THE KEEPER OF TRAKEN

BY: JOHNNY BYRNE

Part Two

First Air Date: 7 February 1981
Running time: 24:50

DOCTOR: Consuls, you're making a big mistake. I'm sure you're all charming, reasonable people at heart.

KASSIA: Fosters, do your duty.

DOCTOR: The least you can do is hear what we have to say.

KASSIA: Execute them. This evil must be stamped out.

DOCTOR: Quite! And Adric and I are willing to stamp with the best of them, but let's stamp with some justice and precision. Consuls, you saw what happened. Your Keeper was att*cked.

SERON: Wait! Do I understand you to imply that one of us here used force against the Keeper?

DOCTOR: Yes. Someone here, or someone very near here.

KATURA: One of us?

LUVIC: Against the Keeper?

KASSIA: The Keeper recognised you for what you are, strangers. Creatures of Melkur!

TREMAS: Melkur?

KASSIA: Of course! The evil originates from him. Don't you realise? The evil is here before you, before your eyes!

TREMAS: My wife is not well.

DOCTOR: Did she say Melkur?

SERON: She has an obsession with the statue.

LUVIC: Devoted to it. Takes it flowers.

KATURA: Since she was a child.

DOCTOR: A force was certainly brought to bear upon the Keeper from some quarter. Tell me more about this Melkur.

KATURA: Consuls, this Doctor is procrastinating.

SERON: Perhaps, but I would like this clear. Are you asking us to believe that some kind of psychic power has been used?

DOCTOR: No, not at all. A high energy beam. And if I had the right instrument

DOCTOR: Extraordinary. It's just the thing. How very curious.

TREMAS: Are you a scientist, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Yes, and so I see are you. Tremas, isn't it? Been investigating high energy forcefields, eh?

TREMAS: You understand these things?

DOCTOR: Well, I've dabbled a bit in the bioelectronics line. May I cast an eye over that?

TREMAS: Will the court permit an exchange of scientific views?

FOSTER: No! No! No! Argh!

DOCTOR: Where did you get these readings?

TREMAS: In the courtyard.

DOCTOR: Plasma fields of this strength couldn't have been generated without some pretty formidable magnetic containment. I'm hardly tooled up for that sort of thing.

TREMAS: Quietly, Doctor. I don't want to alarm the others with this yet.

SERON: What do you make of him? Does he talk sense?

TREMAS: It's hard to say.

KASSIA: Then let us proceed, husband. Fosters!

TREMAS: Wait. In honour to the truth, we cannot proceed.

KATURA: What truth, Tremas?

TREMAS: The charges have not been proved against the strangers. Consuls, under sacred law, I claim consular privilege and take them under my protection.

KATURA: Consular privilege?

KASSIA: No, Tremas. I'm doing this for you.

SERON: He is quite within his rights.

LUVIC: Maybe, but can't he tell us what's going on?

KATURA: Why this brave gesture, Consul Tremas?

KASSIA: Yes, why? Let it be.

SERON: We have no right to question him on that point. Very well. We place you both under the protection of Consul Tremas. You realise the consequences.

DOCTOR: Consequences?

SERON: Should you infringe the law here in any way, then his life too is forfeit.

DOCTOR: Ah yes, yes, very civil of you, Consul. And we'll do our very best to try and return the compliment, won't we, Adric?

TREMAS: Kassia? Where's Kassia?

KASSIA: Melkur! This mustn't be discovered. It is too soon.

LUVIC: Yes, indeed. This is a very serious matter.

KATURA: Do they understand? One can never tell with strangers.

SERON: Doctor, the consuls now transfer you to the custody of Tremas.

KATURA: But you must stay with him.

DOCTOR: A sort of house arrest? Well, that suits us, eh, Adric?

LUVIC: Suits you?

ADRIC: Yeah. With no TARDIS we've nowhere to put up for the night.

TREMAS: There's little of the night left, Doctor. It'll soon be dawn.

DOCTOR: It's been here again.

TREMAS: What, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Whatever it was that was here last time.

ADRIC: How do you know?

DOCTOR: Those stones have been h*t by a plasma beam. They're disintegrated. Look, the sun's coming up. You're right, it is morning. Tremas, you know what I need more than anything else in the universe?

TREMAS: No, Doctor.

DOCTOR: Breakfast. Is your place far?

KASSIA: No.

KASSIA: Yes, Melkur?

DOCTOR: Well, if you don't mind, I think it's high time we got down to work.

TREMAS: What do you have in mind?

DOCTOR: Well, the first thing we ought to do is find my TARDIS.

TREMAS: Proctor Neman had the grove thoroughly searched.

NYSSA: Grove? I've just come from there.

TREMAS: My daughter, Nyssa.

ADRIC: Hello.

DOCTOR: Hello.

NYSSA: How do you feel?

DOCTOR: Oh, fine, fine. It's always nice to be reprieved. Listen, you didn't notice a tall blue box with a lamp on top out there, did you?

NYSSA: There was nothing like that there.

DOCTOR: I know that TARDIS, Tremas. It's got to be out there somewhere.

TREMAS: Very well, I'll take you there myself. But just you, Doctor. Adric will stay here.

DOCTOR: Thank you.

KASSIA: I tried, Melkur, but I failed. The Doctor is now protected by sacred law.

MELKUR: Your failure is irrelevant. The law which protects the strangers will presently destroy them.

KASSIA: And Tremas? What of my husband? You promised to save him. He must not become Keeper.

MELKUR: Your precious Keepers. They, too, are irrelevant. When this one dies, he will be the last of his kind here on Traken.

KASSIA: But Tremas is named as successor.

MELKUR: Named, perhaps, but what's in a name? Kassia is as good a name as Tremas.

KASSIA: I do not understand.

MELKUR: Understanding is not necessary to your task, Consul. Now listen carefully and obey without question.

ADRIC: Well, I had no idea your science was this highly advanced.

NYSSA: It has to be, to protect and expand a great power which our Keeper exercises on our behalf.

ADRIC: Oh yes, I've read about your Keeper. The chosen Keeper dedicates himself to the bioelectronic system.

NYSSA: The Source, yes. From it he organises the whole Traken Union.

ADRIC: These readings couldn't be something to do with the Source, I suppose?

NYSSA: The energy emissions? Oh no, the frequency profiles are something completely new to us.

ADRIC: Have you tried a Fourier analysis?

ADRIC: Something to write with.

KASSIA: And this matter must be dealt with immediately.

KATURA: No, no

SERON: Secret meetings now? Why do you visit my quarters hugger-mugger like this?

KATURA: Is it true, Seron? Kassia tells us her husband concealed knowledge from the consuls.

SERON: What knowledge?

KASSIA: The nature of these emissions. Tremas has been recording their energy profiles.

SERON: Disharmony among us consuls now? Tremas did not conceal the knowledge. He and I have discussed the subject together.

LUVIC: You knew too? This is a grave matter, Seron.

SERON: Dangerous knowledge, Consul. Knowledge that could tip our people over the brink into superstitious chaos. Is that what you want?

KASSIA: This matter has grave implications for the succession.

SERON: You question the Keeper's judgement? You say Tremas is unfit to succeed?

KATURA: That is for him to prove, and the sooner the better.

SERON: Rapport with the Keeper?

KATURA: It is the only way we know to resolve this problem.

KASSIA: What is there to fear, Seron? If he acted justly, he will survive and we will be humbled.

SERON: If there has been deceit, then I am to blame. Tremas did what he did on my advice.

KATURA: You? Seron.

LUVIC: Then in justice, Seron, you must enter Rapport.

KASSIA: No, that is not intended.

SERON: Intended, Kassia? By whom? Very well, we will put it to the test. I shall submit myself to Rapport. I ask that Consul Tremas keep vigil on my behalf.

KATURA: With Consul Tremas under suspicion too, that is hardly the best choice.

LUVIC: No, I

KASSIA: I shall keep vigil for you, Seron.

SERON: Thank you, Consul Kassia. Under your zealous eye we may be certain justice will be done. Now Consuls, you will excuse me. I must prepare myself.

TREMAS: Proctor Neman?

DOCTOR: Is something the matter?

NEMAN: Consul?

TREMAS: We intend to visit the grove. Who are those people?

NEMAN: Ordinary citizens, Consul.

TREMAS: Oh.

NEMAN: They're waiting for a sign.

TREMAS: A sign?

NEMAN: There are rumours that the Melkur has been redeemed and will bring these disasters to an end.

DOCTOR: Huh, that's hardly likely.

NEMAN: It's superstition. But if I might suggest?

TREMAS: Yes, Proctor Neman?

NEMAN: It would perhaps be better if the Consul were not to visit the grove. It might be seen as confirmation of the rumour.

DOCTOR: Well, I can see the force of that argument, but what I'm more interested in is finding my

TREMAS: Thank you, Proctor. A wise thought. I'll show the Doctor round the court instead.

TREMAS: (quietly) The man's too fond of money to be trusted.

DOCTOR: Really?

TREMAS: There is another way to the grove. The service vault beneath the Keeper's chamber.

DOCTOR: Citizen trouble there?

TREMAS: No. Entry to it is possible only through consular agreement.

ADRIC: These readings were taken before we arrived.

NYSSA: You know what it is?

ADRIC: I think so, except it's impossible. But the Doctor will know for sure. He must see this, Nyssa.

NYSSA: But you're supposed to stay with me.

ADRIC: Well then, you'll have to come along, too. Come on. The grove.

MELKUR: You have served me well, Kassia. At my feet you will find a gift.

MELKUR: Wear it as a token of your allegiance.

MELKUR: Now, the gentle irradiation and your allegiance is assured. Go now, Kassia. Be my eyes and ears.

KASSIA: It is not as you predicted, Melkur. Seron will now enter Rapport.

MELKUR: There is much that you do not understand, Kassia.

KASSIA (on screen): I have failed you, Melkur, but spare my husband, I beg of you. You have promised.

DOCTOR: Wait.

DOCTOR: There's someone in there.

TREMAS: You mustn't be seen. It's too dangerous.

TREMAS: Kassia.

DOCTOR: Don't. She's in some sort of trance.

TREMAS: She must have come from the grove.

DOCTOR: Yes, from the Melkur thing.

DOCTOR: You know, Tremas, your Source manipulator is really quite beautiful.

TREMAS: Yes, it's functions have expanded steadily over the years.

DOCTOR: Its limitless organising capacity refined to a single frame and obedient to the will of your Keeper. A great achievement, Tremas, and a great temptation to people less principled than ourselves.

TREMAS: Yes, the thought has occurred to me. Come, the grove is this way.

DOCTOR (on screen): Bothers you, does he, Tremas?

TREMAS (on screen): Yes, and with good reason.

DOCTOR (on screen): Yes, me too. I'd like to take another look, but first, the TARDIS.

DOCTOR: Now, we put it down about, yes, here. Hmm.

TREMAS: Well?

DOCTOR: It's here. It's just been displaced slightly by the current time cone. Now, what's the simplest way around this? I'd like to set up a standing wave. Something the autosystems can home in on.

TREMAS: Would a binary induction system serve the purpose?

DOCTOR: Well, it'll be a start.

TREMAS: Back to the vault stores, then.

MELKUR: Find your TARDIS, Time Lord. Much good will it do you now.

NEMAN: Yes, lady?

NYSSA: Proctor Neman, why are all these people gathered here?

NEMAN: Rumours, lady. The law permits it.

NYSSA: They offend the dignity of the Keeper. Have them removed.

NEMAN: But that is not lawful, lady.

NYSSA: My father and other consuls determine what is lawful.

NEMAN: (to Fosters) Remove them.

FOSTER: Come on, clear this area. Come on, move it.

NYSSA: See that they leave here.

NEMAN: As you wish, lady.

NYSSA: It's locked!

ADRIC: Well, never mind. I'm quite good with locks. May I borrow your brooch?

NYSSA: Hurry, Adric, slip through.

KATURA: No, Nyssa. Do not enter the grove.

NYSSA: But

LUVIC: It's dangerous.

NYSSA: Who says so?

KATURA: Seron, and your father.

NYSSA: But my father. Yes, I see.

KATURA: The Melkur can do without your attentions for today, I'm sure.

LUVIC: But unfortunately the state cannot do without ours.

KATURA: There are grave matters for us to discuss, Nyssa.

LUVIC: Come on, we'll take you home.

KATURA: Stay there until these things are settled.

MELKUR: So, your sheep stray from the fold, Doctor.

DOCTOR (OOV.): Psst.

ADRIC: Doctor?

DOCTOR: I thought I told you to stay with Nyssa.

ADRIC: Doctor, Doctor, I must speak to you.

DOCTOR: Shush. Can't it wait?

ADRIC: No.

DOCTOR: All right. Come on, through here.

KATURA: So be it.

KATURA: Good luck, Seron. We wish you well.

ADRIC: The wave loop pattern's unmistakable.

TREMAS: Ah, you recognise the source of these energy emissions?

ADRIC: I thought they might be from some sort of a TARDIS. I don't know what the Doctor thinks.

DOCTOR: The Doctor thinks you might have a very good point. This certainly looks like a TARDIS generator, but you don't get shift ratios of this magnitude in an ordinary Type Forty. Adric, we have a full backflow inducer in the making here.

SERON: Keeper of Traken, the Consul's integrity is in doubt. I therefore claim Rapport with the Source so that you may make your judgement.

DOCTOR: There we are, a fully fledged full backflow inducer.

TREMAS: Doctor!

DOCTOR: Yes?

DOCTOR: What does that mean?

TREMAS: It means the Keeper is being summoned.

SERON: Your judgement, Keeper?

KEEPER: You are blameless, Seron, but doomed, and we are both betrayed.

KASSIA: Forgive me, Seron.

SERON: Consul Kassia!

KASSIA: Forgive me, but I serve a greater purpose.

SERON: Lost, degraded creature.

SERON (on screen): You betrayed your Keeper and your sacred consular vows? Kassia, reject this evil. Reject it.

KASSIA: I cannot. Now, Melkur, now!

TREMAS: You wait here.

TREMAS: Kassia? d*ad? Seron d*ad? How?

TREMAS: What have you done, Kassia?

KASSIA: Tremas, my husband, I

KASSIA: Seron is d*ad, rejected by the Keeper.

TREMAS: No!

KASSIA: Melkur is the cause of his destruction. Melkur. And those are his agents.

LUVIC: Seron, and now you, Tremas? Is nothing sacred any more? Fosters, take them.

DOCTOR: Quick, the vault. The vault.

KASSIA: Leave them. Come with me.

TREMAS: Hurry, Doctor.

ADRIC: But we can't get out. There are Fosters at the other door to the grove.

DOCTOR: You're forgetting about the TARDIS, Adric. Come on, come on.

DOCTOR: Wait, wait, wait.

ADRIC: Will it work?

DOCTOR: Well, give it a moment or two. Trust me.

DOCTOR: If you come up with a better idea, let me know.

MELKUR: Doctor, recovering the TARDIS won't help you.

DOCTOR: So you're the cause of all this.

MELKUR: Turn off your instrument.

DOCTOR: Adric, Tremas, don't look at its eyes.

ADRIC: Doctor, look!

TREMAS: Kassia, help us!

KASSIA: Yes, help me, Tremas.

KASSIA: Don't look. Not my eyes.

DOCTOR: He should be all right. Come on, he's only stunned.

KASSIA: It is done, Melkur.

MELKUR: Oh no, Kassia. It is only beginning.
{"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "18x22 - The Keeper of Traken - part 2"}