The Edge of Destruction
(Inside the console room of the ship, the Doctor, Ian and Susan stand at the console. The ship is in flight, the glass column in the centre rise and falling, as a strange wheezy-whining noise fills the ship. In a reading chair nearby, the Princess sits comfortably. Everything is fine… Then suddenly there's a flash of light and the ship shakes violently, as if something has exploded! Everyone is thrown from their feet, except the Princess who remain in her chair. Everyone is knocked unconscious by the event. Now, the Doctor lies on the floor, the Princess slouched her chair, with Ian slumped on the floor against it. And Susan has fall over the console. For a long moment, nothing happens, all is still and quiet. Then a famine groan, as Barbara enters from the other room. She looks around, both dazed and confused. She sees the Doctor on the ground but walks past him. She also sees the strange console in the centre of the room and is confused by it. Then she sees Ian on the floor.)
BARBARA: Mister Chesterton? Ian Chesterton?
(Ian remains unconscious. But from behind Barbara, Susan jerks up awkwardly. Barbara turns to her, but while Susan is standing, her head is hanging down. Then, slowly, she lifts it up, looking tired and dazed. Susan looks at Barbara.)
SUSAN: I know you… (Grabs her head) Ow!
BARBARA: Have you hurt your head?
SUSAN: Yes, terribly.
(Susan staggers away and Barbara follows her around the console.)
BARBARA: Well, let me look at it.
SUSAN: Oh, my neck hurts too… Oh… It's going away now. That's better. I couldn't think where I was–
BARBARA: Do you want to sit down?
SUSAN: No, it's all right. (She notices the Doctor) Grandfather!
(Susan runs over to the Doctor and drops down beside him. Barbara follows and kneels down too.)
BARBARA: He's cut his head open.
SUSAN: I've–I've got some ointment.
BARBARA: Well, get some water too.
SUSAN: Yes.
(As Susan stands up again, she grabs her neck in pain. As she then relaxes, she sees the Princess in the chair across the room.)
SUSAN: (Shocked) Oh, my… It's…It's…
BARBARA: What is it?
SUSAN: (Pointing) It's her! The Princess! But…what is she doing here? She should be… No…she…
(Susan is confused and is holding her head as she tries to understand.)
BARBARA: Whatever are you talking about, Susan?
SUSAN: You don't… No, you don't know, do you? You're…not allowed. You're not like–
PRINCESS: NO!
(The Princess thrashes around in her seat before collapsing against it and passing out. Susan and Barbara stare at the Princess then look to one another.)
SUSAN: What's happened here?
BARBARA: I don't know… Weren't you going to get water?
SUSAN: (Nodding slowly) Yes.
(Susan exits into the other room. Barbara stands up. She turns around to find Ian now standing up, next to the Princess, and staring at Barbara.)
IAN: You're working late tonight, Miss Wright. (He then turns around and sees Princess.) Is she all right?
BARBARA: I'm not sure. She screamed a minute ago. Almost as if she was having a bad dream.
(Ian moves aside some of the Princess' red hair for a better look at her. He then takes her wrist and checks for a pulse.)
IAN: (Carelessly) Pulse is rather fast. She's quite warm… (Then astonished) What on Earth?
(Ian steps back from the Princess, whose skin is now glowing with a soft golden hue.)
BARBARA: (To Ian) What is it?
IAN: Don't you see it? That glow coming off her.
(The glow fades away.)
BARBARA: I don't see anything.
IAN: It's gone now. Perhaps it was just my eyes, playing tricks on me.
(Ian turns to step away but stumbles and falls against the console.)
IAN: Could I perhaps have a glass of water?
BARBARA: Susan's fetching some.
(Ian stands back up right abruptly.)
IAN: Susan Foreman, is she your problem too?
BARBARA: Excuse me?
IAN: (Confused) Sorry, I meant… (Notices the Doctor) What's he doing there?
BARBARA: Oh, he's cut his head.
(Ian starts to approach the Doctor. The Princess stirs in her chair.)
PRINCESS: (Mumbling) No…stay away… I–I don't want…
(Ian and Barbara both stare at the Princess.)
IAN: I see what you mean. It's as if she's having a bad dream.
BARBARA: Should we wake her?
(Ian looks to the Doctor.)
IAN: Let's help him first.
BARBARA: (To Ian) How are you feeling?
IAN: A little dizzy.
(Ian and Barbara kneel down next to the Doctor. Ian checks him.)
IAN: (Carelessly) His heart's fast too, like with her. But he's breathing normally. (He looks at Doctor's head) I don't think that cut's as deep as you think.
BARBARA: What do we do if his skull's fractured?
IAN: I don't think it's as bad as that.
DOCTOR: I can't take you back, Susan. I can't.
(Ian chuckles cruelly.)
IAN: He's rambling.
(Barbara looks around, suddenly in astonishment. She then stands, lifting Ian with her.)
BARBARA: The ship? The…Tardis!
(While Barbara looks around the room in wonder, Ian looks around in confusion.)
IAN: What?
(Unnoticed by Ian or Barbara, the Princess continues to mumble.)
PRINCESS: Time… No…time... Running…out.
(In the next room, Susan is stood by the food machine. In one hand she holds a long bandage, while she tries to operate the food machine with the other. She presses the button marked, "Water," but the machine only beeps angrily at her.)
SUSAN: Empty?
(Susan tries it again, but the machine just continues to beep angrily. Frustrated, Susan bangs the machine. She then checks the dispenser and is surprised to find a full bag of water inside. She takes it out.)
SUSAN: That's funny.
(Taking the water, Susan returns to the console room. However, once she steps through the door, she shrieks. The main doors leading outside the ship are open.)
SUSAN: The doors! (To Ian & Barbara) They can't open on their own – They can't!
IAN: (Pointing to Doctor & Princess) Perhaps one of them did it.
SUSAN: Grandfather? The Princess?
IAN: Did it before he cut his head open.
SUSAN: No, he wouldn't.
IAN: (Points at Princess) Well, what about her?
SUSAN: She–She couldn't have.
BARBARA: Well, they must have been forced open, when we crashed.
IAN: Crashed?
(Unnoticed the Princess starts to mumble again.)
PRINCESS: Crash…? Not…Not crashed… Caught…
SUSAN: (To Barbara) No, the ship can't crash. It's impossible!
(Susan rans over to the Doctor and drops down beside him, again.)
SUSAN: Grandfather. Grandfather!
BARBARA: Susan, it's all right.
SUSAN: No. (Looking around) No, there's something here. Inside the ship.
IAN: What?
BARBARA: But that's not possible.
SUSAN: (To Ian) You feel it, don't you?
BARBARA: (To Susan) Give me the bandage.
(Susan gives Barbara the bandage.)
BARBARA: (Looking at the bandage) What's this?
SUSAN: The coloured part is the ointment. You'll find the colour disappearing. It goes into the wound. When the bandage is completely white, it means the wound is healed.
(Barbara bends down to wrap the bandage around the Doctor's head. While she does this and Susan stands with her, Ian walks towards the open doors. As he approaches, they close.)
IAN: (To Susan) Did you do that?
SUSAN: We haven't moved.
(Confused, Ian walks back towards the console. As he does, the doors open again. He stops and turns around. He hesitates, then approaches the open doors, but once again, they close when he gets near.)
SUSAN: I'm going to try the controls.
BARBARA: Be careful, Susan.
(The Princess lurches forward in her seat, eyes closed as she reaches out.)
PRINCESS: Susan, don't–!
(But Susan has already touched the console. Susan screams and collapses next to the Doctor. The Princess falls back against her chair. Ian joins Barbara as they stand over Susan.)
IAN: She's fainted. But she was all right a minute ago.
BARBARA: Yes, and a while before that, you were all unconscious.
(Ian tries to think but it hurts his head.)
IAN: What's going on here?!
BARBARA: He's beginning to stir. Take the girl and put her to bed.
(As Barbara kneels down next to the Doctor, Ian hauls Susan up and over his shoulders.)
IAN: If anything happens, let me know.
BARBARA: Well, what could happen?
IAN: I don't know.
(Ian exits into the next room, carrying Susan. As he leaves the Doctor comes to, quietly groaning.)
BARBARA: (To Doctor) How are you?
DOCTOR: Oh, my head.
BARBARA: You cut your forehead, but you'll be all right.
DOCTOR: Well…it hurts here.
BARBARA: Where? Show me. (She rolls Doctor over for a look) I can't see anything. There's no bump or bruise or anything.
DOCTOR: No, I was hit on the back of the neck.
(The Doctor groans in pain some more.)
BARBARA: Come on, let's–let's get you up.
(Barbara helps the Doctor to stand up, supporting him.)
DOCTOR: Oh… Thank you, my dear… (Notices Princess) What's wrong with the Princess?
BARBARA: We think she's just asleep.
DOCTOR: Asleep? No, never– (Winces in pain as he touches his neck) Oh! Oh, I–I–I–I need a seat, Ms. Wright. Might we move through?
BARBARA: Of course.
(Barbara helps the Doctor through to the next room, leaving the Princess alone. Once the door closes behind them, the lights in the control room dim, so that the only source of light is from the glass column in the centre of the console. Then, from the other side of the room, a spark grows into a golden silhouette of a person. The silhouette then takes a 3D shape, before the golden glow begins to peel back, revealing the features of a beautiful young woman. Once the woman is complete, she stands with a golden outline to her character. She is dressed in strange robes with a high collar, and has long flowing golden hair that reaches the floor, leaving a golden pool around her. She looks to the Princess. She says something but it is inaudible. However, the Princess seems to hear it as she slowly awakes.)
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: (Faint) …Princess…
(The Princess blinks, sitting up and rubbing at her head. She pauses, then slowly turns towards the glowing woman. The woman is now the only thing visible, other than the control console, and the chair the Princess is in. Around them is now a black void of nothing. The Princess is confused.)
PRINCESS: How… How are you…?
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: (Still faint) You…listen…running…
PRINCESS: No. No, I won't do it. You can't make me!
(As her voice raises, the golden glow returns to the Princess' skin.)
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: …must listen…I'm…help…
PRINCESS: It's not going to work. Whatever speech you have prepared, I'm not coming back. Pick someone else. I want nothing to do with it!
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: …stuck…
(The young woman steps towards the console, pointing to something on it as she does.)
PRINCESS: NO!
(The Princess jumps from her seat and towards the console, trying to cut off the young woman.)
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: (Clearly) NO!
(As the Princess nears the console, she suddenly reaches for the back of her neck and screams in pain. She spins, losing her footing and collapses onto the floor. The glowing woman fades away. Then the normal light returns to the control room. And lastly the golden glow on the Princess' skin fades away, as she lies on the floor with her eyes closed. With everything back to normal, the door to the next room opens, as Barbara steps through. Barbara sees the Princess on the floor and goes to her, kneeling down.)
BARBARA: Princess? Princess? Are you awake? Are you all right?
(The Princess begins to wake once more, rubbing at the back of her neck as she does. The Doctor enters from the other room.)
DOCTOR: Is everything all right in here?
BARBARA: Yes, it's just the Princess, she's coming to.
PRINCESS: Princess? No, no… I'm… (She looks at Barbara, confused) Who…Who are you?
BARBARA: It's me, Barbara. Remember?
(The Princess thinks for a moment, straining as she stares at Barbara.)
PRINCESS: Barbara… Barbara…Wright?
BARBARA: Yes.
(The Princess then looks to the Doctor.)
PRINCESS: And…Doctor?
DOCTOR: That is correct. Are you feeling all right, my dear?
PRINCESS: No. My head… (She rubs at her temple) Everything's…dizzy. And I've got this pain on the back of my neck.
BARBARA: Probably dehydration. Let's take you through and get you something to drink.
PRINCESS: Yes. Thank you, Barbara.
(Barbara helps the Princess up and takes her through to the next room. The Doctor remains a moment. He looks around suspiciously, before then following them back through. In the next room, Barbara sits the Princess down on a sofa. The Princess continues to rub at her head while Barbara goes to the food machine. She presses the button for water and the machine beeps angrily at her as the Doctor enters the room.)
BARBARA: (To Doctor) Have I done something wrong?
(The Doctor joins her and also presses the water button. The machine once again beeps angrily.)
DOCTOR: Strange.
(The Doctor checks the tray and finds a plastic bag of water. He takes it out.)
DOCTOR: Very strange…
BARBARA: Should I get a glass?
DOCTOR: No, no. I've got it.
(The Doctor goes to one of the roundels in the wall and opens it. Inside are a collection of glasses. He takes one and tears open the bag of water. He pours the contents into the glass. He then takes the glass over to the Princess and joins her on the sofa.)
DOCTOR: (To Princess) Here you go, my dear.
PRINCESS: Thank you, Doctor.
(The Princess takes the glass, then chuckles.)
DOCTOR: Something the matter, Princess?
PRINCESS: Just…thinking of you as an actual doctor.
(As she drinks from her glass the Doctor scowls at her.)
DOCTOR: I am an actual doctor.
(The Princess swallows.)
PRINCESS: But not of the medical verity.
DOCTOR: Well…no, I suppose not.
(The Princess smiles and has another sip as Ian enters with a pair of scissors.)
DOCTOR: (To Ian) What are you doing with those, young man?
IAN: I've just confiscated them from Susan.
PRINCESS: What on earth for?
(Ian sets the scissors down on a nearby table.)
IAN: She tried to attack me with them. She forgot who I was. On top of that she was acting very strange. I'd almost say animalistic.
PRINCESS: That doesn't sound like Susan.
IAN: I know.
BARBARA: She forgot about me earlier too. (Points to the Princess) And you. She couldn't remember you either.
DOCTOR: That's impossible I assure you.
BARBARA: (To Princess) Well, she knew you were a princess. But she seemed almost shocked to see you.
DOCTOR: Sounds like a lapse of memory.
BARBARA: (To Doctor) Could it be a result of us crashing?
DOCTOR: Crashing? No, the ship can't crash. No, it must have stopped and put us down somewhere.
BARBARA: But where? Where are we?
(The Doctor holds his head and winces.)
DOCTOR: Oh, all these questions, Miss Wright. Please.
BARBARA: You don't know, do you? You're just guessing, aren't you?
(Barbara storms off into the console room. As she does, the Princess winces in pain and touches her forehead. She looks down after a second and sees her hand glowing. But when she blinks it's back to normal.)
BARBARA: (From the console room) Can we have some light in here?
DOCTOR: What for?
IAN: Have you any idea where we are, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Where is not as important as why, young man. I must go and check the fault locator again.
(The Doctor stands up.)
PRINCESS: Do you need me…?
(The Princess winces again.)
DOCTOR: No, Princess. You just sit there and rest. (Points to the water) And remember to drink all of that.
PRINCESS: Yes, Doctor.
(The Princess takes another sip of her water, while the Doctor enters the console room.)
IAN: Everything's in a mess.
(Ian follows the Doctor into the console room. In the console room, the Doctor and Ian enter with Barbara stood nearby looking around uneasily.)
DOCTOR: (To Ian) You didn't touch the controls, did you?
IAN: No.
DOCTOR: (To Barbara) Or you?!
(Barbara glares at the Doctor, before then returning to the next room.)
DOCTOR: I know Susan wouldn't. I'm worried about that child. Temporary lapse of memory.
(Ian follows Barbara back into the next room.)
BARBARA: I was thinking.
IAN: Yes?
(The Doctor returns to the next room.)
DOCTOR: (To Barbara) Well, yes, yes, anything may help.
(Barbara sits down next to the Princess on the sofa.)
BARBARA: Do you think…something could have got into the ship?
PRINCESS: (Quickly) No.
DOCTOR: No, no, no.
BARBARA: When the doors were open?
DOCTOR: No, it's ridiculous.
IAN: (To Barbara, chuckling) What do you mean? An animal, or a man or something?
BARBARA: Yes.
DOCTOR: It's not very logical, is it?
BARBARA: Or another intelligence.
PRINCESS: Barbara. Nothing can get inside this ship.
(Barbara looks to the Princess who is dead serious.)
BARARA: Even when the doors were left wide open?
PRINCESS: We would know if something had entered the ship.
BARBARA: How?
(A pause, as the Princess glares intensely at Barbara.)
PRINCESS: We would. There is nothing but us inside this ship.
IAN: (To Doctor) Probably a mechanical fault.
DOCTOR: Yes, or electric.
(The Doctor enters the console room again. Ian follows him, leaving Barbara and the Princess in the next room.)
DOCTOR: (Continuing) It may even be the main unit. I don't know. I'm very worried about it all. (To Ian) Young man, I think you'll have to help me with that fault locator now that Susan's been put out of action and the Princess is–is–is being fussy.
IAN: Yes, yes, of course I will.
DOCTOR: Thank you. It won't take us long.
(In the next room, the Princess is still glaring intensely at Barbara. Barbara is unsettled by this.)
PRINCESS: (Quietly) There's no one else in this ship, Barbara. Do you hear me? Nothing else but the five of us.
(Barbara stares at her worriedly for a moment. She then slowly nods her agreement before getting up. Barbara then enters the console room, where the Doctor and Ian are stood near the console.)
IAN: I wouldn't go near the control column if I were you, Doctor. It might give you an electric shock.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, perhaps it would be wiser to check the fault locator first. I'm glad I thought of that. Yes, come along. Come along.
(The Doctor makes his way over to the fault locator, which is behind a glass wall in the console room.)
IAN: Barbara.
BARBARA: Keep an eye on Susan?
(In the next room, unbeknownst to Ian and Barbara while they talk… The Princess is looking down at her hands, which begin to pulsate with the same golden glow as before. It doesn't last long and soon stops, but then the Princess' vision then begins to blur. Susan enters and hears what Ian and Barbara are saying.)
IAN: (Continuing) Yes, and maybe the Princess as well. She doesn't seem all that together at the moment.
(The Princess and Susan look to each other, but all the Princess sees is a blur that she can't make out. Susan stares back at her with an emotionless gaze.)
IAN: And don't tell Susan about something being in the ship.
(Hearing this, Susan takes the scissors from the table, the goes back into her room.)
BARBARA: No, of course not.
IAN: You know, the less said, the better, eh?
DOCTOR: Chesterton!
IAN: Coming. Coming!
(Ian goes to join the Doctor, while Barbara returns to the next room. At the fault locator, the Doctor is leaning against the wall in distress.)
IAN: (To Doctor) Are you all right?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, these numbers keep blurring before my eyes, that's all.
IAN: What can I do to help?
DOCTOR: Well, if you wouldn't mind standing in front of that indicator, and what you will see will be a series of numbers.
(Ian leans in towards the fault locator, but his own vision keeps blurring. He does manage to make out, however, that that the numbers on the fault locator are rising.)
(In the next room, Barbara is stood while the Princess sits on the sofa rubbing at her forehead. It would seem the Princess' vision has returned to normal.)
PRINCESS: I'm sorry, Barbara. I don't mean to be angry with you.
BARBARA: Well, these are strange times.
PRINCESS: Yes. And you've been through so much already. It's just… There can't be anyone other than us inside the ship.
BARBARA: Why not?
PRINCESS: Because…there can't.
(Barbara and the Princess stare at each other for a moment.)
BARBARA: Keep drinking your water. I'll go and check on Susan.
(Barbara's about to go into Susan's room when she pauses. She is looking at the table where the scissors once were.)
BARBARA: Where did the scissors go?
(The Princess has gone back to rubbing at her temple.)
PRINCESS: I think the Doctor or Ian picked them up.
(Barbara seems unconvinced. She then exits into Susan's bedroom. Once gone, the lights in the next room begin to dim. The Princess begins rubbing her temples harder.)
PRINCESS: No… No… No…
(The Princess closes her eyes in concentration. It does nothing as the room fades into a black void – just like what happened in the console room before. Soon the only thing left in the black void is the Princess and the sofa she's sat on. And again, the glowing young woman appears. The Princess opens her eyes to look at the mysterious woman.)
PRINCESS: Stop this. Just stop it!
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: (Faintly) I'm…help… Please…
PRINCESS: No! I know what you're trying to do, and I won't let you in.
(The Princess closes her eyes tightly in concentration.)
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: …careful… Time…out… Time is running… …running out… Princess…
(The mysterious woman fades away. Shortly after, light returns to the room. When the Princess opens her eyes and sees this, she sighs in relief. But then the Princess begins to overhear what's being said in Susan's bedroom.)
BARBARA: (Continuing from Susan's bedroom) …we're imagining things. We must be. I mean, how would anything get into the ship, anyway?
SUSAN: The doors were open.
BARBARA: Yes, but…but where would it hide?
SUSAN: In one of us.
(Hearing this the Princess panics. Then, her hands being glow again. Seeing this, the Princess gasps. She is frightened.)
IAN: (From the console room) Everything all right, Princess?
(Ian enters. The Princess is in shock. But when she looks down to her hands, the glow is gone again.)
IAN: Princess?
PRINCESS: Yes... Just a little…shaken up. How was the fault locator?
IAN: Apparently there's nothing wrong.
PRINCESS: The Doctor won't be happy with that.
IAN: (Chuckling) No, he isn't.
PRINCESS: I'll go and see how he is.
(The Princess gets up, hiding her hands beneath her arms as she folds them over. She then enters the console room. The Doctor is stood by the console, where the Princess then joins him.)
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) Ian told me the fault locator can't find anything wrong.
DOCTOR: Indeed.
PRINCESS: Any idea what it could be then? The thing that's causing all of…this.
DOCTOR: Perhaps, perhaps.
(A pause.)
PRINCESS: Well?
(The Doctor looks at the Princess. He then looks over to the door leading into the next room. The Doctor then moves closer to the Princess.)
DOCTOR: (Hushed) I have theory. That it is our companions who have done this.
(The Princess takes a moment to absorb this.)
PRINCESS: (Same hushed tone) You mean…Barbara and Ian?
DOCTOR: Precisely.
PRINCESS: But you can't be serious?
DOCTOR: Of course I am, think about it. Who was the first one to come too?
PRINCESS: Barbara.
DOCTOR: Quite a coincidence, don't you think?
(The Princess thinks.)
PRINCESS: But she was in the other room.
DOCTOR: Another coincidence.
PRINCESS: But if she was in the other room then she couldn't have caused the ship to–
DOCTOR: Ah! No, but Chesterton could have. He was standing right by the controls was he not?
(The Princess realises the Doctor is correct.)
PRINCESS: Yes…but–
DOCTOR: And then they both awoke before either of us, or at least that's what they claim.
PRINCESS: But Susan saw–
DOCTOR: We can't trust Susan unfortunately. Not with her recent memory lapses. This could just as easily be those two taking advantage of her, convincing her she saw something that she never did.
(The Princess is astonished.)
PRINCESS: All right. But…but even if this is all true, what's their motivation?
DOCTOR: To get home of course. It's obvious they overheard us back on Skaro. And now they're trying to manipulate us into taking them home.
PRINCESS: I…suppose…
DOCTOR: In any case I shall soon prove it. Once we see what's outside the ship, we'll see there's no fault out there either. Meaning it must have been them.
PRINCESS: Yes... I…see what you're saying.
DOCTOR: Well, then, let's find out, shall we?
(The Doctor reaches for the scanner controls. But before he can use them, the doors to the next room burst open and Susan runs in.)
SUSAN: Don't touch it!
(The Doctor stops. He straights up to stare at Susan, the Princess at his side and looking equally concerned.)
DOCTOR: Hmm? Are you all right, child?
(Susan runs over to the Doctor and Princess.)
SUSAN: Yes. Grandfather, I tried to touch it, and it was like being hit, but without any pain.
DOCTOR: Hit where?
SUSAN: Well, the back of my neck hurt.
(The Doctor looks over to Ian and Barbara who have entered the console room.)
DOCTOR: Yes, rather like mine. Didn't you say something about your neck, Princess?
PRINCESS: Yes. Right when I first woke up. It's dull now, but I can still feel the remnants of it.
(The Doctor and the Princess stare suspiciously at Ian and Barbara.)
IAN: Funny. It didn't affect Barbara and me like that.
DOCTOR: No, it didn't, did it? (Looking to the console) I must find out what's outside the ship. (To Princess & Susan) The two of you, stand close beside me, will you? But don't touch me, just be ready to catch me.
(The Doctor cautiously pulls the scanner switch then jumps back. The scanner activates as normal.)
SUSAN: Nothing happened to you.
DOCTOR: No, indeed.
(The Doctor then looks back over to Ian and Barbara, suspicious.)
BARBARA: (Quietly to Ian) Why does he keep looking at us like that?
(Ian shrugs.)
SUSAN: Hey, the scanner's working!
(Susan runs up to the scanner. On the screen is a country field.)
BARBARA: That could be England.
SUSAN: Oh, yes, I remember that. That was a field outside of London. Remember, Princess?
PRINCESS: Yes…it's almost like I'm there again.
DOCTOR: That's very curious. The ship was nowhere near there. So how can it show what it never saw?
(Suddenly, the doors to the outside open, letting in a white void of light that blinds them all. Beyond it is nothing. But no one can see as they shield their eyes from the bright light.)
DOCTOR: Close the door, Susan!
IAN: I'll do it.
(Ian goes to activate the door controls, but before he can the doors close on their own. Once again, the Doctor and Princess look suspiciously at Ian.)
IAN: Well I didn't touch it!
BARBARA: (Pointing to the scanner) There's another picture.
(The scanner has changed, now showing an alien planet with a jungle swamp, fog, and high risen mountains in the distance.)
SUSAN: Oh, I recognise that. That's where we nearly lost the Tardis, four or five journeys back.
DOCTOR: Yes, the planet Quinnis, of the fourth universe.
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) But…the ship wasn't that deep in the swamp. We had to go further in on foot to get the samples you wanted.
DOCTOR: Yes, I remember. But I can't say I remember it exactly like that.
SUSAN: No, I don't remember seeing those mountains.
PRINCESS: I do. They were only just visible through the fog that day.
(The scanner changes again, this time to a blank screen.)
IAN: Can you explain any of this, Doctor?
(The Doctor takes a seat in the reading chair.)
DOCTOR: Did I ever tell you that the ship has a memory bank, hmm?
SUSAN: Yes, it records our journeys.
IAN: (To Doctor) No, I don't think so.
DOCTOR: Are you sure? I thought I did.
SUSAN: Hey, look!
(Susan is looking at the scanner, as is everyone else now. The scanner is now showing an alien planet from space. It then zooms out, showing all the stars and galaxies around that planet. The scanner then zooms out even further, so much so that the original planet can't be see. Now on the screen, is the entire galaxy the planet resides in. Then a flash of light and a bang, before the scanner fades to nothing again.)
IAN: (To Doctor) Well, what's all that about?
DOCTOR: Oh, don't you know? I thought you might be able to explain it.
IAN: Why me?
(The Doctor stands up.)
DOCTOR: (Chuckling) Trying to confuse me, eh?
IAN: What are you getting at?
(The Princess and Susan move closer to the Doctor, while Ian and Barbara remain on the other side of the room.)
BARBARA: Look, why don't we just try and open the doors and see for ourselves what's outside?
DOCTOR: It is what is inside, madam, that is most important at the moment.
BARBARA: Inside?
IAN: But you've just been telling us that the only people inside are ourselves.
DOCTOR: Precisely. I know now who's responsible. You are. (Points to Ian and Barbara) You sabotaged my ship.
IAN: What are you talking about?
BARBARA: We didn't even touch your ship.
DOCTOR: You're the cause of this disaster. And you knocked Susan, the Princess and I unconscious.
BARBARA: Don't be ridiculous. We were all knocked out.
DOCTOR: A charade. You attacked us. And you did the same to the Princess again when she tried to stop you earlier.
BARBARA: What are you talking about, when did this happen?
DOCTOR: Earlier, I walked in to find the Princess on the floor and you standing over her. When she came to, she said her neck hurt just like mine. It's obvious that when you came in here alone you thought she was unconscious, you hoped to take control of my ship. But then she tried to stop you, at which point you knocked her out again.
PRINCESS: (To Barbara) That is what happened, isn't it? That's why you've been trying to distract us this whole time. To keep us from figuring it out.
IAN: Absolute nonsense!
DOCTOR: And before that, when we were lying helpless on the floor, you tampered with my controls started this whole snafu.
IAN: But you checked everything yourself and you couldn't find anything wrong with the ship!
DOCTOR: No, sir! We checked everything. You and I. You could have easily concealed whatever you did from me.
BARBARA: But why would we? For what reason?
(The Doctor makes his way over to Barbara.)
DOCTOR: Blackmail, that's why. You tried to force me to return you to England.
BARBARA: Oh, don't be so stupid.!
DOCTOR: I know it. I'm sure of it.
(Barbara steps towards the Doctor, enraged.)
BARBARA: How dare you! Do you realise you stupid old man, that you'd have died in the Cave of Skulls if Ian hadn't made fire for you?
DOCTOR: Oh, I–
BARBARA: And what about what we went through against the Daleks? Not just for us, but for you, the Princess and Susan too. And all because you and she tricked us into going down to the city.
DOCTOR: But I–I–
BARBARA: Accuse us?! You ought to go down on your hands and knees and thank us. But gratitude's the last thing you'll ever have, or any sort of common sense either.
(Barbara storms off, but then suddenly screams. Everyone looks over, seeing Barbara holding her head and staring at the antique clock on a stand. They join her quickly and see that the clock face has melted, as well as the hands, creating a terrifying sight. The Doctor quickly exits the console room, while the others remain petrified. They all then look at their wrist watches, seeing the same thing has happened to them. But what the others don't see, is that the Princess is once again glowing from the back of the group.)
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: (Faintly) Princess… Princess…
(The Princess looks around, confused at the faint voice, as the glow fades from her skin. Barbara then abruptly throws her watch across the room and screams again. Distracted, they all watch as Barbara collapses into the nearby chair, crying and exhausted. Ian moves over to her, putting his hand on Barbara's shoulder in comfort. Susan is about to follow them, when the Princess grabs her by the arm, keeping her close to her side.)
IAN: You can't blame us for this, Doctor.
(It is only then, Ian realises the Doctor is gone.)
IAN: Where is he?
(The Doctor enters from the next room. He is holding a tray with five cups on it.)
DOCTOR: I've decided we need more time to think. We're all somewhat overwrought. Mister Chesterton.
(Ian approaches the Doctor. Ian then takes one of the cups. The Doctor then moves towards the others to offer them the same.)
DOCTOR: Miss Wright. Susan. Your Highness.
(They each take a cup when offered. But none of them drink from it.)
IAN: I wish I could understand you, Doctor. One moment you're abusing us. And the next, you're playing the perfect butler.
DOCTOR: A little nightcap to help us relax and sleep.
IAN: If it is night. (Looks at his watch) We have no way of telling now.
BARBARA: I'm going to bed.
(Barbara exits.)
SUSAN: Make it up with her, Grandfather. Please do.
(Susan exits too. The Princess makes her way over to the Doctor who has sat down in the reading chair. Ian walks over to join them.)
IAN: Doctor, some very strange things are happening. I feel we're in a very dangerous position. This is no time for personal quarrels.
DOCTOR: Meaning?
IAN: I think you should go and apologise to Barbara at once. (Looks to the Princess) Both of you.
PRINCESS: Perhaps you have a point.
DOCTOR: But I'm afraid we have no time for codes and manners. And I certainly don't underestimate the dangers, if they exist. But I must have time to think. I must think.
(The Doctor stands up and then looks to Ian.)
DOCTOR: Rash action is worse than no action at all, hmm?
(The Doctor exits.)
IAN: (Loudly) I don't see anything rash in apologising to Barbara.
PRINCESS: Nor do I in truth. I'll go and do so now.
(The Princess exits and enter the next room where the Doctor stood. The Princess, however, continues on down the corridor towards the bedrooms. Outside Barbara's room, the Princess stops, as she hears Susan talking to Barbara.)
SUSAN: (From Barbara's room) I'm sorry for what Grandfather said to you.
(A pause.)
BARBARA: It wasn't your fault.
SUSAN: I know, but, try and understand him. Forgive him.
(The Princess enters Barbara's room.)
PRINCESS: Susan, why don't you leave Barbara alone for just now? We could all use some sleep.
(Susan bows her head to the Princess. Susan then looks to Barbara one last time and then exits. The Princess lingers, looking at Barbara. Barbara lies on her bed with her head turned away from the Princess.)
PRINCESS: I'd…like to apologise to you, Barbara. It was…It was wrong for me to excuse you like that. And I'd also like to apologise for being so harsh with you before, back when you thought there might be something else inside the ship.
BARBARA: Why?
PRINCESS: Excuse me?
(Barbara rolls her head over to look at the Princess.)
BARBARA: Why were you harsh with me when I brought up the idea of something else being in the ship?
PRINCESS: (Confused) I'm…not entirely sure. I don't…
(The Princess is trying hard to remember.)
BARBARA: Maybe you should go to bed.
PRINCESS: Yes, I think I should.
BARBARA: And thank you. For the apology.
(The Princess smiles weakly at Barbara. The Princess then exits. In the corridor, the Princess looks through Susan's door, seeing her asleep on her bed. She smiles, like a grandmother. The Princess then enters her own room, which is a few doors down from Susan and Barbara's.)
(Later the Doctor enters Barbara's room. He gives her a nudge, but she remains asleep. He begins chuckling to himself as he exits. From the corridor, the Doctor then goes into Ian's room, further down. He waves his hand in front of Ian's face, but he does not stir. Another chuckle from the Doctor as he exits. The Doctor then enters the console room and goes straight to the control console. He eagerly looks it over. He reaches for a switch, when suddenly he's turned around by someone. That same someone then grabs the Doctor by the throat and holds him against the console…)
Next Episode – The Brink of Disaster