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DOCTOR WHO
PLANET OF EVIL

Written by
Louis Marks

Part Two

(Overlap from the guard doing his rounds)

[EXT. Outside the base]

(The GUARD comes running and fires at the energy creature. As the DOCTOR and SARAH flee, he fires his energy-pulse weapon at it, without effect. The creature looms closer and finally smothers him. He falls to the ground, hand to his neck. Convulsing, he fades away, just before PONTI and DE HAAN arrive.)
PONTI: Nothing.
DE HAAN: I heard a scream.
PONTI: Who's the guard on this sector?
DE HAAN: O'Hara. There's no sign of him.
PONTI: Let's get some lights round here.
DE HAAN: Right. I'll go and look for him.
(The two leave. We then see O'HARA suddenly reappear, as a yellowed, dessicated corpse.)
DOCTOR: All right, Sarah, I think it's gone. Are you all right? What's the matter?
SARAH: It's how I felt before, in the jungle. As though I was being drawn from my body.
DOCTOR: You've had a very narrow escape.
(They walk to the body and bend over it.)
SARAH: What was it?
DOCTOR: I'm not sure yet, but I've got a very unpleasant theory.

[INT. Base]

SALAMAR: (flipping a couple of switches on the wall) Everything's normal now.
VISHINSKY: Something caused that power drain. There was a temperature drop of four degrees.
PONTI: (running in) Controller!
VISHINSKY: Later, Ponti. We have a systems fault.
PONTI: I think the base is under attack, Controller.
SALAMAR: Under attack?
PONTI: We've heard something out there. And O'Hara seems to have disappeared. We need lights.
SALAMAR: Better check the prisoners, Vishinsky.

[INT. Base crew quarters]

SALAMAR: As I thought.
VISHINSKY: I'll call the crew to alert.

[INT. Outside the base]

SARAH: It's as if life was sucked out of him.
(An alarm begins to blare.)
DOCTOR: Come on. I think we've been missed.

[EXT. Jungle]

PONTI: Halt!
(He and others fire their energy weapons at the fleeing travellers.)

[INT. Base]

VISHINSKY: With the power drain, the magnetic lock must have failed.
SALAMAR: Obviously. But we still don't know what caused it.
(PONTI enters.)
SALAMAR: What is it?
PONTI: Something you should see for yourself, Controller. They've killed O'Hara.

[EXT. Outside the base]

(Pretty much everyone from the Morestran party is viewing the corpse now.)
SALAMAR: They must be recaptured and made to pay for this.
PONTI: We won't find them in this jungle.
SALAMAR: They won't escape. We'll launch the oculoid tracker at first light.
PONTI: Very good, Controller.
SALAMAR: Get Sorenson. I want him to see this.
VISHINSKY: He's under medicare in the probe.
SALAMAR: Bring him here immediately, Vishinsky, and I want a full bio-analysis on the cause of death.
VISHINSKY: Right.

[EXT. Jungle]

SARAH: It's so dark.
DOCTOR: Just hang on.
SARAH: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: Nothing.
SARAH: Where are we going?
DOCTOR: Sssh. Listen. It's coming this way.
(The foliage shifts as the creature moves past. They have ducked down and wait.)
SARAH: (sotto) That was lucky.
DOCTOR: Fortunately, time is on our side.
SARAH: Time?
DOCTOR: Yes. Night's candles are burnt out and jocund day stands tiptoe on the misty mountain top. Or something like that.
SARAH: Ah, you mean it's getting light.
DOCTOR: That's what Shakespeare meant.
SARAH: Doesn't it like daylight?
DOCTOR: That is the question.
SARAH: Oh, Doctor, where are you going?

[INT. Space probe's bridge]

VISHINSKY: Projectile chamber three, ignition procedures activate.
MORELLI [OC]: Projectile chamber three activated. Oculoid function normal.
(A hatch in the probe ship rises, and a hovering disc-shaped device with a flattened front that features an eye-like sensor emerges. It starts to explore.)
VISHINSKY: Launch attitude seven.
MORELLI [OC]: Seven.
VISHINSKY: Telesystems on transverse sweep.
MORELLI [OC]: Transverse sweep established.
(SALAMAR enters.)
VISHINSKY: Maintain ocular frequency.
MORELLI [OC]: Ocular frequency is transmitting now.
VISHINSKY: Oculoid tracker launched.
(On a monitor high on the wall, we see the jungle in infrared.)

[EXT. Jungle]

(The DOCTOR and SARAH hear the noise of the tracker navigating through the jungle. They duck behind some vegetation as it weaves past through the air.)
SARAH: What was that, an elfin spirit of the forest?
DOCTOR: Some sort of surveillance device.
SARAH: Oh. At least we know we can't get lost.
DOCTOR: No. I met him once, you know.
SARAH: Who?
DOCTOR: Shakespeare. Charming fellow. Dreadful actor.
SARAH: Perhaps that's why he took up writing.
DOCTOR: Perhaps it was.

[INT. Space probe's bridge]

(VISHINSKY watches the monitor. We then cut to SALAMAR.)
SALAMAR: You've seen the body?
SORENSON: All my party died the same way, a type of total dehydration.
SALAMAR: I have the bio-analysis here. (he hands over a diskette) All the organs are undamaged. No contusions or evidence of pressure. Complete extraction of bodily fluids from tissue.
VISHINSKY: We've no weapon in our technology that could produce such an effect.
SALAMAR: No, a heat weapon would have produced external injuries. All the indications are that some very rapid form of freeze-drying occurred.
SORENSON: Isn't this irrelevant, Controller?
SALAMAR: Irrelevant?
SORENSON: I came to Zeta Minor to prove a theory that could save our civilisation. I've been successful. That's all that matters.
SALAMAR: Seven men have died at the hands of these aliens.
SORENSON: There is more at stake here than seven lives. Our solar system is dependent upon a dying sun. I've discovered a new and inexhaustible source of energy, rock formations on the fringe of the universe.
MORELLI: Controller, the oculoid tracker has located the prisoners.
SALAMAR: Order out the pursuit party.
PONTI: Right, Controller.
SORENSON: You're wasting time. My mineral samples must be loaded aboard, and we must prepare for immediate takeoff.
SALAMAR: I am well aware of your high position in the science authorities, Professor, but this is a military expedition with military objectives. The manual says hostile alien forces must be searched out and liquidated. That operation is now in hand.

[EXT. Abyss]

(The DOCTOR and SARAH come upon the rocky area with the deep hole at the centre taking up the majority of the space. The DOCTOR throws a stone down into it. There is no indication of how far down the bottom is, or even whether there is a bottom.)
DOCTOR: Yes, this is it.
SARAH: Is this where the thing lives?
DOCTOR: No, it doesn't live anywhere. It just is.
SARAH: (touching his arm) Uh-oh. Doctor.
(She has seen the oculoid tracker bob into view.)
DOCTOR: Never mind about that. Look down there. What do you see?
SARAH: A pool.
DOCTOR: Look into it. Wouldn't you expect to see a reflection?
SARAH: There's nothing. What do you mean 'this is it'?
PONTI: Raise your hands over your heads. Search him.
DOCTOR: I can empty my own pockets, thank you.
PONTI: Put your hands over your heads.
DOCTOR: I've nothing up my sleeve, if that's what you mean.
PONTI: Search them both.
(A GUARD grabs SARAH from behind. When she puts up a struggle, PONTI goes to assist. He falls backward into the abyss.)
DOCTOR: Get back! Didn't you learn anything? You're tampering with the balance of nature on this planet in ways you don't understand. It may already be too late.

[INT. Base]

SORENSON: I want these canisters loaded carefully.
DE HAAN: What's in them?
SORENSON: Refined ore. Energy. I calculate that six pounds of this material in our own solar system would produce heat equivalent to the output of our own sun over a period of three centuries. Well, don't you understand, man? Full-scale exploitation of this planet would provide us with perpetual energy in any quantity, whenever we needed it. I've made the greatest discovery in scientific history.
DE HAAN: Do you need any of this other equipment, Professor?
SORENSON: You still don't understand the implications, do you? No, no, there's nothing here. The base can be abandoned.

[INT. Space probe's bridge]

VISHINSKY: The prisoners have cleared quarantine.
SALAMAR: Any weapons?
VISHINSKY: Our detectors revealed nothing. If they caused the deaths, they used some super-sensory process.
SALAMAR: It's not unknown for aliens to utilise such techniques. Bring them in.
VISHINSKY: Have the aliens brought in.
SALAMAR: Where's Sorenson?
VISHINSKY: Getting his samples aboard, preparatory to launching.
SALAMAR: I've given no orders for a launching. There are seven deaths to be accounted for.
VISHINSKY: Sorenson has a lot of authority in high circles, Salamar. It may be unwise to antagonise him.
SALAMAR: He's still a civilian. Military priorities take precedence.
VISHINSKY: Bring the prisoners forward.
DOCTOR: Prisoners? We're here to help. We're not prisoners.
SALAMAR: You are prisoners, and you are charged with diverse acts of war against the subjects of Morestra.
DOCTOR: Not guilty.
SARAH: This is ridiculous.
VISHINSKY: Silence.
DOCTOR: Do you have any idea of what you're up against on this planet?
SALAMAR: You will not respond to questions with counter-questions-
DOCTOR: If you won't allow us-
VISHINSKY: Silence! You will have a chance to speak, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
SALAMAR: This interrogation will be conducted in an orderly manner. Failure to comply will result in your immediate execution.
(The DOCTOR opens his mouth, but he closes it again at a look from SARAH.)

[INT. Quarantine area]

(DE HAAN sets the canisters next to the TARDIS.)
MORELLI: Radioactive reading just within our tolerance. What do they contain?
SORENSON: Mineral elements from the planet.

[INT. Space probe's bridge]

SALAMAR: Yesterday, you were found with the body of one of our scientists. Last night, one of our guards died and you were seen kneeling over him. Can you explain this?
DOCTOR: We had nothing to do with those deaths. They were brought about by your intrusion. Listen. Now listen to me, please. Here on Zeta Minor is the boundary between existence as you know it and the other universe, which you just don't understand.
VISHINSKY: Other universe?
DOCTOR: Yes. From the beginning of time, it has existed side by side with the known universe. Each is the antithesis of the other. You call it 'nothing', a word to cover ignorance; then, centuries ago, scientists invented another word for it. Antimatter they called it.
SALAMAR: Nonsense. Clever deception to cover their real motives.
VISHINSKY: I don't think so. Let him finish.
DOCTOR: And you, by coming here, have crossed the boundary into that other universe to plunder it. Dangerous.
SORENSON: Salamar. My mineral samples are aboard. It is getting dark. Prepare for the return journey.
DOCTOR: Mineral samples? Sorenson, you can't take any part of this planet with you.
SORENSON: That was the purpose of my expedition.
DOCTOR: But you can't!
SALAMAR: Get them out of here. I'll deal with them later.
DOCTOR: Sorenson, if you don't listen to me, you'll never leave this planet.
(He and SARAH are dragged away.)
SALAMAR: Now look, Sorenson. I'm aware of your position, but I am in command of this probe and I decide when it takes off. Do you understand?
SORENSON: What did he mean we'll never leave this planet?

[INT. Quarantine area]

(The DOCTOR is thrown down. SARAH follows him inside, on her own two feet.)
SARAH: Do you ever get tired of being pushed around?
DOCTOR: Frequently.
SARAH: We, uh, could get in the TARDIS and disappear.
(She removes the key from her pocket and holds it up.)
DOCTOR: (taking it) No, no. It's tempting to let them go ahead and destroy themselves. The trouble is they wouldn't be the only ones.
SARAH: How do you mean?
DOCTOR: Cataclysm.
SARAH: The Big Bang?
DOCTOR: Yes. The end of the universe.
(He removes the lid from one of Sorenson's canisters. There are bits of yellow and clear minerals inside.)
SARAH: What's that?
DOCTOR: Do you remember the rocks around the pool?
SARAH: Mmm. They were sort of a brownish colour.
DOCTOR: This is a concentrated form.
(Using the lid from a tin of Farrah's Harrogate Toffees, which he pulls from his pocket, the DOCTOR scoops out some of the material.)
SARAH: It's changing colour!
(The colour changes to red, then green, then red again, then the original whitish. The DOCYOR pours the crystals from the lid into the empty tin and places the lid on top.)
SARAH: What are you doing? What are you doing?
DOCTOR: It's just an idea.
SARAH: (hearing a noise) It's the compression units. They're preparing to launch!
DOCTOR: Fools. Do they really think they'll be allowed to leave with this on board?

[INT. Space probe's bridge]

(The GUARDS have now all climbed the ladder back to the ship. Its hatch closes.)
VISHINSKY: Pressurisation complete. Cyclo-stimulators activate.
MORELLI: Activated.
VISHINSKY: Power jets to lock in positions.
MORELLI: Locked.
VISHINSKY: Gyro-stabilisers activate.
MORELLI: Activated.
VISHINSKY: Prepare for final ignition. Ten, nine, eight-
(Most of the lights go out. An alarm sounds. Some lights come on, flickering.)
MORELLI: Pressurisation falling. Cyclo-stimulators not responding.
SALAMAR: Activate secondary launch units.
MORELLI: Cycle complete.
VISHINSKY: Secondary launch units activated.
SALAMAR: I don't understand.
VISHINSKY: What's gone wrong?
MORELLI: Emergency power units inoperative. Main and secondary circuits failing.
SALAMAR: Cancel ignition.
VISHINSKY: It doesn't make sense.
SORENSON: Look!
(They see the energy creature outside the ship.)
SALAMAR: What is it?
VISHINSKY: It's going to attack the ship!
SORENSON: Energy. Pure energy in physical form. It's incredible!
VISHINSKY: Operate the force-field barrier.
SALAMAR: Get the alien prisoners up here. I think that thing's got something to do with them.
MORELLI: The barrier won't work. There's not enough power!
SALAMAR: Get out there and stop it.
(Several GUARDS run to the hatch as the DOCTOR and SARAH are brought in.
Outside, the GUARDS' energy pulses have no effect on the creature. They stand on the ladder and otherwise right next to the ship. One of them falls. Another stumbles as he tries to climb back into the ship.)
DOCTOR: You've sent those men to their deaths. Use the force-field barrier.
VISHINSKY: It won't work.
DOCTOR: Then link it to the atomic accelerator.
MORELLI: It's too dangerous.
(Another GUARD falls and dies.)
DOCTOR: Link the force field to the atomic accelerator!
VISHINSKY: We've got to try it, Salamar. Give the order!
SALAMAR: (he licks his lip) Do it.
MORELLI: Linked.
VISHINSKY: Force-field barrier.
(The energy creature makes contact with the barrier and is repelled. It backs away and slowly fades out.)
VISHINSKY: Thank you, Doctor.
SALAMAR: All right. Tell us what you know about that.
DOCTOR: Sorenson, you're a scientist. Surely you appreciate the dangers of moving material from one dimension to another.
SORENSON: That was the whole purpose of my expedition.
DOCTOR: You're tampering with hideously dangerous forces.
SALAMAR: But it's gone.
DOCTOR: Yes, for the moment. But while those mineral samples remain on board, it'll always come back.
VISHINSKY: Are you saying we can't take off?
DOCTOR: Unless you abandon those canisters, yes.
SORENSON: But we need those mineral samples.
DOCTOR: Why?
SORENSON: Our sun is dying. By taking material from this planet, we can refuel it and save our civilisation.
DOCTOR: I'm afraid that isn't the solution. You must find an alternative energy source.
SALAMAR: So if we jettison those canisters, we can take off?
DOCTOR: As long as your intention to leave as you came, empty-handed, is made clear.
VISHINSKY: But how do we communicate that intention?
DOCTOR: Through me. I'm not entirely without influence, but it will take time.
SALAMAR: Very well. But the girl will stay here. You may go.
SORENSON: But-
DOCTOR: Alone. I must go alone.
SARAH: Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. I'll take care. (He leaves.)
SALAMAR: Launch the oculoid tracker. I want his movements followed.

[INT. Beside the abyss]

(The DOCTOR makes his way through the jungle. With the tracker hovering nearby, he stands beside the black maw. He watches calmly as the energy creature rises from the blackness below. The crackling begins, and the DOCTOR holds his hands to his head.)
DOCTOR: No!
(He falls into the abyss.)

The above notes, transcription, etc. by Anna Shefl

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