Only a Matter of Time (short story)

 was the fourth illustrated short story in the 1968 Doctor Who Annual. It featured the Second Doctor, Ben and Polly.

Summary
Onboard the TARDIS, Ben becomes alarmed when he spots an oncoming fleet of ships, which the Second Doctor tells him are on their way to invade Earth.

Characters

 * The Doctor
 * Ben Jackson
 * Polly Wright

Continuity

 * This story posits the notion that the TARDIS is a human invention, or, to quote, "the most complex and marvellous conveyance ever constructed by mankind".
 * This story refers to the recent transformation from the First Doctor, calling the process both "rejuvenation" and "reincarnation" but not "regeneration".
 * Polly is portrayed here as sensible and generally smarter than Ben. She's definitely the Doctor's "preferred" companion, hinted to stem from her unwavering faith in the Doctor in The Power of the Daleks.
 * The Doctor's explanation to Ben of why they can't just leave a dangerous situation in the TARDIS boils down to the one the Tenth Doctor gives in The Girl in the Fireplace: they're part of events now, and if they just leave, the Arcturians might well successfully invade Earth.
 * The Doctor says that he believes in destiny and fate, telling his companions that "if we just obey destiny blindly, all will be well". This is a significantly different view than the Doctor has otherwise taken. He flips to the completely opposite side of the fence by the time of The Waters of Mars.

Timeline

 * Only a Matter of Time occurs after DWAN: The Word of Asiries
 * Only a Matter of Time occurs before DWAN: Planet of Bones