Episode 3
RADAR: There are hundreds of them, sir!
CUTLER: Hundreds of what?
(On the large radar monitor, dozens of white dots are shown coming towards Earth. The Doctor stands up, supported by the Princess as they all look.)
RADAR: Spaceships sir. In formation!
DOCTOR: It looks like you'll get your fight after all, General. But it just might be more than you bargained for.
CUTLER: You be quiet! Dyson, see if you can get hold of Zeus 5. I want to speak to my son.
DYSON: Trying now, sir.
DOCTOR: General, don't walk away…
(The Doctor tries to follow Cutler but ends up swaying and tripping up over himself.
PRINCESS: Doctor!
(The Princess grabs him from behind while Ben gets in front of him, supporting him.)
BEN: I've got him, I've got him.
(Between them, the Princess and Ben hold the Doctor up, but he's unconscious.)
POLLY: What's happening to him?!
PRINCESS: Doctor? Doctor, can you hear me?
BEN: He seems out for the count, Princess.
PRINCESS: You're right. We need to find somewhere for him to lie down.
POLLY: But doesn't he need medical help?
PRINCESS: No, I know what this is. Just ask the General if there's somewhere we can lay him down, somewhere safe.
POLLY: All right.
(Polly heads over to where Cutler is.)
BEN: Seriously, Princess, isn't it about time you told us what's happening? Is the Doctor going to be all right?
PRINCESS: He'll be all right, Ben. (Muttering) Once he accepts what's happening.
(Across the room.)
POLLY: General?
CUTLER: Yes, what is it?
POLLY: The Doctor, something's happened to him, he's very sick.
CUTLER: Wonderful… Look, I've got enough on my plate without worrying about him.
POLLY: We just need somewhere to lie him down, a bed somewhere.
CUTLER: Fine, take him to one of the cabins, but don't try anything. I'll be letting the guards know what's happening.
POLLY: (Irritated) Thank you, so much.
(Polly returns to her fellow time travellers.)
POLLY: The General's given us permission to take the Doctor to one of the cabins.
PRINCESS: Right, lead the way, Polly.
POLLY: Are you sure you wouldn't rather–
PRINCESS: Just lead the way, Polly, please.
POLLY: All right.
(Polly leads the way out of the control room, with the Princess and Ben following, carrying the unconscious Doctor between them.)
(In one of the cabins – a plain room with two sets of bunkbeds up against opposite walls – the Princess is making sure the Doctor is comfy on one of the beds. Behind her stand Ben and Polly, watching with concerned looks.)
POLLY: Is he…Is he going to be all right, Princess?
PRINCESS: I hope so, Polly. He's just… Anyway. He's just been overdoing it. A little rest…and then he should come to his senses.
BEN: What are you talking about? Look, it's just us now, there's no one listening, so tell us what's going on?
POLLY: We just want to know if we can help.
PRINCESS: I'm afraid you can't, neither of you can. I'm not even sure if I can.
BEN: But what's happening to him, Princess? This isn't like him.
PRINCESS: Like I've told you, he's getting old.
BEN: Come off it! I know plenty of old geezers and none of them fall about like he's been doing since we got here.
PRINCESS: Don't raise your voice, Ben.
BEN: Sorry.
PRINCESS: And getting old means something different for our people than it does yours.
BEN: Eh?
POLLY: What do you mean, Princess?
PRINCESS: The Doctor and I aren't human, Polly. We may appear it, but we're not.
(Ben and Polly are silent for a moment, while the Princess watches over the unconscious Doctor.)
POLLY: All right… So, what does it mean for you when you get older?
PRINCESS: It's difficult to explain. I've not gone through it myself yet. They say one doesn't fully understand it until they've experienced it.
BEN: But experienced what?!
POLLY: Ben!
(Ben storms off towards the door, fed up. Polly, however, moves closer to the Princess.)
POLLY: If you don't want to tell us, that's all right, Princess. We just want to help, that's all.
PRINCESS: Thank you, Polly. That's very kind of you. And I will explain, once we're away from here. Once we're safe.
BEN: Well, there's a fat lot of chance of that happening. If he hadn't collapsed–
POLLY: Well, he has, so what do we do now?
BEN: I'd say we go back to the control room, find out what's happening.
PRINCESS: That's not a bad idea, Ben.
POLLY: But what about the Doctor?
PRINCESS: He's as comfortable as he's going to be. His pulse is a little weak, but that's to be expected, and he's breathing fine. I'll stay with him for now.
POLLY: I can do that if you like, Princess?
PRINCESS: Thank you, Polly, but for now, I'd much rather remain here with the Doctor.
POLLY: And avoid the General?
PRINCESS: Yes, there is an element of that.
POLLY: All right, I'll go with Ben then. Make sure he stays out of trouble.
BEN: Oi!
PRINCESS: Thank you.
POLLY: I'll come back and check on you in a bit.
PRINCESS: All right. And both of you be careful.
BEN: Will do, Princess.
(Ben and Polly leave the room. The Princess looks back down at the Doctor, lying on the bed. She watches him, as a golden glow begins to appear around his face, like faintly rising smoke that twists and turns before disappearing.)
PRINCESS: Not long now. Just hold on for a little bit longer…please, Doctor.
(A short while later, the Princess is still sat in the cabin with the Doctor. She is quietly watching him when Polly bursts into the room.)
POLLY: Princess!
PRINCESS: Polly? What's the matter, dear?
POLLY: It's–It's the General. He's–He's planning on firing this…this bomb at Mondas.
PRINCESS: A bomb?
POLLY: Yes, a Z-bomb.
(The Doctor stirs, as if half awake.)
DOCTOR: (Faintly) No, no he mustn't…
PRINCESS: Doctor?
DOCTOR: He–He–He mustn't…
PRINCESS: Take it slow, Doctor.
DOCTOR: You must stop him.
POLLY: But why?
DOCTOR: The radiation…it'll harm the Earth.
PRINCESS: You mean it's a nuclear bomb?!
DOCTOR: Yes…
POLLY: The General's determined to destroy Mondas though, I can't see him giving in.
DOCTOR: Destory… No. Mondas will destroy its self…
PRINCESS: How?
DOCTOR: Energy…absorption…too much…too much…
PRINCESS: I understand. (Places her hands on the sides of the Doctor's face) Now, get some rest, Doctor, please. Rest. Rest…
(The Doctor falls back asleep. The Princess lets go of him.)
POLLY: Is he asleep again?
PRINCESS: Yes, I had to put him back under. It's too early for him to be up and about, he hasn't had the time to fully recover. Come on, let's get back to the control room.
POLLY: But what can we do?
PRINCESS: Pass on what the Doctor told us for a start.
POLLY: But the General won't listen.
PRINCESS: But maybe everyone else will. He can't possibly fire this Z-bomb on his own.
(The Princess and Polly hurry out of the cabin.)
(The Princess and Polly rush into the control room where a commotion is already in motion.)
BARCLAY: (To Cutler) But surely you haven't got the authority to use that bomb!
CUTLER: Secretary Wigner has given me the authority to take any steps necessary to stop the Cybermen.
BEN: Yeah, but I bet that didn't include using the Z-bomb!
CUTLER: That is my order!
PRINCESS: General–
CUTLER: Not you again.
(The Princess and Polly come down the stairs to join Cutler, Ben and Barclay.)
PRINCESS: Before you even think of firing that bomb there's something you need to know.
CUTLER: I'm not consulting with some granny about military tactics!
BEN: Look, tell him he can't use this bomb, Barclay. We'll all go up with it!
(Cutler grabs Ben and pulls him close.)
CUTLER: Now, look you!
PRINCESS: Let him go, General!
CUTLER: You shut up! Ever since you lot came into this base you've been poking your noses into things that don't concern any of you. Well, I've had it, it ends here. (To soldier) You, take this one out of here and lock him up with the old man.
(Cutler shoves Ben towards the soldier who restrains him.)
POLLY: Ben!
PRINCESS: General, this is ridiculous–
CUTLER: And you two are staying here. Maybe with your friends under lock and key you'll think twice before speaking again.
POLLY: Why are you doing this, we're trying to help you!
CUTLER: I've had about all that I can stand of your help!
PRINCESS: General, it's pointless to attack Mondas with this Z-bomb.
CUTLER: You would think that.
PRINCESS: You don't understand. Fire the Z-bomb, or don't, the result will be the same for Mondas.
BARCLAY: I don't follow.
PRINCESS: The Doctor's just told me that Mondas will destroy itself.
BARCLAY: What, how?
PRINCESS: With the energy it's absorbing from the Earth.
BARCLAY: But isn't that energy supposed to save Mondas?
PRINCESS: Yes, but it's like…like when someone is starving, or dehydrated. If you eat or drink too much too quickly, it can have negative effects on the body.
CUTLER: What a load of–
BARCLAY: No, Cutler, she's right, she's right. So, you think that that theory can be applied to Mondas and the energy it's absorbing?
PRINCESS: Yes, only on a bigger scale, with a much worse reaction. Cutler, you've been in touch with the rest of the world, is the energy drain getting worse?
CUTLER: Yes, which is why we need to destroy Mondas now!
BEN: Are you listening?! She's telling you it's going to destroy itself!
PRINCESS: Think about it. Mondas has had no new energy from the sun for millions of years. It's had to effectively ration the energy it's left with. Now it's returned, like a thirsty man walking out of a desert.
POLLY: And the Cybermen already told us they're not the ones controlling the absorption. It's the planet itself!
PRINCESS: Exactly, Polly. You see, the planet can't stop itself, it's taken more than it can handle, shovelling in the energy when it should be taking it in slowly.
BARCLAY: And eventually it'll pass this theoretical critical point and the planet will burst.
POLLY: Yes, that's it!
BEN: So, all we have to do is wait!
CUTLER: Wait? Sure, wait for the Cybermen to get here and take over the planet. Oh no, mister, we're not going to wait. We're just going to accelerate the process a little. We're going to make it disappear just a little bit sooner, that's all.
PRINCESS: General, you're acting out of fear–
CUTLER: Don't you talk to me about fear! You want to see fear, look into the eyes of these Cybermen as I blow up their planet.
BARCLAY: But don't you see, General? A nuclear explosion on Mondas would deliver a terrific blast of radiation, enough to destroy all the life on the side of the Earth that's facing it. It might even turn into a sun, a sort of supernova. And it would certainly destroy the space capsule.
CUTLER: That's a risk we'll have to take. So far as the capsule's concerned, Doctor Barclay, you are going to programme that bomb, so that it hits Mondas at a time when my son's orbit has taken him to the far side of the Earth.
BARCLAY: But there are no guarantees of success!
CUTLER: I'm not arguing, Doctor!
PRINCESS: General, you're putting everyone in danger for–
CUTLER: I've heard enough from you! Soldier, what's that boy still doing here, I told you to take him out, didn't I?!
(The soldier begins dragon Ben away. Ben struggles but is no match for the soldier.)
POLLY: Ben!
CUTLER: You stay where you are missy!
BEN: I'll be all right, Duchess. Princess, what do I do about the Doctor?
PRINCESS: Just let him rest, Ben, but watch him!
BEN: Will do. All right, all right, I'm going.
PRINCESS: General–!
CUTLER: One more word out of you, lady, and I'll have you shot!
POLLY: You can't do that!
CUTLER: We're at war, and your constant interfering could easily be described as treason.
POLLY: More like twisted.
CUTLER: In either case, I suggest the two of you stay quiet, sit in that room there, and pray that we get the Z-bomb away before those Cybermen arrive.
PRINCESS: Very well, General, we'll get out of your way.
CUTLER: First sensible thing you've said, granny.
(The Princess takes Polly into the adjoining room.)
POLLY: But, Princess, we can't just–
PRINCESS: (Hissing) Shush… Don't worry, Polly, we're not giving up.
POLLY: (Quietly) But what are we going to do? They've got Ben and the Doctor.
PRINCESS: They'll be fine. Between you and I, I think the General's just trying to scare us.
POLLY: Well, mission accomplished.
PRINCESS: Yes, well, he's not going to listen to us, that's for sure.
POLLY: What about Barclay, he seemed willing to listen.
PRINCESS: Perhaps we should try and have a quiet word with him then.
CUTLER: All right, Barclay, the bomb. Well?!
BARCLAY: (Reluctant) You'll have to be present at the fusing, General. Dyson is not allowed to do it without you.
CUTLER: Okay, Dyson, let's get on with it. (To Technician) Now, don't lose contact with my son, and keep track of those Cybermen. Let me know the moment an attack is imminent.
TECHNICIAN: Yes, sir.
(Cutler leads Dyson out of the control room, via the stairs. At his desk, Barclay, removes his glasses and runs his hands over his face.)
POLLY: Right, now's are chance to talk with him without the General butting in.
(Polly and the Princess begin to make their way out of the adjoining room and into the control room.)
TECHNICIAN: Doctor Barclay?
BARCLAY: Yes?
TECHNICIAN: I'm having trouble raising Zeus 5.
BARCLAY: What sort to of trouble?
TECHNICIAN: Some sort of static, sir.
(Barclay puts his glasses back on and leaves his desk before Polly can get his attention. Barclay goes to join the Technician at his station.)
BARCLAY: Have you tried adjusting the frequency.
TECHNICIAN: Yes, sir, but it's the same no matter what I do. It's just like what happened with Zeus 4, sir.
BARCLAY: Well, keep trying. If it's the same problem as Zeus 4, then we'll regain contact eventually.
TECHNICIAN: Right, sir. (Into microphone) Snowcap to Zeus 5. Snowcap to Zeus 5. Come in, please.
(Static comes from the speakers.)
BARCLAY: Let me know the instant you hear from him.
TECHNICIAN: Yes, sir.
(Barclay removes his glasses once again, rubbing his eyes with one hand as he returns to his desk. The Princess and Polly are waiting for him.)
POLLY: Are you trying to get in touch with General Cutler's son?
BARCLAY: Look, you two just keep out of it, will you, and mind your own business?! (Recomposes himself) I'm sorry, that was rude.
PRINCESS: Yes, it was. But we do appreciate the apology, Doctor Barclay, thank you. I take it it's the same as what happened to Zeus 4.
BARCLAY: Yes, almost like I'm reliving it.
PRINCESS: I'm sure things will work out differently this time.
BARCLAY: I wish I shared have your optimism. (To Polly) I'm sorry you shouldn't have to hear this. You must be scared stiff with all this, and I doubt any of what I'm saying is helping.
PRINCESS: Oh, I wouldn't count on that, Doctor Barclay. Our Polly doesn't scare easily.
(The Princess and Polly share smiles, which even gets Barclay to smile a little.)
POLLY: Doctor Barclay, can I ask you something?
BARCLAY: I supposes so, I don't see what harm it can do?
POLLY: Well, it's about what you were saying earlier, about the Z-bomb. Well, if you fire it at Mondas, and it turns into a sun, pouring out all this deadly radiation, how much will it affect us?
BARCLAY: I don't know. It may not affect us at all.
POLLY: That's not what you said just now.
PRINCESS: You were speculating as much as half the world might be affected.
BARCLAY: I know, but I'm not at all certain what would happen.
POLLY: But what could happen?
BARCLAY: Well, the radiation could affect us, and there'd be a certain loss of life. And the vegetation would, well, suffer badly for many years.
POLLY: And you're prepared to just let this happen?
BARCLAY: Well, what can I do? Cutler holds all the cards.
TECHNICIAN: 13 minutes to countdown, Doctor Barclay.
BARCLAY: Right.
PRINCESS: Doctor Barclay, I believe I'm right in saying that you think using this Z-bomb is far too risky?
BARCLAY: Well, yes, of course I do, but Cutler's mind's made up.
POLLY: Well, speak out against him then.
BARCLAY: Then he'll just lock me up like he did your friend. Besides, he can carry on the process without me.
POLLY: But what if enough of you stand up to him?
BARCLAY: It won't work, he's on the war path and people are afraid to stand up to him at the best of times. He can be extremely ruthless, you know.
PRINCESS: Yes, we are aware of that. Nevertheless, it's not an excuse for complacency.
BARCLAY: Well, what can I do?
POLLY: Well, can't you…stop the rocket from going off?
BARCLAY: Of course, I could, but Cutler would never let me.
POLLY: Then what if you pretend to go along with his plan? He would think you're fixing it, when in fact you'd be disabling it.
(Barclay seems curious about this idea. But before anything more can be said, Cutler comes marching back into the room.)
CUTLER: Anything to report?
(The Princess pulls Polly back into the adjoining room before Cutler notices them.)
TECHNICIAN: Yes, sir. The signal on the screen is still there, 1500 miles north north-east. It's been stationary for the last ten minutes.
CUTLER: Let me know the moment it starts to move.
TECHNIAN: Yes, sir.
(In the adjoining room.)
PRINCESS: (Quietly) I'd forgotten how devious you can be, Polly, well done.
(The Princess and Polly smile at one another.)
CUTLER: (To Barclay) Any word from my son?
BARCLAY: We can't raise him, General.
CUTLER: What?!
BARCLAY: It's exactly the same as what happened with Zeus 4.
TECHNICIAN: The signal, sir, it's moving. Coming in fast, course 0-1-5.
CUTLER: Where's it heading?
TECHNICIAN: Straight for here, sir.
BARCLAY: The Cybermen.
CUTLER: Must be.
BARCLAY: Anti-missile batteries?
CUTLER: No. No, I've got a better idea. We'll let them land and then ambush them with their own weapons. (To Technician) Put the whole base on red alert.
TECHNICIAN: Very good, sir. (Into microphone, his voice echoing throughout the base) Now hear this. All base to red alert. Repeat, all base to red alert.
(Cutler picks up the phone.)
CUTLER: (Into phone) Security? Major, put section one under snow camouflage and issue them with the captured Cybermen weapons. Report to me when complete. (To Barclay) How long to countdown?
BARCLAY: Ten minutes.
CUTLER: They'll be here by then. We'll have to hold them off, then proceed as normal with the launch.
(The phone rings and Cutler answers it.)
CUTLER: (Into phone) Yes? (Listens) Right, I'm on my way. (To Barclay) I'm going to commence final checks on the bomb. It should be good to go before the battle commences.
(Cutler puts down the phone and hurries out of the control room. Once he's gone, Polly hurries over to Barclay with the Princess behind her.)
POLLY: (Hissing) Quick, now's our chance.
BARCLAY: (Quietly) For what?
POLLY: To talk about what you're going to do.
PRINCESS: (Quietly) No, we can't, not here, we need somewhere more privet.
POLLY: The cabin with the Doctor and Ben?
PRINCESS: Yes, that should work.
BARCLAY: But I can't just leave.
PRINCESS: Doctor Barclay, please, we can't do this without you.
POLLY: And if we don't do something Cutler's going to destroy half of the Earth along with Mondas.
BARCLAY: Oh… All right. (To Technician) I'm stepping out for a moment, going to head down to the rocket silo for some final checks.
TECHNICIAN: Understood, sir.
(Polly, the Princess and Barclay hurry out of the control room.)
(Polly and the Princess enter the cabin to find Ben on the top bunk attempting to unscrew a vent covering. On the bunk below, the Doctor is still passed out.)
POLLY: Ben?
BEN: Oh strewth, you gave me a turn then, duchess.
PRINCESS: How are you doing, Ben?
(Ben climbs down from the top bunk.)
BEN: Aye, I'm all right. After putting me in here though, the guard hasn't poked his head in since.
POLLY: He's down the corridor, Doctor Barclay's distracting him for now, he'll be in shortly.
(The Princess goes to the Doctor's side.)
PRINCESS: How's he been?
BEN: Much the same. The quack's been to see him–
PRINCESS: Quack?
BEN: Sorry, the doctor's checked him over, says he seems fine.
PRINCESS: I imagine he would.
BEN: But, Princess…
PRINCESS: Yes, Ben?
BEN: He's been…glowing.
POLLY: Glowing?
BEN: Yeah, with this golden mist. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks but then–
PRINCESS: The base doctor didn't see that did he?
BEN: Nah, never happened while he was in.
PRINCESS: Well, that's one less thing to worry about I suppose.
POLLY: Is this to do with what you were talking about earlier, Princess?
PRINCESS: Yes. It's getting closer. And we're still trapped in the middle of all this. We're running out of time.
(Barclay enters the room.)
PRINCESS: Ah, Doctor Barclay, were you able to get rid of the guard?
BARCLAY: Yes, I said he was needed to help set up the Cybermen weapons on the surface, that should buy us enough time.
BEN: Enough time for what?
POLLY: Doctor Barclay's going to help us stop the General.
BEN: Oh, good. Now look, is there anything we can do to stop this rocket?
BARCLAY: Well, it can be immobilised quite simply if we can get into the rocket silo.
BEN: Well, can't you?
BARCLAY: No, it's under constant guard. If I or anyone else tried to tamper with the controls we'd be discovered immediately.
POLLY: Can't you say you're just checking it?
BARCLAY: Well, yes, but Cutler's already suspicious, and if he finds out I've been doing anything to the rocket without asking him first, then he'll naturally assume I caused the problem.
PRINCESS: And then be able to identify and fix the problem rather quickly one would imagine?
BARCLAY: Yes. At most it'd buy half an hour, maybe an hour at a stretch.
POLLY: Would that be enough time, Princess?
PRINCESS: I don't know, Polly.
BEN: Can't we wake the Doctor?
PRINCESS: I tried, but he's not ready yet.
BEN: Great… (To Barclay) Well, is there any other way into the silo, a way the guards wouldn't see you?
BARCLAY: No. (A thought occurs) Wait a minute…
BEN: Well?
BARCLAY: There is one way. I designed this part of the base. (Pointing) That ventilator shaft leads straight into the rocket silo. But I doubt if I could get into it. It'd be a tight squeeze.
BEN: But I might.
PRINCESS: Hold on, what about the radiation?
BARCLAY: Oh, that won't be a problem, the top part is screened for protection. But there's a guard outside and an engineer checking instruments inside.
POLLY: Well, couldn't we distract him, get him outside?
BARCLAY: Perhaps.
(Barclay takes the group over to a nearby table with a notepad and a pen. Barclay begins to draw a diagram as he speaks.)
BARCLAY: Now look, this is what you would have to do. Along the side of the rocket, just level with the walkway, there is a panel marked, 'Plug Servo Leads.' You'll need a screwdriver.
(Ben pulls out his Swiss army knife and puts it down on the table.)
BEN: Well, I've got this knife.
BARCLAY: Good, that will do. Now, unscrew the panel and inside you will see four small plugs. Take out any one of them and snip off a pin and put it back.
BEN: What'll that do?
BARCLAY: Well, the fuel pump pressure will fall to zero at blast off.
BEN: You mean the engines won't work? But I mean, won't they discover it?
BARCLAY: Not in six months. It's not the sort of fault they look for.
(An alarm begins to sound.)
BEN: What's that about?!
BARCLAY: The Cybermen.
POLLY: They be here!
PRINCESS: Which means that guard you set away will be coming back soon.
BARCLAY: (To Ben) Right, now listen carefully, here's what you'll have to do. (Drawing another diagram) After getting in the ventilation shaft, go straight. Then at the third right, take that turn, then the first left. Straight on from there and that should lead you to the rocket silo. Do you understand?
(Barclay hands Ben the Swiss army knife.)
BEN: Yeah, I've got it.
BARCLAY: Good, I'll head down now to distract who's down there.
POLLY: What about us?
PRINCESS: We'll stay here to cover up the vent after Ben's gone. And we'll then make sure the guard outside doesn't find out what we're up to when he gets back.
BARCLAY: Right, good luck.
BEN: You too.
(Barclay leaves the cabin.)
BEN: Right, duchess, give us a hand.
(Ben and Polly climb up onto the top bunk and begin removing the ventilation cover. Once done, Ben climbs inside and Polly puts the vent cover back on to cover up their work.)
POLLY: Do you think this will work, Princess?
PRINCESS: I hope so, Polly, for all our sakes.
(Footsteps from the corridor.)
POLLY: (Hissing) The guard.
PRINCESS: (Hissing) Under the covers, he'll probably assume you're Ben.
POLLY: But what about you?
PRINCESS: I'll just have to get in behind the Doctor.
(Polly pulls the covers up over her head, lying down as to appear asleep. Meanwhile, the Princess climbs over the Doctor into what little space there is between him and the wall. She then gets under the sheets and also pulls them up over her head, while pressing herself against the side of the Doctor, as to seem less obvious. The guard enters the room, looks at the two bunks…and then leaves. Polly takes the covers off her head and peeks to make sure the guard is gone. Seeing that he is, Polly leans down over the bunk, to see underneath.)
POLLY: (Quietly) All clear.
(The Princess pulls the covers off and climbs over the Doctor and out the bed, while Polly descends from the top bunk via the ladder.)
PRINCESS: Good, I doubt he'll come back in again.
POLLY: Unless they catch on to what Ben and Barclay are up to.
PRINCESS: Well, at that point there'd be little point in us hiding. Now, we've got to figure out a way of getting out without alerting the guard for when Ben gets back.
POLLY: Princess…?
(Polly is staring at the Doctor. The Princess turns around to see he is glowing with the same gold glow as before, only more intense. The Princess hurries to the Doctor's side with Polly behind her.)
PRINCESS: No, no, no, not now!
POLLY: What's happening to him?
PRINCESS: You can't do it now, not in the middle of all this. Doctor, please…
(Polly is shielding her eyes from the light coming off the Doctor.)
POLLY: I can't see!
PRINCESS: Doctor. Doctor, wake up. You've got to hold on just a little longer, just until we can get away from here. Doctor, please, listen to my voice, focus on it. Come back to me.
(The light from the Doctor fades, as if being repressed. The golden glow from his skin fades, rising from his body like mists that then evaporate. The Princess sighs in relief.)
PRINCESS: That was close.
POLLY: What…What was that?
(The Princess is checking the Doctor over.)
PRINCESS: (To self) Still the same face… But he's healthier now. Hearts are stronger. Some kind of preparation, perhaps?
POLLY: Princess?
(The Princess looks up to see Polly is confused and a little scared. The Princess stands up, smiling that gentle granny smile of hers, as she takes Polly's hands.)
PRINCESS: Don't be frightened, Polly. It's all going to be all right.
POLLY: But…that glow…
PRINCESS: All perfectly natural…I think.
POLLY: Is he…Is he, all right?
PRINCESS: He's doing remarkably well, actually. It probably won't be too long before he wakes up now. But he won't be able to hold out much longer. It's the final leg now.
(The Princess and Polly stare at the sleeping Doctor, who is breathing steadily now.)
(A short while later, three guards come busting into the cabin.)
GUARD: There they are!
(Two of the guards quickly grab and restrain the Princess and Polly.)
POLLY: Hey, let us go!
PRINCESS: What is the meaning of this?!
GUARD: We're taking you back to the control room, come on.
(The guards drag the Princess and Polly from the cabin, leaving behind the Doctor, who stirs, as if about to awaken.)
(In the control room of the base, the Princess and Polly are pushed down the stairs into the room, and then over to where Cutler is standing. Beside him, Barclay is at his desk, working with a grim expression. And behind them both, in a desk chair, is Ben, unconscious.)
POLLY: Ben!
(Polly rushes to check on Ben with the Princess quick to follow. While Polly checks Ben over, the Princess looks to Cutler, who glares at her, as she does him.)
PRINCESS: What have you done to him?!
CUTLER: What was necessary.
PRINCESS: You–!
POLLY: He's alive, Princess!
CUTLER: For now.
PRINCESS: What happened to him?
CUTLER: He was caught trying to sabotage my rocket.
PRINCESS: Cutler, please, just listen to–
CUTLER: No, you listen! Now, I am warning you. If that rocket doesn't take off for Mondas, if my son's life is in jeopardy because of him–
PRINCESS: We would never endanger the life of–
CUTLER: (Continuing) –I'll take the law into my own hands! And that goes for you too, Doctor Barclay. You'd just better make a good job of that launch.
PRINCESS: General, Barclay only did what he did because your plan endangers–
(Cutler pulls out a gun.)
CUTLER: One more word… Just one more word out of you…
(The Princess stays very still…and says nothing.)
CUTLER: (To room) Start the countdown.
BARCLAY: We're–We're still completing preliminary checks, General.
CUTLER: Well, get a move on! And try getting through to my son again.
TECHNICIAN: Snowcap to Zeus 5. Snowcap to Zeus 5. Come in, please.
TERRY: (From speaker) Zeus 5 to Snowcap. Reading you loud and clear. Over.
(At the sound of his son's voice, Cutler puts away his pistol and hurries over to where the Technician is sat. With the gun away, the Princess sighs in relief, joining a frightened Polly in checking on Ben. Cutler approaches the Technician's desk and snatches the microphone from him.)
CUTLER: Give it to me! (Into microphone) Son…Son, have you seen any sign of those spacecraft yet?
TERRY: No, I haven't seen a thing, there's just me up here at the moment, all on my lonesome.
CUTLER: Yeah. Well, watch it. They move mighty fast.
TERRY: Well, when are you going to bring me down?
CUTLER: Well, we can't do it just yet, you'll have to hold on. We have to deal with Mondas first.
TERRY: Hey, wait a minute. The capsule's getting a little slow on the controls.
CUTLER: What about your power?
TERRY: It loses and then picks up again.
CUTLER: Yes, that's Mondas affecting it. Don't worry, son. We'll get you down just as soon as we're able.
TERRY: Well, it can't be too soon for me.
CUTLER: Good luck, son. Out.
TERRY: Luck. I'm gonna need it.
BARCLAY: (Into microphone) All systems ready to proceed with countdown. Barclay speaking. Check in please. Silo control?
POLLY: Ben. Ben, please wake up.
PRINCESS: I'm afraid he's completely out, Polly. He's got a bump on his head as well.
POLLY: Should we put ice on it.
PRINCESS: I doubt they'd let us.
BARCLAY: All checks complete. We are starting at T-minus two minutes, starting from now.
(The countdown to the lunch starts, the main monitor showing the minute and seconds remaining.)
PRINCESS: And things are only going to get worse.
(Ben stirs, waking up.)
POLLY: Ben? Ben! Ben, are you, all right?
BEN: (Dazed) Who's that?
POLLY: (Hissing) Keep your voice down.
BEN: What happened?
PRINCESS: You got a rather nasty bump on the head. I'm afraid we don't know how you got it.
BEN: The…The General, he… Oh, my head!
POLLY: Did you manage it?
BEN: Oh, my head. It's splitting!
POLLY: Did you, Ben? Did you manage to stop the rocket, try and remember.
BEN: I can't think.
PRINCESS: Leave him, Polly, what's done is done at this point.
BARCLAY: (Into microphone) T-minus 1-40 and counting. Clear silo. Booster giros on.
TECHNICIAN: (Through speaker) Silo clear. We have a fault on range computer. Check circuits.
BARCLAY: Stop the countdown!
POLLY: Does that mean they've found the fault?
BEN: I don't know!
PRINCESS: Quiet, both of you.
CUTLER: What's the matter with those range computers?
BARCLAY: It's only a minor fault, General. Holding at T-minus 01-35.
CUTLER: It had better be minor, Doctor Barclay.
TECHNICAN: Fault cleared.
BARCLAY: Proceed with countdown. Starting from–
PRINCESS: General, stop this while you still–!
(Cutler has his gun out once more, and it's aimed at the Princess.)
CUTLER: I told you, one more word… Now, get back in line with your friends and stay–
PRINCESS: You're going to kill–!
(Cutler fires his gun, the bang echoing all around the room, as the Princess' breath catches in her throat. Shock, consuming her wide frightened eyes…)