"DUEL"
by Terry Nation

(c) 1977 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) 1993 by Micky DuPree and Frances Teagle.

Dramatis Personae
Roj Blake - Gareth Thomas
Kerr Avon - Paul Darrow
Jenna Stannis - Sally Knyvette
Vila Restal - Michael Keating
Olag Gan - David Jackson
Cally - Jan Chappell
Travis - Stephen Greif
Zen - Peter Tuddenham

Sinofar - Isla Blair
Giroc - Patsy Smart
Mutoid - Carol Royle

Walk-ons: Christopher Holmes
Cliff Diggins


THE OPENING SHOT is of an Earth-type planet, with oceans and clouds. The scene changes to a barren region with narrow defiles and rock pinnacles. Frequent thunder and lightning illuminate a glimpse of a vast field of memorials beyond the rocks. Then the scene moves to The Monument - a carved humanoid figure apparently growing out of the rock, its face and outstretched arms are raised to the heavens as if crying out in despair. In either hand is half of a broken weapon. The other memorials are smaller versions of The Monument.

A blinding flash of lightning - Sinofar materialises at the foot of The Monument. She is a beautiful woman, apparently in her thirties. She stands in the eerie blue light with here eyes closed, concentrating.

SINOFAR: Giroc, Giroc, I need you. You must come here to me now.
GIROC: All right, all right, I'm coming. [Giroc comes in. She is an elderly woman who clutches a six-foot staff of office, carved on it is a humanoid figure climbing toward the ball-shaped tip.] Have a little patience. We of all people should have learnt patience. I'm tired, I deserve some peace.
SINOFAR: No, we must earn our peace.
GIROC: I have Sinofar, I have earned it.
SINOFAR: You still came when I summoned you.
GIROC: I had no choice, you used my power against me.
SINOFAR: It is not your power, Giroc.
GIROC: I know, I know, it's the power of the race, but it's in me. I never wanted to be The Keeper, you know that Sinofar.
SINOFAR: Nor I, The Guardian.
GIROC: You could set us both free. If I controlled the power, that's what I'd do.
SINOFAR: You know that isn't possible. We must dissipate the power by restoring the balance, then you and I can be at peace. But first we must atone.
GIROC: Why us?
SINOFAR: We were chosen.
GIROC: I didn't ask to be chosen.
SINOFAR: One doesn't ask to be chosen. [They look up - shot of the starlit sky. A formation of three spaceships is seen.]
GIROC: [V.O.] Are you sure about them, Sinofar?
SINOFAR: [V.O.] Not yet, this may not be their killing ground. [Close-up of three Federation pursuit ships]

PURSUIT SHIP ONE - Two mutoids are sat at the controls, Travis is standing behind them.

TRAVIS: There! [Points at screen] Estimate approach speed.
MUTOID: Time Distort Six.
TRAVIS: Minimum scan, their sensors mustn't register the beam.
MUTOID: Scan complete, identification confirmed.
TRAVIS: Blake. The other patrols have pushed him into this galaxy. I knew it, I knew it! This time I've got him.
MUTOID: Target vehicle maintaining course and sped.
TRAVIS: Set for orbital compensation, we'll use the planet to mask us from his scanners.
MUTOID: Orbital shift computed.
TRAVIS: Execute. Make it random pulse emission, I'm not going to lose him now.

LIBERATOR - First and external shot, then the flight deck. Avon and Blake are looking at the planet displayed on the main screen.

AVON: I wonder what the surface conditions are like.
BLAKE: Jenna?
JENNA: Star is G Two, planet is Earth-type right across the range, Earth-level gravity, breathable atmosphere. There's a lot of static too, the place is alive with electrical storms.
BLAKE: Cally, anything on the star charts or planet listings?
CALLY: Nothing in the data banks at all.
BLAKE: Hmm, what do you think?
JENNA: It seems safe enough.
AVON: What Jenna thinks, is largely academic Blake, we've been running on full power for far too long. Slipping those Federation patrols has used up all our energy reserves.
JENNA: Four of our power banks are exhausted. If we had to make a run for it now, we couldn't do better than Standard by Two, and we couldn't hold that for long.
BLAKE: Recharge time?
AVON: Forty-eight hours.
BLAKE: All right, we'll hide here for a while. The planet should give us some protection from the detectors. Zen, take us into orbit as close as possible to the planet's surface. As close as possible Zen, the orbit could decay in forty-eight hours.
ZEN: Confirmed. The parameters were anticipated.
BLAKE: [Laughs] I get the distinct feeling I offended Zen's professional pride then.
AVON: It's just a machine, Blake.
VILA: And he should know.
GAN: Well Avon is the expert.
VILA: That's not what I meant.
AVON: No, he was calling me a machine, but since he undoubtedly defines himself as a human being, I shall choose to accept that as more of a compliment than anything else.
BLAKE: Yes, well since we've got some time on our hands, we might as well take a look at this planet. Anybody feel like some exercise.
JENNA: I'd be happy to get clear of this lot for a while. [Exits]
BLAKE: Gan?
GAN: I could do with a change of air. I'll get kitted up. [Exits]
BLAKE: Vila?
VILA: I'll stay here, thanks.
BLAKE: Then you can work the teleport. [As Vila leaves his console he comes face to face with Avon, who stares him down intimidatingly, then takes his place.]

PURSUIT SHIP

MUTOID: Readings show target has assumed a stationary orbit.
TRAVIS: Excellent. [He sits in the commander's chair]
MUTOID: Orbit confirmed at one thousand spacials from the planet's surface. [She unfastens a panel in her tunic and places a small liquid container in a recess.]
TRAVIS: This is hardly the time for that.
MUTOID: Normally I wouldn't do it in the presence of an unmodified.
TRAVIS: Forget your coyness, I'm aware of your need for blood serum.
MUTOID: Most are, but few accept it for what it is - a functional convenience. Opponents of mutoid modification call us vampires.
TRAVIS: Rather appropriate, isn't it?
MUTOID: It is immaterial. I await your orders, Commander.
TRAVIS: Attack formation, fifteen hundred spacials trajectory. Pursuit Ships Two and Three move to flank, fire on my command. [Shot of pursuits separating]

LIBERATOR - Teleport room

BLAKE: Vila, try and stay alert.
VILA: Of course I will, how can you doubt me?
BLAKE: It isn't easy, but somehow I manage it. Come on. Put us down. [Blake, Jenna and Gan teleport to the planet's surface and look around]
BLAKE: [Into bracelet] We're down safely. It looks very barren, there's nothing else to report. We'll check with you when we've had a look round. [pauses, but no reply from Vila] All right?
VILA: [Over intercom] Yes, all right. [Blake and Jenna examine the rocks.]
BLAKE: What do you think?
JENNA: The surface seems to be melted. It's almost like the effects of a fusion bomb.
GAN: Blake! Jenna! [They walk over to The Monument]
BLAKE: Well, at least we know the planet's inhabited.
GAN: WAS inhabited.
BLAKE: Hmm?
GAN: Look here [Points them to the memorials] as far as the eye can see.
BLAKE: Grave markers?
JENNA: So many.
GAN: [Turns and sees Sinofar and Giroc] Blake, we've got company. [When the others look, they have gone] They were here! Two women, watching us. There's nowhere they could have gone.
JENNA: So where are they now?
GAN: I hope my limiter hasn't malfunctioned.
BLAKE: Maybe we've all been on the ship too long.
JENNA: [Goes over to The Monument] Blake.
BLAKE: What is it?
JENNA: This broken weapon, could it be a symbol of peace?
BLAKE: Or defeat. This whole place is a memorial to the dead. Maybe they were ghosts you saw.
GAN: [Looking up] Those aren't ghosts! [The pursuit ships can be seen closing on Liberator]
BLAKE: Pursuit ships. They've got to be.
JENNA: Where did they come from?
GAN: They must have been waiting for us.
BLAKE: Travis's strategy again. [Into bracelet] Vila! Pursuit ships closing on you. [In the teleport room Vila has his feet up] Vila!! Full alert and get us up fast. Move it!! They're right on top of you. [Vila hits the alarm button and teleports them up.]
VILA: Sorry. [They all run for the flight deck.]

PLANET - Sinofar and Giroc are watching the sky.

SINOFAR: So Giroc, the star ships are closing for battle. The choice is made.

LIBERATOR - Flight deck, alarm blaring.

AVON: What's going on?
VILA: Pursuit ships.
BLAKE: Zen, can we get past them?
ZEN: All possible flight trajectories would require Liberator to cross enemy strike range.
BLAKE: Avon, what's our power reserve?
AVON: Banks five, six, and seven, full power; zero on the rest.
BLAKE: Maximum speed and range?
JENNA: Standard by four, about eight million spacials.
BLAKE: We can't even outrun them this time.
VILA: We've got the neutron blasters.
CALLY: But there isn't enough power.
BLAKE: Zen, state battle computer tactics.
ZEN: Preemptive action was inhibited by manual overrides. Strategy options are now reduced to one. Battle computers suggest surrender.
AVON: Logic says we're dead!
BLAKE: Logic has never explained what dead means.
ZEN: Sensors report plasma bolt launched.
BLAKE: Direct vision.
GAN: On. [Screen shows approaching plasma bolt]
JENNA: Avon, put up the force wall.
BLAKE: No, wait.
JENNA: Why?
BLAKE: It's too much of an energy drain.
VILA: Blake!
AVON: They're closing fast, Blake. [Beat] Come on!
BLAKE: I said wait!
JENNA: Blake!
BLAKE: Activate!
ZEN: Second bolt launched. [Boom!]
BLAKE: Deactivate. Track second bolt.
GAN: Tracking.
BLAKE: Power status?
AVON: Seventy percent on bank five.
ZEN: Third bolt launched.
GAN: Second bolt closing.
BLAKE: [Waits] Activate! [Boom!]
GAN: Third bolt closing. [Boom!]
BLAKE: Deactivate.
AVON: Bank five has forty per cent remaining.
CALLY: They'll move in closer now and strike again.
BLAKE: Sensors on full alert.
VILA: Are we just going to sit here and let them shoot at us?
BLAKE: Yes! While they do they're using power faster than we are. Might even things up a bit - shorten the odds, anyway.
VILA: The odds on what?
BLAKE: Us being able to blast a way through them and run.
ZEN: Three plasma bolts launched and running.
GAN: Bearing directly.
BLAKE: Right. Hang on everyone, this is going to be rough.
VILA: I don't mind rough. It's fatal I'm not too keen on. [Cut to Travis' ship]
TRAVIS: He's low on power! He'd have made a run for it otherwise. [Into communicator] Leader to Pursuit Three: continue barrage. Leader to Two: hold your fire. [to Mutoid] We'll make him keep that defence shield in operation, bleed his energy banks.
MUTOID: If Pursuit Three keeps firing, it won't have enough reserve to put up its own defence shield.
TRAVIS: Pursuit Three is expendable. So is Two. Let Blake destroy them both. Between them, they can run his reserves down to zero. This ship will still have full power, and we can move in, and finish him.

LIBERATOR - Laser bolt impact, everyone is thrown about.

BLAKE: Deactivate.
AVON: Bank five is finished. Drawing on six.
BLAKE: Zen: power reserves?
ZEN: At the present level of discharge, reserves will be exhausted in two point three hours.
JENNA: Which is when they'll move in for the kill.
GAN: Yes, and we'll be helpless.
ZEN: Plasma bolt launched.
GAN: Bearing directly.
BLAKE: Avon, Cally. Jenna, take command. Gan, Vila, you help her. [Avon and Cally join him, he draws diagrams on an electronic pad which are projected onto the screen] Now watch the screen. This is the Liberator, surrounded by one, two, three pursuit ships. They're trying siege tactics. Our only chance is to break out and run before we're too weak, do you agree?
JENNA: Activating.
AVON: We know we can't outrun them. [Violent impact.]
BLAKE: I wasn't planning to try.
JENNA: Deactivating.
BLAKE: Now, this is the pursuit ship that's done all the firing. That'll be low on power now, so it won't be a problem.
CALLY: So we can ignore it.
BLAKE: Right. This one hasn't fired at all yet, so this must be Travis. We're going straight for it. Not over, under, or around, but right through it.
ZEN: Plasma bolt launched.
GAN: Bearing directly.
AVON: Ram it?
BLAKE: The Liberator should be able to take the impact.
AVON: I admire your confidence.
CALLY: So that would leave only one more to deal with.
BLAKE: That's right, a straight fight, one against one.
CALLY: I agree.
AVON: If any of our control systems are damaged by the impact, we will be helpless.
BLAKE: We're not exactly in a commanding position now.
JENNA: Activating!
BLAKE: Have you got any better ideas?
[Violent impact. As Blake and Avon reel back, Avon clutches Blake protectively, perhaps to steady him]
AVON: As a matter of fact, no I haven't.
BLAKE: Does that mean you agree?
AVON: Do I have a choice?
BLAKE: Yes.
AVON: Then I agree. [Lets go of Blake]
JENNA: Deactivating.
BLAKE: Vila, Gan, Jenna: we're going for a ram, take out the command ship.
GAN: A ram?!?
BLAKE: I don't see that there's any other hope for us.
JENNA: Neither can I, so let's get on with it.
BLAKE: Jenna, you'll have to fly us on manual.
JENNA: Yes, we'll need to take the impact on the lower hull.
ZEN: Plasma bolt launched.
GAN: Bearing directly.
BLAKE: Right, as soon as this one hits, we move. Stand by. [Pause] Activate! [Violent impact]
AVON: Force wall deactivated.
BLAKE: Right, now, Jenna.

PURSUIT SHIP

MUTOID: Pursuit Three reports total power shutdown. They're incapable of further action.
TRAVIS: [Into communicator] Pursuit Two, commence firing.
MUTOID: Target ship is underway. It's turning.
TRAVIS: He's running. There's nowhere to run, Blake! Compute course, speed, and lock on.
MUTOID: Time Distort Three and rising. Course zero-zero-zero -- they're coming straight at us.
TRAVIS: Stand by plasma bolts.
MUTOID: Holding course. Computers propose evasive action.
TRAVIS: No! Hold your position.
[Cut to Liberator]
BLAKE: Zen, count down to impact.
[Zen begins with thirty-six and proceeds to count down in the background.]
BLAKE: When Travis realizes we're going for a ram, he'll fire a full salvo.
GAN: Will the force wall hold at this rate?
BLAKE: We're about to find out.
GAN: Salvo fired, four of them!
BLAKE: Stand by the force wall.
JENNA: We're losing power, we're slowing.
BLAKE: Full thrust.
JENNA: It's not responding. Blake, we're stopping!

PURSUIT SHIP

TRAVIS: Impossible. They're holding course. They're going to ram us. Evasive trajectory, full thrust.
MUTOID: Controls are not responding. All systems are locked.
TRAVIS: [Leaps to his feet] Operate boosters.
MUTOID: Still no response.
[Weirdness commences, everything goes haywire, affecting all ships. The lights dim, there are garbled sounds and time slows down, distorting speech]

LIBERATOR

BLAKE: Activate the force wall.
ZEN: [In background] Ten, nine, eight, seven ...
AVON: Force wall activated.
ZEN: Six, five...
[Liberator and the pursuit ship slowly close almost into an embrace and halt as Sinofar and Giroc assert control. Travis and Blake are seen clutching their heads in pain while the other crew members look around in surprise]

GIROC: [Distorted voice] Travis... Blake... [She calls them repeatedly. Travis and Blake dematerialise and Sinofar brings them down to The Monument]
GIROC: Listen to me, listen to me all of you.
[Both crews are seen listening to her voice in bewilderment] We are Giroc The Keeper, we are Sinofar The Guardian. Your ship is tethered, held in a stasis beam, it cannot break free. Only your life support systems will function normally, the rest will remain in our control, until we have completed our task. You yourselves have been released, so that you may watch, listen and understand. [Cut to Blake and Travis standing immobilized] We are ready, the warriors can be released. [Sinofar rouses them, they become aware of each other, but cannot move their feet]
TRAVIS: BLAKE?! [He tries to fire his hand blaster, but nothing happens]
SINOFAR: No.
GIROC: [Laughs] The weapon built into that hand will not work here, primitive.
SINOFAR: Nor will brute force, until *I* allow it.
GIROC: His impulse to kill is primitive.
SINOFAR: As ours was not?
TRAVIS: Who are you?
SINOFAR: I am Sinofar, the Guardian. This is Giroc, the Keeper.
TRAVIS: I am Space Commander Travis, an officer and representative of the Earth Federation. As an agent of my government, I demand an explanation.
GIROC: Not only is he primitive, he's pompous as well. [To Blake] And you, do you also make demands?
BLAKE: I am not an officer of the Federation, but I would like some answers.
TRAVIS: This man is an enemy of the state and a fugitive. He is my prisoner. [Grabs at Blake, but cannot move his feet.]
GIROC: [Laughing] Primitive, pompous, and stupid.
SINOFAR: Giroc!
GIROC: All right, all right. It's just that there is such violence in him, it's exciting. [Shamefacedly] Old instincts die hard, Sinofar.
SINOFAR: I know.
TRAVIS: You will lift this force field.
SINOFAR: There are things you must understand first.
TRAVIS: You do realize that any hostile act against me will be regarded as a hostile act against the Federation. [Giroc laughs.] Have you any idea of the risk you're running? [Giroc laughs harder.]
BLAKE: They don't seem very impressed, Travis. [Laughs] Why don't you try stamping your foot?
TRAVIS: Oh, that's very amusing, Blake. For a dead man.
BLAKE: Do you intend to keep us prisoners?
GIROC: Only for the moment.
BLAKE: You were responsible for what happened to my ship.
SINOFAR: It will be restored when this matter has been settled, [to Travis] as will yours. No harm will come to your crews or your ships.
GIROC: You have seen what we can do. We are capable of protecting our planet, your threats of reprisal are meaningless.
SINOFAR: Our powers grew out of a thousand years of war, out of hate, and fear and the will to survive.
GIROC: [On Liberator's screen] We built destruction, weapons that your peoples have not yet dreamed of. Every passing year brought new ways to kill, and throughout the centuries the war raged across our planet.
SINOFAR: With each generation there were fewer of us. The dead vastly outnumbered the living. There was not victory for either side.
BLAKE: How did it end?
GIROC: How? Another development of another weapon. We demanded their surrender, they refused, the weapon was used. Those that we call our enemy were annihilated.
TRAVIS: You won, that's all that matters.
SINOFAR: It wasn't a victory, only the end of the war. We were left with a planet made barren by radiation. Our children were monsters, or died, or were never born. This, we won.
BLAKE: How many of you are there now?
GIROC: None. We are a dead race.
SINOFAR: We tell you this so that you will understand our reasons for intervening in your dispute.
GIROC: Tell us, what is your dispute?
TRAVIS: I *have* told you. This man is an enemy of the Federation, tried and convicted. I must bring him back to justice or kill him.
GIROC: [To Blake] You?
BLAKE: I am an enemy of the Federation. But it is corrupt and oppressive. I will destroy it. If I can.
SINOFAR: Irreconcilable viewpoints. Your differences can only be resolved by the destruction of the other's belief. The classic pattern for war.
TRAVIS: I was about to resolve them when you interfered.
SINOFAR: [To Blake] How many are there in your group?
BLAKE: There are six of us.
SINOFAR: And in your ships, Travis?
TRAVIS: Nine.
SINOFAR: Fifteen people could die because of your beliefs.
BLAKE: My crew are with me by their own choice.
AVON: [Watching Liberator's screen] Really?
TRAVIS: [On pursuit ship screen] Mine swore allegiance to the Federation.
GIROC: I'm sure that you will both find supporters for your cause and each of you could be backed by a massive army eventually.
SINOFAR: But would numbers change the nature of the dispute?
BLAKE: Probably not.
SINOFAR: [to Travis] What do you say?
TRAVIS: Numbers? Immaterial.
SINOFAR: We understand that men will kill for their beliefs.
GIROC: Since each of you wishes to destroy the other, we are going to give you the chance.
TRAVIS: A duel? Is that what you are suggesting?
GIROC: A fight to the death.
SINOFAR: But this way, there will be a limit to the deaths, and we will ensure that the loser's ship will have an opportunity to get away. Don't you find that rational?
TRAVIS: No. When I've killed Blake, I'll simply hunt down the others.
SINOFAR: There will be no destruction within our influence, but we cannot control your actions beyond this planet.
BLAKE: I don't think I want to kill for your entertainment.
GIROC: You have no choice.
BLAKE: [To Travis] We could agree not to fight.
TRAVIS: [Chuckles slightly] Could we?
GIROC: If you trusted one another.
SINOFAR: There is another matter: a lesson you must learn about death.
BLAKE: I think we both know enough about that already.
SINOFAR: You both know how to kill. But here you must take a life. There will be no machines to make the act unreal. You must touch the life you take.
TRAVIS: Shall we get on with it!
GIROC: How anxious he is to reach the forest. Once there, you can only return when it is over.
TRAVIS: Weapons?
SINOFAR: Tools for survival. [Machetes materialise in their hands]
BLAKE: How long have we got?
SINOFAR: There is no limit - only your physical endurance.
TRAVIS: So this is your lesson. Pathetic.
GIROC: Half the lesson the death of an enemy; the other half is the death of a friend.
VILA: [Watching on Liberator] What does she mean?
BLAKE: I've seen friends die.
SINOFAR: Travis?
TRAVIS: Nothing concerns me but my duty. I don't give a damn about their lessons, I shall enjoy taking your life, Blake.
BLAKE: You talk a good fight, Travis.
SINOFAR: But now the talking is done. Learn.

[She closes her eyes in concentration. Jenna and the Mutoid are teleported from their seats. Blake materialises in woodland. He looks around and starts to walk cautiously. Giroc's form is projected in front of him. She grins mischievously and he is afflicted by strange noises which affect his hearing and eyesight, and make him giddy. While he is stumbling about clutching his head, Travis
materialises, sees him, draws his machete and sneaks up behind him.]

TRAVIS: Blake. [As Blake turns round he punches him in the midriff] Come on Blake, you don't want to die on your back. [Blake rises, but is thrown down again. Travis seizes his hair and prepares to cut his throat] Goodbye Blake. [but the action is frozen]
SINOFAR: [V.O.] Giroc! [Back at the Monument - Giroc hobbles in]
GIROC: I just wanted to see how vicious he was. I wouldn't have let him kill yet.
SINOFAR: You misuse the power.
GIROC: Separate them, wipe it from their minds. Nothing's lost.
SINOFAR: How long must I suffer you, Giroc?
GIROC: Restart the contest Sinofar, these two show promise.

[Sinofar closes her eyes in concentration. In the wood, Blake gets up, picks up his machete and walks on.]

LIBERATOR - The crew are watching the action on the screen.

AVON: I don't understand it. How can we be seeing this?
CALLY: We see and hear through the mind of the being called Sinofar.
GAN: It doesn't matter. Blake's in trouble.
AVON: It could be just an illusion.
CALLY: No, it is happening. It is the truth beyond question.

THE WOODS - Jenna is walking through the bushes.

BLAKE: [From hiding] Jenna! [comes out] how did you get here?
JENNA: I don't know. It seems your weird ladies have picked on me to demonstrate the death of a friend.
BLAKE: You heard all that?
JENNA: They beamed it into the ship's main screen. Everything else is on some sort of stasis beam. What are we going to do?
BLAKE: Seen any sign of Travis?
JENNA: Have you?
BLAKE: No. We'd better make ourselves some weapons.

[LATER - Blake is sharpening two stakes into spears with his machete]

BLAKE: Finding Travis shouldn't be too difficult. If he runs true to form, he'll set a trap and then try and draw us into it.
JENNA: Who do you suppose he's got with him?
BLAKE: I don't know, his pilot maybe. Must present our hosts with something of a problem. How do you demonstrate the death of a friend to a man who hasn't got any?

ANOTHER CLEARING

TRAVIS: Anything?
MUTOID: No, Commander.
TRAVIS: You've searched thoroughly?
MUTOID: Your opponent is not yet within this vicinity.
TRAVIS: Good, then I have a little plan we can put into operation. Come.

WOODLAND - Blake finishes sharpening the stakes. He hands one to Jenna.

BLAKE: Not exactly a neutron blaster, but it's better than nothing.
JENNA: Not much better, though.

LATER - Travis is pulling fibres out of a shrub, watched by Sinofar (in projection). The scene is also being shown on Liberator's screen

GAN: He seems to be working to a plan.
VILA: I wish we were.
AVON: [Entering] Well? Did any of the controls respond?
GAN: Nothing here.
VILA: Nothing on mine.
CALLY: Nothing on these.
AVON: That's it, then, I've done everything I can. Every machine except life support is frozen.
CALLY: Even Zen.
AVON: Zen is a machine.
VILA: Unless he just doesn't want to get involved.
AVON: What's Travis going?
CALLY: As Blake said, he's probably preparing a trap. It could be a mistake. That sort of war is best fought on the move.

WOODS - Night; an enormous moon, loud animal cries, roars and snarls.

BLAKE: We'd better try and find somewhere safe.
JENNA: The quicker, the better.

ELSEWHERE - Travis and the Mutoid are constructing something with poles and hand-made ropes - more loud roars.

MUTOID: The night hunters are at work.
TRAVIS: Come on, let's take shelter. Bring my knife.

UP A TREE - more animal noises

BLAKE: Let's hope those things can't climb trees.
JENNA: Or fly. I don't know these star charts well enough to be sure, but I's say we're still on the same planet.
BLAKE: They must have teleported us to a different part of it.
JENNA: Do you believe what they told us? About themselves, I mean.
BLAKE: With that much power why bother to lie?
JENNA: That's one way to become a hunted man: trust the powerful.
BLAKE: True. What's your excuse?
JENNA: Oh, I wasn't clever enough, we none of us were. The Federation has beaten us all at least once.
BLAKE: At least.

[Quick switching between locations]

JENNA: If we get out of this, it still won't be any better.



[snatches of conversation are heard over the sound system]




BLAKE: ...the Federation...
...escaped...
half way across the galaxy....
...propped up in the middle of the night with a pointed stake for a weapon. [they laugh] ...the Federation hasn't got a chance.


LIBERATOR - Vila and Gan, watching

[Main action]

VILA: She's right. Jenna's right, you know, why should it be any different? We'll have the Federation after us till the day we die.

GAN: Who says? We've been lucky up till now, we'll be lucky again.

VILA: Have you thought what might happen if those two don't get back? I mean, could you operate this ship properly?

GAN: Let's just listen.

VILA: Well, could you?


[Main action - back at the tree]


BLAKE: Right, are you going to go to sleep first, or shall I?
JENNA: You can.
BLAKE: Right, wake me when you're tired.

[TRAVIS' TREE]

TRAVIS: Tell me something, do you remember who you were?
MUTOID: I don't understand the question, Commander.
TRAVIS: Yes you do - in your previous life before you were modified. Do you know who you were?
MUTOID: Of course not.
TRAVIS: Aren't you curious about it?
MUTOID: No.
TRAVIS: I find that hard to believe.
MUTOID: Memory is an encumbrance. All trace of it is removed and with it all trace of identity.
TRAVIS: And it doesn't concern you?
MUTOID: Why should it? That identity doesn't exist, even in the central computers.
TRAVIS: Yes it does. I know who you were. Your name was Keyeira, Keyeira.
MUTOID: Keyeira.
TRAVIS: You were very beautiful, very much admired. Shall I go on?
MUTOID: As you wish.
TRAVIS: [Obviously disappointed] This doesn't interest you at all, does it?
MUTOID: How could it?
TRAVIS: Keep watch.
MUTOID: Yes Commander.

BLAKE'S TREE - Jenna rouses and sees a small vampire bat sucking at Blake's left hand

JENNA: Blake!
BLAKE: Huh? [He shakes it off]
JENNA: Are you all right?
BLAKE: It's just a small cut, that's all.
JENNA: I'm sorry. I went to sleep.
BLAKE: No, it's all right, it was my fault. We should have both stayed awake.

LIBERATOR - The tired crew are watching the screen. Avon gets up.

VILA: Have you thought of another plan?
AVON: Yes. I'm going to get some sleep.
VILA: How can you sleep with all this happening?
AVON: With all what happening? Blake is sitting up in a tree, Travis is sitting up in another tree. Unless they're planning to throw nuts at one another, I don't see much of a fight developing before it gets light.
GAN: You're never involved, are you Avon? You ever cared for anyone?
VILA: Except yourself?
AVON: I have never understood why it should be necessary to become irrational in order to prove that you care, or, indeed, why it should be necessary to prove it at all. [Exits]
VILA: Was that an insult or did I miss something?
CALLY: You missed something.

WOODS - Daylight; Blake and Jenna climb out of the tree. Jenna takes a look at Blake's hand.

JENNA: It's a very big bite, looks inflamed.
BLAKE: Yes, it makes my arm a bit sore. It's nothing that I can't cope with.

ELSEWHERE - The Mutoid is working on an apparatus of sharpened stakes fastened to a frame. Travis inspects the corpse of a vampire bat and throws it away.

TRAVIS: What were these things doing at the foot of the tree, hmm?
MUTOID: They came in the night. I trapped them.
TRAVIS: You did more than that.
MUTOID: My serum supply is running low, there was a little blood in each of them.
TRAVIS: There's a lot of blood in me.
MUTOID: There still is, Commander. You are a Federation officer, as I am.
TRAVIS: Just so long as you remember that.
MUTOID: Do you now believe we mutoids are vampires?
TRAVIS: I believe you're useful. Get on with it.
MUTOID: My function will be impaired if I don't get further serum soon.
TRAVIS: Maybe that could be arranged.

LIBERATOR - Crew are watching Travis on the screen.

VILA: Is that what I think it is?
AVON: I don't imagine that it is a recreational aid.
VILA: I can't see Blake throwing himself on it, though. Can you?
AVON: I can't ever see Blake finding the right place.
GAN: How is he supposed to find it. I mean, he hasn't got anything to go on, has he?
CALLY: I've been watching Blake. He's quartering the area. That is the correct search pattern.
AVON: IF it is the correct area.

THE WOODS

TRAVIS: Any sign?
MUTOID: None, Commander.
TRAVIS: I've lit a fire, it'll draw Blake to us. Since I was given you, he must have been given a companion as well. Whoever it is, I want you to find them, bring them back here. Dead or alive, it doesn't matter, just bring them.
MUTOID: And Blake?
TRAVIS: No. Don't touch Blake. He belongs to me. [The Mutoid looks slightly ill] Well, go on - what's the matter with you?
MUTOID: The blood of those creatures, it was not suitable.
TRAVIS: When you've found Blake's companion, there'll be plenty of blood.

ELSEWHERE -

BLAKE: We can't even be sure they're in this area.
JENNA: We have to assume they are.
BLAKE: Well, maybe I can see something from up there. [Climbs tree. Jenna hears rustling in the bushes and goes to investigate. The Mutoid surprises her and knocks her out]
BLAKE: Jenna, Jenna! There's some smoke over there. Jenna? [Climbs down and looks around] Jenna, Jenna!

UNDER A LARGE TREE - Travis has suspended the deadfall from a high branch of a large tree. Jenna is being staked out beneath it by the Mutoid - she is gagged. The Mutoid extrudes a long needle from the cuff of her gauntlet and prepares to draw blood from Jenna's neck.

TRAVIS: No! Not yet - get to your position. NOW! [Throws down his machete. The Mutoid picks it up] Blake! Blake, can you hear me? I know you're there Blake, I know you're close by. Here me Blake, I have your friend. Your friend will die Blake, unless you give yourself up.

[Blake breaks cover and runs to release Jenna]

JENNA: [muffled by the gag] Blake, look out! Up there...
TRAVIS: NOW!!

[The Mutoid hacks at the rope while Blake frees Jenna's feet, but she takes three tries to sever it, giving them time to roll clear as the harpoon grid crashes down, missing them. Blake thrusts his machete into the ground for Jenna to cut her ropes with, then grabs his stake and races across to engage with Travis, also armed with a sharpened stake. Jenna frees her feet and kicks the mutoid away as she tries to bleed her again. Blake and Travis are using their stakes as quarter staves - Jenna throws the Mutoid head first against a tree, where she falls unconscious. Blake disarms Travis and stands over him, poised to skewer him - he hesitates]

VILA: [Watching] You've got him.
GAN: Go on!
CALLY: Kill him.
AVON: [Smiles faintly and shakes his head slightly]

[Blake lowers his weapon and Sinofar teleports him away]

THE MONUMENT - Blake and Jenna materialise.

GIROC: You fought well, Blake.
BLAKE: I'm glad you enjoyed it.
GIROC: Why didn't you kill him?
BLAKE: Too weak? Or maybe I didn't entirely trust your motives. Besides, as long as he's alive, he'll be the one chasing me. And I know I can beat him.
GIROC: [Laughs] At least you're not stupid.
BLAKE: [To Sinofar] I need time enough to get my ship away and to recharge the energy banks.
SINOFAR: They have been recharged. I will see that your ship gets away.
BLAKE: Another reason why I didn't kill Travis: I would have enjoyed it.
SINOFAR: Perhaps there was nothing for you to learn.

LIBERATOR - Backs out of embrace with pursuit ship.

BLAKE: Jenna, what speed?
JENNA: Standard by Six.
ZEN: Confirmed. [Liberator moves away]
GAN: [Massaging Blake's hand with ultrasound vibrator] What was she like?
BLAKE: Who?
GAN: Sinofar.
BLAKE: Of course. You never saw her.
GAN: No. [Finishes treatment]
BLAKE: Thank you. She was, uh, she was very beautiful, wasn't she, Jenna?
JENNA: [Unenthusiastically] Yes. Very.
VILA: All we saw was the ugly one. How is it you get all the fun?
BLAKE: Oh, I don't know, some of us are born lucky and some ... [grins rather smugly]

THE MONUMENT - The Mutoid is propped against a rock, apparently lifeless.

TRAVIS: Where is Blake?
SINOFAR: He won the right to go. It was agreed.
TRAVIS: It changes nothing.
GIROC: And what about your friend?
TRAVIS: A mutoid? It's little better than a machine. In any case, she's dead.
SINOFAR: Travis. Your companion is not dead. I will heal her.
TRAVIS: She is of no further value to me. I have a fugitive to hunt. Return me to my ship.
GIROC: It is good to see a man like Travis again after so long.
SINOFAR: You remind her of our people.
GIROC: He is just like our people, and like them he learns nothing.
SINOFAR: That's why we're prisoners. You keep us prisoners, Giroc. Never return to this planet, Travis. [She teleports him away and dematerialises herself. Giroc turns and walks slowly toward the memorials]

PURSUIT SHIP - The Mutoid has just topped up her serum level.

TRAVIS: The condemned ate a hearty meal. [Grabbing her by the chin] Your failure cost me Blake.
MUTOID: I warned you that my function would be impaired, Commander.
TRAVIS: [Pushing her away] Well, perhaps the court martial will take that into account, but I doubt it. [Sits] Tell me, what happens to a mutoid that's dismissed the service?
MUTOID: We exist only to serve.
TRAVIS: Oh? Then you'll probably cease to exist.
MUTOID: Ready, Commander.
TRAVIS: Follow Blake's course.
MUTOID: We can't match his speed.
TRAVIS: We don't have to, just match his course. You see, he made one fatal error. He should have killed me.

-- END --