Timechase (short story): Difference between revisions
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|previous story = [[Nightmare (short story)|Nightmare]] | |previous story = [[Nightmare (short story)|Nightmare]] | ||
|next story = [[The Penta Ray Factor]] ''(retitled ''The Envoys of Evil'' when printed in [[Terry Nation's Dalek Annual 1977|the 1977 annual]]) | |next story = [[The Penta Ray Factor]] ''(retitled ''The Envoys of Evil'' when printed in [[Terry Nation's Dalek Annual 1977|the 1977 annual]]) | ||
}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' was the final story in [[Terry Nation's Dalek Annual 1976|the 1976 ''Terry Nation's Dalek Annual'']]. It was in many ways a retooling of ''[[The Chase]]'', but with different protagonists | }}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' was the final story in [[Terry Nation's Dalek Annual 1976|the 1976 ''Terry Nation's Dalek Annual'']]. It was in many ways a retooling of ''[[The Chase]]'', but with different protagonists than [[the Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s. | ||
==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
Three [[Dalek]]s land on earth outside a remote village. They spend several days sneaking around the countryside, alert to discover a particularly well-hidden laboratory. | Three [[Dalek]]s land on earth outside a remote village. They spend several days sneaking around the countryside, alert to discover a particularly well-hidden laboratory. As they prepare to infiltrate it, two [[human]]s appear out of nowhere. | ||
[[David (Timechase)|David]] and his younger brother [[Peter (Timechase)|Peter]] have pinched their [[uncle (Timechase)|uncle]]'s keys to the laboratory, allowing them to | [[David (Timechase)|David]] and his younger brother [[Peter (Timechase)|Peter]] have pinched their [[uncle (Timechase)|uncle]]'s keys to the laboratory, allowing them to hurry towards the lab's prize content: the [[Time-Conveyor]]s. They had tried to get a glimpse of the machines earlier, when their uncle was hosting a press conference, but it had been far too crowded. They discuss some of what had been said during that meeting, while the lurking Daleks listened. | ||
The Time-Conveyors | The Time-Conveyors are not yet perfected. Their uncle has not quite figured out how to make them go precisely where he wants them to go. And there iss no guarantee that the operator could get back home once they departed. That's why, the boys conclude, there are two of them. Mark Two iss really a rescue ship for Mark One. Still, when their uncle demonstrated the machine for the gathered press, it had worked flawlessly — so well, in fact, that the boys now just want to get a better look at the wondrous new technology. | ||
As they circle the machines, they tempt each other with thoughts of using the Time-Conveyors themselves. Of the two, David is the more enthusiastic; Peter must remind his older brother they have come here to look, not touch. | As they circle the machines, they tempt each other with thoughts of using the Time-Conveyors themselves. Of the two, David is the more enthusiastic; Peter must remind his older brother they have come here to look, not touch. | ||
Suddenly the Daleks reveal themselves and block the lab's doorway. They tell the boys to stand aside. | Suddenly the Daleks reveal themselves and block the lab's doorway. They tell the boys to stand aside. Announcing that they intend to take the Time-Conveyor back to [[Skaro]] so that their scientists can improve upon it, they enter Mark One and dematerialise. Instinctively, the boys rush into the Mark Two, and give chase. | ||
The "rescue" Time-Conveyor naturally hones in on the Mark One. The boys find themselves close to the Daleks, who have landed in a trench in the middle of [[World War I]]. The boys notice that the Daleks can't seem to work the calendar control well. They decide | The "rescue" Time-Conveyor naturally hones in on the Mark One. The boys find themselves close to the Daleks, who have landed in a trench in the middle of [[World War I]]. The boys notice that the Daleks can't seem to work the calendar control well. They decide that their man objective is to get close enough to the Daleks to get into the Mark One and try to set it for home. | ||
They try to | They try to approach the Mark One, but the incoming mortar fire has enshrouded the area in smoke. The boys lose sight of the Daleks and the Mark One. Through the cloud, the boys eventually see that the Daleks are taking direct fire. One takes multiple heavy ordinances simultaneously and explodes — though not before inadvertently helping the [[British]] by effectively repulsing the German offensive. The remaining Daleks move to depart. The boys return to the Mark Two and give chase. | ||
The boys escape [[Flanders]] just before a massive shell detonates next to them. In an instant they're onboard a sailing vessel. They quickly see that their Dalek enemies are already aboard. The ship's sailors are running scared from one on the deck. They | The boys escape [[Flanders]] just before a massive shell detonates next to them. In an instant they're onboard a sailing vessel. They quickly see that their Dalek enemies are already aboard. The ship's sailors are running scared from one on the deck. They jump overboard, leaving the ship crewless. Noticing that one of the Daleks is itself close to the edge, David rushes forward and gives it a mighty shove. It topples over the side. The one remaining Dalek has little option. It retreats to the Mark One and dematerialises. The boys return to the Mark Two to follow, without having the time to notice that they're on the ''[[Marie Celeste]]''. | ||
The boys end up next in [[Pompeii]], in the middle of the [[Vesuvius|Vesuvian]] eruption. They immediately notice the Dalek has left the Mark One, so Peter makes a mad dash for it. The Dalek tries to return, but its progress is blocked by the screaming crowd of Italians trying to outrun the lava. Peter makes it to the Mark One and presses the return switch. David immediately follows his brother, leaving the last remaining Dalek to be buried in the lava. | The boys end up next in [[Pompeii]], in the middle of the [[Vesuvius|Vesuvian]] eruption. They immediately notice the Dalek has left the Mark One, so Peter makes a mad dash for it. The Dalek tries to return, but its progress is blocked by the screaming crowd of Italians trying to outrun the lava. Peter makes it to the Mark One and presses the return switch. David immediately follows his brother, leaving the last remaining Dalek to be buried in the lava. | ||
Revision as of 01:53, 3 July 2011
Timechase (short story) was the final story in the 1976 Terry Nation's Dalek Annual. It was in many ways a retooling of The Chase, but with different protagonists than the Doctor and his companions.
Summary
Three Daleks land on earth outside a remote village. They spend several days sneaking around the countryside, alert to discover a particularly well-hidden laboratory. As they prepare to infiltrate it, two humans appear out of nowhere.
David and his younger brother Peter have pinched their uncle's keys to the laboratory, allowing them to hurry towards the lab's prize content: the Time-Conveyors. They had tried to get a glimpse of the machines earlier, when their uncle was hosting a press conference, but it had been far too crowded. They discuss some of what had been said during that meeting, while the lurking Daleks listened.
The Time-Conveyors are not yet perfected. Their uncle has not quite figured out how to make them go precisely where he wants them to go. And there iss no guarantee that the operator could get back home once they departed. That's why, the boys conclude, there are two of them. Mark Two iss really a rescue ship for Mark One. Still, when their uncle demonstrated the machine for the gathered press, it had worked flawlessly — so well, in fact, that the boys now just want to get a better look at the wondrous new technology.
As they circle the machines, they tempt each other with thoughts of using the Time-Conveyors themselves. Of the two, David is the more enthusiastic; Peter must remind his older brother they have come here to look, not touch.
Suddenly the Daleks reveal themselves and block the lab's doorway. They tell the boys to stand aside. Announcing that they intend to take the Time-Conveyor back to Skaro so that their scientists can improve upon it, they enter Mark One and dematerialise. Instinctively, the boys rush into the Mark Two, and give chase.
The "rescue" Time-Conveyor naturally hones in on the Mark One. The boys find themselves close to the Daleks, who have landed in a trench in the middle of World War I. The boys notice that the Daleks can't seem to work the calendar control well. They decide that their man objective is to get close enough to the Daleks to get into the Mark One and try to set it for home.
They try to approach the Mark One, but the incoming mortar fire has enshrouded the area in smoke. The boys lose sight of the Daleks and the Mark One. Through the cloud, the boys eventually see that the Daleks are taking direct fire. One takes multiple heavy ordinances simultaneously and explodes — though not before inadvertently helping the British by effectively repulsing the German offensive. The remaining Daleks move to depart. The boys return to the Mark Two and give chase.
The boys escape Flanders just before a massive shell detonates next to them. In an instant they're onboard a sailing vessel. They quickly see that their Dalek enemies are already aboard. The ship's sailors are running scared from one on the deck. They jump overboard, leaving the ship crewless. Noticing that one of the Daleks is itself close to the edge, David rushes forward and gives it a mighty shove. It topples over the side. The one remaining Dalek has little option. It retreats to the Mark One and dematerialises. The boys return to the Mark Two to follow, without having the time to notice that they're on the Marie Celeste.
The boys end up next in Pompeii, in the middle of the Vesuvian eruption. They immediately notice the Dalek has left the Mark One, so Peter makes a mad dash for it. The Dalek tries to return, but its progress is blocked by the screaming crowd of Italians trying to outrun the lava. Peter makes it to the Mark One and presses the return switch. David immediately follows his brother, leaving the last remaining Dalek to be buried in the lava.
Both Time-Conveyors end up back at the laboratory. They creep out of the lab, carefully locking it. As they go back towards the house, they pass by their uncle, who's relaxing on the terrace with a pipe. He wonders where his nephews have been, but they only say that they've just "been wandering about".
Characters
References
to be added
Notes
- This story so closely mimics the idea of The Chase that one of the locations is even the same. This is the second explanation about the mystery of the Marie Celeste which bears Terry Nation's name, and the second time that Daleks have been given as an explanation for that mystery. It's possible to believe that these aren't contradictory accounts, but that David and Peter arrive slightly after the First Doctor and his companions depart.
Continuity
- Just as in DWA: Flood!!!, when Daleks are dumped into the ocean, they're defeated. Later in DW: Dalek, however, Daleks are shown to be waterproof and to have the ability to "elevate". This is not necessarily discontinuous, but rather shows the — no pun intended — evolution of the Daleks.
- Add this story to the list of others set during the middle of the explosion of Mount Vesuvius, which most prominently includes DW: The Fires of Pompeii and BFA: The Fires of Vulcan.
Timeline
- This story is very much standalone. It's one of the few stories in all of the 1970s Dalek annuals which doesn't feature the ADF. There's really no clue anywhere in the story about time placement.
