Chapter 19
SCENE #175 – INT – CENTRAL OPS ROOM, U.N.I.T. HQ – N/A
In U.N.I.T. HQ’s central ops, Osgood’s voice comes through on the intercom whilst Francesca has her gun pointed at the Brigadier, Kate, Magambo and her soldiers, the Fourth, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Doctors, and their friends Nyssa, Billy, Donna, Darby, Peri, Jen and Rose. Nyssa and Billy still attend to the soldier shot by Francesca on the floor. The background fight between the U.N.I.T. soldiers, Daleks and Sontarans continues, and the portal leading into zone five is still open
OSGOOD (V’O)
Trap One to Greyhound leader. Brigadier; Miss Stewart, please answer. This is Osgood, over. (Pause) Are you there? Do you read me, over?
FRANCESCA
(threateningly) Anyone daring to answer that call will be gunned down. You understand?
DOCTOR 6
This is madness, Francesca. What good is there serving Salvador this way?
PERI
Yeah. What has he offered you?
FRANCESCA
I told you before, I don’t share my business deals with anyone. I wouldn’t divulge mine with the Dark Lord to the likes of you.
BRIGADIER
Just answer us yes or no, Miss Francesca. Were you ever a Lethbridge-Stewart to begin with, or were you lying to us as part of your employment with this Salvador blaggard?
FRANCESCA
(scornfully) Does it need spelling out?
KATE
You don’t have to do this. You can be spared an unnecessary death.
DOCTOR 9
Listen to Kate, Francesca. She knows what she’s talking about.
ROSE
Just put the gun down and we can talk this over.
FRANCESCA
(barks; threateningly) One move from any of you and you’re dead!
DARBY
(whispers) I wish you had let me charge up my laser pistol earlier, Doctor.
DOCTOR 4
(whispers) I told you before about how using guns is unnecessary, James.
The soldier on the floor attended to by Nyssa and Billy groans.
MAGAMBO
Is my soldier going to be alright, Mr. and Mrs. Walker?
NYSSA
(reassuringly) He will be. Don’t worry, Captain. It’s just a flesh wound.
DOCTOR 8
(relieved) That’s a relief. You two are doing a good job looking after him.
BILLY
Well, the best we can do is a patch-up job using the medical supplies we’ve been given.
DONNA
(hotly; to Francesca) Clearly that man on the floor needs proper medical treatment, madam.
JEN
Yeah, come on. Show a little more heart than you’ve got. Surprise yourself.
FRANCESCA
(angrily) Shut up, everyone!
Osgood’s voice comes through on the intercom again.
OSGOOD (V’O)
(anxiously) Brigadier; Miss Stewart. Come in please, over. (Pause) Kate, are you there? Kate, can you hear me! Please answer!
A burst of static occurs.
KATE
(whispers) Father?
BRIGADIER
(whispers) Yes, Kate?
KATE
(whispers) I’m not sure, but…I think that might be the first time Osgood has called me by my first name.
SCENE #176 – INT – PORTAL GATEWAY CONTROL ROOM, U.N.I.T. HQ – N/A
Osgood switches off the intercom.
OSGOOD
It’s no good. I can’t get through to anyone.
JO
It sounds like the Brigadier, Kate, the Doctors and friends in central ops are in terrible trouble.
ZOE
It must have happened once the portal opened.
SUSAN
(anxiously) We must go and see if we can help them.
DOCTOR 1
Now, now, don’t fret, dear Susan. Let’s work this out one step at a time.
DOCTOR 2
(reassuringly) Yes, Susan, everything will be alright, I’m sure.
DOCTOR 3
How precisely do we go about working out this problem?
DOCTOR 7
We make our way to central ops itself of course.
IAN
There’s bound to be Daleks, Sontarans and Autons waiting for us once we get there.
BARBARA
We can’t sit idly by, Ian. We have to do something.
JAMIE
Haven’t we dealt with most of the Autons here?
ACE
We must have. Our force field certainly gave them something to think about.
MIKE
So long as no more Autons or Daleks and Sontarans come in here, we should be fine.
BENTON
(realises; anxiously) I think you might have spoken too soon, sir. Look!
Everyone looks, as two Daleks trundle in.
DOCTOR 2
(shocked) Oh my word! The Daleks have arrived!
DOCTOR 1
(urgently) Everyone, get down and take cover! Quick, quick!
Everyone gets down to take cover, whilst the two Daleks scan the area.
DALEK #1
LOCATE FUGITIVES! THEY MUST BE DESTROYED!
DALEK #2
I OBEY.
The Daleks glide forward to search for their fugitives.
DOCTOR 2
(whispers) We shouldn’t worry too much. The force field will keep us protected.
Just then, one of the Daleks hits the force field, stopping in its tracks.
DALEK #2
FORCE FIELD DETECTED.
DALEK #1
PENETRATE!
The Daleks open fire and soon burst their way in through the force field without a scratch.
DOCTOR 3
(whispers; annoyed) You had to ruin things, didn’t you.
DOCTOR 2
(whispers) Well, how was I supposed to know they could penetrate a force field like that?
IAN
(whispers) These Daleks must be well-advanced in their technology.
BARBARA
(whispers) Far more advanced than the ones we’ve encountered on Skaro and Earth.
JAMIE
(whispers) How are we going to get past them to make our way to central ops?
DOCTOR 7
(whispers; realises) Just a moment. Where’s Ace? Has anyone seen her?
SUSAN
(whispers) She was here a minute ago.
BENTON
(whispers; apprehensively) Sir, one of the Daleks is closing in on us.
As the Dalek approaching the four Doctors and their friends draws near…
DALEK #2
LIFESIGNS DETECTED. INVESTIGATE.
…Ace comes up behind it with her baseball bat.
ACE
(cries) ‘Ere! Got something for you, mate!
Instantly, Ace strikes and batters the Dalek with her baseball bat.
DALEK #2
(panics) UNDER ATTACK! UNDER ATTACK!!!
She soon breaks off the Dalek’s eyestalk.
DALEK #2
(panics) ALERT!!! ALERT!!! VISION IMPAIRED! I CANNOT SEE! CANNOT SEE! SMALL HUMAN FEMALE HAS OBSTRUCTED MY LINE OF FIRE!
ACE
(bitterly) You’re gonna get three wallops for calling me ‘small’!
True to her word, Ace strikes the Dalek three times with her baseball bat.
DOCTOR 7
(cries) Ace, you’re going to get yourself killed if you’re not careful.
Soon, Ace finishes and the Dalek is now inert.
ACE
No sweat, Professor. I’m alright. The Dalek must be out for the count now.
Ace kicks the Dalek and it glides off to one side.
ACE
See?
JO
(cries) Ace, behind you! There’s another Dalek!
Ace turns to see the other Dalek behind her.
ACE
(groans) Aww, nuts.
DALEK #1
YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE! YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!
Just then, Ian, Barbara and Jamie come up behind the Dalek, as they pull it away before it opens fire and misses Ace.
DOCTOR 2
(cries; astonished) Ian; Barbara; Jamie!
DOCTOR 1
Where did you three spring from?
BARBARA
We had the same idea as Ace. We saw the Dalek behind her and made our way to it when it wasn’t looking.
DALEK #1
(panics) HELP! HELP!!! KEEP AWAY! KEEP AWAY!!!
OSGOOD
(cries) Be careful you three don’t injure yourselves.
IAN
(reassuringly) It’s alright. We’ve got this Dalek in a corner now.
JAMIE
It’s putting up a good fight, mind.
DALEK #1
(panics) MUST NOT BE OVERPOWERED! I REQUIRE ASSISTANCE! HELP ME!!! HELP ME!!!
Jamie then pulls something out from the Dalek.
ZOE
(astonished) Jamie! You’ve pulled the Dalek’s weapon out from its casing.
DOCTOR 2
(cries; anxiously) Be careful, Jamie. Don’t take any risks.
JAMIE
(reassuringly) Don’t worry, Doctor, I’m alright. (to Ian) What do we do now, Ian?
IAN
Quick, Jamie. Help me and Barbara push the Dalek over there. There’s a drop nearby.
BARBARA
Where do you suppose the drop goes?
JAMIE
Who cares? As long as the Dalek is out of sight, I’m a happy man.
Ian, Barbara and Jamie push the Dalek towards the drop.
BENTON
Shouldn’t we help them, sir?
MIKE
No, Benton, stay where you are. I believe the Doctor’s friends have it in hand.
DALEK #1
(barks; panics) RELEASE ME! RELEASE ME!!! YOU WILL OBEY! RELEASE ME AT ONCE!!!
IAN
(happily) Just as you say, Fred. Over you go!
Ian, Barbara and Jamie push the Dalek over the drop, and it falls. The Dalek screams away before there’s a crash. After wiping their hands, Ian, Barbara and Jamie rejoin the others.
JAMIE
(satisfied) Well, that’s got rid of that tin can, hasn’t it?
DOCTOR 1
(angrily) That was a terribly dangerous thing you three did.
BARBARA
We know, Doctor, but we had to save Ace. At least the two Daleks have been sorted out.
DOCTOR 2
All the same, you shouldn’t have taken a chance like that.
DOCTOR 3
Especially where Daleks are concerned.
IAN
It worked out alright in the end, didn’t it?
ZOE
Yes, but I don’t know what would have happened if we lost all four of you.
JAMIE
We always survive, Zoe. You should know that by now.
ACE
See, Professor. I’m not the only one daring enough to tackle a couple of Daleks.
DOCTOR 7
We’ll have to talk about your reckless behaviour later, Ace.
DOCTOR 3
In the meantime, we should do what Umbrella Man suggests and make our way to central ops.
DOCTOR 1
We don’t need soldiers to escort us though. They and Miss Osgood can hold the fort here. Keep this portal gateway control room protected.
OSGOOD
I can switch off the force field for you Doctors and your friends to get away to central ops before I switch it back on again.
MIKE
We’ll make sure no more Daleks, Sontarans and Autons come in here, Doctors. You can rely on us to keep the portal gateway control room protected at all costs.
DOCTOR 1
(satisfied) Good, good. That’s decided.
MIKE
All the same, we’ll assign a few soldiers to accompany you and your friends to central ops.
DOCTOR 1
(exasperated) Oh really, dear man.
BENTON
(interjects) I agree with Captan Yates. You must have some protection from any enemy that comes your way. You can’t blame us for looking out for you.
DOCTOR 2
(sighs) Oh very well. But tell your soldiers not to get in our way.
JO
Should we get rid of Ace’s Dalek? Push it into that drop where Ian, Barbara and Jamie pushed theirs?
IAN
(realises) No, wait, Jo. That’s given me an idea.
SUSAN
Really? What have you in mind?
BARBARA
(realises) Ian, you’re not thinking of getting into that Dalek, are you?
IAN
It’s alright, Barbara, I’ve done it before. With me inside, I can make it look like I’m escorting you and everyone else to central ops.
BARBARA
You did something like that before and the casing jammed.
IAN
I’ll be alright, don’t worry. As long as a couple of you keep the latch open, I can easily get out of the Dalek once we arrive.
ZOE
I’ll do that. Keep the latch open for you to get out of the Dalek casing.
IAN
Thank you, Zoe.
ZOE
Besides, if we come across anyone, we’ll be giving them the element of surprise.
SUSAN
Yes, especially with the soldiers to keep us safe.
BARBARA
(reluctantly) Oh very well. But I’m not happy with this.
IAN
It’ll be fine. Trust me, Barbara. (Pause) Right. Jamie, help me with getting the Dalek creature out.
JAMIE
Right. Let’s open the casing.
ACE
I’ll give you both a hand.
IAN
(realises) Hold on. I’ll take my jacket off and use it to get the creature out.
JAMIE
Aye, good idea.
DOCTOR 3
Let’s hope the Doctors and their friends with the Brigadier and Kate are coping fine where they are.
DOCTOR 1
I can imagine how challenging this business is going to be from now on.
DOCTOR 2
Let’s hope it won’t get any worse.
DOCTOR 7
I’m afraid that’s likely to be the case.
SCENE #177 – INT – CENTRAL OPS ROOM, U.N.I.T. HQ – N/A
Francesca is still pointing a gun at the Fourth, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Doctors and their friends.
DOCTOR 4
Is all this really worth it, Miss Francesca?
DOCTOR 6
Whatever bargain you’ve made with Salvador, he won’t adhere to it.
DOCTOR 8
We’ve had many encounters with Salvador to know that making deals with him doesn’t end well.
DOCTOR 9
Those who end up becoming his disciples have very sticky ends.
FRANCESCA
I won’t have you ruin my chance of salvation, Doctors. The Dark Lord Salvador promised me my freedom from an accursed life.
PERI
Was your life really that bad before you met him? What happened?
FRANCESCA
(scornfully) You friends of the Doctor; you think you are so caring and compassionate.
NYSSA
Yes. And we expect you to be the same if you hear what we have to say.
BILLY
By helping Salvador, the Universe won’t be the same anymore. It won’t exist anymore.
JEN
Do you really want to be a part of that? To have the Universe’s fate on your conscience?
FRANCESCA
You’re so pitiful and insignificant. All of you are! I shall have another life in another Universe. Salvador promised me. He is the way, the truth and the life.
DARBY
You must be a super idiot to think that.
DOCTOR 4
Now, now, James. No need to insult her.
DONNA
You’re willing to risk your life for a madman like that? Granted I’ve not met yet, but still.
ROSE
We want to help you, Francesca. You still have a chance to save yourself and us.
FRANCESCA
I trust Salvador to keep his word!
BRIGADIER
You can’t trust a man who will make a mess of our Universe, Miss Francesca.
KATE
You can’t condemn millions of lives to death either.
FRANCESCA
If it means getting a new life out of this wretched Universe, then so be it. I’m willing to see you all put to death before you enter the portal.
Just then, a gun is fired. Francesca gasps in pain, as she’s shot in the leg and falls to the floor, dropping her gun.
DONNA
(startled) Whoa! Where did that come from?
FRANCESCA
(groans; in pain) My leg!
DOCTOR 4
(grits teeth) James!
DARBY
(protests) Don’t look at me! My laser pistol is still out of power.
NYSSA
It was a gunshot fired, not a laser beam.
BILLY
Who shot her then?
MAGAMBO
That was me. For getting back at her for shooting my soldier. (reassuringly) It’s alright, everyone, I’ve got her covered. (barks) Soldiers, on the double. One of you, take her gun.
Magambo approaches Francesca and covers her with her gun whilst her soldiers join her. One of her soldiers steps forward and takes Francesca’s gun off her.
BRIGADIER
(approvingly) Well done, Magambo. Good timing.
KATE
I hope she’s not severely injured.
FRANCESCA
(bitterly) Like any of you care.
MAGAMBO
Mr. and Mrs. Walker, you need to go and join the others. One of my soldiers will look after the one you’ve attended to.
NYSSA
Very well, Captain.
Nyssa and Billy get up from the floor.
DARBY
See, Doctor. If my laser pistol was charged up earlier, we could have disabled Francesca in an instant.
DOCTOR 4
The pen is mightier than the sword, James.
DOCTOR 6
(protests) There was no need to resort to violence, Captain.
DOCTOR 8
(protests) Another way could have been found.
DOCTOR 9
(protests) We would have almost gotten through to Francesca eventually.
BRIGADIER
At least Magambo has given us a chance for you and your friends to enter zone five, Doctors.
KATE
I agree. (to Magambo) Magambo, my father and I shall help you to keep Miss Francesca covered.
MAGAMBO
Understood, ma’am. Thank you.
The Brigadier takes out his gun, as he and Kate join Magambo and her soldiers to cover Francesca.
ROSE
Well, I’m happy Magambo gave us the chance.
DONNA
So am I.
JEN
Me too.
DOCTOR 8
(shocked) Jen!
JEN
Sorry, Doctor, but I agree with everyone else. Besides, it was a flesh wound Francesca got. Just like the soldier she shot. Fair’s fair.
FRANCESCA
(bitterly) You won’t get away with this. I maybe wounded, but you won’t stop Salvador.
Francesca groans in pain again whilst on the floor.
PERI
Not meaning to be a party-pooper, but hadn’t we better go?
DOCTOR 6
Agreed. The portal is open and we must step into it while we still can. Or is it ‘jump’ into it?
DOCTOR 8
Definitely ‘jump’, Doctor.
BILLY
Is the portal stable enough for us to go through?
NYSSA
That’s what I wondered. The portal has been open for quite some time.
DOCTOR 8
We’ll have to take a chance. We can’t hold this off any longer.
DOCTOR 4
(encouragingly) Come on, everyone. Let’s go through the portal while we can. (to Darby) Here, James, take this.
The Fourth Doctor takes out something from one of his coat pockets and hands it over to Darby, which he takes.
DARBY
What’s this?
DOCTOR 4
It’s a fully-charged power pack for your laser pistol. Replace it with the old one and your laser pistol should be at full power.
DARBY
(exasperated) Why didn’t you give me this before?! Now you need me to be the man of action with a laser pistol when it suits you.
BRIGADIER
Good luck, Doctors. We’ll keep track of your movements once you’re in zone five.
KATE
We’ll let your other selves and friends with Osgood, Yates and Benton know where you are once they come to central ops.
DOCTOR 6
Thank you, Brigadier; Kate; Captain. Your help has been appreciated.
DOCTOR 9
Rose, are you ready to jump through?
ROSE
I’m holding your hand, aren’t I?
DOCTOR 9
Good. Off we go!
The Ninth Doctor and Rose jump through the portal.
DONNA
(eagerly) Come on, Nyssa; Billy. Let’s go find our Doctors.
NYSSA
Indeed. Billy and I have a delayed honeymoon to look forward to.
BILLY
You make me happy when you say that, Nyssa.
Donna, Nyssa and Billy jump through.
DOCTOR 6
Now, Peri, let’s be brave once we get inside.
PERI
Shucks, you know me, Doctor. I’m the bravest woman alive.
The Sixth Doctor and Peri jump through.
DOCTOR 8
After you, Jen.
JEN
Oh no, after you, Doctor.
DOCTOR 8
Very well, if you insist.
Jen and the Eighth Doctor jump through. Meanwhile, the Fourth Doctor takes out a bag of jelly babies from one of his coat pockets. He opens it and offers it to Darby.
DOCTOR 4
Jelly baby for luck, James?
DARBY
Why not? I need the sugar level for where we’re going.
Darby takes a jelly baby before the Fourth Doctor pockets the bag in his coat pocket. Soon, he and Darby jump through the portal. The portal is still open after the four Doctors and their friends have gone through. Just then, Dalek and Sontaran firepower goes over the Brigadier, Kate, Magambo and her soldiers’ heads as they cover Francesca.
MAGAMBO
(urgently) Brigadier, sir; Miss Stewart. We’ve still got Daleks and Sontarans to contend with.
KATE
I hope our soldiers can maintain their energy levels fighting against our powerful enemies.
MAGAMBO
Our soldiers are the best. Don’t worry, ma’am. Even though they have faced a lengthy campaign; they will win through.
BRIGADIER
At least we’re giving the Doctors and their friends a fighting chance.
FRANCESCA
(mocks) Your faith in the Doctors and their friends is so misplaced. They won’t save you or anyone else that matters to you pathetic wretches.
KATE
We’ll see, Miss Francesca. Just you wait.
BRIGADIER
One thing you should know about the Doctor in all forms is that they’re full of surprises.
SCENE #178 – INT – CORRIDOR, ENEMY BASE – N/A
Back with the Thirteenth, Fifth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, Yaz, Dan, Amy, Rory and Bill, they’re in a corridor aboard Salvador’s base, trying to find their way to the control room.
AMY
Are you sure we haven’t gone around in circles?
RORY
All these corridors look the same to me.
DOCTOR 11
Rory, don’t say that.
BILL
Are you sure we haven’t come this way before?
DOCTOR 12
Don’t be ridiculous, Bill. We Doctors have an unerring sense of direction.
DOCTOR 13
(determined) We need to find the control room aboard this base as soon as possible.
YAZ
(apprehensively) Why? What’s going to happen? What does Salvador have in mind?
DAN
Is he really dangerous, this Salvador geezer?
YAZ
Very dangerous, Dan. The Doctor dealt with two Salvadors when we visited a space hotel in the far future. They meant business.
DOCTOR 5
(astonished) Good grief! There are two Salvadors now?
DOCTOR 13
Thankfully, there’s only one Salvador for us to deal with today. This is the Salvador that escaped from the Zorbius crystal during that space hotel incident Yaz mentioned. Our friends Graham and Ryan were there too, remember, Yaz?
YAZ
Vividly. I miss having them around.
DOCTOR 12
I recall having to deal with one of the two Salvadors.
BILL
We dealt with him. (realises) Hey, is this the same Salvador we’re dealing with when we met him in the Goseker system, Doctor?
DOCTOR 12
Don’t know, Bill. It could be any of the two Salvadors that ‘rainbow jumper me’ has met in my future.
DOCTOR 10
I recall having to split Salvador in two when we met during the Time War. I was a very different man back then. And it was a grizzly encounter.
DOCTOR 5
As is often the case with many of our Salvador encounters.
AMY
(interjects) I’m sorry, but I’m convinced we’re going around in circles.
RORY
Me too. Admit it, Doctors, we’re lost.
DOCTOR 11
We can’t be lost. We’ve been walking in a straight line since we began.
DOCTOR 13
If we’re lost, we can always retrace our steps.
YAZ
(realises) Salvador could be playing tricks on us whilst we’re in this corridor, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Don’t be pessimistic, Yaz.
YAZ
I’m just saying, we might not be in control of our sense of direction.
DAN
Yeah, we have been through a lot and we haven’t had many chances to rest.
DOCTOR 10
Trust us, if we had our minds played with, we Doctors would be aware of it.
DOCTOR 5
Our Time Lord minds are more sensitive compared to human and non-Gallifreyan minds.
BILL
(scoffs) Aww, thanks a bunch.
DOCTOR 12
We ask you all to keep focused a while longer before we reach our destination.
DOCTOR 13
(realises) Wait a sec! Stop, everyone, stop!
Everyone stops.
RORY
(puzzled) What is it? Why have we stopped?
DOCTOR 13
That door over there. In the corner. Do you see it?
DOCTOR 11
Yeah, I see it.
DOCTOR 12
Most definitely.
DOCTOR 10
Is that the door to lead us into Salvador’s control room?
DOCTOR 5
Do you recall coming out of that door, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
(thinks) I’m not sure. I was in the cryo-chamber and put to sleep when they took me out of the control room. But I recall this door in a corner during a waking moment.
DAN
You had a waking moment?
YAZ
So, what do we do then? Make for that door or not?
The Thirteenth Doctor thinks for a moment.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah, we might as well see what’s inside. Come on, everyone.
The Thirteenth Doctor leads the way, with the Fifth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, Yaz, Dan, Amy, Rory and Bill following behind her.
SCENE #179 – INT – CENTRAL OPS ROOM, U.N.I.T. HQ – N/A
Back in U.N.I.T. HQ, the First, Second, Third and Seventh Doctors enter central ops with Ian in a Dalek, Barbara, Susan, Jamie, Zoe, Joe, Ace and a few U.N.I.T. soldiers behind them. The background battle between the Daleks, Sontarans and U.N.I.T. soldiers is on-going.
DOCTOR 1
(realises) Ah! There they are. The Brigadier fellow and his daughter.
SUSAN
We must get over to them.
BARBARA
(enthused) Yes, before any Daleks and Sontarans get in our way.
Dodging the Daleks and the Sontarans, they make their way over to the Brigadier, Kate, Magambo and her soldiers, who are covering Francesca on the floor.
DOCTOR 2
(cries; shocked) Ah! Oh my giddy aunt! That was a close shave.
JAMIE
(encouragingly) Come on, Doctor, keep up!
ZOE
(encouragingly) We’re almost there.
Soon, the First, Second, Third and Seventh Doctors and their friends have arrived.
BRIGADIER
(relieved) Doctors! Thank goodness you and your friends have shown up.
KATE
(realises; urgently) Oh my lord, you’ve been captured by a Dalek.
JO
(reassuringly) No, no, it’s alright. Our friend Ian is inside this thing.
SUSAN
We dealt with two Daleks in the portal gateway control room. Ian got into one of them to escort us here.
DOCTOR 1
And we had these soldiers escorting us as well in case we ran into trouble.
DOCTOR 3
Thankfully, we didn’t.
IAN
(from inside Dalek) Can someone get me out of this thing? I’m suffocating.
ZOE
Hold on, Ian.
Zoe begins to open the Dalek casing for Ian to get out.
DOCTOR 3
(concerned) Brigadier; Kate, is everything alright?
DOCTOR 7
Osgood tried to contact you from the portal gateway control room.
KATE
(reassuringly) We’re fine, Doctors. We just ran into trouble with our alleged descendant Miss Francesca.
BRIGADIER
As you can see, she’s on the ground covered by Magambo and her soldiers.
MAGAMBO
I was forced to shoot her in the leg to disable her. It’s only a flesh wound.
FRANCESCA
(scoffs; bitterly) You can’t hope to win, any of you. The Dark Lord Salvador will outsmart you all.
DOCTOR 1
(interrupts) Don’t be so sure of that, young lady. You may think Salvador is all-powerful, but he’s one man. We’re more than a match for him.
DOCTOR 3
Yes. Salvador won’t find that easy to contend with once we meet up with him.
DOCTOR 7
Even if he has help from the likes of Daleks, Sontarans and Autons.
KATE
Doctors, where are Captain Yates, Sergeant Benton and Miss Osgood? They’re not with you. Are they alright?
ACE
They’re looking after the portal gateway control room, Kate. They’re keeping the portal in central ops open for us to get inside.
BRIGADIER
The Doctors and friends we had with us went inside before the rest of you came here. They’re hoping to find out what’s become of the Doctors and friends that were in zone five.
DOCTOR 3
Some of our other selves and friends are no longer in zone five then.
DOCTOR 7
(intrigued) Where could they be, I wonder.
Meanwhile, Ian climbs out of the Dalek with Zoe, Barbara and Jamie helping him.
ZOE
Are you alright, Ian?
IAN
Yes, Zoe, I’ll be fine.
JAMIE
Are you sure?
IAN
Yes, don’t worry. I just feel a little stiff after being inside that thing.
BARBARA
Well, I’m glad it didn’t jam this time.
IAN
So am I. It was so hot in there.
Just then, the background battle between Daleks, Sontarans and U.N.I.T. soldiers attracts everyone’s attention for a moment.
ACE
(realises) You have many Daleks and Sontarans to contend with. We can help out if you like. I’ve still got my baseball bat to tackle them as well as my Nitro-Nine.
JAMIE
Aye, I’d be willing to help out too. I’m ready to take on these beasties.
ZOE
Wait, Jamie. There are the other Doctors and our friends to consider.
DOCTOR 2
Quite right, Zoe. (to Brigadier; Kate) Brigadier; Kate, you said that our other selves and friends who were with you have already gone through the portal.
KATE
Yes, Doctor, they have.
DOCTOR 3
(grumbles) They might have at least waited for us.
DOCTOR 7
They were probably in a hurry. We’re all in a hurry to defeat Salvador’s wicked scheme.
SUSAN
(anxiously) Things seem to be more serious, grandfather.
DOCTOR 1
(grimly) Yes, Susan dear. I fear things will get worse. We must prepare ourselves for greater perils than we can possibly imagine.
SCENE #180 – INT – CONTROL ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
Back aboard Salvador’s base, the Thirteenth, Fifth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, Yaz, Dan, Amy, Rory and Bill explore the control room.
DOCTOR 13
(cheerfully) Here we are. Welcome to the control room aboard Salvador’s base.
YAZ
Are you sure this is where you confronted him, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Yes, Yaz. This is exactly where I met up with Salvador. No sign of him and the Valeyard though. I wonder where they are.
DAN
It’s pretty busy here. Lots of computer terminals and monitors.
DOCTOR 12
This must be what Salvador is using to bring all the displaced spatial-temporal locations of Earth’s history into the interdimensional network.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah, you’re right. There must be a vast generator to channel so much power though.
DOCTOR 10
Let’s look around and see if we can find anything significant.
DOCTOR 5
(calls) Don’t touch anything. Anything we touch in this control room could be potentially dangerous.
AMY
Alright, we’ll keep our hands off the tech.
DOCTOR 11
Amy; Rory, we’ll go over here on the far left and explore.
RORY
Right, Doctor.
DOCTOR 12
Bill, you’re with me. We’ll go to the far right and investigate.
BILL
Sure thing.
As the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory go off to the far left and the Twelfth Doctor and Bill go off to the far right, the Thirteenth, Fifth and Tenth Doctors, Yaz and Dan come across one of the computer terminals. The Thirteenth Doctor uses her sonic screwdriver to gain access to the terminal. She soon types away at it.
DOCTOR 13
(pleased) Ah! That’s more like it.
DOCTOR 10
You found something?
DOCTOR 13
Just accessing this terminal to find out what the phases are for Salvador and the Valeyard’s scheme.
DOCTOR 5
Is the information forthcoming?
DOCTOR 13
So far, yes. (Pause) A bit too forthcoming if you ask me.
YAZ
We can’t be sure if this is something for our benefit.
DAN
Yeah. This could end up being a trap set up by Salvador.
DOCTOR 13
That’s what I thought, Dan. (Pause) Still, the more we learn, the more we understand what’s going on.
DOCTOR 10
(realises) Hold on, hold on. Go back a bit, Doctor. What was that page you just went past?
The Thirteenth Doctor types away at the computer terminal to go back to where she was.
DOCTOR 13
This page?
DOCTOR 10
Yeah, that one. (Pause) It seems to be a detailed schematic of the interdimensional manipulator Salvador’s been using to link with the Void.
DOCTOR 5
(realises) Not just the Void. Look, see? (Pause) This diagram indicates that other Universes are also being connected to the interdimensional network as well as our own Universe.
DOCTOR 13
You’re right. Salvador and the Valeyard must be using the interdimensional manipulator to connect all Universes, including ours, to generate the power required for the network. To keep it stable.
DOCTOR 10
(admonishingly) That’s insane! Doesn’t Salvador realise that by drawing power from other Universes as well as ours, he’ll be responsible for a catastrophic collision of all Universes to interconnect into one spatial-temporal point?
DOCTOR 5
I think he realises that too well. Salvador’s vengeance against us has gone beyond reason. He is hell-bent on not just our destruction, but the destruction of everything. From the butterfly to the fabric of Space-Time itself.
YAZ
I take it this is very bad then.
DOCTOR 13
Extremely bad, Yaz.
DAN
But, hold on. If I understand this right, wouldn’t a collision of Universes mean no-one would survive? Salvador’s life being at risk too?
DOCTOR 10
That’s exactly what Salvador wants.
DOCTOR 5
With all the power he’s got, he can achieve that ambition. Regardless of whether anyone is innocent or not.
DOCTOR 13
Everything and everyone will be piling on top of each other. It’ll be very disastrous and messy.
DOCTOR 5
Every dimensional barrier will weaken and break down. Every Universe including ours will cease to exist.
DOCTOR 10
Space and Time will have no meaning. No-one will live to tell the tale. They’ll be cancelled out in an instant. (Pause) This is Salvador’s greatest revenge upon us.
DOCTOR 5
Colossal interdimensional suicide, as I’m sure Salvador would no doubt like to christen it.
YAZ
But you can stop it, can’t you, Doctors? You can reverse what he’s done.
DOCTOR 13
It’s too late for that, Yaz. You and Dan, look at the screen.
The Thirteenth Doctor types away at the computer terminal to show Yaz and Dan.
DOCTOR 13
This is the interdimensional network. We initially assumed the zones contained spatial-temporal locations of Earth’s history from our Universe.
DOCTOR 10
But it turns out we’ve been walking around in spatial-temporal locations from other Universes. The London and New York that’s in zone six could have come from another Universe instead of ours.
DOCTOR 5
Or the London we walked in could have come from our Universe and the New York could have come from a different Universe.
DOCTOR 13
Or vice versa. Same with the African and Indian jungles in zone five. The African jungle could come from our Universe and the Indian jungle could come from another Universe.
DOCTOR 5 + 10
(in unison) Or vice versa.
YAZ
So you’re saying; the damage was done before we figured out what’s been happening.
DOCTOR 10
Seems so, yes.
DOCTOR 5
And the damage seems impossible to repair.
DAN
(anxiously) But there’s got to be a chance. We can’t have come all this way for nothing.
DOCTOR 13
We’re open to suggestions, Dan. Right now though, things seem very grim indeed.
SCENE #181 – EXT – TEMPLE, AFRICA/INDIA (2003/2163) (ZONE #5) – NIGHT/DAY, MORNING
In zone five of the interdimensional network, the Fourth, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Doctors and their friends Nyssa, Billy, Donna, Darby, Peri, Jen and Rose have arrived outside the abandoned temple in the African-Indian jungle. The weather is temperamental as they approach the temple.
DOCTOR 4
These must be the rear temple doors the portal took us to.
DOCTOR 6
How can you be so sure? For all we know, they could be the front temple doors.
DOCTOR 8
Front or rear, the Doctors and friends we’re trying to track down got into this temple somehow.
DOCTOR 9
And they had trouble getting in, no doubt.
DARBY
(anxiously) I’m not sure whether it’s morning or not with it being dark on one side and light on the other.
PERI
Sure is cold though. I’m freezing in this fierce wind.
NYSSA
It’s the two spatial-temporal zones in conjunction with each other that’s causing the anomalies.
DONNA
I feel like we’re in a deadly version of ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’
ROSE
Just hope Ant and Dec don’t jump out at us.
BILLY
It’s amazing these two jungles from different times are still intact.
JEN
Yeah. If we are in two places and times, everything should collapse in on each other, shouldn’t they?
DOCTOR 8
Fold in on each other to be precise, Jen.
DOCTOR 4
The stabilisation effect of the spatial-temporal zones won’t last long. Things will soon start to deteriorate.
DOCTOR 6
Indeed. I’m beginning to feel the ground trembling under my feet.
PERI
Really? I don’t feel a thing.
DOCTOR 6
Trust me, Peri. Time Lords have more sensitivity to how the fabric of reality works compared to humans and non-Gallifreyans.
JEN
Will we be able to get to the other Doctors and friends in time? Whether they’re in the temple or not?
DOCTOR 8
Hopefully we should. We Doctors usually sort out a crisis like this quite proficiently.
DONNA
I don’t like the idea of things being too disastrous, but what if we’ve overlooked something?
NYSSA
Let’s hope we haven’t.
BILLY
I expect we’re all thinking the same thing.
DARBY
You got it right there, Billy boy.
ROSE
(realises) Look, everyone. The temple doors. They seem locked.
Everyone stops, as they see the temple doors.
DOCTOR 9
Nothing our sonic screwdrivers can’t handle. (to Doctors 4, 6 and 8) I assume we all have our sonics.
DOCTOR 6
I have my sonic lance. I lost my sonic screwdriver quite a while ago.
DOCTOR 9
Not to worry, A sonic lance will do just fine.
DOCTOR 4
Let’s get started then. At the temple doors we go.
The Fourth, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Doctors approach the temple doors, taking out their sonic devices from their coat pockets. They apply them to the temple doors.
DOCTOR 6
Ready…
DOCTOR 8
…Set…
DOCTORS 4+6+8+9
(in unison) …Go!
The four Doctors switch on their sonic devices, and they buzz away to open the temple doors. Nyssa, Billy, Donna, Darby, Peri, Jen and Rose watch nearby.
DONNA
How long is this gonna be?
BILLY
Yeah. Not wishing to hurry you, Doctors…
NYSSA
…But I’m sure most of us are anxious that somebody’s watching us.
PERI
You can say that again. Any moment, a Dalek, Sontaran or Auton could jump out at us.
DOCTOR 6
Have patience, everyone. We’ll get these temple doors open as soon as possible.
DOCTOR 9
We need to weaken the atomic structure of these temple doors by setting up a resonation pattern. That’s something that can be very tricky to coordinate, even among us four.
DOCTOR 8
So we need our full concentration on getting this process swiftly expedited.
DOCTOR 4
In other words, no interruptions please.
Nyssa, Billy, Donna, Darby, Peri, Jen and Rose move to one side, leaving the four Doctors to attend to opening the temple doors with their sonic devices.
DARBY
(groans) Great. Just great. All this waiting rubs me up the wrong way big time. I’m impatient for action.
PERI
Don’t worry, James. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of time for heroics.
DONNA
I want action too, but I’m in no hurry.
NYSSA
We must trust the Doctors will get the temple doors open.
BILLY
Well said, Nyssa.
ROSE
Is there anything else we can do in the meantime while waiting?
A moment of silence.
JEN
How about we play I spy?
Everyone looks at Jen.
JEN
What? It was the only thing I could come up with.
SCENE #182 – INT – SPHERE ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
Meanwhile, aboard Salvador’s base, he and the Valeyard watch two monitor screens in an adjacent room away from the control room. Salvador sees what’s happening in the control room on a monitor screen whilst the Valeyard sees what’s happening in zone #5 on another.
SALVADOR
So, Rainbow Jumper Doctor, Pinstripe Doctor, Cricket Doctor and their friends are beginning to work out what our plans are in the main control room. (Pause) What of the other two Doctors and their friends?
VALEYARD
Take a look at the Doctors and their companions in zone five, Salvador. They’re having trouble getting into the abandoned temple in the African-Indian jungle.
Distracted, Salvador joins the Valeyard to see what’s happening on his monitor screen.
SALVADOR
So they are. (Pause) Let’s make things more difficult for them, shall we?
VALEYARD
Agreed. It’s time for the Zygons to return to active service.
SALVADOR
I’ll extract them out from the temple and put them back in the jungle to catch the Doctors and their friends at the temple’s rear entrance. (Pause) The pivotal phase in our scheme is coming together nicely.
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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