THE DALEKS' MASTER PLAN - EPISODE 2

DAY OF ARMAGEDDON

1. JUNGLE

(The Doctor returns from his vantage point of the Dalek city, towards the TARDIS. Along the way, he notices a small object on the jungle floor. He picks it up; it is the tape recorder left behind by Marc Cory months before. He pockets the recorder and continues through the jungle.)

2. TARDIS - EXTERIOR

(As the Doctor returns to the TARDIS, he sees the ship's door is open. He watches from the undergrowth as a Dalek emerges from around the TARDIS. The Doctor looks horrified.)

DALEK 1:  Inform base security that a further intruder craft has been located!
DALEK 2:  I obey!
DALEK 3:  Security patrols five and seven will converge on this area.  Priority alert.  Invaders to be located and destroyed!

(The Dalek pauses.)

DALEK 3:  A message from the Dalek Supreme.  Operation Inferno to be put into execution at once!
DALEK 1:  Inform all units.  Evacuate patrols to safety areas.  Confirm with units in position.  On confirmation, start abbreviated countdown for Operation Inferno.

3.  RECEPTION AREA

(A room in the Dalek city.  Zephon, one of the delegates, greets Mavic Chen.)

ZEPHON:  Mavic Chen, Guardian of the Solar System?
MAVIC CHEN:  Yes?
ZEPHON:  I am Zephon, Master of the Fifth Galaxy.
MAVIC CHEN:  Of course.  I had hoped to meet you once before.  At the Intergalactic Conference of Andromeda.
ZEPHON:  I did not attend, and now you know the reason.  The Daleks held a separate council at the same time.  None of us of the outer galaxies went to yours.
MAVIC CHEN:  Ahh... Except Planktus.
ZEPHON:  We agreed to send a delegate.  In order that the conference should not become suspicious.
MAVIC CHEN:  I've been reading the reports on the previous meetings here.  The Daleks have evolved a most interesting plan.
ZEPHON:  We of the outer galaxies have contributed to it also.
MAVIC CHEN:  Oh of course.  But you must admit the Daleks have a... a genius for war.
ZEPHON:  That is so.  However, one thing surprises me.  That you, Guardian of the Solar System, have agreed to become one of us.
MAVIC CHEN:  Why the surprise?  As you say, I am Guardian of the Solar System.  But that is nothing more than a part, however influential, of one galaxy.  Would you be satisfied with just a part of a galaxy?
ZEPHON:  The solar system is exceptional.  In its power lies influences far outside its own sphere.  Surely by joining with the forces determined to destroy that power, you mark yourself up as a supreme traitor?
MAVIC CHEN:  Traitor?  Hahaha.  An archaic word for so advanced a... man as yourself.  Considering that the planet Vissar and the Emborian and Gress have both, at different times, tried to depose you, do you still maintain that you're the mouthpiece for your own galaxy?
ZEPHON:  I do... now that I am all-powerful with my position.
MAVIC CHEN:  True.  But then you do not understand the competing powers in our solar system.  Now let us go and take some air.  This is hardly the time and place for so serious a discussion.
ZEPHON:  But first we must...
MAVIC CHEN:  Some air!

(They leave.  Two Daleks emerge from the shadows.)

DALEK SUPREME:  Report.
DALEK 2:  Guardian of the Solar System Chen must be watched.  His ambitions exceed his usefulness.
DALEK SUPREME:  When he has served his purpose, he, like the others, will be eliminated!  No power in this universe can stop the Daleks!

4.  JUNGLE

(Katarina watches as Steven begins to recover.)

STEVEN:  Where's the Doctor?
KATARINA:  He will be here soon.
STEVEN:  I don't understand... where are we... I can't think straight.
KATARINA:  You must rest.  The tablets I gave you have made you better.  But you must still rest.
STEVEN:  Tablets?  What's going on here?  What are we doing out here in the jungle?
KATARINA:  We had to leave the temple, the TARDIS.  The evil ones came.
STEVEN:  Evil ones?
KATARINA:  He called them the Daleks?
STEVEN:  Daleks!

(The Doctor appears.)

DOCTOR:  Katarina!
KATARINA:  Lord!
DOCTOR:  Doctor!  Doctor! What are you both doing here?
KATARINA:  The evil ones searched for us but Bret helped us.  He said they were evil!
DOCTOR:  Yes... well whoever this Bret is, he's quite right!  The Daleks are evil things.
KATARINA:  Bret is the man you put in your magic chair.
DOCTOR:  What?  That young ruffian?
KATARINA:  But he helped us!
DOCTOR:  And you released him?
KATARINA:  Was I not right to do so?
DOCTOR:  Ah...
KATARINA:  When the evil ones came, he said we had to flee from your temple!
DOCTOR:  Girl, my TARDIS, child, my TARDIS. Yes, you... you were right. I mean... He wasn't to know that you were quite safe away from the Daleks in there.

(He looks at Steven.)

DOCTOR:  How is this young man?
STEVEN:  I'll be all right in a minute or two, Thanks Doc.
DOCTOR:  Good, good, good.
KATARINA:  Bret says the time is four thousand, and he came here and only just got away from the evil ones.  He gave Steven some white tablets, and he's almost well again.
DOCTOR:  Ah... I see, I see.  Hmm.  Yes, and I helped him in that chair, haha.So he's the very fellow with the anti-toxin.
  Well, young man, you better pull yourself together.  We've got some work to do. Ah!

5.  JUNGLE

(A Dalek patrol lines up in the jungle.)

DALEK 1:  Operate pyro-flames!
DALEKS 2 & 3:  We obey!

(The Daleks all have torches protruding from their sucker sticks.  They light the torches and start moving through the jungle, setting light to trees and undergrowth as they go.)

6.  JUNGLE

(Nearby, the Doctor is helping a still weakened Steven to walk.)

DOCTOR:  Aren't you feeling better, hmm?
STEVEN:  Look, Doctor, I think I can manage on my own.
DOCTOR:  Carefully, carefully.  Now, just rest for a minute.  Take a few deep breaths, hmm?  Don't you try to run before you can walk, hmm, hmm although you might have to!

(Bret Vyon appears from the jungle.)

DOCTOR:  Oh, it's Bret, isn't it? Yes, thank you. Tell me what's happening, hmm?
VYON:  It's the Daleks, they're using flame guns.  I think they're gonna burn down the jungle!
DOCTOR:  Oh, good gracious me!  We must try to get back to the TARDIS!  Grave danger here.
STEVEN:  Doctor, don't you see it's a trap?  That's exactly what they want us to do!
DOCTOR:  Yes, yes, yes, possibly.
STEVEN:  We can't act without thinking.
DOCTOR:  I never do and never shall.
STEVEN:  But you're all set to go straight back to the TARDIS.
KATARINA:  You said we should never have left it.
DOCTOR:  Yes, you're quite right my dear.  It's the safest place.
STEVEN:  Oh, yes. If the Daleks are waiting outside for us, it will be suicide.
DOCTOR:  Oh, not necessarily, not.
STEVEN:  Who's going to play the scapegoat?
KATARINA:  Supposing Steven were right?
DOCTOR:  Well, in this instance, child, he might be, but I know the Daleks!
STEVEN:  So do I, Doctor!  Look, I think we should stay here until we know exactly what they're going to do!
DOCTOR: They could track us down at any time!
STEVEN:  We'd hear them!
DOCTOR:  No...
STEVEN:  I mean the... the Mechanoids?
DOCTOR:  Oh, they were robots...
STEVEN:  So what?
DOCTOR:  These are Daleks. Now you listen to me, young man, I am in charge of this situation.
VYON:  Sir!  Will you shut up!

(He points his blaster at the Doctor.)

VYON:  At least that's stopped you arguing.
DOCTOR:  Well upon my soul...
VYON:  Now look here, I don't care what happens to you, but I've got to warn Earth!
DOCTOR:  Yes, and you will have to do far more than that!  If the Daleks are doing something drastic, then we have to stop the Daleks!  Now will you shut up, sir. Hmm?

7.  JUNGLE

(The Daleks continue to move through the jungle, burning everything in their path as they go.)

8.  JUNGLE

VYON:  One, we learn the Dalek plans...
DOCTOR:  We know, young man...
VYON:  ...and two, get the information back to Earth.
DOCTOR:  Now just listen, listen, listen!  Think back for a moment.  First think back!  If the Daleks were going to attack Earth, as you seem to fear, then you must tell Earth to look back in the history of the year 2157, and that the Daleks are going to attack again.  History will show how to deal with them.
VYON:  Who cares about history?

(As they argue, the Doctor catches glimpse of smoke coming from nearby in the jungle.  He looks, and sees a large area of jungle burning nearby.)

STEVEN:  I can smell smoke!
VYON:  Yes, look!
DOCTOR:  Yes, you're quite right, young man. They're gonna trap us.
KATARINA:  Doctor, it's like the wall of fire.
DOCTOR:  Oh, no no no! Not quite, not quite my dear. We've got to get out of here! Come on, this way!

(Vyon realises with surprise which direction the Doctor is pointing out.)

VYON:  That's the way to the Dalek city!
DOCTOR:  But of course, that's the last place they will expect us to go.  Come along! Ah!

9.  EXTERIOR, DALEK CITY

(Chen and Zephon stand just outside the walls of the city, watching the blazing jungle.)

MAVIC CHEN:  The magnificent power of the flame.  Primitive, but efficient.
ZEPHON:  You too would have used ultrasonics?
MAVIC CHEN:  Hmm, If I had nothing better.The meeting must start soon.
ZEPHON:  You appear so keen to be a model delegate one might think you are afraid of the Daleks.
MAVIC CHEN:  A dangerous statement.  Remember where you are.
ZEPHON:  The solar system is so far behind that it believes the Daleks need to eavesdrop?
MAVIC CHEN:  Of course not.
ZEPHON:  The Daleks needed me.  Without my help, they would never have got the co-operation of the masters of Celation and Beaus.  We are on equal terms.
MAVIC CHEN:  Really?  Three galaxies for the price of one.
ZEPHON:  I do not understand you!
MAVIC CHEN:  Perhaps I'm the one of those who knows my place.  Are you coming in to take your seat?
ZEPHON:  They will not start the meeting without me.  I feel like waiting... here.

(Mavic Chen departs, leaving Zephon alone.  Nearby, out of earshot, two Daleks emerge from the shadows.)

DALEK SUPREME:  Zephon.
DALEK 2:  It was expected.  His usefulness is over.

10.  EXTERIOR, DALEK CITY

(The Doctor, Steven, Katarina and Vyon arrive at the edge of the jungle.  The Dalek city is ahead of them; next to it, a landing pad is home to a number of ships of various designs.  The city and spacecraft make a strange contrast to the primitive jungle.)

VYON:  Look at that!
STEVEN:  Just look at those ships. Beautiful, aren't they?

(Vyon is concerned at one ship in particular, a squat round craft with six pads protruding from its belly.  His face is puzzled.)

VYON:  That one in the middle... that's from Earth.  That's Mavic Chen's!
DOCTOR:  You know that spaceship?
VYON:  Yes, I do.  It belongs to the Guardian of the Solar System!
DOCTOR:  Oh, then you'll know how to fly it, hmm?
VYON:  Yes, of course I do, but...
DOCTOR:  Well, that's the one to go for, isn't it? Hmm, hmm.
VYON:  ...Can't believe it... it doesn't make sense!
STEVEN: If you know how to use it, what's the worry?
VYON:  Look, he's the Guardian, don't you understand?
STEVEN:  So what?  We don't want him, just his ship.
VYON:  He's the ultimate head of the solar system!  Now what's he doing here with the Daleks?
STEVEN:  That's what we'll have to find out!
DOCTOR:  Would you both be quiet, please!  We're going to take that spaceship if we've got to warn Earth!

11.  EXTERIOR, DALEK CITY

(Zephon broods alone just outside the city.  Vyon creeps up behind him and knocks him out with the butt of his blaster.)

12.  CONFERENCE ROOM

(The Galactic Delegates wait impatiently for Zephon.)

DALEK SUPREME:  Where is the master of Zephon?
MAVIC CHEN:  He will be here... eventually.
DALEK SUPREME:  Search for him!

13.  EXTERIOR, DALEK CITY

(The Doctor, Steven and Katarina have joined Vyon.  Steven looks at the prone body of Zephon.)

STEVEN:  What is it?  I've never seen anything like this, it's hideous!
DOCTOR:  Well, obvious or not my boy, it's quite obvious he's one of the representatives, hmhm.
VYON:  Good job we managed to find these vines, now we can get to the ship.
DOCTOR:  Oh, no... not yet, not yet!  Not until we find out exactly what the Daleks are planning.  And this may be our only chance!
VYON:  I don't understand.

(He puts on Zephon's helmet.)

DOCTOR:  I am going to that conference.
VYON:  Doctor, that's crazy!
DOCTOR:  Oh...
STEVEN:  You can't go to their conference!
DOCTOR:  Why not?  If I wear his cloak, why not?
STEVEN:  Should they find you, they'll kill you!
DOCTOR:  Oh, nonsense!  You three can take over a spaceship, and I can join you later.
KATARINA:  Are you sure you will be safe?
DOCTOR:  Oh yes, now don't you worry my child, don't worry! eh, eh!

(He pulls out the tape recorder.)

DOCTOR:  I, uh... I found this, and I don't know whether it's relevant or not, but hold onto it safely.
VYON:  Where did you find it?
DOCTOR:  Oh, in the jungle.  Now I want you... I want you to give me enough time to get to that meeting and find out exactly what's going on.  And then I will head back to Chen's spaceship.
VYON:  How long will that take?
DOCTOR:  Well, I must leave that to your own judgment.  If, of course, you hear any kind of uproar, then you'll have to get into the spaceship and go off without me.
VYON:  Doctor, we can't leave you.
DOCTOR:  Nonsense, nonsense!  Earth must be warned about the Daleks and about Chen.
VYON:  You're a very brave man.
DOCTOR:  Rubbish, rubbish my boy!  I'm only doing what has to be done.  Now come on and help me in to this cloak. Be quick about it! Come along!

(He prepares to don Zephon's cloak.)

14. A CORRIDOR

DALEK 1:  Has the representative Zephon passed this way?
DALEK 2:  He and the Earth creature went to the reception area.
DALEK 1:  Has he returned?
DALEK 2:  Only the creature from Earth returned this way.
DALEK 1:  Zephon must still be there.  Come with me.  He has to be found!

(The Daleks locate the Doctor, and are fooled by his disguise.)

DALEK 1:  Representative Zephon, the meeting is about to begin.  You will follow me.

(Saying nothing, the Doctor follows the Dalek.)

15.  EXTERIOR, DALEK CITY

VYON:  The old man certainly has got nerve.
KATARINA:  The strange ones will not hurt him?
STEVEN:  I hope not.  Anyway, he's doing his part, we must do ours.  Let's get that ship.

16.  CONFERENCE ROOM

(The Doctor is escorted in by the Daleks.  The other delegates are all in position around the semi-circular raised platform.)

TRANTIS:  The master of the Fifth Galaxy has seen fit to join us.
DALEK SUPREME:  Take your place.

(The Doctor moves hesitantly over towards the other delegates.)

MAVIC CHEN:  You seem lost, representative Zephon.  Here's your place, next to me.
DALEK SUPREME:  This seventh meeting is now in session.  Representatives, I have important news.  The time destructor is now completed.  It only requires the core to be fitted.

(The delegates applaud.)

DALEK SUPREME:  Mavic Chen, Guardian of the Solar System, will address the meeting.
MAVIC CHEN:  As your most recent ally, and the newest member to stand in this great universal council, I am delighted to be able to make so significant a contribution to our conquest of the universe.  I now present you with... the core of the time destructor!

(He holds up a small, metallic object, cylindrical in shape.)

MAVIC CHEN:  A full emm of taranium, the rarest mineral in the universe.  It's taken fifty Earth years to acquire even this amount.
TRANTIS:  If it has taken so long for the solar system to acquire it, why was not one of us of the outer galaxies asked to provide it?
MAVIC CHEN:  As the Daleks know, taranium can only be found on one of the dead planets of the solar system.  Without this, the time destructor is useless!  All the plans made here could not succeed.  I, Mavic Chen, give you the core of the time destructor!

17.  SPAR SHIP

(Vyon, Steven and Katarina enter Mavic Chen's Spar ship.  The airlock leads into a large circular control room, with computer banks and controls around the walls.  Several technicians are inside; Vyon's blaster soon gets their attentions.)

VYON:  I'm taking over this spaceship.  Over there.

(He motions with his blaster, and the technicians obey.  Vyon turns to Steven.)

VYON:  Tie them up.

KATARINA:  The men will not be found?
STEVEN:  No, not unless the Daleks patrol the landing area.
VYON:  That's the one place they won't be patrolling.
STEVEN:  Let's hope not, otherwise it's the end of the Doctor!
KATARINA:  He must come, he must come!

18.  EXTERIOR, DALEK CITY

(Just outside the walls of the city, Zephon awakes.  Realising what has happened, he quickly pulls an alarm cord.)

19.  CONFERENCE ROOM

(The air is filled with the sound of the alarm siren.  The Daleks react immediately.)

DALEK 1:  Locate intruders! Locate intruders!


MAVIC CHEN: What's happening?


DALEK 3:  Check the last position.


DALEK 4:  Report! Alarm! Report!

(The delegates look around in confusion.  While everyone's attention is distracted, the Doctor runs to Mavic Chen, grabs the tarranium core from his hands and runs out of the Conference chamber.)

TRANTIS:  That's him! That's him! Stop the creature! Stop the creature!

(The Daleks leave in hot pursuit.)

20.  SPAR SHIP

(Vyon reacts with alarm to the sound of the sirens and the increasing activity from the city.)

VYON:  We've got to go!
STEVEN:  We mustn't leave him!

(Katarina mutters to the Trojan Horse-god.)

KATARINA:  Great One, don't leave us!  Don't let the strange beings catch...
VYON:  He's been caught!  We've got to leave!
STEVEN:  No!  He said we had to...

(Vyon tries to operate the controls for take-off.  Steven pulls him away.)

VYON:  No!

(He turns and knocks Steven to the floor, then resumes preparations for take-off.)

KATARINA:  Stop! Without him we can't reach the place of perfection!
VYON:  We won't! We're going without him!