THE CLAWS
OF AXOS
BY
BOB BAKER
&
DAVE MARTIN
EPISODE THREE
1: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR realises what is happening...)
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, of course! Axons! (To JO and FILER.) That ship! Axonite! It's all the same thing! Don't you see we're dealing with one single living creature. Axonite was just the dormant state until I...I activated it.
FILER: Can't you stop it?
DOCTOR: No, it's too late. Don't you see, Filer? This stuff could endanger the entire world.
JO: Doctor! Look out!
(WINSER has turned into a rolling mass of Axonite which starts to flow towards the three of them. They run round the accelerator and head for the door but a raw, tentacle Axon creature bursts through the door. JO screams and they run in another direction but another of the creatures is in front of them. JO cries out again - they are trapped. FILER turns to see another of the creatures behind him. Suddenly, one of them extends an orange tentacle which touches FILER on the chest. There is a crackling sound and, with a cry of pain, he falls to the ground. The other Axons close in on the DOCTOR and JO who back up towards the accelerator.)
VOICE OF AXOS: De-energise them.
(The DOCTOR and JO stiffen and close their eyes as if possessed as the three Axons surround them.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Re-personalise.
(The three Axons have linked "hands". They transform into their golden personas.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Re-personalisation completed. Take them to Axos.
(The DOCTOR and JO silently turn and face the door. Surrounded by the three Axons, they start to walk out.)
2: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is on the phone to UNIT HQ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone: Angrily.) What are you talking about, man?! I repeat - I want an urgent cable to Geneva HQ. Now, message reads "Chinn making illegal unilateral deal. Request confirmation..."
(He stops in mid-sentence as the operator at the other end of the line speaks.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What do you mean a similar message has already been sent? (He listens.) It can't have been! (Listens.) Well, there must have been a security leak. (Listens.) Look, just tell me exactly what happened.
(HARKER enters the room and puts up his gun.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Just a moment. (To HARKER.) You can put that away, Captain. I don't think you'll be needing it.
CAPTAIN HARKER: Sir, you're still under arrest.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) I doubt it. I think you'd better get in contact with your HQ.
(HARKER looks confused...)
3: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(CHINN and HARDIMAN rush into the lab. The AXON MAN stands there.)
HARDIMAN: (Angrily.) What's happened? Where's Winser?
AXON MAN: Your scientist has been killed.
HARDIMAN: (Shocked.) Killed? How?
AXON MAN: His body was destroyed by an intense blast of radiation.
HARDIMAN: Radiation?
CHINN: What happened?
AXON MAN: Our instruments showed attempts were being made to interfere with the structure of Axonite. We came to help...but we were too late.
HARDIMAN: We?
AXON MAN: My crew have removed the unstable material.
HARDIMAN: And the radiation?
AXON MAN: Has already been neutralised.
CHINN: (To HARDIMAN.) Did you authorise these experiments, Sir George?
HARDIMAN: No, I did not. Winser went his own way - poor devil.
CHINN: Did you mean to tell me...!
AXON MAN: (Interrupting.) The blame is for you to decide. This kind of thing must never happen again - never! Otherwise, we shall cancel the agreement!
(CHINN looks worried.)
4: INT. AXOS. PRISON CHAMBER
(JO and the DOCTOR are held in the prison chamber. JO lies on the floor, the DOCTOR against the wall and both are held by wall tendrils.)
JO: (Panicking.) Doctor! I can't move!
DOCTOR: Jo, lie still! There's nothing we can do.
JO: Where are we?
DOCTOR: We're back inside Axos...and these claws, or whatever you call them, are a living part of Axos.
(JO cries out as the tendrils tighten their grip.)
JO: Well, why did they bring us here?
DOCTOR: I wish I knew.
5: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(HARKER has gone to speak to CHINN in the lab. The AXON MAN watches. The BRIGADIER and several regular army soldiers are also in the lab.)
CAPTAIN HARKER: Excuse me, sir. I've been talking to my HQ - about Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart.
CHINN: (Impatiently.) The Brigadier is under arrest.
HARDIMAN: Any sign of Miss Grant or the Doctor?
CAPTAIN HARKER: Er, no, sir. (To CHINN.) Excuse me, sir, the message from HQ?
CHINN: (Shouts.) Not now!
(HARDIMAN speaks to the AXON MAN who walks round the other side of the main console.)
HARDIMAN: When you arrived here, were there any signs...
AXON MAN: (Interrupting.) When we arrived there was no one here - except this man.
(He points to the floor and a previously unnoticed unconscious form that lies on the floor.)
HARDIMAN: Filer!
(HARDIMAN rushes to him and makes a quick examination.)
AXON MAN: He is in a coma. Since my help is no longer needed. I shall return to my ship.
(HARDIMAN waves one of the soldiers over. The BRIGADIER also joins them.)
HARDIMAN: Here, give us a hand. He's terribly ill.
(The BRIGADIER and the soldier pull FILER up off the floor.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To HARKER.) You've got a medical wing, haven't you? Well take him there - get on with it!
CAPTAIN HARKER: All right, sir. (To a soldier.) Come on.
(Two soldiers start to carry FILER from the lab.)
6: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The DOCTOR and JO stand in the central chamber of Axos before the moving eye. On a wall behind it is an image of the AXON MAN'S head which constantly turns and cross-fades to another aspect of itself.)
AXON MAN: All things must die, Doctor. Mankind, this planet, Axos merely hastens the process.
DOCTOR: Oh? How?
AXON MAN: Axonite is simply...bait for human greed. Because of this greed, Axonite will soon spread across the entire planet...and then, the nutrition cycle will begin.
DOCTOR: Indeed, and what then?
AXON MAN: Slowly, we will consume every particle of energy - every last cell of living matter. Earth will be sucked dry!
(The DOCTOR and JO look at each other.)
7: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(CHINN is being made aware of the turn around of events.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: On the contrary, Mr. Chinn, the position has changed.
CHINN: Changed? How? (To HARKER.) Captain?
CAPTAIN HARKER: I'm afraid so, sir. I did try and tell you. I've had orders direct from the ministry - I'm to hand over command to the Brigadier.
CHINN: Ministry? (Shouts.) But I haven't heard anything about this!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, you have now!
CHINN: Now, look here...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting, to HARKER.) Captain, anything on the Doctor and Miss Grant?
CAPTAIN HARKER: No, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, release my men - they'll help you search. We've got to find them.
8: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The DOCTOR'S conversation with the ever-changing image continues...)
DOCTOR: Well obviously, your plan entails some sort of time limit.
AXON MAN: Axonite must be activated within seventy-two hours of our landing.
(The image fades.)
DOCTOR: You know, Jo, I think our friend, Chinn, has done the right thing for once - for the wrong reasons, of course.
JO: What do you mean?
DOCTOR: Well, fortunately, he intends to confine the entire supply of Axonite to Britain.
9: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. OFFICE
(CHINN sits at a desk, quietly dozing. There is a noise from a monitor next to him. He switches it on and an image of a grey-haired, grey-faced man appears. It is CHINN'S boss - THE MINISTER.)
THE MINISTER: (On monitor.) Chinn?
CHINN: Sir?
THE MINISTER: (On monitor.) Perhaps you can tell me why the sole result of the special powers I granted you, has been this catastrophic security leak?
CHINN: (Puzzled.) Catastrophic security leak? Which catastrophic security leak, sir?
THE MINISTER: (On monitor.) The United Nations are demanding the immediate free world-wide distribution of Axonite. The whole thing has blown up in our faces, Chinn.
CHINN: Yes sir, in our faces, sir.
THE MINISTER: (On monitor.) Distribution is to take place immediately.
CHINN: Yes, sir. Just as soon as I can...
THE MINISTER: (On monitor: Interrupting.) Yes sir - not as soon as - immediately. Arrange air transport.
CHINN: You can depend upon me, sir.
THE MINISTER: (On monitor.) Mmm, what? Yes, well, just in case we can't...
(He holds up a piece of paper.)
THE MINISTER: (On monitor.) Your resignation, Chinn. All ready for signature. Goodbye, Chinn.
(CHINN squirms as the screen goes blank. He picks up a phone.)
CHINN: (Into phone.) Hello? (He listens.) Get me air transport liaison.
(He waits then...)
CHINN: (Into phone.) Hello, Chinn here. I want you to arrange for world-wide distribution of Axonite immediately.
10: INT. SICK BAY
(FILER lies unconscious in a hospital bed. A nurse makes a note on his chart and leaves. After she has gone, FILER starts to come round, mumbling incoherently.)
FILER: Axonite...Axonite...dangerous...if kept here. Must not distribute...must not distribute!
11: EXT. NUTON COMPLEX
(An open truck, with the TARDIS in the back of it, enters the Nuton complex.)
12: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(SERGEANT BENTON oversees the installation of the TARDIS in the lab and then walks up to a visitor and salutes. The visitor is dressed in a General's hat and overcoat.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Will there be anything else, sir?
GENERAL: Thank you, sergeant. That will be all.
SERGEANT BENTON: I ought to let the Brigadier know you here...
GENERAL: (Interrupting.) You will do no such thing and that's an order, sergeant.
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, he would like to know...
GENERAL: (Interrupting.) This is a surprise inspection. I'll make meself known to the Brigadier in me own time.
SERGEANT BENTON: Very good, sir.
(BENTON salutes.)
GENERAL: Thank you.
(The General returns the salute with his swagger stick. BENTON motions to two soldiers to leave and follows them out of the lab. After they have gone, the General pulls off his face mask disguise - it is the MASTER. He takes off his hat and coat, straightens his own familiar black suit and walks round the lab inspecting the equipment. He then walks over to the TARDIS and, after checking that he is not being observed, takes a small rod-like device out of his pocket and "fires" it at the door lock. The TARDIS opens and the MASTER enters.)
13: INT. SICK BAY
(In his hospital bed, FILER is still in a state of delirium...)
FILER: No, we must find him! Helping them! Got to find him - must find the Master!
14: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM
(Within the TARDIS, the MASTER looks with horror over the cable-strewn console.)
MASTER: Oh no! But what does he think he's doing? What a botch-up!
15: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The DOCTOR is alone in the central chamber. He sits in a misshapen organic chair, sweating heavily, as he undergoes an interrogation from an image of the AXON MAN...)
AXON MAN: Lies are useless, Time Lord!
DOCTOR: Look, for the thousandth time, I tell you I am not a Time Lor...
(He is suddenly assaulted by a strong wave of energy. He writhes in pain.)
AXON MAN: We have explored the blocks the Time Lords have imposed upon your memory...and can free them. We must have the secret of time travel.
DOCTOR: Must you? Why?
AXON MAN: Soon it will be necessary to expand our feeding range - to increase the energy sources available to us. Space-time travel will give us this power.
16: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM
(The MASTER finishes his examination of the state of the TARDIS console.)
MASTER: Oh, well I suppose it...could be made to work - just possibly.
(He pulls out his laser gun.)
MASTER: Right, Doctor - don't keep me waiting, will you?
17: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The interrogation continues...)
DOCTOR: I refuse to align myself to this cosmic bacteria of you...
(Another energy wave tortures him...)
AXON MAN: We shall see. You have seen how Axonite can absorb the life force from a human body. Now, we have arranged for your companion to age to death...before your eyes.
(The DOCTOR sees JO before him.)
DOCTOR: Jo?
(As he watches, a series of green flashes start to age and wither the young girl. He skin starts to become wrinkled and her hair turns grey. The DOCTOR reacts with horror.)
DOCTOR: No...no...no! Argh! Argh! Stop! Stop!
AXON MAN: You will co-operate?
DOCTOR: (Desperately.) You cannot defy the laws of time. Give me a chance and I'll prove it to you.
(The image of JO alternates between being young and old.)
AXON MAN: Very well. Release her.
(The reversal of time takes place and JO returns to her normal self.)
AXON MAN: All right, Doctor - begin.
(The eye turns and stares at him...)
18: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. OFFICE
(CHINN, with clipboard in hand, is in the middle of organising the distribution of Axonite. The AXON MAN is with him as the BRIGADIER tries to influence events.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The whole question of Axonite's distribution must be shelved, until we've found the Doctor and got his report on it.
CHINN: Doctor? (Laughs.) I spotted him for a charlatan the moment I saw him. If you ask me, Brigadier, you're not going to see much of that gentleman again.
AXON MAN: (To CHINN.) Large quantities of Axonite are available for immediate distribution. Perhaps you could show me the extent of the operation.
19: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
VOICE OF AXOS: Concentrate, Doctor. You have only to...think the equation. The mind of Axos will do the rest.
DOCTOR: Very well.
(He closes his eyes and concentrates. His thoughts are extracted and when he opens his eyes he sees a series of mathematical equations appear on a wall.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Good, now the power requirements.
(The same process takes place again but this time the result is not satisfactory.)
VOICE OF AXOS: What is this? (Threateningly.) Remember what will happen if you lie.
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) Pure mathematics cannot lie. You'll need an immense amount of power to create a time field for anything as large as Axos.
(The calculation of the equations resumes. Again, they appear as an image on the wall.)
DOCTOR: There you are. There are your final power requirements.
VOICE OF AXOS: All data confirmed.
DOCTOR: You see - just as I told you. Far in excess of your total power capacity.
VOICE OF AXOS: Add the full power output of the Nuton complex to your figures, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh, all right, but I...I fail to see what good it will do.
(He closes his eyes and thinks through the equations again.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Data confirms space-time travel possible using additional power from complex. You see, Doctor, we can call upon the additional power of the complex whenever we need it.
DOCTOR: How? You can't just walk in there and take it.
VOICE OF AXOS: On the contrary, Doctor - we can.
20: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. OFFICE
(CHINN looks over a map of the world and checks his clipboard. He reads the results out with satisfaction to the AXON MAN as a soldier marks the points on the map.)
CHINN: Cape Kennedy - ten units of Axonite, in transit. Washington Pentagon - five units due for take-off eleven hundred hours TMT. Ottowa - one unit, Axonite - in transit. Baikonur - ten units, ETA - twelve thirty GMT. Lop Nor...?
(He and the soldier spot the place name on the map.)
CHINN: Lop Nor - five units. Yes, well there we are. Axonite consignments on their way to every major capitol and scientific establishment in the world.
AXON MAN: Excellent.
CHINN: Thank you.
(The AXON MAN hears a message from Axos.)
VOICE OF AXOS: De-personalise. Locate and enter main reactor. Establish link to transmit power.
(The AXON MAN starts walking towards the door.)
CHINN: Yes, well, that just about wraps it up. Aren't you going to wait for confirmation of arrivals?
(The AXON MAN speaks with an effort.)
AXON MAN: I must...leave...now.
(He opens the door and walks out of the office. CHINN goes to the door and shouts after him.)
CHINN: Is something wrong? You all right?
(CHINN receives no answer. He shuts the door and goes back to his map.)
21: INT. SICK BAY
(FILER is still in his hospital bed but is now no longer delirious. The BRIGADIER questions him over his version of events.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're sure of all this?
FILER: Look, I may have been sick, Brigadier, but I am not crazy. Now, the Axonite killed Winser, then the Axons turn up, clobbered me and took Jo and the Doc off.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And the Doctor said that Axonite could become a danger to the whole world?
FILER: Sure, something about "draining all energy".
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, I'm going to have a word with Chinn - not to mention our Axon friends.
(He starts to leave.)
FILER: Hey, hey! Wait for me!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts back.) Lay there and rest!
FILER: Yeah...sure.
(FILER gets out of bed and calls across to the nurses.)
FILER: Will one of you, er, "Florence Nightingales" kindly get my clothes?
22: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. CORRIDOR
(The AXON MAN staggers along one of the corridors. Its head and hands are already mutating into its tentacled visage. As it moves off, the BRIGADIER walks into the corridor.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Hey! You there! Stop!
(He runs off in pursuit.)
23: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. ANOTHER CORRIDOR
(The Axon further mutated into its natural tentacled covered state.)
23: EXT. NUTON COMPLEX
(It walks along a covered walkway that connects two of the buildings in the complex. Down below in the roadway, a soldier stands on guard. The Axon monster walks down a stairway and out towards the soldier as the BRIGADIER runs up from another exit. He watches as the soldier turns and sees the approaching creature. He starts firing at it. The bullets rip through the now fully mutated monster but don't stop its progress. The soldier gives up firing and starts running but the Axon monster fires out a tentacle that shoots through the air at incredible speed, connects with the soldier and kills him in a devastating explosion. Nearby, two other soldiers stand guard on a building sign-posted "MAIN RESEARCH REACTOR". They hear the explosion and watch as the Axon monster lumbers towards them. They too start firing but again their shots have no effect. Round after round pumps into the creature but it continues its relentless pace and connects with the two soldiers - killing them with a flash and an explosion. The BRIGADIER runs up and watches as the Axon monster walks into the Reactor building.)
24: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The BRIGADIER runs into the lab where YATES is giving BENTON orders.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Right, Benton, get your skates on.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To YATES.) Where's Hardiman?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: He's up in the control box, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, come on.
(They head towards the control box but HARDIMAN has already come down to the lab floor.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir George!
HARDIMAN: May I ask why your men have brought an obsolete police box into my research laboratory?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, I've no idea, er...
(He turns and sees the TARDIS on the other side of the lab.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, that's part of the Doctor's equipment...
HARDIMAN: Is it? Well, I...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting.) Sir George, I must ask you to check the main reactor. I'm sorry, this is really rather urgent.
(He virtually pushes him back into the control box.)
25: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LABORATORY CONTROL BOX
HARDIMAN: Very well.
(At a console next to the observation window, HARDIMAN looks over the readings.)
HARDIMAN: Yes, the readings are slightly up. What is all this?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Our Axon friend has just walked straight into the furnace of the main reactor.
HARDIMAN: What!
26: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM
(Within the TARDIS, the MASTER activates various controls but there is absolutely no response.)
MASTER: Oh, hopeless! Overweight, under-powered old museum piece!
(He walks to another panel and pulls some levers. The TARDIS materialisation sound echoes through the room, but it is distorted as if power levels are low.)
MASTER: Oh, no proper stabiliser...
(He pushes the levers back and walks back to the first panel.)
MASTER: Oh well, let's try again.
(He pulls a lever. There is a small explosion of sparks and smoke.)
MASTER: You may as well try to fly a second hand gas stove!
(He slams his fist down on the console, accidentally switching on the scanner which resides in one of the roundels of the wall behind him. It shows the light accelerator. The MASTER sees this and is struck by an idea. He focuses in on the mechanism in the roof of the perspex cubicle.)
MASTER: Yes...if I use that trigger mechanism, it might...
(He nods.)
MASTER: Worth a try.
(He opens the doors and walks out.)
27: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LABORATORY CONTROL BOX
HARDIMAN: If the Axon walked into the reactor, he's simply committed suicide.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes.
(YATES is looking through the observation window into the lab.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir, look - the TARDIS door.
(They all look out and see the TARDIS's occupant exit.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Master!
28: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The MASTER walks to the accelerator, undoes the perspex door and walks into the machine. He starts to try to dismantle the mechanism.)
29: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LABORATORY CONTROL BOX
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, not a sound. Benton, get some more men. Yates, with me. Sir George, you stay here.
(The BRIGADIER and YATES start to leave the room and go back to the lab.)
HARDIMAN: Who is...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting.) Please!
30: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The UNIT men creep slowly into the lab, the pistols ready. The MASTER is looking upwards at the machinery that he is trying to dismantle and fails to see their approach. They circle the accelerator cubicle and at last the MASTER sees his ambushers.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stay right where you are!
(HARDIMAN calls out to them from the control box using the lab intercom system...)
HARDIMAN: (Into microphone.) Brigadier, a massive power surge on the main reactor.
(The MASTER uses the diversion to make a run for the TARDIS.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Stop___!
(The MASTER turns - he has his laser gun in his hands.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Touch that thing just once and we'll blast you into pieces!
(The MASTER glares at the men but sees that he is outnumbered. He throws his laser gun to YATES.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton!
(BENTON walks forward and handcuffs the MASTER. As he does so, the hum of the reactor starts to increase in pitch.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What are you doing here? What are you after?
MASTER: That police box.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You wanted to steal the TARDIS? Why?
MASTER: Well, my own TARDIS is held by Axos and I needed a space vehicle to get away from this planet before it's too late.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why bring it here?
MASTER: Well, I knew the Doctor would soon return to his TARDIS and I very much wanted to meet him - just once more. Where is he, by the way?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Doctor and Miss Grant have disappeared.
(The hum is growing louder. HARDIMAN enters the lab.)
HARDIMAN: Brigadier, the power build up has spread to the whole complex. The reactors could go critical at any moment - the whole place could go up.
MASTER: I'm afraid that your reactors have been taken over by the Axons.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You know these creatures - is there anything we can do? Anything at all?
MASTER: Nothing...but there may be something that...I can do.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What?
MASTER: If, and only if, you guarantee my freedom, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Out of the question.
MASTER: Oh well, in that case...
(He turns away.)
HARDIMAN: Brigadier, if this place goes up, thousands of lives will go with it. It only wants a chain reaction for the whole place to become a gigantic nuclear bomb.
MASTER: Yes, there is that possibility.
(The BRIGADIER thinks over the matter.)
HARDIMAN: Brigadier, for heaven's sake!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the MASTER.) Very well.
MASTER: My absolute and unconditional freedom?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes - now get moving!
MASTER: Thank you!
(The MASTER approaches BENTON and holds up his cuffed hands.)
MASTER: If you please, sergeant.
(BENTON starts to release him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Hurry, Benton!
HARDIMAN: What can we do?
(The MASTER is freed and walks over to the console.)
MASTER: I'd like you to give me a link from the TARDIS to the accelerator so that I can get straight through to the main reactor. Now what I propose to do is this - stack up as much power as the TARDIS will take, then channel it back through the accelerator and boost it. So that instead of the gradual power build-up that Axos expects, it'll get the whole lot in one devastating surge.
(He heads for the TARDIS.)
HARDIMAN: What else can we do?
MASTER: Oh, nothing very much...
(He turns round.)
MASTER: Oh, I suppose you can take the normal precautions against nuclear blast, like, er, sticky tape on the windows and that sort of thing!
(He goes back towards the TARDIS as FILER enters the lab, sees the MASTER and points his own gun. The MASTER raises his hands.)
FILER: Now, hold it! Right there!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Filer, no! He's helping us - we need him.
FILER: Helping? Are you crazy, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Probably, but we've got no choice.
FILER: Yeah, but...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts.) Filer!
(The hum of the reactor gets louder as FILER reluctantly drops his gun and the MASTER lowers his hands.)
MASTER: Thank you.
(Again he makes for the TARDIS.)
HARDIMAN: Where are you going?
MASTER: Back into this contraption.
HARDIMAN: Why?
MASTER: Well, theoretically it should be able to store all the power generated around it, like it solar cell battery.
HARDIMAN: Are you trying to tell me you can absorb the total output of this complex in a police box?
(The MASTER smiles and nods.)
MASTER: Yes!
(He enters the TARDIS.)
31: INT. AXOS. CENTRAL CHAMBER
(The DOCTOR is still sat in the central chamber. He watches intently as Axos absorbs the energy from the Nuton complex. On one wall, behind the eye, is an image of a fluctuating wave of energy, representing the power stored to begin the journey through time.)
VOICE OF AXOS: ...percent time field capability...forty-five percent...fifty percent time field capability...
(The DOCTOR starts to get nervous and chew his fingers. The pitch of the voice of Axos increases as does a background hum within the ship...)
VOICE OF AXOS: Fifty-five percent...sixty percent time field capability. Prepare to enter time field, repeat - prepare to enter time field. Seventy percent...seventy-five...
(Suddenly the hum starts to die down. The DOCTOR looks surprised and hopeful.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Seventy percent...sixty-five percent...sixty percent...emergency! Emergency! Emergency!
DOCTOR: They're not getting the power through!
VOICE OF AXOS: Locate power failure source. Investigate possible cell damage. Evaluate, trace and restore all absorption channels. Emergency! Emergency!
(The DOCTOR takes the opportunity of the distraction. He eases himself out of the "chair" and starts to slip out of the room. The eye watches him go.)
VOICE OF AXOS: Attention! Attention! Time Lord escaping. Seal off control centre and all adjacent areas. Close all exit tracts. Surround, neutralise and retrieve when emergency is over.
32: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(The DOCTOR makes his way down a passage filled with writhing tentacles that hang from the wall and roof. Some of them attempt to grab him but he manages to fight his way through.)
33: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(A cable stretches from the open door of the TARDIS, past YATES and BENTON and to the light accelerator. HARDIMAN looks over the console in front of the accelerator.)
HARDIMAN: Surely it can't take any more?
34: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM
(He appears on the TARDIS scanner. Inside the MASTER intently manipulates controls.)
HARDIMAN: (On scanner.) I don't want to risk the cables.
MASTER: (Harshly.) Risk the cables, man! Risk everything - you've got to!
35: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(HARDIMAN pulls a lever back for the full power transfer. The BRIGADIER and FILER exchange a look.)
36: INT. AXOS. PRISON CHAMBER
(The DOCTOR struggles into the prison chamber. JO is still held on the floor. Within here too, the tendrils are flailing about.)
DOCTOR: Jo!
JO: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Let's get out of here while the creatures are disorientated.
(He pulls her to her feet.)
DOCTOR: Come on! That's it, come on!
JO: What's happening?!
DOCTOR: Hang on to me. Come on!
(They leave the chamber...)
37: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(...and struggle down the passageway past more of the tendrils.)
38: INT. NUTON COMPLEX. LIGHT ACCELERATION LABORATORY
(The MASTER has left the TARDIS and stands before a unit that has one large lever. He has his hand on it. He is watched by HARDIMAN, FILER and the UNIT men.)
MASTER: Now, when I pull this handle, the enormous amount of power stored in the TARDIS will be channeled straight into Axos.
FILER: What about Jo and the Doc?
MASTER: They won't stand a chance - they will die with Axos.
(His hand tightens on the lever. The BRIGADIER jumps forward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No!
MASTER: (Harshly.) Either we destroy Axos or Axos destroys the world - which is it to be, Brigadier?!
(The BRIGADIER agonises, then steps back. The MASTER pulls the lever.)
39: INT. AXOS. PASSAGEWAY
(The energy surges back into Axos. Still struggling to the exit, the DOCTOR and JO are flung from side to side.)
Dr. Who
JON PERTWEE
Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEY
The Master
ROGER DELGADO
Jo Grant
KATY MANNING
Captain Mike Yates
RICHARD FRANKLIN
Sergeant Benton
JOHN LEVENE
Chinn
PETER BATHURST
Filer
PAUL GRIST
Hardiman
DONALD HEWLETT
Axon Man
BERNARD HOLLEY
The Minister
KENNETH BENDA
Captain Harker
TIM PIGGOT-SMITH
Title Music by
RON GRAINER and
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Incidental Music
DUDLEY SIMPSON
Special Sound
BRIAN HODGSON and
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Action by
HAVOC
Film Cameraman
A.A. ENGLANDER
Film Editor
BOB RYMER
Visual Effects Designer
JOHN HORTON
Costumes
BARBARA LANE
Make-up
RHIAN DAVIES
Lighting
RALPH WALTON
Sound
DAVE KITCHEN
Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS
Designer
KENNETH SHARP
Producer
BARRY LETTS
Directed by
MICHAEL FERGUSON
COLOUR
© BBC 1971