Fan-Script: "Conquest & Deceit" PART 1

[terrycooper]

Here's a script I wrote a while back featuring David Tennant, Rose and Mickey. Sent it to the BBC, they sent it back, naturally.
See what you think...

DOCTOR WHO
CONQUEST AND DECEIT

[/LEFT]


PRE-CREDIT SEQUENCE

EXT. SPACE

The Tardis spins through the space-time vortex, winding its way across the galaxies.

A sound of a painful yell comes from within, it's the voice of the Doctor.

INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

The Doctor hits the floor with a thud, a mat breaking his fall. He coughs, getting his breath back, and looks up at Rose, who stands above him, grinning from ear to ear. She offers a hand to help him up.

ROSE:
What about that, then? Am I getting it yet?

DOCTOR:
Not bad...
He takes her hand.


DOCTOR:
But the thing to remember with Venusian Aikido is...

He springs to his feet, and like lightning, flips Rose over onto the mat.

DOCTOR:
Never drop your guard. Got it?

He stands in the space previously occupied by Rose. Mickey frowns.

MICKEY:
You beatin' up my girlfriend?

The Doctor casts a tired look at Mickey.

DOCTOR:
(mocking)
Oh... You didn't mind when I was on the mat...Don't you care about me?

MICKEY:
Nope.

Rose stands up, dusting herself off.
ROSE:
Self-defence, Mickey.
Might as well learn something while I'm travelling.
After all, I might need it. You should have a go.


MICKEY:
Nah. That Martian Judo...

DOCTOR:
(interrupting)
Venusian Aikido.

MICKEY:
Aikido, whatever.
Ain't gonna help you when you're faced with a Dalek, is it?
Or a Slitheen, for that matter...or a...

He trails off when he sees that Rose and the Doctor aren't paying attention to him. They are staring at a display on the Tardis console.

The console begins to light up, various lights flashing excitedly. The Doctor races around the console, as if chasing a particular light.

DOCTOR:
I don't believe it!

MICKEY:
Neither do I.

ROSE:
What is it? What's happening?

The Doctor continues rushing around, stopping only for a second to flick a switch or turn a dial.

DOCTOR:
Oh, this is good!... the strongest yet...This is unbelievable!
If I can just triangulate...

He goes on, stabbing at buttons with his fingers as he talks.

Rose and Mickey look at each other in confusion.

DOCTOR:
Gotcha!!
Rose! Come and look at this!
(pointing at a small screen)
Tell me what this looks like.

Rose steps closer, and looks at the tiny square monitor. Dumbfounded, she looks up at the Doctor's still beaming face.

ROSE:
It kinda looks like, er...two flashing lights.
Er...Pulsars! Is it pulsars?

DOCTOR:
Close! But not quite. Mickey?

Mickey slouches over.

CU CONSOLE

There are two blinking points on the screen.

MICKEY:
Dunno.
Is it one of them heart monitor things?
Like in the hospital.

The Doctor throws both his hands into the air.

DOCTOR:
(triumphantly yelling)
And the prize goes to Mickey Smith!
Well done, that man!!

Mickey turns to smile at his girlfriend, who shoots him a displeased glare. She tries again.

ROSE:
So...it's a heart machine, then?

The Doctor races around to her.

DOCTOR:
It's just like one. But it's not our hearts... I cancelled out the four in here...

MICKEY:
(counting on his fingers)
Four? One, two…Oh right. Two for him...

DOCTOR:
--plus any singular ones in the vicinity...

Rose looks blank. As does Mickey. The Doctor suddenly looks deadly serious.

DOCTOR:
Down there, on the surface of that planet...
It's another Time Lord.

OPENING CREDITS

[terrycooper]

INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

The Doctor begins to operate the Tardis, preparing to dematerialise. Rose is concerned.

ROSE:
Another Time Lord? Are you sure?
You said they were all wiped out! You said...

DOCTOR:
Yes, I know what I said. I believed it too. In fact, I only
half-believe it now, to be honest. But I have to know.

MICKEY:
Right...So we're not going back to London now, then?
Brilliant. Nice one Doctor.

DOCTOR:
Sorry Mickey. This is far too important to let it go.
What's the rush anyway? You love alien planets!

MICKEY:
Yeah, I do, but I gotta change out of this shirt soon.
I'm beginning to smell like an alien.

DOCTOR:
Oi! I'm an alien, thank you very much.
(to Rose)
I wondered what that was...didn't like to say.

Rose sniggers.

MICKEY:
Yeah, go on, have your little joke. See if I care.

ROSE:
So what planet is it then? Have you been there before?

DOCTOR:
Capila. Or Kay-peelaah, depending on the continent.
Yes, been there a couple of hundred years ago. Nice place.
Holiday resort.

ROSE:
Wicked! Shall I get my swimsuit?

DOCTOR:
Not unless you want to get eaten. The sea snakes aren't choosy.
(indicating his neck)
See that scar?

ROSE:
What scar?

DOCTOR:
Oh yeah...different body. Okay.
Anyway. We've arrived.
You coming, Mickey?

MICKEY:
Like I got a choice?

Rose runs to the doors. Mickey follows, while the Doctor stops to pick up a foot-long metal box with a handle.

ROSE:
Taking your essentials, Doctor?

The Doctor is mysteriously solemn. He eyes the case.

DOCTOR:
You could say that.

ROSE:
(singing)
“Well, this year, I'm off to Sunny Space...
Hey, Viva.....”

EXT. CAPILA - DAY

Rose opens the door and leaps out.....into a muddy darkened field. It's pouring with rain.

ROSE:
(continues singing)
“...Espana???”

Oh brilliant. That's just brilliant. I thought this was a holiday
resort, Doctor! Doctor?

The Doctor is staring out across the gloomy plain. It's cloudy, miserable and grey. In the distance is a large fortress-like building.

DOCTOR:
It was. But this place has been terraformed.
I can smell it in the air. Sulphur, Xenon, Nitrates.

The Doctor leans back inside the Tardis, and brings out three identical umbrellas, all bearing a red Question Mark for a handle.

MICKEY:
I'm not holding this. It looks camp.

DOCTOR:
(humourlessly)
Then get soaked. Come on, let's go.

The Doctor leads the way, still focussed on the distant building. Rose gets closer to Mickey, trying to stay dry.

MICKEY:
What's his problem? He's in a funny mood.

ROSE:
Yeah, I dunno. It's probably just the whole 'Finding-another-Time-Lord-thing'.
You know how important this is to him.

MICKEY:
So we gotta tag along and catch pneumonia
just so he can catch up with his relatives?

ROSE:
It's more than that, they all died, didn't they?
If I was the last person from Earth, I'd wanna find any survivors too.

MICKEY:
I wanna find a pair of wellies right now.

The Doctor stops a few hundred metres from the building, and crouches down behind a huge boulder. Rose and Mickey follow suit.

ROSE:
Couldn't we have just landed inside that place?

DOCTOR:
Too dangerous.

ROSE:
So it's not a resort anymore, then?

DOCTOR:
Well, it is...and it's not. This is the place I came to before.
Alright, the weather wasn't this bad, but it's definitely the same spot.
And that's where the heartbeats are coming from.

MICKEY:
Why's it too dangerous ?

DOCTOR:
Well, those guards for a start. They don't look like redcoats to me.

Two muscular, leather-clad guards pace around, outside the doors. They wear black helmets with slits for eye holes.

Rose looks at the Doctor.

ROSE:
Want me to distract them?

DOCTOR:
(opening the case)
No. Leave this to me.

The Doctor pulls out a fairly heavy duty gun, similar to a machine pistol, and activates it. Rose is shocked.

ROSE:
Oh my God! What the hell is that for??
You don't use guns! You never use guns!

DOCTOR:
You don't understand. This is different.

ROSE:
How?
Listen Doctor – I know how much it means to you, finding another
Time Lord and all that, but are you gonna shoot
everyone in there, just to find out?

DOCTOR:
If I have to. You don't un-

ROSE:
No I don't understand! You've lost it!
This isn't you!

DOCTOR:
Right now, it has to be.
Believe me, if there was a better way, I would've done it.

MICKEY:
Leave him Rose. Guys gone mental. Always said he was anyway.

The Doctor glares at Mickey. Mickey looks down at the humming gun in the Doctor's hands.

MICKEY:
Just a joke. I was just jokin' alright?

ROSE:
(to the Doctor)
Please, Doctor...Don't do this, okay? Let's think of something else.

The Doctor takes aim, regardless.

Rose jumps up and runs out towards the guards, who notice her instantly. One grabs her.

The Doctor curses and puts down the gun.

Rose struggles to get free of the guard, who effortlessly drags her inside the building. The other stalks off to find out where she came from.

Back behind the boulder, The Doctor and Mickey are in too much of a heated debate to notice the approaching guard.

MICKEY:
Now look what you've gone and done! If anything happens to her...

DOCTOR:
You'll what? You'll ask me for help, that's what you'll do! As always.

MICKEY:
She could be hurt or killed, man!
I thought you was supposed to be looking out for her.
But now I see – you don't give a damn about us 'stupid apes' when your problems come first!

DOCTOR:
I care too much, Mickey! Maybe that's my problem?
Maybe I'd be better off without you all?

He points his gun at Mickey, who freezes in disbelief.

MICKEY:
You're insane Doctor! Go on - shoot me.

Mickey steps back a few paces, and bumps right into the guard. The guard flings his arms around the screaming boy and they struggle.

MICKEY:
Shoot him! Doctor! Shoot him!

DOCTOR:
I was about to, you idiot!

As the guard and Mickey swing around, the Doctor throws the gun up and catches it by the barrel. He swings it like a club into the back of the guard's neck. Instantly, the guard releases Mickey, and drops to the ground, unconscious.

MICKEY:
Thanks Doc. Sorry about what I said. You wanna shoot these
guys, help yourself. I got no objections.

DOCTOR:
Oh this is great. Our problems just got worse.

MICKEY:
How? What d'you mean, worse? What are they?

DOCTOR:
(Kneeling down to look at the guard)
Imagine a gorilla. A war-crazed gorilla. Smaller brain, though.
Take away any feelings, any pity...and this is what you get:
A Sontaran.

The Doctor unclips the top part of the guards helmet. Mickey screws his face up in disgust.

[terrycooper]

INT: FORTRESS BUILDING

Rose is marched by the Sontaran guard down a long corridor. It's grey, dirty and dimly lit. Either side of her are prison cells. As she passes the cells, she glimpses various humans and aliens in poor physical condition. A Sontaran is in one of the cells, casually beating a human.

ROSE:
Where are we going?
Look – I'm sorry if I did anything to annoy you!
I just need to go back outside and find someone!
Don't you understand?

The guard ignores her. At the end of the corridor is a huge doorway, studded with large rivets and covered with oil and grime.

The guard bangs on the door three times with his fist. The Door opens , and they enter a much cleaner room. A larger Sontaran (GOVERNOR SKILE) sits on a chunky industrial chair at the far wall. He is connected to a glowing tube, running from the wall to the back of his neck. eyes Rose suspiciously, but remains seated.

The Guard stops a few feet away from his Governor, and salutes, his hand at his neck

GUARD:
Governor! This Human was found at the gate.

SKILE:
(loudly)
Human! State your name, military faction and reason for trespassing!

ROSE:
I'm – I'm Rose. Rose Tyler. I wasn't trespassing, I...

SKILE:
(bellowing)
MILITARY FACTION AND REASON!

Rose jumps at the barked command. She begins to shake in terror.

ROSE:
I'm not from the military!
I came here to look around! If you just let me go, I won't bother you...

Skile stands up and unplugs the tube. He approaches her. He is about the same height as Rose, but obviously stronger and more muscular. He gets face to face with Rose, who tries not to gag at the sight and smell of the Sontaran.

SKILE:
You are a spy. All Humans are enemies of the Sontaran Empire.
Where are the rest of your unit?

ROSE:
I'm not with a unit. I'm not a spy, either!
My friends are outside.
Just let me get them, and you'll see I don't mean any harm!
I didn't do anything!

SKILE:
Outside? Good.
(To guard)
Detain the human's unit. Bring them before me when you do.
And throw this one into the holding cells.

The Guard salutes again, and drags Rose out, struggling and protesting.


EXT. CAPILA – ROCKS

The Doctor and Mickey discuss a plan to rescue Rose.

MICKEY:
But this Sondarian is built like Tyson! How did you knock him out so easily?

The Doctor corrects him.

DOCTOR:
This SonTAR-an is a seven-stone weakling compared to most. Look at this...

He rolls the guard over onto his front and the Doctor points at a small hole at the back of the Guard's neck, out of which a short tube projects.

DOCTOR:
Probic Vent. Sontarans are genetically altered from birth.
Makes them powerful and vicious. But it's not a refined process, and they need to take regular intra-spinal doses of molecular stimulants on a regular basis.
This tube goes direct to their brain stem.

MICKEY:
So...you mean like they have to re-charge? Like a mobile phone?

DOCTOR:
(nodding)
Mmm. A blow to the vent and...bonk.

MICKEY:
Why don't they just cover the vent up then, if it's their weak spot?

DOCTOR:
Sontarans have a warrior’s credo.
They leave the vent uncovered, so they always have to face their enemies.
It's the test of their convictions in a way. Mark of a man.

MICKEY:
Crazy.
So what now? We going in there?

DOCTOR:
Absolutely.

MICKEY:
Can I 'ave the gun?

DOCTOR:
Absolutely not.

MICKEY:
But you were going to use it?

DOCTOR:
We're leaving it here. Come on.


The Doctor and Mickey head for the gate, which is now unguarded.

INT. HOLDING CELL

Rose is pushed into a holding cell. A cold steel room, essentially. On the floor is another human prisoner, dressed in rags. They are semi-conscious, moaning softly.

Rose kneels down and tries to help. She sees it's an old man, at least in his fifties. He looks underfed and unwell. One of his arms is totally wrapped in bandages.

ROSE:
Are you alright? Can you hear me? I'm Rose. What's your name?

PRISONER:
(mumbling)
No name...I have no name.
Rose? Rose, Rosa. No, no roses here.
They use us. We catch the others. We rot here, Rosa.

ROSE:
It'll be alright, trust me. We'll be saved. My friend is coming here.
He'll get us out, don't worry.

PRISONER:
Nobody is coming.
They've waited so long...so long, but they don't know we've all gone.
All gone...So many, all gone now.

Rose sits the old man up against a wall and looks around. She sighs to herself.

ROSE:
Come on Doctor, please...

The prisoner jerks into life like he's been shocked. His eyes open wide and he throws his hands about wildly.

PRISONER:
DOCTOR? DOCTOR? No! You're lying!
It's not true! He died too! All died. All gone except me!
Rosa! Tell me! Rosa! Tell me about your friend!

ROSE:
What? Do you know the Doctor?
Who are you? How do you know about the Doctor?

PRISONER:
(whispering)
Sssshhh! Quietly, Rosa!
If they find out the Doctor is near, we'll all die today!
The Doctor is why they keep us here... to lure him in.
To catch him.

ROSE:
Are you sure? Are you talking about the Doctor? My Doctor?

PRISONER:
Yes. His Tardis. A Blue box. Always a blue box. Is he here?
Is he?

ROSE:
Yes. He'll get us out of here.
Can you stand? We need to be ready.

PRISONER:
I can stand. I can walk. Hearts not dead yet.

Rose suddenly realises.

ROSE:
Hearts?
How many hearts have you got?

PRISONER:
Two. Why? Don't you have two?

ROSE:
No. You're a Time Lord, aren't you?

PRISONER:
Time Lord. I don't know, Rosa.
The Doctor will save us today.

INT. BUILDING – GOVERNOR'S QUARTERS

SKILE:
ENTER!

The door opens and a Sontaran guard pushes the Doctor and Mickey in.

MICKEY.
Great plan. Ever heard of stealth?

DOCTOR:
Yes, but I prefer to make a grand entrance.
(to Skile)
Hello there! This is my associate, Mickey Smith, and I'm...

SKILE:
Silence! I talk and you listen, is that clear?

DOCTOR:
Crystal. And you are?

SKILE:
I am Governor Skile of the Sontaran Empire. And if you do not
hold your tongue, I will tear it out! Do you understand?

DOCTOR:
Yup. Talk, tongue, torn. Gottit.

Skile paces around the two prisoners. Mickey flinches every time the Governor comes close. The Doctor simply smiles inanely.

SKILE:
Humans...similar yet not.
(to Mickey)
What species are you?

MICKEY:
Er...Londoner.

SKILE:
Lann-Dann-Ner...I don't know of it.
(to the Doctor)
And you – You show no fear of us. Are you a warrior?

DOCTOR:
Only occasionally. On my hols at the moment.
Which reminds me – where is the swimming pool and gymnasium?
Wasn't this a holiday resort?

SKILE:
You've been here in the past?

DOCTOR:
Once or twice. It was a nice place then, though.
When did the Sontarans terraform it?

SKILE:
Ask me no questions, Spy!

DOCTOR:
(unfazed)
...'Cause this place looks like Sontar Prime nowadays.
What happened to your planet?

Skile raises a hand up to strike the Doctor, but just then, a guard hurries up to Skile and whispers something to him.

SKILE:
Good.
(to Doctor and Mickey)
Your associate, Rosetyler. Which of you is her commanding
officer? Speak!

DOCTOR & MICKEY:
(in unison)
Me.
(they look at each other then point to each other)
Well, him!

SKILE:
Without doubt. A party of imbeciles.
Have the woman executed.

[terrycooper]

SKILE:
Without doubt. A party of imbeciles.
Have the woman executed.


The Doctor steps forward to Skile. He has to look down at him, but his expression is grave.

DOCTOR:
Wait!
Listen, Governor.
Spare the woman, and I'll tell you anything you need to know.
Alright?

SKILE:
I see. So you are the superior officer.
(he motions to the guard)
Very well – take this one and place him in the cell.

A guard grabs Mickey and pulls him by the arms, heading for the door.

MICKEY:
Oi Get offa me!

Mickey protests. The Doctor casts him a look that says, 'cool it for now', and the Governor takes his seat. He points to a seat nearby. The Doctor takes it.

DOCTOR:
Now, isn't this more civilised, eh? Don't suppose you have a teapot?

SKILE:
Enough games. Tell me how you arrived here.
You were not detected by our scanners.

As the Doctor speaks, Skile pulls a tube out from the wall beside him, and attaches it to the back of his neck. The tube pulses with energy as he recharges.




DOCTOR:
No, I wasn't. I picked up a signal from my own scanners –
a bipolar cardiovascular system. Coming from here.
What kind of installation is this place,now?

SKILE:
The signal you picked up is one of our prisoners.
Since you know of this signal, and you did not arrive by
conventional means, I would deduce that you are a Time Lord.

DOCTOR:
You deduce correctly. Now tell me something.
Why do you have another Time Lord as a prisoner?

SKILE:
Bait. The Time Lords have always stood against the Sontaran
Empire. Especially one called The Doctor. We will use you to
lure him into a trap, and our revenge will be complete.

DOCTOR:
Right...So, have you found this...Doctor, yet?

SKILE:
No. But it is only a matter of time. We had one Time Lord, now we have two.
The Doctor will not refuse to save his comrades. In the meantime, we
train our forces here, to prepare for our attack on the Time Lords.

DOCTOR:
And what do I do in the meantime?

SKILE:
You rot in a cell. Unlike your associates.
They will help my troops prepare for victory.

INT: HOLDING CELL

Mickey, Rose and the old Time Lord sit in the cell. The Time Lord continues to mumble and moan.

OLD TIME LORD:
Doctor. The Doctor will come and get us.
The Doctor will come.

MICKEY:
The Doctor ain't coming now mate.
He sent me here, and he's probably makin' a deal with
Mister Potato Head to get himself released.

ROSE:
He wouldn't do that. You know he isn't like that.
I know him.





MICKEY:
You know him? Know him?
If you knew him like you say you do, he wouldn't've
pulled that gun out, and you wouldn't have got us all
caught here!

Rose is about to protest, when the old man starts up again.

OLD TIME LORD:
Tardis. Where is the Tardis?
Forty. Type Forty.
Chameleon circuit. Always the blue box.

ROSE:
It's outside. Don't worry, okay?

Just then, the door opens, and three Sontarans enter with sticks that have wire loops on the end. They use the loops to ensnare Rose while Mickey refuses.

MICKEY:
(protesting)
Get yer hands off me, spud face!
I ain't going nowhere with you!


The guard pushes a button on his stick, and the wire loop crackles with blue energy, Mickey is paralysed, and drops to the floor. He is quickly carried out by two of the Sontarans. The old man is also incapacitated, and left in the cell unconscious.



INT. BUILDING. TRAINING ROOM

Rose and Mickey are pushed into a training room. A number of Sontarans are doing exercises, climbing, running and shooting. Some are plugged into a wall outlet, recharging their energy.

Rose is separated from the old man, and led to a side room, occupied with what looks like ten or fifteen Sontaran youngsters. They are very alike, being about four feet tall. Rose turns to her captor.


ROSE:
What's happening? I'm not babysitting this lot, mate.
I'd be a terrible role model. I hate kids.

GUARD:
Brainless human. These are the Killdren. Our youngest need to
learn how to effectively torture a human without killing it too soon.
(to the Killdren)
KILLDREN! A fresh human for you. Don't be so rough with this one.
Leave it's limbs on for now-
(looking at Rose)
We don't want it to die as quickly as the last one.

The Guard hisses an evil laugh. Rose looks at the advancing Killdren with terror.


INT. BUILDING – CORRIDOR

The Doctor is taken along the corridor by Governor Skile. He too witnesses the cells full of injured prisoners, but he is powerless for now.

SKILE:
Soldiers from the Empire are regularly sent here as a means of
relaxation. It seldom does one good to miss out on the enjoyment of life.
In a manner of speaking, this facility is still a place of
recreation, Time Lord.

DOCTOR:
Nice to see you haven't forgotten how to ... let your hair down.
In a manner of speaking.
Where are you taking me?

SKILE:
You will be reunited with your fellow Time Lord.
There you will wait until The Doctor arrives to rescue you.

DOCTOR:
And if he doesn't show up?

SKILE:
Then you will simply die in captivity.

DOCTOR:
Lovely. Lead on...



INT. BUILDING. TRAINING ROOM

Mickey is inside a figure-shaped cage, which is suspended a few feet above the ground. He is to become a live target for the Sontaran marksmen.

MICKEY:
You need to think about this! I'm valuable!
My mother will a pay a load of money to get me back!
Wouldn't you prefer a moving target?

The marksmen file into the room, and prepare their weapons.


INT. BUILDING. KILLDREN ROOM

The Killdren creep forward, hissing with delight. She looks up at the glass window above her, and sees the Doctor and governor Skile. The Doctor is powerless to help, and is pushed along the corridor by Skile.

Rose looks back at the advancing Killdren. She waits until they are two feet away from her, and then she goes into action.

ROSE:
Sorry, kids. If you can't play nice...

She turns around, grabbing the arm of the guard behind her. She executes a brilliant Aikido throw, sending the adult guard into the youngsters like a bowling ball.

ROSE:
...Don't play at all.

In the ensuing confusion, she escapes the room, sealing the door behind her.

Rose runs into the training room, and gets to the cage where Mickey hangs. The marksmen are confused momentarily, as the guard runs to catch her. She grabs Mickey's cage, and pulls it back, then swings it forward as hard as she can, knocking the guard off his feet.

Rose pushes a button on the cage, and frees Mickey. They each grab a lasso stick , and race for the door, swinging the crackling blue cables at anyone who comes near them.


INT. BUILDING – OUTSIDE HOLDING CELL

The Governor and the Doctor arrive at the holding cell. The Doctor peers in and turns back to the Governor.

DOCTOR:
Is he alive?

SKILE:
Yes. But he is old and senile. You arrived at the
right time. He will not last much longer.


DOCTOR:
What about my friends?

SKILE:
They will be useful in the training bays. Forget them.
You should be concerned with your own survival, Time Lord.

Skile presses a button and opens the cell door.

DOCTOR:
If you harm them...

SKILE:
I shall do as I see fit, Time Lord!
Now, enter the cell.

DOCTOR:
Fair enough. By the way, Governor...
You're making a big mistake.

SKILE:
Hah! Idle talk. How can you possibly
threaten me?

DOCTOR:
Oh, that's easy...
Because I'm the Doctor.

Skile jumps visibly. He realises the truth, and spins, looking for back up.

SKILE:
GUARDS! GUARDS!

As he turns, the Doctor clasps both hands together and swings them down on the back of Skile's Neck. Nothing happens. Removing his hands, the Doctor sees that the probic vent is covered over with a mesh.

Skile spins around to face the Doctor. He swings a massive arm out, hitting the doctor in the jaw, and sending him reeling into the cell. His Sonic Screwdriver skitters across the floor, out of reach. Skile stalks forward.

SKILE:
Finally! We have the Doctor!
I didn't recognise you at first, but I now know your deceitful ways.
Killing you will be my finest achievement!

The Doctor is groggy, but he manages to stand up. Skile seizes him by the neck and begins to squeeze...

Skile hisses with glee as he strangles the Doctor. But then his eyes widen, and he chokes. His eyelids flicker shut and he relaxes his grip. He slumps to the ground, taking the weakened Doctor with him.

The Doctor sits up, and shakes his head in confusion. Looking at the prone figure of the Governor, he sees the Sonic Screwdriver jammed through the mesh that covered the probic vent.

The old man crawls over to the Doctor had helps him up.

OLD TIME LORD:
Are you hurt? Doctor? Can you hear me? Hello?

The Doctor coughs. As he looks up his face goes pale. His eyes almost pop out in shock.

DOCTOR:
Hello......Father.

[terrycooper]

INT BUILDING – CORRIDOR.

Mickey and Rose race along the corridor, opening as many cells as possible. The alarm klaxon sounds, and Sontaran guards try to maintain order. The newly-liberated prisoners leap into action, outnumbering and overpowering the guards.

Mickey and Rose see the Doctor coming the other way with the Old man.

DOCTOR:
Come on! This way!

They all take a side passage, and head down it as fast as they can.

DOCTOR:
Good to see you two! I thought you'd never show up!

MICKEY:
No thanks to you. Me and Rose freed ourselves.

ROSE:
Self-Defence. Told you it'd come in handy.

The Old man beckons them to stop. He points at a side door.

OLD TIME LORD:
This room. Charging terminal. We can stop them!


The Doctor uses the Sonic Screwdriver to open the door. Inside is a large piece of machinery, connected to lots of pipes.

ROSE:
what is it?

DOCTOR:
It's a generator which powers the charging outlets.
Without it, the Sontarans won't be able to regain their strength.

ROSE:
Will they die?

DOCTOR:
No, but they'll fall into a sort of coma. Suspended animation.

He begins unscrewing plates and ripping out wires.

DOCTOR:
...They don't age as rapidly as most life forms. A couple of hundred years sleep is nothing to them.

MICKEY:
Get a move on! They're gonna find us sooner or later.

DOCTOR:
(sarcastically)
No? You think?
Nearly done anyway.

The old Time Lord collapses and falls to the floor. He is only semi-conscious. Noticing it, the Doctor spins and kneels to check him.


DOCTOR:
Stay with me! Come on! Come on!

ROSE:
Is he gonna be alright?

DOCTOR:
I don't know. He's weak.

ROSE:
So he is a Time Lord then?
Do you know him?

DOCTOR:
It's my dad, Rose.

ROSE:
Your dad? That's impossible! er... isn't it?

DOCTOR:
Yes, it is. But there he is. My old man.

MICKEY:
Are you sure?

The Doctor listens to the old man's chest. A double heartbeat. The Doctor's eyes well up.

DOCTOR:
Two hearts. I never thought I'd see him again, Rose.
But now it might be too late.

ROSE:
We can get him back to the Tardis – you can help him there.

DOCTOR:
Yes. Let's go. Mickey – help me with him.

Mickey gets under the old man's arm, and they carry the old man out.


INT. BUILDING – HOLDING CELL.

Governor Skile staggers to his feet. He is weak, but has enough energy to stalk don the corridor, smashing prisoners and even his fellow Sontarans aside. He drools saliva from his slit of a mouth as he snarls.

SKILE:
DOCTOR!!!

The Doctor, Mickey, Rose and the Old man reach the main door. The door begins to rise up slowly, and the rain blows in, spattering them all. They begin to trudge out into the rain and clouds. It's getting dark.

DOCTOR:
Come on! We've got to get to the Tardis!

MICKEY:
The old guy's not gonna make it Doctor!

DOCTOR:
We can't stop now!!

They reach the pile of boulders where they first discovered the building.

The Doctor looks at the old man's ashen face and realises that Mickey's telling the truth. They lay the old man down. The Doctor sees that the old man is trying to speak.

DOCTOR:
I'm here, Father.
How are you doing, dad?

OLD TIME LORD:
I'm not...I'm not...

DOCTOR:
Shh. You're going to make it.
Save your strength. We'll carry you.

OLD TIME LORD:
NO! Listen to me...I'm ...not your father.
I'm a decoy. An experiment.

DOCTOR:
He's delirious.

OLD TIME LORD:
I'm not...delirious. Listen to me.

DOCTOR:
I don't understand...

OLD TIME LORD:
The Sontarans. Gave me another heart. To trick you.
The hearts are degenerating. I'm not a Time Lord, Doctor.

DOCTOR:
But—your face... You have my father's face?!

OLD TIME LORD:
Re-constructed. They used records... stolen from the High Council.
I'm sorry, Doctor. I've doomed you all.

DOCTOR:
I can't believe it.

OLD TIME LORD:
You must!
My arm - look at my arm.


The Doctor removes the bandages from the old man's arm. It is clearly alien – orange and mottled. With only two fingers and a thumb.

DOCTOR:
You're a Capilian?

OLD TIME LORD:
Yes. The very last. I heard about the fate of the Time Lords, Doctor.
And I know what it's like... to be the last of your kind.

DOCTOR:
I'm not going to let you die!

OLD TIME LORD:
You can't stop it now. Just go...
Get away before they capture you again.

DOCTOR:
Mickey, help me!

The Doctor and Mickey bring the man to his feet. He manages to stand for a second. A loud crackle pierces the air, and the old man freezes. He looks at his chest, where a charred hole oozes smoke. He looks feebly up at the Doctor.

OLD TIME LORD:
I would... be a proud...father ...
If ...you were my son...

He gasps, slumping to the wet ground. The Doctor sees an enraged, seething Governor Skile standing there with a smoking energy weapon in his hand.

SKILE:
I have succeeded Doctor!
Today – you die at my hand!

DOCTOR:
You've killed enough. Skile.

SKILE:
NO! Not enough! One more death today!

Mickey and Rose are backed up against the boulder. They watch the face-off helplessly.

DOCTOR:
What about the Capilians? You wiped them out – terraformed their world! It was a beautiful place, full of life and colour. Now look at it!

SKILE:
Conquest is our life, our Beauty!
Take a last look, Doctor.

Skile walks forward, but he falters. He's beginning to weaken. The Doctor seizes his chance, and wrestles the gun from him. The Doctor has the upper hand now.

Rose looks at Mickey.
ROSE:
He won't use it.

MICKEY:
He'd better, or we're all dead.

SKILE looks at the Doctor wielding the gun. He laughs in defiance. Then he lets out a curdling war cry and charges at the Doctor. At the last second, a laser blast cuts through the chest of the Sontaran, and he falls to the floor gurgling his last breath.

The doctor lowers his gun. At his feet is the old man, lifeless and still, clutching the Doctor's pistol, still smoking from the barrel.

The Doctor is numb. He looks at the two dead bodies and drops the gun in disgust, as the rain runs down his face.

Rose and Mickey walk up to him.


ROSE:
Are you alright, Doctor?

DOCTOR:
No. Not really. It's been one of those days.

MICKEY:
What's gonna happen to the Sontarans and their prison?

DOCTOR:
They'll be pretty much harmless for now. The prisoners will have enough food and power to live there for a while. I'll put a distress call out, try and get a passing ship to pick them up.

Rose looks at the old man's body.

ROSE:
I'm sorry he didn't turn out to be your father.

DOCTOR:
I'm sorry too. I was so close, Rose.

FADE TO BLACK.

INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM.

The Doctor numbly adjusts the controls, still dripping wet. Rose enters, with a towel around her neck and a cup of tea. She leans over, trying to look into the Doctor's face.

ROSE:
Thought you might like a cup of tea.

DOCTOR:
(staring)
Thank you.

Rose puts the tea down near the Doctor and steps away.

DOCTOR:
Rose--

Rose turns.

ROSE:
Yes, Doctor?

DOCTOR:
I'm sorry. I made some mistakes.

ROSE:
It's okay.
(taking his hand)
You're only human, you know.


The Doctor smiles.

EXT CAPILA – ROCKS

The Tardis fades away with it's familiar engine noise. As it disappears, it reveals a small grave with a large stone at the head.


END CREDITS


This story © 2006 Terry Cooper

[SiHart]

That's not bad. The Sontarans are nicely characterised, and although I wasn't sure about the Doctor using the gun at the end or the Father bit, the twist was pretty good.

Welcome to PS btw!

Si xx

[terrycooper]

Cheers, Si!

By the way...the Doctor never fired the gun at the end, it was the old man. Couldn't break the tradition of the doctor actually firing a weapon at someone, but wanted to show him at a very serious point in his life where he might possibly choose to. Just like When Eccleston pointed the rifle at the Dalek, or Davison pointing a blaster at Davros, y'know?

[SiHart]

Ahh. I was reading a bit quick between customers at work at that point, so I must have misread that bit then. Oops!

Si xx

[terrycooper]

No probs. Thanks for reading it anyway!
Where on this site can I read about fan audios, etc.? I'm keen to do some voice work, as it's one of my freelance jobs that I do...

[Pip Madeley]

Hi Terry (welcome to PS!) - the best person to talk to about that is Si Hunt (one of our forum admins) - he's away for the weekend, but I'm sure he'll get in touch with you, as we're always keen to get more forum members involved in the audios!

In the meantime, do tune in to the first episode of our brand new fan audio Magical History Tour tomorrow

[Si Hunt]

Hi Terry!

Delighted you want to join in, do listen to Episode 1 of our latest audio and post your comments. We're not professional though, it's just for fun, so be kind!

Si.