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The Jeopard gave him a small, round smile, careful not to show his fangs. He had very short, fine grey fur, subtly patterned.

‘What can I get for you?’ he said.

‘Two bagels, one plain and one with peanut butter and mashed banana, and two incredibly strong coffees, please,’ said Chris.

‘Yes, sir!’ said the Jeopard. ‘Eat here or take away?’

Chris looked around. Roz had already taken a seat, and was reading the guidebook. ‘To eat here.’

‘OK. Have a seat and I’ll bring it to you.’

Chris sat down. Roz didn’t look up. ‘Any help?’ he said.

‘I think we should try the Martian Quarter,’ said Roz.

‘Do you think Zatopek is likely to have gone to ground there?’

‘He could be anywhere,’ said Roz. ‘But remember, we’re looking for someone who looks just like the Doctor.’

‘Hey, that’s right,’ said Chris. ‘He’s got some serious history with those folks.’ He glanced over at the Jeopard, who was filling a jug with frothy milk. ‘Didn’t he once mention –’

‘He stopped the Jeopards from invading their neighbouring planet,’ said Roz. ‘A year later the Empire swept in and conquered both worlds.’

Chris tried to read the guide’s screen. ‘Is that all in there?’

‘Not quite.’ Roz lowered her voice. ‘There’s an entry on the conquest of Jeopardy.’ She handed him the guide.

‘It was only ten years ago,’ said Chris. ‘After we left. It says there are only a few hundred thousand Jeopards.’

186

‘Small planet.’

‘They mustn’t have bothered to indenture them.’

Roz jerked her head, and Chris saw that the Jeopard was heading for them with a tray.

‘Let’s split up,’ said Chris.

‘After lunch,’ said Roz.

The Martian Quarter was a separate dome. The slidewalk passed through a series of force fields, each one an airlock, allowing you to acclimatize. The air was cold and thin, the ‘sky’

was violet, and half the buildings were under the ground.

There were just enough humans to reassure Roz that she didn’t stand out too much. She went from shop to shop, showing the tall reptiles the two photos she was carrying. One of the Doctor, one of Zatopek, just in case.

First chance she got she picked up a heat ray. It was a smaller version of the standard Martian weapon, designed for human hands. Nasty little bugger: you couldn’t set it to stun. Still, now she felt less underdressed.

Most of the shops had a symbol hung outside which she didn’t recognize, a stylized figure in clay or sometimes brass. The guidebook said it was a symbol of mourning.

After a couple of hours she took the weight off her feet in an almost empty bar. The menu was mostly Martian adaptations of human food, lethal curries and salsa and strong, bitter drinks. She ordered a coffee and a plateful of cakes to take the edge off.

‘Have you seen either of these men?’ she asked the bartender.

The Ice Warrior shook his lumpy head.

Roz sat down with her coffee. It tasted like dregs – she was surprised it wasn’t melting through the cup. She popped one of the little cakes into her mouth and took another look at the guidebook.

A Martian stepped up to her table, looming overhead. Big green man. ‘I’m fine, thank you,’ she said, not taking her eyes off the book.

‘You’re an Adjudicator,’ said the Martian.

Roz looked up at the seven-foot hulk and decided to play dumb. ‘Huh?’ she said.

187

‘Adjudicator,’ said the Ice Warrior. ‘But not a local Adjudicator. On the trail of a couple of suspects.’

‘You got it wrong, bemmie,’ said Roz. ‘Uh, no offence. I’m just trying to find my uncle.’ She took out the photos. ‘See, that’s him and his boyfriend. Have you seen them?’

‘An Adjudicator who isn’t aware of the local situation,’ said the Martian. He sat down opposite her. Damn, he was between her and the door. ‘But then again, who is?’

‘Look, friend,’ she said. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘You see,’ said the Ice Warrior, ‘the local branch of the Adjudication force has made some very special connections.

That’s why I’m no longer one of them.’

Roz looked at him. ‘You were an Adjudicator?’

‘For ten of your