13. Space

(Scorpio hurtles away from Xenon.)

14. Scorpio flight deck

(The lights are on full now, since the ship is recharged. TARRANT is flying with DAYNA’s assistance. SOOLIN sits to one side while VILA is at the rear, covering them all with his gun.)

TARRANT: Approaching Epsilon orbit. Adjust speed to compensate for gravitational influence. Approach surface on a flat trajectory. Do you think you can handle it, Dayna?

(DAYNA nods and makes some adjustments to the flight console. SOOLIN makes an abrupt movement towards VILA. He is too quick and gestures with the gun. SOOLIN smiles and sits. TARRANT gives VILA a searching look. VILA is discomfited, but his resolve is clear.)

VILA: Don’t make any mistakes, Tarrant.

TARRANT: I won’t. If you won’t.

15. Algor’s chamber

(The screen now shows a patch of the sea and shoreline. ALGOR and SERVALAN are watching.)

ALGOR: Now... Now you shall see my masterpiece. I will demonstrate Gabor’s power - power that will soon be yours.

(On the screen, GABOR appears. He faces ANOTHER ROBOT – one of those who was in pursuit of Avon which Servalan referred to as a “lesser” robot. The LESSER ROBOT fires a gun at GABOR, but it has no effect. ALGOR watches on, pleased while SERVALN is clearly impressed. The two robots grapple, but it is very one sided as, at length, GABOR lifts the other, defeated ROBOT in its arms and hurls it over the edge of a steep-sided dune. GABOR is triumphant, while at the foot of the dune lines a heap of mangled metal.)

16. Space

(Scorpio closes into orbit around Epsilon.)

17. Shoreline

(TARRANT, SOOLIN and VILA materialize on the sea shore. They look around carefully and, after a moment, they move off.)

18. Scorpio flight deck

(Tense, DAYNA sits at the flight console watching SLAVE blink. The lights are growing dim as the fuel finally begins to run out.)

19. Cell

(SERVALAN is sitting beside the beaten AVON, gently wiping his brow.)

SERVALAN: You surprised me, Avon. I did not think you would be taken so easily... Or, perhaps, you intended to be caught so that you could get closer to Algor? It doesn’t do you any good. I’m afraid he intends to kill you and there is nothing I can do about it. Even if I wanted to.

AVON: Which you don’t.

SERVALAN: You took the words out of my mouth.

AVON: He seems to be taking his time. Why doesn’t he get it over with?

SERVALAN: I suspect he wants to savour the moment. After six years of solitude, who can blame him? (thoughtful) Do you think Tarrant and the others will try and save you?

AVON: No.

SERVALAN: No. Of course not. In their place, you certainly wouldn’t. (sighs) Once upon a time, I thought highly of you. Now, I don’t. You are out of touch with the real Universe, you are older... more weary... and expendable.

(SERVALAN rises and crosses to the door. It opens, allowing a ROBOT carrying a large knife to enter. SERVALAN nods at it, then turns back to look at AVON.)

SERVALAN: I was going to say ‘Good night’, but it’s really ‘Goodbye’, isn’t it? Algor has provided me with the means to achieve my former status as President of a vast and powerful Federation: the invincible Gabor! Emotionally, Gabor is about as impressive as you are, but as a warrior he is a hundred times more effective! Multiply that hundred by another hundred and you can calculate what you would have been up against. You’re better dead.

(She turns and leaves, smiling. The ROBOT advances on AVON, holding up its knife...)

20. ALGOR’S BATHROOM

(ALGOR is luxuriating in a large foam-filled bath.)

21. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CELL

(SERVALAN strides away from AVON’s cell. The door slides shut, heavy bolts thudding into place.)

22. SAND DUNES

(GABOR stands on the top of a dune. A small box attached to the robot’s waist crackles with static – the power of a walking neutron bomb.)

23. CELL

(As the ROBOT closes in on AVON, he uses the last of his strength to grab it around the waist and hurl the ROBOT over his shoulder, against the cell wall. AVON leaps out of the chair, grabs the chair and smashes it against the ROBOT’s body as it tries to rise. The ROBOT slumps, and AVON holds its head in a half-Nelson, his face strained with the effort. Finally there is the crunch of metal and the ROBOT goes limp, destroyed at last. AVON rises and tries the door, but it is locked. He removes a stud from his belt, and then opens the stud – inside its hollow interior is a thin wire, a lock-pick. AVON sets to work on the door.)