BOOK DETAILS
| Pages | 144 |
| ISBN | 0-426-20332-1 |
| Publication Date | 11 September 1986 |
SYNOPSIS
1989 Target Books edition
London, 1966 – when the TARDIS materialises outside the Post office Tower The Doctor becomes aware of a powerful and evil force nearby, so he and the ever-curious Dodo set off to investigate.
Inside the tower they track down the source of power to Professor Brett and WOTAN, his revolutionary new computer.
Designed as a universal problem solver, WOTAN has suddenly begun to think for itself and has formulated a deadly plan. Using its phenomenal power it will programme humans to build mobile fighting computers, and with these indestructible war machines WOTAN will take over the world…
1992 Target Books edition
HE STOOD IN A TRANCE BEOFRE THE COMPUTER. ‘WHAT DO YOU WANT OF ME?’ HE ASKED
London, 1966 – when the TARDIS materialises outside the Post office Tower and the Doctor becomes aware of a powerful and evil force nearby. Inside the tower he and the ever-curious Dodo track down the source of power to Professor Brett and WOTAN, his revolutionary new computer.
Designed as a universal problem solver, WOTAN has suddenly begun to think for itself and has formulated a deadly plan. Using its phenomenal power it will programme humans to build mobile fighting computers, and with these indestructible war machines WOTAN will take over the world.
First broadcast in 1966, The War Machines introduced companions Ben and Polly, and was written by Ian Stuart Black, who also wrote The Savages.
NOTES
CHAPTER TITLES
- The Home-Coming
- The Super-Computer
- A Night Out
- Servant turned Master
- Putting the Team Together
- Working for the Cause
- A Demonstration of Power
- The One Who Got Away
- Attack and Defence
- Taking to the Streets
- Setting the Trap
- The Showdown
- We Can’t Stay Long
DEVIATIONS FROM THE TELEVISED STORY
The Doctor gains access to the Post office Tower with forged credentials and the fact that he and Brett have a mutual acquaintance in Ian Chesterton.
The Doctor defeats the first War Machine by burning out its circuit with a radiowave, rather than it simply stopping.
- The second War Machine is named as Valk. It is not armed prior to going rogue, meaning
The Doctor has to fit it with an automatic rifle after reprogramming it.
The Doctor enters the toweron realising humans are in danger from Valk’s attack.
- The battle between WOTAN and Valk is more involved, with the computer trying to defend itself with electrical charges.