Mayday at 30,000 Feet
Written By Isaac Travers
INT: Airport Terminal - Late Evening
At Osaka Airport, The terminal is bustling with travelers, flight announcements echoing in multiple languages. MARCUS, a well-dressed man in his 20s, sits by a large window overlooking the tarmac. His carry-on bag rests beside him. The faint hum of jet engines in the distance underscores the scene. Marcus checks his watch, sighs, and pulls out his phone as it begins to ring.
MARCUS
(into phone)
Hello, yeah, it’s only me, I'm just waiting in the terminal.
The voice of his partner, NICK, comes through faintly on the other end.
NICK (V.O.)
Are you okay? I saw the delay notice. Are you still at the gate?
MARCUS
Yeah, flight’s been pushed back an hour. Just my luck. But hey, it’s nothing compared to that layover in Tokyo last year.
NICK (V.O.)
(laughs softly)
True. But you’ve been gone for two weeks, Marcus. I just… I really want you home.
MARCUS
I know, Nick. Me too. I’ll be there before you know it. Say another hour, right?
NICK (V.O.)
Just don’t fall asleep and miss the boarding call.
MARCUS
(chuckling)
No chance of me doing that any time soon. I’ll see you soon, love you
He ends the call and leans back in his seat, gazing out at the planes taxiing on the runway. The announcement system crackles to life.
TERMINAL ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Attention passengers on Flight 803 to Sydney: we are pleased to announce that boarding will begin shortly at Gate 17. Please have your boarding passes ready.
MARCUS
Well, wish me luck
Marcus stretches, grabs his bag, and makes his way to the gate. The camera follows him through the bustling crowd as he hands his boarding pass to the gate agent and steps onto the jet bridge.
INT: Airplane Interior - Business Class
Marcus settles into his plush seat, adjusting the recline and slipping off his shoes. The hum of the plane’s engines grows louder as passengers find their seats. A flight attendant called SANDRA approaches him.
SANDRA
Good evening, Mr. Sladen. Would you like a drink before takeoff?
MARCUS
Just water will do, Miss-
SANDRA
Sandra sir.
MARCUS
Thank you Sandra, this will keep me fresh for the next nine hours or so
She moves on. Marcus retrieves a book from his bag but is quickly distracted by the safety announcements playing on the screen in front of him. The plane begins taxiing, and Marcus gazes out the window, watching the city lights fade into the distance as the plane lifts off.
Airplane Interior - Mid-Flight
The cabin lights are dimmed, and most passengers are either sleeping or absorbed in their screens. Marcus flips through his book, occasionally glancing at his watch. Suddenly, the intercom crackles.
CAPTAIN GERHARDT (V.O.)
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are currently cruising at 30,000 feet, however we’ve encountered some minor technical difficulties. As a precaution, we may need to make an emergency landing. We’ll keep you updated.
Murmurs ripple through the cabin. Marcus looks around, his expression tense. A few moments later, the plane jolts violently, causing drinks to spill
MARCUS
(to himself)
What the hell?
Outside, a bright flash of light illuminates the cabin. Passengers shield their eyes, and the pilots’ voices can be faintly heard over the cockpit intercom.
CO PILOT MAXWELL
What is that? I can’t see—
CAPTAIN GERHARDT
For god sake Pull up! Pull up!
CO PILOT MAXWELL
It's no use captain, i can’t-
A deafening thud echoes through the plane as everything goes pitch black. The hum of the engines fades, replaced by an eerie silence. Marcus gets up from his chair and checks to see if everyone is alright.
MARCUS
We stopped, Is Everyone alright.
Marcus moves carefully down the dimly lit aisle, his flashlight beam cutting through the gloom. The tension in the air is palpable. He glances at the passengers, most of whom are still slumped in their seats, their breathing steady but shallow.
He stops to find Sandra who is seated at the jump seat near the galley.
MARCUS
(whispering)
Sandra? How’re you holding up?
SANDRA
(voice trembling)
I’m okay... I think, What about the others?
MARCUS
(shaking his head)
Not sure. Just wait here?
Sandra nods, her hands gripping the seatbelt across her lap.
Marcus continues down the aisle, stopping at a pair of passengers. ALEXANDER, a young man in a business suit, sits next to TASH, a woman in her mid-thirties wearing a hoodie.
MARCUS
(keeping his voice low)
You two ok?
ALEXANDER
(stiffly)
Yeah, just... What's going on?
MARCUS
I don't know, but but whatever it is, we gotta stick together if we're gonna make it through
TASH
(eyeing Marcus nervously)
But was still alive, so that’s something, right?
Marcus nods, though the worry etched on his face betrays his thoughts.
MARCUS
Just stay calm and stick together.
ALEXANDER
(stern)
What do you mean, “if anything happens”?
MARCUS
For all I know we could've stopped somewhere, Maybe if we look outside the window, we might see where we are.
Alexander peers out their windows, expecting to see clouds or stars, but instead, there is nothing but an endless black void.
ALEXANDER
(whispering)
What… where are we?
TASH
(terrified)
Is… is that space?
Marcus leans closer to his window, his breath fogging up the glass. The blackness outside feels oppressive, almost alive. He tightens his grip on the armrests as a low, almost imperceptible hum begins to vibrate through the cabin.
MARCUS
(to himself,)
This isn’t right, but how?
All of a sudden a loud banging noise is heard underneath the floor
TASH
Guys, there's something underneath the plane.
SANDRA
That's impossible, nothing could have come from outside.
TASH
But how do you explain that
The sound From underneath the plane gets louder and louder as if something is trying to come up from below
MARCUS
I can hear it too.
ALEXANDER
Same here.
MARCUS
Well, whatever it is, just stay calm and try not to panic
As the Banging continues, the hatch door starts to open, with both the doctor and skyler coming up from below
DOCTOR
Howdy there folks, I hope that my friend and I didn't interrupt on something rather important.
SKYLER
Well it was his fault we ended up in the baggage compartment in the first place.
MARCUS
How long have you two been done there?
DOCTOR
I’d rather have that not be the main discussion, now then before you people ask who we both are, I’ll go first. I’m the doctor and this is my companion Skyler and no we didn't stowaway onto this aircraft as we have the Tardis downstairs with all your luggage.
TASH
Ok, that was a lot to take in.
MARCUS
Right with that all the way, my name’s Marcus. Those over there are Tash and Alex, there's Sandra the flight attendant and the Captains are in the main cockpit.
DOCTOR
Might I say, this is rather small set of passengers on here
SANDRA
Yeah, it's more the private plane for those that are wealthy enough, it was funded by our leading sponsor Infinacore.
DOCTOR
Huh, Curious
SKYLER
Right, now that we've got that out of the way, would you mind telling us what happened here.
SANDRA
Well everything was going normally until we reached about 30,000 feet into the sky. There was a report that we were expecting some delays, until the plane started going haywire and we ended up here in the middle of nowhere.
DOCTOR
Now this is very interesting indeed, I've always wanted to figure out what happens to disappearing vehicles, sometimes as it seems…
MARCUS
Plus, we haven't heard anything from the captains
DOCTOR
Well, why don't we see what they're up to, Shall we?
ALEXANDER
Tash and I will just wait here, We don't really know if it could be safe or not.
SKYLER
Smart thinking you two.
The Doctor, Skyler Marcus and Sandra make their way to the cockpit. The DOCTOR leads, followed by MARCUS and SKYLER, with SANDRA bringing up the rear. The tension is palpable as they push open the cockpit door. Inside, the scene is horrifying. The pilots are torn to shreds, their bodies slumped in unnatural positions. The cockpit is eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the controls.*
SANDRA
(gasping)
Oh my God… what happened to them?
MARCUS
It's like they just vanished into thin air
DOCTOR
(gravely)
They didn’t just vanish. something got to them.
The doctor examines the control panel using his sonic, his expression darkening as he notices unusual readings.
DOCTOR
Now then, it looks like I figured out what's happened here
SANDRA
What is it exactly?
DOCTOR
You see The plane… it crossed through a wormhole. We’ve slipped to the very edge of the universe, an empty void beyond time and space itself.
MARCUS
(confused)
A wormhole? You’re saying this is another dimension?
DOCTOR
Not quite. More like a space between spaces. It’s rare for anything to end up here, let alone survive. But this… this isn’t a natural occurrence.
SKYLER
(interjecting)
So, what do we do? Can we get back?
DOCTOR
Now that would be quite hard for me to figure out as of right now.
A sudden, deafening bang interrupts him. The entire plane shudders violently. Everyone grabs onto something for balance.
MARCUS
What the hell was that?
SANDRA
(terrified)
It must be coming from outside.
MARCUS
But you just said that nothing can exist here
DOCTOR
That is, unless something else has tried to crossover
The doctor rushes to a nearby window. His face hardens as he sees massive, winged creatures circling the plane. Their skeletal forms glow faintly against the pitch-black void. Each of them landing on the wings of the plane and tearing it apart.
TASH
Doctor Look, there's a fleet of pterodactyl’s attacking the wing
SKYLER
I don't think those are ordinary pterodactyls
DOCTOR
Vortisaurs…
MARCUS
What the bloody hell is a Vortisaur?
DOCTOR
As Tash may have put it, space pterodactyls. They’re drawn to the energy of things displaced from their proper place in the universe. And right now, we're just appetizers.
Outside, the Vortisaurs begin tearing into the fuselage, their talons ripping through metal with alarming ease. The plane groans under the assault as oxygen masks drop from the ceiling. Shortly one tries breaking through the window of the passenger seat.
SANDRA
(terrified)
There breaking through the window
ALEXANDER
Don't worry, Sandra. I'll protect you.
DOCTOR
Alex No
Alex is then grabbed by Vortisaur and is then ripped out of the plane as he falls through space.
TASH
(horrified)
ALEX
DOCTOR
It's too late, He's dead.
TASH
What is wrong with you? Why can't you save him?
DOCTOR
Because I can't save everyone, even if I wanted to, he's gone.
Eventually the Vortisaur grabs the doctor by his foot and starts to pull his Jacket which starts to rip. The Doctor struggles as he grabs a seat which he holds for dear life.
DOCTOR
Skyler, get me out of here.
SKYLER
Hold in their doctor, well get you
MARCUS
What do we do?
SKYLER
Marcus, get the doctor's hand.
MARCUS
Already on it. Quickly Doctor, take my hand
The doctor then grabs both Skyler and Marcus's hand and he is pulled back to safety, is jacket on the other hand is ripped to shreds by the Vortisaurs
DOCTOR
Thank you, I was almost gone for sure. A bit of a shame my jacket’s gone and the scarf, I really liked that coat.
SKYLER
wasn't you jacket holding your sonic screwdriver, if it did it's probably gone now.
DOCTOR
But that's a shame. Or Maybe so, it could be one of my pockets
The doctor then checks through his pockets which luckily have his sonic still in tacked
DOCTOR
False alarm, it’s right here.
SKYLER
Well at least one good thing has happened, even if there are 15 other bad things happening around us.
SANDRA
Especially when There are literally space Pterodactyls outside tearing this plane apart,
TASH
Lets just face it, we’ve got nothing left to live for.
MARCUS
Come on, you guys don’t say that, Even I don’t understand all of this. But I know for certain that we’re all getting out of this place.
Marcus Notices that the doctor is sitting on his own thinking to himself And also please, a random tune on his harmonica
MARCUS
For goodness sake, Why in heaven's name are you playing harmonica?
SKYLER
Believe me. It's not something he usually does
DOCTOR
I only play my harmonica whenever I'm trying to think of a solution, especially in times like these.
MARCUS
Well, have you thought of something?
DOCTOR
Unfortunately not
There is a quick pause in which the doctor finally has an idea
DOCTOR(cont)
Wait, I think I have. I think I have. I think I think I think I have.
SKYLER
Well then, what's the plan?
DOCTOR
Now you do realise that the tardis is down underneath the baggage area
SKYLER
Obviously, but where is this going?
DOCTOR
You see, if we can Surround the plane with a forcefield. we can try to get it back to earth.
TASH
Well, we better be quick, Cause I don't think those Vortisaurs will be leaving us alone any time soon.
DOCTOR
Smart thinking. Sandra, where is the plane intending to land?
SANDRA
Well, Sydney airport, sir
DOCTOR
Perfect, I can grab something from the tardis that we can connect to the plane, with it we can teleport to our location, which would ensure that the plane would arrive at the exact place it was intending to land.
MARCUS
Would you mind if I help you out? I'm usually quite good with mechanics.
DOCTOR
Why not? I think you'd be rather helpful if you gave me a hand I may need some help finding it in my tardis, Come along, Marcus
SKYLER
Doctor, what am I supposed to do?
DOCTOR
Try and find a way to communicate with the Control tower back on earth, Let them know that Will be making an arrival shortly. They are probably worried where the plane is at this time.
SANDRA
I'll be able to give Skyler a hand.
DOCTOR
Excellent, you too. Marcus, let me see what you can do with your knowledge of engineering
The Doctor and Marcus begin running back down to the Luggage area towards the tardis. Once they’ve arrived, the doctor stops outside the door.
DOCTOR
Now, Marcus. I know you haven’t been inside the Tardis yet, so just a heads up.
MARCUS
(Concerned)
Why?
DOCTOR
You’ll see.
The Doctor opens the door and Marcus walks in. She sees the inside of the tardis, which is of course bigger on the inside.
MARCUS
Huh
DOCTOR
What??? Nothing to say???
MARCUS
Kinda what I was expecting, really?
DOCTOR
Seriously???
MARCUS
After spending the last few minutes with you doctor, it kinda makes sense that it's bigger on the inside.
DOCTOR
Well at least you said it. Now, then try and help me get some of these items. First I need you to switch on the timer for the tardis forcefield to activate for about three minutes.
MARCUS
You mean this button
DOCTOR
Yep, switch it on
Marcus switches on a Tardis button Which starts up a countdown for the force fields to activate
DOCTOR
Perfect now I'm gonna just go through my special chest If it's still here, it may be quite useful in getting us back.
MARCUS
What exactly is it you're looking for?
DOCTOR
You'll see
The doctor heads over to some secret compartment underneath the console and starts searching through it finding all sorts of strange trinkets. As the doctor searches, Marcus happens to find a picture of him and Kreig.
MARCUS
Funny, I never knew you were friends with Kreig
DOCTOR
Oh, I see you knew him
MARCUS
Yeah, he was a good friend of mine, he was talkative too but always kept his personal life away from others. The last thing I heard from him was that he was coming back from his lunch break but didn't make it to a meeting about the tower that was being constructed.
DOCTOR
Yeah, you can partially blame me for that.
MARCUS
Well then what were you doing there?
DOCTOR
It's a long story
MARCUS
So after all this time, Kreig was travelling with you and he never told me about it. This sure is a rabbit hole I'm digging into.
DOCTOR
Yes, I think I found it.
The doctor happens to find a spare tardis crystal from within the chest.
MARCUS
What's that? A socking great diamond or something?
DOCTOR
Actually it’s spare tardis crystal, comes rather useful when you're trapped in the edge of space. We just need to plug it into the main control of the ship and we’d be back on earth like that.
MARCUS
Okay, that makes sense, Let's get back to the others
DOCTOR
Righty O then
MARCUS
Now doctor, I was wondering if you noticed. How come Kreig isn't with you any more?
DOCTOR
Well, he left but he made it on his own terms. He was able to find his place in such a vast world.
MARCUS
Okay, but I like to say thank you for taking care of him. He was needing it.
DOCTOR
The pleasure is all mine.
Meanwhile, in the main cockpit, Sandra and Skyler frantically work the radio controls, trying to re-establish communication with the Sydney Airport communication tower.
SANDRA
(into radio)
Sydney Tower, this is Flight 803. Do you read me? We are attempting an emergency landing. Repeat, we are attempting an emergency landing.
SKYLER
(straining to listen)
Are they responding?
Static fills the cabin, followed by a faint, garbled transmission. The words are indecipherable, but the signal is there.
SANDRA
(into radio)
Sydney Tower, we need a confirmation! Do you copy?
Before an answer can come, a horrifying screech echoes outside. The Vortisaurs descend, their skeletal wings slicing through the sky as they rip into the fuselage. The plane jerks violently as more of the creatures latch onto it, their talons tearing at the metal.
TASH
Oh crap, we're doomed. They're coming back in.
SANDRA
What's taking those two men so long?
TASH
Well they better hurry fast, because they're about to become pterodactyl meat.
THE DOCTOR and MARCUS sprint toward the cockpit, dodging falling debris as oxygen masks drop from the ceiling. The entire plane groans under the assault.
MARCUS
(yelling)
We’re not gonna make it!
DOCTOR
(urgently)
Oh, I don’t plan on letting that happen!
As they reach the cockpit, they force the door open and stumble inside, slamming it shut behind them. The Vortisaurs claw at the exterior, their shrieks filling the cabin. Suddenly, the room is bathed in a shimmering blue glow.
DOCTOR
And the shield will be activated in 5,4,3,2,1 Now
*The TARDIS forcefield activates, sending waves of energy through the plane. The creatures outside recoil as the barrier expands, vaporizing those caught in its radius. More Vortisaurs attempt to break through but are instantly disintegrated.*
SANDRA
(awed)
What… what is that?
DOCTOR
(grinning)
A little trick from my blue box. Never leave home without a spare forcefield.
SKYLER
I can see the Vortisaurs, there being vaporised by the shield.
TASH
And the rest are flying back to that vortex.
DOCTOR
And let me tell you, nothing can withstand through the plane now
With the creatures held back, the DOCTOR reaches into his coat, pulling out a spare TARDIS crystal.
DOCTOR
Now with that all the way, let's get you all back home.
MARCUS
(nervous)
What exactly is that going to do?
DOCTOR
(calmly)
You'll see. Hold on tight!
A surge of light engulfs the plane. The cockpit windows darken as the void outside shifts and twists. Then, in an instant, the plane vanishes from the abyss, dematerializing from the void.*
The plane bursts through the fabric of space, emerging into the night skies of Sydney. The once-violent turbulence is replaced by the soft hum of the engines stabilizing. Below, the familiar lights of the city stretch out in the distance.
DOCTOR
There we are, much more like it, the nighttime skyscrapers are all there ready for you to see. I think this is a perfect time for you to communicate with the Communication tower.
CONTROL OFFICER
Hello, Flight 803 Can you hear us? This is the control tower at Sydney Airport.
SANDRA
(into radio, ecstatic)
Yes this is Flight 803! We’re back! Repeat, we are back!
TASH
(laughing breathlessly)
I think I’m gonna kiss the ground once we land.
CONTROL OFFICER
Righty o, You are now clear to land on the runway.
MARCUS
(grinning)
Yeah, I second that.
DOCTOR
(smugly)
Oh, don’t thank me yet. We still have to land this thing!
SKYLER
Have you ever really flown a plane before?
DOCTOR
Not entirely, but I'll let you do the honour.
SKYLER
Very well, then I just hope I can do a better learning than you ever could doctor
Skyler then takes control of the plane and manages to land it safely on the runway.
Sometime later, the crew is gathered near the airport runway,being checked over by paramedics. A control officer lens over a cup of water for Tash to drink on.
CONTROL OFFICER
It's okay, Maddeme. It's gonna be okay.
TASH
Thank’s, It's just been a really weird day
DOCTOR
(to Skyler, softly)
Well, that was quite the thrill, wasn’t it?
SKYLER
(smiling)
Yeah, but at least we got everyone home safely.
DOCTOR
(nods)
Exactly, That’s what matters the most.
TASH watches the Doctor carefully. She crosses her arms and exhales deeply.
TASH
(skeptical)
You know, I appreciate what you did, but you’re a bit too mad for my liking.
DOCTOR
(grinning)
you should see me on a good day, You best take it easy.
TASH
I will
DOCTOR
Oh, and I'm really sorry for For Alex, he was a good man
Sandra steps forward, her expression grateful.
SANDRA
Doctor, before you get going, I just wanted to tell you something.
SKYLER
That's Absolutely fine, we’re not in Too much of a big rush
SANDRA
(sincerely)
It’s just, I'm really thankful you came. It was definitely out of the blue, but If it weren’t for you both, none of us would’ve made it back.
DOCTOR
(playfully)
Oh, it was nothing. Just another day in the life that I live through.
A CONTROL OFFICER approaches, glancing at a clipboard, then looks directly at the Doctor.
CONTROL OFFICER
Sir, Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but there’s something unusual in the luggage bay. A blue box. Does it belong to you?
DOCTOR
(grinning)
Yep, that’s my box. Don’t ask why I have it in the first place. My friend and I should be off.
SANDRA
Well, that was rather fast for him to do that.
SKYLER
He does that quite often.
As the Doctor and Skyler begin walking toward the TARDIS, MARCUS steps forward, stopping the Doctor for a moment.
MARCUS
Yo doctor, you weren't going to leave without saying goodbye to me
DOCTOR
Of course not Marcus, Sometimes saying farewell is rather tricky, but I am thankful that you helped us
SKYLER
So what are you planning to do now, Marcus?
MARCUS
Will probably just get back home and finally spend some time with my partner. Yet, I don't know if He'll ever believe about the strange things that have happened on my flight home.
SKYLER
Don't worry, he'll come to understand it
MARCUS
I'm sure he will, oh and thanks again Doctor… for everything.
DOCTOR
The pleasure the privilege is all mine
MARCUS
(serious)
But I need to warn you, You should be careful. I know that Infinacore might be planning something dangerous, almost life threatening to everything as we know it.
The Doctor’s expression shifts subtly, a flicker of concern crossing his face before he nods.
DOCTOR
(quietly)
I’ll be sure to keep my eye on it when the time comes.
With that, he pats Marcus on the shoulder and continues toward the TARDIS. The doors swing open, and he and Skyler step inside. A moment later, the familiar sound of the TARDIS dematerializing fills the air, and the blue police box vanishes.
SANDRA
(blinking)
Where did he go?
MARCUS
(shaking his head, amazed)
Not sure. But that sure was something you don’t usually see every day.
THE END