katherine_b (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
katherine_b) wrote2009-04-14 08:55 pm
katherine_b) wrote2009-04-14 08:55 pm
Entry tags:
Planet of the Dead transcript Part 2
In case you missed it, part 1 is here.
[The 'something new' – a Tritovore - is now holding the Doctor and Christina at gunpoint. It makes various clicks and squeaks, and the Doctor makes similar sounds in return.]
D [to Christina]: It's waiting. 'I shall wait.' People usually wait.
CdS: You speak the language?
D: Every language.
[The Doctor and the Tritovore exchange words. Christina looks lost.]
D: Begging for mercy.
[The Tritovore waves its gun.]
CdS: It means move.
D: Ooh, you're learning!
[They walk uneasily ahead of the Tritovore across the sand.]
CdS: These fly things - they must be responsible. They brought us here.
D: No, no, no, no, no. Look at the ship. It's a wreck. They crashed just like us.
CdS [inside ship]: Ugh! But this place is freezing!
D: Mm, the hull's made of therpotreen steel. So it's cold when it's hot. Boiling desert outside, freezing ship inside. There's something about you, Christina, you've been through all the extremes.
CdS: That's how I like things – extreme.
D [as they enter another chamber]: Oh, this is beautiful! Intact, it must have been magnificent! A proper, streamlined, deep-spacer.
CdS: I'll remember that as I'm being slowly tortured. At least I'm bleeding on the floor of a really well-designed spaceship.
[Another Tritovore joins the first and they both aim guns at the Doctor and Christina. One presses a button on his suit and a purple light turns on.]
D [trying to look pleased]: All right, good, yes. Hello. [to Christina] That's their telepathic translator. He can understand us.
CdS [after further clicks]: Still sounds like gibberish to me.
D [nodding at the Tritovores]: That's what I said, he can understand us. Doesn't work the other way round! [translating for her] You will suffer for your crimes. Et cetera. You have committed an act of violence against the Tritovore race. Tritovores, they're called! Tritovores. [Christina nods] You came here in the 200 to destroy us. Sorry, wh- whats the 200?
CdS: It's the bus. Number 200. They mean the bus.
D: Oh! No, no, I think you're making the same mistake Christina did. I'm the Doctor, by the way, and this is Christina. The Honourable Lady Christina. At least I hope she's honourable. We got pulled through that wormhole. The 200 doesn't look like that normally. It's broken, just the same as you.
[The Tritovores discuss this for several moments before lowering their guns.]
CdS [suspiciously]: What are they doing?
D [calmly]: They believe me.
CdS: What, simple as that?
D: I've got a very honest face.
D: And the translator says I'm telling the truth. [exchanges glances with Christina] Plus the face! Right, so, first thing's first [he bounds away over to the controls] there's a very strange storm heading our way. Can you send out a probe? [Tritovore says something and the Doctor leans over the machinery] Ooh, they've lost power. The crash knocked the mainline crystal out of sync. But [begins struggling with a knob] if we could get it back...
[He gives the machinery the same sort of kick he gives the TARDIS and it flares into life. Christina grins.]
D: Why, thank you! [grins proudly as the Tritovore speaks] Yes I am! Frequently! Okey-doke! Let's launch that probe!
[Something comes off the ship and flies away. The screen shows a glorious cloud of colour and light.]
D: The Scorpion Nebula. We're on the other side of the Universe. Just what you wanted [he turns to Christina] so far away.
[They are sitting in front of a screen showing the Scorpion Nebula in the control room of the Tritovore ship.]
D: Planet of San Helios.
CdS [pointing at the rotating planet on the screen]: And that's us. We're on another world!
D [carelessly]: We have been for quite a while!
CdS: I know, but seeing it like that...
D [grins as if he's done it all himself]: I know. It's good, isn't it?
CdS: Wonderful!
[The Tritovores speak and the Doctor listens.]
D: The Tritovores were going to trade with San Helios. Population of 100 billion. Plenty of waste matter for them to absorb.
CdS [distastefully]: By waste matter, you mean...
D [uneasily]: They feed off what others leave behind from their – behind – if you see what I mean. Perfectly natural, they are flies!
CdS: Charming. Just remind me never to kiss them.
[The Doctor and Christina look at the images on a screen, which show a city with roads and buildings. The Tritovores speak.]
D [slowly]: San Helios city.
CdS [in wonder]: That's amazing. But [pause] you've seen this sort of thing before, haven't you?
D: Thousands of times.
CdS: That lordship of yours. Lord of where exactly?
D: Of time. [exchanges glances] I come from a race of people called Time Lords.
CdS: You're an alien?
D [slowly]: Yeah. But you don't have to kiss me either.
CdS: You look human.
D [looking at her]: You look Time Lord. [looks her up and down] Anyway...
CdS: So, if that's San Helios, all we need to do is find that city. They can help us.
D [looking at Tritovores]: I don't think it's that simple.
[The Tritovores speak and then the screen changes to sand dunes.]
D: We're in the city right now.
CdS: But it's sand! That first image, the temples and things, what's that then? Ancient history?
D [looks at the Tritovores as they speak and then back to the screen]: The image was taken last year.
CdS [in horror]: It became a desert – in one year?
D [picking up handful of sand]: I said there was something in the sand. [lets it run through his fingers] The city, the oceans, the mountains, the wildlife and a hundred billion people turned to sand. All those voices in Carmen's head. She's hearing them die.
CdS [disbelieving]: But I've got sand in my hair. That's dead people! Ugh, that's disgusting! Ugh!
D [not listening]: Something destroyed the whole of San Helios.
CdS: Yes, but in my hair!
[The mobile rings and the Doctor breaks out of his thoughts to answer it.]
D: Malcolm, tell me the bad news.
MT [breathless]: Oh, you are clever. It is bad news! It's the wormhole, Doctor, it's getting bigger! We've gone way past 100 bernards. I haven't invented a name for that!
D: How can it get bigger by itself?
MT: Well, that's why I'm phoning. You'll work it out if I know you, sir.
EM: Doctor, we estimate the circumference of your invisible wormhole is now four miles heading upward. I've grounded all flights above London. We can't risk anyone else falling through.
D: Ah, good work, both of you.
EM: But I have to know – does that wormhole constitute a danger to this planet?
D [as beeping noise makes him look at the phone]: Ooh, sorry, call waiting, gotta go.
EM [disbelieving]: Call waiting?
MT [holds up phone with mischievous grin]: He's a devil, that one!
D [presses button]: Yeah?
Nathan [breathless]: Doctor, it's Nathan, we've got those dumbolt things down, but...
Angela [tearful]: It's my fault.
Nathan [firmly]: No, it's not. Don't say that!
D [anxious]: Why, what's happened?
Nathan: We kept on turning the engine, but... we're out of petrol. Used all up. Even if we can get those wheels out, this bus – is never gonna move.
[The Doctor lets the phone drop away from his ear, staring into space.
CdS: What is it, what's wrong? Doctor, tell me!
Nathan: You promised you'd get us home. [pause] Doctor, are you still there?
CdS: Doctor, tell me, what did he say?
[An alarm makes the Doctor look around as a Tritovore leaps for the screen.]
D: It's the probe, it's reached the storm.
CdS [as the Tritovore keeps clicking]: And what's he saying?
D: It's not a storm.
[A shot shows the probe flying through the 'storm' which is actually millions of robotic stingrays flying in huge sweeping clouds.]
CdS [seeing this on the screen]: It's a swarm! Millions of them.
D: Billions. [one aims at the probe and the image dies] Oh, we've lost the probe. It got eaten. Everything on this planet gets eaten!
CdS [pointing at screen]: How far away is that swarm?
D: A hundred miles, but at that speed it'll be here in 20 minutes. [to Tritovore, which has been speaking] No, no, no, they're not just coming for us. They want the wormhole.
CdS [realising]: They're heading for Earth?
D [waves hand]: Show the ananlysis. [peers at image of stingray] Incredible. They swarm out of the wormhole, strip the planet bare and then move on to the next world. Start the lifecycle all over again.
CdS [uneasy]: So, they make the wormholes?
D: They must do.
CdS: But how? They don't exactly look like technicians. And if the wormhole belongs to them, why are they 100 miles away?
D [uncomfortable]: 'Cos they need to be? No, that's bonkers. Hang on. Yes! Oh! You see, billions of them flying in formation all the way round the planet. Round and round and round. Faster and faster and faster until they generate a rupture in space! The speed of them and the numbers and the size – all of that rips the wormhole into existence.
CdS [desperately]: And the wormhole's getting bigger?
D: Because they're getting closer.
CdS: But how'd they get through? 'Cos that wormhole's a killer – we've seen it.
D: No, no, no. Look. [points at image on screen] See the exoskeleton.
CdS: Metal?
D: They've got bones of metal. They eat metal to extrude it into the exoskeleton. So the velocity makes the wormhole and then their body makes it safe. A perfect design.
CdS [horrified grimace]: Those things are going to turn the entire Earth into a desert? [looks at the Doctor] So why exactly are you smiling?
D [grins]: The worse it gets, the more I love it.
CdS [grinning]: Me, too!
[The Doctor smiles and dashes away. The metal stingrays swoop closer to the bus. The sound becomes audible to everyone on the bus.]
* * *
Nathan: Sounds like a storm.
Angela: If it rains, we got water.
C: No water. All of it – dust. But the girl!
Lou: Don't ask, sweetheart. What girl?
C: The girl – she will fly!
* * *
CdS: Thing is, Doctor, your missing the obvious. We came here through the wormhole, yes? But our Tritovore friends didn't. They came here to trade with San Helios. Therefore the question is, why did they crash?
D: Oh. Good question. [peers back over his shoulder at her] What a team. [turns to Tritovores] Like she said, why did you crash?
[The Doctor follows the Tritovore to a huge hole that looks down at something glowing gold.]
D: Oh, yes! Gravity room. Look. Goes all the way down to the engine. So what happened? [listens to Tritovore response] He says the drive system stalled. Ten miles up they fell out of the sky. But what caused that?
[Tritovore shrugs and Christina turns to the Doctor.]
CdS: Which means no idea.
D: Yeah. But wait a minute [points into hole] That's a crystal nucleus down there, yes? Looks like it survived the crash and the crystal's intact. Ooh, yes! That's better than diesel!
CdS: What, you can use a crystal to move the bus?
D: I think so! [looking around] Place is a write-off, but the 200's small enough.
CdS: How does a crystal drive a bus?
D: In a – super clever – outspacey way. Trust me. There's the crystal, it's fallen into the bottom of the well! Have you got access shafts? [listens to Tritovore] All frozen – well, maybe I can open them! Aah! [picks up earpiece] Internal comms. [hands one to Christine] Put that on! You stay here. Keep an eye on the shaft. Tell me if anything happens.
[The Tritovores follow the Doctor out of the room. Christina goes to the edge of the hole and looks down, taking off her backpack.]
D [dashing back into control room]: If I can use that sunlight to start the automatic maintenance. Christina, if you see a panel opening in that shaft, let me know.
[Smiling, Christina opens her backpack and begins fishing around in it.]
CdS: Nothing yet.
D [plugging something in]: Anything now?
CdS [as she tucks up her hair]: 'Fraid not.
D [fiddling with something]: Any sign of movement?
CdS [opening bag]: Nope!
D [plugging something else in]: How's that?
CdS [setting up winch]: Nothing.
D [and something else]: Any result?
CdS [attaching cable]: Not a dickey-bird. [attaches clips to her waist] So let me get this right. You need that crystal? [checks her torch works and then pulls on wires] Then consider it done!
D [blowing into box to clear connection]: Why, what d'you mean? [checks it] Christina? [realises what she's doing and runs back to the other room] Christina!
CdS: The aristocracy survived for a reason. [smirks over her shoulder as the Doctor runs back into the room] We're ready for anything.
[She falls forward and the Doctor just catches himself on the edge.]
D: No!
[She falls through the shaft as she did to get the cup from the museum. The Doctor is sonicing the winch, muttering 'Come on' to himself as it lets off green lights. Christina's fall is abruptly halted.]
D [satisfied]: That's better!
CdS [smugly]: I decide when I stop, thank you!
D: You're about to hit the security grid – look!
CdS [taken aback]: Excellent. So what do I do?
D: Try the big, red button.
[She presses it and the grid fades away.]
CdS: Well done!
D: Now come back up. I can do that.
CdS: Oh, don't you wish!
D [gives in, knowing what she's going to do]: Slowly!
CdS [as she descends]: Yes, sir!
[She drops further, head-first now.]
D: Like a mystery, don't you? Lady Christina de Souza. Carrying a winch in her bag.
CdS: No stranger than you, space man.
D [sad]: I had this friend once. [swallowing hard] She called me spaceman.
CdS: And was she right? Do you zoom about the place in a rocket?
D: Well, little blue box. Travels in more than space. It can journey through time, Christina. Oh, the places I've been. World War I. Creation of the universe. End of the universe. War between China and Japan. [peers into bag to find the cup Christina stole from the museum] And the court of King Athelstan in 924 AD. I don't remember you being there. [takes cup of the bag] So what are you doing with this?
CdS: Excuse me. A gentleman never goes through a lady's possessions.
D [in response to Tritovore]: It's the cup of Athelstan. It was given to the first King of Britain as a coronation gift by Hywel, King of the Welsh. It's been held in the International Gallery for 200 years. Which makes you, Lady Christina, a thief!
CdS: I like to think I liberated it!
D: Don't tell me you need the money.
CdS: Daddy lost everything. Invested his fortunte in the Icelandic banks.
D: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're short of cash, you rob a bank. Stealing this – that's a lifestyle.
CdS: I take it you disapprove.
D: Absolutely! Except – that little blue box [rueful] I stole it. From my own people.
CdS: Good boy! You were right – we're quite a team!
[A metallic roar is heard.]
CdS: What the blazes was that?
D: We never did find out why the ship crashed. Christina, I think you should come back up!
CdS: Too late. I can see it.
D: Careful, slowly. [to Tritovore] Have you got an open vent system? [in response to Tritovore] Thought so.
CdS: What does that mean?
D: It's like when birds fly into the engines of an aircraft.
CdS [looks sideways and sees stingray nearby]: One of the creatures.
D: They're all trapped in the vents. Caused the crash. Christina, get out!
CdS: It's not moving, I think it's injured.
D: No, it's dormant because they're so cold down there, but your body heat is raising the temperature.
CdS [breathlessly]: I tend to have that effect. [reaches for crystal] Almost there!
D [urgently]: Not just the crystal, I need the whole bed, the plate thing.
[Christina finally grabs the plate, just as the stingray comes to life.]
CdS: I've got it!
D [aiming sonic screwdriver at winch]: Come on, come on!
[Christina is pulled up the vent, chased by the stingray, which is crashing against the sides, setting off sparks.]
D: Come on, come on, come on, come on. It's going to eat its way up!
[As Christina flies past, she presses the red button, activating the security grid. The stingray is fried in the lasers.]
D: Ooh, she's good! [rushing to the side to get her] That's it, that's it, that's it. I've got you, I've got you. [listens to Tritovore and then grins proudly at Christina] Isn't she just?
[They run back through the ship, led by the Tritovore.]
D: Commander, we should leave this place now. We should get back to the 200, all of us. [listens impatiently] Oh, don't be so daft! The Captain can leave his ship [in mock-seriousness] if there's a bus standing by!
[A roar makes everyone jump.]
CdS: What the hell was that? Is this place safe? [hears noises] It's the creature, it's not dead!
D [listening to Tritovores]: Maybe you didn't hit just one of them. If you hit a swarm...
CdS: D'you mean there's more on board.
D: This ship's built inside a metal sleeve. They can move through the infrastructure all around us! [sand falls in front of them] And those things wake up hungry. Come on! [holds hand out to Tritovores] Are you going to come with us right now?
CdS: Come back to Earth, we'll find you a home!
D: That's the word of a Lady! Come on!
[They are running away when one Tritovore goes back to the console. As he's fiddling, one of the stingrays breaks through the ceiling. Christina screams. The stingray drags off the first Tritovore and the second aims his gun at it.]
D [desperately]: No, don't!
[The second Tritovore is consumed.]
D: There's nothing we can do. Run!
[They flee the ship, the Doctor still carrying the grid and Christina with her backpack. They race ahead of the glittering storm back to the bus. The others see the storm from the bus windows.]
Angela: What sort of storm is that?
C [quiet desperation]: Run. Run. Run. Run. [increasing urgency] Run. Run! Run!
[The Doctor and Christina are running down a dune as the mobile phone rings. The Doctor manages to get it out of his pocket.
MT: Er, Doctor, I...
D [screaming]: Not now Malcolm!
MT [understanding]: Fair dos. He's a busy man.
[As the Doctor and Christina run down to the bus, the boys come out to see them.]
Nathan: At last! Where have you been?
D: Get inside! Get them sitting down. Now then, let's have a look.
CdS [as the Doctor picks up the crystal]: So what does the crystal do?
D [throwing it away]: Oh, nothing, don't need the crystal.
CdS: Oh, I've risked my life for that!
D: No, no, you risked you life for these. [runs to attach it to a wheel] The clamps! [attaches them to the bus] One there! Another one. One there, and one there.
CdS: So what are the clamps for? Do they turn the wheels?
D: Meh, something like that. Have you got a hammer in that bag?
CdS: Funnily enough...
[As she goes to get it out, the Doctor pulls out the phone and hands it to her.]
D: Press redial. [into phone] Malcolm, it's me.
MT: I'm ready.
D: Ready for what?
MT: I don't know, you tell me!
D [as he attaches the plate to the steering wheel while Christina holds the phone to his ear]: I'm going to try to get back, but listen, there might be something following us. You need to find a way to close the wormhole.
MT [smugly]: Would that be a compressed burst of feedback on a counter oscillation perchance?
D [grinning]: Oh, Malcolm, you're brilliant!
MT: Coming from you, sir, that means the world.
EM [warily]: Doctor, what sort of 'something'? That wormhole is now measuring ten miles and growing. I need to know the exact nature of the threat.
D: Sorry, gotta go. [nods at Christina to disconnect the call]
* * *
EM [into radio]: All troops mobilise and stand ready. Possible code red. Unknown.
Soldier: Understood. Code red. Repeat code red. Positions!
[Troops fall into position, ready to fire into the wormhole as soon as anything appears.]
* * *
[The Doctor attaches the clamps to the steering wheel and fights to make it start, but it only hisses and sparks.]
D [frustrated]: Ugh, it's not compatible. Bus, spaceship, spaceship, bus. I need to weld the two systems together.
CdS: And how d'you do that?
D: I need something non-corrosive, er, something malleable, something ductile, something [realises and turns to Christina] gold.
CdS [shaking her head and smiling in disbelief]: Oh, no you don't.
D: Christina, what is it worth now?
Barclay [showing watch]: Hey, hey, hey. Use this.
D [dismissively]: I said gold.
Barclay: It is gold.
D: [to Barclay] Oh, they saw you coming. [to Christina] Christina!
[As Barclay slopes away, Christina looks at him with a pained expression on her face and then turns to the bag. She looks up at the people sitting on the bus and then back down again before fishing out the cup of Athelstan and handing it to him.]
CdS: It's over 1,000 years old, worth 18 million pounds. [handing it to the Doctor, who takes it like the priceless relic it is] Promise me you'll be careful.
D: I promise.
[He turns it upside down and then grabs the mallet, resting the cup on the ticket machine as he beats it into shape. Christina watches in shock before shaking her head.]
CdS: I hate you.
* * *
MT [typing busily and then looks up]: Done it. Transmit that and the wormhole should close.
EM [grins]: Then do it.
MT [worried]: Well after the Doctor's come through obviously.
EM [softly]: I'm sorry. Believe me, that wormhole constitutes a major threat, and I have a duty to every man, woman and child on this planet. It's got to be closed. Immediately.
[Malcolm stutters and is about to explain when she talks over him.]
EM [coldly]: That's an order.
MT: No, no, no, no. No, we can't just abandon him – he's the Doctor! How many times has he saved our lives? I won't let you, ma'am. I simply won't.
[Captain Magamo pulls out a gun and cocks it.]
EM: Right now, soldier.
* * *
D: This is your driver speaking. Hold on tight.
Barclay: Wh-what for? What's he doing?
CdS: Do as he says! [turning to the Doctor] What are you doing?
D [revving the engine]: Come on, that's it! You can do it, my beauty. One last trip!
[The bus wobbles and smoke rises from the wheels. The Doctor stands up in the seat as if his weight can help to lift the bus. Everyone on board cries out, most in fear, although Christina is grinning with delight.]
Barclay: Oh, you are so kidding me!
Nathan: We're flying! It's flying!
Lou: It's flying! The bus!
Angela: It's a miracle!
D: Anti-gravity cloud – didn't I say? Round we go! [turns to the bus to face the wormhole]
[Everyone cries as the bus spins and turns to face the wormhole.]
C [glances out back window]: Doctor! They're coming!
[The Doctor opens the driver's window to peer into the rearview mirror and see the cloud of stingrays.]
* * *
MT [holding the keyboard like a shield]: I will never surrender. Never!
* * *
CdS [desperately]: D'you think we'll survive the journey back?
D: Only one way to find out! Next stop!
CdS: Planet Earth!
[Everyone screams as the bus is suddenly in darkness, except the Doctor, who looks almost ridiculously proud of himself. The UNIT soldiers stare as the bus flies through the wormhole and right over their heads.]
Barclay [peering out the window]: It's London!
Angela [teary with relief]: Oh, we're back home!
Nathan [thrilled]: He did it. He did it!
[One of the soldiers runs to the UNIT truck.]
Soldier: Captain! [he bangs on the door] Captain, they're back! It's the bus, ma'am, it's come back! And it's flying!
[Captain Magambo lowers the gun she was aiming at Malcolm and turns to the door. Malcolm stares after her as she leaves to look up into the sky. Then the first of three stingrays come through the wormhole.]
EM: Code red! Fire at will!
[The UNIT soldiers begin firing at the stingrays. People on the bus duck as they hear bullets bouncing off the vehicle. Malcolm is peering out of the window when his mobile phone rings.]
D: Malcolm! Close that wormhole!
MT: Yes, sir! My pleasure, sir! [disconnects call]
D [looking at phone in disbelief]: He's hung up on me!
[Malcolm presses F8 and immediately things begin exploding around him.]
MT: Oh, no. No! Gah! [as he's blown backwards in his chair]
[As UNIT soldiers continue firing at the stingrays, Malcolm juggles a fire extinguisher. He presses the lever and immediately sprays foam all over the inside of the truck. The Doctor presses redial and Malcolm's phone rings.]
D: Malcolm!
MT: Not now, I'm busy!
[Malcolm hangs up again and the Doctor stares at the phone once more.]
D: He's hung up again! [waits for Malcolm to answer] Malcolm, listen to me!
MT [in defeat]: It's not working!
D: I need that signal. We've got billions of those things about to fly through.
MT [waves hands in desperation]: Well, what do I do?
D: Use the backfeed integrator and keep the signal ramping up!
MT: But by how much?
D [frustrated, extemporising]: 500 bernards. Do it now!
[Malcolm watches as the image of the wormhole disappears from the screen.]
MT: Yes!
[The wormhole twitches and then dies. The remaining stingrays are trapped on San Helios. Those that got through are shot down by UNIT. Malcolm opens the door to the van and yells in delight. DI McMillan and the other police are cowering behind their cars, fingers in their ears.]
EM: Target at nine o'clock. [shoots it dead and grins] I don't believe it! Guns that work!
Nathan [looking out the window in fear]: Doctor, it's coming for us!
D [peers over]: Oh, no you don't! [turns the bus hard right, whacking the stingray with the rear end]
EM: Twelve o'clock, take it out! [the cannon shoots it dead] Cease fire!
Soldier [echoes]: Cease fire!
EM: Arms down.
CdS [as she and the Doctor smile in relief]: Did I say I hated you? [he turns to look at her] I was lying.
[She grabs his tie and jacket lapels, pulling him towards her and planting a kiss on his mouth. The other passengers laugh and then cheer and applaud, except for Angela, who is in tears.]
D [nodding at the line on the floor of the bus]: Do not step forward of this point. Ladies and gentlemen [looking into rearview mirror at the other passengers] you have reached your final destination. Welcome home the mighty 200!
[He brings the bus in to land as Captain Magambo, Malcolm, the UNIT soldiers and the police watch in open-mouthed amazement. The UNIT soldiers break into applause as he lands the bus with a jolt on the road in front of the tunnel. The passengers cry and/or laugh with relief. The Doctor points the sonic screwdriver at the door to open it and everyone collects their belongings to leave.]
Soldier: Welcome back everyone. Step away from the bus just to be safe. As fast as you can, thank you. Standard procedure, we need to screen you and then you'll all be taken for debriefing.
D [showing psychic paper]: I don't count.
CdS: No, but Doctor...
Soldier [grabbing her arm]: With me ma'am.
[Captain Magambo moves to talk to the Doctor, but Malcolm gets in first.]
MT: Doctor!
D: You must be Malcolm.
MT: Oh! [grabs him around the chest] Oh! Oh, I love you!
[Captain Magambo stifles a grin and the Doctor has a foolish smile on his face.]
MT: I love you! [pulls away] I – I love you!
EM [quietly]: To your station, Dr Taylor.
MT [shaking his head as if waking up and then turns to the Captain]: Er, yes ma'am.
[During this, the Doctor eyes Captain Magambo as if he understands some of the byplay that's been going on and why Malcolm is so enthusiastic.]
MT [turns back and points at the Doctor]: I love you!
[The Doctor silently points right back at him. Malcolm, thrilled to bits, heads into the UNIT truck as Captain Magambo steps towards the Doctor.]
EM: Doctor [salutes] I salute you whether you like it or not.
[The Doctor cringes away as if he's been slapped.]
EM [briskly]: Now, I take it we're safe from those things.
D: They'll start again, generate a new doorway. It's not their fault, it's their natural lifecycle. But – I'll see if I can launch the wormholes onto uninhabited planets. Closer to home, Captain [turns to the other survivors from the bus] those two lads [looking at Nathan and Barclay] very good in a crisis. Nathan needs a job, Barclay's good with engines, you could do a lot worse. Privates Nathan and Barclay. UNIT's finest. [waggles his eyebrows at her]
EM [softly]: I'll see what I can do. [more loudly] And I've got something for you.
[The Doctor turns in the direction Captain Magambo is facing and sees the TARDIS on the back of a lorry where it is just being uncovered.]
D: Hoh ho ho. Better than a bus any day! Hello!
EM: Found in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
D: Oh, she doesn't mind.
EM: Now, I've got three dead alien stingrays to clear up. I don't suppose you fancy helping with the paperwork.
D [smiling]: Not a chance.
EM [offering her hand]: Until we meet again, Doctor.
D [shaking her hand]: I hope so.
Angela [talking on her phone]: I said I'm back Suzanne. I'm home! [looks up at Nathan, who is next to her] Didn't even know I was gone.
[She and Nathan both laugh.]
CdS [frustrated, as she bolts away from the UNIT soldier scanning her]: That's quite enough of that!
DI McMillan: She is not getting away this time!
CdS: The little blue box, just like you said. Right then, off we go! [flirtatiously] Come on, Doctor, show me the stars.
D [serious, shaking his head]: No.
CdS [disbelieving]: What?
D: I said no.
CdS [critical]: But I saved your life. And you saved mine.
D: So?
CdS [looking around]: We're surrounded by police, I'll go to prison!
D [nodding]: Yeah.
CdS [pleading]: But you were right, it's not about the money. I only steal things for the adventure, and today, with you – I want more days like this. I want every day to be like this! We're made for each other – you said so yourself! The perfect team!
[The Doctor simply looks at her and her expression of expectation and delight fades.]
CdS [sadly, knowing she can't change his mind]: Why not?
D: People have travelled with me and I've lost them. Lost them all. Never again.
DI McMillan: Lady Christina de Souza. Oh, I have waited a long time to say this! I am arresting you on suspicion of theft.
[As she's handcuffed, Christina looks at the Doctor, who is staring at the ground, leaning against the TARDIS.]
DI McMillan: You don't have to say anything, et cetera, et cetera. Dennison, take her away!
[Carmen and Lou are escorted by several UNIT officers past the TARDIS. Carmen stops and looks at the Doctor.]
C [cautiously]: Doctor. [he looks up at them] You take care now.
D [cheerfully]: You, too. Chops and gravy, lovely!
C: No. But you be careful. Because your song is ending, sir.
D [the smile dissolves]: What d'you mean?
C: It is returning. It is returning through the dark. And then, Doctor – oh, but then... [nods] He will knock four times.
[The Doctor looks at her in confusion and fear. She watches him for a moment before moving away. He stares after her before peering around the corner of the TARDIS to see Christina being put into a police car. He fishes the sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and points it at the handcuffs. She stares at him in hurt confusion until the cuffs slide open. There's a miniscule smile on her face as he replaces the sonic in his pocket. Then she ducks out of the car door on the far side and runs back through the police lines and UNIT troops.]
DI McMillan [chasing after her]: No, don't! Stop that woman! Stop that woman! Stop her!
[Christina runs to the bus as UNIT soldiers move aside the barriers that blocked the road.]
DI McMillan: Don't just stand there, stop her!
[As Christina scrambles onto the bus, the Doctor strolls up beside one of the cars. She closes the door just in time to stop DI McMillan getting on board. He pounds on the door.]
DI McMillan: Open the door! I'll add resisting arrest!
D [coming up]: I'd step back if I were you.
DI McMillan [pointing at him]: I'm charging you, too. Aiding and abetting.
D: Yes. [points at the TARDIS] I'll just step inside this police box and arrest myself.
DI McMillan [pointing radio at Christina]: Out now!
[She waves at him and then starts up the bus. DI McMillan stares at the ground in confusion before stepping back as the bus takes flight.]
DI McMillan [bellows]: No! Come back!
[Barclay and Angela laugh in delight at the sight of her escaping.]
Angela: Go on!
[Malcolm and Captain Magambo watch her leave. Lou and Carmen wave.]
[The Doctor is about to get into the TARDIS. He turns as the bus hovers above his head and Christina opens the door.]
Cds: We could have been so good together!
D: Christina - we were!
[He grins as she closes the door and smiles at him in return before steering the bus away. The other passengers cheer as she leaves and the Doctor gets into the TARDIS.]
[The 'something new' – a Tritovore - is now holding the Doctor and Christina at gunpoint. It makes various clicks and squeaks, and the Doctor makes similar sounds in return.]
D [to Christina]: It's waiting. 'I shall wait.' People usually wait.
CdS: You speak the language?
D: Every language.
[The Doctor and the Tritovore exchange words. Christina looks lost.]
D: Begging for mercy.
[The Tritovore waves its gun.]
CdS: It means move.
D: Ooh, you're learning!
[They walk uneasily ahead of the Tritovore across the sand.]
CdS: These fly things - they must be responsible. They brought us here.
D: No, no, no, no, no. Look at the ship. It's a wreck. They crashed just like us.
CdS [inside ship]: Ugh! But this place is freezing!
D: Mm, the hull's made of therpotreen steel. So it's cold when it's hot. Boiling desert outside, freezing ship inside. There's something about you, Christina, you've been through all the extremes.
CdS: That's how I like things – extreme.
D [as they enter another chamber]: Oh, this is beautiful! Intact, it must have been magnificent! A proper, streamlined, deep-spacer.
CdS: I'll remember that as I'm being slowly tortured. At least I'm bleeding on the floor of a really well-designed spaceship.
[Another Tritovore joins the first and they both aim guns at the Doctor and Christina. One presses a button on his suit and a purple light turns on.]
D [trying to look pleased]: All right, good, yes. Hello. [to Christina] That's their telepathic translator. He can understand us.
CdS [after further clicks]: Still sounds like gibberish to me.
D [nodding at the Tritovores]: That's what I said, he can understand us. Doesn't work the other way round! [translating for her] You will suffer for your crimes. Et cetera. You have committed an act of violence against the Tritovore race. Tritovores, they're called! Tritovores. [Christina nods] You came here in the 200 to destroy us. Sorry, wh- whats the 200?
CdS: It's the bus. Number 200. They mean the bus.
D: Oh! No, no, I think you're making the same mistake Christina did. I'm the Doctor, by the way, and this is Christina. The Honourable Lady Christina. At least I hope she's honourable. We got pulled through that wormhole. The 200 doesn't look like that normally. It's broken, just the same as you.
[The Tritovores discuss this for several moments before lowering their guns.]
CdS [suspiciously]: What are they doing?
D [calmly]: They believe me.
CdS: What, simple as that?
D: I've got a very honest face.
D: And the translator says I'm telling the truth. [exchanges glances with Christina] Plus the face! Right, so, first thing's first [he bounds away over to the controls] there's a very strange storm heading our way. Can you send out a probe? [Tritovore says something and the Doctor leans over the machinery] Ooh, they've lost power. The crash knocked the mainline crystal out of sync. But [begins struggling with a knob] if we could get it back...
[He gives the machinery the same sort of kick he gives the TARDIS and it flares into life. Christina grins.]
D: Why, thank you! [grins proudly as the Tritovore speaks] Yes I am! Frequently! Okey-doke! Let's launch that probe!
[Something comes off the ship and flies away. The screen shows a glorious cloud of colour and light.]
D: The Scorpion Nebula. We're on the other side of the Universe. Just what you wanted [he turns to Christina] so far away.
[They are sitting in front of a screen showing the Scorpion Nebula in the control room of the Tritovore ship.]
D: Planet of San Helios.
CdS [pointing at the rotating planet on the screen]: And that's us. We're on another world!
D [carelessly]: We have been for quite a while!
CdS: I know, but seeing it like that...
D [grins as if he's done it all himself]: I know. It's good, isn't it?
CdS: Wonderful!
[The Tritovores speak and the Doctor listens.]
D: The Tritovores were going to trade with San Helios. Population of 100 billion. Plenty of waste matter for them to absorb.
CdS [distastefully]: By waste matter, you mean...
D [uneasily]: They feed off what others leave behind from their – behind – if you see what I mean. Perfectly natural, they are flies!
CdS: Charming. Just remind me never to kiss them.
[The Doctor and Christina look at the images on a screen, which show a city with roads and buildings. The Tritovores speak.]
D [slowly]: San Helios city.
CdS [in wonder]: That's amazing. But [pause] you've seen this sort of thing before, haven't you?
D: Thousands of times.
CdS: That lordship of yours. Lord of where exactly?
D: Of time. [exchanges glances] I come from a race of people called Time Lords.
CdS: You're an alien?
D [slowly]: Yeah. But you don't have to kiss me either.
CdS: You look human.
D [looking at her]: You look Time Lord. [looks her up and down] Anyway...
CdS: So, if that's San Helios, all we need to do is find that city. They can help us.
D [looking at Tritovores]: I don't think it's that simple.
[The Tritovores speak and then the screen changes to sand dunes.]
D: We're in the city right now.
CdS: But it's sand! That first image, the temples and things, what's that then? Ancient history?
D [looks at the Tritovores as they speak and then back to the screen]: The image was taken last year.
CdS [in horror]: It became a desert – in one year?
D [picking up handful of sand]: I said there was something in the sand. [lets it run through his fingers] The city, the oceans, the mountains, the wildlife and a hundred billion people turned to sand. All those voices in Carmen's head. She's hearing them die.
CdS [disbelieving]: But I've got sand in my hair. That's dead people! Ugh, that's disgusting! Ugh!
D [not listening]: Something destroyed the whole of San Helios.
CdS: Yes, but in my hair!
[The mobile rings and the Doctor breaks out of his thoughts to answer it.]
D: Malcolm, tell me the bad news.
MT [breathless]: Oh, you are clever. It is bad news! It's the wormhole, Doctor, it's getting bigger! We've gone way past 100 bernards. I haven't invented a name for that!
D: How can it get bigger by itself?
MT: Well, that's why I'm phoning. You'll work it out if I know you, sir.
EM: Doctor, we estimate the circumference of your invisible wormhole is now four miles heading upward. I've grounded all flights above London. We can't risk anyone else falling through.
D: Ah, good work, both of you.
EM: But I have to know – does that wormhole constitute a danger to this planet?
D [as beeping noise makes him look at the phone]: Ooh, sorry, call waiting, gotta go.
EM [disbelieving]: Call waiting?
MT [holds up phone with mischievous grin]: He's a devil, that one!
D [presses button]: Yeah?
Nathan [breathless]: Doctor, it's Nathan, we've got those dumbolt things down, but...
Angela [tearful]: It's my fault.
Nathan [firmly]: No, it's not. Don't say that!
D [anxious]: Why, what's happened?
Nathan: We kept on turning the engine, but... we're out of petrol. Used all up. Even if we can get those wheels out, this bus – is never gonna move.
[The Doctor lets the phone drop away from his ear, staring into space.
CdS: What is it, what's wrong? Doctor, tell me!
Nathan: You promised you'd get us home. [pause] Doctor, are you still there?
CdS: Doctor, tell me, what did he say?
[An alarm makes the Doctor look around as a Tritovore leaps for the screen.]
D: It's the probe, it's reached the storm.
CdS [as the Tritovore keeps clicking]: And what's he saying?
D: It's not a storm.
[A shot shows the probe flying through the 'storm' which is actually millions of robotic stingrays flying in huge sweeping clouds.]
CdS [seeing this on the screen]: It's a swarm! Millions of them.
D: Billions. [one aims at the probe and the image dies] Oh, we've lost the probe. It got eaten. Everything on this planet gets eaten!
CdS [pointing at screen]: How far away is that swarm?
D: A hundred miles, but at that speed it'll be here in 20 minutes. [to Tritovore, which has been speaking] No, no, no, they're not just coming for us. They want the wormhole.
CdS [realising]: They're heading for Earth?
D [waves hand]: Show the ananlysis. [peers at image of stingray] Incredible. They swarm out of the wormhole, strip the planet bare and then move on to the next world. Start the lifecycle all over again.
CdS [uneasy]: So, they make the wormholes?
D: They must do.
CdS: But how? They don't exactly look like technicians. And if the wormhole belongs to them, why are they 100 miles away?
D [uncomfortable]: 'Cos they need to be? No, that's bonkers. Hang on. Yes! Oh! You see, billions of them flying in formation all the way round the planet. Round and round and round. Faster and faster and faster until they generate a rupture in space! The speed of them and the numbers and the size – all of that rips the wormhole into existence.
CdS [desperately]: And the wormhole's getting bigger?
D: Because they're getting closer.
CdS: But how'd they get through? 'Cos that wormhole's a killer – we've seen it.
D: No, no, no. Look. [points at image on screen] See the exoskeleton.
CdS: Metal?
D: They've got bones of metal. They eat metal to extrude it into the exoskeleton. So the velocity makes the wormhole and then their body makes it safe. A perfect design.
CdS [horrified grimace]: Those things are going to turn the entire Earth into a desert? [looks at the Doctor] So why exactly are you smiling?
D [grins]: The worse it gets, the more I love it.
CdS [grinning]: Me, too!
[The Doctor smiles and dashes away. The metal stingrays swoop closer to the bus. The sound becomes audible to everyone on the bus.]
Nathan: Sounds like a storm.
Angela: If it rains, we got water.
C: No water. All of it – dust. But the girl!
Lou: Don't ask, sweetheart. What girl?
C: The girl – she will fly!
CdS: Thing is, Doctor, your missing the obvious. We came here through the wormhole, yes? But our Tritovore friends didn't. They came here to trade with San Helios. Therefore the question is, why did they crash?
D: Oh. Good question. [peers back over his shoulder at her] What a team. [turns to Tritovores] Like she said, why did you crash?
[The Doctor follows the Tritovore to a huge hole that looks down at something glowing gold.]
D: Oh, yes! Gravity room. Look. Goes all the way down to the engine. So what happened? [listens to Tritovore response] He says the drive system stalled. Ten miles up they fell out of the sky. But what caused that?
[Tritovore shrugs and Christina turns to the Doctor.]
CdS: Which means no idea.
D: Yeah. But wait a minute [points into hole] That's a crystal nucleus down there, yes? Looks like it survived the crash and the crystal's intact. Ooh, yes! That's better than diesel!
CdS: What, you can use a crystal to move the bus?
D: I think so! [looking around] Place is a write-off, but the 200's small enough.
CdS: How does a crystal drive a bus?
D: In a – super clever – outspacey way. Trust me. There's the crystal, it's fallen into the bottom of the well! Have you got access shafts? [listens to Tritovore] All frozen – well, maybe I can open them! Aah! [picks up earpiece] Internal comms. [hands one to Christine] Put that on! You stay here. Keep an eye on the shaft. Tell me if anything happens.
[The Tritovores follow the Doctor out of the room. Christina goes to the edge of the hole and looks down, taking off her backpack.]
D [dashing back into control room]: If I can use that sunlight to start the automatic maintenance. Christina, if you see a panel opening in that shaft, let me know.
[Smiling, Christina opens her backpack and begins fishing around in it.]
CdS: Nothing yet.
D [plugging something in]: Anything now?
CdS [as she tucks up her hair]: 'Fraid not.
D [fiddling with something]: Any sign of movement?
CdS [opening bag]: Nope!
D [plugging something else in]: How's that?
CdS [setting up winch]: Nothing.
D [and something else]: Any result?
CdS [attaching cable]: Not a dickey-bird. [attaches clips to her waist] So let me get this right. You need that crystal? [checks her torch works and then pulls on wires] Then consider it done!
D [blowing into box to clear connection]: Why, what d'you mean? [checks it] Christina? [realises what she's doing and runs back to the other room] Christina!
CdS: The aristocracy survived for a reason. [smirks over her shoulder as the Doctor runs back into the room] We're ready for anything.
[She falls forward and the Doctor just catches himself on the edge.]
D: No!
[She falls through the shaft as she did to get the cup from the museum. The Doctor is sonicing the winch, muttering 'Come on' to himself as it lets off green lights. Christina's fall is abruptly halted.]
D [satisfied]: That's better!
CdS [smugly]: I decide when I stop, thank you!
D: You're about to hit the security grid – look!
CdS [taken aback]: Excellent. So what do I do?
D: Try the big, red button.
[She presses it and the grid fades away.]
CdS: Well done!
D: Now come back up. I can do that.
CdS: Oh, don't you wish!
D [gives in, knowing what she's going to do]: Slowly!
CdS [as she descends]: Yes, sir!
[She drops further, head-first now.]
D: Like a mystery, don't you? Lady Christina de Souza. Carrying a winch in her bag.
CdS: No stranger than you, space man.
D [sad]: I had this friend once. [swallowing hard] She called me spaceman.
CdS: And was she right? Do you zoom about the place in a rocket?
D: Well, little blue box. Travels in more than space. It can journey through time, Christina. Oh, the places I've been. World War I. Creation of the universe. End of the universe. War between China and Japan. [peers into bag to find the cup Christina stole from the museum] And the court of King Athelstan in 924 AD. I don't remember you being there. [takes cup of the bag] So what are you doing with this?
CdS: Excuse me. A gentleman never goes through a lady's possessions.
D [in response to Tritovore]: It's the cup of Athelstan. It was given to the first King of Britain as a coronation gift by Hywel, King of the Welsh. It's been held in the International Gallery for 200 years. Which makes you, Lady Christina, a thief!
CdS: I like to think I liberated it!
D: Don't tell me you need the money.
CdS: Daddy lost everything. Invested his fortunte in the Icelandic banks.
D: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're short of cash, you rob a bank. Stealing this – that's a lifestyle.
CdS: I take it you disapprove.
D: Absolutely! Except – that little blue box [rueful] I stole it. From my own people.
CdS: Good boy! You were right – we're quite a team!
[A metallic roar is heard.]
CdS: What the blazes was that?
D: We never did find out why the ship crashed. Christina, I think you should come back up!
CdS: Too late. I can see it.
D: Careful, slowly. [to Tritovore] Have you got an open vent system? [in response to Tritovore] Thought so.
CdS: What does that mean?
D: It's like when birds fly into the engines of an aircraft.
CdS [looks sideways and sees stingray nearby]: One of the creatures.
D: They're all trapped in the vents. Caused the crash. Christina, get out!
CdS: It's not moving, I think it's injured.
D: No, it's dormant because they're so cold down there, but your body heat is raising the temperature.
CdS [breathlessly]: I tend to have that effect. [reaches for crystal] Almost there!
D [urgently]: Not just the crystal, I need the whole bed, the plate thing.
[Christina finally grabs the plate, just as the stingray comes to life.]
CdS: I've got it!
D [aiming sonic screwdriver at winch]: Come on, come on!
[Christina is pulled up the vent, chased by the stingray, which is crashing against the sides, setting off sparks.]
D: Come on, come on, come on, come on. It's going to eat its way up!
[As Christina flies past, she presses the red button, activating the security grid. The stingray is fried in the lasers.]
D: Ooh, she's good! [rushing to the side to get her] That's it, that's it, that's it. I've got you, I've got you. [listens to Tritovore and then grins proudly at Christina] Isn't she just?
[They run back through the ship, led by the Tritovore.]
D: Commander, we should leave this place now. We should get back to the 200, all of us. [listens impatiently] Oh, don't be so daft! The Captain can leave his ship [in mock-seriousness] if there's a bus standing by!
[A roar makes everyone jump.]
CdS: What the hell was that? Is this place safe? [hears noises] It's the creature, it's not dead!
D [listening to Tritovores]: Maybe you didn't hit just one of them. If you hit a swarm...
CdS: D'you mean there's more on board.
D: This ship's built inside a metal sleeve. They can move through the infrastructure all around us! [sand falls in front of them] And those things wake up hungry. Come on! [holds hand out to Tritovores] Are you going to come with us right now?
CdS: Come back to Earth, we'll find you a home!
D: That's the word of a Lady! Come on!
[They are running away when one Tritovore goes back to the console. As he's fiddling, one of the stingrays breaks through the ceiling. Christina screams. The stingray drags off the first Tritovore and the second aims his gun at it.]
D [desperately]: No, don't!
[The second Tritovore is consumed.]
D: There's nothing we can do. Run!
[They flee the ship, the Doctor still carrying the grid and Christina with her backpack. They race ahead of the glittering storm back to the bus. The others see the storm from the bus windows.]
Angela: What sort of storm is that?
C [quiet desperation]: Run. Run. Run. Run. [increasing urgency] Run. Run! Run!
[The Doctor and Christina are running down a dune as the mobile phone rings. The Doctor manages to get it out of his pocket.
MT: Er, Doctor, I...
D [screaming]: Not now Malcolm!
MT [understanding]: Fair dos. He's a busy man.
[As the Doctor and Christina run down to the bus, the boys come out to see them.]
Nathan: At last! Where have you been?
D: Get inside! Get them sitting down. Now then, let's have a look.
CdS [as the Doctor picks up the crystal]: So what does the crystal do?
D [throwing it away]: Oh, nothing, don't need the crystal.
CdS: Oh, I've risked my life for that!
D: No, no, you risked you life for these. [runs to attach it to a wheel] The clamps! [attaches them to the bus] One there! Another one. One there, and one there.
CdS: So what are the clamps for? Do they turn the wheels?
D: Meh, something like that. Have you got a hammer in that bag?
CdS: Funnily enough...
[As she goes to get it out, the Doctor pulls out the phone and hands it to her.]
D: Press redial. [into phone] Malcolm, it's me.
MT: I'm ready.
D: Ready for what?
MT: I don't know, you tell me!
D [as he attaches the plate to the steering wheel while Christina holds the phone to his ear]: I'm going to try to get back, but listen, there might be something following us. You need to find a way to close the wormhole.
MT [smugly]: Would that be a compressed burst of feedback on a counter oscillation perchance?
D [grinning]: Oh, Malcolm, you're brilliant!
MT: Coming from you, sir, that means the world.
EM [warily]: Doctor, what sort of 'something'? That wormhole is now measuring ten miles and growing. I need to know the exact nature of the threat.
D: Sorry, gotta go. [nods at Christina to disconnect the call]
EM [into radio]: All troops mobilise and stand ready. Possible code red. Unknown.
Soldier: Understood. Code red. Repeat code red. Positions!
[Troops fall into position, ready to fire into the wormhole as soon as anything appears.]
[The Doctor attaches the clamps to the steering wheel and fights to make it start, but it only hisses and sparks.]
D [frustrated]: Ugh, it's not compatible. Bus, spaceship, spaceship, bus. I need to weld the two systems together.
CdS: And how d'you do that?
D: I need something non-corrosive, er, something malleable, something ductile, something [realises and turns to Christina] gold.
CdS [shaking her head and smiling in disbelief]: Oh, no you don't.
D: Christina, what is it worth now?
Barclay [showing watch]: Hey, hey, hey. Use this.
D [dismissively]: I said gold.
Barclay: It is gold.
D: [to Barclay] Oh, they saw you coming. [to Christina] Christina!
[As Barclay slopes away, Christina looks at him with a pained expression on her face and then turns to the bag. She looks up at the people sitting on the bus and then back down again before fishing out the cup of Athelstan and handing it to him.]
CdS: It's over 1,000 years old, worth 18 million pounds. [handing it to the Doctor, who takes it like the priceless relic it is] Promise me you'll be careful.
D: I promise.
[He turns it upside down and then grabs the mallet, resting the cup on the ticket machine as he beats it into shape. Christina watches in shock before shaking her head.]
CdS: I hate you.
MT [typing busily and then looks up]: Done it. Transmit that and the wormhole should close.
EM [grins]: Then do it.
MT [worried]: Well after the Doctor's come through obviously.
EM [softly]: I'm sorry. Believe me, that wormhole constitutes a major threat, and I have a duty to every man, woman and child on this planet. It's got to be closed. Immediately.
[Malcolm stutters and is about to explain when she talks over him.]
EM [coldly]: That's an order.
MT: No, no, no, no. No, we can't just abandon him – he's the Doctor! How many times has he saved our lives? I won't let you, ma'am. I simply won't.
[Captain Magamo pulls out a gun and cocks it.]
EM: Right now, soldier.
D: This is your driver speaking. Hold on tight.
Barclay: Wh-what for? What's he doing?
CdS: Do as he says! [turning to the Doctor] What are you doing?
D [revving the engine]: Come on, that's it! You can do it, my beauty. One last trip!
[The bus wobbles and smoke rises from the wheels. The Doctor stands up in the seat as if his weight can help to lift the bus. Everyone on board cries out, most in fear, although Christina is grinning with delight.]
Barclay: Oh, you are so kidding me!
Nathan: We're flying! It's flying!
Lou: It's flying! The bus!
Angela: It's a miracle!
D: Anti-gravity cloud – didn't I say? Round we go! [turns to the bus to face the wormhole]
[Everyone cries as the bus spins and turns to face the wormhole.]
C [glances out back window]: Doctor! They're coming!
[The Doctor opens the driver's window to peer into the rearview mirror and see the cloud of stingrays.]
MT [holding the keyboard like a shield]: I will never surrender. Never!
CdS [desperately]: D'you think we'll survive the journey back?
D: Only one way to find out! Next stop!
CdS: Planet Earth!
[Everyone screams as the bus is suddenly in darkness, except the Doctor, who looks almost ridiculously proud of himself. The UNIT soldiers stare as the bus flies through the wormhole and right over their heads.]
Barclay [peering out the window]: It's London!
Angela [teary with relief]: Oh, we're back home!
Nathan [thrilled]: He did it. He did it!
[One of the soldiers runs to the UNIT truck.]
Soldier: Captain! [he bangs on the door] Captain, they're back! It's the bus, ma'am, it's come back! And it's flying!
[Captain Magambo lowers the gun she was aiming at Malcolm and turns to the door. Malcolm stares after her as she leaves to look up into the sky. Then the first of three stingrays come through the wormhole.]
EM: Code red! Fire at will!
[The UNIT soldiers begin firing at the stingrays. People on the bus duck as they hear bullets bouncing off the vehicle. Malcolm is peering out of the window when his mobile phone rings.]
D: Malcolm! Close that wormhole!
MT: Yes, sir! My pleasure, sir! [disconnects call]
D [looking at phone in disbelief]: He's hung up on me!
[Malcolm presses F8 and immediately things begin exploding around him.]
MT: Oh, no. No! Gah! [as he's blown backwards in his chair]
[As UNIT soldiers continue firing at the stingrays, Malcolm juggles a fire extinguisher. He presses the lever and immediately sprays foam all over the inside of the truck. The Doctor presses redial and Malcolm's phone rings.]
D: Malcolm!
MT: Not now, I'm busy!
[Malcolm hangs up again and the Doctor stares at the phone once more.]
D: He's hung up again! [waits for Malcolm to answer] Malcolm, listen to me!
MT [in defeat]: It's not working!
D: I need that signal. We've got billions of those things about to fly through.
MT [waves hands in desperation]: Well, what do I do?
D: Use the backfeed integrator and keep the signal ramping up!
MT: But by how much?
D [frustrated, extemporising]: 500 bernards. Do it now!
[Malcolm watches as the image of the wormhole disappears from the screen.]
MT: Yes!
[The wormhole twitches and then dies. The remaining stingrays are trapped on San Helios. Those that got through are shot down by UNIT. Malcolm opens the door to the van and yells in delight. DI McMillan and the other police are cowering behind their cars, fingers in their ears.]
EM: Target at nine o'clock. [shoots it dead and grins] I don't believe it! Guns that work!
Nathan [looking out the window in fear]: Doctor, it's coming for us!
D [peers over]: Oh, no you don't! [turns the bus hard right, whacking the stingray with the rear end]
EM: Twelve o'clock, take it out! [the cannon shoots it dead] Cease fire!
Soldier [echoes]: Cease fire!
EM: Arms down.
CdS [as she and the Doctor smile in relief]: Did I say I hated you? [he turns to look at her] I was lying.
[She grabs his tie and jacket lapels, pulling him towards her and planting a kiss on his mouth. The other passengers laugh and then cheer and applaud, except for Angela, who is in tears.]
D [nodding at the line on the floor of the bus]: Do not step forward of this point. Ladies and gentlemen [looking into rearview mirror at the other passengers] you have reached your final destination. Welcome home the mighty 200!
[He brings the bus in to land as Captain Magambo, Malcolm, the UNIT soldiers and the police watch in open-mouthed amazement. The UNIT soldiers break into applause as he lands the bus with a jolt on the road in front of the tunnel. The passengers cry and/or laugh with relief. The Doctor points the sonic screwdriver at the door to open it and everyone collects their belongings to leave.]
Soldier: Welcome back everyone. Step away from the bus just to be safe. As fast as you can, thank you. Standard procedure, we need to screen you and then you'll all be taken for debriefing.
D [showing psychic paper]: I don't count.
CdS: No, but Doctor...
Soldier [grabbing her arm]: With me ma'am.
[Captain Magambo moves to talk to the Doctor, but Malcolm gets in first.]
MT: Doctor!
D: You must be Malcolm.
MT: Oh! [grabs him around the chest] Oh! Oh, I love you!
[Captain Magambo stifles a grin and the Doctor has a foolish smile on his face.]
MT: I love you! [pulls away] I – I love you!
EM [quietly]: To your station, Dr Taylor.
MT [shaking his head as if waking up and then turns to the Captain]: Er, yes ma'am.
[During this, the Doctor eyes Captain Magambo as if he understands some of the byplay that's been going on and why Malcolm is so enthusiastic.]
MT [turns back and points at the Doctor]: I love you!
[The Doctor silently points right back at him. Malcolm, thrilled to bits, heads into the UNIT truck as Captain Magambo steps towards the Doctor.]
EM: Doctor [salutes] I salute you whether you like it or not.
[The Doctor cringes away as if he's been slapped.]
EM [briskly]: Now, I take it we're safe from those things.
D: They'll start again, generate a new doorway. It's not their fault, it's their natural lifecycle. But – I'll see if I can launch the wormholes onto uninhabited planets. Closer to home, Captain [turns to the other survivors from the bus] those two lads [looking at Nathan and Barclay] very good in a crisis. Nathan needs a job, Barclay's good with engines, you could do a lot worse. Privates Nathan and Barclay. UNIT's finest. [waggles his eyebrows at her]
EM [softly]: I'll see what I can do. [more loudly] And I've got something for you.
[The Doctor turns in the direction Captain Magambo is facing and sees the TARDIS on the back of a lorry where it is just being uncovered.]
D: Hoh ho ho. Better than a bus any day! Hello!
EM: Found in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
D: Oh, she doesn't mind.
EM: Now, I've got three dead alien stingrays to clear up. I don't suppose you fancy helping with the paperwork.
D [smiling]: Not a chance.
EM [offering her hand]: Until we meet again, Doctor.
D [shaking her hand]: I hope so.
Angela [talking on her phone]: I said I'm back Suzanne. I'm home! [looks up at Nathan, who is next to her] Didn't even know I was gone.
[She and Nathan both laugh.]
CdS [frustrated, as she bolts away from the UNIT soldier scanning her]: That's quite enough of that!
DI McMillan: She is not getting away this time!
CdS: The little blue box, just like you said. Right then, off we go! [flirtatiously] Come on, Doctor, show me the stars.
D [serious, shaking his head]: No.
CdS [disbelieving]: What?
D: I said no.
CdS [critical]: But I saved your life. And you saved mine.
D: So?
CdS [looking around]: We're surrounded by police, I'll go to prison!
D [nodding]: Yeah.
CdS [pleading]: But you were right, it's not about the money. I only steal things for the adventure, and today, with you – I want more days like this. I want every day to be like this! We're made for each other – you said so yourself! The perfect team!
[The Doctor simply looks at her and her expression of expectation and delight fades.]
CdS [sadly, knowing she can't change his mind]: Why not?
D: People have travelled with me and I've lost them. Lost them all. Never again.
DI McMillan: Lady Christina de Souza. Oh, I have waited a long time to say this! I am arresting you on suspicion of theft.
[As she's handcuffed, Christina looks at the Doctor, who is staring at the ground, leaning against the TARDIS.]
DI McMillan: You don't have to say anything, et cetera, et cetera. Dennison, take her away!
[Carmen and Lou are escorted by several UNIT officers past the TARDIS. Carmen stops and looks at the Doctor.]
C [cautiously]: Doctor. [he looks up at them] You take care now.
D [cheerfully]: You, too. Chops and gravy, lovely!
C: No. But you be careful. Because your song is ending, sir.
D [the smile dissolves]: What d'you mean?
C: It is returning. It is returning through the dark. And then, Doctor – oh, but then... [nods] He will knock four times.
[The Doctor looks at her in confusion and fear. She watches him for a moment before moving away. He stares after her before peering around the corner of the TARDIS to see Christina being put into a police car. He fishes the sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and points it at the handcuffs. She stares at him in hurt confusion until the cuffs slide open. There's a miniscule smile on her face as he replaces the sonic in his pocket. Then she ducks out of the car door on the far side and runs back through the police lines and UNIT troops.]
DI McMillan [chasing after her]: No, don't! Stop that woman! Stop that woman! Stop her!
[Christina runs to the bus as UNIT soldiers move aside the barriers that blocked the road.]
DI McMillan: Don't just stand there, stop her!
[As Christina scrambles onto the bus, the Doctor strolls up beside one of the cars. She closes the door just in time to stop DI McMillan getting on board. He pounds on the door.]
DI McMillan: Open the door! I'll add resisting arrest!
D [coming up]: I'd step back if I were you.
DI McMillan [pointing at him]: I'm charging you, too. Aiding and abetting.
D: Yes. [points at the TARDIS] I'll just step inside this police box and arrest myself.
DI McMillan [pointing radio at Christina]: Out now!
[She waves at him and then starts up the bus. DI McMillan stares at the ground in confusion before stepping back as the bus takes flight.]
DI McMillan [bellows]: No! Come back!
[Barclay and Angela laugh in delight at the sight of her escaping.]
Angela: Go on!
[Malcolm and Captain Magambo watch her leave. Lou and Carmen wave.]
[The Doctor is about to get into the TARDIS. He turns as the bus hovers above his head and Christina opens the door.]
Cds: We could have been so good together!
D: Christina - we were!
[He grins as she closes the door and smiles at him in return before steering the bus away. The other passengers cheer as she leaves and the Doctor gets into the TARDIS.]
