When the Ninth Doctor lands in the town of Kennet, he finds that something is terribly wrong. The people are scared. They don't like going out at night, they don't like making too much noise, and they certainly don't like strangers asking questions. What alien force has invaded the town and why is it watching barmaid Alison Cheney?

The Ninth Doctor is sardonic, witty, compassionate, and tired of how foolish humans can be. He has lived through things his predecessors never dreamed of but has difficulty with things that those before him have taken for granted. He has secrets that may put him, Alison, and the whole world in danger.

The Doctor is helped by his new military liaison Major Kennet and his Royal Green Jacket troops. Starting with a small community under threat, this Doctor Who story takes in the entire world, from New Zealand to India, Siberia to the USA, and cosmic expanses beyond.

Originally published in 2004.

Paul Cornell writes prose, comics, and TV, and is one of only two people to be Hugo Award-nominated for all three. He’s written Doctor Who for the BBC, Action Comics for DC, and Wolverine for Marvel. His novels include London Falling.