The Dead Planet

Dear Diary,

This planet is quite fascinating. We would appear to have arrived in the aftermath of a great forest fire. The soil has turned to sand and ashes. But it can’t be simply due to heat. It’s more a petrified jungle. Miss Wright stumbled upon the remains of a strange metal beast, very like a lizard composed of pliable metal, most likely held together by some internal magnetic force. Chesterton insisted such a thing was impossible! As if life must always conform to his narrow experience.

Of course, this planet is totally dead now. The vegetation has been totally destroyed. But there is a magnificent city in the distance that appears completely undamaged. I simply had to investigate, to try to work out what had happened here, and was about to set off for the city when Chesterton, once again our self-appointed leader, stopped me and would not let me go on my own as I was the only one who knows how to pilot the ship. I started to respond, however, at that moment, Susan screamed, claiming someone had touched her shoulder. I told her it was impossible for anything to live in this environment, but she would not listen to me.

When we went back into the TARDIS, I asked Miss Wright to speak to her. Sometimes the difference in our ages makes things difficult. This left me free, unfortunately, to endure yet another tiresome argument from Chesterton refusing to explore this planet further. I finally decided I needed something to eat and led Chesterton to the food synthesizer. Miss Wright had developed something of a headache as well, so we all had a bite to eat.

At this point, a knocking sound appeared on the outside of the TARDIS. I went to investigate, but again they all insisted we leave. I acquiesced and began dematerialisation. I stopped, however, and told them something had gone wrong, that the fluid link had run out of Mercury. Surely we would be able to acquire some in the city.

We agreed to set out at first light, Chesterton insisting we get the Mercury and come straight back without any exploring. Outside the TARDIS, however, we found a strange metal box filled with glass phials. How could it have been placed there? We placed it in the TARDIS and set off.

The way to the city proved very demanding, with all of us feeling weak and losing our breath. I had to lean on Susan for support until we reached the city. After a short rest, we agreed to separate, with Chesterton going one direction, Miss Wright in another, and Susan and I taking the third.

The city itself, again, is quite interesting, composed almost entirely of metal, with long angular hallways. I wonder who could have built such a place. Soon we met back up with Chesterton and decided to take another rest. I really can’t explain how exhausting this trip has been. When Miss Wright still did not appear, Chesterton decided to go looking for her, whilst I recuperated.

I do hope nothing has happened to her. She’s the one l like.

 

Based upon the teleplay by Terry Nation, first broadcast on BBC 21st December, 1963