EXT. NIGHT, RATTIGAN ACADEMY
A group of red sweat suit-clad students are "escorting"
an older woman, JO NAKASHIMA, down the steps. She is struggling against the two
holding her. A boy in a t-shirt and jeans, LUKE RATTIGAN, follows them.
JO
You're gonna regret this! This is
completely ridiculous! Get your hands off me!
The young people shove JO
to the ground and throw papers after her.
LUKE
I think that makes my answer
clear, don't you? Oh, and, uh, 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.
She gets into her car
which has an ATMOS sticker on the windscreen.
INT, JO NAKASHIMA'S CAR
ATMOS
Welcome. What is your
destination?
JO
You're the last thing I need.
She tries to turn the sat-nav
off.
ATMOS
ATMOS cannot be disabled.
JO
Right then. Take me to UNIT
Headquarters, Tower Bridge, London.
ATMOS
UNIT Headquarters.
INT., RATTIGAN ACADEMY, LUKE'S QUARTERS
LUKE is speaking aloud to an empty room.
LUKE
Her name's Jo Nakashima,
freelance journalist. Clever by the sound of it--not as clever as me, but that
goes without saying.
(he is being watched on a
monitor)
I'd recommend termination.
STAAL
Remember your status, boy. We do
not take orders from humans.
LUKE
I said, "recommend".
STAAL
Then your advice shows military
wisdom. She will be terminated.
LUKE
Cool.
He hits a tennis ball
across the room.
INT, JO NAKASHIMA'S CAR
WOMAN'S VOICE
(over mobile)
This is UNIT extension 221.
Please...
JO
Don't put me through to answer-phone.
(phone beeps)
Yes, this is a message for Col.
Mace from Jo, Jo Nakashima. Look, you should have got my e-mail. I've been
investigating a number of deaths related to ATMOS systems.
ATMOS
Go straight on.
JO
I can't prove anything but there's
got to be a link. I need you to check out all the people who died in ATMOS cars
yesterday and then check out the time.
ATMOS
Turn right.
JO turns right after crossing a bridge and finds
herself facing the river.
JO
I don't believe this.
ATMOS
This is your final
destination.
JO
I said to take me to UNIT.
She hits a button on system.
ATMOS
Go straight on.
JO
I don't think so. I'll find my
own way, thanks.
JO reaches for the gearshift but it moves of its own
accord. The engine revs. JO grips the gearshift but it won't move.
ATMOS
This is your final destination.
(the doors lock automatically)
This is your final destination.
JO
No--no! Help!
ATMOS
This is your final destination...
JO
(pounds on window)
No!
(the car accelerates forward)
No! Noooo!
ATMOS
This is your final destination.
The car drives into the river and sinks.
INT. TARDIS
DONNA is at the controls while the DOCTOR looks on
nervously.
DONNA
I can't believe I'm doing this!
DOCTOR
No, neither can I. Whoa, careful.
(bangs console with a mallet
before lifting lever)
Left hand down! Left hand down!
(the ship lurches)
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 rings.
DONNA
Hold on-- that's a phone!
The DOCTOR walks around her to another section of the
console and pulls a mobile out of a holder. He looks at it.
DONNA
You've got a mobile? Since
when?
DOCTOR
It's not mine.
(opens it and leans on the
jump seat)
Hello?
EXT. DAY
MARTHA
Doctor--it's Martha... and I'm
bringing you back to Earth.
{OPENING CREDITS}
EXT. DAY
The TARDIS materializes between two buildings and
behind MARTHA. She turns at the sound. The DOCTOR opens the door and steps out.
He stands in front of the open door and we can see DONNA walking slowly towards
him. The DOCTOR looks at MARTHA.
DOCTOR
Martha Jones.
MARTHA
Doctor.
They approach each other slowly before she holds out
her arms and he picks her up and in a great hug.
DOCTOR
Ah, yeah!
(releases her)
You haven't changed a bit!
MARTHA
Neither have you!
DOCTOR
How's the family?
MARTHA
You know. Not so bad. Recovering.
DONNA steps out of the TARDIS behind the DOCTOR but
MARTHA sees her.
DOCTOR
What about you?
MARTHA
Right. I should have known. Didn't
take you long to replace me.
DOCTOR
Now, don't start a fight. Martha,
Donna. Donna, Martha. Please don't fight. I can't bear fighting.
DONNA
You wish. I've heard all about
you.
(shakes MARTHA's hand)
He talks about you all the time.
MARTHA
I dread to think.
DONNA
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 you long to get over
it, though. Who's the lucky man?
DOCTOR
What man? Lucky what?
DONNA
She's engaged, you prawn.
MARTHA wiggles the fingers of her left hand.
DOCTOR
Really? Who to?
MARTHA
Tom. That Tom Milligan. He's in paediatrics
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
He is too skinny for words. You
give him a hug, you get a paper cut.
MARTHA chuckles.
DOCTOR
I'd rather you were fighting.
WOMAN
(v. o. over radio)
Dr Jones, report to base, please.
MARTHA
Speaking of which...
(speaks into radio)
This is Dr Jones. Operation Blue
Sky is go, go, go.
(turns and walks away)
I repeat, this is a go.
As the DOCTOR and DONNA follow, soldiers, Jeeps and a
large lorry come down the road.
SOLDIER #1
Unified Intelligence
Taskforce, raise that barrier now!
(the soldiers and vehicles
enter a large industrial factory)
Leave your safeties on, lads, it's
non-hostiles!
SOLDIER #2
(over bullhorn)
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.
SOLDIER #2
(over bullhorn)
This is a UNIT operation! All
workers lay down your tools and surrender immediately!
The UNIT soldiers force the workers to their knees,
hands over their heads.
MARTHA
B Section mobilized! E Section, F
Section, on my command!
She runs off.
DONNA
Is that what you did to her,
turned her into a soldier?
INT. SONTARAN SHIP
The raid is being watched on a monitor.
STAAL
As predicted, the UNIT forces
have moved to the penultimate stage. Observe their troops -- thin fabrics,
exposed skin, feeble weapons. These are toy soldiers -- the playthings of
children!
EXT. DAY, OUTSIDE ATMOS FACTORY
MARTHA strides up to the DOCTOR and DONNA. The DOCTOR
notices her name badge.
DOCTOR
You're qualified now? You're a
proper doctor.
MARTHA
UNIT rushed it through, given my
experience in the field. Here we go.
(leads them across the
grounds)
We're establishing a field base
on site. They're dying to meet you.
DOCTOR
Wish I could say the same.
INT. UNIT FIELD BASE
They enter the lorry from the rear. It is set up with
computers, monitors and communications -- all top of the line.
MARTHA
(walks up to senior officer)
Operation Blue Sky complete, sir.
Thanks for letting me take the lead. And this... this is the Doctor. Doctor,
Colonel Mace.
MACE
(salutes)
Sir.
DOCTOR
Oh, don't salute.
MACE
But it's an honour, sir. I've
read all the files on you. Technically speaking, you're still on staff. You
never resigned.
DONNA
What, you used to work for them?
DOCTOR
Yeah. A long time ago, back in
the 70s -- or was it the 80s? It was all a bit more homespun back then.
MACE
Times have changed, sir.
DOCTOR
That's enough of the "sir".
MARTHA
Come on though, 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 Homeworld Security.
MACE
A modern UNIT for the modern
world.
DONNA
What, and that means arresting
ordinary 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.
MACE looks at the DOCTOR who gives a slight nod.
MACE
(salutes)
Ma'am.
DONNA
Thank you.
DOCTOR
Tell me what's going on in that
factory.
MACE
Yesterday, fifty-two 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?
MACE
Exactly. 52 deaths at the exact
same moment worldwide.
DOCTOR
How did they die?
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 but
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.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, CATWALK
MARTHA walks the DOCTOR and DONNA along a catwalk
above the factory floor.
MARTHA
Stands for "Atmospheric
Emission System". The ATMOS in your car reduces CO2 emissions to zero.
DOCTOR
Zero? No carbon? None at all?
DONNA
And you get sat-nav thrown in, plus
20 quid in shopping vouchers if you introduce a friend. Bargain.
MACE joins them.
MACE
And this is where they make it,
Doctor, shipping worldwide. Seventeen factories across the globe but this is
the central depot, sending ATMOS to every country on Earth.
DOCTOR
And you think ATMOS is alien?
MACE
It's our job to investigate
that possibility. Doctor?
MACE walks off and the DOCTOR follows. They pass some
soldiers in the midst of gathering together factory workers.
SOLDIER
Come on, everybody, up the
pace. We haven't got all day now.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, OFFICE
MACE, the DOCTOR, DONNA and MARTHA arrive in a small
office where the ATMOS device is on display.
MACE
And here it is, laid bare. ATMOS
can be threaded through any and every make of car.
DOCTOR
You've 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
(slips on glasses to examine
equipment)
Really? Who did you get?
(turns to see others staring
at him)
Oh, right! Me! Yes! Good.
MARTHA and MACE leave the
room.
DONNA
Okay, 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.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, BASEMENT CORRIDORS
Two UNIT soldiers, PRIVATES GREY and HARRIS are
investigating the lower levels. The corridors are dark and GREY is reading a
map by torchlight.
GREY
We should head back. There's not
much down here. Should be just boiler rooms, generators.
HARRIS heads into the next corridor and the lights
flicker into life. At the end of the hall is a doorway with two factory workers
standing guard.
HARRIS
Aye, aye... what's this then?
(GREY joins him and they walk
down the hall)
You two -- all personnel have
been ordered to evacuate. Building's under UNIT control.
MAN
(monotone)
This area is out of bounds.
HARRIS
Excuse me, sunshine. I think you'll
find we're in charge.
(the men stare straight ahead)
We can do this the easy way... or
the hard way.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP
GREY and HARRIS are being observed on a monitor,
SKORR
Gen Staal, they are close.
STAAL
Excellent! And like a good
warrior, I shall enter the fray myself. Let them pass.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, BASEMENT CORRIDORS
The two factory workers step aside. One opens the
door.
MAN
It's open.
HARRIS
(to GREY)
Come on.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, CLONING ROOM
The room is dark except for eerie green light from the
opposite side. HARRIS finds a light switch. And they see a large covered
container in the middle.
HARRIS
What the hell?
GREY
(into radio)
Greyhound Sixteen to Trap One. We
found something. Basement corridor, north side, grid 36. Request backup, sir.
They both approach the container, which has steam
rising from it.
HARRIS
Looks like something's boiling
inside.
He goes to open it.
GREY
Don't touch it!
HARRIS
C'mon, Steve. We get first rights
on this. That means promotion.
GREY
Just leave it alone. Wait for
backup.
There's a loud clanking sound.
GREY
What the hell was that?
HARRIS
Came from inside.
GREY
Could be just the machinery.
There are two more loud clanks.
HARRIS
(yells)
Is there someone in there? Hello?
(bangs on the lid)
We gotta get this open.
GREY
We should wait for the others.
HARRIS
You could suffocate in there!
GREY
(into radio)
Greyhound Sixteen to Trap One. Request
immediate assistance. Repeat: immediate assistance. Over.
HARRIS
(tries to open container)
How do you work this thing? Come
on.
The lid rises straight up revealing a green, slimy
substance bubbling away. The two soldiers lean in for a better look and cough.
GREY
Oh!
(holds nose)
God, it stinks!
HARRIS
What the hell is that stuff?
A human-like creature rises from the slime and reaches
for HARRIS. It has a human shape but no fully formed features. GREY aims his
rifle.
GREY
Identify yourself! Identify!
(into radio)
Greyhound Sixteen to Trap One
declaring absolute emergency, sir! Repeat: absolute emergency! Over.
HARRIS has his pistol trained on the creature and
watches it, fascinated.
HARRIS
Can you hear me? Can you
understand me?
(to GREY)
Look at its neck.
(there is a cord running up it's
back connected at the neck)
It looks like an umbilical cord.
GREY
Well, don't get too close.
HARRIS
I think it's harmless. I don't
even think it's properly alive.
The creature lies back down in the liquid.
GREY
It's gonna drown!
HARRIS
No, I think it breathes this
stuff, like some kind of embryo.
GREY
What do you mean, an embryo?
HARRIS
Someone's growing a body. A human
body.
STAAL
Excellent skills of deduction.
(both soldiers aim their guns
at the newcomer, a short creature completely covered in armour with a domed
helmet)
I would rate you above average,
soldier. Well done.
(turns to GREY)
Whereas you, you smell of sweat
and fear.
HARRIS
Yeah?
(lowers gun)
Well, we're not the ones that got
out of school early, sonny. So stop playing Humpty Dumpty and tell us who you
are.
STAAL
Is that a reference to my height?
HARRIS
(smiles)
Short answer: yes.
STAAL
A pity. Words are the weapons of
womenfolk. I must judge you unfit.
HARRIS
Oh. What are you going to do,
bite our ankles?
STAAL fires a bolt of energy from his staff at HARRIS'
legs and he falls to the floor in pain.
GREY
I'm warning you!
STAAL
A proper soldier gives no
warning. Fire! I order you. Fire!
(GREY fires but the rifle only
clicks)
The room is contained within a Cordalaine
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.
Desperate, GREY raises the rifle to strike a blow and
STAAL fires at his legs as well. GREY falls to the floor.
GREY
My legs! I can't feel my legs!
Two factory workers enter the room.
STAAL
I apologise for disabling you.
Death has more honour but you are needed for the stratagem.
(to workers)
Prepare them for processing.
(to HARRIS)
You spoke of promotion -- now you
shall serve a greater cause.
HARRIS
Who are you?
STAAL
Indeed -- know your enemy. I am
Gen Staal of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet, known as Staal the Undefeated.
He removes his helmet.
GREY
(panicked)
Help us! Oh, my God, help us!
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, OFFICE
The DOCTOR is examining the ATMOS device.
DOCTOR
Ionising nano-membrane carbon
dioxide converter -- which means that ATMOS works. Filters the CO2 at a
molecular level.
MACE
We know about that. What's its
origin? Is it alien?
DOCTOR
No, but it's decades ahead of its
time. Look, do you mind? Could you stand back a bit?
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?
MACE
If you insist.
He walks away.
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.
He takes the sonic
screwdriver to the device.
MARTHA
If anyone got me used to
fighting, it's you.
DOCTOR
Oh right, so it's my fault.
MARTHA
Well, you got me the job.
Besides, look at me.
(DOCTOR turns off sonic
screwdriver and looks at her)
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?
(smiles)
That's more like Martha Jones.
MARTHA
I learnt from the best.
DOCTOR
Well...
DONNA enters the room.
DONNA
Oi, you lot! All your storm
troopers and your sonics -- rubbish! Shoulda come with me.
DOCTOR
Where have you been?
Col Mace rejoins them.
DONNA
Personnel. That's where the weird
stuff's happening -- in the paperwork. 'Cause I spent years working as a temp,
I can find my way around an office blindfolded, 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.
(opens file to show it's
empty)
There aren't any. Hundred 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.
MACE
That can't be right.
He takes the folder.
DONNA
You've been checking out the
buildings, should've been checking out the workforce.
MARTHA
I can see why he likes you.
The DOCTOR and DONNA
exchange a look.
DONNA
Hmm.
MARTHA
You are good.
DONNA
Super Temp.
MACE
Dr Jones, set up a medical post,
start examining the workers. I'll get them sent through.
MARTHA
Come on, Donna, give me a hand.
The DOCTOR follows MACE out of the room.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, PLANT FLOOR
The DOCTOR walks with MACE along an open corridor
parallel to the work area.
DOCTOR
So, this, this ATMOS thing, where'd
it come from?
MACE
Luke Rattigan himself.
DOCTOR
And himself would be?
INT, UNIT FIELD BASE
MACE has pulled up LUKE's profile on computer.
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.
(MACE looks at him, puzzled)
I get lonely.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, OFFICE
DONNA
Do you think I should call my
mum? About the ATMOS in her car?
MARTHA
Better safe than sorry.
DONNA
I'll give her a call.
She starts to leave.
MARTHA
Donna—
(DONNA stops)
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
(nods)
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 mum, my dad, my sister... It wasn't the Doctor's fault, but
you need to be careful. 'Cause you know the Doctor, he's wonderful, he's
brilliant, but he's like fire -- stand to close and people get burned.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, BASEMENT CORRIDORS
HARRIS and GREY emerge from the cloning room and stand
at attention. STAAL stands in the doorway.
STAAL
Conditioning is complete. Now do
your duty and advance the conquest.
HARRIS & GREY
Yes, sir.
The two soldiers march down the corridor.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, CLONING ROOM
STAAL walks through the room.
STAAL
Gen Staal returning. The
stratagem advances...
(walks into teleport device)
The last days of planet Earth.
He disappears.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, DOCKING BAY
The DOCTOR and MACE are striding along.
DOCTOR
You are not coming with me. I
want to talk to this Luke Rattigan, not point a gun at him.
MACE
It's ten miles outside London.
How are you going to get there?
DOCTOR
Then get me a Jeep.
MACE
According to the records, you
travel by TARDIS.
DOCTOR
Yeah, but, if there is a danger
of hostile aliens, I think it best to keep a super-duper time travel machine
away from the front lines.
MACE
I see. Then you do have weapons
but you choose to keep them hidden. Jenkins?
ROSS JENKINS
Sir!
MACE
You will accompany the Doctor and
take orders from him.
DOCTOR
I don't do orders.
MACE
Any sign of trouble get Jenkins
to declare a Code Red. And good luck, sir.
He salutes.
DOCTOR
I said no salutes.
MACE
Now you're giving orders.
He leaves.
DOCTOR
A bit cheeky, you are.
DONNA finds him.
DONNA
Doctor.
DOCTOR
Oh, just in time. Come on!
(grabs her hand)
Come on, we're going to the
country.
(pulls her towards the Jeep)
Fresh air, geniuses, what more
could you ask?
DONNA
I'm not coming with you. I've
been thinking. I'm sorry... I'm going home.
DOCTOR
Really?
DONNA
I've got to.
DOCTOR
Well, if that's what you want. I
mean, it's a bit soon. I had so many places I wanted to take you. The Fifteenth
Broken Moon of the Medusa Cascade, the lightening skies of Cotter Palluni's
World, the diamond coral reefs of Kaata Flo Ko... Thank you. Thank you, Donna
Noble. It's been brilliant. You--you've saved my life in so many ways.
(DONNA nods)
You're... You're--you're just
popping home for a visit. That's what you mean.
DONNA
You dumbo.
DOCTOR
And then you're coming back.
DONNA
Do you 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 get into the Jeep)
Broken moon of what?
DOCTOR
I know. I know.
As the Jeep pulls away, HARRIS and GREY stand there
watching.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, ROOM OFF PLANT FLOOR
MARTHA is in her lab coat interviewing a worker who
stares straight ahead.
MARTHA
And your name's Treppa, 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?
TREPPA
(monotone)
I came to do my job.
MARTHA
Okay. I need to listen to your
heartbeat.
(breathes on stethoscope to
warm it)
This might be a bit cold. Lift.
TREPPA lifts his shirt and MARTHA places the
stethoscope to his chest. She hears a very rapid heartbeat. She takes the
stethoscope away then tries again.
MARTHA
Are you on any medication?
TREPPA
I'm here to work.
MARTHA
How many hours a day do you work?
TREPPA
Twenty--four.
MARTHA
You work 24 hours a day?
(no response)
Down.
(TREPPA lowers his shirt)
Mr Treppa, have you had any form
of hypnosis?
TREPPA
I'm here to work.
MARTHA
Okay, um... if you could just
wait here.
She leaves.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, PLANT FLOOR
MARTHA walks purposefully down the hall. Two soldiers
come up behind her.
SOLDIER
Dr Jones?
MARTHA
Not now, I'm busy.
SOLDIER
Just one question. Do you have
Security Clearance Level One?
MARTHA
Yes, I do. Why?
SOLDIER
Col. Mace wants to see you.
MARTHA
Oh good, 'cause I want to see
him. Where is he?
SOLDIER
Come with us.
MARTHA follows the two soldiers. We see that they are
HARRIS and GREY.
EXT. DAY, NEIGHBORHOOD STREET
The Jeep pulls up to the corner of DONNA's road. The
DOCTOR steps out first, followed by DONNA.
DONNA
I'll walk the rest of the way. I'll
see you back at the factory, yeah?
DOCTOR
(gets back into the Jeep)
Bye!
DONNA
And you be careful!
DONNA walks slowly down the street. Everything looks
so normal. A woman walks along the pavement.
WOMAN
Haven't seen you for days.
DONNA
Yeah. Been away.
A young boy is playing with a football. DONNA flashes
back to hanging off the Adipose Building, Pompeii with the High Priestess of
the Sibylline and the young boy she tried to save, the Ood's song of captivity
and the baby Adipose. She sees WILF in the drive and stifles a sob. He sees her
and waves his arms. She runs to him and they hug.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, BASEMENT CORRIDORS
MARTHA is following HARRIS and GREY
MARTHA
What's he doing down here?
HARRIS
He asked to see you.
MARTHA
Why? Has he found something?
The soldiers don't answer. They open to door to the
cloning room and MARTHA strides in expecting to see MACE. Instead, she sees the
empty room with the bubbling clone pool. She heads for the door but HARRIS and
GREY block her way. The door slides shut and she starts screaming. The lights
in the hallway go out.
INT. NOBLE HOME, KITCHEN
DONNA and WILF are sitting at the table having tea.
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, then? 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
For God's sake, don't tell your
mother.
DONNA
I don't know. I mean, this is
massive. It's sort of not fair if she doesn't know.
SYLVIA walks in with the laundry.
SYLVIA
Doesn't know what? And who's "she",
the cat's mother?
(starts folding laundry)
And where have 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 been... travelling.
SYLVIA
Oh, hark at her, Michael Palin.
Are you staying for tea? 'Cause 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)
Don't deny it. I've seen the
wrappers in the car. Oh, I don't miss a trick.
(DONNA and WILF share a smile)
Now then, what were gonna tell
me? What don't I know?
DONNA
Nothing. Just... nothing.
SYLVIA
Good. Right, then. You can sit
there and cut out those coupons. Every penny helps. This new mortgage won't pay
for itself. Dad, kettle on.
WILF
(gets up)
Yeah, kettle on.
He winks at DONNA.
INT. JEEP
The DOCTOR and ROSS drive to the school.
ROSS
UNIT's been watching the Rattigan
Academy for ages. It's all a bit Hitler Youth. Exercise at dawn and classes and
special diets.
ATMOS
Turn left.
DOCTOR
Ross, one question. If UNIT think
that ATMOS dodgy--
ROSS
How come we've got it in the
Jeeps?
DOCTOR
Yeah.
ROSS
Ha, tell me about it. They're
fitted as standard on all government vehicles. We can't get rid of them until
we can prove there's something wrong.
ATMOS
Turn right.
ROSS
Drives me around the bend.
He turns into the school
drive.
DOCTOR
Oh, nice one.
ROSS
Timed that perfectly.
DOCTOR
Ha. Yeah. You did.
ATMOS
This is your final destination.
EXT. DAY, RATTIGAN ACADEMY
Students in red sweat suits are running past while
Luke stands and looks out over the grounds. The DOCTOR and ROSS walk up the
pavement.
DOCTOR
Is it PE? I wouldn't mind a kick-around.
Got me daps on.
LUKE
(turns)
I suppose you're the Doctor.
DOCTOR
Hello.
LUKE
Your commanding officer phoned
ahead.
DOCTOR
Oh, I haven't got a commanding
officer. Have you? Oh, this is Ross. Say hello, Ross.
ROSS
Afternoon, sir.
The DOCTOR rushes to the main doors.
DOCTOR
Let's have a look, then! I can
smell genius... in a good way.
INT. RATTIGAN ACADEMY, LAB
Many of the students are working on advanced projects.
The DOCTOR enters and wanders about as different things catch his eye.
DOCTOR
Oh, now... that's clever! Look!
(slips on glasses)
Single-molecule fabric. How thin
is that?! You could pack a tent in a thimble. Oh! Gravity simulators! Terraforming,
biospheres, nano-tech steel construction! Ha-ha, this is brilliant! But y'know
with equipment like this, you could, oh, I dunno... move to another planet or
something.
LUKE
If only that was possible.
DOCTOR
If only that were possible.
(removes glasses)
Conditional clause.
LUKE
I think you'd better come with
me.
INT., RATTIGAN ACADEMY, LUKE'S QUARTERS
LUKE
You're smarter than the usual
UNIT grunts, I'll give you that.
DOCTOR
He called you a grunt. Don't call
Ross a grunt, he's nice. We like Ross. Look at this place...
LUKE
(aggravated)
What exactly do you want?
DOCTOR
I was just thinking, what a
responsible 18 year old. Inventing zero-carbon cars, saving the world...
LUKE
It takes a man with vision.
DOCTOR
Mm, blinkered vision. 'Cause
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, well, that's a tautology.
You can't say ATMOS "system" 'cause it stands for Atmospheric
Emission System. So you're saying "Atmospheric Emission System System".
Do you see, Mr Conditional Clause?
DOCTOR
It's been a long time since
anyone's 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 on your own.
LUKE
I know.
DOCTOR
But not with this.
(reaches into coat pocket and
pulls out an ATMOS device)
'Cause there's no way you
invented this single-handed. It might be Earth technology, but that's like
finding a mobile phone in the Middle Ages.
(tosses device to ROSS and
walks towards teleport)
No, no, I'll tell you what it's
like! It's like finding this in someone's front room. Albeit, a very big front
room.
ROSS
Why? What is it?
DOCTOR
Yeah, just looks like a thing,
doesn't it? People don't question things. They just think, "Oh, it's a
thing".
LUKE
Leave it alone!
DOCTOR
Me, I make these connections
(walks inside it)
and this to me looks like...
(presses buttons)
...a teleport pod.
He disappears.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
The DOCTOR appears in a teleport pod in a spaceship.
The Sontarans are fully armoured like STAAL.
PA
Orbit now holding at 556.3,
sector 270.
DOCTOR
Oh.
The Sontarans notice him and STAAL raises his staff.
STAAL
We have an intruder!
DOCTOR
How did he get in? In-tru-da
window?
(the Sontarans advance)
Bye-bye!
He pushes a button and
disappears on the run.
INT., RATTIGAN ACADEMY, LUKE'S QUARTERS
The DOCTOR reappears running out of the teleport.
DOCTOR
Ross, get out! Luke, you'd better
come with me!
STAAL appears in the teleport and the DOCTOR uses the
sonic screwdriver to short out the controls.
DOCTOR
Sontaran! That's your name, isn't
it? How did I know that, eh?
(puts away screwdriver)
Fascinating, isn't it? Isn't that
worth keeping me alive?
ROSS
(gun aimed at STAAL)
I order you to surrender in the
name of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce.
DOCTOR
(to ROSS)
That's not gonna work.
(to STAAL)
Cordalaine signal, am I right?
(to ROSS)
Copper excitation stopping the
bullets.
STAAL
How do you know so much?
DOCTOR
Well...
He walks around the room.
STAAL
(to LUKE)
Who is he?
LUKE
He didn't give his name.
DOCTOR
(leans on desk)
This isn't typical Sontaran behaviour,
is it? Hiding? Using teenagers? Stopping bullets? A Sontaran should face
bullets with dignity! Shame on you!
STAAL
You dishonour me!
DOCTOR
Then show yourself.
STAAL
I will look into my enemy's eyes.
STAAL removes his helmet to reveal a brown dome-shaped
head with no visible neck.
ROSS
Oh, my God.
DOCTOR
And your name?
STAAL
General Staal of the Tenth Sontaran
Battle Fleet. Staal the Undefeated.
DOCTOR
That's not a very good nickname.
What if you do get defeated? "Staal-The-Not-Quite-So- Undefeated-Anymore-But-Never-Mind"?
ROSS
(scoffs)
Looks 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.
(leans over and picks up a
tennis racket and bounces a ball on it)
The Sontarans are the finest
soldiers in the galaxy.
(leans on ROSS'S shoulder)
Dedicated to a life of warfare.
(twirls racket)
A clone race grown in batches of
millions with only one weakness--
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
But the Sontarans are fed by a probic
vent in the back of the neck. That's their weak spot, which means they always
have to face their enemy in battle. Isn't that brilliant? They can never turn
their backs!
STAAL
We stare into the face of death!
DOCTOR
Yeah? Well, stare at this!
The DOCTOR hits the ball with the racket. It bounces
off the teleport pod and hits STAAL'S probic vent. STAAL staggers. The DOCTOR
pushes ROSS.
DOCTOR
Out! Out! Out!
THE DOCTOR AND ROSS run out of the room. LUKE goes to
STAAL
LUKE
What have you done? What have you
done?
EXT. DAY, RATTIGAN ACADEMY
The DOCTOR and ROSS run to the Jeep and drive off.
INT., RATTIGAN ACADEMY, LUKE'S QUARTERS
LUKE goes to help STAAL
STAAL
Don't touch me!
(stands slowly)
A Sontaran would rather be court-martialled
than show pain. I must return.
LUKE
But he broke the teleport.
STAAL
Ha! Primitive sonic trickery!
(aims staff and shoots a beam
at the teleport. STAAL and LUKE enter)
The teleport is now repaired.
STAAL activates the
teleport.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
STAAL strides across the room.
STAAL
Our presence is known. Soldiers,
we move to a war footing!
STAAL'S second-in-command, SKORR, comes to him.
SKORR
I see you face the battle open-skinned,
sir. Might I have that honour?
STAAL
You may.
SKORR
Thank you.
He removes helmet to show
a face nearly identical to STAAL.
LUKE
(looks between the two)
How... do you tell each other
apart?
STAAL
We say the same of humans.
SKORR
Tell me, boy, how many ATMOS
devices have been installed?
LUKE
They've gone worldwide, but only
about half.
STAAL
Which means 400 million cars
converted. A fine arsenal.
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!
STAAL
Is the temperature significant?
LUKE
No. That--that's just a phrase. I'll
get my people ready. Just tell me where and when.
STAAL
Have we infiltrated UNIT?
SKORR
The process is about to begin.
STAAL
Then you'll see it completed,
Commander Skorr. Get to it!
SKORR
Yes, sir!
He teleports.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, CLONING ROOM
MARTHA is strapped to a basket--like table with a band
around her head.
MARTHA
Is someone gonna tell me what the
hell is going on?
(sees SKORR)
Okay. So listen, you're not the
first aliens I've met. Just tell me who you are.
SKORR
Commander Skorr of the Tenth Sontaran
Battle Fleet. Known as Skorr the Blood-Bringer.
MARTHA
What have you done to those two?
She nods to HARRIS and
GREY.
SKORR
Simple hypnotic control as with
the factory drones. But with you, we need something more complex.
He turns on the clone pool
and it begins to bubble. A hand and arm rise up.
MARTHA
What is that?
SKORR
Soon that will be you.
The hand sinks back down into the bubbling liquid.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
LUKE is looking down at the Earth
PA
Orbit now holding at 556.3,
sector 270.
STAAL finishes overseeing a soldier.
STAAL
Continue.
(walks to LUKE)
War can never come too soon. Take
your last look, boy.
LUKE
It was never big enough for me.
STAAL
I like your ambition.
LUKE
That doctor, he was in a UNIT
Jeep. It should have ATMOS installed.
STAAL
You said you didn't know his
name.
LUKE
I don't. He just said "Doctor".
Does that mean something?
STAAL
There is an enemy of the Sontarans
known as the Doctor. A face-changer.
LUKE
Do you mean he's an alien too?
STAAL
Legend says he led the battle in
the last great Time War. The finest war in history and we weren't allowed to be
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 pulls back to reveal the Sontaran ship in
orbit above Earth.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, CLONING ROOM
MARTHA is fighting against her restraints.
SKORR
It is inadvisable to struggle.
The female has a weaker thorax.
MARTHA
What are you doing?
SKORR
Completing mental transfer. The
clone needs full memory access.
MARTHA
Clone?
MARTHA watches as a hand rises from the pool followed
by her face and body.
MARTHA
You can't--
The clone removes the cord from the back of her neck.
MARTHA
That's not--
SKORR
You will sleep, girl. Sleep and
keep the memories alive.
(MARTHA falls asleep)
Memories we can use in battle.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
A monitor is tracking the Jeep's progress.
SOLDIER
We have the Doctor's vehicle.
STAAL
An ordinary death for such a
remarkable enemy, but proceed.
INT. JEEP
The DOCTOR and ROSS are driving back to London.
DOCTOR
(into radio)
Greyhound Forty to Trap One.
Repeat: can you hear me? Over.
ROSS
Why is it not working?
DOCTOR
Must be the Sontarans. If they
can trace that, they can isolate the ATMOS.
ATMOS
Turn left.
DOCTOR
Try going right.
ROSS
It says left.
DOCTOR
I know. So go right.
ROSS
(removes hands from the wheel)
I've got no control. It's driving
itself. It won't stop.
(tries door)
The doors are locked!
DOCTOR
(uses sonic screwdriver on
ATMOS)
Argh! It's deadlocked! I can't
stop it!
ATMOS
Turn left.
The Jeep swerves left.
DOCTOR
The sat-nav's just a box, wired
through the whole car.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
LUKE
Is he going in the water? Oh, I
love it with the water!
INT. JEEP
Tires screech at the Jeep swerves off the road.
ROSS
We're heading for the river!
DOCTOR
ATMOS, are you programmed to
contradict my orders?
ATMOS
Confirmed.
DOCTOR
Anything I say, you'll ignore it?
ATMOS
Confirmed.
DOCTOR
Then drive into the river!
(ROSS stares at him)
I order you to drive into the
river! Do it! Drive into the river!
The Jeep's brakes squeal to a halt right at the river's
edge. The DOCTOR and ROSS jump out and run.
ATMOS
Turn right. Left. Left. Right.
DOCTOR
Get down!
He and ROSS both dive to
the ground.
ATMOS
(becomes increasingly high--pitched)
Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right.
Left. Right.
Suddenly the panel sparks
and smokes.
DOCTOR
(lifts his head)
Oh, is that it?
He sounds surprised and a
bit disappointed.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
SOLDIER
ATMOS terminated. Mission
accomplished. The Doctor is dead.
STAAL
Then prepare the weapons. Is the
operative ready?
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, CLONING ROOM
SKORR checks on MARTHA before facing the clone.
MARTHA CLONE
(puts on lab coat)
Ready and waiting to advance the
great Sontaran cause, sir.
SKORR
Then go to work.
The MARTHA CLONE walks out followed by HARRIS and
GREY.
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
The DOCTOR rings the front doorbell and DONNA answers.
DOCTOR
You would not believe the day I'm
having.
The DOCTOR examines the Nobles' car. He taps the ATMOS
device underneath and then opens the bonnet. DONNA is on her mobile trying to
reach MARTHA.
ROSS
I'll requisition us a vehicle.
DOCTOR
Anything without ATMOS. And don't
point your gun at people.
ROSS runs off.
WILF
(comes out of the house)
Is it him? Is it him? Is it the
Doctor?
(sees the DOCTOR checking
under the bonnet)
Ah, it's you!
DOCTOR
Who?
(recognizes WILF)
Oh... it's you!
He comes to stand by DONNA and WILF.
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.
(to THE DOCTOR)
Wilf, sir. Wilfred Mott. You must
be one of them aliens.
DOCTOR
Well, yeah, but don't shout it
out.
(shakes WILF's hand)
Nice to meet you properly, Wilf.
WILF
Ah, an alien hand.
DOCTOR
Donna, anything?
DONNA
She's not answering. What's it, "Sontiruns"?
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.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, PLANT FLOOR
The MARTHA CLONE is walking along the plant floor
followed by HARRIS and GREY.
MARTHA CLONE
(into mobile)
Don't tell me... Donna Noble.
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
DONNA
Martha, hold on, he's here.
She gives THE DOCTOR the
phone.
DOCTOR
Martha, tell Col Mace it's the Sontarans.
They're in the file, Code Red Sontarans. But if they're inside the factory,
tell him not to start shooting, UNIT will get massacred. I'll get back as soon
as I can. You got that?
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, PLANT FLOOR
MARTHA CLONE
Code Red Sontarans. Gotcha.
She closes the mobile.
MACE
Dr Jones, found anything yet?
MARTHA CLONE
No, sir, nothing to report.
MACE continues on. The MARTHA CLONE smiles and goes
the other way.
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
The DOCTOR has the sonic screwdriver out and is
looking under the bonnet as DONNA and WILF look on.
DONNA
You've 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, 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. She
was always bossing us around even when she was tiny. "The Little General"
we used to call her.
DONNA
Yeah. Don't start.
The DOCTOR is concentrating on a specific part with
holes in a grid pattern.
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
Kilburn now -- with a man.
Spikes shoot out of the holes in the device.
DOCTOR
Whoa! 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 walks up to see them with their heads together
under the bonnet.
SYLVIA
I dunno, men and their cars!
Sometimes I think if I was a car...
(sees the DOCTOR)
Oh, it's you! Doctor--what was
it?
DOCTOR
(waves a hand without looking)
Yeah, that's me.
WILF
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!
Gas shoots out from the device.
DOCTOR
Get back!
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
SOLDIER
A converter has been
activated.
STAAL
Show me where!
A hologram appears in the middle of the room and
narrows in on a neighbourhood.
LUKE
London. That's Chiswick.
SOLDIER
Who can have such knowledge?
STAAL
Only the Doctor! He survived!
Excellent! Then battle will be joined! Glorious warfare!
(moves to comms device)
Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet, we
move to the final phase! Prepare the subjugation of Earth for the glory of Sontar!
PA
Announcing Battle Status One. All
soldiers to positions.
(warriors begin marching
through the ship's corridors)
Repeat: we are now at Battle
Status One. Rejoice!
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
The DOCTOR uses the sonic screwdriver on the car.
DOCTOR
That'll stop it.
The car sparks and the gas stops.
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.
DOCTOR
That wasn't just exhaust fumes.
Some sort of gas. Artificial gas.
WILF
And it's aliens, is it? Aliens?
DONNA
But if it's poisonous... Then
they've got poisonous gas in every car on Earth.
The DOCTOR looks around at the cars parked on the
street and sees ATMOS stickers in the windows of all of them.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
STAAL
Trigger the converters and
deadlock every single one!
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
WILF
It's not safe. I'm gonna get it
off the street.
WILF gets into the car and the door shuts behind him
and automatically locks.
DONNA
No, don't!
The car starts and a thick exhaust comes out the
tailpipe.
DONNA
Turn it off!
(WILF shakes his head)
Granddad, get out of there!
She tries to open door.
WILF
I can't! It's locked!
(he holds the key up)
It's the aliens again!
He bangs on window.
SYLVIA
(by front door)
What's he doing? What's he done?
DOCTOR
I've isolated it!
EXT. DAY, LOCAL CAR PARK
All the cars in the car park are emitting the gas.
People are coughing and car alarms are going off.
INT. ATMOS FACTORY, DOCKING BAY
MACE runs to the docking bay where the UNIT vehicles
are releasing fumes.
MACE
Turn them off! Turn them off!
Turn off all engines!
SOLDIER
It's all of them, sir! Every
single car on the planet!
The MARTHA CLONE, HARRIS and GREY enter the docking
bay like they're on a stroll, ignoring all the panic.
MARTHA CLONE
Now we begin. Let's get to work.
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
DONNA
There's gas inside the car! He's gonna
choke! Doctor!
The DOCTOR joins her at the door and tries to open it
with the sonic screwdriver.
DOCTOR
It won't open!
(hears car alarms and sees all
the other cars emitting the gas)
It's the whole world.
WILF
(weakly)
Help me!
The DOCTOR runs back to check the engine.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
STAAL
400 million weapons!
Sontar-Ha!
(punches fist)
Sontar-Ha!
The other Sontarans take up the chant as does Luke.
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
WILF coughs and DONNA looks helplessly through the
window. The DOCTOR yanks out some wires but it doesn't help. He moves to the
middle of the road.
INT. SONTARAN SHIP, WAR ROOM
The Sontarans continue their chant.
EXT. DAY, NOBLE HOME
The DOCTOR stands in the middle of the road powerless
as the smoke billows around him.
DONNA
Doctor!
TO BE CONTINUED...
No comments:
Post a Comment