Nestene Consciousness

The Nestene Consciousness is a type of intelligent plastic from space. It is the creator of the Autons.

Appearance
The Nestene has no set appearance, being made of easily moldable plastic. Usually, Nestene merge together into an cephalapod-like form (shown in Spearhead from Space and Terror of the Autons). The Nestene in Rose, on the other hand, took a more liquid form with a humanoid face (though this mutation was apparently because of the Time War).

History
The Nestene have been invading planets for billions of years, which they use for sources of plastic and protein. They first send several plastic asteroids to the planet. These asteroids can telepathically control plastics, but are more effective when combined together. The Nestene then tries to create Auton forces to help with the next waves of invaders.

The Nestenes first attempt to invade the Earth, using human-looking Autons to replace key government figures, was thwarted by UNIT with the help of the Doctor. Despite this, one of the Nesten asteroids survived and was discovered by the Master.(Spearhead from Space)

In the next attempt, the Nestenes also made use of more mundane objects, animating plastic toys, inflatable chairs and artificial flowers in addition to their Auton servants. The Doctor convinced the Master that the Nestenes were too dangerous to be reliable allies, and they reversed the radio beam the invasion force was coming in on, sending it back into space. ("Terror of the Autons")

In 2005, the Nestenes infiltrated Earth once more, using warp shunt technology. The Nestenes lost their food planets in the Time War, so their intent was to overthrow and destroy the human race, as Earth was ideal for their consumption needs, being filled with smoke, oil and various pollutants. The Doctor eventually defeated them by spilling a vial of "anti-plastic" solution into the vat of molten plastic which housed the main bulk of the Consciousness, causing it to explode. ("Rose")

Television stories

 * Spearhead from Space
 * Terror of the Autons
 * Rose

Prose stories

 * Business Unusual
 * Synthespians&trade;

BBV video stories

 * Auton
 * Auton 2:Sentinel
 * Auton 3