"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.
And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."
Friedrich Nietzsche
Torchwood Three; Cardiff, Wales
Friday, January 1, 2021
Four days since they lost one person and gained another. Jack could only imagine the tragedy was one more aspect of Other Keara's manipulations. Atmore, Dawn and Dawn's death had an ironic effect on Gwen and Rhys' relationship. The months Dawn was with them had a profound affect on all them, particularly John. Michael's addition to their extended family was an unknown. He'd spent to much time trying to puzzle out the point of obvious changes. It did little more than support his previous conclusion that the time-traveling psychic was insane.
The door to the conference room opened and Gwen entered followed by Ianto. Gwen carried coffee mugs. Ianto had Michael in a sling and carried a diaper bag. Dmitri, Ken and Ianto were taking shifts. Caring for the baby was a quiet way of handling the grief.
"I need to take Rhys home if possible." Gwen set the mugs on the table.
"Is John here?" One more confusing change Other Keara caused, Jack thought. After everything, John had redeemed himself.
Gwen sat. "He's in Ianto's office with the kids. He's teaching Trefor Backgammon."
"That won't last." Ianto unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat.
Jack set a hand on Ianto's leg. "Trefor has to know how to play before he can win."
Ianto eyed him. "You don't understand. You can still win at checkers and chess."
"The general said he'd send more strategy games for Trefor's birthday. He doesn't understand why I suggested computer versions." Gwen shook her head. "He said no one will play board games with Trefor in a few years."
The ridiculous conversation was comforting. Unlike Christmas, they had no illusions about New Years Eve. They came in with overnight bags. One of the new rooms Rhys furnished a week ago had been designated a nursery for the kids and had a single bed for whoever was staying with them. Ken was sleeping there. Dmitri was sleeping in the upstairs office. John had a bedroll in Ianto's office. With no one wanting to enter the infirmary, they were short on space.
"Connie Ryan sent an update on Andy." Ianto checked his tablet. "His psychiatrist doesn't think the nightmares are PTSD."
"That's good." Gwen nodded. "Any update on finding Connie's stalker?"
"No. The case wasn't being actively investigated until Beddoe. The investigator has spoken to Interpol and the FBI. The psyche assessment is bizarre," Ianto explained. "I made arrangements with DCI Harpham for another opinion. She was cleared for limited duty. And may have an idea if it's a Torchwood case."
Jack received a message from Lacene about it. Miriam had been with him at the London sleep center when they found the Scotland Yard detective in a cell. Lacene wanted him to notify Miriam as a type of thank you.
"Could it be an early Gordon-Glen victim? Dr. Palfreyman's psyche records are…" Gwen shook her head. "After three psychiatrists examined her, they agreed to pencil in schizophrenic. The retrovirus rewired her brain."
That was another puzzle. Neither Luc nor Malcolm had any idea why the dreamfish drug or retrovirus targeted people differently. Malcolm said it should target the same DNA or cell or specific part of the body. Different results should be based on genetic differences. He and John agreed a disease or alien should have a set biological target. Comments Dmitri made about alchemy might explain it, but he wasn't able to review the case notes; he was barely coping with being unable to save Dawn.
"I doubt it." Ianto hesitated. "The stalker has to function. Dr. Palfreyman doesn't. Her journals are insane. She was functional enough to target her victims, but I don't think she was capable of of choosing them."
Which meant she couldn't reproduce the drug. Jack wondered that himself but hadn't had time to review her writing.
"Another crazy whistle-blower?"
Jack shared Gwen's skepticism. Something else had to be going on.
"Liverpool reopened the investigation into Cort Tray's death. I spoke to the DC reviewing the case." Ianto's mobile alarm sounded. He checked the time. "I need to feed Michael in a few minutes."
Gwen waited until Ianto stepped out. "That child doesn't cry enough."
"Dmitri says Michael's healthy."
"Dmitri knows nothing about babies. Like Ken and Ianto, he's got bottles and diapers figured out." She shook her head. "Babies have no way of saying what's wrong. So they cry. The type of cry explains some. Cold, warm, hungry. Constant attention and the alarms set for feeding could explain some of it."
"Ideas?"
"No." Gwen set her mug on the table. "Rhys is having a really hard time. When Owen died, mourning added to the guilt. I couldn't explain to Rhys why a co-worker's death was that painful." She sighed. "Rhys' situation is so much more complicated. Atmore, the baby."
"Do you want me to talk to him?"
"At some point. Right now I need to take him home, Jack. Anwen made a big deal about staying here. Rhys isn't thinking clearly enough to realize why."
"How are you holding up?"
"I don't know." Gwen stood.
"If you need help with Rhys or the kids, ask."
Ianto returned giving Michael a bottle as Gwen left. "We're low on formula." He sounded amused. "Ken and Dmitri are sleeping. You or John need to run to the store."
Torchwood Four; Dublin, Ireland
General Trefor Williams decided people were dumb no matter what year or country. They had eight fake alien calls overnight. It was likely some of the groups coordinated their efforts. Near one of the calls was a tourist party. Nothing said stupid like vacationing in another country, getting dangerously drunk and insulting the local culture to the responding police officers. Whatever drugs they were passing out resulted in two outdoor streakers after midnight.
With the drug insanity in Cardiff, he needed to keep an eye on it. The Garda promised a copy of the blood work after he helped catch one of the naked idiots. Liam would make phone calls later. He knew people that could get party drugs. As their goal was to keep people from dying, he hoped the local party scene would cooperate with Torchwood checking the local drug supply.
He stepped into his room to change his clothes. Until he knew the insanity had died down for sure, a shower would have to wait. The door opened as he was changing his shirt. Liam hesitated. The general wasn't sure what to expect. Liam had been acting strange since Christmas with his family.
"Social media is reporting a bad batch of Ecstasy. If it's CN, it's weak. No deaths yet."
Shit. "Do you know which hospital or hospitals?"
"Yeah. I sent messages to anyone I could see was online. I have details on several victims. I also posted messages about a dangerous drug that could be mistook for magic mushrooms."
"What happened?"
"A friend and a couple guys I know think I've lost it. One accused me of finding religion." Liam groaned.
"Are you okay?"
"Life was easier before I met you."
That was honest at least. Liam keep his eyes on the floor as the general crossed the room. He'd hope for an explanation. Families were complicated. Whatever happened at the Doughtery Christmas was more complicated than adults not wanting to take the time to play board games with a small child.
"Tell me. Please."
"My grandmother is playing mind games."
After a lifetime connected to British and Irish intelligence, that wasn't surprising. "How?"
"Dad invited me for Christmas to apologize. I wanted to believe it was legit." Liam closed his eyes. "I told my grandmother I cared about you. She already knew."
None of that was surprising nor explained Liam's behavior. "And?"
"The day I met Nessa, I was running errands for my grandmother." Liam shook his head. "Have you ever realized something about someone? Just suddenly understood." He paused. "My father called because my grandmother told him to. Everything she told me about you and your father and whatever. She wasn't worried. She was testing me."
"What did she ask you to do?"
"Meet with a friend of her last husband. He has some questions about Torchwood." Liam looked up and met the general's eyes. "If I didn't tell you, she'd have me spying on you. Now that I have, you'll never trust me again."
The general offered his hand, and after a moment Liam accepted. "Your grandmother mentioned the 456."
Liam nodded.
"The British government, at least, agreed to turn over an insane number of children. The leaders of course concluded they would hand over other people's kids. Jack got in the way. It wasn't the first time the alien or aliens demanded kids and it wouldn't be the last. Rather than let Jack deal with the aliens, the government decided to take out the Cardiff Torchwood facility and everyone in it. Jack got everyone out and was seriously injured in the explosion that leveled the hub. Despite everything, my parents saved those kids."
"I know," Liam said quietly.
The general squeezed Liam's hand. "Working for Torchwood isn't easy. The motivation is different than a government. There is no god or country involved. Our job is to protect the world and save as many lives as we can."