Forever Dreaming
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04x04 - THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM (1)
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Author:  bunniefuu [ 05/11/13 06:47 ]
Post subject:  04x04 - THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM (1)

A sweeping shot, the camera flies across an old manor house style building. We see a sign which indicates this building is the Rattigan Academy. The camera continues to sweep, showing us the building lit in eerie pink lighting; looking atmospheric in the night time. Coming out of the main doors we see a big group of students, led by Luke Rattigan. The students are forcefully carrying Jo Nakashima.

STUDENT

Come on, stop struggling!

JO

You're gonna regret this! Completely ridiculous! Get your hands off me!

They continue to carry her until they reach the main steps, once they reach the steps Jo is thrown down them along with her files which are scattered across the floor.

LUKE

I think that makes my answer clear.

He makes his way through the crowd of his red tracksuit-clad students. We see him, only 18 years old yet very much in charge, towering over Jo.

LUKE

Don't you? Oh, and, er... if you're gonna go to print, spell my name right. Rattigan, with two Ts!

JO

Oh this goes way beyond the newspapers! This thing's worldwide! I'm telling you, ATMOS is dangerous!

LUKE

But if you had proof then you wouldn't be here!

JO

Fine! If you won't listen, I'll find someone else who will.

Having collected her belongings from the floor, Jo storms off towards her car. Once in the car, we see a sticker displaying ATMOS and see her ATMOS sat-nav.

SAT NAV

Welcome. What is your destination?

JO

Shut up, you're the last thing I need.

She tries to switch off the ATMOS, but it will not turn off.

SAT NAV

ATMOS cannot be disabled.

JO

Right then. Take me to UNIT Headquarters. Tower Bridge, London.

SAT NAV

UNIT Headquarters.

The car sets off.

***

In his room, Rattigan is talking to someone off screen, somewhere far away over intercom.

LUKE

Her name's Jo Nakashima. Freelance journalist, clever by the sound of it. But not as clever as me... but that goes without saying.

He picks up a squash racket and ball, he plays around with them and continues talking. We see him talking briefly over the computer screen of the alien menace before returning back to his room.

LUKE

I'd recommend... termination.

GENERAL STAAL

Remember your status boy, we do not take orders from humans.

LUKE

I said 'recommend'.

GENERAL STAAL

Then your advice shows military wisdom. She will be terminated.

LUKE

Cool.

He gives a smile and hits his squash ball into the distance, triumphant.

***

Jo is driving her car down a road, while talking on her phone. She has reached the answering machine of UNIT.

ANSWER MACHINE

This is UNIT extension 221...

JO

Come on, don't go to answerphone. Yes, this is a message to Colonel Mace from Jo, Jo Nakashima. Look, you... you should've got my email. I've been investigating a number of deaths related to ATMOS systems...

SAT-NAV

Go straight on.

JO

...no, I can't prove anything but there's got to be a link. I need you to check all the people who died in ATMOS cars yesterday, and then check out the time.

SAT-NAV

Turn right.

It is now clear that Jo has reached a dead end, and the car stops near the river.

JO

I don't believe this!

SAT-NAV

This is your final destination.

JO

I said take me to UNIT!

She tries to correct the sat-nav but nothing happens.

SAT-NAV

Go straight on!

JO

I don't think so! I'll find my own way, thanks.

At that moment the car activates itself, revving up. Jo tries to control it.

SAT-NAV

This is your final destination. This is your final destination. This is your final destination...

The locks of the car are activated and Jo begins to panic.

JO

No! No! Help! No!

The car sets off driving at speed towards the river.

JO

No! NOOO!

The car speeds up, before hitting the river at great speed. We see it going slowly under after a large impact.

***

Inside the TARDIS we see Donna at the controls, with the Doctor watching on. Seemingly he is teaching her to pilot it. Donna looks over the moon, the Doctor looks worried.

DONNA

I can't believe I'm doing this!

DOCTOR

No, neither can I.

He continues to watch on as she activates some controls.

DOCTOR

Oh, careful!

He nudges her aside, gives the console a whack with the mallet and activates another control. He moves aside allowing Donna control again. He is watching the scanner eagerly with the mallet held closely to him.

DOCTOR

Left hand down, left hand down!

Donna pulls down a control with her left hand and the TARDIS lurches. The Doctor regains control for a second.

DOCTOR

Getting a bit too close to the 1980s!

DONNA

What am I gonna do? Put a dent in 'em?

DOCTOR

Well, someone did.

A mobile phone rings, Donna looks bemused, the Doctor looks concerned. He moves around the console to the source of the ringing.

DONNA

Hold on. That's a phone!

The Doctor pulls a mobile phone from a hold in the console.

DONNA

You've got a mobile? Since when?

DOCTOR

It's not mine.

He answers the phone and sits down next to the console.

DOCTOR

Hello?

We see Martha Jones, standing in an alleyway with a phone. She turns to face the camera and smiles to herself.

MARTHA

Doctor? It's Martha, and I'm bringing you back to Earth!

***

OPENING CREDITS

DAVID TENNANT

CATHERINE TATE

and

FREEMA AGYEMAN

THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM

By Helen Raynor

***

Martha is standing in an alleyway. She hears a noise and turns to see the TARDIS materialize. The Doctor pops his head out. Looks one way then the other and sees Martha.

DOCTOR

Martha Jones.

MARTHA

Doctor.

They walk towards each other and hug.

DOCTOR

You haven't changed a bit!

MARTHA

Neither have you!

Donna starts to walk towards the door of the TARDIS.

DOCTOR

How's the family?

MARTHA

You know, not so bad. Recovering.

DOCTOR

What about you?

Donna steps out of the TARDIS. The Doctor looks around at her.

MARTHA

Right. Should have known. Didn't take you long to replace me then.

DOCTOR

Now, don't start fighting. Martha, Donna. Donna, Martha. Please don't fight, can't bear fighting.

DONNA

You wish.

She walks forward and shakes Martha's hand.

DONNA

I've heard all about you. He talks about you all the time.

MARTHA

I dread to think.

DONNA

No, no, no. No. He says nice things. Good things. Nice things. Really... good things.

MARTHA

Oh my god, he's told you everything.

DONNA

Didn't take long to get over it though. Who's the lucky man?

DOCTOR

What man? Lucky what?

DONNA

She's engaged, you prawn.

Martha waves her hand with a ring on it.

DOCTOR

Really, who to?

MARTHA

Tom. That Tom Milligan. He's in pediatrics. Working out in Africa right now, and yes, I know. I've got a doctor who disappears off to distant places. Tell me about it.

DONNA

Is he skinny?

MARTHA

No, he's sort of... strong.

DONNA (gesturing to the Doctor)

HE is too skinny for words! You give him a hug, you get a paper cut.

DOCTOR

Oh, I'd rather you were fighting.

MARTHA

Speaking of which...

She gets a call over walkie-talkie.

VOICE

Dr Jones, report to base please. Over.

MARTHA

This is Dr. Jones. Operation Blue Sky is go, go, go. I repeat, this is a go!

***

Martha, Donna, and the Doctor stand by as UNIT soldiers, trucks, and vans roll by.

SOLDIER

Unified Intelligence Taskforce. Raise that barrier, now!

More cars and loading trucks roll by in to a factory.

SOLDIER

Leave your safeties on, lads, it's non-hostiles.

LOUDSPEAKERS

All workers, lay down your tools and surrender.

MARTHA

Greyhound Six to Trap One. B Section, go, go, go! Search the ground floor, grid pattern Delta.

DOCTOR

What are you searching for?

MARTHA

Illegal aliens.

LOUDSPEAKERS

This is a UNIT operation. All workers lay down your tools and surrender immediately!

MARTHA

B section mobilised! E section, F section, on my command!

She runs off, commanding the action. UNIT men grasp workers in blue suits and point guns at their heads.

DONNA

Is that what you did to her? Turn her into a soldier?

The Doctor looks uneasy.

***

SONTARAN (looking at a camera screen)

As predicted, the UNIT forces have moved to the penultimate stage.

GENERAL STAAL

Observe their troops. Thin fabrics. Exposed skin. Feeble weapons. These are toy soldiers. The playthings of children.

***

Martha walks back to where the Doctor and Donna are standing.

DOCTOR

And you're qualified now? You're a proper doctor.

MARTHA

UNIT rushed it through given my experience in the field. Here we go.

They start walking.

MARTHA

We're establishing a field base on site. They're dying to meet you.

DOCTOR

Wish that I could say the same.

They walk in to a huge long truck. It is a big moving military office. Martha walks towards a man.

MARTHA

Operation Blue Sky complete, sir. Thanks for letting me take the lead. And, this is the Doctor. Doctor, Colonel Mace.

COLONEL MACE (salutes)

Sir!

DOCTOR

Oh, don't salute.

COLONEL MACE

Well, it's an honour, sir! I've read all the files on you and, technically speaking, you're still on staff. You never resigned.

DONNA

What, you used to work for them?

DOCTOR

Yeah, long time ago. Back in the 70s. Or was it the 80s? But it was all a bit more homespun back then.

COLONEL MACE

Times have changed, sir.

DOCTOR

Yeah, that's enough of the 'sir'.

MARTHA

Come on now Doctor, you've seen it. You've been on board the Valiant. We've got massive funding from the United Nations. All in the name of home world security.

COLONEL MACE

A modern UNIT for a modern world.

DONNA

What, and that means arresting ordinary factory workers? In the streets, in broad daylight? It's more like Guantanamo Bay out there. Donna, by the way. Donna Noble, since you didn't ask. I'll have a salute.

COLONEL MACE (salutes)

Ma'am.

DONNA

Thank you.

DOCTOR

Tell me. What's going on in that factory?

COLONEL MACE

Yesterday 52 people died in identical circumstances, right across the world, in 11 different time zones. 5am in the UK, 6am in France, 8am in Moscow, 1pm in China.

DOCTOR

You mean they died simultaneously.

COLONEL MACE

Exactly. 52 deaths at the exact same moment, worldwide.

DOCTOR

How did they die?

COLONEL MACE

They were all inside their cars.

MARTHA

They were poisoned. I checked the biopsies, no toxins. Whatever it is, left the system immediately.

DOCTOR

What have the cars got in common?

MARTHA

Completely different makes. They're all fitted with ATMOS. And that, is the ATMOS factory.

DOCTOR

What's ATMOS?

DONNA

Oh, come on. Even I know that. Everyone's got ATMOS!

They walk on a corridor overlooking the main factory area.

MARTHA

Stands for Atmospheric Omission System. Fit ATMOS in your car, reduces CO2 emissions to zero.

DOCTOR

Zero?! No carbon, none at all?

DONNA

Oh yes. Sat-nav and 20 quid in shopping vouchers if you introduce a friend. Bargain!

COLONEL MACE

And this is where they make it, Doctor. Shipping worldwide. 17 factories across the globe, but this is the central depot, sending ATMOS to every country on Earth.

DOCTOR

And you think ATMOS is alien?

COLONEL MACE

It's our job to investigate that possibility. Doctor?

They walk on, passing through the area where the UNIT soldiers are still investigating the workers.

SOLDIER

Come on, everybody. Up the pace, go on. We haven't got all day now!

Colonel Mace, the Doctor, Donna and Martha arrive to an office.

COLONEL MACE

And here it is, laid bare. ATMOS can be threaded through any and every make of car.

DOCTOR

You must've checked it, before it went on sale.

MARTHA

We did, we found nothing. That's why I thought we needed an expert.

DOCTOR

Really, who'd you get?

She doesn't answer, just looks at him meaningfully. So do Donna and Colonel Mace.

DOCTOR

Oh, right! Me! Yes! Good.

DONNA

OK, so why would aliens be so keen on cleaning up our atmosphere?

DOCTOR

Very good question.

DONNA

Maybe they want to help. Get rid of pollution and stuff.

DOCTOR

Do you know how many cars there are on planet Earth? 800 million. Imagine that. If you could control them, you'd have 800 million weapons.

***

In a dark corridor, Private Gray is checking a map with a torch.

PRIVATE GRAY

We should head back. There's not much down here. Should be just boiler rooms, generators.

Lights turn on as Private Harris walks around the corner. The place is deserted, but two workers are standing in front of a door at the end of the corridor.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Aye, aye. What's this, then?

They walk up to the workers.

PRIVATE HARRIS

You two. All personnel have been ordered to evacuate. The building's under UNIT control.

WORKER

This area is out of bounds.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Excuse me, sunshine? I think you'll find we're in charge. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.

***

SONTARAN (watching them over video link)

General Staal. They are close.

GENERAL STAAL

Excellent! And like a good warrior, I shall enter the fray myself! Let them pass.

***

One of the workers opens the door.

WORKER

It's open.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Ha. Come on.

The room is full of tanks and strange objects, lit by magenta and green lights.

PRIVATE HARRIS

What the hell?

PRIVATE GRAY (over walkie-talkie)

Greyhound 16 to Trap One. We've found something. Basement corridor, north side, grid 36. Request backup, over.

They walk up to a huge, covered basin.

PRIVATE HARRIS

It's like something boiling inside...

PRIVATE GRAY

Don't touch it!

PRIVATE HARRIS

Come on, Steve! We get first rights on this. That means promotion!

PRIVATE GRAY

Just leave it alone! Wait for backup.

A loud thud comes from the basin.

PRIVATE GRAY

What was that?

PRIVATE HARRIS

Came from inside.

PRIVATE GRAY

Could just be the machinery.

The thudding continues.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Is there someone in there? Hello?... We've got to get this open.

PRIVATE GRAY

We should wait for the others!

PRIVATE HARRIS

You could suffocate in there!

PRIVATE GRAY (over the walkie-talkie)

Greyhound 16 to Trap One, request immediate assistance. Repeat, immediate assistance, over.

PRIVATE HARRIS

How do you work this thing? Come on!

An alarm goes off as the lid is lifted. Inside the basin, there's green liquid bubbling and fuming. The soldiers cough.

PRIVATE GRAY

Oh, God, it stinks!

PRIVATE HARRIS

What the hell is that stuff?

Suddenly, a body emerges and tries to grab Harris. He falls back and the thing turns toward Gray. It resembles a half-formed clay figure.

PRIVATE GRAY (panicking)

Identify yourself! Identify! (over the walkie-talkie) Greyhound 16 declaring absolute emergency, sir. Repeat, absolute emergency, over!

PRIVATE HARRIS (to the figure)

Can you hear me? Can you understand me? Look at its neck. It's like...an umbilical cord.

PRIVATE GRAY

Well, don't get too close.

PRIVATE HARRIS

I think it's harmless. I don't even think it's properly alive.

It dives back into the liquid.

PRIVATE GRAY

It's gonna drown.

PRIVATE HARRIS

No... I think it breathes this stuff. Like some kind of embryo.

PRIVATE GRAY

What d'you mean, an embryo?

PRIVATE HARRIS

Someone's growing a body. A human body.

A Sontaran appears. The soldiers take aim at him immediately.

GENERAL STAAL (to Harris)

Excellent skills of deduction. I would rate you above average, soldier. Well done. (to Gray) Whereas you, you smell of sweat and fear.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Yeah? Well we're not the ones who got out of school early, sonny. Now stop playing Humpty Dumpty and tell us who you are.

GENERAL STAAL

Is that a reference to my height?

PRIVATE HARRIS

Short answer, yes.

GENERAL STAAL

A pity. Words are the weapons of womenfolk. I must judge you unfit!

PRIVATE HARRIS

Oh! What you gonna do, bite our ankles?

The Sontaran lifts up his staff-like weapon and fires a beam to his knee. Harris falls to the ground.

PRIVATE GRAY

I'm warning you!

GENERAL STAAL

A proper soldier gives no warning! Fire! I order you! Fire!

Gray pulls the trigger, but nothing happens.

GENERAL STAAL

The room is contained within a Cordolaine signal, exciting the copper surface of the bullet and causing expansion within the barrel, rendering your guns useless. And your radio signals have been blocked.

Gray tries to attack the Sontaran using the gun as a club, but Staal easily stops him, stunning his leg too.

PRIVATE GRAY

My legs! I can't feel my legs!

GENERAL STAAL

I apologise for disabling you. Death has more honour, but you are needed for the stratagem. (to the two workers) Prepare them for processing. (to the soldiers) You spoke of promotion. Now you will serve a greater cause.

PRIVATE HARRIS

But... who are you?

GENERAL STAAL

Indeed, know your enemy! I am General Staal of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet. Known as Staal the Undefeated!

He takes off his helmet, revealing an alien head below.

PRIVATE GRAY

Help us! Oh, my God, help us!

***

DOCTOR

Ionising nano membrane carbon dioxide converter - which means that ATMOS works. Filters the CO2 at a molecular level.

COLONEL MACE

We know all that, but what's its origin? Is it alien?

DOCTOR

No. Decades ahead of its time. (they both bend over the ATMOS device) Look, d'you mind, could you stand back a bit?

COLONEL MACE

Sorry, have I done something wrong?

DOCTOR

You're carrying a gun. I don't like people with guns hanging around me, all right?

COLONEL MACE

If you insist.

He leaves, offended.

MARTHA

Tetchy.

DOCTOR

Well, it's true.

MARTHA

He's a good man!

DOCTOR

People with guns are usually the enemy in my books. You seem quite at home.

MARTHA

If anyone got me used to fight it's you.

DOCTOR

Oh, right, so it's my fault.

MARTHA

Well, you got me the job! Besides, look at me. Am I carrying a gun?

DOCTOR

Suppose not.

MARTHA

It's all right for you. You can just come and go, but some of us have got to stay behind. So I've got to work from the inside and by staying inside, maybe I stand a chance of making them better.

DOCTOR

Yeah? (he smiles) That's more like Martha Jones.

MARTHA

I learned from the best.

DOCTOR

Well...

Donna appears in the door.

DONNA

Oi, you lot! All your storm troopers and your sonics... You're rubbish! Should've come with me.

DOCTOR

Why, where have you been?

DONNA

Personnel. That's where the weird stuff's happening - in the paperwork. Cos I spent years working as a temp, I can find my way round an office blindfold, and the first thing I noticed is an empty file.

DOCTOR

Why, what's inside it? Or what's not inside it?

DONNA

Sick days. There aren't any. Hundreds of people working here and no one's sick. Not one hangover, man flu, sneaky little shopping trip, nothing. Not ever! They don't get ill.

COLONEL MACE

That can't be right.

DONNA

You've been checking out the building - should've been checking out the workforce.

MARTHA

I can see why he likes you.

DONNA

Mm-hmm.

MARTHA

You are good.

DONNA

Super temp!

COLONEL MACE

Doctor Jones, set up a medical post, start examining the workers. I'll get them sent through.

He walks off.

MARTHA

Come on, Donna. Give me a hand.

They leave. The Doctor runs after Colonel Mace. They walk along a corridor.

DOCTOR

So this, this ATMOS thing. Where did it come from?

COLONEL MACE

Luke Rattigan himself.

DOCTOR

And 'himself' would be?

They look at Luke Rattigan’s profile on a computer.

COLONEL MACE

Child genius. Invented the Fountain 6 search engine when he was 12 years old. Millionaire overnight. Now runs the Rattigan Academy. A private school, educating students, handpicked from all over the world.

DOCTOR

A hothouse for geniuses, wouldn’t mind going there.

Colonel Mace looks puzzled.

DOCTOR

I get lonely.

***

Martha is at a desk looking through binders. Donna picks up a chair and sets it down next to her.

DONNA

D’you think I should warn my mum? About the ATMOS in her car?

MARTHA

Better safe then sorry.

DONNA

I’ll give her a call.

MARTHA

Donna. Do they know where you are? Your family. I mean that you’re travelling with the Doctor?

DONNA

Not really. Although... My granddad sorta waved us off. I didn’t have time to explain.

MARTHA

You just left him behind?

DONNA

Yeah.

MARTHA

I didn’t tell my family, kept it all so secret. And it almost destroyed them.

DONNA

In what way?

MARTHA

They ended up imprisoned. They were tortured. My mom. My dad. My sister. It wasn’t the Doctor’s fault, but... you need to be careful. Cos you know the Doctor. He’s wonderful. He’s brilliant. But he’s like fire. Stand too close and people get burnt.

***

Private Gray and Private Harris walk out off the clone lab and stand to the side of the doorway. General Staal walks out.

GENERAL STAAL

Conditioning is complete. Now do your duty and advance the conquest.

PRIVATES

# Yes sir.

They march away. General Staal walks back into the lab.

GENERAL STAAL

General Staal returning. The stratagem advances.

He walks in to a short tunnel-like machine and taps something on a keyboard.

GENERAL STAAL

The last days of planet Earth.

He teleports.

***

The Doctor is walking with Colonel Mace.

DOCTOR

You are not coming with me! I want to talk to this Luke Rattigan, not point a gun at him.

COLONEL MACE

It’s ten miles outside London. How are you going to get there?

DOCTOR

Well, then get me a jeep!

COLONEL MACE

According to the records you travel by TARDIS.

DOCTOR

Yes, but if there is a danger of hostile aliens I think it’s best to keep a super-duper time machine away from the front lines.

COLONEL MACE

I see. So you do have weapons, but choose to keep them hidden. Jenkins!

ROSS JENKINS

Sir!

COLONEL MACE

You will accompany the Doctor and take orders from him.

DOCTOR

Yeah, I don’t do orders.

COLONEL MACE

Any sign of trouble, get Jenkins to declare a Code Red. And good luck, sir.

He salutes.

DOCTOR

I said no salutes.

COLONEL MACE

Now you're giving orders.

DOCTOR

Oh, you're getting a bit cheeky, you are.

As Colonel Mace walks away Donna appears.

DONNA

Doctor...

DOCTOR

Oh, just in time! Come on! Come on, we're going to the country. Fresh air and geniuses, what more could you ask?

DONNA

I'm not coming with you.

The Doctor stares at her.

DONNA

I've been thinking. I'm sorry, I'm going home.

DOCTOR

Really?

DONNA

I've got to.

DOCTOR (disappointed)

Well, if that's what you want. I mean it's a bit soon... I had so many places I had wanted to take you. The Fifteenth Broken Moon of the Medusa Cascade, the Lightning Skies of Cotter Palluni's World, Diamond Coral Reefs of Kataa Flo Ko... Thank you. Thank you, Donna Noble, it's been brilliant. You've... you've saved my life in so many ways. You're... (comprehension dawning on his face) You're just popping home for a visit, that's what you mean.

DONNA

You dumbo!

DOCTOR

And then you're coming back.

DONNA

Know what you are? A great big outer-space dunce.

DOCTOR

Yeah.

ROSS

Ready when you are, sir.

DONNA

What's more you can give me a lift. Come on!

They climb in to the Jeep.

DONNA

Broken moon of what?

DOCTOR

I know, I know.

They drive away. Private Gray and Private Harris watch them go.

***

In a small room, Martha is doing a health check on an ATMOS worker.

MARTHA

And your name’s Trepor, yeah? Is that polish? Listen, we’re not checking passports, it’s not about that, but did you come across from Poland just to work?

MR TREPOR

I came to do my job.

MARTHA

OK. I need to listen to your heartbeat. This might be a bit cold.

She rubs a stethoscope.

MARTHA

Lift.

He lifts his shirt. Martha places the stethoscope on his chest and hears an extremely fast beat. She looks at Mr Trepor and double checks it.

MARTHA

Are you on any medication?

MR TREPOR

I’m here to work.

MARTHA

How many hours a day do you work?

MR TREPOR

24.

MARTHA

You work 24 hours a day? Down.

He pulls down his shirt.

MARTHA

Mr Trepor, have you ever had any form of hypnosis?

MR TREPOR

I’m here to work.

MARTHA (worried)

OK. Um, if you could just wait here.

She walks out to a corridor. Private Harris and Private Grey follow her.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Doctor Jones.

MARTHA

Not now, I'm busy.

PRIVATE HARRIS

Just one question. Do you have security clearance level one?

MARTHA

Yes, I do. Why?

PRIVATE HARRIS

Colonel Mace wants to see you.

MARTHA

Oh good, cos I want to see him. Where is he?

PRIVATE HARRIS

Come with us.

***

The UNIT jeep pulls into a quiet road and the Doctor and Donna clamber out.

DONNA

I'll walk the rest of the way. I'll see you back at the factory, yeah?

The Doctor jumps back into the jeep.

DOCTOR

Bye!

DONNA

And you be careful!

The jeep pulls away leaving Donna on her own. She walks slowly down her street as if she can't believe she's home. A woman walks past her.

WOMAN

Haven't seen you for days.

DONNA

Yeah... been away.

She continues walking, past a boy playing football, and relives her recent adventures with the Doctor in her mind. Flashes of her hanging from the window cleaning platform, the Pyrovile, trying to save a little boy from the eruption of Vesuvius, crying through the bars of the Ood cage, and an Adipose baby floating up to join its family all flicker past. Her house then comes into view. Wilf is in the driveway, taking out some rubbish. Both he and Donna stop dead as they catch sight of each other. Donna places a hand to her mouth, overwhelmed by emotion, as Wilf frantically beckons her over. She begins to run and they meet in a giant embrace.

***

Martha, Private Harris, and Private Gray walk down a corridor.

MARTHA

What's he doing down here?

GREY

He asked to see you.

MARTHA

Why? Has he found something?

Grey and Harris do not answer. They open a door at the end of the corridor, and Martha walks inside. She looks around in puzzlement and catches sight of the bubbling, green liquid in the basin. Suddenly becoming panicked, she turns around and tries to run out of the room. Harris and Grey stand in the way, stopping her from exiting. The doors to the room slam shut, leaving Martha trapped inside. Her screams echo down the corridor, as all the lights flicker off.

***

Wilf and Donna are sat at the kitchen table.

WILF

I said so, didn't I? Aliens. I said they were real! I just didn't expect them in a little blue box.

DONNA

It's bigger on the inside

WILF

Yeah but is it safe? This... Doctor, are you safe with him?

DONNA

He's amazing, Gramps. He's just... dazzling. And never tell him I said that.

WILF

No.

DONNA

But I'd trust him with my life.

WILF

Hold up, I thought that was my job!

DONNA

You still come first.

WILF

Well, for god's sake don't tell your mother!

DONNA

I dunno... I mean this is massive. Sort of not fair if she doesn't know.

Sylvia enters from the garden carrying laundry.

SYLVIA

Doesn't know what? And who's she, the cat's mother? And where've you been these past few days, lady, after that silly little trick with the car keys? I phoned Veena and she said she hadn't seen hide nor hair.

DONNA

I've just been... travelling.

SYLVIA

Oh, hark at her! Michael Palin! Are you staying for tea? Cos I haven't got anything in. I've been trying to keep your granddad on that macrobiotic diet, but he sneaks off and gets pork pies at the petrol station.

Wilf tries to protest.

SYLVIA

Don't deny it, I've seen the wrappers in the car. Oh, I don't miss a trick. Now then, what were you gonna tell me? What don't I know?

Donna catches Wilf's eye, and he gives her a measured look.

DONNA

Nothing. Just... nothing.

Wilf slyly beams at her.

SYLVIA

Good. Right, then you can sit there and cut out those coupons. Every penny helps. This new mortgage doesn't pay for itself. Dad, kettle on.

WILF (rising from the table)

Yeah, kettle.

He winks at Donna as he walks past.

***

Ross and the Doctor drive down a small road.

ROSS

UNIT's been watching Rattigan Academy for ages. It's all a bit Hitler Youth: exercise at dawn and classes and special diets.

SAT-NAV

Turn left.

DOCTOR

Ross, one question. If UNIT think that ATMOS is dodgy...

ROSS

How come we've got it in the jeeps? Yeah, tell me about it. They're fitted as standard on all government vehicles. We can't get rid of them until we prove something's wrong.

SAT-NAV

Turn right.

ROSS

Drives me around the bend.

DOCTOR (noticing they are actually driving around a bend)

Oh, nice one!

ROSS

Timed that perfectly!

DOCTOR

Yeah! Yeah, you did!

SAT-NAV

This is you final destination.

We see that they have arrived at Rattigan Academy. Luke Rattigan is standing in the middle of the grounds as the students jog past. The Doctor and Ross approach.

DOCTOR

Is it PE? I wouldn't mind a kick around, I've got my chaps on.

LUKE

I suppose you're the Doctor?

DOCTOR

Hello!

LUKE

Your commanding officer phoned ahead.

DOCTOR

Ah, but I haven't got a commanding officer. Have you? (Luke stares darkly at him) Oh, this is Ross. Say hello, Ross.

ROSS

Afternoon, sir.

The Doctor rushes off towards the entrance.

DOCTOR

Let's have a look then, I can smell genius!... In a good way.

Luke rolls his eyes behind the Doctor's back as he follows them in to a room full of students performing experiments.

DOCTOR

Oh, now! That's clever, look! (he puts on his glasses and peers at a device) Single molecule fabric, how thin is that?! You could pack a tent in a thimble. Oh! Gravity simulators! (he begins rushing around in excitement) Terraforming, biospheres, nano-tech steel constructs! Haha! This is brilliant! Do you know, with equipment like this you could... oh, I don't know, move to another planet or something?

LUKE

If only that was possible.

DOCTOR

If only that were possible. (he takes off his glasses as Luke looks darkly up at him) Conditional clause.

Luke looks as though he is about to hit the Doctor, but restrains himself.

LUKE

I think you better come with me.

He walks off and the Doctor and Ross follow. They arrive in a large room with a strange device in the corner - a teleport pod like the one in the cloning lab.

LUKE

You're smarter than the usual UNIT grunts, I'll give you that.

DOCTOR (to Ross)

He called you a grunt! Don't call Ross a grunt, he's nice! We like Ross! Look at this place...

He wanders off.

LUKE (exasperated)

What exactly do you want?

DOCTOR

I was just thinking, what a responsible eighteen year old. Inventing zero carbon cars? Saving the world...

LUKE

Takes a man with vision.

DOCTOR

Mmmm, blinking vision. Cos ATMOS means more people driving, more cars, more petrol, end result: the oil's gonna run out faster than ever. The ATMOS system could make things worse.

LUKE (quickly)

Yeah, see, that's a tautology. You can't say 'ATMOS system' since it stands for 'atmospheric emissions system'. So you're just saying 'atmospheric emissions system system' d'you see, Mr Conditional Clause?

DOCTOR

It's been a long time since anyone said no to you, isn't it?

LUKE

I'm still right though.

DOCTOR

Not easy, is it? Being clever. You look at the world and you connect things. Random things. And think, 'why can't anyone else see it?' The rest of the world is so slow.

LUKE

Yeah.

DOCTOR

And you're all on your own.

LUKE

I know.

DOCTOR

But not with this! (he pulls out the ATMOS devise) Cos there's no way you invented this thing single handed. I mean, it might be Earth technology, but that's like finding a mobile phone in the middle ages.

He chucks the device at Ross, who catches it.

DOCTOR

No, no, I'll tell you what it's like! It's like finding this in the middle of someones front room. (he points behind him to the teleport pod) Albeit it's a very big front room.

ROSS

And what is it?

DOCTOR

Yeah, just looks like a thing, doesn't it? People don't question things, they just say 'oh, it's a thing'.

LUKE

Leave it alone!

DOCTOR (walking into the pod)

Me, I make these connections. And this, to me, looks like (he presses a button on the side of the pod) a teleport pod.

The Doctor disappears from Rattigan Academy and reappears in a large futuristic spaceship. It is lit with dim, purple lighting and there are Sontarans milling around.

COMPUTER VOICE

Orbit now holding at 555.3, sector 270.

DOCTOR

Oh...

The Sontarans all turn to notice him, and General Staal raises his staff.

GENERAL STAAL

We have an intruder!

DOCTOR

How did he get in? In-tru-da window?

The Sontarans begin to charge towards the Doctor.

DOCTOR

Bye bye!

He presses the control pad again, and begins to run just as he teleports away. He appears back at Rattigan Academy, still running.

DOCTOR

Ross, get out! Luke, you've got to come with me!

He spins round, just as General Staal appears. Grabbing his sonic screwdriver, the Doctor disables the teleport pod.

DOCTOR

Sontaran! (Staal raises his staff) Thats your name, isn't it? You're a Sontaran. How did I know that, ay? Fascinating isn't it? Isn't that worth keeping me alive?

ROSS (taking aim at Staal)

I order you to surrender in the name of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce.

DOCTOR

Well that's not going to work. Cordolaine signal, am I right? Copper excitation stopping the bullets.

GENERAL STAAL

How do you know so much?

DOCTOR

Well...

GENERAL STAAL (talking to Luke)

Who is he?

LUKE

He didn't give his name.

DOCTOR

But this isn't typical Sontaran behavior, is it? Hiding! Using teenagers, stopping bullets? (mockingly) A Sontaran should face bullets with dignity! Shame on you!

GENERAL STAAL

You dishonour me, sir!

DOCTOR

Yeah, then show yourself!

GENERAL STAAL

I will look into my enemy's eyes!

He removes his helmet revealing his Sontaran head underneath.

ROSS

Oh, my god...

DOCTOR

And your name?

GENERAL STAAL

General Staal, of the Tenth Sontaran Fleet. Staal the Undefeated!

DOCTOR

Well, that's not a very good nickname. What if you do get defeated? Staal the Not-Quite-So-Undefeated-Anymore-But-Never-Mind?

ROSS

He's like a potato - a baked potato - a talking baked potato.

DOCTOR

Now, Ross, don't be rude, you look like a pink weasel to him. (he goes and picks up a racket and begins bouncing a small ball upon it) The Sontarans are the finest soldiers in the galaxy, dedicated to a life of warfare. A clone race, grown in batches of millions with only one weakness...

GENERAL STAAL

Sontarans have no weakness!

DOCTOR

No, it's a good weakness!

LUKE

Aren't you meant to be clever? Only an idiot would provoke him.

DOCTOR

No, but the Sontarans are fed by a probic vent in the back of their neck, that's their weak spot. Which means, they always have to face their enemies in battle... isn't that brilliant? They can never turn their backs!

GENERAL STAAL

We stare into the face of death!

DOCTOR

Yeah? Well, stare at this!

He throws the ball into the air and hits it with the racket. The ball flies past General Staal and hits the back of the teleport pod. It bounces back and smacks into Staal's probic vent. The Doctor and Ross run. General Staal collapses onto the floor and Luke rushes over to him.

LUKE

What has he done? What has he done?!

The Doctor and Ross run down the Academy steps and jump into the jeep, speeding away as fast as they can.

GENERAL STAAL

Don't touch me! (he struggles up) A Sontaran would rather be court marshalled than show pain. I must return.

LUKE

But he broke the teleport.

GENERAL STAAL

Pah! Primitive sonic trickery! (he points his staff at the pod, there is a whirring noise) The devise is now repaired.

Staal and Luke enter the pod and teleport back to the Sontaran ship.

GENERAL STAAL

Our presence is known! Soldiers! We move to a war footing!

COMMANDER SKORR

I see you face battle open skinned, sir. Might I share that honour?

GENERAL STAAL

You may.

COMMANDER SKORR

Thank you!

He removes his helmet and Luke stares at them both.

LUKE

How... do you tell each other apart?

GENERAL STAAL

We say the same of humans.

COMMANDER SKORR

Tell me, boy. How many ATMOS devices have been installed?

LUKE

Uh, they've gone worldwide but only about half.

GENERAL STAAL

Which means four hundred million cars converted! A fine arsenal!

COMMANDER SKORR

Is it sufficient to trigger the conversion?

LUKE

More than enough, yeah. And the test signal proved that it works! Fifty-two deaths in the same second, man, that is just so cool!

GENERAL STAAL

Is the temperature significant?

LUKE (after a pause)

No... that, that's just a phrase... But I'll get my people ready, General. You just tell me where and when!

GENERAL STAAL

Have we infiltrated UNIT?

COMMANDER SKORR

The process is about to begin.

GENERAL STAAL

Then you'll see it completed, Commander Skorr. Get to it!

COMMANDER SKORR

Yes, sir!

Skorr walks to the controls and teleports away.

***

Martha is secured to a metal platform. She has a strange device clamped over her head.

MARTHA

Is someone gonna tell me what the hell is going on?!

Her face falls as Skorr walks in front of her.

MARTHA

Oh.. kay... So, listen! You're not the first aliens I've met. Just tell me who you are.

COMMANDER SKORR

Commander Skorr of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet. Known as Skorr the Bloodbringer!

MARTHA (indicating with her head Harris and Grey)

What have you done to those two?

COMMANDER SKORR

Simple hypnotic control, as with the factory drones. But with you... we need something more complex.

He turns a switch on the basin and the green liquid begins to bubble again. Martha looks on in horror as a hand rises from the liquid.

MARTHA

What... is that?!

COMMANDER SKORR

Soon, that will be you!

The hand sinks back out of sight.

***

On the Sontaran ship, Luke stares out the window at the Earth below. Staal talks to some Sontaran soldiers behind.

GENERAL STAAL

Continue. (he joins Luke) War can never come to soon. Take your last look, boy.

LUKE

It was never big enough for me.

GENERAL STAAL

I like your ambition.

LUKE

That doctor, he was in a UNIT jeep, should have ATMOS installed.

GENERAL STAAL (abruptly)

You said you didn't know his name!

LUKE

I don't. He just said 'doctor'. Does that mean something?

GENERAL STAAL

There is an enemy of the Sontarans known as the Doctor. A face-changer.

LUKE

Do you mean he's an alien too?

GENERAL STAAL

Legend says that he led the battle in the last great Time War. (bitterly) The finest war in history and we weren't allowed to be a part of it! Oh, but this is excellent! The last of the Time Lords will die, at the hands of the Sontaran empire, in the ruins of his precious Earth!

The camera pans out to show a giant Sontaran ship hanging about Earth.

***

Martha tries to free herself from her bonds as Skorr fiddles with the basin.

COMMANDER SKORR

It is inadvisable to struggle. The female has a weak thorax.

MARTHA

But what are you doing?

COMMANDER SKORR

Completing mental transfer. The clone needs full memory access.

MARTHA

Clone?

The hand once again rises from the basin. Martha gasps as a perfect clone of herself rises from the green liquid.

MARTHA

You can't...

The clone reaches behind its neck and pulls out the umbilical chord that it's attached to.

MARTHA

That's not...

COMMANDER SKORR

You will sleep, girl. Sleep and keep the memories alive... Memories we can use, in battle.

Martha's eyes slowly close as she falls into a hypnotic sleep.

***

SONTARAN

We have the Doctor's vehicle.

GENERAL STAAL

An ordinary death for such a remarkable enemy... but proceed.

***

The UNIT jeep speeds along the road.

DOCTOR

Greyhound 40 to Trap 1, repeat, can you hear me? Over.

ROSS

Why's it not working?

DOCTOR

Must be the Sontarans. If they can trace that, then they can isolate the ATMOS.

SAT-NAV

Turn left.

DOCTOR

Try going right!

ROSS

It said left.

DOCTOR

I know! So go right!

The jeep swerves.

ROSS

I've got no control, it's driving itself! It won't stop!

The Doctor pulls out his sonic screwdriver and tries to fiddle with the ATMOS.

ROSS

The doors are locked!

DOCTOR

Ah, it's deadlocked, I can't stop it!

SAT-NAV

Turn left.

The jeep jolts and swerves left.

DOCTOR

The sat-nav's just a box, wired through the whole car!

LUKE (on the Sontaran ship)

Oh, is he going in the water? I love it, with the water!

The jeep swerves off the road.

ROSS

We're heading for the river!

DOCTOR

ATMOS, you're programmed to contradict my orders?

SAT-NAV

Confirmed.

DOCTOR

Anything I say, you'd ignore it?

SAT-NAV

Confirmed.

DOCTOR

Then drive into the river! I order you to drive into the river! Do it! Drive into the river!

The jeep speeds towards the water, but suddenly skids to a halt a few inches from the edge of the river. The Doctor and Ross leap out and begin to run.

SAT-NAV

Turn right... left... right... left...

DOCTOR

Get down!

He and Ross throw themselves onto the floor.

SAT-NAV

Left, right, left, right, left, left, right, left, right --

The sat-nav emits a small bang that lets off a shower of sparks. The Doctor looks up from his sprawled out position on the floor.

DOCTOR

Oh, was that it?

***

SONTARAN

ATMOS terminated. Mission accomplished. The Doctor is dead.

GENERAL STAAL

Then prepare the weapons. Is the operative in place?

Cut shot to the unconscious Martha. Commander Skorr leans over, checking the equipment that she is attached to. He then walks over to stand in front of the clone, now wearing Martha's clothes.

MARTHA CLONE

Ready and waiting to advance the great Sontaran cause, sir.

COMMANDER SKORR

Then go to work.

She turns and, followed by Harris and Grey, leaves the room.

***

At Donna's house, the Doctor rings the bell and Donna answers the door.

DOCTOR

You would not believe the day I'm having.

The Doctor walks around the Nobles' car, bending down to check the ATMOS attached underneath. Ross and Donna stand nearby, Donna trying to ring Martha. The Doctor opens the hood and peers inside.

ROSS

I'll requisition us a vehicle.

DOCTOR

Anything without ATMOS. Don't point your gun at people!

Ross runs off just as Wilf appears from the house.

WILF

Is it him? Is it him? Is it the Doctor?

He runs round the car and catches sight of the Doctor.

WILF

Ah! It's you!

DOCTOR

Who?

He looks up and sees Wilf pointing at him.

DOCTOR

Oh! It's you!

DONNA

What, have you met before?!

WILF

Yeah, Christmas Eve. He disappeared right in front of me!

DONNA

And you never said?!

WILF

Well you never said! Wilf, sir. Wilfred Mott. You must be one of them aliens?!

DOCTOR

Well - yeah, but don't shout it out. (he shakes Wilf's hand) Nice to meet you properly, Wilf.

WILF

Oh, an alien hand...!

DOCTOR

Donna, anything?

DONNA

She's not answering. What is it, Sontorans?

DOCTOR

Sontarans. But there's got to be more to it, they can't be just remote controlling cars. That's not enough. Is anyone answering?

DONNA

Hold on.

MARTHA CLONE (on the phone)

Don't tell me... Donna Noble.

DONNA

Martha! Hold on, he's here.

She gives the phone to the Doctor.

DOCTOR

Martha, tell Colonel Mace it's the Sontarans. They're in the file, Code Red, Sontarans. But if they're inside the factory tell them not to start shooting. UNIT will get massacred. I'll get back as soon as I can, you got that?

MARTHA CLONE

Code Red Sontaran. Gotcha.

She hangs up the phone as Colonel Mace appears round the corner.

COLONEL MACE

Doctor Jones! Found anything yet?

MARTHA CLONE

No sir, nothing to report.

Colonel Mace turns away and the Martha clone smiles to herself as she walks away.

***

The Doctor has his sonic screwdriver out and is fiddling with the car engine, and the ATMOS that is attached.

DONNA

But you tried sonicking it before, you didn't find anything.

DOCTOR

Yeah, but now I know it's Sontaran, I know what I'm looking for.

WILF

The thing is, Doctor, is that Donna is my only grandchild. You gotta promise me you're gonna take care of her.

DOCTOR

She takes care of me!

WILF

Oh, yeah that's my Donna. Yeah, she was always bossing us around when she was tiny. The Little General we used to call her.

DONNA

Yeah, don't start.

WILF

And some of the boys she used to turn up with, a different one every week! Yeah, who was that one with the nail varnish?

DONNA

Matthew Richards. He lives in Kilbourn now. With a man.

Large spikes suddenly shoot up from the ATMOS device.

DOCTOR

Woah! It's a temporal pocket! I knew there was something else in there. It's hidden just a second out of sync with real time.

DONNA

But what's it hiding?

SYLVIA (appearing round the car)

I don't know, men and their cars! Sometimes I think if I was a car... (she catches sight of the Doctor) Oh, it's you! Doctor... what was it?

DOCTOR (waving, his head buried under the bonnet)

Yeah, that's me.

WILF

What, have you met him as well?

SYLVIA

Dad! It's the man from the wedding! When you were laid up with Spanish flu! I'm warning you, last time that man turned up it was a disaster!

The spikes from the ATMOS device suddenly let off a cloud of white gas.

DOCTOR

Get back!

***

COMMANDER SKORR

A converter has been activated!

GENERAL STAAL

Show me where!

A projected image of the Earth appears, and zooms in to England, and then to London.

LUKE

London... that's Chiswick.

SONTARAN

Who could have such knowledge?

GENERAL STAAL

Only the Doctor! He survived! Excellent! Then battle will be joined, glorious warfare! Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet, we move to the final phase. Prepare the subjugation of Earth, for the glory of Sontar!

The Sontarans begin marching in lines, guns in hands and battle helmets on.

COMPUTER VOICE

Announcing Battle Status One. All soldiers to positions. Repeat, we are now at Battle Status One. Rejoice!

***

The Noble's car gives another spurt of gas and sparks.

DOCTOR

That'll stop it!

The sonic screwdriver finishes whirring as the smoke dies away. The Doctor then rushes back to peer under the hood again.

SYLVIA

I told you! He's blown up the car! Who is he anyway?! What sort of doctor blows up cars?!

DONNA

Oh, not now Mum!

SYLVIA

Oh, should I make an appointment?

She stalks off back towards the house.

DOCTOR

That wasn't just exhaust fumes... Some sort of gas. Artificial gas.

WILF

And it's aliens, is it? Aliens?

DONNA

But if... if it's poisonous... then we've got poisonous gas in every car on Earth.

***

GENERAL STAAL

Free up the converters, and deadlock every single one!

***

WILF (climbing into the car)

It's not safe! I'm gonna get it off the street!

The car doors suddenly slam shut and the locks all click into place. The car turns on and smoke begins to pour from the exhaust pipe.

DONNA

Hold on! (she rushes to the car) Turn it off! Granddad, get out of there!

WILF

I can't! It's not locked! It's them aliens again!

Donna pulls at the car door, growing more frantic as fumes begin to seep into the car. Sylvia stops outside the front door and turns back in horror.

SYLVIA

What's he doing? What's he done?

DOCTOR

They've activated it!

***

Shots of people in car parks and on the street coughing and choking as every car begins letting off the thick, white gas. At the ATMOS factory, Colonel Mace and some soldiers run outside, also coughing in the gas.

COLONEL MACE

Turn them off! Turn them off! Turn off the engines!

SOLDIER

It's all of them, sir. Every single car on the planet!

The Martha clone, Harris and Grey walk casually down the slope and survey the confusion around them.

MARTHA CLONE

Now we begin... Let's get to work.

***

Donna frantically pulls at the car door again as Wilf gasps and chokes.

DONNA

There's gas inside the car! He's gonna choke! Doctor!

The Doctor rushes round and tries to sonic open the door, to no avail.

DOCTOR

It won't open!

He turns and looks at the street around, every car spitting the poisonous fumes into the atmosphere.

DOCTOR

It's the whole world...

He rushes back to the car's engine as the Sontaran ship descends even closer to the Earth.

***

GENERAL STAAL

Four hundred million weapons! (he starts to chant) Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha! Sontar-ha!

Other Sontaran pick up the chant and it grows louder and louder. Luke, too, begins chanting and beating his hands in the war ritual.

***

Back on Earth Wilf is dying from the fumes that fill the car. The Doctor runs between the engine and the door, trying to stop the gas and free Wilf at the same time.

WILF

Get me out of here!

Sylvia rushes into the house, just as Wilf collapses inside the car. As the Sontaran chant continues, the Doctor stands in the middle of the street, powerless to stop the world from being consumed in the fumes.

=== DOCTOR WHO (2005) ===

TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY WWW.TWIZTV.COM

ORIGINALLY TRANSCRIBED FOR DISCIPLES OF DONNA

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