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Chris made himself speak slowly and clearly. ‘What happened to him?’

‘The same thing that happened to Zatopek on the ship,’ said Martinique. ‘But a thousand times worse. A million times worse.’

‘Cassandra,’ breathed the Doctor.

Chris almost jumped at the sound of his voice, suddenly filling the bridge. ‘What is it, Doctor?’

‘Cassandra. Right now. Right away.’

Chris was about to ask who Cassandra was when he remembered. The outermost planet in the system. A week’s journey away.

‘We have to go there now, Chris.’ The Doctor’s voice was fading. ‘No choice. Get ready to leave.’

Behind Chris, Son of My Father made a noise deep in his chest.

Chris started, turned to look at the Ogron.

‘Bad rock,’ said Son of My Father.

99

Meanwhile

Kibero Patera, Io – 15 February 2982

‘Shall we play a game?’ asked Mr Fiction.

Thandiwe thought for a moment. ‘No,’ she said. ‘I want to learn something.’

‘Oh no,’ said Mr Fact and tried to scuttle under Thandiwe’s bed.

Mr Fiction pointed to where Mr Fact’s black shiny bottom stuck out from under the counterpane, his rear pair of legs scrabbling for purchase on the varnished floor. ‘Doesn’t he look funny?’ he said, and laughed.

Some of Thandiwe’s other toys joined in, especially the Fat Monster Eater. The Fat Monster Eater was a big floppy bag as big across as Thandiwe was tall and covered in fur. It had a big jolly mouth and rolling eyes and laughed at everything. Which annoyed Thandiwe sometimes, except late at night when the Monster Under the Bed was lurking in the dark.

When that happened, the Fat Monster Eater would leap into the bed with her, and chuckle softly until she went to sleep. It used to tell her stories as well, but then Mama gave her Mr Fiction, who was much smarter and knew every single story ever told – even the grown-up ones.

At first she’d been worried that the Fat Monster Eater would be jealous, but when she asked her sister about it, Gugwani had told her not to be silly. ‘They’re just bots,’ she said. ‘They don’t feel anything.’

100

Which had made Thandiwe feel all strange and upset all that afternoon until she unexpectedly started crying at dinner – when Mama found out why she spoke to Gugwani in her very quiet voice, which meant that she was really really angry.

Then she took Thandiwe aside and told her that although it was true that the Fat Monster Eater, Mr Fiction and Mr Fact were robots, they were very clever robots who had been – she used a long word which Thandiwe didn’t understand – to have feelings.

Mama said that as soon as the robots had seen Thandiwe they had fallen instantly in love with her. And that was the real reason the Fat Monster Eater wasn’t jealous because, when you really love someone, then their happiness is the most important thing in your life.

Thandiwe thought this over later that night and decided it sort of made sense. It was certainly true that when her mama was angry everyone seemed upset and when she was happy everyone was pleased – especially the servants. Perhaps that’s what she meant. However, she still let the Fat Monster Eater sleep in her bed as well as Mr Fiction, just so he wouldn’t feel left out – it was only fair after all.

Gugwani sulked for a whole week until Mama bought her a new dress.

If anyone came out worse in the end it was Mr Fact, as the Fat Monster Eater always seemed to side with Mr Fiction when it came to disputes – as it did when Thandiwe wanted to do something naughty and the arachnoid (which meant spider shaped) robot tried to hide under the bed.

‘I want to learn something interesting,’ said Thandiwe.

‘I’m not coming out!’ squeaked Mr Fact.

‘I’ll say the words,’ said Thandiwe.

‘You shouldn’t know the words,’ said Mr Fact. ‘It’s naughty for you to even know words like that.’

‘ Double, double, toil and trouble,’ said Thandiwe, ‘ Fire burn and cauldron bubble. ’

Mr Fact stopped talking and went completely still. Thandiwe ordered him to back up and turn around to face her. ‘Now open your head.’ Mr Fact obeyed, the top