The 456: Difference between revisions

|first      = Children of Earth: Day Three

Humanity knew very little about the 456's biology and anatomy, as they only had contact with one member of the species, who remained within a nearly opaque gas, contained within a transparent chamber. The natural design of their body consisted of three "[[head]]s", connected to one body via three long necks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'') The 456 thrived in an [[atmosphere]] made up of 25% [[nitrosyl chloride]], 22% [[hydrogen chloride]], 20% [[nitrogen]], 12% [[fluorine]], 9% [[hydrogen cyanide]], 6% [[acetone]], and 6% [[phosgene]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Two]]'')

It was later revealed by the creature itself that the individual may have been under the influence of a recreational drug the entire time, the effects of which were not fully known. The [[456 ambassador]] emitted a viscous green fluid in moments of frustration; this may have been an effect of either the use of recreational drugs or a natural response. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Three]]'') Their [[blood]] was red (though this may have been from the human child connected to the individual). ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Five]]'')

The 456 had technological systems which could match the systems of the human race from [[1965]] onwards, such as radio telecommunications. They spoke English fluently and understood it perfectly; this may or may not have been through the use of a translator. They seemed to be far more advanced than the human race, indeed far more advanced than most other species, having the chemical and biological knowledge to provide a range of [[virus]]es and anti-viruses to humans. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')

The 456 arrived on Earth in what was described as a [[pillar of fire]], allowing them to [[teleportation|teleport]] into a specially made tank, despite it being within a building. When the pillar of fire appeared, clouds would gather around it and then dissipate once the pillar was gone. This pillar of fire appeared to do no damage to Thames House despite passing through at least the roof. [[UNIT]] believed that their base of operations was somewhere in orbit around Earth, but they were unable to find their ship, suggesting that the 456 possessed advanced cloaking technology. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'') After the apparent death of the 456 ambassador, the 456 teleported his remains out in a similar way, with the remains disappearing into the sky in the form of a pillar of fire streaking upwards from Thames House instead of down into it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Five]]'') In 1965, the 456 took the children using a different method involving them walking into a bright light that disappeared in a flash rather than a pillar of fire. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')

They could also manipulate the minds of millions of children at will. When they came to Earth in [[2009]], they forced all children globally on Earth to chant "We are coming". The transmissions became more and more sophisticated with each sending, until the 456 manipulated each country's children into relaying a different message to their governments. Children around the globe communicated in English only, due to the 456's previous dealings with the British government. Through this connection, they could also give off [[456 hypersonic signal|a fatal signal]], which they used to kill [[Clement McDonald]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day One]]'', ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'') However, if reversed in a constructive wave, the frequency was deadly to the 456, making their bodies exhibit extreme pain before violently exploding. As well, the 456 using the children in this way made them vulnerable to someone using the children as a transmitter in reverse to broadcast the deadly signal to the 456. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Five]]'')

In 1965, [[Andrew Staines]], [[Ellen Hunt]], [[Michael Sanders]], and [[Jack Harkness]] executed a deal with the unseen aliens. In exchange for twelve human children, the 456 gave them an [[anti-virus]] for a [[mutation|mutated]] strain of [[Indonesian influenza]], which would otherwise, according to the aliens, have killed millions. These projections were agreed to by British analysts. The 456 claimed that the children would not be harmed, and in fact "would live forever" and that the 456 would not return to Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Three]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')

Twelve [[orphan]]s were taken from the [[Holly Tree Lodge]] [[orphanage]] under the pretence that they were to go to another orphanage called [[Harbour Heights]]. These children were brought to a location in [[Scotland]], where they were ushered into a white light. For unknown reasons, the 456 decided to leave behind one orphan, [[Clement McDonald|Clem McDonald]], who ran off alone into the night. Torchwood Three later speculated that they weren't interested in him because he was on the brink of puberty. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')

In [[September]] [[2009]], the 456 sent a message through every child—ages five to eleven—on the planet: "We are coming." ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day One]]'' ''[[Children of Earth: Day Two]]'') They followed with detailed instructions sent secretly to [[Dekker]] for a purpose built, gas filled chamber to be constructed for them on [[Floor 13]], the top level of [[Thames House]], [[MI5]]'s headquarters in [[London]] and the most secure building in Britain. Technicians set about constructing the containment facility before the aliens' arrival. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Two]]'')

[[File:456 arrival through clouds TW.jpg|thumb|right|The 456 arrive on Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Three]]'')]]

On their arrival day, an ambassador transported itself from the sky in a [[pillar of fire]] into the chamber, and began negotiations with [[John Frobisher]], whom [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Brian Green]] had had appointed informal ambassador. They insisted on addressing all the major powers, but Frobisher was able to convince them to keep quiet about the earlier dealings with the British government in 1965. The 456 asked for a "gift" of 10% of the world's children, in exchange for not destroying the human race. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Three]]'')

The arrival of Jack Harkness led to an argument with the 456, who released [[the 456 virus|a virus]] into the air of Thames House as a demonstration of what the people of Earth would get if they didn't comply. This killed almost everyone in Thames House, including [[Ianto Jones]] and temporarily [[Jack Harkness]]. With no other choice, the governments of the world reluctantly agreed to the 456's demands, now seeing fighting back as useless. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')