The Powerful Enemy
(The Princess is stood in Susan's messy bedroom onboard their ship. The bed is unmade, the desk cluttered with open books, pens and papers – which have spilled onto the floor – while dirty clothes lie over every available surface. The Princess smiles sadly at the mess. She bends down to begin picking up the dirty clothes, but upon picking up the first shirt she hesitates. Eventually the Princess puts the shirt back down, exactly where it was before.)
PRINCESS: You're lucky your grandfather never saw your room like this. He'd have given you an earful, young lady. (Chuckling to herself) Still, he's not likely to do it now, is he?
(The Princess remains on her knees for a moment, before then getting up and exiting the room. She closes the door to Susan's room, then proceeds down the corridor back towards the console room. Inside the console room, the Princess finds the Doctor, reclined in his chair with his feet up, fast asleep. The Princess smiles at the sight, before then noticing that the glass column in the centre of the console is still moving, and that the wheezing of the engines is still present. The Princess cautiously makes her way up to the console. She tries a few of the switches and buttons, but nothing happens.)
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) I suppose you know what you're doing.
(The glass column in the middle then comes to a stop, along with the hum of the ship's engines. The Princess frowns a little and looks over the console. She walks around it, examining each panel closely as she does. After the Princess has walked around the entire console…)
BARBARA: (From next room) I'm telling you, we've stopped.
(The doors leading further into the ship opens and Barbara and Ian walk through into the console room.)
BARBARA: (Continuing, to Ian) You know how the ship has a faint sort of trembling while we're moving? Well, I just realised that it's stopped.
IAN: I suppose so…
BARBARA: Princess, we have landed, haven't we?
PRINCESS: As far as I can tell, yes.
IAN: Hasn't the Doctor told you?
PRINCESS: No, he's sleeping.
IAN: Sleeping?
(Ian goes over to the Doctor, who is still sleeping in his chair.)
IAN: He's never slept through a landing before, has he?
(The Princess thinks for a moment.)
PRINCESS: No…actually, he never has.
BARBARA: Should we wake him?
IAN: I think we ought to.
(The Princess and Barbara join Ian by the Doctor.)
BARBARA: Doctor.
IAN: Doctor.
PRINCESS: It's time to wake up.
(The Doctor wakes up after a little shake from the Princess.)
DOCTOR: (Sleepily) Hmm? What's the matter? What is it? What is it?! (Sitting up) Oh good gracious me! (Chuckling) Don't tell me I went off to sleep.
IAN: Yes, you did. And at a very critical time.
DOCTOR: Critical time? What critical time? What's happened?
BARBARA: Doctor, the ship landed while you were asleep.
DOCTOR: Landed? My ship doesn't land, my dear.
PRINCESS: She means materialised, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Materialised? While I was sleeping?
(The Doctor gets up and goes over to the console. The Princess, Barbara and Ian follow him.)
DOCTOR: Oh, heavens! (He flicks a few switches) Dear, dear. We must never allow this sort of thing again now, must we? After all, what if there had been an emergency?
PRINCESS: I'm sure if there had been you would have been woken promptly.
DOCTOR: Yes, but what if I wasn't, or you couldn't wake me? No, no, far too risky. Especially when I'm the only one capable of piloting this ship. No, mustn't happen again, never.
BARBARA: But nothing did go wrong, right, Doctor?
DOCTOR: No, everything seems to be in order.
PRINCESS: It did seem a smooth landing.
IAN: And that sleep seems to have done you some good, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes… (Yawns) Oh, do pardon me. Forgive me, I'm so sorry.
BARBARA: It's all right, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Well now, let's have a look and see what's doing. (Checks the console) Yes, the air's very good. The temperature. Yes, wherever we are, I think it looks most promising. Now, let's have a little look, shall we?
(The Doctor activates the scanner, which shows the inside of a dark cave.)
IAN: Very dark. Can't really make out anything at all. It looks very rocky, whatever it is.
DOCTOR: Yes, it does somewhat. Might be a cave, or even perhaps underground.
BARBARA: (Panicked) You mean we could be trapped down here?
PRINCESS: Barbara, it's all right. Remember, the word we used to describe the ship's landing was, 'Materialised.'
DOCTOR: Yes, it means we can travel through solid matter, or at least the ship can while in flight. So, there's no reason to worry, my dear. We can take off again quite easily.
BARBARA: Well then, why don't we?
DOCTOR: We will, we will. But first I think we ought to step outside and have a look around. See if there's anything of interest out there.
(Barbara looks to Ian, a little annoyed, but Ian grins.)
DOCTOR: (Continuing) Now, Susan, I want…
(At the mention of Susan's name, everyone looks to the Doctor in concern. Remembering that she is gone, the Doctor is immediately saddened.)
PRINCESS: Would you like me to open the doors, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Hmm? Oh, yes, yes, yes please, my dear. Thank you, that would be most helpful.
(The Princess smiles softly before activating the door controls. As she does, part of the wall opens up, revealing the cave on scanner outside.)
DOCTOR: Very good, my dear, very good. You've obviously picked up a thing or two during our travels.
(The Doctor then chuckles as the time travellers proceed out the door. They step out of the police box and into the cave. The only source of light coming from the lamp on top of the police box, and from a passage way off to the side.)
IAN: It is a cave. You were right, Doctor.
BARBARA: Strange smell. Doesn't smell like anything on Earth.
DOCTOR: No, it doesn't, my dear. No, no.
PRINCESS: It does smell familiar though.
DOCTOR: Do you know, I was just about to say the same thing.
IAN: You both recognise it?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, more or less. But I can't place it. What about you, Princess?
PRINCESS: No, nothing comes to mind. But I definitely recognise that smell… Oh, this is going to bother me now.
DOCTOR: (To Ian & Barbara) Why don't you have a look around, but don't go too far away. Remember, we haven't had much luck with these caves during our travels.
BARBARA: But what are you two going to do?
DOCTOR: I'm going to start teaching the Princess how to pilot the ship.
PRINCESS: But, Doctor–
DOCTOR: We can discuss it inside the ship, my dear.
(The Doctor takes the Princess' arm and guides her back into the police box. Inside the console room, they walk in and over to the console, with the wall closing behind them.)
PRINCESS: Doctor, just wait a minute–
DOCTOR: There's no use arguing about this any longer, my dear. Now, I understand that in the past you have been reluctant to learn how to pilot the ship. Your reasons may not make complete sense to me, but I have respected them. But now, Susan is gone. And only I know how to pilot the ship. If something where to happen to me…
PRINCESS: Nothing is going to happen to you.
DOCTOR: Oh, my dear, I appreciate the optimism, and believe you me, I have no intention of going anywhere for a long time. But nevertheless, it is a possibility. And I wouldn't be doing my duty if I wasn't making sure that you had the necessary know how to survive should something happen.
PRINCESS: How many times do I have to remind you, Doctor? You are not responsible for me.
DOCTOR: Well, of course I am!
PRINCESS: You are not! And anyway, if you'd let me get a word in, I would have told you I agree. I do think it's time I learnt more about this ship. Especially after all we've been through together.
DOCTOR: Well, this is a refreshing turn of pace. May I ask what's brought this about?
PRINCESS: Well, as you say, Susan is gone now. And it never hurts to have a second pair of hands in a tight spot.
DOCTOR: No, on that we can agree. Not that there has been many of those, mind you.
PRINCESS: The incident after Skaro comes to mind.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, that little mishap.
PRINCESS: And there have been a few…awkward landings, now and again.
DOCTOR: To be expected. But yes, as you say, having someone else onboard who knows what they're doing would help with any…complications, shall we say.
PRINCESS: Or if you wanted to take the occasional nap?
(The Princess giggles.)
DOCTOR: Now, don't be crass!
PRINCESS: Sorry, Doctor. But, before we begin, I would like to talk to someone first.
DOCTOR: And who would that be?
PRINCESS: The ship of course.
DOCTOR: The ship? (Rolls his eyes) My dear, the ship can't communicate with us.
PRINCESS: I beg to differ. And once I know it's happy with me piloting her, then I'll begin learning.
DOCTOR: And how precisely do you intend to find out if the ship is happy or not?
IAN: (From the scanner) Yes, well, he isn't getting any younger, is he?
(The Doctor and Princess look up to the scanner, which is still on. It shows Ian and Barbara, stood outside the ship in the cave still, with their backs to the camera.)
IAN: (Continuing) You know, it's the first time he's been asleep during a landing.
DOCTOR: (To Princess) Did you touch the audio controls, my dear?
PRINCESS: No.
DOCTOR: Hmm, must be a fault. Still, a chance to catch young Chesterton in the act, eh?
(The Doctor chortles to himself, as he activates the door controls. As the wall opens up, the Doctor exits the ship, leaving the Princess alone by the console. With the Doctor gone, the Princess leans in towards the console.)
PRINCESS: (Quietly, to the ship) It was you wasn't it?
(The ship doesn't say anything, but the scanner screen turns on and off twice. The Princess smiles.)
PRINCESS: I thought so.
(The Princess checks to make sure the Doctor isn't coming back.)
PRINCESS: (To the ship) So, would you be all right, with me learning how to pilot you?
(Once again, the scanner screen turns on and off twice.)
PRINCESS: Are you sure?
(The scanner does the same thing again.)
PRINCESS: All right. But if you ever change your mind, you can tell me. And I'll do my best not to be too rough.
(The Doctor returns to the console room, the walls closing over behind him. The Doctor now holds a rock in his hand and seems pleased with himself.)
DOCTOR: There, that should stop those two from talking behind my back again. And now I have a sample for testing.
(The Doctor admires his rock for a moment before turning to the Princess.)
DOCTOR: Now, my dear, has the ship giving you its blessing?
PRINCESS: Yes, she has.
DOCTOR: It…? (Sighs) Oh, very well. Then we can get started. First, why don't you turn off…
(The Princess uses the scanner switch to turn it off.)
PRINCESS: Yes, I know that one.
DOCTOR: And the switch for the door?
PRINCESS: Yes, but other than that, I can just read the outputs.
DOCTOR: Excellent, why don't you demonstrate.
(The Doctor takes out a pen and notebook.)
PRINCESS: (Frowning) You want me to read the outputs.
DOCTOR: Yes, or rather, write them down. (He passes the Princess the pen and notebook) Once you've done that, come and join me in my laboratory. Then we shall find out where we are.
PRINCESS: Where we…? But I thought–
DOCTOR: Before one sets out, one ought to know where they are starting from.
(The Doctor chuckles, as he exits the console room, through the door leading further into the ship. The Princess is left standing in the console room, confused.)
PRINCESS: He's enjoying this far too much already.
(The Princess proceeds to read the outputs from the console and write them down…)
(A short while later, the Doctor is stood in his laboratory. He has on his glasses and is using a magnifying glass to examine the rock sample he got from outside. As he does this, the Princess walks in with the pen and notebook in had.)
PRINCESS: I've written everything down.
(The Doctor puts down his magnifying glass and rock sample.)
DOCTOR: Ah, good, let's have a look.
(The Doctor accepts the notebook from the Princess and looks over the information.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well, it's as I suspected. For some unknown reason we've landed on the planet Dido once more.
PRINCESS: Dido?
DOCTOR: Yes, Dido, you remember?
(The Princess thinks for a moment.)
PRINCESS: Oh, yes! Oh, they were such lovely people.
DOCTOR: Indeed. But I am curious as to what brought us back here. After all, we haven't revisited any other planets since we started our travels. Well, other than Earth of course, but that was in part due to Susan's fascination with the place, and my own attempts to return Ian and Barbara to their relative time.
PRINCESS: Yes, Susan's fascination…
DOCTOR: What was that, my dear?
PRINCESS: Nothing, Doctor, just thinking aloud.
DOCTOR: Yes… Well, I think we should go and have a look at the console, see if we can figure out this little mystery.
(The Doctor and Princess exit his laboratory and return to the console room. Upon entering the console room, the Doctor and Princess go to the console, where the Doctor begins looking things over.)
DOCTOR: Hmm… Nothing out of place as far as I can see… No faults in the locator… And nobody touched anything while I was napping, did they?
(The Princess hesitates in responding, and the Doctor looks to her.)
PRINCESS: Well, actually…I did push one or two switches before just before we landed.
DOCTOR: You… What on Earth possessed you! Heaves…! Anything could have happened!
PRINCESS: I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me.
DOCTOR: Well, I shan't say I know either. And if you weren't…! (He takes a breath) Oh…what's done is done. I'm sorry for snapping at you, my dear.
PRINCESS: I understand, Doctor. And I am sorry.
DOCTOR: Oh, I know you are, just as I am. But nothing seems to have gone wrong. The ship appears to be fine and as I said earlier there's no fault on the locator. The only mystery is our… Show me which switches you pressed.
(The Princess thinks for a moment looking over the console.)
PRINCESS: (Pointing) That one… That one… And that these ones here… Oh, and that one.
DOCTOR: (Chuckling) Of course.
(The Doctor laughs, but the Princess is still confused.)
DOCTOR: Well, don't you realise, my dear? That's the fast return switch!
PRINCESS: The fast… (She remembers) Oh, of course… But hold on, why didn't we end up back on Earth?
DOCTOR: Well, obviously it's to do with the combination of buttons you pressed. Through that you must have sent us further back in our list of stops than is normal.
PRINCESS: Quite a bit back too. It must have been years ago when we landed on Dido.
DOCTOR: Yes… Although, with a few adjustments, I'm sure I could finally get Ian and Barbara home. You might have just solved a dilemma that's been troubling me for some time.
PRINCESS: Even if it was by accident.
DOCTOR: Nonsense. Some of the most important scientific discoveries in all of time were discovered by accident, even among our own people. Despite what some would have you believe, including that mother of yours… Although, don't tell her I said that.
(Suddenly there is a huge rumble that has the Doctor and Princess stumble and fall against the console.)
PRINCESS: Doctor, what's happening?!
DOCTOR: I'm–I'm not sure, my dear, but hold on!
(After a moment the rumble passes. The Doctor and Princess then cautiously stand up. The Doctor quickly begins checking the readouts form the console.)
PRINCESS: Was it the ship?
DOCTOR: No. No as far as I can tell, whatever happened came from outside the ship.
PRINCESS: Ian and Barbara!
(The Doctor activates the door controls and the two rush out the opening in the wall.)
DOCTOR: Chesterton! Chesterton!
PRINCESS: Barbara! Ian!
DOCTOR: Ms. Wright!
(Running out of the police box, the Doctor and Princess find themselves in complete darkness now. The light from the top of the police box is being blocked by a thick cloud of dust that lingers in the air. The Doctor and Princess begin coughing, struggling to see and breath because of the dust.)
DOCTOR: Oh, I can't… (Cough) I can't see anything…
PRINCESS: Ian! (Cough) Barbara!
(The Princess coughs violently and bends over.)
DOCTOR: Back inside the ship, my dear. Back inside.
(The Doctor guides the Princess back into the police box.)
PRINCESS: But… (Cough) Ian… Barbara…
(Inside the console room, the Doctor takes the Princess over and sits her down in her chair.)
DOCTOR: Now, wait there a moment, my dear.
(The Doctor hurries away.)
PRINCESS: But… (Cough) They…help…
(The Doctor returns with a torch in one hand and a glass of water in the other.)
DOCTOR: Drink this, my dear.
(The Princess accepts the water and takes a drink.)
PRINCESS: Thank you. (Another quick sip) But Ian and Barbara…they need us.
DOCTOR: I know, but I want you to rest for a moment and catch your breath. Now, I'll go back outside with this, (holds up torch) and see what's happened.
(The Doctor hurries outside, turning on the torch as he exits the console room. The Princess doesn't wait long before hurrying after him. The Doctor exits the police box with the torch, dust still clouding the air around the cave and preventing the light from getting through. The Princess then comes out right behind the Doctor and bumps into him.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Watch where you're going!
PRINCESS: Sorry.
DOCTOR: Here, take my hand.
(The Princess takes the Doctor's hand and lets him guide her through the smoke and dust.)
DOCTOR: Chesterton!
PRINCESS: Barbara!
DOCTOR: Chesterton…
(The Doctor shines a light down on the ground nearby. There is a figure on the floor. The Doctor leads the Princess over. And as he shines the light, and the dust begins to clear, they see it is Ian. He is groaning and slowly getting up. The Doctor and Princess move to help him.)
DOCTOR: (To Ian) Oh, my dear fellow, are you all right?
PRINCESS: What happened? Where's Barbara?
(Ian is now standing, supported by the Doctor and Princess.)
IAN: (Weakly) Barbara…
DOCTOR: Yes, Ms. Wright. Where is she?
IAN: I…I thought she was with me… I…I heard her scream… I went back and…an explosion…
(The Doctor is shining his torch around nearby, looking.)
PRINCESS: Ian, you need to take deep breaths. (To Doctor) Can you see her?
DOCTOR: No, she's not in here.
IAN: She…She was…outside.
DOCTOR: Well, let's try and look for her, shall we?
PRINCESS: (To Ian) Are you all right to move?
IAN: Yes, yes. (Nods) This way.
(Ian tries to lead but almost collapses.)
DOCTOR: Careful now, careful.
PRINCESS: (Nods) That way.
(Ian nods and the three begin to walk, slowly. But they quickly find the passageway from before has been completely buried and sealed off by collapsed rocks and boulders.)
DOCTOR: Oh, good gracious, the whole roof's fallen in!
IAN: It's blocking the cave!
(Ian pushes himself forwards, away from the Doctor and Princess and starts trying to move the rocks on his own.)
IAN: Barbara!
DOCTOR: Chesterton, no! If you pull the wrong one, you might cause another fall and crush all of us.
(Ian still tries to move the rocks, but to no avail.)
IAN: No use! None of them will budge anyway!
(Ian stops trying to move the rocks, and instead leans on them for support, still getting his breath back.)
PRINCESS: There has be another way out of here. We just have to look around, and hope that this accident hasn't caved in any other tunnels.
IAN: This was no accident, Princess.
DOCTOR: What are you talking about, my boy?
IAN: Oh, it was a thing…this repulsive thing with a hideous face.
DOCTOR: With hands and feet like claws?
IAN: Yes.
PRINCESS: And pincers for teeth?
IAN: Yes, that's…that's precisely it. How did you both know?
DOCTOR: Well, this is the planet Dido. We've been here before, we know them very well.
IAN: What?
PRINCESS: And they were very friendly and hospitable last time we were here.
IAN: Friendly?!
DOCTOR: Yes, that's what we said.
IAN: Well, it wasn't friendly to us. It must have kept Barbara back. That scream…
PRINCESS: We'll find her, Ian.
DOCTOR: Just a minute. This thing, Chesterton, was it armed?
IAN: No, no, it wasn't… Wait a minute, it was carrying some sort of…jewelled club. (Holds his hands apart) About so long.
DOCTOR: With a big head, resembling a spanner?
IAN: Yes.
DOCTOR: Yes…
IAN: I don't know why you bother to ask.
DOCTOR: Yes, that may account for this…
PRINCESS: What are you talking about, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Now, you might not remember this, my dear, but when we were here last, if I remember rightly, they'd just perfected a tool. A ray, used in construction work–
PRINCESS: And you think that was what was used to collapse the cave?
DOCTOR: A possibility for sure… Now look here, what about Barbara! Standing around here talking amongst ourselves isn't going to get anything done. (To Ian) Are you all right to move? Are you capable?
IAN: Yes, I'm not too bad.
DOCTOR: Then come along. Don't just sit there, my dear boy, stand up, stand up.
(The Doctor and Princess help Ian to his feet.)
DOCTOR: There you are, nothing the matter. Only a bit of dust. No bones broken.
IAN: (Chuckling) Thank you, Doctor. The most thorough-going medical I've ever had.
DOCTOR: Well, let's get a move on. A good thing I'm here with you, otherwise you two would stand around chit-chatting all day.
(The Doctor moves away. The Princess and Ian share a sceptical look before following him.)
IAN: (To Princess) You're certain this is the same place you'd been to before?
PRINCESS: Well, the Doctor is. But after what you've told us, I'm less inclined. But we shall see, once we find our way out of here. I just can't imagine the people we met doing anything like this.
DOCTOR: Will you two stop nattering and hurry up. Here, Chesterton, you take the lead with the torch. Here, here.
(The Doctor passes Ian the torch.)
IAN: Right, Doctor. Let's try over there.
(Ian leads the way with the torch while the Doctor and Princess follow.)
(Some time later, in new passageway in the cave, Ian leads with the torch while the Doctor and Princess follow behind him.)
PRINCESS: I wonder how much further this passageway goes?
IAN: I'm more concerned about it ending in another dead end.
DOCTOR: Oh, I can't understand it. I just can't understand it.
IAN: What's that, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Violence. It is totally alien to people on this planet.
PRINCESS: Yes. If you're right, Doctor, and we are back on Dido. I can't wrap my head around it either.
DOCTOR: Well, of course I'm right, my dear. This is most definitely Dido.
PRINCESS: But how long has it been since we were last here, in relative time?
DOCTOR: Perhaps…hundred years? Give or take.
IAN: Well, people change, Doctor. New leader, different set of circumstances. And a lot can change in hundred years.
DOCTOR: No, my dear Chesterton, no. You see, when we were here last, the total population amounted to, a handful of people, merely a hundred.
IAN: Is that all?
DOCTOR: Yes, exactly. All the more reason for holding onto life. Peace, friendship, happiness, these mean everything to the people here.
IAN: Yes, I see what you mean. But still, it's not impossible. Think back to our time with the cavemen. They were only a handful as well, and they didn't think many other people existed. And they were still willing to kill each other.
DOCTOR: My dear boy, the people of this world are nothing like your kind. No, they are far more sophisticated.
IAN: Well, thank you very much.
DOCTOR: That's not to say they didn't have problems of their own. As you may guess, they weren't quite as good at reproduction as your species.
PRINCESS: They struggled with it in fact, didn't they?
DOCTOR: Quite. So even though we're possible a hundred years ahead of when we last came here, I doubt their population has grown at all. If anything, it's probably shrunk down to double digits.
IAN: It's that bad, eh?
DOCTOR: Yes, my boy, it is.
(Ian suddenly stops, having almost walked off the edge of the floor. He holds out his arms for balance and the Doctor almost bumps into him.)
DOCTOR: Chesterton!
(Seeing Ian about to fall over the edge, the Doctor and Princess both quickly grab him and pull him back.)
IAN: Oh! Thank you.
DOCTOR: You know, you really ought to watch where you're going, my dear boy. You almost went right over into that ravine there.
IAN: (Catching breath) Yes. I did notice, Doctor.
PRINCESS: So, that makes this another dead end then.
DOCTOR: No, no, no, not necessarily. Chesterton, shine the torch around the edge.
(Ian does as told and shines the torch around the cave wall. This reveals a ledge running along the side.)
DOCTOR: Ah ha! A ledge.
PRINCESS: Are you sure? What if we fall?
IAN: It seems wide enough for all of us. We can slide along it, side by side. Ideally, if we had some rope…
DOCTOR: Yes, well, we don't, now come on, we haven't got time to waste. We must get to Barbara at once. Now, lead on, Chesterton, lead on.
(The Doctor moves Ian towards the ledge and prods him over. Ian then steps onto the ledge and begins to shuffle along with the light in front of him. The Doctor follows closely, with the Princess right behind him, but she is very nervous.)
(A short while later, further along the ledge in the cave, Ian is still leading with the Doctor following and the Princess behind him. All three are pressing their backs to the wall as the shuffle along.)
IAN: The ledge is beginning to narrow out now.
DOCTOR: What's that, my boy? What–?
(The Doctor suddenly slips, one of his feet going over the edge. But before he can fall, Ian and the Princess grab him from either side and hold him.)
PRINCESS: Doctor!
IAN: Careful!
(The Doctor gets his feet back on the ledge. After, Ian and the Princess relax their holds on him, as they all sigh in relief.)
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you, thank you, both.
PRINCESS: This ledge is getting dangerously narrow.
DOCTOR: Yes, I noticed. Chesterton, why didn't you say something, you're at the head, you should be warning us of things such as this.
IAN: (Signing) Yes, Doctor.
PRINCESS: Do you think we should turn back?
DOCTOR: Of course not. For all we know, a way out might be just up ahead.
IAN: Yes…or our deaths.
DOCTOR: Oh, don't be so melodramatic!
PRINCESS: If this ledge gets any smaller, we really will catch our deaths.
DOCTOR: (To Ian) Now, look what you've done, you've got her highness all worked up!
PRINCESS: I'm not worked up!
(The Doctor snorts.)
IAN: All right. We'll continue on for now, but if it gets any more dangerous then we'll turn back.
(Ian starts moving again, and the Doctor and Princess follow him.)
IAN: For now, just keep yourselves pressed against the rock face.
PRINCESS: That's not exactly easy, Ian. Some of these rocks point out…rather far.
(The Princess struggles to get around a rock that is pointing out while keeping her feet on the ledge.)
IAN: I know that, Princess. Just…Just stay close together, and make sure we can grab one another if we need to.
(Suddenly a roar erupts, echoing all around them and making all of them almost fall before they steady each other.)
IAN: What was that?!
(Ian shines the torch in the Doctor's face.)
DOCTOR: Well, it's not me, is it! Shine the torch down there!
(Ian aims the torch down into the chasm. Cautiously, the trio look over the edge. Far down below, the light reflects of something at the bottom, moving around. It's like a massive gigantic slug, which rears its head up to roar again. It seems to have eyestalks, and a big mouth with sharp teeth.)
IAN: What's that nightmare?
DOCTOR: Isn't it sufficient that it it's down there and we're up here? Hmm?
PRINCESS: I don't remember seeing anything like that the last time we were here.
DOCTOR: Nor I.
IAN: Well, nothing could evolve into that in just a hundred years.
DOCTOR: Not without an outside influence, Chesterton, no.
IAN: It's got eyes though… Must be used to daylight. Probably came in from the outside.
DOCTOR: Oh. Very good, yes. Very intelligent reasoning. So good I might have said the same thing myself.
IAN: I'm glad you think so. Because if I'm right, and that thing did come in from the outside, that means there's at least a way out down there.
DOCTOR: And how would we get down there, hmm? Ignoring the fact that the thing would most likely crush us if we did get down.
IAN: It's something for us to fall back on at any rate.
PRINCESS: I'd rather avoid the topic of, 'Falling,' at this present time, thank you, Ian.
DOCTOR: Yes, her highness is right, let's get a move on, Chesterton.
IAN: Right.
(They start moving along the edge once again, with Ian shining the torch ahead of them as they do their best to ignore the creature growling down below.)
IAN: What we need are some good handholds.
DOCTOR: Oh, how many times must I say it, Chesterton. Stop asking for things we do not have.
(However, they then reach a sharp inward curve along the ledge, and on the adjoining wall are hand sized rings buried into the cave wall. Ian shines the light at them.)
IAN: You were saying, Doctor.
PRINCESS: Are we sure they're safe?
IAN: I'll test them. Doctor, could you hold onto this?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, of course.
(Ian passes the Doctor the torch.)
IAN: Okay. Here I go.
(Ian steps over and grabs onto the ring with his hand. He gives it a sharp pull, but it remains in the wall.)
IAN: It seems secure enough. Best not dawdle though.
(Ian moves along the ledge to the next ring.)
IAN: Right, Doctor, pass me the torch, and then swing yourself over.
(The Doctor leans over to hand Ian the torch, the grabs the ring.)
IAN: Well done. Now, we'll each move across one, then you help the Princess, all right?
DOCTOR: Yes, you don't need to explain it to me as if I were a halfwit.
(Ian and the Doctor move across one ring.)
IAN: Right, now you, Princess.
(The Princess nervously makes her way over and grabs the first ring, with the Doctor holding out a hand, ready to grab her if need be.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well done, my dear.
PRINCESS: Thank you, Doctor.
IAN: Hold on a moment.
(Ian is shining the torch further along the ledge.)
IAN: Yes… I think the ledge widens just up ahead. These rings will take us right to it. Come on.
(One ring at a time, the trio of time travellers make their way along the ledge. But at the last ring before the wider part of the ledge, Ian hesitates and wobbles.)
PRINCESS: Ian?
DOCTOR: Is everything all right, my boy?
IAN: Yes. This one's just loose.
(Ian yelps as the ring suddenly comes loose!)
PRINCESS: Ian!
DOCTOR: Chesterton!
(But luckily Ian manages to swing across and just clambers onto the wider part of the ledge before he can fall.)
IAN: I'm all right! I'm over!
(The Princess sighs in relief, while the Doctor leans over to inspect the ring that has come out. But while it has come out, it is still connected to the wall by thick wires, which link to a mechanism in the wall, that holds the ring in place. The Doctor begins to inspect this.)
IAN: Can you manage, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Chesterton, it's some kind of mechanism. This ring, it's supposed to be pulled out!
(A clunking noise from behind the wall has begun.)
IAN: What's that noise?
DOCTOR: Come back here! It must be some kind of trap!
IAN: What's that noise, Doctor? I–
(Suddenly, metal spikes emerge from the wall between Ian and the Doctor, cutting them off.)
DOCTOR: Don't move, stay where you are!
(And then more spikes come out behind Ian, boxing him on the ledge.)
IAN: I can't go anywhere, Doctor. I'm trapped!
DOCTOR: Trying swinging back around to us using the spikes, Chesterton.
PRINCESS: Carefully, they might be sharp!
(Ian reaches his hand out to the spikes cautiously, only to receive a shock before he even touches them.)
IAN: Never mind being sharp. I can't even touch them!
DOCTOR: There must be some electric field around them. Yes, I remember the people showing me something similar last time we were here, with an expansive electrical field.
PRINCESS: Never mind that, can you free, Ian?
DOCTOR: I might…
(More spikes begin to creep out of the wall. Only this time it's entire rows of them, coming for Ian who can't avoid them or their electrical fields.)
IAN: Doctor, there's more of them! They're pushing me towards the edge!
(Ian begins to back up carefully towards the edge of the ledge, as the electrical spikes get closer and closer to him. And over the edge, deep down below, the creature from before roars once more. A very hungry roar, as the spikes keep coming towards Ian…)
Next Episode – Desperate Measures
