abstract
| - The Doctor and Turlough have landed in Pretoria on 11 April 1877, expecting to see the announcing of the annexation of the Transvaal into the British Empire. However, nothing happens. The Doctor is concerned that someone or something has changed history, though he has set the TARDIS to detect such things and it hasn't found anything. The Doctor and Turlough visit Melmeth Osborn's office. He is secretary to Sir Theophilus Shepstone, the drafter of the annexation proclamation. They cannot convince Osborn that the annexation must go on, and he cannot make them an appointment with Sir Theophilus before late tomorrow morning. As they leave, they are accosted by Henry Rider Haggard, Sir Theophilus' clerk. He agrees with their stand on the annexation. The Doctor recognises Haggard as the author of the Allan Quatermain novels, some of which the Doctor used to research this event. Haggard is happy to find someone who agrees with them, and finds lodging for them. At a meal together, Turlough and Haggard discuss the Transvaal situation. The next morning, 12 April, Haggard brings the Doctor a proclamation from Sir Theophilus that allows the Transvaal its independence. The Doctor and Haggard proceed to alter the proclamation slightly so that it announces the annexation instead. During a small ceremony in Church Square, Osborn prepares to read the proclamation, but falters partway through. Haggard grabs the proclamation and finishes reading it. History has been restored, and back in the TARDIS the Doctor and Turlough discuss the situation. Turlough wonders what would have happened if they had not been there, and the Doctor says they were part of the history all along.
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