The Apocalypse V

(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.

---

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(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

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.

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(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE ONE)