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[[Image:Auton.jpeg|right|200px|An Auton prepares to attack in "Spearhead from Space"]]
[[Image:Auton.jpeg|right|200px|An Auton prepares to attack in ''[[Spearhead from Space]]'']]
The '''Autons''' are an artificial life form. They are essentially life sized [[plastic]] dummies, animated by the '''Nestene Consciousness''', an [[extraterrestrial]], disembodied [[gestalt]] intelligence which first arrived on [[Earth]] in hollow plastic [[meteorite]]s in the [[1970s]]. (Prior to this, they had been colonizing other worlds for "a thousand million years.") The name comes from "Auto Plastics", the company that was infiltrated by the Nestenes and subsequently manufactured their Auton shells ("[[Spearhead from Space]]").
The '''Autons''' are an artificial life form. They are essentially life sized [[plastic]] dummies, animated by the [[Nestene Consciousness]]. Though they are not the only creations of the [[Nestene]], they are the most common and the most easily indentifiable. The name comes from "Auto Plastics", the company that was infiltrated by the [[Nestenes]] and subsequently manufactured their Auton shells (''[[Spearhead from Space]]'').


Autons conceal deadly weapons within their hands, which can kill or vaporize their targets. The typical Auton does not look particularly realistic, resembling a mannequin, being robotic in its movements and mute. However, more sophisticated Autons can be created, which look and act human except for a slight sheen to the skin and a flat sounding voice.  
Autons conceal deadly weapons within their hands, which can kill or vaporize their targets. The typical Auton does not look particularly realistic, resembling a mannequin, being robotic in its movements and mute. However, more sophisticated Autons can be created, which look and act [[human]] except for a slight sheen to the skin and a flat sounding voice.  


==History==
==History==
The [[Nestenes]]' first attempt to invade the [[Earth]], using the human-looking Autons to replace key government figures, was thwarted by [[UNIT]] with the help of [[Third Doctor|the Doctor]], who also destroyed their invasion form, which manifested in the corporeal form of a multi-tentacled cephalopod. (''[[Spearhead from Space]]'')


The '''Nestenes'''' first attempt to invade the [[Earth]], using these more human-looking Autons to replace key government figures, was thwarted by [[UNIT]] with the help of [[Third Doctor|the Doctor]], who also destroyed their invasion form, which manifested in the corporeal form of a multi-tentacled [[cephalopod]].
The [[Nestenes]] returned some time later, this time assisted by [[the Master]]. In this attempt, the Nestenes also made use of more mundane objects, animating plastic toys, inflatable chairs and artificial flowers in addition to their Auton servants. The Doctor convinced the Master that the Nestenes were too dangerous to be reliable allies, and they reversed the [[radio]] beam the invasion force was coming in on, sending it back into [[space]] ("[[Terror of the Autons]]").


The Nestenes returned some time later, this time assisted by [[the Master]]. In this attempt, the Nestenes also made use of more mundane objects, animating plastic toys, inflatable chairs and artificial flowers in addition to their Auton servants. The Doctor convinced the Master that the Nestenes were too dangerous to be reliable allies, and they reversed the [[radio]] beam the invasion force was coming in on, sending it back into [[space]] ("[[Terror of the Autons]]").
In [[2005]], the [[Nestenes]] infiltrated Earth once more, using [[warp shunt]] technology. This times, they also used the Auton servants, as well as an animated trash-can. This latest invasion force also made use of Auton facsimiles that could change the shape of their features and limbs, and were animated by the Nestenes via [[telepathy|telepathic]] projection. When duplicated, the originals are kept alive to maintain the copy.[[Ninth Doctor|The Doctor]] eventually defeated the [[Nestene]] by spilling a vial of "[[anti-plastic]]" solution into the vat of molten plastic which housed the main bulk of the Consciousness, causing it to explode ("[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]").
 
In [[2005]], the Nestenes infiltrated Earth once more, using [[warp shunt]] technology. The Nestenes lost their food supply in the [[Time War]], which destroyed their colonies and caused  the Nestene Consciousness to begin mutating under temporal stress, forcing it to assume a more vulnerable form than in its earlier attacks on Earth.  Their intent was to overthrow and destroy the [[human]] race, as Earth was ideal for their consumption needs, being filled with smoke, oil and various pollutants. The Doctor eventually defeated them by spilling a vial of "anti-plastic" solution into the vat of molten plastic which housed the main bulk of the Consciousness, causing it to explode ("[[Rose (TV story|Rose]]").
 
This latest invasion force also made use of Auton facsimiles that could change the shape of their features and limbs, and were animated by the Nestenes via [[telepathy|telepathic]] projection. When duplicated, the originals are kept alive to maintain the copy. It is not yet clear if the war mentioned was also the motivation behind their earlier invasions of Earth or a recent development.


==The Expanded Universe==
==The Expanded Universe==
The Nestenes are believed to be the offspring of [[Shub-Niggurath]], one of the [[Great Old Ones]]. 
In "[[Business Unusual]]," the Nestenes used [[computer]] games and plastic toys in another bid for world conquest. In "[[Synthespians™]]," a far-future television station's artificial actors were revealed to be Autons. This encounter saw the [[Time Lord]]s launching an assault on the [[Nestene]] homeworld [[Polymos]], an act which may have been connected with the [[Time War]].   
 
In "[[Business Unusual]]," the Nestenes used [[computer]] games and plastic toys in another bid for world conquest. In "[[Synthespians™]]," a far-future [[television]] station's artificial actors were revealed to be Autons. This encounter saw the [[Time Lord]]s launching an assault on the Nestene homeworld [[Polymos]], an act which may have been connected with the Time War.   


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
=== Television stories ===
=== Television stories ===
*''[[Spearhead from Space]]''  
*''[[Spearhead from Space]]''  
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* [[Auton 3]]
* [[Auton 3]]


 
{{Wikipedia|Auton}}
*{{Wikipedia|Auton}}
 
 
[[Category:Races and Species]]
[[Category:Races and Species]]

Revision as of 16:02, 17 June 2006

The Autons are an artificial life form. They are essentially life sized plastic dummies, animated by the Nestene Consciousness. Though they are not the only creations of the Nestene, they are the most common and the most easily indentifiable. The name comes from "Auto Plastics", the company that was infiltrated by the Nestenes and subsequently manufactured their Auton shells (Spearhead from Space).

Autons conceal deadly weapons within their hands, which can kill or vaporize their targets. The typical Auton does not look particularly realistic, resembling a mannequin, being robotic in its movements and mute. However, more sophisticated Autons can be created, which look and act human except for a slight sheen to the skin and a flat sounding voice.

History

The Nestenes' first attempt to invade the Earth, using the human-looking Autons to replace key government figures, was thwarted by UNIT with the help of the Doctor, who also destroyed their invasion form, which manifested in the corporeal form of a multi-tentacled cephalopod. (Spearhead from Space)

The Nestenes returned some time later, this time assisted by the Master. In this attempt, the Nestenes also made use of more mundane objects, animating plastic toys, inflatable chairs and artificial flowers in addition to their Auton servants. The Doctor convinced the Master that the Nestenes were too dangerous to be reliable allies, and they reversed the radio beam the invasion force was coming in on, sending it back into space ("Terror of the Autons").

In 2005, the Nestenes infiltrated Earth once more, using warp shunt technology. This times, they also used the Auton servants, as well as an animated trash-can. This latest invasion force also made use of Auton facsimiles that could change the shape of their features and limbs, and were animated by the Nestenes via telepathic projection. When duplicated, the originals are kept alive to maintain the copy.The Doctor eventually defeated the Nestene by spilling a vial of "anti-plastic" solution into the vat of molten plastic which housed the main bulk of the Consciousness, causing it to explode ("Rose").

The Expanded Universe

In "Business Unusual," the Nestenes used computer games and plastic toys in another bid for world conquest. In "Synthespians™," a far-future television station's artificial actors were revealed to be Autons. This encounter saw the Time Lords launching an assault on the Nestene homeworld Polymos, an act which may have been connected with the Time War.

Appearances

Television stories

Prose stories

BBV video stories

Template:Wikipedia