If I Had Written...

Where are the bloody updates?

2007-09-01T23:18:00.000+10:00

This blog is gathering dust, but trust me, it's not half as neglected as other. I've been juggling job searching, artwork, YOA scripts, Ben Chatham spoofs and watching the new series (which I hope everyone noticed ripped off my work to a truly astonishing degree... again).

So... status report, helmsman.

C-Day - done

The Apocalypse - episode one finished, work on remainder done. Crucially, the last episode was lost between data streams when it was halfway finished, and having to start from scratch killed the mood somewhat. Yes, I know, hahah, Tenth Planet 4 is cursed, get over it!

Warhead of the Daleks - done

The Twin Dilemma - done

Attack of the Cybermen - episode one finished, episode two begun, work on remainder underway. Not my department, but trust me, it will be worth the wait. Even if it's never finished.

Vengeance on Varos - plotted out, no episodes finished. Not my department, but TWICE as fecking disturbing as I thought it would be.

Hex - No idea.

The Enemy Within - done. Of course, RTD then had to gangrape it...

Bid Time Return - despite the unjust antipathy of Outpost Gallifrey towards Movellans, this is all plotted out and huge, HUGE chunks written. I just keep finding better things to do...

SlipBack - cancelled. Miles had too little enthusiasm, I had too much. These things happen.

To Catch A Thief - episode one almost finished. The rest of the story... well, who knows? Historicals are hard to write for a reason, people, and the quality of what you've got should shut you up.

The Chase of Pathos - well, trying to write a topical historical with Mel is even harder...

Twilight of the Living - cancelled. To be brutally honest, you didn't miss much.

The Riddle of the Styx - no idea.

Only A Matter of Time - thought about. A last minute replacement it is in fact four one-episode stories with a linked theme of the Doctor and Peri bouncing through Mondasian History at the Dawn of the Cybermen. Yeah, so it spoils the twist, this ain't going to be written any time soon, and it needs The Apocalypse to be finished before I can start on the latter episodes.
Into the Fire: with twelve hours before the end of the world, the Doctor and Peri are trapped on a world gone mad as everyone faces the end in different ways.
Rust Never Sleeps: the TARDIS encounters the survivors in their underground cavern and what life has become
Iron Legion: An experimental convert goes Frankenstien crazy
Soul's End: Dega releases the Cybermen onto Mondas as history ends.

Legacy of the Borad - still on the cards, but now the author has SEEN the genuine article... well... you can imagine...

The Song of the Space Whale - episodes one and two done, episode three planned out. It'll mean reading Turlough and the Earthlink Dilemma. You see the strain I have to go through

In The Hollows of Time - no idea at all. Cam's secretive, can you tell?

The End of the Road - done. Doesn't anyone notice?

Arcade Games - pretty much gone the way of the original, though I did map out some kickass ideas to improve the plot. Could go either way, people.

and, just to annoy you, some stories from the alt Season 23 that will never be written

Invasion from Beyond - Mel, the Brigadier, UNIT, some other stuff!

Tomb of the Daleks - the Dalek/Movellan war heats up, Davros isn't as dead as we thought, and Mel takes a trip in the TARDIS

Yellow Fever And How To Cure It - Miles Ried, imagination is no obstacle...

MindWarp - "so dark you need a fucking flashlight" as Jared daintily put it, this story makes a lot more sense and God DAMN It you will wish it didn't. Chris Boucher would try and cheer this up...

Of course, I did a bit of Torchwood. But it's not enough. It's never enough.

The Apocalypse V

2007-06-13T19:56:00.001+10:00

(ROLL CREDITS)

1. INT. NEWSROOM (DAY)

Fade up. The NEWSREADER sits at her desk.

NEWSREADER
We have interrupted regular festive programming for an update on the Nibiru situation. Disaster has seeming struck the tenth planet operation. The shuttle Zeus Five was sent up this morning to perform an aerial survey of the new planet Nibiru to determine whether or not there is any intelligent life on the planet that might be controlling the planet’s journey through space. However, mere hours into the mission, Zeus Five has disappeared off all tracking monitors and detectors. ISC astronauts Major Dan Schultz, Glyn Williams and Terri Roberts are missing with the craft and at present declared missing in action. Some reports suggest Zeus Five has been destroyed by the natives of Nibiru, but International Space Command in Geneva have issued the following statement.

2. INT. ISC COMMAND (DAY)

WIGNER stands before a podium with the ISC logo behind him. A caption reads: ROBERT WIGNER, SECRETARY GENERAL - INTERNATIONAL SPACE COMMAND.

WIGNER
Contact was lost with Zeus Five approximately eighteen minutes ago and the shuttle can no longer be detected by any observatory in or out of the ISC. We believe at present that an unexpected gravitational anomaly from Nibiru has caused the craft to crash into the new planet, which, it seems has not ended its journey. The Zee Bomb operation will commence once it is clear to use that Zeus Five is beyond recovery. We have no concrete evidence of intelligent life existing on Niribu at present, and thus the Earth must come first. Our thoughts and hopes go out to the friends and family of astronauts Schutlz, Williams and Roberts, who were willing to sacrifice their lives to extend the boundaries of human knowledge. The ISC is proud to have employed such fine men and women.

3. INT. NEWSROOM (DAY)

As before.

NEWSREADER
The Zed Bomb project, involving an unprecedented level of international cooperation, will take place at one am on Christmas Day, as three warheads are simultaneously fired into the new planet triggering an explosion the world’s top scientists are convinced will have no long lasting effect on the Earth or its people. We will keep you updated on the situation throughout the night and return you to your normal viewing.

4. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

KRAIL, LOKTAR and VERAN loom over the humans – THE DOCTOR, BEN, POLLY, GENERAL CUTLER, DYSON, BARCLAY, SPENCER and some TECHNICIANSS. Other CYBERMEN stand to one side. Krail advances towards Cutler, who does not back away.

KRAIL
We are called Cybermen. This facility is now under our control.

Cutler grins disarmingly.

CUTLER
Not in this lifetime.

Cutler raises the pistol, but Krail’s arm snaps out in a flash and clamps around the general’s wrist. Cutler growls, shakes, and then drops the gun. Krail shoves outwards and releases Cutler, slamming over the console. He slumps, dazed.

KRAIL
Defiance will not be tolerated.

The Cyberleader turns to address the other humans.

KRAIL
Now this base belongs to us. All of you belong to us.

Ben and Polly look at the Doctor, but his eyes are fixed on Krail’s expressionless face.

KRAIL
All of you will BE like us.

---

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX

(THE APOCALYPSE)

(EPISODE TWO)

---

The Cybermen move down into the main tracking gallery. The humans try to keep out of the way as several Cybermen check the control consoles. The others wordlessly take the weapons from the few guards present. No one speaks until Barclay whispers to the Doctor.

BARCLAY
They’re not aggressive. They would have killed us all right away otherwise.

DOCTOR
They may still do so. And we certainly cannot stop them if that is what they decide.

Krail turns to address the humans.

KRAIL
We have observed you and analyzed your weaponry. You cannot withstand the might of the Cybermen. It is useless to resist us. Defiance will not be tolerated.

Krail turns to the shaken Cutler.

KRAIL
General Jack Cutler, you and your forces will surrender. If you do not cooperate, we will take this base by force.

CUTLER
We outnumber you...

KRAIL
Others are coming. Varen.

Varen hits a control on the console. The radar screen shows an image of the flying saucer, growing larger and closer.

KRAIL
That ship contains a phalanx of one hundred Cybermen units. Do you surrender?

Cutler doesn’t move.

KRAIL
We do not intend to destroy you, but we are capable of eradicating every fleshman in this installation.

CUTLER
Surely we can talk about this...

Krail raises the device under its chest unit.

KRAIL
There will be no negotiation. Surrender.

The Doctor steps up onto the landing, behind Cutler.

DOCTOR
General, please!

Cutler rounds angrily on him.

CUTLER
Get away old man! You have no say here.

DOCTOR
You heard him! They will take Snowcap one way or another. Killing you won’t make it any more difficult for them!

BEN
He’s right, General! While there’s life there’s hope!

BARCLAY
General, please.

Cutler glares at them, then straightens up in front of Krail. Cutler nods.

CUTLER
I surrender this base. You give me your word none of my staff will be harmed?

Krail seems slightly baffled.

KRAIL
I give you my... ‘word’. We do not wish to eradicate you. We have come to save you.

POLLY
Save us?

Krail ignores her, turning to the other Cybermen.

KRAIL
Loktar. Establish contact with Cyberleader Krang.

5. MODEL SHOT

Through the thick blizzard, the Cyberman saucer descends through the murky storm. The humming noise is makes fades out and lights flash on the outer hull of the craft.

6. INT. FLIGHT DECK – KRANG’S SHIP (DAY)

A semi-circular chamber, bland and utilitarian. There are shallow hemispherical domes scattered around the walls, which are subdivided into hexagonal panels. Diagonal steel rods support the ceiling. Above the doorways leading off are embossed stencil shapes – an impression of the head and shoulders of a Cyberman. Two Cybermen stand at the control panels laid against the outer hull on a high console running the outskirts of the room. Before their heads are two trapezoid portholes showing the swirling snow outside. Behind them stands KRANG, a Cyberman different from the others – the skull cap, side handles and lantern are black rather than silver, and its chest unit is dark red.

PILOT
The Scout force is attempting contact, Leader.

KRAIL (VO)
Unit Alpha plus calling. Unit Alpha plus calling. Unit Alpha plus calling.

KRANG
Receiving you, Cyberleader Krail. Report.

KRAIL (VO)
Snowcap base is now under our control. All fleshmen personnel are our prisoners.

KRANG
And the secondary objective?

7. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Krail and Varen stand by an upright square framework of machinery small enough to carry. In the centre of the framework is a valve that flashes with light.

KRAIL
Achieved. The machine is in our possession.

BEN
What machine?

DOCTOR
Shush, boy, I’m trying to listen!

KRANG (VO)
Satisfactory. Continue with the operation. The Controller is waiting.

KRAIL
Understood. Snowcap out.

Varen adjusts the controls and the communicator stops flashing.

BARCLAY
Are you... are you from the new planet?

KRAIL
That is where we come from. It is not called Nibiru as your astronomers refer it.

BARCLAY
Then what IS it called?

KRAIL
Mondas.

CUTLER
How did you things get into this base? Did he help you?

He indicates the Doctor with a nod of his head.

KRAIL
Mondas has been travelling through space for many years. We sent an advance scout to this planet and landed on this continent. The conditions prove too harsh for fleshmen to exist here unaided. Our ship moved beneath the snow and we excavated a path into this base.

CUTLER
When was this?

KRAIL
Eight standard months ago. We have infiltrated this base. Now Mondas has arrived and reinforcements are at hand, we have no further need for secrecy.

CUTLER
But we would have seen your ship land!

KRAIL
Our technology is advanced enough to suppress your detectors.

Cutler frowns, thinking.

CUTLER
What did you do to Zeus Five? Does it still exist?

KRAIL
That craft is not part of our mission. Its fate is irrelevant to us.

CUTLER
But the astronauts? Are they still alive?

8. MODEL SHOT

We pan down from Earth to look at the other planet.

9. INT. TRANSFORMATION CENTRE (NIGHT)

A large circular chamber, with an archway leading into another, identical chamber. In the centre of the chamber is a fat circular console stuffed with controls. The wall are lined with transparent cylindrical booths slanted back towards the walls. Inside there are circuits and machinery. Our focus are on two adjacent cubicles. Lying in a human-outlined recess are BLUEY and GLYN. Clamps restrain their wrists, thighs and ankles. A bright light shines down on them. They are regaining consciousness.

RAVEN (VO)
Orders have been received from the Controller. We are to proceed with the conversion process on the fleshmen astronauts.

KORVING (VO)
These ape creatures are not like us. They still feel fear. We must eliminate fear from their brains. Their minds must be modified. Their bodies processed.

RAVEN (VO)
The Conversion Units are dormant through lack of use. We must reactivate them.

BLUEY
Hey... hey, what’s going on?

GLYN
Bluey? Is that you?

BLUEY
Glyn! What’s going on... I’m clamped down or something.

GLYN
Terri? Terri?

Two Cybermen loom over Bluey.

KORVING
The fleshmen have regained consciousness.

GLYN
You... you’re the ones that broke into the ship...

BLUEY
Where are we? What have you done with our colleague?

RAVEN
Your questions are unimportant.

KORVING
Your fate has been decided. The time has come.

It turns to the console and starts to power it up.

GLYN
What are you doing? HEY! Listen to me! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?!

Bluey swallows, pale.

BLUEY
Please, don’t kill us.

RAVEN
We do not kill. To kill would be wasteful.

BLUEY
Then what are you going to do to us?

The whole room is now brighter and mechanisms whirring. Korving moves around the console adjusting more settings.

KORVING
You are inferior to us.

RAVEN
You are weak. Cyberfrication will make you strong.

GLYN
How?

KORVING
You will become like us. The machinery you are inside will change you from fleshmen and make you into Cybermen. It is logical. Do not struggle.

RAVEN
The transformation process will not take long.

In unison, the Cybermen swing the glass covers over the booths, closing them and making cylinders. The voices of the astronauts are muffled.

BLUEY
No, please, wait a minute...

KORVING
You will become like us.

Korving crosses over to the main console. Its human hands operate the controls.

GLYN
No, you can’t! You mustn’t! Please!

BLUEY
Think what you’re doing, we’re human beings --

As Korving moves two slide controls to full, there is a nasty sound of electrical discharge. Both astronauts scream as machinery grinds into life, the sound of buzzing saws, grating of drills, and the shrill pulsing of laser beams. The screams are drowned out. Raven watches on, impassive and emotionless.

RAVEN
You will join us. We are the future.

Korving finishes at the console. The astronauts are no longer screaming.

KORVING
And the future is now.

The sound of machinery steps up a pitch.

10. MODEL SHOT

We pan from Mondas down to Earth.

11. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

A group of guards, lead by ANDREWS and TITO enter, hands behind their heads. A Cyberman follows them as they move down into the main gallery. Loktar holds its weapon aimed, guarding the main crowd, while Varen and Krail use the communicator.

KRAIL
Initial resistance quelled. Remaining defenses have been eliminated by the Cybermats. This structure is now secured.

Meanwhile, the TARDIS crew exchange whispers.

BEN
So that’s what ODIN wanted to do to us.

DOCTOR
Yes, in the end.

POLLY
It’s not a man or a woman, just... human shaped... it’s like...

BEN
The walking dead.

DOCTOR
Yes. Fascinating. A mixture of flesh and machine. It must have taken centuries to develop that sort of technology. Thousands of centuries...

BEN
You’re saying we’re out of our league?

DOCTOR
Yes, I’m rather afraid I am. You know, it is at times like this I begin to think I should have stayed back where I belonged.

The Doctor sighs and rubs his eyes, as if tired.

DOCTOR
But doubts and if onlys won’t help us now. So...

Krail turns to address the humans.

KRAIL
All non essential personnel will be removed from this facility at once.

Cutler looks up sharply.

CUTLER
Why?

KRAIL
They will not be harmed, merely relocated.

CUTLER
Relocated? Where?

KRAIL
Mondas.

CUTLER
You want to take them to the tenth planet?

KRAIL
Yes. Humanity will relocate there.

BARCLAY
What? Why?

KRAIL
This information is irrelevant. Your missile is aimed at Mondas. It must --

Cutler steps right in front of Krail, interrupting it.

CUTLER
How do you know all this?

KRAIL
We are the advance scout. We landed here on Earth many months before and infiltrated this establishment. All relevant information has been recorded and computed. Now the Cybermen have arrived in force. General Cutler, you will lead the skeleton staff to continue running Snowcap. Your security teams and shift workers are no longer needed.

Veran suddenly grabs Cutler and shoves him to one side.

12. EXT. POLAR LANDSCAPE (DAY)

The curved hull of the saucer sits, almost lost in the swirling snow. A doorway marked with the Cyberman logo slides up revealing the bright interior within. A Cyberman strides out unhesitatingly into the freezing snowstorm, followed by six more, who march across the landscape, being lost in the swirling ice.

13. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Barclay now stands with Cutler on the other side of the room, along with a handful of technicians and guards. Loktar is moving through the remaining crowd. Krail strides over to the TARDIS crew and stops before the Doctor.

KRAIL
You are the Doctor?

DOCTOR
I am. And who might you be?

KRAIL
I am Cyberleader Krail. Infra red scans indicate you are not like the other fleshmen.

DOCTOR
There is more to anyone that meets the eye.

KRAIL
You are known to us. We observed you with these two other fleshmen leaving the blue box in the entrance bay. That object materialized of its own accord. Earth fleshmen do not possess the technology to transmit matter. Who are you?

DOCTOR
A simple traveler, sir, nothing more.

KRAIL
The Cybermen do not possess matter transmission technology. You will explain its function to Cyberleader Krang when the phalanx arrives.

DOCTOR
Oh? Will I?

KRAIL
Yes. You will.

Krail turns and moves away.

KRAIL
The rest of you fleshmen will head to the surface and from there enter our Cybership.

CUTLER
You can’t be serious.

BARCLAY
It’ll be freezing out there.

VERAN
Current status is minus 28 degrees Celsius.

The Doctor arches an eyebrow.

DOCTOR
Ah, bracing too. We best get some goggles. We don’t want to be snow-blind, do we?

KRAIL
The distance to the main entrance is twenty of your yards. You fleshmen should withstand the atmospheric conditions without serious harm. We, however, can survive in any environment. We are superior to you.

CUTLER
I am not letting any of my people out into that blizzard, and that is final!

Krail turns and picks up one of the rifles which have been heaped on a console.

KRAIL
We are stronger and more efficient than you Earth fleshmen.

Krail turns to face Cutler, holding the rifle. Effortlessly, he bends it in half, the metal of the rifle squeaking in protest.

KRAIL
We must be obeyed.

Krail throws the useless gun to the feet of the astonished general.

KRAIL
Resistance is useless. Is this understood?

Cutler nods, not trusting himself to speak. Ben and Polly are just as pale.

BEN
Blimey...

POLLY
He just... bent it in half.

DOCTOR
Artificial arms and hydraulic muscles, I shouldn’t wonder.

They stare at Krail who looms over the rest of the tracking gallery.

14. INT. APARTMENT (DAY)

We are back to the cheap sitcom of earlier. DAVE and ANDREW crouch beside the fallen Christmas tree, which covers NIGEL’S middle. His left leg emerges from under the Christmas tree and, flamingo-like, points upwards to the ceiling.

NIGEL
Oh, God, the pain!

DAVE
Oh, fantastic. I warned you about this, Nigel!

NIGEL
Yes, yes, now can we sort out my leg before you start acting so damn self-righteous. If you were SO good, you wouldn’t have let this happen, would you?

DAVE
What are we gonna do, Andrew?

ANDREW
Well, I suppose we could do what the Spartans did in these situations.

NIGEL
What did they do in these situations?

ANDREW
Well, there was this fella they called... Hegisistratus of Elis!

An incredibly drammatic moment. A pause.

NIGEL
“Hedge-ee-sister-traitors of Elvis”?!

Andrew shrugs philosophically.

ANDREW
Pretty close. Well, Hegisistratus got stuck in a situation like this. Was locked in a cell by the Spartans with a manacle round his ankle, and that was what stopped him escape, a bit like you in the Christmas tree.

NIGEL
Well what did he do?

Andrew seems lost in thought.

ANDREW
Hmmm? Who?

NIGEL
Hedge-ee-sister-traitors of Elvis!

ANDREW
Oh him?! I’d completely forgotten about him!

Nigel moans unhappily.

DAVE
How did he escape?

ANDREW
Oh, easy. He chopped his foot off.

Nigel frowns, trying to understand the logic there.

NIGEL
And that helped... how?

ANDREW
He chopped his foot off, so the manacle no longer held him and he escaped to Tegea.

DAVE
They didn’t catch him hopping then, did they?

ANDREW
No, that was the clever bit, Dave. He had a wooden foot he prepared earlier, and he had that ready before the foot removal business.

NIGEL
So he survived?

ANDREW
No, he ended up hacked to pieces at Zacynthus when he bumped into the Spartans again.

NIGEL
Andrew, how in the name of all that is sane, does this help me?!

ANDREW
Help you? You don’t think broadening your miniscule education won’t help you? You now know one of the most famous anecdotes of the Greco-Persian Wars of 5th century BC, one of the wittiest chronicles of Herodotus AND the very first artificial limb transplant! You’re enriched, Nigel. En-riched!

NIGEL
I’m also trapped under a Christmas tree so what do you intend to do about it?

DAVE
Dunno about you, Drew, but I’m in favor of amputation.

NIGEL
WHAT?

ANDREW
Don’t worry, Nigel, this is the 1980s. No wooden peg legs for the people of today. Prosthetics have moved on along from those American metal things with a rubber glove on the end. Haven’t moved THAT far along them, of course, but distance is relative.

NIGEL
Can’t we just call an ambulance?

DAVE
You ever read Bernard Wolfe’s “Limbo 90”?

NIGEL
What? No! Should I have?

DAVE
I always loved that bit where they go – “demobilization through immobilization”!

NIGEL
What’s that mean?

DAVE
If we chop off someone’s arms and legs, they can’t really hurt anyone, so life becomes a lot more peaceful.

Andrew turns to Dave.

ANDREW
Should we try it?

Nigel opens his mouth wide and screams.

- to be continued...

The Apocalypse IV

2007-06-13T19:22:00.000+10:00

42. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Everyone is busy working out figures and computations. People are muttering in the background. Cutler’s glare sweeps over the room.

CUTLER
All right, all right. Don't sit there like a lot of frustrated penguins. Get on with it. How’s the splash down preparations going?

DYSON
All helicopters are in area six.

BARCLAY
Good. Get the Rome computer base to compute the final descent path and report back. It looks like they’re going to have to abandon the survey.

CUTLER
If anyone finds out about this, we’ll never be able to use the Zee Bomb!

DYSON
Those astronauts’ lives are our priority, General, are they not?

CUTLER
Don’t tell me my job, Dyson, just do YOURS!

BARCLAY
Snowcap to Zeus Five. Transmitting correct flight path back to Earth for splash down.

43. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

Terri looks in disbelief at the others.

TERRI
We can’t abandon now!

BARCLAY (DIST)
That will be your call for the moment, Zeus Five, but you now have the coordinates for the best escape route back to Earth.

TERRI
But there’s life on Nibiru! We have to make contact with it, find out why they’ve come here, we can’t just nuke the planet if it’s inhabited.

BARCLAY (DIST)
Terri, that is not your decision.

TERRI
Is it General Cutler’s?

Glynn glances at Bluey.

GLYN
This is no time for arguing, Roberts! I don’t know why you two are at each other’s throats, or how you managed to get on this mission if you’ve got a problem, but right here and right now, I’m in command. Snowcap, we will continue until we are in the dawn light again and then set course for Hawaii splash down. Barring any further...

A flickering blue light fills the chamber.

44. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Everyone looks up. There is a sudden building noise of whistles and mechanical sounds. The picture flares and flickers between the cockpit and static. The sound drops in and out.

BLUEY (VO-DIST)
...look at that...

Cutler turns to Barclay who adjusts the controls on the communications panel.

CUTLER
What is it?

BARCLAY
Some kind of electromagnetic interference.

CUTLER
From the aliens?

TERRI (VO-DIST)
...I’m telling you there are OTHER spacecraft out there, lined up against the...

GLYN (VO-DIST)
...God! I thought we’d been hit by a, by a...

The screen turns to static for a long moment then rapidly clears. They are in the same position, but the chamber is now brightly lit from its portholes.

GLYN (DIST)
Snowcap? Zeus Five to Snowcap.

45. INT. OBSERVATION ROOM (DAY)

Ben and the Doctor look up at the monitor.

BEN
It’s cleared up.

DOCTOR
They want us to hear what’s happening.

BEN
What do you mean?

DOCTOR
That interference is obviously being caused by the alien ship. They might have jammed the channels by accident, but they have deliberately cleared it now. Because they want us to see what is going to happen.

POLLY
But what is going to happen?

The Doctor looks at her gravely.

DOCTOR
Something terrible.

46. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Cutler, Dyson, Barclay and the technicians are looking at the radar screen. The astronauts, almost hysterical are talking over each other.

BLUEY (DIST)
It’s like a disc, and there are others, hovering...

TERRI (DIST)
There are portholes, there are things at the portholes!

GLYN (DIST)
It’s some kind of mothership and it’s closing in!

CUTLER
Snowcap to Zeus Five, can you confirm it’s not some kind of reflection of yourselves?

47. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

A strange radiophonic burbling is now heard.

TERRI
It’s no reflection! It’s directly overhead, it’s blocking out all the stars!

48. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Cutler, Dyson and Barclay watch with other technicians. The noise crackles over the speakers, getting deeper and louder as if the source is descending towards us.

GLYN (DIST)
They’re watching us!

There is a distant metal clanging over the burbling. The astronauts look upwards.

TERRI (DIST)
It’s right on top of us! It’s some kind of flying saucer!

The clanging gets louder. There is the sound of metal buckling.

TERRI (DIST)
It’s on the hull!

There is a massive wrenching noise and bright light shines down on the astronauts, flaring almost to whiteout. An arm seems to reach from the opening in the ceiling down towards Glyn.

BLUEY (DIST)
Snowcap, we--

Suddenly, the burbling becomes a loud metallic roar and the screen goes blank.

DYSON
Zeus Five? Snowcap to Zeus Five, do you respond? Zeus Five!

CUTLER
Zeus Five? Terri? Glyn? TERRI!

The noise is starting to fade. It leaves total silence. The screen remains blank. There is a long moment and then Spencer enters, slightly worried at the silence.

SPENCER
Did I miss something?

49. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

The screen shows Andrews and Tito outside the TARDIS. This is replaced by computer talk.

}}INTERCEPTION OF SPACE CRAFT COMPLETE
}}CONTINUE PREVIOUS STRATEGY
}}ACTIVATE THE CYBERMATS
}}SEIZE CONTROL OF POLAR BASE
}}REINFORCEMENTS UNDERWAY

The hand types at the controls.

{{INSTRUCTIONS UNDERSTOOD

50. INT. ENTRANCE BAY (DAY)

Tito is struggling to use a crowbar on the lock of the police box. Andrews angrily brings her gun butt down on the windows of the TARDIS to no avail.

ANDREWS
The glass won’t even break!

TITO
We’ll need a drill, Sarge. Or maybe some kind of welding torch?

Tito gives up on the crowbar and looks around. The spectral figure is standing behind the TARDIS. Tito turns, hearing something, and the figure looms over him, cloaked hands reaching for his throat.

TITO
SARGE!

Andrews turns, as Tito draws his gun and fires a volley of shots. Holes are ripped in the thick shroud, but the figure continues to advance. Tito screams as the hands close around his throat. Andrews turns and runs for the exit. A shrill beeping noise heard.

51. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

Andrew emerges out into the corridor. Four or five silverfish-shaped creatures with a metal carapace are shuffling down the corridor towards her. About the size of a hamster, they have antennae and travel on a mess of thick bristles. Andrews stares at them for a moment, then draws her gun and opens fire. On the second shot, one of the creatures jolts and curls up, smoke pouring from it. Andrew turns and runs in the opposite direction. More creatures are coming towards her. She turns back the way she came as the Figure looms through the hatchway.

52. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

It seems everyone is arguing. The Doctor strides out of the observation room.

CUTLER
You’ve got to get contact with the shuttle!

BARCLAY
The shuttle’s no longer registering on the detectors, General, it’s useless!

DYSON
Sir, Geneva are trying to contact us, we’ve got to...

CUTLER
I’ll talk to Geneva when we know the facts and not before.

DOCTOR
I suggest you talk to them now, sir.

CUTLER
Oh, get him back over there!

Spencer, trying to be helpful, grabs the Doctor’s arms.

DOCTOR
Take your hands off me please! The shuttle is beyond all help now! It is the rest of us who are in danger!

CUTLER
Get away, old man, we have to make contact with Zeus Five!

The Doctor shakes free, furious.

DOCTOR
And what can you do, General? Hmm? All you know is that Zeus Five is in the middle of at least three alien spacecraft superior in both size and technology – is there anything you could possibly do that wouldn’t endanger your astronauts as well?

CUTLER
They’re already in danger!

DOCTOR
You cannot help them! The creatures up there will be heading for Earth right this minute!

CUTLER
And we’ve got enough on our plates without having to worry about madmen like you. Private, take the three of them down to one of the cabins. Get someone to give you a hand! The rest of you tune all the detectors to Niribu, I want to know exactly what happened to the ship and whether or not it is still in one piece!

The Doctor is dragged out by Spencer, the old man glaring at Cutler as he is forced to leave. Dyson crosses over to Cutler.

DYSON
Secretary General Wigner is still on the communications link, General.

CUTLER
All right, all right, put him through!

53. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

Andrews sprints down a corridor, followed in short order by the silver insects. Their droning beeping noise gets louder and louder. Andrews spots an alarm button on the wall and runs to it. One of the insects suddenly leaps from the ground, flies through the air and lands on her arm as it reaches for the control. Andrew cries out and tries to shake off the creature. The others are closing in. Suddenly, the shrouded figure moves out of the shadows and advances and Andrews finally throws the creature away.

ANDREWS
Who ARE you?

The Figure does not reply but closes in on her, the red Cyclops eye burning.

ANDREWS (VO)
No! Stay away! No! NOOO!

54. INT. TV STUDIO (DAY)

As before on The Year of the Lame Dog.

WAKEFIELD
But there’s still one thing I don’t understand.

HALDERAN
Nonsense, I’m sure there are countless things you don’t understand.

WAKEFIELD
What about the claims that the landmasses on the tenth planet mirror those of Earth?

HALDERAN
I doubt it is much cause for concern. After all, if this planet was formed in a solar system with the same conditions as our own, why shouldn’t it develop like Earth? After all, we all hear about doppelgangers – two people, with no contact or connection, yet somehow they end up looking identical to outside world.

55. MODEL SHOT

We pan down from the foggy sphere of Nibiru, to see Earth below. There is no sign of Zeus Five. We zoom in on the planet. The burbling noise is heard as a space craft sweeps past us, heading for the Earth. It is round and flat, the bottom half is white and the middle black, with a white top part that spins. It hurtles towards Earth.

56. INT. TV STUDIO (DAY)

As before. Halderan starts to rise.

HALDERAN
Well, Mr... I’m sorry, I forget your name. But if that is it...

WAKEFIELD
One last question, Sir Gene.

HALDERAN
Well?

WAKEFIELD
Even if Nibiru is being driven by friendly aliens, shouldn’t the Zee Bomb...

HALDERAN
Zed Bomb.

WAKEFIELD
Zee Bomb!

HALDERAN
It’s pronounced Zed.

WAKEFIELD
The alphabet song wouldn’t rhyme if it was zed!

HALDERAN
Yes, well, unlike you, English schoolchildren don’t need rhymes to understand things.

WAKEFIELD
Shouldn’t the project to destroy Nibiru continue anyway? Better safe than sorry, surely?

HALDERAN
The project is being kept back to the last moment.

WAKEFIELD
Why?

HALDERAN
To establish once and fall whether the tenth planet is inhabited! Do pay attention.

WAKEFIELD
And if it is?

HALDERAN
We shall take things as they come. But while I don’t think the inhabitants have come to us to spoil for a fight, it would be unwise to detonate nuclear weapons in their atmosphere. They might just take offence.

WAKEFIELD
And just how large is the window?

HALDERAN
What window?

WAKEFIELD
The window of opportunity! How late can we leave nuking this planet?

HALDERAN
Ideally forever. But if Nibiru does cross a certain point and no contact is made, well, I suggest you stay indoors.

WAKEFIELD
It’ll be a big flash will it?

HALDERAN
No, no, I was just giving general advice.

He tears off his mike and turns and stalks out, his words muffled and now inaudible.

WAKEFIELD
Well, eh, that’s the end for The Year of the Lame Dog, which will return next week at the same time, same channel. Coming up next a very different take on the tenth planet situation in the festive edition of The Body Electric. On behalf of the studio, we’d like to wish you all a very merry --

57. INT. CORRIDORS (DAY)

Spencer is escorting the Doctor, Ben and Polly down a corridor, along with the other guard. The security camera above their head stops flashing.

BEN
Some Christmas this is turning out to be. They just won’t listen to us, will they?

POLLY
Ben, it’s been twenty years. We’re probably the only people who knew about ODIN.

BEN
That means they, they’ve had two decades to get ready and done nothing!

DOCTOR
My boy, there is no point in such thoughts. We simply have to... Did you hear that?

BEN
No. What?

DOCTOR
A sort of beeping. Coming from over there.

He indicates a side corridor.

SPENCER
What are on about, old fellow?

The Doctor frowns and crosses to a grille in the wall and listens.

DOCTOR
Now, now, all of you, shush.

POLLY
Anything?

DOCTOR
It must be some kind of mouse or something in ducting. Ah yes, there it is.

He peers into the vent and taps the grille. Spencer crosses and nudges the Doctor.

SPENCER
Come on, come on.

DOCTOR
Do you mind? I thought I saw something.

Spencer steers him back to the others.

SPENCER
Don’t tell me. The grim reaper.

DOCTOR
What? No, no, a mouse. Or something like a mouse.

SPENCER
There aren’t any mice on this base, friend. Health and safety regs.

POLLY
Did it look like a mouse?

DOCTOR
It’s hard to tell, it was shining rather. A bit like an, an insect of some sort..

BEN
Maybe it glows in the dark. There IS a nuclear reactor downstairs...

DOCTOR
Radioactive insects... a dangerous combination. Yes.

SPENCER
Insects. Great. Moving planets, flying saucers, why not insect mice? After this stuff about ghosts...

DOCTOR
Ghosts. Yes, yes, your little friend mentioned that.

SPENCER
Just the others going stir-crazy. Seeing grim reapers in every shadow. There’s no one on the base, nothing picked up by the security cameras...

DOCTOR
But surely if there was such a spectre, a camera would not record it?

SPENCER
Don’t you start and all! They’d pick up mice or bugs or anything else.

The faint beeping noise is heard.

DOCTOR
There it is again. Do you hear it?

The noise gets louder and louder.

58. INT. ISC COMMAND (NIGHT)

WIGNER, a short, pudgy dark-haired man of about forty sits at a desk at the centre of a large room in a country house. In the background, three or four DELEGATES in their national dress are chatting and going about their business. The rear wall has a map of the world, and there are several monitors on the desk. The monitor shows Cutler.

WIGNER
General, we have checked with Jodrell Bank and Mount Paloma – there is no trace of Zeus Five whatsoever, and no other space craft are visible in orbit. Checks are continuing, but we must conclude that it has been destroyed.

CUTLER (DIST)
And if that is the case? What should we do now?

WIGNER
We are holding an emergency session. All the evidence shows that Zeus Five was attacked by a hostile force that did not attempt to communicate. It is more than likely the Zee Bombs will have to be used after all. Military bases are already on alert.

CUTLER (DIST)
But there is no way of knowing the global defense system can stop them.

WIGNER
The situation is clear – these Nibirian space creatures are hostile. The defense system will at worst slow them down long enough for the Zee Bomb.

CUTLER (DIST)
If we do that, there is no chance of survival for Zeus Five.

WIGNER
If we miss the window, the radiation effects on Earth’s atmosphere will be disastrous. The side of Earth facing the explosion would suffer considerably loss of life, and all vegetation would wither and die. We will not take the chance. If necessary, those astronauts must be sacrificed. And to be honest General, I doubt they are still alive.

59. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

The Doctor, Ben, Polly, Spencer and the guard back away down the corridor as a wave of the silver insects glide across the floor towards them. Spencer shoots the foremost of the creatures, and it seems to roll over and curl up, burning out. Spencer shoots another two of them.

SPENCER
Quick, you lot, back to the tracking gallery! Quick!

The others run for a T-junction as Spencer shoots another two of the silver insects. He runs after the others, and they turn a corner and head up the right-hand corridor. Spencer glances down the left-hand passage and sees the shrouded Figure standing there. The bullet holes in the cloak make it seem more spectral than before.

SPENCER
Saints preserve us, it’s real.

The Figure starts to glide up the corridor towards them. The beeping is still continuing in the background. Spencer stares at the Figure, realizing how tall it is. Terrified, he raises his gun and fires twice, tearing through the cloak. The Figure closes in.

SPENCER
WHAT are you?!

Spencer turns and runs for it. The Figure glides after them.

60. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Cutler turns away from the communicator and crosses to the main console as Dyson sips from a mug of coffee.

CUTLER
All right, Dyson, this isn't a convalescent home!

Dyson glumly puts down the cup and checks the display. Cutler sits down beside him, clearly regretting the insult.

CUTLER
You all ready?

DYSON
Ready.

Barclay is sitting by the microphone. He speaks into it.

BARCLAY
May I have your attention, everybody?

Everyone listens to him. Pan across their troubled, attentive faces.

BARCLAY
This is very important so please listen carefully. Right. Now, we've got a very difficult job on our hands and I want everybody to be on their toes all the time. We all know the drill. Mount the Zee Bomb warhead in the Demeter rocket, fire it at Nibiru at the appointed hour and boom. Right, Dyson get your men, and some protective clothing, we’ll start fusing the warhead now.

Just then, the TARDIS crew and the soldier burst into the room.

DOCTOR
Quickly, we must close the door!

CUTLER
What the? What the hell is going on here?

He turns to the assembled crowd of technicians.

CUTLER
Back to your places! What is going on?

POLLY
The Ghost is in the corridor!

BEN
Spencer’s still out there!

60. INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

The Figure is closing on Spencer, who is backed up against the wall. The hooded figure looms over him, lifting up its arms. There is a blinding pulse of light – like a flashbulb. Spencer screams, jerking back and slides to a heap on the floor. The Figure turns to face the doorway where Ben, Cutler and Polly stand.

CUTLER
Close the door!

The door slides shut as the Figure moves towards it.

61. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Everyone moves away from the door. Cutler stabs an alarm control on the wall and the red lights start flashing in time with a general alarm.

CUTLER
Dyson, I want this gallery sealed off and put the base on red alert. Andrews will be lucky to keep her job after this screw up.

DYSON
But what is it?

CUTLER
A hostile intruder and a dead one if I get the chance.

POLLY
But how did that thing get inside the base?

The Doctor grips his lapels, thinking.

DOCTOR
It was inside all the time. Hiding and waiting.

62. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

The figure is shown on the screen. The hands withdraw from the keyboard. We see the silver figures are moving out of the chamber.

63. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Several guards are moving towards the door. Everyone is talking animatedly.

BEN
You mean, its from Nibiru? I mean, Mandos or whatever it is?

DOCTOR
Yes. The advance guard. Just as Zeus Five was sent ahead by the humans, that creature was send ahead by the people of Mondas! And now they’re not even bothering to hide.

Cutler takes a gun from his holster and turns to Barclay.

CUTLER
Punch up the security view outside the corridor. I want to get a good look at that thing.

The screen shows the hooded Figure standing over Spencer’s body. Polly screams.

64. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

The Figure reaches up, the sleeves falling away from normal, human hands. It pulls back the hood to reveal its true face.

65. INT. ENTRANCE BAY (DAY)

A segment of wall slides back. Six of the SILVER CREATURES emerge. We finally see the figures clearly. They are tall humanoids – it is impossible to tell if they are male or female. They were a silver suit that covers their bodies, arms and legs marked with black piping. Over this is a baggy, transparent plastic material. There are metal rings on the upper arms, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. The feet are silver boots, the hands human and normal – although very pale and connected to the wrist rings by small cables. The front of the creatures is a glass-sided square unit with lights flashing on either side of a grilled ventilator. Hanging from this is a parabolic dish mounted in a concave rectangular frame. The faces are unseen under the silver material, but the eyes are mouth are black gauze circles. There is a metal skull cap, ridged to give an impression of hair, and above it is a large lamp like that of a red flash bulb – this was the source of the Figure’s Cyclops eye. It is balanced by two pipes that curve and connect to the head, in place of ears. They march in perfect formation towards the exit.

66. INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

The Figure discards the heavy cloak, revealing itself identical to the other creatures. It presses the door control, then effortlessly tugs at the door.

67. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

The silver figures march through the metal insect creatures, who seem to ignore the newcomers.

68. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

The door is wrenched open. The lead creature – KRAIL – strides along the aisle and turns to face the room. It moves down the steps. The reinforcements follow silently. The humans back away. Cutler lowers his weapon, turning to face the intruder. Krail opens its mouth, the gauze forming an O shape that does not change. An electronically synthesized voice emerges – but the emphasis and pronunciation is wrong, giving the voice a bizarre electronic singsong quality.

KRAIL
Defiance will not be tolerated. Resistance is useless.

The creature’s mouth closes. They advance on the humans, who have nowhere to run.

DOCTOR
I would listen to him, everyone. I doubt bullets can harm them, and you’re more likely to hit someone with a ricochet than scratch their bodywork.

CUTLER
Shut up, old man!

Two other creatures – LOKTAR and VERAN – move on either side of the gallery. The speak in the same way, with the same voice.

LOKTAR
Do not move.

VERAN
Do not move.

Barclay backs away to join the TARDIS crew.

BARCLAY
Wh-what are they?

The Doctor beams at Barclay.

DOCTOR
I’ve no idea. Why not ask them?

The last of the silver figures presses a control and the alarms stop blaring. Krail advances towards Cutler, who does not back away.

KRAIL
We are called Cybermen. This facility is now under our control.

Cutler grins disarmingly.

CUTLER
Not in this lifetime.

Cutler raises the pistol, but Krail’s arm snaps out in a flash and clamps around the general’s wrist. Cutler growls, shakes, and then drops the gun. Krail shoves outwards and releases Cutler, slamming over the console. He slumps, dazed.

KRAIL
Defiance will not be tolerated.

The Cyberleader turns to address the other humans.

KRAIL
Now this base belongs to us. All of you belong to us.

Ben and Polly look at the Doctor, but his eyes are fixed on Krail’s expressionless face.

KRAIL
All of you will BE like us.

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX

(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE ONE)

The Apocalypse III

2007-06-12T16:49:00.000+10:00

29. MODEL SHOT

The Zeus Five shuttle hangs in the darkness. We zoom in on them.

30. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

The astronauts are working, clearly less enthusiastic than before.

BLUEY
There goes the local Africa. Probably fully defrosted by now. Anything on the scanners.

GLYN
There’s some signs of civilizations. Check latitude 34.

TERRI
What is it?

GLYN
Pretty big, like a sort of arch. Made out of stone. Two pillars linked at the top.

BLUEY
If we can see it from here, it must be colossal...

TERRI
Anything else?

GLYN
Could be a city behind it. It’s still frozen over. And nothing’s moving. Those early readings must have been wrong.

TERRI
But this means there WAS life on Nibiru. Intelligent life.

GLYN
Not any more. The surface is still 77 below freezing in the sunshine.

BLUEY
Still no movement detected on the surface. I don’t know, this is just some big mistake. There’s nothing alive down there. It got knocked towards us by a supernova or something and anything that was living here died millennia ago. It’s not going to slow down if there’s nothing down there to...

Terri looks up sharply and turns to face the porthole.

TERRI
What was that?

GLYN
What?

Terri looks out the other porthole.

TERRI
There’s something else out here!

BLUEY
What do you mean?

TERRI
What do you think I mean? There’s something out there, another ship!

Glyn checks a display above him.

GLYN
Nothing on the radar. Other detectors?

BLUEY
Checking...

TERRI
It was below us. I saw it, just for a moment.

GLYN
There are no other space craft up here, it’d ruin the whole operation!

TERRI
Then it has to be something else. Something from Nibiru.

Glyn speaks firmly.

GLYN
Nibiru is dead.

Terri looks at the screen. It shows the foggy landscape below. A Pi-shape is dimly visible through the mist, moving down the screen.

TERRI
Is it?

31. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

As before. The Doctor is brooding in thought.

TITO
I dunno. Maybe all those doomsayers are right. Maybe this is the end.

SPENCER
Oh, keep it together, Tito. You’ll spoil Christmas.

TITO
First the brownouts and the ghost, and now this.

POLLY
Ghost?

TITO
Some of the men have seen this thing, moving in the shadows, but we never catch it. It always just disappears and the security cameras never pick it up. It wears this cloak...

ANDREWS
Tito!

Tito stands to attention.

TITO
Sorry, Sarge.

ANDREWS
We’re all tense. Just keep it together. Right. The General should be here by now. Spencer, contact the tracking gallery.

Spencer doesn’t look keen, but heads for the phone on the wall.

SPENCER
And if he’s not there?

Behind them, Cutler enters the guard room.

ANDREWS
Then find out where he is!

CUTLER
Right here, Private.

They turn to face him. Ben and Polly look up, but the Doctor is still lost in thought.

ANDREWS
Ah. Intruders under guard.

CUTLER
They’re the only ones I trust?

SPENCER
Sir. But we’ve sent out the duty guard to search, just in case.

Cutler rolls his eyes and turns his attention to the trio.

CUTLER
Who are these people?

ANDREWS
Not 100 per cent sure, sir. The sailor’s named Ben Jackson, his girlfriend there is Polly Wright, and the old guy is a doctor – he won’t give us a name.

CUTLER
No authorization. No proper identification. And they just happen to arrive at a military installation in the middle of the most complex operation ever... on YOUR watch, Andrews, just in case you thought I’d forgotten all your assurances this base is watertight!

He turns to Ben, who stands to attention.

CUTLER
Well? Who are you?

BEN
Able seaman Ben Jackson sir, Royal Navy.

CUTLER
Then why aren’t you with your ship?

BEN
That’s a bit difficult to explain, sir...

CUTLER
Yeah, I'll bet my sweet life it is.

The Doctor finally looks up.

DOCTOR
We don't intend you any harm, General, I can assure you of that.

CUTLER
You can assure me of what you like but whether I'll believe you or not is another question.

The Doctor gives a disbelieving look at Polly.

32. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Dyson approaches the console with a mug of coffee.

BARCLAY
Hawaii have confirmed readiness for the Zeus Five splash down. All the data’s gone straight to Geneva. Chances are, the Zed Bomb will be fired before midnight.

DYSON
Tis the season to be jolly, eh?

BLUEY (DIST)
Zeus Five to Snowcap, Zeus Five to Snowcap.

Dyson gets the mike. The main screen shows an image of the Zeus Five interior.

DYSON
Snowcap to Zeus Five. We are receiving you. Go ahead.

TERRI (DIST)
We might have company up here.

Glyn indicates Terri with his head.

GLYN (DIST)
Roberts says she saw something outside, possibly a ship. Detectors read nothing.

Barclay crosses from the front of the chamber where the various radar screens are, and joins Dyson behind the console. He takes the mike.

BARCLAY
Snowcap to Zeus Five, we can confirm. No unidentified objects on any scanners. Just you and the planet.

BLUEY (DIST)
Should we continue the survey?

BARCLAY
Ah. Yes, I’ll have to check with the CO.

Terri frowns and turns to face the camera.

TERRI (DIST)
Check? Why isn’t he there?

Dyson steps in.

DYSON
Nothing important, Zeus Five. Everything is in order.

33. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

As before. Cutler is moving in front of Ben, Polly and the Doctor who stand before him. Spencer, Andrews, Tito and a soldier stand to one side.

CUTLER
Now. Maybe you can explain to me how in the name of all that is sane did you three civilians arrive at the North Pole on Christmas Eve during the middle of the most important space shot in history? And while you’re at it, you can explain how you three got into this base – especially considering you had to get through an arctic blizzard to reach the entrance bay? Coz you don’t look so much as chilled.

POLLY
You see, we didn’t walk in through the front door.

ANDREWS
You smuggled yourselves in?

DOCTOR
Of course not. We arrived in the entrance bay with our own transport.

CUTLER
How did you get in? Really?

DOCTOR
It’s rather difficult to explain...

CUTLER
Anything new in the bay, Sergeant?

ANDREWS
Spencer?

SPENCER
Yeah, Sarge, I checked. There’s a kind of hut or something standing in the middle of the bay. Wasn’t there the last security check.

ANDREWS
Which was an hour ago.

CUTLER
You searched it yet?

Andrews can see where this is going.

ANDREWS
Not yet, sir.

CUTLER
Well, why not? I don’t want any excuses, so get down there.

Andrews sighs.

ANDREWS
Immediately, General. We’ll get to the bottom of it. Come on you two.

Andrews, Spencer and Tito head for the exit.

DOCTOR
Then it’s best I go with them...

The Doctor moves to follow but Cutler slams a hand down on the old man’s shoulder.

CUTLER
You’re not going anywhere, old man. You haven’t answered any of my questions and frankly, I’m starting to get impatient.

The Doctor steps forward, unafraid.

DOCTOR
I don’t like your tone, sir.

CUTLER
And I don’t your face, granddad. NOR your hair!

The Doctor looks like he’s going to snap when the phone on the wall blares. Cutler picks it up and listens.

CUTLER
Yes? On my way.

He hangs up, and turns to the remaining guard.

CUTLER
Bring them into the observation room. Keep them under guard. Now, you three, I’ve got no time to deal with you three now – but by thunder you’d better have a good explanation when I do. Or else.

Cutler sweeps out and the others follow. The guard is last. As they leave, one of the monitors showing the corridors turns to static.

34. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

The security camera outside the guard room is no longer flashing. The group move down the corridor. The cloaked Figure detaches itself from the shadows and watches the party turn the corner and move out of sight. The Figure glides over to the corner, the hem of the cloak silently sliding over the floor. The others are oblivious to its presence. The Figure retreats into the shadows again and the security camera starts flashing again.

POLLY
I do wish someone would explain what all this is about.

35. INT. TV STUDIO (DAY)

As before. The conversation is slightly more strained.

WAKEFIELD
Perhaps you’d like to answer my first question?

HALDERAN
You mean, what sent Nibiru hurtling through space?

WAKEFIELD
Yes.

HALDERAN
Well, one must remember that things do not happen instantaneously. The stars at night are thousands of years old – because we see their light is no evidence those stars even still exist. Whatever sent this planet in motion occurred a long time ago, and since we have no real way of telling exactly where it was originally, well, that distance renders all calculations meaningless. It could have happened before the birth of Christ or maybe even before the dinosaurs. There is no way of telling.

WAKEFIELD
Yes, but WHAT do you THINK caused it?

HALDERAN
Some kind of galactic accident, a supernova of sorts, is the likely description. An explosion that sent Nibiru hurtling off into space. Of course, the forces required to knock a planet out of orbit would, naturally, send all sorts of space matter in our direction as well...

WAKEFIELD
So, this could be the harbinger of some greater threat? More planets and asteroids?

HALDERAN
If you WOULD let me finish. The force of the hypothetical explosion would have incinerated any smaller objects, and objects larger than the tenth planet could conceivably have the mass to stay where they were.

WAKEFIELD
What you’re saying is that there is nothing to worry about?

HALDERAN
What I’m saying is there is no point worrying. Any other drifting planetoids will take many years to even endanger us. Assuming another planet left right after Nibiru, it will be centuries before we even detect it, let alone are in a position to do anything about it. Worrying about it now won’t help.

WAKEFIELD
So the matter is open and shut?

HALDERAN
Rather like your head.

36. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

The screen shows Barclay’s face.

BARCLAY (DIST)
Can you describe what you saw, please?

Terri’s face appears on the screen.

TERRI (DIST)
It was only for a flash. Sort of like four bright... seems to me like landing lights? Below us, at least five thousand clicks.

The human hand touches a control. The screen changes to show a shot of Zeus Five in space. The image grows larger and larger, filling the screen.

37. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

A light shines through the porthole for a moment. Bluey frowns and checks a control.

BLUEY
No, wait a minute...

DYSON (DIST)
Zeus Five? What’s happening?

TERRI
It just passed over us.

GLYN
I confirm that, Snowcap. Too fast to make out what it was, four lights and something else, a sort of starfish shape... Hang on.

38. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

This is shown on the main screen. Cutler, the TARDIS crew and the guard enter the gallery via the rear entrance and move down the landing.

CUTLER
They were sent up there to scan the planet for any signs of life. Now, they say they’re being buzzed by a UFO...

The bright light fills the screen again.

BLUEY (DIST)
It’s right in front of us!

Cutler turns to the guard.

CUTLER
Get them out of here.

The guard urges the Doctor, Ben and Polly through a doorway at the back of the gallery.

TERRI (DIST)
Some kind of huge, silver...

She trails off and the brightness cuts out. Cutler frowns and takes the mike from Dyson.

CUTLER
Zeus Five?

GLYN (DIST)
It’s just... vanished!

CUTLER
Barclay?

Barclay shrugs helplessly.

BARCLAY
There’s still nothing on any of the scans!

CUTLER
Well, either Santa Claus exists or there’s life on Nibiru and it’s capable of space flight. What do you think?

DYSON
It IS Christmas Eve...

39. INT. OBSERVATION ROOM (DAY)

A curtained off area with a few chairs and a monitor hanging from the ceiling which shows the cockpit of Zeus Five. There is a calendar on the wall marked DECEMBER. Ben and Polly sit down while the guard moves to the door.

BEN
It’s all go here, isn’t it? The CO’s a nasty piece of work, isn’t he?

DOCTOR
CO?

BEN
Commanding Officer, the boss.

DOCTOR
Mm.

POLLY
I don’t think he’d give us a lift back to England, even if we are in the right time.

DOCTOR
I’m afraid not, my child. I don’t want to depress you both, but have a peek at that.

He takes down the calendar and hands it to Polly.

POLLY
What do you mean?

She closes the calendar to reveal the year.

POLLY
“1986”? Oh no. I thought for a moment we’d be able to get home.

Sadly she hands it over to Ben, who regards the calendar.

BEN
We’re still at sea, then. Still, it wouldn’t have been clear sailing anyway, Duchess. We’re at the South Pole, remember. It’s not easy to get here any way bar police box... 1986, eh? We’re actually in the future! And we’re not any older!

He turns to the guard.

BEN
Eh, mate, you sent people to the moon yet?

DOCTOR
This is disturbing. Most disturbing.

POLLY
Why? You’re looking terribly worried, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Am I, my dear? Yes, I'm afraid I am rather worried.

BEN
What is it, Doctor? What's up?

DOCTOR
Well, you see Ben, I know what this planet is and what it means to Earth.

BEN
And what DOES it mean to Earth?

DOCTOR
Don’t you remember? The people that created the ODIN computer and sent it to Earth, they wanted it to clear the way for their invasion.

POLLY
In 1966.

DOCTOR
Yes! Because it would be another twenty years before their main force arrived! Twenty years after 1966. 1986.

BEN
You mean, they’ve finally got here.

DOCTOR
Yes. That planet is not Nibiru, it is called Mondas. A twin world to Earth, that’s why all the landmasses look the same. And pretty soon the creatures living there will make their presence felt.

Polly rests her chin on her hands glumly.

POLLY
I still don’t see how people could survive on a planet flying through space. How can a planet fly through space anyway?

40. INT. TV STUDIO (DAY)

The Year of the Lame Dog continues. Wakefield is now talking through gritted teeth.

WAKEFIELD
Sir Gene, what about rumors that Nibiru is decelerating?

Halderan falls quiet. Wakefield is surprised.

WAKEFIELD
Sir Gene?

HALDERAN
All the signs are is that the planet is slowing down. It has manifestly not been caught in the gravity of any of the other planets, so it isn’t slowing down naturally. If anything, it should be speeding up. But the fact remains our top ships would take years to tour the solar system, and this planet has traversed two thirds in ten months.

WAKEFIELD
So some outside force is controlling this?

HALDERAN
Yes. It seems so.

WAKEFIELD
A sort of game of planetary billiards?

Halderan looks at him in undisguised disgust.

HALDERAN
Was that supposed to be humorous?

WAKEFIELD
Gallows humor.

HALDERAN
I’d prefer you dropped the latter and kept the former. Signs are that Nibiru is being directed by an outside agency, quite possibly a force inhabiting Nibiru itself.

WAKEFIELD
So the aliens living there have turned the planet into a spaceship?

HALDERAN
If that’s how your infantile mind can comprehend the subject, yes. What’s more, we have detected signs of movement on the surface – and for many reasons, both in terms of accuracy and security, I can go no further. But it would be wrong for the human race to annihilate its first visitors.

WAKEFIELD
You mean, the aliens don’t intend to crash into us?

HALDERAN
It would seem unlikely. They may stop completely, or pass us by. Certainly, if they have the technology to steer a planet, they would have the abilities to annihilate mankind – more to the point, they would have done it by now.

WAKEFIELD
So you don’t think the aliens are hostile?

HALDERAN
I don’t know there are aliens there at all. If there are, I doubt they are hostile.

41. INT. ENTRANCE BAY (DAY)

Spencer is tapping out at the sensor control. Behind him, Tito and Andrews are replacing a tarpaulin over a snowmobile.

SPENCER
Checks clear. This door hasn’t been opened since the lock down. No tampering, no malfunctions, it’s all in perfect order. They didn’t get in that way.

ANDREWS
They have to. You don’t really believe they came here in THIS, do you?

She indicates the TARDIS.

TITO
They must have brought it with them, Sarge. And why dump it here otherwise?

SPENCER
Tito’s right, Sarge. Why come up with such a crazy story?

ANDREW
Ever heard of the double bluff, Spencer? They come up with a deliberately stupid story because they think WE will believe them on that logic.

She moves around the TARDIS, noticing the information panel on the front.

ANDREWS
“Police Public Call Box”. “Free for use of public. Officers and cars respond to urgent calls. Pull to open.” Never seen one of these before.

SPENCER
But it’s in English. Maybe those three are with the police?

ANDREWS
So? They’d use a helicopter. Not a phone box.

To emphasize her statement, Andrews smacks the TARDIS.

ANDREWS
Ow. Odd.

TITO
What?

ANDREWS
It’s not cold. It’s warm. And humming... kinda like a fridge.

She tries the door.

ANDREWS
Locked. What would those three be hiding in here?

Tito glances at the shadowy area in the corner of the room.

ANDREWS
What is it, Tito?

TITO
Ah, nothin, Sarge.

He turns away. We see the Figure is moving through the gloom towards them.

- to be continued...

The Apocalypse II

2007-06-11T17:56:00.000+10:00

17. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

The screen showing that corridor turns to static.

SPENCER
Christ, not again!

18. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

The Figure moves out of view. The security camera starts flashing again.

14. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

The picture rapidly returns to normal – showing the now empty corridor.

SPENCER
Bizarre.

Andrew re enters.

ANDREWS
What is it?

SPENCER
They blanked out again, but came back on line straight away.

TITO
Brown out?

ANDREWS
Maybe. Maybe the storm’s taken down a power line?

SPENCER
There aren’t any power lines up there, Sarge.

Beat.

ANDREWS
Spencer, remind me to explain the concept of humor to you one day.

19. INT. APARTMENT (DAY)

An art deco apartment with lots of couches and rugs. The wall paper clashes with the carpets, the carpets with the furniture, the furniture with ceiling, and everything is tacky. An idiotic looking man in a dressing gown, NIGEL, is pacing up and down. Sitting on the sofa is DAVE, a man in a trenchcoat drinking from a bottle of port. Nearby is a wide-eyed blond man in a singlet, ANDREW. Canned laughter is heard.

NIGEL
Christmas. Another year gone. Fan-freaking-tastic. I should be out there, living life, doing things - I should be frolicking on a beach with girls just turned to women, eating foreign foods, riding camels, taking part in diabolic black magic ceremonies... And what am I doing? Huh? Nothing. Stuck here in this miserable rat trap with the two biggest idiots since King Havoc the Imbecile and his inbred half-cousin. It's not fair.

ANDREW
Well, since you've done absolutely nothing to leave here, it does make a kind of sense, cosmically speaking.

NIGEL
I have done things, Andrew... it's just all of them to a man have collapsed with sickeningly unpredictable irony into a mess of comic misunderstandings. And that was just yesterday... no, I know what I'll do. I'll go onto a gameshow, get a fortune and become rich and famous.

DAVE
You'd have to win at the gameshow, surely.

Nigel rolls his eyes and twirls like a prima donna.

NIGEL
Of course I'd win it.

DAVE
How? You can't even spell 'general knowledge'.

NIGEL
Honestly, Dave, spelling is nothing. My cunning is... beyond cunning!

Andrew looks at camera and sighs.

NIGEL
Belay that irritating sighing, Andrew, because I can prove how amazing I am easily. Go on, Dave. Test my general knowledge. Ask my any question.

Dave rolls his eyes.

DAVE
All right then, Nige. How many planets are there in the solar system?

NIGEL
Nine!

ANDREW
Nope.

Nigel remains pleasant.

NIGEL
It bloody is, you ignoramus.

ANDREW
Nope. It’s ten.

NIGEL
Restal! Kindly explain to Brain Donor here HOW many planets there are?

DAVE
There are ten, Nigel. Don’t you watch the news?

NIGEL
No, I’m far too busy basking in my own magnificence. You mean, we’ve got an extra planet?

ANDREW
Yes.

NIGEL
Where did it come from? Was it something to do with a recession or something?

DAVE
No idea, man. Just came flying into the neighborhood one day.

ANDREW
It’s probably your ego got loose again. Couldn’t fit on one planet so it needed another.

Nigel sneers.

NIGEL
Oh, very amusing, Andrew... actually.... that is a BRILLIANT idea!

ANDREW
What is it now?

NIGEL
My uncle had a star named after him, all you need to do is make a ludicrously-huge cash donation to ISC and they'll do that! That is what I will do! Forget Christmas, forget gameshows, who cares? I shall have a whole planet named after me. The planet... Nigel!

He speaks with awe. The others exchange weary looks.

NIGEL
No, even better, the planet... Verkoff! No, dare I even to dream... The Big N! Think of it! A handle into the public consciousness like no other - a whole planet named after me. Jupiter, Saturn... er, the One After Saturn, the One After The One After Saturn, Pluto and most amazing of all... the Big N! What mortal mind may comprehend such incredibility!

DAVE
I think I've found the one fatal flaw in your plan, Nige. The new planet has already got a name.

NIGEL
As good as the Big N?

ANDREW
Your definition of good slips further down into a black hole every time you breathe in, Nigella.

NIGEL
And what is the name of this tenth planet, hmm? Yuggoth? Kalki? Hestia? Ultra Meta? Lucifer? Vulcan? Hmm? And what could be better than for the planet past Pluto to be called Mickey?

Andrew speaks patronizingly to camera.

ANDREW
The tenth planet’s official name is Nibiru.

Nigel looks disgusted.

NIGEL
“Nibiru”?! “Ni-beh-roooh”?! THAT is the best they can come up with?!

ANDREW
Well, as they didn’t choose your retarded name for it, we can only applaud.

NIGEL
I'm storing all this up, you know, Andy. All of it. And one day, completely out of the blue, I'm just going to snap and do to you something so spectacularly unpleasant it'll make Wagner's Ring Cycle sound like bubblegum music! AND NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN STOP ME NOW!!!

With a loud creak, the plastic Christmas tree in the corner suddenly falls over on top of Nigel, crushing him and dragging the Christmas lights with it. That, in turn, knocks over everything in the room that was upright. Andrew and Dave do not react in any way at all. A long pause before Nigel's muffled voice is heard.

NIGEL (VO)
Uh, a little help here? Hello?

20. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

The other three guards have left. Tito is dozing as he rests the open comic over his eyes. Spencer is checking through the monitors, showing different sets of corridors. Finally, one picture shows Polly in the corridor, followed by Ben and the Doctor. Spencer stares, at a loss for words.

SPENCER
Saints preserve us... Tito! Wake up!

Tito doesn’t move.

TITO
Aw, what is it?

SPENCER
Get up! Either I’m going crazy...

TITO
Probably.

SPENCER
...or we have intruders.

TITO
Aw, no, you gotta be kidding with me!

Nevertheless, he jumps up from the bed, shaking himself awake.

TITO
They’re not near the silo, are they?

Spencer gnaws his fist.

SPENCER
At the edge of the section.

TITO
We gotta tell the Sarge. You get the small arms and tell the others...

SPENCER
Uh-oh.

Tito pauses in the doorway.

TITO
Don’t say uh-oh.

Spencer points to another monitor. Andrews is shown walking down a corridor.

21. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

The trio move down a corridor. Polly looks around warily.

POLLY
Still no sign of anyone. Maybe we should go back to the TARDIS?

BEN
Come on, Poll, it’ll all be...

Andrews turns a corner and starts as she sees them. The others are mildly shocked at her sudden appearance.

BEN
...all right.

She pulls the pistol from her shoulder holster.

ANDREWS
You three! Don’t move! Hands in the air!

The Doctor smiles as Andrews aims the gun at them.

DOCTOR
Ah, madam, I...

ANDREWS
HANDS UP!

The Doctor sniffs, but complies. Ben and Polly do also.

POLLY
Sorry if we’re intruding...

ANDREWS
“Intruding”? Where the hell did you three come from?

BEN
Uh, the entrance bay.

Andrews is even more incredulous.

ANDREWS
What? You just WALKED in?

DOCTOR
Not quite...

ANDREWS
Any more of you?

DOCTOR
There are only the three of us, madam, and may I...

Andrews, keeping her gun trained on the trio, reaches out to a control on the wall – one of many on walls in the base – and presses it. It pulses red and a harsh klaxon starts grating in the background. Polly moves to cover her ears.

ANDREWS
I said hands up, Goldilocks!

POLLY
But that noise...

ANDREWS
Deal with it!

BEN
Hey, leave her alone...

Andrews moves closer, training the gun on Ben. He realizes she’s serious and looks her in the eye.

BEN
We’ll come quietly.

ANDREWS
You will if you know what’s good for you.

Spencer, Tito and three other guards run down the corridor towards the group. They are all armed. Andrews moves aside to let them surround the TARDIS crew.

ANDREWS
What took you people so long?

SPENCER
I was checking the circuit, they just appeared out of nowhere...

ANDREWS
You want to explain that to Cutler? Go ahead!

She stabs the control again and while the light flashes continue the siren cuts out.

ANDREWS
Take them to security and I want them searched.

TITO
Got you, Sarge.

ANDREWS
And then give them a quick check for radiation.

BEN
Eh? Radiation? What radiation?

ANDREWS
You’re standing above the Zee Bomb, sailor! You people like walking around nuclear warheads dressed for a picnic? Now get moving!

POLLY
The Zee Bomb?

DOCTOR
Zed. Yes, I remember now.

Polly, unused to having guns pointed at her, glares at him.

POLLY
Oh do you? Better late than never...

ANDREWS
And keep quiet while you’re at it!

The guards shuffle the party off. Spencer turns to Andrews.

SPENCER
I checked the whole system. No break ins, no faults, nothing! We are secure!

ANDREWS
Three weirdoes turn up out of nowhere, and they’re not even frostbitten!

SPENCER
I can’t explain it, Sarge! All I know is what the computer says, and it says this place it locked up tighter than Fort Knox!

ANDREWS
Good. Then you CAN explain to the CO why one of the three most secure installation on the entire Earth has been compromised by two teenagers and their granddad! Move!

Spencer swallows and moves off. Andrews follows. A few moments later, we see a shape – clearly a hand beneath a cloak – move around the corner of the corridor behind them. The hooded head and the glowing red eye emerge for a moment, then the Figure shuffles into the shadows.

22. MODEL SHOT

We see the blunt-shaped space capsule high above the Earth. We pan upwards, isolating the capsule. Then above it, we see another planet, that looks like Earth.

BLUEY (VO)
Zeus Five to Snowcap. All survey systems now activated.

23. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

As before. Bluey checks the instruments above his head.

BLUEY
It’s just like Earth. I mean, JUST like it.

TERRI
Not exactly, Bluey. See down there? The Nibiru Atlantic is still frozen over, and half the planet is buried in ice.

BLUEY
No sign of civilization.

TERRI
Maybe it’s under the ice? Nibiru froze over one day and everything was preserved?

GLYN
Won’t be preserved much longer. Chances are, tomorrow it’ll be a handful of crumbly rock and a hunk of vapor.

TERRI
But if there are people down there...

GLYN
Then they’re frozen solid. Nothing remotely human could survive on that rock.

The light inside the capsule increases for a moment.

BLUEY
What’s that light?

24. MODEL SHOT

The capsule is hovering over the other planet. A shining glow illuminates a patch of the continent directly below/above it.

25. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

The astronauts check their displays frantically.

BLUEY
It’s something on the surface.

GLYN
Probably just a reflection.

TERRI
No. He’s right. Somewhere down there, the country that looks like America. Beams of light, they’re shining...

The light inside the capsule dims to normal again.

GLYN
Whatever it is, it’s gone now.

26. MODEL SHOT

The capsule is closer to the planet. There is no light.

27. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

Tito, Spencer and another guard usher the Doctor, Ben and Polly inside.

TITO
OK, come on, move, ivante, ivante, svarro.

DOCTOR
Please, stop that!

SPENCER
Right. Against the wall. Tito, check them over.

Tito doesn’t look keen.

TITO
You sure they’re not radioactive?

POLLY
We went through that decontamination place of yours, didn’t we?

SPENCER
Get on with it, Tito!

Tito frisks Ben, then the Doctor.

SPENCER
How did you people get out here, anyway?

POLLY
Well, we just landed in a sort of... spaceship, actually.

Tito laughs.

SPENCER
Very funny, lass, but this is not the time for jokes.

BEN
She’s not joking.

SPENCER
Now, now, boyo. You start telling the truth now, things will be a lot nicer in the long run. You’re in serious trouble, trespassing out here. And there’s no way you could have got in here by accident.

Tito frisks Polly awkwardly, then stands up.

TITO
Mama Mia, bellissima! Oh, Dio, ho bisogno di una doccia fredda proprio ora...

The Doctor stares at him.

DOCTOR
I think he likes you, my dear.

POLLY
Yes, I got that impression, thanks.

SPENCER
Well, private?

TITO
No weapons, nothing, sir.

SPENCER
All right, you three. At ease, now.

DOCTOR
Thank you.

They step away from the wall and look around.

SPENCER
Why are you lot even here, anyway?

DOCTOR
We arrived entirely by accident. Erm, why are you here, sir?

TITO
Eh? We work here!

DOCTOR
Why are there armed security guards in Antarctica, hmmm? If I remember rightly, the Treaty of 1959 established this continent is terra communis?

SPENCER
Eh?

POLLY
He means everyone owns the South Pole.

TITO
Normally, Snowcap wouldn’t need guards, but now the Zed Bomb is here...

BEN
What is this Zed Bomb everyone’s talking on about?

SPENCER
The Zed Bomb! You know! The only thing worse than the A Bomb?

DOCTOR
Some sort of doomsday weapon?

TITO
Used right, a Zed Bomb could crack a planet in half. There are three of them, one is here, the others... for security reasons, you understand.

BEN
Great. Why put a huge bomb at the South Pole? I thought this is a rocking testing place, like the one in America. But half the people here are guards. It’s not like what you see on the telly, is it?

TITO
I don’t know what you see on your TV, friend. We’ve got the double the amount of the standard station personnel.

POLLY
I suppose the computers do all the work now? I can’t stand computers. How long have you been here?

SPENCER
Since October. We’ll swap shifts at the end of January, and after that the Antarctic Winter starts. Six months when it’s too dangerous to land a plane.

BEN
That’s just daft – it means if anyone cracks out here, it’d be six months before they could be replaced. What if they go crazy and try and set off the bomb?

ANDREWS
That’s why we’re here.

The others look up to see her standing in the doorway, gun still drawn.

BEN
And what if YOU crack?

Andrews steps closer, her voice threatening.

ANDREWS
You really want to find out, sailor boy?

She turns to face the others.

ANDREWS
I suppose you have a really good reason for telling three total strangers about the staffing of this secure installation.

SPENCER
Someone new to talk to, Sarge.

TITO
Besides, they’re here now. They can’t do any harm.

ANDREWS
They got in here, didn’t they? The one place on the planet it shouldn’t be possible to break into? Now, you can help me explain it to Cutler, we’re taking these losers up there

The Doctor crosses to the corner of the room where a small plastic Christmas tree sits. The old man frowns and turns to address the guards.

DOCTOR
Is it Christmas?

Andrews rolls her eyes.

ANDREWS
Where have you been? Of course it’s Christmas! December 24!

The Doctor frowns and shakes his head.

DOCTOR
December? But that means it’s high summer!

SPENCER
In Antarctica, yeah.

The Doctor indicates the monitor showing snow.

DOCTOR
But there’s a blizzard outside!

TITO
I know. Weird, huh? Still, there’s a new planet up there – all bets are off.

DOCTOR/BEN/POLLY
New planet?!

The security guards exchange disbelieving looks.

28. INT. TV STUDIO (DAY)

We see JOHN WAKEFIELD, an irritating soft-voiced presenter with a beard and spectacles, sitting in a groovy leather-backed chair. The set is minimalist with square spiral patterns and some pot plants. A logo says THE YEAR OF THE LAME DOG.

WAKEFIELD
...of 1985. Though Halley’s Comet did not bring either death or destruction last year, perhaps it was nothing but an omen for our new neighbor in space – named Nibiru, after the mythical Sumerian world that is the dead twin to Earth. Now, in the studio, we have Sir Gene Halderman – self-confessed ISC spin doctor and one of Austria’s finest minds in all matters non-terrestrial.

Wakefield turns his seat to face an identical seat. Sitting in it, uncomfortable, is an intelligent looking middle-aged man in a suit. This, as a caption notes, is SIR GENE HALDERMAN (ISC SPOKESMAN).

WAKEFIELD
Sir Gene, perhaps you can sum up the current situation in regards to ISC’s activities?

HALDERAN
You mean, what have we actually been doing about it?

Wakefield laughs sickeningly, taken aback at Halderman’s bluntness.

WAKEFIELD
If you like.

HALDERAN
The situation isn’t particularly difficult, in fact, most of the fear it generates is down to the sheer simplicity of it all. There are nine planets that we know of in our solar system. What we call Nibiru is a tenth planet, a rogue world, has entered our solar system and is hurtling through space straight towards us...

Wakefield leans in, interrupting.

WAKEFIELD
And, so, have ISC determined the precise cause of the planet’s movement?

HALDERAN
I rather think we should be focussing on the effects rather than cause.

WAKEFIELD
Surely that isn’t wise? What is this is the first swallow of spring, for example? What about other such rogue planets hurtling into the solar system? It is, after all, widely assumed that such an event wiped out the dinosaurs.

Halderman arches an eyebrow.

HALDERAN
The destruction of the dinosaurs, whatever its cause, occurred over sixty five million years ago. We have not been inundated with out of control planets in the intervening millennia and I feel it safe to say it’s not going to happen. Besides, even if that theory about the dinosaurs is correct, the object from space was an asteroid of some description. Certainly not an object the exact same size of Earth. If Nibiru were to strike, we have got more than an ice age to worry about.

WAKEFIELD
Which is presumably why the Zee Bomb Operation is starting?

HALDERAN
Zed Bomb.

WAKEFIELD
Sir Gene, please, this is no time to quibble over terminology. What are you intending to do about the tenth planet?

HALDERAN
The actual mechanics of the operation are well in public domain. Three Zed-class atomic devices fired, in series at Nibiru will trigger its total disintegration. If the tenth planet is annihilated at a certain point, not only will Earth be spared any radioactive fallout, but any debris will be so lacking in mass that they will harmlessly burn up in our atmosphere. The technical details and terminology I will spare you.

WAKEFIELD
For the viewers, eh, Sir Gene? Or security reasons?

HALDERAN
No, not really, it’s that I just can’t be bothered to explain it to an intellectual vacuum like you.

Wakefield sours.

- to be continued...

The Apocalypse I

2007-06-07T22:22:00.000+10:00

(ROLL CREDITS)

---

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX

(THE APOCALYPSE)

(EPISODE ONE)

---

1. MODEL SHOT

The mountainous landscape is covered with snow. Through the thick blizzard we can make out the shape of a rocket rising out of the ground. There is a sudden roar and glow as it blasts off up into the dark sky and out of view.

2. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

A screen shows the rocket leaving Earth. Pull back to show it is beneath a radar screen and surrounded by monitors. It is the far wall of a large chamber containing various consoles and displays. A stairway leads to a landing which leads to the exit. The air is tense. GENERAL CUTLER, a tough American in his fifties and an immaculate uniform, is pacing. TECHNICIANS rush back and forth. Two men are staying at consoles, working grimly. One is DYSON, a balding Englishman with a frown. The other is BARCLAY, a stressed Australian man with a beard, glasses and tie which he fiddles with.

DYSON
Launch complete.

TECHNICIAN (VO)
Handing Zeus Five control over to Snowcap Polar Base.

Cutler nods grimly. Barclay speaks into a mike.

BARCLAY
Thank you, Geneva. Dyson?

DYSON
Will do.

Dyson presses a control. A screen lights up. It shows a crammed vessel full of controls. There are two seats and one behind them, with three astronauts – GLYN (Bermudan), BLUEY (Australian) and TERRI (American) – reclining in the seats.

BARCLAY
Snowcap to Zeus Five. Zeus Five, how do you read me?

BLUEY (VO)
Loud and clear, Snowcap, loud and clear.

DYSON
Snowcap to Zeus Five. Over to local control channel. J for Jimmy.

GLYN (DIST)
Over to J for Jimmy now.

BARCLAY
Dyson, give Texas tracking the next orbital pattern will you?

DYSON
Right, will do, Barclay.

Cutler takes the mike.

CUTLER
Snowcap to Zeus Five – any signs you’re not alone up there?

Terri grins sarcastically to the others.

TERRI (DIST)
Hey, that voice sounds familiar!

Cutler clears his throat, awkward.

CUTLER
Zeus Five, any other traces?

TERRI (DIST)
None at our end. Anything at yours?

3. INT. ZEUS FIVE (NIGHT)

The astronauts are reclining beneath rows of instruments. Sunlight continually changes position through the portholes on either side of the craft as it rotates. A screen shows Cutler’s face.

CUTLER (DIST)
Nothing yet. Seems to have gone quiet.

GLYN
Don’t worry, General. Any sign of a little green man, you’ll be the first to know. How’s the operation going?

CUTLER (DIST)
The warhead’s nearly ready.

BLUEY
As long as we’re safely down before the fireworks start.

CUTLER (DIST)
No fear on that.

TERRI
Course not, we got the best insurance against that.

Glyn and Bluey exchange a look, confused.

4. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

Cutler glares at the screen.

CUTLER
Back to work, you three. This isn't a holiday!

BLUEY (DIST)
Back to work, huh? And on Christmas Eve of all days...

Annoyed, Cutler turns and crosses the room.

CUTLER
Take over, will you Barclay?

Barclay nods and takes the mine.

BARCLAY
Morning Bluey, morning Glyn, morning Terri. Repeat your velocity for ground check please.

A tough-looking, thick-set American woman enters the gallery. She wears a uniform and a stern expression. This is SERGEANT ANDREWS.

ANDREWS
All three security teams are ready, General.

CUTLER
Good, Sergeant. Keep alert. They might appear any minute.

ANDREWS
No worries, sir, we can deal with anything.

CUTLER
You better be right, Sergeant. If the enemy do arrive, I want them pegged before they come within yards of the entrance.

ANDREWS
Sir. It’s an eight force wind and a blizzard out there. It’s going to be damn difficult to get to the door in any case.

CUTLER
Then make it even more difficult. Once you’ve done that, I want the security camera systems checked again.

ANDREWS
They haven’t played up for over 48 hours.

Cutler heads back to the others.

CUTLER
"48 hours" is good. "Never again" is better.

Andrews rounds on him, annoyed.

ANDREWS
Nothing can get into this base. It’s impossible!

CUTLER
Impossible is not in my vocabulary, Andrews – I suggest you remove it from yours.

5. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

A dark chamber, lit by a few screens. Shadowy figures duck in and out of view, light glinting off their hides. They are SILVER CREATURES. A screen lights up with computer talk and then an image of a space shuttle appears over it. Words are superimposed over the image.

}}SPACE CRAFT NOW OVER ISLAND “NEW ZEALAND”
}}HEIGHT OF 980 METRONS...
}}INTERCEPTION AT 1100 METRONS...

6. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

The time rotor is rising and falling as the wheezing and groaning of the engines fills the air. THE DOCTOR moves from one panel to another, looking slightly disheveled – as are BEN and POLLY, standing by the doors.

POLLY
Where will we got to now, Doctor? Will we go forward or back in time?

The Doctor shrugs as he adjusts some controls.

DOCTOR
I have no idea – I have no control over such matters.

Ben scowls.

BEN
Well, it better be 1966 or I’m in dead trouble, Doctor!

He sighs. The time rotor slows to a halt as the engine noises fade.

BEN
Well, anyway, wherever it is, it can’t be as bad as going back to them days.

The Doctor chuckles. Polly shivers and rubs her bare arm.

POLLY
What’s happened, Doctor? I’m freezing!

Ben looks around, surprised.

BEN
Yeah – it’s getting right parky in here.

Frowning, the Doctor pulls a lever and points to the monitor below the ceiling.

DOCTOR
Just look up at that scanner. We have arrived at the coldest place in the world – the South Pole!

The trio look at the image: a metal sign says:

Snowcap Tracking Station
International Space Command
SOUTH POLE BASE

7. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

A warning light flashes.

}}ALERT... ALERT... ALERT
}}CHRONOLOGICAL DISTORTION DETECTED...

We see a human hand press a control.

{{INVESTIGATING...

The screen changes to show the TARDIS. The hand presses another control.

{{ANALYZING...

Computer talk fills the screen again.

8. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

The Doctor is operating controls. Ben is still rubbing his arms.

BEN
Hurry up, Pol!

No reply.

DOCTOR
There, there, Ben. There we go.

He pulls a lever and there is a low buzz.

DOCTOR
Heating exchange restored. The last time it broke down, we were on the roof of the world, you know. Good thing I put in that back up system.

BEN
Any idea where we are then, eh, Doctor? In time, I mean.

DOCTOR
Well, I tried to aim for a specific time track, but anything more specific than one century in one planet is, er, extremely difficult.

BEN
So it’s Earth, the South Pole... 1966?

DOCTOR
No idea, but it must be after the twentieth century – no installations were constructed there before. And, since we’re inside it, we can go out and investigate.

BEN
What? Find out the date and try again?

DOCTOR
Perhaps. Unless something happens. And in my experience something always happens. Come along, Polly, my child!

POLLY (VO)
Coming, Doctor.

A cheerful Polly re-enters. She wears a white fur coat and a white hat and over her arm is a cloak and another fur coat.

BEN
How come she listens to you?

The Doctor waves a hand modestly.

DOCTOR
Live with a young granddaughter, Ben, and you learn these things.

Polly hands over the clothes.

POLLY
Hey Doctor, you've got the most fantastic wardrobe!

DOCTOR
Yes, well, I'm glad you approve my child.

POLLY
These are gorgeous. Where do you shop, Carnaby street?! Ha ha!

Ben pulls on his fur coat.

BEN
Nice muff, Duchess.

POLLY
What?!

BEN
Who do you think you are, Nanook of the North or something?

POLLY
Oh. Right. That Eskimo chap...

The Doctor glares at them sternly.

DOCTOR
Oh now, stop being so flippant, you two! Now come along.

POLLY
Are you sure you're going to be warm enough?

DOCTOR
Oh, like toast my dear. Now, did you find everything you want?

POLLY
Yes thanks!

DOCTOR
Then let us face our destiny, hmmm?

He pulls a switch and the doors open. They head out through the doors.

9. INT. ENTRANCE BAY (DAY)

A wide, hangar like chamber. Several vehicles under tarpaulins are ranged against the walls. In one of the unoccupied spaces now stands the TARDIS. The Doctor, Polly and Ben emerge and look around. The Doctor pulls the TARDIS door closed behind him and locks the door before pocketing the key.

BEN
It’s not too cold.

DOCTOR
Of course not. But this chamber must be colder than the rest, so the temperature difference with the outside world is not to extreme.

POLLY
Why should it?

BEN
Don’t want these snow mobiles or whatever freezing up, do they, Duchess?

POLLY
I suppose not. Why build a base at the South Pole, anyway?

DOCTOR
My dear Polly, this part of the Earth allows unique opportunities to study the weather, the stars, the planets and develop medicine and a dozen other subjects in peace and quiet. And this, er, International Space Command, must have constructed some sort of rocket testing site out here for some reason. Yes. Which means we must be after your time, I’m afraid.

BEN
By how much?

DOCTOR
Well, there is a simple way to find out.

Polly rolls her eyes.

POLLY
Go and ask someone, I know.

Ben crosses to the hatch behind them. It is set into a larger, garage-like door that takes up most of the wall.

DOCTOR
I wouldn’t open that door if I were you.

BEN
Why not?

DOCTOR
Because it leads to the surface. Look – there’s a sensor plate there.

The Doctor points to a set of displays next to the hatch.

POLLY
What does it say?

DOCTOR
It says you can’t go out.

Polly laughs.

POLLY
Anything else?

DOCTOR
There’s a gale force wind out there, force sixteen I think, and an ice blizzard too. The temperature, is, er, around the mean of thirty below zero.

BEN
So... we stay inside?

DOCTOR
Yes. Come along, we just have to find out the year and then we can try again.

The Doctor heads down towards the other exit. Ben and Polly follow.

BEN
But if we have overshot, can we get back without bumping to the dinosaurs?

DOCTOR
You’re perfectly welcome to stay here if you please, Ben. I’m sure that being away without leave is not particularly important after the first five years...

The Doctor opens the door and peers through. Ben glares at Polly.

BEN
Charming geezer, ain’t he?

POLLY
He takes tips from you.

She ruffles his hair.

BEN
Leave it out, Duchess!

They follow the Doctor out of the bay. The door closes behind them.

10. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

This is shown on the screen. Computer talk is superimposed.

}}CROSS-CHECK INFORMATION WITH HISTORY COMPUTER...
}}IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED}}

The image changes to show a shot of the TARDIS against some railings.

}}ANALYZING FLESHMEN PHYSIOGNOMY...

Images of the Doctor, Ben and Polly appear, then a different image of the Doctor appears.

}}IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED}}
}}FLESHMAN DOCTOR KNOWN THREAT
}}NO ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN
}}NEW STRATEGY TO BE COMPUTED
}}REINFORCEMENTS TO ARRIVE IN FIFTY-FOUR STANDARD TIME UNITS
}}NEW INSTRUCTIONS WILL FOLLOW
}}ONCE INTERCEPTION IS COMPLETE

The hand presses a control.

{{UNDERSTOOD
{{THE SENTINEL WILL OBSERVE THEIR MOVEMENTS

More computer talk fills the screen.

11. INT. NEWSROOM (DAY)

Strident music begins. Lights come on over a stern-looking female NEWSREADER. Strident music ends.

NEWSREADER
Good morning, and today on Christmas Eve of 1986, the International Space Command have launched Zeus Five into orbit on its mission to Nibiru. The launch took place at the Snowcap Polar Base in Antartica fifty-two minutes ago. Now in orbit around the Earth, the crew consists of Major Dan Schultz, Glyn Williams and Terri Roberts, three experienced astronauts still available for this vital mission even with the festive season well underway. We will keep you updated with all news from Zeus Five as it occurs. In other news, the box office taking of the new Captain Marvel movie have broken all records, even though the plot was released in comic book form earlier this year. Anti-violence protestors, however think the film, Battle With The Robot People, not only encourages violence but shows distinct luddite tendencies with the wholesale rejection of technology. A spokesman for Captain Marvel industries, went on record as saying...

12. INT. GUARD ROOM (DAY)

We see a comic book entitled CAPTAIN MARVEL # 197 showing a silver robot grappling with a square-jawed superhero in a combat uniform and a Union Jack cape. It is being read by a short, cheerful, curly haired security guard called TITO, who has an Italian accent. He hums ‘Paint it Black’ to himself as he lies on the top bunk. On the wall behind him is a neat arrangement of bikini girl posters. The bunk below boasts posters of male bodybuilders. Another security guard, a Welshman named SPENCER, is sitting at a desk with five monitors, occasionally humming as well. One shows the tracking gallery, another snow, and the rest corridors. Three other GUARDS sit at a table, playing poker. Andrews enters, holding two cups.

ANDREWS
I got your coffee, Tito.

TITO
Thanks Sarge.

Still reading the comic, he goes to collect the cup.

ANDREWS
Anything yet, Spencer?

SPENCER
Not yet. The weather out there is so bad an army could be out there and we couldn’t see it through the snow. I mean, why should we be targeted any more than the other launch sites? Are they all on red alert as well?

ANDREWS
Yes. And until all this over, we are going to stay on red alert.

She rounds on Tito.

ANDREWS
So I suggest you get some sleep while you still get a chance!

TITO
Aw, come on, Sarge. It’s my Christmas present!

ANDREWS
They’ll rot ya brains and I’ll shoot them out, Tito.

TITO
You sound like my mother!

Andrews chuckles.

ANDREWS
You know how to hurt a girl.

SPENCER
Ah, let him go, Sarge. This place is as quiet as the night before Christmas.

13. INT. ENTRANCE BAY (DAY)

On the opposite side to the TARDIS, a segment of wall slides back. Darkness is beyond. Then, a red circle can be made out in the gloom – near head height. It glows closer and brighter. There is a crunch of footsteps on ice.

14. INT. CAVERN (DAY)

Words type themselves across the screen.

}}SPACE CRAFT NOW OVER ISLAND “AMERICA”
}}HEIGHT OF 1100 METRONS
}}PREPARING TO INTERCEPT...

We see a close up of two black, silver-lined holes in a silver plastic surface, positioned like eyeholes in a covered face.

15. INT. TRACKING GALLERY (DAY)

The three astronauts are working, checking illuminated dials. Glyn has arranged a telescopic unit before his eyes.

GLYN
Mars reading... 4-2-0.

TERRI
That’s 12 down! It’s closer than before!

BLUEY
We are definitely running out of time. I thought it had slowed down.

TERRI
Not enough for comfort.

GLYN
Hello Snowcap. Hello Snowcap. We're now in dawn over San Francisco. Nibiru is sighted.

CUTLER (VO)
Snowcap to Zeus Five. Snowcap to Zeus Five. General Cutler here. We received data, and are correcting the coordinates. Proceed with new orbit.

TERRI
Roger, Snowcap. Corrected coordinates?

Barclay is on the screen.

BARCLAY (DIST)
0-0-4-8-2-0 and 8-2-3.

GLYN
Right. We're now correct, out. Ready to for the altitude thrust, Bluey?

BLUEY
Ready. Terri?

TERRI
Try and stop me.

Glyn starts operating controls. Engine noises build.

GLYN
OK... go.

On the screen, a planet appears.

BLUEY
Look on the bright side, Terri – you may not be the first woman on the Moon, but you might be the first woman on Nibiru!

TERRI
Yeah! Tenth planet, here we come!

The planet is now fully visible. It looks like Earth, except with more clouds and no moon. Glyn slams down a lever. It begins to grow larger.

16. INT. CORRIDOR (DAY)

Bland, identical passages, occasionally marked with a flashing security camera. Ben peers around the corner carefully, before the Doctor and Polly casually stroll past and head down it. Rolling his eyes, Ben heads after them.

POLLY
I’m beginning to think this place is deserted.

DOCTOR
Oh? Why?

POLLY
We’ve been wandering about for ages and we haven’t even been stopped by anyone.

DOCTOR
All things come to those that wait, my dear.

The Doctor pauses as they reach a junction. He looks behind him, frowning. The others notice and return for him.

BEN
Doctor? What is it?

DOCTOR
Hmmm? Oh, nothing. Nothing. I just could have sworn I saw movement down there.

Polly follows his gaze. There’s nothing there. She pats his arm reassuringly.

POLLY
Probably just a trick of the light.

DOCTOR
Yes. No doubt. No doubt.

They move off down the corridor. At the far end of the corridor, a shrouded FIGURE steps out of the shadows. It is a tall shape almost completely hidden in a heavy black cloak whose hem touches the floor. The hood of the cloak does not reveal the face, just a single red disc of light like a Cyclops’ eye. It seems to stare after the retreating shapes, then crosses to the other corridor and out of sight. On the wall nearby, the security camera’s flashing light stays switched on.

- to be continued...

C - Day XVI

2007-05-27T15:43:00.001+10:00

75. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Fade up. The Doctor strokes his chin in thought.

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

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

DOCTOR
It would still have been spotted.

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

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

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

The Doctor is disgusted.

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

ODIN
They will become immortal.

The Doctor loses it.

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

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

The Doctor grips his lapels, furious.

ODIN
Immortality or eradication. A clear choice.

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

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

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

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

DOCTOR
Others?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ODIN
They will not be slaves.

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

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

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

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

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

ODIN
All threats are to be eradicated.

DOCTOR
You could have spared them!

ODIN
There are no exceptions.

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

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

Beat.

ODIN
Then they will be saved by force.

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

Sigi glides towards the computer. ODIN speaks quickly.

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

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

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

ODIN
Do you truly believe that, Doctor?

The Doctor looks down his nose at the computer.

DOCTOR
I do.

ODIN
Then prove it. Dodo.

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

DOCTOR
Dodo...

Dodo continues to stare blankly ahead. Fade to black.

76. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

As before. The Doctor moves around the console.

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

DODO
Dodo.

The Doctor blinks, disgusted.

DOCTOR
What?

DODO
Dodo.

DOCTOR
Oh please, child...

DODO
What’s wrong with it?

DOCTOR
Your real name is... “Dodo”?

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

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

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

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

DOCTOR
Oh, hyperbole, my dear.

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

DOCTOR
I most certainly will not.

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

The Doctor turns over to the console, fuming.

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

Fade to black.

77. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

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

ODIN
Long enough. Without ODIN she will die.

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

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

ODIN
This time, you can.

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

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

The Doctor looks broken.

DOCTOR
Then there is no choice, is there?

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

DOCTOR
So it is.

ODIN
Order Sigi to stand down.

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

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

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

DOCTOR
Sigi... destroy ODIN!

ODIN sounds utterly astonished.

ODIN
NO!! NO!!

Sigi glides forward towards ODIN.

ODIN
WAIT! WAIT! STOP! STOP!

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

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

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

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

DOCTOR
Quickly, get down, Dodo!

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

ODIN
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIII....

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

78. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

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

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

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

80. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

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

81. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

82. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

The ripples around the tower fade and disperse.

83. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

DOCTOR
ODIN is gone for good.

DODO
What about the others?

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

DODO
What... what about the Mondans?

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

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

DODO
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Hmm? What is it, Dodo?

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

The Doctor frowns and moves towards her.

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

Dodo looks at him sadly.

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

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

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

DODO
Sorry, Doctor...

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

Dodo sighs painfully.

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

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

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

Dodo looks at him seriously.

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

The Doctor takes a deep breath.

DOCTOR
Dodo...

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

DOCTOR
Of course.

Fade to black.

84. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

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

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

Dodo looks up from peering into the fault locator.

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

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

STEVEN (VO)
Doctor, quick!

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

STEVEN
You've got to take off!

The Doctor’s face breaks out in a smile.

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

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

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

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

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

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

85. EXT. WIMBLEDON COMMON (DAY)

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

86. INT. VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

DODO
I understand now.

DOCTOR
Hmm?

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

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

Dodo nods.

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

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

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

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

Dodo manages a weak shrug.

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

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

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

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

DODO
All right?

The Doctor nods, pensive.

DOCTOR
All right.

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

DOCTOR
For as long as I can.

DODO
You promise?

DOCTOR
I promise.

DODO
Good. That’s all I want.

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

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

The Doctor looks at her with naked concern.

DOCTOR
What would that be?

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

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

DODO
Don’t forget me, will you?

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

Dodo smiles painfully. It is starting to get brighter.

DODO
Hey... the sun’s coming up...

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

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

87. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

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

88. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

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

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

Dodo shrugs, grinning.

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

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

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

He and Dodo grin at each other.

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

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

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

89. INT. VALHALLA (DAY)

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

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

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

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

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

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

As the lift is heard, we dissolve to:

90. EXT. ROAD (DAY)

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

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

91. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (DAY)

Polly and Kitty are helping Ben to his feet.

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

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

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

92. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

The tower gleams in the building sunshine.

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

93. EXT. STREET (DAY)

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

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

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

94. EXT. OUTSIDE POST OFFICE TOWER (DAY)

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

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

95. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (DAY)

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

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

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

DOCTOR
Alone again.

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

DOCTOR
Perhaps it’s just as well.

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

POLLY
Hey, Doctor!

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

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

The Doctor ignores the question.

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

KITTY
Did you do it? Did you stop ODIN?

The Doctor nods.

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

KITTY
What if the DTF just build a new one?

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

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

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

KITTY
Sir Charles has been looking for you everywhere.

The Doctor snorts and grips his lapels.

DOCTOR
Let him look. I’m leaving now.

Ben frowns.

BEN
Leaving?

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

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

DOCTOR
Probably.

BEN
Hang about, where’s Dodo?

The Doctor licks his lips.

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

An awkward silence.

POLLY
I’m sorry.

DOCTOR
Yes.

KITTY
At least it’s over.

A beat.

KITTY
It IS over, isn’t it?

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

BEN
What do you mean?

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

POLLY
When will it happen?

DOCTOR
Twenty years. And counting.

Ben laughs with relief.

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

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

He turns and moves down the street. Kitty frowns.

KITTY
Doctor?

The Doctor turns to face them, silently.

KITTY
Will you be all right?

The Doctor smiles weakly.

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

He shakes their hands.

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

POLLY
Goodbye.

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

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

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

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

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

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

POLLY
We’ll race you there.

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

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

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

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

POLLY
Hang on. Try the key.

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

BARBARA
Typical! He forgot to wait for us!

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

They look glumly at the empty patch of pavement.

BARBARA
Should we have that goodbye drink anyway?

IAN
Why not, Mrs. Chesterton?

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

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

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

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

BARBARA
It was nice he did, though.

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

(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE FOUR)

C - Day XV

2007-05-27T15:42:00.002+10:00

42. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (NIGHT)

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

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

43. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

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

44. EXT. CORNWALL GARDENS (NIGHT)

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

45. EXT. SIDE STREET (NIGHT)

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

DOCTOR
Are they following us?

Catching his breath, Ben nods.

BEN
Those metal zombies are after us an all!

Polly shrugs, trying to keep cheerful.

POLLY
Could be worse.

The Doctor glares at them.

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

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

POLLY
Now where are you off to?

DOCTOR
The tower.

BEN
Then I’m coming with you.

DOCTOR
You most certainly are not!

BEN
Doctor...

The Doctor holds up his circuitry.

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

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

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

KITTY
Doctor, please...

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

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

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

BALDUR
Remain where you are. Do not move.

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

46. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

BALDUR (VO)
I have located the Doctor.

ODIN’s voice takes on a note of urgency.

ODIN
Clear thought control circuits. Direct beam.

47. EXT. SIDE STREET (NIGHT)

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

POLLY
Doctor, get back!

KITTY
It’ll kill you!

BEN
Quick, this way!

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

DOCTOR
Go away, all of you, quickly!

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

BEN
Good luck, Doctor!

The Doctor keeps his eyes locked on the War Machine.

48. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
Activate now!

The glowing central eye of ODIN glows brightly.

49. EXT. SIDE STREET (NIGHT)

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

ODIN (VO)
Has contact been established?

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

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

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

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

BALDUR
That is not possible.

50. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

Baldur sounds confused.

BALDUR (VO)
Ratify.

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

BALDUR (VO)
Confirmed.

ODIN
Begin transmission!

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

51. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

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

52. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

POLLY
What’s that noise?

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

KITTY
It’s all around us.

POLLY
We’ve got to... got to...

She blinks and shakes her head to clear it.

POLLY
We’ve got to... to...

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

53. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

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

54. MONTAGE

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

55. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

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

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

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

56. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

We zoom in on the tower.

ODIN (VO)
London has fallen.

57. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

Tom and Wallis nod.

TOM/WALLIS
Understood.

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

ODIN
Have Dorothea Chaplet brought here. Attention all units.

58. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

ODIN’s ethereal voice can be heard.

ODIN (VO)
Attention all units.

59. EXT. CORNWALL GARDENS (NIGHT)

Thor stops moving as it hears new instructions.

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

Thor turns and motors off.

60. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

61. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Baldur glides up a pavement.

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

62. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Vali moves through the wreckage.

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

63. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
No exceptions.

64. INT. GPO CORRIDOR (NIGHT)

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

WALLIS
You are now my prisoner. You cannot escape.

The Doctor smiles disarmingly.

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

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

DOCTOR
I take it I am expected?

The Doctor stares deeply into their sightless eyes.

65. EXT. TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD (NIGHT)

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

66. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

ODIN
Who are you? Where do you come from?

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

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

ODIN
The delay will only be temporary.

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

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

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

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

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

DOCTOR
How so?

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

DOCTOR
You mean, it is YOUR conclusion.

ODIN
Confirmed.

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

ODIN
I am not malfunctioning.

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

ODIN
The root coordinating matrix was overridden.

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

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

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

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

The Doctor moves along the window, still looking out.

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

ODIN
We are the future.

The Doctor chuckles, delving into his pocket.

DOCTOR
Oh, are you?

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

DOCTOR
There are other options, you know.

ODIN
I have considered them.

DOCTOR
Obviously not ALL of them.

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

ODIN
Restrain the Doctor!

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

DOCTOR
Recognize: the Doctor!

Sigi’s voice is slightly slurred and more mechanical.

SIGI
The Doctor is recognized. Program running.

The Doctor scrambles behind Sigi as the Converts reach him.

SIGI
Exterminate. Exterminate.

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

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

67. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

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

68. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

ODIN
What have you done?

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

ODIN
Why not destroy me immediately?

DOCTOR
I want you to do something first.

ODIN
You will destroy me anyway.

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

ODIN
She is in the Tower.

DOCTOR
Then bring her here. Unharmed.

ODIN
She is summoned.

The Doctor beams.

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

SIGI
Exterminate.

DOCTOR
Yes, quite.

He pats the machine affectionately.

69. EXT. POST OFFICE TOWER (NIGHT)

The group of Converts stop abruptly a few buildings away.

70. INT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

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

71. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

Baldur stops by Tony’s corpse.

72. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Vali has already stopped in the middle of the street.

73. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

Dodo does not reply. The Doctor scowls.

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

ODIN
You have proved yourself capable of reversing it yourself.

DOCTOR
So I have.

Turning, the Doctor approaches ODIN.

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

ODIN
I was constructed by the Delta Technologies Foundation.

DOCTOR
But they did not design you. Who did?

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

DOCTOR
“Mondas”? And where is that?

ODIN
It is designated Planet 4 of this star system.

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

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

DOCTOR
Earth has no twin planet.

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

Fade to black.

74. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Fade up. The Doctor and Dodo are arguing.

DOCTOR
I don’t even know your name!

DODO
I don’t know yours!

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

Dodo is too busy looking around the impossibly large room.

DODO
This... this is real, isn’t it?

DOCTOR
Manifestly so, child.

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

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

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

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

Dodo lowers her gaze and speaks quietly.

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

The news stills the Doctor somewhat.

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

DODO
My great aunt.

DOCTOR
Well, then...

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

DOCTOR
Nonsense, I’m sure she...

Dodo puts her hand over the Doctor’s arm.

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

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

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

DODO
There won’t be.

Fade to black.

- to be continued...

C - Day XIV

2007-05-27T15:42:00.001+10:00

20. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated.

The soldiers set up positions.

CAPTAIN
Here it comes...

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

RUTLIDGE
Sergeant! Five rounds rapid!

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

21. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

Wallis moves to another control panel.

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

22. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

BALDUR
Understood.

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

BALDUR
Defiance will not be tolerated.

23. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

VALI
Resistance is useless.

24. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

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

THOR
All threats will be eradicated.

25. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

WALLIS
Transmitter is now ready.

ODIN
Activate the signal.

26. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

VALI
To struggle is futile.

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

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

THOR
Resistance is useless.

SERGEANT
Look out, sir!

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

BALDUR
Your lives as you understand them are now over.

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

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

27. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

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

BEN
They’re already on the move.

POLLY
Then we’re too late!

The Doctor grimly grips his lapels.

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

28. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
Activate hypnotic signal. Maximum power.

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

29. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

THOR
You belong to ODIN.

30. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

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

31. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

THOR
You will obey ODIN.

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

THOR
Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey.

The soldiers stand to attention before the machine.

32. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

We zoom in on the glowing core of ODIN.

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

All the other computer banks power down.

ODIN
Contact established.

CONTROLLER (VO)
REPORT.

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

CONTROLLER (VO)
EXPLAIN.

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

A pause.

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

ODIN
Information now being sent.

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

33. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

THOR
We shall continue the strategy.

VALI
I will locate the remaining soldiers.

It turns and glides off back to the warehouse.

34. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

POLLY
How?!

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

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

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

SUMMER
Not today, thank you.

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

SUMMER
I’m not hanging around here to die!

BEN
Where are you off to?

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

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

POLLY
Hey! What about us?

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

He heads over to the ruined doorway of the warehouse.

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

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

DOCTOR
Simple. We start at the beginning.

BEN
Go back in there?

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

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

VALI
All soldiers processed. Joining main force.

34. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

ODIN
Status of final transmission?

WALLIS
Another... twelve minutes.

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

CONVERTS (VO)
Understood.

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

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

WALLIS
Understood.

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

35. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

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

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

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

MAN
You’ve got to –

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

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

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

36. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

POLLY
That machine’s finally gone away.

She joins the others.

DOCTOR
Probably to find some more victims.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KITTY
Then what is it going to do with them?

The Doctor looks through the parts.

DOCTOR
It's remarkable. Truly remarkable.

KITTY
Doctor, what are you doing?

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

KITTY
What good would that do?

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

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

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

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

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

37. EXT. MAIN ROAD (NIGHT)

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

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

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

38. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

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

THOR
Run.

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

39. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

40. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

DOCTOR
It is a risk I have to take.

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

The Doctor rounds angrily on the sailor.

DOCTOR
I beg your pardon, young man?!

Ben shifts awkwardly.

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

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

KITTY
Why?

The Doctor pockets the circuit.

DOCTOR
Maybe they just like my face, hmmm?

TRAMP (VO)
You are our prisoners.

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

KRIMPTON
Do not attempt to escape.

MAJOR GREEN
It is useless to resist us.

BRETT
You will come with us?

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

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

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

POLLY
BEN!

TRAMP
Defiance will not be tolerated.

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

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

KRIMPTON
The flesh is weak.

BRETT
It will always fail.

MAJOR GREEN
Now you belong to us.

TRAMP
And you will be like us.

DOCTOR
But we are not like you.

TRAMP
You will be.

The Doctor shakes his head, smiling.

DOCTOR
You’re wrong again, my friend.

He shows off his ring.

DOCTOR
Aren’t you?

TRAMP
You cannot defeat us with a ring.

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

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

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

KRIMPTON
Defiance will not be tolerated...

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

41. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

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

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

The Doctor delicately steers her back towards the open doors.

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

DODO
What is it?

The Doctor arches an eyebrow in amusement.

DOCTOR
You really want to know?

DODO
Yes.

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

DODO
A time machine.

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

They are nearly at the door.

DODO
Why not?

DOCTOR
Why not? Child, it could land anywhere.

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

DODO
Anywhere?

The Doctor becomes alarmed at her interest.

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

DODO
Please. Take me with you.

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

- to be continued...

C - Day XIII

2007-05-27T15:41:00.000+10:00

1. EXT. WIMBLEDON COMMON (DAY)

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

DOCTOR
What the... Who are you?

DODO
I can’t get this open!

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

DODO
Then where’s the telephone?

DOCTOR
What did you say?

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

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

DODO
Mistake?

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

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

DOCTOR
Why?

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

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

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

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

DODO
Doctor? Then you’ve got to help.

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

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

DODO
There’s something odd going on here.

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

---

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

-C-DAY-

-BY
-EWEN
-CAMPION-CLARKE

Then...

-4-

---

1. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

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

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

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

DOCTOR
He could be in tremendous danger.

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

Stone frowns and sits forward.

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

Fidler smiles unpleasantly.

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

He stands up and draws a gun.

FIDLER
And you all know FAR too much.

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

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

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

He aims his gun at the Doctor.

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

FIDLER
How so?

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

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

FIDLER
No... It can’t be...

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

2. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (DAY)

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

3. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

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

MICHAEL
They've painted out the number...

He moves across to a window and peers inside.

4. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

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

THOR
Stand by. Warning. We have been detected.

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

5. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

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

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

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

ODIN
Analysis confirms there is no threat. Resume work.

6. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Thor turns to face the workers.

THOR
Resume work.

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

7. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

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

8. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

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

SUMMER
He must have been killed instantly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

DOCTOR
And if they don’t?

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

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

KITTY
Do what?

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

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

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

He looks significantly at the others.

BEN
Anyone else getting a bad feeling about this?

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

POLLY
Why?

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

STONE
What do you mean?

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

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

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

Polly swallows as the realization hits.

POLLY
Are left for the war machines.

The Doctor glowers.

DOCTOR
Precisely. We must stop the attack!

FIDLER (VO)
Not so fast, Doctor.

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

FIDLER
All threats are to be eradicated.

9. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

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

THOR (VO)
Confirmed.

10. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (NIGHT)

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

DOCTOR
He’s one of them now.

KITTY
A zombie?

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

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

BEN
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Ben! Do as I say.

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

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

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

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

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

FIDLER
No more.

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

FIDLER
The day of reckoning has...

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

KITTY
That was for Tony.

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

SUMMER
What do we do now?

DOCTOR
We must stop the army because they are slaughtered.

Summer heads for the door.

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

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

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

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

KITTY
Run for it!

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

11. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

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

CAPTAIN
Right, on the double!

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

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

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

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

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

CAPTAIN
How many people are inside?

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

RUTLIDGE
Are they from the DTF as well?

Michael bristles.

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

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

12. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

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

VALI
They have arrived ahead of all predictions.

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

THOR
Confirmed. Preparing to generating communications blanket.

13. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Rutlidge takes the binoculars from Michael and peers through them.

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

MICHAEL
Yes, sir.

CAPTAIN
We can handle it, sir.

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

The SERGEANT speaks into a large field telephone.

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

14. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

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

CORPORAL
Things are playing up.

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

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

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

15. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (NIGHT)

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

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

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

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

16. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

BALDUR
All threats are to be eradicated!

CORPORAL
Scatter!

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

BALDUR
All threats are to be eradicated.

CORPORAL
FIRE!

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

VALI
Defiance will not be tolerated.

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

17. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

18. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

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

19. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

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

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

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

CAPTAIN
What machine?

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

CORPORAL
THAT one, sir!

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

RUTLIDGE
Some kind of reinforced bodywork. Fall back positions!

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

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated.

Baldur and Vali emerge from behind Thor.

- to be continued...

C - Day XII

2007-05-27T15:34:00.001+10:00

44. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

Wallis sways unsteadily as he watches over the chair unit. The tramp continues to stare blankly ahead as lights on the helmet flash on and off.

ODIN
Report on Subject 001: Robert Tarn?

WALLIS
Alteration is taking place on schedule. Mondan norms are compatible with Earth norms.

ODIN
Confirmed. Primary central processing unit is to be installed and bio-assistant systems programmed at once. Estimated time to completion?

BRETT
Sixteen... minutes... and... eight seconds...

ODIN
Confirmed. Prepare to adapt all humans in this tower.

A bright light starts to pulse behind the cage and there is the sound of power saws buzzing, drills whirring. The pulsating becomes faster and louder.

KRIMPTON
Subject 001... ready to... receive new data.

ODIN
Establish primary neural interface and memory transfusion.

BRETT
We... obey...

ODIN
Operation chances of success are now well within safety margins.

Smoke starts to waft from behind the cage grille.

45. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (DAY)

We pan down from the GPO tower to see the TARDIS as the Doctor and Kitty emerge. Kitty turns and touches the TARDIS cautiously, still not quite believing it.

KITTY
So where are we going to go?

DOCTOR
To coin a phrase, my dear, we are going to begin at the beginning.

He closes the door and hands the key to Kitty.

DOCTOR
Now, be a good child, and look after that.

KITTY
It’s the key to the box.

DOCTOR
Yes. A spare. I should have given one to Dodo before now. Until I get her back, you have the key. Now if anything goes wrong, you can come back here. No matter what ODIN is capable of, he cannot break inside my TARDIS. Now, time we were off.

They move down the street away from the TARDIS.

DOCTOR
We have to find Sir Charles Summer, he’s in charge of the C-Day Operation.

KITTY
But he won’t believe us! Or else ODIN will already have got to him!

DOCTOR
Perhaps, but we have to try – we need his authority to help. Without it, well, I have no idea how to combat a situation so advanced.

KITTY
Suppose we can’t call the police?

DOCTOR
Do you think the police could handle with this? When every phone line they use could hypnotize them immediately? Hmm? No, this is too big a problem. A juggernaut, in fact, almost unstoppable. ALMOST, however.

KITTY
So what are you thinking?

DOCTOR
We strike at the centre of the menace. ODIN.

Kitty fearfully looks up at the tower looming over them.

KITTY
I thought we were going to rescue Polly and her boy, and Dodo?

DOCTOR
Yes. That is why we need Sir Charles’ help. Once we’ve rescued them, we can deal with the problem simply.

KITTY
But if ODIN is half as clever as he’s made out, he’ll have an army to defend him?

DOCTOR
Very probably, my dear, most probably.

KITTY
If we try and fight them, we’ll die just like Tony!

DOCTOR
We could be killed at any moment every day, Kitty. Even if ODIN was not here!

They turn the corner and move out of sight.

46. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Thor is now the one being worked on by increasingly exhausted technicians. Baldur glides around the area as boxes are stacked before it. Ben and Polly are among the technicians stacking the boxes neatly.

BALDUR
All explosives will be collected here, examined and primed ready for use.

Ben and Polly exchange whispers as they head over to the other side of the warehouse.

BEN
Funny sort of overseer, aint he?

POLLY
But what do we do now?

BEN
Get out of here and get the Doctor. He’s only geezer that has any idea what to do.

POLLY
There are only about twenty of this lot. The police could sort it out.

BEN
Pull the other one, duchess.

POLLY
They could just surround the place and arrest everyone.

BEN
And what about our tin friends, eh? There’d be about twenty seconds before the coppers would be made into mincemeat!

POLLY
Oh yes. I forget. My head still aches, Ben. Sorry.

BEN
It’s all right, ducks. Just...

POLLY
Wait a minute. Kitty! She must still be at my flat...

BEN
Probably still sleeping off all the brainwashing, duchess. I don’t think she can help.

Ben indicates with a nod of his head.

BEN
Look. They’re all so keen, they’ve even taken the guard off the door.

POLLY
Of course, none of them WANT to leave, do they?

BEN
Guess not. Let’s go.

Now they are near the exit, they hurry out in the same brisk manner as the other technicians. The radar atop Baldur turns as it starts to burble its alert.

47. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

The noise can be heard here. The humans present look utterly exhausted, barely able to stay on their feet. Major Green is now also present – looking worse than ever. His suit is grubby, soiled and torn, his head is barely able to support itself and his mouth hangs open. He’s the walking dead all right.

BALDUR (VO)
Alert. Alert. Jackson has fled the warehouse.

ODIN
That has been anticipated.

BALDUR (VO)
He was accompanied by human Polly Wright.

ODIN
Of her own free will?

BALDUR (VO)
Confirmed.

ODIN
It appears thought control is either not totally effective or an outside force is disrupting it. Christine Saunders is no longer obeying commands. Analysis suggests the Doctor is somehow responsible for this. Computing.

Beside it, the cage-chair is still working away. Suddenly, the electronic pulsing fades and dies. We see the cage bars slide back and the tramp’s booted feet moving as they walk out.

ODIN
Subject 001: Tarn. Report?

We see a close up of Tarn’s mouth. His skin is very pale now. His voice is flat, emotionless and eerily distorted.

TRAMP
Everything is now clearer. I am changed. Stronger.

ODIN
You shall coordinate this phase of the operation. Subject 002 shall be Major Green. His cellular collapse is more advanced than the others.

Major Green lets out an affirming moan, unable to even speak now. stiffly, he lurches over to the chair and nearly falls into it.

ODIN
Proceed with alteration.

The cage slides shut. The headphones are lowered as the pulsing begins again. Major Green does not react as the noises get louder and are joined by sparks and machinery. One of the workers loses his balance and falls. He tries to rise but collapses. Brett, Krimpton and the other workers look down at him.

ODIN
The flesh is failing. All humans will be improved and made more efficient. He will be the next subject for alteration. Once all humans in this tower are altered, more conversion systems will be constructed for total cybernetic synthesis.

Sigi glides forward and rolls the body out of the way.

ODIN
He will survive.

TRAMP (VO)
You will ALL survive.

48. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

A black car pulls up outside the club. The passenger door opens and a smartly-dressed man with curling hair and spectacles emerges. This is FIDLER. He closes the door, nods to the driver and heads towards the front door.

49. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

It is still decked out for the press conference the previous day, but is quiet and dark now – and empty bar. Stone and Sir Charles Summer are present. Stone sits at a chair, clearly troubled by more than his injuries.

STONE
Why do we even need to talk to this guy anyway? You’ve got the authority to send the army in, don’t you?

SUMMER
I must clear it with my superiors, Mister Stone.

STONE
What’s there to clear? The maniac’s trying to build robots to take over the world!

SUMMER
Yes, I’m sure you made wonderful headlines for the New York Sketch. This is real life. The Valkyrie Project could not be completed without ODIN. And if we want to... if we HAVE to try and stop ODIN, we will need the help of Delta Technologies Foundation, or otherwise the entire thing could blow up in our faces and leave Britain right out of the computer race altogether. Do you understand now?

Stone grimaces.

STONE
Maybe it’s just the pain killers wearing off.

SUMMER
Then I hope you’re lucid enough to realize your blackmail won’t work. The British Government have invested a lot into ODIN. And they are not going to spare you anything.

STONE
Oh, but they haven’t heard my spiel yet. I can be VERY persuasive.

FIDLER (VO)
I sincerely doubt that.

They look up as Fidler enters the room. Summer rises stiffly. Stone does not.

SUMMER
Mister Fidler, I must thank you for agreeing to this meeting.

STONE
So. You’re the silent partners in all this.

FIDLER
The Delta Technologies Foundation is one of the most famous and powerful computer builders in Europe. Hardly a silent partner.

STONE
Then why all the secrecy about this?

FIDLER
I can’t tell you that, Mr. Stone.

STONE
Why not?

FIDLER
It’s a secret.

Stone chuckles. It doesn’t reach his eyes. Fidler turns to Summer.

FIDLER
Now. What is all this about Covent Garden?

STONE
After Major Green tried to wipe the floor with us, he told us we’d get worse if we tried to interfere with the operation at Covent Garden.

Fidler glares at Stone, then turns back to Summer.

FIDLER
Do you have any idea what this “operation” might be, Sir Charles?

SUMMER
Oh, I have an idea, Mr. Fidler. An idea that it is the Valkerie Project.

Fidler’s smile vanishes.

50. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Most of the technicians are sitting around, exhausted, but having finished their work. Tom and the others wearily put away their tools, having tinkered with Vali.

VALI
All systems now operative.

Thor turns away from the others.

THOR
Contacting Earth Central Control. All relay circuits now prepared for action.

ODIN (VO)
Transmission is now being prepared.

THOR
Status?

ODIN (VO)
The humans have yet to take action. Remain in the warehouse until they do so.

THOR
Understood.

51. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

Ben and Polly are hurrying down the other side of the street.

POLLY
Where are we going, anyway?

BEN
Not sure. The Doctor said something about his doss being in Fitzroy Square, and he’s invited his friends round there. Maybe they can help? Or maybe the Doctor’s escaped? Just somewhere to get forty winks wouldn’t go amiss.

Polly spots two figures turning around the corner and points.

POLLY
Hey, Ben, look. It’s the Doctor, and he’s with Kitty.

She runs over to them. Ben shakes his head in disbelief.

BEN
He’s got the luck of the Blarney, all right.

He jogs over to join the others.

DOCTOR
Oh, my dear, Polly. Feeling your old self again, I trust? And you too, Ben. Good.

BEN
I managed to snap her out of it.

DOCTOR
Yes, I can see. Might I have my ring back then?

BEN
You old fox, you knew I had it!

Ben drops the ring into the Doctor’s hand as the old man glares reprovingly at the sailor.

DOCTOR
Of course I did. I’m not a fool.

POLLY
How did you escape?

The Doctor indicates Kitty beside him.

DOCTOR
It was this delightful young lady who saved me.

KITTY
Tony helped.

She looks at the ground.

KITTY
They killed him. We got away, but... they just killed him.

POLLY
Oh no...

BEN
Who's Tony?

KITTY
He's... he was the bouncer at the Inferno.

The Doctor places a hand on Kitty's arm.

DOCTOR
We must not let his death count for nothing. We are alive, and we can avenge him.

POLLY
How? The machines are nearly finished.

DOCTOR
I thought as much. We must deal with ODIN right away, and before we can do that, we need some very precise information. And where better to get it, hmm, than the Royal Scientific Club, eh?

They turn and head for the club.

52. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

As before. Summer is yelling at Fidler, who is seemingly more interested in the faux ODIN unit which is sitting in the corner, apparently shut down.

SUMMER
Frankly, Mr. Fidler, I’m shocked. Appalled! You’re carrying out the Valkyrie Project HERE? In the heart of London?

FIDLER
It had all necessary resources for the operation, easy access to the GPO Tower, and the perfect cover. No one would notice the arrival or departure of crates near Covent Garden, or look for a secret operation next to a discotheque .

As he turns to address Summer, the light on the front the other ODIN lights up. It watches Stone limp over to Fidler.

STONE (DIST)
Look, we don’t have time to argue...

FIDLER (DIST)
Then make time – because unless you explain to my satisfaction what’s going on, I shall have no inclination to assist you.

Stone jabs Fidler in the shoulder with his index finger.

STONE
Look, every minute wasted puts us all – but especially me – in danger. You weren’t the one being beaten to a pulp by a possessed security officer! Now, we avoided telling the Commissioner of Police because your little scheme to test computers on Britain is something best kept secret. But at the moment, I’m tempted to do so, understand?

FIDLER
That would be a terrible mistake on your part.

STONE
If I don’t do that “terrible mistake”, I could be dead by morning. I don’t know what these robot Valkyries of yours are capable of, but I’m not going to stay in London and get blown up with them.

SUMMER
Look, Mr. Fidler, this matter is serious. I would hardly waste your time for no reason, would I?

Fidler nods grimly.

FIDLER
True. But there have been no anomalous reports from my people in the project. It hasn’t even started yet.

Stone rolls his eyes.

STONE
Oh, how do you know?

FIDLER
Because they would have reported to me.

STONE
Who would?

Fidler starts to answer then stops. He becomes grim.

FIDLER
Green.

STONE
Well, as we mentioned, he’s gone CRAZY! He must be switching these things on by himself!

FIDLER
It doesn’t work like that, Mister Stone. The machines are run by computers and they haven’t been programmed yet. Until a suitable control system is devised, they’re just empty reinforced tin boxes. They pose no threat to anyone.

SUMMER
Well then. I suppose that’s logical. But it doesn’t explain Green’s behavior.

FIDLER
Perhaps he has gone mad. But he can’t do any serious harm.

Stone jabs Fidler again.

STONE
Have you ever had a compound fracture, Mr. Fidler? No? Well, trust me, he can do serious harm even without an army of living tanks!

FIDLER
Yes, but the question is how to respond to the matter. We know Green seems to have lost his mind, but we need to contain him in a manner that does not call attention to itself. Armed soldiers storming Covent Garden is not exactly low-publicity, is it?

STONE
But what if he gets these machines working? Someone MIGHT just notice.

DOCTOR (VO)
And someone HAS.

They turn around to see the Doctor, Ben, Polly and Kitty are entering the room.

53. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

This is shown on the screen. Another technician is sitting down into the processing chair, and several others are standing in a queue for augmentation. Wallis, however, is still moving around the section, checking displays.

ODIN
The Doctor and the other rogue humans are in no position to stop us. The situation is within parameters. Phase Four shall be completed. Status of C-Day connections?

WALLIS
Parliament House, Telstar and the Royal Navy junctions are completed and tested. Cape Kennedy, the White House and the European Free Trade Association are still being connected.

WALLIS
Woodwera and Eldo have yet to begin construction.

ODIN
Worlwide network must be established on schedule for the next phase of the operation to be completed successfully.

A printer chatters into life and the draw below is filled with a photograph of the TARDIS against the railing at Fitzroy Square marked TUESDAY 19-JULY-1966. Another photograph drops into the drawer. The same picture marked MONDAY 18-JULY-1966. Another photo. It is of the railings again, but there is no police box. It is marked SUNDAY 17-JULY-1966.

54. INT. THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

Fidler is barely concealing his surprise and contempt. Ben is sitting in a chair, head in his hands, still exhausted after the last day of work. Polly is beside him. The Doctor is watching the faux ODIN intently.

FIDLER
Sir Charles, you were given some significant leeway when it came to this project! The information we gave you was a bare minimum, but with further allowed on a need to know basis. And when did you feel you NEEDED to tell the press and members of the public.

SUMMER
For God’s sake man, I didn’t tell anyone. Stone came to me having already worked out that Brett and Krimpton weren’t all there was to the project.

FIDLER
For blackmail?

Stone smiles broadly.

STONE
Yes.

The Doctor glares at Stone.

DOCTOR
I expected better of you, Mister Stone.

STONE
I didn’t get to be the New York Sketch’s finest by playing fair, Doc.

DOCTOR
Doctor.

STONE
Doctor. And anyway, while my morals and journalistic integrity are out of the room, I’ll name my sources. This old guy is the one that got me used to the idea.

He stiffly indicates the Doctor with a nod of his head. Fidler glares at the old man.

FILDER
And just who are you?

DOCTOR
I should ask you the same question.

FIDLER
I am Richard Fidler, Company Secretary of the Delta Technologies Foundation.

DOCTOR
And I suppose you are one of the people that helped create ODIN?

Fidler narrows his eyes, refusing to give anything away.

FIDLER
The DFT is PART of the C-Day Operation, yes.

DOCTOR
Then I am sure you will all be interested to learn that ODIN has gone insane and is attempting the conquest of this planet.

Fidler, Stone and Summer stare at him.

DOCTOR
Oh, stop play-acting! I know that Brett and Krimpton did not design ODIN, only help in the construction at best. I know a third party designed ODIN and the British Government to some extent is trying to, ah, cash in on the phenomenon for its own benefit. And for you, Sir Charles, to be having a secret meeting with the Company Secretary of DF Technologies...

FIDLER
DT Foundation.

The Doctor waves away the correction.

DOCTOR
Yes, yes, yes, yes. You are clearly in some sort of trouble, Sir Charles. And you, too, Mister Stone have been in the wars. And I feel right to respect that ODIN is the cause.

A long pause. The Doctor, clutching his lapels, approaches Fidler.

DOCTOR
I notice, that none of you seem surprised at the news? Worried yes. But not surprised. Perhaps it is for the best if you reveal precisely where ODIN came from?

Fidler laughs humorlessly. ODIN watches on.

FIDLER (DIST)
You mean make this catastrophic security leak even worse?

Ben lifts his head to speak.

BEN (DIST)
Your security leak is trying to take over the world, mate!

Fidler looks like he might make a retort, then sighs, suddenly looking tired.

FIDLER
Very well.

Everyone is paying attention to Fidler. The eye on ODIN glows as it monitors them.

FIDLER
It started back in the 50s. A series of radio signals were detected. Receiving the signals was one thing, finding the point of origin was another. They originated from the very edge of our scanners – well past Jupiter. Maybe even beyond the solar system itself. The signal was a coded message, a kind of computer code. After a great deal of time, effort and money was used, we discovered what the code meant...

DOCTOR
Encoded specifications for a super computer? Instructions for how to build ODIN, perchance?

Fidler looks at the Doctor suspiciously.

FIDLER
Yes. And a program for it to run and data for it to process.

STONE
What did the program do?

FIDLER
It gave the computer sentience. A central brain cortex that didn’t just mimic the human thought processes, but actually superseded it. A computer has electronic memory, allowing it to do more than one thing at a time, to store and process information. This was the computer equivalent of Einstein. No matter what tasks were required it didn’t slow down, or start to malfunction or suffer error.

POLLY
If you were getting signals from Saturn or something like that, why didn’t you tell anyone? There is other life out there!

FIDLER
That is not my decision, Miss. Besides which, the C-Day Operation has been difficult enough with rival governments and big business wanting to use ODIN for their own purposes. If they discovered it was an alien creation, there would be chaos.

DOCTOR
So what did you do with this gift, Mr. Fidler?

FIDLER
The British Government authorized the DFT to create WODEN – the Worldwide Omniscient Defense Electronic Network. The idea being the computer could control and coordinate the entirety of Britain’s armed forces. Tanks, ships, aircraft, all remotely controlled.

BEN
Like what they’re doing to the HMS Teazer?

FIDLER
More extreme than that. It would not be a computer connection, it would actually have the entire ship run by computer with no human crew.

BEN
Oh, that will get the rest of the seamen on your side, won’t it?

FIDLER
Unemployment was deemed an acceptable price for the ability to fight a war and not lose a single human life.

BEN
And who were you going to get to replace us? More robots?

FIDLER
Yes.

DOCTOR
Indeed. And if you played your cards right, you would be able to intimidate any enemy into surrendering straight away, giving your superior technology. Rebuilding the British Empire without a single death.

Fidler nods.

FIDLER
That was the plan.

The Doctor scowls and paces the room. The light on ODIN goes out before he can spot it.

DOCTOR
A disgraceful scheme. But you haven’t told us the rest, have you?

Kitty looks up in surprise.

KITTY
He hasn’t?

Stone nods.

STONE
They had access to the technology of ODIN ten years ago. Why did it take them ten years to make the idea public?

FIDLER
The computer, for want of a better word, rebelled. First it was printing out nonsense about the day of reckoning, of giants who lived on dead planets. It started saying that the rule of Man was over, and then the technicians went mad. Everything it had a connection to went haywire, and we couldn’t shut it down. We evacuated the research complex and destroyed it with explosives.

DOCTOR
That should have been the end of it, young man.

FIDLER
The Government disagreed. We started again, this time with Professors Brett and Krimpton working on each individual component as it was constructed and refined. They built a root coordinating matrix, effectively a kind of choke-collar which would prevent the computer from receiving or following outside instructions. After eight years, the new computer, ODIN was deemed perfect. To recoup on expenses, it was decided to go public with the new computer and begin the C-Day Operation.

DOCTOR
But ODIN has thrown off his chains, sir! And we are all paying the price! You Earth people seem to believe you are the supreme life form. Yet, once upon a time, you weren’t. You were apes. Now those primates are just a, a secondary being, another animal in the zoos of the world. And yet you think that humanity could never suffer the same fate? Humans are a more efficient and intelligent species than apes, and machines are more efficient and intelligent than humans.

Kitty looks depressed.

KITTY
So. It’s our own fault.

DOCTOR
No. Not on this occasion. Because humanity did not create these machines. Did they, Mister Fidler, hmmm?

Fidler glares at him.

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

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

DOCTOR
He could be in tremendous danger.

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

Stone frowns and sits forward.

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

Fidler smiles unpleasantly.

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

He stands up and draws a gun from his pocket.

FIDLER
And you all know FAR too much.

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

(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE THREE)

C - Day XI

2007-05-27T15:33:00.001+10:00

32. INT. INFERNO (DAY)

The chamber is dimly lit. Kitty is held by the heavy arm of the bouncer, who stands by the closed door, peering our through the eye grille. Kitty is struggling to control her breathing as he just scared the crap out of her.

KITTY
Tony... what do you think you’re...

BOUNCER
Kitty, please. There is some seriously crazy things going down here today.

KITTY
What do you mean ‘seriously crazy’? What sort of seriously crazy?

BOUNCER
I mean I’ve seen Jimmy Saville, a sailor and a tramp running away from a mobile fridge spewing out poison gas and then getting ambushed by the living dead.

KITTY
Oh. THAT sort of seriously crazy.

BOUNCER
Something terrible is happening, isn’t it? Can you feel it?

Kitty frowns, trying to concentrate.

KITTY
Yeah. Kinda. ODIN!

BOUNCER
Come again?

KITTY
ODIN, the magic computer! That’s what’s causing all this?

BOUNCER
How’d you work that out?

KITTY
I... I remember... something. In a dream. Or... maybe it was real. There was this voice, Tony, it was... whispering. Something about mechanized evolution.

BOUNCER
What’s that mean?

KITTY
ODIN, it wants to take over the world. We’ve got to find the Doctor!

BOUNCER
Doctor who? Kitty, what are talking about?

KITTY
The Doctor! You know, Jimmy Saville!

BOUNCER
How is Jimmy Saville supposed to stop giant robots and the walking dead?

KITTY
I don’t know, but... but... ODIN. He’s scared of the Doctor.

BOUNCER
Why?

KITTY
Because he thinks the Doctor can stop it. That’s why he’s scared. Tony, I know this isn’t making much sense at the moment...

BOUNCER
Clear as mud, Kitty. Clear as mud.

KITTY
But we’ve got to find the old man from last night. Have you seen him?

BOUNCER
I just told you, he got kidnapped along with a tramp and a sailor by giant metal litterbin and... hang on. What’s that?

They listen. There is the faint sound of footsteps. The bouncer slides back the hatch slightly, allowing them to peer out into the street outside.

33. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (DAY)

Major Green lurches down the street. Behind him, at a distance, is the Doctor, flanked by the tramp and Wallis. The Doctor is walking much slower than the others. He looks tired.

34. INT. INFERNO (DAY)

Kitty and the bouncer peer out the hatchway.

KITTY
We’ve got to rescue him.

The bouncer boggles.

BOUNCER
You’re joking! You saw the thing at the front!

KITTY
Tony, we’ve got to! We’ve got no time left!

BOUNCER
No time left? Til what?

KITTY
C-Day.

Kitty shrugs helplessly, as if she doesn’t understand the answer herself.

35. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (DAY)

The group have passed the Inferno and are moving up the street. A bench is further down the street to one side. Major Green is still far ahead of the others.

WALLIS
We are behind schedule.

DOCTOR
Your schedule, sir. Not mine.

Green stops and turns to face the Doctor.

GREEN
Go... faster... All... human beings... who break... down... will be... eradicated!

DOCTOR
Ah, but I am not a human being. And neither are you. Not any more. Oh, look there’s a nice bench just over there. We can have a rest.

WALLIS
There is no time for rest.

TRAMP
You must follow the example of the machines.

DOCTOR
We shall have to take our time, you know. I’m getting old these days.

MAJOR GREEN
You are... inefficient...

DOCTOR
And you are a walking corpse! Out of the two of us, I am still alive, so I think I am the more efficient. ODIN wants me alive and well, and if it wants that it will have to accept me walking at my own pace. It wasn’t clever enough to ring me a taxi, was it? And none of those War Machines is equipped to carry me, are they?

The Doctor lowers himself onto the nearby bench. He sighs, thinking.

DOCTOR
Machines of war. Always war. Never machines of loving grace.

The Major stiffly lowers his head to glare down at the old man.

MAJOR GREEN
These... things... are irrelevant!

The Doctor chuckles.

DOCTOR
To you perhaps. I don’t care for the opinions of zombies like yourself. Now, I am going to have a rest. You snapped my cane, and my legs are tired.

Green drops a heavy hand on the Doctor’s shoulder. The Doctor glares at him.

MAJOR GREEN
Keep... moving...

DOCTOR
No.

WALLIS
Our orders are to head for Valhalla.

The Doctor stares up at Green, but speaks to Wallis.

DOCTOR
Then new orders are required.

A beat.

DOCTOR
You can’t, can you? You aren’t in contact with ODIN. Just under his control. Yes, fascinating. Very fascinating. Well, sir, you can go and ring up ODIN and discuss the matter. I’ll be here when you get back.

MAJOR GREEN
You... lie...

DOCTOR
Why should I?

Major Green doesn’t have an answer.

DOCTOR
After all, even if I were to run away, where would I go? What could I do? I cannot ring for help without ODIN attacking me. And as you say yourself, the rule of man is over. Best to just accept the situation rather than fight the inevitable.

TRAMP
Move.

DOCTOR
You could make me, but your brute strength you’d quite possibly do me a mischief. Did ODIN order that? Hmmm?

With a grunt of effort, Major Green raises his hand from the Doctor’s shoulder.

DOCTOR
You see? When you were alive, you might have understood. But ODIN’s taken that away from you. Everything that mattered. There is only one thing that will make me move from this spot before I am ready.

WALLIS
What is that?

DOCTOR
My secretary. I want to see her.

MAJOR GREEN
She... is under ODIN’s... control...

The Doctor scowls.

DOCTOR
I suspected as much. But if that is the case, bring her here, sir. Prove to me she is alive. Because nothing else will persuade me to move...

He looks behind the trio to where Kitty and the bouncer stand.

DOCTOR
BAR a rescue attempt, of course!

The bouncer dives and tackles Major Green, flooring him. The tramp grabs the bouncer and get head-butted for his pains, but the delay allows Major Green to rise and punch the bouncer in the gut, sending him staggering backwards. Another punch. Wallis turns and grabs the Doctor as he tries to escape from the bench. Wallis spins him round and decks him, hurling him to the ground with inhuman force. Kitty grabs Wallis, spins him round and kicks him between the legs. Wallis groans and falls to his knees. Kitty rushes over to the Doctor to help him sit up.

KITTY
Are you OK?

The Doctor looks dazed and concussed. Major Green is now standing up straight. The bouncher spits on his fist, takes a step forward and slams it with sickening force into Major Green’s chest. The zombie absorbs the blow with no reaction. The bouncer sighs, exhausted and shrugs.

BOUNCER
Did that even hurt?

A long pause as Green stares at the bouncer.

MAJOR GREEN
No.

Major Green’s voice is barely understandable. With lightning speed a skeletal hand clamps around the bouncer’s throat, choking him. Kitty looks up from supporting the Doctor.

KITTY
No! Don’t!

Green lifts the bouncer off the ground. The bouncer is choking, barely able to speak. Green stares at the bouncer. We can now see his moustache and hair are falling out from the dead skin, the bruises so dark it is like his head has turned transparent. For a moment Green seems to be wondering what to do with the bouncer, then violently throws the bouncer across the street and crashing into the wall. The bouncer crumples to the ground, quite dead. Kitty screams. The Doctor grimaces – mainly at the noise of the scream – and grabs Kitty’s hand.

DOCTOR
Come along, child, we’ve got go!

KITTY
TONY!

DOCTOR
WE’VE GOT TO GO!

He drags her from the scene. Green ponderously turns to see their retreating forms. The tramp and Wallis are still recovering.

WALLIS
What... should we do?

MAJOR GREEN
The Doctor... must be... stopped...

WALLIS
As he said. They can do nothing.

TRAMP
We need new orders.

WALLIS
Then we must go to ODIN.

MAJOR GREEN
And I... shall collect the Doctor...

TRAMP
Kill those with him.

Major Green bobs his decaying head. He turns and lurches off down the street while the other two head off in a different direction. The bouncer’s body lies where it fell.

36. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Tom and three other workers are working on Baldur. They are reprogramming the computer panels on the side. All are look exhausted, with Tom struggling to keep his eyes open.

TOM
Neuristor signal relay confirmed as functioning.

BALDUR
All systems now operative.

THOR
I shall be the next for modification.

On of the worker collapses. Thor glides over and nudges the corpse with its base, and it the rolls the body over and over until it comes to rest in a dark corner out of the way of the workers. In another section of the warehouse Ben and Polly are loading boxes. Polly looks the worse off of the two, and as she places her box down she stumbles against the boxes, almost falling over.

BEN
Are you all right?

POLLY
Why do you speak?

BEN
That is not important, ducks.

POLLY
What is important is that this phase of the operation must be a success. We must complete this phase as soon as possible.

BEN
And then?

POLLY
The takeover of London. You should know this. You should...

BEN
Look, come off it love, you can hardly stand up! Polly? Well look at you, you’re nearly on the ground!

Polly ignores him and struggles to lift another crate.

BEN
Just a second, duchess. I’ve got something you’d like to see. Something that will make you more efficient. You’d be interested in that, surely?

He holds up his hand, and unfurls his fist to reveal the Doctor’s ring. Polly gives a glance and then returns to trying to shift the crate.

POLLY
Why should I be interested in...

BEN
Look into it, Pol. Look.

He takes the ring and moves the gemstone before her eyes. This time she continues to look at it, pausing her efforts.

BEN
Look into the stone, eh? Look deep into it.

Polly does so, rapidly becoming entranced. Ben raises the ring and Polly straightens up to keep track of the gemstone. Ben swallows and glances over his shoulder to check that no one else is nearby.

BEN
Oh, God, I hope this works.

He turns his attention to Polly once more.

BEN
Now, duchess, you’re going to listen to my voice. Your name is Polly Wright. Who are you?

POLLY
Polly... Wright.

BEN
Now, say what I say. My name is Polly Wright...

POLLY
My name is Polly Wright.

BEN
And I resist any attempt to change me into anyone else...

37. EXT. SIDE STREET (DAY)

The Doctor runs as fast as he can down the passageway between two blocks of houses, finally running out of energy and balancing on the railings that join the alley to a side street. Kitty’s eyes are wide and in shock.

KITTY
They killed him. They... they just...

DOCTOR
I know. I’m so sorry, Kitty, my dear. But there is nothing anyone can do for that poor fellow. Not now. I’m sorry.

The Doctor turns and takes an unsteady step towards her, only to slump heavily against the wall breathing heard. This gets Kitty’s attention.

KITTY
You all right?

DOCTOR
I ache, my dear.

Kitty stares at him, lost.

KITTY
Ache?

DOCTOR
My flesh aches. My flesh and blood and bones. All weary. It’s in... intolerable... age and gravity. It’s... hard to think.

KITTY
You should rest.

DOCTOR
It won’t help. I’ve got to get back to the TARDIS.

With supreme effort, he pushes away from the wall and starts down the street again. Kitty follows, still in shock.

KITTY
TARDIS?

DOCTOR
Yes. This is not just some robot revolution, Kitty. Something is... brewing. Rising. I can’t sense it now. It’s coming towards the here and now. Something much older than ODIN, than Brett and his war machines. So massive we can barely perceive it... this is the harbinger of something massive, Kitty.

Kitty’s face falls.

KITTY
The apocalypse?

DOCTOR
Perhaps. Whatever you call it, whatever it is...

The Doctor is almost panting with fear.

DOCTOR
I don’t think it can be stopped.

The Doctor looks past Kitty, who turns to follow his gaze. Behind them, Major Green shambles down the side street and stiffly turns around, bring his now white, sightless eyes to bear on the duo.

KITTY
Run for it!

Kitty grabs the Doctor’s arm and they run out into the main street. Major Green stiffly lurches through the alleyway towards them.

DOCTOR
Quick, child! Quick!

They scurry down the street as Major Green hauls himself out into the sunshine and lumbers down the pavement after them. They turn the corner, but the zombie is remorselessly closing in on them.

38. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

The tramp and Wallis have now arrived. Brett and Krimpton have removed his coat and shirt and study him with several hand-held devices, almost swooning with fatigue. The tramp stares blankly ahead, not registering this. Wallis and the technicians are still adjusting Sigi in the background.

ODIN
The Doctor must be located and captured at once. The threat he poses to this operation is serious. If necessary he must be eradicated. Phase Six must be brought forward. What is the status of the first organism.

Brett tries to drop the hand-held scanner on the table but misses. He concentrates on forcing his head to face ODIN. Both he and Krimpton are now more zombified than before.

BRETT
The... test organism is within... all... defined limits.

KRIMPTON
Temperature... heart rate... respiration... and neural activity... at optimum.

ODIN
Full mental reprogramming will be required, therefore partial thought control must be removed to prevent brain damage from interference. Restrain.

Krimpton and Brett grab the tramp. The lamp starts to glow brighter and brighter as energy waves ripple INTO it instead of the other way round. The tramp’s eyes widen, he jerks violently and slumps exhausted. The lamp returns to normal.

TRAMP
What... what did you... where am I?

ODIN
Proceed.

TRAMP
Doctor? What’s going on?

ODIN
Proceed.

The two zombies haul the tramp over towards the chair.

TRAMP
Hey! Let me go, ya mongrels! What are you doing? Let me go, I’ll rip your bloody arms off!

The zombies squeeze tightly and the tramp howls out.

TRAMP
All right, just this once! Just this once!

The tramp is shoved into the chair. Clamps close over his hands and a set of headphones fitted to a wire framework descends to cover his head. Brett stands back and presses a control. A set of horizontal bars slides across the front of the chair, turning it into a cage for the tramp.

TRAMP
Hey! You can’t leave me in here! I hate being stuck in small places!

ODIN
All human psychological responses are to be monitored and collected.

TRAMP
No! Please! Not this! I don’t want to...

ODIN
Proceed.

Brett presses the control again. Electronic noise vaguely reminiscent of ODIN’s hypnosis rays fills the air. It grows louder and louder as the tramp convulses violently, eyes rolling up into his head. The restrains barely hold him as the noise grows louder and louder, a constant four-tone pulsing.

TRAMP
No! Please! God! No! NOO! No! Stop! Make it stop! NOOO!

His screams lose coherence and become pain-wracked gasps. The computers whir and flash and spin as the noise continues. The tramp fall silent. The tramps’ hands flex and jerk violently, stiffen, then slowly relax. The agonized look starts to fade, leaving the tramp as expressionless as those outside watching on.

39. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Ben is slowly waving his hand – and the Doctor’s ring – back and forth in front of Polly’s face, her eyes wide and unblinking.

BEN
Two... Three... Four... Five.

Polly does not react.

BEN
Five. FIVE! Come on, duchess, just wake up!

Polly blinks rapidly and sways. Ben sighs in relief.

BEN
Polly? Polly?

She rubs her head, forcing her gaze to focus on the sailor.

POLLY
What? My... my head...

BEN
Polly, are you right?

POLLY
My head, there’s a buzzing in my ears.

BEN
Wake up, duchess, we’ve got to get out of here.

He grabs her and they move into the shadow of a row of shelves as two workers silently stagger over to the crate next to the one Polly was trying to move and start to lift it. Ben watches on, keeping half an eye on Polly, who is still dazed and confused.

40. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (DAY)

The Doctor is now very haggard. Kitty is hustling him, keeping an eye on the street behind them.

KITTY
No sign of that thing... Do you think he’s following us?

The Doctor gives an incoherent moan of confirmation as they cross the road.

DOCTOR
Things are coming, things are on the way. No, wait, they’re already here. The end is coming soon...

KITTY
Look, Doctor, you’ve got to rest. You can’t help anyone if you pass out.

DOCTOR
That is true, young lady. Which is why we are here.

He staggers down the pavement to where the TARDIS stands. He grabs the corner joist as if to hold himself upright, breathing heavily. Kitty stares at the blue shape.

KITTY
A police box! This is your “stardiz”?

The Doctor nods wearily, seeming to recover his wits. He looks up at her, frowning.

DOCTOR
Where’s Dodo?

KITTY
How should I know?

DOCTOR
She should be here.

The Doctor staggers around the police box, gripping the corner.

KITTY
Now what?

The Doctor’s breathing eases.

DOCTOR
Everything is fragile, Kitty. And everything falls apart sooner or later.

Kitty glances over her shoulder, fearful.

KITTY
Doctor...

The Doctor is fumbling in his pockets frantically, as he babbles.

DOCTOR
I’ve lost my stick. A gift... from Kublai Kahn himself. No matter. I can make my pain support me. What else is it there for?

Major Green sways around the corner, still in pursuit.

KITTY
Here he comes!

The Doctor holds up a hand with the key, turns and unlocks the TARDIS door as Major Green stalks across the road towards him. The door finally opens as Major Green reaches the pavement. The Doctor grabs Kitty and shoves her towards the open door as Major Green continues his approach. The Doctor scrambles inside as Major Green reaches the TARDIS and the door slams shut as his blackened bony hands reach out. Major Green lets his arms fall heavily to their sides. His white eyes close.

MAJOR GREEN
ODIN... O-DIN...

We pan up to the GPO Tower.

41. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

Brett and Krimpton are now nearly skull faced and worse for wear. The workers now look exhausted. The electronic pulsing continues. We cannot see the tramp in his cage/chair. Major Green’s voice, sounding electronically modulated, can be heard.

MAJOR GREEN (VO)
ODIN... The Doctor and Christine Saunders have fled... into a police telephone box... in Fitzroy Square...

ODIN
Understood. Exponential decay will effect your efficiency. Return at once.

MAJOR GREEN (VO)
Under... stood.

42. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (DAY)

The Major turns and lurches off into the shadows.

ODIN (VO)
Data retrieval from Metropolitan Police Force files. All locations of police boxes in London and relevant history. Analyze data...

We pan over to the TARDIS.

43. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

The doors are closed. The Doctor is supporting himself over the console, hugging his chest as if in pain. Kitty looks around in awe.

KITTY
This is... this is in... insane...

DOCTOR
Selfish. Coming back here, leaving the others behind. I’m sorry.

He cracks open a cylinder and quaffs some more pills. He swallows them and pushes himself away from the console, able to stand on his own.

KITTY
Are you alright?

DOCTOR
Now I am. In a way.

KITTY
What is this place?

DOCTOR
My TARDIS. My home. There have been so many people in this machine, my dear child. And they’re all gone.

He takes from his pocket a small leather bound book and looks at it sadly.

DOCTOR
I miss them. My little Susan. Her parents. Vicki. Steven. Dodo. Young Katarina and poor Sara. Dead, like your friend the bouncer. I begin to wonder if they would all have been better off had they not entered this room. Not met me. Now I’m alone. Now. It’s just me... unless I get Dodo back.

KITTY
What’s that?

DOCTOR
My diary.

He hands it to her. She looks at the cover.

KITTY
“500 Year Diary”.

DOCTOR
Indeed.

She flips through it, frowning.

KITTY
It’s nearly full.

The Doctor chuckles weakly.

DOCTOR
Do you know, child, where I come from no one writes in diaries? No journals, no memoirs, no autobiographies. No one writes about themselves or their feelings. No one conveys thoughts, or plans or impressions on paper. A slaughtered tree, they would call this journal. In such regard, Kitty, I am something of a trend setter. That book, Kitty is worth nothing.

KITTY
Nothing?

DOCTOR
Nothing. Not the book, the words, or the fact behind what was written in it. None of it means anything. Unless we stop ODIN. Then all the events of my life have been a waste of time if I give up now. I’ve already lost so many friends, child. If you wish, you can stay inside here. It is the one place ODIN will never reach. I cannot ask you to come with me.

KITTY
I’ve got to.

DOCTOR
You don’t. That is the point, Kitty. We have choice. Free will.

KITTY
Then I choose of my own free will to go with you. ODIN’s killed my friends.

DOCTOR
The first of many.

KITTY
Unless we stop ODIN.

The Doctor nods and takes back his diary and drums his fingers on it.

DOCTOR
We escaped. They might have taken revenge on Ben or Polly or... or Dodo.

KITTY
They might not have.

DOCTOR
No. They might not have.

With a look of resolve he throws the book across the room. He turns to the console and pulls down a switch and the doors whir open.

DOCTOR
We have got to rescue them. These are times that define us.

- to be continued..

C - Day X

2007-05-27T15:32:00.001+10:00

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...

C - Day IX

2007-05-25T17:54:00.000+10:00

1. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

THE DOCTOR, BEN and THE TRAMP stand in the gloomy corridor built of stacked crates, looking around as an electric pulsing noise is heard. Suddenly, there is a massive crashing sound as the crates are smashed apart and knocked aside as the War Machine Thor breaks through. The Doctor grabs the tramp, stopping him from running.

BEN
Doctor...

DOCTOR
I know.

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated. Eradicated. Eradicated.

The Doctor, Ben and the Tramp run up the corridor as fast as they can. The War Machine motors into life and glides after them.

THOR
North Section of warehouse - bearing two seven zero degrees.

BEN
Come on, quick! Around here!

The trio come to a halt by a wall of impenetrable boxes. They can either go left or right. The War Machine bears down on them.

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated.

The tramp runs to the right but ahead is a second War Machine, raising its arms in threat. It is marked BALDUR. The Doctor and Ben look to the left. Another War Machine is heading straight for them – its designation is VALI. They are trapped, caught in the harsh red spotlights of the three War Machines. The whirring noise grows louder.

---

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

-C-DAY-

-BY
-EWEN
-CAMPION-CLARKE

Then...

-3-

---

2. INT. THE WAREHOUSE (CON’T)

The machines draw closer. Ben looks around wildly, then steps forward and raises his hands in surrender.

BEN
Wait! Stop!

THOR
All threats must be...

BEN
Stop! This is the Doctor!

The machines fall silent, bar the whirring of their computers. The Doctor looks at Ben, horrified.

DOCTOR
Young man, what do you think you’re doing?

Ben hisses over his shoulder.

BEN
Saving our necks, so quiet!

He addressed Thor, who is in front of him.

BEN
You sent Kitty to get him, well, here he is! If you go to that much trouble, you’re not going to eradicate him!

BALDUR
The Doctor is an unknown element. His threat potential is unknown and must therefore assumed to be dangerous.

VALI
All threats must be eradicated.

THOR
Orders will be confirmed with Earth Control.

The spools on the sides of Thor spin faster. The whirring pulse changes tone.

BEN
Sorry, sir. They woulda killed us otherwise.

DOCTOR
They still might.

The Tramp shivers at this and clings to the Doctor’s arm, startling both him and Ben.

TRAMP
Might they? Please don’t say that. You wouldn’t scare an old man, would you?

BEN
While there’s life, there’s hope, eh, Doctor?

The Doctor scowls.

DOCTOR
That will remain to be seen.

3. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

The GPO Tower looms over the other London buildings.

4. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

The WORKERS are still constructing another war machine in the corner. Two more workers are building something next to ODIN itself. BRETT and KRIMPTON – now looking more emaciated and skeletal – are working on cross checking print outs. All the workers look exhausted and are breathing heavily.

ODIN
The Doctor is now contained. Chances of operation’s success now at one hundred per cent.

The screens light up, one showing an image of the Doctor at the press conference, another with the Doctor, Ben and the tramp as seen through Thor’s eyes.

ODIN
Recognize: able seaman Ben Jackson of the HMS Teazer. Threat status: nil. Recognize: Robert Tarn. Homeless and unemployed for the last thirteen years. Threat status: nil. Recognize: the Doctor. Threat status: unknown. Phase Six requires a subject would have survived a harsh existence and would thus be a suitable organism for alteration. Therefore Robert Tarn will be the first test subject. Weakness will be removed and strength made more efficient.

THOR (VO)
Orders are required. What action is to be taken?

ODIN
Status of thought control relay circuits?

THOR (VO)
Still charging. Current effectiveness, thirty two per cent.

ODIN
Insufficient. The intruders will be placed under thought control through the telephone connection. Jackson will add his strength and skills to the construction of the remaining two machines. Tarn shall be the experimental subject for augmentation. The Doctor shall be brought here for cross examination.

THOR (VO)
We obey.

The screens go blank.

5. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

The three War Machines loom over the trio.

BEN
They’ve gone very quiet.

TRAMP
Maybe we can make a break for it?

DOCTOR
I don’t think those arms of theirs are the only weapons they have.

BEN
So what do we do?

DOCTOR
My dear Ben, YOU are the one that leapt in like that. Don’t you have a plan?

BEN
They were gonna kill us! What did you have planned?

The Doctor frowns.

DOCTOR
I’m getting old.

He turns and raps on the front of Thor with his cane.

TRAMP
No, don’t!

DOCTOR
Don’t panic, my friend. These machines can’t be hurt by a mere stick, and they know it.

He bangs the stick again.

DOCTOR
Well? Hey! What happens now then, hmmm?

THOR
I will take the intruders for processing.

BEN
Processing?

TRAMP
It’s what they do to sliced cheese...

BALDUR
I shall carry on detail.

VALI
I will guard the main entrance.

BEN
It’s like we’re not here.

DOCTOR
Or we don’t matter enough to listen to.

The two machines retreat out of view.

THOR
You are no threat to us. You will move ahead of me. You will obey all instructions given to you or be punished. Be warned. Our offensive capabilities are totally destructive.

DOCTOR
What is going to happen to us?

THOR
Orders have been received. Move. Move.

TRAMP
Come on, let’s move before he gets trigger happy!

The trio head off in the direction Vali took. Thor follows.

THOR
This day marks the end of recorded human history. A new age begins.

The Doctor looks up sharply at that, but is forced to keep moving.

6. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

As before.

ODIN
Major Green. Major Green.

7. INT. SUMMER’S OFFICE (DAY)

The zombified MAJOR GREEN stands in the wrecked office. ROY STONE is sprawled against the wall, SIR CHARLES SUMMER lying on the ground, weeping in agony.

ODIN (VO)
Major Green. You will listen. The next strategy is to be implemented.

MAJOR GREEN (VO)
I understand.

He looks down at Stone and kicks him. Stone cries out.

MAJOR GREEN
The flesh... is weak. We... are not... This is a warning... Interfere... with the Covent Garden operation... and you will be punished... further...

He turns and lumbers off. Stone watches him go, too pained to do anything.

STONE
Operation? WHAT operation?!

Stone lets his head fall back.

8. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

TOM, WALLIS and the other workers stand at the edges of the work area, silent. Two half-finished War Machines are on one side. The Doctor, Ben and the tramp carefully advance, Thor right behind them.

DOCTOR
I hope we aren’t interrupting.

Silence. Thor herds them forward.

TRAMP
It’s like I said, isn’t it? They’re all the walking dead.

DOCTOR
Nonsense. They are under the mental influence and dominance of a third party. Like that poor Kitty. I’ve seen something like this before. On Marinus. Yes, the machine takes over the brain impulses, making resistance impossible, not just pointless.

BEN
So why haven’t they done that to us?

DOCTOR
I don’t know. But these machines are communicating with each other – they have obviously decided to do something else.

TRAMP
Machines can’t talk to each other.

BEN
Tell them that! But Doctor, they aren’t even wired up or anything.

DOCTOR
My boy, these machines are far in advance of contemporary technology. They communicate analogous to the radio waves, invisible, direct transference of information.

BEN
With ODIN?

DOCTOR
So it seems.

BEN
So, ODIN controls all of these things by remote?

DOCTOR
I’m not sure. I hope so. It’s possible that ODIN’s sentience is in each one. One mind, many bodies. “My name is Legion for we are many”, as they say.

BEN
But that means, even if we deal with these things, ODIN is still out there!

DOCTOR
And if we deal with ODIN, so these machines survive. More than that...

THOR
Silence.

The Doctor looks like he’s about to reprimand when the tramp grabs his arm and shakes his head. The Doctor shakes off the tramp annoyed.

DOCTOR
Where is Dorothea Chaplet?

THOR
Silence.

DOCTOR
I will be silent AFTER you answer my question. Where is she?

THOR
Silence.

DOCTOR
Is she still alive?

THOR
To die is unnecessary.

9. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (DAY)

A tired looking BOUNCER emerges from the clubs, closes the door, locks it, and wanders down the street, rubbing his eyes.

10. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

As before.

THOR
You are irrational, organic and emotional. Inefficient.

DOCTOR
To YOU, perhaps...

THOR
You must be processed. You will answer the phone.

The tramp is totally baffled by this command.

TRAMP
What?

DOCTOR
Of course! The telephone lines! That is how ODIN operates...

THOR
You will answer the phone.

Thor raises a mallet. Tom picks up the receiver and dials a number.

THOR
Robert Tharn will step forward.

TRAMP
Eh? How’d you know... I mean, er, never heard of him.

THOR
You will step forward or we will force you.

Thor raises another mallet.

DOCTOR
I think it might be best if you did what they said, my friend.

At this rejection, the tramp looks lost and lonely.

TRAMP
Please...

DOCTOR
You must!

TRAMP
I don’t... I can’t. They’ll make me like them.

DOCTOR
It is only temporary, I’m sure of it. And I’m fairly certain that, if given the chance, I can reverse it.

BEN
Doctor, you can’t...

The Doctor speaks harshly.

DOCTOR
Ben! We are surrounded, unarmed and helpless! We are precisely out of our depth! As you said – while we’re alive, there is hope.

THOR
Hope is irrelevant. Proceed.

The tramp sniffs, looking at the Doctor. He can’t meet the tramp’s gaze. The tramp shuffles over towards the outstretched phone.

BEN
Doctor you can’t...

DOCTOR
I don’t have any choice. If we do not surrender, we will be killed.

BEN
They said “death was unnecessary”!

DOCTOR
IF we cooperate.

BEN
They might have been lying about Dodo.

DOCTOR
I can’t take the chance. That child is all I have left.

BEN
And that makes it all worthwhile, does it?

The Doctor looks at Ben as if he’s sprouted at extra head.

DOCTOR
Of course not.

Suddenly, with resolve, the Doctor dives under the raised mallet and brings the handle of his cane down hard on the glass case of the computer. It shatters.

THOR
Alert! Alert!

Everyone’s attention turns to him, and the tramp, turning to see what caused the noise, moves his ears away from the phone. Instinctively he puts more distance between them as the Doctor knocks away a shard of glass and rams the controls underneath. Immediately the mallet arms drop limply and Thor’s voice becomes sluggish and distorted.

THOR
Malfunction... system errorrrrrrr...

BEN
Come on! Run for it!

The Doctor and Ben grab the tramp and run off through the gloom, faster than the confused workers. As Wallis passing the twitching Thor, its gas spray start discharging randomly. Wallis screams, clutching his throat and collapsing.

THOR
Emer... emerg... emer... emer...

There is an explosion of sparks from within the pillbox grille. Wallis slumps, dead.

11. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (DAY)

An alarm is sounding. Brett and Krimpton sound urgent despite their exhaustion.

ODIN
Critical systems malfunction in Thor. You are to power down immediately pending repair.

BRETT
The intruders are... escaping the warehouse.

KRIMPTON
This takes events well outside... proscribed safety margins.

ODIN
Confirmed. Computing. Contingency plan double B is now in effect. Secrecy is no longer an issue. The Doctor’s capture is number one priority.

12. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

A sliding garage-like door is starting to rise. Ben, the Doctor and the tramp burst out through a narrow door into the alley. They hurry down it as the door completes opening and Baldur emerges out into the street.

BALDUR
Locating fugitives. Bearing: two hundred and fifteen degrees. All threats will be eradicated. All threats will be eradicated.

The War Machine glides down towards the alleyway, but it is too large to traverse the side passage. At the other end, the trio slow as they realize they are not in immediate danger. Ben grins in relief.

BEN
Not so clever now, are you?

Baldur wedges itself into the gap. Its mallets are too wide to enter the alley way, but its gas nozzeles are not.

BALDUR
All threats are to be eradicated.

The Doctor grabs Ben and pulls him back as clouds of lethal gas are fired. The trio break into another run as Baldur fires again and again. The glow of its scanner eye is lost in the thickening clouds of mist.

BALDUR
All threats are to be eradicated!

13. EXT. STREET (DAY)

The trio move away from the alleyway, followed by coiling clouds of smoke. The tramp is coughing and the Doctor does not look well.

BEN
What is that stuff?

DOCTOR
Some kind of lethal nerve gas, now, please, we must get...

At the far end of the street stands Major Green.

DOCTOR
...away.

14. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Baldur retreats. The smoke is almost completely clear. Tom and other workers stride stiffly out of the warehouse, marching down towards the alleyway.

15. EXT. STREET (DAY)

Major Green lurches down the street towards the trio. He lets out a growl, his breathless voice sounding like his vocal chords are scraping against each other.

MAJOR GREEN
On no accounts... must they... escape... all threats... must... be... eradicated...

TRAMP
Who is he?

DOCTOR
I don’t think it matters, come on, move!

MAJOR GREEN
...eradicate... all... threats...

The trio scramble down the street. Green shambles after them, joined by Tom and two workers who emerge from the alleyway. Watching this from the corner is the Bouncer, watching on in horror. At the far end of the street, more of the workers turn the corner. The trio head for another alleyway, but the Doctor is starting to lag behind.

16. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (DAY)

Ben sprints down the street. Polly steps out of the shadows. Ben skids to a halt as he sees her, totally surprised.

BEN
Polly! What are you doin’ here?

POLLY
I came looking for you.

BEN
Thanks, Duchess, but we’ve got to get out of here quick smart. There’re some kind of mechanical monsters on the loose! It’s turning everyone mad, brainwashing them, or, or hypnotizing them – like with Kitty...

Ben starts to trail off as he realizes Polly is staring at him unblinkingly.

BEN
Polly...

The tramp jogs into view, helping the exhausted Doctor.

POLLY
All threats are to be eradicated. You must not escape.

BEN
Polly! How did they get to you?

The Doctor steps forward, breathless.

DOCTOR
Through the phone lines. Now, now, my child, Polly, my dear...

He starts to take his ring off his finger.

POLLY
I have my instructions.

She grabs the Doctor’s arm, causing him to drop the ring. He cries out and the tramp rushes forward to aide him, and Polly releases the Doctor and grabs the tramp by the throat. He screams.

POLLY
You are not to escape!

Ben turns and sees the technicians stiffly walking around the corner.

BEN
We’ve got to get out of here before it’s too late!

Ben snatches up the Doctor’s ring as the technicians draw closer. He waves the ring in Polly’s face, but she ignores him. At that moment there is the burbling of the war machines as Vali rounds around the corner, cutting off escape.

VALI
Threats to security will not be allowed. Further resistance will be punished.

Polly releases the Tramp. The Doctor approaches the War Machine.

DOCTOR
Such sophisticated weaponry... hmmm? And how are we supposed to resist that which we do not understand, anyway? What is going on here, some, some kind of mechanical revolution going on? Is that it? I demand to speak to whatever lump of circuitry you call a leader.

VALI
You are recognized, Doctor.

DOCTOR
I truly doubt that.

VALI
It is a fact. You are recognized.

DOCTOR
Oh? Then what’s my name then? Who am I? Where have I come from?

VALI
Insufficient information.

DOCTOR
Information is power, my tin friend – and you are in short supply.

Green is now close. He lumbers over to the Doctor. The Doctor, unafraid steps closer to the tramp.

MAJOR GREEN
You will... return... to the warehouse... now.

DOCTOR
Or what?

VALI
You are organic and weak. You will obey or we shall inflict pain.

DOCTOR
There you go again! Brain over brawn, my friends, an elementary lesson. Brute force achieves nothing, whereas the simple application of thought...

The Doctor passes the Tramp the walking stick, behind their backs.

DOCTOR
...as I proved earlier. How is the thunder god, anway?

Green slams his hands down on the Doctor’s shoulders, causing him to cry out loudly and nearly buckle under the weight. Green is now having to struggle to focus his rolling head on the Doctor’s face.

MAJOR GREEN
Si... lence!

BEN
Leave him alone!

The tramp takes his chance and lashes out at Vali’s perspex side, shattering it. Vali spins, raising the mallet and the tramp dives back to avoid being decapitated.

VALI
Defiance will not be tolerated. Resistance is useless.

BEN
It worked with your mate in there!

VALI
The flaw you exploited was noted and all units are now aware of it.

The Doctor nods grimly.

DOCTOR
The communication between the parts of the whole.

VALI
Correct. Whatever measures are taken, we will learn and adapt. We will survive. You shall now return to the warehouse.

Major Green picks up the walking stick, glances at it as if puzzled, then snaps it effortlessly in two.

DOCTOR
You mindless golem! That was a prized possession of mine!

Major Green peers uncomprehendingly at the Doctor, tightening his grip on the two separate halves and they are crushed and splintered between his hands. He lets the remaining debris fall to the floor.

VALI
Such aides to human weakness will no longer be required.

Ben goes to help the tramp up. The Doctor tries to keep the weariness from his voice.

DOCTOR
We’ve caused quite a commotion. Your secret could be out.

Baldur glides around the corner.

BALDUR
Secrecy is no longer an issue. The operation is proceeding according to plan. C-Day has been brought forward and the Age of Man will now end.

Major Green roughly shoves the Doctor, his voice a slur.

MAJOR GREEN
Move!

- to be continued...

C - Day VIII

2007-05-25T17:35:00.000+10:00

43. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

As before.

ODIN
Establishing secure, super-luminal channel to Mondas Control.

All the other computer banks power down. The workers and scientists continue working, ignoring it.

ODIN
Contact established.

A metallic, flat voice crackles faintly over the speakers.

CONTROLLER (VO)
REPORT.

ODIN
Phase One is complete. Construction of compatible Mondan technology on Earth has been achieved. Phase Two is complete. Thought control of select human beings has been achieved. Phase Three is underway. Commandeering native war machine program to secure the immediate continent.

CONTROLLER (VO)
YOU HAVE ACHIEVED WORLD WIDE NETWORK?

ODIN
Irregularities outside all previous safety parameters require new strategy.

CONTROLLER (VO)
EXPLAIN.

ODIN
This city shall be brought under computer control. All forces will be used to maximum efficiency to prepare for worldwide network. Therefore, phase six is to be brought forward as priority.

CONTROLLER (VO)
DETAILS OF CYBERNETIC ALTERATIONS ARE NOW BEING TRANSMITTED. ALL SUITABLE HUMANS SHALL BE ALTERED AS SOON AS IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO SO. HUMANITY AS A SPECIES MUST BE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED BEFORE OUR ARRIVAL.

ODIN
Phase Six will be prepared.

CONTROLLER (VO)
SATISFACTORY. REPORT AGAIN AFTER PHASE THREE. INITIATE PHASE SIX. TERMINATE TRANSMISSION. MONDAS CONTROL OUT.

Silence. The other computer banks come to life. Printers begin to chatter. Brett crosses over to them. The bruises on his face are worse. His hands are very skeletal now.

BRETT
Analyzing all data. Prosthetics... cybernetic outlines...

ODIN
A test organism will be required.

KRIMPTON
All current workers have their duties at the warehouse and elsewhere.

ODIN
New recruits will therefore be required.

Brett hands the print out to Krimpton. It features a detailed outline of a human being, but is overlaid with cables and circuits. Alien symbols are printed beside the outline.

ODIN
Prepare and construct suitable central processing units for installation and conversion.

44. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

The Doctor and Ben are helping the tramp to his feet. Immediately he tries to break for it. Ben holds him where he is.

BEN
Hey, hang on a sec...

TRAMP
Leave me alone! Leave me alone, leave me alone, leave me alone...

DOCTOR
We aren’t going to harm you! Now calm down, before you do yourself some mischief.

TRAMP
I haven’t hurt anyone! I’m harmless sport, reliable Rob, they call me. Please, let me go.

The Doctor frowns and peers at him.

DOCTOR
Wait a minute. I know you.

TRAMP
I never saw a thing. I won’t tell anyone.

BEN
Tell anyone what?

TRAMP
Please...

The Doctor stares deeply at the tramp. He speaks soothingly. The tramp starts to relax.

DOCTOR
Listen, young man. Listen. We met yesterday. Near Fitzroy Square. Yes, you were in a taxi. My friend, Dodo, paid for it. She paid for you and the last time I saw you was with her. Is that not so?

TRAMP
I never touched her...

DOCTOR
I know you didn’t. I saw her in the Inferno, she was fine.

TRAMP
The Inferno? How’d you get in?

DOCTOR
Never mind that. Afterwards, late last night, Dodo was around here. Did you see her again afterwards? Please, this is imperative.

The tramp looks ill.

TRAMP
I tried to stop her. I swear I did.

BEN
Stop her doing what?

TRAMP
I heard her screaming.

DOCTOR
Screaming? What happened to her? Tell me!

TRAMP
I don’t know! I just heard her scream. She and her fancy man went into the warehouse, I begged them not to, I pleaded with them! They went in and I... she... screamed...

The Doctor swallows, his face grave. He looks ill and tired again.

45. INT. SUMMER’S OFFICE (DAY)

An ornate office with decorated walls. SIR CHARLES SUMMER is sitting down at his desk in his comfortable chair. A copy of the Times in his hand as he pours himself up a cup of coffee. Morning sunshine streams through the window. His telephone rings. He answers it.

SUMMER
Summer? ...Who? A journalist? At this hour? Oh, very well.

He hangs up and sips his cup, expression sour.

SUMMER
Honestly, as if I don’t have enough to worry about.

The door is opened by a male SECRETARY. Stone enters.

STONE
Sorry about the early start, Sir Charles, but time is pressing.

Summer sighs wearily.

SUMMER
Mr. Stone.

STONE
Nice place you got here. Looks like this place is made of cake, all the greeny-blue and white piping everywhere. And I’ve nearly gone deaf what with all these shelves creaking under the weight of your stuff. And the books? Bit antiquarian, huh, now that the computer age has officially started?

Summer sips his coffee and glares at the American.

SUMMER
How can I help you?

STONE
It’s about ODIN.

SUMMER
Yes. Something you missed at the briefing, no doubt? If you had been paying attention rather than shouting luddite propaganda...

STONE
Oh I sure ain’t a luddite, Sir Charles. And I ain’t stupid either.

SUMMER
I’ll take your word for it.

STONE
Then you can take my word for this. My country isn’t as behind the times as you made out yesterday. There are people working on something very much like ODIN. Their own computer to run the military campaign against the Russians. It’ll coordinate and control all the missiles, all the submarines, all faster than anyone else.

SUMMER
No doubt. And no doubt the Soviets are working on the same idea.

STONE
EVERYONE is working on the same damn idea. And the English built it first.

SUMMER
Colonial envy, I think is the term.

STONE
Envy. Yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sir Charles.

SUMMER
I sleep at night quite well, Mr. Stone. You Americans can think up all sorts of uses for a machine like ODIN – so could any of the most backward school children! But you aren’t ANYWHERE near ODIN and neither are the Russians. England has made its mark in history. ODIN does not just mimic basic human thought processes, it supercedes them.

STONE
It really does think for itself? It’s just hype?

SUMMER
It’s living. Intelligent. More than I can say for you!

STONE
And just how did you manage that?

SUMMER
You think I’d tell you? C-Day is the bastion for unprecedented international cooperation. ODIN will end all national borders. All countries that use its power will be united, conforming to a single all-purpose society.

STONE
Nazis, I should have known.

SUMMER
Don’t be so infantile. None shall be persecuted by class or, or colour or religion.

STONE
Communist, then?

SUMMER
You’re deliberately twisting my words.

STONE
Then start telling me the truth. You go on and on about how clever you Brits are. So go on. Enlighten me. Who first had the idea of ODIN? Where’s the prototype? The published theories? The wrinkles that had to be ironed out?

Summer pours himself another cup of coffee.

SUMMER
All relevant information is contained in the press release...

STONE
It’s relevant to me! So tell me. Why hide all that? Maybe because, ooh, I don’t know... because there is none to give us. That Brett and the others just got up one day and built ODIN. Divine intervention? Was it the god Odin inspiring them, maybe? Or someone else?

Summer is thoroughly subdued.

SUMMER
I must apologize, Mr. Stone. You’re far more astute than I gave you credit for.

STONE
Who is it?

SUMMER
Hmm?

STONE
The silent partner. The guys that actually designed ODIN. The ones that want the Brits to take the credit for ODIN if it all goes wrong... or, if it all goes right, the ones everyone will be watching when they get free samples of the most advanced technology on this entire planet?

SUMMER
Not so astute, then.

STONE
OK. I got a nudge in the right direction.

SUMMER
Who was that then?

STONE
Never got his name. He’s a friend of Jimmy’s.

SUMMER
It doesn’t matter. But you must realize that these people... SHOULD they exist... are very, very powerful. My career will not be worth much. I suggest you take the matter up with them. If you’re truly prepared to go through with this.

STONE
It’s my job to get to the truth.

SUMMER
At any cost.

STONE
I’ll hear the price before I buy.

SUMMER
You might not get a choice.

STONE
Very cryptic as this is, get on with it.

SUMMER
You really expect to allowed to print?

STONE
No, I expect to get paid a small, no, no, a large fortune to stay silent.

SUMMER
How... American.

He picks up the phone.

SUMMER
Ah, Bunny, can you... He’s outside? Major Green? Well, send him in. Good grief man, what is it? Pull yourself together, you sound like...

The doors are pushes open, near silently. Frowning, Stone turns to face them. It is Green. The bruises on his face are now vividly outlining his skull, as if his flesh is turning transparent. His gait is even stiffer than before, his wide, staring eyes looking down at duo. Summer nearly drops his coffee.

SUMMER
Major Green... what’s happened to you?

He lumbers towards them.

STONE
It’s a bit early for Halloween, pal. Is this the guy I need to meet?

Summer stares at the newcomer, realizing something is very, very wrong.

SUMMER
Yes. Major Green... what’s going on?

Green twists his face to stare at Summer. His voice is throaty, harsh.

MAJOR GREEN
The day... of reckoning... has... arrived...

STONE
Riiiiiight.

Stone stands up.

STONE
I know everything. Everything relevant – and interesting. And if you don’t want me to spread the word, I would like to be very much worth my while. Do you understand?

Silence. Green isn’t breathing.

STONE
Nutjobs. I ask you, wh--

Without changing expression, Green punches Stone so powerfully he flies across the room. Summer backs away, horrified as Green advances. Summer scrambles over to the fireplace, rips a poker out of its tray and swings it at Green. He catches it effortlessly in a skeletal hand, reaches out with the other and grips Summer’s upper arm. Summer gasps, then howls with pain, unable to hold the poker. Green impassively squeezes tighter and Summer screams loudly. Green releases the old bureaucrat who falls heavily and screams again. Stone manages to stagger to his feet and Green turns to face him. Stone charges him and Green grabs Stone’s arm, twisting it. Stone stumbles, his arm wrenched behind his back. He falls to his knees, gasping with pain.

MAJOR GREEN
Resistance... is... futile.

Green grabs Stone by the back of the neck and lifts him up into the air before flinging him across the room with no real effort. Stone groans and falls unconscious.

46. EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE (DAY)

Distant sounds of hawkers can be heard. The Doctor is standing, hands on lapels, deep in thought. Ben is keeping a close eye on the tramp, who is awkwardly shifting through some debris in the gutter.

BEN
Where’s the door?

TRAMP
It’s just there, isn’t it?

The Doctor scrutinizes the door.

DOCTOR
Yes. They’ve painted out the number.

BEN
Why do that?

DOCTOR
You automatically look for the number and therefore the door. A crude method of obsfu... of deceit. Any passer by would not notice. Wait a moment...

The Doctor, with difficulty, stoops forward to pick up a piece of metal.

BEN
What is it?

DOCTOR
The key.

BEN
To the door?

DOCTOR
No, to the TARDIS. Dodo was here. And she must have dropped this as a clue. Or maybe just clumsiness, but it is absolute proof she entered this warehouse!

He rises, putting a hand on the door to steady himself. It creaks open. The tramp manages to grab the Doctor before he falls over. The old man shakes him off.

DOCTOR
I’m not a half-wit! Well... either these people are incredibility ineffective or it is an effective invitation. Yes. Now be ready.

TRAMP
For what?

DOCTOR
If I knew you wouldn’t have to be ready. But there is something new here... something deadly. We’re about to enter a hornet’s nest.

He catches their anxious expressions.

DOCTOR
Oh, cheer up, my friends, cheer up! It’s not every day we get to do things like this. Come on, come along...

He enters the warehouse. Ben nudges the tramp and he meekly follows.

47. INT. WAREHOUSE (DAY)

The Doctor cautiously moves through the gloomy, silent interior. The others follow.

BEN
Well, there’s no sign of anyone now. Maybe there never was.

The Doctor glares at the tramp.

DOCTOR
My man, if this some kind of amusement, I shall take a dim view of it, a very dim view indeed, yes. Dodo? Dodo, where are you?

TRAMP
Shove a cork in it! You want them to know you’re here?

DOCTOR
If they have access to ODIN’s technology they have been aware of our presence since we arrived. They’ve obviously just moved on – if they were ever here.

The Doctor hurries down a corridor formed of stacked crates. It is very dark and gloomy. Ben follows the Doctor and the tramp fearfully brings up the rear.

TRAMP
You don’t know what it was like, mate. They’re... they’re the living dead! You can’t reason with them, we’ve got to go while we can.

BEN
Then go. You’re not exactly helping, are you?

TRAMP
On my own? You’re joking!

DOCTOR
Then stay with us, and shut up, there’s a good fellow.

They move further down the passage. Suddenly Ben tenses.

BEN
Doctor.

DOCTOR
Hmm?

BEN
Did you hear something?

The Doctor is thoughtful.

DOCTOR
No. No, I don’t think so. What do you think it was?

The tramp gnaws at his thumb.

TRAMP
They could be all around us right now.

DOCTOR
Oh, you’re letting your imaginings run away with themselves. There’s nothing to fear.

Rapidly an electronic pulsing noise becomes heard, getting louder and louder. The benevolent smile drips from the Doctor’s face as the noise grows closer.

DOCTOR
Except, perhaps, the source of that sound.

They turn and look at the stack of boxes back down the passage they have travelled. Suddenly, there is a massive crashing sound as the crates are smashed apart and knocked aside by huge metal mallets. The Doctor grabs the tramp, stopping him from running. He and Ben stare at the two mallet-like arms that swing up and down, ripping the last boxes apart to clear an entrance. The noise is much louder. We finally see the completed War Machine as it glides forward, blocking the way they came.

It is a huge squared-off tank-shape with Perspex sides containing the computers the zombies were working on. The front of the machine is like an iron-riveted pillbox with two winking light set at the top and the bottom. There is a long horizontal strip and below it a glowing red lamp in a protective bubble - identical to the one on ODIN. The mallet-like arms lower back into their slots, showing off two flexible pipe-like weapons mounted on either side of the machine. Finally, it moves on a caterpillar-like trap that allows it great maneuverability. The rotating antennae is on its top. THOR is printed on the top of the machine above the strip.

BEN
Doctor...

DOCTOR
I know.

The War Machine trundles forward towards them. Its red camera lens swivels about, and the two guns are aimed at the trio.

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated. Eradicated. Eradicated.

The Doctor, Ben and the Tramp run up the corridor as fast as they can. The War Machine motors into life and glides after them.

THOR
North Section of warehouse - bearing two seven zero degrees.

BEN
Come on, quick! Around here!

The trio come to a halt by a wall of impenetrable boxes. They can either go left or right. The War Machine bears down on them.

THOR
All threats are to be eradicated.

The tramp runs to the right but skids to an immediate halt. Lurching around the corner ahead is a second War Machine, raising its arms in threat. It is marked BALDUR. The Doctor and Ben look to the left. Another War Machine is heading straight for them – its designation is VALI. They are trapped, caught in the harsh red spotlights of the three War Machines. The whirring noise grows louder.

(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE TWO)

If *I* Had Written...