Chapter 17
SCENE #183 – EXT – NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING, SAN FRANCISCO – DAY, AFTERNOON
At the front entrance to the Neptune Connect building, Billy and Betty keep on fighting by firing their laser rifles whilst being pursued by Cybermen.
BILLY
(anxiously) There’s too many of them! And they’re still chasing us!
BETTY
(encouragingly) Don’t give up, Billy! We’ve still got a fair way to go.
BILLY
But where are we going for goodness sake?
BETTY
Inside the NC building. We must reach the control hub where the Cybermen’s operations are.
BILLY
(realises) Ah, I see! We’re trying to get to the teleport controls.
BETTY
That’s what I had in mind, yeah. If we reach that, we can teleport to the TARDIS.
BILLY
And find Nyssa, the Doctor and Jamie.
BETTY
Don’t let that weapon of yours drain of power, Billy! We still need the shots to beat these guys.
BILLY
(anxiously) My rifle’s power packs are already running out of power, Betty.
BETTY
(apprehensively) Then let’s not waste time! Into the building we go!
They run for it as they make to enter the building. But just as they’re about to enter, more Cybermen stomp out, led by the Cyber Commander.
CYBER COMMANDER
Halt. Do not move.
BILLY
(panics) Oh no! More Cybermen!
BETTY
(agitated) They must have been alerted to our presence by others! That’s so annoying!
CYBER COMMANDER
We are the Cybermen. You will be converted. Conversion is compulsory.
BETTY
(bitterly) Fat chance!
BILLY
(determined) Back the way we came! Come on!
BETTY
Duh! We’ve got Cybermen behind us, remember?
BILLY
(realises) Oh, yeah, right. (Pause) Then let’s shoot while we can!
BETTY
(shouts) Billy, no!
Billy opens fire with his laser rifle on the Cybermen. He damage ones of them, but the Cybermen are relentless.
BETTY
You’re wasting time, Billy! They’ve already adapted to the new frequencies.
BILLY
Worse. My laser rifle’s totally defunct. The power packs have depleted.
BETTY
(annoyed) Well, that was a stupid thing to do.
BILLY
We’ll have to run!
BETTY
(bitterly) Where to? These guys are everywhere!
BILLY
(realises) Through that gap! Leading to a shopping mall centre! We can try and reach there!
BETTY
(cries) Billy, look out!
Billy looks behind him and sees a Cyberman raising its hand at him. The Cyberman injects something into Billy’s neck, and he cries out in pain. But he manages to beat up the Cyberman repeatedly with his laser rifle. The Cyberman groans as it’s being beaten up. Eventually, it collapses to the ground.
BILLY
(relieved) Phew! That was a close one.
BETTY
(anxiously) It got you though. It injected something into you.
BILLY
(urgently) Never mind that! Quick, run!
CYBER COMMANDER
Resistance is futile. You will be converted or terminated.
The duo run for it, as they make their way through the gap of marching Cybermen coming towards them at all sides. Billy and Betty skid past the approaching Cybermen reaching out for them. They soon run for the shopping mall and the Cybermen pursue them further.
BILLY
(relieved) We’re through! Thank goodness!
BETTY
(wryly) What do you expect to do once we get inside? Let the Cybermen raid the shopping shelves and things?
BILLY
(determined) There’s a fire exit door over there. We can make for that. Open it, get inside and lock it before the Cybermen can get in.
BETTY
Provided it’s not locked!
BILLY
Since when have back doors been locked in the afternoons? Anyway, it doesn’t look locked to me. (urgently) Come on, run!
They run for it, reaching the fire exit door.
SCENE #184 – EXT – SHOPPING MALL, SAN FRANCISCO – DAY, AFTERNOON
Billy and Betty arrive at the fire exit door. Billy tries to open it. He tugs at the door, trying to break it open, but it doesn’t.
BETTY
Well, go on then! Open the door, you smart alec!
BILLY
(flummoxed) I don’t understand! Why won’t it open?
BETTY
Obviously because it’s locked. Think you know a door is locked when you see it, right?
BILLY
But it can’t be locked on an afternoon! It must be opened! (Pause) Have you got a key?
BETTY
What key?
BILLY
The key that opens the door!
BETTY
Keys are obsolete, Billy! I don’t even have a key card on me! I’m a spy, not the mall’s owner!
They look back to see the Cybermen coming towards them. They’re trapped at their dead end.
BILLY
There’s no way we can get around them. We can’t dodge past them. There are too many!
BETTY
We’re trapped. There’s no escape.
BILLY
I’m sorry, Betty. This isn’t what I had in mind.
BETTY
It’s been nice knowing you, Billy.
BILLY
Yeah, it’s been nice knowing you too.
Billy and Betty stay still, as the Cybermen advance closer and eventually stop.
CYBER COMMANDER
Stand by. You will be converted.
Suddenly, Billy cries out in pain. He stumbles to the ground.
BETTY
(concerned) Billy? Billy, what’s wrong? Are you in pain?
BILLY
(in pain) I… I don’t know. It’s the implants! They’ve come back again!
BETTY
These must be different implants to the ones you had earlier.
BILLY
(weakens) Yeah, they must be. They’re stronger this time. And…more…painful.
Billy ends up in a heap on the ground and soon goes unconscious. Betty kneels beside him.
BETTY
(cries) Billy! Billy, please wake up! Wake up, Billy! Billy!
The Cybermen come up to her and grab her from behind, lifting her up from the ground and dragging her away from Billy. Betty cries out in pain whilst being manhandled by the Cybermen.
BETTY
(cries; in pain) Get off me! Get your meat hooks off of me!
CYBER COMMANDER
There is nothing to fear. You will become like us.
BETTY
Let me go, you metal freaks!
BILLY
(conditioned) You will listen. You shall become like us.
Betty looks back and becomes horrified, as she see Billy standing up, have Cyber implants all over his face and under Cyber control.
BETTY
(distressed) No! No, Billy, not you! Don’t do this to me, Billy, please!
BILLY
(conditioned) You will be like us, Betty. You belong to the Cybermen. We all belong to the Cybermen.
SCENE #185 – INT – TARDIS, CLOISTER ROOM – N/A
In the cloister room aboard the TARDIS, the Doctor is strapped inside a conversion chamber by the Cybermen. He sees Tada, the Cybermen and Nyssa observing Earth’s orbit on a monitor screen.
TADA
Are we ready to transmit signals to the rest of our Cyber reinforcements?
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Yes, Controller. The Eye of Harmony is ready.
TADA
Excellent! Prepare to send immediately!
DOCTOR
(pleads) Tada, listen to me! You’re making a big mistake! Don’t allow the Cybermen to have what they want!
TADA
You had your chance, Doctor. I suggest you keep quiet.
DOCTOR
(protests) But you’ve no idea what you’re dealing with!
TADA
I shall soon learn, Doctor. I shall learn the infinite truth of space-and-time travel technology. The Cybermen have granted it to me.
DOCTOR
By making you into one of them? By allowing you to be their ruler? That’s nothing! You’re bringing the onslaught!
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Signals are standing by to be sent, Controller.
TADA
(gradually) Perhaps you should have the honour, Nyssa. This is your finest moment after all.
NYSSA
(conditioned) I understand. I shall activate the Eye and send the signals.
TADA
(glorified) Call them, baby! Call our buddies here!
Nyssa goes over to a nearby control panel.
DOCTOR
(cries) Nyssa, don’t! Please, Nyssa, don’t do this!
Nyssa doesn’t obey the Doctor, as she presses buttons on the control panel.
NYSSA
(conditioned) The Eye is active. The signals are being sent.
TADA
Excellent! (Pause; glorified) Watch, Doctor. Watch your universe end. The destruction of the old time. The beginning of the new. A new one…with Cyber minds!
The Doctor is aggrieved, as he, Tada, the Cybermen and Nyssa watch the monitor screen.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Signals to reach destination in twenty seconds.
A moment of silence.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Fifteen seconds.
TADA
(glorified) The moment approaches!
Another moment of silence.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Ten seconds. Nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one…
The Eye hums with power. Suddenly, an alarm goes off in the TARDIS cloister room.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Alert. Alert. Power leak detected.
TADA
(shocked) What? (agitated) What’s happening? I demand an answer! Tell me at once!
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
The power leak is emanating from the Eye of Harmony. It has destabilised. Danger levels: critical.
TADA
(shocked) Destabilised?
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Affirmative. Insufficient data to conduct analysis.
TADA
Have our signals been received?
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
Negative. The power leak disrupted our transmissions. They have not been received. Cyber reinforcements will not come.
Suddenly, one of the Cybermen is caught in one of the energy leaks from the Eye, as it frazzles and sizzles before blowing up into bits.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
One of our units has been terminated, Controller. He was caught in the energy blast.
TADA
(angrily) Doctor, this is your doing! What have you done?!
DOCTOR
It’s got nothing to do with me. I’m strapped in this contraption, as you can see.
NYSSA
(boldly) It was me, Tada. I did this.
Tada turns to Nyssa, as she seems to have reverted to her normal self.
TADA
(astonished) Nyssa? You did this? But…how…how did you…?
NYSSA
It’s simple. I wasn’t controlled by you nor by the Cybermen. I was controlling you.
TADA
(shocked) W-W-What do you mean? What have you done?!!!
NYSSA
Remember what you told me? That I was given basic control of any Cyber technology in my vicinity? That I could do anything when controlling the Cybermen’s technology with the implants in my brain and body?
TADA
(impatiently) Get to the point!
NYSSA
When you weren’t looking, I was in direct contact with Billy before I was placed in one of your conversion chambers. I downloaded the Cyber knowledge from his mind into mine. I also removed all the implants he had in him.
TADA
You did what?
NYSSA
But more than that. I downloaded the one feeling Billy had for me to keep me going. To keep me stable and aware of who I was. The feeling that connects us both. The love Billy has for me. As I love him.
TADA
(scoffs) Love? Love?!!! (laughs) Love is irrelevant!
NYSSA
Exactly. You became a Cyberman, willingly. I became a Cyberman, unwillingly. With Billy’s love for me stored in me, it kept me going, in order to defeat you and the rest of the Cybermen. To calculate a way of stopping you whilst putting it on that I was among you. Resisting all the thoughts you’d given me via the implants, such as the eye and this arm.
DOCTOR
(realises) So, you were really you all this time, Nyssa. You convinced me as well as Billy that you were under Cyber control, whereas in fact you weren’t.
NYSSA
Exactly. (saddened) And now let me be forgiven for what I must do.
Nyssa closes her eyes, and instantly, all the Cybermen in the TARDIS cloister room groan in pain. They become enraged, boiling up with emotions inside them.
SCENE #186 – EXT – SHOPPING MALL, SAN FRANCISCO – DAY, AFTERNOON
On Earth, at the fire exit door to the shopping mall in San Francisco, the same thing occurs to the Cybermen attacking Billy and Betty, as they groan in pain and scream enraged, going out of control and overwhelmed with emotions. Billy cries in pain too, as he shakes and shudders with the Cyber implants on him causing small explosions. Betty comes beside him.
BETTY
(concerned) Billy? Billy, are you alright?
Thankfully, the explosions stop, and Billy gets a chance to recover.
BETTY
(concerned) What happened?
BILLY
(cries: in pain) I… I don’t know. Did I…. Was I doing something just now?
BETTY
You were on your way to becoming a Cyberman. But something happened to these guys as well as to you just now.
BILLY
(anxiously) The implants! Are they still there?
Betty checks to see.
BETTY
You’ve still got them, yeah. But it looks like you’re back to your normal self.
BILLY
(astonished) What’s eaten them? The Cybermen?
Billy and Betty watch, as the Cybermen stumble to the ground and explode, screaming with rage and pain after being overwhelmed with emotions.
CYBER COMMANDER
I am…terminated.
The Cyber Commander’s head blows up and its body collapses to the ground. The same thing occurs to all the Cybermen in San Francisco.
BETTY
(astonished) This is amazing! What could have done this to them?
BILLY
I don’t know. Perhaps it’s something the Doctor did. Or Nyssa.
BETTY
Or Jamie.
BILLY
Well, whoever it was, at least this gives us a chance to escape. (urgently) Come on! Out of their way before they change their minds!
Billy and Betty make a run for it, as they escape the Cybermen’s reach. Once they’re a safe distance away from them, they stop to rest and calm down.
BETTY
(relieved) We’ve made it, Billy! We escaped!
BILLY
(astonished) There’s more Cybermen blowing up! Look around you!
BETTY
What’s causing this to happen then?
BILLY
I don’t know. But I think we should find a place to rendezvous with the Doctor, Nyssa and Jamie.
BETTY
And where do you suggest we head for?
Billy thinks for a moment.
BILLY
The rocket silo! We’ll head back there. That’s at least where the Doctor should head to if he wants to meet up with us.
BETTY
Whatever you say. Come on, let’s go! Seeing these Cybermen get blown up makes me happy and uneasy at the same time.
They run for it, away from the Cybermen and heading back for the rocket silo.
SCENE #187 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Back aboard the TARDIS, the Cybermen have crashed their way into the console room by breaking in through the bolted door. Jamie backs away, as the Cybermen approach to attack him.
JAMIE
(anxiously) Alright, you guys! Keep away from me! Stay away!
But just then, the Cybermen stop and start to shake and shudder, groaning in pain. They hold their heads whilst screaming with rage.
JAMIE
(surprised) Hey, what’s got into you lot then?
The Cybermen groan furiously, before they collapse to the floor and end up in a heap. Having seen what he just saw, Jamie gradually makes his way over to their prone bodies to check on them.
JAMIE
(gradually; confused) Hello? Cybermen? Are you still there?
Jamie nudges one of them with his foot. Then another. And another. But the Cybermen are unresponsive.
JAMIE
(relieved) Well, that’s them dead. (Pause) And I didn’t even do anything.
SCENE #188 – INT – TARDIS, CLOISTER ROOM – N/A
Back in the TARDIS cloister room…
TADA
(cries) No! What have you done?!!!
DOCTOR
Nyssa?
NYSSA
I’m sorry, Doctor. But I had to do this. I couldn’t let them suffer any longer. They were people once. To have them walking around as cold machines. They deserved their souls back. To know who they were before they were killed.
TADA
(angrily) No! No!!!!! Nyssa!!!!
NYSSA
(groans; in pain) Conversion…is compulsory!
Nyssa collapses to the floor, as her eye implant sparks off into tiny explosions.
DOCTOR
(calls; concerned) Nyssa! Nyssa, are you alright?
NYSSA
(reassuringly) I’ll be fine, Doctor. Really. It’s just the eye implant blowing up.
Nyssa cries out in pain again as she tugs at her right arm.
NYSSA
And the arm blaster augmented to me is beginning to destabilise. (Pause) I still have control over one thing though.
With that, Nyssa uses her mind to open the Doctor’s conversion chamber to set him free. The conversion chamber clicks open, and the Doctor unstraps himself before getting out.
DOCTOR
(cheers) You did it, Nyssa! You’ve set me free!
NYSSA
(cries) Now, Doctor! Quickly, run! Get out of here before the cloister room blows up!
Suddenly, a wave of temporal energy escapes from the Eye of Harmony and swirls around her.
DOCTOR
(cries) Nyssa, look out!
But Nyssa is lost, as the wave of temporal energy shrouds her.
DOCTOR
(cries; anxiously) Nyssa! (Pause) Hold on, Nyssa! I’m coming for you! Just wait there!
Exiting the conversion chamber, the Doctor makes his way over to the Cyber walkway that’s converted in the TARDIS cloister room to reach the top gantry. He makes to cross over and reach Nyssa before Tada sees him and approaches him with vengeance.
TADA
(vengefully) Oh no, you don’t, Doctor! OH…NO…YOU…DON’T!!!!
Enraged, Tada charges at the Doctor, chasing him up to the top gantry of the Cyber walkway. The Doctor continues his way over the gantry and is about halfway to reaching Nyssa.
DOCTOR
(cries) Nyssa! Nyssa, are you still there? Answer me!
The Doctor is then jumped upon by the enraged Tada who pins him down. Tada throws the Doctor to the floor and thuds him violently on the girders.
DOCTOR
(cries) Tada, stop it! You’re killing me!
TADA
(enraged) Precisely! I want to see you die!
DOCTOR
(chokingly) Tada, listen! (coughs) You don’t know your own strength!
TADA
(enraged) You’ve ruined everything, Doctor! You’ve destroyed my dream! My alliance with the Cybermen! Now I will finish you off!
At that moment, temporal energy swirls out from the Eye of Harmony whilst the Doctor and Tada tug and fight with each other. More Cybermen are being destroyed from below, either by temporal energy hitting them or by an overload of emotion.
DOCTOR
(chokingly) Tada, please! Temporal energy is still leaking! If we keep on fighting, we’ll be incinerated by the Eye of Harmony itself!
TADA
(enraged) Let it happen, Doctor! Let our destruction happen! We shall both die together!!!
As Tada is nearly about to kill the Doctor, from out of nowhere comes Nyssa. She grabs Tada from behind, as she makes to pull him off the Doctor.
NYSSA
(determined) Leave him alone, Tada! You will not kill my friend! You will not kill the Doctor!
TADA
(bitterly) Back off, girl! You are nothing to me! I shall kill the Doctor with all the rage burning in me!
NYSSA
(cries) No!!! I don’t think so!
DOCTOR
(cries) Nyssa, don’t!
NYSSA
I can’t let him kill you, Doctor. I must do this!
DOCTOR
(cries) Nyssa, no!
TADA
(enraged) You…will be terminated, Doctor!
NYSSA
No!!!!
With all her strength, Nyssa raises her augmented arm blaster and manages to fire, hitting Tada’s metallic body and implants. Tada screams with pain and rage, as he begins to fall off the top gantry.
DOCTOR
(cries) Nyssa, look out!
Nyssa screams, as she’s pulled off the gantry by Tada and they fall to the ground, past the swirling temporal energy.
DOCTOR
(cries) No!!! Nyssa!!!
Down below, Tada is hit by temporal energy. He screams with pain and rage, as his flesh is stripped and ripped from his bones. It’s a gruesome scene and Tada howls as he’s being destroyed. More Cybermen are blown up and the Cyber technology blows up in the cloister room. Tada’s howls die away as he ends up prone with the Cyber technology still left on him.
TADA
(gasps; tearily) Fran. My pretty Fran.
Eventually, Tada dies and his Cyber technology shuts off instantly. Gradually, the Doctor gets down from the Cyber walkway and makes his way over to Nyssa on the ground.
DOCTOR
(concerned) Nyssa? Nyssa, can you hear me? Nyssa?
Nyssa remains prone and unconscious whilst the Doctor checks her over.
DOCTOR
(anxiously) I must get you out of range from the temporal energy. I must also close the Eye of Harmony. (Pause; realises) Wait a minute…
The Doctor realises something is happening to Nyssa, as the temporal energy swirls around her body.
DOCTOR
(astounded) The temporal energy. It’s not killing you. (Pause) It’s repairing you. Or reverting you back to who you were before you received the Cybermen’s implants.
The Doctor watches, as the temporal energy continues to heal Nyssa as well as spread throughout the cloister room.
DOCTOR
(curious) Is this your doing, old girl? Are you responsible for this?
SCENE #189 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Meanwhile, Jamie is still perplexed in the TARDIS console room before he hears an repetitive bleep-bleep from the console.
JAMIE
(realises) Ah! That must be the Doctor. Please let it be good news.
Jamie presses a button and switches on the intercom.
DOCTOR (V’O)
Jamie? Jamie, are you there?
JAMIE
(through intercom) Yeah, I’m here! Are you alright, Doctor?
DOCTOR (V’O)
I’m fine, yes. You’re not hurt, are you?
JAMIE
(through intercom) No, no. Fit shape actually. But some Cybermen came in and they were rather dodgy before they collasped.
DOCTOR (V’O)
Never mind that now. I need you to do something for me, Jamie. I’ve just closed the Eye of Harmony in the cloister room.
JAMIE
(through intercom) You’ve closed the Eye?
DOCTOR (V’O)
Yes. Hopefully there aren’t any ruptures or damages to the time continuum to worry about. The TARDIS should have restored herself. (Pause) But I need you, Jamie. I need you to land the TARDIS for me. The old girl shouldn’t be under Cyber control anymore. All the Cybermen’s technology should have been burnt out by now.
JAMIE
(through intercom) Right. Which control do I use to land the TARDIS? I know how to open the doors, but…
DOCTOR (V’O)
(interjects) Press the first two switches on the left panel you’re at. Then turn the knob a quarter to your right. That should allow the TARDIS to land.
JAMIE
(through intercom) Got it.
DOCTOR (V’O)
Then press the Decompression button like I told you. The Cybermen and their technology must be cleaned out of the cloister room and the rest of the TARDIS once and for all. Never to be seen again.
JAMIE
(through intercom) I’m on it.
Jamie switches off the intercom and attends to the TARDIS landing controls.
JAMIE
(to the TARDIS) Work for me, baby. Please, work for me and land.
Jamie presses the first two switches on the left panel he’s at, as told to by the Doctor. Once done, the TARDIS shudders before whooshing and groaning very loudly with the time rotor oscillating up and down.
JAMIE
(cheers; relieved) It worked! It worked! Oh, I so hope we’re landing and I’m not dreaming this. (Pause) Now let’s see about getting rid of the Cybermen and their technology from the TARDIS like the Doctor said.
With that, Jamie makes to press the Decompression button.
SCENE #190 – EXT – ROCKET SILO, SAN FRANCISCO – DAY, AFTERNOON
On planet Earth, Billy and Betty stand about on the site close to the rocket silo in San Francisco. They’re waiting for the Doctor or for some sign of the TARDIS.
BETTY
No sign of them. No sign of anybody.
BILLY
They’ll come. I know they’ll come. The Doctor, Nyssa and Jamie. They’ll arrive soon enough in the TARDIS.
BETTY
The Cybermen are all defeated. Sprawled along the street walks.
BILLY
Exactly! The Cybermen are all defeated, so that must mean something. It must mean we’ve won. The Doctor has saved Nyssa and they and Jamie are on their way back to us.
BETTY
The Doctor might not have saved Nyssa though. She might be dead.
BILLY
Don’t say that! Don’t ever say that!
BETTY
I’m sorry, Billy. I’m not trying to dampen your spirits, but you can’t expect everything to happen instantly. Not the way you want it.
BILLY
(sighs) You’re right. I’m sorry, it’s just… I’m very worried about them. My best friends. My wife Nyssa and the Doctor who brought us together.
BETTY
I know. I’m worried too. About Jamie. I hope he’s alright. I’d give anything to see him again.
BILLY
I didn’t think you liked him. You gave the impression you didn’t.
BETTY
I know. But things change. With regard to how things happen in the future, I wouldn’t mind being married to Jamie. He’s so handsome and dashing in a weird sort of way.
BILLY
(surprised) Married? You two get married in the future?
BETTY
(realises) Oh, yeah. The Doctor didn’t tell you that, did he? About me and Jamie. (Pause) Well, I’m sure he’ll tell you soon enough. When he gets here, that is.
BILLY
Yeah, I hope so too. (Pause) Perhaps we’re in the wrong place to meet them.
BETTY
We’re never sure where and when that TARDIS will arrive. Or what the Doc’s up to.
Just then, a whooshing sound echoes nearby.
BILLY
(hushes) Ssh! Hush, Betty, wait a minute! Listen!
They listen further, as the TARDIS materialising gets closer.
BILLY
(cries) Look! Look over there!
Billy and Betty look to see the TARDIS in plain sight, as it lands close to where the main Neptune Connect building is. The TARDIS fades in and out, as it makes to land in its blue police box shape.
BETTY
(cheers) There she is! The TARDIS! The Doctor’s come back!
BILLY
And hopefully so have Nyssa and Jamie.
BETTY
We don’t know what the situation is yet.
BILLY
(determined) We must find out what happened. Come on!
Billy runs on ahead.
BETTY
(cries) Hey! Wait for me!
Betty chases after Billy, as they head for the TARDIS parked outside the main Neptune Connect building.
SCENE #191 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Inside the TARDIS, Billy enters the console room to find Jamie at the console.
BILLY
Jamie!
JAMIE
(cheers) Billy, it worked! I landed the TARDIS by myself!
BILLY
(anxiously) Jamie, where’s the Doctor? Where’s Nyssa?
JAMIE
They’re in the cloister room. I spoke to the Doctor on the intercom and he says he’s in there. He didn’t tell me about Nyssa though.
BILLY
Thanks, Jamie. I’ll be back. Just wait here.
Billy runs off through the door out of the console room and into the corridor to find Nyssa and the Doctor. Once Billy has gone, Betty enters the TARDIS and looks to see Jamie.
BETTY
(thrilled) Jamie! Thank goodness you’re here!
JAMIE
(thrilled) Betty!
Betty and Jamie embrace and hug each other.
JAMIE
I’m so glad to see you. I was very worried about you.
BETTY
I was worried about you too.
They then look into each other’s eyes and gradually kiss. They kiss for quite a while. Soon, they break the kiss, but continue to hold onto each other.
JAMIE
Sorry, err…I don’t know why I did that.
BETTY
(softly) Neither do I, Tada Junior.
Betty and Jamie stare into each other’s eyes, before they kiss again.
SCENE #192 – INT – TARDIS, CLOISTER ROOM – N/A
Billy enters the TARDIS cloister room. He looks around to find the place wrecked, as he searches for his friends, treading carefully.
BILLY
(calls) Doctor? Nyssa?
DOCTOR
(calls) Billy, over here.
Billy makes his way over to the Doctor, finding him at the Eye of Harmony controls.
BILLY
(relieved) Doctor! Oh, I’m so glad to see you! (Pause) What happened? When Betty and I were out on the streets of San Francisco, the Cybermen suddenly reacted in pain and they soon died.
DOCTOR
They had more than they could chew, Billy. The Cybermen experienced too much emotion.
BILLY
Too much emotion?
DOCTOR
And the Eye leaked too much power, causing temporal energy to be spread. Some of the Cybermen got caught in the wake of the Eye’s leakage and were incinerated. Tada was caught up in it too. Don’t worry. I’ve closed the Eye for good. Everything should be alright now.
BILLY
(curious) What’s that? That lump of metal over there? Was that Tada?
DOCTOR
Yes. He wanted power and he got it. Too much, actually.
Billy makes his way over to the dead remains of Tada and kneels down to examine them.
BILLY
(disgusted) He took a beating, didn’t he?
DOCTOR
I’m afraid he did, yes. (Pause) And in case you’re wondering, I had Jamie help me with disposing the Cybermen and their technology from the TARDIS by pressing the Decompression button in the console room. We expelled them before we arrived on Earth.
BILLY
Hence why I didn’t see any Cybermen as I came in here.
DOCTOR
With the Eye closed, no more signals can be sent to any more reinforcements. No more Cybermen will be coming now.
BILLY
And the Cyber fleet? What’s become of that?
DOCTOR
I believe it’s been dispersed. Possibly caused by the release of temporal energy from the Eye of Harmony and into outer space through the TARDIS. Who can say?
BILLY
So, that’s it? We’ve defeated the Cybermen and Tada?
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) Yes, Billy. We’ve defeated them.
BILLY
(relieved) Thank goodness for that.
DOCTOR
Well, Nyssa defeated them, at least.
BILLY
(realises) Nyssa! Where is she?
NYSSA
(calls; softly) Billy? Billy, is that you?
Seeing Nyssa on the floor nearby, Billy goes over to her.
BILLY
(relieved) Nyssa! Yes, Nyssa dear, it’s me! I’m here! Are you alright?
NYSSA
(reassuringly; exhausted) I’m fine now, Billy. I’ve regained my senses. The Cyber control has gone.
BILLY
(pleased) Good. Oh, I’m so pleased to hear that.
NYSSA
(exhausted) I do feel tired though. I feel as if my brain’s been drained.
BILLY
(realises) You…you’re not…you don’t have any implants on you.
NYSSA
Yes. The Doctor explained to me before he closed the Eye. The temporal energies released from the Eye restored my body to normal. Removing any Cyber implants that were in me, including the one I had on my right eye and the augmented arm blaster on my left.
BILLY
(astonished) You had an augmented arm blaster?
NYSSA
I don’t understand how this is possible. When the temporal energies struck Tada and the Cybermen, they were incinerated. For some reason, I’ve been spared and restored to normal. I can’t explain it.
DOCTOR
The TARDIS works in mysterious ways, Nyssa.
BILLY
(relieved) Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re alive and that’s all that counts.
NYSSA
(gradually; calmly) Billy, I had to bluff my way long enough to confuse the Cybermen. I had to do it before I could gain control and flood the Cybermen with emotions. (Pause) When we linked minds, Billy, my plan to maintain my sanity and sense of free will worked to overthrow our adversaries. It was a struggle, but I overcame the obstacles.
BILLY
(knowingly) That’s my Nyssa. Always brave and clever.
NYSSA
I’m so sorry, Billy. I’m sorry I was cold to you. What I said to you earlier when I was under the Cybermen’s influence. It was only to…
BILLY
(interrupts; reassuringly) It’s alright, lovely. I’m just so pleased you’re you again. I’ve got you back, haven’t I?
NYSSA
(happily) Yes. Yes, Billy, you’ve got me back.
Nyssa and Billy kiss and hug each other whilst on the floor. They burst into tears of joy and relief whilst kissing and hugging each other.
DOCTOR
Kissing and crying. That’s sweet, that is.
Eventually, Nyssa and Billy break the kiss.
BILLY
(to Nyssa) I knew they couldn’t change you, dear. I knew you were made of stronger stuff.
NYSSA
Not so strong, really. For a moment, it seemed as if the Cybermen were nearly taking control of my mind. That I wouldn’t be able to resist them.
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) But you did, Nyssa. I’m glad you came through the ordeal.
NYSSA
(pleased) Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for coming to save me.
DOCTOR
I always do, Nyssa.
Moment of silence, as Nyssa and Billy embrace each other.
DOCTOR
You know something, Nyssa. We saved history for ourselves. If we hadn’t come to stop the Cybermen, we would never have met Billy.
BILLY
(surprised) What? Never meet me?
NYSSA
I know what you mean. I could see what the Cybermen were planning. And it’s true. I’m glad we came to this point in time to stop them from changing our past and future.
DOCTOR
We saved ourselves, you and I. As well as saving Billy. From being erased from history. It would have been too much to bear and would’ve been impossible to imagine that we couldn’t let it happen at all.
NYSSA
(saddened) It’s a shame about Adric though. A shame we couldn’t save him, despite preserving our histories and futures.
DOCTOR
Yes, it is. (Pause) But as I used to say it one time, “Even though there is evil in the universe, something good must come of it.” Isn’t that correct”
NYSSA
Yes, Doctor. That seems to be a valid statement.
BILLY
(puzzled) Sorry, I’m a little lost, you two. Can you start again?
NYSSA
(laughs) Don’t worry, Billy. We’ll explain it to you some day.
On that note, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy get up and make to leave the cloister room and head out of the TARDIS.
SCENE #193 – EXT – NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING, SAN FRANCISCO – DAY, EVENING
Later that day, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are reunited with Jamie and Betty, as they stand outside the front entrance of the main Neptune Connect building where the TARDIS is parked.
BETTY
Well, Nyssa. I’m glad to see you without those horrible cybernetic implants.
NYSSA
Yes. I think there’s still some scars left, but I’m sure they’ll heal in time.
BILLY
(cheekily) I can heal them for you, lovely.
Billy kisses Nyssa’s forehead, to which she giggles.
NYSSA
(giggles) Behave, will you, Billy? Behave.
JAMIE
We’ve removed all Cyber technology from my Dad’s company building. And we’re sending word that all Neptune Connect products and merchandise be disabled and destroyed.
BETTY
It’ll take time. But hopefully, with my agency’s support, we’ll see to it that this world is secure once more.
DOCTOR
I’m very pleased to hear that. You two are going to do a grand job rebuilding this world, I’m sure of it.
JAMIE
I’m seeing to it that Neptune Connect shuts down forever. That there’ll be no more of my father’s business left intact.
DOCTOR
(grievously) I’m sorry I couldn’t save your father, Jamie. When he was incinerated by the temporal energy from the Eye of Harmony.
JAMIE
(gradually) I know what my father did was wrong. But somehow, I can’t help feel sorry for him. He was my dad after all.
DOCTOR
Of course he was. (Pause) Hopefully some good came out from his actions, no matter how bad they were.
JAMIE
(gradually) I’m just looking forward to a new future. One that involves me and Betty.
NYSSA
You two have become a couple then.
BETTY
We were told that we’re supposed to get married. Who are we to argue with history?
JAMIE
And I’ve…kinda warmed to Betty in some way. I’m growing to like her. And she likes me.
BETTY
(scoffs) In your dreams, Tada Junior.
JAMIE
You do like me though, don’t you?
BETTY
Of course I do, you idiot. I’m just messing with you.
Betty and Jamie embrace and kiss.
DOCTOR
(clears throat) I think it’s time we let history continue its course. No need for us here to be here any longer. (to Nyssa; Billy) You two, inside the TARDIS.
BILLY
You’re not coming?
DOCTOR
I’ll be with you shortly. You two go on ahead, don’t worry.
NYSSA
Alright. We’ll wait for you. (Pause) Goodbye, Betty, Jamie.
JAMIE
Yeah, thanks you two. All the best.
BETTY
Hopefully we’ll see each other again.
BILLY
You never know. It could happen. See you, you two.
NYSSA
Come on, Billy. Inside.
Nyssa takes Billy’s hand and leads him inside the TARDIS. Once they’ve gone, the Doctor gives a final farewell to Betty and Jamie.
DOCTOR
Thank you, both. (Pause) Especially you, Betty. You helped me see my own reflection in the mirror when I needed to.
BETTY
(gradually) I envy you, Doc. Going out there, seeing everything. Space and Time at your fingertips. It must be wonderful.
DOCTOR
And I envy you, Betty. You and Jamie taking steps into Earth’s future. As it should be. (Pause) I shall miss you both.
JAMIE
Same here, Doctor. We’ll miss you too.
Moment of silence.
DOCTOR
Goodbye, Betty.
The Doctor kisses Betty on the forehead. He then shakes Jamie by the hand.
DOCTOR
Goodbye, Jamie. Good luck to you both.
With that, the Doctor makes to enter the TARDIS. He turns back to Betty and Jamie one last time, giving them a wave.
DOCTOR
Watch this, you two. Savour this moment.
The Doctor goes inside and shuts the TARDIS doors behind him. Gradually, the TARDIS dematerialises, whooshing and groaning as she goes. Jamie and Betty watch, utterly astonished, as the TARDIS fades away into Space and Time.
JAMIE
Well, I’ll be…
BETTY
That’s them. Those three. Off to have adventures.
SCENE #194 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Far away in the time vortex, the Doctor is at the TARDIS controls with Nyssa and Billy beside him.
DOCTOR
(checks) All systems restored. The TARDIS is more or less back to her old self.
NYSSA
(relieved) Thank goodness. I was afraid the TARDIS wouldn’t sustain enough power to regenerate after enduring all those Cyber implants.
DOCTOR
Oh, the old girl’s pretty good when it comes to recovery. Besides, she’s had a lot of help from us to sustain herself.
BILLY
I’m sure Jamie did all he could to remove the Cyber technology aboard the TARDIS like you told him to.
DOCTOR
Yes, I couldn’t be more grateful to him. And I’m very pleased you two helped out in your own way with repairing the damage.
NYSSA
You know us, Doctor. We couldn’t let the TARDIS suffer like that anymore.
DOCTOR
Yes, well, give it a couple of days, and the TARDIS should be operating at maximum efficiency like before. Let’s hope there won’t be any hiccups along the way.
NYSSA
Will they be okay? Betty and Jamie? Do you think they’ll be happy together?
DOCTOR
Of course. We simply restored the balance by getting them together. Given time, they’ll grow to love each other and be wed.
BILLY
Just like me and Nyssa. It took time for us to be together, didn’t it?
NYSSA
Yes. And now we’re married. I couldn’t be happier.
DOCTOR
(concerned) Are you sure you’re alright, Nyssa? Regarding the cybernetic implants?
NYSSA
(reassuringly) I’ll be fine, Doctor. I’m sure the scars will heal in time.
DOCTOR
(pleased) Good. Well, that’s alright then. (Pause) Now then, where shall we go next? Honeymoon destination for you two, isn’t it?
BILLY
(interjects) Doctor, Nyssa? Can I say something to you two?
DOCTOR
Of course, Billy. What do you wish to say?
Moment of silence.
BILLY
(gradually) I’m not Adric.
DOCTOR
(realises; understands) No. No, of course not, Billy.
BILLY
I never was. I never will be. I’m me. My name is Billy Walker. That’s who I am, okay?
NYSSA
We understand, Billy.
BILLY
(gradually) Yeah, well, just to be clear. I don’t want to think you two took me in on your TARDIS adventures because it was out of guilt. Because of Adric. (Pause) I’m my own person. I want to think when we first met, you two let me join you because…because you liked who I was. Not because I reminded you of someone else. (Pause) Does that make any sense?
DOCTOR
Yes, Billy. It makes perfect sense. Trust me.
NYSSA
We would never have taken you aboard out of guilt, Billy. Not ever. We took you aboard because we liked you. And we’re very glad you joined us because… Well, we wouldn’t be where we are now. We wouldn’t have got married, you and I. (Pause) And we make a pretty good team, don’t we?
DOCTOR
Absolutely. (Pause) It was meant to be that you joined us in our travels, Billy. We wouldn’t have saved Betty and Jamie without you. Just as much as we wouldn’t have saved our own past and future without you by defeating the Cybermen.
NYSSA
So, no, Billy. We don’t think of you as someone else. We think of you as you. You’re Billy Walker. Our best friend.
DOCTOR
A very good best friend, I might add.
BILLY
(gradually) Thank you. I’m very happy to hear that.
Nyssa kisses Billy, and they hug each other.
DOCTOR
Well, now that’s cleared up, let’s make for the honeymoon destination that you, Billy, have in mind for yourself and Nyssa. We’ve delayed it long enough.
NYSSA
I’m looking forward to this surprise honeymoon destination you have in mind for us, Billy.
BILLY
Me too. I’m looking forward to it too.
DOCTOR
Right, let’s not waste time. Setting the TARDIS controls. (Pause; eagerly) Hold tight, you two.
Nyssa and Billy hold tight, as the Doctor pulls a lever and the TARDIS lurches forward. They’re soon on their way.
SCENE #195 – EXT – NEPTUNE CONNECT MAIN BUILDING, SAN FRANCISCO – DAY, EVENING
Back on Earth, Betty and Jamie walk, holding hands together.
BETTY
Well, they’ve gone forever.
JAMIE
Yeah. Don’t suppose we’ll see them again.
BETTY
Probably best that way. That TARDIS thing of the Doctor’s sure was tempting.
JAMIE
(gradually) So, err… What do you want to do now? Do you wanna…go somewhere? Do something?
BETTY
What had you in mind?
JAMIE
I dunno. (Pause) Coffee? We could go and have a coffee someplace.
BETTY
(laughs) Is that the best you can think of?
JAMIE
Well, we can have dinner. Or see a movie. Movie sounds nice.
Betty laughs.
JAMIE
(embarrassed) Sorry. I’m not really good at this sort of thing.
BETTY
Coffee’s fantastic, Jamie. I like it. We can get to know each other then on a smooth level.
JAMIE
Thanks, Betty. Coffee’s a great idea. Glad I thought of it.
BETTY
Come on.
With that, they walk off to have a coffee somewhere. They walk past a water fountain as they go.
JAMIE
This is going to be an interesting relationship, isn’t it?
BETTY
I dunno what I’m going to say in my report to my secret agency. I’ll probably have to resign.
JAMIE
You resign? I’m out of a job. I’ve got no prospects. I don’t know where to go from here.
BETTY
You’ve got your family business, haven’t you? Your father’s will. All that he had will go to you, won’t it?
JAMIE
Yeah, I suppose so. I hadn’t really thought about it.
BETTY
All these things we can discuss over a coffee.
JAMIE
Do you think it could work? Us being happy, I mean.
BETTY
I never like to make predictions. But I sure am looking forward to finding out what happens next for us. Should be exciting.
As they walk, they’re unaware of a dismantled Cyberman’s head that came clean off its own body. Once Betty and Jamie turn around the corner in the street they’re, it start to revive. It looks around, as a Cybermat, who just revived it, comes into view. The Cyber Head stutters before it starts to speak.
CYBER HEAD
Power levels…minimum. Must recharge. Cybermat will continue to recharge and repair.
The Cybermat obeys, whirring like mad, as it continues to recharge the Cyber Head.
CYBER HEAD
Must send out distress signal. Must receive assistance.
A bleep-bleep echoes from the Cyber Head. The signal continues to be sent, whilst the Cyber Head remains on the ground, being recharged and repaired by the Cybermat.
CYBER HEAD
Transmission sent. No response. (Pause) Will no-one answer? Where am I? What am I? Who am I?
Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.
© Tim Bradley, 2025
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