Lesterson was the chief scientist of the Earth colony on the planet Vulcan. He discovered a crashed space capsule in a nearby mercury swamp and had it transferred to his laboratory. Examining it, he was able to open it and found a trio of robotic creatures within. He and his junior colleagues Janley and Resno removed one of these in order to experiment on it. They were able to reactivate it. It identified itself as a Dalek, and offered its services to the colonists. For example, it knew how to greatly improve the colony's meteorite defence system. Many of their satellites were being destroyed before this.
The Doctor arrived at the colony with companions Ben and Polly, and discovered what Lesterson was up to. The scientist refused to heed his warnings - convinced that the Daleks would make ideal servants. He had learned that they had positronic brains.
During one experiment, the Dalek exterminated Resno. Janley kept this secret from Lesterson. A member of a rebel group, she could see the potential of the Daleks as weapons with which to overthrow the governor.
Lesterson began to suspect the Daleks when they began to demand increasing quantities of raw materials and a power source. He then spotted one Dalek too many in the corridors of the colony. His suspicions led him to sneak aboard the capsule, where he witnessed a Dalek production line.
This information caused his mind to snap. He tried to warn the authorities as the Doctor had done, but was not believed due to his manic behaviour. He later came to believe that the Daleks were a superior race - come to replace humans. He offered to be become their servant, but was exterminated by them as they launched their attack on the colony.
Played by: Robert James. Appearances: Power of the Daleks (1966).
- James returned to the series in 1976 to play the chief priest of the Cult of Demnos in The Masque of Mandragora.
No comments:
Post a Comment