Master disables missile abort mechanism
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Master sabotages the missile's abort mechanism, removing a unit from the control panel and disabling the abort switches, ensuring that the missile launch cannot be stopped.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Feigned calm masking deep satisfaction in his strategic dominance, with an undercurrent of contempt for his adversaries.
The Master stands hunched over the Thunderbolt 2 control panel, his fingers moving with deliberate precision as he removes a critical control unit from the missile's abort mechanism. His posture is tense yet controlled, exuding an air of smug confidence. With a flick of his wrist, he disables the hidden abort switches, ensuring the missile cannot be stopped. His dialogue—'Just in case somebody tries to be clever'—is delivered with a smirk, revealing his enjoyment of outmaneuvering his enemies. The act is performed with cold efficiency, underscoring his ruthless commitment to his plan.
- • Ensure the missile launch cannot be aborted, eliminating any chance of last-minute intervention by UNIT or the Doctor.
- • Psychologically unnerve his enemies by demonstrating his control and eliminating any hope of negotiation or reversal.
- • The Doctor and UNIT are predictable and will attempt to stop the missile, so preemptive sabotage is necessary.
- • His enemies are intellectually inferior and will not anticipate his precise, irreversible actions.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Missile Abort Mechanism Control Unit is a compact, unmarked device that the Master physically removes from the Thunderbolt 2’s abort mechanism. Its extraction is a critical act of sabotage, ensuring that the missile cannot be stopped once launched. The unit’s simplicity—fitting easily in the Master’s hand—contrasts with its devastating impact, as it eliminates the last line of defense against the nerve gas payload. Its removal is a deliberate and irreversible step, underscoring the Master’s commitment to his plan and his willingness to eliminate any chance of intervention.
The Master’s Missile Abort Switches are hidden beneath a cover on the Thunderbolt 2 control panel. He flicks these switches with cold precision, disabling the abort mechanism as part of his preemptive sabotage. Their hidden nature reflects the Master’s cunning—he anticipates that someone might try to stop the missile and takes steps to ensure they cannot. The act of flicking these switches is symbolic of his control, as it removes the last possible fail-safe and locks in the missile’s launch, forcing his enemies into a hopeless situation.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Hangar Office serves as the nerve center for the Master’s sabotage, a cramped and tense space where the fate of London—and perhaps the world—is being decided. Its harsh lighting casts stark shadows over the Thunderbolt 2 control panel, emphasizing the high stakes of the moment. The hum of distant machinery and the occasional shout from UNIT troops outside create an atmosphere of urgency and impending doom. The Master’s actions here—removing the control unit and disabling the abort switches—are performed in isolation, yet the weight of his decisions reverberates beyond the office walls, affecting everyone involved in the unfolding crisis.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Master sabotages the abort mechanism (beat_563ae803f40939d3), ensuring that any attempt to abort the launch will not succeed; later revealed in beat_579070d9aae2564a."
UNIT admits failure to stop Master"The Master sabotages the abort mechanism (beat_563ae803f40939d3), ensuring that any attempt to abort the launch will not succeed; later revealed in beat_579070d9aae2564a."
Doctor reveals alternative to Master’s escapeKey Dialogue
"MASTER: "Just in case somebody tries to be clever.""