The TARDIS jumps a time track and lands on the planet Hurala. The Tenth Doctor finds a war between humans and Daleks and gets caught up in a Dalek plan to master time travel.
- And I Must Scream: Dalek X is basically left in such a state at the end of the novel, trapped on Hurala underneath the former fuel station with the rest of its fleet dead, the astronic radiation on the planet just enough to keep it alive for potentially thousands of years but lacking the power to broadcast a call for help.
- Armor-Piercing Question: As he prepares to leave Dalek X, the Doctor counters Dalek X's protests of Dalek superiority by pointing out that there isn't a single life-form in existence that would willingly become a Dalek, and Dalek X can't give a proper response.
- Batman Gambit: The Doctor lures the Daleks back to Hurala by offering the TARDIS.
- Big Bad: The Dalek Inquisitor General, generally known as Dalek X.
- Bizarre Alien Biology: Apparently, the Doctor can go without food or drink for five days. He can also will himself not to grow a beard, but it "will itch like crazy later."
- Koral's species can grow Wolverine Claws.
- Book Ends: The book beings and ends with a scene of the Doctor on Hurala.
- Call-Back: The TARDIS jumping a time track.
- The Osterhagen Principle is used on Auros, destroying the planet before the Daleks invade.
- The Daleks' speech is in the same font as in the "Dalek Chronicles" comic strips.
- Continuity Nod: It is mentioned Bowman is a veteran of the Draconian conflicts and fought on the front lines of Tartarus.
- The Doctor wishes he could have someone like Martha or Donna around, who would understand and help.
- He also mentions that the TARDIS needs six pilots to properly function.
- Darker and Edgier: Compared to most of the other New Series Adventures.
- The Dreaded: The Daleks (especially Dalek X) to humans, and
the Doctor to the Daleks.Koral: The more you know about the Daleks, the more you fear them. - Earth-Shattering Kaboom: Or Hurala-Shattering Kaboom. The Doctor uses the fuel on Hurala to set off an explosion that destroys the Exterminator and its ships.
- It's Personal: After Scrum is killed, Cuttin' Edge makes a point of remembering the identification tag of the Dalek who did the deed, and kills it when he gets the chance.
- Lame Pun Reaction: The Doctor mentioned a decapicated ghost who rows around in a boat but doesn't have a head-he's called the Headless Oarsman. This gets a negative reaction.
- Last of Their Kind: Koral, whose world of Red Sky Lost was destroyed by the Daleks. The Doctor tells her he knows the feeling.
- Mugging the Monster: A heroic version. The Daleks freak out when they realize that one of their captives is the Doctor.
- Obfuscating Insanity: The Doctor, as always, with a healthy dose of Obfuscating Stupidity.
- Oh, Crap!: The Doctor when the crew realizes that The Daleks got to the crack in time before them. He turns the tables by giving the Daleks an Oh, Crap! moment when they realize just who they're dealing with.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: The Doctor gives one to Dalek X.Dalek X: The Daleks are never defeated!
The Doctor: You can never see it, can you? You just don't get it. The Daleks are always defeated. Always. Because you never learn. You never accept the simple truth-that every other life form in the universe is better than you.
Dalek X: Incorrect! Daleks are the supreme beings!
The Doctor: There's not a life form in the universe that would volunteer to become a Dalek. Doesn't that tell you anything? Well, doesn't it? - Red Baron: Dalek X. "The Oncoming Storm" is also mentioned once or twice.
- Shout-Out: Cuttin' Edge is from Gauda Prime, a planet you might know better as where Roj Blake, Kerr Avon and their fellow rebels died.
- Stepford Smiler: The Doctor has to work hard to keep his mask of cheerfulness up, and it's very clear that he is absolutely terrified of the Daleks.
- Taking You with Me: When Dalek X fires on Cuttin' Edge, he grabs another Dalek as the beam hits, sharing the lethal effect.
- Timey-Wimey Ball: Somehow the TARDIS arrives in the Pre-Time War timeline by "jumping time tracks". This enables the Doctor to meet Classic Series Daleks, though they're already close to their New Series counterparts.
