UNIT launches strike as alien contact vanishes
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Radar operators report the alien craft is only sixty seconds from impact as Chinn orders an immediate missile strike. Watched on the monitor, a missile is launched toward the approaching spaceship.
Chinn expresses his satisfaction at the missile launch and declares the incoming object a "perfect sitting target." The Doctor questions the attack as news comes that contact is lost with the ship.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Initially triumphant and confident, but abruptly stunned and vulnerable as the UFO vanishes, leaving him exposed and uncertain.
Mister Chinn stands in the UNIT command center, gripping the phone tightly as he issues the order for a missile strike. His posture is rigid, his voice commanding and triumphant as he declares the Axons' ship a 'perfect sitting target.' His satisfaction is palpable, but his confidence is abruptly shattered when RADAR 2 announces the UFO's disappearance, leaving him stunned and silent.
- • Eliminate the perceived threat posed by the Axons' ship through immediate military action.
- • Assert control and authority over UNIT operations, demonstrating decisive leadership.
- • The Axons' ship is a clear and present danger that must be neutralized without delay.
- • Military force is the most effective and justifiable response to extraterrestrial threats.
Tense and alert, with a sense of urgency that heightens as the UFO vanishes, leaving him and the room in stunned silence.
RADAR 2 is positioned at the radar station, his voice tense as he reports the ETA of the airborne interceptors and later declares the loss of contact with the UFO. His tone is urgent and precise, reflecting the high-stakes nature of the situation. His announcement of the UFO's disappearance creates a moment of shock and silence in the command center.
- • Provide accurate and real-time updates on the UFO's trajectory and status to UNIT command.
- • Ensure that all operational data is communicated clearly and promptly to support decision-making.
- • Accurate and timely information is critical to effective military and scientific responses.
- • The UFO's sudden disappearance indicates an unpredictable and potentially dangerous situation.
Skeptical and disapproving of the militaristic approach, but calm and composed in his critique of Chinn's actions.
The Doctor stands in the UNIT command center, observing the unfolding events with a critical eye. His tone is dry and skeptical as he critiques Chinn's decision to launch a missile strike, calling it 'hardly sporting.' His presence serves as a moral counterpoint to Chinn's militaristic approach, highlighting the ethical implications of preemptive violence.
- • Challenge the militaristic response to the Axons' ship, advocating for a more cautious and ethical approach.
- • Highlight the moral and ethical implications of preemptive violence, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of the situation.
- • Military force should not be the first or only response to extraterrestrial threats.
- • Understanding and diplomacy are often more effective than aggression in resolving conflicts.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Chinn's UNIT Office Telephone is the primary communication tool used to issue the missile strike order. Chinn grips the receiver tightly as he barks orders into it, emphasizing the urgency and authority of his commands. The phone serves as a symbol of Chinn's control over UNIT operations, though its effectiveness is called into question when the UFO vanishes.
The UNIT Missile is launched at the Axons' ship, symbolizing the human military's attempt to assert control over the alien threat. Its trajectory is tracked on the large monitor, and its launch is met with satisfaction by Chinn, who sees it as a decisive action. However, the missile's fate becomes uncertain when the UFO vanishes, leaving the missile's potential impact unknown and creating a moment of tension and uncertainty in the command center.
The UNIT Command Center Radar Monitor serves as the central visual tool for tracking the UFO and the missile strike. It displays the UFO's position in real-time, providing critical data to RADAR 2 and the command center. The monitor's sudden shift from showing a clear target to an empty sky underscores the unpredictability of the situation and amplifies the tension in the room.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The UNIT Radar Tracking Facility serves as the nerve center for monitoring and responding to the UFO threat. It is a tense, high-stakes environment filled with beeping alerts and glowing displays, where RADAR 2 and other operators work diligently to track the UFO and communicate critical updates. The facility's atmosphere is one of urgency and precision, reflecting the high stakes of the situation.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
UNIT is represented in this event through its command center operations, where Chinn issues orders for a missile strike and RADAR 2 tracks the UFO. The organization's military protocols are on full display, with a focus on decisive action and control. However, the sudden disappearance of the UFO exposes the limitations of UNIT's military responses and the unpredictability of the alien threat, forcing a reevaluation of their approach.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Chinn's satisfaction at launching a missile (beat_b2e931e77efca167) is directly followed by the report that the UFO has vanished from radar (beat_65eaaad111064918)."
Doctor demands missile abort after UFO vanishesKey Dialogue
"CHINN: ((into phone.)) Missile strike now! Commit now! Yes, Commander. Now!"
"CHINN: A perfect sitting target!"
"DOCTOR: Hardly seems sporting, does it?"
"RADAR 2 [OC]: Contact lost! Contact lost!"