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THE LOGIC OF EMPIRE
Written By Alan Stevens and David Tulley
This story takes place approximately seven years after the events shown in Blake.
ACT ONE: Fool's Gold
(SCENE 1)
(AVON IS STANDING IN THE MAIN CONTROL ROOM OF XENON BASE. EVERYTHING IS SILENT AS ALL THE POWER SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN SWITCHED OFF. THERE IS A FAINT ECHO TO AVON'S VOICE, THE SORT YOU WOULD GET WHEN STANDING IN AN EMPTY ROOM. AVON SWITCHES ORAC ON)
AVON: Orac...
ORAC: Yes Avon?
AVON: Once we've teleported aboard Scorpio, programme Gauda Prime's co-ordinates directly into the Slave computer. Do not use verbal commands, I don't want an argument with the rest of the crew about our destination. Not at the moment, anyway.
ORAC: As you wish, I will use direct sensory link. Is there anything else?
AVON: You're sure that Blake is still on Gauda Prime?
ORAC: Yes Avon, that is Blake's present location. There has only been one occasion when he has left the planet and that took place five months ago. Apparently he was investigating the possibility that...
AVON: (INTERRUPTING) That's enough information Orac. (PAUSE, WE HEAR THE SCORPIO BRACELET CHIME) Dayna teleport... now.
(AVON IS TELEPORTED FROM XENON BASE)
(SCENE 2)
(AVON MATERIALIZES ON SCORPIO'S FLIGHT DECK WITH ORAC STILL SWITCHED ON)
AVON: Slave...
SLAVE: Yes illustrious Master?
AVON: (PUTTING ORAC DOWN ON A PLASTIC WORK SURFACE) Are all explosive charges primed and ready for immediate detonation?
SLAVE: All the charges have been primed and set with consummate skill Master. The total destruction of the Xenon Base complex is assured. All that is now awaited is your command.
AVON: Thank you Slave. When Scorpio is clear of Xenon base activate charge sequence.
SLAVE: Yes Master. It is always an honour to serve.
AVON: Tarrant... get us out of here.
(SCENE 3)
(SCORPIO FOLLOWS LIFT-OFF SEQUENCE AND WHEN IT IS CLEAR, A SERIES OF POWERFUL EXPLOSIONS RIP THROUGH XENON BASE. AS THE EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE, A DEEP HOWL, LIKE SOME WOUNDED UNEARTHLY CREATURE, CAN BE HEARD RISING UP ABOVE THE NOISE. FADE OUT TO OPENING MUSIC)
(SCENE 4)
(FADE UP ON THE SOUND OF A SPADE BEING DRAGGED UP A DIRT TRACK)
KELSO: (SOUNDING OUT OF BREATH AND COLD) Alright Cicciolina?
ELISE: Kelso, I've told you not to call me that. Remember when I broke your arm?
KELSO: (RECALLING A PAINFUL MEMORY) Er... yeah, sorry Elise.
ELISE: That's okay Kelso, I forgive you... this time.
(PAUSE)
KELSO: (TRYING TO SOUND FRIENDLY) He's not here yet then?
ELISE: Obviously not.
KELSO: Why don't you wait inside where it's warmer?
ELISE: Because I prefer to wait out here.
KELSO: Please yourself.
ELISE: Where have you been with that spade?
KELSO: Never ask a man with a spade where he's been.
ELISE: (SUDDENLY UNDERSTANDING) Oh.
KELSO: Where's Lydon?
ELISE: He's in the main hall by the fire.
(KELSO STARTS TO WALK AWAY, DRAGGING THE SPADE BEHIND HIM, THEN HE STOPS AND, STILL DRAGGING THE SPADE, RETURNS TO ELISE)
KELSO: Do you want the spade at all?
ELISE: (DEFINITELY) No.
(KELSO SLOPES OFF AGAIN WITH THE SPADE. FADE OUT)
(SCENE 5)
(FADE UP ON LYDON, HE IS IN A BIG HALL AND THE SOUND OF A LARGE CRACKLING FIRE CAN BE CLEARLY HEARD. IN THE DISTANCE WE CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF THE SPADE BEING DRAGGED ALONG STONE FLOORING. A BIG WOODEN DOOR OPENS AND KELSO ENTERS. HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND PLACES THE SPADE AGAINST THE WALL. THEIR VOICES WILL CONTAIN THE SLIGHT HOLLOW ECHO OF A LARGE, BARELY FURNISHED STONE ROOM)
KELSO: (FAR OFF BY THE DOOR) He's late.
LYDON: (AS IF DISTRACTED) What?
KELSO: (WALKING UP TO LYDON) Why is he late?
LYDON: Perhaps he likes to make an entrance?
KELSO: Or he's been captured.
LYDON: Unlikely.
KELSO: Why?
LYDON: Because you don't live as long as he has without developing a keen sense of self-preservation.
KELSO: Well I feel really uneasy about this whole job.
LYDON: Kelso, you always feel uneasy.
KELSO: Perhaps I've got a reason this time.
LYDON: You always say that as well. In fact the only time you haven't felt uneasy about a job is when we went to Molyneux.
KELSO: (GETTING A BIT WORKED UP) Yeah, well I was having an off day. (BEAT) I still think it was a mistake to tell him our location, one of us should have gone and picked him up. What if he decides to turn us in for the bounty... all he'd have to do is contact the Federation and tell them where we are.
LYDON: That is not going to happen.
KELSO: How can you say that? He's an arms dealer, he's a mercenary, people like that sell themselves to the highest bidder...
LYDON: (INTERRUPTING) He was with Blake.
KELSO: (SARCASTICALLY) Blake. That was twelve years ago. A man can change a lot in twelve years.
LYDON: True.
KELSO: Then let's get out of here... back to our ship where it's warm. I don't know why we had to set up in this freezing cold dump anyway.
LYDON: I wanted to hide the ship, just in case anything went wrong.
KELSO: Lydon, you've hidden it two miles away. How are we going to get to it if there is trouble? We're half way up a mountain in a crumbling wreck of a castle. Stonewalls are not going to stand up to a neutron strike.
LYDON: (GETTING A BIT ANNOYED) Look Kelso, we have a flyer hidden on the roof if we need it, but we won't need it because there aren't going to be any Federation forces coming here, and so there isn't going to be any neutron strike...
KELSO: But...
LYDON: (LOUD VOICE) Wait. Listen. Let me finish. Let me deal with your petty neuroses one by one. Avon is not going to sell us out, because although he is a mercenary...
KELSO: (INTERRUPTING) And...
LYDON: (INTERRUPTING) And a gun runner, he has always supplied arms and facilities to the underdog, he has never supplied so much as a single plasma bullet to the Federation or its supporters. Now that tells me a great deal.
KELSO: I don't trust him.
LYDON: Elise trusts him and I trust Elise.
KELSO: I don't see why we need to involve him at all.
LYDON: That's because I haven't given you the details of what I'm planning yet.
KELSO: Have you told Elise?
LYDON: No. I'll tell you all when Avon arrives.
(BEAT)
KELSO: What about Gauda Prime then?
LYDON: What about it?
KELSO: I've heard it said that Avon purposely led his crew into a Federation trap...
LYDON: (LAUGHS) That was Federation bullshit spread after the civil war, used to discredit him and the old regime.
(OVER THIS PART OF THE CONVERSATION WE CAN HEAR THE APPROACH OF A CRAFT. LYDON AND KELSO DO NOT HEAR IT AT FIRST)
KELSO: Avon was the only survivor. How do you explain that?
LYDON: (GETTING EVEN MORE IRRITATED) I can't explain it... maybe he wasn't even there. It doesn't matter. Anyway, as you said yourself, a man can change a lot in twelve years.
KELSO: It didn't happen twelve years ago.
LYDON: (EXASPERATED) Okay, seven then, it's not relevant.
KELSO: But that still doesn't explain what happened on Gauda Prime.
LYDON: Why don't you ask him yourself?
KELSO: Eh?
LYDON: That sounds like his ship.
(SUDDENLY, AS WELL AS THE SOUND OF THE SHIP LANDING, A SERIES OF IDENTIFYING SIGNALS ARE RECEIVED ON A SMALL NEARBY COM LINK)
LYDON: And that's the identifying call sign. Go on Kelso, go and tell Elise to bring him here, before she starts chewing on his face.
KELSO: What if it isn't him?
LYDON: It will be.
(BEAT)
KELSO: Oooh... my back's starting to play up again.
LYDON: Kelso, get out there.
KELSO: But my back.
LYDON: (SARCASTICALLY) My heart pumps piss.
KELSO: (STARTS TO WALK AWAY) You're rotten you are.
(SCENE 6)
(CUT TO OUTSIDE. AVON'S SMALL SHIP HAS LANDED OUTSIDE THE MAIN DOORS OF THE FORTIFICATION)
KELSO: Elise? Is that his ship?
ELISE: It was when we last met.
KELSO: I've got a few questions for him.
ELISE: You'll keep your mouth shut.
KELSO: But it's important.
ELISE: Nothing you say is ever important, Kelso.
(A RAMP EXTENDS DOWN FROM THE SIDE OF THE SHIP AND A HATCH WAY HISSES OPEN. AVON EMERGES AND MAKES HIS WAY DOWN THE METAL GANGPLANK)
ELISE: Avon... it's been too long. It's good to see you again.
AVON: Elise.
ELISE: Well go on then, kiss me you fool. (COD ITALIAN ACCENT) Or dontcha love me anymore?
AVON: Love, Elise, was never the word.
(SHE EMBRACES HIM AND THEY KISS)
ELISE: (PLAYFULLY) Did you miss me?
AVON: What do you think?
ELISE: (SEDUCTIVELY) Well...
KELSO: (INTERRUPTING) Er... Hello, my name's Kelso, I'm very pleased to meet you.
(PAUSE)
AVON: I wish the feeling was mutual. (PAUSE) Where's Lydon?
ELISE: He's...
KELSO: (INTERRUPTING) He's inside by the fire. What kept you? You're two hours late.
ELISE: Kelso...
KELSO: Yeah?
(ELISE SLAPS KELSO)
KELSO: (STUNNED) What was that for?
ELISE: For being a bastard with no manners! (CHANGING BACK TO A NEUTRAL TONE) Avon, come in and meet Lydon.
(FADE OUT)
(SCENE 7)
(FADE UP ON MAIN HALL AND FIRE. THE HEAVY WOODEN DOOR OPENS AND ELISE AND AVON ENTER)
ELISE: Lydon, this is Avon. Avon, this is Lydon.
(PAUSE)
LYDON: I've been looking forward to meeting you. What's it like to be a living legend?
AVON: I wouldn't know.
LYDON: Come now Avon, you're being modest.
AVON: (FLATLY) I'm not.
LYDON: (FALTERS) Ah...
AVON: How many of you are there?
LYDON: Three.
AVON: Three? Even Blake managed more than that.
LYDON: (SLIGHTLY PUT OUT) Well, we've had some problems.
AVON: So did he.
LYDON: There were ten of us, but you know, we've been quite... active of Late.
AVON: I've been hearing about your activities. Weren't you responsible for what happened on Cassiona?
LYDON: (FIRMLY) Cassiona was a complete fiasco and therefore nothing to do with me.
AVON: Oh really. What about the Molyneux massacre then? That was one of yours, surely?
LYDON: The Molyneux massacre was a journalistic invention, only three civilians were killed during that one...
AVON: Where did the other thirty-five bodies come from then?
LYDON: Twenty-eight of them were Federation personnel so they don't count, obviously.
AVON: Obviously, they're now the honoured dead. And the remaining seven?
(BEAT)
LYDON: They were my lot.
AVON: I see. Hence the fact there are now only three of you.
LYDON: (WEARILY) Yes.
(THE WOODEN DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES AS AND KELSO ENTERS)
KELSO: Hope I haven't missed anything?
ELISE: Shut up Kelso.
(BEAT)
LYDON: (HIS VOICE HAS TAKEN ON A DISTINCTLY HARD EDGE) Do you want to see the plans for our next activity now, or would you rather Elise
showed you to your room?
AVON: I plan to spend the night aboard my ship, but Elise can show me around if she wants to. (BEAT) What's this planet called? I could find no name for it.
LYDON: (CLEARS HIS THROAT NOISILY AND THEN SPITS ONTO THE FLOOR) But I don't know the translation.
AVON: Delightful.
ELISE: (NERVOUSLY) Avon if you follow me, I'll...
(AVON AND ELISE EXIT. THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THEM)
KELSO: Well, he seems a nice enough chap.
LYDON: You know when Garrovick got his head blown off back on
Molyneux?
KELSO: Yes.
LYDON: Why couldn't it have been you?
(FADE OUT)
(SCENE 8)
(CUT TO STONE CORRIDOR)
ELISE: What the hell were you doing in there, Avon? Lydon is not a man to annoy, and you were winding him up like a spring.
AVON: Really? I thought it went rather well.
ELISE: What?
AVON: I was being ironic.
ELISE: Saying, "I was being ironic", is not a universal get out.
AVON: It works for me.
(AVON AND ELISE EMERGE BACK OUT INTO THE OPEN. THERE IS A LIGHT BREEZE BLOWING)
AVON: Why are we going outside again?
ELISE: We have to go outside to gain entry to the north wing.
AVON: For a supposed fortification, that is insane.
ELISE: Maybe, but I didn't build the place.
AVON: I know that, but who did?
ELISE: The natives, presumably.
AVON: There's indigenous life on this planet?
ELISE: Oh yes, there's life. It's just that none of it is intelligent enough to have actually built this. At least...
AVON: (FINISHING HER SENTENCE) Not any more.
ELISE: Exactly. This castle is a leftover. A piece of a civilization that's come and gone. (BEAT) All intelligent life came from Earth, isn't that what they say?
AVON: I've heard it said.
ELISE: But the galaxy's littered with relics, all sorts of things which prove that there was life on many different worlds long before there was on Earth.
AVON: What are you saying?
ELISE: It's like the human race turned up too late, (SOMEWHERE ON THE WIND COMES A STRANGE INHUMAN MOAN. ELISE DOESN'T HEAR IT) the party's over and whoever threw it has long since gone. Do you ever feel that? (BEAT) Avon? Do you ever get that feeling?
AVON: (DISTRACTED) What?
ELISE: The feeling that we are alone.
(PAUSE. WE CAN STILL HEAR THE SOUND)
AVON: (HAUNTED) Oh no, Elise... that's one feeling I never get.
ELISE: (APPREHENSIVELY) What's wrong?
(THE SOUND IS FADING)
AVON: Nothing.
ELISE: (FIRMLY) Don't lie.
(BEAT. THE SOUND IS STILL AUDIBLE)
AVON: Do you hear it?
ELISE: Hear what?
(SOUND FADES OUT)
AVON: (APPREHENSIVE) It's getting dark.
ELISE: (WORRIEDLY CHANGING THE SUBJECT) It's a clear night. (BEAT) Look at all the stars. Are those the Clouds of Magellan?
AVON: I wouldn't know. (MORE LIKE HIS OLD SELF) Anyway, you were going to show me round.
ELISE: Yes.
AVON: Then show me.
(SCENE 9)
(AVON'S LAST WORDS "THEN SHOW ME" ARE HEARD ON A MONITOR SCREEN ON THE BRIDGE OF SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP. THE PICTURE BREAKS UP FOR A MOMENT, BUT THEN STABILIZES)
MAJOR: (CLICKS BUTTON) We have visual. Section Leader, standby. (BEAT) Madam President, is it him?
SERVALAN: Oh yes, Major. That's him.
MAJOR: (INTO COM LINK) Subject's identity confirmed.
SECTION LEADER: (COM LINK) Target subject is now entering building on
north side.
MAJOR: (CLICKS BUTTON) Maintain position Section Leader and await further orders. Out. (BEAT) He looks pretty good for a man who by all rights should be dead.
SERVALAN: (THOUGHTFULLY) Yes.
MAJOR: That's if he was on Gauda Prime at all.
SERVALAN: Oh, he was there all right.
MAJOR: How do you know?
SERVALAN: He couldn't have been anywhere else. They found his ship, they found the bodies of known associates, they even found a trail of Iron Guard corpses leading from the bunker to the outside...
MAJOR: (INTERRUPTING) The Iron Guard? The President's personal security force. What were they doing on active service?
SERVALAN: It was a secret oral only operation. It seems Central Security felt that only the Iron Guard could be trusted to complete the strike successfully and with total discretion.
(PAUSE)
MAJOR: (SNIGGERS) But obviously they couldn't. Not one of Central's finest moments then, letting the main man get away like that.
SERVALAN: No Brecht, Avon was not the man they were after. The actual target in question was another terrorist, Roj Blake.
MAJOR: Blake? But wasn't he supposed to have died on Jevron?
SERVALAN: Yes, that was the unofficial announcement, but then some years later it was discovered that an error had been made. That's why Central Security were called in. Martyrs are bad enough, but martyrs that come back from the dead... As I'm sure you can imagine, it was all rather embarrassing for them.
MAJOR: So what were Avon and his crew doing there?
SERVALAN: I don't know. In fact it was only after the civil war, when Central Security staff were being interrogated, that any details of the operation came to light.
MAJOR: All of Avon's crew were killed though, weren't they?
SERVALAN: Oh yes, in fact the forensic reports still exist. Everyone was accounted for. (BEAT) Everyone, that is, except Avon.
(BEAT)
SECTION LEADER: (VOICE FROM SPEAKER) Target has exited north wing and is now returning to south.
MAJOR: (CLICKS BUTTON) Thank you, Section Leader.
(FADE OUT COMMAND SHIP ATMOSPHERE)
(SCENE 10)
(FADE UP ON AVON AND ELISE ENTERING THE MAIN HALL)
LYDON: (SUBDUED) Ah... Avon... Elise. Make yourselves
comfortable.
KELSO: Hello Avon, I'm afraid Elise didn't introduce us properly earlier on.
AVON: Didn't she?
KELSO: (DETERMINEDLY) No. My names Kelso. People call me slim.
AVON: Who do? The blind?
KELSO: Eh? What are you inferring?
AVON: I'm not inferring anything. I'm implying. You're the one who is inferring.
KELSO: (CONFUSED) Could you say that again?
AVON: Yes.
(BEAT)
LYDON: Sit down Kelso. Keep your brains warm.
AVON: What's this plan then? It must be profitable; you're paying me enough.
LYDON: Gold... Avon.
AVON: (UNIMPRESSED) What about it?
LYDON: That's what we intend to get. Gold, and lots of it.
AVON: (STILL UNIMPRESSED) You're not going to attack that high security vessel from Zerok are you? I can tell you now it's not worth it.
ELISE: Oh! Why is that Avon?
AVON: Because it doesn't carry gold at all, it carries...
LYDON: (IN A BORED VOICE) fresh fruit. I know all that. This plan has got nothing to do with Zerok gold.
AVON: Well, that's the only gold producing planet left.
LYDON: This isn't a planet, it's an asteroid.
AVON: I thought all other gold reserves had been mined out?
LYDON: So did the Federation until recently.
AVON: I see, and how will your acquisition of vast personal wealth assist the revolution, towards which we are all so... diligently fighting?
LYDON: We are going to buy a planet, establish its independence and declare it open.
AVON: (SARCASTICALLY) Oh yes, that will do the cause no end of good.
(BEAT)
ELISE: Go on, Lydon.
LYDON: P-Z 337. It's a free-floating asteroid located on the outer edge of the ninth sector.
ELISE: That's way outside Federation frontiers.
LYDON: Yes. And that's why they're keen to keep the whole operation very hush-hush.
AVON: How did you get to know about it?
LYDON: That would be telling.
AVON: Yes it would. How did you get to know about it?
LYDON: (IGNORING HIM) The Federation have set up an automated mining complex.
AVON: And you want to attack it.
LYDON: Yes.
AVON: Well now, how do you propose to do that?
LYDON: The Federation are relying mainly on secrecy to protect their investment, but that doesn't mean the complex is undefended.
AVON: Naturally.
LYDON: The pressure dome that houses the mining complex is protected by a force field, and there is no way that we can land a ship near the dome without being detected.
ELISE: You said the mining was automated, does that mean there's no Federation personnel present?
LYDON: There is a small team of engineers there to monitor equipment, and also a token security force, but nothing we can't handle.
AVON: I admire your optimism.
ELISE: If we can't land a ship, how are we going to get into the base?
LYDON: We can land a ship, but touchdown will have to be a considerable distance from the complex.
AVON: How far exactly?
LYDON: Twenty-six miles.
AVON: We then walk to the base in pressure suits?
LYDON: Yes.
AVON: We walk twenty-six miles in an airless low gravity environment?
LYDON: You've got it. Now, the force wall is made up of a series of overlapping energy squares. Avon... if you collapse one of these with a low energy probe, you'll then be able to get to work on the access chamber door.
AVON: (SARCASTICALLY) I'm glad my talents are not being wasted. Vila could have done this.
LYDON: If it wasn't for the fact that he is dead, we would have asked him. You're our second choice.
ELISE: (HURRIEDLY CUTTING IN) Have we got plans of the layout of the base?
LYDON: Yes, that's all sorted.
KELSO: Why don't we just attack the transport shuttle when it leaves with the next gold shipment?
LYDON: Ah... that won't work I'm afraid.
KELSO: Why not?
AVON: I imagine it's because the gold has undergone a sub neutronic overlap shift.
KELSO: What does that mean?
AVON: It means that the Federation have a processor that alters the gold's atomic structure and turns it black. I've been down this road before.
LYDON: Also we have no idea when the pickups take place. If we want the gold, this is the only plan that's going to work. What do you think?
KELSO: Well I don't know. It's a bit risky.
AVON: A bit risky! It's suicidal. To walk twenty-six miles you'll need more oxygen than any suit could provide.
LYDON: We carry extra cylinders...
AVON: (INTERRUPTING) We carry extra? The more we carry the longer it will take to walk. It'll get exponentially more dangerous every time you try and make it safer.
LYDON: You got a better idea?
AVON: I couldn't have come up with one much worse.
LYDON: Have you got a better plan?
AVON: Yes, shoot Kelso.
(BEAT)
LYDON: That's your plan?
AVON: It's better than yours.
LYDON: (ABOUT TO EXPLODE) You fu...
ELISE: (QUICKLY INTERRUPTING) I think we should call it a night and get some sleep.
KELSO: It's only half past eight!
AVON AND LYDON: Shut up Kelso.
ELISE: Avon?
(BEAT)
AVON: Why not?
(AVON AND ELISE LEAVE AND THE WOODEN DOOR CLOSES)
LYDON: What Avon doesn't realize is his pissing people off makes them want to kill him.
KELSO: Lydon. Do I look slimmer to you?
LYDON: No.
(SCENE 11)
(AVON AND ELISE ARE OUTSIDE)
ELISE: Do you really think Lydon's plan is unworkable?
AVON: Utterly.
(BEAT)
ELISE: You despise him don't you.
AVON: Well if I gave him any thought, I probably would.
ELISE: Why?
AVON: He's a killer.
ELISE: So are you.
AVON: I've killed.
ELISE: There's a difference?
AVON: I think so.
ELISE: He was prepared to like you. He wanted to be your
friend.
AVON: (LAUGHTS) Sometimes one's friends can be a greater liability than one's enemies.
(BEAT)
ELISE: So you're going to leave us then.
AVON: No, I believe I can devise a plan which will work. With a little help from Orac.
ELISE: Your super computer. You brought it with you?
AVON: It's aboard my ship.
(AVON ACTIVATES A SIGNAL AND THE ACCESS RAMP DESCENDS. AVON SENDS OUT ANOTHER ACTIVATION SIGNAL AND THE OUTER AIRLOCK DOOR OPEN. AVON AND ELISE WALK UP THE METAL RAMP AS WE HEAR THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE)
ELISE: What do you call your ship?
AVON: My ship.
ELISE: What do you call it?
AVON: My ship. Are you coming?
ELISE: Yes.
(THEY ENTER THE SHIP AND THE AIRLOCK DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THEM)
END OF SIDE ONE
ACT TWO: The Way Back
(SCENE 12)
(FADE UP ON SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP)
MAJOR: Madame President, surveillance reports that Avon has entered his ship.
SERVALAN: Is he with anyone?
MAJOR: Yes, Elise. Shall we move in?
SERVALAN: No.
MAJOR: If he takes off now, we'll lose him.
SERVALAN: (DELIBERATE) He won't be taking off.
(FADE OUT SERVALAN'S SHIP INTERIOR. PAUSE)
(SCENE 13)
(NOW FADE UP ON AVON'S SHIP INTERIOR AS THE SECONDARY AIRLOCK DOOR HISSES OPEN. AVON AND ELISE ENTER INTO THE CRAFT)
ELISE: What's that?
AVON: It's a teleport.
ELISE: I didn't know that The United Planets of Teal had developed teleport facilities.
(THE ARLOCK DOOR CLOSES)
AVON: They haven't.
ELISE: But this is one of their ships?
AVON: That's right, but I installed the teleport. With Orac's assistance of course. It's based on the one from Liberator.
(AVON LIFTS ORAC DOWN AND STARTS TO TAKE IT OUT OF ITS CARRYING CASE)
ELISE: Blake's ship.
AVON: He thought so.
ELISE: And then you joined up with Tarrant.
AVON: (PAUSING A FEW SECONDS IN HIS UNPACKING OF ORAC)
Tarrant joined up with me.
(SOUNDS OF AVON CLOSING THE CARRYING CASE, AND PLACING IT OUT OF THE WAY)
ELISE: What kind of man was he?
AVON: Blake, or Tarrant?
ELISE: Blake.
AVON: Idealistic.
(AVON PLACES ORAC ONTO A WORK SURFACE)
ELISE: What's that supposed to mean?
AVON: It means he had a limited life expectancy.
ELISE: How did he die?
AVON: His heart stopped beating. (AVON PUSHES HOME ORAC'S KEY AND IT COMES TO LIFE) Orac?
ORAC: Well, what is it?
AVON: I've got a problem for you to solve. (AVON RATTLES THROUGH THE REST OF THIS LIKE AN EXPRESS TRAIN) Asteroid P-Z337 is located on the outer edge of sector 9, it is currently being mined for gold by the Federation. Although the complex is automated there is a small security force present together with a supervisory team of mining engineers. The pressure dome is protected by a force field and surveillance scans mean that you can't land anywhere within a circumference of twenty-six miles. Are you with me so far Orac?
ORAC: Of course I am, it is only when instructions are imprecise that problems arise. If you keep your questions uncluttered with irrelevant...
AVON: (INTERRUPTING) All right Orac...
ORAC: What is it that you precisely want to know?
AVON: How do we steal the gold without getting ourselves killed in the process?
ORAC: Do you have a plan of the base complex?
ELISE: Yes we do.
ORAC: In that case, you use the teleport.
ELISE: To transport the gold?
ORAC: (DEEPLY IRRITATED) No, of course not.
AVON: The processing that alters the gold's atomic constitution also makes it too unstable for teleportation.
ORAC: Correction. It is not possible to alter the atomic constitution of gold. What the processor actually induces is a sub neutronic over-lap shift. This is achieved by first...
AVON: (INTERRUPTING) Never mind that now, what do you propose?
ORAC: (SULKILY) At the present time there are too many variables for me to be able to come up with an accurate prognosis.
AVON: Give it your best shot.
ORAC: Oh, very well. I can see only two practical options available to you.
AVON: Which are?
ORAC: One. Teleport aboard the relief craft and gain entrance to the base that way.
AVON: Or...
ORAC: Two. Teleport aboard the cargo carrier during its journey to collect the gold shipment.
ELISE: But we don't know when either the relief shuttle or the cargo carrier are due.
AVON: That's not a problem. Orac has the unique ability of being able to read any computer which contains a Tarial cell and they all contain Tarial cells.
ELISE: What if we teleported into the base complex itself?
AVON: Orac?
ORAC: I have already considered this possibility and rejected it.
AVON: We've teleported through force fields before.
ORAC: That is why it has now become common policy within the Federation to have force walls that cross the frequency spectrum. This will disrupt any teleportation beam that tries to penetrate it. The result being...
AVON: (PULLING OUT ORAC'S KEY) We get the picture.
ELISE: It's still a risky plan.
AVON: Risky yes, fatal no.
ELISE: But will Lydon buy it?
AVON: Lydon? (BEAT) Oh, yes Lydon.
ELISE: (UNEASY) Why do I feel uneasy?
AVON: You tell me.
ELISE: What are you planning, Avon?
AVON: Planning?
ELISE: Yes, are you planning something for Lydon?
(BEAT)
AVON: I've got nothing planned for him... Nothing at all.
(BEAT)
ELISE: (EVEN MORE UNEASY) Um. What do we do now?
AVON: Ah, well... I am open to suggestions. Question is... (BEAT) are you?
(FADE DOWN AVON'S SHIP ATMOSPHERE)
(SCENE 14)
(FADE UP ON SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP INTERIOR)
SECTION LEADER: (OVER COM LINK) He and the woman have left the ship and are now heading back towards the north wing.
MAJOR: (UPTIGHT) I can see that Section Leader.
SERVALAN: Calm down, everything is running to schedule.
MAJOR: (CONFUSED) Schedule? What schedule?
SERVALAN: This schedule Major. We are now at the bottom of page five.
MAJOR: (SLIGHTLY STARTLED) Can I see?
SERVALAN: Be my guest. (SHE HANDS THE REPORT OVER)
MAJOR: (TURNS THE PAGES. THEN IN AMAZEMENT) It says here he's going to... (BEAT) that they're going to...
SERVALAN: (AMUSED) Yes Brecht, that is what it says, but don't get too excited, they go to her room first.
(BEAT)
MAJOR: (SUDDEN REALIZATION) This report... (BEAT) it's from a psychostrategist.
SERVALAN: That's right, a puppeteer. Avon is now nothing more than an actor stumbling through his farewell performance.
(FADE OUT COMMAND SHIP ATMOSPHERE)
(SCENE 15)
(FADE UP ON AVON AND ELISE IN BED. A WIND IS BLOWING OUTSIDE)
AVON: How long before daybreak?
ELISE: (SLEEPILY) About another two hours, nights here are short. We'd better get some sleep.
(BEAT)
AVON: Why are you here, Elise?
ELISE: (SLEEPILY) Umm?
AVON: Why are you fighting the Federation?
(BEAT)
ELISE: (WAKING UP) Because that's my life now, Avon.
AVON: It's no life. Life is what you're running away from.
(BEAT)
ELISE: Don't ask me.
AVON: Why?
ELISE: Because I'm not going to tell you.
AVON: That's not what I meant.
ELISE: I know.
AVON: Something happened...
ELISE: (INTERRUPTING) Yes, and I've locked it away in my heart. I'm damaged goods Avon. Please... (BEAT) let me sleep.
(LONG PAUSE)
AVON: Goodnight... Elise.
(FADE DOWN ROOM ATMOSPHERE)
(SCENE 16)
(FADE UP ROOM ATMOSPHERE AGAIN. WE ARE STILL IN THE ROOM, BUT THE WIND SEEMS LOUDER AND MORE FORLORN. AS IT GETS EVEN LOUDER THE STRANGE UNEARTHLY MOAN THAT WE HEARD EARLIER MINGLES WITH IT)
AVON: (IN THE MIDDLE OF A NIGHTMARE) Blake. We've... (BEAT) we've got to go Blake... (BEAT) we've got to go now...
(THE HOWLING GETS EVEN LOUDER. SUDDENLY THE NOISE STOPS AND WE HEAR THE INTRODUCTION PULSE THAT MEANS ZEN IS ABOUT TO SPEAK. UNDERNEATH RUNS THE LIBERATOR BACKGROUND ATMOSPHERE)
ZEN: (PULSE) The Galactic Eighth Fleet has inflicted sixty-four percent losses on the main alien battle group. The last of the Federation's flotillas has now engaged the enemy at maximum speed. Concentrated fire from Liberator and Flagship Gallileo has destroyed alien command ship. Calculations now
indicate victory at eighty-two percent probability. (END PULSE)
AVON: (DELIGHTED, RELIEF) We did it. We held the line. They pushed us back a sector and a half, but we did it! (AVON PRESSES INTERCOM BUTTON AND WE HEAR THE TWO-TONE CHIME) Bridge to medical unit. Blake. We've done it. We're clear.
(BLAST, SHIP ROCKS)
AVON: Zen, report.
ZEN: (PULSE) A direct hit on the forward force wall generators have rendered them inoperative. Energy banks three and five exhausted. Auto repair systems are assessing further damage. (END PULSE)
AVON: They'll have to manage the rest without us. Jenna, bring us about and prepare to leave battle zone, Standard by...
BLAKE: (IN CORRIDOR) Wait.
AVON: Welcome back Blake. It's finished, we're leaving.
BLAKE: We stay.
(BLAKE GOES TO HIS STATION)
AVON: (STUNNED) We've done all we can.
BLAKE: (HARD, ALMOST NONSENSICAL EDGE) And we are winning.
AVON: The Federation is winning. For us there is only survival, and it is time to cut our losses and run.
ZEN: (PULSE) A malfunction has developed in the teleport systems. Minor damage to computer banks two and four has rendered the neutron flare shield inoperable. Energy banks three, four and five are now empty. (END PULSE)
AVON: We've no guns, no shields and barely enough power to make Standard by five. We have to go. Now.
BLAKE: No. (BEAT) Zen, confirm enemy strategy. Have they begun to counter attack?
AVON: (DESPERATE) Blake, there is nothing more we can do. You're wasting time. If we don't go now, we won't have enough power left to run.
ZEN: (PULSE) Enemy strategy is now confirmed, battle computers indicate full alien counter-attack is underway. (END PULSE)
BLAKE: Jenna, move us in towards the remaining enemy cruisers...
AVON: We are not needed. Blake! We are a legitimate target for both sides. If we don't go now we'll all end up dead.
(BEAT)
BLAKE: Why did you kill me?
(BEAT)
(THE LIBERATOR ATMOSPHERE WINDS DOWN AND IS REPLACED BY THE SOUND OF A MOANING WIND)
AVON: (SHOCKED) Blake... I... (FLAT) you're not Blake.
(GRADUALLY THE SOUND OF DORIAN'S ROOM FROM "RESCUE" DRIFTS UP)
AVON: Are you here to warn me?
BLAKE: Careful Avon....
AVON: Why him?... (AVON WAITS FOR AN ANSWER, BUT RECEIVES
NONE) I don't want any part of this. You should have left me. You should not have taken me out of the grave.
BLAKE: Careful Avon. They'll find you.
(BEAT)
AVON: They?
BLAKE: The Lightning raid.
AVON: Who will find me?
BLAKE: They'll be here in a few minutes.
AVON: Who are they?
BLAKE: (STARTING TO FADE) The lightning raid. (BEAT) The lightning
raid.
AVON: Wait...
BLAKE: (FADING OUT) Careful Avon... (BEAT) Take you to it...
ELISE: (HER VOICE IS ECHOING) Avon, Avon. Wake up... (BEAT) please.
AVON: (GASPS AS HE WAKES UP WITH A JOLT) What happened?
ELISE: (DISTRESSED) You were having a nightmare. You were calling out...
AVON: (URGENTLY) What did I say...
ELISE: You kept saying, "the lightning raid". And something about Blake.
AVON: (URGENTLY) What did I say about Blake?
ELISE: I don't know, is it important?
AVON: (AGGRESSIVELY) Yes it's important. What did I say?
ELISE: You were talking to him. You mentioned a grave. (BEAT) Your own grave... (BEAT) You weren't making sense.
(BEAT)
AVON: Get dressed.
(FADE OUT ROOM ATMOSPHERE)
(SCENE 17)
(FADE UP ON SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP)
SERVALAN: Are all units in position?
MAJOR: Yes Madam President. They await only your signal.
SERVALAN: And all Squad Leaders are fitted with video relays?
MAJOR: We have audio/video contact with all units.
SERVALAN: Then go ahead.
(FADE DOWN ON SERVALAN'S SHIP)
(SCENE 18)
(FADE UP ON AVON AND ELISE IN BEDROOM)
AVON: (ALMOST TO HIMSELF) It's too late to get away. They're very close. (BEAT) Elise... use the pillows, make it look as if the bed's still occupied.
(SOUNDS OF BED CLOTHES BEING MOVED)
ELISE: (LOW VOICE) What are we going to do?
AVON: (LOW VOICE) Hide in this alcove.
ELISE: Dawn's breaking, we'll be seen.
AVON: The shadows will cover us. (HARSH WHISPER) Elise come on.
(AVON GRABS ELISE AND PULLS HER INTO THE ALCOVE. THERE IS A LONG PAUSE, THENSUDDENLY THE DOOR BURSTS OPEN AND THE SOUND OF ARMY BOOTS CRASH INTO THE ROOM. THEY RUN TOWARDS THE BED)
SQUAD LEADER: (SHOUTING) Freeze. Don't move, don't move... Sergeant... pull the covers back.
(SOUND OF BED CLOTHES BEING PULLED BACK)
SQUAD LEADER: Shit.
(FROM BEHIND THEM WE HEAR AVON PULL HIS SCORPIO CLIP-GUN FROM ITS METAL HOLSTER. HE FIRES A LONG RAKING BURST. THE GUARDS SCREAM AND FALL TO THE GROUND)
(SCENE 19)
(CUT TO SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP. ON THE SCREEN AVON CAN BE HEARD WALKING TOWARDS THE DEAD SQUAD LEADER. THE VIDEO LINK IS STILL TRANSMITTING)
SERVALAN: Avon...
AVON: (OVER COM LINK) Nice try.
(AVON'S FOOT CRUNCHES THE CAMERA AND THE SCREEN FILLS WITH STATIC)
MAJOR: It seems he's not read the script.
SERVALAN: Don't worry - it's covered. We still have Elise. She'll lead him to the roof. Quickly patch me into another unit.
(THE MAJOR TAPS SOME BUTTONS AND THERE IS A BURST OF STATIC FROM THE SPEAKER. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF RAPID FIRE FROM A PLASMA RIFLE AND RETURNING FIRE FROM THE FEDERATION TROOPS)
SERVALAN: Who's that?
MAJOR: (DISTRACTED) Uh... It looks like Kelso.
(SCENE 20)
(CUT TO KELSO. HE BLAZES AWAY WITH A PLASMA RIFLE, THEN RUNS TO THE WOODEN DOOR THAT LEADS INTO THE MAIN HALL. HE OPENS IT, SLAMS IT BEHIND HIM AND THEN PUTS A BAR ACROSS)
LYDON: Barring the door is not going to hold them for long.
(THERE COMES A LOUD HAMMERING ON THE DOOR)
KELSO: (ALMOST HYSTERICAL) Shit... shit Lydon, we're dead. I told you not to trust him. I told you Avon would betray us.
(THE DOOR STARTS TO SPLINTER)
LYDON: Avon's not the traitor.
(THE DOOR GIVES WAY AND KELSO FIRES A QUICK BURST BEFORE TWO LOUD FEDERATION GUNSHOTS ARE HEARD. REVERB OUT ON SECOND BLAST THEN OVERLAPPING FADE TO BEDROOM)
(SCENE 21)
AVON: Federation Commandos.
ELISE: (URGENTLY) Avon, we've got to get out of here.
AVON: Where can we go?
(BEAT)
ELISE: The roof, we have a flyer there.
(BEAT)
AVON: (WITH PASSION) Come on.
(THEY BOTH RUN FROM THE ROOM)
(SCENE 22)
(CUT TO SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP. THERE IS A BURST OF STATIC, THEN THE SOUND OF HEAVY BOOTS RUNNING UP STONE STEPS COMES OVER THE INTERCOM)
SQUAD LEADER: (PANTING) This is unit six, we're in pursuit of target.
MAJOR: (PRESSES COM BUTTON) Careful Squad Leader, we want him alive.
(SCENE 23)
(CUT BACK TO AVON AND ELISE AS THEY RUN UP THE STONE STEPS, BEHIND THEM AT A DISTANCE YOU CAN HEAR THE TROOPS FOLLOWING)
AVON: Is it much further?
ELISE: These steps lead all the way to the top of the tower.
(ELISE IS STARTING TO FALL BEHIND)
AVON: Keep going... (BEAT) They're right behind us!
(A SOLDIER EMERGES FROM AROUND THE CORNER. AVON DRAWS HIS CLIP-GUN AND FIRES, THE TROOPER CRIES OUT AND FALLS. MORE TROOPERS APPEAR AND AVON DESPATCHES THEM... ONE... TWO... THREE)
(SCENE 24)
(CUT BACK TO COMMAND SHIP. OVER THE COM LINK A FEDERATION GUN FIRES AND THEN AVON IS HEARD TO FIRE TWICE MORE IN REPLY)
SERVALAN: The fools. What are they doing?
MAJOR: (PRESSES COM BUTTON. SHOOTING CAN STILL BE HEARD FROM BOTH SIDES) Squad Leader, Squad Leader... pull your men back. He's got you cold.
SERVALAN: (IRATE) Their orders are to...
MAJOR: (INTERRUPTING) Squad Leader, your orders are to pursue - not to engage, repeat, not to engage. Confirm?
SQUAD LEADER: Order confirmed sir we... (OVER THE COM LINK
THERE IS A SUDDEN EXPLOSION AND THE SOUND OF FALLING MASONRY)
MAJOR: What's happened?
(VARIOUS SCREAMS CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE COM LINK)
SERVALAN: Some kind of grenade.
MAJOR: We've still got visual.
SERVALAN: (CUTTINGLY) Yes, of the ceiling. The Squad Leader's dead.
(SCENE 25)
(CUT TO AVON AND ELISE ON THE STAIRWAY. SCREAMS CAN BE HEARD A LITTLE WAY BELOW)
ELISE: (COUGHING) Where are you going?
AVON: I used a Volatizer. The ones that aren't dead will have been blinded. I'm going back down, it's our only chance.
(AVON'S BOOTS CAN BE HEARD ON THE STONE STEPS. THE SOUND OF MOANING AND SCREAMING GETS LOUDER)
TROOPER: (PANIC STRICKEN) My eyes. My eyes. I can't see.
(AVON SHOOTS HIM DOWN AND CONTINUES SHOOTING UNTIL ALL THE BODIES ARE SILENT. AVON THEN RUNS BACK UP THE STONE STEPS AND GRABS ELISE BY THE ARM)
AVON: Elise... Come on, we can make it. I've bought us a little time.
(AVON AND ELISE CONTINUE ON UP THE STEPS)
(SCENE 26)
(CUT TO COMMAND SHIP. STATIC FROM THE SPEAKER)
MAJOR: He's wiped out unit six.
SERVALAN: It's of no consequence. They've achieved what was needed; he's heading for the flyer. (BEAT) It's just a pity we can't watch.
(SCENE 27)
(CUT TO AVON AND ELISE AS THEY REACH THE TOP OF THE STEPS)
ELISE: (OUT OF BREATH) This... this door leads out onto the
tower roof.
AVON: Is the flyer in the open?
ELISE: Yes, it's ready to go. We just have to reach it.
(AVON HOLSTERS HIS CLIP-GUN AND PUSHES OPEN THE DOOR. THEY EMERGE ONTO THE ROOF. IT HAS STARTED TO RAIN HEAVILY AND WE CAN HEAR THUNDER. THE ENGINES OF THE FLYER ARE STARTING UP)
AVON: It's Lydon. (HE RUNS WITH ELISE ACROSS THE STONE ROOF.
AVON SHOUTS) Lydon, wait. Wait for us.
LYDON: (LOUD VOICE) Avon I'll take you, but not that bitch. (BEAT) kill her.
AVON: (SHOUTS BACK) Elise?
LYDON: (SHOUTING ALMOST HYSTERICAL) Yes, yes. She's a traitor, she's Federation. Get rid of her. We've been set up.
AVON: Where's Kelso?
LYDON: (SCREAMING) Dead, he's dead, it's her. There's no one else it could be.
AVON: (DRAWS HIS GUN) Elise, not you?
ELISE: (PANIC STRICKEN AND EXHAUSTED) No, Avon, it's not me.
LYDON: (SCREAMING) Kill the bitch, kill her.
(BEAT)
AVON: How did they know where to come Elise, how did they know we were together?
LYDON: (BESIDE HIMSELF) Do it!!!
AVON: Why, Elise?
ELISE: I... I don't know.
AVON: Is this the secret you couldn't tell me? (DESPERATE) Is this what "happened"?
ELISE: (PLEADING) Avon... plea-
(AVON FIRES INTO ELISE AND SHE DIES. AVON HOLSTERS THE GUN AND LYDON TURNS OFF THE ENGINE)
LYDON: (COMPLETELY CALM) You never learn. You keep making the same mistake.
AVON: (GROWLS) You.
LYDON: Me. (BEAT) Don't do it Avon. Pull that gun and I'll shoot you dead.
(BEAT)
AVON: Question is, do I really care?
(AVON DRAWS AND BOTH HE AND LYDON FIRE TOGETHER. PERHAPS AVON'S GUN FIRES A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE LYDON'S FEDERATION SIDEARM, BUT THERE'S NOT MUCH IN IT. REVERB OUT TO SILENCE.
THEN A GAP)
(SCENE 28)
(FADE UP ON SERVALAN'S COMMAND SHIP. THE ATMOSPHERE IS SUBTLY DIFFERENT, AS IF THEY ARE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CRAFT)
SERVALAN: Wake up Avon. You're back among the living.
(BEAT)
AVON: Servalan.
SERVALAN: It's been a long time.
AVON: Not long enough. You'll forgive me if I don't get up.
SERVALAN: Don't worry, it's the calgesic, not the wound. In a few hours the effects will have worn off.
AVON: Where's Lydon?
SERVALAN: Dead, I'm afraid.
AVON: He was your creature. He did as you told him.
SERVALAN: That's why you're still alive, even at gunpoint he followed orders.
AVON: Am I supposed to be impressed?
SERVALAN: Grateful perhaps, but now you're going to replace him.
AVON: Don't count on it.
SERVALAN: I'll change your mind.
AVON: You think so?
SERVALAN: I know so. But first I have some questions to which I would like answers. How did you survive Gauda Prime?
AVON: No one survived Gauda Prime.
SERVALAN: We know you were there.
AVON: I stole a Pursuit Ship.
SERVALAN: That's not what I meant. You were up against the Iron Guard.
AVON: Troops like any others, the badges may differ, but they've all got bastards pinned to them.
SERVALAN: The Iron Guard are the best, you should be dead Avon.
AVON: Perhaps I got lucky.
(BEAT)
SERVALAN: Perhaps you did. (BEAT) Was it you who exploded the phosphorus grenade in the main tracking gallery?
AVON: Yes.
SERVALAN: Why?
AVON: I didn't want Blake exhibited.
SERVALAN: Oh, that was never going to happen. As far as the Federation is officially concerned, Blake is still on Cygnus Alpha.
AVON: With me.
SERVALAN: (LAUGHS) Delightful isn't it? Knowing that reality lies with those who have the power.
AVON: Reality lies. Nicely put Servalan.
SERVALAN: Thank you. (BEAT) Was that your only reason?
AVON: (GUARDEDLY) Was what my only reason?
SERVALAN: Don't play games Avon, we're still talking about the phosphorus grenade.
AVON: Make your point Servalan.
(BEAT)
SERVALAN: Forensic reports suggest that some of the Iron Guard were shot with the same weapon that was used to dispatch Blake. (BEAT) Can you explain that? (AVON DOESN'T ANSWER. SERVALAN CONTINUES IN A LOW VOICE) It's all right Avon. I know the answer.
AVON: You know nothing.
SERVALAN: (LOW VOICE) I know you.
(BEAT)
AVON: (BREATHING IN) You still haven't explained how, or why, I'm going to help you?
SERVALAN: I think I have. Do you know what the Federation stands for, Avon?
AVON: Self-interest.
SERVALAN: Order. And do you know what poses the greatest threat to that order?
AVON: Life.
SERVALAN: The military. (BEAT) There have been three major internal conflicts in the last twelve years.
AVON: And all of them revolved around getting you in and out of power. That last one was particularly messy. You can't call yourself the Terran Federation anymore.
SERVALAN: The destruction of Earth was... (BEAT) regrettable.
AVON: But at least you have power again.
SERVALAN: Oh yes, and you are going to help me keep it. Without enemies the Federation will not survive, and these days there are so very few of the enemy left.
AVON: So you have to invent them.
(LONG PAUSE)
SERVALAN: Something like that. Good-bye Avon. We won't meet again.
(FADE COMMAND SHIP ATMOSPHERE TO SILENCE. PAUSE)
(SCENE 28)
(THEN FADE UP ON GENTLE MUZAK)
P.A. SYSTEM: (DISTANT) Attention. Walkway seventeen will be closed for three hours due to a spontaneous demonstration of gratitude for the recent fifteen percent increase in food rations. All citizens requiring access to areas twenty-four through to thirty must apply to Human Resources for an alternative route.
KORRINNE: Hey!
AVON: Hello.
KORRINNE: Did you have any trouble getting here?
AVON: No.
KORRINNE: You followed the map I gave you?
AVON: Yes.
KORRINNE: And eating and drinking - you've managed to do without?
AVON: As you seemed to think it was so important, I've been without food or water for nearly two days.
KORRINNE: How do you feel?
AVON: Hungry and thirsty, somewhat unsurprisingly. Korrinne, this isn't just another example of your warped sense of humour is it?
KORRINNE: Believe me, this is no practical joke.
(THEY START TO WALK)
KORRINNE: All our food and drink is laced with suppressants. If you've been going without for forty-eight hours, then the effects should be wearing off.
AVON: So you keep saying.
CORRINNE: Come on.
(KORRINNE TAPS OUT A CODE AND A LARGE DOOR, LIKE THE SORT YOU WOULD FIND IN A BANK VAULT SWINGS OPEN)
P.A. SYSTEM: The arrival of her Imperial Majesty on Gauda Prime has been delayed for two hours. This is due to unforeseen circumstances. However in spite of this delay, the forum will still take place in conference chamber five as previously arranged.
(AVON AND KORRINNE PASS THROUGH THE DOOR AND START TO DESCEND SOME STEPS. THE DOOR SHUTS BEHIND THEM AND THE MUZAK IS CUT OFF. THEY ARE NOW IN ONE OF THE DESERTED LOWER SUBSECTIONS)
AVON: Where are we going exactly?
KORRINNE: (LOW VOICE) Outside.
AVON: (LOW VOICE) Outside? You do realize that going outside is a category four offence?
(THEY REACH THE BOTTOM OF THE STEPS AND THEN PAUSE. THEY HEAR FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
KORRINNE: Ssshhh... (BEAT) Oh it's alright it's Ric, I know he's been wanting to meet you.
RIC: Is everything all right?
KORRINNE: Yes, fine.
RIC: So, you're Roj Blake.
(BEAT)
AVON: Yes... I'm Roj Blake.
(FADE OUT)
THE END
CREDITS:
Production, music and direction by ALISTAIR LOCK
Script editor: JIM SMITH
Producer: ALAN STEVENS
Artwork and insert design: PETE WALLBANK
Cast in order of appearance:
Avon PAUL DARROW
Orac/Slave/Zen PETER TUDDENHAM
Kelso TREVOR COOPER
Elise TRACY RUSSELL
Lydon IAN REDDINGTON
Major Brecht ALISTAIR LOCK
Servalan JACQUELINE PEARCE
Section Leader DAVID TULLEY
Blake GARETH THOMAS
Sqd Leader #1 ALAN STEVENS
Sqd Leader #2 Bruce McGilligan
Trooper PETE WALLBANK
P.A. System SHARON ECKMAN
Kerrine PATRICIA MERRICK
Ric JIM SMITH
