The Blood That Breaks the Revolution
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Gharman prepares to arm his followers, emphasizing a preference for a bloodless revolution as they approach a weapons cupboard guarded by sentries.
Gharman's attempt at a bloodless takeover fails when Kavell instigates a deadly fight with the guards; Gharman reprimands Kavell for the unnecessary violence and orders the surviving guard imprisoned, reinforcing his desire for a revolution achieved with minimal bloodshed.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Deeply conflicted—his idealism is shattered by Kavell’s violence, leaving him grappling with guilt and the weight of leadership. His emotional outburst ('A stupid waste of life') reveals a man torn between his principles and the brutal reality of revolution. By the end, his exhaustion is palpable, but his resolve hardens as he accepts the necessity of escalation.
Gharman leads the rebellion’s attempt to seize weapons from the sentries but is knocked down during the altercation. He stops Kavell from executing the second guard, instead ordering the prisoner’s imprisonment. His emotional reaction to the guard’s death—calling it a 'stupid waste of life'—reveals his conflicted moral stance. He distributes the confiscated weapons to rebels while grappling with the rebellion’s violent turn, ultimately declaring, 'Let's finish it off,' with weary determination.
- • Maintain the rebellion’s non-violent principles as long as possible.
- • Seize control of the bunker to stop Davros, even if it requires compromising his ideals.
- • Violence is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of the rebellion’s core values.
- • The ends (stopping Davros) may justify the means (violence), but only as a last resort.
Adrenaline-fueled and unrepentant. Kavell’s actions suggest a thrill in the chaos of revolution, coupled with a belief that violence is the only path to success. His emotional state is one of aggressive confidence, bordering on recklessness, as he reports the rebellion’s gains with unchecked enthusiasm. There’s no remorse for the guard’s death—only the thrill of progress.
Kavell aggressively engages the guards, shooting one dead despite Gharman’s orders. He fights fiercely, tackling the second guard before Gharman intervenes. His triumphant report of the rebellion’s growing support ('We're winning, Gharman') contrasts with Gharman’s grief, revealing his unapologetic embrace of violence as a tool for victory. He takes the second guard prisoner, embodying the rebellion’s shift toward armed conflict.
- • Secure weapons to arm the rebellion and gain the upper hand against Davros’s loyalists.
- • Accelerate the revolution’s momentum, even if it means abandoning Gharman’s non-violent ideals.
- • Violence is necessary to achieve their goals and is justified by the greater good (stopping Davros).
- • Gharman’s idealism is naive and will lead to failure if not abandoned.
Fearful and resolute in the face of the rebellion’s assault. His emotional state is one of duty-bound defiance, though his death is swift and abrupt. There is no time for remorse or reflection—only the brutal reality of the conflict.
The first guard engages Kavell in a physical struggle but is shot dead during the altercation. His death marks the first violent casualty of the rebellion, serving as a catalyst for the uprising’s escalation. As a loyalist to Davros, his fate symbolizes the rebellion’s growing willingness to use lethal force to achieve their objectives.
- • Protect the bunker’s weapons and maintain security for Davros’s loyalists.
- • Resist the rebellion’s seizure of arms at all costs.
- • The rebellion is a threat to the Kaled people and must be crushed.
- • Loyalty to Davros and the regime is non-negotiable.
Desperate and defiant during the struggle, but ultimately resigned to his capture. His emotional state reflects the fear of a loyalist facing the rebellion’s growing power. There is a sense of betrayal—both by the rebellion’s violence and the erosion of Davros’s control.
The second guard is grabbed and fought by Kavell before Gharman intervenes, stopping Kavell from executing him. He is taken prisoner and locked up with other loyalists, symbolizing the rebellion’s growing control over the bunker. His capture represents a shift in power dynamics, as Davros’s loyalists are systematically rounded up and neutralized.
- • Defend the bunker and its resources from the rebellion.
- • Survive the altercation, though his capture is inevitable.
- • The rebellion is a dangerous insurgency that must be stopped.
- • Loyalty to Davros is the only path to survival in the Kaled regime.
Determined and focused, though his emotional state is not explicitly explored. His physical engagement suggests a resolve to see the rebellion through, even as it turns violent. There is no indication of hesitation or regret, implying alignment with Kavell’s aggressive approach.
The unnamed scientist fights alongside Kavell and Gharman against the guards, engaging in physical combat. He is not further described, but his participation in the altercation—particularly his role in subduing the guards—contributes to the rebellion’s seizure of weapons. His actions, though brief, symbolize the broader involvement of the scientific community in the uprising.
- • Assist in disarming the guards to secure weapons for the rebellion.
- • Support Gharman and Kavell in their leadership, even as the rebellion’s methods evolve.
- • The rebellion’s goals justify the use of force against Davros’s loyalists.
- • Unity among the scientists is critical to overthrowing Davros.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Kaled sentries’ weapons—rifles and sidearms—are seized during the altercation, becoming the rebellion’s first major arsenal. Kavell shoots one guard with his own weapon, while the second guard’s rifle is taken after he is subdued. Gharman orders the weapons distributed to the rebels, turning the tools of oppression into instruments of revolution. Their confiscation is a turning point, as the rebellion transitions from a moral protest to an armed uprising capable of challenging Davros’s regime.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The dimly lit Kaled bunker corridor serves as the battleground where the rebellion’s ideals collide with the brutal reality of revolution. Its flickering lights cast long shadows, amplifying the tension as Gharman, Kavell, and the unnamed scientist confront the sentries. The narrow, scarred walls of the corridor force close-quarters combat, making the altercation intimate and visceral. The corridor’s oppressive atmosphere—marked by the echoes of distant conflict and the weight of war—mirrors the moral dilemma facing the rebels: can their cause survive the violence it now embraces?
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Kaled Rebellion is actively represented in this event through Gharman, Kavell, and the unnamed scientist, who seize weapons from the sentries and escalate their uprising. Kavell’s aggressive tactics—shooting a guard and taking prisoners—embody the rebellion’s shift from moral protest to armed conflict. Gharman’s conflicted leadership reflects the organization’s internal struggle between idealism and pragmatism. The event marks a turning point for the rebellion, as their growing support (80%) is paired with the moral cost of violence, setting the stage for their final confrontation with Davros.
Davros’s loyalists are represented by the two sentries, who resist the rebellion’s seizure of weapons but are ultimately subdued. The first guard is killed, while the second is taken prisoner, symbolizing the loyalists’ declining influence in the bunker. Their defeat marks a critical loss for Davros, as the rebellion gains control of key resources and neutralizes his enforcement arm. The event underscores the loyalists’ vulnerability, as their numbers dwindle and their ability to defend the regime is compromised.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Kavell reports that the rebels are well organized and are ready to 'finish the revolution'."
"Kavell reports that the rebels are well organized and are ready to 'finish the revolution'."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"GHARMAN: *They walk round the corner.* Ready? Now remember, we resort to violence only if there is no other way."
"GHARMAN: *Kavell shoots the first guard.* Stay perfectly still. Take their weapons. *... later, to Kavell* No! That was stupid. A stupid waste of life. Our intention has always been to make a bloodless revolution. There's been enough of killing and violence."
"KAVELL: Gharman. Gharman, they're coming over to our side in droves. We've the backing of a good eighty percent now. *... later* We're winning, Gharman. We're winning."