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.
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