The Destruction of Time
Written by Dennis Spooner
(Based on an idea by Terry Nation)
5:50pm - 6:15pm
[SCENE_BREAK]
1. BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN
(MAVIC CHEN is covering SARA and STEVEN with a blaster.)
MAVIC CHEN: No, I am alive and soon will be master of the universe! Perhaps, Kingdom, you'd like to lead the way.
(He waves his blaster towards the cave that the Dalek entered.)
SARA: Down there?
MAVIC CHEN: Of course. I'm certain the Daleks will be delighted to see you.
(Faced with no alternative, STEVEN and SARA make their way towards the cave, with MAVIC CHEN behind them.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
2. A METAL CORRIDOR
(A door opens and STEVEN, SARA and MAVIC CHEN enter. The cave has lead them to a metal corridor.)
STEVEN: Don't you understand? By bringing us down here, you're doing exactly what the Daleks want.
MAVIC CHEN: (Puffed up.) Of course.
SARA: He's mad!
MAVIC CHEN: Take care, Kingdom. I could easily forgo the pleasure of giving you to the Daleks. I could kill you myself.
STEVEN: Why did you come back? This couldn't have been planned. You weren't to know that we'd come back and set you free.
MAVIC CHEN: I'm not a fool. I guessed your plan.
SARA: Our only plan is to destroy the Daleks.
MAVIC CHEN: You were able to fool the others, but you can't fool me. Where is the old man, the one you call the Doctor?
SARA: We were looking for him.
MAVIC CHEN: (Half-believing tone.) Yes, of course. And that's why you came here. (Then snaps.) Now do stop this masquerade! See, I know he is trying to usurp my position with the Daleks.
STEVEN: That is absurd! The Doctor's always fought the Daleks. Why don't you believe us? We don't know where he is.
MAVIC CHEN: Yet I find you at the entrance to the Daleks' secret headquarters. I know the Doctor's here, and that he's trying to take my place. But I'll soon change that.
STEVEN: Why can't you understand the Daleks do not make allies?
SARA: Save your breath, Steven. You'll never convince him. I tell you, he's mad!
MAVIC CHEN: The Daleks need me.
(He states this as if it is a fact.)
MAVIC CHEN: And now I'll be able to show them the Doctor will betray them. Lead on!
(They carry on.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
3. MAIN DALEK CONTROL ROOM
(This is much bigger than the city control room. It is obvious that this is the main headquarters for the invasion force. All around, Daleks are running about making final checks - all under the eye stick of the DALEK SUPREME. By him is the Time Destructor, with the core fitted.)
DALEK 1: Assault division of five thousand Daleks awaits orders.
DALEK SUPREME: The Time Destructor will be placed in the lead ship.
(A second Dalek turns from the communication console.)
DALEK 2: Prisoners have been taken at entrance five.
DALEK SUPREME: Prisoners?
DALEK 2: Dalek guard reports that the group consists of Mavic Chen and two of the time travellers.
DALEK SUPREME: Have them bought here to main central control.
DALEK 2: I obey.
[SCENE_BREAK]
4. ANOTHER METAL CORRIDOR
(By now, a DALEK GUARD has arrived and is covering all three of the humans. MAVIC CHEN naturally assumes that the guard is there to help him - not seeing that the guard is covering him as well.)
MAVIC CHEN: (To guard.) Your assistance, although welcome, is entirely unnecessary. I demand to take them to the Dalek Supreme alone.
GUARD: Central control has been advised.
MAVIC CHEN: Well advise them again. Until you realise that these people are my prisoners, I shall refuse to hand them over.
GUARD: I will verify my orders.
MAVIC CHEN: Good.
SARA: There is still no proof that the Doctor is here.
MAVIC CHEN: Whatever else is thought about you, one cannot help but admire the way you both continue with your absurd bluff.
GUARD: Representative Chen, new orders have been received. You are to escort the prisoners to the Dalek Supreme.
MAVIC CHEN: Excellent! (To STEVEN & SARA.) After you.
(They move on. The guard stays and another Dalek appears from another tunnel.)
DALEK: (With a grimness in his voice.) But we are still to assist him.
[SCENE_BREAK]
5. MAIN DALEK CONTROL ROOM
DALEK 2: The prisoners have arrived.
DALEK SUPREME: Bring them in.
DALEK 2: I obey.
(The door opens...)
DALEK 2: (To the Daleks outside.) Bring in the prisoners.
(...and the two Daleks with the humans arrive with the prisoners. Both SARA and STEVEN look about with amazement at the size of the control room. MAVIC CHEN, on the other hand, with his usual way, marches into the room like he owns the place.)
MAVIC CHEN: (Declaring.) Once again, I - Mavic Chen - Guardian of the Solar System - have helped the Daleks with their conquest plan.
(The DALEK SUPREME doesn't even look at him.)
DALEK SUPREME: (Coldly.) Our alliance has ended.
MAVIC CHEN: (Shocked.) What! But I have helped you time and time again with your absurd incompetence! I - Mavic Chen - will decide when the Alliance is at an end.
(He moves forward.)
MAVIC CHEN: You, Dalek Supreme, tell them they're to take their orders from me.
(Not a noise is heard, as all eyes - human and Dalek - are on Mavic Chen.)
MAVIC CHEN: I assume that this silence means that the orders have been passed. Good. (To a DALEK.) You! Bring me the invasion reports.
(The Dalek doesn't move.)
MAVIC CHEN: It is essential that I know what stage the countdown has reached. Now, move!
(Again the Dalek doesn't move. All eyes are still on Mavic Chen.)
MAVIC CHEN: You did not pass on my order. Why?
(Not a sound.)
MAVIC CHEN: Failure to obey the orders of your ruler brings only one reward.
(He opens fire with his blaster at the Dalek and the beam bounces off it. With horror he sees that he doesn't have the power to destroy them at all. He tries throwing the gun at the Dalek. It also just bounces off.)
DALEK SUPREME: Take him away and exterminate him, but do not fire in here - you will damage us and some of the controls.
MAVIC CHEN: (Shouting madly.) You cannot turn against me! I - Mavic Chen - first ruler of the universe - am immortal!
(Still screaming, he turns and runs from the room.)
DALEK SUPREME: Pursue and exterminate in safe area - repeat - in safe area.
(Meanwhile, while the Daleks are all following MAVIC CHEN, the DOCTOR taps STEVEN on the shoulder.)
STEVEN: Doctor, how on earth...?
DOCTOR: Don't say anything. Just do what I tell you. Take that.
(He passes something over to STEVEN.)
STEVEN: What? The key to the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: Yes. Now, when I tell you, I want you to take Sara back to the TARDIS... You still have that power impulse compass?
STEVEN: Yes.
DOCTOR: Good. Now follow bearing 627 to the TARDIS.
SARA: (A little loud.) But what about you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Shhh... There is no use in all of us taking risks. You must do as I say.
STEVEN: Yes, but how did you get here?
DOCTOR: I followed a Dalek here, of course. Now, let me get on.
(He moves to the Time Destructor.)
DOCTOR: I am going to activate the Time Destructor.
[SCENE_BREAK]
6. ANOTHER CORRIDOR
(MAVIC CHEN gets himself hemmed in by Daleks.)
MAVIC CHEN: You will pay for your crimes against your ruler.
(the Daleks blast him and at last the so-called ruler of the universe dies screaming.)
MAVIC CHEN: You cannot kill me!
(But they do.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
7. MAIN DALEK CONTROL ROOM
STEVEN: Be quick! I'm sure they're coming back.
DOCTOR: Aha, that's it! Hmm, Hmm.
(A ticking noise can be heard from the Time Destructor. The door opens to admit the Daleks, who see the Doctor with the Time Destructor.)
DALEK 1: Move back, all of you.
DOCTOR: I am afraid you're too late. The Time Destructor is activated.
DALEK SUPREME: (To the other Daleks.) Do not fire!
DOCTOR: No, you cannot fire, can you? You dare not. If you were to, yes, you could kill us, but you will totally destroy your equipment. I think it is checkmate. Hmm. Send one of your Daleks over here. Remember, the Time Destructor is working... working slowly, but if you disobey me, I can accelerate it.
DALEK SUPREME: Do what he says.
(A Dalek moves forward with its gun stick lowered.)
DOCTOR: (To the Dalek.) Turn about.
(The Dalek does so.)
DOCTOR: (To STEVEN and SARA.) You two behind it.
(Both STEVEN and SARA get behind the Dalek.)
DOCTOR: Steven, take my stick and clamp it down on his gun.
(STEVEN does so.)
DOCTOR: (To the Dalek.) Forward!
(The DALEK moves forward with STEVEN and SARA hiding behind it. The DOCTOR follows with the Time Destructor. They reach the door.)
DOCTOR: (To STEVEN and SARA.) Now, both of you, back to the TARDIS.
STEVEN: What about you, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Do as I say, quickly!
STEVEN: (Grabbing SARA.) Go on!
[SCENE_BREAK]
8. A CORRIDOR
(STEVEN and SARA are running, when SARA stops.)
SARA: Wait! Steven, we can't just leave him.
STEVEN: The Doctor knows what he's doing. At least, I think he does.
SARA: All we're doing is running to save our own lives. If anything goes wrong and the Daleks recapture the Time Destructor, we'll have failed for ever.
STEVEN: I know what you're saying. Now, I'd go back too, if I thought it would help. Whatever he's doing, he's doing because he thinks it's the best way. Now, come on!
(They both carry on.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
9. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The Doctor takes off his cloak and drops it on the floor, and pushes the Dalek back into the room. He then closes the door and runs as fast as possible.)
DALEK SUPREME: (OOV.) Pursue and recapture. Pursue and recapture. Activate alarm! Activate alarm!
DALEK: (OOV.) Door control jammed - contact broken.
(It's because the door has been caught on the cloak. The Daleks are trying to open a door which its own senses state is already open, hence nothing happens.)
DALEK SUPREME: (OOV.) Correct fault immediately, then pursue and recapture.
[SCENE_BREAK]
10. ANOTHER CORRIDOR
(Running, the DOCTOR comes across SARA, who has somehow lost STEVEN.)
DOCTOR: What are you doing here?
SARA: I came to help you.
DOCTOR: You must remember, my child, this machine is working. It's working slowly because its range is rather small at the moment, but it is working. Now, if you start to feel strange, you must let me know at once.
SARA: Yes, all right, but what about them?
DOCTOR: First, back to the TARDIS. Steven's not with you?
SARA: No. I came back that way.
DOCTOR: Hurry, my child, hurry!
(They run on.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
11. JUNGLE
(STEVEN is moving, but he notices that SARA isn't with him. The effect of the Time Destructor can be heard as a roaring wind.)
STEVEN: Sara! Sara!
[SCENE_BREAK]
12. ANOTHER PART OF THE JUNGLE
SARA: Hurry, Doctor!
DOCTOR: My dear, are you beginning to feel strange? Hmm.
(SARA begins to speak, but finds it difficult to say the words.)
SARA: The wind... Listen... Can't you hear it? I've never heard that on Kembel before.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, perhaps it's this Time Destructor having an effect on the elements, hmm.
SARA: Then destroy it!
DOCTOR: No, no! That's impossible my dear. There's one thing I do know about this machine - it will continue until the Taranium has finally burnt itself out. Our only chance is to get back to the TARDIS. Then I can neutralise it.
SARA: Hurry.
[SCENE_BREAK]
13. DALEK CONTROL ROOM
DALEK 1: Secondary door circuit completed.
DALEK SUPREME: Operate!
(The Daleks try the door control and the door opens, and a Dalek pushes the cloak aside.)
DALEK 2: Obstacle clearing.
DALEK SUPREME: Pursue and exterminate!
(The Daleks race out of the room.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
14. JUNGLE
(The DOCTOR and SARA are still running. However, the effects of the Time Destructor are causing the Doctor to run more slowly and Sara's hair has grown white with age. The wind has stepped up to gale force.)
DOCTOR: It's not far now, Sara!
(SARA now looks almost an old woman.)
SARA: Keep going! The Daleks must be after us by now!
DOCTOR: The Time Destructor...
(The rest of the words are roared out by the gale.)
SARA: You think I don't know?
[SCENE_BREAK]
15. JUNGLE OUTSIDE MOUNTAIN
(Meanwhile the Daleks have reached the outside and are starting the chase across the jungle. The jungle is falling under the effects of the Destructor as each plant and tree dies of old age.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
16. JUNGLE NEAR THE TARDIS
(The DOCTOR and SARA are almost walking now. Both have aged horribly - SARA is now a old woman who is just barely able to run, and the DOCTOR looks much older than his already advanced years.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
17. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(STEVEN has entered the TARDIS and is looking at the scanner screen for sign of his friends. Seeing no sign of them, he bangs his fist on the console in exasperation.)
STEVEN: Nothing.
[SCENE_BREAK]
18. JUNGLE
(Still gliding forwards at a set speed, the Daleks are moving through the jungle at a faster rate than the Doctor and Sara.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
19. JUNGLE OUTSIDE TARDIS
(The wind is at hurricane force, and both the DOCTOR and SARA are now just barely able to walk. Luck is with them as they arrive in the area where the TARDIS is parked, just a few feet away. However, both are moving so slowly - and for SARA it is too far, and she is getting too old to move, let alone walk.)
SARA: (Weakly.) Doctor...
(SARA struggles to make it. The DOCTOR too, for all of his years, is moving too slowly. The Time Destructor has aged him terribly and he can barely move.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
20. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(STEVEN is overjoyed to see them, but then sees the effects of the Time Destructor.)
STEVEN: DOCTOR! SARA!
(Seeing that they need help, he opens the TARDIS doors.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
21. JUNGLE OUTSIDE TARDIS
STEVEN: Dust! It's all crumbling into dust.
(The DOCTOR has a few feet to go when he collapses - the Time Destructor still pulsing away. SARA, now too old to even stand, collapses on the jungle floor. She tries to move forward one final time, collapses, and then dies of old age. Within a few seconds, SARA becomes a skeleton. A few seconds later, she is gone.)
STEVEN: Sara!
(But Sara is gone, and the effect starts on him. He moves forward at a walk, fighting the wind, until he reaches the Doctor. By the time that he does, STEVEN's hair has grown grey.)
STEVEN: Come on, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (In a very old voice.) No, don't touch me.
STEVEN: I must help you.
DOCTOR: Get back to the ship!
(He cries with the effects. STEVEN tries some of the controls on the Time Destructor and causes it to stop beeping. While it seems to be doing something, STEVEN rushes over and grabs the Doctor, and both of them struggle into the TARDIS.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
22. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
DOCTOR: (Weakly.) Close the door.
(When the DOCTOR and STEVEN get inside and the effect wears off, they return to their old selves and ages. STEVEN closes the door.)
DOCTOR: Thank you, my friend. Thank you, Steven. By chance, you reversed the Time Destructor. Instead of Time rushing forward, it's now racing back.
(He looks about the room for the other companion.)
DOCTOR: Sara? You realise she came to look for me, to see if I was all right? Hmm.
STEVEN: I was forcing my way through the jungle. I didn't even see her go.
(On the scanner, the Daleks arrive in the clearing.)
DOCTOR: The Daleks!
[SCENE_BREAK]
23. JUNGLE OUTSIDE TARDIS
(The DALEKS arrive into the clearing - the Time Destructor still working and beeping. The Daleks see this and try firing at it. Their blasts have no effect, and the effect of the Time Destructor causes them to lose control and crash into each other, and somehow start to come apart. For a second, the creatures' insides are shown, but these, too, start to change as time runs back. At the end, they start to become something humanoid, but then they too are gone. The Time Destructor is beeping alone as the jungle, which a few moments ago was dying but is now re-growing back into seeds.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
24. JUNGLE OUTSIDE TARDIS
(A little while later, the jungle is gone - nothing but dust everywhere. The only thing on the planet is the TARDIS and what's left of the Time Destructor. STEVEN and the DOCTOR step out onto the planet.)
DOCTOR: Oh, dust. Nothing but dust! (He coughs.)
(STEVEN finds the remains of the Time Destructor and picks it up.)
STEVEN: (Softly.) The Time Destructor - what's left of it.
DOCTOR: Mavic Chen's Taranium Core has finally burnt itself out.
(STEVEN throws it on the ground.)
STEVEN: I wish Sara could have seen the end.
DOCTOR: Yes, my boy, so do I. You know, Steven, the one thing that Sara lived for was to see the total destruction of the Daleks. Well, now it's all over. Without her help, this could never have been achieved, hmm.
(He starts to chuckle to himself.)
STEVEN: What is it?
(The DOCTOR points to a burn on the ground. This is where one of the Daleks was.)
DOCTOR: Millions of years of progress reversed back - that's all that remains of a Dalek.
(He continues chuckling to himself.)
STEVEN: (Weightily.) Lets go, Doctor. I've seen enough of this place.
DOCTOR: (A little happy.) Well, my boy we finally rid this planet of Daleks!
(STEVEN is upset that the DOCTOR is celebrating their victory.)
STEVEN: (In a slightly crying and slightly angry tone.) Brett! Katarina! Sara!
(The Doctor thinks while Steven goes back on board the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: What a waste. What a terrible waste.
(Without another word, he turns and boards the TARDIS, and with its usual sound, the TARDIS leaves Kembel.)
Plan: A: Missing episode; Q: What is the name of the episode that was supposed to be in the year 4000? A: the year 4000; Q: In what year did the Daleks conspire to conquer the Solar System? A: treachery; Q: What is at the highest levels of the Daleks' scheme? A: a weapon; Q: What is the Daleks using to destroy the fabric of time? A: catastrophe; Q: What can only the Doctor and his friends prevent? A: no guarantee; Q: Is there a guarantee that the Doctor and his friends will escape with their lives? Summary: Missing episode In the year 4000, the Daleks conspire to conquer the Solar System. Their scheme involves treachery at the highest levels and a weapon capable of destroying the very fabric of time. Only the Doctor and his friends can prevent catastrophe - and there is no guarantee they will escape with their lives...