1. Gunship in Space
Roll original 1982 Peter Davison opening credits
SCENE #1 – INT – CONTROL DECK (DECK #1), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
In outer space, a gunship is in the middle of a battle. On board, the crewmembers are all hands on deck. Leading them is the commander Patro Ro with her crewmembers Sandton and Kel. Confusion and panic ensues. Explosions occur and red alert alarms blare out loud.
PATRO RO
“Report!”
KEL
“We’ve lost all power! The weapons array has been damaged! We can’t open fire!”
SANDTON
“Commander! The enemy’s massing! We’ll soon be outnumbered!”
PATRO RO
Prepare to deploy all torpedoes on all enemy ships! The strike assault must continue!
KEL
It’s no good, Ro! I’ve tried all the controls, but nothing’s working!
PATRO RO
Get the maintenance teams down there to operate the manual controls! Immediately!
Kel presses switches at the communications desk but there’s no response.
KEL
It’s no good! I can’t get a response from the communications controls! They must have been knocked out on impact by enemy firepower!
PATRO RO
Our maintenance teams could be dead by now.
KEL
Yes, Patro. I fear that might be the case.
SANDTON
We must send for reinforcements! We can’t delay!
PATRO RO
“Agreed! Kel! Contact headquarters and tell them to send help immediately!”
SANDTON
“But we can’t, Commander! External communicators are damaged as well as internal!”
A moment of tense silence ensues as Patro Ro considers for a moment.
PATRO RO
(gradually; barks) All hands abandon ship! Spread the word to everyone as best as you can! All crewmembers must abandon the dreadnought! Initiate self-destruct…
Just then, a massive explosion occurs. The lights go out, Every crewmember gets knocked out unconscious aboard the gunship.
SCENE #2 – INT – TARDIS, CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Months later, the TARDIS materialises inside the gunship. Inside the TARDIS, the time rotor stops oscillating and dings. Switching on the scanner screen, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look to see the gunship’s interior.
NYSSA
Well, this looks different. Far from being on Earth.
BILLY
This is where the seventh Coin of Deno is.
DOCTOR
We seem to have arrived inside the hold of a spaceship.
NYSSA
Yes! We’ve landed right inside the breach of the ship’s interior. It’s open to outer space!
BILLY
Does that mean we’re going to be sucked out into space?
DOCTOR
There must be a forcefield surrounding the breach area. The spaceship must have been under heavy firepower when it was attacked.
NYSSA
“We’ve arrived in the aftermath of a battle then.”
DOCTOR
“Seems like it, yes.” (realises) “Of course! It’s a gunship!”
BILLY
“Pardon?”
DOCTOR
“This must be one of the gunships belonging to the free peoples of the Deno system. Either human or Asleve.”
BILLY
“You mean to say…we’re in the Deno system, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Of course! Or quite close to it at any rate.”
NYSSA
“So what do you know about these gunships, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“They’re dreadnought vessels. They carry huge cannons with barrels about seven hundred metres long. They can destroy entire planets, including those in the solar system and the Deno system. Very effective and very deadly.”
BILLY
“The sooner we’re out of this place the better is all I can say.”
DOCTOR
“Well, we’re getting close to the end of our quest. Despite the fact we’ve got two of the eight coins and four which we’ve lost already to the Sgrans.”
BILLY
“So, how do you want to go about this, Doctor? Do we walk outside and have a look on all floors of this gunship?”
NYSSA
“Decks, Billy. The floors are called ‘decks’.”
BILLY
“Sorry, I meant ‘decks’.”
DOCTOR
“No, no. We can’t go out there yet. At least not as we are. The atmosphere is too dangerous and toxic to breathe.”
NYSSA
“I thought you said there was a forcefield surrounding the breach area. Surely it would have kept the air in.”
DOCTOR
“The oxygen levels are very low according to the TARDIS instruments. We would die as soon as we step out there.”
BILLY
(enthused) “Aww great! That means we get to be astronauts for a change!”
DOCTOR
“No, no. The astronaut suits would be time-consuming to put on. No, we’d be better off wearing the respirator helmets.”
NYSSA
“Doctor, you’re not seriously suggesting we wear those helmets, are you?”
DOCTOR
“Why not? They were very good when we visited Monarch’s ship and the Urbankans.”
NYSSA
“Yes I know, but…”
DOCTOR
(interjects) “Besides, not many crewmembers would have been killed. In fact, hardly at all.”
BILLY
“What, no crew?”
DOCTOR
“Nope! Gunships like the one outside are fully automated.” (Pause) “Now, just bear with me a moment. Won’t be a sec. I’ll fetch the respirator helmets from the TARDIS closet.”
With that, the Doctor heads off out of the console room.
SCENE #3 – INT – HANGER BAY (DECK #8), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
A while later, the TARDIS door opens. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy step outside, wearing their respirator helmets. They look around. The eerie silence of space echoes within the gunship’s breach.
BILLY
“I’m rather nervous seeing all those stars out there. We’re so close to them, we could easily fall out into space.”
NYSSA
“Take my hand, Billy. You’ll be alright if you stick with me.”
BILLY
“I’m okay, Nyssa. I’m just finding this so strange.”
NYSSA
“Nevertheless, hold my hand. I don’t want to lose you so suddenly.”
BILLY
“Very well.”
With that, Billy holds Nyssa’s hand.
DOCTOR
(realises) “Ah! There’s a large door up ahead. Perhaps it’ll lead us into the heart of the ship. Let’s take a look, shall we?”
NYSSA
“Doctor, this is a hanger bay we’re in.”
DOCTOR
“Yes Nyssa, that’s right.”
NYSSA
“There are a lot of fighter jets in the hanger bay.”
BILLY
“Fighter jets? I thought there was no crew on board.”
DOCTOR
“Yes Billy, that’s right. There isn’t.”
NYSSA
“Perhaps these fighter jets are automated. For self-defence and strategic operations in outer space.”
DOCTOR
“Come on! No time for debate or speculation! Let’s proceed to the large door up ahead!”
With that, the Doctor walked on ahead. Nyssa and Billy followed behind him. A short while later, they arrived at the large door.
DOCTOR
(cheerily) “Here we are! Nyssa, see if you can open this door!”
NYSSA
“No, Doctor. You can do the honours.”
DOCTOR
“No, no, I insist. Have a try on opening the door.”
NYSSA
“Very well.”
With that, Nyssa approaches the digital pad to open the large door. After entering a number of keys on the digital pad, Nyssa is denied access as a loud blaring noise occurs. Nyssa tries again to open the door. Same result.
NYSSA
“No good, Doctor. Can’t open it.”
BILLY
(surprised) “What? Surely you can bypass the security codes, Nyssa. You’re rather good at this sort of thing.”
NYSSA
“It’s not a matter of bypassing the security codes, Billy. It’s a matter of environmental integrity. The gravity’s quite low. The atmosphere behind the large door won’t match to the gravity levels we currently inhabit.”
DOCTOR
“Billy, perhaps you can help. Go up to the upper platform and restore the gravity levels aboard this ship.”
BILLY
(startled) “Me? I don’t know anything about environmental integrity…”
DOCTOR
(interjects; reassuringly) “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you what to do when you get up there. Nyssa has to correspond with the gravitational integrity at her terminal too.”
BILLY
(grudgingly) “Alright then. I’ll go up, just as you say.”
DOCTOR
“Be careful, Billy. You might find getting up to the upper platform very difficult. Take your time and don’t injure yourself.”
BILLY
“Very well, Doctor. I’ll be careful.”
Billy soon makes his way up to the upper platform. Nyssa meanwhile continues to access the computer terminal with the Doctor beside her.
NYSSA
“Still having no success, Doctor. I can’t activate a stasis field around the entire ship to protect it.”
DOCTOR
“Perhaps Billy can do it at his end.”
NYSSA
“The energy levels are pretty low, Doctor. We don’t want to use up all our oxygen without the containment fields. We’re not fully protected against the vastness of space, since we’re not wearing fully-padded protection suits.”
DOCTOR
“Then we’ll just have to contend with limited containment bubbles wherever we go, Nyssa. There should be computer terminals everywhere aboard this ship to do that.”
Just then, Billy cries out loud as he falls to the ground.
NYSSA
(calls; concerned) “Billy! Are you alright?”
BILLY
(reassuringly) “I’m okay, Nyssa. I’m not hurt. I just fell, that’s all. I’m finding it difficult to reach the upper platform.”
DOCTOR
“I did warn you, Billy.”
NYSSA
“Be careful, Billy.”
BILLY
“I will, Nyssa. I’m going back up again now.”
With that, Billy makes to go back up again. Meanwhile, Nyssa and the Doctor continue to access the computer terminal at their end.
DOCTOR
“See if you can find out how many computer terminals there are aboard this ship, Nyssa. We can plan out a route in order to reach the control deck.”
NYSSA
“Yes, Doctor. I had that in mind before you mentioned it.”
Accessing the computer terminal, Nyssa set about working to collect the information that she, the Doctor and Billy need.
SCENE #4 – INT – HANGER BAY (DECK #8), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
Eventually, Billy arrives on the upper platform. He sighs relieved once he’s up on top.
BILLY
(calls) “Doctor; Nyssa! I’ve made it! I’m on the upper platform!”
DOCTOR
“Good, good. Now, Billy. Go over to the computer terminal before you.”
Billy makes his way over to the computer terminal.
BILLY
“Okay. I’m here now.”
DOCTOR
“Right! Now, Billy, see if you can access the data menu on the terminal screen.”
Billy does so as he presses a few buttons at the terminal.
BILLY
“Yes, I’m in. There’s a main menu before me.”
DOCTOR
“Good. Access environmental integrity. It should come up with four options. Press the containment field option.”
With that, Billy enters a few buttons on the key pad. A short while ensues.
BILLY
“Containment field option! Got it!”
DOCTOR
“Now, activate a containment field around the ship’s exterior. Raise the level to thirty decibels.”
BILLY
“Okay, I’ll try that.”
Billy enters some more buttons on the key pad. After a while, a containment field is activated and it covers the entire ship.
BILLY
“Is that it? Have I done it, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Billy! The gravity is being restored to normal!”
NYSSA
“Well done, Billy!”
BILLY
(relieved) “Thank goodness! I didn’t know I had it in me.”
DOCTOR
“Now, Billy. Come down the lift next to you and rejoin us.”
BILLY
“Right you are.”
With that, Billy makes his way over to lift.
SCENE #5 – INT – HANGER BAY (DECK #8), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
Back downstairs, Nyssa makes to open the door.
NYSSA
“Doctor, I can open the door now! Perhaps it’s safe for us to take our helmets off as well.”
DOCTOR
“No! We’ll leave them on until we reach the control deck. I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks.”
NYSSA
“Is something troubling you, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Just a feeling, Nyssa. Just a feeling.”
At that moment, Billy rejoins them.
BILLY
Here I am! Well, that was exciting and no mistake! (teasingly) My technical skills must be matching yours, Nyssa.
DOCTOR
Yes, well, we’ll have time to celebrate your success of technical mastery later, Billy. Once we’ve collected the seventh Coin of Deno, of course.
NYSSA
I’ll get this door open then.
Nyssa accesses the computer terminal and eventually, the large door opens.
DOCTOR
(pleased) Splendid, Nyssa! Well done! Now we can go in.
NYSSA
(cries) Billy; Doctor, watch out!
Nyssa pushes Billy and the Doctor back, as they avoid debris collapsing from the ceiling on top of them. A moment of silence ensues.
BILLY
(relieved) “Thanks, Nyssa. Good thing you spotted that.”
NYSSA
“I didn’t expect debris to come down so suddenly. This ship must be crumbling apart after drifting in space for so long.”
DOCTOR
“Yes, well, now we know we have to be very careful. Come on! Let’s tread carefully, shall we? And keep your respirator helmets on.”
Gradually, the TARDIS trio make their way through the large doorway.
SCENE #6 – INT – WEAPONS TESTING ROOM (DECK #8), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
Eventually, they find themselves in a large room. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy take in their surroundings.
NYSSA
This must be a weapons testing room. At least one of them. This whole ship is dedicated to warfare.
BILLY
I’d feel much happier if we saw people aboard this ship. The idea of this ship being empty and that it can manage things on its own gives me the creeps.
NYSSA
This ship must be very advanced. Whoever built it must have been from a highly advanced society.
DOCTOR
Quiet, you two. I need to track down the seventh Deno coin.
At that, the Doctor takes out the Map to Time from one of his coat pockets. He uses it to scan the area, which lasts for ten seconds.
NYSSA
Found it, Doctor? Is the Map to Time telling you anything?
DOCTOR
The coin’s very close by. It’s somewhere on the lower levels. We need to get to the control deck to obtain more information.
The Doctor soon puts the Map to Time back in one of his coat pockets.
DOCTOR
Let’s check the map on the wall here, shall we? Hopefully it can direct us to the control deck.
The Doctor makes his way over to examine the map on the wall. Nyssa and Billy watch nearby.
BILLY
(whispers) He’s acting very strangely today, Nyssa. I’ve never seen him like this before.
NYSSA
(whispers) He knows we’re coming to the end of our quest. Things are bound to be pretty deadly and dangerous from now on.
BILLY
(whispers) Well, I hope he won’t be like this when you and I get married.
NYSSA
(whispers) I’m sure he won’t, Billy. At the moment he’s in a preoccupied state.
BILLY
(whispers; soothingly) Hey, Nyssa? You enjoyed our holiday in Cannes, didn’t you?
NYSSA
(whispers) Yes, I did, Billy. For the most part, it was the happiest time I spent with you. Especially when you proposed to me.
BILLY
(whispers) Yeah. That was a good move by me, wasn’t it? Asking you to marry me. I’m so pleased you accepted.
NYSSA
(whispers) Are you going to be like this from now, Billy? All gaily and carefree.
BILLY
(whispers; teasingly) “Maybe. You’ll have to find out, won’t you?”
NYSSA
(whispers) “You like to tease me, don’t you. And your jokes are getting worse every time you tell me a new one.”
BILLY
(whispers) “Ah, but deep down, you know my jokes are funny.”
NYSSA
(whispers) “And very silly.”
Nyssa and Billy laugh together before the Doctor returns to them.
DOCTOR
(interrupts) “If you two don’t mind, we have a lot to do before we’re finished here. I appreciate you’re both happy but…”
NYSSA
“Sorry, Doctor. Billy got carried away.”
BILLY
“Yes sorry, Doctor. It’s all my fault.”
DOCTOR
“That I can well believe.” (Pause) “Now, we need to get inside the lift to reach the control deck.”
NYSSA
“You know where the control deck is from the map on the wall then.”
DOCTOR
“We’re seven floors below the control deck. With the lift, we’ll reach it in five minutes.”
BILLY
“Where is the lift?”
DOCTOR
“Over there.”
NYSSA
“But that door’s blocked. There’s a chair blocking it. It’s jammed in the doorway.”
DOCTOR
“Very good, Nyssa. I wondered when you’d spot that.”
NYSSA
The laser cutter. That’ll do the trick. We can use it to blow the chair out of the way.
DOCTOR
Good thinking, Nyssa. I’ll let you handle that.
BILLY
Do you need any help with this, Nyssa?
NYSSA
There’s no need. I can manage it. It’s just a matter of using the switches. Now let me see…
Nyssa makes her way over to the computer terminal for the laser cutter. She begins to access the switches. Soon, the laser cutter opens fire and hits the floor. An explosion occurs.
NYSSA
Ah! I’ve got it to work. Now if I can just direct the laser cutter to the door.
Nyssa presses a few switches to direct the laser cutter to the door. The laser cutter turns towards the door. Very soon, Nyssa presses a switch to open fire. The laser cutter hits the floor again. Another explosion occurs. The Doctor and Billy are startled once this happens.
BILLY
Careful, Nyssa. Don’t blow us up to kingdom come.
NYSSA
“Sorry. This is taking some time. I’ll get the laser cutter to blow up the chair.”
DOCTOR
“So long as you don’t blow up the door entirely.”
NYSSA
“Have faith, Doctor. I can do this.”
Nyssa tries again to raise the laser cutter up to target the chair. This takes two or three times to adjust the laser cutter.
NYSSA
“Good. I have a target. One, two, three.”
Nyssa presses a button and the laser cutter opens fire. The laser cutter hits the chair and it blows up. Once blown up, the lift door opens wide to reveal the interior.
BILLY
(relieved) “Thank goodness!”
DOCTOR
(relieved) “Well done, Nyssa! Your technical expertise has served us well.”
BILLY
Yes well done, sweetheart.
NYSSA
(relieved) Thank you. I’m glad you two appreciate my skills.
DOCTOR
Oh we praise them. Now we can get inside the lift and reach the control deck.
BILLY
Is it necessary to reach the control deck, Doctor? You said yourself the seventh Coin of Deno is on the lower levels.
DOCTOR
There’s something odd about what happened here, Billy. I’m determined to find out what it is.
NYSSA
What odd something, Doctor?
DOCTOR
(evades question) Come on! No time to lose! Let’s get inside the lift!
Very soon, the TARDIS trio enter the lift, making their way up to the control deck.
SCENE #7 – INT – HALLWAY (DECK #1), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
The lift door opens, and the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy step out to find themselves in a hallway.
NYSSA
“Are you sure we’re going about this the right way, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
We’re heading in the right direction for the control deck, Nyssa.
NYSSA
I didn’t mean that. This all seems too easy. We haven’t come across many dangers. And there’s little explanation for why the gunship is adrift in space.
DOCTOR
We have to find the exact location of the seventh Coin of Deno on the lower levels. And with the use of the Map to Time and the computer databases at hand on the control deck, we should be able to locate the seventh coin with pinpoint accuracy.
NYSSA
There are variables you haven’t taken into consideration, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Such as?
NYSSA
You could be wrong about there being no crew aboard.
DOCTOR
Nonsense! It’s very unlikely there would be a crew on board.
BILLY
(morbidly) “Oh yeah? Then why are these people lying on the floor like this? See them, Doctor?”
Horrified, the TARDIS trio see corpses on the deck floor. They gradually begin to examine them.
NYSSA
(horrified) “How dreadful! Such loss of life!”
BILLY
“Who would do something like this? It’s so callous!”
DOCTOR
“This isn’t meant to be. Crewmembers shouldn’t be aboard a dreadnought gunship like this.”
NYSSA
“Perhaps your history of these vessels needs updating.”
DOCTOR
“My history’s perfect, Nyssa.”
NYSSA
“Obviously not.”
BILLY
“The ones that killed these people could still be aboard.”
At that moment, gunfire ensues. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy cry out loud startled.
DOCTOR
“For once, Billy, you’re right! Duck!”
The trio duck.
BILLY
“Me and my big mouth!”
NYSSA
(cries) “Get undercover! Under that bulkhead quickly!”
With that, the trio run for cover under the nearby bulkhead whilst gunshots ring out.
BILLY
“Where are these gunshots coming from?”
NYSSA
“I’ve heard gunfire like this before!”
DOCTOR
So have I! (realise) And now I know who’s firing upon us! Look, you two! See them!
The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look to see whose firing upon them.
NYSSA
Sgrans! They’re back! A large group of them!
BILLY
And they’ve come for the same thing we’re here for! The seventh Coin of Deno!
DOCTOR
Get down, you two! Lower your heads!
The trio get down for cover, whilst the Sgrans cackle out loud with laughter as they continue to fire on their prey.
NYSSA
Doctor, you did lock the TARDIS door when we left, didn’t you?
DOCTOR
Of course I did!
NYSSA
“Are you sure?”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Nyssa! I’m positive I locked the TARDIS door when we left.”
NYSSA
“I’m just worried the Sgrans will get into the TARDIS and steal the other two Deno coins we have while we’re not looking.”
DOCTOR
“Oh Nyssa! Have a little faith.”
NYSSA
“It’s still a possibility.”
BILLY
“All war’s broken out! This isn’t going to be easy to get out of here unscathed.”
DOCTOR
(urgently) “Get down, you two! Get down!”
The Doctor pulls Nyssa and Billy down, as the Sgrans continue to fire upon them. Just then, the Sgrans get fired upon by somebody else. They screech and wail whilst being fired upon.
BILLY
That wasn’t us! We didn’t open fire!
NYSSA
Of course we didn’t!
DOCTOR
Then who else…?
The TARDIS trio look to see, as Kexaj, Toma and Criala (the three Asleve guardians from ‘The Map to Time’) come to their aid. The three guardians fire their weapons upon the Sgrans, sorting them out.
BILLY
(amazed) Why! It’s them three! The three guardians!
NYSSA
Kexaj, Toma and Criala from Arazo Four! I remember them! They’ve come to our rescue!
DOCTOR
That was a stroke of luck, wasn’t it?! I never thought I’d be so pleased to see them!
The three guardians call out to the TARDIS trio.
TOMA
(calls) “Come, Doctor; Nyssa and Billy! Get over here at once!”
CRIALA
(calls) “Quick as you can while we’ve still got a chance!”
NYSSA
“Shall we go over to them, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I don’t see why not. Come on!”
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy make their way over to meet up with Kexaj, Toma and Criala. They dodge the Sgrans’ firepower as they go.
DOCTOR
(calls) “Kexaj; Toma; Criala! It’s good to see you again!”
NYSSA
(calls) “How did you manage to find us?”
KEXAJ
“No time to explain! We must get you three to safety!” (urgently) “Come on! Out of here! Run!”
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy follow Kexaj, Toma and Criala as they head out, escaping the Sgrans. The Sgrans continue firing their weapons. The door in the hallway soon closes shut once the TARDIS trio and the three Asleve guardians are gone. The Sgrans stop firing their weapons. They soon howl enraged once their prey has escaped. Klaw and Car are amongst the Sgrans.
CAR
“You stupid, stupid idiot, Klaw! They got away, thanks to you!”
KLAW
“Our leader Totrino isn’t going to like this at all! Not one little bit!”
SCENE #8 – INT – CORRIDOR (DECK #1), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
Halfway down a corridor, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are reunited with Kexaj, Toma and Criala after escaping the Sgrans.
DOCTOR
“Thank you so much, Kexaj. We really appreciate you saving us!”
KEXAJ
“It’s our job! Your wellbeing is our prime concern.”
NYSSA
“But how did you know we were here? We could have been anywhere in the known universe.”
TOMA
“Lord Ganl and Mr. Dalgix have been tracking you across the universe in your quest for the Coins of Deno.”
CRIALA
“They’ve been doing that for the past seven months.”
BILLY
“Oh. Then they know that…”
KEXAJ
(interject) “Yes. They know you allowed the Sgrans to steal the first four Coins of Deno from your TARDIS.”
DOCTOR
(protests) “It wasn’t deliberate, you know!”
NYSSA
“The Sgrans easily got into the TARDIS.” (reassuringly) “We have collected the latest two Coins of Deno, but we’re unsure…”
CRIALA
(interjects; reassuringly) “No need to worry, Nyssa. We placed a forcefield around the TARDIS to prevent the Sgrans from getting inside to steal the latest two coins you’ve collected.”
DOCTOR
“You people think of everything, don’t you? You even anticipated the Sgrans’ arrival aboard this gunship.”
KEXAJ
“We have to be prepared for these occurrences.”
BILLY
“Wait a second! Did you say seven months? It’s been seven months since you last saw us.”
TOMA
“Deno time works differently to your time, Mr. Walker.”
BILLY
“And Lord Ganl and Mr. Dalgix have been tracking us for the past seven months? On the same planet? Arazo Four?”
CRIALA
“Not anymore. They’ve returned to one of the planets in the Deno system in the middle of the war.”
NYSSA
“They’re fighting in the war?!”
KEXAJ
“Much has happened since we parted on Arazo Four, Doctor. The war has grown worse. The Deno system is on the edge of a knife.”
DOCTOR
“That I can well believe. So, Lord Ganl and Mr. Dalgix are coordinating all the battle plans. Refereeing I should say.”
CRIALA
“They’re giving you time to complete the rest of your quest before you come into the heart of the Deno system.”
NYSSA
“But we don’t have the first four coins, wherever they are.”
TOMA
“They’re with Lord Vorshon. He has them in his possession.”
DOCTOR
“Ah! That makes our quest even more challenging and difficult, doesn’t it?”
KEXAJ
“We’re here to assist you, Doctor. To help you find the last two coins, if we can. First of all, we must locate the seventh coin aboard this gunship.”
DOCTOR
“Well, it’s very kind of you, Kexaj. But it’s not really [necessary…”]
KEXAJ
“We insist, Doctor.”
BILLY
“We could do with some help, Doctor.”
NYSSA
“Yes, Doctor. I don’t care for the idea of being subjected to Sgran firepower and torture. Every little helps to avoid the prospect.”
DOCTOR
(grudgingly) “Oh very well. Thank you, Kexaj. We would appreciate your help.”
NYSSA
“We were making for the control deck. It’s close by, I believe.”
TOMA
“We shall help you to get there then.”
CRIALA
“Come this way. We know a better route to reach the control deck and avoid any Sgrans.”
The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy follow Kexaj, Toma and Criala, as they make for the control deck.
SCENE #9 – INT – HANGER BAY (DECK #8), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
Back in the hanger bay on Deck #8, close to where the breach is, the Sgrans try to force their way into the TARDIS. They have no luck. The Sgrans become angry whilst the TARDIS is surrounded by a forcefield, placed by Kexaj, Toma and Criala.
ITRASAL
We can’t get in, Totrino! Those meddling guardians of that old man Ganl have set up this forcefield around the TARDIS.
TOTRINO
(reassuringly) We will find a way in, Itrasal. It’s only a matter of time.
ITRASAL
But for how long? How long do we have to wait before we can get in?
TOTRINO
We still have the seventh Coin of Deno to collect. Once Klaw and Car have the Doctor and his companions killed, we’ll be able to carry out the quest in peace.
ITRASAL
And those three guardians? Will they be killed as well?
TOTRINO
Oh yes, yes, and those three guardians as well.
ITRASAL
Perhaps we should keep the Doctor and his friends alive for our own purposes.
TOTRINO
(ignores Itrasal) See about moving this gunship with the magnetic force extrapolator.
At that moment, Klaw and Car turn up with their troops to meet up with Totrino and Itrasal.
KLAW
“Totrino; Itrasal! We’re back!”
TOTRINO
“Well, Klaw; Car! Give us your report! Have you had the Doctor and his friends killed?”
CAR
“No! We haven’t…”
TOTRINO
(interrupts; enraged) “What?! You haven’t killed the Doctor and his friends!”
KLAW
“We tried to! But those three young guardians got in the way! Those old men Ganl and Dalgix…”
TOTRINO
(interrupts; harshly) “You stupid incompetent maggots! Is this what we pay you for? Is that what our great lord Vorshon commands?!”
ITRASAL
“Totrino!”
TOTRINO
“What is it, Itrasal?”
ITRASAL
We need to rethink our strategy!
TOTRINO
Oh don’t give me talk about strategy! (Pause; realises) Wait a minute! You said something about keeping the Doctor and his friends alive, Itrasal! What did you mean by that?
ITRASAL
Precisely what I meant. The Doctor and his friends are on the trail for what we want. If we follow them, we’ll reach the seventh Coin of Deno before they do and catch them unawares.
KLAW
And we’ll do the same thing to them as we did before. Knock them out once they return to the TARDIS and steal the latest two coins they’ve collected from them.
CAR
Yes, of course! That’s obviously the answer! Why didn’t we think of that?!
TOTRINO
Because it’s been done before, you numskulls. The Doctor and his friends won’t fall for the same trick twice.
ITRASAL
Not if we keep tabs on them at all times. Track every one of their movements wherever they go aboard this ship.
TOTRINO
(intrigued) What are you saying, Itrasal?
ITRASAL
Once we saw those three guardians come aboard, I made sure I implanted radio bugs on the boy and the girl. So that we can hear and listen to all that happens to them when they’re searching for the seventh Deno coin at the same time as us.
TOTRINO
(realises) Yes. (Pause) Yes, I see. Good work, Itrasal. Good work.
Klaw and Car are bemused whilst Totrino and Itrasal talk.
KLAW
Get any idea what they’re saying, Car?
CAR
None at all, Klaw. It’s all beyond me. They’re so cleverer than us, aren’t they?
SCENE #10 – INT – CONTROL DECK (DECK #1), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
On the ship’s control deck, the Doctor and his friends enter. They take in their surroundings.
NYSSA
Very large control room.
TOMA
There are about over two thousand systems operating this gunship at three cycles per minute. This war machine is an Asleve winner.
DOCTOR
“Asleve? So it’s from your people.”
BILLY
Bit ironic that, isn’t it? A huge vessel of mass destruction that belongs to your people.
KEXAJ
There are some who don’t approve of the methods of warfare. Like us guardians, we do not approve. We find the concepts of warfare too harrowing. It’s suitable when needs must.
NYSSA
If you knew the seventh Coin of Deno was aboard this vessel, why couldn’t you collect it yourselves in the first instance?
CRIALA
We’ve tried to. But there are various booby traps. That’s why it’s essential to come here to coordinate a safe route as well as to locate the seventh Coin of Deno.
TOMA
And it’s also essential according to the Map to Time, which you carry, Doctor. Everything must be done according to order.
DOCTOR
Yes, of course it must.
BILLY
(realises; shocked) Doctor! There are more dead bodies here!
The Doctor and Nyssa look to see the corpses in the room. Nyssa gasps in horror. Soon, both she and the Doctor examine the corpses with Billy, Kexaj, Toma and Criala watching nearby.
NYSSA
Their skin’s so dry. Drained of life. They look hardly human or humanoid.
DOCTOR
(grimly) “Kexaj. This ship doesn’t need a crew. It’s automated.”
KEXAJ
“These were maintenance crewmembers. They came aboard when the ship was in peril or in danger of a systems failure. They would beam aboard from the flagship to repair any damage.”
BILLY
“Do you know who these crewmembers are?”
CRIALA
“The older woman. That’s Commander Patro Ro. She was reported missing when this ship – the dreadnought – was lost in space.”
TOMA
“And those are her fellow officers. Sandton, he was security. Kel, she was communications. The rest…they’re hard to identify since they’re so calcified.”
DOCTOR
“Are there any logs or visual recordings that contain recent bridge activity? We can look over them to see what happened.”
KEXAJ
“If you access the computer, Doctor, I’m sure you’ll able to find what you’re looking for.”
The Doctor makes his way over to a computer terminal. He begins to access the logs.
DOCTOR
(mutters) “Logs, logs, logs. Recent activity. Last recorded entry.”
As the Doctor presses buttons on a keypad, eventually…
DOCTOR
“Aha! Here we are! Here’s a recent entry. We should be able to hear and find out what happened to the crew aboard this gunship right now.”
The Doctor presses a button, as he and everyone else gets to listen to a playback featuring the end of the episode’s first scene (Scene #1) featuring Patro Ro and her crew.
KEL
“It’s no good! I can’t get a response from the communications controls! They must have been knocked out on impact by enemy firepower!”
PATRO RO
“Our maintenance teams could be dead by now.”
KEL
“Yes, Patro. I fear that might be the case.”
SANDTON
“We must send for reinforcements! We can’t delay!”
PATRO RO
“Agreed! Kel! Contact headquarters and tell them to send help immediately!”
SANDTON
“But we can’t, Commander! External communicators are damaged as well as internal!”
A moment of tense silence ensues.
PATRO RO
(gradually; barks) “All hands abandon ship! Spread the word to everyone as best as you can! All crewmembers must abandon the dreadnought! Initiate self-destruct…”
A huge explosion occurs before a pop is made and the log entry ends. Everyone in the control room becomes unsettled by what they’ve just heard.
NYSSA
“Goodness! It’s amazing this ship’s still intact.”
BILLY
“So, this ship has been adrift in space long after that battle occurred. How spooky is that?”
DOCTOR
“We’ll have more time to worry about that later.” (Pause) “Let’s bring up a holographic map of the ship, shall we?”
With that, the Doctor enters more keys on the keypad and a holographic map appears before them.
DOCTOR
Ah! Here we are!
BILLY
How did you manage to bring that up so quickly?
DOCTOR
Watch and learn, Billy. Watch and learn. (Pause) Now, let’s check the Map to Time and see…
The Doctor takes out the Map to Time from one of his coat pockets and switches it on. The map whirs gently to life, as the Doctor holds it up. He compares the Map to Time’s readings with the holographic map of the ship nearby, making notes as he goes along.
DOCTOR
Ah! I see!
NYSSA
What is it, Doctor?
DOCTOR
I’m able to pinpoint the location of the seventh Deno coin on the gunship map with the use of the Map to Time. It’s seven floors down where the loading bay is. The loading bay is used to fire photon charges. The loading bay is where we need to be.
KEXAJ
“Remember, Doctor. There will be booby traps.”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Kexaj. Thank you for reminding me.”
CRIALA
“So someone has to remain here to guide you through the ship to avoid the traps.”
NYSSA
(continues) “Whilst the rest of us goes down to the loading bay to collect the seventh coin.”
BILLY
“Well. who’s going to go down there then?”
A moment of silence ensues.
TOMA
“I’ll stay. I can guide people to where they need to be. I know the schematics of these controls and can navigate a route for whoever goes down there to the loading bay.”
KEXAJ
“No, Toma”
TOMA
“I’m the one with the technical expertise. It should be me.”
KEXAJ
“I won’t allow it, Toma. Not on your own.”
CRIALA
“I’ll stay with Toma, Kexaj. I can look after him.”
TOMA
“You don’t have the technical expertise as I do, Criala. Besides, you’re more used to fighting and tactical advantage than I am.”
NYSSA
“In that case, I’ll stay with you, Toma.”
DOCTOR
“Nyssa, are you sure?”
NYSSA
“Two technical minds can help get you and the others to reach the lower levels, Doctor. And at a quicker pace.”
BILLY
“It could still be dangerous, Nyssa. And with those Sgrans…”
NYSSA
“You go with the Doctor, Billy. I’ll be fine with Toma. Kexaj and Criala will look out for you two.”
BILLY
“Are you sure about this, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
(interjects) “I’m certain.” (reassuringly) “I will see you again, Billy.”
BILLY
(grudgingly) “Alright then. You take care.”
NYSSA
“And you.”
DOCTOR
“Right! Well, that’s settled. Nyssa and Toma stay here whilst the rest of us go down to find the coin. We’d better get started.”
Criala checks her data pad to which she takes out.
CRIALA
“And quick! According to these readings, there’s a large Sgran ship approaching.” (realises) “Look! The computer confirms it!”
They look to see the computer.
DOCTOR
So I see. (Pause) Well, the sooner we collect this coin, the sooner we can stop that Sgran ship. (to Billy; Kexaj; Criala) Come on, Billy; Kexaj; Criala! Let’s go! (to Nyssa; Toma) Nyssa; Toma, keep in touch!
NYSSA
We will, Doctor.
TOMA
I’ll have my communicator switched on, Kexaj, for you and the Doctor to contact us.
KEXAJ
Likewise. I’ll have mine on for you and Nyssa to contact us.
DOCTOR
Come on! Let’s head off!
With that, the Doctor, Billy, Kexaj and Criala make their way out of the control room to head for the lower decks. Nyssa and Toma remain, making ready to guide their friends whilst on the control deck.
SCENE #11 – INT – LARGE HALLWAY (DECK #1), DREADNOUGHT GUNSHIP – OUTER SPACE
In the large hallway of the dreadnought ship, the Sgrans listen into the conversation between the Doctor and his friends.
BILLY (V’O)
“Which way shall we go, Doctor? Left or right.”
DOCTOR (V’O)
“Left, I think.” (Pause) “No! Right it is, I think.”
BILLY (V’O)
(sighs; frustrated) “Make up your mind, Doctor!”
The Sgrans cackle our loud with laughter as they listen in.
TOTRINO
“Oh very well done, Itrasal! I’m pleased your resourcefulness exceeds your ugliness.”
ITRASAL
“Thank you, Totrino. It’s nice to be appreciated.”
KLAW
“How come we didn’t think of that?”
ITRASAL
“You two were busy quibbling over the number of maggot doughnuts you were going to eat.”
CAR
“It wasn’t me, boss.”
TOTRINO
“Silence, you two! Now, Itrasal! You’re sure we can hear every word that is said between the two groups.”
ITRASAL
“With the boy Toma in the control room and the girl Criala accompanying the Doctor, how can there be a problem? It’s all taken in hand.”
TOTRINO
“Excellent! Now, we need to make sure we follow every movement of the two groups. A number of us will go to hunt the Doctor and his friends. Another number will search the ones in the control room guiding their friends.”
CAR
“Does that mean we spilt up, boss?”
TOTRINO
“Yes! We split up.”
KLAW
“Not Car! Please don’t put me with Car, boss! He’s useless!”
CAR
“What do you mean I’m useless? You’re the one who’s useless!”
TOTRINO
“Shut up, the pair of you!”
Totrino hits them both with his fist. Klaw and Car are battered and agog.
TOTRINO
(continues) “Itrasal and I will lead one group to find the Doctor. You Klaw and you Car will lead the other group to the control deck.”
KLAW
(wryly) “Great! Just what I need.”
TOTRINO
“Do I have to hit you both again?!”
CAR
“Hey, wait a minute! Why do we get the boring job? Why can’t we go and hunt the Doctor?!”
ITRASAL
“Don’t you question Totrino’s orders! Take pleasure out from them! They’re supposed to be uncomfortable!”
TOTRINO
“Come! Let’s get moving! The Doctor will collect the seventh coin before we do! Itrasal, follow!”
ITRASAL
“As you command, leader.”
TOTRINO
(to Klar; Car) “You two! Go to the control room now!”
As Totrino and Itrasal head off in one direction, Klaw and Car grumble as they head off in another.
KLAW
(grumbles) Come on, Car! Let’s get this over with. The sooner I see less of your ugly mug, the better!
CAR
Are you kidding? We’re always seeing each other’s ugly mugs!
© Tim Bradley, 2021-22
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