Script for Aftermath

by Terry Nation

Directed by: Vere Lorrimer

(c) 1979 by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Series created by Terry Nation. This is a complete dialogue transcript for research purposes and is not for sale under any circumstances. Format (c) 1994 by Susan Clerc, Amanda Rothman, Nicole Vifian and Micky DuPree.

Dramatis Personae

AvonPaul Darrow
CallyJan Chappell
Vila RestalMichael Keating
ServalanJacqueline Pearce
OracPeter Tuddenham
ZenPeter Tuddenham
Dayna MellanbyJosette Simon
Hal MellanbyCy Grant
ChelAlan Lake
LaurenSally Harrison
First TrooperRichard Franklin
Second TrooperMichael Melia
Del TarrantSteven Pacey

Uncredited:
Battle Commander
Walk-ons:
Alan Mechen
David Christian
Bobby Webber
Jason West
Brian Montant


[Spaceship fly-bys and space battles]

[Liberator flight deck]

ZENEnemy strategy is now confirmed. Battle computers indicate full alien counterattack is underway.

[Scene cuts between the battle and the apparently empty flight deck]

COMMANDER[V.O.] Battle Commander, squadron six, to flagship. Star One is destroyed. Do you copy? Repeat: aliens have destroyed Star One. Flagship, do you copy?
CALLY[V.O.] System malfunction on blocks two and three.
AVON[V.O.] Vila, go and check the life support capsules.
VILA[V.O.] On my way.
AVON[V.O.] Zen. Status report.
ZENDamage to the navigation computers is beyond the present capacity of the auto-repair systems. The teleport malfunction is now total. Automatic shutdown has been implemented.

[Liberator life capsule corridor. Vila inspects indicators]

VILAWell, that's all right.[An explosion causes smoke and falling debris in the corridor. A fire breaks out. Vila speaks into comm] Avon. The life capsules ARE operational. Let's get out while we still can. Avon. Avon!

[Sarran surface, beach and sea. Three warriors on horseback watch explosions in the sky]

CHELThis is the day that was prophesied. The day our Law foretold. They will come from the sky to destroy us. They will burn the stars to light their way. We must be prepared.
WARRIORLook! [Something arcs across the sky, crashes and explodes]
CHELIt begins. Hunt them down. Destroy the strangers. Hunt them down and kill them. Kill them! KILL THEM! [Warriors shout and gallop toward crash site]

[Life capsule corridor]

ZENDamage control estimates breakdown is now beyond the capacity of auto-repair systems in all areas. Serious malfunction in life support would indicate evacuation by life capsule a priority one requirement. [Vila opens a life support capsule and checks inside. Avon and Cally enter the corridor with Orac and its carrying case]
VILAWe've got to get out of here. [To Cally] Where have you been? Where have you been?
CALLYBlake didn't want to leave.
VILAWell, I do!
AVONI'm surprised you're still here.
VILAWhere's Jenna? We haven't got to wait for her, have we?
CALLYJenna's gone with Blake.
AVONSo let's get on with it. [Explosion. Avon is unconscious]
CALLYHe's out cold. We must get him into a capsule fast. And then you can put Orac in with him. Come on, quick!
VILAI've only got one pair of hands, you know. [Another explosion]
ZENConfirmation is now accepted. Computers recommend immediate evacuation by life capsule. [Cally and Vila check on Avon in the capsule]
CALLYHe should be all right.
VILABut Cally, he won't be able to operate the launch button.
CALLYWe can do it on remote. Come on. [They withdraw from capsule, and its door closes. Capsule launch seen from outside LIBERATOR]
VILA[Cally enters capsule] All right?
CALLYYes.
ZENDamage control estimates total failure of life support system in thirty-nine seconds. [Vila stabs a button to open another]
VILAIt won't open!
CALLY[Exits her capsule] I'll check the overrides.
ZENLife support systems will cease to operate in twenty seconds. [Begins countdown in background]
CALLYThe relay's been cut. I'll have to reset it. [She sets to work on it and hands him a tool] Hold this.
VILACome on, hurry up, hurry up! [pause] Get on with it, get on with it!

[Avon's capsule hurtles through the outer planetary atmosphere. He regains consciousness. A red light pulses]

AVONToo fast. Too fast. Going to burn up.[Tries to reach the light, but can't quite] Orac, you'll have to handle it. Instruct the computer. Get us down. Get. Us. Down. [Passes out]

[Planet surface. Two Federation troopers drop to rest]

TROOPER 1That was close.
TROOPER 2Are we the only ones who got out?
TROOPER 1Could well be, sir. Most of my section were dead before we hit. Have you any idea where we are, sir?
TROOPER 2Planet called Sarran, I think. I wasn't able to get a firm fix. Does it matter?
TROOPER 1No, sir, no. I'm very grateful to be out of the battle. And alive.
TROOPER 2Do you know how many alien ships were confirmed killed?
TROOPER 1Five hundred at the last count, sir.
TROOPER 2I heard it was nearer six.
TROOPER 1Six hundred?
TROOPER 2Historic victory, that's what they'll call it.
TROOPER 1[Groans] Ohh.
TROOPER 2How does it feel to have made history?
TROOPER 1Very painful, sir.
TROOPER 2We lost over eighty percent of the fleet, you know.
TROOPER 1Eighty percent?
TROOPER 2We only won because there were more of us than there were of them. If you call that winning. Look - there's another one of them.

[Light streaks toward the ground from the sky]

TROOPER 1Did you see what it was, sir?
TROOPER 2Life capsule, I think.
TROOPER 1Yeah, but was it one of ours?
TROOPER 2Couldn't tell.
TROOPER 1I'd be very careful if I were you, sir. There could be some alien survivors down.
TROOPER 2Oh, we're all right. We're our of the war, now! Come on.

[Three Sarrans on horseback approach. The troopers struggle up the hill but Chel catches up to them and kills them. The Sarrans ride away]

[Sarran beach. The smoking life capsule door raises as the Sarrans approach]

CHELDismount. [Avon weakly crawls out, Liberator gun in hand. A warrior runs to attack him. Avon points the gun but nothing happens. The warrior kicks the gun from his hand, rolls Avon and straddles him, then pulls his short sword to deliver the death blow. He falls over dead with an arrow in his back. Dayna fires a second arrow into the sand at the feet of the other Sarrans and they run away. Dayna then runs to Avon, who is unconscious]

[A small cave. Avon, unconscious, lays on hide covers. Dayna collects water in a bowl, dabs water on Avon's forehead. Avon opens his eyes and starts forward]

DAYNAAre you feeling better?
AVONNot really. But at least I'm still alive. If I were dead I don't think I'd have this blinding headache. [Dayna kisses him]
AVONWhat was that for?
DAYNACuriosity.
AVONI'm all in favor of healthy curiosity. I hope yours isn't satisfied too easily. I think you've cured my headache.
DAYNAWhat's your name?
AVONAvon.
DAYNAYou are very beautiful, Avon.
AVONSo are you.
DAYNADayna.
AVONAre you a native of this planet?
DAYNAThe ones who tried to kill you are the natives. Do I look like them?
AVONSo where do you come from?
DAYNAI was born on Earth. My father brought me here when I was a baby.
AVONAre there many Earth people here?
DAYNAJust father and myself.
AVONJust the two of you?
DAYNAAnd Lauren. She's of this planet, but she's lived with us since she was a child.
AVONThree of you. How do you survive? The natives, what do you call them?
DAYNAThe Sarrans.
AVONThe Sarrans don't seem exactly friendly.
DAYNAThey don't trouble us much. Father says they were a problem when we first arrived, now they leave us alone. They're afraid of us. They're afraid of me, particularly.
AVONPresumably, it's the bow and arrow.
DAYNAI like the ancient weapons -- the spear, the sword, the knife. They demand more skill. When you fight with them conflict becomes more personal. More exciting.
AVONMore dangerous.
DAYNAOf course. Without danger there's no pleasure.
AVONThat must limit your range of pleasures a bit.
DAYNA[laughs] You're feeling stronger.
AVONYes, I am.
DAYNAI'll take you to our base.
AVONIs it far?
DAYNANo. You should manage it.
AVONOrac!
DAYNAWhat?
AVONWhen you found me, I had a box with me, about this size.
DAYNAThere was nothing.
AVONThen it must still be in the life capsule. You have got to take me back to the place where you found me. Now.
DAYNACome.

[On the beach. A Sarran looks inside capsule, removes Orac's case and throws it down. Dayna pulls Avon down]

AVONWe must keep moving.
DAYNANo, just a minute. Look. [Four Sarrans walk away from them] It's safe now, we can go on.
AVONYou are very good at this.
DAYNAI told you. I enjoy it. Don't you?
AVONI have had enough excitement for a while. Right now a little boredom wouldn't come amiss.
DAYNARight. Come on. [They descend a dune]
AVONIt's all right. There it is. I'll get it.
DAYNAWait.
AVONYou keep watch. [Avon picks up and throws away gun, then moves toward the case]
DAYNAAvon! [The Sarran attacks, Avon fights and knocks him down, then picks up Orac]
DAYNAYou fight well.
AVONOnly when I have to. [She draws the bow on the downed Sarran] What are you doing?
DAYNAHe's your enemy.
AVONHe's no danger now. Leave him.
DAYNAIf the situation was reversed, he would have killed you.
AVONHis friends might still manage it. Leave him.[Walks away]
DAYNA[Turns, looks at Avon] I should have killed him.

[Another part of the beach. Servalan watches Sarran group pass]

SERVALANOpen transmission for immediate relay to Federation fleet command. Message begins. Escort group nine destroyed en route to main battle zone. President Servalan forced down on planet Sarran. Rescue is now your first priority. Repeat: rescue takes precedence over everything. Message ends. Acknowledge transmission. [White noise] Answer me, damn you, answer me! [More white noise. She notices the dead troopers, gets to her feet holding a gun and walks away]

[Avon and Dayna walk on the beach. They come upon a gruesome figure: the rotting corpse of a man tied by the wrists to a makeshift pillory.]

AVONDayna!
DAYNAThat's what Chel does to those he doesn't like.
AVONChel?
DAYNAThe leader of the Sarrans.

[Chel and several others ransack the life capsule]

CHELShakar! This way. [They follow Avon and Dayna's trail]

[Avon stops]

DAYNACan I help you?
AVONI'm all right. How much further?
DAYNAYou'll see it in a moment. Come. [They go a little further and crouch behind a dune. Dayna points at the sea] There.
AVONI don't see anything.
DAYNAThe sea!
AVONOh, I can see the sea.
DAYNAThat is our base.
AVONYou live underneath it?
DAYNAIn it.
AVONIn it? Listen, I'm not very keen on water sports even at the best of times.
DAYNADon't worry.
AVONThis is not the best of times.
DAYNAYou won't even get your feet wet. Wait here. I'll check it's safe to go on.[Leaves]
AVONWell, I hope she's not totally insane. Under these circumstances that could be a little bit embarrassing.

[Sarran group passes corpse and pillory]

[Muzzle of a gun touches Avon's cheek]

SERVALANStay quite still.
AVONServalan.
SERVALANYou don't sound surprised.
AVONWhy should I be? It has a perverse kind of logic to it. Our meeting is the most unlikely happening I could imagine. Therefore we meet. Surprise seems inappropriate somehow.
SERVALANStand up. Over there. Where are Blake and the others?
AVONI haven't the remotest idea. I'm not even sure that they're alive. I was unconscious. Somebody must have gotten me into a life capsule.
SERVALANAnd Orac with you. I shall need Orac.
AVONWhere's your ship?
SERVALANPlastered over a large area of this miserable planet.
AVONYou should've stayed at Space Command Headquarters.
SERVALANThe battle was virtually over. A personal appearance is always good politics. Especially for a new president.
AVONCongratulations. Why don't you put away the gun?
SERVALANWhy should I?
AVONGood politics?
SERVALANI'd need a better reason.
AVONHow about an arrow through the head? [Dayna walks behind Servalan, bow drawn]
SERVALANIf she fires, the chances are that I would still pull the trigger. Do you want to risk it?
AVONIt's out of my hands.
SERVALANPerhaps we can come to some arrangement.
DAYNAThen you'd better come to it quickly. I've no arrows left for them. [Sarrans approach on the beach]
SERVALANIn the circumstances, I suggest we forget our differences.
AVONGive me the gun.
SERVALAN[Tosses it to the ground] That won't stop them. It's empty.
AVONIt's a great pity that you and I have always been on opposite sides, Servalan.
DAYNAYou can talk later. Now we must hurry.[She runs on beach and opens the hatch, Avon runs up with her bow and arrow and Orac. The Sarrans are in pursuit] Hurry! [Dayna takes the bow and arrow and prepares to shoot. Avon and Servalan go into the hatch. One warrior falls with an arrow in his neck]
CHELLeave him! [Dayna enters hatch, pulls down cover. Chel tugs futilely at hatch cover]

[Main section of Mellanby's base. A soft background hum]

AVONA space vehicle grounded on the sea bed.
DAYNAIt was designed as a fixed orbit station. My father landed it here more than twenty years ago. Putting it under the surface gave it the best possible camouflage. And it worked. They looked for us, but they never found us.
SERVALANUntil now.
DAYNAThe Sarrans? They were never the real problem.
SERVALANWhat's your father's name?
DAYNAHal Mellanby.
AVONMean anything to you?
SERVALANNo.
DAYNAI will tell my father you are here.
AVONThank you.
SERVALANI would like to clean up if I may. And perhaps you could find me something to wear?
DAYNAOf course. Come with me. [They exit, Avon examines a gun on a worktable that holds several weapons. Mellanby enters. He wears dark glasses, a gold starburst medallion, and a large disk with a glass bulb extending from it]
MELLANBYWelcome. You're Avon. Dayna told me you were here. I'm Hal Mellanby.
AVONGood to meet you. Thank you for your hospitality.
MELLANBYYou've been involved in the war.
AVONYou could say that. We were damaged, had to abandon our ship.
MELLANBYCome and sit down.
AVONThank you.
MELLANBYYou're not alone in losing your ship. The losses on both sides have been tremendous. I've been monitoring the status transmissions.
AVONDid we win? [Mellanby hands him a small listening device, which Avon puts to his ear]
MELLANBYStill very confused, but there's not much doubt the aliens were virtually wiped out.
AVONWell, the price was high enough, but at least we got what we paid for.
MELLANBYYou almost didn't. It was a close-run thing. What's left of the Federation fleet, which isn't much, is scattered halfway across the galaxy. I'd say the Federation's in a lot of trouble.
AVONYes, it's difficult to sustain a military dictatorship when you've lost most of the military. [Mellanby laughs] I only hope Blake survived long enough to realize that he was winning -- both wars.
MELLANBYBlake? You were with Blake?
AVONYes, though it hardly seems to matter now. If it ever did.
MELLANBYIf it mattered? Blake and the Liberator? I've been hearing reports for the last couple of years. You were magnificent.
AVONNot from where I was sitting.
MELLANBYYou're doubly welcome here, Avon. We have something in common, too. We're both fugitives from the Federation.
AVONDayna told me you had enemies.
MELLANBYI've been hiding here for a long time.
AVONWhat was your crime?
MELLANBYIt wasn't a crime. But there's still a price on my head: three million credits.
AVONYou must be very special.
MELLANBYI constituted a threat to them.
AVONThen I'm afraid by asking us to come here, you may have put yourself in danger. The woman who was with me is Supreme Commander Servalan. She may even be President Servalan by now.
MELLANBYServalan? I've heard of her. Yes, she came into power some years after my defection. It's possible she doesn't remember my case.
AVONDon't count on it. Servalan has a long memory.
MELLANBYIf it comes to the point, I shall take whatever actions are necessary to protect my freedom. For her sake, it would be better that she doesn't remember.

[Dayna's room]

DAYNAWill this be all right? [Hold up a purple dress] I think it should fit you.
SERVALANOh, very attractive. A little old fashioned, and not my colour, but it'll do very nicely.
DAYNANot too young for you?
SERVALANOh, I don't think so, do you? I find unsophisticated clothes quite amusing, like unsophisticated people. Obvious, but amusing. [Dayna laughs]
SERVALANYou say you've been here quite a long time? [Dayna moves behind a screen to change]
DAYNASince I was a small child.
SERVALANIt must be very boring for you.
DAYNANot at all. There never seems to be enough time. I have my tutorials with the computers. I like hunting and walking, and I work with my father.
SERVALANDoing what?
DAYNAWe design and develop defense systems.
SERVALANReally? That must be fascinating. For whom do you develop these systems? Other exiles, like yourselves?
DAYNAWe're not exiles. We chose to come here.
SERVALANBut I thought you said you were in hiding, that the Federation were searching for you.
DAYNA[Enters in new outfit] I didn't mention the Federation.
SERVALANOh, how pretty. Why else would you hide? A Federation citizen need fear nothing.
DAYNAYou really believe that?
SERVALANOf course. The Federation exists to protect its people.
DAYNAEven from themselves?
SERVALANI don't understand.
DAYNAIs it a crime to be independent? Father wanted independence. The Federation refused him permission to leave Earth so he had to leave secretly.
SERVALANAnd this burning desire for independence -- was this his only reason for leaving Earth?
DAYNAWhat do you mean?
SERVALANWell, to hide away for twenty-odd years on some remote outer planet seems a trifle obsessive. Was there some other reason for his running away?
DAYNANo.
SERVALANA Federation citizen who fails to register a change of location commits only a minor offense. Only a small fine is imposed. It must have been something more important than that to stop you returning home.
DAYNAThere's nothing else. We just don't want to go back, that's all. We're not criminals; we're not hiding. We stay here because we want to.
SERVALANYou mustn't let me upset you. It's just that I'm fascinated by your life here. I'm so grateful to you. I don't know what I would have done without you up on the surface. You saved my life. And that's a debt I want to repay. So, [caresses Dayna's cheek] I hope we're going to be friends.
DAYNAI hope so, too. Is there anything else I can get for you?
SERVALANThank you, no. You've already been more than kind.
DAYNAThen you finish changing. I'll wait for you in the main section.
SERVALANI'll be with you in just a few moments. [Thinks] Hal Mellanby!

[Main section]

MELLANBYHold this. [Hands Avon an odd gun, and opens a window in the wall]
AVONA test firing area.
MELLANBYThat's right. Try it. [A cut-out creature appears in the firing range and Avon fires at it]
AVONImpressive. It seemed to aim itself. I felt it pulling my hand around to the target.
MELLANBYThe weapon has programmable memory. You preset an image of the target, and it automatically lines up on it.
AVONRemarkable.
MELLANBYA useful piece of equipment.
AVONHow long did it take you to develop this?
MELLANBYI didn't. That one was Dayna's project. She has a genius with weaponry systems, and that isn't just a father's pride.
AVONAnd yet with all this to choose from, she still goes around with a bow and arrows.
MELLANBYShe takes absurd risks. I try to discourage her, but I think she's trying to prove to herself that there's no weapon, ancient or modern, that she can't master.
AVONForgive me asking, but that device you're wearing ... [Indicates the glass bulb]
MELLANBYThis? It's an image amplifier. Before I left Earth, I was taken in for questioning by Federation Security. They suspected me of supplying weapons to resistance groups. And they were right. Anyway, in persuading me to talk they were slightly overzealous. They destroyed my optic nerves. This thing gives me partial vision.
AVONI'm sorry.
MELLANBYNo need. It's an attitude of the mind. Most men see only what they want to see. The difference in my case is that I know that my vision is limited. [Loud, hollow gong sounds and repeats]
AVONWhat is it?
MELLANBYI don't know. [Lauren enters]
LAUREN[Enters] Do you hear it, Father?
AVONAny idea where it came from?
LAURENThere's nothing inside the ship.
MELLANBYAvon, this is Lauren, my adopted daughter. She and Dayna grew up together.
LAURENThere it is again.
MELLANBYCheck the surface scan. [Lauren goes to a small screen and shows a series of views]
LAURENThat's the north shore.
MELLANBYNothing there. Try the west. Nothing there either.
DAYNA[Enters] What's happening, father?
MELLANBYWe don't know. We're checking. Lauren, try the south shore. [Sarrans are pounding on the hatch cover]
DAYNASarrans.
LAURENThat's the main entry lock.
AVONWill it hold?
MELLANBYI'm not sure. They've got metal tools and the intelligence to use them properly. Given time, they could open it.
LAURENI wonder what's made them so determined suddenly.
AVONSurvivors, like me, probably.
DAYNAWe'll go out through the other hatch. Get round behind them, then we'll have a clear field of fire. Wipe them out with one volley.
MELLANBYNo, Dayna, no! Will you never understand? We take life only in the last extreme.
DAYNAThey look fairly extreme to me.
MELLANBYWe'll use vitashock weapons. The blasts will be painful enough to drive them off without causing any permanent injury.
LAURENI'll get the guns from the armory.[Exits]
MELLANBYYou see that Dayna and I don't agree on some issues.
DAYNAHow can I agree? It contradicts everything I've done all my life. We've made the most sophisticated weapons ever known. They are designed to kill.
MELLANBYNo, Dayna!
DAYNAThey have no other purpose. Yet you tell me they should never be used? Does that make sense, Avon?
AVONI seldom comment on other people's ethics.
LAUREN[Enters and hands Dayna a weapon] Dayna.
MELLANBYYou stay here, Avon. We can handle it. Come on, Dayna. [They all exit. Avon waits for them to leave, then picks up the case, opens it, and activates Orac]
AVONOrac, I want a status report on the Liberator.
ORACThe ship has sustained considerable damage, but is now operating at fifty-four percent of normal capacity. This is increasing rapidly as the auto- repair systems complete their functions.
AVONCan you give me a direct voice link with the Zen computer?
ORACWait. [Several seconds pass]
AVONCome on, Orac, come on!
ORACCommunicators have locked on to your voice-beam channel. Transmission may begin.
AVONZen, this is Avon. Have you any information about the rest of the crew?
ZENDirect instructions have been received from Blake.
AVONWhere is he? Is he safe?
ZENHe reports he's uninjured. A locator malfunction at the time of transmission made it impossible to calculate his exact position.
AVONThe others? [Servalan enters, then hides and listens]
ZENRoutine message interception indicates that Jenna is now on a hospital ship. Her injuries are superficial.
AVONWhat was the destination of the hospital ship?
ZENThat information was unclear.
AVONAll right. What about Vila and Cally?
ZENThere has been no communication from either of them.
AVONIs the teleport in operation?
ZENRepairs will be complete in two hours and thirty-four minutes.
AVONHow soon can you bring the Liberator into teleport range?
ZENEight hours is the estimated time.
AVONTry and improve on that. Enter orbit with teleport facility set for random pickup.
ZENConfirmed.
AVONKeep listening out for Vila or Cally. If either of them come in, give their pick up priority over mine.
ZENConfirmed.
AVONThat's about all. Keep feeding reports through Orac.
ZENInformation. A space vehicle has been registering on the detectors. Visual scan now indicates that it is approaching the Liberator. Present status suggests the vehicle will attempt docking beside port entry.
AVONCan you identify it?
ZENNegative.
AVONIs there any voice contact?
ZENNegative.
AVONIs it still coming?
ZENConfirmed. Full function has been restored on Liberator weaponry systems. The vehicle can be destroyed on your order.
AVONDo it. No, wait. It could be Vila or Cally getting back. Let it dock.
ZENConfirmed. [The ship attaches to Liberator. Static]
AVONZen, report! Zen! Zen! [Static ceases]
ORACFurther communication with the Liberator is impossible.
AVONI must know if anyone boards the Liberator. That is vital.
ORACThe information is not available.
AVONReestablish contact as soon as possible.
ORACWell, of course I will.[Avon closes case]
SERVALAN[Emerges from hiding] Avon, you look worried.
AVONDo I?
SERVALANAnd I thought you were the one who had conquered emotion, replaced feeling with logic.
AVONI don't really care what you thought.
SERVALANOh, you ARE worried, aren't you?
AVONSkip the psychology, Servalan, it is not your strong point.
SERVALANYou think not? You could be right. After all, we're very alike, you and I.
AVONI doubt that. [While Servalan speaks, Avon sets Orac's case down in front of a chair and then sits with his feet up on the case]
SERVALANYou are ambitious, ruthless ... you want power and you'd never let conscience stand in the way of achieving it. Well?
AVONYou overestimate me.
SERVALANYou have one other quality I admire. Very much.
AVONYes?
SERVALANYou are infinitely corruptible. You'd sell out anybody, wouldn't you?
AVONI don't know; I never really had an offer I felt was worthy of me.
SERVALANThen why don't you see if you can find us a drink. We have things to talk about.

[Bluff above the beach. Dayna, Lauren, and Mellanby watch as the Sarrans attack the hatch]

MELLANBYSet for minimum power. Dayna, set minimum. Continuous burst. Fire. Cease firing. Dayna, I said stop.
DAYNAThey'll come back!
MELLANBYWhen they do, we'll give them another blast. Couple more times and they'll come to associate this area with pain. Then they'll leave it alone.
LAURENThey're starting to edge back.
MELLANBYLet them get close.

[Main section. Servalan is now seated on a small couch. Avon pours green liquid into a glass]

SERVALANI'm going to be honest with you.
AVONThat should be mildly disconcerting.
SERVALANI know the Liberator is on its way here to pick you up.
AVONWhat makes you think that?
SERVALANI was hiding over there. I heard every word.
AVONI see. Go on. [Hands the glass to Servalan]
SERVALANMy only chance of getting off this planet is if I can make contact with a serviceable Federation ship. [Avon sits next to her on the couch] That possibility seems fairly remote.
AVONSurely not. Once they realize the President is marooned they will be coming in droves.
SERVALANI don't think so. You see, there's something you probably don't know. Star One was destroyed.
AVONAre you sure?
SERVALANPositive. An alien counterattack, it took us by surprise. They reduced the entire planet to so much space debris. Nothing survived.
AVONAnd Star One was the basis of Federation power. It controlled everything.
SERVALANExactly. And now it's gone, so is most of the Federation. From now on there will be chaos in the star systems. No central control, no unifying force. Over half the civilized planets left to their fate.
AVONSo Blake's rabble finally get freedom of choice. He won after all.[They both stand]
SERVALANForget Blake. YOU have control of the Liberator now. There's no more powerful ship in the galaxy. You have Orac. Avon! Don't you see what that means?
AVONYou tell me about it.
SERVALANYou could rebuild it all. All those worlds could be yours, Avon, they're there for the taking. You and I could build an empire greater and more powerful than the Federation ever was or ever could have been. Now, Avon. At this moment we can take history and shape it in our own image. Think of it: absolute power. There is nothing you can imagine that we couldn't do.
AVON[Takes her glass and sets it aside] I am thinking of it.
SERVALANWe can do it, Avon.
AVONI know we can.
SERVALANWe'll be answerable to no one. Ours will be the only voice. Imagination our only limit. [They kiss. Avon grabs her by the throat and pushes her to the ground]
AVONImagination my only limit? I'd be dead in a week.

[At the bluff]

DAYNAI think they've learned their lesson.
MELLANBYGood. Let's get back. Lauren?
LAURENI'll stay a while longer, just in case.
MELLANBYThey won't be back.
LAURENIt won't hurt to wait a while longer. Anyway, when I'm sure it's safe, I want to go a have a look at the entry lock, see if they've done any damage.
DAYNAI'll stay with you.
LAURENThere's no need. I can handle it, Dayna.
MELLANBYAll right, but don't take any chances.
LAURENI won't.
DAYNAKeep your head down.
LAURENI always do.

[On the beach]

CHELThe light that brings pain comes from those rocks. I saw movement there. When night comes, we'll circle that place, and destroy them that would harm us.

[Main section. Avon holds a teleport bracelet while Dayna probes it]

AVONSo you have very little to fear from Servalan. There is no real Federation anymore. It's unlikely that anyone will come looking for you. You won't have to hide any longer.
MELLANBYIt's odd. For the last twenty years that's all I've dreamed of, freedom to do what I want, go where I want. Now that I've got it, I'm not sure what to do with it.
AVON[To Dayna] Thank you. [Snaps the bracelet on his wrist] Will you leave this planet?
MELLANBYI don't know. I...I won't make any decision in a hurry.
AVONThat's probably wise.
MELLANBYBut no matter what I do, I think it would be good for Dayna to get away from here. She should experience other worlds, other people.
AVONShe could have some surprises coming.
MELLANBYShe's an intelligent girl. She'll adapt quickly.
AVONI'm sure she will.
DAYNAI'm going to bed, father.
AVONI could do with some rest, as well. It'll be a few hours before the Liberator gets here.
MELLANBYIs it still on its way?
AVONI haven't reestablished voice contact, but Orac is tracking it. It's right on course.
MELLANBYSo you should be leaving us soon after dawn.
AVONThat's the plan.
MELLANBYI'll be sure you're awake in plenty of time.
AVONThank you. Good night.
MELLANBYNight.
DAYNAAren't you going to bed?
MELLANBYI'll wait up for Lauren. She won't be long. Sleep well.
DAYNAGood night.
MELLANBYNight. [Avon and Dayna exit. Mellanby dims the lights and sits]

[Dayna's room. Servalan searches drawers, then a cupboard, and finds a small green gun]

AVON[V.O.] Good night, Dayna.
DAYNA[V.O.] I hope you sleep well.
AVON[V.O.] I'll see you before I go. [Servalan lays down and pretends to be asleep. Dayna enters and begins to undress]

[At the bluff in moonlight. Lauren starts to rise and sees Chel]

CHELWelcome back to your people.

[Main section, dimly lit and apparently empty]

[Servalan quietly leaves Dayna's room, goes to the main section, and finds Orac]

MELLANBY[Turns on lights and aims gun] Move away from it. You're welcome to leave, but you're not taking Orac with you. Just what were you planning?
SERVALANIt's quite simple. If I have Orac, Avon will agree to whatever terms I offer him. He can't control the Liberator's teleport without it. It was a good idea, I hadn't counted on anyone being here.
MELLANBYWe all make mistakes.
SERVALANThat's true. You did yourself, once, didn't you? You see, I finally remembered who you are.
MELLANBYThat was all a long time ago.
SERVALANBut not forgotten. You led a revolt that took more than three weeks to suppress. It cost a lot of Federation lives.
MELLANBYAnd the lives of virtually everyone who followed me.
SERVALANYou knew the consequences of what you were attempting.
MELLANBYYes, and when we failed we made an honorable surrender. We were promised fair trial. Instead, the security forces massacred everyone, men, women, and children. That night I watched them all die. My own wife, my friends, everybody.
SERVALANEverybody but you. Hasn't that ever made you feel guilty, Mellanby?
MELLANBYOf course it has. I've lived with guilt most of my life. I should have died with them, but I had a chance of saving Dayna. I took it.
SERVALANThey branded you a coward. Your name was universally despised.
MELLANBYMight have been true. I've never been sure.
SERVALANStill, it's all over now. The Federation is finished. You have nothing to fear anymore.
MELLANBYNothing to fear.[Lowers his gun]
SERVALANMellanby. [Shoots his optical device] Over here, Mellanby. [He grabs a stave and lashes at her. She moves away easily. This continues throughout] You're still a loser, aren't you? You were then, you are now. You don't win wars by running away and hiding. [Shoots him again, picks up Orac and mounts the stairs]
MELLANBY[Struggles to stand but falls] Dayna! Avon! [Dies] [Avon runs in, checks Mellanby's body for pulse]
AVONServalan. Orac!
DAYNA[Enters] Father!
AVONHe got away from here after all. [Dayna throws herself on her father's body]

[On the beach in daylight. Servalan walks, carrying Orac, and sees Lauren's corpse hanging on pillory]

[Dayna, in hunting dress, hands Avon a gun. She wears her father's starburst medallion]

DAYNATake this. Ready?
AVONYes.
DAYNAThen let's go find her.
AVONWait a minute. Take this bracelet. Liberator is due here at anytime. If things go right it could be your only way out.
DAYNAI'm going nowhere until Servalan is dead.
AVONUnless we find Orac, neither am I. [Takes bracelet]
DAYNAThen we're agreed. Let's get started.

[Servalan, now without Orac, shoots a Sarran]

[Avon and Dayna find Lauren's body]

DAYNALauren, too. What's left?
AVONServalan. We must find her. Now.
DAYNALauren. [Weeps]
AVONListen. Her tracks show that she came this way. There are Sarran tracks as well. They're following her. We must get to her before they do. [Dayna nods]

[Servalan is caught by a Sarran, who drags her to their camp]

[Avon and Dayna watch the camp]

AVONLet's try and get a bit closer.
DAYNAI can kill her from here. She's well within range.
AVONNo, wait a minute.
DAYNAWhy wait?
AVONBecause I can't see Orac.
DAYNAWhat would the Sarrans want with Orac? It is of no value to them.
AVONExactly. They may have left it where they captured her. Only Servalan knows.

[Sarrans prepare a pillory. Servalan and Chel recline on the side of a dune]

SERVALANIt's a weapon many times more powerful then yours. You've seen what it can do.
CHELIt is strong, but there is only one.
SERVALANBut there are many more. I can get them for you, show you how to use them.
CHELYou lie.
SERVALANWeapons like that would make you invincible.
CHELAkran! [Sarran grabs Servalan roughly]

DAYNAI'm going to kill her now while I've got the chance.
AVONNo. Orac is our only hope. We have got to get her out of there. Give me a few minutes to get down there, then start firing. Cause as much panic and confusion as you can, but keep your fire away from Servalan.
DAYNAAll right.
AVONI don't want you telling me afterwards that it was an accident.

[A Sarran ties Servalan's wrists to the pillory, Avon hits him and cuts her free]

SERVALANThanks.
AVONYou're welcome. [He is attacked, Dayna fires, Avon fights]
CHELWell, there they are, man. Get after them! [Shoves a Sarran in their general direction]

[Avon, Dayna and Servalan run to Dayna's cave]

AVONWe don't have too much time. Where is Orac?
SERVALANSafe.
AVONWhere?
SERVALANLet's talk about what I get in return.
AVONYou got your life, didn't you?
SERVALANNaturally, I'm grateful. But it's not enough.
DAYNAYou're in no position to bargain.
SERVALANOh, but I am. Without Orac you're helpless, and you know it, don't you Avon?
AVONWhat is it you want?
SERVALANPassage off this planet. When the Liberator comes in, I want to teleport up -- with you.
AVONNo.
SERVALANThen we all stay here together. Be sensible, I'm not asking you to give me the Liberator. Just take me to the nearest civilized planet and put me down. You have nothing to lose.
AVONAll right, I agree. Now where is Orac?
SERVALANOh, no, Avon. Oh, no, it's not that simple. We know each other far too well. There are conditions.
AVONGo on.
SERVALANFirst of all, I want a gun.
DAYNANo.
AVONThere is only one.
SERVALANI only want one.
DAYNAConvince her. [Dayna doesn't budge]
SERVALANA teleport bracelet.
AVONI'll give it to you when we have Orac.
SERVALANYou will give it to me now. [Avon removes his bracelet and hands it to her] You have another?
AVONYes.
SERVALANGood. Then I think I can say we're in business.
AVONYou've got what you wanted, Servalan. Don't expect admiration as well.
DAYNAThere is one thing, perhaps, you haven't accounted for.
SERVALANI don't think so.
DAYNAI'm going to kill you. Sooner or later.
AVONWhere is Orac?
SERVALANI hid it near the entry lock.

[On the beach by the hatch, now open. Dayna keeps the gun on Servalan]

AVONAll right, where is it?
SERVALANBuried over there. [Avon finds the case, opens it]
AVONReport!
ORACLiberator's navigation systems are locked onto this location. I will operate the teleport the moment the ship moves into range.
AVONAll right, we'll be standing by. [Servalan shoves at the gun, slaps Dayna down, and grabs the gun]
SERVALANStay where you are. A pity, Avon. I was willing to share with you.
AVONKilling us at this point was always part of your plan. That's why I gave you the faulty bracelet.
SERVALANYou're lying.
AVONLook at the casing. It's cracked right across. [Servalan checks, and is distracted by small explosion. Chel has fired the gun at her]
AVON[To Dayna] Get the bracelet! [Fetches Orac] [Dayna grabs the gun, gets the bracelet, pushes Servalan down]
DAYNABracelet. [Hands it to Avon, then aims the gun at Servalan, who is in the hatch entryway] Stop! Servalan, I made you a promise, and I'm going to keep it. Stop! [Avon and Dayna teleport, Servalan closes the hatch, and the beach is suddenly empty. Chel plunges his sword into the sand and yells in frustration]

[Exterior shot of Liberator]

[Liberator's teleport bay. Avon puts away the bracelets]

AVONAre you all right?
DAYNAYes.
AVONWhen we first met, you said there was no pleasure without danger. Do you still feel that way?
DAYNAI think I can do without excitement for a little while.
AVONGood, then let's get to the flight deck. There's a lot to be done. I have to locate the others and pick them up. Come on. [They head out but Dayna stops]
DAYNAWait! [Tarrant enters and points a gun at them]
TARRANTSummary execution is the usual punishment for boarding a Federation ship without authority. What are you doing on my ship?

Script Index

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