'The City at the Edge of the World' by Chris Boucher

Tarrant strikes a deal with the people of the planet Keezarn: in return for the temporary use of Vila’s lock-picking services, they will get the crystals that they need for Liberator’s engines. Vila teleports to the planet’s surface and makes his way to an ancient building, only to meet the insane killer known as Bayban the Terrible, who, together with his band of mercenaries, is attempting to break through a seemingly impregnable door, which he believes leads to a vault containing untold riches. Bayban puts a frightened Vila to work on opening the door, leaving a disdainful but attractive mercenary called Kerril to watch over him. As Vila tries to open the lock, he begins to enjoy himself, and both he and Kerril slowly develop a relationship. Vila eventually bypasses the door’s field; he and Kerril enter a vault and find a matter-transporting device inside, which sends them to a distant spaceship that is slowly making its way across deep space. The ship was sent on its journey long ago by the people of Keezan, to find a new world for them to live on; its doors will only open once it arrives at its destination - and the only air inside it is the small amount that was teleported along with Vila and Kerril. Fearing that they will die soon, Vila and Kerril spend a very enjoyable night together. On Keezan, Cally looks for the crystals, but instead finds a bomb; she and the others then capture Bayban and kill his mercenaries. Back on the ship, Vila discovers that fresh air has entered the chamber - they have landed. They both step outside and find a paradise littered with beautiful gems, which Vila realises are the crystals the Liberator needs. They use the matter-transporter to return to Keezan, where the population are making their way to the transporter to travel to their new home. When their leader, Norl, offers Vila and Kerril the chance to begin a new life with them, Kerril accepts, but Vila is torn between her and his friends. The decision is made for him when Bayban escapes and attacks them; Vila pushes Kerril through the door and teleports to Liberator just as Bayban blows the building and himself up.

Paul Darrow (Avon), Michael Keating (Vila), Jan Chappell (Cally), Josette Simon (Dayna), Steven Pacey (Tarrant), Peter Tuddenham (Zen / Orac), Carol Hawkins (Kerril), Colin Baker (Bayban), John J. Carney (Sherm), Valentine Dyall (Norl)

Directed by Vere Lorrimer
Produced by David Maloney

TX:
11th February 1980 @ 7.15 pm - 8.10 pm

Notes:
*Featuring Kerr Avon, Vila Restal, Cally, Dayna Mellanby, Del Tarrant, Zen and Orac