A/N: Okay, so it feels like forever since I updated this. Hope you enjoy!
General Ash Sanders lead Rose and John back onto the ship. The room was deep within the ship's bowls, and John noted that it would be suicidal to make an attempt at escape. Though the General was acting friendly, anyone who knew Matt could not be trusted. Period.
"No need to act so tense. I won't bite." Sanders joked. "Not that I can blame you. I don't think you'd be surprised to hear me say that there is another reason for arriving when I did. But I mean what I said, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk."
"It's not like you've given us much choice." Rose retorted.
"I understand, but it's protocol." Sanders shrugged.
"Well, care to tell us why we're really here?" John asked, tense as ever.
"...A few days ago, Terrae's Central Command Center was alerted to an alarming surge of unidentifiable power. At first, we though it was radiation, that perhaps an old nuclear research plant had been attacked. But when we tried to pinpoint it, we found that it wasn't radiation. And it was located near Bad Wolf."
"I see." John said. He knew where this was going.
"Terrae?" Rose asked, a bit lost.
"It's the name of this country." He explained. He probably should've told her the name of this country sooner. Oh well.
"Yes, and of course I contacted Matt as soon as I saw where the surge took place. He didn't know anything at first, but later that day, right after I set out, he called back saying some strange people appeared. As you can imagine, that lead to several discussions that could've come right out of a science fiction novel. Of course, we probably weren't that far off, am I right?"
"I learned a while ago that the craziest things can turn out to be true." Rose said.
"And now, if I may ask a question." Sanders started. "I may not know where you're from, and I may never know, but do you know what nuclear weapons are? I'm only asking out of curiosity, you don't have to answer."
"Trust me, we know what they are." Rose said.
"If I remember correctly, your people never got far with nuclear research, and when the war finally ended you had no reason to continue it. Why are you asking about it all of a sudden?" John questioned.
"Yes, thats true. We don't plan on creating those types of weapons. We already know how bad war can be, the last thing any of us want to do is create something that could start another war."
"And yet I have a hard time believing you were just asking out of curiosity." John retorted.
"You're half right. But I mean what I said when we don't want to create them. Out of all the countries all over the world, our country Terrae has the most rebels who are constantly trying to start another war. They were always trying to steal our research on nuclear weapons. They've stolen a lot of information on the subject over the years. Though we never got far, compared to the other countries at the time, we were the most successful with said research. Couple that with our extreme amount of rebels..."
"It's a bad situation that can only get worse." Rose said.
"Yes, exactly. We doubt they've made much progress, if any. They have to keep moving so setting up a research facility would be impossible." He didn't seem very confident in that statement. "I understand that you may not trust me, because I'm close friends with Matt. I can tell you right now I've never trusted him fully, even though we've been through a lot together."
"And if we believe that to be true...?" John questioned.
"Please, for the sake of the planet, if you have any information to give us about nuclear weapons, tell me. If the Rebels are ever to create them, we deserve to know what we're up against. Matt and I both know that I won't tell him anything if you do know about such weapons."
John and Rose looked at each other. John could tell the man meant well, and God forbid if the Rebels actually got ahold of some, he couldn't stand by and watch the people of this planet blow themselves up. Rose was having similar thoughts, but she had more concern for Amy and Rory.
"What if we tell you a bit of what we know? Can we assure your assistance in taking back Amy and Rory?" She asked.
"Of course. Believe me, no one wants people from another world, or wherever your from, in the hands of humanity's greatest enemy." Sanders assured. Rose glanced at John before continuing.
"I won't tell you how to make them—"
"Of course, of course. We just want to be prepared for the worst possibility." Sanders assured.
"There were two world wars. Both only lasted a few years. WWII was from 1939-1944 and nuclear weapons ended the war. They were never used again, but it didn't stop nearly all of the countries from making them anyway. Or creating more powerful ones."
Sanders nodded for her to continue.
"Well, first, how much do you know about radioactivity?"
"We know it can burn people and poison them, but I have a feeling there's far more to it. What research we did do still isn't very insightful." Sanders said.
" Two atomic bombs were dropped, decimated anything under the area where it went off. Everything and everyone were decimated. The survivors were burned severely, and some only lived a few days. Radiation poisoned the land, the victims, the people that came to help..."
"...So it's worse than we originally thought." Sanders said.
"I think I can speak for the both of us when I say we'd be more than willing to help prevent this from happening if we can, so long as you agree to help us get Amy and Rory back." John added. He knew they couldn't stay... but if these people were on the verge of a nuclear war, they couldn't just let it happen.
"...Of course. But it won't be easy. If any big attack is made on the Rebels, it could ignite another war. We can't risk that for just two people."
"Well, what can you do to get them back?"
***With The Rebels***
Amy and Rory sat side by side on flimsy metal chairs. Across from them sat the leader of the Rebels, or so they assumed.
"So, want to tell me how you got here?" He asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Amy said that as confidently as she could.
"Don't play games with me. It won't end well for you." The man warned cooly. "So, let's try this again. How did you come here?"
"We... aren't exactly sure how we arrived here either..." Rory answered.
"Oh really now?"
"How did you find out we weren't from here? I doubt people just drop out of the sky every day." Amy asked a little boldly.
"Heheh, now why would I tell you that?" He smiled. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised by your reactions. Perhaps if I can explain our situation, you'll be more corporative."
Amy and Rory practically rolled their eyes.
"As you might know, we've been at war for nearly a century. Most forgot the reason why over time, but we have not." He began walking slowly around the pair. "We have not forgotten the crimes the people of Terrae, what the world did to us. The war might be over, but we will continue fighting."
"But don't you want peace?" Rory asked. "I'm sure too many people died needlessly already. Why add to the body count?"
"You don't honestly think it's that simple?" He asked in a condensing tone.
"Why are you even getting us involved?" Amy asked, getting more annoyed and less terrified by the second.
"Details, details." He waved off. "I will have plenty of time to explain everything to you. It's not like you're going to be rescued anytime soon."
"As soon as our friends realize we're missing, they'll come looking for us no doubt." Amy said confidently. Any former companions of the Doctor would be able to do as much, and they sure as hell wouldn't give up.
"Your confidence in them is admirable, but misplaced." He told the two. "Do you know for how many years the government has been trying to track us down? You won't be leaving here for a long, long while."
"You don't know them. They will find us." Amy said with no hint of hesitation. She had her complete and utter faith in Rose and John. As did Rory.
"Heh, cute." He rolled his eyes. "But do you think you're the only ones getting outside help?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rory asked, a little worried about what the answer might be.
"Well, that's for me to know and you to find out." He smirked. "Why don't you wait here? I have some business to take care of." He began to walk away.
"I don't think we have a choice." Amy muttered under her breath. The man still heard her, and chuckled quietly as he left.
***Bad Wolf***
"Are you sure it's worth the risk?" Matt asked.
He paced back and forth in his bedroom while he was on a critical phone call with a Rebel. Matt was practically yanking the cord out of the wall as he got tangled up in the phone chord. Though pacing around the messy floor was not the smartest move in hindsight, he'd been on edge for a while now and couldn't risk the wrong person hearing anything at such a critical moment in the plan.
"Of course the risk is worth it! And if it all goes wrong, there are dozens of countries we could hide out in. I'm sure several people wouldn't mind hiding Rebels. War has practically been infused into our DNA over the generations. A lot of people would love to go back to the good ol' days. Relive some of the war stories they grew up hearing about. Make their family proud and prove this generation is just as capable like their parents, and grandparents and their grandparents!"
"Alright, alright. Don't need to hear any more war stories. I've heard enough of them as a kid, and I sure as hell don't want to hear any more now." Matt rubbed his head.
He really was getting too old for this. But they were so close, now more than ever. He'd be damned if he just gave up now. He still had a handful of years left.
"I need to go now. Stick with the plan and we should be reveling in a new World's War in no time!" The man on the other ended shouted with pride.
"For Worldwide Warfare." Matt said.
"For Worldwide Warfare!" The other shouted enthusiastically. Matt hung up the phone with a soft click.
Matt walked over to a chair and pushed some books and loose papers off it onto the floor. Sitting down with a grunt, he grabbed a notebook from a small table on his right. The end table was the only thing that was clean in the room, and also held a lamp, the only light source in the bedroom. He casually flipped through encoded messages, silently reading off the names of contacts, their country of residence and phone numbers. Finding the number he was looking for, Matt took the notebook in one hand while he got up again and headed to the phone. Before he could pick it up to dial the call, it started to ring. Matt raised and eyebrow, but picked it up after the first ring.
"Hello?" Matt answered politely, masking his current annoyance well.
"Ah, hello Matt!" General Sanders said far too cheerily from the other end of the line.
"So, you're in a good mood. They know something, then?" Matt questioned.
"Cutting to the chase? No time for a friendly chitchat, Matty?"
"Shut the hell up. Jesus Ash, just tell me already." Matt groaned in annoyance.
"Well, it's sounds far worse than we thought. Though I suppose that's good news for you." The General finally got serious. "You people have no idea what you're getting into."
"...You're too paranoid. There's still a good chance we won't get anything out of it." Matt reminded.
"It doesn't matter if there's a 99% chance of it not working. If there is even a slight chance of something going right, we have to make sure nothing ever comes of it."
Matt didn't say anything for a minute.
"So, what are the side effects of nuclear weapons? Aside from us fighting again."
"Land, air, sea, people...nothing would be safe. It'd all be poisoned, radioactive."
"Don't you think that's exaggerating a bit, Ash? I mean sure, I guess the targets would become unlivable, but everything? We want war, not the death of humanity." Matt scoffed.
"...I wouldn't be so sure."
"Not sure about what? The weapons, or the death of humanity?"
"Both...neither? Dammit, I can never tell with you people!" The General shouted.
"You've been in the cushy cities for too long. You've forgotten that there are good people here, with families." Matt reminded coldly.
"I haven't forgotten, I just..."
"Forget about it. You're probably just buying into the government's propaganda."
"It's not propaganda." Sanders said.
"You can't even lie about it! Ha! If it's not like I said it is, then why do they make the Rebels out to be monsters, the sympathizers to be backstabbers, the refugees like dumb animal that can't fend for themselves?"
"...I don't have time for this. I can't risk getting caught." Sanders hesitated a minute. "Goodbye, old friend."
"Don't say it like we won't talk again... See ya', General." Matt teased.
***With Rose And John***
"I still don't like this. Did you get a chance to look up anything on the government? Or the military?" Rose asked, now that they were alone.
"I just looked at history, so there wasn't much on modern times. But for now, we should trust them..." John answered.
"We should also search for that alien. Wouldn't do any good to leave it here." Rose said.
"Oh, yes, you're right! I almost forgot about him!" John exclaimed. "I'm surprised we haven't heard anything about it. I doubt he could stay hidden for long. Should be able to track, at least."
"I wonder why it was attacking TORCHWOOD? How did it even get in their?" Rose asked herself.
"Well, if it's a species alive only in our world, then there's no way I'd know, but..." John trailed off as he seemed to realize something. "It...does seem familiar, some how. Maybe it reminds me of one I already know about...?"
"Well, now that you don't have you big Time Lord brain, you just can't remember." Rose teased. John rolled his eyes.
"Now that I think about it, didn't it's actions seem...planned to you? Like it knew exactly what it was doing?" John pondered.
"Aliens have advanced technology, I'm sure it was smart enough to recognize what everything was." Rose thought a moment. "Then again, it couldn't have know where everything was since there's no way it had been in there before. Though it looked like it was mindlessly destroying everything."
"Maybe it just wanted us to think of it as a mindless, destructive creature. Of course, we could just be letting our imaginations wander. If it really knew what it was doing, it would've know that we'd be taken here. It would've had to have know about other worlds, or at least this one."
"Is it really to outrageous to assume there are other civilizations out there that can travel to other worlds?" Rose asked intrigued.
"Aside from Time Lords, there aren't many capable of discovering anything like that. Well, except TORCHWOOD, I suppose."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, I can't even think of a reason as to why it'd do that." Rose concluded.
"It'd be so much easier to figure it out if I could learn of its species. But we have to worry about Amy and Rory first."
Before they could say anything else, the General was opening the door and entering.
"Sorry for the wait, had to make a few arrangements. But now we're all set to prepare a scouting party to look for your friends. You may accompany, of course." He started to leave with Rose and John trailing behind him.
"We've got a map of the general area from here to the nearest towns, and cross referencing it with the places the Rebles have been before, we'll be able to determine where they aren't, and maybe where they've been taken." The General explained.
"Great! When do we leave?" John asked.
"A few minutes, maybe. We just need to brief you on basic procedure, and then we'll leave." Sanders gestured to a jeep as thy made teir way above deck.
the jeep in question looked like the onesused in WWII, except with different symbols painted on it. Rose only recognized the word Terrae.
"Just so you know, you're going to treated as civilians on this trip. So don't go running off or anything. Let us know if you think you found something, kay?" Sanders said.
"We're not helpless or anything, you know." Rose said.
"Yes, but you are from God know where, and to be perfectly honest, I'm trying to keep my men level headed." He explained.
"Well, I suppose someone from another world could be unsettling to some." John remarked.
"It's not just that, there are rumors going around about some unknown weapon the Rebels have." The General sighed. "Most of the rumors are unfounded or exaggerated, but it's a bit disturbing to hear how close to the truth some of them are. Keep in mind, they haven't seen a real war. They're on edge."
"Considering how much war has affected this planet, I can understand." John said.
"Are they afraid of fighting?" Rose asked.
"...Most are, but not for the reason you'd think. They know that fighting could destroy the peace the world has tried to keep these past 50 or so years. The one that want to fight...are the ones that are truly terrified. I'm sure you've heard the exression of cornered animals being the most vicious."
The two nodded in understanding. The rest of the trip was filled with thoughtful silence, as Rose and John glanced around at the faces of the soldiers. They glanced at eachother, knowing what the other was thinking,mand they both agreed.
They'd help these people, this planet before they even thought of going back home. Bit first things first, they needed to rescue Amy and Rory.
They wondered... would those two also choose to stay here and help?
A/N: Thanks for your patience, I know it takes awhile for this to update.