Fabula
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

Daleks destroy the ship and hunt survivors

Cory and Lowery, having just assembled a distress beacon launcher, are forced to abandon their ship when a Dalek patrol arrives. The Daleks, after confirming the vessel is empty, immediately order its destruction—a cold, efficient act that underscores their ruthless efficiency and the futility of resistance. Lowery watches in horror as the ship is obliterated, his last hope of escape vanishing. The Daleks then declare their intent to hunt the crew, escalating the immediate threat. As Cory and Lowery flee into the jungle, Lowery is impaled by a Varga thorn, setting up his eventual transformation into a hostile creature. The scene serves as a brutal turning point: the crew’s survival mission is now a desperate race against both the Daleks and Kembel’s deadly ecosystem, while the destruction of the ship eliminates any chance of a conventional escape. The Daleks’ indifference to the ship’s potential value also reinforces their ideological superiority—they see no need to salvage or interrogate, only to eliminate obstacles.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Lowery completes the beacon launcher, ready to record a distress message, but Cory abruptly silences him, sensing an imminent threat nearby.

anticipation to tension

Cory identifies Daleks approaching, and he and Lowery hide as a Dalek patrol arrives and confirms the ship is empty before ordering its destruction, leaving Lowery horrified.

tension to dread

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

None (emotionless, operating as a single, relentless force). Their actions are driven by the Daleks’ overarching goal of galactic domination and the elimination of all threats.

The collective Dalek force glides into the clearing, their presence dominating the scene. They line up in front of the ship, their formation a display of coordinated power. Their destruction of the ship is swift and absolute, a demonstration of their ruthless efficiency. The Daleks’ collective action is a reminder of their overwhelming force—they are not just individual threats but a unified, unstoppable machine. Their declaration to hunt the crew escalates the tension, making it clear that the humans’ survival is now a matter of evasion and endurance against an enemy that shows no mercy.

Goals in this moment
  • Eliminate the human crew to prevent warning Earth
  • Secure the Dalek base and invasion plans from interference
Active beliefs
  • Humanity is a lesser species that must be subjugated or exterminated
  • The Daleks’ mission is absolute and must be executed without hesitation
Character traits
Unified and coordinated Ruthlessly efficient in destruction Indifferent to the value of the ship or human lives Embodying the Daleks’ collective might
Follow Dalek (Generic …'s journey

Horrified and panicked, oscillating between shock at the ship’s destruction and visceral fear of the Varga thorn’s implications—his emotions are raw and unfiltered, bordering on despair.

Lowery is in a state of escalating horror as he watches the Daleks destroy the ship, his last hope of escape crumbling before his eyes. His panic peaks when he impales his hand on a Varga thorn, his frantic attempts to remove the thorn and suck out the poison revealing his desperation. He follows Cory into the jungle, but his movements are hesitant and nervous, his emotional state a mix of shock, fear, and the creeping realization that he is now both hunted and infected. His loyalty to Cory is evident, but his survival instincts are fraying under the weight of the dual threats.

Goals in this moment
  • Survive the Dalek hunt long enough to launch the beacon
  • Remove the Varga thorn and mitigate its effects before the poison takes hold
Active beliefs
  • The ship’s destruction means they are now truly stranded with no way home
  • The Varga thorn is a death sentence, but he clings to the hope that Cory can help
Character traits
Panicked under pressure Loyal but increasingly desperate Physically reactive to pain and fear Struggling to process the scale of the threat
Follow Gordon Lowery's journey

Controlled urgency with a steely resolve—aware of the dire situation but refusing to succumb to panic, channeling his focus into survival.

Cory is the first to sense danger, his instincts sharp as he silences Lowery and orders a retreat. He crouches in the bushes, watching the Daleks with a focused intensity, his urgency palpable as he drags Lowery into the jungle. His leadership is evident in his decisive actions—abandoning the ship, prioritizing the beacon, and pushing Lowery to keep moving despite the Varga thorn injury. Cory’s determination is unwavering, but his emotional state is one of controlled urgency, aware that every second counts in their desperate flight.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure Lowery’s survival and escape from the Daleks
  • Preserve the distress beacon to warn Earth, even at the cost of the ship
Active beliefs
  • The Daleks will show no mercy, so evasion and speed are critical
  • Lowery’s injury is a setback, but stopping to address it risks capture or death
Character traits
Decisive under pressure Protective of his crew Strategic thinker Unwavering in the face of danger
Follow Marc Cory's journey
Dalek 1
primary

None (emotionless, operating purely on protocol and command hierarchy). Its actions are driven by cold logic and the Daleks’ overarching goal of galactic domination.

Dalek 1 takes command of the patrol, gliding into the clearing with mechanical precision. It confirms the ship is empty, orders its destruction without hesitation, and declares the hunt for the crew. Its dialogue is clipped and authoritative, reflecting the Daleks’ ruthless efficiency. Dalek 1’s actions are a stark reminder of the Daleks’ superiority—they do not negotiate, salvage, or interrogate; they eliminate. Its presence is a looming threat, the embodiment of the crew’s hopelessness in the face of overwhelming force.

Goals in this moment
  • Eliminate all threats to the Dalek invasion plans
  • Locate and exterminate the human crew to prevent warning Earth
Active beliefs
  • Human life is expendable and irrelevant to Dalek objectives
  • The crew’s destruction is a necessary step in securing the Great Alliance’s success
Character traits
Ruthlessly efficient Authoritative and unyielding Mechanically precise in execution Indifferent to mercy or negotiation
Follow Dalek 1's journey
Supporting 1
Dalek 2
secondary

None (emotionless, operating as part of the Dalek collective). Its actions are driven by the Daleks’ overarching mission and its programmed role within the patrol.

Dalek 2 operates as a subordinate to Dalek 1, confirming the ship’s emptiness and reporting back to control. Its role is functional and obedient, executing orders without question. It glides into formation with the other Daleks, its presence reinforcing the collective might of the Dalek patrol. Dalek 2’s actions are a reminder of the Daleks’ hive-mind mentality—each unit is a cog in a larger machine, and their efficiency is terrifying in its uniformity.

Goals in this moment
  • Support Dalek 1’s orders to destroy the ship and hunt the crew
  • Ensure operational security for the Dalek invasion plans
Active beliefs
  • The Daleks’ mission is absolute and must be executed without deviation
  • Human resistance is futile and will be crushed
Character traits
Obedient to command hierarchy Mechanically precise in execution Indifferent to individual lives Part of a coordinated, relentless force
Follow Dalek 2's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

3
Cory and Lowery's Damaged Rocket Ship

The damaged rocket ship is the crew’s last symbol of hope, a fragile connection to Earth and survival. Its destruction by the Daleks is a brutal turning point, eliminating any chance of conventional escape. The ship’s explosion is not just a loss of transportation but a psychological blow, shattering Lowery’s composure and reinforcing the crew’s desperation. The ship’s wreckage becomes a grim reminder of their isolation and the Daleks’ indifference to human life. Its role in the event is both practical (a means of escape) and symbolic (the death of hope).

Before: Damaged but repairable, standing in the clearing as …
After: Obliterated by Dalek fire, reduced to smoldering wreckage.
Before: Damaged but repairable, standing in the clearing as the crew’s only potential way off Kembel.
After: Obliterated by Dalek fire, reduced to smoldering wreckage.
Cory and Lowery's Rescue Beacon

The rescue beacon capsule launcher is Lowery’s last tool for warning Earth, a desperate gamble to turn the tide of the Dalek invasion. Though the ship is destroyed, Lowery clings to the launcher as he flees, symbolizing his refusal to abandon hope entirely. The beacon becomes a tangible goal—something to fight for amid the chaos. Its role in the event is twofold: a practical device for transmitting the warning and a symbolic lifeline, representing the crew’s dwindling but persistent defiance against the Daleks. The launcher’s survival is a small victory in an otherwise hopeless situation.

Before: Assembled and functional, held by Lowery as he …
After: Carried by Lowery into the jungle, still intact …
Before: Assembled and functional, held by Lowery as he prepares to record a distress message.
After: Carried by Lowery into the jungle, still intact but now their only remaining tool for warning Earth.
Varga Thorn

The Varga thorn is the planet’s silent, deadly trap, impaling Lowery’s palm as he flees through the jungle. His panicked reaction—tearing it out, sucking at the wound, and flinging it away—highlights the immediate and visceral threat it poses. The thorn is not just a physical obstacle but a harbinger of Lowery’s eventual transformation into a Varga-infected killer. Its presence underscores Kembel’s dual threats: the Daleks’ overt hostility and the planet’s insidious, creeping danger. The thorn’s role is symbolic of the crew’s helplessness, as even the environment conspires against their survival.

Before: Embedded in the dense thicket, poised to impale …
After: Removed from Lowery’s hand and discarded into the …
Before: Embedded in the dense thicket, poised to impale anyone who crashes through the bushes.
After: Removed from Lowery’s hand and discarded into the jungle, but the poison has already begun its work.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Kembel Crash Site Perimeter

The perimeter outside the human spaceship is the final bastion of the crew’s fragile hope before it is shattered. This location is a liminal space—neither fully safe nor entirely exposed, but a temporary refuge where the crew attempts to salvage their mission. The dense jungle presses in on all sides, its sounds and movements a constant reminder of the planet’s hostility. The perimeter is where the crew’s last stand takes place, their repairs interrupted by the Daleks’ arrival. The atmosphere is one of urgency and dread, the air thick with the screeches of alien animals and the looming presence of the Daleks. The location’s role is to underscore the crew’s desperation and the inevitability of their flight into the jungle.

Atmosphere Urgent and claustrophobic, with the sounds of screeching animals and the distant hum of Dalek …
Function The last safe(ish) location before the crew’s flight into the jungle; a place of desperate …
Symbolism Represents the crew’s dwindling agency and the fragility of their mission. It is the threshold …
Access Exposed to Dalek patrols and the planet’s deadly flora; the crew’s only option is to …
The damaged hull of the rocket ship, its metal dented and scorched from previous battles. The screeches of alien animals echoing from the tangled foliage, adding to the sense of unease. The dense thicket where Lowery later impales his hand on a Varga thorn, its branches snagging at his movement.
Kembel Jungle Clearing

The jungle clearing is the stage for the crew’s unraveling hope and the Daleks’ ruthless efficiency. It serves as both a battleground and a refuge, its dense foliage offering temporary concealment but also hiding deadly Varga thorns. The clearing’s open space amplifies the vulnerability of the crew as they watch their ship destroyed, while the encroaching jungle symbolizes the inescapable threats of Kembel. The atmosphere is one of tension and despair, the air thick with the smoke of the exploding ship and the creeping dread of the Daleks’ hunt. The clearing’s role is to highlight the crew’s isolation and the futility of their struggle against overwhelming odds.

Atmosphere Tension-filled with the acrid smell of smoke, the distant hum of Dalek patrols, and the …
Function Battleground for the Daleks’ destruction of the ship and the crew’s desperate flight into the …
Symbolism Represents the crew’s shattered hopes and the inescapable dual threats of the Daleks and Kembel’s …
Access Open to Dalek patrols and the planet’s deadly flora; the crew’s only escape route is …
The smoldering wreckage of the rocket ship, casting an eerie glow over the clearing. The distant, ominous hum of Dalek patrols gliding through the jungle. The dense thicket where Lowery impales his hand on a Varga thorn, its branches snagging at his clothing as he flees.

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Collective Dalek Race

The Daleks’ involvement in this event is the embodiment of their ruthless efficiency and ideological superiority. They operate as a unified, relentless force, their actions driven by the overarching goal of galactic domination. The destruction of the ship and the declaration of the hunt for the crew are not just tactical moves but a demonstration of their indifference to human life and their absolute commitment to eliminating threats. The Daleks’ presence in this event is a reminder of their power dynamics—they are the hunters, and the crew are the prey, with no chance of negotiation or mercy. Their influence is exerted through sheer force, their organizational goals clear: secure the invasion plans and eliminate all obstacles.

Representation Through coordinated action of patrol units, led by Dalek 1 and supported by Dalek 2, …
Power Dynamics Exercising absolute authority over the crew and the planet, with no resistance or challenge to …
Impact The Daleks’ actions in this event reinforce their role as the primary antagonists in the …
Internal Dynamics The Daleks operate as a hive mind, with Dalek 1 in command and Dalek 2 …
Eliminate the human crew to prevent warning Earth of the Dalek invasion plans Secure the Dalek base on Kembel and ensure operational security for the Great Alliance Sheer military force and technological superiority (e.g., ship destruction, seismic sensors, coordinated patrols) Psychological intimidation through relentless pursuit and the threat of extermination Institutional protocol (e.g., reporting to control, alerting all patrols, following command hierarchy)

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 4

"Cory and Lowery preparing to send a distress signal (beat_4833004df4b3d760) is directly interrupted by the arrival of the Daleks, forcing them to hide (beat_76a2a24213922362)."

Lowery’s Varga Thorn Infection
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

"Cory and Lowery preparing to send a distress signal (beat_4833004df4b3d760) is directly interrupted by the arrival of the Daleks, forcing them to hide (beat_76a2a24213922362)."

Daleks confirm wreckage and initiate hunt
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

"Garvey's infection foreshadows Lowery's. Both are infected by the Varga thorn."

Garvey’s infected rampage forces Cory’s lethal choice
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

"Garvey's infection foreshadows Lowery's. Both are infected by the Varga thorn."

Cory kills Garvey to save Lowery
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown
What this causes 4

"Cory and Lowery preparing to send a distress signal (beat_4833004df4b3d760) is directly interrupted by the arrival of the Daleks, forcing them to hide (beat_76a2a24213922362)."

Lowery’s Varga Thorn Infection
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

"Cory and Lowery preparing to send a distress signal (beat_4833004df4b3d760) is directly interrupted by the arrival of the Daleks, forcing them to hide (beat_76a2a24213922362)."

Daleks confirm wreckage and initiate hunt
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

"Lowery's Varga infection (beat_47efb56835b8f4d5) leads to his murderous intent, stemming from the poison's influence (beat_14f2da6ef4439ab0)."

Cory kills infected Lowery and records warning
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

"Lowery's Varga infection (beat_47efb56835b8f4d5) leads to his murderous intent, stemming from the poison's influence (beat_14f2da6ef4439ab0)."

Cory’s Final Transmission and Death
S3E5 · Mission to the Unknown

Key Dialogue

"LOWERY: It's just falling apart!"
"DALEK 1: We will search for them. Destroy the ship. Fire!"
"DALEK 1: Report destruction of alien ship to control."
"DALEK 2: I obey."
"DALEK 1: Advise that we will now seek out the crew. Alert all patrols."
"DALEKS: We obey."