The Expedition
(Later, in the Thal camp. By the tent Ian is talking to Alydon. Barbara is sat nearby watching them discuss. As for the Princess, she is stood near the blue police box, next to a tree. Looking up, the Princess sees Susan climbing on the tree branches above. The Princess looks worried.)
PRINCESS: Susan, must you climb up there?
(Susan hangs upside down from the branch.)
SUSAN: I'm just having some fun.
PRINCESS: Well, you'll find there's plenty of fun here on the ground. And I don't trust these trees. They look as though they could snap at any moment. Could you please come down?
SUSAN: Of course.
(Susan drops down from the tree, landing on her feet. But the action alarms the Princess until she sees that Susan is okay.)
SUSAN: I didn't mean to worry you, Princess.
PRINCESS: I know. And I don't mean to coddle you like an overprotective parent either. I just wish you wouldn't take unnecessary risks.
(They smile at one another. Then both look over as they hear Ian and Barbara arguing. Alydon has gone now and Ian and Barbara are sat together.)
SUSAN: (Sadly) They're still arguing.
PRINCESS: Yes. Like us, they're frustrated. But rather than climb trees – or worry about you climbing said trees – they seem content to argue about something they have no control over. The will of the Thals.
SUSAN: Perhaps you could talk to them.
PRINCESS: The Thals, or Ian and Barbara?
SUSAN: Both.
PRINCESS: No. I'm not forcing anyone to do anything. The Thals will do what they feel is right.
SUSAN: And what about Ian and Barbara?
PRINCESS: I think I'll wait until your grandfather weighs in on that debate. I'll need all my wits if I'm to challenge him. Besides, it's a distraction for them. Even if not a healthy one.
(The Doctor exits the ship. The Princess and Susan go over to join him.)
SUSAN: Any luck, Grandfather?
DOCTOR: Hmm?
SUSAN: Well, have you made another fluid link yet?
DOCTOR: No, I can't, my child. And I've looked through all my spares and I've really discovered we do need some more mercury.
PRINCESS: But we'll still have enough to leave?
DOCTOR: Oh, yes. Just something we should fill up on when we get the chance.
PRINCESS: That's assuming we get the fluid link back and are able to leave this place.
(The Doctor, Susan and Princess make their way over to Ian and Barbara who have stopped arguing for the moment. Ian is now standing.)
DOCTOR: Yes. I'm afraid my little trick has rather rebounded on me. What you might call tempting providence, Chesserman.
IAN: Well, don't worry about it now, Doctor. It's happened.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, at least you're not vindictive.
PRINCESS: Not yet anyway.
DOCTOR: What was that?
PRINCESS: I was just pointing out you got his name wrong.
DOCTOR: Pardon? Oh, what utter nonsense, I know Chesserman's name.
IAN: It's Chesterton.
DOCTOR: Hmm? Yes, that's what I said, Chesterton. You know you really must get those ears of your seen to my boy.
(Ian chuckles while the Princess shakes her head. Barbara then stands up.)
BARBARA: (Angrily) How you three can stand there wasting time with small talk beats me.
DOCTOR: I can assure you, young lady, I haven't been wasting my time. There's always a way and I am dedicated to finding it.
SUSAN: You always think of something, Grandfather.
DOCTOR: Thank you, my dear. Your faith is something that I prize very highly. You all realise, of course, we cannot succeed against the Daleks alone?
BARBARA: Of course not.
DOCTOR: We have a ready-made army here. The Thals. They're strong, and they have one great advantage against the Daleks. They can move so much more quickly.
IAN: They have one great disadvantage. They have no arms or ammunition.
DOCTOR: Well, that's all right, young man. The mind will always triumph. With me to lead them, the Thals are bound to succeed.
PRINCESS: And supposing the Thals don't won't your leadership?
DOCTOR: Of course they will, they'd be fools to reject it.
SUSAN: But Grandfather, we've been talking and arguing about this all morning. The Thals won't fight. They're against war.
DOCTOR: My dear child, this is no time for morals. They must fight for us.
IAN & PRINCESS: Why?
DOCTOR: Oh, I do hope you two aren't going to be difficult.
PRINCESS: We're not being difficult, it's a very simply question.
IAN: Yes, what incentive do the Thals have to fight for us?
BARBARA: But they would be getting rid of the Daleks. If we can get the Thals to attack the city, we can beat Daleks and get the link back. Everybody wins.
DOCTOR: It's just common sense. (To Barbara) Young lady, I've been underestimating you.
PRINCESS: But the Thals don't want to fight the Daleks, they want to live in peace.
DOCTOR: I'm afraid that's just not possible. They'll have to fight.
IAN: Just because you're telling them too?
BARBARA: The Daleks want to destroy them!
PRINCESS: But they can't get outside their city. The Thals are safe. So all your asking the them to do is go in there and risk their lives for our own needs.
DOCTOR: And to destroy the Daleks!
PRINCESS: But they don't want to fight, won't you listen!
DOCTOR: The fighting has already started, my dear, when they walked into that city and were attacked!
IAN: I will not allow you to use the Thals for your own end! They themselves must chose to fight, and for their own reasons. Not ones made up by us.
SUSAN: I know what you mean. We must help the Thals to save themselves and not just them help us.
IAN: Exactly.
BARBARA: All you're doing is playing with words.
DOCTOR: We need action, not arguments.
(The Doctor and Barbara sit down in a huff. Ian, the Princess and Susan stand before them.)
IAN: Now listen, you two. What victory are you going to show these people when most of them have been killed? A fluid link? Is this what you're going to hold up to them and say, "Thank you very much. This is what you fought and died for."
SUSAN: The thing is, can the Thals still fight?
IAN: Well that's what we've got to find out. Are they cowards, or are they just against fighting on principle?
PRINCESS: Any thoughts on how we can find out?
IAN: Well, I've got an idea. But whatever I do, don't interfere. I'm not even sure that I'm right.
(He walks away with the other time travellers following him. He stops by the ship and picks up the container with all the Thal history inside.)
IAN: (Uncertainly) Well, let's see what happens.
(Ian walks over to the Thal tents with the container still in hand.)
DOCTOR: Hmm, strange young man.
SUSAN: He's right, though.
BARBARA: Yes, he is.
DOCTOR: Yes, we'll see.
PRINCESS: Nice to see that cooler heads still prevail.
DOCTOR: Oh, stop being so smug.
(Ian has started talking to Alydon and the Thals)
IAN: (To Alydon, continuing) …At this moment, anyone could come in here. They could rob, they could steal.
DOCTOR: Let's see what he's up to.
(The Doctor, Princess, Barbara and Susan join the crowd of Thals that has formed around Ian and Alydon.)
IAN: (Continuing) They could even kill you. And you wouldn't lift a finger to help yourselves.
ALYDON: We will not fight. There will be no more wars. Look at our planet. This was once a great world, full of ideas and art and invention. In one day it was destroyed. And you will never find one good reason why we should ever begin destroying everything again. I'm sorry.
IAN: You're not sorry. You stand here, mumbling a lot of words out of your history. But it means nothing, nothing at all. (Holds up the container of Thal history) You carry this around with you. Your history records. Well, it must be valuable to you. Supposing I take it down to the city and try and trade with the Daleks?
(The Thals are shocked.)
IAN: Perhaps they'd think it valuable enough to exchange for our fluid link.
(Alydon goes to grab the container…but then stops himself.)
ALYDON: I don't believe you'd do it.
IAN: I would.
ALYDON: None of us would stop you.
(Alydon steps back. Ian looks around and sees that none of the Thals are challenging him. Ian puts the container on the ground and thinks for a moment.)
IAN: If I don't get the fluid link back, the four of us will die. Perhaps the Daleks are more interested in people? Maybe they were holding us to experiment on us? I could take them an alternative.
(Ian suddenly grabs Dyoni by the arm. Again, the Thals are shocked, but they don't do anything to stop Ian. So, Ian slowly begins to lead Dyoni away. The crowd part for him and he passes through. He is walking away with a nervous Dyoni…when suddenly Alydon grabs Ian from behind and punches him. Everyone is shocked, even Alydon. On the ground, Ian rubs his jaw and looks up.)
IAN: So, there is something you'll fight for.
(The next day, at the Thal camp. Alydon has just finished talking to the rest of the Thals. He leaves the tent and approaches the time travellers.)
ALYDON: (To time travellers) I have one question to ask of you. If we do not help you, what will you do?
IAN: We'll find our way into the city, and take back our lost equipment.
ALYDON: (To the Thals) You see, we cannot stand by and let these people die. If we do not help them, it would be the same as if we had killed them ourselves. Well, the way I have reasoned is this. The Daleks are strong, and they hate us. And I am sure they will find a way to come out of their city and kill us. So it is not merely a question of whether we go off in a vain search for food and in all probability starve to death. We face death now. In the city is enough food for all of us and all of the Daleks, a hundred times over. My conclusion is this. There is no indignity in being afraid to die. But there is a terrible shame in being afraid to live. If none of you agree with my reasons, then let me go with these people, and I will help you elect a new chief.
(The Thals are all quiet for a moment. Then…)
GANATUS: I'll go with you, Alydon.
THAL: And I.
THAL 2: Let's start at once.
ANTODUS: And I.
IAN: (To Alydon) Thank you.
(Ganatus steps forward with a map in hand.)
ALYDON: (To Ganatus) You knew what my decision would be.
GANATUS: I could always have destroyed it if you'd decided differently.
DOCTOR: If we get this intelligent anticipation, we shall succeed. Let's see this.
(They all crouch down around the map Ganatus lays on the ground.)
DOCTOR: (Pointing to the map) Now, what is this area here?
GANATUS: The swamp. (Pointing to the map) Here are the mountains. This is the far side of the city. I've been into the swamp. It's surrounded by lakes, here, as you see. The lakes are inhabited by all sorts of strange creatures.
PRINCESS: Strange how?
GANATUS: Hard to say for certain. I could only make out shapes moving in the water.
IAN: (Pointing to the map) Could we get into the city this way?
ALYDON: Over the mountains?
IAN: Yes.
GANATUS: That means going through that swamp.
ALYDON: We can't go through the swamp. It's too dangerous.
GANATUS: It is dangerous, yes, but…I realised last night when I was talking to Barbara, that it is undefended.
ALYDON: Undefended? It's a perfect natural barrier. All those creatures, you know that yourself.
GANATUS: Yes, I know, but I mean the Daleks won't be on guard there. There's a chance to take them by surprise. Believe me, I'm not happy about this, but it's the best possible chance there is.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes. Well, now, I suggest we split into two groups.
(They all stand up.)
DOCTOR: The one to distract the Daleks on the city wall side, and the others to try and force a way through the mountains.
IAN: Yes, I think that's the best plan.
DOCTOR: Are we all agreed?
ALYDON: Yes. Very well then. That is what we must do. Ganatus, will you lead the group through the swamp?
GANATUS: Of course.
IAN: (To Ganatus) I'll come with you.
SUSAN: Me too.
DOCTOR: No, my child. I think you'll be of more help to me with the distraction on this end. You too, Princess
PRINCESS: Yes, that's understandable. What about you, Barbara?
BARBARA: I'll go with Ian and the others through the swamp. That way there will be an even split between the groups for both sides.
DOCTOR: Yes, that sounds very good.
GANATUS: It could take us a few days to cross the swamp into the city.
DOCTOR: Well, can you be more precise. If this plan of ours is to work we need to coordinate our efforts.
GANATUS: If we were to leave now, I reckon we could reach the city's edge in three days.
DOCTOR: Very well, we'll set our watch for three days' time. Then we shall commence with our distraction, hopefully granting you easy access to the city.
(Later that morning, at the Thal camp. Ian and Barbara preparing to leave. From nearby, the Doctor and Princess are watching them.)
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) I hope they'll be okay.
DOCTOR: Oh, they're very capable, my dear. There's no need to worry about them. My only concern is whether or not they'll make it there in time. What with everything we've seen so far on this planet so far, I can't imagine what lives in those swamps in any better.
PRINCESS: That's what has me worried. Especially when Ganatus was so vague.
DOCTOR: Probably for the best. While the fear of the unknown can be harder to shake, sometimes knowing what to expect can make you even more paranoid.
(Ian and Barbara are now ready to go. They both approach the Doctor and Princess.)
IAN: We're just off. We'll see you in a few days.
DOCTOR: I expect to young man. And don't forget, we're counting on you.
BARABA: We won't. And once we get the link back, we'll all be able to finally leave.
DOCTOR: If all goes well, then yes.
PRINCESS: Good luck.
DOCTOR: And keep your wits about you.
IAN: We will. Goodbye.
BARBARA: Goodbye.
(Ian and Barbara head off, and the Doctor and Princess watch them go.)
Next Episode – The Ordeal