BOOK DETAILS

SYNOPSIS

Zastor, Leaderof the planet Tigella, rules a divided people. Savants and Deons are irrevocably opposed on one crucial issue – the Dodecahedron, mysterious source of all their power.

To the Savants the Dodecahedron is a miracle of science to be studied, observed and used to benefit Tigellan civilisation. To the Deons it is a god and not to be tampered with.

When the power supply begins to fluctuate wildly the whole planet is threatened, but the Tigellans cannot agree how they should deal with the problem. 

Zastor welcomes the arrival of the Fourth Doctor and invites him to arbitrate, but the Deons are suspicious of the Time Lord – and perhaps rightly so …

NOTES

CHAPTER TITLES

• Abduction of an Earthling
  
• The Deons
  
• The Screens of Zolfa-Thura
  
• Time Loop
  
• The Double
  
• The Impossible
  
• Prisoner of the Gaztaks
  
• The Attack
  
• The Sacrifice
  
• The Reprieve
  
• The Ultimate Weapon
  
• Final Countdown

  DEVIATIONS FROM THE TELEVISED VERSION
  

  
  
  • The “abducted earthling” of the televised story is given a name – George Morris – and backstory as an assistant bank manager. His abduction by the Gaztaks, whom he believes at first are students carrying out one of their Rag Week pranks, is shown in the opening pages.
    
  • The novelisation makes it clear the “Gaztak” is a broad term for mercenary bands, not referring only to Grugger’s group.
    
  • Grugger’skicking of the immobile K9 has been omitted.
    
  • The Dodecahedron is twice referred to as a five-sided crystal. Which would be a pentahedron.
    
  • The Doctor’s claim to have seen the Dodecahedron on his previous visit is omitted.
    
  • The novel answers the question of how Meglos’ species would be able to advance technologically as immobile cacti by their ability to take over the minds of other beings, implying that, despite what was shown, they are able to do it without technological adjuncts.
    
  • The novelisation ends with George Morris returning to Earth.