The Daleks Invade London (short story)

The Daleks Invade London
Main character(s):	Daleks
Key crew
Writer:	Terry Nation
Read by:	Steven Pacey
Release details
Part of:	Terry Nation's Dalek Special
Release date:	25 October 1979
Terry Nation's Dalek Special fiction
Next →	Inside a Dalek

Daleks: The Secret Invasion was a short story published in Terry Nation's Dalek Special.

Summary

A group of children uncover and help to foil a planned invasion of Earth by the Daleks.

Characters

• The Daleks
• Danny
• David
• Emilie
• Paul
• Colonel Trent

Worldbuilding

• The children try to see The Exorcist but are turned away at the box office for being too young.
• The children do see Robin Hood, which they found "terrific".
• Harold Wilson's appearance reminded David of Mike Yarwood.

Notes

• According to Howe's Transcendental Toybox, this story was first published in the London Evening News newspaper in 1974.
• The story would appear to take place around late 1973, as the children go to the cinema to see the horror film The Exorcist, a film released in December 1973. The children do see Robin Hood, another film released in November 1973.
  • However, politicians from 1974 are referenced: Home Secretary Roy Jenkins, former Prime Minister Edward Heath, and Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
  • The story also lampoons the two close 1974 general elections: Emilie explains Edward Heath isn't the Prime Minister at the Ministry of Defence briefing because "it's Mr Wilson's turn this month".
• It is the first original Doctor Who-related fiction to be published by Target Books and the only fiction written by Terry Nation for the company (as he did not novelise any of his TV stories).
• The children recognise the Daleks, but it is never explained how.
• This story was later released as part of Daleks Destroy: The Secret Invasion & Other Stories, read by Steven Pacey.

Continuity

to be added