Chapter 12
SCENE #121 – INT – TARDIS, CORRIDOR – N/A
In a corridor within the TARDIS, Nyssa walks down it after escaping the Cybermen. She finds herself lost in a corridor and tries to retrace her steps.
NYSSA
(frustrated) Come on, come on! Which way is it? I should know my way.
Just then, stomping footsteps echo behind her.
NYSSA
(realises) Cybermen! I must hide!
It’s then she spots a roundel that forms an entrance to a tube tunnel.
NYSSA
(realises) Roundel! Tube tunnel entrance! Must get inside!
Nyssa approaches the roundel and turns it as quickly as she can. She tugs at it, as it’s stiff in coming off.
NYSSA
(impatiently) Come on, come on, open! The Cybermen will be here any minute.
Eventually, she gets the roundel to open.
NYSSA
(relieved) Done it! Now I must get inside.
With that, Nyssa climbs inside the tube tunnel. She fits in snugly before reaching for the roundel to close it again.
NYSSA
(relieved; quietly) I’m in. Now I must close the tunnel with the roundel before they see me.
Nyssa pulls the roundel to cover herself whilst she’s in the tube tunnel. She seals it shut, just in time before the Cybermen turn the corner. They march down the corridor, stomping as they go and walking past Nyssa’s hiding place. A few minutes pass until the Cybermen head off down the corridor and turn around another corner. A moment of silence ensues. Once they’ve gone, Nyssa pushes the roundel out and breathes a sigh of relief before she pushes her way out.
NYSSA
(relieved; quietly) Thank goodness they’ve gone. I was beginning to feel claustrophobic.
Just then, she hears more footsteps approaching. But they don’t belong to a Cyberman.
NYSSA
(thinks; quietly) Those footsteps are too soft for a Cyberman. (Pause) I’d better wait just to be sure I know who it is.
Nyssa stays where she is inside the tube tunnel for a bit. Eventually, Billy appears as he turns the corridor, holding the Cyber-gun in his hand. He spots Nyssa inside the tube tunnel.
BILLY
(realises) Nyssa! Nyssa, is that you?
NYSSA
(relieved) Billy! Billy, you’re here! You came for me!
BILLY
(overjoyed) Oh, thank goodness I’ve found you. I didn’t think I was ever going to find you.
NYSSA
I escaped from the Cybermen in the cloister room. Please, help me out of here.
BILLY
Yes, of course. Hang on.
Billy kneels down to take off the roundel and pulls Nyssa out of the tube tunnel. She gets to her feet and hugs Billy, happily reunited with him. Billy returns the hug, equally happy.
NYSSA
(happily) Oh, Billy, I’m so pleased to see you again!
BILLY
(happily) Me too. I’m pleased to see you too! I’m just so glad you’re in one piece.
They let go of each other, and Nyssa sees Billy’s condition.
NYSSA
(shocked) Billy! You’re covered in implants! All over your hands and on the side of your head.
BILLY
(reassuringly) I’m fine, Nyssa. Really, I’ll be alright. I don’t seem to be affected in the mind yet.
NYSSA
We need to get those implants out of you as soon as possible. The Cybermen told me what happened. I didn’t realise you had them inserted into your…
BILLY
(interjects) Neither did I. Nor did the Doctor. He only found out as soon as he saw the veins becoming visible. Now the implants seem to have come to the surface. It’s just so unsettling to see them when looking in the mirror.
NYSSA
(calmly) Billy, the Cybermen have implanted me with implants too. Yours seem to have grown significantly compared to me. It’s only a matter of time before I become the same as you.
BILLY
(anxiously) Oh, Nyssa. I’m so sorry they’ve done that to you.
NYSSA
The only way we can stop this is to find the Doctor. He might be able to sort things out whether a crisis is happening or not.
BILLY
But why are they doing this? Why don’t they just convert us into one of them and get it over with? Not that I’m wishing for that to happen, mind.
NYSSA
Isn’t it obvious? It’s the Cybermen’s way of taunting the Doctor. They know how vulnerable he is, since we’re his friends.
BILLY
The Cybermen are so cruel in their methods.
NYSSA
They don’t know the meaning of the word. (Pause) Come on. Let’s find the Doctor.
BILLY
(anxiously) The Doctor’s not himself, Nyssa. He’s acting strangely. He wouldn’t consider joining me to rescue you. He’s still in the console room with Betty and Jamie.
NYSSA
Nevertheless, we must find him to sort out these implants. The Doctor must have a lot on his mind, especially with the Cybermen…
Just then, a couple of Cybermen appear at one end of the corridor.
BILLY
(groans) Oh no! Not more Cybermen! (panics) Where do we run?
NYSSA
(urgently) Down here! Down this corridor! Quickly!
Nyssa and Billy run for it with the Cybermen chasing them down the corridor.
SCENE #122 – INT – TARDIS, PAVILION ROOM – N/A
In the TARDIS cricket pavilion room, the Doctor sorts out some cricket bats and mementos whilst having a sulk. Betty bursts in, slamming the door as she enters.
DOCTOR
I didn’t say ‘come in’. And how did you know where to find my cricket pavilion room?
BETTY
(bitterly) You’re such a jerk!
DOCTOR
(sighs) I don’t have time for this.
BETTY
Look, I don’t know anything about space and time travel. But I do know that remaining aboard the TARDIS and fighting some metal meanies is suicide.
DOCTOR
I know what I’m doing. I always do.
BETTY
Maybe not this time. Can’t you see, Doctor? You’re running the risk of sacrificing everyone aboard the TARDIS, including your friends as well as yourself.
DOCTOR
I’ve fought many battles with the Cybermen. I know how they function. Trust me, my ways are the best ways to solve a problem.
BETTY
There’s always a first time to be wrong.
DOCTOR
Not on my watch.
BETTY
Doctor, I don’t understand your attitude to this. Why won’t you consider setting the TARDIS to self-destruct when you know not setting it will likely cause more obstacles?
DOCTOR
(bitterly) No one understands the Cybermen better than I do. (Pause) No one else does. No one else can.
BETTY
(confused) What is that supposed to mean?
A moment of silence.
DOCTOR
(gradually; bitterly) Not so long ago, I once lost a friend to the Cybermen. His name was Adric. He sacrificed his life to save Earth. It was because of the Cybermen that I lost Adric. (Pause) Not long after that, I witnessed the creation of the Cybermen on their home planet. They used me as a template for their biological and exoskeletal structure to create the Cyber race. Every Cyberman that I’ve faced since then and will face is based on me. Past, present and future. (Pause) So, you see, Betty, I have a very unique experience and perspective of the Cybermen. I know what they mean to me and the friends I’ve lost. The only way to outwit them is by keeping them contained in the TARDIS and destroying them when the chance is right. (Pause) Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to be alone.
Another moment of silence.
BETTY
(gradually; laughs) I’m such an idiot. (Pause) It’s simple. They hurt you, and you’re hurting them back. Your friend died because of them and now you’re going to kill them as an act of defiance. Not to mention they abused your body and soul in their experiments.
DOCTOR
The Cybermen don’t feel pain, Betty. And Time Lords don’t seek revenge. We’re regarded as highly-honoured, highly-evolved and highly-civilised. We’re not so low in portraying such a hostilities in that fashion.
BETTY
(angrily; accusingly) Bull! I saw the look on your face when you blew up the Cybermen in the TARDIS’ sick bay. Nyssa and Billy were there, remember? You were almost enjoying it!
Moment of tension. The Doctor turns to meet Betty’s gaze.
DOCTOR
(gradually; offended) How dare you?
BETTY
Oh, come on, Doctor! You don’t think I’m the first person to have noticed the look on people’s faces when they’re about to draw blood? I see it all the time!
DOCTOR
(yells) Get out! GET OUT!!!
BETTY
(defiantly) Or what? You’ll leave me? Leave me to die just like you allowed Billy to go and save Nyssa and potentially die?
DOCTOR
It was his choice.
BETTY
(defiantly) Or kill me? Would you kill me, Doctor? Like you killed Gareth Dyson? One of our workmates?
DOCTOR
There was no way to save him.
BETTY
(angrily) You didn’t even try! Where was your highly-honoured, highly-evolved and highly-civilised Time Lord pride then?
DOCTOR
I don’t have time for this!
BETTY
(taunts) Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know I was upsetting you. I didn’t realise this meant so much to you. Prince Hamlet had to get his revenge on his uncle for killing his father!
DOCTOR
(gradually; shocked) What?
BETTY
(challengingly) You have read Mr. Shakespeare’s play?
Another moment of tension.
DOCTOR
This isn’t about revenge.
BETTY
Liar!
DOCTOR
(shouts) This is about saving the future of the universe!
BETTY
(shouts) Doctor, blow up your TARDIS!!!
DOCTOR
(yells) NO!!! (rages) NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In a furious rage, the Doctor smashes a display case with his cricket bat, breaking the glass. It destroys many of the Doctor’s cricketing mementos – balls and bats. A moment of tense silence ensues. The atmosphere is unsettling. Once the Doctor has finished, he slowly turns back to Betty, who is aghast.
DOCTOR
(bitterly) I’m not going to sacrifice the TARDIS. Not to them. I’ve lost so much because of them. They invade so many worlds, and we fall. They convert so many of our friends, and we fall. Not again! Not now! This time they’ve crossed the line! I won’t allow them to hurt anyone else! They bring so much death and pain to those they’ve converted! Their influence has been the death of so many worlds! (Pause) They can’t be allowed to continue forever. No more friends will be lost because of the Cybermen. (Pause; shouts; enraged) AND I WILL MAKE THEM PAY FOR WHAT THEY’VE DONE!!!!
Tense silence ensues. The Doctor gradually moves to one side away from Betty, who’s pretty shaken by his outburst. Gradually, she goes over to the broken display case to see the damage caused by the Time Lord. She picks up the remains of a shattered cricket bat and a cricket ball and examines it.
BETTY
You’ve broken your cricket bats.
Another moment of silence, as the Doctor registers Betty’s comment. Eventually, Betty places the shattered cricket bat and cricket ball back where she found it in the broken display case.
BETTY
See you later, Hamlet.
Just as Betty is about to leave…
DOCTOR
(gradually; quotes) O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew. Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d, His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter. O God! God! How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable, Seems to me all the uses of this world.
Betty stops during the Doctor’s quotation, as she turns around, surprised.
BETTY
What?
DOCTOR
(gradually) William Shakespeare? Hamlet. Act One, Scene Two.
BETTY
(admittedly, laughs) Actually, I’ve never read the play.
Another moment of silence.
DOCTOR
(gradually) Hamlet was so overwrought by the death of his father. He was so enraged upon discovering from his father’s ghost that it was his uncle who’d killed him. He went to such great lengths to get his revenge. (Pause) In doing so, it cost him his family, the lives of his friends. It even cost him himself. (Pause) He went too far into his revenge, and it ended up becoming the death of him.
BETTY
(gradually) I guess he didn’t know how to stop. Or when, as the case may be.
Realising that he’s walking on the same path, the Doctor comes to a decision.
DOCTOR
We need to get back to the console room. I’ve made up my mind.
The Doctor heads off, leaving the cricket pavilion room. Betty takes a last look at the broken display case containing the shattered cricket bat and cricket ball before going off after him.
SCENE #123 – INT – TARDIS, CLOISTER ROOM – N/A
In the TARDIS cloister room…
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #2
The Doctor is aware of our espionage attempts to infiltrate TARDIS operations. He has disabled the Cyber-camera in the console room.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Irrelevant. The Doctor is too late to stop us.
Meanwhile, Tada wakes up after having being sedated.
TADA
(disorientated) W-W-What happening? What is this?
As he comes to, he realises where he is.
TADA
(shocked; protests) I’m in a conversion chamber! Get me out of this thing!
CYBER LEADER
You are damaged. The Controller wishes you repaired.
TADA
Cyber Leader! Back, are ya?
CYBER LEADER
The Controller ordered all Cybermen to return. The TARDIS is to journey out of Earth’s orbit to send signals to the Cyber fleet.
TADA
Well, do me a favor and get this restraint harness off me. Help me get out of this chamber.
CYBER LEADER
I am supervising your conversion. It shall not take long.
TADA
I don’t want to be converted. I’m fine! I’m not sick nor injured like those Cyber cronies seem to think.
CYBER LEADER
Irrelevant. Conversion is an essential procedure in the life of a Cyberman.
TADA
(angrily; shouts) I don’t want to be converted! Don’t you hear me?! I don’t want to be like you!
CYBER LEADER
Conversion is compulsory. You cannot refuse the procedure. All shall become like us.
TADA
(angrily) Get me out of this thing, you big bozo!!!
The Cyber Controller appears.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Tada, you are in pain. We can remove pain forever. You will find it beneficial.
TADA
(protests) Controller, you promised me! You promised me that I would never be converted. That I would never be like one of you. My mind stays human as long as my body is cybernetic. That was the agreement.
CYBER CONTROLLER
Cybermen do not make promises. Nor do we make exceptions. You will be converted like everyone else. You have an intelligence we can utilise.
TADA
(bitterly) Most flattering. But you did promise. I know you did.
CYBER CONTROLLER
You are under a delusion.
TADA
(protests) But my girlfriend Fran! You said you would bring her back from the dead! Are you going back on your promise now?
CYBER CONTROLLER
She is already alive. We have brought her back to life.
TADA
(shocked) What? Where? Where is she? Tell me!
Just then, a Cyberman steps forward.
FRAN
I am here, Giles.
TADA
(puzzled) Who are you?
FRAN
You do not recognise me. I am Fran.
TADA
(in denial) No! No, you’re not Fran! You’re not my Fran! Don’t give me that!
FRAN
Her brain is inside this body. I am Cyber form. Fran has been converted.
TADA
(angrily) No! No, you monsters! You said you’d bring my girlfriend back to life! You’d bring her back to me!
CYBER CONTROLLER
We have. This is her. She stands before you.
TADA
(angrily) But she’s a Cyberman. I wanted her to be human. (yells) I wanted her to be brought back as a human!!!!
CYBER LEADER
We do not understand. Human flesh is weak. Cyber form is superior. Your Fran has been perfected.
CYBER CONTROLLER
And we shall do the same to you. You will become like us.
TADA
(angrily) But you told me! You told me my name was significant! That you were looking for me! You said Tada is an important name to you!
CYBER CONTROLLER
You are correct. Tada is an important name to us.
TADA
Well, there we are then.
CYBER CONTROLLER
But you are not Tada.
TADA
(shocked; protests) What? I am Giles Tada! I’m the head of Neptune Connect!
CYBER CONTROLLER
You are not the Tada we are looking for.
TADA
(flabbergasted) What?
CYBER CONTROLLER
You are the incorrect Tada. You are not significant to Earth’s history. But you will become like us. You will be converted.
CYBER LEADER
Conversion process commencing…now.
TADA
(shouts; protests) No! No, you can’t do this to me! You can’t! YOU CAN’T!!! (Pause) Fran! My dear Fran, help me! Help me, please!
FRAN
Yes, Giles Tada. I am here.
TADA
(angrily) Not you! I want the real Fran! The one I loved. (Pause; panics) Fran! Fran, help me! Help me! (Pause; terrified) No! No!!! NO!!!!!
Despite protests and screams, the drilling commences and Tada’s conversion takes place.
SCENE #124 – INT – TARDIS, CORRIDOR – N/A
In a TARDIS corridor, Nyssa and Billy continue running away from the Cybermen chasing after them.
BILLY
(pants) Nyssa! I’m out of breath! I can’t run any further.
NYSSA
We must keep moving, Billy! We can’t let the Cybermen catch up with us.
BILLY
But they’re constantly marching after us. Never tiring. How are we going to get rid of them?
NYSSA
We must find a room where we can lock them out. At least it’ll give us time to come up with a strategy to oppose them.
BILLY
But there’s nowhere to go. We’ve passed so many bedrooms and we can’t get to them without having every Cyberman turn up around the corner to stop us.
NYSSA
That’s where you’re wrong, Billy. There’s one room we can get into without a problem.
BILLY
Really? Where?
NYSSA
The Zero Room! That’s close by. We should be safe in there. Come on!
They run on a bit further until they reach a corner where they can see the entrance to the Zero Room.
NYSSA
(relieved) Here it is. Here’s the Zero Room.
BILLY
What are we going to do in there?
NYSSA
I don’t know. But it has an enhanced locking mechanism, which the Doctor promised he’d have installed. We should be safe on that front. Let’s get in!
They push open the doors and enter the Zero Room with the Cybermen on their tails.
SCENE #125 – INT – TARDIS, ZERO ROOM – N/A
Inside, Nyssa and Billy shut the doors behind them, preventing the Cybermen from getting in.
NYSSA
(urgently) Billy, apply the main lock!
BILLY
Right!
Billy sets the main lock over the double doors, as it clicks into place. As soon as Billy has done this, he and Nyssa sigh with relief. Just then, there’s a loud bang, as one of the Cybermen tries to punch its way through the door with its fist.
BILLY
(anxiously) They’re trying to break in. One of them is punching on the doors.
NYSSA
I’ll initiate the electronic lock via this panel here.
Nyssa goes over to enter some keys on a keypad on a panel on the side of the Zero Room doors. The Cybermen continue punching at the doors whilst Nyssa has the electronic lock set in place.
NYSSA
(satisfied) There. That should keep them out for a little while.
BILLY
They’re still punching at the doors though, Nyssa.
NYSSA
(reassuringly) They’re still locked outside and can’t get in. We’re safe for now. So long as we don’t open the doors.
Nyssa and Billy remain silent for a bit whilst the Cybermen continue punching at the door from outside.
BILLY
(anxiously) What do we do now then? We can’t stay in here forever.
NYSSA
No. But at least we’re out of the chase from the Cybermen. We’ve just got to think of a way to retaliate.
BILLY
(anxiously) I don’t know about you, dear, but I feel rather uneasy being in the Zero Room. This place is supposed to make you feel relax, and I don’t feel relaxed at all.
NYSSA
I know what you mean. It’s rather unsettling. (Pause) We must find a way to disable the Cybermen sooner rather than later.
BILLY
And we’ve got a job to try and keep them out before they can get in.
NYSSA
(gradually; thinks) Maybe that’s what we shouldn’t do.
BILLY
(puzzled) I’m sorry?
NYSSA
(gradually; thinks) Perhaps we shouldn’t try to keep them out. Maybe we should let them in.
BILLY
(flabbergasted) Are… Are you out of your mind?
NYSSA
Think about it. We can bring them in here as a means of distracting them. Then we’ll have our chance to escape.
BILLY
(realises) Oh, I see what you’re getting at. (Pause) But what can we do to distract them?
Moment of silence, as Nyssa thinks.
NYSSA
The Zero Room. It contains an ambience level that allows you to float and relax on air.
BILLY
Yeah? So…you think we should let the Cybermen in here and help them to relax or something.
NYSSA
Not exactly. The Zero Room properties wouldn’t work on a Cyberman, but we can increase the ambience levels to raise the gravity.
BILLY
(realises) To make them float! Higher in the air than ever before. Up to the ceiling perhaps.
NYSSA
It’s worth a try, don’t you think?
BILLY
Oh, it certainly is. But are we able to do it?
NYSSA
I’ll need to access the Zero Room computer terminals to look up for ambience levels settings. (Pause) Help me, Billy. I’ll need your assistance in this.
BILLY
Right you are.
Nyssa and Billy go over to a computer terminal and begin to access the ambience levels settings. As they’re about to start, the Cybermen stop banging on the doors. Nyssa and Billy realise this and turn to the doors, becoming silent for a moment.
NYSSA
Billy?
BILLY
They’ve stopped. The Cyberman have stopped banging on the doors.
NYSSA
What made them do that, I wonder?
BILLY
I don’t know. But I’m glad they’ve stopped. That banging of theirs really unsettled me.
NYSSA
I don’t like this, Billy. I don’t like it one bit.
SCENE #126 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
In the TARDIS console room, the Doctor outlines his plans to Betty and Jamie.
DOCTOR
Right, now we’re all here, I’ll come straight to the point. (Pause) I’ve decided to set the TARDIS for self-destruct. But I don’t want to do this without considering Nyssa and Billy. They’re deep inside the TARDIS and it’s my fault. I don’t want to lose them the same way I lost Adric.
BETTY
You don’t have to set the self-destruct for now, Doc. You can always set it on an hour’s delay.
JAMIE
Or better still. Set it on a voice-activated command, if you have one.
DOCTOR
Yes, I have a voice activation sequence for the self-destruct. (Pause) But getting Nyssa and Billy out of the TARDIS isn’t the issue. It’s how much time we have left before the Cybermen send their signals into space with the beacon they’ve acquired.
BETTY
Could you have the self-destruct mechanism ready in your pocket? Activate only if it’s absolutely necessary?
DOCTOR
(thinks; gradually) Well, I suppose I could. But I’ll have to adapt it to a wide-range frequency. (Pause) There’s a remote control for it underneath the console.
The Doctor gets down on his hands and knees to fetch a remote control from underneath the console. He gets up and shows it to Betty and Jamie.
DOCTOR
Here we are. This is what I have in mind. If I set up a subspace link to the device from the console, I can then press the button to initiate the self-destruct countdown whenever I want to.
JAMIE
How much time do you think we need for us to get out of the TARDIS before she blows up?
DOCTOR
Not sure. It depends on where we are in the TARDIS at the time I press the button. (Pause) I’ll set it for half an hour. No, three quarters of an hour, if we need it.
BETTY
Let’s hope we’ll have Nyssa and Billy with us before we get outta here.
DOCTOR
I hope so too, Betty. (Pause) Though I think you two should leave while you still can.
JAMIE
Wait, what?
DOCTOR
I can go and search for Nyssa and Billy myself. There’s no need to risk all our lives. After all, you two are a very important part of Earth’s history. I’ll provide you with protection suits to leave the TARDIS, whilst I…
BETTY
(interrupts) Fat chance! We’re coming with you, Doctor. We’re not letting you go deeper into the TARDIS by yourself.
JAMIE
Besides, you don’t know what our significance to Earth’s history is yet. You could be sending us out of harm’s way whereas we should be going with you.
DOCTOR
That possibility is too risky, Jamie.
BETTY
We’ll worry about that later. Let’s just get on with it before we keep on squabbling. Right, Jamie?
JAMIE
Right, Betty dear. (realises) I mean…sorry.
BETTY
(sweetly) ‘Betty dear’ is fine, Tada Junior.
DOCTOR
(gradually; sighs) Alright, have it your own way. Let’s set up the self-destruct device, shall we?
BETTY
Do you have any guns aboard the TARDIS, Doc? Could come in handy should we come across any Cybermen.
DOCTOR
I don’t have guns aboard the TARDIS, Betty. Not my style. Don’t like to see a gun aboard the TARDIS ever.
BETTY
Never mind. I’ll fetch those cricket bats and balls in that pavilion room of yours. Some of them we can use as weapons, provided they’re not all broken.
Betty heads out of the console room, leaving Jamie with the Doctor.
JAMIE
So, once you’re sorted, we go after Nyssa and Billy, right?
DOCTOR
That’s the sum of it, yes.
Moment of silence.
DOCTOR
Jamie?
JAMIE
Yes, Doctor?
DOCTOR
(gradually) I’m very sorry about the things I said to you. It was very rude of me. I didn’t know who I was then.
JAMIE
It’s alright, Doctor. No big deal.
DOCTOR
I don’t think you’re a coward, Jamie Tada.
JAMIE
(teasingly; challengingly) You ‘don’t think’ I am or you ‘know’?
DOCTOR
(gradually) As a matter of fact, Jamie, you’re one of the bravest humans I’ve ever met. Perhaps one of the greatest humans I’ve ever known.
JAMIE
(gradually) Thanks, Doctor. You’re not bad yourself.
The two shake hands and become friends again.
DOCTOR
Anyway, let’s get on with setting up the self-destruct device. No time to waste.
JAMIE
You’re right. Can’t stand around and chat all day.
SCENE #127 – INT – TARDIS, ZERO ROOM – N/A
Meanwhile, Nyssa and Billy work on increasing the ambience levels in the TARDIS Zero Room for the Cybermen. They work as steadily as they can, knowing that danger is outside.
BILLY
Are we getting there?
NYSSA
There’s a slight deficiency in the power levels for the Zero Room. Probably due to the tampering of the Cybermen’s control of many TARDIS systems.
BILLY
Perhaps we can draw power from the TARDIS console room. Surely the Doctor won’t begrudge us a little power transfer on that front.
NYSSA
Good idea. Let’s see if we can try initiating a power transfer from the console room.
BILLY
Let me help. I’ll access this computer terminal.
NYSSA
(wearingly) Billy, this isn’t really your expertise.
BILLY
Oh, you’d be surprised. I’ve gained a lot of computer knowledge from these dratted implants given to me by the Cybermen.
NYSSA
Yes. And that’s disturbingly worrying. I don’t like what the Cybermen have done to you and me.
BILLY
It’s disturbingly worrying that it’s still quiet out there. What are the Cybermen doing? Where have they gone?
NYSSA
Perhaps they’re waiting for us to come out. To draw us out on a false sense of security.
BILLY
Is it very likely for them to think that?
NYSSA
It’s a theory, but I suspect there’s more to it than that.
BILLY
I agree. I’m unconvinced they would even wait for us to come out. They’re two steps ahead of us at times.
NYSSA
(realises) Right, I think the power transfer from the console room is ready. Let’s try it, shall we?
Nyssa presses a button at the computer terminal. The power transfer is in progress, as there’s a humming noise in the background.
BILLY
Is it working?
NYSSA
It’s warming up. And the sequence is loading. We’ll have to wait a little while before the power transfer is complete.
Moment of silence.
BILLY
(gradually) Nyssa, when I left the Doctor, he called me ‘Adric’.
NYSSA
Did he?
BILLY
Yes. He’s done that for some time. Before and during our encounter with the Cybermen. He did it when he woke up from sleeping in the console room and before I came here to find you. (Pause) Does he think I’m Adric?
NYSSA
I’m sure he doesn’t think that, Billy.
BILLY
(gradually) Nyssa, why did you and the Doctor invite me into the TARDIS? Was it out of guilt?
NYSSA
(interjects; reassuringly) Billy, whatever happens we’re going to get through this. No matter what goes through the Doctor’s mind, mine and yours, we’re going to come out of this alive. We’re not going to die on account of the Cybermen.
BILLY
(unsettled) Is that what happened to Adric? He died because of the Cybermen? Do you think things will happen the same way to me as it did for him?
NYSSA
It’s not like that…
BILLY
(interjects) Be honest with me, Nyssa. I know you and the Doctor well enough. I see the look on your faces. That guilty look when thinking what will happen to Adric will happen to me. You see me as him, don’t you?
NYSSA
(gradually) Maybe at first. But not anymore.
BILLY
(sighs) Well, at least you’re honest with me.
NYSSA
Billy, the fact the Doctor calls you ‘Adric’ isn’t the point. It’s the fear. The fear we’re going to lose you. Lose one of our friends because of danger. Because of the Cybermen.
BILLY
We’ve faced many dangerous situations before. What makes this one so different?
Moment of silence, as Nyssa struggles to come up with an answer. Just then, banging echoes from outside.
BILLY
(anxiously) They’re back again! The Cybermen are trying to break down the door again. (Pause) With a battering ram, I think.
NYSSA
(disturbed) That’s not coming from the door outside, Billy. It’s coming from somewhere else.
BILLY
Somewhere else?
NYSSA
They’re trying to find another way into the Zero Room. But where?
BILLY
I don’t see how they can come in another way. There’s only one door and we locked that, right?
Moment of silence, as Nyssa thinks.
NYSSA
(realises; anxiously) Billy, over there!
BILLY
Where?
NYSSA
Up on the bulkhead of that wall.
Nyssa and Billy look, as banging sounds echo from behind the bulkhead of the wall.
BILLY
(shocked; realises) They’re crawling inside the tube tunnels. Just like we did earlier.
NYSSA
They’re getting into the Zero Room via the ventilation shafts. They’ll be in here in a few minutes.
BILLY
(despairingly) I knew it was too good to be true.
NYSSA
We need to have those ambience levels raised as soon as possible.
BILLY
Is the power transfer finished?
NYSSA
One moment.
Nyssa checks.
NYSSA
(gradually; relieved) Yes! Yes, it’s finished.
BILLY
(relieved) Good! Now we can raise the ambience levels.
NYSSA
Hold on. I must raise it to a high setting. This might take some time.
The banging increases from the bulkhead, as Billy looks to the wall.
BILLY
(urgently) Hurry, Nyssa. The Cybermen will be with us any minute.
NYSSA
(anxiously) I’m trying, Billy, but it’s very difficult.
Nyssa works as quickly as she can whilst Billy watches the wall anxiously, as the banging continues to echo from the bulkhead.
SCENE #128 – INT – TARDIS, CORRIDOR – N/A
In the TARDIS corridor, the Doctor, Betty and Jamie walk with cricket bats in their hands. They make their way cautiously down the corridor, looking out for any Cybermen.
JAMIE
Are you okay, Doctor?
DOCTOR
Yes, Jamie, I’m doing fine, thank you.
JAMIE
Are you okay, Betty?
BETTY
Yes, Jamie, you asked me that five seconds ago. I’m fine.
JAMIE
(gradually) Are you both scared?
DOCTOR + BETTY
(in unison) No.
JAMIE
Good. Me too.
BETTY
(shrewdly) This is the first time I’ve known you to be anxious, Tada Junior.
JAMIE
Yeah, well, it can’t be helped. I’ve never been anywhere as quiet as this. No Cybermen about. Can’t help get the jitters.
DOCTOR
They’ll turn up eventually, Jamie. Trust me. The Cybermen are known turning up unexpectedly when we’d least expect them.
BETTY
Let’s hope these cricket bats will be good as weapons.
DOCTOR
Yes, I hope so too. I’m glad you managed to find some cricket bats that weren’t broken.
BETTY
It wasn’t difficult. I have a nose for these things.
They continue moving quietly down the corridor until they come around the corner.
SCENE #129 – INT – TARDIS, CORRIDOR – N/A
JAMIE
(realises) Guys, look!
They look to see the next corridor completely converted with Cyber-technology. They move forward slowly as they enter the corridor.
DOCTOR
(aghast; shocked) Miscreants! They’ve completely ruined this corridor. And it’s one of my favourites.
JAMIE
(anxiously) We’re not going down here, are we? It’s like Frankenstein’s House of Horrors.
BETTY
We have no choice, do we?
DOCTOR
Betty’s right. (Pause) Come on. Let’s go on a bit further.
They walk down the corridor, cautiously looking out for any Cybermen. An uneasy atmosphere ensues.
BETTY
(wryly) They certainly know how to decorate. Fancy keeping some of this deco once we’ve finished, Doc?
DOCTOR
(realises; urgently) Back! Get back!
JAMIE
Why, what is it?
DOCTOR
(whispers) Cybermen! Keep quiet, you two!
The trio keep quiet, as a group of Cybermen march down the length of corridor. They march past their hiding place and stop for a moment to scan the area. After a while, the Cybermen stomp off and march again. Once they’ve gone, the Doctor, Betty and Jamie come out of hiding.
BETTY
(relieved) That was close.
JAMIE
Do you have an idea where we are, Doctor?
DOCTOR
Not sure, Jamie. (Pause) But we’re heading in the right direction of the cloister room, I’m sure of it. It’s where we need to go.
BETTY
How do you think we’ll find Nyssa and Billy once we get there?
DOCTOR
I don’t know, Betty. (Pause) One thing’s for certain. They’ll have already been implanted with Cyber technology.
JAMIE
Can you remove the implants?
DOCTOR
I wouldn’t like to raise hopes on that.
BETTY
(realises) Doctor, look! Cybermen!
DOCTOR
(urgently) Quickly, behind the wall! Don’t make any noise.
They get behind a wall and look to see some Cyberman standing before a nearby door. The Doctor, Betty and Jamie lower their voices as they talk.
JAMIE
(quietly; confused) Why are these Cybermen standing before a door?
BETTY
(quietly; surmises) You recognise it, don’t you, Doctor.
DOCTOR
(quietly; realises) Yes, I know where we are now. That door leads into the Zero Room.
BETTY
(quietly) Zero what?
DOCTOR
(quietly) We put you in there earlier to recover, remember? After your mishap with Tada’s assassins.
BETTY
(quietly; realises) Oh yeah, I remember. Gave me the creeps that room did.
JAMIE
(quietly) Well, what are these guys standing out here for then? What’s in this…Zero Room of yours?
DOCTOR
(quietly) It’s a room for healing, Jamie. To recover from huge radiation or intense stress levels. (Pause) I went in there to recover from my regeneration from one body into the next once.
JAMIE
(quietly) Huh?
BETTY
(quietly) Cybermen don’t need to recover, do they? Why are they trying to break in?
DOCTOR
(quietly) I don’t know. (Pause) Perhaps Nyssa and Billy are in there. The Cybermen might be trying to break in to recapture them.
BETTY
(quietly; determined) Then we should stop them. Hit them on the back with a cricket bat…
DOCTOR
(interrupts; quietly) Wait, Betty, wait! (Pause) There’s an open roundel for a tube tunnel on the far wall, see? It must lead into the ventilation shaft. The Cybermen must have crawled through that to get into the Zero Room. It may already be too late.
JAMIE
(quietly) Well, we’ve got to do something. We can’t just hide behind walls and watch the Cybermen take your friends away.
DOCTOR
(gradually; quietly) Quite right, Jamie. Yes, you’re right of course. (Pause) Let’s go back the way we came and see if we can find a way round…
But as the Doctor, Betty and Jamie turn back, some Cybermen appear and block their escape. They’re led by the Cyber Lieutenant.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Stay where you are. You are to be converted.
BETTY
(cries) Cybermen! Quick, use the bats!
DOCTOR
Betty, no!
Betty tries to hit a Cyberman with her cricket bat, but she’s immediately caught and cries out in pain. Jamie tries to defend himself, but he’s immediately caught as well and cries out in pain.
JAMIE
They’ve got us! The Cyberman have us! (annoyed) Fat lot of good those cricket bats were as weapons.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
You are the Doctor. You are required. You will be taken to see the Cyber Controller.
BETTY
(urgently) Run, Doctor! Run, quickly!
DOCTOR
(distressed) I can’t! I can’t leave you two!
JAMIE
(shouts; urgently) Just go, Doctor! It’s you they want!
BETTY
(shouts; urgently) For heaven’s sake, just go, Doctor! Go!! GO NOW!!!
Reluctantly, the Doctor runs for it.
DOCTOR
(calls) I’ll come back for you two, I promise!
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Stop him. Stop the Doctor escaping. He must be apprehended.
CYBERMEN
(in unison) Understood.
A group of Cybermen at the Cyber Lieutenant’s command stomp off and pursue the Doctor. Meanwhile, Betty and Jamie struggle in the grip of the Cybermen that have caught them.
BETTY
(defiantly) You won’t capture him, you know. The Doctor will sort you Cybermen out.
JAMIE
(defiantly) Yeah. Think you can outwit him again once more? I’d think again if I were you.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
It is of no consequence. All subjects will be converted. (Pause; to Cybermen) Take them to the cloister room immediately.
CYBERMEN
(in unison) Understood.
Betty and Jamie end up being taken away by their Cybermen captors, as they head off for the TARDIS cloister room.
SCENE #130 – INT – TARDIS, CORRIDOR – N/A
Elsewhere, the Doctor runs down the corridor away from his Cybermen pursuers before he reaches a wall.
DOCTOR
(triumphantly) Ah! Just what I need. An entrance to a tube tunnel. Now if the roundel’s not too stiff, I might be able to…
The Doctor gets on his hands and knees and begins to turn the roundel. He works hard in getting it open, as it’s very stiff.
DOCTOR
(determined) Come on, come on. Nearly there.
Just then, his Cybermen pursuers come stomping down the corridor towards them.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #9
Halt. Halt. You cannot escape us. Resist and you will be terminated.
At that moment, the Doctor unlocks the roundel and takes out the lid. Putting the roundel lid to one side, he gets inside the tube tunnel.
DOCTOR
(cheerily) Sorry, must dash.
The Cybermen make ready to open fire
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #9
Fire.
Once the Doctor’s inside, the Cybermen open fire. But it’s too late, as the Doctor has gone through. The Cybermen stand outside the wall for a bit. Eventually, Neptune Cyberman #9 activates his communicator on its chest.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #9
(through communicator) Report for Cyber Lieutenant. The Doctor has evaded us. He has entered Tube Tunnel Four-One-Nine.
CYBER LIEUTENANT (V’O)
Retrieve the Doctor for the Cyber Controller. You must capture him at the other end of the tube tunnel. Attend to it.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #9
(through communicator) Understood.
Neptune Cyberman #9 deactivates his communicator.
NEPTUNE CYBERMAN #9
Forward.
At that, the Cybermen led by Neptune Cyberman #9 march off to locate the other end of the tube tunnel the Doctor is in.
SCENE #131 – INT – TARDIS, TUBE TUNNEL #419 – N/A
In Tube Tunnel #419, the Doctor crawls his way through. He comes to a junction point and stops to rest and recover his breath.
DOCTOR
(frustrated) Idiot! Why did I leave Jamie and Betty behind to be captured? Why did I let them come with me at all? Now Earth’s history is at risk.
A moment of silence ensues.
DOCTOR
I still need to find out what their significance in Earth’s history is though. (Pause) I won’t find that out by staying here. Let’s move forward and reach for the end of the tube tunnel, shall we?
The Doctor continues crawling forward. Eventually, he stops for a moment.
DOCTOR
(realises) Oh no! They’ll be expecting me to come out at the end of the tunnel. (Pause) Well, I’ll just have to confuse them. I’ll head off on a series of junctions until I come to a tunnel’s end where they’ll least expect me. (Pause) Yes, let’s try that, Doctor.
With that, the Doctor continues crawling in the tunnel, making for another way out.
SCENE #132 – INT – TARDIS, ZERO ROOM – N/A
Back in the Zero Room, Nyssa and Billy ready themselves as they wait for the Cybermen to enter.
NYSSA
Ambience levels ready to be set. Now, Billy, are you ready to open the Zero Room doors?
BILLY
Yes, Nyssa, I am. Are you ready to run over here once you’ve pressed the button?
NYSSA
As soon as the Cybermen enter via the ventilation shaft, I’ll press the button and run over to you, yes. We’ll hold on to the doors for as long as we can once all the Cybermen are inside before we can get out.
BILLY
Well, don’t leave it too late. I can see one Cybermen about to come in.
At that moment, a Cyberman breaks in through the ventilation shaft. It crawls out from the shaft and appears in in the Zero Room, about to stand up.
NYSSA
Bear with me, Billy. I just need to wait for the right moment.
BILLY
(urgently) Hurry, Nyssa!
Once the Cyberman has stood up, it marches forward with other Cybermen coming up behind it.
NYSSA
Nearly there.
BILLY
(urgently) Nyssa!
NYSSA
Just a few seconds!
About all of the Cybermen have exited the ventilation shaft and have stood up, making their way towards Nyssa.
NYSSA
(cries) Now!!!
Nyssa presses the button and runs over to Billy. Once she meets up with him, they both hold onto the doors. As they hold on, the ambience levels rises and the Cyberman in the room start to float in the air.
NYSSA
(urgently) Now, Billy! Open the doors!
BILLY
You’re sure you unlocked them electronically?
NYSSA
(agitated; urgently) Yes, yes, Billy! Now open the doors!
BILLY
Opening them now!
Billy opens the doors, and they swing open. Nyssa and Billy hold on whilst more Cybermen enter from outside. Soon, all the Cybermen float in the air, groaning in confusion, as the gravity increases. The Cybermen fly up to the ceiling, both from outside the Zero Room and from the ventilation shaft.
BILLY
(cheers) We’ve done it! We’ve done it, Nyssa! Well done!
NYSSA
No, Billy. Like you said, we’ve done it. They’re all floating in the air with the high ambience levels increasing gravity, as we expected them to.
Nyssa and Billy watch as the disorientated Cybermen continue to float in the air.
BILLY
Nyssa, do you think we should get ourselves out of here now?
NYSSA
You’re right, Billy. Come on. Let’s get out while we still can.
BILLY
It’s going to be pretty difficult for us. We’re caught in high gravity too, you know.
NYSSA
(encouragingly) Don’t give up, Billy. Just go about it steadily with getting onto firm ground.
BILLY
Alright. Here we go.
Nyssa and Billy carefully make their way for the exit, escaping from the high gravity whilst holding onto the Zero Room doors.
NYSSA
(reassuringly) Nearly there, Billy. Nearly there.
It’s a struggle which lasts for a while, as Nyssa and Billy get their bearings. Eventually, they land in the doorway outside the Zero Room where the gravity isn’t so high.
BILLY
(cheers) Got it! We’re on firm ground! Nothing to make us float in the air like those Cybermen are doing.
NYSSA
(pleased) Good! Right, let’s run! Come on!
Nyssa and Billy run for it, as they head out of the Zero Room, leaving the floating Cybermen behind.
© Tim Bradley, 2025
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