nesteneen

Nesteneen is a fictional alien race from the Doctor Who television series. They are primarily known as the creators and controllers of the Autons, plastic beings that were first introduced in the 1971 Third Doctor story "Terror of the Autons". Nesteneen themselves are rarely seen, preferring to operate from the background through their Auton proxies.

The Nestene consciousness is a collective intelligence originating from the planet Nestene. They are a highly adaptable and technologically advanced species, with a primary goal of expansion and assimilation. Their method of achieving this involves using the Nestene energy, a substance that can animate and control synthetic materials, most notably plastic. This allows them to create the Autons, which can take on any form, from mannequins to household objects, and are used to infiltrate and conquer worlds.

The Nestene are driven by a survival instinct and a desire to spread their influence. They view other life forms as inferior or as potential resources. Their methods are insidious, relying on deception and overwhelming force once their Auton creations have infiltrated a society. While the Nestene consciousness is the driving force, the Autons are their physical manifestation and primary tool for interaction with the universe. The Doctor has encountered and thwarted their plans on multiple occasions, often by targeting their energy source or disrupting their control over the Autons.