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AUDIO ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE
TRANSCRIPTION: "THE TRILEXIA THREAT" (AV10)
PART: 1 OF 2
DURATION: 26:26
VERSION: 0.1
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SCENE 1: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - BRIDGE
SOUND: BG: BRIDGE ACTIVITY AND MACHINERY
MORAN: Greenovia orbit established.
CAPTAIN: Servo thirty-two, compensate for freak gravitational
disturbance. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my Jacusi.
I've got a *stinking* headache.
MORAN: Captain?
CAPTAIN: Considering my present fragile condition, I would
appreciate a little less *volume*, Mister Moran.
MORAN: Something's just appeared on the short-range scan in a
lower orbit.
CAPTAIN: [GRUMPILY] Oh, has it? Oh, can't it wait?
MORAN: It *could* have something to do with Greenovia's colony
communications blackout.
CAPTAIN: Oh, very well. Have servo thirty-one put it on the view
plate. Full magnification.
MORAN: Looks like some kind of escape capsule.
CAPTAIN: Well, it looks very shabby.
MORAN: On present course it will soon burn up. I *certainly*
wouldn't want to be in their shoes.
SOUND: THE BLEATING OF A DISTRESS SIGNAL.
LIEUTENANT: Captain, it's sending a distress signal.
MORAN: Servo twenty-nine reports that the object is in minimum
range. We *could* throw a tractor beam around it.
CAPTAIN: [RELUCTANTLY] Very well. Bring it aboard. Moran, you
will make sure you put it in the decontamination
chamber, won't you?
MORAN: Of course I will, sir.
CAPTAIN: Bleep me when it's aboard.
SCENE 2: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - DECONTAMINATION OBSERVATION DECK
SOUND: A CRANE LOWERS THE OBJECT INTO PLACE.
MORAN: Gently does it. Lower her down.
SOUND: THE CRANE PULLS AWAY.
MORAN: Remove the gantry. Initiate decontamination, servo
five.
SOUND: THE OBJECT IS SPRAYED WITH A DECONTAMINATION SOLUTION.
CAPTAIN: [WALKING ON] Well Moran?
MORAN: Just cleaning it up now, sir.
CAPTAIN: Good. Good. That's no escape pod. It looks more like
a piece of *junk*. I think you've wasted our time,
Mister Moran.
MORAN: Servo ten reports mass negative, density negative,
composition negative. The scanners just can't seem to
make sense of it.
CAPTAIN: [IMPATIENTLY] Oh, *eject* it!
MORAN: Captain, someone's coming out of that thing!
CAPTAIN: *Two* someones, Moran. How could they survive in such a
confined *space*?
MORAN: Hmmm. There's obviously no atmosphere inside. Look.
They appear to be wearing life support suits.
SCENE 3: INSIDE THE DECONTAMINATION CHAMBER.
[THE DOCTOR AND RIA'S VOICES ARE EFFECTED TO INDICATE
THAT THEY ARE BOTH WEARING LIFE SUPPORT SUITS.]
RIA: Well, is there an atmosphere?
DOCTOR: Uhhhh... yes.
RIA: Good, cause I'm going back inside the TARDIS to change.
I feel as if I've been wearing this suit for centuries.
DOCTOR: Uh, you probably have. But it wasn't *my* fault that we
were hit by that gravity force so soon after leaving the
space dock.
RIA: By the way, where are we? Ow!
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
RIA: Uh, it's some kind of force field around the TARDIS. I
can't get in.
DOCTOR: What? How very *uncourteous*.
CAPTAIN: [OVER SPEAKER] We don't want you disappearing back
inside your box just yet.
DOCTOR: Who said that?
RIA: Up there. Look! It's a view port of some sort.
DOCTOR: Oh, and I didn't even get that feeling that we were
being *watched*. [CALLING] Hello!
RIA: [CALLING] Where are we?
CAPTAIN: [OVER SPEAKER] In the decontamination chamber of the
Starship Shapiro.
DOCTOR: Oh. Good ho.
CAPTAIN: [OVER SPEAKER] Servo five, escort our visitors to the
briefing lounge.
SOUND: THE SERVO-DRUDGER APPROACHES AND INDICATES THAT THEY
SHOULD FOLLOW IT.
RIA: Drudgers! Then Cuthbert *did* survive!
DOCTOR: I don't believe it.
RIA: Doctor?
DOCTOR: I think they want us to go with them, and my advice is
*never* to argue with a drudger.
RIA: Do we smile?
DOCTOR: Only at a crocodile.
SCENE 4: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - BRIEFING LOUNGE.
SOUND: THE CAPTAIN OPENS A PACKET OF GELMELS.
CAPTAIN: [OFFERING] Moran?
MORAN: No, thank you, sir. I had too many of those gelmels
*last* night.
CAPTAIN: [CHEWING THE GUMMY TREATS] Mm! Purple one! Oh, I
*adore* them!
SOUND: THE DOOR OPENS.
CAPTAIN: Remain standing.
DOCTOR: Hm. Thank you.
SOUND: THE DOOR CLOSES.
CAPTAIN: And *who* are you and *what* are you doing here?
DOCTOR: I'm the Doctor. This is Ria. We're here by accident.
Those are very bad for your teeth, you know.
MORAN: What do you mean by accident?
DOCTOR: *Not* on purpose.
RIA: There's a freak gravity force out there. We were
effected by it.
CAPTAIN: We know. We rescued you. [HE TAKES A SIP OF A DRINK] I
expect you're wondering why.
DOCTOR: Because you're extremely kind-hearted?
MORAN: No.
SOUND: THE DRUDGER ESCORTING THE DOCTOR AND RIA FLOAT INTO THE
ROOM AND PASS BY. [UNDER]
CAPTAIN: Thank you, Moran. No, Doctor. I'm extremely curious.
I command a top-priority mission to a planetary outpost
which has *tiresomely* neglected to contact our home base
for the past solar month, or so. The Space Authority
has a feeling that something *might* be amiss.
DOCTOR: Sorry to disappoint you. Nothing to do with us. You'll
just have to *get* off your bottom and look a little
*harder* for your solution.
RIA: Uh, we've never been here before, anyway.... Wherever
*here* is.
MORAN: The planet Greenovia.
DOCTOR: Oh, have we landed?
CAPTAIN: No. But we're in orbit *around* Greenovia. But I think
you should come down to the surface with us in the
shuttle.
DOCTOR: Uh, I'm sorry, but we have to go. Tea's on.
CAPTAIN: I would advise you...
SOUND: THE VIDPHONE BLEEPS.
CAPTAIN: Excuse me. [INTO VIDPHONE] Briefing lounge.
LIEUTENANT: [OVER VIDPHONE] Bridge, sir. Gravity field increasing.
CAPTAIN: Well, how's our orbit?
LIEUTENANT: [OVER VIDPHONE] Just under five percent off elliptical
norm.
CAPTAIN: Keep me informed. Briefing lounge out.
DOCTOR: Well, that's good news, isn't it? You haven't entered
the zone of maximum pull! Lucky old you!
SOUND: [UNDER] THE DRUDGER MOVES TO FOLLOW THE CAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN: Keep them here, Moran. I'm going to change for the
exbed.
MORAN: Yes, Captain.
CAPTAIN: These drudgers *are* programmed for valet services,
aren't they?
MORAN: Uhhh, yes, sir.
CAPTAIN: Good.
SOUND: THE DOOR OPENS
MORAN: Your attitude doesn't do you *any* good, Doctor.
RIA: I tend to agree.
DOCTOR: Well, to tell you the truth, Mister Moran, I'm a little
tired of being *suspected* of doing things I haven't
*done*.
MORAN: Maybe you look like a suspicious character, Doctor.
DOCTOR: What's that supposed to mean?
MORAN: Our computers can't make *any* sense out of your box.
DOCTOR: TARDIS.
MORAN: You're wearing non-Space Authority support suits. You
turn up during a crisis, and you're not *exactly*
willing to answer questions.
RIA: That doesn't make us guilty.
MORAN: I know all about that burden of proof stuff.
DOCTOR: I wish I could say the same for your captain.
MORAN: Hmmm.
SOUND: HE ACTIVATES A COMMUNICATOR
MORAN: [INTO COMMUNICATOR] Servo drudger nine to briefing
lounge, please. Detain the strangers until relieved.
SOUND: HE SHUTS OFF THE COMMUNICATOR.
MORAN: I must leave you to prepare for the exbed. The drudgers
will bring you to the shuttle bay when ordered.
DOCTOR: Do the drudgers do all your work?
MORAN: Yes. Yes, I suppose so. See you later.
SOUND: HE PRESSES A CONTROL
SOUND 2: THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND HIM AND LOCKS ITSELF.
DOCTOR: Interesting.
RIA: What is?
DOCTOR: People. Personalities.
RIA: Yours in particular?
DOCTOR: Hm?
RIA: You know, I can't help thinking if you had been a little
*less* antagonizing towards the captain, we'd have been
back in the TARDIS by now.
DOCTOR: I don't think so. Surely you can see the captain is
sorely tempted to make us a scapegoat for his little
colonial problem.
RIA: So? *So?*
DOCTOR: So, I think I've made it rather difficult for him.
RIA: Really?
DOCTOR: This is a *lazy* civilization, Ria, dependant on
mechanical muscle and brain power.
RIA: What brain power? Those drudgers don't look too
advanced or clever.
DOCTOR: No. [RECALLING THE WORDS] Servo-drudgers. At a guess
I'd say they were an early model; possibly not even
manufactured by Conglomerate. I wouldn't put it past
Cuthbert to have filched the design. Anyway, that's
irrelevant. The drudgers aren't our problem. It's the
*captain* and his *Greenovia* crisis which is bothering
me.
SOUND: THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND OPENED.
SOUND 2: SERVO-DRUDGER NINE ENTERS
DOCTOR: [TO DRUDGER] Hello.
SOUND: HE RAPS HIS FINGERS ON ITS METAL CASING.
DOCTOR: Anyone in? [TO RIA] You're right. They *are* dim. Too
dim to worry about what we'll be up to.
RIA: What are you going to do? Call the captain?
DOCTOR: No, but this vidphone *might* give us the ability to
overhear operations on the bridge.
RIA: For what reason?
DOCTOR: Well someone's got to solve this mystery, and I doubt
that any of the crew are up to it.
SCENE 5: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - THE BRIDGE
SOUND: BG: BRIDGE ACTIVITY AND MACHINERY
SOUND: A DOOR OPENS.
CAPTAIN: Lieutenant, have my shuttle made ready.
LIEUTENANT: Yes, captain. Uh, still no response from the outpost
colony, sir.
CAPTAIN: What? Oh, damn. What the Hell's going on down there?
[SIGHS]
SOUND: HE SWIPES SOME DIRT OFF OF HIS TROUSERS WITH HIS HAND.
CAPTAIN: [ENRAGED] Oh, look at that! A tear in my trouser leg!
Those *drudgers* are so clumsy sometimes!
LIEUTENANT: Was it servo seven, sir?
CAPTAIN: Hmm, I believe so. Yes.
LIEUTENANT: He tore *my* dressing gown last night.
CAPTAIN: Well, why didn't you put it in for *servicing*?
*Honestly*, Lieutenant. Do you know how much these
trousers cost me?
SCENE 6: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - BRIEFING LOUNGE
CAPTAIN: [OVER VIDPHONE] More money than you'll *ever* be able
to command with your salary!
RIA: It seems your character analysis was right, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes. Those least suited to command always seem to get
the job.
RIA: He probably had an *influential* father.
DOCTOR: Yes. Funny. The more machines free humans from...
LIEUTENANT: [UNDER, OVER VIDPHONE] Sir, a signal from the planet's
surface!
DOCTOR: ...drudgery, the more trivial they...
RIA: Doctor! Listen! Something important, I think.
CAPTAIN: [OVER VIDPHONE] Oh, at *last*.
SCENE 7: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - BRIDGE
SOUND: BG: BRIDGE ACTIVITY AND MACHINERY
CAPTAIN: Then maybe I won't have to dirty these boots after all.
Let me speak to them. [CLEARS HIS THROAT.] Hello?
Greenovia Colony? This is the commanding officer of the
Starship Shapiro. What has been the meaning of this
unforgivable delay in your routine.
SOUND: STATIC, FOLLOWED BY A KIND OF ELECTRONIC CHIRPING WHICH
GROWS LOUDER AND MORE PIERCING AS IT CONTINUES.
CAPTAIN: Lieutenant, what's that *dreadful* noise?!?
SCENE 8: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - BRIEFING LOUNGE.
SOUND: THE SOUND CAN BE HEARD OVER THE VIDPHONE.
DOCTOR: [SHOUTING OVER IT] What, indeed?
RIA: Well it certainly isn't their colony!
DOCTOR: No.
SOUND: THE PULSATING NOISE FROM THE DRUDGER STARTS TO SLOW
DOWN AS IT DRIFTS TO THE FLOOR.
RIA: Doctor! Look! The drudger's malfunctioning!
DOCTOR: What's the matter with it?!?
RIA: I don't know. It seems to be grounded.
SOUND: THE CURIOUS SOUND FROM THE PLANET SUDDENLY CUTS OUT.
DOCTOR: Peace at last.
RIA: Come on, Doctor. Let's get back to the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: Yes. The sooner I can conduct my own investigation, the
better.
RIA: You're not thinking of taking the TARDIS down to
Greenovia?
DOCTOR: Of course I am! I have a feeling something *wicked*
this way comes.
RIA: But, what about the gravitational force?
DOCTOR: Yes. We've got to investigate that, too. You see...
SOUND: THE DRUDGER STARTS TO LEVITATE AGAIN.
RIA: Doctor! That drudger's recovering
DOCTOR: Come on! [PAUSE] Oh *no*!
RIA: A security eye alarm!
SOUND: AN ALARM SOUNDS
DOCTOR: I hadn't thought of that.
RIA: Let's run for it!
SOUND: THE DOOR OPENS.
SCENE 9: STARSHIP SHAPIRO - CORRIDOR.
MORAN: Going somewhere, Doctor?
RIA: Well, uh....
DOCTOR: Uh, jogging!
MORAN: Jogging?!?
DOCTOR: Yes, uh, a self-mortifying Earth custom.
MORAN: Drudgers.
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS APPROACH TO RESTRAIN THE DOCTOR AND RIA.
SCENE 10: EXBED SHUTTLE
SOUND: BG: SHUTTLE ATMOSPHERE.
CAPTAIN: Come along, Moran. Where have *you* been?
MORAN: Jogging.
CAPTAIN: What?
DOCTOR: Uh, did you know that one of your drudgers had gotten a
bit funny? Ha ha.
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS GUARDING THE DOCTOR AND RIA FLOAT INTO THE
SHUTTLE AND PASS.
CAPTAIN: Yes. Servo seven.
DOCTOR: No. This was number nine, actually.
CAPTAIN: Not *another* one! Lieutenant, servo nine needs an
overhaul as well.
LIEUTENANT: [OVER VIDPHONE] Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN: And get the shuttle bay doors open. We're ready for
launch.
LIEUTENANT: [OVER VIDPHONE] Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN: Mister Moran, make our passengers comfortable, will you?
Drudgers, initiate launch procedures as soon as servo
fifty-four gives clearance.
SOUND: A DRUDGER HUMS A RESPONSE.
MORAN: There you are, Doctor. Ria.
SOUND: A BEEPING, PERHAPS WARNING OF THE SHUTTLE'S IMMINENT
LAUNCH.
DOCTOR: Thank you Mister Moran.
MORAN: There's an expression I picked up from [?] Earth. Mum's
the word, Doctor.
RIA: Is it?
DOCTOR: I think it is.
SCENE 11: EXBED SHUTTLE - ABOVE GREENOVIA
RIA: What did you make of that drudger failure, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I'm not sure. It didn't seem to surprise the captain.
CAPTAIN: Muttering makes me irritable, you two.
RIA: Sorry.
CAPTAIN: Irritable and *hungry*. Drudger? Bring me my gelmels.
SOUND: THE DRUDGER BURPS A SHORT RESPONSE.
CAPTAIN: Moran?
MORAN: Uh, not for me, sir.
DOCTOR: Sensible man. Are we nearly there?
CAPTAIN: So, you've never been to Greenovia, young lady?
RIA: Ria. No I haven't. What is it like?
DOCTOR: I can guess.
MORAN: Lush green countryside and *very* fertile.
CAPTAIN: And very boring. No entertainment. No night clubs or
bars. Just acres of forests and hordes of the most
*tedious* settlers.
MORAN: Agriculturalists! They're going to turn the planet into
one huge arable farm.
DOCTOR: What? You mean *work* with their hands in *all* that
muck? Oh dear!
CAPTAIN: I don't know what you're getting at, Doctor, but *tread*
carefully.
DOCTOR: As I'm sure you will when we get down there.
CAPTAIN: View plate on, servo twenty-six.
SOUND: THE DRUDGER MOVES TO COMPLY.
SOUND 2: THE VIEW PLATE OPENS TO REVEAL....
SOUND 3: A STORMY SKY.
DOCTOR: [SINGING] Don't know why, there's no *sun* up in the
sky. Stormy weather.
MORAN: That's strange. It isn't the rain season yet.
DOCTOR: I'd say those cloud patterns were more than just a sign
of a *seasonal* downpour.
CAPTAIN: Would you?
DOCTOR: Yes. It looks like... pollution of some sort.
CAPTAIN: Servo twenty-seven, check atmosphere for traces of
*known* toxic substances, and display results on view
plate.
SOUND: THE INFORMATION IS PROCESSED AND DISPLAYED.
CAPTAIN: Not a trace of anything toxic, Doctor. Not quite as
clever as you'd have us believe.
DOCTOR: It would seem that there were no traces of any *known*
toxic substances. I concede.
MORAN: We should be approaching the colony site by now, sir.
Shall we try radio contact again?
CAPTAIN: Ah, prudent suggestion, Moran. Servo twenty-eight, hail
colony on all frequencies. [TO THE DOCTOR] What are you
looking so grim about, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't think there's going to be a reply.
CAPTAIN: Oh? And precisely how do you know that?
DOCTOR: There's been some kind of planetary upheaval.
SOUND: A FLURRY OF BLEEPS ISSUE FROM THE COMMUNICATOR.
SOUND 2: A WARNING ALARM SOUNDS.
SOUND 3: THE SHUTTLE MAKES A SICKENING LURCH.
DOCTOR: Ahhh!
MORAN: Ahh! Ahh!
RIA: Ah!!!
CAPTAIN: What's happening!?! Moran, do something!
MORAN: We're out of control!
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS SLOW THEIR PULSING SOUND AND BEGIN TO FALL
TO THE FLOOR OF THE EXBED.
RIA: The drudgers have malfunctioned!
MORAN: What!?! We've *got* to get them working again!
DOCTOR: There's no time for that! Look at this altitude meter!
We're losing height too quickly! You'll have to pilot
us down *manually*!
MORAN: But... I *can't*!
RIA: What do you mean? You're a starship crew member!
DOCTOR: And you can't fly a spaceship?!?
MORAN: No. The drudgers do....
DOCTOR: Everything! I see. I suppose there's no use asking
you, Captain.
CAPTAIN: [PANICKED] Get those drudgers working, for *pity's*
sake!
DOCTOR: No need for that. Luckily we're in the company of a
very resourceful woman. Ria, take over.
SOUND: RIA LEVELS THE SHUTTLE OUT
DOCTOR: Well done, Ria. How are you doing?
RIA: I've just *about* got it under control. There are some
pre-set coordinates *here*. I'll head for them.
MORAN: *Incredible*! Where *did* you learn to fly a ship?
RIA: I absorb theory *very* easily.
DOCTOR: Application! When you've flown one ship, you've flown
them all!
CAPTAIN: Is it really that simple?
RIA: *No.*
MORAN: We're breaking through the cloud.
DOCTOR: [FRANTIC] What's that?!?
RIA: Oh!
CAPTAIN: *Look out, girl!!!*
SOUND: RIA TURNS THE SHIP TO AVOID A COLLISION.
RIA: Well that wasn't recorded in the pre-set coordinates.
MORAN: It *looked* like the peak of a mountain!
DOCTOR: Fascinating. Clouds that shouldn't be here, and now a
mountain.
SOUND: THE CHIRPING FROM THE COMMUNICATOR CUTS OUT.
DOCTOR: Hm. It seems that that message from the surface has
stopped again.
CAPTAIN: What *message*?
DOCTOR: That noise on the radio. It wasn't just *static*, you
know.
CAPTAIN: It was just a dreadful *racket*!
DOCTOR: A complex collection of high frequencies.
RIA: Hold on. We're landing.
SCENE 12: THE SURFACE OF GREENOVIA
SOUND: THE SHUTTLE COMES IN FOR A LANDING.
SCENE 13: INSIDE THE EXBED SHUTTLE.
DOCTOR: Right. I suggest...
RIA: Where are the forests?
CAPTAIN: What?
MORAN: I don't believe it.
DOCTOR: I'm beginning to wonder whether this is the right
planet.
MORAN: Wasteland. Miles of it!
RIA: I can see some buildings.
MORAN: I...I...I'm afraid this is the right planet, Doctor.
*That's* the old research block.
DOCTOR: It looks as devastated as the rest of this area. What
happened here, I wonder?
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS BEGIN TO SHOW SIGNS OF LIFE.
CAPTAIN: Ahh! At last! The drudgers are reactivating. I wasn't
going out there without them.
DOCTOR: They've hardly proved themselves *reliable*.
CAPTAIN: Well, they're all right *now*, aren't they! Don't be
such a pessimist, Doctor! I might remind you that
you're *still* under suspicion.
RIA: For what?
[CAPTAIN: ?]
DOCTOR: Oh. Very suspicious.
MORAN: Shall we go outside, sir?
CAPTAIN: Yes. Yes, Moran. Servo twenty-six, activate exbed
drudgers immediately.
SOUND: DRUDGERS APPROACH AND PASS.
SCENE 14: THE SURFACE OF GREENOVIA
SOUND: BG: WIND
CAPTAIN: All drudgers to stay on *full* alert. And report
anything of potential danger.
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMAND.
DOCTOR: I share your trepidation, Captain. I feel something
rather *disturbing* has taken place here.
CAPTAIN: I can *see* that for myself! I suggest we investigate
that... that building.
MORAN: The research block?
CAPTAIN: Yes. I'll feel safer in there.
RIA: [OFF] Doctor? Over here.
DOCTOR: What is it, Ria?
RIA: I think.... uh-huh. Yes. A drudger.
SOUND: THE DOCTOR TAPS ITS SHELL.
DOCTOR: Yes.
MORAN: Well, what happened to them?
DOCTOR: The outer shell looks scorched. Mechanical reflexes
nil. Of course. Look at the dust. This *immediate*
area's been burnt.
MORAN: A forest fire?
DOCTOR: A crop fire, too. But the drudger was heat resistant.
CAPTAIN: *All* drudgers are totally fire proof!
DOCTOR: Which leaves us with a bit of a mystery, doesn't it.
MORAN: You mean *another* mystery.
DOCTOR: I've a feeling it's all part of the same *mess*.
CAPTAIN: What are you saying, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I'm *saying* I'd like to get this drudger open and see
if I can gain some inkling as to what happened here.
SCENE 15: THE RESEARCH BLOCK
RIA: This place must have been fire proof as well.
SOUND: THE DOCTOR PLACES THE NON-FUNCTIONING DRUDGER ONTO A
TABLE.
MORAN: Yes. It was the most important part of the colony. The
agriculturalists would have been constantly updating
their processes and methods of irrigation, pest control
and that sort of thing.
DOCTOR: Obviously there was one pest they *didn't* eliminate.
SOUND: THE DOCTOR OPENS UP THE DRUDGER.
DOCTOR: [TO HIMSELF] Now then, let me see.
CAPTAIN: Well?
DOCTOR: W... I've *only* just opened it! Shouldn't you be
carrying out your investigation?
CAPTAIN: The girl will come with me. Moran, watch the Doctor.
MORAN: Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN: Ria?
RIA: Yes.
DOCTOR: Look after him, Ria. We don't want him going to pieces
if his drudgers conk out.
SOUND: DRUDGERS APPROACHING AND PASSING.
CAPTAIN: I'll expect some answers from you when I return, Doctor.
The exbed drudgers will come with me.
DOCTOR: Very considerate of you. [CHEERILY, TO THE DRUDGERS AS
THEY PASS] Bye bye!
MORAN: Found anything, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Oh, just a scrambled positronic brain.
SOUND: AS THE DOCTOR WORKS ON IT, THE DRUDGER BEGINS TO EMIT A
PULSING CHIRP.
MORAN: What caused it? Overheating?
DOCTOR: No. This drudger has had a nervous breakdown.
MORAN: What?!?
DOCTOR: Tell me. What *do* you do when a drudger breaks down?
MORAN: Send it for servicing.
DOCTOR: So, some of you people *do* know how the drudgers
function - how to repair them?
MORAN: Oh, no. There are special maintenance servos that do
that.
DOCTOR: This is worse than I thought.
MORAN: Why?
DOCTOR: This drudger has been attacked by high-frequency sound.
MORAN: Hmm. You mean like that noise on the radio?
DOCTOR: [UNDER HIS BREATH] Do I detect cerebral activity? [TO
MORAN] Yes. *Precisely* that noise on the radio.
MORAN: But that came from down here.
DOCTOR: Yes, Moran. Some kind of force is in evidence on this
planet. A force which employs ultra-high frequencies in
terrifyingly *novel* way. They immobilized this colony
by striking at the gaping flaw in the manner of your
society's organization: your total dependency on
robots. It seems even your agriculturalists were
*helpless* without their drudgers.
[TN: I'M NOT SURE *WHAT* HAPPENS HERE. IT SOUNDS LIKE
RIA SAYS SOMETHING ECHOING, THERE ARE FOOTSTEPS, WHICH
ALL OF A SUDDEN STOP
RIA: [Warm?/Moran?]
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS.
SCENE 16: ELSEWHERE IN THE RESEARCH BLOCK.
SOUND: BG: DRUDGERS HOVERING.
CAPTAIN: Oh, dear! My suits *ruined*!
MORAN: Everything all right? We heard you *scream*, Captain.
DOCTOR: What happened, Ria?
CAPTAIN: I fell down that *wretched* hole!
RIA: I wonder where it leads to?
DOCTOR: Oh, up there.
RIA: The mountain.
MORAN: The centre of all our problems, isn't it, Doctor?
CAPTAIN: What do you mean?
DOCTOR: Well it wasn't here last time Mister Moran was on this
planet, was it?
MORAN: No.
DOCTOR: And when was that?
MORAN: A year, or so.
DOCTOR: And something else rather big has happened since last
your were here.
CAPTAIN: *What!?!*
DOCTOR: The destruction of this colony, Captain. Remember?
CAPTAIN: Uhhh... what happened to that drudger?
MORAN: It's, uh, positronic brain was destroyed by ultra-sonic
sound, sir.
RIA: Like that noise.
MORAN: On the radio. Yes!
DOCTOR: Congratulations, class. Now I suggest that if we want
some *more* answers, the place to find them is our
geographical *folly* over there.
CAPTAIN: Oh, I'm *not* climbing that thing!
SCENE 17: FAR UP THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.
SOUND: BG: HIGH WINDS.
MORAN: [WINDED] How far have we climbed, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Far enough. Look.
MORAN: A tunnel! A bit like that one down there in the colony!
DOCTOR: *Exactly* like it.
MORAN: Do you think the captain and Ria will be safe back down
there?
DOCTOR: I should say so. After all, we're the ones who are
entering the lion's den. Come on. [WITH EXERTION] Give
me a hand.
SCENE 18: THE RESEARCH BLOCK
RIA: There's no sign of life at all. No dead bodies, either.
CAPTAIN: Don't be *morbid*, girl.
RIA: Over there!
CAPTAIN: What? What are you talking about?
RIA: I thought I saw something moving!
CAPTAIN: Did you? Oh.
RIA: Come *on*! I think it was down the end of that street.
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS BEGIN TO ACT UP AGAIN.
CAPTAIN: But... but look at the drudgers. They're [? ?]
RIA: They look about as cowardly as you do.
CAPTAIN: Young lady, I would *remind* you that I am an officer of
the line!
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS RECOVER.
RIA: There. They're all right, now. So, come on!
CAPTAIN: Oh, *very* well.
SOUND: DRUDGERS PASSING
RIA: What was that?!?
CAPTAIN: I didn't hear anything.
RIA: Shut those drudgers down! I can't hear properly.
CAPTAIN: You *can't*!
RIA: Just do it!
CAPTAIN: Exbed drudgers shut down for a moment.
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS SHUT DOWN.
RIA: Thank you. Right. Follow me.
SORCA: So, it's true! Real people! Real, real people!
CAPTAIN: [TERRIFIED AND DISGUSTED] Good grief!!! Drudgers!
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS COME BACK TO LIFE.
SORCA: Quickly! Come with me.
RIA: Where to?
CAPTAIN: Well, who are you?
SORCA: I know a safe place. Come on!
SOUND: DRUDGERS PASSING.
SCENE 19: INSIDE THE MOUNTAIN TUNNEL
MORAN: Phew! Why is it so *hot* in here, Doctor?
DOCTOR: It's a sort of warm breeze, isn't it.
MORAN: Coming from up ahead of us.
DOCTOR: Or *below* us. Haven't you noticed the slight downward
slope in this passageway?
MORAN: You mean we're heading towards the base of the mountain?
DOCTOR: Or even further down, perhaps. Isn't it about time you
contacted the captain? He's probably fretting about you
by now.
MORAN: Huh.
DOCTOR: Dear me. That's not very loyal. A little like
neglecting to tell him about our abortive escape attempt
on the Shapiro.
SOUND: MORAN ACTIVATES HIS COMMUNICATOR.
MORAN: Moran to captain. Come in please. Over.
SCENE 20: SORCA'S LABORATORY
SOUND: AN ELECTRONIC DOOR OPENS.
SORCA: This is my laboratory. Come in! Come in!
CAPTAIN: Rather messy, isn't it?
RIA: You've got to tell us what happened here. Do you
understand?
SORCA: Hm? Now close the door. Quickly now!
SOUND: THE CAPTAIN'S COMMUNICATOR ACTIVATES.
RIA: What's that?
MORAN: [OVER COMMUNICATOR, DISTORTED] ...come *in* please.
Over.
CAPTAIN: Yes, Moran, there's no need to *shout*! I'm in a very
dangerous situation here.
DOCTOR: [OVER COMMUNICATOR, DISTORTED] Ria, are you all right?
RIA: We're perfectly all right, Doctor.
CAPTAIN: Do you *mind*? This is an official call. [INTO
COMMUNICATOR] Moran, we've found one of the colonists.
He's old, ragged, half-demented, and a *distinct* threat
to my personal hygiene, I should wonder.
SORCA: Now, keep your voices down, or *they'll* hear you.
MORAN: [OVER COMMUNICATOR, DISTORTED] What was that, sir?
CAPTAIN: He seems to think we're in some kind of danger. I
suggest you get here right away.
MORAN: [OVER COMMUNICATOR, DISTORTED] With respect, sir, the
Doctor thinks we're on to something. We're right inside
the base of the mountain and...
SOUND: MORAN'S VOICE IS LOST IN THE HISS OF NOISY STATIC.
CAPTAIN: Moran? What's happening?
MORAN: [OVER COMMUNICATOR, DISTORTED] Something's ahead of us.
It's *moving*. We're going to take a look. I'll call you
back.
CAPTAIN: Moran!
SORCA: No! They mustn't! You *must* call your friends back!
The devil's spawn! They'll get them!
RIA: What do you mean?
SORCA: They took them *all* away! The *whole* colony!
Screaming like animals! They tried to stop them, but
they walked right through the fires! You see, they're
indestructible; unstoppable.
RIA: Give me that, Captain.
MORAN: What? Oh.
SOUND: RIA ACTIVATES THE COMMUNICATOR.
RIA: [INTO COMMUNICATOR] Hello? Moran? Come in, please.
Moran? Doctor? Moran?
SORCA: It's *too* late!
CAPTAIN: Oh, for *goodness* sake, what do you mean, you *grubby*
little man?
RIA: Old man?
SORCA: Sorca. My name is Doctor Sorca, a research chemist.
RIA: All right. Doctor Sorca, then. What is in that
mountain?
SORCA: [AS IF BEING HEARD FROM A DISTANCE] It is their lair.
[?].
SOUND: THE DRUDGERS BEGIN TO ACT UP.
CAPTAIN: What's happening to my drudgers!?!
SORCA: [?.] Quickly. Take as many of these as you can.
RIA: Test tubes?!
SORCA: My job was to develop pesticides. I've managed to
produce one which burns through chitin. Uh, lasers are
no good.
CAPTAIN: Good for *what*?!? What in heaven's name is happening,
Sorca?!?
SOUND: THERE IS A CRASHING OF GLASS AS THE LAB'S EQUIPMENT IS
KNOCKED OVER.
SOUND 2: CHAOS REIGNS AS A HOLE SUDDENLY OPENS UP BENEATH SORCA.
SORCA: Ahhhhhh!!!
CAPTAIN: Sorca!
RIA: He's fallen through the floor! It's another of those
tunnels opening up!
SOUND: SOMETHING CLEARLY NON-HUMAN CAN BE HEARD MAKING ITS WAY
UP THE TUNNEL.
CAPTAIN: Never mind that! Something's burrowing through the
floor! What is it?!?
RIA: Throw the test tube!
SOUND: THERE IS A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAKING, CHIRPING SOUND AS THE
CREATURE NOISILY EXITS FROM THE TUNNEL.
SCENE 21: INSIDE THE MOUNTAIN TUNNEL
MORAN: Let's face it, Doctor, we've lost it, whatever it was.
DOCTOR: I think you're right. It was a bit of a fast mover,
wasn't it?
MORAN: What's that up ahead.
DOCTOR: Another tunnel entrance. Come on.
SCENE 22: TUNNEL ENTRANCE.
MORAN: It's enormous!
DOCTOR: Well, anyone who builds a mountain has to be an
ambitious architect. And, come to think of it, very
strong.
MORAN: They could have used machines.
DOCTOR: No. Have you seen a machined finish in any part of this
mountain? This is a vast organic building, put together
by brute force and instinctive determination.
Oh dear.
MORAN: What are these? They look like enormous eggs.
DOCTOR: Oh dear. Oh dear.
MORAN: What is it?
DOCTOR: These *are* eggs. And look. You can see an outline of
something inside.
MORAN: I can't make it out.
DOCTOR: Mister Moran, can you think of a species which builds
enormous mounds as nests?
MORAN: What? You mean ants? But...
DOCTOR: Or termites. Look at the egg again.
MORAN: No. It can't be. It's *huge*!
DOCTOR: This is a gigantic termites' nest, and we're in the
middle of it. We've got to get out of here. Come on!
MORAN: Doctor? Doctor! Doctor!
SOUND: AS MORAN'S VOICE CALLS OUT, A GROUP OF GIANT INSECTS
SQUEAK, CHIRP AND MAKE THEIR WAY TOWARDS THE PAIR.
MUSIC: THEME 1 [IN AND OUT]
=======================================================================
(END OF PART ONE)
=======================================================================
- transcriber -
sloth (an933@hwcn.org)
- websites -
http://www.hwcn.org/~an933
http://justyce.org