Dalek factor


 * For the novella by Simon Clark, see The Dalek Factor

The Dalek Factor was the distillation of the essence of what distinguished Daleks from other species (primarily Humans). The Daleks recruited the Doctor to identify the Human Factor, and as a result were able to use his work to identify the Dalek Factor (apparently operating on the principle that the two Factors were exact opposites of each other).

The Daleks planned to instill the Dalek Factor (with its attendant virtues of total, instinctive obedience and rabid xenophobia) into humans throughout their history, using the Doctor. However the Doctor was immune to implantation with the Factor and the plan spectacularly backfired on the Daleks. (DW: Evil of the Daleks)

Toward the end of the Last Great Time War the Daleks sent a time capsule to 70 AD Earth in order to spread the Dalek Factor amongst the Humans. In this instance the Factor took the form of a distinctive set of genetic changes. The capsule's engine exploded, and the Dalek was killed soon after impact. It was only able to release a small amount of the Dalek Factor, leading to only 1 in 500,000,000 Humans having it. The only known carrier of the Dalek Factor was Kate Yates.

The Dalek Factor is generally hidden amongst the genes. When the casing of the Dalek was rediscovered and activated in the early 2000s, the Dalek Factor in Kate was reactivated. When Kate Yates was hit by a car, she was able to survive and regenerated the damage. Her hair turned blond and she started gaining immense intelligence and increased strength. She also started to develop a Dalek mindset, hating all other Humans and trying to help the Dalek. When she touched the Dalek casing she was also able to reactivate it, causing a new Dalek to be grown from raw materials in the case. Eventually, she was able to overcome her Dalek instincts and was able to help the Doctor and Rose kill the Dalek, causing her Dalek Factor to deactivate. (TDA: I Am a Dalek)