Chapter 3
SCENE #26 – INT – CAR, TRAFALGAR SQUARE (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
With Yaz, Dan and Donna, they’re now in London, as they drive their car in Trafalgar Square.
DONNA
(astonished) You two weren’t kidding when you said the trip from New York to London would be instantaneous.
DAN
At least we’ve shaken off the Cybermen for a bit.
YAZ
And now we’re in Trafalgar Square at last.
DAN
Any sign of the Doctor, Yaz?
YAZ
Not yet. She doesn’t seem to be anywhere at present. (Pause; realises) Wait. There are two blokes over there. Standing in the spot where we first arrived.
DAN
Oh yeah, so there are. I hope they’re friendly and not controlled by the Cybermen.
DONNA
I recognise one of them. (realises) It’s the Doctor! My Doctor!
YAZ
(realises) Wait, that’s your Doctor, Donna?
DAN
The skinny fella with the spiky hair?
DONNA
Yes. I have a few words to say to him.
SCENE #27 – EXT – TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
The Fifth and Tenth Doctors also see Yaz, Dan and Donna arriving in their car.
DOCTOR 5
Oh look! A car’s approaching.
DOCTOR 10
Yes. Three people inside. (Pause; realises) And I recognise one of them. It’s Donna! She’s in the car!
DOCTOR 5
Your latest travelling companion?
DOCTOR 10
(happily) Yes! I have a few words to say to her.
The car comes to a stop. Donna eventually gets out with Yaz and Dan joining her, as they meet up with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors.
DONNA
Oy! I want a word with you, Spaceman!
DOCTOR 10
(cheerfully) Donna Noble! Thank goodness you’re safe.
Very soon, the Tenth Doctor and Donna hug each other happily. Eventually, they let go.
DONNA
But where have you been? Why did you go swanning off like that?
DOCTOR 10
You swanned off as well.
DONNA
Oy! Don’t pin this one on me.
DOCTOR 10
It really is good to see you again, Donna! I’m so glad you’re alright.
DONNA
(teases) Na. You didn’t miss me a bit, did you?
DOCTOR 10
(teases) Na, not really.
The Tenth Doctor and Donna laugh before they hug each other again. The Fifth Doctor meanwhile meets Yaz and Dan.
DOCTOR 5
Hello. I’m the Doctor. Nice to meet you two.
YAZ
We gathered you were the Doctor, Doctor. I’m Yaz. This is Dan.
DAN
Hullo there.
DONNA
This isn’t your Doctor, you two.
YAZ
No, of course not, Donna. We told you, she’s a woman.
DONNA
Oh yeah, so you did.
DAN
Where is our Doctor then?
DOCTOR 5
Where’s Nyssa and Billy?
SCENE #28 – EXT – MARBLE ARCH, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
With the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy, they come out of their hiding place as they make their way to Marble Arch tube station.
DOCTOR 13
Now remember, you two. We must stick together as we enter Marble Arch tube station.
BILLY
I should think so too. I don’t like the idea of us splitting up.
NYSSA
Me neither.
DOCTOR 13
(encouragingly) Come on. We’re going in.
The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy make their way forward to the tube station’s entrance. As they approach though, a group of Cybermen and controlled humans march out of the tube station towards them, stomping as they go.
NYSSA
(cries) Cybermen!
BILLY
And controlled humans! Coming out of the tube station!
DOCTOR 13
(groans; annoyed) Aww, hey, that’s cheating!
NYSSA
(realises) Doctor! That Cyber Leader and his subordinate are coming back.
Nyssa, Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor look behind them to see the Cyber Leader and the Cyber Lieutenant.
CYBER LEADER
Stay where you are. You are required for processing.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
You will accompany us to Cyber Control.
DOCTOR 13
Come on, you two. Back the way we came.
BILLY
But where do we go from here, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Manhole, like I told you, Billy. Into the sewers. Now come on! Run like lightning!
The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy head back the way they came and make for the manhole cover on the road, as the Cybermen and controlled humans pursue them.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
There is no escape. You will be taken for processing.
CYBER LEADER
You will be upgraded. You will become like us.
Eventually, the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy arrive at the manhole cover. The Doctor gets on her hands and knees, and uses her sonic screwdriver to open the manhole cover, which buzzes away quite loudly.
NYSSA
Will we all be able to fit inside the manhole, Doctor? If you get its cover off, that is.
DOCTOR 13
I’m sure we will, Nyssa. It’s worth a try anyway.
Eventually, the Thirteenth Doctor stops buzzing away with her sonic screwdriver, pockets it and tugs at the manhole cover to get it open.
DOCTOR 13
(to Billy) Come on, Billy. Don’t let me do all the hard work. Help me get this cover off.
BILLY
(realises) Oh, right. Yes, of course.
Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor work together, as with hands and knees on the ground, they begin to lift the manhole cover off the ground. It takes a while, as the manhole cover is difficult to open.
BILLY
(grits teeth) This…manhole cover is really, really stiff.
DOCTOR 13
(grits teeth) And it feels heavy to the touch.
NYSSA
(encouragingly) Come on, you two! You can do it! Hurry up though. The Cybermen and controlled humans will catch us.
The Cybermen and controlled humans advance closer to the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy, stomping as they go. Eventually, Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor manage to get the manhole cover open and pull it aside.
DOCTOR 13
(relieved) Okay. We have the manhole open.
BILLY
(cheers) Access to the sewers is now at our disposal!
NYSSA
Quickly, Billy; Doctor! The Cybermen and controlled humans are a few metres away.
DOCTOR 13
Are they? Well, we’ll soon put a stop to that.
BILLY
Doctor, what are you doing?
The Doctor fumbles in her coat pockets and takes out her sonic screwdriver again.
NYSSA
Your sonic screwdriver, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Now, you two, watch this.
The Thirteenth Doctor switches on her sonic screwdriver and it buzzes away. Eventually, the Cybermen and controlled humans stop marching and stand still in an instant.
NYSSA
(astonished; realises) They’ve stopped! You’ve stopped the Cybermen!
BILLY
(astonished) And their buddies. Whoa! I didn’t know your sonic screwdriver could do that.
DOCTOR 13
It’s temporary, I’m afraid. I’ve stopped the Cybermen and their controlled humans for approximately three minutes.
BILLY
Well, it’s a stroke of luck for us anyway.
NYSSA
At least it allows us to get into the sewers without being caught.
DOCTOR 13
(insistently) Yes. Now come on, you two! Let’s get going, shall we?
BILLY
Of course. You go in first, Nyssa. I’ll follow.
NYSSA
As you say, Billy.
BILLY
You will come in after me, won’t you, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
(impatiently) Of course. Now hurry up, you two. We haven’t got all day.
SCENE #29 – EXT – TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Back with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna in Trafalgar Square in London, they’re interrupted as Cybermen and controlled humans approach, stomping as they go.
DONNA
Oh no! Cybermen and friends.
DOCTOR 5
They followed you from the New York section of this place we’re in, I take it.
YAZ
Yeah. And they’ve caught up with us very quickly.
DAN
We’d better get back in our car and get away then.
DOCTOR 10
Good idea, um…err…what’s your name again?
DAN
Dan. Me name’s Dan.
DOCTOR 10
Good idea, Dan. Come on, let’s get in your car and get away.
DOCTOR 5
You’re driving, I take it, Dan.
DAN
Yep, I am.
YAZ
I’ll drive if you like, Dan…
DAN
(interjects) No, Yaz, it’s fine. I’ll drive. I’m really keen to get away too.
DOCTOR 10
Excellent. You, Yaz, get in the front with Dan, whilst us two join Donna in the back.
DONNA
(urgently) Come on then. Let’s go! Those Cyberbrutes are nearly here.
The Cybermen and controlled humans advance closer, stomping as they go, whilst the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna get in the car.
SCENE #30 – INT – CAR, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Once inside, the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna fasten their seatbelts.
DOCTOR 5
Right! Now we’ve fastened our seatbelts…
DOCTOR 10
(finishes) …Let’s get a move on, shall we?
DONNA
So many people in the back with me. This felt much roomier earlier.
DOCTOR 10
(wryly) Oh sorry, Donna. Didn’t realise me and him were taking up so much room.
DONNA
Oh shut up.
DOCTOR 5
The Cybermen and their controlled humans are on our tails, you know.
YAZ
(urgently) Dan, go! Drive, Dan, drive!
DAN
(agitated) Alright, Yaz. I’m getting there.
Dan steps on the accelerator and drives forward.
SCENE #31 – EXT – TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
CYBERMAN #1
Stop them. Stop them at once.
CYBERMAN #2
They will not escape. They will be upgraded.
The car drives off at full speed, with the Cybermen and controlled humans stomping in pursuit. The car heads off out of Trafalgar Square, with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna inside.
CYBERMAN #1
The Doctor and their friends will be taken for conversion.
CYBERMEN #2
If they are incompatible, they will be deleted.
SCENE #32 – INT – CAR, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, in the car with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna…
DOCTOR 5
The main priority of course is that we keep you all safe.
DOCTOR 10
We also need to find your Doctor, Yaz and Dan. As well as Nyssa and Billy.
YAZ
Have we got enough petrol in the car, Dan?
DONNA
Or gas, as the Americans would call it.
DAN
Yep, we’re about half-full. Depends on whether we’ve got enough to locate our Doctor. As well as…
DOCTOR 5
(interjects; finishes) …Nyssa and Billy, yes.
DOCTOR 10
No need to worry. We have our temporal trackers, don’t we, Doctor.
DOCTOR 5
Indeed we do, yes. It should be easy enough for us to follow the trail of any temporal energy signatures with our temporal trackers switched on whilst heading out of Trafalgar Square.
The Fifth and Tenth Doctors take out their temporal trackers and switch them on. They bleep loudly.
YAZ
I’ve got a temporal tracker too, Doctors. Me and Dan were given it by our Doctor.
Yaz takes out her temporal tracker and switches it on. It bleeps loudly too.
DOCTOR 10
(pleased) Good, good. Brilliant!
DOCTOR 5
Yes, splendid. Every little helps.
DONNA
(ruefully) We make a good Tesco advert, don’t we?
DAN
So, we just follow the trail of any temporal energy signatures on those trackers of ours, until we find our Doctor as well as other friends.
DOCTOR 5
Couldn’t have put it better.
YAZ
Don’t worry, Dan. We’ll guide you on where we need to go according to our trackers.
DOCTOR 10
Yeah. And give you directions too.
DOCTOR 5
We’ll be…the back-seat drivers if you will.
DAN
(scoffs) How very reassuring.
DONNA
Alright, enough playing with your toys. Let’s get to where we need to be.
YAZ
Do we have a clear fix on where any temporal energy signatures could be, Doctors?
The Doctors check the temporal trackers.
DOCTOR 5
(gradually) Yes. Yes, we do. According to our trackers…
DOCTOR 10
(continues) …they say some temporal energy signatures were in Marble Arch. They’re getting faint…
DOCTOR 5
(finishes) …but we can make a start on looking for Nyssa and Billy and a Doctor from there.
YAZ
Come on then, Dan. Down this way, we go. To the right, alright?
Dan turns the car to the right.
DOCTOR 10
Shouldn’t that be left?
DOCTOR 5
I thought it was straight-on.
DONNA
(sighs) This could be a long day, couldn’t it?
SCENE #33 – INT – SEWERS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
In the London sewers with the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy, they trudge carefully.
NYSSA
(disgusted) Ugh! It’s a foul stench! Doesn’t anyone clean up down here?
BILLY
These are the London sewers, Nyssa. I doubt anybody comes down here to clean them up.
NYSSA
We went through London’s sewers when we were in that miniscope, didn’t we, Billy.
BILLY
Yes, we did. (realises) Hey, Doctor, could we be in a miniscope? You know, like when we met up with Jo Grant on the planet Teruvada Sixteen. Or Jo Jones, as she was called then.
DOCTOR 13
I recall that adventure well, Billy. It occurred to me that we could be in a miniscope when Yaz, Dan and I arrived here. But now I’m not so sure.
NYSSA
Really? Why not, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
The set-up seems too obvious. I’m guessing whoever or whatever brought us here doesn’t want to make things easy for us to work out where and when we are.
NYSSA
Well, it would be repeating things if we were in a miniscope. Especially with London and New York involved. You did say New York is with us too, didn’t you, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
I did, yes, Nyssa. Coexisting with London, I believe.
NYSSA
I’m baffled by how two cities can coexist with each other. Both temporally and spatially. When we were in that miniscope, they were separate from each other in different zones.
BILLY
I wonder if there’s a difference between London’s sewers and New York’s sewers if the two cities are coexisting with each other.
NYSSA
Probably not if you think about it.
DOCTOR 13
It still is a conundrum nevertheless. Let’s hope the answer to our riddle will be found.
BILLY
Whilst we walk about in the sewers?
NYSSA
Is that likely to happen, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
It’s bound to. We must be optimistic about these things. There could be an access point to another dimension that exists outside Space and Time. If that is the case, London and New York could have been extracted deliberately from the spatial-temporal zones on Earth.
Just then, thuds echo from one end of the sewer tunnels. A moment of silence.
NYSSA
(anxiously) Doctor, that sounded like…
DOCTOR 13
(interjects) Yes, Nyssa. It sounded like Cybermen coming down to join our little party.
Stomping footsteps echo in the tunnel. The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look behind them to see some Cybermen marching towards them.
BILLY
Your trick with the sonic screwdriver didn’t last long.
DOCTOR 13
It wasn’t going to, Billy. Temporary measure, remember? Come on, you two! Let’s go!
The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy trudge forward with the Cybermen on their tails. Eventually, they come to a stop, as more Cybermen’s stomping footsteps echo.
NYSSA
(realises; anxiously) Oh no! More Cybermen at the other end of the tunnel.
BILLY
These Cybermen are relentless, aren’t they?
NYSSA
Could you use your sonic screwdriver again, Doctor? Stop the Cybermen in order for us to get away?
DOCTOR 13
Well, it’s worth a try. Hang on, you two. Just give me a minute to go through my pockets.
Once again, the Thirteenth Doctor fumbles in her coat pockets and takes out her sonic screwdriver to use it on the Cybermen once more. Her sonic screwdriver buzzes away, as she uses it in her right hand. However, the Cybermen advance closer, marching towards the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy on both sides in the tunnel. Something is wrong.
NYSSA
What’s wrong, Doctor? Why aren’t the Cybermen stopping?
DOCTOR 13
(annoyed) It’s the sonic, Nyssa. It’s not working for me.
BILLY
(astonished) How can that be? It worked fine the first time on the Cybermen.
DOCTOR 13
(irritably) Yeah, well, it isn’t now.
The Thirteenth Doctor keeps switching her sonic screwdriver on and off, as it buzzes away. It’s no use though, as the Cybermen on both sides continue to march towards them.
DOCTOR 13
(groans; frustrated) Aww, they’ve adapted to a new frequency. My sonic won’t work on the Cybermen anymore at its present settings.
NYSSA
Well, surely you can adjust the settings, can’t you?
DOCTOR 13
Not enough time. It looks like we’re done for.
BILLY
No! No, we can’t be done for. There must be some way out of this.
DOCTOR 13
Feel free to make any suggestions, Billy. I’m all ears.
NYSSA
(realises) Doctor; Billy. There’s a ladder on our right. If we’re quick off the mark, we can make for that.
BILLY
(eagerly) Come on then. Let’s get climbing.
Nyssa runs towards the ladder with Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor following behind her. The Cybermen also follow behind them too. Eventually, Nyssa, Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor arrive at the ladder.
BILLY
You go up the ladder first, Nyssa dear.
But just as Nyssa is about to go up the ladder first, she looks up to see.
NYSSA
(despairingly) Oh no!
BILLY
What is it, Nyssa? What’s wrong?
DOCTOR 13
Cybermen, Billy. There are Cybermen climbing down the ladder.
Nyssa, Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor look up to see Cybermen climbing down the ladder.
BILLY
They’re cutting us off on all sides.
DOCTOR 13
(urgently) Back the way we came. Come on.
But as they’re about to head back the way they came, they stop in their tracks with Cybermen before them.
NYSSA
Doctor, we’re surrounded. Cybermen on all sides.
DOCTOR 13
Yes. I’m sorry, Nyssa; Billy. I’ve brought danger to you both.
NYSSA
It’s not your fault, Doctor.
BILLY
We haven’t really been given a chance to outrun this lot.
DOCTOR 13
As far as Cybermen are concerned, they don’t believe in giving chances.
NYSSA
At least there aren’t any controlled humans with them.
BILLY
Probably up top to keep up the pretence of an ordinary London day.
DOCTOR 13
Or New York day. I hope Yaz and Dan are alright in all this.
Eventually, once the Cybermen are all down in the sewers, the Cyber Leader steps forward and addresses them.
CYBER LEADER
You have been apprehended. You will be taken to one of our Cyber-Conversion Control junction points.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah, yeah, alright. No need to goad. It doesn’t become you.
CYBER LEADER
(to Cybermen) Escort these three subjects to the Cyber-Conversion Control Seven in the London sewers section.
CYBERMEN
(in unison) Understood.
NYSSA
You have a Cyber-Conversion Control junction point in these sewers.
BILLY
(protests) That’s not fair.
DOCTOR 13
Indeed, it isn’t. Couldn’t you take us up to one of your junction points in the open air? It’s getting really smelly in these sewers, you know.
CYBER LEADER
(interjects) Take them. There will be no delays. Escort them to Cyber-Conversion Control Seven in London sewers section at once.
The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are escorted away by the Cybermen. Nyssa and Billy struggle to break free whilst the Cybermen hold them in a firm grip.
DOCTOR 13
Don’t struggle, you two. The Cybermen could easily break your arms off.
NYSSA
(in pain) Thanks for reminding us, Doctor. The pressure from this Cyberman’s fingers will give me bruises. I certainly don’t want to lose an arm.
BILLY
Where’s our Doctor when we need him? He should show up and save us in the nick of time.
NYSSA
Maybe there’s a chance of hope after all. There’s a probability the Doctor you and I know, Billy, will come to our aid.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah. Maybe he’s met up with Yaz and Dan the same way I’ve met up with you.
BILLY
Won’t there be another Doctor and friend joining him or her as well.
NYSSA
You did latch onto two TARDISes when we were drawn to the maelstrom, remember?
DOCTOR 13
Good points. I wonder what’s become of your Doctor, Yaz and Dan and anyone else they’ve discovered.
SCENE #34 – EXT – MARBLE ARCH, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna, they’ve arrived in Marble Arch in London, only to find their car has stopped. They go out to check what’s wrong with the car.
DAN
(groans) Punctured tyre.
DONNA
(annoyed) And at a time like this.
YAZ
How are we going to get anywhere now?
DOCTOR 5
(reassuringly) Not to worry, you three. At least there aren’t any Cybermen and controlled humans chasing us.
DOCTOR 10
And we’ve arrived at where we need to be. Marble Arch in London.
YAZ
This is where the Doctor – Dan and my Doctor – ended up.
DOCTOR 5
Along with Nyssa and Billy, yes. There were three temporal energy signatures after all.
DONNA
You said the energy signatures were getting faint.
DOCTOR 10
Indeed they are, Donna. But we can still pinpoint where they’ve gone using our temporal trackers.
The Fifth and Tenth Doctors take out their temporal trackers, which bleep quite loudly, as they examine them.
DAN
So, where have our Doctor and this Doctor’s Nyssa and Billy got to then?
Yaz takes out her temporal tracker and examines it, with it bleeping quite loudly.
YAZ
According to my temporal tracker, they’ve gone in this direction.
Yaz heads off somewhere with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Dan and Donna following her. The temporal trackers continue to bleep loudly as they go.
DOCTOR 5
Yes, our temporal trackers seem to concur with yours, Yaz.
DOCTOR 10
Most definitely. And it seems your Doctor as well as Nyssa and Billy have ended up going into…
Eventually, the five heroes come to a stop.
DONNA
(finishes) …A sewer.
DOCTOR 5
Yes, one of the London sewers if I’m not mistaken.
DAN
They’ve gone down there?
YAZ
Seems that way, yes.
DONNA
Why would they have gone down there?
DOCTOR 10
Probably being pursued by Cybermen at the time. It usually works that way when getting into peril. Believe me, I should know.
YAZ
So, do we make our way down into the sewers to go and find them?
DOCTOR 5
We must. Who knows what’s happened to your Doctor as well as my friends Nyssa and Billy. The Cybermen could have easily caught them.
DAN
It looks pretty grim down there.
YAZ
Now’s not the time to be a scaredy cat, Dan.
DONNA
(disgusted) And it smells awful down there. Ugh! Even from up here, I can smell it.
Stomping footsteps of Cybermen echo nearby. The Doctors and their friends become anxious at this.
DOCTOR 10
I believe there are worse things than foul stenches in a sewer, Donna.
DOCTOR 5
They’ve managed to be fast on their feet to catch up with us.
YAZ
Perhaps they’re not the same Cybermen we met earlier.
DAN
Either way, we don’t want to stand about and wait for Cybermen to catch us up.
DONNA
No way José. Let’s get down that sewer quickly.
DOCTOR 10
Right then. Donna, you go first.
DONNA
What, me?
DOCTOR 10
Yes, you. Come on, Donna. Chop, chop.
DOCTOR 5
Yaz; Dan, you follow after Donna down the ladder into the sewer…
YAZ
(interjects; finishes) …And you two Doctors follow us from behind, right?
DOCTOR 10
(insistently) Exactly! Come on, everyone, let’s get downstairs.
Donna goes first, as she gets onto the ladder and climbs down into the sewers.
DONNA
I’m going to regret this.
Once Donna’s already gone down…
YAZ
Dan, you go next.
DAN
Normally, I’d say ‘ladies first’, but…
YAZ
(interjects) Just get down there, will you?
At that, Dan gets onto the ladder to follow Donna down into the sewers.
DAN
I know I’m regretting this already.
Once Dan’s already gone down…
DOCTOR 10
Right, Yaz. Down you go.
Yaz obliges, as she gets onto the ladder and goes down into the sewers after Dan and Donna. As she goes down, she then stops.
YAZ
(panics) Doctors, look! Cybermen! Coming around the corner!
DOCTOR 5
(urgently) Get down, Yaz! Don’t waste time!
DOCTOR 10
We’ll catch up after you, now go on!
Reluctantly, Yaz climbs down the ladder. Meanwhile, the Tenth Doctor takes out his sonic screwdriver from one of his coat pockets.
DOCTOR 10
You go next, Doctor. I can handle these Cybermen with my sonic screwdriver.
DOCTOR 5
Oh, I’ll help you out there. I have my sonic screwdriver on me.
The Tenth Doctor looks to see the Fifth Doctor take out his sonic screwdriver from one of his coat pockets.
SCENE #35 – INT – SEWERS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Down in the sewers, Yaz joins Dan and Donna who have been waiting for her.
DAN
(relieved) Yaz, there you are.
DONNA
Where are the Doctors? Aren’t they coming down?
YAZ
The Cybermen were coming around the corner. The Doctors told me to go down. They said they would catch up.
DAN
(anxiously) Well, they seem to be taking a while to come down, aren’t they?
DONNA
Where are they? What’s taking them so long?
YAZ
(anxiously) I hope they’re not taking too many risks up there.
SCENE #36 – EXT – MARBLE ARCH, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Back upstairs…
DOCTOR 10
I thought you didn’t use sonic screwdrivers in your time, Doctor.
DOCTOR 5
This is one of the prototypes I used. Since the original sonic screwdriver was destroyed by the Terileptils, I made some new ones with short power levels to keep in one of the TARDIS drawers. They’re not reliable, but the power in this one should last long enough.
DOCTOR 10
(realises) Oh yes, it’s all coming back to me. (refocuses) Right. Time to stop this Cybermarch.
The Fifth and Tenth Doctors aim their sonic screwdrivers on the Cybermen stomping towards them.
DOCTOR 10
Now!
Instantly, the Fifth and Tenth Doctors switch their sonic screwdrivers on and they buzz away. Very soon, the Cybermen stop marching. A moment of silence.
DOCTOR 5
(amazed) It worked. It actually worked!
DOCTOR 10
Brilliant. We stopped the Cybermen for approximately three minutes.
DOCTOR 5
Six minutes if we’re lucky. Two sonic screwdrivers, so much better than one.
DOCTOR 10
(realises) Oh yes. Extra power outage. Why didn’t I think of that?
YAZ
(calls from inside sewer) Doctors! Are you alright up there?
DONNA
(calls from inside sewers) Yeah, come on, Doctors! We haven’t got all day.
DAN
(calls from inside sewers) We need you two to guide us in these sewers.
DOCTOR 5
Our party downstairs is getting impatient.
DOCTOR 10
Let’s get down there then.
DOCTOR 5
Let’s hope we’ll find this other Doctor, Nyssa and Billy in time, before something terrible happens to them.
DOCTOR 10
(reassuringly) I’m sure we’ll find them eventually, Doctor. Our temporal trackers are still picking up their temporal energy signatures.
The Fifth and Tenth Doctors go down into the sewers.
SCENE #37 – INT – CYBER-CONVERSION CONTROL 7, SEWERS (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are escorted into Cyber-Conversion Control 7 by the Cybermen and their leader. Electricity sparks about in the place.
BILLY
(anxiously) Nyssa, do you see…?
NYSSA
(interjects) Yes, Billy. I’m afraid I do. They’re conversion chairs.
BILLY
Three of them. They’re for us, aren’t they?
NYSSA
It’s a logical deduction, yes.
DOCTOR 13
(disapprovingly; to Cybermen) So, this is where you convert all your victims into Cybermen within the London and New York areas. Just one of many, I expect.
BILLY
(anxiously) Doctor, how do we get out of this mess? We don’t want to be converted into Cybermen.
NYSSA
(reassuringly) Don’t worry, Billy. We won’t be converted into Cybermen easily. The Doctor will work something out eventually.
CYBER LEADER
There is no escape. You cannot avoid conversion.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Conversion is necessary. Conversion is compulsory.
DOCTOR 13
(challengingly) Why? Why is it so compulsory to have everyone looking like you lot? What’s the point?
CYBER LEADER
(gradually; confused) We do not understand the question.
DOCTOR 13
Oh yes, you do. You’re just afraid to answer it, aren’t you?
CYBER LEADER
Cybermen do not fear. Cybermen have eradicated fear.
DOCTOR 13
You could have fooled me.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Conversion is necessary to preserve the lifespan of all humans. It has been our objective since we were first activated.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah, but you’re not human, are you? You’re metal walking corpses. Built from human remains, yes, but that doesn’t mean you’re human.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
We still classify as humans.
DOCTOR 13
Not on my watch, you don’t.
CYBER LEADER
Why do you resist? We only think of the well-being of all lifeforms. To cease their suffering in the skin. To advance them to perfection.
BILLY
Quite frankly, I would rather die than become a Cyberman.
NYSSA
The same goes for me.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Your deaths are unnecessary. You will be upgraded. You are compatible for processing.
DOCTOR 13
Have you forgotten, Cybermen? You used me as the template for your Cyber-conversion process once long ago. Back when I visited your original home planet Mondas. Are you sure I’m that compatible for Cyber processing, even today?
CYBER LEADER
Silence. Conversion will commence immediately. Your companions will be processed first.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Place them in the chairs.
Nyssa and Billy soon find themselves thrust forward by the Cybermen as they’re about to be put into the conversion chairs. They struggle to break free.
BILLY
(cries; protests) No! You can’t do this! We won’t become like you! We won’t!
NYSSA
(cries; protests) Let us go! We’re much better use to you unprocessed.
CYBER LEADER
Incorrect. We will not submit to your attempts of deception.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
You will be upgraded. It is the law of the Cybermen.
DOCTOR 13
(pleads) Please, Cybermen. Put me in the processing chair first. These two don’t need to go first just yet.
CYBER LEADER
We will monitor your reaction to your friends’ conversion into Cyber units. This will be essential to record in our scientific analysis.
DOCTOR 13
I wish you weren’t so cold-hearted.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Your response is illogical. Cybermen do not need hearts. Emotions are irrelevant.
DOCTOR 13
Irrelevant? Not for me and my friends they’re not.
Nyssa and Billy meanwhile are put into the conversion chairs against their will. They struggle to break free as the Cybermen begin to clamp them into the chairs.
NYSSA
Billy, I’m so sorry.
BILLY
Sorry for what? It’s not your fault, Nyssa.
NYSSA
But I hoped the Doctor would have worked something out in order for us to escape.
BILLY
(to Doctor 13) Doctor, surely you must have some ideas.
DOCTOR 13
Hold on, you two, hold on. I’m thinking, I’m thinking.
A moment of silence whilst the Cybermen continue to clamp Nyssa and Billy into their conversion chairs.
NYSSA
(anxiously) Well?
DOCTOR 13
(irritably) I’m still thinking, you two. Be patient. It takes time to work these things out.
NYSSA
Time which we don’t have, Doctor.
BILLY
(anxiously) We can’t be done for now. We simply can’t be.
SCENE #38 – INT – SEWERS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, with the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna, they trudge their way through the London sewers, trying to find Nyssa, Billy and the Thirteenth Doctor. The temporal trackers continue to bleep loudly as the Fifth and Tenth Doctors and Yaz use them.
DOCTOR 5
The temporal trackers are directing us to the temporal energy signatures in the north-easterly direction.
DOCTOR 10
About a few miles away. We’d better quicken our pace if we’re going to find them in time.
YAZ
The temporal energy signatures have stopped. Their trail is getting fainter. Is that bad?
DOCTOR 5
Wherever it is they’ve ended up can’t be good news.
DOCTOR 10
The Cybermen are bound to be doing something terrible to them as we speak.
DAN
Then we’d better get moving. Come on! A few miles you said?
DONNA
We can run fast enough, can’t we?
YAZ
Provided we don’t slip with the floor being so wet.
DOCTOR 5
Come on. Like the Doctor said, we must quicken our pace.
DOCTOR 10
Steady as we go. Don’t injure yourselves.
At that, the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna continue onwards in the sewers, guided by their temporal trackers bleeping away.
SCENE #39 – INT – CYBER-CONVERSION CONTROL 7, SEWERS (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Back in Cyber-Conversion Control 7…
NYSSA
There must be something you can do to get us out of this, Doctor.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Leader, the Doctor’s companions are ready for conversion.
CYBER LEADER
Understood. Initiate power levels in conversion units.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Acknowledged.
BILLY
(panics) We’re running out of time.
NYSSA
(anxiously) Please hurry, Doctor!
DOCTOR 13
(realises) Footsteps! I hear footsteps approaching.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
What did you say?
CYBER LEADER
Repeat what you said, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Nyssa; Billy. Shout as loud as you can and call for help.
NYSSA
Pardon? Doctor, I don’t understand.
DOCTOR 13
(interjects) It’s perfectly easy. Look, I’ll try it. (clears throat; calls) Help! Help! Help! Help…
NYSSA
Doctor, what are you doing?
BILLY
Come on, Nyssa. It’s worth a try. (calls) Help! Help! Help! Help…
NYSSA
Oh very well. (calls) Help! Help! Help! Help…
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Cease this! Cease this at once!
CYBER LEADER
There is no-one who will come and help you. Your efforts are meaningless.
SCENE #40 – INT – SEWERS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Outside, the Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna are getting closer, as they can hear the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy’s calls for help.
YAZ
(calls) Everyone, stop. Can you hear that?
DAN
You bet I can.
DONNA
They sound really close by.
DOCTOR 5
Quiet, everyone.
DOCTOR 10
Yeah. Let’s just listen.
Everyone keeps quiet, as the calls for help echo close by.
DOCTOR 13
(calls; from a distance) Help! Help! Help! Help…
YAZ
That’s our Doctor. Isn’t it, Dan?
DAN
It most certainly is.
NYSSA + BILLY
(in unison; calls; from a distance) Help! Help! Help! Help…
DOCTOR 5
And that’s definitely Nyssa and Billy. I recognise their voices anywhere.
DOCTOR 10
Come on then. Let’s answer their call.
DONNA
Yeah, come on quick. Those three are in real danger.
The Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz, Dan and Donna trudge on ahead in the sewers.
YAZ
Hey, wait. Look! On our left.
DAN
There’s a door leading somewhere.
DONNA
That must lead into the Cybermen’s lair or something.
DOCTOR 10
Cybermen don’t have lairs, Donna.
DOCTOR 5
Whatever it is, they’re keeping Nyssa and Billy in there.
YAZ
As well as our Doctor.
DAN
Can you Doctors get us in?
DOCTOR 10
Doctor, have you got your sonic screwdriver ready?
DOCTOR 5
I certainly have, Doctor.
The Fifth Doctor takes out his sonic screwdriver to show the Tenth Doctor. The Tenth Doctor takes out his sonic screwdriver to show the Fifth Doctor.
DOCTOR 10
So have I. Come on. Let’s go in while we may.
DONNA
(realises) Oh no.
YAZ
Something wrong, Donna?
DONNA
I just realised that my shoes have now become sopping wet.
Despite that, the five are about to make their way into Cyber-Conversion Control 7, as the Fifth and Tenth Doctor make use of their sonic screwdrivers.
SCENE #41 – INT – CYBER-CONVERSION CONTROL 7, SEWERS (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Back in Cyber-Conversion Control 7, the Cyber Leader clamps his hand over the Thirteenth Doctor’s mouth and stops her from calling for help.
CYBER LEADER
Enough, Doctor. Desist from calling for help.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
The Doctor’s companions are still calling for help, Leader.
NYSSA + BILLY
(in unison; calls) Help! Help! Help! Help…
CYBER LEADER
Ignore them. Confirm the power levels in the conversion units are ready.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Confirmed, Leader.
CYBER LEADER
Begin the conversion process immediately.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Complying.
The Cyber Lieutenant soon makes his way over to a control panel to commence Nyssa and Billy’s conversion process into Cybermen.
NYSSA
(anxiously) It’s no good, Doctor. Our efforts have been for nothing.
BILLY
(panics) Somebody must have heard us, Nyssa.
The Thirteenth Doctor manages to free herself from the Cyber Leader clamping his hand over her mouth.
DOCTOR 13
(cries) Leave my friends alone, Cybermen. Don’t touch any button on that control panel.
CYBER LEADER
Silence.
The Thirteenth Doctor gets clamped on the mouth again by the Cyber Leader. The Cyber Lieutenant ignores the Thirteenth Doctor, as he’s about to touch the control panel for the Cyber-conversion process. Just then, five people enter.
DOCTOR 5
(cheerfully) Excuse me! Pardon us for interrupting, but…
NYSSA
(interrupts; relieved) Doctor! Oh thank goodness you’re here.
DOCTOR 5
(pleased) Hello, Nyssa; Billy.
DOCTOR 10
We heard someone calling out for help and we had to answer.
BILLY
(pleased) And you’ve brought friends along! Excellent!
YAZ
(realises) Oh no! These two are about to be converted into Cybermen!
DOCTOR 5
(realises) Oh, are they indeed? Well, we can’t have that, can we?
The Fifth Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver at the Cyber Lieutenant, which buzzes away. The Cyber Lieutenant stops in motion and doesn’t press a button on the nearest control panel.
YAZ
You’ve stopped it, Doctor!
DOCTOR 5
Yes, Yaz, I certainly have.
DONNA
(to Doctor 10) Doctor, that Cyberman has got that woman in his grasp.
DAN
(realises) It’s our Doctor, Yaz.
YAZ
Yes, Dan. And his hand’s clamped over her mouth.
DOCTOR 10
Cyber Leader, actually. Anyway, let’s sort him out, shall we?
The Tenth Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver on the Cyber Leader, which buzzes away. The Cyber Leader stops in motion, and the Thirteenth Doctor is able to break free from its grasp. Yaz and Dan help her.
DOCTOR 13
Thanks, Doctor. That’s got me out of the Cyber Leader’s clutches, hasn’t it?
YAZ
Doctor, we’re so glad you’re alright.
DAN
Yes, it’s good to see you again, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Likewise, you two. I’m so glad you’re both alright.
NYSSA
(anxiously) Doctor, there’s more Cybermen coming!
BILLY
(panics) Yeah. They’ve just realised we stopped their Cyber activities.
The Cybermen in Cyber-Conversion Control 7 advance towards them, stomping as they go.
DOCTOR 5
(eagerly) Right then, Doctors.
DOCTOR 13
Time to use our sonic screwdrivers all at once, isn’t it?
DOCTOR 10
Absolutely. At least they won’t be able to adapt to this frequency.
The Thirteenth Doctor takes out her sonic screwdriver and she joins the Fifth and Tenth Doctors. They wait a moment, as the Cybermen continue to advance.
DONNA
(impatiently) Hurry up, Doctors! The Cybermen are closing in!
DAN
And we’re about to be toast.
With the three Doctors joined together…
DOCTOR 5
Okay, ready? One…
DOCTOR 10
…Two…
DOCTOR 13
…Three!
…they use their sonic screwdrivers simultaneously. The sonic screwdrivers buzz away quite frantically and noisily. Yaz, Dan, Nyssa, Billy and Donna groan in pain once the sonic screwdrivers are being used, as their buzzing becomes louder.
DOCTOR 13
(realises) Oh! Sorry; Yaz, Dan, Nyssa, Billy, Donna! Forgot to say, cover your ears!
DONNA
(annoyed) Must your sonic screwdrivers make so much noise?
YAZ
Come on, Donna, cover your ears.
BILLY
(in pain) We can’t cover our ears.
NYSSA
(in pain) Indeed not. We’re still clamped in our conversion chairs.
DAN
(realises) No, wait. I think it’s working. Look!
Thankfully and eventually, the Cybermen, after shaking, shuddering and groaning a bit, stop in their tracks and become frozen on the spot. The Thirteenth, Fifth and Tenth Doctors eventually switch off their sonic screwdrivers and there’s a moment of tense silence.
DOCTOR 10
There we are. All sorted.
DOCTOR 13
Should have them out for about nine minutes or so.
DOCTOR 5
Thankfully there were three of us to triple our escape time.
BILLY
(recovers) Speaking of an escape…
NYSSA
(recovers; finishes) …Can we have some assistance in getting out of these conversion chairs, please.
BILLY
Yeah. I feel cramped already.
DONNA
Yeah, of course. Hold on, you two.
DAN
We’ll have you out in a jiffy.
YAZ
Hopefully the clamps should be easy enough to break open.
Yaz, Dan and Donna get to work, as they begin to help unclamping Nyssa and Billy out of their conversion chairs. Meanwhile, with the Doctors…
DOCTOR 13
The Cybermen were in great pain. Did you notice that as we used our sonics?
DOCTOR 10
Yeah. Thankfully we didn’t burn their brains out whilst using our sonics.
DOCTOR 5
Indeed. They were people once. We couldn’t have been cruel to them that way.
Soon, Nyssa and Billy have been freed from their conversion chairs by Yaz, Dan and Donna.
NYSSA
Thank goodness we can stand up.
BILLY
Thank goodness we can walk again. Thanks, you three.
NYSSA
Yes, thank you, Yaz; Dan; Donna. I was afraid we were done for by the Cybermen.
DOCTOR 13
We have to get away from here as fast as we can.
YAZ
There might be more Cybermen in these sewers.
DOCTOR 5
Not to worry, Yaz. We’ll be ready for them.
DAN
With sonic screwdrivers?
DOCTOR 10
Na, we’ll try to use them sparingly if we can.
DOCTOR 13
There’s bound to be alcoves in the sewer tunnels once we’re back out there.
DOCTOR 5
We can hide in one of those once the Cybermen come marching down the tunnels.
DONNA
It’s scary to see these Cybermen standing stock still like this. (shudders) Those blank expressionless faces.
DOCTOR 10
Try not to think about it too much, Donna. Come on. Let’s make a break for it.
DOCTOR 5
Yes, come on, Nyssa; Billy. Off we go.
NYSSA
Yes, Doctor.
BILLY
Right behind you, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Come on, Yaz; Dan. Out into the sewer tunnels we go.
DAN
You’ll get no argument from me.
YAZ
Let’s hope these Cybermen won’t catch us up once they wake up.
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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