The Death of Time


(The Princess, Doctor and Barbara are prone on a sand dune.)

PRINCESS: (Pointing) Look!

(From up ahead, something rises out of the desert sands. It comes up straight, with an eyestalk sticking out. Then, as the sand falls away, a clear shape is formed. The shape of a Dalek.)

DOCTOR: (Quietly) Keep your head down. He hasn't seen us yet.

BARBARA: (Pointing) There's more of them, look.

(From across the desert, Daleks come up over the dunes, all uniting ahead of the time travellers.)

DALEK 1: The enemy time machine is in this area.

DALEK 2: We can locate the position with our seismic detectors.

DALEK 1: Find and destroy it. The remaining forces will search for the humans.

DALEK 2: Are they to be taken alive?

DALEK 1: No. They are to be exterminated.

ALL DALEKS: Exterminate! Exterminate!

DALEK 1: Now, let the search begin.

(The Daleks beginning splitting off and heading in different directions across the desert.)

DOCTOR: One of them is coming this way.

PRINCESS: (Hissing) Get down!

(The three time travellers press down against the dune, as a Dalek goes past on the other side, oblivious to their presence. Once it's passed, the time travellers lift their heads.)

DOCTOR: We must find the Tardis before they do.

PRINCESS: Well, there's slim chance of that, Doctor. You said so yourself, it's most likely buried around here somewhere.

DOCTOR: Oh, yes, that's true. Oh, dear…

PRINCESS: Will the ship be able to survive their attacks?

DOCTOR: I think so, but I'd rather not put it to the test if it can be avoided.

BARBARA: Never mind the ship, we must warn Ian and Vicki. They don't even know the Daleks are here.

PRINCESS: Barbara's right, our efforts would be better used in finding them.

DOCTOR: But how? We haven't seen them for hours.

BARBARA: Well, if we just sit here, we won't need to worry about anything because the Daleks are sure to find us.

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, I see your point. Right, come on, let's get moving, come on.

(The Doctor crawls backwards down the dune, with the Princess and Barbara following. Once back a suitable distance, they stand up and turn to head down the dune…only to find two reptile looking humanoids waiting for them. One is Malsan and the other Rynian.)

MALSAN: (Quietly) Come with us.

BARBARA: Doctor?

DOCTOR: They can't be any worse than the Daleks, come on.

(The three time travellers follow the two reptile looking aliens as they lead them through the desert, making sure to stay low and stick to the bottom of the dunes.)


(After running for some time, the time travellers and the two reptiles come to a stop, so the Doctor and Princess can catch their breath.)

DOCTOR: (Breathless) Oh. Oh, thank you, my good man…thank you.

MALSAN: We are far enough away now?

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, I should think so. The Daleks won't be very fast on…on surfaces like this, I believe.

BARBARA: We should keep moving, just to be safe.

PRINCESS: (Breathless) Yes. But…But let's keep it to a casual walk…for now.

MALSAN: Very well, this way.

(They start walking, continuing across the desert.)

MALSAN: I am, Malsan, and this is Rynian.

DOCTOR: Pleasure.

BARBARA: My name is, Barbara. And this is the Doctor and the Princess.

RYNIAN: What were those other creatures back there?

PRINCESS: Daleks.

DOCTOR: None to friendly either, I'd advise your people to stay well away from them.

MALSAN: Our people live underground. It is unlikely these Daleks will find us.

PRINCESS: I wouldn't count on that, Malsan. Daleks are relentless.

MALSAN: We shall alert our people when we reach them then.

BARBARA: What were you doing out here anyway?

RYNIAN: We had work to do, and it was quicker and safer for us to travel across the surface.

DOCTOR: I'm afraid that is no longer the case, at least as long as the Daleks are here.

BARBARA: Is your whole planet like this? Just an endless desert?

MALSAN: It was once a vast ocean. We, the Aridians, lived in cities beneath the sea. But for a thousand years, those twin suns that burn, have moved closer and closer.

RYNIAN: Then the seas dried up, and all the creatures that lived within their waters perished.

MALSAN: All but the Mire Beasts.

PRINCESS: Mire Beasts?

BARBARA: What are they?

MALSAN: They lived in the slime, at the bottom of the ocean. When the waters were gone, they invaded our cities.

RYNIAN: There were too many of them. We tried to destroy them. They multiplied too quickly for us. We were driven back, as the Mire Beasts took over more and more of our beautiful cities.

DOCTOR: These Mire Beasts, what do they feed on?

MALSAN: They are flesh eaters.

DOCTOR: You mean they attack humans?

MALSAN: Of course.

(Barbara stops in shock, and as she does, so too does everyone else.)

BARBARA: (Alarmed) Ian and Vicki.

(The Princess puts her hand on Barbara's arm in support.)

PRINCESS: (To Malsan & Rynian) Two of our friends went into the desert last night, before the sandstorm hit.

MALSAN: The Mire Beasts hunt at night.

RYNIAN: Do you think they are near or far?

DOCTOR: Oh, I don't think they can travel far in this sand. I imagine they would have found somewhere to hold out during the storm.

MALSAN: Then they might have gone through the Taltarian air-lock, into the tunnels.

RYNIAN: Then it is too late.

BARBARA: What do you mean, it's too late?

RYNIAN: It is to be exploded.

DOCTOR: Exploded?

RYNIAN: Yes, the air-lock. You see, we Aridians have learned the only way to destroy the Mire Beast, is to entomb them in the sections of the city they have occupied.

MALSAN: The Taltarian air-lock will be detonated at high suns.

BARBARA: Well then, we must stop it!

RYNIAN: No, we would not reach the air-lock in time.

MALSAN: If we move faster than the suns–?

RYNIAN: It is impossible.

MALSAN: We will try. Follow!

(Malsan starts to run, with Rynian and the time travellers racing after him across the desert sands…)


(A short while later, Malsan is still running over the dunes with, Rynian, Barbara, the Doctor and Princess behind him, when suddenly an explosion goes off in the distance, from one of the dunes up ahead. Sand and smoke go flying up into the air before raining back down as Malsan, Rynian and the time travellers come to a stop. Barbara screams, as the Doctor pulls her into an embrace. The Princess stares on in horror, which then turns to sadness.)

MALSAN: We're too late…

(The Doctor continues to hold Barbara as she cries.)


(Later, Malsan and Rynian lead the way across the desert dunes towards a hole with an iron door leading into the ground. The Doctor follows with the Princess and Barbara lagging at the rear. As they walk, Barbara keeps stopping to look back, and the Princess waits for her.)

MALSAN: We have arrived. This is the gate to our city.

DOCTOR: I'm afraid I can't see any signs of a city.

MALSAN: (Pointing to the door) This old air-lock. We used it when our city was beneath the sea. It will take us to a part of our home that is still free from Mire Beasts.

DOCTOR: I see. Well, we're very grateful for your hospitality, but I must warn you, the Daleks are right on top of us. And I don't want either you or your people involved in any of this dangerous business. If they knew you'd given us shelter, they'll show no mercy.

MALSAN: No matter. First, you need food and rest. Then we will help you search for your time machine.

DOCTOR: Ah, splendid, splendid.

MALSAN: (To Rynian) Open the lock.

(Rynian pulls a lever buried in the sand and the door slides open.)

PRINCESS: Barbara?

(Barbara turns around, still depressed and teary eyed.)

PRINCESS: Come on, let's get out of this heat.

(The Princess takes Barbara gently by the arm and leads her over to the others. The Doctor is peering down into the doorway from the edge.)

RYNIAN: (To Doctor) Please enter. There is no danger.

(The Doctor carefully climbs in and down a ladder.)

PRINCESS: You go first, Barbara.

(Barbara silently does as told and follows the Doctor down into the city. The Princess then does the same, with Rynian and Malsan bringing up the rear, before then sealing the door behind them.)


(Later, in the darken and dusty remains of the city. The Doctor, Princess and Barbara are sat up against a bricked off passageway in a chamber, eating from bowls with spoons. Except, Barbara isn't really eating, just turning the spoon around in her bowl.)

DOCTOR: Mmm. I think this is absolutely delicious. A most unusual flavour, isn't it?

PRINCESS: I think it's remarkable they can make anything in these conditions.

DOCTOR: Life finds a way, my dear. It always does.

(Barbara throws her spoon into her bowl.)

BARBARA: (Bitterly) How can the both of you just sit there eating when Ian and–

DOCTOR: Oh, my dear, you think we're being callous, do you?

BARBARA: Yes, I do!

DOCTOR: Well, my dear, it's like I was saying to the Princess not a moment ago, life finds a way. And I think it's pure supposition that Ian and Vicki have been caught by those Mire Beasts. After all, we weren't. And furthermore–

PRINCESS: Doctor.

(The Doctor goes back to eating.)

PRINCESS: (To Barbara) We're sorry. We didn't mean to upset you any more than you already are.

BARBARA: Do you think they're alive?

PRINCESS: (Hesitant, before taking Barbara's hand) I think there's a chance.

DOCTOR: Oh, of course they're alive!

BARBARA: Maybe the Doctor's right.

PRINCESS: Maybe… But in any case, you could do with some rest.

DOCTOR: Yes. If you're not going to eat, then you must conserve your strength by other means.

PRINCESS: Just close your eyes, it's all right. We'll wake you if anything changes.

(Barbara nods, setting aside her bowl of food, before then closing her eyes and leaning back against the wall. She quickly falls asleep.)

PRINCESS: Poor thing. (To Doctor) Do you really think they're alive?

DOCTOR: Yes, I do, my dear. They've proven themselves to be quite cunning and adaptable – as well as Ms. Wright here. Yes, I'm certain they're alive.

PRINCESS: But what if they're hurt or trapped?

DOCTOR: We shan't leave here without them, my dear, I promise you that.

PRINCESS: But we can't leave. Not with the ship buried.

DOCTOR: No…

PRINCESS: It's beginning to feel like everything's closing in around us.

DOCTOR: Oh, bound to happen one day, Princess, bound to. But no, I think we can handle this. We just have to tackle one problem at a time and remain vigilant.

PRINCESS: You make it sound so easy.

DOCTOR: Well, it helps to be surrounded by rational minds.

(The Doctor smiles to the Princess, who smiles back, as Malsan and other Aridians enter the chamber from a cave like entrance.)

DOCTOR: Ah, Malsan.

(The Doctor puts down his bowl of food and stands up, approaching Malsan.)

MALSAN: You enjoyed your meals?

DOCTOR: Oh, indeed. Yes, indeed.

PRINCESS: Thank you for sharing what you have.

DOCTOR: Yes, thank you, most appreciated. An unusual taste mind you.

PRINCESS: But delicious.

DOCTOR: Oh, yes, of course, undoubtable, undoubtably. You know, I've been taking stock of this place, having a jolly good look round here. Tell me, (Points to the bricked-up passageway) why is this opening walled up?

MALSAN: It led to a part of our city that's been invaded by Mire Beasts.

DOCTOR: I see.

MALSAN: It is the same all over. We have to block off tunnels to stop their advance. (Nervous) Do please sit down. I have some news for you.

(The Doctor looks to the Princess, both concerned. The Doctor obliges, sitting down with the Princess and a sleeping Barbara once more.)

DOCTOR: What is it?

MALSAN: The leader of the Daleks has communicated with us. They have issued an ultimatum.

DOCTOR: Yes, I suspected something of that kind might happen. What is it?

MALSAN: We hand you over to them, or they will destroy what remains of our city.

DOCTOR: They mean what they say. They don't make idle threats. Have you replied?

MALSAN: Not yet. The elders are still discussing it. We have a half-sun in which to give them our answer.

DOCTOR: You haven't much choice, have you? Well, I don't propose to inflict our troubles on you, sir, so I think we'll leave and take our chances–

(The Doctor stands up.)

MALSAN: No, no, no! The Daleks have said that we must hand you over, not set you free to try and escape.

PRINCESS: Do you mean…we're your prisoners?

MALSAN: Until such time as our arrangements with the Daleks have been completed. Then, if the elders agree, you will be given into their custody.

DOCTOR: And executed.

(The Doctor and Princess share worried looks.)


(Later, still in the chamber, the Doctor is stood pondering, while the Princess sits alongside a sleeping Barbara. And with them are a few Aridians, among them Malsan, who stand guard by the entrance. Barbara then awakes, sitting up and yawning.)

PRINCESS: Barbara. How are you feeling now?

BARBARA: A little bit better, thank you. Has there been any news?

DOCTOR: Nothing good, I'm afraid.

BARBARA: Ian? Vicki?

PRINCESS: No, still no word on them.

BARBARA: What is it then?

(Rynian enters the chamber, going to Malsan and speaking quietly. Both look sad and ashamed)

DOCTOR: Seems there's worse new on the way.

BARBARA: Worse than what?

(Malsan and Rynian approach the time travellers.)

DOCTOR: Well?

RYNIAN: Have you eaten?

DOCTOR: What is the news, hmm?

RYNIAN: You are to be handed over at last suns. The Daleks have promised that when the execution is over, they will leave Aridius unharmed.

BARBARA: You're… You're going to hand us over to the Daleks?

RYNIAN: We have no choice. The elders have so decreed.

BARBARA: But–

PRINCESS: They have no choice, Barbara.

DOCTOR: I only hope for your sakes, that the Daleks keep their word, my friends.

(Malsan and Rynian look to each other uncomfortably, before then backing away.)

BARBARA: I…I can't believe… They'd hand us over, just like that?

PRINCESS: They've lost so much already, Barbara. They clearly don't want to do it, but if it's that or lose what little they have left…

DOCTOR: Which means we have two hours. In two hours, their suns will set.


(Later, the Doctor, Princess and Barbara are sat beneath the bricked-up passageway waiting. When suddenly dust falls from the stones and lands on Barbara. She brushes it off, catching the attention of the Princess before both look up at the bricked wall.)

PRINCESS: Are you all right, Barbara?

BARBARA: Yes, just some dust fell on me…

(Barbara continues to stare up at the bricked-up passageway behind them.)

BARBARA: Where does this walled up section lead, do you think?

PRINCESS: The Doctor was asking about it earlier.

DOCTOR: Pardon, my dear?

PRINCESS: This bricked-up wall.

BARABRA: Where does it lead?

DOCTOR: To another part of the city. The part that was invaded by those Mire Beasts things.

(Barbara continues to stare at the bricked-up wall in thought. Then suddenly, an Aridian enters the chamber, dragging someone with them. The Doctor, Princess and Barbara look up, as the person being dragged in frees themselves from the Aridian and kicks them. They then try to make a run for it, but find their exit blocked by other Aridians. They turn around, showing their face to the time travellers…)

PRINCESS & BARBARA: Vicki!

(Vicki spots her friends and immediately runs to them, as the Doctor, Princess and Barbara get up. The older time travellers cross the room to Vicki who throws herself into them, hugging each of them in turn.)

PRINCESS: Vicki, are you all right? What happened?

BARBARA: Where's Ian?

DOCTOR: Is Chesterton all right? Well, come on child, speak!

VICKI: (Breathless) I'm fine. But Ian got a bad knock on the head. I made him as comfortable as possible and came to get help.

BARBARA: It might have been better if you'd stayed where you were.

VICKI: No, it wouldn't. Because on my way here I found an exit out of one of the tunnels, and just outside it, (Quietly) the Tardis!

DOCTOR: Ah, well, well, well now. That puts a different complexion on the matter.

PRINCESS: The Daleks must have dug it up after all. Was it damaged in any way, Vicki?

VICKI: The Daleks tried destroying it. They used their best weapons, but the ship seemed all right from where I was.

DOCTOR: We'll just have to hope that's the case. (To Vicki) Tell me, my dear, this tunnel, would you know how to find it again?

VICKI: Yes, I'm sure of it. A big iron door, just beyond that opening, over there.

(Vicki points to the entrance to the chamber she was brought in from.)

BARBARA: Oh Doctor, maybe things will be all right after all.

DOCTOR: Yes, now I can…

(The Doctor stops, noticing something. The women look and see Malsan and Rynian approaching them, soberly.)

MALSAN: It is time. We are to take you to the main airlock.

BARBARA: Please. You don't have to…

(The Aridians begin to close in around them. The Doctor pushes the women behind him as they back up.)

PRINCESS: You can't trust the Daleks.

RYNIAN: It is our only chance of survival.

VICKI: Well, you don't expect us to go without a fight!

(Vicki throws herself at the Aridians who grab her.)

PRINCESS: Vicki, no!

(Suddenly, from the bricked off passageway, a tentacle busts through the wall, waving about madly. Barbara screams, then another tentacle slides through the hole. The two tentacles quickly start working together to tear apart the wall. The whole thing comes down and more tentacles dart out grabbing on to whatever they can. Some Aridians are grabbed, as is Barbara, all being pulled towards the passageway as everybody screams in panic. The Doctor and Princess grab Barbara's hands, while Vicki whacks the Aridians with her fists, as they try to grab the Doctor and Princess. Suddenly one of the tentacles darts back into the passageway, taking a screaming Aridian with it. The remaining Aridians, seeing this, run from the chamber in fright, while the Doctor and Princess finally manage to free Barbara with an almighty tug. But one Aridian remains trapped, wrapped up by the tentacle of the Mire Beast, Rynian. Barbara runs back to help him, grabbing his hand and pulling. But it does no good, and tentacles are now coming for Barbara. The Doctor pulls Barbara back, despite her protests. The tentacles try to grab them both, but the Princess and Vicki throw stones at them, warding them back. The Doctor then ushers the time travellers from the chamber, with Vicki taking the lead as they run, leaving Rynian to his fate, as he screams.)

VICKI: Down here!

BARBARA: Are you sure this is the right way?!

VICKI: Course I am. Come on!

(The time travellers run through the passageway with Vicki confidently leading them, until they arrive in a sloped chamber. At the top of the slope is a small opening that leads out onto the surface, though it is now night time. And in the chamber, near the opening, they spot a figure which causes them all to halt, as the figure stands up…)

BARBARA: Ian!

IAN: Barbara!

(The time travellers run over to Ian, who has dried blood along his forehead and down the side of his face.)

DOCTOR: Chesterton!

VICKI: Are you all right?

BARBARA: There's blood all over your face!

PRINCESS: Oh, my goodness, what happened to you?!

IAN: (Hushed) It looks worse than it is – Now keep your voices down! Look. (Pointing outside) The Tardis, it's only twenty yards away. But there's a Dalek guarding it.

BARBARA: Well, we must get past it.

IAN: Yes, now listen, I've got a very good idea. If you ladies go up first.

VICKI: You want to use us as bait?!

PRINCESS: No, of course he, doesn't, Vicki. (To Ian) Now, where do you want us?

IAN: There's a ridge of sand up on the left as you climb out. Now, you get up there quietly, without getting spotted, then take cover. Get yourselves in a good position where you can nip in.

BARBARA: To the Tardis?

IAN: Yes! Princess, have you got your key?

(The Princess takes her key from her pocket.)

PRINCESS: Right here.

IAN: Now, don't lose it.

BARBARA: Right, I'll go first.

IAN: Be careful– Wait, Barbara!

BARBARA: What? What is it?

IAN: Could I, er, have your cardigan?

BARBARA: Oh, not again.

(Barbara starts removing her cardigan.)

IAN: It's for the Dalek, not for me.

(Barbara hands over her cardigan to Ian.)

VICKI: (Giggling) I hope it suits him.

DOCTOR: Child, this is no time for jokes!

IAN: Of you go.

BARBARA: Come on.

(Barbara climbs out first, and has a look before climbing the rest of the way. She remains by the edge, offering the Princess a hand as she climbs up next. They see the Dalek nearby, stood guard at the doors to the police box. Vicki quickly comes up behind the Princess and the three then run up to the nearby dune, taking cover behind it.)

VICKI: What's Ian's plan do you think?

BARBARA: I don't know. Try to get the Dalek away from the Tardis, I suppose.

VICKI: But how?

PRINCESS: We'll just have to wait and see. Now, keep your voice down and stay low.

(The Princess pushes Vicki further down, while she and Barbara watch the Dalek from above. Suddenly, Ian stands up from the other side of the Dalek, waving his hands madly in the air.)

IAN: Yoo-hoo! Dalek! Over here!

(The Dalek turns toward Ian, who then dives down behind a dune of sand. The Dalek fires it's weapon, but hits nothing. Then, from near where they come out, the Doctor stands up.)

DOCTOR: Yoo-hoo!

(The Doctor ducks down behind a dune as well, as the Dalek turns and blindly fires in his general direction. Again, the Dalek hits nothing.)

VICKI: Oy!

PRINCESS: Vicki!

(The Princess pulls Vicki back down as she and Barbara duck, the Dalek firing over their heads and luckily missing. Ian then jumps back up again, in a different spot, now closer to where they came out of the city.)

IAN: Over here!

(Again, Ian jumps back down, the Dalek firing in his general direction and missing again.)

DOCTOR: Hey!

(The Dalek fires in the direction of the Doctor's voice but again hits nothing. The Dalek then makes its way towards the Doctor and Ian…only to then fall in the chamber the time travellers had climbed out off.)

VICKI: They did it!

BARBARA: But there's more coming, look!

(From over the dune, several Daleks are charging towards the time travellers and their ship.)

PRINCESS: Quickly, to the ship!

(The Princess, Barbara and Vicki get up.)

BARBARA: Get to the ship!

VICKI: Come on!

(The Princess, Barbara and Vicki run down the dune to the doors of the police box. The Doctor and Ian run over to meet them, as the Princess unlocks the doors.)

DOCTOR: Inside, quick!

(The doors open, the Princess pushes through with Vicki, Barbara, the Doctor and Ian right behind her.)

IAN: Get the doors! The doors!

(The Princess activates the door controls at the console, sealing the wall from which they entered.)

VICKI: They were right outside!

BARBARA: They're bound to start firing at us any second!

(The Doctor starts operating the console.)

DOCTOR: Princess, emergency take-off!

PRINCESS: Where do you need me?

DOCTOR: (Pointing) There, there!

(The Princess takes up another part of the console. The Princess begins pressing buttons and moving levers, but not nearly as fast or as confidently as the Doctor.)

DOCTOR: Chesterton, watch that readout for us, tell us if it drops below thirty or goes above eighty.

IAN: On it.

DOCTOR: Princess, stand by with dematerialisation.

PRINCESS: Ready? Have you got the coordinates?

DOCTOR: Never mind coordinates. Not enough time.

PRINCESS: But, Doctor–

PRINCESS: Pull it now! Dematerialise, now!

(The Princess pulls the switch and the glass column in the centre of the console begins to rise and fall as the ship's engines heave from all around them.)

DOCTOR: Chesterton, the read out!

IAN: Needles flying back and forth, Doctor!

DOCTOR: Between what? What are the numbers?!

IAN: Between forty to seventy! Thirty-five to seventy-five. Thirty to Eighty! Doctor!

DOCTOR: We're almost there… And we're clear!

BARBARA: We've escape?!

DOCTOR: Yes, we've successfully dematerialised!

(Everyone sighs in relief.)

VICKI: Oh, we did it! We did it!

(Vicki throws herself around Barbara giving her a hug, while the Doctor and Ian chuckle. The Princess is smiling as well, when suddenly she shivers all over. Hugging herself the Princess looks around, frightened, but unsure as to why. Almost as if knowing that the adventure wasn't over yet…)


Next Episode – Flight Through Eternity