Editing Artron energy

{{Infobox Object
|image       = The Doctor and The Dalek Artron Energy.jpg
|aka         = Artron particles
|type        = Ambient [[radiation]]
|origin      = [[Time vortex]]
|made by     = 
|first mention = The Deadly Assassin (TV story)
|appearances = [[STAGE]]: ''[[The Crash of the Elysium (stage play)|The Crash of the Elysium]]''
}}{{Big toc}}
'''Artron energy''' was a form of ambient [[radiation]] that existed in the [[time vortex]], ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Shield of the Jötunn (audio story)|Shield of the Jötunn]]'') later described by the [[Seventh Doctor]] as a form of mental energy, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Timewyrm: Apocalypse (novel)|Timewyrm: Apocalypse]]'') "artron particles" ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Shockwave (DotD audio story)|Shockwave]]'') that could be utilised in a variety of ways. Those who travelled through the vortex would absorb artron energy in the form of a "[[background radiation]]". <!--Invasion of the Bane is the first BBC Wales era story to directly link the term with the background radiation. Do not add Dalek or Doomsday unless if another source connects them.--> ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'')

Artron energy was named after the [[Time Lord]] [[Artron]], who was known as one of [[Rassilon]]'s great [[engineer]]s. He discovered artron energy, and experimented with wielding its power to restore and to heal. Some life forms were even made of artron energy. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Day of the Master (audio story)|Day of the Master]]'')

== Properties ==
Visually, artron energy resembled a sort of blue electricity. Artron energy seemed to have an odour detectable by some species, such as the [[Groske]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death of the Doctor (TV story)|Death of the Doctor]]'')

It was measured in [[atto-Omega]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Taking of Planet 5 (novel)|The Taking of Planet 5]]'')

Nearby artron energy could be drained through use of an [[artron inhibitor]]. This would also prevent [[Time Lord]]s from [[Regeneration|regenerating]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Banquo Legacy (novel)|The Banquo Legacy]]'')

== Usage ==
The [[Sixth Doctor]] explained that although artron energy was benign, it had various uses, primarily as a power source. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Shield of the Jötunn (audio story)|Shield of the Jötunn]]'') Artron energy was inimical to certain time-sensitive species. The [[Tenth Doctor]] once described it as equal and opposite to [[the Trickster]]'s power. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'')

=== TARDISes ===
[[TARDIS]]es were powered, in part, by artron energy, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Cat's Cradle: Witch Mark (novel)|Cat's Cradle: Witch Mark]]''; [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fractures (audio story)|Fractures]]'') with raw artron energy flowing from the [[Eye of Harmony]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Cat's Cradle: Witch Mark (novel)|Cat's Cradle: Witch Mark]]'') Additionally, artron energy from the minds of [[Time Lord]]s was absorbed at the [[Artron Forum]] and sent to the TARDIS [[birthing bay]]s. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fractures (audio story)|Fractures]]'')

The [[Fifth Doctor]] once claimed to [[Monarch (Four to Doomsday)|Monarch]] that artron energy had a relationship to the functioning of [[the Doctor's TARDIS|his TARDIS]] (or vice versa), although he did not elaborate. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')

Artron energy was rich and refined in TARDISes, ([[TV]]:''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'') vital in the running of the ships; it could run low ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Option Lock (novel)|Option Lock]]'') and when down to 10% it would mean even backup power was unavailable. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Banquo Legacy (novel)|The Banquo Legacy]]'')

Materialisation caused a massive displacement of artron energy ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Highest Science (novel)|The Highest Science]]'') which would help the scanners. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Housewarming (short story)|Housewarming]]'') According to [[K9 Mark IV]], artron energy was residue of TARDIS engines. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'')

Within the TARDIS' generator room was an [[Artron Energy Capacitor]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Algebra of Ice (novel)|The Algebra of Ice]]'')

=== Other uses ===
The [[Panjistri]] used artron energy to power their [[Teleportation|matter transporter]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Timewyrm: Apocalypse (novel)|Timewyrm: Apocalypse]]'')

The [[Eighth Doctor]] had a habit of using it to make [[toast]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Alien Bodies (novel)|Alien Bodies]]'')

Some individuals exposed to artron energy developed a unique artron print that could be detected and tracked. The Time Lords used this to recognise and track [[Irving Braxiatel]] after he planted a [[data bomb]] in [[the Matrix]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Inquiry (audio story)|The Inquiry]]'')

As {{Delgado}} explained, at least one specific signature of artron radiation could be used as a key to open portals to [[time lock]]ed dimensions. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Doorway to Hell (comic story)|Doorway to Hell]]'')

[[Krasko]] left artron energy traces across [[Montgomery]] in [[1955]] whilst trying to stop [[Rosa Parks]] from refusing to give up her bus seat. ([[TV]]: ''[[Rosa (TV story)|Rosa]]'')

== Sources ==
=== Living creatures ===
Artron energy could be found in some organisms.

==== Humans ====
Artron energy was at low levels in [[human]]s but could be present at elevated levels in others. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Banquo Legacy (novel)|The Banquo Legacy]]'')
{{Quote|Artron energy is to normal energy what movements within the deeps of the sea are to the waves on the surface. Very slight in humans, but in some other –|The [[Eighth Doctor]], before being interrupted|The Banquo Legacy}}

Coupling the human mind to a source of high-voltage [[electricity]] could result in a massive release of artron energy. The [[Eighth Doctor]] once compared the relationship between Artron and normal energy to the movement in the depths of the sea and the waves on the surface. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Banquo Legacy (novel)|The Banquo Legacy]]'')

Artron energy would be absorbed by travelling through time, such as by travellers in a TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Playing House (comic story)|Playing House]]'') Exposure to background radiation in time travel altered and enhanced [[Martha Jones]]' [[antibody|antibodies]], making them better at fighting diseases. ([[TV]]: ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'') A Dalek on the verge of death could be restored to operational status by the slightest touch from a time traveller, ([[TV]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'') and the touch of a time traveller could be used to activate the [[Time Lord]]-constructed [[Genesis Ark]], which served as a dimensionally transcendental [[prison ship]] containing millions of Daleks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'')

Even touching a TARDIS could cause the passage of artron energy. [[Clyde Langer]] absorbed some artron energy from the outside of the TARDIS as he was trying to enter it while it was trapped in a [[time loop]] made by [[the Trickster]]. He then used the energy to attack the Trickster, as he was one of the time-sensitive beings that could be fought with artron energy. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'')

[[File:Clyde + 11.jpg|right|thumb|[[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] and the [[Eleventh Doctor]] "body swap" by tapping into artron energy. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death of the Doctor (TV story)|Death of the Doctor]]'')]]
The [[Eleventh Doctor]] later keyed into Clyde's residual artron energy in order to make a biological swap. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death of the Doctor (TV story)|Death of the Doctor]]'')

A regenerating TARDIS caused a specific signature of harmless artron radiation to seep into its surroundings. This happened when the Doctor's TARDIS, which slowly regenerated in the [[Collins family]]'s back garden, had artron radiation "fizz... around" in the bodies of the Collins family. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Doorway to Hell (comic story)|Doorway to Hell]]'')

==== Time Lords ====
Time Lord minds had a supply of artron energy, harmlessly siphoned off and fed into the birthing bays of [[the TARDIS]]es. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fractures (audio story)|Fractures]]'')

A surge of artron energy could restore the synapses, curing [[amnesia]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Gallifrey Chronicles (novel)|The Gallifrey Chronicles]]'')

Without artron energy, a Time Lord was unable to regenerate. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Banquo Legacy (novel)|The Banquo Legacy]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Repeat Offender (audio story)|Repeat Offender]]'')

[[Engin]] noted the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s [[brain]] seemed to have "an unusually high level of [[artron energy]]" to survive near-fatal attacks on his person while in [[the Matrix]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') [[Romana II]] later stating that the Doctor's artron energy would be much stronger than hers, as he'd been travelling in time longer than her. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Casualties of Time (audio story)|Casualties of Time]]'')

The Fifth Doctor stated that Time Lords start off with a certain amount of artron energy saturating their bodies in each incarnation, with the energy accumulating over time; their energy count is 'reset' to a specific level after each regeneration to prevent the accumulative artron energy absorbed during their lives causing excessive damage. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Empire of Death (novel)|Empire of Death]]'')

When stuck mid-[[regeneration]] within an [[Eternity Cage]], [[Vassarian]] gave off a potent artron energy signature, one that was detected by opportunistic [[Sontaran]]s who used Vassarian as a power source for time technology. With the aid of the [[War Doctor]], Vassarian managed to dissipate the energy, leaving the Sontarans vulnerable to the [[Dalek Fleet]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Eternity Cage (audio story)|The Eternity Cage]]'')

==== Others ====
During the later days of the Doctor's [[First Doctor|first incarnation]], the [[Time Lord]] [[Magnus (Flashback)|Magnus]] encountered and attempted to exploit a living [[artron sphere]] in space, hoping (in the words of the [[Seventh Doctor]] showing a projection of the incident) that it would have enabled the Time Lords "near-unlimited supply of temporal power and complete mastery over the [[Time Vortex|Vortex]]". ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Flashback (comic story)|Flashback]]'')

The [[Bah-Sokhar]] was a being made of artron energy. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Drosten's Curse (novel)|The Drosten's Curse]]'')

=== Planets ===
According to {{Ainley}}, the [[Cheetah World]] had high levels of artron energy in its magnetosphere, which the [[Seventh Doctor]] concluded was how it transformed those on the planet into [[Cheetah People]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[First Frontier (novel)|First Frontier]]'')

The planet [[Kirith]], one of the few remaining planets in the [[far future]], had high levels of artron energy in its atmosphere. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Timewyrm: Apocalypse (novel)|Timewyrm: Apocalypse]]'')

The [[Tarsus system]] was immersed in a shockwave when its star [[Tarsus Ultra]] collapsed into a spatial anomaly, throwing off a lethal space-time energy effect, "agitated [[chronon|temporal particles]]" containing artron particles. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Shockwave (DotD audio story)|Shockwave]]'')

== Other references ==
When the TARDIS' [[Banshee Circuits]] were activated, it used the mental artron energy of the [[Time Scaphe]] crew to reconfigure itself into [[SARDIT|a multi-dimensional city]] reminiscent of those of ancient [[Gallifrey]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible (novel)|Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible]]'')

The entity known as [[House (The Doctor's Wife)|House]] fed on artron energy, the best and most refined source being TARDISes. The [[Eleventh Doctor]] compared it to preferring fish fingers over raw fish. House would lure wayward TARDISes into the "[[bubble universe]]" in which he resided to devour their energy supply. However he couldn't devour raw TARDIS energy as the deaths of the TARDIS [[consciousness]] would create a hole in the universe, so he would transfer the TARDIS mainframe into a [[human]] receptacle and devour the remaining artron energy. ([[TV]]:'' [[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'')

The [[Khameirian]] [[Essence Chamber]] could drain artron energy from a TARDIS and use it power itself. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Option Lock (novel)|Option Lock]]'')

The [[Third Doctor]] had an artron energy detector. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eye of the Giant (novel)|The Eye of the Giant]]'')

[[K9 Mark III]] was capable of detecting artron energy. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Interference - Book One (novel)|Interference - Book One]]'')

[[UNIT]] could detect artron energy by the early 21st century; [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]' arrival in the home of [[Amy Pond]] and [[Rory Williams]] prompted troops to storm the house. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three (TV story)|The Power of Three]]'')

Artron emissions from the area around [[Coal Hill School]] attracted a [[Skovox Blitzer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')

The artron energy that was leaking from [[TARDIS (Playing House)|a dying TARDIS]] attracted the [[Spyrillite]]s. When the [[Twelfth Doctor]] picked up on the same reading, he made a point to note that artron energy should not exist in 21st century Earth. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Playing House (comic story)|Playing House]]'')

The [[Thirteenth Doctor]] surmised that she and [[Yasmin Khan|Yaz]] weren't killed by the [[Kasaavin]] because they were [[time travel]]lers, fizzing with artron energy. ([[TV]]: ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]'')

== Behind the scenes ==
The first use of the phrase "artron energy" in the [[BBC Wales]] production era of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]'' and its televised spin-off series was in the 2007 ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' story ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'', in which Mrs [[Wormwood (Invasion of the Bane)|Wormwood]] identifies it as background radiation and "the result of travels through the [[Time vortex|space-time vortex]]." Though not directly referred to as artron energy, the 2006 ''Doctor Who'' TV story ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'' has [[Rose Tyler]] mention the Daleks evolved during [[the Time War]] to use an undisclosed background radiation — which is soaked up "when you travel in time in the TARDIS" — as a power supply. She linked it to why the Dalek "[[Metaltron]]" that appeared in the 2005 ''Doctor Who'' story ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'' healed itself when Rose — a time traveller — touched its casing. Within ''Dalek'' itself, the Metaltron simply said that "Extrapolating the biomass of a time traveller regenerated me," with little further clarification. Also in ''Doomsday'', the [[Genesis Ark]] prison ship is described as Time Lord science that needs the touch of a time traveller to wake up.

In the 2008 ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' television story ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'', [[Plummer]] says the [[lymphocyte]]s and "God knows what other cells" in [[Martha Jones]]'s body have mutated. According to Professor [[Aaron Copley]], this is the result of a kind of radiation (not named in the story) which is not found on temporally stable environments on Earth, which gives Martha a "uniquely effective" [[immune system]].

=== Information from invalid sources ===
A group of humans who were accompanied by [[British Army|the army]] were imbued with artron energy after being sent back in time from the [[21st century]] to [[fairground (The Crash of the Elysium)|a fairground]] in [[1888]] by [[Weeping Angel]]s. A friend of [[the Doctor]], [[Dolly (The Crash of the Elysium)|Dolly]], told them that they could reunite [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] with the [[Eleventh Doctor]] (as they had also been separated by Weeping Angels). The group located the TARDIS, charged the TARDIS key that the Doctor had left them with the artron energy, and it dematerialised.

Later, when the group returned to the ''[[Elysium (Analysis Lessons)|Elysium]]'', the Weeping Angels began advancing on them so they used the artron energy to power the spaceship's [[Christofi Warp Drive]], which merged the Angels into the walls. ([[STAGE]]: {{cs|The Crash of the Elysium (stage play)}})

After entering the [[UNIT United Kingdom|UNIT]] [[Black Site]], a group of civilian volunteers were asked by either Dr [[H. Sullivan]] or Dr [[Errol Courtney]] what [[Chronon energy|chronon]] and artron energy were, which they either answered or were told. ([[STAGE]]: {{cs|Time Fracture (stage play)}})

[[Category:Artron energy| ]]
[[Category:Energy and radiation]]
[[Category:Power sources]]

[[es:Energía Artron]]