Doctor Who and the Maceks
"Doctor Who and the Maceks"
Written by Ryan Gavigan
A Sandy Frank Production, NOT!
Part One
[Opening scene.]
[The scene opens upon a laboratory with several scientists and technicians working feverishly at various work stations preparing for an imminent test experiment. The screen pans over to a pair of figures partially hidden in darkness. The smaller figure sitting in a modified wheelchair. The second stands at attention as the first figure speaks.]
Figure in wheelchair: Is the Mk IV unit operations test prepared, Snidyr?
Snidyr: The final preparations are being completed as we speak, sir.
Figure: Good. The test must be completed to insure total completion before the final subjects are chosen for the plan. (toggling a switch on the control console of the wheelchair.) Bring the test subject to the range and make sure it is fully secured. I do not want anything to interfere.
Voice from intercom: Yes, Master Scientist.
Figure: Snidyr, are you fully confident in the results of the experiment?
Snidyr: Of course, sir. The Mk IV units will undoubtedly function perfectly, however, I am not as confident that the test subject will prove capable of withstanding the operation.
Figure: The only significance at this point is the proper function of the Mk IV, so if more guinea pigs are needed, so be it.
Snidyr: Yes, of course sir.
Scientist: The test is ready.
Figure: Very good, Becson, now we shall witness the fruits of my labor over these many years. A new age begins...
[A doorway slides open, revealing a
Figure: Do you have anything to say?
[Squirming against the metal restraints, the blue skirted girl defiantly speaks.]
Target: I'd rather die before helping you!
Figure: That is satisfactory.... (speaking to the Mk IV.) Turn left. Forward and circle right. RE-AN-I-MATE. RE-AN-I-MATE. RE-AN-I-MATE.
[A high energy beam emerges from the Mk IV's weapon arm. A strange mutation begins to occur to the victim. The eyes shrink, the nose becomes more pronounced, the very ornate and decorated dress becomes dull and monotone. A couple of seconds later, she begins to scream and falls unconscious. A scientist moves toward her and she gasps her last breath.]
Target: I am not Zandra.
Scientist: The test subject is dead, Master Carlvros.
Carlvros: Prepare the modifications to the Mk IV unit and declare to the others that it is to be known from now on as a Macek. That is all.
[The interior of the TARDIS. Opening shots widens from the Doctor's hands operating various controls to include the Doctor, Romana, and the TARDIS main console.]
Romana: Where are we heading for now, Doctor?
Doctor: I think it's time for a little diversion for a change.
Romana: For a change?
Doctor: Yes, well, it's about time I introduced you to some truly unique cultural experiences.'
[K-9 enters the main control room.]
Romana: (sarcastically) We're going back to Earth, then?
K-9: Affirmative, Mistress.
Doctor: Not you, K-9. K-9, you've ruined the surprise!
K-9: The TARDIS going to Earth is rarely a surprise, is it not, Master?
[TARDIS begins to materialize. The Doctor and Romana prepare to leave.]
Doctor: Well this time it is, was, er... never mind. Give me a report on external conditions, won't you, K-9?
K-9: Affirmative, Master. No significant hydrodynamic turbulence present and atmospheric content within normal parameters.
Doctor: That's odd.
Romana: It's what?
Doctor: Very odd.
Romana: What do you mean, Doctor?
Doctor: That doesn't sound like southern California to me.
Romana: Kahl-ee-fourn-ya?
Doctor: Yes, the name comes from an ancient Earth word meaning 'Land of many trendy clothes shops'. Come along Romana. K-9, stay and keep an eye on the TARDIS.
[Romana and the Doctor exit the TARDIS. The dimensional interface of the TARDIS that resembles a blue police box stands in a vast range of hills with a primarily rocky terrain. A light wind causes a low howling through the valleys as Romana and the Doctor exit the comparable serenity of the TARDIS.]
Doctor: Well, so much for the scenic route. There must have been a malfunction in the temporal or dimensional stabilizer, because this doesn't feel right at all.
Romana: Doctor, watch out!
[Romana shoves the Doctor to the ground as a low flying aircraft passes overhead firing strafing rounds toward a slow moving tank only a few hundred meters away. The sky is soon ablaze with anti-aircraft fire from the hopelessly outmaneuvered and over matched tanks.]
Romana: We've got to get back to the TARDIS, Doctor.
Doctor: (shaking off the effects of a nearby blast) I just don't understand.
Romana: Hurry, Doctor. The battle is moving this way.
[The Doctor and Romana return to the TARDIS as the battle continues outside. Continual air strikes persist in hammering the beleagured tank corp.]
Romana: What were those, Doctor?
Doctor: Earth military machinery, mid to late twentieth century, I believe. Let's see what the scanner has to show, shall we?
[The sliding panels of the scanner cover open to display a scene of the burning hulks that once belonged to fearsome fighting machines. A few passes by fighter aircraft try to suppress and destroy the remaining survivors.]
[Tapping on a few data bank controls.]
Doctor: According to the data banks, those aircraft can't be doing what they're doing. Over a dozen attacking planes of all different types, attacking an array of land vehicles equally as diverse in nature. (reading from a display monitor.) A-10, F-5E, F-14, Drakken, Kfir, and other attack planes. No war on Earth ever used this range of military weaponry, am I right, K-9?
K-9: Affirmative--
Doctor: I thought so.
K-9: ...and negative, Master.
Doctor: What do you mean?
K-9: In actuality, there have been no wars of this type fought. However, this type of occurrence does occur in several works of Earth fiction. In this case, there is a 93.2 % probability this situation matches that of an account of a fictional mercenary air force.
Romana: Are you saying we're trapped inside a book or film?
K-9: probability 98.5%... Mistress?
Romana: But that's nonsense!
Doctor: One man's nonsense, Romana, is another man's Rolls Royce. Wait, that's not right. Let's see... One man's... Never mind, take a look at the scanner, Romana.
[A screen displays a white mist-like area surrounding a several square km area.]
Romana: It's a localized relative time-space barrier! But what is it doing here?
Doctor: More importantly, who put it here? I have the strangest feeling I've seen this somewhere before.
[The Doctor flips a few switches and the TARDIS de-materializes, heading for a location just beyond the barrier. A severe jolt rocks the TARDIS as Romana and the Doctor are thrown about the console room. After a this brief period of trauma, The Doctor re-materializes the TARDIS and inspects the damage.]
Doctor: Whatever that thing is, it seems to be creating an effect reaching into the Vortex as well as normal space.
Romana: But that's impossible. It would take an energy source as great as the Eye of Harmony itself to do that.
Doctor: I suppose that's something we'll have to find out.
Romana: You mean stumble over.
Doctor: Well, at least no one knows where we are yet.
[Scene shifts to an underground control room not unlike a high-level military command bunker. A view screen dominates the wall on one side of the room. A figure on the screen in the shape of many interlocking polygons displays a flashing light just past a border of two areas. A junior officer speaks.]
JAFO: {Just Another ****ing Officer} A zone border disturbance being shown between sectors 88 and 87, Major.
Major Turnow: Identify.
JAFO: It doesn't match with any known object or phenomena on record. It seems to have moved through the barrier, but nothing can do that?
Turnow: The barriers maintain security throughout the fabric of space, only extra-dimensional phenomena can penetrate them.
JAFO: Shall I alert Carlvros, sir?
Turnow: Negative, Carlvros is in intensive research and does not want to be disturbed.
JAFO: Shall we send in the zone troopers to investigate?
Turnow: No, have the local agents check it out, but do not hesitate in sending the troops if any breach of security occurs.
JAFO: Which unit shall we send in, the BETA or VICTOR division?
Turnow: It doesn't matter, use either one, they're essentially the same. Alert me of any new developments. Carry on.
JAFO: Yes, sir.
[Scene cuts the interior of the TARDIS.]
Romana: Well where are we now, Doctor?
Doctor: I suggest we find that out. The obscure nature of these areas makes that impossible to judge unless we go out and take a look for ourselves, shall we?
Romana: I don't suppose we have a choice then?
[The Doctor, Romana, and K-9 exit the TARDIS. The outside is a dark, drab cityscape with tall decrepit buildings and windswept streets with trash strewn about. The group walks along the sidewalk looking for some sign of life.]
Romana: I think I prefer the battlefield.
Doctor: Nonsense, here there is quiet, peaceful quiet....
Romana: Too quiet.
Doctor: Too quiet... Romana, why can't you look at things positive for a change.
Romana: Weren't you the one that said to always prepare for the worst because that's all it ever is.?
Doctor: I was just brooding, then. After all, you don't live seven hundred years without getting depressed every once in a while.
[A pedestrian comes along and passes by.]
Doctor: Excuse me.
[The passer-by turns around.]
Doctor: Hello. I'm the Doctor, and this is my companion Romana and my dog, k9. Can you tell us where we are?
[The passer-by seems confused and begins to speak a bunch of incomprehensible gibberish for a few seconds and walks away, down an alley.]
Romana: That's odd, why couldn't we understand him? Timelords have the ability to adapt to understand any language or dialect.
Doctor: What was that, K-9?
K-9: I believe that was Earth Japanese, Doctor.
Doctor: Ah, well that explains it.
Romana: What will we do now, Doctor?
Doctor: No need to worry, K-9 can return to the TARDIS and have the problem fixed with the main computer in what, 10, 20 minutes?
K-9: Approximately 2 hours, Master.
Doctor: Oh... well, go to it then.
[K-9 turns around and heads off towards the TARDIS.]
Romana: Don't you think we should go too, until we can communicate with the people here?
Doctor: I don't think that will be a problem. We could search around here for hours and not run into anyone for a while.
[From a dark alley behind the Doctor and Romana, a pair of bright red eyes open, partially revealing a large, shadowed form.]
Doctor: Anyway, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
[The scene shifts back to the underground laboratory of Carlvros prior to another experiment. Carlvros enters through a doorway followed by the ever-groveling Snidyr and one of the Maceks.]
Carlvros: Bring in the next test subject.
[A guard escorts the subject to the test platform. The huge cat-like creature plods onto the dais carrying its umbrella in one hand.]
Carlvros: Do you have anything to say?
Creature: ...
Carlvros: No last words, eh... Wipe that smile off your face!
Creature: ...
Carlvros: Very well. Macek, move into position. Ready. RE-AN-I-MATE, RE-AN-I-MATE, RE-AN-I-MATE!
[The brilliant ray bathes the Cheshire cat-like creature in an incandescent blue light and after a few moments, the light fades then disappears leaving the creature seemingly unchanged.]
Carlvros: What is this?! Re-animation should have commenced immediately! Snidyr, remove this xthingz from my sight and put it in the Muto cave with the other... xfailuresz.
Creature: (smile) ...
Carlvros: Any creature so horribly twisted to begin with as to be immune to my experiments is totally unsuitable for my greater plans. Becson, arrange for the selection of the next test subject! (to himself.) I need the right candidate before the next stage can begin.
[The scene shifts back to the Doctor and Romana, standing at the opening of a back alley in the dark, sullen city. Not noticing the large creature hulking in the shadows, they turn a corner as an explosion from behind knocks them to the ground. The mechanical menace flies to the roof of the adjacent buildings, confronting its four, armor laden opponents. But since the result is so predictable, let's skip the battle and move on.]
Doctor: (picking himself and Romana off the sidewalk) I suggest we move away for the time being.
Romana: For once, I agree.
Romana: By the way, what time period are we supposed to be in anyway? It's unlike any other time we've ever visited Earth.
Doctor: A futuristic setting, no doubt. So dreadful, really, no forests, no streams, no animals, oh well, no time to waste here. It's the landscape of their future. Hmmm. Futurescape?... Naahhh.
[The scream of sirens interrupts the Doctor mid-thought for as usual, once the battle ends, the ADPolice show up looking confused. A target, uhh I mean ADP Officer moves toward the Doctor.]
"You are" A"lready".D"ead".P officer: Hey you two! What are you doing in this restricted area?
Doctor: Yes, well, uh... we're just visiting. (looking skyward) Good boy, K-9.
ADP: Well, then I guess you won't have any problems coming back to headquarters to answer a few questions, now move it!
[Romana and the Doctor are "escorted" toward the nearby personnel carrier.]
Romana: Typical constable mentality.
Doctor: At least we're not in Los Angeles.
[The scene shifts as the camera zooms in on the ADPolice building and cuts to an office where the Chief is busy at his desk, punching up information on his desktop terminal. The Doctor, Romana, and a guard enters the room. The Chief motions for the two to sit down.]
Chief: What are your names and what connection do you have with the Buma incident?
Doctor: I am known as the Doctor, and this is Romana. As to any connection to whatever incident your referring to, we don't have any. We were just walking by.
Chief: And just how did you two just walk by a police restricted area at 2 A.M.?
Doctor: Well, that's a little hard to explain...
Chief: As I thought. Officer, take them down for further xinterrogationz.
Officer: Yes, sir!
[The officer leads the pair of Timelords down a corridor, into a waiting elevator, down several floors, through another corridor toward a single door with a computer panel on an adjacent wall. The guard taps a few commands on the terminal and the door swings open.]
Officer: OK you two, inside.
Romana: Where are we going?
Officer: Move it! (Motioning rather menacingly with his sidearm.)
Romana: Alright, alright.
[The Doctor and Romana enter the room as the officer once again taps on the wall terminal, shutting the door. A strange noise begins as Romana's muffled voice is heard.]
Romana: This isn't an interrogation room, it's.....
[The noise subsides as the door dematerializes and a new section of hallway is revealed.]
Officer: (Tapping on panel.) They're on their way, sir.
[Scene shifts back to the chief, using his desk terminal.]
Chief: Very Good. Return to your other assignment. (click comm panel off.) No outside interference can be allowed to influence Master Carlvros' experiments.
[The scene returns to Carlvros' underground lab. The next experiment nears as Carlvros and Snidyr enter.]
Carlvros: What is the subject of this experiment.
Snidyr: I'm not sure, Carlvros, Becson has been quite secretive in the latest screening process. He should arrive any minute now.
[No sooner said than done, Becson enters the room along with two guards escorting the latest guinea pig. A young girl, thrashing against her captors, screaming for some unknown friends to help. Once put in the restraints of the experimental "altar", she quiets down and stares and the wheelchair bound Carlvros with the look of a caged beast.]
Carlvros: So this one has spirit? Very good, all so much the better to see it stripped from her. Becson, what is this one called?
Becson: She is known as Nadia, sir.
Carlvros: Well... We'll see about that. Macek, ready... RE-AN-I-MATE. RE-AN-I-MATE. RE-AN-I-MATE.
End of part one
---
Ryan Gavigan
gavigan@gn.ecn.purdue.edu
