Track 1: Hold On (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
Track 2: Tendril (Doctor Who Series 11 OST)
Track 3: Tecteun (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
Track 4: Emer-Gency Exit (Doctor Who The Edge of Time OST)
Track 5: Saving The Spaceship (Doctor Who The Edge of Time OST)
Track 6: The Future Is Mine 0:00 – 0:30 [fadeout needed] (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
Track 7: The Incredible Shrinking Device (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
Track 8: Time Lords (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
Track 9: Going Undercover 0:00 – 3:05 (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
Track 10: Thank You (Doctor Who Series 12 OST)
1 EXT. WASTELANDS – DAY
Pan over the rock surface, vast, empty, idyllic, and grey – not unlike the landscape of a quarry. Aside from the scurrying of four-legged creatures that bear a resemblance to Earth squirrels, the land is silent. But not for long.
[Track 1: Hold On] ZAP! A laser bolt cracks the surface, and someone in black trainers launches himself down a steep incline, before rolling down at the bottom. They're not alone, as someone else, wearing thick brown boots does the same, but with a bit more elegance. Pan up towards their faces – it's the Doctor and Zach, and they're terrified. They continue to sprint over the rocks, stumbling a few times, but immediately recovering and continuing. Then it's clear what they're running from, as a wail deafens them, and a huge shadow looms over them. A formation of planes zoom towards them, on either side of the main funnel (in which a single pilot resides) present wings, spread out over a large area and fluttering, keeping the machine aloft. Underneath each plane is a turret, firing green lasers towards the pair, continually, increasing in intensity.
ZACH
Down!
Zach and the Doctor duck as one laser shoots past, barely singing the Doctor's hair.
DOCTOR
Hey!
ZACH
Never mind "hey!", go!
They climb back up and continue down another hill. They hide in a small entrenched path, but then the laser fire comes raining down again and they start running along again, as it gets ever closer to them.
DOCTOR
You'd think they'd be grateful, after defeating the Mollusc Emperor!
ZACH
You cremated their city! I know I'd be a little irritated!
DOCTOR
Yeah, well, everyone's a critic!
They clamber up onto the main surface again, helping one another in the process, and are once again met by the planes as they spit lasers down towards them. Thankfully, they're getting closer and closer to a small blue hut, with the words POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX emblazoned on the top.
DOCTOR
The TARDIS is straight ahead!
ZACH
I saw that, thanks!
They pant, reaching the box and pressing themselves against the doors. The Doctor fumbles around in her pockets, searching for the keys – and taking quite a long time about it.
ZACH
Oh, for god's sake!
The pair fall through the doors into the TARDIS, slamming them shut. [Track 1 ends] The roar of the planes are now dimmed by the whisper of the TARDIS' engines, engulfing the landscape in a blue light as it evaporates away into nothing.
2 INT. TARDIS
The Doctor is careering around the console, operating a variety of dials and switches, checking the scanner fixed firmly into the time rotor.
DOCTOR
Perfect takeoff!
ZACH
That makes a change…
DOCTOR
Uh, name one time I've messed up a takeoff!
ZACH
Italian Renaissance?
DOCTOR
Apart from that.
ZACH
Soros.
DOCTOR
Apart from that.
ZACH
Cyrtax VI.
[Track 2: Tendril]
DOCTOR
That wasn't my fault, those geostorms throw everyone off!
ZACH
Still wasn't a perfect takeoff.
DOCTOR
I'm showing you all of space and time, can you stop complaining?
ZACH
After I've been attacked by giant molluscs and planes that look like birds, not really!
Zach's phone buzzes. He takes it out and smiles upon seeing the caller ID.
ZACH
It's Shona.
He presses it to his ear, his grin reaching both sides of his face.
ZACH
Hey, sweetheart! …Sweetheart?
He hears laboured breathing over the phone.
SHONA (oc)
It's been… so long.
ZACH
What?
SHONA (oc)
A lifetime. And now you're going to pay the price.
ZACH
Pay the price- What you talking about? Shona, is this a joke? Where are you?
Suddenly, she begins to sob. He puts it on speakerphone as the Doctor listens intently.
SHONA (oc)
I can't, I can't… OKAY!
ZACH
Where are you, Shona?
SHONA (oc)
I want to speak to the Doctor.
DOCTOR
I'm here, Shona. What's up?
SHONA (oc)
Your meddling has gone too far. All your… human toys, they- they break eventually. And this… is Zach's turn. No!
She screams, and the call abruptly ends. Pure, unadulterated fear is struck in Zach's eyes, his whole body shaking. [Track 2 ends]
ROLL TITLES
3 INT. CUPBOARD
The TARDIS materializes in a small, cramped room – it's bare, the walls only dressed in corrugated metal, and no door to be seen. The Doctor steps out, followed hurriedly by Zach, and the two are now fighting for space.
ZACH
Where are we…?
DOCTOR
The source of the call. This is where the trace took us.
FADE TO WHITE:
4 INT. TARDIS
[Track 3: Tecteun] Zach is pacing around the console furiously, the Doctor right behind him, her arms raised, trying to keep him calm.
ZACH
What the hell was that? It sounded like someone was hurting her!
DOCTOR
I'm already locking on to your home. It could be a prank call!
ZACH
She's not like that! Oh, my god. She's not going to be there! What do you think happened to them? Did they kill her? Is- Is she dead, what about Deisha, and Ash-?
The Doctor grabs Zach and spins him around to stare deep into his eyes.
DOCTOR
Zach! Keep strong. Don't let your emotions overwhelm you. Someone's playing a game with you, they're doing this to torture you. Don't let them into your mind.
ZACH
Right… right, yeah.
DOCTOR
Quickly, pass me your phone.
The Doctor opens a small hatch in the console, and inside a slot expands – fit for Zach's phone. He puts it in, and immediately it begins to whirr.
DOCTOR
Wherever your wife is, whether it's at home or somewhere else, this'll track them down. We'll follow the source of the phone signal.
ZACH
…Okay.
He sighs a little, but still incredibly tense.
DOCTOR
Remember, we don't know what's going on. Stay on guard at all times. Be ready for all surprises. And don't let your emotions control you. That's the most important bit. Logical, rational thought.
He nods. The TARDIS sparks a little, and the Doctor immediately goes to wrangle back control over the ship.
FADE TO WHITE:
5 INT. CUPBOARD
Zach looks around, still being squished by the lack of space.
ZACH
Hang on, if the call was traced here, does that mean Shona was too? We didn't crush her, did we?
DOCTOR
No, the diffusion matrix is online.
ZACH
Whatever that means. Can we get out of here?
DOCTOR
That's the question of the hour. Step back for me.
He wriggles down the side of the police box, giving the Doctor a bit more space to move about. She feels and knocks on the wall. She hesitates for a moment, sliding down the other side of the TARDIS and feeling another wall, before moving back to the front. She grins a little.
DOCTOR
Do you feel that?
ZACH
…No, cos I'm not touching the walls.
DOCTOR
Neither am I. This isn't a wall. It's a door.
ZACH
Doesn't look like a door.
DOCTOR
Like I said, it's a game. Maybe round one… is getting out of here.
She rests her hand on the "wall", breathing deeply, and then it starts to fold up, sliding away to reveal a much larger – and currently shrouded in darkness – room.
DOCTOR
Easy.
The Doctor takes Zach's hand and they step forward, away from the cupboard and into the main space.
6 INT. MAIN ROOM
An ethereal hum blows through the darkness, chilling Zach's spine. The lights switch on, revealing a grey, circular room, with lots of clutter – hospital beds, bits of old metal junk and an assortment of other random stuff that sparks a thought in Zach's head – this is a rubbish dump, and the pair of them have been dumped. An old, 50s-esque TV switches on, flickering a harsh white light, and crackling noise.
DOCTOR
Hello?
DEISHA (oc)
…Well done. You passed the first test.
ZACH
Deisha!
DOCTOR
Deisha, what's going on? Where's your mum?
DEISHA (oc)
I… Deisha has no free speech. She only says what I say.
DOCTOR
And who are you?
A moment's pause before the response.
DEISHA (oc)
You'll find out soon enough. But I'm sure you have a clue already.
DOCTOR
So you're someone I know?
DEISHA (oc)
…I'd hope so. I wouldn't be surprised if some random stranger kidnapped your friend's family to get at you – the kind of people you attract.
DOCTOR
So this is all about me. Let them go, and we can talk properly.
DEISHA (oc)
No. Here're the rules. You've got twenty minutes to escape from my domain. If you don't escape in those twenty minutes…
Her voice cracks.
DEISHA (oc)
What…? Deisha and Shona will die.
ZACH
Over my dead body, you piece of-
DOCTOR
Zach!
ZACH
Come out, you coward! Let my daughter go!
DOCTOR
We don't have to get involved in this. We'll just take the TARDIS.
DEISHA (oc)
No.
The door folds back up, and despite the Doctor's attempts, she can't get it to reopen.
DOCTOR
Let me back through!
DEISHA (oc)
Enjoy your tasks. Remember, time is of the essence.
Deisha's voice crackles away, just the same as it had appeared, and now on the TV screen, there is a countdown – 19:59, 19:58, 19:57, and so on.
ZACH
No!
DOCTOR
Zach, stay calm.
ZACH
Stay calm?! How am I meant to stay calm?!
DOCTOR
With logical thought-
ZACH
Don't you dare tell me to think logically, some psycho's got my family!
DOCTOR
With logical thought, we can get out of here, and we can find them, I promise you!
ZACH
She said you know who they were. Who?
DOCTOR
I don't know.
ZACH
Don't lie to me, Doctor!
DOCTOR
Listen, Zach, we don't have time to argue. I don't know what they want, but we're on a deadline here and all we can do for now is play their game.
He scowls, stepping away from their heated discussion and facing the wall. [Track 3 ends]
DOCTOR
Alright, so first… we've got to find the door.
She runs to the walls, clambering over random objects, making her way slowly around the entire room, before returning to the centre.
DOCTOR
Nothing. The only way back is the way we came, unless there's another way out I'm missing, which I don't think there is.
The Doctor takes out her sonic, pointing it at the entrance – but as she uses it, the sonic sparks, and she drops it onto the floor. [Track 4: Emer-Gency Exit]
DOCTOR
Aah! Overcharged. It's like… it's been set up so there's too much stimulus, fried the sonic. They know how I work. Okay, no sonic, no TARDIS, ticking clock. That's my jam!
She stuffs the sonic back into her pocket, and starts rummaging around for something else.
DOCTOR
Like I said, should've been more prepared. Nothing. Except a banana. Not the worst accessory in the world. Actually, that's pretty helpful. Bananas are good! Excellent source of potassium. If we need potassium to get out of here, at least that's sorted. I'm rambling again, that's not helping. We could use something to ram through the door!
The Doctor scans the room, before staring at a large, vertical trolley.
DOCTOR
That'll do! Zach, could do with your help over here.
She starts to clear away some mess in order to reach the trolley, but then glances over to Zach, who's sat on the floor, brooding. She steps back, approaching her friend and crouching down beside him.
DOCTOR
Hi.
ZACH
What do you want?
DOCTOR
A cuppa. Nice pack of custard creams. But right now, we've got a job to do. We're going to get out of here, we're going to save your family, and we're going to stop whoever's doing this to you. But we can only do that if we work together.
ZACH
None of this would've happened in the first place if I hadn't met you. They'd be safe, I'd be at home…
DOCTOR
This is not on you. Don't blame yourself for this.
ZACH
They're using them to get to you. You've endangered my family, and I assure you, if this sick monster asks me to save either you, or my daughter… I will not hesitate to sacrifice you.
DOCTOR
I understand that. But we can't think about that for now. There won't be anything like that if you don't trust me.
ZACH
I did trust you. I trusted you that you'd keep me safe. My family are a part of me, and they're not safe.
DOCTOR
Wait. You're blaming me for this?
ZACH
You're dangerous. I'm realising that now. You're all about pacifism, but when it comes down to it, like Deisha said, you live your life in the company of dangerous people. You said you know who this person is.
DOCTOR
I don't.
ZACH
But you have an idea?
DOCTOR
Possibly. There's a long list of names in my head.
ZACH
Exactly my point. What if you had the chance to kill them? And you didn't, and now they're hurting other people. Their deaths are on you.
DOCTOR
I know. But remember what you said to the Angakkuq. Death shouldn't be avenged with more death. That would make us as bad as them.
ZACH
You would've been ending pain and suffering.
DOCTOR
By inflicting it. We can't turn on each other, not now. I'm sorry this is happening, but I'll make it right, and I need you to stay with me on this. Please.
ZACH
…Fine.
He grabs the Doctor's hand, and she helps him back up. [Track 4 ends]
DOCTOR
Thank you. Now, help me clear this stuff away.
[Track 5: Saving The Spaceship] They chuck random garbage out of the way, freeing the space for the trolley to easily slide across the floor.
DOCTOR
Ready?
They grab hold of the trolley, charging at the entrance. As it smashes into the wall, it absorbs the force, expelling it back towards the Doctor and Zach, flinging them backwards. They groan, rubbing their head and lying face flat on the floor.
DOCTOR
Shock absorption. Nasty.
ZACH
You think?
They get back up.
DOCTOR
Okay, so we can't force our way out of here. It seems like we've got to follow the puzzles laid out for us, but what's the first one?
Zach looks to the wall that the trolley was covering, noticing a bronze plaque with a set of letters on it: NII NI LXXI.
ZACH
That could be the first one.
The Doctor looks at where Zach is pointing, and hurries towards it.
DOCTOR
That could very well be an option, Zach, yes.
ZACH
Niniilxxi. That's not a word. Is it an alien? Is it who we're up against?
DOCTOR
It's not a word, it's a code.
ZACH
An acronym?
DOCTOR
Why're there spaces in between?
She glances back at the timer – 16:28, 16:27, 16:26…
DOCTOR
Running out of time.
ZACH
Oh, god… that countdown's reminding me of my exams.
DOCTOR
Same.
ZACH
…You had exams on your planet?
DOCTOR
Yeah! I graduated from the Academy with a triple first.
ZACH
Really?
DOCTOR
…Okay, no, I scraped through with 51%. On the second attempt.
ZACH
That sounds more like you.
DOCTOR
If this is a code, maybe there's something around here that the code should be inputted into. Have a gander.
They wander around.
ZACH
What sort of thing are we looking for?
DOCTOR
Not sure.
ZACH
That narrows it down, brilliant. So what kind of exams did you have?
DOCTOR
Oh, you know. Law, botany, science – I was great at that one. Law, not so much. The sports stuff was fun… I spent a lot of the Academy bunking off with some mates, though.
ZACH
Explains why you had to take the exams twice, I guess.
He sighs.
ZACH
It could be anything amongst all this stuff.
DOCTOR
Perhaps there's something we're missing, another clue which'll help us understand this code.
ZACH
If only this bloody TV wasn't making so much noise, I might be able to think.
Zach stops.
ZACH
…Hang on.
Zach's head suddenly shoots about the place.
ZACH
Can you hear that? It's like… the noise is coming from another… Ah!
He takes out a Bluetooth radio, crackling intensely.
ZACH
Radio. Of course it is. Don't know how that helps.
DOCTOR
Wait, wait, wait.
She dives down, but suddenly springs back up with an identical radio.
DOCTOR
Snap!
ZACH
They're the same. Gotta mean something, right?
DOCTOR
Maybe. Maybe not.
ZACH
Give it here, there might be, like a difference on one of them.
The Doctor chucks the radio at Zach, and he catches it clumsily.
ZACH
Uh… Can't see anything. Aside from like a small scuff here, but that's nothing.
DOCTOR
Everything we do, just creates more questions.
ZACH
Hey- What if we can't get out? What if all of this is a trick?
DOCTOR
No, they wouldn't, this is someone who likes a challenge. They're testing us, making us prove ourselves. All of this, it's sport. Ten quid on Zach and the Doctor escaping.
The radio hisses, and a crackly voice croaks though.
? (oc)
-/-…Rom…-/-
It disappears just as quickly as it came through, cutting the voice off.
ZACH
What was that?
DOCTOR
Roam?
The telly screeches.
DEISHA (oc)
Five minutes in, and how far have you got? Nothing.
ZACH
We don't want to play your games anymore!
DEISHA (oc)
…But you have to. Otherwise your family will- will die. How about a bit more incentive? If you manage to use the code in five minutes, I'll let you ask your family three questions. Good luck.
It returns to the standard hissing, counting down from 15:00.
ZACH
Five minutes? It's not enough time!
DOCTOR
No, right. A lot of this stuff has been put here to distract us, so we need to think about what is useful, and what isn't. In this corner, put all the rubbish. This corner, things that might be important.
They dive into the pile, starting with the clothes racks – hanging fancy dress costumes like Roman soldiers and a scientist – and throwing them to the useless corner.
ZACH
God, where did they get some of this stuff? It's going to take ages to get through. We'll never work out the code at this rate.
DOCTOR
Organisation of this place will clear our minds, inspire us. Just think about what questions we need to ask.
ZACH
Are they safe? Who's their captor?
DOCTOR
I think just the second one will do. If we know who their captor is, we'll know how much danger they're in. That leaves us two questions. What's the code?
ZACH
Nah, if it is a test, like we keep saying, they wouldn't let us cheat like that, would they?
DOCTOR
Probably not. So we've got to play the system. Why are there two radios? One room, we're not really going to lose each other, are we?
Zach now picks up a few binbags and peeks inside, grimacing at the smell.
ZACH
This shouldn't be too hard to work out whether it's rubbish or not.
DOCTOR
What's in 'em?
ZACH
Not sure- Augh, I think it's… like rotting chemicals. God, that's rank.
She peers inside.
DOCTOR
Not chemicals. Medicine. Syringes, pills… it's all medical kit. Tied in with the hospital beds… Maybe I was wrong.
ZACH
That makes a change. Wrong about what?
DOCTOR
What if it's not rubbish? What if the stuff that we can't use is meant to give us a clue?
ZACH
How's a Greek soldier giving us a clue?
DOCTOR
It's Roman.
Her eyes widen.
DOCTOR
Roman!
Her face perks up, and she immediately sprints back to the lettering.
ZACH
…What?
DOCTOR
That's what was said over the radio! Not roam, Roman! Don't you see, they're Roman numerals! The letters are representative of cardinal numbers, it's not an anagram, it's a number! I should've figured that out way earlier! The costumes, they're a clue.
ZACH
Then what's the doctor's outfit? Not you, the... that one.
DOCTOR
Either a clue for another puzzle, something to do with hospitals, or it's telling us that it's something to do with science. Science is based off mathematics! If we think about the N as in nulla, that's 0. 02, 01… and then I'm not sure on the last one. Been a while since I've been to Ancient Rome, I need to brush up on the numbering.
ZACH
You think?
He groans.
ZACH
There could be something in…
He fumbles around in the pocket of the Roman soldier outfit, then brandishes a folded up piece of paper.
ZACH
Here!
He reads it.
ZACH
"Nice try." I'm really starting to hate this person.
DOCTOR
I've just got to remember…
ZACH
X is 10, right? So XX is 20?
DOCTOR
And I is one, so it's something 21.
ZACH
100? Is it 121?
DOCTOR
No, 100's C. As in, century.
ZACH
Right…
DOCTOR
Gotta remember the etymology.
ZACH
Whilst you do that, now we know it's a number code, we can start looking for something more specific. What do you think, calculator? Phone?
DOCTOR
Anything with a keypad.
ZACH
The radios?
Zach picks up the radio.
ZACH
There's a keypad on it.
DOCTOR
Yes! Just gotta remember this final number.
She groans in frustration.
ZACH
What about all the hospital stuff, where does that tie into it?
DOCTOR
I don't think we can move onto that until we find out what the radio is meant to give us.
ZACH
The location of something? We've got a trolley, you said everything has a purpose. Maybe we're supposed to carry something somewhere.
DOCTOR
Oh, you're good!
ZACH
The bin bags? Or… something in the bin bags? Something else entirely?
Zach glances at the timer, becoming increasingly worried – 12:57, 12:56, 12:56.
ZACH
Three minutes, Doctor.
DOCTOR
I know, I know! You still got that scrap of paper?
Zach passes it to the Doctor. She turns it around, so "nice try" is on the bottom, then she scours around.
DOCTOR
Marker, marker… Marker!
Another groan.
ZACH
Well, at least we know we don't have to do any highlighting.
She trips over one of the bin bags.
DOCTOR
I thought you were moving these!
ZACH
I was, til we realised that they actually have use, so that "useful and not useful" idea has sort of become null and void.
DOCTOR
Null! No, worked that out already. I need something to write with.
ZACH
We can't waste time looking for that, can we?
DOCTOR
No…
The Doctor picks up one of the syringes and pierces her skin. Red, wet blood drips from her finger.
ZACH
What the hell are you doing?!
She takes the paper and begins to write.
DOCTOR
No time to find a pen. This is the best alternative.
ZACH
No, it's really not!
She begins to use the blood to write on the paper.
ZACH
You really shouldn't have done that.
DOCTOR
It's fine.
On the paper, scribbled in blood - I = 1, V = 5, X = 10. Then she stops.
DOCTOR
50! It's 71!
Zach types into the keypad on the radio – 020171. Nothing happens.
ZACH
Nothing. Did I do it wrong?
He does it again.
ZACH
Do we do it on both? Like 020 on one, 171 on another?
DOCTOR
Give it here.
ZACH
I don't-
DOCTOR
Give it here!
The Doctor wrangles the radio out of Zach's hand, and it falls to the floor. She picks it up – now it has a scuff mark.
DOCTOR
Wait a second. Give me the other radio.
He passes it to her.
DOCTOR
Look!
She holds them up – they now look completely alike.
DOCTOR
They're not just the same make, they're identical! They're exactly the same!
ZACH
You mean, it's the same radio?
DOCTOR
Different points in time, brought together. Our kidnapper… they're a time traveller.
ZACH
Well, that's gotta narrow it down, surely!
DOCTOR
Not exactly.
ZACH
Oh, come on!
DOCTOR
Doesn't matter now. So if it's not the radio, what else?
ZACH
Doctor, two minutes.
DOCTOR
Don't need the running commentary. And twelve minutes.
ZACH
To get out, not to talk to Deisha.
DOCTOR
Even if we miss that timing, and I promise you, I'm working on it – it's not the end of the world. We know she'll be safe until the main timer runs out, this is a side goal, this is a bonus. Okay?
ZACH
Fine.
DOCTOR
Alright. We've got to work out this code anyway.
ZACH
Maybe there's a keypad on the wall or something.
DOCTOR
No, I went all around.
ZACH
Well, you missed the giant plaque with the Roman numerals, there could be something else you missed.
Zach runs around the walls, inspecting them carefully, whilst the Doctor returns to rummaging through the garbage bags.
DOCTOR
Just medicines. What if the code's for a piece of medical equipment?
ZACH
Like an IV drip or something? Controlling how much goes in?
The Doctor climbs over the mess to the hospital beds.
DOCTOR
There is some sort of tubing, but I don't know what to.
He groans.
ZACH
Nothing.
DOCTOR
The tubing's got to be controlled from somewhere… maybe a remote control?
ZACH
That's bound to have a keypad…
DOCTOR
Alright, that's easy then. Just got to find a remote control.
ZACH
…Found 'em.
He empties a cardboard box – dozens of remote controls pour out onto the floor, all different shapes and sizes. [Track 5 ends]
ZACH
Augh, there's no way we'll find the right one in… a minute!
DOCTOR
No… you're right. I'm sorry. I've let you down.
ZACH
What?
DOCTOR
We've run out of time. We've lost the bonus.
She slumps to the floor.
ZACH
Don't be ridiculous. You never give up! That's one of the things that's most annoying about you! Don't give up when we need your obnoxiously persuasive optimism now!
10:40, 10:39, 10:38…
ZACH
Don't do this, Doctor. Don't do this to me. Don't give up!
DOCTOR
I don't know what it's meant for.
ZACH
No. I'm not giving up.
[Track 6: The Future Is Mine 0:00 – 0:30 (fadeout needed)] Zach scrambles through all the remotes, chucking away all the ones without numbers on them, picking up the others slowly pointing at the tubes, inputting 020171, before discarding it and moving onto the next. The Doctor stares at the screen: 10:15, 10:14, 10:13… Then she realises.
DOCTOR
Oh, brilliant.
ZACH
What?
DOCTOR
Oh, brilliant!
She catapults herself from the ground, bounding over to the back of the TV – a remote control is plugged into a socket, blending in with the black casing. 10:07, 10:06, 10:05…
DOCTOR
Oh, brilliant!
She keys the numbers in, and the timer disappears at 10:01. [Track 6 fades]
ZACH
What did you do?
DOCTOR
Don't you see? This entire place is designed to mess with us. Taunting us. Giving us answers that are too obvious to see. We're about to talk to Deisha on the TV – so, obviously, the answer is the TV.
He sighs.
ZACH
You're a genius.
DOCTOR
I know.
She smiles, and Deisha appears on the TV, warming Zach's heart a little - a sole light shines on her face from above, but the rest of the background is dark, shrouded, scary. [Track 7: The Incredible Shrinking Device]
ZACH
Deisha!
She is staring down at a tablet, words scrolling down in the reflection over her eyes, skimming over them.
DEISHA
Well done. And just in the nick of time, too. I'm a man of my word, you've earned your three questions. But, there are a few rules. You cannot ask how to escape, and you can't ask who I am.
DOCTOR
Why's that? Showmanship's a big thing these days.
There's a pause, before the words start to appear again, obviously a delay between the Doctor's words and the response that accompanies it.
DEISHA
It'd be a lot more fun to reveal it right at the very end. So, ask your questions. Oh, and remember, keep it quick – your timer's still running out. This isn't a break.
The Doctor and Zach stare at each other.
ZACH
Are they both okay?
DOCTOR
Why do we have two of the same radio?
ZACH
And last one…
DOCTOR
We've not got very far… what's the hospital gear for? No, they won't accept that.
ZACH
Is there a visible link between the remotes and the hospital stuff?
DOCTOR
That works. Go on.
ZACH
Me?
DOCTOR
It's your daughter.
ZACH
For Christ's… Okay. Uh, can we find a link between the remotes and the hospital equipment?
DEISHA
…Yes.
DOCTOR
Good. The radios, they're the same. Why are there two of the same?
DEISHA
…For a clue. You have two helpful hints. You can tell your past selves two things to advance your knowledge of the situation. You must use your first now to maintain the timelines.
DOCTOR
Zach, say Roman into the radio.
ZACH
Okay, uh…
He puts the radio close to his mouth, and mutters…
ZACH
R-Roman… Like that?
He puts the radio back in his pocket.
DOCTOR
That should do. Last question… Go on.
Zach stutters.
ZACH
Are you… are you and mum safe?
DEISHA
…No.
The Doctor's face falls.
ZACH
What can I do?! What do you need?!
The video cuts away, returning to static, then the countdown – 08:30, 08:29, 08:28.
ZACH
What are we meant to do now? What's happened to them?!
DOCTOR
Zach, focus!
ZACH
The- the radio! It's a hint, maybe future me tells us what's wrong with them!
DOCTOR
I'm sorry, but I won't let you do that.
Zach freezes.
ZACH
What?!
DOCTOR
You're letting your emotions cloud your judgement. We can't do anything when you're in this state!
ZACH
Oh, I'm sorry that I'm not a cold hearted, selfish alien like you are! You know, you told me you've got two hearts – so why don't you use them for once and actually try to sympathise?
DOCTOR
Sympathy is a luxury. A luxury we don't have, and nor do we have time!
ZACH
Oh, don't give me that bull. You act like you care, but you don't. You never have. Have you ever loved, Doctor? Is there anyone that you actually care about?
DOCTOR
You.
ZACH
Me? Me?! The lies keep coming! If you did, you'd know that we are living my nightmare. The one I've been having for weeks. That month in Crimea, knocked up in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about them. And what would happen to them if I didn't come home.
DOCTOR
I know what it's like!
ZACH
No, you don't, you have no idea! You might have experience on teleports, or all that sci-fi stuff, but when it comes to humanity, you don't have a damn clue! You don't have a family, so you don't know what it's like!
DOCTOR
Yes, I do!
ZACH
No, you don't have a family!
DOCTOR
Because they all died!
Zach goes silent, processing this information.
ZACH
What?
DOCTOR
Family is not a human thing, it's universal. My planet died, I saw it burn because of me. I've killed. I've watched my friends be murdered, get stranded, be tortured. I do know what it's like, because I've lost everything close to me. I've mourned, I know the pressure, the responsibility, and I know that you're scared for them. You want me to tell you the list of everyone that I've lost? We'll need a lot longer than… seven minutes. But here's the thing. I saved Gallifrey. The Time Lords are back, because I stayed rational, and fought to bring them home.
ZACH
So human emotion isn't rational? Tell that to Eden West, who conquered the Nestene Consciousness with pure human strength.
DOCTOR
I know.
ZACH
Rage. That's how he won. And that's how I'm getting out.
He sprints around the room, beating and whacking things.
ZACH
Oi, organ grinder! You better let us out or I'm going to start trashing stuff!
DOCTOR
Zach, no!
ZACH
You shut it! Well? What if I tear my way out of here? What if I rage quit, huh?!
Zach starts yelling, throwing things to the floor and smashing things to pieces. He eyes the TV, and goes for it. The Doctor sees his target and tackles him before he can make any damage.
ZACH
Hey! Get off me!
DOCTOR
What are you thinking?! I'm not letting this go any further!
ZACH
You're not in charge of me!
DOCTOR
You're not… thinking straight!
ZACH
I said, GET OFF!
Zach shoves the Doctor back and she tumbles onto the floor. He pushes forward towards the TV, and the Doctor immediately jumps back up, grabbing him once again, starting to wrestle.
DOCTOR
Think about it! You do this, you won't be able to talk to them anymore! This is our only way of contact!
ZACH
This is how they're torturing us! Taunting us, mocking us!
DOCTOR
Just hold on for a bit longer!
ZACH
I can't take it anymore!
DOCTOR
What is this going to achieve?! All this'll do will stop you being able to talk to Shona and Deisha! Don't you see, they're manipulating you!
Zach throws the Doctor up against the wall and kicks the TV, toppling off the table and onto the floor, smashing it – unbeknownst to the Doctor and Zach, something rolls out – because they're focused on the timer, still going behind the cracked façade.
ZACH
No!
He yanks out the wire at the back, and everything comes crashing down – sparks fly, the room rumbles and they're submerged in darkness. [Track 7 ends] They pant.
DOCTOR
What have you done?
ZACH
…I… No. God, no! Deisha! Shona!
[Track 8: Time Lords] He sprints to the TV screen, picking it up and holding it close to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
ZACH
Come back! Please, come back! Come back! Come back!
DOCTOR
Zach. We've wasted enough time.
ZACH
Shut up! Bring them back now!
DOCTOR
I can't.
ZACH
Yes, you can. Bring them back.
DOCTOR
I can't!
ZACH
Yes, you can! If you can't give me my family back, what is the point of you?
Ugly, dripping saliva drools down onto the TV set as he cradles it in his arms.
ZACH
What have I done? I didn't- I didn't want it to be this way!
The Doctor ignores him, climbing up onto one of the beds to inspect the lights.
DOCTOR
The lights went out when you pulled the TV… I think that was meant to happen. I think you were forced to do that, your anger being used against you. That's why it's harder to think.
ZACH
Shut up.
DOCTOR
Another torture method to spice things up a bit. Now we're in darkness, adds the pressure.
ZACH
I said, shut up. Just stop talking. Do you ever stop talking?
DOCTOR
Listen. I don't need you a whiny mess at the moment. Your family's gone, I get that. This person is messing with your head. But you can't help them by slobbering over a TV screen. Buck up, the day's not over.
ZACH
Did you seriously just tell me to "buck up" after I've-?
DOCTOR
Yes, I did. There's still time, and Shona and Deisha are still in trouble. I don't care that you fell into their trap again. Now's the time to be a dad. Own up to your mistakes, work on them and save your family. Got it?
Zach realises, dropping the TV and jumping to his feet.
ZACH
You're right. I'm going to get out of here, I'm going to find my family, then I'm going to kill that arsehole.
DOCTOR
No. I won't let you.
ZACH
You can't stop me.
The radio screeches.
DOCTOR (oc)
-/-There is another way out of here. Find it soon, Shona doesn't have long.-/-
ZACH
What… what does that mean? You have to be cryptic, don't you?
DOCTOR
Not my fault, it's my previous self's. I just copied what I heard myself say in the past. Or I will copy. Timey wimey…
ZACH
But what does it mean?
DOCTOR
It means that there is another room, somewhere.
ZACH
Not that, dumbass. Shona, she doesn't have long?
The Doctor thinks for a moment, very silent, then her mouth opens wide as she lets out a terrible-
DOCTOR
Oh!
ZACH
Oh? Oh, what? Doctor, oh what?
DOCTOR
The hospital tools. Deisha… You asked if Deisha and Shona were safe. She responded with no.
ZACH
Yeah, not like I haven't been replaying that moment in my head for the past few minutes, thanks for the recap!
DOCTOR
What if she's safe, but Shona isn't?
ZACH
How do you mean?
DOCTOR
There's medical apparatus everywhere. What if she's in danger, and the next task is to save her?
ZACH
But- but how?
DOCTOR
That's the question, Questioner.
ZACH
Don't start that again, just find out where the door is!
DOCTOR
Working on it!
She clears away the stuff by the walls, moving everything into the centre of the room so it's easier to run around the circumference.
DOCTOR
Nothing! Still nothing! We've got to be missing something.
Zach glances down, and sees a small, handheld device by the broken TV set.
ZACH
Where'd this come from? Look, secret compartment in the TV.
DOCTOR
I'm guessing that's what the code unlocked.
ZACH
I thought that was for the three questions.
DOCTOR
It was, but it played a part in the overall challenge.
Zach picks it up, and it starts beeping – slowly, rhythmically. [Track 8 ends]
ZACH
Oh! Is it meant to do that?
DOCTOR
Sounds like the fire alarm from the TARDIS.
ZACH
That's a bit of a rubbish alarm.
DOCTOR
It's at a slower tempo, obviously.
As she moves it around, the beeping starts quickening in pace. They follow the device as the beeping gets quicker and quicker until they come to a wall.
ZACH
Now what?
The wall suddenly reforms, a slot for the tracker growing from the corrugated metal. Zach sighs. [Track 9: Going Undercover 0:00 – 3:05]
ZACH
That's just cheating. How were we meant to figure that out?
DOCTOR
We weren't, not without the tracker. It responds to proximity. Look.
The Doctor takes a step back, and the slot disappears. She returns to her original position, and the slot regrows. She pivots on her foot, so the slot keeps coming and going, coming and going.
ZACH
Are you having fun yet? Need I remind you that my possibly injured wife is on the other side of that wall?
DOCTOR
Right, yeah, sorry.
She slides the device into the slot, and the wall folds up. On the other side, in a dank, small cupboard, is Shona, chained up to the walls, bleeding from the stomach and feeble.
ZACH
Oh my god! Shona!
He sprints to her side.
DOCTOR
Shona, can you hear me?
She notices a bruise on her forehead.
DOCTOR
How many fingers am I holding up?
She presents three fingers, and Shona responds with a low murmur.
DOCTOR
She's got a concussion.
ZACH
She's bloody bleeding, too!
DOCTOR
Right, yeah. It'll be easier to operate on her on one of the hospital beds.
ZACH
The trolley!
Zach sprints off, grabbing the trolley and speeding back to the cupboard.
DOCTOR
Alright, help me out here. Shona, keep your eyes open for me, sweetheart.
The Doctor and Zach wrap Shona's arms around them, hoisting her onto the trolley and then pushing the trolley back into the main room, then pulling her onto one of the beds.
DOCTOR
I think I saw bandages in one of the rubbish bags.
Zach darts to the rubbish bags, scouring through each one. The Doctor finds some rubber gloves, throwing a pair to Zach and putting on some herself.
DOCTOR
Alright, got to apply pressure.
She holds her hands against the wound, as Zach returns with some bandages.
ZACH
Got them!
DOCTOR
Alright, put them on the table, and then put your hands here.
ZACH
Me?
DOCTOR
Yeah, I need to find a painkiller.
ZACH
Oh, god!
DOCTOR
Pressure, keep it tight!
Zach keeps his hand firmly pressed where the Doctor's hands were, as she begins to pick up some chemicals.
DOCTOR
Never made a painkiller solution from scratch before. It's at times like these I miss Rory. Is she allergic to anything?
ZACH
Uh, shellfish.
DOCTOR
Nothing else?
ZACH
No.
DOCTOR
Good, that makes things easier.
She squirts a few different liquids into a bottle, then takes a syringe, taking a dose, and injecting it into the wound. She then starts wrapping the bandages around.
DOCTOR
She'll be fine when we get her into the TARDIS.
Zach picks up a wet flannel, dabbing her forehead.
DEISHA (oc)
It's good that you mention that – 2 minutes left.
DOCTOR
What?
DEISHA (oc)
You didn't think I'd actually leave you in the dark? Well, metaphorically. Literally, I am.
DOCTOR
But… but… but I don't get it. We saved Shona, but where's the next clue? What do we do now?
DEISHA (oc)
Oh, nothing…
She breaks character for a second.
DEISHA (oc)
No! …Doctor, there is no way out!
She screams.
DEISHA (oc)
I'll follow the script, I'll follow the script!
ZACH
Don't hurt her!
DOCTOR
But there's got to be!
DEISHA (oc)
I love seeing you run around like a headless chicken before killing you. Makes your death all the more satisfying.
She yanks the device from the slot, exasperated, and runs back to the wall where the TARDIS was, hoping to uncover something.
DOCTOR
Let us out! Let us out of here!
ZACH
Tell me there's something we can do.
DOCTOR
I don't… I don't know.
She looks up.
DOCTOR
Tell me this. If we're going to die here, who are you?
DEISHA (oc)
…I'm not going to tell you. The idea that you'll die never knowing who bested you, tickles me!
DOCTOR
But will it satisfy you? You know me, you know I've never been beaten. Will you be happy knowing that I never found out it was you, above everyone else?
DEISHA (oc)
Don't tempt me.
DOCTOR
Oh? Why not?
ZACH
Doctor, stop the arguing and get us out of here!
She refocuses her gaze on the stuff around her.
DOCTOR
Assets, assets. Plaque, useless. Costumes, useless. TV, useless! Argh!
She turns back to the door.
DOCTOR
There might be a… an electrical lock or something! Aah, no sonic!
She rests her hand against it.
DOCTOR
Come on… I really need you to open right now! Come on!
She grunts, hitting it and getting repelled back.
DOCTOR
Ow! Shock absorption… Wait. Shock absorption! That's it!
She glances up to the broken lights, some loose wires hanging down and flickering.
ZACH
Oh, course that's it! What's it?
DOCTOR
Get ready to take cover!
The Doctor picks up the TV set, lugging it across to the entrance and dumping it on the floor.
ZACH
What?
DOCTOR
You see your problem? You gave me a playground! Lots of stuff to work with! Easy.
She wraps the TV wire around the clothes rack, propping it firmly against another wall.
ZACH
What do you mean, cover?!
DOCTOR
Kaboom!
ZACH
Kaboom?!
She unplugs the tubing from the canister, attaching it to the TV wire and firmly securing it back into its place into the ceiling.
ZACH
Shona, under the table!
DOCTOR
Don't touch anything metal!
She jumps up onto the table, freeing one of the exposed wires from its bed, sparking intensely. The Doctor makes sure to hold it by the rubber coating, avoiding the live current flowing through it vigorously.
DOCTOR
Are you ready?!
ZACH
Not at all!
She jumps down, pulling the wire slowly to the wall, before thrusting it in. It sparks back, and the electricity feeds back and forth, splintering across the room as everything links up together – the barbed wire, the tubing, the TV set, the clothes racks - convulsing in a heavy electric storm, increasing in strength. The Doctor dives under the table as it erupts into a vicious explosion, the door, reduced to a cinder. Flames shoot above the room, before the smoke settles and they all cough. [Track 9 ends]
ZACH
Oh… kaboom.
DOCTOR
Ha! It worked! With just thirty seconds to go!
ZACH
What exactly did you do?
DOCTOR
The walls, they have a shock absorption factor, right?
ZACH
Right?
DOCTOR
And the room has been overcharged with stimulus, to jam the sonic.
ZACH
Like… like before a thunderstorm?
DOCTOR
Exactly. So I just inputted a heavy electrical charge into the walls, causing it to feedback and echo around the room, frying everything and shutting it down!
The Doctor crouches down to inspect the TV.
DOCTOR
Blown this thing, though. Shame, I wanted to… I still can! Get Shona into the TARDIS.
ZACH
We're getting out of here?
DOCTOR
Sort of. You know where the Medbay is, right?
ZACH
Yep. Come on, sweetheart.
Zach and Shona limp into the police box, which is unlocked by the Doctor. She picks up the radio, speaking into it.
DOCTOR
There is another way out of here. Find it soon, Shona doesn't have long.
She also races into the police box, chucking the radio away, but quickly emerges with a large cable, plugging it into the TV.
DOCTOR
Come on, reboot. Factory settings, pretty please?
She whacks the top, and co-ordinates glitch onto the screen, shifting a little bit due to the way that the set has been worn down.
DOCTOR
Bingo.
She leaps back up and runs into the TARDIS, unplugging the cable.
7 INT. TARDIS
[Track 10: Thank You] Zach enters from the corridor as the Doctor positions herself at the console.
ZACH
She's asleep now.
DOCTOR
Good, she needs that rest. I found a source from those videos they kept sending us, so let's have a proper talk.
ZACH
What?
DOCTOR
Not you. Come on, I know you're still listening! No point in playing the silent type. We won, you lost. Now's the time to admit defeat. Because we're going to find you anyway.
A smooth, silky whisper echoes around the console room.
?
A little chaos… is a wonderful thing.
She smirks, running around to the scanner and flicking a switch beside it. A dark, imposing figure stands, silhouetted in the blank background.
DOCTOR
Hello. Long time no see.
?
Not long enough.
DOCTOR
Your fault, not mine.
ZACH
'Scuse me, you wanna tell me who that is?
DOCTOR
…The Master.
The lights on the video switch on, revealing – the O Master. He's stood in a TARDIS, which bears resemblance, particularly the walls, to the Thirteenth's on-screen interior.
MASTER
How long did you know?
DOCTOR
A while. Only you'd toy with me like this. I liked the surprise twist at the end, though. "No way out". There's always a way out.
MASTER
I wondered if you'd work out the ending.
DOCTOR
I kept it close. You said you liked to be entertained.
She flicks another switch, the video on the scanner reforming into a hologram, the Master stood tall in front of the Doctor.
ZACH
Hang on, I recognise you… Where's Deisha?
MASTER
Don't worry, she's right here.
He whistles, beckoning her to come over. She stands next to him, timid and afraid.
MASTER
I won't harm her – for the time being, anyway. I know that, with her in my possession, I own you, Doctor.
DEISHA
I'm not your possession, get off!
MASTER
Shush now. You belong to me, and because of that, the Doctor belongs to me. She knows that, if she does anything I don't want her to…
He takes out his TCE from his pocket, pointing it at Deisha.
MASTER
I'll make you even smaller than you already are.
He giggles, revelling in his power over the Doctor.
DOCTOR
She's just a kid.
MASTER
So?
ZACH
If you're using my family as a bargaining tool, why hurt Shona?
MASTER
The grownups are talking, quiet now.
DOCTOR
Answer his question.
MASTER
The beauty of two hostages – one to show you mean business, and the other as a backup.
ZACH
You're disgusting.
MASTER
Thank you.
DOCTOR
I'm done here. We're coming to you.
MASTER
Oh, are you?
The Doctor types into the console, then thrusts the lever forward. The TARDIS springs into motion, wheezing and groaning as it dematerialises.
DOCTOR
I think you'll find we- Aaaargh!
The Doctor and Zach are thrown across the console room as the TARDIS loses control, shaking and groaning, flashing intensely. The Master laughs – he's insane!
MASTER
You're really not up to much today, are you?! Come on, at least give me a challenge!
DOCTOR
What have you done?!
MASTER
False information. Those co-ordinates on the telly, heading straight into a supernova! You should never trust the media, you know that!
He jumps up and down, guffawing.
DEISHA (oc)
Stop it!
MASTER
You, shut up.
He presses a button on his TCE.
MASTER
Muted.
DOCTOR
I can't control it! We're going in!
MASTER
You know, I really will miss you, Doctor. I've never taken as much joy tricking anyone as I have you. And today, you've fallen into trap after trap. Oh, and just before you die – We've got a guest with us! Come say hello!
Another figure stands beside the Master – a similar build to Zach, some discernible facial features, but older. Zach gasps, unable to believe his eyes.
ZACH
Adam… It can't be!
MASTER
Bye!
The hologram disappears, leaving the Doctor, haphazardly trying to regain control over her ship… [Track 10 ends]
ROLL CREDITS
TO BE CONTINUED IN: The Hunters of Oxurn