Doctor Who
S9E2
· Day of the Daleks Part 2

Yates launches search for missing patrolmen

Sergeant Benton reports two soldiers missing from their patrol to Captain Yates, raising the alarming possibility they may have entered Auderley House. Yates, sensing immediate danger, orders an urgent search of the grounds despite the chill weather. The exchange reveals growing paranoia about the house’s secrets and foreshadows the broader conspiracy involving time manipulation and alien infiltration now converging on this location.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Benton reports two men missing to Yates, confirming the information after Yates' inquiry.

neutral to concern

Yates decides to investigate the possibility that the missing men are inside the house.

concern to determination

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Benton
Regimental Sergeant Major
 primary

Professionally composed with underlying tension that hints at unease about the house's dangers

Sergeant Benton stands at attention before Captain Yates, delivering a precise and urgent report about the absence of two patrol members. His tone is confident yet measured, betraying the gravity of the situation through the omission of unnecessary details. Benton’s posture reflects military discipline, but his mention of the cold weather serves as a subtle nudge toward the potential threat posed by Auderley House.

Goals in this moment
  • • Ensure the patrol is accounted for and safe
  • • Alert Yates to the potential breach of Auderley House to prevent larger consequences
Active beliefs
  • • Military protocol must be followed without exception
  • • The missing soldiers are likely the result of dereliction of duty rather than foul play
Character traits
Methodical in reporting Disciplined under pressure Subtly concerned about the house's implications Pragmatic in suggesting patrol misconduct as the cause
Follow Benton's journey
UNIT Captain Yates
Captain
 primary

Calm but alert, with a facade of composure that barely conceals rising concern about the missing soldiers and the house’s secrets

Captain Yates listens intently to Benton’s report, his expression shifting from skepticism to urgency as the confirmation of missing soldiers solidifies. He swiftly moves to action, cutting off further discussion to order an inspection of Auderley House, prioritizing operational security over prolonged inquiry. His no-nonsense demeanor masks a growing sense of alarm about the unfolding situation.

Goals in this moment
  • • Verify the whereabouts of the missing soldiers to mitigate risk
  • • Ascertain if Auderley House poses a direct threat to personnel or the mission
Active beliefs
  • • Internal protocol must be verified before escalating concerns
  • • Any unexplained disappearance near Auderley House warrants immediate investigation
Character traits
Decisive and authoritative Prioritizes immediate action over speculative doubt Maintains tight control over narrative and response Expresses urgency through concise commands
Follow UNIT Captain …'s journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Auderly House

Auderley House looms in the background of the exchange, its ominous presence heightened by Benton’s implication that the missing soldiers may have entered it. The cold weather and Yates’s decision to inspect the grounds frame the house as both a refuge from the elements and a potential den of hidden dangers, intensifying its role as a contested space in the military’s operational focus.

Atmosphere Tense and unsettling, with an underlying dread about what lies within the house’s walls
Function Primary suspect location for unexplained disappearances and potential threats
Symbolism Represents an unknown and perilous unknown that disrupts the soldiers' disciplined routine
Access Unrestricted for UNIT patrols, though the house itself is deemed off-limits without authorization
Biting cold weather framing the urgency of the inspection The house’s grandeur contrasts with its suspected perilous secrets

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

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Key Dialogue

"BENTON: I'm positive. I've doubled checked and there are two men missing."
"YATES: From the patrol?"
"BENTON: Yes, sir. Now, there's just one possibility. They could be in the house. I mean, it's none too warm a day, is it, sir?"