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THE
SEA
DEVILS

BY
MALCOLM HULKE

EPISODE FIVE


1: EXT. "HMS RECLAIM". MAIN DECK

(The surface of the water is disturbed by the rising diving bell.)

NAVAL OFFICER: ___!

(The bell is pulled clear of the water and into the air. Further orders are shouted and the crane pulls the bell over the deck where it is pulled down by several ratings. JO looks to HART who walks towards the bell and ducks under. He emerges after a moment and walks solemnly towards her. She reads the look in his face and goes towards the bell herself. Ducking under, she carefully stands up into the interior of the bell.)


2: INT. DIVING BELL

(JO sees that it is totally empty.)


3: EXT. "HMS RECLAIM". MAIN DECK

(She comes out of the bell and stares in shock at CAPTAIN HART.)

JO: He's gone!


4: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(The interior of the SEA DEVIL'S base is a cold, dark metallic structure. The sound of lapping water echoes through the cavernous chambers. Several SEA DEVILS walk into the main chamber where an alien looking up-right, man sized pod is being lowered into the ground. The CHIEF SEA DEVIL watches. He looks identical to his fellow creatures except that he wears a cloak of the net material across his shoulders in addition the usual robe. He waves a hand in command and one of the SEA DEVILS removes a plug from the front of the pod. It is connected to cables that go into the pod through a hole and within this can be seen the DOCTOR. He opens his eyes and looks out.)


5: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(JANE BLYTHE opens the door to CAPTAIN HART'S office to admit a man dressed in a camel hair overcoat, bowler hat and carrying an umbrella and briefcase. He is middle aged and has a self-assured and confident public school demeanour that crosses the path into being patronising. He takes off his bowler and smiles at JANE.)

WALKER: Good morning, my dear! Captain Hart here?
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: No sir, he's at sea.
WALKER: Well, I suppose that's the right place for a sailor, eh? What's your name?
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Blythe, sir.
WALKER: Walker - Parliamentary Private Secretary.

(He promptly hands her the bowler hat and umbrella and steps into the office.)

WALKER: Any chance of any breakfast?
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: I'll call the steward, sir.
WALKER: Excellent!

(JANE retains her temper.)


6: INT. NAVAL BASE. RADIO ROOM

(WALKER steps into the radio room where BOWMAN is at his post.)

WALKER: And, er, who are you?

(BOWMAN looks up in puzzlement.)

LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: Leading...Telegraphist Bowman, sir.
WALKER: Jolly good!

(WALKER casts the briefest of glances over the radio set and then turns to JANE who has followed him in.)

WALKER: Er, nothing very elaborate, my dear. Just, erm...eggs, bacon, toast, coffee....oh, and a little rough-cut marmalade, if they've got it. Er, how long is he likely to be - Captain Hart, I mean?
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: I don't know, sir.
WALKER: Oh, well now, I tell you what - you get him on your jolly old wireless and ask him to come over here at the double, will you?

(He takes off his overcoat, dumps it into JANE'S already full hands and goes back into HART'S office. Struggling with his items, she passes the order onto BOWMAN with only the slightest hint of annoyance and irony in her voice.)

3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Send a signal to Captain Hart. Tell him that a Mister Walker is here to see him.

(WALKER pops his head round the door and smiles as he gives his full title.)

WALKER: Parliamentary Private Secretary.
LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: Er, aye sye, sir.


7: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(WALKER returns to HART'S office and sits at his desk. He starts to look through the CAPTAIN'S papers. JANE walks back through.)

3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: I'll call the steward.
WALKER: Ah, and get me the morning papers, will you? There's a good girl.
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: If I may ask, sir, what is the purpose of your visit?

(WALKER gives her a condescending smile.)

WALKER: Why, all those ships sinking. I've come down to clear it up for you! The Minister's put me in full charge.


8: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(The DOCTOR has been taken out of the travel pod. Surrounded by SEA DEVILS, he stands in his blue navy anorak as he converses with the CHIEF SEA DEVIL. The reptile speaks in a fluttering, whispering voice.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: This is our planet. My people ruled the Earth when man was only an ape.
DOCTOR: Your people went into hibernation and abandoned Earth to its fate.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Our astronomers predicted that a great catastrophe would end all life on the face of the Earth.
DOCTOR: Yes, but the catastrophe that you predicted never happened. And the apes that you left behind on the surface to die became man.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: You know our history?
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, I've encountered your people before. That is why I want to prevent a conflict that can only end in your destruction.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: We shall destroy man and reclaim the planet. Already we have begun to sink his ships.
DOCTOR: Yes, and already more ships are being sent to hunt you down.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: The submarine? We have captured it.
DOCTOR: You may win a few victories to begin with but eventually you're bound to lose.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: There are many thousands of our people in hibernation in this base. We have other colonies hidden all round the world. We shall be the victors in the war against mankind.

(The DOCTOR shakes his head.)

DOCTOR: But there's no need for a war. Why can't you share the planet?
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: That would be impossible.
DOCTOR: Well, the depths of the sea and those areas on Earth where man cannot live can be yours.

(The CHIEF SEA DEVIL considers in silence for a moment and then turns to the DOCTOR.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: And man would agree to that?
DOCTOR: There's a chance. Wouldn't it be better to try for a peace, than to launch yourself into a war that you cannot possibly win?
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: I will consider what you have said.
DOCTOR: Let me return to the humans and I will endeavor to make a peace for you.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Perhaps it would be possible.

(Suddenly...)

MASTER: (Shouts.) No!

(The MASTER stands in the entrance to the chamber, his arrival un-noticed. He stares impassively at the CHIEF SEA DEVIL.)

MASTER: (Shouts.) The Doctor is your deadly enemy! He must be destroyed!


9: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(CAPTAIN HART and JO have returned to the naval base but WALKER has not vacated the CAPTAIN'S desk. He sits there stirring a cup of tea with his breakfast as he argues the case for his actions.)

WALKER: Captain Hart, there's only one way to deal with this problem. You have to attack.

(He sips his tea and grimaces.)

WALKER: (To JO.) Mmm, oh, pass me the sugar, my dear, will you?

(JO reaches for a sugar bowl that was well within reach of the P.P.S anyway and passes it to him.)

CAPTAIN HART: My submarine is missing in that area. There's a chance that some of the crew may still be alive.

(WALKER starts to put spoonful after spoonful of sugar into his tea.)

JO: And what about the Doctor? He may still be alive down there too!
CAPTAIN HART: Yes.
WALKER: Well, this is war, my dear, and war calls for sacrifice. (To BLYTHE.) Any chance of any more toast, my dear?
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Yes sir.

(With a look of thunder, she takes the toast rack from WALKER and leaves the room.)

WALKER: Ah, I've had a look at that UNIT file about the creatures that your friend, the Doctor, encountered in those caves. And do you know what happened? Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart blew the whole lot up.

(He carries on with his breakfast.)

JO: Maybe, but I bet he didn't do it by risking the lives of his own men.
WALKER: Well, that's as maybe, but our line is quite clear - immediate retaliation with everything that we've got.
CAPTAIN HART: I'm sorry, sir. I don't agree.
WALKER: Your opinion is quite immaterial, Captain Hart. The order's already been given - ships are converging on this area from ports all over England.

(HART looks horrified and loses his respectful demeanour with WALKER.)

CAPTAIN HART: You're throwing away the lives of the men in that submarine, sir!
JO: And you've probably killed the Doctor! Look, do you realise that that's murder?!

(WALKER has a mouthful of food as he continues to be absorbed in his breakfast.)

WALKER: Murder?

(He licks his fingers.)

WALKER: War always is, my dear. Where on Earth's that girl with my toast?


10: EXT. SEA

(A line of ships plough through the water.)


11: EXT. COMMAND SHIP

(A bespectacled REAR ADMIRAL stands on the upper deck of the command ship. A rating with a clipboard steps up and salutes. He prepares to take a note of dictation.)

REAR ADMIRAL: Make this to Ministry of Defence - Navy. Special Task Force will be in position at 13.50. That's all, thank you.

(The rating salutes.)


12: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

DOCTOR: I beg you not to listen to this man! He's the personification of evil!
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: The Master is our friend.
DOCTOR: He wants only to provoke a war.
MASTER: I do not! (To the CHIEF SEA DEVIL.) I came here to help you revive your people.
DOCTOR: Why should you need his help?
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Our hibernation unit is faulty.
MASTER: And I can now repair it for you.
DOCTOR: But why revive your people only to have them killed? Let me try and negotiate that peace for you.
MASTER: As you did before, Doctor?

(The MASTER points at the DOCTOR.)

MASTER: The last time this man encountered your race, he tricked them. The humans destroyed them all.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: (To the DOCTOR.) Is that true?
DOCTOR: (Sadly.) Yes...I tried to make peace but I failed.
MASTER: You see? He admits it. Man is weak! Your conquest will be easy.
DOCTOR: Believe me, man is not weak! He's only too proficient at devising weapons of annihilation...and using them!

(The CHIEF SEA DEVIL looks from the MASTER to the DOCTOR.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: He says man is weak. He says man is strong.
MASTER: He's lying! He's trying to frighten you!

(The CHIEF SEA DEVIL walks round the back of the DOCTOR and places a hand on the back of his head, as if trying to feel his thoughts.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: No. I do not think he lies. Perhaps it would be better to make peace.

(With a look of contempt at the MASTER, the DOCTOR turns and faces the CHIEF SEA DEVIL with a smile.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: I shall have consider what you have said.
MASTER: Don't trust him!

(The DOCTOR raises up a hand and the CHIEF SEA DEVIL places his own against his new ally's palm.)


13: EXT. SEA

(The task force carries on.)


14: INT. NAVAL SHIP

(Within one ship, a torpedo is pushed by the machinery along a rack and into the firing tube.)


15: EXT. NAVAL SHIP

(On deck, the guns rise into position.)


16: INT. NAVAL SHIP

(Another torpedo is pushed into position. Ratings in their heat resistant battle gear sit at their stations.)


17: EXT. NAVAL SHIP

(The guns stand poised.)


18: EXT. COMMAND SHIP

(The REAR ADMIRAL turns to another officer on the upper deck.)

REAR ADMIRAL: Inform Ministry of Defence - Task Force now in position and ready to attack.
OFFICER: (Salutes.) Aye aye, sir.


19: INT. NAVAL BASE. RADIO ROOM

LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: (Into radio.) Roger Task Force, over and out.

(BOWMAN passes the message to HART who reads it.)

WALKER: What is it?
CAPTAIN HART: The Task Force is in position, sir.
WALKER: (Pleased.) Excellent! "Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war", mm?

(HART sighs.)

WALKER: Well, tell 'em to carry out their orders. The attack will go ahead now.

(JO rushes to HART.)

JO: No! Look, please!? You've got to do something! Can't you stop him?
CAPTAIN HART: (To WALKER.) I wish you'd reconsider, sir.

(WALKER'S manner darkens...)

WALKER: Captain Hart, I have full authority. Now, are you going to carry out my order or must I replace you with someone who will?

(HART is stood to attention. JO looks at him is desperation, but...)

CAPTAIN HART: I'm...sorry, Jo.

(He turns to BOWMAN.)


20: EXT. SEA

(The task force waits in line.)


21: EXT. COMMAND SHIP

REAR ADMIRAL: Commence attack.


22: INT. NAVAL SHIP. BRIDGE

(Aboard one ship, the wheel is spun round...)


23: EXT. SEA

(...and the vessel starts to turn in the water.)


24: INT. NAVAL SHIP

OFFICER: (Into radio.) Urgent attack - ___.

(A trigger is pressed...)


25: EXT. SEA

(...and the guns start to fire their payload. The charges start to explode under the water. Another barrage is fired.)


26: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(Those within the SEA DEVIL'S base have no idea of the impending onslaught...)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: You will negotiate a truce between my people and the humans.
DOCTOR: If you'll release the submarine and its crew, yes - as a gesture of good faith.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Very well.

(A furious MASTER watches from the sidelines...)

MASTER: (Shouts.) You are throwing away the control of this planet! The humans will never make peace with you!

(Without warning, the base is suddenly shaken by a massive explosion as the first of the charges hit. The MASTER looks up in panic as he and the others are thrown to the ground.)


27: EXT. SEA

(The water is thrown high into the air by the force of another explosion.)


28: INT. NAVAL SHIP

(Within one of the ships, the trigger is pressed again...)


29: EXT. SEA

(...and the guns fire again and again, breaking up the surface once more.)


30: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(Once again, the inhabitants of the base are knocked off their feet. The MASTER yells up from where he lies on the shaking floor.)

MASTER: (Shouts.) Is this the promised peace?! Can't you see that the humans are determined to wipe you out?!

(He struggles up to a standing position. The CHIEF SEA DEVIL is furious...)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: You are right! These apes cannot be trusted!

(He looks at the DOCTOR.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Take him away...and kill him!

(The DOCTOR is grabbed by two SEA DEVILS. They start to lead him from the chamber. The DOCTOR pauses to stare at a smiling MASTER before he is led away.)


31: EXT. SEA

(The guns continue to fire round after round into the boiling waters.)


32: EXT. COMMAND SHIP

(The REAR ADMIRAL watches the attack through his binoculars as his ship tears through the waters.)


33: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. PASSAGE

(The two SEA DEVILS escort the DOCTOR down a passage which would seem to be hewn out of rock on the sea bed. As they are shaken by the force of another hit, the DOCTOR uses the opportunity to shake himself free of his captors and make a run for it. Before they can react, another hit causes the rock roof to fall in on top of the two SEA DEVILS. The DOCTOR presses himself against a wall for safety and then looks down at the bodies of the SEA DEVILS. As the shaking dies down, he goes over to the body of one of them, removes some of the rubble and takes its gun.)


34: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(The base continues to rock with the attack.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Destroy the ships!
MASTER: No! Send your people down to the lower level. They'll be safe there.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: We must retaliate.
MASTER: Not yet. If I'm to revive your people, I need time.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: What would you have us do?
MASTER: Convince the humans that their attack has been a success.

(There is another hit. The MASTER looks up in concern as the room shakes violently.)


35: EXT. SEA

(Once more, the waters explode.)


36: EXT. COMMAND SHIP

(On the upper deck of the command ship, an officer looks through his binoculars. He turns to the REAR ADMIRAL...)

OFFICER: Sir?

(...who looks through his own set of binoculars. He sees two SEA DEVILS floating on the surface of the water.)


37: INT. NAVAL BASE. RADIO ROOM

LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: (Into radio.) Roger Task Force.

(He takes his headphones off and, with piece of paper, goes into HART'S office.)


38: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(WALKER once more sits at HART'S desk but BOWMAN reports direct to his CAPTAIN.)

LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: Sir? Signal from Task Force - they report bodies and debris coming to the surface.

(JO runs forward fearfully.)

JO: Bodies? Did they say...?
LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: No...Miss, just the lizard things.
CAPTAIN HART: (To WALKER.) We can call off the attack now, sir.
WALKER: Well, I'm not sure.

(JO leans over the desk into WALKER'S face.)

JO: (Accusingly.) Look, you've probably killed the Doctor and all those sailors. Aren't you satisfied?

(HART steps in and gently pulls her back.)

CAPTAIN HART: There is a chance there might be some survivors. Would you want it said that you unnecessarily endangered the lives of naval personnel, sir?

(WALKER considers and then replies in a surly manner.)

WALKER: All right. Have it your own way.

(Relieved, HART steps into the radio room.)


39: INT. NAVAL BASE. RADIO ROOM

CAPTAIN HART: (To BOWMAN.) Base to Task Force - abandon attack.
LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: Aye aye, sir.

(Smiling, BOWMAN turns to his radio.)


40: EXT. COMMAND SHIP

REAR ADMIRAL: Cease fire.


41: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(A panel rises on the wall of the SEA DEVIL'S base to reveal a radar-type screen. The Task Force ships appear as pulsing green oblong shapes. The MASTER turns in satisfaction to the CHIEF SEA DEVIL.)

MASTER: You see? My plan has worked.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: We could still destroy the ships before they are out of range.
MASTER: No, let them go. Let them think that they have won.

(In a similar manner to the DOCTOR'S gesture to him before, the CHIEF SEA DEVIL raises his hand and the MASTER places his gloved palm against it in a show of trust.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: You will now revive the rest of my people.
MASTER: Yes, but first the trigger mechanism on your reactivation unit is faulty. I need electronic equipment to build a new one.
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: And where will you obtain this?
MASTER: The humans will provide it. We shall attack their base!


42: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. HALLWAY

(Weapon in hand, the DOCTOR enters a small darkened chamber in the base. Some of the naval equipment from the submarine lies on the floor. He walks down a short flight of steps, past the body of an unconscious SEA DEVIL.)


43: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. CELL

(Leading off from this hallway is a small box-like cell within which RIDGEWAY and MITCHELL are held. The LT. COMMANDER is trying to force the metal door with a knife.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Optimistic, number one, but I admire your pluck.

(MITCHELL grunts with the effort.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Give it to me.
LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: Would you like to try, sir?

(MITCHELL passes him the knife and RIDGEWAY starts to try to prise the panel. After a moment, the DOCTOR'S face appears at a porthole-like window in the cell door.)

DOCTOR: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Erm, look, er, would you mind keeping back for a moment? Er, that is if you want to get out?

(The amazed sailors look at each other...)

DOCTOR: Thank you!

(...and then step back.)


44: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. HALLWAY

(The DOCTOR also steps back, raises the SEA DEVIL weapon and fires. A flame shoots round the edge of the door...)


45: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. CELL

(...the lower half of which shoots open. RIDGEWAY steps out...)


46: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. HALLWAY

(...followed by MITCHELL.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: (To the DOCTOR.) Who the blazes are you?
DOCTOR: Look, I've no time to explain now. Where are the rest of your men?
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Still in the submarine?
DOCTOR: Is the submarine still operational?
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Should be.
LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: They've ripped out the communicators and the escape gear, as you can see.

(He gestures to the equipment on the floor.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: But left the engines alone.
LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: Yes.
DOCTOR: Where's the sub now?
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: In a kind of undersea harbour.
DOCTOR: Can you find the way?
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: I think so, yes.
DOCTOR: Right, you'd better lead on.

(He holds up the SEA DEVIL weapon.)

DOCTOR: Here, take this.

(RIDGEWAY looks at it in puzzlement.)

DOCTOR: It's a gun. Now come on, let's hurry.

(RIDGEWAY takes the gun and he leads the way out of the hallway.)


47: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

(A SEA DEVIL paces the submarine control room as C.P.O. SUMMERS, LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL and A/B GIRTON play cards to pass the time. A small pile of cash lies on the table.)

C.P.O. SUMMERS: What about you, Chris?
LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: I'll stick.
C.P.O. SUMMERS: You?
A/B GIRTON: Twist.

(SUMMERS hands him a card.)

A/B GIRTON: I'll stick.
C.P.O. SUMMERS: Right.

(SUMMERS turns a card.)

C.P.O. SUMMERS: Ha! Pay twenties.
A/B GIRTON: Eighteen,
LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: Nineteen. Well, that's it then. You've cleared me right out.
C.P.O. SUMMERS: (To GIRTON.) What about you? Do you want to go on?
A/B GIRTON: Not bothered.

(They suddenly hear a pattern of knocking against the hull - Morse code. The SEA DEVIL also listens.)

LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: (Whispers.) What's that?
C.P.O. SUMMERS: (Aloud, hastily.) Erm...loose rigging.

(The SEA DEVIL moves off, seemingly satisfied with this explanation. SUMMERS start to write quickly on a pad.)

LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: Rigging?
C.P.O. SUMMERS: Yeah, what about a game of consequences? Yeah, I'll start.

(SUMMERS takes down the continuing message. When it has finished, he shows the paper to GIRTON.)

C.P.O. SUMMERS: Right, it's your turn. Er, you've got to do what it says there.
LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: (Puzzled.) That's not how you play consequences.
C.P.O. SUMMERS: (Firmly.) It's the way we play!
LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: Oh...

(GIRTON suddenly clutches his stomach and cries out in pain. His back to the SEA DEVIL, SUMMERS waves him on to turn up the act and for LOVELL to join in.)

LDG. SEAMAN LOVELL: What's the matter with him?
C.P.O. SUMMERS: He's having a fit!

(The two men "help" GIRTON as the SEA DEVIL steps over.)

C.P.O. SUMMERS: Here! Can't you see? He's not well!

(The SEA DEVIL bends over the doubled-up man to investigate and SUMMERS and LOVELL suddenly jump the reptile. It easily shakes them off and clubs GIRTON to the floor but the diversion has enabled RIDGEWAY to climb down the ladder into the control room unseen. The SEA DEVIL turns as RIDGEWAY raises his weapon. The DOCTOR is behind him on the ladder and sees this.)

DOCTOR: No, no! Don't kill him!

(But RIDGEWAY fires. The SEA DEVIL clutches its chest and falls.)

DOCTOR: (Angrily.) There's no need to have done that!

(RIDGEWAY ignores him and the DOCTOR goes to retrieve the fallen reptile's weapon.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Any more of 'em, Summers?
C.P.O. SUMMERS: Yeah, there's some more on guard up top, sir.
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: We've dealt with them already. Right - action stations! We're getting under way.
LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: Aye aye, sir.

(The men rush into action.)


48: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. HALLWAY

(The unconscious SEA DEVIL in the hallway comes to. It rises to its feet and almost immediately...)


49: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. CELL

(...sees the empty cell.)


50: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. HALLWAY

(It presses a wall alarm and runs off.)


51: EXT. UNDERWATER CAVE

(The retaken submarine reverses out of an underwater cave.)


52: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(Alerted by the alarm, the MASTER runs into the main chamber.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: The humans have escaped!
MASTER: The submarine! They'll try to recapture it!
CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Activate the force field!

(A SEA DEVIL raises its hand in salute and moves off to obey.)


53: EXT. UNDERWATER CAVE

(As the submarine starts to come out of the cave, a flickering force-field suddenly surrounds the vessel.)


54: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

(LOVELL and GIRTON sit at a control bank. MITCHELL spots something and runs over to check.)

LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: Sir, we've stopped moving.

(RIDGEWAY comes over to check himself.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Increase revolutions.


55: EXT. UNDERWATER CAVE

(The propeller on the submarine starts to turn round faster.)


56: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: Maximum revs, sir.
DOCTOR: They're holding us back with some kind of force field.


57: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(The monitor screen which previously showed the radar view of the Task Force now shows an image of the submarine in the cave. The MASTER watches anxiously and turns to the CHIEF SEA DEVIL.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: They cannot escape us now.


58: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

(RIDGEWAY paces the control room in frustration.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: There must be something we can do?
DOCTOR: Well, you could try firing your torpedo's at the cave wall and blasting yourselves free.
LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: (Horrified.) We're still halfway in the cave, sir! We could blow ourselves up!
DOCTOR: That's the risk you'll have to take.

(RIDGEWAY considers and then pulls down a radio hand set.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: (Into tannoy.) For'ard ends, this is the Captain, Load all bow tubes. Open one and two bow caps.


59: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(The MASTER and the SEA DEVILS continue to watch.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Increase the force field.


60: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

(RIDGEWAY hears a change in tone in the throbbing from the engines.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: The engine - we're losing power.
DOCTOR: Well, hurry up and fire those torpedoes. Or we'll be drawn back into the cave.
RATING: (OOV: Over tannoy.) All bow heads open. Ready to fire, sir.

(RIDGEWAY stares at the DOCTOR.)

DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Well, come on, man! You've got to risk it!

(MITCHELL looks nervously at his COMMANDER as he considers. Finally, he reaches his decision.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: (Into tannoy.) Stand by bow salvo.
RATING: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Standing by, sir.
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: (Into tannoy.) Fire one.


61: EXT. UNDERWATER CAVE

(A torpedo shoots out of its tube.)


62: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: (Into tannoy.) Fire two.


63: EXT. UNDERWATER CAVE

(A second torpedo fires.)


64: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

(The men in the submarine are thrown about as the torpedoes hit the cave wall.)


65: EXT. UNDERWATER CAVE

(The submarine shoots out of the cave and the range of the force field.)


66: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: Increase the force field! They must not escape!
MASTER: It's no use. You're already too late.


67: INT. SUBMARINE CONTROL ROOM

(C.P.O. SUMMERS secures a hatch and goes up to report to RIDGEWAY.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Any damage, for'ard chief?
C.P.O. SUMMERS: No damage to tell, sir.
COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: Thank you.

(SUMMERS moves off.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: All right, stand by to surface, number one.
LT. COMMANDER MITCHELL: Aye aye, sir.

(He moves to comply as RIDGEWAY takes a drink from a cup with a smile on his face.)

COMMANDER RIDGEWAY: We're going home.


68: EXT. SEA

(The huge bulk of the submarine surfaces into daylight.)


69: INT. SEA DEVIL'S BASE. MAIN CHAMBER

(The monitor is now being used as a radar screen again. The submarine shows up as a flashing green oblong.)

CHIEF SEA DEVIL: They can tell the humans how to find our base.
MASTER: It's of no importance. Before they can attack us...we shall attack them!


70: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(CAPTAIN HART leads JO into his office from the radio room. The DOCTOR is stood there waiting for them.)

JO: Doctor!

(She rushes to him and hugs him.)

JO: I thought you were dead!
DOCTOR: Dead? No, I don't think so.
JO: When I saw that thing come up empty, I thought I'd never see you again.

(WALKER and BLYTHE walk in from the corridor.)

WALKER: Well, well, well, so the heroes have returned.

(The DOCTOR ignores him. JO helps him out of his anorak.)

DOCTOR: Captain Hart, what idiot ordered an all out attack just as I was on the verge of finding a peaceful solution?

(HART coughs in embarrassment.)

JO: But it wasn't Captain Hart's fault. It was this ___ from the...
CAPTAIN HART: (Interrupts.) I'm terribly sorry - this is Mr. Walker. He's the parliamentary private secretary in charge of this business.

(Behind WALKER'S back, JANE rolls her eyes. WALKER is unfazed and takes his place at HART'S desk.)

WALKER: I'm the idiot you've just been talking about! (To HART.) Absolutely splendid lunch, old man.

(A quietly angry DOCTOR walks forward.)

DOCTOR: You ordered the attack?
WALKER: I did.
DOCTOR: Did you give any thought at all, sir, as to what you were doing?
WALKER: Our duty is to destroy the Queen's enemies. Don't you know your national anthem? "Confound their politics, frustrate their knavish tricks."
DOCTOR: That, sir, is an extremely insular point of view! At the precise moment of the attack, I was negotiating a peace.
WALKER: Peace?! Huh! What, when they've been attacking our shipping and heaven alone knows what? I think you've got it all wrong, old man. "Seek and destroy" (To HART.) That's what you chaps say, isn't it?

(The DOCTOR leans over the desk, barely controlling his temper.)

DOCTOR: But the point, Mr. Parliamentary Private Secretary, is that you have not destroyed! You have just made them angry - very, very angry!


71: EXT. NAVAL BASE

(An armed rating patrols the shoreline. Just off the beach, the SEA DEVILS start to rise from the water in large numbers. Back on the beach, one of them has snuck up behind the rating and pulls him to the ground. Others step onto the beach and make their way into the base, their weapons raised. They skulk in doorways and behind equipment as they advance, so far without opposition.)


72: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(WALKER rises from behind HART'S desk and crosses to the sea-chart.)

WALKER: I'm going to get on to the Minister, and I'm going to ask him to seek approval for an immediate attack with nuclear weapons.
DOCTOR: (Horrified.) Well that, sir, would be tantamount to murder.
WALKER: Oh, come, come, Doctor. You speak as if these creatures were human. We're not going to hand over the world to a lot of lizards, you know.
DOCTOR: You can share it with them, surely?
WALKER: (Exasperated.) Oh come, really Doctor!
DOCTOR: Look, let me make one final attempt to negotiate.
WALKER: Well, you didn't get very far last time, did you?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Just you think of it, sir - think of it. Wouldn't you like to be the man behind a peaceful settlement? "Walker, the peacemaker" they'd call you. Or would you prefer to be known as the man responsible for launching a full scale war?!
WALKER: Look, you can actually communicate with these creatures?
DOCTOR: Yes.
WALKER: And you'd be willing to undertake the preliminary negotiations yourself?
DOCTOR: Just leave it to me.
JO: (Shocked.) Doctor, you're not thinking of going down there again?
DOCTOR: Jo, it's the only way.
JO: But, Doctor, it's far too dangerous!
DOCTOR: Don't you understand, Jo? I've got to go down there of my own free will as a gesture of good faith. (To HART.) Captain Hart, is that diving vessel still alongside?
CAPTAIN HART: Yes, but I must say that I agree with Miss Grant.
DOCTOR: (To HART.) Then with your permission, Mr. Walker?

(The DOCTOR, JO and HART leave the office.)


73: EXT. NAVAL BASE

(The three exit the main block and start to walk across the forecourt. The DOCTOR has retrieved his cloak.)

CAPTAIN HART: Doctor, do you think you're doing the right thing?
DOCTOR: I'm doing the only thing possible, Captain Hart, if we're to avoid a major conflict.
CAPTAIN HART: Suppose they won't listen to you?

(JO looks to one side and suddenly cries out...)

JO: Doctor!

(The DOCTOR spins round. A SEA DEVIL aims its gun at the three people.)


Next Episode


Doctor Who
JON PERTWEE

Master
ROGER DELGADO

Jo Grant
KATY MANNING

Captain Hart
EDWIN RICHFIELD

Commander Ridgeway
DONALD SUMPTER

Lt. Commander Mitchell
DAVID GRIFFIN

C.P.O. Summers
COLIN BELL

Ldg. Seaman Lovell
CHRISTOPHER WRAY

A/B Girton
REX ROWLAND

Walker
MARTIN BODDEY

Rear Admiral
NORMAN ATKYNS

3rd Officer Jane Blythe
JUNE MURPHY

Ldg. Telegraphist Bowman
ALEC WALLIS

Chief Sea Devil
PETER FORBES-ROBERTSON

Sea Devil
PAT GORMAN

The BBC wish to acknowledge
the help given to them by the
Royal Navy in the making
of this programme.

Title Music by
RON GRAINER
and BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music by
MALCOLM CLARKE
BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Special Sounds by
BRIAN HODGSON

Film Cameraman
PETER SARGENT

Film Editor
MARTYN DAY

Visual Effects
PETER DAY

Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS

Designer
TONY SNOADEN

Producer
BARRY LETTS

Directed by
MICHAEL BRIANT

COLOUR

 

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