THE
MONSTER OF
PELADON
BY
BRIAN
HAYLES
PART TWO
1: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(ETTIS moves back down the mine tunnel to where another miner is connecting the explosives wire to a detonator.)
ETTIS: One of the aliens has just entered the cave with the Queen's champion. We must sacrifice them both.
(He joins him in fixing up the detonator.)
2: INT. CAVE
(The DOCTOR examines a piece of trisilicate.)
DOCTOR: Yeah, very high grade too. And you say the light that killed Vega Nexos came from in here?
(Blor nods and grunts.)
DOCTOR: Then there should be some trace.
(He starts to look round the cave.)
3: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(GEBEK walks up to ETTIS and the miner as they complete their preparations.)
GEBEK: What are you doing?
ETTIS: I'm restoring the holy mountain, to appease the spirit of Aggedor!
(He turns the switch on the detonator and the cave mouth is racked by a huge explosion.)
4: INT. CAVE
(Within, the DOCTOR holds up his arms in protection as part of the roof starts to come down.)
5: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(Outside, the entire cave entrance collapses.)
6: INT. CAVE
(The DOCTOR lies on the floor of the cave with his hands covering his head for protection. He is covered by sand and soil. He gets to his feet as he hears Blor grunting.)
DOCTOR: Blor, are you alright?
(The Queen's champion lies on the floor nearby along the debris of the rocks. The DOCTOR helps him up.)
DOCTOR: Come on. That's it.
(Suddenly, the cave is filled with a rising burbling electronic sound and a red, ghostly, still image of Aggedor materialises against a far wall. The DOCTOR looks surprised but Blor screams in terror at the apparition. The DOCTOR silently mouths "What the blazes is that" as the eyes of the spirit glow and a stream of red-hot heat and smoke pours from its mouth as it floats towards them. Blor is surrounded by a red glow and he screams in agony as he falls to the ground, then fades away along with the glow from the spirit of Aggedor. The DOCTOR looks up and sees the "ghost" fade away, leaving him alone and sealed in. He starts to pull at the debris in the blocked-up entrance.)
7: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(GEBEK runs up to the cave entrance on the other side. He sighs and turns to the two young hot-heads who have followed him.)
GEBEK: First the armoury, and now this.
ETTIS: I have given the alien's cave back to the sacred mountain and made a sacrifice to Aggedor!
GEBEK: (Puzzled.) Sacrifice?
ETTIS: An alien - and the Queen's champion. They both entered the cave just as I set off the charge.
(GEBEK looks at the debris.)
GEBEK: Which alien, Ettis?
ETTIS: I don't know. A new one - tall, white hair.
GEBEK: The Doctor - our one friend among the aliens. He saved my life!
(He starts to try and pull the debris away, looking back at his men for help. They hesitate and then join him.)
GEBEK: Come on.
8: INT. CAVE
(Within the cave, the DOCTOR is desperately heaving at one large stone which is the major block in the entrance but after a couple of tries, it proves too much for him.)
9: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(The Peladonian miners are having a similar lack of success. ETTIS, gasping after the effort, sits down.)
ETTIS: It's impossible. What are we gonna do?
(GEBEK spots something across the tunnel.)
GEBEK: Open up the cave with that!
(He has seen the sonic lance. He crosses to the unfamiliar machinery.)
ETTIS: But you don't know how to make it work.
GEBEK: Then I'll learn.
(He starts to operate the controls.)
ETTIS: You make one mistake and you're gonna kill your alien friend.
GEBEK: Too late now.
(They all step back as the sonic lance starts to hum with life. Its central column glows red as the power increases.)
10: INT. CAVE
(Inside the cave, the DOCTOR also hears the hum from the lance and hurriedly steps back. The debris in the entrance starts to ripple and distort as the sonic waves hit it and with a small explosion, a hole is cleared in the rubble. The DOCTOR steps back forward and as he does so, he hears the sound of AGGEDOR materialising again. He looks round and sees the red spectre appear again on the other side of the cave. As the image powers up to deliver another ray of heat, the DOCTOR steps back and then takes a run at the hole.)
11: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(He throws himself through it and lands on the ground outside as the ghost "roars" and the red glow of the ray fills the newly-created hole.)
12: INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(ALPHA CENTAURI twitters over the machinery in the communications room as SARAH sits on a console, somewhat distracted with concern.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: It's a most magnificent installation. If only we can get trisilicate production up to the necessary level, we shall be able to do our own refining.
SARAH: Mmm? Oh, yes, yes, I'm sure. The Doctor's been gone an awfully long time, hasn't he?
ALPHA CENTAURI: Of course, only Eckersley understands the new refinery fully. I'm sure he'd be glad to explain it to you.
SARAH: (Smiles politely.) Oh, I'll look forward to that.
(An electronic voice suddenly blares from the main console.)
VOICE: Emergency! Emergency! Unauthorised use of explosives has produced a rock fall in the cavern area.
SARAH: The cavern! That's where the Doctor's gone!
VOICE: Emergency! Emergency!
SARAH: I knew it! Something's happened to him. I'm gonna find him!
(She looks at the illuminated map on the wall.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: Really, it would be most unwise. I'm sure a proper rescue operation will be mounted.
SARAH: On this planet? I don't trust any of them. Right!
(She puts her jacket on and leaves the room at a run.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: These Earth females seem to have a distressing tendency to rash action.
(CENTAURI takes hold of a microphone in one of its hands.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: (Into microphone.) Engineer Eckersley - please return to the communications room immediately!
13: INT. PASSAGE OUTSIDE TEMPLE
(SARAH approaches the doors of the temple in which there are cut-out images of AGGEDOR'S head. She checks back and enters the temple. Again she checks that there is no one within and enters.)
14: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(She goes straight to the door by which she and the DOCTOR entered and follows his example of working the torch bracket to open the exit. She goes through and...)
15: INT. TUNNEL
(...closes the door from the other side with the opposing bracket. She sets off into the tunnels.)
16: INT. MINE TUNNEL
ETTIS: (Awed.) The spirit of Aggedor has killed the Queen's champion.
(The DOCTOR dusts himself down.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well something killed him, poor chap. And it would have killed me too if you hadn't come to the rescue.
GEBEK: I owed you my life, Doctor. Now, we're even.
(GEBEK salutes him with a hand across the chest and sets off down the tunnel with ETTIS and the other miner but the DOCTOR calls them back.)
DOCTOR: Wait! I think I can help you if you'll let me.
ETTIS: Don't trust him, Gebek! You've paid your debt. Now let's get out of here before Ortron's guards find us.
GEBEK: (To the DOCTOR.) Why should you wish to help us?
DOCTOR: For the good of Peladon. You see, I have a special interest in this planet.
GEBEK: What can you do?
DOCTOR: Well find out who's using Aggedor to frighten your miners, for one thing.
ETTIS: Nobody uses Aggedor! His spirit is angry with us!
DOCTOR: Possibly. But if you can persuade your miners to go back to work, I think I can persuade the Federation to improve conditions now and not wait until the war is over.
ETTIS: The miners will not work while Aggedor is angry.
DOCTOR: Exactly - and that's just what somebody wants. Now do you think it's just a coincidence that Aggedor appeared in that cave just as I started my investigations?
(The miners suddenly hear noises in the tunnel behind them.)
ETTIS: Look out - soldiers!
GUARD CAPTAIN: Gebek! There he is!
(The guards run forward and a fight of swords, clubs and fists erupts between the DOCTOR and the miners on one side and the guards on the other.)
17: INT. TUNNEL
(Somewhat uncertainly, SARAH makes her way down a tunnel. She comes to a choice of two ways, hesitates and then takes the right-hand fork.)
18: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(The fight is in full swing. Although the guards have the advantage of swords, there is one more on the other side and that one is the DOCTOR who skillfully uses a long pole like a staff to fell one guard. The guard fighting ETTIS is felled with a rock on his head from the other miner and the third receives a sharp jab in the stomach from the DOCTOR'S staff.)
GEBEK: Right - this way! Come on.
(The DOCTOR and the miners set off further into the tunnels.)
19: INT. TUNNEL
(SARAH is now hopelessly lost in the tunnels. She looks round in confusion and takes one direction.)
20: INT. TUNNEL OUTSIDE REFINERY
(She emerges outside a man-made structure built into the rock. There is a thick metal door and to the left of it an oval frosted window with a light from within and the vague figure of a shape moving beyond. SARAH sighs with relief and runs up to the window.)
SARAH: (Shouts.) Hey! Hey, you in there! Er, I'm afraid I'm lost.
(The figure within, large, bulky and green, moves across the window and then the light goes out.)
SARAH: (Shouts.) Ah, hey look! I know you're in there! Come on, I saw you - please?! I only want to find my way out of these tunnels!
(SARAH runs to the door and starts to bang on it. Almost instantly she is enveloped in a maelstrom of light and sound. She cries out in pain and slams her hands to her head in agony.)
21: INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(ALPHA CENTAURI paces the communications room as ECKERSLEY runs in.)
ECKERSLEY: Alright, chum, here I am! What's all the panic?
ALPHA CENTAURI: There's been an explosion in the cavern.
ECKERSLEY: What?
ALPHA CENTAURI: The Doctor was there and the young female went to find him.
(ECKERSLEY looks up at his illuminated alarm board.)
ECKERSLEY: Something's happened.
ALPHA CENTAURI: Neither has returned.
ECKERSLEY: It's the refinery. It must be those miners again.
(As the red light flashes behind the indicator marked "REFINERY DOOR", ECKERSLEY switches on a monitor. On it appears SARAH caught in the cacophony of light and sound.)
ECKERSLEY: Lord! What's she doing in there? She must have triggered off the automatic defence system.
(He switches the system off.)
22: INT. TUNNEL OUTSIDE REFINERY
(As the light and sound dies away, SARAH collapses onto the floor unconscious.)
23: INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
ALPHA CENTAURI: How unfortunate! What a catastrophe! Has she been harmed?
ECKERSLEY: That depends. If she's been under it too long, her brain will be...
(ECKERSLEY suddenly looks intensely worried.)
ECKERSLEY: We'd better go and get her out of there.
(They rush from the room.)
24: INT. MINE TUNNEL
(The DOCTOR and the others have met up with more miners in the tunnels. They sit round a small brazier, sipping drinks.)
GEBEK: But our lives have always been the same, Doctor - work and sleep - little else.
(The miners mutter in agreement.)
GEBEK: We earn barely enough to feed our families.
PREBA: The Federation told us things'd be better. So they are for the nobles of the court. We got nothing as usual!
(There is more muttering of agreement.)
ETTIS: And now, they take the sonic lance down into the mine to rip the heart out of the sacred mountain. No wonder Aggedor's angry with these people.
(There are mutters of agreement.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well I don't believe all that. I think the Aggedor that we've seen is nothing but technological trickery.
(GEBEK is almost amused.)
GEBEK: But who's causing it?
DOCTOR: I dunno, but I'm determined to find out.
ETTIS: And what are we going to do?
DOCTOR: Nothing! We don't want any more idiotic tricks like that attack on the armoury.
(ETTIS, ever the hot-head, leaps to his feet.)
ETTIS: But we nearly succeeded, didn't we?
MINER: That's right!
(The others also mutter their agreement. The DOCTOR also stands.)
DOCTOR: You didn't stand a chance! Those armoury doors are electronically controlled from the communications room.
(The DOCTOR fails to see the effect this piece of intelligence has on ETTIS.)
DOCTOR: Now that sort of thing just gets people killed for nothing. Now, please, all of you - just sit tight and give me a chance to work things out, mm?
(GEBEK reaches a decision and stands.)
GEBEK: Very well, Doctor. We shall take your advice.
DOCTOR: Thank you, Gebek.
(GEBEK turns to his miners.)
GEBEK: I believe the Doctor to be our friend. Now there is to be no more fighting till I give the word - is that understood?
(There are unenthusiastic mutters of "yes" from the all the miners except ETTIS.)
GEBEK: Ettis?
ETTIS: (Brusquely.) Yes.
GEBEK: Right, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Splendid. Now I'd like to have a talk to Queen Thalira, preferably without Ortron breathing down the back of my neck.
GEBEK: There are many secret ways from here to the citadel. Er, Preba knows them all. He shall lead us.
(PREBA leads the DOCTOR away.)
GEBEK: The rest of you - stay here.
(GEBEK follows PREBA and the DOCTOR. ETTIS watches to make sure that they have gone and then turns back fanatically to the remaining miners.)
ETTIS: I say...we attack again, and this time we shall succeed - now we know how to open the armoury door.
25: INT. TUNNEL OUTSIDE REFINERY
(SARAH comes to and sits up groggily just as ECKERSLEY runs up. He kneels down to help her.)
ECKERSLEY: Here, Sarah...are you alright?
SARAH: Er...yes.
ECKERSLEY: Sure?
SARAH: I think so.
ECKERSLEY: Good
SARAH: But...what was it?
ECKERSLEY: You set off the automatic defence system. There's a bit of magic to scare off the natives.
SARAH: All that just to protect your precious machinery? You're very keen on security, aren't you?
(She gets to her feet helped by ECKERSLEY.)
ECKERSLEY: Yes, on planets like this it pays to be.
(ALPHA CENTAURI comes shuffling up.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: What were you trying to do?
SARAH: (Defensively.) Look, I was lost - that's all. There was someone in there and I wanted to ask the way.
ECKERSLEY: There's nobody in there. The whole place is on shutdown.
SARAH: I tell you I saw someone moving...
ECKERSLEY: (Interrupts.) Hallucinations. You're still suffering from my little bag of tricks.
SARAH: I tell you I did see someone in there before all the noise and lights started.
ECKERSLEY: (Softly.) There's nobody in there...and nobody's getting in there.
ALPHA CENTAURI: Are you well enough to move?
ECKERSLEY: Can you walk?
SARAH: Course.
(She takes a step and staggers a little...)
SARAH: Oh.
(...and is caught by ECKERSLEY.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: Then I suggest we return.
SARAH: Alright, yes.
(ECKERSLEY helps lead her away but a thought strikes her and she turns back to CENTAURI who has been looking at the darkened refinery window.)
SARAH: Oh! The Doctor - h...have you heard what's happened to him?
ALPHA CENTAURI: No. Let us return to the communications room. By now there may be news.
SARAH: Yes.
(ECKERSLEY leads SARAH away. CENTAURI turns back to the window.)
ECKERSLEY: Are you coming?
(CENTAURI follows the two humans. After he has gone, the large bulky green figure moves back to the frosted glass.)
26: INT. TUNNEL
(PREBA leads the DOCTOR and GEBEK down a tunnel. He suddenly indicates to them to stop and listens ahead through an arch in the rock.)
GEBEK: (Whispers.) What is it?
PREBA: (Whispers.) Soldiers.
GEBEK: (Whispers.) Searching the tunnels for me.
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Ortron doesn't give up easily, does he? (To PREBA.) Can we lose him?
PREBA: (Whispers.) Well, not without blocking the way we wish to follow.
GEBEK: (Whispers.) If we...only distract their attention in some way?
PREBA: (Whispers.) Well, that's it! I'll lead them off.
GEBEK: (Whispers.) Well no, if they catch you...
PREBA: (Whispers.) A load of clod-hopping soldiers catch me? I've played in these tunnels since I was a boy. Quick - hide in there.
(He points to a small side-cave. The DOCTOR and GEBEK enter it. PREBA walks forward and makes sure that the soldiers catch sight of him.)
GUARD CAPTAIN: There he is! After him!
(PREBA runs off into the maze of tunnels pursued by the guards. After they have gone, GEBEK emerges from the side cave. He indicates to the DOCTOR to stay where he is and checks ahead through the arch. However, not all of the soldiers have gone after PREBA and two step out with their swords drawn.)
GUARD CAPTAIN: Halt, Gebek. You're under arrest.
(They walk up to him and push him back through the arch.)
GUARD CAPTAIN: Right, back to the citadel.
(They go through another arch and the DOCTOR steps out and grabs both of the guards with a nerve pinch on their necks. They cry out and fall to the ground, enabling the DOCTOR and GEBEK to run off.)
27: INT. THRONE ROOM
(ORTRON speaks to the Queen...)
ORTRON: Blor has been slain by the wrath of Aggedor like the others. All of this trouble began as soon as the Doctor arrived on Peladon.
THALIRA: That does not prove that the Doctor is our enemy. If it was the spirit of Aggedor...
ORTRON: (Interrupts.) Your Majesty, the Doctor was seen with Gebek and the other rebels. He helped them escape a second time.
THALIRA: (Distraught.) But why, Ortron?! Why would he turn against us?!
ORTRON: Because he has been sent here to stir up the miners.
THALIRA: (Puzzled.) He was my father's friend. He said he wanted to help us.
ORTRON: Oh, a trick - to gain your confidence. And anyway, after fifty years, who can be sure it's the same man?
(THALIRA ascends the steps of the throne.)
THALIRA: What is your counsel, Lord Ortron?
ORTRON: The revolt must be crushed and crushed now. The Doctor must be captured and executed!
28: INT. PASSAGE
(SARAH is much recovered as ECKERSLEY and ALPHA CENTAURI lead her down the passages of the citadel and back to the communications room.)
SARAH: You're overdoing things. Alright, so...so you need an alarm system. Does it have to be something that drives people out of their minds?
ECKERSLEY: You must remember - we're strangers on this planet.
(Round a corner, ETTIS waits in hiding.)
ECKERSLEY: We're not very popular, therefore we have to protect ourselves.
SARAH: Protect yourselves?!
ALPHA CENTAURI: Those ___ Peladonians are still close to barbarism. They have a great distrust of progress.
SARAH: Well maybe that's because they're not getting anything out of it. You've got to show them that progress will give them a better life.
ECKERSLEY: It's no good, Sarah. The only thing these people understand...
(ETTIS jumps out of hiding and clubs ECKERSLEY to the ground, then grabs SARAH round the neck. ALPHA CENTAURI becomes hysterical...)
ALPHA CENTAURI: Help! Help! We're being attacked! Help!
ETTIS: Be silent, alien! You're wasting your breath!
(He prods CENTAURI forward to the communications room with his sword.)
ETTIS: Inside!
ALPHA CENTAURI: Oh! Oh!
(They move off leaving ECKERSLEY behind.)
29: INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(SARAH and CENTAURI are pushed into the communications room by ETTIS who then shuts the double doors.)
ETTIS: Now you won't be harmed...so long as you do what you're told.
ALPHA CENTAURI: What is it you want us to do?
ETTIS: I want you to open the armoury door.
(CENTAURI pompously turns his back on the miner.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: That is out of the question. Natives of primitive planets are forbidden access to sophisticated weapons.
(ETTIS throws SARAH across the room...)
SARAH: Oh!
(...and points his sword menacingly at her.)
ETTIS: Open the door!
ALPHA CENTAURI: Only Eckersley knows how to operate the controls. I do not.
ETTIS: I advise you to try - for your sake and for hers.
(He places the sword on SARAH'S throat.)
30: INT. TUNNEL
GEBEK: (Whispers.) We must move quietly now, Doctor. The nearer we get to the citadel, the greater the danger.
(They move on.)
31: INT. PASSAGE OUTSIDE ARMOURY
(Two soldiers now stand on guard outside the re-closed armoury. However, they are suddenly surprised by a large group of miners armed with swords who rush them. After a short fight, the guards are overcome and the doors re-opened.)
32: INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(One of ALPHA CENTAURI'S pincer hands hesitates over the switch controlling the true armoury doors.)
ETTIS: Hurry, alien.
(He pulls SARAH close to him and holds the sword across her.)
ETTIS: Must I prove that I mean what I say?
(CENTAURI flicks the switch down.)
33: INT. ARMOURY
(The inner doors to the armoury glide open and the exuberant miners pour in. As an alarm blares out, they start to help themselves to the multitude of futuristic weapons held on the metal shelving.)
34: INT. THRONE ROOM
(A worried ORTRON runs into the throne room.)
ORTRON: Your Majesty?
(He bows.)
THALIRA: (Concerned.) Lord Ortron, what is it?
ORTRON: There's been another attack on the Federation armoury. The inner door has been opened. You see, your Majesty, already the rebellion has begun. This is what comes of softness with the common people.
35: INT. ARMOURY
(The miners finish emptying the shelves and run out.)
36: INT. PASSAGE OUTSIDE ARMOURY
(Immediately they get a chance to use their newly acquired weapons when a number of guards run up. They are quickly shot down by the blasters.)
37: INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(ETTIS stands behind one of the closed doors of the communications room and watches more guards run past towards the armoury. He swings round accusingly on ALPHA CENTAURI.)
ETTIS: You've betrayed me! You switched on the alarm!
ALPHA CENTAURI: I warned you I did not fully understand the control mechanism.
(ETTIS raises his sword and runs towards ALPHA CENTAURI.)
SARAH: No!
(CENTAURI screams as SARAH grabs ETTIS' arm and pushes him back.)
SARAH: Can't you see he's telling the truth? Now you've got what you came for - why don't you go while you still can?
ETTIS: That's a good idea, alien - and I'll take you with me.
(He takes SARAH by the arm.)
SARAH: No!
ETTIS: As a hostage!
(He starts to drag her towards the door.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: ___!
SARAH: Ambassador, do something!___!
(He pulls her into the passage.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: You leave her alone!
(CENTUARI follows them out.)
SARAH: (OOV: In passage.) Get off!
ALPHA CENTAURI: Come back! Come back! Oh, dear!
38: INT. PASSAGE
(ECKERSLEY still lies unconscious in the passage as CENTAURI bustles up to him.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: Eckersley! Eckersley, please! Eckersley, please wake up! The armoury has been robbed!
(CENTAURI nudges ECKERSLEY'S foot and the engineer starts to come round.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: Wake up! The Doctor's friend has been taken hostage! Eckersley, please - wake up!
39: INT. PASSAGE
(The newly armed miners run towards the tapestry covering of the secret entrance to the tunnels. ETTIS, still holding SARAH, comes from the other direction.)
SARAH: Oh, let go! It won't do you no good - it won't help you!
ETTIS: We've got the weapons!
(SARAH manages to pull herself away from ETTIS and runs back towards the communications room. ETTIS is about to follow but hears ORTRON'S voice...)
ORTRON: (OOV: Down passage.) Seize her! Do not let her escape!
(He therefore quickly runs behind the tapestry and into the tunnels. Meanwhile, SARAH has run from the frying pan and into the fire as she is held firmly between two guards. She cries out as ORTRON approaches her.)
SARAH: But you...you don't understand! I didn't want to go with them - I was trying to escape!
ORTRON: Take her to the temple!
(Struggling, she is dragged away.)
40: INT. TUNNEL
GEBEK: We're almost at the citadel now, Doctor.
(Suddenly the newly armed miners run past without stopping. GEBEK and the DOCTOR watch them in surprise but GEBEK manages to stop the final miner in the group - ETTIS.)
GEBEK: Ettis! What new folly is this?
ETTIS: (Triumphantly.) No folly, Gebek - victory! Now that we've got the new Federation weapons, we'll see who rules on Peladon!
(He runs past GEBEK after his fellow rebels.)
GEBEK: I must go with them, Doctor. Perhaps I can prevent more madness.
DOCTOR: Yes, don't worry about me, old chap. I think I know my way from now on. Good luck.
(The two go their separate ways.)
41: INT. ARMOURY
(ECKERSLEY and ALPHA CENTAURI have gone to the armoury. ECKERSLEY helps the GUARD CAPTAIN with one of his downed men while CENTAURI hovers in the doorway.)
ECKERSLEY: Yes, well, that's really done it. With modern weapons in their hands, there's no end to the damage these lunatics can do.
ALPHA CENTAURI: I know, Eckersley, and it's all my fault.
ECKERSLEY: Yes.
ALPHA CENTAURI: I shall resign immediately. The disgrace!
ECKERSLEY: Well it's done now. There's no point in going on about it.
ALPHA CENTAURI: I think I could have faced death for myself in an honourable cause...
(ECKERLSEY steps outside the armoury.)
42: INT. PASSAGE OUTSIDE ARMOURY
ALPHA CENTAURI: But he threatened the girl. I was unable to stand by and let him inflict violence on a fellow creature.
ECKERSLEY: Where is she now?
ALPHA CENTAURI: Presumably, she's still Ettis' prisoner.
43: INT. ARMOURY
(The GUARD CAPTAIN speaks up from inside the armoury.)
GUARD CAPTAIN: No, Ambassador, she was recaptured by the guards.
ALPHA CENTAURI: Captured? She's a victim, not a criminal.
GUARD CAPTAIN: Well Chancellor Ortron said she was helping them.
ECKERSLEY: Where is she now?
GUARD CAPTAIN: Well, she's been taken to the temple.
44: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(SARAH stands before ORTRON...)
SARAH: No, no, now look, this is all...a ridiculous mistake.
ORTRON: (Accusingly.) You were in collusion with the rebel, Ettis.
SARAH: Of course I wasn't!
ORTRON: It was because of you that the Ambassador was forced to open the armoury door. Is that not true?
SARAH: W...well, yes, in a way, I suppose it was.
ORTRON: Then you admit your guilt?
SARAH: The Ambassador opened the door because Ettis threatened to kill me. Now you can't say that means I was helping him.
45: INT. TUNNEL
(The DOCTOR runs up to the tunnel door behind the temple and listens carefully for sounds within the temple itself.)
46: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
ORTRON: Your whole plot is clear to me now. You arrived on this planet with only one aim - to stir up the common people...
SARAH: That's not true...!
ORTRON: (Interrupts.) And overthrow the traditional rulers - the nobility of Peladon. You joined with the rebel, Ettis...
(Ranting on, ORTRON turns his back and fails to see the secret door opening and the DOCTOR entering.)
ORTRON: ...while the Doctor allies himself with the other traitor, Gebek!
SARAH: No!
DOCTOR: Do forgive me, old chap, but you've got it all wrong.
SARAH: Doctor!
(She runs to him.)
ORTRON: Arrest him!
SARAH: You're safe! They said you'd been blown up in the cavern!
(The DOCTOR is held and SARAH is pulled back.)
DOCTOR: Well I very nearly was.
SARAH: Ettis has just robbed the armoury.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. I've just met him in the tunnels.
ORTRON: So, Doctor, you too admit your guilt!
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) My dear chap, you're just not listening, are you? No one's admitting anything. But if you'll take my advice, you'll try and get on the right side of Gebek. Without him, you've got a full scale revolution on your hands.
ORTRON: I need no advice from spies and saboteurs!
DOCTOR: Look, just take me to the Queen. There's a good chap.
ORTRON: There's no need to trouble the Queen, Doctor. I shall deal with you myself. Here in the temple, my will is law. I shall consult the judgement of Aggedor.
(He signals for SARAH to be pulled back and then stands over the font-like container. He throws in a pellet of the phosphorescent substance.)
ORTRON: Oh, mighty Aggedor, make known they will.
(He then stands with his arms aloft before the statue to receive his divine guidance...)
ORTRON: How shall we punish those who have offended against thee?
(SARAH looks at the DOCTOR in concern.)
47: INT. THRONE ROOM
(ALPHA CENTAURI has gone with ECKERSLEY to the throne room to plead with the Queen.)
ALPHA CENTAURI: Believe me, your Majesty - Chancellor Ortron has totally misinterpreted the facts.
THALIRA: Engineer Eckersley, can you confirm the Ambassador's story?
ECKERSLEY: I can't confirm anything, your Majesty. I got hit on the head when it all started.
ALPHA CENTAURI: But you know that Sarah is not in league with the rebels?
ECKERSLEY: It seems highly unlikely... (Doubtfully.) ...though I suppose...no.
THALIRA: Well?
ECKERSLEY: (To CENTAURI.) Well, it was because of her that you finally did open the door. I suppose it could have been a put-up job.
ALPHA CENTAURI: Nonsense! The whole idea's absurd! The girl was Ettis' prisoner - not his accomplice. You must believe that, your Majesty?
THALIRA: I'm prepared to trust your judgement, Ambassador. But what I believe is of little importance. In the temple, Ortron's power is absolute. There is nothing I can do!
48: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(ORTRON turns from the statue.)
DOCTOR: Well? And what did he say?
ORTRON: You have blasphemed in the temple of Aggedor, therefore by Aggedor shall you both be punished!
DOCTOR: Both?
ORTRON: She shares your guilt - she will share your punishment. (To the guards.) Prepare the pit!
49: INT. THRONE ROOM
ALPHA CENTAURI: But your Majesty, whatever your traditions, I beg you in the name of mercy to override them.
THALIRA: Oh, I wish that I could, Ambassador.
ALPHA CENTAURI: But you are the Queen.
(THALIRA gets to her feet in frustration.)
THALIRA: Yes, a Queen who's looked upon as little more than a child!
ALPHA CENTAURI: Many things have changed on Peladon, your Majesty. Perhaps this too...should change?
(THALIRA looks closely at ALPHA CENTAURI, then smiles and makes up her mind.)
THALIRA: You will come with me.
(She heads for the door and CENTAURI scuttles after her.)
50: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(Two of the guards lift and pull aside the heavy stone font revealing a circular hatch in the floor. This, is turn, is lifted to reveal a dark hole in the floor. The DOCTOR takes a pace forward and looks into it but stops SARAH doing the same and looks in a calculating manner at the guards.)
51: INT. PASSAGE OUTSIDE TEMPLE
(THALIRA and ALPHA CENTAURI have reached the temple and stand outside the door which is blocked by a cringing guard.)
THALIRA: You will admit us to the temple.
52: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(Her words are heard within.)
ORTRON: Hurry - cast them into the pit!
DOCTOR: Don't be a fool!
53: INT. PASSAGE OUTSIDE TEMPLE
THALIRA: (To the guard.) No doors are barred to the Queen - stand aside!
54: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(The DOCTOR is thrown into the pit...)
55: INT. TEMPLE PIT
(...where he falls through the darkness with a cry. He lands on soil covered in straw and some scattered bones. He quickly gets to his feet and catches SARAH as she comes down with a scream. They both fall to the ground.)
56: INT. TEMPLE OF AGGEDOR
(THALIRA has gained access to the temple. As she and CENTAURI rush in, the guards stand hurriedly back...)
THALIRA: Where is the girl?! We dema...
(...revealing the open pit. The words die in her mouth. She looks at ORTRON.)
ORTRON: The decision is no longer yours or mine, your Majesty. The girl and the Doctor have gone to face the judgement of Aggedor.
57: INT. TEMPLE PIT
(The DOCTOR and SARAH get to their feet somewhat unsteadily.)
SARAH: Oh...ow...
DOCTOR: You alright, Sarah?
SARAH: Well, I don't think anything's broken.
(She looks up.)
SARAH: What are they going to do - just leave us here?
DOCTOR: No, I think there's more to it than that.
(SARAH sniffs the air.)
SARAH: Ooh! That smell - it's...it's sort of musky. Like...like the lion house at the zoo...
(The words are barely out of her mouth when they hear a quiet roar in the pitch-black darkness behind them.)
SARAH: (Alarmed.) Oh, Doctor, there's something in here with us - something alive!
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. Now don't move, Sarah.
(As the quiet roars continue, he reaches into his pocket and takes out his pen-torch. Switching it on, he slowly casts it round the darkness. Suddenly the light is cast on the source of the sound - AGGEDOR! The royal beast rears up and screams out a roar through its fanged mouth...)
Doctor Who
JON PERTWEE
Sarah Jane Smith
ELISABETH SLADEN
Eckersley
DONALD GEE
Thalira
NINA THOMAS
Ortron
FRANK GATLIFF
Gebek
REX ROBINSON
Ettis
RALPH WATSON
Voice of
Alpha Centauri
YSANNE CHURCHMAN
Body of
Alpha Centauri
STUART FELL
Preba
GRAEME ETON
Guard Captain
TERRY WALSH
Aggedor
NICK HOBBS
Fight Arranger
TERRY WALSH
Written by
BRIAN HAYLES
Title Music
RON GRAINER &
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Title Sequence
BERNARD LODGE
Incidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSON
Special Sound
DICK MILLS
Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS
Designer
GLORIA CLAYTON
Producer
BARRY LETTS
Directed by
LENNIE MAYNE
COLOUR
© BBC 1974