Dalek. The Doctor snatches her hand.

DOCTOR
Don’t touch it. It could be booby-trapped.

NATASHA
My father...

STENGOS
Na-ta-sha...

DOCTOR
He’s been put here as a display. ‘The Great Healer’ is mocking us.

STENGOS
Great Healer...

DOCTOR
Yes. He’s the one who did this to you, isn’t he?

STENGOS
My mind... has been conditioned... to serve a new master. Conditioning... implanted in my brain... new programming... so strong... hard to resist... trying... to... fight...

DOCTOR
That’s it! Fight it! You’re your own master!

NATASHA
Father, what happened to you?

STENGOS
I... I... I can’t... remember.

NATASHA
Why not? You remembered who I am!

STENGOS
You are my daughter... How could I forget that? Who are these... with you?

NATASHA
Friends. Why have they done this to you?

STENGOS
I... am to become... a Dalek.

Grigory, face aghast, slides a hand around Natasha to keep her upright.

NATASHA
A Dalek? But how? What does it mean?

STENGOS
I am to become a Dalek. You are to become Daleks.

The single eye rolls back. A mechanical note enters his voice. He no longer sounds like a human being, the grating in his voice a familiar screech.

STENGOS
WE ARE ALL TO BECOME DALEKS!

(END OF EPISODE THREE)
(NEXT EPISODE: A MEETING WITH DESTINY)
(ROLL END CREDITS)