Chapter 15
SCENE #161 – INT – CONTROL HUB, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
It’s coming to dawn. In the control hub of the main Neptune Connect building on Earth, the Doctor, Betty and Jamie confront Tada and the Cybermen whilst being held captive.
DOCTOR
Mr. Tada, nice to see you again. Don’t like your new look. Too metallic and plastic.
TADA
This is what the Cybermen give you, Doctor. Give all of us. Everyone shall become like this. Everyone shall be at peace and in unity with these bodies.
DOCTOR
You’re not fully converted though, are you, Tada? The conversion isn’t complete.
JAMIE
Is this really my father, Doctor? Have they really turned him into…one of them?
DOCTOR
Yes. Though surprisingly, he’s retained his sense of humour.
TADA
My conversion was suspended due to the power shortages the Cybermen have aboard your TARDIS. They need to conserve power in order to transmit signals into space via your Eye of Harmony, which is being used as a beacon. Therefore, end result, you see me like this. I maintain my human mind and keep an excellent and clean body.
DOCTOR
(scoffs) Excellent? Clean? You’re a joke, Tada. You may have some ounce of humanity left in you, but you in your wretched state are bound to be cast out as a misfit in society.
TADA
At least I have power to control the Cybermen. Power that I shall obtain fully once the Cybermen have integrated me into their collective.
JAMIE
(disbelievingly) You can’t be serious, Dad. You just can’t!
TADA
And you can shut up for all I care. You’re nothing but a weakling, son. A weakling that deserves to be eradicated.
JAMIE
(shocked) Father!
TADA
And you seriously think you’ll make it with this degraded child who claims to be a spy. I knew she’d be bad material once I hired her as a secretary. She’s still bad material now.
BETTY
Shut up, Tada! You’re a pathetic freak.
TADA
You two have no significance. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cybermen terminated you now.
DOCTOR
Don’t listen to him, Betty, Jamie. You two have great significance. That’s why Nyssa, Billy and I came back here. To save you both from being erased from history.
JAMIE
But why? You haven’t explained why we’re so significant, Doctor.
BETTY
Yeah, and what’s all this stuff about us getting married? Why do we get married and how is it so important?
DOCTOR
Because you set off a chain reaction of historical events. Events that will become very significant for the future of humanity as well as for Earth’s past.
JAMIE
I don’t get it.
BETTY
That makes two of us.
DOCTOR
You two will have grandchildren. Great grandchildren. Lots of descendants will follow after you. Some of those descendants will become leading members of an intergalactic conference in the twenty-sixth century.
JAMIE
Intergalactic conference?
DOCTOR
Yes. An intergalactic conference that will unite many planets in a campaign to fight against the Cybermen. To destroy them completely.
TADA
The Cybermen attempted to destroy that conference, but they failed because of you, Doctor. The Cybermen blame you for what you did to deny their longevity.
BETTY
(flummoxed) So, we’re responsible for generating our children’s children to become members of an intergalactic conference to stop the Cybermen?
DOCTOR
Founding members to be precise, Betty. Your descendants will be the instigators of the Earth conference to form the galactic powers in the twenty-sixth century. By not getting married, the conference will never happen. Thus, the Cybermen will succeed in their goals.
JAMIE
(confused) By getting married, we’d be saving Earth from further Cyber incursions in the far, far future. Our future children will save humanity.
DOCTOR
Precisely.
BETTY
(astonished) That’s a wild story. (Pause) But I can take it.
DOCTOR
But it’s more than that, Betty. Far more. Like Tada said, the Cybermen attempted to stop the conference and failed because of me.
TADA
(taunts) It would have been better if you hadn’t interfered, Doctor. It cost you your young friend, remember? Adric, wasn’t it?
DOCTOR
(grimly) Yes, I know. I know. (Pause) But I did interfere, didn’t I? Because of my interference, the ship that was to crash into Earth’s atmosphere to destroy the conference warped back in time to the prehistoric age where the dinosaurs were about to be wiped out.
BETTY
Dinosaurs? I don’t understand.
DOCTOR
(energetic) The freighter – the ship that crashed to prehistoric Earth – was responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs.
JAMIE
Huh? I thought it was a meteorite or an asteroid that did that.
DOCTOR
No, it was a freighter. If it hadn’t been for the freighter, the dinosaurs wouldn’t have been wiped out at all. And humanity wouldn’t be standing where it is today.
BETTY
(flummoxed) Okay, so, let me get this straight. Jamie and I have to be married. By getting married, we generate a line of descendants where some of them become founding members of an intergalactic conference. Without us, the conference will never happen and the Cybermen will never be defeated. I get that.
JAMIE
But because of the conference, the Cybermen try to destroy it. And because of you, you send their bomb of a ship back in time which wipes out the dinosaurs.
DOCTOR
That’s right.
BETTY
So, no us – me and Jamie – means no Cyber conference and no dinosaurs getting wiped out. Thus, history is…history?
DOCTOR
Got it in a nutshell.
BETTY
Okay, I think I’ve got the gist of it. Even if it is completely bonkers.
TADA
You’ll never make these two understand, Doctor. They’re insignificant. You’ve ruined history by telling them what their role is. The Cybermen still have an opportunity to wipe them out. Thus, the conference will be destroyed and the dinosaurs will never be wiped out.
DOCTOR
If that were the case Mr. Tada, my friend Adric will never die. He will never be trapped aboard the space freighter that will destroy the dinosaurs. He’ll still be alive.
TADA
(tempts) Then why not let it happen, Doctor? Why not let Adric live? It’s not too late. You can still save him. It’s perfectly simple.
DOCTOR
Nothing is ever simple, Tada. I should know that. I can’t allow history to be changed like that. I’ve told my friends Nyssa and Tegan soon after Adric was killed. History can’t be changed. It mustn’t be changed. And I can’t allow you to erase Betty and Jamie from history and corrupt their timeline as well as Earth’s.
BETTY
Why not, Doctor? If it means saving Adric, your best friend…
DOCTOR
(interrupts) Don’t you understand, Betty? Don’t you see what this would mean? (Pause) If you and Jamie die, the Earth conference will never happen, the dinosaurs will never be wiped out and Adric will never die.
BETTY
Yes, yes, we’ve established that…
DOCTOR
(interrupts; sharply) It also means that Nyssa will never meet Billy!
Moment of tense silence.
DOCTOR
There! You see now? I can’t risk history being changed like that. (Pause) Should the Cybermen corrupt you and Jamie’s timelines, meetings will never happen. Romance will never blossom. Nyssa and Billy will never fall in love and they’ll never get married. I can’t deny that happiness between them. (Pause) And that’s what makes the Cybermen so bloated and cold-hearted. They can’t be allowed to change history without understanding the consequences since they have no feelings.
JAMIE
(shocked) Yikes! I had no idea the stakes were that high.
BETTY
It doesn’t have to be like that, Doc. You and Nyssa can still meet Billy. Those two can still fall in love. Just because the Cybermen wipe us out, it doesn’t mean it has to change anything.
DOCTOR
(challengingly) Are you sure about that, Betty? Would you like to risk it? Would you like to change history and see what happens? (Pause) I wouldn’t. It’d be too dangerous. And I can’t allow you both to die because of the Cybermen, even if you are a part of historical events. There’s been too much death already because of the Cybermen. I know how much that hurts. And I can’t damage Nyssa and Billy’s happiness.
TADA
Happiness is irrelevant, Doctor. The Cybermen shall be victorious. You, Doctor, are weak with your sentimental values.
DOCTOR
That’s where you’re wrong, Tada. Emotion makes me strong, not weak. Strength with determination. I will save Betty and Jamie as well as Nyssa and Billy from the Cybermen. I’ll save them! Because the way you Cybermen live and breathe, if you call it breathing, makes me sick. Very sick indeed.
TADA
(dismissively) As the Cybermen would say, you have a narrow vision, Doctor.
SCENE #162 – INT – TARDIS, CLOISTER ROOM – N/A
Meanwhile, in the cloister room aboard the TARDIS, a shudder occurs from the Eye of Harmony. The Cybermen react, as do Billy and the conditioned Nyssa. The Cybermen check and investigate.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Report status? What was the turbulence?
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
It is emanating from the Eye of Harmony. We still have problems stabilising it.
CYBER CONTROLLER
The Eye must be stabilised. Continue with your task.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
All methods to stabilise the Eye have been utilised. They have produced negative results.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Unacceptable. The situation must be resolved to compensate.
Just then, Nyssa approaches the Cyber Controller.
NYSSA
(conditioned) Controller. There is a solution.
CYBER CONTROLLER
State it.
NYSSA
(conditioned) The solution is straightforward. You must close the Eye of Harmony to stabilise the TARDIS’ power. It is the only way to prevent ruptures in the Space-Time continuum.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Her suggestion is logical, Controller. I shall close the Eye…
CYBER CONTROLLER
(interrupts) Negative. The Eye stays open. The signals being transmitted to all Cybermen in outer space must continue.
NYSSA
(conditioned) If the Eye is not closed, the rupture will increase. The rupture will erode Space and Time with entropy. The Universe will gradually evaporate. Failure of the mission is imminent.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Disagreed. We continue. The Eye stays open.
NYSSA
(conditioned) Query: why do you persist in keeping the Eye open?
CYBER CONTROLLER
We must survive. We will survive.
NYSSA
(conditioned) That logic is insufficient. The Eye must be closed to stabilise power. Even your unit concurs with that.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Confirmed.
CYBER CONTROLLER
The Eye stays open. This discussion is of no value.
Just then, Billy leaps forward and grabs a teleport device nearby. Taking it with him, he runs to the other side of the cloister room, which alerts the Cybermen.
BILLY
(threateningly) Stay back! I’ve got this teleport device and I’m not afraid to use it!
CYBER CONTROLLER
Apprehend the boy. He must not escape.
BILLY
(warns) I warn you! I’ll press whatever button’s on here and it might blow up the TARDIS if I’m not careful.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(to Nyssa) Nyssa unit, apprehend the boy.
Nyssa turns to Billy and makes her way over to him.
BILLY
(cries) No, Nyssa, don’t!
But as Nyssa approaches, she stops in her tracks. She struggles to comprehend the situation and seems unsure.
CYBER CONTROLLER
What are you waiting for? Apprehend him. Apprehend him now.
NYSSA
(confused) I…I…I don’t… I don’t…
CYBER CONTROLLER
Apprehend the boy immediately.
NYSSA
(confused) I don’t…understand. I’m…I’m confused.
BILLY
(hopeful) Nyssa, are you still in there? My sweet darling Nyssa, can you hear me?
Nyssa doesn’t answer, but is still confused.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(to Cybermen) You two. Apprehend him.
Two Cybermen advance forward to apprehend Billy, but he backs away.
BILLY
Sorry, guys. Not today. Here’s hoping I don’t press the wrong button. (Pause; reassuringly) Nyssa darling, I’m coming back. I promise.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Terminate. Terminate. Terminate.
The Cybermen open fire, but Billy presses the button on the teleport device. He escapes via teleport out of the TARDIS. The Cybermen stop advancing once this has happened.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
The boy has escaped, Controller. He will make for the Neptune Connect building.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Alert all units at Neptune Connect on Earth. Continue with your tasks.
The Cybermen march off and attends to their tasks, whilst the Cyber Controller attends to Nyssa.
CYBER CONTROLLER
What happened? Why did you not comply with my commands?
NYSSA
(confused) I…I do not know. I was…I was confused.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Confusion is a reaction fuelled by emotion. You do not have this. You do not have feelings. You are one of us.
NYSSA
(confused) Feelings? I…I had feelings for him.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Not anymore. You do not have feelings for him anymore. The boy is insignificant.
NYSSA
(confused) He… He loved me. And I…I loved him. I love him. Don’t I?
CYBER CONTROLLER
You are experiencing a malfunction. Your processing is faulty. You will receive further conversion. These emotions will be removed to compensate for this.
NYSSA
(conditioned) Yes. I understand.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Prepare yourself for an upgrade. We shall attend to you. You will be like us.
NYSSA
(conditioned) I shall be like you. Yes. I understand.
With that, Nyssa walks away. Meanwhile, the Cyber Controller addresses all the Cybermen in the cloister room.
CYBER CONTROLLER
The invasion shall continue. We will survive. We must survive.
The TARDIS shudders again from the Eye of Harmony as the Cyber Controller says this.
SCENE #163 – INT – CONTROL HUB, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
At the same time, in the control hub of Neptune Connect on Earth, shakes and shudders occur, startling everyone, including the Doctor, Betty and Jamie as well as Tada and the Cybermen.
BETTY
It’s happening again! That shuddering!
JAMIE
Coming from that…Eye thing of yours, ain’t it, Doctor?
DOCTOR
(grimly) Yes. The Cybermen are foolish to let the Eye open for too long. It may be too late.
TADA
Too late? You sound so melodramatic, Doctor. The Cybermen are going to be glorious in their power.
DOCTOR
With you as their leader, I take it.
TADA
And what’s wrong with that? The Cybermen are my perfect servants. They will obey me in all things.
DOCTOR
(agitated) But that’s it, Tada! Don’t you get it? The Cybermen aren’t your disciples. You’re not their saviour. You’d like to think so. You’d like to think you can control them, but they don’t react to your anger nor see the whites of your eyes. They won’t tend to you when you get injured. They’re a bunch of identical automatons. Automatons that won’t mourn for you when you’re dead. They’ll just take bits and parts of you and use it for more and more upgrades for people that don’t want to be Cybermen. The Cybermen don’t listen to the crying and sobbing voices. They just do what they want. They keep oppressing and turning everyone into metal men with metal thoughts and metal hearts. They remove the spirit of life in people! People, Tada! People are the life and soul of this planet! Not soulless heartless cold-blooded machines!
TADA
(chuckles) You’ve said a mouthful, Doctor. But that’s your opinion. The Cybermen changed my opinion when they killed my girlfriend and brought her back to life as one of them.
DOCTOR
I’m sorry to hear that, Tada. Very sorry indeed. But that’s not bringing your girlfriend back to life, is it? It’s just a mockery of her brain being used inside a metal suit.
JAMIE
Since when did this ‘girlfriend’ of yours come into this, Dad? What about my mum? Didn’t you care about her? Didn’t she deserve your love?
TADA
Your mum was just a woman I used to gain myself a son before the Cybermen killed her and turned her into one of them. But that’s another story.
JAMIE
(shocked) What?! My mother! You had my mother killed as soon as I was born. (Pause) You’re sick! You sick, son of a…
Jamie is about to lash out before Betty holds him back.
BETTY
(interrupts; soothes) Jamie! Jamie dear, calm down. Your father’s not worth it.
JAMIE
(cries; upset) But he killed her! He killed my mother!
Jamie sobs bitterly before he ends up in Betty’s arms, who holds him tightly to comfort him.
BETTY
(soothingly) Ssh! Ssh, it’s alright, Jamie, it’s alright. (Pause) I’m so sorry, Jamie. I’m so truly very sorry.
DOCTOR
(consolingly) So am I, Jamie. So am I. (Pause; grimly) I’m understanding you more, Tada. You didn’t do these things to get your girlfriend back. You did them because you wanted power for yourself. (goads) Power for Tada the all-powerful! (Pause) I’ve heard this before. It never works in the slightest.
TADA
(defiantly) You’re wrong, Doctor. I’m a part of the hive. The Cybermen’s collective. I control them to do my will. You shall all see what I can do to command them to do my will before you die.
BETTY
(bitterly) Isn’t that too cold-hearted even for you, Tada? Don’t you have any affection for your son? He’s a good man, Jamie is. And he’s a better man than you ever will be!
TADA
James is a waste. A low life. I wouldn’t allow him to live in my new empire. The empire for the new Earth! Cyber-Earth!
JAMIE
(angrily) You can stuff it and go to hell, Dad!
TADA
(laughs) Harsh words, son. Harsh words. And they mean nothing to me.
SCENE #164 – INT – CONTROL HUB, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, Billy is now inside the control hub of Neptune Connect, having arrived via teleport. He’s currently hiding, having just entered via the ventilation shaft.
BILLY
(whispers; relieved) There they are. Thank goodness the Doctor, Betty and Jamie are alive. (Pause) If only I can get their attention and let them know I’m here.
Moment of silence.
BILLY
(whispers; realises) Wait. The Doctor’s seen me. He knows I’m here. (Pause) He’s looking at me. Telling me to stay put, I guess. (Pause) Is that his cricket bat tucked underneath his coat?
SCENE #165 – INT – CONTROL HUB, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
Back with the Doctor, Betty and Jamie…
TADA
What are you looking at?
DOCTOR
Pardon?
TADA
You were just staring at something. What were you looking at?
DOCTOR
(feebly) My feet.
Tada turns round to see.
TADA
(calls) Is somebody there? Come out! Come out or else I’ll kill these four…
Just then, Tada is interrupted, as the intercom bleeps loudly. He goes over to a nearby control terminal to switch on the intercom
TADA
(through intercom) Tada here.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2 (V’O)
Warning. Warning. The Doctor’s young male human companion has escaped from the TARDIS. He is in the Neptune Connect building. Be on the lookout.
TADA
(through intercom) Don’t you worry, you Cyber boys. I believe I might just have him.
As Tada switches off in the intercom, he’s struck on the back of the neck by the Doctor with his cricket bat. Tada groans before he collapses to the floor unconscious. The Cybermen in the control room are alerted to this and their raise their Cyber-guns at the Doctor, charging them up.
BETTY
(shocked) Doctor!
JAMIE
(shocked) What did you do that for?
CYBERMEN
Halt. You attacked the Tada unit with a cricket bat. You will be terminated.
Billy comes out of hiding, presses a button on the teleport device he used…
BILLY
(shouts) Hey, Cybermen! Catch this!
…and throws it at the Cybermen. It lands in-between them and blows up right in their faces. The Cybermen groan and stumble out of control following the teleport device’s explosion.
BETTY
(amazed) What the…?
JAMIE
(stunned) Where did he come from?
BILLY
(cries) Come on, you three! Get over here now!
DOCTOR
(shouts) Come on, Betty, Jamie! Over to Billy now!
The Doctor, Betty and Jamie run over to Billy, leaving the disorientated Cybermen behind. They meet up with Billy, relieved at being rescued.
DOCTOR
(relieved) Billy, thank goodness! How did you get here?
BILLY
Teleport device. I used it to get here when I was in the TARDIS cloister room. I just threw it at the Cybermen, as you saw, which conveniently blew up.
BETTY
(astonished) You used a teleport device to blow up in the Cybermen’s faces?!
BILLY
Yeah, tell me about it. I guessed there would be a ‘blow up’ button, but I didn’t know which one it was. Thankfully I pressed the right button and it provided the distraction I need to save you three.
DOCTOR
And thankfully, this cricket bat was handy in knocking out Tada on the back of his neck. He should be out for a while.
The Doctor tucked his cricket bat back underneath his coat.
JAMIE
(anxiously) Wait, where’s Nyssa? You haven’t left her aboard the TARDIS with the Cybermen, have you?
BILLY
I had to. She…Doctor, Nyssa’s…
BETTY
(interrupts) Tell us about it later, Billy. Right now, we gotta get outta here!
DOCTOR
Quite right. But first I need to do this.
The Doctor goes over to the generator in Neptune Connect’s control hub room and accesses the controls, typing away as he does so.
BETTY
(anxiously) Doc, what are you doing? We haven’t got time to play with the Cybermen’s toys!
DOCTOR
Just a second.
The Doctor types away furiously at the controls. A short while passes.
JAMIE
(urgently) Come on, Doctor, hurry up!
DOCTOR
Nearly finished. Hold on.
BILLY
(urgently) Now, Doctor!
Eventually the Doctor finishes and turns to the others.
DOCTOR
There was no need to shout. (urgently) Right, come on!
The Doctor, Billy, Betty and Jamie make a run for it, whilst the Cybermen recover and stomp after them. After realising their fugitives are out of reach, Cyberman #9 turns to the Cyber Lieutenant.
CYBERMAN #9
The Doctor and his companions have evaded us, Lieutenant.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
This must be reported to the Cyber Controller. We require new orders.
The Cyber Lieutenant switches on his communicator on his chest unit.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
(through communicator) Earth squad to TARDIS. Earth squad to TARDIS. Respond.
SCENE #166 – INT – CORRIDOR, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
A fair distance away from Neptune Connect’s control hub, the Doctor, Billy, Betty and Jamie stop to rest and recover their breath, having escaped the Cybermen.
BETTY
(breathlessly) No Cybermen chasing us. That’s good, isn’t it?
JAMIE
(breathlessly; bitterly) They’re probably too concerned about their metallic organs. Call themselves ‘perfect’, don’t they?
BETTY
Your father’s still with them, Jamie.
JAMIE
Yeah. And good riddance!
BETTY
(scolds) Now see here, Tada Junior. Your father is a jerk and he killed your mother, but he’s still your dad, remember? You can’t just disregard him like that. It’d make you not better than him, wouldn’t it?
Moment of silence.
JAMIE
(grudgingly) You’re right. I’m sorry, I just… (tearfully) I can’t believe my mum was murdered. And by him. My own dad…
Jamie breaks down into tears whilst Betty comforts him.
BETTY
(soothingly) Ssh, ssh. It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ve got you.
Meanwhile, the Doctor turns to Billy.
DOCTOR
(concerned) Billy, what happened to Nyssa?
BILLY
(anxiously) She got taken over, Doctor. By the Cybermen. They did something to her. Planted some sort of…Cyber-conditioning in her mind. Like what the Dwaxi do to their victims.
DOCTOR
I see.
BILLY
She hasn’t been fully converted though. She’s still her Traken self. No body parts of her have been mechanised. But she has metallic implants on her face, I’m afraid.
DOCTOR
I see you haven’t got any metallic implants on your face anymore, Billy.
BILLY
Nyssa removed them for me before she was conditioned. I don’t know how she did it, but…she removed them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. (Pause) But I had to leave her to find you, Betty and Jamie. I didn’t know what else to do. Nyssa won’t talk to me. Not in the way I know she talks to me. She talks more like a Cyberman now. (Pause) I thought perhaps you could think of something to save her.
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) Billy, it’s just as well you left Nyssa aboard the TARDIS. I believe I might have a way to stop the Cybermen and save Nyssa at the same time.
BILLY
(surprised) Really? How?
DOCTOR
Jamie has the answer to that, actually. But most importantly, we need to shut down the Eye of Harmony aboard the TARDIS.
BILLY
(realises) Wait! The Cybermen are trying to stabilise the Eye at their end. They talked about closing the Eye, but the Controller won’t agree. Even Nyssa advised him on the idea, and he still won’t budge.
DOCTOR
(realises) Did you say…Nyssa advised the Cyber Controller to close the Eye?
BILLY
Yes, she did. Why?
DOCTOR
That means she still has some free will left in her. Don’t you see? If she’s not fully converted, she’ll have some of her old self and she’s fighting to break free of the Cyber conditioning that’s taking control of her.
BILLY
(realises) I see what you mean. She certainly didn’t go for me when the Controller ordered her to capture me. She got confused and that gave me the chance to steal the teleport device and escape the TARDIS.
DOCTOR
(hopeful) You see, Billy? There’s still a chance for Nyssa.
BILLY
Hang on. What’s this idea to save Nyssa that Jamie has the answer to?
DOCTOR
That’s what I’m hoping to ask Jamie about. Apparently, he knows of a rocket silo nearby.
BILLY
(astonished) A rocket silo?
The Doctor turns to Jamie.
DOCTOR
Jamie, can you take us to this rocket silo of yours? We’ll need the rocket if we’re going to stop the Cybermen and save Nyssa.
JAMIE
Sure thing, Doctor. It’s not far. About a mile’s walk away from where we are.
DOCTOR
We haven’t got time to walk. We’ll have to run for it.
BETTY
You said this rocket was your father’s. As a means to get to Neptune.
JAMIE
Yeah. Now a wasted opportunity considering what my dad has become.
DOCTOR
(grimly) He could have thought of the rocket as a means of escape. Specifically, an escape from the Cybermen should they turn against him. But now that chance is ours.
BILLY
(encouragingly) Onwards then, Doctor? To rescue Nyssa?
DOCTOR
(cheerfully) Yes, Billy. Onwards and off to rescue Nyssa!
With that, the Doctor, Billy, Betty and Jamie head off for the rocket silo.
SCENE #167 – INT – TARDIS, CLOISTER ROOM – N/A
Back aboard the TARDIS, the Cyber Controller receives a report from the Cyber Commander of the space fleet on a monitor screen via the intercom whilst in the cloister room.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(through intercom) Commander, status of the fleet invasion is required.
CYBER COMMANDER (V’O)
All is proceeding as planned, Controller. Cyber forces on Earth have acquired many human candidates and have taken them to areas of conversion. Most of the human population were incompatible and have been terminated, according to standard procedure.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(through intercom) Exemplary.
CYBER COMMANDER (V’O)
The Cyber space fleet continues to overtake continents of the planet. All conversion chambers have been assigned to designated sectors.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(through intercom) Your supervision is required on the planet. Attend to one of the conversion zones on Earth and assess all conversion procedures and assess their efficiency.
CYBER COMMANDER (V’O)
I will attend to the conversion chambers at Neptune Connect in San Francisco. It is the centre of all conversion operations currently at maximum efficiency.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(through intercom) Acceptable. Go now. Take two of your main units to supervise at the central Neptune Connect building.
CYBER COMMANDER (V’O)
Orders received and understood.
CYBER CONTROLLER
(through intercom) Discussion concluded.
Transmission ends and the Cyber Commander fades from the monitor screen. The Cyber Controller turns to the Cyber Leader and Neptune Cyberman #2 at the conversion chamber containing the conditioned Nyssa, who is strapped inside.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Report on the conversion status of the Nyssa unit.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
The Nyssa unit has been placed correctly in the conversion unit. The first stage of implantation is about to commence.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Satisfactory. (Pause) Cyber Leader, you will attend to Cyber activity on Earth with the Cyber Commander. Attend to the power generator at the central Neptune Connect building. Assess the damage and re-engage power to the TARDIS. We must boost the signals to outer space and summon more reinforcements.
CYBER LEADER
Understood. The control hub will be restored.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Report to me when you have achieved your objective in restoring power to the power generator at Neptune Connect. Go now.
The Cyber Leader complies as it marches off, about to teleport to Earth. The Cyber Controller turns its attention back to Neptune Cyberman #2.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Report estimated time for implantation on this female.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Estimated time: fifteen seconds. Beginning procedure now.
Neptune Cyberman #2 initiates the procedure for more Cyber implant to be placed into Nyssa. Nyssa remains still and seemingly unaware, as the implants go into her.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Implants established on cerebral visual cortex. Beginning injection.
The implants begin to inject into Nyssa’s skin around her right eye. There’s a moment where Nyssa winces slightly once this occurs.
SCENE #168 – EXT – SAN FRANCISCO, USA – DAY, MORNING
On Earth, in San Francisco, the Cyber fleet continues to attack. They persist in blowing up city structures in the area, as they topple over and kill millions of innocent lives.
CYBERMEN (V’O)
(in unison) There is nothing to fear. Do not resist. Become like us and you will be perfect. Everyone will receive a free conversion. Conversion is compulsory.
On the planet surface, the Cybermen continue to abduct people and drag them off the streets, taking them to conversion chambers at the central Neptune Connect building. People struggle to resist, causing some to either be electrocuted or shot.
CYBERMAN (V’O)
(in unison) Cybermen are strong. Our logic keeps us at maximum efficiency. There is no margin for error. You will become like us. Resist and you will be terminated.
As the Cybermen keep on abducting and sometimes slaughtering people, the Doctor, Billy, Betty and Jamie watch nearby, horrified, as they make their journey to get to the rocket silo.
BILLY
Is there anything we can do, Doctor? I thought we shut down the Cybermen’s conversion chambers.
DOCTOR
The Cybermen work fast, Billy. And they’ve an enormous supply of power from the TARDIS to do whatever they want.
JAMIE
(bitterly) And from my dad’s company.
BETTY
Why do they keep doing this? Turning people into one of them. Can’t they see how much it’s hurting people doing things like this?
DOCTOR
The Cybermen can’t be reasoned with, Betty. They’ve got that cold logic stuck inside their heads, which makes them unstoppable. They’re bloated as well as lacking in emotion to keep on abducting people and turning them into like they are.
BILLY
The sooner we get to this rocket silo, the better.
DOCTOR
Couldn’t agree more, Billy. (Pause) How far is it to the rocket silo now, Jamie?
JAMIE
About half a mile away. We’re in view of it right now. There, see? Shouldn’t be long now.
They all look to see the rocket silo in plain sight.
BETTY
Well, let’s hope we can dodge the Cybermen wherever we go. They seem to be everywhere now.
DOCTOR
Come on, let’s try down here. Under this subway. That should give us cover and hopefully avoid the Cybermen spotting us.
The Doctor leads the way with Billy, Betty and Jamie following him.
SCENE #169 – INT – CONTROL HUB, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
In the control hub of the central Neptune Connect building on Earth, the Cybermen force people to enter the conversion chambers. People struggle and scream, as they go in with knives and saws splicing into them. The operation is supervised by the Cyber Commander, accompanied by Cyber Unit #34 and Cyber Unit #35.
CYBER COMMANDER
Report on efficiency levels.
CYBER UNIT #34
Efficiency levels are at eighty-seven percent and rising.
CYBER UNIT #35
Conversions are increasing at one hundred and three per minute at every processing site on the planet.
CYBER COMMANDER
Exemplary. The Cyber Controller will approve.
Just then, the Cyber Leader arrives to meet up with the Cyber Commander.
CYBER LEADER
Commander.
CYBER COMMANDER
Cyber Leader. Your arrival was unanticipated.
CYBER LEADER
The Controller ordered that I attend to your supervision of the conversion procedures. To assess the status of all conversions on the planet.
CYBER COMMANDER
Understood. Conversions are increasing in efficiency levels. Eighty-seven percent and rising.
CYBER UNIT #34
Now at eighty-nine percent, Commander. Going up to ninety.
CYBER COMMANDER
Satisfactory.
CYBER LEADER
I have also come to assess the damage to the power generator at Neptune Connect. It is to be reinitialised immediately.
CYBER COMMANDER
Understood. The Cyber Lieutenant has a report for you concerning the power generator.
CYBER LEADER
I shall attend to it.
The Cyber Leader marches away from the Cyber Commander to reach the power generator. It meets up with the Cyber Lieutenant already there.
CYBER LEADER
You have a report, Lieutenant. concerning the power generator.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Affirmative. The power generator cannot be reinitialised.
CYBER LEADER
Explain.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
The technology has been tampered with. No access can be granted by any of the Cyber units.
CYBER LEADER
I will assess the damage.
The Cyber Leader marches over to the power generator and attempts to access the controls. As the Cyber Leader types away, a buzzing noise echoes to indicate access is denied. The Cyber Leader tries again. Same result. The Cyber Leader turns its attention back to the Cyber Lieutenant.
CYBER LEADER
Your assessment is correct. The power generator has been deliberately tampered with.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
The Doctor was present when we were distracted by an explosion that granted them their escape. Logic dictates that the Doctor is responsible for tampering with the power generator.
CYBER LEADER
It is also logical that the Doctor is the one responsible for the power drainage required for our technology aboard the TARDIS.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Agreed.
CYBER LEADER
I will send a report to the Cyber Controller.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
We attempted to send a report to the Controller on the extent of the damage. The report was unsuccessfully sent.
CYBER LEADER
Loss of power to transmissions being sent to the TARDIS is evident. I have an efficient mobile communications unit. I shall report to the Controller from here.
Just as the Cyber Leader is about to communicate with the Cyber Controller aboard the TARDIS, Tada, who was knocked out earlier, slowly wakes up. He groans, as he regains consciousness and notices the Cybermen beside him.
TADA
(groans) Oww! What hit me?
SCENE #170 – INT – COCKPIT, ROCKET – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, at the rocket silo in San Francisco, the Doctor, Billy, Betty and Jamie enter the rocket and find themselves in the cockpit. They look around to see its interior.
BETTY
(amazed) Wow! This is some rocket! Your dad certainly had tastes in architecture, design and colours. Very impressive.
JAMIE
It was always my father’s dream to travel the stars. (Pause) Shame he sacrificed everything that got him nowhere. Including the death of my mother.
BILLY
What’s this rocket called, Jamie?
JAMIE
(shrugs) Oh, I don’t know. It was never given a name when my father’s men built it. (Pause) Though I suppose you could call it Neptune. That was where my father wanted to go.
DOCTOR
That’s what we’ll call it then. The rocket Neptune. At least that’s something to honour your father by, despite his errors. (Pause) Now, let’s see about getting this rocket to lift off, shall we?
BETTY
I’ll go and keep watch outside. Make sure no Cybermen come up here to spoil our endeavours.
DOCTOR
Good idea, Betty. Be careful though. Let us know if anything happens.
BETTY
Right.
Betty heads out whilst the Doctor, Billy and Jamie attend to the rocket.
BILLY
Okay. How do you want to go about this, Doctor?
DOCTOR
Not sure. It’s familiarising with the controls I’m concerned about. (Pause) Do you know how to fly this rocket, Jamie?
JAMIE
A fair bit. We did some test simulations a few months ago. The principles should stay the same.
BILLY
Your father let you in on the rocket’s secrets?
JAMIE
Of course. It was the only thing we had in common. I wanted to fly rockets as much as he did. (Pause) A shame we didn’t see eye-to-eye on other things.
DOCTOR
Well, regardless, your expertise on the rocket, Jamie, should help us to get closer to rescuing Nyssa and stopping the Cybermen. Hopefully before it’s too late.
JAMIE
These are the main controls, Doctor. The ignition sequence, the pilot controls, the fuel gauges, the retro-rockets and the navigational levers. I can go through them with you in a tutorial, but it may take a little while to grasp the full basics.
DOCTOR
We don’t have much time. Besides, you needn’t worry, Jamie. I’m pretty familiar with rockets. Flew one myself to the moon once.
BILLY
(astonished) Did you, Doctor?
DOCTOR
Yes. Though the TARDIS is a wonderful machine, it’s always nice to get inside one of these things like Apollo Eleven and see what the astronauts did when they went to Earth’s moon on the first landing.
JAMIE
There’s an automatic pilot too, Doctor. If you program the coordinates on where you want the rocket to go, it should get you to your destination without a glitch.
DOCTOR
That’s what we need, Jamie. A straightforward autopilot to get us to where we want to go.
BILLY
And where’s that, Doctor?
DOCTOR
The TARDIS?
BILLY
(astonished) The TARDIS? You mean…you intend to use this rocket to get to the TARDIS in outer space? In orbit of Earth’s atmosphere?
DOCTOR
Once the rocket arrives alongside the TARDIS in Earth’s orbit, we can find a way to get inside the old girl and save Nyssa.
BILLY
(perplexed) How? I mean, how are we going to get inside?
DOCTOR
With this teleport device that Jamie picked up earlier. It’s like the one you used, Billy, to get away from the TARDIS. This time though, we want to get back inside the TARDIS and reach the cloister room.
JAMIE
(concerned) Isn’t that a bit dangerous, Doctor?
BILLY
Jamie’s right. What if this plan of yours doesn’t work? What if the Cybermen expect you to use a teleport device to get back inside the TARDIS and then they try to blow us up whilst we’re inside the rocket?
JAMIE
And even an autopilot can’t always function properly on where we want to go in space. It’s dodgy, not to say risky.
DOCTOR
Trust me, I know what I’m doing. And I’m a quick learner with rockets. Therefore. I know what to expect. If the Cybermen are waiting for us, we’ll just have to take the risk. It’s the only way to save Nyssa and get back into the TARDIS.
Moment of tense silence.
BILLY
(gradually) Alright, Doctor. But I still think this is a dangerous thing to do.
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) We’ll get Nyssa back, Billy, don’t worry. The Cybermen will be stopped. This ends today. (Pause) Jamie, how about we program that flight course to head for the TARDIS in the rocket’s flight computer?
JAMIE
Okay, Doctor. Bear in mind, the planet’s hemisphere is very wide. For one thing, we won’t know exactly where the TARDIS will be in terms of its coordinates. We could end up in the wrong place in Earth’s atmosphere.
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) That’s no problem. We can use the TARDIS’ homing device.
The Doctor takes out the homing device to show to Jamie. It emits a low hum, as Jamie examines the device curiously.
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) This will take us to where we need to be to find the TARDIS. In fact, Jamie, use the homing device to program your coordinates when you enter them in the rocket’s flight computer.
Jamie takes the homing device from the Doctor.
JAMIE
Alright, we’ll use this then. It might take some time to program the coordinates into the flight computer, but it should be fine.
DOCTOR
(pleased) Splendid!
Just then, shooting echoes outside.
DOCTOR
What’s that?
Billy runs over to the exit to take a look outside.
BILLY
It’s Betty! She’s having trouble! Some party guests have arrived. The Cybermen are attacking!
DOCTOR
And with the TARDIS’ coordinates needed to be programmed in, time is very short and definitely not on our side.
Instantly, Jamie starts programming the coordinates by using the TARDIS’ homing device into the rocket’s flight computer. This happens whilst the Cybermen’s attack occurs outside with Betty defending the rocket, shooting as she does so.
SCENE #171 – INT – CONTROL HUB, NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING – DAY, MORNING
Back with the Cybermen in the control hub of the central Neptune Connect building, the Cyber Leader reports to the Cyber Controller via its mobile communications unit.
CYBER LEADER
(through communicator) Thus, the power generator cannot be reinitialised due to the Doctor’s tampering. End of report.
CYBER CONTROLLER (V’O)
Unacceptable. Power must be restored. Cyber units must repair the damage and resolve the tampering caused by the Doctor.
CYBER LEADER
(through communicator) That will take time, Controller. An opportunity for the Doctor to oppose us and foil our plans to achieve total conquest of Earth.
CYBER CONTROLLER (V’O)
Then the Doctor must be located to prevent any more opposition. He must be retrieved to rectify the damage he has caused. See to it, Leader. See to it at once.
CYBER LEADER
(through communicator) Understood.
CYBER CONTROLLER (V’O)
Communication concluded.
The communication ends, and the Cyber Leader switches off its mobile communications unit. It turns to the Cyber Lieutenant.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
We have limited information on the Doctor’s whereabouts. He is still in the San Francisco area, but his specific location is inconclusive.
CYBER LEADER
He must be located and brought to us without delay. There is to be no margin for error.
TADA
He could be heading for the rocket silo.
The Cybermen turn around, surprised to see Tada standing before them, who has recovered from being knocked out earlier by the Doctor.
CYBER LEADER
Tada unit. You still function.
TADA
(scoffs) Of course. Did you think I died?
CYBER LIEUTENANT
The force of the blow caused by the Doctor was severe. Logic dictated that you suffered heavy damage and were irreparable.
TADA
I’m never irreparable, Cybermen. I’m Giles Tada. I’m strong and immortal. Just as you Cybermen shrewdly claim to be.
CYBER LEADER
(impatiently) You stated knowing the Doctor’s specific location. Elaborate, Tada. Elaborate.
TADA
I heard my son’s conversation with the Doctor before my squad and I arrived. They said something about heading for a rocket silo. I know precisely where that rocket silo is.
As Tada talks, the Cyber Lieutenant receives an incoming report via its Cyber brain, as a bleeping noise occurs.
CYBER LEADER
Where is the rocket silo, Tada?
TADA
About a mile away. Due south of the central Neptune Building building site. It’s in plain sight. The rocket’s been there for some time since my men finished building it for me. The Doctor, his young friend, my son and that ex-secretary of mine will use it for their purposes.
CYBER LEADER
We shall intervene and stop them. A squad of Cybermen shall be sent to the rocket silo to attend to the Doctor and his companions.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Leader. Incoming report from Cyber Squad Seven in San Francisco.
CYBER LEADER
Proceed.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
They have found a rocket silo containing a rocket with people inside it. They’re advancing towards it but are suffering an attack. The people inside the rocket are preventing them from entering.
TADA
(shrewdly) That’ll be my son, of course. With the Doctor, his young friend and that awful ex-secretary.
Just then, the Cyber Commander enters.
CYBER LEADER
Commander.
CYBER COMMANDER
Leader.
CYBER LEADER
The Doctor and his companions are at the rocket silo close to this location. Cyber Squad Seven are attempting to infiltrate. Some of your units are to be sent as reinforcements to provide assistance to Cyber Squad Seven.
CYBER COMMANDER
Understood.
CYBER LEADER
Maintain your position at the conversion chambers. I shall lead the squad of reinforcements to the rocket silo immediately.
CYBER COMMANDER
Complying.
The Cyber Commander stomps off to attend to its task. The Cyber Leader then turns to Tada.
CYBER LEADER
Tada, you are required to return to the TARDIS. The Controller is expecting your report.
TADA
(grimly) Of course. And believe me, I’ll have plenty to say to him.
CYBER LEADER
You will go now.
Tada grimly obeys, as he uses a teleport device to return to the TARDIS. He beams out once he’s pressed the button and disappears. Meanwhile, the Cyber Leader turns its attention back to the Cyber Lieutenant.
CYBER LEADER
You remain here to assist the Commander in the continuing conversions at Neptune Connect. I shall go to prevent the Doctor and his companions in their endeavours at the rocket silo.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Understood.
The Cyber Leader stomps off, whilst the Cyber Lieutenant remains at Neptune Connect.
© Tim Bradley, 2025
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