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{{Infobox Story SMW
{{Infobox Story|
|image = KCDeathsHead.jpg  
name= Death's Head|
|range = Kaldor City (audio series)
image=KCDeathsHead.jpg |
|number in range = 2
series= [[Kaldor City (audio series)|Kaldor City]] |
|main character = [[Kaston Iago]]
number= 2 |
|featuring = Kiy Uvanov
main character= [[Carnell]]|
|featuring2 = Carnell
featuring= [[Kiy Uvanov]]<br />[[Kaston Iago]]|  
|enemy =  
enemy= |
|setting = [[Kaldor City]], [[2889]]
year= [[Kaldor City]], [[2889]]|
|writer = Chris Boucher
writer= [[Chris Boucher]] |
|director = [[Alistair Lock]]<br />[[Alan Stevens]]  
director= [[Alistair Lock]]<br />[[Alan Stevens]] |
|producer = Alan Stevens
producer= Alan Stevens|
|publisher = Magic Bullet Productions  
publisher= [[Magic Bullet Productions]] |
|release date= April 2002
release date= [[April]] [[2002]] |
|format = 1 CD, 60 minutes  
format= 1 CD, 60 minutes |
|production code = KC002  
production code= KC002 |
|isbn = none
isbn= ISBN  |
|series = ''[[Kaldor City (audio series)|Kaldor City]]'' audio stories
prev= Occam's Razor (audio story)|
|prev = Occam's Razor (audio story)
next= Hidden Persuaders (audio story)
|next = Hidden Persuaders (audio story)
}}
}}{{audio stub}}
{{you may|Death's Head|Death's Head (1988)|n1=the character|n2=the comic book title}}
{{you may|Death's Head|Death's Head (1988)|n1=the character|n2=the comic book title}}
'''Death's Head''' is the second audio play in the [[Kaldor City (audio series)|Kaldor City]] series. Written by [[Chris Boucher]], it features an investigation into the attempted murder of [[Kiy Uvanov|Chairholder Uvanov]].
'''''Death's Head''''' was the second audio play in the ''[[Kaldor City (audio series)|Kaldor City]]'' series. Written by [[Chris Boucher]], it featured an investigation into the attempted murder of [[Kiy Uvanov|Chairholder Uvanov]].


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
"Taren Capel? The mad god of the robots. He was famous, briefly, but then, weren't we all?"
"[[Taren Capel]]? The mad god of the robots. He was famous, briefly, but then, weren't we all?"


Someone is spinning a web. Links are forming between one man's need for violence and another's desire for power; a desert ore processing station and a long dead enemy of the state. Someone, maybe everyone, is being manipulated.
Someone is spinning a web. Links are forming between one man's need for violence and another's desire for power; a desert ore processing station and a long dead enemy of the state. Someone, maybe everyone, is being manipulated.


Carnell is the obvious culprit, but who is the psychostrategist working for, and what could their motive possibly be?
[[Carnell]] is the obvious culprit, but who is the psychostrategist working for, and what could their motive possibly be?
 
Kaldor City - Death's Head uses the characters, situations and settings that appear in [[Chris Boucher]]'s Doctor Who novel ''[[Corpse Marker (novel)|Corpse Marker]]'', to tell a complex tale of sex, money and death.


''Kaldor City - Death's Head uses the characters, situations and settings that appear in [[Chris Boucher]]'s Doctor Who novel [[Corpse Marker (novel)|Corpse Marker]], to tell a complex tale of sex, money and death.''
== Plot ==
''to be added''


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
(in order of appearance)
(in order of appearance)
* [[Carnell]] - [[Scott Fredericks]]
* [[Carnell]] - [[Scott Fredericks]]
* [[Sheen]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[Sheen (Death's Head)|Sheen]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[Rov]] - [[Robert Lock]]
* [[Rov]] - [[Robert Lock]]
* [[Stenton Rull|Rull]] - [[Trevor Cooper]]
* [[Stenton Rull|Rull]] - [[Trevor Cooper]]
Line 48: Line 52:
* [[Justina Kessel|Justina]] - [[Patricia Merrick]]
* [[Justina Kessel|Justina]] - [[Patricia Merrick]]
* [[Elska Blayes|Blayes]] - [[Tracy Russell]]
* [[Elska Blayes|Blayes]] - [[Tracy Russell]]
* Voice 1 - [[Fiona Moore]]  
* Voice 1 - [[Fiona Moore]]
* Voice 2 - [[Bruce McGilligan]]
* Voice 2 - [[Bruce McGilligan]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Individuals ===
* [[Stenton Rull]] is head of security.
* [[Justina Kessel|Justina]] is apparently an old friend of [[Hume]]. They went to school together. Justina doesn’t consider Hume to be an “old friend”. Hume apparently recommended Justina for the position of [[Kiy Uvanov|Uvanov's]] executive assistant. In truth, Justina helps Hume get close to Uvanov as he previously he helped her in an attempt to discredit [[Stenton Rull|Rull]] and give her lover, [[Kaston Iago|Iago]], and by association herself, more power.
* Iago considers his job title as Uvanov’s 'Security Consultant', rather than 'Personal Bodyguard' as it’s more expensive.
* Firstmaster [[Strecker]] is murdered by Rull, he was shot at close range. Rull killed Strecker as he felt responsible for getting an attendant at the [[Gentlemen's Oasis]] into trouble.
* [[Sheen]] and [[Rov]] were apparently rebel sympathizers.
* [[Taren Capel]] is known as 'the mad god of the robots'.
 
=== Objects ===
=== Objects ===
* [[Plasma rifles]] are illegal.
* [[Plasma rifle]]s are illegal.
* [[Cotton]] mentions ‘Clunk the Singing Supervoc’.


=== Blind Heart Desert ===
=== Blind Heart Desert ===
* [[Stenton Rull]] was stuck on the edge of the [[Blind Heart desert]] at a storm research facility, waiting for the wind to drop, for 5 days.
* Stenton Rull was stuck on the edge of the [[Blind Heart Desert]] at a storm research facility, waiting for the wind to drop, for 5 days.
* [[Hume]] claims the skull he presents to [[Kiy Uvanov|Uvanov]] is [[Taren Capel|Taren Capel’s]]. It was apparently found in the Blind Heart desert in an ore vent of one of the [[Storm Mine|storm mines]]. However this one is thought to be fake.
 
=== Allusions ===
* "Eat, drink and be merry. For there’s a shack in the [[sewerpits]] waiting for all of us." – [[Layly Landerchild|Landerchild]] quoting someone.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* This story introduces the character of [[Elska Blayes|Blayes]], played by [[Tracy Russell]], who features more prominently in later plays. The sixth play in the series, [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Storm Mine (audio story)|Storm Mine]]'', is told entirely from this characters' viewpoint.
* This story introduces the character of [[Elska Blayes|Blayes]], played by [[Tracy Russell]], who features more prominently in later plays. The sixth play in the series, ''[[Storm Mine (audio story)|Storm Mine]]'', is told entirely from this character's viewpoint.
* Iago's statement that ''you can't prove a negative'' echoes the words of scientific skeptic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_of_absence#.22You_can.27t_prove_a_negative.22 James Randi].
* The story is set five months after the previous ''Kaldor City'' audio, ''[[Occam's Razor (audio story)|Occam's Razor]]'', and four months before the next, ''[[Hidden Persuaders (audio story)|Hidden Persuaders]]''.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/kaldorcity/posts/pfbid02ARmBGoPkexoNuFdX4QnYEYXipb93YxVpNZuaiVqibB6MVWUHkKJnYeYZcvGRRerzl Magic Bullet Productions on Facebook: "A firm timeline for the events of Kaldor City."]</ref> The third edition of [[Mad Norwegian Press]]' reference work ''[[AHistory]]'' dates ''Death's Head'' to the year [[2889]].
* Iago's statement ''you can't prove a negative'' echoes the words of scientific sceptic {{w|James Randi}} on evidence of absence.
* The copyright notice printed on the CD release of this production states: "Unauthorised copying, hiring, renting, public performance and broadcasting is strictly prohibited or [[Kiy Uvanov|Uvanov]] will be kicking your corpse."
* The copyright notice printed on the CD release of this production states: "Unauthorised copying, hiring, renting, public performance and broadcasting is strictly prohibited or [[Kiy Uvanov|Uvanov]] will be kicking your corpse."
* This story was part of a recording block that also consisted of [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Occam's Razor (audio story)|Occam's Razor]]''.<ref>[http://www.radiodramarevival.com/the-true-history-of-magic-bullet-an-interview-with-alan-stevens-producer-of-kaldor-city-and-faction-paradox-part-1-of-2/ The True History of Magic Bullet: An interview with Alan Stevens, producer of Kaldor City and Faction Paradox. (Part 1 of 2)]</ref>
* This story was part of a recording block that also consisted of ''[[Occam's Razor (audio story)|Occam's Razor]]''.<ref>[http://www.radiodramarevival.com/the-true-history-of-magic-bullet-an-interview-with-alan-stevens-producer-of-kaldor-city-and-faction-paradox-part-1-of-2/ The True History of Magic Bullet: An interview with Alan Stevens, producer of Kaldor City and Faction Paradox. (Part 1 of 2)]</ref>
* The CD cover art was designed by [[Andy Hopkinson]].
* The CD cover art was designed by [[Andy Hopkinson]].
* The third edition of [[Mad Norwegian Press|Mad Norweigan Press']] reference work ''[[AHistory]]'' gives a year of [[2889]] for the events of this story.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The play sets up several ideas that only receive some kind of resolution later in the series, such as the existence of [[Taren Capel|Taren Capel's]] skull (although the one seen here is a fake) and several clashing schemes and plots that the Topmasters, [[Carnell]] and [[Kaston Iago|Iago]] are attempting to put into action.
* The origins of the skull presented to [[Kiy Uvanov|Uvanov]] are expanded upon in [[PROSE]]: ''[[Skulduggery (short story)|Skulduggery]]'' in which a plan is articulated between [[Carnell]] and [[Layly Landerchild|Landerchild]] that [[Cotton (Occam's Razor)|Cotton]] should strip the flesh from the head of a dead research station operative, as killed at the start of this story by [[Stenton Rull|Rull]], and used that skull as the one Uvanov is presented with, claimed to be Taren Capel's. It will be revealed in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Taren Capel (audio story)|Taren Capel]]'' that Cotton is working directly for Landerchild.
* The origin of the skull presented to [[Kiy Uvanov|Uvanov]] is explained in the story [[PROSE]]: ''[[Skulduggery (short story)|Skulduggery]]'' where [[Stenton Rull|Rull]] kills a technician who ends up in a morgue where Cotton has an undue influence over the Head of Forensics: the plan is articulated that [[Cotton (Occam's Razor)|Cotton]] should and probably has stripped the flesh from the technician's head and used his skull as the one that Uvanov is presented with.
** Alternatively, an [http://www.dalesmithonline.com/fan/ct/welcometokaldorcity analysis of the series] by author [[Dale Smith]], postulates the simplest explanation, as emphasized by the title of [[Occam's Razor (audio story)|the previous play]], is that Cotton simply used the real skull of Taren Capel that was already located in [[The Company]] stores. In the next play, [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Hidden Persuaders (audio story)|Hidden Persuaders]]'', Taren Capel's skull is shown to be have been in the possession of The Company all along.
* Carnell muses about the existence of an alien grand manipulator whose goals and methods would be unknowable, foreshadowing the emergence of the [[Fendahl]] in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Checkmate (audio story)|Checkmate]]''.
* Carnell muses about the existence of an alien grand manipulator whose goals and methods would be unknowable, foreshadowing the emergence of the [[Fendahl]] in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Checkmate (audio story)|Checkmate]]''.
* The attendant whom Rull 'helps' is later revealed, in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Hidden Persuaders (audio story)|Hidden Persuaders]]'', to be an agent for [[The Church of Taren Capel]] named [[Manzerak]].
* The attendant whom Rull "helps" is later revealed, in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Hidden Persuaders (audio story)|Hidden Persuaders]]'', to be an agent for the [[Church of Taren Capel]] named [[Manzerak]].
* Uvanov’s previous executive assistant, described here as ''the one that sold him out'', was [[Cailio Techlan]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Corpse Marker (novel)|Corpse Marker]]'')
* Uvanov's previous executive assistant, described here as ''the one that sold him out'', was [[Cailio Techlan]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Corpse Marker (novel)|Corpse Marker]]'')
* Iago shot Rull in the leg. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Occam's Razor (audio story)|Occam's Razor]]'')
* Iago shot Rull in the leg. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Occam's Razor (audio story)|Occam's Razor]]'')
* Uvanov gives instructions to manipulate [[Elska Blayes|Blayes]] into the becoming a rebel leader. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Hidden Persuaders (audio story)|Hidden Persuaders]]'')
* Uvanov gives instructions to manipulate [[Elska Blayes|Blayes]] into the becoming a rebel leader. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Hidden Persuaders (audio story)|Hidden Persuaders]]'')
* Iago and Carnell both make reference to a great illusion, Iago also mentions it in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Metafiction (audio story)|Metafiction]]''. In later installments of the series the idea that all in not what it seems becomes an increasingly prominent theme, particularly in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Prisoner (audio story)|The Prisoner]]'':
* Iago and Carnell both make reference to a great illusion; Iago also mentions it in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Metafiction (audio story)|Metafiction]]''. In later instalments of the series the idea that all is not what it seems becomes an increasingly prominent theme, particularly in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Prisoner (audio story)|The Prisoner]]''.
* A variation of the following exchange between Blayes and Iago is repeated at the climax of [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Checkmate (audio story)|Checkmate]]'':
**''"Nice place you’ve got here."'' - Blayes
**''"It goes with the job."'' – Iago


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.kaldorcity.com/audios/deathshead.html Official website]
{{magicbullet|deathshead.html}}
* {{dwrefguide|kaldor02.htm|Death's Head}}
* {{randomstatic|kaldor-city-deaths-head/}}
{{dwrefguide|kaldor02.htm|Death's Head}}


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|1}}
{{reflist|1}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:2002 audio stories]]
[[Category:2002 audio stories]]
[[Category:Kaldor City series]]
[[Category:Kaldor City audio stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 23rd century]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2889]]
[[Category:2002 audio stories]]
[[Category:Stories that crossover with non-DWU series]]
[[Category:Kaldor City series]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 23rd century]]

Latest revision as of 21:11, 4 December 2023

RealWorld.png

audio stub
You may be looking for the character or the comic book title.

Death's Head was the second audio play in the Kaldor City series. Written by Chris Boucher, it featured an investigation into the attempted murder of Chairholder Uvanov.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

"Taren Capel? The mad god of the robots. He was famous, briefly, but then, weren't we all?"

Someone is spinning a web. Links are forming between one man's need for violence and another's desire for power; a desert ore processing station and a long dead enemy of the state. Someone, maybe everyone, is being manipulated.

Carnell is the obvious culprit, but who is the psychostrategist working for, and what could their motive possibly be?

Kaldor City - Death's Head uses the characters, situations and settings that appear in Chris Boucher's Doctor Who novel Corpse Marker, to tell a complex tale of sex, money and death.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

(in order of appearance)

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Objects[[edit] | [edit source]]

Blind Heart Desert[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Stenton Rull was stuck on the edge of the Blind Heart Desert at a storm research facility, waiting for the wind to drop, for 5 days.

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This story introduces the character of Blayes, played by Tracy Russell, who features more prominently in later plays. The sixth play in the series, Storm Mine, is told entirely from this character's viewpoint.
  • The story is set five months after the previous Kaldor City audio, Occam's Razor, and four months before the next, Hidden Persuaders.[1] The third edition of Mad Norwegian Press' reference work AHistory dates Death's Head to the year 2889.
  • Iago's statement you can't prove a negative echoes the words of scientific sceptic James Randi on evidence of absence.
  • The copyright notice printed on the CD release of this production states: "Unauthorised copying, hiring, renting, public performance and broadcasting is strictly prohibited or Uvanov will be kicking your corpse."
  • This story was part of a recording block that also consisted of Occam's Razor.[2]
  • The CD cover art was designed by Andy Hopkinson.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The origins of the skull presented to Uvanov are expanded upon in PROSE: Skulduggery in which a plan is articulated between Carnell and Landerchild that Cotton should strip the flesh from the head of a dead research station operative, as killed at the start of this story by Rull, and used that skull as the one Uvanov is presented with, claimed to be Taren Capel's. It will be revealed in AUDIO: Taren Capel that Cotton is working directly for Landerchild.
  • Carnell muses about the existence of an alien grand manipulator whose goals and methods would be unknowable, foreshadowing the emergence of the Fendahl in AUDIO: Checkmate.
  • The attendant whom Rull "helps" is later revealed, in AUDIO: Hidden Persuaders, to be an agent for the Church of Taren Capel named Manzerak.
  • Uvanov's previous executive assistant, described here as the one that sold him out, was Cailio Techlan. (PROSE: Corpse Marker)
  • Iago shot Rull in the leg. (AUDIO: Occam's Razor)
  • Uvanov gives instructions to manipulate Blayes into the becoming a rebel leader. (AUDIO: Hidden Persuaders)
  • Iago and Carnell both make reference to a great illusion; Iago also mentions it in AUDIO: Metafiction. In later instalments of the series the idea that all is not what it seems becomes an increasingly prominent theme, particularly in AUDIO: The Prisoner.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Magic Bullet Productions on Facebook: "A firm timeline for the events of Kaldor City."
  2. ↑ The True History of Magic Bullet: An interview with Alan Stevens, producer of Kaldor City and Faction Paradox. (Part 1 of 2)
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