Intelligence for War (audio story)

The Doctor and Liz Shaw investigate a disturbing incident in the quiet Norfolk village of Huncleath, involving a vanishing Nazi soldier. Is time travel technology to blame? And what is the link between the disappearance of the village's wealthiest resident, Francis Teeling, and anti-war campaigners in Cambridge?

As the Brigadier mobilises UNIT, a secret branch of the British military has serious concerns about UNIT's scientific advisor — Dr Elizabeth Shaw.

In the ensuing struggle, Liz must make connections with her past, consider her future and fight against both incarceration and an unusual alien weapon. And try as he might, the Doctor may not be able to help her!

Plot

Part one

The Doctor reads in The Clarion about a Nazi captain invading a pub in Huncleath and, after speaking with landlord Ken Sharpe over the telephone, he heads off in Bessie to investigate the possibility of a temporal anomaly. Liz, sceptical of the story in part because of the newspaper's reputation, accompanies him to the pub for lunch and deduces that the Doctor is hoping to use the technology causing the anomaly to get the TARDIS working and leave Earth.

Before the Brigadier can leave for Geneva, he meets with Colonel Matthews of the military's Pinpoint Division and learns that Liz has been flagged for her membership of the Anti-War Alliance when she was a student. The Brigadier has long been aware of this, however, and believes it to be of no concern.

The Doctor and Liz fail to detect an energy signature at the pub and question the locals, coming to the conclusion that Ken is trustworthy and unlikely to have lied. They help Florrie after she claims to have been attacked by a Spanish nationalist and the Doctor theorises that people are being targeted by opponents from wars that they experienced. After calling UNIT, they visit the house of the murdered George and chase a Sylimenta, but Matthews arrives with the Brigadier and arrests Liz for treason.

Part two

Liz is taken away by Matthews at gunpoint and taken to a secure facility where she is accused of passing confidential UNIT documents, which she claims to have never seen and which have been partially redacted due to them being beyond Matthews's clearance, to an unaffiliated individual. During questioning, they inexplicably switch roles for a time and Liz accuses Matthews of trying to make her think that she has gone insane.

The Brigadier joins the Doctor in his investigation, finding the Nazi in the pub and watching it mutate into the Sylimenta before disappearing. The search continues when reinforcements arrive and the creature is found, but the Brigadier orders it to be shot when it attacks the Doctor and it dies after mentioning a case, taking on a human form in death. Ken identifies the body as that of wealthy local Francis Teeling and the Doctor finds a device on Teeling's neck which he reasons is responsible for his transformations, intended to distract from an imminent invasion.

Part three

The Doctor investigates Teeling and speaks with his housekeeper, Bryony Walker, who is initially reticent to discuss Teeling's business but eventually admits that he sold weapons.

Liz is freed from her cell by Lincoln Hall and finds herself in a lecture hall where she delivers a talk on asteroids and is asked by her students about what happens to technology acquired by UNIT. She then finds herself in a meeting with the Brigadier.

to be completed

Part four

to be added

Part five

to be added

Part six

to be added

Part seven

to be added

Cast

Worldbuilding

Ken Sharpe fought in the Second World War.
George Finch lives on the road to King's Lynn. He survived the Battle of the Somme.
Florrie Taylor was a nurse in the Spanish Civil War.
The Malnik Empire is formed in the 110th century.
Munro fetches a full platoon after speaking with the Doctor.
The Doctor drinks claret.
Mick is Teeling's driver.
Wendy works for Teeling.
Mrs Teeling is in London and her children at school.
Pete and Russell are Teeling's guards.

Notes

This story was recorded at Audio Sorcery between 13 and 15 March 2023.

Continuity

to be added

External links

Official Intelligence for War page at bigfinish.com