The Homing Device Threat Exposed
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Doctor and Anne discuss the control sphere and control box, establishing that while the device can control the sphere, it cannot override commands from the Intelligence. Anne expresses doubt about their ability to modify it, prompting the Doctor to say they can succeed if they have the right pieces.
Evans interrupts, delivering a model Yeti ostensibly found near Weams. The Doctor realizes the Yeti is reprogrammed as a homing device, meaning Evans has unknowingly handed him a tool of the Great Intelligence.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Anxious yet determined, with a growing sense of betrayal and urgency as the situation escalates.
Anne Travers stands beside the Doctor, assisting him in examining the control sphere and its companion box. She reveals the critical limitation of the control box—that it cannot override the Great Intelligence's commands—with a mix of technical precision and personal frustration. Her concern deepens when she notices the other Yeti models are missing, and she questions the Doctor about the contents of Evans' tobacco tin, her voice tinged with suspicion and urgency.
- • To understand and potentially fix the control box's limitation to override the Great Intelligence's commands.
- • To uncover the truth behind the missing Yeti models and Evans' suspicious behavior.
- • The control box is a critical tool in combating the Yeti threat, but its current limitation is a major setback.
- • Evans' behavior and the missing models suggest he may be involved in the betrayal, though she hesitates to accuse him outright.
Defensive and anxious, with a mix of fear and resentment toward the accusations.
Evans enters the laboratory reluctantly, delivering a reprogrammed model Yeti to the Doctor. He claims to have found it near Weams' body and grows defensive when the Doctor questions his involvement with the Yeti. His insistence on retrieving his tobacco tin, which contains stolen tunnel fungus, further raises suspicion. Evans' body language and tone suggest he is hiding something, though he maintains his innocence.
- • To avoid being implicated in the Yeti attacks and the theft of the tunnel fungus.
- • To retrieve his tobacco tin and leave the laboratory as quickly as possible.
- • He is being unfairly targeted due to his role as a driver and his presence in the laboratory.
- • The Doctor and Anne are suspicious of him, but he believes he can deflect their accusations.
Intensely focused and urgent, with a calm exterior masking the gravity of the situation.
The Doctor is deeply engaged in analyzing the control sphere and its companion box, praising Anne's work while probing its capabilities. His demeanor shifts abruptly when Evans delivers the reprogrammed model Yeti, which he quickly identifies as a homing device broadcasting their location. He reacts with urgency, demanding the device be dismantled and inspecting Evans' tobacco tin, which contains stolen tunnel fungus. His actions and dialogue underscore the immediate threat and the need for decisive action.
- • To determine if the control box can override the Great Intelligence's commands and, if not, to find a way to neutralize the threat.
- • To dismantle the homing device and secure the stolen tunnel fungus to prevent further escalation of the Yeti attack.
- • The control box's inability to override the Great Intelligence's commands is a critical vulnerability that must be addressed immediately.
- • Evans' behavior and the presence of the homing device suggest he may be compromised, but the Doctor remains open to other explanations.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The stolen tunnel fungus is the key piece of evidence found in Evans' tobacco tin. Its discovery by the Doctor underscores the severity of the situation, as it confirms that the Intelligence's influence has extended into their ranks. The fungus's role in the event is to symbolize the creeping threat of the Intelligence and to implicate Evans as a potential traitor, forcing the group to question their trust in one another.
The Great Intelligence's fungal growth is not directly present in this scene, but its influence is felt through the stolen tunnel fungus in Evans' tobacco tin. The fungus represents the Intelligence's creeping threat, and its presence in the laboratory—even in a small sample—serves as a tangible reminder of the danger lurking in the Underground tunnels. The Doctor's inspection of the fungus sample underscores its role as a critical clue in understanding the Intelligence's plans.
The control box is examined alongside the Yeti control sphere, and its limitation is revealed: it cannot override the Great Intelligence's commands. This discovery is a pivotal moment, as it undermines the group's ability to regain control of the Yeti. The control box's role in the event is to highlight the technical and strategic challenges they face, forcing them to reconsider their approach.
The reprogrammed model Yeti serves as a homing device, luring the Yeti to the explosives store and broadcasting the group's location. Its delivery by Evans and subsequent examination by the Doctor escalate the tension, as it becomes clear that the Intelligence is actively tracking them. The model Yeti's role in the event is to expose the immediate threat and the Intelligence's ability to manipulate their environment, forcing the Doctor to act swiftly to dismantle it.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Goodge Street Laboratory serves as the tactical hub for the group's efforts to combat the Yeti threat. In this event, it becomes a space of heightened tension and suspicion, as the Doctor and Anne analyze the control sphere and box, while Evans delivers the homing device. The laboratory's cluttered, technical environment contrasts with the growing emotional and strategic chaos, as the group grapples with the revelation of the control box's limitation and the implications of Evans' behavior.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Doctor deduces that Travers was taken by the Intelligence to exploit his research. Then the Doctor meets back up with Anne to discuss the control box."
Doctor reveals Travers' abduction to Anne"The Doctor deduces that Travers was taken by the Intelligence to exploit his research. Then the Doctor meets back up with Anne to discuss the control box."
Victoria voices her existential dread"Evans delivers the model Yeti, which leads to the Doctor deciding to dismantle the homing device."
Evans reveals the homing Yeti"Evans delivers the model Yeti, which leads to the Doctor deciding to dismantle the homing device."
Evans reveals the homing Yeti"Anne notes that model Yetis are missing, and Doctor and company note one was planted on Knight, which directs the Doctor to think critically."
Knight’s Pocket Reveals a Planted YetiKey Dialogue
"DOCTOR: Oh yes, yes. My word, this is a splendid piece of work, Anne. ... Very wise. Let's have a look at this. ... Yes, this should control the sphere all right, but would it override the commands issued by the Intelligence, I wonder?"
"ANNE: No. No, I'm afraid it won't. I just didn't have the time. Do you think we can do it?"
"DOCTOR: We can do it if you've got the right bits and pieces."
"EVANS: Hope I'm not disturbing, Doctor, but Staff asked me to give you this. ... Here, you don't think I had anything to do with these Yeti, do you?"
"ANNE: Doctor. The other models. They've gone!"
"DOCTOR: It's the fungus from the tunnel. I thought if we examined it, it might give us a clue. I must get this dismantled. It's like holding a time bomb."