The Ambush

Dear Diary,

Chesterton soon worked out how to operate the machine. Our cover story, however, did not impress the group of Daleks which stopped us, and we were forced to make a run for it. We made it into a side room and managed to lock the door. Susan located a lift, but unfortunately Chesterton could not exit the machine and the Daleks magnetised the floor so he could not move. We tried long in vain to extricate him, all the while the Daleks cutting through the steel door. Finally, we had to leave him behind, promising to send the lift back for him if he should escape his metal coffin. And thankfully he was able to join us before the Daleks burned through the door.

From our vantage point at the top of the city, we could see that the Thals were walking into an ambush. The Daleks had apparently delivered Susan’s note and were using it to draw them to their doom. We tried to open the door to escape and warn them, but the Daleks had magnetised the door. The party who had burned through the door below were also then approaching in the lift, however, while I worked at de-magnetising the door, the others pushed a large machine into the shaft to delay our pursuers.

I wanted to escape to the ship, however Susan insisted we warn the Thals. Again, always involving ourselves in other’s affairs. We managed to get off a small warning, but we were unfortunately too late to save the Thal leader, Temmosis, who died at the hands of these ruthless beings.

We accompanied the Thals to their camp, where a lovely young girl showed me the fascinating history of this planet. It is called Skaro, and is the twelfth planet of this system. They have records dating back half a million years. Prior to the war, the Daleks had been a race called the Dals, who were the scientists and thinkers of the planet, while the Thals were something of a warrior caste, I gather. The Thals had mutated at first, but went through a cycle of mutation coming full circle relatively unscathed. The Daleks, it seemed, built their machines to house them and have not completed the cycle. They have become xenophobes, despising all life other than their own.

The Thals, meanwhile, have become somewhat pacifist.  Chesterton urged them to mount an offensive against the Daleks, but they will not. He insisted we stay to help them. I explained that in addition to the fabulous history the young lady provided, she also had plans of several other star systems. Using those, I would be able to map our current position and thus pilot the TARDIS away. I finally convinced him and turned to return to the TARDIS when Chesterton remembered: The Daleks took the fluid link from him.

We shall have to go back.

Based upon the teleplay by Terry Nation, first broadcast on BBC 11th January, 1964

The Escape

Dear Diary,

Thankfully Susan returned in time to administer the anti-radiation drugs. At the TARDIS she encountered Alydon, the Thal who had left the drugs for us and he helpfully gave her an extra supply, as well as a strange cloak his people wear. It appears they have been able to avoid the horrible mutation the Daleks predicted by following a strict regimen of the drugs. Unfortunately, she said the Thal people were suffering from a severe drought. Apparently it only rains once in four years here, when it then rains tremendously, and the rain is presently two years overdue. Thus, the Thals need to make peace with the Daleks in order to avoid starvation.

Soon after Susan’s relating all this, the Daleks brought us food and water, and took Susan away for questioning. They questioned her extensively about their former enemies and had her write a letter to the Thals promising  to provide them with food grown by synthetic sunlight. By their line of questioning, when she returned, we determined that the Daleks had been monitoring our prior conversations. We set about to find the surveillance device and were able to locate it. Chesterton and I staged a crude pantomime of a fight and were able to disable the device.

We then only had a few moments to plan our escape. Judging by the acrid smell when the Daleks move, I believed they must be exploiting the power of static electricity. Ingenius, really. Chesterton then determined that the Thal’s cloak would make a good insulator. Thus we developed our plan: When the Dalek next came to deliver our meals, we would force the Dalek onto the cloak, which should rob it of its power. The things have incredible peripheral vision, unfortunately, due to the eye stalk, so it would prove difficult to take it by surprise. Miss Wright had the brilliant stroke to make mud of the dirt on Susan’s shoe and blind the Dalek with it.

As luck would have it, our mad plan worked. We were able to manoeuvre the Dalek onto the cloak, and the thing fell silent. Chesterton and I managed to open it up, at which point we saw the actual Dalek itself. I hesitate to describe it here. The radiation seems to have mutated them to such a degree that they likely cannot survive outside their metal shells. We covered it in the cloak to hide it from the women and Chesterton crawled in.

He was able to operate the speech function, and so we pushed him into the hallway, our plan to avoid detection by claiming this Dalek was escorting us to further interrogation.

Based upon the teleplay by Terry Nation, first broadcast on BBC 4th January, 1964

The Survivors

Dear Diary,

Chesterton returned, being unable to find Miss Wright, and so we all set out to find her. Amidst our explorations we heard a ticking sound coming from a room off one of the hallways. Inside we found a great amount of measuring equipment, which undoubtedly meant that we had stumbled upon an advanced society. Unfortunately for us, we found the ticking to be coming from a Geiger counter, which means the TARDIS readings were inaccurate and we have all been exposed to large amounts of radiation for the past day or so. This likely explains our exhaustion and general weakness. We are apparently suffering from radiation sickness brought about by what must have been a neutron bomb explosion at some point.

I realised we must get back to the TARDIS and admitted to Chesterton I had lied about needing Mercury for the fluid link. He snatched it from me and declared we could not leave without finding Miss Wright. About this time, we were set upon and surrounded by a group of strange machines. Fascinating creatures! They call themselves Daleks,  speak in a distinctive electronic monotone, and motor about on large gray metal cylinders, with domed heads and a large eye stalk. They are equipped with a sucker arm for grabbing and a type of ray device, which they immediately demonstrated by paralysing poor Chesterton. They forced us to a lift which must have descended miles below the surface, and led us to a holding cell where we were reunited with Miss Wright.

The Daleks brought me away for questioning, where they immediately assumed that I had been one of the “Thal” people coming into the city to look for anti-radiation drugs. I told them about the strange phials, which I now assume are anti-radiation drugs brought to us by someone, presumably one of these mutated Thals. I offered to lead the Daleks to the drugs, but they can not operate outside of the city. When I returned to the group, however, I collapsed from radiation. I was slipping in and out of consciousness as the others decided who among us would go. Poor Miss Wright fell asleep much like myself, and Chesterton still seemed unable to walk.

And so Susan was forced to venture into the strange jungle alone.

Based upon the teleplay by Terry Nation, first broadcast on BBC 28th December, 1963

The Dead Planet

Dear Diary,

This planet is quite fascinating. We would appear to have arrived in the aftermath of a great forest fire. The soil has turned to sand and ashes. But it can’t be simply due to heat. It’s more a petrified jungle. Miss Wright stumbled upon the remains of a strange metal beast, very like a lizard composed of pliable metal, most likely held together by some internal magnetic force. Chesterton insisted such a thing was impossible! As if life must always conform to his narrow experience.

Of course, this planet is totally dead now. The vegetation has been totally destroyed. But there is a magnificent city in the distance that appears completely undamaged. I simply had to investigate, to try to work out what had happened here, and was about to set off for the city when Chesterton, once again our self-appointed leader, stopped me and would not let me go on my own as I was the only one who knows how to pilot the ship. I started to respond, however, at that moment, Susan screamed, claiming someone had touched her shoulder. I told her it was impossible for anything to live in this environment, but she would not listen to me.

When we went back into the TARDIS, I asked Miss Wright to speak to her. Sometimes the difference in our ages makes things difficult. This left me free, unfortunately, to endure yet another tiresome argument from Chesterton refusing to explore this planet further. I finally decided I needed something to eat and led Chesterton to the food synthesizer. Miss Wright had developed something of a headache as well, so we all had a bite to eat.

At this point, a knocking sound appeared on the outside of the TARDIS. I went to investigate, but again they all insisted we leave. I acquiesced and began dematerialisation. I stopped, however, and told them something had gone wrong, that the fluid link had run out of Mercury. Surely we would be able to acquire some in the city.

We agreed to set out at first light, Chesterton insisting we get the Mercury and come straight back without any exploring. Outside the TARDIS, however, we found a strange metal box filled with glass phials. How could it have been placed there? We placed it in the TARDIS and set off.

The way to the city proved very demanding, with all of us feeling weak and losing our breath. I had to lean on Susan for support until we reached the city. After a short rest, we agreed to separate, with Chesterton going one direction, Miss Wright in another, and Susan and I taking the third.

The city itself, again, is quite interesting, composed almost entirely of metal, with long angular hallways. I wonder who could have built such a place. Soon we met back up with Chesterton and decided to take another rest. I really can’t explain how exhausting this trip has been. When Miss Wright still did not appear, Chesterton decided to go looking for her, whilst I recuperated.

I do hope nothing has happened to her. She’s the one l like.

 

Based upon the teleplay by Terry Nation, first broadcast on BBC 21st December, 1963

The Firemaker

Dear Diary,

Or, rather: Dear me, where to start?

First, as the savages converged upon us, Kal, the fellow who struck me, came forward with the body of Hur and accused our old friend Za of murdering her, even producing Za’s stone knife as evidence.

I suspected that Kal had murdered her himself, in return for freeing us, but how to prove it to these simple creatures? Quickly, I shifted into Sherlock Holmes mode (I must say, I think I would have made Sir Arthur rather proud). I explained that if Za had killed the old woman, the stone would show what it had done, but it did not. I then grabbed Kal’s stone knife, still covered in blood, and showed it to the assembled mob, explaining that here was a stone that did show what it had done. Seizing the momentum, I persuaded Chesterton to join me in casting stones at Za and driving him out. This naturally inspired their mob mentality to join us in driving him out and banishing him from the tribe. Elementary. Hmph.

We were immediately rewarded for our efforts by our dear friend Za by his tossing us back into the Cave of Skulls to make fire for him. (Again, it never pays to involve oneself with these matters!)

Back at the cave, Chesterton enlisted Miss Wright and Susan to help him in building a fire. Za entered just in time to see him in the act. He immediately assumed Chesterton to be our leader because in his tribe the fire maker was the leader. Surprisingly, Chesterton deferred to me, stating that I was their leader. (Quite right, of course.)

I explained to Za that, in our tribe, the fire maker was the least important person (I couldn’t resist deflating Chesterton a bit) because we could all make fire. He then rather worryingly detailed the tribe’s thoughts about us. They believed us to be from the Tribe of the Orb (the sun, I presume) and that, when we return to him upon the Stone of Death, the tribe will once again have fire.

Chesterton again surprised us by managing to ignite the twigs and starting a fire. Unfortunately, at that time one of the other savages rushed in, apparently ready to return us to the Orb himself. Luckily, Za engaged him, and, after winning advantage, dealt the intruder a rather gruesome killing blow.

Chesterton gave Za a torch to take to his tribe in the hopes that now that they had fire, we would be released. This proved to be rather naïve, however, as Za swanned off hunting and left us trapped in the cave. He returned with meat and fruit and water, explaining that he did not believe we came from the Orb but merely believed we had come from a tribe on the other side of the mountain. Nonetheless, he planned to keep us here that we would be a constant source for fire.

When he had left us alone, Susan attempted to amuse us by setting one of the skulls on a lit torch. What happened next I cannot explain. Chesterton actually developed an inspired escape plan. We created four torches and placed skulls atop them all. We drew the tribes attention and then hid. When they saw the flaming skulls, they assumed we had died and gone back to the Orb, and we snuck away.

Our ruse worked for a short time, but once in the dark woods we heard them close on our heels. We managed to reach the TARDIS without a second to spare, and I de-materialised immediately.

Which brings us to our current situation. In my haste, I neglected to throw the Fast Return Switch which would have taken us back to Earth. As such, since I was never able to determine our location during our visit to that time, I am unable to determine where we have arrived. Or where we will go from here.

For now, we could be anywhere in all of space and time. It is of some small comfort, however, that the radiation levels are reading normal.

 

Based upon the teleplay by Anthony Coburn, first broadcast on BBC 14th December, 1963

The Forest of Fear

Dear Diary,

Whilst we each struggled separately to free ourselves from our bonds, all to no avail, I suggested we concentrate our efforts on freeing Chesterton. As he is the strongest, he would then be able to help free us or to defend us if the need should arise.

In doing so, I managed to speak with Miss Wright, and I fear I may have overplayed my part since our departure. She seemed genuinely surprised that I wanted to help. I tried to assure the poor dear that we were companions. Yes, companions. And I explained to her that just as Chesterton had spoken of our fear, we must not forget its companion: hope.

Luckily, the old woman, Hur, I believe her name was, rather conveniently, entered the cave and promised to free us if we would promise not to help them make fire. We of course assented and she instructed us to flee into the trees.

Having been unconscious for my journey to the cave, I depended on my companions to remember the way. We ran quite a way until I had to stop to catch my breath. Chesterton being the tiresome young fellow he is, seems to have elected himself leader of our little party, and moaned about the time we were losing while we gathered our breath. I told him so be it, but I would not follow his orders blindly and I would appreciate if he would stop looking at me as if I were the weakest link in this party.

Just as we were preparing to get underway again, we heard a fearful sound. I urged the party forward, but Miss Wright and Chesterton insisted on coming to the aid of one of our pursuers who had been attacked by a wild beast. Susan, of course, cast her lot with them and I had no choice but to follow.

Why must they get involved? There can be no good to come from it. I know. It is best not to involve oneself with the affairs of others. But I suppose that wisdom comes with age.

At any rate, I must admit Chesterton did an admirable job caring for the injured fellow. These savages seem incapable of understanding kindness or compassion. His mate had great difficulty believing we were actually trying to help him and not kill him outright, but eventually relented and allowed Chesterton to provide aid. She still jealously would not allow Susan to touch him. Hmph! Miss Wright, however, was able to convince her to gather water to clean the wound.

Again I saw how low their level of trust in me has sunk as I reached for the fallen man’s stone knife and Chesterton grasped my wrist. As if I planned to split the man’s skull! Preposterous! But I’ll let the young fool continue to believe what he wishes.

Chesterton then got the outrageous idea to carry the man to the ship in search of antiseptic, and against my objections (but of course with Susan’s encouragement) we rigged a stretcher from Chesterton’s coat and carried him toward the TARDIS.

As we approached, it became obvious that the TARDIS was surrounded. As we turned to flee, it became obvious that so were we.

Based upon the teleplay by Anthony Coburn, first broadcast on BBC 7th December, 1963

 

The Cave of Skulls

Dear Diary,
 

Well, our uninvited guests finally awoke. I sometimes forget time travel has that effect on people.

Barbara quickly accepted the reality of the situation, but the stubborn, narrow-minded fellow, Chesterton, refused to believe time travel possible at all! After checking the air and radiation levels, I decided to open the doors and let him see for himself while I went off to collect my rock samples. Hmph!

I am, I’m afraid, a bit concerned about the TARDIS. The yearometer must not be working properly. Its current reading is Zero.  More distressing, however, the TARDIS remains in the shape of a police box. I do hope the chameleon circuit is not going. I shall have to look into this at another time.

Whilst collecting my samples, I thought I should have a smoke. I was lighting my pipe when I was struck from behind by one of the primitives who inhabit this place. I woke on a stone slab amidst a group of them, all dressed in skins, and nattering on about fire. It seemed to be a power struggle between two parties. Seeking an advantage I threw in with this Kal fellow and somewhat hastily promised I would make fire for them, which worked well until I realized I had must have dropped my matches when I was attacked. 

This displeased the lot of them and I’m afraid it might have been the end for me had not Susan and the others chose that moment to mount a rescue. 

Still, it was a momentary respite, as we were eventually overpowered. As one of the primitives poised to deal Chesterton a killing blow, I bellowed out that if he were harmed, there would be no fire. 

Again, this bought us a little time. However, we were also tied and taken to the Cave of Skulls. A most appropriate name, I must say, for there were indeed skulls and skeletal remains littered about the cavern. As we struggled with our bonds, Chesterton and I noticed another thing the skulls had in common: they had all been split open.

Based upon the teleplay by Anthony Coburn, first broadcast on BBC 30th November, 1963

An Unearthly Child

Dear Diary,

At last I was able to dispose of it this afternoon. I’m rather proud of myself. No one will suspect. Unfortunately, on my return to the TARDIS I was accosted by two meddlesome schoolteachers who followed Susan home to spy on me.

I knew allowing Susan to attend that school these five months was a mistake. A child of the forty-ninth century, she knows more than the whole faculty combined. But I needed time to repair the filament, and she loves the twentieth century so. Thus against my better judgment I allowed it.

They roughly forced themselves inside, and now here we are. I can’t very well let them back out having seen what they’ve seen. The woman is somewhat intelligent and is already beginning to piece together the truth of the TARDIS. The other fellow may catch on as well given time.

Seeing no other recourse, I set off in the TARDIS and we have now materialised in a different time and most likely a different place, though I have not been able to place it as yet. Our guests were knocked unconscious during transit, but they seem none the worse for wear.

It looks as though our wanderings throughout the fourth dimension have begun anew.

At least I’ll never need concern myself with Coal Hill School again.

Based upon the teleplay by Anthony Coburn, first broadcast on BBC 23rd November, 1963