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)
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)
