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{{ImageLink}}
{{Infobox Species
{{Infobox Species
|image = [[Image:st--6n01.jpg|250px]]
|image       = Tractators.jpg
|Species name = Tractator
|aka         = Phenomenoptera
|aka =
|affiliation = [[Stream (The Hollows of Time)|Stream]]
|affiliation =
|type       = Insectoids, gravity manipulators
|origin =
|first      = Frontios (TV story)
|type = Insectoids, gravity manipulators
|appearances = [[COMIC]]: ''[[Happy Deathday (comic story)|Happy Deathday]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Hollows of Time (audio story)|The Hollows of Time]]''
|appearances = [[DW]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]''
|individuals = [[Gravis]]
|mentions =
|clip        = The Tractators' plans - Doctor Who - Frontios - BBC
|individuals= [[Gravis]]
}}
}}
'''Tractators''' were a species that resembled giant invertebrates. They could control [[gravity]]. Themselves mindless, they required the [[The Gravis|Gravis]] to act intelligently.


'''Tractators''' resembled giant invertebrates and could control [[gravity]] with their minds.
== Biology ==
The Tractators, of the genus ''Phenomenoptera'', were insect-like in general appearance. Their backs were covered in oyster-coloured chitinous scales that glowed from within. Tractators had two long antennae on their head, which they used to control [[gravity]], being able to influence material around them via low-intensity gravity waves. This power could be extended in the presence of other Tractators, as well as in properly made caverns. Tractator mucus was green and had a gravitic nature.


== Physical characteristics ==
Tractators were unintelligent animals except in the presence of their leader, the [[Gravis]], in a similar manner to a queen bee and a swarm. The Gravis could be identified by its darker skin, external nose and larger ears and was the only Tractator who could speak. It controlled the rest of the Tractators and if it was absent they would lose their focus and intelligence and return to their usual state. Without a Gravis to coordinate them, Tractators could only generate localised gravity fields. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Hollows of Time (audio story)|The Hollows of Time]]'')


The Tractators were insect-like in general appearance, somewhat like giant [[:wikipedia:Woodlouse|wood lice]]. Their backs were covered in chitinous shells. Tractators had two long antennae on their head, which they used to control [[gravity]]. This power could be extended in the presence of other Tractators, as well as in properly made caverns.
== Technology ==
The Tractators used scavenged machinery as well as parts of living beings to use as machines. On Frontios, they created an [[excavation machine]] that was powered by a human colonist through the use of their minds until they were burnt out. Polished walls help to amplify their power, and they could create a perfect ring of tunnels to construct a [[gravity motor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'')


Tractators were normally unintelligent animals, except in the presence of their leader, the [[Gravis]]. The Gravis could be identified by its browner skin, external nose and larger ears. The Gravis was the only Tractator who could speak and who controlled the rest of the Tractators. If the Gravis was removed, the Tractators would lose their focus and intelligence. ([[DW]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'')
== History ==
Sometime before the [[20th century]], the Tractators invaded [[Trion (planet)|Trion]]. The invasion etched itself into the [[ancestral memory|racial memory]] of the [[Trion (species)|Trions]].


:''It is unknown if Tractators actually possessed a true [[hive mind]], though it would seem very possible.''
[[Far future|Millions of years later]], a group of Tractators came to [[Frontios]], and were stuck there. They waited for four hundred sixty years until a [[human]] ship came close to the planet. They made the ship crash using their gravity powers, then left them alone for ten years in order to rebuild. They used the [[asteroid belt]] in the [[Veruna system]] to attack and kill the humans to use their corpses in their machinery. This continued for thirty years, with few of the humans guessing the truth of the matter.
 
==Technology ==
The Tractators used scavenged machinery as well as the parts of living beings, as machines. ([[DW]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'')
 
:''The Tractators originally had more gruesome technology , which was toned down by the production. The Gravis would have used a floating globe-shaped translation device, which would speak for the Gravis, cobbled together from metal parts and also a severed Human head.''
 
== History ==
Sometime before the [[20th century]], the Tractators invaded [[Trion (planet)|Trion]]. As a consequence, the invasion etched itself into the [[racial memory]] of the [[Trion (species)|Trion]]s.  


[[The Far Future|Millions of years later]], a group of Tractators came to [[Frontios]], but were stuck there. They waited for 460 years, until a [[Human]] ship came close enough to the planet. They made the ship crash using their gravity powers, then left them alone for 10 years in order to rebuild. They then used the [[asteroid belt]] in the [[Veruna System]] to attack the Humans, killing them and allowing them to use their corpses in their machinery. This continued for 30 years, with most of the Humans not guessing the truth of the matter.
Eventually, the [[Fifth Doctor]] was caught near Frontios and was pulled in by the Tractators. While he tried to help the colonists, [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] was ripped apart by the Tractators. The Doctor went in search of the cause of the incident and encountered the [[Gravis]]. He managed to trick him into repairing the TARDIS while he was inside it, causing him to collapse from the effort and isolating him from the other Tractators. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'')


Eventually, [[Fifth Doctor|the Doctor]] was caught in the area around [[Frontios]] and was pulled in by the Tractators. While trying to help the colonists, [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] was ripped apart by the Tractators. The Doctor went in search for the cause of the incidents, and encountered the [[Gravis]]. He managed to trick him into repairing the TARDIS while he was inside it, causing him to collapse from the effort and isolating him from the other Tractators. ([[DW]]: ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'')
Professor [[Stream (The Hollows of Time)|Stream]] later collected Tractators from [[Kolkokron]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Hollows of Time (audio story)|The Hollows of Time]]'')


== Other references ==
In the [[video game]] ''[[Happy Deathday]]'', played by [[Izzy Sinclair]] on the [[Time-Space Visualiser]], a Tractator was among a host of "every single [[enemy]]" that [[the Doctor]] had ever [[defeat]]ed, who were assembled by the [[Beige Guardian]] and pitted against the Doctor's first eight [[incarnation]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Happy Deathday (comic story)|Happy Deathday]]'')
{{NameSort}}


{{season 21 aliens}}
[[Category:Sapient insect species]]
[[Category:Insectoid species]]
[[Category:Hive minds]]
[[Category:Fifth Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Gravity]]
[[Category:Species]]

Latest revision as of 14:25, 10 December 2023

Tractators were a species that resembled giant invertebrates. They could control gravity. Themselves mindless, they required the Gravis to act intelligently.

Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Tractators, of the genus Phenomenoptera, were insect-like in general appearance. Their backs were covered in oyster-coloured chitinous scales that glowed from within. Tractators had two long antennae on their head, which they used to control gravity, being able to influence material around them via low-intensity gravity waves. This power could be extended in the presence of other Tractators, as well as in properly made caverns. Tractator mucus was green and had a gravitic nature.

Tractators were unintelligent animals except in the presence of their leader, the Gravis, in a similar manner to a queen bee and a swarm. The Gravis could be identified by its darker skin, external nose and larger ears and was the only Tractator who could speak. It controlled the rest of the Tractators and if it was absent they would lose their focus and intelligence and return to their usual state. Without a Gravis to coordinate them, Tractators could only generate localised gravity fields. (TV: Frontios, AUDIO: The Hollows of Time)

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Tractators used scavenged machinery as well as parts of living beings to use as machines. On Frontios, they created an excavation machine that was powered by a human colonist through the use of their minds until they were burnt out. Polished walls help to amplify their power, and they could create a perfect ring of tunnels to construct a gravity motor. (TV: Frontios)

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Sometime before the 20th century, the Tractators invaded Trion. The invasion etched itself into the racial memory of the Trions.

Millions of years later, a group of Tractators came to Frontios, and were stuck there. They waited for four hundred sixty years until a human ship came close to the planet. They made the ship crash using their gravity powers, then left them alone for ten years in order to rebuild. They used the asteroid belt in the Veruna system to attack and kill the humans to use their corpses in their machinery. This continued for thirty years, with few of the humans guessing the truth of the matter.

Eventually, the Fifth Doctor was caught near Frontios and was pulled in by the Tractators. While he tried to help the colonists, the Doctor's TARDIS was ripped apart by the Tractators. The Doctor went in search of the cause of the incident and encountered the Gravis. He managed to trick him into repairing the TARDIS while he was inside it, causing him to collapse from the effort and isolating him from the other Tractators. (TV: Frontios)

Professor Stream later collected Tractators from Kolkokron. (AUDIO: The Hollows of Time)

Other references[[edit] | [edit source]]

In the video game Happy Deathday, played by Izzy Sinclair on the Time-Space Visualiser, a Tractator was among a host of "every single enemy" that the Doctor had ever defeated, who were assembled by the Beige Guardian and pitted against the Doctor's first eight incarnations. (COMIC: Happy Deathday)