20. Chamber of Kordor
SCENE #221 – EXT – OBSERVATION PLATFORM, ALTHRACE CRYSTAL CRAFT – N/A
A short while later, the three Sontarans including Corporal Hurn, Trooper Sqar and Trooper Kike arrive on the observation platform in their scout ships. They come out of their scout ships to find Nyssa as Trooper Goml standing in the centre.
HURN
“Trooper Goml! What happened? Commander Krond tried to contact you on the intercom in his scout ship but you did not answer.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; normal voice) “Yes. I’m sorry about that, sir. I was unable to use my communicator due to static interference.”
HURN
(confused) “That’s funny. Trooper Goml’s voice sounds different somehow.”
KIKE
“Trooper Goml, are you alright? Your voice sounds different.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “Ah yes! There is an explanation for that. You see…this area has affected my vocal cords whilst I’ve been searching. It seems to have raised a high pitch all of a sudden.”
HURN
“Oh. I see.”
SQAR
“Corporal Hurn? Shouldn’t we get back to Commander Krond and the others? Or else our voices are going to be the same as Goml here.”
HURN
“Oh yes, of course.” (clears throat; to Nyssa as Goml) “Come on, Trooper Goml. Let’s go back to Commander Krond. He’s expecting the four of us to meet him on the main planet of Althrace.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “What err…now, Corporal?”
HURN
“Yes Goml, now! Straight away!”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran; grumbles underneath) “Very well.”
Nyssa as Goml eventually follows Hurn, Sqar and Kike. They make to leave the observation platform.
BILLY
(shouts) “No!!! Wait!!!”
Billy suddenly jumps out of his hiding place. This causes Nyssa and the Sontarans to turn around and stare.
SQAR
“Corporal, sir. It is the boy. The young man who’s infatuated with that girl.”
HURN
“You’re right, Sqar. So it is.” (to Billy) “You! Come out with your hands up!”
BILLY
“Please listen to me! That Sontaran there is…”
Nyssa as Goml immediately pulls out her Sontaran blaster rifle and aims at Billy.
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran; grunts) “Stay where you are, male hu-man! You are my prisoner now!”
BILLY
“What? But…”
Nyssa as Goml immediately grabs onto Billy from behind and holds him, training her weapon on him.
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “You shall not escape from the Sontarans! Do you hear me, human male?!”
HURN
(pleased) “Well done, Trooper Goml! You managed to capture an enemy of the Sontarans very well, I must say.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “He’s the only one here I’m afraid. I saw him lurking about whilst I was exploring this space craft.”
SQAR
(suspiciously) “If he’s the only hu-man on this space craft, why haven’t you managed to capture him instantly, Goml?”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “I err…he was too fast for me when I saw him. But now I have captured him, he will not escape again!”
BILLY
(mutters quietly; to Nyssa) “Nyssa, what are you up to?”
NYSSA
(mutters quietly; to Billy) “Trying to save your life.”
HURN
(barks) “Trooper Sqar; Trooper Kike! At arms! Prepare to open fire!”
The Sontarans raise their blaster rifles, preparing to open fire as they’re about to shoot Billy.
BILLY
(panics) Hey! What are you doing?!
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran; protests) No, wait! Err…you mustn’t shoot this hu-man male, Corporal Hurn.
SQAR
Mustn’t?! What are you on about, Goml? He is not Sontaran! He is our enemy! He must be shot for crimes against the Sontaran race!
HURN
(to Sqar) One moment, Trooper Sqar. (to Nyssa as Goml) What do you mean, Goml? Why mustn’t we shoot the hu-man male?
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) Well…because the commander will want to question him. And he has the information we need on how to get into Althrace.
BILLY
Oh? Do I?
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran; to Billy) “Yes you do, hu-man.”
BILLY
“What…?” (gradually; plays along) “Oh yes, yes. Err…yes. I’m afraid I do have the information to get into Althrace. Sadly.”
HURN
“Does he indeed? Well, why didn’t you tell us this before, Goml?”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “You…didn’t ask me, Corporal sir. Therefore, it is best we keep this hu-man alive and not shoot him after all. Isn’t it?”
KIKE
“He has got a point, Corporal. Let’s take him back to Krond and the others to help us get on with our mission.”
SQAR
“I still don’t like it. This doesn’t sound right.”
HURN
(to Sqar) “Be that as it is, Sqar. We are taking the hu-man male with us. We’re going back to Krond.” (to Nyssa as Goml) “Goml! You take charge of keeping an eye on the hu-man male. Don’t let him escape.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “I understand, sir.”
Suddenly, a thud echoes to indicate a landing.
KIKE
(excitedly) “Corporal; corporal?”
HURN
“What is it, Kike? What is it?”
KIKE
“This ship seems to have landed. We must be on the main planet of Althrace where it was heading.”
SQAR
“Then we do not need to travel in our scout ships to meet up with Commander Krond then.”
HURN
“Seems not.” (to Sqar; Kike) “Trooper Sqar; Trooper Kike, follow me. We go to meet up with Commander Krond.” (to Nyssa as Goml) “You take the prisoner with us, Goml.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “Yes, Corporal.” (to Billy) “Move, hu-man! Move!”
Nyssa as Goml pushes Billy along, as they head out following Hurn, Sqar and Kike. As they walk, Billy whispers to Nyssa.
BILLY
(whispers) “Thanks for saving my life, dear. I really appreciate it.”
NYSSA
(whispers) “Don’t thank me yet, Billy. We still need to find a way to escape. My bluff seems to have convinced them too close for comfort in my opinion.”
Nyssa as Goml keeps Billy moving along, whilst they, Hurn, Sqar and Kike leave the observation platform.
SCENE #222 – EXT – OBSERVATION PLATFORM, ALTHRACE CRYSTAL CRAFT – N/A
Whilst Nyssa and Billy head out with the Sontarans, the Doctor, Max, Andrew and Shayde watch them go as they hide behind the wall.
MAX
“They’ve gone out, Doctor. They’ve left!”
DOCTOR
(annoyed) “Why did Billy have to run out like that?! He almost gave us away!”
MAX
“Well he was worried for Nyssa. Wanting to make sure she was okay.”
ANDREW
“That’s what I would have done if I’d been in Billy’s position. Rush out to save Nyssa if she’s in trouble.”
DOCTOR
“Then why didn’t you, Andrew?”
SHAYDE
“Doctor, we must move on.”
DOCTOR
“No wait. I’m worried about what would happen to Nyssa and Billy.”
SHAYDE
“We must get to Althrace another way. There is much we have to do.”
DOCTOR
“You don’t understand. Those Sontarans have Nyssa and Billy in their grasp. Nyssa may still play the part of a Sontaran, but she’ll be soon caught out and killed on the spot.”
MAX
“Maybe that’s why Billy went out to get Nyssa back.”
SHAYDE
“Doctor, there is much more at stake.”
DOCTOR
(agitated) “Much more at stake than saving Nyssa and Billy’s life? You’ve got a high-handed view on things Shayde, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
SHAYDE
“The Time Lords will never forgive you if you do not restore the balance of this matter. Things are far more critical than you’ll ever realise.”
DOCTOR
“What do you mean, Shayde? What are you talking about? What balance?”
SHAYDE
(grimly) “Let’s go inside your TARDIS, Doctor. Take your friends with you and let me direct the TARDIS to the Vaults of Althrace below. There is something of great importance you must see.”
DOCTOR
“I hope for your sake Shayde, this had better be really important. Really, really important, Shayde.”
SHAYDE
“It is, Doctor! It is! I stress it is to you!”
DOCTOR
(gradually) “Very well. Let’s make for the TARDIS where we hid it, shall we? Come on then, Andrew; Max.”
Andrew and Max follow him, as the Doctor and Shayde head for the TARDIS where they hid it from the Sontarans.
SCENE #223 – EXT – ENTRANCE TO CHAMBER OF KORDOR, ALTHRACE #1 – N/A
At the door to the Chamber of Kordor on Althrace #1, Commander Krond, Sergeant Stump and Trooper Thor stand at the entrance as they try to find a way to enter. Krond holds the Book of Althrace in his hands at an open page.
THOR
“So, Commander Krond? Any thoughts on how we are to enter this chamber?”
KROND
“Ah, ah! That is a very good question, Thor. Unfortunately I’ve not been able to ascertain a way to enter with the use of this book.”
STUMP
“In other words, you don’t know, sir.”
KROND
“Don’t interrupt me, Sergeant. I just need time to understand these riddles and strange words the book’s directed me to in this chapter. I can hardly understand any of the words used here.”
STUMP
“I did say you should have studied it more. But you were keen on getting battle preparations ready, you didn’t have enough time to look at it.”
KROND
“Alright, Stump. You’ve made your point.”
THOR
“Commander? Look over there!”
KROND
“What is it, Thor?”
THOR
“There’s Corporal Hurn, sir. And the others. They’ve brought Trooper Goml with them.”
KROND
(satisfied) “Excellent, excellent. Now we can get started…” (trails off; puzzled) “What is that skinny humanoid they’ve brought with them? I seem to recognise it.”
Krond, Stump and Thor watch, as Hurn gets closer with Sqar, Kike and Nyssa as Goml escorting Billy accompanying him.
HURN
(barks) “Left, right; left, right; left, right; left, right; left, right; left, right; left, right; left, right…squad, halt!”
Hurn’s squad comes to a halt.
HURN
(barks) “Left turn!”
Hurn’s squad left turns, including Nyssa as Goml and Billy. Hurn then salutes Krond, to which Krond salutes back.
HURN
“Greetings, Commander. Myself and the others have arrived. We’ve found Trooper Goml and brought him here.”
KROND
(to Hurn) “So I gather, Hurn.” (indicates Billy) “What is this creature you’ve brought back with you, Hurn? Looks very shifty to me.”
BILLY
“Who are you calling a ‘creature’? I happen to be a ‘person’.”
KROND
(realises) “What?! It is one of the Doc-tor’s associates. The boy attached to the fe-male. What is he doing here?”
SQAR
“Goml found him. Apparently.”
KIKE
“He took him prisoner once we caught him on that craft.”
HURN
“It’s true, sir. Goml did catch the hu-man male, sir.”
KROND
“Then where is the Doc-tor? Why hasn’t he shown up?”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “There was no sign of the Doc-tor or anyone else associated with him. It was just him. I do not understand why he should be the only one found on that ship.”
KROND
(puzzled) “Is Trooper Goml alright, Corporal? His voice appears to have changed slightly in pitch.”
HURN
“Goml explained his voice was affected by the atmosphere in the craft we were on when we found him. He doesn’t know how to explain that one either.”
KROND
“I see.” (Pause) “Anyway, we need to get into this Chamber of Kordor and reach the central power room. I have the book, but I can’t understand the riddles on how to get in.”
HURN
“Permission to speak, sir.”
KROND
“Yes, Hurn.”
HURN
“I should like to have the book and try to understand the riddles on how to get in, sir. Let me try, sir. Let me try.”
KROND
“Thank you, Hurn. Much appreciated. But I’d like to keep the book in safe-keeping if it’s all the same to you.”
SQAR
“Trooper Goml, sir! He says that the hu-man male can be very useful to us since he knows so much about the book.”
KROND
“Does he now? Well that’s different.” (to Billy) “You boy! Step forward!”
BILLY
“Err…I’m afraid I don’t really know much about the book. I just…”
KROND
(barks) “Step forward, boy! Now! Or else I’ll have my troopers open fire!”
The Sontarans train their weapons on Billy, locked and loaded. Billy grudgingly begins to agree.
BILLY
(grudgingly) “Oh…alright!”
Billy steps forward to Krond. Krond opens the book in his hand, ready to read out the riddles to Billy.
KROND
“Now listen here. See if you can understand this.” (reads aloud) “‘Mindless knowledge to the one. Everyone wants to be whoever they want to be. People definitely are a mistake. They know everything; they’re brainless; they’re intelligent. Which way do you see it? Can we look outside ourselves or can we always stay inside? Breakfast with tea and toast is good for one; but how is it good for others?’“
Moment of silence. Krond turns to Billy.
KROND
“Now, hu-man male. How much does that mean to you?”
BILLY
“How should I know? It’s all gibberish to me what you’ve just read.”
KROND
“Take the book! Read it again and explain what the riddles mean, boy.”
BILLY
“How can I explain? I know little about them!”
KROND
“Read it to me or I’ll have one of my troopers shoot you!”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “Yes, hu-man! Please try!”
Gradually taking Nyssa’s hint, Billy takes the book from Krond and begins to read it to himself.
SCENE #224 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
In the TARDIS, Shayde sets co-ordinates to the console. Max, Andrew and the Doctor grudgingly watch him in the console room.
MAX
(to Shayde) “Are you sure you know where we’re supposed to go then? We haven’t even met your people yet.”
SHAYDE
“They are not my people. They are the Lords of Althrace.”
ANDREW
“Whatever you wish to call them; there’s still a chance they might not be there. Someone might have arranged a surprise attack when we get to this vault of yours. The Vault of Althrace.”
SHAYDE
“There will not be a surprise attack on anybody today. I know that. The worse has already been done.”
DOCTOR
“You know so much already, Shayde. What is it you’re hiding from us?”
SHAYDE
(gradually) “I shall explain when we get there.” (Pause) “The TARDIS is ready for take off. We are heading for the Vault of Althrace.”
The Doctor, Max and Andrew watch, as the TARDIS time rotor whirs up and down. They make their way for the Vault of Althrace.
SCENE #225 – EXT – ENTRANCE TO CHAMBER OF KORDOR, ALTHRACE #1 – N/A
Meanwhile, Billy has the Book of Althrace. He has the passages read out loud by the automated audio voice of the book. Billy tries to make sense of the riddles.
THE BOOK
Mindless knowledge to the one. Everyone wants to be whoever they want to be. People definitely are a mistake. They know everything; they’re brainless; they’re intelligent. Which way do you see it? [Can we look outside ourselves or can we always stay inside? Breakfast with tea and toast is good for one…]
KROND
(interrupts) Stop! Cease that book from babbling!
Billy presses the tea stain on the book to switch it off.
BILLY
(innocently) Something wrong?
KROND
What is this?! This idiocy of yours! Do you have to have the book read the words aloud with that stupid automated voice? It’s very irritating!
BILLY
Sorry, it does that when you start reading it. Besides, I thought you might like to hear the voice of the book speaking to you. Since you seem to place more trust in it than you do in me. It’s very simple really. All you do is touch this tea stain on the side of the page here [and…]
KROND
(interrupts) “Do not rely on a ‘voice’ to say the words. Have it switched off at all times and read it yourself aloud to me? I command it, boy!”
BILLY
“Very well.” (Pause) “Do you mind if I press the coffee stain to get a better light? It’s hard to read the pages in this place with this shade.”
KROND
(impatiently) “Just read it, boy!”
Billy touches the coffee stain, which provides more light on the page for him to read. The book lights up slightly.
BILLY
(surprised) “Oh. That’s…”
KROND
(impatiently) “What is the matter, hu-man?”
BILLY
(disgruntled) “Sorry. I was making sure I can see this page to read with…enough light.”
KROND
(impatiently) “Just read it to me!”
Billy eventually begins to read out loud.
BILLY
(reads aloud) “‘People definitely are a mistake. They know everything; they’re brainless; they’re intelligent. Which way do you see it? Can we look outside ourselves or can we always stay inside. Breakfast with tea and toast is good for one; but how is it good for others?’” (Pause) “Just a minute.”
Moment of silence, as Billy then thinks.
KROND
(impatiently) “Well, hu-man? Have you found something out?”
BILLY
“Patience, will you? I’m trying to work something out.”
Another moment of silence.
BILLY
(gradually) “I suppose…”
KROND
“Well?”
BILLY
(gradually) “I suppose…we humans can’t really access this door mechanism as you so call it to enter this place. It could be for an advanced species.”
KROND
“You’re wasting time. The Sontarans already know that.”
BILLY
“What I’m saying is, that maybe there’s a part of your body that needs entry into this realm. Something which you haven’t considered yet.”
KROND
“And what ‘body part’ was it you had in mind, young male, that would allow us to gain access into this area?”
BILLY
(thinks) “Well err…maybe your tummies?”
KROND
“Tummies?”
BILLY
“Yes. Well it says here, ‘Breakfast with tea and toast is good for one, but how is it good for others.’ This riddle of entry may have something to do with your eating habits.”
KROND
(grunts) “We are Sontarans. We do not eat. We suck in energy through the backs of our probic vents.”
BILLY
“Then maybe that’s where you need to gain access. Using your probic vents.”
STUMP
“He is mocking us, sir. He is trying to wriggle his way out of it.”
KROND
(to Billy) “If you’re trying to deceive us, then you shall pay for your actions against the Sontaran empire!”
BILLY
“Believe me, I really wish I knew what I was talking about.”
THOR
“One moment! Commander Krond, sir?”
KROND
“What is it, Trooper Thor?”
THOR
“I think that’s what that panel of tubes are for. On the hall there. They’re similarly identical to the tubes that provide the cloning of our species, sir.”
KROND
“What?”
They all look to see, as the tubing panel is on the wall before them.
KIKE
“Yes! I see it now! There are three slots!”
SQAR
(cheers) “By Sontar! I don’t recall seeing them there before!”
NYSSA
(mutters; to herself) “Neither did I. That must have appeared out of nowhere!”
STUMP
“Perhaps when the boy read the riddles from the book Commander, he was unlocking the code.”
KROND
“Then…this is the answer. With those three slots there, we open those doors by attaching our probic vents to the wall to open them.” (to Billy) “You may have cracked the answer, boy!”
BILLY
“I have?”
KROND
“Sergeant Stump; Corporal Hurn! Follow me! Attach yourselves with backs to the wall!”
HURN
“Yes, sir. Very good, sir.”
STUMP
“Must I, sir?”
KROND
“Yes of course Sergeant, you must. Come on.”
Krond drags Stump over to the slots in the wall with Hurn, as they’re about to attach themselves to it.
KROND
“Right! Sergeant; Corporal! Backs to the wall!”
STUMP/HURN
“Sir!”
Sergeant Stump and Corporal Hurn salute and attach themselves to the wall with Commander Krond. The Sontaran trio stand firmly against the slots.
KROND
“Place probic vents over the slots.”
Krond, Stump and Hurn push back and place their probic vents on the slots.
KROND
“Now…we wait!”
The Sontaran trio wait, before Stump and Hurn get a tingling sensation in the back of their necks as they stand against the wall.
STUMP
(chuckles) “Commander, sir. I feel…a strange sensation in the back of my neck. A tingling sensation. Does this mean something?”
KROND
“Remain silent, Stump. Wait for the process to work out.”
HURN
(laughs) “Ooh! Ooh!!! That tickles! That tickles, sir! I’ve never felt so light!”
Hurn laughs further which gets on Krond’s nerves.
KROND
“Alright, Corporal Hurn! Don’t get carried away!”
Just then, the Chamber of Kordor’s doors slide open to reveal entry into the place.
KIKE
“Commander Krond! Commander! The chamber doors are opening!”
Eventually, the doors are swung open as they reveal an open entrance.
THOR
“It worked, sir! The code worked!”
KIKE
“The doors are open! We can go inside!”
Krond, Stump and Hurn soon detach themselves from the wall and rejoin the others.
KROND
“Ah well! Now we managed to open the doors, I’d definitely agree with Kike. We can go inside.”
SQAR
“We’re doomed if we go inside there, sir! Doomed, you hear?!”
KROND
(to Sqar) “We gain nothing by running away, Sqar! We are not cowards!” (to Nyssa as Goml) “Trooper Goml, bring the hu-man male with you! We shall need him still!” (to Sontarans) “The rest of you! Follow me!”
Krond leads the way, as the Sontarans follow him and enter inside the chamber. Nyssa as Goml carries her Sontaran blaster rifle as she moves Billy forward.
BILLY
(mutters) “They didn’t even say ‘thank you’. There’s gratitude for you.”
NYSSA
“Well done, Billy! I thought we were never going to get past that one.”
BILLY
“That was a stroke of luck. I didn’t think I was going to be able to do that with cracking the code.”
NYSSA
“I had complete confidence in you, Billy. Now we’ve got to face the tricky bit.”
Feeling uneasy, Nyssa and Billy enter inside the chamber and follow the Sontarans. The chamber doors close behind them.
SCENE #226 – EXT – OPS CONTROL, CHAMBER OF KORDOR – N/A
Deep underground in the ops control room of the Chamber of Kordor, the TARDIS materialises, whooshing and grinding before it makes a loud thump and lands. Very soon, the TARDIS doors open. The Doctor, Max, Andrew and Shayde exit from the TARDIS and enter into a room flickering with lights. A horrifying display is there before them.
MAX
(disgusted) “Ugh! What a stench! A foul stench! Are those dead aliens?”
SHAYDE
“This is a secret way into the Vault of Althrace where no-one, not even the Sontarans, can sense us being here if the alarm goes off.”
ANDREW
“Is that all you can say? There are dead aliens sprawled on the floor. In this…this…whatever this room appears to be.”
MAX
“Seems to be a control room of some kind. A massive control room with lots of computer screens flickering and lights going out a lot.”
ANDREW
(accusingly; to Shayde) “Have you no sense of compassion, Shayde? For the dead, for heaven’s sake?”
SHAYDE
“I have seen this many times on my travels to Althrace. It has grown since I keep coming back here.”
DOCTOR
(angrily) “And now you’re going to explain what has been going on here? This…this atrocious display. Dead Althracians. Great intellectual minds. You knew about this all along and you weren’t prepared to share it with us.”
SHAYDE
“I’m not responsible for the actions of your people, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
(realises) “Of course you’re not. You’re just a machine, Shayde. A construct made to serve the people who created you. Pompous butchers!”
SHAYDE
“The Time Lords wanted to keep this matter silent when the book was stolen. They knew that someone would come to obtain secrets of time and the flow of events. And they didn’t want the Althracians who had so much knowledge to let their secrets out.”
DOCTOR
“The Time Lords never gave the Althracians a chance, Shayde.”
SHAYDE
(gradually) “They weren’t prepared to take any risks. Every measure had to be covered. Even the handling of who stole the book.”
DOCTOR
(disturbed) “So…this is the result. The cost of the Book of Althrace.”
SHAYDE
“Yes, Doctor. The cost.”
DOCTOR
(angrily) “This is how it ends for the Empire of Althrace. An entire system with its people terminated with their lives. And why?! Because they can’t even keep one thing safe. And as a result the Time Lords had to terminate them.”
SHAYDE
“Like I said, Doctor. I’m not responsible for the actions of your people.”
DOCTOR
“No. Of course not.” (Pause) “If only you were programmed to feel compassion, Shayde. But that’s just not in you somehow. You haven’t got that capability. Somehow I hoped you had.”
A moment of grim silence ensues.
SHAYDE
“We must move on. The Vault of Althrace is this way.”
DOCTOR
(pointedly) “Yes by all means, Shayde. Lead the way.”
Flinching for a moment, Shayde eventually leads the way to the Vault with the Doctor following him. Max and Andrew eventually follow, as they pass the number of dead corpses behind them.
MAX
“You know something? I’ve never seen the Doctor being this passionate about something before.”
ANDREW
“I’m still finding it very hard to believe I’m taking it all in my stride. One wonders what might have happened if I did join Nyssa in the TARDIS after all.”
MAX
“You could have coped. I couldn’t. Not at my age. And with my…sensitive nature. It’ll just be too much.”
Max and Andrew move on, as they continue to follow Shayde and the Doctor to the Vault of Althrace.
SCENE #227 – INT – ENTRANCE TO SECTION AM39, CHAMBER OF KORDOR – N/A
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Chamber of Kordor, a lift door opens. Commander Krond steps out with the Sontarans, Billy and a disguised Nyssa as Goml following behind him. They approach the entrance to Section AM39. They stop at the entrance.
KROND
“Here we are. Here’s the entrance to Section A-M-three-nine where the Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge of Althrace awaits us.”
STUMP
“How can you be sure, sir?”
KROND
“Trust me, Stump. I’m a shrewd judge in these matters.”
Krond opens the Book of Althrace and goes through the pages before coming to a stop.
KROND
“Ah! Here we are!” (to Billy) “You boy! You read this passage and determine what it means from it. We must get into that power chamber.”
NYSSA
(as Goml) “I don’t…” (clears throat; sounding Sontaran) “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Commander. We don’t know what lies beyond that door.”
KROND
(to Nyssa as Goml) “Silence, Trooper Goml. When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.” (to Billy) “Read it out loud, boy.”
BILLY
“Err…” (reads aloud) “Cheese is like a rocket on the moon; windows crash and smash; shatters in time; harpoons glow; radio waves echo and the ever-ending sounds of time dazzle in front of everybody’s eyes!”
KROND
(to troopers) “Now. What can we deduce from that which the hu-man male has read aloud to us? Any suggestions?” (Pause) “Anyone?”
HURN
“Permission to speak, sir.”
KROND
“Yes, Hurn.”
HURN
“As it mentions about rockets, crashing; smashing and shatters in time – why don’t we take our scout ships and blast this planet into smithereens. Then once we have destroyed it, we shall have the Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge of Althrace open to us, dazzling before our eyes.”
KROND
(gradually; laughs) “I think you’re getting into the realms of fantasy now, Hurn. No I don’t think that’s quite how the riddle works, Hurn. Not literally.”
KIKE
“Excuse me, Commander. As it says ‘radio waves echo and the ever-ending sounds of time dazzling in front of everybody’s eyes’, why don’t we all activate our communicators, then perhaps the door will open. Only a suggestion mind.”
KROND
Oh really, Kike. I’ve never heard such a… (realises) That’s a very good idea, boy. (to troopers) Right, troopers! All of you take out your communicators and prepare to activate.
All the Sontarans, including Nyssa, take out their communicators from their belts.
STUMP
Right. On my command then. One…two…three…communicators on!
The Sontarans switch on their communicators and a series of static noises occur. A soundwave echoes across the corridor, causing the Sontarans, Nyssa and Billy to cringe in pain as the door to Section AM39 begins to open.
KROND
It’s working! Stump, it’s working! The doors are opening! Kike was right! Well done, Kike!
KIKE
(groans) Thank you, sir. Thank you very much, sir.
STUMP
(cries) But what is that dreadful noise, sir? Where’s it coming from?
BILLY
Nyssa? What’s happening?!
NYSSA
I don’t know!
Very soon, the doors are swung open. The soundwave lowers in pitch as the communicators are still on. Everyone calms down.
KROND
Ah! Well done, Sergeant! Well done, troopers! Switch off your communicators now. The doors are open.
The Sontarans switch off their communicators, as they, Nyssa and Billy recover from their ordeal.
STUMP
(grumbles) That was a heavy risk, wasn’t it? We almost bled our heads off with green blood.
KROND
Oh do stop complaining, Sergeant. The doors are open. We can now enter the power house. Follow me.
Krond’s communicator then activates.
HURN
Excuse me, sir? Your communicator is active.
KROND
Yes. Thank you, Corporal. I shall activate it now.
Krond switches on his communicator. A recorded message is played by one Fleet Marshal Nason.
NASON (V’O)
This is Fleet Marshal Nason to Commander Krond of the Fifth Sontaran Battle Fleet. Krond, the battle with the Rutans is going badly. Your remaining troopers are being destroyed. The fleet’s being destroyed. I order you to return to the Mutter’s Spiral immediately to provide reinforcements. This is a recorded message. I strongly hope you take this message [seriously…]
Krond switches off his communicator and places it underneath his belt.
STUMP
(puzzled) You’re not going to answer it, sir? The fleet marshal strictly instructed you to return…
KROND
(interrupts) Once we’re finished here, the Sontaran/Rutan defeat won’t matter. When I…I mean, when we have the power of Althrace in our hands, we shall become supreme warriors. We shall overcome any foe in the galaxy.
SQAR
You are disregarding the orders of a Fleet Marshal, sir. The Fifth Sontaran Battle Fleet is being destroyed and you’ll be responsible. You heard what I said, Krond? You’ll be responsible!
KROND
A small price to pay! For the glory of Sontar!
STUMP
Do you think this is wise, sir?
KROND
“Come on, Sergeant! We march for the Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge!” (barks) “By the left; quick march! Left, right; left, right, [left, right…]”
Krond leads the way as all the Sontarans follow him. Nyssa as Goml and Billy follow too, pondering on the actions of Commander Krond.
NYSSA
“I’m afraid this glory quest is getting out of hand the way Commander Krond’s behaving. He’s bound to be corrupt.”
BILLY
“As far I’m concerned, he was bonkers from the start. But then that goes for all Sontarans alike.”
Nyssa, Billy and the Sontarans enter the corridor leading into Section AM39, as the doors shut behind them thunderously.
SCENE #228 – INT – VAULT OF ALTHRACE, CHAMBER OF KORDOR – N/A
Meanwhile, the Doctor, Max, Andrew and Shayde enter the Vault of Althrace. They find the place deserted and gloomy with no-one about to tend to its security and safe-keeping.
ANDREW
“This place hasn’t been used for decades. It’s so spooky and grimy in here.”
SHAYDE
“Welcome to the Vault of Althrace. Where its keepers are lost and forgotten.”
MAX
“I agree with Andrew. This place certainly does need a paint job.”
DOCTOR
“And this is where the Book of Althrace was stolen from.” (Pause) “Where was the book kept before it was stolen, Shayde?”
SHAYDE
“Here. In this cabinet, Doctor.”
Shayde takes the Doctor to the cabinet from which the book was stolen. The Doctor looks inside to see the cabinet empty.
DOCTOR
“Yes I see. Empty, obviously.” (Pause) “There was no indication of how this book was stolen, Shayde? Or who stole it.”
SHAYDE
“None at all, Doctor. We couldn’t even find a clue.”
The Doctor pauses to think for a moment, as he considers the empty cabinet before him. He then spots a clue which fascinates him.
DOCTOR
“There is a clue here, Shayde. A most interesting clue. And you didn’t even notice it standing where you are now.”
SHAYDE
“What clue was it I failed to spot, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“This.”
The Doctor shows it to Shayde. Shayde looks at it, intrigued.
SHAYDE
“A pair of glasses, Doctor.”
MAX
“Hey! That looks exactly like the glasses I’m wearing.”
Max takes his glasses off to show the Doctor and Andrew.
MAX
See?
ANDREW
(gradually) Doctor? Wouldn’t the thief have left fingerprints on the cabinet when he was stealing the book?
DOCTOR
That’s a very good point, Andrew. Let’s find out.
The Doctor fishes out a device from his coat pocket and switches it on.
MAX
Hey? What’s that? Looks like one of my gadgets?
DOCTOR
It’s a handprint detector. It records data of a particular handprint left by someone. Then it scans through any record in any database whether it’s in the TARDIS or outside.
ANDREW
And you’re going to use that thing to scan for a fingerprint, Doctor?
DOCTOR
Yes, Andrew. I most certainly am.
The Doctor places the handprint detector inside the cabinet. He scans the interior for any fingerprints detected. This takes a while, as a whirring noise echoes from the device. A few minutes later, the Doctor stops scanning and takes the device out. He then checks the readings and results.
MAX
“Well, Doctor? Did you manage to find something in the end?”
DOCTOR
“Oh yes, Max. I’ve got something alright. Somebody definitely left a fingerprint in there. Rather careless.”
ANDREW
“You think you can tell who it was that stole the book then.”
DOCTOR
“Oh no. Not within a limited range. I told you. I need to scan the TARDIS database on any known criminal or criminals that the scanner might be able to determine who stole the book. It’ll take a few hours, but we should have any answer from that time.”
ANDREW
“In the meantime however, we should get on with finding Nyssa and Billy before those Sontarans can get at us.”
MAX
I quite agree. Come on then. Let’s go.
SHAYDE
Just a minute.
ANDREW
Why wait now?
SHAYDE
Doctor?! Can your device detect nearby readings where the scanner’s concerned when switched on?
DOCTOR
Of course. I should think so.
SHAYDE
Then why is the scanner bleeping all of a sudden?
The Doctor looks and sees the scanner bleeping quite vibrantly.
DOCTOR
Yes, Shayde. You’re right there. It is bleeping all of a sudden. Quite vibrantly at that too.
ANDREW
“What does that mean?”
DOCTOR
“It means that that someone in this room…in this Vault of Althrace…bears the same fingerprint as the one the scanner picked up in the cabinet. One of us.”
MAX
“What?! One of us?!”
ANDREW
“Which one, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’ll check. Me first.”
The Doctor places his finger on the scanner pad and lets out a cry of pain once he’s finished scanning. He then passes the device to Andrew.
DOCTOR
“Andrew, you’re next.”
ANDREW
“Oh alright. Here it goes.”
Andrew places his finger on the pad and cries out in pain after finishing. The Doctor then passes the device to Max.
DOCTOR
“Max, my good man?”
MAX
“Are you sure it’s safe, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Trust me, Max. It’s safe. Go on.”
With reluctance, Max places his finger on the pad and cries out in pain once having his fingerprint scanned. The Doctor eventually looks at the scanner readings and sees the results.
DOCTOR
“Well, Andrew. You and I are clear.” (Pause; grimly) “But Max…” (to Max) “I’m really sorry, Max.”
MAX
“Sorry about what, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’m afraid I have to tell you this. But…your fingerprint matches the same one that was in the cabinet where the book was stolen.”
ANDREW
“You, Max? A thief?! I don’t believe it!”
DOCTOR
“You’re right, Andrew. It’s impossible. It can’t be Max’s fingerprint in that cabinet. This scanner must be playing up.”
SHAYDE
“It is true I’m afraid, Doctor. Maxwell Edison…is the one who stole the book.”
DOCTOR
(gradually; shocked) “What?! You knew all along, Shayde?!”
MAX
“But…I’ve never been to Althrace before. This is my first time, I swear.”
SHAYDE
(gradually) “You were used, Maxwell Edison. Used…by the Time Lords.”
MAX
What?! Cripes! This makes a change doesn’t it?! Doesn’t it?
DOCTOR
The Time Lords. I should have guessed.
The Doctor and Andrew are shocked as Max is, whilst Shayde is morbidly silent.
SCENE #229 – INT – ENTRANCE TO CHAMBER OF W&K, CHAMBER OF KORDOR – N/A
In Section AM39, Krond, the Sontarans, Nyssa as Goml and Billy arrive at the special door leading into the Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge of Althrace. Billy whispers to Nyssa, as they go along.
BILLY
(whispers) Nyssa, perhaps this is our chance now whilst they’re not looking.
NYSSA
(whispers) No, Billy. I want to stay and find out what’s happening.
BILLY
(whispers) Why? We’re in enough trouble as it is. Why stay when we could get shot?
NYSSA
(whispers) “Curiosity. I want to know what this power chamber is. And why the Sontarans want to get inside it.”
They eventually stop at the entrance to the power chamber. Krond turns to address his troopers.
KROND
(to troopers) “We’ve arrived at our objective. The Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge of Althrace is ours. Glory of Sontar shall be given to us also.”
Krond opens the book to find the page he wants. He hands it over to Billy.
KROND
(to Billy) You, boy! Read the riddle at the bottom of the page so that everyone can hear. (Pause) Read it, boy!
With reluctance, Billy takes the book and reads out the riddle that he’s been asked to by Commander Krond.
BILLY
(reads aloud) Warriors chant; experiments the mind; horror of rocky roads; time attacks; two make trouble; we are in a fix!
Billy pauses for a moment.
KROND
Read on! Carry on, reading!
BILLY
(reads aloud) Candelabras sound like clocks because candles tick. Crazy man asked what time; I said “eight fifteen”; “I’m going nuts”, he said, “I’m getting different answers all day!”
Suddenly, the doors to the power chamber open. As the doors swing open, the Sontarans cheer and roar for glory whilst Nyssa and Billy stand bemused.
HURN
“You did it! You did it, Commander! You opened the door to the Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge for us Sontarans!”
KROND
“Thank you, Corporal Hurn. I never miss a catch, you see.”
Whilst the Sontarans cheer in glory for Commander Krond, Billy whispers to Nyssa.
BILLY
(whispers) “What was it I said, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
(whispers) “Don’t ask. I had trouble understanding what you said myself.”
Eventually, the Sontarans’ roars and cheers for glory die down. A whirring noise seems to come from within the chamber.
KROND
(gloriously) “Hear that, troopers. The sound of glorious time echoing from the planet’s bowels.”
STUMP
“There’s one thing I don’t understand, sir. How did we manage to open the door without knowing what the riddles were all about?”
KROND
“As if that matters, Sergeant. We’ve broken the code. And now we can go in.”
HURN
“I’m ready and waiting to go in there, Commander! I’m ready and willing, sir!”
KROND
“Excellent, Corporal. We shall go in shortly.” (Pause) “But first, we do not require the services of this hu-man male any longer. He has served his purpose. I order for his execution to take place immediately.”
NYSSA
“What?!”
BILLY
(protests) “I say, hang on a minute!”
KROND
(barks) “Corporal Hurn; Trooper Sqar; Trooper Thor! You shall be the execution squad!”
HURN
(to Krond) “Very good, sir.” (barks; to Sqar; Thor) “Come on, Sqar; Thor. Left, right; left, right; [left, right…]”
KROND
“Kike; Stump! Place the boy against that wall!”
STUMP
“Right, sir.”
Sergeant Stump and Trooper Kike push Billy up against the wall, whilst Corporal Hurn, Trooper Sqar and Trooper Thor take up their positions ready for execution.
HURN
“Standing by, sir. We’re ready to execute the hu-man, sir.”
KROND
“Thank you, Corporal! Fire when I give the command!”
HURN
“Right, sir.”
KROND
“Ready! Take aim!”
Hurn, Sqar and Thor take aim and train their blaster rifles on Billy up against the wall.
KROND
(barks) “Open…”
They’re about to open fire before Nyssa as Goml stands in their way.
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran; protests) “Just a minute! Don’t open fire yet!”
KROND
(shocked) “Trooper Goml! I am surprised at you! This hu-man is no longer necessary for us Sontarans! Why do you stand in the execution squad’s way?”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran; protests) “I still think there is a need for him. When we go deeper into the Chamber of Wisdom and Knowledge. Don’t kill this hu-man so soon!”
KROND
“I cannot see the need for this hu-man filth. I do not understand your behaviour, Trooper.”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “Just don’t kill him yet. He may still be useful.”
BILLY
“That’s right. I maybe useful. So keep me [alive…]”
STUMP
(to Billy) “Silence, hu-man.”
KROND
“If you do not move out of the way Goml, I shall order the execution squad to fire on you as well. You understand the threat?”
BILLY
(cries) “No please! Don’t fire!”
STUMP
(shouts; to Billy) “I said ‘silence’, hu-man!”
NYSSA
(as Goml; sounding Sontaran) “I will not move out of the way, Commander. I will not have you waste a boy’s life…”
KROND
(interrupts; angrily; to Nyssa) “Right! That’s it! You’ve had your warning!” (to Sontarans) “Squad! Prepare to open fire! Both Goml and the boy!”
HURN
“Right, sir.”
BILLY
“No!!!”
Hurn, Sqar and Thor ready their weapons, as they prepare to open fire.
KROND
(to Nyssa as Goml) “You are a disgrace to Sontar, Goml. You shall be dishonoured in the lists when we return to the fleet.” (to Hurn) “Blast them into atoms, Hurn. With cold fire, you understand.”
HURN
(excitedly) “Cold fire! Right, sir!”
KROND
“See that nothing remains of them! Nothing alive!”
NYSSA
(gradually; uses her normal voice) “That’s not a typical Sontaran attitude, Krond. Usually you’d bring me back to Sontar to court-martial me. Isn’t that right?”
KROND
(realises; to Hurn) “Just a minute. Hold your fire, Hurn.” (to Stump) “Did you hear that, Sergeant?”
STUMP
“Believe it or not sir, I did, sir.”
HURN
(puzzled) “That’s funny. That doesn’t sound like Goml. It sounds like…it sounds like…”
KROND
“It sounds like a Nancy voice, all wet and squeaky. Like a bawling female voice by the sound of it.”
NYSSA
“I’m not wet and squeaky, Krond. I’m not bawling either.”
KIKE
“Trooper Goml isn’t Trooper Goml, sir. It’s a fe-male behind that armour.”
KROND
(to Kike) “I believe you’re right, Kike.” (to troopers) “Troopers, seize the Goml imposter!”
BILLY
(shouts) “Nyssa, run!”
NYSSA
“Come on!”
Nyssa and Billy run, as they try to escape. They eventually get caught by Corporal Hurn, Trooper Sqar and Trooper Thor. They’re then brought back to Commander Krond.
HURN
“We’ve got them, sir! We’ve got them!”
SQAR
“Yes! We’ve got them!”
THOR
“Nobody escapes Sontaran might!”
NYSSA
(protests) “Let go of me!”
BILLY
(protests) “Yeah, let us go!”
KROND
“Bring them over here, Corporal. Set them to kneel before me.”
HURN
“As you command, Commander.”
Hurn, Sqar and Thor bring Nyssa and Billy over to Krond, as they set them kneeling before him.
KROND
“Sergeant Stump? Take this false Sontaran’s helmet off. Let us see who’s wearing it.”
STUMP
“Right, sir.”
With that, Stump reaches for ‘Goml’s helmet and begins to take it off. The helmet decompresses as Stump takes it off to reveal the beautiful Nyssa of Traken underneath. A moment of shock occurs as the Sontarans gasp to see who ‘Goml’ really is.
HURN
(shocked) “Commander, sir! It’s…it’s…”
KROND
“Yes, Corporal Hurn. It is the fe-male associate of the Doc-tor. Trooper Goml is in fact…Nyssa of Traken.”
NYSSA
“Hello, Commander Krond. Pleased to see me, are we?”
Tense silence ensues.
KROND
(barks) “Corporal Hurn; Trooper Sqar; Trooper Thor! Prepare to open fire! Destroy these two hu-man scum!”
HURN
(to Krond) “Yes, sir!” (to troopers) “Sqar; Thor! At arms!”
Hurn, Sqar and Thor train their weapons on Nyssa and Billy as they prepare to open fire.
KROND
“Open fire! Open fire, I say! Open fire!!!”
HURN
“Yes, sir. Ready, sir. We’re about to open fire, sir!”
BILLY
(groans) “Oh darn it!!!”
Hurn, Sqar and Thor are about to open fire on Nyssa and Billy.
Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.
© Tim Bradley, 2018
| Go back to | Go next to |
| Return to The Stockbridge Terror | |
| Return to The Fifth Doctor by Tim Bradley | |
| Return to Doctor Who by Tim Bradley | |
| Return to Doctor Who | |
| Return to Sci-Fi |
Bradley's Basement 