Contents

Cover

AbouttheBook

AbouttheAuthor

TitlePage

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Acknowledgements

Copyright

AbouttheBook

A new adventure featuring the Thirteenth Doctor as played by JodieWhittaker.

AbouttheAuthor

UnaMcCormackisaNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthor.ShehaswrittentwoDoctor Who novels featuring the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory: TheKing’s Dragon and TheWay through theWoods, as well as several audiodramasforBigFinish.ShelivesinCambridgewithherpartner,Matthew,andtheirdaughter,Verity.

One

On the surface, thisworld seemed nothing special.Onemore rock, pockedandpitted,spinningslowlythroughthevoidofspace.Empty.

Theearliestvoyagerstothispartofspacetookonelookatthisworldandpassed by. Nothing to see here, they thought. Move along. Plenty moreplanetsoutthere.Afewhardieradventurers,orcompletists,tookthetimetoland.Theytookaquicklookaround,satisfiedtheirwanderlustortheirneedforatickinabox,andthenwentontheirway.Whenitcamedowntoit,therereally wasn’t much to see. No curiously formed cities, no striking landformations or scarlet oceans, no indigenous sentient life, it seemed. Themoorswereniceenough(ifyoulikedthatsortofthing),andeventhehardestofheartwouldhave toadmit that the flowerswerepretty (whodoesn’t likethatsortofthing?),andtheseasheldquiteafewfishandmadesomepleasantbeaches,somesandy,somewithcharmingpebbles(ifyoucollectedthatkindof thing) – but the truthwas you could see everything like this somewhereelse,andyoudidn’thavetotravelanywherenearasfartoseeit.Peoplecameandsaid,“Oh,that’snice,”andthenleftandmoreorlessforgotthey’deverbeen there. Every now and then an empirewould come past and claim theplanetforitsown:someonewouldnipdowntothesurfaceandplantaflag,ormaybeevenputasatelliteinorbit.Sometimessomeoneelsenippeddownandplantedadifferentkindof flaga fewmilesaway, just tomakeapoint.Theflagsdidn’tlast,notinthegreatschemeofthings.Theorbitsofthesatelliteswould decay, and the little machines would come crashing to the ground,makingonemoreholeinthesurfaceofthisunobtrusiveworld.Theempireswoulddecaytoo,intime,andforafewthousandyearsorsotheplanetwouldbe left to its owndevices once again, patientlyweathering themeteors andasteroidsthatoccasionallydroppedby,gettingonquietlywithitsbusiness.

No, on the surface there reallywasn’tmuch to see. Rocks. Grass.Morerocks. Somewater. Sand (or pebbles). Back to rocks and grass again. Theaveragetravellerwouldtakeonelookandmovealong.Nothingtosee.

Somuchfortheaveragetraveller.Butthebesttravellers–theverybest–aren’t fooledbysurfaces.Thebest travellersknow that if theywant to findtreasures,theymustdig,digdeep,belowthesurface,downtotheheart.Andbelow the surface thisworld –Adamantine – indeed hasmany treasures to

show.Many treasures,andsome terrors,andalways,alwaysadventure.Thebesttravellersalwaysfindadventure.

Andtheverybesttravellersinthewholeoftimeandspaceareheadingthisway.

Ithadn’t takenYaz long tonotice that itwasnevercompletelyquieton theTARDIS.No, itwasnever that,notevenwhennobodywasdashingaroundbeingexcited.Evenat thequietestmoments, therewasalwaysa fainthum,remindingyouthattheshipwasalive,sortof(shecertainlywouldn’tchancesaying itwasn’t alive, and certainly notwhen theTARDIS could hear) andthatatanymoment,somethingwonderfulandmarvellousandquiteprobablymadlydangerousmightsuddenlystarthappening.

And Yaz loved it, loved every single second of it. The marvelloustravelling, the wondrous marvels, and the marvellous wonders. And thedanger:yes,shewouldhavetoadmitthatshelikedthattoo.Itwasoneofthereasons that she’dpickedher career.Not because she thrivedondanger, orgotakickfromtakingrisks.Thosepeopledidn’tgetfar.No,Yazwasthekindofpersonwhostayedcoolwhenotherpeoplepanicked.Thatmadeher feeluseful,helpful,andincontrol.Yazknewthatwhenthingsweregoingwrong,shewas thekindofpersonwhocouldmakeadifference.Whather timeonthe TARDIS was teaching her was on what scale she could make thatdifference.

Shespenther“off-duty” time,asshesometimes thoughtof it,wanderingthis amazing ship: exploring, checking for exits (Yaz was practical andsensible too), and trying to understand something of the nature of her newdigs. Eventually, she would come back to the console room, and there,inevitably,shewouldfindtheDoctor,thismostwonderfulandmarvellousofall the wonders and marvels that Yaz had recently seen; this incredibletravellerandadventurer;sourceoffun;forceforgood;friendandmentor.Yazhadwonderedacoupleof timeswhatshewoulddowhenher timewith theDoctorwasover.Wouldshebeabletogobacktoherjob,heroldlife?Wouldanything ever seem as brilliant and exciting again? She would put thesethoughts aside. Time to worry later about the future. For now, enjoy thepresent–orwhatevertimeitwaswhentheTARDIShappenedtoland.

Coming into the console room,Yaz found theDoctor all by herself. Shewasunusuallyquiettoo–fortheDoctor–butstillplainlybusy.TheDoctorwas gripping the console with both hands, murmuring something…Coordinates? Some new language? A recipe? A spell? French verbs? Youneverquiteknew.But therewasalwayssomething.Yazgot the feeling thattheDoctor didn’t rest – not really – and that hermindwas always ticking

away, absorbing some new piece of information. Learning, discovering,connecting,thinking…

Yaz,watchingher,thought,Iwanttobelikethat…

TheDoctorsawherandsmiled.“Hullo,”shesaid.“Stilllookinground?”

“I was wondering about emergency exits,” said Yaz. “You never knowwhenyou’llneedthem.”

“Tellmeaboutit,”saidtheDoctor,andturnedbacktotheconsole.

“IsitOK?”saidYaz.“Melookinground?”

TheDoctor lookedupandgave thatwide,welcomingsmile.“Ofcourse!Myplaceisyourplace,orwhatevertheysay.Just,er,don’tpresseverybuttonyou find.”TheDoctor thoughtabout that. “Actually,don’tpressanybuttonyoufind.”

As if, thoughtYaz. Shewasn’t daft.Whoknewwhatmight happen?Shemight find herself catapulted somewhere shewasn’t entirely sure about.Orsome-when.“Iwasn’tplanningto!”

“If you couldmention that to Ryan,” theDoctor said. “And to Graham,actually.Honestly,you’dthinktheywereoldenoughtoknowbetter,butsomepeoplehavestickyfingers.Youputabuttoninfrontofthem,andtheyhavetopressit.It’sliketherearetwotypesofpeopleintheworld,thosewho’llpressanypassingbutton,and thosewho takeamoment to think, ‘Now,Iwonderwhatmighthappen if Ipress thisbutton…’Now, I’mnot saying that eitheroneiswrong,I’mjustsayingthatasageneralrule,pressingeverybuttonthatpresents itself isn’talways thebestbutton-pressingstrategy,and thata littlecommon-senseinthefaceofbuttonscangoalongway…”Shestopped,mid-flow.“Buttons?WhatamI talkingaboutnow?HowdidIgetontobuttons?Wasn’tIdoingsomething?”Shestaredatherhands.“Ohyeah,thatwasit!”

The Doctor’s attention went back to the controls. Yaz watched herconcentrate: this amazing, exciting, wonderful, marvellous, and – yes, allright – sometimes incomprehensible strangerwho had landed in their livesandshakenthemupbeyondanythingYazwouldhaveimaginedpossible.Shefelt a thrill downher spine, andwas just about to ask thatmostmagical ofquestions,Wherenow,Doctor?,whentheDoctorpointedtoanimagethathadappearedonthewall.

“Havealookatthat.”

Yaz looked. Itwas a rock. Planet-sized,mind you, but definitely a rock.“Um,Iseearock?Abigrock?”

“Alienplanet,Yaz!”TheDoctorlaughed.“I’vegotafeelingaboutit.”

“Afeeling?”Yaz’sspinetingledagain.Shepeeredattherock.TheDoctoradjustedtheimage.Yazsawgrass,apebbledbeach,theseagentlylappingatthe shore… She thought of a bank holiday the family had once had atScarborough.“Doctor,whatdoyousee?WhatamImissing?”

“Notsureyet,”theDoctorsaid.“AllIknowis–weneedtolookbelowthesurfaceofthings.”Shegrinned.“Shallwegooutandhavealook?”

“Ofcourse!”Yazlaughed.“Whatarewewaitingfor?”

“Allrightthen,”saidtheDoctor.“Let’stryparkingthisthing.”

Shepulledandtwistedatsomelevers.Therewasahugethump,bigenoughtomakeYazgrabfortheconsoleandholdon.Anotherthump.Thenabump.Somemorethumping.Theneverythingwentquiet.

“Oops,”saidtheDoctor.

“Howmanypointshaveyougotonyourlicence?”saidYaz.

“Lost count.” The Doctor pushed some buttons. “Now where are thoseboys?Don’ttheyknowthere’sawholenewgreatbigrockoutthere?”

Onceuponatimetherewerethreefriends.Theycameintotheworldtogether,and they grew together, and they knew each other verywell.But each onewasverydifferent–hewnfromtheirownstone,asthesayinggoes.Thefirstwas friendly andgenerous; the secondwas careful and industrious; and thelast of the three was curious about – well, everything really. He liked toexplore,andtofindoutnewthings,andhelikedtolookattheworldaroundhimandthinkaboutwhateverythingmeant,andwhetherhecouldunderstandthingsbetter.

Theworldinwhichthesethreelivedwasverybeautifulandpeoplewere,onthewhole,veryhappy.Thereweren’tall thatmanyofthem,andtheyallkneweachotherwell,andtheyalllookedoutforeachother.Itwasasafeandhappyworldforthesethreefriendstogrowupin.Thefirstdidverywellinlife.Hemade friends easily, andwas good company. Best of all, he had alucky touch. Silver flowed from his hand, as the saying goes, and hisexpansivenaturemeanthedidnothoard.Hediscovered thathe liked tobegenerous,andhelikedtobeabletodofavoursforpeople,tobetheonetheycalledonwhentheyneededhelp.Heenjoyedlife,andheprospered.

The second friend found life harder. She was serious-minded, given toworking hard and fretting. When she looked around her, she did not seebeauty,butsawtasks tobedone,people tobecaredfor.Shesawtheworldaround her and the people around her as charges, as responsibilities, all ofwhichwerehers–andthatisabigtaskforanyone.Sheworriedagreatdeal,

andmoreandmoreshefeltas if thewholeworlddependedonher,andshewasnotsurethatshewasenoughforthetask.Andthatmadeherlonelyand,sometimes,angry.

As for the third– always lookingupwards andoutwards–he acquired areputationassomethingofanoddity.Peopleputupwithhimbecausehewasone of their Great Family, and Family is all there is, but the truth was hedidn’treallyfitin.Inhisyouth,hedidn’tnoticemuch,hewassobusy.Butastimepassed,ourfriendalsobecamelessandlesshappy.Themorehelookedattheworldaroundhim,themoreheunderstoodit,themorehewassurethatthingsweren’t right.Fromwatching,andstudying,andthinking,hebecamesurethatsomethingwasgoingwrong,badlywrong.Sohetriedtotellpeoplewhathewasthinking,andwhathewasseeing.Atfirsttheylaughedathim,but,later,theystartedtobecomeangrywithhim.Whywashealwaystryingtospoilthings?Whywashealwaystalkingabouthowbadthingswere?Didhewantpeopletobeunhappy?Hefoundthatevenhisoldestfriendsstoppedlistening.Onesaidthatshethoughtthatheshouldstop,thathewasharmingtheGreatFamilybyinsistingonhisstrangeideas.Theyquarrelled,anddidn’ttalktoeachotheragain.Theotherfriendofferedconsolation,andtriedtohelpasmuchashecould.

Butafterawhile,ourfriendstoppedtryingtotalktopeople,stoppedtryingtoexplain.Herealisedthattheydidn’twanttohearwhathehadtosay.Buthedidn’tgiveuponhisideas,andhedidn’tgiveupbelievingthatsomeonehadtodosomething.Hedecidedtogotravelling,goadventuring,outbeyondthebeautifulCityinwhichhelived,andupandup,untilhefoundtheanswerstoallhisquestions.Itwasawrench.Hewasleavingfriendsandfamilybehind.Butheknewhehadtogo…becausesomebodyhadto,beforeeverythingwaslost…Andoffhewent,veryquietly,oneday,withahandfulofpeoplethathetrusted absolutely, and the people he left behindwaited andwaited, hopingbeyond hope that one day hewould return safely, and bring answers to alltheirquestions…

The TARDIS doors opened. Yaz held her breath. She loved this momentbeforeawholenewworldopenedinfrontofher.Shelikedtheanticipation,thenot-knowing,andtheendlesspossibilities.TheDoctorwentoutside,andYazfollowedasquicklyasshecould. It tooka fewseconds forhereyes toadjust.At first everything seemeddark, as if she’dwalked into a cave, butthen Yaz realised that there were lights everywhere, sparkling in the rocksaroundthegroupoffriends.

Yaztookstockoftheirsurroundings.TheTARDIShadcometolandinanarrowcleftbetweentwosheerrockycliffs.Therewasspace in thegapfortheTARDIS,andjustenoughoneithersideforthefriendstogetpast,one-by-

one.TheDoctorwasalreadyoff,andasYazmadeherwayroundtojointheDoctor,sheranherhandalongtherock.Thisclose,shecouldseethatitwasencrustedwithgemsandcrystalsandpreciousstones,andthatthesegaveoffasoftandglimmeringlight.Yazlookedupagain.Farabove,theroofoftheworldwasshimmeringinthesameway,afaintanddistanthaze.

Behindher,Grahamspoke.Hesoundedveryuncertain.“Isitnight?Orareweinacave?Ican’ttell.”

TheDoctor led the other three along the cleft and, after a littleway, thecliffsparted,allowing themtocomeoutontoawideflat rockyspace.Thentheywereabletogettheirfirstproperlookatthisnewworldonwhichtheyhadlanded.

Yazfeltdizzyforamoment,asifeverythinghadtiltedslightly.Shehadtorubhereyesbeforelookingroundagain.Shehadaclearviewovertherockyplain. Far in the distance, the horizon seemed to curve oddly. Trick of thelight?Sherubbedhereyesagain.Shewasn’tsure.

“AmIgonnahavetogetmyeyestested?”Grahamsaid,plaintively.

Yaznoddedherunderstanding.Therewasaneeriehazearoundthem,andshe couldn’tworkoutwhere itwas coming from.She couldn’t see the sunanywhere,oramoon,oranythingthatmightbeasourceoflight.

“Doctor,”Ryancalledout,frombehind.“Arethosestarsorwhat?”

Hewasstandingwithhishandsinpockets,staringupwardsatthe…sky?Yazwasn’t sure if thatwas exactly theword. Something didn’t seem quiteright.Shehadtheoddestfeelingthatshewaslookingataceilingratherthanoutintoalimitlessexpanse.Butatthesametime,therewerelittleglimmersof light speckling overhead. For a moment, Yaz fancied that these weredistantlanterns.Thatcouldn’tberight.Sheshookherheadandlookedagainatthelights.Betweenthesetheskyseemedtoripple,andhereandthereshesawlongerstrandsoflight,threadslinkingthepointstoeachother.

“Theydon’tlookmuchlikestars,”Ryansaid.

“Whatelsecouldtheybe?”saidGraham.

“Let’sfindout.”TheDoctortookthesonicoutagain,andforoncedidn’twaveitaround,butstoodstill,armoutstretched,thesonicpointingupwards.Shelookedliketheconductorofsomecelestialorchestra,directingthemusicoftheheavens,coaxingsweetmusicfromtheether.

“Huh,”shesaid,at last.“Interestingsetofmeasurements.No,they’renotstars.They’relights.Crystalline.”Shehadherthinkingfaceon,eyesscrewedup,chewingherbottomlip.

“Doc,whenyousaylights,”saidGraham,“whatdoyoumean?Likethosepreciousstones?”Hepointedbacktotheshimmeringrockface.

“Idon’tknow,”saidtheDoctor.Shegrinnedandbouncedoff,callingbackoverhershoulder,“Shallweputthatonourlistofthingstofindout?”

Graham’sshouldersslumped.“Andwe’reoff.”

Ryan patted his arm. “Youknowyou love it really,” he said.He noddedahead,where theDoctorwas already striding off, Yaz keeping pace at herside.“Comeon,wecan’t let themget too farahead.Familyhonourandallthat.”

Theyfollowedtheridgeasitbentround.Yazcouldn’tkeephereyesofftheshimmeringjewelsencrustingtherock.Theywerealmostlikedirections,shethought; signposts, encouraging the friends to follow the path laid out. Shethought again about what the Doctor had said, that the stones were partlynatural, partly fashioned and shaped in some way.Whose hands had donethis,shewondered.Whatwastheirpurpose?

Suddenly,Ryanstumbledandnearlyfellover.Grahamwasbesidehiminashot.“Allright,mate?”

“Yeah,I’mfine,noproblem.”Ryanblinkedandshookhishead.“Isitjustme,ordoesanyoneelsefeeldizzy?Likeeverything’sbendingin thewrongdirection?”

“It’s not just you,” saidYaz. “Ever since I got here, I’ve felt like thingsaren’tright.MyfootgoesdownandthegroundiscloserthanIexpected.It’sweird.”

“Metoo,”saidGraham,andpattedRyan’sarm.“It’snotjustyou.Iwonderwhatitisthough.Ireadaboutthismuseumonce.They’dbuiltallthewallsatatilt,atweirdangles,sothatwhenpeoplecamein,they’dgetvertigo.Somepeoplewouldreelabout,somepeopleevenfalloverwhentheygoin.”

“Whywouldanyonedothat?”saidRyan.

“Idunno,”saidGraham.“IthinkitwastomakepeoplethinkaboutlifeintheWar.Anyway,thisishowitfelt,Ibet.Likethewallsarejustatthewrongangle.”

Throughout all this, the Doctor had been standing roughly on the samespot,slowlyshufflinground,holdingthesonicaboveherheadasshewent.

“Allright,Doctor,”saidYaz.“Youdidyourexcited-to-be-hereface.Thatturnedintoyourquiet-I’m-using-the-sonic-face.Whichturnedintotheif-this-is-what-I-think-it-is-I’m-even-more-excitedface.”

TheDoctorwasnowwearingwhatYazthoughtofasherI’m-not-entirely-sure-I-believe-a-word-you’re-saying-to-meface.Shesaid,“DoIreallydothatmanyfaces?”

“Yes,”theotherssaid,inunison.

“Whatusuallyhappensnext,”saidRyan,“isthatyoustartbouncingaroundlikeTigger.”

“Tigger? Oh well, it could be worse. I could be Piglet. Well, I’m gladsomeone knows what’s going on with this face because I’m nowhere nearusedtoit,”theDoctorsaid.“And,yeah,itisexciting,tobehonest!We’renotoutsideaplanet.We’reinsideone.”

“Howdoesthatwork,then?”saidGraham.

“Dead easy,” said theDoctor. “Yourworld –mostworlds – have a crustandloadsof layersaroundamoltencore.Nothere.Herethere’s…asortofballoon inside, right in themiddle.Abubble.Anegg shell.Outside,on theplanet’s crust, it looks like there’s nothing. Think what we saw on thesurface.”

“We didn’t see anything on the surface,” said Yaz. “Nothing major,anyway.”

“Thatbeachlookedlikeitmightbenice,”saidGraham.

“Itwasniceenough,yeah,butnothingtowritehomeabout.”TheDoctorspreadoutherhandsindelight.“Doyousee?Thisiswheretheworldis!”

“Soallthis–we’reinsidethebubble,”saidGraham,slowly.

“Keepup,granddad,”saidRyan.

“Oi,”saidGraham,“buttonit!”

“That’sright,”saidtheDoctor.“Inside.”

“Sothat’swhyeverythingfeelsfunny,”Grahamsaid.“Becauseit’scurvingroundthewrongway.”

“Notwrong,”saidtheDoctor.“Justdifferent.Ifsomeonefromherevisitedyourworld, they’dnotunderstandwhyyouwereall scurryingalongon thesurface. They’dworry about flying off and they’dwant to get inside.” Shepaused,thinking.“Iwonderiftheyevenknowthere’sasurface…”

“Holdon,”saidYaz.“Areweevensuretherearepeople?”

TheDoctorlookedathersteadily.“Thosejewelsdidn’tfashionthemselves,Yaz.”Shepointed ahead. “Comeon.Let’s look round the other side of theridge.”

Theyturnedthecorner—

—And,farinthedistance,theysawtheCity.

“Oh,”saidGraham,inaverysoftvoice.“Blimey.”

Sheerwhitetowersshotskywards.Anywhereelse,Yazmighthavethoughttheywereglassskyscrapers,butnothere.Thesewerelikehugestalagmites,hollowedout,awholecityofcrystals.Theyseemedtoshinefromwithin,andhereandtherewhitejewelsandpalegemstones–sapphireandrubyandtopazand emerald–hadbeen set into the crystal structures tomakepatterns anddecorations, beautiful and intricate mosaics. Light bounced off these fromeveryangle.ThewholeCityshimmered,asifthestonewasgentlyswayingtoanalienrhythm.Faintly,distantly,Yazheardchimes–themusicoftheCity.She breathed out.What theymust be like, the peoplewhohad created thissplendour?Howdidtheyseetheworld?Whatdidtheycareabout,andwhowere they? Yaz was seized with a great desire to knowmore about them.Theremustbegoodaboutthem,shethought,tomakesomethingsobeautiful.Shetriedtosaysomething,somethingwiseandcleverenoughtocapturehowmovedshefeltatthisglorioussight.

“ItakebackanythingbadImighthavesaidaboutrocks.”

TheDoctorlaughed.

“It’sbeautiful,”saidRyan,gazingattheCitywithhismouthhalf-openindelight.“It’sreallybeautiful!”

“Yeah,”saidGraham,“itreallyis.Doc,isthatcitymadeofdiamonds?”

“Youknowwhat,Graham,Ithinkitis.”

Theywalked on, steadily. TheCity beckoned them, but, as theywalked,Yazcouldnotshakeagrowingsenseofunease.Theairaroundthemseemedtohavebecomeverystill.

“Hmm,”Yazsaid.

ShehadtheDoctor’simmediateattention.“Whatisit?”shesaid.“What’sworryingyou?”

“Everythingfeelsweird,”Yazsaid.“Toostill.Stifled.Canyoufeelit?”

Ryanwas nodding. “Yeah, I knowwhat youmean. It feels like there’s astormcoming.”

“Butwe’reinside,”Grahamsaid.“Canthereevenbestorms,inside?”

“Whoknowswhat theweather does roundhere?” theDoctor said. “Thisplaceiscertainlybigenoughtohaveclimates.”

Theywalkedonfurther.Yazfoundherself thinking,ofall things,aboutageography lesson at school, about those big waves that could suddenly hitislands,wipingouteverythingintheirpath.Thefirstcluepeoplegot–anditwasn’tmuchwarning –was this strange, breathless calm, before the chaosanddestruction…Whatweretheycalled?Ah,thatwasit…

“Tsunamis,”shesaid.

“Eh?”saidGraham.

“Abigwave,”saidRyan.HegaveGrahamabigwave.“Notoneofthem.”

“I knowwhat a tsunami is, Ryan, I just don’t knowwhyYaz is talkingaboutthemallofasudden—”

“Thecalmbeforethestorm,”theDoctorsaid.

TheDoctorstoodstill.Yazknewthatlook–shethoughtsomethingterriblewasabouttohappen.

“Doctor,” saidYaz, urgently, “if something’s about to happen,we shouldgetawayrightnow—”

“You’reright,”theDoctorsaid.“Comeon,backtotheTARDIS—”

She swung round, all determination and focus.Yaz, looking ahead, criedout,“Doctor!Don’tmove!”

The Doctor froze. A few feet in front of her, the ground had started tobubble.ItremindedYaz,weirdly,ofthesurfaceofanapplecrumble,rightoutoftheoven,thehotthickliquidpushingupandthrough.

“Moveback,allofyou,”theDoctorsaid.

Carefully,theyinchedbackwards,awayfromtheripplingground.Astheymoved,Yazsawthattherewassteamrisingfromtherocks.

Whathappenednexthappenedveryquickly.Onesecondtherewassteam,andthenext,withavastroar,whitefumeshotupinahugejet.Yazyelledandjumpedbackwards.

“Move!”criedtheDoctor.“Getback!Getaway!”

Yazsprintedoff.GlancingbackoverhershouldershesawRyanstumble.Behindhim,thegroundwascrumbling.YazwatchedinhorrortoseeGrahamdashbacktogethimawayfromtheedge.

“Graham!”shecried.“Becareful!”

Too late. Graham’s sudden movement had done exactly what Yaz hadfeared.Beneathhis feet, thegroundbegan toslipawayatanalarming rate.

Withonelastshove,GrahamsentRyanflyingtosafety.Butthedamagewasdone.Thegroundcrumbled–andGrahambegantoslidedown,towardstheboilingliquid.

Two

Ashhadalwaysbeensomethingofaloner.Partlythatwashernature,whichwasquietandinward-looking.Ashlikedtimealonetothink.Butalargepartofher solitarinesswasbecauseover theyears shegot tiredofbeingknownfirstandforemostasherfather’sdaughter.Ash’sfatherhadareputationforsaying strange things. People had humoured him to begin with, until theycametorealisethathebelievedinwhathewassaying.Atfirsttheylaughed,andthen,whenhekeptinsistingthatwhathesaidwastrue,thenbegantogetimpatient,andthenangry–andthen,theworstpunishmentofallinthissmallandclose-knitworld,theygavehimthesilenttreatment.

It hadbeen ahard time.Peopleon thewholewere fair, anddidn’t judgeAshforherfather’sstrangeideas,butshewascompletelyloyaltohim.Ashbelieved in her father – really believed in him.She hadwatched himworksinceshewasaspeck;hadsatbesidehiminhisworkshop,andseenhisideasemergeanddevelopandbecomefully-faceted,likeagreatandbrilliantstone,carefully cut by a master jeweller. Ash knew how sharp her father’s mindwas. Shewould never buy friends or a quiet life by laughing at her fatherbehindhisback.Soonthewholeitwasmucheasiertospendtimebyherself,gooutbeyondtheDiamondCityupontothequietridges,andlieonherbacklookingupatthetwinklinglightsabove,andwonderwhethertherereallywasanythingmore,likeherfatherbelieved.

Ash’speople,asarule,didn’tlikebeingalone.Theirworldwasenclosed,literally, and even in themore distant settlements curving around the greatbowl of the world, you weren’t out of sight, and you could easily see thebright light of theDiamondCity, the heart of theworld.TheGreat Familykept together, and everyone knew who everyone else was, and what theirbusiness was, and what their friends and relations’ business was, and if itwasn’t their business already they made it their business. So this habit ofcreepingoff tobequiet, tobealone,wasyetanother reason to lookatAshandthinkthatperhapssomethingwasn’tquiteright.

Andthenherfatherhadgoneaway…

Ash liked it out here. She felt closer to her father.When she was verysmall, she and her father would come here, and when he had finished

collecting samples, and she had helped him organise them and label them,theywouldwalkalongtheridge,andsit togetherand lookoutat thewholesphereoftheworldcurvingaroundthem.Thelightofthegemsaroundthemwould gradually fade, as the night cycle began, and her fatherwould pointupwardsandsay,“Whatcanyousee,Ash?”

She loved this game, picking out the patterns from the shimmering hazeabove.Onebyoneshewouldnamethelandmarks.Firstofall,therewastheripplingseathatconnectedthewholeoftheGreatFamilytoeachother.Nextshewouldpointoutthelittlerockyislandsdottedaroundthatsea,and,asshegotbigger,shewouldtellhimtheirnames–Isbiter,withitsstreamsofsilver,andTetziger,thebestsourceofpumice.Shewouldpointoutthebiggestore-riversontheislands,andthecanalsthathadbeendug,nudgingtheriverstomake themmore useful. She would point out the bigger settlements – thetwinkling lanterns of the Topaz encampment, and the three villages aroundthedeltaoftheFireRiver.Shewoulddescribetohimthegreatbowloftheirworld,reachingallaroundthem,andyearbyyearsheknewmoreandmoreaboutit,untilonedaysherealisedthatshekneweverything.Sheknewallthepathsandthewaysthatherpeoplehadmadeandalwaystook.Andsuddenlysherealised justhowmuchof thegreatsphereof theworldwasunmapped,wasfullofplaceswheretheGreatFamilyneverventured.

“Dad,”sheasked“isthereanythingelse?”

“Hmm?”hesaid.“Whatdoyoumean?”

Shelookedupatthelittlelightsoverhead,thesignsofherownpeopleonthefarsideof thesphereof theworld.“Imean…is thereanywhereelse togo?”

Helookedathercuriously.“Whatmakesyousaythat?”

“It’s just… sometimes I look up and I think I can see lights, and I can’tname them. I don’t knowwhich island they’re on, and I don’t knowwho’smakingthem.Liketherearecracksinthesky—”Shesawhisexpression,andstopped,suddenly.“Dad?”

“Soyou’venoticedthat,haveyou?”

Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.He’dalwaystoldhertolookcarefully,lookhonestly,nottotakethingsforgranted.

“Dad?Whatisit?”

Hedidn’tansweratfirst.Hewentquiet,andseemedtoforgetthatshewasthere. But she trusted him. He always tried to find a way to answer herquestions.

“Thethingis,Ash,”hesaid,andacuriousglimmerhadcomeintohiseyes,likea smouldering fire,“thiscan’tbeall there is.Theremustbesomethingmore.Somethingbeyond…Somethinglightstherocksaroundus.Somethingcausesthenightcycle,thedaycycle.Somethingmustbehappeningtomakethosecracksappear,andbehindthemtheremustbesomesourceoflight…”

Shehad shivered tohear this.What elsewas therebut theworld?Couldthere really be something beyond this small, safe, well-known sphere oftheirs? She pressed him again and again over the years, but what thatsomethingwas,exactly,herfatherwouldneverquitesay.Protectingher,sheguessed.Notuntilshewasolder,andreadhisessaysandnotes,didsherealisethefullextentofherfather’sbeliefs.Thattherewereholesintheroofoftheworld throughwhich light came through, and that beyond the roofwas thesurfaceoftheworld,andbeyondthatwas…

Infinity.

Did shebelieve this too?Did shebelievehim?Ashhad tried to imagineinfinity,manytimes,andshecouldn’t.Butshewaswiseenoughtoknowthatthis didn’tmeanher fathermust bewrong.Whatever the limitations of herownmindandherownimmediateexperience,Ashsawnoreasontobelievethatthoseweretheboundariesofreality.Thisworld,herownworld,wasverybeautiful,andcontainedwonders.Whycouldtherenotbeevenmore?

Ashsighed.Shewishedthosedayscouldcomeback,ofcomingherewithherfather,andwatchingtheworldasitalwayshadbeenandalwayswould.Butthingshadbeenchangingforalongtime,allaroundher,howevermucheveryonewanted them to stay the same. Itwaswhat had finallymade himleave.Hiscarefulobservations,gatheredovertheyears,hisnotesandrecords,datingbackwellbeforethestartofAsh’slife.Theyallpointedhimtoaclearconclusion:thatthesphereoftheworldwaschanging.Hehadtriedtotellthistopeople,buttheywerescaredofwhatitmightmean,anddidn’tknowwhatto do. They pretended it wasn’t happening, andwhen he insisted, they gotangry and told him to be quiet. There was talk of banishment, the worstpunishmentthatcouldbehandedout,tosendsomeoneawayfromtheGreatFamily.Intheend,herfatherhadtakenmattersintohisownhands.

“Theywon’tbelievemewhenItellthemwhat’shappening,Ash,”hehadsaid. “But it is happening. The steaming pools, the hot jets, the groundcrumblingbeneathus—”

“Thecracksinthesphere,”shesaid.

“Thosemostofall,”hesaid.“Someonehastofindoutwhat’shappening.”

Andsohehadgone–heandafewfriends–andahundred,twohundrednightsanddayshadpast,andAshhadheardnothing…

The lights of the gemswere darkening steadily, signifying that the nightcyclewas coming. Itwas time to return to theCity.Ash knew that peoplewerekeepinganeyeonher– forherowngood,ofcourse–andshedidn’twantquestionsortrouble.Shejumpedlightlytoherfeet.Shehadtwowaystogohome:thehighway,alongtheridgeanddowntheStairs,orelseshecouldclimbdownnowintotheNarrowCleft,andwalkhomealongtheplain.Shewaslookingovertheedgeoftheridge,consideringtheclimb,whenshesawsomethingshehadneverseenbefore.

Firsttherewasthecolour–blue,blueasanylapislazuli–andthentherewastheshape.Big.Solid,likeabox.Andthencamethesound…

Ash gasped. A big blue box had appeared from nowhere… The boxopened,andcreaturescameout.Strangecreatures.

Atfirst,Ashdidnotknowwhattothink.Thenherheartleaptforjoy.

“People,”shewhispered.“They’repeople!”

Her next thought was how strange they looked. Were they wearingcostumes?Weretheywearingarmour?Shecouldseenothingremotelyusualaboutthem,couldnotguessthestoneororefromwhichtheyhadbeenhewn.

TheywalkedalongtheNarrowCleft,talkingtoeachother.Ashcouldnotquitehearwhattheyweresaying,butsomethingaboutthemmadeherheartopentothem.Theywerecurious,stoppingtotouchtherocksastheypassed,andwhenshecaughtaglimpseoftheirstrange,mobilefaces,theyseemedtobeenchantedbyeverythingtheysaw.Shescrambledalongtheridge,trackingthem,hopingtheywouldtakethepaththatwouldgivethemviewoftheCity.Shewantedtoseewhattheywouldthinkofthat!

When they got there, Ash’s heart filled with pride to see their looks ofdelight and amazement at her beautiful home. She followed them as theywalkedon,lookinground,takingstockofherworld,andshebegantoformthewordsthatshewouldsaytowelcomethem.Andmostofall,shewishedherfatherhadbeenthere,sittingwithherashehaddonesomanytimes,forso many years, before suspicion and mistrust had made him leave. Shewantedtocryouttohim:It’strue!It’salltrue!Everythingyouevertoldmewastrue!

Thesenewandpreciousstrangers–alltheproofhehadeverneeded.

Thenshesawaglintofemeraldinthedistance.Sheopenedhermouthtocryouttothestrangerstowarnthem—

Andthenthegroundcrumbledbeneaththeirfeet.

Grahamwasscrabblingat theground, tryingtogetsomesortofhold.RyanandYaz,dashingforwards,eachtookoneofhisarms,pullinghimashardastheycould.Yazfeltthestonescrumblingbeneathhertoo.

“Comeon…”shehissedtoherself.“Comeon!”

Withone last, almightyheave, theypulledGrahamonto safeground.Hejumpedtohisfeet,andthefourfriendsdashedawayfromtheseethingpoolofhot liquid, to safety.Graham fell on the ground,wheezing.He gasped out,“Shoe!”

“You’rewelcome,”saidRyan.

“Notblessyou!Shoe!”Grahampointedathissock.“I’velostmyshoe!”

“Hereyouare,”saidYaz,handinghimhisshoe.

“Thanks,Yazlove.”Grahamslippedtheshoeon,andstoodup.Carefully,hepeeredbacktowardsthenewriverthathadopenedup.

“Don’tworry,”saidRyan.“You’renotcookedyet.”

Graham turned to the Doctor. “Are we staying here long? I don’t fancybecomingroastdinner.”

TheDoctorsighed.“Well,theTARDISisontheothersideofthat…”Shepointedatthesteamingriverthatlayinfrontofhim.

“Oh,”saidGraham.“That’saproblem,isn’tit?”

“If we want to leave here at some point, yes, yes it is,” the Doctorconfirmed.Shelookedathercompanionsinturn.“Whopackedtherope?”

Theylookedbackather.

“Ryan?Rope?”

“Rope?”Ryansaid.“Nope.”

“Ah.Well.Perhapswecanfindone.Ormakeone…”TheDoctor lookedaround, thoughtfully, as if consideringwhat rocks shemight use to fashioninto a rope, and how this might in fact be done. “Hmm,” she said, then,brightly:“Oh!Betteridea!”

“Goon,”saidRyan.

TheDoctorpointedintothedistance.“We’llaskthemtolendusone.”

Theyall lookedover towhereshewaspointing.Yazhad tosquint,but–yes, theyweredefinitelythere, twofiguresrunningtowardsthem,alongthe

rocks.

“Doctor,”shesaid,“areyousureaboutthesetwo?”

“AmIsurethey’refriendly?OfcourseI’msure!Everyoneneedsrope.Ifthere’shillsandholesandpeople,andthosepeoplehavearms,andsometimesevenwhentheydon’t,thenthere’srope.Andthenthere’sthepeoplemadeofrope,andtheonesmadeofyarn,orstring…TherewasthatmacraméworldIwent to once, orwas that a dream…?MacraméWorld doesn’t sound verylikelywhenyousay itout loud,does it? I’msure Idid, though…Anyway,there’salwaysrope! It’spracticallyauniversal law. In fact, there’ssomuchrope out there,” the Doctor was in full flight now, “that there should be anameforit.HowaboutRope’sLaw…?No!Iknow!”Sheclickedherfingers.“TheDoctor’sLaw.Yeah,Ilikethat,that’sgood,Iwon’tforgetthat—”

“Doctor,” said Yaz, patiently, “I wasn’t talking about the rope. I wasworryingaboutwhetherthesepeoplerunningtowardsusmeanuswell.”

“Might justbeme,”saidRyan,“but I think it’ssomething todowith thewaythey’reshoutingatusandwavingthosebigsticksabovetheirheads.”

“Can’tbesticks,Ryan,therearenotrees.”

“Rods,then,”saidRyan.

“Truncheons,”saidYaz.

“Thingsthey’regonnawhackuswith,”saidGraham,“forwhichwedonotyethaveaname.”

“Yeah,thosearebetter,”saidtheDoctor.

The two figures were close now. As they approached the friends, theyslowedtoawalk,comingtoahaltfiveorsixfeetaway.Yazcouldseethemproperly,anditalmosttookherbreathaway.Theywererock,orsoitseemed;madefrom rock,but supple–moving,breathing, living…Their flesh–no,thatwasn’tright,thoughtYaz–theirshellsorcarapaceswereencrustedwithbrightstonesandgems,notasdecoration,butaspartofwhattheywere.Thelightrefractedoffthemastheymoved.Oneshimmeredwithpinksandreds,likerubies;theotherwasshadesofblue,likesapphires.Theyhadonethingincommon:bothofthem,ontheirchests,hadasinglestoneasanornament–agreenemerald.

Theylookedatthefriends;thefriendslookedback.

“Whatoneartharethey?”Grahamwhispered.

“We’renotonEarth,”saidtheDoctor,withasigh.

“Ohmydays,” saidRyan,with a nervous laugh. “They look like… rockgoblins!”

“They’rebeautiful,”saidYasmin,softly.

“They’re people,” said the Doctor. “And we can talk to people. Get toknowthem.Findoutwhatmakesthemtick.”Sheclappedherhandstogether.“Right.Letmehandlethis.I’mgreatwithaliens.LookhowwellIgetonwithyoulot.”Shewavedoveratthem.“Hello!Howareyou?Haveeitherofyoubyanychancegotarope?”

Oneofthem–thesapphireone–movedforwards.She–orhe,orit,Yazcouldn’t say for sure andwouldn’t like to guess – lifted up the rod it wascarrying.Closeup,itlookedlikealongcrystalwand.Yazwonderedifitfiredanything;jewel-bulletsorquartz-rays.Shewasn’tkeenonfindingout.

“Whoareyou?”saidthesapphire-person.

TheDoctorwaved.“Hello!I’mtheDoctor.Thesearemymates.Friends.Fam.”

The sapphire one pointed thewand at the steaming river. “Why did youcreatethese?”

“What?”saidRyan.“Youthinkwesmashedthegroundopenonpurpose?”

“Wewouldn’tdothat,”saidYaz.“Wewerenearlycaughtinit!”

“Ialmostgotboiled!”saidGraham.“Steamed!Cooked!Alive!Me!”

Sapphire looked at him coolly, then turned to talk to the ruby creature.They spoke softly, but with great urgency. The Doctor watched themcarefully. “This is a disappointing start.” She turned to the others and gavethem an embarrassed smile. “I hate saying this,” she said. “Such a cliché.Ashamedofmyself,really.ButyougetahunchaboutthiskindofthingandsoIthinkweshould—”

The walking rocks stopped talking and began to move closer, lifting uptheirsticks.Rods.Truncheons.Thingstheyweregoingtowhackwith.

“Run!”

Thefriendsstartedtorun.

Ash had known from themoment she saw the green stones glinting in thedistancethattroublewasontheway.ThenewarrivalsweretheGreenwatch,taskedtoobserveothermembersoftheGreatFamilyandreportbacktotheirleader,Emerald,ofanyunusualbehaviour.Ash’sfatherhadbeenplaguedbytheminthedaysleadinguptohisdisappearance:ithadseemedtoAshatonepoint that she couldn’t turn aroundwithout seeing an emerald nearby.And

nowshewascaughtinadilemma:ifshewarnedthestrangers,itwouldbringattention to her presence here, up on the ridge, and then there would bequestionsaboutwhyshewas there,whathadbroughtherall thisway fromtheCity…

Ashchosecaution.Shelayflatontheground,watchinganxiouslyasthesestrangenewpeoplepulledthemselvesawayfromtheseethingpool,andtheninalarmastheGreenwatchapproachedthem.Shewatchedthefoursomerun,buttheywereonunfamiliarterrain,anditwasn’tlongbeforetheGreenwatchcaughtupwith them.Soonenough theywerebeingmarchedoff across therockyplain.

Ash stood up. The night cycle was well underway; the only light camefromthegentlyglowingstonesintherocks,andfromthedistanthazeontheothersideof thesphereof theworld,farawayandupabove.Sheheardthesoft chirrup of jet-flies, whispering to welcome the night and send brightdreams. TheGreenwatch and their prisoners became greying figures in thedistance, and soon could not be distinguished in the gloom. Ash did notworry.Shewasfairlycertainsheknewwheretheywereheading,andthatshecouldfindherwaythere.Whatshehadtodointhemeantimewasmakesurethatshewasnotseen.

She walked slowly round the ridge, and came to the Small Steps. Sheslippeddownthesetocomedownontotheplain.Thisnews,thenewsofthesearrivals – thiswas significant. Thiswas important. TheGreenwatchwouldhaveinstructions,andchiefamongstthesewouldbenottoletthisnewsout.They would certainly not want to risk taking the strangers through thewalkwaysoftheDiamondCity.Theywouldholdthemsomewhere,andgotogethelpandinstructions.

Ashsatdown,herbackagainstthesheerfaceoftherock.Thenightworeon.Soon shewas invisible in thedarkness. In thedistance, the city-chimesrang,andthen,later,rangagain.Ashsat,andlistened,andwatched.Atlast,herpatiencewasrewarded,andshesawaglintofgreencomingbackthroughthe darkness. She pressed back against the rock and did not move. TheGreenwatchpassedbywithno idea thatshewas there.Shewaiteduntil thechimes sounded the second portion. And then quietly, ever so quietly, sheslippedoffintothenight.

Yazsighedand thumped the flatofherhandagainst the rock.SapphireandRuby,asthefriendshaddecidedtocallthem,hadproventhemselvesabletomoveveryquicklyovertherock.They’dlifteduptheirwandsandthreatenedto use them. The Doctor, deciding she didn’t want to find out what thecreaturesmightdo,hadstoppedthemallfromrunningonanyfurther.Afterthatthey’dbeenmarchedalittleway,outacrossalimestoneplain.Everything

was getting darker, and Yaz had started to worry, when suddenly they’dstopped,inthemiddleofnowhere.

There’dbeenaholeintheground,andtheircaptorshadmadethemjumpdownintoit.ThenYazwatchedinhorrorastheyliftedalargeflatstoneoverthetopofthehole.Itfellintoplacewithathud.Therewasasmallholeinit,throughwhichtheycouldlookoutandwatchthelightfade.

“Rope,” muttered the Doctor darkly, looking up at the hole. “I’m justsaying.I’mgoingtohavetomakeoneofyouropemonitor.Ican’t thinkofeverything…”

Yazsighedandlookedround.Therewasroomenoughforthefourofthem,barely, and she was willing to bet a small fortune that Graham snored.Actually,shewaswillingtoputmoneyonallthreeoftheotherssnoring.Yazdidn’tsnore,nomatterwhathersistersaid.

TheDoctorwasnowmakingherselfcomfortable.Shesatdownandrestedher back against the wall. She flicked out her sonic, and took a reading.“Fromarrivaltodungeonin…”Shecountedunderherbreath.“Justunderanhour.Oh,that’srubbish,”shesaid.“That’smilesoffmypersonalbest.”

Ryan, pacing the tiny space, came to a halt by her. “You’re not veryworried.”

“Whyworry?”saidtheDoctor.“Seenonedungeon,seenthemall.”

“Why worry?!” said Ryan. “We’ve been captured by walking talkingrocks!”

“I thought they lookedmore like jewels,” said Yaz softly. “They’re likenothingI’veeverseenbefore…”

“They’ve stuck us in here!” said Ryan. “Anyway, rocks, people – whatdifferencedoesitmake?”

“Itmakesalotofdifference.”TheDoctorwasveryseriousnow.“Foronething,wecantalktopeople–whateverthey’remadeof.Flesh,rock,orlace.”

“Lace?”Grahamlaughed.“Really?”

“Yeah, really!” The Doctor beamed. “Fourth moon of GalatiasaritiusMinor.Maybewe’llgotherenext.Justdon’taskforantimacassars.And,foranother thing,” the Doctor turned back to Ryan, “these creatures probablyhaveagoodreasonforbeingafraidofus.Becausethat’salltheyare–afraidofus.”Shesmiled.“Iknow,Iknow,we’regorgeous.Buttothem–well,whoknowswhat kind of nightmarewe are? Imean,we’remadeofmeat. Haveyou ever stopped to think about that?” She stopped, and thought, andshuddered.“Meat.”

“All right,” saidRyan,withonly the tiniest touchof the sulks. “Iget thepoint.”

“Tobefairtoyou,though,”saidtheDoctor,pattinghisarm,“wehaven’ttriedtolockthemup–andnorwouldwe.Wouldwe?”

“No,”saidGraham.“’Coursenot!”

“Thankyou,”saidRyan,withdignity.“Thatwasmypoint.”

“All right,gang,” saidYaz. “Canwegetdown tobusiness?Cave.Stone.Howdowegetpastthatandupandout?Whataboutyoursonicscrewdriver,Doctor?”

“It’snotgreatonrocks,”theDoctoradmitted.“Letmehaveathink.”

Theywaited.Timepassed.Afteralittlewhile,theyrealisedtheDoctorhadnoddedoff.“Oi,”saidRyan,tappingtheDoctor’slegwithhistoe,“we’restilllockedinadungeon.”

“Hmm?Ohyeah.Sorry.It’sdark,though,isn’tit?”

“Itisdark,”saidRyan,patiently.

“Yougettomyage,youdon’tpassupthechanceforanap.That,”saidtheDoctor,“isthesumtotalofmywisdom.”

“Icansecondthat,”saidGraham,withfeeling.

“Honestly, you two,” said Yaz. “Focus. Stay awake. Dungeon. Escapefrom.Thoughts.Ideas.Plans.”

“Wecoulddigourwayout,”saidGraham.“Likeinthatfilm…Whatwasit?Yournanlovedit,Ryan.”

“TheShawshankRedemption,” saidRyan. “And it took him over twentyyears.”

“Ah,”saidGraham.“Climb?”

“Imay havementioned this already,” said theDoctor, “but none of youthoughttobringanyrope.”

“There is that,” said Graham, peaceably. He looked like he was settlingdownforthenighttoo.

“Nodigging,noclimbing,nosonicking–whatarewegoingtodo?”saidYaz.

“Oh,don’tworry,”said theDoctor,cheerfully.“Somethingalwayscomesup.”Shelookedupatthestoneoverheadandwaved.“Hello!Whoareyou?”

Yazlookeduptoo.Afacewaspeeringthroughtheholeintherock:ajet-black facewithsilvery flecks likemica.Yazwonderedagainwhat the rightwordwas for the skin of a living rock – crust,maybe?Travellingwith theDoctor made you rethink everything, she thought, right down to the rightwordstouse.

“It’sOK,” theDoctor said. “We’renice.Friendly. I’m theDoctor,by theway.What’syourname?”

“I’mAsh,”saidthealien.“Areyoualiens?”

A smile spread across the Doctor’s face. In the dark she shone, likediamonds.“Theyare,”shesaid.“I’mnot.Doyouhaveanyrope?”

“Ofcourse,”saidAsh.“Whogoesoutwithoutrope?”

“Oh,blimey,”saidGraham.“We’llneverhearthelastofthat.”

Three

OnceAshhadpulledthestonecoverawayfromthehole,theropedidindeedcome inhandy.Theycameoutone-by-one, lightest first, so that thereweremoreof themtohelppulloutGrahamand thenRyanat theend.Yazrolledtheropeupagain,takingthechancetoexamineitasitranthroughherhands.Itwasthinnerthansheexpected,sothinthatshemightnothavebeenhappytobepulleduponithadshebeenaware,butitwasstrong,verystrong,andfeltslightlystickytotouch.Shewonderedwhatitwasmadeof.Shehadn’t,asyet,seenanysortofplantsorshrubstousetomakefibres.Andnowthatshethoughtaboutit–whatkindofwildlifewastherehere?Withrocksforpeople,what could theanimals be like?Rocks, butwith teeth? She shuddered anddecidednottomentionthis.

The friends shook themselves off, checked for scrapes and bruises, andthen turned to thank their saviour.Shewas slighter inbuild than theotherstheyhadalreadymet,butstillmanifestly thesamespecies.Shegleamed jetblack in the half-light, andwhen shemoved, flecks ofmica shimmered alloverherbody.

“Hey,”saidtheDoctor,“thanks!”

“You’reverywelcome,” saidAsh.She studiedeachof themonebyone,withstrangeunblinkingeyes,andthensheshookherhead.“Ihavesomanyquestions—”

“Me too,” said the Doctor. “Those pools that appear suddenly. They’regettingtobeaproblem,aren’tthey?”

“—butfirst,”saidAsh,calmly,“Ithinkweshouldgetawayfromhere.TheGreenwatchwillcertainlybecomingback,andtheymaywellbringothers.”

“Ohyeah,”saidtheDoctor.“Probablywise.Greenwatch?”

“TheEyesofEmerald,”Ashsaid.

“Right,”saidtheDoctor.

“Soundsabitsecretpoliceytome,”saidGraham.

“Yeah,”saidtheDoctor.“Ash–whereshouldwego?”

“Iknowaplace,”Ashsaid.“Somewheresafe.”

The friends conferred briefly. “Doc,” said Graham, “what about theTARDIS?Shouldn’twecheckit’sallright?”

“You’rekeentoleave,aren’tyou?”saidRyan.

“Inmydefence,thatliquidwasveryhot,”saidGraham.

“IthinkweshouldgowithAsh,”saidYaz.“Somethingishappening,isn’tit,Doctor?”

TheDoctornodded.“I’dliketofindoutmore.”

Ryanwasupforit;Graham,withasigh,fellinwiththegeneralplan.Ash,politely, said, “We shouldgonow.They’ll be comingback as soon as theycan.”

“Leadon,”saidtheDoctor.

Ashturnedtogo,andthefriendsfollowed.Atfirst,sheledthembackthewaytheyhadbeenbroughtbytheGreenwatch.Astheywalked,Yazrealisedthat thedarknesswasbeginning to lift.Faint lightwas filtering through therocksallroundthem.

The Doctor quizzed Ash. “So these eruptions,” she said. “They’ve beenhappeningalot,haven’tthey?”

“They have,” saidAsh. “They started years ago – very rare, at first, butthey’ve become more and more frequent. The liquid – it’s horrible!” Sheshuddered. “It froths and boils, and it kills on touch! When it touchessomeone–it’sawful!”

“Isee,”saidtheDoctor.“Anythingelse?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”saidAsh.

“There’vebeenotherchangestoo,haven’tthere?”saidtheDoctor.

Ashstaredather,dumbfounded.“Howdoyouknow that?”sheasked.“Ittookmyfatheryears…”

“Oh,I’magoodguesser,”saidtheDoctor.“No,that’snotright.Itakecaretolookaround,andthenItrytoworkoutwhatitmightallmean.So–goon.Tellmewhatyourfatherfoundout.”

Ashhesitated.Yazgottheimpressionthatshedidn’ttalkaboutallthisveryoften.

“WhatI’mabouttosay,”saidAsh,“cangetmeinalotoftrouble.”

“Trouble?Fromsayingthings?”TheDoctorfrowned.“NotsureIlikethesound of that. Don’t worry, Ash – all I want is to understand what’shappening.”

Yazwatched a struggle pass overAsh’s features. “You can trust us,” shesaid.“AndtheDoctormightbeabletohelp.”

Slowly,Ashnodded.“Allright,butplease,wemustbecareful.Thingsaregettingcooler– I’ll showyouwhenweget towherewe’regoing.And thatmeans that the seas are shrinking.”Ashheld out her hands in despair. “It’sbeen going on for years now, and we don’t know why. We all know it’shappening – even Emerald, however much she denies it. We just don’tunderstandwhy!”

AshsoundedsofrightenedthatYaz’sheartwentouttoher.Howscarythismustbe.Everythingchanging,andnobodyknowingthecause.

“Hangon,”saidRyan,“ifall thishasbeengoingonages, then thosebigrock-guysknowitcan’tbeuswhocausedthatpool.”

“I don’t think they cared eitherway,” saidGraham. “They’re afraid, andtheywantsomeonetoblame.We’redifferent.We’lldo.”

“There’sthat,”saidAsh,“andtherearesomeotherreasonstoo.”

“Doctor,”saidYaz,slippingupalongsideher,andkeepinghervoiceveryquiet,“youknowwhattheliquidis,don’tyou?”

“Yes,”saidtheDoctor,softly.“Ithinkso.”

“So?”

“Haveaguess,Yaz,”saidtheDoctor.

“Isthisagoodtimeforguessinggames?”

“It’salwaysagoodtimetocomeupwithanideaandtest it.Goon,Yaz.Tellmewhatyouthink.”

Yaz thought. They were inside this world, however strange that mightseem,butsheknewwhatthesurfacewaslike.She’dseenitontheTARDISscanners.There’dbeenpebbledbeaches.Pebbledbeaches,alongshores.“It’sseawater,isn’tit?”

TheDoctorsmiledather,withpride.“Iknewyou’dworkitout.Yes,seawater.Somehowit’sgettingthrough,gettingthroughtheshellortheskinofthebubblethesepeoplelivein.Andit’shappeningmoreoften…Imagineifsomethingcrackedtheshellbeyondrepair.Thisplacewouldflood–fillwithwater…”

Yazshuddered.Itdidn’tbearthinkingabout.“Sowhat’scausingit?”

“Notsureyet,”theDoctorsaid.“Lotsmorequestionsyet.Ash,”shesaid,moreloudly,“yourdadsoundslikehehashisheadscrewedontherightway.Canwemeethim?”

ThelightinAsh’seyesdimmed.“He’sgone,”shesaid,sadly.

“Oh,Ash,I’msorry,”saidtheDoctor.

“Whathappenedtohim?”saidYaz.

“Nothinghappened,”saidAsh.“He…hewentaway.”

“Whereto?”Yazsaid.

“I don’t know,” Ash said, sadly. “He’d given up trying to make peoplelistentohim.Hesaidhehadtogoandfindproofofwhatwashappening–somethingthatwouldmakepeoplesitupandlisten.Heandsomefriendsleft– nearly two hundred days ago.He could be anywhere. Lost on theWhiteWay,forallIknow.Ihaven’theardanythingsincethedayheleft.”

Again,Yazfeltarushofsympathy.Sometimesherfamilywassoin-your-facethatshewishedthey’dallgoawayandleaveheralone–butsheknewshe’dbedevastatedifthathappenedforreal.Liketheworldhadbrokenapart.

“He’llcomeback,Iknowhewill,”Ashsaid,bravely.“Hehasto.He’stheonlyonewhocanhelpus.”

YazglancedoverattheDoctor.“Notanymore.”

They walked on for a long time. The world around them became lighter,although,ofcourse,Yazcouldn’tseeanysun.Mostofthelightcamefromtherocks,fromthegemsandcrystalsencrustingthem.“Feelslikedaytime,”shesaid,“buthow?”

“I thinksomelightfromthesurfacemustget through,” theDoctor.“Thisplanetisstillspinning,turningonefacetoitssunandthenanother.Someofthatfiltersthrough–andthat’swhatmakesthegemslightup.Lookupnow.”

Thefriendsstoppedtolookupat thefarsideofthesphere.Itwasdarkertherenow,justafewpinpricksoflighthereandthere.“Whatarethose?”saidRyan.

“Ourfurthestsettlements,”Ashsaid.“Lanternsfromourpeopleonthefarsideofthesphere.It’salongwayforthemtobe–thefurthestanyofushaveever gone.We like to stay close to each other.” She smiled at the Doctor.“Yes, there’s natural light here from the rocks, but that’s not all. We canfashiongemsandotherstonestogiveoutlightandwarmth.”Hervoicewentproud.“Myfatherdidthat.”

Grahamwasstill lookingup.“Whatarethosethinthreads?”hesaid.“I’dsaytheywereshootingstars,ifIdidn’tknowbetter.”

Ashsighed.“Wedon’tknow.Theyweren’tthereafewthousanddaysago.Thereseemtobemoreandmoreofthemasthedaysgopast.”

Yazglancedat theDoctor.Shewasholding thesonicscrewdriverupandfrowning.Thensheshookherhead,andwalkedon.

As the day got brighter, they came to the edge of the ridge alongwhichtheyhadbeenwalking,andlookedoutoverableaklandscape.

“Blimey,”saidGraham.“ThisisworsethanYorkshire.”

“Eh,”saidYaz.“Lessofthat.”

“Whatisthisplace,Ash?”saidtheDoctor.

“Allthisusedtobesea,”saidAsh,sadly.

“Sea?”saidRyan.“Youmeanwater?”

“Notwater,”saidtheDoctor.“Myguesswouldbelava.Alavasea!Itmusthavebeenbeautiful,”theDoctorsaid,andthengaveawrysmile.“Ifever-so-slightlyhostiletoourkindoflife.”

“Youbet!IsawthatMaryBeardthingonthetelly.Pompeii,youknow?Itwashorrible!”Grahamstaredoutatthelostsea.“Lava,eh?Iwouldn’tfancypaddlinginthat.”

“No,”saidtheDoctor.“Notmuchfun–unlessyou’rearockperson.Ash,whatwasitlikehere,beforethishappened?”

“Itwasbeautiful,”saidAsh.Hereyesshonewiththememory.“Therocksweresosupple,sofluid…Thecoloursmeltedfromwhitehottocrimsonandall theway back again. And the creatures!Hosts and hosts of ember-flies,skating close to the rocks, and then the seawould shift and theywould flyupwardsinhugewaves…”

“Likeaflockofstarlings,”murmuredYaz.

“Youcoulddigintothelavaandpulloutfreshgems,stillhotinthehand,andyoucouldsqueezethemintoshape,turnthemintodollsorplaythingsorornaments, and then leave them to one side to cool while you hunted formore…Oryoucouldtakethestoneboatsoutandliebackinthemandbaskintheheatrisingfromthelava…”Herfacewentsaid.“Andnowallthat’sleftisthis.”

Theystoodandlookedacrosstheemptyland,therockbareandcracking.

“Adesert,”saidGraham.“It’snotright,isit?Whycan’tpeopletakecareofthings,eh?”

“I’mnotsurethisisentirelythefaultofthepeoplehere,”saidtheDoctor.

“No,” said Ash, “but I think we could do a better job of understandingwhat’shappening.”

“Thereseemstobealotofdenialgoingon,”saidRyan.

“Worsethanthat,”saidAsh.“Yougetintotroublefortryingtosaywhatwecanallsee.Myfatherwasmockedforyears,andthatwasbadenough,butIdon’t thinkEmeraldwould let himget awaywith even saying those thingsthesedays.”

YazglancedattheDoctor.Shedidn’tlookhappy.

“No,” murmured the Doctor. “No, that’s not right at all. Emerald, eh?There’salwayssomeonetryingtostoppeopledoingtherightthing…”

“Something has to change,” said Ash. “Otherwise – I don’t think we’llsurvivethis.”

TheDoctorsmiledather.“Change,”shesaid,“iswhatI’mallabout.Comeon–westillhaveawaytowalk,don’twe?”

Ashnodded.“Alittleway.”

Sheledthemdowntheridgeontowhathadoncebeentheseashore.Theyskirtedalong theedgeof theoldcoastand thenback inland.Afterawhile,sheerblackcliffsbegantoriseoneitherside,untiltheywerewalkingthroughanarrowcleft in the rock.Yaz ranher fingertipsalong theblackstone,andsoft shards of silver came away.This place seemed so hard, so barren, shethought;butatcloserglanceeverythingwasdelicateandfinelywrought.TheDoctorwasright:lookbeneaththesurfaceandyousooftenfoundwonders.

Ryansighed.“Idon’twanttobetheonetoaskthis,butarewenearlythereyet?”

“Nearly,”saidAsh.

“Hangoninthere,soldier,”saidGraham,pattingRyanontheback.

Ashwas as good as herword.Overhead, the cliffsmet, forming an archover the narrow tunnel that led them downwards for a while. And then,suddenly,thespaceaheadofthemopenedout,andtheysteppedinsideavastandglitteringcave.

“Wow,”saidRyan.“OK.Right.Yeah,thewalkwasworthit.”

Thecaverntheyhadenteredwasfilledwithtreasures.Alongstonetableranthelengthoftheroom,anditseemedtoYazthateveryinchofitssurfacewascovered;thereweregemstones,andhugerocks,andglassdomeswithstrangespecimens inside. The walls were covered with glowing crystals whosecoloursgentlyshiftedupanddownthespectrum.Atthefarendoftheroom,therewas an alcove inwhich long thinwhite crystals hung from the rockyroof.Andthewholeroomseemedtohum,eversogently,andsweetly.

“Wow,” said Ryan. “This is what a wizard’s study would look like.Gandalf’sstudy.”

“You andyour daft films,” saidYaz, although she knewexactlywhat hemeant.

“Yaz,” Ryan said, “we’re inside a planet with a bunch of rock people.Those‘daftfilms’,”hedidthescarequotes,“arebetterthanTripAdvisor.”

“Whatisthisplace,Ash?”saidtheDoctor.

“Thisis–orwas–myfather’slaboratory.Wherehedidhisstudies.”

“Scientist,huh?”saidRyan.

“Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans,”saidAsh.

“Curious,” said Graham. “Liked to ask questions. Liked to find outanswers.”

“Oh!”saidAsh.“Yes!That’shimexactly.”

“Scientist,”saidtheDoctor,withanodofherhead.“Good,good…”

Grahamwaspeeringatsomethingonatable.“Er,what’sthis?”

Thefriendsgatheredround.“Wow.”TheDoctorwasentranced.

Onthetable,therewasadomeoftransparentcrystal,filledwithheapsofrocksandtinygems.Skitteringaroundthesewasasmallcreature,aboutsixinches long, with a brownish hide encrusted with red gems, and the mostincredible…

“Teeth,”saidRyan.“Ithasteeth.”

“Whentheywerehandingout teeth,”saidYaz,“theydidagoodjobwiththislittleguy.”

“Youcoulddosomeoneamischiefwithteethlikethat,”saidGraham.

Thecreature’sbeadyeyesflashedamalevolentredglareupatthem.

“Whatisthisthing,Ash?”saidGraham.

“That’sarubyrat,”saidAsh.

“It’sbeautiful!”saidtheDoctor.

Ash was laughing. “You sound like my father! Most people call themvermin!”

“That’s not nice,” said the Doctor. “What have ruby rats ever done tothem?”

“Doyouwantalist?”saidAsh,withasmile.

“Poorthing,”saidtheDoctor.Shereachedforwardsandliftedupthedome.Theratdidn’twasteanytime,scamperingforfreedomanddivingforcoverbehind what looked to be a huge heap of diamonds. Ryan shouted out,Grahamyelped,andYazgrabbedhisarm.

TheDoctorburstoutlaughing.“Goon,littleguy,runforthehills!”

Ashwasunperturbed.Shepickedupahandfuloftinycrystals,coaxedthecreatureout fromits lair,grabbed itby thescruffof itsneck,and trappeditbackbeneaththedome.“I’dbegratefulifwekeptitinhere,”shesaid.“Theyreally cando a lot of damage and, besides,my father’s very fondof it andwouldbesadifitescaped.”

Thefriendspeeredinagain,watchingthebeastcrunchawayatthecrystals.“Wow,though!”saidtheDoctor.“Lookatthoseteeth!”

“Isaid,didn’tI?”saidRyan.“Isaidyoushouldlookattheteeth.”

“Youknow,”saidAsh,politely,“Idohaveafewquestions.”

“Metoo,”said theDoctor.“Tellyouwhat–yougofirst, thenI’llhaveaturn.”

“Allright.”Ashtookadeepbreath.“You’renotfromthisplanet,areyou?”

“That’sright,”saidtheDoctor.“We’renotfromthisplanet.We’renotevenfromthesameplanetaseachother.”Sheglancedatherfriends.“Well, theyare. I’m from somewhere else again.” She studied Ash carefully. “Is thatOK?”

“IsitOK?”Ashburstoutlaughing.“It’swonderful!It’samazing!”

TheDoctorgrinnedather.“IknewIwasgoingtolikeyou!”

“Oh,it’severythingmyfatheralwaysdreamedof!”saidAsh,clappingherhandstogether.“Allcomingtrue!Hethought–hesaidtherewereholesintheroofof theworld,and thathe’dseenbright lightscoming through,and thatmeant that thisworldwasn’t all therewas, but that if you dug through thestone far enough you’d find therewas another surface up there, high, high

above…Buteveryone just laughed…”Ash’s facewent sad. “Hewas right,though,wasn’the?Thereismoreupthere.”

“Ash,”saidGraham,“you’venotevenseenthehalfofit.”

“It’sprettycool,”agreedRyan.

“It’samazing,”saidYaz.“TravellingwiththeDoctoris…amazing.”

The Doctor crinkled up her nose. “Aw, thanks guys! That’s one of thenicestthingsanyone’seversaidtome.”SheputherhandonAsh’sarm.“Soyourolddadtaughtyoutolookupandimaginewhatmightbeupthere?I’msureI’dlikeyourfather,Ash.IhopeIgettotalktohim.Didheleaveyouanymessages,anyclues?”

“There are his notes…” Ash said, doubtfully. “But he always wrote incode…”Shewasabouttosaymore,whentheyheardachimingsound.Theyallstoppeddead.

“What’sthat?”saidRyan.

“It’sanalarmsystemthatmyfathersetup,”Ashsaid.“Tolethimknowifanyonewasapproaching.”

“Could theGreenwatchhave foundus?” theDoctor said.“Do theyknowaboutthisplace?”

Ashlookedscared.“Myfatherkeptitverysecret…Isupposeit’spossiblesomeonefollowedus?”Sheglancedroundthegroupoffriends.“Keepquiet.I’llgoandsee.”

Shelefttheroom.Afteraminuteortwo,theyheadmuffledvoices.

“Doc,” whispered Graham, glancing worriedly at Ryan. “Should we begoing?”

“Notyet,”theDoctorsaid.

“Thesepeopleneedourhelp,”Yazsaid.

“Idon’t thinkwecanholdbackclimatechange,Yaz love,”Grahamsaid,doubtfully.

“Somebodyhasto!”saidYaz.

“Ashistakinghertime,”saidRyan.“Doyouthinksheneedssomehelp?”

Hehadbarely finished speakingwhen a figure crashed into the room.Agiant, Yaz thought at first; a huge, purplish creature with a jagged row ofcrystalsstandingupfromitsbrow.

“Greatcrest!”said theDoctor.“Loveit!Lookat that!That’spunchy.Letmeguess–quartz?”

Thegiantstoodstockstillandblinkedather.“What?Howdidyouknowmyname?”

“I likerocks,”said theDoctor,simply.“AndI like toknowthenamesofthings.”

“She’s sort of Gandalfy,” said Ryan, helpfully, then his face fell. “Oh, Idon’tsupposeyou’veseenthosefilms.”

“Films,” saidQuartz, rolling theword round in hismouth like a pebble.“Films.”

“Pictures.Movies.Flicks.”Ryanshookhishead.“Youknowwhat?Don’tworryaboutit.”

“So,Quartz,”theDoctorsaid.“Areyoufriendorfoe?”

Hiseyesgleamedather.“Thatdepends.”

“Dependsonwhat?”saidGraham.

“Onyou,”saidQuartz.

“Oh,”saidGraham.“Fairenough.”

“He’safriend,”Ashsaid,firmly.“Quartz,whyareyouhere?”

“Iheardarumour,”Quartzsaid.“BackintheCity…Strangers,seenoutonthePlain.Strangecreatures,likewalkingmushrooms.”

“Mushrooms?”saidGraham.

TheDoctor’seyesdanced.“Isupposewedolookabit,well,mushroomy.Totheuninitiated.”

“Soyou’renotmushrooms?”saidQuartz.

“Iammostcertainlynot!”saidGraham.“Can’tspeakfortheothers,mindyou—”

“Soyouheardarumour,Quartz,”saidtheDoctor.“Andyoucame…here?Luckyguess,eh?”

“Anything out of the ordinary usually leads back to Ash and her father.And here you are.” Quartz studied each of the friends carefully, in turn.“Funnylookingbunch,aren’tyou?”

They settled into the low chairs around the room.Quartz couldn’t keep hiseyesoffthem.Fairenough,thoughtYaz;shecouldhardlykeephereyesoff

him.

“SoBasaltwasrightafterall,”Quartzsaid,andbegantolaugh.

“Basalt?”askedGraham.

“Myfather,”saidAsh.“Quartzisoneofhisoldestfriends,andhe’sbeenagreathelp tousover theyears.Helpedmy fatherget resources sohecouldcarryouthisstudies.”

“Hispatron,eh?”saidtheDoctor.“Verygenerous.”

Quartzsmiled.“I’vetried.”

“He’sverywellconnected,”saidAsh.

“Hmm,”saidtheDoctor.“Yeah.”

Yaz,watchingtheDoctorcarefully,thought,Iwonderwhyshedoesn’tlikehim.

“Whatshallwedo,Quartz?”saidAsh.

“We can’t take them to the city. Themood there is…”Quartz shook hishead.

“What’shappened?”Ashsaidquietly.

Quartzlookedverybleak.“Anotherpool.IntheGreatCurve,thistime.”

“Ohno,”whisperedAsh.

“Itwashorrific,”Quartzsaid,hisvoiceclipped.

“Whatdoesthatmean?”saidGraham,uncertainly.

“TheGreatCurve is the area around theDiamondCity,”Ash explained.“It’swheremostofourpeoplelive.”

“And one of those big pools opened up there?” Ryan shuddered.“Horrible.”

“People don’t survive if the liquid touches them,” said Quartz. “It’sdreadfultosee.”

“Waitamoment,”saidAsh.“I’llshowyou.”

Shewentovertheroomandcamebackholdingapalebluestone,aboutthesizeofagrapefruit.Gentlyshewarmeditbetweenhercuppedhands,andthefriendswatchedinamazementasimagesbegantoappearwithin.

“Oh,that’sclever,”saidtheDoctor.“Somesortofholocrystal…Verynice,Ash.Yourdadhasdonesomebrilliantwork.”

“Doctor,”saidYaz,bleakly.“Look.”

They watched as the scene unfolded. A small group of rock people,walkingalongtogether,weresuddenlystoppedshortasajetofwatershotupinfrontofthem,catchingtwoofthemfullinitsspray.Yazwatchedinhorrorastheydashedawayfromthesteam,theirhardshellsblisteringandcracking.“No,”shecried.“That’sterrible!”

“It scarsus andmelts us,” saidAsh,unhappily. “Doctor, youknowwhatthisliquidis,don’tyou?”

“Yes,”theDoctorsaid.“It’sseawater.”

Ashshookherhead.“Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans.”

“Letme explain,” said the Doctor. “So – assume everything your fathertoldyouwasright.Whereyoulive–yourworld–it’sahugehollowsphere,rightinthemiddleofamuchbiggersphere.Whenyoupushthroughtherocksofthatsphere,whenyoudigasyouwouldsay,youreallydocomeoutonthesurfaceoftheoutsidesphere.”

As the Doctor spoke, Ash’s smile grew bigger and bigger. Quartz, Yaznoticed,wasgivingnothingaway.

“It’samazing,isn’tit?”theDoctorsaid.“Whenyougettotheverytop,tothe surface –well, there’s a lot going on there, even on a nice quiet politelittleplanetlikeyours.There’sland-masses–thetopsoftherocks,basically–andbetweenthemaretheseas.Likeyourlavaseas,butfilledwithadifferentkindof liquid–water.That liquid, thatwater, is leakingthroughdownheresomehow.”Shefrowned.“I’mnotquitesurewhyyet.Anyway,whenitdoes,it gets super-heated, and it bursts through the shell of your sphere, and outintoyourworld.Weneedtostopthatfromhappening.”

“Andtherest?”saidAsh.“Theshrinkingseas?Thecoolingdown?”

“All connected somehow,” said the Doctor. “We need to take a closerlook.”

“All this time,” Quartz said softly. “I thought some of what Basalt wassayingmightbetrue,but…”Helaughed.“Well,lookatyouall!You’reso…”

“Alien?”suggestedRyan.

“Sowhatdoyouthinkweshoulddo,Quartz?”Ashsaid.

“I don’t know.”He lookedworriedly at theDoctor and her friends. “Wecan’thidethemhereforever—”

“Yeah,well,Idon’tplanonhidinghereatall,”saidtheDoctor.

“It’snotassimpleasthat,”saidQuartz.

“Peoplesaythattomeallthetime,”saidtheDoctor.“Andyouknowwhat?Itusuallyisprettysimple.”SheturnedtoAsh.“Iwanttospeaktoyourfather.Findoutwhathe’slearned.”

“Thatisn’tpossible,”saidQuartz.“Heleftagesago.”

“Wecanfollowhim,”theDoctorsaid.

Quartzshookhishead.“Thatisn’t—”

“Possible,”saidtheDoctor.“Yeah,Iknow.ButIthinkweshouldtry.Ash,didyourfatherleaveamap?Detailsofwhatroutehewasplanningtotake?”

Ash looked round the room and held her hands up, helplessly. “There’syears of work here – all his notes about the cooling down, and hismeasurementsof the lights in thesphere,hisworkoncrystals…There’s somuch!”

Ryanwas alreadyon his feet andmoving things around. “Whatwould amaplooklike?”hesaid.“Doyouevenhavebookshere?”

“Doc,” saidGraham.“Wouldn’t it be easier togoand find theTARDIS?Usethattohopuptothesurfaceandfindoutwhat’sgoingon?”

“Itmight,”saidtheDoctor,“ifweknewhowtogettoit.Er,Quartz,”shesaid,“Idon’tsupposeanyonehasmentionedabigblueboxtoyou?Sortofthishigh…”Shereachedupherhandoverherhead.“Well,quitealotbigger,actually.Butblue.You’dknowit ifyousawit.”Sheopenedandclosedherfist.“Bigflashinglightonthetop.”

“Iknowwhatyoumean,”hesaid.“Emerald’speoplehaveit.”

“Emerald,”saidYaz.“Thatnamekeepscomingup.WhoisEmerald?”

“Our ruler,” said Ash. “Not very fond of my father. Thought he was atroublemaker.”

Quartzlookedpained.“It’snotassimpleasthat,Ash…”

TheDoctorwas eyeingQuartz thoughtfully. “It’s handy you knew abouttheTARDIS,”shesaid.“Handythatyouknowsomuchofwhat’sgoingon.”

Quartzgaveheraglitteringsmile.“Yes,well,I’mverywellconnected.”

Thereissomethingcreepyabouthim,thoughtYaz.

“Andinpointoffact,”Quartzwenton,“Basaltdidtellmehisplansforthestartofhis journey.Heleftmesomeofhisnotes.”HeglancedatAsh,who

hadasomewhathurtexpressiononher face.“I thinkhewas trying tokeepyousafe,Ash.”

“I suppose so,” she said. “Although it was a little late to start thinkingaboutthat.”

“Heknewhowhardallthishadbeenonyou,”Quartzsaid.

“Ibelievedinhim,”saidAsh,simply.“Itwasn’tthathard.Notreally.”

“Sowherewashegoing,Quartz?”saidtheDoctor.

Quartztookoutasmallcrystal,andhandedthisacrosstoAsh.Sheranherfingertips across it. Gentle sounds emerged, as if several people werehummingsweetlytogether,eachatadifferentpitch.“Oh,”saidAsh.“FirstheintendedtotaketheWhiteWay.”

“That sounds pretty,” said Ryan. “TheWhiteWay. Nice.Moonlight andstars—”

“They’rewhite-hotlavarapids,”saidAsh.

“Oh,”saidRyan.

“Soundsprettyandremarkable!”saidtheDoctor.“Can’twait!”

AshlookeddoubtfullyattheDoctorandherfriends.“I’msureeverythingwillbefine.”

Four

They took some time to pack some supplies. “Rope,”muttered theDoctor.Ashsearchedtheroomandfoundhalfadozenlightweightcoils,liketheoneshehadusedtohelpthemescapetheirmakeshiftdungeon.TheDoctorsatforawhilewithhersonic,analysing theircomposition,and theywaitedfor thenightcycletobegin.

As the darkness settled again, they set out. Yaz noticed a strange andbeautifulmusicallaround.“What’sthatsound,Ash?”

“Thosearejet-flies,”Ashsaid.“Theycomeouttowelcomethenight.”

“Likecrickets,”saidYaz.

“‘Crickets’,”Ash repeated, softly. “That’s a prettyword. There aren’t somany differences between us, I think.We tell children that jet-flies sing tomaketheirdreamssharpandbright.”

Yazsmiled.“That’slovely.”Yes,shethought,we’vemoreincommonthanitseemsonthesurface.ShelikedAsh,andwaslookingforwardtogettingtoknowherbetterovertheirjourney.“Wesay,‘sweetdreams’.Butthemeaningisthesame.”

Ryanwas fascinatedby the crystal thatBasalt had left. “Does that reallyholdallhisnotes?Andit’salldonebysound?”

“Howelsewouldyoukeepnotes so that you could refer back to them?”Quartzsaid.

“Well…”Ryanlookedstuck.

Yaz laughed, wondering how he was going explain paper when thereweren’ttrees.“Goon,Ryan,”shesaid.“Tellhimaboutvoicenotes.”

“Nevermind,”Ryansaid.

“Howmuchofyourfather’splanisonthere?”theDoctorsaid.“WherewashegoingbeyondtheWhiteWay?”

“I’mnotsureBasaltentirelyknewhimself,”Quartzsaid.“Hisaim,whenwelasttalked,wastofindhiswayaroundthesphereoftheworldtothelongthreadsoflightwe’veseen.Butnobodyhasbeenthatway.”

Yazwasstartled.“What?Never?”

“It’salongwayfromevenourfurthestoutposts,”saidAsh.

“Butit’sonlyupthere,”saidYaz.

“That’salongway,”saidQuartz.

“Wehaveourpathsandourpatterns,”saidAsh.“Wehaveeverythingweneed.Whyshouldwegoanyfurther?”

“Don’t you want to knowwhat’s there though?” said Yaz. “I mean, it’srightthere,infrontofyou!”

Ashsmiled.“Yousoundlikemyfather.”

“Noteveryonewants togoondangerousquests,”said theDoctor.“Somepeoplearehappytostaynearhome.Wouldn’tworkforme,butthereyouare.Takesallsorts.”

“I’mhappy tostaynearhome,”saidAsh.“But thatdoesn’tmeanIdon’twanttoknowthetruthabouttheworld.”

“Sometimespeoplehavegoneadventuring,”saidQuartz.“Forafewdaysornights.”

“Sothere’sbeennothinglikethistripofBasalt’sinyourhistory?”saidtheDoctor.

Quartzshookhishead.“Nothing.”

“That’s amazing,” said the Doctor. “And now we’re following in hisfootsteps.”

YazgentlytouchedAsh’sarm.“Thisisverybraveofyou.”

“Ijustwanttofindhim,”Ashsaid.“Makesurehe’ssafe.”

Theirfirstcheckcamenotlongaftertheysetoff.Yazbecameawareonceagainofthatstrangestillnessintheair.SheedgeduptotheDoctor,andsawthatshehadhersonicscrewdriverout,discreetlycoveredbyonehand.

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’rethinking,”Yazsaid,quietly.“ButI’mthinkingabouttsunamisagain.”

“Yeah,metoo,”saidtheDoctor.“I’llhaveawordwithAsh.”

“NotQuartz?”

The Doctor glanced back to where Quartz and Graham were walkingtogether.“Youknowwhat,Yaz?I’mnotafanofthebigfella.Keepaneyeonhimforme,eh?”

Yaznodded.ShewatchedtheDoctorslipaheadtojoinAshandRyan,andheldbacktowaitforGrahamandQuartz.

This meant that they were split into two distinct groups when the poolopened.Yazheard the same sound that shehad before, a sort of crumblingandrumblingandfizzing,andshestoppedinhertracks.“Doctor!”sheyelledahead.“It’scoming!”

TheDoctor,hearingher,pushedRyanandAshonahead,andsprintedoffintothegloom.YazranbacktoGraham.

“What’sup?”hesaid,whenshereachedhim.

“Oneofthosepoolsisopening!We’vegottogetback!”

Grahammovedsurprisinglyquicklyforamanhisage.Quartzcouldshifttoo,Yaznoticed.Theymadeforsomehighground,aridgeofrocktheyhadjustcrossed,andlookedbacktoseethejetofwatersurgeupwards,andthenfloodthenarrowpieceoflowlandwheretheyhadjustbeenwalking.

“Ryan?”yelledGraham.“Whereareya?”

ItwasallYazcoulddo tostopGrahamjumping into theboilingwater toswimafterhisgrandson.Shegrabbedhis arm.“Graham!” she said, calmly,butclearly;hercopper’svoice.“He’ssafe,look!Look!”

Hertonedidthetrick.Grahamstoppedpullingatherandhelookedacrossthenewriverthathadopenedup.Onthefarbank,aboutthirtyfeetaway,safeon another ridge of rock, were Ryan,Ash, and theDoctor. Ryanwaved athim.

“Bigwave,”Grahamwhispered,andgaveRyanabigwaveback.

“See?”Yazsaid,authoritatively.“He’sfine.”

Grahamtookadeepbreath,andrelaxedproperly.“Yes,yes.Thanks,Yazlove.You’reagreatkid.”

“Eh,”shesaid,gentlythumpinghisarm.“Lessofthekid.”

“Allright,officer!Faircop!”

Theygrinnedateachother.Itcould,Yazthought,havebeenalotworse.

ShebecameawareofQuartzstandingbesideher.Healso lookedshaken.“That,”hesaid,“wasmuchtooclose.”

“Youdon’tneedtotellmethat,”saidYaz,sharply,earningapuzzledlookfromGraham.“Allright,”shesaid,“howdowegetacrosstojointhem?”

Quartz was peering over the new lake. “I’m not sure we do,” he said.“Look.”

Yaz was resisting the urge to bristle back at him, and then she saw theDoctor.TheDoctorwaspointingatherchest,andatAshandRyan,andthenpointingbehindher.Next she flappedbothhands in their direction, as if tosendthemaway:Shoo!Thenshepointedat them,pointedtohersideoftheriver,andshookherheadandarmswildly.Thenshestartedthewholeroutineagain.

“NowI’mnotaprofessionalcode-breaker,”saidGraham,“butIthinkshe’stelling us that they’ll go on.” He peered at the Doctor. “Now what is shedoing?”

TheDoctorhadherhandoverherhead.Shewasopeningandclosingherfist.

“IthinkshewantsustofindtheTARDIS.”

“Andnowwhat?”saidGraham.

TheDoctorhadherhandonherforehead,thefingerssplayedout,likethecrestonacockerel.Shewiggledherfingersabout,andthenshookherhead,pulling a stern face.Yaz thought she knewwhat shemeant:Watch out forQuartz.

Yazheldupboththumbs.TheDoctorwasnowgoingthroughherroutinefrom the top. “All right, Doctor. You can stop now. I think we get themessage.”Yazflashedherhandoverherheadandputherthumbup.Thenshemimedthecrestandputherthumbdown.Thensheheldboththumbsuphigh.Messagereceived.TheDoctorliftedherfistsaboveherheadandshookthemabout,likeachampionwinningarace,mouthing:Yay!

“Sowe should find the TARDIS,” saidYaz. “But that’s easier said thandone. Where would Emerald’s guards have taken it, Quartz? Anysuggestions?”

“IthinkIshouldtakeyoutotheCity,”saidQuartz.“Tomyhouse.”

Yazthoughtcarefully.TheyneededtogothatwaytofindtheTARDIS,buttheDoctordidn’t trustQuartz–andyetat thesametimeshehadmimedtoYaztokeepaneyeonhim.“Won’twestandout?”shesaid.“Imean,we’renotexactlyliketherestofyou…”Shedidn’twanttobeledintoatrap.Shelikedalmost everythingabout travellingwith theDoctor, butwasn’t ahugefanofthecellsanddungeons.

“Iknowsomebackroutes,”saidQuartz,withthatsmoothconfidencethatYazwasstartingtodislike.“Myhouseisverybig.”

Goodforyou,thoughtYaz.

Hemusthavecaughtherlookofdisapproval.“Isimplymeantthatyoucanhidethere,ifnecessary.”

“Hmm,”saidYaz.ShewasawareofGraham’sconfusion,butnotexactlyplacedtoexplain.

“It makes sense,” said Graham. “Maybe we can find out where theTARDISis.Getitback.”

Yaz looked across the lake. The others were already on their way. Shesighed.“Allright,”shesaid.“Let’sgettothecity.Isitfar,Quartz?”

“I’mnotsurehowyoumeasureeithertimeordistance,”hesaid.“Butwewillbethereshortly.”

Yaz didn’t like uncertainties, but she followed him as he led the way.Grahamhungbacktospeaktoher.

“Whathaveyougotagainstourfriend?”hesaid,noddingaheadatQuartz’sglitteringback.

“TheDoctordidn’tlikehim.”

“Oh,he’sabitofashow-off,yes,buthe’sallright.Besides,we’restuck,aren’twe?There’sno-oneelseherewhocanhelpus.”

Yazsighed.Hewasright;andshedidn’tlikethatonebit.

“Right,”saidtheDoctor,lookingupattheridgeofrockrisingsteadilyaheadofthem.“Theonlywayisup.”Shestopped.“Hey,that’squitecatchy.”

“Someone’sdonethatsongalready,Doctor,”saidRyan,helpfully.

“Yeah?Ohwell,nevermind.”She turned toAsh.“Howfar to theWhiteWay?”

“Notfarnow.Overtheseridges,thendownintothevalley.”

“Lavarapidsherewecome,”saidRyan.“Abit intrepid,yourdad,wasn’the?”

“Isn’the,”saidAsh,pointedly.“Heisintrepid.”

“Yes,ofcourse,sorry,Ash.Ididn’tmean—”

“It’sallright,Ryan.”Ashsighed.“I’mworryingaboutwherewegoafterthat.Hisnotesdon’ttellmemuchmore…”

Ryanpattedherarm.“TheDoctorwillworkitout.”

Theywalkedon.Ashledtheparty,withRyannext,andtheDoctorattherear, ready in case anyone lost their footing. They soon crossed the rockyridge,and,toRyan’srelief, therewasasmoothpathleadingdowntheotherside.Theycouldhearthecrashingofariverinthedistance.

As theywalked down the valley, Ryan quizzed theDoctor. “Why didn’tyouwanttheotherstotryandjoinus?”

“Well,” she said, “for one thing, that new river looked pretty dangerous.Foranother–I’mhopingthey’llgobacktotheCityandfindoutwhat’sgoingonthere.MaybeevenfindtheTARDIS.”Shesighed.

“But?”saidRyan.

“Howdidyouguess therewas somethingelseonmymind?” theDoctorsaid.

“You had one of your faces. Your ‘I’ve-got-something-else-on-my-mind’face.”

“I’mstartingtowonderhowmanyfacesthisbodyhasgot.”

“They’reallnicefaces,”Ryansaid,gallantly.

“Ooh,youcharmer!”

“Itry!So–what’sthematter?”

“I’mnottoosureaboutQuartz.I’dratherhewasherewhereIcouldkeepaneyeonhim.”

Ryanfrowned.“WillYazandGrahambeallright?”

“I’mhopingtheycangivehimtheslip…Anyway,thosetwocanlookafterthemselves,” said the Doctor. Ryan walked on, trying not to worry. Hewouldn’t like togeton thewrongsideofYaz inadarkalleyandas forhisgranddad–well,he’dlastedthislongmoreorlessintact,hadn’the?AndYazwouldkeepaneyeonhim,Ryanconsoledhimself.

Asthedarkbegantolift,theycametotheheadoftherapids.

“Lookaround,”Ashsaid.“We’relookingforaboat.Acoracle.”

Theyhuntedaround.TheDoctorfoundit,callingtotheotherstohelphercarryit.Theboatwasbowl-shaped,hollowedandsmoothedfromstone,withoarsmadefromwhatRyan,touchingone,realisedwasakindoftoughfibre,much thicker than whatever Ash’s people used to make their ropes. Hewonderedwhatkindofplantitcamefrom.

“Aretherealwaysboatshere,Ash?”theDoctorsaid.

“People come thisway sometimes, on theirway round the sphere,”Ashsaid.“Thereareusuallyseveralboats.Myfathermusthavetakentheothers.”Shesmiled.“That’sgoodnews.”

“Haveyoubeenherebefore?”Ryansaid.

“Yes,withmyfather.”

Ryanlookedoutatthecrashingwhitewaves.It’snotwater,hethought.

“Whatdoyouthink,Ryan?”saidtheDoctor.“Shallwegiveitago?”

“AslongasAshsteers,”saidRyan.“Hey,Ash,howmanytimeshaveyoudonethis?”

“Once,”saidAsh.

“Oh.Well.Betterthannothing,Isuppose.”

“Imeanthisonce,”Ashsaid.

TheDoctorlaughedoutloud.“Oh,Ash!You’reverydry!”

“I’mmadeofrock,”shesaid,hereyesgleaming.

Theyclamberedintotheboat,andpaddledoutslowly.Ashseemedtoknowwhatshewasdoing,Ryanthought–whichwasmorethanhefelthecouldsayforhimself.“Doctor,”hemurmured,“I’mnotsureI’mcutoutforthis—”

“Giveitago,”shesaid.“Ashwillbedoingthebulkofthework.We’rejustheretohelppushtheboatforwards.”

Andthentheywereoff,caughtintheflowofthewhite-hotlava.“Ohmydays!”shoutedRyan,astheworldwhippedpast.“Ohman!”

They sped along. Ryan whooped out loud with delight, and the Doctorwhoopedatleastasmuch,ifnotmore.Then,fromthecornerofhiseye,Ryansawhugedomedshapesriseupfromthemagma.Ashwasdoingagoodjobof dodging between them, butRyan’s oar brushed against one. It came outsticky. He was about to reach out to touch, when he heard Ash’s voice,shoutingoutabovetheroaroftherocks.“Jellyfish!”shecried.“Don’ttouchthem!Theygiveanastysting!”

Ryanpulledhishandbackhastily.Ashkepttheboatdodgingthroughthecreatures.Thensomethingelseroseoutofthelava.Ryanhadanimpressionofbulk,andteeth,andaroaring,scrapingsound.

“Lavashark!”criedAsh.

“What should I do?” yelled Ryan, then remembered something aboutbopping them on the nose to drive sharks away. He lifted up his oar and

whackedit,hard.

“Don’tdothat!”yelledAsh.“You’llmakeitmad!”

Sureenough,thebeastlungedup,andforamomentRyanthoughthewasgoingtolosetheoartoitsmaw.Thenthesharkpulledback.Ryanbreathedasighof relief,and then realised that thebeastwasonlybackingup tocomebackandhammerthesideoftheirlittleboat.Theyrockedabout,perilously.“Ash!”Ryancried.“It’sstillthere!”

“Don’tworry,Ryan, I’m on it!” shouted theDoctor. She pushed her oardown beneath the surface, and flipped up one of the jellyfish onto its flatsurface. “Here,” she said. “Catch this!”She lobbed the jellyfishup into theair.Ryanstuckuphisoar,and,withaflickofthewrist,sentitflyingtolandflat on the shark’s nose. It roared with rage, and slunk away beneath thesurface.

“Gotcha!”Ryanyelled.

“Nicejob,”theDoctorshoutedbackathim.“Twothousandbonuspoints!”

Ryanlaughed.Shewasright.Itwaslikeagame,buthewashere,forreal,rightinthethickofthings.Turnedoutthosevideogameshadbeengoodforsomethingafterall.Hisreflexeswerebetterthanhethoughttheywere.Icandothis,Ryanthought.Gran,Icandothis…

Andthen,suddenly,theriverwidenedout,anditscoursebecamesmooth.

TheywerethroughtheWhiteWay.

Gently,Ashsteeredthelittleboattowardstheshore.TheDoctorandRyanclamberedout,andthentheybothfellontothebank,helplesswithlaughter.

“Doctor,”saidRyan.“Thatwasbrilliant!”

“Itwasthough,wasn’tit?”

“Iwishwecouldgoroundagain!”

“Metoo!”

Theylayontheirbacks,catchingtheirbreath.Ashsatdownbesidethem,watchingthemwithsteady,curiouseyes.

“Promisemeonething,though,Doctor,”saidRyan.

“What?”theDoctorsaid.

“Neverleavemealonewithalavashark.”

TheDoctor’sfacecrinkledwithlaughter.“Crossmyhearts.”

Far,faraway,YasminandGrahamstoodsidebysideandlookedagainattheDiamondCity.

“Wow,”saidGraham.“Itreallyisasightforsoreeyes!”

Yazwasthinkingofanexperimentshehaddoneasakid.Youtippedapileof chemicals into a little plastic jar, and then crystals grew. It had seemedmagical,althoughtheteacherhadbeenatpainstoexplaintheprocessbehindit.Shehadneverimaginedshehadwouldseethesamethingthesizeofacity.Wasthathowithadbeenbuilt?Hadtheygrowncrystalsinthesameway,shewondered, but on amuch larger scale?And then they fashioned them intohomes,halls,streets,andwalkways,anddecoratedthemwithpreciousstonesandcolourfulrocks,untilthewholeplacegleamedandshone…

Quartz was smiling at the sight. For a brief moment, Yaz felt sympathywithhim,afellowfeeling.Hehadshownherhishome,andwantedhertobeimpressed–andshehadbeen,veryimpressed.SheimaginedleadinghimuponeofthehillsaroundSheffield,lookingdownonitsslategreybuildingsandtheroughgrassthatgrewdoggedlywheneverithadthechance.Shelovedhercity,andshewouldwantastrangertoadmireit.ShewonderedwhatQuartzwould thinkof it;howalien itwould seem tohim,under thebigYorkshiresky.

Quartzsighedandpointedupwards.“Look.”

Yazlookedup.Highabovethem,inthedarkoftheroofoftheworld,atthefarsideofthesphere,shesawfaintsmears.“Thoseshootingstarsagain,”saidGraham.

“LiketheMilkyWay,”saidYaz.

“Stars,butontheinside,”saidGraham.“Ican’tgetmyheadaroundthis.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean when you say ‘stars’,” saidQuartz.

“Lightsupinthesky,”saidGraham.“Hangon,thatwon’tmakeanysense,willit?”

“Basaltusedtotalkaboutwhatthesurfaceofaworldmustbelike,”saidQuartz.“Mostalarming.Asphereoutsideourownsphere.Nothingabove…”He shuddered. “Howyou feel safe, crawlingalong like that I donotknow.But,no, thesearen’t thekindof lights in the sky thatyoumustbeused to.This is something farmoreworrying.This iswhatBasaltwas trying to tellpeople.”

“Cracks,”saidYaz.“Cracksinthesphere,rightaboveyourCity.”

“Likebeinginsideaneggshell,”saidGraham.

“Butseeing those,”saidYaz,gesturingupwards,“andknowingthat therearepoolsopening–peoplearen’tconnectingthetwo?”

“Peoplewon’t admit it,” saidQuartz. “They’d rather pretend that they’renewstreamsofsilver,orsomethinglikethat.”

“Andnobody’sbeentohavealook?”saidGraham.

“It’s likeAsh said, we stay close together. If Basalt has got all thewaythere,hehasn’tsentamessageback.”

“And, in the meantime, everyone’s denying the evidence of their owneyes,”saidGraham.“Badidea.”

“Andsayinganythingoutloudcangetpeopleintotrouble.”Quartzsighed,deeply. “Comeon,”he said. “Wecanbe seeneasilyhere, andEmeraldhasmanywaysofwatchingpeopleastheyapproachhercity.”

Reluctantly, they turned their back on the shining sight, and followedQuartz.

“IwishRyanhadbeenheretoseethat,”saidGraham,withasigh.

“TheDoctorwillbebackassoonasshe’sfoundoutwhat’sgoingon,”Yazsaid,robustly.

“Buthowlongwillthatbe?”saidGraham.“Imean,howlongdoesittaketo travel fromone side of this sphere to the other?Do you have any idea?BecauseIdon’t.”

“Trynot tomaketoomuchnoise,”saidQuartz,politely.“We’retryingtomoveinsecret,afterall.”

Heledthemonuntilthepathcametoadeadendinfrontofasheerwallofpale yellow stone.Yazwas suddenly on alert.Was this some kind of trap?HadQuartzbrought themhere so that theycouldbecaptured?Sheglancedaroundquickly.Therewasnowayoutotherthanthewaytheyhadcome.

Quartz,asifguessingherthoughts,gaveaslysmile.Thenheputhishandup to the smooth face of the stone, and pushed, very hard.The rock rolledback.

“Blimey,”saidGraham.“Apropersecrettunnel.What’sthatplacecalled…Youknow,Yaz,withthestonesandtherocksandthosescreechylittlefellas?InthatfilmofRyan’s.”

Yazthoughtaboutthisforawhile.“DoyoumeantheMinesofMoria?”

Grahamsnappedhisfingers.“That’sit!MinesofMoria.”Hisfacefell,andYaz knew he was worrying about Ryan. But there was no time – Quartz

gesturedtothemtofollow,andtheywentthroughthedoorandintothedark.

Notfarfromtheriver,wheretheDoctorandherfriendshadlanded,therewasanother path, narrow and not as well kept as others they had taken. Ashhesitatedbythis,butthennodded,andledRyanandtheDoctorthatway.

“Wheredidyourfathersayhewasgoingnext?”theDoctorsaid.

“That’stheproblem,”Ashadmitted.“Hedoesn’tmentionarouteafterthis.But there’s only one way my people go after the White Way, and that’stowardstheGreyForest.”

“GreyForest,” saidRyan. “I’mnotgoing tomakeanyguesses this time.What’sitlikeinthere?”

“Wedon’tgoin,”Ashsaid.“Ifpeoplegothisway,theygoround.”

“Anyparticularreasonwhy?”saidRyan.

“Whygotothetroubleofhackingthroughaforestwhenthere’saperfectlygoodroutethroughopengroundaroundit?”shesaid.

“Fair enough,” said Ryan, although he couldn’t help wondering whethertherewasaquickerwayifyouwentthrough…

Thelandtheywerepassingthroughwasgettingwilder,withstrangeshrubsandbushes.TheywerefarfromtherockyplainnearwheretheTARDIShadlanded,andthislandwasclearlymuchmorefecundthanthedrycrackedlandwherethelavaseahadbeen.Theycameoveranotherridge,andhesawthedarkexpanseoftheforestupahead.“Notfar,”saidAsh.

Theshrubsandbushesgot thicker,andsometimes therewereevenbrightspecks of flowers. There was wildlife too; flittering insects with gem-likeeyes,andsmallcreaturesthatskitteredawaywhenyouwalkedpast.Nothingbig, Ryan thought with relief, although the ruby rats were a problem. Thethingwas, theygoteverywhere…Yousatdown,andrealised therewasonenibblingatyour finger.You jumpedup,and the thinghadalreadyfound itsway down to scratch at your boots…And their teeth…So sharp! It madesense,hethought,iftheyweremadeofpreciousstones.Hejustdidn’twanttoexperimenthowsharpusingoneofhisfingers.

“Thesethings,”hesaid,wavinghishandtoshooanotheroneaway,“willbethedeathofme.”

Ash’seyesopenedwide.Ryanwasstartingtogetthehangofreadingherexpressionsnow.Ithadn’tbeeneasy,atfirst,butasyouspentmoretimewithher, you realised that what seemed to be a solid wall of, well, rock, wasactuallyreallysupple.Shepickeduptheratthathe’dshakenoff,cuppingit

betweenherhands,andcarrieditawayalittledistancebeforesettingitfree.Whenshecameback,shestillhadthatexpressionofconcern.

“I sincerelyhope theywon’tcauseyourdeath,Ryan,” shesaid.“They’recertainlynotdangerousforus,althoughIdounderstandthatyourcarapacesarenotquite…”Shestoppedforamoment,asiftryingtothinkofawaytoexpressherselfpolitely.“Notquiteashardy.”

“Carapace?” Ryan said, puzzled. “Oh! Skin! Nah, not quite as hardy, Isuppose.” He shook his leg, sending yet another ruby rat dashing into thefoliage. “It’sOK.That’s just an expression.Be good to get past this lot ofthem,though.”

The Doctor, who had been poking around a few feet away, looked up.“Don’tyoulikethem,Ryan?Iwasthinkingofbringingonewithus.”

Helookedather.“Youwhat?”

“As a pet, you know?” She was peering down at the ground, and herealisedwithasinkingheartthatshewastryingtofindoneofthebeasts.“Or,Ishouldsay,soIcanmakeaproperstudyofthem…”

“Doctor,”hesaid,“they’vegotteeth.”

“Well,sohaveyou,”shesaid.“AndI’veneverheldthatagainstyou.Oh,hangon!There’sone!”Shewentdashingoff,intotheundergrowth,likeAliceafterthewhiterabbit.“Hey,”shecried.“Comeback!”

“Doctor!” Ryan yelled. “Don’t just run off!” He huffed. “Honestly,sometimesit’slikefollowingatoddleraround…”

Besidehim,Ashwasmakinganoddsound,likepebblesslidingtogetheratthestartofanavalanche.Ryanturnedtoherinconcern,andthenrealisedshewaslaughing.

“Sheremindsmeofmyfather,”Ashsaid.“Alwayschasinganewidea.”

Ryannoddedhisunderstanding.Hethoughtofhisgran;alwaysatthefront,readyforadventure,readytohaveago.I’mtrying,Gran,hethought.Tryingtogivethingsago.

TheDoctorreappeared.“Itgotaway.Nevermind,plentymorewherethatcamefrom.Andlook–Ifoundsomethinginteresting.”

Shecametowardsthem,andRyanandAshleanedintoseewhatshewascarrying.Foramoment,Ryanthoughtshehadfoundalaptop–itwasaboutthesamesize,andasteelygreycolour–andthenherealisedthiswasdaft.Itcouldn’tbe,and,besides,thethingwasmadeofstone.

“IfeellikeMoses,”theDoctorsaid,holdingthestonetabletup.“Niceman,bitbeardy.”

“Doctor,”saidRyan,gentlyremindingherofthetaskathand,“whatisit?”

“Well,IknowamessagewhenIseeone,”theDoctorsaid.Sheplacedthestonetabletontheground.“Ash–amIright?”

Ryan knelt down to get a better look. He couldn’t see a message, onlyflecks of mica. He reached out to clear some of it away, but the Doctorstoppedhim.“LetAshlook.”

Ashstudiedthestoneandgaspedoutloud.

“I’mright,aren’tI?”saidtheDoctor.

“Yes,”Ashsaid.“Thisismyfather’sname,here…”Shepointedtosomeoftheflecks.Ryanwasgladhehadn’ttriedtobrushanyofitoff.

“Whatdidhesay?”TheDoctor’svoicewasquiet,buturgent.

Ashlookedup,wretchedly.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“He’susedsomekindofcode.”

“Doesn’tmakethingseasy,yourdad,doeshe?”saidRyan.

TheDoctorrubbedherhandstogetheringlee.“Iloveagoodcode.”

Five

Ryansat,patiently,whileAshandtheDoctorporedover thestone.Notfar,hugeandloomingandwhispering,stoodthefringesoftheforest,daringthemtoenter.

Ryanstoodupandwalkedclosertolookatsomeoftheplants.Hewouldbe the first toadmit thathewashardlywhatyoucouldcall agardener,butthesewerelikenothinghehadeverseen.Firsthiseyefellonsomelowthickbushesattheveryedgeoftheforest.Theywerenotquitetherightcolour,forone thing; not green, but instead they had a yellowish hue, fading to darkbrownclosertotheground.Whenhelookedclosely,hesawthatthebushesweren’t formed from stems and leaves, but from thick brown veins thatlooked like they’d be squishy to touch, and which fanned out into yellowplate-sized circles.Behind thebusheswere taller plants –more like trees –whichglowed, faintly,palepink, likea lampbehind frostedglass.Betweenthetreesandthebuseswerelongsilvertrailingplants,thinascobwebs,andthesetooshone,likestringsoffairylightsonaChristmastree.Ryanreachedouttotouchoneofthem.Hehadexpectedsomethinggossamerlight.Insteaditwastough,andwiry.HethoughtoftheropesthatAshhadhandedround.

“Doctor,”hecalledbackovertoher.“Comeandhavealookatallthis.”

TheDoctorcametojoinhim.Sheranhersonicscrewdriveroveroneofthenearest plants. She was particularly interested in the wiry fibres that heshowedher.“Rope,”shemuttered.“Rope.”

“Arethesekindalike…mushrooms?”

“Greatguess,Ryan.Yep,thesearefungiofsomesort.”Shestoodraptforawhile,staringintothedepthsoftheforest.“That’samazing.”

Ryannodded.Itwasamazing,althoughtheoveralleffectwasjustthissideofterrifying,andhehadaverystrongsuspicionaboutwhichwaytheywereheading onceAsh had got to gripswith her father’s code.Again, he foundhimselfmissingGrahamandYaz.Hewonderedwhere theywere,andwhattheyweredoing;whethertheywereseeingsightsasweirdandwonderfulasthis, andwhether theywereall right.Yaz,he thought,wouldbe loving thiswholebusiness;Grahamwouldbelovingittoo,althoughataslightlyslowerpace.AsforRyanhimself…Hereachedouttotouchoneofthewirytrailing

plants.Asmilecreptacrosshisface.Yes,hethought,hewaslovingallthisaswell.

“How’sitgoing,Ash?”saidtheDoctor.

Ashlookedupfromhertask.“Slow,”sheadmitted.“Hetaughtmemostofhis codes – I took a lot of his notes for him. But this isn’t one I’ve seenbefore.”

“Didhealwayswriteincode?”saidRyan.

“Almostalways,”saidAsh.

“He’d have to,” said the Doctor. “If people found out what he wasplanning,hewouldbeintrouble.”

“Ireallythoughthe’dtaughtmeall themainonesheused,”Ashsaid.“Itseemsnot.”Shesoundedhurtbythis,asifthismeantthathehaddecidednotto trusther.Ryandidn’tbelievethatwasthecase.Heknewwhatprotectiveadultslookedlike.

“You’ll do it,” the Doctor said, placing one hand gently upon Ash’sshoulder.“Idon’tthinkhedidn’ttrustyouwithhissecrets,youknow.Ithinkheknewhecouldtrustyoutocrackhismostdifficultcode.”

Ashsmiled.Thatideaseemedtoconsoleherconsiderably,andsheandtheDoctor went back to the task with renewed enthusiasm. Ryan wanderedtowards the edge of the forest. He peered inside at the thick tangle ofinterwovenplants.Ifthiswastheirroute(andhewassureitwouldbe)thenhow would they get through? Could the Doctor’s sonic clear a path? Hewasn’tsuretherewasenoughpower,althoughthesonicdidseemabletopulloffallsortsoftricks.Buthesuspectedthathackingthroughthisspookyplacewasgoingtoinvolvemuscleandhardwork.Heleanedinwards,andlistened,closely.In thedistance,farunder thisstrangecanopy,heheardtheswishofsome unknown, alien life; the call of someweird creature. Things lived inthere. Things never seen before by human eyes; strange and unknown life,andallindangerfromthethreatthatlayhangingoverthisworld.Theremustbe someway in and through, he thought. This incredible place couldn’t belostforever…

“Ryan!”calledtheDoctor.“Wethinkwe’vecrackedit!”

Ryanhurriedbacktothem.Ashlaythestonetabletonthegroundforthemtosee.Asshespoke,shepointedatvarioussectionsofthemicarunes.“Thisdescribestheirroutesofar.Weknowthat.TheycamealongtheWhiteWay,justlikeus.”Shelaughed.“Hetookthetimetotakesomesamplesfromthe

jellyfish,andhe’sleftnotesaboutthecompositionofapossibleantidotefortheirsting.Thatisexactlylikehim.Ahundreddifferentprojects,allatonce.”

TheDoctorsmiled.“Alwaysthescientist.Idolikeyourdad.”

“Thissectionexplainswherethey’regoingnext,”Ashsaid.

“It’sintotheforest,isn’tit?”saidRyan.

Ashlookedupandblinked.“Howdidyouguessthat?”

“Well, look at it,” Ryan said. “Huge, shady, threatening. Made ofmushrooms.Whereelsewasitgoingtobe?”

TheDoctornudgedhim.“Cheerup,”shesaid.“It’slikeMirkwood!”

“Doctor,” Ryan said. “Mirkwood was full of giant spiders and an evilwizard.”

“Oh yeah,” she said. “I always forget that bit. I only ever remember theElves.”SheturnedbacktoAsh.“Doesyourfathergiveaclueaboutthewaythrough,Ash?”

Ash shook her head. “If he and his people went deep into the forest,they’ve gone further than any of us ever have.We go round to reach oursettlements.”Shepondered the tablet again.Acoupleof ruby ratswriggledthroughandstartedgnawingat thestone.Absently,shebrushedthemaway.“But these seem to be directions. We skirt the edge of the forest a littlefurther,andthenthere’sawaythroughtheundergrowth,almostapath…”Shelookedup.“Whatdoyouthink,Doctor?”

“WhatdoIthink?Ithinkweshouldgotakealook,ofcourse.”

They walked on. Beside them the forest glowed and whispered, as ifbeckoning:Comeinside…Comeandseewhatenchantmentsliewithin…

TheyfollowedBasalt’sdirectionsand,ashehadpromised,theysooncametoaplacewheretheforest thinnedslightly,allowingpeopletoenter, if theywalkedsinglefile.Onthethresholdwasanotherstonetablet.Ashgottoworkatonce. “Theycertainly intended to enter the forest here,” she said, at last.“Whatthiscan’ttellusishowfartheygot.”

“Onlyonewaytofindout,”theDoctorsaid.Sheledthewayforwards,andtheydivedintotheforest.

The tunnelswere low,andbothYazandGrahamhad tostoop tobeable tocarryonwalking.Whatlittlelighttherewascamefromcrystalssetinthewallhereandthere,likelanternsinamediaevalcastle.

“Like those tunnels in Gaul,” whispered Graham. “They had them inRome,too.MaryBerrysaidso.”

“MaryBeard,”Yazremindedhim.

“That’swhatIsaid.Isn’tit?”

Yazsmiledinthehalf-light.ShewasgladofGraham’ssolidpresence.Yazcouldtakecareofherself–butitwasnicetoknowthatotherscaredenoughto be looking out for you. And everyone needed a helping hand every sooften.

“Anyway,”Graham said, “the catacombs inRomewere built so that theChristianscouldhideawayfromtheauthorities.”Hecalledahead.“Quartz?Whomadethesetunnels?Whataretheyfor?”

Quartz,whohadbeenleadingtheway,hungbackforamomentuntiltheycaughtup.“We’reaclose-knitfamilyhere,”hesaid.“Andtherewasatime–notsolongago–whenwewereforbiddentoleavetheCityformoreanight.Buttherearealwaysadventurers,evenhere…”

“LikeBasalt,”saidYaz.

“LikeBasalt. Some peoplewanted to travelmore freely. They had goodreasonstoo–thereweremoreofusthanever,andnotenoughfood.Sotheydug thesepassages tobeable tomeeteachother,andmakeplans,and thentheybuilttunnelsthatranbeyondtheCitywalls.Afterawhile,theneedformore resources became acute, and the lawswere relaxed, and nowwe cantravelbeyondtheCityforgreatdistances.Aslongasthere’sagoodreason–toforage,orhunt,ormine.”

“What about if you just want to go for a wander?” said Graham. “Youknow,abitofaholiday?Getawayfromitall.”

Quartzgaveawrysmile.“Thatisn’tgenerallyallowed.”

“SoBasalt’sjourney…?”saidYaz.

“He didn’t have permission,” said Quartz. “Quite the contrary, I shouldimagine,ifanyonehadheardaboutitbeforeheleft.”

“Permission!”saidGraham.“Whatisthis?School?”

YazponderedwhatQuartzhad said.Acivilisation so enclosed, so close-knit,thatevengoingadayawayfromtheCityhadoncebeenforbidden.NowonderBasalt’sideashadcausedsomuchtrouble.Forthefirsttime,shehadaninklingofwhatitmightmeantothesepeopletoseealiensamongstthem;tobeconfrontedwith the truthof lifebeyond thesafesmall sphereof theirworld.

Atlength,theycamedownashorttunnelandwerestoppedbyarockrolledintoplace,blockingthewaythrough.“Myhomeisbehindthis,”saidQuartz.YazandGrahamhelpedhimmovetherockaside:itwasakindofpumiceanddeceptivelylight.Quartzledthemintoawidehall,carvedfromcrystal,whichglowedgentlyfromwithin.

“Wow,”murmuredGraham.“Howtheotherhalflives.”

“Welcome!”Quartzsaid.Heledthemfurtherinside,alongrichlyglowingpassageways,bringingthematlasttoalargeroomthatshimmeredwithever-changing light. “Make yourself comfortable,” he said, gesturing round. “Ihaveafewthingstoseeto,andthenwecantalkaboutournextmove.”

He left through another door. Yaz and Graham looked at each other inamazement.

“Whataplace,”saidGraham.“Lookatthatlightshow!”

Yaz nodded. It was like being inside a big church when the sun shonethrough the stained glass, painting the walls with colour. Only here thecoloursshifted,andcamefromthewallsthemselves.“It’sgorgeous,Iguess.”

“Youguess?”Grahamfrowned.“What’sthematter?”

“I’mstillnotsureaboutQuartz.Whodoyouknowwithasecretpassageleadingstraighttotheirhouse?”

“We don’t knowmuch about these people, dowe?Maybe they all havesecretpassagesleadingstraighttotheirhouse.Fromwhathesaidhalfofthemwererunningaroundthematonepoint.”

Yazlaughed.“Notverysecret,then!”

“Yeah,you’dalwaysbebumpingintotheneighbours.‘Oh,sorry,Iwasjustdownhereinthissecretpassage,didn’tmeantodisturbyou…’”

Yaz felt cheered as always by Graham’s chatter, as was probably hisintention. The colours on thewall seemedwarmer now. She sat down in ahuge chair, carved from a single slab of dark grey slate, and tried to getcomfortable.Grahamtoowashavingthesameproblem.

“Whatthisplaceneedsismorecushions,”hesaid.

Quartzreturnedthen,carryingatraywithstoneplateswhichheplacedonamarbletable.“Idon’tknowwhetheryoucaneatordrinkanyofthis,”hesaid.“ButItrytobehospitable…”

Yaz andGraham peered at his offering: small slices of various colouredsubstancethatcouldbebrownbread,orcheddarcheese,orwhoknewwhat.

“Itlooksnice,”saidYaz,doubtfully.

“Oh,I’llgofirst,”Grahamsaid.Hetookabitefromoneofthesmallsliceslaidout.“Tastesfine.Tastes…mushroomy.”

Yazgaveitacoupleofminutes,andthen,whenGrahamdidn’tkeelover,took the risk herself. He was right. Everything was fine – nice, even. Sherealised how hungry she was, and sampled everything that Quartz hadbrought.Grahamturnedouttohaveabottleofwaterstashedonhim,whichtheyshared,takingsmallsipstoconservethesupply.

Abellrang–no,morelikewind-chimesclatteringpersistently.Yazjumpedupfromherchair.“Istheresomeonehere?Ithoughtweweresafe—”

Quartz raised his hands to placate her. “It’s all right. There’s nothing toworryabout.I’veaskedafewfriendstocomeandjoinus.”

“A few friends?” Yaz said, but Quartz was already out of the door. SheturnedtoGraham.“Doyouthinkwecangetaway?Didyouseeanotherwayout?”

“Idon’t thinkwe’vegot time to try!”Grahamsighed. “Looks likewe’remeetingthesefriends,then.Well,we’llseewhattheyhavetosay.”

Quartzcamebackin,ahandfuloffiguresfollowing.Yaz’sfirstimpressionwas of a dazzling array of crystals and gems, of precious stones andshimmeringcolours.Ittookheramomenttoseefaces,eyes,mouths–people.Therewas a short silence as the humans stared at the rock-people, and therock-peoplestaredback.

“Yasmin,Graham–thesearemyfriends,”saidQuartz.“Friendsofmine,andfriendsofBasalt.Wereallydowanttohelpyou,howeverwecan.”

The journey through the forest was an unsettling experience. Everythinglooked similar to something fromEarth – the bushes, the trees, the trailingplants, the bright flowers – but as you got closer, they were all so verydifferentthatRyanwouldalmostfeelthrownoff-balance,asifsomeonehadperformedaconjuringtrickbeforehiseyes.Thenthereweretheoddnoises–chirrups and creaks, nothing like birdsong or any insect he had heard. Thescentsoftheforestweredifferenttoo–dry,andstuffy.Mouldering.Progresswasslow.Inplacesthepathwasovergrown,andAshwouldhavetostopandponderthebestway.SometimestheDoctorwouldstoptoo,andholdupthesonic screwdriver, and frown, and suggest a course correction, or nod, andtheywouldcarryon.

“Whatareyoudoing,Doctor?”Ryanasked,ononeoftheseoccasions.

“We’re heading for those crackswe saw in the sphere, yeah?” she said.“Wecan’tseethemunderallthis,”shegesturedaroundtheforest,“butIcanstillnavigateus,roughly.”

“LikeGPS,”hesaid.

“Sortof.Geo-PositioningSonic.Andthere’ssomethingelse…”

“Whatelse?”saidRyan.

Sheshovedthescrewdriveraway.“I’mnotsureyet.Don’tworry.”

Every so often, to their excitement, they came across another ofBasalt’sstonetablets,showingtheywereontherightlines,andwouldstopforawhileso todecipherhis latestmessage.Ash inparticularwasgettingadeptat thetask,moreandmorefamiliarwiththecodehewasusing,butitstilltookhersomeeffort.Atleast itwasabreakfromwalking.Assheworkedononeofthese,Ryanposedthequestioncurrentlyuppermostinhismind.

“Doctor,howlongisthiswalkgonnatake?”

TheDoctor shookher head. “Ifwehad theTARDIS,we’d be up on thesurfaceinajiffy.Butwithout?Whoknows?”Shelookedathimthoughtfully.“GrahamandYazwillbefine,youknow.He’ll lookoutforher;she’ll lookoutforhim.”

“Iknow,Iknow…”

“Butyou’restillworried?

“Yeah,ofcourse.Butthere’ssomethingelse…”

“Whatisit?”

“I’mstarving.”Ryangrinned.“AndIneedyouradviceon theonly thingwe’vegotonthemenu.”

“What?”saidtheDoctor.

Hethrewhisarmsoutwide.“Mushrooms!”

Herfacecrinkledup.“Ohyeah!Areyouallrightwithmushrooms?”

“Well,Ilikeafry-upasmuchasthenextguy,butifIknowanythingaboutthe great outdoors, it’s that you don’t help yourself to anymushrooms youfindlyingaroundtheplace.”

“Absolutely not,” said the Doctor. “The last thing you should do is trymushroomswithoutknowingwhattheyare.Doublethatforalienmushrooms.Triplethatforalienmushrooms.”

Shepulledouthersonicscrewdriverandstartedbreakingsmallpiecesofthevariousplantstohand,testingthemonebyone.“Notthat.Notthat.Ooh,dear,no,definitelynot that…”Aftera littlewhile,shesettledonone.“Thiswillbefine,”shesaid.“Actually,thiswillbegoodforyou.Shouldhelpkeepstresslevelsdown.”Shefrowned.“Thisisthethingwithwipingoutfloraandfauna.Youneverknowwhichoneisgoingtocontainacureforsomedisease.Youknow,therewasaflowerthatonlygrewhighupononemountainsideonEltemalisiaMagnawhich turnedout tocontainacompound that couldcureFlugel’sAgue,andtheyweregoingtoflattenthemountain–can’trememberwhynow,it’susuallyaroad,isn’tit?Anyway,itwasaparticularlynicelittleflower,ithadpalebluespikypetalswithwhitebitsandareallynicescentthatwouldgofoofinyourfacewhenthetemperaturewasright,likealittlesprayoffancyperfume.Itwaslovely!Imean,evenifithadn’tcontainedthecureforFlugel’sAgue,therestillwouldn’tbeanyexcusetogoaroundpulverisingamountain—”

“Doctor,”Ryansaid,plaintively.“I’mstarving.”

“Ohyeah.Sorry.Itreallyisaniceflowerthough.”Shenibbledatthepieceoffungusthatshehadbrokenoff,andthenhandedhimtherest.

Ryan peered down. It looked all right – like a slice of an ordinary, ifoversized,Earthmushroom.Hepoppedthepieceinhismouth,readytospititout again, and then realised it tasted nice. “Hey,” he said. “That’s all right,isn’t it?All itneeds isacoupleof friedeggs, some tomatoes,andapileofbacon.” He nibbled at the mushrooms and watched as the Doctor foragedfurther,comingbackwithastackofbig leaves.Shesplit the leaves in two,andsapoozedout.“Wecandrinkthis,”shesaid.“Untilwefindwater.”

Ashcame to join them.Shewas lookingcheerful: theywereon the rightpath,andsimplyhadtocontinuethewaytheyweregoing.Shesawwhattheywereeating,andsmiled.

“Oh,” she said. “Iwonderedwhatyou’d eat. I evenwondered if youdideat.”

“Believeme,”saidRyan,fervently,“weeat.”

“Thosearenice,”Ashsaid.“I like themforbreakfast,sizzling in thepanwithjetcakesandhotsauce.”

Ryangroaned.“Idon’tknowwhatanyofthatis,butjusthearingyousaythatismakingmehungrier.”

TheDoctorgaveherbrilliant smile. “Ryan, Ipromiseyou–whenwe’vesavedthisworld,you’llhavethefry-upofyourlife.”

Yazhadnot felt under thismuch scrutiny since thewhole ofYearTenhadbeen in trouble for mucking about on their trip to Haworth. Half-a-dozenstrange faceswere staring at her,more alarming than any teacher-led courtmartial.Oneofthislot,forexample,shewassure,hadmorethantwoeyes;anotherhadeyesthatasyethadnotblinked.Yetanotherwasbrightwhite,itswhole body seeming to shine from within with an almost blinding light,fleckedthroughwithsilverandgrey.Mostofthemhadstrangeandbeautifulformations,likeQuartz’scrown,perhapsaroundtheirwrists,orridgesacrosstheir back or shoulders. They all looked so different, Yaz thought, and yettheywereclearlyallofthesamespecies.

At last, one of them,with a silvery veins running across its face, spoke.“What…whatareyou?”

Graham, to his credit, didn’t seem in the least bit fazed. “We’re humanbeings,”he said,proudly.“From theplanetEarth.We’re friendlyandwe’reverynice!”HeturnedtoYaz,suddenlyself-conscious.“Istheresomesortofofficialwayofdoingthis?”

“Whyareyouaskingme?”

“Well, you’re a copper, ain’t ya? Don’t you do training for this kind ofthings?Youknow,officialstuff?”

“Ipromiseyou, theydidn’tcover ‘meetingandgreetingaliens’ incopperschool.”Yazrelentedslightly.“Ithoughtwhatyousaidwascool.”

Grahamlookedgenuinelypleased.“Oh,thanks!Itried!”

“Oomanbeengs?”saidthesilver-veinedperson.

Grahamsmiled.“That’sright!Moreorless.Closeenough!”

“ThisoneisGraham,”Quartzsaid,helpfully.“AndthisoneisYaz.Thosearetheirnames.”

The aliens turned to eachother andmurmured to eachother for awhile,casting furtive glances every so often at the strange visitors. Yaz watchedthemclosely.Therewasconfusion,alarm,somefear–andhereandthereshethought she caught something of that particular sense ofwonderwhich sheassociated with her travels with the Doctor, as if the whole universe hadsuddenlybeenproventobemorevariedandinterestingandalarmingthanshehadeverbeforeimaginedpossible.

Eventually,thesilveredpersonspokeagain.“Yes,but…whatareyou?”

Graham looked stumped, but gamely tried again. “I guess – well, we’realiensIsuppose,aren’twe?”

“We’renot from thisplanet,”Yaz tried, thenwonderedwhether theyhadanyidea, really,ofwhataplanetwas.WhathadBasaltsaid?“Beyondyourhome,”shesaid,“youcometothesurface—”

“Just asBasalt claimed,”Quartz said. “All of you, you heard him speakmanytimes.Youknowwhathealwayssaid.Thatwelivedinahollow,andbeyondthatwasthickrock,andbeyondthat,thesurfaceofasphereofwhichwearethecentre.Youbelievedhim,didn’tyou?”

“Yes, I believed him,” said the unblinking one. He was dark blue, withpalerswirlsalloverhim,likelapislazuli.“Butheneversaidanythingabout–well.”Hestaredfiercelyatthehumans.“Thingslikethis!”

Oneof theothershadmovedcloser toGraham.She reachedout a rockyfingertipand,tentatively,touchedhisskin.“Oh!”shecried.“It’ssoft!”

“Thankyou,”saidGraham.“Idon’tthinkI’dsellmanycosmetics,butit’salwaysnicetogetacompliment.”

Shepokedhimagain.“It’ssquishy!”

“I’ma‘he’ratherthanan‘it’,actually,”Grahamsaid.“Oh,youmeanmyskin.”

“You’re right,” said Yaz. “We’re not made from rock like you. We’resomethingelse.”

“Areyoufromthesurface?”askedanotherone,aquietonesittingneartheback,beautifulonyxwithwhiteswirlsacrosshisarmsandchest.

“Somanyquestions!”saidQuartz.“Iaskedyouherebecauseweneedyourhelp—”

“Wait, Quartz,” said the silver-veined one, lifting his hand. “I’d like ananswertothat.Basaltsaidthatwewereinsideagreatspherewithasurface.Arethesepeoplefromthatsurface,highaboveus?”

Graham opened his mouth to answer, but Yaz shook her head and hestopped.Shehada sudden feeling that theywereon theedgeof somethingvery significant, that what they said nowmight have a dramatic effect onthese people. She wanted them to choose their words carefully. “No,” shesaid.“We’renotfromthesurface.”

Thesilver-veinedonepressedon.“Andyou’renotfromapartofthisworld–this‘sphere’,ourownsphere–thatwehavenotyetdiscovered?”

Thereweresomemurmursaroundthegroup;clearlytheyhadseenwheretheir friendwas goingwith this too. “No,” saidYaz. “We’re not from thisworldatall.”

Themutteringwasgettingmoreheated.

“Whenyoureachthesurfaceofthisworld,”Yazsaid,“youlookoutintoavast empty space. If you travel through that space – and you can travelthroughit,withtherighttoolsandmachines–youeventuallycometootherworlds.We’refromoneofthose.Ourfriend,theDoctor,isfromanother,andtherearemoreandmoreworlds,ohcountless,andcountlessdifferentpeople,alllookingdifferentanddoingthingsdifferently!It’ssoamazing—”

She had thought that was she conveying some of her excitement, herenthusiasm,forwhatherlifewiththeDoctorhadshownher,hadgivenher.Shewasn’treallypreparedfor thereactionshereceived.Thedarkblueone,LapisLazuli,jumpedtohisfeet.

“Quartz,”hesaid,angrily.“Ican’tbelieveyou’vebroughtusheretolistentothis—”

“Itallseemstobetrue,”saidQuartz,mildly.Yazwasgrudginglyimpressedathiscalm.

“No!It’slies!”saidthesilver-veinedone.

“It’sworsethanthat,”saidLapisLazuli.“It’sheresy.”

A heated argument followed; some denying what they could see; othersdemandingmoreproof;oneortwotryingtocalmtherest,tonoavail.Attheback, the onyx one sat quietly, and, catching Yaz’s eye, smiled at her. Atlength,LapisLazulileft,angrily,andtheothersfollowedshortlyafter.Lasttogowastheonyxone,wholookedbackatGrahamandYaz,andsmiledagain,andnodded.

Atlast,YazandGrahamwerealone,withQuartz.

“Rightthen!”saidGraham.“Ithinkthatwentwell!”

Six

Quartzstoodlookingoveratthedoorthroughwhichallhisfriendshadleft.Heseemedtobeatalossastowhattodonext.Heshookhishead.“I’llspeakto themallagain,”he said.“Perhapsone-by-one…Thatmightmake thingseasier.Someofthemweremoresympatheticthanothers,Ithought…Butit’sa huge shock.” He stared at his guests again and shook his head. “You’reso…”

“Weknow,”saidYaz.“Alien.”

“Weunderstand,”saidGraham.

YazandGrahamtookthechancetorest.Quartzshowedthemtoapleasantsidechamberwherebedshadbeenlaidoutforthem.

“Look,Graham,”saidYaz,“cushions.”

Heliftedoneandpretendedtothrowitather.“Hey,Iwonderwhat thesearemadeoutof.Can’tbewooloranythinglikethat,canit?Ordoyouthinktheyhavesapphire-sheepandlava-goats?”

“I’dlovetoseealava-goat,”saidYaz.

“I’mnotsosuremyself,”saidGraham.

Yazranherhandacrossthecushions,andthecoversonthebed.Theyhadafibrousfeel,liketheropetheyhadused,butmorefinelywoven.“Couldbethefleeceofalava-goat,forallweknow,”shesaid.“Orthehideofarubyrat,ormushrooms…Oh,thisplaceissostrange–andcreepy!Imissthesunlight,and thefreshair…I feel likewe’vebeenstuck indoors forever.Evenwhenwe’reoutside,itjustdoesn’tfeelright!AndIwish–Ireallywish–thatwecouldcontacttheDoctor.”

Graham put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It won’t be long. YouknowwhattheDoctor’slike.Shealwaysfindsaway.Let’shaveabitofkip,eh?Thingsalwaysseembetterinthemorning.”

Yazlaydownonthebed.Shedidn’tthinkshewouldbeabletorestinthisstrange room, beneath strange blankets, but all the walking they had donecaught up with her, and soon she was soon sleeping deeply. She woke,suddenly, to the realisation that somebodywasshakingher.Sheopenedher

eyes to findQuartz loomingoverher.Sheshrankback– fromhisbulk,hisweight,hissheerandoverwhelmingdifference.

“Don’tbeafraid,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasgentle,buturgent.“Butyoumustgetupnow–bothofyou.”

“What’sgoingon?”Yazsaid.ShegotupandwenttotheotherbedtoshakeGrahamawake.

“I’vehadamessagefromafriend,”Quartzsaid.“Hewasherelastnight.Itseemsthatanotheroneofthepeopleyoumetlastnighttookfrightatthesightofyou.Didn’tlikewhatyouweresaying.Reportedyouforheresy.”

“Whowasit?”saidGraham.

“IbetIcanguess,”saidYaz.“Theblueone,orthesilveryone.”

“Itdoesn’tmatter,”saidQuartz.“WhatmattersisthatyouandIstillhavefriends,andthatthey’vewarnedmethattheGreenwatchiscoming.”

Graham,whohadbeenrubbinghiseyes,snappedawake.“What?”

“Icangetyouaway,Ithink,”Quartzsaid.“Butwehavetoleavenow.”

“Wherewillwego?”saidYaz.

“Backtothetunnelsfirst,”saidQuartz.

“Andthen?”saidGraham.

Quartzhesitated.“I’mnotsure.Maybe…MaybebacktoBasalt’sstudy.”

“That’salongway,”saidGraham.

“Dothetunnelsgothatfar?”saidYaz.

“No…”Quartzadmitted.“Butwe’llthinkofsomething.”

YazandGraham,bothwideawakenow,followedQuartzasheracedthemthroughhishome,andbackoutthroughthesecretdoorintothetunnels.Hewas going at a very fast pace.Yaz, struggling to keep up, thought that thepassagesweremuchdarkerthansherememberedfromtheirearlierjourney.

“He’sinahurry,”saidGraham.Hewasalittleoutofbreath.

“Canyourun?”saidYaz.

“Yes,but—”

“Comeon then!”Yaz started to jogoff, anxiousabout losingQuartz,butconscious ofGraham, straggling behind her. Shewas aware, as she chasedafterQuartz,ofdarktunnelsopeningeverysooftenoneitherside,leading–where? She hadn’t the faintest idea. She saw a purplish gleam ahead –

Quartz’screst,shethought–butitwasdisappearingquicklyintothedistance.ShelookedbackoverhershoulderforGraham,whowascomingasquicklyashecould.Yazlookedahead.

“Wait!”sheshouted.“Quartz,wait!”

Therewasnoreply.Yazstopped,andwaitedforGrahamtocatchup.Hebent over for awhile, catching his breath,muttering about having a stitch.Whenhewasable,helookedupagain,andblinked.“Where’sQuartz?”

“Gone,” said Yaz, grimly. “Brought us exactly where he wanted us, Iimagine.”

Behindthem,theyheardfootsteps;lowvoicescallingout:Havewemissedthem? Which way did they go? Yaz, looking back, thought she caught aglimmerofgreeninthedarkness.TheGreenwatch.

“Comeon,”whisperedYaz.“We’vegottotryandgetaway.”

Grahamsuckedinadeepbreath.“Allright,Yaz,love,doingmybest!”

“Iknow.”Shepattedhisarm.“AreyougoingtobeOK?”

“I’llbefine.”

Theyhurriedthroughthedarkness,listeningoutforanypursuers.

“ThisislikethatfilmofRyan’s,”Grahamsaid.

“You know a lot about Ryan’s films,” said Yaz, with a small laugh.“Almostlikethey’reyourfilmstoo!”

“Well,youtrytotakeaninterest,don’tyou?Keepaneyeonwhatthey’rewatching.”

“Sowhathappensnext?”saidYaz.“InthatfilmofRyan’s.”

“Bloomin’bigspider,”saidGraham.

“Notagain!”Sheshuddered.“Imaginewhatthespidersmustbelikeroundhere.They’dhavediamondclawsorstonyshellsorsomething.”

“We’dgetpastitsomehow,”saidGraham.

“AtleastIwasrightaboutsomething,”saidYaz.

“Ohyeah?”

“Quartzwasn’ttobetrusted.”

Graham frowned. “He might just have lost us. It might have been amistake…”

“Doyouwantmytheory?”saidYaz.

“Goon.”

“I think he’s playing both sides,” saidYaz. “Powerful people do that allover,don’tthey?Keepinwithbothsidessothatthey’realwaysbackingthewinner.Whyshouldherebeanydifferent?”

“We’llsee,”saidGraham,peaceably.

They couldhear the footsteps, drawing closer; thevoices, getting louder.Yazlookedaroundwildly.“Wecouldrunupanddownthesetunnelsforever,”shewhispered.

“Comeon,”saidGraham,comfortingly.“Youneverknowwhat’sroundthenextcorner.”

Roundthenextcorner,thepassageendedataT-junction.Yazpeeredintothedarkness,bothways.“Takeyourpick,”shesaid.

“Mayaswellgoright,”saidGraham.“Betterthanwrong.”

They crept down the right-hand passage. After a little way, it began tocurveroundaheadofthem.“Idon’tlikethis,”saidYaz.“Neveragoodideatobewalkingwithoutknowingwhat’sinfront—”

They saw a flicker of lights on the wall. “Is that from the rocks?” saidGraham.“Orsomethingelse?”

“Idon’tknow,”saidYaz.Shegestured toGrahamtostandstill,and theninchedherwayforwards.Shestoppeddeadwhensheheardvoicesupahead.

“Notgoodnews,Isuppose?”whisperedGraham.

Yazranbacktohim.“No.Badnews.Let’sgoback.”

Frombehindher,Yazheardsomeonecallout.“That’sthem!”

“Theyheardus!” she said toGraham, and, grabbinghis arm, pulledhimoff.“Run!”

They ran as quickly as they could, but their pursuerswere soon gainingground.“Stop!InEmerald’sname,stop!”

“Nochance!”shoutedGraham.“Comeon,Yaz,putaspurton!”

Something came rustling through the air behind them; a showerof smallstones.OneortwohitYazonthearm;theywererazor-sharp,andshecriedout.

“Youallright?”Grahamshouted.

“I’mfine,just–watchout!”sheyelled.Anothershowerofstonescameatthem.“Coveryourface,Graham!”

Grahamdidwhatshesaid,but it senthimoffbalance.Hecamecrashingdownontheground.Yazpulledupanddashedbacktohelphim.Hewasn’tevenbackonhisfeetbythetimetheirpursuersreachedthem.Yazlookedupand round.Half-a-dozen rockpeople,hugeanddeeplyalien,moving into acirclearoundthem.Somewerecarryingthelongcrystalweapons;othershadhandfulsofgravel.

“Sorry,Yaz,”saidGraham.“NotasquickonmyfeetasIusedtobe…”

“It’sallright,”shesaid.“Theywouldhavegotuseventually.”Sheturnedtofacetheircaptors,hereyesflashing.“Allright!”shesaid.“You’vegotus!!Whatareyougoingtodotous?”

Theforestended,suddenly.The treesandplantscame toastop,andsodidtheDoctor,Ryan,andAsh.Theycouldsimplygonofurther.

Thewayaheadwasbarredbywhatseemed,atfirstlook,tobeawaterfall,blueandwhiteripplingasfarastheeyecouldsee,upanddownandleftandright.Buttherewassomethingeerilystillaboutthewholedisplay.

“That’sfunny,”saidRyan.“It’snotmakinganynoise.”

TheDoctorwasalreadyhalfwaytowardsit.“Ah,good,younoticedthat.”

“Careful!”Ryancalledtoher.“Itcouldbehot.”

“I don’t think so,” said the Doctor. She reached out and touched thewaterfall,and,athertouch,someofitcrumbledawayandfelltotheground.“This is all stone,” she said. “Chippings,or shavings.Ash,didyourpeoplemakethis?”

Ash,comingtojoinher,shookherhead.

Ryangrabbedahandfulof chippings and tooka closer look. “Youknowwhatthisremindsmeof,Doctor?Oneofthosebigslagheapsyougetnearamine.”

Shenodded.“Iwasthinkingthattoo.”Shefrowned.“Whodumpsawholepileofchippingsinthemiddleofaforest…?”

Suddenly there was an ominous rumbling from above. “Oops,” said theDoctor.“Wemighthave.”

Ryanfeltsomesmallstoneslandonhishead.TheDoctorgrabbedhishandandtheystartedtorunbacktowardstheedgeoftheforest.Ryanlookedroundwildly.“Ash,”hesaid.“Where’sAsh?”

“Ohno,”murmuredtheDoctor.

Lookingbacktowardstheslagheap,RyansawthatAshhadwalkedfurtheralong, and was rummaging around in some foliage there. “Ash!” he cried.“Getaway!”

Shestartedatthesoundofhisvoice,andthensawwherehewaspointingandlookedup.Hersharpeyeswidened.

“Getaway!”yelledtheDoctor,buttoolate–thefaceofthestonywaterfallbegantoslip,andahugepileofstonescamecascadingdown.RyanwatchedinhorrorasAshfelltoherkneesundertheirweight,andwassooncovered.Afterwhatseemedlikeanage,therockfallstopped,andtherewasanother,terriblesilence.

“We’vegottogetherout!”saidRyan.

“Waitamoment,”saidtheDoctor.

“Shemightbehurt!”

“We’llbenousetoherifwefindourselvesbeneathasecondaryfall!”

TheDoctorpulledoutthesonic,andRyantriedtobepatientwhileshetooksomereadings.“Allright,”shesaid,“Ithinkit’ssafenow.Comeon!”

Theybothdashedoff.Theywerepartwaytherewhenthepileofrockunderwhich shewasburiedbegan to shift.Twostrongarmspushedandpunchedup, and then the topofAsh’sheademerged, andby the timeRyanand theDoctorreachedher,shewasstandingthere,unharmed,butblinking.“Wow”saidRyan,“you’retough.”

Ash looked over her carapace. “A few scrapes and scratches. Nothingmajor.Doctor,”shesaid.Shepointedtowheresomefoliagewasstillvisiblebehindtherocks.“Iwastuggingatthis.I’msurethere’sapassagewaybehindit.”

The Doctor peered towards where she was pointing, and grinned. “Weshouldtakealook,”shesaid.

“But how do we move all this?” Ryan said. “Without bringing anotheravalanchedownonus?”

“Well,we’regonnahavetoriskitifwewanttokeepon!”theDoctorsaid.

Ryan lookedupdoubtfully.“Maybe there’sanotherpathsomewhere?Offintotheforestagain?”

But Ash was already tugging again at the foliage. “Here!” she said.“Look!”

Shewas right. Justvisible through the threadsandsquishy thickveinsoffungi,wasapassage,narrow,andverydark.

Overhead, therewas another rumbling sound.Ryan,Ash and theDoctorpulled wildly at the foliage, then dived inside the passage. Looking back,Ryansawasmallfallofstones,likeaspringshower.“We’renotgoingtogetsealedin,arewe?”hesaid,anxiously.

“Icanforceawaythrough,”saidAsh,confidently.

“Notifthatwholepilecomesdown!”

“Don’t worry, Ryan,” the Doctor said, cheerily. “Look, it’s alreadystopped.”

Shewasright.Ryanheavedasighofrelief.Hecouldstillseeawayback.

“Well,”saidtheDoctor.“Whatarewewaitingfor!”

Sheplungedon,holdinghersonicupso that it shonea faint lightahead.Ryan followed, and Ash came behind. It was comfortably wide and highenough forevenRyan towalkupright, althoughhe still felt claustrophobic.“Any chance of some more light, Doctor? What’s the battery life on thatthing?”

“Good enough,” she said, and the light became brighter. “Oh,” she said.“Lookup.”

Ryanlookedup.Theywerestandingunderneathahugeholeand,evenwiththe light fromthesonic,hecouldn’tseehowhigh itwent.TheDoctorheldthesonicupintotheholeasfarasshecouldreach,andtooksomereadings.Ryantookthechancetolookaround.

“That,” theDoctor said at last, “goes up very high.Very high indeed…”Shetouchedthewallsoftheshaft.“Andthisissmooth,asifamachinehadmadeit…Hmm.”

“Doctor,”Ryancalledovertoher,“what’sallthis?”

She came to look.He pointedwith the toe of his boot to some bits andpiecesofclutterthatwerelyingonthefloor.“Thesearemetal,”hesaid.“Notrock.”

“I think they’re pieces of broken tech,” said the Doctor. “Temperaturegauges,thatkindofthing.Ash,doesanyofthislookfamiliar?”

Sheshookherhead.“NothingIrecognise.”

“Hmm,”saidtheDoctor.“Couldyoutakeanotherlookupthatshaft?Seewhatyouthink?”

Ashnoddedandwentahead.Ryanloweredhisvoice.“Allthisstuff.Thosegadgets there, and that hole over there…Ash’s people couldn’t havemadethem, could they? Everything they make is from rock or crystal, or thosefibres.”

TheDoctorsmiled.“Wellworkedout.No,they’renotfrominhere,Ithink;not from inside the sphere.And…”She ran the sonic over them. “Judgingfromthemetals theyuse, they’renot fromupon thesurfaceeither.There’snotenoughofanyofthiskindofmetalonthisworldtomakeallthis.”

“So someone else has been here already,” said Ryan. “From up on thesurface.”

“Beginningtolookthatway,isn’tit?Questionis–aretheystillhere?TheTARDISdidn’tscanthewholeplanetarysurface,”shesaid.“Justenoughtomakesureitcouldsustainlife–ourlife.”

“Soupthatshaftwemightcomefacetofacewithaninvadingarmy?”

The Doctor frowned. “Just cos they’re aliens doesn’t mean they’reinvading.”

“Well,no—”

“We’realiens,andwe’renotinvading,”theDoctorsaid.

“No,ofcoursewe’renot!”saidRyan.

“Your films and your telly give you a really funny idea of aliens, youknow,” said the Doctor. “It’s really alienist, your culture. Always seeing athreat when there isn’t one.” She thought about that. “Isn’t always one. Imean,therehavebeenquitealotofalieninvasionsofEarth,butthatdoesn’tmeaneverysinglespeciesishurryingaboutspacelookingtoinvadethenextplanettheycometo.Imean,”sheheldoutherhands,“I’mnot,amI?”

“No,” saidRyan, “but people here are still suspicious of us, aren’t they?Theyseeusasathreat.”

TheDoctor sighed. “All I’msaying is–youcan’t leap froma coupleofbitsofmetalonthefloortofull-blownimperialistaggression.Leavethatkindofthingtoarchaeologists.”

Ashcameback,smiling.“IthinkI’vefoundsomething,”shesaid.“Comeandsee.”

Theyfollowedher.

“There’ssomethingupthere,”shesaid.“Somekindofbox,Ithink.Ifoundthesestrangetendrils,hangingdown.”

They were metal chains. Ryan tugged at one, gently. High up above,somethingclanked,rustily.

“Ryan,”saidtheDoctor,“it’snotalwaysagoodideatostandunderneathahugeshaftandpullthefirstchainyoulayyourhandson.”

Therustyclankinggrewlouder.

“Drumsinthedeep,”saidRyan.

“Also, I’ve been meaning to have a word with you about your policytowardsbuttons—”

“Doctor!”Ryanyelled.“Move!”

Hepractically jumped into her arms, and both staggered away as a hugemetalcagecamerattlingdownandcrashedonthegroundwherehehadbeenstanding.When thedusthadsettled, theyallpeered inside thecage.On thefloorlayanotherstonetablet.

Ashreachedinsidethecageandpulledthetabletout.RyanandtheDoctorpeeredoverhershoulderstolook.Ryanthoughthecouldonlymakeoutafewflecksofmicathistime.

“Whatdoesitsay?”hesaid.

“Haveaguess,”saidtheDoctor.

Ryanlookedatthemetalcage,whichreallydidlookveryrusty.“I’mgonnaguessitsays,‘Comeonup’.”

“Bingo,”saidtheDoctor.“Shallwegiveitago?”

FourGreenwatchmarchedaheadofYazandGraham;fourmarchedbehind.Yaz glanced over her shoulder and saw hard, stony faces; implacable andemotionless.Ahead,thebacksoftheircaptorswerelikeboulders,impassable.Thelightsontherocksaroundthemglancedoffthem,makingthemglowlikeHallowe’endecorations.Sheshuddered.Therewasnowaypastthesepeople;therewasnowaysheandGrahamcouldpossiblyfighttheirwaythrough.Itwouldbeliketryingtopunchyourwaythroughamountain.

“Inoticethey’renottakingusaboveground,”Grahamwhispered.

“Don’twanttoshowustoordinarypeople,”saidYaz.Sheraisedhervoiceslightly, sounding more confident than she felt. “Don’t want to admit theevidenceinfrontoftheirowneyes.”

At length, they came to a huge carved doorway, guarded by two moreGreenwatch.Lanternsstoodoneithersideofthedoor,hugeemeraldscutwithmanyfaces,sendinggreenlightshimmeringacrossthewalls.

“Well, this lookslikesomeone’sheadquarters,”Yazsaid.“Wonderwhoitcouldbe,withallthisgreenlight?”

The guards moved aside to let their party enter. They came into apassagewayhewnout ofwhite stone, but lit, again, so that thewalls shonegreen.Theycametoanotherguardeddoorand,passingthroughthis,cameoutintoahugewhitehall.

Atthefarend,waitingforthem,wassomeonewhocouldonlybeEmerald.

Shewassmaller thanYazhadexpected,havingheardsomuchabouther,almostpetite.But shewould standout, even ina roomof these remarkablepeople.Everyfacetofherseemedtohavebeencuttoperfection;everyangleon her considered and finessed for the best effect. On her forehead, like acrown, therewas a single red gem.When shemoved, she shimmered, andlight glanced from her; green light, with the occasional flash of red. Yazrealised her eyes had started watering from the quick shifts in the light.Emerald certainly knew how to disconcert.Yaz summoned up all herwits,andallhertraining,andallshehadlearnedfromhertravelswiththeDoctorsofar,triedtospeakasplainlyandashonestlyaspossible.Sheplantedbothfeetfirmlyontheground,andcrossedherarmsbehindherback.

“Iknowthatwecomeasbigshock,”shesaid.“We’restrangershere–andIknowhowstrangewe look!Weknowhowcloseknityourcommunity is,how frightening we must seem. But we really don’t mean you any harm.We’reheretohelpyou!”

Emeraldleanedforward.Thelightdancedfromthegarnetonherforehead.“Whydoyouthinkweneedyourhelp?”

“Youmustknowwhat’shappening,”saidGraham.

“MustI?”

“Thesteamingpoolsofliquid,”saidYaz.“Thedryingseas.Thecracksinthesphereoftheworld.”

“Whataboutthem?”Emeraldsaid.

“They’renotgoodnews,youknow,”saidGraham.

“They’renotnewsatall,”saidEmerald.

YazandGrahamgaveeachotherpuzzledlooks.Grahamsaid,“So,er,whatareyoudoingaboutthem?”

Verysoftly,Emeraldbegantolaugh.

“What’sfunny?”saidGraham.

“You are,” said Emerald. “Both of you. Strangers to thisworld, by youradmission. How long have you been here? It’s hardly any time since yourblueboxarrived.You’renotevensurewhatfoodanddrinkyoucanhave.”

Oh,thoughtYaz.Quartzreallydidtellhereverything.

“I’mtherulerhere,”saidEmerald.“Iknoweverythingthathappenswithinmy sphere of influence. I know everything Basalt said, everything hebelieved,andeverythinghetried.Andyet,youtwobelievethatyoucantellmewhatIshoulddo.”

Yazshookherhead.“Youknowwhat’shappeninghere,withinthesphereoftheworld.ButIdon’tthinkyouhaveanyideawhatgoesonbeyondit.Youknowthattheoutsideworldisbreakingthrough,butyoudon’tknowwhattodoaboutit.Andthatterrifiesyou,doesn’tit?”

Thegarnetflashed.

“Yaz,”murmuredGraham.“I’mnotsurethisishelping.”

“You need to stop pretending that nothing is happening,” said Yaz,urgently,whileshehadachance.“Youneedtotellpeoplethetruth!”

Emerald turned on her. “And what do you think they would do, if theyknewthattheworldwasending?”

Thereitis,thoughtYaz.

“It’sbadenoughthattherearerumoursgoingaroundthattherearestrangepeoplehere,”Emeraldsaid.“Whatdoyouthinkwouldhappenifpeopleknewthewholetruth?There’dbepanic,chaos—”

“Perhaps you should havemore trust in people,” Yaz said. “Yes, there’salwayssomeonewhopanics,butI’veseenpeopleinacrisis,andtheycanbegreat,theycanbebrilliant–aslongassomeoneleadsthemproperly!”

Therewasasilence.

“Ohcrumbs,”mutteredGraham.“Ithinkthat’stornit.”

“Isee,”saidEmerald.“Myleadershipisatfault.”

“Wecanhelp,”saidYaz,softeninghertone.“Please,ifyouhaveit–letushave our blue box back.There’ll be something inside thatwe can use, I’msure—”

But Emerald was no longer listening. She waved her hands, and theGreenwatchpulledYaz andGrahamaway.Yaz calledout, “Please!Wecanhelpyou!”

“Save your energy, Yaz love,” said Graham, resignedly. “I think we’reabouttoaddanotherdungeontoourcollection.”

Ryaneyedtherustymetalcagethoughtfully.“Whatdoyouthink,Doctor?Isitsafe?”

“Ohno,”saidtheDoctor.“No,Ishouldn’tthinkso,notintheslightest!”

Ryansighed.“InthatcaseIguesswehavetogetinsidethen.”

TheDoctorgrinned.“Me,first!”

AshandRyanheld thecagesteadywhile theDoctorentered.“All right,”shesaid.“Nothing’sbrokenyet.Ithinkwecantrysomeoneelse.”

Ryanwentinnext.Thecagetiltedslightly,butthemeshfloorturnedouttobe surprisingly robust.Ash climbed in next and, once theyhad thebalanceright,everythingstayedsolid.

“Goodcraftsmanship,”saidtheDoctor,runningthesonicoverthemesh.

“Whatdoyouthinkthisbuttondoes?”saidAsh,pointingtoapanelonthewall.

Ryanreachedoutandpressedit.Withaclankandagroan,theliftshotup,sendingthethreefriendscrashingbackagainstthemeshwallsofthecage.

“Ryan!”shoutedtheDoctor.“Never,everpressrandombuttons!”

“Youdoitallthetime!”

“That’sdifferent!”saidtheDoctor.

“How?”saidRyan.

“Becausethat’sme!”

“Thefloor’sholding!”Ashcalledout.“Ithinkwe’reallright!”

Anditturnedouttheywere.Oncetheinitialshockwasover,theyrealisedtheywereracingupwardsatagreatpace.

“Oh, this is more like it,” said the Doctor. “Hurray for the marvels ofmechanisation!”

“Muchbetterthanwalking,”saidRyan.

Therewasarustleoverhead,andRyanlookedupat themeshroofof thecage.Arubyratwaspeeringdownatthem.Ryanhadthedistinctimpressionthatitwassmiling.Ifnotthat,itwascertainlyshowingteeth.“Er,Doctor,”hesaid. “Those rats – did you ever work out what their teeth are made of?Anythingthatmightbeabletobreakachain?”

TheDoctorfollowedRyan’sgaze,sawtheratandleapttoherfeet.“Ohnoyoudon’t!Hoickmeup,Ryan!”

Ryanhoistedherupontohisshoulders,andtheDoctortriedtoflicktherataway.“Shoo!Goon!”

This, it seemed, only attractedmore rats, and theywere, as far as Ryancould tell,prettynarkedabouthaving theirpeacedisturbed.Nowtheywereswarming around the bottom of the cage. The Doctor jumped down fromRyan’sshouldersand then, togetherwithAsh,started toshove thecreaturesout of the enclosed space. There were easily a dozen rats now, withmoreappearingeverysecond.

“Wherearetheycomingfrom?”criedRyan.

“Nestinginthewalls,”saidAsh.“Itoldyoutheywerebeasts!”

“Theywerefineoneatatime!”criedtheDoctor.

“Theydon’talwayscomeoneatatime!”saidAsh.

The lift was still shooting upwards. Suddenly they were past the patchwheretheratshadbeennesting,and,inshortorder,theyhadshovedtherestout of the lift. Ryan was about to take a breath, when the lift swayed,shudderedandslowed.

“Allthatthrashingaboutdidn’tdotheliftmuchgood,”saidtheDoctor.

“What if it stops working?” asked Ash, a hint of fear creeping into hervoice.

“Well,”saidtheDoctor.“That’saninterestingquestion.OptionA.Itstopsdead and we’re left suspended in the middle of this shaft. Long climbupwardsifthathappens!Ihopesomeonepackedsomerope—”

“Or…?”saidRyan,beforethatonestartedupagain.

“Theotheroption is thatweplungebackdown in this cage towherewestarted. I’mnotkeenon thatoption. I’m reallynotkeenonanyoption thatendswithsquelching.Isupposebothoptionsmightendinasquelch, ifyouthinkthemthrough…it’sjustthatoneendsinasquelchsoonerthantheotherone.”

“Idon’tlikeeitherofthoseoptions,”saidAsh,inasmallvoice.

Theliftshudderedagain,andthengroundtoahalt.

Therewasashortpause,duringwhichnobodyspokeormoved.

“Hello,optionA,”saidRyan.

Thecagerockedagainandtiltedalarminglytooneside.

“There is the third option,” said the Doctor, trying to keep her footing.“WhichisaworryingcombinationofoptionsAandB.Wehangaroundforawhileandthenweplungeandthenwesquelch.”

“Again,”saidRyan,“notkeen.”HelookedatAsh.“Nosquelchforyou,Iguess.”

“No,”saidAsh.“I’dshatter.”

Theliftswungabout.

Andthen,slowly,miraculously,itstartedtomoveslowlyupwards.

“Isitworkingagain?”saidRyan.

“Idon’tthinkso…”saidtheDoctor.“Lookup.”

Ryan looked up. There were some faint and flickering lights overhead.Light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly, the lift came upwards, and halted.Strong armswere holding it steady.The door to the cagewas pulled open.Ashcriedoutforjoy.

“Dad!”

“Ah,” said the Doctor, scrambling out of the cage and greeting theirsaviour.“Basalt,Ipresume?”

Seven

“I’mstartingtothink,”saidGraham,“thattravellingwiththeDoctorinvolvesalotofdoingtime.”

Yazdidn’tanswer.Shewaspacingthesmallroominwhichtheyhadbeenlocked. Emerald’s accusation that Yaz was involving herself in a situationaboutwhichshehadlittleknowledgeandnorighttointervenehadhithard.Butwecansee thedamageupabove,Yaz thought.Someonehasgot togetEmerald to listen! Others had tried – Basalt for one – and they had gotnowhere.Perhapsanoutsidersayingitwouldmakethedifference…Andyet,whatgavethemtherighttoturnupandstartorderingthesepeopleabout?

“Yaz,”saidGraham,“sitdown,please.You’regoingtowearyourselfout!”

The worse thing was that it all looked so easy when the Doctor did it.People got persuaded to a better course of action, were reminded of theirbetternature…Yazwantedtobeabletodothattoo.ShewantedtoshowtheDoctorwhatshewasmadeof,howmuchshehadlearnedandhowfarshehadcome,thatallthetimeshehadbeentravellingwithhershehadbeenlearningfromher…Yazfeltthatshehadbeengivenajobtodo,entrustedwithataskbytheDoctor.What ifshehadfailed,andfailedbadly?Shedidn’t like thatthoughtatall.

“You know,” said Graham, “This is twice we’ve been locked up sincearrivinghere.”

And then there was Quartz. He had handed them over to Emerald socasually, forwhatever small advantage that gainedhim.Money? Influence?Fatlotofgooditwoulddohimiftheworldended.Yes,YazwasangrywithQuartz,andshewasparticularlyangrywithherself for trustinghim, fornotlisteningtowhatherinstincts,andtheDoctor’s,weretellingherabouthim…

“This won’t make a difference to your career, will it, Yaz? Locked upagain.That can’t lookgoodona copper’s record. I don’twant thisholdingyouback.”

YazswungroundandcametostandinfrontofGraham.“Graham,areyouseriously suggesting that being held prisoner on an alien planet by rock-peoplemightonedaybeabartomegettingpromoted?”

“Well,Idon’tknow,doI?WhatdoIknowaboutcoppering?”

“YouthinkthatifIhadaconversationaboutthiswithmysergeantwe’dgetmuchpastthebitabouttherock-people?”

“I suppose not,” Graham said, cheerfully. “But at least it’s stopped youmarchingandupanddownwearingaholeinthefloor.”

Yaz realised she’d been played, by an expert.Grahamwas smiling up ather, and she laughed and sat downnext to him, her legs pulled up andherhandsrestinglimplyonherknees.

“That’sbetter!”hesaid.

“So,”Yazsaid.“Whatarewegoingtodo?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Graham. “We got out of it all right last time,didn’twe?”

“Last time someone came and let us out,”Yaz said. “I don’t think that’sgoingtohappenagain.”

Shejumpedupagainandwentovertothedoor.

“Oh,nowdon’tstartthatagain!”

“Ijustwantalookout…”Shepeeredthroughacrackintherocktotrytoreccethepassagewaybeyond,butshecouldn’tseemuch.

Graham sighed. “We just have to sit it out until something comes along.Maybe thoseguards, thatGreenwatchorwhatever theycall themselveswillturnupagainandwecanjumpthem—”

“Graham,”saidYaz,“Ithinkthere’ssomeoneopeningthedoor.”

Graham stood up,magnificently. “All right,” he said. “Now get yourselfbehindme.”Heput uphis fists.Yaz stifled a laugh.He looked likeoneofthoseold-timeboxingchampsinablackandwhitefilm.Therockinfrontofthedoormovedback,andajet-blackfacelookedin.WhentheysawYazandGraham, they smiled, and little fissures of laughter lines deepened aroundtheir eyes.Yazwas sure she recognised this person, but she couldn’t placethem.Whoevertheywere,theyhadagreenemeraldontheirchest.TheywereGreenwatch.

“Whatdoyouwant?”Yazsaid,tryingtokeepthefearoutofhervoice.

Thewatchmanlookednervouslybackdownthecorridor.“I’mafriendofBasalt.I’mheretohelpyou–helpyougetaway.Butyoumustbequiet!”

Grahamputdownhisfists.“Whosayslightningdoesn’tstriketwice?”

“Hmm,”saidYaz.“Howabout,‘oncebittentwiceshy’?”

Grahamwashavingnoneofit.“Don’tlookagifthorseinthemouth.”

Yaz gave up. You couldn’t beat Graham at the game of clichés. Shefollowedhim,reluctantly,intothepassageway,andaftertheirnewfriend.

Ryan and the Doctor watched with delight as Basalt and Ash folded eachother into an embrace. “Aw!” said the Doctor. “Family reunion! That’slovely!”

“Doesn’tshelooklikehim?”Ryansaid.

“Chipofftheoldblock,”theDoctorsaid,earningagroanfromRyan.

Ashpulledherfatherovertomeetherfriends.“ThisistheDoctor,andthisisRyan.They’re here to help us.”Her voicewas shakingwith excitement.“Dad,lookatthem!”

Basalt took themboth by their hands. “You aren’t the first…others thatI’veseen.Butyoulookverydifferent…”

TheDoctorwasimmediatelyalert.“Others?Where?”

“I’llshowyou.Butfirst,tellme–areyoufromthesurface?What’sthere?Havetherealwaysbeenothersthere,otherslikeyou?”

“Slightlymore complicated than that,” said theDoctor. “Let’s say… thatyoursisn’ttheonlyworldoutthere.”

Basaltthoughtaboutthisforamoment,andthenRyanhadtheprivilegeofseeing a smile of great joy pass over his face. Basalt looked as if all hiswildest,mostfondlyhelddreamshadatlastcome.“Isee,”hesaid.“Well,thesphereisfullofmarvels,andonesthatwebarelyknow.Whyshouldn’ttherebeevenmorethanIdaredhopewaspossible?”

TheDoctorbeamedathim.“IknewIwasgoingtolikeyou!”

Hegraspedherhand.“AndyouandyourfriendhavebroughtAshall thewayheretome,”hesaid.“Thatmakesmeparticularlygrateful.”

“Ash didmost of thework,” said theDoctor. “Led theway, solved yourmessages.”

“Youhelped,Doctor,”shesaid.

“Allwedidwasholdbackthelavasharksandtherubyrats,”saidRyan.

“Ah,yes,”saidBasalt,“allmostinterestingcreatures—”

“Dad,”saidhisdaughter,intheuniversalvoiceofthechildwhoseparentison the verge of embarrassing her. “I think we’ve got more to be thinking

aboutrightnow?”

“You’requiteright,”hesaid,andthenhuggedheragain.“Welldone,Ash.”

“ThereweremomentswhenIthoughtI’dnevercrackyourcode,”shesaid.

“Sadly necessary,” said Basalt. “If Emerald had followed us, she wouldhave destroyed evidence of our journey, and any advice I left on how tofollow.Doyouknowifshe’ssentanyone?”

Ashshookherhead.“Quartzwouldhavetoldmeifshehad.”

Her father didn’t look so sure. “Quartz,” he said, “is complicated. He’sbeenagoodfriendtomeover theyears.Buthe’sagoodfriendofEmeraldtoo.Wewereallfriends,once,althoughtimeandthewearingoftheworldhascausedsomeriftsbetweenus.”

“Doctor…”saidRyan,anxiously,thinkingofhisgranddadandofYasmin.

“I know, Ryan,” she said, softly. “Basalt – we’ve left friends behind inQuartz’scare.Willhedothemanyharm?”

“Harm?”Basaltshookhishead.“Oh,no,hewouldn’tharmthem!No,notQuartz.Buthemightnotgivethemallthehelptheyneed.AndhemighttakethemtoEmerald.”

Ryanlookeddistraught.

Basaltshookhishead.“No,no,shewon’thurtthem!She’snotamonster!She’s afraid, yes, afraid of new ideas, and afraid of taking risks. But shewouldn’thurtanyone.Shewantstoprotectus…but…”Hesighed.“Thetimewhenthatwaspossibleislongpast.”

“Whydon’tyoutelluswhatyou’vefound,Basalt?”saidtheDoctor.

“To do that, we have to travel onwards,” he said. “Or,more precisely –upwards.”

“Haveyoubeentothesurface?”theDoctorsaid.

“No,no–not thatfar.I’mnotsure itwouldbesafeforus.”Heeyedthefriends.“Howaboutyoutwo?”

“We’dmostlikelybefine,”theDoctorsaid.“Ithinkyou’dbefinetoo.”

“Good,”Basaltsaid.Heledthemawayfromtheshaft,anddowntowardswhatturnedouttobeawidetunnel,carvedthroughtherock.TheDoctorranherhandalongthesurface.

“Smooth,”shesaid.“Machined.”

“Impressive, isn’t it?” said Basalt. “Although not as impressive as whatcomesnext.”Heledthemalongthetunnel,andRyansawthattherewastracklaidontheground.“Whatdoyoumakeofthis?”

Ryanshrugged.“Lookslikearailwaytome.”

Basaltjumpedonhiswords.“Arailway?Isthatwhatyoucallit?Haveyouseenthesethingsbefore?Howaretheymade?Whataretheyusedfor—?”

“Dad…”saidAsh,cuttinghimoff.

“Ah,yes,ofcourse…”Basaltgaveasheepishsmile.“Butyou’refamiliarwiththesecreations?”

“Ryancomesfromaplacewithalotofthiskindofthingabout,”saidtheDoctor.“Butevenhewouldhavetoadmitthatatraintunnelthisfarunderthesurfaceofaplanetisprettyimpressive.”

“There’stheChunnel,”Ryansaid.

“Notthisdeep,”saidtheDoctor.

“Oh,OK.Well,yeah,thenI’mimpressed.AndifthetrainsrunontimeI’llbeevenmoreimpressed.”

“A ‘train’,” said Basalt, trying out theword. “Interesting. I called it therunway.”

“It’sagoodnameforit,”saidtheDoctor.“Ilikeanythingwith‘run’init!”

They walked along a little further, until they came to what was,recognisably,atrain,evenifRyanhadn’tseenthisdesignbefore.“Nowthisisaveryclever thing,” saidBasalt, as theyclimbed into thecarriage. “Movesaboutunderitsownpower.Veryhelpful!I’llmakesomeofthese,assoonasIgetthechance…”

“Wheredoesitgo?”saidRyan.

“Where we need to be,” said Basalt. He set the machine in motion. Itstartedslowly,andthenbegantogatherpace.

Ashwasamazed,andalittlefrightened.“Isitsafetogothisquickly?”

“Ithasn’tdoneanydamageyet, so far as I’maware,” saidBasalt. “Or, Ishouldsay,ithasn’tdoneanyfurtherdamage.”

Ryansettledbackinhisseatcomfortably.Thisexpeditionhadneededmorepublic transport, as far as he was concerned. He watched the tunnel shootpast.“Iwonderhowthisallgotbuilt,”hesaid.

TheDoctorwaswavingher sonicabout. “I’vebeenwondering that too,”shesaid.“IthinkIhaveanidea…Hmm.”

Basaltlookedaroundthecarriageinwonder.“Sothis,too,hascomefromaworldfarbeyondourown…”Heshookhishead.“Marvellous.Marvellous.”

“Where is everyone else?” said Ash. “There were more of you, weren’tthere?”

“Everyonegotheresafely,”saidBasalt.“They’reallattheothershaft.”

“Anothershaft?”saidtheDoctor.

“You’llseewhenwegetthere.Andyou’llseemore,”hesaid.“There’sthefissure.That’swheremostofthemwillberightnow.”

“Thefissure?”saidRyan.“Thatdoesn’tsoundgood.”

“It’s not,” said Basalt. All his playfulness had disappeared. “It’s acalamity.”

YazandGrahamfollowedtheirguideasheledthemdownintothetunnels.Asshehurriedafterhim,itcametoYaz,suddenly,whotheirnewfriendwas.Thejet-blackshell.Thewhiteswirls.“Graham,”shewhispered.“Iknowwhothisis.Ithinkwehaveaproblem.”

She put her hand onGraham’s arm, and they came to a standstill. Theirguidelookedround,momentarilyconfusedat thedelay,andthenhesmiled.“Ah.You’verememberedwhoIam.”Hesoundedamused.“IbelieveIhaveoneofthosefaces.Peopleforget.Itcomesinhandy,sometimes.”

“You were at Quartz’s,” Yaz said, coldly. “You sat at the back and youdidn’tspeakmuch.Wereyoutheonewhogaveusaway?”

“Ohyeah…”saidGraham.“Irememberyounow!”

Theirguideshookhishead.“Itwasn’tme.I’mOnyx,bytheway,ifyou’dlikeaname.”

Yazlookedat therockcreaturewithdeepsuspicion.“Soif itwasn’tyou,whowasit?Andwhydoyouhavethat?”Shepointedtotheemeraldhewaswearing.

“This?” He patted the green stone. “Well, that’s because I’m in theGreenwatch, of course. And to answer your other question, I’m not sure.ProbablyLazuli, although Iwouldn’tbe surprised todiscover itwasSilver.They liked Basalt’s ideas chiefly when there was no risk of them actuallyturningouttobetrue.”

“AndyoubelieveBasalt?”

“Of course,” said Onyx. “It’s not a question of belief, it’s a question ofevidence.Basaltshowedmewhatheknew,andhowheknewit.Onlyafooldenies proof, even when it goes against custom.” He thought about that.“Especiallywhen itgoesagainst custom.”Hegavehis small,wry smile. “Ireallyamafriend,youknow.”

“ButyouworkforEmerald,”Yazsaid,doggedly.

“I keep an eye on Emerald,” he said. “Emerald’s problem is that shedoesn’t understand how far Basalt’s ideas have gone. She thinks she’smanaged to suppress them.But it’s not that easy. It’s a small sphere.Wordgets around. I’m not the only one.Andwe can seewhat’s happening!Thecracksaboveandallaround.Thehotpools,andthedriedseas.LikeIsaid–youcan’t deny the evidenceofyourowneyes!”Onyx sighed. “I think thatEmeralddoesn’tknowwhattodo,andthatfrightensher.Everystonehasitsflaw.”

Yaz looked again around the tunnels. “You’re taking us back toQuartz’shouse,aren’tyou?Thisisatrick!Graham,wehavetogo!”

“Please,”saidOnyx,holdinguphishandsinaplacatorymanner.“Iknowexactlywhathappened.ButQuartzcanhelp.Hejustwantstotalktoyou—”

“All right,Yaz,”Grahamsaid.“I’llgoand talk tohim.Youwaithere. IfI’mnotbackintenminutes–getonyourway.”

YazlookedatGraham,andhehadthatstubbornlookinhiseye.Theonethat said he was going to do it, and that nothing would persuade himotherwise.Whichmeantthatshewasstuck.Ofcourseshewasn’tgoingtoletGrahamgooffintothelion’sdenbyhimself.“OK.Wegotogether,ornotatall.”Shestompedahead,downthetunnelthatledtoQuartz’sroom.“Let’sseewhathehastosay.”

Quartz was waiting for them in the roomwhere they hadmet the otherfriends of Basalt. He stood to greet them when they entered. “Yasmin,Graham–Ioweyoubothanapology.”

“ForgivingusuptoEmerald?”Yazshotback.“You’rerightthere!”

“Ihadgoodreasons.OrsoIthought,”Quartzsaid.“Foralongtimenow,I’ve been trying to protect Basalt. He’smy very old and very dear friend.But…” He smiled. “He doesn’t care that everything he says hasconsequences!Emeraldthoughthemight try togetaway–sheaskedmetowatchhim.AndIdid,andeverysooften,Igavehernewsofhim—”

Yazshookherhead.“Yourfriend…”

“—but not enough to put him at risk. Andwhen he confided inme hisplansforhisexpedition,Ikeptthosesecret,andIpretendedtoEmeraldthathehadtoldmenothing,andhadgoneawaywithoutmyknowledge.”

“Andshebelievedyou?”saidGraham.

“Thereare reasons shewould.”Quartz lookeddownathis feet. “I’mnotproudofthem.”

“Yougaveotherpeopleawaytoher,didn’tyou?”saidYaz.

Quartznodded.“IncludingyouandGraham,”hesaid.“WhenIknewthatyou andyour friend theDoctorwere going to followBasalt, I thought thiswasmychancetogetawayatlast.FindBasaltandhelphim.Whenwewerecutofffromtheothers…”Hesighed.“IletEmeraldtakeyoutwoinordertoprotecttheDoctor’smission.IfyourfriendscanfindBasalt,orfindawaytopreventwhat’shappening…”

“Itsavedyouaswell,though,didn’tit?”saidYaz.

“That’strue,”saidQuartz.

“Sowhyallthiscontritionnow?”

Fromthecornerof theroom,Onyxspoke.“Anewcrackhasopened. It’sdestroyedanentiresettlement.”

Yazimaginedthedevastatingeffectofthesteamingwater.“I’msosorry,”shesaid.

“Emeraldistryingtokeepthenewsquiet,”Quartzsaid,“butshewon’tbeableto.”

“Word gets out,” said Onyx, grimly. “As I say, it’s a small sphere, andgettingsmaller.”

“IthoughtthatwithtimeIcouldpersuadeEmeraldtochangehermind…Tolisten,tostartdoingwhatwasneededtosaveusall,”saidQuartz.

“Butyou’rerunningoutoftime,”saidGraham.

“And at the cost ofmany lives,”Quartz said.He looked heartbroken. “Iwaswrong.Iletthisgoonfortoolong.AndnowI’mworriedthatwe’retoolate.Thatwewon’tsurvivethis.Yasmin,Graham–don’tholdeveryonewholivesinthispoorsphereresponsibleformymistakes.Please–helpus!”

“Well,”Grahamsaid,turningtoYaz.“Thatiswhatwe’reherefor.”

AndYazsighed,andsoftened.

Thejourneytookseveralhours,byRyan’scalculation,althoughhedozedformuchofit.Everytimehewoke,itwastoseetheDoctor,sittinguprightaheadofhim,hersonicheldout,studying,observing,learning.Ryanwondered,asheslippedbackintosleep,iftheDoctoreverslept,orwhethertherewerelonghours,wheneveryonearoundherwasresting,whichshehadtofill.Whatdidshe do?Read?Learn a new instrument?Domad experiments?Practise hersnooker?How did you fill the hours, hewondered, when your hourswerelimitless?SomehowtheDoctormanageditwithagrinonherface.

Ryanwoketofindthetrainslowingdown.Therewerelightsupahead.Forabrief, sleepymomenthe thoughthewasgoing tohear theannouncement:“Thenextstationwillbe…Sheffield…wherethistrainwillterminate.Alighthere for connections to… Manchester Piccadilly, London St Pancras, theMoonsofJupiter,theCentreoftheEarth,and…Doncaster…”

“Wakeup,Ryan,”saidtheDoctor,gently.

Thetrainstopped.Theyclimbedoutontoanarrowrockyplatform,withafewcrystallanternshangingaroundthatRyanrecognisedastheworkmanshipofAshandBasalt’speople.Hepeeredahead.Thetunnel,andthetrack,wenton into the darkness. In the distance, he could hear a faint, persistentthrummingnoise.Hepointedupthetrack.“What’supthere?”

“Therunwaygoessomewayfurther,”Basaltsaid.“Andthenitrunsout.Itlooks like therewere plans to go further – but it stops.We came thiswaymonthsago.Youcan imaginehowmarvellouswe thought thisallwas–allthisdigging,thesemachines…Incredible!”

“But?”saidRyan.

“Butthey’vecomeataprice.”

“I thinkIcanguesswhat that is,”saidtheDoctor.Shehelduphersonic,and took some readings. “We’remore or less above the placewhere thosecracksareshowingintheroofofthesphere.”

Basaltnodded.“Ithoughtsotoo.”

Thetunnelopenedouttowhatwasplainlyintendedtohavebeenanotherplatform, or a storage point for equipment. The ground,Ryan noticed,wasdamp, almost slick with water. “Doctor,” he said, pointing down. “Is thatseawater?”

Shenodded.“I’mafraidso.”

Ahead, there was marked activity. Ryan saw a handful of rock-people,someofthemresting,somemovingaroundrocksandstones,otherscarryingthemtowardsthefarendofthetunnel.WhentheycaughtsightofBasalt,they

wavedingreeting.Oneofthem,smallandwithapearlysheen,stoppedworkandhurriedtowardsthem.

“Ash!” Pearl cried, in delight – and then saw theDoctor andRyan. “Ohmy.”

“Hello,”saidtheDoctor,withalittlewave.“We’realiens.”

“Niceonesthough,”saidRyan.

“Youdon’tlookmuchlikethem,”Pearlsaiddoubtfully.Oneortwooftheothershadcomeacrosstojointhem,greetingAshwithsurpriseandjoy,andtheneyeingtheDoctorandRyan.“No,you’renothinglikethematall!”

“Wecomeinallshapesandsizes,”saidtheDoctor.

Basaltledthemashortwaydowntheplatform.Thethrummingnoisewasstillgoingon;Ryanwasstartingtogetaslightheadache.

Basaltstoppedinfrontofalargepileofstones.“Here,”hesaid.

“Ah,”saidtheDoctor,andrubbedherfingersagainsthertemple.

“Fourofthem,”Basaltsaid.“Deadwhenwearrived,longdead.Weraisedacairnoverthem.”

TheDoctornoddedsadly.“Andnobodyelse?”

“Nobodyelse,”saidBasalt.“Theywereverydifferentfromus–morelikeyou, but even so, not the same… Smaller, bulkier. I think they had morefingerstoo.Andtheydidn’thave…”Hepattedthetopofhishead.

“Hair?”saidRyan.

“Ah.That’swhatit’scalled,”saidBasalt.“Isitpartofyou,oracovering?”

“Partofus,”saidtheDoctor.“Look.”Sherubbedherarm,makingthehairsprickleup.“SamewithRyan’slottoo.”

“Mostinteresting…”saidBasalt.

TheDoctorfrowned.“It’sodd,isn’tit?Thatthedrillingisstillgoingon.”

“Ah!”saidRyan.“That’swhatthatnoiseis!”

“Yes,”saidtheDoctor,“andit’sannoyingmealready,soIdon’tknowhowyouandyourfriendshaveputupwithitforsolong,Basalt.”

“We’venochoice,really,”saidBasalt.“Comeandsee.”

He led them towards the end of the tunnel, the noise got steadily morepersistent.Theystopped,andRyanpeeredahead.Crystallanternsshedsomelight onwhat was happening. Themachined, fashioned parts of the tunnel

ended,almostabruptly,butthegapsintherockdidnot.Somewereasthinasapieceofpaper;butotherswerewide enough for aperson tomove along.SomeofBasalt’speoplewereheadingdownthese,andAsh,withanodfromherfather,headedthatway,withPearl.

“Allthesecracks,they’repartofalargerfissure,”saidBasalt.“IfIweretoguess,I’dsaythere’satrenchabovehere.Theworld…thinshere.”

TheDoctor,hersonicaloft,wasnodding.“Yes,yes–theseaisrightabovehere.”

“I thought so,” said Basalt. “Sea… a type of liquid, yes? The type thatcomesthroughthesteamingpools?”

“That’sit,”saidtheDoctor.“PeoplelikeRyanneedwaterlikethattolive.Butforyou?”Sheshookherhead.“Horriblestuff.”

“Myfear,Doctor,isthatthereisgoingtobeaflood,”Basaltsaid.

“Yes,”shesaid.“Thefissure’sweakening,isn’tit?”

Basaltnodded.

“Yourealisethatusingthatlift,andthatrailwaymightnotbehelping,”theDoctorsaid.

“We’re fairly sparing,” Basalt said. “But we have to plug the gapssomehow…”

“Yes,”shesaid.“Butit’sworsethanthat.Theseawater’sprettywarmdownhere– thermalcurrents–butasmoreandmore filterspast, the fissuregetsweaker,andthewatergetscolder.Extremecoldmeetingextremehotequalsbad.Verybad.Soonerorlater,it’sgoingtocrackopenthesphereoftheworlddowntherelikeaspoonhittinganeggshell.”Shebattedthepalmofonehandagainst the fist of another. “And then –water plus lava.Horrible.A steamexplosion.Itwilltearthisworldapart.”

“Iwasafraid thatwaswhatwasgoing tohappen,”Basalt.“Isuppose it’sgratifyingtohavesupportformyhypothesis,butIcan’texactlycallitgoodnews.”

Suddenly,fromupinoneof thelargerfissures, therewasayell,andAshcame running out, Pearl not far behind her. “Quick!” yelled Pearl, to theothers.“Weneedhelpuphere!”Twoorthreeothers,hearinghercry,grabbedupstonesandtoolsanddashedupthetunnel.Ryansawathintrickleofwaterontheground.

Ashcametojointhem.Basalttookherhand.“Areyouallright?”

“Yes,”shesaid.Shewascoveredinsplasheswhichweremakingherarmsblister.“Dad,that’snotgoingtoholdformuchlonger—”

“Iknow,”hesaid.HeturnedtotheDoctor.“Whatshallwedo?

“You’vedoneanamazing jobso far,” theDoctorsaid.“Unfamiliar tools,unfamiliarmaterials.Shoringupthatfissure.You’vesavedlives,Ibet.”

“Butitisn’tgoingtobeenough,”Basaltsaid.“Isit?”

“No,”shesaid.“We’vegottogettothesurface.”

Basalt shook his head. “We can’t risk that.We can’t riskweakening thefissuresuddenly–itmightgo.Ican’tallowit.”

“Basalt,”saidtheDoctor,“thisisdesperate.You’vebeenwaitingforhelptocome–wellI’mthathelp!Emeraldisn’tgoingtogivein.Whatever’sbeenhappening on the surface is causing this, and it’s not going to stop unlesssomeonegoesout there andmakes it stop.Youcan’tdo it.ButRyanand Ican.That’swhywe’rehere!”

“Dad,”saidAsh.“Sheknowswhatshe’sdoing.”

“GladI’vegiventhatimpression,”saidtheDoctor,withagrin.

“All right,”Basalt said. “I think there’s awayup to the surface.There’sanothershaft,withsomeofthoseliftingdevices—”

“Couldoneofthosetakeustothesurface?”saidtheDoctor.

“Itmight,”saidBasalt.“Idon’tknow.Wehaven’triskedit.”

“We’vegottatry,haven’twe?”saidRyan.

TheDoctor patted his arm. “That’s the kind of thinking I like.All right,Basalt–takeustoyourlifts.”

Eight

Basalt led theDoctor,Ryan andAshbackdown towhere theyhad left thelittle trainstandingontheplatform.Beyondtheplatform, therewasanothertunnel,whichledtoliftshaftssimilartotheonethattheyhadusedbeforetocomeup to this level.TheDoctorstoodbeneathoneof thedarkshafts,andliftedthesonicscrewdriver.

“Yes,”shesaid,“this’lltakeusuptothesurface.”

“Areyousureit’ssafe,Doctor?”saidRyan.

“Ithinkwehavetotaketherisk,”shesaid.“We’llgoslow,andtrynottoputtoomuchstrainontheliftandtheshaft.Whatdoyouthink–readyforaride?Seewhereweendup?”

Ryanfoundhewasmorethanready.Nowthatthechanceofgoingoutsidehadpresenteditself,herealisedsuddenlyhowmuchhewasmissingsunlight,and a limitless sky, and the feeling of fresh air upon his face. This was amarvellousworlddownherewithinthesphere;itwasvividandunusual,butitalsofeltstaticandunchanging.Claustrophobic.Hewouldbegladtostandoutsideagain–evennotknowingwhattheymightfindupthere.

“I’mready,”hesaid,andturnedtoAsh.“Areyoucoming?”

She shook her head. “I’m needed here,” she said, “to help shore up thefissure.”She suddenly foldedher armsaroundhim.Ryanhuggedherback.He’d expected her to feel cold and hard, but instead she was warm andsupple.Hewasgoingtomissher.Shewassostrongandsocalm.“Takecareof yourself, Ash,” he said. She nodded, and then turned to theDoctor andhuggedhertoo.

“Comebacksafely,”Ashsaid.

BasaltandAshwatchedastheDoctorandRyanclimbedintothebigwiremeshcage.Theyweresoonontheirway,headingupwards.TheDoctorfounda keypad, and played with some of the buttons until they were going at asteady pace.Ryan, looking down, sawAsh, her face fleckedwith glints ofsilverymica, waving up them, until the darkness took her, and he and theDoctorwerealone,headinguptouncertainty.

YazwaskeentogoandfindtheTARDISbutOnyxrefusedtohelp.“Emeraldiswaitingforyoutocomeforit,”hesaid.“It’slockedaway,andit’sguarded.WeneedtogotoBasalt’sstudy.”

“Oh,”saidGraham,“youknowaboutthat?Ithoughtitwasabigsecret.”

“Itisasecret,”saidQuartz.“Onlyahandfulofusknowwhereitis.”

“AndhasanyonetoldthattoEmerald?”saidYaz,pointedly.

“Absolutely not,” said Onyx. His tone, which was usually playful, wasdeadlyserious.“Shewoulddestroyeverythinginthere.Sheismoredesperatethanshehaseverbeen.”

“Sowhatifwe’refollowedthere?”saidGraham.

“Wewon’tbe,”saidOnyx.

“It’salongway,”saidYaz,doubtfully.

“Buttheremightbesomethingtherethatcanhelpus,”saidQuartz.

Reluctantly, then,Yaz andGraham agreed.Onyx proved to be a capableguide.Whentheyreachedthetunnel,everythingwasquietand,inside,thebigchamberwasverymuchhowtheyhadleftit,allthattimeago.Yazwonderedhow many days it was – Earth days – since they had set out on theirexpedition,andbeenforcedtosplitawayfromtheothers.Shehadlosttrackof timecompletely in this strange, lightlessworld, catching sleepwhen shecould,restingwheneithersheorGrahamgottired.

“Is there something inparticularyouwere looking for,Quartz?”Grahamsaid.“Perhapsthere’safilesomewhere.”

Quartz waved his arms hopelessly, taking in the chaos. “If Basalt had afilingsystem,itwasknownonlytohim,”hesaid.“Andlookingatthismess,I’m not sure he knewwhere everything was either, or why he kept thingsanyway.Whointheirrightmindhasarubyratasapet?”

“Basaltalwaysseemedtohaveathousandprojectsgoingon,”Onyxsaid.“Whoknowswhatwemightfind?”

“You’llknowwhatyouwantwhenyouseeit,eh?”saidGraham.

QuartzandOnyxbusiedthemselvesatthelongstonetable,hopingtofindwhatBasalthadbeenworkingonmostrecently.Grahamexploredsomeofthedisplay trays, where strange crystals were laid out in no immediatelydecipherablepattern.Yazwalkedthroughthechambertothefarside,whereshefoundanalcovecontaininglongsetsofcrystalshangingbythreadsfromtheroof.Theyswayedasshemovedclosetothem.

“Hey,”shecalledout.“What’sthis?”

Grahamcameforacloserlook.“Looklikewindchimes,”hesaid.

“Ialwaysfoundthemannoying,”saidYaz.

“Gracehadsome,”Grahamsaid,moretohimselfthananything.

“Oh,I’msorry,Graham,Ididn’tmean—”

“Don’tworry,Iknowyoudidn’t!”Grahamthoughtforaminute,andthengrinned.“Doyouknowwhat–Ifoundthemannoyingtoo.”

Yaz reached out to touch the nearest hanging crystals. They swayed andstruck eachother, and theydid indeed soundout,melodically. “Muchnicerthanwindchimes,”shesaid.

“Yes, but what about at three o’clock in the morning?” said Graham.“NeverquitegotGracetounderstandthat.Shesleptlikeaqueen.”

Yazputherarmaroundhimandgavehimahug.

Quartzcametojointhem.“Ah,”hesaid.“Basalt’slibrary.”

“Hislibrary?”saidYaz.

“Thecombinationsofsoundsaremeaningful,”saidQuartz.

Quartz’shandsweremovingquicklyacrossthechimes,asweetsymphony.Likeskim-reading,Yazthought.

“Youdoknowwhatyou’relookingfor,don’tyou?”shesaid.

Hefrowned.“Youhavetoknowhowtostriketheminthesameway.IwishBasalthadn’talwaysbeensokeenonusingsomanycodes!”

“Tobefair,”saidYaz,“therewassomeoneinformingonhim.”

Quartz looked embarrassed, and stopped skimming the chimes. “Hewasworkingon somethingnewbeforehe left,” he said. “Butwehadn’t tried itout,andI’mnotsurewhetheritworks.Itwasawaytousecertainpropertiesofcrystalstobeabletospeakatlongdistances…”

Yaz and Graham exchanged a look. “A communicator?” said Graham.“Whydidn’tyoumentionthisbefore?”

Quartzlookedshifty.“Foronething,Ididn’tknowifBasalthadgot it towork.”

“Ohyes?”saidGraham.“Andtheotherthing?”

“Emeraldknowsaboutit,”saidQuartz.

“Becauseyoutoldher,Isuppose?”saidYaz.

“It hasn’t been easy here,”Quartz said, defensively. “I knewBasaltwasleaving.AndEmeraldknewsomethingwasgoingon.Iletherknowaboutthespeakingcrystalssothatshewouldn’tgetwindofhisplanstoleave.”

“Itwasn’tasimplematter,youknow,”saidOnyx,“gettingadozenpeopleoutoftheCityandontheirway.I’mamazedwegotawaywithit.”

“All right, let’s not get into judging right now,” saidGraham, peaceably.“Let’skeepourselvesfocusedonthejob.IfthereisawaytogetintouchwithBasalt,thenthat’sabighelp.”

Quartzcarriedsearchingthroughthelibrary,andthen,heandOnyxpickedouta coupleof crystals and took themover to thecluttered stone table.Hemade them play some sounds to him, and nodded. “Basalt’s notes on theproject,”QuartzexplainedtoYazandGraham.HeandOnyxhurriedaroundthe chamber, finding other crystals and bringing them back to set up anelaborate structure. Quartz warmed a few of them within his hands and,slowly,thatheatdiffusedthroughtheothercrystals,poweringthemup.Hesetupthecrystalsinaline,facingthestonewall, thenplacedthelargestofthestonesinfrontofhim,andbegantoshiftitaroundinhishands.Thecrystalbegan to hum. An image appeared on the wall opposite, hazy at first, butslowlycomingintofocus.Itwasaface,darkandstony,withflecksofmica.

“IsthatAsh?”saidYaz,andthentheimagebecameclear.“No,it’s—”

“Basalt,”saidQuartz.

Basalt’s eyes flicked fromone side to the other, taking in the room, andwho was present. “Ah,Quartz,” he said. “I wondered when you’d get thisworking.”

“Youdidn’tmakeiteasy,youknow.”

“No,well,it’sbeenadifficulttime.Tellme,haveyoupickedsidesyet?”

Quartzopenedhismouthtospeak,butBasalthadn’tfinishedyet.

“Don’tworry,old friend,”hesaid.“I knowwhatyouwere trying todo. Iforgiveyou,andyoumustforgivemeformakinggooduseofallyourpowerandpossessionstobeabletodotheworkIwantedtodo.Ikeptyouclose,andItoldyouwhatIwantedEmeraldtohear.”

Quartz’s mouth was opening and closing without making any sound.Grahamchuckled.“You’vebeenwellandtrulyplayed,mate!”

Basalt’seyesflickedovertolookathim.Thiswasveryodd,Yazthought;likewatchinganoldlanternshow.

“Ah!”saidBasalt.“Nowthat isamostunusual face. I imagine that thesemustbeyourotherfriends,Ash.”

Theimageonthewallblurredandshook,andthenafamiliarfaceappearedwhereBasalt’s had been. “Hello,Graham.Hello, Yaz,” saidAsh. “Isn’tmyfatherclever?”

“Extremely clever,” said Yaz. She glanced at Quartz, who looked verysubdued.“Evenclevererthanpeoplethought.”

“It’s so good to see you,” saidGraham. “Where’sRyan and theDoctor?AretheyOK?”

Ashlookedworried.“They’vegoneuptothesurface.”

“Howdidtheymanagethat?”saidYaz.

Quickly,Ashexplainedaboutthelifts,andtheshafts,andthetunnels–andthebodies.“Weknowthatsomeoneelsehasbeenhere.TheDoctorandRyanhavegoneuptothesurfacetomakecontact.”

Grahamsighed.Yazputherhandonhisarm.

Quartzleanedintospeak.“Basalt.”Hesoundedgrief-stricken.“Itriedmybest…”

“Youthoughtyouwereactingwisely,”saidBasalt.“Whatmatters iswhatyoudonow.”

Quartzwasnotconsoled.“It’sallgonesofar.”

“Muchfurtherthanyourealise,”saidBasalt.“Listen,allofyou.We’reinagreatdealofdanger.”Speakingquickly,heexplainedaboutthedeepfissurethathispeoplewereonlyjustholdingclosed.

“Sothat’swhatwecanseeintheroofofthesphereare,”saidYaz.“Whathappensifthefissurecrackswideopen?”

“You’ve seen the steaming pools, Yaz,” said Ash. “More of that – muchmore,floodingtheCityandallourislands.”

“Theendoftheworld,”saidGraham.“Blimey.”

“AndtheDoctorhasgoneofftoseewhatshecando,”Yazsurmised.“Butcanwedointhemeantime?”

“Weneedhelp,” saidBasalt. “Weneedmaterials, people –whatever youcansendtohelpusshoreupthis fissureandprevent itcrackingwideopen.Quartz–canyouhelpus?Willyou?”

Yaz turned to Quartz. His grand and smooth confidence had completelygone;heseemedamuchhumbler,saddercreaturethantheoneshehadfirstmet. “Of course,” he said, “although we have to avoid Emerald and herpeople.”

Onyx,fromoneside,said,“Icanhelpwiththat.”

“There’sonemorething,”saidBasalt.“Weneedtobecarefulhowmuchweuse thesecommunicators.Quartz, Idon’tknowhowmuchyoutoldEmerald—”

“Mostofit,”admittedQuartz.

“Thenshemighthaveworkedoutawayofknowingwhenweusethem.Youshouldonly use them in real need.”Basalt sighed. “Though the situation isbecomingcriticalhere.Wemightbepastthatpointalready…Becareful!”

Thepicturefaded.

Ryanfeltagentlebump,andthentheclickofbuttonsonakeypad.Thedoorsto the liftopened,and theywalkedoutof thecage into thegrey lightofanalien dawn. Ryan, stepping forwards, found himself looking out across aheathery landscape thatwhisperedwith small but busy life.Thewind blewthrough trees and grasses that no human had ever seen, andwhich did nothave–hadneverhad–anyname.

Ryan’smindturnedtoaschooltriptoHaworth,sandwichesonthebus…He’dalmostforgotten,inthefunandmuckingaboutoftheday,andthecrushandboredomofthebigforbiddinghouse,thattherehadbeenabriefmomentlookingoutacrosstheemptymoors,whenhisheartwasquietlybutsuddenlymovedbythewildbeautyof itall.Hewonderednowwhetherallhismateshadfeltthesame,butwouldhavediedratherthanadmitit.Daftwhatyoudo,hethought.Whenyouwerealittlekid,youdidn’tmindgettingexcitedandenthusiasticandgobsmackedwhenthingsamazedyou,andtellingeveryonearoundyouhowbrilliantthingswere.Andthenyougotolderandyoutriedtoforget about all that; you pretended that you were bored or nothing wasimpressive.And thenonedayyou foundyourself, nearly every day, seeingsomethingthatblewyourmind.Hehopedhewouldneverforgetthisfeeling.Perhapsalargepartofbeingreallygrown-upwasrememberingtobeamazed.

“Allquiet,anduntouched,”hesaid.“Nobody’sspoiledit.”

TheDoctorstoodbesidehim,lookingoutacrosstheuntamedland.

“Lonely,though,”hesaid.“Bigandempty…Andyetrightbeneathourfeetthere’s awhole secretworld happening.All thatworrying and fighting andkeepingsecrets.Allthoseamazingcreaturesandsights—”

“Andmushrooms.”

“Right,yeah.Butouthere,there’sjustthewindandthesunrise,and…”

TheDoctorgrinned.“There’sapoetinyou.”

Ryanlaughed.“Don’tbedaft!”

Behindthem,situatedbeyondwherethelifthadcomeout,aseriesoflowbuildings had been constructed. Ryan counted half-a-dozen. Around thesewerevariouskindsofmachinery,similarindesignandfeeltotheliftsandthetrain, and the bits and pieces of gadgetry they had seen cluttered belowaroundthefootofthefirstlife.Allfromthesamemanufacturer,whoeverorwhateverthatwas.

“Hmm,”saidtheDoctor.“Quiet,isn’tit?”

“Looks abandoned,” Ryan said. “And there was I, all ready for a firstcontactoracloseencounter…”

TheDoctor had the sonic out. “No life signs. Energy sources, yeah, andpowersupplies,butnotpeople…”Shefrowned.“Let’shaveacloserlook.”

Theywalked towards the nearest building.Close up, it looked half-built:therewasnodoor, andwhen theypeered inside, itwasempty.Grasseshadgrown through the space where the window should have been, and weretrailing down the insidewalls. The next two or three buildingswere in thesame state: half-constructed, half-overgrown. When they reached the nextbuilding,thebiggest,theDoctor’sinterestwaspiqued.“Ah,now,thisismorelikeit.Alockeddoor.Signsoflifeatlast.”

Ryanwatchedassheworkedatit.“Doctor,thiswasamine,wasn’tit?”

“Yes, but whoever came here abandoned it.Maybe because of whateveraccidentkilledthosepoorminers.”

“Sowhyisthedrillingstillgoingon?”

“Dunno.Let’sgetinsidehereandseeifwecanfindout.”

The door popped open. The Doctor grinned. And then her expressionturnedtoalarmatthesightofahugegoldenswarmburstingthroughthedoor,buzzingandfizzing.

“Getdown!”theDoctoryelledtoRyan.“Coveryourface!”

Hedidwhathewastold,peepingthroughbetweenhisfingerstoseewhattheDoctorwasdoing.Shewas standingwith the sonic heldup, apparentlyunafraidofwhateverthesethingswereandwhattheycoulddotoher.Afteramomentor two,Ryansawthegoldenhazearoundthecreaturesflicker, like

Christmas tree lights on the blink, and then go out. Therewas amoment’ssilence, and then a clattering sound as the things fell to the ground. Ryancoveredhisheadcompletely;thethoughtofbeingburiedunderapileofdeadwasp-likecreaturesdidnotappeal.“Doctor!”heshouted.“What’sgoingon?”

“It’sallOK,”saidtheDoctor.“Youcangetup.I’veswitchedthemoff.”

“Switched themoff?”Ryan jumpedup,shakingoff thecreatures thathadfallenonhim.“Aren’tthey,like,bugsorsomething?”Hepeeredatthepileofthem;aheapoflittlegrey…

“Nanobots,”saidtheDoctor.Shelookedround.“Huh.That’simpressive.”

“Impressive?”

“They’retinyrobots,”Shekneltdownbythepile,wavingthesonicaround.“Prettyadvanced,too.Theselittlethingsareresponsibleforbuildingmostofwhat you’ve seen here. The shafts, the lifts, the buildings,maybe even therailwayandthetunnels.”

“Howdoesthatwork?”saidRyan.

“Well, dragging loads of equipment across space is a real hassle. Takesloadsoffuelandit’sreallyboring.Soyousendalongnanobots–tinyrobots,youcan’tseethem–thatareprogrammedtousethematerialstheyfindheretomake thebuildingsandsoon.”Shestruggledforanexample.“Likeflat-packfurniture.Youassembleonarrival.”

“Aflat-packmine,”saidRyan.“Cool.”

“Yup.Thenanobotsdoitall.Bythetimethepeoplearrive,theplaceisallsetup.”

“Whysendpeopleatall,whennanobotscandoallthis?”saidRyan.“Andtherearen’tpeopleherenow,arethere?”

“No,” said the Doctor. “And yet the mine is still running.” She peeredthrough the open door, and then grinned back at Ryan. “Shall we find outwhy?”

Theycreptinside.Itwasdark,andwindowless,andtheDoctorhadtoholdthesonicoutinfrontofthemlikeatorch.

“Spooky,”saidRyan.

Theywandered along a corridor, checking out rooms as they went past.“This looks like a command centre,” said theDoctor. “Places to sleep, recrooms,workplaces…Oh,now,thislooksuseful!”

They had entered a big room with workstations, some with tech andgadgets,recognisablytoolsorscreenswherepeoplecoulddotheirjobs.Ryanlooked around in amazement,while theDoctor started fiddling at a controlpanel.

“Iseeit’sallrightforyoutopressbuttons,”Ryansaid.

“Yeah, but I’m great at pressing buttons,” she said. “When it comes topressing buttons, I’m the best.” She thumped a few more, and a littleholographic display popped up. Ryan saw strange symbols and diagramsscrollspast.“Hereweare,”saidtheDoctor.“Businessplan.Yep,thiswasamine.Thefirstsetofminersarrived.Theywerehereafewweeksand….”

“Whathappened?”saidRyan.

“They hit an unexpected gas pocket in the mantle,” said the Doctor.“Dozenswerekilled.”

“Killed?” Ryan frowned. “But we’ve been breathing the same air theywere…?”

“Andwe’restillhere.It’sdispersedovertime.Ormaybetousit’snotfatalatall.”TheDoctorshrugged.“Inanycase,itseemsthatnobodywaswillingtogobackdown,noteventogetthebodies.”

“So they left?” Ryan looked round. “After all this construction andinvestment?”

“Maybe they decided it wasn’t worth carrying on. Maybe the companywentbust.”

“Maybeapoliticiandecidedtocloseallthemines,”saidRyan.

“Whatever the reason, the project stopped – but the drilling didn’t. Andnowthewholeplanet’sonthebrinkofdestruction.”TheDoctorfrowned.“I’dlikeawordwiththesepeople.Youcan’tgoaroundlitteringplanets,dumpingyourmachinesonthemandleavingthemtodoallsortsofdamage.”

“Sowhatdowedo?”

“Firstthing,weturneverythingoff.”

“Won’tthatattractattention?”saidRyan.“Ifwestartmessingaroundwiththings,someonemightcometofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”

TheDoctorstartedworkingatthecontrols.“Thentheycancomehereandtheycantalktome.Ihaveplentytosaytothem.Besides,we’rerunningoutoftime.Basaltandhispeoplecan’tkeepthatfissuresealedformuchlonger—”

“Doctor!”hissedRyan.“Quiet!Listen!”

Theybothstoppedtolisten.

Therewerefootsteps,inthecorridor,headingtowardsthem.

Nine

AftertheconnectionwithBasaltfaded,Onyxturnedtotheothers.“WeneedtogetBasalt’sworkawayfromhere.”

Grahamlookedaroundatthechaos.“What,allofit?”

“Asmuchaswecan,” saidOnyx. “YouheardwhatBasalt said.Emeraldmightbeabletofollowthosemessagestothesource.Ifshecomeshere…”

Yazsurveyedtheroom,fulloftreasures.

“Idon’tbelieveshe’ddestroyallthis,”saidQuartz.

“Believeit,Quartz,”saidOnyx.“Now,areyougoingtohelpme?”

Theygottowork.Quartzworkedquicklythroughthelibrary,determiningwith Onyx which projects were most useful, and what crystals or otherparaphernalianeededtobesaved.Yaz,huntingaround,foundtwolargebags,madefromthestrongfibrethatshehadseenelsewhere,andsheandGrahampackedtheseupwiththematerialsOnyxpassedtothem.Whenthebagswerefull,Onyx tested theirweight.Theywereheavy,buthe seemed to thinkhecouldmanagecarryingthem.

Graham looked around the study, which was still heaving with Basalt’scollections.“We’vebarelyscrapedthesurface,”hesaid,withasigh.

“Havealookroundforacellar,”saidOnyx.“Theremightbesomewherewecanhidemore.Meanwhile…Ishould takeall thisaway.Tosomewheresafe,”he said,witha smile.He turned toQuartz.“I’llbebackas soonas Ican.”

Quartznodded.“I’llworkoutwhatweneed to take toBasalt,andwherewecanfinditwithoutattractingEmerald’sattention.”

“I’llfindsomepeoplewillingtohelp,”Onyxsaid.Heheadedtowardsthedoor.Yazfollowedhim,andOnyxturnedtoher.“Nexttimeyouseeme,Yaz,Imightseemunfriendly.”

Shefrowned.“Unfriendly?”

“Butpleasetrustme.”

Hewentoffthroughthedoor,backintothetunnelthatledtothesurface.Graham,stillrootlingaroundthestudy,calledYazover.“Hey,Ithinkthere’ssomethingunderhere!”

Grahamhadfoundalargestoneonthefloorthatwasloose,andseemedtobe covering something.When theymoved it, they found steps down into atinycellar,barelytallenoughforthembothtostandupin.Butitwasspace,anditwashidden.

“Excellentpokingaround,Graham!”saidYaz.UnderQuartz’sinstructions,theybundledupmoreofBasalt’sworkandstasheditinthehideaway.Itwastiringwork,andafterawhile,Grahamstopped.

“I’mwipedout,”hesaid.“Weshould rest.We’vegota journeyaheadofus,ifwe’regoingtofindBasalt.”

Yaz nodded.Graham found some hammocks,made from the tough fibrethat the rock-people liked to use, and he slung these up, and they both laydown.Yazcouldn’t rest.ShewasawareofQuartz, on theother sideof theroom, still busyworking outmaterials they needed, and routes to smugglethemoutoftheCityanduptoBasalt.Yazsighed.Shelikedtobeinthethickof action, making decisions, making things happen, making things change.WaitingforotherswasnotinYaz’snature.

Grahamwasalreadyasleep.Yaz lookedoverathim,eyesshut,breathingdeeply,andwishedshecouldswitchoffforalittlewhiletoo.

Instead,shegotupandwanderedroundthestudy.Theroomfeltbarernow,although therewas still agreatdeal that theyhadn’tbeenable tohide.Shelookedup.Therewasaskylightintheroofabove,andshelookedupintothedarkofthenightcycle.Thewhitestreaks–thecracks–lookedevenbigger.Shesighed,and resumedpacing.WhenshepassedGraham’swayagain,heopened one eye and said, “I’m never going to get any sleep with youmarchingabout.”

“Sorry.”

Grahamsighed.“Ahwell,”he said. “Nosleep for thewicked.”Hestoodup,andfollowedherovertotheskylight,thenfrowned.“Isitme,oraretheremoreofthosecracks?”

“Lotsmore,”saidYaz.“Graham,weneedtheTARDIS.Ifwecanonlygetinside,itwouldmakeaperfectshelter.”

“Thewholepopulationwouldbesafeandsoundinthere…ifwecanopenthedoors.”Henoddeddecisively.“Gottobeworthatry.”

TheywentovertoQuartz.Helookedupinsurprise;he’dbeendeepinhisplansforsometime.

“WewanttogetbacktotheTARDIS,”saidYaz.

“The blue box,” Graham explained. “If those cracks in the sky get anybigger,yourpeoplearegonnaneedaproperroofovertheirheads.”

Quartz shook his head, troubled. “I don’t know what to suggest. Onyxknowswhere thebluebox is, but I don’t.We shouldwait for him to comeback—”

“Youcanwait,”Yazsaidshortly,“butwe’re—”

Fromthefarsideoftheroom,ahummingsoundbegan.

“What’sthat?”whisperedGraham.

Quartzgatheredhimselffirst.“Thecrystals.Someoneistryingtospeaktous.”Heheadedover towhere thecrystals still stood ina line.“Perhaps it’sBasalt?”

“OrEmerald!”saidYaz.

Quartz’shandhesitatedforamoment.Thenhepickedupthecrystal.

In the control centre on the planet’s surface, Ryan looked around wildly.“Doctor,”hewhispered,“there’ssomeonecoming!”

Therewasnowheretohide–theDoctorlookedsteely,andheldthesonicoutinfrontofher.

The footsteps stopped. Everything went very quiet. The Doctor put thesonicaway.

“All right,” she called out, “we know you’re there.Whoever you are –we’renotheretoharmanyone.Allwewanttodoistalk.”

Afigurecamethroughthedoor.

Ryanbreathedasighofrelief.“Ash!Howdidyougethere?”

She stared at him with wide, glassy eyes, like someone in shock.“There’s…there’smorethanonelift,remember?”

“I’m guessing your first steps on the surface are something you’ll neverforget.”TheDoctorgrinned.“How’dyoulikeit?”

“Theopenness,thespace,thetasteoftheair,thefarnothingnessofthesky.It’s—”

“Amazing,yeah?”saidRyan.

“Frightening.” She gave a small smile. “But illuminating.” Though Ashdidn’tsayasmuch,Ryanguessedshewasgladfortheroofoverherheadasshesurveyedthegentlyhummingworkstations.“Whatarethey?Whatisthisplace?”

“It’sacontrolcentreforaminingoperation,”saidtheDoctor.

Ashblinked.“Noneofthatmadesense,”shesaid.“What’smining?”

“Youknow,”Ryansaid,“diggingpreciousstonesandmetalsup fromtheground…”HethoughtaboutAsh’sworld,andthesheerabundanceofstonesandmetalslyingtohand.“Don’tyoudig,then?”

“No,”shesaid.“Weharvest.”

“Otherplaces,otherworlds,theydon’thavethesameresourcesasyoudohere.Theydon’thaveallthesegemsandstonesandeverything.”

“Exactlytheoppositeinsomeplaces,”saidtheDoctor.“Ormaybethey’veusedupwhattheyhad.Thatcouldmakeaworldlikeyoursveryattractive.”

“Sothey’dtakewhatwehave?”Ash’seyeswidenedinshock.

“Nobody is taking anything from anyone as long as I’m here,” said theDoctorquietly,“believeme.”

Ryanshiveredalittle.TheDoctorwasalmostentirelyfun,almostallofthetime–and thenshe’ddoorsaysomething,andyouremembered thatwhilethiswas amate, shewas also an alienwith amazing powers that he knewhardlyanythingabout.He’dseentheDoctoratwork.Heabsolutelybelievedthatshecouldtoppleempiresasiftheywereatowerbuiltofdominoes.

“Ash,what’sthatcrystalyou’reholding?”theDoctoraskedbrightly.

Shestarted.“Oh!Thisismywholereasonforcominghere.Somethingmyfatherwasworkingon.Itmeanswecanspeakatdistancetoeachother.”

Sheheldoutthecrystal,andtheDoctortookit.“Acommunicator!I’vesaiditbefore,buthereallyisclever,yourdad!What’stherangeonthis?”

“WespoketoQuartz,”Ashsaid.“AndGrahamandYaz.”

“AretheyOK?”saidRyan.

“They’refine!MyfatherandIthoughtyoushouldspeaktothem,Doctor.Butitcan’tbeforlong.Emeraldknowsaboutthesecrystals.Shemightknowhowtotracethetransmissions.”

Ash activated the crystal. And there,miraculously, on thewall opposite,Ryansawhisgranddad’sface.

Graham’sexpression turnedfromworry into joy.“Ryan!Good to seeya!Andyou,Doc–don’twanttoleaveyouout!”

Quickly, theybroughtYazandGrahamup to speedaboutwhathadbeenhappening.Yazwasjealous.“Lavasharks!Dangerousmines!Spookyforests!Allwe’vehadisrunningalongtunnelsandanotherdungeon.Yourstandardstuff.”

“Onthedownside,”saidRyan.“I’llneverbeabletolookatamushroominthesamewayagain.”

“Sowhat’sthesurfacelike?”saidGraham.

“LookslikeYorkshire,”saidRyan.

“Typical,”saidGraham.“Youcomeallthisway,andyoumayaswellhavestayedathome.”

“Anyway–youknowthemine,andallthesebuildings,right?”saidRyan.“Builtbyrobots.”

“Nanobots,”saidtheDoctor.

“Tinyrobots,”saidRyan.

“Themininghasbeencausingallthecracks,”saidYaz,urgently.“Doctor,they’regettingsomuchworse.IwanttofindtheTARDIS.”

“Idon’twantyouputtingyourselvesindanger,”theDoctorsaid.

“We’reindangeranyway!”saidYaz.

TheDoctorsighed.“Allright,”shesaid.“Meanwhile,we’llseeifanyoneturnsup—”

She stopped speaking. In the background, where Yaz andGrahamwere,therewasalotofnoise,asifmorepeoplehadenteredtheroom.RyanheardQuartz,fromoff,say,“Howdareyoucomeinherewithoutpermission!”

Yazhissed,“Doctor,it’stheGreenwatch!”

Thepictureonthewallflickered,andwasgone.

“Yaz!”RyanturnedtotheDoctor.“Tellmethecommunicatorisbroken?”She shook her head, and Ryan thumped his hand against the console. Hewanted to be there, to help, but it was impossible. He was the depth of aplanetaway.

“I’lltellyouwhat,Ryan,”saidtheDoctor.Therewasasteelylookinhereye.“IthinkI’mreadytotalktoEmeraldnow.”

YazandGrahamlookedarounddesperatelyforsomewheretohide,asQuartzheldtheGreenwatchatbayatthedoortothetunnel.“Whataboutthecellar?”Grahamwhispered.“Wherewe’vehiddenBasalt’slibrary?”

Yazshookherhead.“Notbigenough,”shesaid.“Besides–iftheyfindus,Idon’twantthemfindingmoreofBasalt’sworkatthesametime.”

Quartzwasshoutingnow.“Don’tyouknowwhoIam?”hesaid.“Thisismyprivateproperty!There’llbeconsequencesforthis—”

“Things are changing,Quartz,” repliedoneof thepeople at thedoor.Hedidn’tsoundparticularlyupset,Yazthought.MaybehewasgladtobeabletospeakhismindtoQuartzatlast.“Thisisanemergency.EmeraldbelievesthatwhateverBasaltwasdoingherehasbeencausingthecracksintheroofoftheworld—”

“Oh,”whisperedGraham.“That’sanewone.”

“Theworkdonehereiswhatwillsaveus!”Quartzshotback.

Graham pulled Yaz back towards the alcove where Basalt’s library hadbeenhanging.“Thiswillhardlyhideusforlong—”

“No,”hesaid.“Butlookatthis.”

Yazlookedoveratthewall.“Adoor!”

“This whole planet seems to be made of secret tunnels,” said Graham,yankingthedooropen.Behindwasanarrowpassageway,runningupwards.Yazwasabout to step inside,whena sudden thought sentherdashingbackintothestudy.Sherantothetableandliftedthedomefromovertherubyrat.Itgavehertheevileye,andthenjumpedoffthetable.“Goon,littleguy,runforthehills,”shemurmured,asitfled.

“Whatdidyoudothatfor?”Grahamwhispered,asYazhurriedbacktojoinhim.

Sheshrugged.“Ifeltbadforit,”shesaid.“AndtheDoctorwantedittogofree.So.”

Shewentintothepassageway,andGrahamcameinbehindher,pullingthestonedoorbackintoplace.Theyhurriedalong.Thepassagesooncamebackup to the surface. “Let’s hope there’s nobody up there,”whisperedYaz, astheyclamberedupontoopenground.

For themoment, it seemed theyweresafe.Theystarted to jogacross theplain, and then there was a cry, and they knew that the Greenwatch hadworkedoutwhatwashappening.

Thechasewason.

Yazlookedahead.Inthedistance,headingtheirway,shesawadarkfigurecarrying a glimmering crystal rod and wearing a green stone. The figurestartedtolopetowardsthem,tocutthemoff.

“Ohdear,”saidGraham.“We’reintrouble…”

Yazwasn’tsosure.Thefiguredrewcloser,andshesawthatitwasOnyx.“Oh!”shecried.“Gladtoseeyou!We’reontherun!”

Theystoppedinfrontofhim,tryingtocatchtheirbreath.“I’mdonewithallthisrunningaround,”gaspedGraham.“Isn’tthereabusservice?”

Yaz turned to speak to Onyx, but he was looking behind her, as hiscolleagues from theGreenwatch drew closer.He spoke softly and urgently.“Youneedtotrustmenow.”

Yazunderstood.“Iseverythingsafe?”

Hegaveasmall,barelyperceptiblenod.ThentheGreenwatcharrived,andQuartz,not farbehind.TheotherGreenwatcheachpressed theflatsof theirknobbly hands against their green stones, which Yaz took to be a kind ofsalute.Onyxnoddedback.Oh, she thought.He’s theirboss. She glanced athimagain,and,lookingathissternface,hernervewavered.Washereallyasfriendlyashemadeout?

“Onyx,”hissedQuartz.

“Notapleasantfeelingtofindyourselfbetrayed,isit,Quartz?”saidOnyx.He turned to the others, and issued some quiet orders, whichYaz couldn’tquite catch.Twoof them loped off, back in the direction ofBasalt’s study,leavingtwomore,andOnyx,behind.Ifthiswasaperformance,Yazthought,it was very convincing.Onyx had not yetmet her eye again. “Quartz,” hesaid,“you’refreetogo.”

Quartzwasdumbstruck.“What?”

“It’sjustthestrangersthatEmeraldwants,”Onyxsaid.“She’sgratefulforyourservicesofar,andasamarkofthis,she’spreparedtoletyougofree.”

“LookatQuartz’sface,”mutteredGrahamtoYaz.Hechuckled.“Emeraldhasabloomin’cheek!”

Quartzwasquiveringwithanger.“Howdareyou!”

“Butyou’rewelcometocomealong,ifyou’dprefer,”Onyxsaid.

“Yes, I’ll be coming,” said Quartz. He turned to Yaz andGraham. “I’msorry,”hesaid.“Sorryfor themistakesI’vemade.ButIwon’t leaveyouinthe hands of this traitor.” He turned back to Onyx. “I want to speak toEmerald—”

Coolly,Onyx said, “If she has time, I’m sure she’ll bewilling to have awordortwo.”Hestopped,andlookedbackacrosstoBasalt’sstudy.Andthenhenodded,asifsatisfied.

Yaz’shearttwistedinherchest.“Whathaveyoudone?”shesaidtoOnyx.“ThoseGreenwatch–whataretheydoinginthere?”

Onyxdidn’treply.

“Iimagine,”saidQuartz,bitterly,“thatthey’redoingEmerald’sdirtyworkforher.”

“Therewon’tbemuchleftwhenthey’vefinished,”Onyxagreed,inacalmvoice.

Yazthoughtofthatwonderfulspace,whereBasalthadworkedsohard,andmadesuchwonderfuldiscoveriesand inventions,being reduced toapileofbrokenstonesandsmashedcrystals.Theyhadhiddensuchasmallpartofit…Sheputherhandtohermouth.WhathadhappenedtoeverythingOnyxhadtakenwithhim?Hadthatallgonethesameway?

“Ohno,”breathedGraham.HeturnedonOnyx.“Idon’tknowifyouthinkthisisclever,mate,butit’snot.It’soutoforder.Downrightwrong!”

“Emeraldsaiditwasdangerous,”saidOnyx,“andwecan’tallowdangers,canwe?”Hesoundedratherbored.“Comeon,”hesaid.“There’snothingtoseeherenow.”Yazfeltutterlydefeated,as ifeverythingshehadtried todohadbeenafailure.ShehadnotlearntherlessonfromQuartz,andinsteadhadtrusted Onyx, and it had been another mistake. And now she and Grahamwerecaptured,andBasalt’sworkhadbeendestroyed,andtheirplanstosendhimhelphadbeenfoundout.

“Don’tbeatyourselfup,Yaz,”Grahamwhispered.“Wedidourbest.”

“Notgoodenough,though,wasit?”

“And thinkabout this–we’reclosernow to theTARDIS thanever.Youneverknowwhatchancewemightget.”

Yazappreciatedhisoptimism,butshecouldn’t share it.She tried tosteelherself for the encounterwithEmerald that lay ahead, butwhen theywerebrought into her hall, Yaz’s heart sank again. They really had nothing tobargainwith.As thewomanwalked towards them,Yazwas struckagainathowsmallshewas–smallerthananyofherpeople,andyettheywereclearlyinthralltoher.

Not Quartz. His eyeswere flashing. “How could you?” he said. “All ofBasalt’swork.Everythinghedid,andlearned…”Heshookhishead.“It’saterriblethingyou’vedone!”

Emerald came to stand in front of him. “Nothingwentwrong here untilBasaltbeganconductinghisexperiments.Ifwestopthat,perhapswecanstopwhat’shappeningtotheroofoftheworld.”

TheDoctor’svoicepoppedintoYaz’shead,whisperingsomething,soshesaiditoutloud.“Correlationisn’tcausation.”

Emeraldturnedherheadslightlytolookather.“Whatdidyousay?”

“Correlationisn’tcausation,”Yazsaid,moreconfidently.“Justbecausetwothings happen roughly at the same time doesn’t mean one is causing theother.”

“She’s right,”saidQuartz.“Andyouknowshe is,Emerald.Basaltdidn’tcauseanyofthis!He’sbeentryingtowarnus–foragesnow–andallwedidwasharasshim,and,finally,drivehimaway.”

“And who knows what he’s done since then,” Emerald shot back.“Everythingbecameworseafterheleft!”

“He’s not the cause!” Quartz said. “All this – the cracks, the steamingpools, the drying seas… We know what the cause is now! There’s beendigging,uponthesurface—”

“There’snosuchthingasthesurface,”Emeraldsaidfirmly.

“Emerald!”Quartzcriedout.HeturnedtopointtoYazandGraham.“Lookatthem!They’renotfromthisworld!”

There were a few mutters from the Greenwatch gathered round, Yaznoticed.“Oops,”murmuredGraham.“Thetroopsaregettingrestless.”

“Weknowwhat’scausingallourproblems!”Quartzwenton.“Basalt,Ash,thesepeople–they’retryingtohelp!Tryingtosaveus!Emerald,oldfriend,dearfriend– lookat them!Whyareyoudenying theevidenceofyourowneyes?”

Emeraldstoodinsilenceforawhile.Wasthisit?Yazwondered.Wasthisthemomentwhen shewould admit that she had beenwrong, and let themhelpheratlast?

“No,”shesaidatlast.“We’vedestroyedBasalt’swork.NowI’msurewe’llseeanimprovement.”

“Some people…” Graham muttered. “How do they always end up incharge?”

“All of these lies have to stop,Quartz,” Emerald said. “Basalt’swork isdestroyed.”

Onyx stepped forwards. “Not all of it, Emerald.” He turned to Yaz andGrahamandgaveasmallbow.“Basalt’snotesandmanyofhismaterialshavebeenpreserved.”

Yazbreathedasighofrelief.She’dbeensoafraidthatOnyxwouldn’tstepuptochallengehisqueen.GrahamgaveOnyxadiscreetthumbsup.

EmeraldswungroundtofaceOnyx.“Preserved?ButIordered—”

“Whatyouorderedwasvandalism,Emerald,”saidQuartz,“itwaspointlessdesecration.Nobodydoubtsthatyouhavetheinterestsofourpeopleatheart– all that you’ve done to shore up theCity against the steaming pools, thehelpyou’vegiventothoseleftdevastatedbythesechanges,thewayyouhavekeptpeoplecalm.Thesehaveallbeentheactionsofagoodleader.Butnowyou’reriskingeverything—”

“You’reallfools,”saidEmerald,wearily.“Everything’sgettingworse,andyou’veallowedBasalthisway.He’sgoingtokillusall!”

Yaz feltherheart sinking.Were theyallgoing todiebecauseonepersonwouldn’tadmithermistake?HowcouldEmerald’smindbechanged?

Andthen,suddenly,someoneelsewasin theroom.Bangin thecentreoftheroom,appearingoutofnowhere.

“What is this?”criedEmerald, jumpingbackasherguardsdid thesame.“Howdidyougethere?”

Grahamcheered.“Heresheis!”

“Doctor!”saidYaz,indelight.TheDoctorturnedandwaved.Sheseemedtoshimmerslightly,Yaznoticed,andshelookedhuge–atleastafoottallerthaninreallife.

Grahamshookhishead.“Technology,eh?I’veonlyjustworkedouttheCDplayerinthecar!”

“All right,Yaz!” theDoctor said. “Hiya,Graham!Ryan’shere, sendshislove…” Her head turned, as if she was speaking to someone who theycouldn’tsee.“What?Well,youdosendyourlove…”

“How’sshedoingthis?”Grahamsaid,boggling.

“Some sort of hologram?Who knows?” Yaz grinned. “Here or not, shedefinitelyknowshowtomakeanentrance!”

“Nowthen–Emerald,isn’tit?”TheDoctor’simagehadturned,eyesfixedontheruler.“It’stimewehadatalk,don’tyouthink?”

Ten

Emerald’s face was a study in fury. “Who are you?” she said. “How dareyou?”

“I’m theDoctor,” said theDoctor. “Andhowdo I dare?Becauseyou’vegiven up, Emerald.You’ve stopped listening, and you’ve started lying, andyouthinkyou’redoingtherightthing,butyou’rewrong.”

EmeraldgesturedtotheGreenwatch,standingaround.“Takeher,”shesaid.“Puthersomewheredeepanddark.”

“Oh,”Grahamsaid.“Thisshouldbegood!”

TwoofGreenwatchmoved towards theDoctor,andeach tried to takeanarm. There was, of course, nothing to hold. They stumbled, and fell, rightthroughthehologram,landingontopofeachother.

“What’shappening?”saidEmerald.“Isthisatrick?”

“Oh,it’snotrick!”saidtheDoctor,withalaugh.“HereIam,rightinthemiddleofyourCity,andyoucan’ttouchme.Youcan’tdoanythingaboutme.Youcan’tstopmeorsendmeaway,andyoudefinitelycan’tshutmeup.”

“That’scertainlytrue!”saidGraham,cheerfully.

“It’s the same with the people who’ve caused so much harm to yourworld.” The Doctor thrust her hands into the pockets of her long coat.“There’s nobody here to fight now, there’s nobody here to lock up. Thedamagehasgoneon remotely, longafter they left.Butperhaps thegreatestdamagenowiswhatyou’redoingyourself.”

QuartzwenttostandnearEmerald.“ListentotheDoctor,”hebeggedher.

“Hullo,Quartz!”TheDoctorwavedathim.“Haveyoupickedsidesnow?”

Quartz nodded stiffly. “I know I made mistakes. I’m trying to rectifythem.”

“That’swhatIliketohear!Now,Emerald–it’syourturntodothesame.I’m not telling you anything you don’t know already: your world – yoursphere–hasasurface.Andthatsurfacehasbeenvisitedbypeoplefromotherworlds. Theywanted the precious stones and themetals, so they started to

dig. But it’s gone wrong, and it’s cracking the roof of your sphere. Basaltworkedmostofthisout,youknow–everythinghesaidwastrue–andwithhishelpI’vebeenabletoworkouttherest.”Shebeamedsuddenly.“I’vegotaplantoo,ifyou’rereadytohearit.Aplantosaveeveryonehere.”

Emerald drew closer to the Doctor’s hologram. “Stop this!” she cried.“Stopallofthis!”

The Doctor shook her head. “I was hoping you’d see sense,” she said.“Whyisitneverstraightforward?”

“Somepeople,”saidGraham,“justwon’tlisten.”

“You’re right there, Graham,” the Doctor said. “All right, Emerald,reasoning hasn’t worked – so let’s try another way to get your attention. Iknowyou’replanningtocoverallthisup,andtellpeoplethatit’sallBasalt’sfault.I’mafraidyou’retoolate.”

Emeraldlookedatherinhorror.“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Thispictureofme–it’scalledanavatar,bytheway,aholographicavatar– it’snot justappearinghere, inyourstonyden. It’sappearingrightnowineverywalkwayandchamberofyourCity.Theyreallyareclever,theminerswhobuiltit.Ijusthadtoboosttherangeand–whoomph.HereIam,talkingto everyone.” The Doctor frowned. “I don’t like leaders that tell peopledeliberatelies.It’sbestallroundifweallstartwithfullinformationandmakesomedecisionsfromthere.”Shestopped,andthenshegrinnedandstartedtowave.“Hello,rockpeople!I’mtheDoctor!I’manalienfromanotherplanet!JustthoughtI’dgetthatoneoutthererightaway.I’mtalkingtoyoufromthesurfaceofyourownworld–up,up,beyondtheroofofthesphere.I’mthererightnow,lookingupatthesky.Hey,hangonaminute,afewtweakswiththesonicandyou’llsee!Oh,you’regonnalovethis,rockfolk!”

Therewasacracklingandarustling,andherholographicimagewentoutoffocus.

“What’ssheuptonow?”mutteredGraham.

AndthenYazunderstood.WheretheDoctorhadbeenstandingtherewasnowalandscapeopeningoutinfrontofthem,aquietworld,butremarkablenevertheless topeoplewhohadnever seensucha thingbefore.TheDoctorwasshowingtherock-peoplethesurfaceofthewiderworldaroundthem.

“Look,”saidtheDoctor.“That’sgrass,andthat’sthewindblowingthroughit,and,hey,lookatthis!”Theimagetiltedagain.“That’sthesky!Up,up,andup,avastspacerightaboveyou,andifyoutravelfarenoughyoureachotherworlds…”

Allaroundtheroom,peopleweremurmuring.

“Andsomeofthoseworldshavepeopleonthem–likeme!”Thelandscapedisappeared, and the Doctor’s avatar popped back up. “It’s like Basalt hasbeensayingall theseyears,”theDoctorsaid.“Andnowyou’veseenitwithyour own eyes. Amazing, isn’t it? Anyway, here I am, and I know you’rescaredrightnow,whatwith thepoolsstreamingand theseasdryingupandtheskyfallinginyourhead–butI’mheretohelp!”

Withacry,Emeralddashedtowardsawindow.YazandGrahamfollowedbehind. Looking out, Yaz saw that people were gathering out in thewalkways, conferring, some in confusion, more in anger. And there – yes,there!andthere,andthere!–wastheDoctor,or,rather,manyDoctors,dottedallovertheCity,sayingexactlywhatsheliked,tellingthetruth.

“So this is what I’m going to do,” said the Doctor. “I’ve turned off themining systems, and with luck that’ll stop the cracks opening wider for awhile.Idon’tthinkwe’vepassedthecriticalpoint,notyet.Butwhatyouallneed to do – you strange,marvellous, beautiful people – is to start helpingBasalt.Thosecracksintheroofoftheworldaboveyouarewidening,openingup into a big fissure.Basalt’s beenworking to keep the fissure closed – tosaveallyourlives–butheandhispeoplecan’tdoitaloneanylonger.Theyneedmaterial,andtheyneedhelp.”ShelookedatQuartz.“You’llhelp,won’tyou,Quartz?”

“Doctor,”hesaid,“itwouldbeanhonour.”

“There!Quartz iswilling and ready!Talk toQuartz, everyone!He’ll getyouorganised.”SheturnedbacktoEmerald.“Sorrytobypassyoulikethis.Ishould probably worry more about due process when overthrowinggovernments, butwe’re running short of time, and ifwe carry on like this,therewon’tbeanywhereoranyonelefttogovern.”

Herimageflickeredslightly.

“Yaz, Graham – help Quartz. Once we’ve stopped the drilling and thetunnelling,theliftsandthetrainshouldbesafertouse.SendBasalthelp,asquickasyoucan!”

“We’reonit,Doctor,”calledYaz.

“Youcancountonus!”saidGraham.

Herimageflickeredagain,andthenwasgone.

TheDoctorswitchedofftheholographictransmitterandgrinnedatRyanandAsh.“Ienjoyedthat!”

“I could see!” said Ryan. “What do you think’s happening back there?

Emeraldlookedprettyfurious—”

TheDoctorgaveaslowsmile.“Idon’t thinkEmeraldwill tryanything,”shesaid.“Ithinkwe’verenderedherslightlyirrelevant.I’mnotsureeventheGreenwatch will take orders from her now. If only they’d start answeringback…”Sheclappedherhands together.“Right,”shesaid,headingtowardstheconsole.“Let’scheckthesystemsarepoweringdowncorrectly…”

“IfeelsorryforEmerald,”saidAsh,unexpectedly.

“What?” Ryan was amazed. “She tried to destroy your dad’s work! Shewouldn’tlistentohimandthenshetriedtoputtheblameonhim!”

“Iknow,” saidAsh. “But shewasn’t always like this.She andmy fatherwereverygoodfriends,intheiryouth.Theystudiedtogether.Shewasagoodleader, once. She was responsible, and thoughtful, and took good care ofpeople. Maybe if the times had been different, if all of this hadn’thappened…”

TheDoctor, studying themeters on the console, looked up. “It’s easy torulewellwhentimesaregood,”shesaid.“It’swhenthingsgetdifficult thatpeopleshowwhatthey’remadeof.”

“Iknow,”saidAsh.“It’sjust…Ithinkmyfather’sideasfrightenedher,andofcourse,theydidn’tseemreal,didthey?Shecouldseealltheseproblems,and she knew that he could help if he turned hismind to it, come upwithideastodosomethingpractical,andallhedidwastalk,well,nonsense,inhereyes. I think that’swhyshebecamesoangry.Therewereseriousproblems,andasfarasshecouldmakeout,hewasn’thelping.”

TheDoctorsmiledather.“You’vegotagenerousspirit,Ash.”

Ashshrugged.“Ijustwanttobefair.”

Ryannoddedatthecontrolpanel.“Sorted,Doctor?”

“Onlyslowingdown.Thedrillingcan’tbestoppeddead,toomanysafetyprecautionsbuilt in toprotect theequipment. I’ll see if Icanbypass them.”Shestartedsonickingattheconsole.“Weneedtohelpyourdadshoreupthatfissure.”

“Draggingeverythingup to thesurface,”saidRyan,“that’sgoing tobeabigjob,isn’tit?”

TheDoctorgrinned.“NotwiththeTARDIS.”

“Ican’twait toseethatbigoldboxagain,”saidRyan.“Nooffence,Ash,butI’mnotsuitedtolivingunderground.”

“That’s all right, Ryan,” she said. “How you people can bear to live uphere, with nothing between you and the vast and empty void, I don’tunderstandeither.”

Ryan’seyeswidened.Hehadn’tthoughtofthatbefore.

TheDoctorlaughed.“PoorRyan.Hitwithexistentialdread,andhehasn’teven had his fry-up.All right, you two – I think I’ve got past the securityprotocols,shouldbeabletoshutdownthedrillscompletely.”Shelinkedherhandstogetherandflexedthefingers.“Heregoesnothing.”

Shethumpedsomebuttons.Nothingimmediatelyhappened.

“Isthatit?”saidRyan.“Brilliant!”

An alarm sounded, shrill and angry.Red lights started flashing, and thenklaxonswentoff.Avoiceboomedthroughthebase:“Intruders!Intruders!”

“Oops,”saidtheDoctor.Shebentoverthecontrolsontheconsoleagain.

“What’shappening?”saidAsh.“What’sgoingon?”

TheDoctor’s handswere flying over the controls. “Must be a secondarysecuritysystem,launchingcountermeasures.”Shelookedup,herfacebleak.“Satellites,inorbit,firingdownonthesurface.”

Suddenly, the building shook around them. Ash looked scared. “What’shappening?”

“High up above the surface, there aremachineswithweapons,” said theDoctor. “Theycan fire atus, fromup there.When I switchedoff thedrills,somethingalertedthosemachines.Sothey’vestartedattackingus.”

“Butwhy?”Ashsaid.“Whywouldanyonedothat?”

“Protecting their investment!” said Ryan. “Doctor, I don’t want to hangaroundhereandgetblownup.Can’twegetbackdownunderground?”

TheDoctor’s facewasbleak.“No,Ryan.Wewon’tbe safe.All thiswillfinishoffwhatthedrillingwasdoing–andquicker.”

“Thefissure,”saidAsh.

Thegroundbeneaththemshudderedagain.

“It’sbeingbombedfromabove,”saidRyan.“Doctor,howdowestopit?”

Shedidn’tanswer.

After theDoctor’s avatar disappeared, Emerald turned furiously onQuartz.“Areyouhappynow?”shesaid.“There’llbepanic,chaos,riots!Peoplearegoingtogethurt!”

“Idon’tthinkso,”saidGraham.“Ithinkpeoplearegettingreadytohelp.”

“Ofcourse,”saidYaz.“TheGreatFamily.Youallpulltogether.”

“That’s right,” said Quartz. He began to head towards the door. “Youunderestimateus,Emerald.WecanhelpBasalttostopthis.”

Emerald,watchinghimleave,turnedtotheGreenwatch,standingby.“Stophim!”sheorderedthem.Thegroupofguardslookedateachother,anxiously.Oneortwotookastepforwardsbut,seeingthattheyweren’tinthemajority,theyheldback,andwentnoclosertoQuartz.

“Iorderedyoutostophim!”Emeraldsaid.

Onyxmovedforwards.“Emerald,”hesaid,“theywon’t takeyourorders.Notoverthis.”Heturnedtotheothers.“IsuggestyouhelpQuartz,”hesaid.“That’swhatI’llbedoing.It’slongpasttimethatwepulledtogether.”

TherewereafewmuttersamongsttheGreenwatch.Oneortworemainedwhere they were, but themajority headed for the door and left. Onyx andQuartzwere about to follow,when theDoctor’s avatar appearedagain.Herexpressionwasgrim.

“Doctor,”saidYaz.“What’sthematter?Haven’tyoubeenabletostopthedrilling?”

“Oh,we’vestoppeditallright.Butturningoffthedrillinghasturnedonanautomaticsecuritysystem.We’rebeingfiredonfromorbit.Youwon’tbeabletofeelitallthewaydownthere,butthebombardmentcouldcauseasmuchdamageasthedrilling.Ifnotmore.Andfaster.”

Emerald,whohadbeenlisteningtoallofthis,gaveabitterlaugh.“Itoldyounottointerfere!”

“The question is,” said the Doctor coolly, “what are you going to do tohelp,Emerald?Everyoneheretellsmewhatagoodleaderyou’vebeenoverthe years, looking after your people when trouble came, making sure theywere safe.Thing is, I’venot seenanything to showme thatyoucareaboutanything other than being proved right. And that’s not leadership. That’sbetrayal.”

Yaz,whowaswatchingEmeraldclosely,sawhowhardthatstruck.

“So,”theDoctorwenton,“thingsaregoingfrombadtoworse.”Herimagecrackledwithstaticandshestaggered,asifrockedbyanearthtremor.“Whatareyougoingtodo,Emerald?Letthedamagegetpastthepointofnoreturn,justtoproveyourselfright?Orhelptosaveyourpeople?”

“Youhadnorighttointerfere!”saidEmerald.

“Idon’tliketostandbyandwatchpeoplekillthemselvesandtakeotherswiththem,”saidtheDoctor.“It’safaultIhave,Iknow—”

“Doctor,”Grahammurmured.“Thismightnotbehelping.”

“IneedmyTARDIS,Emerald,”saidtheDoctor.“Mybluebox.Icansaveyouall,ifIhavemyTARDIS.”

“Onyxknowswhereitis,”saidGraham.“I’llfindhim—”

“Ihaditmoved,”Emeraldsaid,quickly.“Youwon’tfindit.”

Grahamthrewhishandsupinfrustration.

“Howlongdowehave,Doctor?”saidYaz.

“I don’t know.” The image of the Doctor broke up as she was almostthrown flat onher face. “Anhour or so,maybe, before the fissure starts tocrackbeyondrepair.”

“Whathappensthen?”saidGraham.

“Then?”TheDoctorsighed.“Thentheseawaterwillstarttofloodthrough,and it will hit the hot lava, and that whole beautiful place where you’restanding right now will be filled with steaming water, one huge steamingpool!Go and look out of thewindow, Emerald. Take a look at the peopledownthere–thepeopleyou’vebeentryingtohelp!Yourinactionisharmingthem,moreandmoreallthetime!”

ThenoneofherGreenwatchsteppedforwards.“Wetrustedyou,Emerald.We’vedoneeverythingyouasked!Andnowwe’reaskingyou–helpher!”

“Atlast,”murmuredtheDoctor.

Emerald’sexpressioncrumbled.“Allright,allright!”shecried.Sheturnedtothewatchmen.“Ihadtheblueboxtakentothefourthhall,wherenoonecouldseeit.”Shelookeddownattheground.“Haveitbroughthere.”

“Noneed,”saidtheDoctor.“YazandGrahamcangetit.”

“Doctor,”saidGraham,“wecan’tflythatthing!”

“Graham,” she said, “I’ll be standing right next to you.Well, this avatarwill.Icantalkyouthroughit.Nowgoon–goandgetthatgorgeousshipofmine.”

“Whatdowedowhenwegetthere?”saidYaz.

“Pack her high,” she said. “Whatever Basalt needs. Then I’ll talk youthroughflyingheruptohim.Andthenyoucanbringheruptome.Oh,I’vemissedher!”

Oneofthewatchmenwaswaitingtoleadtheway.ButtheDoctorhadonemore thing to say. “Emerald. You’re doing the right thing. I know you’vebeenalone,tryingtodoallthisbyyourself–butyou’renotalonenow.Youwanted help. This is help. That’swhat I am, that’swhat I do. I help.”Theimagewobbledalarmingly,dissolving intostatic.“Now–Yaz,Graham,getyourskateson!”

“Ajob?”RyanlookedattheDoctor.“Agoodjob?”

TheDoctortookhimbythearmtosteadyhimastheroomlurchedunderthe impact of anothermissile close by – he supposed the security systemswouldn’t target thecontrolareaanddestroythecompany’sassets, they’dbeblanketbombingtogetanyintrudertransportinthearea–andstartedleadinghim over to one of the consoles. “I promise you, Ryan, you’re gonna lovethis.”

NextthingRyanknew,he’dbeenplonkedunceremoniouslyintooneofthechairs.TheDoctorwasreachingforsomekindofheadset.Ryanlookedatitsuspiciously. Ithad lotsofwirescomingout, and–washe imagining it,orweresomeofthemwigglingaboutundertheirownpower?

“Doctor,you’renotplanningonputtingthatthingonmyhead,areyou?”

Shewas,andshedid.

“Thiswon’thurt,”saidtheDoctor.

“Ow!”

“Oh,allright,itmighthurt.Sorry.”

“Somethingjabbedme,Doctor.Myhead!Jabbed!”

“Shush.Here,putyourhandonthesecontrols.”

Sheshovedtwolongleverstowardshimandhegrabbedholdofthem.

“Now,”shesaid.“Waitasecond,I’vejustgottopresssomebuttons…”

“Oh,great,thatalwaysworksoutwell.”

Ryan heard, rather than saw, her press some buttons. They jangledcheerfully. Then everything went dark, and, suddenly, he was looking outacross a vast starscape at dozens upon dozens of small satellites. “Oh mydays,”saidRyan.

“That’swhat’sfiringatus.”

“Theycan’thurtme,canthey?”saidRyan.

“No,theycan’t,”saidtheDoctor.“Well,yeah,theycaniftheyhitusdownhere,orifthegroundcollapsesbeneathus,orwhatever,butthat’swhatyou’retherefor.Startfiringback!”

“What?”

“You’re controlling one of the satellites, Ryan. You’re operating thesystems up there. I’ve checked for life signs.They’re notmanned. So startfiring!”

“Areyousurethis’llwork,Doctor?”

“Nope.Butit’sourbestplan.Sogoforit!WhileItrytoflytheTARDISbyremotecontrol…”

Hewent for it. Andwithin seconds he realised that it was brilliant; likebeingcompletelyimmersedinoneofhisfavouritegames.Butwithaconsoleyoualways feltas ifyouwere takingpartatadistance.Notwith this.Thiswas as good as being there.And then–boom!Hewas knocked out of thesystem.Heraisedtheheadset,andshookhisheadclear.

Ashcamerunningovertohim.“Areyouallright?Whathappened?”

“I’mfine,”Ryansaid.“ButIthinkthey’resmart.Ithinktheylearn.IthinktheyworkedoutwhichsatelliteIwasfiringfrom.”

“Tryanothersatellite?”theDoctorsaid.

“They’llworkthatouttoo,”hesaid.“IreckonIcandobetterthanthat.IthinkIcanmovearound.”

Shegrinnedathim.“Iknewyouwerethemanforthisjob.”

Heputtheheadsetbackon.Hewasright.Shiftingaroundfromsatellitetosatellitekepthimfrombeingthrownout.Afterhe’dtakenouttenorfifteenoftheother satellites,he realisedhewashumming theStarWars theme. “PoeDameron’sgotnothingonme,”hesaid,asheblewanothertargetoutofthesky.

Again,thebuildingshook.“Comeon,Ash,”saidtheDoctor,hurryinghertowards a chair. “There’s another headset here…” Soon Ash was firing atsatellites too. The Doctor went over to another console to talk to Yaz andGraham.“Oh, this is frustrating,”shesaid.“If Icould justgetmyhandsonthosecontrols…”

“Woah!”saidRyan.“Outagain!”

“All right, Yaz, Graham, listen. I’m going to show you how to set thecoordinates…Ihope…”

Suddenly, a crackle of static sounded through the control centre. Ryanpulledofftheheadset.“Whatwasthat?”

“I think someone’s trying to talk to us…” The Doctor looked up andaround.“Who’sthere?”

Thestaticcrackledagain,andthenavoicecamethrough.“Hello?Hello?Isthereanyonethere?”

“Yeah,”saidtheDoctor.“Me.I’mhere.TheDoctor.Whoareyou?”

“I’m…I’marepresentativeoftheActilliasauraitiusMiningCorporation.”

“Oh,” said the Doctor. “That sounds very important. All right,representative–anywaywecouldtalkinperson?”

Therewasapause,andthen:“Thatwon’tbepossible!”

“Aw,comeon!”saidtheDoctor.“Iwantawordwithyou–let’sdoitfacetoface!”

Eleven

Therewasaweirdwhooshingnoise,and thespace in frontofRyanand theDoctor shimmered. Slowly, a shape appeared – a short, stocky figure,humanoid,wearing somekindofprotective spacesuit, andholding adevicealoftinahandthathadaplenitudeoffingers.RyanrememberedwhatBasalthad said about thebodies theyhad found.Thiswas surelyoneof the samespecies.

“Doctor,”whisperedRyan,“thisisn’tahologram,isit?”

“No,” said theDoctor. “This is the real deal.” Shewaved at the arrival.“Hiya!Noneedfortheprotectivesuit,nogastoworryaboutnow.”Shetookadeepbreathinandout,thenfrowned.“Justalotofotherstuff.”

“Ah,”said thefigure.“Ididn’t reallyexpect the transport linkwouldstillbeworking.”

“But it is. Everything’s still working, that’s the trouble. Come on, let’sspeakfacetoface.”

Slowly,thenewarrivalcomplied.Ittookaminuteortwo,butthenitwasstanding there. It hadbeautiful pearlescent skin, smooth andhairless, and aface like a full moon. This was all slightly offset by the fact that it waswearingwhat looked like a very grubbyT-shirt. The device itwas holdingwasnowplainlyacup,clutchedverytightlyinonehand.

“So,”saidtheDoctor.“Whodowehavehere?”

“Itoldyou,”itsaid.“I’marepresentativeofthe,um,theActilliasauraitiusMiningCorporation.”

“Youdon’tsoundverysureaboutthat,”saidtheDoctor.

“Idon’tbelievethat’sarealword,”saidRyan.“Actilly…Nah.Notbuyingit.”

“Yes it is!AndIam!” Itsvoicewasshaking,whichslightlyundercut theconfidencewithwhich itwas trying to speak. “And I’d like to knowwhatyou’redoingmessingaroundwithoursecuritysystems!”

“Areyouallright?”TheDoctornoddedatthecup.“Isthatcaffeine?Toomuch of that’s bad for you, you know. Makes you jittery, gives you theshakes.”

“Stoptalking!”itsaid.“Explainyourselves!”

TheDoctorlookedround,thenpattedherchest.“Oh,youweretalkingtome!Oh no, no, I don’t explainmyself!Not very often.And not verywelleither.ButIthinkyouhavesomeexplainingtodo.”

Asheenwasgatheringoverthepearlyskin.“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Imean,”saidtheDoctor,“thatyourminingcorporationhasalmostcausedaplanetary cataclysmhere!Digging toodeep, tunnelling awaywithout duecare and attention! There are people here, you know – a whole sentientspeciesofquiet,self-containedpeople,justgettingonwiththeirbusinessandnotcausinganytrouble—”

Itstaredbackather.“Anotherspecies?Therewasn’tanythingaboutthatonthefiles—”

“Yes,well,thereis,”saidtheDoctor,anedgecomingintohervoice,“andthey’reaquietandpeacefulpeople,whomeannoharmtoanyone—”

From over at the other console, absorbed in her new and alien virtualworld,Ashyelled,“Gotcha!”

“Mostofthetime,anyway,”saidtheDoctor.

ThealienwasgogglingatAsh.“Isthat…arock?”

Ryanleanedintohaveaquietword.“Doctor,”hesaidsoftly,“doyougetthefeelingthatwe’retalkingtotheintern?”

“Imean,”itsaid,“alivingrock?Weminerocks,wedon’texpectthemtohaveahearbeat!”

TheDoctornodded.“Thereissomethingfunnygoingon,isn’tthere?”Sheturnedbacktoit.“Isyourbossaround?”

“Myboss?Er,no!No!”

“Areyouintrouble?”saidtheDoctor.

The sheen was covering its skin again. “Look, I’m only in my secondweek.I’mnotmeanttorespondtothesekindofcallsandI’mnotsupposedtouse the transporter and I’m certainly not meant to pass myself off asmanagement. But all these alarmswent off and I thought, ‘Did I press thewrongbutton?’”

“Easilydone,”saidtheDoctor.“Ifyou’renotasgoodatbuttonsasIam.”

“Isittrue?”thealiensaid.“Aboutacataclysmandawholesentientspeciesunderthreat?”ItlookedatAsh.“Likethat?”

“Likeher,”saidtheDoctor,“but,yeah.Theyliveunderthesurfaceandthedrillingisdestroyingtheirworld.Willyouhelp?Makeitstop?”

Itgoggledather.“Idon’tknowifIcan…”

“Iknowthatyoucan,”saidtheDoctor.“Hey,what’syourname?”

“Me?”itsaid.“I’mOuolulu.”

“All right,Ouolulu,”said theDoctor,“comehereandshowmewhatyoucando.”

Ouolulu joined her at the console and started operating controls. “I’mtryingtoseeifthereareanyfilesaboutthisplanet.It’sawhilesinceanyonelooked at this one…Oh, I see. Yes, there was a Stage 1A11 investigatorymission sent out, unpersonned, and thatwas followedupbyStage1B12(a)landing party and preliminary dig. And then everything got cancelled… Iwonderwhy…”

“Itdidn’tgetcancelled,”saidtheDoctor.“That’sthewholeproblem!Thedrillingcarriedon—”

“Stilldrilling?”saidOuolulu.“No,that’snotright…”

Theroomshookharderthanever.“Butit’shappening.Andawholespeciesisabouttobedestroyed!”

“Right,I’mwithyou.Hangonamoment…Ah!”saidOuolulu.“Iseenow!Oh….Oh,no.Gasnearoneof themain shafts.Fatalities.Fourteen lost forgood…”

RyanlookedattheDoctor.“Wesawsomeofthem.”

“Ourfriendsherefoundthem,”theDoctorsaidtoOuolulu.“Theylookedafterthebodies.Now,canyouhelp?”

“I can’t switchoff the security systems– I’venotgot anywherenear theauthorisation.”

AnotherwhoopcamefromAsh’sdirection.“We’reontopofthat,”saidtheDoctor.“Now,please—”

“I could give you the project files,” Ouolulu said, doubtfully. “It wouldshowyoualltheshafts,allthetunnels…”

“Keeptalking,”saidtheDoctor.“I’minterested.”

“Andyoucouldputthenanobotsintoreverseinsteadoftryingtoshutthemdown, seal everything up. It’s all here.”Ouolulu showed her the files. TheDoctor started scanning them. “You know, I should get back. I reallyshouldn’thavebeenlookinginthesefiles…”

TheDoctor looked up. “Ouolulu, you’ve solved amystery. The familieswillbegrateful.”

Ouolulu went and got the protective suit, hit some buttons on it, anddisappeared.

TheDoctor shotRyan agrin. “Comeon, let’s getYaz andGrahamhere.Andyou,Ryan–getthatheadsetonandbacktowork.There’sstillsatellitesfiringatus–andAshmusthavetakenoutfarmorethanyoubynow!”

WhentheTARDISwascarriedintoEmerald’shall,Yazwassogladtoseeitthatshenearlyranupandthrewherarmsaroundher, likeanoldfriendshehadn’tseeninyears.Sheranherhandslovinglyovertheexterior.“Hey,”shewhispered.“Idon’tknowifyoucanhearme,butit’snicetoseeyouagain.”

ThenYazsprangback insurpriseas thedoorsswungabruptlyopen.Hadshetriggeredsomeexternalmecha-nism,or…?

TheDoctor’simageappeared.

Grahamjumped.“Stopdoingthat!”hesaid.“Manofmyage–Icouldhaveaheartattack!”

“I’m quite shocked myself that the TARDIS opened up so easily.” Shegrinned.“Mentalcommandamplifiedbythecrystallattice.Impressive,don’tyouthink?”

“Very,Doctor,” saidYaz, nodding as she ran insidewithGrahamon herheels.“Now,whatdoweneedtodo?”

She listened as the Doctor issued instructions, and followed themobediently.“Will thiswork?”shesaiddoubtfully.TheDoctor’s trackrecordwhenitcametoflyingtheTARDISwas…patchyatbest.

“Enjoy it if it does,” said theDoctor. “Youknowhow fickle she canbe.She’llappreciatethenoveltybutshewon’tmakeahabitofthis.”

TheTARDISjuddered,andtheconsoleshiftedintoaction.

“Andwe’reoff,”saidGraham.“Ihope.”

Yaz,concentratingon theDoctor’sdirections, ranherhandsquicklyoverthecontrolstostartthedematerialisationprocess.TheTARDISlanded,softly.

“Don’t tell theDoctor,”saidGraham,“butthatwasbetter thanshe’severparkedit.”

“Graham,” said the Doctor, “I’m standing right here. Well, not actuallyrighthere,butyouknowwhatImean.”Shewavedherhandsatthem.“Comeonthen,hurryup!”

Yaz poked her head out of the TARDIS door, and saw a shabby controlroom.TherewastheDoctor–forreal, this time–and,sittingintwochairsalongside each other, were Ash and Ryan, wearing strange headgear andpullingatcontrols.Graham,steppingoutoftheTARDIS,tookonelookathisgrandsonandshookhishead.“Don’ttellmehefoundtimetogetagamein!”

“He’sseeingoffthosesatellites,”saidtheDoctor.“Importantandnecessarywork.”

“Yes!”shoutedRyan,andpunchedtheair.Heliftedtheheadsetandpulleditoff.“That’sthelot,Doctor,”hesaid,andthensawhisfriends.“Youmadeit!Shallwegetgoing,then?”

Ash, who had also taken off her headset, came slowly towards theTARDIS.“Yes,”shesaid,“thisiswhatIsaw,allthosedaysago,andIknewwe weren’t alone any longer. I knew someone had come to help us.” ShelookedattheDoctor.“What’sinthere,Doctor?”

TheDoctorheldoutherhand.“Wonderfulthings.”

TheTARDISrematerializedontheplatformnearwherethetrainhadbroughtthem.The friends steppedout,Ashwith them.TheDoctorplacedherhandgentlyagainsttheexterioroftheoldbluebox.“Beautiful,”shewhispered.

TheywaitedforBasalttoscrambleoverandjointhem.HestoodinfrontoftheTARDIS,palpablyitchingtotouchthebigoldmachine.

“Goon,”saidtheDoctor.“Butbegentlewithher.”

BasaltlaidhishandontheTARDIS.“Alive!”hecried,andthenstartedtolaugh.

“Alive? In a way, yeah.” The Doctor patted the TARDIS. “My oldest,bestestfriend.”

BasaltdrewAshintoahug.“Mygirl.”

“Dad,” she said, her eyes shining. “Out there. The surface. You won’tbelievewhatit’slike!”

He smiled at her. “You’ve been further than I ever have.You,Ash!Thefurthest any of us has ever been!”He turned back to theDoctor. “Sowhathappened?”

“Ispoketothe,er,thepeoplewhodidallthis.Theyhadnoideathatyouwerehere.”

“Doctor,”saidYaz,“there’ssomuchdamage…Howdoweevenbegintofixthis?”

“Dowe have enough time?” said Ryan. “Before the fissure cracks wideopen?”

“There’salwaysaway,”said theDoctor.“Whatdowehavenowthatwedidn’thavebefore?”

Yazthoughtforawhile.“Thenanobots!”

“Thenanobots,”saidtheDoctor.“AndwithwhatIlearnedfromourfriend,Icanre-programmethem,settheprocessintoreverse,sealuptheshafts,andthe tunnels, and we’re done. All Basalt and his people need to do is hopaboardtheTARDIShere,andwecantakethembackhome—”

“Leave?”saidBasalt,andfrowned.“Doctor,wecan’tleave.We’retheonlythingholdingthefissureshut!Ifweleave–itcracks!Crackswide!”

YazlookedattheDoctor,andwassurprisedtoseethat,foronce,shewascompletelywrong-footed.“Ofcourse.Thefissurewasn’tmadedirectlybythemachines, it’safault-linethat’sopenedup–sothenanobotswon’tknowtoreverseit.Ihadn’tthoughtofthat…”

“We’llstay,”saidBasalt,quickly.“Youdowhatyouneedtodo,andwe’llstayandholdthefissureshut.”

“Basalt,”saidtheDoctor.“Youdon’tunderstand.Everythingwillseal.Youwon’tsurvive—”

“Willithelpsavepeople?”saidBasalt.

“Dad…”saidAsh,uncertainly.

YazlookedattheDoctor.Shecouldn’tputanametothisface:therewereso many emotions passing over it. At last, the Doctor settled ondetermination. “No,” she said. “No, I’m not having it. There’s got to beanotherway.”

“Ican’t seewhatelsewecando,”saidBasalt. “And the longerwe leavetheseshaftsopen,theworsethestrainonthefissuregets.Doctor,dowhatyouneedtodo!”

“Whatneedstobedone,”saidtheDoctor,“isthatwestartthinking.”

Ashtookhishand.“Dad,”shesaid.“Ibelieveinyou.Iknowyou’llcomeupwithsomething.”

ButBasaltwasshakinghishead.“It’snouse,Ash,”hesaid.“Sometimes,youhavetoknowwhenyou’rebeaten.”

IntheDiamondCity,peoplewerewatchingandwaiting,fearfully.Quartzwasout and about, booming cheerfully in his big voice, keeping morale high.Onyxwasouttoo,wearinghisgreenstone,makingsuretheGreenwatchkeptthe peace and stopped any panic. And then – in all the shining halls andglitteringwalkwaysoftheCity,theDoctorappeared,largerthanlife,andwithabeamingsmile.

“Hello!”shesaid.“Meagain.I’mherewithBasalt.Hewantsaword.”

TheDoctor’s avatar disappeared, andBasalt appeared instead. “Can theyreallyseeme?”

“Wecanseeyou,Basalt,”saidQuartz,dryly.

“Ah,good.Well,it’sgoodtospeaktoyouagain,Quartz.Ineedyoutodosomethingforme.Ineedsomethingfrommystudy.”

Quartzlookedathiminhorror.“Basalt,it’sgone.”

“Gone?”

Onyxsteppedforwards.“Notallofit.Basalt–whatdoyouneed?”

“Therewerenotesoncrystalformations…Whatdoyoumeanmystudyisgone?”

“Emeraldhaditdestroyed,”saidQuartz.

“I savedwhat I could,” saidOnyx. “Let’shope I savedwhatweneeded.Basalt,tellmewhatyouwant.”

Upbythefissure,Basaltputhisheadinhishands.“Mylife’swork,”hesaid.“Allgone.”

“No,notallofit!”criedYaz.“Thecellar–wehidsomethere,andOnyxtookmostofyourlibraryandapileofnoteswithhim.”

“Butthestudy…Thesamples…”

Grahamlookedathimsadly.“Wedidwhatwecould.”

Faintly,theyheardoneofthecrystalcommunicatorshum.ItwasQuartz.“Ithinkwe’vefoundwhatyouneed…”

YazwatchedastheDoctorandBasaltsat,hunchedoverandheadstogether,hardatwork.SheturnedtoRyan.“Iwonderwhatthey’llcomeupwith.”

“Something weird. Something wonderful.” He looked over his shoulder,back towards the fissure. Therewas a shout from up there, and one of the

rock-peoplecamedashingout.Waterwas tricklingdownthegroundbehindthem.Ryansighed.“Ijusthopetheyhurry.”

TheDoctor jumped suddenly to her feet. “All right,” she said. “I think Iknow what we need to do, but we need to speak to Ouolulu again.” ShedashedtowardstheTARDIS.YazandRyanchasedafterher.

TheDoctoropenedacommunicationschannel.“Ouolulu.Ouolulu!It’sme,theDoctor,backatthemine!Weneedyourhelp!”

Therewasashortpause,andnoresponse.

“Ouolulu!Areyouthere?”

Again,anothersilence,andthenthealien’svoicecamethroughthecomm.“Hello?I’djustgonetogetasnack.Whatdoyouneed?I’mgoingoffshiftinaminuteortwo,gottofigureouthowIreportthis—”

“I need the technical specifications for the nanobot technology you usedhere.”

Therewasasoftlaughattheotherendofthecomm.“Onitsway,Doctor.”

“Whythelaughing?”saidRyan.

“Yeah,goodpoint,”saidtheDoctor.“Hey,whyareyoulaughing?”

“Proprietarytechnology,Doctor!Anythingelseyou’dlikewhileI’mhere?”

“You’redoingtherightthing,”theDoctorsaid,helpfully.

“Sure.Willyouwritemeareferenceformynextemployers?”

“Ifwemakeit,”theDoctorsaid.Shecutthecommchannel,thenstartingreadingthroughtheinformationOuoluluhadsent.“Yes,”shesaid,“IthinkIcanseewhattodo…”

“Goon,”saidYaz.“Tellus!”

“Basalt has detailed notes on the composition of the crystals up near thefissure,andhe’sdoneexperimentsonsuper-heating them.We thought forawhilewecouldusethattowelditshut,buttheprocessistooslow,andthenIthought…”ShesmiledatYaz.“Well,youknowalready.”

Yazsmiled.“Thenanobots?”

“That’sright,”saidtheDoctor.“I’vehadalookthroughthespecsnow,andIthinkIcanprogrammethemtointerfacewiththecrystalsupbythefissure,sothatwhenwesendthemintoreverse,they’llclosethenaturalholesaswellastheartificialones.Well,that’sthetheory.”

“Willitwork,Doctor?”saidRyan.

TheDoctorpulledaface.“Itshould. Itmight.Perhaps.We’llneed togetawayquickly,though.Ifthefissurestartstocrackandwe’restillhere,we’llbefirsttogo.”

“Andifitdoesn’twork,Doctor?”Yazsaidsoftly.“Whatdowedothen?”

TheDoctor lookedgrim.“Thenwegoback to theDiamondCityandwefill the TARDIS with everyone who’ll come, and we get them away fromhere.”

Yaz thought about the wonderful people she had seen. Howwould theylive,awayfromthispreciousworldoftheirs?Whereelsecouldtheypossiblygo?

“Comeon,”saidtheDoctor.“It’stimetogetstarted.”

Theyheaded for theTARDISdoors, stoppingwhenGrahamputhisheadround.Helookedgrim.“Thereyouare,”hesaid.“You’dbetterhurry.Idon’tthinkit’sgoingtobemuchlongerhere.”

Theydashedbackoutontotheplatform.Yazlookedroundinhorror.Thetrickleofwaterhadbecomeafree-flowingstream,anditwasgettingstrongerbythesecond.Basaltwasinthethickofit,organisinghispeopletoblockupthecrack,butitwascleartheywerefightingalosingbattle.

“Youthree,”saidtheDoctor,“getinside.Now!”

Theydidasshe’dordered,butYazstoodbythedoorsandwatchedastheDoctor dashed towards Basalt. “Basalt!” she cried. “We’ve got to go! GetyourpeopleawayfromthereandintotheTARDIS.”

Yaz sawBasalt hesitate. “Hedoesn’twant to leave,” shemurmured. “Heknowsthatthey’retheonlythingstoppingtheflood…”

“He’dbetterleave,”saidGraham.“Orhe’lltakeuswithhim.”

They stood back from the doors asBasalt’s people dashed inside, takingcover in the TARDIS. Ash was last, and she stood at the door with Yaz,watchingfearfullyatherfather,stillhesitating.“Dad!”shecried.“You’vegottocomenow!”

Basalt,hearinghercry,turned,andsmiledather.Foramoment,Yazwassurehewassayinggoodbye,and thenhe turned to theDoctor,andnodded,and,withher,rantowardstheTARDIS.Behindthem,thewaterwasgushingfreelynow,andtheyskiddedonthewetsurfaceastheymadefortheTARDISdoors.YazandAshjumpedoutofthewaytoletBasaltenter,and,lastofall,the seawater lapping at her heels, the Doctor dashed inside, sealing theTARDISdoorsbehindher.

Sherantowardstheconsole,gabblingasshepushedandpulledthecontrolstomaketheTARDISdematerialise.“Iknow,Iknow–biggerontheinside,deadexciting,alloftimeandspace,I’llrunyouthroughtherestlater.Rightnow–gotsomenanobotstohack.Wishmeluck!”

YazfeltRyanmovetostandnexttoher,andwasrelievedtohaveherfriendby her side once again. Graham stood behind them, like a mother henwatchingoverchicks.YazsawAshtakeherfather’shand.Shewatchedasthewater flooded through onto the platform, and she gasped as the roof of thetunnelbegantobuckleandcollapse.

AndthentheDoctorcried,“Herewego—!”

DownintheCity, thepeopleof lookedupat theroofof theworld.Astheywatched,awhitelightspreadacrosstheheavens.

Silencefell.

Andthentherewasastrange,unearthlygrindingnoise.Someonescreamed,whichsetafewothersoff.Someoneelsecriedout,“It’shappening!We’reallgoingtodie!”

Inside the TARDIS, everything was very still. “Doctor,” said Ryan,uncertainly.“Didthatwork?”

TheDoctorwas taking readings at the console. “Surface shaft, closing,”shemuttered.“Tunnel,closing.Secondaryshaft,closing…”

“Whataboutthefissure?”saidBasalt.

“Wait for it,wait for it…”TheDoctorwasconcentratingon thecontrolslikeRyanhadneverseenherdobefore.“Comeon,comeon…”

The Diamond City was teetering on the edge of panic. “We’re finished!”someone cried, and some people began to look around, for somewhere toescape…Butotherswerestilllookingupwards.Pointingupwards,theycried,“No,look!Thethreadsoflight–they’regone!Thecracksareclosing!”

Andsomeoneelsesaid,“Wheredidthatblueboxcomefrom?”

The Doctor looked up at Basalt and smiled. “Sealed,” she said. “Thefissure’ssealedforgood.”

Ashputherarmaroundherfather.“Youdidit,”shesaid.“Yousavedus.”

Heshookhishead.“Shesavedus.Thankyou,Doctor.IwishIknewwhatyou’ddone!”

Shebeamedathim.“I’llrunyouthroughit.Thesenanobots–you’regoingtolovethem.”

“Proprietarytechnology,Doctor?”saidYaz,withasmile.

“Compensation,”saidtheDoctor,firmly.“Now–onelastjob.”Shelookeddownattheconsoleagain.

“Whatareyoudoing?”saidRyan.

“Justalittlehackintothefilesofacertainminingcorporation,”shesaid.“NotsomethingIdoeverydayof theweek,but I think it’seasier thisway.Offtherecord,asitwere.Putamarkerroundthisworld–don’tcomenear.”She smiled at Basalt and Ash. “You don’t want any more visitors pokingabout your home for commercial gain.Although youmight consider doingsomevisiting tootherworldsoneday.”Shewentback to theconsole.“Oh,andI’verecommendedourfriendbackthereafull-timejob.IthinkOuoluluearnedit.”

One-by-one,theycameoutoftheTARDIS.ThepeopleoftheDiamondCitywerenotslowinshowingtheirappreciation.Thenoiseoftheirapplausewasaboomingcacophony,rockonrock,stonessinging.

“This ismore like it,” saidGraham. “Better than getting chucked into adungeon.”

Last of all, Basalt came out of the TARDIS, and the people of the Cityroaredhisname.Hestoodblinkingatthem,overcomewithemotion.

“Heroofthehour,”saidtheDoctor.“Good.”

Ashwasbeamingwithpleasure. “This is all I everwanted,” she said. “Iwantedeveryonetoknowthathewasright.”

“Don’t forget everythingyoudid,Ash,”Ryan said. “You’vegone furtherthananyoneonyourworldeverhasbefore.”

Ashsmiled.“SoIdid,”shesaid.

YaznudgedtheDoctor.“Look,”shesaid.“Emerald.”

They watched as, slowly, Emerald also began to applaud. The Doctorslippedovertospeaktoher.

“I suppose,” said Emerald, lowering her hands, “that I should say thankyou.”

“That’sallright,”saidtheDoctor.“Iwishyou’dlistenedsooner,that’sall.Whatwillyoudo?”

Emerald sighed. “I believe… that from now on, I shall leave things inQuartz’shands.”

“Ikindofthoughtthatmighthappen.Butwhatareyougoingtodo?”

Emerald turned to lookstraightat theDoctor.“Iwant to learn,”shesaid.“LearnfromBasalt.”

TheDoctorbeamedather.“Thatsoundsaboutright,”shesaid.“Helphimrebuildthatstudy.Makeitbiggerandbetterthaneverbefore.Buildaschool.Buildauniversity.Whoknowswhatyou’restartinghere?”SheputherhandonEmerald’sglitteringshoulder.“Thisiswhereyouturnthingsaround.Makethefearandthechaosyourpeoplehavelivedthroughworthit.”

The Doctor and her friends stayed for a little while longer to celebrate,before saying goodbye to new friends and leaving this world for anotheradventure.Buttherewasonemorequickjourneytomakefirst,andforYazitwasthebestpartofthewholeexperience.

TheTARDISlandedagainuponthesurface.No,thiswasn’taremarkableworld,all told–at least,notuphere.Yazcouldseemoors like thisbackathome, inYorkshire,andthey’dbebetter there,becausetheywereYorkshiremoors.Butwhatshecouldn’tseebackhomewasBasalt,standingatlastforabrieftimeonthesurfaceofhisworld,faceturnedupandouttoseethehugesky,thevastheavens,andthewholeuniverse–ashehadalwaysimagineditwouldbe.

Acknowledgements

ThankyoutoSteveColeandGabbyDeMatteisforsupportduringthewriting.GratefulthankstoMatthew,asever,formakingeverythingpossible.AndallmylovetoVerity,whoalreadylikesJodie.

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