3. Underground

FX: BBC Sounds Sting

ANNO Doctor Who: Redacted, Episode Three. Underground by Chris Cornwell.

SCENE 3.1. INT. GREASY SPOON – EVE

DRONE Submit, submit..

FX Laser fire smashes into the café. Apex's breathing is pained.

CLEO: Apex, you’re hurt!

APEX: I’m alright- postidian life preserver- took the worst of it. Is there anyone else in the café?

CLEO: Just us!

DRONE: Submit!

APEX: Give me that fire extinguisher.

CLEO: Uh, OK..?

FX The sound of Cleo passing Apex a fire extinguisher

APEX: (grunting) Maybe I can scram its reactor with a blast of carbon dioxide...

FX Apex lets rip with the extinguisher

DRONE: Countering!

FX We hear what sounds like a giant vacuum cleaner

DRONE: CO2 stored in capture tank. Reactor safe.

APEX: …Or maybe not.

CLEO: Any other bright ideas?

APEX: (beat) Turn on the gas cookers. All of them.

CLEO: What? You gonna gas it?

FX The click and flame of the café’s hobs being turned on

APEX: It’s using a thermal tracker. With every hob lit, we can overload it with heat signatures-

DRONE: Expelling CO2 in capture tank.

FX An extinguisher esque PSSSSHHH from the Drone, killing the flames

DRONE: Heat signatures purged.

APEX: (coughing a bit) Guess I set us up for that one.

CLEO: (coughing a bit) You think?

APEX: (cocky) Don’t worry. I’ve got something I’m really not supposed to have. A weapon of last resort. Keep your head down. Let’s see how our friend likes a-

APEX + DRONE: (overlapping) Quantum photon pacifier.

FX A blast of laser fire

DRONE: Countered.

APEX: Oh, come on!

CLEO: Do I still need to keep my head down?

DRONE: Surrender yourself to the right Honourable Lady Honour Bray.

Comply or be terminated. You have 20 seconds.

APEX: I’ve got an idea.

CLEO: What, bleed on it?

APEX: It's a simple predictive algorithm- if I can outsmart it-

DRONE: Ten seconds.

CLEO: How!? It knows everything you're going to do!

FX The sound of drone weaponry powering up. Cleo gets to her feet

DRONE: Five seconds.

CLEO: I’ve got a plan.

APEX: No, you’ve got a frying pan-

CLEO: Let’s see how it likes this-

APEX: Wait!

FX Cleo hops the counter. The sound of metal smashing into metal. Cleo screams as she hits the drone over and over again

DRONE: Vision impaired- flight module retasking- attempting reignitionnnnnnn-

CLEO: Counter that, you flying hubcap.

FX The drone powers down. Cleo, breathing heavily, is on a high

CLEO: There. Easy.

APEX: The drone was calibrated to capture me. It just wasn't expecting you-

CLEO: To hit it?

APEX: -repeatedly. With a frying pan. Yes.

CLEO: Worked, didn't it?

APEX: Crude, but highly effective.

CLEO: Me in a nutshell.

APEX: Dad always did say I overthought things. (BEAT) Cleo Proctor: You saved my life.

CLEO: (FLIRTY) I’d say that makes us even. (BEAT) Are you OK?

APEX: I think so. I’ve got a medical scanner. Could you lend a hand?

CLEO: Sure.

APEX: Twist the dial and hold it over the - thanks.

FX The medical scanner beeps. It sounds a bit like a geiger counter…

APEX: Okaaay. The drone was using a forced isotope blaster. Yeah.

Not really ideal.

CLEO: Why? What’s that?

APEX: Well, my armour stopped the blast, but… I just got dosed with 4000 rads of trionic radiation.

CLEO: That doesn’t sound good.

APEX: I’ll be OK for a couple of days. Then, umm, I’ll die.

CLEO: For real?

APEX: (SMALL STOIC LAUGH) Umm, yeah, like I said: Not ideal.

CLEO: Apex! Do we go to the hospital? Will they know how to handle…whatever you just said?

APEX: There’s a place I know, under London. I should be able to find a doctor there.

CLEO: Let’s go.

SCENE 3.2. INT. GLASGOW STREET

FX Abby and Shawna marching along a Glasgow street

CLEO VOICEMAIL Hi, this is Cleo, don’t leave me a message, it’s 2023.

ABBY: (FAST WALKING, INTO PHONE) Cleo! Please reply when you get this, PLEASE. Why aren’t you picking up? Look listen, things have gone really demented up here. Torchwood: real. Aliens: very real and very on the loose in Glasgow. For heaven’s sake give us a ring.

SHAWNA: (FAST WALKING) Do you think she’s in a huff with us – over the rat thing?

ABBY: No idea, but I could do without the worry on top of worry.

SHAWNA: She’s probably met a fella.

ABBY: [WRY] I said we had enough worries...

Footsteps come to a halt.

ABBY: That’s it. The Lennot Library.

SHAWNA: Abby, I don’t think we should do this. That thing…it had teeth…really sharp teeth.

ABBY: What are we gonna do? Call the police and say an alien hatchling might be in an old library?

SHAWNA: Well what about your fabled UNIT?

ABBY: They don’t have a hotline, Shawna.

SHAWNA: So what do we do?

ABBY: The library card is all we’ve got.

SHAWNA: We need weapons…

ABBY: Shawna, there’s no-one else. Look, it was tiny.

Between the two of us, we can, I don’t know, trap it or something. How bad can it be?

SCENE 3.3. INT. A LONDON TUBE STATION

FX Tube platform, Cleo helps Apex down the stairs.

APEX: (WEAK) I’ll be okay from here. Honestly. You can go.

CLEO: I’m not gonna leave you, am I?

APEX: Thanks for worrying.

CLEO: Well yeah, Mum always said caring is a curse, but we move. [beat] Come on, can you keep going?

APEX We’re almost at the entrance. Just down here.

FX They emerge onto the platform. A tube train roars through an underground station.

CLEO: Who knew you could get to an alien hideout on the Bakerloo line?

APEX: Aliens have been living harmlessly among you for centuries. Third, fourth generation settlers now. It’s a cocktail of alien subculture if you know where to look.

CLEO I do love a cocktail.

APEX: You just need the secret password to get into the bar…

CLEO: Oh really? Are you on the VIP?

APEX: Only way to travel.

APEX: Right. Here we go. Concealed entrance, obviously.

CLEO: Very Hoxton. I once went out with a guy to this bar where the entrance was a pretend launderette. He was very pleased with himself too. Go on then, show off, what’s the magic password? Open sesame?

APEX: Not quite…listen.

FX Apex begins to hum. A long, steady note.

CLEO: You alright there?

APEX: It's a harmonic lock. You have to sing the right chords.

FX Apex hums again

APEX: Is anyone else looking?

CLEO: One loved up couple, but they've got their hands full. Think we're alright.

APEX: OK, (APEX TAKES A DEEP BREATH, COUGHS) Sorry. I’m

too weak. You’ll have to do it.

CLEO: What?

APEX: Sing.

CLEO: I’m sorry?

APEX: The entrance is sentient. If it likes your song, it’ll let us in. (MAN FLU COUGHS) Please.

CLEO: Um. OK. Yeah. (CLEARS THROAT) Away in a manger no crib for a bed…

Apex starts to laugh.

CLEO: You massive – are you winding me up?

APEX: (SMILES) The door recognizes my genetic code from last time and knows I’m not a threat. Can’t believe you fell for it.

CLEO: We do not have time for this.

APEX: (PLAYFUL, MOCKING) Are you always this mean to people dying of radiation sickness?

CLEO: Only the really annoying ones. Now open that door so I can save your life.

FX The sound of a door sliding open

CLEO: You have got to be - [ASTOUNDED] The light... it's beautiful.

APEX: Anti-inertia corridor. It'll get us where we need to go. Are you ready?

CLEO: Yeah.

APEX: Take my hand.

CLEO: You know I don’t normally make a habit of getting into anti- inertia corridors with blokes I just met. I can trust you, can’t I?

APEX: Yes. I promise. You’re safe.

CLEO: OK…

FX A chord of power from the door. Cleo gasps as she starts to float.

CLEO: (SHOOK) Apex?! We're supposed to float, right?

APEX: Yes! Hold on!

FX A woosh of energy! The music kicks into melody as Cleo gasps

CLEO: This is amazing! You get about like this often?

APEX: All the time.

CLEO: Show off. What's that- the lights in the distance?

APEX: A safe haven, underneath London. They called it the London Underground.

CLEO: I think we’ve already got one of those-

APEX: Not like this you don’t. All across the galaxies, there are wars and genocides and famines and well…I help out where I can. I’ve helped people come here over the years when they need a

place to be safe. (BEAT) Are you ready?

CLEO: I’m ready.

APEX: Now jump!

SCENE 3.4. EXT. LENNOT LIBRARY

FX Quiet city atmos – traffic at a distance, but no-one on this street apart from Abby and Shawna’s footsteps as they approach then stop.

SHAWNA: Ohhhkay. The library is covered in police tape.

ABBY: But no police.

SHAWNA: And they’ve left the door wide open – in the middle of the night.

Never a good sign…

ABBY: Let’s just take a look...

SHAWNA: Abs…

ABBY: We can do this. Just stick together, OK? Whatever happens.

Don’t let go of my hand, Shawna.

SHAWNA Never.

SCENE 3.5. INT. LENNOT LIBRARY

FX The sound of a door opening. Shawna first. Abby following.

SHAWNA: (louder) Hello!?

ABBY: Shhhh- library!

SHAWNA: There's no-one here.

ABBY: That doesn’t make it better. Maybe we should come back tomorrow when it’s light?

SHAWNA: Hang on. There’s a PA system behind the desk.

ABBY: Don’t.

FX Shawna picks up the microphone

SHAWNA: (Over PA) Hello! Is anyone here? (LOUDER) We’re here to help! Anyone?

FX There’s a horrible whine of feedback

ABBY: Ow! Leave the volume control alone.

SHAWNA: (Over PA, LOUD) Anyone!?!?

FX Word lost in feedback

ABBY: Shawna.

FX Distant faint clicking. Whimpering.

SHAWNA: Did you hear that?

ABBY: No.

SHAWNA: You heard that. We’re out of here.

ABBY: No! Shawna. We have to. We don’t know what that thing at the hospital was. Maybe it’s hurt? Maybe it needs help? Just because it looked scary…we shouldn’t assume anything. It’s a baby! It’s the right thing to do…

SHAWNA: Can’t you just once do the wrong thing? Didn’t you ever get detention at school?

ABBY: No, where is this going?

SHAWNA: Wondering if you've always been like this. So disgustingly, adorably together.

ABBY: Well I got in trouble with the police once.

SHAWNA: (mock gasp) Most wanted Abby McPhail! Love it, tell me more.

ABBY: I was 15 and stupid. We were partying in the park, loudly, and it all got out of hand and someone called the police. I just remember having to explain it to mum. I told her I was so sorry. (BEAT) It's tough when you feel like- you're letting someone down if you're not perfect.

SHAWNA: Yeah. I'm beginning to get that.

FX Shawna picks up the microphone

SHAWNA: (OVER PA) Hello! One last chance. Hello?

FX Again the howl of feedback. And that insectoid clicking – pained.

ABBY: No. I don’t think it likes that.

SHAWNA: I think we need back-up, Abs…

ABBY: So we go?

SHAWNA: We go.

ABBY: Agreed.

FX A clunk as the lights start going off

ABBY: Shawna, what did you push? The lights are turning off!

SHAWNA: Nothing! I swear.

FX The last light clunks off. A beat of silence

ABBY: I can’t see a thing. We’re going. Door.

FX Sinister Clicking.

SHAWNA: Abby. Whatever that is. It’s between us and the door.

ABBY: Yes.

FX Clicking louder. And dragging towards them.

ABBY: Shawna?

SHAWNA: Run!

FX The sound of scuttering around us, above us, behind us

MONSTER: (ROAR)

SHAWNA & ABBY: (SCREAM)

FX As they start to run, terrible monstrous noises. Jump scare shriek!

SCENE 3.6. INT. THE LONDON CONCLAVE

FX Dozens of aliens moving around. There's chattering, movement, bargaining, though we can't understand any of it.

WILDTRACK: [ALIEN CHATTER, CLICKS AND GRUNTS]

APEX: Welcome to the market district.

CLEO: It's amazing.

APEX: I know, it’s a lot to take in. Aliens exist.

CLEO: I've met aliens before! Some of them have been amazing.

(BEAT) But I've never seen them just like this. It's- like Borough market. But with more-

APEX: Limbs? Heads? Compound eyes?

CLEO: Yeah.

APEX: Most aliens aren't looking for the mysteries of the universe, or to take over the human race. Most of them are just trying to get by. Just ordinary people. Like you.

CLEO: Ouch. But not you?

APEX: I’ve always felt a bit like an alien. Even amongst aliens. [BEAT] There it is.

CLEO: What?

APEX: The gift stall.

CLEO: You’ve got radiation poisoning. Is now a good time for gift- hunting?

APEX: There is always time for manners, Cleo Proctor. (TO SHOP KEEPER) Excuse me sir. I wish to purchase that Galdrium bracelet.

SHOP KEEPER: [Alien language]

FX A series of alien chimes.

CLEO: It’s so pretty.

APEX: It's nigh indestructible and shaping it takes technology you won't discover here for another millennium.

CLEO: (GENUINE) I’m- I’m flattered. You didn’t have to get me anything…

APEX: Oh. Um, no. Actually it’s not for you. Sorry, I thought…

CLEO OK. After you die of radiation poisoning, I can just die of pure shame.

APEX: This is for Rume. With any luck, she’ll be able to help me.

SCENE 3.7. INT. LIBRARY BASEMENT

FX Abby running between library stacks. Scuttling all around. Abby comes to a halt.

ABBY: (terrified breathing)

CLEO: (DISTANT) Abby? Is that you?

ABBY: (LOW, FRIGHTENED) Cleo! (FIRMER) Cleo! How did you get here?

CLEO: (CLOSER) It’s hella complicated. Trust me. Because we’ve got to be together. Okay?

ABBY: Okay.

CLEO: (CLOSER) Stay calm. Come towards me. And don’t run. It likes it when you run.

ABBY: It?

CLEO: (CLOSEST STILL) It.

ABBY: All right. Okay.

CLEO: (CONFIDING) It was the last. It was so alone.

FX Heavy breathing from Abby as she inches forwards. A phone begins to ring and Abby hurriedly picks it up.

ABBY: (RELIEVED) Shawna!

SHAWNA 1: (OVER PHONE) Abby, you're OK.

ABBY: Yeah, where are you? I’m with Cleo.

SHAWNA 1: (OVER PHONE) Abby. That’s not Cleo.

CLEO: (NEARBY) Abby? Abs? Where are you? Don’t leave us alone in the dark with it. Please.

SHAWNA 1: (OVER PHONE) That’s really not Cleo.

ABBY: Right. Wow.

CLEO: (FURTHER AWAY) Abby? I’m scared, Abs. Have you seen its teeth? It’s, like, Entirely Teeth.

SHAWNA 1: (OVER PHONE) Listen to me. Trust me. We’ll be fine. I’m by the reception desk. Make your way towards me.

ABBY: Which way’s that? I got turned around the in the dark.

SHAWNA 1: (OVER PHONE, ANNOYED) Abby.

CLEO: (DISTANT, PAINED) Abby! Where are you?

FX Shawna 2’s voice nearby

SHAWNA 2: (NEAR, PSST) Abby, it’s me.

ABBY: What?

SHAWNA 2: Abby!

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Who is that?

ABBY: Shawna?

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Who is that?

SHAWNA 2: Who are you talking to on the phone, Abby? Is it me?

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Abby! Listen to me!

SHAWNA 2: You need to hang up, now, Abby. Seriously.

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Abby!

ABBY: (WHISPERING) She sounds just like you. Wait- how do I know you’re the real you?

SHAWNA 2: Abby. I know you. Trust me. The last few months we've been together. They've been amazing.

ABBY: Yeah.

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Abby, that’s sweet, but you really need to not listen to the brain sucking alien.

SHAWNA 2: I was scared. Because we'd been friends for so long. But I’m no longer scared. And you aren’t either, are you?

ABBY: (RELIEVED) Shawna?

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Don’t listen to it!

SHAWNA 2: We’re perfect together. Now I’ve found you. I don’t want to be alone again.

ABBY: Same.

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE, DESPERATE) That thing is lying to you! Us – it’s not perfect.

ABBY: (stirring from her daze) Things aren’t perfect?

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) I want to be with you, it's just that - I gave up a lot to live in Glasgow. I love your mum and I don't mind working so you can do the podcast- but I don't know if you always see how much I'm doing. That’s what’s real, Abby. Please.

ABBY: (REACTIONS TO THIS UNDER)

SHAWNA 2: (SO CLOSE) There you are, Abby! I’ve found you.

SHAWNA 1: (ON PHONE) Abby! Abby!

ABBY: (CALM) No. (EFFORT AS)

FX Abby turns and runs. Insectoid clicking noise all around her.

CLEO: (CALLING) Abby! (MONSTER DISTORT) Abbbbby!

SHAWNA 2: (CALLING, MONSTER DISTORT) Abby! Abby!

ABBY: (RUNNING EFFORT)

FX Abby running through a nightmare.

SCENE 3.8. INT. RUME'S CRYSTAL CAVE

FX Sparkly diamond sounds.

CLEO: A cave full of diamonds. Kitsch, but I love it. Where's this Rume then?

APEX: (WEAK) Give me a minute. She’ll come. (RALLIES) Rume!

FX The sound of approaching footsteps – diamond hitting

diamond. RUME’s voice is harmonious, crystal sounds pulling together into a lovely, sonorant voice. She speaks with an East London accent.

RUME: Apex! Who’s your friend?

APEX: Cleo, this is Rume, a silicone based life-form from the Ganymede Nebula. Rume, this is Cleo Proctor.

CLEO: Hi Rume.

RUME: Alright Cleo.

APEX: Rume fled the War of the Seven Crescents five years ago. I helped her settle here.

CLEO: That sounds rough.

RUME: (A SAD CHUCKLE). Oh, it was.

APEX: I need another favour.

RUME: Another one? We’ve already cleared up those giant rats.

APEX: C’mon – if you’d looked after your chemical waste recyclers

better there wouldn’t have been any giant rats in the first place.

RUME: Blame the landlord.

APEX: (SHARED JOKE) Yeah. Look. (FORMAL) As the Salnack tradition dictates, I wish to trade a valuable gift for sanctuary and medical help. A Galdrium bracelet. Please, accept it with my gratitude and best wishes.

CLEO: (whispered) Apex. Should I be bowing? I don’t want to cause an intergalactic incident.

RUME: Oh, Apex, keep it. I can’t accept gifts from you, you saved my life. And don’t worry Cleo. Ceremony was more my parents’ thing.

CLEO: Your accent, it’s-

RUME: Not what you expect? My species, we attune, vibrate with every rock and pebble where we live. Everywhere we go, we take on a bit of local flavour.

CLEO: You’re incredible. I’ve never seen anything like you. A walking diamond!

RUME: I’m just a Londoner now, dearie.

CLEO: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be - weird. I’m from the Powell Estate.

RUME: Erk!

CLEO: What?

RUME: South of the river?

FX A brief, crystalline chuckle from Rume

CLEO: Powell's not perfect. It's mine though.

RUME: Yeah. This place isn't always somewhere to brag about either, but it’s home. The London Underground, as he calls it. You should have done a bit more research there, Apex.

CLEO: Bloody tourists, eh?

APEX: (MAN FLU COUGH) Still dying here.

RUME: What is it?

APEX: I got hit by a forced isotope blast. I’m carrying about 4000 rads of trition radiation.

RUME: I’m so sorry Apex. Had a run-in with one of Honour’s drones?

CLEO: Honour - the drone mentioned her. Who is she?

RUME: Honour? She's the new landlord of The Underground. Place is falling apart, rents are going up, and when we don't pay, she sends in her drones to clear us out.

CLEO: You're saying that death drone we fought earlier... was a bailiff?

Wait, that actually kind of makes sense.

RUME: Radiation blaster? You must have offended her greatly, Apex Costa.

CLEO: Landlords.

APEX: Rume. Can you help me?

RUME: I’m sorry Apex. Honour’s blocked any medical supplies from coming in. No new technology’s arrived for months. Food’s running low. Pretty miserable vibes to be honest.

APEX: (STOIC, BUT HURTING) Right. Ok. Thank you Rume.

RUME: I am sorry. Your best bet is the lower levels. People are talking – something mysterious has been seen down there. Like nothing they’ve seen before. It might be something that can help.

CLEO: Then that’s where we’re going.

RUME: Sorry I couldn’t do better. Good luck. Both of you.

SCENE 3.9. INT. LIBRARY BASEMENT

FX The hideous, insectoid clicking echoes. Two running figures bump into each other in the dark.

SHAWNA & ABBY: (IMPACT GASP)

SHAWNA: (WHISPERING) Abby? Abby?

ABBY: (SOFT GASP) Shawna? Is that you?

SHAWNA: (WHISPERING) Is that you?

ABBY: (MORE NORMAL, SUSPICIOUS) I thought you were waiting by reception.

SHAWNA: (MORE NORMAL) I came looking for you.

ABBY: Well now I’ve found you.

SHAWNA: Wait. Back then - how did you know it’s me?

ABBY: Because I didn’t know you felt that way.

SHAWNA: Right. I’m sorry – about saying all that.

ABBY: S’okay. I can live with you not being perfect, so long as you’re real.

SHAWNA: Noted. (BEAT) But let’s shelve the heart-to-heart for a time when we aren’t being hunted.

ABBY: It sounded just like you…

SHAWNA: I think it killed everyone in the library. And the police.

ABBY: Why?

SHAWNA: Well, it has a new body now.

ABBY: What do we do?

SHAWNA: Fire escape over there. Come on.

FX They move forward. The hideous, insectoid clicking circle some distance away.

ABBY: It knows we’re heading for the door. It’s blocking us off.

SHAWNA: Abby. I know this is stressful in about a million different ways.

But you don’t need to hold my hand so tight.

ABBY: Shawna… I’m not holding onto your hand.

FX You could hear a pin drop in the silence. Then, the sound of Shawna being violently pulled across the ground. Clicking growing. Monstrous roaring.

SHAWNA: (CRIES OUT) It’s got me! It’s got me!

SHAWNA: (CRIES AND WAILS AS SHE IS DRAGGED AWAY)

FX We follow Shawna, dragged in terror away by the creature. Insectoid clicking and howling, and then a pause. A guttural pause, a feeling of seven jaws opening.

SHAWNA: (PANICKED BREATHING)

CLEO: (MONSTER DISTORT) Not alone now.

FX Monster rears up – then click and buzz of the PA system.

ABBY: (OVER PA) Shawna!

SHAWNA: (CALLING) Abby! Get out of here.

ABBY: (OVER PA) No. Not leaving you.

SHAWNA: (CALLING) Abby.

ABBY: (OVER PA) Remember earlier, I told you not to touch the volume.

FX Little bit of feedback – Creature winces.

SHAWNA: (CALLING) What are you doing?

ABBY: (OVER PA) Breaking the rules! (EFFORT AS)

FX She turns the volume up to 11 and the PA system howlaround goes wild. The creature shrieks and shrieks and explodes. Hissing debris fizzes on the ground

MONSTER: (HOWLING)

SHAWNA: (PAINED GASPS)

FX The clicking of the lights returning to life. Abby comes running over.

ABBY: (EFFORT) Shawna Shawna Shawna! Are you okay? Are you okay? Are you okay?

SHAWNA: (GASPING) Yeah.

FX They hug.

ABBY: (HUGGING) It didn’t like it earlier – and I remembered what happened at the hospital – it went mad when we set off the alarm. I figured…

SHAWNA: (HUGGING BACK) It hated loud noises! You’re a genius!

Thank you. Oh god.

SHAWNA: We’ve stopped it. It was definitely gonna eat us or wear our bodies. Now, please, can we get gone?

FX Hissing debris fades.

ABBY: Not until we find why it came here.

SCENE 3.10. EXT. LONDON UNDERGROUND - DOWNSTAIRS

FX Alien bustle, slightly quieter.

FX Food market bustle. Meat sizzles in wok.

CLEO: Oh wow. That smells amazing. I’m starving.

APEX: I wouldn’t.

CLEO: Not falafel?

APEX: Definitely not falafel. I think it’s giant rat.

CLEO: Oh I hear you.

APEX: This way.

FX They turn a corner and the sounds recede. Crunching footsteps on gravel. It’s quiet. Eerie.

CLEO: Apex – you okay? You don’t look too great.

APEX: I’m - fine.

CLEO: This bit isn't quite as fancy.

APEX: It's downstairs. Temporary buildings for people we don't treat like people.

CLEO: Where is everyone?

APEX: They're watching. They just don't want to be seen.

CLEO: They're scared? Of us? That doesn't feel good.

APEX: (SHOUTING) We’re not with Honour.

FX The sound of approaching wings

CLEO: Who is that?

FX Child-like alien speech. We don't understand it

APEX: It's a cloud belt flier. A child, judging by his wing span. And a curious one. It's OK. Do you have that Galdrium bracelet Cleo?

CLEO: Yeah, of course.

APEX: I'm leaving it here for you. It's yours.

FX The sound of wings flying off at high speed.

CLEO: Buying safe passage?

APEX: No - just - wanted to leave something good behind. For once.

FX Apex and Cleo continue to walk down the street.

SCENE 3.11. INT. LENNOT LIBRARY SECRET CHAMBER

FX A massive iron door swings on broken hinges as Shawna pushes it.

SHAWNA: (EFFORT) Abby! Look at this.

FX She steps into an echoing chamber, Abby following.

ABBY: Is…was that a vault door? This building must have been a bank at some point. I wonder what they were keeping in here?

SHAWNA: Scary alien bodysnatcher? It must have infected Archie in here and walked out inside his body…

ABBY: But it came back. Why?

SHAWNA: It said it couldn’t stand being alone. Are there more here?

ABBY: Look at this place. It’s massive. Shawna. What was it?

SHAWNA: I - I think we’ve found Torchwood.

SCENE 3.12. EXT. LONDON UNDERGROUND - DOWNSTAIRS

FX Cleo and Apex walking – really eerie.

CLEO: Apex. That child back there. You rescued them, didn’t you?

How many of these creatures did you bring here?

APEX: Not enough. But I’ve done my best. Told you – my special subject is endangered species. Once I found out about this place I did all could to relocate them here. Say what you will about Sol 3, sorry, Earth, but it’s temperate, roomie, plenty of resources to go round.

CLEO: Hmm. There would be if people shared them. But, seriously, that’s really decent of you.

APEX: (WINCES) Thanks.

CLEO: Are you OK?

APEX: Not great.

CLEO: What happens if this mysterious object can’t help?

APEX: Then I’ll die. Sorry.

He groans in pain.

CLEO: Stay with me, stay with me. Tell me a story…tell me…your biggest screw-up.

APEX: Apart from this one?

CLEO: Apart from this one. Come onnnn. We’re miles underground, running from killer drones, and you’re practically glowing with radiation. If you’re not going to spill your heart out now, then when?

APEX: I don’t-

CLEO: Nothing you can say will shock me.

APEX: I suppose, given the circumstances...

CLEO: Keep going.

APEX: I come from a long line of agents. My father, his father before him, and his father before him... all decorated heroes of the ICB.

CLEO: Like you.

APEX: There was a lot riding on me. Carry on the family name. Believe it or not, I’m a huge disappointment.

CLEO: You’re not.

APEX: My father would disagree. I’m the family flop.

CLEO: You saved me. You were kind to that little girl. You’re not a flop Apex. Not at all.

A loaded silence.

FX beeping from Apex’s device breaks the sexy moment.

APEX: Oh. I picked up a signal.

CLEO: Right. Of course.

FX - Beeping getting faster and faster. Apex and Cleo pick up the pace.

APEX: It says there’s something down here. We’re closing in on it.

There. That alley. That’s us.

CLEO: [AWE] Apex… It’s the TARDIS.

SCENE 3.13. INT. LENNOT LIBRARY SECRET CHAMBER

FX Shawna and Abby exploring a vast place full of ruins.

ABBY: Shawna – if this is Torchwood’s HQ…

SHAWNA: Bet you it is.

ABBY: Then it’s been emptied out. Someone’s broken in and nicked all of Torchwood.

SHAWNA: Yeah. (PAUSE) See that cage.

ABBY: A jail. Guess Torchwood kept prisoners as well. Whoever our thief is let that creature out.

SHAWNA: Why?

ABBY: Accident? On purpose?

SHAWNA: They stole everything but they left that creature behind.

ABBY: Maybe – they thought they were doing something good. (BEAT) Or it was very persuasive. There’s something I should say.

SHAWNA: OK.

ABBY: See that time I got caught by the cops and taken back home? Well I didn’t tell you the truth. I was… so angry at mum. I yelled and told her that I couldn't be a normal kid because I had to look after her all the time and she cried.

SHAWNA: Why didn’t you tell me?

ABBY: Because - I'm not perfect, Shawna. But I like you thinking I am. I like the version of me that you think I am.

SHAWNA: Okay. Unhinged, but sweet. Abby…I love you. I love you. The real, annoying, Type-A, Abby. Warts and all.

ABBY There are no actual warts.

SHAWNA I know. But I wouldn’t care if there were.

ABBY I love you too, you know that right?

SHAWNA I do.

They kiss tenderly.

SHAWNA OK, we need to do something about this; here.

ABBY There’s a thief. Someone raided three Torchwood sites. Stealing what I assume are alien artefacts. Or weapons.

SHAWNA Why?

ABBY That’s what we have to find out.

SCENE 3.14. INT. LONDON CONCLAVE – DOWNSTAIRS

CLEO: I can’t believe we’ve found the TARDIS. Makes sense though. She’d so turn up here – I bet she’s brought refugees here too. You’ll like her. Come on.

APEX: I can’t do this.

CLEO: Relax. You’ll be fine.

APEX: There’s something I need to tell you -

CLEO: (NOT LISTENING) Doctor! Hope you’re home.

FX Cleo knocks on the door.

CLEO: OK, that’s weird. Did that just…shimmer? Did you see that?

APEX: Cleo, get back!!

FX The sound of a forcefield powering down.

APEX: It’s not a Tardis. It’s a hologram projector. A trap!

FX The familiar buzzing of a drone.

DRONE: Halt! Cleo Proctor and Apex Costa.

CLEO: Aw, what?

DRONE: All hail the arrival of the right Honourable Lady Honour Bray!

FX The sound of approaching footsteps

HONOUR: Honestly, Apex, if you’d just replied to the last fifty transmissions I sent I wouldn’t have had to lure you here. [BEAT] I assume you’ll be wanting the anti-trion serum?

APEX Thank you.

HONOUR Not so fast.

CLEO Just give him it! He’s dying!

HONOUR Is this the latest bit on the side, Apex?

CLEO: Oi! If anything he’s my bit on the side.

APEX: Honour, I was going to get in touch-

HONOUR: I’m sorry about this Cleo, but everything this man has told you is a lie. You deserve to know. I deserved that too, didn’t I Apex?

CLEO: Apex? What is she talking about?

APEX: Not now, Honour. Please…just give me the serum.

HONOUR: (SUDDEN VENOM) I don’t owe you a thing. What did he tell you? That he’s a Time Lord? Time Agent? Or is he from good old ICBA this time?

APEX: I-

CLEO: Apex?

HONOUR: He’s a thief. Not just any ordinary thief either. A master thief of rare artworks and antiquities... and he’s promised to steal me a TARDIS.

The music builds into a threatening synth and ends abruptly with a distortion. Before building into a gleefully Whovian, alien symphony of synths and electric keyboard that cuts off into piano that continues under the rest of the credits.

END CREDITS Doctor Who: Redacted. Episode Three. Underground by Chris Cornwell. Starring Charlie Craggs as Cleo Proctor, Lois Chimimba Abby Mcphail, Holly Quin-Ankrah Shawna Thompson, Freddy Carter Apex Costa, Dervla Kirwan Honour Bray, Teri Ann Bobby-Baxter as Rume and Wilf Scolding as Drone. Directed by Bethany Weimers, Producer James Goss, Sound design by Thea Cochrane, Original Composition by David Devereux. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.