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{{Infobox Object  
{{Infobox Object  
|image      = Fliud_Link.jpg
|image      = Fluid Link.jpg
|aka        =  
|aka        =  
|type        =  
|type        =  
|origin      =  
|origin      =  
|used by    = [[TARDIS]]es
|used by    = [[TARDIS]]es
|first       = The Daleks (TV story)
|first cs    = The Daleks (TV story)
|appearances =  
|appearances = {{il|[[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks (novelisation)}}|[[TV]]: {{cs|Dr. Who and the Daleks (theatrical film)}}|[[TV]]: {{cs|Oxygen (TV story)}}}}
|clip        = Into The Unknown! - Oxygen Preview - Doctor Who Series 10 - BBC
|clip        = Into The Unknown! - Oxygen Preview - Doctor Who Series 10 - BBC
}}
}}
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== History ==
== History ==
The earliest fluid links used [[validium]], though [[rubidium]] would also function. [[Rassilon]] had dabbled at the prospect of subsisting the living metal for mercury, being convinced to do so when the Time Lord known as "[[The Other]]", in reality, the [[Eleventh Doctor]], suggested it as a safer alternative. Trapped in [[Gallifrey]]'s past, the Doctor had been seeking new fluid links to replace his evaporated ones only for Rassilon to bar him from them, eager to exploit his technical acumen. When the Doctor was testing a [[Type 1]] TARDIS, he conspired to scavenge its fluid links as substitutes for his ship's only for the Type 1 to malfunction and trap him in the Void. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Lost Dimension (comic story)|The Lost Dimension]]'')
The earliest fluid links used [[validium]], though [[rubidium]] would also function. [[Rassilon]] had dabbled at the prospect of using mercury, being convinced to do so when the Time Lord known as "[[The Other]]", in reality, the [[Eleventh Doctor]], suggested it as a safer alternative. Trapped in [[Gallifrey]]'s past, the Doctor had been seeking new fluid links to replace his evaporated ones only for Rassilon to bar him from them, eager to exploit his technical acumen. When the Doctor was testing a [[Type 1]] TARDIS, he conspired to scavenge its fluid links as substitutes for his ship's only for the Type 1 to malfunction and trap him in the Void. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Lost Dimension (comic story)}})


The [[First Doctor]] falsely claimed that [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]' fluid link—specifically, [[fluid link K7]]—had run out of mercury as a ruse to explore the [[Dalek City]]. The link was later confiscated by the [[Dalek]]s and accidentally left behind in the city, forcing the [[time travel]]lers to help the [[Thal]]s fight the Daleks to recover it. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'') While the TARDIS was being brought to the [[Animus]] by the [[Zarbi]], [[Vicki Pallister|Vicki]] accidentally re-aligned the fluid link, which restored power to the ship. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Web Planet (TV story)|The Web Planet]]'')
The [[First Doctor]] falsely claimed that [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]' fluid link—specifically, [[fluid link K7]]—had run out of mercury as a ruse to explore the [[Dalek City]]. The link was later confiscated by the [[Dalek]]s and accidentally left behind in the city, forcing the [[time travel]]lers to help the [[Thal]]s fight the Daleks to recover it. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Daleks (TV story)}}) While the TARDIS was being brought to [[the Animus]] by the [[Zarbi]], [[Vicki Pallister|Vicki]] accidentally re-aligned the fluid link, which restored power to the ship. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Web Planet (TV story)}})


According to one account, a [[researcher (Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?)|researcher]] learnt from [[Susan Foreman]] that the [[Dalek]]s, having been defeated on [[Skaro]] in the "[[far distant future]]" by the [[Thal]]s led by [[Ian Chesterton]], used their own [[Dalek time machine|TARDIS]] to [[time travel|travel into the past]] with the intent to wreak [[revenge]] on Ian's [[human|people]] or, better still, prevent Ian himself from being [[born]]. However, they were unable to go any further back than [[2164]] due to a leak in their fluid link, resulting in the [[2164 Dalek invasion of Earth]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman? (audio story)|Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?]]'')
According to one account, a [[researcher (Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?)|researcher]] learnt from [[Susan Foreman]] that the [[Dalek]]s, having been defeated on [[Skaro]] in the "[[far distant future]]" by the [[Thal]]s led by [[Ian Chesterton]], used their own [[Dalek time machine|TARDIS]] to [[time travel|travel into the past]] with the intent to wreak [[revenge]] on Ian's [[human|people]] or, better still, prevent Ian himself from being [[born]]. However, they were unable to go any further back than [[2164]] due to a leak in their fluid link, resulting in the [[2164 Dalek invasion of Earth]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman? (audio story)}})


A malfunction caused the fluid links to explode, filling the TARDIS with mercury fumes and forcing the [[Second Doctor]] and [[Jamie McCrimmon]] to evacuate the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wheel in Space (TV story)|The Wheel in Space]]'') The fluid links overheated again when the TARDIS was caught in a [[volcano|volcanic]] eruption on [[Dulkis]]. The Doctor was forced to take the TARDIS out of reality itself. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mind Robber (TV story)|The Mind Robber]]'') When trying to navigate the rings of [[Saturn]], the Doctor was afraid the fluid links would become damaged. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Wheel of Ice (novel)|The Wheel of Ice]]'')
A malfunction caused the fluid links to explode, filling the TARDIS with mercury fumes and forcing the [[Second Doctor]] and [[Jamie McCrimmon]] to evacuate the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Wheel in Space (TV story)}}) The fluid links overheated again when the TARDIS was caught in a [[volcano|volcanic]] eruption on [[Dulkis]]. The Doctor was forced to take the TARDIS out of reality itself. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Mind Robber (TV story)}}) When trying to navigate the rings of [[Saturn]], the Doctor was afraid the fluid links would become damaged. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Wheel of Ice (novel)}})


The [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith]] rescued a ship from a [[pirate]] fleet of [[Grakinese]] Corsairs by exchanging with them some mercury from a fluid link. They got some more mercury in [[1931]] [[Chicago]], unknowingly defeating {{Delgado}}'s plans in doing so. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Duke of Dominoes (short story)|The Duke of Dominoes]]'')
The [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith]] rescued a ship from a [[pirate]] fleet of [[Grakinese]] Corsairs by exchanging with them some mercury from a fluid link. They got some more mercury in [[1931]] [[Chicago]], unknowingly defeating {{Delgado}}'s plans in doing so. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Duke of Dominoes (short story)}})


When an [[Process|alien creature]] broke into the TARDIS, it began leeching the ship of power, affecting the function of the fluid links. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible (novel)|Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible]]'')
When an [[Process|alien creature]] broke into the TARDIS, it began leeching the ship of power, affecting the function of the fluid links. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible (novel)}})


The fluid links ran out of mercury again, forcing the [[Seventh Doctor]] to steal some from the [[Wierdarbi]] with the aid of [[Catherine Broome]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Companion Piece (novel)|Companion Piece]]'')
The fluid links ran out of mercury again, forcing the [[Seventh Doctor]] to steal some from the [[Wierdarbi]] with the aid of [[Catherine Broome]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Companion Piece (novel)}})


[[Ace]], as part of mourning the loss of [[Hex]], removed the fluid links to stop the Doctor gallivanting across the universe. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Afterlife (audio story)|Afterlife]]'')  
[[Ace]], as part of mourning the loss of [[Hex]], removed the fluid links to stop the Doctor gallivanting across the universe. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Afterlife (audio story)}})


The fluid links ran out of mercury again, forcing the [[Eighth Doctor]] to materialise on a podule orbiting [[Jupiter]] in search of some. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[To the Slaughter (novel)|To the Slaughter]]'')
The fluid links ran out of mercury again, forcing the [[Eighth Doctor]] to materialise on a podule orbiting [[Jupiter]] in search of some. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|To the Slaughter (novel)}})


The Eighth Doctor visited [[Rontan 9]] during the [[Last Great Time War]] in search of mercury to repair his TARDIS' fluid links. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Natural Regression (short story)|Natural Regression]]'')
The Eighth Doctor visited [[Rontan 9]] during the [[Last Great Time War]] in search of mercury to repair his TARDIS' fluid links. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Natural Regression (short story)}})


The [[Tenth Doctor]] visited [[Calibris]] on [[31 May]] [[2008]] in order to obtain a new fluid link. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time Reaver (audio story)|Time Reaver]]'')
The [[Tenth Doctor]] visited [[Calibris]] on [[31 May]] [[2008]] in order to obtain a new fluid link. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Time Reaver (audio story)}})


[[Nardole]], in his attempts to keep the [[Twelfth Doctor]] at [[St Luke's University|the university]] where they had been guarding [[The Vault (The Pilot)|the Vault]], removed the [[fluid link K57]] from [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] during one of the Doctor's [[lecture]]s. Although the Doctor told Nardole that the TARDIS would not operate without it, this was a lie, and the TARDIS was still able to [[dematerialise|take off]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Oxygen (TV story)|Oxygen]]'')
[[Nardole]], in his attempts to keep the [[Twelfth Doctor]] at [[St Luke's University|the university]] where they had been guarding [[The Vault (The Pilot)|the Vault]], removed the [[fluid link K57]] from [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] during one of the Doctor's [[lecture]]s. Although the Doctor told Nardole that the TARDIS would not operate without it, this was a lie, and the TARDIS was still able to [[dematerialise|take off]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Oxygen (TV story)}})
 
A bowl of fluid links was in the [[Remembered TARDIS]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Time Meddler (TotT TV story)}}, {{cs|Empire of Death (TV story)}})


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
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The BBC concept art for [[River Song's sonic screwdriver]] depict a small tubular attachment listed as a "fluid link" along one side of the device, leading up to a section with a blue button, referred to as a [[TARDIS recall button]].
The BBC concept art for [[River Song's sonic screwdriver]] depict a small tubular attachment listed as a "fluid link" along one side of the device, leading up to a section with a blue button, referred to as a [[TARDIS recall button]].
[[Category:TARDIS components]]
[[Category:TARDIS components]]
[[Category:Remembered TARDIS's items]]

Latest revision as of 21:15, 5 September 2024

A fluid link was a component of a TARDIS essential for providing power to the ship. Fluid links required mercury to function.

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

The earliest fluid links used validium, though rubidium would also function. Rassilon had dabbled at the prospect of using mercury, being convinced to do so when the Time Lord known as "The Other", in reality, the Eleventh Doctor, suggested it as a safer alternative. Trapped in Gallifrey's past, the Doctor had been seeking new fluid links to replace his evaporated ones only for Rassilon to bar him from them, eager to exploit his technical acumen. When the Doctor was testing a Type 1 TARDIS, he conspired to scavenge its fluid links as substitutes for his ship's only for the Type 1 to malfunction and trap him in the Void. (COMIC: The Lost Dimension [+]Loading...["The Lost Dimension (comic story)"])

The First Doctor falsely claimed that the TARDIS' fluid link—specifically, fluid link K7—had run out of mercury as a ruse to explore the Dalek City. The link was later confiscated by the Daleks and accidentally left behind in the city, forcing the time travellers to help the Thals fight the Daleks to recover it. (TV: The Daleks [+]Loading...["The Daleks (TV story)"]) While the TARDIS was being brought to the Animus by the Zarbi, Vicki accidentally re-aligned the fluid link, which restored power to the ship. (TV: The Web Planet [+]Loading...["The Web Planet (TV story)"])

According to one account, a researcher learnt from Susan Foreman that the Daleks, having been defeated on Skaro in the "far distant future" by the Thals led by Ian Chesterton, used their own TARDIS to travel into the past with the intent to wreak revenge on Ian's people or, better still, prevent Ian himself from being born. However, they were unable to go any further back than 2164 due to a leak in their fluid link, resulting in the 2164 Dalek invasion of Earth. (AUDIO: Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman? [+]Loading...["Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman? (audio story)"])

A malfunction caused the fluid links to explode, filling the TARDIS with mercury fumes and forcing the Second Doctor and Jamie McCrimmon to evacuate the TARDIS. (TV: The Wheel in Space [+]Loading...["The Wheel in Space (TV story)"]) The fluid links overheated again when the TARDIS was caught in a volcanic eruption on Dulkis. The Doctor was forced to take the TARDIS out of reality itself. (TV: The Mind Robber [+]Loading...["The Mind Robber (TV story)"]) When trying to navigate the rings of Saturn, the Doctor was afraid the fluid links would become damaged. (PROSE: The Wheel of Ice [+]Loading...["The Wheel of Ice (novel)"])

The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith rescued a ship from a pirate fleet of Grakinese Corsairs by exchanging with them some mercury from a fluid link. They got some more mercury in 1931 Chicago, unknowingly defeating the Master's plans in doing so. (PROSE: The Duke of Dominoes [+]Loading...["The Duke of Dominoes (short story)"])

When an alien creature broke into the TARDIS, it began leeching the ship of power, affecting the function of the fluid links. (PROSE: Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible [+]Loading...["Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible (novel)"])

The fluid links ran out of mercury again, forcing the Seventh Doctor to steal some from the Wierdarbi with the aid of Catherine Broome. (PROSE: Companion Piece [+]Loading...["Companion Piece (novel)"])

Ace, as part of mourning the loss of Hex, removed the fluid links to stop the Doctor gallivanting across the universe. (AUDIO: Afterlife [+]Loading...["Afterlife (audio story)"])

The fluid links ran out of mercury again, forcing the Eighth Doctor to materialise on a podule orbiting Jupiter in search of some. (PROSE: To the Slaughter [+]Loading...["To the Slaughter (novel)"])

The Eighth Doctor visited Rontan 9 during the Last Great Time War in search of mercury to repair his TARDIS' fluid links. (PROSE: Natural Regression [+]Loading...["Natural Regression (short story)"])

The Tenth Doctor visited Calibris on 31 May 2008 in order to obtain a new fluid link. (AUDIO: Time Reaver [+]Loading...["Time Reaver (audio story)"])

Nardole, in his attempts to keep the Twelfth Doctor at the university where they had been guarding the Vault, removed the fluid link K57 from the TARDIS during one of the Doctor's lectures. Although the Doctor told Nardole that the TARDIS would not operate without it, this was a lie, and the TARDIS was still able to take off. (TV: Oxygen [+]Loading...["Oxygen (TV story)"])

A bowl of fluid links was in the Remembered TARDIS. (TV: The Time Meddler [+]Loading...["The Time Meddler (TotT TV story)"], Empire of Death [+]Loading...["Empire of Death (TV story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

The fluid link is a defining plot point of the theatrical film Dr. Who and the Daleks, adapted from TV: The Daleks.

The BBC concept art for River Song's sonic screwdriver depict a small tubular attachment listed as a "fluid link" along one side of the device, leading up to a section with a blue button, referred to as a TARDIS recall button.