The Stolen Earth Incident - Chapter Thirty-Nine
30 April 2009
Cardiff
Ianto hadn’t even been aware he’d dozed off over Toshiko’s workstation until a hand touched his shoulder, rousing him.
He blinked blurrily, and Deborah appeared, her pale eyes worried. He was touched by her concern, and his own hand reached up and grasped hers.
She shivered slightly, her eyebrows drawing down. “Your hand is cold.”
That…was worrying.
Ianto naturally ran hot, due to his inner flame raising his human form’s body temperature. It was one of the things most people noticed about him, but usually blew it off; the only time it had really gotten him into trouble had been when he’d ended up switching places with his doppelganger from another universe, and there they’d thought he’d been running a fever until the dragon had set them straight.
They still weren’t certain how the whole dimension swap had taken place, because the walls were supposed to have been sealed. Still, it had been an interesting experience. Plus, to know there were so many variations of Ianto Jones out there had been absolutely fascinating.
“Did I hear that right?”
Of course, Owen had overheard Deborah’s observation.
As had everyone else - except for Toshiko, who was still unconscious on the sofa - judging from the sudden gathering around him.
“Alright, Dragon Boy,” Owen stated, “I’ve had enough of this shit. Down in my office, now.”
Ianto could tell this ultimatum wasn’t just for show; Owen meant it, and if he didn’t comply he was most likely going to be drugged and hauled down for an examination while he was out of it.
Judging from the rest of the team, they’d be willing accomplices to Owen’s medical coup.
He might as well bow to the inevitable and let Owen get it out of his system.
Sighing, Ianto was just levering himself out of his chair when an alarm began sounding from the computer.
He instantly slid back into the seat, needing to see what new fresh hell was going on. His eyes widened as he took in what the sensors were telling him.
The Daleks were retreating.
And not just in Cardiff. According to the scanners their ships were leaving the planet and heading back toward their base at the heart of the planetary configuration.
“Holy shit,” Patrick breathed.
“Does this mean they’ve done it?” Deborah gasped.
Rhys was the one to bring the beginning of what might have been a celebration back down to Earth. “But why are we still here, then? Why hasn’t the planet been moved back?”
“Maybe they haven’t had time to get to that part yet,” Patrick answered.
Ianto wasn’t sure.
If there had been a victory against the Daleks, Jack would have been calling to let them know. His mate had both phone and comm with him, so there would haven’t been a reason for Jack not to contact them even though the comm unit didn’t have that much of a radius to it. Unless something had happened to prevent it, but Ianto knew Jack; knew that he would have done anything to let them know at the Hub that they’d won.
“You think it’s something else,” Owen said shrewdly.
Trust the medic to catch on.
“I…don’t know,” the dragon admitted. “If the Daleks had been truly defeated, don’t you think Jack would have let us know? And you’re right, Rhys…the Earth isn’t moving. She’s still suffering.” He shook his head. “I think we’re in for something a lot worse.” He shivered slightly at his own, odd premonition.
Ianto straightened his spine, standing up without swaying too much. There were things to be done, and they just couldn’t sit around and wait for it to happen. “While we’re seemingly clear, I want you, Rhys, to get down to the CID and liaise with Andy. He’ll have his hands full with Kathy incapacitated, and you can bet he doesn’t have time to keep us up to date.” He didn’t add that he wanted an update on Kathy’s condition; but then, that really didn’t need to be said.
“Patrick,” he turned to the American, “I need you to get back with Eion Gwynne down at the Mayor’s Office, and see if they don’t have some sort of preliminary report on the condition of the city. We need to get more information so we can figure out what we’re going to need to do to help fix things.” Cardiff had already been rebuilding after Gray and John Hart’s rampage, and this would just add to the damage. There was also no telling how many people had been killed or taken prisoner by the Daleks.
“On it, boss.” Patrick took out his mobile, and Ianto was glad that his teammate had befriended the Lord Mayor’s Special Investigator after Torchwood had interviewed him for a position on the team. While the dragon was on good terms with the City it still helped that they had an ‘in’ like that, as there were times when the government still liked to try to hide things from them. He didn’t think that would be the case in this circumstance, however this gave Patrick something to do that wouldn’t overtax his shoulder.
This next part, he didn’t want to ask, but he had to. “Owen, I need you to go and check on Alice - “
“No fucking way,” Owen snarled. “I’m not about to leave you and Tosh here alone when the Earth moves again.”
Ianto had known he was going to have a fight on his hands over this. “I’d go on my own, but I don’t want to be caught flying in case the planet does get moved again - “
“And that’s about the only smart thing that’s come out of your mouth yet,” the medic snarked. “You’d end up a dragon-shaped splat somewhere and I’m not about to explain to Harkness that I let his mate out in a diminished condition!”
“I’ll go,” Deborah spoke up. She was glaring at Ianto as if daring him to say anything. “I know where Alice works, and I can take Patrick with me when he gets off the phone with Mr Gwynne. Then maybe we can swing by his flat and check on his parents.”
The dragon didn’t want Deborah to be out unprotected, but having Patrick with her was enough, even though he wasn’t in the best physical condition. Plus, she had a point: he’d want to make certain his parents were fine after everything that had happened…and was still happening. Having Deborah drive him there was a very good idea.
There was no way of knowing when this was going to be all over. They had no real guarantee that the Daleks leaving the Earth was even a good thing. It could have been a lead-up to something far worse, which was what Ianto’s instincts were telling him.
“Alright,” he agreed. He’d actually been planning on having Patrick do more liaising, especially with SHIELD and UNIT, but he could just as easily do that himself. And, if it had to be done under Owen’s gimlet eye, then so be it.
It would also give him an excuse to speak to Agent Coulson about sharing certain information with a certain billionaire genius.
Owen looked a little surprised at Ianto’s capitulation, and the dragon had to stifle a smile at that. The dragon did have to admit to himself that having him in the Hub with him and Toshiko made him feel slightly better, although he’d really wanted the qualified doctor on the team to check in on his adopted daughter. As worried as he was about Kathy, he was terrified for Alice. He would also have to figure out what they were going to need to do with Steven, if this went on much longer. Jack had spoken to their grandson’s school, and the students were being kept safe within the building, but at some point they’d need to find a way to go and get him, what with Alice possibly being incapacitated. It was a good thing that she’d already made arrangements at the school for either him or Jack to get Steven in case of emergency.
They still weren’t out of the woods yet. It was obvious from the way the Earth felt, and even the Rift was still upset. The usual soft rain-like pattering of the energy against his scales had morphed into what was more like bands of hard downpours that would get strong, and then fade off once more, over and over until Ianto was feeling metaphorically flayed.
“Now,” Owen said from Ianto’s elbow, startling the dragon somewhat as he hadn’t noticed the medic getting that close, “I need you down in the autopsy bay to get you checked out. You being cold isn’t normal, and I’m gonna need to check you out.” He clapped a hand to Ianto’s shoulder. “I’ll even give you a nice lolly if you’re a good little boy.”
Ianto rolled his eyes but allowed himself to be led toward the lower level where Owen’s domain sat. “You’d better not have eaten all the cherry ones…”
“Nah, I got one saved especially for the next time I’d need to examine the big, bad, dragon.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t get very far.
His vision blurred out, tipping out of focus as he staggered. The same green flames that had ghosted across his vision were back, stronger than before, licking across his nerves like acid.
He barely heard Owen shouting, but he couldn’t react to it as he went down onto the hard concrete of the Hub floor, not even really feeling that impact as it was subsumed into the agony that was engulfing him. The Earth was once more screaming at him, begging him in its own way for him to stop the pain that was afflicting it down to the very bones of the planet.
The dragon actually felt the neurons of this brain misfiring and the magic within him writhing against his skin as if trying to dig its way out.
He didn’t even register the sharp pinprick pain of a needle penetrating his tough flesh, but he welcomed the darkness that accompanied it as if it was a very old friend waiting to wrap him up in comforting arms.
Cardiff
Ianto hadn’t even been aware he’d dozed off over Toshiko’s workstation until a hand touched his shoulder, rousing him.
He blinked blurrily, and Deborah appeared, her pale eyes worried. He was touched by her concern, and his own hand reached up and grasped hers.
She shivered slightly, her eyebrows drawing down. “Your hand is cold.”
That…was worrying.
Ianto naturally ran hot, due to his inner flame raising his human form’s body temperature. It was one of the things most people noticed about him, but usually blew it off; the only time it had really gotten him into trouble had been when he’d ended up switching places with his doppelganger from another universe, and there they’d thought he’d been running a fever until the dragon had set them straight.
They still weren’t certain how the whole dimension swap had taken place, because the walls were supposed to have been sealed. Still, it had been an interesting experience. Plus, to know there were so many variations of Ianto Jones out there had been absolutely fascinating.
“Did I hear that right?”
Of course, Owen had overheard Deborah’s observation.
As had everyone else - except for Toshiko, who was still unconscious on the sofa - judging from the sudden gathering around him.
“Alright, Dragon Boy,” Owen stated, “I’ve had enough of this shit. Down in my office, now.”
Ianto could tell this ultimatum wasn’t just for show; Owen meant it, and if he didn’t comply he was most likely going to be drugged and hauled down for an examination while he was out of it.
Judging from the rest of the team, they’d be willing accomplices to Owen’s medical coup.
He might as well bow to the inevitable and let Owen get it out of his system.
Sighing, Ianto was just levering himself out of his chair when an alarm began sounding from the computer.
He instantly slid back into the seat, needing to see what new fresh hell was going on. His eyes widened as he took in what the sensors were telling him.
The Daleks were retreating.
And not just in Cardiff. According to the scanners their ships were leaving the planet and heading back toward their base at the heart of the planetary configuration.
“Holy shit,” Patrick breathed.
“Does this mean they’ve done it?” Deborah gasped.
Rhys was the one to bring the beginning of what might have been a celebration back down to Earth. “But why are we still here, then? Why hasn’t the planet been moved back?”
“Maybe they haven’t had time to get to that part yet,” Patrick answered.
Ianto wasn’t sure.
If there had been a victory against the Daleks, Jack would have been calling to let them know. His mate had both phone and comm with him, so there would haven’t been a reason for Jack not to contact them even though the comm unit didn’t have that much of a radius to it. Unless something had happened to prevent it, but Ianto knew Jack; knew that he would have done anything to let them know at the Hub that they’d won.
“You think it’s something else,” Owen said shrewdly.
Trust the medic to catch on.
“I…don’t know,” the dragon admitted. “If the Daleks had been truly defeated, don’t you think Jack would have let us know? And you’re right, Rhys…the Earth isn’t moving. She’s still suffering.” He shook his head. “I think we’re in for something a lot worse.” He shivered slightly at his own, odd premonition.
Ianto straightened his spine, standing up without swaying too much. There were things to be done, and they just couldn’t sit around and wait for it to happen. “While we’re seemingly clear, I want you, Rhys, to get down to the CID and liaise with Andy. He’ll have his hands full with Kathy incapacitated, and you can bet he doesn’t have time to keep us up to date.” He didn’t add that he wanted an update on Kathy’s condition; but then, that really didn’t need to be said.
“Patrick,” he turned to the American, “I need you to get back with Eion Gwynne down at the Mayor’s Office, and see if they don’t have some sort of preliminary report on the condition of the city. We need to get more information so we can figure out what we’re going to need to do to help fix things.” Cardiff had already been rebuilding after Gray and John Hart’s rampage, and this would just add to the damage. There was also no telling how many people had been killed or taken prisoner by the Daleks.
“On it, boss.” Patrick took out his mobile, and Ianto was glad that his teammate had befriended the Lord Mayor’s Special Investigator after Torchwood had interviewed him for a position on the team. While the dragon was on good terms with the City it still helped that they had an ‘in’ like that, as there were times when the government still liked to try to hide things from them. He didn’t think that would be the case in this circumstance, however this gave Patrick something to do that wouldn’t overtax his shoulder.
This next part, he didn’t want to ask, but he had to. “Owen, I need you to go and check on Alice - “
“No fucking way,” Owen snarled. “I’m not about to leave you and Tosh here alone when the Earth moves again.”
Ianto had known he was going to have a fight on his hands over this. “I’d go on my own, but I don’t want to be caught flying in case the planet does get moved again - “
“And that’s about the only smart thing that’s come out of your mouth yet,” the medic snarked. “You’d end up a dragon-shaped splat somewhere and I’m not about to explain to Harkness that I let his mate out in a diminished condition!”
“I’ll go,” Deborah spoke up. She was glaring at Ianto as if daring him to say anything. “I know where Alice works, and I can take Patrick with me when he gets off the phone with Mr Gwynne. Then maybe we can swing by his flat and check on his parents.”
The dragon didn’t want Deborah to be out unprotected, but having Patrick with her was enough, even though he wasn’t in the best physical condition. Plus, she had a point: he’d want to make certain his parents were fine after everything that had happened…and was still happening. Having Deborah drive him there was a very good idea.
There was no way of knowing when this was going to be all over. They had no real guarantee that the Daleks leaving the Earth was even a good thing. It could have been a lead-up to something far worse, which was what Ianto’s instincts were telling him.
“Alright,” he agreed. He’d actually been planning on having Patrick do more liaising, especially with SHIELD and UNIT, but he could just as easily do that himself. And, if it had to be done under Owen’s gimlet eye, then so be it.
It would also give him an excuse to speak to Agent Coulson about sharing certain information with a certain billionaire genius.
Owen looked a little surprised at Ianto’s capitulation, and the dragon had to stifle a smile at that. The dragon did have to admit to himself that having him in the Hub with him and Toshiko made him feel slightly better, although he’d really wanted the qualified doctor on the team to check in on his adopted daughter. As worried as he was about Kathy, he was terrified for Alice. He would also have to figure out what they were going to need to do with Steven, if this went on much longer. Jack had spoken to their grandson’s school, and the students were being kept safe within the building, but at some point they’d need to find a way to go and get him, what with Alice possibly being incapacitated. It was a good thing that she’d already made arrangements at the school for either him or Jack to get Steven in case of emergency.
They still weren’t out of the woods yet. It was obvious from the way the Earth felt, and even the Rift was still upset. The usual soft rain-like pattering of the energy against his scales had morphed into what was more like bands of hard downpours that would get strong, and then fade off once more, over and over until Ianto was feeling metaphorically flayed.
“Now,” Owen said from Ianto’s elbow, startling the dragon somewhat as he hadn’t noticed the medic getting that close, “I need you down in the autopsy bay to get you checked out. You being cold isn’t normal, and I’m gonna need to check you out.” He clapped a hand to Ianto’s shoulder. “I’ll even give you a nice lolly if you’re a good little boy.”
Ianto rolled his eyes but allowed himself to be led toward the lower level where Owen’s domain sat. “You’d better not have eaten all the cherry ones…”
“Nah, I got one saved especially for the next time I’d need to examine the big, bad, dragon.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t get very far.
His vision blurred out, tipping out of focus as he staggered. The same green flames that had ghosted across his vision were back, stronger than before, licking across his nerves like acid.
He barely heard Owen shouting, but he couldn’t react to it as he went down onto the hard concrete of the Hub floor, not even really feeling that impact as it was subsumed into the agony that was engulfing him. The Earth was once more screaming at him, begging him in its own way for him to stop the pain that was afflicting it down to the very bones of the planet.
The dragon actually felt the neurons of this brain misfiring and the magic within him writhing against his skin as if trying to dig its way out.
He didn’t even register the sharp pinprick pain of a needle penetrating his tough flesh, but he welcomed the darkness that accompanied it as if it was a very old friend waiting to wrap him up in comforting arms.