1: EXT. MIRA. JUNGLE
(The DALEK glides forward and covers the travellers who are now outside the cave.)
DALEK: You are surrounded. You will come with us.
DOCTOR: I'm afraid, my friends, the Daleks have won.(Two DALEKS look up at the travellers.)
CORONAS OF THE SUN
2: EXT. MIRA. ANOTHER PART OF THE JUNGLE
(Nearby, the bushes are moved aside as the planets' invisible inhabitants move through the undergrowth.)
Written by
DENNIS SPOONERFrom an idea by
TERRY NATION
3: EXT. MIRA. JUNGLE
(The DOCTOR leads STEVEN and SARA KINGDOM out to stand before the squad of DALEKS. The patrol DALEK advances.)
FIRST DALEK: You will hand over the Taranium Core.
DOCTOR: If I do, what guarantee is there that you won't fire your guns afterwards, mm?
FIRST DALEK: There is no guarantee.(Another DALEK, with a metal device replacing the usual sucker-hand, reports.)
SECOND DALEK: Seismic detector shows that the object he is carrying is the Taranium!
FIRST DALEK: You will surrender it!
SARA KINGDOM: He will not!(She is menaced by the DALEKS' guns.)
FIRST DALEK: Silence! You will not speak!
DOCTOR: You dare not fire, because of this Taranium! To end this stalemate, may I suggest...
FIRST DALEK: (Interrupts.) There will be no more discussion! The Core is to be handed over.(The patrol leader looks at the rest of the DALEKS.)
FIRST DALEK: Re-form line! Prepare to exterminate them!
(As the DALEKS start to line up, a roaring cacophony erupts behind the group.)
FIRST DALEK: What is that noise?
SECOND DALEK: The invisible creatures are attacking in force!(As this report is given, the DOCTOR gives a yell of command to his two companions. The DALEKS start to spin about trying to locate the Visians.)
FIRST DALEK: Patrol alert! Patrol Alert!
SECOND DALEK: Annihilate them! Annihilate them!(All the DALEKS fire their blasters, and the Visians briefly become visible as some of them die in the DALEKS' rays. Meanwhile, the DOCTOR, SARA and STEVEN sidle along the rocky outcrop, climb the tumbled rocks and elude both sets of alien creatures.)
DOCTOR: There's a good boy! Keep going!
(The DOCTOR, STEVEN and SARA humans disappear from view. The battle is short, the Visians being no match for the DALEKS who form a tight circle as they fire. All suddenly falls silent.)
THIRD DALEK: The invisible creatures have been exterminated.
FIRST DALEK: Search for the fugitives! They must not escape.
DALEKS: We obey!(They move off.)
4: INT. KEMBEL. DALEK CITY. CONTROL ROOM
(The DALEK SUPREME enters as one of the control-room DALEKS turns from its communications panel.)
DALEK: Communication received from the planet Mira.
DALEK SUPREME: Are the fugitives still evading capture?
DALEK: Yes, there has been no further contact. Reinforcements can be dispatched.
DALEK SUPREME: Our force already there is sufficient for the task. Contact them and order that the Taranium is to be recovered. Failure will not be tolerated!
5: EXT. MIRA. JUNGLE. OUTSIDE DALEK PURSUIT SHIP
(The DALEK ship rests in a jungle clearing. Several large exhaust ports lie on the side of the ship and there is a ramp which leads to the ground enclosed by several struts. A DALEK stands on guard. Looking through the leaves at the ship, the DOCTOR and STEVEN complete the final stages of a plan.)
DOCTOR: There's only one guard. (To STEVEN.) Now you know what to do?
STEVEN: (Whispers.) Yes.(The DOCTOR moves away from the group, allowing SARA to move next to STEVEN.)
SARA KINGDOM: (Whispers.) It'll never work!
STEVEN: (Whispers.) It will! It's got to!
SARA KINGDOM: (Whispers.) The other Daleks will be back here before he can get started.
STEVEN: (Whispers.) Why should they? They're out looking for us. They won't expect us to come back here.
SARA KINGDOM: (Whispers.) Look, they're not complete fools! They know we've got to get off Mira - that their ship is our only chance.
STEVEN: (Whispers.) Don't worry. Like most of the Doctor's plans, this one's simple, it won't take long.(SARA looks towards the ship and sees that there is no sign of the DOCTOR.)
SARA KINGDOM: (Whispers.) Well, why doesn't he get started then?
STEVEN: (Whispers.) Give him time. He's got to get round there. Look, you must learn to trust him. He's had dealings with the Daleks before.
SARA KINGDOM: (Whispers.) I have no choice. Let's hope you're right.
STEVEN: (Whispers.) He should be in position by now. Come on.(Both STEVEN and SARA start to move forward in their stage of their plan. The DALEK guard has moved near the pursuit ship, protecting the ramp. The sentry sweeps the immediate area with its eyepiece, which stops to focus on the DOCTOR, walking towards the ship.)
FOURTH DALEK: Remain where you are.
DOCTOR: (Obligingly.) I certainly will. I've come to give myself up.(The DALEK slowly advances to face the DOCTOR, some way from the ramp.)
FOURTH DALEK: Do you have the Taranium?
DOCTOR: I have. I realise, of course, that I am no match for the Daleks, so if I hand it over, will you help me and my friends to get away from this planet?
FOURTH DALEK: Where are the others?
DOCTOR: Oh, they will come when I call them, mm?(Behind the DALEK, STEVEN and SARA steal forward. To distract the DALEK from moving round to see them, the DOCTOR takes out the Taranium Core and displays it to the DALEK.)
DOCTOR: The Taranium. Shall I give it to you or would you prefer me to hand it to you in your ship, hmm?
FOURTH DALEK: You will wait there until the Patrol returns. The others are to join you. If you try to escape, you...(STEVEN gets nearer.)
DOCTOR: Escape! Oh, my tin friend, never! You mustn't forget that I came here and surrendered of my own free will.
(This allows STEVEN to get close enough, undetected, to slam a handful of mud onto the DALEK'S eyestalk. The DOCTOR, STEVEN and SARA all dive up the ramp into the DALEK ship. Blinded, the DALEK swings from side to side and starts firing randomly.)
FOURTH DALEK: Ahh!
DOCTOR: ___!
FOURTH DALEK: Ahh! Help! Help! Loss of vision! Loss of vision! I'm under attack! I'm under attack! Patrol alert! Patrol alert!(It is in danger of exterminating its leader, when the full DALEK patrol arrives at the pursuit ship's site.)
FIRST DALEK: Cease firing before we sustain damage! Report!
FOURTH DALEK: The fugitives boarded the Pursuit ship!
6: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(SARA KINGDOM is anxiously looking round the vessel. One console stands against the wall on the left-hand side of the room and there is another in the middle of the floor towards the right of the room. Outside, the DALEKS shout orders to each other as STEVEN looks out of the doorway and down the ramp. The DOCTOR goes to one console.)
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) Alert all patrols!
SARA KINGDOM: Can you work it, Doctor?
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) Alert all patrols!
DOCTOR: Oh, one moment, my dear. I'm...quite accustomed to this...Dalek technique.
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) Surround pursuit ship!(The DOCTOR points SARA to a control.)
DOCTOR: Close the hatches, please.
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) Surround pursuit ship!(SARA operates the door control but nothing happens.)
SARA KINGDOM: The doors are not closing.
DALEKS: (OOV: Outside the ship.) We obey.(She studies the strange instruments.)
SARA KINGDOM: Vacuum-lock reading...two point two four.
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) When firing, take maximum precautions against damaging ___.
DOCTOR: Oh, the power build-up is far too slow. Feed in that extra energy.(SARA does so and looks again at the figures.)
SARA KINGDOM: Three point eight two, rising.
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) Avoid firing in area of ____.
DOCTOR: Yes, it should activate at five, zero, zero.(STEVEN, who is guarding the ramp, shouts back at his companions.)
STEVEN: They're lining up to attack!
DALEKS: (OOV: Outside the ship.) We obey!
SARA KINGDOM: Four point three two, still rising.
FIRST DALEK: (OOV: Outside the ship.) Take up attack formation 'Z'!
DOCTOR: Splendid!
7: EXT. MIRA. JUNGLE. OUTSIDE DALEK PURSUIT SHIP
SECOND DALEK: Prepare to board the ship!
FIRST DALEK: Exterminate them! Exterminate them!(They glide up the ramp...)
8: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(...but the doors close - right in front of the leading DALEK. STEVEN breathes a sigh of relief as the DOCTOR and SARA continue to operate controls.)
STEVEN: That was close! It was too close!
DOCTOR: Yes... (To SARA.) Auto-gyro...gyro-dynamo.
SARA KINGDOM: Coding nine, two. Red, blue, blue.(The sound of a power build-up fills the room.)
DOCTOR: Discharge.
(SARA flicks some switches.)
SARA KINGDOM: Coding one, zero, zero. All blue readings, take off...
DOCTOR: Splendid!
SARA KINGDOM: ...now!
DOCTOR: Hold tight!(The power build-up reaches a crescendo as they all grip onto consoles for the ship's lift-off...)
9: INT. KEMBEL. DALEK CITY. CONTROL ROOM
(MAVIC CHEN has returned to Kembel. He walks into the control room but his reception by the DALEK SUPREME is not warm.)
DALEK SUPREME: Mavic Chen, you have failed in your task.
MAVIC CHEN: Failed! Is this my greeting? I agree that my mission was to return to Earth and recover the Taranium. This I have not done.
DALEK SUPREME: Failure will not be tolerated!
MAVIC CHEN: But I did notify you of the fugitives' whereabouts. The planet Mira. There the vital Core can be taken from them, without suspicion. Their presence on Earth was a constant danger! At anytime they could have contacted forces unsympathetic to our plans.
DALEK SUPREME: You make your incompetence sound like an achievement.(CHEN stalks round the room.)
MAVIC CHEN: (Furiously.) Incompetence now, is it? You forget that the original blunder was not of my doing. I journeyed to and from Earth to correct a failing your security force should have dealt with. The Core was stolen from here. My actions have brought about a situation which will allow you to recover the missing Taranium easily and simply. If that is a failure, then I have failed.
(MAVIC CHEN out-stares the DALEK SUPREME as he explains his logic. The DALEK SUPREME swings towards a group of DALEKS as news of the DOCTOR'S escape starts to come through.)
DALEK SUPREME: Report.
DALEK: The fugitives have stolen our Pursuit ship and have left the planet Mira.(The DALEK SUPREME'S voice rises a couple of tones.)
DALEK SUPREME: Stolen! Left the planet Mira! Is their course being computed?
DALEK: It is.
DALEK SUPREME: What news of our forces?
DALEK: They are stranded on the planet and under constant attack from the invisible creatures that inhabit it.
DALEK SUPREME: Dispatch a rescue ship to their aid. They will be dealt with on their return. Meanwhile, I will personally supervise recovery of the Core.
DALEK: I obey.(This humiliation of the DALEKS spurs MAVIC CHEN onto the offensive...)
MAVIC CHEN: And you had the audacity to accuse me, Mavic Chen, of incompetence!
DALEK SUPREME: It is...
MAVIC CHEN: (Interrupts.) A Dalek ship stolen...
DALEK SUPREME: It is not...
MAVIC CHEN: (Interrupts.) Really!
DALEK SUPREME: (Angrily.) It is not an emergency!
MAVIC CHEN: No. More like a catastrophe!
DALEK SUPREME: (Even angrier.) They may believe that they have successfully escaped from us, but we, the Daleks, are still in command!
10: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(With the buzzing noise of the ship in automatic flight, STEVEN moves from the main control room...)
11: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. LABORATORY AREA
(...to a cramped laboratory area where the DOCTOR is wearing an eye-shade as he looks over the Taranium Core. SARA is with him as he makes notes on a pad.)
STEVEN: Will it work, Doctor?
DOCTOR: No, of course it won't, dear boy. That's the whole point.
STEVEN: I mean your plan.
DOCTOR: No, we shall have to make a copy. A copy so exact that we can deceive the Daleks. They'll still want this Taranium back, you know. They won't rest until they get it.
STEVEN: Yes, but suppose...
SARA KINGDOM: (Interrupts, coldly.) There isn't time to suppose. I'm sure the Doctor can copy it well enough.
DOCTOR: Yes, thank you, thank you, my dear, thank you. I'll have a good try, and I think that'll give us sufficient breathing space.(The buzzing sound of the ship suddenly changes and starts to fluctuate.)
DOCTOR: What's that?
(They all rush to the control room.)
12: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(SARA rushes to the console and reads the instruments.)
SARA KINGDOM: We're changing course! We're moving away on a selected route!
(The DOCTOR examines the controls.)
DOCTOR: (Shocked.) Good gracious, we're on the course for the planet Kembel. You know, I'm very much afraid that we're...under the Dalek influence.
(STEVEN notes a unit on the console.)
STEVEN: Yes, it's obviously this that's causing the damage.
(He rips the unit out.)
STEVEN: Ah, that settles that.
SARA KINGDOM: Well, isn't that a rather a drastic way of dealing with things?
STEVEN: Look, Sara, the technology of my age may be hundreds of years behind yours and the Doctor's, but there are still some things I can handle.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course there is, dear boy. Of course there is! (Laughs, then to SARA.) Come along, young lady, let's get on with our mineral whilst we still have the time, hmm.(He leads her back to the laboratory area.)
13: INT. KEMBEL. DALEK CITY. CONTROL ROOM
(The Communications DALEK turns from its readings.)
DALEK: Pursuit ship has broken free of our control.
DALEK SUPREME: Activate Magnetise Beam.(A bleeping noise starts up in the room as the DALEK operates a control.)
DALEK: Magnetise Beam activated.
(Overhearing this, CHEN steps forward.)
MAVIC CHEN: I sincerely hope there's not been any further bungling?
DALEK SUPREME: We have temporarily lost control, but once the Magnetise Beam reaches them it will pull them to Kembel, where they will be exterminated!
MAVIC CHEN: After we have the Core of the Time Destructor...in our possession, I trust.
DALEK SUPREME: Of course! Of course!(The DALEK SUPREME moves off swiftly, leaving MAVIC CHEN smiling.)
14: SPACE
(The stolen Pursuit ship moves swiftly through space.)
15: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. LABORATORY
(Watched by SARA, the DOCTOR places a copy of the Core next to the original. There is, however, a problem - the copy doesn't glow like the real Core.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I think so. Yes, yes, there - that's a good copy, although I say it myself, hmm?
SARA KINGDOM: Yes, but there's still the problem of charging it. The Daleks will know immediately that it isn't the real Taranium.
DOCTOR: I appreciate that, young lady, but this is the right balance and the right weight, mm?(STEVEN enters from the control room.)
STEVEN: We're still on our own course. The Daleks haven't attempted to divert us yet.
DOCTOR: Oh good, good, good. Well, you keep watching, there's a good fellow.(STEVEN spots the two Cores.)
STEVEN: Hey!
(He picks up one of them.)
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) No, I should try that one.
(Slightly embarrassed at his mistake, STEVEN puts the glowing original down and picks up the copy.)
STEVEN: This is excellent.
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) Hmm, hmm. Isn't it?
STEVEN: How do you propose to activate it?(The DOCTOR looks at SARA.)
DOCTOR: Oh, we're working on that. Yes, er, we're working on that.
STEVEN: Well, you know, we...we could use the Gravity-force from the ship's power centre.(He points to a control bank.)
STEVEN: Well, I mean, there's an outlet, here.
SARA KINGDOM: (Laughing scornfully.) What?
STEVEN: (Belligerently.) What's wrong with that?
DOCTOR: Too primitive, my boy. Too primitive and far too dangerous.(The DOCTOR walks off to the control room as a smiling SARA turns to STEVEN.)
SARA KINGDOM: Gravity-force as a source of energy was abandoned centuries ago.
STEVEN: We were still using it!
SARA KINGDOM: Oh yes, and the Romans used treadmills.(SARA saunters off after the DOCTOR, leaving STEVEN glowering after them both.)
STEVEN: (To himself.) I still think G-force would do the trick.
16: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(Meanwhile, over at the controls, SARA reads the dials again.)
SARA KINGDOM: We're changing course again.
(The DOCTOR hurries over to join her and examines the instruments.)
DOCTOR: Back to the...planet Kembel, what? hmm! Oh, you know, it appears that we're, er...affected by magnetisation. We're been held in a...very strong beam, hmm hmm!
SARA KINGDOM: That will take us right back to the Daleks.
DOCTOR: Well, let's try and break it, child, come along!(They start work.)
17: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. LABORATORY
(In the laboratory area, STEVEN looks over the false Core which he has wired up to the power outlet.)
STEVEN: (To himself.) Now we'll see about those treadmills!
(He flicks a switch. A loud buzz sounds and a brilliant flash leaps from the outlet, engulfing STEVEN. With a scream of agony, he collapses unconscious on the floor. Hearing this, the DOCTOR and SARA rush over to him from the control room.)
SARA KINGDOM: Steven!
DOCTOR: My dear boy! What is it? What's happened?(The DOCTOR listens for STEVEN'S heartbeat.)
DOCTOR: He's still breathing.
(SARA points to the pulsating G-Force outlet and she realises what STEVEN has done.)
SARA KINGDOM: (Angrily.) The fool!
DOCTOR: What? Hmm?
SARA KINGDOM: He's tried his...his experiment, with G-force and reliance power!(The DOCTOR looks over the young astronaut.)
DOCTOR: Oh, he's still alive, and lucky at that, hmm?
(SARA carefully begins to open the fake Core cylinder. A bright glow radiates from it.)
SARA KINGDOM: But it worked! Look, Doctor. It's just like real Taranium!
DOCTOR: Oh, isn't that wonderful? That's wonderful. Steven's theory has proved successful. (Laughs.) What about the poor boy? Hmm?(The DOCTOR and SARA look at the unconscious man.)
18: INT. KEMBEL. DALEK CITY. CONTROL ROOM
(The DALEKS in the control room relay reports from their instrument panels.)
FIRST DALEK: Dalek pursuit ship has entered the atmosphere.
SECOND DALEK: Reducing speed. Ten degrees of light... eight... six...(CHEN watches these developments with the DALEK SUPREME.)
MAVIC CHEN: It appears that you have at last succeeded in getting the Taranium back.
DALEK SUPREME: Of course. And we shall deal with these fugitives as with all those who oppose us.
MAVIC CHEN: No!
DALEK SUPREME: Do you challenge us?
MAVIC CHEN: Of course not. But might it not be advisable for me to return them to Earth...for trial?
DALEK SUPREME: Why?
MAVIC CHEN: They will be tried...and found guilty as traitors to the Solar System. After all, the woman is from Earth.
DALEK SUPREME: The Daleks will deal with them. There is no need for the delay in their extermination.
MAVIC CHEN: Some people on Earth know that our traitors were transposed to Mira. If they disappear for good, those people will be curious and ask what happened to them? It's possible that they might find out...that the Daleks...executed them. Then your plans could be hindered.
DALEK SUPREME: It is essential that you do not allow your Earth people to become curious.
MAVIC CHEN: Human curiosity is something I can have no control over.
DALEK SUPREME: You must forestall their questions until it is too late.
MAVIC CHEN: Too late?
DALEK SUPREME: Yes! We will have conquered the Solar System before our presence here is discovered.
MAVIC CHEN: It is possible.
DALEK SUPREME: Once we have the Taranium, there is nothing to stop us!
MAVIC CHEN: Very well. I leave their fate to you.
DALEK SUPREME: The Dalek reception force should now be in position at the specified landing point.
MAVIC CHEN: Yes, they should. And I think it's about time we left to join them. Don't you?(The two leave.)
19: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(SARA KINGDOM watches the Pursuit ship's instruments as it prepares for landing.)
SARA KINGDOM: Height and speed reducing.
DOCTOR: Yes, we should be landing in about five minutes.
SARA KINGDOM: I'll see how Steven is.
DOCTOR: Hmm.(She goes to the laboratory area, followed by the DOCTOR.)
20: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. LABORATORY
(STEVEN is now propped up in a corner, his eyes wide open but unseeing, his whole being now shielded within the field generated by reliance power and G-Force.)
SARA KINGDOM: I think the effect's wearing off.
DOCTOR: No, my dear. He's adapting to it. (To STEVEN.) Can you talk, my boy, mm?(There is no answer from the young man.)
DOCTOR: No. He's...he's still under the influence of that force field. (To STEVEN again.) Nothing further will happen to you. Now don't worry, mm?
(He leads SARA away.)
DOCTOR: Yes, nothing further's going to happen to him but I must confess I...I have no cure for that condition, hmm.
SARA KINGDOM: He's enclosed in a force-field.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, I'm afraid so. Hmm. Sara, bring me that fake Taranium, hmm?(SARA does so.)
DOCTOR: Hmm. Yes, yes, yes.
(He walks over and shows the Core to STEVEN.)
DOCTOR: Now, listen to me, Steven. Try and understand. This is very important, so you must trust me. You do understand?
(STEVEN tries to move his head.)
DOCTOR: Just try and indicate.
(STEVEN manages to blink his eyes.)
21: EXT. KEMBEL. JUNGLE. LANDING AREA
(A group of DALEKS including the DALEK SUPREME and MAVIC CHEN is standing in a glade in the jungle.)
DALEK SUPREME: Pursuit ship is landing at precise point calculated.
MAVIC CHEN: Well, it appears that everything's going according to plan.(The noise of the Pursuit ship's drive starts to fill the air.)
DALEK SUPREME: The Taranium will be recovered.
MAVIC CHEN: I hope you're right.
DALEK SUPREME: This time, there will no error.(The whine of the descent grows louder.)
22: INT. DALEK PURSUIT SHIP. CONTROL ROOM
(Inside the ship, the DOCTOR and SARA brace themselves as the ship hits the ground. STEVEN stands immobile, holding the fake Core in his hand. The ship falls silent. The DOCTOR and SARA are tense.)
DOCTOR: Well, we're here. Hmm hmm. Now we've got to face the Daleks. Open the doors, please.
(SARA throws the switches. The door to the outside opens.)
DOCTOR: Steven will lead the way.
(The DOCTOR goes over to the silent man.)
DOCTOR: This way, Steven.
(STEVEN slowly moves towards the door.)
SARA KINGDOM: But it won't... it can't work!
DOCTOR: (Softly.) It's our only chance, my dear. And remember, I will do all the talking, hmm?(SARA nods and they follow STEVEN out of the ship.)
23: EXT. KEMBEL. JUNGLE. LANDING AREA
(STEVEN moves forward down the ramp. MAVIC CHEN sees what is in STEVEN'S outstretched hand.)
MAVIC CHEN: The Taranium! I would suggest that you give that to me, young man.
DOCTOR: No.(CHEN watches as the DOCTOR and SARA move out of the ship, standing behind STEVEN.)
DOCTOR: And remember, you cannot fire because of the Taranium. You'd have another fifty years work, hmm?
MAVIC CHEN: Possibly, but you are still in no position to bargain.
DOCTOR: I will hand over the Taranium outside my ship, the TARDIS.(CHEN turns to the DALEK SUPREME.)
MAVIC CHEN: You heard the condition.
DALEK SUPREME: (Enraged.) It is not acceptable!(CHEN turns back to the DOCTOR, smiling.)
MAVIC CHEN: You heard what the Dalek Supreme said.
DOCTOR: (Adamantly.) Outside my ship, the TARDIS, or nowhere!(Almost enjoying himself, CHEN turns back to the DALEK SUPREME.)
MAVIC CHEN: He seems determined. Does it really matter?
DALEK SUPREME: Very well. In front of his ship.
DOCTOR: Thank you! Steven?(As STEVEN leads the DOCTOR and SARA down the ramp and into the jungle, CHEN sees SARA.)
MAVIC CHEN: Kingdom?
SARA KINGDOM: Traitor!(CHEN is taken aback and then follows the three travellers into the jungle with the DALEKS.)
24: EXT. KEMBEL. JUNGLE CLEARING
(By the TARDIS, the DOCTOR gives SARA the key to the ship.)
DOCTOR: Sara, open the door please.
(SARA does so and steps just inside the police box and watches the DOCTOR as he faces CHEN and the DALEK SUPREME.)
DOCTOR: The young man will give you the Taranium when the girl and I are safely inside my ship, the TARDIS.
DALEK SUPREME: Very well.
MAVIC CHEN: Making sure of your escape, eh, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (To STEVEN.) Remember to do exactly as I say, Steven. I will give you further instructions from inside my TARDIS.(STEVEN nods to indicate his understanding. The DOCTOR steps inside the ship and his disembodied - and slightly DALEK-like - tones, come from inside the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: (OOV: Inside the TARDIS.) Steven, hand the box over to Chen. Then come inside the TARDIS.
(Stiffly, STEVEN walks towards MAVIC CHEN, extending his hand with the cylinder. Eagerly, MAVIC CHEN seizes the fake Core then, quickly shielding his eyes, opens it and peers inside. The fierce glow that comes from the interior satisfies the Guardian.)
MAVIC CHEN: (Triumphantly.) This is it! The Core of the Time Destructor!
(The DALEK SUPREME swings towards his troops.)
DALEK SUPREME: Exterminate him!
(All the DALEKS fire at STEVEN. To MAVIC CHEN'S and the DALEK SUPREME'S amazement, STEVEN continues to walk stiffly into the TARDIS, which immediately starts to dematerialise from Kembel..)
DALEK SUPREME: (In amazement.) The ray guns did not take effect!
DALEK: All were operated at full power.
DALEK SUPREME: No human being can withstand their fire.(CHEN is impatient and triumphant as he holds the core...)
MAVIC CHEN: What happened is unimportant! We have the Taranium! The invasion can go ahead! (Shouts.) The universe will be ours!
25: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM
(The central column is moving up and down. SARA checks on STEVEN as he sits in a chair.)
SARA KINGDOM: Are you sure you're all right?
(STEVEN shakes his dazed head.)
STEVEN: Yes, more or less.
DOCTOR: The Dalek guns must have destroyed that force field completely. It's a good thing they didn't fire a second time.
STEVEN: (Laughs gently.) I don't really know what happened.
SARA KINGDOM: You were enclosed in a field of gravity force and reliance power.
DOCTOR: You had a shield round, you know, similar to the one that protects the TARDIS. Oh, that reminds me. Where is that genuine Taranium, hmm?
SARA KINGDOM: Oh, over here.(SARA goes to fetch it.)
STEVEN: Well, it's a pity I blanked out. I mean, if we knew the ratio readings, we could use the same force again, to protect us from the Daleks.
DOCTOR: (Crossly.) Certainly not! What you did was very dangerous and extremely stupid.
STEVEN: Oh, come off it. It worked.
DOCTOR: (Furious.) One more 'experiment' like that, and you really will be dead.
STEVEN: Oh, nonsense...
DOCTOR: (Nearly shouting.) Now, now, now, you listen to me, young man. I warned you it was dangerous before you tried it. You might have killed yourself...and blown up the spaceship. Then where would we all be, mm?
STEVEN: Well, I know where I'd be, I don't know about you.
DOCTOR: Now, now, now, now, don't be cheeky!
STEVEN: (Interrupts.) Look, if it haven't been for me, how would you have charged the Taranium, and carried out the handover? I think we should experiment further.
DOCTOR: I don't care what you think, we're not going to repeat it. Why do you think science turned down your discovery, hmm? (Shouts.) Because it isn't safe! So perhaps in future you'll pay attention to what I say and remember that I happen to be the leader of this 'expedition' and I don't want to keep on repeating myself.
STEVEN: (Pleading.) But Doctor...
DOCTOR: Never mind the buts! If you don't like it, you can get off! Mmm? Hmm!
STEVEN: All right, Doctor, I promise that I won't experiment with it any further.
DOCTOR: (Calming down.) I hope not.(SARA, meanwhile, has been watching the unfamiliar time column which is slowly coming to rest.)
SARA KINGDOM: Something's gone wrong.
DOCTOR: What's the matter, hm?
SARA KINGDOM: It's stopped going up and down.
STEVEN: Oh, that means that we've landed.(The DOCTOR presses the scanner switch but the picture is blank.)
DOCTOR: Oh! (Tuts.) That scanner's not working.
SARA KINGDOM: Can you mend it?
DOCTOR: Yes, I shall have to repair it, of course, yes, yes, but that means...
STEVEN: Let's get...
DOCTOR: ...checking up on the whole circuit.
STEVEN: Let's get on with it.(He puts his hand on the door control lever.)
DOCTOR: Dah, dah, dah, dah! Don't you dare touch that.
STEVEN: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well, just look at those dials, look!(He points at the dials on the console.)
DOCTOR: Look here, Sara.
(SARA joins them.)
DOCTOR: Do you see those dials? Now, do you know what that means? If either of you went outside, it would be extremely dangerous. The whole atmosphere is entirely poisonous!
Next Episode
THE FEAST OF STEVEN
Dr. Who
WILLIAM HARTNELLSteven
PETER PURVESSara Kingdom
JEAN MARSHMavic Chen
KEVIN STONEYDalek voices
PETER HAWKINS
DAVID GRAHAMDaleks
GERALD TAYLOR
KEVIN MANSER
JOHN SCOTT MARTIN
ROBERT JEWELLStory Editor
DONALD TOSHTitle music by
RON GRAINER
and the BBC Radiophonic WorkshopIncidental Music composed by
TRISTRAM CARYDesigner
RAYMOND CUSICKProducer
JOHN WILESDirected by
DOUGLAS CAMFIELD
