a Time Flies Travel Company (TFTC) geocache
A Town Called Mercy
"A Town Called Mercy" is the 3rd episode of the 6th series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Doctor and his companions Amy and Rory. While en route to the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico via the TARDIS, they instead arrive in the small American Frontier town of Mercy. The Doctor is curious as to a ring of stone and wood that surrounds the town's border and the availability of electricity to the town ten years too early. They learn from the town's marshal that "The Gunslinger" has kept the town under seige for the last three weeks using alien weaponry. No one leaves; no one and no supplies enter. The Gunslinger has demanded the town turn over "the doctor", which the Doctor deduces is not himself but an alien hiding in the jail. The alien introduces himself as Kahler-Jex, who had crashed on Earth and was rescued by the town. In return, Jex has helped the town as their physician and provided the town with electricity. However, the town's food supplies are nearly empty. While the situation has become dire, the marshal is reluctant to hand over Jex.
The Doctor comes across Jex's craft and enters it. He discovers that Jex was part of a team of scientists from his war-torn home world that experimented on a number of volunteers to convert them into cyborgs who killed countless people in battle. Aghast, the Doctor leaves the ship to find the Gunslinger waiting for him, and he realizes that the Gunslinger is one of Jex's subjects. The Gunslinger affirms that he is seeking revenge on those that created him and further explains that his programming prevents him from harming innocents. Creating the ring around Mercy was to protect the townsfolk while Jex is in their care. The Doctor angrily drags Jex to the edge of town, followed by his companions and the concerned townsfolk. As he forces Jex to cross the line, Amy asserts that the Doctor has changed for the worse from months of travelling on his own. The Gunslinger arrives and holds his weapon to Jex who tries to offer that he has become better and rejects his past actions, but this does not sway the cyborg. As the Gunslinger is about to fire, the marshal pushes Jex out of the way, taking the lethal shot. The marshal's final act is to hand his badge to the Doctor and ask him to protect the town. The Gunslinger leaves, warning that he will return at noon tomorrow to collect Jex. During the night, Jex explains his guilt to the Doctor, trying to repent for his past. An angry mob of townsfolk arrive to demand Jex, but the Doctor warns by doing so they would have not honored the marshal's death. The next day, when the Gunslinger arrives, the Doctor distracts it by amplifying the electricity sent through town, while other townsfolk, wearing makeup similar to Jex's facial markings, dash between buildings to confuse the cyborg. Jex flees out of town to his ship as the Doctor planned, but instead of returning to space, Jex initiates the ship's self-destruct. Before he dies, Jex explains that no matter where he goes, the Gunslinger will follow and more innocents will be caught in the crossfire. Truly wishing to repent of his past actions, he declares that his last act will be to end the war. The Gunslinger becomes desolate with the realization that Jex was no worse a person than he is. Recognizing that there is no need for a creature of war during a time of peace, the Gunslinger announces his intent to self-destruct also, but the Doctor suggests that he could become the protector of peace as the new marshal. The Doctor takes Amy and Rory home, while the Gunslinger stays on to watch over Mercy.
CACHE: Please note the terrain rating. We showed no mercy when we hid this cache. Let's hope that little desert town hasn't had any rain lately or somebody's getting wet.
- This geocache was placed with the permission of the F. D. Roosevelt State Park Manager
- Park hours are 7am-10pm.
- A $5 daily park pass is required for each vehicle entering F. D. Roosevelt State Park.
- While visiting any Georgia State Park, please obey all park rules and remain on the marked trails as you make your way to the geocache location.
- Pets are welcome but must be on a 6' leash at all times. Please be a good pet owner and clean up after your pet.
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