The Time Lords have a mission for the Doctor. Together with Sarah and Harry, he finds himself stranded on the war-torn planet Skaro where the conflict between the Thals and the Kaleds has been raging for a thousand years. Chemical and biological weapons have started a cycle of mutation among the planet's inhabitants that cannot be stopped. But Kaled scientist Davros has perfected a life support system and travel machine for the creature he knows his race will ultimately evolve into - the Dalek.
The Doctor must stop the creation of the Daleks, or perhaps affect their development so they...

The new life he offers the dying comes at a terrible cost - and the Doctor and Peri are being lured into a trap that will change them forever.At last, the only classic-era Doctor Who adventure never to be novelised is here, and by the author of the original script, Eric Saward.