1: EXT. WEIR
(LIZ is out of breath from the chase and despite the fact that she can see no obvious way of escape, continues to run carefully along the narrow ledge. Halfway across they catch up. LIZ struggles with one of the men who she one flips over the side. He manages to hang on. She runs on a few paces but the other man catches her and knocks her over towards the torrent of water. She manages to hang onto the rail and the second man reaches down to her.)
THE
AMBASSADORS
OF DEATH
BY
DAVID
WHITAKER
EPISODE 4
2: EXT. WEIR
(The first man scrambles back onto the weir and comes to help the second man pull the dangling LIZ back to safety.)
3: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN, wearing a smart raincoat, enters the lab, holding onto LIZ'S arm and pushing her down the stairs ahead of him.)
LIZ: Will you let go of my arm, you're hurting me, ow!
(He pushes her off the final few steps.)
LIZ: Oh!
(LENNOX and a thug - MASTERS - are waiting in the lab.)
REEGAN: (To LENNOX.) I've brought you some company
LENNOX: I thought they told you to get both of them.
REEGAN: Oh, he wouldn't keep the appointment. She's a scientist. She can give you a hand.
(A shocked LIZ recognises the scientist.)
LIZ: Doctor Lennox!
REEGAN: (Sarcastically.) Somebody remembers you!
(He looks through the observation window.)
REEGAN: How are our zombie friends?
LENNOX: Surviving, but only just.
REEGAN: I didn't expect them to be dancing a jig. (To LIZ.) Start making yourself useful.
LIZ: What if I don't?
(REEGAN points through the window.)
REEGAN: I might just lock you in there with them!
4: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER enters his office. The DOCTOR is there, writing at a side desk. CARRINGTON paces the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I've issued Miss Shaw's description to every police force in the country.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Why? Do you expect her to be wandering the streets?
(The BRIGADIER sits at his desk and gives the GENERAL a look.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No sir, just a formality.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I took the liberty of examining the things found on the bodies of those two men.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They should have gone to Forensics, sir - untouched!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No need for that, Forensics can't tell us anything we can't see for ourselves.
(He holds a scrap of paper.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Look - a newspaper cutting in a foreign language.
(The DOCTOR doesn't look up.)
DOCTOR: Anyone can buy a foreign newspaper, General.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: What about this comb then, with the makers imprint on it in the same language?
(The DOCTOR gets up.)
DOCTOR: Let me look.
(He takes the comb and tries to read the markings. He then takes a jeweller's eyeglass out of his pocket and puts it into his right eye to read closer. He tuts several times and looks at CARRINGTON.)
DOCTOR: Very remiss of them - keeping this.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They could have been planted, sir.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No, the only people who could set up an organisation of this size would be foreign agents with enormous resources behind them...
(The DOCTOR waves the comb at him.)
DOCTOR: And hair combs!
(He goes back to his desk.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: They want to use the radiated astronauts as a weapon.
DOCTOR: I've told you where your astronauts are, General. They're still in orbit.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: That's ridiculous.
DOCTOR: Is it? When your Professor Heldorf had the aliens in his care, he started to record some sort of radio communication impulses.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Astronauts do have walky-talkies in their helmets, you know.
DOCTOR: Then why didn't Heldorf talk to them?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Yes, well perhaps he was recording the level of radioactivity in their bodies?
DOCTOR: Yes, well I don't think so. Well, I'm going down to the Space Centre, use the computer. I trust your man Taltalian won't hold a gun on me this time?
(He gets up with Heldorf's papers and heads for the door.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Doctor, nothing is to be gained by deciphering these impulses! Our objective should be to find the missing astronauts.
DOCTOR: General, how many times must I tell you, your astronauts are still in orbit. My objective is to find out what these aliens are trying to say to us.
(He goes, leaving an unhappy CARRINGTON behind him.)
5: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(TALTALIAN and CORNISH are talking, CORNISH writing on a clipboard as TALTALIAN looks through notes.)
RALPH CORNISH: What's the K factor?
TALTALIAN: Fuel - one thousand two hundred, ninety-seven tons.
RALPH CORNISH: No other available source?
TALTALIAN: Liquid fuel in production - two thousand tons.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, that can be speeded up.
TALTALIAN: The new M3 Variant's highly volatile. It was not intended for manned spaceflight.
RALPH CORNISH: We'll have to use it.
TALTALIAN: The lift-off rate would crush the astronaut.
RALPH CORNISH: What about reducing the Gs by mixing K and M3?
TALTALIAN: I will compute that. But you will still have to get your rocket built.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, the minister is putting up every possible objection.
TALTALIAN: What do you expect? This Doctor's theory is ridiculous.
RALPH CORNISH: I thought you were supposed to be helping me...or do you intend to commit more sabotage?
TALTALIAN: I was ordered to do that by General Carrington.
(Unseen, the DOCTOR enters the room behind TALTALIAN, carrying Heldorf's papers.)
TALTALIAN: I have computed the assembly of the rescue rocket as you asked me.
(The DOCTOR pulls a pen out of his jacket pocket and comes up behind TALTALIAN. He sticks the pen into his back like a gun barrel. TALTALIAN gasps and flinches.)
DOCTOR: You're not armed I hope?
TALTALIAN: I would not have used that gun - not on a fellow scientist.
DOCTOR: Thank you. I'm much relieved.
(He walks into TALTALIAN'S view who looks furious when he sees the pen in the DOCTOR'S hand.)
RALPH CORNISH: Have they found your assistant?
DOCTOR: No, not yet. May I have the use of your computer?
RALPH CORNISH: Yes, certainly and I'm sure Doctor Taltalian will be only too pleased to help you.
(He smiles at TALTALIAN who looks anything but pleased.)
RALPH CORNISH: (To the DOCTOR.) Er, when you have a moment, I'd like to see you in the control room about the Recovery Capsule.
(He leaves the room.)
DOCTOR: I'd like to programme these impulse records, if I may.
TALTALIAN: What do you hope to learn from them?
DOCTOR: Well if I knew, I wouldn't need a computer would I?
TALTALIAN: To make a start, we must have some idea.
DOCTOR: Well, I suspect some sort of pattern.
TALTALIAN: This could take a long time....
DOCTOR: Well, it mustn't Taltalian, it mustn't!
TALTALIAN: Doctor, I am not trying to obstruct you!
(The wall phone rings.)
TALTALIAN: Excuse me.
(He goes to the phone and picks it up.)
TALTALIAN: (Into phone.) Hello, Taltalian here? (He listens.) Yes. (Listens.) Who is that? (Listens.) A moment please. (To the DOCTOR.) It is for you.
(The DOCTOR comes and takes the phone from him.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello, yes? (He listens.) Yes, it is. (Listens.) Who is this?
(He receives no answer and replaces the phone on the wall. He turns to TALTALIAN with suspicion.)
DOCTOR: My assistant, Liz Shaw.
TALTALIAN: They have found her?
DOCTOR: No...someone threatening to kill her if I don't stop interfering.
(He walks over to TALTALIAN, glaring intently at the wary scientist, then speaks in a matter-of-fact voice as if nothing had happened.)
DOCTOR: Well, let's get back to work shall we?
(He walks off towards the computer, TALTALIAN watching him go.)
6: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ, sat at the console, and LENNOX with a clipboard, are working. They are carefully watched by MASTERS.)
LIZ: Two million rads...
(She checks a control.)
LIZ: (Worried.) ...dropping to two million, minus fifty thousand.
LENNOX: (Also worried.) Minus five-o thousand.
(He looks into the windowed room where the ASTRONAUTS stand slumped against the walls. He turns to MASTERS.)
LENNOX: You'd better tell Reegan we've only got one more canister left...
(MASTERS doesn't move but looks at him with suspicion. LENNOX gets angry.)
LENNOX: Well? Do you want them to die?
MASTERS: You'd better be right.
(He leaves through a door next to the bottom of the stairs. LIZ watches him go carefully, throws on her coat and darts up the stairs. She tries the door at the top of the stairs but it won't budge and she comes back down forlornly.)
LENNOX: It's no use - they lock it.
LIZ: Are you a prisoner?
LENNOX: That's a matter of opinion.
LIZ: (Angrily.) Are you or aren't you?
LENNOX: I can come and go as I please. But I...haven't got anywhere to go.
LIZ: You were a respected scientist, once!
LENNOX: Grossly underpaid!
(He goes over to her with the radiation gloves and hood.)
LENNOX: Can you help me?
(LIZ starts to sort them out. LENNOX suddenly puts a key on the table. LIZ looks at him in shock.)
LENNOX: I, er, I...I lost my key somewhere, er, for that door up there.
(LIZ picks it up. LENNOX grabs her arm.)
LENNOX: (Whispers.) They'll find me in the cubicle - locked and bolted from the outside - do you understand?
LIZ: (Whispers.) Yes, of course. Why don't you come with me?
LENNOX: (In despair.) Where would I go?
(LIZ helps him on with radiation helmet and takes the key. She opens the door to the booth and LENNOX goes inside. LIZ locks the door, and heads up the stairs.)
7: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR studies a print-out.)
DOCTOR: These impulses are mathematical formulae for building an electronic device.
TALTALIAN: What sort of a electronic device?
DOCTOR: Well, I'll have to build it to find out, won't I?
TALTALIAN: In defiance of the message threatening Miss Shaw's life?
DOCTOR: Well, how are these people going to know what I'm doing unless somebody tells them?
TALTALIAN: (Laughs.) Who would do that?
(The DOCTOR turns and looks at him.)
DOCTOR: You for instance?
8: EXT UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ comes out of the laboratory - a small blockhouse in woodland. She looks round carefully, shuts the door, checks that the coast is clear and starts running away.)
9: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The working relationship between TALTALIAN and the DOCTOR is not getting any warmer...)
TALTALIAN: You are being most insulting!
(The DOCTOR gets up and stares him down.)
DOCTOR: And you are being continually obstructive!
TALTALIAN: I acted under the orders of General Carrington.
DOCTOR: Did you? Or are you involved with the people who are really behind this?
TALTALIAN: What people are you talking about?
DOCTOR: The people who kidnapped Miss Shaw, who kidnapped the three astronauts?
TALTALIAN: Have you told the Brigadier about your suspicions?
DOCTOR: No, not yet.
TALTALIAN: Why not, if you are so sure of your facts?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Well, I thought I'd offer you some sort of alternative - a ruthless investigation by the Brigadier...or a few quiet words with me, and your name kept out of things.
TALTALIAN: I don't know what you are talking about.
DOCTOR: I think you do, Taltalian...and I'm going to give you a little time to think it over. Mmm?
(TALTALIAN stares at him. The DOCTOR collects his papers.)
DOCTOR: Right, well, if you'll excuse me, I must see what can be done about building this machine.
(He heads for the door.)
DOCTOR: Think over what I've said. I shall expect to hear from you very soon.
(He leaves. TALTALIAN stares angrily after him. He goes to a locker , opens it and takes out a small device about the size of a cigarette packet with a small speaker and a dial. He puts it in his pocket.)
10: EXT. ROADSIDE
(LIZ runs through a field, through a gate and to a roadside in woodland. She tries to flag down a passing MG but is unsuccessful. She sees a Mercedes Benz approaching. She flags it down and it stops. She smiles in relief and goes to the passenger door and opens it. TALTALIAN is inside.)
LIZ: Doctor Talt...
(He pulls a gun out of his pocket and aims it at her.)
LIZ: ...alian.
TALTALIAN: Get in, Miss Shaw.
(Warily, LIZ does so and the car drives off, back through the gate, towards the laboratory.)
11: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ has been returned and stands before REEGAN, TALTALIAN and MASTERS.)
LIZ: I tell you, nobody helped me - that door was left open.
REEGAN: You might have killed poor Lennox, locking him in with those things.
LIZ: (Laughs.) He should have thought of that before he joined you.
REEGAN: (Menacingly.) Get over there and help him.
(MASTERS pushes her towards where LENNOX nervously stands next to the console.)
MASTERS: Go on!
LIZ: Don't touch me you!
REEGAN: And Will? Make sure that door is kept locked! (To TALTALIAN.) Did you bring it?
(TALTALIAN takes the small device out his pocket and hands it to REEGAN. He then passes him two sets of papers.)
TALTALIAN: These are the operating instructions. This is the communication code. It's quite simple.
REEGAN: A little too simple.
TALTALIAN: What does that mean?
REEGAN: I need to talk to those things.
TALTALIAN: You have a list of simple signals and commands - transmit and they will obey.
REEGAN: And if they don't?
TALTALIAN: You threaten to cut off their supply of radiation - there is a signal for that too.
REEGAN: And translating their replies? There's a machine for that?
TALTALIAN: Yes, in my computer room, you don't need it.
REEGAN: I'm the one dealing with these creatures.
TALTALIAN: You will use these creatures to carry out a series of raids on carefully chosen targets. You know enough to do your job, but I have further instructions for you
REEGAN: Have you now?
TALTALIAN: Your call to the Doctor threatening the girl's life was stupid!
REEGAN: It might have slowed him down a little.
TALTALIAN: On the contrary, it merely made him more determined and suspicious - suspicious of me!
REEGAN: Too bad.
TALTALIAN: He has got to be put out of the way - permanently!
REEGAN: To save your neck?
TALTALIAN: He is about to discover how to construct one of those machines.
REEGAN: (Admiringly.) Clever.
TALTALIAN: And he has got to be stopped.
(REEGAN examines the machine, thinking over the problem.)
REEGAN: All right, I'll deal with him. And since your own skin's in danger, you can help me.
12: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR sits in the BRIGADIER'S office, drinking a cup of tea. The BRIGADIER is at his desk, writing.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Taltalian? Do you have you any proof?
DOCTOR: No, not a scrap.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then why accuse him?
DOCTOR: Something even his computers don't have - intuition. I think I rattled him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Taltalian was acting under Carrington's orders, Quinlan explained that.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, I heard him. And I didn't believe a word of it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well, first they try keeping us in the dark altogether and when that didn't work, they fall back on some prepared cover story - contagious radiation indeed!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then what is happening, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't know. Perhaps I'll know better when I've built this device.
(He gets up and hands the BRIGADIER a list.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's this?
DOCTOR: Advanced electronic equipment. I need it at once.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, I'll see to it.
DOCTOR: Good - I'll be in my laboratory.
(He walks to the door.)
DOCTOR: I suppose there's no news?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Shaw?
DOCTOR: Mmm.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, nothing. We're doing all we can.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course.
13: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LENNOX and LIZ continue working. MASTERS stands on the other side of the room on watch. LENNOX approaches LIZ who sits at the console making notes.)
LENNOX: (Whispers.) Thanks for keeping quiet.
LIZ: (Whispers.) Do you think he suspects you helped me?
LENNOX: (Whispers.) He suspects everyone.
LIZ: (Whispers.) If at first you don't succeed?
LENNOX: (Whispers.) You won't get another chance.
LIZ: (Whispers.) We'll see
LENNOX: (Whispers.) How did they get you back?
LIZ: (Whispers.) I ran into an old friend.
(REEGAN enters through the door to the left of the stairs, a briefcase in his hands. TALTALIAN is pacing about, impatiently.)
TALTALIAN: I have got to get back!
REEGAN: It's a delicate operation.
(He smiles and puts the brief case on the desk.)
REEGAN: It's quite simple.
(He opens the case. It is a bomb, filled with high explosives, wires and a timer.)
REEGAN: All you have to do is set the dial to the time you require. How long do you need to get clear of the building?
TALTALIAN: Ten minutes, maybe more
REEGAN: Let's say quarter of an hour. We can't have you taking risks.
(He sets the dials.)
REEGAN: Now, you leave the case as near to the Doctor as you possibly can.
(He closes the cases and pushes back the locking catches.)
REEGAN: You slide these catches together and that starts the mechanism. Fifteen minutes later - no more Doctor.
TALTALIAN: But what if he should try to open the case while I am still away?
REEGAN: The same result, a little earlier.
TALTALIAN: It's too risky.
REEGAN: It's you he's after.
TALTALIAN: Very well.
(MASTERS helps TALTALIAN on with his coat. While he is distracted, REEGAN snaps open the briefcase, re-sets the timer dials, and then closes it again. He gives the case to TALTALIAN who heads for the stairs.)
REEGAN: Doctor Taltalian? Do as you're told and your troubles will be over.
14: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR is back at Space Control and is talking to CORNISH in the computer room.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Bitterly.) Every available astronaut is suddenly not available, not fit, transferred to other duties, waiting for security clearance.
DOCTOR: Is that all?
RALPH CORNISH: All? Well, what good's a rocket without a pilot?
DOCTOR: I'll take the rocket up for you myself.
RALPH CORNISH: Thank you, Doctor, but I don't think you realise just what's necessary.
DOCTOR: My dear man, I've spent more time in space than any astronaut on your staff! Not I'll admit in the rather primitive contraptions that you use, but...I'll manage.
(CORNISH looks at him with something approaching amusement.)
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, I don't think you realise what's...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) I can also withstand considerably more G-force than most people - even though I do say so myself.
RALPH CORNISH: Well if you insist. You can take the tests.
DOCTOR: Tests, simulations, anything you like. When that recovery capsule is ready, I'll take it up.
(TALTALIAN enters with the briefcase.)
TALTALIAN: Hello, Doctor, I was just coming over to see you.
DOCTOR: Well I've saved you a journey haven't I?
(TALTALIAN puts the briefcase on a table next to the DOCTOR.)
RALPH CORNISH: Do you have the computations for lift-off?
TALTALIAN: All but the final phase.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, let me have them as soon as possible will you? (To the DOCTOR.) I'll see about those tests, Doctor.
(He leaves watched carefully by TALTALIAN who then goes over to his locker. The DOCTOR walks over a leans on a piece of computer equipment.)
DOCTOR: Have you, er, thought over what I spoke to you about?
TALTALIAN: Yes.
DOCTOR: And?
TALTALIAN: I will tell you everything, if you will give me a chance to get away.
DOCTOR: Very well.
(TALTALIAN goes back to his case.)
TALTALIAN: The information I need is in my car, I will go and fetch it. You will wait for me here?
DOCTOR: Yes, all right.
(TALTALIAN pushes the clasps together. There is a flash and he screams...)
15: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ is looking over the device that TALTALIAN brought with him.)
LIZ: I think I've got it now
REEGAN: Send "stand up"
(LIZ twists a dial on the machine and pushes it. The device transmits an electronic signal. In the booth, the ASTRONAUTS get off the floor and stand watched by LIZ, REEGAN, LENNOX and MASTERS.)
REEGAN: Forward.
(LIZ twists the dial and sends. The ASTRONAUTS move forward, one heading for the back of the room and the other two towards the window.)
REEGAN: Send "stop".
(LIZ twists the dial and sends. The ASTRONAUTS stop.)
REEGAN: There can be no problems with that thing?
LIZ: (Smiles.) It's simple enough - even you might be able to manage it.
REEGAN: We can do without the back-chat, let me have it.
LIZ: Taltalian gave you this thing didn't he?
REEGAN: Never you mind.
(He snatches the device from her and picks up his jacket.)
LIZ: That case you gave him. What was it?
REEGAN: Well, you could say it was a way of killing two birds...with one stone.
16: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(UNIT soldiers are clearing up in the smoke filled room. The DOCTOR has a plaster on his face but is otherwise uninjured. He is examining debris from the briefcase)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You seem to have been right about Taltalian.
DOCTOR: A lot of good it did me - and him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He was obviously trying to plant a time bomb on you - lucky for you the mechanism was faulty.
DOCTOR: I'm not sure that it was - look at this
(He shows him the remains of the detonator.)
DOCTOR: See this is set to Zero. Taltalian must have thought he had plenty of time to get away, when in fact this bomb was set to go off instantaneously.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So whoever gave it to him wanted to get rid of both of you?
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He starts to pace the room, thinking.)
DOCTOR: Taltalian was a weak link, you know. I think his employers wanted him out of the way.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Another dead-end then?
DOCTOR: Yeah, I'm afraid so.
(He finds himself before TALTALIAN'S locker. He frowns and reaches inside, pulling out an identical device to the one that TALTALIAN gave REEGAN.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, look at this!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's that?
DOCTOR: Well, it's something very similar to the machine I'm trying to build - and Taltalian had one all the time.
17: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(GENERAL CARRINGTON is again visiting QUINLAN.)
QUINLAN: Well, time's running out. Cornish is almost ready to put up that recovery rocket.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You were supposed to stop him, sir.
QUINLAN: Don't you think I've tried? I've tried every possible delay.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You must keep on trying, Sir James.
QUINLAN: That Doctor's even volunteered to pilot the recovery rocket.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: He must be stopped.
QUINLAN: We could tell him the truth?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No. We know too little about him.
QUINLAN: There may be not alternative.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: There's got to be. If that rocket goes up, it means disaster for the entire world.
18: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN, his feet on the table, is talking on the phone...)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) Now don't you worry sir, everything's going fine. (He listens.) Yes, it's a pity about that. This Doctor fellow must have nine lives. (Listens.) Tonight? Well it's a bit soon. (Listens.) All right, if I must I must. (Listens.) I'll see to it. (Listens.) Right.
(He puts the phone down and turns to MASTERS.)
REEGAN: Will, go and get the van. there's a good fellow
MASTERS: Okay, Mr. Reegan.
LENNOX: You're taking them away?
REEGAN: No, Just a little excursion. Open the door.
(LENNOX hesitates, then unbolts the booth door. REEGAN takes the device over to LIZ.)
REEGAN: This thing - can it work the other way round, so they can talk to us?
LIZ: No, just sends impulses they seem to understand.
REEGAN: But there could be a machine?
LIZ: I imagine so.
REEGAN: I think I'll be paying two visits tonight...
(He twists the dial and transmits. An ASTRONAUT, breathing heavily, exits the booth.)
19: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(A UNIT SOLDIER stands on guard at the barrier to the Space Centre entrance. He looks down the road and sees a figure walking towards him, illuminated from behind the rays of the sun - it is one of the ASTRONAUTS.)
UNIT SOLDIER: Halt!
(The figure carries on walking. The SOLDIER takes out a gun from his holster.)
UNIT SOLDIER: Halt or I'll fire!
(He fires several times but the bullets have no effect. The ASTRONAUT moves relentlessly forward and places his hands on the barrier arm. There is a flash which moves down the barrier and "electrifies" the UNIT SOLDIER flinging him backwards into the side of his booth and onto the ground. The ASTRONAUT pushes up the barrier and moves into the Centre.)
20: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(Two technicians are in the computer room. The ASTRONAUT enters. One of the technicians moves forward and the ASTRONAUT merely touches him - killing him with a red flash. He moves towards TALTALIAN'S locker. Another technician tries to stop him and is killed in a similar fashion. The ASTRONAUT rummages in the locker. A UNIT guard enters and starts shooting. The bullets have no effect. The ASTRONAUT walks towards him, touches the guard and killing him with another red flash...)
21: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE COMPUTER ROOM
(...flinging him into the corridor.)
22: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR holds TALTALIAN'S device.)
DOCTOR: I tell you, it converts radio impulses into human speech. The aliens in Heldorf's Laboratory were trying to communicate with him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So you were right, they aren't human.
DOCTOR: I never believed they were. Now, if I could only build the other half of this thing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We could contact the astronauts - or whatever they are.
DOCTOR: Yes, probably- if you were to hurry up with those parts that I've ordered.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Most of them are coming from Japan, Doctor.
(The phone rings and the BRIGADIER answers it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes? (He listens.) Yes he's here.
(He passes the phone to the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir James Quinlan.
(The DOCTOR takes the phone with a mutter.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello, yes, Sir James?
23: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Doctor, I'd like to know if it's still your intention to pilot the recovery rocket.
24: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Most certainly!
25: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) I can't persuade you that you're action would be disastrous?
26: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) You might. If you were to tell me the truth, Sir James - the whole truth.
27: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Then you leave me no choice. Will you come and see me please me - at once?
28: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Very well, Sir James. Thank you.
(He puts down the phone and turns to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: He wants me to come and see him. He says he's going to tell me the whole truth.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I'm coming with you.
(The BRIGADIER gets up.)
29: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(QUINLAN is working at his desk as the rear door behind him opens and a booted figure enters - it is an ASTRONAUT. QUINLAN turns and a look of terror appears on his face when he sees who his visitor is. He gets up and starts to back round the desk but the ASTRONAUT reaches up and kills the civil servant with a touch on the chest and a red flash of power. QUINLAN falls back across his desk. The ASTRONAUT moves to a safe in the corner by the door. It touches the safe, there is an explosion and the door opens. It touches the top shelf and there is a flash. It then touches the lower shelf and there is a similar flash as the contents are destroyed. Suddenly the door opens and the DOCTOR enters, noticing QUINLAN, but not the ASTRONAUT behind the door.)
DOCTOR: Sir James!
(He rushes to the body and checks the eyes for movement. He then listens to the dead man's chest. The ASTRONAUT comes up behind the DOCTOR, reaching for him...)
Doctor Who
JON PERTWEE
Liz Shaw
CAROLINE JOHN
Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEY
Reegan
WILLIAM DYSART
Lennox
CYRIL SHAPS
General Carrington
JOHN ABINERI
Taltalian
ROBERT CAWDRON
Ralph Cornish
RONALD ALLEN
Quinlan
DALLAS CAVELL
Unit Soldier
MAX FAULKNER
Masters
JOHN LORD
Astronauts
RIC FELGATE
STEVE PETERS
NEVILLE SIMONS
Title Music by
RON GRAINER AND
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Incidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSON
Film Cameraman
A.A. ENGLANDER
TONY LEGGO
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
