Time's Champion
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An original novel by Craig Hinton and Chris McKeon, featuring the sixth Doctor, Mel, Benton and Romana Publication Date: July 2008 'It seems that we change finally found ourselves, Doctor. A pity. I had hoped to avoid this reunion; I've been disappointed enough today already.' 1908: George McKenzie-Trench is suffering from writer's block, unable to forsee the ending of his novel, Time's Champion, nor the consequences of its completion. 9908: The planet Caliban is under attack from Cyber-forces, and governor George McKenzie-Trench attempts to save the world by unleashing Abaddon, a powerful computer virus. But Abaddon has other instructions. Meanwhile Gallifrey is threatened and the Keeper is seeking answers within the Matrix. President Romana is helpless: no-one is who they seem and the conspiracy goes deeper than she can imagine. She needs the Doctor ... But the Doctor is on Earth in 2008, fighting to save the life of a child who must survive as all costs. As Gallifrey is beseiged by ghosts from the past, the Doctor, Mel and Benton find themselves in the middle of an epic and final battle as the ancient gods choose their champions and allow chaos to reign across all of time and space. |
Continuity
Mel has encountered the Master (Ultimate Foe), Autons (Business Unusual), Daleks and Juggernauts (The Juggernauts), Giant Wasps, Quarks (mentioned in Millennial Rites) Cybermen, Bandrils (mentioned in Quantum Archangel), and Ice Warriors. Shortly before this adventure, the Doctor presents her with a TARDIS homing device.
Paul Kairos and Arlene return from The Quantum Archangel.
Spoilers! Select to read: Much as Spiral Scratch does, Time's Champion leads directly into the events of Time and the Rani, with the final scenes including the regeneration sequence. There's also an indirect reference to Head Games, as the Doctor hopes that Mel doesn't remember him as having regenerated after hitting his head on the console.
Comments
Although the story is typically epic, Mel is largely sidelined from the main plot, but does get some good scenes and is well characterised (as you'd expect from Hinton). You can read my more complete review on my weblog.