Chapter 24
SCENE #250 – INT – SPHERE ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
DOCTOR 13
Brigadier, we told you, there’s no need for you to point a gun at the Valeyard’s head.
VALEYARD
(mockingly) Oh, isn’t there?
BRIGADIER
Are you sure, Doctor?
DOCTOR 7
Quite sure, Brigadier.
DOCTOR 8
You see, as the Valeyard won’t adhere to our kind request…
DOCTOR 9
…We’ll have to make him come over and join us in the cubicle you just vacated.
VALEYARD
You can’t force me to submit to your will, Doctors. You don’t have the power.
DOCTOR 10
Oh, but we do, Valeyard. We definitely do.
DOCTOR 11
Especially when there’s more than one of us today.
DOCTOR 12
And we’ve got other Doctors from other Universes to back us up.
DOCTOR 1
(realises) Goodness gracious! You mean…
DOCTOR 13
Yes! We can force the Valeyard to come to us by linking our minds with his.
DOCTOR 2
(eagerly) Well, I’m game. Anything to make this…Doctor Hyde work with us.
DOCTOR 3
It’s certainly worth a try.
VALEYARD
(protests) No! You can’t do that, Doctors! You can’t force me to submit!
DOCTOR 4
We did ask you nicely…
DOCTOR 5
…And if forcing you to help us save the Universe is the only option left to us…
DOCTOR 6
…Then that’s the way it has to be.
VALEYARD
(shouts; angrily) You cannot do this! It’s against every law the Time Lords uphold!
DOCTOR 12
(scoffs) Since when have we been known to obey Time Lord laws?
DOCTOR 13
You, Valeyard, certainly don’t. (to Doctors) Ready, Doctors! Now!
VALEYARD
(shouts; angrily) NO!!!
DOCTORS
(focuses; in unison) Contact!
The thirteen Doctors, with support from other Doctors in other Universes, link minds, and information buzzes between them. The Valeyard soon finds himself unwillingly walking forward towards the Brigadier’s vacant cubicle.
VALEYARD
(shocked) What… What is happening? My legs! They’re moving by themselves!
SALVADOR
(shouts; angrily) Valeyard, I command you to return! Return at once!
VALEYARD
It’s not me! The Doctors are doing this! They’re compelling me to go to them.
KATE
(cries) Father, back away. The Valeyard is about to walk into you.
BRIGADIER
Thanks for the warning, Kate.
The Brigadier backs away, and the Valeyard walks past him towards the vacant cubicle.
VALEYARD
(shouts; angrily) Stop this! I command you to stop at once, Doctors!
OSGOOD
Brigadier, sir. You did leave the cubicle lid slightly open, didn’t you?
BRIGADIER
Of course, Miss Osgood. I figured the Doctors would want me to keep it open.
MIKE
(relieved) Thank goodness for that.
BENTON
Let’s hope the rest of the Doctors’ plan works.
SALVADOR
(bellows) Enough! Cease this! You shall not have the Valeyard, Doctors!
SUSAN
(cries) Quickly, everyone! We need to hold Salvador back with our minds!
IAN
Are you sure about this, Susan?
SUSAN
(eagerly) Yes, Ian! We use the extra telepathic energy given to us by our friends outside the maelstrom to hold Salvador back. We can do this! I know we can!
BARBARA
Come on, Ian. Let’s not question it.
JAMIE
(encouragingly) Aye, come on, everyone! Let’s do what Susan says and stop Salvador!
ZOE
Right with you, Jamie.
JO
Yes, right with you all the way.
DARBY
(relishes) Okay, Salvador! I’m going to enjoy this!
Salvador approaches, but soon finds himself stopped in his tracks.
SALVADOR
(shocked; struggles) What?! What is happening?! (Pause) No! You cannot stop me! You cannot stop me getting to you and the Doctors!
BILLY
(thrilled) It’s working! Our minds are holding Salvador back! It’s amazing!
NYSSA
It is amazing, but don’t lose your concentration, Billy dear! Keep at it! Don’t stop!
PERI
Will it be enough though? Can our minds really hold Salvador back long enough?
ACE
(determined) Don’t question it. (cries) Everyone, keep at it! We need to give the Doctors the chance to have that Valeyard toerag join them.
BRIGADIER
(calls) Kate, every U.N.I.T. personnel including yourself must help the Doctors’ friends to hold Salvador back whilst you’re in those cubicles.
KATE
Yes, father. (calls) All U.N.I.T personnel. You heard what my father said. Concentrate and think hard. It shouldn’t be that difficult.
MIKE
Understood, ma’am.
BENTON
We’re right with you, Miss Stewart.
OSGOOD
Putting our minds to it, yes.
MAGAMBO
Let’s hope this works out well in the end.
BAMBERA
Don’t doubt for a second, Captain. We need everyone to believe we will succeed.
All the U.N.I.T. personnel help the Doctors’ friends to hold Salvador back with their minds.
SALVADOR
(angrily; struggles) No! No, this isn’t possible! You’re becoming stronger than me! Nobody is more powerful than Salvador! NOBODY!!!
JEN
(pleased) It’s working! Pitting our combined will against him is working like a treat!
ROSE
Let’s hope it stays that way.
RORY
(struggles) I don’t think I can keep this up.
AMY
We have to! Don’t give up now, Rory my man.
DONNA
(encouragingly) Yeah, keep at it, everyone! The Doctors are relying on us!
BILL
The Doctors should be doing well at their end by now.
BRIGADIER
Indeed they are, Miss Potts. The Valeyard has just joined the Doctors in my cubicle.
YAZ
I hope the Doctors’ minds won’t burn out.
DAN
Let’s make sure we don’t burn out our minds either, Yaz.
The lid over the Brigadier’s cubicle is closed shut with the Valeyard inside.
SCENE #251 – EXT – MAELSTROM – N/A
Inside the maelstrom, the compression around Salvador’s base and the interdimensional network ceases. Things start to stabilise.
SCENE #252 – INT – SPHERE ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
In the Sphere Room aboard Salvador’s base, the Valeyard has his mind linked with the thirteen Doctors.
VALEYARD (V’O)
(shouts; angrily) No! I will not share my mind with yours! I will not assist you!
DOCTOR 7 (V’O)
You have no choice, Valeyard.
DOCTOR 8 (V’O)
Our combined minds are compelling you to assist us.
DOCTOR 9 (V’O)
Not just the minds of us here in the Sphere Room…
DOCTOR 10 (V’O)
…But also the minds of Doctors outside our Universe.
VALEYARD (V’O)
(shouts; angrily) This is harassment! Gallifreyan law will frown on your actions today!
DOCTOR 11 (V’O)
Not when the Time Lord being harassed is the same person.
DOCTOR 12 (V’O)
You can’t deny you’re different from us. We sense your mind. It’s the same as ours.
VALEYARD (V’O)
(shouts; angrily) No! NO!!! This was not how it was supposed to be!
DOCTOR 1 (V’O)
Now that we have this blaggard as our Brigadier friend called him…
DOCTOR 2 (V’O)
…We can start shutting down the interdimensional network.
DOCTOR 3 (V’O)
Will this work easily with every shared mind in the cubicles as well as outside?
DOCTOR 4 (V’O)
Indeed. There could be a margin for error. If so, that could prove fatal.
DOCTOR 13 (V’O)
There’s no harm in trying, Doctors. We must link our minds and the Valeyard’s too with the other Doctors from other Universes to achieve what we want.
DOCTOR 5 (V’O)
We certainly can’t give up now. I’m ready to do this.
DOCTOR 10 (V’O)
So am I.
DOCTOR 13 (V’O)
(eagerly) Right then…
VALEYARD (V’O)
(shouts; angrily) No, Doctors!!! NO!!!
DOCTORS (V’O)
(in unison; focuses) Contact!
Instantly, information buzzes between the Doctors inside and outside the Sphere Room, including the Valeyard, in their telepathic link with each other. Eventually…
DOCTOR 1 (V’O)
(realises) Yes! Yes, it’s working! The interdimensional network is starting to shut down! I sense it happening in my mind!
DOCTOR 6 (V’O)
(pleased) Excellent news!
VALEYARD (V’O)
(screams; enraged) NO!!!!!!
Just then, a blinding white light envelops everyone.
SCENE #253 – EXT – MAELSTROM – N/A
With the interdimensional network shut down, it dissipates whilst Salvador’s base remains. The Multiverse is gradually restored and the maelstrom’s interior stops compressing, reverting outwards.
SCENE #254 – INT – SPHERE ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
A while later in the Sphere Room, the thirteen Doctors and their friends wake up and recover. They vacate their cubicles one at a time, pushing the lids open to let themselves out.
DARBY
(groans) Ooh. I feel I’ve got the biggest migraine I’ve ever had in my life.
JO
(wearily) I’m so tired, I could do with a long holiday.
YAZ
We all could. I think it’s going to take more than aspirins to relieve these headaches we’re having.
DOCTOR 13
(reassuringly) Don’t worry, Yaz. We’ll recover, you’ll see.
BRIGADIER
(concerned) Kate dear, are you alright?
KATE
(reassuringly) I’m fine, father. Really, I’ll be alright.
BRIGADIER
You were very brave, my dear. I’m proud of you.
KATE
Everyone was brave, father. So were you.
BRIGADIER
Well, one does one’s best.
DOCTOR 10
Is everyone alright? Apart from the headaches, of course.
DOCTOR 13
Yaz; Dan?
DAN
We’re fine, Doctor. I’m glad we got through that in one piece.
YAZ
You and me both, Dan.
IAN
We’re alright too. Aren’t we, Barbara?
BARBARA
(relieved) Oh yes. It feels good to be out in the open.
SUSAN
Did we do it, grandfather? Did we succeed?
DOCTOR 1
(reassuringly) Yes, Susan my dear. The link is broken, the interdimensional zones’ spatial-temporal locations have been restored to whence they came, and the network itself has shut down. I could sense it all happening whilst inside my cubicle.
DOCTOR 2
We all sensed it, dear chap. Isn’t that splendid?
JAMIE
Aye, great news.
ZOE
Absolutely marvellous.
JO
Can we be sure we’ve succeeded though? We don’t want to overlook anything.
DOCTOR 3
There’s one way to find out, Jo. Let’s access these computer terminals.
JO
Err, I’ll stay with everyone else if you don’t mind, Doctor. I can look after everyone, while at the same time walking off my pins and needles.
DOCTOR 3
Well, if you’re sure.
DOCTOR 7
Ace, want to tag along?
ACE
I’ll be alright, Professor. You go on ahead.
DOCTOR 7
Very well.
NYSSA
I can help with accessing the terminals.
ZOE
So can I.
SUSAN
Me too.
OSGOOD
I’ll help out as well.
DOCTOR 5
Very well. You four assist us.
DOCTOR 13
Excellent! Yaz; Dan?
YAZ
We’ll keep everyone else company, Doctor.
DAN
Yeah, I think we’ve had enough excitement for a while.
DOCTOR 13
Fair enough.
DONNA
I’m rather good with typing. Being a temp in Chiswick and all.
DOCTOR 10
You’d better come too, Donna. We can use all the help we can get.
BILLY
Here’s your coat back, Doctor. I’m sure you need it more than me.
DOCTOR 5
Thank you, Billy. Much appreciated.
Billy takes off the Fifth Doctor’s coat and hands it over. The Fifth Doctor takes the coat and dons it back on.
BILLY
(worn out) Do you want me to keep you company, Nyssa dear?
NYSSA
(reassuringly) I’ll be alright, Billy. You look after everyone else. I’ll be back shortly.
The Thirteenth, Third, Fifth, Seventh and Tenth Doctors, Susan, Zoe, Nyssa, Donna and Osgood make their way over to the computer terminals. The rest remain nearby.
ACE
Shame we didn’t use my Nitro-Nine in the end. I was hoping to blow something up.
DOCTOR 4
(concerned) James, are you alright? You seem wobbly on your feet.
DARBY
My legs are killing me.
PERI
Same here. How long were we inside those cubicles?
BAMBERA
Too long if you ask me.
DOCTOR 6
As if that matters among friends. The fact is we’re all in one piece, including my good well-educated self.
PERI
(scoffs) Now you’re just being vain.
JEN
So, just to be clear, you’ve shut down the network and cut off the links to many of the Earth times and places from this and other Universes.
ROSE
And you were able to do this with your combined minds?
DOCTOR 8
As well as the Doctors from other Universes, yes. And with help from friends here and outside the base.
DOCTOR 9
Exactly! It’s been fantastic to have Doctors and friends help out like this.
BILL
I suppose we’re lucky we managed to win.
MIKE
I imagine luck had nothing to do with our success.
IAN
What about the friends we made contact with outside the Sphere Room?
BARBARA
Yes, the ones travelling with you in the past and future.
DOCTOR 1
Yes, well, hopefully those friends of ours, past and future – whereas for me, it’s the future – will probably forget ever helping us out. They will have been returned to their times and places and with their brain patterns intact.
DOCTOR 2
I’m sure the case will be the same for us once we leave this dreadful place.
JAMIE
Doesn’t that frighten you, Doctor? Forgetting everything that’s happened here today?
JO
I agree. It’s kinda scary when you think about it.
DOCTOR 3
It’s the way things should be, Jo. Don’t worry. You’ll be meeting Nyssa, Billy, Ace and Victoria soon once we leave here.
ACE
I guess we’ll all wake up like we’ve been having a dream or something.
DOCTOR 4
Something like that, yes.
MAGAMBO
(whispers) Captain Yates; Sergeant Benton, I don’t wish to alarm you, but…
MIKE
(whispers) What is it, Magambo?
MAGAMBO
(whispers) There’s no sign of the Valeyard. He didn’t come out of his cubicle like the rest of us did.
BENTON
(realises; whispers) You’re right. No sign of him and Salvador. How come we didn’t see them when we came out?
MIKE
(whispers) Most of us have been recovering, Sergeant. We simply didn’t register Salvador and the Valeyard’s absence.
MAGAMBO
(whispers) I’ll check with my soldiers.
MIKE
(whispers) I’ll inform the Brigadier and Miss Stewart.
SCENE #255 – INT – CORRIDOR, ENEMY BASE – N/A
Meanwhile, the Valeyard is trying to escape, as he runs down a corridor before losing his way.
VALEYARD
Where is it? Where’s my TARDIS? I must find the Ship before the stunted man-child finds me.
The Valeyard backtracks where he came. Eventually…
VALEYARD
(realises) Ah. I recall this corridor. I’ve kept my TARDIS well-hidden. It’s still invisible…
SALVADOR
(interrupts; bitterly) Stunted man-child, am I?
Stopping in his tracks, the Valeyard turns to face Salvador.
SALVADOR
(bitterly) Thinking of leaving, were we? Well, think again.
VALEYARD
I’m not the Doctor, Salvador. I’ve renounced the title.
SALVADOR
(ignores Valeyard) I understand now why you kept your TARDIS hidden from me. To prevent your identity being revealed to me. You didn’t want to ruin our alliance, knowing how furious I would be towards you if I knew the truth. Well, you’re right. My vengeance will wipe your miserable hide from existence.
VALEYARD
Salvador, let me leave! Let me have my freedom!
SALVADOR
(bellows) No! You shall not leave! I, Salvador, command it!
VALEYARD
(scoffs) You think I care what your precious ‘law’ says.
SALVADOR
That is why I hate you and the other Doctors so much.
SCENE #256 – INT – SPHERE ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
Back in the Sphere Room, the Thirteenth, Third, Fifth, Seventh and Tenth Doctors, Susan, Zoe, Nyssa, Donna and Osgood return to everyone else. Magambo checks with her soldiers whilst Mike Yates consults with the Brigadier.
DOCTOR 13
(reassuringly) It’s alright, everyone. The computer records confirm that the interdimensional network has shut down completely.
DONNA
Susan, Zoe, Nyssa, Osgood and I can vouch for that.
OSGOOD
Indeed. Where there should be lights showing the interdimensional network on the screen…
ZOE
…There aren’t any anymore. The interdimensional network is non-existent.
KATE
(relieved) That’s a relief.
NYSSA
You see, Billy? I told you I’d be back.
BILLY
(pleased) Yes, you did.
Nyssa and Billy embrace.
DOCTOR 10
We’d better not linger here too long though. The maelstrom’s opening into outer space won’t last forever.
SUSAN
We’ll have to exit the maelstrom soon to get back to our times and places.
DOCTOR 3
Which will take some time, I’m sure.
DOCTOR 5
We also need to blow up Salvador’s base to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.
ACE
(eagerly) Did you say ‘blow up’?
DOCTOR 7
(realises) Speaking of which, where’s Salvador?
DOCTOR 8
(realises) Where’s the Valeyard?
BRIGADIER
(interrupts) Doctors, Captain Yates has just given me a disturbing report.
DOCTOR 3
(impatiently) Well, what is it? Don’t keep us in suspense, man.
BRIGADIER
Salvador and the Valeyard. We neglected to notice their absence.
MIKE
They must have escaped before we got out of our cubicles.
KATE
If they’re not here, where could they be?
DOCTOR 9
The Valeyard would have gone back to his TARDIS.
DOCTOR 2
And Salvador would have followed him.
DOCTOR 11
I can’t imagine what Salvador will do, now he knows the truth, once he catches up with the Valeyard.
DOCTOR 6
We must go after them and stop anything disastrous from happening.
DOCTOR 12
Yes. Salvador will likely have it out with the Valeyard once and for all.
DARBY
You mean…have his guts for a violin?
DOCTOR 4
And it won’t be a pretty sight, I’m sure.
DOCTOR 13
(determined) Come on, Doctors. Let’s go find Salvador and the Valeyard.
YAZ
We’ll come with you.
DAN
Yeah, you’re not leaving us behind.
NYSSA
Same for me.
BILLY
Me too.
DOCTOR 5
Everyone, we’d prefer it if you stayed here.
DOCTOR 10
Please listen to us for once!
DONNA
No chance.
SUSAN
We’re all coming with you.
BARBARA
Absolutely.
JAMIE
Aye, you’ll get no argument from me.
ZOE
Nor me.
JO
Me neither.
DOCTOR 2
Alright, alright. You can come with us if that’s your wish.
DOCTOR 1
But please, don’t get in our way.
DOCTOR 3
We stress that you don’t get in our way when we try to prevent Salvador from tackling the Valeyard.
BRIGADIER
Doctors, if you don’t mind, Kate, myself and everyone else shall stay here to keep an eye on things.
KATE
We’ll guard the Sphere Room. It’s the least we can do.
DOCTOR 9
Very much appreciated, Kate; Brig.
DOCTOR 12
(urgently) Come on, everyone! We’re being slow-coaches, let’s go!
DOCTOR 10
Allons-y, everybody!
DOCTOR 12
That’s what I just said, Spiky Hair.
With that, the thirteen Doctors and their friends leave.
SCENE #257 – INT – CORRIDOR, ENEMY BASE – N/A
VALEYARD
(frustrated) I’m not the Doctor, Salvador! How many times do I have to keep telling you that?!
SALVADOR
Tell me what your real agenda was. After eliminating the Doctors, would you have taken their remaining lives as you intended?
VALEYARD
Of course. The preservation of my lifespan is of paramount importance.
SALVADOR
But I wanted to end the Doctors’ existence and mine!
VALEYARD
I know.
SALVADOR
If you had stolen the Doctor’s lives, you would have still lived and I would have still existed.
VALEYARD
I know!
SALVADOR
You would have cheated me had the Doctors not revealed your true nature to me.
VALEYARD
(bitterly) I know, I know!!! Must you state the obvious?!
SALVADOR
You are deceitful as the Doctor deceived me all those years ago. How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so foolish?
VALEYARD
(impatiently) Because that’s what you are, Salvador. A fool. More than that. You’re an idiot! Now let me be on my way!
SALVADOR
The Doctor wouldn’t have said such things.
VALEYARD
You think I have regrets when the Doctor experimented on you all those aeons ago to become a Time Lord? Well, I don’t. You ended up a failure.
SALVADOR
A failure you created!
VALEYARD
No! The Doctor created you!
SALVADOR
It” the same thing.
VALEYARD
(bitterly) It is not the same thing!
SALVADOR
You cannot deny your responsibility.
VALEYARD
Oh, but I can. I refuse to be responsible for you. And it wasn’t just the Doctor who failed to integrate you into Time Lord society.
SALVADOR
I suppose you’re going to tell me it’s my fault too.
VALEYARD
Absolutely. The Doctor had high hopes for you. But you let them down by your own selfish ambition and petty arrogance.
SALVADOR
(angrily) Enough!
VALEYARD
You cannot see the merits of your gifts because you’re stubbornly held to the belief that the Doctor broke you. Well, you broke yourself, Salvador.
SALVADOR
(shouts) Enough!!!
VALEYARD
You damaged yourself because of your own childishness. That’s why the Doctor never sought to repair the damage done to you. The Doctor despised you. You were an embarrassment.
SALVADOR
(screams) ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH!!!!!
VALEYARD
Ever since I came into being, I sought the Doctors’ lives to continue my existence. To continue my freedom. Operate as a complete entity. Thus, I remembered you. I remembered the battles you fought with the Doctor. To erase him from existence as well as yourself. I took advantage of that. To use you for my own ends.
SALVADOR
(bitterly) And you failed miserably too! You failed in your endeavours.
VALEYARD
Perhaps. But one day, I shall seek you again. I shall enter my TARDIS and go searching for you. I shall use you to destroy the Doctor in a less extravagant manner than we attempted today. I shall obtain the lives I deserve. You shall continue to exist of course, but I’ll be satisfied in the knowledge that I can continue with the Doctors’ remaining lives intact, whether it’s one regeneration cycle or two. Personally, I prefer the latter.
SALVADOR
No! You shan’t get away from me that easily!
Salvador clicks his fingers and a portal opens. It whirls around quite violently and winds protrude from it.
VALEYARD
What is this foolishness? You have opened a portal into a time vent.
SALVADOR
Well observed.
VALEYARD
What do you expect to achieve? You don’t expect me to accompany you in that?
SALVADOR
I am still the Lord of Darkness. The Master of Reality. I, Salvador, can still summon things according to my will.
VALEYARD
Not me, you won’t. I’m not adhering to your will anymore. I am no longer your disciple.
SALVADOR
A disciple of Salvador is a disciple for life. But knowing what you are gives me the shudders. Especially when I despise the Doctor so much.
VALEYARD
(angrily) I am not the Doctor!
SALVADOR
Tell me, deceitful one. Would the interdimensional manipulator from Gallifrey have backfired when it was in use?
VALEYARD
Of course. The technology works to my specifications, not yours. Not everything works according to your will, Salvador.
SALVADOR
Everything works according to the will of Salvador.
VALEYARD
And I reemphasise why you are such a failure because of your arrogance.
SALVADOR
I shall step into the time vent and take you with me. You shall be my prisoner. You will never escape.
VALEYARD
Good luck trying. My TARDIS is nearby. I shall simply enter it.
The Valeyard takes out his TARDIS key.
SALVADOR
Not if I can help it.
With a wave of his hand, Salvador summons the Valeyard’s TARDIS. It’s revealed momentarily before it’s thrown into the time vent. The Valeyard’s TARDIS groans once it’s gone through.
VALEYARD
(shocked; angrily) NO!!! What have you done? My TARDIS is lost!
SALVADOR
And now it’s time for you. If I can’t have myself and the Doctors cease to exist, we shall be prisoners in the Void together.
Salvador grabs the Valeyard, and they struggle in a fight.
VALEYARD
You cannot do this! Release me at once!
SALVADOR
This was meant to be! At least I’ll be satisfied with one of the Doctors trapped in eternity with me!
VALEYARD
I’ve renounced everything the Doctor was! What they represent!
SALVADOR
Yet you are still them, whether you like it or not.
Salvador and the Valeyard keep tugging in locked combat, as they’re about to fall into the time vent.
SCENE #258 – INT – CORRIDOR, ENEMY BASE – N/A
The thirteen Doctors and their friends arrive to see Salvador and the Valeyard in locked combat.
SUSAN
(realises) Grandfather, there they are.
DOCTOR 1
(realises; shocked) Goodness gracious me!
DOCTOR 2
(shocked) Oh my giddy aunt! A time vent has opened.
DOCTOR 3
It looks like one or both is about to fall in.
DOCTOR 13
(cries) Salvador; Valeyard, stop!
DOCTOR 10
(cries) There’s no need to fight like this.
DOCTOR 5
(cries) Let’s talk this over…err…a cup of tea. We could really use one right now. I’m feeling parched.
VALEYARD
(goads) At last, Doctors. You shall see the culmination of what Salvador has become. A psychotic murderer. How does that make you feel?
SALVADOR
(gleefully) I desire the Doctors to enter too. It won’t be just you and me in the time vent, Valeyard.
DARBY
(panics) Doctors, we need to back away!
DOCTOR 4
No, James, wait. It’s too late for Salvador to do anything.
BILLY
(realises) He’s falling in!
NYSSA
They’re both falling in, Billy.
DONNA
(cries; urgently) Come on, everyone! Back away like Private James said. Hold on something.
The thirteen Doctors and their friends back away, holding onto the walls whilst Salvador and the Valeyard continue in their tussle.
YAZ
Right. We’re holding onto the walls.
DAN
But for how long? Them winds from that portal are getting strong!
JAMIE
(realises) Doctors, look! Salvador and the Valeyard. They’re going, they’re going…
ZOE
(finishes) …And they’ve gone!
Salvador and the Valeyard scream, as they fall into the time vent. The portal is still open after they’ve fallen in.
BARBARA
Can you close the portal, Doctors? I don’t like how strong those winds are.
IAN
Me neither. How was Salvador even able to open such a thing?
DOCTOR 6
Salvador has the power to manipulate matter to his will. Or at least he used to. Goodness knows what’s become of him now.
DOCTOR 8
Both him and the Valeyard.
PERI
You must be able to close the portal somehow, Doctors.
ACE
Yeah, I don’t think my Nitro-Nine would be able to close a portal like that. I wouldn’t like to risk it.
DOCTOR 7
Wise thinking, Ace. The dimensional forces protruding from the portal are unstable. Any explosive detonated would bleed in raw temporal energy.
DOCTOR 2
Causing a catastrophe, I shouldn’t wonder.
JO
So, what can we do to close the portal? (thinks) Can you use your sonic screwdrivers?
JEN
Yeah, that might work, wouldn’t it, Doctors?
DOCTOR 9
Well, there’s no harm in trying.
DOCTOR 11
Yeah, I’m game for that. What are we waiting for?
DOCTOR 10
(dubiously) Wouldn’t we be confusing the polarity if we all used our sonic screwdrivers?
DOCTOR 3
We would have to use different frequencies to reverse the polarity of the neutron flow and prevent the portal adapting to our sonic devices.
DOCTOR 12
It’s decided then. Let’s all take out our sonic screwdrivers and apply them to the portal.
DOCTOR 6
Sonic lance in my case.
DOCTOR 1
I don’t have a sonic screwdriver, but I can use my signet ring to boost the power to this man’s sonic device.
DOCTOR 2
(gratified) Thank you, Doctor. I would really appreciate that.
DOCTOR 13
Right then. Sonics at the ready.
The First Doctor takes out his signet ring whilst the remaining twelve Doctors take out their sonic devices, applying them to the portal. Strong winds continue to protrude.
BILL
You’re not using your sonic shades then.
DOCTOR 12
Not this time, Bill. I’m utilising the direct approach.
DOCTOR 13
On my mark, everyone. One, two, three…mark!
The Second to Thirteenth Doctors switch on their sonic devices, with the First Doctor raising his signet ring at the Second Doctor’s sonic screwdriver to boost its power. The sonic devices buzz away, whilst the portal continues to swirl round and round with the strong winds echoing loudly.
DOCTOR 2
It seems to be slow progress. (Pause) Are we all using different frequencies?
DOCTOR 3
Give it a chance, dear chap. These things usually work out in the end.
DOCTOR 4
(laughs; cheerfully) And wouldn’t you know it? The portal is closing.
Gradually, the portal to the time vent closes. The strong winds cease once the portal is closed. The Second to Thirteenth Doctor switch off their sonic devices and they stop buzzing. A long moment of tense silence.
DARBY
Is that it? Are we finally safe? Are those two lunatics gone for good?
DOCTOR 5
For the time being, yes. We seem to be safe.
Everyone sighs with relief.
DOCTOR 8
We closed the portal in time. A few more seconds and…well…
DOCTOR 9
…I dread to think what would have happened if we didn’t close the portal in time.
DOCTOR 10
Regarding Salvador and the Valeyard… (saddened) …We can’t be certain.
DONNA
Will they keep on fighting wherever and whenever they are?
DOCTOR 11
(saddened) Very likely. I don’t know how long they’ll be able to keep their sanity in the Void.
DOCTOR 12
(saddened) Though in their case, Salvador and the Valeyard’s sanity is a very open-ended debate.
ROSE
You seem sad, Doctors.
DOCTOR 9
(saddened) Spot on, Rose.
BILLY
But why? We’ve defeated Salvador, haven’t we?
NYSSA
And the Valeyard?
DOCTOR 5
(saddened) There’s no victory gained when our attempts to reason with Salvador keep failing.
DOCTOR 10
(saddened) The Valeyard’s presence made things worse.
DOCTOR 13
(saddened) We shall miss him. We’ll miss Salvador very much.
YAZ
(astounded) Are we hearing this right? Salvador and the Valeyard – they tried to kill you.
DAN
We thought you’d be glad that we’ve done away with them.
AMY
If you’re so heartbroken, why don’t you re-open the portal and rescue them?
DOCTOR 1
We can’t do that. We dare not risk re-opening the portal.
DOCTOR 2
If they want to get out, it’ll have to be through their ingenuity.
IAN
(realises) Wait! You don’t mean…
BARBARA
(astounded) …Salvador and the Valeyard are still alive?
DOCTOR 3
Of course. What do you take us for? We wouldn’t have killed them deliberately if we didn’t know the Void had no breathable atmosphere.
DOCTOR 10
It’s just a living hell where Time and Space doesn’t exist. That’s why the Void is often called ‘hell’.
BILLY
I wouldn’t like to be in Salvador and the Valeyard’s shoes.
NYSSA
Me neither. Imagine walking in a place where Time and Space don’t exist.
JAMIE
Trust me, Nyssa; Billy. It happened to me and Zoe.
ZOE
We were in the Void when we visited the Land of Fiction. It wasn’t a nice place.
DARBY
I’ve walked in the Void too when the Doctor and I dealt with the Rednarogs.
JO
(realises) So, they can both get out then. Salvador and the Valeyard can escape.
DOCTOR 4
Salvador has the power to free himself and the Valeyard from the Void. Or he could just escape himself and leave the Valeyard behind. That’s up to him.
DARBY
(groans) Great! So, we’ve only delayed the inevitable. Those two will get out and cause trouble. We’ve achieved nothing.
DOCTOR 4
Oh I wouldn’t say that, James.
DOCTOR 6
Indeed not. It would be very difficult for them to escape. There could be a lot of interference when attempting to find an exit point.
DOCTOR 8
And if they can’t find that, the time vent will remain sealed from the rest of the Multiverse. It’ll be their eternal prison.
JEN
But you’ll be ready for them, right, Doctors? You’ll be ready to face Salvador and the Valeyard should they cause trouble again.
SUSAN
Oh yes. You will be ready for them, won’t you, my grandparents.
DOCTOR 1
Perhaps, Susan. Perhaps. Only time will tell. (Pause; ponders) I wonder where they are now. In the past…or the future.
A moment of silence.
DOCTOR 5
(cheerfully) Well, I think it’s time we head back to the Sphere Room.
DOCTOR 10
Definitely. The Brigadier, Kate and everyone else will be wondering about us.
DOCTOR 13
And after all that, I believe you’re right about us having a cup of tea, Doctor. I’m feeling rather thirsty.
SCENE #259 – INT – SPHERE ROOM, ENEMY BASE – N/A
A while later in the Sphere Room, the Doctors’ friends are having a tea party to celebrate their victory. Most of them are in groups, sitting on chairs around tables. In one group, Yaz and Dan are with Susan, Ian, Barbara, Darby, Jen, Bill and Osgood.
YAZ
So, you made a ‘Star Wars’ movie in another Universe based on one you didn’t like?
DARBY
Yep. If I had my way, I would show you my ‘Star Wars’ movie right now. It’s a masterpiece.
IAN
(chuckles) And that’s where you met this…Lady Christina or yours.
DARBY
Yes. Hopefully when I meet her properly in this Universe…
DAN
(interjects) …You’ll be able to start a brand-new relationship with her and she’ll fall for you.
DARBY
That’s the hope, yeah.
OSGOOD
Don’t expect too much. Romance might not always work the way you like it to.
BILL
Tell me about it. I had a crush on someone before I met the Doctor. She turned out to be a water creature. I wish she was still on Earth so I could go back to her.
JEN
Still, there’s a sense of reassurance when you’re with the Doctor, isn’t there?
SUSAN
Oh yes! Grandfather is so clever and he can do absolutely anything.
BARBARA
What about you, Jen? Is there someone you got looking out for you back home?
JEN
Not really. There are my parents, but they don’t know I’m out travelling in Space and Time.
In another group, Nyssa and Billy are with Jamie, Zoe, Peri, Rose, the Brigadier, Kate and Magambo.
BILLY
The Doctors are taking a while to sort things out in their TARDISes.
NYSSA
They’re even having cups of tea inside them.
ROSE
And there’s still plenty of biscuits and cake to eat up.
PERI
I’m sure the Doctors know what they’re doing. They’ll be back with us shortly.
BRIGADIER
Indeed. They’re probably double-checking everything is in order before we can head home.
KATE
For me, it won’t be nice going home. Knowing that I won’t see you again, father.
MAGAMBO
Begging your pardon, ma’am; but you must have spent quite a lot of time with your father.
KATE
Not as much as I would like. (Pause) It’s been nice to spend it though.
BRIGADIER
It’s been nice for me too, Kate dear.
NYSSA
I’m pleased we’ve been able to have tea, biscuits and cake this way.
BILLY
Yeah, and have conversations with each other. It’s probably the only time we’ll do this.
ROSE
To share our experiences of what it’s like being with the Doctor. It’s almost therapeutic.
JAMIE
Aye. (Pause) I’m not looking forward to what awaits us back in our time though.
ZOE
Me neither. We’ve got Time Lords to escape from once we’re back in our TARDIS.
And in another group, Donna is with Jo, Mike Yates, Benton, Ace, Amy, Rory and Bambera.
DONNA
So, you practically face alien invasions all the time where you come from?
JO
On a regular basis. There are rare occasions where we have quiet days.
MIKE
Sometimes however, those days are always interrupted by bug-eyed monsters or something.
BENTON
Unless they happen to be Daleks of course. Or the Master.
ACE
Is that the same for you, Winifred? Are there alien invasions for you every day?
BAMBERA
Oh Ace. You have no idea how many reports I have to write to Geneva every day.
DONNA
How come I didn’t know any of this? How come the world I grew up in didn’t know of these alien invasions in the nineteen seventies, eighties or something?
AMY
The Doctor probably had something to do with it.
RORY
It usually is with the Doctor. It happened when he rebooted the Universe with another Big Bang.
JO
(astounded) What?! Another Big Bang?
At that moment, the thirteen Doctors exit their TARDISes.
DOCTOR 13
(cheerfully) Hello, everyone! We’re back!
DOCTOR 12
Once you’ve all finished stuffing your faces…
DOCTOR 11
…It’s time we made tracks.
YAZ
Are you sure everything’s okay, Doctors? Are we good to go?
DOCTOR 13
Yes, Yaz. Nothing to worry about. The interdimensional network is definitely closed for good.
DOCTOR 10
We just need to blow up the big interdimensional manipulator to prevent it from being used again.
DOCTOR 9
Including Salvador and the Valeyard, should they come and try again.
DOCTOR 5
Once the interdimensional manipulator is destroyed, it’ll also destroy Salvador’s base.
DOCTOR 8
The first twelve groups of us will leave first. The last group will have to set off explosives before departing out of the maelstrom and returning to normal space.
DOCTOR 6
The maelstrom will close off entirely and stability to the Universe will be restored.
IAN
Did you say ‘explosives’?
DOCTOR 1
Yes, dear boy. (chuckles) We said ‘explosives’.
DOCTOR 7
(knowingly) Ace?
ACE
(eagerly) Nitro-Nine, Professor?
DOCTOR 7
Nitro-Nine, Ace.
ACE
Wicked!
DOCTOR 3
Some of us are likely to forget what happened today.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah, but you never know. I could still remember everything that happened, being the latest incarnation and all that.
DAN
There’s still a chance you could easily forget too though, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Yep. That is a possibility, Dan.
DOCTOR 11
The rest of us, with the time streams being out of sync, can’t retain memories of what happened today.
JEN
Does that include us? We, your friends, will forget what happened today too?
DARBY
All of us who travel with you won’t remember us fighting Salvador, the Valeyard and the like.
DOCTOR 12
Yes. I’m sorry, but it has to be this way in order to secure stability in the Multiverse.
DOCTOR 2
It’s a cross to bear, but it’s one we must bear boldly.
DOCTOR 1
Quite, my dear chap, quite. (Pause) Well, let’s not stand on ceremony. It’s time for us to leave.
OSGOOD
(tearfully; breathlessly) It’s been a privilege to meet you all. All you thirteen Doctors and your friends. I thought it would never happen. I wonder how I’m going to write this up in my report. (realises) No, of course. There won’t be a report to write up. Once we return to our times and places, we’ll forget, won’t we? Nevertheless, I shall treasure this moment. I shall regard this memory highly. And I’m determined to keep holding onto this memory until…
EVERYONE
(in unison; interrupts) Inhaler, Osgood.
OSGOOD
(realises; calms down) Oh. Yes, of course. Sorry.
Osgood takes her inhaler, breathes in and out, and soon calms down.
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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