With thanks to: Keith Topping the creator of Johnny Chess. Martin Day much patience.

e. The MSCT fraternity. Jonathan Head research. Penny List moral support. nd to all my friends! for their lo"e and patience. nd than#s to Mum and Dad! for $read and $utter and Honey.

%or Julia Houghton & Lisa 'ardle

TH( )(' Doctor 'ho D*()T+,(S

LOVE AND WAR

P +L C-,)(LL

%irst pu.lished in /reat $ritain in 0112 .y Doctor 'ho $oo#s an imprint of *irgin Pu.lishing Ltd 334 Lad.ro#e /ro"e London '05 6 H Copyright 7 Paul Cornell 0112 8Doctor 'ho8 series copyright 7 $ritish $roadcasting Corporation 0112 9S$) 5 :2; 25346 2 catalogue record for this title is a"aila.le from the $ritish Li.rary Co"er illustration .y Lee Sulli"an Printed and .ound in /reat $ritain .y Co< & 'yman Ltd! ,eading! $er#s. Typeset .y Type -ut! London S' 0;

This .oo# is sold su.=ect to the condition that it shall not! .y >ay of trade or other>ise! .e lent! resold! hired out or other>ise circulated >ithout the pu.lisher8s prior >ritten consent and >ithout a similar condition including this condition .eing imposed on the su.se?uent purchaser. Scanned .y The Camel

Table of Contents
The Prologues: Deaths....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1: Heaven's Gate.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 2: Wild Horses.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 : T!ent"#$ifth#Centur" %o"............................................................................................................................................................................. ': T!enties (i)*s............................................................................................................................................................................................. & '2

+: ,)e Drea-ing............................................................................................................................................................................................... '. 6: / Could 0ever Ta*e The Pla)e 1f 2our 3an................................................................................................................................................ +& 4: 0e)ro5olis.................................................................................................................................................................................................... +6 .: %urning %ridges............................................................................................................................................................................................ 66 9: The ,r-ies 1f The 0ight.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4& 1&: 0o 3ore 3ister 0i)e Gu"........................................................................................................................................................................... .& 11: Continuit"................................................................................................................................................................................................... .4 12: Three 3anus)ri5ts...................................................................................................................................................................................... 96 1 : 6o-ething Terrible................................................................................................................................................................................... 1&& 1': /nside The 65here.................................................................................................................................................................................... 1&+ 1+: ,)e $alling................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1&. 16: 0o 7s)a5e $ro- Heaven......................................................................................................................................................................... 111 14: The 7nd.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 121 1.: ,fter!ards................................................................................................................................................................................................ 126 75ilogues: Deaths and 1ther 8ives................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1

The Prologues: Deaths

T>o .irds circled each other in the s#y a.o"e the Lincolnshire marshes. They >ere o>ls in lo"e! as much as o>ls could lo"e. They >ere t>o predators! spinning past each other through the night. Their thoughts >ere animal concerns of nest and prey! and the moon shone .right on their outstretched >ings. ->ls in lo"e notice little! .ut they #no> more than humans might thin# they do. +nder the full moon! in the >ind that .reathed o"er the midnight marshland! they heard a noise. To you or 9! it >ould .e the noise of a car. The o>ls s>ept past each other again! and shared the thought in their pass that the noise >as a dar# thing! dar#er than they >ere. The noise >as a memory@to@.e! a little piece of tragedy. The o>ls loo#ed do>n! and their eyes fastened! in and in! searching out the heart of the noise. They pro"ided >ords for >hat they sa> too! in the semi@language of o>ls. The >ords >ere a #ind of poem! a long song! and the poem .egan li#e thisA Long ago! >hen lo"e >as real! an orange llegro screeched around a corner! thro>ing up gra"el on the single@trac# road. 9ts headlights caught a ra..it on the "erge! and the animal hopped .ac# into co"er. 9n front of the car the road split into three! and there >as no signpost. 'a"ering slightly! the speeding car shot up the middle path. 8Ho> did you #no> that >as the right oneB8 shouted the >oman. 89 didn8tC8 called Julian! laughing. 8'hat8s on your map! ceB8 8 load of nothing.8 8'e8re getting there thenC8 There had .een this road on the map that headed out to>ards the sea! and then stopped. )ot in a to>n or anything! =ust stopped dead. Julian had sho>n up outside the school gates that morning! and thro>n his L@plates at ce. She >as ce .y then! of course! de"eloping that ce fro>n that >as starting to push her friends into t>o groupsA the ones >ho >anted to >al# o"er the line and the ones >ho >anted to >al# a>ay. She >as fifteen. Julian >as a lot older. He8d .een o"er ?uite a fe> lines and >al#ed .oth >ays. ce li#ed him loads! li#e he >as an older .rother. They8d sho"ed on a $o>ie tape and dri"en north! eating at a motor>ay ser"ice station! and >andering around Lincoln Cathedral! tal#ing. 'hen ce >as on the point of >ondering if they8d .e calling the police at home! or if they8d notice she8d gone! she8d spotted the road to no>here. 9t stopped! out in the middle of a "oid on the map. -f course! she had to see >hat >as out there. The flatlands sped past the >indo>s! Septem.er >inds >hipping into the car. Standing on top of a .luff near Scrane (nd! ce had smelt a terri.le approaching cold in that >ind and shi"ered. She >as too young to feel so .ad! she thought. 9f you ran at that cold! if you ran and ran at it! holding your arms >ide li#e you >ere a leaf launching into autumn! then may.e you could turn the horror into some #ind of e<perience. Dou didn8t ha"e to .e sad a.out the seasons. Lights >ere approaching in the distance. Julian glanced at ce and scrunched up his face in that >ay of his. 8'hate"er8s out here! it8s "ery .right.8 8May.e it8s a spaceshipC8 8Dou >ish. Let8s find out.8 8Dou al>ays do that! don8t youB Jump in and ha"e a go.8 Julian shrugged. 8Dou ha"e to li"e .efore you die.8 EEE

The first clump of earth dropped on to the coffin lid. ce .lin#ed in the summer sunlight. She8d .een thin#ing a.out that old llegro. Julian had had only one more car .efore he8d died. ce had only seen him one more time. He hadn8t .een ill! .ut he8d had that distracted e<pression that suggested he might ha"e #no>n. Kno>n that he only had t>o years of life left. ce loo#ed up at the s#y as the soil co"ered the name pla?ue. She >asn8t listening to >hat the "icar >as saying. There >as ?uite a cro>d around the gra"e! mainly the young men that Julian had #no>n in London. 'hile his relati"es >ept and shuddered! they stood >ith a sorro> that >as #ind of fraternal! li#e >hat Julian had .een >ould continue as part of them. ce thought that >as good. She hadn8t >anted to >eep herself! .ecause! dear as he8d .een! she hadn8t seen Julian for years. ,ecent e<periences had taught her a.out the pain of nostalgia. May.e she8d thin# a.out it a >hile later! shed a fe> tears >hen she8d got the memories sorted out. Dou had to .e careful >ith tears. ce sometimes >ished that that >asn8t true. .oy glanced up at her! and their eyes met. He >as "ery .eautiful. fter a second! he nodded in greeting! and ce felt a little parting of time. 9f it had gone another >ay! long ago! she might ha"e .een >ith Julian. Lo"ed him. Parting t>oA then they might .oth .e dead. ce ga"e the .oy a gentle smile. The sun >as getting lo>er o"er Peri"ale! splitting through the trees as they trooped out of the cemetery to the >aiting cars. utumn >as rushing in hungrily! a cold .reeFe in e"ery three a >arm ones. 89 thought you said you >eren8t coming .ac#.8 Shreela had ta#en ce8s arm. 8 re you stayingB8 8)o. 9 can come .ac# anytime 9 >ant. Ho>8re you doing! any>ayB8 8-h . . .8 The sian >oman sighed! loo#ing at her feet. 8-#ay. 'e all are. Trying to ma#e sense of >hat happened to us.8 8'ouldn8t .other if 9 >ere you. 9 ha"en8t managed.8 8Come and ha"e a pint at least.8 ce s?ueeFed her friend8s arm. 89 >ish 9 could. $ut 9 ha"e a lift >aiting . . .8 Shreela grinned as she sa> the t>in#le in ce8s eye. They >al#ed up Horsenden Hill! tal#ing a.out the Christmas cards that Chad $oyle had suddenly sent e"ery.ody last year! after years of silence! and a.out poor dead Midge and poor dead Julian. Shreela had actually called Chad up and got a =o. on his ne>spaper! doing odd =o.s in the office! learning the trade. Shreela >as a.out to mention Mum! ce could tell. She didn8t #no> that ce had actually >al#ed up to her old front door that morning! loo#ed through the letter.o<. She8d as#ed the gang not to mention that they8d met her recently. May.e Mum thought she >as dead. fter all! the time storm that pulled her a>ay from (arth had left things in a mess. 9f she8d mourned and got o"er it all! ce sometimes thought that there >as no point in going .ac# and opening all Mum8s old >ounds. $ut! and this >as odd! as ce got older she >as thin#ing more and more of =ust popping in! ha"ing a cuppa. Hugging her Mum and =ust saying! )o! that >as =ust a stupid childish daydream. That couldn8t happen! so there >as no use thin#ing a.out it. She put a finger o"er Shreela8s lips. They hugged! made their good.yes! and ce >as left alone to clim. the hill. She >as feeling sadder than at the funeral. Must .e the cold! stinging her through her =ac#et8s fraying seams. Damn! may.e she >as going to cry after all. 'ell! if that >as gonna happen! she8d stay here and get rid of it. Julian had .een such a happy man! >hy do people li#e that al>ays ha"e to goB 'hat8s the point in thatB $ut the >al# >as hard! and that #ept her emotions in chec#. $esides! in ce8s life! there >as something that >or#ed against sadness e"ery time. -n top of Horsenden Hill stood a police .o< that >as not a police .o<.

-utside it lay an odd little man! his hands .ehind his head. His eyes >ere closed! and the lo> sunlight spar#led off the dar# gem in his ring. He didn8t seem cold at all. ce smiled. Ho> could she .e sad >hen the Doctor >as in the >orldB She8d .een surprised >hen he8d >o#en her up that morning! loo#ing rather uncomforta.le. He8d told her that there >as a sad e"ent she ought to attend. -f course! he hadn8t told her >hat it >as! .ut that >as .ecause he had real trou.le >ith spi#y feelings sometimes. /etting here at all must ha"e .een difficult. The T ,D9S! the Doctor8s multidimensional police@.o< craft! had .een .eha"ing erratically lately. -ne time! ce had .een >andering along a corridor for >hat seemed ages! only to realise that she >as ne"er going to get to the other end. She8d turned around and sprinted in the other direction! and actually >atched as a door sped a>ay from her! the corridor .ecoming an endless loop. %inally! she8d slammed the >all in frustration! and a ne> door had appeared. 'hen she8d told the Doctor! he8d =ust raised an eye.ro>! and put it do>n to the age of the ship. $ut then! the Doctor >as getting strange these days too! a .it distant! li#e he >as plotting again. nother .ig game hunt! another >ar against the monsters. Hadn8t that attitude got him into enough trou.le alreadyB ce crept for>ard across the grass! her fa#e leather glo"es =ust a.o"e the surface. She hadn8t #no> >hat to >ear to a funeral! .ut at least it >as all .lac#. Should ha"e .een orange! li#e Julian8s hair. She reached out a hand to flic# the Doctor8s chin! .ut one eye opened! and he grinned. 8Ho> did it goB8 ce rolled on to the grass and nestled her head ne<t to his. 8Mate of mine died! they put him in a hole! end of story. 'ish 98d #no>n he >as going. 98d really li#e to ha"e .een there for him.8 89f 98d ha"e .een a.le to get you there 8 89 #no>.8 ce put a hand under her chin and loo#ed into the Doctor8s eyes. The Doctor >asn8t a man! although he loo#ed li#e one. Shreela had =o#ed a.out ce loo#ing for a father figure! and ce had replied that it >as more li#e an ancestor figure! since the Doctor >as G43 years old! gi"e or ta#e a year. He >as a Time Lord! more than a Time Lord! from the ancient >orld of /allifrey. He na"igated time@space in a police .o<. He fought e"il and did good. nd he >as ce8s .est friend. 898"e nothing to do . . .8 the Doctor fro>ned. 8)o>here to go.8 8)o monsters to finish offB8 8 ll the dragons are dead. Little Jimmy Piper isn8t pleased. Do you fancy going to do something tri"ialB8 8%ine. 98m still a .it shoo# up .y the funeral. Hasn8t really hurt yet.8 89t >ill. 'hen it does! 98ll slip a>ay into a li.rary! to find a .oo# that 98"e .een thin#ing a.out . . .8 The Doctor raised a finger! and .ounced it up and do>n! >atching ce8s gaFe follo> it. 8Shall >e goB8 8Let8s go!8 said ce. Silently! the insectli#e forms of three Peggcorp s>ift@response fighters strea#ed through the cometary de.ris on the fringe of a .inary star system. 8The edge of human space . . .8 Captain Mar# Dis#i >andered .et>een stations on the .ridge of his ship! stro#ing his .eard. 8Here .e Dale#s . . .8 $re>er loo#ed up from the sensor des# ner"ously. She #ne> that Dis#i had the ear of the Managing Director! and >as hoping for a full S>ord and Colours if he could find the missing Dale# fleet. The 'ar >as still .laFing a>ay in other ?uadrants! .ut (arth >asn8t itself under threat at the moment. So! an indi"idual captain >ith an urge to tra"el . . . >ell! he could go far. ,umours persisted that during the .attle of lpha Centauri! >hen a small s?uadron of Silurian $re>er chec#ed herself! they li#ed to .e called (arth ,eptiles no> "essels had seen off the main Dale# force! a >hole fleet of the tin monsters had "anished into hyperspace. They >ere almost a legend no>. 9t >as a mar# of Dis#i8s reputation that he had .een gi"en such resources to locate them. Personally! $re>er hoped that he >ouldn8t. 8%ull s>eep re"eals nothing! sir. May 9 point out that at this range >e are in danger of

Sontaran interest.8 8)onsense! KateC They8re .usy in the Magellanic Cloud. 9 =ust hope the Dale#s ha"e fallen foul of them. 'e8ll do a reconnaissance on the solid >orlds here! then . . . $enson! >e8ll >arp out t>o more systems! so ha"e a course ready.8 Dis#i settled .ac# at his command postH and flipped open the hea"ily .ound leather "olume that >as his log. Pulling the ?uill from his .elt! he made a note. Half those notes! thought $re>er! >ere =ust dashes! a ner"ous ha.it made into an official pose. The .oo# had .een a gift from the MD! of course. Dis#i thumped the .oo# closed! and stood again! his eyes gaFing >ildly into the dar#ness. His eyes found that suddenly something >as there. 8Massi"e .ody emerging from hyperspaceC8 $re>er >as shouting! suddenly. 8'eapons systems reacting 8 8Stop them!8 Dis#i cut in. 8That8s not a Dale# design.8 9t >as a "ast sphere! almost the siFe of a small moon. 9ts surface shone a glossy .ro>n! and any features on it >ere tiny. thin tracery of mottled lines ran o"er the .ody of the sphere. 9t >as rolling through space! the glistening e<terior reflecting the orange hue of the t>in suns! and it >as right in front of the patrol. Something a.out the sphere made Dis#i feel nauseous. 8$attle stations anyho> . . .8 he murmured. 8/i"e me a run@do>n on >hat that thing8s made of.8 8)ot responding to our messages!8 the coin officer called. 89t8s not emitting at all.8 89t8s made of . . . organic materialC8 $re>er glanced up at Dis#i. 8 li"eB8 The Captain fro>ned. 8)ot possi.le.8 8)ot ali"e! sir. There are standard life processes going on inside! .ut the surface . . .8 $re>er .it her lip. 8That8s dead s#in.8 Dis#i spun to as# the science station if anything li#e this had e"er .een encountered .y humans .efore. The ans>er >ould ha"e .een in the negati"e! .ut .efore the ?uestion could .e as#ed! a shout came from the na"igator. 8SirC Loo# at thisC8 The >oman had punched up the display on the main screen. $illions of pi<els >ere approaching the dots that represented the three patrol ships. 89t8s small! sir! .ut there8s lots of it.8 8*isual.8 great >hite spume >as .illo>ing across space from the sphere! to>ards the patrol ships. 8("asi"e actionC8 .ar#ed Dis#i! .ut it >as too late. They >ere inside the cloud. The "ision screens .laFed and ga"e out as the e<ternal sensor pods failed. 8'e8re co"ered sir! there8s 8 lo> concussion sounded from deep in the ship. %or a moment! a silent horror s>ept the faces of the .ridge cre>. Then they gra..ed for emergency o<ygen lines. Clasping his to his face! Dis#i shouted! 8'hich loc#B8 8Science pod loc# . . .8 helmsman >as frantically running a systems chec#. 8*ital signs do>n for . . . od8s .lood! si< engineersC The >hole lo>er dec# is outC8 8 ny lea#age hereB8 8'ait . . . no. )o.8 The cre> dropped the mas#s! and started running through emergency routines. 8 ll sensors dead!8 $re>er reported. 8%ull re"erse! >e8ll run a>ay. Tell the other ships if you can! Hussain . . .8 t the rear of the .ridge! the airloc# panel .leeped. Dis#i spun round. The sound meant that someone >as coming through to the .ridge. 8Shug! >e8"e got this >rongC Small arms! >e8re .eing .oardedC8 The cre> snatched up their hand >eapons! Dis#i himself =umped .ehind the com to ta#e up a position aiming at the door. $re>er glanced at her panel. 8Sir! this isn8t possi.le! the hull has contact monitors and they8re still >or#ing. 'e8re s>amped >ith the stuff! .ut 8 8HushC8 The loc# slid open. spacesuited figure entered! staggering. The nameplate on the suit said 8Carter8. The .ridge cre> rela<ed! some gi"ing out laughs of relief. Carter >as the chief engineer. The helmsman shouted that he >as supposed to .e dead.

Dis#i stood up! feeling rather foolish! and tuc#ed his .laster .ac# in his sash. Carter gra..ed his o>n pistol and .le> Dis#i8s head off. The corpse >as catapulted into the com! and the cre>men di"ed aside! small e<plosions spurting on their des#s. $re>er fired t>ice! heart and a.domen. So did the rest of the armed cre>. Carter8s .ody stum.led .ac#>ards as .ursts of high@energy light sliced through it! flesh .lasting off it in clumps. n arm spiralled off in a .urst of ash and heat. nd then he fired .ac#. The >eapon >as set to automatic. n arc of .lue fire danced along the control .oards! slicing officers >here it touched them! se"ering lim.s and heads! .oiling a>ay .lood and muscle. Shots still hitting him! Carter carefully mo>ed do>n the opposition. Clouds of steam and .ody fluid filled the ca.in. $re>er >as the last! huddling .ehind her post. She .elie"ed in llah! and cared a.out her species! and she >as proud that she felt no fear at her approaching death. s Carter8s .lasts reduced her instruments to molten slag! she shot a>ay his =oints! his face plate! his genitals! his chest . . . The fatal shot too# her straight .et>een the eyes! and for a tiny second she >as glad. Then her corpse slapped .ac#>ards into the panel and lay still. The thing that had .een Carter paused for a moment! inhaling the slaughter. Then it staggered to the >eapons post! its .ody8s synapses failing. Jer#ily! it reached out for a control. The missiles struc# the second ship in the fleet! .lind as it >as! >ithout >arning. The e<plosion .loomed for a moment in the silence! and the ship >as gone. Dis#i8s ship turned slo>ly! and faced the remaining craft. 9ts engines flared! for an instant! and then the t>o "essels touched. The second e<plosion lasted an instant longer than the first had. The sphere! alone once more! paused to consider the situation. Then! >ith a sense of pleasure! it .egan to roll slo>ly through space again.

1: Heaven's Gate
The >orld >as Hea"en. Shiran#ha Hall had called it that >hen his deep@space incursion s?uadron had sheltered there from the pursuing Draconian fleet. The place >as >ay off line! in a system half>ay .et>een the e"er@gro>ing Dragon and Human protectorates. 9t >as a place to hide. His cre>s had >andered through the grassy plains! mar"elled that there >ere no large predators! made themsel"es comforta.le under the grand arches of some long@lost race. 9t had! actually! reminded Hall of a .oo# he8d read a long time ago. He thought of calling the place Senachari.! e<cept that >ould ha"e .een a pri"ate =o#e and Hall! ha"ing >andered long and alone in the meado>s himself! >anted e"ery.ody to #no> a.out them. So! he called it Hea"en in Common Tongue! >hich meant that the translation fitted >ith >hate"er your o>n particular "ision of .liss >as. The High Command hadn8t li#ed that much. They hadn8t li#ed it either >hen Hall! once the Dragon 'ars had ended and the t>o species >ere united against the Dale#s! >al#ed into the Draconian (m.assy and told the m.assador a.out Hea"en too. The m.assador >as old 9sh#a"aarr! the /reat Peacema#er! Pride of a Thousand (ggs. He and the President of (arth >ere >or#ing on a deal then! as they al>ays >ere! and 9sh#a"aarr >as >orrying a.out it. -ne night! he >o#e from a dream! .ecause Dragons do dream! and realised >hat the missing element >as. He called Madam President in the middle of the night! actually >o#e her up! and! laughing in his hissing Draconian >ay! told her that he #ne> >hat they .oth could do. The #ey >as a >orld called Hea"en. Hea"en >as to .e the (dge -f (mpire! the Peacema#er e<plained! a place that .oth sides >ould lo"e to .e a.le to "isit! .ut neither really needed "ery much. 9t had no mineral >ealth! no actual tactical "alue. )ot e"en the Dale#s >ould >ant it. 9t >as! simply! .eautiful. 'hat if the t>o great po>ers >ere to ta#e =oint possession! declare Hea"en an open >orld! and use the place to .ury their deadB The President >as amused. Dears later! during a lull in the fighting! the leaders of the t>o po>ers met one glistening summer morning on Hea"en. The grass >as .lo>ing lightly in the >arm .reeFe! and small her.i"ores >ere gently che>ing the cud. The (mperor and President signed se"eral agreements! she >earing the ceremonial ro.es of an Honorary Prince. Mem.ers of their entourages sighed and snea#ed off to lie in the sun and fall in lo"e. 'ar made any calm planet into Hea"en! .ut this one seemed suita.le for the name. $efore he died! 9sh#a"aarr >roteA 89f 9 may .e allo>ed to .e a prophet! 9 .elie"e that Hea"en >as gi"en to .oth our peoples deli.erately. There is a purpose in the gi"ing! and a purpose that >e may not disco"er for many years. 9 .elie"e that purpose is a good and =ust one.8 9n a typically Draconian manner! 9sh#a"aarr >as .oth right and "ery >rong. ce >andered through the corridors of the T ,D9S! more carefully than she once >ould ha"e done! staying in the areas that she #ne> >ell. 9t >as night! the T ,D9S >as tra"elling to>ards its ne> destination! and the lo> lighting of the >alls >ould occasionally gi"e >ay to patches of dar#ness. 9t >as still good dar#! at least. +nder@the@.edclothes dar#! some>here to feel safe. Sometimes >hen she had felt .ad in the past! she had come upon a room full of .oo#s! or the gym out of place! as if the time@craft had #no>n >hat she needed and put it there. 'ell! it >as no surprise that it didn8t seem to #no> this time. ce >asn8t sure >hat she >as after! either. 9t >as =ust one of those nights! the tail end of the >rong time of the month! >hen there >as nothing to do .ut >al#. ce stopped! and leaned against the >all! feeling the >armth of it >ith the palm of her hand. The

roundels meant something li#e home! no>. 'hen you thought a.out it! that >asn8t great. Just the other day she8d >anted to as# the Doctor to ta#e her .ac# in time to see Julian again. She hadn8t as#ed! .ecause she8d #no> >hat he >ould ha"e saidA that you can8t go .ac#! that things ha"e to .e said in the here and no>. He8d once told her that the %irst La> of Time >as a moral la> as >ell as a legal one. The Doctor .ro#e it all the time! of course! stage@managing his .attles >ith monsters. $ut still . . . ce thought she could ha"e done it nicely. She >ould =ust ha"e had a day out >ith Jules! gone to the seaside or something. 9t >ould ha"e .een a .it sad! .ut o#ay. She could at least ha"e #issed him and said a proper good.ye. Kissing Julian had .een great. 9t had happened once! outside ce8s house. 9t had started off as a .rotherly pec# and turned into a full@.lo>n snog. Julian had run off! pretending that he8d seen the curtain t>itching. The truth >as that he8d already decided >hat he >anted. ce sighed! and ran a hand do>n her face angrily. 'hat >as the point in #no>ing a.out grief if it didn8t help you get rid of itB nd >hy couldn8t she =ust sit do>n and remem.er it all! and let it all flood pastB Still! it >as a long time since ce had .een #issed. The thought ga"e her a small smile. Professor $ernice Summerfield a>o#e >ith a start! sat up in .ed! and laughed her head off. She ?uic#ly slapped a hand to her mouth. She8d .etter not >a#e up Kyla and Cli"e in the ne<t tent. They8d .een >or#ing flat out for days! .less them. $ernice8s hand sna#ed out from her sleeping .ag! and located the cloc#. 'ell! it >as si<@ish. Still on (arth time! after all these years out here. Mind you! on Hea"en! (arth time >as fine! .ecause the planet had a t>enty@three@hour day. She allo>ed her head to drop .ac# to the pillo> and sighed. She didn8t feel li#e sleeping. n (llerycorp archaeology grant got you only so far! and time >as running out on this one. Cli"e and the gang >ould ha"e to .e off to their "arious uni"ersities! and she . . . >ell! she8d ha"e to find some>here else to go. Some>here far out . . . some>here >here she might find . . . $ernice #illed the thought. That >ay lay madness. ,ight. $enny unFipped the .ag! and pulled on some sturdy trousers and a pullo"er. Tipping a fe> paper credits out of her .oots! she ?uic#ly started to lace them. She opened the tent! and strode out into da>n rising o"er Hea"en. $enny >as thirty. Much humour there! she remem.eredH oh yes! this team of hers had fondly ta#en the piss. Thing is! she didn8t feel much different. Still a girl! still drin#ing too much >ine and sighing a lot and #eeping that stupid diary. She stretched her arms o"er her head and ya>ned. The endless do>nland all around >as green and ?uiet and lo"ely. 9t >as still on the edge of dar#! the green a sort of hint under >a"es of retreating .lac#. 9n the distance! a forest loomed on the horiFon. The night creatures >ould .e slo>ly retreating there! $enny reflected! curling up in .urro>s to a"oid the da>n. The air >as cool and crisp! and de> had formed on the grass. The first .irds >ere chirruping from their >oodland nests! and! against the deep .lue of the s#y! a pair of o>ls >ere slo>ly flapping their >ay home. Humans had .rought o>ls to Hea"en! and they li#ed it here as much as the people did. The tents >ere garish orange against the .ul# of the hillside! .ut they >eren8t the .iggest shoc# in the landscape. $enny >as staring at that! as amaFed .y it no> as she had .een the first time. The rch. 9t stood! shining sil"er! flaring >ith the first touches of the sun. 9t loo#ed ne>ly poured! a "ertical arc! ten storeys tall. $elo> it >as the pit! the site of the dig! a hole dug out .y the team! no> supported .y >ooden slats and accessed .y ladder. $enny >as sad that such .eauty had to .e spoiled to learn more a.out it. $ut to learn a.out anything you ha"e to .rea# it. She smoothed .ac# her short dar# hair. 8)othing .ad here!8 she murmured. 8Dou only get good dreams on Hea"en.8 The T ,D9S ground into e<istence in a muddy mar#et s?uare! causing a floc# of chic#ens to scatter! s?ua>#ing.

ce stepped out first! pulling on her =ac#et and sniffing the air. /orgeous. Lots of oFone! and a >arm purity that made you thin# of mineral >ater and ne> cotton sheets. 8Come on out! Professor!8 she called .ac# into the police .o<! 8>e8re in a shampoo ad"ert.8 'ell! that >asn8t really true. The s?uare itself >as muddy! and filled >ith tents and stalls and tethered animals. 9t >as only the s#y a.o"e the place that made it loo# so fa.ulous. The s#y >as "ery .lue! empty of all clouds and cele.rating the rise of a .ig sun. The people of the mar#et had reacted only slightly to the materialisation of the T ,D9S. They had turned their heads! shrugged! laughed and mo"ed on. That! ce #ne>! >as an unusual reaction. The arri"al of the Doctor8s timecraft usually instigated panic! anger! and the approach of arresting officers. The Doctor stepped out! loc#ing the door .ehind him and =amming his hat on his head. 8Chic#ens!8 he said. He peered do>n at the .irds as they scattered! smiling his half>ay smile. That smile al>ays made ce ner"ous! 8cos it >asn8t his cartoon grin! or his secret frea#@the@ enemy smile. 9t >as a smile li#e the arro> on a decorati"e .arometer. -ne Doctor >as going in >ith the sun! another one >as coming out! ready for the storm. The Time Lord s?uatted suddenly! too# a handful of earth! and sniffed it heartily. 8Deah.8 ce glanced around the s?uare. ncient stone >alls surrounded it! and electric trailers .uFFed out through an oddly shaped arch. 'omen in large >hite tricorns >ere carrying sac#s of hea"y produce o"er their shoulders. 8'hat8s this place called thenB8 8Hea"en!8 replied the Doctor! fro>ning. He stood up! dropping the soil from his hand. 89t8s pastoral. small community of settlers! lots of people passing through.8 He s>ung his um.rella up o"er one shoulder and strode for>ard. 8Lots of people staying. There >ould .e tourists! .ut >e8re in the middle of decades of >ar. Messy >ar! all o"er the place! front changing continually. Dale#s! mainly . . .8 8Dale#sB re they here! do you rec#onB8 The Doctor sniffed the .reeFe. 8)o. 'hy do you al>ays assume the >orstB8 8Must .e the life 9 lead.8 The Doctor fro>ned at her. 8People here are poor. $ut there8s one thing that ma#es Hea"en special! something 98ll e<plain later . . .8 8'hyB! 89 li#e to illustrate my e<planations. 98m here .ecause of the li.rary. li.rary of for.idden te<ts . . . they come here for the same reason the people do. They8re not >anted on (arth.8 ce >as a.out to as# >hat the .oo# the Doctor >as after >as! .ut a sound had >afted across the s?uare. 9t >as so familiar that! at first! it hadn8t registered. She8d heard it only this morning >hile she >as >ashing her hair. 8Hey!8 she gra..ed the Doctor8s slee"e. 8That8s I/olden /reenI.8 8 h . . .8 the Doctor nodded sagely. 8Des. 9 see . . .8 8 song!8 ce e<plained! sighing. 898"e got it on a tape in the T ,D9S. 'hat are they doing playing it hereB 'on8t .e a second . . .8 She turned and started to >al# in the opposite direction. The Doctor stopped and turned to loo# after her. %or a moment! his face clouded! as though he >as thin#ing a.out roads. ,oads ta#en and roads ignored. Then! >ith hesitant step! he follo>ed his friend. ce >as listening to the music. 9t >as stopping and starting li#e a .and >as rehearsing. 9f some.ody >as .us#ing! they >eren8t gonna ma#e much cash. Pushing her >ay past a stall of colourful fa.rics! she caught sight of the people ma#ing the noise. 8Crusties in spaceC8 she grinned. There >ere fi"e of them! dreadloc#ed and scruffy! hea"y coats and solid .oots o"er elegant tattoos. They >ore hea"y >ool for >armth! and dogs clustered around them for protection. ce #ne> them from the city centres of her childhood! tra"ellers from the con"oy! mo"ing a.out $ritain! .arely sur"i"ing on >hat they could .us#! .eg or steal. ce had no romantic image of them. 'hile she8d .een tal#ing to one guy that year at /laston.ury! another had tried to snatch her =ac#et. She8d .ust his nose! and the gang had had to drag her a>ay from a gathering #not of the tra"ellers! >ho! as al>ays! clustered together to defend each other. Still! it >as a .last to see that they >ere still going! all these years into the future. The

sym.ols >eren8t ?uite the same. This group >ore pentagram medallions! .ut the of narchy had! o"er the years! melded in >ith the starli#e pattern of the design. There >ere three men and t>o >omen in the group! >ho had =ust started up the song again. They had a .as#et in front of them! and >ere loo#ing up e<pectantly at the morning shoppers! hoping for coins. -ne of the >omen had dar#! cropped hair! too short for dreadsH the other had a >hole mass of them! tied tight to her head. She carried a "ery "isi.le gun in her .elt! and .eside it hung three long! pipeli#e o.=ects that ce recogniFed .ut couldn8t place. The >omen >ere playing small finger drums! alternating to .uild up a comple< .eat. Thumping a>ay at a larger drum >as a stoc#y man! his shoulder muscles "isi.le e"en through his hea"y coat. His short .eard >as straggly li#e he hadn8t sha"ed for months. $ehind the group stood a thin figure in a cloa#! staring out at the passers@.y almost accusingly. ce >as sure that that >asn8t going to do the .and any fa"ours. She8d thought that the figure >as a man! .ecause he had a male chin and chee#s! .ut the eyes and sha"ed head >ere almost feminine. ce found herself unsure! and fascinated. 8/ot any money! thenB8 The "oice had come from .eneath her gaFe. ce realised that she8d >andered almost up to the group! loo#ing up at the strange figure that stood a.o"e them. Deah! that >as the idea! rightB She glanced do>n! and found herself loo#ing at the most .eautiful man she8d seen this side of Kirith. )o! he >as ugly. 'ell! he >as .oth. He >as thin! sure! >ith a >olfish edge to his clean@sha"en =a>! .ut there >as something lopsided a.out his face! =ust on the edge of perception! li#e he8d got a real .ad side. real .ad side. His eyes >ere .right .lue! the sort that you could really get hung up a.out if you let yourself. He played a sort of guitarli#e instrument! and had =ust stopped to scratch his nec# and loo# at her. He >asn8t smiling! ?uite. He sa> her as =ust another customer! something to #eep him ali"e. So ce didn8t ans>er. She turned a>ay! and >al#ed straight into the Doctor! >ho had .een carefully e<amining an old eggtimer on a stall of someone8s dead possessions. 8So! >here8s this li.raryB8 she as#ed. 8This >ay!8 the Doctor muttered! not ?uite loo#ing her in the eye. They started .ac# the >ay they had come! and >al#ed for a >hile! the sun rising steadily o"er the mottled .uildings. fter some time! ce slo>ed do>n. 8)o! Professor! this isn8t right.8 89sn8t itB8 8Long time ago! 9 told myself that if 9 had enough! 98d al>ays gi"e money to people that needed it. That lot .ac# there loo#ed as if they did. 9 =ust got scared .y that guy in front 8 8They shouldn8t scare you!8 the Doctor murmured! interrupting her. 8That doesn8t help.8 ce fro>ned. 8'ell! may.e it >or#s sometimes. ny>ay! 98m =ust gonna nip .ac# and gi"e them something! o#ayB8 8Des. That8s the Li.rary! o"er there.8 The Doctor pointed >ith his um.rella to a fluted spire that rose a.o"e the cluster of .uildings that they >ere approaching. 8Can you find itB8 8 8Course 9 can. See you in a minute.8 ce dashed off .ac# into the mar#et. The Doctor shoo# his head! peering after her. %or a moment! he seemed "ery sad. He turned to>ards the Li.rary! then! >ith a >ince! he turned .ac#! and follo>ed his companion. The >olfli#e man >as counting coins from the .as#et into a pouch >hen ce got .ac# to their pitch. He carefully left a fe> in there to ma#e it loo# li#e no.ody >as gi"ing the musicians much. ce strode up confidently this time! >ondering >hat the hell had scared her. She didn8t understand herself! sometimes. /etting old. She grinned at the guy >ith the guitar! and >as a.out to say something! .ut he loo#ed up at her suddenly. nd ce >as scared all o"er again. 9t >as li#e time >as tapping on her shoulder. The morning .reeFe sent a shi"er do>n ce8s spine that lit her up from her chee#s to the small of her .ac#. 8-h! no! >aitC8 The man stood up! his long coat flapping against his guitar as he placed it aside. 8'hat8s >rongB re you lostB8 'hate"er had got inside ce found itself .eaten against the >all of her s#ull .y a sudden s>ell of anger. He >as tal#ing to her li#e she >as a lost childC

8)o. 9 >as =ust gonna gi"e you some cash! that8s all. 'hat8re you staring atB8 8Sorry.8 He lo>ered his eyes to the ground and smiled gently. 89 stare! 9 #no>. 'e need the credits and 9 don8t >ant you to feel >orried. 9t8s =ust that you seemed to run a>ay. 9 >as only as#ing.8 He seemed to .e a little angry >ith himself! li#e a man >ho had dropped a fa"ourite ornament. He had a strange accent! half>ay .et>een 9rish and something colonial. He seemed . . . lost. The >oman >ith the cropped hair glanced up at the s#y and sighed theatrically. 8Do anything for money! Jan >ill! li#e. 9t8s one of his .etter features.8 Jan! >ithout loo#ing up! muttered something that ce realised she >asn8t supposed to understand! a curse in another language. $eing >ith the Doctor allo>ed ce to understand anything! >hich >as >ay cool. 8)o pro.lem!8 ce laughed in Palare. 8Ho> much d8you >antB8 8She spea#s the PalareC8 hooted the .earded man on the drum. 8)o> you should marry her! JanC8 Jan reached across and tugged the man8s .eard. Hard. ce reached into her =ac#et and thre> three Decacredits into the .as#et. Jan8s hand >as on them instantly! and his eyes fle> up to meet ce8s again. 8Dou Palare ,oman .ut you8re rich. 'ant to =oin usB8 898m not rich.8 ce had ne"er really thought a.out it! .ut the Doctor carried >ith him a "ast supply of >ealth in different currencies. ll ce had e"er really >anted money for >as clothes! gigs and a tic#et on the last train out. )o> she had all she >anted! and the priorities hadn8t really changed. 898m ce. 'here did you learn I/olden /reenIB8 8%rom Cathlan here!8 Jan =er#ed his head to indicate the .earded man. 89t8s a traditional song! passed on do>n all along the Con"oy.8 ce didn8t argue. 8Kno> any Johnny ChessB8 Jan pic#ed up his guitar and strummed the first fe> chords of 8$a.y! The ,ain Must %all8. His eyes ne"er left ce8s. His pupils >ere huge. 8'onderfulC8 The Doctor >al#ed up the group! smiling. 898m the Doctor! and this is my friend ce.8 8ProfessorC8 ce turned to him! startled a>ay from the lo"ely .lue. 8Don8t get in the >ay of a good songC8 8-h! 9 can8t sing it.8 Jan grinned. 898m not a good singer.8 8So >hat are you good atB8 ce as#ed! finding that her eyes had met those of the >oman >ith cropped hair. 8Playing music and .lagging . . . oh! and there8s one more thing 98m good at.8 t the same instant! three things happened. The Doctor! >ho had .een counting out three coins into the .as#et! .egan to say something. The >oman >ith the cropped hair >hac#ed Jan lightly >ith her drum. nd the tall .eing at the .ac# of the group shouted. This >as >hat got ce8s attention. 8There are troopers comingC8 The .eing had closed its eyes. 8Ho> long! ChristopherB8 as#ed the dreadloc#ed >oman! flic#ing a catch on her pistol. The .eing considered! and ce made the mental note that he must .e a man. 8They >ill .e here in . . . oh. )o>.8 plasma charge .le> a chic#en into a .all of e<panding feathers. ce automatically rolled aside into the co"er of a stall! .ut Jan had di"ed >ith her! and >as shouting to his people to run a>ay. group of soldiers! dressed in .lue uniforms! >ere running into the s?uare. man .egan to yell a.out his chic#ens. The leader of the s?uad pointed at the scattering Tra"ellers. $lue .lasts of light hissed through the air! turning pots and pans to ionised gas as they do"e past a metal>or# stall. 8That8s KaleC8 Jan snarled into ce8s ear. 8The mad spaleen! he8ll ta#e anyone8s cashC8 He gra..ed her hand as if to run! .ut ce >renched it a>ay again. 8So >hat ha"e you doneB8 8)othingC He =ust >ants to turn us o"er! may.e get friendly >ith ,oisa! 9 don8t #no>. %ind us! lass! 9 >ant to see you againC8 $iting his lip! Jan =umped from co"er and >ea"ed his >ay through the mar#et. Peering up from under the stall! ce could see that the mar#et traders >ere

shouting at the troops. $arro>s full of "egeta.les had .een o"erturned as the militia .arged their >ay in. ce caught a glimpse of the t>o >omen =ogging! .ent at the >aist! a>ay to>ards a side e<it. The one >ith the gun had it pointed at an angle from her! ready to .last at anyone >ho got in the >ay. Christopher >as >al#ing imperiously to>ards the front gate! his ro.es and tall strength mar#ing him out. Still! the guards didn8t seem to notice! one e"en tripping o"er the .eing8s foot! then =umping up and loo#ing around in surprise. Jan >as ma#ing his >ay along the >all! .ehind a rac# of furs. Suddenly! the guard called Kale caught sight of him! and aimed his rifle. ce shouted out a >arning. $ut it >as going to .e too late. The guard aimed and >as a.out to s?ueeFe the trigger. Suddenly! his gun >as =er#ed s#y>ards. 8Dou don8t >ant to do thatC8 said the Doctor. 8Dou ha"en8t follo>ed due process . . .8 Kale >hirled! pulling his >eapon from the Doctor. 89 could #ill you right no>C8 he shouted. 8)o. Dou couldn8t. )ot in front of so many >itnesses. 'ho do you >or# forB8 8-perati"e Miller! you little 8 8'ho do you really >or# forB 9MCB The Spin>ard CorporationB The $$CB Can you remem.erB8 The Doctor stepped for>ard! >al#ing straight into Kale. He noticed that a patch on the man8s arm identified him as an 9MC man. /uards >ere already clustering around! anticipating trou.le. 8Let me through!8 he told them! ad"ancing. 898m the Doctor.8 8Ho> do you B8 Kale >as .lustering! afraid to meet the steely glare of the Time Lord. He8d stepped .ac#! and found himself retreating as the Doctor #ept on >al#ing. He raised his gun to chest height. 8Dou can8t shoot me! you can8t arrest me. Dou8re hollo>. ,un a>ay.8 Kale opened his mouth! loo#ing as if he >as a.out to cry. Then he turned on his heel and strutted off. The other guards loo#ed .et>een him and the Doctor! >onderingly. fter a moment! Kale turned .ac# and shouted. 898ll let you off this time! .ut you .etter .e careful in futureC8 89 al>ays am!8 the Doctor said! smiling to himself. The guards >andered off. The Tra"ellers had "anished. ce emerged from hiding and leant on the Doctor8s shoulder. 8'ell confrontational!8 she grinned. 8Than#s.8 8Des.8 The Doctor fro>ned. 8)o>! shall >e find that .oo#B8 s they >andered to>ards the gate of the mar#et! listening to the laughter and cheers of the stall#eepers! ce found an apple in her poc#et. May.e Jan had gra..ed it from >here they >ere hiding and stuffed it there. She remem.ered that he8d .it his lip >hen he left. That had to .e .ecause he >as a.out to ris# his life! rightB )ot a.out >hat he8d =ust said to herB ce .it into the apple thoughtfully. The old man mo"ed a .oo# from one shelf to another! and .ac#. He stared at the spines! and closed his eyes! raising a ner"ous hand to his mouth. 9t >as as if some thought! far .ac# in the dar# of his mind! #ept coming .ac# to him. The sudden noise made him spin round! gasping. The Doctor pic#ed up the slim "olume of Marlo>e that he had dropped! and raised his hat in greeting. 8Hello! 98m the Doctor. This is my friend ce. 98m after a certain "olume . . . perhaps you could help.8 8-hC8 the li.rarian put a hand to his chest. 8Dou startled me. 9 don8t get many "isitors here . . .8 ce had .een loo#ing around the .uilding. The shel"es themsel"es >ere metal! reminding her of some ci"il ser"ice office. They >ere out of place in a .uilding li#e this! she thought. The >alls >ere smooth and grand! and arched up to a round s#ylight that >as surrounded .y a.stract car"ings. 8$ecause this is a Terran repository!8 the Doctor murmured! glancing up at the smooth >hite

cur"es of the "aulted ceiling. 8The Terran Parchment Li.rary in fact. %unded .y si< corporations. nd >e8re trespassing. The architecture . . . "ery dramatic. suita.le place for literature . . . especially literature that has to .e stored a>ay from prying eyes. 'hat8s your nameB8 The li.rarian .lin#ed at the a.rupt turn the Doctor8s train of thought had ta#en. 8'hy! 98m Trench. %yan Trench. 'hy do you >ant to #no>B8 89 li#e to #no> >ho 98m dealing >ith!8 the Doctor said! glancing around at the high shel"es of .oo#s. 8This place >as .uilt .y the Hea"enites! >asn8t itB8 8Des! so they say. 'ell! 9 suppose it must ha"e .een. 9t >as here! along >ith ?uite a fe> other .uildings! >hen the first humans arri"ed here.8 8Dou >hatB8 ce grinned at the Doctor. 8This is all alien! thenB8 The Doctor >as a.out to hush his companion! .ut Trench seemed eager to tal# to ce. 8-h yes! my dearC The colonists used the .uildings as administration centres! and! since this place seemed "aguely li#e a li.rary . . .8 The old man shrugged. 8$it empty! innitB8 ce smiled at Trench. 8D8you >or# here all aloneB8 89ndeed 9 do. 9 ha"e no great need for sleep in my old age! so 9 do >hat has to .e done! only gradually. Dou might "isit me and ha"e a cup of chocolate! if you8d li#e . . .8 )ormally! ce >ould ha"e found such a direct offer a .it off@putting! .ut the loneliness in the old man8s "oice >as o."ious! and the poor guy seemed really scared of the Professor. 8Sure. Deah.8 .it strengthened! Trench turned to the Doctor. 8Ha"e you recently arri"ed here! sirB -r are you perhaps >ith the archaeologistsB8 8 rchaeologistsB8 8Des! Professor Summerfield8s party! e<ca"ating in Deatsland. They hope to find some .odies! it is said! .ecause of the nature of the ground.8 89 might nip o"er for a "isit!8 the Doctor smiled. 8$ut for the moment! 98m more interested in a .oo#. 9t8s called The Papers of Felsecar! an ancient te<t of %elsecar ..ey. They8re a little >orried a.out it on %elsecar! put it in the -ut tray instead of the 9n! you #no>.8 The li.rarian8s eyes >idened! in fear or surprise. 8$ut that te<t is o"er a thousand years oldC8 8Dou can see >hy they8re >orried. nyho>! could 9 ha"e a loo#B8 The li.rarian too# a step .ac#! loo#ing up at the light that filtered in through the high >indo>s in the ceiling. He shoo# his head. 8)oC )o! that is . . . impossi.le. The te<t "anished a long time ago! dou.tless the Tra"ellers ha"e used it as #indling. 98m sorry that your =ourney has .een >asted . . .8 8)ot at all.8 The Doctor slo>ly replaced his hat on his head. 898ll ha"e to ma#e my o>n en?uiries!8 he grinned. 8Come on! ceC8 The t>o companions >al#ed to the door. ce turned .ac# .riefly. 8Catch you laterC8 she called. The li.rarian >a"ed! >ea#ly. fter they had left! he leaned on a .oo#case! and ga"e a lo> moan of relief. Piers /a"enal stared at the sun until he had to loo# a>ay. He too# a deep .reath! feeling the cold of the air in his lungs. He >as shi"ering in the ro.e that Phaedrus had gi"en him. Perhaps it >as .ecause of the >eather. The to>er of the Church -f *acuum loo#ed out o"er the settlement of Joyceto>n. 9n the mar#et s?uare! Piers could =ust ma#e out the .lue shape of the T ,D9S! .ut it didn8t interest him. *ery little did. 89t8s time.8 Phaedrus stopped at the top of the spiral stairs and sighed. He >as a thin! .earded man! his face >eather@>rin#led and #indly. The ro.es of the Church hung on him li#e a flag! his eyes full of faith. 8-h Piers! if 9 could spare you some of this . . .8 8There8s no need.8 Piers lay a hand on his old friend8s shoulder. 898m determined! Phaedrus. 98"e made my peace >ith this >orld.8 8Then come >ith me. There8s no.ody else here! 98"e cleared the room of all distractions.8 He let Piers >al# .efore him do>n the stairs. 898"e .een thin#ing a.out anaesthetics . . .8 Piers shoo# his head. 8Please don8t . . . don8t ma#e this harder than it is. 'e8"e tal#ed a.out

this! >e #no> >hat has to .e done.8 8*ery >ell.8 Phaedrus pursed his lips and steeled himself. They >al#ed do>n into the main hall of the Church! and then through the door into the .asement! >here the .ig old >ooden ta.le >as. Phaedrus and Piers had often argued o"er it >hen they had first arri"ed on Hea"en! .uilding the church >ith the help of their first con"erts. There >as a final door then! the one to the cellar! >here the frame >as. Phaedrus paused at it. 8Step through the door! .rother.8 The room at the .ottom of the stairs >as completely .lac#! its only feature the upright metal frame. $eneath the frame >as a shallo> trough. Piers >al#ed slo>ly to>ards the frame! and dropped the ro.e to the floor. His hands >ere sha#ing. 8'ill you need the restraintsB8 as#ed Phaedrus! his tone le"el and controlled. 8 9 . . . )o! 9 >ill not need them.8 Piers clim.ed on to the frame! and gripped the metal supports. 898m #eeping my eyes open. 9 ma#e this sacrifice gladly.8 Phaedrus fought do>n a spasm of fear. He had e<pected his comrade to tal# of old times! to meander and go s>eetly. 9t too# great courage to launch straight into the ceremony. -r perhaps it >as the .ra"ery of a >arrior! leaping straight into the un#no>n .efore he could thin# a.out it. 8Ha"e you considered the >orld and all that it isB8 Phaedrus as#ed it as a real ?uestion! half hoping that Piers >ould relent! >ould clim. do>n and . . . no! that >as .lasphemy. 89 ha"e!8 Piers gasped. 8Dou #no> that nothing a>aits you .ut endless dar#ness! that there is nothing .eyond deathB8 89 doC8 8Do you gi"e your .ody to the *acuum no>B8 Phaedrus too# a ?uic# step for>ard! ma#ing himself loo# straight into Piers8s eyes. Piers paused. S>eat had appeared on his forehead. His eyes >ere full of pain. 8DesC8 he shouted. Phaedrus slammed the .lade into his friend8s stomach and t>isted it once! e<pertly! .efore slashing it side>ays. Piers screamed! high and short! .ut his eyes ne"er left Phaedrus8s gaFe. The sound! and the .ody! died together. The corpse fell .ac# on the frame! the .lood flo>ing into the trough .elo>. Phaedrus stepped .ac#! sha#ing. He dropped the #nife. 9t had ne"er .efore .een someone he #ne>! ne"er such a friend as poor! dedicated Piers had .een. He muttered the in"ocations ?uic#ly! staring at the corpse. 9n the trough! there >as acti"ity. %luffy filaments >ere reaching up into the air! follo>ing the continuing gush of .lood .ac# to its source. S>iftly! the >hite fi.res gre> "ertically! .urro>ing into the >ound. The flesh .egan to .ulge and shift! dar# shado>s mo"ing under it. The muscles =er#ed. 'hen it happened! it happened suddenly. The human flesh seemed to stretch and lose its colour. fine mist of genetic material hissed out of the pores. Then! e<plosi"ely! grey masses erupted from inside the .ody. 'hat >as standing in the frame >as no longer human. 9t s>ayed gently against the metal .ars! filaments .o..ing! a huge grey fungoid mass! the shape no> unrecognisa.le. hole opened in >hat had .een Piers8s stomach! thin fi.res "i.rating across it. Phaedrus fell to his #nees. 8'e are here . . .8 the fungus hissed. 8Piers /a"enal has .een a.sor.ed into our consciousness . . . )o> you >ill o.ey our orders.8 89 >ill!8 nodded $rother Phaedrus gra"ely. 89 >ill.8

: Wil! Horses
ce >andered a>ay from the Li.rary! thin#ing a.out se< and death. She glanced up at the Doctor! deep in thought. He >asn8t really into either! she figured. 9f he died! he8d =ust regenerate! and although he sometimes let slip things a.out a family! he ne"er seemed to fancy any.ody. 'hich >as 8cos he >asn8t human! let8s face it. $ut she >as. nd she >as starting to shi"er .oth >ays in this cold morning. Poor Julian! in his gra"e no> for fi"e centuries. t least he >as >arm. .a.y .ro#e from its mother and dashed across the muddy street into ce8s legs! falling o"er. 9t loo#ed up at her! surprised! and opened its mouth to ho>l. So ce pic#ed it up .efore it did. 9t! he! glared up at the ne> face! the fro>n >rin#ling e"ery line on his forehead. 8Dou8re luc#y! mate!8 ce told the little .oy. 8Dou8"e got years left .efore you need to start >orrying . . .8 The Doctor leaned o"er the .a.y and grinned at it. The .a.y grinned .ac#. laughing mother in a linen tricorn reached into ce8s arms and retrie"ed her child. They e<changed greetings! .ut ce didn8t feel li#e she >anted to do her usual .it and ma#e a ne> friend so she too# the Doctor .y the arm and they >ent on their >ay. -n (arth! she hadn8t .een particularly chatty. -#ay! so if some.ody got introduced to you! you8d tal# a.out the music or your ne> .oots or something! .ut she8d ne"er =ust gone up to some.ody and said hello. $eing flung across time and space made you into a real party animal. Dou could either tal# to any.ody >ith food or a =o. or a s?uat! or you could .e shy and dead. nd lo"e got to .e li#e that too. -n (arth! ce had al>ays hoped to meet some.ody and ha"e a long! horri.le romance. )ot tac#y! .ut real. She8d got a little >ay >ith a couple of people! and al>ays had Midge chasing her! the poor dead lad. 9t >as all getting on >ell cool. Then something huge and raging and .rightly coloured gra..ed her and a sac#ful of clothes she8d hidden a>ay for a >ee# out >ith Julian. 9t had pulled her through a >all and thro>n her out across the disc of the Mil#y 'ay. She8d >atched the disc spin! stars flashing past! until suddenly she >as lying on the floor of Sa.alom /litF8s spaceship in the 9ce>orld doc#yards. -rdinary little girl! a long >ay from home. $ut damn! she8d pro"ed she >asn8t ordinary. -#ay! so she8d ta#en >hat >armth she could find on that planet! and it >as painful and ta>dry and sodding meaningless . . . ce shoo# her head and smiled. She8d done it .ecause she8d >anted to do it. Lo"e had .een so odd! after meeting the Doctor. They8d land some>here! she8d get a real crush on some flash guy and they >ould al>ays another grin al>ays get the idea! and then! =ust as she >as going to suggest that may.e a day or t>o in this time Fone >ould .e great for her ner"es! the Doctor >ould >ant to mo"e on again. She loo#ed up at him. This time! ce decided! she >as going to stic# around. $ernice had >al#ed a mile! counting her paces! .efore setting off .ac# to the camp. The grass >as moist and added a spring to her step. 9n the distance! a.o"e the gentle rustling of the grassy autumnal plain! came the sound of horses8 hoo"es. $ernice grinned! and searched in her .elt pouch as the riders came into sight. They >ere racing each other! galloping! and ,oisa >as! of course! in the lead. Jan >as trying to #eep up! shouting after her! and Cathlan >as laughing his head off. s if shouting could stop a horse. 8HoiC8 $enny shouted. 8-"er hereC8 Jan glanced up and suddenly spurred his horse to>ards her! out of the race. $enny closed her eyes! and stood straight and rela<ed! one arm out in front of her. 9n her fist! she clenched

a >ilted flo>er. sudden concussion! a ?uic# leap! and she >as riding .ehind Jan! the flo>er stuc# .ehind his ear. 8-ne day . . .8 she muttered! tapping the .oy8s shoulder! 8you are going to get that e<tremely >rong.8 8 nd >hat8ll happen to you then! ProfessorB8 Jan laughed. $enny pretended to consider. 89 shall die!8 she said! 8ha"ing thro>n myself under a horse. That8s >hat you8ll tell them 9 did! any>ay! and history8s >ritten .y the >inning side. Ta#e me .ac# to your tent and fill me >ith mead.8 89sn8t that >hat >e did the night .efore lastB8 8,eallyB 9 don8t remem.er. Dou must .e right. Ho> are you and ,oisaB8 Jan >as silent for a moment! and $enny hugged him a little closer. %inally he saidA 89 thin# >e8d .etter try and catch up >ith her . . .8 He >hac#ed the flan#s of the horse again and they angled .ac# to>ards the other riders. 8 nd no! there8ll .e no mead for you this morning! you ha"e to >or#C8 8'ell!8 muttered $enny! 8there8s a hole in the ground! and 9 put spades outside my >or#ers8 tents. 9 thin# they8ll understand >hat 98m getting at for an hour or t>o at least.8 The Doctor and ce had >andered to the edge of the small settlement. $eyond the gates of the to>n! a "ast landscape of green do>nland lay! a rutted dirt trac# leading off into the distance. The sun >as higher no>! and the day >as .ecoming a little >armer. 8Do you >ant to hear all a.out the planet Hea"enB8 as#ed the Doctor. 8Deah! 8course 9 do!8 fro>ned ce. 898m interested.8 The Doctor smiled! a sad old smile that ce didn8t see often. 8/ood. Let8s stretch our legs . . .8 They >al#ed across the grasslands to a small copse that stood atop a hill. s they did so! the Doctor told his story. 8Hea"en is a >onderful >orld! a glorious place. 9t has a tiny population for such a colony! .ecause it8s on the edge of human space.8 The Doctor did a ?uic# pirouette! his finger raised! as if figuring out a direction. %inally he pointed straight do>n. 8That >ay lies the Draconian (mpireC8 8)ot a "ery li.eral empire that one! ehB8 8)ot at all. They don8t thin# females can thin#. Dou >ouldn8t li#e them. $ut other>ise they8re ?uite ci"iliFed.8 8That8s cool then.8 8The (arth and Draconia >ere at >ar for a "ery short time! .ut managed to >ipe out large num.ers of each other. The Dale#s >ere influencing the >ar. %inally! the t>o races =oined forces against the Dale#s. $ad times. $illions of people died.8 8 nd lots of Dale#s! tooB8 8Des . . . too many. 9n the end they started coming up >ith other schemes. 'e8re at a point >here humanity is trying to get on >ith its neigh.ours. That8s the good thing a.out Dale#s. They ma#e you realise that there8s al>ays something >orse than >hat you8"e got at the moment.8 8 nd is there anything >orse than the Dale#sB8 The Doctor stopped for a moment! and considered. 8-h yes . . .8 he said! after a moment. 8There are much >orse things.8 ce didn8t li#e the >ay he said it! so she let the matter drop. 8So ho> do people sur"i"e hereB8 8%arming! >hich is hea"ily su.sidiFed .y the (arth corporations. There are special interests here! such as the Li.rary! and the archaeologists. 'hich .rings me to my illustration . . .8 They had reached the top of the hill. ce leaned on a tree! and gaFed out o"er the landscape. "ast grassy plain! the sun pic#ing out the occasional ri"er and la#e. Mountains rose on the far horiFon! their pea#s shining sil"er. $ut the sun pic#ed out other things too. Crystal spheres and sil"er needles! little rings of gleaming metal pyramids! and sculpted tangles of li?uid glass. The o.=ects >ere dotted a.out the landscape! they must ha"e .een .uildings. The largest of them >ould .e the siFe of an office .loc#. 8The locals!8 nodded ce. 8Smart #itC8

8)ot any more. 'hen the humans and Draconians arri"ed here! they noticed the architecture. *ery >ell made. Could .e millennia old. ("erything else has gone. )o roads! no .oo#s . . . no sur"i"ors.8 8So the Hea"enites died out. Happens all the time.8 8Des. 9ndeed the archaeologists ha"e found roads! and perhaps one day they8ll find .oo#s. $ut no.ody has e"er found a Hea"enite .ody.8 8That8s 8cos they >ere amoe.as or something else .lo..y.8 8$ut there are "ery fe> remains of any animals of the period. There are nati"e creatures here no>! and the ecosystem is changing! >ith all the (arth and Draconian animals added. $ut there8s no fossil record for any recent era. Time has shut up the .oo# of all this planet8s days . . .8 ce recogniFed something in his tone. Something hidden. 9t >as the sound of a hunter! contemplating his prey. She >al#ed .et>een the Doctor and the landscape! and loo#ed him in the eye. 89s something .ad going to happen hereB Do you #no> >hatB8 8)o.8 His gaFe >as steady. ce decided to as#. 8Ho> long are >e staying hereB8 898m not sure . . .8 The Time Lord fro>ned. 89 >ant to find the .oo#. re you going to e<ploreB8 8Kind of. 9 =ust >ant a .it of time here. 'ant to stic# around for a .it. 9s it o#ay if 9 >ander offB8 8'here are you goingB8 8Don8t #no>!8 ce lied. 8$e careful if you8re going to meet the Tra"ellers again. They8re rough people. *ery dangerous.8 That hurt a .it more than it should ha"e. ce paused! and ans>ered calmly. 898m dangerous too! Professor. That8s >hy 98m here! rightB Deah! 9 pro.a.ly >ill go and see them. Meet you .ac# at the T ,D9S. 9 hope you find >hat you8re loo#ing for.8 She s?ueeFed his shoulder ?uic#ly and set off. This time! the Doctor didn8t follo> ce. He =ust stared after her. fter a moment he sighed. 8Dou too . . .8 ce ran .ac# to Joyceto>n. %or the e<ercise! rightB 9t >asn8t as if she >as used to the Doctor respecting her feelings! after all. This >as a .it of a treat. Lately! he8d stopped e<plaining e"erything! stopped sighing and sho>ing her that he >as hurting too. He >as li#e a sheet of placid >ater! hardening into ice. t least he didn8t #no> a.out her fantasies. 'ell! she hoped he didn8t. Still! it >ould .e good if =ust once . . . May.e this time the Doctor could face do>n the Jargoids on his o>n! or they >ouldn8t need her. She could =ust hide in a shelter some>here >ith Jan and come out and congratulate the Time Lord >hen it >as all o"er. )ice one! Professor. Dou really sho>ed those Jargoids a thing or t>o. Dou don8t need me at all. Christ. Dou don8t need me at all. ce stopped! and leaned hea"ily on the gate>ay into Joyceto>n. She remem.ered Julian! staring into those lights! li#e a ra..it in the road. nd she #ne> that she >anted to .e lo"ed. Standing up again! she >al#ed determinedly into the to>n. $rother Phaedrus >as on his >ay to the mar#et to .uy pro"isions. He >as thin#ing that he >as a good man! that no.ody e"er understood >hy good men did .ad things. Dou could .e as guilty as you li#e! .ut the guilt didn8t change >hat you did. -f course it didn8t. ll >as all. 9f he did something! it >as .ecause he did it. s al>ays! the >ords of Phaedrus8s scriptures soothed him. ce >as as deep in thought as Phaedrus >as. They hit each other at full speed around the corner! and ce fell. Phaedrus helped her up. 898m "ery sorry. 'hat >ere you thin#ing a.outB8 ce .lin#ed at him as she got to her feet. 8(rm! nothing.8 8/ood.8

Something a.out the priest8s smile distur.ed ce. 8Hey! you loo# li#e you #no> this place. 'here do 9 find the Tra"ellers! the ones >ho >ere playing in the mar#et this morningB8 8'ell! 9 do #no> . . .8 Phaedrus stro#e his .eard thoughtfully. 8 nd 9 >ill tell you! .ut first 9 had .etter >arn you a.out them. They8re a la>less .unch of .rigands! >ho >ould thin# nothing of stealing e"erything you o>n. Please do not approach them.8 8)ah! 98m not planning to approach them. 9 =ust need to .e a.le to identify one of them.8 8%or the troopersB8 8Deah. Thin one! craggy face. Strange eyes.8 Phaedrus loo#ed horror struc#. 8My dear girlC That8s Jan ,ydd! the >orst of them all. 'hat has he done to youB8 ce loo#ed at her .oots and glanced up at the priest coyly. 8Terri.le things!8 she >hispered! her lo>er lip "i.rating >ith the effort of not laughing. 89 need to find him so that my .rothers can shoot him.8 She8d e<pected a .it of hassle a.out this! .ut Phaedrus =ust grinned. 89t8s not far!8 he said. 89f you ha"e the right transport.8 >ind >as rising across the plains of Hea"en! .uffeting the tall grass into strange and lu<urious shapes. 9t >as autumn here in the planet8s northern hemisphere! and soon there >ould .e sno>. Perfect! >onderful! sno>. Through the grasslands the Doctor strode! his hat in his poc#et. He >as approaching a s?uat concrete .uilding! a lo> .loc#house >ith a dome on the roof. 9t >as surrounded .y a mesh fence! and the flashing lights of a helicopter landing pad indicated >hy no path led to its gate. The man called Kale stood inside the fence! clad in fla# armour. He loo#ed up as the figure of the Doctor approached! and stepped for>ard to the fence. plasma rifle hung from his shoulder. 8Dou againB8 he shouted. 8'hat do you >antB8 The Doctor didn8t ans>er! and #ept >al#ing. 8Stay >here you areC8 the man yelled. The Doctor >as nearly up to the fence. Kale snatched his rifle and aimed. 8Stop or 9 fireC8 he cried out. The Doctor stopped. 8There8s a fence .et>een you and me. 98m unarmed!8 he murmured. 8Touchy! aren8t youB8 898ll say 98m touchyC8 snarled the sentry. 8 nd you8re under arrest! you coc#y .astardC8 89 should >rite a .oo# on that su.=ect!8 the Doctor grinned. ce had found a horse! or rather she had .ought one. Draconian merchant in a flo>ing red ro.e had a chain of the animals for sale. He had only one of his nati"e Shis#arshtas! an old .east >hich >ould .ear him south to 9r"ingport >here he >ould .oard ship. The >inter frightened him! he confided in ce! and he >as loo#ing for>ard to returning to the Draconian settlements near the e?uator. ce assumed that she >as .eing ripped off! .ut she had the cash and she dou.ted that the shi"ering reptilian >anted to haggle. She >as sorry for him! too. May.e he8d end up froFen on some .lea# stretch of sand. The horse too# her out of Joyceto>n! and ce .egan to feel more rela<ed. She8d learnt to ride in delaide in 01;G! trained .y a man called Medge. Deah! she could ride .efore she could >al#. 9t >as a fine horse! a chestnut gelding. 9t had certainly .een .orn here! s>apped in some edgy Draconian deal along the temperate fringes. (ager to run free! it galloped o"er the do>nland! its hoo"es thro>ing up clods of mud. 9t >as early afternoon .efore ce reached the *alley of the 'hite Horse! as Phaedrus had descri.ed it. The sun >as lo> in the s#y! and a soft gloom >as ho"ering a.out the forests that lay in the dells. The camp in the "alley >as made of stiff tents! supported .y struts. They formed a circle around a central .onfire! as yet unlit. round the tents ran a circle of tall stones. %igures could .e spotted mo"ing from tent to tent! and the lo> s#irl of music drifted up the "alley.

ce found herself sighing. Hell! >hat >as she doing hereB 'hat >as she afterB 9t has .een months since ,o.in Deadon! months and years and centuries. $ut ,o.in Deadon had .een good! and "ery ordinary! and had taught her that nostalgia >as >orse than death. So >hy did she miss himB $ernice Summerfield inspected the earthen>are cup carefully. 8Mycenaean influences . . . Cathlan8s .een s>otting up on his potted history.8 Jan >as pic#ing out clumps of soil from the heel of his .oot >ith a .lade. 8Drin# up! $enny!8 he ad"ised. 8Dou8re more interested in the cup than in the ale.8 8)o> that!8 $ernice nodded! 8neatly sums up my >hole nature. 'hich is odd! .ecause 9 am interested in the ale.8 She too# a deep .reath! =er#ed the cup to her lips! and thre> .ac# the >hole pint. They8d .een tal#ing and drin#ing since the early morning in the communal tent of the camp. 9nitially it had .een >arm mead! .ut a lunch of hot soup had con"inced the t>o friends that ale >ould .e the drin# for the afternoon. ,oisa had arri"ed at one point! and sat leaning on Jan a mite suspiciously. ,oisa #ept her hair cut short and rough. She and Jan had their trou.les! .ut $enny had ta#en her suspicion as a good sign. $enny and Jan had tal#ed a.out the t>entieth century! and ho> mythic content tends to seep into historical stories! and a.out $enny8s restlessness. /radually! as the ale found them all! the con"ersation .ecame freer! and ,oisa started to add the occasional >ord. 8'hy are you hereB8 Jan as#ed $ernice at one point. 89s getting pissed in the afternoon any >ay for a professor to .eha"eB8 $enny paused! and lo>ered the cup! her eyes narro>ing. 8'hat do you meanB8 Jan ran a hand through his hair and laughed! ner"ously. 8'ell! 9 >as =ust =o#ing! li#e. )othing8s meant .y it . . .8 89f 9 understand >hat you8re saying!8 said $enny! 8you mean that my .eha"iour isn8t >orthy of a real professor. CorrectB8 8-h! come on! $enny 8 89 >ill not come on. -utsideC8 Jan stood up slo>ly! sha#ing his head. He pluc#ed the .lade from a .loc# of >ood! and reached into a chest to toss $ernice one! >hich she caught easily. 89f you must . . .8 he sighed. ,oisa s>ore loudly in Palare! and s>ung aside the tent flap. 8Tell me >ho #ills >hoC8 she shouted! and stal#ed off to>ards MKire8s tent. $enny .rushed .ac# her hair and e<haled! her .reath "isi.le in the cooling afternoon. Cathlan >as carrying piles of #indling to the .onfire. Chemical light sources >ere .eing ignited inside the tents. Damn it. Pride again. She felt the >eight of the .lade in her hands! a short sa.re >ith a cur"ed tip. She dre> it up e<perimentally to her shoulder. 'ell .alanced! pro.a.ly home made. fe> of the Tra"eller children >ere >atching her! standing .ac# a little in their fur@lined par#as. 'hen Jan came out of his tent! pulling on a >oollen =umper! $enny spread her arms >ide. 89 thin# you should #ill me!8 she confessed. 8This is an a>ful idea. My temper again. Sorry.8 Jan laughed! and s>ung his s>ord e<perimentally. 8Dou8re =ust scaredC8 8)o!8 $enny muttered. 8)o! 98m not scared. 9 =ust don8t >ant to hurt you.8 Jan >andered for>ard! scratching his chin. 8'ell! 9 don8t >ant to 8 nd he slashed for $enny8s stomach. She parried instincti"ely! and hac#ed straight .ac#! sending a series of .lo>s at Jan8s head until he had to retreat. (legantly Jan .egan to s>ing his .lade in a figure of eight! catching $enny8s =a.s easily. $enny feigned a .lo>! and tossed her .lade from her right hand to her left. 9n the same second! she slashed straight for Jan8s s>ord hand. Jan8s .lade spun into the air! and $enny leapt for>ard! shouldering him on to the ground. The Tra"ellers >ho had gathered to >atch clapped and cheered. $ernice raised her s>ord a.o"e Jan8s head.

nd then a .ody slammed into her! sending her spra>ling. s she fell! $enny >ondered if it >as one of the Tra"ellers! perhaps ,oisa! thin#ing that she really >ould ha"e hurt their leader. The t>o of them rolled o"er! and $enny8s chee# slapped into the cool earth. 8Stay thereC8 ce gro>led. $enny had e"ery intention of not mo"ing. Something had caught her eye! inches from her face. Laughing heartily! Jan >andered o"er and too# ce8s hand! pulling her upright. 8'elcome!8 he said. 898d say you sa"ed my life! e<cept you didn8t.8 8Help me up too! >on8t youB8 called $enny from the ground. She still hadn8t mo"ed. 8 nd >hile you8re at it! get me a =am =arC8 ce fro>ned at Jan. 8'ho8s sheB8 Jan loo#ed at his feet again. 8That8s the Professor!8 he e<plained. 8She8s completely insane.8 The Doctor sipped his tea. 8This is the .est arrest 98"e suffered in some time!8 he smiled. Shyly. 8Lo"ely tea.8 -perati"e James Miller leaned .ac# in his chair and ad=usted his uniform =ac#et. He >as a gaunt! middle@aged man! the lines of >orry etched into his face. $ut his eyes held a t>in#le! and >hen he spo#e! his "oice >as full of humour. 8 nd you8re an interesting prisoner. 9 must apologiFe for Kale8s .eha"iour. 9t could ha"e .een >orse! you could ha"e .een handed to my deputy! Ho>arth. My cre> here are on loan from 9MC! and most of them don8t #no> their arse from their el.o>. )o> then! you told my guards that you8re called the Doctor. Doctor >hoB8 8 h! >ell! that8s the ?uestion isn8t itB8 Miller appeared to ignore the "agueness of the Doctor8s reply. 8Some of my lot >ere do>n the mar#et in Joyceto>n this morning! pro.a.ly mis.eha"ing themsel"es >ith the Tra"ellers. They noticed a .ig .lue .o<. 9s that yoursB8 8Des.8 Miller >as smiling li#e a man >ho >as a.out to guess the right ans>er to a charade. 8 nd you #no> the Draconians ?uite >ell! am 9 rightB8 The Doctor leaned .ac# in his chair and grinned sheepishly. 898m not often recogniFed.8 898"e heard stories a.out you from an old Draconian .usiness partner my father had. He called you Karshta#a"aar! the oncoming storm. Dou appear only >hen there8s terri.le danger! he said.8 8Des. 9 ha"e a talent for .eing in the >rong place at the right time.8 8'hy >ere you so #een to get shot this afternoonB8 89 >anted to see ho> ner"ous your staff >ere.8 8'ell! lad! you found out. They pic# it up from me.8 8Dou8re not happyB8 8)o. Hea"en8s a dull spot! .ut 9 #eep seeing dangers around e"ery corner. /etting paranoid in my old age! 9 thought. +ntil you arri"ed! that is.8 The Doctor leaned for>ard! appearing suddenly to ta#e Miller into his confidence. 89 can8t see >hy (arth has such a military presence here. Dou ha"e the Li.rary to guard! of course 8 8HahC8 Miller stood and .egan to pace his office! stopping to straighten the reproduction *an /ogh that hung on one >all. 8(m.arrassing diaries! official records of the lunar penal colony . . . couple of security men could do it.8 The Doctor silently too# another sip from his cup. 89 >or# for the Directorate of (<ternal -ps! Doctor. 9 ans>er to (arth Central only. 9 used to .e one of these corporate mercenaries! mind. Dale# specialist opened me up >ith its cla>. Then 9 opened it up. This is a dead@end planet! a place >here things end up. nd 98m here >ith a .ig s?uad of sararimen! trying to persuade them that 98m actually in charge and not their managers.8 Miller settled .ac# into his chair. 8Dou may >ell as# >hy.8 The Doctor paused! and then loo#ed him in the eye. 89 am!8 he smiled.

8Then 98d .etter tell you! hadn8t 9B8 said Miller! smiling .ac#. 8More teaB8 $ernice and ,oisa had .een fascinated .y >hate"er it >as that $enny had caught! and ce had .een pretty interested too! until Jan too# her arm. 8Let me sho> you around the place!8 he >hispered. 8Those t>o8ll argue o"er the origins of an insect. They8ll .e at it for ages.8 8Deah! great.8 ce had >al#ed ?uic#ly off >ith him! and they8d scampered through the camp! past the crying .a.ies in their pouches! the many dogs that =umped up and lic#ed Jan8s hand! the colourful tents and fluttering >ashing lines. They headed up on to the do>ns at the head of the "alley. >hite horse had .een cut out of the chal#! a Celtic etching of something that >as >ilder than a con"entional horse! a .unch of flying lines >ith a ferocious mouth. The eye >as formed out of melted crystal! cemented into the ground. 9t glinted in the lo> sun. 8'e cut this oursel"es . . .8 Jan sighed! flopping onto the ground inside the horse8s .ody. 8Dou can see the >hole camp from here. 'hat8s your nameB8 898m ce. Dorothy if you li#e. Didn8t used to li#e it! .ut 98m getting into it.8 She8d sat do>n! at a little distance. 898m Jan ,ydd. 9 ha"e a secret name too! .ut 98m not .ra"e enough to offer it up li#e you offer up ce.8 8)ah! my real name8s the secret one. nd 9 =ust thought 9 could tell you it. Do 9 get to hear yoursB8 8("entually.8 Jan smiled a #nifey smile and ce shi"ered again. She found a ?uestion to #eep the con"ersation going! 8cos other>ise he8d ha"e =ust sat there staring until something happened. nd something >ould happen. 8'here do you lot come fromB8 8 ll o"er. Most of us >ere .orn in the Con"oy. 9f you spea# Palare! then you must #no> a.out us.8 8)ot much. Tell me.8 Jan sighed! and .rushed his hair .ac# from his forehead. 8'ell no>. 'ay .ac# in the t>entieth century! anarchists and "arious other people >ho >eren8t happy >ith the >ay of life in $ritain oh! that >as on (arth they =oined up >ith groups of tra"elling people >ho8d .een around for centuries . . .8 ce #ne> it all! .ut she >as! ?uite ?uietly! loo#ing at Jan. He had .ig hands! notched >ith hard >or#. His hair >as tied .ac# into a ponytail! #notted >ay do>n his .ac#. There >ould .e a lot of hair in that. He >as muscular! .ut thin! a .oy >ho8d .een acti"e all his life. He >ore thic# >ool and leather! in .lac# and purple. 8)o>! the Con"oy! as it came to .e called! mo"ed around the country! "isiting "arious musical festi"als! cele.rating the solstices at really ancient megalithic temples. They >ere pagans too! as >e are.8 8'hat do you >orshipB8 8The /oddess and her follo>ers. 98m into the Tric#ster myself! the god of randomness. Does it >orry youB8 8)ah. 'hate"er you >ant to do.8 8There8s a ceremony tonight! if you >ant to stay.8 /od! this guy >as ?uic# off the mar#. ce pretended to consider. 89 dunno. 9s there any>here >here 9 could crashB8 898m sure some.ody >ill find you space. 'e offer hospitality to e"eryone! e"en pissheads li#e the Professor. )o>! .ac# to the story 8 Jan slithered up on to his #nees! loo#ing ce straight in the eye. He >as .ecoming more animated! o."iously e<cited .y the history of his people. nd e<cited .y her. -h yeah. 8The Tra"ellers suffered greatly under the go"ernments of the (arth! .egging and stealing and li"ing in s?uats. They sheltered in camps in the >inter! and came do>n to the cities in the summer. -"er the centuries! they #ept their culture going .y oral tradition. The legends! the language! the songs. 'hen the first great human e<pansion into space happened! a Tra"eller called %o< sa> that his people could finally .e free. They stole a ship that >as in doc# for repairs! and too# it as far into hyperspace as they could . . .8 Jan laughed!

imagining the scene. His hands >ere dra>ing pictures in the air! s?ueeFing meaning out of the cold atmosphere. 8'hen (arth ships first met the rcturans! the (arth am.assador >as told that they8d met humans .efore. %o< and his cre> had landed on rcturus Si< and .us#ed for their supperC8 Jan thre> his head .ac# and laughed! and ce sa> that he >as tattooed! a sna#e eating its o>n tail! >rapped around his throat and do>n into his shirt. 8 nyho>! the colonies #ept on e<panding! and the Tra"ellers found their places on the fringes! setting up megaliths! scratching a li"ing on the frontier. Then the frontier closed in this direction. 9t closed on Hea"en! the >orld .et>een the Protectorates. This place is the real margins! a place >here things are sent to .e lost if the corporations don8t li#e them! if they8re against money. So >e8re here! .ecause >e8re against money. 'e don8t use it amongst oursel"es! >e .arter >here >e can. Money malforms a ci"iliFation! ma#es it frigging o.scene. 'e =ust >ant to li"e free! and Hea"en8s one of the last places >here >e can do it. 9t8s a #ind of home! until they come and ta#e it from us againC8 ce >as impressed. She sat hugging her #nees! >ondering >hen she8d get to #iss him. He >as =ust sho>ing off! #no>ing that he could as# her .ac# to his tent and she8d go. $ighead. 8Dou the leader of that lot! thenB8 Jan shoo# his head! aghast. 8 narchists don8t ha"e leaders. 'e tal# e"erything o"er and decide >hat >e all >ant to do.8 8Does that >or#B8 8Des. There are a.out thirty of us in the camp! including si< children. ("ery.ody8s got a "oice! .ut >e try to argue things out rather than "ote! accommodate e"eryone. Christopher8s the priest! he ma#es sure e"ery.ody gets heard. MKire8s the priestess! she ma#es sure that >hat e"ery.ody says ma#es a difference. 98"e =ust got a .ig mouth! so people >atch me. Hey! loo# do>n thereC8 $ernice >as standing in the middle of the tents! >a"ing her arms a.o"e her head. 8She >ants us to go .ac#.8 ce got up. 8They must ha"e decided >hat it is they8"e found.8 s they >al#ed .ac# do>n to the camp! Jan seemed to ma#e a decision. 8Listen!8 he said! a hint of concern creeping into his "oice. 898d li#e to tal# to you a lot and tell you stories! and! >ell! listen to you 8 That uncertainty again! li#e suddenly he loo#ed do>n and >asn8t half as .ra"e as he thought he >as. Did he #no> ho> cool that >asB 'as that part of his actB 'hat the hell! it >or#ed. 8Deah. Deah! 98d li#e that too . . .8 8$ut my life8s comple<. ,oisa8s going to tell you ho> comple<. ll 9 >ant to say is! listen to my side after>ards! o#ayB8 8-#ay!8 ce >hispered. -h great! she thought! trudging to>ards the tents. The .astard8s married. 'hen they got to Jan8s tent! e"ery.ody >as already there. 'ell! ,oisa and the >oman $ernice >ere. The large canopy >as full of .rightly coloured sil#s and .undles of cloth. Jan e<plained that he made clothes! sold them for good prices! put the money into the tri.e. ce sat a>#>ardly on a .ean.ag! loo#ing .et>een Jan and ,oisa. Hell! she thought. /irlfriend at least. nd she >asn8t sure a.out $ernice! either. She >as close enough to Jan to .ra>l >ith him! .ut she seemed almost li#e a mother! e"en if she >as only thirty. ce li#ed her instantly! and >anted to get to #no> her! .ut no >ay >as she gonna let Jan out of her sight at the moment. $ernice >as staring at the thing she8d captured in a =am =ar! o.li"ious to the ?uiet conflict happening in the tent. She8d shared out some more of Jan8s mead! and e<plained in a >hisper to ce that ,oisa had .een getting annoyed a.out them sitting up on the >hite horse! so she thought that she should call them in out of the cold. She didn8t mention ce8s rug.y tac#le! .ut the loo# in her eyes suggested that she >as amused. Jan sat in the centre of the tent! at an e?ual distance .et>een the three >omen! and from the >ay his gaFe hopped .ac# and forth! ce could see that he >as almost en=oying the situation. 8Dou can8t =ust let tension eat a>ay at you!8 he e<plained. 898m glad that $enny and 9 fought. 9 thin# you ha"e to fight if you >ant to! li#e you ha"e to do >hate"er else you feel.8 ,oisa fro>ned. 8There are tensions you don8t tal# a.out! you ?uin< >retch . . .8 She loo#ed up

at ce. 8'e8re together! if you >ere >ondering. 'e8"e got a contract! .ound on the /reat 'heel it >as.8 She ruffled Jan8s hair! and ce made herself smile indulgently. 89 ha"e another friend! so Jan can spread his seed as far as he li#es so long as he comes .ac# to me. The thing is! he #no>s that anytime he >ants to .e >ith me! properly and fore"er! all he has to do is say so.8 ce loo#ed do>n at the thic# rug on the floor! follo>ing its comple< Celtic #not>or#s. She couldn8t loo# ,oisa in the eye. 'as it that o."iousB Had Jan said something to ,oisaB -h god! >hy did she get in"ol"ed in things li#e thisB $ernice had heard the ner"ous silence! and spo#e. 89 >ouldn8t ha"e hurt Jan! you #no>. $ut there are certain things that 98m . . . touchy a.out. )o>8 she offered the =ar to ,oisa. 898"e had a loo#. 'hat do you thin# of thisB8 The >oman made to unscre> the =ar! .ut $enny stopped her. 8)o. 9 don8t #no> >hat it is. That8s >hy 9 used t>eeFers.8 ce >as surprised at ho> much this Professor reminded her of the Doctor. She >as a real e<pert! e"en though she still seemed slightly pissed. ,oisa stared in at the thing in the =ar. 9t >as a tiny >hite filament! li#e a couple of strands of dog hair. 8-ur LiFFie dog8s .een shedding again!8 she sighed. 8So >hatB8 The thing in the =ar t>itched. ,oisa put the =ar do>n. 89 thought 9 #ne> e"ery plant and animal on Hea"en!8 she murmured. 898m the her.cutter for the tri.e. Can 9 chec# it against my .oo#sB8 8-f course!8 $ernice said. 8$ut 9 >ant it after>ards.8 Jan had turned his head in ce8s direction! and >as loo#ing at her! rather than at the =ar. Staring. ce forced herself to meet his gaFe. They loo#ed at each other for a full minute. /od! >hy did he ha"e to .e so .latantB He >as so sure of himself! so confident. nd he had a sell@.y date of his o>n! >hich >as good. She >ouldn8t .e here fore"er. 9t >as a second .efore ce realiFed that $ernice >as loo#ing at her too. The scientist had >in#ed! almost impercepti.ly! and ce suppressed a laugh. ,oisa >as still staring at the =ar. Poor >oman. Damn it! her life >as gonna get so much >orse. ce fro>ned >hen she realiFed ho> hard she >as ha"ing to try to .e sympathetic. 89 need to get .ac# to my dig!8 $enny sighed! standing up. 8 ny.ody fancy >al#ing me .ac#B8 ce loo#ed once more at Jan! and then .ac# to $enny. The man loo#ed far too e<pectant. Dou can8t al>ays get >hat you >ant. 8Dou8re on!8 ce grinned! and pic#ed up her .ac#pac#. The loo# on Jan8s face >as >onderful. 8'ill you .e .ac# for the ceremony tonightB8 he as#ed! li#e a #ic#ed puppy. 8'e8re going to the /reat 'heel.8 8-h! 9 dunno.8 ce smiled maliciously. 8Let8s see ho> tired 9 am! ehB8 8Dou8re "ery interesting!8 $enny said as they >andered out into the dus#! ce leading the horse .ehind her. 8Cheers.8 8Mainly .ecause of the .adges on your =ac#et. Those are really odd! .ecause they8re all from one of the eras 9 specialiFe in! early space age. They must ha"e cost you a fortune.8 8)ah.8 ce grinned. 898m a time tra"eller from the nineteen@eighties.8 $enny giggled in a surprisingly girlish >ay. 8That is less possi.le than something "ery impossi.le indeed. That is really cru##ing impossi.le.8 8Lots of people do it. ("en Dale#s ha"e time tra"el.8 8Do theyB Do they reallyB8 ce caught the slight hint of something lost in $enny8s "oice. She suddenly felt the need to .e serious. She stopped >al#ing. 89t8s true. 9 used to li"e in Peri"ale! London. s# me anything you li#e.8 So $enny as#ed her a.out the design of tu.e trains! the 9talia 815 (ngland s?uad and the destruction of $lac#pool To>er. 8That must ha"e happened after 9 left!8 ce said.

8)o it didn8t. 9 >as trying to .luff you. (ither you8re as e<pert as 9 am or you8re telling the truth. 'ell .anging! me old coc# sparrer.8 8Dou >hatB8 8 haC Dou don8t recogniFe the speech pattern of the time.8 8Des 9 doC That >as nothing li#e the >ay >e used to tal#C 'here did you 8 ce realiFed that $enny >as laughing again. 8-h! right.8 89 .elie"e you!8 $ernice smiled! patting the younger >oman8s shoulder. 8Dou mo"e li#e you8re telling the truth! all rela<ed! no tension a.out the shoulders. nd you8"e .een loo#ing at me all the time.8 ce groaned. 8 >! no! you8re one of these .ody@language peopleBC8 8Luite a .it. Sorry. 9 >on8t do it to you again.8 8/ood. 9 hate itC8 89t isn8t =ust that! though. 98m a .it li#e Jan in some >ays. 'hen magic comes along! >e ought to =ust accept it. 9f you >ere also into Martian culture and .ody language! 98d thin# you >ere some sort of gift from a.o"e. Ho> did you get hereB8 89 tra"el in a police .o<.8 8Ho> .aro?ue of you.8 8The .lo#e >ho o>ns it is into the >hole .it. The Doctor. He might .e a.le to tell you ho> it all >or#s.8 ce decided to as# her ?uestion. 8Ha"e you and Jan e"er . . .8 $ernice loo#ed up at the s#y ruefully. n ocean of stars >as starting to appear in the deep .lue. 8'ell! >e tried. $ut 98m not really .uilt for that sort of relationship! and >e decided that it >as a .ad idea and >hy didn8t >e ha"e some more mead instead. 98"e only e"er had three .oyfriends! and . . . 98m sorry! >hat8s your nameB8 8 ce!8 said ce! e<tending her hand. 89t suits you. 98m Professor $ernice Summerfield. $enny! if you >ant.8 They >al#ed on for a >hile in silence! then $enny suddenly saidA 8He8s not a "ery safe man to .e around! and he8s my friend! .ut so is ,oisa! and may.e . . . >ell! no. 'hate"er.8 ce smiled. 898m after danger! 9 don8t >ant to hurt ,oisa! and 98m here for the >ee#end! o#ayB8 8-#ay. )o> that is the right idiom. Jan uses it all the time! .ut then he8s o.sessed >ith your time as >ell. -h loo#! here8s Christopher.8 The tall .eing >as loo#ing up into the s#y! his ro.es dar# against the greeny grey of the hillside. ce loo#ed at $enny ?uestioningly. 89s he a .lo#e! thenB8 8He8s neither. He and Jan >ere in the military together. There >ere some e<periments done. Christopher8s gi"en up his gender in fa"our of his mental po>ers. 9 thin# that8s a good deal! sometimes.8 89 don8t . . .8 ce shi"ered. 8Hey! is Jan B8 8Despite the efforts of a hundred angry hus.ands . . . yes he is. hoy! Christopher! >hat are you loo#ing forB8 8HushC8 the "oice .oomed .ac#. The t>o >omen and the horse dre> le"el >ith the gaunt figure. ce noticed that! no> the hood of his ro.e >as do>n! Christopher8s scalp >as co"ered in delicate tattoos. They decorated an ugly plug >hich =utted from the .ase of his s#ull. 'ith a =olt of distaste! ce realised >hat it >as. =ac# plug! li#e you might find on the .ac# of a "ideo recorder. Christopher >as loo#ing up at a particular point in the s#y! his eyes narro>ing. 89 am loo#ing into space . . .8 he >hispered. 89 >as preparing for the ceremony tonight. Then 9 noticed. There is something out there! =ust .eyond my sight. Something e"il. 'e ha"e .een >arned on the 'heel a.out some danger. 9f 9 could only see it.8 His "oice too# on a pained tone. 8Then 9 could spare us all such suffering . . . -h.8 t the point >here Christopher had .een staring! a thousand shooting stars suddenly .urst across the s#y. Meteor trails >hiFFed out>ards in a .urst of light. fter a fe> seconds! they had all faded a>ay. 8That >as greatC8 grinned ce. 8'hat >as itB8 8Death!8 said Christopher. 8The re@entry trails are made .y pods e=ected from a spacecraft. They each contain one or t>o dead humans. Soldiers! colonists! people >ho lost their li"es in

this area of space.8 8$ut >hy hereB8 8Dou are ne> here! aren8t youB8 $enny smiled. 8That8s >hat Hea"en is for! ce. This is Clu. Dead. The (arth and Draconian peoples designated Hea"en as a gra"eyard >orld. 9t8s .een declared sacred ground .y e"ery religion of .oth races. The place is #ept lo"ely! and .illions of corpses #eep the ecosystem flourishing. This is one gigantic gra"eyard.8 8/reat!8 said ce. 8Planet of the CorpsesC8 Christopher turned to her! his eyes glo>ing slightly in the dus#. 8 nd there >ill .e more . . .8 he >hispered. 8There >ill .e many more.8

": T#ent$%&i'th%(entur$ )o$

,oisa sat in her tent! in the .ig >ic#er chair that her mother had made. She >as staring at the thing in the =ar! trying not to thin# a.out >here she8d .e sleeping tonight. ,oisa had .een .orn half>ay .et>een rcturus and ,igel! in the hold of a cargo ship on >hich the Con"oy had .ought passage. She >as the daughter of three generations of Tra"ellers! and had so many s#ills! so many talents >hich Jan ignored. He could ha"e any.ody he >anted! and that >as >hy he didn8t >ant her as a permanent partner. May.e soon she8d ma#e him an ultimatum. t least that girl in the .lac# =ac#et had thought .etter of him. /ood for her. There >as a noise! something li#e a noise. ,oisa glanced around the hangings and furs inside the tent. Then she realised. The fi.re >as s?uealing. ,ight on the threshold of hearing. She put her ear to the =ar. nd =umped .ac# as the thing leapt against the glass. The =ar fell and smashed. Luc#ily ,oisa >asn8t .arefoot! as she often >as. She found the >orm on the floor and stamped do>n on it >ith her .oot. She stamped se"eral times! and >hen she loo#ed! it >as gone. ,oisa sighed. -h >ell! at least $ernice >ouldn8t .e a.le to patroniFe e"ery.ody a.out the thing. She considered doing some more >or#! preparing medicines! .ut her heart >asn8t in it. There >asn8t that long until the ceremony! after all. Pulling on a sha>l! ,oisa thre> aside the tent flap and stepped out into the frosty night air. The smells of coo#ing >ere .lo>ing from "arious tents! and the mum.le of lo> speech >as e"ery>here. She popped her head into MKire8s tent. 8$usyB8 The dreadloc#ed >oman loo#ed up from her .oo#. 8)ot really. Just reading a.out Daa#. The story so far . . .8 8Daa#8s dead.8 ,oisa dropped into the pile of cushions that her friend had thro>n into a corner. 'hile ,oisa8s tent >as #ept neat! diagrams and ta.les pinned to the fa.ric and e"erything folded a>ay into poc#ets! MKire8s >as replete >ith hanging fa.rics and hand@painted designs. Her clothes piled up in corners to .e cleared a>ay at inter"als. 'hene"er the Tra"ellers .ro#e camp! it >as a familiar =o#e that MKire >ould still .e pac#ing hours after e"eryone else >as finished. MKire smiled and shoo# her head ?uic#ly. 8'e (<ile DK agents don8t die! >e get e<terminated. There8s a .ig difference.8 8 h yes! a.out ten stone in corpse >eight. D8you fancy a >al#B8 8$it cold. 98m honoured .y your presence. 'ill you .e staying tonightB8 MKire8s gaFe had strayed .ac# to the page! .ut she ga"e ,oisa a little smile! trying to pretend she >as =o#ing. 89f you >ant . . .8 8)ot if you don8t >ant to. %orget 9 as#ed. (n=oy your >al#.8 Pointedly! MKire turned the page of her .oo#. ,oisa stared at her for a >hile! >anting to say something. %inally! she turned and strode a>ay from camp! out to>ards the forest. The creature that had .een Piers /a"enal flic#ed its tendrils out! e<ploring its immediate en"ironment. .asement. The meat used this place to store things. /a"enal >as part of the group memory no>. 'hat he #ne>! the fungus #ne>. The meat at the core of the grey mass shri"elled as more sustenance >as suc#ed from it. The minerals >ere instantly processed and used to .uild a long tendril! >hich the creature thre> out to>ards the door. 9t lay in the shado>s.

9f any of Phaedrus8s temple acolytes got curious! they >ould .ecome a further source of energy for the fungoid mass. ,oisa had thought a.out going to Jan8s tent! .ut had heard the sound of drumming! and the gruff laughter of Cathlan. He and Jan >ere pro.a.ly trying to >rite some ne> melody for the e"ening! and discussing the >eird little girl >ith the .lac# =ac#et. Stupid male laughter. ,oisa en=oyed >al#ing in the >oods. The >hisper of the >ind in the trees al>ays calmed her. The Tra"ellers had .een on Hea"en for a year! and may.e it >ould .e good if they ne"er left. There >asn8t going to .e another place that suited them so >ell! that let them .e so free in such great surroundings. She8d put that to the tri.e on the 'heel tomorro>! as# them if they >anted to stay. Jan >ould go into a rage! pro.a.ly go into a passionate speech a.out mo"ing on! and s>ay e"ery.ody around to his point of "ie>. gain. -r perhaps this time they8d listen to her! and the children could all gro> up #no>ing >here they >ere going to .e li"ing. May.e she could ha"e Jan8s child then. nd may.e the trees >ould ans>er her >hen she tal#ed to them. light mist >as rising from the "alley. 'hen she turned .ac# to loo#! the lights of the camp >ere small and far a>ay. 8/ood e"ening! ,oisa Mc9lnery.8 ,oisa spun! pulling the long .lade she carried from the sheath along her >rist. The o>ner of the "oice stood silhouetted against the trees! his dar# ro.es outlined in the "ague light that diffused through the mist. 8Phaedrus.8 ,oisa >as ?uite relie"ed. The man >as .oring! .ut hardly dangerous. 8Still complaining a.out that go.let Jan snatched! or are you after donationsB8 The priest smiled sadly. 898m afraid things ha"e .ecome more serious recently! ,oisa. Do you ha"e a hole in your .ootB8 ,oisa had felt the lea# as she8d >al#ed up the hill. 9t hadn8t mattered to her then! .ut no> she felt a sudden dread in her stomach. Phaedrus sounded li#e he >as a.out to announce a death. 8Des.8 8Then >e must tal#.8 The priest held out his hand. 89 ha"e some "ery .ad ne>s for you.8 Lights >ere shining all around the dig! chemical lamps that .athed the arch in a ghostly >hite glare. %igures mo"ed in the light! carrying .ags of earth up from the reinforced entrance. ce tied the horse to a post and follo>ed $ernice to the site. She >as staring up at the arch >hen a stoc#y young man strode for>ard and nodded to $enny. 8'here ha"e you .een! .ossB8 he laughed. 8'e8"e .ro#en through to a cham.er. There8s an entrance "isi.le. 'e8re =ust clearing the >ay no>.8 8Please! Cli"e! 98m feeling guilty enough already. This is ce! .y the >ay. Let8s ha"e a loo#.8 She turned to ce. 8'ant to come tooB8 8Deah! .ut then 98ll ha"e to get .ac# to the camp.8 8Dou8re going .ac#B Des! >ell 9 pro.a.ly >ould too. Here! ta#e a lamp. Don8t touch anything! and don8t fall o"er anything drun#enly in the dar#! rightB 98ll .e e<tremely angry if any.ody does that . . .8 ce shoo# her head. $enny8s grin >as! if anything! .righter than the lamp she had handed her. Cli"e lead the >ay do>n a metal ladder. 8Dou8re =ust in time . . .8 he told the t>o >omen as they emerged into a lo> tunnel. 8'e8re at the point >here >e can .reach the cham.er if >e >ant to. Do >e >ant toB8 group of se"en young archaeologists stood in the tunnel. ce sa> a #ind of respect in their faces. They >ere >aiting to see >hat $ernice >anted to do. They mo"ed aside as she >al#ed along the tunnel. 9n an earthen >all! a door had .een re"ealed. 9t >as nine feet high! rounded! and the frame >as car"ed in the manner that ce >as starting to associate >ith the Hea"enites. 8'ell!8 said $ernice. 8'e found it. )o! no! >ait a moment. 'ho did find thisB8 young man >ith a floppy centre parting stepped for>ard! loo#ing a.ashed. 8Paul Magrs! .oss . . .8 he said.

$enny stepped up to him and #issed the top of his head. 8Paul! 9 lo"e you! and >ill name this door after you. This is the Paul Magrs Door. (n=oy it >hile you can! .ecause after a night8s careful e<ca"ation! >e8re going to smash the .ugger inC8 There >as a cheer from the students! and ce =oined in the clapping. Paul >as laughing too. 8 nd! in case any.ody has .een >ondering! 9 shall .e up all night myself. 'or#ing. Than# you all.8 ce didn8t >ant to interrupt the feeling of impending .ustle. She tapped $enny on the shoulder! and >hispered to her. 898m off. See you soon.8 8Des!8 $enny >as pulling her slee"es up. 8Loo#! come on .ac# tomorro>. 9 >ant to hear all a.out time tra"el! o#ay8B8 8-#ay!8 ce grinned. 8Hope there8s something good in there.8 8Des . . .8 $enny sighed! clapping one of her .and on the .ac#. 8So do 9.8 ce trotted the horse .ac# across the do>nlands! en=oying the purity of the chill air. This place really >as something. large moon >as rising o"er the meado>s! full and shining! and thin high clouds scudded across it. The moon >as mottled >ith craters and seas that >ere different! and this difference! the >ay that something familiar could .e so strange! set ce thin#ing of distance. 8Dou8"e come a long >ay!8 she >hispered to herself. Then! >ith a grin! she added in an 9rish "oiceA 8So! ce! >hen did you start thin#ing of yourself as a citiFen of the uni"erseB8 8'ell! Terry!8 she ans>ered in her o>n "oice. 89 thin# it >as >hen 9 started tal#ing to myself! .ecause there >as no.ody else to tal# to . . .8 The =o#e trailed off! and ce continued to ride in silence. 9t too# a.out an hour to reach the "alley! and ce >as glad to see the glo> in the distance. The central .onfire of the Tra"ellers8 camp had .een lit! and the light from it shone o"er the fields! ma#ing the stone circle into a giant >heel of shado> spo#es. The sound of drumming echoed do>n the "alley! and ce urged her horse into a gallop! thundering do>n the hillside. She closed her eyes and raised her arms a.o"e her head! holding on >ith her legs. So long ago! running into the >ind at Scrane (nd. Julian laughing! the lea"es .eing pulled from the trees .y the cold >ind. ("en on Hea"en! drifts of them had piled up! thro>n aside .y the horse8s hoo"es. The >heel gre> closer! and ce reluctantly too# the reins again! opening her eyes. May.e she8d >anted Jan to see her thro>ing herself for>ardA into the >ater! into the sno>! into him. This time there >as a huge leap to ma#e! she could feel it. Something .ig >as going to change! and to sur"i"e that change >ould ta#e more than her o>n strength. This time the leap >ould .e made for her. nd all ce could thin# of >as Julian! and the unsaid thoughts he8d leapt >ith into his gra"e. Jan ran for>ard! laughing! and helped her do>n from the saddle. 89 sa> you! doing tric#sC8 he laughed. 8Dou can ride .etter than 9 canC8 8That8s surprising! is itB8 ce held on for a moment as he lo>ered her to the ground. The >hole camp >as gathered around the fire! drin#ing and tal#ing. The Tra"ellers >ere >rapped in colourful >ool ro.es! passing a cup .et>een them and smo#ing long pipes. Cathlan and a group of three others >ere .eating on large hide drums! the rhythm getting faster and faster. $ehind them! t>o other musicians >ere .lo>ing into didgeridoos! ma#ing a lo> >ar.le. The night seemed full of magic! li#e $onfire )ight or Hallo>e8en. ce glanced around the cro>d! and found only t>o people set apart. MKire >as sitting alone! lost in thought. Christopher >as standing on his o>n! >atching as the em.ers from the fire >hirled into the s#y. ,oisa >as no>here to .e seen. 8Des! it8s "ery surprising.8 Jan laughed. 898m a great horseman.8 8So that8s the other thing you8re good atB8 The drumming >as getting faster. Jan shoo# his head. They >ere still touching. 8)o. 9 forgot the matter of horses. Dou8ll find out.8 8'hat if 9 don8t >ant to find outB8 Kiss me no>! in front of e"eryone. 9 >on8t stop you. 8Then . . .8 Jan loo#ed do>n at his feet and then suddenly a>ay. 8'hy then you >on8t.8 ce let go of his lapel. She >ould ha"e said something really good! something that >ould ha"e

sa"ed the situation! .ut Christopher had strode up to them! and put a hand on ce8s shoulder. Jan glared at the tall .eing! .ut >as silent. 8Dou >ish to =oin the tri.e in ceremony tonightB8 8Des.8 ce felt the seriousness of Christopher8s gaFe. 8Then you must tal# to MKire. 'e >ill discuss matters of great import tonight! and she >ill instruct you on ho> your "oice may .e heard.8 8'ell! 9 don8t really >ant a "ote or anything . . .8 8There are no "otes. /o and tal# to her.8 'ithout loo#ing at Jan! ce nodded and >al#ed o"er to MKire. The >oman loo#ed up from her meditations and smiled. 8Hello. Dou8re ce! aren8t youB8 ce had stopped! loo#ing do>n at the pipeli#e o.=ects that hung from MKire8s .elt. 8Those things . . . Sorry! 9 >as trying to place them. They8re Dale# eyestal#s! aren8t theyB8 MKire nodded! and motioned for ce to sit do>n on the rug she had spread in front of her. She unhitched an eye stal# from her .elt and handed it to ce. Something organic rolled around inside! and the dead eye >ashed from .lac# to >hite as ce rotated the stal#. 89 >as a Dale# Killer!8 MKire sighed. 8(<ile DK. Political crimes. 9 planted some .om.s in support of those imprisoned on the lunar penal colony. 9 sur"i"ed on a Dale# >orld for three months until a Tra"eller ship miscalculated a hyperspace =ump and crashlanded in the mountains near my .ase. 9 hitched a ride! helped them repair their engines.8 ce >as impressed .y the ?uiet in MKire8s "oice. 8'hy do you #eep the eyestal#sB8 she as#ed. 8$ounty. These days a Dale# eyestal# is >orth t>enty deca@credits at an 9mperial .ase. These are my last reser"es of cash. They8re here in case . . . in case anything happens that 9 can8t control.8 ce could feel the pain in the >oman8s soft >ords. 8Loo#! is there something >rongB 9 dunno! it =ust seems li#e you8"e sur"i"ed so much! and this is such a great place 8 89s itB 9t8s full of death! ce. 9 don8t need to see any more #illing. )either do you! 9 thin#. 98m missing some.ody! some.ody >ho ought to .e at the ceremony. 9 might ha"e annoyed them earlier. Things >ill .e .etter if . . . >hen they get here. )o>! Christopher has told you to come to me for instructions.8 nd MKire proceeded to tell ce the lore of the ceremony. ce listened as .est she could! .ut she #ept loo#ing round. -nce! Jan loo#ed .ac# at her at the same time. The helicopter fle> lo> o"er the grassy plains! great flurries of lea"es rushing in its >a#e. James Miller loo#ed up from the controls and glanced .ac# at his passenger. The Doctor >as reading a file of papers mar#ed >ith a $lac# Secret seal. He had as#ed to .e dropped off at the archaeological dig site! for reasons .est #no>n to himself. 8'hat do you ma#e of itB8 Miller as#ed! >ondering again if his sudden confidence in the strange little man had .een misplaced. Miller >as old enough to #no> >hat he li#ed a.out some.ody! and the Doctor had the manner of some.ody >ho understood the military. May.e the old soldier >ould .e luc#y enough to .e there >hen the storm happened again! =ust once more. 8,andom interceptions in near.y space! a mysterious o.=ect that sho>s up on trac#ing systems and then "anishes . . . 9 thin# the ?uestion is >hat do you ma#e of itB8 8'ell! >e thought it >as Dale#s! of course!8 Miller said. 8$ut! the Draconians ha"e .een scouring the local systems for their energy >a#es and they ha"en8t found anything. Those lads are on a =ihad! they don8t miss o>t. )o! it8s something else! summat ne>. nd that scares me! Doctor.8 89t8s not ne>.8 The Doctor fro>ned. 89t8s "ery old! if 98m right. *ery dangerous. 9 thought that 9 could spend some time finding my .oo#! .ut no> . . .8 8)o> you8"e got more important things to doB8 8)o.8 The Doctor loo#ed up! his eyes glinting in the moonlight. 8)o> 9 ha"e to find the .oo# as soon as possi.le.8 EEE

Christopher stepped for>ard! carrying a strange o.=ect on a .lac# sil# cloth. 9t >as cylindrical! the matt .lac# surface painted >ith gold designs. Many small =ac#holes studded the e<terior. Christopher held the de"ice aloft! and >al#ed slo>ly round the .onfire three times! anticloc#>ise. The drumming reached a crescendo! and then stopped. ll >as silent. 8 ll those >ho >ish to =oin the ceremony on the /reat 'heel! stand for>ard.8 Christopher8s "oice >as loud and lo>! and ce shi"ered at it. The Tra"ellers all stood! and she stood too. 8'hat8s thatB8 she as#ed MKire. 89t8s a Puterspace dec#!8 the >oman told her. 8Centuries ago! Tra"ellers used chemical su.stances to enter different states of consciousness. They caused their .odies great harm. 9nstead! >e enter a collecti"e hallucination! a computer@generated "irtual reality! programmed to meet our needs. This >ay is more honest! .ut it can .e dangerous. That is >hy you8ll .e partnering Jan.8 8'ell! 9 dunno . . .8 ce found herself .ac#ing off! and then stopped. 8)o! that8s cool. 9f it isn8t drugs! 98ll do it.8 89t isn8t drugs.8 Jan had .een standing .ehind her. )o> he put his hand on ce8s ponytail and mo"ed it gently aside. ce found herself .reathing harder and forci.ly slo>ed it do>n. 8 h! .ut you8re going to need a .eginner8s terminal . . .8 8'hat d8you meanB8 ce as#ed. MKire had >andered off! and >as tal#ing to Christopher. 8)o =ac#hole.8 Jan turned his head and pulled aside his o>n .raided loc#s. t the top of his spine >as a =ac# plug! e<actly li#e Christopher8s. ce shuddered. 8'e8"e all got them.8 8'ell you8re not drilling into my nec#C8 Jan raised an eye.ro>. 8That8s >hy >e8"e also got this.8 He produced a thin >ire headpiece. 8Dou put this on! it8ll get you into the Matri<. 'e go into Puterspace piggy.ac#. 9f you get into trou.le! 98ll pull you out.8 8-r 98ll pull you out.8 8'hy! yes! lass! if that8s the >ay it turns out.8 Jan lic#ed his lips ?uic#ly and grinned. Christopher called the >hole tri.e for>ards! and .egan to hand them lengths of >ire. They formed a dancing circle around the terminal that he had placed atop one of the stones! and plugged the >ires into their o>n =ac#holes. Then they plugged the other end into the dec#. They tossed their heads ecstatically as they did it! the >ires tangling >ith each other. ce >anted to =oin in! .ut didn8t really #no> ho>. 8Sides! the cro>n >as a .it more fragile. Jan glanced at her and ran into the melMe! flinging his head! round! getting his line tangled >ith se"eral others. MKire >as loo#ing around! >aiting for someone. 8'ho >ill guard us >hen >e ha"e entered the Land +nder The HillsB8 she as#ed formally. man in an apron shouldered a plasma rifle and nodded. 89 >illC8 he called. 8Than# you! Coo# 'illiamC8 called MKire. Then her face .ro#e into the s>eetest smile that ce had e"er seen. t the edge of the camp! hugging herself! stood ,oisa. The loo# on her face >as li#e the first .reeFe on the edge of the storm. ce loo#ed .ac# to Jan! >ho >as fighting free of some female Tra"ellers8 lines. He staggered to>ards her! and handed her a length of >ire. ce chec#ed the >ire mesh across her .ro>! and >al#ed to>ards the dec#. s she reached up to insert the other end of the >ire into the =ac#hole! she made a >ish! the closest she had e"er got to a prayer. Protect us all! she thought. 9 don8t #no> e"erything that8s going on! and 9 don8t li#e it. Let8s all get through these times ali"e. Something running along the >ire and into her mind seemed to .e a.out to ans>er her. 8Don8t .e scared!8 Jan called. 898ll .e there >ith you in a 8 single stro.e flashed lonely in some deserted clu.! and a great sigh of s>eat .ro#e from the stage! li#e an in"isi.le audience >as >aiting for some huge .and. $ut ce >as the .and. ll alone on the .ig stage. The silence roared >ith electricity! and she found herself ra"ing! li#e she8d got "ery pissed and >as dissing e"erything in sight.

Some small .it of her heard it all! appalled. 8'hat8s it all forB8 she >as yelling. 8'hen >e die do >e come .ac#B Does death pull us out of the car at the end of the ghost train and say! hey la! >hat a.out another rideB -r is it dust timeB 'hat8s the point of lo"e if >e8re gonna dieB8 $ehind her! the curtain s>ished open! and the .and came on. 9t >as death. The noise of death. Li#e My $loody *alentine turned up to ele"en. ce ne"er sa> >hat it loo#ed li#e. The sound .le> her for>ard! out across the cheap seats! flying curled into a .all! her mouth open in a final gasp. The floor s>ung up to #ill her. She hit it! and di"ed under! .u..led under life! struggling and spinning in .lood! trying to find a light inside her mother8s >om.. )o> there >as a >ell dead thought. 'hy had she hated her Mum that muchB She laughed at the distant hate! and .lood filled her lungs. She could see her .ody! .ac# in the real >orld! =er#ing. Her heart >as .eating too fast! close to stopping. +nder her lids! her eyes rolled and rolled. She >as dreaming too ?uic#ly. She >as going to dieC Here in dreamlandC nd not enough >as done! no lo"e and no reconciliations and no final! final >ord a.out Mum or /litF or the Doctor or ,o.in or 8Stop.8 Christopher reached out and touched her forehead! and they >ere alone again! in dar#ness. 8'ho are youB8 as#ed the slim .eing. ce >as panting. 8(rm . . . dunno. 9s it importantB8 8 ce!8 Christopher insisted. 89 can feel e"erything you are here. Let8s see . . . Dorothy. 'arrior chemist! Dale# #iller! she >ho lo"ed not >isely .ut >ell. The >oman >ho ne"er ran a>ay! ne"er .etrayed anyone! ne"er deserted a friend. She has sacrificed herself! stood up and shouted out against the >orld. She #ic#ed and #ic#ed and #ic#ed 8 8 +ntil e"erything she hated >as #ic#ed outC nd she8s still #ic#ingC -ne up at half time.8 ce clapped and ru..ed her hands o"er her face. 8%rea#ed out or >hatB8 She smiled up at Christopher! relie"ed that she8d found her personality again. 8Dou =ust sa"ed my life! rightB Cheers! .ig earsC8 They >ere standing no> on a sil"er disc! in their real .odies! or so it felt. That had .een a really dodgy moment! li#e death >as .reathing do>n her nec#. $een there .efore! of course! didn8t li#e it last time. 9n the s#y >ere .loc#s of careful colour! li#e a #id8s .uilding #it. They >ere la.elled >ith little signsA 9MC! Hea"en Defence Centre N.ig .lac# one! thatO! Draconian Solarshnar. Clumps of data! she rec#oned! the office .loc#s of the computer >orld. ll around ce and Christopher! across the plane of the disc! Tra"ellers >ere appearing. Some of them loo#ed ?uite different from ho> they >ere in real life. More muscular! heroic! "oluptuous. 8'hat do 9 loo# li#eB8 ce >as suddenly em.arrassed. She could feel e"ery.ody sharing her head. She hoped that she hadn8t got herself all dolled up. 8Dou loo# li#e you!8 Christopher smiled. 89f that8s >hat you >anted.8 )ah! slimmer! taller ce stopped herself. )o >ay >as she e"er gonna loo# li#e anything apart from >hat she >as. Still . . . 8$est #it!8 she decided. 8+m! #eep the Doc Martens. Purple leggings! Kingma#er shirt! do my hair up in .eads! o#ayB8 Christopher nodded! >atching as ce8s .lac# funeral loo# >as transformed .efore him. 89 am glad that you do not >ant to change yourself!8 he said. 8That is the greatest strength a >arrior can ha"e. 9f 9 >ished! 9 could .e male or female here! and e"en ta#e a lo"er. 9 choose not to! for this is .ut a dream. Dreams ma#e the >orld! .ut >e ne"er can ta#e anything from them into our >a#ing li"es.8 ce gently touched Christopher8s nose. 8That8s .eautiful.8 She smiled. 8 nd you8re .eautiful too! >hate"er you are.8 The .eing gaFed mournfully at her. 89f 9 am!8 he murmured! 8it is =ust a cruel accident.8 Jan appeared. He >as t>ice as muscular! done up in the harness of a Celtic >arrior. His hair stuc# out in rough spi#es! and his .ody >as painted >ith .lue spirals. He8d also e"ened his face out! the idiot! so it >as t>ice as e"en .ut half as se<y. 9t >as li#e Jim Morrison had got a facelift.

He >as holding a golden cord that >as suddenly attached to ce8s >rist. 8 moment!8 he grinned. 8-h! 9 see that Christopher got here first.8 8Just as >ell!8 Christopher muttered dar#ly. 8Ho> do you feelB8 Jan as#ed. ce shoo# her head. 8 >ful. 'hat8s this cord forB8 8That8s >hat 9 use to yan# you out if there8s trou.le. h! >e must all .e here . . .8 MKire had appeared in the centre of the disc! na#ed .ut for a .elt on >hich hung "arious .elt pouches. She held on to ,oisa! >ho loo#ed lost and >orried. 8'hat happened to herB8 Jan >hispered! the concern in his "oice apparent. 8/o and see her! if you >ant!8 ce told him. 8)o! >e8ll all meet on the 'heel. 9 ha"e to loo# after you.8 MKire glanced around! chec#ing num.ers. 89nto the DreamingC8 she called. 8 nd .e careful! the atmosphere8s not good today.8 8Here >e goC8 Jan called! and =er#ed the line on ce8s >rist. .loc# of green shot out of the s#y and en"eloped them all. ce and Jan >ere alone in a sunlit forest clearing. 8'here are >eB8 gasped ce. Jan leaned on a tree. 8'ell! if you >ant to .e ordinary!8 he smiled. 8'e! our minds! are in the computer unit of the Puterspace Dec#. This is a "irtual reality! formed on a communications net .et>een all the computers on Hea"en or in Hea"en or.it. The .ig corporations! the go"ernments and em.assies! all ha"e their data in this net. 9t8s easier to get at .y >andering a.out in it! so hac#ers ha"e themsel"es .iologically lin#ed to the matri< "ia the =ac#holes. 'e Tra"ellers made this particular place. 'e call it the Dreaming! or the Land +nder The Hills.8 T>o o>ls fluttered do>n to a lo> .ranch and stared at Jan. He smiled to them. 8Those o>ls! the trees! e"erything here is made of information. 'e pirated a little space! and made it into %airyland. 9t8s al>ays summer here.8 8'hy did you ma#e itB8 ce could smell pine! and hear the crunch of t>igs under her feet. 8%or >orship. This is >here the gods li"e. They might .e mass hallucinations! for e"ery.ody sees them in different forms! y8#no>. -r they might .e real! li"ing! thin#ing .eings. 9n that case! they li"e here >hen >e8re not around. 9n the end! there8s no real difference.8 8Li#e! if a tree falls >hen there8s no.ody to hear it . . .8 89 #no> it ma#es an almighty rac#et!8 Jan grinned. 8That8s magic. D8you >ant to .e #issed yet! lassB8 ce laughed and loo#ed a>ay. 8)ot >ith you loo#ing li#e that! mateC8 8'hat8s >rong >ith itB8 Jan loo#ed do>n at his costume. 89 can change it if you8d li#e.8 8 nd >ho said 9 >anted to #iss youB 'ho said 9 didn8t =ust thin# that you8d .e fun to tal# toB8 8)ot the >ay you8"e .een loo#ing 8 89 loo# at a lot of things! and some of them are ugly. Dou8re >ay too confident! you are.8 8)o! not all the time! 9 8 8$esides! you8"e got a girlfriend. Sorry! 9 mean you8re on timeshare. )ot my style.8 8So you8re not interestedB8 ce >al#ed up to Jan and ran a finger do>n his .ro>! along his nose! across his lips. She let him #iss the finger for a moment! then too# it gently a>ay. 8Don8t tal# li#e you8re selling me dou.le@glaFing. )o> >here are >e goingB8 Jan loo#ed crestfallen at ce8s little grin. 9t too# him a second to pull himself together. 8 h! >ell! that8s the hard .it. -."iously! to tal# to the gods is a .it of an ad"enture. Dou can8t =ust plug in and ha"e a chat. ll of us Tra"ellers! on the >ay to the /reat 'heel! >here >e8ll ha"e our de.ate! >ill meet some of them. Dou meet >hat8s damaging you! >hat8s playing >ith your insides. So >hen you get to ma#ing decisions! you8"e lost all your hang@ups.8 8Dunno if 9 li#e the sound of that. 9 li#e a lot of my pro.lems.8 8So 9 noticed. May.e >hat you8"e got is good then. 9t8s not =ust the gods though. Dou get intruders from other datascapes! corporate hac#ers >ho >ant to #no> >hat this place is and if there8s profit to .e made. The last one of those >ho came here! a hotshot from 9MC . . . rtemis

touched him. The Dar# /oddess frea#ed him so much that >hen he >o#e up in the real >orld he chuc#ed it all in and .ecame a poet. Sometimes you get real monsters too! aliens from >ho #no>s >here. There8s a lot of >eird stuff out here.8 8Don8t 9 #no> it. Let8s go and meet your pro.lems then! ehB8 Jan loo#ed at her >orriedly as they made their >ay into the forest. 8Dou8re a hard >oman! you are.8 8Ta!8 ce smiled. Jan lead .y a fe> feet as they >andered! letting the cord drag along the forest floor. He8d ta#en care not to tug it! hadn8t e"en ac#no>ledged its presence. That >as either #ind or forgetful of him. 8Ho> far ha"e >e got to goB8 she as#ed after ten minutes. 9t >as! after all! =ust li#e a real >ood. )o psychedelic stuff. $it dull! really. 8)o idea!8 shrugged Jan. 8Depends >here >e are in our heads. h.8 He8d stopped and >as peering through a gap in the trees. ce ran up and loo#ed o"er his shoulder. 9n the centre of a clearing >as a des#! and on it stood a go.let! shining gold in the sunlight. man sat .ehind the des#! a croo#ed grin on his face. He >ore an old@fashioned .lue suit! and had slic#ed@.ac# .lac# hair. 8Dou >ould not .elie"e!8 he said to the t>o ad"enturers! 8>hat8s .een going on around here.8 8The Tric#sterC8 Jan .reathed. 8)ot this againC 'hy do 9 al>ays ha"e to go through thisB8 ce had recogniFed the figure instantly! and fro>ned at Jan8s fearful face. 8Come on!8 she muttered. 8He8s nothing to .e afraid of. That8s 8 8 rlan JardolF! the $etalan comedian! 9 #no>. $ut he8s really the Tric#ster! the archetypal god of uni"ersal =o#es. nd this =o#e8s on me! .ecause he sho>s me that go.let e"ery time . . .8 8Just the other day!8 the Tric#ster continued! 89 sa> that goddess Miner"a do>n the s>imming .aths! and she >as measuring field mice >ith an industrial micrometer. 9 told her! 9 said! you #no> that gi"es me indigestion . . .8 Jan stepped into the clearing. 8'hy are you sho>ing me that cup againB8 he as#ed. 8'hat are you trying to tell meB8 89t8s not your cupC8 The Tric#ster did a dou.le ta#e! startled. 89t8s my cupC8 89t8s mineC8 Jan shouted. 8'hy do >e #eep ha"ing to go through thisB This go.let is mineC8 ce >as amaFed at the anger in his shout. 9t had .urst from no>here! li#e a sudden fire. 8Dou could ha"e =ust #ept ?uiet a.out it.8 The Tric#ster stood up! putting his hands on his hips. 8$ut you couldn8t! could youB Dou >ouldn8t let it lieC8 Jan strode for>ard! and put his hand on the go.let. 89 stole the go.let from the chapel of the Church of *acuum .ecause of the ceremonies 9 sa> performed there. The go.let >as full of .lood. 9 cleaned it and put it in my treasure chest. 9 purified it! and it8s not something to .e guilty a.out. This cup is no longer full of 8 He gra..ed it! and pulled it from the des#. $lood sloshed o"er the sides of the cup and co"ered him. 9t ran do>n his face and chest. Jan ho>led li#e a .a.y! and thre> the go.let aside. He ran! off into the >oods. ce follo>ed! suddenly aching inside. 8 ceC8 the Tric#ster yelled as she >as a.out to lea"e the glade. She turned .ac# for a second! accusingly. 8'hatB8 8'hat8s at the end of the race! ceB8 as#ed the god! and turned to >ander off into the trees! s>inging his arms e<tra"agantly. ce caught up >ith Jan after a fe> minutes. He8d collapsed under an old oa# tree! and >as frantically trying to remo"e the .lood >ith a .unch of dead lea"es he8d scooped from the forest floor. ce sat do>n ?uietly .eside him! and too# a .ig rag from her poc#et. She .egan to >ipe the .lood from Jan8s chest and it "anished! erased li#e chal# on a .lac#.oard. Jan loo#ed at her! amaFed. 8Tell me >hat8s >rong!8 she murmured. 8'hat >as all that a.outB8 Jan ran a hand through his hair. 898"e got this thing a.out self@sacrifice . . .8 he muttered! loo#ing aside. 8That8s >hy 9 hate the *acuum Church so much.8

8'hyB 'hat do they .elie"e inB8 8)othing.8 8'hat! they8re atheistsB8 8)o. They thin# that the uni"erse is an accident and that life is meaningless. They em.race death as a release from pain.8 8-#ay! so they8re goths. re they dangerousB8 8)o. 'ell! they ha"e radical factions that sometimes support terrorists! .ut they do good >or#s too! 9 suppose. They attract depressed people! especially those in mourning. 9nstead of telling them that e"ery thing8s going to .e fine! they help them to deal >ith it all in the real >orld. They reco"er. Then they usually lea"e the cult.8 8Ho> do they #eep going! thenB8 Jan leaned .ac# against the tree and sighed. 8Some follo>ers get >rapped up in it. They donate themsel"es to the cause! allo> themsel"es to .e sacrificed. Dou can do that! under (arth la>H it8s li#e legal suicide.8 8That8s horri.le.8 8The church ma#es generous donations to the 9mperial .udget. ll those >ills! you see. h! damn them all. 9 only stole their .loody cupC8 ce put do>n the rag and leaned gently on Jan! her shoulder touching his. 8So >ho sacrificed themsel"es for youB8 she as#ed. Jan loo#ed at her! startled! and ce could see that she >as right. 8Christopher . . .8 he sighed! scre>ing up his eyes tightly. 8Dou sure you >ant to hear a.out thisB8 8Deah! 9 really do.8 8'e >ere in the same unit in the military! drafted . . .8 Jan loo#ed up into the .lue s#ies that shone a.out the forest canopy. 8'e >ere going to fight the Dale#s. $ut >e >ere gi"en the option to test some ne> drugs instead. They >ere supposed to gi"e you psychic po>ers. They hadn8t really got any idea >hat they did to people. 9 >as really afraid of the >ar! y8#no>. 9t loo#ed li#e a great mincing machine! che>ing up lads li#e me and spitting out their .ones.8 8That8s >hat all >ars are li#e.8 8Christopher #ne> that 9 >as scared of going. nd he #ne> that 9 >as scared of ta#ing those ta.lets! too. The .oy lo"ed me li#e a .rother.8 8Dou don8t seem so close no> 8 ce .it her lip. 8)o. /o on.8 8'e >ere each gi"en a different set of pills to ingest!8 Jan sighed. 8They put .oth lots of them on a ta.le! and >e >andered up and do>n that little grey room! >ondering >ho >as going to go first. They >ere >atching us on monitors. 9 >as curled up in a little .all! >eeping. 9 couldn8t =ump either >ay. 'e started to shout at each other! and finally Christopher! >ho >as a mad .astard then! =ust gra.s .oth .ottles and starts thro>ing them do>n his throat. 9 managed to get them off him! and too# a.out half my share. He >as so .ra"e. He =ust >anted to sa"e me it! get it o"er >ith. They gra..ed us and too# us in for e<amination. They >eren8t really angry! more e<cited. They >anted to see >hat the effects >ere. They >ere sodding a>ful. 9 sat there o"er a >ee#! >atching as Christopher . . . lost his se<. His s#in >as li#e clay! it all =ust melted into nothing. He8s =ust smooth no>! li#e some .loody doll. Sounds li#e a =o#e! doesn8t itB8 8)o . . . oh god no! it doesn8t.8 89t >or#ed! mind you. He got some "ast po>ers in e<change. Mrs ,ydd8s little .oy =ust got a little something 8 8'hatB8 8Please! later . . .8 8-#ay! hush . . .8 8 nd 9 didn8t lose a .loody thing. Dou8re thin#ing that all this isn8t so .ad! aren8t youB8 8)o! that8s not 8 8'e #ne> the same >oman! lass! .ac# at home. The same Tra"eller >oman >ho hung around the spaceport and #ept telling us that if >e could stay on the planet one more day she8d get us out of there. Christopher and she >ere in lo"e.8 ce heard the passion in his "oice. He8d #ept this inside him for so long. 8,oisaB8 she as#ed. 8,oisa.8 Jan loo#ed aside! ashamed of his tears. 8That8s >hy 9 can8t! ?uite . . . >hy 98m afraid

to . . .8 ce couldn8t say anything. She reached out! and too# Jan8s chin in her hand! and turned his face to hers. Then she #issed him. fter a moment! he #issed her .ac#. The tears had made his .reath hot! and his tongue met ce8s. His hand stro#ed her hair! and the #iss continued! .oth of them falling .ac# against the tree. shado> fell o"er them. Suddenly! they >ere scram.ling upright. 89t8s all right . . .8 sighed ,oisa! loo#ing do>n at them >ith infinite pity. 89t doesn8t matter no>.8 nd she >al#ed a>ay! lea"ing the t>o of them lying there. They loo#ed at each other a>#>ardly. Jan sprang up and ran after ,oisa. ce sat there for a moment! >ondering if she should follo>. She >as feeling >ell "ulnera.le. The man #issed li#e hot mead. nother shado> o.scured the computeriFed sun. "ast shado>. 9t >as angular and utterly .lac#. 9t s>ooped across the treetops silently! s>eeping in the direction Jan had gone. ce =umped to her feet and sprinted after it. They >ere far off along a dirt path! ,oisa >al#ing stiffly ahead! not listening. Jan >as trying to con"ince her of something! pro.a.ly that he .loody lo"ed her! the fool. He didn8t lo"e her! it >as =ust his o>n guilt #eeping him interested. The cord that .ound him to ce lay slac# on the ground! e<panding >ith the distance .et>een them. -"erhead! the .o<li#e craft >as di"ing do>n at the t>o figures. 9t loo#ed li#e an attac# run! straight out of the sun. 8JanC8 ce .ello>ed! sprinting. 8Loo# outC8 He couldn8t hear her. He hadn8t noticed. Please don8t let him die. She #illed that thought. This place >asn8t real. ce could do >hat she li#ed here. 'hat >ould the Doctor doB The Doctor >ould >in. ce closed her eyes! and yelledA 8("ery.ody here gets out ali"eC8 The ground >hipped a>ay .eneath her feet! Puterspace spinning >ith her effort of >ill. Mud scattered aside from the speed of her .oots. moment later she >as running at Jan! feet from him. She hit him and ,oisa full tilt! lea"es flying. They fell into the .rac#en in a spra>ling heap. .last of light rammed past their heads! turning a tree to "apour. 'ood splintered li#e shrapnel. The dar# thing s>ooped .ac# round for another try. They >ere still untangling themsel"es! and ,oisa >as shouting some fer"ent prayer for forgi"eness. ce reached across to Jan and grasped his hand! struggling to get up. The shado> s>ept across them. nd a .rilliant light cut through it. The .eam sliced straight into the .lac# shape! and it e<ploded into an e<panding .all of pi<els. 'hen the noise died a>ay! ce loo#ed up to MKire! puffing smo#e off the end of a Dale# gunstic#. 89 #ne> 9 #ept this for a reason!8 she said. 89 can e"en "isualiFe it in here. Kills anything! e"en Dale# puterships.8 ce helped ,oisa to her feet. She seemed to shi"er at her touch. 8The Dale#s are in PuterspaceB8 ce as#ed. 8Des!8 sighed MKire. 8They get e"ery>here. $ut they8re not good at it yet. Their hac#ers are still "ulnera.le. Christopher and 9 must tal# a.out impro"ing the defences around the Dreaming. )o>! >e should get to the 'heel. ("ery.ody else is >aiting.8 ce caught a glance that passed .et>een MKire and ,oisa! and realised that the Dale# Killer8s easy tone concealed a >orld of concern. Then she loo#ed at Jan! and they shared a smile together. Still ali"e. EEE

The /reat 'heel >as a "ast round ta.le! mounted on a single .earing. 9t spun slo>ly and continuously in the middle of a shady clearing. 9n its "ery centre! illuminated .y the sun! >as stuc# a slim s>ord >ith a .e=e>elled hilt. The ta.le >as car"ed >ith a comple< pentagram design. 8The s>ord8s pulled out >hen >e mo"e on!8 Jan told ce. 89t8s not a real s>ord! =ust our imagined "ersion of one.8 round the 'heel there >as a chair for e"eryone! each seemingly appropriate to the Tra"eller >ho occupied it. Christopher8s >as a car"ed mi<ture of male and female sym.ols. MKire8s >as a Dale# casing! lined >ith plush satin. Jan8s >as made of >ooden flames! curling up o"er the .ac#. This surprised ce! .ecause she couldn8t understand it. $ut >hat surprised her more >as her o>n chair. 9t >as a stout! straight! >ood@.ac#ed chair. The arms >ere car"ed >ith female motifs! and the .ac# >as inlaid >ith a car"ing of the glo.e of (arth. $ut on the arms! do>n the sides of the thing! there >as something else. ("ery inch of the chair >as car"ed >ith tiny graffitti. She read someA 8%ree le<8! 8Higher Than The Sun8! 8 nd Da"id Seaman 'ill $e *ery Disappointed 'ith That8. Deah. ce sat do>n! chilled to the gills. MKire >atched as all the Tra"ellers found a seat. Then she spo#e. 8'e >ill tal# later of >hat happened on the >ay here. %irstly! 9 .elie"e that ,oisa has an idea concerning us all. ,oisaB8 ,oisa seemed to consider! >atching the ta.le rotate under her gaFe. Then she stood up. 89 ha"e decided to ma#e my home here on Hea"en.8 Her "oice >as almost a >hisper. 8 nd at one point 9 >as going to as# you all to stay. $ut no> . . . 98"e reconsidered. Dou can8t change your lifestyle for me. 9 thin# you should all mo"e on. nd soon. Can >e please ma#e this a ?uic# good.yeB8 MKire stared at her! almost daring ,oisa to meet her gaFe. ce realiFed that she hadn8t .een e<pecting this. 8That8s all 9 ha"e to say. (<cept . . . 98m sorry. %orgi"e me. 9 en=oyed .eing one of the tri.e. 9 en=oyed it so much . . .8 ,oisa sat do>n again! and >as silent. Despite herself! MKire >as the first to spea#. 89 thought you >anted us all to stay. 'hy B8 89t8s a.out me! isn8t itB8 Jan cried out! standing up. 8This is all some horri.le . . .8 he >rung the air >ith his hands. 8Some horri.le =ealous gameC 9 can8t stand this any moreC8 Christopher raised a hand. 8Sit do>n! old friend. Let us slo>ly! o"er a period of de.ate! find all the corners of this ?uestion. )o> . . .8 ,oisa .egan to >eep. ce felt it first. slo> tingle at the .ac# of her s#ull. She turned to Jan! >ho sat .eside her. 8Something8s >rong. 9s that Dale# ship coming .ac#B8 Jan shrugged! distracted. He >as still a.sor.ed in ,oisa8s out.urst. 8)o! of course it isn8t. )othing can hurt us on the 'heel. 'e8re safe here.8 8Then >hat8s 8 The sun >ent out! and the ta.le >as s>ept into dar#ness. .o"e the 'heel floated a huge sphere! a mottled .ro>n glo.e. 9t stan#! ce realiFed >ith a >ince. 9t smelt of slaughterhouses. Screams .urst from the Tra"ellers. ce suddenly found herself una.le to mo"e. The air >as turning to glass! and freeFing in her lungs. The pressure on her arms >as huge. The ta.le .egan to crea# and groan. The >ood split in lightning patterns across the pentagram! and the thing .egan to tilt alarmingly in its spin. Jan >as trying to stand! almost resisting the "ast gra"ity around them. nd then Christopher roared. The roar .lasted from his mouth li#e a thunderclap. 9t sustained! s>eeping aside the pressure that had forced them all do>n. Tra"ellers .egan to "anish as they cut their lin#s >ith the Puterspace Dec#. Christopher stared up at the sphere from his seat! still roaring! thro>ing out a .lan#et of sound. The note >as getting higher. He couldn8t hold it long. Jan >as clim.ing to>ards him! o"er the ta.le! the cord .et>een him and ce stretching. They >ere the only three people left there no>. His arms >ere >ide. He >anted to rescue

Christopher. -h /od! he needed to do it. $ut ce could see that he >asn8t going to ma#e it. The note >ould fail .efore his outstretched grasp reached Christopher8s hand. nd then the s#y >ould fall. Then they8d all die. ce made the decision. She gra..ed the lin#ing cord >ith .oth hands! and hea"ed. 8ChristopherC8 Jan >as screaming. 8Don8t 8 hand pulled the >ire cro>n from ce8s head! ta#ing some hair >ith it. The hand .elonged to MKire. 8'hat happenedB8 she cried! anguished. ce loo#ed up. The Tra"ellers >ere all standing up sha#ily! >eeping. Jan >as staring at the Puterspace dec#. Christopher lay across it! still connected. faint >isp of smo#e drifted from the .ac# of his nec#. His eyes >ere gaFing emptily up>ards at the s#y. Jan8s face creased in a silent scream. 8'ar!8 >hispered ce.

*: T#enties +i,ks
The picture of the Doctor >as fuFFy and distant. 9t >as decaying as it replayed for the hundredth time. 9t shimmered across a fi.re screen! suspended in dar#ness. %etid gasses drifted across the picture! and rasping .reath could .e heard. The gasping increased! until a hiss .urst from the silence. 8Time . . . lordC8 8)ot . . . possi.le!8 a second rasping "oice countered. 8They ha"e not . . . interfered for . . . centuries . . .8 8)o!8 a third "oice agreed >ith the first. 8He smells li#e a Time LordC8 8)er"e fi.res ha"e .een sta.iliFed . . .8 the first "oice hissed. 89 >ish the fourth of us >ere here . . . the #no>ledge in that area is more . . . specialiFed. Ho>e"er . . . 9 ha"e . . . sound.8 8Let me through!8 the Doctor said! ad"ancing on the screen yet again. 898m the Doctor.8 8Doc . . . torB8 hissed the second "oice. 8He . . . is the DoctorC8 lo> hiss of surprise and fear echoed round the cham.er. %inally! the third "oice spo#e. 8 >orthy . . . ad"ersary. He must .e . . . dealt >ith . . .8 $ernice Summerfield >iped the s>eat from her .ro> >ith a cloth. 9t >as >arm underground! the chemical lamps generating heat as >ell as light. She8d told the cre> to #noc# off a.out an hour ago. They >ere sagging on their feet! and! .esides! she could thin# .etter >hen she >as alone. The official sur"ey of Hea"en had some>hat speculati"ely la.elled the arch as the 8Temple -f The Sun8! hypothesiFing that the sil"er construction >as aligned >ith the rising of hea"en8s sun on the solstices. 'ell! computer simulations had sho>n that to .e ru..ish. Typical of old archaeologists to call anything they couldn8t understand a church. $enny >as dusting around the outlines of the door no>! feeling guilty for not ha"ing .een there >hen the thing had .een found in the earthen >all. Three days .efore the money ran out. She already had a pass on a Draconian freighter heading out across their empire. She8d loo# around a .it in Draconian space! see >hat they had on the fringes! may.e e<ca"ate something! may.e see if he8d come out that >ay . . . $ut she >as damned if she >asn8t going to open this door first. 8%ine .rush!8 she muttered! reaching do>n into the #it .ag she8d placed on the floor. 8%ine .rush!8 a "oice replied! handling her the tool. $ernice turned around slo>ly. Standing .ehind her! peering intensely at the car"ings around the door! >as a strange little man in a paisley scarf. 8'ho are youB8 said $enny! amused .y the childli#e loo# of concentration on the stranger8s face. He seemed to snap out of his trance! and flashed her a lo"ely grin! doffing his hat and offering her his hand. 898m the Doctor!8 he said. 898m the Professor.8 $enny shoo# his hand firmly. 8 nd 98m "ery .usy! so 8 8Des! so am 9. Perigosto Stic# . . .8 The Doctor .egan to search through his poc#ets until he found >hat he >as loo#ing forA a thin sil"er pro.e >ith a tiny sphere on top. 8)o>! >e need a small o.=ect . . .8 $ernice loo#ed around the cham.er. 9t >as as if suddenly she >as in the >rong mo"ie. 8(<cuse me! .ut is this importantB 98"e got a door to open.8 8Doors. Tric#y. hC8 The Doctor produced a small cu.e from his poc#et! and $ernice >as suddenly "ery interested. The thing >as almost in"isi.le! li#e a ghost cu.e. -r . . . no! it >as solid as steel. -r may.e it >as shining .rightly. 89 see.8 $enny leaned on the >all and nodded. 8 ll right! this a dream isn8t itB8 She pinched herself. 8Come on! 9 ha"en8t got all night. 'a#e up! $enny! time to >or#C8

8)o time for dreams.8 The Doctor smiled secretly. 8Dou8re a>a#e. This is a tesseract! the shado> of a four@dimensional hypercu.e. 9t can do all sorts of things! and 9 prepared it for a special tas#. $ut it can also .e used to pro"e that >hat goes up 8 he thre> the cu.e into the air and his hand flashed o"er the sphere on the Perigosto Stic# in a comple< pattern. The cu.e "anished. $enny .lin#ed. The Doctor rela<ed! and tapped his chin >ith the Stic#. 89t8s a game played .et>een Time Lords. Manoeu"ring an o.=ect across the dimensions. The loser is the one >ho lets it drop .ac# into normal space. The Prydonians play it >ith spheres of pure platinum. 9 preferred rotten fruit. s >e used to say! time flies li#e an arro>! .ut fruit flies li#e a .anana.8 $enny paused! raising a finger. 8'ait. Tesseracts! Perigosto thingies! Time Lords . . . do you #no> a young >oman called ceB8 8Des!8 the Doctor said dar#ly. 89 tra"el >ith her.8 8Through timeB8 8 nd space. 9n a police .o< that8s .igger on the inside than the outside. ny more ?uestionsB8 $enny reflected for a moment! then decided. 8'hat8s the .est 9sley $rothers songB8 8IThis -ld Heart of MineI.8 $enny nodded solemnly. 8Correct.8 8Surprising ?uestion!8 grinned the Doctor. 8 h! >ell! surprise is my middle name. $ernice Surprise Summerfield. My poor Mum >anted to hammer that point home! 9 thin#. )o>! listen! 98m stac#ing up all these fascinating con"ersations to ha"e later! .ut 9 really do need to open this door. 'hat8s the timeB8 8The relati"e measurement of states of decay!8 muttered the Doctor. 8$ut that8s not important no>. re you e"er going to get it openB8 8'ell! yes! 9 hope so 8 The Doctor made another ?uic# pass o"er his Perigosto Stic#. There >as a solid@sounding clic# from the other side of the door. 8Des!8 smiled the Doctor. 89t too# you a >hile! .ut you did it.8 $enny loo#ed .et>een the Doctor and the door. 8This!8 she sighed! 8is going to ta#e all the fun out of archaeology.8 They met in Jan8s tent. Cathlan! ce! MKire! ,oisa and Jan. 9t loo#ed for a >hile li#e no.ody >as going to say anything. They sat in a circle! .oth ce and ,oisa at Jan8s side. Cathlan =ust shoo# his head and sighed. 9t >as MKire >ho .ro#e the silence. 8'e8ll ha"e the funeral tonight! if no.ody has any o.=ections. 9t8ll .ring us together! li#e the /reat 'heel >as supposed to. $esides! >e don8t >ant authorities as#ing any ?uestions a.out this.8 Jan leaned do>n close to ce and >hispered. 898m sorry. 98m =ust all . . . 9 don8t #no>. Christopher used his po>ers against that thing. He ga"e his life for . . . for . . .8 ,oisa and ce glanced at each other. fter a moment8s eye contact! ce put an arm around the man. 89t8s o#ay!8 she told him. 89 don8t understand . . .8 Jan sighed. 8Don8t understand anything any more.8 MKire ran a hand along the tent material. 8There8s a threat here! to all of us. 'e need to .and together to fight it. 'e don8t need any more pro.lems.8 8Can any.ody tell me >hat happened in thereB8 ce as#ed. 89 mean! >e all sa> the same thing! .ut >hat >as itB8 8'e should ha"e .een safe . . .8 Cathlan muttered. 8'e are prey in the >oods! .ut safe >hen >e reach the 'heel. ("ery.ody #no>s that. Something must ha"e .rought that 9ntruder upon us . . . Some.ody8s inner fla>! it follo>ed us to the 'heelC8 8Hush! Cathlan.8 ,oisa had .een loo#ing despondently at her .oots. 89t doesn8t matter no>! does itB 'e8"e lost Christopher. 'e =ust lost him. ("ery.ody dies sometime! you #no>B 9 lo"ed him "ery much! so did >e all.8 MKire had .een staring intensely at ,oisa. 8Dou8re not o.liged to ans>er! no> that >e8re not on the 'heel! .ut >hy do you to >ant to stay on Hea"enB nd >hy do you >ant the rest of us

to goB8 ,oisa shoo# her head. 89 . . . 9 don8t >ant to tal# a.out it. Christopher >ould ha"e understood! lo"e. Let me go! >ill youB8 She stood and >al#ed ?uic#ly from the tent. ce had seen the tears that >ere >elling in the >oman8s eyes! and felt horri.ly guilty. $ut Jan >as staring into the distance again. 9t might .e months .efore he could come to terms >ith the grief! years .efore he could really dispose of it. The horror >as going to carry on in front of his eyes for a long time. ce ga"e Jan8s arm a gentle s?ueeFe! and #ne> that she had to .e >ith him tonight. $enny pushed the door open carefully. There >as a rustle as ne> air rushed in to mo"e the old dust. 9t >as a round room! >ith a strange rodli#e mechanism mounted on a turnta.le in the centre. The roof >as a slatted half@ glo.e. The >alls >ere co"ered >ith a strange! rough lettering! done in a tiny hand. The >hole place >as coloured dar# .lue! and the mechanism >as .right gold. 8That8s the only thing >e #no> a.out the Hea"enites!8 $enny muttered. 8/reat colour sense.8 The Doctor had >al#ed around the central podium! and had stopped. 8'e #no> something else no> . . .8 he said. $enny >al#ed round to loo#. 9t >as a s#eleton! a tall! rather top@hea"y creature >ith an angular s#ull. 9t >as hanging from three manacles! chained to the >all. The remaining manacle hung free .ehind the thing8s ri.cage! the arm s>inging lightly in the air that had entered the cham.er. 8,itual sacrificeB8 suggested $ernice! then corrected herself. 8)o! that8s =ust the sort of assumption 9 hate.8 89ndeed.8 The Doctor reached out his um.rella and gently tapped the shac#les. 8This is a scientific .uilding. Ha"e a loo# at the de"ice o"er there.8 $enny gently stepped up on to the podium and! >ithout touching it! e<amined the long rod that >as .alanced amid a mesh of gears and le"ers. 8 haC telescope. refractor! not amaFingly po>erful. Didn8t ha"e to .e! since this o.ser"atory8s underground.8 She put her eye to the telescope! and sighed. 89 see a.solutely no ships.8 8The shac#les don8t .elong here. They8"e .een roughly >elded to the >all. Dou can see the heat mar#s. He >asn8t >ounded . . .8 the Doctor >as musing. 8 t least! his .ones >eren8t .ro#en.8 8She.8 $enny hopped off the podium and =oined him. 8-r a male >ho =ust happened to ha"e a huge pel"ic girdle. Mammalian! pro.a.ly something li#e a .ear >ith an opposa.le thum.. -h yes . . . 9 seeC8 8'hatB8 The Doctor fro>ned as $enny stood in front of the s#eletal creature. She mimic#ed doing up the shac#les on .oth her legs! then the one on the right arm. 8She >as left@handed! unli#e me. She couldn8t fasten her o>n left cuff >ith only one free hand.8 8DesC8 The Doctor dropped to his #nees and .egan to scuffle a.out the floor. 8)o need to gro"el!8 said $enny. 898m fairly secure in my .rilliance.8 8Dou managed to find . . .8 The Doctor suddenly spotted something and gra..ed it! holding it up to the light. tiny sli"er of metal. 8The #eyC8 8So >hy should Ms stronomer $ear shac#le herself to the >allB8 $enny as#ed! loo#ing at the #ey. 8Should >e en?uire too deeplyB8 8-h yes.8 The Doctor nodded! =umping up. He >andered >ards the s#eleton and sniffed the .ones. 8)ot much .one marro>! no smell of putrification.8 He s?uatted again! and e<amined the floor. Traces of fine grey dust stuc# to his fingers. 8Smell that.8 8*ery olfactory! aren8t youB8 $enny too# a sniff. 8Mushroom omeletteB8 8Close.8 The Doctor loo#ed around the o.ser"atory! his face dar#ening as his eyes loo#ed into the distance of space and time. 8 fter all these years!8 he >hispered. He turned to $ernice. 89 must get .ac# to Joyceto>n.8 $ernice pretended to consider. 8'ell! 9 thin# 9 can spare a moment . . .8 8/ood. Something terri.le is happening here. 'e may already .e too late.8 The Doctor =umped to his feet. 8Do you ha"e any transportB Miller had .usiness at his .ase . . .8

89 ha"e a horse.8 $ernice too# the #ey from the Doctor. 8$ut there8s something 9 ha"e to do first.8 She unloc#ed the manacles on the s#eleton and it fell. s it did so! a tiny scroll dropped from its hand. $enny pic#ed it up. 8Hmm. Do you >ant to e<amine thisB8 The Doctor >as already at the door. 8-n the >ay!8 he muttered urgently. ce and Jan >al#ed slo>ly around the dying em.ers of the fire. They >ere holding hands! .ut ce >asn8t sure if Jan #ne> a.out that or not. He >as ?uite lost! curled up inside! not loo#ing at her. nd she8d come to this place to grie"e herself. )ot a lot of time for that. 'ell! Jules >ouldn8t ha"e minded. He8d ha"e said to go for it. He8d dri"en up to those gates li#e a madman! the .ig arclights shining do>n on the .attered old car. That >as all such a long time ago. ce >asn8t sure >hy that particular scene #ept coming .ac# to her. The Tra"ellers had >rapped Christopher8s .ody in a .lac# sheet! and gi"en him a Puterspace cro>n to clutch. Then e"ery one of them! e"en the children! had >al#ed up and touched the corpse corpse! >hat a crap >ord for a dead person and said good.ye. ce had said than#s to Christopher for sa"ing her life! .ut had as#ed him in a >hisper not to torment Jan >ith it. She told him that he >as still e<actly >hat he >anted to .e. They had danced for an hour! a "ery controlled dance. The Tra"ellers #ne> it .y heart. ce had =oined in! holding >arm and solid hands >ith MKire and Jan. She8d tripped and stum.led at the steps! .ut she >ouldn8t ha"e missed it. They formed a circle around the fire! and no.ody >as e<cluded. 'illiam the Coo# called the patterns in a Palare rhyme! and the circle fle<ed .ac# and forth. s they danced! Jan had started to >ail! a .ig lo> cry that spread across the Tra"ellers until they >ere all doing it. ,oisa had ta#en a huge .reath and .ello>ed at the s#y! longer and louder than anyone else. ce >atched her! >ishing that she could get rid of it all li#e that. $ut as the scream faded! ce felt the >eight settle .ac# on to the >oman8s shoulders. 'hate"er had died >ith the scream! pain still li"ed inside her. That had made ce cold >ith the slo> horror of it. fter it >as o"er! they too# Christopher to a shallo> hole a mile from the camp! co"ered him o"er and left him. MKire said that he >as in the arms of the /oddess! and >as a man again no>! luc#y in the lo"e of the earth. Then they had trudged .ac# to camp! singing an old song in Palare that >as full of hope and dreams. Jan and ce had sat .y the fire and >atched it .urn out! the cinders drifting up>ards in a spiral. They >ere silent until ce had stood up and made Jan >al# >ith her. She >as cold! and Jan must ha"e .een freeFing. 8Ta#e me up into the >oods!8 she said. 8Deah.8 Jan nodded! dully. 89f you >ant. 9 >as =ust remem.ering . . .8 8$ring your guitar! or >hate"er you call it.8 So Jan did. $ernice had urged the horse on! and no> they >ere galloping across the plains! to>ards the light of Joyceto>n in the distance. The Doctor >as sitting straight in the saddle .ehind $enny! not holding on >ith his hands .ut supporting his um.rella across his lap. He8d already stared at the scrap of parchment! sha#en his head! and replaced it in his poc#et. He seemed deep in thought. 8'here do you come fromB8 he as#ed $ernice. 8-riginallyB8 $enny shouted o"er the sound of the hoo"es. 8$eta Caprisis. (arth colony. My Dad >as a .ig>ig >ith Spacefleet. Mum stayed at home >ith me! until 9 >as se"en.8 8'hat happened thenB8 8-h! the Dale#s did. 'hen the >ar .ro#e out! >e >ere suddenly tactically important. Dad >as at the front! of course! .ut they .ro#e through. Mum gra..ed me and my doll ,e.ecca! and ran for one of the shelters. She! ah! >ell! she dropped ,e.ecca! and sho"ed me through the door. 9t shut after me! .ut Mum could ha"e opened it again. -nly she8d run .ac# do>n the street

for ,e.ecca. Silly thing. The Dale#s started .om.arding the city >ith plasma .eams. Mum >as caught in the first .last.8 The Doctor closed his eyes. 898m "ery sorry.8 8)o! no. Long time ago no>. )ot "ery important. Loads of people lost family. Dad ne"er came .ac#. He "anished after a scrap >ith the Dale#s. $unch of idiots said he8d run a>ay! .ut that8s totally impossi.le! you see! Dad >asn8t li#e that at all.8 8)o.8 8So 9 >as sent to military academy as an orphan. 9 >asn8t "ery good at it! though! .ecause 8 plasma .olt shot .et>een $enny and the Doctor. The horse .uc#ed! sending the Doctor flying. $enny pulled hard on the reins and gra..ed a handgun from the saddle. $lasts of .lue light s#ittered across the ground! and the Doctor rolled! clods of earth flying up around him. s the horse .uc#ed .eneath her! $enny aimed carefully out into the dar#ness! >atching for the source of the .lasts. 8There!8 she >hispered! s?ueeFing the trigger. little copse of trees >as illuminated .y the .last! and a figure fle> .ac#>ards. $enny calmed the horse and =umped do>n. The Doctor had stood up! shielding his eyes against the glare. 8$ecause 9 >as such a .ad shot!8 $enny said. 898"e got .etter since then.8 ce and Jan sat! their .ac#s to a tree! loo#ing do>n the "alley in the moonlight. light mist had risen! and o>ls >ere hooting mournfully in the dar# forest .ehind them. Jan had .egan to pluc# randomly at the strings of his guitar! and at first ce had .een dispirited .y the noise. Just single! isolated notes! floating out across the "alley and dying. $ut gradually! the notes .egan to form se?uences! and the se?uences turned into a >or#ed@out series of chords. melody .egan to drift through the forest. 9t >as a sad tune! simple and gentle! and it caressed around its central motifs. ce could hear patterns rise and fall! sometimes li#e great empires fighting! sometimes li#e a single person spea#ing up and then "anishing into the melody again. Despite herself! her thoughts drifted .ac# to Julian again. She >as surprised to find herself so..ing. )ot hard so.s! letting something a>ful out! li#e they8d usually .een in the past. This >as soft! the only thing you could do >hen you heard the music. Julian >ould ha"e .een crying too. %inally! the music died a>ay! a last gentle note echoing across the "alley. Jan loo#ed up! and ce sa> he >as sadly smiling. 8Jan . . .8 she murmured. 89 . . . oh /od . . . no! >ait . . .8 She >iped her face roughly and too# a deep .reath. 89t8s fine no>!8 Jan sighed! putting his guitar do>n. 8 t least for the moment it8s fine. Shall >e tal# a.out something goodB .out space or somethingB8 So ce leaned .ac# into his arms! pulling them around her li#e a pullo"er. She told him a.out her life! a.out fara>ay Peri"ale. Jan .elie"ed e"ery >ord! .ecause he .elie"ed in magic. 89 >ant to come too!8 he chuc#led. 8Ta#e me a>ay in your T ,D9S and >e8ll go duff up some clo>nsC8 8Deah.8 ce nodded firmly. 89 >ouldn8t mind. 98ll as# the Doctor.8 That didn8t sound good as she said it! .ut then Jan #issed her for the first time in the real >orld. The #iss >as solid and >arm! and it got so passionate and angry that ce #ne> she didn8t >ant to .e out there in the cold anymore. 8 ll night!8 she >hispered! 898"e .een thin#ing a.out something 9 >ant you to do. 'hy don8t >e go .ac# to your tentB8 Jan loo#ed at her! surprised. 8/ods!8 he muttered. 8That sounded gorgeous. Dou8re on.8 He stood up! pulling her up into his arms. 8$ad mista#e!8 ce grinned! running her hand do>n his spine. 8Dou don8t #no> >hat 9 >ant you to do yet! do youB8 Jan shoo# his head! and loo#ed into ce8s eyes. His pupils >ere huge >ith the night. 8'hate"er

you >ish!8 he .reathed. 89 don8t care.8 They ran do>n the hill! into the camp! and past MKire8s tent. %rom inside came the sounds of lo> female con"ersation. ,oisa and MKire >ere together tonight. ce >as glad at that! and smiled as she opened Jan8s tent flap and pulled him inside. They fell on a mess of rugs! #issing. fter a >hile! ce gently disengaged herself from Jan8s mouth. 8Dou8re eager!8 she >hispered. 8'e ha"en8t done >hat 98"e .een thin#ing a.out yet.8 8'ell! no 8 Jan gasped! his "oice gruff. 8So no> it8s time. Sit up.8 Jan did so! .ut from his e<pression it >as clear that he >as in no mood for games. 8,ight.8 ce slapped the man8s #nees. 898"e .een into this idea since 9 met you. Dou see all this hair! all this stuff that8s .ound up on to my headB8 8Des.8 8Ta#e it do>n. /et rid of the clips and all that. $ut gently! rightB Pull it and 98ll go off .ac# to Joyceto>n.8 Jan >as smiling no>. 8Turn your .ac#! then.8 ce did so! and shi"ered deliciously as Jan .egan to undo the clips that #ept her hair in place. 8'e8re .oth ali"e! rightB8 she >hispered. 8Des.8 8 nd >e8"e .oth had enough of death. Dou8re "ery good at that you #no>. Ho> are you >ith .rasB8 8-h . . .8 Jan muttered! stretching a hand for>ard so that ce could see it. He made a little undoing motion. 8(asy as 8 nd his fingers .urst into flame. ce =er#ed .ac#. 8 h! no . . .8 Jan let go of her hair and mo"ed the .urning digits a>ay from her. 8Don8t .e afraid. 98m sorry. May.e you ought to =ust go .ac# to to>n.8 8'hat is itB8 ce as#ed! staring. He >asn8t .eing .urnt! she >as sure. Jan mo"ed around to face her. 8My po>er. 'hat 9 got from the military. That8s >hat 9 meant >hen 9 said that there >as one thing thing 9 could do >ell. 98m a pyro#inetic. 9 can ma#e tiny fires. 9 do it >hen my .lood8s up a.out something. +seful! ehB8 8DeahC 8Course it is.8 Jan concentrated on his hand! and the flame "anished. ce touched the flesh. 9t >asn8t particularly >arm. 8'ell!8 Jan sighed! 8that8s the end of that! so 8 So ce #issed him again! and sho"ed him .ac# on to the rugs! pulling open the #nots at his collar! #issing his sna#e. 8So if 9 get .urnt!8 she >hispered! 89 get .urnt. Don8t 9B8 The arm lay in the .rac#en! still t>itching. Smo#e curled from its shoulder end. There >as no sign of its o>ner. 8)o> that8s >hat 9 call self@control!8 said $ernice. The Doctor loo#ed .ac# to>ards the lights of the to>n! and fro>ned. 8(<actly the opposite!8 he >hispered.

-: A,e Drea.ing
9n the early hours of the morning! ce rolled o"er and loo#ed do>n at Jan8s sleeping .ody. He >as "ery .eautiful. There had! indeed! .een a lot of hair in that pony tail. The sna#e tattoo ran all the >ay do>n his chest! and it >asn8t nasty and macho! li#e most tattoos! .ut! >ell! meaningful. Li#e he meant it. She gently ran her fingers around the =ac#hole at the .ase of his nec#! circled it and popped her little finger inside. He stirred slightly. The area >as slightly inflamed. ce >ondered if it hurt and stopped. She pulled the rugs closer around her. t this point! generally! she li#ed to .e a>ay! 8cos hearing all the things men came out >ith in the morning >as an a>ful e<perience. $ut this time she >anted to stay. Jan >ould say good things. Jan. That >as a good name. ce sighed and shoo# her head! curling up again .eside him. Snuggled in the croo# of her lo"er8s arm! .reathing in his scent! ce allo>ed herself to fall do>n into dreams. This >as the good stuff! she thought. The time of .eing together >hen nothing could hurt you! and you could fool yourself into thin#ing that nothing >ould e"er hurt again. He8d protect you! you could protect him. Dou could suc#le him! offer yourself up as sacrifice to him . . . not that he8d >ant that if he thought a.out it . . . .ut you >in. 9n the do>nfall afterglo>! >hen he >as sleepy and small! >rapped a.out you! you >ere >here you >anted to .e! on the >ay to dreams. Deah. /entle rain .egan to .eat against the fa.ric of the tent. dream arri"ed. The Doctor >al#ed across the surface of the dream. ce .riefly >ondered if he >as dreaming himself! in some room at an inn. ce8s hair >rapped across her head as it turned in the first =er# of deepest sleep. )o>! it >as at this time! child! >hen the stars had turned a.out the nail of hea"en! that the great mage #no>n as the Doctor returned to the ca"e >hat ca"eB 'hereB Hush! ce Dar# it >as! li#e the hidden face of the moon. -r li#e the >om. that the Doctor had t>ice left. S>eet >as the path there. The Doctor cast salt to his left and right as he >al#ed. t the ca"e entrance! the Doctor stopped. 8DeathB8 he called. 8Dour sister Time said 9 could "isit. 'ill you recei"e meB8 89 shall let you in! >ily ra"en! .ut it >ill .e a long >hile .efore 9 recei"e youC8 a female "oice cried! echoing from the ca"e. The Doctor entered! doffing his hat. 9nside the ca"e sat Death! in a ro.e of .lac# sil#. ce tried to see her face! and couldn8t. The Doctor sat .eside the figure! and offered her a gift! a tiny! .urning candle! >hich Death silently too#. 8Last time >e met! >e danced!8 he .egan. 8Did you en=oy that danceB8 8)ot "ery much! 98m afraid. 98"e come to .argain >ith you.8 8 gainB The >ay 9 .argain >ith you! 9 should entertain e"ery life of e"ery catC Dou only ha"e thirteen to gi"e me! Time LordC8 89 ga"e you my si<th life for >isdom 8 Death laughed! and raised a soft finger .et>een the Doctor8s eyes. 8Don8t lie to meC Dou sacrificed the colourful =ester .ecause you needed to .e .ornC Time >ould ha"e her champion! and he >as =ust the compost for your .looming. Dou ran your T ,D9S into the ,ani8s .eam =oyfully. HahC Dour si<th self hates you for that! he >ill .ecome *aleyard for that 8 8Des. 9 #no>. )o> 9 offer myself.8 Death considered! grinning. 8'hyB8 she as#ed finally.

8My life for that of my companion.8 8'hich oneB8 ce >as suddenly afraid! =ealous. 'as there anotherB 8 ceC8 the Doctor gro>led. 8My life for hers. 9 #no> >hat >ill happen on this >orld. 9 #no> ho> many you intend to ta#e. Ta#e me >ith you. ,eplace me >ith someone >ho doesn8t #no> his legacy! >ho >ould ne"er trou.le the (ternals. 9 >ould .e good company.8 $ut Death >as already sha#ing her head. 89 cannot ta#e your life! Doctor. Ha"e you another one to offer me! insteadB Do you ha"e a planB8 ce didn8t care. She >as already so..ing in her sleep! .a>ling out the lo"e she had seen the Doctor gi"e. 9n the dream! the Doctor suddenly loo#ed around! a>are of the sudden noise! aghast. He had so much more to say. The dream .ro#e! and the .its fle> off to .ecome fiction. ce >o#e up crying! full of relief. s dreams sometimes do! this one had gi"en her great fondness for a friend again! a glance at >hat your heart really thin#s of them. The air in the tent >as cool! and ce #ne> she >as t>ice in lo"e! in different >ays! and had to ha"e her t>o lo"es meet and li#e each other. She could do it. She could pull the future together >ith her hands. She could ma#e it >or#! >hate"er time >anted. She reached out to Jan! and .egan to stro#e him a>a#e.

/: 0 (oul! Never Take The Pla,e O' 1our 2an

The ne<t morning! ce >andered into Joyceto>n8s mar#et s?uare! ha"ing hitched a lift >ith Cathlan. The .ig man had ridden into to>n to .arter! and ce had en=oyed his company on the ride as he told riddles and sang o.scene songs. The air >as clear and tasty! and ce .egan to >histle to herself as she >al#ed! despite >hat had happened to Christopher. 9t >as hard! she thought! to feel .ad in these circumstances. That >as .ad! really. May.e Christopher >ould ha"e li#ed it li#e that! .ut may.e he >ouldn8t. She8d #issed Jan good.ye this morning! saying that she8d see him later in the day. His smile >as so .ig and so it should .e that ce hoped he >ouldn8t fall .ac# into sorro> today. t least may.e he8d a"oid this .ig comple< a.out sacrifice and =ust .asically miss his old friend. Jan had said good things! and told her that she >as the most >onderful lo"er he8d e"er had. Deah. She could .elie"e that. %or once. 9t8d .e cool to see the Doctor again no>! to hug him! and sho> him that she could >ander off! .e herself! and then come .ac# and .e his mate too. 9n a corner of the mar#et s?uare! three children >ere po#ing at something >ith a stic#. They >ere =umping .ac# and s?uealing at it. ce >andered o"er! full of the =oys of autumn. 9t >asn8t so long since she8d .een playing games li#e that. The t>o .oys and a girl loo#ed up at her! scared! .ut she s?uatted do>n and peered at the muddy corner! grinning. 8'hat you gotB8 89t8s a monsterC8 the girl >hispered! and used a t>ig to hitch aside a leaf. +nder the leaf t>itched one of the tiny >hite fi.res li#e $enny had caught in that =ar. 9t =er#ed and tried to get under the leaf again! not li#ing the .right lo> sun. The children s?uealed. ce fro>ned. 8That loo#s great. Can 9 #eep itB8 8)o!8 the little girl complained. 89t8s ours.8 ce reached into her .ac#pac#! finding an empty nitro@nine flas# and . . . >ell! >hat >ould #ids here li#eB Her hand chanced upon something she8d al>ays meant to get rid of! .ut ne"er had. 8S>ap you it for thisB8 she as#ed! flic#ing the yo@yo along the ground and spinning it .ac# into her hand. /ood that she could still do that. 9t had ta#en t>o >ee#s! and tons of peer pressure! to learn it. 8DeahC8 gasped the girl! and the children .egan to fight o"er the toy. ce .ent do>n to scoop the creature into the flas# >ith the t>ig. She crushed a "aguely irritated thought that the Doctor .etter appreciate the thing. She could .uy a yo@yo any>here! couldn8t sheB The Doctor >as pacing his room in intense concentration. His fingers >ere descri.ing a comple< pattern! li#e a musician composing a symphony. He8d .oo#ed into the inn late last night! $enny heading .ac# to the dig. 9t had ta#en him an hour to con"ince her that he8d .e perfectly safe! and it had ta#en an intimation that her o>n cre> might .e in danger to send her a>ay. There >as a #noc# at the door. The Doctor stopped his pacing and pulled it ?uic#ly open >ithout ans>ering the #noc#. ce stood there! holding a nitro@nine flas#. 8PresentC8 she said! thro>ing it on to the .ed. The Doctor flinched. ce grinned. 8/ot youC8 she said! and >andered into the room. 8'here >ere you last nightB8 the Doctor as#ed.

ce ran a hand o"er her hair as she plopped do>n in a chair! >ondering >hy this felt so odd. Then she got it. The ?uestion sounded li#e something her Mum might ha"e as#ed. She smiled up at the Doctor! .ut found that he >as loo#ing deadly serious. 8'andered a.out a .it. 'ent and sa> the Tra"ellers.8 8Des.8 The Doctor closed the door. 89 thought so.8 8'e >ent into Puterspace . . . and! listen! something really .ad8s going on.8 She told the Doctor a.out Christopher8s death. The Time Lord8s e<pression gre> dar#er as he listened. He shoo# his head. 8Dou might ha"e .een #illed. Tra"ellers don8t #no> the technology. -nly e"er =ust enough for anything. They fly their ships from the manual! they li"e off other people! they cause more misery and suffering than 8 8'ait a minuteC8 ce stood up and put a hand on the Doctor8s lapel. 8Dou #ne> there >as something going on! rightB Dou didn8t tell me >hat it >as. 'ell! o#ay! the Jargoids are here! ho> do 9 #no> >hat8s safe and >hat isn8tB8 8Dou could ha"e stayed >ith me.8 8Deah! right! that8s usually the safest place to .e! isn8t itB8 8'hat do you meanB8 898m supposed to .e on your side! not .lundering into stuff li#e this 8cos you don8t >ant to tell me a.out it. 98m ce! remem.erB8 89 remem.er.8 The Doctor >as loo#ing at her >ith a distracted air. 8That .oy . . . the one 9 sa"ed. Dou ha"en8t mentioned him. 'as he thereB8 8Deah.8 ce glanced do>n at her .oots. 8Crashed in his tent 8 89 don8t thin# you should go .ac# . . .8 The Doctor had turned aside! and ce couldn8t see the e<pression on his face! .ut his tone >as decepti"ely mild. 9t >as the first time the Time Lord had e"er sounded li#e a parent to ce. Pre"iously! his lo"e had .een li#e a real friend8s >as! >ithout all the .lac#mail .ullshit. 8Dou >hatB8 89t might .e dangerous! you don8t #no> the people. ll sorts of reasons.8 He >as muttering! trying to stop >hat he8d started. ce paused. She8d sounded something really deep inside him. She put a hand on his! and a moment later! as if considering the action! he held it. 8/i"e us a .etter reason! ehB8 she as#ed. 8)o. 9 >as >rong. %orget 9 said it.8 fter a moment he finally turned to loo# at her. The Doctor8s face .etrayed no emotion. 8Sorry!8 he muttered. 8Dou8re free. Dou can do >hat you >ant.8 89 >ant to stay >ith you.8 9t had come out more directly than she8d >anted. She didn8t >ant to hear an ans>er. 8Just tell me >hat8s going on.8 89 don8t #no> myself. )ot yet.8 8So >hy don8t you loo# at the thing in the flas#B8 s if sensing that ce >anted to change the su.=ect! the Doctor pic#ed up the container and unscre>ed it! thro>ing the contents on to the ta.le. 8'here did you find itB8 he as#ed! .ending closer to the surface. 8The mar#et s?uare. Some #ids had it.8 The Doctor too# a pro.e from his poc#et! and inspected the t>itching filament. He flic#ed a control on the pro.e! and a tiny .urst of laser light #illed the thing. 8HeyC8 murmured ce. 89t8s all right!8 the Doctor said! lifting it >ith t>eeFers. 89t8s part of a group organism. Dou can8t #ill the >hole thing .y s>itching off one of its parts. 9t8s a fungal spore.8 8'hat! li#e a mushroom seedB8 8Des. $ut alien. 98"e seen something li#e it .efore. Long ago. $ut the structure seems different. 9 must ta#e this .ac# to the T ,D9S la.. Dou >ere going to tal# to the Li.rarian! >eren8t youB8 8Deah.8 ce had .een >atching the Doctor engrossed in his >or#. 9t >as li#e he8d clic#ed .ac# into .eing him. 'hate"er his pro.lem >ith Jan >as! the Doctor she >as used to >as .ac# again. 89 need to find The Papers of Felsecar. +rgently. 9 found a piece of paper last night . . . 9 can8t read it.8

89 though you could read anythingB8 8)o. 9 can only understand speech. 'ords on paper don8t ha"e minds that you can read. So 9 need another #ey. Perhaps you could ha"e a >ord! as# Trench if he #no>s >here the .oo# >ent.8 8Sure.8 ce >ent to the door. The Doctor >as still .ending o"er the spore. 898ll .e off then.8 ce glanced at the Doctor >orriedly. 8Des.8 The Doctor heard the door close .ehind him. Then he slo>ly lo>ered the spore to the ta.le. He leaned on the chair! and his face creased into an e<pression of pain. -perati"e Miller fro>ned at the man standing in front of his des#. 8'hat happened to youB8 Kale cradled his arm in its sling! glaring at his superior. 8Creatures! sir. Horri.le things. 9 too# a routine patrol out into the %orest of rden. 9 >andered off! sa> >hat 9 thought >as a campfire . . .8 898m reading .et>een the lines! Kale.8 8This huge thing came at me out of the dar#. Smashed my arm. 9t >as all dressed in .lac#! had a helmet on. 9 dropped my >eapon! 9 had to! and 9 ran. 9 made it .ac# to the patrol and >e came in straight a>ay.8 Miller stood! angrily. 8'hy did no.ody >a#e meB8 89 >as in the medical .ay! sir. 98d ordered the patrol to stand do>n! 9 must ha"e .een in a daFe . . .8 8So >hat8s ne>! ladB8 Miller punched a communicator control. 8Security state yello>. 9 >ant a general notice out to all ships in the e?uatorial doc#s to report anything strange.8 Miller closed the lin#. Kale raised his free arm. 8The or.ital platform! sir 8 8Des! 9 >as =ust thin#ing a.out that. 'e8d .etter >arn them.8 Miller scratched his chin. ("ery colony had a small or.iting space station! a place >here incoming ships could drop cargo >ithout ha"ing to ma#e planetfall. Hea"en >as no e<ception. The cre> of the platform >ere particularly "ulnera.le to any form of space.orne attac#. 8'hat 9 >as going to say! sir . . . 'ell! 98"e not .een a "ery good soldier.8 8True.8 8That .astard could ha"e #illed me! sir. 9 >ant a piece of it. 98m in no condition to fight! .ut 9 specialiFed in scanner >or# >hen 9 >as training >ith the mining corporation. 9 could ta#e a shuttle up there! put the >hole planet through a scanner s>eep 8 8The data from >hich might .e of huge commercial "alue . . .8 8Des! sir.8 Kale8s glance flic#ered across his superior8s face! siFing him up. 8$ut! on the other hand! it >ould sho> up anything unusual on the surface of Hea"en. 9t >ould .e useful to .oth of us.8 Miller in>ardly >inced. He8d ne"er got used to this sort of compromise! .ut he >as going to need the troopers8 loyalty soon! and Kale had al>ays had their ear. 8*ery >ell. Keep me informed.8 8Des sirC8 Kale saluted and e<ited. Miller nodded! slo>ly. He8d ha"e to tell the Doctor a.out this. He punched another control. 8Judith!8 he ordered! 8find me e"erything >e8"e got on file a.out the Sontarans.8 'hy did e"erything al>ays ha"e to get complicatedB ce stamped up the steps to the Li.rary! angry. She felt guilty! damn it. That >as the first time the Doctor had come on li#e a parent! gi"ing his lo"e all sorts of conditions. 'as he =ealousB 9t >asn8t as if Jan >as any threat to him . . . She stepped inside the Li.rary .uilding! and made her >ay ?uic#ly past the security system in the same >ay the Doctor had last time. 9t >as =ust a code to punch into a #ey.oard. )ot hard to .rea#. Mind you! on this planet! >ho >as there to .rea# itB s soon as she >as inside the "aulted hall she heard singing. sad old song! the >ords too lo> for her to hear. ce recogniFed the "oice as that of Trench! the old li.rarian. She made her >ay through the shel"es until she found him. The old man >as ta#ing documents from a shelf do>n on to a small cart! the #ind that >as

used for loading spaceships. The cart >as already piled high >ith manuscripts. 8HiC8 ce stepped for>ard. Trench =umped and loo#ed round ?uic#ly. He put a hand to his chest. 8-h . . . hello. Dou scared me.8 8Sorry! didn8t mean to. 'hat you doingB8 8-h . . . ah . . .8 Trench glanced .et>een the cart and the shel"es. 8Just ta#ing some of the stoc# into storage. 9 e<pected you to #noc#! you #no>. This is supposed to .e a secure area.8 ce s?uatted do>n .y the cart and read some of the titles on the documents. 8Poetry!8 she murmured. 8 nd no"els. manuscript of The Bell Jar . Deah! 9 read this >hen 9 >as fourteen.8 8$ut it has .een .anned for decadesC8 8Can8t see >hy.8 8)o.8 smile spread across Trench8s face. 8)either can 9. 'ould you li#e a cup of chocolateB8 Jan >as clearing out Christopher8s tent! folding and pac#ing things into crates. )othing could .e >asted! .ut anything that >as special to Christopher >ould .e preser"ed in a small collection of memories that MKire #ept. That >as the trou.le. Jan couldn8t thin# of one thing that Christopher >ould ha"e #ept. ,oisa entered and stopped. 89 didn8t e<pect to find you here . . .8 she murmured. 8)o.8 Jan sat do>n and loo#ed up at her. 8%orgi"e me! ,oisa. 9 ne"er meant to hurt you.8 ,oisa sat .eside him and ?uic#ly stro#ed his hair. 89 lo"e you. 9t hurt to find you >ith ce! it8s al>ays hurt >ith e"ery one of them.8 898m sorry! if 9 could offer you my hand! you #no> 9 8 8Things ha"e changed no>. 9 >ant you to .e happy >ith ce. Dou should ta#e her and lea"e here! ?uic#ly. h! Jan! if you only #ne> >hat 9 #no> . . .8 8 nd >hat8s thatB Can8t you e"en tell MKireB8 8)o. Hold me for a >hile! can youB8 8 l>ays.8 The couple em.raced >ith an old ease. 89 don8t #no> if she >ants me! you #no>!8 Jan said. 8She might .e on her >ay again! soon. nd >hate"er happens >ith her! 9 can8t lose sight of you! lass . . .8 ,oisa closed her eyes tightly. 8Dou8ll ha"e to!8 she >hispered. There >as a cough from the door. The Doctor stood there! glaring do>n at Jan. 8DoctorC8 Jan =umped up! pulling ,oisa after him. 8,oisa! this man sa"ed my life in the mar#et s?uareC8 He turned to the Time Lord. 8Dou must meet the rest of the tri.e! Doctor. ce has told me all a.out you.8 898m sure . . .8 ,oisa nodded to the Time Lord! staring at his face >ith intense interest. 8Than# you for sa"ing Jan8s life!8 she said. 898"e come to tal# to you.8 The Doctor turned to Jan. 8'ell! 98ll lea"e you alone.8 ,oisa left the tent. s she opened the flap! Jan glimpsed the unusual shape of a police .o< near the ashes of the fire. 8So Doctor! please ha"e some mead at my tent.8 8)o.8 The Doctor sat do>n! crossing his legs. 8'e must tal#. Tell me! >hat8s your definition of lo"eB8 8 9 . . .8 Jan loo#ed around the tent! perple<ed. 89 don8t #no>. 9 #no> 9 feel it. 9t8s caring! isn8t it! ma#ing sure that the people! you lo"e don8t come to harm. )o>! if you had as#ed Christopher 8 8Should you ma#e sacrifices for lo"eB 9f staying >ould hurt the one you lo"e 8 8Then 98d go!8 Jan said firmly! staring into the Time Lord8s eyes. 8Do you #no> something 9 don8tB8 8Many things.8 The Doctor paused! unsure. 8$ut nothing urgent.8 He seemed to ma#e a decision! and stood up. 898m glad! >e tal#ed.8 Jan stood also! laughing and sha#ing his head. 8'ell! 9 ha"e no idea >hat >e =ust tal#ed a.out. There is something you should #no>! though 8 He too# a pace closer to the Doctor! his face serious. 89 care a.out >hat happens to ce. $y god! 9 care a.out herC8

8Des.8 The Doctor closed his eyes! and put a hand gently on Jan8s shoulder. 89 .elie"e you. So do 9. Dou8"e =ust made my =o. so much more dangerous.8 8'hat is your =o.B8 8'a#ing this >orld from the nightmare of its history.8 The Doctor glanced around the tent! .usinessli#e again. 8Dou ha"e a Puterspace dec#. 9 need to use it.8 8-f course!8 Jan laughed! leading the Doctor outside. 8$ut you8d .est .e careful! there are things in Puterspace these days 8 89 #no>!8 muttered the Doctor! shading his eyes against the morning sun. 89 #no> all too >ell. 9 had hoped not to meet them there.8 He loo#ed at Jan again! and the Tra"eller sa> desperate pity in his eyes. 8$ut no> 9 ha"e to try.8 8Dou >ere sa"ing those "olumes!8 ce .le> the steam off her cup of chocolate! 8getting them ready for transport. 'hyB8 Trench shoo# his head! ?uic#ly. 8)o! noC 'hy! >hat is there to sa"e them fromB They are =ust literature! as you said. )o "alue in them.8 8 8Course there is. They8re originals.8 89 forget that not e"ery.ody thin#s li#e a soldier.8 The t>o of them had set up a ma#eshift ta.le on a crate. Trench and ce had tal#ed for ages a.out poetry. )o> ce felt that it >as time to get to the point. 8Do you #no> >here The Papers Of Felsecar has got toB8 she as#ed. 89t8s important.8 8)o! 9 ha"e no idea.8 Trench said ?uic#ly! glancing up>ards. 8The "olume simply >ent missing. 9 thin# it must ha"e .een stolen.8 Deah. The place >as .ugged. 8'ant to ta#e a >al# outsideB8 8)o! 9 must get on >ith my >or#! there8s no time to >aste.8 8Des! there isC 'hat8s the hurryB8 8Dou misunderstand.8 Trench reached out and held ce8s hand. The poor man >as sha#ing. 89 am an old man. 9 ha"e to finish my .usiness! my "ast =o. here! .efore 9 die.8 8That8s not gonna .e for years!8 ce smiled. 8$ut 98ll let you get on >ith it.8 She stood up. 8Dou #no> >hat 9 hateB8 8'hatB8 8$ullies. Me and the Doctor find them and .ully them .ac#. 9t sometimes ta#es a >hile! .ut e"entually 8 she snapped her fingers. 8)o pro.lem.8 Trench smiled again! a sad old smile. 8That!8 he murmured! 8is a >onderful dream to ha"e.8 89t8s not a dream.8 ce s?ueeFed his hand. 89t8s true. 9t >or#s.8 8Perhaps it does.8 Trench too# a deep .reath. 8-f course! there are records of the .oo# on our computer system. Perhaps they >ould indicate >here you could find another copy. $ut 9 couldn8t possi.ly loo# it up for you at the moment. 9 am much too .usy.8 898m sure you are!8 grinned ce! >ishing she could tell the li.rarian ho> .ra"e she thought he >as. 898m off. See you later! curator.8 s she left! Trench allo>ed himself a smile! and .egan to chuc#le. Then he put a hand to his chest once more! afraid! and returned to his >or#. 8Dour pa>n is in place.8 Phaedrus #nelt .efore >hat had once .een his friend. 8'e . . . #no>C8 hissed the tentacled mass in the metal frame. 8'e turned a . . . mis=udged attac# . . . into a . . . su.tle ad"ance. 'e ha"e . . . other ad"ances planned. ("erything must .e . . . perfect . . . .efore >e stri#eC8 Phaedrus sighed. 8Must >e create so much! in"est so much time in plans! .efore the destruction can .eginB8 8DesC8 hissed the fungus. 8'e . . . ha"e .een planning for one . . . million . . . yearsC 'e . . . are the masters of traps and . . . misdirectionsC nd as yet >e are . . . still . . . "ulnera.leC8 8'hat must 9 doB8 as#ed Phaedrus o.ediently. 8Steal a Puterspace dec# . . . and send three acolytes . . . into Puterspace. 'e shall . . . guide them to their . . . prey.8 89t shall .e so.8 Phaedrus stepped to>ards the cellar door. Then he halted. tentacle >as gripping lightly at the hem of his smoc#.

8 nd .ring me some . . . .loodC8 hissed the creature. 89 ha"e need of . . . sustenanceC8 8-f course.8 Phaedrus smiled. 8There8s al>ays some a.out the place.8

3: Ne,ro4olis
The Doctor >al#ed do>n the colourful corridors of Puterspace! ?uietly interfacing >ith puffs of data as they fluttered .y. His >ay >as su.tle! of course. He follo>ed no ritual! and trod three paces ahead of any alien contact. 9n the real >orld! his .ody lay in Jan8s tent! his head ent>ined in the mesh of a >ire cro>n. ("ery no> and then! this .ody mum.led >orried >ords a.out one last try! a.out doing things the right >ay! the old >ay. ("ery no> and then! that .ody forgot >ho it >as in its dreams! and called those >atching Dodo! or Susan! or ,assilon. $ut the Doctor didn8t #no> that in the Matri<. Through a maFe of tightly folded information! he approached his goal. Stretched .efore him in the transparent "oid of Puterspace >ere a thousand colourful .loc#s. Corporate and 9mperial datafields. 8Hea"enC8 called the Doctor. 8(conomic historyC8 grey .loc# rushed up and engulfed him. The Doctor >atched as .ureaucrats typed casualty lists. 'hole screens full of them >ere routed into gro>ing .lac# .u..les of files that >ere Hea"en8s allocations. The image fast@for>arded. More >ars! more lists! more corpses. The .u..les gre> .igger! and then something strange happened. ll the other .u..les! all those that indicated >here the other corpses >ere going e=ected into spaceH crematedH e"en ta#en .ac# to (arth all of them merged >ith the .lac# .u..les. The Time Lord nodded grimly. %or three decades! he >atched e"ery dead human in space .eing sent to Hea"en. He sa> the programs that did this! little dar# .uFFing things that pumped the data into the .alloons. Then the Doctor left. He returned to the datafields and found the Tra"ellers8 pri"ate space! the Land +nder The Hills. 'hen he read the name! he laughed. The green .loc# folded into forest under his feet. He >as standing in the clearing >here the /reat 'heel lay! resting as#e> on its pi"ot. The air >as full of smo#e! and the static charge of a .attle lost. 8HelloC8 he called. )o ans>er came! so he >andered up to >here the s>ord protruded from the ta.le. Sadly! he put a foot to the >ood and pulled the .lade out. That >as >hen the three dar# figures stepped from out of the trees. They >ere cloa#ed from head to toe in .lac# sil#! and their faces >ere hidden. 8/ood afternoon!8 the Doctor grinned! s>inging the s>ord gently. 8'onderful place for a picnic.8 They didn8t stop to .argain. (ach figure snapped out a tiny sil"er disc and thre> it. Computer "iruses! designed to strip the Doctor8s image do>n and #ill his .ody in the real >orld. Leaping up on to the ta.le! the Doctor s>atted all three aside >ith one stro#e of the s>ord. -ne of the discs leapt straight .ac# at its o>ner! and he e<ploded into a mass of splattered data. 8'e don8t ha"e to fightC8 yelled the Doctor. 89 ha"e .attled in the Matri< of /allifreyC /o .ac# to your homesC8 Mere .luff. The t>o remaining figures ad"anced on the Doctor from different directions! #no>ing that he could not fight them .oth off hand to hand. The Doctor loo#ed .et>een them! detesting the >eight of the .lade in his hand! e"en as he #ne> he >ould ha"e to use it. Then another figure stepped from hiding. He >as clad in a long purple ro.e! and his head >as hidden in a hood. He pointed at the t>o

assassins. They stum.led! as if they >ere on the dec# of a ship! and fell straight through the forest floor! >ith only a little rustle of lea"es. The ground closed .ehind them. The Doctor felt their minds disengage from Puterspace. He loo#ed up at his rescuer. 8Than# you!8 he muttered. 89 though 9 >as alone.8 8Since 9 died!8 Christopher sighed! pulling .ac# his hood! 8no.ody in Puterspace has .een alone.8 The t>o acolytes of the *acuum Church stared do>n at their companion. ll three had .een connected to the same dec#! .ut they had returned to the Temple unharmed. The man8s hair >as gently charring as he lay across the ta.le in the .asement of the Church. The other t>o cultists loo#ed at each other. They en"ied his interesting death. Phaedrus shoo# his head! #no>ing that the creature .elo> in the cellar >ould .e angered .y this failure. Still! he could follo> its philosophy of no >astage. 89 shall enter Puterspace myself!8 he told the acolytes. 8 ttach the Trap soft>are to the dec#.8 He gestured to the corpse. 8Ta#e that do>n to the cellar. 9n death! he can still ser"e the $rotherhood.8 8Ho> did you sur"i"eB8 The Doctor >andered >ith Christopher through the >oodlands of the "irtual reality. 8%rom >hat ce said 8 8My .ody is dead.8 Christopher shi"ered slightly. 8%orgi"e me! 98"e .ecome used to a lot! .ut that thought! it still . . . it still terrifies me. The enemy sent a shoc# through me that #illed my flesh! and then "anished. They did not thin# that my po>ers >ould allo> me to drag my memory entirely into the Matri<. Here! 9 still li"e.8 8 nd your physical formB8 8There are still connections. 9 ha"e yet to see >hat is possi.le.8 89 must find out >here the enemy are. 9t8s "ital. 9f 9 can find out no>! 9 can sa"e so many li"es. 9 could actually call Spacefleet! .efore any of this tragedy comes to .e! 9 could stop it happening 8 8That road is closed.8 Christopher seemed angry. 89 ha"e .ecome a>are of so much since 9 .ecame one >ith the Dreaming. 9 #no> the future.8 8Terri.le! isn8t itB8 8The futureB8 8Kno>ing it.8 89 am starting to realiFe that! Doctor. $ut it is too late. There is no >ay to locate the enemy through the Matri<. They are too strong here. )o> you can only do >hat you do .est.8 The Doctor stopped! and shoo# his head! his face once more an e<pression of pain. 8Lose .efore 9 >in!8 he sighed. 8She >on8t forgi"e me.8 8She may.8 The purple figure placed a hand on the Time Lord8s shoulder. He >as a.out to say something else! .ut suddenly! a surprised e<pression >ashed o"er his face. 8-h!8 he said. 8Something is 8 lone. 'andering in the "orte<. Dying. The Doctor >as lying in the corner of the T ,D9S! the radiation from the /reat -ne8s ca"e ra"aging his .ody. 9t had ta#en years . . . ten years of slo> decomposition. Dears he8d forgotten. The memory of pain fades >ith time. So ho> >as he here no>B Did he ha"e to go through all this againB He reached a hand out to>ards the console from >here he lay. The hand >as his o>n . . . his se"enth hand. 9t >a"ered in his failing "ision! and for a moment it had the ruffled cuff of his third incarnation. 8Dou pro.a.ly see yourself as you are no>.8 Phaedrus stepped into the Doctor8s field of "ie>. He >as loo#ing around the T ,D9S >ith interest. 8My name is Phaedrus! 9 >or# for the Church of *acuum. 9 am sorry to see you in such pain.8 8 re youB8 8'e trapped you. 'e used some special soft>are of ours on this area of Puterspace. 9t8s a "ery comple< program! a ,utan one! 9 .elie"e. 9t ma#es use of our huge .an#s of memory data! accesses the >orst memories of the person in Puterspace! and then turns the Matri< around

them into a representation of that memory. 98d .e done for too! if it >asn8t for my rescue line.8 Phaedrus gestured at the golden cord that lay .y his feet. 8'hyB8 The ?uestion >as a dry croa#. 8My church doesn8t >ant you on Hea"en. 9 don8t ha"e to gi"e my reasons for that! 98m sure you8"e made guesses of your o>n.8 8Ho>B8 8 mindscan >as co"ertly ta#en of you at your second trial. That scan found its >ay into the possession of a rather compromised Time Lord. He must ha"e read it .efore dying at the hands of my masters! and his mind >as a.sor.ed into their consciousness. ny corpse! any li"ing mind that falls to them . . . they #no> all it #no>s. 9 ha"e an offer to ma#e you.8 The Doctor raised an eye.ro> slightly. 9t too# all his strength to ma#e the effort. Phaedrus loo#ed do>n at him >ith compassion. 8Die!8 he said gently. 8Simply die. The alternati"e is to .e stranded here for ten years of your time. Dou >ill slo>ly rot a>ay! as you did .efore. This >ill .e "ery .ad. Please! accept our mercy.8 The Doctor shi"ered! gathering his strength. 89 >ill ne"er surrender to youC8 he spat. 8Dou are an a.ominationC8 8)o.8 Phaedrus shoo# his head ?uic#ly. 8'e are realists. -nly that. 9 >ill return! please don8t >orry. 98ll .e .ac# in a fe> minutes of my time. That >ill! perhaps! .e a year or so of yours. Adieu.8 Phaedrus stepped aside! pulled on his cord! and "anished. 8)o!8 the Doctor >hispered. 8)o.8 He tried to rise! and fell .ac# again. His .ody >as >ea# as a .a.y8s! his e"ery cell ruptured .y the #illing radiation. 8Death!8 he >hispered. 8 gain.8 ce popped her head around the flap of Jan8s tent suspiciously. She8d seen the T ,D9S standing .y the .onfire and run straight in. She8d thought that they8d .een tal#ing a.out her! .ehind her .ac#. That >as >ay scary. 'hat she sa> >hen she entered >as >orse. The Doctor lay against some pillo>s! his head propped up. round his .ro> >as fastened the >ire cro>n of a Puterspace terminal. He >as deathly >hite! and his .reathing came in slo>! fitful gasps. Jan! ,oisa and MKire stood o"er him! their faces desperate. Jan put an arm around ce. 8'hat8s he doingB8 she as#ed! fearfully. 8He >anted to go in! 9 told him it >as dangerous no> 8 8He8s in a .ad >ay.8 ,oisa loo#ed up! her glance registering ce for a moment then darting a>ay. 8'e don8t dare pull off the cro>n! it could result in se"ere .rain damage.8 ce thre> off her =ac#et. 8/et me a terminal.8 8)oC8 Jan pulled her to face him. 8He8s dying! 9 don8t >ant you to 8 ce carefully too# his hands off her. 89f he8s fighting something he can8t handle! if he8s surrounded .y enemies! then 9 ha"e to .e there. l>ays. That8s the deal.8 8'hat! so he >on8t die aloneB8 8Deah.8 ce nodded. 89f it comes to that. So get me a terminal.8 The Doctor had cra>led across the T ,D9S control room floor! lea"ing a trail of .lood from a sore that had de"eloped in his leg. The ship >as in flight! the column slo>ly rising and falling. ll those years ago. 9t had ta#en a decade. The T ,D9S had .rought him home in the end! of course! .ut it had ta#en so many years. $ad memories. Memories they8d got from some dead Time Lord. Memories stolen from /allifrey. $ad memories gi"en to him li#e a plague. He >as trying to reach the console. Trying to reach the .ig red le"er that >ould open the doors. 9f the doors opened in flight! the emergency system >ould cut in. 9f that happened! then! if he could someho> hold on as the air e<ploded out into the "orte<! the ship >ould ma#e an emergency landing. Some>here. 9f the conditions outside >ere life@supporting! then may.e the Doctor could cra>l to find help. 9f he found help! he could organiFe resistance! put together a fighting force. 'in.

He didn8t stop to thin# that this >as all illusion! that his tormentors >ould =ust thro> him .ac# into his memories. His hand shoo# an inch from the console. The muscles in his >rist >ere cramped. He stretched . . . and he felt his strength failing. nd then a hand too# his and pulled him upright. ce stood inside the console room! supporting the Doctor in her arms. 8Johnny Piper8s .ac#C8 she grinned. 8)oC8 the Doctor >hispered! spitting .lood. 8Should ha"e left me.8 8)o chance. 'e8re out of here.8 8Should ha"e left me .ecause 8 9t >as a dar# hall>ay. The >allpaper >as purple. Distant tele"ision sounds came from do>nstairs. The t>o ad"enturers >ere standing! suddenly! in an ordinary su.ur.an house. 8-h my /od!8 ce .reathed. 8$ecause the system8s set to ta#e intruders .ac# to 8 8Their >orst time e"er!8 ce groaned. 8Peri"ale in the eightiesC8 They stepped carefully do>n the stairs! ce helping the Doctor >ith each little drop. He >as still >ea#! though his >ounds had "anished. ce guessed that the computer >orld >as ha"ing trou.le #eeping up >ith all these little plot details. 8My house . . .8 she told the Doctor. 8$ut it8s strange. Li#e that picture up there.8 -n the stair>ell hung a painting! an a.stract mass of colours. 8That8s meant to .e a little .oy >ith a dog. Crap picture. 'hy is it so "agueB8 The Doctor sat do>n on the steps! and ce sat >ith him. 8$ecause this place is made from some.ody else8s memories. Some.ody >ho hadn8t e"er stopped to really loo# at that picture. -ur enemies ha"e .een acti"e for millions of years! their feelers are e"ery>here. Some.ody you #ne> . . . has .een a.sor.ed into their group mind.8 8'hoB8 89 don8t #no>.8 89s there any >ay out of thisB8 89 don8t #no> . . .8 8Don8t #eep saying that! it ma#es me ner"ous.8 8The enemy control this place. $ut perhaps there are remnants of the Tra"ellers8 Dreaming! hidden in this >orld. Perhaps >e can use them to get out. 9 can8t say too much. -ur foes might .e listening.8 8'hat >ill they do .ac# in Jan8s tentB 'ith our .odiesB8 8This isn8t ta#ing much real time. 'e8"e only .een here seconds.8 8'hy do >e al>ays get into this stuffB8 ce shoo# her head. 89t8d ma#e a change to ha"e an ad"enture in my o>n .ody. )ah! on the other hand 98ll rephrase that 8 8Come on! Dorry! it8s on the ta.leC8 The >oman >ho had stepped from the #itchen >as in her early forties. She >as >earing ma#e@ up! and an e"ening dress that >as =ust out of fashion. Her name >as udrey. She >as ce8s mother. She loo#ed her daughter up and do>n! and sighed. 89 don8t #no> >here you found that old teddy .ear. Dou8re too old! you #no>.8 nd she >ent .ac# inside the #itchen. The Doctor coughed. 8Dou8"e gro>n a .it since she sa> you last.8 8So8s she!8 ce murmured. They sat around the #itchen ta.le! Top of the Pops on the telly. Totally ignored .y udrey! the Doctor >as e<amining the details of the place. ce >as gaFing around in astonishment. The #itchen >as an e<act copy. ("erything >as perfect. She glanced up at her Mum! realiFing that she8d .een hunched o"er the ta.le! almost hiding. 8So ho> ha"e you .eenB8 8'hat do you mean ho> ha"e 9 .eenB8 udrey slammed a plate of fish fingers do>n in front of ce. 8Dou see me often enough! don8t youB8

8)o!8 ce replied! remem.ering. 8)o! 9 don8t. Dou >ere ne"er here >hen 9 >anted you to .e here! you >ere al>ays out some>here! al>ays off >ith %ran# or Joe or ,ic#y . . . udrey sat do>n opposite her! loo#ing only at her o>n plate. 898"e a right. Jac#8s off on his tra"els so much. Dou can8t .egrudge me my friends.8 89t8s cool to ha"e men for mates! .ut that8s not it! is itB8 8(at your food. 98m off in a minute.8 ce turned to >atch Depeche Mode prancing a.out. She >as trying not to let all these old feelings out. Trying to .e an adult. 9t >asn8t that hard anymore. This >as good! really. She could say it no>. 8Don8t go!8 she said. 8Stay here >ith me tonight. 'e can tal# a .it. Ha"e a laugh.8 89 can8t! my lo"e. Joe8s .oo#ed us a ta.le.8 8Dou gre> up >ithout a dad. Dou must #no> >hat it8s li#e.8 8-h! 9 doC nd 9 didn8t do so .adly no>! did 9B 98"e got you.8 8Still aren8t listening! ehB Just as >ell you8re an illusion.8 89 don8t #no> >hat you8"e .een reading. (at your tea.8 ce found herself getting more into this .y the second. ll sorts of stuff >as .u..ling to the surface. 9t >as li#e .eing hit across the head! meeting your Mum in such a strange place! so suddenly. (asy ?uestions. -nes that she8d ne"er got to as#. 8'hy did you gi"e me that crap name! any>ayB8 8Don8t s>ear. Mum al>ays lo"ed that mo"ie. The Wizard of Oz . She said it too# her a>ay from all her miseries.8 ce leaned for>ard e<citedly. 89 ne"er #ne> thatC That8s all right. /randma >as really cool.8 8Dou ne"er met her.8 89 did.8 8Dou8re al>ays imagining things! you are. l>ays full of fantasies. Dou8"e got to learn to li"e in the real >orld.8 ce smiled sadly. 8Deah. ,ight.8 8'ell! 98ll .e off then.8 udrey stood up! putting her plate on to the sin#. 8Dou8ll .e all right! >on8t youB8 8 ren8t you going to as# ho> 9 did in schoolB 9 smashed a .oy8s head across a des#! 8cos 9 thought he8d made a face at me. 9 set fire to the curtains in the main hall. 9 put la<ati"e in the head8s tea. That8s >hy they put a social >or#er on me! udrey. $ecause you >eren8t there.8 89 >ish you8d call me Mum.8 udrey too# her coat from a peg and put it on. 8See you later.8 nd she left. ce sighed! and .uried her head in her hands on the ta.le. 8Deah!8 she >hispered. 8Pro.a.ly.8 8There8s al>ays hope.8 The Doctor had .een sitting ?uietly! staring at his hands. He reached out and stro#ed the .ac# of ce8s head. 8Dou don8t ha"e to go to school tomorro>.8 8)either do you. Dou8"e .een thro>n into this >orld! .ut you don8t ha"e to ta#e part in it.8 8$ut all the usual crap8ll happen though. Police! my social >or#er! all thatB8 89f it did the first time! it >ill here.8 8)ot too different then! is itB 9 treated it li#e fantasy last time round. -nly difference is my teddy .ear.8 The Doctor shoo# his head "iolently. 8Dou mustn8t start accepting it! ce. 'e must get .ac#. There8s a >ar to .e >on. lien monsters to fight.8 8 re they >orse than the ones here! thenB8 8)o.8 The Doctor pulled her close and held her in his >ea#ened arms. 8)o! they ne"er are.8 They stayed at the #itchen ta.le for a long time! listening to the old cloc# tic#ing. ce loc#ed the door .ehind her! and loo#ed along the su.ur.an crescent. Houses stretched around a cur"e of tarmac road. Cars >ere par#ed at inter"als. The s#y shone the orange .lac# of a London e"ening. The air >as chilly! and the t>o ad"enturers8 .reath .loomed out in clouds.

Some>here! a dog >as distantly .ar#ing. 8Perfect.8 The Doctor turned slo>ly on his heel. 89 can8t see any fla>s! any holes in the pattern.8 8'ell! if >e8re here for a .it! then 9 might as >ell go and see some friends! ehB8 ce s>ung open the gate and the Doctor follo>ed her do>n the road. 89 can see >hy you so disli#e this place. )o architecture. )o soul. )o music.8 8)o money for any of that. 'ell! no! this place is really a .it rich. 9t8s not card.oard city! is itB $ut people =ust li"e . . . oh! 9 dunno! li#e they thin# they ha"e to. )ot a lot of anarchy a.out in the eighties.8 8So >ho are >e going to seeB8 8Some.ody >ho 98"e .een thin#ing a.out a lot lately.8 'hen they got to /oldfinch "enue! ce leaned on the .ell. Julian opened the door and grinned at her. He >as clad in a typically e<tra"agant shirt! and his hair . . . ce sighed. Perfect. 8Hiya! Jules.8 She s>allo>ed the ache that >elled up in her! seeing him again. 8Coming do>n the par#B8 Julian >al#ed ahead of ce and the Doctor! >hom he hadn8t noticed. He spun around e"ery no> and then! >al#ing .ac#>ards and laughing gossip. 8So 9 thin# Tim >as erm! in"ol"ed there! ehB 9 tried to mime it to him! sort of . . . she's with Anthony . . . .ut it didn8t >or#. He =ust said I.oo# or filmBI and 9 crac#ed up.8 ce >as smiling! loo#ing at him. +ntil she remem.ered the thump of soil on his coffin. nd Jan! >hom she >anted to see more than any.ody else right no>. May.e >al#ing and >al#ing could get you out of this dream. May.e you could >al# to Hea"en from Peri"ale. They had reached the par#! do>n .y the rail>ay station! a large >ould@.e cric#et pitch >here people >al#ed their dogs. lo> mist hung in the air! and a fe> #ids >ere #ic#ing a .all a.out do>n .y a s#ip. ce8s lot used to hang around .y the s>ings! or run around do>n the narro> >al#>ays .et>een the factories. Jules >asn8t really into all that. ce had first met him in a pu.! one day >hen she thought that Midge >as .eing too childish. He8d started tal#ing to her >ithout the slightest hesitation! and they8d got on e"er since. 8'ho8re you >ith no>B8 she as#ed. Julian loo#ed at her steadily for a minute. 8Last time 9 told you! you got all stupid and sul#ed. So! lo"e! the ans>er8s no.ody special. Ha"en8t seen you for a >ee#! let8s not spoil it. There8s still lots to tell you.8 8Do you remem.er that day out >e had! ta#ing the old llegro up to LincolnshireB8 8 8Course 9 do. 9 still remem.er the lights of that place. ll those men running a.out.8 ce had a suspicion forming in her mind. 89 sa> Mum tonight.8 8Quelle surprise.8 8She told me that she named me after 8 8Dorothy in The Wizard of OzC Des! she told me that once! too. -ne of those nights >hen you .rought me .ac# for a coffee and she came in late. 'e sat around the #itchen ta.le! and >hen you >ent to the loo! she as#ed me if 9 >as going to marry you.8 The Doctor >as fro>ning! loo#ing at Julian closely. 8 s# him a.out the picture!8 he muttered. 8Dou >hatB 'hyB8 8 s# himC8 8'hat #ind of picture hangs on our stairsB8 Julian raised an eye.ro>. 89t8s a green . . . something. re you all rightB 'ho8re you tal#ing toB8 ce put a hand to her head. 8/od! Julian. They got you! didn8t they! >hoe"er they are. They too# your memories.8 The Doctor stepped for>ard and >al#ed straight at Julian. Straight at him! and then through him. Julian gasped. 8 ceC -h /od! >hat8s happenedB 'here am 9B8 ce ran for>ard and held him. 8'here do you thin# you areB8 89 don8t #no>. 9t8s all so strange. 98m part of something else! some great . . . there8s so many

other people in here. So many "oices.8 He loo#ed around him! as if trying to match the >orld he sa> and felt e"ery>here >ith the ideas that had rushed into his head. 898m dead! aren8t 9B 98m deadC8 ce held on tightly! hoping he8d feel her >armth. 898m here! Jules! 98m real! don8t .e scared.8 8Can you hear meB8 the Doctor as#ed. 8Des! yesC8 Julian loo#ed around again. 8$ut 9 can8t see you. ce! >here are >eB8 8'e8re in Peri"ale!8 ce >hispered to him! en=oying his familiar smell. 8'e8re at home.8 89 >ant you to imagine someone!8 the Doctor cut in. 8'ill you do that for me! JulianB8 8'hyB 'hat8s going onB 9 >as =ust sitting at home and . . . and this is only dreams! isn8t itB 9 remem.er lying in hospital! and some.ody saying something 9 couldn8t hear! and then . . . oh ce! >hy >eren8t you thereB8 89f 98d #no>n! 9 >ould ha"e .een. Dou #no> that.8 89 >ant you to imagine a tall person! a se<less .eing! once a man. He8s tall! and dressed in purple ro.es . . .8 8Shut up for a minute! for Christ8s sa#eC8 ce yelled. The Doctor loo#ed at her. 9t >as a dangerous loo#. fter a second! ce patted Julian on the arm. 8Listen to him. He #no>s >hat he8s tal#ing a.out. 9 =ust get a .it >ound up .y him sometimes. 9 >on8t lea"e you alone! Jules. 9 >on8t.8 8Don8t. 9 don8t #no> >hat8s going on! ce.8 8Purple ro.es 8 the Doctor .egan again. 8Deah! right.8 Julian .lin#ed! and concentrated. ce >atched as a figure formed on the grass of Peri"ale par#. 8Dou8re changing the >orld! Jules!8 she told him. 8'ith your imagination. Dou al>ays did.8 The creature in the cellar of the temple thrashed in anger. %ilaments sprayed out of its head. 8PhaedrusC8 it hissed. The priest hurried do>n the steps. He8d .een on his >ay to report his success inside the Matri<. 8Des! my lordsB8 8There is . . . acti"ity . . . inside the Matri<C 'e ha"e .een . . . maintaining . . . the trapC $ut it is . . . changingC Ho>B8 89 can8t imagine.8 8-ld data is .eing . . . recalled to memory. 'e cannot . . . erase itC Dou must . . . go .ac# inside . . . and . . . stop itC8 Phaedrus .o>ed ?uic#ly and ran .ac# up the steps. Christopher loo#ed straight ahead. His .ody >as fully formed and the Doctor had .een ad"ising Julian on details of face and colour. The strange figure stood motionless in front of the cric#et screens. The Doctor fro>ned. 8That8s perfect. He hasn8t .een erased from the program. -ur enemies didn8t ha"e time to get rid of anything. ll they did >as >rite ne> data o"er the old. Julian managed to find him again.8 8'ait a minute! Professor. 9 thought that Christopher >as deadC8 ce had one arm >rapped round Julian8s shoulder still. 8'hat8s he doing hereB8 8He transferred his consciousness completely into Puterspace.8 The Doctor >as pacing! his hands >rapped .ehind his .ac#. 8His mind >ill li"e on here! for a >hile at least. So >hy can8t >e retrie"e itB8 Julian >as loo#ing .et>een ce and the Doctor! .lin#ing as the Time Lord s>am in and out of "ision. 8ListenC There are other things that 9 can seeC +nderneath Peri"ale there8s a >hole forest! and in the forest there are >onderful things. -ld things. People from old stories.8 8Those stories are under e"erything!8 the Doctor nodded. 8They are retold and replayed many times. nd the people in them are real. )othing is e"er forgotten.8 8Just >hat 9 >as thin#ingC8 The figure stepped for>ard from the .ushes! .rushing t>igs off his sil"er suit. He seemed to .ecome more solid >ith e"ery step. He smiled .rightly at the Doctor. 89 don8t #no> a.out you!8 the Tric#ster said! glancing up at the s#y. 8$ut it8s a.out this time in the e"ening that 9 li#e to put a spar#ler into a corpseC8

fiFFing spar#ler appeared in his hand! and he reached ?uic#ly across to Christopher! .ouncing the fiery >and off his .ad. Christopher opened his eyes and laughed. 8-h!8 he said. 'hat a strange place the uni"erse isC8 8My thoughts e<actly!8 muttered ce. 8Ho> are you then! MerlinB8 the Tric#ster as#ed the Doctor. 898"e had .etter days.8 Christopher loo#ed ?uic#ly around. 8'hat is this placeB8 he as#ed. 8Peri"ale!8 Julian told him. 898m Jules! this is ce! that8s *ic and he8s called the DoctorC 9 thin# 98m dead! .ut >e8re "ery sorry a.out Peri"ale itself! it8s ahC8 He ga"e a little cry! and his eyes rolled up>ards. 8JulianC8 ce e<claimed. $ut he >as gone from her arms. *anished. $ehind ce stood Phaedrus! holding the .loody s>ord he8d pushed into Julian8s .ac#. 8$ac# into the group mind he goes!8 the priest said! glancing around the group. 898m astonished at >hat you8"e done here! .ut this is the end of it. This s>ord is a "ery po>erful attac# program. 98d ad"ise you to surrender and accept a ?uic# death. Julian can8t imagine anything else to help you no>.8 8Dou8re gonna die.8 ce turned! .ut Phaedrus gestured at her stay at arm8s length. ngry! she too# a step .ac#. 89 hope so!8 the priest replied e"enly. The surroundings >ere .lurring .ac# into a "ague >hite "oid. The Doctor loo#ed do>n. 8Still got your cordB8 89ndeed. 9 >ouldn8t >ant to .e trapped in this myself.8 The Tric#ster >andered up to Phaedrus and put his hands on his hips. 8That8s fine >or#manship! that s>ord is.8 89 >ill ha"e none of your >ords! Tric#ster!8 Phaedrus muttered. 8Dou8re =ust an illusion! the product of the superstitious minds of the Tra"ellers.8 8-h! 9 am! am 9B8 The god figure turned to face the others. 8'ell! 98"e got a .etter s>ord than that one! anyho>.8 'ith a flourish! he produced the s>ord that had .een em.edded in the centre of the /reat 'heel. 8'here could you get a s>ord li#e that! thenB8 the Doctor as#ed! playfully. 8This is a Diana and Tric#ster s>ord! and it8s ooooh! miles .etter than that oneC8 The Tric#ster suddenly tossed it to ce! and "anished >ith a grin =ust as Phaedrus s>ung a .lo> at his head. ce >eighed the .lade carefully as the priest spun! ready to attac# her. She could still half see Peri"ale! remem.er the smell of Julian. ftersha"e and lo"e. 8Dou8re so >rong!8 she told Phaedrus. 8D8you really thin# >e8re gonna line up and get #illed8 89 >ould prefer itC8 Phaedrus leapt at her! smashing do>n at her >ith his s>ord. ce parried easily! s>inging his .lade aside. The Doctor and Christopher >ere apparently ignoring the fight! muttering together. ce glanced o"er at them! and gritted her teeth. Just her then. Her and a fight for >hate"er Julian stood for. She too# three .lo>s straight on the s>ord! parrying do>n! up! do>n! forcing Phaedrus to step .ac#. There >as no art to his s>ordsmanship. He >as simply trying to impale her! as ?uic#ly as possi.le. 8'here8s Julian goneB8 she yelled at him. 8He8s part of the group mind again! as 9 said. -ne of us.8 8He8s not one of youC8 ce smashed aside the priest8s .lo>s. 8He doesn8t .elong >ith you! he8s ali"eC He8ll al>ays .e ali"eC nd 98m gonna set him freeC8 8That8s impossi.leC8 Phaedrus shouted. 8Dou stupid .astardC8 ce slashed hard and sent Phaedrus8s s>ord flying. 8 nything8s possi.leC Don8t you #no> that from JulianB8 'ith a flic# of the .lade! the cord that held Phaedrus to the real >orld >as snapped in t>o. Suddenly! they >ere in a lo> dar# room. The >ooden panelling smelled of death. Phaedrus loo#ed around himself! panic#ing.

8)oC8 he .ello>ed. 8)ot hereC8 8'e8re all in the same .oat!8 the Doctor said! putting a hand on the priest8s shoulder. 8'hat8s your nightmareB 'here ha"e your fears .rought usB8 9n the corner of the fetid room >as a .ed! and someone lay in it! dying. Phaedrus ran o"er to it! and #nelt. 9n the .ed lay an old >oman! gasping for air. 8MotherC8 the priest cried. 8Don8t goC Don8t goC8 89 must!8 a hissing "oice replied. 8Please! Phaedrus . . . don8t let it end li#e this. /i"e me my medicine.8 The other inha.itants of the room could only >atch. 9t >as! ce thought! li#e they >ere suddenly in a theatre! >atching a play. Phaedrus stood! his eyes full of fear. 8Des!8 he >hispered. He glanced at his audience as he ran to a side ca.inet. 8She as#ed me!8 he assured them. 8She as#ed me.8 ce stared! horrified. Phaedrus >as feeding his mother something >ith a spoon. She smiled at him! and then coughed! .elching up .lood. Her head fell to the pillo> ?uite suddenly. Phaedrus loo#ed up! e<pecting something. His eyes >ere full of sadness. The door opened! and in >al#ed a terrifying giant! his hands and head huge in proportion to his .ody. 8'hat ha"e you doneB8 .ello>ed Phaedrus8 father! rushing to the .ed. Christopher silently pointed. Through the door! golden sunlight >as .eaming. The forested dales of the Land +nder The Hills lay outside. Cool air that smelt of summer gently >afted in. The huge father >as screaming into the dead >oman8s face. Phaedrus >as standing to one side! >atching. s Christopher hurried out of the door! ce turned .ac# for a moment. Her eyes met those of Phaedrus. 8Dou don8t ha"e to stay 8 she .egan. The Doctor put a hand on her shoulder. 8)o!8 he said. 8Come a>ay.8 The door>ay "anished as they stepped out into the sunlight. 8Trapped in a loop!8 the Doctor snarled. 8*ery neat. The Trap program trapped the person >ho .rought it in here! and that looped it .ac# to his terminal. *ery luc#y.8 ce stretched! and spat on the ground. The >hole thing had made her feel dirty. 8Damn it!8 she >hispered. 8Julian.8 /od! she >anted to get .ac# to Jan. 8'e8d .etter go!8 the Doctor told Christopher. 89ndeed. 9 >ill see you soon. )o> you must go out into the real >orld and >in.8 The .eing in purple >a"ed his hand. nd the forest "anished. 89 can8t >inC8 the Doctor shouted! tossing his head. 8'hate"er 9 do 98ll lose somethingC8 gentle hand s?ueeFed his! and a "oice reassured him. 8/ently . . . you8re .ac# in the real >orld . . .8 ,oisa >as .ending o"er him. $eside her crouched Jan! gently massaging ce8s >rists. ,oisa too# the >ire cro>n off the Doctor! and >iped his .ro> >ith a damp cloth. He .lin#ed! and his eyes slo>ly focussed. 8'e nearly lost you!8 ,oisa told him. 8Here! drin# this.8 She placed a go.let to the Doctor8s lips. /asping! the Doctor dran#. ce >o#e a fe> seconds after the Doctor. She grasped Jan8s hand and held on! smiling at him. 89 >as so afraid!8 Jan >hispered. 8Dou8re a real >arrior! you are.8 +nseen .y either of them! ,oisa shi"ered! >atching the Doctor drin#. 8Too right!8 ce pulled Jan close and hugged him! sitting up. 8That8s the .est use for the *acuum Church8s go.let!8 Jan nodded to ,oisa. 8Perhaps that8s >hat the Tric#ster meant! that it >ould .e used to help sa"e a life.8 89 should ha"e as#ed him!8 ce grinned. 8Hey! Professor! is Phaedrus trapped in the Matri<B8 8 )o . . .8 The Doctor made an effort and sat up. 8He8ll lea"e >hen he >ants to.8 He loo#ed .et>een them all! and smiled a giddy smile. 89 thin# it8s time >e all >or#ed together. Perhaps there are alternati"es! things 9 ha"en8t thought of. Time 9 told you some of >hat8s going on.8 ce reached o"er and smoothed a hair .ac# from his s>eat@soa#ed .ro>. 8Smartest thing

you8"e said since >e got here!8 she grinned. Phaedrus =umped upright from the ta.le! and pulled the >ire cro>n from his head "iolently. He stared do>n at it for a minute! shi"ering. /radually! he .ecame a>are of his con"erts around him. 8The .oo#C8 he gasped! after a moment. 89 didn8t stop him! he8s li#e a fo<C 'e must stop him finding the .oo#. Kill them all if necessary 8 pain .urst into his head! and he gra..ed his .ro>. Through clenched teeth Phaedrus corrected himself. 8)o. )o. The Doctor is not to .e harmed.8 He calmed once more. 8He8s useful to us no>.8 Phaedrus didn8t loo# up as his acolytes rushed to o.ey his orders. He continued to stare at the >ire cro>n on the ta.le. fter a fe> minutes! certain he >as alone! his lips formed a silent >ord. The >ord >as 8mother8.

5: )urning )ri!ges
The circle of Tra"ellers >atched as the Doctor paced in front of them. Dus# >as falling once more! and Jan >as lighting the .onfire! applying his .urning hands to strategic pieces of >ood. ce had told the Doctor of her con"ersation >ith Trench! and ho> she8d returned >ith Cathlan only to find the Time Lord at the camp. )o> he >as pacing! considering. 9t >as as if he >as reluctant to tell them anything! .ut found he had to. He >as =ust >or#ing out >hat >as o#ay to say. ce fro>ned. 'hat detail >as he trying to hideB 89 need your help . . .8 The Doctor >aited until the cro>d had hushed and addressed the assem.led group! clad in their leathers and .right .andoliers. 89 need your help >ith a ro..eryC8 There >as a cheer from the Tra"ellers. ce circled round .eside Jan and em.raced him. 8He #no>s ho> to appeal to them!8 >hispered the man. 8He8s a Tra"eller himself!8 ce replied! ?uic#ly #issing him. The Doctor had continued. 8There are huge things happening on this planet! and much of it 9 don8t understand yet. 9 do #no> that >e8re in a race against time! e"en though the enemy ha"en8t re"ealed their hand.8 8'ho are the enemyB8 as#ed MKire. 89s it the Dale#sB8 >hisper >ent round the campfire at the mention of the name. Little children .uried their heads in their mothers8 shoulders. The e<pression on the Doctor8s face >as deadly serious. The name meant all that and more to him. 8)o. )ot this time. $ut it could .e >orse.8 8 h! >hat8s >orseB8 called out a Tra"eller. 8'hat8s >orseB8 The Doctor >al#ed o"er to >here the man >as sitting. 8There are things in this uni"erse that e"en the Dale#s fear. Terri.le things that use >hat >e are! ma#e it into something e"il.8 His gaFe flic#ed o"er the cro>d! and ce got the impression that he >as loo#ing for something! and missing it. 8Things that play the most de"ious games. Dou can fight a Dale#! e<terminate it. There are fe> >ays to fight >hat8s inside your neigh.our! or inside you . . .8 He paused! as if thin#ing t>ice a.out >hat he >as going to say. 8'hat you all met in Puterspace >as =ust a hint of their po>er. $ut there8s still time to .ring the enemy out into the open. Time to fight them in a normal >ay.8 8'hat are >e going to doB8 as#ed Jan. 8,aid the *acuum ChurchB8 There >as a general murmur of assent. 8)o. 'e8re going to raid some>here else. 9 need a computer operator and fi"e .odyguards.8 8%ourC8 shouted ce. The Doctor turned and grinned. 8 s >ell as you!8 he murmured shyly. 89t8s still fourC8 called Jan. 8She8s >orth t>o >omenC8 9t >as =ust as >ell! ce thought. She >as replacing at least one. She loo#ed up to see that ,oisa8s eyes >ere upon her again. )ight o"er Joyceto>n. fe> farmers >andered out of inns! and late traders >ere folding do>n their stalls. light shone in the to>er of the *acuum Church! as it al>ays did. Cold .reeFes s>ept in from o"er the fields! ma#ing the last drin#ers shi"er as they headed for their horses. party of armed Tra"ellers crouched .ehind the >all of the mar#et s?uare. They had tethered their mounts outside the to>n and clim.ed the >alls! rather than snea# past the guards at the gate. 89t8s late enough!8 the Doctor >hispered. 8 re you sure there8s no alternati"eB8 ,oisa as#ed! chec#ing her .laster. 8'e8"e a .ad enough pu.lic image in this to>n.8

8Talent .orro>s! genius steals!8 Jan told her. ,oisa had .een stic#ing .y the Doctor8s side since they8d left camp! as#ing the Time Lord a.out his life and ad"entures. 9f she >as trying to ma#e Jan =ealous! she >asn8t succeeding. 8$ut >hat8s the point of ro..ery if nothing is >orth ta#ingB8 ce grinned. She had a Tra"eller .andolier containing a "ariety of >eapons slung o"er one shoulder. The Doctor pondered the ?uote. 8Sha#espeareB8 8 dam nt.8 8 h.8 The rest of the party comprised Cathlan! MKire! and a young .oy called lec! >ho >as! so Jan said! the .est computer hac#er in the camp no> that Christopher >as gone. 8Shall >e goB8 The Doctor motioned them out of their hiding place! and the group scampered through the dar#ened to>nship! to>ards the tall to>er of the Li.rary. The Doctor and ce got there first! the Time Lord ?uic#ly tapping in the entry codes at the door. The Tra"ellers follo>ed them up the steps! glancing around for signs of pursuit. Shepherding e"eryone in! ce too# the opportunity to >hisper to the Doctor. 89f this turns into a firefight! ma#e sure Jan8s at the .ac#.8 8'hyB8 8$ecause 9 don8t >ant him getting hurt.8 8He8d say the same a.out you.8 8Deah. $ut 98m .etter at this than he is.8 The Doctor fro>ned. 8People get hurt. ll the time. 9t8s not up to me.8 ce ga"e him an edgy glance .efore she duc#ed inside the .uilding. 8Sometimes it is!8 she >hispered. The "ast shel"es of .oo#s to>ered o"er the Doctor8s party as they crept along the aisles of the Li.rary. ce >as loo#ing around. The place seemed so much more foreign at night. They must ha"e .een cool aliens. )ot the sort of .unch that >ent a.out in"ading other people8s planets. -r may.e they >ere! and they =ust didn8t tal# a.out it in their architecture. Li#e! >hat does a gra"e say a.out the guy in itB Here lies ce! had a life! hope you heard a.out it. )ah! she8d >ant a statue. .aFoo#a on her shoulder! a grin on her face! and Teenage %anclu. trying to loo# up her s#irt. She stopped herself and glanced at Jan! >ho >as loo#ing around the hall in tense interest. She ne"er used to thin# a.out death. 8'hich >ayB8 MKire as#ed the Doctor! ne"er ta#ing her eyes off the narro> a"enues .et>een the rac#s. She >as carrying her Dale# gun! attached to a po>erpac#. 8%ollo> me!8 the Doctor pointed his um.rella. 8T>o of you stay .ac# here as loo#outs.8 MKire pic#ed out ,oisa and Jan! much to ce8s relief. The remaining fi"e stealthily made their >ay to an office at the .ac# of the Li.rary! through the >indo>s of >hich ce could see a small computer terminal on a des#. Cathlan tried the door! and made to #ic# it in! .ut the Doctor stopped him. 8 ce . . . hairpin.8 8'hat >ould you do >ithout meB8 ce >hispered! remo"ing one. 8("er had a companion >ith short hairB8 8)o. 9t8s part of the =o. description.8 The Doctor ?uic#ly opened the mechanical loc#! and the team hurried inside. MKire and Cathlan too# up positions .y the door. lec fle<ed his fingers against each other and turned the terminal on. He pulled on a pair of >hite sil# glo"es. 8So! >hat delights can 9 offer youB8 he as#ed. 8Documents remo"ed!8 the Doctor muttered. 8The Papers of Felsecar. 'ho8s got the .oo#B8 lec8s fingers .lurred o"er the #ey.oard. 8)ormally! 98d plug myself in!8 he said. 8$ut that8s getting dangerous lately. Don8t >orry! this sort of stuff is =ust as easy >ith . . . aha! securityC Damn! it needs a fingerprint. This is going to ta#e time.8 ce grinned. She remem.ered #ids li#e this from her school@days. 8D8you thin# that Trench left the data on hereB8 she as#ed the Doctor. 8Des. That8s >hy he told you a.out it. 9t >as the .est he could do! if he felt he >as .eing o.ser"ed. He8s pro.a.ly .een doing his .est to snea# things past . . .8 he chec#ed himself! 8past

the enemy.8 light flashed through the office >indo>. The team fell to the floor! co"ering the chemical lamps they carried. ce cra>led to the >indo> and peeped o"er the sill. 9n one of the aisles! a group of three .lac#@ro.ed figures >ere ha"ing an urgent con"ersation >ith Trench! >ho carried an oil lamp. -ne of them >as prodding the old man8s chest >ith his finger. The Li.rarian stum.led! so..ing in pain. ce scram.led to her feet. 8 ceC8 hissed the Doctor. $ut it >as too late. She flung the door open! and shone her lamp at the group of intruders. 8("ening lads! >hat8s the pro.lem hereB8 She >as >orried a.out Jan. Had these three come past him or through himB MKire and Cathlan dashed out .ehind her! .ringing their >eapons to .ear. -ne of the ro.ed figures stepped for>ard! laughing. 8'e >ere =ust as#ing our friend %yan a fe> ?uestions!8 he yelled. 89sn8t that true! TrenchB8 8Des!8 the Li.rarian muttered! >ea#ly. 8There8s no trou.le here! ce! really . . .8 8'ell! may.e there >asn8t.8 ce grinned. 8$ut there is no>C8 She gra..ed for a .laster from the .andolier. The man smiled and ran straight at her. He didn8t e"en .other to dra> his gun. So ce shot him in the shoulder. He spun! fell! and got to his feet again! pulling his gun from his .elt. The Tra"ellers gasped. He >asn8t e"en in=ured! though his ro.e siFFled and spar#ed >here the .last had hit him. The other t>o figures >atched! nodding! as if they >ere pleasantly surprised .y this demonstration of in"ulnera.ility. Shots from the man .egan to .laFe into the office space! slicing through the glass. The Tra"ellers di"ed into co"er. fter a second! the other ro.ed figures =oined in. 8$y the /oddess! 98m sorry to use this.8 MKire dre> her Dale# gun. 8-nly four shots left in the po>er pac#.8 8That8s the >ay it goes!8 ce murmured. The noise from the gun made e"ery.ody >ince! familiar as it >as. The figure >as .lo>n aside into the rac#s and lay still. ce fired a sal"o of shots into the floor near the others! and they .ac#ed a>ay! as if confused .y a >eapon that could hurt them. Trench di"ed for the office! terrified. The sound of .laster fire >as echoing all around the huge .uilding. ce gra..ed the Li.rarian8s hand and pushed him and his lamp into the office. She >as a.out to tell the Doctor that they8d .etter hurry. $ut then the man MKire had shot got to his feet again. Theatrically! he dusted do>n his ro.e. ce realiFed that the figures >ho had retreated >ere >or#ing their >ay round. She could see shado>s creeping through the aisles. The office had .ecome an island of light in the dar# Li.rary. The dead man >al#ed slo>ly for>ard. 8Dou should ha"e surrendered peacefully!8 he called. 8'e are peaceful fol#. $ut no> you >ill meet the "oid .efore usC8 MKire raised an eye.ro> and fired again. The .last sent the man tum.ling .ac#>ards! his internal organs illuminated. This time! he had screamed. He raised his head! finally! smiled . . . and then fell .ac#! dead. 8Dale# gun8ll #ill anything . . .8 MKire >hispered. 8("entually.8 The Doctor rolled to the door space and tapped MKire on the shoulder. 8Don8t use it again unless you ha"e to. Dou must fire t>ice if . . . if they still loo# human. 9f they don8t! there8s no point at all.8 ce reached into her .ac#pac#. 898m gonna regret this!8 she muttered. 8$ut let8s close the door.8 The Doctor >as peering o"er the >indo> sill! >atching the forms creeping a.out the Li.rary. 8*acuum Church assassins!8 he said. 89deal. -."ious. Here as >ell as in Puterspace.8 8/et do>n! ProfessorC8 ce >hispered! pulling the Time Lord under the >indo> sill. 8Close your

eyes and count to fi"eC8 The assassins had gathered outside the door! and >ere slo>ly stal#ing to>ards it. 8There is no other e<itC8 hissed one. 8'e ha"e themC8 8'hy fi"eB8 said the Doctor. 8Short fuse.8 ce popped open the door! and gently rolled a can of nitro@nine through it. Then she closed the door and thre> herself .ac# to the floor. 8'hy are monsters al>ays so 8 The >indo> .lasted in>ards in an e<plosion of glass. ce pulled Trench under her! sheltering the old man as shards smashed into the office. The alien metal of the >alls shielded the Tra"ellers! though the human@made >indo> frame .ounced off the far >all. nd then all >as silence. The Doctor raised his head o"er the parapet and nodded grimly. Pieces of .lac# ro.e >ere scattered e"ery>here. 8Slo>!8 he muttered. 8Des! 9 #no>. +seful! isn8t itB8 Trench >as fighting his >ay upright! crying out. ce tried to calm him! .ut he shrugged her aside! di"ing on the computer. 89 only ha"e secondsC8 he shouted! =amming his fingerprint on to a sensor pad. 8They thought 98d destroyed the .oo#C $ut they >ere >rongC8 file sprang on to the screen at the touch of Trench8s frantic fingers. TH( P P(,S -% %(LS(C ,A MSS. L()T $D /-*. ,(M9T T- P,-%. $(,)9C( S+MM(,%9(LD. 898"e met her!8 ce gasped. 8So ha"e 9. 9 should ha"e mentioned it to her!8 the Doctor mum.led! .ashfully. Trench >as gasping! holding his chest. 8)o> you #no>. /et a>ay from hereC8 8'hyB8 as#ed the Doctor. 8'hat are you afraid ofB8 8/et a>ayC8 Trench >as reeling! clutching his chest. He .egan to pull at his loose nightshirt! ripping it open as if he couldn8t .reathe. The Tra"ellers stepped .ac#! loo#ing at each other ner"ously. ce stared! horrified. -n the centre of the man8s chest there >as a grey patch of fungus. nd then! suddenly! it spread. -ne second! Trench had a human face! lim.s! hair nd then something inside the old man e<ploded. Tentacles .urst from his fingertips! his head .lasted open into a mass of thrashing fungal filaments. The thing roared! an ear@splitting shrie# of .loodlust. 9t sprang straight for the Doctor8s eyes.

6: The Ar.ies O' The Night

The Doctor sprang .ac# into a corner! clutching the oil lamp. Cathlan fired a .urst of shells into the monster8s thrashing form. 9t spun round! screeching .ut unharmed. 8/et .ac#C8 shouted the Doctor. He >as ?uic#ly unscre>ing the .ase of the lamp. 8HoiC8 ce dodged in front of the creature! >a"ing her arms. 8%yan TrenchC Dou still in thereBC8 The monster paused! as if listening. Then! as ce dre> closer! a tentacle flashed out. ce rolled aside. .arrage of plasma fire engulfed the creature! and small pieces of it fle> in all directions! .ut still it ad"anced! .ac#ing the Tra"ellers into the other side of the office. 8(<cuse meC8 the Doctor shouted. The tentacled thing turned. .urst of flame >ooshed across the office! catching the creature full on. The Doctor >as spraying fire from his mouth! holding the na#ed oil lamp near his lips. The creature ignited! and reeled for a moment! screaming. 8)o>C8 shouted the Doctor. 8("ery.ody outC8 He thre> aside the lamp and leapt the .arrier >here the >indo> had .een. ce and the Tra"ellers follo>ed. They sprinted along an aisle. The creature! still a.laFe! follo>ed! its tentacles hissing ahead of it! one lashing a .oo# from the >all .y ce8s chee#. head! Jan and ,oisa >ere standing either side of the aisle! their >eapons dra>n. 8/et outC8 shouted ce. She >as amaFed to see that Jan >as sha#ing his head. He slapped her shoulder as she ran up to him. 8/o onC 'e8ll co"er youC8 8$ut 8 8/o onC8 He le"ered a foot to her .ottom and pushed! sending her dashing ahead. s the creature galloped up the aisle! Jan and ,oisa loo#ed at each other. 9t >as nearing them. 9n a second! it >ould .e on them. 8)o>C8 shouted Jan. They .oth #ic#ed out the >edges from the shel"es they had spent fi"e minutes manoeu"ring into position. The t>in metal constructions collapsed in front of the approaching .east! .loc#ing its path. They turned and ran after the others. The doors of the Li.rary .urst open! and the Doctor dashed do>n the stairs. He ran straight into James Miller8s chest. The Tra"ellers found themsel"es surrounded .y a party of guards! >ho instantly >ent into firing postures. There >as an e<plosion from inside the Li.rary. 8MessyC8 shouted the Doctor. Miller nodded. 8'e8d .etter get a fire cre> in there . . .8 8)o. Let it .urn. There8s something in there that doesn8t die easily.8 ce loo#ed around the soldiers! e<asperated. 8HeyC8 she called. 8Lea"e off! >e8re on your sideC8 Miller >a"ed a hand! and the guards stepped .ac#. The Tra"ellers lo>ered their >eapons also. 8Sontarans!8 smiled Miller. 8 l>ays lea"e chaos in their >a#e.8 The Doctor fro>ned! puFFled. Then suddenly his face .ro#e into an amaFed smile. 8The person that told you there >ere Sontarans in"ol"ed 8 8DesB8 8'hat >as >rong >ith their armB8 Miller stared at the Doctor. EEE

Kale too# a #ey from his poc#et! and s>itched off the communications dec# of the or.ital platform. His shuttle had arri"ed only minutes .efore. The platform >as a small post! cre>ed .y three troopers. 9t maintained a geostationary or.it a.o"e Joyceto>n! and >as mainly used as an early >arning station! its sensors trained in the direction of the Draconian (mpire. The tiny control room >as crammed >ith sophisticated detection e?uipment. 89t8s only for an hour or so!8 Kale reassured the Duty -fficer. 898"e got to realign the sensors to s>eep the planet8s surface. Dou read the letter of authoriFation.8 The man nodded. He and Kale >ere employed .y the same mining company. He gestured to Kale8s plaster cast. 8'hat happened to your armB8 he as#ed. 8$ro#en!8 Kale sighed! pulling open the sensor panel >ith his free hand. 8Mechanical accident.8 8He #no>s >here the .oo# isC8 hissed a "oice in the steaming dar#ness. 8$ut . . . so do >e!8 said a second "oice. 89t is . . . of no matter!8 added the third "oice. 8'e ha"e . . . misled the military . . . and no> .linded their . . . detectorsC The Doctor cannot . . . help. Soon he >ill not .e a.le to . . . help himselfC8 Miller had .een trying to contact the or.ital platform for an hour no>. He thre> do>n the communicator in disgust! then ?uic#ly pic#ed it up again. 8Judith! tell Ho>arth to ta#e a copter do>n to the e?uatorial doc#. He can re?uisition a shuttle and get up there . . . >hatB Damn itC8 8'hat is itB8 ce as#ed. The Tra"ellers and soldiers >ere gathered in Miller8s HL! the former loo#ing around at the corporate logos suspiciously. 8Kale too# the last .loody one todayC8 Miller sighed. 8The rest are all in for repair.8 8Des.8 The Doctor >as sitting crosslegged on Miller8s des#! his eyes closed. 8-f course! they >ould .e.8 8Dou could call for reinforcements!8 suggested MKire. 8 ye! 9 ha"e done. 98"e used the Priority Lin#. 9nstantaneous communication! you see! a.solutely ne> 8 8,eallyB8 the Doctor sighed. 8 nd "ery e<pensi"e too! lad. $ut the si<th fleet >on8t get here for a >ee#. +ntil then >e8re "irtually .lind.8 8Since our eyes are closed!8 the Doctor murmured! opening his! 8no> >ould .e a good time to get some sleep. nd 9 need to go "isiting. Can you ta#e us .ac# to the Tra"ellers8 campB8 Miller loo#ed around the raggamuffins in his office! and sighed. 8Des! Doctor. 98ll get a .ul# flyer together. nything elseB8 The Doctor considered. 8 .ottle of metal cleaner!8 he decided. The night air >as s>eet! cool .reeFes shuffling the grasslands under the moon. ce and Jan lead their horses do>n the ramp of the .ul# flyer! a huge *T-L aircraft! to>ards the applauding Tra"ellers! >ho >ere >a"ing from around the .onfire. 89 >ant a >ord >ith you!8 ce said. 89 >ant to get you into my .ed!8 Jan grinned .ac#. ce >ould ha"e ans>ered in similar fashion! .ut the Doctor appeared out of the cro>d and too# her arm. 8Sorry!8 he mum.led. 89 #no> it8s late. $ut no> 9 #no> >here my .oo# is! it8s "ital that 9 go and find it. Do you >ant to come >ith meB8 8 8Course 9 do!8 ce told him. 8'ho else is gonna ride shotgun for youB8 8'ho indeedB8 muttered the Doctor! leading her off. 89 could come along 8 .egan Jan! .ut the t>o ad"enturers >ere already selecting horses. ce turned .ac# to him and .le> a #iss. 8'ait up for meC8 she called. 8)eed some companyB8 as#ed ,oisa! leaning on Jan8s shoulder. 8Des!8 said the Tra"eller! >ryly. 89 thin# 9 do.8 8'hat did you get from the thingy in the flas#B8 ce as#ed as they trotted out of the *alley. 898"e .een e<amining the filament in the T ,D9S la.s. 9t8s "ery comple<! highly specialiFed

. . . the structure almost transcends .iology. The cells contain something li#e the sym.iotic nuclei that ena.le Time Lords to regenerate! they can control "ast amounts of energy. The fi.res can .urn through matter! interface >ith li"ing cells. They8re all part of the intelligence of the enemy.8 8 nd is this *acuum Church place in on it! tooB8 8Des.8 8So >hy not raid the placeB8 8$ecause it >ouldn8t really achie"e anything.8 8'ipe the smile off that creep Phaedrus8s face.8 89t >ould. $ut >hat8s more important! >inning or feeling good a.out yourselfB8 8Doesn8t one lead to the other! ProfessorB8 8)ot al>ays.8 ce could see that the su.=ect >as closed. 8 ny >ord a.out that guy! KaleB8 8)o. Miller >as trying to re?uisition a ship. He hasn8t succeeded! of course.8 8Couldn8t >e =ust hop up there in the T ,D9SB8 8'e could. $ut that could .e e<actly >hat the enemy >ants us to do.8 8'ho are the enemy! any>ayB8 8Hush. Later. 'alls ha"e ears. ("en tent >alls . . .8 The Doctor urged his horse into a gallop! and ce follo>ed. They thundered across the moonlit plains! s>apping the lead! until the t>o companions sa> the .rilliant sil"er arch pic#ed out in the ghostly light. The Doctor slo>ed his horse to a stop and dismounted. ce did li#e>ise. They led their animals to>ards the distant tents of the archaeologists. The Doctor .egan to tal# a.out his friendship >ith Christopher Marlo>e! and! although ce could see that his thoughts >ere mostly else>here! she as#ed ?uestions! and they laughed together. fter a >hile she felt confident enough to as# the ?uestion. 8Professor! do you al>ays pic# the people >ho are gonna tra"el >ith youB8 8Sometimes. -ften they pic# me. 'hyB8 898m . . . 9 >ant to stay >ith you! .ut 9 >ell! me and Jan! >e8re 8 The Doctor stopped >al#ing. 89 see!8 he said. 8Dou8d .etter decide. Path>ays. Dou can ne"er ta#e .oth.8 8Dou mean 9 ha"e to decide .et>een youB8 8Des.8 The Doctor >asn8t loo#ing at her. 8My granddaughter did! a long time ago. She8d fallen in lo"e. 'ith an (arthman. Li#e marrying a mayfly . . .8 ce heard such .itterness in the Doctor8s "oice then that she >inced. 8$ut me and Jan 8 8Dou thin# you8"e fallen in lo"e. -ne day you8ll >a#e up and he8ll .e gone.8 That touched a ner"e. 8Shut upC 'hat the hell do you #no> a.out lo"eB Dou don8t do it! do youB8 8)ot lately.8 ce let go of her horse! and pulled the Doctor round to face her. 8'hat are you getting so >or#ed up a.outB 9 didn8t ha"e it off >ith a .loody Dale#C8 8'ould it ha"e made a differenceB8 She slapped him. Hard. The Doctor turned a>ay. ce stood there! shuddering. She >anted to hold him! to as# him >hy he >as li#e this! suddenly. 'hy had he changed so muchB 'hat could she do to ma#e it all .etterB -h /od! >hy had she hit himB The Doctor spo#e first! ?uietly! his .ac# to her. 89 >as sho>n the >orst time of my life in Puterspace!8 he said. 89 >as alone. 'andering in the "orte<. Dying. 9t >as terri.le. 9 don8t >ant to .e . . . 9 don8t >ant to .e alone.8 9t sounded li#e the hardest thing the Doctor had e"er said. ce ru..ed a hand across her eyes. 8Dou8re not alone! >ho says you ha"e to .e aloneB 'here am 9 gonna goB8 8'ith him.8 The Doctor >hispered. ce >as astonished. 8Dou8re =ealousC8 she cried. 8Dou8re actually =ealousC8

8)o.8 The Doctor turned around! his face creased >ith tension. 89 don8t >ant to see you hurt. There8s e"il on this >orld! infinite e"il 8 8'ell it8s got nothing to do >ith Jan. He8s a good person . . . you8"e got a lot in common.8 8Ha"e >eB Perhaps. $ut if you stay >ith him! you8ll .e hurt. $adly.8 Sighing! ce too# the Doctor8s scarf in her hands. 89 am ne"er! e"er! going to lea"e you. Dou needn8t >orry! you sad old man. Come here.8 They hugged. ce felt the Doctor rela<! .ut only slightly. This >as >ay distur.ing! the >hole .it. +sually he >as up on the >hole game! >ay .eyond anything dull and stupid li#e =ealousy. She >as used to him .eing in control. The idea that he >asn8t >as scary. 9t >asn8t cool to .e =ealous. She remem.ered ho> she8d met the first guy that Julian had gone out >ith! and had tried so hard not to sho> her =ealousy that Jules had said she >as trying to chat the guy up. 9f only he8d #no>n. -r may.e he had. 8'ill you thin# a.out gi"ing Jan a liftB8 she as#ed. 8Please. 9 can8t choose .et>een you.8 The Doctor put a hand up to her chee#! and touched it gently. 8Dou >on8t ha"e to choose!8 he >hispered. ce sa> the infinite sadness in his eyes. 8HelloC8 a cheery "oice .oomed from .ehind them. $ernice stood there! >a"ing a tro>el. 8Dou really should ha"e said . . .8 $enny muttered! rummaging through a pile of .oo#s .y the side of her .un#. 8 hC8 She .le> the dust off a slim! leather .ound "olume. /old leaf on the co"er declared it to .e The Papers Of Felsecar. The Doctor gra..ed the .oo# and leafed ?uic#ly through it. ce and $enny peered o"er his shoulders. 8The mon#s of %elsecar ha"e ta#en it as their mission to preser"e some of the most dangerous o.=ects and information in the uni"erse!8 he said. 8They8"e .een doing that for a ?uarter of a million years.8 8 h! no>! >ait.8 $enny raised a finger. 8That8s .efore human .eings started standing upright.8 8Too rightC8 ce grinned at her. 8$roadens your mind! doesn8t itB8 She8d .een loo#ing at the Doctor for some recognition of their con"ersation outside the dig! .ut he >as acting li#e it had ne"er happened. May.e that >as for the .est. 8This is a collection of some random manuscripts from their collection. They someho> found their >ay off@planet! and! as such curios do! hung around for centuries. Some.ody .rought them to human space! and they >ere .ound in accordance >ith this note attached to the inner co"er.8 He glanced at a dirty post@it note that >as firmly stuc# in the .oo#. 8-h dear! one of mine.8 $enny laughed out loud. 8Dou mean you 8 8Had to tell them >hat the .oo# >as called. Pro.a.ly so 9 could find it no>. 9 must remem.er to get around to doing that. )o> 8 the Doctor .egan to flip ?uic#ly through the pages. 8,ecipes from ,igel! a palimpsest of poems! notes on Dale# design do>n the decades . . .8 $enny shared a smile >ith ce. The "arious manuscripts .ound into the .oo# >ere in a doFen different languages. 8Here >e are. 'ritten in Draconian on the top of the page. 9n felt@tip. 98d ne"er do that! this must ha"e .een done .y a "ery crude future incarnation.8 $enny >as a.out to as#. ce put a finger to her lips. The Doctor >as reading. 8This is a "olume of Hea"enite poetry. 'ritten in Hea"enite. 'ith /allifreyan translation .y. . . my goodnessC Castellan LodeC She >as the greatest literary historian the Time Lords e"er had. $efore the la>s of time >ere enforced! some of them must ha"e "isited here . . .8 8Poetry.8 ce sighed. 8)ot "ery useful! is itB8 8 .out as useful as the ,osetta Stone!8 gasped $enny. 8Dou #no>! that >asn8t too important a documentA 'ednesday! did the >ashing! et cetera! .ut it >as >ritten in .oth hieroglyphics and /ree#. The archaeologists .ac# then #ne> /ree#. This can .e used 8 8To read anything else in Hea"eniteC 9 get itC $ut if you8re going to >rite this! Professor! >hy didn8t you add anything more usefulB8 8$ecause 9 remem.ered that this >as >hat 9 found. Tric#y thing! temporal parado<. Dou

can8t do deals >ith time.8 8-nly >ith Death!8 ce muttered. The Doctor fro>ned! and fum.led for a pencil. 8Ho>8s the dig goingB8 he as#ed $enny. 8)ot long left.8 She poured cups of coffee from a flas# for herself and ce! and motioned the Doctor to use her folding des#. 8'e ha"en8t found anything ne>! .ut did you realiFe ho> thoroughly the o.ser"atory8s co"ered in Hea"enite >ritingB 9t8s .een >ritten e"ery>here in a tiny hand! .urnt into the >alls! the telescope 8 89 #no>.8 The Doctor placed his can of metal cleaner on the des#. ce slurped her coffee and grinned at $enny8s surprised e<pression. 8%ancy a >al#B8 she as#ed. 89ndeed 9 do!8 the archaeologist said! getting to her feet. 89 thin#. Should 9 as# him if 9 doB8 8Dou do!8 said the Doctor! a.sor.ed in the scroll. ce hoped that he >as =o#ing. The t>o >omen >andered to>ards the arch! its slim shado> falling o"er them as they passed .et>een it and the moon. They e<changed information a.out the e"ents of the past fe> days. $ernice as#ed if ce e"er #ne> >hat the Doctor >as doing. 8He8s playing!8 ce told her. 8Playing chess against some alien thingy. +sually! it8s a .it one@ sided! .ut this time . . .8 she hugged herself against the cold. 8This time 9 thin# the other lot are as fast as he is. nd he8s losing his touch. He didn8t half lay into me =ust no>.8 8'hat a.outB8 $enny stuffed her hands into her poc#ets. 8Jan. The Doctor8s getting "ery sad a.out that.8 8 re you t>o B8 8Deah. *ery.8 8Can8t help you there. Total failure! .oy >ise.8 $enny leaned .ac# and stared at the arch. 8'hy can8t you e"er meet a man li#e that thingB $eautiful! elegant . . .8 8Doesn8t tal# much. Deah! 9 could get used to that.8 $enny laughed. 8'hen 9 >as at the cademy! 9 >ent a .it >ild. Didn8t li#e the >ay they >anted to ma#e us all into troopers. 9 certainly can shoot! .ut 9 prefer not to ha"e to. Can8t stand soldiers! guns! all that .usiness.8 89 dunno. /uns are o#ay if 98m using them. So are soldiers. Prefer grenades! though.8 $enny raised an eye.ro>. 89 thin# >e8ll agree to differ there. 9 >ent '-L and hid in the >oods .y the cademy. They couldn8t find me. 'ord got out! though! and after a >hile girls at the cademy started to "isit me for ad"ice. $oys! periods! anti@aircraft >eapons. 9 >as sort of a gymslip guru. ny>ay! a .oy started to "isit >ith the girls. 9 taught him e"erything 9 #ne>. Simon! his name >as. 'e rolled a.out in the .rac#en a .it! 9 fell in lo"e! he .etrayed me to the authorities . . .8 8Typical!8 ce nodded. 8$ut me and Jan are gonna .e o#ay. 'e8re different.8 8That8s >hat they all say.8 ce shoo# her head. She didn8t >ant to hear that. 8This Simon. 'as he your firstB8 8-h yes. nd! apart from a couple of times >hen my heart has o"erruled my head! the last. The cademy decided that 9 >as o."iously ?ualified for frontline ser"ice! made me the youngest pri"ate in the corps! and put me on a troopship .ound for Capella.8 8Dou fought the Dale#sB8 ce >as impressed. 8 h! no. 9 =umped ship in an escape pod. %ound myself on some strange colony half>ay to no>here 8 8Dou and me .oth. Pain! isn8t itB8 89t is. 9 started to >or# >ith an archaeological unit. )o>! this is the point in the story >here 9 do something "ery .ad. 9! ah! 9 fa#ed my ?ualifications . . .8 8Dou mean! you8re not a real professorB8 8That8s right. Do you #no>! 98"e ne"er told any.ody a.out that .eforeB8 ce felt suita.ly honoured. $enny >as loo#ing at her a little ner"ously! as if she might rush do>n the diggings and yell the ne>s to e"eryone. 89t8s o#ay!8 she smiled. 8)either8s the Professor.8 8Ho> did you meet himB8

8'ell.8

ce too# a deep .reath. 89 >as >or#ing as a >aitress in a coc#tail .ar . . .8

Kale slid into the "entilation duct and dragged the access port closed .ehind him. %rom the ready room of the platform! he could hear the three troopers discussing ho> long it >ould .e .efore the communications net >as .ac# on line. They >ere merry and lac#adaisical! >aiting out the >ee# .efore their replacements arri"ed. 9n the dar#ness! Kale snapped open the catches of his false arm! and too# it off! remo"ing the .ul#y plaster. %rom his shoulder soc#et! grey filaments rela<ed and s>ayed! no longer ha"ing to support the >eight of the lim.. Kale opened the shoulder end of the metal arm! and reached into the cool internal cham.er >ith his fingers. -ne .y one! he remo"ed three thin >hite filaments. They t>isted in his grasp and sang to him. ce and $enny clim.ed do>n the ladder into the e<ca"ations! $enny nodding to Cli"e and se"eral others of the team >ho >ere still carefully sifting material from "arious areas of the floor. They >ere "isi.ly tired! at this early hour of the morning! >or#ing .y the light of chemical lamps. 8Trou.le is!8 $enny confided! 8there8s nothing disused or destroyed to find. ll the tiny o.=ects >e find are discarded. nd >e generally can8t ma#e head or tail of them. The Hea"enites must ha"e had one hell of a recycling plan. Come on through to the o.ser"atory.8 They stepped carefully through the door>ay into the cham.er .eyond. ce >ent o"er to the pile of .ones in the corner. 8My fault!8 $enny told ce. 8)ot good archaeology. She >as a s#eleton! she8d eaten that parchment the Doctor8s got. 9 had to let her out. 98"e got a thing a.out people .eing loc#ed up.8 8Ha"en8t >e allB8 ce sighed. The Doctor >as carefully loo#ing .et>een the slip of parchment@li#e material and The Papers of Felsecar! ma#ing notes. head po#ed into the tent. 9t >as Paul Magrs! the archaeology student >ho had gi"en his name to the o.ser"atory door. 8-h! hiya. Sorry! 9 =ust >anted to get a pro.e.8 8Come in!8 the Doctor finished his note >ith a flourish. 898d =ust finished.8 Paul reached into an open poc#et of $enny8s tool#it! and pulled out a thin rod. 8'ho8re youB8 he as#ed. 89 ha"en8t seen you a.out.8 898m the Doctor! and this is my friend . . . oh! no she8s not here.8 The Doctor loo#ed around! puFFled. He seemed to ma#e a decision. 89 >as =ust deciphering this note. Ha"e a loo#.8 The student glanced at the page of the Doctor8s note.oo#. 89t8s not Pride and Prejudice! is itB $ut then! >hat isB8 8*ery fe> people >ould criticise the literary style.8 8'ell! e"ery.ody8s different! aren8t theyB8 Paul shrugged. 89 >as .orn to deconstruct.8 8Ho> are you on ethicsB 'ould you say that it >as >orth sacrificing one person to sa"e a >hole gala<yB8 8Depends on the person! 9 suppose.8 8 "ery human ans>er.8 The Doctor nodded. 8Than# you.8 Paul grinned! ga"e the Doctor .ac# his piece of paper! and left. -n his >ay .ac# to the dig! he thought a.out >hat the strange little man had said! and started to feel uneasy. fe> minutes after he8d resumed the e<amination of the tunnel floor! the Doctor >andered past! on his >ay to the -.ser"atory. 8)o! listen! 98"e thought some more a.out it! and 8 The Time Lord loo#ed at him as if they hadn8t met .efore. He doffed his hat. 8Hello! 98m the Doctor and this is 8 He chec#ed himself. 8 h! no! she8s in there. 98d .etter go and find her.8 nd he >al#ed on. Paul shoo# his head and got .ac# to >or#. ce >as loo#ing at the masses of Hea"enite sym.ols "isi.le on the o.ser"atory >alls. They

>ere e<actly li#e those she8d seen on the Li.rary and other .uildings. 89 thought those >ere =ust decorations . . .8 8)o.8 The Doctor .ustled in! glancing around the >alls. 8They8re a highly comple< alpha.et! deri"ed from a representational! rather than a phonetic! source.8 8Ha"e you deciphered our s#eleton8s dinnerB8 as#ed $ernice. 8Des. She ate something that disagreed >ith her.8 The Doctor >al#ed up to the telescope and sprayed it >ith the metal cleaner solution. 898ll ha"e to translate the contents of this room.8 8So >hat does the note sayB8 ce as#ed! e<asperated. 89t says . . .8 the Doctor pulled it from his poc#et once more and held it up to scrutiny! 8I%orgi"e me. 9 cannot Nor >ill notO ta#e part in the ,esurrection Dance! for 9 #no> >hat it is and >hat it is a.out. Dou >ho read this! .e>are t8Ky8Tch >hich is >hat they called this >orld for >e ha"e .een a.used .y our gods. The >alls >ill tell you of the ,esurrection Dance! and >ill sho> you ho> to predict >hen the Time has come again. -nce more! forgi"e me. 9 must imprison myself no>! lest all this >or# .e for nothing.I She doesn8t sign her name.8 8$ra"e >oman!8 ce sighed. 8She must ha"e >ritten all this stuff on the >alls.8 8She .urnt it in >ith the same de"ice she used to seal the manacles to the >all!8 $enny added. 8'e8"e found some tiny shards of metal >hich might .e it. 9s that importantB8 8)o.8 The Doctor >as polishing the telescope >ith his hand#erchief. 8This >ill ta#e a fe> hours.8 8-#ay! >e8ll lea"e you alone. 98d .etter get .ac# to camp any>ay.8 ce paused at the door. 8She got turned into one of those fungus things! didn8t sheB8 8Des.8 The Doctor nodded. 8That8s >hy she chained herself up and >rote the note on something that >ouldn8t .e dissol"ed in her stomach. So she >ouldn8t destroy all this >or#.8 8That8s horri.le!8 $enny sighed! loo#ing at the .ones in the corner. 8,espect is due!8 ce agreed. ,oisa and Jan lay! propped up .y cushions! against each other. They >ere holding hands and listening to the massi"e radio recei"er that Jan had assem.led in one corner of his tent. The aerial stretched around the >hole canopy. 8Deatsland! dry and cold!8 the "oice on the radio announced. 8'ind force four! increasing. La#e 'o.egon! some rain! .ecoming dry later. Shepherdshay! storms to>ards morning . . .8 8'hen >e first came here! >e al>ays used to listen to this!8 Jan >hispered. 89t ma#es me feel safe! li#e some.ody8s >atching o"er the >hole >orld.8 ,oisa shi"ered! and clutched his hand. 89t8s =ust a >eather station! some>here. fe> people in a hut! drin#ing coffee in the middle of the night. They8re alone too.8 She closed her eyes! and .egan to cry. 8-h /oddess . . . >hy did this ha"e to happen to usB8 8'hatB8 Jan cradled her head on his shoulder. 8'hat8s >rongB Please tell me. 'hate"er it is! >e can all fight it together . . .8 8)o! >e can8tC8 ,oisa >ailed. 89t8s too lateC -h Jan! ta#e ce >ith you and go! get a>ay from here tonightC8 8'hyB! 8$ecause 8 ce stepped into the tent. She too# one loo# at Jan and ,oisa and tried to step out again. Jan leapt up and caught her. 8)o! come .ac#! it8s not 8 89 #no> >hat it is.8 ce smiled gently. 898ll .e .ac# in a fe> minutes! o#ayB8 $ut ,oisa had stood up herself! touching ce gently on the slee"e. 89t8s all right!8 she >hispered! >iping her tears >ith a hand. 898ll go.8 She stepped outside! .ut turned .ac# after a moment. 8Ta#e good care of him!8 she >hispered. 8Don8t let anything . . . #eep him safe.8 89 >illC8 ce insisted! mo"ed. 89 >ouldn8t e"er let . . .8 $ut ,oisa >as gone into the night. n hour later! Jan and ce lay curled in their ma#eshift .ed. Jan >as massaging e<pertly rela<ing her muscles. 8Don8t you e"er do that to me again!8 she said distractedly. 8'hatB8 ce8s .ac#!

8Push me out of the >ay in a fight.8 8-h! this is >hat you >anted to say! is itB8 89f it had .een any.ody else 98d ha"e smashed their face in.8 8So >hy not meB8 8$ecause 9 lo"e you.8 8-h.8 Jan stopped massaging. ce turned o"er and loo#ed up at him. 8Close your mouth!8 she said. 89 >as =ust thin#ing a.out that poor old li.rarian. He >as .ra"e! and he >anted to help us! and someho> the .ad guys did that to him. 'e8re not here on holiday. 'e8re gonna .e in fights again! and 9 thought 98d tell you tonight. /et it o"er >ith. -#ayB8 8-#ay.8 Jan lay do>n .eside her! >atching her face. 89 lo"e you too.8 8)o! you don8t ha"e to say that 8 89 didn8t .loody >ell thin# 9 had toC 9 =ust do. nd >e8re going to .e together! rightB Here or in space >ith your mate . . .8 89f he lets you.8 8Let8s see him stop me.8 Jan #issed her gently. 8He could.8 ce >hispered. 8Let8s hope he doesn8t >ant to try.8 89 ha"e something to tell you.8 8'hat! you8re pregnantB8 8Hush! this is serious. Dou8"e already told me all your names.8 8)o.8 ce closed her eyes. 8+m . . . Dotty sometimes! and my Mum used to call me Dorry. That8s it.8 8'ell! it8s time you heard my secret names! if >e8re going to .e together. 9f you #no> these! you can steal my heart and soul a>ay! .ut you8"e already done that! so >here8s the harmB8 ce hugged him for that. 8'hen 9 >as young!8 Jan told her! 89 >as ,amany@Pashy! >hich is a reference to a >ild .ull in ,omany tradition. 9t means that 9 used to thro> myself at lots of >omen >ho didn8t >ant me! and succeeded a fe> times through #eeping on trying . . .8 8That doesn8t suit you no>!8 ce murmured! not >anting to sho> Jan ho> mo"ed she >as .y all this. 8)o. That8s >hy 9 changed it in the last year. 98m no> radrath! the one .ig fire. 9 >anted to ha"e something a.out my po>er! and rather than .e tri"ial! 9 thought 98d loo# for>ard to the time >hen 98d ma#e a good .ig fire! one really useful one. 9 thin# that8s the one 98"e lit >ith you.8 8That8s .eautiful!8 ce held him tightly. 8Dou8re .eautiful! and 9 lo"e you.8 They made lo"e once more! ce >ondering ho> it >as that she dre> strength from this man! ho> it >as that she trusted him! =ust as much more than she trusted the DoctorB Trust >as ne> for her. Poor ,oisa. ce >ondered .riefly if she could tolerate a timeshare on Jan8s company. ,oisa really cared a.out him! and she >as unselfish enough to gi"e him up. Damn it! >hy did e<@girlfriends ne"er turn out to .e complete "illainsB Dou8d get more sleep that >ay. They tal#ed for a >hile a.out children8s stories after they8d finished! caressing. Jan fell asleep! and ce rolled o"er! pulling a .oo# from his pile of reading matter .eside the rugs. $yron. Deah! it >ould .e. She found a page at random. 8The ssyrian came do>n li#e the >olf on the fold . . .8 ce read to the sleeping Jan! >hispering. Colm 'ylie stood at the edge of the Tra"ellers8 camp! shifting the >eight of his plasma rifle from one shoulder to another. He .le> into his hands. The Tra"ellers too# turns on guard duty! as >ith e"erything else! and tonight >as Colm8s turn. He >as an e<@marine! and still sometimes had trou.le sleeping! >ith all the dreams of "aporiFed .lood. He8d gi"en it up for anarchy! and didn8t mind >andering the camp at three in the morning. There >as a shuffling noise from out on the perimeter. Colm loo#ed up. Past the light of the sta#e@ mounted lamps! something >as mo"ing in the dar#ness. 9t might .e a herd animal! of course!

a graFer >andering up to see >hat the lights >ere. $ut these days! it might not .e. Colm found the alarm .eacon in his poc#et! .ut he didn8t press the .utton. He could see "ague shapes no>! mo"ing outside of the stone circle. Human shapes! s>aying listlessly! their steps ta#ing them in a ritualistic circle around the camp. They >ere mo"ing so ?uietly . . . Colm shoo# his head. He >asn8t dreaming. He couldn8t ma#e out any features! .ut there >as a >hole army of people out there. He tightened his grip on his gun. 8HoiC8 he shouted. 8'ho are youB8 The only response >as a strange #eening sound. ,ight on the edge of audi.ility! it sliced through the night air li#e static. 'ith the noise came something else. Colm sa> it arri"ing! a cloud of >hite fi.res! floating in on the .reeFe. sno>storm of thin! hairy! flec#s. 9t >afted to>ards the camp! scattering amongst the tents! >rapping around the stones and poles. -ne of the fi.res landed on Colm8s glo"e! and t>itched. He yelled! thro>ing off the glo"e! and hit the alarm .utton. .laring siren shrilled out from a spea#er attached to a central pole! and Tra"ellers .egan to tum.le from their tents! snatching up >eapons. They ran to>ards the sentry point. ce ran out into the night in a ro.e! carrying a .elt of grenades. She got to Colm .efore anyone else did. The man >as shi"ering! clutching his hand. 8They8re goingC8 he gasped. ce peered out into the mur#. 9n the middle distance! she could ma#e out a parade of retreating figures. 8Should >e go after themB8 as#ed lec! running up .arefoot. 8)o . . .8 ce shoo# her head. 8That8s a good >ay to get #illed! running after a retreating enemy.8 MKire and ,oisa arri"ed! in identical .lac# ro.es. ,oisa had .een shining a torch ahead of her! gesturing to MKire to .e careful. 8These thingsC8 she cried to Colm. 8They8re all o"er the placeC8 8 re they dangerousB8 as#ed the sentry. He sho>ed ,oisa his hand. The tiny fi.re had someho> gone straight through the glo"e! and >as em.edded in the flesh of his >rist. 89 don8t #no>!8 the >oman >hispered! her face filling >ith fear. 8'e8ll ta#e a loo# .ac# at my tent! 98ll .athe it.8 She turned to ce. 8Ma#e sure no.ody else gets near the fi.res! >hate"er they are.8 ce and MKire loo#ed at the num.er of semi@na#ed Tra"ellers that had gathered around the sentry post. 8$loody fi.res again!8 ce muttered. 8'e8ll clear a path .ac# to the centre!8 MKire decided. 8("ery.ody follo> me! and then ta#e a good loo# around your o>n tents.8 She pointed to three .urly Tra"ellers >ith >eapons. 89 thin# it8d .e an idea if you #ept a >atch until da>n.8 8They >on8t .e .ac#!8 ce muttered. 89 thin# they8"e done >hat they came for. -h my /odC8 Jan >as dro>sily >andering to>ards them! his feet .are. 8'hat8s >rongB8 he muttered. 89 thin# the s#y fell in =ust no> . . .8 ce ran to him! hopping o"er fi.res! and ?uic#ly inspected the soles of his feet. fter a moment! she sighed in relief. 8Dou8re the luc#iest .loody man ali"e! you are.8 8 ye! 98m >ith you! aren8t 9B8 ce made him >al# "ery carefully .ac# to their tent. $enny had gone .ac# to her tent for a cup of coffee! and >as sitting alone! loo#ing at photos. Dad. 'here >as heB Dead on some frontier >orldB >isp of gas in spaceB -r >as he off on some secret mission that no.ody #ne> a.outB )o. That >as a.solute ru..ish. That >as =ust fantasy. Sometimes she8d thought she8d found leads! descriptions of a man a .it li#e him. -nce she8d >al#ed into a .ar and thought she8d seen him across the room. 9t had turned out to .e some old space pirate! .ut for fi"e minutes! ho> her heart had .eaten. Dad. shado> mo"ed across the surface of the tent. $enny pulled her gun. She slipped ?uic#ly

outside! and rela<ed in the moonlight. The Doctor >as gaFing up at the moon! his face full of childish delight. He hadn8t noticed her! .ut >as staring up into the s#y! his .oy8s eyes full of moon. nd he must ha"e seen so many moons. $enny found herself >ishing that she could ha"e fallen in lo"e >ith some.ody li#e him. s she >ished! she #ne> that she >ouldn8t. $ut! /od! she >anted to .e his friend. .urst of shooting stars e<ploded silently o"erhead. The Doctor gaFed at it! and his face fell into an e<pression of grim determination. 8$ernice!8 he said. 8Ta#e me to the place those stars ha"e fallen.8 ce >o#e suddenly! and shoo# her head! trying to figure out >hat >as a dream and >hat >asn8t. The fi.res >ere real. Deah! and Jan >as safely sleeping at her side. Something had >o#en her up. Christ! if she >asn8t so #nac#ered! she >ouldn8t ha"e .een a.le to sleep in the first place. The sound that had >o#en her came again. light tap against the fa.ric of the tent. Li#e some.ody >as flic#ing their finger against it. ce listened! until the tension drained out of her and she >as almost a.out to fall .ac# to sleep. Then the sound came again. She reached for Jan8s gun! afraid. 'as this going to .e itB /ra..ed .y fungus monsters in the middle of the nightB Hell! let them try. ce crept up to the tent flap! still >ondering if she >as dreaming. She undid the >hole thing >ith one tug of the ties! and thre> the flap open. $efore the tent stood a tall figure in a .lac# shroud. 8My /od!8 ce >hispered. 8 re you realB8 89ndeed.8 The .eing held out a >hitened hand. 8%or a >hile. Come >ith me.8 /lancing .ac# at Jan! ce too# Christopher8s hand.

17: No 2ore 2ister Ni,e Gu$

The dar#@ro.ed figure stal#ed across the hillside! its garments rustling in the night .reeFes. ce follo>ed at a distance! the gun tuc#ed into the .elt of her ro.e. She >asn8t feeling cold! >hich >as pro.a.ly something to do >ith Christopher. They had >al#ed through the camp li#e it >asn8t there! the ner"ous sentries loo#ing straight past them. 9t >as li#e a dream! li#e sleep>al#ing. Christopher had .een silent as he lead the >ay up the hillside. 'hen he reached the >hite horse! he stopped! and turned to loo# do>n at the lights of the camp. ce =oined him! >atching as t>o o>ls s>ooped a.o"e the do>nlands! hunting. 8So!8 she .egan! >hen it .ecame clear that Christopher >asn8t going to tal# first. 8Ho> you doingB8 89 am dead!8 the ro.ed figure rum.led. 89 control this .ody from Puterspace! >here 9 li"e on! ha"ing transferred my soul there.8 He pulled the co>l from his head. ce >as shoc#ed to see the pallor of his s#in! and the lifeless tilt of his eyes. His lips .arely mo"ed! and they >ere already ca#ed and crac#ed. 8 lready that life is fading. Soon 9 shall .e gone! and this .ody >ill o.ey the demands of our enemy.8 8'hatB 'hyB8 Christopher sho>ed her his palm. +nder the s#in! a num.er of the >hite fi.res >ere mo"ing. 89 ha"e >al#ed the camp! ta#en in as many as 9 could. They still identify me as a target. Tell me! do you .elie"e in destinyB8 ce sat do>n on the grass! pulling her ro.e o"er her #nees. 8)o. Dou get the .rea#s! you ma#e >hat you can of them.8 She loo#ed up at Christopher. 8Loo#! the Doctor #no>s a lot a.out computers! may.e he could . . .8 8My heart has stopped.8 Christopher8s dead eyes s>ept o"er the landscape. 8 nd the only electrical acti"ity in my .rain is that >hich 9 create there. There are no options left for me. Sometimes the paths to .e ta#en are o."ious. 9f you stay here! stay >ith ,amany@Pashy 8 8 radrath!8 ce corrected him! and then gasped. 8Hey! loo#! did you #no> that tooB8 8Des.8 Christopher loo#ed a>ay ?uic#ly. 8$ut 9 ha"e #no>n him too long to .e used to it. 9f you stay >ith him! then you >ill ha"e to ma#e a sacrifice.8 8'hy is e"ery.ody telling me thatB 'hat8s >rong >ith li"ing happily e"er after! any>ayB8 ce ru..ed her .ro>! >ondering >hy she had come out >ith Jan8s name li#e that. 9t >as precious to her! something >onderful. lthough she trusted Christopher! it >as as if the magic of this encounter had eased the >ord out of her .rain. Christopher8s crac#ed lips smiled as he loo#ed do>n at her confusion. 89t is a dream. good dream! .ut death >ill end it! sooner or later. Dou are the .est .elo"ed of Time! the ste>ard to the Doctor! >ho calls himself Time8s Champion. $ut Time is the lo"er of change. Soon! nothing >ill .e the same.8 8Ho> do you #no> all thisB8 89 am part of e"erything no>. 9 >onder if dying in the matri< >ill .e li#e dying at all . . . $ut then! 9 don8t #no> >hat dying is li#e.8 He put a hand to ce8s head. 8Do not trust those >ith the spores on them.8 Then he turned! and .egan to >al# do>n the hill. ce >atched him go! distractedly hitting the earth >ith her hand. 89 don8t care a.out destinyC8 she >hispered. 8Don8t care a.out anything .ut him.8 $enny lead the Doctor to a line of lo> pylons that stretched across a hillside. >ire hummed .et>een the pylons! and small lights .lin#ed on top of them. They8d left the horses tethered to a tree! and >al#ed the ?uarter mile to the fence. 8This is the edge of the current landing Fone.8 $enny pointed. 8These .arriers are designed to

#eep herd animals out.8 8'hat a.out peopleB8 8There8s precious little chance of any.ody getting hit .y one of the pods! and there8s too .ig an area to guard. $esides! if you #ne> that se"eral tons of dead people >ere a.out to descend pretty rapidly o"erhead! >ould you go >andering around sightseeingB 9 thin# not.8 8)o.8 The Doctor duc#ed under the fence. 8ComingB8 $enny nodded. 8'e8"e got si< hours until the ne<t drop time. 'ill that doB8 8-h yes.8 The Doctor raised the >ire >ith his um.rella. 898m only sightseeing.8 They trudged do>n into the "alley. $ernice loo#ed at the Doctor occasionally as they >ent. 8So!8 she as#ed. 8Do you ha"e a girlfriendB8 8)o.8 8$oyfriendB8 8)o.8 8Model rail>ay setB8 8Some>here.8 The Doctor >as staring do>n into the "alley! o.ser"ing the fiery shapes that lay there. 8The T ,D9S is full of surprises.8 8$ut you8re not the sort of person that #eeps a .ig ta.le! >ith tiny trees and signal .o<es and thingsB8 8)o.8 8 h! then you must .e interested in la> and order.8 The Doctor stopped! and turned to face $ernice. 8)o!8 he said! a slo> grin spreading o"er his features. 89 li#e chaos! .ig e<plosions! re.ellions! that sort of thing. 'hy do you as#B8 8$ecause 9 >ant to #no> >hy you go around in a police .o<C8 8Dou #no> >hat one isB8 89t8s from my fa"ourite era.8 89 could ha"e changed it ages ago!8 the Doctor confided. 8$ut 9 li#e the shape. nd the motto. Call here for help. That8s >hat 9 do. 9 let little children sleep safely at night! .ecause 98"e searched through all the shado>s and chased the .addies a>ay. 98m >hat monsters ha"e nightmares a.outC8 He sounded ?uite satisfied >ith that for a moment! and $ernice smiled. $ut as they approached the fires that guttered and flared in the "alley! she could see from his face that he >asn8t content >ith his definition of himself. 8$ut e"ery.ody8s a monster sometimes.8 The Doctor pic#ed his >ay through the great impact craters that had .een .lasted into the grasslands. He .ent do>n to >atch a mole trying to re.uild its home. 8'e all do things >e regret. nd sometimes >e ha"e to lose things "ery precious to us.8 He stood again suddenly! and loo#ed around. 8 re these craters formed >here the pods ha"e landedB8 8Des.8 $enny led the >ay do>n into a crater! slipping on the smooth earthen >alls. t the .ottom of the hole! ploughed into the earth! lay a siFFling .lac# pod! a.out the siFe of a coffin. Deposits on its surface >ere still .urning. 8,emains of a sash!8 $enny e<plained. 8This one >ould ha"e .een a corporate soldier. Can8t tell >hich company no>. 9n the morning! ro.ot gardeners .uFF the area and plough e"erything under. The cas#ets are made of hard cellulose! so they8re .iodegrada.le.8 8Do all the dead arri"e on Hea"en li#e thisB8 8)o. The ma=ority are shipped in and gi"en a traditional .urial. The .ones are miles thic# in some areas. There are a great many corpses in Draconian and Human space! and lots of them end up here. Se"eral alien species are con"inced the place is sacred as >ell . . .8 8They >ould .e. Their computer records ha"e .een interfered >ith for centuries. ("ery.ody8s .een conned into sending their dead here.8 8'hyB8 8-pen the cas#et.8 $enny shrugged. 89f 9 >as a religious person! 98d find the idea "ery distasteful. $ut 98m a tom. ro..er! so here >e go.8 She remo"ed a de"ice from her .elt and ran it along the seam of the cas#et. The Doctor lifted the lid and peered inside. He #nelt and pulled a s#ull out! turning it o"er

in his hand. 8Do you thin# >e should ta#e arms against a sea of trou.lesB8 he as#ed the s#ull. 8Mi<ed metaphor!8 sighed $enny. 8Deli.erately.8 The Doctor upturned the s#ull. host of >hite filaments dropped on to the soil! and s>iftly .egan to .ury their >ay in. 8Dou can8t fight the sea! no matter >hat you do.8 ce >atched the o>ls circling a.o"e the forest as she trudged .ac# to camp. Da>n >as .rea#ing o"er the hills. 9t felt li#e the last da>n e"er! cold and a .it half@hearted. The Tra"ellers >ere pac#ing their tents a>ay! folding them up into >ooden .o<es! >hich >ere then slung o"er the .ac#s of the horses. They left >hite circles on the ground >here they8d restricted the gro>th of grass. MKire >as >al#ing from stone to stone around the circle! touching each one as if to say good.ye. Jan shouted and ran for>ard! lifting ce up in a >hirling hug. 8'here >ere youB8 he laughed. 89 thought you8d left meC8 8)e"er.8 ce #issed him soundly! >ondering >hether she should tell him a.out Christopher. 89 >ent up to the hill! to thin# a .it.8 8 fter last nightB /ods! you8re a >arrior aren8t youB8 8Deah. 'hat8s going onB 'hy8s e"ery.ody lea"ingB8 8'e8re mo"ing on. The decision >as made around the fire this morning. 'e8d searched the camp for any fi.res! and didn8t find many! .ut the site8s not really safe anymore. ,oisa8s .een trying to remo"e the threads from the people >ho got touched. 'e thin# there8s three of them. She argued that >e should mo"e right off@planet! .ut MKire .rought it do>n to =ust getting a little nearer ci"iliFation. 'e8re going to>ards Joyceto>n.8 8That8ll ta#e us near $enny8s dig.8 8 ye! that8s >here >e8re stopping. Safety in num.ers. Hey! you said IusIC8 8So 9 did.8 ce #issed him again. They >andered .ac# to Jan8s tent! or >hat remained of it. The central pole had .een remo"ed! and piles of cutlery! fa.rics and tools >ere stac#ed outside of it. ce piled in! placing things carefully in the >ooden trun#s. She pulled the go.let from a sil# scarf! and e<amined the car"ing on the golden stem. 8This is the one you8re >orried a.out! rightB The one you got from the *acuum ChurchB8 8That8s the one.8 ce8s finger found the hollo> of the .ase. 8This must .e really "alua.le.8 89t might .e! .ut that8s >here ,oisa8s >rong! you see. 9 >ouldn8t do anything for money.8 His tone >as irritated! and ce remem.ered ho> sensiti"e he >as a.out the cup. 89t8s good that you8"e got it!8 she said. 8("en if it >as filled >ith .lood in the Dreaming. They don8t deser"e 8 The go.let had suddenly got deeper. false .ottom in the cup had "anished >hen she8d pushed her finger into the .ase 8Here! ha"e you seen thisB8 Jan loo#ed o"er her shoulder. 8)o!8 he >hispered. 8That8s going to .e for poison or something! isn8t itB8 8'ell! it8s empty no>.8 ce dropped the go.let into the case. 8May.e that8s the secret of the go.let!8 she told Jan. 8May.e *ic >ill stop .othering you a.out it no>.8 89 dou.t it!8 Jan smiled! returning to his pac#ing. -n a distant hillside many hours later! as Christopher8s .ody >al#ed to >here"er it >as going! it passed the Doctor. The Doctor >as staring do>n at the camp also! his eyes fi<ed on Jan8s tent. He seemed to .e fighting something inside himself! his eyes dar#. Christopher paused! and loo#ed at him coldly. 8 radrath!8 he spat. The Doctor glo>ered .ac#. 8Des!8 >as all he said. Then .oth resumed the paths they had .een >al#ing. Phaedrus loo#ed around his congregation! nodding eagerly. 8'e are pa>ns!8 he told them. 8'e are only soldiers! dying for futility. 'e are used .y our masters! as others are. -ur only .oon is that

>e #no>! >e are allo>ed to see. re the ne> acolytes readyB8 T>o young men and an old >oman stepped for>ard. They >ere dressed in grey ro.es. The >oman >as dying! as con"erts often >ere. She8d read one of the Church8s .oo#s on ma#ing more of your passing! and had spent three >ee#s .eing counselled .y Phaedrus himself. -ne of the .oys >as a runa>ay! an apprentice farmhand. He pro.a.ly thought that this >as a good gang to .elong to! the ultimate >ay to display your indi"iduality. The last .oy had not offered any reasons. He8d only insisted. )ormally! they8d ha"e had some more time. h >ell! things >ere hard for e"ery.ody. 8$ring the >ormsC8 Phaedrus commanded. n acolyte stepped for>ard! carrying three >hite fi.res on the end of a .aton. He sho>ed the initiates the creatures. 89f you >ish! you may go in peace!8 Phaedrus told them. 8$ut it you >ish to die ali"e! and .e >hole in the #no>ledge of your death! then seiFe the >orm.8 The old >oman already had! >atching it s?uirm on the surface of her palm! >or#ing its >ay under her s#in. The runa>ay closed his eyes! and touched the fi.re >ith the .ac# of his hand! >incing. The other .oy stared at the .aton. He reached his hand out! sha#ing. Phaedrus >atched! interested. He li"ed for these moments. The .oy smac#ed the .aton aside and ran! sho"ing guards out of the >ay. Phaedrus inclined his head to the t>o ne> acolytes. 8'elcome!8 he said. 8Dour comrade may ha"e run a>ay! .ut he >ill .e >ith us soon enough. )o> >e all ha"e a tas# to perform.8 The Doctor >as lying on the floor! a notepad in hand! glancing .et>een The Papers Of Felsecar and the .ase of the telescope. He made a final note! read .ac# >hat he had >ritten! and then =umped up. $enny >as leaning in the door>ay! her arms folded. She8d caught three hours sleep! and >as feeling a strong urge to resort to ma#e up to hide the .ags under her eyes. 8(ure#aB8 she as#ed. 8Des.8 The Doctor stuffed his hat .ac# on his head and pointed to the ceiling. 8The o.ser"atory used to .e at ground le"el. 9n the last fe> decades! the earth su.sided.8 8Des! yes 8$enny stopped him. 89 #no>. The arch is much .igger than >hat >e see on the surface.8 8So >e must dig it out.8 The Doctor >as flustered! pacing .ac# and forth. 8)o pro.lem! the cre> still o>e me a day8s >or#.8 $enny put a hand on the Doctor8s shoulder. 8Loo#! digging it straight out >ill ruin anything >e might find in the infill. 9t8s against my code of ethics.8 She paused. 8'hen you said last night that the mi<ed metaphor in Ha let >as deli.erate! >as that a critical opinion! or first@hand #no>ledgeB8 89 >as there >hen 'ill composed it!8 the Doctor snapped. 89 >as a friend of his! and! >hen 98m not dealing >ith threats to life and li.erty! 9 spend most of my time correcting idiots >ho mis?uote himC8 $enny narro>ed her eyes! staring #eenly at the Doctor8s e<pression. He >as completely sincere. 8This is my career >e8re tal#ing a.out. My >hole life. Tell me it8s "ital.8 8Do it in an hour! and 9 might not ha"e to . . . not ha"e to do something 98ll regret. Please. 9t8s important.8 8-ne hour.8 $enny nodded! sighed! and ran to tell her cre>. She slapped ce on the shoulder as they passed in the earthen corridor. 898"e =ust decided!8 she shouted. 8'hatB8 ce called after her. 898m not an archaeologistC8 $enny "anished around the corner. -perati"e Miller hit the .utton angrily. 8Damn it! JudithC8 he muttered. 8'hy can8t >e communicate >ith themB8 Judith! the communications officer at Miller8s .ase! shoo# her head. 8The main antenna of the or.ital platform has .een rerouted! as >e #ne> it >ould .e! in order to monitor ground .ased sources . . .8 8 ny e"idence that Kale8s actually doing thatB8 8The emission spectrum from the platform >ould suggest not. 'e can >or# out the angle of

the antenna . . .8 %iona touched a control. 89t8s pointed straight at Joyceto>n. Hasn8t mo"ed in three hours. nd the secondary antenna8s out.8 8So >hat8s going on up thereB8 Miller loo#ed up at the ceiling in frustration. Suddenly! a red light appeared on the des#. 8Platform engines =ust fired! sirC8 %iona shouted. 8Sustained .urstC8 8'hatB8 Miller =umped into a chair and chec#ed the instruments. 8My /od!8 he >hispered. 8They8re on a re@entry cur"eC8 ce popped her head around the door of the o.ser"atory! and >histled to the Doctor. 8Ho>8s it goingB8 8Terri.le!8 the Doctor gro>led. ce stepped .ac# a little! and he softened! reaching out to smooth her hair. 8Ho> are the Tra"ellersB8 8Come and see for yourself.8 ce led him out into the sunlight. The Tra"ellers >ere setting up camp all around the dig site. -n the .ac# of a cart stood the T ,D9S. 8Thought >e8d .etter .ring it >ith us!8 ce smiled! ta#ing the Doctor8s arm. 8/ood.8 The Doctor had grinned at the sight! and ce >as full of things she >anted to say to him. 98m in lo"e! she >anted to say! come to the >edding. 8 h! you8"e found another man alreadyC8 Jan slapped the Doctor on the .ac#. ce sighed. The Doctor >as loo#ing tense again. 9t >as as if Jan made him ner"ous. $enny had ta#en up a pic#! and >as hac#ing at the soft soil under the arch. Her students >ere clustered around her! helping out >ith spades and starting up po>er tools. 8HoiC8 she shouted! catching sight of Jan. 8/et your people o"er here and help us finish off a promising career! you laFy gitC8 The three creatures stepped for>ard and .o>ed to Kale! the tendrils of their heads ?ui"ering. The remnants of corporate uniforms still clung to their fungoid .odies. Kale smiled. The tentacles that had unfurled from his arm soc#et >ere holding do>n three of the roc#et thrust controls. He turned his head to the "ie>ing port! and sa> the glo.e of Hea"en gro>ing gradually larger. The first flic#ers of outer atmosphere >ere already .urning .lue and red as they caught the e<ternal struts of the platform. Kale lic#ed his lips! suppressing a spasm of fear. He concentrated on the music! the music that >as soaring up from the planet! roaring into the antenna! directing e"ery su.tle mo"ement of his tentacles on the thrust controls. The music >as gradually increasing in "olume. ,oisa heard the sound first. %rom the tents of the archaeologists >as coming a steady .eeping noise. She glanced at the large team of Tra"ellers and students digging a>ay under the arch. Cathlan >as singing a rhythmic song as he sho"elled aside great clods of mud! and MKire had pic#ed up on it too. Dear MKire. ,oisa hoped that! some>here in the future! she8d forgi"e her for >hat she8d done. She opened the flap of the tent! and pic#ed up the recei"er of $enny8s radio unit! reciting the callsign off the top of the pac#. 8This is MillerC8 a "oice cut in! sounding desperate. 8Dou must all get a>ay from there as soon as possi.le. The or.ital platform is in a declining or.it. 'e8"e >or#ed out that it >ill crash in your area. Dou must get a>ayC HelloB re you thereB8 ,oisa lo>ered the recei"er! sha#ing. .urning pain >as coming from her foot. 8'hat should 9 doB8 she >hispered. 8'ho >ill sa"e us no>B8 hand reached out and too# the recei"er. The Doctor glared at the Tra"eller! his eyes full of steel. 89 >ill!8 he gro>led. Phaedrus and his congregation >ere singing! an incredi.ly comple< melody! the "ocal patterns interlacing in delicate strands. They had their eyes closed! and their thoughts >ere all the same! computations of falling spacecraft! "isions of paths and "ectors. They had .een rehearsing this for months! the ne> inta#e trained in it as part of their instruction. The song resounded through the architecture! echoing and spiralling off of the >alls of the

temple. 9t concealed another sound from an anteroom. >heeFing! groaning sound. ce and $enny hopped up on to the lectern at one end of the temple! in front of the choir. /uards snatched for their guns! .ut ce pulled t>o su.machine guns and >a"ed them randomly at the cro>d! grinning. $enny aimed do>n her pistol! straight at Phaedrus8s head. Phaedrus #ept singing! his eyes fi<ed on the >eapon. 'ith an effort of >ill! he closed his eyes. The guards lo>ered their >eapons. $enny cleared her throat. 8Ladies and gentlemenC8 she called! shouting o"er the choir. 898d li#e to introduce you to possi.ly the most important thing on this side of the uni"erseC Let8s ha"e a .ig hand for . . . the DoctorC8 The congregation still had their eyes clenched tightly closed! still holding on to the song. They couldn8t afford to lose concentration for a second. Phaedrus8s .ro> >as s>eating as he held the singers together! coordinating the signals they >ere psychically .eaming into space. 9t >as >or#ing. The platform >as follo>ing the right arc! ma#ing tiny course corrections as it fell. $ut then another "oice =oined in the chorus. nd it >as singing a different tune. The song told the congregation that she might ha"e .een >eary! that they #ne> ho> girls got >eary! >earing that same old dress . . . The Doctor >as crooning into a stand@up microphone! spea#ers in the T ,D9S thro>ing his "oice into the massed choir. 8$ut >hen she gets >eary! try a little tenderness . . .8 $enny leaned o"er the mi#e! hollering the lyrics of the chorus in a "oice >ith more soul than training. ce shrugged at the guards. 8)ot my style!8 she mouthed. The choir8s melody .egan to .rea# up as the other song ent>ined >ith it. colytes opened their eyes and loo#ed round! trying to find their place in the tune again. Phaedrus clenched his hands in rage! his nails .iting into his palms. He could still see it! it >as still there it >as goneC 8'hat are you doingB8 he .ello>ed. The choir stopped! suddenly! and so did the Doctor. The Time Lord leapt off the stage! and gra..ed Phaedrus .y the collar. 8'inningC8 he snarled. 8)o> let me tal# to your mastersC8 lim. crac#ed from the platform! and spun a>ay as the spacecraft tum.led into the atmosphere! clouds rushing up to meet it. The e<terior >as already .ecoming molten! go..ets of metal spraying off into the "oid as the .last of friction fried the surface. Kale had lost the song! and >as screaming no>! his teeth clenched. The three monsters .ehind him >ere .ecoming feathery! their s#ins erupting in masses of >hite fi.re. He >as nearly there. He had .een on the right course! he could feel it. 9f he could hold on for =ust a fe> more seconds . . . MKire stared up at the glo> that >as .looming o"er the >estern horiFon. The Tra"ellers had gathered in a cro>d! and >ere sheltering each other. 'inds >ere .eginning to >hip across the planet8s surface! faster and faster. The archaeology students had gra..ed horses! and had .een going to gallop a>ay as fast as they could. MKire had told them that it >ouldn8t .e fast enough. The platform >ould hit the planet li#e an atomic .om.. Some had gone any>ay. Those that remained grasped the hands of the Tra"ellers! and loo#ed up into the s#y. MKire had told them that Tra"ellers didn8t die >ith their eyes closed. Jan gritted his teeth. He and MKire and ,oisa had formed a line at the front of the group! holding hands. 8 ce got a>ay at least!8 ,oisa smiled to him. 89 lo"e you.8 89 lo"e you!8 Jan >hispered .ac#! >ithout hesitation. 8'e8re all going to the /oddess together!8 MKire told ,oisa. 898ll lo"e you .etter ne<t time.8

89 hope you get the chance . . .8 ,oisa8s "oice .ro#e and she .egan to so.. 8$ut any >ay . . . any >ay you li#e is fineC Dou =ust find meC 'hate"er 9 am! a dog! a .loody snail! 98ll ta#e care of you in the ne<t lifeC8 8Come on thenC8 Jan shouted up to the s#y. 8$rigidaC8 The Tra"ellers too# up the cry! a scream to the goddess of poetry and >ar. The glo> filled half the s#y. 89 don8t need you.8 The Doctor slapped Phaedrus across the face. 8Dou8re a puppet. /i"e me your mastersC8 Phaedrus flushed >ith anger. Then he gasped as his head =er#ed .ac#. different "oice gurgled from his throat. His eyes stared up>ards lifelessly. 8So! Time Lord. 'hat do you >ant of usB8 8Destroy the platformC8 8'hyB ! 8Dou need a pa>n here! 9 #no> that. Dou need a po>erful host mind to .e a.le to .roadcast your signal. %or the moment! you need Phaedrus. re you sure my song >as randomB re you sure 9 ha"en8t set the platform into a ne> tra=ectoryB Perhaps to land hereB8 The "oice .ro#e into a hissing laugh. 8'e . . . #no> you. . . Time8s ChampionC Dou >ill not . . . ta#e lifeC8 89 >illC8 ce ran for>ard and sho"ed one of her SM/s into Phaedrus8s throat. 89f it8s Jan or you! you8re deadC So .ac# off or 98ll .lo> his .rains outC Dou #no> 9 >illC8 $enny >inced at >hat she heard in ce8s "oice. 9t >as =ust on the edge of hysteria. The Doctor folded his hands .ehind his .ac#. 898ll lea"e her to it! then!8 he murmured. lo> hiss escaped Phaedrus8s throat. Kale >as laughing no> as Hea"en s>ept up to>ards him. He >as going to achie"e his great mission for the cause of deathC He could see mountains and hills! and ri"ers and -ne of his tentacles =er#ed against a red s>itch. The platform e<ploded into a .all of flaming gas. The e<plosion lit up the s#y a.o"e the dig! colouring the clouds. moment later! a thunderclap echoed off the hills and dells. thousand daylit meteors .urst across the .lue! trailing fire and smo#e. nd the Tra"ellers fell to their #nees in relief. 8Doctor!8 >hispered MKire. 8Than# you . . .8 8$ut don8t cut it so .loody fine ne<t time!8 muttered Jan. Phaedrus a>o#e to ce grinning at him. 8Lo"e does strange things to you!8 she said. 8 nd nearly to you.8 The Doctor let go of the priest. 8Tell your masters that if they lea"e no>! 9 may choose not to harm them. )o>! do >e get out of here unmolested! or do the pa>ns ha"e ideas a.o"e their stationB8 Phaedrus didn8t spea#. He =ust raised an open palm. He >as loo#ing at ce >ith a #ind of longing. 9t too# a moment .efore ce realiFed that he >as actually loo#ing at her gun. The three companions dashed .ac# to the T ,D9S. t the last moment! $enny peeped .ac# around the corner to the anteroom. 8$ut apart from all that!8 she as#ed! 8>hat did you thin# of the songB8 red um.rella handle pulled her off into the T ,D9S.

11: (ontinuit$
ce had run off into the interior of the T ,D9S to get some more clothes. $enny >as still staring. Her first =ourney had only ta#en t>enty seconds! during >hich time she8d =ust saidA 8-h.8 8$igger on the inside than the outside!8 the Doctor murmured! glancing at a control. 898"e heard that .efore.8 $enny put a hand on the console to steady herself. 89t loo#s li#e a police .o<! and you tra"el through time and space in it.8 8Des.8 89 hope it has an en suite .athroom.8 The Doctor pointed >ith his um.rella. 8%irst left after the Foo.8 89 see.8 $enny raised an eye.ro>. 89t8s a.out time the T ,D9S had a clean out. Dodo #eeps getting lost.8 8'ho8s DodoB8 8My young companion.8 The Doctor >al#ed slo>ly around the console! flic#ing s>itches randomly. 8She tal#s using hip phrases! she comes from London! she8s fashiona.le. She reminds me of my granddaughter.8 $enny didn8t li#e the sound of the Doctor8s "oice. 8Dou8re not >ell! are youB 9s there something you >ant to tal# to me a.outB8 8-h.8 The Doctor had his .ac# to her no>! and the hunched shoulders reminded $enny of some ancient horror mo"ie. She straightened up! preparing. -h /od! >as he going to .ecome a monster! leap at herB 8So much.8 The "oice >as a >hisper. 8Tell me that >e8ll ha"e time! one day. That 98ll .e a.le to e<plain all 98"e done . . .8 8-f course you >ill!8 $enny .lurted! e<tremely ner"ous no>. 8'hy! >hat ha"e you doneB8 ce .urst .ac# in! hea"ing t>o ha"ersac#s full of pro"isions. The Doctor loo#ed up from the T ,D9S console and grinned his funny grin at her. 8 t the temple . . . you >eren8t really going to shootB8 he as#ed her! the old Doctor again. 8)ah . . .8 ce laughed. 8'ell! not at the cro>d. 9 could ha"e topped Phaedrus! .ut! you #no>! if Jan had already died . . . Life8s too short! eh! ProfessorB8 $enny slo>ly loo#ed .et>een the t>o of them. Something deep in the Doctor8s eyes still scared her. The Doctor loo#ed out at his audience! staring up at him as he stood against the light of the .onfire. 9t >as early afternoon! and a to#en party >ere >or#ing a>ay at unco"ering the o.ser"atory. ("eryone had returned! >ondering that they hadn8t .een #illed .y the impacting platform. The T ,D9S had landed amongst them to applause. Students! their hair cut into spectacular fringes. Tra"ellers in their rugged .oots and coats. ce! a .undle full of messages from pre"ious centuries. %athers held .a.ies on their laps! and toddlers ran .et>een adults8 legs. 8Children!8 the Doctor >hispered to himself. He pic#ed up a .urning stic# from the .onfire! and >a"ed it in the air. 89t8s time!8 he told them. 8Time to tell you >hat you8re facing.8 He started to pace .efore the fire! t>irling the stic# to illustrate his story. 8Millions of years ago! >hile the (arth >as still forming! the >orld of /allifrey >as doing .usiness >ith another species. The Hoothi. The master strategists of the gala<y. )o.ody #no>s >here they e"ol"ed! or if they >ere artificially created. They8re fungoid creatures! they li"e off decayed matter. They farmed >hole >orlds! #ept sentient populations as herd animals. )o>! these >ere the days >hen the Time Lords had interests of their o>n! planets >here their influence >as felt. The Hoothi .egan to ta#e sides in a >ar on Tranmetgura! introduced their dead soldiers into the .attle . . .8

8DeadB8 as#ed ce from some>here inside Jan8s .ul#y furs. 8'hat d8you meanB8 8They infest the .odies of their slain foes!8 the Doctor paced along the fringes of the fire! 8and use them as pa>ns in their o.scene plottings. The Time Lords had .een negotiating >ith the Tranmetgurans! trying to organiFe a planetary go"ernment that they could deal >ith. The Hoothi damaged that plan. %ull@scale >ar .ro#e out! and .iological agents reduced the planet8s population .y t>o@thirds.8 The Doctor8s face sho>ed disgust. 8The slaughter >as huge. The Hoothi too# all the dead into their silent gas dirigi.les! and used them as they do all dead matter.8 8Silent gas dirigi.lesB8 $enny >as sitting .y the fire! glancing o"er her shoulder at Cathlan! >ho >as staring at her in a >ay she didn8t li#e. She had decided to #eep a close >atch on the Doctor! .ut he >as so o."iously himself at the moment that his out.urst in the T ,D9S seemed li#e a dream. 8Silent! stealthy! in"isi.le to trac#ing systems than#s to the Hoothi8s "ast psychic po>ers. That8s >hy -perati"e Miller hasn8t .een a.le to find them. That8s >hy 9 ha"e to! and ?uic#ly. The Hoothi ingest a range of no<ious atmospheric gases! all deadly to human life. Their "essels are inflated .y them. HenceA dirigi.les. They sail .et>een the stars in their great spheres! hiding in hyperspace. )o>! let me return to my story. The Time Lords sent an am.assador to the Hoothi >orlds! intending to stop the creatures from interfering further in Time Lord affairs. The Hoothi used him as a host.8 The Doctor loo#ed into the light of the fire! un>illing to face the cro>d! not >ishing to pic# out certain people >ith his eyes. 8Their attac# on /allifrey didn8t last long. Time Lord .iochemistry >as more ad"anced than theirs then! at least. nd! >hen you can find them! the dirigi.les are "ulnera.le. %ull of e<plosi"e gases. /allifrey opted to launch a de"astating counterattac#! they >ere going to time loop the Hoothi >orlds. The Hoothi "anished! fled the Mil#y 'ay. 9t >as thought that they had decided to search for easier priFes else>here. $ut they ha"en8t. They8re .ac#. nd they8re here.8 Jan raised a hand laconically. 8Dou said they >ere master strategists . . . 8Des. They plan their games >ell in ad"ance. They prefer to let others do the >or#! and appear to act only at the last minute.8 8Loo# >ho8s tal#ing!8 ce >hispered to Jan. 8They ha"e a group mind! the >hole species thin#s as a single .eing. *ery cunning! "ery dangerous.8 89f they >ere going to attac#!8 as#ed MKire from the cro>d. 8'hy ha"en8t they done it alreadyB8 8They >ill attac#!8 the Doctor told her. 8They already ha"e! .y trying to destroy this site! .y ma#ing sure of their ground in Puterspace! .y trying to pre"ent me from finding The Papers Of Felsecar. They8re >aiting for something! they8re still "ulnera.le! and their interest here means that 9 >ant to unco"er the o.ser"atory e"en faster. Miller8s sent a message to Spacefleet! and they could .e here >ithin a >ee#. That >ill .e too late. )o>! 98d .etter tell you >hat the inscriptions in the o.ser"atory said.8 cry came from the diggers. Cli"e! the archaeology student! >as >a"ing his spade in the air. 8MetalC8 he shouted. 8'e8re nearly thereC8 The Doctor >atched from a distance as the massed forces of the Tra"ellers and students dug a>ay the final co"ering of the o.ser"atory dome. 8They loo# li#e children playing! don8t theyB8 ,oisa had >andered up to stand .eside him. 8My thoughts!8 the Doctor smiled. 8(<actly.8 ,oisa too# a deep .reath. 898m not a fool! Doctor. Dou >ere tal#ing a.out fungal infestation. Those spores that landed in the camp . . .8 8Those >ith them on their s#in ha"e .een touched .y the Hoothi!8 the Doctor turned and stared into ,oisa8s eyes. 8The Hoothi can use their senses to gather information! and can cause their .odies to erupt into full infestation >ithin seconds. That8s >hat happened to the li.rarian. Sometimes the process is slo>ed do>n! a gradual ta#eo"er.8 89s there a cureB8 8)o. The only hope is that the psychic command >ill ne"er .e gi"en. 9f >e can find the Hoothi and destroy them! then no.ody else >ill ha"e to die.8

8So >hat should 9 tell those of us >ith sporesB8 8Tell them no! tell them nothing. There8s no point in spreading pain! no point in prolonging the process . . .8 8)o.8 ,oisa nodded firmly. 8)o! you8re right a.out that.8 nd she >al#ed a>ay ?uic#ly. MKire had spent an hour >or#ing on the dig! and then returned to her tent. She8d ta#en a reading on the surface of the metal! and it seemed to her that a fair@siFed grenade >ouldn8t crac# the dome if it >as used to .lo> a>ay the earth. Sa"e a lot of digging time. Passing ,oisa8s tent! she heard a sound she recogniFed. 9t sent her spra>ling to the ground. The safety catch of a .laster had =ust come off. MKire cra>led on her el.o>s to>ards the tent! getting her =ac#et co"ered in de>. She gently pulled the flap aside and peered in. ,oisa had a gun in her mouth. MKire cried out and leapt for>ard. They tum.led together! MKire a>are of ho> the thing could go off! #ill either of them! or .oth. She pulled it roughly from ,oisa8s face! and fought her for it! smashing her arm against the ground until! so..ing! the >oman dropped the gun. They held each other for a long time! ,oisa screaming into MKire8s shoulder. 8'hat is itB 'hat is itB 'hy couldn8t you tell meB8 MKire cried. $et>een gasps of .reath! ,oisa loo#ed up at her. 89 tried to do it!8 she so..ed. 8 nd 9 couldn8tC 9 couldn8t s?ueeFe the triggerC8 8That8s good.8 MKire hugged her tighter. 8)o!8 ,oisa >hispered. 8)o it isn8t.8 She gaFed do>n at her fingers. They >ere t>itching no>. nd she >asn8t a.le to stop them. The dome of the o.ser"atory >as completely unco"ered no>. 9t >as a hemisphere! directly under the great arch! much higher no> that all the earth had .een cleared a>ay. 9t lay in a large depression! mounds of soil all around. The Doctor >al#ed once around it as it glittered in the sun. Then he ran into the dig! clim.ing s>iftly do>n a ladder. ce follo>ed. She8d .een >anting to as# the Doctor a.out Jan! and he seemed! >ell! on the case again. %ighting monsters! li#e he >as supposed to. She >andered into the telescope room! and >atched as the Doctor too# a last loo# at the inscriptions on the instrument. He inspected the le"ers that stuc# out from the frame >here it >as mounted. 8Professor.8 8DesB8 8Can Jan come >ith us thenB 'hen this is all o"erB8 The Doctor loo#ed up for a moment! .ut he didn8t turn around. There >as a pause. 8 re you sureB8 he as#ed. 8He8s not "ery li#e you. )ot "ery ad"enturous.8 8He isC He8s =ust .een stranded here too long. He8s a lot li#e .oth of us.8 89 #no> you .etter than he does.8 ce gritted her teeth. She8d .een a.out to ans>er that one a .it too directly. 89 dunno. May.e.8 8This le"er >ill open the canopy. 9 thin# 98d .etter pull it.8 nd he did. The canopy of the dome .egan to grind open! on ancient .earings. The Doctor rushed around the room! s?uirting oil on the rim from a small can he pulled from his poc#et. Lo> sunlight slo>ly filled the o.ser"atory as the slats mo"ed aside. ce loo#ed up to see Tra"ellers standing on the .an#ed soil. .o"e them gre> the dar#ening s#y. The slats stopped on a le"el >ith the arch! >hich then 8'ic#edC8 ce gasped. The sil"er arch had "anished. 'ithout a sound. The Tra"ellers >hooped and applauded. The Doctor .egan to read from his note.oo#! chec#ing the right ascension and declination of

the telescope! and turning dials to correct them. 8The Hea"enites #ne> a thing or t>o a.out hyperspace technology . . .8 he muttered. 8They must ha"e learnt it from the Hoothi. 'hich is ho> our astronomer came to ma#e this.8 He .ec#oned for ce to loo# through the telescope. She lo>ered her head. 9t >as li#e Julian8s telescope! the one he had in his .ac# garden. They couldn8t see much! .ecause of the light pollution from London. $ut once! on a freeFing >inter e"ening! ce had peered do>n the "ie>finder! and sa> the disc of Saturn! surrounded .y its rings. 9t >as a great moment. >orld in space. different planet that >as part of real life! that you could see from Peri"ale. Julian had danced her round the garden! telling her that they8d .oth go into space one day. She8d made it! at least. nd Julian >as almost >ith her! in that terri.le afterlife . . . She pulled her head .ac# from the telescope. 8Doctor! >hat a.out JulianB 9s he part of 8 8Part of the Hoothi group mind. .sor.ed .y one of their spores. 9ndi"idual filaments get e"ery>here! all through space and time. 9t8s ho> the Hoothi collect intelligence. ("en from dead .rains. He can only .e free! ce! if 9 can destroy them. -r . . . )o! .efore 9 tell you that! loo# do>n the telescope.8 %ro>ning! ce did so. 9f Saturn had .een e"erything good! e"erything transcendent a.out earthly life! >hat ce sa> no> >as e"erything that had e"er hurt her. 9n the deep .lue >as death! a tiny shining point of death. -ne star shone a.o"e it! and one .elo> and to the left. The thing sho>ed a disc. ("en from here! ce could feel the ache of it! the final conclusion it spo#e of. Dou li"ed! and then you died. nd if you >ere really unluc#y! then you .elonged to the Hoothi. The Doctor opened a page of The Papers Of Felsecar! -n it >as a dra>ing! of e<actly the "ie> ce sa> through the telescope. 89s that itB8 the Doctor as#ed. ce nodded. 8That8s the "ie> that our astronomer associated >ith the ceremony called the ,esurrection Dance . . .8 The Doctor tapped the telescope. 8This uses lenses that are part of superstrings that lead into hyperspace. She designed it to see through all their stealth procedures. Do you feel .ad loo#ing at the sphereB8 8Des.8 8That8s the po>er of the Hoothi. ll their psychic defences. 9f you >ere infected >ith their spores! you8d .e a mass of fungus no>.8 ce shi"ered. 8So >hat >ere you going to tell me! a.out freeing JulianB8 8Spacefleet >ill .e here in three days! not a >ee#. 98m hoping they8ll >ait that long. Traditionally! the Hoothi run a>ay from .igger forces.8 8So! you thin# 8 8There are infected people in the Tra"eller camp! yes. They are the eyes and ears of the Hoothi. 9 didn8t >ant to say that! .ecause the ones e"ery.ody #no>s a.out >on8t .e the only ones! and 9 don8t >ant to see them .ecome "ictims of the other Tra"ellers.8 8They >ouldn8t do that.8 8'ouldn8t theyB They8re human! aren8t theyB8 8$ut >hy don8t the Hoothi =ust change them into fungus things no>! and attac# youB8 8)ot enough of them. The Tra"ellers reacted >ell to the spore scattering! and Christopher! yes! 9 do #no> a.out him! Christopher a.sor.ed many himself.8 The Doctor too# out his note.oo# and fro>ned at it. ce raised a finger. 8Hey! did you #no> 9 >asn8t infectedB8 89 do no>.8 He glanced up at ce8s astonished face. 8Jo#e!8 he said. 8Three . . . days.8 The fungoid mass in the cellar >as t>itching again! flic#ing its tendrils past Phaedrus8s face. 8'e ha"e a . . . shorter time than >e . . . e<pected.8 89s that important! PiersB8 There >as a moment of silence from the fungus. 8'e are not Piers. 'e are . . . the Hoothi.8 8Des! yes of course! Ha"en8t the spores infested enough peopleB8

8 mongst the . . . li"ing. $ut >e ha"e . . . other interests. There may .e . . . not enough time. 9t is important that . . . this form . . . remains intact. $ring me . . . more .lood.8 8Dour >ill .e done.8 Phaedrus nodded ?uic#ly and retreated. ,oisa gently ran a finger along MKire8s lips. 8Don8t as# me a.out it!8 she said. 89t8s one of those things.8 8-ne of those death thingsC8 MKire e<claimed! gra..ing the finger. 8$lessed .e! ,oisa! 9 lo"e youC Dou can8t e<pect me to stand there and let you dieC8 ,oisa lay do>n and closed her eyes. She8d .een playing offhandedly >ith an open =ar of sal"e >hile MKire had shouted at her for fi"e minutes. 8Do you remem.er the moment 9 first sa> youB Dou >ere .ac#pac#ing from ,atty8s ship! lugging a tent on your o>n through the %orest of rden.8 8Des.8 MKire lay do>n .eside her. 898d heard that you8d esta.lished a camp on Hea"en. That >as .efore they cut the >hite horse.8 8,ight. nd you8d got stuc# in some farmer8s trap! .lood all o"er the place.8 8'ithout you 98d ha"e died. 9sn8t that one reason >hy you 8 8)o! listen. There isn8t much time. 9 >as so in lo"e >ith Jan >hen 9 met you! so sure that >e >ere al>ays going to .e together! that my first lo"e >ould .e my last. The moment 9 sa> you! MKire Ma. %inn! 9 #ne> that >asn8t true. Dou >ere curled up! and you had your foot half off! .ut you >eren8t loo#ing to die. Dou >ere >atching a pair of o>ls on a .ranch.8 89 thought they >ere .loody going to eat me! you romantic idiotC8 MKire laughed! and pulled one of ,oisa8s short loc#s. 8$ut you >ere smilingC nd right here 9 #ne>! you see! that lo"e isn8t made of Jan or of any.ody else. 9t8d .e there if people >eren8t. 9f you died there in the forest! and 98d found your corpse! then those o>ls >ould ha"e lo"ed you. Lo"ed you and eaten you! .ut then your lo"e >ould support e"erything in the green. Dou8d .ecome food! and a home! and a >arm place to hide. The /oddess >ould >elcome you right .ac# inside her! and sometime in the future you8d .e .ac#! your soul in someone else.8 89 >ant to lo"e you as you are! not >hen >e8re other people. 9 don8t >ant to lose you.8 8 h! lass.8 ,oisa pulled the laces from her .oot and slipped off her soc#. 8Dou already ha"e.8 9n the centre of ,oisa8s sole >as a thin >hite mar#. $eneath the s#in! MKire .it her lip to see a spore! pulsing in a thin stream of .lood. 8Dou8"e got to tell the Doctor.8 MKire steadied herself on her lo"er8s shoulders. 8He can help 8 89 as#ed him. There8s no cure. nd .esides! MKire! 98m. . . 98m losing control of my lim.s. 9 might #ill you. 98"e already done something . . . something terri.le.8 8'hatB8 MKire ran a hand do>n her face! fighting the desperation that >as screaming inside her. 8-h my lo"e! >hat ha"e you doneB8 ,oisa s>allo>ed! and put a hand to her foot. 89 can8t tell you. 9 >as >ea#. 9 can hear them in my head! MKire. Don8t you thin# suc#ing your o>n gun8s a good >ay to goB8 8)o. Tra"eller doesn8t gi"e in to the system .y #illing herself. Tra"eller dies >ith her eyes open.8 MKire8s "oice d>indled to a >hisper. 8'hat am 9 going to doB8 8Dou8re going to do three things! my old lo"e.8 ,oisa pulled her .oot .ac# on and laced it up. 8Dou8re going to loo# after Jan! and marry him to ce >hen you8"e reta#en the /reat 'heel. Dou8re going to ne"er forget me! or the lo"e >e had in the summer .efore this terri.le autumn . . .8 8Ho> could 9B 9f you8re going to go off and die some>here! let me .e >ith you >hen you go . . .8 8)o. 9 can8t do that! .ecause of the third thing that you8re going to do.8 8'hat8s th8 MKire shi"ered! and put a hand to her lips. Then she fell to one el.o>! struggling to stay upright. %inally! she rolled on to her .ac# >ith a terri.le >himper. Her .reathing .ecame deep and steady. ,oisa #issed MKire8s forehead tenderly! >iping her o>n finger >ith a cloth. 8Sleep!8 she said. ,oisa gathered together a num.er of pro"isions! and >rapped them in a saddle.ag. ll the >hile she >as singing an old Tra"eller saga! one of the Se"en Tales. 9t too# all her thoughts to remem.er it! all her mind to consider it.

s she left the tent! she too# one loo# .ac#! and >atched MKire smile as she fell into some .lissful dream. ,oisa hoped the song >ould last her until Joyceto>n. $enny and ce >ere >al#ing through the camp. The Doctor had sho>ed all of the Tra"ellers the image in The Papers Of Felsecar! and Jan had as#ed some informed ?uestion a.out or.ital positioning and ad=ustment. Then he had told ce that it >as his turn to gather fire>ood! and that there >ould surely .e a ceremony of than#s tonight! so he8d .etter get a lot of it. The Doctor had dashed off to call -perati"e Miller on the radio. 8'hat8s he li#e to tra"el >ithB8 $enny as#ed. 8The Doctor! 9 mean.8 8-h! it "aries a .it.8 ce sighed. 8Sometimes he8s >ay cool! really s>eet. nd sometimes he8s angry and . . . .ig. Li#e he8s really important on the cosmic scene.8 8Ha"e you e"er heard of some.ody called DodoB8 8-nly as in Idead as aI. 'hat8s upB8 8The Doctor mentioned her. He seemed a .it confused.8 8Deah! >ell! sometimes he is a fe> pages short of a full script.8 8 re you staying here! thenB Setting up a pu. >ith JanB8 ce too# a deep .reath. 8)o. )o! 9 >ant him to come >ith us in the T ,D9S. 'e8ll ha"e to get a dou.le room sorted out. Don8t tell any.ody! 9 dunno if Jan8s made up his mind yet.8 8'ell! 9 >on8t! .ut >hat a.out ,oisaB Dou said that you >ere =ust staying for the >ee#end.8 8'ell . . .8 ce grinned. 8)othing e"er goes the >ay you plan! does itB8 Jan had assem.led a pile of thic# logs in a >ooded glade! and >as s>inging an a<e at them angrily. He8d go >ith her. Lea"e all of them .ehind. -f course he >ould! desert e"ery.ody >hen death >as a.out to descend! >hen horri.le things >al#ed the fields of Hea"en. He glanced up at the thought! suddenly uneasy >ith his isolation. figure in .lac# >as >atching him from the edge of the forest. 8ChristopherB8 Jan as#ed. $ut the figure >as gone. Jan di"ed into the trees after it! s>inging the a<e .efore him to clear the >ay of undergro>th. nimals and .irds scattered out of his >ay. glimpse of .lac# sped .efore him! "isi.le through a tangle of t>igs and lo> .ranches. He didn8t thin# >here the trail >as leading him! only that mystery >as running a>ay from him! right on the edge of "ision. The shiny cloa# flic#ered through the trees! and Jan crashed after it! sa> it standing still on the other side of a .rac#en hedge! di"ed at it! calling . . . nd fell. The scrap of .lac# cloth ripped aside as Jan hurtled do>n the chal#y slope! small pe..les s#ittering do>n the lo> incline >ith him. He rolled! shoulder o"er shoulder! do>n into a lo> "alley! and thumped to a halt on the grass at the .ottom. /roaning! he loo#ed up. Lynn8s Croft. 'here Tra"eller Lynn! sister of +rsus! had fought her o>n father >ith a long staff and >on! a decade .ac#. The lo> red sun shone along its high .an#s! reflecting off the scattered chal#. 8'hy ha"e you .rought me here! Tric#sterB8 Jan gro>led! glancing .ac# up at the >ooded .an#. The narro> trac# >as a little@used cause>ay across the do>nlands! an a>#>ard road to Joyceto>n. The sound of oncoming hoof.eats >as echoing through the "alley. Jan >atched as the shape of a horse and rider appeared around the end of the trac# and headed to>ards him. 'hile the shape >as still far a>ay! he recogniFed ,oisa8s style of horse>omanship. He stood up! and let the a<e drop to his side. The rider dre> closer! and Jan #ne> that this >as to .e a test. The loo# on ,oisa8s face as she approached >as ashen. Then it .ecame horrified. Her hand snatched for a pistol from the saddle holster! and she found her lips >ere sealed tightly

together. She >as aiming at the man she lo"ed. nd he >as =ust standing there. Jan >atched ,oisa .ring the gun to .ear. -ne shot off horse.ac#. He8d seen her do it! .ring do>n stra> targets in flames. He >aited until she >as a hundred yards a>ay. +ntil their eyes met. 9n that glance! there >as e"erything lo"e could e"er teach you. Lo"e taught you to open your arms and fall li#e a .a.y! li#e a stra> target! fall and see if any.ody caught you. Jan loo#ed at his old lo"e8s e<pression! and he closed his eyes. ,oisa screamed against her teeth and! >ith a mighty effort! =er#ed her aim aside. The .last shot past Jan8s shoulder! missing his head .y an inch. He raised his arm and s>ung the a<e! its >eight carrying it >here it >ould go! his eyes still closed against the roar of hoo"es. There >as a concussion! the a<e thudded into the ground! and the horse galloped on .y. 'hen Jan opened his eyes! ,oisa8s arm lay in the grass .efore him. Her hand still grasped the pistol tightly. The hand had rings on its fingers. The fa.ric of her coat! the coat that he8d gently put o"er her! >as frayed at the shoulder. %rom the >hite of the shoulder .one! a thousand tiny filaments caressed the air. Jan turned a>ay! and too# t>o sha#ing steps after the horse! trailing the a<e .ehind him. ,oisa had already "anished into the misty distance. tiny sound rose in his throat! a little noise that spo#e of summers past and gentle! ordinary! >ords e<changed. The sound .ecame a roar! and Jan ran .ac# to the arm. He hac#ed at it >ith the a<e! scattered it into pieces! #ic#ed the pieces a.out the chal#y grass! ho>ling at it to stop loo#ing li#e >hat it >as. fter a >hile! it did. Jan fell to his #nees! panting! and felt something inside himself a.out to .rea#. hand applied a gentle pressure to his shoulder! and he loo#ed up. 8This is not the last time you >ill see me!8 Christopher said. 8$ut it is the last .ut one. Do you #no> >hat you must doB8 8-h yes.8 Jan reached out and too# up the a<e again. 89 #no>.8 The Doctor put do>n the radio recei"er! and stared at the fa.ric of $enny8s tent. ce po#ed her head through the flap! agitated. 8Doctor! you8d .etter come out here! Jan8s =ust got .ac# to the camp! and 8 89 #no>.8 The Doctor loo#ed up at her >ith insane eyes. 8-perati"e Miller says that the launch codes of e"ery ground@.ased >eapon he8s got ha"e .een scram.led. (ither .y hand or through the Puterspace net. 9 ga"e him the coordinates of the Hoothi sphere. He said he8ll pass them on to the fleet. Too late.8 8He could go and raid the *acuum Church! or if he8s not allo>ed to! >e can.8 8The Hoothi >ould =ust acti"ate all their spores. Thousands of people >ould die no>! instead of later. Then the Hoothi >ould >ait for . . . >hate"er they8re >aiting for. The sacrifice of the Hea"enites >as all in "ain. There8s nothing left to do. )o other mo"e to ma#e.8 He reached out a hand to touch the fa.ric! a #ind of surprise in his "oice. 898"e lost.8 ce stared at him! >anting to gra. the Time Lord .y the shoulders and sha#e him instead. 8Don8t .e stupid. Jan8s tal#ing a.out ta#ing a ship from the 9r"ingport doc#s.8 89s heB +seless. He shouldn8t do it.8 89 #no>C 98"e .een trying to tell him that! .ut he >on8t listen to me! so >hy don8t you 8 8$ecause 9 choose not to.8 The Doctor loo#ed around! as if loo#ing for a solution. Then! he seemed to ma#e a decision. He unfolded a porta.le chess set from his poc#et. The game >as already in progress. The Doctor ?uic#ly made a mo"e! and then re"ersed the .oard! playing against himself. ce clenched her fists! hating him. 8So >hat8re you going to do >hen the Hoothi get hereB8 The Doctor appeared to consider the ?uestion. 8Lea"e!8 he said. Jan >as s>iftly pac#ing a .ag! pulling his s>ord from the .loc# of >ood and sliding it into a

sca..ard. ce stood >atching him! her hand raised in a gesture of pacification. Damn the Doctor. She didn8t #no> >hat to say. 9t8d ha"e to .e one thing! rightB good thing. Jan >as li#e her. 9f you >ent on and on! pushed it! then he8d =ust get fed up and go any>ay. $ut if you had a good reason! a real good reason . . . She couldn8t thin# of one. She lo>ered her hand. 8Don8t go.8 89 ha"e to. 'ho else is going to do itB8 8The Doctor 8 8The Doctor8s sitting there doing nothing. 9 can do something >ith a little ship. The military trained me to fly them. 'e #no> >here the .astards are! no>. nd .esides 8 He >ent to the tent flap! closed it! and opened his .ag! sho>ing ce >hat >as inside. The Hea"enite telescope. 8Dou told me >hat this can do! rightB8 ce shoo# her head. This >as ma#ing far too much sense. 8Loo#! if there >as any point in doing it! the Doctor >ould ha"e thought of it.8 8'ould he! no>B He called Miller! he played his game as far as it >ent! and then he >as surprised. Listen . . .8 Jan >al#ed up to ce and too# her shoulders in his strong hands. 898"e had to see a >oman 9 lo"ed! my .est friend too! ta#en .y this stuff. 9 can8t =ust >atch. 9 ha"e to do something. 9f you lo"e me! you8ll understand that.8 89 do lo"e you. $ut e"ery.ody8s dying! and 9 don8t >ant you to die too! rightB t least . . . as# the Doctor! see >hat he says.8 She #ne> it >as crap as she said it! .ut >ho else had e"er sa"ed e"ery.odyB May.e he >as playing another >aiting game! li#e >ith %enric! may.e he couldn8t tell her Jan slapped his forehead. 8$y /odC Dou can8t face the idea! can youB He8s lost it! he8s got nothing left to frigging contri.uteC8 ce .it her lip. 8'hat are you going to doB8 8Can8t tell you! all that lot in the camp might .e listening for the Hoothi. $ut there8s a plan! a good one. 98"e as#ed Cathlan to come >ith me! %iona and Patric#. The four of us can fly an or.iter.8 8 nd me. 9 told you 8 8Hush.8 Jan put a finger to ce8s lips. She opened them again in an e<pression of rage. $ut the rage .ecame peace! and ce fell! asleep! onto the rug. Jan pulled their sleeping furs o"er her. 8Me and ,oisa! my lo"e! >e #no> the same tric#s. 98ll .e .ac# .efore you8re a>a#e! and then none of us >ill ha"e anything to fear.8 nd he left the tent. fe> moments later! a figure entered. 9t s?uatted a.o"e the sleeping form of ce and dropped a fe> drips from a .ottle on to her lips. 8The same tric# . . .8 MKire muttered! feeling ce8s pulse. 8)o> >e8ll ha"e to sa"e .oth of the idiotsC8 .ell rang out from the to>er of the *acuum Church .uilding. Dus# >as falling o"er Joyceto>n! and the to>er >as dar# against the setting sun. ,oisa hid in an alco"e! holding the stump of her arm. )o pain. That >as so strange. She could feel the phantom presence of her arm! the ner"es still fired. She could see filaments stic#ing out from the stump! filaments that staunched and controlled .lood loss! applied anaesthetic. So they nearly had her. She >as still free to thin# though! and she still repeated her old song. May.e she8d gi"en a>ay her plan! may.e they8d heard a.out )o. Jan! thin# a.out )o. Certainly not that. )ot him. ,oisa forced herself .ac# to remem.ering a chorus. She touched the t>o pac#s of chemicals that she8d strapped to her chest! and felt the fuse that ran .et>een them. 'ell! at least it >asn8t going to hurt. She >atched as a procession of .lac#@ro.ed acolytes trod! heads do>n! into the church. ,oisa pulled her .lac# sil# ro.e tight a.out her >aist! and pulled one of her o>n .lac# >ool

sha>ls o"er her head. The "ery nature of the cult meant that no huge e<penditure >as made on ro.es! so her loo# >asn8t that out of place. She =oined the end of the procession! #eeping her head do>n. They >al#ed slo>ly through the gate>ay. large acolyte! rifle slung o"er his shoulder! >atched them enter. 9n a courtyard! each acolyte too# a sip of >ater from a fountain as they passed. ,oisa did li#e>ise. They passed inside the .uilding! the man in front of ,oisa turning to .olt the >ooden door .ehind them. She ?uic#ened her step! as if she8d got mi<ed up at the fountain! and he allo>ed her time to pass. The acolytes dispersed to their cells amongst the corridors and stair>ells of the Temple. door closed in her face! and ,oisa >as alone! standing at the heart of the .uilding. Perhaps she should pull the fuse no>. 9t >ould .ring the place do>n! do enough damage. )o. 9f she >as strong enough to .lan# the plan from them! to mo"e against their >ill despite the infestation . . . then she >as a.le to ma#e sure. 9t too# an hour of searching! peering .ehind different doors! hiding in corners. The Temple >asn8t e<actly a secure installation! it had ne"er needed to .e! >ith such industrial and political support. Perhaps they8d .een in league >ith the Hoothi for a long time. Phaedrus8s office >as indicated .y his name! .urnt on to the door. ,oisa too# a deep .reath and >al#ed straight in. Phaedrus >as sitting at a des#! a ?uill in his hand. He loo#ed up as ,oisa stepped into the room. 8This is for Christopher and my o>n sinsC8 ,oisa >hispered. She reached for the fuse. nd her hand stopped an inch from the cord. Phaedrus stood up. 8'e >ere e<pecting you! 98m afraid. 9t8s good that you8"e come to us. )o>! there8s someone li"ing do>nstairs that 98d li#e you to meet.8 He touched ,oisa8s shoulder as he >al#ed past her and! >ithout >anting to! she follo>ed him out of the door. ,oisa could .arely feel the tears on her chee#s.

1 : Three 2anus,ri4ts
The Doctor turned the .oard again and sighed. 8Pro.a.ly stalemate.8 $enny popped her head into her tent and fro>ned at him. 8Ma#e yourself at home. Don8t hesitate to use my fa"ourite chair. 9f the urge stri#es you! riffle through my .elongings and disco"er my innermost secrets and appliances.8 8Sorry. )othing to .e done. )eeded to >ait.8 $enny sat do>n on her .edding roll. 898"e heard a>ful things from the Tra"ellers. Ho> you8"e gi"en up completely! and >ouldn8t help Jan >hen he left to ta#e on the Hoothi. 9s this trueB8 8'hat do you thin#B8 89 thin# you8re in serious trou.le. Mo"e your right arm.8 The Doctor did so. $enny pulled a thic# "olume from the stuffed .oo#shelf .ehind the Doctor. ,esting it on her lap! she found a place >ith her finger and .egan to read. 8 ugust the fourth. This is my diary! .y the >ay . . .8 89s this rele"antB8 8-h yes! "ery. This is from a year >hen 9 had a tremendous crush on a young research assistant. IDear Diary! 9 hate myself. nd 98m afraid that means 9 hate you too. Those >ho read this >ill =ust ha"e to get used to a deterioration in our relationshipI 8 The Doctor >as smiling. 8Do you often stage readingsB8 8Des! and 9 annotate all o"er the place! and sometimes 9 go .ac# and stic# notes o"er the .its 9 don8t li#e. 9 don8t >ant to erase them! so you can peel off the note! .ut 9 >ant to offer a . . . a ne> "ersion! 9 suppose. This is one of those pieces. Here8s >here >e get on to the note. This is the ne> "ersion.8 $enny peeled off a scrap of pin# paper and read it out. 89 too# 9an out dancing! to the (lderstrasse $allroom! and it >as great. He told me that 9 >as li#e a sister to him! >hich >as "ery flattering.8 She sighed! and crumpled the note up. 8History is >ritten .y the >inning side. That8s >hy no.ody in this century has e"er heard of (<eter City.8 8 h . . . 8 The Doctor loo#ed puFFled once more. 8This! ho>e"er! is >hat really happened. 9 too# 9an dancing! had a fe> too many glasses of >ine! told him that 9 lo"ed him and got really hurt >hen he told me he thought of me as a sister. 9 ran out do>n the steps and ruined a perfectly good dress in the fall. Styhian .eggar helped me out of the gutter. 9 told him that >e >ere .oth loo#ing at the stars! and ga"e him most of my cash.8 $enny thumped the .oo# closed. 8So >hat do you thin#B8 8The real "ersion8s .etter.8 8True. The ne> "ersion . . . the game . . . is =ust there for a >hile! until 9 can face the real "ersion.8 The Doctor narro>ed his eyes. 89 see.8 $ernice glanced at the chess.oard. 8 re you >inningB8 8)o.8 8Do you play chess oftenB8 898"e had a fe> games. gainst some good opponents.8 8$ut only you can .eat yourselfB8 8Des.8 $enny concentrated on the .oard for a moment. 8'hich side do you >ant me to .eB8 The Doctor loo#ed up at her! and their eyes met. $enny >in#ed! ?uic#ly. 8'hite!8 the Doctor told her. They played in silence. The Doctor >as hard pressed .y $enny8s chaotic style of play. Sometimes it >as childish! ta#ing pieces thoughtlessly. Sometimes it >as "ery thoughtful indeed. 8Dou8re "ery lonely! aren8t youB8 $enny said after a >hile. 8)o. 'ell . . . sometimes. 98"e li"ed a long time. T>ice. 9t8s hard to e<plain. Sometimes 9

get too close to a human. Sometimes >e .oth get hurt.8 $enny too# a pa>n. 8Ho> do you feel a.out ceB8 The Doctor fro>ned! as if confused. 89 left her on (arth! >ith her .oyfriend. 9 only sa> her once more. She8s li"ing out her incarnation! >aiting for him to die. Then she8ll call for me. Des . . . she8ll call. nd 98ll find her again.8 8'ho are you tal#ing a.outB8 8Susan. My grand@daughter.8 89 >as tal#ing a.out ce. Do you #no> >ho that isB8 8Des. Des! 9 do. $ernice . . . $enny . . . 98"e ne"er lost a game. nd 9 thin# you8re going to .eat me.8 8$etter than you .eating yourself. Ha"e you got loads of options left here! are you >aiting for something to come alongB8 She >a"ed at the .oard "aguely. 8)o. $ut 9 still might >in. Dou ne"er #no>.8 slo> smile spread across his face. 8There8s something 98d li#e to do! if you8re >illing . . .8 8Hmm! no> >here ha"e 9 heard that .eforeB8 89t8s something 9 don8t usually as# of my companions! .ecause 9 li#e to respect their pri"acy! .ut you8"e sho>n me so much of your life already. 9f you don8t li#e it! tell me to stop.8 He reached out slo>ly and touched $enny in the centre of her forehead! >ith one finger. $enny smiled! enchanted! as she felt a gentle gaFe flic#er o"er her memories. She felt the Doctor shy a>ay from em.arrassing topics! and comment gently on the pain of her life. %inally! he too# the finger a>ay! and the process ended. 8Did you mindB8 he as#ed! shyly. 8)ot at all! .ut then 98m an e<hi.itionist. 'hy did you >ant to do thatB8 8$ecause 98m alone. -r soon >ill .e. $ecause 9 >anted to #no> you.8 8There are other >ays.8 8)ot for me.8 8)o.8 $enny pursed her lips. 8 nd that >ouldn8t ha"e anything to do >ith >anting to #no> if 98d .een gra..ed .y the Hoothi! >ould itB8 8)o.8 $enny slo>ly nodded. 8Dou #no>! there >as something else 9 >as >ondering. Dou ne"er told me a.out the translation you made of the Hea"enite script on the >alls. 98d li#e to hear >hat our astronomer had to say for herself.8 89t isn8t important. )ot part of the game.8 8$ut the game "ersion isn8t the important one! is itB /o on! >e8"e got a >hile until the end of the >orld . . .8 8Plenty of time for the game.8 8 nd the story. %ancy some teaB8 $enny =umped up and pulled a teapot from a stra>@lined .o<. 8Tea is too small a >ord for >hat 9 ha"e in this .o<. .etter one >ould .e detergent. Dou can read >hile 9 .re> up.8 The Doctor too# his note.oo# from his poc#et and peered at it myopically! manoeu"ring it at different lengths from his nose. %inally! as $enny placed a #ettle on top of a tri"et! he .egan. '"y na e is ! ! ! Alish'#'$resnal! That doesn8t seem to mean anything! 9 thin# it8s a matronymic . . .8 8/o on! go on! ne"er mind the footnotes.8 '% ha&e 'een ! ! ! offendin$( sinnin$( 'adly a$ainst the $ods! % 'uilt y O'ser&atory( with se&eral 'unches! ah . . . .ales of helpB Bales of help fro the clans of y three hus'ands! All the older fol# for'ade e( sayin$ that their fore'ears had no o'ser&atory( so why did we ha&e need of one) % said that since we had 'een $i&en telescopes and easurin$ e*uip ent 'y the $ods( we should use the to disco&er our world ! ! !' 8,espect is due! as ce >ould say.8 $enny poured the #ettle out into the pot! and s>itched off her .unsen .urner. '% 'e$an to disco&er that the stars are any ! ! ! &alleys away! % could not find the $ods( they were not &isi'le!' 8,ather li#e old /alileo! ehB8 $enny poured the Doctor a cup! her flippant tone concealing a

pained fro>n. 'When they are &isi'le( it will 'e ti e for the +esurrection ,ance( as the old fol# are sayin$ it will 'e soon! And then the dead will rise fro the $round( and half the li&in$ shall $o with the $ods( and we will 'e told a$ain how to re a#e this world!' 8,ema#eB8 The Doctor nodded! and continued to read. '"y third 'rother's $rand other re e 'ered a ountain that we ha&e done away with! %t was ta#en away in 'as#ets( o&er any years! "any old fol# re e 'er the hi'ernation ti es( 'ut now there are no hi'ernation ti es( and the old fol# are $ettin$ fri$htened of the scratchin$s so e of us feel in our fur and the white wor s that o&e upon the $round!' 8My /od.8 $enny >armed her hands on her mug. '% say ! ! ! ah ! ! ! the wor s can ate in a cold place!' 8HahC8 '% ha&e read so e ! ! ! accounts of the +esurrection ,ance( and % cannot 'elie&e what the priestesses tell us( that $oin$ with the $ods is $ood! % will not $o with the ( and % lea&e this essa$e for you( 'ecause toni$ht the $ods are in the s#y! The arch will ar# this place( e&en if the $round is re ade! The door is loc#ed( and % will shac#le yself( and swallow the note( so % will not destroy all the essa$e( e&en if % escape! % ha&e an itch in y fur! -ou ust prepare( ta#e ar s and 'eware! +e e 'er e ! ! ! in lo&e!' The Doctor closed his note.oo#. 8'e do remem.er you!8 $enny >hispered! pouring a drop from a hip flas# into her tea. 8'e do. Dou >ere a great scientist! lish8#8gresnal.8 8She >as. $ut that8s the story. The Hoothi #ept the Hea"enites as a sla"e race! culled them e"ery fe> years! ga"e them technology to turn their planet into a garden! to ma#e it seem ideal. )ot to their o>n eyes! .ut for ne>comers they >ould ne"er see. The ,esurrection Dance that year >as the last one. ("ery one of the Hea"enites >as infested and ta#en a>ay! e"en the dead.8 8Totally recycled. So e"en Hea"en is =ust a place >here you >or# for the company and die in de.t.8 $ernice sighed. 8/od! >hat forB8 8%or a strategy. mo"e in a . . . game.8 The Doctor spat the >ords out. 89 shouldn8t ha"e read it. )o point. )o meaning.8 8)o meaningB8 $enny e<ploded. She >ould ha"e commented further on the Doctor8s insensiti"ity! e<cept that into the tent >al#ed lec. He hadn8t made any signal of his approach. 8-h! li.erty hall! .e my guestC8 $enny thre> .ac# the last drop of tea and! after a moment8s thought! thre> the cup into the corner. 9nstead of .rea#ing! it >edged in the mud .y the tent peg. 8 lec!8 the Doctor .egan! urgently. 8Do you remem.er >hat 9 said to you a.out the telescope! and >hat to do >hen 8 8The telescope8s not there any more. 9 had to deli"er this . . .8 lec handed the Doctor an en"elope. 8(<actly t>o hours after she8d gone.8 8 fter >ho8d goneB8 the Doctor as#ed urgently. 8 ce!8 lec told him. 89 hope that they >in. $ecause you8re not doing anything to help us.8 nd he left again. The Doctor clutched at the en"elope. 8)oC8 he >hispered. 8He8d #noc# her out! pre"ent her goingC 9 #no> he >ouldC She can8t go >ith him! he >ouldn8t let herC8 8-pen the letter.8 $enny gently helped the Doctor8s trem.ling fingers rip open the en"elope. -"er his shoulder! she readA Hea"en The Mil#y 'ay

Dear Professor

Dou8re really not going to li#e this! .ut 9 did it any>ay. MKire >o#e me up! .ecause Jan put me to sleep. He8s off to steal a spaceship! and he8s got a plan! >hich he >on8t tell any.ody. NTold you you >ere ali#eCO 9 >ant to go >ith him! .ecause 9 lo"e him! and .ecause 98m a .etter fighter than him! and 8cos 9 thought that may.e this time you really can8t do anythingB N,eally

can8tB 9 hope you #no> >hat 9 mean a.out not loo#ing do>n telescopes! etc! rightBO 9 thought may.e this >as >hat you >anted me to do! only you couldn8t tell me. 'e8re gonna catch up >ith him. ny>ay! it8s all ru..ish in the end! rightB Life8s hard and then you regenerate. See you after>ards. -h! .urn this! ehB Lo"e you Nta#e $enny >ith you if >e get FappedCO The note >as signed >ith a styliFed 8 ce8! .ig and .old! and a single #iss. The Doctor let it fall from his hand. 8Did you really thin# she >ouldn8t goB8 $enny as#ed. 89 didn8t thin# she8d .e a.le to.8 The Doctor stood up! and peered do>n at his chess.oard >ith a #ind of loathing. Suddenly! >ith a snarl! he #ic#ed the .oard o"er. Pieces fle> in all directions. $enny stared as the Doctor =ammed his hat .ac# on to his head and gra..ed his um.rella. 898m tired of this game!8 he yelled. 8Time for the real "ersion. Time to start >riting this .oo#.8 nd he strode out of the tent. $enny ?uic#ly loo#ed around! ner"ous. 9f she #ne> this man at all! if >hat she8d seen of him >as true . . . She >asn8t going to run after him. The Doctor popped his head .ac# inside the tent. 8'ellB8 he as#ed! his eyes full of the impending storm. 8 ren8t you coming >ith meB8

1": 8o.ething Terri9le

The t>o horses carrying MKire and ce had intercepted those of Jan! Cathlan! and the t>o Tra"ellers Patric# and %iona. They8d scram.led do>n a hillside! ha"ing dri"en their mounts across the do>nlands rather than along the roads! and nearly collided >ith the four galloping riders. $oth horses >ere tired! >hite at the mouth. They neighed and .uc#ed around their four fello>s in the t>ilight. 8'hat are you doing hereB8 Jan shouted! angrily. 8)ot .eing .loody left .ehindC8 ce .rought her mount up .eside his! and smac#ed him lightly across the shoulder. 8)o> >e8re here! you8re not going to find some other reason to stop us coming! are youB8 8Dou8re .oth uninfectedB8 Jan glanced at MKire. 8'e8"e all chec#ed each other out here . . .8 ce raised an eye.ro> at %iona! a tall Tra"eller >oman >ith a huge mane of dar# hair. 8That must ha"e .een fun.8 8 h! lea"e off!8 Jan grinned. 8She8s >ith Cathlan.8 8So >hen8s that e"er stopped you! you manB8 MKire >as loo#ing serious. 89 thin# 98m uninfected. 9 don8t #no> ho> >e could .e sure. 'hy did you lea"e me sleeping! JanB8 8$ecause the tri.e8s already lost a priest.8 8So >hatB 'e8re going to come .ac#! aren8t >eB8 8'ell no>! that8s the plan . . .8 Jan scratched the .ac# of his nec#. 8,oisa drugged me! she8s gone to the *acuum Church.8 89 #no>. 'e had an encounter. 'e8ll sa"e her ?uic#est this >ay. Kill the pro.lem at its source.8 8So! >hat is the planB8 ce as#ed. 8Dou can tell us no>.8 89 could.8 Jan grinned. 8$ut 9 li#e to illustrate my e<planations.8 8Dou are li#e him! aren8t youB8 ce spurred her horse on>ards again! and they headed for 9r"ingport! racing. 9r"ingport >as ?uite a .it different to Joyceto>n. ce gaFed around the gothic .uildings! dar# and mournful o"erloo#ing the sea. The to>n >as set in a natural har.our! a Hea"enite monument set on each spar of the t>o shale .eaches that led out to form the .ay. The si< riders cantered do>n the long spiral path into the to>n! daFFled .y the moonlight across the ocean. The .ro>n .ric# of the .uildings >as >ashed in sil"er! and ce felt a sudden pang. She hoped she >as right! that this >as >hat the Doctor had >anted her to do. His options might ha"e run out .ig time. They slo>ed their horses to a trot! and headed through the to>n8s streets! passing a steady parade of Draconians! carrying their .elongings! part of the south>ard >inter migration to the >armer Draconian areas at the e?uator. They >ere all headed to the same destination. $eside the imposing edifice of the to>n hall stood a Hea"enite dome! and a ?ueue of "arious humans and Draconians >as steadily mo"ing to>ards it. ce noted that there >as no similar train of people coming out. 8'hat is itB8 8Transmat.8 Patric# directed his horse to>ards a larger entrance in the side of the dome! >here a Draconian merchant >as carefully >atching as se"eral cases full of rugs >ere mo"ed inside the .uilding. 8The ?uic# >ay to the e?uator.8 His middle@aged! cold@scarred face crac#ed into a smile. 8$ut it8ll cost a fortuneC8 MKire e<claimed. 8Ho> >ere you going to payB8 8Sell the horses!8 Jan shrugged. 8To a .unch of Draconians heading home! ones >ho8"e already e<changed all their o>n horsesB $rilliant! that is! Jan.8 She sighed and dismounted! handing the reins of her horse to ce. 8Don8t let him sell it!8 she told her. EEE

'hen MKire came .ac#! she >as carrying a small .ag of decacredits. 8'hat did you sell! thenB8 as#ed Jan! em.arrassed. 8'e could ha"e found a .uyer for the horse you #no>! 98"e .een as#ing! and 8 89 too# in t>o of my Dale# eyestal#s for the .ounty!8 MKire sighed. 8That8s enough for us and the horses. So >e8d .etter get this right! ehB8 ce put a hand on her shoulder. 8That >as great. Than#s.8 8'ell! this is personal! isn8t itB8 MKire ?uic#ly loo#ed a>ay. 8%or all of us!8 Jan agreed. 8Let8s get on >ith it! ehB8 They led the horses into the sil"er dome! an official e<changing cash for receipts or >iping credit chips. He loo#ed up at the Tra"ellers as if he e<pected to .e ro..ed! and ce suddenly realiFed that she loo#ed a .it li#e them no>! >ith the .right .raids that Jan had plaited into her hair! and the .lac# stars that had .een se>n into her =ac#et. The .ul# transmat .ooth >as a large >hite room! shining >ith a dull electricity. -ne moment they >ere standing there! soothing their animals. nd then they >ere in another >hite room! identical .ut for the Draconian flag on the >all. ce had e<pected to feel the transmission! li#e she8d felt the time@storm all those years ago. She >ondered a.out .eing atomiFed! .roadcast! reassem.led. 'as something lost along the >ayB The heat >as glorious! a >arm .reeFe .illo>ing soft linen curtains at the .ooth e<it. Jan and Cathlan pulled them aside to re"eal a .rilliantly sunlight mar#et to>n! +pta#ash! as %iona informed them! named after a Draconian poet. 9t >as teeming >ith life. ,eptilian steeds and riders made their >ay through sun .leached pa"ed streets and traders singing high@pitched songs in ad"ertisement of their >ares. mongst them >ere a num.er of humans! >earing >hite clothes and large hats. The Tra"ellers .egan to pull off their hea"y coats and >oollens. Draconian official chec#ed their receipt and courteously told them that they had freedom to trade and to .arter. He also ga"e them a printed slip of paper. 9t >as a rough dra>ing of one of the spores! >ith a Draconian >arning .elo> in startling .lue. ce and Jan e<changed glances. 8Do you thin# >e should tell themB8 ce as#ed. 8)o! let8s =ust sol"e their pro.lem.8 Jan remounted his horse! and! carefully parting the cro>ds! led the riders to>ards the spaceport. 8'hy are all the spaceports on the e?uatorB8 ce as#ed. 8$etter launch conditions! larger >indo>s of opportunity . . . 8 Jan had .een loo#ing at her as they rode together do>n the dry mud road that led the four miles out of to>n to the spaceport. 89 lo"e you. 'hy did you comeB8 8$ecause 9 lo"e you! and all. 'e do things together! rightB8 8,ight. 98ll ne"er try to ease you out again.8 8-r #noc# me outB8 8Don8t #no> a.out that.8 They #issed! leaning from their horses. MKire o"ertoo# them! her mount at a trot. 8Come on!8 she insisted. 8'e may not ha"e much time.8 8'hen >e get home!8 ce >hispered! as they urged the animals on! 8>e8ll ha"e time.8 The .lunt shapes of launch tu.es thre> long shado>s o"er the carefully mo>n grass of the spaceport. 9t >asn8t a .ig place! =ust fi"e launchers and support facilities. high perimeter fence ran around the .oundary! limiting access to the .oo#ing and departure hall! a lo> Hea"enite .uilding >ith a pyramidal roof. Heat haFe >o..led o"er the grass! gi"ing the >hole laFy comple< the loo# of a mirage. 8)ot a lot happening!8 ce decided. 8Ho> do >e get inB8 8Li#e this.8 Jan produced a >ire and t>o clips from his saddle pouch. 89 made this out of t>o Puterspace terminals.8 They rode along the perimeter fence! loo#ing for an opportunity. ("entually they found it. n ornamented garden had .een .uilt .ehind a cluster of flat@roofs! pro.a.ly li"ing ?uarters for spaceport staff. Tall trees pro"ided shade. The horses >ere tethered to a post .y the road some >ay off! and the team =ogged to>ards the garden. $y a small stream! to the sound of tric#ling >ater! Jan connected the >ire .et>een t>o poles of the fence! .ypassing the alarms. Then! flames puffing from his fingers! he ran his hands in a circle across the mesh. %inally! he #ic#ed the .ody@siFed circle of fence he8d made on to the grass.

The team hopped through! and sprinted along the perimeter. ce guessed that security here >as pro.a.ly e"en more la< than in the cold autumn of the north! .ut they >ere ta#ing no chances. They reached the main launch .uildings after ten minutes! and hid in a cargo storage area! >atching as technicians >andered the tarmac. )o hurry >as o."ious. %rom a maintenance schedule! MKire read that only one large "essel >as prepared for launch! the Draconian freighter that $ernice had .oo#ed a passage on. 8 h! .ut that8s not >hat >e8re after!8 Jan scanned the list of craft ?uic#ly. 8Here >e are! an or.ital shuttle! no hyperspace capa.ility.8 8$ut that8s not going to .e armed!8 MKire told him. 8)o! .ut nothing here is! other>ise Miller >ould ha"e used it. This is an old Spacefleet tric#! it8s in the rule .oo#. Trust me.8 Jan ?uic#ly compared the maintenance schedule to a map of the spaceport. 8,ight. Hangar ten.8 The group ran through the >al#>ays of the spaceport in the sunlight. ce smelt the hot tarmac and >as reminded of those days she8d spent hiding from the police .et>een Peri"ale factories. /ood summers! >ith Midge and Jules and Manisha. T>o dead no>! one in=ured. nd Jules >asn8t e"en free yet. 'ell! may.e they8d do something a.out that. The hanger >as much li#e the ones that >ould house aircraft! a lo> .uilding containing three heat@ stained craft. They >ere stu..y! .ro>n and >ingless! used to ferry people and goods up to larger ships. Jan pointed to the first one! pluc#ed a tool from the hanger >all! and used it to t>ist open the airloc# controls. The outer door hissed open! and the si< ad"enturers clim.ed up into the craft. Jan ?uic#ly chec#ed the instrument panel. 8These old .irds need a cre> of three! .ut si< is no pro.lem. 9t might e"en help >ith the na"igation. nd since >e8re not filing a flight plan! >e8re going to need to #eep a .loody close eye on the sensors! see if >e8re running into anything.8 8)ot li#ely in Hea"en8s space . . . 8 MKire murmured! pulling on an acceleration harness. The Tra"ellers had clam.ered into a seat on the flight dec#. MKire sho>ed ce ho> to fasten her harness. The door closed. They ta<ied out onto the run>ay! tiny antigra" generators pushing them along. lmost immediately! alarms .egan to sound across the field. ,unning Draconian guards gestured at them through the >indo>s! .ringing their .listers to .ear. 8Preflight chec#s complete!8 Jan shouted. 8,eadyB8 ce >as going to say something. $ut then her stomach slammed into her .oots. -ut of the >indo>! the spaceport had .lasted a>ay into .uildings! a coastline! a continent! a cloudscape! the .lue cur"e of the planet Hea"en. ll of the Tra"ellers had shouted as they >ent up! an in"oluntary scream. ce gulped .ac# the urge to thro> up at the top of the arc. %or a moment! they >ere in free fall! and it felt as if they >ere going to fall . . . .ac# . . . 89nternal antigra"s cutting in!8 Jan said. nd suddenly they >ere =ust sitting there! a.o"e the planet! >ith normal gra"ity. This! ce realiFed! >as a lot different to her usual form of space tra"el. /i"e her the T ,D9S anytime! she thought. 8,ight.8 Jan flic#ed a s>itch on the console and turned around in his seat. The .lac# of space shone through the "ie>port .ehind him. 8)o.ody8s coming after us! >hich isn8t surprising. )o>! the >hole planet8s .et>een us and the Hoothi for another hour. 'e8re going to ha"e to mo"e ?uic#ly. 'e8re going to =ettison e"erything non@essential in the craft. Tools! fuel pods! and the >hole .it. Then >e suit up and s>itch off the life support! the gra"ity! all the po>er sources. 'e come o"er the horiFon as a randomly shaped cluster of o.=ects in a ?uic#ly decaying or.it. The Hoothi >ill thin# of us as asteroidal material or space =un#. They thin# that right up until the moment >hen >e .ail out! the engines acti"ate and the ship rams them at high speedC8 ce .lin#ed. 8'hat a.out all their stealth stuffB ("en >ith the telescope! >e8re ne"er gonna get the computers to loc# on to them in a second! especially if they8re gonna do it from =ust .eing .ooted up.8 8 h! >ell! >e8re not going to lea"e it to the computers. 98m going to line her up "isually! using the scope! .efore 9 =ump into the escape pod.8 ce loo#ed at him for a moment. Then she nodded. 8%air enough.8 89 thought you8d argue.8 89t8ll >or#.8

They spent the ne<t hour preparing the escape pods! and filling the airloc# >ith de.ris. Jan s>itched off all the emergency po>er systems! and the Tra"ellers clim.ed into the ship8s spacesuits. ce >as >atching the horiFon! a .right .lue cur"e against the neon dar# of space. Then she turned to >atch Jan8s fingers =umping o"er the control .oards! chec#ing that no secondary po>er sources >ere left functioning. She didn8t >ant to say it. This >as going to .e the >orst mista#e of her life. %or once she didn8t >ant to hang on to something so hard it hurt! .ut hurt it did. fter all this time! she >as still hanging on. She mo"ed closer to Jan! >hile the others >ere ma#ing chec#s. Close so that they couldn8t .e o"erheard. 8Listen! no .ig deal! .ut >hen >e get .ac#! d8you >ant to get married or somethingB8 Jan didn8t stop >or#ing. 8Deah! that8d .e right.8 8-h. ,ight. -#ay then.8 ce started to mo"e a>ay. 8Tell you >hat . . . 8 Jan motioned to MKire to come o"er! and too# the >oman8s hand. 8MKire! as# ce >hether she8ll #eep me safe and >arm! and hide >ith me from all pursuit.8 MKire loo#ed .et>een the t>o of them >ith amaFement. 8'ill you #eep Jan safe and >arm! and hide >ith him from all pursuitB8 she as#ed ?uic#ly. 89 guess so . . . yeah.8 ce fro>ned. 8 nd >ill you! Jan! do the sameB8 8 ye! 9 >ill and all.8 8'ell! you8re no> .etrothed in the sight of the /oddess.8 MKire sighed. 8Dou soft foolsC8 She >ent .ac# to her tas#. 8Does this mean >e8re engagedB8 ce as#ed Jan. 8That >as al>ays something 9 said 98d ne"er do.8 8'e are. 'hat else did you say you8d ne"er doB8 8Done most of it!8 ce smiled! #issing him. Ha"ing chec#ed their suits! the Tra"ellers depressuriFed the ship! and s>itched off the lights and heating sources. Jan po>ered do>n the reactor to a le"el >here it might .e mista#en for a natural radiation source. 'ithin ten minutes! they >ere huddled in the indi"idual escape pods! tu.ular .ins that ran do>n the lo>er >all of the small flight dec#. MKire and ce lay along one >all! .eside Jan8s empty capsuleH Cathlan! %iona and Patric# >ere curled along the other. 9n the silence! ce concentrated on the figure of Jan outlined in the dar#ness. He >as poised a>#>ardly! one hand o"er the manPu"re controls! standing half out of his seat. The Hea"enite telescope >as >ired into the controls! pointing straight at the "ision screen. Jan #ept ta#ing ?uic# glimpses do>n it. 8Dou got the .uttonB8 he as#ed MKire. 89 ha"e.8 MKire >as clutching the launch toggles for all si< capsules. 8Soon as you8re ready.8 ce found that she >as holding her .reath. She >atched as Jan ?uic#ly calculated some final course corrections! .ased on the position that the Doctor had >or#ed out for the sphere. The glo.e of Hea"en rolled a>ay .eneath them. 8-ne minute until >e8re in sight!8 Jan called. ce felt it >hen it came o"er the horiFon. 9t >as a "ague smudge in the "ie>port! a dar# o.=ect against the dar#. The sphere >as rolling gently in geostationary or.it. 8Computers got it lined up.8 Jan >hispered. 8)early there. Ma#ing "isual correction . . . 8 He reached across to the ignition s>itch. Something roared. Cathlan >as a raging mass of tentacles! struggling to get out of the escape pod. ,emains of his =ac#et clung to the creature as it shot out filaments! gra..ing .its of the hold to pull itself up. %iona >as shi"ering! staring at her hands in amaFement. $efore the shi"ers reached a critical pitch! she hit a control! and the >indo> of the pod slammed shut! loc#ing her inside. second later! the pod >as full of grey matter. Patric# leapt up! and his head e<ploded in a puff of fungus. The creature turned to Jan! >ho >as staring at the chaos that >as happening all around him. His finger ho"ered o"er the .utton. His other hand >as scratching his nec#. 'ith an effort! he seemed to steady himself! and loo#ed through the telescope. The creature that had .een Patric# stood! and >atched him loo#. great gasp came from Jan8s lips. 8So that8s itC8 He laughed! .iting his lip! and loo#ed straight at ce.

She had .een >atching the creatures ma#ing themsel"es out of human flesh! li#e it >as a dream. 8Can8t push the .utton!8 he said. 89 lo"e you!8 she said. 89 lo"e you!8 he said. Something terri.le happened. nd then the door slammed shut in front of ce. The escape pod .lasted out of the ship on e<plosi"e .olts! falling a>ay in fire. ce fell! staring! do>n to>ards the planet Hea"en.

1*: 0nsi!e The 84here

The T ,D9S ground into e<istence on top of a huge to>er of .ones. The s#ulls! femurs and scapulae of a hundred races >ere piled atop each other! and moisture >as slo>ly dripping do>n the sides. The atmosphere >as cloudy and fetid! gouts of .ro>n "apour .elching across the to>er in slo> gusts. lmost as soon as the time@craft had appeared! a translucent .alloon raced up the to>er and engulfed it. 9ts reflecti"e surface shran# for a moment! rain.o>ing as it filtered certain gases in and out of the areas it no> contained. The T ,D9S door opened and out stepped the Doctor! opening his um.rella. fter a moment! $ernice follo>ed him! her hands =ammed into the poc#ets of her chinos. She glanced up at the mur# outside the .u..le. 89 suspect that this is the last thing that a doughnut sees . . .8 she muttered. 8Close.8 The Doctor >as deadly serious. 8The interior of a Hoothi sphere. )o li"ing .eing8s .een in one of these for centuries.8 He po#ed the .u..le >ith a finger. 8Protoplasm! designed to let us .reathe the atmosphere. %ilters in the chemicals >e need. %ilters out of the poison.8 $enny had >al#ed to the edge of the to>er. 8-h! loo# >here >e are. -n a pile of .ones a mile high.8 8Then! let8s get off.8 The Doctor strolled to the edge of the to>er and >al#ed into space. $enny had a moment to stare >ide@eyed .efore the Doctor8s >eight >hipped the .u..le off the top of the to>er! and her >ith it. They floated do>n gently through the smoggy atmosphere. $enny glimpsed humanoid shapes mo"ing along galleries. She hugged herself! thin#ing a.out her Mum8s religious .eliefs. $efore .eing e<terminated! she8d .een a good Catholic. This >as a .it li#e the Hell she8d >arned her only daughter of. The things you =ust glimpsed! half sa> through the mur# . . . they >ere the >orst. There >ere little gangs of things the siFe of pi<ies! and huge! lum.ering things >ith mushroom heads. 8The sphere is the siFe of a small moon!8 the Doctor told her. 89t contains four Hoothi and as many sla"es as they8"e collected. (ach sphere has a group consciousness of its o>n! >hich is also a part of the greater Hoothi Consciousness.8 $enny >as staring do>n as the .u..le approached the floor. Three figures >ere >aiting for them. 89ntelligent fungus. Ho> is that possi.leB8 8("erything8s possi.le. nd some things =ust happen .ecause >e don8t >ant them to. 9t8s said the Hoothi e"ol"ed on a >orld >here the climatic changes >iped out all other life in cycles. They gre> up >ith death! and no> they8re e<porting it. /round floor. *ictims! aggressors and china>are.8 They had stopped! facing three gruesome .eings. Tereleptil >ith a huge gro>th of Hoothi fungus for a head! loo#ing li#e it might o"er.alance at any momentH a na#ed human >ith a recogniFa.le face! a handsome young manH and a small .all of fluff that mo"ed along on the tips of its filaments. $enny glimpsed an uncomforta.ly organic@loo#ing structure at its centre! a mass of tu.es and concealed shapes. The human stepped for>ard! tendrils >a"ing from the top of his head. His lips mo"ed e<perimentally! and! after a moment! >ords came out of them. He >as >hispering! .ut the thic# atmosphere carried the sound "ery clearly. 8Doctor. 'elcome to the domain of the Hoothi.8 8Ta#e me to them.8 8%ollo> us. Do not attempt to puncture the .u..le.8 The three creatures mo"ed a>ay across the soft floor. 9t >as! $enny realiFed! a mesh of muscle and .one! li#e a ri.cage. She tried to step softly! .ut stopped after a >hile! .eing glad of the .u..le. The .ase of the to>er >as surrounded .y a honeycom. of grey ca"erns! seemingly formed out of mineral deposits. The Doctor and $enny follo>ed the Hoothi sla"es to>ards them. The scale of the place >as "ast! $enny loo#ing up to see only a slight cur"e in the >alls that "anished up>ards into the mur#. /iant organic .ul.s glo>ed gently >ith internal light. 8That8s for our .enefit!8 the Doctor muttered. 8They8d normally .e >or#ing in dar#ness.8 8T>o ?uestions!8 $enny murmured. 8%irstly! >hat8s this place made ofB8 8 nimal remains!8 the Doctor spat. 8Hoothi spheres are made from .one! s#in! specially engineered

sla"e creatures. They ha"e a chemical reactor at the centre >hich #eeps the necrosystem in order. The >hole thing! from the .onded s#in of the e<terior to the ri..ings that support it! is held together .y the huge psychic >ill of the Hoothi.8 8Ta. Secondly! >hat is that fluffy thingB8 8That used to .e a .a.y.8 $enny stopped >al#ing and closed her eyes. fter a moment! the Time Lord came .ac# and put an arm around her shoulder! .ut she shrugged it off! sha#ing her head. The three creatures led the T ,D9S cre> through the ca"erns. They passed groups of marching sla"es from a mi<ture of species! a.out half of >hich $enny recogniFed. The .eings >ere repairing >al#>ays! moulding soft plasma >ith their hands. They mo"ed aside to let the .u..le that contained the Doctor and $enny through. The air that filtered into the .u..le >as .ecoming fetid as they progressed! full of the >arm s>eetness of decay. soft light >as shining at the end of the roc#y corridor! a lo> green glo> that reminded $enny someho> of dentistry. They turned a corner! entered a large cham.er! and >ere in the presence of the Hoothi. Three of them >ere rooted in a semicircle! grey puff.alls the siFe of trees! their surfaces >rin#led li#e .rains. t their .ase! amid a tangle of filamentary tentacles! "ocal organs >ere stretched tightly across .one. The fungi sat in a lo> canal! along >hich a thic# li?uid >as flo>ing. $enny .it her lip >hen she sa> that it >as .lood. They li"ed in a cathedral of .one! ri.s stretching s#in high into the fetid air. The ape< >as in"isi.le in the stin#ing clouds. 8'elcome! Doctor!8 said the humanoid sla"e! >ho had ta#en up a central position .et>een the giant puff.alls. 89 am the "oice of the Hoothi. 'e are honoured to entertain a Time Lord.8 898m not honoured to .e here.8 The Doctor glanced around the cham.er. 898"e come to .argain.8 8'hat >ithB Do you offer us the life of your companionB8 $enny flinched! loo#ing ?uic#ly at the Doctor. He slo>ly shoo# his head. 8)o.8 8'hat else ha"e you to .argain >ithB -ur game is already o"er. 'e ha"e >on.8 %ascinated as she >as .y the con"ersation! $enny had .een >atching the .eha"iour of the Tereleptil. 9t had approached the channel of .lood! and #nelt in front of it. Putting .oth hands up to its nec#! it pierced its o>n flesh >ith its cla>s. Shuffling for>ard! it collapsed into the channel and lay still. $enny could ma#e out older! "aguer shapes under the flo> of li?uid. The humanoid had .een >atching her reactions. 8'e feed continually!8 it told her. 8Dou really are o.scene . . .8 $enny >hispered. 8Dou ha"en8t >on yet!8 the Doctor snapped! getting .ac# to the point. 8'here8s the other one of you! any>ayB Dou al>ays tra"el in fours.8 8The other of us is . . . else>here.8 89n >aiting some>here! of course! =ust in case your plan fails.8 8'e lea"e nothing to chance. Dou spo#e of a .argain. 'hat is your offerB8 89 ha"e only one offer for you. 'ithdra> your sphere from this place. ,un a>ay. 9 >on8t pursue you.8 guttural hiss .ro#e from the orifices of the fungi! their form of laughter. The Doctor stared .ac#! unflinching. The humanoid made an attempt at a smile. 9t >as a strange e<pression! an alien memory of >hat a human smile >as li#e. 8'e ha"e .een manipulating the life forms and the appearance of this >orld for centuries! Doctor. 'e ha"e transformed the planet into a popular Draconian and human "ision of paradise. 'e ha"e changed the chemical .alance of its soil so that it .etter preser"es dead matter. part from that! >e ha"e manipulated the computer systems and traditions of .oth great po>ers! ma#ing them .ring their dead here. The fields of Hea"en are thic# >ith meat! Time Lord. Meat >e can use. $illions of unstoppa.le soldiers! enough to con?uer /allifrey .y sheer force of num.ers. -nce >e ha"e done that! then all of time >ill .ecome our >arm place of gro>ing. 'e ha"e planned this for longer than many races ha"e e<isted. Tell us! >hy should >e .e afraid of youB8 8 fraid of meB8 The Doctor >andered for>ard! his hands clasped .ehind his .ac#. 8)o. $ut you should .e afraid of life. Life >ill al>ays fight you! >here"er you find it.8 He gestured at the organic hall. 8The material of these >alls loathes you! and deep in their lost minds your ser"ants loathe you too. Dou could ha"e li"ed on your home >orld! e<isted on the natural decay around you. -r you could ha"e used your intelligence to change your diet! using minerals or genetically engineered

animals. $ut you >anted con?uest! made death into an acti"e force in the uni"erse.8 He trailed the tip of his um.rella across the soft surface of one of the puff.alls! causing the surrounding .u..le to .ulge. 8Can you imagine all the "aried .eauties of lifeB Jimi Hendri< . . . the first #iss . . . paddlingB Dou stand against all that! against e"erything that any .eing in the uni"erse holds dear. Dou8re an a.omination! an o.scene error.8 He strode up to the humanoid and glared at it. 8 nd 9 >ill put an end to you.! 8'ill . . . youB8 The .ooming! ragged "oice roared out from one of the puff.alls. 8Dou . . . dare . . . to tal# to the Hoothi in this . . . mannerB 'atchC8 -ne of the s#in sections of the >all glo>ed into mur#y life. grainy "ision appearedA Jan on horse.ac#! smiling. 89 li#e to illustrate my e<planations!8 the soundtrac# crac#led. 8Dour . . . >ordsC8 The screen sho>ed the Doctor fro>ning at ,oisa. 8My thoughts . . . e<actly!8 his image muttered. 8Dour . . . thoughtsC ll #no>n to the . . . group mindC8 The screen sho>ed ,oisa pressing Jan8s go.let to the Doctor8s lips. The image Foomed in on her finger! softly pressing the indentation in the .ase of the cup. The image .ecame an internal scan! a colourful presentation of the Time Lord8s internal organs. The t>o hearts of the Doctor8s .ody >ere pulsing >ith life. thin >hite fi.re shot do>n his throat! in a .illo> of li?uid! and spiralled into his stomach! >here it attached itself. $enny put a hand to her mouth in sudden fear. 8'e are . . . inside you! DoctorC8 the Hoothi roared. 8'hene"er >e >ish it! Time Lord! you are . . . oursC8

1-: A,e &alling

The escape pod >hipped around Hea"en in descending or.it! little flares of atmosphere s#idding off its casing. 9t >as s#ipping on the edges of the air! .ouncing across the s#y. $ut in the end! there >as only one place it could go. 9t >ould fall into Hea"en8s stratosphere and plummet to>ards the planet. 9f its retros fired! it might ma#e a soft landing. 9nside the pod there >as something strange. 9t >as ce! lying curled! her #nees up to her chin. She >as ?uite unharmed. Something terri.le had happened. Her eyes >ere >ide! the dar#ness of space reflecting in them. The tiny fires from outside flashed across them e"ery no> and then! .ut they didn8t react. Something terri.le. 'hen she >as a child! ce had >o#en in the night to hear o>ls! hooting in the distance of Peri"ale Par#. The little girl had listened! scared! for a moment. Then she ran into udrey8s .edroom! hurtling under the co"ers. That >as a dangerous thing to do! .ecause udrey >asn8t al>ays alone. ll those .itter e<cuses and .arriers. $ut that night! the o>ls had >o#en udrey too. She =ust turned o"er and cuddled her daughter! and the t>o of them fell .ac# into sleep. udrey >as dead no>! in this far future. nd >ho >as out there >ho e"er cared for ceB Sa.alom . . . no! he ne"er did. The DoctorB Could he care for herB 'as it something he >as a.le to doB -r >as she =ust a piece in his gamesB She didn8t >ant to thin# a.out him. Jan lo"ed her. He really lo"ed her. His lo"ema#ing had .een so complete! so concerned! so full of desperate needing. He >as the only person >ho8d e"er needed li#e she needed. )eeded lo"e! needed strength! needed someone to say e"erything >as al>ays gonna .e o#ay. That >as >hy he >as a >arrior too! .ecause sometimes you had to #eep #ic#ing. Something terri.le. ce didn8t #no> >hat. There >as a .ig piece of her .rain that #ne> something that she didn8t >ant to #no>. She8d seen something that she shouldn8t ha"e seen! that she didn8t >ant to see! and the sight >as running a>ay do>n deep inside her. This time! she >asn8t going to run after it. This time! ne"er mind fighting it! she8d let it go. There >ere some things that you shouldn8t fight! some times >hen you =ust had to curl up and say yes to death. She really .elie"ed that! as the fires gre> dar#er around the capsule. )ot a muscle in her .ody mo"ed! e<cept her heart! and she8d ha"e stopped that if she could. Just death! ?uiet death! up here >ithout any fungus! up here a>ay from people. Stupid people! stupid little clo>ns! and he8d suc#ed at her .reast li#e a little child! a little .oy they could ha"e had together and it >ould ha"e .een o#ay! a family in the T ,D9S! a family! a family People came and tal#ed to her in the capsule. The Tric#ster >as in a clo>n costume! and he had a completely different face. He told her that Jan >as one of his! and it had all .een a =o#e! couldn8t she seeB ce cramped and t>itched until he >ent a>ay. Christopher came to her and said that he8d .een =ealous of the li"ing! that he8d sacrificed himself again! and didn8t see >hy Jan couldn8t return that. ce had punched his face in! hitting it and hitting it and hitting it a clench of the teeth! a shudder and a gasp that stopped her on the edge of insanity there >as =ust a s#ull in the .lac# cloa#. Just a silly monster. Just a clo>n. 9n the capsule! as it fell! Mother Mary came to her. -r it >as Diana! >ith her o>ls on her arm. The Huntress told ce that she >as lo"ed! and that this >asn8t the end. There >as more life yet to come. man! no matter ho> lo"ed! couldn8t drag do>n and end the life of a >oman >arrior. She8d al>ays >hispered in her ear! the goddess told ce. She8d seen her in the Land +nder The Hills. The Tric#ster >as =ust a stupid little .oy and she shouldn8t listen to him. Don8t run a>ay! Diana told ce. Dou already gra..ed the rose once! already too# reality instead of fantasy. Dou8re much too important to lose! the ste>ard of Time8s Champion.

$ut ce didn8t >ant to .e some.ody8s something. She >anted to .e ce. nd at the moment! that >asn8t possi.le! 8cos Jan made her ce no>. nd Jan >as dead. So she >anted to .e dead too. nd if death >asn8t going to come and see her! madness >ould loo# after her for a >hile. This is all flo>ery nonsense! an old (nglish teacher told her. Dou8re not tal#ing to gods and things! and madness >on8t =ust pop up and ta#e you. Dou8ll .ite your o>n tongue! and run spirals into yourself! and ne"er tal# normally >ith any.ody else again. Madness isn8t a.out gods! it8s a.out shi"ering outside Centre Point >ith a card.oard .o< and a .egging cup. 'ell! Christ! then =ust death! =ust let me die. 9 #eep on surfacing for a second! and thin#ing that 9 can go on! that e"erything can .e fairly all right. nd then 9 get dragged .ac# under! and e"ery thing8s such shit. 9 can see the ne<t >a"e coming too! 9 can feel that 98m a.out to fall! and 98m ne"er gonna reach land again. This is all there8s e"er gonna .e! lots of pain! special pain! pain made for me. This is hell! isn8t it! o"er Hea"enB He >as right out on the margins! Jan >as. This is an o.ituary. He didn8t >ant to su.mit! to the go"ernment or to death. So death came out to the pro"inces and too# him .y force. He ne"er e"en got to .e a hero! ne"er e"en got to run at something >ith his s>ord. The flames >ere .uilding around the capsule no>. Smo#e >as roasting off the hull! and colours >ere .lasting across ce8s eyes! still o.li"ious. nother shooting star had .loomed o"er Hea"en. ce #ne> that! >ay do>n there .elo>! some.ody >as >atching it go. May.e they >ere happy to see it! thought she >as pretty. May.e they #ne> it >as another death they >ere >atching. May.e the people >atching it >ere already dead! an army of corpses already shuffling to>ards the to>ns! ready to gra. the li"ing and sho"e spores into them. $illions of dead .eings! the >hole ground s>elling >ith death! the air full of >hite spores. May.e she >as falling into that. /ood. She8d .een to Hea"en and hell! >ithout e"er ha"ing a choice. Straight out of the >om. into the gra"e! and it >as only the T ,D9S that had mi<ed it up! sho>n her e"erything in .et>een! all in the >rong order. 'ithout time tra"el! may.e she could =ust ha"e had a normal life. 9t >ouldn8t ha"e .een li#e she8d seen in the Doctor8s head that time. She8d ha"e .een a chemist! or an actress! or may.e she8d ha"e chuc#ed the >hole thing and gone off to tra"el herself. 8Course she >ould. Those thoughts had ta#en her out of the despair again. Her eyes had .egun to notice the .eautiful colours that >ere .laFing past the >indo>. Colours .orn out of gases .eing ripped apart. That >as >here most elements came from. -ut of superno"ae! out of the death of stars. -ne day! the >hole uni"erse >ould pro.a.ly end! and then e"ery.ody >ho >as left >ould die. Did anything mean anything at all! thenB Clarity let her e<hale! finally! and rela< the muscles of her mouth. ce found that she >as tasting .lood from >here she8d .een .iting her lip. The first gesture of his that she8d seen. $iting his lip at her .eauty. ce closed her eyes as the capsule shuddered. She >anted to remem.er. 9t >as going to .e hard! .ut they8d .een up there together! >ay up there. They8d .een great. Li#e the uni"erse! li#e e"erything! it had come to an end. She >anted to #no> ho>. 'hat goes up 8Must come do>nC8 The Doctor shouted. ce =umped! 8cos she thought she8d got her dreams under control no>. $ut she8d heard it. She opened her eyes =ust in time to see a strange cu.e drop on to her lap. ,emem.ering ho> the muscles >or#ed! hating ho> the mere act of mo"ing reminded her of him! muscles! mo"ing against her! she reached out and too# the cu.e. 9t >as sil"er and transparent. 9t >as li#e . . . a door! or a crystal .all. She could see things in it. 'hat she >anted to see . . . or . . . She couldn8t stop herself thin#ing of it no>. His finger ho"ered o"er the .utton. His other hand >as scratching his nec#. He >as scratching his nec# .ecause he8d .een infected! a long time ago. spore had connected

itself to his nec# =ac#! the hole that she8d run a finger around and teased. 'ith an effort! he seemed to steady himself! and loo#ed do>n the telescope. That8s >hen he realiFed! and! in a second! accepted it. She had .een >atching the creatures ma#ing themsel"es out of human flesh! li#e it >as a dream. 8Can8t push the .utton!8 he said. He hadn8t gi"en them an inch of "ictory! hadn8t let them see any pain at all. 89 lo"e you!8 she said. 89 lo"e you!8 he said. nd then something terri.le happened. His .ody! that .eautiful human .ody! had filled >ith fungus as the spore in his nec# .lossomed. His face had gone almost instantly! so there hadn8t .een any final e<pression. His head had .urst into a .undle of grey nodules. nd then the door slammed shut in front of ce! and the escape pod .lasted out of the ship on e<plosi"e .olts. ce fell! staring! do>n to>ards the planet Hea"en. ce still fell no>! clutching the cu.e tight to her chest. 9f she started crying! she thought! she8d ne"er stop. $ut she could cry! and she >ould. nd sometime in the future! she8d .e a.le to start li"ing again. There it >as! land on the .loody horiFon! far a>ay. The s#y outside the "ie>port had .ecome .lue. The shooting star fired its retros! and changed course suddenly! lea"ing a =agged trail in the s#ies of Hea"en.

1/: No Es,a4e &ro. Heaven

The Doctor stared at the screen! and his hand mo"ed to his throat. 8'hat . . . >hat do you >ant me to doB8 8Dou >ill go .ac# to the planet Hea"en! and you >ill destroy -perati"e Miller8s communications e?uipment!8 the humanoid Hoothi sla"e said. 8Then >e shall change our location.8 8 re you that afraid of the fleet! to use that much energyB8 8'e >ill .e gone .efore the fleet arri"es in three days time. $ut there is no point in ta#ing chances.8 89f 9 do this! >hat thenB8 The Doctor gro>led. 8Then you >ill .e allo>ed to ta#e your T ,D9S and lea"e.8 89 don8t .elie"e you. Dou8d let a Time Lord! a >ay into /allifrey! out of your graspB8 The humanoid attempted its ghastly smile once more. 8'e do not care if you .elie"e us. 9f you do not do as >e say! >e >ill detonate the spore! and you >ill die.8 $enny nodded and too# the Doctor8s arm. 8Sounds fair enough to me. 'e8ll .e off! then.8 She started to march the Time Lord .ac# the >ay they had come! .ut t>o sla"es stepped for>ard from the dar#ness and stopped them. 8'ait!8 the humanoid raised a hand. 8'e must .e safe! Doctor. Dou #no> >e lea"e nothing to chance.8 8)o. Dou don8t.8 The sla"es gra..ed $enny .y the arms and pulled her for>ard. The Doctor follo>ed the .ec#oning finger of the humanoid! and stepped up to one of the puff.alls. spore e<tended on the end of a filament! s?uirming. The Doctor too# it .et>een his fingers. 8-h no . . . oh no . . . 8 $enny shoo# her head! trying to fight free of the creatures that held her. 8Doctor! don8t do this.8 The Doctor stepped for>ard! his gaFe finding $enny8s. His e<pression >as a.solutely neutral. 898m sorry!8 he said. 89 ha"e to.8 Then he smiled! and adopted a cynical tone. 8Here8s something for your diaryC8 nd he slapped the hand containing the spore flat into her nec#. $enny e<pected pain. There >asn8t any. She clenched her teeth and didn8t shout. 89 understand!8 she hissed. 8$ut you had a choice! you .astardC8 The Doctor didn8t reply. The humanoid nodded. 8*ery good. She is ours.8 The sla"es released $enny. She loo#ed at the Doctor for a long moment! as if considering attac#ing him. %inally! she turned to the Hoothi puff.alls. 8Dou might .e a.le to #ill me!8 she told them! her "oice ?uiet and steady. 8$ut 98m not yours.8 There >as a motion at the entrance of the cathedral. Through the mur#! three sla"es >ere approaching their masters. Patric#! Cathlan and Jan! or their remains! marched into the area. $enny dropped her hands to her side! and closed her eyes. 8Jan!8 she said simply! and didn8t spea# again. The Doctor .o>ed slightly to the puff.alls. 8Can 9 ta#e my companion .ac# to Hea"en no>B8 he as#ed. 8Dou may!8 the humanoid nodded. 8To do our >ill.8 8 s al>ays!8 the Doctor >hispered. The night had passed in >hispers! rumours going .et>een the houses of Joyceto>n! .eing radioed to remote farms. There >as something in the fields. rmies that mo"ed during the night! s>inging in great s>athes a>ay from the gra"elands. Small homesteads ceased contact >ith the to>ns! and isolated outposts of troopers reported s#irmishes >ith an enemy that came

on! tested their strength! and then "anished once more! lea"ing no casualties. Miller spent the night a>a#e! >atching reports light up a chart of the planet. Spacefleet >as calling e"ery hour! using the Priority Lin# regardless of e<pense! and e"ery hour he had =ust as little to tell them. The Tra"ellers and $enny8s students sang together around a fire! ta#ing turns to guard! as none .ut children could sleep. Something old and musty >as in the autumn air! as if a s#eleton had .een found under lea"es. They had hoped for some >ord from Jan! or ne>s of $ernice! .ut as the hours passed! they >ere losing hope. t one point! Colm 'ylie .egan a funeral song! .ut lec shouted the start of the story o"er it! and e"ery.ody made the effort to listen. %armers ta#ing guns out to herd in their animals >ere glad to see da>n touch the fields near Joyceto>n! .ut >ere fearful at the trac#s that had formed across their land. 'hole meado>s >ere scarred >ith .ro#en earth. nd in some! the animals had gone. %rom the to>er of the *acuum Church! the sunrise o"er Hea"en >as a mur#y orange. Phaedrus raised his arms to the s#y! and considered the moment. 9t >as at hand. The time he had >ished for since his mother had died. )o>! e"ery one of them >ould feel it. The >orld >ould #no> >hat dar#ness sat inside him. He .egan to .ello>! to ho>l at the da>n. The yell .ecame a #ind of melody! a high incantation. s the sunshine .egan to >arm his .lac# ro.es! .ouncing off the roofs of the to>n! he felt the spore of the Hoothi >ithin him resonate to his song. The signal >as .eing gi"en. The call had gone out. cross Joyceto>n! people loo#ed up from >hat they >ere doing and >ondered. The call echoed do>n the alleys! rung out across the fields! rang off the ancient architecture of the Hea"enites. %ar a>ay! in the 'asteland! something .egan to struggle .eneath the ground. %ingers #neaded soil! pro.ed for the s#y li#e plants. %ists punched up>ards! and .ony lim.s .egan to smash aside the ground that co"ered them. 'hole fields >ere s?uirming! the grass rolling li#e >a"es. The s#y .egan to dar#en as soil >as flung into the air. 9n the oceans! the s#eletons of dead sea monsters stirred and thrashed! and the >ater >as suddenly full of fish. Tra>lers pulled in full nets! only to find the contents hissing and gnashing at them! a thousand fungoid masses. 9n the forests! .irds flapped a>ay from their dead cousins. Predators tried to >restle do>n thin corpses >hich >rapped around them and em.edded spores in their flesh. The humus carpet >arped and the trees crea#ed as the things dead under their roots stirred to ne> life. t the military outpost near Joyceto>n! a returning patrol of corporate troopers >ere caught .y shado>s that rose up at them out of the do>nlands. $lue .laster fire flic#ered across the grass as the soldiers retreated! running for the comfort of the enclosure. The dead ran after them! cho#ing them in the da>n! =umping on their .ac#s! pulling them do>n to the ground. %aces impacted de>y grass! lim.s >ere ripped out! and! time after time! spores >ere slapped into .are s#in. The guards at the gate >atched! horrified! as the dead animals and humans ripped the patrol apart. $laster fire cut through them! se"ered things from them! .ut it didn8t stop them mo"ing. trooper at the gate emptied the po>erpac# of his >eapon into one of the dead figures! a s#eletal human! as it >al#ed steadily to>ards the mesh of the enclosure. The .olts seared straight through its head! splattered a>ay an arm! set the "estiges of cloth afire! .ut still it came on. gainst the rising sun! it raised its arms! and a cluster of spores launched off its s#in into the morning .reeFe. They >afted into the camp! and the soldiers ran for the safety of the .uildings. The dead .eing stood there! flesh flapping. $ehind it at the fence sham.led up many more of its companions! and some of the troopers they8d .een fighting. They >ere >aiting for num.ers enough to crush the fence. 9n his to>er! Phaedrus .rought his song to a high shout! and collapsed against the >all.

Joy! he felt =oy at the coming of all his hopes. Soon! he too >ould .e part of the great oneness of the legions of death. His part >as done! his >hole mission completed. %or the first time in his adult life! Phaedrus fully rela<ed. %rom his sitting position! he allo>ed his gaFe to drift up>ards into the ?uiet .lue of the s#y. Three points of light had =ust appeared li#e stars in the direction of the da>n. They >ere getting .righter. Phaedrus tried to interpret this sign. 'ere his masters trying to tell him somethingB 9t too# him a moment to realiFe >hat the o.=ects >ere. (scape pods. $laFing do>n! no> lea"ing "isi.le trails of .ro>n smo#e. s he contemplated them! Phaedrus sa> the retros on one of them fire. 9t made an a.rupt turn. Suddenly! the craft >as racing straight for the to>er of the church. %or a second! Phaedrus contemplated standing there and >aiting. $ut then his masters made his legs run! and he >ent along >ith them! sprinting do>n the stair>ell. $enny stood in the T ,D9S! hugging herself. She >as >atching the Doctor delicately ad=ust controls on the console. His left hand manipulated a tiny de"ice of some #ind as he concentrated on setting the coordinates >ith his right. 8'hy did you let them B8 she .egan. 8Hush!8 the Doctor murmured in a gentle "oice. 89t had to .e done. 'e must su.mit to the >ill of the Hoothi! here! hold this.8 nd he handed her the pen that had .een in his left hand. 8This is a 8 89t8s such hard >or#! controlling the T ,D9S . . .8 the Doctor cut in. 89t ta#es such concentration. Sometimes my right hand doesn8t #no> >hat my left hand is doing.8 $enny >al#ed around the console and noticed >hat he8d >ritten on the surface in .iro. D-+8,( %,((. )-T 9)%(CT(D. %9)D C(. 8'ould you li#e to pic# up your .ags at the dig site! since >e8re .oth going to flee this >orld in terrorB8 the Doctor as#ed casually. 8Might .e for the .est. 98ll pic# up my diary! so 9 can re>rite the real >orld a .it more. 'ill you drop me offB8 8Certainly.8 8$rothers and sistersC8 shouted Phaedrus! .ursting into the first floor dining room of the Church. He stopped. They had all .ecome fungoid creatures! e"ery single one of them. They stood in the remnants of their ro.es! loo#ing at him almost accusingly. Their tendrils "i.rated gently. Phaedrus slapped at a ner"ous tic in his chee#. 'hy not himB 'hat >as there left for him to doB 8'e . . . >e must 8 The pod turned a moment .efore it hit the to>er! a .urst of retros slo>ing it slightly. %or a second! the roc#et flames lic#ed the stone>or# of the church. Then the pod hit the .uilding. The >all e<ploded. The concussion sent mortar flying through the room. Stone .loc#s slammed out of one >all and into another. Phaedrus >as .lasted off his feet. The fungoids fell and .ro#e! spinning .ac#>ards o"er furniture. Some>here from deep .elo> the church! a great scream of rage erupted. The T ,D9S appeared .riefly outside the dig! and $enny ran outside! slamming the door after her. The craft screeched a>ay into hyperspace once more! and she loo#ed around aghast. Colm 'ylie >as stum.ling up the hill to>ards her! clutching at the air >ith his hands. 89 tried . . . 8 he said. nd then his head .urst open into fungus. $enny gra..ed for her gun! .ut .efore she could fire! a flaming arro> struc# Colm in the .ac# of the head. More follo>ed! setting the .ody aflame. The .urning creature staggered a fe> feet for>ard and then collapsed. $enny ran past it! to

see the full picture of >hat >as happening at the dig site. Tra"ellers >ere hac#ing monsters >ith their s>ords! setting them aflame >ith torches! .ac#ing them into corners >ith ra#es and for#s! and .lasting them apart >ith guns once they8d .een isolated. The stone circle had .ecome a .attlefield! >ith ragged tents fluttering in the stiff .reeFe. lec >as leading archers! .lue chemical flame flaring at the ends of their arro>s. Many Tra"ellers had fallen in the fight! .ut! to $enny8s astonishment! the creatures >ere actually losing. She ran into her tent! ripping open the flap. Cli"e lay inside the opening! clutching a gun. $eside him >ere still@s?uirming pieces of fungoid! hac#ed apart .y the Tra"ellers. 8%riendC8 $enny shouted! putting her hands up. 8'hat happenedB8 8 n hour after da>n! they all =ust erupted.8 Cli"e ran a hand across his face. 8$ut lec >as prepared. He and some of the others had the arro>s ready! and a .attle plan. He said that the Doctor had sho>n him ho> to use the telescope! to chec# >ho >as . . .8 8Des! 9 can imagine.8 $enny reached for>ard! and gra..ed a plasma rifle and a machete from her pac#. horri.le thought had come to her! .ut she >as trying to suppress it. The Hoothi had .een manipulating the great po>ers into sending their dead to this planet for decades. 'hat if! some>here out there in the dead armies! her father >as stum.ling alongB $enny slammed .ac# the loader on the rifle. 8'ell Dad! at least 98ll #no>!8 she muttered. 8'hatB8 Cli"e as#ed. 8$usy day! Cli"e.8 $enny opened the tent flap again and >ent .ac# outside. lec >as running .et>een indi"idual .attles! raining automatic fire do>n on a pinned monster! or hac#ing at one >ith a .lade. The things still #ept mo"ing and attac#ing! >hate"er happened to them! .ut if they >ere reduced to tiny particles! then they could do no more harm! at least. nd there had .een so many of them! many more than he8d e<pected. 9t >as mostly o"er .y the time $enny got there. She fired a fe> frantic shots into a struggling .ody! and the others cro>ded round to =oin in! reducing the thing to fi.res in seconds. 8'here did they come fromB8 $enny as#ed. 8%rom usC8 lec spat on the ground. 8These >ere Mathilda! and Ker>in! and /rey! and the Mighty LionC ll deadC t least no> >e8re sure of >ho8s infected and >ho isn8t . . .8 %rom o"erhead there came a sonic .oom! and the Tra"ellers fell to the ground. $enny loo#ed up to see an escape capsule .last across the s#y! passing o"erhead >ith a screech of retros. 9t sped o"er a hill and impacted >ith an e<plosion in the forest. 8 ceC8 $enny =umped to her feet. 898m going to find her. Dou lot stay here.8 lec nodded ?uic#ly. 8'e8ll retreat into the dig.8 $enny ran off up the hill! shouldering the rifle. She only glanced .ac# to call once more to lec. 8(<pect me >hen you see meC8 8These days! that8s more of a surprise than an e<pectation!8 murmured the man in the glo"es. $enny crept her >ay through the forest! .randishing the machete .efore her. Things >ere mo"ing all around her! the forest >as coming ali"e in grey and >hite! .ut it seemed uncoordinated! as if the Hoothi spores needed large neural systems to >or# >ell >ith. Small fungoid animals ran past her feet. The pod had car"ed a mile@long a"enue of collapsed trees .ehind it! tim.er thro>n aside .y the impact. $enny felt a .it safer >al#ing along this earth. The spores and creatures >ere o."ious! and could .e steered clear of. She finally reached the pod itself! a .lac#ened shell! sho"ed up into the em.race of a solid old oa#. 9t >as fiFFing >ith heat in the cool morning air! and the "egetation around >as starting to .urst into flame. $enny hopped ?uic#ly around to the entrance port and #ic#ed the safety co"ering aside >ith her .oot. The controls had fused. She cut the release ca.le >ith the machete! and the hatch automatically .le> out! the door landing a fe> feet a>ay in the smouldering .ushes. 8Come on! ce 8 $enny peered into the capsule. Tentacles fle> up at her face.

The thing >rapped a fi.rous rope around her throat! .ristling >ith spores. $enny fell to the ground! trying to .ring her rifle up to .ear. Her "ision started to fade! the spores ruffling do>n the tentacle to>ards her s#in. She managed to gasp a >ord! she >asn8t sure >hat nd then something sil"er sliced through the tentacle. ce #ic#ed the creature .ac# into the capsule and pulled the tentacle from $enny8s shoulders. 8Come onC8 she shouted! handing her .ac# her #nife. They sprinted through the forest for ten minutes! until the hissing roars had "anished .ehind them. 8'ho >as thatB8 $enny yelled. 8%ionaC8 ce gasped! slo>ing do>n. 8Listen! $enny! Jan is 8 89 #no>! oh /od 9 #no>C8 $enny pulled ce to her and held her. 8Christ! are any of us going to get out of this ali"eB8 8%or some of us! that is an a.surd ?uestion.8 Christopher >as standing in the forest .efore them! his .lac# ro.es and ghostly face shoc#ing against the grey and the green. $enny stared at the figure! amaFed. ce loo#ed up. She >renched herself a>ay from $enny! gra..ing the machete! and ran at him! yelling something incomprehensi.le. The s>ord caught Christopher in the side! .ut he sho>ed no pain as it passed through him. )o .lood >as upon it! either. He caught the second .lo> .et>een his palms! and loo#ed at ce for a long moment as their strengths matched. The anger drained out of the young >oman8s face. She too# a step .ac#! and flung the >eapon to the ground. 89t >as not my doing!8 Christopher told her. 89! of all people! #no> that sacrifice is a futile thing. Jan >as led into his plan .y his o>n >ilfulness! as manifested .y the Tric#ster . . .8 Christopher raised his hand in a gesture of supplication. 8He died .ecause he >as free! and he >as still free >hen he died.8 8He8s not free no>.8 8)o. $ut he >as ne"er coerced! ne"er conned. He died out of the e<pression of his o>n personality.8 89 don8t .elie"e that! .ut 98m sorry.8 8There is nothing to .e sorry a.out. )o>! the Hoothi cannot sense this dead form of mine! .ut 9 can sense them. 9 can guide you around the armies of the dead that are rising this day. There is one more mo"e to ma#e.8 8Ta#e us to Joyceto>n then!8 ce said .efore $enny could spea#. 898"e got some stuff to ta#e care of there.8 8 s you >ish.8 Christopher pointed out a path and they set off across fields and along muddy trac#s! staying as far a>ay from the gra"elands as possi.le. During the =ourney! ce >as silent! marching fast. 8So! ho> come you8re still >ith usB8 $enny as#ed Christopher. 8%orgi"e me! .ut it is a .it of a surprise.8 89 mo"e this corpse through the po>er of my >ill! as once 9 could mo"e small o.=ects. )o> that 9 ha"e .ecome one >ith Puterspace 8 8SorryB8 8The information that is me li"es on. 9 ha"e transplanted it into a programme. The programme is decaying! .ecause dataspace is continually .eing re?uired .y other users. $ut 9 ha"e found that 9 can sometimes tap into it is so hard to e<plain po>erful data. 'ords of po>er. 9 ha"e .een #eeping this .ody mo"ing using more and more po>er. ("entually! 9 >ill .e una.le to sustain it.8 8 nd then you8ll =ust s>itch offB8 89 shall li"e on in Puterspace! for a >hile.8 89 don8t #no> >hat to feel. re you . . . contentB8 89 ha"e al>ays .een content. 9 ha"e to .e. There has .een no lo"e for me in years! and >ithout lo"e! you are . . . content.8 89 can sympathiFe >ith that! .ut there are other things 8

8There is the >ar!8 Christopher put a hand on $enny8s shoulder! and! astonishingly! touched a pair of cold lips to her chee#s. 8 nd >e are >inning that.8 $enny smiled! certain she >as .lushing. ce had marched ahead to see o"er the .ro> of a hill. $enny8s gaFe follo>ed her. 8Dou lied to her. 9 could al>ays tell >ith you! >hen you >ere ali"e. Dou didn8t do it "ery often! so you >eren8t "ery good at it.8 89 ha"e lied. $ut only so that her >orld does not completely collapse. She must ha"e some.ody to return to.8 8That8s not right. She8ll find out. Lies al>ays come to the surface. 9t8s not really up to you to decide >hat she #no>s! is itB8 89t is not up to me at all! it8s up to 8 8'e8re hereC8 ce shouted do>n from the hilltop. 8Come onC8 The T ,D9S had appeared in front of -perati"e Miller8s des#. The old la>man stood up! >atching the materialiFation >ith interest. 8That is a.solutely fascinating!8 he told the Doctor as he stepped from his time@craft. 8Possi.ly. $ut >e ha"e important matters to discuss.8 89ndeed >e ha"e. This .ase is under siege! Doctor! .y >hat can only .e descri.ed as the li"ing dead. ,eports are coming in from to>ns and "illages all across the planet. The Draconians are in a state of complete collapse. They "enerate their ancestors . . . can8t .ring themsel"es to fight them. Doctor! >hat the hell can 9 do to stop itB8 8Trust me. Trust me a.solutely.8 89 . . . can do that. $ut gi"e me some hope! at leastC8 8The creatures you8re encountering >on8t try to infect the li"ing .y force. 9t8s >asteful. They8ll get you .ottled up! and then release clouds of spores across the large communities. The smaller ones >ill .e already under attac#. 'ith the fleet on the >ay! they8ll pro.a.ly start the last phase of their plan .efore they attac# the to>ns.8 8 nd can you sa"e usB8 The Doctor smiled! as if at a comple< =o#e he8d only =ust thought of. 8Des! of course 9 can. 9 can sa"e nearly e"eryone. 9 can >ipe this menace from the face of the uni"erse.8 He >inced at some pain deep inside! and fro>ned. 8So! ta#e me to your communications e?uipment.8 Phaedrus mo"ed his hand. Still ali"e. Still mo"ing. /ra"el rustled off his ro.e as he got to his feet. The roof of the hall had collapsed! and fungoids >ere t>itching under the ru..le. He made his >ay to the .asement door! and ner"ously called do>n the stairs. 8MotherB Mother! are you thereB8 nd then! >ith a sha#y step! he made his >ay do>n into the dar#ness. 9n the streets of Joyceto>n! screams rang out. To>nsfol# ran a.out in the mar#ets! gathering their possessions! arguing >ith guards >ho >ere trying to organiFe them. mass of scared people ran past the ruins of the Li.rary! shouting and =ostling as they headed for the gates. The cause of this >as something that had .een sighted at da>n. group of strange .eings standing on the hill. During the morning! their num.ers had steadily gro>n! .ut still they stood there! a calm army >aiting for .attle. Lone horsemen had ridden out and made close passes to the creatures! .ut those >ith telescopes could already see >hat they >ere. They >ere the dead! come .ac# to haunt Joyceto>n. There >ere o"er three hundred of them .y ten o8cloc#. The to>nsfol# had .een distur.ed enough .y the apparition! and the continual crac# and thump of guards firing mortars at the hill. The .om.s had had little effect! any.ody could see that. The destruction of the *acuum Church .y a .laFing meteor >as surely some final sign of =udgement. They had rushed for the gate. /uards >ho had .een tal#ing a.out ad"ancing on the enemy >ith .lasters found themsel"es holding .ac# a mass of people >ho >anted to lea"e the to>n rather than .ar the gates and a>ait a siege.

The .lan# eyes of the dead >atched the confusion! Hoothi tendrils s>aying in the >ind. Christopher had ta#en ce and $enny to the city >alls .y means of an old cart trac#! sun# slightly into the ground. They ran along the >alls! $enny staring apprehensi"ely up at the dead on the hill. She didn8t li#e ce8s e<pression either. 9t >as scarcely more animated than that of the things >aiting a.o"e the to>n. Such a pained fro>n! li#e a hurt little girl. $enny >anted to ta#e her a>ay to some ?uiet place and ma#e e"erything fine for her again. $ut that >ould mean .ringing Jan .ac#! and that she couldn8t do. The group reached the confusion at the gates! a trader >ith a cart screaming into the face of a guard >ho >as fingering the .utt of his .laster. Christopher >al#ed straight through the yelling mo.! clearing a path >ith a >a"e of his hand. 8)otice somethingB8 $enny as#ed! grimly. 8)o to>er. 'here8s the church goneB8 ce stared at the ruins of the *acuum Church >hen they turned the right corner. 8)oC8 she shouted angrily. She ran to>ards the collapsed .uilding. The Doctor held a tiny module in his hand. 8Dou can8t signal any.ody no>.8 Miller too# a deep .reath. 8Can you gi"e me a single reason >hy 9 should let you do thisB8 8-nly that 98m the Doctor. nd 9 #no> >hat 98m doing.8 8Do youB8 8-h yes.8 The Doctor seemed to decide to ta#e a ris#. 89f 9 die! replace itC8 Miller raised an eye.ro>. 8/ood game you8re playingB8 8-h no.8 The Doctor smiled. 8The game is o"er.8 shado> fell o"er Hea"en. The Hoothi glo.e >as suddenly in the s#y! huge! .lotting out the sun. The oceans .uc#led and .lasted! tidal >a"es s>eeping into ports and consuming them. Lightning flic#ered across the countryside as the atmosphere >as >hipped into storms. -ne second after the sphere appeared! a "ast concussion of thunder shoo# the land. cry >ent up from Joyceto>n as the shado> fell o"er it. 9t >as the sound of thousands of people moaning in primiti"e terror. The moment of har"esting >as upon all the animals of Hea"en. ce loo#ed up at the s#y and .egan to laugh at it. Then she shoo# her head! and #ic#ed in the door of the *acuum Church. $enny stopped in her desperate pursuit of ce! and gaFed at the thing in the s#y. Dou could see the mottled organic hue of the sphere! e"en as the dar# clouds gathered around it. She felt "ery frightened and "ery small. Christopher pointed up. 8Loo#!8 he said. %rom the main .ody of the dar# mass! something huge >as emerging. 89 >ish 9 could pray!8 $enny >hispered. 8That8s =ust too .ig.8 8'e do not ha"e to pray!8 Christopher told her! putting a cold hand on her shoulder. 8'e ha"e to >in.8 ce fell amongst the ru..le almost immediately! tripping o"er a .eam. Cra>ling to her feet again! she >iped the dust from her glo"es! noticing ho> filaments >a"ed and snatched at the air from under the de.ris. 8PhaedrusC8 she yelled. 8'here are you! you .astardB8 .eam ga"e >ay at the sound and fell from the "aulted ceiling. ce dodged it. She8d heard an echo! some distant cry from inside the .uilding. She crept to>ards the .asement door. The shape >as unrolling! stretching do>n to>ards the ground. 9t >as li#e a sheet of dar#ness unfurling. The screams >ere echoing across Joyceto>n no>! people falling to their #nees in the street and shouting at the s#y.

Christopher motioned $enny to>ards the Church once more. 8'hat >ill happen >ill happen!8 he said. 8'e must follo> the plan.8 8There8s a planB8 $enny approached the Church! cran#ing her plasma rifle. 8'ith the Doctor!8 Christopher murmured! 89 .elie"e there is al>ays a plan.8 ce thre> the .asement door aside. 9t had .een leaning against the door>ay on its hinges. The stair>ay >as in dar#ness! .ut she felt no fear no>. She didn8t really feel much of anything. %eeling >ould arri"e >hen she found Phaedrus. Then she8d #no> >hat that feeling >as. She had an idea! though. ce tiptoed do>n the stairs! feeling her >ay against the rough stone >alls of the passage>ay. Total dar#ness. Li#e do>nstairs at night! as a #id. Li#e those times >hen she8d .een in the house! all alone. There8d .e a noise do>nstairs! and Dorry >ould ta#e her courage! and her .ear! in her hands! and go and see. That had .een good! facing the horror. Turn on the light! and there >as nothing .ad in the room at all. )o monsters. 9t had ta#en Julian! and Chad $oyle! and the Doctor! to sho> her that monsters >ere real. There >as a faint green light in the .asement! the pulse of a Puterspace dec#. ce found a chemical lamp at the .ottom of the stairs and t>isted it! igniting the .illions of protoFoa inside into reproduction. $y the light of the lamp! she sa> Phaedrus! curled up and connected to the dec#! his .ac# resting against the .ig ta.le of the common room. His lips >ere mo"ing in some dream. He >as half smiling. ce pulled the #nife from her .elt. She .ent o"er the sleeping figure! and! shi"ering! pulled his ro.es from around his nec#. The s#in there >as >hite! and young@loo#ing. ce stayed a.solutely still for a moment. She >as thin#ing a.out all those heroes in stories! most of them .lo#es! >ho8d get to some>here li#e this! and then say that murder >ould ma#e them as .ad as the "illain >as. She8d #illed .efore! of course. Still had dreams a.out that )aFi in the castle. $ut they8d tied her up then! and made her .loody scream! and he8d .een a soldier. Dreaming. 9n his sleep. Peacefully in his sleep. 89t8s not good enough!8 ce >hispered. She found a >ire cro>n on the ta.le! and! >ithout hesitation! plugged herself into the matri<. $enny and Christopher loo#ed around the ru..le of the *acuum Church. 8Messy!8 mused $ernice. 89 al>ays thought these people should get out more. )o> they8re going to ha"e to.8 8'e must >ait here for si< minutes. Then find our >ay do>n to the .asement. That is >here they >ill .e.8 8'hat! ce and PhaedrusB 'hy can8t >e go do>n no>B8 8$ecause the Doctor told us to >ait.8 nd he .arred $ernice8s >ay to the door. 8Pa>ns . . .8 $enny sighed! fro>ning. The dar# shape had almost touched the ground. 9t >as se"eral miles long! and lightning flic#ered .et>een it and the s#y. The citiFens of Joyceto>n stared up and cried out in fear. dar#ness had formed along the horiFon! as if a margin had .een dra>n .et>een Hea"en and the s#y. The dar#ness gre> greater! until those >ho >ere still >atching through .inoculars! troopers >ho felt they had to >atch! sa> >hat it >as. 9t >as the dead. Millions of them. Coming from all directions. The dar# shape touched the land! and stopped. %rom the angle at >hich Joyceto>n sa> it! it >as =ust a >ide! dar#! .and against the sun. $ut James Miller sa> it differently. 'hen the Doctor had left! he8d made sure that the sla"es of the Hoothi >eren8t actually trying to crush the fence. Then he8d put the .ase on internal life support and run out to the helicopter. He8d refused a pilot. Ho> could you .e sure that they >eren8t going to erupt into fungusB He fle> across the fields of Hea"en! so..ing sometimes as he sa> >hat >as happening. %rom e"ery gra"eyard!

thousands of corpses >ere struggling to the surface. nything >ith muscles! a rudimentary ner"ous system! >as mo"ing. Some made an attempt to rise and fell apart! there .eing not enough flesh on their .ones. Some >ere carried along .y the >eight of others! and some >ere more fungus than flesh. Miller realiFed so many things on his flight. He sa> ho> the ecosystem of Hea"en relied on the (arthly! Hea"enite and Draconian creatures preying on each other! and not e<isting parasitically on the remains in the ground. natural system >ould tend to do that! >ith so much ra> material around. He sa> ho> strange the composition of the soil >as! ho> different it smelt from the rich loam around his old home on Mandusus. $y the time he got to Joyceto>n! Miller sa> Hea"en as a trap! a .ig .o< .aited for intelligence. 9t >as a fa.le! a margin >here things the great po>ers didn8t li#e >ould .e sent. $oo#s! anarchists! and the dead. They8d >anted to .elie"e that there >as some>here safe these things could go! some>here not in their .ac#yard! .ut still >ithin reach if they needed them. $ut that >asn8t true. 'hen you put >hat you couldn8t face out on the margins! it >ould putrefy and .oil li#e an unfaced fear! and come .ac# to hurt you. Miller imagined that the dead >ere carrying .urning .oo#s and >a"ing .lac# .anners. 'hen he got to the stair>ay! he >as ready to .elie"e in it. stair>ay! an unfolded grey mass of fi.re and .iological remains. 9t >as made of millions of indi"idual steps! and they >ere fashioned of small .ones and .ound >ith muscle. t the top of it! three figures stood. They >ere .earli#e and tall! co"ered in thic# fur. Sad eyes stared from a.o"e their grey muFFles. -n their .ac#s! great clusters of Hoothi fi.re sat. The Hea"enites had returned to their home. t the .ottom of the stair>ay! the dead .egan to push for>ard. They marched! >a"e after >a"e of them! to the first step. nd then they .egan to clim.. James Miller loo#ed do>n at the people of Joyceto>n! >atching the ascent in terror. 8My /od!8 he >hispered. 8They8re lea"ing them for last.8 9nside the dig! Tra"ellers >ere sho"ing .oards and e?uipment up against the entrance>ay. They had ?uic#ly closed the dome of the o.ser"atory! and >ere ha"ing some success in .loc#ing the access tunnel. The dead had .egun to cluster outside! and then had suddenly decided to ad"ance. lec had urged the tri.e! clutching >hate"er .elongings they could! to run do>n into the digs! and there they no> >ere going to ma#e their stand. They >ouldn8t ha"e as long as Joyceto>n did! since they >ere further a>ay from the stair>ay! .ut they hammered in plan#s and sho"ed in tent pegs! and prepared to die free. Christopher raised his arm! and let $enny open the door. 8Si< minutesB8 she as#ed. 8Time enough to enter Puterspace!8 Christopher nodded. t the .ottom of the stairs! they found the comatose forms of Phaedrus and ce. 8'e ha"e to get ce out of there!8 $enny said. 8'hat does she thin# she8s doingB8 8Ta#ing re"enge.8 Christopher fro>ned. 89 can feel them in the matri<. 'ait a moment.8 He closed his eyes! and $enny >atched his .ody stiffen and tense. Christ! he8d stopped .reathing. She >as =ust a.out to do something >hen Christopher gasped! and opened his eyes. 8Ha"e to . . . remem.er to #eep the lungs goingC8 8'hat did you find outB8 89 e<ist in Puterspace! 9 am a>are of its .ac#>aters. $ut the t>o of them are in . . . an area of their o>n. They are fighting a pri"ate .attle. To interfere >ould ta#e more energy than 9 possess.8 $enny put a hand to his arm. 8Tell me that >hat ce is doing isn8t part of the Doctor8s plan.8 89t is not.8 8/ood.8 8That is >hat you as#ed me to tell you. Ho>e"er! the truth is "ery different.8 $enny turned slo>ly to Christopher. She8d heard a familiar sound from upstairs. 8This is all part of the game! isn8t itB8 8)o!8 Christopher told her. 8/ames in"ol"e ris#! the chance of >inning and losing. The Doctor

has told me to say this game is o"er.8 8'ell!8 $enny sighed. 8He >ould say that! >ouldn8t heB8 The T ,D9S appeared amongst the ruins. fter a moment! the door opened and the Doctor got out. He loo#ed around at the chaos and the ru..le! he listened to the screams from outside the .uilding! and smelt the putrification in the air. nd he smiled. fter a moment! he headed for the door to the .asement.

13: The En!

Phaedrus stared do>n at his mother! lying there on her .ed. She had pulled the co"ers o"er her head! so ashamed of her pain. -ne >rin#led hand clutched at a corner of the >hite sheet. 'hen they >ere fleeing the destruction of Mardal! hiding from Dale# patrols! she8d huddled him in her cloa#! and told him old /ree# stories. 89 >anted to e<plain!8 the priest .egan! his hands folded in front of him. 89 had to reset the matri< to get me here. 9 suppose it8s an indulgence of the Hoothi! letting me li"e this long. 9 >anted to tal# to you. 9 can no>. 98"e finally done it. Death has come crashing do>n on them. They can feel >hat 98"e al>ays felt. Death is >ith us all no>.8 udrey thre> .ac# the co"ers and sat up. 8'hat are you tal#ing a.outB8 she as#ed the startled Phaedrus. $ehind the priest! a door opened. Phaedrus turned as ce ran at him! raised his arm to fend off the .lo>. She hit him in the stomach! ramming her .unched fist hard into him. He fell to his #nees! gasping. ce loo#ed do>n at him! and their eyes met. He seemed to .e pleading. She #ic#ed at his =a>. The toe of her .oot caught the man in the soft flesh of his throat. He tried to scream as he hit the ground! and it came out as a cho#ed ho>l. ce >as trying to feel something. This >as >hat put meaning into Jan8s death. This re"enge. Phaedrus had rolled into a foetal .all! an instincti"e motion to protect his internal organs. 8Don8tC8 he gasped. 8Don8t . . .8 He sounded li#e a child. ce hadn8t loo#ed at anything .ut her enemy since she8d entered the room. The place had .een o."ious in Puterspace! .ec#oning her >ith an open door. She8d =ust run straight in and found Phaedrus. )o> she felt a familiar lean strength gra. her shoulders. The arms encircled her and pulled her .ac#. 9t >as the action of some.ody >ho >asn8t used to "iolence! >ho >as dri"en to it .y passion. 8Lea"e him aloneC8 hissed udrey! furiously. 8My /od! 9 didn8t .ring you up to .e li#e thisC8 8Dou didn8t .ring me up at allC8 screamed ce! smashing her mother up against the >all. 8Dou didn8tC Dou didn8tC8 She >as yelling into her face no>! sha#ing her .y the collar. 8'here >ere youB 'here >ere you >hen he diedB8 8-h my poor .a.y! my poor .a.y 8 8Dou8re deadC ("ery.ody8s deadC8 s ce8s attac# gre> more frenFied! her mother didn8t try to protect herself. 9nstead of putting up her arms to shield herself from her child8s .lo>s! udrey simply let her grip on ce8s shoulders gro> tighter. udrey >as >incing as she >as sha#en! so.s >elling up from deep inside her. 8-h! my poor lo"e!8 she so..ed. 8My poor .a.y! 9 >anted to do e"erything for you . . . 9 >anted you to .e happyC8 8("erything8s so scre>ed up! and 9 don8t #no> ho> anything >or#s anymore! and 98m so . . . 98m so aloneC8 The shouting had .ro#en something! or perhaps it >as her mother8s tears. ce .urst into >rac#ing so.s! and .uried her head in udrey8s shoulder. 8MumC -h Mum! ma#e it all o#ay againC8 8Hush . . . hush . . .8 udrey smoothed ce8s hair >ith her hand. 898m not =ust a ghost! am 9B Julian remem.ered me li#e this! .ecause he used to come and "isit me >hen you >eren8t there. He told me he >as gay. 9 understood. My Mum had #no>n a fe> that >ay! in the )a"y. They >ere al>ays so .ra"e! she said. -ne night 9 dran# a little too much gin! and he came round and found me crying. 9 told him ho> 9 couldn8t tal# to you! and ho> much 9 lo"ed you. 9 as#ed him to tell you. nd he >ouldn8t! .ecause he said 9 had to. nd 9 ne"er did. 9 ne"er did.8

ce loo#ed up at udrey8s face! her o>n eyes red >ith tears. 8Dou .loody >ell should ha"e . . .8 she >hispered. There >as a noise from .ehind them. ce spun round. -n the other side of the room! a door >as closing. ce glimpsed Phaedrus limping a>ay! propped up .y a little old >oman in .lac#. 89 >anted him to #no>.8 ce told udrey. 8Kno> >hat it8s li#e.8 udrey pulled her daughter .ac# to her. 8He #no>s.8 They hung onto each other. fter a moment ce stepped .ac#! patting her mother8s forearms. Despite herself! she8d got ashamed at feeling so much >ith a memory of her Mum. 8'e8"e got stuff to tal# a.out! ha"en8t >e! me and himB8 8Des! 9 suppose you ha"e. 'ill you come .ac# here and see meB8 8Deah!8 ce nodded seriously. 8 8Course 9 >ill. $ut 98"e got to find him first. (<plain.8 They hugged again! and ce left the room. Perhaps >hen she did! udrey "anished. -r perhaps she rang her hands! and >ent .ac# to .ed! and on some Peri"ale morning >o#e from a dream. Perhaps she >ould ha"e thought a.out the dream o"er her morning tea. Ho> she8d heard her daughter lie and go a>ay. Ho>! despite this! despite e"erything! she8d ne"er .e a.le to ta#e her courage in her hands and tell her ho> she felt. $ecause in dreams there are alternati"es that don8t e<ist in >a#ing life. The Doctor >al#ed do>n the steps into the .asement! and nodded to $enny and Christopher. Then he glanced at the Puterspace console. 8 ceC8 he muttered urgently. He strode o"er and #nelt .y her sleeping form. 89 >as meaning to lea"e this planet. Ta#e her >ith me. $ut no> 9 must rescue her. 9f only 9 had a Puterspace cro>nC8 8Doctor . . .8 Christopher produced a >ire cro>n and lead from inside his ro.e. 8They .uried me >ith this. 9s it >hat you re?uireB8 8DesC8 the Doctor =umped up and too# the de"ice! plugging it into the dec#. 8 fter 9 get her .ac#! >e >ill lea"e here! ne"er to return.8 $ernice8s eye.ro>s had reached their highest possi.le point. 8(<cuse me! .ut 8 8There8s no time to loseC8 the Doctor cried. 8'e may already .e too lateC8 nd he put the cro>n on his head. His eyes closed. 8Do you thin# that he is acting strangelyB8 Christopher as#ed. 8)ot at all!8 $enny sighed. 8Just "ery .adly.8 cross the northern continent of Hea"en! the meado>s >ere ali"e >ith the dead. They scampered through the fields! running to>ards the summons of the Stair>ay. 9n other parts of the planet! pods detached from the Hoothi sphere had released stair>ays of their o>n. ("ery>here! >hat >as ali"e >as co>ering in fear from >hat had passed. They >al#ed in ran#s along the lo> stone >alls! and massed .y settlements in the dar# of night! ma#ing no sound sa"e for the faint clic#ing and settling of long@unused muscles. 9n the daylight Fones! they marched together in armies! feathering outposts >ith clouds of spores. There >ere t>enty of them for e"ery li"ing .eing on the planet. -perati"e Miller8s helicopter had descended into the mar#et s?uare in Joyceto>n! and he had s>iftly attempted to find his troopers. fe> of them >ere still o.ser"ing from the >alls! training cameras on the Stair>ay. Most had gone! either into to>n after lo"ed ones! or simply to hide. Miller could smell it himself. The s>eetness in the air >as terrifying! >hat a co> smells in the yard of the slaughterhouse. He clim.ed up to the o.ser"ation post on the to>n >alls! patting a corporal on the .ac#. 8They8re not going to get here in time! are they! sirB8 the (llerycorp man >hispered. 8The fleet! 9 mean.8 8'e don8t need the fleet! ladC8 Miller .oomed heartily. 8'e8"e got the most dangerous thing in the uni"erse on our side.8 8'hat8s that! sirB8 8The Doctor.8 Miller put his .inoculars up to his eyes! and stared out at the sea of marching dead. huge >a"e of them >ere half>ay up the Stair>ay no>! marching to meet

the Hea"enites >ho stood at the top. Miller tried to sound con"incing. 89 feel sorry for the poor .uggers.8 The Doctor put a foot on to the grass of the Land +nder The Hills. He too# a slo> loo# around. There >as a dar#ness a.out the trees! and the sound of .irdsong >as muted and distant. The place >as >aiting. There came a distant crashing sound. Some.ody >as ma#ing their >ay clumsily through the forest. The Doctor too# out his fo. >atch and peered at it. 8They8re doing something! sirC8 the trooper handed Miller .ac# the .inoculars. The dead >ere raising their arms to the s#y. long them! hundreds of >hite spores >ere sprouting. 8My /od! they8re a.out to release their sporesC 'e ha"e to get the people here insideC8 The trooper gaFed do>n at the milling cro>d! horror struc#. 8Ho>! sirBC Ho> the hell can >e do thatBC8 t the dig site! the Tra"ellers >ere crouched! >eapons ready! as the rhythmic sound of sho"ing increased. The dead had appeared outside the dig en asse! and >ere slamming against the .arricades! using their .odies as a .attering ram. 8,emem.er >ho >e are!8 lec muttered. 8'e8ll all see each other again soon! and there8ll .e Jan there! and ,oisa! and MKire.8 The noise stopped. There came a fluttering sound! as if something soft >as .eing released on to the >ind. 8Sooner than 9 thought!8 the Tra"eller sighed. 8$lessed .e.8 ce >as running after Phaedrus! through .rac#en and lo> .ushes. She had .een calling out to him! trying to get him to stop. She put a hand to her .ro> as she ran! trying to sort things out. Christ! >hat >as she doing hereB -ne minute you >ant to #ill some.ody! the ne<t you8re trying to e<plain! trying to get some #ind of a.solution. 8StopC Listen! 9 =ust >ant to tal#C8 Phaedrus >as .lundering through the forest simulation! unsure of >here he >as or >hat he >as running from. His mother had .een >ith him for a moment! something for him to lean on. -r >as that a dreamB Had he found her at allB 'hate"er had happened! he had to #eep running. Something terri.le >as pursuing him. 9f he stopped running! then He dashed .et>een t>o trees! glanced o"er his shoulder! and tripped into a clearing! tum.ling. dar# shado> fell o"er him. n a>ful figure >as standing .et>een the priest and the sun. The Doctor .ent lo> o"er Phaedrus! and snapped a finger into his chin. 8Dou!8 he gro>led! 8are responsi.le for all that has happened here. 'hen did the Hoothi contact youB8 8'hen 9 >as an initiateC Many years! many years . . .8 8Dou called out to themC Dou offered up this >orld for sacrificeC %or your mista#esC8 8DesC Des! 9 did! .ut 8 8Do you feel alone! no>B re you afraid! PhaedrusB8 The Doctor8s finger =a..ed into the in=ured man8s nec#. 8There8s no.ody to sa"e you from me! and no> you >ant to .e sa"ed! no> you8"e seen something you >ant to li"e for! ha"en8t youBC8 The Doctor gra..ed the priest .y the collar and snarled into his face. 8Ha"en8t youBC8 8Des! mother! 9! 9 8 8Call your protectorsC Call themC8 Phaedrus .lin#ed! trying to concentrate. His mind focused on the spore inside him! and he felt the familiar ans>er to his call. They8d ta#e this pain a>ay! they8d gi"e him the time to see his mother again. Just a little time. The graphic of the Hoothi sphere appeared o"er the gro"e! and the air turned solid once more. The Doctor8s face creased in pain! and he dropped Phaedrus. ce gra..ed the trees at the edge of the gro"e! and s>ayed against the impact of the sound and compression. hand clasped her shoulder! and she gasped to see Christopher! in his matri< form! .eside her! his eyes closed in concentration. ce could almost see >hat the t>o of them >ere concentrating on! a familiar feeling >as rising a.out the clearing! li#e they >ere

thin#ing of some.ody she #ne>. She turned .ac# to see the Doctor raise his hands to his chest! the nails .iting into his palms. He suc#ed in a deep .reath! and .ello>ed. 8 , D, THC8 The >ord echoed across the council cham.er of the Hoothi ship. 8'hat does that . . . meanB8 one of the puff.alls hissed. 89t is . . . familiar. 9t is . . . in the group . . . mind.8 strange emotion fluttered across the mind of the Hoothi Consciousness. Perhaps it >as some #ind of elation. %or the first time time in centuries! the thousands of souls held capti"e in the group mind felt their masters . . . falter. $eside a thin mem.rane! the thing that had .een Jan had .een >atching the dead creatures march up the stair>ay into the .elly of the sphere. The creature >as s>aying slightly. The tattoo of the sna#e! consuming its o>n head! >as "isi.le across the puffy layers of fungus. The .eing >as mindless! of course. $ut its eyeless head >as turned to the >orld .elo>! and its stumpy hands >ere raised in some half@formed emotion. nd then it remem.ered. %or a .rief second! it >as pulled out of the group mind. 9t >as an indi"idual. 9t . . . he . . . >as important. Special. 8Time to repay the de.t!8 Christopher told him. 8Change the >orldC8 the Doctor cried. They >ere tal#ing to him through the Puterspace lin# in his fungoid nec#! through the Hoothi Consciousness itself! and through an ancient friendship! as yet left unsettled. Jan remem.ered Hea"en! and the Tra"ellers! and his lo"e for ce. He remem.ered that his secret name >as radrath. 8 radrath!8 the Doctor said to Jan. 8Ma#e fireC8 So he did. The first small .last too# the Hoothi .y surprise. 8'hat . . . has . . . happenedB8 one hissed. 8'e ha"e . . . .een . . .8 The Hoothi sphere e<ploded. The fire.all erupted across the s#y! .lasted in the roofs and toppled the to>ers of Joyceto>n! sent the dead flying from the stair>ay! >hich .uc#led and folded and .urst into fragments of .one and flying cinders. The .last scorched >alls! and set tim.ers alight! and thre> troopers from their platforms. 9t set afire clothes! and .urst eardrums! echoing across the "alley! thundering .et>een the hillsides. 'hen the dead fell into the s?uare they >ere =ust dead. Poor corpses! >ith nothing ali"e still a.out them. fine grey po>der >as all that sho>ed >hat they had .een part of. The de.ris crashed do>n on the to>n! .ones and .ones! a collapsing rain of animal lefto"ers. Scapulae .ounced off tiles! and #nuc#les clattered into the gutters. hard sho>er of =oints and femurs shattered do>n across the landscape. The heat cloud rose in a mushroom of roaring mist! >ater .eginning to condense and spatter do>n on to the fires that had sprung up e"ery>here. James Miller too# a hand a>ay from his .lac#ened face! and yelled up at the s#y. 8'e8re ali"eC 'e8re ali"eC8 ll across Hea"en! the Hoothi pods had toppled and s>ayed! >ith no mind left to control them. Some of them crashed into mountains! some lum.ered into the earth. fe> spontaneously e<ploded. 'hate"er happened! .odies fell from the stair>ays! no longer animated. Thousands of s#eletons and corpses plummeted from the s#y! or rolled .ac# do>n into the lifeless heaps that had fallen all around the pods. EEE

t the dig site! lec stuc# his head out .et>een the .arricades. cross the meado> lay a hundred .odies. Some of them >ere piled! leaning! on the plan#s that had shielded the Tra"ellers from attac#. -ne had its .ony hand stuc# through a tiny gap. ll >ere co"ered in a fine dust. lec thre> aside the tim.ers! and stepped out into the sunlight. He fell to his #nees amongst the .odies! and soon he >as =oined .y the rest of the Tra"ellers! >ho #issed the ground! held each other! and so..ed in relief. They >ere ali"e.

15: A'ter#ar!s
ll Christopher had said >as 8no>8. His eyes had .een closed! and $enny hadn8t actually had the impression that this >as an instruction to get underco"er .ecause the alien spacecraft >as a.out to e<plode o"erhead. Ho>e"er! >hen it had done! she managed to do =ust that. )o> she stood up! sha#ily! from the alco"e >here she8d di"ed. Christopher still had his eyes closed! half in the matri<. She loo#ed do>n at the three .odies. Phaedrus! gasping and >eeping. The Doctor! a stern loo# of contentment on his face. nd ce. ce had her eyes open. $enny ?uic#ly pulled the >ire cro>n from her head! and helped her into a sitting position. 8Jan . . .8 ce >hispered. 8 ce! listen to me 8 8Jan >as in the sphere. $ecause the Doctor #ne> he >as infected. nd he didn8t tell me.8 8'hat do you meanB8 8The only firema#er on the planet. nd he goes and ta#es a spaceship. /ets into the sphere .efore any.ody else. $ecause of ,oisa. $ecause of the Doctor. He sa"ed the >hole .loody uni"erse again! rightB Dou see thatB (<cept the man 9 >as in lo"e >ith.8 She loo#ed do>n at the Doctor. 8-h god! oh god! get me a>ay from himC8 She started to sha#e! and put a hand to her mouth. 8/et me a>ay from himC8 $ernice hauled ce to her feet! and .undled her up the stairs. 89t8s all right!8 she told her. $ut she #ne> that it >asn8t. 9t >as ne"er going to .e all right again. 'hen the Doctor a>o#e! the first face he sa> >as Christopher8s. The tall .eing pulled him to his feet >ith one hand. 8Dou did a good thing!8 he said. 89 destroyed the Hoothi!8 the Doctor replied. 8-ne sphere of them! any>ay. 'here8s ceB8 $enny appeared at the top of the stairs. 8Dou8re not seeing her. 98"e found her a .ed at the military .ase. She8ll =ust . . . 9t really isn8t a good idea! rightB8 The Doctor loo#ed anguished. 8There >as no other >ay. 9 couldn8t tell her! 9 8 8Tell me later.8 $enny turned once more. 89f 9 >ant to tal# to you then! >hich 9 may not.8 nd she left. 8Dou sa"ed thousands of li"es.8 Christopher rested his hand on the Doctor8s shoulder. 8$illions! on a galactic scale.8 The Doctor shrugged the hand aside. 8)ot important. They >on8t #no>. They >on8t care. Dodo! or >hate"er her name is . . . She cares.8 Phaedrus groaned! and opened his eyes. 8Let me go .ac#!8 he pleaded. The Doctor gently remo"ed the lead from the Puterspace dec#. 89 ha"e no reason to harm you!8 he muttered. 8/o and find a life! find something to do. /o out and li"eC8 Phaedrus stood! and loo#ed around the room li#e a lost little .oy. 8$ut >hat shall 9 doB 'ho can help me no>B8 The Doctor turned his head! and >aited until Phaedrus had clim.ed the stairs from the .asement. 8Dou ha"e sa"ed them. $ut 9 see that you are as misplaced in the aftermath as Phaedrus is!8 Christopher said to the Doctor. 8'here >ill you go no>B8 8 >ay.8 The Time Lord stuffed his hat .ac# on his head. 8 lone.8 8Please return to us.8 Christopher paused. 89 should li#e to see you once more .efore 9 also lea"e.8 The Doctor fro>ned and nodded. 8Dou >ill!8 he said! and clim.ed the stairs. moment later! Christopher heard the po>erful rushing and grinding of temporal engines. The dead man shoo# his head.

EEE -perati"e Miller >andered along the central street of Joyceto>n! chec#ing on a clip.oard >here fire@ fighting teams had .een sent. ("erything >as ru..le. The Li.rary! the *acuum Church! many other .uildings. Miller refused to .e a>estruc# .y the destruction around him. minute after the sphere had e<ploded! he8d .een roaring orders at this troopers. ("en >ith the fires and the casualties! a hysterical atmosphere of cele.ration >as starting to seiFe the to>n. People! realiFing that the threat >as o"er! had .egun to cluster in the streets! and! >ith so much rescue >or# to do! that >as a danger in itself. $ernice had made his trou.les >orse .y running up to him >ith the girl! ce. Miller had .een super"ising the landing of a large am.ulance helicopter! and $enny had insisted! almost to the point of "iolence! that ce get a place on it. The girl herself >as in shoc#! Miller recogniFed it from his days on the front. She >as staring at e"erything! not spea#ing! fascinated .y tiny details. 'hen he8d as#ed >hy she should get a place o"er the >ounded and dying! $enny had saidA 8She >as >ith the Doctor. Her sacrifice sa"ed your planet.8 He8d .elie"ed her e<pression instantly. fter the helicopter had ta#en off! $enny had run off .ac# to the *acuum Church. )o> she caught up >ith the la>man once more! and slapped his shoulder. 8Than#s for your help. Ho> did >e doB8 8$adly! lass. 9n Joyceto>n alone! o"er one hundred ci"ilians dead! fifteen troopers! three hundred or so in=uries. Large@scale damage to property. Personally! 9 don8t thin# the place is fit to li"e in anymore. 'hen Spacefleet arri"es! 98ll .e ad"ising them that >e e"acuate the colony. The Draconians had it >orse than >e did. They8re already pac#ing their .ags.8 89t could ha"e .een far >orse.8 8 ye! it could ha"e .een the >hole human race! from >hat 9 heard. 'e8re .loody luc#y to .e ali"e. 'e8"e got the Doctor to than#! 9 suppose.8 89f you can find him. 9 >ent .ac# to the church! and he seems to ha"e "anished! >hich is pro.a.ly =ust as >ell for ce. 9ncidentally! if 9 >anted t>o passes out of human space . . .8 8Ta#ing her >ith youB8 8Some.ody8s got to do it!8 $enny shrugged. 89 can8t =ust lea"e her here! and 98m not going to .e shipped .ac# to Central.8 89 don8t thin# you8ll find you ha"e any pro.lems.8 8/ood.8 Miller stopped >riting. 8Do you thin# things8ll get any .etter >hen they close the frontier hereB 'hen all8s di"ided .et>een us and the DraconiansB8 8)o!8 $enny shoo# her head decisi"ely. 89t ne"er does. Ci"iliFation =ust happens. 9t ma#es people all .eha"e one >ay! and >hen they don8t! it #ills them. Dou ha"e to #eep mo"ing 9 suppose! #eep ma#ing up ne> >ays to read things! and #eep the old .oo#s safe. 'hen the frontier closes! the mincer opens.8 8'ell then! 98"e had enough of >ar.8 Miller theatrically dropped the clip.oard and loo#ed do>n at it. 898m going to "anish some>here and >rite a .oo#. good one. Put some lo"e .ac# into the >orld.8 8/ood.8 8Dou can8t lea"e things undone though!8 Miller pic#ed up the clip.oard again. 8So 98m resigning >hen >e8re finished here.8 898m glad!8 $enny smiled. 8 ny>ay! no> 9 can go and chec# out the dig.8 She strode off .ac# do>n the street! slapping the dust from her chinos. 8Dou8re not so .ad! you #no>! for a soldierC8 %or the first time in days! James Miller grinned. 8See ho> 9 am for a no"elistC8 he shouted .ac#. 8Don8t count your chic#ensC8 ce >as propped up on her pillo> in the .lue glo>. The military sic# .ay >as sparse! and full of >ounded. She felt li#e she >as in the >ay. They8d got to her last! after the more serious cases had .een dealt >ith. Things had speeded up once the staff had ascertained that any spores >hich had .een ingested or e<ternally attached

to people had dissol"ed. 'hen he came to ce! the medic had diagnosed shoc#! and had gi"en her a gentle sedati"e and a hot drin#. She had ta#en the strange cu.e that had appeared in the escape pod from out of her =ac#et. )o> she tossed it from hand to hand! gaFing into it. 9t >as full of Jan. Pictures! sounds! e"en the hint of touches! li#e a ghostly radio recei"er. The surfaces reflected him! told her a.out him. ce >as sure that no.ody else could see. nd it >as cool! too! .ecause this >as the real stuff! =ust li#e he had .een. There >as nothing maudlin or naff a.out it. This could really help her . . . heal. Deah! may.e one day she could do that. Still a long >ay off! though. Still some times >hen she didn8t >ant to thin# a.out him. nd a.solutely not a.out the Doctor. 9t >asn8t li#e she >as craFy! not li#e she >as going to #ic# him a.out or anything! .ut . . . She didn8t >ant to see him. ("er again. 9t >as comple<! .ut she sa> it. Ho> the Doctor must ha"e #no>n a.out Jan8s spore! had manoeu"red him into ma#ing a futile attempt at attac#ing the Hoothi. He8d e"en made sure that he >as told a.out the Hea"enite telescope. Mum! the Doctor! Jan . . . it >as all really complicated. nd she8d al>ays hated hospitals. Deah. ce hopped out of .ed! pulled on her leggings! and slipped the cu.e into her =ac#et poc#et. 8/oing for a >al#!8 she told the intern as she laced her .oots. )o.ody >as >orried a.out stopping her. 9t >as a long >al#! across the fields from the emergency medical centre. 9t too# most of a drug@ slo>ed afternoon. The meado>s >ere littered >ith the dead! the earth furro>ed. ce stopped to rest in >oodlands! and slept under a tree! until a nightmare .rought her upright again! s>eating. $y the time she got there! night >as falling o"er the remains of Joyceto>n. Columns of smo#e >ere o.scuring the stars. The gates >ere s>inging open! clusters of people made homeless sheltering in military tents .y them. The streets >ere littered >ith human remains. plague of insects and sca"engers had already descended on the to>n. ce heard troopers tal#ing a.out en"ironmental collapse. The moon >as rising a.o"e the hills! and it >as .lood red. ll the dust! ce told herself. )ot funny at all. $ut she laughed at it. $it sour! that laugh. She nearly cried as she laughed it! and her smile >as nearly a snarl. The remains of the *acuum Church >ere .eing gradually scattered! people stealing stones to shore up their o>n homes. The to>er >as spread o"er the street! and the tail of an escape pod >as pointed at the s#y. MKire! ce remem.ered. Sacrificed! li#e they8d all .een. )ot =ust Jan. The Doctor had opened up the mincing machine of >ar! and .ec#oned them all in. He8d ne"er .een li#e that. )e"er hurt her so .adly .efore. There had .een times of such tremendous lo"e! >al#s and great tal#s and e"enings toasting muffins. nd then he turns and #ills e"erything. Time8s Champion. )othing li#e a person at all. ce >andered to>ards the door of the Church! and paused on the threshold. She could find MKire! may.e. Deah! li#e another .ody >asn8t going to frea# her! >as itB8 Something inside her told her that this >as all =ust >aiting around! >aiting for >hate"er >as inside to .rea#. The sedati"e! the >andering! it >as all =ust holding off the rec#oning. ce shrugged and entered the .uilding. 9t >as dar#! and it too# a >hile to step carefully o"er the fallen .eams. Moonlight >as turning the >hole mess red! and ce8s imagination >andered into the idea that she >as pic#ing her >ay through a mass of .odies. %rom the .asement! there came a lo> moan. 8MKireB8 ce >hispered! and made her >ay to>ards the door. Do>n the stairs! the .asement >as empty! =ust a Puterspace dec# on a ta.le. )o sign of any.ody. $ut there >as another door. The door to the cellar. ce opened it and called do>n. 8 ny.ody a.outB8

There >as no ans>er. The glo> of chemical light >as filtering up the stair>ell. Some.ody had ignited a lamp. She made her >ay slo>ly do>n the stairs. The steps crea#ed slightly .eneath her feet. ce peered around the corner of the stair>ell. 89f you can hear me! call 8 She only had a second to ta#e in >hat she sa>. Phaedrus >as standing in the middle of the room! his #nife poised at his o>n throat. 89t8s for the .est!8 he told ce. 8%or Piers.8 The .lood sprayed! in that second >hen she didn8t act. 9t sprayed on to a fungoid mass that >as supported .y a metal frame. 8MeatC8 the grey .lo. hissed. Phaedrus fell. tentacle lashed up from the ground and slapped into the >all near ce8s throat. ce di"ed aside! rolled! stood! and found herself loo#ing do>n the .arrel of a gun. ,oisa stood there! her muscles sha#ing. She no longer >ore the pac# of e<plosi"es! and a patch of grey fungus had sprouted from her empty arm soc#et. Her pistol >as aimed straight at ce. 8'e . . . lea"e nothing . . . to chance . . .8 hissed the Hoothi. 8'e #ept Phaedrus . . . fresh for this moment. 9 ha"e only . . . the strength . . . to control one sla"e. $ut no> you >ill add to my . . . nutrition. 9 >ill gro> spores . . . 9 >ill .loom . . . 9 >ill infest this >orld . . . againC nd >hen >e are . . . po>erful . . . >e >ill signal my species. They. . . >ill . . . >inC8 ,oisa too# a step for>ard. ce realiFed that she >as going to .e marched .ac# into the thing8s em.race. -"er Phaedrus8 .ody! the .lood .eing suc#ed up .y tentacles! she >ould .e made to stum.le. %or a moment! she felt li#e di"ing at ,oisa. She8d =ust .e .lo>n a>ay. Let the damn thing find some other meat. $ut then her eyes met ,oisa8s. There >as a desperate pain in the >oman8s face. 8-h! yeah! rightC8 ce found herself shouting. 8Dou8re the great manipulators! aren8t you! the ones >ho play gamesC8 The slo> >al# .ac#>ards continued. 8Dou got all those people inside you! Jan and Jules and all of themB They still aren8t freeB8 8 9 . . . contain . . . the group mind for this . . . portion . . . of my species.8 The filaments of the creature >ere thrashing in anticipation. Phaedrus8 .lood >as already ma#ing the thing .igger. The tentacles >ere reaching out for ce. 89 hope you .loody >ell cho#e on themC8 ce spat! getting ready to gra. for ,oisa. May.e she8d hesitate! may.e ce could get the gun! may.e 8,oisaC8 The cho#ed yell came from the other side of the room. %rom out of a great crac# in the >all! a head and an arm >ere protruding! .oth co"ered in .lood. MKire >as aiming her Dale# gun at ,oisa. 8Drop itC8 she croa#ed. ,oisa8s e<pression gre> more desperate. 8Couldn8t help itC8 she croa#ed. 8Spore >ent through my .oot. Led the sphere to the /reat 'heel. /oddess! and 98m paying for itC8 She closed her eyes. ce mo"ed a shoulder! tensing to escape! .ut the gun follo>ed her centre of gra"ity. ,oisa >as seeing through the senses of the Hoothi no>. They continued to slo>ly .ac# to>ards the mass of tentacles. 8%or the Lady8s sa#eC8 MKire shouted. 8Can8t you drop the gunB Can8t you stopB8 cho#ed so. .ro#e from ,oisa! and ce sa> MKire grit her teeth. 8Can8t! lo"e.8 89n that case! my lo"e . . . open your eyes.8 ,oisa concentrated! her arm sha#ing. 'ith a huge effort of >ill! her eyes opened. 8That8s the >ay!8 MKire >hispered. 8Li#e a Tra"eller.8 nd she s?ueeFed the trigger. The hard light .lasted ,oisa across the room. She slammed into the opposite >all! .ut her arm still snapped up! a.out to #ill ce. MKire fired again. ,oisa8s .ody tensed against the >all! negati"e in the .last. This time >hen she fell! she lay still. ce had .een thro>n off her feet too! and as she scram.led to get up! a tentacle caught her an#le. hea"e .ac#>ards! one snagged her shoulder! a .undle of them closed around her >aist.

8)oC8 she .ello>ed. 89 >on8t goC )ot no>C8 MKire fired again! at the Hoothi! .ut the pac# had e<pired! as she8d e<pected. The .last >as =ust a thin .eam of light. 9t made no impact on the monster. 8'ouldn8t ha"e >or#ed . . . any>ay . . .8 MKire slumped unconscious. ce >as encircled .y tentacles. They >ere pulling against her muscles as she strained for>ard! her .oots a.out to slip off the floor. 8JulianC8 she shouted. 8JulesC re you going to stand up against that thingB8 ce #ne> that she >as losing the .attle! and a fierce sadness shoo# her. 8There8s millions of them in there! .ut you8re the special oneC Stand upC %or /od8s sa#e! stand up and shout against themC8 Her feet left the floor! and she felt the >arm em.race of the Hoothi constrict around her. sharp >et tentacle slid to>ards her face. 8,emem.er Scrane (ndB ,emem.er the lightsC 9t >asn8t a spaceship! out there >here the maps stopped! it >as a prisonC Loads of lights and guards running a.out! and you >ere so upset! you said that if that >as >hat >as out there on the edge you didn8t >ant to go there! .ut there >as something else >asn8t thereBC Tell me >hat >as thereC8 The tentacle slo>ed! and >a"ered. ce gasped as a tentacle .egan! almost reluctantly! to constrict a.out her nec#. 8Dou turned the llegro! and s#idded past the prison gates! and >e shot up off a side road. Dou >ere dri"ing li#e a madman! .ecause you hadn8t >anted to find that! you8d >anted to find no>here. 'e raced along this little road! and .ounced straight out on to the sand. .each! the edge of a marsh that lead to the seaC8 ce >as freely >eeping! shouting and not caring a.out dying or anything else e<cept finishing the story. 8Dou =umped out of the car! and rolled in the sand under the moon! and you shouted! you said tell me >hat you saidC8 The Hoothi ?ui"ered. Something strong had risen up inside it. %rom the horri.le recesses of its mouth! a po>erful "oice forced its >ay out. 89 said . . . >e8re o#ay. 'e8"e found itC There8s something on the other sideC8 The "oice .ro#e out into peals of laughter! and the Hoothi shi"ered. 8 ce . . .8 The "oice >aited for a second! grasping for something to say. 8/ood.yeC8 8 8$ye! JulesC8 ce >hispered. The core of the Hoothi .lasted apart! strands >hipping across the room and spattering on the >alls. Tentacles and filaments >ere sent spinning! as the mucoid mass at the creature8s heart e<ploded. ce spun out herself! thro>n o"er Phaedrus8s .ody and hitting the >all. The hurricane of destruction only stopped >hen there >as nothing left of the creature! =ust a fungal paste that dripped off e"erything in the cellar. ce stood! s>aying! cra>ling her >ay up the >all! she stared at the mucus that >as splattered around the cellar. 8Dou8re all free!8 she >hispered. Then she staggered o"er to MKire. The Tra"eller >oman >as semi@conscious. She .lin#ed up at ce. 8Did >e >inB8 ce smoothed .ac# a hair from the >oman8s .loodied face. 8Des . . .8 she said. 89 suppose >e did.8 MKire smiled grimly. 8Dale# gun8ll #ill anything!8 she >hispered. 8("en lo"e.8 nd then she fell unconscious once more. 8)o.8 ce held her! gaFing at the .odies of ,oisa and Phaedrus. 8)o! MKire. 9t doesn8t #ill that.8

E4ilogues: Deaths an! Other Lives

The funeral >as in an undamaged place. 9t too# some time to find! Tra"eller scouts riding far out into the fields to loo# for an area that >asn8t ripped and hummoc#ed .y the rise of the dead. They found a meado>! drained .y a farmer to gi"e her cattle graFing land. She8d cleared the ground .eforehand! and it seemed that nothing large had died there since. pyre >as .uilt! as there >ere no .odies to .e .uried. .ody >ould ha"e .een some sort of insult! anyho>. There >ere so many no>! and so many pieces. The religious authorities of Hea"en Nnot including the *acuum Church! >hich had .een dissol"ed! its assets seiFedO! had .een speculating on >hat to do >ith the corpses. The planet >as going to .e e"acuated. 9t >ould .e .lessed from space. The ecology of the place >ould go into a meat@fuelled frenFy. Species >ould .attle for natural niches! e"olution >ould step up a pace. $ut finally! some natural .alance >ould .e found. The >orld >ouldn8t .e as .eautiful then! .ut it >ould at least .e real. -nly then >ould the prohi.itions o"er Hea"en .e lifted. The name >ould also .e changed. )o.ody had any ideas a.out >hat to call it. ce >atched! calm! as each Tra"eller thre> a log on to the pyre. 9t had .een lit .y lec! >ho had thro>n his glo"es into the .laFe. 'hen he8d first seen ce! as she >al#ed into camp >ith the in=ured MKire! he8d told her that he >anted to touch real things more often no>. .o"e the .onfire! another night >as falling! one of the last nights for humans on Hea"en. The stars >ere coming out. Christopher thre> his log! his face .lan#. He had >andered .ac# into the camp at t>ilight! each step no> seeming an effort. He had spent an hour instructing Coo# 'illiam! the ne> Priest of the Tra"ellers. The man had said that he and MKire >ould reta#e the /reat 'heel! and that the Tra"ellers >ould ta#e the Land +nder The Hills >ith them >here"er they >ent. 9n some other place! a ne> >hite horse >ould .e .uilt. Then Christopher had tal#ed to MKire a.out the history and future of the tri.e. His features seemed flaccid no>! his eyes gro>ing mil#y. 'hen he had made his contri.ution to the .onfire! he paused for a moment! and then turned to >al# a>ay into the night. ce >anted to call to him! and then she didn8t. $enny stood .eside her! a .it too close. She8d .een loo#ing after the >oman from Peri"ale e"er since she and MKire had returned to the camp! and ce hated it. She couldn8t tal# to her anymore! li#e she couldn8t tal# to Christopher! 8cos she didn8t #no> ho> much she8d done to tric# her! or ho> much she8d #no>n a.out Jan8s death. MKire had her arm in a sling! and a patch o"er her eye. She stood .y ce8s other shoulder! and her closeness >as fine. She8d .een do>n to the >ire >ith death too! had lost =ust as much as ce had. $enny closed her eyes and thre> her log. 9t .ounced off the summit of the .onfire! flaring up. She8d .een trying to find out >hat had happened to her students. Si< dead. Paul Magrs had left for the e?uatorial doc#s already! declaring that he 8.loody ought to ha"e said something different8. Kyla and Cli"e >ere pac#ing. She felt that they! as >ell as ce! >ere accusing her of something. 8 8$ye! Jan! ta#e care . . .8 she >hispered. ce thought that >as . . . she >ould ha"e thought that >as o.scene. $ut there >as no room in her for anger. There >as no room for anything really e<cept an e<pression! and that e<pression >as one of empty pain. 9t >as her turn. She >eighed the log in her hand! and thought a.out nothing. The >ood >as ?uite solid! it hadn8t rotted. 9t >as #notted into some interesting shapes. She s>ung .ac# her arm! and hurled the .ranch as hard as she could into the fire. 9t hit the pyre straight on! and erupted! causing all the .ranches around it to .urn more .rightly.

8Jan!8

ce said! and turned a>ay.

-n a distant hilltop! Time8s Champion >as >atching the .laFe too. The Doctor8s eyes >ere narro>ed as he o.ser"ed the .onfire. He8d .een a long time in the "orte<! "isited some >orlds! drifted past others. His e<pression >as dar# as the clouds rolled up o"er the do>ns .ehind him. Suddenly! Christopher >as at his shoulder. 89 ha"e come to say good.ye.8 8/ood.ye.8 The Time Lord fro>ned! as if considering the concept. 8 nd than# you. Dou understood >hat 9 >as doing.8 89 understood! yes. $ut that does not mean that 9 appro"ed. The dead can help the li"ing! Doctor! .ut only as sym.ols. 9 >ish to .ecome a sym.ol. That is >hy 9 >ant to sho> you something.8 Christopher too# a step for>ard! fi<ed the Doctor8s eyes >ith his! and collapsed into the Time Lord8s arms. The small man staggered under the >eight! >restled >ith Christopher8s limp form! finally had to let go. Christopher fell to the ground. The Doctor #nelt do>n! and turned o"er the .ody. lifeless face. )o last .reath! no final >ords. Just death. He stood up! and loo#ed do>n at the corpse. 8Dodo . . .8 he murmured. 8)o. )ot Dodo. ce. 'hat ha"e 9 doneB8 ce >as >al#ing the path .ac# to the dig site alone! not thin#ing. The Tra"ellers on their horses had passed her! and she8d shoo# her head to e"ery offer of a ride. She8d already >rapped Jan8s tent up! ha"ing gi"en the useful stuff to other Tra"ellers. )o> there >as =ust the .usiness of getting the camp dismantled. The Tra"ellers >anted to head on out to some ne> >orld! the archaeologists >anted to go .ac# to their uni"ersities. $enny >anted to go on right out of human space. nd she >anted to ta#e ce >ith her. 'ell! that >asn8t going to happen. ce >as #ic#ing tiny stones on the chal# trac#! trying to ignore the churned grass in the great plains. The thought of that =ust too# her on a long lo> plunge to nothing. There >as a figure running across the grass. ce sa> >ho it >as! and >as seiFed .y a terri.le fear. She turned and sprinted into the >oods. The figure came after her. She di"ed through the trees! not really loo#ing >here she >as going! tripping o"er roots and .ranches! The figure follo>ed! scampering across the .rac#en and hopping neatly o"er the o.stacles. 9t >as calling her name. 8Lea"e me aloneC8 ce shouted as she ran. 89 can8tC 9 >on8tC8 it shouted .ac#. ce fell! >ent spra>ling! and the thing >as on top of her! trying to hold her face! to touch her hair. 8/et offC8 she shrie#ed! lashing out. finger fastened on her >rist! and suddenly she couldn8t mo"e. 8Dou can spea#!8 the Doctor told her. 8Lea"e me alone.8 89 . . . 9 =ust realiFed. 9 >as only half there! li#e in a dream. 9 had to .e! they8d ha"e understood me other>ise! read my mind. That8s >hy 9 did this no>! >hile 98m all mi<ed up. 98m . . . strange at the moment. Changed.8 8Deah.8 ce had to loo# at him! .ut there >as nothing in her gaFe. The Doctor gre> frantic! >a"ing his free hand in the air. 89 should ha"e told you that 9 could see Jan >as infected from his retinal patterns! right at the start. 9 didn8t e<pect you to 8 8Dou >eren8t =ealous! thenB8 8)oC 98m a Time Lord! 9 don8t 8

8Dou >ere.8 89 sa"ed the li"es of millions of people. 9sn8t one person B8 The Doctor stopped himself. 8'hatBC Dou thin# that8s a good dealB8 ce shi"ered con"ulsi"ely. 89f you let go my >rist! 98ll #ill you no>! you #no> thatB 98ll #ill you. Dou >anted me to lea"e him! =ust 8cos you told me toC8 8That may ha"e . . . that might 8 ce closed her eyes! disgusted. 8Lea"e me alone.8 8$ut 98m not me any moreC 98m not 8 8Lea"e me aloneC8 8Lea"e her alone.8 $ernice >as standing o"er them .oth. 89 told you that you shouldn8t meet. Loo# at you! you8re afraid she8ll attac# youC Let her go! for /od8s sa#eC8 The Doctor released ce8s >rist. She loo#ed .et>een the t>o of them. 8%a#e Mum and DadC8 she spat. 8$it >orse! though. Than#s! .ut no than#sC8 She stood up. 8'ere >e e"er matesB8 8DesC8 the Doctor shouted! his "oice li#e that of an aggrie"ed little .oy. 8'e can8t ha"e .een.8 ce too# a fe> steps a>ay. 8Dou8re not human! right! ProfessorB Dou8re so cle"er! you little shit.8 fe> more! confident! steps .ac#>ard. She too# the cu.e from her poc#et! and tossed it from hand to hand. 898m ne"er gonna play your games again . . . ne"er get manipulated again. Kno> >hatB Dou can ha"e this tooC8 ce gra..ed the =ac#et off her shoulders and slammed it on to the ground. Then she >al#ed ?uic#ly a>ay! clutching the cu.e to her chest. Some >ay off! MKire met her and put an arm around her shoulders. The t>o >omen "anished into the depths of the forest. They seemed to .e trying to spea# to each other! as if ce >as ha"ing trou.le understanding MKire8s language. Just .efore she >as gone! $enny thought that ce had ta#en a ?uic# glance o"er her shoulder. $ut she couldn8t .e sure. $enny >andered o"er to the =ac#et! and pic#ed it up. 8Do you thin# she8ll e"er need this againB8 she as#ed the Doctor. 8-h yes . . .8 the Time Lord muttered! gaFing after his lost companion. 8$ut it doesn8t ma#e it any .etter.8 The Doctor and $enny trudged up the hill to >here the T ,D9S >as standing! =ust a.o"e the dig site. The great arch had returned! and >as someho> shining sil"er in the red moonlight. Students >ere pac#ing up their #it .ags! and ta#ing do>n tents. 8'hat do you thin# of meB8 the Doctor as#ed. 8-h!8 $enny loo#ed aside and then .ac# to him! raising an eye.ro>. 8Dou8re li#e most men! aren8t youB Dou thin# the end =ustifies the means! >hich isn8t a "ery pretty attitude. Do you #no>! 9 half e<pected my old Dad to appear this >ee#! as a Fom.ie. He8d turn out to .e part of one of your plans! and you8d e<pect me! of course! to go along >ith it. ,ather than ha"e a sort of .rea#do>n! or =ust stop in my trac#s. 'hich 9 suppose 9 >ould. ny.ody >ould. (<cept you.8 89 ha"en8t any .uts left.8 The Doctor loo#ed do>n at his shoes! the T ,D9S #ey in his hand. He >hirled it around >ith his finger on the end of its chord. 89 do my .est. 9 fight e"il. 9 >in.8 8'hy did you treat her so .adlyB8 8$ecause 9 had to.8 8That isn8t good enough.8 89t8ll ha"e to do.8 $enny pursed her lips. 8'ell! 98ll .e off then! 98"e got a shuttle to catch in the morning. 9t >as "ery nice to meet you.8 She offered the Doctor! her hand. He too# it. 8This isn8t supposed to happen.8 8-hB nd you #no> that! do youB8 $enny let go! and >andered off in the direction of her tent. 8Has it occurred to you that you might actually .e >rongB8 The Doctor >atched her go. 8Des!8 he muttered. 8$ut not this time.8 $enny slid her diary into a ruc#sac#! sighing. 8)o!8 she told herself. 8)o! >e >ill lay all that history! all those other >orlds! aside. 'e shall not use this >onderful opportunity to find Dad!

.ecause the man >ho offers it is not charming! .ut is actually a .it of a git. $esides! he hasn8t offered it.8 The Doctor8s head po#ed through the tent flaps. 89 thought you could help. 9 >ent .ac# into the T ,D9S! and! taped to the console! 9 found another note to myself . . .8 8,eallyB 'as it a.usi"eB8 8Des. Shall 9 read itB8 8Li.erty hall! Professor.8 8Than# you! Professor.8 $enny lo>ered the Japanese fan she8d .een a.out to insert into her pac#. 8Tell you >hat. Dou call me $enny! and 98ll call you Doctor. Professor isn8t true for either of us.8 8%ine! fine. This is >hat the note says. IHe is ne"er cruel or co>ardly. lthough he is caught up in "iolent e"ents! he is a man of peace.I 9t goes on for a >hile. Do you recogniFe >ho this person isB 9 don8t #no> if 9 do.8 89 presume it8s tal#ing a.out you. -."iously you don8t #no> yourself "ery >ell. This is the person >ho presuma.ly could ha"e gi"en the fleet details of >here the Hoothi >ere earlier! .ut too# time out to "isit a gra"eyard.8 8)o! it >as a .luff. They >ould ne"er ha"e got here in time. The Hoothi >ere =ust >aiting until the spores had .uried deep enough into the soil. nd >hen they changed position! it >as =ust to appear a.o"e Joyceto>n. 9 thought for a >hile that perhaps . . . 9 don8t #no> >hat 9 thought. 'e >ere .oth =ust playing for time. $ut 9 had to confront them! for my o>n peace of mind. 9 had to #no> that there >as no other >ay. 98m the Doctor . . .8 The Doctor shoo# himself .y the hand. 8 nd 9 >ill o.ey youB -r are you going to ha"e a little . . . er! phrase to introduce me >ithB8 898m the Doctor! and this is my friend $ennyB8 8Sounds .loody a>ful. Ho> a.out IpartnerIB8 8Can8t >e .e friendsB8 89 don8t #no> you >ell enough.8 The Doctor put a hand on $enny8s shoulder. She too# it a>ay again. 8Please don8t touch me. Dou8re "ery tactile and 98m not! really. 98d prefer it if you didn8t. 898m the Doctor.8 The Doctor fro>ned! loo#ing round for inspiration. 89 #no> that 9 am . . . 98m =ust confused. 9 need your help . . . 8 8)o! >ait! 9 remem.er you putting a Hoothi fi.re to my nec#. There is! as they say! =ust one thing 9 don8t understand. Ho> the hell did you manage to con"ince them that 9 >as infectedB8 89f 9 remem.er! and 98m not sure 9 do! 9 too# the fi.re into my o>n palm. My strange .iology at the moment. nd then 9 con"inced them that they8d got you in the group mind.8 8Ho>B8 8$y letting them access the image of you that 9 held in my o>n mind. 'e touched minds. -"er chess. 9n your tent. 9 >as trying to hint that to you! .y mentioning your diary. 9t can .e re>ritten.8 8So there is a corner of the Doctor8s head that is fore"er $ennyB8 8DesC8 8Dou as#ed for my help.8 8%or t>o things. Do you #no> IPuff the Magic DragonBI 8 8'e >ent out a fe> times! he >as "ery immature.8 8Do you #no> the .it >here Jac#y Piper lea"es him! lea"es him all aloneB8 89 really don8t >ant to hear this . . .8 $enny Fipped up her .ag purposefully. 8The dragon can8t .e .ra"e >ithout the little .oy. He doesn8t ha"e anything to .e .ra"e for. He might as >ell go! might as >ell drift off into myth! and =ust .e something in old stories.8 8'hat >ould happen thenB8 $enny put do>n her .elongings and folded her arms. 8There are other monsters . . . other terri.le things out there! .esides the HoothiB8 8Many of them! yes.8 8'ell! they must .e fought. $ecause! and this is important! you can8t =ust .e alone. That8s a childish thing to .e. Dou can8t =ust isolate yourself from e"erything! no matter >hat terri.le things ha"e happened. Dou ha"e to help other people.8 8That8s >hat Jac#y Piper >ould ha"e said.8

$ernice Summerfield sighed! and pulled on her ruc#sac#. She considered the Doctor for a moment. 8Dou8ll ne"er play games >ith my lifeB8 8)e"er. 9 don8t ha"e to. Dou ha"e my >ord.8 8So >hat8s the other thing you >anted help >ithB8 The Doctor grinned! a .eautiful se"en@year@old grin. 8 h . . .8 he murmured. 8That8s a.out the o>ls.8 The T ,D9S door >as open! >here it stood atop a sandy .an#. The lo> >inds of autumn .le> across the grass! and the strange inner light of the police .o< >as a >hite triangle against the grey ridge. $ernice Summerfield .reathed in the air of a different century! and loo#ed around. She had an o>l tethered on her arm. 8'hy!8 she as#ed the Doctor! 8are >e doing thisB 9s it part of a planB8 8)o . . .8 The Doctor shoo# his head. He had an o>l too. 8The species >ould ha"e died out on Hea"en. 9t >ouldn8t ha"e sur"i"ed the change in the ecosystem. 'e8re doing it .ecause. . . .ecause it8s poetic. Perhaps 9 .elie"e in reincarnation. Perhaps 9 should.8 $enny loo#ed .ac# to the T ,D9S. -ne =ourney! she had said. She8d hung ce8s =ac#et on a hatstand in the console room. 'hen she8d come .ac# after depositing her .ags! it had "anished. 8Shall >e let them go! thenB8 8Des.8 The Doctor remo"ed the small .ag from the o>l8s head! and ?uic#ly pulled the cords that released its talons. $enny did li#e>ise. The t>o .irds of prey .urst into the air li#e small fire>or#s! and circled higher and higher! up against the sil"er moon. The o>ls in lo"e loo#ed do>n at the t>o tiny figures. The >oman had ta#en the man8s arm! and they >ere heading .ac# to the T ,D9S! him telling her that Scrane (nd >asn8t the .est place on t>entieth@century (arth. There >as a prison here. h! $enny >as saying! .ut .eyond the prison there8s The door of the time craft closed! and a noise roared into the night! and then it >as gone. The o>ls circled! >ingtips nearly touching. They >ere in lo"e! and >ere ma#ing ne> o>l poetry e"ery moment >ith their flight. They >ould prepare a nest soon! and put eggs in it. 9t >ould ne"er occur to them not to! e"en in the face of certain death! the same certainty that all life shared. Their poetry told them that they >ere different to other life. 9t >as difference! not length! that made their li"es >hat they >ere. 9t >as a good poem! and this is >here it came to an end! >hen the o>ls headed inland on the >arm air currents of Lincolnshire. $eneath them! an old llegro too# a corner far too fast. Long ago in an (nglish autumn.

TH7 D1CT19'6 ,D:70T;976 C10T/0;7 /0 D1CT19 WH1 3,G,</07

Every issue of Doctor Who Magazine is packed with new stories, archives, news and features about the world's longest running SF television progra e! Special reports cover sub"ects such as new books # including the $ew %dventures # visual effects, design, writers and new erchandise! For full details of the latest subscription details and other Marvel Doctor Who products, write to& Doctor Who Magazine Subscriptions, '( )o* +,,, -eicester, .reat )ritain -E// (%%!

On a 4lanet ,alle! Heaven: all hell is 9reaking loose;

Hea"en is a paradise for .oth humans and Draconians a place of rest in more >ays than one. The Doctor comes here on a tri"ial mission to find a .oo#! or so he says and ce! >andering alone in the city! .ecomes in"ol"ed >ith a charismatic Tra"eller called Jan. $ut the Doctor is strenuously opposed to the romance. 'hat is he trying to pre"entB 9s he planning some more deadly game connected >ith the mysterious o.=ects causing the military forces of Hea"en such concernB rchaeologist $ernice Summerfield thin#s so. Her destiny is ine<trica.ly lin#ed >ith that of the Doctor! .ut e"en she may not .e a.le to sa"e ce from the Time Lord8s plans. This time! has the Doctor gone too farB

THE NEW
Doctor 'ho

ADVENTURES
Paul Cornell is the author of Ti.e#$r.: Revelation: descri.ed .y The &ra.e as 8memora.le! thought@pro"o#ing and >itty8! his ploy +ing!o. (o.e >as one of si< >inners of $$C 28s De.ut on T>o. regular contri.utor to tele"ision magaFines! he li"es in Lancaster.
0S)$ ,123413,56+13
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