Doctor Who Season 4 Transcripts

2008-07-21T11:11:00.013+01:00

Transcript courtesy of Sarah at Doctor Who (2005+) Transcripts

4x13 - Journey's End

2008-07-08T16:15:00.002+01:00

This transcript is available HERE.

4x12 - The Stolen Earth

2008-07-02T09:22:00.004+01:00

This transcript is now available HERE.

4x11 - Turn Left

2008-06-22T13:22:00.006+01:00

This transcript is now available HERE.

Teaser:

Donna and the fortune teller are sitting inside her tent, the fortune teller holding Donna's hands.
FORTUNE TELLER
Oh, you fascinating... ah, no, but you good... I can see... a man. The most remarkable man. How did you meet him?

DONNA
You're supposed to tell me.

FORTUNE TELLER
I see the future. Tell me the past... when did your lives cross?

DONNA
It's sort of complicated. I ended up in a spaceship on my wedding day. Long story.

FORTUNE TELLER
But what led you to that meeting?

DONNA
All sorts of things. But my job, I suppose... it was on Earth, this planet called Earth, miles away... but I had this job, as a temp - I was a secretary at a place called HC Clements...

A quick flashback of Donna at HC Clements. Then back in the fortune teller's tent, Donna jolts forwards.

DONNA
...sorry.

FORTUNE TELLER
It's the incense. Just... breathe deep. This job of yours - what choices led you there?

DONNA
There was a choice... six months before... because the Agency offered me this contract with HC Clements...

Flashback: Donna and Sylvia are getting into their car.

DONNA (VO)
But there was this other job. My mum knew this man...

SYLVIA
Jival, he's called. Jival Chowdry. He runs that little photocopy business and he needs a secretary.

DONNA
I've. Got. A job!

SYLVIA
As a temp! This is permanent, it's twenty thousand a year, Donna.

DONNA
HC Clements is in the city. It's nice, it's posh, so, stop it!

She turns the key. The flashback ends.

FORTUNE TELLER
Your life could have gone one way or the other. What made you decide?

DONNA
I just did...

Something is creeping up behind Donna.

FORTUNE TELLER
But when was the moment? When did you choose...

Back to the flashback: a van drives past car of the Nobles, standing at the junction.

SYLVIA
It won't take long, just turn right! We'll pop in and see Mr Chowdry, so Suzette can introduce you.

DONNA
I'm going left, if you don't like it, get out and walk.

SYLVIA
If you turn right you'll have a career, not just filling in!

DONNA
You think I'm so useless!

SYLVIA
Oh, I know why you want a job at HC Clements, lady - because you think you'll meet a man with lots of money and your whole life will change - well let me tell you, sweetheart, city executives don't need temps, except for practice!

DONNA
Yeah. Well, they haven't met me.

She turns left. Flashback ends.

FORTUNE TELLER
You turned left. But what if you turned right, what then...

DONNA (now scared)
Let go of my hands.

FORTUNE TELLER
What if it changes, what if you go right, what if you could still go right...

DONNA
Stop it!

Something creeps onto her back.

DONNA
What's that? ...what's on my back? What is it, what... what's on my back?

FORTUNE TELLER
Make the choice again, Donna Noble, and change your mind... turn right.

DONNA (as under hypnosis)
I'm turning...

FORTUNE TELLER
Turn right... turn right. Turn right!

The flashback scene comes back again.

SYLVIA
Well let me tell you, sweetheart - city executives don't need temps, except for practice!

DONNA
Yeah. Suppose you're right.

She turns right.

FORTUNE TELLER (VO)
Turn right, and never meet that man. Turn right, and change the world!

4x10 - Midnight

2008-06-16T10:02:00.005+01:00

This transcript is now ready and available HERE.

Teaser:

They hear two loud knocks on the wall of the shuttle.

VAL
What was that?

PROFESSOR HOBBES
It must be the metal. We're cooling down, it's just settling...

DEE DEE
Rocks. Could be rocks falling.

BIFF
What I want to know is, how long do we have to sit here.

The double knocking is repeated on a different part of the shuttle.

SKY
What is that?

VAL
Is someone out there?

PROFESSOR HOBBES
Now, don't be ridiculous!

DEE DEE
Like I said, it could be rocks.

HOSTESS
We're out in the open. Nothing could fall against the sides.

Again, two knocks on the wall.

DOCTOR
Knock knock.

JETHRO
Who is there?

SKY
Is there something out there? Well? Anyone?

Knocking again.

SKY
What the hell is making that noise?

PROFESSOR HOBBES
I'm sorry, but the light out there is Xtonic, that means it would destroy any living thing, in a split-second. It is impossible for someone to be outside.

The knocking is repeated again - always two knocks.

SKY
Well, what the hell is that, then?!

The Doctor goes to the wall where they heard the last knocks from, and uses a stethoscope to hear what's outside.

HOSTESS
Sir! You really should get back to your seat.

DOCTOR
Hello?

Now, the knocking comes from the fire exit at the rear.

JETHRO
It's moving...

There's a rattling from the door, like something is trying to get it open.

VAL
It's trying the door!

PROFESSOR HOBBES
There is no 'it', there's nothing out there. Can't be.

The thing tries again with the door, then it goes around - always double knocks, from the roof then from the side door.

VAL
That's the entrance. Can it get in?

DEE DEE
No, that door's on two hundred weight of hydraulics.

PROFESSOR HOBBES
Stop it. Don't encourage them.

DEE DEE
What do you think it is?

Biff goes to the door.

VAL
Biff, don't...

DOCTOR
Mr Cane, better not...

BIFF
Nah, it's cast iron, that door...

Biff knocks on the door three times - and the thing outside repeats with three knocks.

VAL
Three times! Did you hear that, it did it three times?!

JETHRO
It answered!

VAL
It did it three times!

DOCTOR
All right, all right, all right, everyone, calm down.

SKY
No, but it answered, it... answered, don't tell me that thing's not alive, it answered him!

Three knocks again.

HOSTESS
I really must insist, you get back to your seats!

SKY
No! Don't just stand there telling us the rules! You're the hostess, you're supposed to do something!

The Doctor goes to the door and knocks four times - and in repeat, the thing knocks four times too.

SKY (yelling in total panic)
What is it, what the hell's making that noise? She said she'd get me. Stop it, make it stop, somebody make it stop! Don't just stand there looking at me, it's not my fault, he started it with his stories...

DEE DEE
Calm down!

SKY
... and he made it worse...

VAL
You're not helping!

SKY
...why couldn't you leave it alone? Stop staring at me! Just tell me what the hell it is!

DEE DEE
Calm down!

The knocking becomes continous. In panic, Sky backs towards the cockpit door.

SKY
It's coming for me, ohh it's coming for me, it's coming for me... It's coming for me! It's coming for me!

She screams. The Doctor moves towards her, warning.

DOCTOR
Get out of there!

The whole shuttle rocks, lights go out and sparkles fly. The people fall over screaming, then gasp and groan in the darkness as the stuttle stops moving.

4x09 - Forest of the Dead

2008-06-08T10:32:00.007+01:00

This episode is now up for proof reading HERE.

Teaser:

River sits in a weird chair fiddling with wires. The Doctor is handcuffed to a pillar a bit further, regaining consciousness.
COMPUTER VOICE
Autodestruct in two minutes.

DOCTOR
Oh, no, no, no, no, come on, what are you doing? That's my job!

RIVER
Oh, and I'm not allowed to have a career, I suppose?

DOCTOR
Why am I handcuffed? Why do you even have handcuffs?

RIVER (with a flirtatious smile)
Spoilers!

DOCTOR
This is not a joke, stop this now, this is gonna kill you! I'd have a chance, you don't have any.

RIVER
You wouldn't have a chance, and neither do I. I'm timing it for the end of the countdown, there'll be a blip in the command flow. That way it should improve our chances of a clean download.

DOCTOR
River! Please! No!

RIVER
Funny thing is, this means you've always known how I was going to die. All the time we've been together, you knew I was coming here. The last time I saw you, the real you, the future you, I mean - you turned up on my doorstep, with a new haircut and a suit. You took me to Darillium to see the singing towers. Oh, what a night that was! The towers sang, and you cried.

COMPUTER VOICE
Autodestuct in one minute.

RIVER
You wouldn't tell me why, but I suppose you knew it was time. My time. Time to come to the Library. You even gave me your screwdriver - that should've been a clue.

Both sonic screwdrivers, together with River's diary, are on the ground between them. The Doctor tries to reach for them but they are just a bit too far.

RIVER
There's nothing you can do.

DOCTOR
You can let me do this!

RIVER
If you die here, it'll mean I've never met you.

DOCTOR
Time can be rewritten.

RIVER
Not those times. Not one line! Don't you dare! (pause) It's OK. It's OK, it's not over for you. You'll see me again. You've got all of that to come. You and me, time and space. You watch us run!

She sheds a tear but remains determined.

DOCTOR
River, you know my name!

COMPUTER VOICE
Autodestruct in ten...

DOCTOR
You whispered my name in my ear.

COMPUTER VOICE
...nine, eight, seven...

DOCTOR
There's only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name. There's only one time I could...

RIVER
Hush, now! Spoilers...

She smiles at him tenderly through her tears.

COMPUTER VOICE
...three, two, one...

River plugs together two cables and blinding white light hides her from view.

4x08 - Silence in the Library

2008-06-02T20:18:00.007+01:00

This transcript is now complete and available HERE.

Teaser:

DOCTOR
Books! People never really stop loving books.

While he speaks, he picks up his coat and exits the TARDIS, followed by Donna. They arrive to a huge but empty reception area.

DOCTOR
51st century. By now you've got holovids, direct to brain downloads, fiction mist, but you need the smell. The smell of books, Donna. Deep breath.

They cross the room and go through a door. They walk down the staircase and get to see the surface: a huge city all filled with book shelves.

DOCTOR
The Library. So big it doesn't need a name. Just a great big "the."

DONNA
It's like a city.

DOCTOR
It's a world. Literally a world. The whole core of the planet is the index computer, biggest hard drive ever. And up here, every book ever written. Whole continents of Jeffrey Archer, Bridget Jones, Monty Python's Big Red Book. Brand new editions, specially printed. We're near the equator, so... (he licks his finger then lifts it up to feel the wind) this must be Biographies! I love biographies!

DONNA
Yeah, very you. Always a death at the end.

DOCTOR
You need a good death. Without death, there'd only be comedies. Dying gives us size.

Donna picks up a book but the Doctor snatches it off her.

DOCTOR
Oi! Spoilers!

DONNA
What?

DOCTOR
These books are from your future. You don't wanna read ahead, spoil all the surprises. Like peeking at the end.

DONNA
Isn't travelling with you one big spoiler?

DOCTOR
I... try to keep you away from major plot developments. Which, to be honest, I seem to be very bad at, cos you know what? This is the biggest Library in the universe. So where is everyone? It's silent.

He goes to an information terminal and starts to fiddle on it with the sonic.

DONNA
The Library?

DOCTOR
The planet. The whole planet.

DONNA
Maybe it's a Sunday.

DOCTOR
No, I never land on Sundays. Sundays are boring.

DONNA
Well... Maybe everyone's really, really quiet.

DOCTOR
Yeah, maybe. But they'd still show up on the system.

DONNA
Doctor, why are we here? Really, why?

DOCTOR
Oh, you know, just passing.

DONNA
No, seriously. It was all, "let's hit the beach" then suddenly we're in a Library. Why?

DOCTOR
Now, that's interesting.

DONNA
What?

DOCTOR
Scanning for life forms. If I do a scan looking for your basic humanoids - you know, your book readers, few limbs and a face (we see the terminal's screen: "filtered humanoid lifeform scan; 2; complete") - apart from us, I get nothing. Zippo, nada, see? Nobody home. But if I widen the parameters to any kind of life...

He pushes some keys, numbers run on the screen until it stops and writes "error; 1.000.000.000.000; lifeform number capped at maximum record."

DOCTOR
A million million. Gives up after that. A million million.

DONNA
But there's nothing here. There's no-one.

DOCTOR
And not a sound. A million million life forms, and silence in the Library.

4x07 - The Unicorn and the Wasp

2008-05-17T21:47:00.008+01:00

The peace and quiet of the garden of a manor house is disturbed by the sound of the TARDIS materializing. The Doctor steps out, followed by Donna. There's a loud buzz as they walk towards the house.

DOCTOR
Smell that air. Grass and lemonade ... and a little bit of mint. A hint of mint, must be the 1920s.

DONNA
You can tell what year it is just by smelling?

DOCTOR
Oh yeah!

DONNA
Or maybe that big vintage car coming up the drive gave it away.

A vintage car pulls up at the entrance to the manor. The butler, Greeves and a young footman, Davenport come out of the house.

GREEVES
The Professor's baggage, Richard, step lively!

Davenport goes for the baggage, while Professor Peach steps out of the car and walks to the entrance.

GREEVES
Good afternoon, Professor Peach.

PROFESSOR PEACH
Hello, Greeves old man.

A vicar rides up the drive on his bike.

PROFESSOR PEACH
Ah, Reverend.

REVEREND
Professor Peach! Beautiful day. (he gets off the bike) The lord's in his heaven, all's right with the world.

GREEVES
Revered Golightly. Lady Eddison requests you make yourselves comfortable in your rooms. Cocktails will be served on the lawn from half past four.

PROFESSOR PEACH
You go on up, I have to check something in the library.

REVEREND
Oh?

PROFESSOR PEACH
Alone.

REVEREND
This is supposed to be a party! All this work will be the death of you.

During this, the Doctor and Donna have been hiding in a bush, listening in on the conversation.

DONNA
Never mind Planet Zog, a party in the 1920s, that's more like it!

DOCTOR
Problem is, we haven't been invited. (he gets the psychic paper out, grinning) Oh I forgot, yes we have!

***
In the library, Professor Peach is examining a piece of paper closely with his spectacles on.

PROFESSOR PEACH
I was right! Kept secret all these years, it's unbelievable. But why didn't they ask ... Heavens!

He notices someone coming up to him, but then he relaxes.

PROFESSOR PEACH
Oh, it's you. I was just doing a little research. I say, what are you doing with that lead piping?

Buzzing, a giant wasp closes in on Professor Peach.

PROFESSOR PEACH
But that's impossible!

***
OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE

THE UNICORN AND THE WASP
by Gareth Roberts
***

The Doctor taps on the TARDIS doors impatiently.

DOCTOR
We'll be late for cocktails!

Donna steps out of the TARDIS wearing a 1920s style brown dress.

DONNA
What d'you think? Flapper or slapper?

The Doctor looks her up and down enquiringly, but then smiles as he speaks, linking arms with her.

DOCTOR
Flapper. You look lovely!

***
In the garden of the manor, a footman adjusts the music player. Classical music plays as Miss Chandrakala claps impatiently at the staff, noticing the Doctor and Donna heading for them.

MISS CHANDRAKALA
Look sharp, we have guests!

DOCTOR (waving)
Good afternoon!

Davenport walks over to serve them.

DAVENPORT
Drinks sir? Ma'am?

DONNA
Sidecar, please.

DOCTOR
And a lime and soda, thank you.

Davenport walks away while Greeves introduces Lady Eddison.

GREEVES
May I announce, Lady Clemency Eddison.

Lady Eddison walks over to greet the Doctor and Donna. The Doctor holds his hand out for a shake.

DOCTOR
Lady Eddison.

LADY EDDISON
Forgive me, but who exactly might you be... and what are you doing here?

DOCTOR
I'm the Doctor. And this is Miss Donna Noble... of the, Chiswick Nobles.

DONNA (putting on a posh accent)
Good afternoon, my lady. Topping day, what? Spiffing! Top hole!

DOCTOR (to Donna)
No no no no, no. Don't do that, don't.

He gets out the psychic paper and presents it to Lady Eddison.

DOCTOR
We were thrilled to receive your invitation, my lady. We met at the Ambassador's reception.

LADY EDDISON
Doctor, how could I forget you? But one must be sure with the Unicorn on the loose.

DOCTOR
A unicorn? Brilliant! Where?

LADY EDDISON
The Unicorn. The jewel thief. And nobody knows who he is. He's just struck again, snatched Lady Babbington's pearls right from under her nose.

DONNA (to the Doctor)
Funny place to wear pearls.

Greeves introduces two newcomers, and elderly man in wheelchair and a young man pushing him.

GREEVES
May I announce, the Colonel Hugh Curbishley, the Honourable Roger Curbishley.

LADY EDDISON
My husband. And my son.

COLONEL
Forgive me for not rising. Never been the same ever since that flu epidemic back in '18.

ROGER (to Donna)
My word, you are a super lady.

DONNA
Oh, I like the cut of your jib. Chin chin.

DOCTOR (shaking hands with Roger)
Hello, I'm the Doctor.

ROGER
How do you do?

DOCTOR
Very well.

Davenport offers Roger a drink.

DAVENPORT
Your usual, sir?

ROGER
Ah, thank you Davenport. Just how I like it.

DONNA (to the Doctor)
How come she's an Eddison but her husband and son are Curbishleys?

DOCTOR
The Eddison title descends through her. One day Roger will be a lord.

The butler introduces another woman walking into the garden.

GREEVES
Robina Redmond!

LADY EDDISON
She's the absolute hit of the social scene, a must. (she greets Robina as they shake hands) Miss Redmond!

ROBINA
Spiffing to meet you at last, my lady. What super fun!

The Reverend walks into the group Greeves introduces him.

GREEVES
Reverend Arnold Golightly.

LADY EDDISON (shaking hands)
Ah, Reverend. How are you? I heard about the church last Thursday night. Those ruffians breaking in.

They have walked together over to where Colonel is sitting on his wheelchair.

COLONEL
You apprehended them, I hear.

REVEREND
As the Christian Fathers taught me, we must forgive them their trespasses. Quite literally.

ROGER
Some of these young boys deserve a descent thrashing.

DAVENPORT (with a meaningful look)
Couldn't agree more, sir.

DONNA (to the Doctor)
Typical. All the decent men are on the other bus.

DOCTOR
Or Time Lords.

ROGER (to Lady Eddison)
Now, my lady, what about this special guest you promised us?

LADY EDDISON (pointing to Agatha Christie, who is entering the group)
Here she is, a lady who needs no introduction!

Everyone starts clapping.

AGATHA
No, no, please. Don’t. Thank you, Lady Eddison. Honestly, there’s no need.

She holds out her hand to the Doctor.

AGATHA
Agatha Christie.

DONNA
What about her?

AGATHA
That’s me.

DONNA
Nooo. (Agatha laughs) You’re kidding.

DOCTOR (shaking her hand)
Agatha Christie! I was just talking about you the other day. I said, “I bet she’s brilliant”. I’m the Doctor and this is Donna. Ohhh, I love your stuff. What a mind! You fool me every time. Well, almost every time. Well, once or twice. Well, once. But it was a good once!

AGATHA
You make a rather unusual couple.

DOCTOR
Oh, no no no no, we’re not married.

DONNA
We're not a couple.

AGATHA
Well obviously not. No wedding ring.

Donna looks at her fingers.

DOCTOR
Oh oh, you don’t miss a trick.

AGATHA
I'd stay that way if I were you. The thrill is in the chase, never in the capture.

Lady Eddison comes over.

LADY EDDISON
Mrs Christie, I’m so glad you could come. I’m one of your greatest followers. I’ve read all six of your books. Is, ah, Mr Christie not joining us?

AGATHA
Is he needed? Can’t a woman make her own way in the world?

COLONEL(laughing)
Don’t give my wife ideas.

ROGER
Now Mrs Christie, I have a question. Why a Belgian detective?

The Doctor goes and snatches the Colonel's newspaper.

DOCTOR
'Scuse me.

AGATHA
Belgians make such lovely buns.

Everyone laughs.

ROGER
I say, where on earth is Professor Peach? He’d love to meet Mrs Christie.

REVEREND
Said he was going to the library.

The Doctor beckons to Donna and she walks over.

LADY EDDISON
Miss Chandrakala, would you go and collect the professor?

MISS CHANDRAKALA
At once, milady.

DOCTOR
The date on this newspaper.

DONNA
What about it?

DOCTOR
It’s the day Agatha Christie disappeared.

***
Miss Chandrakala knocks on the library door.

MISS CHANDRAKALA
Professor Peach!

She opens the door.

MISS CHANDRAKALA
Professor?

Her mouth opens in horror.

***
DOCTOR
She’d just discovered her husband was having an affair.

DONNA
You'd never think to look at her. Smiling away.

DOCTOR
Well, she’s British and moneyed. That’s what they do. They carry on. Except for this one time. No one knows exactly what happened, she just vanished.

Newspapers spin to show headlines like 'Mystery Writer Disappears'. Then we see flashes of what the Doctor is talking about: a vintage car by a lake...

DOCTOR (VO)
Her car will be found tomorrow morning by the side of a lake. Ten days later, Agatha Christie turns up in a hotel in Harrogate.

...and Agatha standing in front of 'The Harrogate Hotel', looking confused.

DOCTOR
Said she'd lost her memory. She never spoke about the disappearance till the day she died, but whatever it was…

DONNA
It’s about to happen.

DOCTOR
Right here, right now.

Miss Chandrakala comes out of the house running.

MISS CHANDRAKALA
Professor! The library! Murder! Murder!

***
The Doctor, Donna and Agatha enter the library. The Doctor runs to the body, he bends down and takes his glasses out. Greeves arrives next.

GREEVES
Oh my goodness.

DOCTOR
Bashed on the head. Blunt instrument. Watch broke as he fell, (he checks the watch on Professor Peach’s hand) time of death was quarter past four.

He gets up and starts searching the papers on the desk.

DONNA
Bit of pipe. (she lifts up a pipe lying next to the body) Call me Hercule Poirot, but I reckon that’s blunt enough.

Agatha Christie picks something out of the grate.

DOCTOR
Nothing worth killing for in that lot, dry as dust.

DONNA
Hold on. The body in the library? I mean, Professor Peach, in the library, with the lead piping?

The voices of the other members of the party drift in to the room. They gather in to the room, look down in horror and disgust, and all talk simultaneously.

LADY EDDISON
Let me see.

COLONEL
Out of my way!

LADY EDDISON
Gerald!

REVEREND
Saints preserve us!

RUBINA
Oh how awful...

AGATHA
Someone should call the police.

DOCTOR
You don’t have to. (he flashes the psychic paper around) Chief Inspector Smith from Scotland Yard. Known as the Doctor. Miss Noble is the plucky young girl who helps me out.

LADY EDDISON
I say.

DOCTOR
Mrs Christie was right. Go into the sitting room. I will question each of you in turn.

AGATHA
Come along, do as the Doctor says. Leave the room undisturbed.

Everyone but the Doctor and Donna leave.

DONNA
"The plucky young girl who helps me out" ?

The Doctor gets down on the ground.

DOCTOR
No policewomen in 1926.

DONNA
I’ll pluck you in a minute. Why don’t we phone the real police?

DOCTOR
Well the last thing we want is PC Plod sticking his nose in.

He scrapes some slime off the floor with a stick.

DOCTOR
...especially now I’ve found this! Morphic residue.

DONNA
Morphic? Doesn’t sound very 1926.

DOCTOR
It’s left behind when certain species genetically re-encode.

DONNA
The murderer’s an alien.

DOCTOR
Which means, one of that lot is an alien in human form.

DONNA
Yeah, but think about it. There’s a murder, a mystery, and Agatha Christie.

DOCTOR
So? Happens to me all the time.

He smells the slime then puts in under Donna’s nose.

DONNA
No, but isn’t that a bit weird? Agatha Christie didn’t walk around surrounded by murders. Not really. I mean that’s like meeting Charles Dickens, and he’s surrounded by ghosts. At Christmas.

DOCTOR
Well...

DONNA
Oh, come on! It’s not like we could drive across country and find Enid Blyton having tea with Noddy. Could we? Noddy’s not real. Is he? Tell me there’s no Noddy!

DOCTOR
There’s no Noddy.

DONNA
Next thing you know, you'll be telling me it's like Murder On The Orient Express, and they all did it!

While she speaks they exit the library and meet Agatha at the bottom of the staircase.

AGATHA
Murder on the Orient Express?

DONNA
Oh, yeah. One of your best!

DOCTOR
But not yet.

AGATHA
Marvellous idea though.

DONNA
Yeah. Tell you what, copyright Donna Noble, okay?

DOCTOR
Anyway! Agatha and I will question the suspects, Donna, you search the bedrooms. Look for clues. (whispering) Any more residue.

He gives her a magnifying glass.

DOCTOR
You'll need this.

DONNA
Is that for real?

DOCTOR
Go on. You're ever so plucky.

Not too pleased, Donna heads upstairs, while the Doctor beams at Agatha.

DOCTOR
Right then! Solving a murder mystery with Agatha Christie, brilliant!

AGATHA
How like a man to have fun, while there's disaster all around him.

DOCTOR
Sorry, yeah.

AGATHA
I'll work with you, gladly. But for the sake of justice. Not your own amusement.

DOCTOR
Yeah.

***
DOCTOR
Now then, Reverend. Where were you at a quarter past four?

REVEREND
Let me think. Oh yes, I remember.

Flashback scene begins: we see him hanging clothes in the wardrobe.

REVEREND (VO)
I was unpacking in my room.

DOCTOR (VO)
No alibi then.

AGATHA (VO)
You were alone?

The flashback ends.

REVEREND
With the Lord, one is never truly alone. Doctor?

***
DOCTOR
And where were you?

ROGER
Let me think... I was, um... Oh, yes, I was taking a constitutional, in the fields behind the house.

Flashback begins.

ROGER (VO)
Just taking a stroll, that's all.

DOCTOR (VO)
Alone?

ROGER (VO)
Oh, yes, all alone. Totally alone! Absolutely alone. Completely, all of the time.

In the flashback, we see him meeting Davenport and the pair of them walking off hand in hand.

ROGER (VO)
I wandered lonely as the proverbial cloud, there was no-one else with me, not at all.

Flashback ends.

ROGER
Not ever!

***
DOCTOR
And where were you?

ROBINA
At a quarter past four? Well, I went to the toilet when I arrived, and then um...

Flashback starts.

ROBINA (VO)
Oh, yes, I remember.

She is indeed in the bathroom, but we see her pulling out a small revolver from her handbag.

ROBINA (VO)
I was preparing myself, positively buzzing with excitement about the party... and the super fun of meeting Lady Eddy.

Flashback ends.

DOCTOR
We've only got your word for it.

ROBINA
That's your problem, not mine.

***
DOCTOR
And where were you, sir?

COLONEL
Quarter past four? Dear me, let me think... Ah, yes, I remember.

Flashback starts.

COLONEL (VO)
I was in my study, reading through some military memoirs. Fascinating stuff.

We see that he was actually watching some erotic pictures.

COLONEL (VO)
Took me back to my days in the army. Started reminiscing...

Flashback within the flashback: the Colonel remembers a revue with cancan dancers.

COLONEL (VO)
Mafeking, you know... Terrible war.

DOCTOR (VO)
Colonel, snap out of it!

The Colonel gets out of the revue flashback, but is still in the first one of watching pictures in his study.

COLONEL (VO)
I was in my study...

DOCTOR
No no no. Right out of it!

The flashback ends.

COLONEL
Oh, sorry. Got a bit carried away there.

***
DOCTOR
And where were you at a quarter past four, my lady?

LADY EDDISON
Now let me see...

Flashback begins.

LADY EDDISON (VO)
Yes, I remember. I was sitting in the Blue Room, taking my afternoon tea.

We see her drinking spirits from a bottle.

LADY EDDISON (VO)
It's a ritual of mine, I needed to gather strength for the duty of hostess. I then proceeded to the lawn where I met you, Doctor. And I said, "And who exactly might you be and what are you doing here?" And you said, "I am the Doctor and this is Miss Donna Noble."

DOCTOR (VO)
Yes, yes, you can stop now.

Flashback ends.

DOCTOR
I was there for that bit.

LADY EDDISON
Of course. (she burps) Excuse me.

***
All suspects questioned, the Doctor and Agatha are walking up and down the room, trying to solve the mystery.

AGATHA
No alibis for any of them. The secret adversary remains hidden. We must look for a motive, use "the little grey cells".

DOCTOR
Oh, yes, little grey cells, good old Poirot.

He sits down to the chair the suspects were using.

DOCTOR
Do you know, I've been to Belgium, yeah.

Flashback begins.

DOCTOR (VO)
I remember...

We see him in a forest, cutting way with a machete, armed with bow and arrows.

DOCTOR (VO)
I was deep in the Ardennes, trying to find Charlemagne. He'd been kidnapped by an insane computer.

AGATHA (VO)
Doctor!

Flashback ends.

DOCTOR
Sorry.

AGATHA
Charlemagne lived centuries ago!

DOCTOR
I've got a very good memory.

AGATHA
For such an experienced detective, you missed a big clue.

DOCTOR
What, that bit of paper you nicked out the fire?

AGATHA
You were looking the other way!

DOCTOR
Yeah, but I saw you reflected in the glass of the bookcase.

AGATHA
You crafty man.

They smile at each other.

AGATHA
This is all that was left.

The Doctor rushes to her and they try to decipher the writing.

DOCTOR
What's that first letter? N or M?

AGATHA
It's an M. The word is maiden.

DOCTOR
Maiden! What does that mean?

AGATHA
We're still no further forward. Our nemesis remains at large. Unless Miss Noble's found something.

***
Upstairs, Donna tries to open a door but it is locked. Greeves appears suddenly and she lets out a surprised little scream.

GREEVES
You won't find anything in there.

DONNA
How come it's locked?

GREEVES
Lady Eddison commands it to be so.

DONNA
And I command it to be otherwise. Scotland Yard, pip-pip.

Reluctant, he moves forward to unlock the door.

DONNA
Why's it locked in the first place?

GREEVES
Many years ago, when my father was butler to the family, Lady Eddison returned from India with malaria. She locked herself in this room for six months until she recovered. Since then, the room has remained undisturbed.

He opens the door and Donna steps in.

GREEVES
There's nothing in here.

DONNA
How long's it been empty?

GREEVES
Forty years.

DONNA
Why would she seal it off? All right, I need to investigate, you just... butle off.

She closes the door behind herself and starts to look around. She finds a big teddy bear on the bed, then hears a buzz.

DONNA
1926, they've still got bees. Oh, what a noise! All right, busy bee, I'll let you out. Hold on, I shall find you with my amazing powers of detection.

Lifting up the magnifying glass, she walks to the window. She pulls aside the heavy curtains hiding the view, and sees a giant wasp. She screams as the wasp breaks through the glass.

DONNA
That's impossible!

Threatened by the wasp, she backs to the window.

DONNA
Doctor!

The wasp is about to attack, but she holds out the magnifying glass and focuses the sunlight on it's body, stopping it for a moment.

DONNA
DOCTOR!

She runs out of the room and shuts the door. The wasp stings through the wood and she screams. The Doctor and Agatha arrive running.

DONNA
It's a giant wasp!

DOCTOR
What d'you mean, a giant wasp?

DONNA
I mean, a wasp that's giant!

AGATHA
It's only a silly little insect.

DONNA
When I say giant, I don't mean big, I mean flippin' enormous! Look at its sting!

They look down at the huge sting, stuck into the door.

DOCTOR
Let me see.

He gets into the room but it's empty.

DOCTOR
It's gone. Buzzed off.

Agatha bows to examine the sting.

AGATHA
But that's fascinating...

DOCTOR
D-D-D-Don't touch it! Don't touch it! Let me...

He collects some slime from the sting into a test tube.

DOCTOR
Giant wasp... Well, tons of amorphous insectivorous lifeforms, but none in this galactic vector.

AGATHA
I think I understood some of those words. Enough to know that you're completely potty.

DONNA
Lost its sting though, that makes it defenceless.

DOCTOR
Oh, creature this size, got to be able to grow a new one.

AGATHA
Can we return to sanity? There are no such things as giant wasps!

DOCTOR
Exactly. So, question is, what's it doing here?

***
The household staff discuss the events in the kitchen.

MRS HART
A murder? That’s put the cat among the pigeons and no mistake!

MISS CHANDRAKALA
It is not the stuff of gossip Mrs Hart, continue with your work.

DAVENPORT
But who’d want to do in the old professor? He was always asking questions about that book of his, what’s all that about?

MISS CHANDRAKALA
A dead man’s folly, nothing more. Though perhaps if he asked about... I must go and see milady.

She walks outside, a gargoyle falls off the roof and she screams as it heads towards her. The Doctor, Donna and Agatha hear the thud and run outside. They kneel beside Miss Chandrakala.

MISS CHANDRAKALA
The... poor... little... child...

She dies. There is a buzz, the Doctor looks up and sees the giant wasp.

DOCTOR
There!

The wasp flies off and they run into the house.

DOCTOR
Come on!

DONNA
Hey, this makes a change, there’s a monster, and we’re chasing it.

AGATHA
Can’t be a monster, it’s a trick, they do it with mirrors!

The Doctor, Donna and Agatha run up the stairs and find the wasp.

AGATHA
By all that’s holy!

DOCTOR
Oh, but you are wonderful!

The wasp flies at them.

DOCTOR
Now, just stop, stop there!

DONNA
Oi, fly boy!

She points the magnifying glass at the wasp and it flies off.

DOCTOR
Don’t let it get away! Quick! Before it reverts back to human form.

They run down the stairs and stop at the end of an empty corridor.

DOCTOR
Where are you? Come on! There’s nowhere to run. Show yourself!

The doors along the corridor open and all the guests and family emerge from their rooms.

DOCTOR
Oh, that’s just cheating.

***
Everyone gathers in the drawing room.

LADY EDDISON (in tears)
My faithful companion, this is terrible!

DAVENPORT
Excuse me, my lady, but she was on her way to tell you something.

LADY EDDISON
She never found me. She had an appointment with death instead.

DOCTOR
She said "The poor little child". Does that mean anything to anyone?

COLONEL
No children in this house for years, (looking at his son and Davenport) highly unlikely there will be.

LADY EDDISON
Mrs Christie, you must have twigged something, you’ve written simply the best detective stories.

REVEREND
Tell us, what would Poirot do?

COLONEL
Heavens sake! Cards on the table, woman, you should be helping us.

AGATHA
But, I’m merely a writer.

ROBINA
But surely you can crack it, these events, they’re exactly like one of your plots.

DONNA
That’s what I’ve been saying! Agatha, that’s gotta mean something.

AGATHA
But, what? I’ve no answers. None. I’m sorry, all of you, I’m truly sorry, but I’ve failed. If anyone can help us then it’s the Doctor, not me.

***
Donna sits outside with Agatha.

DONNA
D’you know what I think? Those books of yours, one day they could turn them into films, they could be talking pictures.

AGATHA
Talking pictures? Pictures that... talk? What do you mean?

DONNA
Oh, blimey, I've done it again.

AGATHA
I appreciate you trying to be kind, but you’re right, these murders are like my own creations. It’s as though someone’s mocking me, and I’ve had enough scorn for one lifetime.

DONNA
Yeah... Thing is, I had this bloke once, I was engaged, and I loved him, I really did. Turns out he was lying through his teeth. But d’you know what? I moved on. I was lucky, I found the Doctor, it’s changed my life. There’s always someone else.

AGATHA
I see. Is my marriage the stuff of gossip now?

DONNA
No! I just… sorry.

AGATHA
No matter. The stories are true. I found my husband with another woman. A younger, prettier woman, isn’t it always the way?

DONNA
Well, mine was with a giant spider, but, same difference.

AGATHA
You and the Doctor talk such wonderful nonsense.

DONNA
Agatha, people love your books, they really do, they’re gonna be reading them for years to come.

AGATHA
If only! Try as I might it’s hardly great literature, now that’s beyond me. I’m afraid my books will be forgotten, like ephemera.

She spots something.

AGATHA
Hello, what’s that? Those flowerbeds were perfectly neat earlier, now some of the stalks are bent over.

She takes a small box out of the flowerbed.

DONNA
There you go, who’d ever notice that? You’re brilliant!

***
Ins the room they were questioning the suspects, the Doctor opens the box. It's full of strange tools.

DOCTOR
Oh! Someone came here tooled up. The sort of stuff a thief would use.

AGATHA
The Unicorn? He's here!

DOCTOR
The Unicorn and the wasp...

Greeves enters the room.

GREEVES
Your drinks, ladies. Doctor.

DOCTOR
Very good, Greeves.

They take the drinks and the butler leaves.

DONNA
How about the science stuff, what did you find?

The Doctor pulls out the test tube.

DOCTOR
Vespiform sting. Vespiforms have got hives in the Silfrax galaxy.

AGATHA
Again, you talk like Edward Lear.

DOCTOR
But for some reason, this one's behaving like a character in one of your books.

He sips at his drink.

DONNA
Come on, Agatha, what would Miss Marple do? She'd have overheard something vital by now, because the murderer thinks she's just a harmless old lady.

AGATHA
Clever idea. Miss Marple? Who writes those?

DONNA
Um, copyright Donna Noble, add it to the list.

DOCTOR
Donna...

DONNA
Okay, we could split the copyright.

DOCTOR
No. Something's inhibiting my enzymes. ARGH! (in agony) I've been poisoned!

DONNA
What do we do? What do we do?!

She crouches beside the Doctor, trying to find a way to help, while Agatha smells his drink.

AGATHA
Bitter almonds! It's cyanide! Sparkling cyanide!

The Doctor runs out of the room, stumbling. Donna and Agatha follow him.

***
They burst into the kitchen. The Doctor staggers to Davenport and grabs him.

DOCTOR
Ginger beer!

DAVENPORT (offended)
I beg your pardon?

DOCTOR
I need ginger beer!

He struggles to a the kitchen shelf, sweeping off stuff while he searches for ginger beer.

MRS HART
The gentleman's gone mad!

The Doctor founds the bottle and drinks of it, then pours the rest on his head.

AGATHA
I'm an expert in poisons, Doctor. There's no cure! It's fatal!

He spits out the rest of the drink.

DOCTOR
Not for me! I can stimulate the inhibited enzymes into reversal... Protein! I need protein!

He leans on the worktop, panting in agony, while Donna and Agatha search the kitchen supplies.

DONNA
Walnuts?

DOCTOR
Brilliant!

She hands him a jar of walnuts and he gobbles it down. Mouth full, he can only gesture to Donna, shaking his hand up and down.

DONNA
I can't understand you! How many words?

He shows up one finger.

DONNA
One! One word!

He keeps shaking his hand while Donna is guessing what he means.

DONNA
Shake, milk shake, milk? Milk? No, not milk? Hm, shake shake shake... Cocktail shaker! What do you want, a Harvey Wallbanger?

He finally manages to swallow the walnuts.

DOCTOR
Harvey Wallbanger?!

DONNA
Well, I don't know!

DOCTOR
How is Harvey Wallbanger one word?!

AGATHA
What do you need, Doctor?!

DOCTOR
Salt, I was miming salt! Salt! I need something salty!

DONNA
What about this?

She shows him a brown bag.

DOCTOR
What is it?

DONNA
Salt!

DOCTOR
That's too salty!

DONNA
Oh, that's too salty!

Agatha hands him a jar.

AGATHA
What about this?!

He opens the jar and gobbles the contents.

DONNA
What's that?

AGATHA
Anchovies!

The Doctor gestures again.

DONNA
What is it? What else? It's a song? Mammy? Um, I don't know, Camptown Races?

DOCTOR
Camptown Races?

DONNA
All right then, Towering Inferno!

DOCTOR
It's a shock! Look! Shock! I need a shock!

DONNA
Right then. Big shock, coming up!

She grabs him and kisses him. She lets him go, and the Doctor breathes out a cloud of grey smoke. Donna, Agatha and the kitchen staff stare at him, shocked.

DOCTOR
Detox! (he wipes his mouth) I must do that more often!

Donna gives him a nasty look.

DOCTOR
I mean, the, the detox.

AGATHA (in disbelief)
Doctor, you are impossible! Who are you?

***
There is a clap of thunder and lightning. In the manor, the group is having dinner together in the dining room.

DOCTOR
A terrible day for all of us. (pause) The Professor struck down, Miss Chandrakala taken cruelly from us… and yet we still take dinner.

LADY EDDISON
We are British, Doctor. What else must we do?

DOCTOR
Then someone tried to poison me. Any one of you had the chance to put cyanide in my drink. But it rather gave me an idea.

REVEREND
And what would that be?

DOCTOR
Well … poison. Drink up! (he gets suspicious looks from everyone) I’ve laced the soup with pepper.

COLONEL
Ah, I thought it was jolly spicy.

DOCTOR
But the active ingredient of pepper is piperine. Traditionally used as an insecticide. (they all stare at each other, confused) So, anyone got the shivers?

There is a strike of lightning and the window is blown violently open, the candles blow out and the room goes all dark.

COLONEL
What the deuce is that!?

DOCTOR
Listen… listen, listen, listen!

Silence. They all listen and hear a waspy buzz.

LADY EDDISON (looking around)
No, it can’t be...

There's another strike of lightning.

AGATHA (rising)
Show yourself, demon!

DOCTOR (as they all begin to move)
Nobody move! No, don't, stay where you are!

The Vespiform shows itself.

DOCTOR
Out, out, out, out!

They spread out. The Doctor, pushing Agatha in front of him, ends up in a small room together with Donna and Greeves.

DOCTOR
Not you, Agatha. You’ve got a long, long life to live yet.

He takes a sword from a wall decoration.

DONNA
Well, we know the butler didn’t do it!

DOCTOR (running back)
Then who did?

They find that most of the people didn’t leave the dining room: Robina is sitting in astonishment, gasping, the Colonel is topsy-turvy on his wheelchair, Lady Eddison is at the head of the table, Davenport is on the ground, and the Reverend is to the side of the room.

LADY EDDISON (feeling herself)
My jewelry! The Firestone! It’s gone! Stolen…

DAVENPORT (in horror)
Roger...

Roger is lying with his head in a bowl, a knife in his back. Robina screams. Lady Eddison walks over to his son's body shaking her head in disbelief. She hugs him as she talks.

LADY EDDISON (crying)
My son … my child!

***
In the drawing room, Agatha sits on the sofa and the Doctor stands in front of the fireplace, thinking. Donna walks in and sits next to Agatha.

DONNA
That poor footman. Roger’s dead and he can’t even mourn him. 1926, it’s more like the dark ages.

AGATHA
Did you enquire after the necklace?

DONNA
Lady Eddison bought it back from India. It’s worth thousands.

DOCTOR (pondering)
It can sting, it can fly. It could wipe us all out in seconds, why is it playing this game?

AGATHA
Every murder is essentially the same. They are committed because somebody wants something.

DOCTOR
What does a Vespiform want?

AGATHA
Doctor, stop it. The murderer is as human as you or I.

DOCTOR (sudden realisation)
You’re right!

He walks over and kneels to Agatha.

DOCTOR
Ah, I’ve been so caught up with giant wasps that I’ve forgotten. You’re the expert!

AGATHA
I'm not, I've told you! I’m just a... purveyor of nonsense.

DOCTOR
No, no, no, no, no! Because plenty of people write detective stories, but yours are the best! And why? Why are you so good, Agatha Christie? Because you understand! You’ve lived… you’ve fought… you’ve had your heart broken. You know about people... their passions, their hope, and despair, and anger. All of those tiny, huge things, that can turn the most ordinary person into a killer. Just think, Agatha! If anyone can solve this... it’s you!

***
Everyone has gathered in the drawing room. The Doctor is standing in front of the group.

DOCTOR
I’ve called you here on this endless night, because we have a murderer in our midst. And when it comes to detection, there’s none finer. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you … Agatha Christie!

The Doctor takes a seat next to Donna as Agatha takes his spot.

AGATHA
This is a crooked house. A house of secrets. To understand the solution, we must examine them all. Starting with you…

Agatha pauses, looking in the direction of Lady Edison, but then turns to Robina.

AGATHA
...Miss Redmond.

ROBINA
But I’m innocent, surely?

AGATHA
You’ve never met these people and these people have never met you. I think the real Robina Redmond never left London, you’re impersonating her!

ROBINA
How silly! What proof do you have?

AGATHA
You said you went to the toilet…

DONNA
Oh, I know this. If she was really posh, she’d say ‘loo’.

Agatha reaches down to the coffee table and lifts up the Unicorn's box.

AGATHA
Earlier today, Miss Noble and I found this on the lawn. Right beneath your bathroom window. You must have heard that Miss Noble was searching the bedrooms, so you panicked. You ran upstairs and disposed of the evidence.

A flashback shows exactly what Agatha had just explained.

ROBINA
I’ve never seen that thing before in my life.

LADY EDDISON
What’s inside it?

Agatha opens the box to reveal its contents.

AGATHA
The tools of your trade, Miss Redmond. Or should I say… (showing the tools to everyone) the Unicorn!

Everyone stares at Rubina, shocked.

AGATHA
You came to this house with one sole intention. To steal the Firestone!

Robina looks Agatha closely in the eye, before getting up from her seat. Her voice, her accent, her whole attitude changes.

ROBINA
Oh, alright then. It’s a fair cop. Yes, I’m the bleedin' Unicorn. Ever so nice to meet you, I don’t think. I took my chance in the dark and napped it. Go on then, you knobs. Arrest me, sling me in jail!

She pulls out the Firestone from inside her dress and tosses it to the Doctor.

DONNA
So, is she the murderer?

ROBINA
Don’t be so thick. I might be a thief, but I ain’t no killer.

AGATHA
Quite. There are darker motives at work. And in examining this household, we come to you … (Agatha eyes Lady Edison again, but then turns away) Colonel!

COLONEL
Damn it, woman! You with your perspicacity! You've rumbled me.

He stands up from his wheelchair.

LADY EDDISON
Hugh, you can walk! But why!?

COLONEL
My darling, how else could I be certain of keeping you by my side?

LADY EDDISON
I don't understand...

COLONEL
You're still a beautiful woman, Clemency. Sooner or later some chap will turn your head. I couldn't bear that. Staying in the chair was the only way I could be certain of keeping you. (turning to Agatha) Confound it, Mrs Christie, how did you discover the truth?

AGATHA
Um, actually I had no idea. I was just going to say you're completely innocent.

COLONEL
Oh... ugh.

AGATHA
Sorry!

COLONEL
Well, well shall I sit down then?

AGATHA
Yeah, I think you better had.

He sits down and Lady Eddison holds his hand.

DONNA
So he's not the murderer?

AGATHA
Indeed, not. To find the truth let's return to this. (she takes the Firestone from the Doctor) Far more than the Unicorn's object of desire. The Firestone has quite a history. Lady Eddison.

LADY EDDISON (shocked)
I've done nothing!

AGATHA
You brought it back from India, did you not? Before you met the Colonel. You came home with malaria, and confined yourself to this house for six month, in a room that has been kept locked ever since, which I rather think means...

LADY EDDISON
Stop, please.

AGATHA
I'm so sorry. But you had fallen pregnant in India. Unmarried and ashamed, you hurried back to England with your confidante, a young maid later to become housekeeper Miss Chandrakala.

COLONEL
Clemency, is this true?

LADY EDDISON
My poor baby. I had to give him away. The shame of it.

COLONEL
But you never said a word...

LADY EDDISON
I had no choice. Imagine the scandal. The family name! I'm British, I carry on.

DOCTOR
And it was no ordinary pregnancy.

LADY EDDISON
How can you know that?

DOCTOR
'Scuse me Agatha, this is my territory. But when you heard that buzzing sound in the dining room, you said "It can't be." Why did you say that?

LADY EDDISON (whispering)
You'd never believe it.

AGATHA
The Doctor has opened my mind to believe many things.

Flashback starts, showing what Lady Eddison says.

LADY EDDISON (VO)
It was forty years ago, in the heat of Delhi, late one night. I was alone. And that's when I saw it, a dazzling light in the sky. The next day, he came to the house. Christopher, the most handsome man I'd ever seen. Our love blazed like a wildfire. I held nothing back. And in return ... he showed me the incredible truth about himself. He'd made himself human, to learn about us.

We see Christopher becoming a giant wasp.

LADY EDDISON (VO)
This was his true shape.

Flashback ends.

LADY EDDISON
I loved him so much, it didn't matter. But he was stolen from me. 1885, the year of the great monsoon. The river Jumna rose up and broke its banks. He was taken at the flood. But Christopher left me a parting gift, (flashback shows him giving her the Firestone) a jewel like no other. I wore it always, part of me never forgot. I kept it close. Always.

ROBINA
Just like a man, flashes his family jewels, and you end up with a bun in the oven!

AGATHA
A "poor little child". Forty years ago, Miss Chandrakala took that newborn babe to an orphanage. But Professor Peach worked it out. He found the birth certificate.

DONNA
Oh, that's maiden! Maiden name!

AGATHA
Precisely.

DONNA
So, she killed him?

LADY EDDISON
I did not!

AGATHA
Miss Chandrakala feared that the Professor had unearthed your secret. She was coming to warn you.

DONNA
So, she killed her?

LADY EDDISON
I did not!

AGATHA
Lady Eddison (pause) is innocent. Because at this point... Doctor!

The Doctor rises from his seat and takes Agatha's place.

DOCTOR
Thank you. At this point, when we consider the lies and the secrets, and the key to these events, then we have to consider... it was you, Donna Noble!

He points to Donna who is staring at him in shock.

DONNA
What!? Who did I kill?

DOCTOR
No, but you said it, all along. The vital clue. This whole thing is being acted out like a murder mystery. Which means ... (he points to Agatha) it was you, Agatha Christie!

AGATHA (astounded)
I beg your pardon, sir!

DONNA
So, she killed them?

DOCTOR
No! But she wrote! She wrote those brilliant, clever books. And who’s her greatest admirer? The moving finger points at you... (he points at Lady Eddison) Lady Eddison!

LADY EDDISON
Don't, leave me alone!

DONNA
So, she did kill them?

DOCTOR
No! But just think, last Thursday night, what were you doing?

LADY EDDISON
I was… I was in the library. I was reading my favourite Agatha Christie (flashback shows Lady Eddison reading in the library) thinking about her plots, and how clever she must be. How is that relevant?

DOCTOR
Just think. What else happened on Thursday night?

The Doctor looks at Reverend Golightly who stares back, confused.

REVEREND
I’m sorry?

DOCTOR
You said on the lawn, this afternoon. Last Thursday night, those boys broke into your church.

REVEREND
That’s correct.

Flashback of him walking into the church and finding a robbery.

REVEREND (VO)
They did. I discovered the two of them. Thieves in the night, I was most perturbed.

REVEREND (in the flashback)
What the blazes are you doing boys?

Flashback ends.

REVEREND
But, I apprehended them.

DOCTOR
Really? A man of God against two strong lads? A man in his forties? Or, should I say... forty years old, exactly?

LADY EDDISON
Oh my god!

DOCTOR
Lady Eddison, your child, how old would he be now?

LADY EDDISON
Forty, he’s forty!

DOCTOR
Your child has come home.

REVEREND
This is poppycock!

DOCTOR
Oh? You said you were taught by the Christian Fathers. Meaning, you were raised in an orphanage.

LADY EDDISON
My son... can it be?

DOCTOR
You found those thieves, Reverend, and you got angry! A proper, deep anger, for the first time in your life, and it broke the genetic lock! You’ve changed!

Flashback to the night of the robbery, where we left off. The boys are heading away from the alter with the stolen items.

REVEREND
Put thozzzzze … thingzzzzz... back where you found them! It'zzzz...

Purple light engulfs him and he shakes violently. Flashback ends.

DOCTOR
You realized your inheritance! After all these years, you knew who you were.

He snatches the Firestone off Agatha.

DOCTOR
Oh, and then it all kicks off, cos this isn’t just jewel. It’s a Vespiform telepathic recorder! It’s part of you, your brain, your very essence. When you activated, so did the Firestone. It beamed your full identity directly into your mind. And, at the same time (flashback of Lady Eddison reading 'The murder of Roger Ackroyd' in the library) it absorbed the works of Agatha Christie, directly from Lady Eddison. It all became part of you.

Flashes of the Reverend and random pages from the book.

DOCTOR
Mechanics of those novels formed a template in your brain. You’ve killed, in this pattern, because that’s what you think the world is. Turns out, we are in the middle of a murder mystery. One of yours, Dame Agatha!

AGATHA
Dame?

DOCTOR
Oh, sorry, not yet.

DONNA
So he killed them? Yes? Definitely?

DOCTOR
Yes.

REVEREND
Well ...this has certainly been a most entertaining evening.

Everyone stares at him.

REVEREND
Really, you can’t believe any of this surely, Lady Edizzzz...

DOCTOR
Lady who?

REVEREND (struggling)
Lady Edizzzzzon...

DOCTOR
Little bit of buzzing there, Vicar?

REVEREND
Don't make me angry!

He rises from his seat and stands up in front of the group.

DOCTOR
Why? What happens then?

REVEREND
Damn it! You humanzzzz! Worshipping your tribal sky godzzz! I am so much more! That night, the universe exploded in my mind! I wanted to take what wazzz mine. And you, Agatha Christie, with your railway station bookstall romancezzzzz… What'zzzzz to stop me killing you?

LADY EDDISON
Oh, my dear god. (reaching out towards him) My child!

Purple light surrounds the Reverend while he transforms into the Vespiform.

REVEREND
What'zzzz to stop me killing you all?

Fully transformed, he flies at the people.

LADY EDDISON
Forgive me!

COLONEL
No, no, Clemency, come back! Keep away, keep away my darling!

He pulls her away from the Vespiform. They back into a corner with Greeves and Robina.

AGATHA (holding up the Firestone)
No! No more murder! If my imagination made you kill, then my imagination will find a way to stop you, foul creature!

She runs out, the Doctor, Donna and the Vespiform following her.

DONNA
Wait! Now it’s chasing us!

The two get out of the manor and shut the door behind them. Agatha drives up in one of the vintage cars and beeps a horns at them. The Vespiform breaks through the door.

AGATHA
Over here! Come and get me, Reverend!

DOCTOR
Agatha, what are you doing?

AGATHA
If I started this Doctor, then I must stop it!

She drives away. The Doctor and Donna run towards the other car. The Vespiform hesitates for a second, then flies off after Agatha.

DOCTOR
Come on!

AGATHA
It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault, it’s all my fault!

The Doctor and Donna follow her with the other car.

DONNA
You said this is the night Agatha Christie loses her memory.

DOCTOR
Time is in flux, Donna! For all we know, this is the night Agatha Christie loses her life and history gets changed.

DONNA
But where’s she going?

DOCTOR
The lake! She’s heading for the lake. What’s she doing?

The cars stop at the Silent Pool lake. Agatha gets out and holds up the Firestone, which is engulfed in purple glow.

AGATHA
Here I am! The honey in the trap. Come to me, Vespiform...

DONNA
She’s controlling it!

DOCTOR
Its mind is based on her thought processes. They’re linked!

Donna and the Doctor stand beside Agatha.

AGATHA
Quite so, Doctor! If I die, then this creature might die with me.

The Doctor steps in front of Agatha and faces the Vespiform.

DOCTOR
Don’t hurt her! You’re not meant to be like this. You’ve got the wrong template in your mind.

DONNA
It’s not listening.

Donna snatches the Firestone off Agatha and throws it into the lake, the Vespiform chasing after it, drowning in a purple glow. The three of them look down at the lake in sorrow.

DONNA (sadly)
How d'you kill a wasp? Drown it. Just like his father.

DOCTOR
Donna, that thing couldn't help itself.

DONNA (defensively)
Neither could I!

AGATHA
Death comes as the end... and justice is served.

DOCTOR
Murder at the Vicar’s rage. (Donna stares at him) Needs a bit of work.

AGATHA
Just one mystery left, Doctor. Who exactly are you?

The Doctor takes a deep breath to answer, but Agatha suddenly collapses, yelling in pain.

DOCTOR
Oh, it’s the Firestone! It’s part of the Vespiform’s mind. It’s dying and it’s connected to Agatha!

A purple glow engulfs Agatha, but then it stops and she rests silently with her eyes shut.

DOCTOR
He let her go. Right at the end, the Vespiform chose to save someone’s life.

DONNA
Is she alright, though?

DOCTOR
Oh, of course! The amnesia! Wiped her mind of everything that happened. The wasp, the murders…

DONNA
And us! She’ll forget about us.

DOCTOR
Yeah, but we’ve solved another riddle. The mystery of Agatha Christie. And tomorrow morning, her car gets found by the side of the lake.

We see repeat of the flashes from the beginning of the episode: the view of Agatha’s car by the lake...

DOCTOR (VO)
A few days later, she turns up in hotel at Harrogate, with no idea of what just happened.

...Agatha standing at the Harrogate Hotel entrance, looking at the Doctor and Donna in confusion...

DOCTOR (VO)
No-one'll ever know.

...then she slowly walks into the hotel.

DONNA (VO)
Lady Eddison, the Colonel, and all the staff … what about them?

Camera turns to the Doctor and Donna standing outside the TARDIS, near the hotel.

DOCTOR
Shameful story. They'd never talk of it. Too British. While the Unicorn does a bunk, back to London town. She could never even say she was there.

DONNA
But, what happens to Agatha?

DOCTOR
Oh, great life! Met another man, married again. Saw the world. Wrote and wrote and wrote.

DONNA
She never thought her books were any good, though. And she must have spent all those years wondering.

They get into the TARDIS, the Doctor puts his coat on one of the ‘trees’ inside.

DOCTOR
Thing is, I don’t think she ever quite forgot. Great mind like that, some of the details kept bleeding through. All the stuff her imagination could use. Like, Miss Marple!

DONNA
I should have made her sign a contract.

DOCTOR
And, where is it, where is it, hold on…

[He lifts up a piece of the TARDIS floor and gets out a chest.

DOCTOR
Here we go. C...

He opens the chest and rummages the contents.

DOCTOR
That is, C for Cybermen (he throws aside a Cyberman chest plate), C for Carrionites (he discards the Carrionite globe too, then does the same with the head of a stone statue), and... (he finds a book) Christie, Agatha!

He shows it to Donna. It is 'Death in the Clouds', with a giant wasp on the cover.

DOCTOR
Look at that.

DONNA
She did remember!

DOCTOR
Somewhere in the back of her mind, it all lingered. And that’s not all. Look at the copyright page.

He hands the book to Donna and she examines the copyright page.

DONNA
Facsimile edition, published in the year… five billion?!

DOCTOR
People never stop reading them. She is the best selling novelist, of all time.

DONNA (sighing)
But she never knew.

DOCTOR
Well, no one knows how they’re gonna be remembered. All we can do is hope for the best. Maybe that’s what kept her writing. Same thing keeps me travelling. (smiling at Donna) Onwards?

DONNA (smiling back)
Onwards!

They watch the TARDIS console happily as the engines start to work.

4x06 - The Doctor's Daughter

2008-05-12T16:12:00.009+01:00

In the TARDIS, the Doctor and his companions are clinging furiously to the console as the TARDIS flies violently through the vortex. They are shaking to every possible side while the Doctor tries to regain some control. Sparks are flying, Donna and Martha are screaming while the Doctor has a look of deep concern.

DONNA
What the hell's it doing?

DOCTOR
Controls aren't working!

He tries again with a control and sparks fly. He falls to the floor and sees his hand in the jar bubbling wildly.

DOCTOR
I don't know where we're going but my old hand's very excited about it!

DONNA
I thought that was just some freaky alien thing! You telling me it's yours?

DOCTOR
Well...

MARTHA
It got cut off. He grew a new one!

DONNA
You are completely... impossible!

DOCTOR
Not impossible, just... a bit unlikely!

The TARDIS makes one last rebellious explosion, sparks fly. The Doctor and his companions fall backwards, the Doctor lands in the chair next to the console. The TARDIS has landed. The Doctor looks at his companions before suddenly running towards the door and outside. He exits the TARDIS and looks around curiously. They seem to be in some underground tunnel, littered with junk and old equipment. His companions soon follow.

DOCTOR
Why would the TARDIS bring us here?

MARTHA
Oh, I love this bit.

DONNA
Thought you wanted to go home.

MARTHA
I know, but all the same...

The Doctor is going about his business, seemingly oblivious to the conversation. He licks his hands and looks into the distance.

MARTHA
It's that feeling you get...

DONNA
Like you swallowed a hamster?

At that moment, the Doctor and his companions hear a loud noise. They look over to the source of the commotion. Soldiers are coming.

CLINE
Don't move, stay where you are! Drop your weapons.

The soldiers point their guns at the TARDIS crew who show they are unarmed.

DOCTOR
We're not armed! Look, no weapons. Never any weapons. We're safe.

SOLDIER
Look at their hands. They're clean.

CLINE
Alright, process them! Him first.

The two soldiers who accompanied Cline move towards the Doctor. They grab him and drag him towards a strange machine.

DOCTOR
Oi, oi! What's wrong with clean hands?!

MARTHA
What's going on?

DONNA
Leave him alone!

The Doctor's hand is forced into the machine and he makes yells of pain as it whizzes away doing it's job.

DOCTOR
Something tells me this isn't about to check my blood pressure AAGGGH!

DONNA
What're you doing to him?

CLINE
Everyone gets processed.

DOCTOR
It's taken a tissue sample. Ow ow ow ow ow ow! And extrapolated it! Some kind of accelerator?

The machine lets the Doctor go, and he moves back, examining his hand. Donna and Martha run to him while he looks at a larger machine near the 'processor'.

MARTHA
Are you alright?

She examines his hand and notices a Y-shaped graze. The Doctor and Donna keep an eye on the other machine as it opens.

DOCTOR
What on earth? That's just...

A woman steps out from the machine, smoke billowing everywhere. The Doctor and his companions look on curiously as the woman looks around, also curious.

CLINE
Arm yourself!

He hands the woman the gun, and she naturally handles it.

MARTHA
Where did she come from?

DOCTOR
From me.

The woman is arming the gun as the Doctor, looking totally shocked himself, explains the situation to his companions.

DONNA
From you?! How? Who is she?

DOCTOR
Well... she's... well... she's my daughter!

Jenny, the woman, looks on with a smile on her face.

JENNY
Hello dad!

***
OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE
and
FREEMA AGYEMAN

THE DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER
by Stephen Greenhorn
***
Jenny joins the soldiers while the Doctor and his companions stay in the background.

CLINE
You primed to take orders, ready to fight?

JENNY
Instant mental download of all strategic and military protocols, sir. Generation 5000 soldier primed and in peak physical health. Oh, I’m ready.

DONNA
Did you say, daughter?

DOCTOR
Mm. Technically.

MARTHA
Technically how?

DOCTOR
Progenation. Reproduction from a single organism. Means one parent is biological mother and father. You take a sample of diploid cells, split them into haploids, then recombine them in a different arrangement, and grow. Very quickly, apparently.

JENNY
Something’s coming!

Hath run down the tunnel shooting.

CLINE
It’s the Hath!

The human soldiers shoot back.

JENNY
Get down!

CLINE
We have to blow the tunnel! Get the detonator!

DOCTOR
I’m not detonating anything!

A Hath grabs Martha and pulls her away, while Jenny kicks the other Hath and picks up the detonator.

CLINE
Blow that thing, blow the thing!

DOCTOR
Martha! No! Don’t!

Jenny presses the button, and they all run to cover before the tunnel explodes. The Doctor goes back to see the tunnel sealed, so Martha is stuck on the other side, or possibly dead.

DOCTOR
You’ve sealed off the tunnel. Why did you do that?!

JENNY
They were trying to kill us!

DOCTOR
But they’ve got my friend!

JENNY
Collateral damage. At least you’ve still got her, he lost both his men, I’d say you came out ahead.

DONNA
Her name’s Martha, and she’s not collateral damage, not for anyone! Have you got that, GI Jane?!

DOCTOR
I’m gonna find her.

CLINE (pointing gun at them)
You’re going nowhere. You don’t make sense, you two. No guns, no marks, no fight in you… I’m taking you to General Cobb. Now, move.

***
Martha wakes up in the debris of the explosion and spots an injured Hath.

MARTHA
Hold on, I’ve got you, is it your arm, yeah?

The Hath gurgles.

MARTHA
Is that a yes?

The Hath nods.

MARTHA
Let me examine it. Keep still. Still, yeah? No move!

The Hath nods.

MARTHA
Half fish, half human, how'm I supposed to know? Is that a shoulder? Feels like a shoulder! I think it’s dislocated.

Several Hath march in and point guns at Martha.

MARTHA
I’m trying to help him! I am a doctor and he is my patient, and I’m not leaving him! Now, this is gonna hurt. One, two, three!

Martha snaps the shoulder back into place. The Hath cock their guns. The injured Hath explains them that she was helping him, and the guns are lowered.

MARTHA
Now, then. I’m Doctor Martha Jones. Who the hell are you?

***
Cline, Jenny, Donna and the Doctor walk through the tunnels.

DONNA
I’m Donna, what’s you name?

JENNY
Don’t know, it’s not been assigned.

DONNA
Well, if you don’t know that, what do you know?

JENNY
How to fight.

DONNA
Nothing else?

DOCTOR
The machine must embed military history and tactics but no name. She’s a generated anomaly.

DONNA
Generated anomaly? Jenny-rated. Well what about that? Jenny!

JENNY
Jenny. Yeah, I like that, Jenny.

DONNA
What do you think, ‘Dad’?

DOCTOR
Good as anything, I suppose.

DONNA
Not what you’d call a natural parent, are you?

DOCTOR
They stole a tissue sample at gunpoint and processed it, it’s not what I call natural parentage.

DONNA
Rubbish! My friend Nerys fathered twins with a turkey baster, don’t bother her.

DOCTOR
You can't extrapolate a relationship from a biological accident.

DONNA
Er, Child Support Agency can.

DOCTOR
Look, just cos I share certain physiological traits with simian primates doesn’t make me a monkey’s uncle, does it?

JENNY
I’m not a monkey! Or a child.

They reach the human encampment, a huge underground room.

DOCTOR
So, where are we? What planet's this?

CLINE
Messaline. Well, what’s left of it.

TANNOY
...663 – 75 deceased. Generation 6671 – Extinct. Generation 6672 – 46 deceased. Generation 6680 – 14 deceased. Generation ...

DONNA
But, this is a theatre!

DOCTOR
Maybe they’re doing Miss Saigon.

DONNA
It’s like a town, or a city, underground. But why?

Cline just finished reporting to an older soldier who now walks to the Doctor and Donna.

DOCTOR
General Cobb, I presume?

GENERAL COBB
Found in the Western tunnels, I’m told, with no marks. There was an outbreak of pacifism in the Eastern Zone, three generations back, before we lost contact, is that where you came from?

DOCTOR
Eastern Zone, that’s us, yeah. Yeah. I’m The Doctor, this is Donna.

JENNY
And I’m Jenny.

GENERAL COBB
Don’t think you can infect us with your peacemaking. We’re committed to the fight, to the very end.

DOCTOR
Well, that’s all right, I can’t stay anyway. I’ve gotta go and find my friend.

GENERAL COBB
That’s not possible, all movement is regulated. We’re at war.

DOCTOR
Yes, I noticed. With the Hath. But tell me, cos we got a bit out of circulation, Eastern Zone and all that, so, who exactly are the Hath?

***
The Hath lead Martha into their base, similar to the human encampment. They seem delighted to meet a friendly human and they all pet Martha.

***
GENERAL COBB
Back at the dawn of this planet, these ancient halls were carved from the earth. Our ancestors dreamt of a new beginning, a colony where human and Hath could work and live together.

DOCTOR
So what happened?

GENERAL COBB
The dream died. Broken, along with Hath promises. They wanted it all for themselves. But those early pioneers, they fought back. They used the machines to produce soldiers instead of colonists, and began this battle for survival.

DONNA
There’s nothing but earth outside, why’s that? Why build everything underground?

CLINE
The surface is too dangerous.

DONNA
Well, then why build windows in the first place? And what does this mean?

Donna points at a number stamped on the wall.

GENERAL COBB
The rites and symbols of our ancestors. The meanings... lost in time.

DOCTOR
How long’s this war gone on for?

GENERAL COBB
Longer than anyone can remember. Countless generations marked only by the dead.

DONNA
What, fighting all this time?

JENNY
Because we must. Every child of the machine is born with this knowledge. It’s our inheritance, it’s all we know. How to fight. And how to die.

***
The Hath and Martha are looking at a holographic map.

MARTHA
Right…so we’re here?

She points at the map.

***
At the human camp, the Doctor is looking at an identical map.

DOCTOR
Does this show the entire city, including the Hath zones?

GENERAL COBB
Yes. Why?

DOCTOR
Well it’ll help us find Martha.

CLINE
We’ve more important things to do. The Progenation Machines are powered down for the night shift, but soon as they’re active, we could breed a whole platoon from you two.

DONNA
I’m not having sons and daughters by some great big flippin’ machine! (looking at Jenny) Sorry, no offence but you’re not... well I mean you’re not real.

JENNY
You’re no better than him! I have a body, I have a mind, I have independent thought, how am I not real? What makes you better than me?

GENERAL COBB
Well said, soldier. We need more like you if ever we’re to find the Source.

DOCTOR
Ooh, the Source, what’s that then, what’s a Source? I like a Source, what is it?

GENERAL COBB
The Breath of Life.

DOCTOR
And that would be...?

CLINE
In the beginning the great one breathed life into the universe. And then she looked at what she’d done, and she sighed.

JENNY
She? I like that.

DOCTOR
Right, so it’s a creation myth.

GENERAL COBB
It’s not myth. It’s real. That sigh. From the beginning of time it was caught and kept as the Source. It was lost when the war started. But it’s here, somewhere. Whoever holds the Source controls the destiny of the planet.

DOCTOR
Ah! I thought so! There’s a suppressed layer of information in this map, if I can just…

He sonics the map and more tunnels appear on it.

DONNA
What is it, what’s it mean?

DOCTOR
See? A whole complex of tunnels, hidden from sight.

***
The extra tunnels appear on the Hath map too.

MARTHA
Hold on, look!

***
GENERAL COBB
That must be the lost temple. The source will be inside. You’ve shown us the way! And look, we’re closer than the Hath! It’s ours!

***
MARTHA
That’s a new map. There’s a different set of tunnels!

***
GENERAL COBB
Tell them to prepare to move out. We’ll progenate new soldiers on the morning shift, then we march. Once we reach the Temple, peace will be restored at long last.

DOCTOR
Um, call me old-fashioned, but if you really wanted peace couldn’t you just stop fighting?

GENERAL COBB
Only when we have the Source. It’ll give us the power to erase every stinking Hath from the face of this planet!

DOCTOR
Hang on, hang on, a second ago it was peace in our time, now you’re talking about genocide!?

GENERAL COBB
For us, that means the same thing.

DOCTOR
Then you need to get yourself a better dictionary. When you do, look up genocide. You’ll see a little picture of me there and the caption will read 'Over my dead body'!

GENERAL COBB
And you’re the one who showed us the path to victory. But you can consider the irony from your prison cell. Cline, at arms!

Cline points his gun at the Doctor and Donna.

DONNA
Oi, oi oi! All right! Cool the beans Rambo!

GENERAL COBB
Take them, I won’t have them spreading treason. And if you try anything, Doctor, I’ll see that your woman dies first.

DOCTOR
No, we're, we're not a couple.

DONNA
I am not his woman!

CLINE
Come on. This way.

DOCTOR
I’m going to stop you, Cobb, you need to know that.

GENERAL COBB
I have an army and the breath of god on my side, Doctor, what’ll you have?

DOCTOR
This.

The Doctor points to his head.

GENERAL COBB
Lock them up, and guard them.

CLINE
What about the new soldier?

Jenny steps forward but Cobb pushes him away, into the Doctor's arms.

GENERAL COBB
Can’t trust her, she’s from pacifist stock. Take them all!

***
The Hath wave their guns in the air, celebrating Martha.

MARTHA
But, I didn’t do anything!

The Hath pat her on the back and continue to wave their guns in the air.

MARTHA
I think I just started a war.

***
The Doctor, Donna and Jenny enter their cell. Donna notices there are numbers there too.

DONNA
More numbers. They’ve gotta mean something.

DOCTOR
Makes as much sense as the breath of life story.

JENNY
You mean that’s not true?

DONNA
No, it’s a myth. Isn’t it, Doctor?

DOCTOR
Yes, but there could still be something real in that temple, something that’s become a myth. A piece of technology, a weapon.

DONNA
So the Source could be a weapon and we’ve just given directions to Captain Nutjob?

DOCTOR
Oh, yes.

DONNA
Not good, is it?

DOCTOR
That’s why we need to get out of here, find Martha and stop Cobb from slaughtering the Hath.

He notices Jenny's inquisitive look.

DOCTOR
What, what are you, what are you…what are you staring at?

JENNY
You keep insisting you’re not a soldier. But look at you! Drawing up strategies like a proper general.

DOCTOR
No no, I’m trying to stop the fighting.

JENNY
Isn’t every soldier?

DOCTOR
Well. I suppose. But that’s… that’s… technically... I haven’t got time for this! Donna, give me your phone! Time for an upgrade!

She handles him the phone and he sonics it.

JENNY
And now you’ve got a weapon!

DOCTOR
It’s not a weapon.

JENNY
But you’re using it to fight back! (she laughs) I’m gonna learn so much from you, you are such a soldier!

DOCTOR
Donna, will you tell her?

DONNA
Oh, you are speechless, I’m loving this! You keep on, Jenny!

MARTHA (on the phone)
Doctor?

DOCTOR
Martha! You're alive!

MARTHA
Doctor! Oh, am I glad to hear your voice! Are you all right?

DOCTOR
I'm with Donna, we're fine, what about you?

DONNA
And, and Jenny, she's fine too!

DOCTOR
Yes all right, (louder, to Martha) and, and Jenny... That's the woman from the machine, the soldier, my daughter, except she isn't, she's, she's... Anyway! Where are you?

MARTHA
I'm in the Hath camp. I'm OK, but, something's going on. The Hath are all marching off to some place that's appeared on this map thing.

DOCTOR
Ohhh... That was me. If both armies are heading that way, there's going to be a bloodbath.

MARTHA
What do you want me to do?

DOCTOR
Just stay where you are, if you're safe there then don't move, d'you hear?

MARTHA
But I can help.

The phone beeps and the connection breaks.

MARTHA
Doctor? Doctor!

***
General Cobb makes a speech to his troops.

GENERAL COBB
The doors that have been closed will be open to us now. The door to the Temple, to the Source, and to victory!

The soldiers cheer.

GENERAL COBB
Come the dawn cycle we march.

Their cheers and chanting is heard in the prison cell.

DOCTOR
They're getting ready to move out. We have to get past that guard.

JENNY
I can deal with him.

DOCTOR
No no no no. You're not going anywhere.

JENNY
What?

DOCTOR
You belong here, with them.

DONNA
She belongs with us. With you. She's your daughter!

DOCTOR
She's a soldier. She came out of that machine!

DONNA
Oh yes, I know that bit! Listen, have you got that stethoscope? Give it to me. Come on!

JENNY
What're you doing?

DONNA
It's all right. Just hold still.

Donna places the stethoscope to Jenny's chest, first on the left, then on the right. Then she looks at the Doctor.

DONNA
Come here. Listen. And then tell me where she belongs.

She handles him the stethoscope and makes him hear heartbeats on both sides. He steps back and stares at Jenny.

DOCTOR
Two hearts.

DONNA
Exactly.

JENNY
What's going on?

DONNA
Does that mean she's a...? What do you call a female Time Lord?

JENNY
What's a Time Lord?

DOCTOR
It's who I am. It's where I'm from.

JENNY
And I'm from you.

DOCTOR
You're an echo, that's all. A Time Lord is so much more. A sum of knowledge. A code. A shared history. A shared suffering. (pause) Only it's gone now. All of it. Gone forever.

JENNY
What happened?

DOCTOR
There was a war.

JENNY
Like this one?

He laughs at the absurdity of the comparison.

DOCTOR
Bigger. Much bigger.

JENNY
And you fought? And killed?

DOCTOR (darkly)
Yes.

JENNY
Then how are we different?

***
Martha is talking to the only Hath who stayed in the encampment with her.

MARTHA
I need to charge it up, I need power, d'you understand?

The Hath is fiddling with the controls of the map, changing it into 3D.

MARTHA
There's even more! In 3D! Oh, you're a clever Hath! So this is where everybody's headed? But look... those tunnels sort of zig-zag. If I went up and over the surface in a straight line, I'd get there first.

The Hath gurgles, protesting.

MARTHA
Why not?

He brings up a diagram.

MARTHA
Are these readings to the surface? Well it doesn't look too bad. Nitrogen and oxygen about 80:20, that's fine. Ozone levels are high. And some big radiation spikes. But as long as I'm not out there too long...

The Hath seems to ask a question.

MARTHA
I have to find my friends.

She runs off but turns back to the gurgling of the Hath, he seems to ask if he can come too.

MARTA
Come on, then!

***
Jenny goes to the cell door to talk with Cline.

JENNY
Hey.

CLINE
I'm not supposed to talk to you, I'm on duty.

JENNY
I know. Guarding me. (flirting) So does that mean I'm dangerous? Or that I need protecting?

CLINE
Protecting from what?

JENNY
Oh, I don't know. Men like you?

She pulls him closer for a kiss - then grabs his gun and points it at him.

JENNY
Keep quiet and open the door.

During this, the Doctor and Donna were waiting out of sight.

DONNA
I'd like to see you try that!

***
They walk downstairs, but stop when they notice another guard.

DOCTOR
That's the way out.

Jenny cocks the gun but the Doctor stops him.

DOCTOR
Don't you dare!

Donna steps between the two.

DONNA
Let me distract this one. I have picked up a few womanly wiles over the years.

DOCTOR
Let's... save your wiles for later. In case of emergency.

He uses a wind-up mouse to distract the guard, then Jenny steps behind the guard and knocks him out.

DOCTOR
I was gonna distract him, not clobber him!

JENNY
Well, it worked, didn't it?

DOCTOR
They must all have a copy of that new map. Just stay there, don't hurt anyone.

***
The Hath are marching down a corridor, then they stop at a point and start to break through the wall.

***
Martha and his new friend are heading upstairs, but the Hath starts to protest.

MARTHA
You can stay down here and live your whole life in the shadows, or come with me and stand in the open air. Feel the wind on your face. What's it gonna be? (he seems undecided) It's up to you. But nothing's gonna stop me.

She climbs out to the surface, the Hath following her. They are on a cold, windy, deserted planet lit by three moons.

MARTHA
I knew you couldn't resist it.

The Hath gurgles.

MARTHA
Er, language! Come on.

***
The soldiers find Cline inside the cell, tied up.

CLINE
It was the girl. She tricked me, they... they got away. I'm sorry.

GENERAL COBB
I waited all my life for this moment. No-one's gonna get in my way. Certainly not this Doctor. At arms! We march! To war!

***
The Doctor is looking at the map they've taken from the guard.

DOCTOR
Wait! This is it. The hidden tunnel. There must be a control panel.

He sonics the walls beside the locked door, while Donna notices another number.

DONNA
It's another one of those numbers. They're everywhere.

DOCTOR
The original builders must've left them. Some old cataloguing system.

DONNA
You got a pen? Bit of paper? Cos, d'you see, the numbers are counting down. (the Doctor gives her pen and paper and she takes notes) This one ends in 1-4, the prison cell said 1-6.

JENNY
Always thinking, both of you. Who are you people?

DOCTOR
I told you. I'm the Doctor.

JENNY
The Doctor? That's it?

DONNA
That's all he ever says.

JENNY
So, you don't have a name either? Are you an anomaly too?

DOCTOR
No.

DONNA
Oh, come off it! You're the most anomalous bloke I've ever met!

The Doctor takes off the cover of the control panel.

DOCTOR
Here it is!

JENNY
And Time Lords, what are they for exactly?

DOCTOR
'For'? They're not... They're not 'for' anything.

JENNY
So what do you do?

DOCTOR
I travel. Through time and space.

DONNA
He saves planets, rescues civilizations, defeats terrible creatures. And runs a lot. Seriously, there's an outrageous amount of running involved.

The door slides open.

DOCTOR
Got it!

GENERAL COBB (voice from the distance)
Squad 5, with me!

DOCTOR
Now, what were you saying about running?

They run, but soon are stopped by red beams crossing the tunnel, blocking their way.

DONNA
That's not mood lighting, is it?

The Doctor throws the clockwork mouse into the lights. It bursts into sparkles when it touches the first beam.

DONNA
No, I didn't think so.

DOCTOR
Arming device.

He starts to fiddle with the controls while Donna notices yet another set of numbers.

DONNA
There's more of these. Always eight numbers, counting down, the closer we get...

DOCTOR
Here we go!

DONNA
You better be quick!

JENNY (hearing the voice of the soldiers)
The General!

She turns to run back but the Doctor catches her.

DOCTOR
Where are you going?

JENNY
I can hold them up.

DOCTOR
No, we don't need any more dead.

JENNY
But it's them or us.

DOCTOR
It doesn't mean you have to kill them!

JENNY
I'm trying to save your life!

DOCTOR
Listen to me, the killing, after a while it infects you. And once it does you're never rid of it.

JENNY
We don't have a choice.

DOCTOR
We always have a choice.

JENNY
I'm sorry.

She runs off.

DOCTOR
Jenny!

SOLDIERS
This door! Now!

The first soldier catches sight of Jenny.

SOLDIER
There she is! At arms!

Jenny opens fire and the soldiers do the same. Hearing the shots, Donna looks very worried but the Doctor tries not to care.

DOCTOR
I told you. Nothing but a soldier.

DONNA
She's trying to help.

DOCTOR
Jenny! Come on!

JENNY
I'm coming!

GENERAL COBB
Cease fire! Cease fire!

The soldiers stop. At the same time, the Doctor manages to turn off the red beams.

DONNA
That's it!

DOCTOR
Jenny! Leave it! Let's go!

He and Donna run through the now safe corridor hand in hand. General Cobb walks forward, trying to persuade Jenny.

GENERAL COBB
You're a child of the machine. You're on my side. Join us! Join us in the war against the Hath. It's in your blood, girl, don't deny it.

Jenny takes aim, but then she fires at a pipeline over Cobb's head, and a cloud of steam blocks the soldiers view. She laughs then runs to where she's left the Doctor and Donna.

DOCTOR
Jenny! Come on! That's it!

DONNA
Hurry up!

But just when she reaches the corridor the red beams appear again.

DOCTOR
No, no, no, no! The circuit's looped back!

DONNA
Zap it back again!

DOCTOR
The controls are back there!

JENNY
They're coming!

DOCTOR
Wait! J-Just...! There isn't...! Jenny, I can't!

JENNY
I'll have to manage on my own. Watch and learn, Father!

She gets through the blocked corridor with a series of somersaults.

DONNA
No way! But that was impossible!

DOCTOR
Not impossible. Just a bit unlikely!

He hugs Jenny with a proud smile.

DOCTOR
Brilliant! You were brilliant! Brilliant!

JENNY
I didn't kill him. General Cobb, I could have kill him, but I didn't. You were right. I had a choice.

The soldiers arrive to the other end of the corridor. Donna and Jenny go ahead but the Doctor stays to talk to Cobb.

GENERAL COBB
At arms!

DOCTOR
I warned you, Cobb. If the Source is a weapon, I'm gonna make sure you never use it.

GENERAL COBB
One of us is gonna die today and it won't be me.

He opens fire and the Doctor runs off too.

***
Martha and the Hath are struggling forward on the surface.

MARTHA
It can't be much further.

She trips and slips downhills, into a bog. She tries to get out but she can't.

MARTHA
Help me! I'm sinking! I'm sinking! Help me! Peck! Help me! Help me, Peck! I'm sinking! (the Hath can't reach her) Oh it's no good. Aaah!

The Hath can't help her, so at the end he jumps into the bog too and pushes her out to the shore. But then he himself can't get out and Martha watches him sink slowly.

MARTHA
Oh noooo! Noooo!

She cries as she watches the motionless surface.

***
JENNY
So, you travel together, but you're not... 'together'?

DONNA
What? No, no! No way! No, no. We're friends. That's all. I mean, we're not even the same species, there's probably laws against it.

Jenny laughs.

JENNY
And what's it like, the travelling?

DONNA
Ah, never a dull moment. Can be terrifying, brilliant and funny - sometimes all at the same time. I've seen some amazing things though. Whole new worlds.

JENNY
Oh, I'd love to see new worlds.

DONNA
You will. Won't she, Doctor?

DOCTOR
Hm?

DONNA
D'you think Jenny will see any new worlds?

DOCTOR (with a little smile)
I suppose so.

JENNY
You mean... You mean, you'll take me with you?

DOCTOR
We can't leave you here, can we?

JENNY (hugging him)
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Come on! Let's get a move on!

She runs ahead.

DOCTOR
Careful, there might be traps!

DONNA
Kids! They never listen!

But she notices that the Doctor still looks troubled.

DONNA
Oh, I know that look. See it a lot round our way. Blokes with pushchairs and frowns. You've got dad-shock.

DOCTOR
Dad-shock?

DONNA
Sudden, unexpected fatherhood. Take a bit of getting used to.

DOCTOR
No, it's not that.

DONNA
Well, what is it then? Having Jenny in the TARDIS is that it? What's she gonna do, cramp your style? Like you've got a sports car and she's gonna turn it into a people-carrier?

DOCTOR
Donna, I've been a father before.

DONNA
What?

DOCTOR
I lost all that a long time ago. Along with everything else.

DONNA
I'm sorry. I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me? You talk all the time, but you don't say anything.

DOCTOR
I know. I'm just... When I look at her now I can see them. The hole they left, all the pain that filled it. I just don't know if I can face that every day.

DONNA
It won't stay like that. She'll help you. We both will.

DOCTOR
But when they died, that part of me died with them. It'll never come back. Not now.

DONNA
I tell you something, Doctor, something I've never told you before. I think you're wrong.

They hear shooting and Jenny returns to them.

JENNY
They've blasted through the beams, time to run again. Love the running! Yeah?

DOCTOR
Love the running.

They smile at each other before they run again.

***
Martha struggles forward on the surface, still wiping tears. But now, she is nearly at the "Temple".

***
The Doctor, Donna and Jenny reach a dead end.

DONNA
We're trapped.

DOCTOR
Can't be. This must be the temple. (he touches a panel of the wall) This is a door.

DONNA
And again! We're down to 1-2 now...

DOCTOR
I've got it!

JENNY
I can hear them!

DOCTOR
Nearly done.

DONNA (still talking about the numbers)
These can't be a cataloguing system.

JENNY
They're getting closer!

DOCTOR
Then get back here!

DONNA
They're too similar. Too familiar.

JENNY
Not yet.

DOCTOR
Now! Got it!

The door opens.

***
Martha reaches a very similar door on the surface and enters.

***
The Doctor, Donna and Jenny get inside the "Temple".

JENNY
They're coming! Close the door!

The Doctor pushes some keys and the door slides closed.

JENNY
Oh, that was close!

DOCTOR
No fun otherwise!

DONNA
It's not what I'd call a temple...

JENNY
It looks more like...

DOCTOR
Fusion-drive transport. It's a spaceship!

DONNA
What, the original one? The one the first colonists arrived in?

DOCTOR
Well, it could be, but the power cells would have run down after all that time. This one's still powered-up and functioning. Come on!

As they run, they see that someone is cutting through another door.

JENNY
It's the Hath! That door's not gonna last much longer. And if General Cobb gets through down there, war's gonna break out.

DOCTOR
Look, look, look, look, look! Ship's log!

He gets to the controls.

DOCTOR
"First wave of Human/Hath co-colonisation of planet Messaline".

JENNY
So it is the original ship.

DONNA
What happened?

DOCTOR
"Phase one. Construction." They used robot drones to build the city.

DONNA
But, does it mention the war?

The Doctor scrolls down.

DOCTOR
Final entry... "Mission commander dead. Still no agreement on who should assume leadership. Hath and humans have divided into factions." That must be it! A power vacuum. The crew divided into two factions and turned on each other. Start using the progenation machines and suddenly you've got two armies fighting a never-ending war!

JENNY
Two armies who are now both outside.

DONNA
Look at that.

She looks at a screen displaying a set of numbers similar to those on the walls.

DOCTOR
It's like the numbers in the tunnels.

DONNA
No, no, no, no, but listen... I spent six months working as a temp in Hounslow Library, and I mastered the Dewey Decimal System in two days flat. I'm good with numbers! It's staring us in the face!

JENNY
What is?

DONNA
It's the date! Assuming the first two numbers are some big old space date, then you've got year, month, day. It's the other way round, like it is in America!

DOCTOR
Ohhh! It's the New Byzantine Calendar!

DONNA
The codes are completion dates for each section. They finish it, they stamp the date on! So the numbers aren't counting down, they're going out, from here, day by day, as the city got built.

DOCTOR
Yes! Oh, good work, Donna!

DONNA
Yeah! But you're, you're still not getting it. The first number I saw back there, was 6012-07-17. Well, look at the date today!

DOCTOR
07-24. No!

JENNY
What does it mean?

DOCTOR
Seven days.

DONNA
That's it! Seven days!

DOCTOR
Just seven days?!

JENNY
What d'you mean, seven days?

DOCTOR
Seven days since war broke out.

DONNA
This war started seven days ago! Just a week! A week!

JENNY
They said years!

DONNA
No. They said generations. And if they're all like you, and they're products of those machines...

DOCTOR
They could have 20 generations in a day! Each generation gets killed in the war, passes on the legend! Ohhh! Donna, you're a genius!

JENNY
But all the buildings, the encampments, they're in ruins.

DOCTOR
No they're not ruined, they're just empty! Waiting to be populated! Oh, they've mythologised their entire history! The Source must be part of that too. Come on!

They run again. They turn around a corner and bump into Martha.

MARTHA
Doctor!

DOCTOR
Martha!

They hug each other.

DOCTOR
I should've known you wouldn't stay away from the excitement!

MARTHA
Donna!

She runs to Donna and they hug too.

DONNA
Oooh, you're filthy, what happened?!

MARTHA
I, erm, took the surface route.

They hear the voice of soldiers.

DOCTOR
That's the general! We haven't got much time.

DONNA
We don't even know what we're looking for!

MARTHA
Is it me, or can you smell flowers?

DOCTOR
Yes! Bougainvillea! I say we follow our nose!

GENERAL COBB (voice from a distance)
Blocks 7 to 10, advance! With me!

The Doctor, Donna, Jenny and Martha reach a place that looks like a huge greenhouse inside the spaceship filled with palms and other exotic plants.

DOCTOR
Oh, yes! Yes! Isn't this brilliant?

In the middle there's a small place around a pedestal that holds a glass sphere, containing shining gas.

DONNA
Is that the Source?

JENNY
It's beautiful.

MARTHA
What is it?

DOCTOR
Terraforming! It's a third generation terraforming device!

DONNA
So why are we suddenly in Kew Gardens?

DOCTOR
Because that's what it does. All this, only bigger. Much bigger! It's in a transit state. Producing all this must help keep it stable before they finally...

The Hath and the human soldiers appear from the opposite sides, cocking their guns as soon as they catch sight of each other.

DOCTOR
Stop! Hold your fire!

GENERAL COBB
What is this? Some kind of trap?

DOCTOR
You said you wanted this war over.

GENERAL COBB
I want this war won.

DOCTOR
You can't win. No one can. You don't even know why you're here. Your whole history, it's just Chinese whispers. Getting more distorted the more it's passed on. (pointing to the sphere) This is the Source. This is what you're fighting over. A device to rejuvenate a planet's ecosystem. It's nothing mystical. It's from a laboratory, not some creator. It's a bubble of gases. A cocktail of stuff for accelerated evolution. Methane, hydrogen, ammonia, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids. It's used to make barren planets habitable. Look around you! It's not for killing, it's bringing life. If you allow it, it can lift you out of these dark tunnels and into the bright, bright sunlight! No more fighting. No more killing.

He lifts up the sphere.

DOCTOR
I'm the Doctor, and I declare this war is over!

He throws it to the ground. The glass ball shatters and the gases escape, shining in gold and green as they spread out in the air. Amazed by the sight, human and Hath both put the guns to the ground.

JENNY
What's happening?

DOCTOR
The gases will escape and trigger the terraforming process.

JENNY
What does that mean?

DOCTOR
It means a new world.

Jenny laughs with delight, but then she looks at General Cobb - the only one who isn't enchanted by what's happened. He lifts his gun to shoot the Doctor, but Jenny steps in front of him.

JENNY
No!

The bullet hits her and Jenny collapses into the Doctor's arms, while the soldiers hold down Cobb and take away his gun.

DOCTOR
Jenny? Jenny! Talk to me, Jenny!

He sits down and takes Jenny into his lap. Martha checks her pulse and the wound.

DONNA
Is she gonna be all right?

Martha looks at Donna and shakes her head without a word.

JENNY (whispering)
A new world. It's beautiful.

DOCTOR
Jenny? Be strong, now. You need to hold on. D'you hear me? We've got things to do, you and me. Hey? Hey? We can go anywhere. Everywhere. You choose.

JENNY
That sounds good.

DOCTOR
You're my daughter and we've only just got started. You're gonna be great. You're gonna be more than great. You're gonna be amazing! You hear me? Jenny?

She closes her eyes and dies. The Doctor kisses her forehead in despair, then he finds one last straw to clutch.

DOCTOR
Two hearts. Two hearts, she's like me. If we wait... If we just wait...

He looks at Martha for support.

MARTHA
There's no sign, Doctor. There is no regeneration. She's like you, but... maybe not enough.

DOCTOR
No. Too much. That's the truth of it. She was too much like me.

He gently puts Jenny to the ground and kisses her one last time. Then he gets up, walks to General Cobb and picks up his gun. He stands there, panting from anger and despair, pointing the gun at Cobb's head. Martha and Donna are shocked to see what he's doing. But then he lowers the gun and crouches down to Cobb.

DOCTOR
I never would. Have you got that? I never would!

He stands up again and addresses both fighting parties.

DOCTOR
When you start this new world. This world of Human and Hath... remember that! Make the foundation of this society. A man who never would!

He throws away the gun and sits back to Jenny's body.

***
Jenny is laid out in the theatre room that used to be the human encampment. The Doctor, Donna, Martha, Cline and a Hath are around her. Suddenly, beams of light come through the windows.

MARTHA
It's happening. The terraforming.

DONNA
Build a city, nice and safe underground. Strip away the top soil. And there it is. (pause) And what about Jenny?

CLINE
Let us give her a proper ceremony. I think it'd help us. Please.

The Doctor, lost in dark thoughts, nods his approval.

***
The Doctor, Donna and Martha are back in the TARDIS.

DOCTOR
Jenny was the reason for the TARDIS bringing us here. It just got here too soon, which then created Jenny in the first place. Paradox. An endless paradox.

Donna and Martha watch him with sympathy.

DOCTOR
Time to go home?

MARTHA
Yeah. Home.

He starts to pull controls, but without his usual enthusiasm.

***
Donna and Martha walk down the road of Martha's house.

DONNA
You sure about this?

MARTHA
Yeah, positive. I can't do this any more. You'll be the same one day.

DONNA
Not me. Never! How could I ever go back to normal life after seeing all this?

She looks back to the Doctor who is a few step behind them.

DONNA
I'm gonna travel with that man for ever.

They hug each other.

MARTHA
Good luck.

DONNA
And you.

Donna stops while Martha and the Doctor walk a few steps ahead.

DOCTOR
We're making a habit of this.

MARTHA
Yeah. And you'd think it'd get easier. (she looks at the Doctor) All those things you've been ready to die for. I thought for a moment there you'd finally found something worth living for.

DOCTOR
Oh... there's always something worth living for, Martha.

They hug.

MARTHA
Bye, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Goodbye. Doctor Jones.

He turns back and walks to the TARDIS with Donna. For a second, Martha seems almost regretting her decision - then she looks at her engagement ring, smiles and rushes into the house.

***
Cline and the Hath are preparing Jenny for the ceremony. They put a pillow under her head and a sheet over her body. But suddenly her mouth opens and light comes out, resembling the terraforming substance. Cline and the Hath look at each other bemused. Then they get completely shocked when Jenny opens her eyes and smiles at them.

JENNY
Hello, boys.

***
Cline and the Hath are looking for Jenny.

CLINE
The shuttle!

He goes to a panel on the wall.

CLINE (over intercom)
Jenny? What're you doing? Come back!

Jenny is pushing controls to start the engines of the shuttle.

JENNY
Sorry. Can't stop. What you gonna do, tell my dad?

CLINE
But where are you going?!

JENNY
Oh, I've got the whole universe! Planets to save, civilizations to rescue, creatures to defeat... and an awful lot of running to do!

She shoots off to the sky with a huge smile on her face.

4x05 - The Poison Sky

2008-05-04T10:31:00.010+01:00

Recap of Episode 4, ending with the scene when Wilf is choking in the car and the Doctor and Donna are trying to free him.

***
OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE
and
FREEMA AGYEMAN

THE POISON SKY
by Helen Raynor
***

DONNA
He's gonna choke! Doctor!

DOCTOR
It won't open!

Sylvia rushes to the car with an axe and smashes the windscreen.

SYLVIA
Well, don't just stand there! Get him out!

***
UNIT OFFICER
All soldiers to a door! Make the factory secure and take positions on the ground floor!

COLONEL MACE
Wicowsky, take the soldiers into the factory! Make the area secure. Seal off doors and windows.

Soldiers are pushing the cars out of the factory.

SOLDIER
We've tried everything, it just won't stop!

Colonel Mace goes into the UNIT field base.

COLONEL MACE
What have we got?

CAPTAIN PRICE
ATMOS is running wild, sir. It can't be stopped, it's everywhere. The whole planet.

The Martha clone enters the UNIT base and uses Martha's level 1 security clearance to get into the NATO defence system.

***
WILF
Thanks!

DONNA
I can't believe you've got an axe!

SYLVIA
Burglars!

DOCTOR
Get inside the house. Just try and close off the doors and windows.

Ross pulls up in a black cab.

ROSS
Doctor! This is all I could find that hasn't got ATMOS.

The Doctor runs to the cab, shouting back to Donna who is still with Wilf and Sylvia.

DOCTOR
Donna, you coming?

DONNA
Yeah!

SYLVIA
Donna! Don't go! Look what happens every time that Doctor appears! Stay with us, please.

WILF
You go my darling!

SYLVIA
Dad!

WILF
Don't listen to her! You go with the Doctor! That's my girl!...

Donna gets into the cab, though feeling guilty to leave her family.

WILF
Bye!

***
The Martha clone downloads the security protocols to her PDA.

COMMANDER SKORR
Success, the operative has the necessary information.

GENERAL STAAL
Good work for a female. Now she must be protected.

COMMANDER SKORR
I will prepare an attack squad.

He leaves.

LUKE
This is it, isn't it! Oh man, this is war!

GENERAL STAAL
How does it feel, boy?

LUKE
Magnificent!

***
NEWS 24 NEWSREADER
The Government has declared a state of emergency. People are being told to stay away from all cars with ATMOS devices attached.

AMNN NEWSREADER
The gas appears to be toxic. We are warning anyone and everyone, stay away from the cars. Repeat, stay away from your cars.

***
The taxi pulls up to the ATMOS factory, the Doctor and Donna exit.

DOCTOR
Ross, look after yourself, get inside the building.

ROSS
Will do. (over radio) Greyhound 40 to Trap 1, I have just returned the Doctor to base safe and sound, over.

The Martha clone is hears Ross and hurries to Colonel Mace.

COLONEL MACE (over radio)
Trap 1, received. Over.

MARTHA CLONE
Sir, message from the Doctor, he says Code Red Sontaran.

COLONEL MACE (over radio)
All troops, Code Red Sontaran. Code Red Sontaran.

***
DONNA
The air is disgusting!

DOCTOR
It's not so bad for me, go on, get inside the TARDIS. Oh, never given you a key! (he pulls out a key) Keep that! Go on, that's yours! Quite a big moment really!

DONNA
Yeah, maybe we can get sentimental after the world's finished choking to death!

DOCTOR
Good idea!

DONNA
Where are you going?

DOCTOR
Stop a war!

He rushes to the UNIT field base while Donna runs to the TARDIS.

***
DOCTOR
Right then, here I am, good. Whatever you do, Colonel Mace, do not engage the Sontarans in battle, there is nothing they like better than a war. Just leave this to me.

COLONEL MACE
And what are you going to do?

DOCTOR
I’ve got the TARDIS, I’m gonna get on board their ship.

The Martha clone presses a button on the PDA, the hypnotised privates activate.

DOCTOR (to the Martha clone)
Come on!

***
The privates place devices on the TARDIS.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Ready for transport.

The TARDIS is teleported to the Sontaran ship, with Donna inside.

GENERAL STAAL
The spoils of war! The Doctor’s infamous vessel in Sontaran hands.

LUKE
It’s time I made a move, sir, I have soldiers of my own. I’ll tell them of the honour and the glory, sir! I’ll tell them that Planetfall is coming!

He teleports back to Earth.

COMMANDER SKORR
He is behaving exactly as predicted, sir.

Donna peeks out of the TARDIS door, then quickly closes it as she glimpses the Sontarans.

GENERAL STAAL
None of the humans can guess our true purpose.

***
The Doctor runs down the alleyway to find the TARDIS gone.

MARTHA CLONE
But... where’s the TARDIS?

DOCTOR
Taste that, in the air. Yecch. That sort of metal tang. Teleport exchange. It’s the Sontarans, they’ve taken it. I’m stuck, on Earth like... like an ordinary person. Like a human! How rubbish is that! Sorry, no offence, but come on!

MARTHA CLONE
So what do we do?

DOCTOR
Well... I mean it’s shielded, they could never detect it.

He stares at her.

MARTHA CLONE
What?

DOCTOR
I’m just wondering, have you phoned your family and Tom?

MARTHA CLONE
No, what for?

DOCTOR
The gas. Tell them to stay inside.

MARTHA CLONE
Course I will, yeah, but, what about Donna? I mean, where’s she?

DOCTOR
Oh, she’s gone home. She’s not like you, she’s not a soldier. Right. So, avanti!

***
Rattigan’s students look out over London.

LUKE
Leave it. Turn away. Civilisation is falling!

MALE STUDENT
But it’s all over the news, sir, it’s everywhere. Paris and New York.

LUKE
It’s time I told you, all of you. It’s time I revealed what our work has been for!

***
The Doctor and the Martha clone enter the UNIT base.

DOCTOR
Change of plan!

COLONEL MACE
Good to have you fighting alongside us, Doctor.

DOCTOR
I’m not fighting, I’m not-fighting, as in not hyphen fighting, got it? Now, does anyone know what this gas is yet?

MARTHA CLONE
We’re working on it.

CAPTAIN PRICE
It’s harmful, but not lethal until it reaches 80% density. We’re having the first reports of deaths from the centre of Tokyo City.

DOCTOR
And who are you?

CAPTAIN PRICE (salutes)
Captain Marion Price, sir.

DOCTOR
Oh, put your hand down. Don’t salute.

COLONEL MACE
Jodrell Bank’s traced a signal, Doctor, coming from 5000 miles above the Earth. We’re guessing that’s what triggered the cars.

DOCTOR
The Sontaran ship.

COLONEL MACE
NATO has gone to Defcon One, we’re preparing a strike.

DOCTOR
You can’t do that, nuclear missiles won’t even scratch the surface. Let me talk to the Sontarans.

COLONEL MACE
You’re not authorised to speak on behalf of the Earth.

DOCTOR
I’ve got that authority, I earned that a long time ago. (he uses the sonic screwdriver to connect the UNIT systems to the Sontaran ship) Calling the Sontaran Command Ship under Jurisdiction Two of the Intergalactic Rules of Engagement. This is The Doctor.

***
The transmission is also received inside the TARDIS. For a split second, Rose Tyler appears on a screen, but fades away before Donna gets there, so she only sees the Doctor calling from the UNIT base.

DONNA
Doctor, I’m here, can you hear me?

***
GENERAL STAAL
Doctor, breathing your last?

COLONEL MACE
My God, they’re like trolls.

DOCTOR (to the Colonel)
Yeah, loving the diplomacy, thanks. (louder, to the Sontarans) So, tell me, General Staal, since when did you lot become cowards?

GENERAL STAAL
How dare you!

COLONEL MACE
Oh, that’s diplomacy?

GENERAL STAAL
Doctor, you impugn my honour!

DOCTOR
Yeah, I’m really glad you didn’t say belittle cos then I’d have a field day. But poison gas? That’s the weapon of a coward and you know it. Staal, you could blast this planet out of the sky, and yet you’re sitting up above watching it die. Where’s the fight in that? Where’s the honour? Or, are you lot planning something else? Cos this isn’t normal Sontaran warfare. What are you lot up to?

GENERAL STAAL
A general would be unwise to reveal his strategy to the opposing forces.

DOCTOR
Aaah, the war’s not going so well, then? Losing, are we?

GENERAL STAAL
Such a suggestion is impossible.

COLONEL MACE
What war?

DOCTOR
The war between the Sontarans and the Rutans. It’s been raging, far out in the stars for 50,000 years. 50,000 years of bloodshed, and for what?

GENERAL STAAL
For victory. Sontar-ha!

SONTARANS
Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha!

DOCTOR (rolling the eyes)
Give me a break.

He pulls out the sonic screwdriver and changes the channel to the cartoon, Tommy Zoom.

COLONEL MACE
Doctor. I would seriously recommend that this dialogue is handled by official Earth representation.

The Doctor sonics the channel back to the Sontaran ship.

DOCTOR
Finished?

GENERAL STAAL
You will not be so quick to ridicule when you’ll see our prize. Behold! (he gestures to the TARDIS behind him) We are the first Sontarans in history to capture a TARDIS.

DOCTOR
Well. As prizes go, that’s... noble. (Donna is watching the Doctor on a screen) As they say in Latin, Donna nobis pacem.

DONNA
That’s me. I’m here!

DOCTOR
Did you never wonder about its design? It's phone box. It contains a phone. A telephonic device for communication. Sort of symbolic. Like if only we could communicate. You and I.

GENERAL STAAL
All you have communicated is your distress, Doctor.

DONNA
Oh my god.

She picks up Martha’s mobile and opens it.

DOCTOR
Big mistake though. Showing it to me.

DONNA
But who do I phone?

DOCTOR (lifting up a device)
Cos I’ve got remote control.

GENERAL STAAL
Cease transmission!

DONNA
Doctor, what number are you on?

The screen goes black.

DONNA
You haven’t even got a number!

GENERAL STAAL
Remove the box from the War Room, beyond the transmission field.

DOCTOR
Oh, well.

He gets up.

COLONEL MACE
That's achieved nothing.

DOCTOR
Oh, you’d be surprised.

Donna is thrown around the TARDIS as a group of Sontarans push the TARDIS away.

DONNA
But what do I do?

***
LUKE
All this stuff we’ve been building. All this invention. Where’s it been heading? Gravity intensifiers, hydroponics, atmospheric conversion, ecoshell. More then enough to build a brand new world!

MALE STUDENT
Luke, we haven’t got time for this. I’ve got to find my parents.

LUKE
Oh, but this isn’t just theory. I’m talking Planetfall. For all of us. A brand new start for a brand new human race. Look. (he opens a 3-D projection of a planet) A new world. Far out. Beyond Alpha Geminorium, just waiting for us. Its official destination is Castor 36. I think of it as Earth Point Two. I did wonder about Rattigan’s World, but... we can take a vote on that.

MALE STUDENT
What the hell are you on about?

LUKE
This is where we’re going. I have partners willing to take us there.

FEMALE STUDENT
Oh, he’s lost it. I haven’t got time for this.

LUKE (turning the projector off)
Excuse me, I haven’t finished. Where are you going?

FEMALE STUDENT
To find my brother.

LUKE
I didn’t say you could leave.

FEMALE STUDENT
I told him to put ATMOS is his car. I’ve got to go and help him.

LUKE (pulling out a gun)
Stay where you are!

FEMALE STUDENT
What do you think your doing?

MALE STUDENT
Luke. Put that down.

LUKE
But... I did this for you. Don’t you see? We’ve spent all our lives excluded. The clever ones. They... They’ve laughed at us. And pulled us down. Those ordinary people out there. Those cattle. This is our chance to leave them behind!

MALE STUDENT
You mean you want them dead?

LUKE
And I chose you to survive! With Planetfall we can start again. We can build, and breed. We can prosper, we can do anything!

FEMALE STUDENT
We’re going to breed?

LUKE
I’ve designed a mating program. I’ve planned the whole thing.

FEMALE STUDENT
Well then. Shoot me!

She leaves.

LUKE
Stay where you are. Stay where you are I said. Stay where you are! (students start to run out of the room) Stay where you are, that’s an order!

He lowers the gun as most of the students leave the room.

MALE STUDENT
Castor 36? You’re just sick.

He goes too, leaving Luke alone in the room.

LUKE (manically)
Guess that just proves it! I’m cleverer then you! I’m cleverer then everyone! D'you hear me! (shouting and stamping his feet) I’M CLEVER!!

***
NEWS 24 NEWSREADER
The United Nations has issued a directive worldwide, telling urban populations to stay indoors. Those in rural areas are being ordered to stay away from all major cities. There are reports from every country in Europe of thousands of people walking across country to escape. And on the Eastern seaboard of America it’s said to be reminiscent of Dunkirk, with boats taking refugees out into the Atlantic.

AMNN NEWSREADER
With the freeways blocked by ATMOS cars, populations of major cities are now walking across open country to escape the fumes. It is being likened to a Biblical plague. Some are calling this the End of Days.

Donna phones home.

DONNA
Mum? You all right?

SYLVIA
Donna! Where are you sweetheart?

WILF
Is that her?

SYLVIA
Oh, just finish the job. Your granddad’s sealing us in. He’s sealing the windows. Our own house, and we’re sealed in! All those things they said about pollution and ozone and carbon, they’re really happening aren’t they?

DONNA
There’s people working on it, Mum. They’re gonna fix it, I promise.

SYLVIA
Oh, like you’d know, you’re so clever?

DONNA
Oh don’t start. Please, don’t.

SYLVIA
I’m sorry. I wish you were here.

WILF
Now, come on Sylvia, look. That doesn’t help. (he takes the receiver from his daughter) Donna? Where are you?

DONNA
It’s sort of hard to say. You all right?

WILF
Yeah, fighting fit, yeah. Is he with you, the Doctor?

SYLVIA
Oh, the Doctor!

DONNA
No. I’m all on my own.

WILF
Look, you promised he was gonna look after you.

DONNA
He will, Gramps. There’s... something he needs me to do. I just don’t know what.

WILF
Well, I mean, the whole place is covered, the whole of London they’re saying and the whole, the whole world. It’s the scale of it, Donna. I mean, how can one man stop all that?

DONNA
Trust me. He can do it.

WILF
Yeah, well if he doesn’t, you tell him he’ll have to answer to me.

DONNA
I will. Just as soon as I see him, I’ll tell him.

WILF
Huh.

Wilf puts the phone down, and Donna ends the call. Sylvia looks out at the fog engulfed streets.

***
The Doctor snatches a clipboard from the Martha clone.

MARTHA CLONE
There's carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides but 10% unidentified. Some sort of artificial heavy element we can’t trace. You ever seen anything like it?

DOCTOR
Must be something the Sontarans invented. This isn’t just poison, they need this gas for something else. What could that be?

CAPTAIN PRICE
Launch grid online and active.

COLONEL MACE
Positions ladies and gentlemen, Defcon One initiatives in progress.

DOCTOR
What?! I told you not to launch!

COLONEL MACE
The gas is at 60% density, 80% and people start dying, Doctor. We’ve got no choice.

CAPTAIN PRICE
Launching in 60, 59, 58, 57, 56… Worldwide nuclear grid now co-ordinating. 54, 53...

***
The Sontarans are following the events on their ship.

GENERAL STAAL
Hah! The planet is going nuclear! I admire them. The bravery of idiots is bravery nonetheless.

SONTARAN
The operative is in place, sir.

GENERAL STAAL
Commander Skorr! Is the attack squad ready?

COMMANDER SKORR
Ready and eager for battle, sir. We’ve been watching for long enough, it’ll be good to taste blood.

***
DOCTOR
You’re making a mistake, Colonel! For once, I hope the Sontarans are ahead of you.

CAPTAIN PRICE
North America, online. United Kingdom, online. France, online. India, online. Pakistan, online. China, online. North Korea, online. All systems locked and co-ordinated. Launching in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

COLONEL MACE
God save us.

CAPTAIN PRICE
...4, 3, 2, 1...

The Martha clone presses ‘No’ on her PDA.

CAPTAIN PRICE
0.

The screen shuts off.

COLONEL MACE
What is it? What happened? Did we launch? Well, did we?

CAPTAIN PRICE
Negative, sir. The launch codes have been wiped, sir. It must be the Sontarans.

COLONEL MACE
Can we override it?

CAPTAIN PRICE
Trying it now, sir.

DOCTOR
Missiles wouldn’t even dent that ship, so why are the Sontarans so keen to stop you? (looking at the clone) Any ideas?

MARTHA CLONE
How should I know?

***
GENERAL STAAL
Now protect the operative.

Sontarans march through the factory. Ross is guarding a deserted corridor with four more soldiers.

ROSS
Stinking out there.

The other soldiers chat. Ross hears something.

ROSS
Shhh! Keep it down lads.

Sontarans come down the corridor.

ROSS (over radio)
Enemy within! At arms! Greyhound 40 declaring absolute emergency. Sontarans within factory grounds, east corridor grid six.

COLONEL MACE (over radio)
Absolute emergency, declaring Code Red. All troops, Code Red!

DOCTOR
Get them out of there!

COLONEL MACE (over radio)
All troops, open fire!

The soldiers try to fire but their guns only click.

ROSS (over radio)
The guns aren’t working. Inform all troops, standard weapons do not work.

The Sontarans shoot at the soldiers, who fall to the ground, screaming.

ROSS (over radio)
Tell the Doctor it’s that Cordolaine signal. He’s the only one who can stop them.

The Sontarans shoot Ross, he falls to the ground. Static from the radio.

COLONEL MACE
Greyhound 40, report. Over. Greyhound 40, report. Greyhound 40, report!

DOCTOR
He wasn’t Greyhound 40, his name was Ross. Now listen to me, and GET THEM OUT OF THERE!

COLONEL MACE
Trap One to all stations. Retreat.

COLONEL MACE
Order imperative, immediate retreat!

***
Soldiers are running everywhere trying to get away.

SOLDIER
Retreat! Retreat!

The Sontarans march out and start shooting everyone down. Chaos everywhere. Private Gray and Private Harris walk out and address a Sontaran.

PRIVATE GRAY/PRIVATE HARRIS
Reporting for duty, sir!

The Sontaran walks past, then turns back and shoots them.

COMMANDER SKORR
This is too easy! Their running like slimebait from a speelfox.

Sontarans continue to shoot UNIT soldiers.

COMMANDER SKORR (laughing)
This isn't war, this is sport!

The factory doors slide down sealing the Sontarans inside.

***
COLONEL MACE
They’ve taken the factory.

DOCTOR
Why? They don’t need it. Why attack now? What are they up to? Times like this, I could do with the Brigadier. No offence.

COLONEL MACE
None taken. Sir Alistair’s a fine man, if not the best. Unfortunately he’s stranded in Peru.

CAPTAIN PRICE
Launch grid back online.

The computer screens turn on to show a map of the world. The Martha clone presses No Launch on her PDA. The screens go black again.

CAPTAIN PRICE
They’re inside the system, sir. It’s coming from within UNIT itself.

COLONEL MACE
Trace it. Find out where it’s coming from, and quickly. Gas levels?

CAPTAIN PRICE
66% in major population areas. And rising.

***
COMMANDER SKORR (over intercom)
Commander Skorr reports victory with many glorious deaths.

Luke Rattigan appears in teleport.

LUKE
Sorry to report, sir, I've failed. They wouldn’t come. The students, they… didn’t have the imagination to believe.

GENERAL STAAL
A pity. We’ve lost our target practice!

LUKE
What do you mean?

GENERAL STAAL
Upon arrival on board this ship, your students would have been shot down. Perhaps they were more clever then you thought.

LUKE (looking hurt)
You promised!

GENERAL STAAL
There was no Planetfall. Castor 36, indeed! We only needed you for installation of the ATMOS system.

LUKE
No, but... I’m on your side! I did everything you wanted! And it’s not ATMOS system, that's a tautology. Just ATMOS.

GENERAL STAAL
Execute him!

Luke presses a button and teleports away.

GENERAL STAAL
A coward’s retreat. Now close all teleport links to Earth. Isolate them, as they perish.

Luke lies on the floor of the teleport pod, crying.

***
COLONEL MACE
Why are they defending the factory only after we were inside?

DOCTOR
Because they wanted UNIT here. You gave them something they needed. Something now hidden inside the factory. Something precious.

COLONEL MACE
Then we’ve got to recover it. This Cordolaine signal thing, how does it work?

DOCTOR
The bullets. It causes expansion of the copper shell.

COLONEL MACE
Excellent. I’m on it.

He gets up and leaves.

DOCTOR
For the billionth time, you can’t fight Sontarans!

He walks out too, and talks quietly to the nearest officer, so that the Martha clone can't hear them.

DOCTOR
Phone. Have you got a phone? I need your mobile, quickly, hurry up!

Someone hands him a mobile and he gets back to Colonel Mace's office to phone Donna.

DONNA
What’s happened, where are you?

DOCTOR
Still on Earth. But don’t worry, I’ve got my secret weapon.

DONNA
What’s that?

DOCTOR
You.

DONNA
Oh. Somehow that’s not making me happy. Can’t you just zap us down to Earth with that remote thing?

DOCTOR
Yeah, I haven’t got a remote, though I really should. But I need you on that ship. That’s why I made them move the TARDIS. I’m sorry, but you’ve got to go outside.

DONNA
But there’s Sonterruns out there.

DOCTOR
Sontarans, but they’ll all be on battle stations right now. They don’t walk around having coffee. I can talk you through it.

DONNA
But what if they find me?

DOCTOR
I know, and I wouldn’t ask, but there’s nothing else I can do. The whole planet is choking, Donna.

DONNA (walking towards the TARDIS door)
What d'you need me to do?

DOCTOR
The Sontarans are inside the factory which means they’ve got a teleport link with the ship, but they’ll have deadlocked it. I need you to reopen the link.

DONNA
But, I can’t even mend a fuse.

DOCTOR
Donna! Stop talking about yourself like that. You can do this. I promise.

Donna opens the TARDIS door to see a Sontaran a few feet away with his back to the TARDIS. She closes the door silently.

DONNA
There's a Sonterrun... Sontaran.

DOCTOR
Did he see you?

DONNA
No, he's got his back to me.

DOCTOR
Right, Donna, listen, on the back of his neck on his collar there's a sort of plug, like a hole. The Probic Vent. One blow to the Probic Vent knocks 'em out.

DONNA
But he's gonna kill me.

DOCTOR
I'm sorry. I swear I'm so sorry. But you've got to try.

She picks up the mallet that the Doctor uses so happily when piloting the TARDIS. She sneaks behind the Sontaran and hits his probic went, knocking him out.

DONNA (triumphant)
Back of the neck!

DOCTOR
Now then you gotta find the external junction feed to the teleport.

DONNA
What... what's it look like?

DOCTOR
A circular panel on the wall. Big symbol on the front, like a, like a letter T with a horizontal line through it. Or, or two Fs back to back.

DONNA
Well, there's a door.

DOCTOR
Should be a switch by the side.

DONNA
Yeah there is. But it's Sontaran-shaped, you need three fingers.

DOCTOR
You've got three fingers.

DONNA
Oh, yeah!

She puts her hand into the pattern and the door slides open.

DONNA
I am through.

DOCTOR (kissing the phone)
Oh, you are brilliant, you are.

DONNA
Shut up. Right. T with a line through it.

Colonel Mace returns to the UNIT base.

DOCTOR
Got to go. Keep the line open!

COLONEL MACE
Counter-attack!

DOCTOR
I said you don't stand a chance!

COLONEL MACE
Positions. That means everyone!

He throws a gas mask to the Doctor.

MARTHA CLONE
You're not going without me!

DOCTOR
Wouldn't dream of it.

***
On the spaceship, Donna hides into a shadowy corner when a troop of Sontarans marches past.

***
Outside of the ATMOS factory, UNIT people gather. They're all wearing gas masks, so does the Doctor. Colonel Mace shows him a gun.

COLONEL MACE
Latest firing stock, what do you think, Doctor?

DOCTOR
Are you my mummy?

COLONEL MACE
If you could concentrate. Bullets with a rad-steel coating, no copper surface. Should overcome the Cordolaine signal.

DOCTOR
But the Sontarans have got lasers! You can't even see in this fog, the night-vision doesn't work.

COLONEL MACE
Thank you Doctor, thank you for your lack of faith. But this time, I'm not listening.

He pulls off the gas mask and addresses his soldiers.

COLONEL MACE
Attention, all troops! Sontarans might think of us as primitive. As does every passing species with an axe to grind. They make a mockery of our weapons, our soldiers, our ideals. But no more! From this point on, it stops. From this point on, the people of Earth fight back and we show them! We show the warriors of Sontar what the human race can do! Trap One to Hawk Major! Go, go, go!

Everyone looks up as a loud sound comes from the sky - the fog starts to clear and we get sight of the Valiant flying above.

COLONEL MACE
It's working! The area's clearing. Engines to maximum!

DOCTOR
It's the Valiant!

COLONEL MACE
UNIT Carrier Ship Valiant reporting for duty, Doctor! With engines strong enough to clear away the fog.

They take off the gas masks.

DOCTOR
Woah, that's brilliant!

COLONEL MACE
Getting a taste for it, Doctor?

DOCTOR
No, not at all. Not me.

COLONEL MACE
Valiant, fire at will!

A bunch of green beams unite and the Valiant fires at the ATMOS factory. At the same time, UNIT soldiers start an attack on the ground too. This time, it's the Sontarans who are overpowered.

COLONEL MACE
East and north secure. Doctor?

He rushes away with the soldiers.

DOCTOR (on the phone)
Donna, hold on. I'm coming.

The Martha clone appears.

MARTHA CLONE
Shouldn't we follow the Colonel?

DOCTOR
Nah, you and me, Martha Jones. Just like old times!

She stops the nuclear launch one more time. The Doctor uses the sonic screwdriver to find their way.

DOCTOR
Alien technology, this way!

***
UNIT and Sontaran soldiers shooting each other everywhere. Commander Skorr is there, without helmet, obviously having a great time.

COMMANDER SKORR
The honour of battle. The glory!

***
The Doctor and the Martha clone head to the basement, following the signal. The place is deserted.

DOCTOR
No Sontarans down here. They can't resist a battle. Here we go.

They enter the clone lab, where the real Martha is still in hypnotic sleep. The Doctor runs to her.

DOCTOR
Ooh, Martha, I'm so sorry. (he checks her pulse) Still alive.

The Martha clone points a gun at him, but he hardly looks at her.

DOCTOR
Am I supposed to be impressed?

MARTHA CLONE
Wish you carried a gun now?

DOCTOR
Not at all.

MARTHA CLONE
I've been stopping the nuclear launch all this time.

DOCTOR
Doing exactly what I wanted. I needed to stop the missiles, just as much as the Sontarans. I'm not having Earth start an interstellar war. You're a triple agent!

MARTHA CLONE
When did you know?

DOCTOR
What, you? Oh, right from the start. Reduced iris contraction, slight thinning of the hair follicles on the left temple. And, frankly, you smell. You might as well have worn a T-shirt saying "clone". Although, maybe not in front of Captain Jack. You remember him, don't you? Cos you've got all her memories. That's why the Sontarans had to protect her, to keep you inside UNIT. Martha Jones is keeping you alive.

He pulls off the device from the real Martha's head. She awakes with a scream. At the same time the clone falls to the ground in agony. The Doctor kicks away the gun that the clone has dropped, then hugs the real Martha.

DOCTOR
It's all right. It's all right, I'm here, I'm here. I've got you, got you.

MARTHA
There was this thing, Doctor, this alien, with this head...

The mobile rings.

DOCTOR
Oh, blimey I'm busy. Got it?

DONNA
Yes. Now hurry up!

DOCTOR
Take off the covering. All the blue switches inside, flick them up like a fusebox. And that should get the teleport working.

Martha looks around and sees the clone, sitting on the ground panting.

MARTHA
Oh, my God. That's me.

***
Commander Skorr walks on a corridor when Colonel Mace comes up behind him.

COLONEL MACE
You will face me, sir!

The Sontaran turns back, pleased for the fight. The Colonel shoots him and he falls to the floor dying, but still seems happy.

COMMANDER SKORR
Wonderful.

***
In the clone lab, the Doctor is working on the teleport while the real Martha sits beside the clone.

MARTHA CLONE
Don't touch me!

MARTHA
It's not my fault. The Sontarans created you. But... you had all my memories.

MARTHA CLONE
You've got a brother, sister, mother and father.

MARTHA
If you don't help me, they're gonna die.

MARTHA CLONE
You love them.

MARTHA
Yes. Remember that?

DOCTOR (shouting from the teleport pod)
The gas! Tell us about the gas.

MARTHA CLONE
He's the enemy!

MARTHA
Then tell me. It's not just poison, what's it for? Martha, please!

MARTHA CLONE
Caesofine concentrate. It's one part of Bosteen, two parts Probic 5.

DOCTOR
Clonefeed! It's clonefeed!

MARTHA
What's clonefeed?

DOCTOR
Like amniotic fluid for Sontarans. That's why they're not invading, they're converting the atmosphere. Changing the planet into a clone world. Earth becomes a great big hatchery. Cos the Sontarans are clones, that's how they reproduce. Give 'em a planet this big, they'll create billions of new soldiers. That gas isn't poison, it's food!

He goes back to work on the teleport.

MARTHA CLONE
My heart... It's getting slower.

MARTHA
There's nothing I can do.

MARTHA CLONE
In your mind, you've got so many plans. There's so much that you wanna do.

MARTHA
And I will. Never do tomorrow what you can do today, my mum says. Cos...

MARTHA CLONE
Cos you never know how long you've got. Martha Jones... All that life.

She dies. The real Martha pulls off her engagement ring from the clone's finger.

DONNA
Doctor.

The Doctor picks up the phone.

DONNA
Blue switches done. (a door slides open and Sontarans march in) But they've found me!

DOCTOR
Now!

He points the sonic screwdriver to the teleport pod, activating it. Donna, who was standing inside the pod on the Sontaran ship, disappears and reappears in the clone lab. She runs to hug the Doctor.

DONNA
Have I ever told you how much I hate you?

DOCTOR
Hold on, hold on. Get off me, get off me! Gotta bring the TARDIS down.

He sonics the teleport and the TARDIS is beamed back down.

DOCTOR
Right, now. Martha, you coming?

MARTHA
What about this nuclear launch thing?

DOCTOR
Just keep pressing N, we want to keep those missiles on the ground.

Donna catches sight of the dead clone.

DONNA
But there’s... two of them.

DOCTOR
Yeah, long story. (all three get inside the teleport pod) Here we go. The old team, back together! Well, the new team.

DONNA
We’re not going back on that ship!

DOCTOR
No, no, no. No. I needed to get the teleport working so that we could get to...

They teleport to the Rattigan Academy.

DOCTOR
...here! The Rattigan Academy, owned by...

Luke points a gun at them.

LUKE
Don’t tell anyone what I did! It wasn’t my fault, the Sontarans lied to me, they...

The Doctor grabs his gun.

DOCTOR
If I see one more gun...

He throws the gun away.

DONNA (to Martha, who wears the Doctor's coat over her hospital-type gown)
You know, that coat, sort of works.

MARTHA
Feel like a kid in my dad’s clothes.

DONNA
Oh, well if you’re calling him dad you’re definitely getting over him.

***
SONTARAN
A human female on board ship. It could only be the Doctor’s work and all the teleport systems have been deadlocked open.

GENERAL STAAL
No matter. Increase the ATMOS devices to maximum. Choke them! Behold, the cloneworld is born.

Alarm blares.

***
Back on Earth, car engines rev. The gas is now also inside the Noble's house. Wilf puts a towel in the gap at the bottom of a door, then he goes to hug Sylvia, who sits on the ground crying.

WILF
Oh, my little girl. Come on, we’ll be all right. We’ll be all right. Donna said so. She promised. Come on, darling. It’s all right.

***
The Doctor begins to assemble a device from things found in Luke's laboratory.

DOCTOR
That’s why the Sontarans had to stop the missiles, they were holding back. Because, caesofine gas is volatile, that's why they had to use you to stop the nuclear attack. Ground-to-air engagement could’ve sparked off the whole thing.

MARTHA
What, like set fire to the atmosphere?

DOCTOR
Yeah. They need all the gas intact to breed their clone army. And all the time we had Luke here in his dream factory. Planning a little trip, were we?

LUKE
They promised me a new world.

DOCTOR
You were building equipment, ready to terraform El Mondo Luko so that humans could live there and breathe the air with this! An atmospheric converter.

***
GENERAL STAAL
Prepare to launch clone pods. We will breed across the surface of the Earth. For the glory of Sontar!

***
The Doctor runs outside with the atmospheric converter.

DONNA
That’s London. You can’t even see it. My family’s in there.

DOCTOR
If I can get this on the right setting...

MARTHA
Doctor, hold on, you said the atmosphere would ignite.

DOCTOR
Yeah, I did, didn’t I?

The Doctor presses a button and a flame shoots up into the sky and the sky ignites. The Doctor crosses his fingers.

DOCTOR
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please...

***
Sylvia and Wilf look out of the window to see the sky aflame. UNIT look up at the burning sky.

***
SONTARAN
General Staal, sir!

GENERAL STAAL
What’s happening?

Alarm blares. The Earth below is engulfed in flame. Then the fire clears to reveal the planet, blue and green as usual.

***
Wilf, Sylvia and their neighbours come out of their houses and celebrate. UNIT soldiers cheer, Captain Price kisses Colonel Mace.

***
LUKE
He’s a genius!

MARTHA
Just brilliant.

DOCTOR
Now we’re in trouble!

He picks up the converter and runs back to the building.

***
GENERAL STAAL
It seems we must revert to Basic Sontaran Stratagem One. We will ravage this planet. Prepare Weapons! Wipe them out! Every last stinking human beast!

***
The Doctor gets inside the teleport pod with the atmospheric converter.

DOCTOR
Right, so... Donna, thank you. For everything. Martha, you too. Oh... so many times. Luke, do something clever with your life.

DONNA
You’re saying goodbye.

DOCTOR
Sontarans are never defeated. They’ll be getting ready for war. And, well, you know, I’ve recalibrated this for Sontaran air, so...

MARTHA
You’re gonna ignite them.

DONNA
You’ll kill yourself.

MARTHA
Just send that thing up, on it’s own. I don’t know... put it on a delay.

DOCTOR
I can’t.

DONNA
Why not?

DOCTOR
I’ve got to give them a choice.

He teleports. Donna and Martha look the empty pod in despair.

***
The Doctor appears on the Sontaran ship.

GENERAL STAAL
Oh, excellent!

DOCTOR
General Staal, you know what this is. But there's one more option. You can go. Just leave. Sontaran High Command need never know what happened here.

GENERAL STAAL
Your stratagem would be wise if Sontarans feared death. But we do not. At arms!

DOCTOR
I'll do it, Staal. If it saves the Earth, I'll do it.

GENERAL STAAL
A warrior doesn't talk, he acts!

DOCTOR
I am giving you the chance to leave.

GENERAL STAAL
And miss the glory of this moment?

SONTARAN VOICE FROM LOUDSPEAKERS
All weapons targeting Earth, sir. Firing in 20.

DOCTOR
I'm warning you!

GENERAL STAAL
And I salute you! Take aim!

DOCTOR
Shoot me, I'm still gonna press this! You'll die, Staal.

GENERAL STAAL
Knowing that you die, too.

VOICE FROM LOUDSPEAKERS
Firing in 15.

GENERAL STAAL
For the glory of Sontar! (he starts chanting) Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha!

SONTARANS
Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha!

DOCTOR
I'll do it!

GENERAL STAAL
Then do it!

***
Back on Earth, Luke is fiddling with the teleport pod.

MARTHA
What are you doing?

LUKE
Something clever.

Standing up, he pushes a key and teleports to the Sontaran ship, at the same time zapping the Doctor back to the Academy.

SONTARANS
Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha!

VOICE FROM LOUDSPEAKERS
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3...

The Sontarans stop chanting as they catch sight of Luke.

LUKE
Sontar? Ha!

He pushes the button of the converter.

VOICE FROM LOUDSPEAKERS
...1.

The spaceship explodes before they could launch the strike on Earth.

***
The Doctor appears in the teleport pod at the Rattigan Academy, looking confused. He climbs forward and sits to the edge of the pod, still shocked. Martha runs to him smiling and nestles by his side. Donna walks to them and gives the Doctor a big whack for worrying them so much, then grasps his arm, so relieved that he is alive.

***
Sylvia walks homeward with two big bags.

SYLVIA
Morning.

NEIGHBOUR
Morning.

SYLVIA
Walked all the way, won't catch me driving.

The neighbour gets into her car and pulls off the ATMOS sticker from the rear window. Sylvia enters the house and goes into the kitchen where Donna and Wilf are sitting.

SYLVIA
The streets are half-empty. People still aren't driving. There's kids on bikes all over the place, it's wonderful. Unpack that lot, I'm gonna see if Suzette's all right.

She puts the bags at the kitchen counter and leaves.

WILF
I won't tell her. Best not. Just keep it as our little secret, eh?

DONNA
Yeah.

WILF
And you go with him, that wonderful Doctor. You go and see the stars. And then bring a bit of 'em back, for your old Gramps.

She nods, then gets up to hug him and kisses his head.

DONNA
Love you.

She walks out, fighting back her tears.

***
Donna enters the TARDIS.

MARTHA
How were they?

DONNA
Oh, same old stuff. (she wipes off a tear and tries to sound casual) They're fine. So! You gonna come with us? We're not exactly short of space.

MARTHA
Oh, I have missed all this, but, you know. I'm good here. Back at home. And I'm better for having been away. Besides, (she shows her engagement ring) someone needs me. Never mind the universe, I've got a great big world of my own now!

She walks towards the door, but suddenly it shuts and the TARDIS shakes wildly as it sets to flight. They all cling to different objects to hold their balance. Under the console, the hand in the jar is bubbles wildly.

DOCTOR
What? What!?

MARTHA
Doctor, don't you dare!

DOCTOR
No, no, no! I didn't touch anything! We're in flight, it's not me!

DONNA
Where are we going?

DOCTOR
I don't know, it's out of control!

MARTHA
Doctor, just listen to me! You take me home, take me home right now!

4x04 - The Sontaran Strategem

2008-04-27T00:09:00.010+01:00

A sweeping shot, the camera flies across an old manor house style building. We see a sign which indicates this building is the Rattigan Academy. The camera continues to sweep, showing us the building lit in eerie pink lighting; looking atmospheric in the night time. Coming out of the main doors we see a big group of students, led by Luke Rattigan. The students are forcefully carrying Jo Nakashima.

STUDENT
Come on, stop struggling!

JO
You're gonna regret this! Completely ridiculous! Get your hands off me!

They continue to carry her until they reach the main steps, once they reach the steps Jo is thrown down them along with her files which are scattered across the floor.

LUKE
I think that makes my answer clear.

He makes his way through the crowd of his red tracksuit-clad students. We see him, only 18 years old yet very much in charge, towering over Jo.

LUKE
Don't you? Oh, and, er... if you're gonna go to print, spell my name right. Rattigan, with two Ts!

JO
Oh this goes way beyond the newspapers! This thing's worldwide! I'm telling you, ATMOS is dangerous!

LUKE
But if you had proof then you wouldn't be here!

JO
Fine! If you won't listen, I'll find someone else who will.

Having collected her belongings from the floor, Jo storms off towards her car. Once in the car, we see a sticker displaying ATMOS and see her ATMOS sat-nav.

SAT NAV
Welcome. What is your destination?

JO
Shut up, you're the last thing I need.

She tries to switch off the ATMOS, but it will not turn off.

SAT NAV
ATMOS cannot be disabled.

JO
Right then. Take me to UNIT Headquarters. Tower Bridge, London.

SAT NAV
UNIT Headquarters.

The car sets off.

***
In his room, Rattigan is talking to someone off screen, somewhere far away over intercom.

LUKE
Her name's Jo Nakashima. Freelance journalist, clever by the sound of it. But not as clever as me... but that goes without saying.

He picks up a squash racket and ball, he plays around with them and continues talking. We see him talking briefly over the computer screen of the alien menace before returning back to his room.

LUKE
I'd recommend... termination.

GENERAL STAAL
Remember your status boy, we do not take orders from humans.

LUKE
I said 'recommend'.

GENERAL STAAL
Then your advice shows military wisdom. She will be terminated.

LUKE
Cool.

He gives a smile and hits his squash ball into the distance, triumphant.

***
Jo is driving her car down a road, while talking on her phone. She has reached the answering machine of UNIT.

ANSWER MACHINE
This is UNIT extension 221...

JO
Come on, don't go to answerphone. Yes, this is a message to Colonel Mace from Jo, Jo Nakashima. Look, you... you should've got my email. I've been investigating a number of deaths related to ATMOS systems...

SAT-NAV
Go straight on.

JO
...no, I can't prove anything but there's got to be a link. I need you to check all the people who died in ATMOS cars yesterday, and then check out the time.

SAT-NAV
Turn right.

It is now clear that Jo has reached a dead end, and the car stops near the river.

JO
I don't believe this!

SAT-NAV
This is your final destination.

JO
I said take me to UNIT!

She tries to correct the sat-nav but nothing happens.

SAT-NAV
Go straight on!

JO
I don't think so! I'll find my own way, thanks.

At that moment the car activates itself, revving up. Jo tries to control it.

SAT-NAV
This is your final destination. This is your final destination. This is your final destination...

The locks of the car are activated and Jo begins to panic.

JO
No! No! Help! No!

The car sets off driving at speed towards the river.

JO
No! NOOO!

The car speeds up, before hitting the river at great speed. We see it going slowly under after a large impact.

***
Inside the TARDIS we see Donna at the controls, with the Doctor watching on. Seemingly he is teaching her to pilot it. Donna looks over the moon, the Doctor looks worried.

DONNA
I can't believe I'm doing this!

DOCTOR
No, neither can I.

He continues to watch on as she activates some controls.

DOCTOR
Oh, careful!

He nudges her aside, gives the console a whack with the mallet and activates another control. He moves aside allowing Donna control again. He is watching the scanner eagerly with the mallet held closely to him.

DOCTOR
Left hand down, left hand down!

Donna pulls down a control with her left hand and the TARDIS lurches. The Doctor regains control for a second.

DOCTOR
Getting a bit too close to the 1980s!

DONNA
What am I gonna do? Put a dent in 'em?

DOCTOR
Well, someone did.

A mobile phone rings, Donna looks bemused, the Doctor looks concerned. He moves around the console to the source of the ringing.

DONNA
Hold on. That's a phone!

The Doctor pulls a mobile phone from a hold in the console.

DONNA
You've got a mobile? Since when?

DOCTOR
It's not mine.

He answers the phone and sits down next to the console.

DOCTOR
Hello?

We see Martha Jones, standing in an alleyway with a phone. She turns to face the camera and smiles to herself.

MARTHA
Doctor? It's Martha, and I'm bringing you back to Earth!

***
OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE
and
FREEMA AGYEMAN

THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM
By Helen Raynor
***

Martha is standing in an alleyway. She hears a noise and turns to see the TARDIS materialize. The Doctor pops his head out. Looks one way then the other and sees Martha.

DOCTOR
Martha Jones.

MARTHA
Doctor.

They walk towards each other and hug.

DOCTOR
You haven't changed a bit!

MARTHA
Neither have you!

Donna starts to walk towards the door of the TARDIS.

DOCTOR
How's the family?

MARTHA
You know, not so bad. Recovering.

DOCTOR
What about you?

Donna steps out of the TARDIS. The Doctor looks around at her.

MARTHA
Right. Should have known. Didn't take you long to replace me then.

DOCTOR
Now, don't start fighting. Martha, Donna. Donna, Martha. Please don't fight, can't bear fighting.

DONNA
You wish.

She walks forward and shakes Martha's hand.

DONNA
I've heard all about you. He talks about you all the time.

MARTHA
I dread to think.

DONNA
No, no, no. No. He says nice things. Good things. Nice things. Really... good things.

MARTHA
Oh my god, he's told you everything.

DONNA
Didn't take long to get over it though. Who's the lucky man?

DOCTOR
What man? Lucky what?

DONNA
She's engaged, you prawn.

Martha waves her hand with a ring on it.

DOCTOR
Really, who to?

MARTHA
Tom. That Tom Milligan. He's in pediatrics. Working out in Africa right now, and yes, I know. I've got a doctor who disappears off to distant places. Tell me about it.

DONNA
Is he skinny?

MARTHA
No, he's sort of... strong.

DONNA (gesturing to the Doctor)
HE is too skinny for words! You give him a hug, you get a paper cut.

DOCTOR
Oh, I'd rather you were fighting.

MARTHA
Speaking of which...

She gets a call over walkie-talkie.

VOICE
Dr Jones, report to base please. Over.

MARTHA
This is Dr. Jones. Operation Blue Sky is go, go, go. I repeat, this is a go!

***
Martha, Donna, and the Doctor stand by as UNIT soldiers, trucks, and vans roll by.

SOLDIER
Unified Intelligence Taskforce. Raise that barrier, now!

More cars and loading trucks roll by in to a factory.

SOLDIER
Leave your safeties on, lads, it's non-hostiles.

LOUDSPEAKERS
All workers, lay down your tools and surrender.

MARTHA
Greyhound Six to Trap One. B Section, go, go, go! Search the ground floor, grid pattern Delta.

DOCTOR
What are you searching for?

MARTHA
Illegal aliens.

LOUDSPEAKERS
This is a UNIT operation. All workers lay down your tools and surrender immediately!

MARTHA
B section mobilised! E section, F section, on my command!

She runs off, commanding the action. UNIT men grasp workers in blue suits and point guns at their heads.

DONNA
Is that what you did to her? Turn her into a soldier?

The Doctor looks uneasy.

***
SONTARAN (looking at a camera screen)
As predicted, the UNIT forces have moved to the penultimate stage.

GENERAL STAAL
Observe their troops. Thin fabrics. Exposed skin. Feeble weapons. These are toy soldiers. The playthings of children.

***
Martha walks back to where the Doctor and Donna are standing.

DOCTOR
And you're qualified now? You're a proper doctor.

MARTHA
UNIT rushed it through given my experience in the field. Here we go.

They start walking.

MARTHA
We're establishing a field base on site. They're dying to meet you.

DOCTOR
Wish that I could say the same.

They walk in to a huge long truck. It is a big moving military office. Martha walks towards a man.

MARTHA
Operation Blue Sky complete, sir. Thanks for letting me take the lead. And, this is the Doctor. Doctor, Colonel Mace.

COLONEL MACE (salutes)
Sir!

DOCTOR
Oh, don't salute.

COLONEL MACE
Well, it's an honour, sir! I've read all the files on you and, technically speaking, you're still on staff. You never resigned.

DONNA
What, you used to work for them?

DOCTOR
Yeah, long time ago. Back in the 70s. Or was it the 80s? But it was all a bit more homespun back then.

COLONEL MACE
Times have changed, sir.

DOCTOR
Yeah, that's enough of the 'sir'.

MARTHA
Come on now Doctor, you've seen it. You've been on board the Valiant. We've got massive funding from the United Nations. All in the name of home world security.

COLONEL MACE
A modern UNIT for a modern world.

DONNA
What, and that means arresting ordinary factory workers? In the streets, in broad daylight? It's more like Guantanamo Bay out there. Donna, by the way. Donna Noble, since you didn't ask. I'll have a salute.

COLONEL MACE (salutes)
Ma'am.

DONNA
Thank you.

DOCTOR
Tell me. What's going on in that factory?

COLONEL MACE
Yesterday 52 people died in identical circumstances, right across the world, in 11 different time zones. 5am in the UK, 6am in France, 8am in Moscow, 1pm in China.

DOCTOR
You mean they died simultaneously.

COLONEL MACE
Exactly. 52 deaths at the exact same moment, worldwide.

DOCTOR
How did they die?

COLONEL MACE
They were all inside their cars.

MARTHA
They were poisoned. I checked the biopsies, no toxins. Whatever it is, left the system immediately.

DOCTOR
What have the cars got in common?

MARTHA
Completely different makes. They're all fitted with ATMOS. And that, is the ATMOS factory.

DOCTOR
What's ATMOS?

DONNA
Oh, come on. Even I know that. Everyone's got ATMOS!

They walk on a corridor overlooking the main factory area.

MARTHA
Stands for Atmospheric Omission System. Fit ATMOS in your car, reduces CO2 emissions to zero.

DOCTOR
Zero?! No carbon, none at all?

DONNA
Oh yes. Sat-nav and 20 quid in shopping vouchers if you introduce a friend. Bargain!

COLONEL MACE
And this is where they make it, Doctor. Shipping worldwide. 17 factories across the globe, but this is the central depot, sending ATMOS to every country on Earth.

DOCTOR
And you think ATMOS is alien?

COLONEL MACE
It's our job to investigate that possibility. Doctor?

They walk on, passing through the area where the UNIT soldiers are still investigating the workers.

SOLDIER
Come on, everybody. Up the pace, go on. We haven't got all day now!

Colonel Mace, the Doctor, Donna and Martha arrive to an office.

COLONEL MACE
And here it is, laid bare. ATMOS can be threaded through any and every make of car.

DOCTOR
You must've checked it, before it went on sale.

MARTHA
We did, we found nothing. That's why I thought we needed an expert.

DOCTOR
Really, who'd you get?

She doesn't answer, just looks at him meaningfully. So do Donna and Colonel Mace.

DOCTOR
Oh, right! Me! Yes! Good.

DONNA
OK, so why would aliens be so keen on cleaning up our atmosphere?

DOCTOR
Very good question.

DONNA
Maybe they want to help. Get rid of pollution and stuff.

DOCTOR
Do you know how many cars there are on planet Earth? 800 million. Imagine that. If you could control them, you'd have 800 million weapons.

***
In a dark corridor, Private Gray is checking a map with a torch.

PRIVATE GRAY
We should head back. There's not much down here. Should be just boiler rooms, generators.

Lights turn on as Private Harris walks around the corner. The place is deserted, but two workers are standing in front of a door at the end of the corridor.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Aye, aye. What's this, then?

They walk up to the workers.

PRIVATE HARRIS
You two. All personnel have been ordered to evacuate. The building's under UNIT control.

WORKER
This area is out of bounds.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Excuse me, sunshine? I think you'll find we're in charge. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.

***
SONTARAN (watching them over video link)
General Staal. They are close.

GENERAL STAAL
Excellent! And like a good warrior, I shall enter the fray myself! Let them pass.

***
One of the workers opens the door.

WORKER
It's open.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Ha. Come on.

The room is full of tanks and strange objects, lit by magenta and green lights.

PRIVATE HARRIS
What the hell?

PRIVATE GRAY (over walkie-talkie)
Greyhound 16 to Trap One. We've found something. Basement corridor, north side, grid 36. Request backup, over.

They walk up to a huge, covered basin.

PRIVATE HARRIS
It's like something boiling inside...

PRIVATE GRAY
Don't touch it!

PRIVATE HARRIS
Come on, Steve! We get first rights on this. That means promotion!

PRIVATE GRAY
Just leave it alone! Wait for backup.

A loud thud comes from the basin.

PRIVATE GRAY
What was that?

PRIVATE HARRIS
Came from inside.

PRIVATE GRAY
Could just be the machinery.

The thudding continues.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Is there someone in there? Hello?... We've got to get this open.

PRIVATE GRAY
We should wait for the others!

PRIVATE HARRIS
You could suffocate in there!

PRIVATE GRAY (over the walkie-talkie)
Greyhound 16 to Trap One, request immediate assistance. Repeat, immediate assistance, over.

PRIVATE HARRIS
How do you work this thing? Come on!

An alarm goes off as the lid is lifted. Inside the basin, there's green liquid bubbling and fuming. The soldiers cough.

PRIVATE GRAY
Oh, God, it stinks!

PRIVATE HARRIS
What the hell is that stuff?

Suddenly, a body emerges and tries to grab Harris. He falls back and the thing turns toward Gray. It resembles a half-formed clay figure.

PRIVATE GRAY (panicking)
Identify yourself! Identify! (over the walkie-talkie) Greyhound 16 declaring absolute emergency, sir. Repeat, absolute emergency, over!

PRIVATE HARRIS (to the figure)
Can you hear me? Can you understand me? Look at its neck. It's like...an umbilical cord.

PRIVATE GRAY
Well, don't get too close.

PRIVATE HARRIS
I think it's harmless. I don't even think it's properly alive.

It dives back into the liquid.

PRIVATE GRAY
It's gonna drown.

PRIVATE HARRIS
No... I think it breathes this stuff. Like some kind of embryo.

PRIVATE GRAY
What d'you mean, an embryo?

PRIVATE HARRIS
Someone's growing a body. A human body.

A Sontaran appears. The soldiers take aim at him immediately.

GENERAL STAAL (to Harris)
Excellent skills of deduction. I would rate you above average, soldier. Well done. (to Gray) Whereas you, you smell of sweat and fear.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Yeah? Well we're not the ones who got out of school early, sonny. Now stop playing Humpty Dumpty and tell us who you are.

GENERAL STAAL
Is that a reference to my height?

PRIVATE HARRIS
Short answer, yes.

GENERAL STAAL
A pity. Words are the weapons of womenfolk. I must judge you unfit!

PRIVATE HARRIS
Oh! What you gonna do, bite our ankles?

The Sontaran lifts up his staff-like weapon and fires a beam to his knee. Harris falls to the ground.

PRIVATE GRAY
I'm warning you!

GENERAL STAAL
A proper soldier gives no warning! Fire! I order you! Fire!

Gray pulls the trigger, but nothing happens.

GENERAL STAAL
The room is contained within a Cordolaine signal, exciting the copper surface of the bullet and causing expansion within the barrel, rendering your guns useless. And your radio signals have been blocked.

Gray tries to attack the Sontaran using the gun as a club, but Staal easily stops him, stunning his leg too.

PRIVATE GRAY
My legs! I can't feel my legs!

GENERAL STAAL
I apologise for disabling you. Death has more honour, but you are needed for the stratagem. (to the two workers) Prepare them for processing. (to the soldiers) You spoke of promotion. Now you will serve a greater cause.

PRIVATE HARRIS
But... who are you?

GENERAL STAAL
Indeed, know your enemy! I am General Staal of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet. Known as Staal the Undefeated!

He takes off his helmet, revealing an alien head below.

PRIVATE GRAY
Help us! Oh, my God, help us!

***
DOCTOR
Ionising nano membrane carbon dioxide converter - which means that ATMOS works. Filters the CO2 at a molecular level.

COLONEL MACE
We know all that, but what's its origin? Is it alien?

DOCTOR
No. Decades ahead of its time. (they both bend over the ATMOS device) Look, d'you mind, could you stand back a bit?

COLONEL MACE
Sorry, have I done something wrong?

DOCTOR
You're carrying a gun. I don't like people with guns hanging around me, all right?

COLONEL MACE
If you insist.

He leaves, offended.

MARTHA
Tetchy.

DOCTOR
Well, it's true.

MARTHA
He's a good man!

DOCTOR
People with guns are usually the enemy in my books. You seem quite at home.

MARTHA
If anyone got me used to fight it's you.

DOCTOR
Oh, right, so it's my fault.

MARTHA
Well, you got me the job! Besides, look at me. Am I carrying a gun?

DOCTOR
Suppose not.

MARTHA
It's all right for you. You can just come and go, but some of us have got to stay behind. So I've got to work from the inside and by staying inside, maybe I stand a chance of making them better.

DOCTOR
Yeah? (he smiles) That's more like Martha Jones.

MARTHA
I learned from the best.

DOCTOR
Well...

Donna appears in the door.

DONNA
Oi, you lot! All your storm troopers and your sonics... You're rubbish! Should've come with me.

DOCTOR
Why, where have you been?

DONNA
Personnel. That's where the weird stuff's happening - in the paperwork. Cos I spent years working as a temp, I can find my way round an office blindfold, and the first thing I noticed is an empty file.

DOCTOR
Why, what's inside it? Or what's not inside it?

DONNA
Sick days. There aren't any. Hundreds of people working here and no one's sick. Not one hangover, man flu, sneaky little shopping trip, nothing. Not ever! They don't get ill.

COLONEL MACE
That can't be right.

DONNA
You've been checking out the building - should've been checking out the workforce.

MARTHA
I can see why he likes you.

DONNA
Mm-hmm.

MARTHA
You are good.

DONNA
Super temp!

COLONEL MACE
Doctor Jones, set up a medical post, start examining the workers. I'll get them sent through.

He walks off.

MARTHA
Come on, Donna. Give me a hand.

They leave. The Doctor runs after Colonel Mace. They walk along a corridor.

DOCTOR
So this, this ATMOS thing. Where did it come from?

COLONEL MACE
Luke Rattigan himself.

DOCTOR
And 'himself' would be?

They look at Luke Rattigan’s profile on a computer.

COLONEL MACE
Child genius. Invented the Fountain 6 search engine when he was 12 years old. Millionaire overnight. Now runs the Rattigan Academy. A private school, educating students, handpicked from all over the world.

DOCTOR
A hothouse for geniuses, wouldn’t mind going there.

Colonel Mace looks puzzled.

DOCTOR
I get lonely.

***
Martha is at a desk looking through binders. Donna picks up a chair and sets it down next to her.

DONNA
D’you think I should warn my mum? About the ATMOS in her car?

MARTHA
Better safe then sorry.

DONNA
I’ll give her a call.

MARTHA
Donna. Do they know where you are? Your family. I mean that you’re travelling with the Doctor?

DONNA
Not really. Although... My granddad sorta waved us off. I didn’t have time to explain.

MARTHA
You just left him behind?

DONNA
Yeah.

MARTHA
I didn’t tell my family, kept it all so secret. And it almost destroyed them.

DONNA
In what way?

MARTHA
They ended up imprisoned. They were tortured. My mom. My dad. My sister. It wasn’t the Doctor’s fault, but... you need to be careful. Cos you know the Doctor. He’s wonderful. He’s brilliant. But he’s like fire. Stand too close and people get burnt.

***
Private Gray and Private Harris walk out off the clone lab and stand to the side of the doorway. General Staal walks out.

GENERAL STAAL
Conditioning is complete. Now do your duty and advance the conquest.

PRIVATES
# Yes sir.

They march away. General Staal walks back into the lab.

GENERAL STAAL
General Staal returning. The stratagem advances.

He walks in to a short tunnel-like machine and taps something on a keyboard.

GENERAL STAAL
The last days of planet Earth.

He teleports.

***
The Doctor is walking with Colonel Mace.

DOCTOR
You are not coming with me! I want to talk to this Luke Rattigan, not point a gun at him.

COLONEL MACE
It’s ten miles outside London. How are you going to get there?

DOCTOR
Well, then get me a jeep!

COLONEL MACE
According to the records you travel by TARDIS.

DOCTOR
Yes, but if there is a danger of hostile aliens I think it’s best to keep a super-duper time machine away from the front lines.

COLONEL MACE
I see. So you do have weapons, but choose to keep them hidden. Jenkins!

ROSS JENKINS
Sir!

COLONEL MACE
You will accompany the Doctor and take orders from him.

DOCTOR
Yeah, I don’t do orders.

COLONEL MACE
Any sign of trouble, get Jenkins to declare a Code Red. And good luck, sir.

He salutes.

DOCTOR
I said no salutes.

COLONEL MACE
Now you're giving orders.

DOCTOR
Oh, you're getting a bit cheeky, you are.

As Colonel Mace walks away Donna appears.

DONNA
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Oh, just in time! Come on! Come on, we're going to the country. Fresh air and geniuses, what more could you ask?

DONNA
I'm not coming with you.

The Doctor stares at her.

DONNA
I've been thinking. I'm sorry, I'm going home.

DOCTOR
Really?

DONNA
I've got to.

DOCTOR (disappointed)
Well, if that's what you want. I mean it's a bit soon... I had so many places I had wanted to take you. The Fifteenth Broken Moon of the Medusa Cascade, the Lightning Skies of Cotter Palluni's World, Diamond Coral Reefs of Kataa Flo Ko... Thank you. Thank you, Donna Noble, it's been brilliant. You've... you've saved my life in so many ways. You're... (comprehension dawning on his face) You're just popping home for a visit, that's what you mean.

DONNA
You dumbo!

DOCTOR
And then you're coming back.

DONNA
Know what you are? A great big outer-space dunce.

DOCTOR
Yeah.

ROSS
Ready when you are, sir.

DONNA
What's more you can give me a lift. Come on!

They climb in to the Jeep.

DONNA
Broken moon of what?

DOCTOR
I know, I know.

They drive away. Private Gray and Private Harris watch them go.

***
In a small room, Martha is doing a health check on an ATMOS worker.

MARTHA
And your name’s Trepor, yeah? Is that polish? Listen, we’re not checking passports, it’s not about that, but did you come across from Poland just to work?

MR TREPOR
I came to do my job.

MARTHA
OK. I need to listen to your heartbeat. This might be a bit cold.

She rubs a stethoscope.

MARTHA
Lift.

He lifts his shirt. Martha places the stethoscope on his chest and hears an extremely fast beat. She looks at Mr Trepor and double checks it.

MARTHA
Are you on any medication?

MR TREPOR
I’m here to work.

MARTHA
How many hours a day do you work?

MR TREPOR
24.

MARTHA
You work 24 hours a day? Down.

He pulls down his shirt.

MARTHA
Mr Trepor, have you ever had any form of hypnosis?

MR TREPOR
I’m here to work.

MARTHA (worried)
OK. Um, if you could just wait here.

She walks out to a corridor. Private Harris and Private Grey follow her.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Doctor Jones.

MARTHA
Not now, I'm busy.

PRIVATE HARRIS
Just one question. Do you have security clearance level one?

MARTHA
Yes, I do. Why?

PRIVATE HARRIS
Colonel Mace wants to see you.

MARTHA
Oh good, cos I want to see him. Where is he?

PRIVATE HARRIS
Come with us.

***
The UNIT jeep pulls into a quiet road and the Doctor and Donna clamber out.

DONNA
I'll walk the rest of the way. I'll see you back at the factory, yeah?

The Doctor jumps back into the jeep.

DOCTOR
Bye!

DONNA
And you be careful!

The jeep pulls away leaving Donna on her own. She walks slowly down her street as if she can't believe she's home. A woman walks past her.

WOMAN
Haven't seen you for days.

DONNA
Yeah... been away.

She continues walking, past a boy playing football, and relives her recent adventures with the Doctor in her mind. Flashes of her hanging from the window cleaning platform, the Pyrovile, trying to save a little boy from the eruption of Vesuvius, crying through the bars of the Ood cage, and an Adipose baby floating up to join its family all flicker past. Her house then comes into view. Wilf is in the driveway, taking out some rubbish. Both he and Donna stop dead as they catch sight of each other. Donna places a hand to her mouth, overwhelmed by emotion, as Wilf frantically beckons her over. She begins to run and they meet in a giant embrace.

***
Martha, Private Harris, and Private Gray walk down a corridor.

MARTHA
What's he doing down here?

GREY
He asked to see you.

MARTHA
Why? Has he found something?

Grey and Harris do not answer. They open a door at the end of the corridor, and Martha walks inside. She looks around in puzzlement and catches sight of the bubbling, green liquid in the basin. Suddenly becoming panicked, she turns around and tries to run out of the room. Harris and Grey stand in the way, stopping her from exiting. The doors to the room slam shut, leaving Martha trapped inside. Her screams echo down the corridor, as all the lights flicker off.

***
Wilf and Donna are sat at the kitchen table.

WILF
I said so, didn't I? Aliens. I said they were real! I just didn't expect them in a little blue box.

DONNA
It's bigger on the inside

WILF
Yeah but is it safe? This... Doctor, are you safe with him?

DONNA
He's amazing, Gramps. He's just... dazzling. And never tell him I said that.

WILF
No.

DONNA
But I'd trust him with my life.

WILF
Hold up, I thought that was my job!

DONNA
You still come first.

WILF
Well, for god's sake don't tell your mother!

DONNA
I dunno... I mean this is massive. Sort of not fair if she doesn't know.

Sylvia enters from the garden carrying laundry.

SYLVIA
Doesn't know what? And who's she, the cat's mother? And where've you been these past few days, lady, after that silly little trick with the car keys? I phoned Veena and she said she hadn't seen hide nor hair.

DONNA
I've just been... travelling.

SYLVIA
Oh, hark at her! Michael Palin! Are you staying for tea? Cos I haven't got anything in. I've been trying to keep your granddad on that macrobiotic diet, but he sneaks off and gets pork pies at the petrol station.

Wilf tries to protest.

SYLVIA
Don't deny it, I've seen the wrappers in the car. Oh, I don't miss a trick. Now then, what were you gonna tell me? What don't I know?

Donna catches Wilf's eye, and he gives her a measured look.

DONNA
Nothing. Just... nothing.

Wilf slyly beams at her.

SYLVIA
Good. Right, then you can sit there and cut out those coupons. Every penny helps. This new mortgage doesn't pay for itself. Dad, kettle on.

WILF (rising from the table)
Yeah, kettle.

He winks at Donna as he walks past.

***
Ross and the Doctor drive down a small road.

ROSS
UNIT's been watching Rattigan Academy for ages. It's all a bit Hitler Youth: exercise at dawn and classes and special diets.

SAT-NAV
Turn left.

DOCTOR
Ross, one question. If UNIT think that ATMOS is dodgy...

ROSS
How come we've got it in the jeeps? Yeah, tell me about it. They're fitted as standard on all government vehicles. We can't get rid of them until we prove something's wrong.

SAT-NAV
Turn right.

ROSS
Drives me around the bend.

DOCTOR (noticing they are actually driving around a bend)
Oh, nice one!

ROSS
Timed that perfectly!

DOCTOR
Yeah! Yeah, you did!

SAT-NAV
This is you final destination.

We see that they have arrived at Rattigan Academy. Luke Rattigan is standing in the middle of the grounds as the students jog past. The Doctor and Ross approach.

DOCTOR
Is it PE? I wouldn't mind a kick around, I've got my chaps on.

LUKE
I suppose you're the Doctor?

DOCTOR
Hello!

LUKE
Your commanding officer phoned ahead.

DOCTOR
Ah, but I haven't got a commanding officer. Have you? (Luke stares darkly at him) Oh, this is Ross. Say hello, Ross.

ROSS
Afternoon, sir.

The Doctor rushes off towards the entrance.

DOCTOR
Let's have a look then, I can smell genius!... In a good way.

Luke rolls his eyes behind the Doctor's back as he follows them in to a room full of students performing experiments.

DOCTOR
Oh, now! That's clever, look! (he puts on his glasses and peers at a device) Single molecule fabric, how thin is that?! You could pack a tent in a thimble. Oh! Gravity simulators! (he begins rushing around in excitement) Terraforming, biospheres, nano-tech steel constructs! Haha! This is brilliant! Do you know, with equipment like this you could... oh, I don't know, move to another planet or something?

LUKE
If only that was possible.

DOCTOR
If only that were possible. (he takes off his glasses as Luke looks darkly up at him) Conditional clause.

Luke looks as though he is about to hit the Doctor, but restrains himself.

LUKE
I think you better come with me.

He walks off and the Doctor and Ross follow. They arrive in a large room with a strange device in the corner - a teleport pod like the one in the cloning lab.

LUKE
You're smarter than the usual UNIT grunts, I'll give you that.

DOCTOR (to Ross)
He called you a grunt! Don't call Ross a grunt, he's nice! We like Ross! Look at this place...

He wanders off.

LUKE (exasperated)
What exactly do you want?

DOCTOR
I was just thinking, what a responsible eighteen year old. Inventing zero carbon cars? Saving the world...

LUKE
Takes a man with vision.

DOCTOR
Mmmm, blinking vision. Cos ATMOS means more people driving, more cars, more petrol, end result: the oil's gonna run out faster than ever. The ATMOS system could make things worse.

LUKE (quickly)
Yeah, see, that's a tautology. You can't say 'ATMOS system' since it stands for 'atmospheric emissions system'. So you're just saying 'atmospheric emissions system system' d'you see, Mr Conditional Clause?

DOCTOR
It's been a long time since anyone said no to you, isn't it?

LUKE
I'm still right though.

DOCTOR
Not easy, is it? Being clever. You look at the world and you connect things. Random things. And think, 'why can't anyone else see it?' The rest of the world is so slow.

LUKE
Yeah.

DOCTOR
And you're all on your own.

LUKE
I know.

DOCTOR
But not with this! (he pulls out the ATMOS devise) Cos there's no way you invented this thing single handed. I mean, it might be Earth technology, but that's like finding a mobile phone in the middle ages.

He chucks the device at Ross, who catches it.

DOCTOR
No, no, I'll tell you what it's like! It's like finding this in the middle of someones front room. (he points behind him to the teleport pod) Albeit it's a very big front room.

ROSS
And what is it?

DOCTOR
Yeah, just looks like a thing, doesn't it? People don't question things, they just say 'oh, it's a thing'.

LUKE
Leave it alone!

DOCTOR (walking into the pod)
Me, I make these connections. And this, to me, looks like (he presses a button on the side of the pod) a teleport pod.

The Doctor disappears from Rattigan Academy and reappears in a large futuristic spaceship. It is lit with dim, purple lighting and there are Sontarans milling around.

COMPUTER VOICE
Orbit now holding at 555.3, sector 270.

DOCTOR
Oh...

The Sontarans all turn to notice him, and General Staal raises his staff.

GENERAL STAAL
We have an intruder!

DOCTOR
How did he get in? In-tru-da window?

The Sontarans begin to charge towards the Doctor.

DOCTOR
Bye bye!

He presses the control pad again, and begins to run just as he teleports away. He appears back at Rattigan Academy, still running.

DOCTOR
Ross, get out! Luke, you've got to come with me!

He spins round, just as General Staal appears. Grabbing his sonic screwdriver, the Doctor disables the teleport pod.

DOCTOR
Sontaran! (Staal raises his staff) Thats your name, isn't it? You're a Sontaran. How did I know that, ay? Fascinating isn't it? Isn't that worth keeping me alive?

ROSS (taking aim at Staal)
I order you to surrender in the name of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce.

DOCTOR
Well that's not going to work. Cordolaine signal, am I right? Copper excitation stopping the bullets.

GENERAL STAAL
How do you know so much?

DOCTOR
Well...

GENERAL STAAL (talking to Luke)
Who is he?

LUKE
He didn't give his name.

DOCTOR
But this isn't typical Sontaran behavior, is it? Hiding! Using teenagers, stopping bullets? (mockingly) A Sontaran should face bullets with dignity! Shame on you!

GENERAL STAAL
You dishonour me, sir!

DOCTOR
Yeah, then show yourself!

GENERAL STAAL
I will look into my enemy's eyes!

He removes his helmet revealing his Sontaran head underneath.

ROSS
Oh, my god...

DOCTOR
And your name?

GENERAL STAAL
General Staal, of the Tenth Sontaran Fleet. Staal the Undefeated!

DOCTOR
Well, that's not a very good nickname. What if you do get defeated? Staal the Not-Quite-So-Undefeated-Anymore-But-Never-Mind?

ROSS
He's like a potato - a baked potato - a talking baked potato.

DOCTOR
Now, Ross, don't be rude, you look like a pink weasel to him. (he goes and picks up a racket and begins bouncing a small ball upon it) The Sontarans are the finest soldiers in the galaxy, dedicated to a life of warfare. A clone race, grown in batches of millions with only one weakness...

GENERAL STAAL
Sontarans have no weakness!

DOCTOR
No, it's a good weakness!

LUKE
Aren't you meant to be clever? Only an idiot would provoke him.

DOCTOR
No, but the Sontarans are fed by a probic vent in the back of their neck, that's their weak spot. Which means, they always have to face their enemies in battle... isn't that brilliant? They can never turn their backs!

GENERAL STAAL
We stare into the face of death!

DOCTOR
Yeah? Well, stare at this!

He throws the ball into the air and hits it with the racket. The ball flies past General Staal and hits the back of the teleport pod. It bounces back and smacks into Staal's probic vent. The Doctor and Ross run. General Staal collapses onto the floor and Luke rushes over to him.

LUKE
What has he done? What has he done?!

The Doctor and Ross run down the Academy steps and jump into the jeep, speeding away as fast as they can.

GENERAL STAAL
Don't touch me! (he struggles up) A Sontaran would rather be court marshalled than show pain. I must return.

LUKE
But he broke the teleport.

GENERAL STAAL
Pah! Primitive sonic trickery! (he points his staff at the pod, there is a whirring noise) The devise is now repaired.

Staal and Luke enter the pod and teleport back to the Sontaran ship.

GENERAL STAAL
Our presence is known! Soldiers! We move to a war footing!

COMMANDER SKORR
I see you face battle open skinned, sir. Might I share that honour?

GENERAL STAAL
You may.

COMMANDER SKORR
Thank you!

He removes his helmet and Luke stares at them both.

LUKE
How... do you tell each other apart?

GENERAL STAAL
We say the same of humans.

COMMANDER SKORR
Tell me, boy. How many ATMOS devices have been installed?

LUKE
Uh, they've gone worldwide but only about half.

GENERAL STAAL
Which means four hundred million cars converted! A fine arsenal!

COMMANDER SKORR
Is it sufficient to trigger the conversion?

LUKE
More than enough, yeah. And the test signal proved that it works! Fifty-two deaths in the same second, man, that is just so cool!

GENERAL STAAL
Is the temperature significant?

LUKE (after a pause)
No... that, that's just a phrase... But I'll get my people ready, General. You just tell me where and when!

GENERAL STAAL
Have we infiltrated UNIT?

COMMANDER SKORR
The process is about to begin.

GENERAL STAAL
Then you'll see it completed, Commander Skorr. Get to it!

COMMANDER SKORR
Yes, sir!

Skorr walks to the controls and teleports away.

***
Martha is secured to a metal platform. She has a strange device clamped over her head.

MARTHA
Is someone gonna tell me what the hell is going on?!

Her face falls as Skorr walks in front of her.

MARTHA
Oh.. kay... So, listen! You're not the first aliens I've met. Just tell me who you are.

COMMANDER SKORR
Commander Skorr of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet. Known as Skorr the Bloodbringer!

MARTHA (indicating with her head Harris and Grey)
What have you done to those two?

COMMANDER SKORR
Simple hypnotic control, as with the factory drones. But with you... we need something more complex.

He turns a switch on the basin and the green liquid begins to bubble again. Martha looks on in horror as a hand rises from the liquid.

MARTHA
What... is that?!

COMMANDER SKORR
Soon, that will be you!

The hand sinks back out of sight.

***
On the Sontaran ship, Luke stares out the window at the Earth below. Staal talks to some Sontaran soldiers behind.

GENERAL STAAL
Continue. (he joins Luke) War can never come to soon. Take your last look, boy.

LUKE
It was never big enough for me.

GENERAL STAAL
I like your ambition.

LUKE
That doctor, he was in a UNIT jeep, should have ATMOS installed.

GENERAL STAAL (abruptly)
You said you didn't know his name!

LUKE
I don't. He just said 'doctor'. Does that mean something?

GENERAL STAAL
There is an enemy of the Sontarans known as the Doctor. A face-changer.

LUKE
Do you mean he's an alien too?

GENERAL STAAL
Legend says that he led the battle in the last great Time War. (bitterly) The finest war in history and we weren't allowed to be a part of it! Oh, but this is excellent! The last of the Time Lords will die, at the hands of the Sontaran empire, in the ruins of his precious Earth!

The camera pans out to show a giant Sontaran ship hanging about Earth.

***
Martha tries to free herself from her bonds as Skorr fiddles with the basin.

COMMANDER SKORR
It is inadvisable to struggle. The female has a weak thorax.

MARTHA
But what are you doing?

COMMANDER SKORR
Completing mental transfer. The clone needs full memory access.

MARTHA
Clone?

The hand once again rises from the basin. Martha gasps as a perfect clone of herself rises from the green liquid.

MARTHA
You can't...

The clone reaches behind its neck and pulls out the umbilical chord that it's attached to.

MARTHA
That's not...

COMMANDER SKORR
You will sleep, girl. Sleep and keep the memories alive... Memories we can use, in battle.

Martha's eyes slowly close as she falls into a hypnotic sleep.

***
SONTARAN
We have the Doctor's vehicle.

GENERAL STAAL
An ordinary death for such a remarkable enemy... but proceed.

***
The UNIT jeep speeds along the road.

DOCTOR
Greyhound 40 to Trap 1, repeat, can you hear me? Over.

ROSS
Why's it not working?

DOCTOR
Must be the Sontarans. If they can trace that, then they can isolate the ATMOS.

SAT-NAV
Turn left.

DOCTOR
Try going right!

ROSS
It said left.

DOCTOR
I know! So go right!

The jeep swerves.

ROSS
I've got no control, it's driving itself! It won't stop!

The Doctor pulls out his sonic screwdriver and tries to fiddle with the ATMOS.

ROSS
The doors are locked!

DOCTOR
Ah, it's deadlocked, I can't stop it!

SAT-NAV
Turn left.

The jeep jolts and swerves left.

DOCTOR
The sat-nav's just a box, wired through the whole car!

LUKE (on the Sontaran ship)
Oh, is he going in the water? I love it, with the water!

The jeep swerves off the road.

ROSS
We're heading for the river!

DOCTOR
ATMOS, you're programmed to contradict my orders?

SAT-NAV
Confirmed.

DOCTOR
Anything I say, you'd ignore it?

SAT-NAV
Confirmed.

DOCTOR
Then drive into the river! I order you to drive into the river! Do it! Drive into the river!

The jeep speeds towards the water, but suddenly skids to a halt a few inches from the edge of the river. The Doctor and Ross leap out and begin to run.

SAT-NAV
Turn right... left... right... left...

DOCTOR
Get down!

He and Ross throw themselves onto the floor.

SAT-NAV
Left, right, left, right, left, left, right, left, right --

The sat-nav emits a small bang that lets off a shower of sparks. The Doctor looks up from his sprawled out position on the floor.

DOCTOR
Oh, was that it?

***
SONTARAN
ATMOS terminated. Mission accomplished. The Doctor is dead.

GENERAL STAAL
Then prepare the weapons. Is the operative in place?

Cut shot to the unconscious Martha. Commander Skorr leans over, checking the equipment that she is attached to. He then walks over to stand in front of the clone, now wearing Martha's clothes.

MARTHA CLONE
Ready and waiting to advance the great Sontaran cause, sir.

COMMANDER SKORR
Then go to work.

She turns and, followed by Harris and Grey, leaves the room.

***
At Donna's house, the Doctor rings the bell and Donna answers the door.

DOCTOR
You would not believe the day I'm having.

The Doctor walks around the Nobles' car, bending down to check the ATMOS attached underneath. Ross and Donna stand nearby, Donna trying to ring Martha. The Doctor opens the hood and peers inside.

ROSS
I'll requisition us a vehicle.

DOCTOR
Anything without ATMOS. Don't point your gun at people!

Ross runs off just as Wilf appears from the house.

WILF
Is it him? Is it him? Is it the Doctor?

He runs round the car and catches sight of the Doctor.

WILF
Ah! It's you!

DOCTOR
Who?

He looks up and sees Wilf pointing at him.

DOCTOR
Oh! It's you!

DONNA
What, have you met before?!

WILF
Yeah, Christmas Eve. He disappeared right in front of me!

DONNA
And you never said?!

WILF
Well you never said! Wilf, sir. Wilfred Mott. You must be one of them aliens?!

DOCTOR
Well - yeah, but don't shout it out. (he shakes Wilf's hand) Nice to meet you properly, Wilf.

WILF
Oh, an alien hand...!

DOCTOR
Donna, anything?

DONNA
She's not answering. What is it, Sontorans?

DOCTOR
Sontarans. But there's got to be more to it, they can't be just remote controlling cars. That's not enough. Is anyone answering?

DONNA
Hold on.

MARTHA CLONE (on the phone)
Don't tell me... Donna Noble.

DONNA
Martha! Hold on, he's here.

She gives the phone to the Doctor.

DOCTOR
Martha, tell Colonel Mace it's the Sontarans. They're in the file, Code Red, Sontarans. But if they're inside the factory tell them not to start shooting. UNIT will get massacred. I'll get back as soon as I can, you got that?

MARTHA CLONE
Code Red Sontaran. Gotcha.

She hangs up the phone as Colonel Mace appears round the corner.

COLONEL MACE
Doctor Jones! Found anything yet?

MARTHA CLONE
No sir, nothing to report.

Colonel Mace turns away and the Martha clone smiles to herself as she walks away.

***
The Doctor has his sonic screwdriver out and is fiddling with the car engine, and the ATMOS that is attached.

DONNA
But you tried sonicking it before, you didn't find anything.

DOCTOR
Yeah, but now I know it's Sontaran, I know what I'm looking for.

WILF
The thing is, Doctor, is that Donna is my only grandchild. You gotta promise me you're gonna take care of her.

DOCTOR
She takes care of me!

WILF
Oh, yeah that's my Donna. Yeah, she was always bossing us around when she was tiny. The Little General we used to call her.

DONNA
Yeah, don't start.

WILF
And some of the boys she used to turn up with, a different one every week! Yeah, who was that one with the nail varnish?

DONNA
Matthew Richards. He lives in Kilbourn now. With a man.

Large spikes suddenly shoot up from the ATMOS device.

DOCTOR
Woah! It's a temporal pocket! I knew there was something else in there. It's hidden just a second out of sync with real time.

DONNA
But what's it hiding?

SYLVIA (appearing round the car)
I don't know, men and their cars! Sometimes I think if I was a car... (she catches sight of the Doctor) Oh, it's you! Doctor... what was it?

DOCTOR (waving, his head buried under the bonnet)
Yeah, that's me.

WILF
What, have you met him as well?

SYLVIA
Dad! It's the man from the wedding! When you were laid up with Spanish flu! I'm warning you, last time that man turned up it was a disaster!

The spikes from the ATMOS device suddenly let off a cloud of white gas.

DOCTOR
Get back!

***
COMMANDER SKORR
A converter has been activated!

GENERAL STAAL
Show me where!

A projected image of the Earth appears, and zooms in to England, and then to London.

LUKE
London... that's Chiswick.

SONTARAN
Who could have such knowledge?

GENERAL STAAL
Only the Doctor! He survived! Excellent! Then battle will be joined, glorious warfare! Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet, we move to the final phase. Prepare the subjugation of Earth, for the glory of Sontar!

The Sontarans begin marching in lines, guns in hands and battle helmets on.

COMPUTER VOICE
Announcing Battle Status One. All soldiers to positions. Repeat, we are now at Battle Status One. Rejoice!

***
The Noble's car gives another spurt of gas and sparks.

DOCTOR
That'll stop it!

The sonic screwdriver finishes whirring as the smoke dies away. The Doctor then rushes back to peer under the hood again.

SYLVIA
I told you! He's blown up the car! Who is he anyway?! What sort of doctor blows up cars?!

DONNA
Oh, not now Mum!

SYLVIA
Oh, should I make an appointment?

She stalks off back towards the house.

DOCTOR
That wasn't just exhaust fumes... Some sort of gas. Artificial gas.

WILF
And it's aliens, is it? Aliens?

DONNA
But if... if it's poisonous... then we've got poisonous gas in every car on Earth.

***
GENERAL STAAL
Free up the converters, and deadlock every single one!

***
WILF (climbing into the car)
It's not safe! I'm gonna get it off the street!

The car doors suddenly slam shut and the locks all click into place. The car turns on and smoke begins to pour from the exhaust pipe.

DONNA
Hold on! (she rushes to the car) Turn it off! Granddad, get out of there!

WILF
I can't! It's not locked! It's them aliens again!

Donna pulls at the car door, growing more frantic as fumes begin to seep into the car. Sylvia stops outside the front door and turns back in horror.

SYLVIA
What's he doing? What's he done?

DOCTOR
They've activated it!

***
Shots of people in car parks and on the street coughing and choking as every car begins letting off the thick, white gas. At the ATMOS factory, Colonel Mace and some soldiers run outside, also coughing in the gas.

COLONEL MACE
Turn them off! Turn them off! Turn off the engines!

SOLDIER
It's all of them, sir. Every single car on the planet!

The Martha clone, Harris and Grey walk casually down the slope and survey the confusion around them.

MARTHA CLONE
Now we begin... Let's get to work.

***
Donna frantically pulls at the car door again as Wilf gasps and chokes.

DONNA
There's gas inside the car! He's gonna choke! Doctor!

The Doctor rushes round and tries to sonic open the door, to no avail.

DOCTOR
It won't open!

He turns and looks at the street around, every car spitting the poisonous fumes into the atmosphere.

DOCTOR
It's the whole world...

He rushes back to the car's engine as the Sontaran ship descends even closer to the Earth.

***
GENERAL STAAL
Four hundred million weapons! (he starts to chant) Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha!

Other Sontaran pick up the chant and it grows louder and louder. Luke, too, begins chanting and beating his hands in the war ritual.

***
Back on Earth Wilf is dying from the fumes that fill the car. The Doctor runs between the engine and the door, trying to stop the gas and free Wilf at the same time.

WILF
Get me out of here!

Sylvia rushes into the house, just as Wilf collapses inside the car. As the Sontaran chant continues, the Doctor stands in the middle of the street, powerless to stop the world from being consumed in the fumes.

4x03 - Planet of the Ood

2008-04-19T21:00:00.009+01:00

Spotlights turn on to reveal Ood.

ADVERTISEMENT VOICE
The Ood. They came from distant world. They voyaged across the stars, all with one purpose.

An Ood holds out a teacup.

OOD (in the ad)
Do you take milk and sugar?

ADVERTISEMENT VOICE
To serve.

Mr Bartle is looking at a big screen with the advertisement on it.

MR BARTLE
That’s good. That’s excellent, I like it sir. Buy one now! Direct. Straight to the point.

MR HALPEN (on intercom)
We play that across the tri-galactic for two weeks, then introduce this.

ADVERTISEMENT VOICE
Now only 50 credits!

The words appear on the screen.

MR BARTLE
50? We’re reducing the price to 50 credits?

MR HALPEN
Sales are down. We’ve got to reposition ourselves. So get going.

The communicator beeps as he hangs up.

MR BARTLE
Idiot. Bleeding us dry! (talking to an Ood behind him) You there. Get me last month’s military export figures. The army always needs more grunts.

OOD
Yes sir.

The Ood bows. Voice comes on intercom.

SOLANA
Mr Bartle, you asked me to call you.

MR BARTLE
Solana, when those buyers arrive we’re going to pitch like never before. I want those Ood flying out of here.

The Ood hands him a binder.

MR BARTLE
That... I said military figures. That’s the domestic files. Get me the military.

The Ood’s eyes glow red.

OOD
The file is irrelevant, sir.

MR BARTLE
Oh, why’s that?

The Ood electrocutes him with his translator ball.

OOD
Have a nice day.

***
OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE

PLANET OF THE OOD
By Keith Temple
***

The TARDIS is rocking. Donna screams.

DOCTOR
Set the controls to random. Mystery tour. Outside that door could be any planet, anywhere, anywhen in the whole wide…. Are you all right?

DONNA
Terrified. I mean history’s one thing, but an alien planet!

DOCTOR
I could always take you home.

DONNA
Yeah, don’t laugh at me.

DOCTOR
I know what it’s like. Everything you’re feeling right now. The fear, the joy, the wonder, I get that!

DONNA
Seriously? After all this time?

DOCTOR
Yeah. Why do you think I keep going?

DONNA
Oh! All right then, you and me both! This is barmy! I was born in Chiswick. I've only ever done package holidays. And now I’m here. This is so… I mean it’s…. I don’t know, it’s all sort of, I don’t know what the word is!

She opens the Tardis door and steps out in to a snowy landscape.

DONNA
I’ve got the word. Freezing!

The Doctor comes out of the Tardis.

DOCTOR
Snow! Aw, real snow! Proper snow at last! That’s more like it, lovely. What do you think?

DONNA (shivering)
Bit cold.

DOCTOR
Look at that view!

DONNA
Yep. Beautiful, cold view.

DOCTOR
Millions of planets, millions of galaxies and we’re on this one. Molto bene! Belissimo! Says Donna. Born in Chiswick. All you’ve got is a life of work and sleep, and telly and rent and tax and takeaway dinners, all... birthdays and Christmases and two weeks holiday here, and then you end up here! Donna Noble. Citizen of the Earth, standing on a different planet. How ‘bout that Donna?

He looks back at Tardis. Donna’s not there.

DOCTOR
Donna?

She comes out in a big fluffy coat with a huge hood.

DONNA
Sorry, you were saying?

DOCTOR
Better?

DONNA
Lovely, thanks.

DOCTOR
Comfy?

DONNA
Yep.

DOCTOR
Can you hear anything inside that?

DONNA (smiling)
Pardon?

DOCTOR
All right, I was saying, citizen of the Earth…

They looks up to see a big rocket flying over them.

DONNA (in awe)
Rocket! Blimey, a real proper rocket. Now that’s what I call a spaceship. You’ve got a box; he’s got a Ferrari! Come on, lets go see where it’s going!

Doctor looks back at Tardis, his pride offended.

***
Outside a big factory building the people from the rocket are walking up to a group of people by a door.

DR RYDER
Mr Halpen, sir. Dr Ryder, new head of Ood Management.

MR HALPEN
How many dead? Come on, facts and figures. I haven’t flown all this way to discuss the weather, which by the way is freezing.

DR RYDER
Solana has the figures, sir.

SOLANA
Solana Mercurio, sir. Head of Marketing and Galactic Liaison.

MR HALPEN
That’s just what I need. A PR woman. I don’t want a word of this getting out, is that understood? Now get to the point. How many dead?

They walk into the building.

SOLANA
In the past financial quarter we’ve had three deaths in the complex. All attributed to heart attacks or industrial accidents, but now we’ve captured this on tape, the cause would seem the same.

The screen shows the Ood electrocuting Mr Bartle.

MR HALPEN
It’s using the translator ball as a weapon. How’s that work?

DR RYDER
Well, no idea. I’m checking the equipment. Nothing so far.

MR HALPEN
Can’t see its eyes from this angle.

DR RYDER
I think we have to assume…

MR HALPEN
Red-eye.

DR RYDER
I would think so sir.

MR HALPEN
That Ood. What happened to it?

DR RYDER
Oh, ran for the wild sir. Like a dog. One of the guards fired off a shot. It’ll be dead by now.

SOLANA
Can I ask? What's 'red-eye' sir?

DR RYDER
Well, it’s some sort of infection. The Ood’s eyes literally change color.

MR HALPEN
Drink!

DR RYDER
I can’t find a source. All the bacteria scans register negative.

His Ood hands Mr Halpen a glass.

SOLANA
Sorry, but according to your own rules sir, there’s no alcohol allowed on base.

MR HALPEN
It’s hair tonic if you must know. (he drinks it) Five years ago I had a full head of hair. Stress, that’s what this is. Stress.

***
The Doctor and Donna walk in a deserted winter wonderland, laughing. Suddenly he stops, hearing eerie music.

DOCTOR
Hold on, can you hear that? (louder) Donna, take your hood down!

DONNA
What?

DOCTOR
That noise is like a song.

He looks around to find the source.

DOCTOR
Over there!

He rushes to the body on the ground, followed by Donna.

DONNA
What is it?

DOCTOR
An Ood. He's called an Ood.

DONNA (disgusted)
But it's face...

DOCTOR
Donna, don't. Not now. It's a he, not an it. Give me a hand.

DONNA
Sorry!

She kneels beside the Ood too. The Doctor examines the Ood with a stethoscope.

DOCTOR
I don't know where the heart is. I don't know if he's got a heart. Talk to him, keep him going.

DONNA
It's all right, we've got you. Um, what's your name?

DELTA 50 (weakly)
Designated Ood Delta 50.

She picks up his translator ball, talking into it like into a microphone.

DONNA
My name's Donna.

DOCTOR
No, no, no, no. You don't need to...

DONNA
Sorry. (she tries to find out what to say) Oh, God! This is the Doctor! Just what you need, a doctor. Couldn't be better, hey?

DOCTOR
You've been shot.

DELTA 50
The circle...

DONNA
No, don't try to talk.

DELTA 50
The circle must be broken.

DOCTOR
Circle? What d'you mean? Delta 50, what circle? Delta 50? What circle?

Delta 50 suddenly sits up, roaring, eyes glowing red. The Doctor and Donna jump back. Then he collapses, dead.

DONNA
He's gone.

She goes back and kneels beside the body.

DOCTOR
Careful.

DONNA
There you are, sweetheart. (she strokes the Ood's head) We were too late. What do we do, do we bury him?

DOCTOR
The snow will take care of that.

DONNA
Who was he? What's an Ood?

DOCTOR
They're servants, of humans in the 42nd century. Mildly telepathic, that was the... song. It's his mind calling out.

DONNA
Couldn't hear anything. (she stands up) He sang as he was dying.

DOCTOR
His eyes turned red.

DONNA
What's that mean?

DOCTOR
Trouble. Come on. (they walk away) The Ood are harmless. They're completely benign. Except, the last time I met them, there was this force, like a... stronger mind, powerful enough to take them over.

DONNA
What sort of force?

DOCTOR
Yeah, long story.

DONNA
Long walk.

DOCTOR
It was the Devil.

DONNA
If you're gonna take the mickey, I'll just put my hood back up.

DOCTOR
Must be something different this time, though. Something closer to home.

They climb to a rock and behind, they see the Ood Operation buildings.

DOCTOR
A-ha! Civilisation!

***
A group of reps arrive to Ood Operations.

SOLANA
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Ood-Sphere. And isn't it bracing? Here are your information packs, with vouchers, 3D tickets and a map of the complex. My name's Solana, Head of Marketing. I'm sure we've all spoken on the vidfone. Now, if you'd like to follow me.

The Doctor and Donna arrive running.

DOCTOR
Sorry, sorry, sorry! Late. Don't mind us. Hello! The guards let us through.

SOLANA
And you would be?

The Doctor shows the psychic paper.

DOCTOR
The Doctor and Donna Noble.

DONNA
Representing the Noble Corporation PLC Limited, Intergalactic.

SOLANA
Must have fallen off my list, my apologies. Won't happen again. Now then, Dr Noble, Mrs Noble, if you'd like to come with me.

DOCTOR
Oh, no, no, no, no, we're not married!

DONNA
We're so not married.

DOCTOR
Never.

DONNA
Never ever!

SOLANA
Of course. And here are your information packs, vouchers inside. Now if you'd like to come with me, the Executive Suites are nice and warm.

An alarm wails.

DOCTOR
Oh, what's that? That sounds like an alarm.

In his office, Mr Halpen can hear it too.

MR HALPEN
For God's sake, we've got the buyers arriving, who sounded the alarm? Drink!

SOLANA (to the reps)
Oh, it's just a... siren, for the end of the work shift. Now then, this way, quick as you can!

MR HALPEN (on the intercom)
Mr Kess, what the hell's going on?

MR KESS
Ood on the loose, sir. Looks like we've got another one.

MR HALPEN
Red-eye?

MR KESS
As red as sin, sir. Don't worry, Mr Halpen, we're on it.

The Ood runs across the yard.

GUARD
Sir!

MR KESS
All right then, lads, go get him!

SOLANA (talking to the reps in the room with the huge screen)
As you can see, the Ood are happy to serve, and we keep them in facilities of the highest standard. Here at the Double O - that's Ood Operations - we like to think of the Ood as our trusted friends.

During her speech, outside the guards - carrying huge guns - are still chasing the loose Ood.

MR KESS
He's over there! You two follow me!

SOLANA
We keep the Ood healthy, safe, and educated.

MR KESS
Take him alive!

SOLANA
We don't just breed the Ood. We make them better. Because at heart, what is an Ood, but a reflection of us? If your Ood is happy, then you'll be happy, too.

The Ood turns to face the guards, not attacking, just growling, raging.

MR KESS
Mr Halpen, this is a bit more than red-eye, sir. This is something new. It's rabid, sir.

MR HALPEN
Take it to Dr Ryder. Just get it out of sight!

VOICE (over the intercom)
Sales figures needed by 19,00 sir.

MR HALPEN
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

He goes to the mirror, examining his head.

MR HALPEN (to his Ood)
What do you think? Growing back? Just a little bit? ...Like you'd know!

SOLANA
I'd now like to point out a new innovation from Ood Operations. We've introduced a variety package with the Ood translator ball. You can now have the Standard Setting. (talking to Ood#1) How are you today, Ood?

OOD #1 (normal voice)
I'm perfectly well, thank you.

SOLANA
Or perhaps, after a stressful day, a little something for the gentlemen. (to Ood #2) And how are you, Ood?

OOD #2 (sultry female voice)
All the better for seeing you.

SOLANA
And the comedy classic option. (to Ood #3) Ood, you dropped something.

OOD #3 (Homer Simpson voice)
Doh!

The reps laugh.

SOLANA
All that for only five additional credits. The details are in your brochures. Now, there's plenty more food and drink, so, don't hold back.

She leaves; the Doctor goes to the control board and brings the picture of the solar system to the big screen.

DOCTOR
Ah, got it! The Ood-Sphere, I've been to this solar system before, years ago, ages! Close to the planet Sense-Sphere. Let's widen out. (he does it) The year 4126. That is the Second Great and Bountiful Human Empire.

DONNA
4126. It's 4126. I'm in 4126.

DOCTOR
It's good, isn't it?

DONNA
What's the Earth like now?

DOCTOR
Bit full. But you see, the Empire stretches out across three galaxies.

DONNA
It's weird. I mean, it's brilliant, but... Back home, the papers and the telly, they keep saying we haven't got long to live. Global warming. Flooding. All the bees disappearing.

DOCTOR
Yeah, that thing about the bees is odd.

DONNA
But look at us! We're everywhere. Is that good or bad, though? I mean, are we like explorers? Or more like a virus?

DOCTOR
Sometimes I wonder.

DONNA (examining the picture on the screen)
What are the red dots?

DOCTOR
Ood distribution centres.

DONNA
Across three galaxies? Don't the Ood get a say in this?

She walks to the Ood standing nearest.

DONNA
Um, sorry, but...

He doesn't seem to notice her, so she touches his shoulder to get his attention.

DONNA
Hello. Tell me, are you all like this?

OOD #1
I do not understand, Miss.

DONNA
Why do you say "Miss", do I look single?

DOCTOR
Back to the point.

DONNA
Yeah. What I mean is, are there any free Ood? Are there Ood running wild somewhere? Like wood beast.

OOD #1
All Ood are born to serve. Otherwise, we would die.

DONNA
But you can't have started like that. Before the humans, what were you like?

The Ood seems confused.

OOD #1
The circle.

DOCTOR
What do you mean, what circle?

OOD #1 (struggling)
The circ... the circle... is...

SOLANA
Ladies and gentlemen! All Ood to hospitality stations, please.

DOCTOR
I've had enough of the schmoozing. Do you fancy going off the beaten track?

SOLANA (voice from the background)
Now, if I can introduce you...

DONNA (smiling)
Rough guide to the Ood-Sphere? Works for me!

DOCTOR
Isn't it?

***
Mr Halpen and Dr Ryder are in a dark chamber, the rabid Ood chained up, still raging non-stop, two armed man guarding him.

MR HALPEN
What the hell is wrong with it?

DR RYDER
It's obviously stage two of red-eye. Whatever that means.

MR HALPEN
Ood Sigma, have you seen this before?

SIGMA
Humanity defines us, sir. We look to you for answers.

MR HALPEN
Oh, fat lot of good, all of you. We're exporting hundreds of thousands of Ood to all the civilised planets. If they turn rabid, you know what it'll mean.

DR RYDER
There's only one thing I haven't checked, sir. Warehouse 15.

MR HALPEN
Why should that cause trouble? It's been two centuries now. No change, not ever. Drink!

DR RYDER
I know it's restricted access, but if I'm going to work on this, I should see it. Just in case.

MR HALPEN
Can't stand the place. (he gulps his drink) Still. Warehouse 15 then, come on.

DR RYDER
What about this one, sir?

MR HALDEN
Well, I'd suggest a post mortem. Which means it's got to be dead first.

As they leave, the guards start shooting.

***
The Doctor sonics a fence open.

LOUDSPEAKERS
Ood shift eight, now commencing. Repeat, Ood shift eight now commencing.

The Oods are marching through the yard in a fashion like soldiers or prisoners. One of them falls to his knees. Mr Kess rushes to him.

MR KESS
Get up! I said get up!

Mr Kess whips the Ood until he manages to get back to his feet.

DONNA
Servants? They're slaves.

MR KESS
Get up! March!

DOCTOR
Last time I met the Ood, I never thought. I never asked.

DONNA
That's not like you.

DOCTOR
I was busy. So busy I couldn't save them, I had to let the Ood die. I reckon I owe them one.

Mr Halpen, Dr Ryder, Sigma and two guards cross the now empty yard.

DONNA
That looks like the boss.

DOCTOR
Let's keep out of his way. Come on.

They leave.

***
DR RYDER
How long since you went inside?

MR HALPEN
Must be... ten years ago.

He types the code to open the door.

COMPUTER VOICE
Warehouse 15.

MR HALPEN
My father brought me here, when I was six years old.

COMPUTER VOICE
Security protocol initiated.

MR HALPEN
God, the stench of it.

COMPUTER VOICE
Warehouse 15. Door open.

They get inside and stop by the balustrade, looking at something below.

DR RYDER
Incredible.

MR HALPEN
Like I said. Nothing's changed.

DR RYDER
I've read the documents, but... it doesn't quite prepare you.

MR HALPEN
Is it just me, or does it feel as if it's looking at you?

DR RYDER
I think I understand the barrier mechanics well enough. I'll check the signal.

He goes to the controls.

MR HALPEN (to Sigma)
Suppose it's home sweet home to you. What d'you think?

SIGMA
I have no opinion, sir.

MR HALPEN
Well... say hello to Daddy.

DR RYDER
Nothing. The barrier's intact. No abnormal signal. Same as it's been for 200 years.

SOLANA (on the intercom)
Mr Halpen, the two people from the Noble Corporation failed to pass security checks. There's no such company, the Noble Corporation doesn't exist. And on top of that, they seem to have gone missing, sir, the Doctor and Miss Noble.

MR HALPEN
Just what I need. Start a search, no alarms, got that? Keep it quiet. (to Sigma) You see? Hair loss! Drink!

He takes the glass, then lifts it up, over the balustrade.

MR HALPEN
Tell you what, old friend. Have this one on me. Cheers!

He pours it to the thing below, evoking a loud rumble.

MR HALPEN
I think we're finished here.

He turns to leave, Dr Ryder follows, still unable to take his eyes off the thing. He bumps into Sigma.

DR RYDER
Sorry.

Sigma also takes one last look before following the humans.

***
The Doctor, concentrating on the map, goes past a door, but Donna stops him with a loud whistle.

DOCTOR
Where d'you learn to whistle?

DONNA
West Ham, every Saturday.

He uses the sonic to open the door. It leads to a huge hangar, filled with containers. They see a giant claw lifting and transporting the containers.

DOCTOR
Ood export. D'you see? Lifts up the containers, takes them to the rocket sheds, ready to be flown out, all over the three galaxies.

DONNA
What, you mean, these containers are full of...?

DOCTOR
What do you think?

He opens the door on one container. Inside, it's filled with Ood, just standing there, motionless.

DONNA (horrified)
Oh, it stinks! How many of them d'you think there are in each one?

DOCTOR
Hundred? More?

DONNA
A great big empire, built on slavery.

DOCTOR
It's not so different from your time.

DONNA
Oi! I haven't got slaves!

DOCTOR
Who d'you think made your clothes?

DONNA
Is that why you travel round with a human at your side? It's not so you can show them the wonders of the universe, it's so you can take cheap shots?

DOCTOR
Sorry.

DONNA
You don't. Spaceman. (to the Ood) I don't understand, the door is open, why don't you just run away?

OOD
For what reason?

DONNA
You could be free.

OOD
I do not understand the concept.

DONNA
What is it with that Persil ball? I mean, they're not born with it, are they? Why do they have to be all plugged in?

DOCTOR
Ood, tell me, does 'the circle' mean anything to you?

ALL OOD
# The circle must be broken.

DONNA
Woah, that is creepy!

DOCTOR
But what is it? What is the circle?

ALL OOD
# The circle must be broken.

DOCTOR
Why?

ALL OOD
# So that we can sing.

MR KESS
Mr Halpen? I'm in Ood Cargo, I've found your unwanted guests. (to the guards) Go!

He sounds an alarm.

DOCTOR
Oh, that's us! Come on!

MR HALPEN
Cut the alarms! I said, no alarms!

SOLANA (to the reps)
Nothing to worry about, ladies and gentlemen, it's just a fire drill. We test the system at this time every day. If you'll excuse me.

The Doctor and Donna run between the containers. She stops.

DONNA
Doctor, there's a door!

But the guards are coming in right through that door.

GUARD
Don't move...

DOCTOR (noticing he's alone)
Where've you gone?

But he has no time to wonder as guards are at his heels.

GUARD
...stay where you are.

They catch Donna and push her into a container.

DONNA
Get off me! Get off me!

DOCTOR
Donna! Where are you?

MR KESS
All guards withdraw.

GUARD
Sir?

MR KESS
I said withdraw. Keep to the perimeter. I've got this one. (he's at the controls of the huge claw) I've always wanted to do this.

The Doctor is running from the claw. He tries to get in a container but no luck.

MR KESS
Container locked.

DONNA (to the Ood)
Can you help me? (she notices that their eyes are glowing red) Oh, no, you don't! What have I done? I'm not one of that lot. I'm on your side! Stay where you are. That's an order! I said, stay! Doctor! DOCTOR!

The Doctor is now losing against the claw. He finally falls to the ground, panting. But it stops just before crushing him.

SOLANA (to Mr Kess)
You heard the instructions. Mr Halpen wants them alive.

Two guards grab the Doctor and lead him toward the exit.

DONNA (voice from the container)
Doctor, get me out! Doctor, get me out of here!

DOCTOR
If you don't do what she says then you're really in trouble. Not from me, from her.

MR KESS
Unlock the container!

They open the door, Donna runs to hug the Doctor.

DONNA
Doctor!

DOCTOR
There we go, safe and sound.

DONNA
Never mind about me, what about them?!

The Ood are marching out of the container. They electrocute the guard who stands by the door.

MR KESS
Red alert! Fire!

More containers open with even more red-eyed Ood attacking.

MR KESS
Shoot to kill!

The guards start to fire. The Doctor and Donna run off the building, followed by Solana. They stop a bit further.

DONNA
If people back on Earth... knew what was going on here...

SOLANA
Oh, don't be so stupid. Of course they know.

DONNA
They know how you treat the Ood?

SOLANA
They don't ask. Same thing.

DOCTOR
Solana, the Ood aren't born like this, they can't be. A species born to serve could never evolve in the first place. What does the company do to make them obey?

SOLANA
That's nothing to do with me!

DOCTOR
Oh what, cos you don't ask?

SOLANA
That's Dr Ryder's territory.

DOCTOR
Where is he? What part of the complex? I could help, with the red-eye, now show me!

SOLANA (pointing on the map)
There. Beyond the red section.

DOCTOR
Come with me. You've seen the warehouse, you can't agree with all this. You know this place better than me, you could help.

Solana thinks about it for a few seconds, but finally decides to stay loyal to the company.

SOLANA
They're over here! Guards! They're over here!

GUARD
Male and female suspects escaped. Westridge corridor.

SOLANA (on the intercom)
Mr Halpen, I found the Doctor. He's heading for Ood Conversion.

MR HALPEN
On my way. (talking to Mr Kess on the com) Mr Kess, what's the situation?

MR KESS
We've contained it, sir, fenced them in. But the red-eye seems to be permanent this time, it's not fading. Worse than that, sir... there's more of them going rabid. My opinion, sir, I think we've lost them. The entire batch contaminated.

MR HALPEN
What's causing it? Why now? What's changed?

Absent-minded, he strokes his own head - and looks horrified at the bunch of hair that's stayed in his hand.

MR HALPEN (on the intercom)
How many Ood, in total?

MR KESS
I'd say about 2,000, sir.

MR HALPEN
We can write them off, that's what insurance is for. Drink! We've plenty more on the breeding farms, let's start again. (he gulps his drink) Fetch the canisters. No survivors.

MR KESS
My pleasure, sir. You lot - canisters!

***
The Doctor and Donna are running from two guards.

DOCTOR
This way!

They arrive to another door.

DOCTOR
Oh, can you hear it? I didn't need the map, I should've listened.

They get inside, then he uses the sonic to lock the door.

DONNA
Hold on. Does that mean we're locked in?

DOCTOR
Listen. Listen, listen, listen, listen...

Eerie music sounds.

DOCTOR
Oh, my head!

DONNA
What is it?

DOCTOR
Can't you hear it? The singing?

They see a cage with several Ood inside. These ones seem shy, trying to hide from them.

DONNA
They look different to the others.

DOCTOR
That's because they're natural-born Ood, unprocessed, before they're adapted to slavery. Unspoilt.

They go to the cage.

DOCTOR
That's their song.

DONNA
I can't hear it.

DOCTOR
D'you want to?

DONNA
Yeah.

DOCTOR (warning)
It's the song of captivity.

DONNA
Let me hear it.

DOCTOR
Face me. (he puts his hands to her head, like when he is mind reading) Open your mind, that's it. Hear it, Donna. Hear the music.

She hears a beautiful song of lament which makes her cry.

DONNA (choking)
Take it away!

DOCTOR
Sure?

DONNA
I can't bear it.

He puts his hands on her head again, stopping her from hearing the telepathic singing.

DONNA
I'm sorry.

DOCTOR
It's OK.

DONNA
But you can still hear it?

DOCTOR
All the time.

***
MR HALPEN
Come on, what's the hold-up?

DR RYDER
It's the experimentation lab, maximum security, he's fused the system.

MR HALPEN
Don't just stand there, get the bolt-cutters, rip that door off! Solana, go back to the reps, I don't want any of them wandering off and seeing this. And get them away from the Ood, just in case. Hurry up!

SOLANA
Yes, sir.

The Doctor uses the sonic to open the cage of the Ood. Loud thuds come from the door.

DONNA
They're breaking in.

THE DOCTOR
Ah, let them.

He goes into the cage. The Ood are trying to get as far from him as possible.

DOCTOR
What are you holding? Show me. Friend. Doctor Donna. Friend. Let me see... Look at me... Let me see. (one of them creeps closer) That's it. That's it, go on. Go on...

The Ood opens his palms, showing the small brain he was hiding.

DONNA
Is that...?

DOCTOR
It's a brain. A hind brain. The Ood are born with a secondary brain. Like the amygdala in humans, it processes memory and emotions. You get rid of that, you wouldn't be Donna any more. You'd be like an Ood, a processed Ood.

DONNA (shocked)
So the company... cuts off their brains?

DOCTOR (angry)
And they stitch on the translator!

DONNA
Like a lobotomy. (she is terribly shaken) I spent all that time looking for you, Doctor, because I thought it would be so wonderful out here... I want to go home.

With a final loud thud, the door is opened.

GUARD
They're with the Ood, sir.

The Doctor closes the door of the cage, locking himself and Donna inside with the Ood.

DOCTOR
What you gonna do, then? Arrest me? Lock me up? Throw me in a cage? Well, you're too late! Hah!

***
The Doctor and Donna are taken back to the main building. They are handcuffed to some pipes.

MR HALPEN
Why don't you just come out and say it? FOTO activists!

DOCTOR
If that's what Friends Of The Ood are trying to prove, yes!

MR HALPEN
The Ood were nothing without us, just animals roaming around on the ice.

DOCTOR
That's because you can't hear them.

MR HALPEN
They welcomed it! It's not as if they put up a fight.

DONNA
You idiot! They're born with their brains in their hands. Don't you see, that makes them peaceful! They've got to be, cos a creature like that would have to trust anyone it meets.

DOCTOR
Oh, nice one.

DONNA
Thank you!

MR HALPEN
The system's worked for 200 years. All we've got is a rogue batch. But the infection is about to be sterilised. (on the intercom) Mr Kess? How do we stand?

MR KESS
Canisters primed, sir. As soon as the core heats up, the gas is released. Give it 200 marks (he starts the countdown) and counting.

DOCTOR
You're gonna gas them?!

MR HALPEN
Kill the livestock. The classic foot-and-mouth solution from the olden days. Still works.

The natural Ood in the cage lift their palms up, staring to sing. So do the red-eyed ones.

SOLANA (talking to the reps)
I'm sorry, if I could ask you one more time, could all the reps please come through to the Education Suites.

REP #1 (obviously drunk)
Why move now? It's a free bar!

SOLANA
Could I ask all the Ood to withdraw, it's feeding time.

The Oods in there can also hear the singing. They bow their heads like they are in pain.

REP #1
Aw! You've upset them. Leave them alone!

SOLANA
I have to insist. If all the Ood could please leave...

The Ood look up - they eyes have turned red.

SOLANA (scared)
Ladies and gentlemen, change of plan. If you could leave by the fire exits...

REP #1
I could sell this! You could offer different colours.

An Ood elecrocutes him with the translator ball. They start to kill off the other reps. Solana runs out to the yard, only to find more red-eyed Ood and the guards trying to fight them.

GUARD
They've gone insane, Miss, they've gone mad, all of them!

SOLANA
Just shoot them! Shoot to kill!

She tries to escape but gets killed by an Ood coming from a different direction.

***
An alarm wails.

MR HALPEN
What the hell?

He leaves with Dr Ryder to see what's happening outside.

***
Mr Kess is still in the cargo hall, chacking the devide that should gas the Ood.

MR KESS
What's going on out there?

The door opens and red-eyed Ood enter the hangar.

***
COMPUTER VOICE (from loudspeakers)
Emergency status. Emergency status. All exits sealed.

MR RYDER
It's a revolution.

The yard is filled with guards and Ood fighting. Mr Halpen and Dr Ryder watch it, shocked, then head back inside. Sigma looks at his people, but then turns back to follow his master.

***
MR KESS
Come back! Let me out of here!

The Ood have locked him in without gas mask, he chokes to death when the gas cannon goes off.

***
Mr Halpen and Dr Ryder return to the room where the Doctor and Donna are chained.

MR HALPEN
Change of plan.

DR RYDER
There are no reports of trouble off-world, sir, it's still contained to the Ood-Sphere.

MR HALPEN
Then we've got a public duty to stop it before it spreads.

DOCTOR
What's happening?

MR HALPEN
Everything you wanted, Doctor. No doubt there'll be a full police investigation once this place has been sterilised, so I can't risk a bullet to the head. I'll leave you to the mercies of the Ood.

DOCTOR
But Mr Halpen, there's something else, isn't there? Something we haven't seen!

DONNA
What d'you mean?

DOCTOR
A creature couldn't survive with a separate forebrain and hind brain, they'd be at war with themselves. There's got to be something else, a third element, am I right?

MR HALPEN
And again, so clever!

THE DOCTOR
But it's got to be connected to the red-eye, what is it?

MR HALPEN
'It' won't exist for very much longer. Enjoy your Ood.

He leaves followed by Dr Ryder, Sigma and the two guards. The Doctor and Donna try to get their hands free.

DOCTOR
Come on!

***
MR HALPEN
Dr Ryder. Warehouse 15.

DR RYDER (about Sigma)
Well, what about this one?

MR HALPEN
No. You've not turned. Faithful to the last. Go, join your people, while you still can.

They bow their heads and then Sigma leaves.

MR HALPEN (to Dr Ryder)
Come on!

***
DONNA
Well, do something! You're the one with all the tricks! You must've met Houdini!

DOCTOR
These are really good handcuffs!

DONNA
Oh, well I'm glad of that. I mean, at least we've got quality!

The door opens and three red-eyed Ood come in. The Doctor and Donna try to say something that would connect to them.

DOCTOR
Doctor, Donna, friends.

DONNA
The circle must be broken.

DOCTOR
Doctor, Donna, friends!

DONNA
The circle must be broken!

DOCTOR
Doctor, Donna, friends!

DONNA
The circle must be broken!

DOCTOR
Friends, friends, friends!

The red-eyed Oods are still advancing. But through the telepatic link, what they hear echoes to the natural Ood in the cage. They stand up and lift their palms - they seem to send a message to the three menacing the Doctor and Donna - those three bow their heads, and when they look up the red-eye is gone.

OOD
Doctor. Donna. Friends.

DOCTOR & DONNA
Yes! That's us! Friends! Oh, yes!

***
A rabid Ood jumps on one of the guards. Dr Ryder wants to help but Mr Halpen pulls him back.

MR HALPEN
No! Leave him.

The Doctor and Donna look around on the yard that is now a real battlefield - guns rattle, people shout, fires everywhere.

DOCTOR
I don't know where it is! I don't know where they've gone!

DONNA
What are we looking for?

DOCTOR
Might be underground, like some sort of cave, or a cavern, or...

Dr Ryder and Mr Halpen reach the door of Warehouse 15 and go inside.

COMPUTER VOICE
Warehouse 15. Door open.

The Doctor and Donna are thrown to the ground by an explosion.

DOCTOR (to Donna)
All right?

She nods. As they look up, they see Sigma watching them.

MR HALPEN
It's always been an option, my grandfather drew up this plan. That's the advantage of a family-run business, Dr Ryder. The personal touch.

DR RYDER
But we should evacuate. If we can get to the rocket sheds...

MR HALPEN
No need! We've got this. (he opens a huge safe) Detonation packs.

He gives some of them to Dr Ryder.

MR HALPEN
Place them around the circumference. We're gonna blow it up. This thing dies, so do the Ood.

They attach the detonators to the balustrade.
Sigma leads the Doctor and Donna to Warehouse 15. The Doctor opens the door with the sonic. They get inside and stop by the balustrade, watching the thing below: a giant brain.

DOCTOR
The Ood Brain. Now it all makes sense, that's the missing link, the third element, binding them together. Forebrain, hind brain, and this - the telepathic centre. It's a shared mind, connecting all the Ood in song.

Mr Halpen appears, pointing a gun at them.

MR HALPEN
Cargo. I can always go into cargo. I've got the rockets, I've got the sheds. Smaller business, much more manageable, without livestock.

DR RYDER
He's mined the area.

DONNA
They're gonna kill it?

MR HALPEN
They found that...thing centuries ago beneath the Northern Glacier.

DOCTOR
Those pylons.

DONNA
In a circle. 'The circle must be broken.'

DOCTOR
Damping the telepathic field. Stopping the Ood from connecting for 200 years.

MR HALPEN
And you, Ood Sigma, you brought them here. I expected better.

SIGMA
My place is at your side, sir.

MR HALPEN
Ha-ha! Still subservient. Good Ood.

DONNA
If that barrier thing's in place, how come the Ood started breaking out?

DOCTOR
Maybe it's taken centuries to adapt. The subconscious reaching out.

DR RYDER
But the process was too slow. Had to be accelerated. You should never give me access to those controls, Mr Halpen. I lowered the barrier to its minimum. Friends Of The Ood, sir. It's taken me ten years to infiltrate the company. And I succeeded.

MR HALPEN
Yes. Yes, you did.

He smiles and pushes Dr Ryder over the balustrade.

DONNA
You... murdered him!

MR HALPEN
Very observant, Ginger. Now, then... can't say I've ever shot anyone before. Can't say I'm gonna like it. But it's not exactly a normal day, is it? Still...

SIGMA
Would you like a drink, sir?

MR HALPEN
I think hair loss is the least of my problems right now, thanks.

Sigma steps between the Doctor and Mr Halpen.

SIGMA
Please have a drink, sir.

MR HALPEN
If... If you're going to stand in their way, I'll shoot you too.

SIGMA
Please have a drink, sir.

MR HALPEN
Have... Have you... poisoned me?

SIGMA
Natural Ood must never kill, sir.

DOCTOR
What is that stuff?

SIGMA
Ood-graft suspended in a biological compound, sir.

MR HALPEN (scared)
What the hell does that mean?!

DOCTOR
Oh, dear...

MR HALPEN
Tell me!

DOCTOR
Funny thing, the subconscious. Takes all sorts of shapes. Came out in the red-eye as revenge. Came out in the rabid Ood as anger. And then, there was patience. All that intelligence and mercy, focused on Ood Sigma. How's the hair loss, Mr Halpen?

As he touches his head, another bunch of hair stays in his hand.

MR HALPEN (staring to shake)
What have you done?

DOCTOR
Oh, they've been preparing you for a very long time. And now you're standing next to the Ood Brain. Mr Halpen, can you hear it? Listen...

MR HALPEN (choking)
What have you...? I'm...not...!

He drops the gun and bows forward, then grabs the skin on his head. He peels it off, revealing an Ood scull below. Tenticles come out of his mouth and he is turned completely into and Ood.

DONNA (horrified)
They... They turned him into an Ood?!

DOCTOR
Yep.

DONNA
He's an Ood.

DOCTOR
I noticed.

Halpen/Ood seems to sneeze, and a small hind brain falls into his hands.

SIGMA
He has become Oodkind. And we will take care of him.

DONNA (shocked)
It's weird, being with you, I can't tell what's right and what's wrong any more.

DOCTOR
It's better that way. People who know for certain tend to be like Mr Halpen.

The detonators start beeping.

DOCTOR
Ooh! (he twists something to switch them off) That's better. And now... Sigma, would you allow me the honour?

SIGMA
It is yours, Doctor.

He goes to the controls to turn off the electric field around the brain.

DOCTOR
Oh, yes! Stifled for 200 years, but not any more. The circle is broken. The Ood can sing!

A beautiful, joyous song begins. The Doctor laughs, Donna looks delighted.

DONNA
I can hear it!

The Oods everywhere stop fighting, they stand in circles, lift their palms and join to the song.

***
The Doctor and Donna are standing near the TARDIS, accompanied by several Oods including Sigma.

DOCTOR
The message has gone out. That song resonated across the galaxies, everyone heard it. Everyone knows. The rockets are bringing them back. The Ood are coming home.

SIGMA
We thank you, Doctor Donna. Friends of Oodkind. And what of you now, will you stay? There is room in the song for you.

DOCTOR
Oh, I've... I've sort of got a song of my own, thanks.

SIGMA
I think your song must end soon.

DOCTOR
Meaning?

SIGMA
Every song must end.

DOCTOR
Yeah. (to Donna) Erm, what about you? You still want to go home?

DONNA
No. Definitely not.

DOCTOR
Then, we'll be off.

SIGMA
Take this song with you.

The Ood lift their palms and start singing.

DONNA
We will.

DOCTOR
Always.

SIGMA
And know this, Doctor Donna. You will never be forgotten. Our children will sing of the Doctor Donna, and our children's children. And the wind and the ice and the snow will carry your names forever.

The Oods stand there, singing, as they watch the TARDIS dematerialising.

4x02 - The Fires of Pompeii

2008-04-17T15:48:00.017+01:00

The Doctor gets out of the TARDIS, pulls away a curtain and smiles. Donna steps beside him.

THE DOCTOR
Ancient Rome. Well, not to them, obviously. To all intents and purposes, right now, this is brand new Rome.

DONNA
Oh my God, it's... It's so Roman! This is fantastic!

She hugs him.

THE DOCTOR
Haha!

DONNA (enthusiastic)
I'm here, in Rome, Donna Noble, in Rome. This is just weird! I mean, everyone here's dead.

THE DOCTOR
Well, don't tell them that.

DONNA (sobered)
Hold on a minute, that sign over there's in English.

She points to a board advertising 'Two amphoras for the price of one'.

DONNA
Are you having me on, are we in Epcot?

THE DOCTOR
No, no, no, that's the TARDIS translation circuits, just makes it look like English. Speech as well, you're talking Latin right now.

DONNA
Seriously?

THE DOCTOR
Uh huh.

DONNA
I just said 'seriously' in Latin.

THE DOCTOR
Oh yeah.

DONNA
What if I said something in actual Latin? Like, 'Veni, vidi, vici'? My dad said that when he came back from football. If I said 'Veni, vidi, vici' to that lot, what would it sound like?

THE DOCTOR
I'm not sure. You have to think of difficult questions, don't you?

DONNA
I'm gonna try it.

She walks to a stallholder.

STALLHOLDER
Afternoon sweetheart. What can I get you, my love?

DONNA
Ehm... Veni, vidi, vici.

STALLHOLDER
Huh? Sorry? (gesticulating wildly) Me-no-speak-Celtic. No-can-do-missy.

DONNA
Yeah.

She walks back to the Doctor.

DONNA
How's he mean, Celtic?

THE DOCTOR
Welsh. You sound Welsh. There we are, learnt something.

As they walk away, a red-cloaked soothsayer is watching them.

DONNA
Don't our clothes look a bit odd?

THE DOCTOR
Nah. Ancient Rome, anything goes. It's like Soho, but bigger.

DONNA
You've been here before then?

The young soothsayer is following them.

THE DOCTOR
Mm. Ages ago. Before you ask, that fire had nothing to do with me. Well... a little bit. But I haven't got the chance to look around properly. Colosseum, Pantheon, Circus Maximus... you'd expect them to be looming by now. Where is everything?

He looks up, then heads to a different alley, followed by Donna - and the soothsayer.

THE DOCTOR
Try this way.

They reach a wide street. Donna glimpses something.

DONNA
Not an expert, but there's seven hills of Rome, aren't there?

They both look at the one, huge mountain towering over the town.

DONNA
How come they've only got one?

There's a loud roar and an earthquake begins.

POMPEII CITIZEN
Here we go again!

The locals act like this is the most natural thing on earth, smiling while they try to prevent their properties falling down.

DONNA
Wait a minute. One mountain. With smoke. Which makes this...

THE DOCTOR
Pompeii. We're in Pompeii. And it's volcano day!

***
OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE

THE FIRES OF POMPEII
By James Moran
***

The soothsayer runs into a temple. She kneels and bows to the ground in front of a higher ranked priestess, Spurrina.

SOOTHSAYER
I beg audience with the High Priestess of the Sibylline.

SPURRINA
The High Priestess cannot be seen. What would you tell her, sister?

SOOTHSAYER
It has come. As foretold in the prophecy. The box. The blue box.

They both look confused, scared.

***
The Doctor runs back, Donna in tow. He reaches the place where they left the TARDIS, pulls away the curtain - but sees nothing. Donna arrives beside him.

DONNA
You're kidding. Not telling me the TARDIS has gone?

THE DOCTOR
OK.

DONNA
Where is it then?

THE DOCTOR
You... told me not to tell you.

DONNA
Oi. Don't get clever in Latin.

THE DOCTOR
Hold on.

He runs to the stallholder Donna talked with previously.

THE DOCTOR
'Scuse me, 'scuse me, there was a box, big blue box, big blue wooden box, just over there, where is it gone?

STALLHOLDER (smugly)
Sold it, didn't I?

THE DOCTOR
But... it wasn't yours to sell!

STALLHOLDER
It was on my patch, weren't it? I got 15 sesterce for it, lovely jubbly.

THE DOCTOR
Who did you sell it to?

STALLHOLDER
Old Caecilius. Look, if you want to argue, why don't you take it out with him? He's on Foss Street, big villa, can't miss it.

THE DOCTOR
Thanks.

He and Donna run away. Then the Doctor runs back, bemused.

THE DOCTOR
What did he buy a big wooden box for?

***
Roman Villa, the home of Caecilius and family. The TARDIS, having just been moved into the villa is surrounded by Caecilius and his servants, who are scurrying away.

CAECILIUS (joyfully)
Modern art! Out of the way, that's it!

He hurries his servants out of the way who toddle off.

CAECILIUS (talking to a servant)
Oh Rombus, I'm a little bit peckish. Get me some ants in honey, there's a good man. Ooh, maybe a dormouse!

Caecilius' wife, Metella, is watching on. It is clear on her face that she does not approve of this 'modern art'.

CAECILIUS
What do you think?

METELLA
You call it modern art; I call it a blooming great waste of space!

CAECILIUS
We're going up in the world, my love! Lucius Dextrus is coming to the house this afternoon. And with our Evelina about to be elevated...

Evelina, Metella and Caecilius' daughter, enters looking disdainful.

EVELINA
Don't go on about it, dad.

METELLA
If we'd moved to Rome like I said she could've been a Vestal virgin.

Quintus, Metella and Caecilius' son, walks in, yawning and rubbing the back of his head - tired, hungover.

QUINTUS
Someone mentioned vestal virgins?

METELLA
Quintus don't be so rude! Appologise to the household Gods!

QUINTUS
Get off!

METELLA
Apologise, right now! The Gods are always watching!

The house begins to shake and objects begin to move. The faces of the family suggest this is not unusual. Caecilius looks at the family and gasps.

CAECILIUS
Positions!

Each of the family members runs off to various points around the house to support one object or another - reminiscent of the scenes in Mary Poppins. The house stops shaking, the family relax. Metella gives Quintus an 'I-told-you-so' look.

METELLA
There, now you've made the heavens angry! Say sorry!

Quintus walks towards a shrine in the corner, with less than enthusiasm.

METELLA
I tell you Caecilius that boy will do no good!

Quintus, at the shrine, performs a quick ritual.

QUINTUS
Sorry household Gods.

CAECILIUS
Where were you last night? Down the thelopolium I bet, covorting with Christians! And all sorts! How's your head sunshine? HOW'S YOUR HEAD?!

QUINTUS
Alright dad! Give us a break!

METELLA
You want to smarten yourself up Quintus, before Lucius Dextrus gets here! Look at your sister.

Metella walks proudly over to Evelina who looks bored of the same old speech.

METELLA
She is giving us status!

QUINTUS
Oh yeah! Cos it's all about Evelina!

METELLA
She has the gift!

Metella shows Quintus the eye on the back of Evelina's palms, just like the ones belonging to the Sisterhood.

METELLA
She has the gift! Be proud of your sister for once!

She turns to Evelina.

METELLA
Have you been consuming?

EVELINA
Not this morning.

METELLA
Come on sweetheart, practise!

She takes Evelina towards the hypocaust grille in the centre of the room.

METELLA
It's hot today! A hypocaust on full blast! The mountain God must be happy! Breathe deeply! Remember what the sisterhood said.

Evelina breaths the fumes of the furnace. It is clearly painful.

EVELINA
It hurts!

METELLA
My love, is it too hot?

EVELINA
Sometimes in the smoke I see the most terrible things.

METELLA
Like what?

EVELINA
A face; a face of stone.

METELLA
It'll make sense. One day, Sister Spurrina promised. The veil will be parted and you'll be a seer.

Metella walks off, leaving Evelina to breath in the fumes. In the fire she sees the face of which she just spoke.

EVELINA Who are you?

***
The Doctor is running down the street and collides with Donna who was approaching from the opposite direction.

THE DOCTOR
Ha! I've got it. Foss Street, this way.

He makes to turn around and drag her with him.

DONNA
No! Well, I found this big sort of amphitheatre thing, we should start there, we can gather everyone together, maybe if we got a great big bell or something we could ring it, have they invented bells yet?

THE DOCTOR
What do you want a bell for?

DONNA
To warn everyone! Start the evacuation! What time does Vesuvius erupt, when's it due?

THE DOCTOR
It's 79AD, 23rd of August, which makes volcano day tomorrow!

DONNA
Plenty of time! We could get everyone out, easy!

THE DOCTOR
Yeah, except we're not going to.

DONNA
But that's what you do, you're the Doctor, you save people!

THE DOCTOR
Not this time; Pompeii is a fixed point in history, what happens happens, there is no stopping it.

He moves to go again but Donna pulls him back.

DONNA
Says who?

THE DOCTOR
Says me!

DONNA
What, you're in charge?!

THE DOCTOR
TARDIS, Time Lord, yeah!

DONNA
Donna, human, no! I don't need your permission, I'll tell them myself!

THE DOCTOR
You sound about the place, announce the end of the world, and they'll just think you're a mad old soothsayer, now come on! TARDIS, we are getting out of here!

He walks hurriedly away.

DONNA
Well I might just have something to say about that, Spaceman!

THE DOCTOR
Oh I bet you will!

Donna follows after him, but the pair are watched by the young soothsayer again. She stops and covers her eyes with her palms.

SOOTHSAYER
The tall one... he calls us mad...

The Sybelline Sisters can talk with her through a telepathic link.

SPURRINA
Then he is a stranger to Pompeii. Soon he will learn.

Another Sister, Thalina, walks to Spurrina.

THALINA
We have found it, Sister Spurrina, in the 13th book of the Sybilline Oracles. The blue box - a temple made of wood. And yet the Sybil foretold that the box would appear at the time of storms, and fire, and betrayal.

A voice sounds out from the front of the temple, causing all the Sisters to stop what they are doing.

HIGH PRIESTESS
Sisters...

They walk forward reverently towards her, a figure hidden behind a thin curtain.

SPURRINA
Reverend mother, you should sleep.

HIGH PRIESTESS
The Sybilline Oracles are wrong!

SPURRINA
But we have venerated her words for generations!

HIGH PRIESTESS
This is a new age. Heed my words! I predict a future of prosperity and might, an endless empire of Pompeii, reaching out from this city to topple Rome itself, and encompass the whole, wide world! If the Disciples of the Blue Box defy this prophecy, their blood will run across the temple floor!

A tremor shakes the room.

SPURRINA
The gods approve!

***
CAECILIUS
Positions!

They all run, but Caecilius is too far from his precious statue - however, the Doctor arrives just in time to catch it. The earthquake stops.

THE DOCTOR
There you go.

CAECILIUS
Thank you, kind sir. I'm afraid bussiness is closed for the day. I'm expecting a visitor.

THE DOCTOR
But that's me, I'm a visitor. Hello.

He shakes his hand and dashes into the room.

CAECILIUS
Who are you?

THE DOCTOR
I am... Spartacus.

DONNA
And so am I.

CAECILIUS
Mr and Mrs Spartacus?

THE DOCTOR
Oh no no no, we're not, we're not married.

DONNA
We're not together.

CAECILIUS
Oh, then brother and sister? Yes of course! You look very much alike.

THE DOCTOR & DONNA TOGETHER
Really?

CAECILIUS
I'm sorry, but I'm not open for trade.

THE DOCTOR
And that trade would be?

CAECILIUS
Marble. Lobus Caecilius. Mining, polishing and design thereof. If you want marble, I'm your man.

THE DOCTOR
That's good. That's good, cos I'm marble inspector.

METELLA
By the gods of commerce, an inspection! (taking away a cup of wine from Quintus) I'm sorry, sir. I do apologise for my son.

QUINTUS
Oi!

CAECILIUS
And this is my good wife, Metella. I... I must confess, we're not prepared for...

THE DOCTOR
Nothing to worry about, I'm - I'm sure you've nothing to hide. Although, frankly, (he points to the TARDIS) that object looks rather like wood to me.

METELLA (hissing)
I told you to get rid of it.

CAECILIUS (apologising)
I only bought it today!

THE DOCTOR
Ah, well... Caveat emptor.

CAECILIUS
Oh, you're Celtic. There's lovely.

THE DOCTOR
I'm sure it's fine, but I might have to take it off your hands, for a proper inspection.

DONNA
Although while we're here, wouldn't you recommend a holiday, Spartacus?

THE DOCTOR
Don't know what you mean, Spartacus.

DONNA
Oh, this lovely family. Mother and father and son. Don't you think they should get out of town?

CAECILIUS
Why should we do that?

DONNA
Well, the volcano, for starters.

CAECILIUS (puzzled)
What?

DONNA
Volcano.

CAECILIUS
WHAT-ano?

DONNA
That great big volcano right on your doorstep...

THE DOCTOR
Oh, Spartacus, for shame, we haven't even greeted the household gods yet.

He drags Donna away to the shrine.

THE DOCTOR (subdued, to Donna)
They don't know what it is. Vesuvius is just a mountain to them, the top hasn't blown off yet. The Romans haven't even got a word for volcano. Not until tomorrow.

DONNA (sarcastic)
Oh, great, they can learn a new word. As they die.

THE DOCTOR
Donna, stop it.

DONNA
Listen, I don't know what sort of kids you've been flying round with in space, but you're not telling me to shut up. That boy, how old is he? Sixteen? And tomorrow, he burns to death.

THE DOCTOR
And that's my fault?

DONNA
Right now, yes.

SERVANT
Announcing Lucius Petrus Dextrus, Chief Augur of the City Government.

CAECILIUS
Lucius. My pleasure, as always.

METELLA
Quintus, stand up!

CAECILIUS
A rare and great honour, sir, for you to come to my house...

He reaches out his hand, but Lucius keeps his right hidden under his cloak.

LUCIUS
The birds are flying north, and the wind is in the west.

CAECILIUS (puzzled)
Quite. Absolutely. That's good, is it?

LUCIUS
Only the grain of wheat knows where it will grow.

CAECILIUS
There now, Metella. Have you ever heard SUCH wisdom?

METELLA
Never. It's an honour.

CAECILIUS
Pardon me, sir, I have guests, this is Spartacus and... Spartacus.

The Doctor and Donna wave at Lucius.

LUCIUS
A name is but a cloud upon a summer wind.

THE DOCTOR
But the wind is felt most keenly in the dark.

LUCIUS
Ah. (taking it as chellenge) But what is the dark, other than an omen of the sun?

THE DOCTOR
I concede that every sun must set...

LUCIUS
Hah!

THE DOCTOR
... and yet the son of the father must also rise.

LUCIUS
Damn. Very clever, sir. Evidently, a man of learning.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, yes. But don't mind me, don't want to disturb the status quo.

CAECILIUS
He's Celtic.

THE DOCTOR
We'll be off in a minute.

DONNA (subdued)
I'm not going.

CAECILIUS
It's ready, sir.

THE DOCTOR (subdued, to Donna)
You've got to.

DONNA
Well, I'm not.

CAECILIUS
The moment of revelation.

He uncovers something that looks like a tile-sized circuit board, made of marble.

CAECILIUS
And here it is! Exactly as you've specified. It pleases you, sir?

LUCIUS
As the rain pleases the soil.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, now that's... different. Who designed that, then?

CAECILIUS
My Lord Lucius was very specific.

THE DOCTOR
Where did you get the pattern?

LUCIUS
On the rain and mist and wind.

DONNA (to the Doctor)
But that looks like a circuit.

THE DOCTOR
Made of stone.

DONNA
Do you mean you just dreamt that thing up?

LUCIUS
That is my job. As City Augur.

DONNA
What's that, then, like the mayor?

THE DOCTOR
Oh! You must excuse my friend, she's from... Barcelona. (subdued, to Donna) Not, but this is an age of superstition, of official superstition. The Augur is paid by the city to tell the future. 'The wind will blow from the west', that's the equivalent of Ten O'Clock News.

Evelina enters the room, looking pale and sick.

EVELINA
They're laughing at us. Those two, they use words like tricksters, they're mocking us.

THE DOCTOR
No, no, no. I meant no offence.

METELLA
I'm sorry, my daughter's been consuming the vapours.

QUINTUS
Oh for gods, mother, what have you been doing to her?

CAECILIUS
Not now, Quintus.

QUINTUS
Yeah but she's sick, just look at her!

LUCIUS
I gather I have a rival in this household. Another with the gift.

METELLA (proudly)
Oh, she's been promised to the Sibylline Sisterhood. They say she has remarkable visions.

LUCIUS
The prophecies of women are limited and dull, only the menfolk have the capacity for true perception.

DONNA
I'll tell you where the wind's blowing right now, mate.

There's another loud roar from the mountain.

LUCIUS
The Mountain God marks your words. I'd be careful, if I were you.

THE DOCTOR
Consuming the vapours, you said?

EVELINA
They give me strength.

THE DOCTOR
It doesn't look like it to me.

EVELINA
Is that your opinion... as a doctor?

THE DOCTOR
I beg your pardon?

EVELINA
Doctor, that's your name.

THE DOCTOR (taken aback)
How did you know that?

EVELINA
And you... you call yourself Noble.

METELLA
Now then, Evelina, don't be rude.

THE DOCTOR
No, no, no, no, let her talk.

EVELINA
You both come from so far away.

LUCIUS
The female soothsayer is inclined to invent all sorts of vagaries.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, not this time, Lucius. No, I reckon you've been out-soothsayed.

LUCIUS
Is that so... man from Gallifrey?

THE DOCTOR
What?

LUCIUS
Strangest of images... your home is lost in fire, is it not?

DONNA
Doctor, what are they doing?

LUCIUS
And you, daughter of... London.

DONNA
How does he know that?

LUCIUS
This is the gift of Pompeii. Every single oracle tells the truth.

DONNA
That's impossible.

LUCIUS
Doctor... she is returning.

THE DOCTOR
Who is? Who's she?

LUCIUS
And you, daughter of London... there is something on your back.

DONNA (scared)
What's that mean?

EVELINA
Even the word 'doctor' is false. Your real name is hidden. It burns in the stars, in the Cascade of Medusa herself. You are a Lord, sir. A Lord... of Time.

She collapses, the Doctor and Metella run to her.

METELLA
Evelina!

***
Evelina is in bed, still unconscious. Her mother and Donna are with her.

METELLA
She didn't mean to be rude, she's ever such a good girl. But when the gods speak through her...

She unwraps the bandage on Evelina's arm, revealing grey skin beneath.

DONNA
What's wrong with her arm?

METELLA
Irritation of the skin. She never complains, bless her. We bathe it in olive oil every night.

DONNA
What is it?

METELLA
Evelina said you'd come from far away. Please, have you ever seen anything like…?

Donna goes to touch it.

DONNA
It's stone.

***
The Doctor pulls away the grille of the hypocaust, revealing the chasm below.

THE DOCTOR
Different sort of hypocaust.

CAECILIUS
Oh, yes. We're very advanced in Pompeii. In Rome, they're still using the old wood-burning furnaces. But we've got hot springs, leading from Vesuvius itself.

THE DOCTOR
Who thought of that?

CAECILIUS
The soothsayers. After the great earthquake, 17 years ago. An awful lot of damage. But we rebuilt.

THE DOCTOR
Didn't you think of moving away? No, then again, San Francisco...

CAECILIUS
That's a new restaurant in... Naples?

A howling sound comes from below.

THE DOCTOR
What's that noise?

CAECILIUS
Don't know. Happens all the time. They say the gods of the Underworld are stirring.

THE DOCTOR
But after the earthquake, let me guess... Is that when the soothsayers started making sense?

CAECILIUS
Oh, yes, very much so. I mean, they'd always been, shall we say, imprecise? But then - the soothsayers, the augurs, the haruspex, all of them, they saw the truth, again and again. It's quite amazing. They can predict crops and rainfall with absolute precision.

THE DOCTOR
Haven't they said anything about tomorrow?

CAECILIUS
No. Why, should they? Why d'you ask?

THE DOCTOR
No, no, no I'm just asking. But the soothsayers, they all consume the vapours, yeah?

CAECILIUS
That's how they see.

THE DOCTOR
Ipso facto...

CAECILIUS
Look you...

THE DOCTOR
They're all consuming this.

He rubs something between his fingers, then tastes it.

CAECILIUS
Dust?

THE DOCTOR
Tiny particles of rock. They're breathing in Vesuvius.

***
Quintus is lying on a sofa, drinking wine, bored.

THE DOCTOR
Quintus, me old son. This Lucius Petrus Dextrus, where does he live?

QUINTUS
It's nothing to do with me.

THE DOCTOR
Let me try again. This Lucius Petrus Dextrus...

He pulls out a coin from behind Quintus' ear.

THE DOCTOR
Where does he live?

Now Quintus gets interested. He leads the Doctor to Lucius' house.

QUINTUS
Don't tell my dad.

The Doctor climbs in through the window.

THE DOCTOR
Only if you don't tell mine. Pass me that torch!

After a moment of hesitation, Quintus follows him into the house. They look around and see some drapes. The Doctor pulls it away to reveal six stone circuits similar to the one Caecilius has made.

QUINTUS
The liar! He told my father it was the only one.

THE DOCTOR
Well, plenty of marble merchants in this town. Tell them all the same thing, get all the components from different places, so no-one can see what you're building.

QUINTUS
Which is what?

Lucius appears, followed by two armed guards.

LUCIUS
The future. Doctor, we are building the future. As dictated by the gods.

***
Evelina is now sitting on her bed, laughing as she watches Donna pose in a purple toga.

DONNA
You're not supposed to laugh. Thanks for that. What d'you think? The Goddess Venus.

EVELINA (laughing)
Oh, that's sacrilege.

DONNA
Nice to see you laugh, though. (she sits beside Evelina) What d'you do in old Pompeii, then, girls your age? You got... mates? D'you go hanging about round the shops? TK Maximus?

EVELINA
I am promised to the Sisterhood for the rest of my life.

DONNA
D'you get any choice in that?

EVELINA
It's not my decision. The Sisters chose for me. I have the gift of sight.

DONNA
Then… what can you see happening tomorrow?

EVELINA
Is tomorrow special?

DONNA
You tell me. What d'you see?

She closes her eyes, smiling.

EVELINA
The sun will rise. The sun will set. Nothing special at all.

DONNA
Look, don't tell the Doctor I said anything cos he'll kill me, but I've got a prophecy too.

Evelina, looking worried, covers her eyes with her hands, creating a link to the Sisterhood so they can also hear Donna.

DONNA (her voice echoing also in the Temple of Sybil)
Evelina, I'm sorry, but you've got to hear me out.

SPURRINA
Sisters!

DONNA
Evelina, can you hear me? Listen...

EVELINA
There is only one prophecy.

DONNA
But everything I'm about to say to you is true. I swear. Just listen to me. Tomorrow, that mountain is gonna explode. Evelina, please listen. The air is gonna fill with ash and rocks, tons and tons of it, this whole town is gonna get buried.

EVELINA
That's not true.

DONNA
I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. But everyone's gonna die.

SPURRINA
A new prophecy!

THALINA
Impossible. There is only one.

DONNA
Even if you don't believe me, just… tell your family to get out of town. Just for one day, just for tomorrow. But you've got to get out. You've got to leave Pompeii!

EVELINA (in despair)
This is false prophecy!

SPURRINA (kneeling in front of the High Priestess)
The noblewoman. She spoke of a new prophecy, the fall of Pompeii.

HIGH PRIESTESS
Pompeii will last forever.

SPURRINA
Then what must we do?

HIGH PRIESTESS
The false prophet must die. Sacrifice her!

***
The Doctor is arranging the stone circuits on the shelf.

THE DOCTOR
Put this one... there. This one... there. Er, keep that one upside down, and what we got?

LUCIUS
Enlighten me.

THE DOCTOR
What, the soothsayer doesn't know?

LUCIUS
A seed may float on the breeze in any direction.

THE DOCTOR
Yeah, I knew you would say that. But it's an energy converter.

LUCIUS
An energy converter of what?

THE DOCTOR
I don't know. Isn't that brilliant? I love not knowing. Keeps me on my toes. It must be awful being a prophet, waking up every morning, 'Is it raining? Yes it is, I said so.' Takes all the fun out of life. But who designed this, Lucius? hm? Who gave you these instructions?

LUCIUS
I think you've babbled enough.

THE DOCTOR
Lucius, really, tell me, honestly I'm on your side. I can help.

LUCIUS
You insult the gods. There can be only one sentence. At arms!

THE DOCTOR
Oh, morituri te salutant.

LUCIUS
Celtic prayers won't help you now.

QUINTUS
But it was him sir, he made me do it. Mr Dextrus, please, don't.

THE DOCTOR
Come on now, Quintus, dignity in death. I respect your victory, Lucius. (he reaches out his hand) Shake on it? Come on. Dying man's wish?

He grabs Lucius' right beneath the cloak - and breaks it off!

LUCIUS
Aargh!

QUINTUS
But he's...

THE DOCTOR
Show me.

Lucius throws back the cloak, revealing the strump of his right hand, all stoned.

LUCIUS (proud)
The work of the gods.

QUINTUS
He's stone!

THE DOCTOR
'Armless enough, though. Whoops! (he throws the arm at Lucius) Quintus!

Quintus throws the torch at the guards, the Doctor uses the sonic screwdriver to push the circuits off the shelf, then he and Quintus jump out through the window.

LUCIUS
The carvings!

THE DOCTOR
Run!

LUCIUS
My carvings! (he picks one up) The work is unbroken.

The Doctor and Quintus run on the street. Lucius talks into the hypocaust.

LUCIUS
Oh, Lord of the Mountain, I beseech you! This man would prevent the rise of Pompeii. Lord, I beg of you, show yourself. Show yourself!

Down in the chasm, a stone creature with glowing eyes roars back to him.
The Doctor and Quintus stop running.

THE DOCTOR
No sign of them. Nice little bit of allons-y. I think we're all right.

QUINTUS
But his arm, Doctor. Is that what's happening to Evelina?

They hear a deep, loud bang.

THE DOCTOR
What was that?

QUINTUS
The mountain?

It is repeated, and then over and over again. It shatters the ground.

THE DOCTOR
No, it's closer. Footsteps...

QUINTUS
It can't be.

THE DOCTOR
Footsteps underground.

QUINTUS
What is it? What IS it?

The Doctor grabs him and they run. In Caecilius' villa they can hear and feel it too. The family and servants rush together.

METELLA
What is it? What's that noise?

CAECILIUS
Doesn't sound like Vesuvius!

The Doctor and Quintus arrive.

THE DOCTOR
Caecilius, all of you! Get out!

DONNA
Doctor! What is it?

THE DOCTOR
I think we're being followed. Just get out!

But they stand there, stunned, watching as the grille of the hypocaust flies away and a huge creature, a Pyrovile emerges from beneath.

EVELINA
The gods are with us.

THE DOCTOR
Water! We need water! Quintus, all of you, get water! Donna!

Donna, Quintus and most servants obey. But one servant just steps in front of the Pyrovile.

SERVANT Blessed are we to see the gods.

The Pyrovile blows fire at him, burning him to dust. The Doctor steps between the family and the Pyrovile, trying to negotiate.

THE DOCTOR
Talk to me, that's all I want! Talk to me, you just tell me you are. Don't hurt these people!

In the meantime, Donna has fetched a bucket, but she is kidnapped by the Sibylline Sisters before she could return to help.

DONNA (muffled) Doctor! Doctor!

THE DOCTOR
Talk to me! I'm the Doctor, just tell me who you are.

Quintus and a servant return and pour water on the Pyrovile. That puts its fire out and the whole thing collapses, shattering to pieces of rock.

CAECILIUS
What was it?

THE DOCTOR
Carapace of stone, held together by internal magma, not too difficult to stop. But I reckon that's just the foot soldier.

METELLA
Doctor, or whatever your name is, you bring bad luck on this house.

THE DOCTOR
I thought your son was brilliant, aren't you gonna thank him? (Metella and Caecilius hug Quintus) Still... If there are aliens at work in Pompeii, it's a good thing we stayed. Donna!

But she is nowhere…

THE DOCTOR
Donna? Donna?

***
Donna is tied to a stone altar, Spurrina stands beside her with a huge knife, the other Sisters in a circle around them.

DONNA
You have got to be kidding me.

SPURRINA
The False Prophet will surrender both her blood and her breath.

DONNA
I'll surrender you in a minute. Don't you dare!

SPURRINA
You will be silent.

DONNA
Listen, sister, you might have eyes on the back of your hands, but you'll have eyes in the back of your head by the time I've finished with you! LET ME GO!

SPURRINA
This prattling voice will cease forever!

THE DOCTOR
Oh, that'll be the day.

The sisters are shocked by his appearance. Donna smiles at him.

SPURRINA
No man is allowed to enter the Temple of Sibyl.

THE DOCTOR
Well, that's all right, just us girls. Do you know, I met the Sibyl once, yeah, hell of a woman. Blimey, she could dance the Tarantella! Nice teeth. Truth be told, I think she had a bit of a thing for me. I said it would never last, she said, 'I know'. Well, she would. (to Donna)You all right there?

DONNA (sarcastic)
Oh, never better.

THE DOCTOR
I like the toga.

DONNA
Thank you. And the ropes?

THE DOCTOR
Yeah, not so much.

He frees her with the sonic.

SPURRINA
What magic is this?

THE DOCTOR
Let me tell you about the Sibyl, the founder of this religion. She would be ashamed of you. All her wisdom and insight turned sour. Is that how you spread the word, hey? On the blade of a knife?

SPURRINA
Yes, a knife that now welcomes you!

She lifts the knife at him.

HIGH PRIESTESS
Show me this man!

The sisters turn toward her bed and kneel down, except Spurrina who still stands behind the altar.

SPURRINA
High Priestess, the stranger would defile us.

HIGH PRIESTESS
Let me see. This one is different. He carries starlight in his wake.

The Doctor and Donna step closer to the bed.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, very perceptive. Where do these words of wisdom come from?

HIGH PRIESTESS
The gods whisper to me.

THE DOCTOR
They've done far more than that. Might I beg audience? Look upon the High Priestess?

The curtains of the bad are drawn aside, revealing the High Priestess - a former human by now almost entirely turned to stone.

DONNA
Oh, my God. What's happened to you?

HIGH PRIESTESS
The heavens have blessed me.

THE DOCTOR
If I might...

He steps closer, touching the priestess' hand.

THE DOCTOR
Does it hurt?

HIGH PRIESTESS
It is necessary.

THE DOCTOR
Who told you that?

HIGH PRIESTESS
The voices.

DONNA
Is that what's gonna happen to Evelina? Is this what's gonna happen to all of you?

Spurrina shows her her hand, which is turning to stone like Evelina's.

SPURRINA
The blessings are manifold.

DONNA
They're stone.

THE DOCTOR
Exactly. The people of Pompeii are turning to stone before the volcano erupts. But why?

HIGH PRIESTESS
This word, this image in your mind. This volcano... what is that?

THE DOCTOR
More to the point, why don't you know about it? Who are you?

HIGH PRIESTESS
High Priestess of the Sibylline.

THE DOCTOR
No, no, no, no, no, I'm talking to the creature inside you. The thing that's seeding itself into a human body, in the dust, in the lungs, taking over the flesh and turning it into... what?

HIGH PRIESTESS
Your knowledge... is impossible.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, but you can read my mind, you know it's not. I demand you tell me who you are!

Her voice changes - now she speaks as a Pyrovile.

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
We... are... awakening.

SPURRINA
The voice of the gods!

SISTERS (chanting non-stop)
# Words of wisdom, words of power. Words of wisdom, words of power...

THE DOCTOR
Name yourself! Planet of origin. Galactic coordinates. Species designation according to the universal ratification of the Shadow Proclamation.

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
We... are... rising.

THE DOCTOR
Tell... me... your name!

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
Pyrovile.

SISTERS
# Pyrovile, Pyrovile, Pyrovile...

DONNA
What's a Pyrovile?

THE DOCTOR
Well that's a Pyrovile, growing inside her. She's a halfway stage.

DONNA
What, and that turns into...

THE DOCTOR
That thing in the villa, that was an adult Pyrovile.

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
And the breath of a Pyrovile will incinerate you, Doctor.

The Doctor pulls out a small yellow water pistol.

THE DOCTOR
I warn you, I'm armed! Donna, get that grille open.

DONNA
What for?

THE DOCTOR
Just... (to the priestess) What are the Pyrovile doing here?

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
We fell from the heavens. We fell so far and so fast, we were rendered into dust.

THE DOCTOR
Right, creatures of stone, shattered on impact. When was that, 17 years ago?

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
We have slept beneath for thousands of years.

THE DOCTOR
OK, so 17 years ago woke you up, and now you're using human bodies to reconstitute yourselves, but why the psychic powers?

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
We opened their minds and found such gifts.

THE DOCTOR
OK, get that fine, so you force yourself inside a human brain, use the latent psychic talent to bond, I get that, I get that, yeah. But seeing the future, that is way beyond psychic, you can see through time. Where does the gift of prophecy come from?

DONNA
Got it!

THE DOCTOR
Now get down!

DONNA
What, down there?

THE DOCTOR
Yes, down there. Why can't this lot predict a volcano? Why is it being hidden?

SPURRINA
Sisters, I see into his mind. The weapon is harmless!

THE DOCTOR
Yeah, but it's got a sting.

He sprays the High Priestess with water. She screams in pain.

THE DOCTOR (to Donna)
Get down there!

They jump down, while the Sisters run to help their High Priestess.

DONNA
You fought her off with a water pistol. I bloody love you!

THE DOCTOR
This way!

DONNA
Where are we going now?

THE DOCTOR
Into the volcano.

DONNA
No way.

THE DOCTOR
Yes way. Appian way!

HIGH PRIESTESS/PYROVILE
The stranger would threaten our great endeavour. The time has come. The prophecy must advance!

LUCIUS
The prophecy must advance. Thy will be done. Summon the Cult of Vulcan.

SERVANT
Yes, sir.

LUCIUS
We must go to the mountain. Vesuvius awaits.

***
CAECILIUS
Sunrise, my love. A new day. Even the longest night must end.

QUINTUS
The mountain's worse than ever.

METELLA
We killed a messenger of the gods in our own house. (to Evelina) Sweetheart, can you see? Tell us. What's going to happen?

QUINTUS
Just… leave her alone.

EVELINA
I can see...

METELLA
What is it?

EVELINA
A choice. Someone must make a choice. (in tears) The most terrible choice.

***
DONNA
But if it's aliens setting off the volcano, doesn't that make it all right, for you to stop it?

THE DOCTOR
Still part of history.

DONNA
But I'm history to you. You saved me, in 2008, you saved us all. Why's that different?

THE DOCTOR
Some things are fixed, some things are in flux. Pompeii is fixed.

DONNA
How do you know which is which?

THE DOCTOR
Because that's how I see the universe. Every waking second, I can see what is, what was, what could be, what must not. That's the burden of the Time Lord, Donna. And I'm the only one left.

DONNA
How many people died?

THE DOCTOR
Stop it.

DONNA
Doctor, how many people died?

THE DOCTOR
20,000.

DONNA
Is that what you can see, Doctor? All 20,000? And you think that's all right, do you?

There's a loud howl.

THE DOCTOR
They know we're here. Come on!

***
Lucius leads six black-cloaked people - each carrying a stone circuit- and the two armed guards to an opening in the side of Vesuvius.

LUCIUS
Almighty Vesuvius, accept these offerings, in Vulcan's design, and show unto us, I beseech you, the gods of the Underworld.

A Pyrovile comes out to them.

***
The Doctor and Donna arrive to a gigantic cave.

THE DOCTOR
It's the heart of Vesuvius. We're right inside the mountain.

DONNA
There's tons of them.

THE DOCTOR
What's that thing?

He uses a telescope to take a better look of a round thing in the middle of the cave. He can see the carvings inside.

DONNA
Oh, you better hurry up and think of something, Rocky fall's on its way.

THE DOCTOR
That's how they arrived. Or what's left of it. Escape pod? Prison ship? Gene bank?

DONNA
But why do they need a volcano? Maybe... it erupts, and they launch themselves back into space or something?

THE DOCTOR
Oh, it's worse than that.

DONNA
How could it be worse? (there's another howl) Doctor, it's getting closer.

LUCIUS (from the other side of the cave)
Heathens! Defile us! They would desecrate your temple, My Lord Gods!

THE DOCTOR
Come on!

They run toward the middle of the cave.

DONNA
We can't go in!

THE DOCTOR
Well, we can't go back!

LUCIUS
Crush them! Burn them!

A Pyrovile steps in front of them, but the Doctor kills it with the water pistol, then they run toward the escape pod.

LUCIUS
There is nowhere to run, Doctor, and daughter of London.

THE DOCTOR
Now then, Lucius, My Lords Pyrovillian, don't get yourselves in a lather. In a lava? No? No. But if I might beg the wisdom of the gods before we perish... once this new race of creatures is complete, then what?

LUCIUS
My masters will follow the example of Rome itself. An almighty empire, bestriding the whole of civilization.

DONNA
But if you've crashed, and you've got all this technology, why don't you just go home?

LUCIUS
The Heaven of Pyrovillia is gone.

THE DOCTOR
What d'you mean, 'gone'? Where's it gone?

LUCIUS
It was taken. Pyrovillia is lost. But there is heat enough in this world for a new species to rise.

THE DOCTOR
Yeah, I should warn you, it's 70% water out there.

LUCIUS
Water can boil. And everything will burn, Doctor.

THE DOCTOR
Then the whole planet is at stake. Thank you. That's all I needed to know. Donna!

They get inside the pod, the Doctor seals the door with the sonic.

LUCIUS
You have them, My Lords!

DONNA
Could we be any more trapped?

The Pyroviles start to blow fire at the pod.

DONNA
Little bit hot.

THE DOCTOR
See? The energy converter takes the lava, uses the power to create a fusion matrix, which welds Pyrovile to human. Now it's complete, they can convert millions.

DONNA
But can't you change it? With these controls?

THE DOCTOR
Course I can, but don't you see? That's why the soothsayers can't see the volcano. There IS no volcano. Vesuvius is never gonna erupt. The Pyrovile are stealing all its power, and they use it to take over the world.

DONNA
But... you can change it back?

THE DOCTOR
I can invert the system, set off the volcano, and blow them up, yes. But… that's the choice, Donna. It's Pompeii or the world.

DONNA (shocked)
Oh, my God.

THE DOCTOR
If Pompeii is destroyed then it's not just history. It's me. I make it happen.

DONNA
But the Pyrovile are made of rocks, maybe they can't be blown up.

THE DOCTOR
Vesuvius explodes with the force of 24 nuclear bombs. Nothing can survive it. Certainly not us.

DONNA
Never mind us.

THE DOCTOR
Push this lever and it's over. 20,000 people.

He seems uncertain, unwilling to take responsibility for so many death, even for the sake of the whole planet. Donna puts her hands at his. They look at each other, then push it down together.

***
Hell breaks loose. Those with the gift of foresight scream in agony.

LUCIUS
Nooooooo!

SPURRINA
A new prophecy!

EVELINA
The future is changing!

Vesuvius erupts. There's a huge cloud of smoke and ash, but we can see the escape pod flying out.

CAECILIUS
Sky is falling!

EVELINA (in tears)
Death. Only death!

The Doctor and Donna get out of the pod, they are outside the town.

THE DOCTOR
It was an escape pod.

He grabs Donna's hand and they run back towards the town, the TARDIS. Clouds of ash hide the sun. The town is chaotic, people screaming, panicking, trying to escape.

CAECILIUS
Out! Out, everybody out! Quickly!

In the Temple of Sybil, the High Priestess/Pyrowile is still howling. Spurrina and Thalina are crouching in front of the altar, holding the unconscious young soothsayer in their laps.

SPURRINA
You lied to us! And yet, this was meant to be.

The Doctor and Donna run through the chaos on the streets. Donna still tries to save people but nobody listens to her.

DONNA
Don't! Don't go to the beach! Don't go to the beach, go to the hills! Listen to me! Don't go to the beach, it's not safe! Listen to me...!

She sees a little boy crying, alone, and goes to him.

DONNA
Come here.

The mother snatches him.

WOMAN
Give him to me!

Donna just stands there crying, devastated, until the Doctor grabs his hand.

THE DOCTOR
Come on.

They reach Caecilius' villa. The family is crouching on the ground, hugging each other, crying.

CAECILIUS
God save us, Doctor!

The Doctor looks at them, then turns away and enters the TARDIS.

DONNA
No! Doctor you can't!

She knows she should go, but can't leave them behind.

DONNA
Doctor!

The TARDIS engines start working. Donna finally runs inside.

DONNA
You can't just leave them!

THE DOCTOR
Don't you think I've done enough? History's back in place and everyone dies.

DONNA
You've got to go back! Doctor, I'm telling you, take this thing back! (after a pause, quietly) It's not fair.

THE DOCTOR
No, it's not.

DONNA
But your own planet... It burned.

THE DOCTOR
That's just it. Don't you see, Donna? Can't you understand? If I could go back and save them then I would, but I can't. I can never go back, I can't. I just can't, I can't.

DONNA (in tears)
Just someone. Please. Not the whole town. Just save someone.

The Doctor gives her a long look, before finally making up his mind.

***
The TARDIS rematerializes in Caecilius' villa. Surrounded by blinding light, the Doctor reaches out his hand to Caecilius.

THE DOCTOR
Come with me.

They grab each other's hand.

***
The Doctor, Donna and Caecilius' family are standing on a hillside, watching the destruction of Pompeii.

THE DOCTOR
It's never forgotten, Caecilius. Oh, time will pass, men will move on, and stories will fade. But one day, Pompeii will be found, again. In thousands of years. And everyone will remember you.

DONNA
What about you, Evelina? Can you see anything?

EVELINA
The visions have gone.

THE DOCTOR
The explosion was so powerful it cracked open a rift in time. Just for a second. That's what gave you the gift of prophecy. It echoed back into the Pyrovillian alternative. But not any more. You're free.

METELLA
But tell me, who are you, Doctor? With your words, and your temple containing such size within?

THE DOCTOR
Oh, I was never here. Don't tell anyone.

CAECILIUS
The great god Vulcan must be enraged! It's so volcanic. It's like some sort of... volcano. (choking) All those people.

Metella hugs him, crying. Evelina and Quintus hold each other's hands. The Doctor and Donna enter the TARDIS quietly.

DONNA (sincere)
Thank you.

THE DOCTOR
Yeah.

THE DOCTOR
You were right. Sometimes I need someone. Welcome aboard.

DONNA
Yeah.

They share a smile.

***
ROME, 6 MONTHS LATER

***
CAECILIUS
Metella, my love, have you seen that clasp? The beetle one. The Egyptians do love a scarab.

METELLA
Here we are, I was giving it a polish. Now calm down.

CAECILIUS
If I get that contract, for the marble granaries of Alexandria, we'll be rich, you'll see... Hold on there, Evelina. You are not going out wearing that!

EVELINA
Don't start, Dad, it's what all the girls in Rome are wearing. (she kisses her dad) See you later.

CAECILIUS
Are you seeing that boy again?

METELLA (so proud)
Oh, look at Quintus. My son, the doctor.

QUINTUS
Mum, I've told you, I'm not a doctor, not yet. I'm just a student of the physical sciences.

METELLA
Well, that's a doctor to me. (she kisses his forehead) Give thanks to the household gods before you go. There's a good boy. (to Caecilius) Come here, let me fix it. You've got that folded all wrong...

QUINTUS
Thank you, household gods. Thank you for everything.

We see the new carving in the shrine: the Doctor, Donna, and the TARDIS as their temple.