The Highest Science (novel)

The Highest Science
Doctor:	[[doctor::Seventh Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Benny
Main enemy:	Sheldukher, Chelonians
Main setting:	Hogsumm
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::Virgin Books]]
Writer:	Gareth Roberts
Release details
Release number:	11
Release date:	February 1993
Format:	Paperback Book, 258 Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0426203771

Publisher's summary

Sakkrat.

Many legends speak of this world, home of an ancient empire destroyed by its own greatest achievement: the Highest Science, the pinnacle of technological discovery.

When the TARDIS alerts the Doctor and Bernice to the presence of an enormous temporal fluctuation on a large, green, unremarkable planet, they are not to know of any connection with the legend.

But the connection is there, and it will lead them into conflict with the monstrous Chelonians, with their contempt for human parasites; into adventure with a group of youngsters whose musical taste has suddenly become dangerously significant; and will force them to face Sheldukher, the most wanted criminal in the galaxy.

Characters

• The Doctor
  • Again "plays stupid" so the Chelonians won't kill him.

• Bernice Summerfield
  • Knows some Aikido.

• General Fakrid
  • Is the only fertile Chelonian on the planet, but goes into a form of menstral shock when his latest clutch of eggs dies.

• Sheldukher
  • One of the most wanted men in the galaxy.

References

• The Fortean Flickers are metaphsyical phenomenon associated with random events.

• Chelonians are large cybernetic turtles, who hate humans.

• Bernice drinks Bubbleshake an oral appetite supressant containing Fabi weed extract. It has many side effects one of which is brain disintegration.

• The following planets/ systems are mentioned (and briefly explained); Sakkrat, Vaagon, Evertrin, Earth, Chelonia, Lasty's Nebula, Naiad, Menelot, Harma, Checkley's World, North Gate, Tayloe, Mang, Miradilus Four, Regurel, Mars, Draconia, Mulkos, Mordala, Exalfa, Adorno, Alpha Centauri, Heaven, Sensuron, Riftok, Masel, Arcturus, Hogsumm, Atvares Minor.

Notes

• A prelude to this novel was published in DWM Issue 196.
• The 2009 special Planet of the Dead features elements of this story; whereas a tube train passes through a Fortean Flicker to Sakkrat here, a red London bus passes through a wormhole onto San Helios in the 2009 story.

• The writer of both pieces, Gareth Roberts, was to use the Chelonians in Planet of the Dead, but the heat of the Dubai desert where filming was to be was thought too severe for an actor to wear a heavy Chelonian turtle costume in.

Continuity

• The Humans and Chelonians are unfrozen in NA: Happy Endings.

Timeline

• This story occurs after VD: Playback
• This story occurs before DWM: Emperor of the Daleks!

External links

• Prelude to The Highest Science as published in DWM #196
• The Highest Science at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
• The Discontinuity Guide to: The Highest Science at The Whoniverse
• Doctor Who Bewildering Reference Guide to The Highest Science