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DOCTOR WHO
THE ARMAGEDDON FACTOR
Written by
Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Part Six
(Overlap from 'I suppose you realise...')
[INT. Outside the TARDIS]
(DRAX points the device at himself, and he shrinks in its beam. The Shadow's MINION casts his gaze about.)
DRAX: Over here, Doctor!
(The DOCTOR, shrunken, runs between the MINIONS, narrowly avoiding being trampled, and takes refuge in the crack in the wall where DRAX has secreted himself.)
DRAX: Doctor, over here! Look at that.
DOCTOR: You shrank the wrong man, Drax.
DRAX: No, I was aiming at you.
DOCTOR: Why didn't you shrink the mute? The TARDIS door's open.
DRAX: Right, I've got it. Now listen. One of us creates a diversion, and you fly over there and shut the door.
(The MINION slowly walks past as they speak.)
DRAX: Nasty. Yeah, and we can't use the dimensional stabiliser in here 'cos there's not enough room for when we get back to normal size. We'd just fill up the crack.
DOCTOR: Like putty.
DRAX: Do you mind? Yeah, you've got problems.
DOCTOR: Yes. The door's open, so the Shadow can go in there and take the Key to Time. Romana can't help, and the time loop must be at breaking point by now.
(We see the Key to Time steaming, with a slightly discoloured pseudo-segment. In the computer room on Zeos, we see Mentalis's countdown reach 3 before returning to 10.)
DOCTOR: When the countdown reaches zero, up goes Atrios, Zeos, and all.
DRAX: Life presents a dismal picture, you might say.
DOCTOR: Yes, you might say that. And, of course, there's the Marshal.
DRAX: The Marshal? He's on our side.
DOCTOR: No.
DRAX: No. Oh well. Where's he fit in?
DOCTOR: He's in the time loop as well, making a rocket attack on Zeos. Unless, of course, Shapp and Merak get in contact with him.
DRAX: Where are they?
DOCTOR: Back on Atrios. I hope.
[INT. Control centre]
(The only ones there are SHAPP and MERAK, whose head now has a bandage round it. SHAPP's arm is in a sling.)
SHAPP: Atrios control to Marshal. Marshal? Come in, Marshal. Oh, it's useless. He either can't or won't answer. And this time loop device isn't going to hold things back forever, is it?
MERAK: No, not unless the Doctor can find the sixth piece, and the sixth piece is somehow connected with Astra.
SHAPP: But she denies all knowledge of it?
MERAK: All conscious knowledge, yes. But if she's the only one who knows the secret and if the knowledge is implanted, then it must have affected her, made her different in some slight way that might just show up in analysis.
SHAPP: Yes, but she's not here.
MERAK: But her records are, on your computer.
[INT. Marshal's ship]
MARSHAL: Fire!
(The PILOT's hand gets to the firing button, then we return to the missiles lowering from their bay.)
MARSHAL: Fire!
[INT. Outside the TARDIS]
DRAX: Well, we've got one thing in our favour.
DOCTOR: Oh?
DRAX: Mobility.
DOCTOR: Mobility?
DRAX: Well, if we're only this high, we're practically invisible, aren't we?
(The MINION heads back in the other direction.)
DRAX: Except we daren't move.
DOCTOR: Yes. If the Shadow gets the five pieces from the TARDIS, which he undoubtedly will, it's up to us to get the sixth piece.
DRAX: Yeah, but you don't know what it looks like, do ya? I reckon you're banjaxed, my old son. End of the road. Finito.
DOCTOR: The Shadow said I'd already seen it. It must be Astra.
DRAX: Astra?
DOCTOR: She must have it, yeah. Let's see where this crack leads, shall we?
DRAX: It's better than getting the boot.
[INT. Shadow's domain]
(The SHADOW speaks as he looks at his viewscreen, between Astra and Romana. The screen shows the TARDIS with its door open.)
SHADOW: The Doctor has eluded me, but he has made his last mistake. See, the door is open! The Key to Time is mine! Enough! Muahahahahaha! (He leaves.)
ROMANA: He thinks we're just going to stand by and let him walk away with everything we've worked for. Come on, let's get out of here.
ASTRA: (moving forward only slowly) In this place.
ROMANA: What?
ASTRA: My destiny is here, in this place. Not on Atrios, not on Zeos. Here. (She is smiling, almost ecstatic.)
ROMANA: Astra, listen. You're not under the Shadow's influence anymore. Now, let's get out of here before he comes back.
ASTRA: No, I must stay. I am the sixth princess of the sixth dynasty of the sixth Royal House of Atrios.
ROMANA: Yes, yes, but we must get out of here before the Shadow comes back!
ASTRA: This is the time of my becoming, my transcendence.
ROMANA: What are you talking about?
ASTRA: Metamorphosis.
[INT. Tunnel]
DRAX: (consulting a crumpled bit of paper) Yeah, here we are. Right, now, there's the T junction. Right down to the dungeon, left onto the Shadow's lair.
DOCTOR: What? You mean there's a way in he doesn't know about?
DRAX: Well, it will be when it's finished, but a couple of midgets like us won't be much good on a pick and shovel, will we?
DOCTOR: No. No, no. no. But if we get K9 up there, we won't need a pick and shovel, will we? We can still give the Shadow a surprise.
DRAX: Well, let's normalise then, shall we?
DOCTOR: (snatching the dimensional stabiliser gun) No, no, Drax, no. (handing it back) Small is lovely.
DRAX: Big is better, though, innit? (They walk into the distance within the walls.)
[INT. Outside the TARDIS]
SHADOW: Now, the moment I have waited for! Open the door.
(His MINION pushes the door further open, and the SHADOW shields his eyes.)
SHADOW: Light! Too much light! (we see a bright light shining from within the TARDIS, in front of him) You, fetch me the key. Hurry.
(The MINION enters the TARDIS.)
SHADOW: When the key is mine, I shall dispel the light, and darkness and night shall reign.
(The MINION returns, holding the key before him, and the TARDIS door closes.)
SHADOW: Ah!
(As he carries the key off, chortling to himself with glee, we can see that there is a hole being burnt in the pseudo-segment.)
[INT. Shadow's domain]
ASTRA: Destiny. My destiny is near.
ROMANA: Astra, remember you're the sixth princess of the sixth Royal House of the sixth (pause) dynasty... And we're looking for the sixth segment of the Key to Time. Oh, you're in greater danger even than we imagined!
[INT. Control centre]
SHAPP: (squatting beside MERAK, who is working at the computer) Have you found it?
MERAK: I think so, yes.
SHAPP: What is it?
MERAK: A molecular anomaly buried in the genetic structure of the Royal House of Atrios and passed from one generation to the next, until, finally, Astra.
SHAPP: What's it mean?
MERAK: I imagine it means that- that her every living cell is part of this Key of Time and that, to save us, Astra must be destroyed. You see?
SHAPP: Hey, where're you going?
[INT. Tunnel]
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Everything all right, K9?
K9: Affirmative.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Control box in position?
K9: Control box in position.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Batteries charged?
K9: Affirmative.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Test the blaster, K9.
K9: Blaster testing (He fires his laser.)
DRAX [OC, muffled]: Ow!
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Blaster working, K9?
K9: Affirmative.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: You all right, Drax?
DRAX [OC, muffled]: Just about. That bit gets hot.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: I'd sit somewhere else if I were you. Ready, K9?
K9: Affirmative.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Now remember, it's absolutely vital to convince the Shadow that you're still under his control. This whole plan depends on how well you can act. Got it?
K9: Affirmative, Master.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Keep it simple, K9.
K9: (brief high-speed gibberish) The Doctor and Drax have been eliminated.
DOCTOR[OC, muffled]: Okay, K9. Now forward. You're on.
K9: Master.
DOCTOR [OC, muffled]: Did you ever get to Troy, Drax? Little place in Asia Minor.
[INT. K block]
(A MINION guarding the transmat notices when Astra's circlet hits the floor. When the creature picks it up, MERAK jumps on its back and holds a weapon to its head.)
MERAK: The third planet! Show me.
[INT. Shadow's domain]
(Now wearing the MINION's cloak, MERAK pulls up his cowl and steps into the shadows as the SHADOW walks past with the key before him, leading his MINIONS in a triumphant march. MERAK joins the back of the group, who enter the sanctum. The SHADOW places the key on a tree-stump-like table, whose surface lights up from beneath, also highlighting a network of lines and curves on the surface.)
SHADOW: The fulfilment of that for which I have waited since eternity began.
[INT. Tunnel]
(We hear the sound associated with K9's laser probe extending.)
K9: Preparing for blasting.
[INT. Shadow's domain]
SHADOW: You see, Princess, you cannot escape your destiny.
ASTRA: My destiny. (She steps forward slowly.)
SHADOW: It is for this that you were born, the sixth child of the sixth generation of the sixth dynasty of Atrios, born to be the sixth and final segment of the Key to Time. Come, Princess, prepare yourself.
ASTRA: I am ready.
(As she reaches for the tracer, in a purple light she becomes a glowing segment on the floor, flashing in purple.)
SHADOW: (basking rapturously in the light from the segment) Ah!
MERAK: (running forward without cowl) Astra!
(The SHADOW's reverie goes undisturbed. He is roused, however, when K9 blasts through the wall.)
SHADOW: What is this? (Rocks roll from the wall, and K9 emerges.)
K9: (after a mechanical cough) Apologies, Master.
SHADOW: You mechanical idiot.
K9: But there is an intruder here.
SHADOW: I ordered her to eliminate him.
K9: It shall be done. (He heads forward.)
SHADOW: Wait. Where is the Doctor?
(K9 passes the key and turns toward the SHADOW.)
K9: (mechanically clears throat) The Doctor and Drax have been eliminated.
SHADOW: Good. Then these two shall stay and witness my moment of glory, my apotheosis.
K9: (sotto) Master.
SHADOW: Mine. At last! (He holds his hand out toward the key.)
K9: Now, Master.
(A panel in K9's side opens, and the miniature DOCTOR and DRAX jump out.)
ROMANA: (as the SHADOW reaches for the tracer) No! You'll break the time loop!
MERAK: Millions will die!
SHADOW: A small beginning. (He cackles.)
DOCTOR: The stabiliser, Drax. Now!
(DRAX enlarges the DOCTOR and then himself. The DOCTOR swoops down and grabs the sixth segment.)
SHADOW: You interfering fool. No-one can resist the power of darkness!
(The DOCTOR holds the key up, and its light blinds the SHADOW for a moment. The creature of darkness shrinks back.)
DOCTOR: Quick, back to the TARDIS! Quick!
[INT. Outside the Shadow's sanctum]
DRAX: You go on, Doctor. I'll hold them off.
DOCTOR: How will you get back?
DRAX: The transmat shaft. See you on the TARDIS.
[INT. Shadow's domain]
SHADOW: Stop him! He must be stopped! Stop him!
[INT. Outside the TARDIS]
DOCTOR: Good. (He enters the TARDIS.)
ROMANA: Come on, Merak.
DOCTOR: Come on, Romana. Merak, get inside!
MERAK: No!
DOCTOR: Quick, get inside, man!
MERAK: No, Doctor, I'm staying here.
DOCTOR: What!
MERAK: I'm staying here to look for Astra.
ROMANA: But what about the Shadow?
MERAK: Astra! Astra!
(MERAK heads off.)
DOCTOR: No, Romana, come on.
[INT. TARDIS console room]
DOCTOR: Set the co-ordinates for Zeos.
(The DOCTOR sets the key on the table. Its hole is now sizeable.)
ROMANA: We're murderers. First Astra and now Merak.
DOCTOR: Romana, it wasn't our idea to use the Royal House of Atrios as carriers, was it?
ROMANA: No, but what happened to Astra was our fault. We're just pawns here to do the Guardian's dirty work.
DOCTOR: I don't like it any more than you do, but it's done. Have you set those co-ordinates yet?
ROMANA: Is that all you can say? She was a living being, and now what is she? A component. And Merak thinks she's still alive. No power should have that right, not even the Guardians. We must do something!
DOCTOR: Well, you could start by setting the co-ordinates for Zeos.
ROMANA: Why?
DOCTOR: Romana, you get carried away. If you don't set those co-ordinates, millions of people will die and this time it really will be our fault. Have you forgotten the time loop?
ROMANA: No, I hadn't forgotten the time loop. Can't you put the new segment in?
DOCTOR: In less than a second?
[INT. Zeos computer room]
(We are shown the countdown, which is now getting all the way down to 1. The TARDIS materialises, and Time Lord and Time Lady rush out.)
DOCTOR: Quick, cutters. Cutters!
DRAX: (running in) Here, what a mess in here.
DOCTOR: Listen, Drax. Drax, don't just stand there. What colour?
DRAX: Green, I think.
DOCTOR: What?
DRAX: Well, it's a long time since I done it. Er.
(He starts checking his pockets with the hand that's not holding his dimensional stabiliser.)
ROMANA: Quickly, Drax.
DRAX: Just a minute. Don't fluster me.
ROMANA: Hurry!
DRAX: I've got a diagram somewhere.
DOCTOR: Drax!
ROMANA: Drax!
DOCTOR: Drax!
DRAX: Right.
ROMANA: Drax!
DOCTOR: Drax!
DRAX: Pyramid, green! I told you.
(The DOCTOR cuts the wire. The countdown reaches zero in silence. It stays there without incident.)
DRAX: (looking at the wreck of Mentalis) Well, you didn't have to make such a mess of it all.
DOCTOR: Drax, you took your time. Where's K9?
DRAX: We found young Merak lying there dead to the world. Carrying him slowed us right down.
DOCTOR: Really. How is he?
DRAX: Well, he'll live.
ROMANA: Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes.
ROMANA: Aren't we forgetting something?
DOCTOR: I don't think so.
ROMANA: The Marshal!
DOCTOR: What? The Marshal.
ROMANA: Come on!
DOCTOR: Quick!
(They all dash into the TARDIS.)
[INT. Marshal's ship]
MARSHAL: Fire!
(The firing button lights up, and the missiles head on their way.)
MARSHAL: (smiling) Taste the moment of victory. Any second now, beautiful mushrooms will blossom and burst.
(The missiles veer past Zeos.)
MARSHAL: No! No! It's the wrong target!
(The Shadow's domain explodes instead as the missiles head round and hit it.)
[EXT. Space]
SHADOW: (lightly superimposed over the explosion) Sire. Sire. I have failed. The Doctor has accomplished his purpose. He has the Key to Time. Sire, I have failed.
GUARDIAN: (another image, in negative) I expected no less of you, you whimpering wraith. But your death is already encompassed in my designs, for now the Doctor shall release the key to me, and (he goes positive and takes the form of a rather more benign-looking Guardian, in white) chaos shall break upon the universe!
[INT. TARDIS console room]
DOCTOR: Well shot, Marshal! Ha-ha, well shot!
ROMANA: Doctor, he hit the planet of evil and he was aiming at Zeos!
DOCTOR: Well, I can't help what he was aiming at.
ROMANA: What did you do?
DOCTOR: A mere nothing. A mere deflective force field set up for a millisecond, set up between the Marshal and Zeos, bounced the missiles smack onto the planet of evil.
ROMANA: Is that all?
DOCTOR: Yes.
DRAX: Well, he might have told us, mightn't he, dog? We was expecting to get blasted into infinity.
K9: Affirmative.
DOCTOR: Well, I'm sorry about that-. I don't know what I'm apologising for. I just saved your lives! Can I drop you somewhere, Drax?
DRAX: No, thanks. I've got a contract job on down there.
DOCTOR: Contract job? No armaments, I hope.
DRAX: No. Reconstruction, war damage, scrap, and that. Me and the Marshal's going fifty--fifty.
ROMANA: You and the Marshal?
DRAX: Yeah, well, he's out of a job now, isn't he? I mean, no war, no job, so I took him on.
DOCTOR: When did you arrange this?
DRAX: In about half an hour's time, I should think.
DOCTOR: I see. Fifty--fifty?
DRAX: Well, sixty--forty, know what I mean?
DOCTOR: Ah.
DRAX: And if you ever want to get rid of that thing, (points to the full Key to Time) just let me know, won't you?
DOCTOR: I'll let you know. Bye-bye, Drax.
DRAX: Right then. Bye, all.
ROMANA: Goodbye.
DRAX: Remember me to Gallifrey.
DOCTOR: Bye-bye, Drax.
ROMANA: Goodbye.
(DRAX leaves, and ROMANA closes the TARDIS doors behind him.)
ROMANA: Right, I'll set the co-ordinates for Gallifrey, shall I?
DOCTOR: (staring intently at the key) Why Gallifrey?
ROMANA: Well, that's where we're going, isn't it?
DOCTOR: We have the power to do anything we like. Absolute power over every particle in the universe, everything that has ever existed or ever will exist. As from this moment-! Are you listening to me, Romana?
ROMANA: Yes, of course I'm listening.
DOCTOR: Because if you're not listening, I can make you listen, (rounds on her) because I can do anything. As from this moment, there's no such thing as free will in the entire universe. There's only my will, because I possess the Key to Time!
ROMANA: Doctor, are you all right?
DOCTOR: (instantly in a normal tone, without the rather maniacal look in his eyes) Well, of course I'm all right. But supposing I wasn't all right. Now, this thing makes me feel in such a way I'd be very worried if I felt like that about somebody else feeling like this about that. Do you understand?
ROMANA: Yes.
DOCTOR: What do you understand?
ROMANA: That the sooner we hand this over to the White Guardian...
DOCTOR+ROMANA: ...The better!
(They see a white-garbed GUARDIAN appear on the scanner.)
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: My congratulations to you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you, sir, thank you.
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: You performed your task with admirable dispatch. The universe has much to thank you for.
DOCTOR: Well, it was a pleasure, sir. Wasn't it a pleasure, Romana?
ROMANA: Doctor, that's not the President!
DOCTOR: What's the President got to do with it?
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: I can change my form or shape at will, my dear child. I appeared to you as the President so as not to alarm you.
DOCTOR: Just be careful who you're talking to.
ROMANA: Sorry, I-
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: You have the Key to Time, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Ah. Oh, I have, I have indeed, sir. (gestures) Do you like it?
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: Do I like it? Yes. Yes, I suppose you could say that ... I like it.
DOCTOR: Yes. We're very proud of it, sir. Aren't we, Romana, proud of it?
ROMANA: What? Oh, yes, yes.
DOCTOR: What happens now, sir? You said, if I remember in our first conversation, that once it was assembled, it would stop the entire universe and enable you to restore the natural balances of good and evil throughout the whole of the universe.
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: That is correct, Doctor. So, will you release the Key to me that I may do this?
DOCTOR: Certainly, sir, yes, certainly, of course. (he heads to the table) Key to Time, I command you-. Could I ask you something, sir?
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: Yes, Doctor?
DOCTOR: It's just that, well, the key is already assembled, sir. I mean, couldn't you restore the balances now?
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: Yes, Doctor, but I must have the key for safe-keeping. It is an awesomely powerful key.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, sir, yes, and mustn't be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. I quite understand, sir, yes. Key to Time, I command that-. What about the sixth segment?
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: What about it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, I mean, as you know, sir, the sixth segment was, in fact, a human being, and I mean, if the pieces are maintained in their present pattern, it means that she'll be imprisoned forever, sir.
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: That is, of course, regrettable.
DOCTOR: Very regrettable.
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: But, with the fate of the universe at stake...
DOCTOR: Quite. You can't be too careful. I quite understand. Key to Time, I command that (now rushed and less grandiose) you stay exactly where you are!
(The DOCTOR activates a control on the console.)
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: Doctor! You have fully activated all the TARDIS's defences!
DOCTOR: We can't be too careful, can we? And it would be a terrible tragedy for the universe if it suddenly turned out that I was colour-blind...
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: Doctor, release the key to me immediately!
DOCTOR: ...Unable to distinguish between the White Guardian and the Black Guardian.
ROMANA: Doctor, what do you mean?
DOCTOR: Look.
(The enraged GUARDIAN on the viewscreen goes negative.)
DOCTOR: Don't you see? The White Guardian would never have had such a callous disregard for human life.
ROMANA: Of course. Astra, the sixth segment. He would have dispersed it immediately.
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: Doctor, you shall die for this!
DOCTOR: I think not. Remember, the Key to Time is still mine, rage all you like.
GUARDIAN [on scanner]: I shall destroy you for this! I will disperse every particle of your being to the furthest reaches of eternity!
DOCTOR: Ah, well, I wish I could stay and watch you try, but you know how it is. Places to go, people to see, things to do. Romana?
ROMANA: Yes?
DOCTOR: When I give the signal...
ROMANA: Yes?
(He reaches for the tracer.)
DOCTOR: ...Dematerialise.
(He pulls the tracer from the key. The BLACK GUARDIAN growls on the screen.)
DOCTOR: Now!
(He breaks the tracer in half, and we see segments flying off into space. The haze clears, and ASTRA is corporeal once more.)
[INT. Merak's hospital ward]
ASTRA: Hello, Merak.
MERAK: (lying in a hospital bed) Astra? Astra, where are you?
ASTRA: I'm here.
(She takes his hand.)
MERAK: Astra.
(She looks down at him, content.)
[INT. TARDIS console room]
DOCTOR: You see, I think of everything.
ROMANA: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Hmm?
ROMANA: What exactly have you done with the Key to Time?
DOCTOR: Key to Time? Oh, well, I just scattered it round through space and time.
ROMANA: I see. So where are we going?
DOCTOR: Going? I don't know.
ROMANA: You have absolutely no sense of responsibility whatsoever.
DOCTOR: What?
ROMANA: (pointing at him and backing him against the wall as she speaks) You're capricious, arrogant, self-opinionated, irrational. And you don't even know where we're going.
DOCTOR: Exactly.
ROMANA: What?
DOCTOR: Well, if I knew where I was going, there'd be a chance the Black Guardian would too. Hmm?
ROMANA: Oh.
DOCTOR: Hence this new device. (He pats the console.)
ROMANA: What is it?
DOCTOR: Well, it's called a randomiser, and it's fitted to the guidance system and operates under a very complex scientific principle called pot luck.
(He sets the TARDIS in flight.)
DOCTOR: Now no-one knows where we're going, not even the Black Guardian.
ROMANA: Not even us.
(The DOCTOR grins.)
The above notes, transcription, etc. by Anna Shefl
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