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"Disruption! There is none!" interrupted the younger Process. It struck Vael a blow with its head which nearly knocked him from the platform.

"It never learns," the monster added.

The older creature peered myopically at Vael for a moment and then said, "Then what is this?" It inclined its head towards the cocoon.

Ace froze, her knife jammed between the filaments.

"Nothing," croaked the younger Process.

"Nothing?"

It was bad enough that the creatures could speak English. Their leaden attempts at sarcasm were all the more unnerving.

"On my journey, I learn much. In the World City, I see many things in all the Phases. Things the younger Process is yet to learn." Its head lowered to examine the cocoon at close quarters, nearly choking Ace with its stench. "But one thing I learn, which is more important than all others." It swung back to face its protégé. "Never be away too long!"

The younger creature made an angry growling in its lengthy throat. "The disruption in the City, it is settled. The Phazels, they continue searching for the stolen Future."

"Shonnzi," interrupted Vael. "I have captured Shonnzi."

"Shonnzi Phazel is captured," announced the younger Process as if this were its own personal triumph. "This is still in the Time you planned."

"Time? Some fragments remain inevitable. The overall pattern? That is altered," argued the older monster. "The stolen Future slips away. This Now is not in my memories. It has not happened before. On the middle Phase of the World City, I see a new Phazel creature. A female."

"The disruption in the City, it is already dealt with," the younger protested. It arched sideways, putting itself between the older creature and the cocoon.

The other shuddered with rage. "Time charted from the Beginning is changed! The new Phazel, it must be found and utilized. Like the others. In the City there is a new rumour."

"What rumour?"

"The Doctor, he will return!"

Ace grinned to herself. She tried to slide her knife back inside the cocoon, but it jammed in the threads.

"Impossible!" declared the younger. "The disruption and rumours, they are in your heads. The new Phazel, it is already absorbed. There is no more disruption!"

Ace jerked back the knife. The filament snapped with a fizz and the procession of glimmering lights faded. The charge of static that held the cocoon together was broken. It fell apart around Ace.

She looked up at the vile cratered footmouth and ring of tiny eyes that loomed over her.

"It is here!" spluttered the older Process.

From behind, the voice of the younger Process cried, "Another disruption. Destroy it! Quickly!"

The air turned suddenly cold. The massive brute reared its head like a snake about to strike.

There was a sudden cry from Vael. The creatures both turned from their prey to stare at the figure that stood in their midst.

The dark figure, its cloak of shadow billowing, advanced slowly upon them. The two Processes retreated before it, hissing and spitting their hatred. He seemed taller in this manifestation, but Ace still recognized the ghastly sepulchral features of the Doctor. White light reflecting from some misplaced star glinted in his staring eyes. The huge circular collar rose above his head like black wings.

"Doctor!" called Ace, close to tears. "Doctor, I need you!" She lunged at the robe, but her hand passed straight through the heavy fabric as if it never existed.

The spectre ignored her cry of despair, directing the dark fury of its glare against the cowering monsters.

"It returns," chorused the Processes. "Time disrupts. It comes from the World's Beginning to steal the stolen Future again!"

Out of its ghostly robes ran the silver cat. It paused and scrutinized Ace for a second. Its eyes were like jewels. Then it darted on to the slime-covered ledge that the older Process had arrived on. Festooned in thread, Ace scrambled across the platform after it.

By the time she reached the ledge, the cat was already trotting up the curve of the wheel beyond. The contraption immediately levered upwards and Ace clung to it, listening