Chapter 3.
A bright light blazed briefly in the Tourist Centre. Captain John Hart stepped out of it and around in dismay. Noting the door was shut and the sign turned to Closed, he walked back behind the counter, his fingers fumbling for the secret button. Shit! How come I landed up here? Damn manipulator must be a bit off. I wonder what Jacky wants that needs my special skills? Perhaps he wants me? A leering smile broke out on his face.
A blip from the computer caught his attention and he paused. Flicking a few keys on the keyboard, the CCTV came up and John drew in a long breath as he saw into the Hub. Standing in defence stances were Jack and his team, and striding over to them were two men. And what the hell is that blue box down there? Is that a police box? And how did it get there?
John gazed intently at the scene before him. Then he gasped and quickly tapped the keyboard, bringing the camera to close-up on one of the images. Prince Varnia. Fuck! You didn't tell me you were entertaining the most gorgeous man in the Universe, Jacky. I'd have put on my best outfit! Well … a cleaner one, anyway. Wait. He's probably a god! Bags him, Jacky! You've got tea boy!
Something about the scene unfolding before him made the Captain pause, his Time Agency skills coming into play. Hmmmm. Enough tension down there to power my ship. Perhaps I'll just assess the situation before making my grand entrance.
The Doctor paused in front of Jack, the seriousness of the situation apparent on his face. Prince Varnia stood silent beside him gazing steadily at Ianto, the look of pure longing naked on his face. Ianto's face flushed red and he ducked his head down to the floor in front of him, suddenly finding the view there quite riveting. He hoped no-one could hear his heart pounding in his chest.
Jack cast a hard glare at the Prince before glancing at his lover. Seeing Ianto's down-turned head, he smirked feeling a renewed confidence he hadn't realised had been shaky up until that moment. He didn't notice the rose blush on Ianto's cheeks or the way the Prince's gaze softened. Then he turned his eyes upon his friend and braced himself.
"Jack, we need to talk!" the Doctor began in a steely tone, "You, Ianto, Prince Varnia and myself."
"Not going to happen!" Jack replied harshly, "There's nothing to talk about!"
Prince Varnia turned sharply to glare at Jack, his gaze darkening and posture stiffening at his words. He looked as if he was about to say something, when the Doctor cut him off.
"Jack! I know this is a difficult situation, but it won't be resolved ignoring it! Prince Varnia and I have talked as I know you have done with Ianto. And your team. We have a greater chance of resolving this if the four of us just sit down and talk. You need to hear what Prince Varnia has to say. And so does Ianto."
"No!" insisted Jack, his eyes blazing in anger, "I've told you there's nothing to talk about! There is absolutely nothing that Prince Varnia has to say, that I want to hear!"
The Doctor's eyes darkened as he spoke through gritted teeth, "And you speak for Ianto? Does he have a choice in the matter, Jack? Because I can assure you, that neither Prince Varnia nor myself will be leaving here until we've had this meeting!"
Jack was stunned and stared at the Doctor in disbelief, as were his team, who had all stiffened at the implied threat behind his words.
Who the fuck does he think he is? Waltzing in here and lording it over us? And wanting to meet without ALL of us present? Bastard! Not going to happen. Owen alternated glaring between the Doctor and the Prince.
A strong, Welsh voice was heard, "Now just hold on a minute. We welcomed you and the Prince here as a team. Team Torchwood! We're all bloody involved in this situation, Doctor, not just Jack and Ianto! And we all agree with our Captain. There is no need for a meeting! Ianto is a team member and our friend. And we're not going to stand by and watch you intimidate him!"
All eyes had turned towards Gwen as she spoke and Jack cast a grateful smile at her. Couldn't have said that better myself. Thank you.
Gwen smiled back at him, then cast a sympathetic look at Ianto. We'll look after you, sweetheart. We won't let them bully you. We'll work this out together.
Emboldened by Gwen's outburst, Tosh spoke out, "We respect you, Doctor and expect that you respect us. How you can stand there and believe you have the right to dictate to us? We're behind our Captain in this matter and whatever he decides, is what will happen!"
Jack found a new depth of respect for Gwen and Tosh. Both of them had voiced what was actually true, but with such boldness and conviction, that pride swelled in his chest. He looked over at Owen and Ianto and saw that same respect and pride reflected in their eyes.
The Doctor just shook his head, a look of sadness and regret across his features. He looked straight into Jack's eyes and said just two words, "Shadow Proclamation."
"What?" gasped Jack in disbelief, his chest tightened, his fists clenched at his side.
"Prince Varnia contacted them, Jack", replied the Doctor, resuming his determined stance, "I couldn't stop him. I don't have the authority to do so. He's laid a complaint with them concerning 'alien interference' with his mission, citing Team Torchwood as the cause. I tried talking to them, Jack, but they wouldn't listen to me. The only concession they granted me was to have you agree to this meeting. Just the four of us. Within 24 earth hours. If not, they'll be coming in force to back up the Prince's claim. Oh, and the Shadow Proclamation's representative in your government has been appraised of the situation. We're to contact him after the meeting."
"What the fuck is he on about, Jack?", yelled Owen angrily, "Who the fuck are the Shadow Proclamation and what right do they have to dictate to us about one of our own? So what if the Prince went snivelling to them? Torchwood is beyond the government! And I'm pretty sure her Majesty will not be impressed with an alien coercing one of her subjects into a _ a _ well, whatever the hell you call it!"
The Doctor turned to Owen and answered, "The Shadow Proclamation is a galactic government concerned with upholding Galactic Law, as well as a set of rules governing it. There are over 300 member planets and over 1400 affiliated worlds in the Shadow Proclamation. Basically it is a special organisation set up like a protection agency. And the enforcers of these galactic laws are a race known as the Judoon. Back in your history, Earth representatives agreed to come join the Shadow Proclamation in return for their protection. From major alien threats. The kind that would either destroy your world or enforce slavery on all of your people. It gave Earth protection backed up by technology that won't be around here for centuries and it gave the Shadow Proclamation another inhabited planet as an ally."
"Is this true, Jack?" Gwen answered in a worried tone, seeing the look of devastation on Jack's face. Fingers of fear were beginning to form in her stomach and she wondered what the hell was going to happen.
Without looking at Gwen, Jack answered in a subdued tone, "Yes. And Torchwood is not beyond the Shadow Proclamation. By an agreement made by the original Torchwood Institute. I was there when their representatives came to Earth to offer their protection. I helped broker the deal."
"So what you're saying, Jack, is that this Shadow Proclamation does have power over us? Can force us to do whatever they say, even if it involves one of our own?" asked Tosh, feeling anger build up inside at the bully tactics being used on them.
"Yes, Tosh. That's exactly what I'm saying", replied Jack in a bitter voice, unable to look at any of his team … especially Ianto.
"So what the bloody hell can they do if we refuse to accept what they're telling us to do?" demanded Owen, "Come in here all guns blazing and take Ianto?"
Jack looked at Owen and answered bitterly, "Yes, Owen. If we don't accede to their demands within 24 hours, that's exactly what they'll do. The Shadow Proclamation will send the Judoon down in force. And we won't be able to stop them. Isn't that right, Doctor?"
The Time Lord nodded his head and looked grimly back at Jack. Waiting for his response to the meeting.
Ianto looked at his beloved Captain with horror. He was terrified of going into that meeting, but to refuse could bring devastating consequences down on them all. Possibly, for the world. Swallowing back all the fear that was flooding his body, Ianto spoke in a determined voice, "Jack! We have to do this. We don't have a choice."
"Ianto, I _" Jack replied in a quiet tone, his eyes pleading with the Welshman.
"But we set the conditions for the meeting, Jack!" Ianto continued forcefully, "That is, you set the conditions for this meeting."
Ianto's words and tone put the steel back into the Immortal's spine, his meaning clear to Jack. Ianto trusted him. Jack looked around at his team and saw that what Ianto had said had also strengthened them. They all trusted Jack.
Turning back to the Doctor, he said in a forceful tone, "Right. Conditions. Firstly, the four of us will hold this meeting up in the Boardroom and my team will monitor and record it through CCTV. Verification for the Shadow Proclamation. Second. Ianto will sit by me at all times and you and the Prince will sit opposite us at all times. Third. This is a meeting to discuss the situation, therefore there is to be no physical contact whatsoever, between Ianto and Prince Varnia. And lastly. You said that Ianto would not be forced do anything against his will? Then I expect Ianto's wishes to be adhered to. Are we clear?"
The Doctor and Prince Varnia nodded their agreement. "That's fine Jack" the Doctor answered, "By the way Ianto, are you an empath?"
Ianto shook his head vigorously, "No! Torchwood London tested me and I failed. Rather miserably."
"Are you sure, Ianto?" insisted the Doctor.
"Quite sure, Doctor", Ianto answered in a confident tone. Then turning to Jack he asked in a serious voice, "Shall I make the coffee now?"
Jack would have roared with laughter at Ianto's question, if the matter before them wasn't so serious. Biting back the urge, he just nodded and turned to the other two and said, "We'll head up to the Boardroom now. But we won't start the meeting properly until Ianto comes."
Then he led the way back up, his mind swirling with anxiety. Where the fuck is John? Why can't he be here now, when I need him? I needed to run this past him. Get him to help me think of a solution. I know I'm not going to be able to rely on the Doctor now. He won't go against the Shadow Proclamation.
Owen and Tosh moved quickly back to their seats, brought up the CCTV and watched as the three men entered the Boardroom and took their seats. Gwen headed towards the kitchen.
"I've set the recorder, guys, it's starting now", Tosh called out, "I'll minute this meeting guys" and she proceeded to open a Word document and reduce it to the corner of her screen.
Ianto had just poured the coffees, when Gwen quietly entered the kitchen and came up behind him.
He smiled and turned around, "Hey, Gwen. Thanks for speaking out for us. You were brilliant."
Gwen answered him gently, "Hey, sweetheart. You were brilliant too! And Tosh! Reckon we gave the Doctor something to think about."
"Pity it didn't do us any good, then. Never mind. We'll sort it out soon." With that last remark, Ianto loaded the mugs onto the tray and walked out of the kitchen.
Gwen watched Ianto go feeling just as despondent as he was. What is Jack going to do? How's he going to fix this? Poor Ianto. Just when he's found some happiness in his life, that bloody alien Prince has to come along and ruin it all. He may be the most gorgeous creature I'll ever lay eyes on, but he's come for the wrong man. He's not getting Ianto. He's not!
Making her way back to her computer, Gwen looked up in time to see the lift from the Plass coming down with Captain John Hart on it. Owen jumped up and joined Gwen in rushing over to greet the former Time Agent, but Tosh stayed where she was. She had to keep monitoring and Ianto was just entering the Boardroom. The meeting would begin any minute now.
As he neared them, he put a finger to his lips and spoke quietly, "I've seen and heard everything on the CCTV in the Tourist Centre. Thought I'd go back up on the Plass and come down this way. Your other entrance is just way to noisy for a secret organisation. You ought to do something about that."
Jumping lightly off the lift, he grinned at them both saying, "Don't look so downcast! Have faith in your Uncle John! I've got a plan! So where can we talk more privately while they're in their meeting?"
Rubbing his hands gleefully, he followed Gwen and Owen as they led him towards the Archives. He gave a quick wave and broad grin to Tosh, who smiled briefly at him, then returned her attention to the screen. He hoped that his manner encouraged them more than it did him, because he was scared shitless! The fucking Shadow Proclamation? Really, Jack? And that's your fucking Doctor that you get all starry-eyed about? Well. Now you know who your true friends are, don't you Jacky? And let's hope my plan works and doesn't get us all thrown on a prison planet, where there are no keys!