Chapter Nine

River stepped back into the room, looking around for the others. The Doctor had seated himself at a computer and was working intently with Donna leaning against a desk behind him, looking utterly bored. River walked up and stood beside her, scanning the room for Jack.
"Where's the pretty boy?" she paused, "well, the other one." Donna nodded across the room to where Jack was on the phone, pacing rapidly near the entrance. "Who is he talking to?" River asked.
"He keeps getting calls from across town, the aliens are beginning to disturb the citizens and he doesn't have enough team members to control the crowds." Donna explained. She leaned back, watching River carefully. "How'd it go?" River shrugged.
"I think we've worked it out for now." she replied. The Doctor heard her and looked up, whirling around in his chair. His eyebrow arched sharply, a sign River knew, of his worry. His eyes flicked about the room, silently taking in Rose's absence.
"She's still in the kitchen. Don't worry, there wasn't a catfight." River commented dryly. She hoped, watching his reaction, that this wasn't just a silly jaunt of hers. She wondered if she hadn't already lost him before this had all began. She leaned over to look at the screen the Doctor had been working on.
"How did they all get here?"
"Maybe there's something pulling them here, like an energy or something." Donna suggested.

"Oh that is brilliant," The Doctor beamed at her. " but that means we're dealing with something much bigger than an infestation." he reminded them. "Much bigger." his eyes focused on Rose as she quietly stepped in.

"Wouldn't something of that scale would be picked up by our scanners? " Jack asked, joining them again.

"Depends on the wavelength and what your scanners are tuned to." the Doctor spun back around the the screen and began typing again. "Zeta radiation won't be discovered for several more centuries, not to mention the technology for universal telepathic wavelengths. " Jack looked offended.

"I like to think our technology is ahead of its time." he frowned. The Doctor nodded, still focused.

"It is, not just far enough." he looked back up. "I can hook up the TARDIS to search the telepathic range and upgrade your system to search for more radiation and energy signals." Jack nodded just as his phone rang again. He rolled his eyes and stepped away to answer it, he came back after several minutes his jaw set.

"Alright, heres the deal." He turned to River. "I'm giving you the Westside, there are reports of more Thereleans wreaking havoc and I need someone to control the area. Take Rose with you for back up," he picked up a radio and tossed it to her. "I'm heading across town to take care of some extra weevils," he handed a radio to Donna. "You take care of that, listen in case we need you." He picked up his jacket and swung it on. "You're the only one that can work the TARDIS, you stay here and find the source of all this. Let us know if you find anything." he said to the Doctor. The Doctor nodded, frowning slightly. He didn't like them going out without him, or of letting Rose out of his sight for so long. He knew though, that she'd be more helpful on the field and unwillingly conceded to Jack's plan. Jack gave him a salute and he saluted back, feeling ill at ease.

"Be careful." he warned. The girls nodded at him and Jack winked as they disappeared through the door. He turned to Donna and raised his eyebrows.

"Here we go."