The Doctor is presented with a moral dilemma when Icthar reveals his plans to get rid of the human race so the Silurians can take back what was once theirs.
WARRIORS OF THE DEEP BY: JOHNNY BYRNE Part Four First Air Date: 13 January 1984 Running time: 24:48 [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: How do you do? I'm the Doctor. Haven't we met before? [SCENE_BREAK] TURLOUGH: What's this? BULIC: A ventilation shaft. [SCENE_BREAK] TARPOK: The Sea Devil warriors have captured the reactor room. ICHTAR: Excellent. VORSHAK: Allow my crew to surrender. ICHTAR: It is they who insist upon fighting. SCIBUS: The damage is assessed, Ichtar. The computer can be restored to normal functioning. ICHTAR: Perfect. DOCTOR: Ichtar. TEGAN: You know him? DOCTOR: Yes. I thought he'd been killed. ICHTAR: Remove these people from the bridge. DOCTOR: You do not recognise me now, but we are known to each other. ICHTAR: You are mistaken. Take him away. DOCTOR: No, wait, wait, please. In an earlier regeneration you knew me as the Doctor. ICHTAR: The Doctor? You can prove what you say? DOCTOR: I know that you are Ichtar, the surviving leader of the noble Silurian Triad. When we last met I tried to mediate between you and the people of Earth. ICHTAR: So it is you. DOCTOR: May we speak? ICHTAR: The Doctor and Commander Vorshak will remain. Remove the others. ICHTAR: I will listen to what you say, but I should tell you that the Silurians have long since abandoned the way of mediation. DOCTOR: So it seems. Why? A civilised race like yours, waging unprovoked war? ICHTAR: Defensive war, Doctor. There is a distinction. Silurian law forbids any other. DOCTOR: Defensive? There's no such thing. When we last met, your supreme wish was to live at peace with the other inhabitants of this planet. Now, why change such an enlightened policy now? ICHTAR: Our policy has always been peaceful survival. All that has changed is the means by which it can be achieved. DOCTOR: What, by actions such as we've seen here? ICHTAR: You forget. Twice we offered the hand of friendship to these ape-descended primitives, and twice we were treacherously attacked, our people slaughtered. It will not happen again. DOCTOR: There can be no alternative to peaceful co-existence. ICHTAR: There is, Doctor. A final solution. DOCTOR: Genocide? When everything you Silurians hold sacred forbids it? ICHTAR: We will harm no one. These ape primitives will destroy themselves. We, Doctor, will merely provide the pretext. DOCTOR: You'll trigger the war this Base was designed to fight. ICHTAR: Yes. And these human beings will die as they have lived, in a sea of their own blood. [SCENE_BREAK] TEGAN (OOV.): Let go! Let go of me, you **** TEGAN: Leave me alone! Let go of me. TEGAN: You're alive. TURLOUGH: Alive, well, and trying to escape. Would one of you mind keeping watch, please? PRESTON: I will. [SCENE_BREAK] TARPOK: Binary circuits of the computer are now functioning. ICHTAR: Can we activate the missile data banks? TARPOK: We will need the Commander's hand scan for clearance. VORSHAK: You'll get no help from me, Silurian. ICHTAR: Your hand scan, Commander. I will not ask again. DOCTOR: I would do as he says if I were you, Commander. VORSHAK: No. DOCTOR: Alive or dead, they can still use your hand scan, and while there's life there's also hope. ICHTAR: Thank you, Doctor. VORSHAK: Those missiles will never leave their pads, not without a sync operator to complete the firing sequence. DOCTOR: Not so. VORSHAK: A sync operator is our insurance against unauthorised launch. DOCTOR: If my guess is right, that little piece of Silurian gadgetry will more than make up for the lack of a sync operator unless we're able to do something about it. [SCENE_BREAK] TURLOUGH: Back to the TARDIS. TEGAN: No, not the TARDIS, the bridge. They've got the Doctor up there as well as the Commander. Do you think we can get them both away? TURLOUGH: What is it about Earth people that makes them think a futile gesture is a noble one? TEGAN: Turlough BULIC: You would prefer we left our friends to die? TURLOUGH: If there was any chance of saving them, I'd be the first to go, but there isn't! TEGAN: Look, we don't know until we've checked. Coming? [SCENE_BREAK] SCIBUS: The missiles are retargeted. ICHTAR: Excellent. DOCTOR: Do you intend to explode those missiles in space? ICHTAR: Yes. DOCTOR: Launching those things will trigger a holocaust. You'll destroy everyone. ICHTAR: The Silurians and Sea Devils will survive. DOCTOR: To be masters of a dead planet. ICHTAR: Not quite, Doctor. Still safely hidden away in deep hibernation is the true life force of this planet. When restored, our civilisation will rule the Earth once more. DOCTOR: I see. [SCENE_BREAK] PRESTON: All clear. PRESTON: Turlough. TURLOUGH: What's the matter? PRESTON: They would have stood a better chance if we'd gone with them. TURLOUGH: A better chance of what, of dying? I don't think so. I think they'll manage that very nicely themselves, thank you. PRESTON: Look TURLOUGH: Put your foot in. PRESTON: Really. TURLOUGH: Come on. [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: What about us? Are we included in your final solution? ICHTAR: We bear you no malice, Doctor. Once we have finished here, you and your companions will be released. DOCTOR: And the rest of these people? ICHTAR: They will die. An act of mercy, since there will be nobody for them to rejoin. Commander, you will please join me at the master console. DOCTOR: Commander. VORSHAK: Yes, I know. [SCENE_BREAK] BULIC: The Doctor. [SCENE_BREAK] ICHTAR: Initiate the test firing sequence. [SCENE_BREAK] TEGAN: Did he see you? BULIC: Yes, and he'd better hurry. It can't be long before they discover we've escaped. DOCTOR: Excellent timing. Is Turlough safe? TEGAN: Yes. DOCTOR: Lead on. BULIC: But aren't we going to get the Commander out? DOCTOR: Impossible. They need him in there. BULIC: Well, we must at least try. DOCTOR: Not here, not now. We'll come back for him, I promise. TEGAN: Where are we going? DOCTOR: The chemical store. [SCENE_BREAK] PRESTON: This way. [SCENE_BREAK] SAUVIX: The primitives have escaped. ICHTAR: Explain. SAUVIX: Where is the Doctor? ICHTAR: Commander? Find the Doctor. Find the primitives. Kill them! [SCENE_BREAK] TURLOUGH: They must be mopping up survivors. PRESTON: Or your friends. Either way, shouldn't we help them? [SCENE_BREAK] ICHTAR: Connect the manipulator. [SCENE_BREAK] TEGAN: Hurry up, Doctor. DOCTOR: Shush. TURLOUGH: Doctor. DOCTOR: Turlough. TURLOUGH: You didn't think I'd leave you? TEGAN: It never crossed my mind. PRESTON: Where were you going? DOCTOR: The chemical store. BULIC: This way. [SCENE_BREAK] ICHTAR: Is the computer fully operational? TARPOK: Restored and tested. ICHTAR: Then align the manipulator to the computer. [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: Watch the doors. TEGAN: What are we looking for? DOCTOR: An alternative to this. Something less lethal that will do the job just as well. PRESTON: Do you know what the Silurians want? DOCTOR: Oh yes, all in all they were very forthcoming, really. They intend to launch your missiles and trigger a war to end all wars, between your people, of course. TURLOUGH: Doctor! PRESTON: What happened? DOCTOR: Hexachromite. It does that to all reptile life. PRESTON: Then use it on the invaders. DOCTOR: And kill them? PRESTON: Why not? They're about to start a war that will destroy everyone on Earth. DOCTOR: I sometimes wonder why I like the people of this miserable planet so much. The Silurians and Sea Devils are noble races. They have skills and talents you pathetic humans can only dream about. TURLOUGH: That doesn't alter what they're about to do. DOCTOR: No. No, and we must stop them. TEGAN: What's the alternative? DOCTOR: Something that will disable rather than kill. [SCENE_BREAK] TARPOK: Manipulator aligned with the computer. SCIBUS: Alignment confirmed. ICHTAR: Good. Then we can proceed. ICHTAR: Is this a practice missile run? VORSHAK: It's impossible to tell. ICHTAR: Check the manipulator. SCIBUS: Readings confirm a computer controlled practice run. ICHTAR: It is time to stop this game. Activate the manipulator. Launch the missiles. [SCENE_BREAK] BULIC: Missile alert. PRESTON: Doctor DOCTOR: Yes, I hear. What does it mean? BULIC: Final countdown is imminent. TURLOUGH: What are you going to do? TEGAN: You must decide, Doctor. Billions of people could die. DOCTOR: Yes, all right. Turlough, get the grill open. Preston, fetch that pump. We have to feed the gas into the ventilation system. [SCENE_BREAK] SCIBUS: Missiles are armed and targeted. VORSHAK: You're mad. ICHTAR: The ape primitives have developed this weaponry. We cannot be held responsible for it. VORSHAK: Contact the heads of governments. Tell them your demands. They'll listen. ICHTAR: Your people have already had their chance. VORSHAK: Try one more time, for pity's sake. ICHTAR: It is too late for pity. It is much too late. [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: It'll take some time for the gas to spread throughout the Base. TEGAN: Will it be fast enough? DOCTOR: I hope it won't be necessary at all. If I can get to the bridge in time, I may be able to reason with Ichtar, persuade him to abandon the missile run. TURLOUGH: You've tried that already. DOCTOR: Yes, well, this time I'll have something to back my argument. [SCENE_BREAK] ICHTAR: Soon it'll all be over. TARPOK: There is computer resistance to the manipulator. VORSHAK: I said you wouldn't succeed. ICHTAR: Increase power, Tarpok. It seems that your computers are as stubborn as you are, Commander. [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: Now, I want you all to go back to the TARDIS. You'll be safer there whatever happens. BULIC: We've gone to yellow alert. DOCTOR: I must go. SAUVIX: So, Doctor, I have found you. [SCENE_BREAK] ICHTAR: Speak. SAUVIX (OOV.): I have found the Doctor. ICHTAR: And you have your orders. Kill him. [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: You must listen to me. SAUVIX: No, Doctor, you must die. But first, switch off the pump. TEGAN: She's dead. DOCTOR: A waste. TEGAN: Well, don't let her death count for nothing. DOCTOR: No. No, I must get to the bridge. TEGAN: Doctor, you'll need some help. DOCTOR: Yes, all right. Bring oxygen. We may need it. [SCENE_BREAK] SCIBUS: The computer has stabilised. TARPOK: The manipulator has regained control. ICHTAR: Now do you believe me, Commander? [SCENE_BREAK] DOCTOR: It's working, and quickly. I can't bargain with Ichtar if his guards are dead. [SCENE_BREAK] VORSHAK: No! ICHTAR: Fetch him. VORSHAK: I will not be responsible for the destruction of my own kind. ICHTAR: The final phase. ICHTAR: Disarm them! You're just in time to witness the missile launch, Doctor. DOCTOR: No, wait. Your warriors are dying everywhere. Abandon the base. TEGAN: Look, it's hexachromite gas. DOCTOR: Abandon the launch! There's still time to save your own lives. ICHTAR: There are millions more ready to replace us. DOCTOR: Who will replace you? With you dies the last of the Triad, the custodians of your race. What will become of your people then? ICHTAR: You talk in vain, Doctor. Kill them! Kill them! DOCTOR: Bulic, turn off the gas! ICHTAR: Commence ignition, Scibus! DOCTOR: The missiles are set to fire. How long have we got? VORSHAK: Less than three minutes. DOCTOR: What's the abort procedure? VORSHAK: Well, a phased electrical charge aimed directly at the ignition circuit. It restores the launch to simulation. DOCTOR: Well, it must be done at once. VORSHAK: It's impossible. Only a sync operator can do it, and Maddox is dead. DOCTOR: Well, I shall have to try. VORSHAK: But the computer would burn out your mind in seconds. DOCTOR: Oh, you have a better idea? VORSHAK: Very well, get into the seat. TURLOUGH: Doctor, try to disconnect the computer first. DOCTOR: No, no, there isn't time. VORSHAK: He's right. We're already on final countdown to ignition. DOCTOR: Tegan, look after the Silurians. Give them oxygen. VORSHAK: Now, I can perform the manual tasks, but you will have to do the rest. TEGAN: Good luck, Doctor. TURLOUGH: The strain's too great. He'll never manage it. VORSHAK: No. No, his mind is synchronised with the computer. Doctor, can you hear me? VORSHAK: I'm going to switch you through to the ignition circuit. TURLOUGH: The oxygen isn't having much effect. TEGAN: This one's coming round. TURLOUGH: See to the other Silurian there. VORSHAK: I've isolated the ignition circuit, Doctor. Can you identify it? Nod if you can. VORSHAK: Concentrate, Doctor. I will now feed in the charge. To burn out the circuit, concentrate and direct it. TEGAN: Turlough! VORSHAK: The charge must be in phase with the pulse of the circuit. If not, it will destroy you. TURLOUGH: Look out, Commander. VORSHAK: Now concentrate, Doctor. Let nothing distract you. VORSHAK: Now, Doctor! VORSHAK: You've done it. VORSHAK: He did it! TEGAN: He's alive. TURLOUGH: The Commander wasn't so lucky, I'm afraid. He's been shot. DOCTOR: Did I succeed? TEGAN: Yes, Doctor. TURLOUGH: They're all dead, you know. DOCTOR: There should have been another way.
Warriors of the Deep - part 4