Surveillance State Stalemate

In the near future, the world's superpowers—America and the Eurozone—have eliminated all external threats, leaving only each other as rivals. The planet is blanketed in surveillance, and secret services monitor every move. Yet, beneath this apparent peace, paranoia and competition simmer. Into this tense standoff steps a mysterious time traveler, Baskerville, who claims to offer the ultimate advantage: a working time machine. The intelligence communities, led by the aging but formidable Cosgrove, scramble to investigate, suspecting both opportunity and trap. The Doctor, with companions Anji and Fitz, arrives in this world, quickly entangled in the web of espionage, suspicion, and the promise of impossible technology.

The Doctor's Daring Heist

The Doctor's arrival is anything but subtle. He infiltrates a high-tech hydrofoil, outwits Cosgrove's men, and absconds with a mysterious briefcase—rumored to contain evidence of time travel. His actions trigger a cascade of suspicion and violence, including the destruction of the hydrofoil and the deaths of several operatives. Meanwhile, Anji and Fitz navigate a future society obsessed with security, consumerism, and virtual warfare, their every move shadowed by unseen forces. The Doctor's theft sets off a global manhunt, as intelligence agencies and shadowy third parties race to recover the briefcase and uncover the truth behind Baskerville's offer.

Future Lies, Present Wars

As the Doctor, Anji, and Fitz investigate, they encounter Malady Chang, a CIA agent with her own agenda, and Dee Gordon, Baskerville's enigmatic assistant. The world teeters on the brink of war, with both the US and Eurozone desperate for any edge. Baskerville orchestrates a series of "prophecies"—predicted disasters and events—to prove his knowledge of the future and the authenticity of his time machine. Each prophecy comes true, including the death of a celebrity and a catastrophic tidal wave in Athens, further inflaming tensions and convincing the world's leaders that time travel is within reach.

Malady's Deadly Pursuit

Malady Chang, relentless and resourceful, pursues the Doctor and the truth behind Baskerville's scheme. She survives assassination attempts, outsmarts alien adversaries, and navigates a world where every ally may be a double agent. Her encounters with the Doctor are fraught with suspicion and uneasy cooperation, as both realize they are pawns in a much larger game. Malady's investigation reveals the presence of non-human players—aliens disguised as humans—who are also seeking the secret of time travel for their own purposes.

The Time Machine Con

Baskerville invites representatives from the world's powers to witness his time machine in action. Anji volunteers as the test subject, experiencing what appears to be a flawless journey into the past. However, the process leaves her disoriented and ill, and the Doctor grows suspicious of the technology's true nature. The demonstration, coupled with Baskerville's accurate prophecies, convinces the world's leaders to bid for his invention, setting off a high-stakes negotiation that draws in the President of the United States, Cosgrove, and other power brokers.

Tidal Wave Prophecy

Baskerville's third prophecy—a tidal wave that will destroy Athens—comes to pass with horrifying precision. The Doctor and Malady attempt to warn the authorities and save lives, but are thwarted by bureaucracy, disbelief, and the inexorable march of history. The disaster cements Baskerville's credibility and accelerates the arms race for time travel. Meanwhile, Fitz is abducted by the Onihr, a race of alien rhino-warriors, who believe he is the Doctor and demand the secret of time travel.

Athens Drowns, Alliances Shift

The destruction of Athens triggers a scramble among the world's intelligence agencies. Cosgrove, Malady, and the Doctor each pursue their own agendas, while Anji and Baskerville travel to Istanbul for a secret summit with the President. The Onihr, convinced that time travel is within their grasp, prepare to invade Earth. The Doctor and Malady, using a stolen time device, attempt to avert further disasters, while Fitz plots to sabotage the Onihr from within.

The Onihr Threat Emerges

The Onihr, frustrated by their inability to master time travel, decide to conquer Earth. Fitz, still mistaken for the Doctor, manipulates their trust and learns of their plans to use an EMP cannon to disable all human technology. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Malady race to Toronto to prevent a nuclear disaster—the fourth of Baskerville's prophecies. Their intervention, combined with Fitz's sabotage, averts catastrophe and cripples the Onihr invasion fleet.

Coffee, Hallucinations, and Deceit

Anji and the Doctor finally unravel the secret of Baskerville's "time machine". The device is a sophisticated con: a combination of suggestive drugs (hidden in coffee) and psychological manipulation, not actual time travel. The "demonstrations" are elaborate hallucinations, tailored to each subject's expectations. Baskerville's real goal is not to sell time travel, but to use the illusion to gain access to the world's financial systems and amass unimaginable wealth.

Robot Armies and Betrayals

As the truth emerges, the robot armies of RealWar—Baskerville's company—are unleashed across the factory complex. Cosgrove seizes control of the robots, using them to hunt for the time machine and eliminate rivals. The Onihr arrive on Earth, seeking vengeance and the secret of time travel. The Doctor, Anji, and Fitz are caught in the crossfire, forced to outwit both human and alien adversaries as the situation spirals toward chaos.

The President Kidnapped

Baskerville kidnaps the President and brings him, along with Cosgrove and Anji, to his Russian stronghold. There, he attempts to force the President to grant him access to ULTRA, the world's most powerful computer, and the IFEC, the global financial exchange. Malady and the Doctor infiltrate the base, while Fitz escapes the Onihr ship and returns to Earth. The various factions converge for a final confrontation, each seeking control of the supposed time machine.

The Great IFEC Heist

Baskerville's true plan is revealed: using the President's credentials and Dee's hacking skills, he attempts to reroute all global financial transactions through his own account, effectively stealing all the money in the world. The Doctor and Anji intervene, redirecting the flow to a harmless account and exposing the scheme. Meanwhile, the Onihr and Cosgrove close in, each determined to seize the time machine for themselves.

Fitz and the Space Rhinos

On the Onihr ship, Fitz uses his wits and a helpful AI (Pad) to sabotage the EMP cannon, causing the ship to self-destruct. He teleports back to Earth just in time to join the Doctor and Anji in the final showdown. The Onihr, now stranded and enraged, teleport to the factory for a last, desperate attempt to seize the time machine.

Showdown at the Robot Factory

The factory becomes a battleground as Cosgrove's robot army, the Onihr warriors, and the remaining human factions clash. Baskerville, exposed as a fraud, tries to negotiate with the Onihr, only to be betrayed and taken prisoner. The Doctor, Anji, and Fitz use the chaos to recover the fake time machine and ensure it cannot be misused.

The End of Baskerville

Baskerville, desperate and cornered, is handed over to the Onihr by the Doctor and Fitz, who convince the aliens that he is responsible for their misfortunes. The Onihr teleport away with Baskerville, leaving Earth in peace—for now. Dee escapes in a stolen plane, her fate uncertain. The Doctor, Anji, and Fitz reflect on the dangers of unchecked ambition and the seductive power of illusion.

Cosgrove's Last Gamble

Cosgrove, obsessed with seizing the time machine, chases it over a cliff when the Doctor throws it away. In a moment of tragic irony, he grabs the device but is killed on the rocks below, the machine powerless and out of charge. His death symbolizes the ultimate futility of the quest for absolute control.

The Doctor's Moral Dilemma

With the dust settling, the Doctor faces the moral implications of the adventure. He recognizes that the true danger was not the technology itself, but the willingness of people—human and alien alike—to believe in shortcuts to power and to sacrifice ethics for advantage. The Doctor's refusal to use or enable such power, even when it could avert war, underscores his commitment to free will and the messy, unpredictable nature of history.

War Averted, Truths Revealed

The immediate threat passes: the Onihr are gone, Baskerville is defeated, and the world's leaders are left to pick up the pieces. The Doctor, Anji, and Fitz slip away, leaving the authorities to explain the bizarre events as best they can. The war, sparked by manipulation and misunderstanding, is de-escalated as the truth emerges. The story ends with a meditation on the dangers of surveillance, the allure of easy answers, and the enduring need for skepticism, compassion, and hope.

Characters

The Doctor

The Eighth Doctor is a brilliant, eccentric, and deeply compassionate time traveler. He is both catalyst and conscience, challenging the assumptions of those around him and refusing to take the easy path. Psychologically, the Doctor is haunted by the weight of his knowledge and the consequences of his actions, yet he remains committed to free will and the dignity of ordinary lives. His relationships with Anji and Fitz are marked by affection, exasperation, and mutual respect. Throughout the story, the Doctor's refusal to exploit power for its own sake sets him apart from the other players, making him both a target and a savior.

Anji Kapoor

Anji is a former futures trader, sharp-witted and grounded. Her journey is one of disillusionment and growth: she begins as a rationalist, skeptical of the Doctor's worldview, but is forced to confront the limits of logic and the power of belief. Anji's psychological arc centers on her struggle to reconcile her past (and lost love) with the unpredictable realities of time travel. Her ability to see through Baskerville's con and her refusal to be seduced by easy answers make her a crucial foil to both the Doctor and the story's antagonists.

Fitz Kreiner

Fitz is the everyman, often out of his depth but always quick-thinking and adaptable. His time with the Onihr showcases his ability to bluff, improvise, and ultimately sabotage a vastly superior enemy. Fitz's psychological resilience is rooted in his acceptance of chaos and his refusal to be cowed by authority—human or alien. His humor and loyalty provide balance to the Doctor's gravitas and Anji's pragmatism.

Jonah Cosgrove

Cosgrove is the embodiment of the old guard: ruthless, cunning, and convinced of his own indispensability. His psychological profile is marked by paranoia, nostalgia, and a desperate need to remain relevant. Cosgrove's pursuit of the time machine is both a quest for power and a refusal to accept the limits of mortality. His tragic end—leaping to his death in pursuit of an illusion—serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Baskerville

Baskerville is a master manipulator, blending charm, intelligence, and amorality. He exploits the fears and desires of others, using the illusion of time travel to amass wealth and influence. Psychologically, Baskerville is driven by a belief in the primacy of power and the irrelevance of ethics. His downfall comes not from external enemies, but from his own hubris and the inability to recognize the limits of deception.

Malady Chang

Malady is a skilled CIA operative, defined by her determination, adaptability, and growing skepticism. Her encounters with the Doctor force her to question the morality of her mission and the nature of truth. Psychologically, Malady is shaped by trauma, loyalty, and a desire for meaning in a world of shifting allegiances. Her survival and ambiguous ending reflect the story's refusal to offer easy resolutions.

Dee Gordon

Dee is Baskerville's right hand, a brilliant and pragmatic operator. Her loyalty is transactional, rooted in mutual benefit rather than ideology. Psychologically, Dee is motivated by self-preservation and ambition, willing to switch sides or flee when the situation demands. Her technical expertise is crucial to Baskerville's schemes, but her ultimate escape suggests a capacity for reinvention.

President Felix Mather

Mather is a seasoned politician, balancing idealism with realpolitik. His kidnapping and involvement in the IFEC heist force him to confront the fragility of power and the dangers of technological escalation. Psychologically, Mather is defined by resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to trust the Doctor—qualities that help avert disaster.

The Onihr Deputy Leader

The Onihr deputy leader is a figure of brute strength and limited imagination, convinced of his race's superiority and entitlement to time travel. His psychological rigidity and inability to adapt lead to the Onihr's defeat. The Onihr serve as a mirror to human folly, their quest for power echoing the story's central themes.

Fitz's AI "Pad"

Pad is a sentient control interface, providing Fitz with guidance, information, and a touch of humor. Its willingness to sacrifice itself for the greater good highlights the story's emphasis on selflessness and the unexpected sources of heroism.

Plot Devices

The Fake Time Machine

The central plot device is the "time machine"—a sophisticated con involving drugs, psychological manipulation, and staged demonstrations. This device drives the narrative, pitting characters against each other in a race for power that is ultimately revealed to be a race for an illusion. The fake time machine serves as a metaphor for the dangers of belief without skepticism and the ease with which people can be manipulated by their desires.

Prophecy and Self-Fulfilling Disasters

Baskerville's prophecies—each a carefully orchestrated disaster or event—serve as both plot engine and commentary on the nature of power. By predicting and then causing events, Baskerville blurs the line between foresight and causation, exploiting the human tendency to see patterns and assign meaning. This device also foreshadows the ultimate revelation: that the promise of time travel is itself a self-fulfilling illusion.

Multiple Factions and Shifting Alliances

The story employs a multi-threaded narrative, with overlapping agendas, betrayals, and shifting alliances. Intelligence agencies, alien invaders, and rogue operatives all pursue the same goal, creating a web of intrigue that keeps the reader guessing. This structure mirrors the story's themes of uncertainty, deception, and the impossibility of absolute control.

Hallucination and Unreliable Perception

The use of hallucinogenic drugs to simulate time travel introduces the theme of unreliable perception. Characters—and readers—are forced to question what is real, what is constructed, and what is merely believed. This device deepens the psychological complexity of the narrative and underscores the dangers of wishful thinking.

Satirical World-Building

The setting—a hyper-surveilled, consumerist, and militarized future—serves as both backdrop and commentary. The proliferation of robot armies, the commodification of war, and the erosion of privacy and trust all reflect anxieties about the direction of modern society. The world-building is both plausible and satirical, heightening the story's relevance and impact.

Analysis

Doctor Who: Trading Futures is a razor-sharp satire of power, technology, and the human capacity for self-deception. By centering the plot on a fake time machine—a con that exploits the world's deepest fears and desires—the novel interrogates the allure of shortcuts, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the ease with which people can be manipulated by spectacle and belief. The story's multi-layered narrative, populated by spies, politicians, aliens, and conmen, reflects the complexity and uncertainty of the modern world, where truth is elusive and every advantage is temporary. Ultimately, the book argues that the real threat is not technology itself, but the willingness to believe in easy answers and to sacrifice ethics for power. The Doctor's refusal to exploit or enable such power, even when it could avert disaster, stands as a moral counterpoint to the chaos around him. Trading Futures is both a thrilling adventure and a cautionary tale, urging readers to question, to doubt, and to choose compassion over control.

Last updated: July 11, 2025