His name was Tomansio, he said as they walked back to Oscar's capsule. 'In full, Tomansio McFoster Stewart. It was my father who provided you with our code eighty-six years ago.

'I barely saw him. The government had a tight little cordon around my room. They were anxious I should have my privacy. Yet he just walked right in. And out again, too.

'We thought you'd forgotten us, Tomansio said. 'Or worse.

'I'm not what I used to be, Oscar said. 'At least, that's what I thought.

'And yet here you are. It's an interesting time to come and seek us out again, for both the Greater Commonwealth and the galaxy at large. Not the kind of time a man chooses to indulge in nostalgia.

'No. This has nothing to do with nostalgia.

They sat themselves in the capsule. 'Do you mind if I navigate? Tomansio asked. 'You would find it difficult to reach our lands unaided.

'Of course, Oscar said. His curiosity rose as they slid out of the dome's landing chamber. 'Where are your lands?

'Where they've always been. From the north east corner of the Dessault Mountains all the way to the Oak Sea. The capsule began to accelerate, streaking northward over the mountains as it gained altitude. For the first time, Oscar saw the High Desert around which the lofty peaks huddled protectively.

'And I couldn't find you? I think that peak is Mount St Omer, isn't it? The Marie Celeste crashed close by.

'Knowing and reaching are two separate things.

'I didn't know you all turned Buddhist and spoke in fortune cookies.

Tomansio tilted his head to one side with avian precision. His attractive smile poised. 'Ah, I see. I'm not being deliberately enigmatic. Though perhaps I am guilty of overdramatizing. But you are very precious to us, Oscar. I'm hoping to impress you.

Just for a moment, Oscar felt as if he'd lived through every one of those eleven hundred years. He had to history mine to understand me. Jesus fuck. He'd been far too sheltered with his life partners. Small wonder he always felt as if the house put up a cosy barrier between his little family and the outside world.

'We protect our lands with a T-sphere, Tomansio said.

'Really? I thought only Earth had one.

'We don't advertise. It's actually quite an elegant defence on so many levels, although it does require a colossal amount of energy to maintain. If you walk or drive or fly towards us, as you approach out border you're simply teleported to the other side.

You can't knock on a door which you can never face. You have to be invited in.

'Cool.

The lands they fell towards seemed particularly lush. Thick greenery split by meandering rivers, forest and meadowland squabbling to dominate valleys and rolling hills. Away to the east, a glimpse of the Oak Sea. They re-entered the atmosphere. Strands of cloud rushed up past the capsule's transparent hull, thickening fast. Then they were through, and a forest canopy unfolded below them, leaves of every colour, trees of immense size. Far Away had always celebrated its unique genetic diversity. Starting with a near-sterile landscape, the terraforming teams had brought the seeds of a hundred planets with them to create the ultimate contrasting florascape.

'Here we go, Tomansio said as their altitude approached three miles.

The view outside suddenly switched. Oscar jumped in his seat. They were now floating a hundred yards above the ground at the head of a long valley. Blue-green grass rippled away for miles on every side, lapping against woodlands that spilled out of the dips in the valley walls. There were houses all around them, built from wood and stone, blending nicely with the environment, like some medieval village back on Earth. Except this was on a much grander scale.

'You live here? Oscar asked.

'Yes.

'I'm envious.

'Appearances can be deceiving.

The capsule touched down outside one of the stone houses, a long building with age-blackened wood beams protruding from beneath a slate roof. A balcony ran along one side. Big windows were open, showing a glimpse of a very modern interior. The grass swept right up to the walls, emphasizing the impression of natural harmony.

Oscar stepped out wearily. The gaiafield was resonating with a warm subtle joy, wrapping him in a daydream of a child being swept up in its mother's arms; the comfort and security of being home.

It was a welcome emanating from the people hurrying across the land to greet him. They came out of nearby houses, or simply teleported in, popping into existence to enlarge the crowd. Then the horses appeared, a whole cavalry squad riding up over a nearby ridge, dressed in some dark uniform which trailed gold and scarlet heraldic streamers behind their shoulders. The horses themselves were clad in a metal mesh, with hems of gold tassels brushing the tips of the grass. He stared at the giant, fearsome beasts, with their metal-clad horns and sharp tusks, memories stirring.

'I've seen one of those before, he exclaimed, excitedly. 'On our drive to the mountains. A Charlemagne. Somebody guided us.

'Yes, Tomansio said. 'We still train to fight on them. But we've never actually ridden them into battle since the Planet's Revenge. It's all ceremonial now, part of our skill set. The riders are here to honour your arrival. As do the king eagles. He gestured upwards.

Oscar just managed not to flinch; he did gasp, though. A flock of giant avian creatures swirled overhead. Resembling the petro-saurs of Earth's dinosaur era, they had been created by the Barsoomians as part of their quest for genetic expansion. Each one had a rider, dressed in long flowing robes that fluttered behind them. They waved as they passed overhead, turning and twisting with amazing finesse. Oscar grinned unashamedly at their acrobatic antics. Surely those riders had to be strapped on?

Tomansio cleared his throat discreetly. 'Perhaps a few words, he whispered into Oscar's ear.

Oscar had been so entranced by the king eagles he hadn't noticed just how many people were now gathered in front of him. He gazed across them, slightly unnerved by their appearance. It was as if some kind of athletics squad had turned out to see him. Without fail they were tall; the men handsome, the women beautiful; and all of them hugely fit. Even the smiling, eager children were healthy specimens. He couldn't help but think of H. G. Wells' particular vision of the future from The Time Machine. Here in their protected edenistic garden, the Knights Guardians were like Eloi, but with muscles, and attitude. Heaven help the morlock who wondered into this valley.

Oscar drew a breath, really trying not to think of the media briefings he had to give while he was in the Navy. 'I haven't been to Far Away for a very long time. Too long, actually. You have made it a thrilling world, a world respected across the Commonwealth. For that I thank you, as I do for this welcome.

The applause was heartfelt enough. Oscar bobbed his head, smiling round the earnest faces. He was hugely relieved when Tomansio ushered him into the house.

The reception room was clad in what looked like translucent white fabric that emitted a mild glow. There were strange deep folds in the walls, which hinted at parallel compartments. Aspects of the T-sphere, Oscar guessed. The furniture was solid enough, as was the little shrine which rested on a broad ancient wood table at the far end. Oscar slowed to a halt as he stared at the black-shrouded holographic portrait with its single candle burning underneath. The Cat's prim face returned her best enigmatic smile.

'For every Yin, a Yang, Oscar murmured grimly. He should have known. The valley really had been too idyllic.

Tomansio came up to stand beside him. 'You knew her, didn't you? You actually spoke to her as you travelled to Far Away.

'We spent a day together on the Carbon Goose flying across Half Way. I wouldn't say I knew her well.