K-NEL
The K-NEL was a small spaceship assigned to K9 Mark I by the Time Lords of Gallifrey in order to allow him to carry out special missions on their behalf.
The vessel was powered by three ion motors and did not have time-travel capability, nor was it armed. It was designed (according to the Gallifrey Databank) to be an extension of K9's own computer systems. Its top speed was unrevealed. Its shape was described as white, triangular and smooth.
There were in fact two K-NELs. The first was destroyed while battling the renegade Time Lord Omegon, after which the Time Lords awarded K9 with a replacement vessel, K-NEL Mark II. (AK9: K9 and the Time Trap).
The level of interconnection between the vessel and its pilot was extreme. The controls for the craft were directly linked into K9's central computer, allowing him to operate it merely by thinking. This instantaneous communication between pilot and craft allowed for a manoeuvreability that "often save[d] K9 from destruction".
The craft was named by the Doctor. (AK9: K9 and the Zeta Rescue)
Behind the scenes
- K-NEL was created for a series of illustrated children's books featuring K9 and written by his co-creator, David Martin.
- The time frame for the Adventures of K9 book series places it after the events of The Invasion of Time.
- The name K-NEL is a play on the word kennel.
