Whispers

By DaughteroftheStars

Year 2021, Torchwood, Precise Location Unknown-

'Status update,' the well dressed man requests, quietly but firmly.

The young scientist across from him adjusts her glasses and hugs a small stack of papers to her chest. 'Her vitals are perfect, sir- resting heart rates totalling fifteen beats per minute, blood pressure optimal, neural and synaptic activity reaching 130% above normal, just as always, and… and she's still unconscious, sir.'

'And that's good, Miss Mistlehunte. While she's unconscious we don't have to take action.'

'Yes, sir…' The young woman pauses in a quick hesitation. 'But sir, surely there must be another way to do it. The neutraliser's capacity will more kill her if and when we…'

'It's been the standard procedure since the beginning, Miss Mistlehunte,' the well dressed man says, crossing his arms resolutely. 'And unless you're claiming to be more clever than our research teams, then the neutraliser is the only way.'

'Forgive me, sir. I didn't mean to seem impertinent,' the young woman says submissively. 'It's just… I like her. She still gives me folded paper lanterns when she comes along with her mother or Mr Tyler to visit. I just can't help but think there must be another way.'

The well dressed man sighs. 'I agree that in this instance this isn't the most… publicly favourable option, Miss Mistlehunte. But I also would rather the universe remain intact for us. And if it takes the sacrificing one child and her parents to insure that it does, then I- and Torchwood- will be willing to make that sacrifice.'

The young woman nods dutifully and looks at the floor as his high-end dress shoes clack away from her.

'Keep Counter Defence informed,' he says as he walks away. 'And if it appears that she's waking, or if her vitals change in the least, then you're to activate the neutraliser without hesitation.' He stops at the door and turns around. 'Remember, young Miss- it's between the life of one child, and the life of everyone you've ever known. Yourself included.'

He leaves without another word.

The room now quiet and lonely, Miss Mistlehunte hugs the papers to her chest more tightly and turns back to the cryogenic chamber beside her, looking down at the frozen little girl inside it with a heavy sigh.

A phone rings a few moments later, startling Miss Mistlehunte out of her terrorized reverie, and she goes over to answer it.

'Research and Investigations,' she says after clearing her throat.

'Howdy, Valerie. It's Karen.'

'Oh. Hello, Karen. Need another supply of chrono-gel?'

'No, no; I'm good on that. But I do have another request for you. It's from the Tyler's.'

'We can't, Karen,' Valerie pleads. 'Mr Tyler has been put on a command bind until the "situation" has been dealt with.'

'Oh come on, Val. I know you better than that. You know this is wrong. They just want to see their gran'kid.'

Valerie bites her lip awkwardly. 'I know, but Mr Lucien was just in here, Karen. He's watching her very carefully. There's no way I can allow them in…' She lowers her voice fervently. ' You know wot he's capable of.'

'They just want to see her, Val. Just for a second.' Karen's voice becomes beseechingly quiet as well. 'Please. They know what's coming. They just want to say goodbye to her while they have the chance. '

Valerie looks back pitifully at Ellie's frozen body, which lies covered in a thin layer of frost inside the chamber.

'He's gon'to kill me if I do,' she says truthfully, not taking her eyes off of the chamber.

'I know. But at least I'll be going down right with you.'

Valerie gulps, but otherwise remains silent.

'And hey. Thanks, Val. You're a good person.'

Valerie's eyes dart to the ominous red button on the chamber side and sighs.

'Let's just hope it stays that way.'