Doctor Who and the Star of Arcadia - The Drawing of Groups 3/16
Title: Doctor Who and the Star of Arcadia - The Drawing of Groups 3/16
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, The Doctor (10), OFC, OMCs, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Benton, Johnson
Pairings: Jack/Ianto
Disclaimer: Neither Torchwood or Doctor Who are mine
Summary: In the Citadel of the Time Lords, about 250 million light years away from Earth, a number of elements were protected in case they fell into the wrong hands. If an exhibit was deemed to be powerful enough to corrupt in the wrong hands it was usually destroyed, or if that was found to be impossible, it was split into segments and kept apart from itself in case it were stolen.
Spoilers: Children of Earth
Rating: PG-13
A/N: This is a sequel to Doctor Who’s End Game. The Whole thing starts with Doctor Who and the Cathedral of Light.
Prologue here
‘All I’m saying, Brigadier, is that we need another mind on this, one that isn’t emotionally involved.’ The Brigadier looked at Benton and smiled. He had always been like a son to him and despite the fact that they looked roughly the same age, he still thought of him as a subordinate that needed to be guided along the right path.
‘Agent Johnson has crossed the line. She’s in possession of sensitive material that could harm not only the government but the people that look to them for stability. What with that Whitehall loon wandering around poking his nose into everybody’s business.’
Benton shook his head in wonderment. ‘This is the perfect opportunity to enlist her into UNIT’s ranks. She’d make an ideal sergeant… even an officer… and her knowing about the Rani’s star only shows that she’s capable of gathering information that could be useful to us in our fight against extra terrestrials. She was around when the 456 almost destroyed our children and has worked closely with Jack in the past.’
He omitted to tell the Brigadier that she’d actually killed Jack on a number of occasions to keep him out of the picture. Taking a deep breath, the Brigadier shook his head then, looking at the face of the woman before him just as quickly, had a change of heart. There was something familiar about her… something he couldn’t put his finger on. She’d been around, yes but he’d never really looked at her face before, her eyes, her expression. All he knew for sure was that he could trust her.
‘All right I’ll offer her a position with UNIT if that’ll keep you happy but you must promise me one thing.’ Benton shivered at the thought of owing the Brigadier a promise, but nodded in acceptance. ‘If she steps out of line just one inch then it will be your job to discipline her.’ Benton nodded then turned towards the door, the thought of disciplining Agent Johnson foremost in his mind. As he closed the door behind him his cheeks were red with embarrassment. Perhaps he wasn’t as old as he felt. After all he was a sprightly sixty-five year old in the body of a twenty-five year old. There was life in the old dog yet.
***
1 Eden Street West, Sunderland, was the home of the Department of Work and Pensions and housed hundreds of civil servants, all hard at work listening to people’s complaints and processing payments. In the hustle and bustle of every day work no one knew what happened on the fifth floor. No one noticed that the button for the fifth floor, in the elevator, had a key lock next to it as they pushed for their own floors. They were too busy even to notice the strangers that entered the lift but never got out on their floor. Everyone kept themselves to themselves and worked hard just to stay employed.
Returning from Sunderland General, her leg cast finally removed, Louise Ruth limped across the road towards the entrance way, stick in hand. It would take her some time to get use to walking again and now the pain killers had ran out she was planning a serious session at the Angel public house as soon as she finished with the Brigadier’s meeting.
She had been told by the Sergeant Benton that the building was not supposed to be recognisable to the public as a government facility at all, just in case they decided to bring their complaints to the office instead of the job centre where they supposed to go. Despite this need for anonymity the green wood and brick building had ‘Wear View House’ written in big letters on the outside and was very easy to spot.
Situated next to the Police Station, the connection wasn’t at first obvious until you ventured inside, she knew. Both buildings were connected by an underground tunnel that was used by members of UNIT.
To get into the building Louise Ruth had to walk through the main gate into a very small car park, which led down into the underground car park. To get in, she first used the proximity key, given to her by Sergeant Benton, which opened the first set of doors.
The Brigadier had emphasised the fact that she could not allow tail-gating, but in a rush to start work Louise Ruth realised that this couldn’t be avoided without getting into a serious argument. After looking around and finding no one wishing to enter she felt disappointed that she couldn’t shut the door on someone. After the first set of doors she was confronted by another set of doors which she found could simply be pushed open.
After the two sets of doors she entered a small reception area with a security guard paused ready like a coiled spring. Walking towards the reception desk she gave her name and filled out the appropriate form to show that she was in the building.
Taking a small envelope, which was handed to her, she headed for the lifts the guard gestured towards. The lift nearest to the reception desk, the guard told her, was the only one that went to the basement, the other two only went down as far as the ground floor.
Entering the lift she noticed a mirror on the left and the control buttons on the right directly opposite. As the doors were about to close a leather gloved hand thrust between them. Louise Ruth took an involuntary step backward, thrusting the envelope deep into her shoulder bag.
In the past few weeks she’d witnessed killers from all over the galaxy at close range and knew one when she saw one. Dressed in black cargo pants and matching jacket, the woman that shared the lift with her looked menacing. It was nothing to do with her face, it was her eyes. They were eyes that had seen death up close and personal and had dealt it out on numerous occasions.
Turning to face Louise Ruth the woman smiled. For a fleeting moment she remembered the Rani’s smile and she felt sick. Bile filled her mouth and the thought of a drink left her mind as the belief that she wouldn’t be alive to enjoy one entered it.
Slowly the woman placed a hand inside her jacket as Louise Ruth braced herself. As the hand pulled free Louise Ruth balled her own hand into a fist and made ready to strike. As soon as the gun slid free she would slam her fist into the woman’s jaw and hope that would do the trick. Looking at the woman’s athletic build she knew that she wouldn’t get within an inch of her before the bullet struck.
Twisting away from her she tried to bend her knees but found she couldn’t. Without another word she threw the punch aimed at the woman’s jaw line just below her left ear. It wasn’t until her fist was millimetres from the target that the woman’s hand came free holding a white envelope similar to her own.
Turning, agent Johnson caught the incoming fist with her left hand and redirected it away from her face. With the momentum at its strongest Louise Ruth flew passed Johnson and would have slammed into the side wall of the lift if a steel grip hadn’t restrained her.
‘Hold on there, I’m a good guy. Agent Johnson, seconded from special forces.’ Helping Louise Ruth to regain her balance agent Johnson stooped to pick up her walking stick which had fallen to the floor. ‘I take it you’re Louise Ruth… the hero of the hour… how’s the leg?’
Looking more than a little embarrassed, Louise Ruth tidied her dishevelled clothing and retrieved her walking stick from the outstretched hand. Without a word Agent Johnson opened her envelope and removed a small key which she placed in the lock next to floor five. Pushing the button with a gloved hand the lift moved down instead of up and kept going for some time. As the lift moved it seemed to shake and rattle to an alarming degree, which would normally have freaked Louise Ruth slightly if she hadn’t been in that state before the lift had moved.
Needing to break the awkwardness, Louise Ruth extended her hand and Johnson took it in a firm grip and smiled. ‘Good to meet you Louise Ruth.’ Louise Ruth retrieved her hand and smiled.
‘Sorry about the punch… I’m a little nervous at the moment… I thought you were one of… anyway… my leg’s fine, just a little weak.’ Johnson nodded and smiled back at her.
‘I understand things happen that can shake us all up.’ Louise Ruth saw the pain in Johnson’s eyes and knew that there was more to this woman than the killer she’d first thought of.
She was just about to ask what had shaken her up when the lift stopped moving and the doors slid apart. They were greeted by two UNIT soldiers both heavily armed.
Johnson pulled out her ID badge and showed it to the soldiers who motioned for her to place her hand on a palm reader. Removing her hand she placed her thumb in her mouth and moved to the left so Louise Ruth could identify herself.
As she placed her right hand on the reader a sharp pain ran from her thumb and she immediately pulled it away. Only when the reader flashed green on both identities did the UNIT soldiers back away.
‘I hate DNA readers,’ said Johnson as she passed Louise Ruth a paper handkerchief. I know they’re necessary but try and enter this building four or five times a day and see how irritating it gets.’ Louise Ruth held the paper to her thumb, helping the small trickle of blood to clot.
Following a UNIT soldier they moved through an outer office filled with computer terminals and well dressed women wearing headsets and talking animatedly. As she passed she caught snippets of conversation that, any other place, would have alarmed her.
‘I know sir… but you’ve got to understand that the alien life form is only interested in the sugar your company produces…. A UNIT team will be there shortly to deal with it. Just let it eat the chocolate bars for now and you will be reimbursed for your loss. Have a nice day’
‘UNIT HQ how may we help you…? Yes sir… Our motto is any threat, any location, protecting humanity no matter how far it takes us. Do you have an un-territorial incursion to report…? Yes sir… I’m sure you’re exaggerating… it can’t be that big sir… your neighbour’s car… have you told your neighbour... he was in the car at the time… ok… we’ll send a UNIT team over right away. Have a nice day.’
As they reached the far office the UNIT soldier that had been leading them joined a second guarding the door and motioned for them to enter. The first thing Louise Ruth saw was Ianto brandishing a jug and offering her a cup. Smiling at the familiar face she sat next to him and took hold of the cup. Taking a mouthful of the hot liquid she sat back in her chair and smiled, just how she liked it.
Jack, who had been sitting next to Ianto when they had entered, had stood and held Johnson’s gaze for longer than it seemed comfortable. Nodding, Jack motioned for her to sit at the table as he joined her. Louise wondered if it was a trick of the light or did she see a glint of a tear in Jack’s eyes.
Johnson was taken aback when she saw Jack but was totally stunned at the sight of Ianto Jones. She had seen him die when the 456 released gas into the building they’d been housed in. She’d supervised the removal of his body and had personally checked his vital signs. She reached out a hand towards him and put on her warmest smile, which didn’t quite work.
‘Mr Jones, so nice to see you up and about again.’ Ianto took her hand and shook it gently. He’d hated this woman for so long it was hard for him to remain neutral now he had the full picture.
Agent Johnson was just about to sit when a thought crossed her mind. Quickly she turned to face Jack but he had anticipated her thoughts. Slowly he shook his head, his grandson was still dead; he’d only been able to bring Ianto back and the thought hurt him a great deal.
He had tried to pick up Steven’s body when he’d dug up Ianto’s but his daughter had, had the child cremated. Seeing Johnson brought back all the old feelings he’d tried to bury over the last year. For the moment he suppressed the pain that welled up inside him, swallowing down the lump in his throat and fighting back the tears.
‘How’s the leg?’
‘After having to drag myself bodily upstairs for four weeks on end it was safe to say I was really looking forward to getting the damn cast off. It should have only been three weeks but my aunty Susan hadn’t turned up to take me to the hospital so I missed my appointment and was condemned to an extra week.’
‘What was it like having a cast on?’
‘Horrible. My leg itched every now and then…’ she nudged Ianto with a conspiratorial smile, ‘chop sticks are good for that,’ Ianto smiled and took another mouthful of coffee. ‘Just don’t tell my Dad… they were his chop sticks…’ Pausing for a moment to remember what she had gone through she took a mouthful of her coffee which was beginning to cool. Ianto took her cup from her and refreshed it with hot coffee then passed it across to her.
‘But when you finally got the cast off you must have been over the moon.’ Louise Ruth nodded sipping the hot coffee as she did so and almost burning her lip in the process.
‘I thought brilliant, expecting my leg to work just like it always had.’ She shook her head, ‘Wrong.’ Louise Ruth lifted her stick up and sulked. Ianto smiled in sympathy and was about to say something when the Brigadier burst into the room, closely followed by Sergeant Benton. Turning he addressed a soldier in captain’s uniform just out of sight behind the open door.
‘And you can tell that buffoon from Whitehall that I’m busy… dealing with a matter of life and death for the entire human race!’ Flustered, he turned to the occupants of the room. ‘Right…’ he said, ‘the Doctor’s come up with a tracking device that can home in on particular sections of this star. What we have to do is split into four groups and basically hunt out these points.’ Johnson raised a hand to ask a question then lowered it as she felt all was watching her.
‘The UNIT brief I received states that the points to this star are scattered through time and space… couldn’t they be anywhere and at any time?’ The Brigadier nodded then passed her a tracking device.
‘With the help of these, the wearer will be transported through time to the approximate vicinity of the point. When we arrive it’s up to us to find and retrieve it.’ The Brigadier was about to continue when Louise Ruth raised a hand.
‘Once we find the point does the tracker send us back?’ The Brigadier shook his head as if not wanting to answer this particular question.
‘Unfortunately not; all it can do is track the points throughout time and space. Once it gets you there it’s useless…. But… I’m told by the Doctor that once you retrieve the point all you have to do it hold onto it and it will return to the last place it had been.’ The Brigadier was again ready to continue his talk when Jack raised his hand.
‘And if we don’t find it or someone finds it first… then how do we get back?’ The Brigadier then shook his head.
‘That, I’m afraid, I don’t know… The Doctor can explain it better but… at the moment he’s tracking the next piece in the puzzle.’ All went quiet as the Brigadier pondered over the situation.
‘Why four groups… I mean I might be a little dumb here but wouldn’t it be better if we all went for one piece at a time, then we could protect each other,’ Louise Ruth asked. The Brigadier shook his head.
‘I put this to the Doctor and he told me emphatically that the star points will only transport a maximum of three people at once and that would be pushing it.’ Louise Ruth and Ianto both hid behind their coffee cups as they nervously drank. ‘Sergeant Benton and I will set off after one of the pieces, which leaves you four to split into two’s and grab a tracker.’ Agent Johnson looked at Jack and raised her hand a second time.
‘Can I take Louise Ruth with me… she seems capable enough to handle herself.’ Louise Ruth’s cheeks reddened as she remembered the punch in the lift, but nodded her acceptance.
‘That leaves you two together once again.’ The Brigadier gestured towards Ianto and Jack. ‘No funny stuff this time. In and out as quick as you can.’ Realising the implications of what he’d said the Brigadier turned away from them with only sergeant Benton able to see his grimace.
‘Well… nothing new there then.’ Jack said and nudged Ianto who shook his head and moved slightly to his left, away from Jack.
‘From what I’ve seen this stuff is highly classified.’ Braving Jack’s comment the Brigadier turned to face Johnson.
‘Yes… quite.’
‘What we need are a few more people in on this… the fewer the better.’ The Brigadier nodded in agreement.
‘After your little stunt at the house, I’ve also seconded Staff Sergeant Stephen Howard and trooper Evans to join us. We also have Staff Sergeant Barrett on our muster that has experience in this area and can help.’
Johnson nodded, ‘We’ll take Sergeant Howard with us… he’s a good man in a crisis.’ The Brigadier nodded and turning towards Jack and Ianto realised that they both of them had raised their hands together.
‘We bags trooper Evans. Sounds a good Welsh name. He isn’t a tenor by any chance is he?’
With a grin Ianto nudged Jack in the ribs, ‘Perhaps we could try him out with Men of Harlech, before we decide.’ Ignoring them the Brigadier turned and opening the door shouted down the corridor.
‘I want Sergeant Howard, Sergeant Barrett and Trooper Evans in the opps’ room on the double.’
Return to the Web 4/16
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, The Doctor (10), OFC, OMCs, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Benton, Johnson
Pairings: Jack/Ianto
Disclaimer: Neither Torchwood or Doctor Who are mine
Summary: In the Citadel of the Time Lords, about 250 million light years away from Earth, a number of elements were protected in case they fell into the wrong hands. If an exhibit was deemed to be powerful enough to corrupt in the wrong hands it was usually destroyed, or if that was found to be impossible, it was split into segments and kept apart from itself in case it were stolen.
Spoilers: Children of Earth
Rating: PG-13
A/N: This is a sequel to Doctor Who’s End Game. The Whole thing starts with Doctor Who and the Cathedral of Light.
Prologue here
‘All I’m saying, Brigadier, is that we need another mind on this, one that isn’t emotionally involved.’ The Brigadier looked at Benton and smiled. He had always been like a son to him and despite the fact that they looked roughly the same age, he still thought of him as a subordinate that needed to be guided along the right path.
‘Agent Johnson has crossed the line. She’s in possession of sensitive material that could harm not only the government but the people that look to them for stability. What with that Whitehall loon wandering around poking his nose into everybody’s business.’
Benton shook his head in wonderment. ‘This is the perfect opportunity to enlist her into UNIT’s ranks. She’d make an ideal sergeant… even an officer… and her knowing about the Rani’s star only shows that she’s capable of gathering information that could be useful to us in our fight against extra terrestrials. She was around when the 456 almost destroyed our children and has worked closely with Jack in the past.’
He omitted to tell the Brigadier that she’d actually killed Jack on a number of occasions to keep him out of the picture. Taking a deep breath, the Brigadier shook his head then, looking at the face of the woman before him just as quickly, had a change of heart. There was something familiar about her… something he couldn’t put his finger on. She’d been around, yes but he’d never really looked at her face before, her eyes, her expression. All he knew for sure was that he could trust her.
‘All right I’ll offer her a position with UNIT if that’ll keep you happy but you must promise me one thing.’ Benton shivered at the thought of owing the Brigadier a promise, but nodded in acceptance. ‘If she steps out of line just one inch then it will be your job to discipline her.’ Benton nodded then turned towards the door, the thought of disciplining Agent Johnson foremost in his mind. As he closed the door behind him his cheeks were red with embarrassment. Perhaps he wasn’t as old as he felt. After all he was a sprightly sixty-five year old in the body of a twenty-five year old. There was life in the old dog yet.
***
1 Eden Street West, Sunderland, was the home of the Department of Work and Pensions and housed hundreds of civil servants, all hard at work listening to people’s complaints and processing payments. In the hustle and bustle of every day work no one knew what happened on the fifth floor. No one noticed that the button for the fifth floor, in the elevator, had a key lock next to it as they pushed for their own floors. They were too busy even to notice the strangers that entered the lift but never got out on their floor. Everyone kept themselves to themselves and worked hard just to stay employed.
Returning from Sunderland General, her leg cast finally removed, Louise Ruth limped across the road towards the entrance way, stick in hand. It would take her some time to get use to walking again and now the pain killers had ran out she was planning a serious session at the Angel public house as soon as she finished with the Brigadier’s meeting.
She had been told by the Sergeant Benton that the building was not supposed to be recognisable to the public as a government facility at all, just in case they decided to bring their complaints to the office instead of the job centre where they supposed to go. Despite this need for anonymity the green wood and brick building had ‘Wear View House’ written in big letters on the outside and was very easy to spot.
Situated next to the Police Station, the connection wasn’t at first obvious until you ventured inside, she knew. Both buildings were connected by an underground tunnel that was used by members of UNIT.
To get into the building Louise Ruth had to walk through the main gate into a very small car park, which led down into the underground car park. To get in, she first used the proximity key, given to her by Sergeant Benton, which opened the first set of doors.
The Brigadier had emphasised the fact that she could not allow tail-gating, but in a rush to start work Louise Ruth realised that this couldn’t be avoided without getting into a serious argument. After looking around and finding no one wishing to enter she felt disappointed that she couldn’t shut the door on someone. After the first set of doors she was confronted by another set of doors which she found could simply be pushed open.
After the two sets of doors she entered a small reception area with a security guard paused ready like a coiled spring. Walking towards the reception desk she gave her name and filled out the appropriate form to show that she was in the building.
Taking a small envelope, which was handed to her, she headed for the lifts the guard gestured towards. The lift nearest to the reception desk, the guard told her, was the only one that went to the basement, the other two only went down as far as the ground floor.
Entering the lift she noticed a mirror on the left and the control buttons on the right directly opposite. As the doors were about to close a leather gloved hand thrust between them. Louise Ruth took an involuntary step backward, thrusting the envelope deep into her shoulder bag.
In the past few weeks she’d witnessed killers from all over the galaxy at close range and knew one when she saw one. Dressed in black cargo pants and matching jacket, the woman that shared the lift with her looked menacing. It was nothing to do with her face, it was her eyes. They were eyes that had seen death up close and personal and had dealt it out on numerous occasions.
Turning to face Louise Ruth the woman smiled. For a fleeting moment she remembered the Rani’s smile and she felt sick. Bile filled her mouth and the thought of a drink left her mind as the belief that she wouldn’t be alive to enjoy one entered it.
Slowly the woman placed a hand inside her jacket as Louise Ruth braced herself. As the hand pulled free Louise Ruth balled her own hand into a fist and made ready to strike. As soon as the gun slid free she would slam her fist into the woman’s jaw and hope that would do the trick. Looking at the woman’s athletic build she knew that she wouldn’t get within an inch of her before the bullet struck.
Twisting away from her she tried to bend her knees but found she couldn’t. Without another word she threw the punch aimed at the woman’s jaw line just below her left ear. It wasn’t until her fist was millimetres from the target that the woman’s hand came free holding a white envelope similar to her own.
Turning, agent Johnson caught the incoming fist with her left hand and redirected it away from her face. With the momentum at its strongest Louise Ruth flew passed Johnson and would have slammed into the side wall of the lift if a steel grip hadn’t restrained her.
‘Hold on there, I’m a good guy. Agent Johnson, seconded from special forces.’ Helping Louise Ruth to regain her balance agent Johnson stooped to pick up her walking stick which had fallen to the floor. ‘I take it you’re Louise Ruth… the hero of the hour… how’s the leg?’
Looking more than a little embarrassed, Louise Ruth tidied her dishevelled clothing and retrieved her walking stick from the outstretched hand. Without a word Agent Johnson opened her envelope and removed a small key which she placed in the lock next to floor five. Pushing the button with a gloved hand the lift moved down instead of up and kept going for some time. As the lift moved it seemed to shake and rattle to an alarming degree, which would normally have freaked Louise Ruth slightly if she hadn’t been in that state before the lift had moved.
Needing to break the awkwardness, Louise Ruth extended her hand and Johnson took it in a firm grip and smiled. ‘Good to meet you Louise Ruth.’ Louise Ruth retrieved her hand and smiled.
‘Sorry about the punch… I’m a little nervous at the moment… I thought you were one of… anyway… my leg’s fine, just a little weak.’ Johnson nodded and smiled back at her.
‘I understand things happen that can shake us all up.’ Louise Ruth saw the pain in Johnson’s eyes and knew that there was more to this woman than the killer she’d first thought of.
She was just about to ask what had shaken her up when the lift stopped moving and the doors slid apart. They were greeted by two UNIT soldiers both heavily armed.
Johnson pulled out her ID badge and showed it to the soldiers who motioned for her to place her hand on a palm reader. Removing her hand she placed her thumb in her mouth and moved to the left so Louise Ruth could identify herself.
As she placed her right hand on the reader a sharp pain ran from her thumb and she immediately pulled it away. Only when the reader flashed green on both identities did the UNIT soldiers back away.
‘I hate DNA readers,’ said Johnson as she passed Louise Ruth a paper handkerchief. I know they’re necessary but try and enter this building four or five times a day and see how irritating it gets.’ Louise Ruth held the paper to her thumb, helping the small trickle of blood to clot.
Following a UNIT soldier they moved through an outer office filled with computer terminals and well dressed women wearing headsets and talking animatedly. As she passed she caught snippets of conversation that, any other place, would have alarmed her.
‘I know sir… but you’ve got to understand that the alien life form is only interested in the sugar your company produces…. A UNIT team will be there shortly to deal with it. Just let it eat the chocolate bars for now and you will be reimbursed for your loss. Have a nice day’
‘UNIT HQ how may we help you…? Yes sir… Our motto is any threat, any location, protecting humanity no matter how far it takes us. Do you have an un-territorial incursion to report…? Yes sir… I’m sure you’re exaggerating… it can’t be that big sir… your neighbour’s car… have you told your neighbour... he was in the car at the time… ok… we’ll send a UNIT team over right away. Have a nice day.’
As they reached the far office the UNIT soldier that had been leading them joined a second guarding the door and motioned for them to enter. The first thing Louise Ruth saw was Ianto brandishing a jug and offering her a cup. Smiling at the familiar face she sat next to him and took hold of the cup. Taking a mouthful of the hot liquid she sat back in her chair and smiled, just how she liked it.
Jack, who had been sitting next to Ianto when they had entered, had stood and held Johnson’s gaze for longer than it seemed comfortable. Nodding, Jack motioned for her to sit at the table as he joined her. Louise wondered if it was a trick of the light or did she see a glint of a tear in Jack’s eyes.
Johnson was taken aback when she saw Jack but was totally stunned at the sight of Ianto Jones. She had seen him die when the 456 released gas into the building they’d been housed in. She’d supervised the removal of his body and had personally checked his vital signs. She reached out a hand towards him and put on her warmest smile, which didn’t quite work.
‘Mr Jones, so nice to see you up and about again.’ Ianto took her hand and shook it gently. He’d hated this woman for so long it was hard for him to remain neutral now he had the full picture.
Agent Johnson was just about to sit when a thought crossed her mind. Quickly she turned to face Jack but he had anticipated her thoughts. Slowly he shook his head, his grandson was still dead; he’d only been able to bring Ianto back and the thought hurt him a great deal.
He had tried to pick up Steven’s body when he’d dug up Ianto’s but his daughter had, had the child cremated. Seeing Johnson brought back all the old feelings he’d tried to bury over the last year. For the moment he suppressed the pain that welled up inside him, swallowing down the lump in his throat and fighting back the tears.
‘How’s the leg?’
‘After having to drag myself bodily upstairs for four weeks on end it was safe to say I was really looking forward to getting the damn cast off. It should have only been three weeks but my aunty Susan hadn’t turned up to take me to the hospital so I missed my appointment and was condemned to an extra week.’
‘What was it like having a cast on?’
‘Horrible. My leg itched every now and then…’ she nudged Ianto with a conspiratorial smile, ‘chop sticks are good for that,’ Ianto smiled and took another mouthful of coffee. ‘Just don’t tell my Dad… they were his chop sticks…’ Pausing for a moment to remember what she had gone through she took a mouthful of her coffee which was beginning to cool. Ianto took her cup from her and refreshed it with hot coffee then passed it across to her.
‘But when you finally got the cast off you must have been over the moon.’ Louise Ruth nodded sipping the hot coffee as she did so and almost burning her lip in the process.
‘I thought brilliant, expecting my leg to work just like it always had.’ She shook her head, ‘Wrong.’ Louise Ruth lifted her stick up and sulked. Ianto smiled in sympathy and was about to say something when the Brigadier burst into the room, closely followed by Sergeant Benton. Turning he addressed a soldier in captain’s uniform just out of sight behind the open door.
‘And you can tell that buffoon from Whitehall that I’m busy… dealing with a matter of life and death for the entire human race!’ Flustered, he turned to the occupants of the room. ‘Right…’ he said, ‘the Doctor’s come up with a tracking device that can home in on particular sections of this star. What we have to do is split into four groups and basically hunt out these points.’ Johnson raised a hand to ask a question then lowered it as she felt all was watching her.
‘The UNIT brief I received states that the points to this star are scattered through time and space… couldn’t they be anywhere and at any time?’ The Brigadier nodded then passed her a tracking device.
‘With the help of these, the wearer will be transported through time to the approximate vicinity of the point. When we arrive it’s up to us to find and retrieve it.’ The Brigadier was about to continue when Louise Ruth raised a hand.
‘Once we find the point does the tracker send us back?’ The Brigadier shook his head as if not wanting to answer this particular question.
‘Unfortunately not; all it can do is track the points throughout time and space. Once it gets you there it’s useless…. But… I’m told by the Doctor that once you retrieve the point all you have to do it hold onto it and it will return to the last place it had been.’ The Brigadier was again ready to continue his talk when Jack raised his hand.
‘And if we don’t find it or someone finds it first… then how do we get back?’ The Brigadier then shook his head.
‘That, I’m afraid, I don’t know… The Doctor can explain it better but… at the moment he’s tracking the next piece in the puzzle.’ All went quiet as the Brigadier pondered over the situation.
‘Why four groups… I mean I might be a little dumb here but wouldn’t it be better if we all went for one piece at a time, then we could protect each other,’ Louise Ruth asked. The Brigadier shook his head.
‘I put this to the Doctor and he told me emphatically that the star points will only transport a maximum of three people at once and that would be pushing it.’ Louise Ruth and Ianto both hid behind their coffee cups as they nervously drank. ‘Sergeant Benton and I will set off after one of the pieces, which leaves you four to split into two’s and grab a tracker.’ Agent Johnson looked at Jack and raised her hand a second time.
‘Can I take Louise Ruth with me… she seems capable enough to handle herself.’ Louise Ruth’s cheeks reddened as she remembered the punch in the lift, but nodded her acceptance.
‘That leaves you two together once again.’ The Brigadier gestured towards Ianto and Jack. ‘No funny stuff this time. In and out as quick as you can.’ Realising the implications of what he’d said the Brigadier turned away from them with only sergeant Benton able to see his grimace.
‘Well… nothing new there then.’ Jack said and nudged Ianto who shook his head and moved slightly to his left, away from Jack.
‘From what I’ve seen this stuff is highly classified.’ Braving Jack’s comment the Brigadier turned to face Johnson.
‘Yes… quite.’
‘What we need are a few more people in on this… the fewer the better.’ The Brigadier nodded in agreement.
‘After your little stunt at the house, I’ve also seconded Staff Sergeant Stephen Howard and trooper Evans to join us. We also have Staff Sergeant Barrett on our muster that has experience in this area and can help.’
Johnson nodded, ‘We’ll take Sergeant Howard with us… he’s a good man in a crisis.’ The Brigadier nodded and turning towards Jack and Ianto realised that they both of them had raised their hands together.
‘We bags trooper Evans. Sounds a good Welsh name. He isn’t a tenor by any chance is he?’
With a grin Ianto nudged Jack in the ribs, ‘Perhaps we could try him out with Men of Harlech, before we decide.’ Ignoring them the Brigadier turned and opening the door shouted down the corridor.
‘I want Sergeant Howard, Sergeant Barrett and Trooper Evans in the opps’ room on the double.’
Return to the Web 4/16