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Cat screamed as trader and Inquisitor crashed into the base of the huge basalt cross. The grasping robotic arms caught hold of them, and the two men were snatched high into the air and slammed against the gleaming black machinery, wires and tubes snaking from the void to embrace them Lightning ripped through their bodies, their skeletons flashing like beacons through their flesh.

Cat saw the Doctor's face contort in anguish as the machine screamed into life.

For a moment the two men hung there, del Toro struggling desperately against the vice-like grip of the little Braakan trader. Then there was a noise like tearing paper and the two men's bodies . . . blurred.

Cat watched in horror as features melted and swam, flesh became like liquid flowing over their bones. The lightning from the machine became more and more intense, sending huge shadows dancing across

the hold.

Through the flickering light, Cat caught glimpses of nightmare shapes. Bodies combining and recombining in impossible, horrible variety. Above the noise of the machine, she could hear del Toro screaming.

And then it went horribly silent.

The Doctor hauled himself over to the side of the void and stared in horror at the fused mass of flesh that hung on the steaming basalt cross. `He wanted to live forever,' he murmured. 'W anted a machine that could endlessly regenerate him:

`W hat did it do to them?' Cat was feeling sick.

The Doctor caught hold of Cat's arm, turning her away from the mutated monstrosity.

`All it could do. Tried to change one body into another . . . '

`My God!' came another voice. 'W hat's happened?'

Cat's heart leaped. Father Julian was limping across the room.

`Father,' the Doctor greeted him, wearily. 'How did you get past the soldiers?'

`My position tends to overawe many of the new converts from less developed worlds. I told them I wanted to come and pray over the bones of saints.'

Father Julian looked over at Cat. 'How are you, my dear?'

`I'm OK . . . I think.'

The Patriarch smiled. 'The Doctor is good at what he puts his hearts into — '

He paused and gripped a shelf, stooping and coughing.

`How do you feel?' the Doctor asked.

`Dizzy, sick. I think I must have a fever, Doctor.'

`It's the gas,' said the Doctor, worriedly stroking his chin. 'W here there are fires burning, the levels are still building. They'll soon reach lethal levels.'

The Patriarch hobbled up to where Agatho was slumped in a drunken haze.

`Del Toro?' the old man enquired.

`Gone the way of all flesh,' giggled Agatho drunkenly. 'And you, Father. Did your wisdom prevail?'

`Sadly not said the Patriarch. 'Rome is besieged. The papal guard

have rounded up anyone at the conclave who has expressed sympathy for the dolphin Celestine. I had to plead over the communication channel for their lives. To no avail, I fear.'

`Bonaventure?'

`Rethinking, I imagine. Plotting. In the meantime, we have been offered sanctuary by Father Habemus Papem.'

`W ho?' slurred Agatho.

`A monk from Baloosh Minor.'

`I don't know him.

`Technically, the Doctor said, 'it's not a him. The Balooshi have no gender. They're small strands of vegetable slime:

`That small strand of vegetable slime is a spiritual giant, Doctor: the Patriarch reprimanded gently.

There was a sudden, deep vibration somewhere overhead, followed by others, and then a low groaning sound.

`W e've got to leave now!' urged the Doctor. 'Those maniacs are discharging their heavy weapons close to the vital systems! The ship will break apart!'

As he spoke, Cat felt the deck lurch and tilt.

`You want to get out in your ship?' Agatho slurred.

`Yes, yes,' the Doctor snapped.

`You can't. It's held in a stasis field. Del Toro had the deactivator: He belched obscenely 'The main controls are on the deck above:

The ship lurched again. Cat had to hold on to the Doctor for support. The room began to tremble and shudder.

`I was only following his orders,' the Bishop sneered.

`How long