Ext. Mondas
(A planet, not dissimilar to Earth, is seen floating in space, as the camera pans. There is another planet similar to Earth in the distance. The camera pans to one of them and shows a little girl, dragging who look to be her father and mother behind her.)
Dr Matthews
Slow down, sweetie. It's not going anywhere anytime soon
Abi
I don't want to miss it!
Kora:
She shares your curiosity, you know!
(They arrive at a park where other spectators can be seen, in the sky is the planet Earth, huge in size)
Abi:
Wow! I can't believe it's so big! Its looks smaller on telly!
Dr Matthews: (laughing)
That's because usually its further away! This is the closest we've EVER been to the Earth! Some are even saying we won't come this close again for another few thousand years. You should feel privileged to be seeing this, Abi!
*Abi stares adoringly into the sky, another boy comes along with his mother*
Abi:
Kraig!
Kraig:
Abi, Abi! Isn't it amazing!
*Abi's mother turns to Kraig's mother*
Kora:
Oh hello, Sal. Johkan couldn't make it then?
Sal:
He's on call, there's some hush-hush meeting going on amongst the Inner Committee tonight. The sooner that those stuffy politicians let my husband out of their leash and give him his life back, the better.
Kora:
It's obvious why he's there isn't it? He's their poster boy. Keep 'the hero of the century' in the limelight and they'll have funding flying in from every direction.
Sal:
Still though, it's bad for his health. And god knows that poor old Kraig doesn't get enough of him.
Kora:
And what about you?
Sal:
Our romance died out years ago, love. There's no point in dwelling on that. Besides, I guess there's SOME advantages of all of this, I heard you've been promoted!
Dr Matthews:
And we're ALL very proud of her for it!
Kora:
Oh shush Jonas, its nothing exciting at all. I've been offered the head of Biomedical Intelligence' position at Lumos Industries. Something about needing a 'fresh faced academic with the passion for biology and an interest in advancing the field.'
Dr Matthews:
With all this talk of new artificial intelligence being assigned to control all planetary functions for us, it's a breath of fresh air for us all at least!
*Dr Matthews places his arm around his wife*
Sal:
And look at little Abi! My, hasn't she grown since I last saw her! Still head to the stars I see!
Kora:
She can't get enough of it! We bought her a telescope last year, this is the first time in months she's even put it down!
Abi:
It's beautiful! Do you think we'll ever be able to visit it, Daddy?
Dr Matthews:
I shouldn't have thought so sorry Abi. A few people made an expedition there a few decades ago, they found tribes of Silurians there, not too different from the ones that lived with us thousands of years ago! They said that they have no quarrels with us studying their world as long as we leave them in peace and keep to a non-interference agreement.
Kraig:
That's a shame. Daddy says that we'd be better off moving to worlds like that if things get any worse here.
Dr Matthews:
Perhaps, Kraig, if people like him gave a bit more consideration to the finer beauties of this world, then Mondas wouldn't be going down the path it is in the first place.
Int. King's Conference Room (Central Advancements Department)
(Scene cuts to a large business room, a large gathering of people in white coats surrounding a throne with a rather scrawny man within it)
Lumos:
We're the CLOSEST we'll ever be to the Earth! An entirely fresh planet, unpolluted, similar atmosphere, the population of its world have barely evolved past single celled organisms! If we start plans for colonisation now we could be ruling their world within a matter of months!
*several cheers can be heard from this declaration*
King:
And what of the homo-reptilia species of that world?
Lumos:
A primitive tribe, most live beneath the surface, we could pick them off in no time if they even dared to oppose us.
King:
Dare I remind you, Dr Lumos, that it was I who signed the precise treaty which forbids any interaction with that planet other than to observe it. I am a man of my word, and my word is that we will not abandon Mondas without a fight.
(A silence fills the room)
King:
Do you have any further comments, Lumos?
*Dr Lumos bows his head*
Lumos:
No, your highness.
King:
Then it falls to me to decide our fate. As many of you know this may be Mondas's darkest hour. Pollution levels are reaching critical and with the floods that have just sunken the two thirds of Metantus, we cannot afford for this situation to become any more severe. That is not even to mention the fact that we're rapidly drifting away from a hospitable solar system and into god knows what! This is the time to act!
Lumos:
Then is it not obvious? If we are not given the luxury to leave this world, we must do all that it takes to evolve to it.
King:
Would you care to elaborate on your hypothesis, Doctor?
Lumos:
Self-sustaining humanoids. Immune to the harshness of the environment or drowning or cold or sickness. The ultimate being.
King:
And how do you propose we adapt to these high standards of yours?
Lumos:
I'm a leading expert in the field of biomechanics, let me organise a team of specialists and I can have results back to you by the week!
King:
You are already protected by the Crown, Dr Johkan. And now you expect me to pour my resources at your feet, no expense spared? Your ambition will be your downfall.
Lumos:
My king, but…
King:
I will meet your demands. But we have no time to allow for failure. This moment is imperative to our survival. You have not let me down in the past, Doctor. Make sure you live up to your reputation once again!
Lumos:
Thank you, your majesty!
*the hall is dismissed. Johkan returns to his home and punches the air. He reaches for a phone*
Lumos:
Dr Egal! Prepare the laboratories. I must start work immediately!
Abstract Scene. Darkness
*the distant sound of Lumos's voice can be heard. He is saying "is it holding? Is it stable." Suddenly warning sirens sound and a cybernetic voice can be heard ordering that the room be evacuated. Kora is heard screaming "No, this shouldn't be happening! I'm so sorry, Abi. NO! ABIIII!"
*explosion sound effect*
Then silence
Ext. Abi's House
(A young woman leaves her house, she walks along the path and passes an old woman. As she leaves the house, she is instantly distinguishable from the others of the crowd due to her fabric clothing instead of the flood of silver, metallic silk robes covering most others. The greys and silvers of the buildings around her also help to represent this)
Abi:
Hello Mrs Pritchard!
Mrs Pritchard:
Oh hello there Abi! My goodness you seem to have grown taller every time I see you!
Are you sure you haven't bought yourself any leg extension implants?
Abi:
*awkward chuckle* Oh god no! Couldn't stand to replace any part of myself with machinery!
* She looks and sees that Mrs Pritchard is nursing her side, a bandage has been placed on it*
Abi:
Oh god, no offence! I'm so sorry, Mrs…
Mrs Pritchard:
Oh don't be silly Abi, I need it more than I want it. I'm falling apart in my old age!
Abi:
At least they're doing SOME good then!
Mrs Prichard:
I'll tell you what though, they gave me 50% off spinal replacement surgery. They said they'd have me walking like I was 20 again afterwards!
Abi:
It's certainly …ingenious
Mrs Pritchard:
Well they've certainly gained a following from it! I heard apparently ¾ of the city have been augmented in some way now! We'll have an army of robots on our hands soon!
Abi:
Perish the thought!
*the neighbourhood cat begins to meow which distracts Mrs Pritchard*
Mrs Pritchard:
Oh, be quiet Carbuncle! I'd better be getting inside dear.
Abi:
Yes of course! See you later!
*they part ways and Abby continues down the street. The tv monitor that she passes plays an announcement*
TV Reporter:
BREAKING NEWS FROM LUMOS INDUSTRIES REVEALS THAT SCIENTISTS MAY HAVE FOUND A NEW STRAND OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE PIRANOS PATHOGEN WHICH CAUSED THE BLACK HEART SCARE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. PROTECTION OF THE CROWN AWARDEE, DR JOHKAN LUMOS HIMSELF ASSURES THE PUBLIC THAT THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO CONTAIN AND FURTHER EXAMINE THE VIRUS. IN OTHER NEWS SALES OF HEART TRANSPLANTS HAVE SOURED AS A RESULT OF THE SALE TAKING PLACE AT LUMOS INDUSTRIES AS WE SPEAK. THE STEEL COUNTERPART IS SAID TO IMPROVE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS BY UP TO 80%, SO IF YOU'RE FEELING A LITTLE SLUGGISH AND WANT TO GET BACK INTO BETTER SHAPE. LUMOS INDUSTRIES IS THE PLACE TO GO.
Ext.
(The same park from before, now with considerably fewer less stars and the Earth much further into the distance, Abby reaches for a book and begins reading. After a while other people begin to show up, then more and more until the park is noticeable full of people)
Marius:
Right then, is everyone here?
(A momentary pause, his sight falls to Abi)
Ahh, the girl with no name. You've joined us once again?
Abi:
My name isn't important.
Marius:
Then why hide it from us? We're all on the same side.
Abi:
My name could alert a few higher up powers to the reasons that I choose to fight with you. I only join this fight because I fear of what will become of this world if we don't act.
Marius:
I suppose that is reason enough. Heaven knows you're not the only one.
*Abi looks around and notices the Doctor staring at her*
Well to business, we've just heard word from an inside source that Lumos has begun the final stages of development. It's still under strict need-to-know basis, even with superiors but we did get sent this.
(He lies a sheet of paper out on the grass that shows a large disc attached to a metal board)
These blueprints have been sent to us in secrecy by our very own 'Zodiac'. We ask that you respect his privacy and divulge this information with no-one outside of this meeting. If any of you have any idea of what it is though?
Doctor:
It looks to me like a weapon… of sorts
Marius:
Of sorts?
Doctor:
Of sorts, not a conventional firearm, it amplifies heat. Radiates the victim alive.
Marius:
Good god, I had no idea. I mean there are stories. People are beginning to disappear, vanish off the streets. Ecologists, conversationalists. Anyone who actively opposes the prospect of these body transplant procedures. But this…you think they're producing weapons too now?
Doctor:
This isn't good. Excuse me.
(The Doctor walks away from the group, mumbling something to himself. He walks to a blue box parked around the corner and hits it)
Stupid thing! You KNOW I can't be here. I'm not supposed to!
* he looks up at the sky *
Or was it YOU lot? What has your infernal meddling got me into now?!
(Abi gasps, the doctor turns and catches sight of her as she runs away. She reaches her home and her dad is there waiting for her)
Jonas:
And where have you been, madam?
Abi:
Dad! Uh nowhere, just….
Jonas:
Just down to the Ecos meeting in sunset park I'd wager? You know what I've told you about that! It's not safe! Especially with all of these disappearances! Why your mother would turn in her…
(Abi turns away from him, he realises his mistake and bows his head)
I'm sorry. I've just been worried is all.
Abi:
No, IM sorry. How did you know? I made sure I wasn't being followed.
Jonas:
I didn't follow you. I KNOW you. Anything to stand up to Lumos right?
*Abi looks to the floor*
Dr Matthews:
Thought so. Everyone at work is talking about it. Scientists begin writing papers about the unethicality of replacing whole limbs with cybernetics and suddenly the next day they don't turn up to work. Don't go poking your nose into this one though, petal. It's not safe.
Abi:
I'm 19 dad, I can take care of myself now.
Jonas:
Your shoe lace is undone.
Abi:
Now you're just being petty.
Jonas:
I mean it Abi. You know how much your mother's death means to me. As much as it does to you! The hours I've spent wishing she hadn't taken that job! The lawsuits I've appealed for to have Lumos sent to jail for misconduct. I still wager he had something to do with that explo…
Abi:
*close to tears* Dad, STOP IT.
*another pause*
Dr Matthews:
My point is, I KNOW it means a lot to you that he is held accountable for the damage he's done. To this world. To US. But you can't fight this alone. Sometimes you must accept that. You're too precious to me to lose.
*They both hug*
Abi:
Okay. For YOU, I'll be careful.
*Abi walks off to her room and begins documenting her voice on tape*
Tape 345, Managed to sneak into an Ecos activism meeting again. They seemed to have plans for some kind of …heat weapon I think they said? There was a man who seemed to know a lot more about it than he let on but judging on his behaviour he may just be crazy. Shouting to the sky and assaulting boxes on the street aren't generally a healthy sign of sanity. There was a mention of a contact called 'Zodiac'. If I can find out who this is, maybe I'll get a better understanding of what Lumos is doing. Matthews, signing off.
(She sits back in her chair and begins to stare into space)
What are you up to this time, Lumos?
INT. Lumos Mansion.
(Sal walks across the hall and walks past the room of Kraig, she hears him typing but gets no response when she knocks)
Sal:
You're typing awfully fast, sweetie. Are you upset?
Kraig:
It's nothing mum.
Sal:
Are you sure? If you want to talk…?
*she reaches for the handle*
Kraig:
I said it's nothing, mum.
Sal:
Oh…okay.
(Sal walks away and down the corridor and hears a booming voice coming from the other side of the main office. A large room filled with cabinets of screens on every side of the wall can be seen. A large table in the middle of the room displays a screen with the image of a small man with a pale face, wearing a surgical gown.)
Egal:
The prototype has finally passed the sufficient amount of tests that we deemed necessary for it to be considered a success, sir. We may finally have perfected this!
Lumos:
Good work indeed, Egal. After 10 agonising years of failures we may finally have the key to Mondas's salvation within our grasp. When can we pitch this to the central committee?
Egal:
Sir, have you not heard? The King has fallen ill. We must consider that our priority before we can unveil this, no matter how extraordinary a revelation it will be!
Lumos:
You think too small for my liking, Egal. Now is PRECISELY the time to prepare plans for unveiling. Think of it, being able to restore that dithering old fool to glory once more.
Egal:
Sir, if you don't mind me saying, that's a little insensitive of a manner to speak of your superior…
Lumos:
I am my own superior, Egal. I do not consider it necessary to think myself under his 'protection' any more than as a badge of honour. If it weren't for such a title, we may never have passed such 'challenging' obstacles as we have. But never the less, this achievement will be our ascension to power FAR beyond the king's, let me assure you!
*Sal knocks on the door*
Sal:
Johkan? What are you doing in there?
Egal:
Your wife, sir?
Lumos:
She mustn't know of this. Prepare a conference for a week's time. Now that the prototype has been successful, send a portfolio about the test subject and our procedures to all Lumos Industries within the mass populated regions. Begin gathering test subjects by any means necessary. I'll leave this in your capable hand, Egal.
Egal:
Uh..of course, sir.
(Lumos deactivated the monitor and comes to the door of the room)
Sal:
Look at you! Scuttling out of your office like some sort of hermit!
Lumos:
I've just heard news back from the lab! They've finished the prototype at last! Don't you see what this means for us? Aren't you happy?
Sal:
I'm concerned, is what I am. You've been in that room for days. Kraig will hardly speak to me anymore. This family is falling apart and I can't bare it, Johkan!
Lumos:
That will all be behind us soon, Sal! Don't you see? By next week I'll have the inner committee in the palm of my hands!
Sal:
But then what? You never stop working! For the last 15 years, all you've done is lock yourself away in your study and work. Kraig needs a father figure, someone to look up to! He's tried so often the last few months to involve himself in your work and you've pushed him away! Since when did your ambition mean more to you than your own family?
Lumos:
You're missing the bigger picture, Sal! Mondas is on the brink of catastrophe, this planet is in the worst state it's ever been in. Moving away from this system has caused destruction, the likes of which none of us could have imagined! We're predicted radioactive winters the likes of which we've never seen. And it's only going to get worse! We can't possibly hope to survive this as mere flesh and blood.
Sal:
I know. I know your work is important. I know all that's happened, the failures, the…incident. I just wish you wouldn't let your grief consume you.
Lumos:
I don't feel anything for them. Mourning is pointless. It's a weakness, a distraction.
*Sal slaps Lumos*
Sal:
How dare you, my friend was in that explosion! Kora Matthews! Or is acknowledging her name a weakness for you? She had a beautiful future ahead of her, a flourishing career, a wonderful family! They turn their backs at the mere mention of OUR family these days. Perhaps that's why Kraig finds it so hard to make friends!
(Lumos is nursing a scar on the side of his face.)
I'm sorry dear, Is it okay? It's not bleeding, is it?
(Sal runs and gets a spray bottle to nurse the bruising)
Lumos:
It's irrelevant. Can't you see? If I don't do this, then my entire career leads to nothing. My legacy leads to nothing.
Sal:
And what about US? Do we fit into your legacy? He's scared Johkan. He locks himself away in his room, just like he watches you do, and never comes out. I only ever hear him talk to the same person, repeatedly. He's become recluse, uninterested in going out and seeing the beauty of the world whilst we still can! Teach him that again, sweetie! Or just let him slip out of your reach. Let us both slip.
(Sal begins coughing, he can see on her hip a dark patch, possibly blood, as she slumps to the floor)
Lumos:
Sal? What's going on? Let me see. I can... No. Not you. Never you! SAL!
(Abi's House. She waits until her dad has gone to bed and then rushes downstairs before she can be seen. She races back to the park except this time nobody is here. She is wandering the streets and is suddenly spotted by a police officer.)
Police:
Bit late to be going for a walk isn't it sunshine?
Abi:
*lying on the spot* I do long day shifts. Can't get out much.
Police:
That's as may be. Got any ID on you?
Abi:
I need ID to be walking alone at night now, do I?
Police:
Just looks suspicious is all. A young girl walking alone when rumour has it a little terrorist group is supposed to be meeting her tonight.
(Abi notices the Policeman has a silver arm and eyes that seem black to the soul)
Abi:
Terrorist group? W…why I would never dream of such a thing.
Police:
I'm going to have to ask you to come with me, sweetheart.
(Abi takes a step back and reaches for a can of pepper spray, she finds it just as the officer approaches her and spray his face, temporarily blinding him)
Abi:
Please never call me sweetheart again.
(She steals his radio and runs, narrowly avoiding arrest. She runs for a thickly tree covered area and hides behind one. The officer sprints after her, curses after realising he's lost her and walks away. In the middle of the forest. A sudden rustling noise comes from one side of her, she looks scared and turns to see what it is as the rustling increased. She turns and finds it to be the Doctor)
Doctor:
Sorry to startle you, the meeting's this way.
Abi: Oh…thanks.
Doctor:
That was resourceful thinking back there.
Abi:
Be your own saviour, that's always been my motto.
Doctor:
Wise motto …miss?
Abi:
I don't like to use my name whilst I'm associated with this group.
Doctor:
Very wise, I imagine. Here we go.
(They arrive by a ladder, after climbing it they reach a rooftop where a makeshift camp has been set up, there are men on the roofs with snipers and a few others with maps and charts sprawled out across the floor. They all stop when she arrives)
Marius:
You found her then! Nice work, Doctor! I'm sorry about all of that, someone in the higher ups got word of our meeting spot and alerted the police. They've been getting tighter and tighter on us leading up to Lumos's big announcement.
Abi: Big announcement?
Marius:
Oh, you haven't told her yet? The final prototype Zodiac has been talking about, they've told us it's going to be unveiled before a committee of top ranking officials. But there's more to it than that. Zodiac's been thorough these past days. They've been sending us lab reports, seems like an awful lot of human testing has been going on in there, they've recognised a few names as local beggars and activists. No doubt he's trying to kill two birds with one stone. Shut people up and avoid negative publicity before his grand unveiling, and use those who he doesn't like for his work. Grim stuff, ey?
Abi:
That's monstrous. Why haven't the police caught on to him?
Marius:
A big name millionaire like Lumos with the protection of the crowd in his favour? He probably OWNS them. We're on our own if we want to put a stop to this.
Abi:
But what can WE do?
Marius:
That's where we're fortunate. Zodiac has the plans for the meeting. He's reserved two of us seats to sit in as officials. A self-obsessed man like Lumos would probably never notice we'd even replaced any of his lot. So, that just leaves it up to us.
*He gestures to the group*
I know all of you are willing to fight for the cause, but I must stress this is extremely dangerous. Not only will you be going straight into the lion's den, you will be unarmed. Dr Lumos himself has personally expressed on each invite that attendees leave any firearm or concealed weapon with his staff before entering the building. If things go wrong, you have nothing but your wits to help you.
Doctor:
I'll go. Weapons have never appealed to me anyway.
Marius:
I think you're just what we need for this, Doctor. You have just enough knowledge of Lumos's enterprise for me to feel safe letting you go. Anyone else?
Abi:
I'll go.
Marius:
You? We'll I mean…are you sure you wouldn't rather…?
Abi:
What? Stand back and let a man go in for me, whilst I iron their clothes back here. Did you not see me back there? I can handle myself. Listen, I've lived my life without a mother because of this man. My dad was grief-struck for the remainder of my childhood. That taught me things. It taught me that you can't allow others to watch over you. Sometimes you HAVE to be your own saviour. I NEED to do this.
Marius:
Fair enough. Well in a weeks' time, you two will be our eyes and ears on Lumos. Be careful of him though, he's a dangerous man. Those who get too close end up getting hurt.
INT. Lumos Mansion
(Sal is on the floor after her lapse of weakness. She suddenly begins to stand back up again)
Lumos:
Sal! Can you stand alright?
Sal:
I'm fine, it's a scratch.
Lumos:
I'll call my medical team. They can analyse it!
Sal:
I said it's FINE. I've told you a hundred times I don't care for your methods of treatment. Patching people back together with metal and plastic like they're rag dolls that need to be stitched back together. It's unnatural.
Lumos:
It's survival. That's all life is! There is no higher purpose. It's instinct.
Sal:
That mentality is rubbing off on your own son. Don't you see that? I've always known it's far too late to try and talk you out of your cynicism of the world. But allow your son the pleasure of experiencing beauty, won't you?
Lumos:
What good is appreciating the beauty of this world anymore? It's very nearly over.
Sal:
Then teach him to make a difference! To stand for something he believes in. Just please, promise me to spend more time with him.
Lumos:
I'll take him in with me this week, he can help with preparations.
Sal:
Thank you. You see, the good, honest man I know is still in there. You just need to let him out again!
(Lumos stands for a while longer, thinking over these words before returning to the office)
Ext. City Street
(The Doctor and Abi look over at each other curiously. Later as the members disband and the Doctor and Abi walk away together they start talking)
Doctor:
You know revenge is never the solution.
Abi:
Who says I need revenge?
Doctor:
You're doing this for your mother, are you not?
Abi:
I'm doing it in her name. She was…a good woman.
Doctor:
May I ask what happened?
Abi:
I can't remember it well. She'd been unemployed for a while, but she kept publishing her own works online and eventually she attracted the attention of Lumos.
Doctor:
And Lumos is?
Abi:
Johkan Lumos, Head of Lumos Industries. Gained quite a reputation for his part in destroying one of the worst plague's in Mondas's history. You must have heard of him!
Doctor:
I've been, somewhat preoccupied…
Abi:
Anyway, she jumped at the offer, it meant dad and her would be working in the fields of their dreams and things all seemed pretty great. Then one day she was called in early, Lumos said it was off the utmost urgency that she came in. That day, there was an explosion in the lab she was working in…she…never made it out.
Doctor:
I'm sorry
Abi:
Don't be. It wasn't your fault.
Doctor:
You think it was Lumos's?
Abi:
I just think it's awfully convenient that only he and his staff made it out alive. He gave a sob story to the press about how he had tried to evacuate the lab and had critically scarred himself in the process. But I never could help sensing he knew more than he let on about that day. Since that day, I've just felt the urge to show the world who he really is. Not for revenge, for justice. He needs to answer for those lives, even if he HAS helped others.
Doctor:
Oh I really shouldn't be interfering with this.
Abi:
Yes, you said something like that before! What does that mean?
Doctor:
It means I'm not from around here. And like you, I have the feeling things aren't going to go at all well. It's not my place to interfere with it though.
Abi:
Then why have you joined Ecos? Why are you volunteering to do this?
Doctor:
Call it force of habit. I feel the same. I fight in the name of restoring justice to the universe.
Abi:
Well, I'm glad to hear it, Doctor. Sorry I can't recall your surname.
Doctor:
Just the Doctor, thank you
Abi:
Just the Doctor? Come on, if we're going to do this together, we can't keep secrets!
Doctor: The Doctor is the way I like to keep it. What about you, you must have a name, really?
Abi:
I…I'm Abi. Abi Matthews.
Doctor:
Nice to meet you Abi Matthews.
Abi:
When you say you've been a bit busy lately?
Doctor:
It means I'm not from around here. I'm a traveller. Where I come, things are a bit…heated…currently. I must have been thrown off course by accident. Only way to explain landing in a fixed point in time like this.
Abi:
You answer one question but leave me with a hundred more. Traveller? From one of the mountain cities?
Doctor:
From another time and another world. I have a ship that can take me anywhere in time and space. I really shouldn't be here though. Not now. I should never be able to enter a fixed point in time, not to mention become involved in it. Things must still be going bad on Gallifrey.
Abi:
Woah woah, woah, Time traveller, Gallifrey? You've visited other worlds?
Doctor:
Thousands. The universe is looking a bit grim at the moment though.
Abi:
I think it looks beautiful.
Doctor:
I like your enthusiasm, Abi.
Abi:
I watched what grief did to Dad growing up, I realised that the more I lost sight of the beauty of the world, the less I felt like me. In the end, that seemed more important.
Doctor:
Let's hope that that optimism can last through for the both of us then.
(That night Abi places her bag on the sofa, leaving the details of the next day's infiltration on display. Dr Matthews sees this then gets on the phone)
Dr Matthews:
Hello, yes. I was wondering if you could arrange something for me…
INT. Inside of Lumos Industries.
FAST FORWARD: THE DAY OF THE UNVEILING.
(Dr Lumos is in a laboratory filled with computer screens and desks all over the place. His son comes to see him)
Lumos:
Kraig, you're 20 minutes late. You know I hate insubordination
Kraig:
I'm sorry father, I just was emailing a friend.
Lumos:
Typical, you'll never succeed in life until you put petty things like that aside.
Kraig:
Like friends?
Lumos:
Allies, are overrated. That's the lesson I learnt when I grew up, it hasn't failed me yet.
Kraig:
Yes, father.
Lumos:
I want you to stand outside and guide the representatives up to this floor. We mustn't have anybody getting lost, mustn't we?
Kraig:
*reluctantly* Of course not father.
Lumos:
That will be all.
Kraig:
You called me here for that? To be the coat boy?
Lumos:
And I can think of nobody more qualified! Hurry up, they'll be arriving any moment.
(Kraig shuffles into the lift and a computerised hologram comes up on the screen)
Computer:
Welcome to Lumos Industries. Where we pride ourselves on helping humanity march towards their maximum potential! Founder of the company, Dr Johkan Lumos, Protection of the Crowd awardee after his successful eradication of the flesh-eating Piranos virus, would like to issue his humblest congratulations for placing your trust in our hands.
(Kraig kicks the lift to turn the projection off. He goes to begin his typical speech when he is met by the Doctor and Abi. His voice drones off in awkwardness)
Kraig:
Welcome to Lumos… ?
Abi:
Kraig? Is that you?
Doctor:
You two know each other, I assume?
Abi:
Yeah we… we were friends, until…
Kraig:
Yeah…I'm so sorry about…you know…
Abi:
It's fine Kraig honestly. It's not your fault.
Kraig:
Why are you here? And who is your…
(The Doctor shows Kraig a wallet of psychic paper, which vouches for his credentials)
Doctor:
My name is Doctor John Smith, Inner Committee, inventor of the yo-yo. This is my business associate Abigail Matthews. Although you know that, of course!
Kraig:
Yes…of course. If you'd like to follow me through.
Abi:
*whispering* inventor of the what?
Doctor:
Clever lie, don't lose focus.
(Representatives are all gathered within the main exhibition hall. Marius contacts them through earpieces)
Marius:
You know what to do?
Abi:
Just keep calm and keep focused on Lumos
Marius:
Right, we can see everything you're seeing. Try not to draw attention to yourselves.
Lumos:
Ladies, gentlemen. As I'm sure you have already heard on the news broadcasts recently, we have indeed discovered that a new mutation of the piranos virus has been discovered in small, airborne doses just these past weeks. Now I would like to assure everyone that although not immediately deadly, prolonged exposure to it may be fatal. Now I'm sure I need not remind you that this is the last thing that we need as a species right now. Natural disasters are at an all-time high and seem to have no intention to ceasing. Now I'm sure many of our ecology-loving associations out there would love to pin the blame on companies such as my own, for contributing to industrial pollution but the truth is, whether it helps to point the finger or not, the damage is irreversible. We are fated to endure these harsh, merciless conditions, but for how long? Until the end of our time on this planet? How bleak and uninspiring an idea that is! I am privileged today to stand before you and tell you, without a doubt, that I have, at long last, the means to help guide us Mondasians out of the darkness, and into a shining new world. A better world, a stronger world. If I may I'd like to tell you a story that I heard whilst growing up that, in some ways, helped me on the path of my inspiration. Long ago, in the Medieval era of Mondasian evolution, there was a king called Cyberian. Now Cyberian, as we all do today, lead a life of grave misfortune. An orphan at the age of 10 he was left to survive by his own means throughout his upbringing, eventually word spread of the adolescent king, with guards who were scarcely better trained in combat than himself. All that this king had at his disposal was his wealth. Now King Cyberian goes to his blacksmiths and says "make me a coat of armour that will inspire fear into their hearts!" And just as those blacksmiths were told they crafted him a fierce armour, that when he put on removed any certainty that a man lay beneath it. When his enemies came to the gate and were confronted by this sight, they were easily disposed of, any attempts to slay the king were futile. His metal suit essentially made him invincible. I like to end the story there by just picking out the message that I feel really resonated with me from this remarkable tale. Some say that enhancements are 'inhumane', that they remove organic components and make us less who we are. But I like to think of the advantages that these replacements give us. Enhanced strength, improved endurance and stamina. Something that will never wither, or combust, or die. And I leave you with this. What if we could take the legend of Cyberian's suit of armour and influence it through our work here at Lumos Industries. Well, I'll leave you with that thought as pure concept for no longer. Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you: The Cyberman!
(The audience gasp and shriek as a shadowy outline appears on stage, half human, half metal, with wires protruding from his torso feeding into the weapon seen from before.
The cyberman stands there, not moving, just simply observing its crowd, gasps emanate from all over)
