10. Stories of the Nargdu Empire

SCENE #111 – EXT – 42ND STREET, MANHATTAN – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back inside the miniscope, Nyssa and Billy are on the run. They’ve returned to 42nd street in New York, running away from the Drashigs. Billy limps as Nyssa supports him whilst they run. The screaming howls of the Drashigs gets louder and closer. Billy then stumbles forward and falls over onto the ground. Nyssa comes round to help him.

BILLY
(exhausted) “Please! Nyssa! I can’t run anymore! It’s too much for me! My leg! Just leave me here!”

NYSSA
“You know I won’t do that, Billy! Not ever! I won’t leave you behind!”

BILLY
“Please! I don’t want to slow you down! Just get yourself to safety!”

NYSSA
“If only there was a way of getting through these streets quickly on foot!”

BILLY
“It’ll be nice if we still had that car we stole and drove in. I was quite attached to that car.”

NYSSA
“Come on Billy, get up! I won’t let those monsters have you!”

Billy groans exhausted, as he allows Nyssa to help him up. They keep on running on foot until they turn to see the Drashigs slithering closer behind them.

BILLY
(panics) “There it is, Nyssa! It’s coming straight for us! We’ll never outrun it!”

NYSSA
(panics) “This can’t be the end! Not now! We can’t let these creatures keep chasing us!”

The Drashigs howl wildly as they approach. Suddenly, the Drashigs get smashed into by a ravaging Tyrannosaurus Rex as it charges. Nyssa and Billy are astonished as they watch the T-Rex and the Drashigs fight it out with each other in the city.

BILLY
(astonished) “Whoa! Where did he come from?! That T-Rex certainly was a stroke of luck!”

NYSSA
(gradually) “He’s not the only one, Billy! Look! There’s more coming this way!”

Nyssa and Billy watch as more dinosaurs approach.

BILLY
“Stegosaurus; Triceratops; Brontosaurus! You’re right, Nyssa! They’re all coming towards the Drashigs!”

NYSSA
“And look! There are robots approaching in the opposite direction!”

Nyssa and Billy watch as dinosaurs and robots charge in opposite directions towards the Drashigs. All-out battle occurs as the Drashigs, the dinosaurs and the robots fight it out with each other. The Drashigs howl and scream whilst the dinosaurs roar and growl and the robots open fire with their weapons.

ROBOT #1
“Do not resist. Do not resist.”

ROBOT #2
“Alien life-form detected. Must destroy.”

Seeing this happen, Nyssa takes Billy’s hand.

NYSSA
“Now’s our chance! Come on, Billy! Run!”

They begin to run before Billy groans and slumps to the floor in pain. Nyssa comes by to help him.

NYSSA
“Billy, you slipped!”

BILLY
It’s too much! I can’t run anymore! All this running has made my leg become worse!

NYSSA
Billy, I’m not leaving you behind! Those creatures will soon fight it over you if you stay here!

BILLY
Oh I wish for a miracle!

Nyssa and Billy then hear a loud hissing nearby. They turn to see Corporal James Darby beckoning to them from a nearby alley.

DARBY
(calls) Hey, you two! Get over here!

NYSSA
(relieved) At last! Hope is with us, Billy! There’s Corporal Darby down that alley!

BILLY
(disgruntled) Him? We’re to receive help from him?!

NYSSA
This is no time to be disgruntled, Billy! We’ve got to go to him!

BILLY
I haven’t the heart to trust him.

NYSSA
(insistently) We’ve got no choice!

DARBY
(calls; urgently) Come on, you two! Get over here before those monsters get you!

A moment of tension ensues.

BILLY
(reluctantly) Oh very well. Come on, let’s get over to him.

NYSSA
Here! Let me help you!

Nyssa gets Billy onto his feet as they run over to where Darby is in the nearby alley.

---

SCENE #112 – EXT – ALLEY, 42ND STREET – DAY, AFTERNOON
Nyssa and Billy reach the alley and meet up with Darby, who’s not at all happy to see them.

DARBY
What are you two doing thinking of going out into the middle of the road like that?! Don’t you know those beasts can kill you?!

BILLY
(wryly) Thank you for your generous concern!

NYSSA
(to Darby) Can you get us away from here? Before the monsters catch up with us?

DARBY
I have a jeep waiting. It’s down this alley. We must get to it and find a suitable hiding place.

BILLY
We’re supposed to make for the American diner, Nyssa and I. The Top Hat on forty-second street.

NYSSA
Can you get us to that place, Corporal? If it’s not out of your way.

DARBY
I don’t care. As long as we get away and head back for my jeep!

NYSSA
Then it’s the Top Hat. Take us to it, Corporal!

DARBY
Follow me down here. And keep up!

Darby leads the way as Nyssa supports Billy when they follow him. They make their way down the alley to reach Darby’s jeep .The Drashigs; the dinosaurs and the robots continue to fight each other in the distance whilst Nyssa; Billy and Darby escape.

---

SCENE #113 – INT – THRONE ROOM, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back on Teruvada 16, it is now the afternoon. The Doctor and Jo are still in the Grondor citadel throne room as they confront King Garnik and Prince Ernpic.

GARNIK
“You surprise us with your words, aliens. You seem to know a lot more about this machine than Bork does. Unethical you say?”

DOCTOR
“Yes! Unethical and forbidden! If you persist in the use of this machine, you’ll be damaging the lifespan of all life-forms within this machine!”

JO
“Including our friends, Nyssa and Billy!”

ERNPIC
“They’re trying to trick us, father! Don’t listen to them!”

Garnik silences his son before he addresses the Doctor again.

GARNIK
“Who exactly are you, alien?”

DOCTOR
I’m known as the Doctor. And I come from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous.

GARNIK
So, you’re not a human then.

DOCTOR
No. But Jo is. Jo is from the planet Earth.

ERNPIC
Then they have been harbouring spies! (to Bork) You traitor, Bork! I knew we shouldn’t have trusted you!

BORK
We told you before! Tulu and I aren’t harbouring spies!

JO
Excuse me, I’m a bit fluffy-headed today. What’s this about ‘harbouring spies’ and us…?

DOCTOR
(interrupts) Not now, Jo. I’ll explain later. (to Garnik) Might I ask who you are, sir?

ERNPIC
“You are addressing my father – the King of Teruvada Sixteen, you filthy alien!”

GARNIK
(to Doctor) “You will address me as Garnik, son of Lidenel, King of Teruvada Sixteen and Lord of the Nargdu Empire!” (cheers) “Glory to Empire!”

ERNPIC
(cheers) “Glory to empire!”

DOCTOR
(realises; cheerfully) “Ah I see! Greetings to you, good King Garnik! Now would you mind answering why you’ve got a miniscope in your throne room?”

ERNPIC
(aghast) Father! He’s putting questions before us when it should be the other way round! How dare he…?

JO
We’re not subjects of your royal court, your majesty! We just want to know what’s going on here and why you’ve got a peep show with our friends inside!

ERNPIC
(affronted) The woman speaks foully in our presence! She is a human! She must be executed! (calls) Guards!

JO
(protests) No!!!

The Nargdu guards step forward before the Doctor blocks their way to defend Jo.

DOCTOR
(cries; protests) No! Don’t hurt my friend! You’ve no right to kill a person in cold blood than you are to administer the use of a forbidden machine! Murder is much more serious a crime!

GARNIK
We have our own reasons for why we have this device – this… miniscope as you call it.

DOCTOR
Then I’d be very glad to hear them if you would be so kind, your majesty.

ERNPIC
You have no rights in this court! No jurisdiction! You are now prisoners of the Nargdu on Teruvada Sixteen!

GARNIK
I concur with my son! (to Yotach) Commander Yotach! Have some guards take these two to a prison cell.

YOTACH
Yes, your majesty! (to Nargdu guards) Guards, take them!

The Nargdu guards go over and apprehend the Doctor and Jo before the two struggle to break free.

JO
(protests) “You can’t do this! Let us go at once!”

DOCTOR
“Your majesty, listen to me! You’ve got to stop using that machine!”

GARNIK
“Send them away to prison!”

YOTACH
(to Doctor; Jo) “Right, you two! Come with us!”

The Doctor and Jo struggle as they’re taken away by Yotach and the guards.

DOCTOR
(cries) “Please listen to me! My friends Nyssa and Billy are in that machine!”

JO
“You can’t leave them in there! They’ll get killed by those horrible Drashigs!”

As the Doctor and Jo get taken away, Garnik and Ernpic turn to Kovut.

GARNIK
“Kovut! Meet us in the boardroom in half an hour. We have much to discuss.”

KOVUT
“Yes, your majesty!”

Kovut bows and heads out. Garnik and Ernpic then turn their attention to Bork and Tulu.

GARNIK
And you, Bork! You and your assistant will remain here in the throne room with this machine before we come back.

ERNPIC
And if you two try anything without our knowing, such as interacting with those two new prisoners, your lives shall be dealt with! Is that clear?

BORK
(to Garnik; Ernpic) Oh perfectly clear, your majesties! Perfectly clear! (to Tulu) Isn’t that right, Tulu?

TULU
Crystal clear. Yeah, Bork.

A moment of tense silence.

GARNIK
(to Ernpic) Come, my son! Let’s clear our heads and get some fresh air before we move forward with our campaign.

ERNPIC
“Yes father.”

With that, Garnik and Ernpic head out and leave the throne room. Bork and Tulu remain as they become confused and curious.

TULU
(confused) Say Bork? Those two Tellurians. They don’t act like the usual Tellurians we know of. There’s something odd about them.

BORK
(curious) There is indeed. You’re right, Tulu.” (speculates) “I wonder. Is that Doctor fellow a bit of a showman like me?

---

SCENE #114 – INT – TOP HAT DINER, 42ND STREET – DAY, AFTERNOON
At the Top Hat diner, Nyssa; Billy and Darby enter after having arrived by jeep. They shut the door behind them once they’re inside.

NYSSA
(relieved) Oh we’ve made it! We’re safe! Thank goodness!

DARBY
(to Billy) You, boy! Help me with barricading this door! Come on!

BILLY
(exhausted) If you insist.

NYSSA
No, Billy. I’ll help him. You’ve got your leg to worry about. Sit over there!

Nyssa directs Billy to sit somewhere in the diner. Billy does as Nyssa tells him as he sits at one of the dining tables. Nyssa then joins Darby as he barricades the door with furniture.

NYSSA
(to Darby) Now, Corporal James…

DARBY
(urgently) Quickly! Pass me one of those chairs! They may help to keep this door locked as well as everything out!

Nyssa does as Darby says as she fetches a chair nearby and passes it over to him. Darby takes the chair from Nyssa and furnishes it up against the door with the other equipment used as a barricade. For the next eight and a half seconds, Darby and Nyssa put more on furniture for good measure up agains the door. Once they’ve finished, a moment of silence ensues.

NYSSA
I think that’s enough furniture we can get stack up as a barricade, Corporal.

DARBY
You can’t be too sure in these places.

NYSSA
Don’t you think you might be going over the top?

DARBY
(thinks) Perhaps you’re right. The door itself is solid but it won’t last long. Even for those monstrous Drashigs.

Darby then turns to Billy sitting at one of the dining tables.

DARBY
Now then! What’s up with you, lad? Why are you so weak to allow a young woman to barricade the door with me?

NYSSA
He’s injured his leg!

BILLY
(bitterly) In case you haven’t noticed! See it swelling?

DARBY
“Injured?”

Darby examines Billy’s leg.

DARBY
How did this happen?

BILLY
A Drashig nearly chewed it off!

NYSSA
If only I had a medical kit on me. I could help heal that wound of yours.

DARBY
Have no fear. I have a cauterising kit on me somewhere. I’ll fetch that and do something to heal that leg of yours.

BILLY
Really? Thank you. I’m most grateful.

DARBY
But just remember. From now on, I’m in charge. You will both do as I say under my orders.

Nyssa stands up to Darby.

NYSSA
(defiantly) “We’re not in your army, Corporal Darby. You can’t boss us around. We’re grateful to you for rescuing us. But Billy and me do things our way. If you don’t like it, you can cope by yourself like before.”

DARBY
You are speaking to an [army…]

NYSSA
Don’t try to intimidate me, Corporal. I don’t respond well to threats. So either you help us or leave us alone. It’s your choice. We work together as a team and not as an army patrol or not help each other at all.

A moment of tension ensues.

DARBY
(disgruntled) Very well.

BILLY
(whispers; to Nyssa) Well done, Nyssa. That’s good of you to stand up to him.

DARBY
It won’t do us much good now that we’re all trapped inside this diner with nobody about. And likely to get caught by those things smashing their way through the windows like mongrels.

NYSSA
Is there another way we can get out of harm’s way?

DARBY
None whatsoever.

BILLY
We could try the basement.

DARBY
(puzzled) What?

BILLY
“It might be the best place to hide. And delay things a little longer before the Drashigs, the dinosaurs and the robots get here.”

The Drashigs’ screams get even louder and they make Nyssa, Billy and Darby feel anxious.

NYSSA
“It’s our best option. We’ll head down to the basement. See if we can find something to ward off those creatures if they get too close.”

DARBY
I don’t see [why…]

NYSSA
(assertively) We go down to the basement like Billy says.

DARBY
(disgruntled) Very well then. Let’s go.

Nyssa and Darby head off for the basement first, whilst Billy picks up the remains of some cold food from the dining tables in the diner as they go along. Nyssa turns back to see Billy do this.

NYSSA
“Billy, what are you doing?”

BILLY
Just taking some precautions, Nyssa. If we’re likely to be down in the basement for quite some time, we can’t let these chips; chicken burgers and cheese burgers go to waste and be left over. Besides, it’s past our dinner time.

NYSSA
(amused) You and your food, Billy. I just don’t believe it.

DARBY
(impatiently) Come on! We mustn’t waste time!

BILLY
(gradually) Yep! Alright! Coming now!

Billy gathers as much food as he can before joins Nyssa and Darby. They head off down to the basement. Meanwhile, the Drashigs’ roars as well as the dinosaurs’ echo from outside for the city to hear.

---

SCENE #115 – INT – PRISON CELL AREA, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back on Teruvada 16, in the lower levels of the Grondor citadel, the Doctor and Jo are imprisoned in their prison cell together, waiting.

DOCTOR
“How do you feel now, Jo?”

JO
(jokingly) Not exactly comfortable as the Ritz… but at least they keep us well fed. Can’t wait for dinner.

DOCTOR
The effects of the miniscope gone from you then?

JO
Yes. (Pause) You know something? This planet reminds me a bit of Peladon. Except we didn’t get ourselves caught as prisoners.

DOCTOR
I did Jo, remember? I was falsely accused of entering into a sacred place and was forced to risk my life in combat.

JO
I remember times when we kept getting locked up with the Draconians; the humans and the Master. The number of times we kept getting locked up.

DOCTOR
Yes. Brings back happy memories, doesn’t it?

Moment of silence.

JO
“Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Hmm?”

JO
“Why do the king and the prince seem to hate us? And why did they want me executed when they found out I was human?”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “Well, I’m afraid that’s where the Nazi element comes in, Jo. The Nargdu are so distrustful of humans that they want nothing to do with them. So they set about plans and campaigns to fight against the humans.”

JO
“These Nargdu are fascists then.”

DOCTOR
“Not quite, but they’re on the verge to. No actual record was documented on Gallifrey about the Nargdu’s exploits against the humans.”

JO
“How good is your Nargdu history then?”

DOCTOR
“Basic, I’m afraid. The history books for this sector of space wasn’t to my liking. Always so gruesome when it came to fights and battles for the glorious Nargdu Empire. I never like violence as you know, Jo.”

JO
“I wonder what’s to become of us. What are we to do now we’re in the custody of these people.”

DOCTOR
“I wish I knew, Jo. I really wish I knew.”

Another moment of silence.

JO
“Well, whilst we occupy ourselves in this cell, you can tell me more about this Nargdu Empire. What you already know that is.”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “Well, in general, the Nargdu have existed for over thousands of years.”

JO
“And have the empire and its people always been warmongers? Have they always wanted to kill people and fight battles?”

DOCTOR
“Oh no, Jo. Before that, the Nargdu were a peaceful race. They were credited as the keepers of art; history and beauty. Even music was their strong point.”

JO
“Music?! These people had music?”

DOCTOR
Oh yes! You would’ve loved one of their concerts, Jo. They held celebrations and festivals to commemorate these things.

Whilst the Doctor tells more about the Nargdu Empire to Jo…

---

SCENE #116 – INT – BASEMENT, TOP HAT DINER – DAY, AFTERNOON
…Darby tells more about the Nargdu Empire to Nyssa and Billy at the same time in the basement of the Top Hat diner. Billy’s injured leg is being attended by Darby whilst Nyssa prepares the diner meals.

DARBY
But that was a long time ago. Nowadays, the Nargdu is fractious and divided across many parts of the galaxy. They killed each other like a bunch of savages in a civil war.

NYSSA
Then how come they managed to build themselves an empire?

DARBY
(laughs) That’s easy. Some Nargdu warrior…Ronemun, I think he was called…invaded a system of space with a whole armada. They took over that system and it belonged to the Nargdu. Gradually the Nargdu’s armies spread out across many territories in space and they became the Nargdu Empire.

BILLY
Corporal, you were on a mission to bring peace between Earth and the Nargdu. Is it possible that the Nargdu don’t believe in peace from what you’ve told us?

DARBY
That was what we were intending to find out. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get our answer.

NYSSA
So Teruvada Sixteen is run by a king named Garnik. What’s his reputation? How much do you know about him?

DARBY
The records on the Earth Empire computer state that the King of Teruvada Sixteen is friendly and welcoming, just as his son is and the rest of his family. But that was taken by a one-time ambassador who sent his report and was never seen or heard from again, since his ship got lost in space.

NYSSA
I see.

DARBY
(to Billy) There! I’ve patched up the wound. You should be right as rain soon.

BILLY
Oh. Thanks, Corporal.

Darby finishes using his cauterising kit and puts it away. Nyssa then passes a plate of food to Billy.

NYSSA
Here’s your meal, Billy. Cold cheese burger and chips as you requested.

BILLY
Thanks Nyssa, thanks.

Billy takes the plate from Nyssa and begins to dig into his meal before addressing Darby with another question.

BILLY
So you’re saying Corporal James… that the records and biography of the king’s character…were faked?

---

SCENE #117 – INT – PRISON CELL AREA, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON

DOCTOR
“It’s hard to tell, you see. The reputation of the Nargdu Empire at this point in time was so garbled. Anything could have been scrambled or deleted from any archive of an advanced civilisation.”

JO
“But the facts are plainly clear before us, aren’t they? That the Nargdu are tyrants and fiendish.”

DOCTOR
“No, no, Jo. Not necessarily. Granted their methods are somewhat savage.”

JO
“Savage?! That king’s son wanted me killed! He wanted me and you killed! If that’s the welcoming handshake of friendship, he’s got a funny way of going about it!”

DOCTOR
“Jo, what you have to understand is that the Nargdu Empire is regarded for being its greatest in terms of war refinery and galactic conquest. Unfavourable as it is, but that seems to be the case. Any mention of it being opposed to any other galaxy spanning civilisation was unheard of.”

Moment of silence.

JO
“So…at this point, the Nargdu were quiet not to break out a war with anyone.”

DOCTOR
Only within their own empire. You see, some still rebelled. And those groups were the ones that were divided or isolated from the main Nargdu force. The groups that rebelled wanted the old ways whereas the Nargdu of today sought glory and war.

JO
And that’s who they’re fighting now. Their enemy is people like themselves.

DOCTOR
People like fellow Teruvadans who want the war stopped.

JO
I see. So why would the Nargdu have grudges against Earth’s own empire anyway? Since we humans are considered to be distasteful in their sight.

---

SCENE #118 – INT – BASEMENT, TOP HAT DINER – DAY, AFTERNOON

BILLY
(puzzled) Yeah, but how come Earth and the Nargdu seem to be on a knife’s edge with each other? Are humans being victimised these days?

DARBY
No, not victimised as you so put it. More bullied by the Nargdu. My mission with the Earth ambassador was to put a stop to that.

BILLY
Enjoying your meal, Nyssa?

NYSSA
Yes I am. Thank you for preparing it for me, Billy.

BILLY
Well, you did some of the work yourself.

DARBY
(impatiently) “Look, do you want to hear more about the Nargdu’s history or just want to carry on stuffing your faces?”

NYSSA
“Sorry, Corporal. Tell us more about the Nargdu Empire. Have you ever met King Garnik or his son Prince Ernpic before all this happened?”

DARBY
Only briefly. The two came to a federation conference one time. The king was very charitable and open. His son less so.

BILLY
Oh? What was it with his son then?

DARBY
Well, it was perfectly clear he was more prejudiced about us humans than his father was. He thinks himself so superior to humans. That we’re just a bunch of nobodies ready to be slaved for him when he becomes king of Teruvada Sixteen.

NYSSA
Sounds like a fascist dictator to me.

BILLY
Teruvada Sixteen? Why is that the main planet of the Nargdu Empire? Why not Teruvada One… or Two… or Three?

DARBY
The first fifteen planets got destroyed in wars. What remains of them is unknown. But the more persistent the Nargdu are in their wars, the more loss of life and energy gets created.

NYSSA
Are they really that prejudiced and extreme?

DARBY
Many say that they’re lunatics. Others say that they’re ‘armageddon makers’. I say nothing for the moment. I don’t know what makes them tick yet.

Moment of silence.

BILLY
“Is it universal domination that they want? Is that what this is all about?”

NYSSA
“They’ve become obsessive with their own battle campaigns. I wonder what it is that the Nargdu really want in the end. What benefits do they want their own empire to have?”

---

SCENE #119 – INT – PRISON CELL AREA, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON

DOCTOR
I don’t know, Jo. I wasn’t keen enough to find out when it came to reading the gory parts of the Nargdu’s history.

JO
But you must have some idea how the Nargdu empire ended. Beyond what you’ve already told me. What happened after King Garnik and his son Prince Ernpic? How did their reigns end?

DOCTOR
I don’t know, Jo. I really don’t.

JO
Oh well, that’s marvellous. Any hint of knowing what’s going to happen to them in the future helps our chances of surviving this imprisonment we’re in.

DOCTOR
It’s best not to know, Jo. Besides, I prefer it that way. To let the answers come to me by themselves. It’s more exciting.

JO
“Oh. Is it really?”

DOCTOR
“Anyway, let’s not talk about the Nargdu anymore. Let’s think of a way to get out of this prison cell. Shame you haven’t got your skeleton keys on you, Jo.”

JO
“The guards took them off me. Besides, no key would fit in those locks. They’re elongated and peculiar.”

BORK
“Buon Giorno!”

The Doctor and Jo become startled, as they turn to see Bork and Tulu that have come to visit them at their prison cell.

JO
(startled) “Oh goodness! You two nearly gave us a scare, you did.”

BORK
“Parlae the Carny?”

DOCTOR
(confused) “Excuse me?”

BORK
“Varda the Bona Palone.”

Tulu giggles at this point.

DOCTOR
(realises) “Ah! I see! I know what this is all about.”

JO
“You understand their language, Doctor?”

BORK
“Niente dinari here, y’jills.”

DOCTOR
“Mai giudicare una persona dal suo coperchio anteriore.”

BORK
(laughs; delighted) “You do speak the carny parlae! I knew it! You’re a carnival man! A show man like me!”

DOCTOR
“Not really. You see, I knew someone like you who approached me in that same manner long ago.”

BORK
“Oh really?”

DOCTOR
“Yes. A gentleman by the name of Vorg. He has his show assistant called Shirna. You do happen to know them, I take it.”

BORK
(to Doctor) “Upon my word! The great Vorg was one of my heroes!” (to Tulu) “Wasn’t he, Tulu?”

TULU
“Oh yes! And Shirna was a great role model! Though I got rid of the baubles in the hair and I’m wearing something more pretty and attractive to the male eye! As you see here, don’t you think?”

JO
“Doctor? Those two are…”

DOCTOR
(interjects; to Jo) “Yes Jo, we met them earlier.” (to Bork) “May we ask what we owe this pleasure? Surely you haven’t come on visiting hours to see us, have you?”

BORK
“Ah well you see, Doctor. The gist of it is, Tulu and I were most curious about you. You and your friend. You seemed to know a lot about my machine when we heard you on the sound speakers.”

DOCTOR
“I presume then you know a lot about miniscopes, Bork.”

BORK
“Oh indeed I do, Doctor. I know the workings inside and out.”

DOCTOR
“Yes. Treat them as if they were you own pets, is that right?”

JO
(interrupts; to Bork; Tulu) “Look listen, I don’t mean to interrupt. But I take the two of you are…Lurmans, right?”

TULU
“Yes darling, we are. We are Lurmans.”

BORK
“Last of the Lurmans, I’m afraid.”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “Oh I’m sorry to hear that. How come you’re last of your kind?”

BORK
“Oh it’s a long story Doctor and you’d be probably be bored hearing us tell it.”

TULU
“But we’ve travelled far and wide across the cosmos. Giving shows and presenting pictures on our little beauty – the miniscope!”

DOCTOR
“Then I’m afraid I must rebuke you two! That machine out there in the king’s throne room is an abomination against the ethics and protocols of preserving the well-being of sentient lifeforms.”

BORK
“We don’t understand what you mean, Doctor.”

DOCTOR
“No of course you don’t. You’re just thoughtless. Thoughtless to put ‘creatures’ into your machine and let roam about causing chaos and destruction to whatever. Drashigs and dinosaurs killing everything in their sight such as humans and living creatures of similar intelligence levels. And our friends Nyssa and Billy are in that machine as well. If they die, be sure to know that their deaths will be on your conscience.”

Bork and Tulu become worried as they hear the Doctor’s words. Jo stands beside the Doctor as she tries to calm him down.

---

SCENE #120 – INT – BASEMENT, TOP HAT DINER – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back in the basement of the Top Hat diner, Nyssa; Billy and Darby have their cold diner meals whilst they chat.

BILLY
Hmm. These fries don’t last long, do they? Even when they’re cold, they still taste good.

NYSSA
You seem to be back in good spirits, Billy. I’m pleased for you.

DARBY
Must be the cauterising kit that gave you a boost. How’s your leg now, kid?

BILLY
Oh better now thanks. I don’t feel any pain. In fact, my leg’s as good as new. I can move it freely and easily as I sit here.

NYSSA
Don’t try too hard moving your leg, Billy. Give it a rest whilst the cauterising does its work.

DARBY
I must admit I never thought I’d enjoy American fast food like this. I was afraid to even try it in case it was poisonous.

NYSSA
Yes. I find American food to be flat and full of fatty acids. Not my style of eating at all.

BILLY
At least you enjoyed the salad.

The Drashigs’ scream and howl from nearby upstairs. Nyssa; Billy and Darby are put off by these screams and howls for a moment before they carry on eating.

DARBY
In the meanwhile, what are we to do with our predicament? Since there are Drashigs, dinosaurs and other monsters out there wanting to kill us.

NYSSA
I’m very worried about the Doctor and Jo. I wonder what’s happened to them.

BILLY
They’re probably talking to their captors. I hope they won’t get hurt much.

NYSSA
Well, we must contemplate what to do next. Like Corporal James indicated, we can’t sit about all day eating.

BILLY
I presume you have somewhere in mind you want to go from here, Nyssa.

NYSSA
I’d like us to retract our steps. That’s always the best place to start. Back to where it began.

BILLY
Meaning we go back to London?

NYSSA
We go through the inner workings first and yes head back to London. At least we can try to find a control panel of some sort that connects to the inner workings of this machine and that can get us out of here on the way.

DARBY
(wryly) Well, good luck with that. If you prefer to dodge Drashigs, Ogrons and dinosaurs out and about till hour on end, it’s your funeral.

NYSSA
There must be a way we can get through New York city without us getting pursued. A means via stealth.

BILLY
(thinks) Nyssa, you remember when you; me; the Doctor and Jo were in those sewers? When we were dodging Ogrons and Autons.

NYSSA
“Yes Billy, what about it?”

BILLY
“Well, surely we can go down those sewers and get back to Times Square via that route. It is Times Square we’re meant to heading for since we came out into New York in the first place.”

NYSSA
(realises) “Billy, you’re right! Of course! It’s a logical step! We go through the sewers to get back to Times Square, yes!” (Pause; realises) “Ah but…how do we find our way into the dark tunnels once we’re down there?”

BILLY
We’ve got torches.

NYSSA
But not a map to locate where we’re heading. We could easily end up in the wrong area of New York and not in Times Square.

BILLY
(realises) Ah yes, I see your point there.

DARBY
They do have signposts in the sewers. I know my way around. I’ve been in those sewers a couple of times when dodging monsters and beasts under necessary circumstances.

NYSSA
You know how to get to Times Square in the sewers then. Will you help us?

DARBY
I’ll guide to the arrow pointing in the direction of Times Square. But from there, you’re on your own. I prefer my own company.

BILLY
“Suit yourself. We’re grateful to you for putting us on the right track.”

NYSSA
“There was a service hole leading down into a sewer out on the street. We’ll make for it once we’ve finished our meals.”

BILLY
Won’t there be any Drashigs waiting for us up there already?

NYSSA
Let’s hope they’re gone by the time we go out onto the street.

Nyssa; Billy and Darby finish their meals as they anticipate what will happen to them next.

---

SCENE #121 – INT – BOARDROOM, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON
That same afternoon back on Teruvada 16, King Garnik and Prince Ernpic talk with Minister Kovut in the boardroom within the citadel of Grondor. They sit at a board table whilst having their meeting.

GARNIK
Well, Kovut? Has any progress been made to push our enemies back over the walls of Grondor and make them retreat?

KOVUT
It’s impossible to understand how they’ve been able to gain so much strength. The enemy forces are massing. They’re getting stronger than our own.

ERNPIC
“How has this happened?! We royal Nargdu have far superior numbers! They should be stamped out!”

KOVUT
“The rebel forces have such courage, Prince Ernpic. Their courage and determination exceeds their need to give in.”

GARNIK
“I’m not convinced these rebel forces appreciate the level of standards we uphold in our temple courts.”

ERNPIC
“Of course they don’t appreciate it, father! They’re rebels! Nothings! They have no sense of respect! We gave them a rebuilt society after the old one died and became bankrupt! We rose to greater glory and they rejected it!”

GARNIK
“Well then, we shall not stand for it any longer.” (to Kovut) “Kovut? Is it true they’re sending more ships to attack the city?”

KOVUT
“Yes, your majesty. Rumours are heard that they’re on their way and will be sending enemy troops to land and enter the citadel by force.”

GARNIK
“Then we must use up all current defences.” (Pause) “Kovut, see that this is done. Put up all defences currently undamaged against the enemy forces.”

KOVUT
“Agreed! Your commands shall be carried out, your majesty. I shall see to it that Commander Yotach gets them.”

GARNIK
“Then I suggest you make yourself busy and return to the battlefield.” (Pause) “Well, get on with it!”

Kovut gets up out of his seat from the board table and bows to King Garnik.

KOVUT
“Your majesty.”

After he bows, Kovut leaves the boardroom whilst Garnik remains with his son, Ernpic.

GARNIK
“It’s time, my son. Time we get ready for the onslaught.”

ERNPIC
What about Bork and Tulu? What shall we do with them?

GARNIK
Bork still needs to remain alive. I cannot operate his machine without his advice on how to work it.

ERNPIC
Surely we don’t need the woman. She’d be a nuisance to us already.

GARNIK
The woman may also be required due to her technical expertise.

ERNPIC
I presume you wish to keep those two new Tellurians in our prison cells alive as well, do you?

GARNIK
No. They can be disposed of. Along with that blue box of theirs.

ERNPIC
Excellent! Those Tellurians are to be rid off! Excellent!

---

SCENE #122 – INT – PRISON CELL AREA, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back in the prison cell area with the Doctor and Jo, they still talk to Bork and Tulu.

JO
So, how come you Bork and you Tulu ended up working with the Nargdu? Must be a rotten job working for them if they’re so unfriendly.

TULU
Oh tell me about it. It’s a nightmare. That prince of theirs has no sense in manners or being polite to a girl.

BORK
(to Tulu) Tulu, please. (to Doctor; Jo) We went into an agreement with the King of Nargdu himself. He wanted to learn more about our outstanding technology.

DOCTOR
I see. Whereabouts was this, Bork?

BORK
(thinks) “At a carnival fair. On one of…ooh, on one of the outer planets in the Zondor system. We were entertaining a party of Weerds. And they’re not very hospitable either. Less hospitable than the Nargdu are.”

DOCTOR
“Tell me Bork, what is it that has King Garnik so interested in your miniscope?”

BORK
“Oh I’m not sure. He seemed pretty fascinated with what we were doing when we were showing all of our wonderful creatures inside that box of ours.”

DOCTOR
“This is peculiar. Most peculiar indeed.”

JO
“What’s peculiar, Doctor?””

DOCTOR
“Hmm? Oh err…why would the King of the Nargdu, whose dedication to warfare, would want a clunky contraption like Bork’s for the purposes of entertainment?”

JO
“I don’t know. These people are in a war. Maybe it’s to help them keep their spirits up.”

DOCTOR
“No. I wouldn’t be so convinced.”

BORK
“I did say to his majesty that we would require additional gadgetry and technology to our equipment. He said he was willing to give it to us.”

DOCTOR
“Did he indeed?”

BORK
“Yes. Provided we did the demonstration for him on Teruvada Sixteen.”

TULU
“We only just found out that the technology given to us was from the Teruvadans’ matrix computer. The king’s son flew into a rage about it.”

DOCTOR
(realises) “The matrix computer! Ah yes!”

JO
“What is the matrix computer, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“The matrix computer. It’s a repository of every piece of information contained about the Nargdu Empire and Teruvada Sixteen. Similar to what the Time Lords have on Gallifrey. It’s also to enhance Teruvadan battle strategies during war time.”

TULU
“We fear we may have committed an illegal act in obtaining technology such as that in our machine. That isn’t going to be ideal to our life’s work reputation, is it?”

BORK
“I’ll lose my job and not be an entertainer anymore. I’ll lose Tulu too.”

JO
“Doctor, this seems more serious than just you; me; Nyssa and Billy getting trapped inside that machine and escaping the Drashigs and other monsters, doesn’t it?”

DOCTOR
“Yes Jo, I’m afraid it does. These things are all connected somehow. The war; the Nargdu, the matrix computer. They’re all connected to Bork’s miniscope in a certain conspiracy. A conspiracy that leans on the prospect of something not good.”

JO
“A conspiracy? You don’t mean to say something disastrous is going to happen?”

DOCTOR
“Perhaps. I intend to find out.” (to Bork) “Bork, will you help us?”

BORK
(backs away) “Oh no! I’m not letting you out! We only came here to visit you, Tulu and I.”

DOCTOR
“You do have the key on you, haven’t you?”

BORK
(hesitates) “Well, I…err…yes I have.”

JO
“Why did you bring the key with you if you had no intention of letting us out?”

BORK
(hesitates) “Well…err…I’m not entirely sure.”

TULU
(encouragingly) “Oh come on, Bork! Give them a chance! If they can find out what’s going on here, we can wipe this planet off our backs and never do any entertaining here again! Ever!”

Bork continues to hesitate whilst Tulu tries to persuade him to let the Doctor and Jo out of their prison cell.

---

SCENE #123 – INT – SEWER TUNNELS, NEW YORK CITY – DAY, AFTERNOON
Meanwhile in New York, Nyssa; Billy and Darby make their way through the sewer tunnels to try and reach Times Square. The howls and growls from the Drashigs and the dinosaurs as well as the stomping of the robots echoes from above.

BILLY
(worried) I get that worrying feeling those monsters will crash their way into the ground to try to get at us.

NYSSA
(reassuringly) Try not to think about it, Billy. (Pause) This sewer tunnel does go on and on. (sniffs) And there’s still that smell. Ugh! It’s getting foul!

DARBY
You get used to it if you’ve been down here a number of times. Anyway, we haven’t got far to go now.

They continue forwards as they make for Times Square.

BILLY
(to Darby) How come you know your way around New York when all of this is unfamiliar to you? With the buildings and the architecture.

DARBY
I pick things up very quickly, mate. Besides I’ve been here for two years remember? I’m able to know my routes to various places.

NYSSA
(anxiously) Are we getting closer to the signpost for Times Square? Like Billy, I’m starting to get worried about those Drashigs and other monsters above us.

DARBY
We’re nearly there. Don’t worry, lady. I’ll get you and your boyfriend there.

They continue onwards whilst the Drashigs and the dinosaurs scream and howl from above. Nyssa, Billy and Darby soon turn the corner and find themselves at the sign posts.

BILLY
(realises; cheers) “Here it is! The sign post to Times Square!”

DARBY
(pleased) “What did I tell you? I told you I’d show you the right way, didn’t I?”

NYSSA
“Come on! There’s a ladder. Let’s use that to climb up to the surface.”

---

SCENE #124 – EXT – TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK CITY – DAY, AFTERNOON
Eventually, in Times Square, New York, the lid to the sewers gets pushed open as Nyssa; Billy and Darby climb up out of them. They climb up one by one out of the sewers. Darby is the last to climb up out of the sewers as Nyssa and Billy help him.

DARBY
(exhausted) “That was quite a climb. I need to get back into shape.”

BILLY
“It was quite a long way up. We must have been very deep down in those sewers whilst getting here.”

NYSSA
“Let’s make for the inner workings. That alleyway must be around here somewhere. If only I can remember where.”

They’re about to move off before they are suddenly shot at. They duck to the ground, startled with being shot at.

NYSSA
(startled) Billy, are you alright?

BILLY
I’m alright, Nyssa. What about you?

NYSSA
I’ll be fine. But what just…?

DARBY
(groans; realises) Oh no! I should have got away when I had the chance! (to Nyssa; Billy) This is both your fault!

BILLY
(realises) Ogrons! They’re coming for us! From both sides of the square!

NYSSA
They’re going to arrest us!

The Ogrons approach, just as Nyssa, Billy and Darby get up from the floor. The Ogrons grab hold of them as Nyssa, Billy and Darby cry out in pain and struggle to break free.

NYSSA
(cries; protests) “Let go of me! You’re hurting my arms!”

BILLY
(rebukes) “Yeah! Leave my girlfriend alone, you brutes!”

Just then, Kharshak and Wrarshak approach them.

NYSSA
(realises) “Ah! I wondered when we’d see you two again! Long time no see!”

KHARSHAK
(grunts) You three… shut up! You three… under arrest!

BILLY
(wryly) Are we? Wow! What a surprise?!

DARBY
Don’t antagonise them, you idiots!

KHARSHAK
(grunts) We capture you again! You now prisoners of Ogrons!

WRARSHAK
(grunts) You three come back with us to base! And this time, you no escape!

Nyssa, Billy and Darby finds themselves being dragged off as they’re escorted by the Ogrons back to their base of operations.

---

© Tim Bradley, 2019

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