Doctor Who
History of the Daleks
Episode Two
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Please welcome to the stage, Davros!" said the woman, making way for a young blonde man in a well-fitted suit, oozing with charisma and confidence. The Doctor and Graham quickly got to their feet as the rest of the room gave the leader a rousing standing ovation.
"That's Davros?" Graham asked in confusion. The Doctor had briefly mentioned him once, but he certainly didn't match the description.
"Changed his name I guess," the Doctor asked Nyder.
"But of course," Nyder replied. "He took over when Aniton passed on, decided that the name Davros was the only one suitable for him."
"My fellow Neo-Kaleds," Davros said with a charming smile. "Today is historic for many reasons. After many, many years, we can fulfil the goals set forth by our great leader Aniton, and unite our planet in getting rid of any undesirables that threaten to over-run our great nation."
"Real charmer this guy," said Graham sarcastically. The Doctor said nothing, staring intently at the man ranting away on stage. It was clear that the crowd was hooked on every word he was saying, drinking it in and using it to fuel their own petty lives.
"He certainly reminds me of the original," the Doctor said, mostly to herself, the claps and cheers drowning her out. Eventually everyone sat down again, the Doctor's knuckles going white as she gripped the table.
"This is just the first step of course," said Davros. "We are on the precipice of history, and I've been reassured that the next stage of our plan will begin shortly. We will exterminate the vermin that has infested our planet."
Graham tensed up, but the Doctor put a hand on his shoulder, cautioning him.
"We can't afford to make a scene, remember," she said, as the four men with her ignored everything she was saying to focus on their glorious leader.
"I know," Graham said, but he couldn't relax.
"We mustn't listen to their lies about being citizens," said Davros. "They were invaders, coming in uninvited, to spread their diseased culture."
"Graham," cautioned the Doctor, as Graham started to get up.
"But Doctor-" began Graham. The Doctor looked at her friend and shook her head.
"It's vitally important we learn what's going on here," said the Doctor. "It won't do us any good to cause a scene and get into trouble. Remember, Ryan and Yaz would be in just as much danger."
Graham sagged, giving into the Doctor's logic.
"I know it's hard," the Doctor said sympathetically. "But we have to keep a low profile above all else."
"Of course we won't be alone in this endeavour," said Davros. "For you see, my fellow Neo-Kaleds, we have been working hard to do what was previously thought unthinkable. We are going to contact the Daleks!"
"NO!" a voice rang out, the shocked silence following from it having dampened any cheers that had sprung up. A roomful of eyes swivelled to see one woman standing up, fear and angry written over her face, as her companion next to her looked just as startled as the rest of them.
"You cannot contact the Daleks," the Doctor said, standing her ground. "Doing so would bring death to this entire planet."
The entire room erupted into laughter, as Graham stood up with the Doctor, as she looked around the room in confusion.
"You can't reason with the Daleks," she said. "They'll kill you all without a second thought."
"Don't be absurd," said one of the men in attendance. "We're the Neo-Kaleds. They're not going to exterminate an ally."
"They don't see you as an ally," said the Doctor. "They look at you as the same way you look upon those you claim to hate so much. You are nothing to them."
The laughter quickly changed to boos, and soon Graham found himself shielding the Doctor from all sorts of projectiles being thrown their way.
"Why won't you listen to me?" the Doctor shouted over the jeers. "If you summon the Daleks you'll be signing your own death warrant!"
"Who do you think you are anyway," said Nyder.
"Tell me Davros," the Doctor said, turning back to the speaker. "In those recordings you found, was there mention of an oncoming storm? An enemy that the Daleks feared above all else? Their prime directive?"
"There was talks of some sort of doctor interfering with their plans," said Davros suspiciously.
"Not a doctor," said the Doctor proudly. "The Doctor. The Dalek's greatest enemy, the person that stands in their way at every turn, the Time Lord who beat them time and time again."
"What of it?" sneered Nyder.
"That Doctor of legend?" the Doctor said. "You're looking at her."
The room was about to react, but it was clear from Davros' shocked expression that laughter or boos weren't appropriate at this exact moment. Instead they stayed quiet, waiting to see what Davros was going to do.
"What happened to keeping a low profile?" Graham asked amidst the silence, worried about what the crowd was going to do next.
"If you're the Doctor you'll be willing to prove it," said Davros. "Where did the Daleks come from?"
"Skaro, obviously," said the Doctor.
"What happened to the Dalek army at Spiridon?"
"Washed away by molten ice."
"Why did the Daleks need taranium?"
"To build the time destructor. Look, are we just going to play twenty questions and reminisce about all the time I won?"
"No, I believe you," said Davros, before raising his hand and gesturing towards the Doctor. Security guards suddenly grabbed her and started dragging her towards the stage, Graham likewise taken against both of their protest.
"You really are the Doctor, aren't you," said Davros, as the two interferers were dragged onto stage. "My my, this certainly changes things."
"You believe me when I say you shouldn't contact the Daleks?" said the Doctor, still struggling against the two burly men.
"Quite the opposite," Davros said with a nasty grin. "With you in our grasp, they'll be more likely to come. Thank you Doctor. Your arrival has been most fortuitous. Soon the Neo-Kaleds shall be side by side with the Daleks, as we take our rightful place of ruler of this planet!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The pipe swung by Yaz as she leapt out of the way, tripping the man over in the process. Before she could focus on the other assailants a gun shot rang out.
"I recommend you men leave," said the stranger holding the gun. "Before the situation becomes... regrettable."
The men looked at the man with the gun, before turning and sprinting away. The man sagged, holstered his gun, and ran to help the two victims. Yaz and Ryan quickly followed suit.
"Are you okay?" Yaz asked, examining the cut on the old man's head. It was thankfully shallow, and something he could probably walk off.
"We're fine," said the young woman. "Thanks for your help. Those monsters would have killed us."
"I'm Yaz," said Yaz. "This is Ryan."
"I'm Ryeitv," said the young woman. "This is my grandfather Wannem, and that's my brother Ehsunis."
"Lovely to make your acquaintance," said Ehsunis. "Do you mind giving us a hand getting granddad home?"
"Course not," said Ryan, putting Wannem's arm around his shoulder and helping Ehsunis carry the older man.
"Why were they attacking you?" Yaz asked, as Ehsunis led the way.
"Isn't it obvious?" said Ryeitv. "We're clearly from one of the colony planets."
"Isn't obvious to us," said Ryan.
"Glad to see you're so open-minded," said Ehsunis. "If only the rest of the population agreed."
"Has it always been this bad?" asked Yaz.
"The violence? No, a few years ago we were living in peace. But then those Neo-Kaleds started taking power and, well, you know how dangerous idiots can be when they're emboldened."
"Aren't the cops doing anything to stop it?" said Ryan in confusion.
"Ha," scoffed Ehsunis. "The police don't care about us, not any more. No, we're very much on our own, every colonist for themselves."
"Well isn't there something you could do?"
"There are certainly... ideas, being talked about," said Ehsunis, before lapsing into silence. The party continued to move along, eventually reaching the house. Gently Wannem was placed upon the bed, Ryeitv grabbing a wet cloth to tend to his wound.
"Lovely place you have here," said Yaz politely. "It's very... quaint."
"It's a tiny slum, yes," replied Ehsunis.
"Why aren't we going to the hospital?" asked Ryan.
"'Ere, you ask a lot of stupid questions, don't you," said Ehsunis. "No one can be as thick as you."
"My friend here is a philosopher," said Yaz quickly. "He tends to question everything, it's sort of his thing."
Ehsunis glanced at Ryan, who tried to appear smart. The smile that Ehsunis gave pretty clearly indicated that the ruse was less than successful.
"It's okay," said Ehsunis. "You can admit you've just arrived from another colony planet. We're not going to attack you."
"That's a relief," said Yaz. "Yes, we're from one of the colony planets. But why aren't we taking your grandfather to the hospital?"
"Because our kind isn't allowed there any more," said Ryeitv. "Not unless we can afford the fees, which given how many of us have been stripped of our jobs, well..."
"That's awful," said Ryan. "That shouldn't be allowed."
"Well shouldn't is a wonderful world that we don't appear to be living in," said Ehsunis. "But if you have a spaceship that can magically take us there then by all means, let us be the first on board."
Yaz and Ryan glanced at each other and said nothing. Part of them knew the Doctor's mantra of not getting involved in historical events, but she'd always been fuzzy about how involved they should get with alien cultures.
"So unless you want to actually help us..." Ehsunis trailed off.
"Help you how?" asked Ryan, unable to let the question be left unsaid. Ehsunis smiled and beckoned the two closer for fears of being overheard.
"We're going to overthrow the government," he said. "We're going to kill those monsters, and make the streets run red with the their blood!"
"That's certainly-" began Yaz, but Ehsunis cut her off, pulling the gun out from his holster.
"So now comes the important question," said Ehsunis, aiming the gun at the two. "Are you with us? Or against us?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Oh don't summon the Daleks just yet," the Doctor said, as she continued to struggle against the brutes holding her. "I mean have you thought about what you're going to say? Have you got a speech lined up? You don't want to try and wing such an important occasion."
"Of course I do," said Davros. "Do you take me for some sort of idiot."
"I wouldn't say that," replied the Doctor. "Not while you have your friends here providing such wonderful PR for you."
"You're trying my patience, Doctor."
"I tried a pear once. Not that great, wouldn't recommend it."
"Go lock her up," said Davros, waving his hand dismissively.
"Wait!" the Doctor said urgently. Everyone paused, transfixed on her.
"This is your chance to insult the Dalek's greatest enemy," the Doctor said. "Think about it, you have me captured, with no hope of escape, about to call the Daleks and let them take all the glory. Surely it'd be a great PR move to humiliate me for a bit, point out how stupid I am, that sort of thing?"
"Why would I want to do something as stupid as that?"
"Oh come on, you've just achieved something the Daleks have literally spent millenniums trying to do. Enjoy it. This is your moment, so make it shine. Work this room. Go down in history as the person that taunted the Doctor and got away with it."
"Yeah, she could do with gaining a bit of perspective," said Graham. "She tends to think a bit full of herself."
"Graham!" the Doctor said, shocked.
"Only trying to help Doc," Graham replied.
"Oh thanks a lot," she said. "I show you the wonders of the universe and all you can do is go on about how I've got a bit of an ego."
"A bit is a bit of an understatement."
"Typical. Companions never show you any respect. I mean isn't that always the way, you invite people along-"
"Enough!" cried Davros angrily. "Why are you going on with your ceaseless prattle?"
"Oh that's very much like your kind," the Doctor replied. "You can never stand it when someone talks, cos it might lead people to think. And thinking leads people to clever ideas. Ideas like, for example, using this as an elaborate distraction while setting a sonic device to trip the alarms and get out of here."
"Wait what?" said Davros, but it was too late. The sonic screwdriver was already in the Doctor's hand, her fingers pressing the buttons. The room was suddenly engulfed in an ear-piercing fire alarm, far louder than it would ever normally be. Her captors instinctively let go to cover their ears in pain. Without missing a beat the Doctor slipped by them, grabbing Graham and pulling him along despite his protests.
"Stop her!" shouted Davros, but his screams failed to register above the din. By the time the alarm had been shut off, the Doctor and Graham were already long gone, making their way back to the museum.
"Cor blimey Doc," said Graham, sticking his pinky into his ear. "You might have warned me before you did that."
"I'm sorry I don't run all my cunning escape plans past you," the Doctor said. "Had a lot on my plate. Thanks for the assist by the way."
"Don't mention it. Should we go meet Yaz and Ryan at the museum?"
"Better see where they are." The Doctor got out of the phone and dialled, pacing backwards and forwards anxiously as she waited for the pick-up.
"Hey Doctor," came Yaz's voice.
"Yaz, how are you?" the Doctor said brightly. "Good news, figured out the Neo-Kaleds plan. Bad news, they're going to summon the Daleks to come here. Worse news, the Daleks are going to kill us all. Should have maybe built up to that a bit more."
"Funny thing you mention that Doctor," said Yaz. "Come to the address I'm sending you. I think there's somewhere here you'd like to meet."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What a lovely place you have here," the Doctor said. "It's so... well-organized."
"Small, yes," said Ehsunis. "So you have a history with the Neo-Kaleds."
"In a roundabout way," the Doctor admitted. "The important thing is that we need to deal with them before they have a chance to contact the Daleks. I suspect that their beacon is located in the main parliamentary building, we need to figure a way of getting in."
"It looks like fate has smiled upon you," said Ehsunis, as he led them over to a chest in the corner of the room.
"I have a plan to go into the building," he continued. "Seems the best way to exterminate the leader."
"No," said Yaz. "You can't kill him, that's inhumane."
"Yeah," agreed Ryan. "Killing is wrong. Tell him, Doctor!"
The Doctor said nothing, biting her tongue.
"Doc?" asked Graham.
"The goal of this mission isn't to kill Davros," said the Doctor. "It's more important to disable the homing beacon."
"But killing Davros would be bad, wouldn't it Doctor?" asked Yaz. The silence hung in the air.
"Look, I can help you get in," said Ehsunis, "I need the extra hands after my crew chickened out. But if you're going to get in my way then you might as well leave right now."
"In that case," said Yaz, making her way to the door. But the Doctor didn't move. She turned, and glared at the Doctor.
"Doctor?" Yaz asked.
"Maybe we should-" she began.
"Just be straight with us Doctor," said Ryan in annoyance. "Do you think Davros should be killed or not."
The Doctor looked at her friends helplessly, before sagging in defeat.
"Honestly... yes. I think that, for the sake of this planet, Davros should be killed. And, if need be, I will be the one that does it."