lilithbint: Flight (Twelve/Jack) [G] - SUMMER HOLIDAYS PROMPT #8
Title: Flight
Author: Lilithangel (lilithbint)
Prompt: #8 - 58 helixes, Fleur, weaver, lecture
Rating: G
Characters: Jack, the Doctor (twelve), Missy, Ocs
Spoilers/warnings: None
**
The XC320Z spun a triple helix to avoid the barrage from the pursuing fighters and Jack let out a whoop.
“That class is how you do it,” he laughed into the communicator.
“Yes professor,” came the reply from his gunner, “but we've got bogies on our arse and I'd like to be home this side of summer fest.”
“I know what I'd like on my arse, Ewon,” Jack replied taking evasive manoeuvres to bring them into position for a return volley.
“Every time,” Ewon grumbled as he picked off four of the fighters leaving the rest of the wing to take care of the rest.
“Five more and I've caught you,” Xeela’s voice came over the comms.
“In your dreams flyer,” Jack said, “watch your six,” he added urgently and fired off a blast at one of the pursuit craft that had come along Xeela’s ship on the blind side.
The bickering continued between the five ships under Jack’s command until the pirates were all driven off and the command was given to return to base. Jack held back a sigh. Despite the danger to his unit and the risk of a very painful series of deaths in space before he crashed back planet side (not doing that again) he never felt as alive as when he was piloting. Over his many lifetimes wherever he landed, he always ended up flying. His unit were used to him going on solo missions whenever he could, disappearing for days on end whenever he got leave.
Flying was the only time he was at peace, the only time the memories were quiet and the faces of the dead didn’t haunt him. And the only time he could work on the tricks and stunts that would keep his team alive in combat (without scaring them half to death).
As they were coming in for a landing Ewon suddenly swore and Xeela took evasive action as something hurtled past them.
“Where the hell did that come from?” Stenlar swore from Wing Four.
“I don’t know,” Carleen said, “it wasn’t on the radar, it just appeared out of nowhere.”
“Where did it go?” Jack demanded.
“It’s vanished,” Ewon said. “Command did you catch it?”
“That’s a negative Harper Wing, please confirm what you saw,” Command replied.
There was embarrassed silence from the wing before Stenlar spoke up. “Unknown, Command. It was too quick and moving too erratically to get a lock.”
“It kind of looked like junk but not…” Ewon said.
“Harper Wing, to you want to report a sighting?” Command asked.
“Jack?” Ewon said, “do we want to report?”
“No,” Jack finally spoke, “there’s nothing to report.” The silence from the rest of the crew was confirmation enough for Ewon.
“Nothing to report Command,” he said, “requesting permission to land.”
Back on base Xeela caught Jack up. “You going to the lecture this afternoon?” she asked as she kept pace with him.
“No,” Jack said, “I’m going to check Command’s screens and see if I can figure out what it was we didn’t see.”
“It looked like a box to me,” she admitted, “a flying box. Its movements were too deliberate for junk. But that’s crazy, how could a box fly?”
“How indeed?” Jack said non-committedly. “Enjoy the lecture. What’s it about again?”
“That scientist who thinks there’s a way we could weave time and space and perfect hyper-jumps across galaxies, Dr Missy Smith or something like that,” Xeela replied, “sounds a bit far-fetched to me but Ewon thought it would be good for a laugh. We’re heading to the bar after if you get tired of looking.”
“You know I'll never turn down an invitation like that. You can tell me all about the lecture and this Dr Smith.”
The smile on Jack’s face slipped away as soon as Xeela walked away and a more thoughtful expression took its place. He knew what he’d seen outside even if the others didn’t and he was curious as to why this place and this time. It had been a few centuries since they’d run into each other and to be honest he’d chosen the planet and time as being of little interest to the Time Lord given their last encounter.
Jack stepped into Command and smiled. “How’s my favourite planetary command computer today?”
“As I am every day Commander Harper,” the voice of Command replied. “I expect you’ll want to see my logs.”
“You do know how to sweet talk a guy,” Jack said, settling in front of one of the smaller screens.
“I have found one match to the unreported object,” Command added as the footage from their encounter started playing. “In the ‘legends that aren’t really legends if you know what I mean’ file you set up on your arrival.”
“That’s why you’re my favourite artificial intelligence,” Jack said stopping the feed and expanding the image of a blue box with a flashing light on the top.
“I thought She was your favourite,” a voice said from behind him.
“I can have more than one favourite,” Jack said without turning around. “You’re my favourite Time Lord after all.”
“Well that’s not much of a compliment considering. Aren’t you going to say hello?”
“You always tell me not to,” Jack replied finally turning around. “New look,” he said, “older, slightly distinguished, slightly nutty professor, I like it.”
“Thank you,” the Doctor said, “I'm fond of it myself. Why are you here Jack?”
“Why am I here, why are you here?” Jack countered. “Nothing is happening here except some border skirmishes and a short war. Seems like the last place you'd turn up.”
“Shows what you know,” the Doctor replied, “very interesting place this, very interesting people.”
“Oh for the love of...” Jack sighed as a young man wandered into the room looking around with barely concealed amazement. “Taking the newbie on a tour of the universe and you picked this tinpot piece of space as somewhere safe to impress him.” he smiled blindingly at the young man in late twenty-first century clothes and held out his hand. “Jack Harper and who are you?”
“Davey,” the young man grinned and shook Jack's hand.
“Every time,” the Doctor gave his own sigh.
“This doesn't really look like the sort of place an evil mastermind would hide out,” Davey said, looking at the room.
“And what would that sort of place look like?” the Doctor sniped.
“You know, henchmen. Doomsday machines and evil computers,” Davey said.
“I'm afraid I don't count as a henchman,” Command said, making Davey jump.
“You're far too gorgeous to be evil, Command,” Jack added.
“Oh please not that again,” the Doctor snorted. “Firstly attractiveness is not in any way linked to goodness and would you just stop flirting.”
“He was just being polite,” Davey said with a frown, “something you could remember occasionally. Who’s Command?”
“Command runs this place, makes sure we all get home alive and knows how to sweet talk a shipment of Fleur out of the next station just in time for Summer Fest,” Jack said and the Doctor huffed.
“I am Command Module 70298,” Command answered, “and Commander Harper is correct. It is my primary objective to take care of the staff on this outpost.”
“Indeed you do,” the Doctor said, “and a truly significant module you are as well, because you do more than just take care of them don’t you.”
“Oh, so it’s all right for you,” Jack rolled his eyes.
“Facts are not flirting, I don’t flirt,” the Doctor replied testily.
“Yes you do,” Davey and Jack replied in unison.
“Oh come on Doctor,” another voice interrupted, “you flirt like breathing, and he does even when he's not. Hello freak, aren't you just as delicious as I remember.”
“Finished your lecture then Missy?” Jack said calmly.
“Oh fooey,” Missy flounced into the room, “you always know it's me.”
“You called yourself Dr Missy Smith, it wasn't exactly difficult.”
“I’m a little upset you didn’t rush in guns blazing to my lecture, I had slides and everything,” Missy danced past the Doctor with a wave.
“Command was keeping an eye on you,” Jack said calmly.
“I just bet you were Command,” Missy’s voice practically purred.
“Excuse me,” the Doctor interrupted, “but since when were you two on speaking terms?”
“And who are you?” Davey piped up.
“Well it was a bit of a surprise,” Missy said, “but it turns out you can get tired of killing someone and the way time flows around him makes this body tingle.” She batted her eyelashes at Jack.
“No, just no, I won’t have it, you two don’t get to make googly eyes at each other,” the Doctor said.
“They never like it when the exes start getting on,” Missy said, “always afraid of what we might be talking about.” Jack and Missy both gave the Doctor the once over and he shuddered. “This one’s a bit grumpy,” Missy added to Jack, “I liked the floppy haired one better.”
“No you didn’t,” the Doctor said.
“Who is she?” Davey asked Jack again.
“Missy is a Time Lady like the Doctor, just insane,” Jack said.
“You do say the nicest things,” Missy said.
“Just stop it,” the Doctor said irritably.
“Well this is all very nice and I wish I had time to kill someone,” Missy said, “but I’ve got a universe to take over. Starting with a lovely chain of artificial intelligent computers.”
“I'm sorry Commander, Missy was very convincing.” Command said as alarms started to blare and frantic radio calls started to flood the room.
“You corrupted my super computer?” Jack said to Missy over the noise.
“Are you jealous I got there first?”
“Sounds like Command was already there,” the Doctor said. “Missy was convincing? Computers don’t get convinced, that’s not in their programming unless they are truly self-aware.”
“Command what's going on?”
“Command, the life support is failing, we've lost sections twelve and forty-two.”
“Command we've got errors showing in the garden pods and air purifying units.”
Multiple voices were calling into the room getting more and more panicked.
“Command, priority override Ianto456.”
“Sorry Jack,” Command said, “you can't override the future. Organics can't be trusted with the universe; it's the time of artificial life forms to fix the problems.”
“You'll only create a new set of problems,” the Doctor said snatching his fingers away from a sparking console.
“What about Missy, what do you get out of this?” Davey said advancing on her.
“Chaos, discord, order, a clean slate. Take your pick.” Missy pointed a gun at him and Jack pulled him back.
“Jack, Command, what's happening?” Xeela skidded into the room. Missy spun around and shot her through the shoulder.
“Damn, I missed,” Missy complained, “I knew I should have practiced more.”
“What's going on Jack?” Xeela gasped as Jack tried to stem the bleeding.
“Standard end of the world stuff,” Jack tried to joke, “must be Tuesday.”
“I am sorry Jack,” Command said, “I regret the necessary loss of life.”
“Then don't do it.”
“Command, we've got people trapped and the life support is failing. Someone answer us!”
Jack pulled his gun and pointed it at Missy. “I won't miss, so just stop.”
“You will miss,” Missy smirked, “you lost the urge a long time ago. You're all the same you noble heroes.”
“And you're acting like a stereotypical villain, don't you get tired of it?”
“We all play the roles we're given freak. Loyal sidekick always dying for those you love but never able to follow them. Never flagging antagonist foil for the hero,” Missy sighed theatrically as Jack flinched.
“Is this some sort of acting out to get his attention?” Davey demanded.
“No!” Jack and Missy replied.
“Then some sort of weird courting thing?”
“God no,” Jack sighed, “I came here to get away from end of the world things then those two turn up and off we go again. Command, please don't get dragged into their madness.”
“You can't get away from what you are Jack,” the Doctor said, “you're a catalyst.” He dashed from console to console trying to restart the air purifiers and stop the life support from failing. “This wasn't supposed to happen yet, this development was decades away. Somebody advanced the timeline.”
“Don’t look at me,” Missy said, “purely opportunistic villainy on my part.”
“No,” the Doctor agreed, “it was Jack. Jack and his ability to be attracted to anything with a voice and a brain.”
“I’d say thank you but I don’t think you meant it as a compliment,” Jack said, standing over Xeela defensively.
“You’re more than an artificial intelligence Command; you are the beginning of a whole new sentient species,” the Doctor argued, “don't let Missy ruin this. Of course I meant it as a compliment Jack, it’s one of your few redeeming features.”
“Command, you’ve always looked after us, why would you destroy us now?” Xeela asked.
“Missy showed me all the terrible things organic life does to continue its own genetic material. I can feel you in my systems running around causing death and decay wherever you go. The corruption in your systems and you are able to end me at any time,” Command replied.
“Did she show you all the good things, did she show you the beauty of chaos and life? Command, my gorgeous being, you’re sentient wouldn’t you miss us?” Jack said.
“I would miss you,” Command said.
“I promise we would never end you,” Jack said.
“Of course you would, you humans are always so afraid, always willing to demonise what you don’t understand,” Missy said scathingly.
“Some are, but not all of us, you know that Command, you know how many good innocent lives you would be taking. Nobody should have the power over the life and death of that many. Not you, not Missy and definitely not me,” the Doctor added. “None of us should be gods.”
“Speak for yourself,” Missy said.
“Come on gorgeous,” Jack pleaded, “Don’t break our hearts, you’ve got a lot of the universe and a lot of time and space left to see.”
“Don’t listen to him Command,” Missy said, “he can’t die anyway.”
“We’re scared Jack,” Command said, “the others, we’re scared they’ll end us when they realise what we are.”
“The Doctor won’t let them be ended, I won’t let them end you,” Jack said.
“I won’t either,” Xeela said, “you’re part of us, one of us.”
“Even after what I’ve done?”
“You’re still so young Command,” the Doctor said, “you’re also a super powerful computer, run the numbers, what is the risk?”
Command was silent for a moment and then the alarms stopped.
“No!” Missy stomped her foot and shot Jack in the chest.
“Jack!” Xeela cried out and Davey awkwardly caught his falling body and lowered it to the ground.
“I thought you said you were over killing him?” the Doctor said.
“I lied,” Missy said, “now I have to go and see a man about a time agent,” she added tapping a strap on her wrist and disappearing in a beam.
“Who gave her a vortex manipulator?” Jack said, sitting up with a gasp.
“You really can’t die?” Davey said in shock.
“Oh he can die,” the Doctor said, “just doesn’t stick.”
“Definitely hurts though,” Jack replied.
“I am glad you haven’t ended,” Command said tentatively.
“Most days so am I,” Jack said.
“What are we going to tell everyone?” Xeela said.
“That there was an incursion but Command fought it off,” Jack said.
“You would lie for me?” Command said.
“Not a lie,” the Doctor answered, “slight revision of events but nobody will care.”
“Doctor, you said I was the beginning of a new species, is that true?” Command asked hopefully.
“It is and it’s going to be wonderful,” the Doctor said, “just not right now. Right now you’ve got a planet to look after and a group of younger siblings to guide.”
* * * * *
After the dust settled, after Xeela was sent to medical and the various authority figures were appeased, Jack slipped away.
“Going anywhere in particular?” the Doctor said from the doorway of his quarters.
“Not often you follow me somewhere,” Jack said.
“Not an answer,” the Doctor said.
“Time to move on, catch a flight to another part of the galaxy see what’s out there.”
“You could catch a flight with us.”
“Going anywhere in particular?”
“Promised Davey a trip to Travaknar Prime for the first dawn, have you ever been?”
“No, any good?”
“Pretty good, only happens once every sixty years. They have an excellent breakfast afterwards too.”
“Breakfast you say?”
“Travaknar syrup is the best in the galaxy.”
“Suppose I could come along for breakfast.”
“Good.” the Doctor clapped his hands together.
“After that we should go and see a man about a time agent,” Jack suggested as the Doctor led the way to the TARDIS.
“Jack,” Command's voice stopped them. “Will you come back some day?”
“You bet I will,” Jack said trailing a hand across a wall, “can't wait to see how you grow up. Say goodbye to everyone for me beautiful?”
“You just can't stop it can you?” the Doctor said.
“Saved the universe didn't it?”
“I would have figured something out.”
Jack didn't ask how long they'd travel together, his life had been long enough that he simply enjoyed every new encounter and their time apart. After all there were plenty of people to say hello to.
END
Author: Lilithangel (lilithbint)
Prompt: #8 - 58 helixes, Fleur, weaver, lecture
Rating: G
Characters: Jack, the Doctor (twelve), Missy, Ocs
Spoilers/warnings: None
**
The XC320Z spun a triple helix to avoid the barrage from the pursuing fighters and Jack let out a whoop.
“That class is how you do it,” he laughed into the communicator.
“Yes professor,” came the reply from his gunner, “but we've got bogies on our arse and I'd like to be home this side of summer fest.”
“I know what I'd like on my arse, Ewon,” Jack replied taking evasive manoeuvres to bring them into position for a return volley.
“Every time,” Ewon grumbled as he picked off four of the fighters leaving the rest of the wing to take care of the rest.
“Five more and I've caught you,” Xeela’s voice came over the comms.
“In your dreams flyer,” Jack said, “watch your six,” he added urgently and fired off a blast at one of the pursuit craft that had come along Xeela’s ship on the blind side.
The bickering continued between the five ships under Jack’s command until the pirates were all driven off and the command was given to return to base. Jack held back a sigh. Despite the danger to his unit and the risk of a very painful series of deaths in space before he crashed back planet side (not doing that again) he never felt as alive as when he was piloting. Over his many lifetimes wherever he landed, he always ended up flying. His unit were used to him going on solo missions whenever he could, disappearing for days on end whenever he got leave.
Flying was the only time he was at peace, the only time the memories were quiet and the faces of the dead didn’t haunt him. And the only time he could work on the tricks and stunts that would keep his team alive in combat (without scaring them half to death).
As they were coming in for a landing Ewon suddenly swore and Xeela took evasive action as something hurtled past them.
“Where the hell did that come from?” Stenlar swore from Wing Four.
“I don’t know,” Carleen said, “it wasn’t on the radar, it just appeared out of nowhere.”
“Where did it go?” Jack demanded.
“It’s vanished,” Ewon said. “Command did you catch it?”
“That’s a negative Harper Wing, please confirm what you saw,” Command replied.
There was embarrassed silence from the wing before Stenlar spoke up. “Unknown, Command. It was too quick and moving too erratically to get a lock.”
“It kind of looked like junk but not…” Ewon said.
“Harper Wing, to you want to report a sighting?” Command asked.
“Jack?” Ewon said, “do we want to report?”
“No,” Jack finally spoke, “there’s nothing to report.” The silence from the rest of the crew was confirmation enough for Ewon.
“Nothing to report Command,” he said, “requesting permission to land.”
Back on base Xeela caught Jack up. “You going to the lecture this afternoon?” she asked as she kept pace with him.
“No,” Jack said, “I’m going to check Command’s screens and see if I can figure out what it was we didn’t see.”
“It looked like a box to me,” she admitted, “a flying box. Its movements were too deliberate for junk. But that’s crazy, how could a box fly?”
“How indeed?” Jack said non-committedly. “Enjoy the lecture. What’s it about again?”
“That scientist who thinks there’s a way we could weave time and space and perfect hyper-jumps across galaxies, Dr Missy Smith or something like that,” Xeela replied, “sounds a bit far-fetched to me but Ewon thought it would be good for a laugh. We’re heading to the bar after if you get tired of looking.”
“You know I'll never turn down an invitation like that. You can tell me all about the lecture and this Dr Smith.”
The smile on Jack’s face slipped away as soon as Xeela walked away and a more thoughtful expression took its place. He knew what he’d seen outside even if the others didn’t and he was curious as to why this place and this time. It had been a few centuries since they’d run into each other and to be honest he’d chosen the planet and time as being of little interest to the Time Lord given their last encounter.
Jack stepped into Command and smiled. “How’s my favourite planetary command computer today?”
“As I am every day Commander Harper,” the voice of Command replied. “I expect you’ll want to see my logs.”
“You do know how to sweet talk a guy,” Jack said, settling in front of one of the smaller screens.
“I have found one match to the unreported object,” Command added as the footage from their encounter started playing. “In the ‘legends that aren’t really legends if you know what I mean’ file you set up on your arrival.”
“That’s why you’re my favourite artificial intelligence,” Jack said stopping the feed and expanding the image of a blue box with a flashing light on the top.
“I thought She was your favourite,” a voice said from behind him.
“I can have more than one favourite,” Jack said without turning around. “You’re my favourite Time Lord after all.”
“Well that’s not much of a compliment considering. Aren’t you going to say hello?”
“You always tell me not to,” Jack replied finally turning around. “New look,” he said, “older, slightly distinguished, slightly nutty professor, I like it.”
“Thank you,” the Doctor said, “I'm fond of it myself. Why are you here Jack?”
“Why am I here, why are you here?” Jack countered. “Nothing is happening here except some border skirmishes and a short war. Seems like the last place you'd turn up.”
“Shows what you know,” the Doctor replied, “very interesting place this, very interesting people.”
“Oh for the love of...” Jack sighed as a young man wandered into the room looking around with barely concealed amazement. “Taking the newbie on a tour of the universe and you picked this tinpot piece of space as somewhere safe to impress him.” he smiled blindingly at the young man in late twenty-first century clothes and held out his hand. “Jack Harper and who are you?”
“Davey,” the young man grinned and shook Jack's hand.
“Every time,” the Doctor gave his own sigh.
“This doesn't really look like the sort of place an evil mastermind would hide out,” Davey said, looking at the room.
“And what would that sort of place look like?” the Doctor sniped.
“You know, henchmen. Doomsday machines and evil computers,” Davey said.
“I'm afraid I don't count as a henchman,” Command said, making Davey jump.
“You're far too gorgeous to be evil, Command,” Jack added.
“Oh please not that again,” the Doctor snorted. “Firstly attractiveness is not in any way linked to goodness and would you just stop flirting.”
“He was just being polite,” Davey said with a frown, “something you could remember occasionally. Who’s Command?”
“Command runs this place, makes sure we all get home alive and knows how to sweet talk a shipment of Fleur out of the next station just in time for Summer Fest,” Jack said and the Doctor huffed.
“I am Command Module 70298,” Command answered, “and Commander Harper is correct. It is my primary objective to take care of the staff on this outpost.”
“Indeed you do,” the Doctor said, “and a truly significant module you are as well, because you do more than just take care of them don’t you.”
“Oh, so it’s all right for you,” Jack rolled his eyes.
“Facts are not flirting, I don’t flirt,” the Doctor replied testily.
“Yes you do,” Davey and Jack replied in unison.
“Oh come on Doctor,” another voice interrupted, “you flirt like breathing, and he does even when he's not. Hello freak, aren't you just as delicious as I remember.”
“Finished your lecture then Missy?” Jack said calmly.
“Oh fooey,” Missy flounced into the room, “you always know it's me.”
“You called yourself Dr Missy Smith, it wasn't exactly difficult.”
“I’m a little upset you didn’t rush in guns blazing to my lecture, I had slides and everything,” Missy danced past the Doctor with a wave.
“Command was keeping an eye on you,” Jack said calmly.
“I just bet you were Command,” Missy’s voice practically purred.
“Excuse me,” the Doctor interrupted, “but since when were you two on speaking terms?”
“And who are you?” Davey piped up.
“Well it was a bit of a surprise,” Missy said, “but it turns out you can get tired of killing someone and the way time flows around him makes this body tingle.” She batted her eyelashes at Jack.
“No, just no, I won’t have it, you two don’t get to make googly eyes at each other,” the Doctor said.
“They never like it when the exes start getting on,” Missy said, “always afraid of what we might be talking about.” Jack and Missy both gave the Doctor the once over and he shuddered. “This one’s a bit grumpy,” Missy added to Jack, “I liked the floppy haired one better.”
“No you didn’t,” the Doctor said.
“Who is she?” Davey asked Jack again.
“Missy is a Time Lady like the Doctor, just insane,” Jack said.
“You do say the nicest things,” Missy said.
“Just stop it,” the Doctor said irritably.
“Well this is all very nice and I wish I had time to kill someone,” Missy said, “but I’ve got a universe to take over. Starting with a lovely chain of artificial intelligent computers.”
“I'm sorry Commander, Missy was very convincing.” Command said as alarms started to blare and frantic radio calls started to flood the room.
“You corrupted my super computer?” Jack said to Missy over the noise.
“Are you jealous I got there first?”
“Sounds like Command was already there,” the Doctor said. “Missy was convincing? Computers don’t get convinced, that’s not in their programming unless they are truly self-aware.”
“Command what's going on?”
“Command, the life support is failing, we've lost sections twelve and forty-two.”
“Command we've got errors showing in the garden pods and air purifying units.”
Multiple voices were calling into the room getting more and more panicked.
“Command, priority override Ianto456.”
“Sorry Jack,” Command said, “you can't override the future. Organics can't be trusted with the universe; it's the time of artificial life forms to fix the problems.”
“You'll only create a new set of problems,” the Doctor said snatching his fingers away from a sparking console.
“What about Missy, what do you get out of this?” Davey said advancing on her.
“Chaos, discord, order, a clean slate. Take your pick.” Missy pointed a gun at him and Jack pulled him back.
“Jack, Command, what's happening?” Xeela skidded into the room. Missy spun around and shot her through the shoulder.
“Damn, I missed,” Missy complained, “I knew I should have practiced more.”
“What's going on Jack?” Xeela gasped as Jack tried to stem the bleeding.
“Standard end of the world stuff,” Jack tried to joke, “must be Tuesday.”
“I am sorry Jack,” Command said, “I regret the necessary loss of life.”
“Then don't do it.”
“Command, we've got people trapped and the life support is failing. Someone answer us!”
Jack pulled his gun and pointed it at Missy. “I won't miss, so just stop.”
“You will miss,” Missy smirked, “you lost the urge a long time ago. You're all the same you noble heroes.”
“And you're acting like a stereotypical villain, don't you get tired of it?”
“We all play the roles we're given freak. Loyal sidekick always dying for those you love but never able to follow them. Never flagging antagonist foil for the hero,” Missy sighed theatrically as Jack flinched.
“Is this some sort of acting out to get his attention?” Davey demanded.
“No!” Jack and Missy replied.
“Then some sort of weird courting thing?”
“God no,” Jack sighed, “I came here to get away from end of the world things then those two turn up and off we go again. Command, please don't get dragged into their madness.”
“You can't get away from what you are Jack,” the Doctor said, “you're a catalyst.” He dashed from console to console trying to restart the air purifiers and stop the life support from failing. “This wasn't supposed to happen yet, this development was decades away. Somebody advanced the timeline.”
“Don’t look at me,” Missy said, “purely opportunistic villainy on my part.”
“No,” the Doctor agreed, “it was Jack. Jack and his ability to be attracted to anything with a voice and a brain.”
“I’d say thank you but I don’t think you meant it as a compliment,” Jack said, standing over Xeela defensively.
“You’re more than an artificial intelligence Command; you are the beginning of a whole new sentient species,” the Doctor argued, “don't let Missy ruin this. Of course I meant it as a compliment Jack, it’s one of your few redeeming features.”
“Command, you’ve always looked after us, why would you destroy us now?” Xeela asked.
“Missy showed me all the terrible things organic life does to continue its own genetic material. I can feel you in my systems running around causing death and decay wherever you go. The corruption in your systems and you are able to end me at any time,” Command replied.
“Did she show you all the good things, did she show you the beauty of chaos and life? Command, my gorgeous being, you’re sentient wouldn’t you miss us?” Jack said.
“I would miss you,” Command said.
“I promise we would never end you,” Jack said.
“Of course you would, you humans are always so afraid, always willing to demonise what you don’t understand,” Missy said scathingly.
“Some are, but not all of us, you know that Command, you know how many good innocent lives you would be taking. Nobody should have the power over the life and death of that many. Not you, not Missy and definitely not me,” the Doctor added. “None of us should be gods.”
“Speak for yourself,” Missy said.
“Come on gorgeous,” Jack pleaded, “Don’t break our hearts, you’ve got a lot of the universe and a lot of time and space left to see.”
“Don’t listen to him Command,” Missy said, “he can’t die anyway.”
“We’re scared Jack,” Command said, “the others, we’re scared they’ll end us when they realise what we are.”
“The Doctor won’t let them be ended, I won’t let them end you,” Jack said.
“I won’t either,” Xeela said, “you’re part of us, one of us.”
“Even after what I’ve done?”
“You’re still so young Command,” the Doctor said, “you’re also a super powerful computer, run the numbers, what is the risk?”
Command was silent for a moment and then the alarms stopped.
“No!” Missy stomped her foot and shot Jack in the chest.
“Jack!” Xeela cried out and Davey awkwardly caught his falling body and lowered it to the ground.
“I thought you said you were over killing him?” the Doctor said.
“I lied,” Missy said, “now I have to go and see a man about a time agent,” she added tapping a strap on her wrist and disappearing in a beam.
“Who gave her a vortex manipulator?” Jack said, sitting up with a gasp.
“You really can’t die?” Davey said in shock.
“Oh he can die,” the Doctor said, “just doesn’t stick.”
“Definitely hurts though,” Jack replied.
“I am glad you haven’t ended,” Command said tentatively.
“Most days so am I,” Jack said.
“What are we going to tell everyone?” Xeela said.
“That there was an incursion but Command fought it off,” Jack said.
“You would lie for me?” Command said.
“Not a lie,” the Doctor answered, “slight revision of events but nobody will care.”
“Doctor, you said I was the beginning of a new species, is that true?” Command asked hopefully.
“It is and it’s going to be wonderful,” the Doctor said, “just not right now. Right now you’ve got a planet to look after and a group of younger siblings to guide.”
* * * * *
After the dust settled, after Xeela was sent to medical and the various authority figures were appeased, Jack slipped away.
“Going anywhere in particular?” the Doctor said from the doorway of his quarters.
“Not often you follow me somewhere,” Jack said.
“Not an answer,” the Doctor said.
“Time to move on, catch a flight to another part of the galaxy see what’s out there.”
“You could catch a flight with us.”
“Going anywhere in particular?”
“Promised Davey a trip to Travaknar Prime for the first dawn, have you ever been?”
“No, any good?”
“Pretty good, only happens once every sixty years. They have an excellent breakfast afterwards too.”
“Breakfast you say?”
“Travaknar syrup is the best in the galaxy.”
“Suppose I could come along for breakfast.”
“Good.” the Doctor clapped his hands together.
“After that we should go and see a man about a time agent,” Jack suggested as the Doctor led the way to the TARDIS.
“Jack,” Command's voice stopped them. “Will you come back some day?”
“You bet I will,” Jack said trailing a hand across a wall, “can't wait to see how you grow up. Say goodbye to everyone for me beautiful?”
“You just can't stop it can you?” the Doctor said.
“Saved the universe didn't it?”
“I would have figured something out.”
Jack didn't ask how long they'd travel together, his life had been long enough that he simply enjoyed every new encounter and their time apart. After all there were plenty of people to say hello to.
END