Doctor Who (1963) s07e13 Episode Script
The Ambassadors of Death, Part Two
Doctor Who Transcript Project Doctor Who Season 7 The Ambassadors of Death 2 of 7 Let's see what he's got to say for himself this time.
I want that tape.
Do you realise the importance of it? Rather more than you, Doctor.
So, you understood the message? Hand it over.
What are you going to do with it? Doctor, give me that tape.
Since you insist.
This is no time for conjuring tricks.
Put up your hands up.
- Where is that tape? - Perhaps he sent it into the future? Doctor, are you trying to force me to shoot you? - Doctor I think you - Careful Brigadier, he's frightened.
You, over here.
Come here.
- No! You're hurting.
- Be quiet.
Don't try to follow me.
- I'll go after him - Yes.
- Guards.
- Are you all right? Taltalian? I think we can safely leave him to the Brigadier and his men.
What did you do with the tape? - What? - The tape.
- The tape.
- Yeah.
Well, here it is here You didn't send it into the future, did you? No, no, no.
No, that was simply transmigration of object.
There's a great deal of difference between that and pure science, you know.
Now then, what about decoding this tape? Let me see now.
Well, that'll be the analogue digital converter.
Yes, yeah, that's just what I was looking for.
Let me.
Thank you.
Got away.
This place is like a rabbit warren.
I've set up a search.
Brigadier, what did you find at the warehouse? - A transmitter.
- And? We took several prisoners.
One of them knows a great deal more than he's saying.
Well, I'd like to have a talk with him.
- All right, Corporal.
- Sir.
Well, have you decided to talk yet? Why didn't you shoot me when you had the chance? Why don't you sit down, old chap? Now, you were under orders not to harm the Brigadier, weren't you? Who gave you those orders? - I can't answer any questions.
- Anything found on him? - No, his pockets were empty.
- Clothes? The sort of thing you can buy anywhere, but all the labels were cut out.
Mmm, you've been very thorough, haven't you? You're in very serious trouble, you know? I can hold you here on security charges for a very long time.
Don't you realise that the men you are working with were seriously interfering with our space project, and thereby endangering the lives of three astronauts.
Look, I want answers from you, and I'm going to get them.
Brigadier, you're wasting your time.
Come on.
- This man knows something.
- Yes, but he's not going to tell us and I think we've got more important things to do.
All right.
Corporal.
Looking after you all right, are they? Had a cup of tea? - Yes, thanks.
- That's good.
Stand to attention, when you're talking to me and call me sir.
Sir.
Just as I thought.
Sergeant aren't you? A soldier.
Are you a deserter? No, no, he's acting under orders.
- Sir, this just came.
- Thank you.
Doctor.
There has been another extraordinary development in the mystery of Mars Probe 7.
The two space capsules, Mars Probe 7 and Recovery 7, which have been locked together in radio silence, have now separated.
But there is still no communication from Charles Van Lyden nor from astronauts Michaels and Lefee.
Still no word from them? Nothing.
Space control to Recovery 7, do you read me? Tracking report: Capsules now approximately seven miles apart.
Eleven minutes from scheduled re-entry burn.
I wish I had your confidence.
Tracking report: Distance between capsule widening Nine miles.
Thirteen miles.
Twenty-five miles.
It's started.
Ten minutes too soon.
What's he think he's doing? Well, that's it for an hour.
I'd better go and see how Liz is getting on with the decoding.
Don't you want to see what happens? No if they're going to attempt a re-entry they must make at least one Earth's orbit.
I'll be back in time for re-entry are you coming? No, I'll run a security trace on our prisoner.
Tracking report: Recovery 7 speed now Capsule will leave our radar range within three minutes.
Closing to two-point-nine five.
Notify global tracking stations, fix an open communications circuit.
I want that capsule tracked every second.
Yes, there's no pattern to it at all.
It's nonsense.
Perhaps because we're feeding it nonsense.
Maybe that sound from the capsule was just freak static.
Yes.
- I wonder - Wonder what? Maybe there's a computer malfunction.
That's impossible there's a self-checking mechanism.
Well even that could go wrong.
I'll feed it a standard test programme.
Never mind all that, ask it what two and two make.
What? - Liz, ask it.
- All right.
This is ridiculous, I checked that machine this morning.
How long have you known Doctor Taltalian? Well, I've been his chief assistant for two years.
- I still can't believe all this.
- It says two and two make five.
It's typical I never did trust those stupid things.
No, no, this isn't just malfunction.
Taltalian must have sabotaged it.
Reappearance time this hemisphere ten seconds.
Tracking report from Massachusetts: Height, one hundred miles.
Speed, twenty thousand and reducing.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Zero.
Capsule now in our tracking range and control range.
Main control, start transmitting, now.
We have contact, we have contact.
Transmitters on, now.
It's not responding.
Repeat transmission, boost power.
Repeat transmission, now.
It's no good.
Tracking report: Height, ninety miles and reducing.
Speed, twenty thousand and holding.
It'll burn up.
It's responding.
Recommence transmission and maintain.
Recommencing transmission, now.
Fire retro jets five seconds.
Retro jets, five seconds, now.
We have radar contact on screen now.
Tracking report: Height, Eighty-five miles, still reducing.
Speed eighteen thousand reducing to seventeen thousand.
Sixteen thousand.
Well, after what was a pretty rough re-entry by present day standards, astronauts Van Lyden, Michaels and Lefee will soon be experiencing the buffeting of Earth's atmosphere, when their huge parachutes lower them on the last few miles of their descent.
Under normal circumstances with two or three Earth orbits as a run up, Controller Cornish could bring them to within one hundred yards of their scheduled landing place.
As it is, all we know is that the space capsule is about to land somewhere in the south of England.
Drop speed now thirty miles and reducing.
Capsule drifting sou-sou-west two degrees.
Rate of drift: Three knots.
Ground level preparations completed? The area will be cordoned off as soon as it lands.
Civil air routes warned? Airlines cleared? All planes have been diverted.
Drop speed now twenty-two miles per hour reducing to eighteen.
Height one mile.
Drift rate: Three knots.
Contact lost, contact lost.
Something wrong? No, no.
No, they always lose radar contact in the last few seconds.
We've made it.
Well done, old chap, well done.
Yes congratulations controller, wonderful job.
If they're alive.
Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? This is Cornish.
You are safe and landed.
Open the hatch.
Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? It's no use.
Must be unconscious.
Better try opening it ourselves.
It's impossible.
- Either the mechanisms jammed or - They've locked it from the inside.
Then, we'll have to cut it open.
It's too dangerous for the astronauts.
Then what are we going to do.
Take it back to the space centre? Right.
Quick, the RT UNIT's Frequency.
Brigadier to UNIT control.
Brigadier to UNIT Control.
UNIT Control, I want a route cleared from here to the Space Centre.
Outriders top priority.
Sir.
Excellent, couldn't be better.
By the time you get the capsule back to the space centre, I'll have everything ready.
I'll go with the capsule.
See you at the space centre.
All right.
If you make it.
I'll go with you.
Keep to the prepared route and clear the away ahead of us.
You bring up the rear.
- Get out of the way, please.
- I'm afraid I can't.
Will you please get out of the way, sir? We're carrying a very important cargo.
Yes, if you want me to get out of the way, I'm afraid you'll have to help me.
Old Bessie seems to have stopped.
Ready? I'll let the brake off.
Right, push.
Thank you very much.
Don't worry, it'll switch itself off, eventually.
- Helicopter and smoke bombs.
- Yes, they were very well organised.
We lost the capsule and the Doctor's vanished.
How on earth? I brought it here.
Doctor.
Thank heavens you're all right.
We found the car, thought they'd got you.
Didn't you find two angry men stuck to my car? No, just the car.
Can't have got that force field strong enough yet.
Cornish? Yes.
- Doctor, it's for you.
- Thank you.
Hello? Yes, Liz.
Yes, right.
I'll be down straight away.
I'll tell you all about it later.
Liz thinks she's on to something.
Will you be able to make contact? I'm not sure.
The equipment's being connected now.
If you're right, Liz.
This is a definite attempt at pictographic communication.
Could be just random patterns? What with this symbol repeated twice? And this one repeated four times? Oh no.
Who in the world would want to send a message in this form? No one on this world, but an alien intelligence so different, this is the only way they can communicate.
Doctor, you don't think I think that it's high time the Brigadier and I had a talk to the top man.
Dobson here.
They've started to crack the code.
- Exactly what are you suggesting? - I should have thought that was obvious.
Every step we take, someone's ahead of us.
Yes, Doctor Taltalian for instance, I've got his file here.
Checked and double checked like everyone else working on this project.
And yet, he sabotages his own computer, draws a gun on the Doctor and then runs away like a criminal.
Well, it's extraordinary.
I've known Bruno Taltalian for years.
Look, that is quite beside the point.
The question is: Who else is involved? I can see your reasons for concern, but you have got the capsule back now.
Yes, we've got the capsule back all right, and it's safely installed at the Space Centre.
But the astronauts still refuse to come out.
Well, I shall initiate a top-level investigation immediately, Brigadier.
- With respect - Now, I'm sure you'll want to get back to the Space Centre.
Is that all you've got to say, Sir James? Sweep it all under the carpet, eh? Come on, Doctor.
- I'll keep you informed sir.
- I should be most grateful, Brigadier.
Thank you, gentlemen.
All right.
Won't you sit down? Recovery 7, do you read me? Any response yet? Nothing.
Recovery 7, do you read me? Well, I suggest we cut it open.
I've got men with thermal lances standing by.
I think I'm getting something.
They have got the capsule, what went wrong? I don't know yet.
They've started to crack the code, too.
- What are you going to do about UNIT? - It's already been dealt with.
They've got quite a surprise coming.
Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? Hello Recovery 7, do you read me? Hello, Space Control.
This is Recovery 7.
Will you clear us for re-entry? Charlie.
This is Ralph Cornish.
You are back at Space Control.
Open the capsule.
We are not cleared for re-entry.
Charlie? You are back at Space Control.
What's wrong? Open the hatch.
Hello, Space Control, this is Recovery 7.
Will you clear us for re-entry? Let me try.
Hello, Van Lyden? What is the capital of Australia? We are not cleared for re-entry.
- How many beans make five? - Hello, Space control, this is Recovery 7.
Will you clear us for re-entry? - Van Lyden! - We are not cleared for re-entry.
Right, cut it open.
I want that tape.
Do you realise the importance of it? Rather more than you, Doctor.
So, you understood the message? Hand it over.
What are you going to do with it? Doctor, give me that tape.
Since you insist.
This is no time for conjuring tricks.
Put up your hands up.
- Where is that tape? - Perhaps he sent it into the future? Doctor, are you trying to force me to shoot you? - Doctor I think you - Careful Brigadier, he's frightened.
You, over here.
Come here.
- No! You're hurting.
- Be quiet.
Don't try to follow me.
- I'll go after him - Yes.
- Guards.
- Are you all right? Taltalian? I think we can safely leave him to the Brigadier and his men.
What did you do with the tape? - What? - The tape.
- The tape.
- Yeah.
Well, here it is here You didn't send it into the future, did you? No, no, no.
No, that was simply transmigration of object.
There's a great deal of difference between that and pure science, you know.
Now then, what about decoding this tape? Let me see now.
Well, that'll be the analogue digital converter.
Yes, yeah, that's just what I was looking for.
Let me.
Thank you.
Got away.
This place is like a rabbit warren.
I've set up a search.
Brigadier, what did you find at the warehouse? - A transmitter.
- And? We took several prisoners.
One of them knows a great deal more than he's saying.
Well, I'd like to have a talk with him.
- All right, Corporal.
- Sir.
Well, have you decided to talk yet? Why didn't you shoot me when you had the chance? Why don't you sit down, old chap? Now, you were under orders not to harm the Brigadier, weren't you? Who gave you those orders? - I can't answer any questions.
- Anything found on him? - No, his pockets were empty.
- Clothes? The sort of thing you can buy anywhere, but all the labels were cut out.
Mmm, you've been very thorough, haven't you? You're in very serious trouble, you know? I can hold you here on security charges for a very long time.
Don't you realise that the men you are working with were seriously interfering with our space project, and thereby endangering the lives of three astronauts.
Look, I want answers from you, and I'm going to get them.
Brigadier, you're wasting your time.
Come on.
- This man knows something.
- Yes, but he's not going to tell us and I think we've got more important things to do.
All right.
Corporal.
Looking after you all right, are they? Had a cup of tea? - Yes, thanks.
- That's good.
Stand to attention, when you're talking to me and call me sir.
Sir.
Just as I thought.
Sergeant aren't you? A soldier.
Are you a deserter? No, no, he's acting under orders.
- Sir, this just came.
- Thank you.
Doctor.
There has been another extraordinary development in the mystery of Mars Probe 7.
The two space capsules, Mars Probe 7 and Recovery 7, which have been locked together in radio silence, have now separated.
But there is still no communication from Charles Van Lyden nor from astronauts Michaels and Lefee.
Still no word from them? Nothing.
Space control to Recovery 7, do you read me? Tracking report: Capsules now approximately seven miles apart.
Eleven minutes from scheduled re-entry burn.
I wish I had your confidence.
Tracking report: Distance between capsule widening Nine miles.
Thirteen miles.
Twenty-five miles.
It's started.
Ten minutes too soon.
What's he think he's doing? Well, that's it for an hour.
I'd better go and see how Liz is getting on with the decoding.
Don't you want to see what happens? No if they're going to attempt a re-entry they must make at least one Earth's orbit.
I'll be back in time for re-entry are you coming? No, I'll run a security trace on our prisoner.
Tracking report: Recovery 7 speed now Capsule will leave our radar range within three minutes.
Closing to two-point-nine five.
Notify global tracking stations, fix an open communications circuit.
I want that capsule tracked every second.
Yes, there's no pattern to it at all.
It's nonsense.
Perhaps because we're feeding it nonsense.
Maybe that sound from the capsule was just freak static.
Yes.
- I wonder - Wonder what? Maybe there's a computer malfunction.
That's impossible there's a self-checking mechanism.
Well even that could go wrong.
I'll feed it a standard test programme.
Never mind all that, ask it what two and two make.
What? - Liz, ask it.
- All right.
This is ridiculous, I checked that machine this morning.
How long have you known Doctor Taltalian? Well, I've been his chief assistant for two years.
- I still can't believe all this.
- It says two and two make five.
It's typical I never did trust those stupid things.
No, no, this isn't just malfunction.
Taltalian must have sabotaged it.
Reappearance time this hemisphere ten seconds.
Tracking report from Massachusetts: Height, one hundred miles.
Speed, twenty thousand and reducing.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Zero.
Capsule now in our tracking range and control range.
Main control, start transmitting, now.
We have contact, we have contact.
Transmitters on, now.
It's not responding.
Repeat transmission, boost power.
Repeat transmission, now.
It's no good.
Tracking report: Height, ninety miles and reducing.
Speed, twenty thousand and holding.
It'll burn up.
It's responding.
Recommence transmission and maintain.
Recommencing transmission, now.
Fire retro jets five seconds.
Retro jets, five seconds, now.
We have radar contact on screen now.
Tracking report: Height, Eighty-five miles, still reducing.
Speed eighteen thousand reducing to seventeen thousand.
Sixteen thousand.
Well, after what was a pretty rough re-entry by present day standards, astronauts Van Lyden, Michaels and Lefee will soon be experiencing the buffeting of Earth's atmosphere, when their huge parachutes lower them on the last few miles of their descent.
Under normal circumstances with two or three Earth orbits as a run up, Controller Cornish could bring them to within one hundred yards of their scheduled landing place.
As it is, all we know is that the space capsule is about to land somewhere in the south of England.
Drop speed now thirty miles and reducing.
Capsule drifting sou-sou-west two degrees.
Rate of drift: Three knots.
Ground level preparations completed? The area will be cordoned off as soon as it lands.
Civil air routes warned? Airlines cleared? All planes have been diverted.
Drop speed now twenty-two miles per hour reducing to eighteen.
Height one mile.
Drift rate: Three knots.
Contact lost, contact lost.
Something wrong? No, no.
No, they always lose radar contact in the last few seconds.
We've made it.
Well done, old chap, well done.
Yes congratulations controller, wonderful job.
If they're alive.
Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? This is Cornish.
You are safe and landed.
Open the hatch.
Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? It's no use.
Must be unconscious.
Better try opening it ourselves.
It's impossible.
- Either the mechanisms jammed or - They've locked it from the inside.
Then, we'll have to cut it open.
It's too dangerous for the astronauts.
Then what are we going to do.
Take it back to the space centre? Right.
Quick, the RT UNIT's Frequency.
Brigadier to UNIT control.
Brigadier to UNIT Control.
UNIT Control, I want a route cleared from here to the Space Centre.
Outriders top priority.
Sir.
Excellent, couldn't be better.
By the time you get the capsule back to the space centre, I'll have everything ready.
I'll go with the capsule.
See you at the space centre.
All right.
If you make it.
I'll go with you.
Keep to the prepared route and clear the away ahead of us.
You bring up the rear.
- Get out of the way, please.
- I'm afraid I can't.
Will you please get out of the way, sir? We're carrying a very important cargo.
Yes, if you want me to get out of the way, I'm afraid you'll have to help me.
Old Bessie seems to have stopped.
Ready? I'll let the brake off.
Right, push.
Thank you very much.
Don't worry, it'll switch itself off, eventually.
- Helicopter and smoke bombs.
- Yes, they were very well organised.
We lost the capsule and the Doctor's vanished.
How on earth? I brought it here.
Doctor.
Thank heavens you're all right.
We found the car, thought they'd got you.
Didn't you find two angry men stuck to my car? No, just the car.
Can't have got that force field strong enough yet.
Cornish? Yes.
- Doctor, it's for you.
- Thank you.
Hello? Yes, Liz.
Yes, right.
I'll be down straight away.
I'll tell you all about it later.
Liz thinks she's on to something.
Will you be able to make contact? I'm not sure.
The equipment's being connected now.
If you're right, Liz.
This is a definite attempt at pictographic communication.
Could be just random patterns? What with this symbol repeated twice? And this one repeated four times? Oh no.
Who in the world would want to send a message in this form? No one on this world, but an alien intelligence so different, this is the only way they can communicate.
Doctor, you don't think I think that it's high time the Brigadier and I had a talk to the top man.
Dobson here.
They've started to crack the code.
- Exactly what are you suggesting? - I should have thought that was obvious.
Every step we take, someone's ahead of us.
Yes, Doctor Taltalian for instance, I've got his file here.
Checked and double checked like everyone else working on this project.
And yet, he sabotages his own computer, draws a gun on the Doctor and then runs away like a criminal.
Well, it's extraordinary.
I've known Bruno Taltalian for years.
Look, that is quite beside the point.
The question is: Who else is involved? I can see your reasons for concern, but you have got the capsule back now.
Yes, we've got the capsule back all right, and it's safely installed at the Space Centre.
But the astronauts still refuse to come out.
Well, I shall initiate a top-level investigation immediately, Brigadier.
- With respect - Now, I'm sure you'll want to get back to the Space Centre.
Is that all you've got to say, Sir James? Sweep it all under the carpet, eh? Come on, Doctor.
- I'll keep you informed sir.
- I should be most grateful, Brigadier.
Thank you, gentlemen.
All right.
Won't you sit down? Recovery 7, do you read me? Any response yet? Nothing.
Recovery 7, do you read me? Well, I suggest we cut it open.
I've got men with thermal lances standing by.
I think I'm getting something.
They have got the capsule, what went wrong? I don't know yet.
They've started to crack the code, too.
- What are you going to do about UNIT? - It's already been dealt with.
They've got quite a surprise coming.
Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? Hello Recovery 7, do you read me? Hello, Space Control.
This is Recovery 7.
Will you clear us for re-entry? Charlie.
This is Ralph Cornish.
You are back at Space Control.
Open the capsule.
We are not cleared for re-entry.
Charlie? You are back at Space Control.
What's wrong? Open the hatch.
Hello, Space Control, this is Recovery 7.
Will you clear us for re-entry? Let me try.
Hello, Van Lyden? What is the capital of Australia? We are not cleared for re-entry.
- How many beans make five? - Hello, Space control, this is Recovery 7.
Will you clear us for re-entry? - Van Lyden! - We are not cleared for re-entry.
Right, cut it open.