S3E13 · The Traitors graph

Chen orders lethal pursuit of Vyon and Gantry

In his office, Mavic Chen confirms Bret Vyon’s identity as a traitor through Lizan’s meticulous computer records, revealing his obsession with precision and control. Chen escalates the threat level by ordering Space Security agents to kill Vyon and Gantry on sight, framing them as existential dangers to his regime. His conversation with Karlton exposes Chen’s paranoia—he warns against overzealous agents like Cory, whose unsanctioned actions risk exposing his alliance with the Daleks. The scene underscores Chen’s ruthless efficiency in eliminating dissent while hinting at the fragility of his power, as Karlton’s reassurances mask the instability of their operation. The directive to cordon Central City and execute the traitors marks a turning point: the Doctor’s companions are now hunted without mercy, forcing them into a desperate, no-return fight for survival.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

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Chen orders all Space Security agents to return to Earth and instructs them to kill Vyon and Gantry on sight. Lizan, eager to serve, complies with Chen's instructions, pleased to be of service to him.

command to eager compliance

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

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Absent but framed as a menacing figure—Chen’s paranoia projects him as a looming threat, while Lizan’s clinical recitation strips him of humanity, reducing him to a data point for elimination.

Bret Vyon is the primary target of Chen’s kill order, identified as a traitor through Lizan’s computer records. His background—bred on Mars Colony 16 and risen through the ranks of Space Security—is meticulously recited, framing him as a dangerous rogue. Though physically absent, his presence looms over the scene as Chen orders his execution on sight, tying him to Gantry and the stolen Spar ship. Vyon’s association with Kembel and potential alliance with 'other creatures' (likely the Doctor and companions) elevates him from a deserter to an existential threat.

Goals in this moment
  • Survival (implied, as Chen’s orders mark him for death)
  • Exposing Chen’s Dalek alliance (if he lives to fight another day)
Active beliefs
  • Chen’s regime is corrupt and must be opposed (implied by his actions on Kembel)
  • Loyalty to Gantry and the Doctor’s crew overrides institutional duty
Character traits
Dangerous (per Chen’s framing) Rogue (deserter from Kembel) Potentially allied with unknown entities (Doctor/Steven/Katarina) Symbol of institutional betrayal
Follow Bret Vyon's journey

Absent but framed as a desperate fugitive—Chen’s narrative paints him as a threat to be eradicated, stripping him of agency or humanity.

Kurt Gantry, though physically absent, is the second target of Chen’s purge, his identity tied to Vyon’s as the 'other traitor' from Kembel. Lizan’s team is preparing his identity projection, framing him as a rogue agent who never reported in. Chen’s implication that Gantry and Vyon may be allied with 'other creatures' (the Doctor’s group) elevates their threat level, ensuring their execution is non-negotiable. Gantry’s fate is sealed by association, his loyalty to Vyon and the Doctor’s cause marking him for death.

Goals in this moment
  • Survival (implied, as Chen’s orders mark him for death)
  • Protecting the Doctor and companions (if he lives to fight another day)
Active beliefs
  • Chen’s regime is corrupt and must be opposed (implied by his actions on Kembel)
  • Loyalty to Vyon overrides institutional duty
Character traits
Loyal (to Vyon and the Doctor’s crew) Deserter (failed to report from Kembel) Potentially allied with unknown entities (Doctor/Steven/Katarina) Symbol of institutional betrayal (like Vyon)
Follow Karlton's journey

Eager and proud—her 'delight' in serving Chen is evident, but beneath it lies a chilling detachment, as she reduces human lives to data points for elimination.

Lizan serves as Chen’s eager enforcer, her admiration for him bordering on reverence. She recites Vyon’s background with clinical precision, treating the data as infallible, and assures Chen that the computer network’s chemical details leave 'no scope for error.' Her delight in being of service is palpable as she prepares Gantry’s identity projection and leaves to disseminate the kill orders. Lizan embodies institutional blind faith, her efficiency masking the moral cost of her actions—she is the human face of Chen’s bureaucratic machine.

Goals in this moment
  • Prove her competence to Chen by delivering flawless data and orders
  • Uphold the institutional integrity of Space Security (as she sees it)
Active beliefs
  • Chen’s authority is absolute and must be obeyed without question
  • Technology (the computer network) is infallible and morally neutral
Character traits
Dutiful (follows orders without question) Admiring (of Chen’s leadership) Efficient (prioritizes data accuracy and rapid dissemination) Blind to moral consequences (treats executions as routine protocol)
Follow Lizan's journey
Mavic Chen
primary

Anxious and resigned—he walks a tightrope, aware that one misstep could cost him his life, yet unable to fully break from Chen’s grip.

Karlton, as Head of the Special Security Service, acts as Chen’s reluctant enforcer, caught between loyalty and the reality of operational failures. He reassures Chen that his agents will not 'spoil things,' having already insisted on clearance for future missions—a belated attempt to regain control. His defensive posture ('You know you can trust me') reveals his awareness of Chen’s paranoia and the precariousness of his own position. Karlton’s role is to uphold Chen’s orders while mitigating the fallout, but his internal conflict is palpable: he knows the system is broken, yet he enables it.

Goals in this moment
  • Protect his own position within Chen’s regime
  • Prevent further operational failures (e.g., like Cory’s mission)
Active beliefs
  • Chen’s authority must be upheld to maintain order (even if it’s corrupt)
  • Loyalty to the system (Space Security) outweighs personal morality
Character traits
Defensive (seeking to reassure Chen of his trustworthiness) Submissive (follows Chen’s orders without overt challenge) Pragmatic (focuses on damage control rather than moral objections) Conflict-averse (avoids direct confrontation with Chen’s authority)
Follow Mavic Chen's journey
Supporting 1

Absent but framed as a dangerous wildcard—Chen’s fear of Cory’s actions reveals his own vulnerability, as Cory’s independence undermines his carefully constructed facade of control.

Marc Cory is referenced as a rogue agent whose unsanctioned mission threatens Chen’s Dalek alliance. Chen warns Karlton that agents like Cory—who act without official clearance—risk exposing his treachery. Cory’s distress signal, which triggered a chain of events Chen cannot control, is implied to have forced his hand, making Cory a loose cannon whose independence Chen cannot tolerate. His mention serves as a cautionary tale for Karlton, reinforcing Chen’s demand for absolute control.

Goals in this moment
  • Exposing Chen’s Dalek alliance (implied, as his mission triggered Chen’s purge)
  • Survival (if he is still alive and evading capture)
Active beliefs
  • Chen’s regime is corrupt and must be challenged (implied by his unsanctioned mission)
  • Loyalty to the truth (even if it means acting outside protocol)
Character traits
Independent (acts without official sanction) Resourceful (his mission had unintended consequences) Threatening (to Chen’s Dalek alliance) Symbol of institutional rebellion
Follow Marc Cory's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

4
Gantry’s Holographic Identity Projection

Gantry’s Identity Projection is a holographic tool in Lizan’s preparation, symbolizing the dehumanization of the traitors. While Vyon’s data is already confirmed, Gantry’s projection is 'being worked on,' framing him as the secondary target whose elimination is imminent. The projection’s flickering glow in Chen’s office underscores the cold, bureaucratic nature of the hunt—Gantry’s face, once a comrade, is now a target for eradication. Its preparation ensures that Space Security agents will recognize him on sight, leaving no room for hesitation.

Before: In progress, with Lizan’s team finalizing the holographic …
After: Ready for distribution to all Space Security stations, …
Before: In progress, with Lizan’s team finalizing the holographic data for dissemination.
After: Ready for distribution to all Space Security stations, enabling immediate identification and execution.
Kill Orders for Vyon and Gantry

The kill orders for Vyon and Gantry are the weaponized command that escalates the purge into a no-return mission. Chen’s directive to 'kill them on sight' transforms the traitors from fugitives to existential threats, justifying the cordoning of Central City. Lizan’s role in disseminating these orders turns her into the messenger of death, while the orders themselves become the narrative tipping point—once given, there is no turning back. The kill orders embody Chen’s ruthlessness, stripping Vyon and Gantry of any chance for redemption or explanation.

Before: Drafted in Chen’s mind as a response to …
After: Officially issued and disseminated to all Space Security …
Before: Drafted in Chen’s mind as a response to the traitors’ actions; not yet formalized.
After: Officially issued and disseminated to all Space Security agents, with Lizan tasked with their enforcement.
Lizan’s Solar System Identification Computer Network

Lizan’s Identification Computer Network is the backbone of Chen’s purge, providing infallible data on Vyon’s chemical composition and biographical records. Chen leans on its precision to justify the kill order, treating it as an objective arbiter of truth. The network’s role is to strip Vyon (and by extension, Gantry) of humanity, reducing them to data points for elimination. Its 'precise chemical details' of every person in the Solar System symbolize Chen’s godlike control, but also his paranoia—he demands perfection to avoid 'mistakes,' revealing his fear of uncertainty.

Before: Operational and fully functional, with Vyon’s data already …
After: Tasked with disseminating Vyon’s and Gantry’s identity projections …
Before: Operational and fully functional, with Vyon’s data already loaded and cross-referenced.
After: Tasked with disseminating Vyon’s and Gantry’s identity projections to all Space Security stations, enabling their immediate recognition and execution.
Spar Ship (Hijacked by Vyon and Gantry)

The Spar ship is referenced as the vessel hijacked by Vyon and Gantry on Kembel, tying them to Chen’s treachery. Chen implicates the traitors in its theft, suggesting they may be allied with 'other creatures' (the Doctor’s group), which elevates the stakes of their capture. The Spar ship serves as both a symbol of Chen’s betrayal and a physical target for Space Security’s purge. Its mention frames Vyon and Gantry as not just deserters, but as threats who have crossed a line by stealing from Chen’s personal assets.

Before: Stolen by Vyon and Gantry on Kembel; its …
After: Officially declared a target for recovery or destruction …
Before: Stolen by Vyon and Gantry on Kembel; its whereabouts are unknown but suspected to be in the traitors’ possession.
After: Officially declared a target for recovery or destruction by Space Security; its capture becomes a priority in the hunt for the traitors.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

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Central City

Chen’s office is the command center for the purge, its sterile walls and glowing universe map symbolizing institutional power and isolation. The confined space amplifies the tension, as Chen’s paranoia and ruthlessness are on full display. Lizan’s admiration for him is palpable here, while Karlton’s defensive posture reveals the pressure to comply. The office becomes a pressure cooker of loyalty and betrayal, where every word and gesture carries weight. Its access is restricted to Chen’s inner circle, reinforcing the hierarchy of power.

Atmosphere Oppressively formal and tense, with a undercurrent of paranoia—every word feels calculated, and the air …
Function Command center for the purge; the site where Chen’s orders are issued and institutional betrayal …
Symbolism Represents the heart of Chen’s corrupt regime, where power is wielded without accountability.
Access Restricted to senior staff (Chen, Karlton, Lizan) and those summoned for direct orders.
Glowing universe map on the wall (symbolizing Chen’s delusions of control) Sterile, clinical lighting (reinforcing the dehumanization of the traitors) Lizan’s eager posture (contrasting with Karlton’s defensive stance)

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Space Security Service

The Special Security Service, led by Karlton, is the elite enforcer of Chen’s will, tasked with hunting down Vyon and Gantry. Chen’s warning about 'overzealous agents' like Cory implies that even this elite unit is not fully trusted, as independent action risks exposing Chen’s Dalek alliance. The service’s role is to execute Chen’s orders without question, ensuring the traitors are caught and killed. Its involvement underscores the high stakes of the purge, as failure is not an option.

Representation Through Karlton’s direct reporting to Chen and the service’s operational protocols (e.g., priority given to …
Power Dynamics Operating under Chen’s direct authority, with Karlton as the intermediary; the service’s power is derived …
Impact The service’s actions reinforce Chen’s absolute control, but its internal tensions (e.g., Karlton’s defensiveness) hint …
Internal Dynamics Karlton’s struggle to maintain control over his agents (e.g., Cory’s rogue mission) reveals a service …
Capture and execute Vyon and Gantry to silence dissent Prevent any leaks or unsanctioned missions that could expose Chen’s Dalek alliance Elite personnel (tasked with high-priority operations) Operational control (e.g., cordoning Central City, recalling agents) Intimidation (kill orders as a deterrent to other potential traitors)

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

Within this episode

What this causes 1

"Chen giving the order to kill Vyon (beat_c0719ecd357d0346) sets in motion a chain of events that culminates in Karlton reporting that Sara Kingdom is in command of the Special Force dealing with Vyon (beat_18f27996312168ab)."

Chen’s Dalek Gambit Revealed
S3E13 · The Traitors

Across episodes

Threads arriving here 8

"The Doctor's revelation that Mavic Chen is a traitor in possession of the taranium core (Episode 12) directly causes Chen's subsequent manhunt for Bret Vyon and Gantry in Episode 13. Chen's obsessive need to control the narrative and eliminate threats stems from this betrayal."

Doctor reveals Dalek conspiracy and Chen’s betrayal
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"The Doctor's statement that the Daleks 'will stop at anything' to retrieve the taranium directly causes Chen to escalate his purge of traitors in the Special Security Service."

Doctor reveals Dalek desperation via Cory’s tape
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"The existential crisis caused by the forced Desperus crash landing (Episode 12) directly leads to Mavic Chen ordering Karlton's agents to kill Bret Vyon and Gantry 'on sight' (Episode 13). The trauma of potential permanent imprisonment on Desperus escalates Chen's desperation to eliminate perceived threats."

Forced Desperus Crash Landing
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"The Doctor's warning about the Daleks stopping 'at anything' to prevent interference (Episode 12) propels Chen's lethal pursuit of Vyon and Gantry (Episode 13). Chen, interpreting the Doctor's actions as threats to his own power, mirrors the Daleks' ruthlessness by ordering executions."

Doctor reveals Dalek desperation via Cory’s tape
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"Zephon's accusations against Chen in Episode 12 (accusing him of negligence and treachery within the Dalek alliance) foreshadow Chen's later paranoia and ruthless actions in Episode 13, where he orders the lethal pursuit of Bret Vyon and Kurt Gantry to cover his tracks."

Zephon’s Accusations and Execution
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"Marc Cory's taped report about the Daleks' galactic war plan (Episode 12) directly causes Mavic Chen's lethal purge order against Space Security agents (including Cory's associate Bret Vyon) in Episode 13. Cory's intelligence about the Daleks' ambitions informs Chen's paranoid belief that even his own agents threaten his power."

Cory’s Tape Exposes Dalek Galactic War
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"The Doctor's revelation in Episode 12 that Mavic Chen has supplied the Daleks with taranium directly causes Chen's desperate and ruthless manhunt for the thieves (Vyon and Gantry) in Episode 13, where he orders their deaths to protect his alliance with the Daleks."

Doctor reveals taranium’s lethal threat
S3E12 · Devil's Planet

"The Doctor's cryptic inaction ('do nothing... we do everything') in Episode 12 parallels Chen's increasingly desperate and impatient actions in Episode 13. Both characters face a crisis where traditional methods fail: the Doctor maintains patience amid threats, while Chen escalates violence in response to perceived threats."

Doctor deflects Steven’s urgency with cryptic inaction
S3E12 · Devil's Planet
Threads leading onward 7

"Chen’s original kill order for Vyon and Gantry in Episode 13 is echoed when Karlton reports the Daleks’ arrival on Mira in Episode 14—both are crises triggering escalating directives from Chen. The language of ‘traitors’ in Episode 13 (‘kill on sight’) is mirrored by the urgent, militarized response to the Dalek presence in Episode 14."

Chen’s Galactic Gambit Unveiled
S3E14 · Counter Plot

"Chen's order to kill Bret Vyon and Kurt Gantry (Episode 13) sets in motion a chain of events where the Daleks' desperation intensifies, leading them to demand updates about the taranium core (Episode 14)."

Black Dalek demands taranium core update
S3E14 · Counter Plot

"Chen’s order to kill Bret Vyon and Gantry in Episode 13 directly causes Karlton’s investigation into the ‘molecular dissemination experiment’ in Episode 14. The need to eliminate fugitives (Vyon, Gantry) forces Chen’s security apparatus to resort to untested and dangerous experiments, which Karlton then interrogates in the Experiment Control Room."

Froyn’s experiment yields first success
S3E14 · Counter Plot

"Chen's kill order on Bret Vyon (Episode 13) directly forces Bret into a desperate, isolated position, which compels Steven and the Doctor to flee—culminating in the Doctor directing Steven into the experimental room in Episode 14."

Doctor redirects Steven into the J-room
S3E14 · Counter Plot

"Chen ordering Sara Kingdom to kill the traitors (Bret Vyon and Gantry) in Episode 13 directly results in Sara being sent to capture them, leading to her presence on Mira and the subsequent events in Episode 14."

Mira Transmission Cut and Suspicion Rises
S3E14 · Counter Plot

"Chen's kill order for Bret Vyon (in Episode 13) leads directly to the pursuit that results in Sara Kingdom's arrival on Mira (in Episode 14), where she confronts the Doctor, Steven, and ultimately learns of Bret's death."

Awakening to unseen threats and fractured trust
S3E14 · Counter Plot

"Chen's lethal pursuit order for Bret Vyon and associates in Episode 13 sets up the pursuit by Space Security agents (including Sara Kingdom) that forces the Doctor, Steven, and Sara to flee to Mira in Episode 14, where they are tracked via the experiment transmitter."

Daleks detect signal and close in
S3E14 · Counter Plot

Key Dialogue

"CHEN: So that's our traitor. LIZAN: Yes, Bret Vyon. Bred on Mars Colony 16. Joined Space Security Service 3990. Gained First Rank 3995. Gained Second Rank 3998. CHEN: You have a good memory. LIZAN: Thank you, Guardian. CHEN: And he looks like that? LIZAN: Exactly like that. How can he look otherwise? Guardian, have you no faith in computerised data?"
"CHEN: They will be killed on sight. Give out the instructions."
"CHEN: I think that takes care of that. You know, Karlton, some of your agents are getting too good. We don't want to spoil things for ourselves at this stage. KARLTON: They won't. I've already insisted that all future operations shall be cleared with me before they're begun. CHEN: If you'd done that in the first place, we wouldn't be in this spot."