3. The Marnlix
SCENE #18 – INT – ENERGY POWER FACTORY #14, POL COMPLEX – DAY, MORNING
Back in the energy power factory in the Pol Complex, Nyssa, Victoria and Ace back away as the robots approach.
VICTORIA
(terrified) We must get away from here! Those horrible things will kill us! We can’t stay here and do nothing!
ACE
Take it easy, Victoria! We can take care of these robots! We can knock them out! We just need to find the ‘off’ switch!
NYSSA
I don’t think that’s going to be easy! I agree with Victoria. Whatever happens, we mustn’t stay here and let the robots take advantage.
The robots charge up their arm-like energy weapons at the three companions.
ROBOT #A1
Any attempt to escape will result in immediate death.
ACE
Whichever way you look it, we’re going to be flesh heaps before we all make a runner.
At that moment, battle sounds echo from outside. The factory shudders at the impact of fire power. The robots don’t seem bothered by the shudders whilst the three companions are.
VICTORIA
(anxiously) “Something’s happening outside! Another battle?”
ROBOT #A1
“Lonmar is under attack. The Marnlix have returned.”
ACE
“Perhaps this is our chance to escape!”
NYSSA
“I don’t see how, Ace. We’re not likely going to be rescued by the Marnlix.”
VICTORIA
“Yes. For all they know, we may be their enemy as well.”
ACE
“Who said anything about being rescued? We escape ourselves!”
Ace then takes out some deodorant cans from her rucksack.
VICTORIA
(sceptically) “Those are meant to help us escape?!”
NYSSA
“Looks like cans of…deo-do-rant. I remember Billy buying some when we went to Bath in two thousand and eleven.”
ACE
“Nitro-nine. Double cans of the stuff. Dangerous to be used by me!”
ROBOT #A1
“Warning. Unidentified explosive capsules detected.”
NYSSA
“What are you going to do with those?”
ACE
“You’ll see!”
Ace begins to unscrew the Nitro-9 cans. A faint wheezing is heard from the cans.
ROBOT #A1
(to Ace) “Give me the capsules! Give them to me now!”
ACE
“Just as you say, tin-mate!”
Ace throws the Nitro-9 cannisters at the robots. Two of the robots, including Robot #A1, catch them. However, once caught, the robots can’t seem to shake them off.
ACE
(mockingly) “Eat them and weep!”
ROBOT #A1
“Alert! Alert! Cannot detach. Cannot detach.”
VICTORIA
“Those robots can’t get those cans off their hands! They’re stuck!”
NYSSA
“You’ve applied some adhesive material to those capsules.”
ACE
“Superglue! Brand new addition to my demolition gear!”
NYSSA
“Demolition?! You mean…”
ACE
“Head behind those crates, both of you!” (cheekily) “Last one behind becomes a gooey mess!”
VICTORIA
“Quickly! Run!”
NYSSA
“Agreed! Come on!”
Nyssa, Ace and Victoria make a dash for it behind the metal crates, whilst the robots with the Nitro-9 canisters struggle to break them free of them to no avail.
ROBOT #A1
“Unable to detach canisters. Prisoners escaping. Must not…”
Before Robot #A1 finishes, the canisters let off mighty explosions, causing a chain reaction of robots to blow up in the entire factory. Once the explosion’s over, Nyssa, Victoria and Ace step out from hiding.
NYSSA
“Well, that’s finished them off!”
ACE
(cheers) “Ace!”
NYSSA
“Well done, Ace! That’s one problem less we have to worry about.”
VICTORIA
“That was incredible!” (Pause) “But…I’m afraid your bombs have caused the roof to fall in!”
They look to see the ceiling with the roof beginning to fall in.
NYSSA
“Oh no! Now we really need to get out!”
VICTORIA
(to Ace) “You could have warned us that there was going to be a massive explosion!”
ACE
“Oi! Nobody’s perfect!”
NYSSA
“Come on! Let’s get out through that fire exit over there!”
VICTORIA
“Will it take us out in the open?”
NYSSA
“I don’t know. But at least we may have a chance.”
VICTORIA
“What about President Owen? We can’t just leave him!”
ACE
“He’s done for already. Let’s just get our bums out of here!”
NYSSA
“Must as I like to disagree, I’m afraid Ace is right. We can’t go back to save him. It’s too late!”
VICTORIA
(protests) “But Nyssa…”
NYSSA
“I’m sorry, Victoria. But we must go!”
They make a run for it, heading for the fire exit door as the roof falls in. Ace suddenly stops in her tracks, as she feels a throbbing in her head. Nyssa and Victoria go back to check up on her.
ACE
(in pain) “Argh! My head!”
VICTORIA
(concerned) “Ace? Are you alright?”
NYSSA
“Is it a dream? You’re having a waking dream, aren’t you?”
ACE
“I’m not sure. I think I am, yes.” (reacts in pain) “It hurts! I feel as if…I’m in a place burning to bits…”
NYSSA
(interjects) “Ace! We can’t linger here! We need to get out now!”
ACE
(agitated) “But it hurts!”
NYSSA
(to Victoria) “Victoria! Help me get Ace out of here!”
VICTORIA
“Of course.”
Both Nyssa and Victoria help Ace towards the fire exit door. Whilst they make their escape, Ace experiences her dream. Just like Nyssa, Billy, Jo and Victoria before her, Ace experiences disturbing visions and contorts in fear. She can hear an alarm sound going off inside her head as well as fire burning.
ACE (V’O)
(panics) “No!” (Pause) “I’ve got to stop it! I’ve got to stop you!” (Pause) “It’s too late! It’s too late!” (Pause; Shouts) “NO! You’re heading towards destruction and all those people are going to die!” (Pause) “NO!”
Whilst Ace dreams this, she with Nyssa and Victoria get through the fire exit door and escape from the factory. Roof and ceiling crumble to the floor as the whole factory blows up.
SCENE #19 – EXT – CITY WASTELANDS, CENTRAL CITY – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, Jo and Billy walk in some desolate wastelands in the heart of the city. They trudge on through rubble and decaying ruins.
BILLY
(concerned) “Are you alright, Jo?”
JO
(scared) “A little frightened, yes.”
BILLY
(reassuringly) “Don’t worry, Jo. We’ll get through this.” (Pause) “There’s a lot of rubble here. I can’t believe how we’re managing to get through this.”
JO
“It was my idea. Not such a good idea after all.”
BILLY
“Ah well. At least we got away from the robots.”
JO
“Yes. Hopefully they won’t sniff us out.” (Pause) “I wonder how the others are doing.”
BILLY
“Let’s hope we’ll bump into them soon.”
Moment of silence. They stop for a moment to take a breather.
JO
“Do you think we can stop for a moment? My legs are tired out and I feel my feet are all achy.”
BILLY
“Yeah I know how you feel. But we can’t linger here. Not in this place. We must move on before we’re out of this neck of the woods. Once we’re back on firm ground we’ll rest, alright?”
JO
“Yes, alright.” (Pause) “You’ve been good looking after me, Billy. Thank you.”
BILLY
“That’s okay. I make sure we’re safe our danger.”
JO
(gradually) “Nyssa’s a lucky girl.”
BILLY
(laughs) “Yeah. Of course she is.”
They continue walking. Moment of silence ensues.
JO
“Have you two been together long?”
BILLY
“A fair bit, yes.” (Pause) “I met Nyssa when I was on a railway trip. It was then that she was travelling with the Doctor – my Doctor – that I met her. And ever since, I joined them in the TARDIS. We grew close and became a couple.”
JO
“She obviously likes you, Billy.”
BILLY
“I like her too. Love her in fact.”
Another moment of silence.
BILLY
“What about you, Jo? Have you got anyone?”
JO
“Oh…just a few fancies with the boys back at U.N.I.T. Captain Yates; Sergeant Benton. Mike Yates has taken me on the town for a few swings. But it hasn’t been more than a friendship.”
BILLY
“Well, there’s always time.”
JO
“I always seem to be waiting for the right man to turn up. Don’t know when that’s going to happen.”
BILLY
“Oh it’ll happen soon. You’re obviously a delightfully lovely person.”
JO
(pleased) “Thanks, Billy. So are you.”
Another moment of silence.
BILLY
“We haven’t got much further to go. There’s a block of buildings up ahead. Perhaps we can reach it.”
JO
“Do you think the robots just knocked out Darvill for a few hours? I wouldn’t like to think they killed him.”
BILLY
“Neither would I. It still bothers me why they were behaving like that.”
JO
“Obviously someone’s controlling them. But who could it be?”
BILLY
There are all sorts of people that have the capacity of controlling robots. If these robots were built, it must be a human who does…
JO
(gasps with fright) Billy, look!
Billy looks, as he and Jo see some strange alien creatures coming towards them. They make strange hissing noises.
BILLY
My word. They don’t look very friendly.
JO
They’re coming towards us!
BILLY
Get back, Jo! Get back!
Billy and Jo turn the other way. But Jo lets out a scream, as she and Billy are cornered off by more hissing aliens.
BILLY
“It’s no good!”
JO
“We’re surrounded!”
Jo holds onto Billy for protection. Both remain still, as the strange aliens close in on them with menace.
SCENE #20 – EXT – STREET #12, CENTRAL CITY – DAY, AFTERNOON
Meanwhile, Nyssa, Victoria and Ace have come a fair way away from the Pol complex. They find themselves in one of the upper streets in the central city.
NYSSA
(concerned) “How’s your head now, Ace? Is it better?”
ACE
“Yeah it’s fine, thanks.” (Pause) “But I’m real scared though. They said those dreams were put there by these Marnlix. If the Marnlix are attacking…”
VICTORIA
“We could have more trouble if we meet them. If they’re here…”
NYSSA
“Let’s try not to think about that. We must get out of this street. And find Jo and Billy; wherever they are.”
They continue walking through the street.
ACE
“What do you think got into those tin-heads? Why did they say…?” (mimics robot voice) “Stay where you are or you will die. Stay where you are or you will die. Stay where you are…”
VICTORIA
“Stop saying that! You’re making me nervous!”
NYSSA
“I don’t know what happened to those robots. Clearly their logic and priority circuits have been tampered with. President Owen seemed to disbelieve it.”
ACE
“Oh don’t be fooled by that. It could be another ploy. He could have made those robots to shoot him in order for us to believe it.”
VICTORIA
“But why should he do that? He’s been very hospitable to us.”
NYSSA
(to Ace) “You may have a point, Ace.” (Pause) “But speculations will have to wait. Our main priority is to stay alive.”
ACE
(cries; astonished) “Gordon Bennett! Look up there!”
All look up to see alien spaceships zooming past across the skyline, heading in some far-off direction.
VICTORIA
“They’re massive! I’ve never seen ships like that before!”
NYSSA
“It must be the Marn invasion fleet. Since they’re the ones attacking.” (Pause) “I think I can see a junction leading into the open. Let’s head there.”
They walk on a bit to find the junction.
VICTORIA
(to Ace) “Who’s Gordon Bennett?”
Just then, a teleport takes place as Nyssa, Victoria and Ace see a group of alien monsters before them. The aliens hiss and Victoria gasps with fright. She, Ace and Nyssa back away.
ACE
“Whoa! Where did they did come from?!”
NYSSA
“Quick! Run!”
Nyssa, Victoria and Ace run the other way, before bumping into another set of aliens that block their path. They back away, whilst aliens in every direction surround them.
ACE
(sarcastically) “Great plan! Run!”
VICTORIA
“I don’t like the look of them! They’re so…like…oh I don’t know what to call them.”
ACE
“Ugly! That’s what they are!”
NYSSA
“These must be the Marnlix!”
VICTORIA
“How did you deduce that?”
ACE
“Well…because they’re alien; they’re hissing; and they want to kill us!”
The hissing aliens that are supposedly the Marnlix close in around Nyssa, Victoria and Ace. One of the Marnlix steps forward.
NYSSA
“That tall Marnlix must be their leader!”
Suddenly the Marnlix leader grabs hold of Victoria’s arm. She cries out terrified.
VICTORIA
(cries; terrified) “And it’s got hold of my arm!”
Ace then cries out in pain, as she too gets grabbed by another Marnlix.
ACE
(cries; pain) “Hey! Another one’s got me!” (bitterly; to alien) “Oi! You! Back off!”
But the alien hisses at Ace. Nyssa is grabbed by another alien.
NYSSA
(cries) “They’ve got us all!”
VICTORIA
“What are they going to do to us?!”
NYSSA
“I’m not sure.”
Just then, the Marnlix leader speaks into a communicator via his ear-piece, talking in an alien language.
ACE
Hey? What he’s doing – that alien?
NYSSA
He’s speaking into that ear-piece. Must be a physic communicator.
VICTORIA
Physic communicator?
Just then, the Marnlix leader switches off his communicator. Very soon, the three companions and the Marnlix are caught in a teleport beam.
VICTORIA
(nervously) We’re…being surrounded in a pool of light!
NYSSA
A teleport is being initiated!
ACE
Teleport?! Wicked!
VICTORIA
I feel all funny! My stomach’s all churned up!
NYSSA
“That’s the effect of the teleport I’m afraid, Victoria. Hold on!”
Eventually, Nyssa, Victoria and Ace are teleported with the Marnlix into space. They leave a deserted Lonmarian street.
SCENE #21 – INT – PRISON BRIG, MARNLIX SPACESHIP – N/A
Aboard the Marnlix spaceship, Jo and Billy are in the prison brig being watched by a Marnlix guard.
BILLY
“That alien guard looking at us gives me the creeps.”
JO
“He reminds me of an Ogron a bit.”
BILLY
“We must be in orbit around the planet. Perhaps there’s a chance we might get back to the surface.”
At that moment, the engines roar into life as the ship heads into warp drive.
JO
“Then again not.” (Pause) “They must be taking us back to their planet.”
BILLY
“Exactly where President Owen and Mr. Darvill want us to go. Might be a coincidence.”
JO
“Then again it may not. The aliens don’t know who we are. They probably kidnapped us as prisoners of war.”
BILLY
“Every second this ship’s moving away from Lonmar and we’re far away from Nyssa and the others.”
JO
“I’m sure we’ll meet up with them.”
BILLY
“Will we?”
JO
“Billy, I can’t make an escape plan without you can I?”
Moment of silence. Billy then cheers up.
BILLY
(cheered up) “No. No of course you can’t.”
It’s at that moment a struggle occurs from outside. Billy and Jo look to see as Ace, Nyssa and Victoria get dragged in.
ACE
(yells) “Let go of me, you jerks! This is my best jacket I’m wearing!”
VICTORIA
(cries) “Please let me go! We want to go back to Lonmar!”
NYSSA
(shouts) “Leave us alone! We’re not your enemy!”
Ace, Nyssa and Victoria get pushed in by the hissing Marnlix aliens. They instruct the guard to watch over the five companions before the Marnlix aliens leave. The Marnlix guard continues to keep watch over the five companions.
BILLY
“Nyssa!”
NYSSA
“Billy!”
BILLY
“Oh thank goodness you’re alright!”
NYSSA
“Billy, I’m so glad to see you!”
Nyssa goes to Billy and gives him a hug and a kiss.
NYSSA
(to Jo) “Thank you for looking after him, Jo.”
JO
“Oh I’d say he’s the one who’s been looking after me, Nyssa.”
VICTORIA
(interrupts) “Pardon me for interrupting, but where exactly are we?”
ACE
“Yeah. This is a bit drab. This ship. Those goons.”
JO
“They’re Marnlix!”
NYSSA
“I surmised they might be. It’s a bit ironic they captured all five of us.”
VICTORIA
“Perhaps they know that we’re supposed to steal this thing for the President. The thing that they stole from Lonmar first.”
ACE
“If that’s so, how would they know? Have they got big brains?”
NYSSA
“There’s one way to find out?”
Nyssa then goes over to address the Marnlix guard.
NYSSA
(to Marnlix Guard) “Why have you kidnapped us from Lonmar?”
The Marnlix guard doesn’t respond.
NYSSA
“Excuse me? I asked you a question!”
Still no response. Ace then addresses the Marnlix Guard.
ACE
“You heard her, mate! Answer the question!”
The Marnlix Guard then reacts in anger and raises its weapon at them. It hisses as it does so.
VICTORIA
“It doesn’t want to talk to us.”
Ace then takes out her little catapult, applies a dart to it and aims it at the Marnlix guard.
ACE
“I’ll sort him out!”
NYSSA
“No Ace, don’t!”
But Nyssa’s call comes too late. Ace fires the dart, hitting the Marnlix guard on the spot. The Marnlix guard squeals rather strangely, almost robotically, as he crumbles to the floor.
ACE
“Got ya!”
JO
(astonished) “Where did you get that from?!”
ACE
“Had it in my rucksack all the time. Borrowed a number of darts when I was in a pub on Earth. Haven’t returned any of them yet.”
NYSSA
“Was that really necessary?”
ACE
“Hey! We’ve dealt with him, haven’t we? I could have had my electro-club, but the Professor – I mean the Doctor – hasn’t built me one yet.”
BILLY
“We still can’t get out. We’re locked in.”
JO
“Well due to my escapology course, I have the skeleton keys on me!”
Jo takes out a bunch of skeleton keys from her pocket.
VICTORIA
(amazed) “Where did you get those from?!”
JO
“Oh I’ve had them in my pocket all the time. Trade secret, mind.”
NYSSA
“Well done, Jo. Please would you unlock the door for us?”
JO
(cheerfully) “My pleasure.”
Jo attempts to unlock the prison cell door using the skeleton keys.
VICTORIA
(to Ace) “Ace? Why do you keep calling him ‘Professor’? He’s a Doctor.”
ACE
“I gave him a nickname. Why shouldn’t I give him a nickname?”
BILLY
(disturbed) “Nyssa?”
NYSSA
“Yes Billy, what is it?”
BILLY
“Look at that guard!” (Pause) “The place where Ace hit him. There are wires and mechanical bits showing!”
NYSSA
(realises) “Yes you’re right, Billy! There are wires! Mechanical hardware!”
ACE
(astonished) “Hey?! That was the alien I smashed up?”
VICTORIA
“It’s less like an alien monster. It’s more of a metal monster!”
NYSSA
“You’re right, Victoria! That Marnlix guard…is a robot!”
JO
(intrigued) “So if he’s a robot…what are the others like?”
The five companions become disturbed as they consider their discovery.
SCENE #22 – INT – TUBE BRIDGE #2, LATZ COMPLEX – DAY, MORNING
Back in the tube bridge in the Latz complex, Darvill wakes up as he recovers. Getting to his feet, Darvill sees President Owen approaching.
OWEN
(insistently) “Mr. Darvill? Where are those two you’re supposed to be looking after? Mr. Walker and Miss Grant?”
DARVILL
“They…I think they managed to escape through that ‘exit’ door on the right. See!It’s swung open!”
OWEN
“And you made no attempt to stop them?”
DARVILL
“No, sir. The robot knocked me out! It was malfunctioning! It shot me!”
OWEN
“So what you’re saying is…Miss Grant and Mr. Walker…went out into the open…heading for the wastelands.”
DARVILL
“Yes.”
OWEN
(gradually) “Good. I’m pleased with your report. Miss Nyssa, Miss Waterfield and Miss Ace managed to escape too. They headed out for the exit door in the factory when Robot #A1 knocked me out.”
DARVILL
“So…all’s going according to plan.”
OWEN
“Yes. Though I didn’t expect that girl Ace to plant explosives. The roof began falling in. I had to beam out once I was awake.”
DARVILL
“The ‘Marnlix’ should have already captured them by now.”
OWEN
“Yes! Now it’s phase two – Marn Prime!”
Just then there’s a beeping noise. President Owen takes out his communicator.
DARVILL
Message, sir?
OWEN
Yes. It’s from Lady Krige.
Owen switches on his communicator and speaks into it, holding it firmly in his hand.
OWEN
(through communicator) Yes, my lady. President Owen speaking.
KRIGE (V’O)
I assume you men have been successful, Mr. President.
OWEN
(through communicator) Yes, your ladyship. We observed it with our own eyes, my security man and I. The five companions took the bait.
KRIGE (V’O)
Excellent! The five companions should be arriving on Marn Prime soon. I shall monitor their progress.
OWEN
(through communicator) “Very good, your ladyship.”
KRIGE (V’O)
“Your work is not over yet, Mr. President. I still need you and your associates. I shall be sending final details for the final stage of the agenda to your secretary. Order one of your men to go and collect her.”
OWEN
(through communicator) “Yes, my lady.” (to Darvill) “Mr. Darvill. Fetch Miss Stewart. Tell her to bring me the final plans of the agenda from Lady Krige. I shall be in my office waiting for her.”
DARVILL
“Oh! Now?”
OWEN
“Yes, Mr. Darvill. Right this instant!”
DARVILL
“Why can’t she just send the stuff electronically to you, sir?”
OWEN
“Don’t argue with me, man! Just do as you’re told!”
DARVILL
(sighs) “Yes, sir.”
Reluctantly, Darvill heads off. Meanwhile, President Owen continues to talk to Lady Krige via the communicator.
OWEN
(through communicator) “My security man has gone to see to it now, my lady. If you wish for anything else….”
KRIGE (V’O)
(interjects) “The series of events are taking shape! They continue at a rapid pace, Mr. President. If these companions of the Doctor are as loyal and resourceful as we’ve heard…then they would have made plans to escape from their prison. In fact…those five companions are probably escaping now.”
SCENE #23 – INT – TRANSPORTER ROOM, MARNLIX SPACESHIP – N/A
On the Marnlix spaceship, one of the Marnlix transporter chiefs, which happens to be Robot #D4, works in the transporter room. He gets interrupted as Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Victoria and Ace enter. Robot #D4 as the Marnlix transporter chief charges his energy weapon at them.
ROBOT #D4 (as Marnlix Transporter Chief)
(hisses) “Stay where you are. Do not move.”
NYSSA
“There’s no point trying to behave like a Marnlix. We know what you are.”
ROBOT #D4 (as Marnlix Transporter Chief)
(hisses) “Remain still. Or you will be incinerated.”
ACE
“Incinerate this, loser!”
Before Robot #D4 as the Marnlix Transporter Chief can fire, Ace fires an similar Marnlix energy weapon at him. With a blast of firepower, Robot #D4 staggers back before blowing up into bits. After a few moments, the five companions breathe a sigh of relief.
JO
“That was…pretty impressive!”
VICTORIA
“Pretty loud though.”
ACE
“I was able to nick this from that Marnlix guard I shot down. You’re right, Jo! This thing’s firepower’s impressive!”
JO
“This must be the transporter room.” (to Nyssa) “Like you said, Nyssa.”
BILLY
(to Nyssa) Is this the sort of thing they have on many ships, Nyssa. Like the time when we were on the Moonraker?
NYSSA
Yes, Billy. Very like it. Hopefully the principles should be the same. Let’s have a look at these controls.
Nyssa goes over to the control panel for the transporter. Nyssa fiddles a bit with the controls as she presses a few switches and buttons.
JO
Well, Nyssa? Do you know how it works?
NYSSA
I think so. (Pause) According to this terminal screen, we seem to be in orbit around one of the planets in this solar system. I assume that’s where we’re supposed to be heading.
VICTORIA
Well, we don’t want to go there.
ACE
Wrong! That’s where we should go. We can give the aliens the slip and they’ll have to look for us if we split up all over the planet.
BILLY
“That might be an idea. I agree with Ace. We should give them chase.”
JO
“But that means we’ll be separated. We may not see each other again if there’s danger on that planet.”
NYSSA
“I agree, Jo. There’s the element of risk on that planet.” (Pause) “But at the same time, we may have a chance of not being caught all at once. Besides…we might as well get the job the President asked us to do for him done.”
VICTORIA
“But we just met robots faking monsters earlier. The President could be the one putting us at risk too.”
JO
“Maybe the Marnlix have their robots as well as the Lonmarians.”
VICTORIA
“Then why would they dress up their robots as one of them?”
ACE
“Whatever their motive is, we better get a move on! Otherwise we’ll be back in the den before we know it!”
NYSSA
“I’ll set the transporter to teleport us five to the planet below. If you could all get onto the transporter pad…”
Jo, Victoria and Ace get aboard whilst Billy lingers behind with Nyssa.
BILLY
Do you want me to help you, Nyssa?
NYSSA
No, Billy. You get on the pad with the others. I’ll join you in a minute.
BILLY
Right.
Billy makes his way to the transporter pad, joining Ace, Victoria and Jo. Eventually Nyssa flicks a number of switches and presses the final button on the control panel.
NYSSA
Got it! There’s a ten second delay for the transport to be initiated. I must get on the pad with you now.
A hissing and rasping sound echoes from outside.
BILLY
Quick, Nyssa, get on! I hear Marnlix coming!
Nyssa makes a dash for it around the control panel, before getting onto the transporter pad just in time. The transporter room doors open and a squad of robots disguised as Marnlix enter. They aim their Marnlix energy weapons at the five companions on the transporter pad.
JO
“Got here just in time, Nyssa!”
NYSSA
“Six seconds remaining.”
The Marnlix leader, which happens to be Robot #E5, steps forward.
ROBOT #E5 (as Marnlix Leader)
(hisses) “You will all step off the transporter pad at once!”
ACE
(shouts) “Get lost, metal head!”
ROBOT #E5 (as Marnlix Leader)
(hisses) “Step off the pad or we’ll fire!”
The Marnlix robots are about to fire, before the five companions are engulfed in the teleport beam.
BILLY
“We’re beaming down! It’s working!”
VICTORIA
“Oh…I have that funny feeling in my stomach again!”
ROBOT #E5 (as Marnlix Leader)
(hisses) “All units! Open fire!”
The Marnlix robots open fire, just as the five companions dematerialise from the transporter pad. The Marnlix robots miss. The five companions are gone. Moment of silence ensues.
ROBOT #E5 (as Marnlix Leader)
(hisses) “They have escaped! Already?”
SCENE #24 – INT – DESERT PLAINS, MARN PRIME – DAY, AFTERNOON
On the planet Marn Prime, the five companions materialise safely as they arrive on the planet surface. They take in their surroundings before they move on. There is a harsh breeze and the five companions each cough slightly.
VICTORIA
(catches breath) “The air’s stale! One can’t imagine anyone living here.”
JO
“This can’t be the place we’re supposed to be.”
NYSSA
“Believe me, it is. It’s so desolate and ravaged.”
BILLY
“Perhaps it’s the result of some terrible battles with the Lonmarians.”
ACE
“Yeah. Talk about the Marnlix being malicious.”
They trudge on a bit further, trying to get their bearings.
JO
“I suppose those squid-like robots on that spaceship will come after us.”
NYSSA
“Yes, Jo. That’s why we need to spread out and make sure they don’t catch us all, like Ace suggested.”
VICTORIA
“But where can we go? There aren’t many hiding places.”
ACE
“There must be some life on this rock-ball. They can’t have killed all Marnys!”
BILLY
(realises) “Wait! Look, up there!”
They all look to see what Billy’s seen.
NYSSA
Yes, I see it to! It’s a tower! A tall tower!
JO
I wonder who put that there!
VICTORIA
(in awe) It’s beautiful! Like a castle out of a fairy tale! From ‘Alice In Wonderland’.
ACE
Seems to be the only bit of civilisation left.
BILLY
Shall we reach it, Nyssa?
NYSSA
I don’t see why not. There seem to be two entrances leading into it on opposite sides.
JO
The shield generator might be in there. The thing that President Owen and Mr. Darvill asked us to get.
VICTORIA
“Oh I do hope so. I want to get away from this place!”
Just then, a teleport takes place. Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Victoria and Ace turn around to see the Marnlix robots beam in. The Marnlix robots carry their Marnlix-like energy weapons with them and the five companions become terrified.
BILLY
“Yeah! And pretty soon quickly!”
The Marnlix robots train their Marnlix energy weapons on the five companions.
ROBOT #E5 (as Marnlix Leader)
“There they are! Fire!”
The Marnlix robots open fire and the five companions duck for cover. Ace tries to fire back with her Marnlix energy weapon onto one of the Marnlix robots. One of the Marnlix robots gets blown up by Ace’s shots.
ACE
(cheers) “Cool! I got one of them out!”
JO
“Can you get them all?”
Ace tries to fire again, but she then realises her Marnlix energy weapon isn’t working. She keeps on trying, but it’s no use. She eventually throws the Marnlix energy weapon away in anger.
ACE
(angrily) “Aww, shucks! The weapon’s dead!”
VICTORIA
“Already?! But that can’t be!”
ACE
(sharply) “Try telling the gun that!”
NYSSA
“We must get away from here! Come on! To the tower!”
BILLY
“Which direction shall we go?”
JO
“It doesn’t matter! We must get away!” (to Ace) “Ace! You’re with me!”
ACE
“Right!”
NYSSA
“Billy; Victoria! Come with me! We’ll go in the opposite direction!”
VICTORIA
“Those horrible robots are marching towards us!”
BILLY
“Come on! Run!”
The five companions make a run for it and split up. Nyssa, Victoria and Billy go off in one direction whilst Ace and Jo go off in the other. As the two groups head off to the tower, the Marnlix robots chase after them.
ROBOT #E5 (as Marnlix Leader)
They’re heading for the tower! In two groups! After them! After them!
© Tim Bradley, 2017
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