The Dalek Contract (audio story)

The Dalek Contract
Doctor:	Fourth Doctor
Companion(s):	Romana, K9
Main enemy:	The Daleks, the Dalek Supreme, Cuthbert
Main setting:	Fortune II in the Proxima System, Proxima Major
Key crew
Publisher:	Big Finish Productions
Writer:	Nicholas Briggs
Director:	Nicholas Briggs
Music:	Alistair Lock
Sound:	Alistair Lock
Cover by:	Alex Mallinson
Release details
Release number:	2.06
Release date:	June 2013
Format:	1 CD, 2 Parts
ISBN:	ISBN 978-1-78178-059-6
The Fourth Doctor Adventures
← Previous	Phantoms of the Deep
Next →	The Final Phase

The Dalek Contract was the sixth story in the second series of The Fourth Doctor Adventures. It featured the return of Cuthbert and Mr Dorrick from AUDIO: The Sands of Life / War Against the Laan. Like the previous two stories that Cuthbert appeared in this story and The Final Phase form a single narrative.

Publisher's summary

These creatures have ravaged half the cosmos. They're experts at this kind of thing. Nothing can stand in their way.

The Doctor and Romana find themselves in the Proxima System, where enigmatic Conglomerate CEO Cuthbert has been conducting his infamous "experiment". An experiment which might accidentally rip the universe apart.

Meanwhile, living conditions on Proxima Major have become harsh and hostile. Climate change has turned the landscape into a freezing wasteland and an alien power has condemned much of the population to life inside internment camps. For those still clinging to their freedom, the struggle for survival is now beyond desperate and outsiders such as the Doctor and Romana are only seen as a threat.

What is Cuthbert really up to in the Proxima System stem, and just how does he expect the dreaded Daleks to fit into his plan?

Plot

to be added

Cast

• The Doctor - Tom Baker
• Romana - Mary Tamm
• K9/Tollivun - John Leeson
• Cuthbert - David Warner
• Mr Dorrick - Toby Hadoke
• Chidak - Dominic Mafham
• The Daleks / The Dalek Supreme / Pilot - Nicholas Briggs
• Halka - Jane Slavin
• Sterris - John Dorney

References

• The Doctor bypasses the randomiser in order to materialise the TARDIS in the Proxima System but turns it back on at Romana's insistence.
• Romana refers to the TARDIS as an antique.
• K9's recent repairs have increased his efficiency by 150%, including experienced cold weather and moisture protection. However, the Doctor tells him to remain in the TARDIS.
• The Doctor believes that Proxima Major's orbit has shifted as it is a frozen tundra while the TARDIS information system indicated that the planet should have a tropical climate.
• Romana has heard of the Daleks and tells Chidak and Tollivun that the Doctor has defeated them many times.
• The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to interfere with the signals being received by a Dalek and partially disable it.
• The Doctor asks Chidak for some hot chocolate.
• Cuthbert refers to Romana as "Ramona."
• According to K9's records, the Daleks' chief characteristics are "ruthlessness, cunning and implacable resolve" while the Doctor claims that their one weakness is their "unswerving belief in their own total superiority."
• At the time of the Dalek invasion of Proxima Major, Chidak was the Minister of Security. He is the most senior surviving member of the government.
• The people of Proxima Major have no gods.
• Romana tells the Daleks that she and the Doctor do not get along and that she intends to return to Gallifrey at the earliest opportunity.
• The Dalek Supreme is present in the Proxima System.
• The Conglomerate Space Platform is called the Fortune II.
• The Doctor refers to the Daleks' communication network as "Dalek FM."
• Romana refers to the fact that the Doctor has defeated the Daleks on many previous occasions.
• Romana is placed on the Daleks Truth assessment.

Notes

• This audio story was recorded on 6 February 2012 at Audio Sorcery.
• The sound effect for the Daleks' weapons matches with the sound effect's sound in TV: Genesis of the Daleks.

Continuity

• Romana refers to the Black Guardian. (TV: The Armageddon Factor)
• Romana refers to Cuthbert's experiment in the Proxima system damaging the Laan. (AUDIO: War Against the Laan)
• Romana mentions that a missile nearly struck the TARDIS in orbit of Atrios. (TV: The Armageddon Factor)
• Cuthbert's popularity has been severely damaged by "the Laan business" due to the efforts of President Sheridan Moorkurk. (AUDIO: The Sands of Life / War Against the Laan)
• The Doctor tells Halka that the Daleks were born during the Thousand Year War on their homeworld Skaro. (TV: The Daleks, Genesis of the Daleks)
• Proxima Major shifted out of its orbit due to Cuthbert's experiments with the Quantum Gateway. (AUDIO: The Final Phase)
• During her second incarnation, Romana would later encounter the Daleks for a second time on Skaro. (TV: Destiny of the Daleks) After leaving the TARDIS and returning to Gallifrey, she was held prisoner by the Daleks for two decades before escaping with the help of the Sixth Doctor. (AUDIO: The Apocalypse Element) Later still, the Daleks invaded the Gallifrey of an alternative timeline while Romana was serving as its Supreme Leader (AUDIO: Arbitration, Extermination).
• The Doctor says that he has known the Daleks to be susceptible to cold. (TV: Planet of the Daleks)

External links

• Official The Dalek Contract page at bigfinish.com