'I feel like a burglar,' whispered Sam, as Elio opened the doors leading into Perpetuum.

'Sssh,' hissed Jonathan, 'Somebody will hear us.' The only sounds as they crept into the huge library were their soft footsteps and Sam's nervous breathing.

Silently Elio pointed them in the right direction, 'The information should be located somewhere in this section,' he said, almost inaudibly, 'I did some research this afternoon, fearing that we wouldn't have time to search the entire library,'

Scanning book cubes for information Jonathan reflected that Elio was right. Perpetuum was a huge building, crammed with information of all kinds. You would need several centuries to look through everything. He gazed round hopelessly. 'Oh Vivian, where are you?' he sighed. A quickly stifled howl interrupted his thoughts and he turned to where Sam was scanning a screen, Elio reading over his shoulder. 'I think we've found it,' said Sam, happily, as Jonathan reached them. As he read his ears went scarlet and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. 'Jonathan, we're going to need you,' he said, uncomfortably and pointed to the screen. Jonathan bent and read where his finger was pointing. He went first red, then white. 'Oh.'

The doors to Perpetuum were suddenly flung open with a crash. The three jumped and Sam fell off his chair. Limping towards them, his purple robe flapping was Faber John. 'May I enquire what you are doing?' he asked, in tones that made Sam and Jonathan shiver.

Elio, not troubled with such emotions, bowed 'We are searching for information on the Summoning Belts, my lord,'

'I thought I told you not to 'my lord' me, Elio,' snapped Faber John 'and why this sudden thirst for information in the middle of the night? You're not planning to kidnap anybody else, are you?'

'No, my….no. But somebody has kidnapped Miss Vivian and we think they may have used a Summoning Belt to do so. She disappeared while crossing Aeon Square,'

'Kidnapped Vivian? Again. Oh Great Time, this could send history into chaos. Where is she?'

'We don't know,' said Jonathan, tightly.

Faber John looked at his white face and the way he was yanking on his pigtail, and took pity on him. 'There is a way to overturn their power,'

'I've just found it!' interrupted Sam. Faber John looked down at him, 'Well I'm glad you use your brains for something,' he said, 'if only you'd apply them to your school work a few more people would be happier,'

Sam grimaced and said nothing. Faber John turned to Jonathan, 'You ought to be relieved that I'm here,' he said, 'now you won't have to bruise your dignity in public,'

Jonathan couldn't go any whiter but he tugged harder at his pigtail. 'I would if I had to,' he said, meeting his old tutor in the eye.

Faber John made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a horse whinnying, 'I've no doubt you would, given the circumstances. Come on then, there's not very much we can do until the morning. Elio, I need these two to sleep when they get home, understand?'

'Yes, sir,'

Sam had no need of the soothing drink that Elio brought to his bedroom, once he'd sneaked back into his house. He left it by the bed anyway and went the back way into the Annuate Palace, where Jonathan was lying wakeful. He was ready to refuse everything, but when he saw that Elio was prepared to force the drink down him he took it and knew nothing more until the android woke him the next morning.