1: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR and LIZ round a corner in the corridor. The DOCTOR carries a computer tape.)
DOCTOR: Let's see what he's got to say for himself this time.
(They go through a door marked "COMPUTER ROOM".)
2: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(They fail to see TALTALIAN stood behind the door. They walk into the body of the room and TALTALIAN slams the door shut. They spin round as the scientist pulls out a pistol and aims it at them...)
THE
AMBASSADORS
OF DEATH
BY
DAVID
WHITAKER
EPISODE 2
3: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
TALTALIAN: I want that tape.
(The DOCTOR doesn't answer immediately but walks a couple of paces, staring intently at TALTALIAN.)
DOCTOR: Do you realise the importance of it?
TALTALIAN: Rather more than you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: So, you understood the message?
TALTALIAN: Hand it over.
DOCTOR: What are you going to do with it?
TALTALIAN: Doctor! Give me that tape!
(The DOCTOR looks at LIZ, then.)
DOCTOR: Since you insist...
(He holds out the tape. TALTALIAN reaches out for it but before he can take it from the DOCTOR'S hand, it vanishes into thin air.)
TALTALIAN: This is no time for conjuring tricks. (Shouts.) Put up your hands - up!
(The DOCTOR does so and TALTALIAN goes over and searches through his pockets but with no success.)
TALTALIAN: Where is that tape?
LIZ: P...perhaps he sent it into the future?
TALTALIAN: Doctor, are you trying to force me to shoot you?
(The door to the room suddenly opens and the BRIGADIER walks in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor I think you...
(TALTALIAN jumps back and points the gun at the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Careful Brigadier! He's frightened.
TALTALIAN: (To LIZ.) You! Over here! Come here!
(LIZ does as she is told. TALTALIAN grabs her arm and twists her round so that he is behind her.)
LIZ: No!
TALTALIAN: Be quiet!
LIZ: You're hurting...
(TALTALIAN backs up to the door with LIZ in front of him as a shield.)
TALTALIAN: Don't try to follow me...
(At the doorway, he pushes LIZ to the floor, runs through the door and slams it shut behind him. The DOCTOR bends down to help LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll go after him...
DOCTOR: Yes.
(The BRIGADIER runs out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Guards!
(The DOCTOR helps LIZ to her feet.)
DOCTOR: Are you all right?
LIZ: ____Taltalian?
DOCTOR: I think we can safely leave him to the Brigadier and his men.
LIZ: What did you do with the tape?
DOCTOR: What?
LIZ: The tape!
DOCTOR: Oh, the tape.
LIZ: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Well, here it is here
(He holds out his hand and the tape reappears as quickly as it vanished.)
LIZ: (Puzzled.) You...didn't send it into the future, did you?
DOCTOR: No, no, no. No, that was simply transmigration of object. There's a great deal of difference between that and pure science, you know!
(They laugh.)
DOCTOR: Now then, what about decoding this tape? Let me see now.
(He looks round at the equipment. LIZ looks over to one particular unit.)
LIZ: Well, that'll be the Analogue digital converter.
DOCTOR: Yes, yeah, that's just what I was looking for.
(They go over to it. LIZ pulls back the glass hood on the machine.)
LIZ: Let me.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
(He passes her the tape. The BRIGADIER walks in and puts his gun away.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Got away. This place is like a rabbit warren - I've set up a search.
DOCTOR: Er, Brigadier, what did you find at the warehouse?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A transmitter.
DOCTOR: And?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We took several prisoners. One of them knows a great deal more than he's saying.
DOCTOR: Well, I'd like to have a talk with him.
4: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(COLLINSON lies back on a bunk in the cell. The door opens and CORPORAL CHAMPION lets the DOCTOR and BRIGADIER in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right, Corporal.
CORPORAL CHAMPION: Sir.
(The CORPORAL closes the door.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To COLLINSON.) Well, have you decided to talk yet?
(COLLINSON shrugs but remains silent.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why didn't you shoot me when you had the chance?
DOCTOR: (Gently.) Why don't you sit down, old chap?
(COLLINSON frowns but takes up the offer and sits at the table.)
DOCTOR: Now, you were under orders not to harm the Brigadier, weren't you? Who gave you those orders?
COLLINSON: I can't answer any questions.
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Anything found on him?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, his pockets were empty.
DOCTOR: Clothes?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The sort of thing you can buy anywhere - but all the labels were cut out.
DOCTOR: (To COLLINSON.) Mmm, you've been very thorough, haven't you?
(COLLINSON smiles.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're in very serious trouble, you know? I can hold you here on security charges for a very long time.
DOCTOR: Don't you realise that the men you are working with were seriously interfering with our space project, and thereby endangering the lives of three astronauts.
(COLLINSON remains silent. The BRIGADIER loses his temper.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Look, I want answers from you, and I'm going to get them!
DOCTOR: (Gently.) Brigadier, you're wasting your time.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This man knows something.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, but he's not going to tell us - and I think we've got more important things to do, mm?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Reluctantly.) All right.
(He goes to the door.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Corporal?
(CORPORAL CHAMPION opens the door. They start to walk out, but on the threshold, the DOCTOR turns back into the cell. The BRIGADIER follows.)
DOCTOR: Looking after you all right, are they? Had a cup of tea?
COLLINSON: (Smiles.) Yes, thanks.
DOCTOR: That's good...
(He smiles but suddenly barks out an order in the manner of a military man.)
DOCTOR: Stand to attention when you're talking to me and call me sir!
(COLLINSON leaps to his feet and stands ramrod straight.)
COLLINSON: Sir!
DOCTOR: Mmm, just as I thought - Sergeant aren't you?
(COLLINSON sits down, somewhat dejected. An amazed BRIGADIER walks forward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A soldier! Are you a deserter?
DOCTOR: No, no, he's acting under orders.
(CHAMPION enters the cell.)
CORPORAL CHAMPION: Sir, this just came.
(He hands a note to the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, thank you.
(He reads the note.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor!
5: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(JOHN WAKEFIELD makes another television report...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: There has been another extraordinary development in the mystery of Mars Probe 7. The two space capsules, Mars Probe 7 and Recovery 7, which have been locked together in radio silence, have now separated. But there is still no communication from Charles Van Lyden nor from astronauts Michaels and Lefee.
(Meanwhile, the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER walk back into the control room and up to CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: Still no word from them?
RALPH CORNISH: Nothing. (Into microphone.) Space control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(There is a beep but, as always, no reply.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Capsules now approximately seven miles apart.
MISS RUTHERFORD: Eleven minutes from scheduled re-entry burn.
RALPH CORNISH: I wish I had your confidence.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Distance between capsule widening - nine miles...thirteen miles...twenty-five miles.
MISS RUTHERFORD: It's started!
(CORNISH shows some emotion for once and rushes over to the read-outs on MISS RUTHERFORD'S desk.)
RALPH CORNISH: Ten minutes too soon. What's he think he's doing?
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Well, that's it for an hour. I'd better go and see how Liz is getting on with the decoding.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Don't you want to see what happens?
DOCTOR: No, no. No if they're going to attempt a re-entry they must make at least one Earth's orbit. I'll be back in time for re-entry. Are you coming?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, I'll run a security trace on our prisoner.
(The radar screen shows the two points of light diverging.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Recovery 7 speed now eighteen thousand miles per hour and increasing. Capsule will leave our radar range within three minutes. Closing to two-point-nine five.
RALPH CORNISH: Notify global tracking stations, fix an open communications circuit. I want that capsule tracked every second.
6: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(COLLINSON lies on his bunk.)
7: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CELL
(CORPORAL CHAMPION approaches the cell with a cup of tea in one hand. He unlocks the door with the other. From behind him a gloved hand points a gun into his back. As CHAMPION turns, the armed hand flicks the scalding tea into his face. CHAMPION cries out in pain.)
8: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(COLLINSON hears the noise. The cell door opens. He smiles at his rescuer and walks out of the cell. The gloved hand pulls the cell door shut.)
9: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR and LIZ have run the tape and produced a print out. The results are spread out over and table and they examine them with a young scientist called DOBSON.)
DOCTOR: Yes...there's no pattern to it at all - it's nonsense!
DOBSON: Perhaps because we're feeding it nonsense. Maybe that sound from the capsule was just...freak static.
DOCTOR: Yes...
LIZ: I wonder...
DOCTOR: Wonder what?
LIZ: Maybe there's a computer malfunction.
DOBSON: That's impossible - there's a self-checking mechanism.
LIZ: Well even that could go wrong. I'll feed it a standard test programme.
(She heads for the computer.)
DOCTOR: Never mind all that - ask it what two and two make.
LIZ: What?
DOCTOR: (Curtly.) Liz, ask it.
LIZ: Oh, all right.
DOBSON: This is ridiculous - I checked that machine this morning.
DOCTOR: How long have you known Doctor Taltalian?
(DOBSON seems taken aback.)
DOBSON: Well, I've been his chief assistant for two years. I still can't believe all this.
(LIZ returns.)
LIZ: It says two and two make five.
DOCTOR: Oh, it's typical - I never did trust those stupid things.
LIZ: No, no, this isn't just malfunction. Taltalian must have sabotaged it.
(LIZ looks at DOBSON.)
10: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MISS RUTHERFORD: Reappearance time this hemisphere - ten seconds.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Tracking report from Massachusetts...
(His report carries over the tannoy system. CORNISH, the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER listen intently.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Height - one hundred miles. Speed twenty thousand and reducing. Eight...seven...six...five... four... three... two... one ...zero. Capsule now in our tracking range and control range.
RALPH CORNISH: Main control, start transmitting - now.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: We have contact, we have contact.
MISS RUTHERFORD: Transmitters on now.
(A signal goes out.)
RALPH CORNISH: It's not responding. Repeat transmission - boost power.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Repeat transmission - now.
(The signal goes out again.)
RALPH CORNISH: It's no good...
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Tracking report: Height - ninety miles and reducing. Speed - twenty thousand and holding.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) It'll burn up.
(The return signal is suddenly received.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: It's responding!
RALPH CORNISH: Recommence transmission...and maintain.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Recommencing transmission -now.
(The signal goes out.)
RALPH CORNISH: Fire retro jets...five seconds.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Retro jets, five seconds - now.
MISS RUTHERFORD: We have radar contact on screen now.
(On the radar screen, a small white light has appeared.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Height - Eighty-five miles, still reducing.
(At his desk...)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Speed - eighteen thousand reducing to...seventeen thousand...
(The DOCTOR and the others in the room listen to his report.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Sixteen thousand...
11: EXT. TRACKING STATIONS
(Several satellite dishes around the world track the craft as JOHN WAKEFIELD makes his latest report...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) Well, after what was a pretty rough re-entry by present day standards, astronauts Van Lyden, Michaels and Lefee will soon be experiencing the buffeting of Earth's atmosphere...when their huge parachutes lower them on the last few miles of their descent.
12: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (To camera.) Under normal circumstances with two or three Earth orbits as a run up, Controller Cornish could bring them to within one hundred yards of their scheduled landing place. As it is, all we know is that the space capsule is about to land somewhere in the south of England.
(The huge monitor screen shows the Atlantic Ocean and the edge of the British Isles to the right. Approaching it is a flashing light representing the capsule. The screen is watched by the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER among others.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Drop speed now thirty miles and reducing.
MISS RUTHERFORD: (Over tannoy.) Capsule drifting sou-sou-west two degrees. Rate of drift - three knots.
(The light approaches the west coast of Ireland.)
RALPH CORNISH: (To the BRIGADIER.) Ground level preparations completed?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The area will be cordoned off as soon as it lands.
RALPH CORNISH: (To MISS RUTHERFORD.) Civil air routes warned? Airlines cleared?
MISS RUTHERFORD: All planes have been diverted.
(The light has now crossed Ireland and is over the Irish Sea.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Drop speed now twenty-two miles per hour...reducing to eighteen. Height - one mile. Drift rate - three knots. Contact lost...contact lost.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) Something wrong?
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) No, no. No, they always lose radar contact in the last few seconds.
(The signal from the capsule cuts out. MISS RUTHERFORD checks her instruments and looks up with a grin on her face.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: We've made it!
(CORNISH sits back with a sigh of relief. The DOCTOR approaches him.)
DOCTOR: Well done, old chap, well done.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes congratulations controller, Wonderful job.
RALPH CORNISH: If they're alive.
12: EXT. LANDING SITE
(The capsule sits upright in a deserted spot in a rugged part of the English countryside, a light flashing on its top. Various army vehicles surround it. A jeep draws up and the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and CORNISH run up to it. CORNISH takes a quick look round the capsule, then takes a microphone out of his pocket and plugs it into the side of the capsule.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? This is Cornish. You are safe...and landed. Open the hatch.
(On a nearby hillside, the operation is being observed by two men through binoculars - CARRINGTON and GREY.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? (To the DOCTOR.) It's no use. Must be unconscious.
(CARRINGTON continues to observe.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Better try opening it ourselves.
RALPH CORNISH: It's impossible. Either the mechanisms jammed or...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) They've locked it from the inside.
(CORNISH and the BRIGADIER look at him sharply.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then we'll have to cut it open.
RALPH CORNISH: It's too dangerous for the astronauts.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then what are we going to do.
DOCTOR: Take it back to the space centre?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right.
(He and CORNISH move back to the jeep. The DOCTOR looks at the capsule for a moment and then follows. On the hillside, CARRINGTON turns to GREY.)
CARRINGTON: Quick, the RT - UNIT's Frequency.
(GREY reaches into his pocket. Meanwhile, the BRIGADIER has taken his own radio out of the jeep.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Brigadier to UNIT control, Brigadier to UNIT Control. UNIT Control, I want a route cleared from here to the Space Centre. Outriders- top priority.
(GREY has on a set of headphones and writes down the message on a pad. He tears off the sheet and hands it to CARRINGTON.)
GREY: Sir.
(CARRINGTON takes the note and reads it.)
CARRINGTON: Excellent - couldn't be better.
(Meanwhile CORNISH approaches the BRIGADIER.)
RALPH CORNISH: By the time you get the capsule back to the space centre, I'll have everything ready.
(He goes off. The BRIGADIER speaks to the driver of the jeep.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll go with the capsule.
(He bangs on the door with his swagger stick and it drives off. CORNISH gets in another jeep and it too leaves. Recovery 7 is loaded by crane onto the back of a low loader by the UNIT troops and covered with a tarpaulin. The BRIGADIER shouts to the DOCTOR, nearby, who has Bessie's bonnet open making repairs.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: See you at the space centre.
DOCTOR: All right.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If you make it.
(The DOCTOR looks up indignantly. The BRIGADIER goes to the passenger door of the low-loader and opens it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the driver.) I'll go with you. (To the outriders.) Keep to the prepared route and clear the away ahead of us.
(He speaks to the soldiers at the back of the truck.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You bring up the rear.
(He gets in the low-loader. Meanwhile, the DOCTOR climbs into Bessie - which has the hood up against the rain - and starts the engine. The noise it emits is not hopeful. He starts off, as does the rest of the convoy. Bessie attempts a three-point turn to follow and almost immediately breaks down.)
13. EXT. ROAD
(The convoy - motorcycle outriders, low-loader and jeeps continues its journey. It drives over a bridge, and away down the road.)
14: EXT. LANDING SITE
(Left behind, the DOCTOR eventually gets Bessie re-started and begins to follow.)
15. EXT. ROAD
(The Convoy travels along a road making an uneventful journey. However, after a few minutes the BRIGADIER hears the sound of a helicopter. He looks out of the window and sees one flying in low towards them. It swoops down, almost on top of the convoy. The BRIGADIER looks on in alarm. The helicopter turns round and approaches the convoy again. Its occupants wear dark glasses and gas masks. After another low swoop, one of the occupants of the helicopter nods to the second who opens the door in mid-air and drops several objects down in front of the convoy. They are smoke bombs which explode in front of the outriders causing them to swerve. Several more similar bombs are dropped obscuring the view of the driver of the low-loader. An alarm rings out over the convoy. The helicopter lands and the two masked men get out. At the same time, the BRIGADIER gets out of the low-loader, pistol drawn. Shots ring out as the masked ambushers run towards the convoy. An outrider approaches them and the masked man fires his weapon. It is some sort of gas stun gun and the outrider falls to the ground with his bike. The helicopter takes off The BRIGADIER gets nearer the ambushers and they fire at him and strike him down. Next to fall is a second outrider who is sent backwards off his bike. As the ambushers make for the cab of the low-loader, the last two outriders approach on their bikes but are quickly dealt with by the stun guns. The two men then pull the driver out of the cab of the low-loader. Meanwhile, a UNIT soldier fires several shots at the helicopter which hovers a few feet off the ground. Using up all his bullets, the soldier discards his gun and runs for the helicopter, jumping on the side and trying to pull the door open as the two masked men get in the cab of the low-loader and drive off. The soldier on the skids of the helicopter attempts to pull the door open and finds himself in a tussle with the pilot inside. However, the pilot then uses the door as a battering ram and knocks the soldier into mid-air. He lands a few feet below on the ground. The attack successful, the helicopter and the low-loader make off, the latter watched by a forlorn BRIGADIER who clambers unsteadily to his feet.)
16. EXT. ANOTHER ROAD
(The DOCTOR is driving along in pursuit of the convoy. In the low-loader, the driver takes his glasses off - it is GREY. CARRINGTON is the other man, sat in the cab next to him. The DOCTOR sees them ahead coming towards him and surmises that something is wrong. He thinks, snaps his fingers and turns the car across the middle of the road. CARRINGTON and GREY see the obstruction ahead of them and come to a halt. The DOCTOR approaches the cab.)
GREY: Get out of the way, please.
(The DOCTOR replies in a quavery old voice.)
DOCTOR: I...I'm...I'm afraid I can't.
GREY: Will you please get out of the way, sir? We're carrying a very important cargo.
DOCTOR: Yes, well...if you want me to get out of the way, I'm afraid you'll have to help me.
(GREY and CARRINGTON get out of the cab and walk towards Bessie.)
DOCTOR: Er, old Bessie seems to have stopped.
(GREY and CARRINGTON get behind the car to push it. The DOCTOR gets in the driver's seat.)
DOCTOR: Ready? I'll let the brake off. Right, push.
(GREY and CARRINGTON push Bessie to the side of the road. As the DOCTOR is about to get out, he flicks a switch marked "ANTI THIEF DEVICE". Instantly, a buzzing fills the air and the two men find that their hands are stuck to the car. They tug and pull but to no avail. The DOCTOR saunters past, speaking in his normal voice.)
DOCTOR: Thank you very much! Don't worry, it'll switch itself off...eventually.
(He gets in the cab and drives the capsule off, watched by a still struggling CARRINGTON and GREY.)
17: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR
(The BRIGADIER has made it back to Space Control and is outlining what has happened to CORNISH as they walk along a corridor.)
RALPH CORNISH: Helicopter and smoke bombs!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes they were very well organised. We lost the capsule and the Doctor's vanished...
(CORNISH walks into the room at the end of the corridor, the BRIGADIER follows...)
18: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How on earth?!
(The room is a large enclosed hanger, with the capsule sat in the middle of it being worked on by a group of technicians. The DOCTOR walks around from the back of it.)
DOCTOR: I brought it here!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) Doctor! Thank heavens you're all right. We found the car - thought they'd got you.
DOCTOR: Didn't you find two angry men stuck to my car?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No - just the car.
DOCTOR: Mmm, can't have got that force field strong enough yet...
(CORNISH is at a console to the side of the capsule. A trim-phone rings on it.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone.) Cornish? Yes... (To the DOCTOR.) Doctor, it's for you.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(He takes the phone.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello? (Listens.) Yes, Liz. (Listens.) Yes, right. I'll be down straight away.
(He puts the phone down.)
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) I'll tell you all about it later. Liz thinks she's on to something.
(He hurriedly leaves. The BRIGADIER looks the capsule over.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To CORNISH.) Will you be able to make contact?
RALPH CORNISH: I'm not sure. The equipment's being connected now.
19: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR looks over a computer printout.)
DOCTOR: You're right Liz. This is a definite attempt at pictographic communication.
DOBSON: Could be just random patterns?
(The DOCTOR points to points on the printout.)
DOCTOR: What with this symbol repeated twice? And this one repeated four times? Oh no.
LIZ: Who in the world would want to send a message in this form?
DOCTOR: No one on this world...but an alien intelligence so different...this is the only way they can communicate.
LIZ: Doctor, you don't think ___.
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) I think that it's high time the Brigadier and I had a talk to the top man.
(He gets up and leaves quickly, LIZ following. DOBSON watches them go with a worried look on his face. He goes to a wall phone and punches in a number.)
DOBSON: Dobson here. They've started to crack the code...
20: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER sit in the office of a senior civil servant - Sir James QUINLAN.)
QUINLAN: Exactly what are you suggesting?
DOCTOR: I should have thought that was obvious. Every step we take, someone's ahead of us.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Doctor Taltalian for instance, I've got his file here.
(He places it in front of QUINLAN.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Checked and double checked like everyone else working on this project. And yet, he sabotages his own computer, draws a gun on the Doctor and then runs away like a criminal.
(QUINLAN looks over the file.)
QUINLAN: Well, it's extraordinary. I've known Bruno Taltalian for years.
DOCTOR: Look, that is quite beside the point. The question is - who else is involved?
QUINLAN: I can see your reasons for concern but you have got the capsule back now.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, we've got the capsule back all right, and it's safely installed at the Space Centre. But the astronauts still refuse to come out.
QUINLAN: Well, I shall initiate a top-level investigation immediately, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: With respect...
(QUINLAN interrupts and stands to show that the meeting is over.)
QUINLAN: Now, I'm sure you'll want to get back to the Space Centre.
DOCTOR: Is that all you've got to say, Sir James? Sweep it all under the carpet, eh?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) Come on, Doctor.
(He picks up the file and they make for the door.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll keep you informed sir.
QUINLAN: I should be most grateful, Brigadier.
(At the door, the DOCTOR is about to say something but QUINLAN quickly interrupts...)
QUINLAN: Thank you, gentlemen.
(The BRIGADIER shakes his head in warning at the DOCTOR and they leave. Immediately that they have gone, QUINLAN goes to a door at the rear of his office and opens it.)
QUINLAN: All right.
(A figure walks through.)
QUINLAN: Won't you sit down?
(The visitor does. It is TALTALIAN.)
21: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(LIZ and CORNISH are still trying to get a response from the capsule.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Recovery 7, do you read me?
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER return.)
DOCTOR: Any response yet?
RALPH CORNISH: Nothing.
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Recovery 7, do you read me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I suggest we cut it open.
RALPH CORNISH: I've got men with thermal lances standing by.
(CORNISH starts to walk off but suddenly static comes over the intercom from the capsule.)
LIZ: I think I'm getting something!
22: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
TALTALIAN: They have got the capsule - what went wrong?
QUINLAN: I don't know yet. They've started to crack the code too.
TALTALIAN: What are you going to do about UNIT?
QUINLAN: It's already been dealt with - they've got quite a surprise coming.
23: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(LIZ stands at the console with the microphone, watched by the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and CORNISH.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Hello Recovery 7, do you read me?
(The static continues...)
LIZ: (Into microphone: urgently.) Hello Recovery 7, do you read me?
(VAN LYDEN'S voice suddenly comes from the speaker.)
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space Control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
(The four look at each other in delight. LIZ hands the microphone to CORNISH and they all go over to the capsule. CORNISH, smiling with relief, speaks to VAN LYDEN.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie! This is Ralph Cornish. You are back at Space Control. Open the capsule.
VAN LYDEN: LIZ: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
(They four start to look puzzled.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie? You are back at Space Control. What's wrong? Open the hatch.
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space Control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: Let me try...
(He takes the microphone from CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Hello, Van Lyden? What is the capital of Australia?
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) How many beans make five?
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Van Lyden!
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
DOCTOR: (To CORNISH.) Right - cut it open!
Doctor Who
JON PERTWEE
Liz Shaw
CAROLINE JOHN
Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEY
Taltalian
ROBERT CAWDRON
Ralph Cornish
RONALD ALLEN
Carrington
JOHN ABINERI
Quinlan
DALLAS CAVELL
Collinson
ROBERT ROBERTSON
Grey
RAY ARMSTRONG
John Wakefield
MICHAEL WISHER
Van Lyden
RIC FELGATE
Miss Rutherford
CHERYL MOLINEAUX
Control Room Assistant
BERNARD MARTIN
Dobson
JUAN MORENO
Corporal Champion
BERNARD MARTIN
Unit Sergeant
DEREK WARE
Title Music by
RON GRAINER AND
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Incidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSON
Film Cameraman
A.A. ENGLANDER
Film Editor
CHRIS WIMBLE
Action by
HAVOC
Visual Effects
PETER DAY
Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS
Designer
DAVID MYERSCOUGH-JONES
Producer
BARRY LETTS
Directed by
MICHAEL FERGUSON
