Excerpt from Blakes 7: The Program Guide by Tony Attwood

Docholli is a cyber-surgeon reputed to be the only one who still knows the location of Star One, the new Federation computer control center. He has been traced to Freedom City, a gambling town outside the Federation. Blake, Jenna and Cally teleport into the city in search of Docholli. Meanwhile Travis has already found him on a freighter and, realizing that Blake will soon be on Docholli's trail, decides to wait until Blake turns up in order to kill him. Servalan likewise realizes that Docholli's arrival in Freedom City will attract both Blake and Travis, and determines to destroy them both and indeed Freedom City itself, which she regards as degenerate.

Whilst Blake, Jenna and Cally go in search of Docholli around the lower level bars, Vila and Avon discuss life on Freedom City and Avon recalls its reputation for gambling. They succeed in reducing Orac in size so that they can take it down to the planet and beat the gaming computers, thus winning a considerable number of credits in the main casino, the Big Wheel.

The owner of the Big Wheel, Krantor, is also the owner of a large part of Freedom City, and it is he whom Servalan approaches for information on the whereabouts of Docholli and Travis. Krantor puts his underlings onto the job of finding the two men and meanwhile continues to run the casino and its special attraction, an alien known as the Klute who challenges all comers to games of Speed Chess. Anyone beating or drawing with the Klute gains one million credits, whilst anyone defeated is instantly electrocuted.

Whilst Blake, Jenna and Cally continue to search, Vila and Avon, with the help of Orac, win four million credits at the gaming tables. Vila is then drugged and tricked into challenging the Klute at Speed Chess, much to Avon's dismay. Nevertheless, with the help of Orac, Vila manages to win once more.

Blake eventually finds Docholli and, immediately after, Travis, who is anxious for Docholli to execute repairs on his false arm which has been turned into a bomb by Servalan. Whilst working on Travis's arm, Docholli reveals that, contrary to popular belief, he does not know the location of Star One. He admits to having worked on the brains of the technicians who built the control center, removing from them all knowledge of the location, but he never scanned their brain patterns whilst inducing the amnesia. However, he did fake the final operation, thus leaving one man with the memory of the location of Star One.

Blake helps Docholli escape from Servalan and returns to the Liberator to carry on the search for Star One, leaving Travis with one arm unusable because of the bomb mechanism placed there by Servalan. Blake arrives back with Jenna and Cally only seconds after Avon and Vila return with their winnings, which they quickly hide.

Review 07/04/2005 by ledlogic

Who is the guy hanging out with Servalan? I half expected Servalan to destroy Freedom City. This episode is where Star Trek: Deep Space Nine got all of its ideas.

Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by George Spenton-Foster

(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) 1992 by Kay Teel and Micky DuPree.

Dramatis Personae

Roj Blake - Gareth Thomas
Jenna Stannis - Sally Knyvette
Kerr Avon - Paul Darrow
Cally - Jan Chappell
Vila Restal - Michael Keating
Orac - Peter Tuddenham
Servalan - Jacqueline Pearce
Travis - Brian Croucher

Krantor - Aubrey Woods
Docholli - Denis Carey
Chenie - Nicolette Roeg
Croupier - Sylvia Coleridge
Cevedic - Paul Grist
Toise - John Leeson
Jarriere - Harry Jones
Zee - Michael Halsey
The Klute - Deep Roy

Thrills
Unnamed henchman
Unnamed male voice

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Within the body of the transcription, the speed chess moves are not recorded. However, appended to the transcript is a record of the speed chess games, thoughtfully provided by Eddie Clarke.

[A bar in Freedom City. Zee limps across the floor to Docholli's table.]
ZEE: Get up!
DOCHOLLI: Hello, Zee. So you're getting around. How's the leg?
ZEE: You drunken butcher. Look what you did!
DOCHOLLI: You're lucky to have it, my friend.
ZEE: Lucky? You crippled me, Kline. [Puts hand on crippled leg.]
DOCHOLLI: When they brought you to me after that explosion you had no leg at all. I built that out of pieces!
ZEE: Get up!
DOCHOLLI: Why?
ZEE: [Produces gun] I want to see you fall down. All right, I'm gonna count to three. [Points gun at Docholli.] One... Two -- [Sound of a gun. Zee grabs his hand and shouts in pain.] Ah!
DOCHOLLI: Thanks. Next time don't leave it so late.
[Travis appears from the shadows.]
TRAVIS: [To Zee] Get out.
[Zee walks off.]
DOCHOLLI: Ungrateful scum! Have a drink, Travis.
TRAVIS: One of us has to see straight. Better be me, I think.
[Travis departs.]
CHENIE: So, you're a surgeon.
DOCHOLLI: Used to be.
CHENIE: I heard about that business on the Barlee.
DOCHOLLI: A secondary burner blew out. I did what I could for the survivors.
CHENIE: And is he one of them?
DOCHOLLI: Travis? No. He was a passenger, and now he's my bodyguard.
CHENIE: I see. And do all your ex-patients try to kill you?
DOCHOLLI: Thirty of them have every right, Chenie. I should never have done it. Never! [Drinks]

[Teleport area on Liberator. Cally and Jenna are standing on the teleport pad. Vila is at the controls. Blake enters.]
BLAKE: This is a picture of Docholli. He'll have changed his name, of course. [Hands picture to Jenna and Cally.]
CALLY: Well, he could have had a face job done by now as well.
BLAKE: No, he hasn't had time. Servalan's been on his heels from the moment he escaped with the location of Star One.
VILA: Well, he's out of her reach now.
BLAKE: Officially.
JENNA: How do you mean?
BLAKE: Well, Freedom City may be outside the Federation, but that won't stop Servalan. Oh, she'll find some way of getting to him, but if she gets to him before we do...
VILA: Goodbye Docholli!
JENNA: And goodbye to any chance of finding the Federation control center.
BLAKE: Right. You know what you have to do, Vila. I want you or Avon on stand-by in the teleport the entire time we're in Freedom City.
VILA: Yes, you said.
BLAKE: Right, let's go.
JENNA: [Waves to Vila] Bye.

[A casino in Freedom City. A floor show is beginning.]
CROUPIER: Speed chess. The only game of skill in this establishment. [Points her baton at the Klute.] The Klute challenges all comers. [The Klute stands up and bows.] A win or a draw gets you a million -- one million credits, _mes amis_. Win or draw against the Klute. The biggest prize in the galaxy. Now come on, all you space trekkers. Put your life on the line and beat the Klute at speed chess. Win a fortune!

[At another end of the casino, Toise approaches Servalan, who holds a mask to her face. Jarriere sits next to her.]
TOISE: Krantor will see you now.
[Servalan hands the mask to Jarriere.]
SERVALAN: Wait here, Jarriere.

[Krantor's room in the casino. Krantor is sitting at his mirror. He gets up as Servalan enters with Toise.]
KRANTOR: Ah! Commander Servalan. Welcome, welcome, welcome! This is indeed a pleasure. [To Toise] You may go, Toise. We so rarely receive an emissary from the Federation here in Freedom City. I am, Commander, transfixed with delight! [Kisses her hand.]
SERVALAN: Supreme Commander.
KRANTOR: Ah! My apologies. Supreme Commander. Pray, be seated.
[Servalan takes a seat on the bed. Krantor joins her.]
SERVALAN: You appear to have misunderstood my message, Krantor. I am not here officially.
KRANTOR: But of course. I understood -- perfectly. Discretion and delicacy are the very watchwords of my organization. Just tell me your requirements and I will see that you are provided with the most sophisticated -- and subtle -- forms of satisfaction.
SERVALAN: You have misunderstood. I am here unofficially but on Federation business.
KRANTOR: Oh, how sad. Try a pataki cake. [Offers her a tray of small cakes.]
SERVALAN: A what?
KRANTOR: They contain the distilled venom of a local reptile, and the effects are highly stimulating.
SERVALAN: No, thank you. [Takes tray from Krantor and puts it on bed.] There is a man here named Docholli, a cyber-surgeon. I am willing to pay two million credits for him, dead or alive.
KRANTOR: My dear commander, there are many wanted men here. They come to Freedom City because we are outside the Federation.
SERVALAN: Not very far outside.
KRANTOR: I do hope that is not as threatening as it sounds. That would be ... most unwise. Are you sure I can't tempt you? [Offers plate of cakes.]
SERVALAN: Quite sure.
KRANTOR: Ah!
SERVALAN: There's a second man here named Travis. He has an artificial arm and an eye patch. I am interested in finding him also.
KRANTOR: [Laughs unpleasantly] An eye patch! Oh, how quaint.
SERVALAN: Well?
KRANTOR: Placed as we are, we must necessarily maintain a position of strict neutrality.
SERVALAN: And what does that mean, exactly?
KRANTOR: You will not be impeded in your search for these men.
SERVALAN: Krantor, I don't have time for that. It is vital I find Docholli before certain ... insurrectionist elements contact him.
KRANTOR: Oh, I see. Insurrectionist elements?
SERVALAN: Mm. A Federation problem which we intend to eliminate.
KRANTOR: Really, Commander --
SERVALAN: Supreme --
KRANTOR: Supreme Commander, you make my blood run cold. I wonder if I emphasized sufficiently how highly we value our neutrality. I'm sure I must have done.
SERVALAN: How highly?
KRANTOR: Also, my casino ... very profitable ... four million credits a week.
SERVALAN: You have a suggestion?
KRANTOR: Ten.
SERVALAN: Eight -- for both Travis and Docholli.
KRANTOR: My dear Com -- Supreme Commander -- I always say we are sent to help each other. What is this life if we cannot be of some service to our fellows? Give me two hours.
SERVALAN: Thank you. [Gets up to leave, pauses at door.] I have booked room one hundred at the terminal.
KRANTOR: I know.
[She departs. Krantor stands as Toise enters.]
KRANTOR: Well?
TOISE: Travis came in on the Barlee's last trip. He spends all his time down on the rink.
[Krantor makes an acknowledgment, then does a double-take.]
KRANTOR: Toise, are you sure that head gear is part of the uniform?
TOISE: It is of the period, Krantor.
KRANTOR: It looks a little heavy.
TOISE: May I say that your own costume is ... is quite magnificent. It really suits you.
KRANTOR: Yes, it does, doesn't it? My designer tells me that it is patterned upon the attire of someone called the Prince Regent. Oh, what a pity that everyone doesn't enter into the spirit of Carnival -- of _Mardi Gras_ -- as wholeheartedly as you and I. [Suddenly serious] Docholli?
TOISE: No record under that name, but there is a Kline who carried out emergency surgery on board the Barlee after an explosion there. He too stays down on the rink, drinking heavily.
KRANTOR: Worth investigation.
TOISE: Mm.
KRANTOR: [Sits on bed] The fact that Servalan was so willing to pay so much in order to stop her political opponents from contacting him ... Very interesting.
TOISE: It indicates that he possesses some important Federation secret. [Sits on bed.]
KRANTOR: Which we can extract before giving her his body. Krantor wins both ways. Rule of the house. [Feeds Toise a cake.]

[Teleport area on the Liberator. Vila is sitting at the controls. Avon sits on the steps. Orac is next to him.]
VILA: They say it's wide open.
AVON: What is?
VILA: Freedom City.
AVON: So I've heard. Wide, wide open.
VILA: Got everything a man ever dreams of, they say.
AVON: Space City pales by comparison, they say.
VILA: You know, if it was a desert down there, so hot your eyeballs frizzled, poisonous snakes under every rock --
AVON: Blake would have sent us.
VILA: You can bet on it.
AVON: Bet! Why not? It's perfect.
VILA: What is?
AVON: There is a casino down there. It is called the Big Wheel. No stake limits. Why don't we bust it?
VILA: Because we're up here and the casino's down there.
AVON: We go down there. We can get Orac to operate the teleport. He can do it just as well from down there as up here.
VILA: You mean take Orac with us?
AVON: Of course we take Orac with us. You dummy. You haven't caught on, have you?
VILA: What's on your mind?
AVON: The Big Wheel is run by a computer that fixes the odds at five percent in favor of the house, right?
VILA: Right.
AVON: Right. Orac reads computers.
VILA: Ohhhh, that is beautiful! Avon, there are times when I almost get to like you.
AVON: Yes, well, that makes it all worthwhile.
VILA: I mean, you give me a warm feeling right here, around the money belt.
AVON: We are going to need some kind of casing for Orac.
VILA: Wait. Suppose Blake wants fetching up while we're on surface?
AVON: Oh, he'll be several hours looking for Docholli. We can break that casino and be back up here inside of one hour. He need never know that we were gone.
VILA: I just needed convincing. I'm convinced.
AVON: I'll get a casing for Orac.
VILA: Just a minute. Look at Orac. I mean, look at it. It's a bit on the bulky side for smuggling into a casino, wouldn't you say?
AVON: [Considers, then inserts Orac's key] Orac, are you familiar with the theory of molecular reduction?
ORAC: Am I to assume that you refer to a stabilized atomic implosion?
AVON: Yes. Vila and I were just discussing it --
VILA: We were?
AVON: -- and I was assuring him that the whole idea is an absurd fantasy.
ORAC: On the contrary. It is neither absurd, nor is it a fantasy.
AVON: Are you suggesting that you know more about the subject than I do?
ORAC: It is not a suggestion; it is a statement of fact.
AVON: Do you seriously expect me to believe that you could -- for example -- reduce your size without affecting your function?
ORAC: I could.
VILA: For how long?
ORAC: It would depend on the degree of reduction.
AVON: [Sets his hands at roughly 1/4 Orac's size. Vila compresses them to 1/8.] Approximately one-eighth of your current size.
ORAC: Two hours, six minutes.
VILA: Talk's cheap.
ORAC: Does that mean something?
AVON: It means he doesn't believe you, and neither, as a matter of fact, do I.
ORAC: I take it you wish me to prove it.
AVON: Why not?
[Orac shrinks. Avon and Vila shake hands.]

[At Chenie's bar, Docholli has passed out. Travis and another man lift him. He grunts.]
CHENIE: Put him in the back. [Travis and the man carry him off. Travis returns.] Why does he do it?
TRAVIS: He gets thirsty.
CHENIE: You want a drink now, Travis?
TRAVIS: I'll have a vitazade. [Sits.]
CHENIE: Earlier tonight he said that thirty of his ex-patients tried to kill him. What does that mean?
TRAVIS: It means he gets drunk.
CHENIE: Well, whatever he's got on his mind, it can't be that bad. I hear he was quite a hero at the Barlee.
TRAVIS: Perhaps he was trying to pay something back.
CHENIE: They say he was one of the first in the burner. When the fumes got too much for him, it was you who dragged him out.
TRAVIS: Oh, yes. I'm a hero, too.
CHENIE: So. You've saved his life twice. Why?
TRAVIS: It's my noble nature.
CHENIE: Oh, yes, Travis. I can see. It shines from your one yellow eye. Nobility?
TRAVIS: [Slams down the glass] Thanks for the drink.

[Travis is walking outside bar. Cevedic and a unnamed henchman are waiting for him. Cevedic holds a weapon.]
TRAVIS: What's this about?
CEVEDIC: You're being collected. We're Krantor's rubbish collectors.
TRAVIS: "Collected?" [He rushes at them. In the shadows we see him struck down.]
CEVEDIC (off-screen): No. Don't kill him. Not yet.

[In Servalan's room.]
JARRIERE: Oh, you don't trust Krantor.
SERVALAN: He is a despicable animal. When the Federation finally cleans out this cesspit, I shall have that vulpine degenerate eviscerated with a small and very blunt knife.
JARRIERE: Um, if the Supreme Commander feels like that about him ...
SERVALAN: For the moment we need Krantor.
JARRIERE: Even if he cannot be trusted?
SERVALAN: Oh, he can be trusted to do anything for money. He'll deliver Travis.
JARRIERE: And Docholli?
SERVALAN: I told him Docholli, dead or alive. Already he is wondering why a corpse should be worth so much.
JARRIERE: Then, ma'am, we are likely to get the corpse.
SERVALAN: Yes.
JARRIERE: After Krantor has learned the answer to that question.
SERVALAN: Exactly.

[Outside the bars, Blake, Cally and Jenna are walking.]
BLAKE: Let's try the dives along there.
JENNA: Shouldn't we split up? We may cover more ground.
BLAKE: I think we'd better stick together.
CALLY: But he's not likely to be here anyway.
BLAKE: Why not?
CALLY: The Federation's top cyber-surgeon? Why should he be?
JENNA: She's right, Blake. He's led a privileged life. He's got money.
BLAKE: He's also been on the move for a long time.
JENNA: But even so, a man with his skills can always earn it.
BLAKE: Not enough. When you've been on the run for as long as Docholli has, everything costs: false identity papers, phony visas. I mean no one's going to stick out their neck helping him unless they stick out their hand first. No, I don't think Docholli's got much now. That is why I think we'll find him somewhere like this.

[Krantor's room. Krantor looks into his mirror. Servalan's face appears.]
KRANTOR: Oh, Supreme Commander, how prompt you are. Such an admirable, military virtue. The matter of which we spoke earlier.
SERVALAN: Get to the point, Krantor.
KRANTOR: [Rebuffed] The first package is already on its way and naturally I do expect payment on delivery.
SERVALAN: Naturally. Travis, I imagine.
KRANTOR: The second will follow in due course. But if you find time is, um, dragging, I can provide some very original forms of diversion which I guarantee will give you immense pleasure.
SERVALAN: Docholli is all I want from you, Krantor.
[Krantor "switches" off. Toise enters.]
TOISE: Krantor.
KRANTOR: One of these days, Toise, I am going to have Supreme Commander high-and-mighty Servalan ravaged until she does not know what month she's in. I'll have her screaming for death. I --
TOISE: Krantor! We have a trekker ready to challenge the Klute.
KRANTOR: Oh! And so early, too. It's usually much later, when they're drunk, or desperate. I say, what a profitable start to the evening.

[The casino.]
CROUPIER: Come on, my friends. Gather round. You are about to witness the most important spectacle in the history of sport.
KRANTOR: Friends and patrons! We have here a young trekker as you can see. His name is ... [Consults with the man] Thrills. And he is challenging the mighty Klute at speed chess. Your applause for his courage, please. [He leads Thrills to the speed chess table.]
CROUPIER: _Alors_. The rules of speed chess are _tres simple_. [Explains] Simple. Each contestant has five seconds to make his move. If he exceeds that time -- _tant pis_ -- he loses a pawn.
KRANTOR: If Thrills wins or forces a draw, then he wins one million credits which I myself will present him. If he loses, he will never need money again, his chair being connected to an electrocution key. And if the Klute wins, he has the right to press that key. That is the Klute's only reward. Ahhh. Please stand well back from the chair. Are we ready now? [Addressing Thrills] Thrills! You have the advantage of the white pieces and the first move.
[The chess game starts. Thrills becomes nervous as the Klute remains calm. Thrills loses. The Klute laughs, and presses the button. Thrills is electrocuted.]
VILA: He must have been crazy, staking his life.
AVON: Just risking money isn't always enough.
VILA: What?
AVON: If you're a gambler that's the biggest gamble you can take. That's the real "kick."
VILA: Well, he got his kick all right. Straight up the spine.

[Krantor's room.] TOISE: [placing a box of money on Krantor's desk] Four million credits.
KRANTOR: Excellent payment for damaged goods. I take it Travis was damaged?
TOISE: You know Cevedic.
KRANTOR: And now he is searching for Kline, who is probably Docholli.

[In Servalan's hotel room, Jarriere is inspecting an unconscious Travis.]
JARRIERE: He's had a bad beating, Commander. Concussion, I think.
SERVALAN: He'll soon come round. Travis is very strong. [She goes to inspect Travis.]
JARRIERE: Oh, he once worked for you?
SERVALAN: Yes.
JARRIERE: And now he's an outlaw? Uh, what happened?
SERVALAN: He outlived his value. [She finds a listening device on Travis. She motions to Jarriere, who joins her. She shows him the "bug" and replaces it in Travis's clothes.] But now he can perform one last service for us.
JARRIERE: In what way, Commander?
SERVALAN: Travis has been here weeks. He will have found out where Docholli is hiding.
JARRIERE: Perhaps not, Commander, if he's no longer interested in the affairs of the Federation.
SERVALAN: I know Travis better than he knows himself. He has one single dominating obsession. And that is to kill Blake.
JARRIERE: The revolutionary?
SERVALAN: The political criminal. And Travis knows that Blake also is hunting Docholli.
JARRIERE: Because he wants the information that only Docholli has?
SERVALAN: Exactly. And that is why Travis is here. Shadowing Docholli, waiting for Blake to arrive.
JARRIERE: If you're right, Commander, when he comes round, we can force him to tell us where to find Docholli.
SERVALAN: That might take too long. Travis has a high pain threshold, and we don't have the proper facilities here. No. I have a better idea. Disconnect that artificial arm.

[Krantor is listening in. We hear Servalan and Jarriere through the "bug."]
JARRIERE (V.O.): What are you going to do?
SERVALAN (V.O.): Turn Travis into a walking bomb. Uncouple those neural relays, Jarriere. [Pause] Good. [Pause] Now pass me a nitro grenade.
JARRIERE (V.O.): You're going to put it in his arm?
SERVALAN (V.O.): Just draw the pin first. [Pause] There. [Pause] Now we put the arm back again. [Pause] Careful.
JARRIERE (V.O.): What about the connections?
SERVALAN (V.O.): Leave them. When Travis finds his gun arm isn't working, the first thing he'll do is go to Docholli to get it fixed.
JARRIERE (V.O.): And as soon as he takes the arm off-- [Makes exploding noise.]
SERVALAN (V.O.): Mm.
JARRIERE (V.O.): They both die. That's brilliant, Commander.

[Servalan's room. Travis is on a bed, waking up.]
TRAVIS [groggily]: So you've arrived, Servalan. Where's Blake? Is he heading here?
SERVALAN: For once I'm not interested in Blake. I want Docholli.
TRAVIS: I can't help you there.
SERVALAN: You have Docholli staked out. You're waiting for Blake.
TRAVIS: I haven't seen Docholli in two years. [Starts to get up.]
JARRIERE: [Points gun at Travis] Just stay where you are.
TRAVIS: That your new muscle, Servalan? Looks like a powder puff.
SERVALAN: Yes, well, let's forget the pleasantries. Tell me where to find Docholli, I'll let you have Blake.
TRAVIS: You haven't got Blake.
SERVALAN: Travis. We could forget the past. Wipe it out. I'm willing to help you again.
TRAVIS: [Looks at his arm] My arm. What have you done to my arm?
SERVALAN: Why? What's the matter with it?
TRAVIS: Damn you, Servalan!
JARRIERE: It must have been damaged when you were brought here.
TRAVIS: [To Jarriere] Shut up! [To Servalan] So, you're working with Krantor.
SERVALAN: Just bought a little help. Travis, you know why I want Docholli. His mouth has to be sealed. Why don't we trade? [A beeping sound, then Krantor's voice bellows forth.]
KRANTOR (V.O.): Good news, Supreme Commander! My men have just collected the second part of your esteemed order.
SERVALAN: You have Docholli?
KRANTOR (V.O.): We believe so. He will be delivered as soon as we are certain of his identity.
SERVALAN: I can identify him.

[Switches to Krantor's room. We see Servalan in the mirror.]
KRANTOR: Not necessary, Commander. We have the most advanced forms of questioning. ["Switches" mirror off.] [To Toise] That may win us a little time. But she's as perfidious and devious as a snake. Get word to Cevedic. Forget Docholli for the moment. I want Travis found and killed at once.

[Servalan's room.]
SERVALAN: Travis, we no longer need you.
TRAVIS: So?
SERVALAN: You're afraid I'm going to kill you at last. Probably I shall if our paths cross again. At the moment, you are too small to bother with. Get out.

[Krantor listening in with device.]
SERVALAN (V.O.): Before I change my mind.

[Blake, Jenna and Cally sitting at bar. Blake sips a drink.]
CHENIE: You just got in?
BLAKE: Yes.
CHENIE: Came by freighter, eh?
JENNA: Was that a guess?
CHENIE: Well there've been no passenger liners here in a month. We're near the docking cradles, you see, so we know everything that comes and goes. Even the planet hoppers.
BLAKE: It's an interesting life you lead.
CHENIE: You planning to stay?
CALLY: For a while, maybe.
CHENIE: Well you'll find no work here.
CALLY: Who said that we wanted work?
CHENIE: Well if you had money, you wouldn't have come by freighter. So you need work.
BLAKE: Suppose we do?
CHENIE: Well you'll do better on the upper level. Try the Big Wheel. The girls have got class. Krantor might hire them.
[Cevedic enters and stands between Jenna and Cally. He gulps down a drink, then puts his hands around their waists.]
CEVEDIC: Nice trade you're doing these days, Chenie.
CHENIE: Until a minute ago.
CEVEDIC: Stay around, girls. [Comes to face Chenie at the side of the bar] Where's Kline?
CHENIE: Who?
CEVEDIC: Oh, you know who I'm talking about. The surgeon who came in on the Barlee.
CHENIE: Well how should I know?
CEVEDIC: He drinks here, Chenie. Now where is he?
CHENIE: I've no idea. He left here an hour ago.
CEVEDIC: [Puts a hand on Chenie's cheek] Now you wouldn't be lying to me, now would you, Chenie?
CHENIE: No. I've no idea where he goes when he leaves here.
CEVEDIC: [With both hands holding her face] 'Cause if you're lying to me, I'll tear your face off. [Chenie slaps his hands away, and goes towards the back room.] What's in there?
CHENIE: This is private, Cevedic.
CEVEDIC: When Krantor wants somebody, nowhere's private. Now out of the way.
CHENIE: Look, I swear I don't know where Kline is.
OFF-CAMERA MALE VOICE: Cevedic.
CEVEDIC: Chenie, I'll be back. [He leaves.]
JENNA: Who's the ape man?
CHENIE: Krantor's professional killer.
BLAKE: The same Krantor that runs the casino?
CHENIE: The same Krantor that runs Freedom City.
[Chenie goes into back room.]
CALLY: She was lying, Blake.
BLAKE: What?
CALLY: About Kline. He's in the back.
JENNA: And I'll give you any odds that he is Docholli.

[At the casino, Avon holds his teleport bracelet to Orac.]
ORAC: Fifteen black.
[At roulette table, Vila, holding his wrist with bracelet to his head, bets. The wheel spins. He wins. Croupier looks at Toise. Toise nods.]


[Krantor's room.]
TOISE: Krantor! Someone is having a run on the wheel.
KRANTOR: A big win is good for business.
TOISE: This fellow's hit seven shots in a row. He's riding half a million credits!
KRANTOR: You're right, Toise, that's too big. [Goes to mirror.] Which is he? [Mirror shows Vila.]

[Back room at bar. Docholli is coming out of his stupor.]
CHENIE: Do you understand what I'm saying? Come on. Drink this. [Gives him a drink.] You've got to get away from here.
DOCHOLLI: [Drinks] Krantor ... no reason for him to be after me. There's someone behind him. It could only be Servalan.
CHENIE: Who?
DOCHOLLI: Servalan. She represents some people I once worked for. Augk. [Drinks] I knew they'd get me in the end.
CHENIE: You've got to get out of Freedom City. Away from this planet. You can't stay here now!
DOCHOLLI: Don't worry, Chenie. I won't involve you.
CHENIE: If I want to be involved ... Now listen. There's a Trantinian planet hopper leaving here in a couple of hours. I think I can get you on it.
DOCHOLLI: Trantinian ship?
CHENIE: The captain's a regular here. He owes me a favour or two.
DOCHOLLI: He'd never take me. I'm a Federation citizen ... was ... Trantinians would never accept me.
CHENIE: This is a planet hopper, Kline! They'll drop you off on some remote spot. You can completely vanish. No one will ever find you.
DOCHOLLI: [Laughs] To be safe! At last! [Embraces Chenie] Oh, Chenie, I could never repay you!
CHENIE: You don't have to. I told you, he owes me. Now, listen. You know where the loading bays are. Well there's a ship loading at Bay Ten. You'll have to hide there until the ship's released from the cradles. The captain will collect his clearance card, and then walk through the bay on his way back. That's where you can join him. It's only fifty yards to the ship. If anyone sees you, the chances are they'll think you're one of the crew. Now, have you got all that?
DOCHOLLI: Yeah. [Hesitates] Suppose he doesn't agree?
CHENIE: Leave it to me. Now, come on, you've got to be on your way. Go this way. It leads down to the rink. Oh, and good luck, Kline.
[They embrace. He leaves through the back door. Chenie goes into front barroom.]

[Barroom.]
CALLY: What did you call me?
JENNA: A cheap little space tramp.
CALLY: You slut!
JENNA: A ten-credit touch!
CALLY: What -- [Tosses drink at her]
JENNA: You do that again, I'll break your --
[Catfight ensues.]
CHENIE: Break them up.
[Blake sneaks into back room. He finds Docholli's surgical kit. He replaces it where he found it and leaves through the back exit.]

[Cally and Jenna emerge from bar.]
JENNA: And the same to you!
CALLY: We've got news for you. We don't want to come back anyway!
JENNA: You can keep it!
BLAKE: Jenna! Cally! Over here.
JENNA: Did you find him?
BLAKE: I missed him by a couple of minutes. There's a back entrance. Something must have scared him.
CALLY: Cevedic, presumably.
JENNA: Well he could be anywhere by now.
BLAKE: He's left his surgical kit behind. He may come back for it.
JENNA: Well, why?
BLAKE: It's his living.
JENNA: Well, right now I doubt he's thinking about his living -- just keeping alive.
BLAKE: Well, it's the only lead we've got. Chenie's obviously befriended him. I think he'll be back.
CALLY: So what do we do?
BLAKE: Wait.

[Servalan's room.]
JARRIERE: It's over an hour, Commander. Krantor should have delivered Docholli by now.
SERVALAN: Krantor doesn't have Docholli. He was lying.
JARRIERE: I don't understand.
SERVALAN: Krantor had planted a bug on Travis. He overheard everything that went on in this room.
JARRIERE: Oh, yes, but I--
SERVALAN: [Interrupting] He overheard us planning to use Travis to kill Docholli. That pathetic little ploy was just an attempt to gain time while his men find Docholli.
JARRIERE: Oh, I see.
SERVALAN: Do you, Jarriere? Do you see at all?
JARRIERE: Umm. Krantor doesn't want Docholli killed until he's learned what secret he carries.
SERVALAN: Exactly.
JARRIERE: It's a risk, Supreme Commander. Suppose Travis doesn't get to Docholli first?
SERVALAN: He probably won't. Krantor will try to kill him.
JARRIERE: But if that's what you expected--
SERVALAN: Not just expect, Jarriere. I want Travis killed. Because that will establish, beyond doubt, Krantor's intentions.
JARRIERE: Ah, you mean ... uh ... I'm not following.
SERVALAN: Krantor has Travis killed to protect Docholli. Later he will send us Docholli's body. It will be obvious that he has extorted the secret of Star One. Therefore Krantor himself will be placed on the Council's death list. Now do you see?
JARRIERE: [Shakes his head]
SERVALAN: The secret of Star One's location is of no use to a criminal like Krantor. However, that knowledge can bring about his death. Not only that. With any luck the Federation will be finally convinced, as I have argued for years, that we can no longer tolerate this pestilential rathole so close to our own territories. Freedom City will be finally burnt out.
JARRIERE: And this was all in your mind before we came here, Supreme Commander?
SERVALAN: Eradicating this planet has long been in my mind, Jarriere. Events, and Krantor, have played into my hands.
JARRIERE: Then all that can go wrong, Excellency, is if Travis eludes Krantor's men and reaches Docholli.
SERVALAN: Even then, it won't go wrong. You see, I've allowed for that possiblity, too, Jarriere.

[In front of bar. A man walks toward Jenna, Blake and Cally, who are hiding in the shadows.]
JENNA: It's Travis!
BLAKE: Shhh.
[Travis walks past, stops, waves a gun. Seeing nothing, he puts the gun away.]

[Krantor's room.]
KRANTOR: [Watching the mirror] I don't know how he's doing it, Toise, but he's taking us.
TOISE: He must be stopped, Krantor!
KRANTOR: Watch him. Watch him, carefully. Every time, just before he makes a bet, he moves his left hand up to his ear.
TOISE: Or his head.
KRANTOR: We must find out how he's doing it.

[Casino.]
AVON: [Speaking into bracelet] Vila, come on. Let's quit. VILA (V.O., over bracelet): One last spin. We're nearly four million up, Avon.
AVON: All right, just once more. But after this, I warn you, I'm walking out -- to be sick.

[Vila is shown at the roulette table.]

[Avon holds bracelet to Orac.]
ORAC: Red fourteen.

[Roulette table.]
CROUPIER: Make your bets. _Messieurs et mesdames, faites vos jeux. Rien ne va plus_.
[Vila bets. The ball stops on red fourteen on the roulette wheel. Vila draws a pile of chips toward himself.]


[Krantor's room.]
KRANTOR: What do you mean, you can't find Docholli?
CEVEDIC: He's gone to ground in that maze by the docking cradles.
KRANTOR: Cevedic, you know I don't tolerate failure. Your orders were to kill Travis.
CEVEDIC: As soon as it gets light, Krantor, I promise, he won't survive an hour.
KRANTOR: That may be too late. I want him killed tonight. We put an audio tab on him. That may tell us something. [Switches on listening device.]
CHENIE (V.O.): He's not here, Travis.

[Barroom.]
TRAVIS: So it is true. Krantor has got him.
CHENIE: Krantor? No. Why do you say that?
TRAVIS: I heard. So, Krantor was bluffing.
CHENIE: Things got too hot for him, but he's all right now. I've found him a safe passage out.

[Shows Krantor holding the listening device.]
TRAVIS (V.O.): Where is he?
CHENIE (V.O.): In a safe place.
TRAVIS (V.O.): I must find him. You must tell me where he is.

[Barroom.]
CHENIE: He doesn't need your help, Travis.
TRAVIS: All right, all right, Chenie, but I need his! My arm.
CHENIE: What happened?
TRAVIS: The neural circuits have gone. He's the only man who can fix it for me.
CHENIE: Oh, I don't know.
TRAVIS: I'm crippled. Helpless. You can't leave me like this!
CHENIE: I've never been sure of you, Travis.
TRAVIS: Oh, for --- Chenie, do you think I'll give him away? I've saved his life -- twice. The least you can do is tell me where he is.
CHENIE: Oh, all right. But if anything goes wrong, I warn you. [Points finger at him.]
TRAVIS: [Grabbing her wrist] All I want is my arm fixed!
CHENIE: [Pulls her arm away] He's in loading bay ten. By the docking cradles.
TRAVIS: That's better.
CHENIE: Oh, and Travis, if you want your arm fixed, you'd better take his instruments. He left them in here. [She goes to the back room.]

[Krantor's room.]
KRANTOR: Loading bay ten. You better hurry.
CEVEDIC: Yes, Krantor.
KRANTOR: And when you have disposed of Travis, don't forget to bring me Docholli. [Cevedic departs.] Now, for our other problem. [Looks at mirror.] Tell the croupier to shut the wheel down, Toise. It has developed a mechanical fault.

[Travis leaves bar holding Docholli's surgical kit.]
BLAKE: That is Docholli's case he's carrying.
CALLY: Are you sure?
BLAKE: Let's go. Keep in the shadows.

[In the loading bay.]
CEVEDIC (off-screen whisper): Docholli's in there somewhere, but he's not a problem. First we get Travis.
UN-NAMED HENCHMAN: Okay.
CEVEDIC: Over here behind the machine.

[Casino. Vila is at the roulette wheel, surrounded by other customers.]
VILA: Thank you, thank you. It's a pity the wheel broke down. I was just hitting my stride. For you, my dear. [Offers Croupier a chip. She slaps it away.]

[Krantor's room.]
KRANTOR: How much has he won?
TOISE: Nearly five million, Krantor.
KRANTOR: I want that money back, Toise. Have him picked up the moment he leaves.
TOISE: Unfortunately, Krantor, Cevedic took all the men when they went to look for Travis. They're still combing the city.
KRANTOR: Well just don't stand there! Do something!

[Casino. Vila joins Avon.]
AVON: I expect you'll be leaving now.
VILA: I'm just waiting for my winnings, old boy. Can't leave them behind. Even if it is only money.
KRANTOR: My dear sir, my congratulations! Five million! That is a record. While your money is being, uh ... packaged, I wonder if you would do Krantor the honor of joining him for a little celebratory drink ... in my sanctum.
VILA: Well, thank you kindly, Krantor. Thank you kindly.
[Vila goes off with Krantor.]

[Loading bay. Docholli hides behind barrels. Travis enters.]
DOCHOLLI: Careful, Travis! There's two of them.
[Travis sets kit down on a barrel. He draws his gun, and goes to look behind barrels. Sound of gunfire. Switch to Blake, Cally and Jenna as they hear the gunfire.]

CEVEDIC: [Injured] Just luck. Ahhhh.
TRAVIS: I went to a better school, Cevedic.
CEVEDIC: You're a fool, Travis. You're going to die anyway.
TRAVIS: Not as quick as you.
CEVEDIC: Soon as they take that arm off -- kaputt.
TRAVIS: [Grabbing Cevedic] What do you mean?
CEVEDIC: They leave you like that, you die of gangrene. Take it off and you die quicker. Oh, Servalan fitted you up well, Travis.
[Cevedic falls to floor.]

TRAVIS (off-screen): Docholli. Where are you?
DOCHOLLI: Over here. Who told you my name was Docholli?
TRAVIS: I recognized you.
DOCHOLLI: When?
TRAVIS: First time we met.
[Blake, Cally and Jenna appear. Blake points a gun at Travis.]
BLAKE: Just drop the gun, Travis.
TRAVIS: Blake. I've been waiting for you. I knew you'd come.
BLAKE: I'm glad I didn't disappoint you. Is Docholli there? I want to see him.
DOCHOLLI: What do you want with me?
BLAKE: Roj Blake. You may have heard of me. I have a ship called the Liberator.
DOCHOLLI: Yes, I've heard of you, Blake. I repeat: what do you want with me?
BLAKE: One piece of information: the location of Star One.
DOCHOLLI: Then you're going to be disappointed.

[Krantor enters casino with Vila.]
KRANTOR: Friends and patrons! Your attention, please. I have an important announcement. Vila, this gallant sporting gentleman, has agreed to end the evening with one final wager. Friends, he has agreed to challenge the Klute at speed chess!
[Avon, surprised, spits out his food.]
KRANTOR: The terms of the game are: if Vila loses, he pays the usual penalty, but if he wins or draws, then I have promised to double his winnings. Yes, friends, he will leave here with ten million credits.
[Avon joins Vila and Krantor.]
AVON: [To Vila] Are you out of your skull?
VILA: [Drunkenly] Ah, Avon. Good ol' Avon. And good ol' Krantor. We're gonna have another game.
[They go to the speed chess table. Vila sits.]
AVON: Vila, what happened?
VILA: [Suddenly sober] What's going on? What am I doing here?
KRANTOR: Vila. The Klute offers you the white pieces and the advantage of the first move.
VILA: That drink -- I've been tricked.
KRANTOR: Did you say something?
VILA: I don't want to play.
KRANTOR: My friend, it is too late. The stakes have been laid. If you withdraw now, I shall have no alternative but to declare your five million credits forfeit.
AVON: Play, Vila.
VILA: What?
AVON: Orac'll give you the moves.
VILA: But the Klute isn't a computer.
AVON: Play.
KRANTOR: [To Avon] Stand aside from your friend's chair, sir. If he loses the game, you might share his shock.
CROUPIER: _Les jeux sont fait._

[Loading bay. Blake is standing beside Docholli, his gun aimed at Travis.]
BLAKE: I find that hard to believe.
TRAVIS: Why should he lie? He's out of the Federation now.
BLAKE: You never knew the location of Star One?
DOCHOLLI: I was a surgeon, Blake. I thought if I kept out of Federation politics --
TRAVIS: Docholli! My arm. You've got to fix it.
DOCHOLLI: What happened?
TRAVIS: The neural circuits. I brought your case.
DOCHOLLI: A needle will do. Turn round.
CALLY: But you operated on the people who built Star One.
DOCHOLLI: The technicians, yes, thirty of them. I had no choice.
JENNA: Then you must know where Star One is located. How could you not?
DOCHOLLI: I erased their brain prints, their lives. I left them total amnesiacs. It was only towards the end that I ...
BLAKE: Go on, Docholli.
DOCHOLLI: As I came to the end I realized that Servalan would never believe that I hadn't scanned the brain prints, that I myself would be the last to be treated.
TRAVIS: Docholli! Get on with it.
DOCHOLLI: Somehow, it was only then that I realized the enormity of my crime, can you believe that?
TRAVIS: Docholli!
BLAKE: Yes, I can believe that.
DOCHOLLI: And that's when I decided to run for it. I faked the operation on the last of my victims. Ah! [Opens arm up.] What the devil?
BLAKE: [Taking the arm] It's all right, it's not primed. Hmm! So, Servalan thought we'd all die together. She must have some other plans.
TRAVIS: [Snatching the arm] All right, Blake, if you're man enough, kill me now.
BLAKE: Our quarrel is with the Federation, not with you.
JENNA: Give me the gun, then.
BLAKE: That would be mercy. Are you feeling particularly merciful?

[Avon holds communicator bracelet to Orac.]
ORAC: Bishop takes pawn. Check.
[Vila and the Klute play speed chess. The Klute becomes anxious. At last Vila smiles.]
CROUPIER: The Klute offers a draw!
[Vila runs from chair, grabs the pile of money, and joins Avon, who draws his gun.]
AVON: Let's get out of here.
[They leave.]
KRANTOR: I don't understand, Toise. What happened?
TOISE: What happened?! I'll tell you what happened, Krantor -- you blew it!

[Chenie enters the loading bay with a man in space gear.]
CHENIE: What's going on?
DOCHOLLI: It's all right, Chenie. They're friends. They're friends.
CHENIE: I didn't know you had any.
DOCHOLLI: I have some, these last minutes.
CHENIE: Well, get moving. Can't you see the man here is getting worried?
DOCHOLLI: Sure.
BLAKE: Docholli. That last operation. You said it was faked. Does that mean he can still remember?
DOCHOLLI: As far as I know, Blake. I certainly hope so.
BLAKE: Who is he?
DOCHOLLI: His name was Lurgen. He was a cyber-surgeon like myself. Perhaps that's why I changed my heart. Anyway, we faked the operation between us. We didn't erase the brain print, we took a copy of it, and then we both ran. He took the copy with him. I heard that he'd gone to earth on a planet called Goth. Later I heard that one of their tribal chiefs had his brain print on a thong round his neck. Well, either it was the print, or his head. They're a crude lot on Goth.
CHENIE: Yes, well, good luck, Kline, whatever your name is.
DOCHOLLI: [Kisses Chenie on the cheek] I'll see you again, Chenie.
CHENIE: Maybe.

[Liberator teleport area. Avon and Vila run to teleport panel. Vila unloads his winnings and Orac.]
AVON: Quickly, Vila. Hide the money!
BLAKE (V.O. through communicator): Liberator, do you hear me?
AVON: Reading you, Blake.
BLAKE (V.O.): Bring us up, Avon.
AVON: Bringing you up now. [Operates teleport.] Welcome back. How did you get on?
CALLY: We managed to reach Docholli.
AVON: Oh, great. Wonderful. Terrific.
BLAKE: We didn't get the location of Star One, though.
VILA: [Comes from behind teleport panel carrying a small chess set] I think it's my turn on call, Avon. [To Blake] Oh, you're back.
BLAKE: Vila, I don't like that innocent look. What have you two been up to whilst we've been away?
VILA: Me? Nothing. Had a little sleep.
AVON: Played a little chess.
VILA: Played a little chess.
AVON: And that's all.
[They exchange glances, then look back at Orac (still small). They turn to Blake. Sound as Orac changes back to full size.]
VILA: That's right, Blake. We had a real quiet time.

APPENDIX: The Speed Chess Games Transcribed by Eddie Clarke, Machine Intelligence Group, Dept. of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom, Internet address: epc@cs.nott.ac.uk. These transcriptions originally appeared as messages on the Blakes 7 Internet discussion group.

GAME 1

White: Thrills
Black: The Klute

1.      e4      e5
2.      Nc3     Nc6
3.      g3      f5
4.      exf5    d5
5.      Qh5+    Ke7
6.      d4      exd4
7.      Bg5+    Nf6

8 R . B Q . B . R
7 P P . . . . P P
6 . . P . . N . .
5 . . K P . p . q
4 . N b . . b . .
3 . . . . . n p .
2 p P p . . p . p
1 . k . r r . . .
  a b c d e f g h

14.     Be3+    Kxc4
15.     a4      Nxc2

8 q . . . . B . R
7 P P . . . . P P
6 . . P . B . . .
5 . . . . . . . .
4 p . . . P p . .
3 K . . . b . p .
2 . P . . . . . p
1 . k . r N . . .
  a b c d e f g h

23.     Rxe1    Bb4
24.     Qxh8    Ba2+
25.     Kc2     Bc4

26.     Rd1     Ka2
27.     Qxg7    Bc3 mate

GAME 2

White: Vila (with help from Orac)
Black: The Klute

8 R . B . . R K .
7 P P . . B P P P
6 . . . . P N . .
5 Q . . . b . . .
4 . . b . . . . .
3 . . n . . . . .
2 p p p . q p p p
1 . . k r . . . r
  a b c d e f g h

12.     ...     b6
13.     f4      Bb7
14.     Rhf1    Rac8

8 . . R . . R . .
7 P B . . B P K .
6 . P . . P . . .
5 Q . . N . . . .
4 . . . . . p q .
3 . . n . . . . .
2 p p p . . . p p
1 . . k r . r . .
  a b c d e f g h

19.     Qg4+    Kh8
20.     Qh5+    Kg7
21.     Qg4+    Kh8
22.     Qh5+

For reconstructions of the games, the reader is referred to Eddie Clarke (address given above), and the publication "Gambit 9," available from Jean Graham, 5417 Streamview Dr., San Diego, CA 92105-3820, U.S.A.