Torchwood Three; Cardiff, Wales

Monday, January 25, 2021

Jack Harkness entered Ianto's office. The morning had already been a frustrating mix of politics and mundane complications with Prime Minister Bransom and Parliament discussing rebuilding the Institute again. The approached changed. Bransom decided his past experience with Torchwood qualified him to manage it. She added ideas for creating jobs in London and showing the world Great Britain's accomplishments.

"Have you seen the news?" Ianto looked exasperated.

"No. Why?"

He held out a tablet as Jack crossed the room. "A new European news outlet did an expose on the American ex-pat working with the British to save the world."

Jack accepted it and continued around the desk. "That fits with what the PM said this morning."

"No. It references the government ordered attack on the hub."

Jack sat on the edge of the desk and read the article. It didn't long to realize the journalist had inside information. The differences between what actually happened and the new account were impressive. The government supposedly killed his grandson Stephen during the conflict over complying with the 456's demand for children. Alice, Ianto and the Williamses went into hiding for their own safety. A funeral was held for Ianto to protect his sister and her family. After ten years, and significant changes in government, Torchwood rebuilt the Cardiff office with magic-like technology. When the threat from the government lessened, Ianto returned from hiding still haunted by the 456 situation.

"An alien attack on the planet rewritten as a tragic love-story," Ianto shook his head. "The journalist has read too many historical romances."

"The Kearas did this. It cleans up loose ends. With this distributed, no one with contradicting information will be taken seriously."

"After seeing that, I looked for other articles. There is a similar one about Rex during Miracle Day without naming him. The theme is the same. A CIA agent risked everything to do what had to be done. He took on the establishment that committed crimes against the American people. His woman was killed gruesomely in retaliation. In short, he's Jack Bauer."

Jack smiled. "He'll call Gwen and demand answers."

A computer notification chimed. Ianto checked it, and the humor drained from his face. "Jack. A bomb threat in Antwerp resulted in the discovery of aerosol dispersal units."

Jack quickly found his mobile. "I need as much information about that location as you can find. Call Luc and get drones in the air."

Ianto checked his watch. "I need to call Dublin. Kailen and Luc may have school."

Jack slid off the desk as he dialed Gwen's number. She spent more time working with law enforcement than any of them. They needed details. He realized as it rang that he probably needed a translator. That meant Dmitri needed to go with him to Belgium. More reason for Gwen to stay in Cardiff and coordinate with law enforcement. She would not be happy.


Amour Bonheur Léger; Antwerp, Belgium

By the time Jack Harkness arrived by portal device with Dmitri, the situation had exploded on the Internet. He suspected the local police attempted to control information to avoid a media circus. A bomb threat against a building containing possible bioweapon dispersal devices suggested a whistle-blower. When the local police didn't react the way the caller intended, he or she provided details to the media. Or a second whistle-blower leaked the information.

An international charity owned and operated the building. An attempt to conceal the situation didn't mean they were guilty. If it was set-up, as the nonprofit already claimed, they were well-established and could pull strings. Alternatively, the known corporations, including Gordon-Glen, had government and law enforcement connections. Figuring out what type of connections was one of many problems.

"Belgium's primary language is Dutch. Half the population speaks Dutch. I don't." Dmitri sounded nervous. "French is the other major language. I can speak it fluently and can translate."

Gwen's local contact offered to send information ahead. Inspecteur Principal Celestine Sault coordinated among the multiple, on-site specialist teams. The bomb unit waited on stand-bye. Chemical weapons experts assessed the situation. When those groups completed their duties, local and federal police would be able to start the investigation.

"Let me start with French, Jack. Even if the officer speaks Dutch, he or she should recognize it, and hopefully understand we're trying."

"Have you spoken French since you arrived?" Jack asked. Dmitri had somehow been transported forward seventy years. The language would have changed since 1948.

"Yes." He hesitated. "I date a woman, off and on, who's into French."

Jack laughed.

They stepped from an alley beyond the police barricade. Jack hoped one of the investigator spoke English. Brussels had extensive ties to European organizations and the EU. Despite Brexit, English was a major global language. Ideally, the locals wouldn't blame Torchwood for politics.

A young uniformed officer spotted them. He quickly said something over his radio. Since the alien spaceship over London, the 456 and Miracle Day, more and more people knew about Torchwood. Reactions varied. Jack didn't have a lot of experience with Belgium law enforcement.

When a chief inspector approached, he recognized the two white crowns and blue insignia stripes indicating local police. She eyed them both and wrinkled her nose. Her distaste didn't require translation.

Dmitri spoke in careful French. "Chief Inspector, I am Dr. Petrescu. This is Captain Jack Harkness. We're from Torchwood."

"I am Celestine Sault," she replied in French. "Why are you here?"

"We received information tentatively connecting this company to a biological weapons investigation."

"What information?"

Dmitri translated.

Jack explained the reported canisters. While few details about Noble Industries leaked to the media, it was known that Torchwood destroyed an entire building to contain a biological weapons threat. He added there was a known connection between the bioweapon and illegal medical experimentation on children. If the unit or units found in the charity building were the same technology, it connected Amour Bonheur Leger to an active Torchwood case.

"Is there a connection between the UK company and Belgium, Capitaine?" Sault asked in English.

"We don't know."

She nodded. "The canisters' temperature setting and controls were altered."

That fit with what Jack suspected. A whistle-blower exposed the charity to save lives not endanger them. "If it's the same as Noble, the weapon has unusual properties. Changing the settings might not destroy it."

"Our weapon's expert disagrees."

"It's a bioengineered virus, Inspecteur Principal Sault," Dmitri injected. "Normal viruses are complicated. The one from Noble Industries has no possible vaccine nor antidote. Exposure is contagious. The bodies of the dead have to be burned to prevent further exposure. It's unknown how long the virus can survive without a living host." He paused. "It's not worth the risk, ma'am. We need to determine if it's the same contagion as soon as possible."

"Then what?" She asked. "Do you want to destroy the building?"

"If it's the bioweapon, and it hasn't been disabled, it could cause permanent injury or death to a significant portion of this community's population," Dmitri said. "The building is not worth the lives of your friends and neighbors."

"You have a way with French-speaking women," Jack said as Sault walked away.

Dmitri groaned. "At least they're not psychotic, homicidal, and out to destroy part or all of the world."

Jack laughed. "Ianto's sane."

"No, he's not. He's dating you." Dmitri smiled.


Torchwood Three; Cardiff, Wales

Mondays even at Torchwood could try the patience of a saint. Ianto Jones had Michael and was trying to research Amour Bonheur Leger. The baby slept quietly while Gwen stalking around his office. When she stopped across from his desk, Ianto looked up.

"Who gave the reporters my mobile number?" Gwen asked, exasperated.

Someone with a death wish. "I don't know."

"The Nova Scotia location has been leaked to the press. The RCMP is citing national security in response to information requests." Gwen sat.

"The Kearas wouldn't do that."

"Who else knows? Luc's cousins. RCMP."

Ianto remembered the most recent Nova Scotia problem. "Luc and Eryn were attacked by a biomech a few days ago."

"The Azrael situation." Gwen ran a hand over her face. "The angel of death or Gargamel's cat."

"Jack suspects Azrael is connected to future Aman's network. The biomechs potentially link to the men who attacked Aman and Kailen's wedding." They targeted Aman because of a bizarre South American prophecy they'd been unable to track. A puzzle by itself considering Nigeria and Bashiri Oliveira assisted.

Gwen stared at the desk for a moment. "What does publicizing the Canadian location accomplish?"

"Exposing Luc's robotics?" Ianto doubted it.

"No." She shook her head. "When the world governments realizes there's a satellite network and an unknown space station in orbit, no one will be looking at teenagers in Nova Scotia."