3. “Great Sky Warrior”
SCENE #24 – INT – CLOUD CAVE, HIGH SKY – NIGHT
Later that night, Nyssa wakes up, roused by a strange singing sound. Getting up, she goes to check out what it is. She’s soon stopped in her tracks as a hand grabs her. Letting out a gasp, Nyssa turns to see that it’s Billy who’s grabbed her.
NYSSA
(relieved) “Oh Billy! You gave me a scare!”
BILLY
“Nyssa, how come you’re awake and walking about? You should be asleep, sweetheart.”
NYSSA
“Can’t you hear it, Billy?”
BILLY
(confused) “Hear what?”
NYSSA
“That sound. A sort of music.”
They both listen. Billy eventually hears the sound.
BILLY
“You’re right, Nyssa. I can hear it. It’s very close.”
NYSSA
“We should wake the Doctor.” (calls) “Doctor! Doctor, wake up! Wake up!”
The Doctor wakes up, groaning as he rouses from his sleep.
DOCTOR
(yawns) “Oh and I was having such a nice sleep.” (sleepily) “Hello Nyssa. What’s the matter?”
NYSSA
“Billy and I are hearing a strange musical sound, Doctor. Can you hear it?”
Coming to his senses, the Doctor gradually hears the strange singing sound with Nyssa and Billy. The sound takes on a rhythmic pattern.
DOCTOR
(intrigued) “Hmm. Yes, I can hear it as well.” (Pause) “It sounds as if it’s coming from deep within the cave. I wonder what it is.”
BILLY
“Shall we go and find out what it is?”
NYSSA
“We’d better not leave Micheller. She can cause trouble and come after us.”
DOCTOR
“I doubt Micheller would hear us leave. She’s snoring away quite amicably.”
They look to see as Micheller lets out loud snores whilst she sleeps.
SCENE #25 – INT – INNER SECTION, CLOUD CAVE – NIGHT
A short while later, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are now deep within the cave having left Micheller behind. They follow the sound of music. The music increases in volume as they go deeper in the cave.
NYSSA
“We must be getting close to the sound of wherever that music’s coming from.”
DOCTOR
“It’s taken on an almost steady and repetitive pattern. Not like music at all. More like a code.”
BILLY
“There’s a dim light up ahead. The music must be around the corner.”
NYSSA
“Let’s see what it leads to, shall we?”
With that, they carry on forward before they turn around the corner.
SCENE #26 – INT – SWORD COVE, CLOUD CAVE – NIGHT
Eventually, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy enter a cove where they see a gleaming sight before them and where the musical tones are coming from.
NYSSA
“Doctor, is that..?”
DOCTOR
“Yes Nyssa. It must be it. The sword itself. And it’s definitely a sword in the stone. Fancy that.”
BILLY
“The ancient sword of Skydra. That’s what we came for, isn’t it? Now we have to get it out.”
NYSSA
“I can’t begin to imagine why we didn’t search for it earlier. We must have been really tired.” (Pause) “How come we’re hearing music emanating from the sword? Or is it from the stone?”
BILLY
“What is the music for anyway?”
DOCTOR
“Some sort of energy barrier, I suspect. Created by the Skydrians of old. They hid this sword deep within the cave so that no one could find it. No one with corruptness in his or her heart.”
NYSSA
“But we’re right up close to the sword. There’s no energy barrier preventing us from going any further. We must have passed through it.”
DOCTOR
“I imagine the energy barriers considers us three not to be corrupt in our hearts. Let’s hope that continues to be the case with what we have to do here.”
NYSSA
“So, who’s going to pull out the sword first?”
DOCTOR
“Ah well, err…” (thinks) “Billy, you take it out.”
BILLY
(nervously) “Err no, Doctor. You take it out.”
DOCTOR
“I said you first.”
BILLY
“No you, Doctor.”
NYSSA
“Pull yourselves together, you two, and please decide.”
A debate ensues, as the trio become indecisive on who should pull out the sword from the stone first. The musical sound continues to play on in the background.
SCENE #27 – EXT – HIGH SKY, CLOSE TO CLOUD CITY – NIGHT
In the high sky of Skydra, King Sungam drives his chariots forward, which are being pulled by falcons flapping their wings about. He’s accompanied by Counsellor Sern and Governor Fonda. They traverse through the sky in search of Bregone and Robell. Also accompanying the king in his chariots are two sky soldiers and a small group of musicians. The musicians play music to keep King Sungam entertained whilst he drives his chariots forward. They play a slow gentle tune for him.
KING SUNGAM
(bored) Boring! BORING!!! Can’t we have something original? Something funny? Something jaunty?
The musicians change their tune into something jaunty at the king’s request. But even that fails to impress the king. He screams enraged and throws his beer tankard at the musicians.
KING SUNGAM
(enraged; bellows) Your musical instruments are pathetic! You should be hanged, all of you! (to soldiers) Soldiers! Throw these buffoons out! We don’t want junk like them!
With that, the sky soldiers obey as they throw the musicians out from the king’s chariots. The musicians scream as they fall through the sky. King Sungam sits in a huff as he continues to drive his chariots forward.
GOVERNOR FONDA
You must learn to control your temper, your majesty.
KING SUNGAM
Oh shut up, Fonda! It’s you and Counsellor Sern’s fault we came out here! If you hadn’t spoilt my fun and entertainment…
COUNSELLOR SERN
Sending the Doctor and his friends out on a wild mission is hardly what I would call fun and entertainment, sire. You might as well have sent them to their deaths…
KING SUNGAM
(interrupts; affronted) “How dare you say such a thing?! And I haven’t sent them to their deaths! I gave them a great honour and they accepted it.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“You foisted it upon them.”
KING SUNGAM
“They were intrigued. Fascinated by the task I gave them. I couldn’t deny them their fascination and intrigue.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“They were anxious and annoyed. I saw it in their eyes, particularly the boy and the girl.”
KING SUNGAM
Did you not see it in the Doctor’s eyes when I mentioned the coin to him?
GOVERNOR FONDA
(puzzled) The coin? What’s that got to do with anything?
KING SUNGAM
The coin is one of great significance. It is the most powerful and most dangerous of the four ancient lost relics to Skydra. I intend to have it.
COUNSELLOR SERN
Then why didn’t you go about and get it yourself, sire?
KING SUNGAM
I’d like to send my best champions out on these kind of missions, Counsellor. The Doctor is the greatest champion I’ve ever encountered.
GOVERNOR FONDA
But he’s not of Skydra, your majesty.
KING SUNGAM
(agitated) Why must you ruin things for me? Of course I know he’s not of Skydra! That’s why I chose him. Those who were of Skydra failed miserably in the missions I sent them out on as they have not returned since.
COUNSELLOR SERN
“But why must it be the Doctor? How do you know so much about him? And what of his friends – the girl and boy? Are they worthy to be considered champions when being so young?”
KING SUNGAM
“You two will never understand me. Cease pestering me with these questions and let us carry on.”
Just then, the falcons pulling the chariots slowly come to a stop as they flap their wings about in mid-air. They’re currently tracking the trail of the Doctor and his friends, as they come across the cloud containing the Cloud Museum.
KING SUNGAM
(impatiently) “Well, what is it? What of the trail?”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“They seem to have lost it, sire. It seems to have stopped before the Cloud Museum up ahead.” (Pause; realises) “No wait! They’ve caught the trail again! We’re now heading in the direction of the Cloud Cave.”
KING SUNGAM
“Excellent! Fly my pretty falcons! Fly for the Cloud Cave!”
The falcons give their caw out loud, acknowledging King Sungam’s command. They pull the king’s chariots through the cloudy sky as they make for Cloud Cave. Meanwhile, Governor Fonda and Counsellor Sern speak privately in conference with each other and out of earshot from King Sungam.
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Has the king really flipped? Why does he consider the Doctor and his friends champions compared to us Skydrians?”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“I’m not sure. But one thing’s for certain. The coin is clearly the key to all this.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
(puzzled) “The key? How can one measly coin be the key to all this? How does it connect to the Blue Cloud Revolution?”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Have you not heard of the great sky warrior called Thunda? He had the power of wind under his sleeves!”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“I’m a governor, not an historian. I’ve no time for history lessons.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“He always carried a sword with him as well as a space helmet, a plant specimen and a gold coin as a source of power. I’m surprised you didn’t realise the connection, dear friend.”
The counsellor and the governor remain silent, as the king’s chariots continue journeying through the clouds and sky.
SCENE #28 – INT – SWORD COVE, CLOUD CAVE – NIGHT
Back in the Cloud Cave, the Doctor pulls the sword out from its stone. Nyssa and Billy witness this as he pulls the sword out with ease and holds it in his hand.
NYSSA
“You did it! Well done, Doctor!”
BILLY
“You must have the strength of ten men to pull that sword out.”
DOCTOR
(suspicious) “I’m not sure. This sword feels light somehow.”
NYSSA
(puzzled) “Light?”
DOCTOR
“Yes. You hold it. See how it weighs.”
Nyssa and Billy soon take it in turns to feel the weight of the sword. After a number of moments…
NYSSA
You’re right, Doctor. The sword is lightweight. Usually with a metal such as this on the hilt, it would be heavy and dangerous to hold in one’s hands.
BILLY
Perhaps it’s a different kind of metal. A strong lightweight metal. We are on an alien planet, you know.
NYSSA
Billy has a point, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Maybe. But I wonder why King Sungam would want a sword like this to be brought to his palace.
BILLY
Does it matter, Doctor? We’ve got two relics already. The sword and the helmet. Only two more left to go. And one of them is the coin!
NYSSA
(concerned) You’re worried about something, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Yes, I am. I’m sensing a connection, Nyssa.
NYSSA
A connection between the sword and the helmet.
DOCTOR
You thought that too, did you?
NYSSA
“A presumption really.”
BILLY
“You two going to let me in on what this is all about or do I have to nod my head and say yes?”
NYSSA
“Remember the coin we came to collect, Billy? It contains a certain power.”
BILLY
“The power of wind, yes I know that.”
DOCTOR
“Well, Billy. Doesn’t it surprise you that eagles can attack with the power of wind? And a woman who followed us wants us killed because she thinks we’re going to expose her people’s isolated society to the Skydrians above ground?” (stresses) “And that she’s now standing behind us with somebody else? And they’re aiming crossbows directly at us?”
NYSSA
“You don’t mean…”
DOCTOR
“Yes Nyssa. I’m afraid I do.”
NYSSA
“Oh no.”
MICHELLER
Stay where you are, you three! Do not move!
The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy stay where they are as Micheller and hers partner Dannier aim their crossbow weapons at them.
DANNIER
Alright, you three! Turn around to face us!
The trio obey as they turn around to face Micheller and Dannier.
DOCTOR
Ah Micheller! There you are, my dear. Had a good rest?
NYSSA
Who’s your friend? Came unexpectedly, didn’t he?
MICHELLER
This is my husband Dannier. He’s also a leader of our community. And yes, we do mean to kill you with crossbows.
DANNIER
I tracked my wife down using the tracking system we have. I knew something was wrong. It was good that I came.
BILLY
“So what are you going to do now? Have us shot with five thousand arrows in our chests?”
DANNIER
“That will certainly be a pleasure!”
MICHELLER
“No wait, Dannier! We need these three alive.”
DANNIER
(admonished) “What for? Why do we need these three alive?”
MICHELLER
(sharply) “To bargain with, dummy! To bargain with the king!”
DANNIER
“What? The king?! He won’t listen to us!”
MICHELLER
“If we offer him terms by threatening these three’s lives, he’ll probably listen. They seem to be important to him in this quest of theirs.”
DOCTOR
“Look, I’m sure we can sort this out amicably. There’s no need to threaten our lives.”
DANNIER
(snaps) “Shut up, you!”
NYSSA
“We can help! If you have complaints, we’ll put them to the king. We wouldn’t do this mission for him if he won’t listen to us.”
BILLY
“Yeah. We can be very persuasive. King Sungam may be a twerp, but that doesn’t mean…”
DANNIER
(interrupts, savagely) “I said ‘shut up’! Now move it!”
DOCTOR
“Move where?”
MICHELLER
“Deeper into the cave!”
NYSSA
“What good would that do? We’re going outside, aren’t we? I thought you wanted to bargain with…”
MICHELLER
(interrupts) “We will go outside when the dawn comes. At the moment, we’re tired. We want some sleep and rest.”
DOCTOR
“Then I’m sorry to disappoint you two!” (cries) “Nyssa; Billy, duck!”
At that, Nyssa and Billy duck. The Doctor swiftly swings the ancient Skydrian sword around at Micheller and Dannier, to which they stagger back.
MICHELLER
“What do you think you’re doing, Doctor?!”
DANNIER
“Micheller, get down! Look out”
Micheller and Dannier get knocked down to the ground as the Doctor swings the sword at them. Eventually, the Doctor stops and Nyssa and Billy get up.
DOCTOR
“Come on, Nyssa and Billy! Let’s get away from here! Quickly run!”
With that, the TARDIS trio run as they make to escape the cave. Realising this deception, Micheller and Dannier get up and become angry.
MICHELLER
(angrily) “We should have seen this coming!” (Pause) “After them! We must get after them!”
DANNIER
(angrily) “I’ll ‘ave them! I’ll stick my crossbow right up the Doctor’s tailcoat! He’ll wish that he had never been born!”
Dannier howls away as he chases after the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy with crossbow in his hand. Micheller follows after him.
SCENE #29 – EXT – CLOUD CAVE, HIGH SKY – NIGHT
At the cave entrance, Commander Bregone and Lieutenant Robell arrive. They power down their rocket packs as they land. Once landed, they make their way to the cave entrance and use their tracking equipment.
BREGONE
“You’re sure they entered here?”
ROBELL
“Of course I’m sure. My tracking equipment never fails.”
BREGONE
“This mission would have been easier had you checked your rocket propulsion pack properly.”
ROBELL
“It wasn’t my fault. The boys at the rocket port gave me a dodgy pack. I shall make complaints to them once we get back.”
BREGONE
“Don’t make excuses, Robell. Just get on with tracking down the Doctor and his friends! They must be somewhere either near the cave entrance or deep in the cave.”
ROBELL
(sighs; annoyed) “Very well. Tracking them down now.”
Robell uses her tracking device on her wrist as she enters and presses a few buttons on the pad. A series of bleeping noises occur whilst the tracking takes place. Bregone becomes impatient as he waits.
BREGONE
“Well?!”
ROBELL
“Give me a second, will you?! This is a very delicate task!”
Robell continues to track down the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy using her device on her wrist. Another series of bleeping noises occur. Eventually…
ROBELL
(gradually) “I’ve found them, Bregone!”
BREGONE
“Well, where are they?!”
ROBELL
“They’re heading deeper into the cave. I think they’re lost.”
BREGONE
“They can’t be lost. They must be in the section where the ancient sword of Skydra is. They must be collecting it by now.”
ROBELL
“No. They’ve past that section already. They must have already collected the sword.”
BREGONE
“What are they playing at then?”
ROBELL
“Bregone, there’s something else.”
A moment’s silence ensues.
BREGONE
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense! What is it?”
ROBELL
“They’re being pursued by ground bandits. Two of them in fact. There could be more later on.”
BREGONE
“Then we’d better not waste any more time. Come on! Into the cave!”
ROBELL
“In there?”
BREGONE
“Scaredy cat, are you? Wimp.”
ROBELL
“I’m not scared! I’m just pointing out that…”
BREGONE
(interrupts) “Come on! Move your butt! Have your crossbow set on stun!”
With that, Bregone and Robell head off into the cave, setting their crossbows and arrows to stun.
SCENE #30 – INT – INNER SECTION, CLOUD CAVE – NIGHT
Deep inside the cave, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy run on to find a way out. The Doctor carries the ancient sword of Skydra with them. Unfortunately, they’re unable to find a way out. They soon stop and pant for breath.
NYSSA
(breathlessly) “Doctor, we’re lost!”
DOCTOR
(breathlessly) “Impossible! We can’t be lost! I’m sure we came this way before.”
BILLY
(breathlessly) “All these corridors look the same to me! I’m not so sure myself on where we are.”
NYSSA
“We’ll just have to plough on until we find an opening leading to the outside. We should sense some fresh air nearby.”
DOCTOR
“I agree. Come on. Let’s head onwards, shall we?”
They make to go forward before they’re stopped in their tracks.
DANNIER
“That’s as far as you go, you three! Don’t take another step!”
The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy stand still before they see Dannier and Micheller stand in front of them as they point their crossbows at them.
BILLY
(groans) “Great! Just when I thought we managed to get away.”
NYSSA
“Never presume the outcome to be likely in our favour, Billy. Sometimes that can backfire.”
DOCTOR
(cheerfully) “Ah Mr. Dannier; Miss Micheller. Finally caught up with us, have you?”
DANNIER
“And this time, it will be a great pleasure to shoot you three down.”
MICHELLER
“Wait, Dannier! Don’t shoot them! We need them alive.”
DANNIER
(protests) “But Micheller…”
MICHELLER
“Oh shut it will you, Dannier! Take them back deeper into the cave! But first, take that sword off from the Doctor. It seems very valuable to him and his friends.”
DANNIER
“Very well, dear.”
Dannier reaches out to take the sword from the Doctor. Just then, Dannier gets his hand shot as he cries out in pain.
DANNIER
(in pain) “Oww! My hand!”
MICHELLER
“What are you doing, Dannier? Get that sword from him!”
DANNIER
“My hand’s just been hit, Micheller!”
BILLY
“He’s been shot by an arrow. I wonder who fired that.”
NYSSA
“By them no doubt. Look over there to your left, Billy!”
BILLY
(puzzled) “Where? I can’t [see…”]
DOCTOR
(interjects) “There, Billy! Hidden in the shadows!”
The trio look to see as Bregone and Robell come out of the shadows with crossbows at the ready.
BREGONE
(threateningly) “Freeze, everyone!”
ROBELL
“We are the sky soldiers. You will do as we say, all of you!”
MICHELLER
(groans; annoyed) “Oh that’s all we need! Why did you lot have to come here?!”
DANNIER
Our plans have been ruined!
DOCTOR
(cheerily) Mr. Bregone; Miss Robell. Missed us, have you? Good of you to pay us a visit.
ROBELL
We’ve been sent by Counselor Sern and Governor Fonda to help you and your friends, Doctor. They were concerned for your well-being in collecting the four lost relics.
DOCTOR
(wryly) Really, how nice of them! It’s always good to know that our well-being is being considered.
BREGONE
Doctor, you have the helmet and the sword?
NYSSA
(wryly) They’re very observant, aren’t they, Billy.
BILLY
(wryly) Oh yes! I bet they can answer a quiz on the blatantly obvious.
BREGONE
We shall accompany you on the next two stages of your mission. To find the last two relics. Let’s go, Doctor. We got work to do.
DOCTOR
Oh can’t we give it a rest? It’s not urgent collecting these items, is it?
BREGONE
Move, Doctor!
The Doctor sits himself down on a rock.
DOCTOR
You know what? I think I’ll just sit it out here for a bit. I’ve had a hard day and I think I’ve earned a rest. (to Nyssa; Billy) Nyssa; Billy, care to take a seat and relax?
BILLY
“I wouldn’t say no, Doctor.”
NYSSA
“With pleasure, Doctor.”
Nyssa and Billy sit down beside the Doctor on rocks too.
BREGONE
(fumes; impatiently) “You are to accompany us this instant, Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“You’re too impatient for a man of your standards, Mr. Bregone. Perhaps you should take a course in anger management and stress control.”
BREGONE
“You have infuriated me for the last time, Doctor! I shall see to it that you end up in heaps of blood when this is over!”
Just then, eagle caws echo outside.
NYSSA
(anxiously) “Doctor, those eagles. They’re close now. I can hear them outside.”
DOCTOR
“With their flapping wings and incredible wind power.”
NYSSA
“What do you think this means then?”
DOCTOR
“I’m not sure, Nyssa.”
BREGONE
(interrupts) “You will come with us now, Doctor! That’s an order!”
ROBELL
“What about these two, Bregone? Micheller and Robell? Are we to take them with us?”
BREGONE
“No. Leave them in here. Let them rot in this cave. Seal it if we can.”
DANNIER
“Not if I can help it!”
ROBELL
(cries) “Bregone, watch out!”
DOCTOR
(cries) “Nyssa; Billy, duck!”
With that, Dannier fires an arrow at Bregone. Bregone dodges the arrow and it hits a loose rock in the wall, which falls to the ground. A moment of silence ensues.
BILLY
“He missed Bregone and hit the wall instead. There was a loose rock in it.”
Just then, the ceiling begins to crumble as a cave-in occurs.
NYSSA
“Doctor! The ceiling! It’s about to collapse!”
DOCTOR
(shouts) “Everyone, out of the way! Take cover!”
MICHELLER
“Oh no, Doctor! You’re coming with us!”
BREGONE
“The Doctor’s our responsibility!”
Rocks fall from the ceiling.
DOCTOR
(shouts; urgently) “Everyone! Dive for cover! DIVE!!!”
BILLY
“Nyssa!”
NYSSA
“Billy, look out!”
The cave-in occurs and everyone splits up. The Doctor and Nyssa get separated from Billy as the cave in occurs.
SCENE #31 – INT – INNER SECTION, CLOUD CAVE – NIGHT
In one part of the caved-in corridor, Nyssa and the Doctor cough and splutter as they recover from the sheer blast of rock that fell in.
DOCTOR
(anxiously) “Nyssa? Nyssa, are you alright?”
NYSSA
(reassuringly) “I’ll be fine, Doctor, don’t worry. But what about Billy? Where is he?”
DOCTOR
“He’s not here! We’ve lost him!”
They both run over to the collapsed wall of rock. They can’t break through it.
NYSSA
(anxiously) “He must be on the other side of this caved-in wall!” (calls) “Billy?! Billy, are you there? Can you hear us?”
DOCTOR
“This must be tons of solid rock here. I doubt Billy or anyone else will be able to hear us.”
NYSSA
“We have to reach him. We must find a way to get to the other side of this caved-in wall. Perhaps we could remove some of these rocks.”
BREGONE
“I don’t think so. You’re coming with us!”
The Doctor and Nyssa turn around to see crossbows aimed at them by Bregone and Robell.
DOCTOR
Mr. Bregone, you’re making a terrible mistake.
NYSSA
We must save Billy. He could be hurt or injured. We have to find out what’s happened to him.
BREGONE
You will come with us to find the last two relics!
ROBELL
Do as we say or we shoot you here and now!
The Doctor and Nyssa become troubled with their lives being threatened as they worry for Billy.
SCENE #32 – INT – INNER SECTION, CLOUD CAVE – NIGHT
Meanwhile, Billy calls to the Doctor and Nyssa from the other side of the caved-in wall, slamming his fists against it.
BILLY
(calls) Nyssa; Doctor! Are you there?! Please answer me! Doctor; Nyssa!
No response.
BILLY
(anxiously) “Oh no. They probably can’t hear me. Perhaps they’re injured. I hope it’s nothing too severe.” (Pause) “I must remove some of these rocks from the wall!”
Billy begins to move some of the rocks before he’s grabbed onto by Dannier coming up behind him with Micheller joining him.
DANNIER
“Oh no you don’t, boy! That’s solid rock! You won’t be able to break it down so easily with your bare hands!”
MICHELLER
“Dannier’s right. Give it up, boy! Your friends are long gone!”
BILLY
“I won’t believe that! I must get these rocks shifted! Now please help me or leave me alone!”
MICHELLER
“Oh I’m afraid we can’t leave you alone, dearie.”
DANNIER
“You’re coming with us back into the clouds.”
BILLY
(protests) “No! You can’t make me leave my friends! They’re still behind that wall!”
MICHELLER
“We still need you in order to make a bargain with the king!”
BILLY
(cries) “Let me go I say! Let me go!”
Billy struggles to break free from Dannier and Micheller’s grip.
DANNIER
“I don’t think so!”
Dannier strikes Billy on the head. Billy falls unconscious as Dannier and Micheller hold him.
DANNIER
(satisfied) “There! That should do it!”
MICHELLER
“You haven’t killed him, have you?”
DANNIER
“Of course not. Just struck a blow to the head. I only wanted him to shut up.”
MICHELLER
“Come on then. Let’s get him back out into the open and into the clouds. It will be dawn soon.”
With that, Dannier and Micheller take Billy with them as they make to head back out into the open.
SCENE #33 – EXT – CLOUD CAVE, HIGH SKY – NIGHT
Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Cloud Cave, King Sungam and his chariots have arrived. King Sungam waits with Governor Fonda and Counsellor Sern. Sky soldiers are already searching inside the cave. The current commander of sky soldiers comes out to meet King Sungam, Governor Fonda and Counsellor Sern.
KING SUNGAM
(impatiently) “Well, Commander! Where are they?!”
SKY SOLDIER COMMANDER
“They were here, sire. But now they have gone.”
KING SUNGAM
(shocked) “Gone?! Both Bregone and Robell! Already?!”
SKY SOLDIER COMMANDER
“The trail lingers, but they soon left the cave within minutes. Our soldiers have retraced their footprints. They have definitely gone.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
(wryly) “Shame. And I had so much hope for the Doctor and his friends.”
KING SUNGAM
“Shut up, woman. You always have to spoil my fun!”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“So now we go back to Cloud City.”
SKY SOLDIER COMMANDER
“There is more, my liege.”
KING SUNGAM
(astonished) “More?! More you say, Commander?”
SKY SOLDIER COMMANDER
“We have also traced the footprints of the Doctor and his friends. They were with Bregone and Robell.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
(intrigued) “Were they indeed?”
KING SUNGAM
“Where are they now, Commander?”
SKY SOLDIER COMMANDER
Their trail led out into the open. They are heading for the third cloud across the boundary.
KING SUNGAM
(pleased) Excellent! We shall go there at once!
GOVERNOR FONDA
(fed up) At once?! Give it a rest will you, your majesty! Surely you can let them be on their way. Bregone and Robell are probably helping the Doctor and his friends to collect the last two lost relics. Hopefully they’ve collected the first two relics, including the space helmet and the sword.
KING SUNGAM
They disobeyed the king’s orders! I must have them apprehended!
COUNSELLOR SERN
And it must be that the king’s orders are to be obeyed at all times, I suppose.
KING SUNGAM
It is the way of things!
With that, King Sungam walks away to look at the sky as eagles approach nearby.
GOVERNOR FONDA
(surprised) Eagles?! Flying above our heads?
COUNSELLOR SERN
(puzzled) “What are they doing here? And is King Sungam in communication with them?”
They watch as King Sungam reaches out to call to the eagles.
KING SUNGAM
“Hear me, my friends! Hear me! I, King Sungam, command you!”
The eagles caw wildly as they fly down towards him.
COUNSELLOR SERN
(panics) “The eagles! They’re coming towards us! They’re massing for an attack!”
KING SUNGAM
(calls; urgently) Quick, your majesty! Get back! They’re going to kill us!
But King Sungam ignores Sern and Fonda as he calls out to the eagles again.
KING SUNGAM
(calls) Fly, my beauties, fly! Fly to the Cloud Greenhouse! Find the Doctor, his friends and two of my soldiers there! See to it that they get the scare of their lives! Fly, eagles, fly!
The eagles caw out loud as they obey the king’s commands. They fly off into the sky pass the clouds as they head for the Cloud Greenhouse. Sern and Fonda are astonished by what has just happened.
COUNSELLOR SERN
(astonished) The…the eagles, your majesty! They heard you! They listened to you and obeyed your commands!
GOVERNOR FONDA
How did you do that? How did you manage to win their confidence?
KING SUNGAM
I don’t wish to discuss that with you two. You are both traitors, remember?
COUNSELLOR SERN
“But it’s impossible! No one can command the eagles to their will. It’s utterly preposterous!”
KING SUNGAM
“I’ve just rewritten the rules! I also happen to possess a secret power within me. One which you two can never understand.”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“What are you talking about, your majesty?”
KING SUNGAM
“Come! No time to waste! Let’s leave here and make for the third cloud where we shall find the Doctor.”
At the moment, voices echo nearby. Fonda hushes everyone.
GOVERNOR FONDA
“Ssh! Listen! I heard something! Voices nearby.”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“Yes! I heard them too!” (Pause; realises) “Look!”
As they listen, King Sungam, Sern and Fonda look to see. In the distance, Micheller and Dannier drag an unconscious Billy with them out from the cave.
MICHELLER
(impatiently) Come on, Dannier! Get moving! We haven’t got all day! Help me with this boy out into the open!
DANNIER
Alright, alright, I’m helping. No need to be so pushy!
As they watch from a distance, King Sungam has a stroke of inspiration.
KING SUNGAM
Ah! An opportunity to dispel the Doctor’s confidence and for him to obey my will.
GOVERNOR FONDA
(puzzled) What are you getting at, your majesty?
KING SUNGAM
Sern; Fonda, change of plan. We’re going to help that boy apprehended by them rebels.
COUNSELLOR SERN
Really? How nice! I never knew you were one for charity, my king.
Eventually, King Sungam leads on stealthily with Sern, Fonda and the sky soldiers following on behind him. They follow after Micheller and Dannier taking Billy with them.
SCENE #34 – EXT – HIGH SKY, CLOSE TO CLOUD GREENHOUSE – NIGHT
In the high sky, the Doctor and Nyssa are with Bregone and Robell. They journey through the sky using their rocket packs, having left the Cloud Cave and heading for the next cloud in the sky.
DOCTOR
Capturing Nyssa and me is pointless, Mr. Bregone. We told your king we would collect these four lost relics of Skydra.
NYSSA
There was no need for him to send you two to help us. We would have kept our promise. Doesn’t your king trust us enough?
BREGONE
We were not sent by his majesty the king.
ROBELL
Governor Fonda and Counsellor Sern sent us.
BREGONE
Shut up, woman! They’re not meant to know that!
NYSSA
(surprised) Governor Fonda and Counsellor Sern sent you two? I wonder why.
ROBELL
They said to us we were to help you.
BREGONE
We do not question the orders of our betters. We obey them.
DOCTOR
Even if it goes against the king.
BREGONE
(scornfully) You know nothing of our traditions! Now keep moving!
ROBELL
We still have two lost relics to collect.
NYSSA
We were doing pretty well ourselves before you came along and threatened us in the cave.
DOCTOR
Surely you two can go back home whenever you want to. You can give Fonda and Sern our thanks for their concern about us, but there was really no need…
BREGONE
(threateningly) Get a move on! I won’t tell you again!
At that, Bregone and Robell force Nyssa and the Doctor to fly forwards as they traverse through the clouds. Nyssa and the Doctor soon confide in each other as they fly forwards.
NYSSA
(whispers) “Counsellor Sern and Governor Fonda must have an ulterior motive to send Bregone and Robell after us. It can’t be just to help us.”
DOCTOR
(whispers) I imagine Sern and Fonda have become suspicious of the king. They must think he’s up to something that’s far more terrible than any of them have ever realised.
NYSSA
(whispers) I don’t quite follow.
DOCTOR
(whispers) These four lost Skydrian relics we’re meant to collect. They form a connection to the third coin of Deno we’re meant to be collecting.
NYSSA
(whispers) I think I see what you’re getting at. (Pause) You don’t think King Sungam wishes to have the coin for himself. If he were to have it, he would obtain the power of wind as well as the space helmet and the sword to protect him. And there’s this plant specimen we’re meant to collect in our quest.
DOCTOR
(whispers) But why would King Sungam want these powers if he has the kingdom of Skydra at his command?
NYSSA
(whispers) “He must be a megalomaniac.”
DOCTOR
(whispers) “Or it could be something far worse. It’s hard to say.”
NYSSA
(whispers) “I wish I knew what’s become of Billy. We shouldn’t have left him. I’m so worried.”
DOCTOR
(whispers; reassuringly) “Don’t worry, Nyssa. We’ll go back and find him eventually. For all we know, he may have survived.”
NYSSA
(whispers) “I hope so. I hope those two scoundrels haven’t captured him.”
DOCTOR
(whispers) “Yes, that’s another odd thing. Why would they be so determined to be against us? There’s no motive behind it.”
NYSSA
(whispers) “Perhaps they’re just petty thugs.”
DOCTOR
(whispers) “No, it’s something worse than that.”
NYSSA
(whispers; realises) Doctor!
DOCTOR
(whispers) Yes, Nyssa, what is it?
NYSSA
(whispers) We’re making for the Cloud Greenhouse up ahead. That’s where…
DOCTOR
(whispers) Yes, Nyssa. I believe it’s the place where the plant specimen of special importance to King Sungam is kept.
NYSSA
(whispers) I wonder whether we’ll be able to find what we’re looking for when we get inside the greenhouse.
DOCTOR
(whispers) We’ll find it, I’m sure, Nyssa. We’ll find it.
NYSSA
(whispers) “Is that absolute certainty or just logical thinking?”
BREGONE
(interrupts) “‘Ere, get a move on! We haven’t got all day! Make for the third cloud!”
ROBELL
Yes, get a move on! Make for the third cloud!
With that, Bregone and Robell continue to force the Doctor and Nyssa onwards as they make for the third cloud up ahead.
SCENE #35 – EXT – HIGH SKY, CLOSE TO CLOUD GREENHOUSE, SKYDRA – NIGHT
Meanwhile, somewhere far away but not too far from the Doctor and Nyssa, Billy wakes up to find himself in Micheller and Dannier’s custody. They’re in the sky with rocket packs already switched.
BILLY
(groans) W-W-Where…where am I? (Pause; realises) Hey! I’m up high in the sky! What’s going on?!
DANNIER
He’s awake! I knew he would come round eventually!
MICHELLER
Kick him, Dannier! Kick him hard!
Dannier kicks Billy. Billy groans in pain.
BILLY
(cries; protests) “Hey! What’s the idea?! What are you playing at?!”
MICHELLER
“You are our prisoner, boy! You will do as we say!”
BILLY
“Let me go! Please let me go! I must find the Doctor and Nyssa!”
DANNIER
“Too late! They’re far gone! And you’re not going to be seeing them ever again, do you hear?!”
BILLY
You don’t understand! I need to find out whether they’re alright!
MICHELLER
We don’t care about your friends, boy! You are to do as we say!
BILLY
But I’m worried about them! I love them! Don’t you understand?! Nyssa is the woman I love! And the Doctor’s the brother I’ve always wanted.
DANNIER
You’re such a pipsqueak! You sky-dwellers have ruined our lives! You make us people of the ground very miserable!
BILLY
We’re not your enemies, the Doctor, Nyssa and I! We keep telling you! We’re here to search for a gold coin! If you people weren’t so prejudiced…
DANNIER
Shut up!
Dannier kicks Billy again. Billy groans in pain.
DANNIER
(angrily) “I should kill you now!”
MICHELLER
“We need him alive, Dannier! Remember that! We need to take him back to Cloud City! He’ll be our bargaining chip for the king to hear our demands! He won’t like it when we threaten one of his people!”
BILLY
“I’m not of Skydra. I’m not of this planet! I come from Earth!”
DANNIER
“Stop lying, boy! We hate your lying!”
BILLY
“The king is probably not there anyway! He’s probably left his palace!”
MICHELLER
“Now we know you’re lying. The king always stays in his palace!”
BILLY
“You don’t know that for sure, do you?”
DANNIER
“Right, that’s it! I’m going to slice his head in half!”
Suddenly, Dannier and Micheller get grabbed upon by sky soldiers. They struggle against their captors and inadvertently release Billy. Billy cries out in fear as he’s about to plummet to the ground before he’s saved by one of the sky soldiers.
DANNIER
(astonished) “What is this?! What are these sky soldiers doing here?!”
MICHELLER
(protests) “Get off me! Let me go, you pigs!”
BILLY
(relieved) “Thanks for saving me, sky soldiers. Thanks for stopping me falling to my death.” (Pause) “But I don’t understand either. What are you lot doing here?”
KING SUNGAM
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t a young friend of the Doctor’s. A pleasant surprise. Good thing me and my men were passing by.”
Billy sees King Sungam approach with his sky soldiers.
BILLY
(astonished) “King Sungam! You’re here!”
KING SUNGAM
“Of course! Where else would I be?”
Dannier and Micheller continue to struggle in the grasp of their sky soldier captors, just as Governor Fonda and Counsellor Sern approach to meet them in flight.
DANNIER
“In Skydra’s name, I protest! I’ll bite your scum heads off!”
GOVERNOR FONDA
“How dare you say such a thing, vermin filth!”
COUNSELLOR SERN
“The king of Skydra is in your presence. Have some respect!”
DANNIER
“Stuff the king!”
MICHELLER
“Stop it, Dannier! You’re making it worse!”
DANNIER
“I haven’t started yet!”
GOVERNOR FONDA
(to King Sungam) Apologies, sire! We shall have these two flogged!
King Sungam ignores Fonda and Sern as he addresses Billy.
KING SUNGAM
Young man, where are your friends: the Doctor and the girl?
BILLY
They’re…they’re looking for the next couple of lost relics, your majesty. They have two of them already.
KING SUNGAM
Are the two soldiers Bregone and Robell with them?
BILLY
(surprised) Yes. How did you know?
KING SUNGAM
And were they heading for the Cloud Greenhouse by any chance?
BILLY
I suppose they were. I’m not sure. We got separated in a pandemonium, you see.
KING SUNGAM
Then we shall go and meet them at the end of the race. At the final cloud where the Cloud Tower is. There we shall give the Doctor and the girl the surprise of their lives.
King Sungam laughs out loud. Billy is quite puzzled by the king’s manner before he eventually joins them to make for the Cloud Tower cloud.
© Tim Bradley, 2021-22
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