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Fisher stood, his eyes downcast, deep in thought. Then he looked forward, cupped his hands around his mouth, and let out a deep cry, a shout that echoed around the chamber like a rumbling explosion in a quarry.

At length a figure appeared at the edge of the arc of light.

Boyd caught a glimpse of slender arms and a domed head before Fisher respectfully lowered the torch. Fisher began talking at great speed, in a dialect that Boyd was completely unfamiliar with. The only word he caught was 'Nedenah', and it punctuated conversation in the same way that a person's name might. At length, the child-sized creature nodded, and replied in an equally rapid whisper.

Eventually Fisher bowed low, and then turned away from the figure. When Boyd glanced over his shoulder the little cave-dweller had already disappeared back into the shadows. Fisher took his arm, and propelled him at speed through the caverns. Just as they were approaching the entrance to the cave system, the Aborigine spoke. 'Bet you're wondering how anything can live down there.' he said.

do have one or two questions for you.' said Boyd with great understatement.

don't know the answers. Nedenah is a shy but wise traveller. Nedenah is on Walkabout, singing the songs of the Ancestors. Like I am when I dream, Nedenah is.'

'Is Nedenah its name or its species?'

'Yes.' said Fisher, to Boyd's great irritation. He paused as they emerged, blinking, into the light of dawn. 'Nedenah know the lights, Nedenah know the skies. And the Earth. The lights were seen right across the world by those that understand.'

'You know the Earth, Boyd. You know it trembles. It quakes. The Earth is scared. The Earth is screaming.' Fisher began to climb down towards the town. have been coming to Nedenah for decades.' he said. 'My father first brought me to the cave when I was a young man - soon after I was shown the Law. In all that time, I have never seen Nedenah frightened - of anything.' He sighed. 'Today, like the Earth, Nedenah is afraid.'

PART 7:

THE HAPPENING

CHAPTER 19

Bernard Trainor settled back in his seat. He didn't like flying, the legacy of an extremely turbulent trip in an old Dakota to observe one of the first experimental rockets BRG had been responsible for. Buffeted around in the interior of the plane, Trainor had experienced fear unlike anything he had ever known. If God had meant us to fly, he had told himself, he would have given us internal combustion engines.

Trainor had not been in a plane since, having sworn never to travel by air again - a somewhat incongruous vow for one of the world's premier rocket scientists.

'Are you comfortable, sir?' asked a BEA stewardess.

Trainor mumbled that he was, and asked for a vodka.

'Sounds like a positively ripping idea.' came a muffled voice to his side.

The professor turned to find that Viscount Rose had woken up. A hand appeared from beneath the copy of The Times covering his face, and drew the paper away. Rose was bleary-eyed and glanced quickly at his fob watch. do wish this blasted thing would get a move on.' he said angrily.

'Some of us have more important things to do. Where is that girl with my drink?'

'She's coming.' said Trainor.

'So is Christmas.' responded Rose.

'You've never had to wait for anything, have you?'

queried Trainor, feeling that even an argument with Rose was preferable to further contemplation of the dangers of flying.

'You're a classic only child. Spoilt rotten, and wealthy as sin.'

'You're absolutely right.' said Rose happily. 'But where would you be without that money? Never forget, Professor, that we need each other.'

Trainor glanced up as the stewardess returned with a tray of drinks, and eagerly gulped down the proffered vodka.

The Doctor stood watching Bessie as she was winched on to the back of a lorry.

'Is she mendable?' asked Yates, casting a worried glance at the twisted rear axle.

'Of course she's mendable,' snapped the Doctor.

'Anything is mendable, given time and resources.' He rubbed his chin.