Zeta Major (novel)

Zeta Major
Doctor:	[[doctor::Fifth Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Nyssa Tegan Jovanka
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::BBC Books]]
Writer:	Simon Messingham
Release details
Release number:	13
Release date:	July 1998
Format:	Paperback Book, ? Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-563-40597-X

Not to be confused with the titular asteroid.

Publisher's summary

You've decided to concentrate on deriving energy from the kinetic force of planetary movement...

A glib remark from the Doctor to a desperate scientist has had far-reaching effects on the empire of Morestra. Eminent Morestran scientist Sorenson, attempting to find a new power source for his planet, risked a universal catastrophe by attempting to steal anti-matter crystals from the distant planet of Zeta Minor. The Doctor averted disaster, but has in effect sent all Morestra up a technological cul-de-sac.

Now in his fifth regeneration, the Doctor becomes involved once again in Morestra's future. The empire has become a theocracy, and the all-powerful Church, finally discovering that Sorenson's world-spanning energy tower will never work, is attempting to save face by covertly returning to Zeta Minor to steal the powerful minerals they need. This time, they believe they are prepared for all eventualities...

With his companions embroiled in the ever-shifting loyalties and intrigues of the Morestran court, only the Doctor accepts that the forces of the anti-matter universe can never interact with our own. Can he stop something he started two thousand years ago?

Characters

• The Doctor
  • Suffers from nightmares caused by "those" on the other side of the black pool.
• Tegan Jovanka
• Nyssa
  • Is implanted with anti-matter and turned into a feral monster.
• Ferdinand du Vindice
• Kristyan Fall
• Hippolito
• Antonio

References

• The Morestran Orthodox Church is based on Archetryx.
• Both Nyssa and Tegan are still thinking about Adric's death.

Notes

• Zeta Major (a word meaning big) is used for a small rogue asteroid, but Zeta Minor (meaning small) refers to an entire planet.
• The Doctor says that "anti-matter" is an incorrect term and suggests "ante-matter" as a better idea.
• When the brothers watch the historical record of the trip to Zeta Minor, there's a whirl of blue and green light, and then a logo followed by a man stumbling through an unnatural jungle with a spade. This is exactly how Planet of Evil starts.

Continuity

• This is a sequel to DW: Planet of Evil.

Timeline

• Zeta Major occurs after: VD: Lackaday Express
• Zeta Major occurs before: MA: The Sands of Time

External links

• Zeta Major at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
• The Discontinuity Guide to: Zeta Major at The Whoniverse