Doctor Who and the Cathedral of Light - The Magnificent Seven Transmat 4/7
Title: Doctor Who and the Cathedral of Light - The Magnificent Seven Transmat 4/7
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, The Doctor (10), OFC, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Benton, Harry Sullivan, Michael Yates, Wilfred Mott/Tom Campbell
Parings: Jack/Ianto
Disclaimer: Neither Torchwood or Doctor Who are mine
Summary: Someone is stealing soldiers
Spoilers: All Torchwood, including Children of Earth, all Doctor Who
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Talk of nudity and mention of minor character death
A/N: This answers the questions. Well… my questions anyway.
A/N2: This is a sequel to Doctor Who and The Infernal Inferno. You don’t have to read it, but it explains where the OC came from.
Prologue - Old Soldiers
Quickly Jack and Ianto ran into the room just as the door closed behind General Stam’s retreating form. Hefting the steel bar above his head Jack brought it down on the first Sontaran’s probic vent, situated on the back of his neck. Unable to move let alone defend himself the first Sontaran died without a sound. As the Sontaran’s life ended the Brigadier gave out a painful scream and fell silent.
With a steel bar of his own, clutched in his outstretched hands, Ianto swung at the second Sontaran. This time it was Benton’s turn to scream as the second Sontaran joined his brother in whatever after life they believed in. One after the other each Sontaran fell to his knees, kept up only by the headset that sparked once then, without any electrical brain signals to power it, fell silent. Each death was accompanied by the corresponding UNIT member’s scream of pain.
Quickly Jack removed the plastic shield from his wrist gun, just as the Sontaran had done and aimed at the control panel he had been using and hoped it would work. Before he could fire, a blinding flash of light filled the room and in an instant they were gone. Jack’s voice echoed throughout the room as the transmat beam plucked him away.
‘Not again.’
***
Jack had told him that transmatting had no side effects but Ianto knew different. It had only been the second time in his life that he had used a transmat beam, and the feeling of nausea was overwhelming as the white light crackled around him then abated. Perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be used in such quick succession, or perhaps it was the fact that he was new to it, he didn’t know. What he did know was that he was standing in the middle of a town centre with five men that looked as if they’d just played the back nine on a golf course and then there was Jack. Both himself and Jack were still naked but, but like the effects of the transmat, is didn’t seem to bother him.
Crouched, Ianto retched and vomited, Jack’s hand comforting on his shoulder. Jack looked at the five, well dressed men standing in front of a giant statue of a Hussar on horse back, and wondered. Did we reach them in time? Are they still ex-UNIT soldiers, or are they now Sontaran soldiers?
‘Right Benton, find something to cover our two friends here so Yates can concentrate on the job in hand.’ Benton turned and, looking around headed towards a stall selling army clothing. ‘Yates, don’t just stand there gawping man, find out where we are.’ Yates gave Jack a smile then turning, headed towards a shop window with signs up saying Tourist Information.
‘Harry, Tom, check the perimeter, make sure there aren’t anymore of those Sontaran Jonnies about.’ Jack shook his head and smiled. Nothing wrong here.
‘Captain Jack… get your friend over here onto the bench and Harry’ll give him the once over when he returns.’ Jack picked up Ianto and led him to a wooden bench directly under the statue.
‘He’s okay Brigadier. Just a little travel sickness.’ With that Ianto bent forward and vomited again onto the concrete pavement.
Benton returned handing Jack two sets of clothing, one in army camouflage green and the other in air force blue. Jack dressed Ianto first, helping him fasten the trousers around his waist and ankles then buttoning the shirt, before seeing to himself. Fastening the army boots tight, Jack stood and checked out his appearance. ‘Not bad just one thing missing.’
Turning he headed back towards the stall as Benton helped Ianto fasten his boots. Returning a few minutes later Jack pulled on a familiar British Air Force greatcoat and sighed as if returning home, comfortable and relaxed.
Just then Yates returned looking Jack up and down.
‘Very nice old boy, seems to suit you well.’
‘Yates stop dallying and give me your report man,’ the Brigadier stated in no uncertain terms.
Turning towards the Brigadier, Yates came to attention and saluted. ‘Sorry Sir, we appear to be in Durham City, in the North of England, around 2010.’ Harry and Tom came up behind Yates.
‘The perimeter seems clear but one thing worries me.’ The Brigadier turned towards Harry after scanning the area himself.
‘Well speak up man, what is it?’ Harry looked embarrassed but continued.
‘We’ve just stood next to two naked men, one throwing up, and our friend Benton has just stolen clothing from that stall over there and no one seems to care.’ All, with the exception of Jack, turned watching the passers-by. No one gave any sign of interest.
Yates walked over to a women sitting on the bench opposite, preoccupied by talking into a mobile phone. Slowly at first, he waved a hand in front of her face and got no reaction.
‘Got it!’ Jack exclaimed. ‘The wrist controls have a cloaking device built in. If I press the side here,’ Jack gestured with his left hand, ‘we should be visible about now.’
They all turned towards Yates as a loud crack echoed across the square. The woman on the phone had just slapped him across the face.
‘Yes, well done Captain Jack; that seems to have done the trick.’
‘Pervert!’ the woman exclaimed and standing, strode off towards the stalls. Benton and Tom suppressed a grin while Harry and Jack burst out laughing. Yates returned rubbing his left cheek.
Removing a red beret, from his greatcoat pocket, Jack placed it on Ianto’s head. ‘A present. Always wanted to get you one, but with a little UNIT badge on it.’ Ianto smiled at Jack, happy that they were together and in no immediate danger.
‘I’m starving,’ Benton said, his voice reverberating across the square. Walking towards him Jack pushed one of the buttons on his wrist gun.
‘Seems to be some sort of communication device,’ Jack said as he looked closely at his own. Flicking the same button on his he turned to Ianto who was gazing across at a stall selling fresh fruit.
‘Ianto Jones, you have a cute ass.’ Jack’s voice came out of their communicators causing Ianto to look around in wonderment, not realising whose voice it had been. Turning to Jack he saw him talking into his bracelet.
‘Ianto Jones this is the voice of the Mysterons, we know who you are earth man.’ Ianto smiled and walked towards Jack.
‘Can you hit that cloaking button again so we can get something to eat?’ Jack looked across at the Brigadier who nodded. Heading towards the food stalls Jack depressed the wrist button and they all disappeared from view. It wasn’t as if they were there one second and gone the next. They seemed to fade out as if lost in a crowd of people that weren’t there. Onlookers, that had been staring, would have thought that they had taken their eyes off them for a split second and when they returned their gaze, couldn’t find them anymore.
***
The Sontaran regained consciousness and was in a grumpy mood. Who could blame him, thought Louise Ruth to herself? It was the second time today he had been knocked unconscious. One minute he was in control of the situation then the next he was being tortured by Rutans and finally put down by the queen Rutan herself, where anything could have happened to him.
The Doctor passed him a glass of water, which he drank greedily. It wasn’t until he had downed the glass that he noticed the humanoid Rutan standing before him, the transformation finally complete. The Doctor had given him clothing that would make him blend in more, and Louise Ruth less embarrassed. Looking around he also realised that he was seated in the control room of the TARDIS. The floor vibrated beneath his feet as he regained his composure and glared at the Rutan.
‘Where are we going Doctor, and what is this Rutan doing here?’ Before the Doctor could answer Crael, the Rutan spoke.
‘We are the Rutan Host and we are accompanying the Doctor to see fair play is done. Like yourself, we are an observer only and cannot interfere in the proceedings.’ Crael turned to look at the Doctor. The fact that he had no neck meant that he had to move his entire body to do so, which sent daggers of pain shooting through his potato-like head. Not wanting to show weakness in front of the Rutan, the Sontaran bit back the pain with considerable effort and glared at the Doctor.
‘What we have here is a game. The Sontarans are pitted against the Rutans, five on each team. The winner, it seems, takes all.’ Quickly Louise Ruth pulled out the section of paper the Doctor had returned to her and studied the text for a second time. Something was bothering her about the article but she didn’t know what it was.
‘So Doctor…Mr Know-it-all, where are we going now?’ The Rutan and the Sontaran turned to look at the Doctor, both curious as to their next destination. The Doctor smiled and threw down a leaver causing more smoke to emanate for the consol.
‘We are off to sunny…’
‘Spain?’ Louise cut in, her disappointment held ready. Whatever the Doctor said next couldn’t be as bad as Stockton.
‘Durham City, around 2010…give or take a few years.’ Louise shook her head in mock anger.
‘Durham City… you have the capability to travel anywhere in the universe and at any time and you take me to Durham City. Do I get to see stars exploding in the sky… no. Do I visit the past and meet with famous dignitaries… er…. No. I’m taken to Stockton and Durham, both places I could have taken a bus to see if I’d wanted to…which I don’t.’ The smile left the Doctors face for a moment then just as quickly returned.
‘But Durham Cathedral is magnificent, built on a peninsular of land in a loop of the river Wear. Did you know the central tower stands 217 feet from the ground?’ Louise wasn’t impressed. She’d been going to Durham cathedral since she was a little girl and it’s magnificence, as the Doctor put it, washed over her.
***
Sitting on the park benches surrounded by Durham Cathedral Jack, Ianto and the ex-UNIT soldiers finished off endless packets of cheese pasties and bottles of water and juice surreptitiously taken from ‘Greggs’ bakers. The cloaking bracelets had helped feed them, Jack realised, but he wanted to know what else they did. He knew that part of the bracelet emitted a broad beam that disintegrated anything up to ten feet away. That was how they had lost the first bench they’d come across... and part of a bin.
With his stomach full, Jack checked out some of the other controls. One, it seemed was a universal translator, which came in rather handy when Harry asked a Chinese student where the nearest toilet was to be found. The student complemented him on his Cantonese and pointed towards an ally-way running through the Cathedral. Knowing that he didn’t speak the language made him realise the importance of that particular gadget.
‘Well Jack, what do we do now?’ Ianto asked as he carried the rubbish across to the bin opposite. Jack was just about to reply when his thoughts were interrupted by a beeping noise coming from their wrist guns. As they looked at each other the noise grew louder and more insistent.
‘Err… what’s this all about Jack?’ Ianto asked holding up his bracelet gun. As he did so an explosion cut the bin next to him in two sending sparks in every direction.
‘Get down Ianto,’ Jack screamed. Diving for cover Jack turned to Ianto who was now crouched behind him.
‘Tell the Brigadier to fan his men out in a protective cordon and give covering fire. We need to retreat and re-evaluate our position. It seems someone else wants us dead and by the look of them, they’re not Sontarans.’
Ianto watched as two men emerged from the cobbled street they had just walked up, wearing similar wrist guns, chinos and polo shirts. Returning fire he noticed more of them emerging from the other side of the quadrangle. A quick head count brought the total to eleven visible attackers, all with similar weaponry.
‘Pick your targets, rapid fire on my command.’ The Brigadier announced as he checked the area for none combatants.
‘Fire!’ The Brigadier shouted as a light show burst forth, from each ex-UNIT soldier’s wrists. Colourful explosions danced round the two Rutan soldiers near the cobbled road causing them to retreat under the barrage of fire. More explosions forced the other attackers back into cover. If they thought the Brigadier and his men would be easy targets then the volume of returning fire changed their minds. Electric bolts exploded, as they traversed the expanse of grass, to explode off solid stonewalls. As each attacker’s position became unattainable, the Rutan Host retreated back down the cobbled road they had advanced from. As they did so the noise from their bracelets quietened and became less insistent.
‘The beeping sound must be a built in warning device telling us that the opposition are near,’ Jack said as he and Ianto cut through the ally way.
Covering their exit, the Brigadier stood his ground, firing pulse beams across the expanse of grass towards the last two retreating figures. Jack, Ianto and the rest of the men ran down the ally way towards a path that led to the river. Checking that all had safely left the area, the Brigadier, Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, turned and without a backward glance followed.
Running along the footpath the Brigadier caught sight of Wilf/Tom and Harry following the river away from the city centre. As the path snaked around he lost sight of them on a number of occasions until, turning a corner, he almost bumped into both of them. Jack and Ianto, who were in the lead, had both halted, and the rest were standing behind, as if frozen to the spot. Looking up, the Brigadier saw what they were staring at and smiled. Pushing through his men he approached the tall blue box and rapped a tattoo on the front door.
‘I was wondering when he would come.’ Standing outside the TARDIS the Brigadier waited patiently for the door to open. ‘Probably changed his face by now. Could look like anyone, you know. Seen it a few times, actually changing…remarkable.’
The Brigadier paused as Louise Ruth emerged from the TARDIS, a newspaper article clutched in one hand. ‘Blow me he’s a girl,’ the Brigadier said in a shocked tone. ‘Never expected that.’ Harry approached his hand extended.
‘Good to see you again old thing… er Doctor.’ Louise Ruth shook her head.
‘I’m not the Doctor idiot, do I look like him?’ The Brigadier shrugged.
‘That’s always been the problem, he never does… and… well we were expecting…’
Just then the Doctor emerged from the TARDIS and surveyed the seven with an intense glare. They all looked like friends of his but he knew they were Sontaran clones. A pained look washed over him when he noticed the Brigadier standing to one side of the TARDIS. Each of these men, he knew would be dead now. His gaze moved from one to the other all friends he had hoped to see just one last time. They’d invited him to the reunion but with one thing and another he’d missed it. He knew there was always time to go back and attend the reunion, but not now. He had travelled and lived for so long that friends were more than just special, they kept him alive. Each face that looked back at him represented a person he had come to know and love. Now they were dead, cloned, brainwashed and their bodies disintegrated.
Tom, not too sure if the Doctor would recognise him, cautiously approached the him, his right hand extended.
‘Err… you may not recognise me as…’ Like a bolt of lightning realisation came to the Doctor. This was Wilf, and if this was Wilf then the others hadn’t had their minds wiped.
‘Special Constable Tom Campbell, Wilfred Mott, you don’t know how good it is to hear your voice.’ Tom was taken-aback. The Doctor took hold of his hand and gave it a hearty shake. He’d know all this time, playing dumb in front of Donna, not saying a word, even when he was alone. He’d known that he had been Tom Campbell and he’d said nothing. He’d kept Tom’s secret, even from Donna.
‘You’re looking well for a man your age. Err… I can call you Tom now, or do you still prefer Wilf?’ Tom couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had done it for him; he’d kept quiet not because he’d forgot who he was but because he’d thought he’d wanted to forget.
‘Yes Doctor… er… you looked after my Donna…you can call me anything you want to.’
The Doctor smiled then, turning to the others, his smile increased. Harry had extended his hand in friendship as the Doctor emerged from the TARDIS and it was still extended as he approached him. Grasping his hand the Doctor shook it vigorously.
‘Harry, good to see you again old boy.’ Without breaking stride he advanced on the Brigadier also grasping his hand and pumping it for all it was worth. ‘Brigadier, you don’t know what a pleasure it is to see you again after all these years.’ Turning he looked at Benton and Yates realising they were who they first appeared to be. ‘Sergeant Benton, I thought you were selling second hand cars now.’ Shaking his hand he smiled, memories filled him with joy and pleasure. ‘Yates, how’s Jo? Haven’t seen her in years. Probably hand gliding down Mount Everest or modelling for Play Boy.’ Yates smiled and returned the Doctor’s enthusiastic handshake.
The Doctor looked over at Jack’s smiling face and knew that whatever had happened to the Brigadier and his men Jack would be at the bottom of it.
‘I thought you’d have something to do with this. Torchwood not exciting enough for you?’ Jack shook his head pleased to see the Doctor, no matter what he said. ‘Still rewriting history, as you see it?’ The Doctor added, nodding towards Ianto. Jack held out both arms as if inviting a hug but the Doctor ignored the gesture.
‘Right Brigadier,’ the Doctor paused, ‘you know I’ve wanted to say that for years,’ he added with a smile. The Brigadier was about to reply when the door to the TARDIS burst open and the Rutan fell out closely followed by the Sontaran, who jumped headlong on top of him. The Doctor noticed that all seven men raised their wrist guns in unison.
‘No, no, no.’ The Doctor shouted as he ran between the UNIT soldiers and the two figures still fighting on the floor.
‘Get him off us Doctor; you can see how the Sontaran scum has cheated us. These are Earth men not Sontarans.’ The Rutan gasped as the Sontaran’s thick hands grabbed him around the throat.
‘The Rutan Host lies Doctor. They have put more than five soldiers into the field. I should rip his throat out and show it to him before he dies.’
Rock, grass and shrubs exploded as Jack fired his wrist gun. The small explosion hit the ground next to the two pugilists as they fought and struggled to kill each other.
‘The next one that moves I cut in half.’ Jack shouted as both soldiers froze. ‘Now stand up and we’ll sort this mess out and find out what exactly is going on.’
Everyone turned to the Doctor expecting an explanation, including the Rutan and Sontaran who managed to stand without causing each other any further harm.
‘Gentlemen, what we have here is a failure to communicate.’ Louise’s voice echoed over the group as she walked among them. Jack smiled,
‘Strother Martin from Cool Hand Luke, one of my favourites.’ Louise looked Jack up and down, pleased that someone had recognised the movie quotation and then turned back to face the Brigadier.
‘What we have here, Brigadier, if I’ve got this right, is a challenge and the prize is peace.’ Louise walked towards the Rutan and Sontaran. ‘A truce was agreed between these two factions and a battle will take place where five members of each race will fight it out and the winner is the last man standing.’
Ianto looked at the Sontaran. ‘But there are seven of us and… we’re not Sontaran,’ he said with a look of incomprehension. Yates cut in hoping to add his two pennies worth.
‘Thank you, girly Welshman, for stating the obvious.’ Louise glared at Yates and immediately warmed to Ianto.
‘Girly? You’re the one shacked up with Tommy.’ Benton said with a grin from ear to ear. Yates rounded on Benton, forgetting for a moment that neither was actually a member of UNIT anymore.
Louise looked across at Tom and raised her eyebrows. He shook his head vehemently. ‘Err… not me. Some other Tom… I think. Something to do with a meditation centre...’ The Doctor backed off holding his hands up as if in surrender.
‘Now, now children lets play nicely.’ He added, letting Louise continue her narrative.
‘Ianto’s right.’ Louise extended her hand, which Ianto took and squeezed. Lets see how Jack likes it Ianto thought to himself.
‘Ianto makes an interesting point. The World War Two fighter pilot here messed up the Sontarans’ plans and saved the lives of the Brigadier and his men, if not their bodies.’ Louise looked at Yates who couldn’t hold her gaze. Ianto looked at Jack and voiced a concern he’d had since being transmatted.
‘Am I a clone Jack?’ Jack smiled and took his hand, ‘You are, and always will be, Ianto Jones, my friend.’ Removing the newspaper article from her pocket Louise continued.
‘The Rutans have also changed the competition. The truck they hijacked on its way to Hereford, with a full load, had more than five soldiers onboard, in fact they had fifteen soldiers and all were taken by the Rutans.’ The Rutan looked suitably chastised, having known this previously, but said nothing.
‘As the official umpire in these proceedings, I feel that the game is now null and void.’
‘One thing I forgot to mention Doctor,’ Jack said, wanting to be a part of these proceedings but feeling that control had been taken from him. ‘The time lines have been radically altered. According to the Time Agency, Earth, as everyone knows it in this dimension, will end in,’ he looked at his wrist in the hope of seeing his Vortex Manipulator, then realised that it would be back in the SUV with the rest of his clothing, ‘about six days.’
‘What!’ the Brigadier exclaimed. ‘How man, how does this happen?’ Jack looked in the Brigadiers direction then shrugged.
‘How does any of this happen? One side fights another for territory and things escalate. One side brings a knife and the other brings a gun. Before you know it the oxygen in the air is ignited and all life dies.’ As the others talked amongst themselves Louise Ruth smiled at Jack.
‘One side brings a knife and the other a gun?’ She looked at Jack shaking her head. ‘Don’t think I didn’t miss the quotation from the Untouchables, fly boy. I’m surprised you didn’t finish off with “one guy in the hospital one in the morgue, it’s the Chicago way.”’ Jacks eyes lit up.
‘Yes but didn’t you just love Kevin Costner in that hat? What a gorgeous ass.’ Louise Ruth again shook her head.
‘It was naff. The worst that I’ve ever seen.’
‘If you knew what naff really meant you wouldn’t say that. It’s a word that was used a lot in the sixties, but I heard it used a long time before that.’ It was her turn to be intrigued as her eyes lit up. Thoughts of world extinction left her as she concentrated on what the meaning of naff could be.
The conversation behind them began to heat up as talking turned into shouting. All seemed to have forgotten the more immediate threat posed by fifteen Rutan soldier all armed with energy weapons running around Durham City, the only thought in their minds was to kill them.
‘Right… maybe World War Two slang for something, judging by your fancy dress outfit.’ Louise Ruth paused, and then added, ‘possibly a homosexual reference maybe, something that they would know but others wouldn’t…’ Louise Ruth amazed Jack with the logical way she broke down and analysed the entomology of the word. ‘Naff means useless, not able to work… so it could stand for something like, Not Available For Fu… oh shit.’ She blushed as she realised what she had been about to say.
‘Brilliant… spot on, came up with that myself. Polari, we called it, couldn’t believe how fast it caught on. I’m amazed that people still use-’ Jack’s revere was cut short as the argument, taking place behind him reached a new level.
‘This is all your fault Rutan, you lying scum.’ Creal removed a blade from a hidden leg holster and plunged it to the hilt in the Rutan’s neck. Before anyone could say a word the Rutan fell to the floor, kicked once and then died. Creal placed his foot on the Rutan’s head and, taking hold of the knife hilt, twisted it then pulled it free. As he held the knife to the sky all their wrist alarms began to beep in unison. Creal was just about to shout in triumph when a bolt of electricity exploded in his chest, throwing him back against the TARDIS and covering everyone present in his severed intestines and blood.
Without a seconds thought everyone turned and ran for cover. Louise Ruth, Jack and Ianto ran to the right on the pathway heading back towards Durham City. The Doctor followed the Brigadier and Tom as they headed off to the left, following the river away from the city centre. Harry, Benton and Yates ran directly for cover into a small building on the river side giving the others covering fire as the Rutan Host moved down from the cathedral, firing at anything that moved. Shooting from cover gave Harry, Benton and Yates time to pick their targets and it wasn’t long before the first Rutan fell clutching his chest.
‘Good shot Benton,’ Harry shouted over the noise of the energy weapons, ‘I see you haven’t lost your touch.’ Benton caught a second soldier on the side of the head as he tried to move forward into a better position to return fire. The explosion decapitated him in a flash of electricity. His headless body took two more steps then fell to the ground.
‘Excellent,’ Harry piped in, ‘bagged a brace of them.’ Yates noticed that when the Rutan’s body died the wrist gun exploded, disintegrating any sign that they had been there.
‘If Louise Ruth was right then that’s two down thirteen to go,’ Yates added, noticing that the Rutans had come to the conclusion that a frontal assault was costing them too many men. They weren’t retreating, content to sit in their positions and fire the occasional burst to keep them from leaving.
***
Heading down river the Brigadier motioned for Tom and the Doctor to leave the pathway cutting across into the forest to circle back towards the cathedral. The Doctor who was the only member of the three man team that was unarmed ran in between the Brigadier and Tom, his head turning constantly from side to side checking that they hadn’t been followed. As they ran the beeping noise in their writ guns began to fade. The Brigadier held his hand up stopping the men following in their tracks. Lowering his arm both the Doctor and Tom crouched down hiding in the long grass and bushes.
‘I like your new regeneration Doctor, younger and fitter than the others.’ The Doctor smiled,
‘Well thank you Brigadier, you don’t look too bad yourself.’ Tom held up one hand as his wrist gun began beeping, indicating that a number of Rutans were following. Moving to the other side of the track Tom and the Brigadier had the advancing Rutans in a cross fire. Three Rutans emerged from the trees, their wrist guns aimed before them.
‘Can we not capture them and…’ Before the Doctor could finish the Brigadier gave the signal and Tom opened up on the first Rutan. The Brigadier took out the second Rutan causing both bracelets to explode in unison. The explosions caught the third Rutan whose wrist gun exploded blackening the surrounding trees and bushes. ‘…make friends.’ The Doctor finished then shrugged. He’d been around the Brigadier long enough to know what course of action he would take in any given situation. After checking the way they had come, Tom followed closely behind checking both sides as they moved.
‘I spoke to the Rutan queen.’ The Doctor said, following closely behind the Brigadier. ‘It all seemed above board.’ The Brigadier slowed as they approached the cathedral checking for any signs of the enemy.
‘You always were a little too trusting Doctor. Daleks, Cybermen, Yetis, you’d always take them at their word.’ The Brigadier held up one hand and both men behind him stopped. Whispering he continued. ‘You even wanted to talk peace with those underground lizards, even after they tried to wipe out humanity with a deadly virus. Far too trusting.’
With a wave of his left hand the Brigadier motioned for Tom to move to his left and advance towards the quadrangle, while he covered his movements. Despite the rush, he took time to marvel at the Norman architecture that spread out before him. He had last been here in 1098 when the work had been going on for a few years. It had only been foundations and a few walls by then but the potential for beauty has not been lost on him.
Despite the fact their wrist guns made no sound Tom and the Brigadier were taking no chances. Using parked cars for cover Tom followed the pathway round to where they had been eating only half an hour ago. The bin and bench were still smouldering and a half eaten cheese pasty lay on the ground where it had been dropped.
‘With me Doctor,’ the brigadier said as he moved off, Tom covering them as they headed towards his position. The closer they came to the pathway, heading down to the river, the louder and more distinctive the explosions of energy weapons became and the more insistent the beeping became from their wrists. ‘If they have the same kit as we do then hopefully they wont be able to distinguish between beeping from those in front and those behind them.’ The Brigadier checked his arc of fire for any combatants then turned back to the Doctor. ‘Anyway…you were saying Doctor?’ the Brigadier asked as they moved off towards the river.
‘Saying? Ah yes, the queen… she seemed convinced that the war game was above board… I mean why get me involved if it wasn’t… unless.’ They could now clearly see the pulse of the wrist guns as the Rutans fired at the small house below them. Counting the blasts Tom held up three fingers and pointed towards a hilly outcrop where most of the fire, from the house had been aimed at. The Brigadier nodded and using hand signals motioned Tom to head towards the left of the outcrop and flush them out. Pushing the communicator button the Brigadier whispered into his wrist gun.
‘We’re coming in behind the Rutans so concentrate your fire in front of them to keep their heads down.’
‘Roger that,’ came an equally quiet voice. The Brigadier turned back to the Doctor who was lying prone behind him.
‘Unless what Doctor? She wanted you dead too, or was the queen an impostor?’ The Brigadier asked as he lined up his wrist gun to the right of the outcrop.
‘Oh… yes… you’re right.’ Incomprehension spread across the Brigadier’s face as Tom opened up on the Rutan’s position.
‘I am… well… about what?’ Three Rutans came running out of the right hand side of the outcrop, laying down a devastating rate of fire towards Tom’s position. Firing on the move they made sure they kept themselves between the rocky terrain and the small house. Unfortunately for them they weren’t careful enough to protect themselves from the Brigadier’s deadly burst of energy. All three went down within seconds of each other as the Brigadier caught them in the open. Slowly the Brigadier advanced on their position, only to be thrown back as the Rutans wrist guns exploded, obliterating everything around them. Immediately the beeping sound disappeared as the Rutans died.
‘About the queen,’ the Doctor continued. ‘It wasn’t the queen that I saw in the clearing… I mean why should it have been. As far as I knew it could have been anyone pretending to be the queen. I mean no self-respecting queen would leave her hive now would she.’ The Brigadier waved his hand towards the small house, the brick now blackened and burned from the energy weapons.
‘Then if it wasn’t the queen you saw then who was it?’ The Brigadier looked towards Tom’s position and flipping on the communicator button spoke. ‘You can come out now Tom, an excellent job.’ The Doctor looked across at the small house and noticed two figures walking from the building and wondered, in the back of his mind, where the third one was.
‘Who would want the war between the Rutans and the Sontarans to continue and… more to the point… who would want me in the middle of it getting shot at?’
The Brigadier walked towards Tom’s position wondering why he hadn’t joined them when a small explosion erupted stopping him in his tracks.
‘There’s only one person that I can think of that would want me dead and be able to set the Rutans and Sontarans against each other, causing the destruction of the Earth.’
Looking across at the Brigadier the Doctor noticed a sadness cross his face as realisation of what the explosion meant washed over him. Two UNIT soldiers came up the bank to join them and they too looked as if the sadness of a lifetime hung heavy on their shoulders.
‘So…’ the Brigadier said, his voice sounding dry as he spoke. ‘We’ve lost two of our team?’ The Doctor nodded looking at the ground in sadness. In his mind he could hear the insane laughter tearing through his memories. The drumbeat had returned.
The Master of Wars 5/7
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, The Doctor (10), OFC, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Benton, Harry Sullivan, Michael Yates, Wilfred Mott/Tom Campbell
Parings: Jack/Ianto
Disclaimer: Neither Torchwood or Doctor Who are mine
Summary: Someone is stealing soldiers
Spoilers: All Torchwood, including Children of Earth, all Doctor Who
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Talk of nudity and mention of minor character death
A/N: This answers the questions. Well… my questions anyway.
A/N2: This is a sequel to Doctor Who and The Infernal Inferno. You don’t have to read it, but it explains where the OC came from.
Prologue - Old Soldiers
Quickly Jack and Ianto ran into the room just as the door closed behind General Stam’s retreating form. Hefting the steel bar above his head Jack brought it down on the first Sontaran’s probic vent, situated on the back of his neck. Unable to move let alone defend himself the first Sontaran died without a sound. As the Sontaran’s life ended the Brigadier gave out a painful scream and fell silent.
With a steel bar of his own, clutched in his outstretched hands, Ianto swung at the second Sontaran. This time it was Benton’s turn to scream as the second Sontaran joined his brother in whatever after life they believed in. One after the other each Sontaran fell to his knees, kept up only by the headset that sparked once then, without any electrical brain signals to power it, fell silent. Each death was accompanied by the corresponding UNIT member’s scream of pain.
Quickly Jack removed the plastic shield from his wrist gun, just as the Sontaran had done and aimed at the control panel he had been using and hoped it would work. Before he could fire, a blinding flash of light filled the room and in an instant they were gone. Jack’s voice echoed throughout the room as the transmat beam plucked him away.
‘Not again.’
***
Jack had told him that transmatting had no side effects but Ianto knew different. It had only been the second time in his life that he had used a transmat beam, and the feeling of nausea was overwhelming as the white light crackled around him then abated. Perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be used in such quick succession, or perhaps it was the fact that he was new to it, he didn’t know. What he did know was that he was standing in the middle of a town centre with five men that looked as if they’d just played the back nine on a golf course and then there was Jack. Both himself and Jack were still naked but, but like the effects of the transmat, is didn’t seem to bother him.
Crouched, Ianto retched and vomited, Jack’s hand comforting on his shoulder. Jack looked at the five, well dressed men standing in front of a giant statue of a Hussar on horse back, and wondered. Did we reach them in time? Are they still ex-UNIT soldiers, or are they now Sontaran soldiers?
‘Right Benton, find something to cover our two friends here so Yates can concentrate on the job in hand.’ Benton turned and, looking around headed towards a stall selling army clothing. ‘Yates, don’t just stand there gawping man, find out where we are.’ Yates gave Jack a smile then turning, headed towards a shop window with signs up saying Tourist Information.
‘Harry, Tom, check the perimeter, make sure there aren’t anymore of those Sontaran Jonnies about.’ Jack shook his head and smiled. Nothing wrong here.
‘Captain Jack… get your friend over here onto the bench and Harry’ll give him the once over when he returns.’ Jack picked up Ianto and led him to a wooden bench directly under the statue.
‘He’s okay Brigadier. Just a little travel sickness.’ With that Ianto bent forward and vomited again onto the concrete pavement.
Benton returned handing Jack two sets of clothing, one in army camouflage green and the other in air force blue. Jack dressed Ianto first, helping him fasten the trousers around his waist and ankles then buttoning the shirt, before seeing to himself. Fastening the army boots tight, Jack stood and checked out his appearance. ‘Not bad just one thing missing.’
Turning he headed back towards the stall as Benton helped Ianto fasten his boots. Returning a few minutes later Jack pulled on a familiar British Air Force greatcoat and sighed as if returning home, comfortable and relaxed.
Just then Yates returned looking Jack up and down.
‘Very nice old boy, seems to suit you well.’
‘Yates stop dallying and give me your report man,’ the Brigadier stated in no uncertain terms.
Turning towards the Brigadier, Yates came to attention and saluted. ‘Sorry Sir, we appear to be in Durham City, in the North of England, around 2010.’ Harry and Tom came up behind Yates.
‘The perimeter seems clear but one thing worries me.’ The Brigadier turned towards Harry after scanning the area himself.
‘Well speak up man, what is it?’ Harry looked embarrassed but continued.
‘We’ve just stood next to two naked men, one throwing up, and our friend Benton has just stolen clothing from that stall over there and no one seems to care.’ All, with the exception of Jack, turned watching the passers-by. No one gave any sign of interest.
Yates walked over to a women sitting on the bench opposite, preoccupied by talking into a mobile phone. Slowly at first, he waved a hand in front of her face and got no reaction.
‘Got it!’ Jack exclaimed. ‘The wrist controls have a cloaking device built in. If I press the side here,’ Jack gestured with his left hand, ‘we should be visible about now.’
They all turned towards Yates as a loud crack echoed across the square. The woman on the phone had just slapped him across the face.
‘Yes, well done Captain Jack; that seems to have done the trick.’
‘Pervert!’ the woman exclaimed and standing, strode off towards the stalls. Benton and Tom suppressed a grin while Harry and Jack burst out laughing. Yates returned rubbing his left cheek.
Removing a red beret, from his greatcoat pocket, Jack placed it on Ianto’s head. ‘A present. Always wanted to get you one, but with a little UNIT badge on it.’ Ianto smiled at Jack, happy that they were together and in no immediate danger.
‘I’m starving,’ Benton said, his voice reverberating across the square. Walking towards him Jack pushed one of the buttons on his wrist gun.
‘Seems to be some sort of communication device,’ Jack said as he looked closely at his own. Flicking the same button on his he turned to Ianto who was gazing across at a stall selling fresh fruit.
‘Ianto Jones, you have a cute ass.’ Jack’s voice came out of their communicators causing Ianto to look around in wonderment, not realising whose voice it had been. Turning to Jack he saw him talking into his bracelet.
‘Ianto Jones this is the voice of the Mysterons, we know who you are earth man.’ Ianto smiled and walked towards Jack.
‘Can you hit that cloaking button again so we can get something to eat?’ Jack looked across at the Brigadier who nodded. Heading towards the food stalls Jack depressed the wrist button and they all disappeared from view. It wasn’t as if they were there one second and gone the next. They seemed to fade out as if lost in a crowd of people that weren’t there. Onlookers, that had been staring, would have thought that they had taken their eyes off them for a split second and when they returned their gaze, couldn’t find them anymore.
***
The Sontaran regained consciousness and was in a grumpy mood. Who could blame him, thought Louise Ruth to herself? It was the second time today he had been knocked unconscious. One minute he was in control of the situation then the next he was being tortured by Rutans and finally put down by the queen Rutan herself, where anything could have happened to him.
The Doctor passed him a glass of water, which he drank greedily. It wasn’t until he had downed the glass that he noticed the humanoid Rutan standing before him, the transformation finally complete. The Doctor had given him clothing that would make him blend in more, and Louise Ruth less embarrassed. Looking around he also realised that he was seated in the control room of the TARDIS. The floor vibrated beneath his feet as he regained his composure and glared at the Rutan.
‘Where are we going Doctor, and what is this Rutan doing here?’ Before the Doctor could answer Crael, the Rutan spoke.
‘We are the Rutan Host and we are accompanying the Doctor to see fair play is done. Like yourself, we are an observer only and cannot interfere in the proceedings.’ Crael turned to look at the Doctor. The fact that he had no neck meant that he had to move his entire body to do so, which sent daggers of pain shooting through his potato-like head. Not wanting to show weakness in front of the Rutan, the Sontaran bit back the pain with considerable effort and glared at the Doctor.
‘What we have here is a game. The Sontarans are pitted against the Rutans, five on each team. The winner, it seems, takes all.’ Quickly Louise Ruth pulled out the section of paper the Doctor had returned to her and studied the text for a second time. Something was bothering her about the article but she didn’t know what it was.
‘So Doctor…Mr Know-it-all, where are we going now?’ The Rutan and the Sontaran turned to look at the Doctor, both curious as to their next destination. The Doctor smiled and threw down a leaver causing more smoke to emanate for the consol.
‘We are off to sunny…’
‘Spain?’ Louise cut in, her disappointment held ready. Whatever the Doctor said next couldn’t be as bad as Stockton.
‘Durham City, around 2010…give or take a few years.’ Louise shook her head in mock anger.
‘Durham City… you have the capability to travel anywhere in the universe and at any time and you take me to Durham City. Do I get to see stars exploding in the sky… no. Do I visit the past and meet with famous dignitaries… er…. No. I’m taken to Stockton and Durham, both places I could have taken a bus to see if I’d wanted to…which I don’t.’ The smile left the Doctors face for a moment then just as quickly returned.
‘But Durham Cathedral is magnificent, built on a peninsular of land in a loop of the river Wear. Did you know the central tower stands 217 feet from the ground?’ Louise wasn’t impressed. She’d been going to Durham cathedral since she was a little girl and it’s magnificence, as the Doctor put it, washed over her.
***
Sitting on the park benches surrounded by Durham Cathedral Jack, Ianto and the ex-UNIT soldiers finished off endless packets of cheese pasties and bottles of water and juice surreptitiously taken from ‘Greggs’ bakers. The cloaking bracelets had helped feed them, Jack realised, but he wanted to know what else they did. He knew that part of the bracelet emitted a broad beam that disintegrated anything up to ten feet away. That was how they had lost the first bench they’d come across... and part of a bin.
With his stomach full, Jack checked out some of the other controls. One, it seemed was a universal translator, which came in rather handy when Harry asked a Chinese student where the nearest toilet was to be found. The student complemented him on his Cantonese and pointed towards an ally-way running through the Cathedral. Knowing that he didn’t speak the language made him realise the importance of that particular gadget.
‘Well Jack, what do we do now?’ Ianto asked as he carried the rubbish across to the bin opposite. Jack was just about to reply when his thoughts were interrupted by a beeping noise coming from their wrist guns. As they looked at each other the noise grew louder and more insistent.
‘Err… what’s this all about Jack?’ Ianto asked holding up his bracelet gun. As he did so an explosion cut the bin next to him in two sending sparks in every direction.
‘Get down Ianto,’ Jack screamed. Diving for cover Jack turned to Ianto who was now crouched behind him.
‘Tell the Brigadier to fan his men out in a protective cordon and give covering fire. We need to retreat and re-evaluate our position. It seems someone else wants us dead and by the look of them, they’re not Sontarans.’
Ianto watched as two men emerged from the cobbled street they had just walked up, wearing similar wrist guns, chinos and polo shirts. Returning fire he noticed more of them emerging from the other side of the quadrangle. A quick head count brought the total to eleven visible attackers, all with similar weaponry.
‘Pick your targets, rapid fire on my command.’ The Brigadier announced as he checked the area for none combatants.
‘Fire!’ The Brigadier shouted as a light show burst forth, from each ex-UNIT soldier’s wrists. Colourful explosions danced round the two Rutan soldiers near the cobbled road causing them to retreat under the barrage of fire. More explosions forced the other attackers back into cover. If they thought the Brigadier and his men would be easy targets then the volume of returning fire changed their minds. Electric bolts exploded, as they traversed the expanse of grass, to explode off solid stonewalls. As each attacker’s position became unattainable, the Rutan Host retreated back down the cobbled road they had advanced from. As they did so the noise from their bracelets quietened and became less insistent.
‘The beeping sound must be a built in warning device telling us that the opposition are near,’ Jack said as he and Ianto cut through the ally way.
Covering their exit, the Brigadier stood his ground, firing pulse beams across the expanse of grass towards the last two retreating figures. Jack, Ianto and the rest of the men ran down the ally way towards a path that led to the river. Checking that all had safely left the area, the Brigadier, Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, turned and without a backward glance followed.
Running along the footpath the Brigadier caught sight of Wilf/Tom and Harry following the river away from the city centre. As the path snaked around he lost sight of them on a number of occasions until, turning a corner, he almost bumped into both of them. Jack and Ianto, who were in the lead, had both halted, and the rest were standing behind, as if frozen to the spot. Looking up, the Brigadier saw what they were staring at and smiled. Pushing through his men he approached the tall blue box and rapped a tattoo on the front door.
‘I was wondering when he would come.’ Standing outside the TARDIS the Brigadier waited patiently for the door to open. ‘Probably changed his face by now. Could look like anyone, you know. Seen it a few times, actually changing…remarkable.’
The Brigadier paused as Louise Ruth emerged from the TARDIS, a newspaper article clutched in one hand. ‘Blow me he’s a girl,’ the Brigadier said in a shocked tone. ‘Never expected that.’ Harry approached his hand extended.
‘Good to see you again old thing… er Doctor.’ Louise Ruth shook her head.
‘I’m not the Doctor idiot, do I look like him?’ The Brigadier shrugged.
‘That’s always been the problem, he never does… and… well we were expecting…’
Just then the Doctor emerged from the TARDIS and surveyed the seven with an intense glare. They all looked like friends of his but he knew they were Sontaran clones. A pained look washed over him when he noticed the Brigadier standing to one side of the TARDIS. Each of these men, he knew would be dead now. His gaze moved from one to the other all friends he had hoped to see just one last time. They’d invited him to the reunion but with one thing and another he’d missed it. He knew there was always time to go back and attend the reunion, but not now. He had travelled and lived for so long that friends were more than just special, they kept him alive. Each face that looked back at him represented a person he had come to know and love. Now they were dead, cloned, brainwashed and their bodies disintegrated.
Tom, not too sure if the Doctor would recognise him, cautiously approached the him, his right hand extended.
‘Err… you may not recognise me as…’ Like a bolt of lightning realisation came to the Doctor. This was Wilf, and if this was Wilf then the others hadn’t had their minds wiped.
‘Special Constable Tom Campbell, Wilfred Mott, you don’t know how good it is to hear your voice.’ Tom was taken-aback. The Doctor took hold of his hand and gave it a hearty shake. He’d know all this time, playing dumb in front of Donna, not saying a word, even when he was alone. He’d known that he had been Tom Campbell and he’d said nothing. He’d kept Tom’s secret, even from Donna.
‘You’re looking well for a man your age. Err… I can call you Tom now, or do you still prefer Wilf?’ Tom couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had done it for him; he’d kept quiet not because he’d forgot who he was but because he’d thought he’d wanted to forget.
‘Yes Doctor… er… you looked after my Donna…you can call me anything you want to.’
The Doctor smiled then, turning to the others, his smile increased. Harry had extended his hand in friendship as the Doctor emerged from the TARDIS and it was still extended as he approached him. Grasping his hand the Doctor shook it vigorously.
‘Harry, good to see you again old boy.’ Without breaking stride he advanced on the Brigadier also grasping his hand and pumping it for all it was worth. ‘Brigadier, you don’t know what a pleasure it is to see you again after all these years.’ Turning he looked at Benton and Yates realising they were who they first appeared to be. ‘Sergeant Benton, I thought you were selling second hand cars now.’ Shaking his hand he smiled, memories filled him with joy and pleasure. ‘Yates, how’s Jo? Haven’t seen her in years. Probably hand gliding down Mount Everest or modelling for Play Boy.’ Yates smiled and returned the Doctor’s enthusiastic handshake.
The Doctor looked over at Jack’s smiling face and knew that whatever had happened to the Brigadier and his men Jack would be at the bottom of it.
‘I thought you’d have something to do with this. Torchwood not exciting enough for you?’ Jack shook his head pleased to see the Doctor, no matter what he said. ‘Still rewriting history, as you see it?’ The Doctor added, nodding towards Ianto. Jack held out both arms as if inviting a hug but the Doctor ignored the gesture.
‘Right Brigadier,’ the Doctor paused, ‘you know I’ve wanted to say that for years,’ he added with a smile. The Brigadier was about to reply when the door to the TARDIS burst open and the Rutan fell out closely followed by the Sontaran, who jumped headlong on top of him. The Doctor noticed that all seven men raised their wrist guns in unison.
‘No, no, no.’ The Doctor shouted as he ran between the UNIT soldiers and the two figures still fighting on the floor.
‘Get him off us Doctor; you can see how the Sontaran scum has cheated us. These are Earth men not Sontarans.’ The Rutan gasped as the Sontaran’s thick hands grabbed him around the throat.
‘The Rutan Host lies Doctor. They have put more than five soldiers into the field. I should rip his throat out and show it to him before he dies.’
Rock, grass and shrubs exploded as Jack fired his wrist gun. The small explosion hit the ground next to the two pugilists as they fought and struggled to kill each other.
‘The next one that moves I cut in half.’ Jack shouted as both soldiers froze. ‘Now stand up and we’ll sort this mess out and find out what exactly is going on.’
Everyone turned to the Doctor expecting an explanation, including the Rutan and Sontaran who managed to stand without causing each other any further harm.
‘Gentlemen, what we have here is a failure to communicate.’ Louise’s voice echoed over the group as she walked among them. Jack smiled,
‘Strother Martin from Cool Hand Luke, one of my favourites.’ Louise looked Jack up and down, pleased that someone had recognised the movie quotation and then turned back to face the Brigadier.
‘What we have here, Brigadier, if I’ve got this right, is a challenge and the prize is peace.’ Louise walked towards the Rutan and Sontaran. ‘A truce was agreed between these two factions and a battle will take place where five members of each race will fight it out and the winner is the last man standing.’
Ianto looked at the Sontaran. ‘But there are seven of us and… we’re not Sontaran,’ he said with a look of incomprehension. Yates cut in hoping to add his two pennies worth.
‘Thank you, girly Welshman, for stating the obvious.’ Louise glared at Yates and immediately warmed to Ianto.
‘Girly? You’re the one shacked up with Tommy.’ Benton said with a grin from ear to ear. Yates rounded on Benton, forgetting for a moment that neither was actually a member of UNIT anymore.
Louise looked across at Tom and raised her eyebrows. He shook his head vehemently. ‘Err… not me. Some other Tom… I think. Something to do with a meditation centre...’ The Doctor backed off holding his hands up as if in surrender.
‘Now, now children lets play nicely.’ He added, letting Louise continue her narrative.
‘Ianto’s right.’ Louise extended her hand, which Ianto took and squeezed. Lets see how Jack likes it Ianto thought to himself.
‘Ianto makes an interesting point. The World War Two fighter pilot here messed up the Sontarans’ plans and saved the lives of the Brigadier and his men, if not their bodies.’ Louise looked at Yates who couldn’t hold her gaze. Ianto looked at Jack and voiced a concern he’d had since being transmatted.
‘Am I a clone Jack?’ Jack smiled and took his hand, ‘You are, and always will be, Ianto Jones, my friend.’ Removing the newspaper article from her pocket Louise continued.
‘The Rutans have also changed the competition. The truck they hijacked on its way to Hereford, with a full load, had more than five soldiers onboard, in fact they had fifteen soldiers and all were taken by the Rutans.’ The Rutan looked suitably chastised, having known this previously, but said nothing.
‘As the official umpire in these proceedings, I feel that the game is now null and void.’
‘One thing I forgot to mention Doctor,’ Jack said, wanting to be a part of these proceedings but feeling that control had been taken from him. ‘The time lines have been radically altered. According to the Time Agency, Earth, as everyone knows it in this dimension, will end in,’ he looked at his wrist in the hope of seeing his Vortex Manipulator, then realised that it would be back in the SUV with the rest of his clothing, ‘about six days.’
‘What!’ the Brigadier exclaimed. ‘How man, how does this happen?’ Jack looked in the Brigadiers direction then shrugged.
‘How does any of this happen? One side fights another for territory and things escalate. One side brings a knife and the other brings a gun. Before you know it the oxygen in the air is ignited and all life dies.’ As the others talked amongst themselves Louise Ruth smiled at Jack.
‘One side brings a knife and the other a gun?’ She looked at Jack shaking her head. ‘Don’t think I didn’t miss the quotation from the Untouchables, fly boy. I’m surprised you didn’t finish off with “one guy in the hospital one in the morgue, it’s the Chicago way.”’ Jacks eyes lit up.
‘Yes but didn’t you just love Kevin Costner in that hat? What a gorgeous ass.’ Louise Ruth again shook her head.
‘It was naff. The worst that I’ve ever seen.’
‘If you knew what naff really meant you wouldn’t say that. It’s a word that was used a lot in the sixties, but I heard it used a long time before that.’ It was her turn to be intrigued as her eyes lit up. Thoughts of world extinction left her as she concentrated on what the meaning of naff could be.
The conversation behind them began to heat up as talking turned into shouting. All seemed to have forgotten the more immediate threat posed by fifteen Rutan soldier all armed with energy weapons running around Durham City, the only thought in their minds was to kill them.
‘Right… maybe World War Two slang for something, judging by your fancy dress outfit.’ Louise Ruth paused, and then added, ‘possibly a homosexual reference maybe, something that they would know but others wouldn’t…’ Louise Ruth amazed Jack with the logical way she broke down and analysed the entomology of the word. ‘Naff means useless, not able to work… so it could stand for something like, Not Available For Fu… oh shit.’ She blushed as she realised what she had been about to say.
‘Brilliant… spot on, came up with that myself. Polari, we called it, couldn’t believe how fast it caught on. I’m amazed that people still use-’ Jack’s revere was cut short as the argument, taking place behind him reached a new level.
‘This is all your fault Rutan, you lying scum.’ Creal removed a blade from a hidden leg holster and plunged it to the hilt in the Rutan’s neck. Before anyone could say a word the Rutan fell to the floor, kicked once and then died. Creal placed his foot on the Rutan’s head and, taking hold of the knife hilt, twisted it then pulled it free. As he held the knife to the sky all their wrist alarms began to beep in unison. Creal was just about to shout in triumph when a bolt of electricity exploded in his chest, throwing him back against the TARDIS and covering everyone present in his severed intestines and blood.
Without a seconds thought everyone turned and ran for cover. Louise Ruth, Jack and Ianto ran to the right on the pathway heading back towards Durham City. The Doctor followed the Brigadier and Tom as they headed off to the left, following the river away from the city centre. Harry, Benton and Yates ran directly for cover into a small building on the river side giving the others covering fire as the Rutan Host moved down from the cathedral, firing at anything that moved. Shooting from cover gave Harry, Benton and Yates time to pick their targets and it wasn’t long before the first Rutan fell clutching his chest.
‘Good shot Benton,’ Harry shouted over the noise of the energy weapons, ‘I see you haven’t lost your touch.’ Benton caught a second soldier on the side of the head as he tried to move forward into a better position to return fire. The explosion decapitated him in a flash of electricity. His headless body took two more steps then fell to the ground.
‘Excellent,’ Harry piped in, ‘bagged a brace of them.’ Yates noticed that when the Rutan’s body died the wrist gun exploded, disintegrating any sign that they had been there.
‘If Louise Ruth was right then that’s two down thirteen to go,’ Yates added, noticing that the Rutans had come to the conclusion that a frontal assault was costing them too many men. They weren’t retreating, content to sit in their positions and fire the occasional burst to keep them from leaving.
***
Heading down river the Brigadier motioned for Tom and the Doctor to leave the pathway cutting across into the forest to circle back towards the cathedral. The Doctor who was the only member of the three man team that was unarmed ran in between the Brigadier and Tom, his head turning constantly from side to side checking that they hadn’t been followed. As they ran the beeping noise in their writ guns began to fade. The Brigadier held his hand up stopping the men following in their tracks. Lowering his arm both the Doctor and Tom crouched down hiding in the long grass and bushes.
‘I like your new regeneration Doctor, younger and fitter than the others.’ The Doctor smiled,
‘Well thank you Brigadier, you don’t look too bad yourself.’ Tom held up one hand as his wrist gun began beeping, indicating that a number of Rutans were following. Moving to the other side of the track Tom and the Brigadier had the advancing Rutans in a cross fire. Three Rutans emerged from the trees, their wrist guns aimed before them.
‘Can we not capture them and…’ Before the Doctor could finish the Brigadier gave the signal and Tom opened up on the first Rutan. The Brigadier took out the second Rutan causing both bracelets to explode in unison. The explosions caught the third Rutan whose wrist gun exploded blackening the surrounding trees and bushes. ‘…make friends.’ The Doctor finished then shrugged. He’d been around the Brigadier long enough to know what course of action he would take in any given situation. After checking the way they had come, Tom followed closely behind checking both sides as they moved.
‘I spoke to the Rutan queen.’ The Doctor said, following closely behind the Brigadier. ‘It all seemed above board.’ The Brigadier slowed as they approached the cathedral checking for any signs of the enemy.
‘You always were a little too trusting Doctor. Daleks, Cybermen, Yetis, you’d always take them at their word.’ The Brigadier held up one hand and both men behind him stopped. Whispering he continued. ‘You even wanted to talk peace with those underground lizards, even after they tried to wipe out humanity with a deadly virus. Far too trusting.’
With a wave of his left hand the Brigadier motioned for Tom to move to his left and advance towards the quadrangle, while he covered his movements. Despite the rush, he took time to marvel at the Norman architecture that spread out before him. He had last been here in 1098 when the work had been going on for a few years. It had only been foundations and a few walls by then but the potential for beauty has not been lost on him.
Despite the fact their wrist guns made no sound Tom and the Brigadier were taking no chances. Using parked cars for cover Tom followed the pathway round to where they had been eating only half an hour ago. The bin and bench were still smouldering and a half eaten cheese pasty lay on the ground where it had been dropped.
‘With me Doctor,’ the brigadier said as he moved off, Tom covering them as they headed towards his position. The closer they came to the pathway, heading down to the river, the louder and more distinctive the explosions of energy weapons became and the more insistent the beeping became from their wrists. ‘If they have the same kit as we do then hopefully they wont be able to distinguish between beeping from those in front and those behind them.’ The Brigadier checked his arc of fire for any combatants then turned back to the Doctor. ‘Anyway…you were saying Doctor?’ the Brigadier asked as they moved off towards the river.
‘Saying? Ah yes, the queen… she seemed convinced that the war game was above board… I mean why get me involved if it wasn’t… unless.’ They could now clearly see the pulse of the wrist guns as the Rutans fired at the small house below them. Counting the blasts Tom held up three fingers and pointed towards a hilly outcrop where most of the fire, from the house had been aimed at. The Brigadier nodded and using hand signals motioned Tom to head towards the left of the outcrop and flush them out. Pushing the communicator button the Brigadier whispered into his wrist gun.
‘We’re coming in behind the Rutans so concentrate your fire in front of them to keep their heads down.’
‘Roger that,’ came an equally quiet voice. The Brigadier turned back to the Doctor who was lying prone behind him.
‘Unless what Doctor? She wanted you dead too, or was the queen an impostor?’ The Brigadier asked as he lined up his wrist gun to the right of the outcrop.
‘Oh… yes… you’re right.’ Incomprehension spread across the Brigadier’s face as Tom opened up on the Rutan’s position.
‘I am… well… about what?’ Three Rutans came running out of the right hand side of the outcrop, laying down a devastating rate of fire towards Tom’s position. Firing on the move they made sure they kept themselves between the rocky terrain and the small house. Unfortunately for them they weren’t careful enough to protect themselves from the Brigadier’s deadly burst of energy. All three went down within seconds of each other as the Brigadier caught them in the open. Slowly the Brigadier advanced on their position, only to be thrown back as the Rutans wrist guns exploded, obliterating everything around them. Immediately the beeping sound disappeared as the Rutans died.
‘About the queen,’ the Doctor continued. ‘It wasn’t the queen that I saw in the clearing… I mean why should it have been. As far as I knew it could have been anyone pretending to be the queen. I mean no self-respecting queen would leave her hive now would she.’ The Brigadier waved his hand towards the small house, the brick now blackened and burned from the energy weapons.
‘Then if it wasn’t the queen you saw then who was it?’ The Brigadier looked towards Tom’s position and flipping on the communicator button spoke. ‘You can come out now Tom, an excellent job.’ The Doctor looked across at the small house and noticed two figures walking from the building and wondered, in the back of his mind, where the third one was.
‘Who would want the war between the Rutans and the Sontarans to continue and… more to the point… who would want me in the middle of it getting shot at?’
The Brigadier walked towards Tom’s position wondering why he hadn’t joined them when a small explosion erupted stopping him in his tracks.
‘There’s only one person that I can think of that would want me dead and be able to set the Rutans and Sontarans against each other, causing the destruction of the Earth.’
Looking across at the Brigadier the Doctor noticed a sadness cross his face as realisation of what the explosion meant washed over him. Two UNIT soldiers came up the bank to join them and they too looked as if the sadness of a lifetime hung heavy on their shoulders.
‘So…’ the Brigadier said, his voice sounding dry as he spoke. ‘We’ve lost two of our team?’ The Doctor nodded looking at the ground in sadness. In his mind he could hear the insane laughter tearing through his memories. The drumbeat had returned.
The Master of Wars 5/7