2. Journey Through The Clouds
SCENE #10 – EXT – HIGH SKY, CLOSE TO CLOUD CITY – DAY, MORNING
The mission begins as the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy traverse through the clouds and sky. They manage to maintain flight in their hazard protection suits and rocket packs as they propel forwards.
BILLY
(calls) “Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“Yes Billy?”
BILLY
“I’m getting used to this method of flying! It’s quite invigorating!”
DOCTOR
“I’m glad you’re getting the hang of it, Billy. It’s not as good as TARDIS travel though.”
NYSSA
“You seem to have mastered the flying technique, Billy.”
BILLY
(laughs) “I’ve always wanted to travel with a rucksack containing rockets on my back.” (Pause) “I hope these things have parachutes.”
NYSSA
“They’ll probably have retro-rockets to slow us down should we descend to the ground.”
BILLY
“I prefer the old method. Parachutes are much safer.”
DOCTOR
“Don’t let the clouds get to your heads, you two. Check your suit’s thrusters, oxygen supply and fuel supply. They can run out on you pretty quickly should we use these packs frequently.”
NYSSA
“We don’t even know where we’re heading, Doctor. We’re flying aimlessly at present. King Sungam didn’t give us a map on where to go.”
DOCTOR
“Ah! King Sungam didn’t, but Lord Ganl and Mr. Dalgix certainly did.”
The Doctor then carefully takes out something to show Nyssa and Billy.
BILLY
(realises) “The map to time!“
NYSSA
You’ve had that in your pockets since we left the TARDIS?
DOCTOR
Of course! We can use the map to guide us on our way in the sky to track down the third coin of Deno.
BILLY
Are we just going to collect the coin and get out of here or are we also going to collect the other lost relics we’ve been asked to collect by King Sungam?
DOCTOR
Oh we’ll collect the other lost relics too, Billy. They could have some significance, especially since we were chosen by King Sungam himself for this mission. We have to find out why that is.
NYSSA
I wonder how these lost relics relate to the Blue Cloud Revolution. I don’t see the connection.
DOCTOR
Don’t worry, Nyssa. We’ll find out eventually.
NYSSA
Provided we get back to Cloud City safely that is.
Just then, eagles caw nearby. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look to see eagles flying beside them.
NYSSA
(astonished) “Doctor! There are big birds flying beside us!”
DOCTOR
“Eagles, Nyssa! Don’t worry, nothing to worry about.”
BILLY
(surprised) “They have eagles on this planet?!”
NYSSA
(anxiously) “I don’t like the way they make that noise. Those caws they make sound terrifying.”
BILLY
“It’s alright, Nyssa. The Doctor’s right. The eagles won’t attack us from this distance.”
NYSSA
“They seem to be getting closer though. Are they dangerous?”
DOCTOR
(realises) “These ones certainly are. There are four of them! And the way they’re flapping their wings…”
Just then, one of the eagles flaps its wings vibrantly, sending a great gush of wind towards the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
BILLY
(cries) “Nyssa; Doctor! Get down!”
As Billy pulls Nyssa and the Doctor down whilst in flight, the great gush of wind sweeps past over their heads.
NYSSA
(relieved) “Thank you, Billy. We would’ve had it if it hadn’t been for you pulling us down. That gush of wind the eagle sent us came straight at us!”
BILLY
“What is it with these eagles?! They seem to have a death wish upon us. Are they highly intelligent?”
DOCTOR
(intrigued) “It’s hard to tell. The gush of wind was certainly meant to attack us.” (Pause) “Come on, you two. Look straight ahead and keep flying forwards!”
BILLY
“But where are we heading?”
DOCTOR
“To the north. A shame it isn’t night-time yet. We could be heading for the second star to the right and straight onto morning!”
BILLY
“This isn’t a good time to quote from J. M. Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’, Doctor.”
NYSSA
“I don’t see how heading for the second star to the right and straight onto…oh, tell me later. Let’s head north before the eagles catch up with us!”
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy propel faster into the clouds as the eagles slowly catch up with them in flight.
SCENE #11 – INT – GREAT COURTYARD, KING’S PALACE – DAY, MORNING
Back in the great courtyard of King Sungam’s palace on Skydra, the king watches the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy on a viewscreen in the clouds. He has a dancer girl sitting next to him.
KING SUNGAM
(laughs) “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Yes, I’m still a handsome devil! Even as I watch the Doctor and his friends traversing through the clouds, the viewscreen still reflects my gorgeous beauty.” (to dancer girl) “Isn’t that right, my dear?”
The dancer girl giggles as she cuddles up to King Sungam. Just then, something catches the king’s attention on the viewscreen.
KING SUNGAM
“Oh, what’s this? The Doctor and his friends. Does it look like they’re being chased by eagles?” (realises) “Oh yes, it does! They are being chased by eagles! Oh dear. I should have warned them about that, shouldn’t I.” (Pause) “Ah well, it doesn’t matter. They may die out there, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
Just then, King Sungam goes for the beer and food on a table with the dancer girl joining him. They laugh and giggle together whilst attending to their beer and food.
KING SUNGAM
(bellows) “Yeah! Give us some more beer and food! More meat and less of the vegetables!”
King Sungam smashes a bowl of vegetables aside on the table.
KING SUNGAM
(bellows) “I keep telling everyone! Vegetables are for peasants!”
At that moment, Counsellor Sern and Governor Fonda enter.
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Excuse me, your majesty.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“We wish to speak to you about an urgent matter.”
KING SUNGAM
(bellows) I don’t care if it’s my wife! Tell her I’m dumping her!
GOVERNOR FONDA
No, your majesty. It’s not your wife. Whichever one that is.
COUNSELLOR SERN
We are deeply concerned for the Doctor and his companions travelling out there in the clouds and the sky. It could be a dangerous mission for them to collect these lost relics of ours.
KING SUNGAM
Indeed? How so?
COUNSELLOR SERN
You had no right to summon them on a quest when they don’t know the ways of our society. Of our Blue Cloud Revolution!
GOVERNOR FONDA
It should have been Skydra’s finest warriors who should have been sent out there into the sky! Not a trio of strangers!
KING SUNGAM
Oh really?! Well, if that’s your attitude, I might as well be straight with you two. I am the king! I decide who does my will and who doesn’t. Whether they’d be Skydrian or not.
GOVERNOR FONDA
But it breaks with tradition, your majesty! It breaks with the Blue Cloud Revolution!
COUNSELLOR SERN
This course of action will make you unpopular, your majesty. It could also bring ruin!
KING SUNGAM
(laughs; scoffs) “That’s just…” (yawns) “…very old-fashioned thinking. I don’t care for all that nonsense. Times have changed. So must Skydra and its people. I say what we should do and what we shouldn’t don’t. For I am the king!”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Yes, your majesty. Which is why we advise caution…”
KING SUNGAM
(interrupts; scoffs) “Oh stuff it, you boring woman! Allow me to enjoy myself! Let me continue watching the Doctor and his friends’ progress in the sky!”
With that, King Sungam looks back to the viewscreen in the clouds to continue watching the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy traversing through the sky whilst being chased by eagles. His dancer girl still sits next to him as he and she laugh and giggle away whilst watching the viewscreen, Counsellor Sern and Governor soon walk away and go off in a corner to have a private conversation.
GOVERNOR FONDA
“I had high hopes for the king ever since his father died.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“This is something I dreaded and thought would never happen. I hoped his majesty would not be so outrageous, Fonda.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“He’s been like that ever since he was a small boy. I hoped he would grow out of his outrageous tendencies.” (sighs) “Oh I wish his mother was still alive. He wouldn’t be so idle then. So arrogant. And so big in proportions, kindly putting it.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Fonda? May I confide something with you?”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Of course, Counsellor. Go ahead.”
Making sure they’re not overheard, Sern and Fonda go behind a curtain.
COUNSELLOR SERN
“I’m afraid I’ve taken liberties and have gone against the king.” (Pause; whispers) “I went to the king’s chambers last night.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
(shocked; quietly) “What?! Counsellor, you don’t mean to say…”
COUNSELLOR SERN
(interjects) “No, no, no! Great deity of Skydra, nothing like that!” (Pause) “The king is not what he seems, Fonda. I’ve checked his belongings in the drawers and in the chest units of his wardrobe. He’s been hiding something from us. Something suspicious.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“You went through the king’s personal belongings?! Even his underpants?”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“I’m willing to show you what I found in his chambers, if you’re willing to believe me.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“By all means, show me. Though I do not know what it is you expect me to be surprised by.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“More shocked than surprised I’m afraid, Fonda.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Me shocked?”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“I will show you what I’ve found, but first things first. I suggest we send Commander Bregone and Lieutenant Robell to locate and help the Doctor and his friends who are currently out there in the sky.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Shall I summon them?”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Yes. Have them meet me and you in my chambers. We shall instruct them what to do from there. Then I shall share to you the secret that King Sungam has been hiding from us.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Very well. As you wish, Counsellor. The Blue Cloud Revolution is in full swing though.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Yes. But I doubt the sky will stay blue and that there’ll be clouds forever. A black cloud approaching is soon approaching Cloud City.”
Puzzled and troubled by Counsellor Sern’s words, Governor Fonda soon follows her out of the great courtyard as they make to enter the king’s palace.
SCENE #12 – EXT – HIGH SKY, CLOSE TO CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, MORNING
Back with the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy; they have been traversing the sky and through the clouds for quite some time. They soon come across something that sparks their interest.
BILLY
(astonished) “Doctor, Nyssa? That wasn’t there before, was it? The monument set upon that cloud.”
NYSSA
“No, it wasn’t there before, Billy. And it’s not a monument. It’s a building of some kind.”
DOCTOR
“We might have some luck here on what we have to find. Come on. Let’s touchdown on that runway pad positioned for air vehicles and the like.”
NYSSA
“Can the map to time detect the third coin of Deno inside that building, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
I’m not sure. We’ll find out once we land. Let’s get down to firm ground before the eagles that were chasing us catch up.
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy make to touchdown on the runway pad where the building sitting upon the cloud is. Eagle caws echo from a distance.
SCENE #13 – EXT – RUNWAY PAD, CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, MORNING
On the runway pad, Nyssa, Billy and the Doctor land safely. They switch off their rocket packs attached to their hazard protection suits once they’ve landed.
BILLY
Good thing we didn’t travel heavy. I feel exhausted.
NYSSA
The rushing wind and the sun has got to me. (yawns) I feel sleepy.
DOCTOR
No worries. We’ll rest a minute before we move on. Better remove your helmets, you two.
At that, the TARDIS trio remove their safety helmets from their heads. They breathe deep, feeling the fresh air entering their lungs. Eagle caws echo again in the distance.
NYSSA
(apprehensively) “Should we really rest here, Doctor? I can still hear those eagles in the sky nearby.”
DOCTOR
“I doubt they’ll be interested in us anymore, Nyssa. We’re on firmer ground now. Besides, the clouds will give us cover. They’ll prevent the eagles from tracking us.”
NYSSA
“I hope you’re right about that, Doctor.”
BILLY
(realises) “Did you see that?”
DOCTOR
“See what, Billy?”
BILLY
“In the sky! Something fell down! It looked like a person.” (sighs) “I couldn’t see a parachute though. The clouds have misted things up for me to see what’s in the sky.”
NYSSA
“Who would want to come to a place like this? Was someone following us?”
BILLY
“There could have been someone following us. We seem to have attracted a lot of attention lately.”
NYSSA
“I wonder what’s inside that building. Perhaps it’s a house that belongs to a hermit. Maybe it’s a scientific institute of some kind.”
DOCTOR
We have to collect the four lost Skydrian relics we’ve been asked to collect. One of them must be in this building here.
NYSSA
The four relics are a sword; a space helmet; a plant specimen and a gold coin. Hopefully we’ll find one of them inside. The gold coin if we’re fortunate enough.
BILLY
Does the map to time say that the coin is inside?
The Doctor takes out and checks the map to time to see. The map beeps wildly as he checks.
DOCTOR
(gradually) No. I’m afraid it doesn’t.
NYSSA
“Well, that’s it then. The coin’s not in that building, so we’ll have to go somewhere else. To another cloud.”
DOCTOR
“Not until we’ve sorted out that museum.”
BILLY
(puzzled) “Museum?”
DOCTOR
“Oh yes! I’m pretty sure the building we’re looking at is a museum. I’d like to find out exactly what’s in there and what lost relic we’re supposed to find.”
NYSSA
“And presumably determine how it connects to the Blue Cloud Revolution.”
DOCTOR
“You read my mind, Nyssa.”
Just then, screeching sounds of eagles echo nearby as the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look to see them coming towards them.
BILLY
(panics) “Doctor, I thought you said the clouds would give us cover and would stop the eagles from finding us!”
NYSSA
“And you indicated the eagles wouldn’t be interested in us anymore.”
DOCTOR
“Well, I can’t be good at knowing everything, can I?”
NYSSA
“We should get a move on! Head for the museum!”
DOCTOR
“Quite right, Nyssa! We’ve had our rest. Come on! Best foot forward and run!”
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy get up and make a run for it, as they head for the museum building. The oncoming eagles swoop towards them.
SCENE #14 – EXT – FRONT ENTRANCE, CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, MORNING
At the front entrance to the museum building, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy arrive. They pant for breath after running away from the eagles in order to get to the front entrance.
DOCTOR
(cheers) “The Cloud Museum!”
NYSSA
“I beg your pardon, Doctor”
DOCTOR
“That’s what it’s called according to the inscription on this wall here. The Cloud Museum! Of course! It makes sense to have it called the Cloud Museum after coming from the Cloud City itself, doesn’t it?”
BILLY
“The Skydrians aren’t very imaginative in what they name their places, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“They’re isolated, Billy. Cut off from the rest of the universe. They don’t have the need to differentiate from other cultures.”
NYSSA
“Well, at least we got away from those eagles wherever they are now. They were hot on our tail when pursuing us.”
BILLY
“I wonder what happened to that person I saw falling down from the sky. What is it a he or she? Where did that person come from and how did he or she get up in the sky in the first place?”
DOCTOR
“So many questions indeed.” (Pause) “Anyway, time to worry about answers later. Let’s go inside the museum, shall we? What lost relic will we find in there?”
NYSSA
“I doubt this is the wisest course of action, Doctor. We’re venturing into a place where we have no idea what danger lies inside.”
DOCTOR
“I laugh in the face of danger, Nyssa.”
NYSSA
“So we’ve noticed many times.”
With that, they enter the museum, as the glass doors open and close for them. Distant eagle caws echo in the wind nearby.
SCENE #15 – INT – COUNSELLOR SERN’S CHAMBERS, KING’S PALACE – DAY, MORNING
Back on Cloud City, in Counsellor Sern’s chambers in the king’s palace, the counsellor and Governor Fonda meet up with Commander Bregone and Lieutenant Robell. They give them instructions regarding the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
COUNSELLOR SERN
Do you understand what it is we’re asking you to do, Commander Bregone; Lieutenant Robell?
GOVERNOR FONDA
You are to journey through the clouds; locate the Doctor and his friends; and assist them in anyway that you can. Help them track down the lost four relics that the king has commanded them to do.
BREGONE
We understand, Counsellor Sern; Governor Fonda.
ROBELL
We shall go as you instruct us.
GOVERNOR FONDA
That is all we ask.
COUNSELLOR SERN
And remember this important thing. The king mustn’t know of this. You mustn’t tell the king that you have received these instructions from us.
BREGONE
“Pardon me, madam, but why mustn’t the king know what we are doing? Is he unaware of the commands you give to us? We thought this was a secret mission for the king.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
(brusquely) “It is to be done in the king’s name, yes. Do you doubt the king in your heart and do you go against his word, soldier?”
BREGONE
“No, Governor. My apologies. I didn’t mean to sound doubtful.” (to Robell) “Come, Robell. We must go and seek out the Doctor and his companions.”
ROBELL
“Right you are, Commander Bregone. Let’s go!”
With that, Bregone and Robell leave. Sern and Fonda remain.
GOVERNOR FONDA
“They became suspicious, Counsellor.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“True. But your assurance that what we ask them to do is to be done in the king’s name convinced them otherwise.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“I hope they will locate the Doctor and his friends in time before the king himself becomes suspicious.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Indeed. And oh I hope we will be able to sort out the king. Sort out his madness.”
Pretty soon, they leave Counsellor Sern’s chambers in order to rejoin the festivities of the Blue Cloud Revolution.
SCENE #16 – INT – MAIN ART GALLERY CORRIDOR 15, CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, in the Cloud Museum, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy walk down a corridor as they look at some exhibits of Skydrian art.
NYSSA
“They seem to have everything in this museum. They must have collected endless items. The organisation of it all does appear rather messy.”
BILLY
I agree. The items are rather stuffed in every corner of this corridor. At least there are glass windows for us to see the open sky outside. And there are latches on these windows that can allow us to open them as well as allow fresh air to enter inside.
NYSSA
Thank goodness for that!
DOCTOR
I suspect this is where they house all their forgotten relics that were once Skydrian art that’s been rejected and kept locked up over the years.
NYSSA
I like some of the paintings on the wall. And the dresses they have on display. They’re so beautiful. Silk and lace. I’d like to wear one of them.
BILLY
You’d look beautiful in one of them I’m sure, sweetheart.
NYSSA
Thank you, my dear Billy.
A moment of tender silence ensues.
BILLY
“The military uniforms on display look interesting. So refined and grand. The boots are quite snazzy too. These uniforms must be generation old. They look better than the ones the current Skydrian soldiers wear.”
NYSSA
(teases) “I suppose you like the weapons accompanying these uniforms too, Billy.”
BILLY
(mock-shocked) “My dear Nyssa! What do you take me for?”
A ripple of amusement occurs between them.
NYSSA
“What about you, Doctor? Anything from this collection stand out for you?”
DOCTOR
“Oh I’ve seen it all before, Nyssa. Paintings of skies; great battles fought between warring nations; banquets…”
BILLY
“You’re not impressed then.”
DOCTOR
“On the contrary, Billy. I am impressed indeed.” (Pause) “But for me, the greatest art gallery in the universe has to be the Lourve in Paris on the planet Earth.”
NYSSA
(astonished) “The Lourve in Paris? On the planet Earth?”
BILLY
“Oh I’ve always wanted to see Paris! Any place in France in fact. Cannes even!”
DOCTOR
“And I’m sure we’ll get a chance to visit France in whatever place we go to someday. Once this quest of ours is over of course. Perhaps we’ll visit France during our quest or on some diversion. You never know with these things.”
NYSSA
“Let’s go off down that corridor over there. There might be something of interest.”
DOCTOR
“Good suggestion, Nyssa. Come on. The sooner we find this space helmet; the sword or whatever is here in this museum, the better.”
BILLY
“Lead on, Doctor.”
With that, they make their way down the corridor and turn around the corner to enter another one on the right.
SCENE #17 – INT – MAIN ART GALLERY CORRIDOR 15A, CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, MORNING
Around the corner in the corridor on the right, Nyssa, Billy and the Doctor see a series of dead foes put on display. This makes them uneasy.
NYSSA
(shudders) “These must be the remains of the dead foes that the Skydrians once fought. I wish we hadn’t come down here.”
DOCTOR
“The dead can’t harm us, Nyssa. We shouldn’t be down here for too long anyway.”
BILLY
“Anyone you recognise here, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Not instantly no, but…”
NYSSA
(anxiously) “Doctor! Look over there!”
DOCTOR
“What is it, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
“Standing in the corner. Look!”
DOCTOR
“Good grief! A Cyberman! A Cybermen in a museum display case.”
The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy go over to examine the Cyberman as it stands upright in its museum display case. A moment of silence ensues.
NYSSA
“I’m never sure if it’s alive or dead.”
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) “It’s alright, Nyssa. I believe it’s harmless. It must have had its cerebral organs removed once the Skydrians dissembled it.” (realises) “See? The headset’s open at the back.”
NYSSA
“Oh yes, I see.”
BILLY
“It does appear to be a scary sight. I wouldn’t like to meet one of them in the dark.”
NYSSA
“And to think we were there on Mondas to witness their creation, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Indeed.” (bitterly) “Such cold-hearted automatons, they are.”
A moment of silence ensues.
DOCTOR
“Well, hopefully we won’t be seeing Cybermen again any time soon in our travels.”
BILLY
“You hope.”
DOCTOR
“Of course, Billy. One must always live in hope.”
NYSSA
(apprehensively) Come on. I don’t like this place. Let’s get out of this corridor.
DOCTOR
Quite right, Nyssa. Come on. Back the way we came.
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy head back the way they came. However, they don’t realise that they’re being watched. Micheller the bandit comes out of hiding in the corridor the TARDIS trio were in. She switches on her communicator and quietly speaks into it.
MICHELLER
(through communicator) Z-Eagle-Eagle-Eagle to Hawk-Four-Four-Sky. Do you register, over?
Crackling interference occurs. No response. Micheller tries again.
MICHELLER
(through communicator) Z-Eagle-Eagle-Eagle to Hawk-Four-Four-Sky. Register, over!
More crackling interference occurs. Eventually, Micheller gets a response. Dannier’s voice echoes from Micheller’s communicator.
DANNIER (V’O)
“Hawk-Four-Four-Sky receiving you loud and clear, Z-Eagle-Eagle-Eagle. Repeat. Receiving you loud and clear, over.”
MICHELLER
(through communicator) “Dannier, I’m on the trail of those three intruders to Skydra. I’m going after them. Waiting for the right moment, over”
DANNIER (V’O)
“Be careful, Micheller. These people could be dangerous. They might try anything to fight back, over.”
MICHELLER
(through communicator) I’m not afraid. I’m ready for anything. Be reporting in soon, over.
DANNIER (V’O)
Understood. Be careful, my love. Over.
MICHELLER
(through communicator) I will, my love. Over and out.
With that, Micheller switches off her communicator once she’s finished. She then draws a dagger from her belt and begins to follow the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
SCENE #18 – EXT – HIGH SKY, CLOSE TO CLOUD CITY – DAY, NOON
Coming at noon-time, in the clouds of Skydra, Commander Bregone and Lieutenant Robell journey through the clouds and the sky in their hazard protection suits with rocket packs attached and propelling them forwards. They traverse the sky in order to find the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
BREGONE
(irritably) Keep focused, Robell. We don’t want to slack finding our prey, do we?
ROBELL
Sorry. I was just making sure that my oxygen supply wasn’t half-full.
BREGONE
(irritably) “Well next time, check your oxygen supply before we leave.”
ROBELL
(agitated) “I do check, but you always zoom off ahead of me and I have to catch up with you! It’s not fair! You should wait for me before we leave.”
BREGONE
(irritably) “Oh, so you’re blaming me now, are you? Remember who it was that recruited you into the Skydra military corps.”
ROBELL
(annoyed) “I haven’t forgotten and I’m already dreading the memory.”
BREGONE
“We must keep our focus on tracking down the Doctor and his friends. Their trail will lead us to the first cloud they come across.”
ROBELL
“That’s where the Cloud Museum is, isn’t it?”
BREGONE
“Correct. I’m gratified you remember that detail in the Skydrian legends.”
ROBELL
“If you weren’t so mean to me, I would be more competent.”
BREGONE
(agitated) “Me?! Mean to you?!”
ROBELL
“I know you have family troubles, but don’t lay them on me all the time. I’ve enough on my plate knowing my boyfriend is a secret agent and that he kept it hidden from me.”
BREGONE
“Alright, alright.” (calms down; sighs) “We’re pretty stressed at present. You’ve got your problems; I’ve got mine. Let’s try and keep our bickering to a minimum, shall we?”
ROBELL
(grimly) “I’d like nothing better.”
BREGONE
“So long as you do as I say, we should approach the first cloud fine and attend to the Doctor and friends swiftly.”
A moment of silence ensues between as they fly forwards.
ROBELL
How do you want to approach this then?
BREGONE
There are four stopping points in the Doctor and friends’ quest. We come to the first one: the Cloud Museum. Next one will be the cave; the next one after that will be the green house and the next one after that will be the tower. As I recall, the tower houses the most treasured of the four lost relics that the king wants.
ROBELL
Come on then. Let’s speed things up a little bit with our rocket packs. We’ll be in the clouds all day and tomorrow morning if we slow down in the sky.
BREGONE
Correct. Let’s keep moving.
With that, Bregone and Robell continue to fly on with their rocket packs propelling them forwards through the sky in order to reach the Cloud Museum ahead.
SCENE #19 – INT – MAIN ART GALLERY CORRIDOR 16, CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back in the art gallery in the Cloud Museum, the Doctor is walking in another corridor, examining the exhibits with keen interest. Nyssa and Billy linger on behind.
DOCTOR
“These artefacts are really interesting! I wish we can get a guidebook to identify what these artefacts are. Pretty odd that they don’t have a curator here.” (Pause) “You know I could be a curator. I’d be great at curating. I could be called the Great [Curator…”]
As the Doctor says familiar lines from a future ‘Doctor Who’ story whilst wandering on ahead and turning around the corner, Nyssa and Billy walk together in the corridor.
BILLY
(concerned) “Nyssa, sweetheart? Are you alright?”
NYSSA
“Me? Yes, I’m fine, dear. Why do you ask?”
BILLY
“You look preoccupied. Deep in thought.”
A moment of silence ensues.
NYSSA
“It’s just…” (Pause) “I can’t help think of that Cyberman exhibit we passed. It reminds me of Adric. Of how he died.” (Pause) “It’s so hard to get over his death.”
BILLY
“Yeah. I know what you mean. It’s difficult.” (Pause) “It’s not easy to get over the fact that someone you loved or truly cared about has passed away or been killed. I’m still getting over the fact that my nan died when I was away from home.”
NYSSA
“Yes. It’s the same with my father when he got killed. I miss him still.” (Pause) “I’d like to think I’m continuing to honour his memory by progressing forward in my life.”
BILLY
“I’m sure your father would be very proud of you, Nyssa.” (Pause) “And no matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you. You can count on that.”
NYSSA
“Thank you, Billy. I’m very thankful in your support of me.”
With that, the two lovingly embrace each other as they stand about in the corridor. They soon continue walking.
BILLY
“How long have we been in this museum, do you think? It feels like we’ve been walking down these endless corridors for hours.”
NYSSA
“We seem to be in the armoury section. We might be able to find the space helmet here.”
BILLY
“Yes, but haven’t you noticed something, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
No, what is it, Billy?
BILLY
These display cases containing helmets in the corridor. They seem fairly modern. Almost recent.
NYSSA
I gather you’re trying to make a point.
BILLY
King Sungam said that these lost relics we’re meant to be collecting came from long ago. That they’re ancient.
NYSSA
(realises) Yes, I see what you mean. If these helmets we’re seeing in their display cases are fairly new and in mint condition, then perhaps…
BILLY
(finishes) Perhaps there’s a display case containing an ancient helmet somewhere. Or at least the display case is ancient and the helmet has been preserved for a very long period of time.
NYSSA
(gradually) Come on. Let’s go and find the Doctor before we lose him since he’s wandered off by himself.
BILLY
“He seems to do that quite often, doesn’t he?”
With that, Nyssa and Billy continue forwards in order to find the Doctor.
SCENE #20 – INT – MAIN ART GALLERY CORRIDOR 16A, CLOUD MUSEUM – DAY, AFTERNOON
Around the corner, the Doctor finds himself in a huge hall. It contains more display cases filled with space helmets. He looks to one display case with keen interest.
DOCTOR
“Aha! This must be it! The oldest of space helmets in the entire museum, considering its ancient architecture over the years.” (calls) “Nyssa; Billy! Here’s the helmet…” (realises) “Oh, they’ve lagged behind.” (Pause) “Ah well. Might as well attend to taking it out of its display case myself for a bit.”
Approaching the display case, the Doctor begins to open it in order to take out the space helmet.
DOCTOR
“Hmm. Now, the trick with this is to disconnect the hatch. Then with a lovely sound…”
Click! The display case door opens once the Doctor has disconnected the hatch.
DOCTOR
“Got it! I must thank Harry Houdini again for his lock-breaking tips to me.”
As soon as he has opened the display case, the Doctor takes out the space helmet from it.
DOCTOR
“Yes! And here I have the space helmet. I hope it’s the correct one.” (Pause; curious) “Hmm. I wonder why no security alarms have gone off since I took the helmet out of its display case.”
Just then, a scream echoes behind him. The Doctor turns around and ducks out of the way, as Micheller charges towards him, almost lashing out at him with her dagger. Micheller advances upon him again, gritting her teeth, whilst the Doctor holds onto the space helmet in his hands.
DOCTOR
(realises) “Ah! The lady bandit! You’ve come to stay hello again, have you? Be careful where you point that dagger mind. You could do some serious damage to this helmet I’m carrying as well as to me. I don’t want a scratch to be found on this helmet when I deliver it back to the king.”
MICHELLER
(cries) “Die, intruder! DIE!!!!!”
Micheller makes to strike again, but the Doctor manages to dodge out of the way. He keeps dodging her as she keeps striking at him with her dagger.
DOCTOR
(pleads) Now please! Let’s stop and talk this over like reasonable people, shall we?
MICHELLER
(bitterly) You do not deserve to live! Die, you malicious scoundrel!
Micheller strikes again, just as Nyssa and Billy enter.
BILLY
(astonished) Nyssa! The Doctor’s tackling the woman we saw yesterday on the planet surface!
NYSSA
Help me. Billy! Help me stop her!
With that, Nyssa and Billy run forward and jump onto Micheller, rescuing the Doctor. They pin her down to the floor. Micheller struggles to break as Nyssa and Billy pin her down.
MICHELLER
(cries; angrily) Let me go, you scum! Let me go at once!
DOCTOR
(gratified) Thank you, Nyssa and Billy. Keep this woman pinned down whilst I ask her some questions.
BILLY
“You ask her questions, Doctor?! This woman’s quite strong to be pinned down forever!”
NYSSA
“Keep holding her down, Billy! We can’t let her get away!”
Nyssa and Billy do their best to keep Micheller pinned down as she struggles to break free. The Doctor kneels down and addresses her.
DOCTOR
“Now then, what’s all this about? Why did you and your people attack us yesterday on the planet surface? And why did you try to kill me today?”
MICHELLER
(bitterly) “Treacherous scum! You’ll kill us all! You make me sick!”
NYSSA
(puzzled) “What is she talking about, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
(confused) “I don’t know. Obviously we must have done something to upset her and her people.”
NYSSA
(to Micheller) “You clearly have us mistaken for somebody else, whoever you are.”
BILLY
(to Micheller) “Yeah. We’re just came here something. Four somethings in fact…”
MICHELLER
(yells; savagely) “PIGS!!! TREACHEROUS SCUM!!! SICKOS!”
DOCTOR
(sighs) “This isn’t getting us anywhere. We have the space helmet. We may as well move on.”
BILLY
“We can’t just leave her here. She’s too dangerous.”
NYSSA
“She’s bound to follow us wherever we go. We might not be able to outrun her.”
DOCTOR
“We’re not going to leave her here. She’s coming with us.”
BILLY
(gobsmacked) “Are you being serious?!”
NYSSA
“We can’t have a murderous woman like her with us, Doctor. She might try to kill you again. Kill all three of us!”
MICHELLER
(bitterly) “You’re all animals! Soulless heartless animals!”
DOCTOR
“I daresay she would try to kill us. But I think she’s got all the answers to what’s going on Skydra. I think it’s best we keep three pairs of eyes on her.”
BILLY
(realises; cries) “Doctor; Nyssa! Look out!”
At that moment, the museum’s glass windows smash as the eagles come crashing through. Flapping their wings, the eagles screech wildly once they’re in the museum.
NYSSA
“The eagles! They’ve found us!”
BILLY
“And they crashed their way into the museum through the windows.” (Pause) “Perhaps this woman summoned them here. She might have been the person I saw falling from the sky outside earlier!”
MICHELLER
(praises) “Great Sky Gods! I praise you with everlasting joy in my heart!”
DOCTOR
(urgently) “Quickly! We must get out of here! The eagles will soon be attacking us with their wing power!”
This is true, as the eagles begin to flap their wings and a great wind is caused. It blows the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy off their feet. Micheller is swept along with them too.
NYSSA
(astonished) They’re using their wings to create wind?!
BILLY
How are they able to do that?! What’s in those wings of theirs?
DOCTOR
No time to debate about that now. Come on, you two! We must get away from here! Take the woman with us.
NYSSA
She’s about to escape!
BILLY
Don’t worry! I’ll stop her!
Micheller gets up from the floor and tries to get away before she’s swept up by the wind and she screams.
NYSSA
She’s caught by the wind!
DOCTOR
(cries) “Billy, grab her quickly!”
With that, Billy manages to catch her and bring her down to the ground without being swept away by the wind.
MICHELLER
(astounded) “You boy! You saved my life!”
BILLY
“Think nothing of it.”
DOCTOR
“Well done, Billy! I thought we were going to lose her.”
BILLY
(cries) “Doctor, behind you! Nyssa!”
Nyssa finds herself being swept off her feet by the wind and she cries out afraid. The Doctor thankfully manages to grab her in time and pull her down to the ground.
NYSSA
(relieved) “Doctor, thank you. Thank you so much. I thought I almost had it.”
BILLY
“Well done, Doctor! Thank you for saving my beloved.”
DOCTOR
“Don’t mention it, Billy. Now come on! Down this corridor and out the museum we go!”
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy head off down the corridor, taking Micheller with them, as they make to leave the museum. The eagles keep on attacking as they flap their wings and stir gusts of wind. They soon depart the museum, flying out of the window they smashed through.
SCENE #21 – INT – GREAT COURTYARD, KING’S PALACE – DAY, AFTERNOON
Back in the courtyard of the king’s palace on Cloud City, King Sungam has become bored. He sits slumped in his seat watching the entertainment on the viewscreen.
KING SUNGAM
(bored) Oh come on! Why is it taking so long?! This Doctor should have got those four lost relics for me by now!
The king belches before he turns to the dancer girl who’s sitting next to him.
KING SUNGAM
(bloated) Hey, pretty thing. Do you fancy a grilled cheese dinner tonight?
At that moment, Counsellor Sern and Governor Fonda enter.
COUNSELLOR SERN
Your majesty, King Sungam!
GOVERNOR FONDA
We wish to speak to you!
KING SUNGAM
“Not now, you bozos! Can’t you see I’m busy? I’m waiting for the Doctor and his friends to show up on the screen again!”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“You’ve been watching that screen for the past five hours, your majesty.”
KING SUNGAM
“A king is entitled to any form of entertainment. Even if it does long and tediously boring!”
Just then, something appears on the viewscreen, attracting the king’s attention.
KING SUNGAM
“Aha! Now this is more like it! There goes the Doctor! His friends are with him and…” (realises) “Oh! Look! They’ve got a girl with them! She must be one them bandits!”
GOVERNOR FONDA
I believe that’s one of their leaders, your majesty. Micheller. I wonder what’s become of Dannier. Shouldn’t he be looking out for her?
COUNSELLOR SERN
He’s doing a really bad job then if the Doctor and his friends have already captured her.
KING SUNGAM
Ooh, look! The Doctor and his friends have got the space helmet! That’s one out of four lost Skydrian art relics of acquired. We’re so lucky!
COUNSELLOR SERN
Aren’t we just? Imagine what that helmet could do to whoever wears it.
KING SUNGAM
Ooh, look! There are eagles flying in the sky pursuing the Doctor and company. They’re flapping their wings, causing great gusts of wind. This gets better and better! I can’t wait to see what happens next when… (realises) Hey! Wait a minute!
King Sungam gets up from his throne and examines the viewscreen closely, adjusting it by turning a few switches on the control panel. He’s soon able to see what’s caught his attention.
KING SUNGAM
Say! Aren’t those my sky soldiers Bregone and Robell?! What are they doing there? Why are they following the Doctor and his friends?
GOVERNOR FONDA
That’s what we came here to talk to you about, your majesty.
COUNSELLOR SERN
We sent them in, sire. We sent them in to help the Doctor.
KING SUNGAM
(outraged) What?! You sent them in without my authority?!
GOVERNOR FONDA
“We did what we thought best, dear king.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Surely you can appreciate our concern for the Doctor and his friends.”
KING SUNGAM
(angrily) “Are you both crazy?!” (belches) “And going behind my back?! That’s treachery!”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Apologies for distressing you, sire. We didn’t mean to do so.”
KING SUNGAM
“Yeah well, you haven’t heard the last of this, you nincompoops!” (calls) “Guard! Call for my chariots! We’re going to hunt those soldiers down!”
SKY GUARD
“Yes, your majesty!”
KING SUNGAM
“I shall lead the chase! Into the clouds, we shall follow them.” (to Counsellor Sern; Governor Fonda) “And you two! You are to accompany me! This shall be your chance to redeem yourselves for backstabbing me!”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Of course, your majesty. We shall accompany you.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“It will be a great honour, sire.”
The sky guard soon goes off to prepare the king’s chariots whilst King Sungam is in a foul mood. Counsellor Sern and Governor Fonda meanwhile are quietly pleased with themselves before they’re about to accompany King Sungam and hunt down Bregone and Robell.
SCENE #22 – EXT – CAVE CLOUD, HIGH SKY – DAY, EVENING
Evening arrives. Back in the sky, in their hazard protection suits and rocket packs, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy traverse the clouds with Micheller in tow. They travel downwards as it’s becoming stormy up ahead with black clouds in their path.
BILLY
“I thought they never had black clouds here. A storm is approaching! It’s about to rain!”
NYSSA
“These are strange times at present, Billy.” (to Doctor) “Doctor, I think we’ve evaded the eagles.”
DOCTOR
“We can’t be sure of that, Nyssa. For all we know, these black clouds and the approaching inclement weather could have been caused by the eagles.”
MICHELLER
“You will all die soon! Never think you’re going to survive the storm!”
DOCTOR
“Never say never when you’re with us, Miss err…”
MICHELLER
“Micheller! I am Micheller – leader of the ground bandits.
DOCTOR
“Micheller then. And since you’re with us for a bit, you’ll survive the night too. We can overcome any obstacles, including a storm.”
NYSSA
“Look! In that cloud! Do you see it? A rock formation.”
BILLY
“Yes, I see it too. It’s a…well from here, it’s looks like a tunnel entrance.”
NYSSA
“Or a cave dwelling.”
DOCTOR
“We’ll shelter in there. Shelter is what we need right now. Let’s get to it before the storm clouds gather furiously.”
With that, they make for the rock formation/tunnel entrance/cave dwelling in the cloud before them.
SCENE #23 – INT – CLOUD CAVE, HIGH SKY – DAY, EVENING
The Doctor, Nyssa, Billy and Michelle eventually get into what turns out to be a cave on a cloud. They settle in and make themselves comfortable. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy keep watch on Micheller whilst they’re settling in.
DOCTOR
“Cloud Cave! That’s what we’re in! The Cloud Cave! Had anyone else realised that? It says so on the plague next to the cave entrance. They’ve got all sorts of names for these places. Cloud City, Cloud Museum and now Cloud Cave.”
NYSSA
(shivers) “There’s a bit of a nip in the air. Something that can be put to right with light and fire. Has anyone got any firelighters?”
BILLY
“Easy, Nyssa. Let me sort myself out first. I think I have some.”
DOCTOR
“I have some here too. Trust me, Billy. My firelighters are superior.”
BILLY
“Be my guest. We’ll let you light the fire.”
With that, the Doctor sets about lighting a fire on the ground in the Cloud Cave.
MICHELLER
“You still think you can survive the night. Then you are big fools than I thought you were.”
NYSSA
“Why have been you attacking us? Who are you anyway? What were you doing on the ground surface when you attacked us upon our arrival?”
MICHELLER
“Don’t try to act the fool! You know me well. I am Micheller – leader of the ground bandits.”
BILLY
“Yes, yes, we’ve established who you are. Tell us why you attacked us. We’ve done nothing to you and your people.”
MICHELLER
(outraged) “Nothing?! NOTHING?!! You were going to rid us off the soil of the ground! Put us back up in the clouds!”
NYSSA
“I don’t understand. You and your people live on the ground whilst the Skydrians live in the clouds. I thought this was a society where everybody lived in the clouds.”
MICHELLER
“Don’t get soft-soapy with me. Everyone knows that only the aristocracy lives in the clouds. We poor people live on the ground. We prefer it that way.”
BILLY
“You prefer to live poverty rather than be in the clouds.”
MICHELLER
“So long as the king and his kind leave us alone in peace, my people and I are content. Happy to be ignored. Not to be bullied.”
NYSSA
“But we’re not bullies. We’re not going to hurt you or cause anyone harm.”
MICHELLER
“You would say that, wouldn’t you. To try and cover up your guilt. Cover up all the deaths.”
BILLY
“Deaths?”
MICHELLER
“Someone’s been reporting our presence on the ground surface. Someone high above in the clouds. We know it’s someone in the clouds. We don’t know yet, but we will soon. And don’t keep playing the game that you don’t know anything.”
BILLY
“How can we? We’ve only been here for a few days.”
NYSSA
“It’s true, we tell you.”
MICHELLER
“A likely story.”
DOCTOR
(interrupts) “I hate to interrupt this fascinating discussion, but I would like to point out that it’s very dark outside. We should get some rest.”
NYSSA
“You’ve lit a fire then.”
DOCTOR
“Oh yes, I have. Indeed I have!”
The Doctor finishes lighting a fire with his firelighters. It sparks fiercely, providing warm and light in the dark cave.
BILLY
(relieved) “Oh that’s much better. I feel warm already.”
NYSSA
“Are you sure we’ll be alright here, Doctor? Will we be safe until the storm passes?”
DOCTOR
“Yes. We’ll move on from here until the storm passes. Besides, I’d like to see clearly when it’s daytime. I doubt we’ll have much to explore in this cave without any torches.”
BILLY
“I’ve brought a torch with me, Doctor. But it’s low on battery last time I checked.”
DOCTOR
“Then we’ll have to use it sparingly once we’ve had our rest. Hopefully we’ll be able to find the lost sword in this cave.”
BILLY
Lost sword? You think it’s the sword we’re going to collect next.
NYSSA
You seem sure about that, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Ever heard of ‘The Sword in the Stone’ by T. H. White, Nyssa?
NYSSA
‘The Sword in the Stone’?
DOCTOR
Yes. And with a cave like this, the sword is bound to be kept in a lump of granite.
MICHELLER
(gloats) Don’t think that it’s safe to be in this cave. It isn’t. Others will come for me. They will kill all three of you. (spookily) There’s the sound of an approaching wind. A note of death in the air. In the wild, midnight wind…
DOCTOR
(interrupts) Goodnight, Miss Micheller. Surely you won’t deny us three criminals the chance to sleep before we’re sentenced to death. (to Nyssa; Billy) Goodnight, Nyssa; Billy.
NYSSA
Goodnight, Doctor. Sweet dreams.
BILLY
Yes, goodnight, Doctor.
DOCTOR
See you both in the morning.
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy settle down for the night. Micheller remains awake. The storm outside becomes stronger. The midnight wind is also unnerving.
© Tim Bradley, 2021-22
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