The Caves of Androzani


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The Caves of AndrozaniThe Caves of Androzani


BOOK DETAILS

Pages 135
ISBN 0-426-19959-6
Publication Date 14 March 1985

SYNOPSIS

1985 Target Books edition

From the moment they land on the planet Androzani Minor, everything goes wrong for The Doctor and his new young companion, Peri.

They become involved in the struggle between brutal gun-runners, ruthless Federation troops, and the hideously mutilated Sharaz Jek, who lurks in the depths of the caves with his android army.

Key to the struggle is spectrox, the most valuable substance in the universe. Suitably processed, spectrox is an elixir of life, but in its raw state it is a deadly poison – a fact which will cost The Doctor anotherof his Time Lord lives…

1992 Target Books edition

PERI LOOKED AT THE DOCTOR. NOW WHAT DO WE DO?’ THE DOCTOR SIGHED. ‘SURRENDER, ‘ HE SAID WARILY AND RAISED HIS HANDS.

From the moment they land on the planet Androzani Minor, everything goes wrong for The Doctor and Peri. They become involved in the struggle between brutal gun-runners, ruthless Federation troops, and the hideously mutilated Sharaz Jek, who lurks in the depths of the caves with his android army.

Key to the struggle is spectrox, the most valuable substance in the universe. Suitably processed, spectrox is an elixir of life, but in its raw state it kills.

Based on a television story written by Robert Holmes, The Caves of Androzani was the last adventure to feature the Fifth Doctor, as played by Peter Davison.

NOTES

CHAPTER TITLES


  1. Androzani Minor Revisited
  2. Spectrox War
  3. The Execution
  4. Sharaz Jek
  5. The Escape
  6. The Magma Beast
  7. Spy!
  8. The Boss
  9. Crash Down
  10. Mud Burst
  11. Takeover
  12. Change

DEVIATIONS FROM THE TELEVISED STORY

  • Elements of Androzani society, such as chakaw picking, is explored.
  • While the description is largely faithful, the Magma Beast is said to be able to camouflage itself by resembling a boulder.
  • The last surviving gunrunner is named as Stark.
  • Morgus’ order for the lift maintenance engineer to be shot is given more motivation: He demanded a large bribe to fix the lift shaft so the doors would open while the lift wasn’t there.
  • The lack of soldiers other than Chellak approaching Jek’s base is explained as the survivors having pulled back to avoid the mud burst.
  • The motor sound that leads Morgus and Stotz to Jek’s hideout is explained as him turning the extractor fan back on to keep Peri cool.
  • Instead of forcing Morgus‘ head into a laser beam, Jek strangles him and then hurls him into a console which explodes.

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