Made For War (Mentor Daleks)

[The Grim Squeaker]

Awesome, and the best chapter yet .

I'm curious as to whether your explanation for the relative uneffectiveness (Relative compared to "Squish the primordial ooze as soon as you notice the shots") of the Soontaran Time travel is original or based on "Classic" Dr,Who?

[Xon]

Time travel is very very hard in Who-verse, regardless of which variant you are talking about.

The Time Lords really do live up to thier name with thier near complete mastery of Time Travel and almost any other field they care about. It took the Daleks tens of thousands of years with a level of technological development which makes Draka luck appear trivial too eventually force a MAD with the Time Lords. And that is with the Time Lords leaving them virtally alone for most of thier history (the times they do interfere are Big Events, but these are only set backs)

[Big Orange]

The Time Lords really do live up to thier name with thier near complete mastery of Time Travel and almost any other field they care about. It took the Daleks tens of thousands of years with a level of technological development which makes Draka luck appear trivial too eventually force a MAD with the Time Lords. And that is with the Time Lords leaving them virtally alone for most of thier history (the times they do interfere are Big Events, but these are only set backs)

In "Remembrance of the Daleks" the Doctor comes across a Dalek time machine the size of a briefcase with a crystal ball, commenting that they had "come a long way" even though in a earlier scene he describes Dalek time travel tech as "cheap and nasty" with none of Time Lord's refined elegance - the Time War era Dalek must've taken a few more steps with their time travel technology, where their miniaturised time travel units can be fitted into their casing (not unlike Idiran FTL packs that can be strapped onto spacesuits in CP).

[Xon]

In "Remembrance of the Daleks" the Doctor

The Time Lords are stupidly advanced, and the Dalek's have a tech development curve which is almost vertical.

[The Grim Squeaker]

In "Remembrance of the Daleks" the Doctor

The Time Lords are stupidly advanced, and the Dalek's have a tech development curve which is almost vertical.

Was the old bit of fluff about their tech progress being literally exponential (1,000 years equaling a million years of tech development or somesuch) ever retconned?

And thanks for the explanation, that always bothered me

[Big Orange]

Was the old bit of fluff about their tech progress being literally exponential (1,000 years equaling a million years of tech development or somesuch) ever retconned?

I don't think so, since The Dalek Survival Guide was written by the current Dalek voice actor and Doctor Who co-writer, Nicholas Briggs, so the Daleks' very fast tech development where their evolution is millions of times faster than other species could be seen as secondary canon (it makes sense that the Daleks could nearly catch up with the Time Lords, with the Time Lords themselves unable keep a effective tab on the essentially apocalyptic development of Dalek civilization).

[NecronLord]

It's 100 times faster, not millions. They're so effective because every neuron of their culture is devoted to its collective advancement.

[Imperial Overlord]

It's 100 times faster, not millions. They're so effective because every neuron of their culture is devoted to its collective advancement.

And even their grunt soldiers are extremely intelligent with top notch scientific and technical educations.

[Imperial Overlord]

A signal went out and all through Dalek space things changed. In vast automated shipyards in space and on the surface of planets orders were changed. The military version of the ubiquitous Dalek saucer, a Class Six vessel in the Dalek registry, was slated to for mass production. Other orders and constructions were voided, unless they were classified as warships. Other saucers midway through the construction process were reconfigured for military service.

Dalek ecological and exploratory efforts were suspended. All scientific experimentation was reprioritized based on the likelihood of producing militarily significant results. Resources were reallocated from civilian construction projects to military ones. The long peace had allowed the Daleks and their neighbors to build substantial civilian and support infrastructure. That was turned to feeding Skaro's war machine.

Factories producing Dalek casings had their orders doubled. Dalek education was abruptly switched to a new program emphasizing a narrow range of technical skills, the contents of military databases, space craft performance, and tactics. The scientific education of the young Daleks would continue in the field, as time permitted. They would be assigned in groups as subordinates to more senior Daleks. The abbreviated education would double the number of Daleks entering service while still maintaining a high level of competency in their respective fields.

Special ambassadors were dispatched to the home worlds of the other space faring races. Sontaran numbers were too great for the Daleks to defeat on their own. They needed assistance and without the Daleks, all other races were doomed.

A Dalek with a gold casing set with black globes lead Senmara Rayden down the metal corridors of the Dalek city. She wore the shiny green tunic of the Patrol, with the gold striping on her shoulder boards and sleeves that indicated she was the chief marshall. She was in early middle age and just vain enough to hide the first strands of grey in her Kaled-black hair. The door in front of her slid open and the Dalek lead her in.

The Dalek Supreme waited inside, monitoring the data flow and issuing orders and clarifications. He turned towards her as she approached.

"Chief Marshall," he said in firm but unthreatening electronic voice. "Thank you for coming. The situation is urgent."

"So I gathered," she said. It was almost two days from Theros, current capital of the Skarosian government, and its former homeworld. The Daleks had done a lot to clean up Skaro, especially around their cities, but few humanoids chose to live there. As a matter of law, the Chief Marshall of the Patrol answered to the Executor and the Combined Senate. As a matter of fact, everyone was accountable to the Daleks.

"A hostile species called the Sontarans have invaded this arm of the galaxy. They intend to use our resources to gain victory in their war with another species called the Rutans. Both species are extremely aggressive. Either achieving dominance in the local area would result in the total extermination of all other species."

Rayden swallowed. The Patrol was a police force, not a military. Ever since the Daleks had conquered Skaro, the Skarosians hadn't had a military. Instead they had the Daleks and that had been more than enough. Now, for the first, it might not be. There was someone that could not only threaten the Daleks, but could destroy them. It was a terrifying thought.

"The Patrol isn't a military force," she began. "I'm not sure-"

"It must become one," said the Dalek Supreme.

"Our government-," she began lamely, and then fell silent. The Skarosian Government always acceded to the wishes of the Mentor or the Dalek Supreme, not that either intruded often into their affairs. The idea that there was something out there so terrible that the Daleks couldn't handle it was so horrible that their was no question of whether or not they would even consider resisting. Thank the old and non existent gods that the Daleks were not the type to abuse that kind power. "How may I assist the Daleks in this matter?" she finished.

"Case File Andrankakess has been sent to your government and to Patrol headquarters. It contains the modifications necessary to the Skarosian economy and social structure necessary to put your people on an effective war footing. Plans for weapons, space ships, and conversions are included as well a modernized military training program based on Thal and Kaled practices."

"You've thought this out."

"The Daleks do not leave survival to chance. All potential crisises are planned for. We must prevail. You must oversee the transformation of the Patrol and insure it occurs in an efficient and effective manner. We must prevail. All our species must survive."

"I'll see to it at once," she replied. Then the weight of it all came crashing down on her. The survival of everyone and everything she loved was in her hands. Not even the Daleks could save them if she screwed it up. Her hands trembled. She wouldn't fail. She couldn't. She clenched her hands into fists to keep her fingers from trembling.

[Big Orange]

And even their grunt soldiers are extremely intelligent with top notch scientific and technical educations.

I get that impression with the Time War era Daleks or with the earlier Daleks from "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" and "Remembrance of the Daleks", but I hear from fans that the Daleks were starting to get almost pathetic as villains between the early 1970s up until the mid 1980s.

[Teleros]

Nice work as usual IO - although I spotted a couple of mistakes whilst reading it:

Dalek ecological and exploratory (projects?) were suspended.

was in early middle age and just vain enough to hide the first strands of grey in her Kaled-black hair

[Imperial Overlord]

I get that impression with the Time War era Daleks or with the earlier Daleks from "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" and "Remembrance of the Daleks", but I hear from fans that the Daleks were starting to get almost pathetic as villains between the early 1970s up until the mid 1980s.

Terry Nation's fault. He fell in love with Davros, who was a really good character in "Genesis of the Daleks". The problem was, of course, that Davros only really fit in in "Genesis", which ends with him realizing exactly how horrible his creations are just before they exterminate him. The Daleks had to be nerfed into stupidity so they needed to resurrect him to solve their problems and Davros's death retconned away in order to bring him back. Again and again and again.

[Shroom Man 777]

I love how nice the Daleks are

[The Grim Squeaker]

It sure is interesting & odd to see Daleks not focuse their every neuron on improving their war focused tech and having public art as well as having varied teaching programs rather than simple "From cloning task to assigned position" flash indoctrination

[NecronLord]

To be fair, if the Survival Guide is to be belived, even the normal daleks do have some art and museums.

Both exist to celebrate thier military successes.

[Imperial Overlord]

On Limos the Rethenians lived in low, sprawling cities that spread over land and water. Their home world's capital was Shenara, located at the mouth of the River Quain and surrounded by fields and spreading marshlands. The land cephalopods were an aggressive, scientifically advanced species. Before the coming of the Daleks that had been feared and with good reason.

Now eyes and sensors are trained on the Dalek Saucer as it descended from the skies and landed next to the Hierarchs' Palace. A ramp extended and three Daleks emerged, two with the black casings of senior military Daleks and the third with the white diplomatic service casing. All three of them had black globes.

The Daleks ascended the ramp of the gleaming step pyramid, the electronic sentinels clearing them for access. At the fourth and highest level the Daleks advanced through a great golden door and down a long corridor. A plush waiting area with large pool in the center awaited them. Furniture constructed out of several large bars were placed around the pool at even intervals. The Daleks activated their lift units and crossed the pool. The door at the other side slide open and the Daleks entered the presence of the Heirarchs.

The Rethenians were situated on a higher level that circled the chamber. They were large, even by Rethenians standards, massive six tentacle octopoid creatures with tentacles that ended in wire tips. They were covered in a tough indigo hide that and saw the world through two large eye situated above a powerful beak. Each of the nine wore gold bands housing sophisticated equipment on their tentacles like a humanoid would wear rings.

One on the left spoke, translators projecting her voice in the Kaled language. "Why have the Daleks sent such a delegation to us with such urgency? Your investigation has confirmed that we are innocent of the crimes we were accused of."

The white Dalek spoke. "We are here on another matter. One which concerns the survival of both our species."

Tentacles writhed as the Rethenians heard those words. A Hierarch on the right spoke. "We are listening."

"A hostile species from another part of the galaxy is invading. They intend to exterminate the inhabitants of our worlds and seize our resources to fuel their war machine. We must resist."

"And the Daleks will lead the resistance, correct?" hissed another Hierarch on the left.

"Correct. Only under Dalek leadership will we prevail and all our civilizations survive. The situation is grave. We must present a unified front. The Dalek Supreme must command all available forces for their to be a significant chance of success."

"So we must surrender everything to the Daleks?" the Hierarch continued.

"If the Daleks were so inclined, we could have exterminated your species and seized your worlds. We are not. The Daleks reject slavery and oppression. We face total extermination at the hands of a technologically advanced and numerically superior enemy. We must prevail. All measures that will contribute to victory must be taken. We must have unity. This is the will of the Daleks."

The Hierarch that had first spoken spoke again. "Victory will be easier if we can make use of Dalek military technology."

"We have with us plans for ships and devices adapted for Rethenian use. They utilize the most advanced Dalek technology."

"Already?" said the Hierarch. "You must have planned for it."

"Daleks plan for many kinds of disasters."

"We must see your evidence and consider this carefully."

"Time is critical. You must choose quickly or your species will be exterminated."

------------------------------------------------------

On Skaro the Dalek Supreme was supervising the Dalek war machine. "Logic dictates that the Sontarans will attempt an assault of Skaro using their superior numbers to remove us from the war. Loss of the system will inflict a severe blow on Dalek production capabilities."

"I concur," said one of the gold shelled Daleks. "Skaro's defences must be able to withstand an assault in the near future."

"Enemy numerical strength is overwhelming," said another gold Dalek. "We should anticipate the loss of Skaro to enemy forces."

"Such a loss is unacceptable," said the Dalek Supreme. "Too much of our space and heavy industry is located in this star system and cannot be moved in a short time frame. We must develop a defence plan for Skaro that will be effective and still leave resources for fleet expansion."

"I concur," said another Dalek. "The loss of the Dalek capital will panic the other species as well as a being a severe blow to our production capabilities. The plan must be amended to increase production facilities off Skaro."

"That is already being done," said the Dalek Supreme. "Now we must imagine a superior defence for Skaro. Bring up the weapons proposals and the prototype results. We shall see if there are nonconventional assets we can deploy."

"I obey."

---------------------------------------------

Three Sontaran battlecruisers approached a dark cloud at the edge of a star system. Two of the inner worlds were already host to robots who were harvesting materials and making more of their own kind. Soon they would begin to build the war factories and clone facilities that would continue to fuel Sontaran expansion in this part of Mutter's Spiral.

As the battlecruisers closed it became clear that the cloud was no cloud at all, but a mass of thousands upon thousands of spherical Sontaran vessels. Troop ships, repair tenders, scouts, construction ships, destroyers, battleships, and seemingly limitless numbers of battle cruisers waited for sufficient intelligence to be gathered for Grand Marshall Terast to make his decision of where to strike.

Styke sat in his chair on his battlecruiser's cramped command deck and waited for communication from Grand Marshall Terast. He dreaded this moment, but he would not shirk his duty even though it meant his disgrace. He was a Sontaran warrior and only in death would duty release him.

The screen flickered and Terast's bulbous head appeared. "Styke, report. You have secured the planet and left the rest of your group to defend it?"

"No Grand Marshall, we were defeated."

"Defeated? Intelligence indicated they had no ability to resist you."

"We were attacked by another race, one which considered the Skarosians to be under their protection. Intelligence told us nothing of this."

"Continue."

"The race called itself 'Daleks'. They possessed large vessels and accurate, long ranged weapons. My group took heavy losses and I broke off the battle to report this development to you sir."

"You mean you retreated."

"Yes sir."

"That is disgraceful behavior for a Sontaran warrior."

"The needs of the mission-"

"I do not want to hear your excuses Styke! You will be fortunate to escape my wrath with your life, let alone your honor intact. I shall see about these 'Daleks'. If you are fortunate I may allow you to expiate your shame by leading an attack against them."

"Thank you sir."

"That will be all." The screen when dead. Orders were relayed to Sontaran scouts to find out all they could about a race that called itself "the Daleks."

[Shroom Man 777]

Niceness. Go Daleks! Go Daleks!

[Big Orange]

Keep going Imperial Overlord, although from a earlier scene I wonder why Dalek ships need internal atmosphere and gravity to support oxygen breathing, mammalian humanoids when the Daleks themselves are hermetically sealed like space capsules and can easily expose themselves to hostile environments (including space).

[NecronLord]

Daleks can survive in space, but they have also been seen to interact with their atmosphere on occasion - being infected with an airborne movellan virus, for example.

[Big Orange]

Daleks can survive in space, but they have also been seen to interact with their atmosphere on occasion - being infected with an airborne movellan virus, for example.

If you look at the upper half of a Dalek travel machine I notice a ventilation grill (in the Dalek Survival Guide it's supposedly a air filtration unit for nutrients) but it can seal itself off if the Daleks can take space flights, submerge into deep water and can doubtlessly withstand hostile environments involving corrosive chemicals or radiation. But I still wonder how alien beings, who are like mini-spaceships, would make the interiors of their ships and complexes liveable for the very humanoid vermin they vehemently abhor on principle and fanatically want to completely annihilate at all costs...

[Imperial Overlord]

Because it is also livable for them. Why would the Daleks want to be constantly burning their own internal air supply while on board a ship? Why take the risk and the constant complications of operating in a vacuum environment (what happens when they need to open their casings, change waste, whatever)? Better to have the air supply, which makes holding prisoners and transporting robomen easier, and have each Dalek able to survive in the event decompression happens.

[Imperial Overlord]

A gold armoured Dalek slid into the presence of the Dalek Supreme. "Dalek Ro, report," said the Dalek Supreme.

"The Sontaran remains as well as two Sontaran vessels have arrived on Skaro. One is a damaged battlecruiser, the other is a small one man scout vessel. They have been examined while in transit."

"Continue," said the Dalek Supreme.

"Data from the mind probe has allowed us to operate the time corridor equipment. The energy signature is quite distinctive. Ranger scopes can detect it in operation. In principle it can be disrupted in operation with existing Dalek technology."

"Construction of such countermeasures will be a priority. Continue."

"Sontaran technology is superior to Dalek technology." Eye stalks all over the room swivvled to lock onto Dalek Ro. "Sontaran battlecruisers have equal power generation to Dalek saucers despite having half as much internal volume and devoting a large percentage of internal volume to multiple weapons systems."

"We must learn from the Sontarans," said the Dalek Supreme.

"There are several notable areas of deficiency. Science and technology are secondary to the Sontarans. Their culture glorifies war and military prowess. They are dominated by a rigid chain of command and inflexible chain of procedures. They fail to understand that their predictability and slow scientific progress are a weaknesses. In addition, they are behind the Daleks in three technical fields."

Several Daleks slid closer, a sign of excitement. "Their beam weapons and computer technologies are inferior as is their material sciences. They have no equivalent to dalekanium."

"They are deficient in technologies that are intimately connected with the construction and outfitting of Dalek casings," said the Dalek Supreme. "Priority is to be given to the analysis of Sontaran power generation systems. This must be duplicated by the Daleks."

"Understood," said Dalek Ro. "All available information has been extracted from the Sontaran prisoners by mind probe. What should we do with them?"

"They are enemies of all life," said the Dalek Supreme. "Transfer them to the custody of the bioweapons researchers."

Dalek Ro was taken aback. "Would the Mentor approve?"

"The Mentor has commanded me to save all sentient species in Dalek space. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure their survival. Obey."

"I obey."

----------------------------------------------------------

A holographic map of the spiral arm hung in the air. Planets being converted to Sontaran use were marked by orange halos. Sontaran battle groups were marked in gold. Terast studied the map. His forces were already heavily committed to conquering two broad swaths of space, the inhabitants falling before them.

In typical Sontaran manner, the heavy industry and mining centers, along with the connecting transportation networks, were spared bombardment. Instead brigades of Sontaran soldiers were dispatched to the devastated worlds and seized control of the facilities. Survivors were taken prisoner and worked to death to maintain production, which was used to begin the takeover and rape of the planet's resources by the Sontaran machine. Soon new robot miners, war factories, and cloning bays spring up and Sontarans would be stronger than ever. That was the Sontaran way.

Fleet Marshall Gond stomped on the deck plates behind Terast as he came to a stop and saluted. "Fleet Marshall," said Terast. "You are eager for an assignment?"

"As the Grand Marshall wills," rumbled Gond. "I am a Sontaran warrior. I am eager for battle, but ruled by discipline."

"Styke encountered substantial resistance here," said Terast as he poked his finger into the star map. "A race called the Daleks." Terast turned to face his subordinate. "Apparently they have at least one client species. Deal with them before they become trouble."

"Yes Grand Marshall. What forces will be assigned to my command?"

"Full fleet command. Five hundred battlecruisers and five hundred other ships of various classes."

"Very good Grand Marshall. I shall bring death to the Daleks and secure the expansion of the Sontaran Empire."

"Very good Fleet Marshall. You are dismissed." Terast saluted. Gond returned the salute and left for his command. Gond had under his command five hundred battlecruisers, some warships of various classes, and several hundred assault ships and support vessels. It shouldn't take him very long to finish this business. Soon enough the Daleks would be nothing more than notations in the data banks and the Sontarans would begins the final assault on the Rutan Host. Glory awaited.

[LadyTevar]

I see you corrected that one sentence I pointed out

[Starglider]

Nice story. Good concept and execution. This one sentence does seem wrong though:

"Sontaran battlecruisers have equal power generation to Dalek saucers having half as much internal volume and devoting a large percentage of internal volume to multiple weapons systems."

In that 'having half as much internal volume' (presumably) should mean 'Sontaran cruisters have half the internal volume of Dalek saucers', but reads as 'Dalek saucers have half the internal volume of Sontaran cruisers. "Sontaran battlecruisers have equal power generation to Dalek saucers despite having only half the internal volume and devote a larger percentage of that volume to multiple weapons systems."

I hope you show the Rutans eventually, because they've always struck me as an interesting race that are very underused in the Dr Who universe.

[Imperial Overlord]

Coasting through the void at the edge of Dalek controlled space was a single saucer ship, designated Eight Hundred Seventeen. On board was a crew of five Daleks, commanded by Dalek Merat. Most of the internal space of Eight Hundred Seventeen was given over to powerful surveillance equipment that was sweeping through space, looking for signs of Sontaran incursions.

All five Daleks were present in the cramped, circular command center. Each Dalek was connected to a battery of sensors and the main computer through his or her plunger arm as Eight Hundred Seventeen's sensors swept through space. "Enemy space fleet detected," said Dalek Vexx.

Dalek Merat, in a black casing studded with blue globes, turned to his subordinate. "Report."

"Ranger scopes detect large fleet, consistent with Sontaran designs."

"Have they detected us?"

"Unknown. They are on course for Cherilon."

"Size of fleet?"

"Fleet consists of approximately one thousand vessels."

"Extrapolate point of origin from their course," commanded Dalek Merat as he turned back towards his terminal.

"I obey," said Dalek Vexx.

Merat activated the hyperwave communication system. "Priority one transmission for the Dalek Supreme," he sent.

"This is the Dalek Supreme. Report."

"Sontaran fleet consisting of approximately one thousand vessels is on course for Cherilon."

"Continue to monitor Sontaran activity. Send all data to Fleet Base Nine immediately."

"Continued hyperwave activity will inevitably be detected by the Sontarans."

"Correct. You have permission to retreat if the Sontarans dispatch ships to your position.

"I obey." The transmission ended.

On Skaro the Dalek Supreme shifted channels. "This is the Dalek Supreme calling Fleet Base Nine."

An all black Dalek appeared on the monitor. "This is Dalek Krenn commanding Fleet Base Nine."

"A Sontaran fleet is approaching Cherilon. It is too large for the frontier fleets to effectively combat. Withdraw all space units within twenty-five light years of Cherilon."

"And what of the Daleks assigned directly to the frontier worlds?"

"They will remain. Dalek units still in transit will complete their transfers unless the transporting units cannot do complete the transport and still escape the Sontarans."

"Those Daleks will be overwhelmed by superior Sontaran numbers, even with the assistance of local forces."

"That is understood. Obey."

"I obey."

The Dalek Supreme ended the conversation and sent out another transmission. "This is the Dalek Supreme. Dalek Zress report."

A Black Dalek appeared on the screen. "This is Dalek Zress, commanding the Cherilon mission."

"A large Sontaran fleet is approaching your world. Dalek space units will be unable to defeat it. Sontaran attack is imminent."

"Understood. We are continuing to train the local population counter-invasion tactics."

"Ranger scopes indicate that you have approximately one standard day before Sontaran ships reach your star system."

"Understood. We know our place in the Dalek plan. We will not fail."

"Your sacrifice will help bring about total Dalek victory. Prepare your troops."

"I obey."

The Dalek Supreme cut the connection. He had just consigned a world to death. It was necessary. The responsibility was his. For a moment he analyzed the possibility that he could have been wrong. He saw no flaw in his reasoning. His subordinates looked at him for orders.

The Daleks were not a warm species. Locked forever in an armoured shell with limited avenues of social interaction and none of the reproductive urges that created bonds between individuals, their social lives were stunted by almost any standard. "The plan is proceeding. Continue with your assignments."

"We obey," the said in unison. They turned back to their terminals. The Dalek Supreme had no room for even shreds of sentimentality or weakness. It must be the smartest, most cunning, and most ruthless being in the galaxy in order to ensure the survival of his species and those species under his protection. The loneliest being in Dalek space watched his subordinates perform their tasks and resumed the task of working on a plan which would result in total Dalek victory.