Spare Parts (audio story)

 was the thirty-fourth monthly Doctor Who audio story produced by Big Finish Productions. It explained the somewhat surprising origins of the Mondasian Cybermen.

It was the partial inspiration for two 2006 Doctor Who television episodes — The Age of Steel and Rise of the Cybermen, on which Spare Parts writer Marc Platt received acknowledgement.

Publisher's summary
"I'm not even sure they are people by the end. They're just so many tinned left-overs..."

On a dark frozen planet where no planet should be, in a doomed city with a sky of stone, the last denizens of Earth's long-lost twin will pay any price to survive, even if the laser scalpels cost them their love and hate and humanity.

And in the Mat-infested streets, round about tea-time, the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa unearth a black market in secondhand body parts and run the gauntlet of augmented police and their augmented horses.

And just between the tramstop and the picturehouse, the Doctor's worst suspicions are finally confirmed: the Cybermen have only just begun, and the Doctor will be, just as he always has been, their saviour...

Surfacing (1)
50's style newsreel footage crackles across the airways explaining that its been 6 years since anyone stepped on to the surface of the the planet. A voice from the Central Committee wishes the astronaut good luck as he steps from the capsule. We hear heavy breathing as he steps out of the rocket. His breathing becomes more labored, he screams and is killed.

Nyssa reads the marquee on the top of a picture house. The Doctor explains that that film sounds particularly tawdry. He notices that the cinema has been boarded up for years. Nyssa replies that a boarded up picture house doesn't prove that they've landed on Earth. The Doctor tells her that coming here was probably not a good idea and she replies that The Doctor didn't say much at all, just that the coordinates weren't right. Nyssa determines that they haven't landed on Earth, but The Doctor refuses to tell her where they have landed. The streets are empty and the atmosphere is stuffy, like a hothouse. The Doctor tries to convince her that have they landed in the heart of London in the 1950's, but she knows that cities on Earth weren't built into stone caverns and that Earth isn't a gray planet drifting light years from any star. The Doctor knows that he's not on Earth and tells Nyssa that they should leave, but convinces himself to explore for a half hour and then meet back at the TARDIS. They split up, telling Nyssa to explore but not get involved.

Mr. Hartley and his daughter Yvonne chase a Deluxe Mark VI Cybermat under a timber stack. Dad tries to catch it but turns out to be a swarm of them. The timbers fall on him crushing his chest. Yvonne calls for help as Nyssa comes up to see what's wrong. Yvonne coughs, telling Nyssa that she needs her pills which she takes. Together they lift the timbers off Mr. Hartley and pull him out, but he doesn't appear to be moving. Nyssa checks and notices that he's not breathing and doesn't have a pulse. She thinks he's dead. Mr. Hartley pops up, stating he's fine except for his arm. Nyssa has gotten dust on her clothes, and being so close to lights out, they insist that she come back to their house to be cleaned up. She argues, stating she has to meet someone, but follows the two back to the house.

The Doctor explores and finds a shop that is closed for the night. The owner of the shop walks out telling him that he won't be able to do much exploring since it's close to lights out. When The Doctor introduces himself, the man asks if he is in public or private practice and asks for identity papers and ration book, both of which The Doctor says he's lost. The man notices that The Doctor does not have any transplants and that he appears very healthy. The Doctor states he thought artificial organs were all the rage. The man mentions the Committee and their new gadgetry, but there is still a waiting list for natural transplants. Reading the sign over the shop, The Doctor determines the man is Thomas Dodd "purveyor and fitter of necessary bodily parts". The Doctor asks Dodd to tell him about the city. Thomas invites The Doctor inside for a drink to talk about it.

Mr. Hartley and Yvonne take Nyssa back to their home. As they enter, Yvonne spots Sisterman Constant in the living room. Her brother, Frank Hartley, walks in saying the Sisterman's been waiting for them. Frank asks who Nyssa is, she introduces herself and Mr. Hartley says she missed the last tram home and they invited her in. The Sisterman asks if she knows Nyssa, who Mr. Hartley tells her is from the South District and out of her jurisdiction. Constant then asks how Yvonne is feeling and if her medication is working, and asks Mr. Hartley how he is after his cardioectomy. He says normal except he can feel the paddles moving in the chest unit. She notices his arm and Mr. Hartley says it's nothing, saying he doesn't want or can afford to replace it. Sisterman asks for Nyssa's last name, which she gives as "of Traken" and asks for identification papers. Nyssa tells Sisterman Constant off and she heads out of the apartment. Frank asks about "a call up" and Sisterman tells him he's too young. Nyssa still wishes to leave, but the family won't let her go telling her it still isn't safe after dark in the city.

Constant makes a phone call, telling whoever is on the other end that she has a selectee at the Hartley's address and reports a stranger at the same address. She also advises that patrols be on the lookout for any other "unregistered strangers".

Dodd sits down, pouring himself a drink and asking (again) if The Doctor would like one. The Doctor asks the population of the city, which Dodd replies is down to a few thousand. The Doctor then asks if this is the last inhabited city on Mondas. Dodd thinks he's crazy, but the Doctor has one of his questions answered. He leaves Dodd's shop and heads back towards the TARDIS, with Dodd in pursuit. As he walks, he meets a police officer on horseback who tells him to stop. The officer tells them to identify themselves, as civilian movement is restricted. The Doctor notices that the Cyberman doesn't have the blank mask yet and still human except for some augmented body work and not advanced as he thought. The cyberman whips him, knocking him down. He demands his identification papers to which the Doctor replies that he doesn't have an identity to them, not yet at least. As the officer is questioning him, The Doctor pulls out a Chinese Cracker and matches, lighting it and startling the horse. Dodd and The Doctor run as the cyberman calls for assistance.

Nyssa is clearing the table from dinner as Frank truants his sister about her friend Eric Krailford. Mr. Hartley tells Frank to go do his homework. Yvonne whistles to her trillaby mat 2, a cybernetic bird. Mr. Hartley asks Nyssa if she could fix his chestbox. As she works on it, the family hears a noise outside their apartment. Mr. Hartley tells Frank to turn on the television to drown out the sound. Their neighbor, Mrs. Ginsburg, is taken by the police. Nyssa tries to help, but notices the windows are all boarded up. A moment later, they hear a large number of patrol vehicles driving through the streets. They all ignore it, saying they don't want to get involved and begin to talk about the holiday decorations they have to put up.

The Doctor hears the patrols pass by and confronts Dodd for following him. They notice a mechanical digger passing by on a truck and Dodd tells The Doctor that whole areas of the city have been blocked off. Dodd says its for new parade ground. The Doctor suggests they take a look and head towards the old abandoned church.

Mr. Hartley takes a raggedy old tree out and the family begins to pull out the decorations to go on it, including a big star. Yvonne asks if Nyssa has a posh tree at her house and Nyssa tells her about an autumn festival where the people wind up pelting each other with fruit. Yvonne says there are no more trees, except where she works at the hydra house where she works. Nyssa is worried about the old woman who was taken. Yvonne tells her that the Committee does what they think is best. As they move the box of decorations, Yvonne's pet Cybermat who she calls Matti appears. Nyssa is confused as to what it is. Matti doesn't come when Yvonne calls it and Nyssa offers to take a look at it.

The Doctor and Dodd climb the stairs to the top of the bell tower. Dodd tells him you could see the entire city before the church was abandoned. The Doctor replies that all the old temples of worship, the church and the picture house, closing. Dodd thinks the patrols are leveling the area around the city for a new parade grounds. The Doctor replies that they're not touching the buildings. Dodd notices that the patrols are digging up the graveyards. As they talk, a cyberman comes up the stairs telling the two men not to move; they are escapees and required for adjudication.

Frank complains that Nyssa didn't touch her dinner and they've now wasted all their rations for the holiday. He tells his Dad that the work crews are on the verge of breaking through the city to get to the planet surface, but Mr. Hartley thinks that's a long way off..if ever. Frank tells Mr. Hartley that he wants to join the work crews. He refuses to let him join as he's too young and he'd never come back from the crews, continuing that no one's ever come back. Yvonne begins coughing again. Frank yells about giving away their rations and storms out of the house. Yvonne takes her pills and the coughing stops. Nyssa insists that she leaves and will bring back food for the Hartley's. Suddenly, there's banging outside the house. Mr. Hartley tells Yvonne to take Nyssa to the back room and he'll hold them off as long as he can.

The cyberman tells The Doctor and Dodd that the bell tower is restricted to civilians. The Doctor questions why, but the cyberman tells them they are recognized criminals required by adjudication by the Committee. The two overpower the cyberman and use the bell ropes to make the church bell ring. The Doctor asks Dodd if he has thought about the future of the city saying it is headed for extinction. He tells Dodd that the cybermen are the future and that he may not be able to stop it, but he can give the city a wakeup call. The church bells ring loudly through the city as he tells Dodd he can help stop the horror of the cybermen.

Patrols enter the Hartley apartment, pushing his way past Mr. Hartley. Yvonne gives Nyssa her cybermat and helps her slip out the back door and into the alley as the cybermen begin their search. Frank tells the patrols that Nyssa is in the back room, but she's already gone. Mr. Hartley hears the bells in the church tower ring and the family goes out into the streets to investigate. Yvonne asks if it's a warning.

The Doctor pushes past the crowd and finds Nyssa in the square. The two enter the TARDIS. Nyssa questions The Doctor, telling him that the planet isn't Earth. The Doctor replies that it isn't, but had to make sure it was the planet he thought it was before they leave. Nyssa now knows that this is Mondas and the people here are destined to become the Cybermen. The Doctor explains that they can't interfere but the bell is a wake up call so the people can see what's happening and can stop it before it's too late. He tells Nyssa that the people have to change the future, they can't do it.

Cyber Commander Zheng sends a message stating police patrols have reported a disturbance in the city and that hostile intruders have been observed. An electronic noise replies through his communicator. The Committee replies telling him that the insurgency must be crushed and the intruders found and eliminated immediately.

Necessary Force (2)
The Doctor tells Nyssa that the people of Mondas must decide the future for themselves. She tells him that they're good people and they're suffering and if he won't stay to help, she will. Nyssa then tells him that she wants to stop the Cyberman from coming into being. The Doctor explains that if she stops one history, it will just be replaced with another; possibly just as bad.

As they talk, their conversation is being monitored.

The Doctor continues on about becoming involved; how sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. Nyssa tells him that he should have thought of that when it came to sacrificing Adric. He feels terrible about that and Nyssa leaves to collect her things.

Crowds are still gathered near the church. The police attempt to disburse them but they yell at them about digging up the graveyards. Sisterman Constant arrives and is told that the Committee advises force may be necessary to disburse the crowd. The bells stop and troops are sent in with whips to move the crowd out of the area.

Nyssa comes back to the control room and apologizes for how she acted, including about Adric. The Doctor replies that they never had a chance to mourn him. Nyssa says that she just wants to take the Hartleys some food and provisions. She tells him that everything is rationed by the Committee. The Doctor says that are signs of cybertechnology everywhere, including the police. Nyssa goes to show The Doctor the Cybermat that Yvonne gave her but it's gone. He screams at her for bringing that into the TARDIS.

Doctorman Allan calls for a nurse to come to one of the operating rooms. A cyberman is having problems with his pulmonary unit rejecting. She tries but is unable to save him. Sisterman Constant comes in and notices two cybermen have died. Allan tells her that is the third one back from the surface and that the processing won't stabilize. Allan pours herself a drink and offers one to Constant, who refuses. She says her staff is exhausted, working all hours with no resources but the Committee just wants more people processed. Allan wants to stop all conversions and rethink the processing. Sisterman Constant relates the story of the riot in the city to Allen who laughs and continues drinking. She thinks they should call off digging up the graveyard; as if dead bones would help. Constant talks about Nyssa to Doctorman Allen who is then suddenly called to appear before the Committee. She can't understand how strangers could even exist. Constant storms off after being tempted by Allen with a glass of wine. Doctorman Allen calls the switchboard, asking to be transferred to the surveillance department.

The Doctor and Nyssa continue to search for the cybermat. Alarms sound and they run to the TARDIS control room to find the console on fire. The Doctor quickly puts it out but discovers an energy leak that could cause the TARDIS to explode. Nyssa stops it by hitting the isolator failsafe. They open the console and find the cybermat destroyed; it chewed into the energy conduit. Nyssa volunteers to repair the damage and the Doctor heads out for some fresh air.

Doctorman Allan is contacted by the Committee who tells her that resources are low and soon life will be unsustainable in the city. She scolds them by saying they mean "Human Life". The Committee tells her that she must work faster. She replies by saying that the staff is overworked and the death rate is increasing on the work crews. The Committee offers more resources but Allan says that old bones won't work. They say that processing will be increased. Doctorman Allan wants more time to find a solution. The Committee discusses it and disagrees. They decide that the city uses too many vital resources and will be shut down. Allen calls them insane and wants to know what could be more important than saving the people. The Committee answers "We Must Survive".

The Doctor steps out of the TARDIS and finds another cybermat. He tries to get it away from the door, when Frank shows up. He tells the Doctor that is a Mark XII surveillance model and that the Committee uses them. He introduces himself and meets Frank, who he thanks for looking after Nyssa earlier. Frank tells The Doctor that the police came by to look for her which upsets The Doctor. The Doctor opens the door, telling Frank he can find Nyssa inside the TARDIS and to inform her he has a call to make. Frank steps in and soon tells Nyssa about the visit from the police. He then shows her a piece of paper saying Yvonne is being called up to the work crews and she's left already. Mr. Hartley sent Frank to find Nyssa. She tries to console Frank but he is angry that she got the notice and not him.

The Committee discusses if Doctorman Allan understands her task. They say she still has an illogical mind. The Committee thinks that riot in the city was started by the strangers and that they have one of them under observation.

The Doctor is under observation through the cybermat by Doctorman Allan. The Doctor wants to head back to Thomas Dodd's shop but he has no money for the tram. Constant knocks on Allan's door and is offered a drink, which she again refuses. Constant tells her there are recruits waiting for processing. Constant asks how the meeting with The Committee went. Allan replies that processing quotas are to be updated and eventually it'll be processing for everyone. She tells Constant that no one will be exempt. Constant runs off to tell the other Sistermen about the new quotas. Doctorman Allan decides its time to get a better look at our stranger.

The Doctor runs after a truck flagging it down, saying they're dropping cargo all over the road. The cyberman exits the truck and recognizes The Doctor. He takes the cyberman to the back of the truck, again saying the cargo is all over the road. When the cyberman disagrees, The Doctor loosens the ropes causing the bones to fall on top of him, then takes the truck and drives away. The cyberman calls in a report that he has found the intruder and is driving off.

Nyssa and Frank are in the TARDIS still working on repairs. She tells Frank that the cybermat destroyed the console. He says it's the energy that attracts them. Nyssa continues sealing the cables. She asks Frank if the call up involves some kind of processing. He says it's augmentation. They hear a noise and turning the viewer on, Nyssa and Frank see a swarm of cybermats heading towards the TARDIS.

Sisterman Constant walks up and down the lines of recruits for processing. Doctorman Allan leaves her in charge, as she has an errand to run. As she walks, Constant sees Yvonne. She asks Constant when she gets her uniform, as she wanted her Dad to see her before she left. Allan leaves as Constant continues walking down the line of recruits.

The Committee decides that the city is a drain on resources and must be shut down so they can survive. They decide that Zheng must be summoned and the intruders must be apprehended. Zheng communicates to the Committee that Mondas is entering the region of unstable space sooner than expected and asks that emergency strategies be implemented immediately. The Committee summons Doctorman Allan who does not answer. They determine she is no longer reliable. The Committee decides to delay emergency strategy and bring Zheng down from the surface to restore order.

In Dodd's shop, Mr. Hartley is talking to Dodd about some credit, since he used up all his rations when Nyssa was at the house. While this is happening, The Doctor walks in. Dodd refuses credit for Mr. Hartley. Hartley asks if The Doctor is a friend of Nyssa. The two introduce themselves. Dodd pushes Hartley out of the shop to speak to The Doctor. Dodd finally asks The Doctor what he wants.....

The swarm of cybermats are pushing their way into the TARDIS. Frank is worried about being overrun, but Nyssa tells him that the ship can stand up to far worse. Nyssa then questions if Frank shut the outer door. Frank looks over as the door begins to buckle.

The Doctor tells Dodd that he wants to get to the Committee Palace. He needs to see how far along the processing has gone. The Doctor scolds Dodd for the way he packages his stock. Dodd complains that people want titanium and plastic, not what he's got to offer. Dodd complains that the process makes people go mad, so they have their emotions removed as well. He opens the door to the cold storage room and, as The Doctor steps inside, Dodd closes the door locking him in.

Nyssa decides that the way to stop the cybermats is to reroute the energy to the TARDIS' outer shell, which fries the mats. She decides to pick up some food and head over to the Hartley home.

Yvonne stands in line; sobbing, wanting to leave and go back to her home. A cyberman walks to her and takes to the processing area. We hear the machinery working as her processing begins.

The Doctor stares at the temperature gauge on the cold storage door, seeing it drop. The cybermat got trapped in the room with The Doctor and he decides to test its defenses before its owner comes to collect it.

The cybermen break down Dodd's door looking for The Doctor. Dodd tells them that he's escaped through the back door. The cybermen open the cold storage door and find The Doctor inside. The cyberman leader tells the others to destroy him. The Doctor brings down some of the storage boxes on top of them, giving him a chance to escape.

The Doctor finds the policeman's cyber converted horse. The horse bucks against The Doctor. Allan shows up at the same time as the cyberman and overrides his commands concerning The Doctor taking him to her laboratory. Dodd is also taken away by Doctorman Allan.

Frank shows up at the house with Nyssa, who brought provisions. Mr. Hartley says he met The Doctor at Dodd's place. Frank is furious wanting to know what he's doing there, but Mr. Hartley avoids the question. The television broadcasts, again in 50's newsreel style, the new uniforms the cyberworkers will be wearing on the surface. Frank exclaims that they're no where near the surface. Nyssa tells them that they're not uniforms, they're fully processed Cybermen.

The power suddenly goes out in the city. Sisterman Constant is ordering staff to get the backup generators working, as the recruits' programming hasn't been completed yet. The evacuation bell rings. The staff tries to restrain the partically processed recruits who are asking what their task is. Constant asks where Doctorman Allan is. Constant hears a noise coming through the communication system and realizes that it's the Committee.

A loud rumble echos through the city. The Doctor tells Dodd that the air pressure has dropped. Dodd replies that it sounds like the roof is caving in. The police continue to push the citizens of the city through the Committee gates. Dodd doesn't want to go inside. The Doctor thinks that he might have been wrong; that Mondas may not have a future after all.

Popping the Seals (3)
As The Doctor and Dodd are being pushed through the gates, a piece of the roof falls in and crushes the policeman. The Doctor and Dodd run into the Committee palace to escape the rubble.

A partically processed cyberman asks Sisterman Constant about their tasks. She tells them that they are to stay where they are until the power is restored. Doctorman Allan shows up asking why the recruits are here. Constant explains about the loss of power and how the staff is trying to contain them, but at least one walked away. Constant says the recruits don't understand, but the cyber-recruit answers that he does understand; saying he is the future and asks again about his tasks. Allan tells him that they all have to wait. She asks about the Committee, saying without power they will die. The hospital has been cut off and no one can leave. Allan decides the Committee is in trouble. The cyber-recruit tells Allan that their first imperative is to protect the Committee and asks where they are. Allan tells them to continue waiting. The cyber-recruit advises that if anyone threatens the Committee, they will be destroyed.

The Doctor and Dodd get away from the policeman and are hiding in the palace. The Doctor notices that it's beginning to get colder, that the outside is getting in. Dodd asks if they're safer in there, to which The Doctor explains that it depends on what's in here. They find a number of statues, which are gold leaf. The Doctor scrapes some of it off, thinking it could come in handy later on. He asks Dodd what happened to the former leaders and Dodd tells him that they were executed. The Doctor wants to know where the Committee is; he wants to see them for himself. Dodd says that no one sees the Committee.

A cyber-recruit wanders into the palace, asking what their task is. The recruit sees The Doctor steps out. Dodd says how horrible it is; that it's not even human anymore. The Doctor wonders why it doesn't know its task and asks who it used to be. The cyber recruit remembers "Father must be my uniform" and repeats the Hartley's address. The Doctor tells Dodd that the recruit is still wired and fresh from processing. He says it's Dodd's future; A Cyberman.

Nyssa says that it is snowing outside. Mr. Hartley says they don't get weather anymore and this would be a blizzard. Frank tells Nyssa that the work crews were drilling to the surface. Mr. Hartley thinks its beautiful. Nyssa says she has to find The Doctor.

Doctorman Allan tells the cyber recruit that she has to reach the Committee chamber. The recruit says they have to protect the Committee. Allan convinces him that she needs to get the generators restarted. After considering, the recruit says she can go but one of them will accompany her.

Dodd and The Doctor are still roaming the palace, when The Doctor finds body containment suits. He deduces that they're going to start processing on an industrial scale. Dodd has seen enough and leaves.

Doctorman Allan comes down the hall with the cyber recruit. She tells him to keep watch, but he insists that he musts escort her. The Doctor comes out from his hiding and throws the gold leaf from the statue at him. Unexpectedly, it has no effect. The Cyberman attacks The Doctor. Doctorman Allan disables the cyberman with a failsafe override, which only works during processing. The Doctor questions if the processing was complete. The Doctor offers to help get the generators back on line. Doctorman Allan doesn't trust him, but doesn't have much choice and they head to the generators.

Nyssa and Frank arrive at the TARDIS and begin banging on the door. There's no answer from The Doctor. She decides that they should try the Committee palace; they can try to find Yvonne there too. As they're about to leave, they see lights coming at them. The police are in the area. They leave and go in another direction towards the palace.

The Doctor and Allan arrive at the generator chamber. The Doctor notices that they are using Geothermal power. Allan looks at the printouts and notices that every failsafe has been activated. The Doctor surmises that someone has been making enormous demands on the power. He tells Allan that time is running out and the planet is heading towards the Cherrybowl Nebula. The Doctor questions Allan quickly about the Committee; how it is a single entity and opens a door to find an empty room. The Doctor tells her that there is no Committee anymore. Suddenly, electronic noises fill the area. Allan exclaims that they're still alive.

The cyber-recruit tells Sisterman Constant they can't wait any longer. She tries to leave but the cyber-recruit tells her to stay where she is. They tell her that she should become like them; her ability to feel cold is a weakness. She says they were built for a purpose. The cyber-recruits repeat that. They say she knows their purpose and must tell them. The cyber-recruit grabs her arm, holding her tightly. The door opens and Zheng and his squad enter the ward, assuming control. He tells the recruit of release Constant. The recruit refuses and Zheng shoots him.

to be continued

Shelter (4)
to be added

Cast

 * The Doctor - Peter Davison
 * Nyssa - Sarah Sutton
 * Yvonne Hartley - Kathryn Guck
 * Dad - Paul Copley
 * Thomas Dodd - Derren Nesbitt
 * Sisterman Constant - Pamela Binns
 * Frank Hartley - Jim Hartley
 * Mrs Ginsberg - Ann Jenkins
 * Doctorman Allan - Sally Knyvette
 * Cybermen / Cyber-Commander Zheng / Radio Announcer / Nurse / Citizen - Nicholas Briggs
 * Minister / TV Commentator - Alistair Lock
 * Philpott / Nurse - Gary Russell

Species

 * Yvonne has a pet Cybermat.
 * The Doctor tries to fight off a Cyberman with gold dust, but it has no effect.
 * Part of the Cybermen design is structured after the Doctor's own brain.

Foods and beverages

 * Doctorman Allan drinks wine.
 * Nyssa gives the Hartley family some tea leaves she found in the TARDIS. The Doctor explains sternly that they came from Emperor of China and he was saving them for a special occasion.



Continuity

 * This story takes place at the beginning of the Cybermen's creation. Many of its events lead into those of TV: The Tenth Planet.
 * Mondas began to drift through space, due to the sudden arrival of a moon between Earth and Mondas. This upset the gravitational equilibrium of Mondas, causing it to escape its orbit. (TV: The Tenth Planet)
 * Cyber-Commander Zheng would return for a cameo appearance in AUDIO: The Reaping. That story depicted him as still being operational in September 1984.
 * Nyssa recalls Adric's death. (TV: Earthshock)
 * Nyssa has sympathy with people losing their family. (TV: The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis)