Chapter 18
SCENE #174 – INT – PORTAL GATEWAY CONTROL ROOM, U.N.I.T. HQ – N/A
Shots fired between the U.N.I.T. soldiers and the Autons continue in the portal gateway control room.
DOCTOR 1
(apprehensively) This can’t go on forever. We must find a way to keep ourselves protected from those plastic automatons.
DOCTOR 2
I believe that’s already in hand, dear chap.
DOCTOR 1
What do you mean? Hmm? Tell me, my good man, what do you mean?
DOCTOR 2
Look behind you. See Susan and Zoe? They’re helping Osgood to set up a force field at that computer terminal. Hopefully it should protect us from the Autons in this control room.
DOCTOR 7
And hopefully the shots fired by the Autons will deflect off the force field once it’s switched on.
DOCTOR 1
(muses) Yes, I see, I see. That’s good. Very good indeed. Susan is very resourceful when she puts her mind to it.
DOCTOR 2
So is Zoe.
IAN
I hope for their sake, they’ll protect themselves whilst helping Miss Osgood.
BARBARA
I hope so too, Ian. Captain Yates and Sergeant Benton can’t keep it up holding off those Autons for long.
JAMIE
Aye, we’re losing more men compared to them plastic monsters. I feel so helpless.
ACE
Me too. At least let me throw a small can of Nitro-Nine at the Autons, Professor.
DOCTOR 7
No, Ace. You mustn’t spoil Susan, Zoe and Osgood’s concentration.
JO
I hope the force field will be set up soon. I’d hate to think of us doing anything drastic like throwing explosives around.
DOCTOR 3
(reassuringly) Everything will be alright, Jo. We just have to be patient.
DOCTOR 1
(exasperated) Patience? Oh dear, dear! Patience isn’t one of my strong virtues, dear sir.
DOCTOR 2
You’ll find a way to acquire it more and more as the years go on, don’t worry.
Meanwhile, with Mike Yates, Benton and their soldiers…
MIKE
Keep at it, Benton. We mustn’t falter in our mission to protect the Doctors and their friends.
BENTON
I know we fought Autons on Earth before, sir, but the ones we’re fighting here are pretty resilient. A shame we used up the anti-plastic bullets Magambo gave us.
MIKE
No time for chit-chat, Sergeant. (barks) Keep at it, everyone! The Autons mustn’t get through.
At the computer terminal with Susan, Zoe and Osgood…
SUSAN
(amazed) I think we’re nearly there. I thought it would’ve taken longer to set up the force field.
ZOE
We’re making significant progress, aren’t we? Besides, I was able to work out the calculations for what we needed in only ten seconds.
OSGOOD
I’m lucky to have you two helping me like this.
ZOE
Oh there’s nothing to it really. I was trained in the School of Parapsychology on Earth after all.
SUSAN
And I’ve been taught this kind of thing at school on my home world. (Pause; pleased) There, I believe we’re done.
OSGOOD
(calls) Captain; Sergeant. The force field is ready to go.
MIKE
(calls; from a distance) Well done, Osgood. About time.
BENTON
(realises; from a distance) Sir, I think the Autons have realised what we’re doing. A couple are advancing towards us. The rest are still firing at us from a distance.
MIKE
(calls; urgently; from a distance) Osgood, now! Switch on the force field now!
Osgood presses the button and the force field is switched on. The two advancing Autons get caught in the force field, and they shake and shudder before collapsing to the floor. The shots fired by the other Autons from a distance deflect off the force field, and they get shot, causing them to collapse too.
MIKE
(barks) Ceasefire! Ceasefire, I said!
The U.N.I.T. soldiers obey and the firing stops. A moment of silence.
BARBARA
(relieved; pleased) They did it! Susan, Zoe and Osgood did it!
IAN
The Autons have all collapsed. Both the advancing ones and the ones firing at us from a distance.
JO
Those two Autons got caught in the force field. And the shots fired by the Autons from a distance were deflected.
JAMIE
(amazed) We didn’t have to go out there in the end.
ACE
No Nitro-Nine and no baseball bat. Shame.
DOCTOR 2
(cheers) Well done, Zoe.
DOCTOR 1
Yes, well done, Susan, my dear.
DOCTOR 3
It’s a temporary measure, mind. The Autons aren’t that easily disposed of, especially when in contact with the Nestene connecting them. But at least this gives us time to get onto the next stage of our plans.
OSGOOD
(gradually) I should contact the Brigadier and Miss Stewart.
DOCTOR 3
Good idea. Check how they are and see whether the Doctors and our friends in central ops have entered zone five via the portal.
DOCTOR 2
They should have by now. We would have heard otherwise.
DOCTOR 7
Still no harm in contacting them anyway.
Osgood goes over to the intercom and switches it on.
OSGOOD
(through intercom) Trap One to Greyhound leader. Trap One to Greyhound leader. Do you read me, over?
Osgood clicks off the intercom. No response. A burst of static.
MIKE
(concerned) Something wrong, Miss Osgood?
SUSAN
(anxiously) What’s happening? Why aren’t they answering?
ZOE
(anxiously) I don’t like this.
JO
(anxiously) Me neither.
Osgood switches on the intercom again.
OSGOOD
(through intercom) Trap One to Greyhound leader. Brigadier; Miss Stewart, do you read me, over? (Pause) Do you read me, over?
Osgood clicks off the intercom again. Still no response. Another burst of static.
Roll original 2018 Jodie Whittaker opening credits with 1963 theme music.
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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