Original material Copyright 1994, 1999 Douglas B. Killings ****** The End of the Phoenix: A Serial in the Doctor Who Universe Episode One: Sicilian Opening "A Gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine, Y cladd in mightie armes and silver shielde, Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine..." -- Edmund Spenser, THE FAERIE QUEENE, Book I, Canto 1.i TEASER 001: FADE IN, SPACE. Stars are visible, framed by whisps of gaseous nebulae. In the background can be seen the flat disks of distant galaxies; in the foreground there is a planet, with signs of an atmosphere and possibly life. CAMERA PANS DOWN. The space scene parades across the screen. Suddenly, a blackness begins to spread, growing rapidly like a cancer. Stars whither away, first turning red then dimming until they wink out completely; nebulae break apart and dissipate; galaxies dissappear; the planet dies. Something has gone horribly wrong. As more lights in the universe wink out, two voices can be heard. The voices are distorted, but there is a familiar ring to them both... Voice #1: (hushed whisper) Is this how it all ends? Voice #2: (solemnly) Yes... I'm afraid it is. Voice #1: (pause) Such a waste... such an awful waste. To think it should come once more to this... (pause) I thought it was over the last time. Voice #2: No. No, it wasn't. You bought us time, but nothing more. The job is not yet finished. Voice #1: Will it ever? Voice #2: Someday. The final stars wink out; the universe is dead. Voice #2: You know what must be done. Voice #1: Is there no other way? Voice #2: No, there is not. The reasons are obvious. Voice #1: Yes, I know. I've grown all too aware of them. Voice #2: If you agree to this, you must understand something clearly: Once it has begun you cannot interfere -- not under any circumstance, not for any reason. No matter how much you may wish otherwise. The timeline must be stable; you cannot influence a single event. Voice #1: (regretful sigh) I understand. Voice #2: Do you? Voice #1: I know what the consequences are. Voice #2: The consequence may well be the least of your worries. Voice #1: Yes... I know that as well. (pause) (sigh) I never thought thirty pieces of silver would be so easy to come by... Voice #2: The stakes are high. Voice #1: The price is high. Voice #2: But are you willing to pay it? Voice #1: Do I have a choice? There is an ominous pause. Voice #2: No... no, you do not. The camera stays fixed on the dead universe. 002: CUT TO OPENING CREDITS. Opening theme music ("The Celts", by Enya) with opening credits for series title, cast, and top-billed crew. 003: FADE IN, SPACE. As we reach the end of the credits, the camera fades into another space scene. CAMERA PANS DOWN. A starship comes into view. It looks vaguely hawklike in appearance, and looks very similar to Adric's ship from "Phoenix". It is, in fact, the BLUE STAR THRICE, the replacement vessel for the one destroyed in "Phoenix". The camera closes in on the fore section, toward the flight deck. 004: CUT TO: Interior, flight deck of BLUE STAR THRICE. The camera enters the flight deck from the rear of the cockpit. The new flight deck is similar to the old, except that it looks newer and cleaner. The flight deck is filled with various computer controls, including several that are obviously weapons-related. At the front of the flight deck is a slightly battered, bulky ejection seat; it is the same one Adric used to eject with at the end of "Phoenix". In the background can be heard the radio buzz of space traffic communications. As the camera enters the flight deck we can see two people, KAL (who is sitting at one of the subsidiary stations, humming a nameless tune and wearing a headset) and ADRIC (sometimes known as TEL-VARESH), who is seated at the pilots station in the front. The camera enters the room and pans through it, finally settling on Adric at the ship's controls. Adric is his typical stone-faced, unemotional self. He is examining a control panel at his side, which has been opened. Several wires are sticking out; he is holding an instrument. He fiddles with some of the wires, then turns toward another part of the console. Adric: SELDON? From a speaker on the console a voice, SELDON (the ship's computer), can be heard. SELDON: Attempting... (pause) Still negative function. Adric shakes his head. Adric: Son of a kherak... Kal wanders over to his captain's side. Kal: Still no luck? Adric: No, not at all. The whole lot's shot. (sigh) It looks as if both the secondary and the back-up systems are either fried or non-existent. We've got minimal scan, nothing on E.C.M. or E.C.C.M., practically no ident decoding, no early-warning, and absolutely no tone-control. Most of the co- pilot's station is inoperative, the weapons board is excruciatingly slow, and the joystick has more play in it than... (shaking head) Gods help us if we ever get into a fight. (pause) How's your end? Kal: Navigation's fine, though the charts are a little out of date. Communications is passable, the engineering console is in good shape, and as for life support -- well, at least that works... A foreground panel explodes in a shower of sparks; the two men stare at it while it is automatically sprayed with fire retardant. Kal: ...for now, at any rate. They watch as the sparking dies down. Kal: Some deal... I knew we should have bid on that Corellean freighter... Adric: So, what do you think? Kal: (pause, considering) A few more weeks on Terminus couldn't possibly hurt. Adric: Whereas being caught unprotected definitely could. (sigh) I suppose there's no other way around it... we certainly can't risk traveling the way the ship is now. Kal: Not unless you have a taste for space dust and vacuum. (pause) I'm sure the Administrator wouldn't mind if we stayed on for a few more weeks. Adric sighs heavily; for some reason, he appears uncomfortable with the prospect of continuing to stay on Terminus. Adric: (mumbling) No... no, I don't think she would. Kal glares at his captain and rolls his eyes. Kal: So... verdict? Adric: (pause, considering) We stay on Terminus until repairs can be made, but no later. (to Kal) Two weeks should be sufficient. Kal shrugs; this is not what he had in mind. Adric gives his old friend a solid stare. Adric: Something wrong? Kal: (sighs) Look, umm... mind if I speak freely? Adric: Not at all. Kal: (pause, considering) Look, umm... Captain... Tel... This is the first place we've found in a long time that hasn't thrown us out immediately upon finding out who we are. Vik and I, well... we just thought this would be a good place to sit back for awhile, maybe just lie low for the time. Take some rest -- god knows we all need it. Adric: We've had twelve weeks of rest, Kal. That's certainly a longer time in one spot than since either of us started. Kal: Yes, but we never really rested. Or, at least, you never did. Adric: (shrugs, turning away from Kal) There was work to be done. Gera left Terminus in a damn-near impossible mess. Kal: So? Why not take the time we have and just enjoy ourselves, for once? Adric begins to pointedly examine the dismantled panel. Adric: The problem is that when you stop running everything else has this nasty tendency to catch up with you. (to Kal) We've got too many enemies out there, Kal. I don't want to make Terminus a battleground for all our old debts. Kal: Tel... The Master was the only one of them that mattered, and you killed him. Adric: Just because he's gone doesn't mean we're free. Kal turns away. The camera pulls in toward Adric. Kal: Maybe not... But perhaps the more important question is, are you? Adric's face reacts very slightly to the remark, then returns to its cold, emotionless visage. 005: CUT TO SPACE Another panorama of stars, perhaps with a whisp of nebulae in the background. Suddenly, a spaceship flies into the field from upper right; it is heading away from the camera, with the bright signature of engine exhaust facing us. CAMERA PANS DOWN, tracking the spaceship. As it does so, a large space-station rises into view -- TERMINUS MEDICAL STATION. As Terminus comes into view, the chatter of space traffic communications can be heard, in a variety of tongues. Much of it is babble; some of it can be understood. Comm. #1: Affirmative, you are cleared for docking... Comm. #2: ...proceed to coordinates zero-three-niner... Comm. #3: This is free-merchant vessel Nostromo... Comm. #4: ...any such deviation will be considered a hostile action... Comm. #5: ...we have six cases on board in quarantine... Camera continues to track the spaceship, now a distant dot heading for Terminus. CAMERA CLOSES IN onto Terminus. As it does so, a familiar voice can be heard rising into prominence amid the cacophony of space traffic communications. The voice belongs to VIK, another of Adric's friends and a fellow crew member. Vik: (laughing) So, no luck on your end, either? 006: CUT TO INTERIOR, control center of Terminus. The camera enters the busy, newly refurbished control center. It is larger and more complex than the one in "Phoenix". The room is circular, and is roughly two-stories in height. Along the wall are computer consoles, most of which are manned. At several points a stairway leads up to a catwalk that encircles the room at roughly the level of a second story. Along that catwalk can be seen glass partitions to several offices. In the center of the circular room is a circular console, at which a team of traffic controllers work. Above the console is a holographic display, which has a depiction of Terminus at its center and a variety of small dots depicted at various distances away. All the dots have either a name or a number associated with it. The camera enters the room from ground level, and pans through the center, from time to time slowing at one person or another before continueing on the tour. All are dressed in a pseudo-medical-like uniform, but most have some kind of personal touch to their outfits. All have a logo for Terminus displayed prominently. The camera crosses the room at roughly eyelevel. As this is happening, a background buzz can be heard, the hustle and bustle of an active communications center. Vik's voice continues to be heard as the camera moves across the control center, as does the voice of Kal, with whom she is speaking. Vik: I didn't think he'd come around... Kal: Come around? He's as bull-headed as ever. Wants to be off and on our way in two weeks. Vik: Well, that's two weeks more than I expected of him. Still, it gives us some time. Kal: Not enough... Vik: Two weeks is two weeks. Who knows what might happen in that time. Kal: I doubt it; he's got his mind made up, if you ask me. Vik: The two of you have been away for three weeks; wait until he gets back, then see what happens. Kal: Don't count on it -- I'll believe it when I see it. (pause) You're pretty sure of this, aren't you? Vik: Absolutely. Watch him when he's on-station, then you tell me if there isn't a change. As she says these words, the camera arrives at the wall on the other side from which the camera entered. It rises up a story and advances toward the glass partition of an office, where Vik's back can be seen reclining at a desk. Kal: Well, I hope you're right. I don't think he realizes just how much he's pushed himself since he capped the Master. 007: CUT TO INTERIOR, office adjacent to control center. The office is a medium sized room with a computer terminal. One wall is entirely of glass, and looks onto the control center; there is a glass door on this wall. Another doorway can be seen at the other end of the room. The background buzz of the control center has now ceased; we can hear Kal and Vik's conversation clearly. Vik is reclining in a swivel chair, her back to the control center. A holographic image of Kal's head hovers a few inches above the desk. A computer terminal with Terminus' logo is also visible on the desk. Vik: Oh, I think he realizes it. The question is whether or not he really cares. Kal: Hmmm? Vik: Look... we've both known him for how long? Six years? In that whole time, have you ever known him to be anything other than, well, the stone- faced bastard he always seems to be? Kal: Not really -- but I always thought that was because of the Master. Vik: I used to think so too, but now I'm not so certain. Kal looks questioningly at Vik. Vik: (considering) He doesn't like to talk about his past, Kal. It's as if he's trying to pretend he never existed before the Master came along... as if he's trying to pretend he was never once someone else. 008: CUT TO INTERIOR, flight deck of Blue Star Thrice. Kal is seated at the pilot's console. Kal: The Master tortured him, Vik -- by all the evidence, for several years. That's not something I'd want to remember. 009: CUT TO INTERIOR, office on Terminus. Vik: No, I guess not. But still... that doesn't feel like it answers everything. 010: CUT TO INTERIOR, flight deck of Blue Star Thrice. Kal: So what does our friend the Administrator say? 011: CUT TO INTERIOR, office on Terminus. Vik: (shrugging) Not much. She more or less tries to talk around the same subjects the Captain does, but I think for different reasons. Kal: (from hologram) Such as? Vik: Kindness, for one. She knows the Captain doesn't like to talk about some things, so I think she just feels it would be inconsiderate to talk about them behind his back... There is the sound of gentle rapping on glass, and Vik turns around to see Administrator NYSSA, who is just about to enter the office. Vik: In speaking of whom... The door slides open and Nyssa enters the office. Nyssa: Is that them? Vik nods, and Nyssa hurriedly lays an armful of reports onto the desk. Kal: Good afternoon, Administrator. Vik tells me everything's running smoothly now... Nyssa: (smiling) As much as can be expected. Most of the repairs are now complete -- you should see the control center now! Kal: So I hear. (looking off to one side) It looks like we'll be there in a little more than two hours. Nyssa: Good to hear that. We're looking forward to it. (pause) Is, um, your Captain there? 012: CUT TO INTERIOR, Blue Star Thrice. Kal: (slight smirk) He's in the back, asleep. We've both been up most of the last two days working on the ship. 013: CUT TO INTERIOR, office on Terminus. Nyssa's face flickers in brief disappointment; from behind her, Vik flashes an "I told you so" look. Nyssa: Oh, well, let him be, then... We'll be seeing everyone soon enough. Suddenly, the hologram shakes briefly, followed by a high pitched alarm and a red warning light flashing, both coming from the holographic image. Kal looks off to one side and grimaces. Kal: (from hologram) Blast... Vik: (alarmed) Kal, what's going on!?!? Kal: (from hologram) You don't want to know. I'll tell you about it when we arrive. The holographic image shakes again. Kal: Sorry, but I've gotta go. See you two in a few hours... I hope. Kal's hand reaches over to one side, and the image disappears. The two women stare at it momentarily. Vik: Well, that was rather abrupt. Nyssa: I'll say... they weren't under attack, were they? Vik: I doubt it. It looked more like a drive problem to me. (pause) The warp pods on the old ship used to throw tantrums like that every once in a while. Should be easy to fix. (looking at chronometer) Probably add an hour or two, though. Nyssa: What happens if they can't fix it? Vik: Remember what the Captain did to the Master? Nyssa: Oh... Nyssa sits on one edge of the desk. Nyssa: Vik, um... can I ask you a question? (taking deep breath) Adric... um, your Captain... is he avoiding me? Vik: (sighing) I don't know. I wish I could tell you for certain, but I just don't know. Nyssa: (pause) I'm worried, Vik. I'm worried that he still blames the Doctor and everyone for what happened. Vik: He says he doesn't. Nyssa: Yes, but you and I both know what a person says and what they may actually feel are not always the same thing. Vik: (considering) True, but in this case, I think it's safe to say he's probably telling the truth. He doesn't usually lie when a question is asked of him. (pause) Of course, as to whether or not he actually completely answers the question, well, that's another story. Nyssa: (pause) Sometimes... it's just so hard to put the two together. I mean, when I knew him he was awkward, clumsy, naive -- very naive -- far too trusting... and friendly. But now... Vik: I think the Master did more than just torture him, Nyssa. I think the Bastard broke his spirit as well... and, in a way, I don't think he ever quite recovered from that. (pause) I think you're wrong, though -- he's changed far less than you think. I mean, the person you've described and the person I know... they're really not that far apart. (pause) Besides... twelve years ago he'd have been, what, 16? 17? I don't think men are sane when they're 16 or 17! Both laugh. Nyssa: I don't know... I suppose what I don't want is him going around thinking everyone abandoned him, including his friends. That's not what happened... but I'm not certain he doesn't believe that. Vik: Listen... Don't blame yourself. Ever since we got here he's refused to lay blame on anyone's shoulders, so whatever is behind that thick skull of his it isn't resentment. Nyssa: Good. I'm glad to hear you think so. Vik: (Pause, considering) Something you have to understand about him, Nyssa. He's gone through quite a lot over the years, much of which was not pretty. I know because I was around for some it. That he's still relatively sane is a miracle in of itself. But... survival can have its price, and sometimes that price is to throw up a big shell and pretend nothing can harm you. Nyssa considers the thought. Vik: Look... If it helps matters ???: CUT TO: View of docking bay, from a CAMERA HIGH position. CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal that view is from a room adjacent to the docking bay. The room is dark. As the camera pulls back it passes over the shoulder of a man-like figure silhouetted against the bright docking bay. When the camera completes its pull- back, we see that the figure is the very familiar visage of THE DOCTOR (7th Incarnation). However, no light is shined on him -- he remains entirely in shadows. The straight lines of the TARDIS can be seen just off to one side, also in shadow. He is watching the scene below him with a melancholy feel. Another figure steps into the field. It too is silhouetted, and also looks familiar. It hesitates, then steps cautiously toward Doctor #7. After a few steps we clearly see that it resembles the outline of another incarnation of THE DOCTOR -- the 5th. Both figures remain in darkness the entire time -- we only know it is them by the sound of their voices and the outline of their silhouettes. Doctor #7 stirs at the approach of Doctor #5, but does not turn around. Doctor #7: I was beginning to wonder if you'd show up. Doctor #5: I had to see for myself, of course. I had to make sure it really would come to... (voice trailing off, looking out window) Oh my! Doctor #7: A dozen years make a difference, don't they? Doctor #5: Yes, they do... they do indeed... (sigh) It's started then, hasn't it? Doctor #7: (solemnly) Yes, I'm afraid it has. Doctor #5: Is he ready? Doctor #7: As ready as the years can make him. (pause) He's more self-confident than he ever was before. It's a start. Doctor #5: (nodding) That's good to hear. Self- assurance was his only real problem... Doctor #7: Not all. You certainly weren't much of a help. The two Doctors stand still, looking very morose. Doctor #5: Does he know yet? Doctor #7: No, not yet. He'll start figuring it out soon enough, though. Doctor #5: And what will you do when he does? Doctor #7: Run like blazes. He's not the most forgiving of sorts these days. Doctor #5: (shaking head) What a mess... I'm just glad it's all happening on your shift. Doctor #7: Just wait until you have to lie to his face... then see how much of your breakfast you can still stomach. ???: CUT TO: View of hanger, from window. Adric can be seen boarding the BLUE STAR THRICE. Activity can be seen in the cockpit of the ship. Doctor #5: I just hope that... before it's all over, he at least realizes the irony of it all. Doctor #7 looks quizzically at his earlier self. Doctor #5: From this point on, you're just the decoy -- while the real battle is fought here. Doctor #7: (sigh) I suppose that's one way of looking at it. ???: CUT TO: The two Doctors, in shadows. There is a moments pause. Then, Doctor #5 turns away from the window and walks toward the camera. There is a depressed look to them both. As Doctor #5 walks away, Doctor #7 speaks. Doctor #7: I don't like this anymore than you do. But, at the moment, we don't have much of a choice. Doctor #5: I know... I agreed too, remember?