THE CLAWS
OF AXOSBY
BOB BAKER
&
DAVE MARTINEPISODE TWO
1: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(JO continues her exploration. Behind her, something starts to appear on one of the walls.)
JO: Bill?
(JO turns. One of the tendril-covered creatures is emerging from the very substance of the wall. She screams...)
2: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The screams reach the central chamber.)
DOCTOR: That's Jo! Come on!
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER run off down a passage at the back of the chamber towards the source of the cries. HARDIMAN and WINSER are about to follow...)
CHINN: Sir George! (To WINSER.) Now wait!
(The two men hold back. CHINN turns to the AXON MAN...)
CHINN: Now, regarding an agreement...
(...but he is facing one of the walls away from them.)
AXON MAN: The emergency is sector seven.
(He turns to CHINN.)
AXON MAN: I am sorry. I must investigate.
(He walks off in the direction taken by the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER.)
CHINN: I must make my report to the Minister. (Smiles.) I think I can take care of...this perpetual interference from these UNIT people.
3: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(JO lies on the floor of the passageway. The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER run into sight.)
DOCTOR: Jo!
(He helps her to her feet. Strangely, the AXON MAN has reached the spot before them and stands to one side.)
DOCTOR: (To JO.) Are you all right? What happened?
JO: (Scared.) I saw this thing. It was shapeless and horrible and...(She turns and sees the golden AXON MAN. She jumps back and gives a cry. The DOCTOR comforts her.)
DOCTOR: It's all right, my dear, don't be frightened.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Grant, what are you doing here? I gave you explicit orders!
JO: I was following you in, sir, and I thought I heard Bill Filer's voice.(The BRIGADIER glances at the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Filer? In here?
JO: I tried to find him...and then suddenly this awful thing appeared. It came straight out of the wall at me!
AXON MAN: I think I can explain. We are close to the organic power sources here. Emission from the energy cells would have affected your sense perception, almost certainly causing you to...hallucinate.
JO: And the voices?
DOCTOR: Well, it's all part of the same thing, I'm afraid. You must have been hearing things.
JO: Hearing things?
DOCTOR: Look, Jo, don't worry. The same thing happened to me when I first came in here.(JO looks nervously at her surroundings.)
JO: Doctor, I wasn't imagining things. I tell you I heard Bill Filer's voice!
4: INT. AXOS. PRISON CHAMBER
(FILER is still struggling in the grip of the tendrils. He manages to reach inside his jacket and pull out a pistol. He fires two shots into the tendrils that hold him.)
MASTER: That won't help you, Filer!
FILER: Go to hell!
MASTER: Now look, if you do what I say, we can both escape from here.
FILER: Oh, yeah, sure - how?
MASTER: That ganglion on the wall behind you - you see it?(With an effort, FILER looks up and sees a green coloured ganglion hanging down above his head.)
FILER: Yeah?
MASTER: That's the nerve centre of this section of Axos. Hit that...and the shock will disorientate it temporarily.
FILER: And that's our chance?
MASTER: That's our only chance.
FILER: Okay, I'll try.(FILER fires one shot and misses. He fires a second shot and severs one of the loops of the ganglion. The tendrils which hold him and the MASTER suddenly go limp.)
MASTER: Filer! Come!
(They go through a membrane which covers the doorway and escape the prison chamber.)
5: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(CHINN has wasted no time and has made it back to the mobile HQ. The 2ND RADAR OPERATOR hands him a phone.)
2ND RADAR OPERATOR: Your call to the Ministry, sir.
(CHINN takes the phone.)
CHINN: Ah, just wait outside, will you?
2ND RADAR OPERATOR: Sir?
CHINN: (Snaps.) Just wait outside!
2ND RADAR OPERATOR: Very good, sir.(He walks out. CHINN sits down with a self-satisfied smile.)
CHINN: (Into phone.) Minister? Will you scramble, or shall I, sir?
(The Minister's reply is cutting.)
THE MINISTER: (OOV: On phone.) Just your report, Chinn. I'm sure that will be quite garbled enough.
(CHINN is unperturbed.)
CHINN: (Into phone.) Yes sir, well, as I anticipated, we are having a certain amount of trouble with these UNIT people, sir.
THE MINISTER: (OOV: On phone.) We, Chinn, we?
CHINN: (Into phone.) Er, well I am, sir.
THE MINISTER: (OOV: On phone.) Are you quite sure you can handle this matter, Chinn?
CHINN: (Into phone.) Oh, yes sir, yes, of course! Er, about the special powers, sir?
THE MINISTER: (OOV: On phone.) Because if you are not, just remember, it's your head on the block, Chinn, not mine.(CHINN nods nervously.)
6: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(In the central chamber of Axos, the DOCTOR confers with HARDIMAN and WINSER.)
HARDIMAN: Yes, well, I think we ought to...look to the future too. There are tremendous advantages for humanity in Axonite.
DOCTOR: Yes, tremendous material advantages. But I doubt if even Axonite could increase the growth of human common sense. But since you seem hell bent on getting hold of it, I suggest the best thing to do is to restrict its use to your laboratories until we've made a full analysis of all its properties.
WINSER: We?
HARDIMAN: You mean you want to co-operate with us?
DOCTOR: Scientifically, yes.
HARDIMAN: Winser?
WINSER: Huh, it depends?
HARDIMAN: On what?
WINSER: Who leads the investigation?
DOCTOR: (Slightly mocking.) Why you do, of course!
7: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(CHINN'S phone call to his superior continues.)
CHINN: (Into phone.) Er, about my request, sir?
THE MINISTER: (OOV: On phone.) Special powers have already been granted. Do your best to keep me informed, old chap. After all, you are our man on the spot, Chinn - in more ways than one.(The line goes dead....)
CHINN: Minister?
(...but CHINN remains confident. He speaks with relish.)
CHINN: Right, Brigadier!
7: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL PASSAGEWAY
(The MASTER runs into a long corridor in Axos. As he turns a corner, tendrils reach out and pull him into the wall. FILER follows as the AXON MAN and one of his compatriots appear suddenly from each side. The other Axon man grabs hold of FILER as if to take him away.)
MASTER: What about me? I insist you release me! I kept my side of the bargain, I say...
AXON MAN: (Interrupting.) Silence.
FILER: Well, where are you taking me?
AXON MAN: Replication sector.(The second Axon man pulls him away.)
8: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(CHINN is back in Axos and is negotiating with the AXON MAN.)
AXON MAN: Name them.
CHINN: All we ask is your guarantee that the sole distribution right to all Axonite materials be vested in the British government.
AXON MAN: To bring...the greatest possible benefit to all Earth peoples, Axonite distribution must be worldwide.
CHINN: I think I can give you that assurance.
AXON MAN: In that case, all that remains is for me to hand over samples of Axonite for your investigation to begin.
CHINN: Thank you!(The AXON WOMAN hands over to CHINN a perpex globe containing Axonite. He looks at it greedily.)
CHINN: Thank you!
(He walks off with his precious sample. The two AXON'S stand alone for a moment.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Begin...re-absorption.
(The AXON WOMAN walks over to a wall and rests against it. Slowly, her features melt as she starts to become one with the ship.)
9: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(CHINN walks back into the central chamber with his Axonite. Waiting there are the DOCTOR, JO, the BRIGADIER, WINSER and HARDIMAN.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Mr. Chinn?
(He approaches the little civil servant.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's been going on here. I warn you - you have no authority.
CHINN: All over, Brigadier. No further concern of yours. Agreement has been reached - Britain...has the world rights to Axonite!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not as far as I'm concerned.
CHINN: I'm warning you, Brigadier.(The BRIGADIER takes out his gun and points it at CHINN.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll take that, please.
(CHINN hands the globe over.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you. Right, shall we go? Doctor, Miss Grant. After you, Mr. Chinn.
(They all head for the exit.)
10: EXT. AXOS LANDING SITE
(The entrance to Axos opens and the party of six exit.)
11: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(In the mobile HQ, YATES and BENTON look at each other somewhat forlornly. CHINN and the BRIGADIER enter. YATES and BENTON stand. Behind them is stood a young regular army officer - CAPTAIN HARKER. The BRIGADIER looks at the scene in surprise.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's going on here, Yates?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Regular's suddenly took over, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Took over?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: We couldn't very well let them fire on them, could we, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What about the rest of the men?
CHINN: They've all been arrested - and so, Brigadier, have you. If you will excuse me.(He holds his hands out for the Axonite. The BRIGADIER hands it over with reluctance.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You have no right!
CHINN: On the contrary, I have every right. You're all under security arrest under the Emergency Powers Act.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Captain, this is an illegal act.
CAPTAIN HARKER: I have my orders, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To CHINN.) I must tell you, Mr. Chinn, I shall make every possible attempt to warn the UN.
CHINN: (To HARKER.) Captain, I want all these men put under twenty-four hour armed guard. They are to see no one. No one at all - do you understand? If you need me, I shall be with Sir George.(He leaves, pushing past the DOCTOR and JO who have just entered. HARKER, the BRIGADIER and his men follow.)
12: INT. AXOS. REPLICATION SECTOR
(FILER stands absolutely still. A myriad number of colour patterns swirl round him...)
13: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(The DOCTOR taps the back of a chair as he thinks. JO watches.)
DOCTOR: Mmm, quite a quandry...
JO: About which side you're on, you mean?
DOCTOR: Why should they foist this gift on to us? They must want something. Jo, tell me again about that creature that you saw?
JO: (Delighted.) You mean you believe me?
DOCTOR: Of course I believe you - I always did. Now then, you're quite sure it was Bill Filer that you heard?
14: INT. AXOS. REPLICATION SECTOR
(The process on FILER continues...)
15: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(The DOCTOR passes a photograph of the body of Pigbin Josh over to JO.)
DOCTOR: This body they found - was there no identification?
JO: Apparently not. When they touched it, it just...disintegrated. There was a car too - Bill Filer's.
DOCTOR: Mmm, perhaps he got here ahead of us?
JO: And they didn't find any sign of him?
DOCTOR: No.(He takes back the photograph and considers.)
DOCTOR: Perhaps the same thing happened to him?
JO: (Upset.) No! No, he can't be dead! He's still inside that ship!
DOCTOR: I only hope you're right, Jo.
JO: Look, we must get him out - we'll make the Axons let us search.
CHINN: You'll do no such thing!(They look up - the civil servant has quietly entered the HQ and has been listening to their conversation.)
CHINN: As far as I'm concerned, the man has ceased to exist!
16: INT. AXOS. REPLICATION SECTOR
(The process reaches its climax. A ghostly image of FILER splits from his original, pauses and then walks off.)
17: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
JO: (Shouts.) As far as you're concerned, Mr. Chinn, nothing exists except this contemptible underhanded deal!
CHINN: I don't intend to prejudice anything at this stage. This man, Filer, is not going to cause an incident. There will be no search and that is that.(He turns to CAPTAIN HARKER who is back in the HQ, this time with WINSER.)
CHINN: Captain, have them both taken to the complex and put with the others. Remember, no contact with anyone at all.
CAPTAIN HARKER: Right, sir.(HARKER starts to lead the two of them away but WINSER points at the DOCTOR.)
WINSER: (To CHINN.) Er, not him. The, er, Doctor's going to help with the preliminary investigations into Axonite.
CHINN: Very well...(The DOCTOR starts to leave with WINSER.)
CHINN: ...but understand - the slightest hint of delay or sabotage, it's your head on the block - not mine!
18: INT. AXOS. PRISON CHAMBER
(The MASTER is back in the prison chamber, occupying the place where FILER was held on the tendril covered floor. The AXON MAN stands over him.)
AXON MAN: We have done well, Time Lord.
MASTER: Of course - the humans are fools.
AXON MAN: So far, your predictions have proved correct. This is indeed a rich planet you have brought us to.
MASTER: And am I to be released?
AXON MAN: As yet, we have only gained a foothold. For the maximum nutrient value, Axonite must encircle the world within the next seventy-two hours.
MASTER: And for that to happen, your secret arrangement with the British Government must be made universally known. Now, I can do that for you. Give me my freedom.
AXON MAN: Your freedom? The bargain, you remember, was that if we spared you and your TARDIS, you would lead us to this planet in return for the death of the Doctor.
MASTER: And the destruction of all life on Earth?
AXON MAN: Of course. But our sensors detected something you neglected to tell us. (Harshly.) This Doctor is also a Time Lord - is he not!(FILER is thrown into the chamber through the membrane door. He lies still on the floor. The AXON MAN looks at the MASTER...)
AXON MAN: No one...is irreplaceable.
(...and leaves.)
19: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(WINSER'S laboratory looks more like the inside of a huge industrial complex. Two massive round metal cyclotrons sit one on top of the other and in between are a series of metal trellis platforms and walkways which surround a perspex tube that connects the two generators. The tube itself is large enough to accommodate a man and has a locked door built into it. To the left of the room is a window behind which is the control room for the light accelerator. Several white-coated lab technicians work whilst WINSER shows the DOCTOR round the large chamber. They reach a control panel in front of the perspex tube - the light accelerator.)
WINSER: __ here.
DOCTOR: And this brings in the whole output of Reactor One?
WINSER: Yeah! The particles are accelerated round and round the cyclotron in an ever increasing electro-magnetic field. Now eventually, we hope to have controlled acceleration up to the speed of light.(He taps a round dial on which are several stages. The dial is marked "LIGHT x/1". The DOCTOR looks closely at it.)
WINSER: (Proudly.) Now, once beyond that point, the particles will be travelling in the fourth dimension. I will be able to begin my experiments with the nature of time itself.
DOCTOR: With the ultimate aim of making travel in time possible?
WINSER: Why not?
DOCTOR: Mmm, yes, most impressive. Much larger than my own set-up, of course.
WINSER: Your set-up?
DOCTOR: Yes.
20: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The replica FILER stands motionless in the true heart of AXOS. Hanging down from the roof, ever in motion, is a large green eye on a stalk. Brightly lit from the inside, the eye swivels round as the replica FILER receives its instructions.)
VOICE OF AXOS: The other Time Lord will deal with the Axonite. Find him and bring him here.
(The replica nods and moves off.)
21: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
WINSER: (Sceptically.) You're trying to tell me that you actually achieved time travel...
DOCTOR: Mm..
WINSER: ...and published nothing?
DOCTOR: In Britain, no.
WINSER: Well, where then?
DOCTOR: Er, elsewhere. Yes, yes, elsewhere.
WINSER: And I suppose you can't remember.
DOCTOR: Yes...as a matter of fact, that's the trouble - I can't.
WINSER: How convenient!
DOCTOR: Er, most inconvenient, actually. You know, I was thinking, if you'd really like to take a look at my TARDIS, maybe I could arrange to have it brought down.
WINSER: "TARDIS"? Are you serious?
DOCTOR: Absolutely. Perhaps we can get it operational - with the help of this stuff.(He taps the Axonite globe.)
22: INT. AXOS. PRISON CHAMBER
(FILER comes round. He is back in his old place of confinement on the floor. The MASTER is nowhere to be seen. He attempts to jump up but the tendrils snap into place and hold him, then they relax again. FILER tries the same manoeuvre but gets the same result. Then, he tries to get up at a very slow pace. This time, the tendrils don't move.)
23: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The discussion in the lab has turned into an argument...)
WINSER: (Shouts.) No, Doctor, I simply won't hear of it!
DOCTOR: Don't you see? It's the simplest way to break it down!
WINSER: (Shouts.) But you're asking me to risk fifty million pounds worth of equipment!
DOCTOR: Look, all we have to do is take the Axonite, put it in the light accelerator and crack it down into particles.
WINSER: Dah!(Nevertheless, he paces the room thinking, then...)
WINSER: No, it's far too hazardous. The whole damn lot could go up.
DOCTOR: If it is a thinking molecule, it should analyse itself. All we have to do is switch on and read the print out.
WINSER: Analyse itself?!(He laughs and turns to a technician.)
WINSER: Is the spectra-scope set, ___?
DOCTOR: Spectra-scope? You might as well use a magnifying glass.
WINSER: (Annoyed.) What was that, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Exasperated.) Er, nothing, my dear Holmes!
24: INT. AXOS. PRISON CHAMBER
(FILER continues his slow escape. He manages to get to his feet and then bursts through the membrane door.)
25: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The MASTER stands in the heart of Axos, talking to the eye...)
MASTER: I know their ways on Earth. I can move around freely. I'm familiar with their systems, their organisations. You don't have the time to learn these things. If the nutrition cycle is to be activated in the next seventy-two hours, you must have world wide distribution by then.
VOICE OF AXOS: Data confirms feasibilities. Queries motivation. Decision reads: "release Time Lord but retain his TARDIS time capsule until mission completed".
MASTER: But I must have my TARDIS!
VOICE OF AXOS: Negative. Data indicates time capsule un-necessary for success of mission.
MASTER: Well, at least give me back my laser gun. I may need to defend myself.
VOICE OF AXOS: Return of laser gun is acceptable. Possession of time capsule will prevent hostile action.(The light in the eye dims to show that the conversation is at an end. The MASTER sighs and moves off - not seeing FILER crouched nearby.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Cell area! Emergency! Emergency!
(FILER starts to follow the MASTER.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Emergency!
26: EXT. AXOS LANDING SITE
(The entrance to Axos opens. A soldier stood on guard has his back to the doorway and fails to see the MASTER emerge. The Time Lord creeps closer and closer to the soldier who hears a noise behind him and spins round. The MASTER whips out his laser gun and fires. The end glows red and the soldier flies backwards with a cry and in a puff of smoke. The MASTER stands over the body, checks that he has not been spotted by anyone else and runs off. As the doorway to AXOS starts to close, FILER dives out to safety. He sees the dead soldier and himself runs off but in a different direction - towards the complex.)
27: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and WINSER have finished a series of tests on the sample of Axonite which sits on top of a series of equipment in front of them.)
DOCTOR: Well?
WINSER: Not a thing. Damn it. It should show some response to something.
DOCTOR: Well, it's been programmed not to. Don't you see, it's deliberately resisting analysis?(WINSER doesn't answer.)
DOCTOR: Well, isn't it?
WINSER: Well, go on - say it!
DOCTOR: Say what?
WINSER: "I told you so!"
DOCTOR: I told you so!(The DOCTOR walks off towards the central perspex tube - the heart of the particle accelerator.)
DOCTOR: Particle acceleration - it's the only answer.
(WINSER doesn't answer but merely looks weary.)
DOCTOR: If you're not prepared to risk your own equipment, why don't we try mine?
WINSER: I thought you said it was U.S.
DOCTOR: Mmm, a certain malfunction of the drive system - yes, but the other components are all right. We could put them through the main reactor.
WINSER: Well, if we...(He thinks...)
WINSER: Well, if we can bypass the malfunction and your light accelerators compatible, it might work.
DOCTOR: Well, it's the only thing left to do, isn't it? If you could persuade the powers that be...
WINSER: Yes, I...I, er, suppose you're right.(He starts to leave.)
WINSER: I...I'll see what I can do.
DOCTOR: Right.
28: EXT. ROAD
(An army truck heads down a road next to a steep bank which has a tunnel built into it on the right. The MASTER stands on top of the bank and as the truck drives into the tunnel, he jumps onto the back of the truck. The MASTER crawls along the top of the truck towards the drivers cab. As the journey continues, the MASTER climbs down the side of the truck. Inside it, the driver looks into his side mirror and sees the eyes of the MASTER looking hypnotically at him.)
MASTER: I am Master. You will obey me! You will obey me!
(The driver is easily subdued.)
29: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR opens the door to the accelerator as the door to the lab opens and the replica FILER woodenly enters.)
FILER: Doctor.
(The DOCTOR turns round in delight.)
DOCTOR: Filer! So you got away?
FILER: Come with me, Doctor.(He grabs hold of the DOCTOR and tries to pull him towards the door.)
DOCTOR: Come with you?
FILER: Come to Axos!(The DOCTOR struggles free and puts an Aikido nerve hold on the American's chest.)
DOCTOR: I won't go to Axos or anywhere else with you! In any case, you're not Filer!
(The replica looks as if he might fall but then struggles to overcome the hold and the DOCTOR sees that his adversary is stronger than he at first thought.)
FILER: Come to Axos.
(The DOCTOR hears a voice behind him..)
FILER: Out of the way, Doc!
(The real FILER is stood in the doorway to the lab. His gun in his hand. The replica takes advantage of the diversion and clubs the DOCTOR down. The real FILER shoots at his copy several times but the bullets have no effect. FILER then tries brute force and punches "himself". The copy easily dodges the blows and manages to get several back himself. He then throws the original across the lab towards a guard rail and approaches him, getting his hands on his shoulders. The true FILER pushes him back and kicks him towards the accelerator. On the floor, the DOCTOR starts to come round. As the fight continues, the fake FILER gives the real man a strong punch which sends the man to the floor. The two trade further punches and blows as the DOCTOR gets to his feet. He grabs the real FILER, thinking it is the Axon replica...)
FILER: No, Doc!
(...and realises his mistake.)
DOCTOR: ___!
FILER: No!(They turn and see the fake FILER rushing for them. They dive out of the way and the fake heads straight into the heart of the accelerator. There is an intense white flash and a spark and the fake is turned into a foaming mass on the floor of the accelerator.)
FILER: Boy, am I glad that's not me in there.
DOCTOR: Are you quite sure it isn't?(FILER taps himself and smiles.)
FILER: Yeah, quite sure!
DOCTOR: Good! Come along.(They move off.)
30: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR
(The MASTER and the driver have reached UNIT HQ and stand in a corridor.)
MASTER: You will load the Doctor's TARDIS onto your lorry. You will need some help.
DRIVER: I will need some help.
MASTER: Get the guard to give you a hand.
DRIVER: The guard.
MASTER: Now.(The driver walks towards a soldier who is stood nearby.)
31: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and FILER update the BRIGADIER and JO on what has happened.)
DOCTOR: I tell you, Brigadier, they replicated Bill here!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Replicated?
DOCTOR: Faked, copied, duplicated.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But how?
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) Look, does it matter how, Brigadier? We haven't got the time to explain.
JO: Axonite! The copying molecule!
DOCTOR: Yes, thank you, Jo.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, but I still don't see...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting: To FILER.) Look, Bill, was the Master in Axos or not?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He is sure is...or was, until he escaped.
DOCTOR: Which was why they sent Filer or the fake Filer after me.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then they're not human at all?
DOCTOR: Human! They're not even humanoid!
FILER: Well, according to the Master, they're some kind of, er, scavenger. You know, no planet - nothing.
DOCTOR: The whole thing's just a pack of lies, Brigadier.
JO: Apart from Axonite copying molecules.
DOCTOR: Yes, quite. Look, we've got to stop Chinn getting hold of that stuff.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right...(The door opens and CAPTAIN HARKER and an armed soldier enter the room.)
CAPTAIN HARKER: Nobody move, please. (To the soldier.) Take his gun.
(The soldier does so and walks out with it.)
CAPTAIN HARKER: I'm sorry, Mr. Filer...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Captain, listen!
CAPTAIN HARKER: Brigadier, I already have.(He reaches under the desk and takes out an electronic listening device.)
DOCTOR: And what is your decision?
CAPTAIN HARKER: Unfortunately, I have my orders.
DOCTOR: Which are?
CAPTAIN HARKER: To confine you strictly to the laboratory.
32: INT. UNIT HQ. TRACKING ROOM OUTER OFFICE
(The MASTER checks round carefully and enters the tracking room.)
33: INT. UNIT HQ. TRACKING ROOM
(The 1ST RADAR OPERATOR is within trying to get in touch with mobile HQ.)
1ST RADAR OPERATOR: (Into radio.) Trap one, do you read me? Over. Hello greyhound, this is trap one. Do you read me? Over.
(The MASTER approaches. The RADAR OPERATOR turns.)
1ST RADAR OPERATOR: No use, Harry...who are you?
MASTER: The Brigadier sent me.
1ST RADAR OPERATOR: But what's going on...(The MASTER stares intently at him...)
MASTER: You have a top priority message to send to the United Nations. I will tell you what to say.
(The hypnotised operator turns back to the radio.)
34: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(Alone in the lab, the DOCTOR closes the lid on a reel-to-reel tape recorder, stands up the microphone, switches it on and starts to speak.)
DOCTOR: My dear Winser, I hope you'll forgive this unauthorised use of your precious equipment, but in case there is an accident, I'm making this recording of what not to do. I am about to place the Axonite in the light accelerator.
(He goes over to the perspex tube, unlocks the door and opens it. He then places the raw mass of Axonite on a small stand within. Closes the door and locks it again. He then starts to make notes on a clipboard.)
DOCTOR: Now, the idea is to split off a stream of Axonite particles and accelerate them through time.
(He goes over to the console.)
DOCTOR: In this way, we shall force it to...analyse itself on the print out. Right, here goes.
(He starts to flicking switches on the console.)
DOCTOR: Reactor One activated. Accelerating.
(A humming sound starts to build up.)
DOCTOR: Point one...
(The needle on the "LIGHT X/1" dial starts to go up.)
DOCTOR: Two...three...it's reacting.
(The sound reaches a crescendo and the needle reaches the number "1" on the dial.)
DOCTOR: Speed of light now!
(An alarm bell starts to ring. The DOCTOR looks at the Axonite. It starts to foam and smoke.)
35: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(Within AXOS there is chaos. Three of the golden beings stagger about, holding their hands to their heads in pain...)
36: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The eye trashes about. The calm voice starts to sound agitated...)
VOICE OF AXOS: Emergency! Nutrition cycle prematurely activated! Immediate recovery essential! Emergency! Emergency!
37: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. CORRIDOR
(The soldier stands guard on the office as the alarm bell sounds throughout the complex. CAPTAIN HARKER runs up.)
CAPTAIN HARKER: The prisoners still inside? Open up!
(The soldier does as instructed and HARKER runs in - only to be punched out of the room and to the floor. The soldier also tries to get into the office but FILER manages to fight him back. The three prisoners escape into the corridor.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sorry, Captain. Well done, Filer. I must get on to UNIT headquarters - you go with Jo and find the Doctor.
JO: But...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting.) If anyone can explain, he can. Now hurry!(He dashes back into the office. JO turns to FILER.)
JO: The Doctor's in the laboratory, isn't he?
FILER: Yeah, that's where the alarms coming from!(They run off.)
38: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The needle on the dial now points to "2". JO and FILER run in.)
JO: Doctor, what are you doing?
DOCTOR: A small experiment, that's all.
JO: What?
DOCTOR: Jo, please keep back!(JO and FILER jump back. The DOCTOR points to the foaming substance in the accelerator.)
DOCTOR: That's Axonite, you know. It's now taking the whole output of Reactor One and absorbing it - Absorbing the whole lot and using it to grow.
(A furious WINSER bursts in.)
WINSER: What the hell's happening here!
(He dives for the console.)
WINSER: Now get out of my equipment, you idiot!
(He switches the machine off, turns and sees the activated Axonite.)
WINSER: Oh, you stupid quack!
(He runs to the accelerator door.)
DOCTOR: Don't touch that!
(But it is too late. There is a blue spark and, with a cry, WINSER is flung backwards. The DOCTOR goes to help and sees WINSER'S body instantly decompose as Axos absorbs him. The DOCTOR realises what is happening...)
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, of course! Axons! (To JO and FILER.) That ship! Axonite! It's all the same thing! Don't you see we're dealing with one single living creature. Axonite was just the dormant state until I...I activated it.
FILER: Can't you stop it?
DOCTOR: No, it's too late. Don't you see, Filer? This stuff could endanger the entire world.
JO: Doctor! Look out!(WINSER has turned into a rolling mass of Axonite which starts to flow towards the three of them. They run round the accelerator and head for the door but a raw, tentacle Axon creature bursts through the door. JO screams and they run in another direction but another of the creatures is in front of them. JO cries out again - they are trapped.)
Dr. Who
JON PERTWEEBrigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEYThe Master
ROGER DELGADOJo Grant
KATY MANNINGCaptain Mike Yates
RICHARD FRANKLINSergeant Benton
JOHN LEVENEChinn
PETER BATHURSTFiler
PAUL GRISTHardiman
DONALD HEWLETTWinser
DAVID SAVILEAxon Man
BERNARD HOLLEYCaptain Harker
TIM PIGGOT-SMITH1st Radar Operator
MICHAEL WALKER2nd Radar Operator
DAVID G. MARCHAxon Woman
PATRICIA GORDINOTitle Music by
RON GRAINER and
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOPIncidental Music
DUDLEY SIMPSONSpecial Sound
BRIAN HODGSON and
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOPAction by
HAVOCFilm Cameraman
A.A. ENGLANDERFilm Editor
BOB RYMERVisual Effects Designer
JOHN HORTONCostumes
BARBARA LANEMake-up
JAN HARRISONLighting
RALPH WALTONSound
DAVE KITCHENScript Editor
TERRANCE DICKSDesigner
KENNETH SHARPProducer
BARRY LETTSDirected by
MICHAEL FERGUSON
COLOUR
© BBC 1971