Ancient Egypt, 41 BC. The Doctor and Peri watch as Cleopatra's pleasure barge glides up the Nile in preparation for her fateful meeting with Mark Antony. And an alien presence observes the TARDIS, waits for it to dematerialize, then pounces.

When the time ship lands, the Doctor and Peri find themselves in ancient Rome, in the tomb of Cleopatra. But something is very wrong. The tomb walls depict steam-driven galleys and other disturbing anachronisms. The Roman Empire is preparing for a devastating war - using weapons from the future capable of destroying the entire world.

This adventure takes place between the television stories REVELATION OF THE DALEKS and TRIAL OF A TIME LORD.

Having established himself as a designer, artist and illustrator, CHRISTOPHER BULIS is now forging a career as a successful writer. He is the author of DOCTOR WHO - SHADOWMIND.