A/N Here we go, and at least one more before Dragon Con, still in Beta. Please enjoy, read and review. Thanks for all the alerts, reviews and all in all support, especially those who have helped me talk out this story and my wonderful beta Orion.
The Doctor crept down the corridor of the pirates' ship, keeping one ear out. They had left the place locked but unguarded, not surprising really, at the moment they had no reason to suspect anything. He cursed himself briefly for a fool, having not dragged the captive into hiding, but they had both been too concerned with what was happening to Jack. Now he followed the young man's bio-signature toward what experience told him was the cargo hold.
The sonic screwdriver made short work of the door and the Doctor found himself in the cargo hold of what had obviously originated as a prison transit vessel. The cells were no retrofit; they were part of the structure. Inside the cells that he could see from the door were a variety of people of different planets. Obviously this wasn't their first stop either. As some of them moved toward the front, he saw the fear on their faces.
""s alright, I'm here to rescue you. Give me a minute," he announced to the hold at large, pitching his voice to carry. He hoped Jack would answer him but no such luck. He turned to the first cell and opened it. "Anyone injured?" he asked, looking at the little female Gloxien huddled back in the corner.
"She's had a bad time of it," someone called out from the cell across the walk. "I don't think anyone's too badly injured though, lowers the resale." The voice held some bitterness, for which the Doctor did not blame him. He left the door open and turned towards them. In the cell were three humanoids, the male who had addressed him and two females.
"Thanks. I'm going to open the doors, then we'll need some help. Also, I'm looking for my partner: male, humanoid, dark hair, 'bout my height?"
"He's down toward the end somewhere, saw them drag him past."
"Down here," a quiet female voice piped up.
"I'll have the rest of you free soon," he said, as he rushed down to where the voice was. Jack Harkness was chained to the back wall, wrists and ankles bound, and a gag for good measure. The Doctor could feel relief warring with rage at the treatment of the young man. He pushed his fury down as unhelpful for the moment and opened the cage. It was the work of second to have the gag free.
"Rose?" The first word out of Jack's mouth made the Doctor fill with pride at the young man he had once worried was not good enough.
"She's fine, lad, back raising the alarm," he said, as he knelt to undo the ankle restrains first.
"It's Zir, Doc, not sure…"
"Yeah, got that, which is why I need you to organise this lot, any that are willing and capable of mounting a defence. Once they know they've been caught, it could get ugly," he said, freeing the shackles from the wall before starting to loosen his feet.
"As soon as you get me free?" Jack said, his flirtatious nature undamaged by the situation.
Trying to keep both of you calm, more like, he thought, trying to work faster. "Not the right time to explore your bondage fantasies, Jack," he said, playing along.
"There's going to be a right time?" Jack said, sounding a little shocked as the chains came free.
"Could be, later," The Doctor said as he leaned close to release the younger man's arms. Jack pressed against him, his body seeking comfort that he couldn't voice. There was a fear there that ought to be explored later, the Doctor noted as he finished with the cuffs and reached for him. Just for a moment, they held each other. Then the younger man released him, ready to get back to it.
"Ok, Doctor, let's do this. Who here is up for a fight?" he called, his voice carrying as though over a parade ground. There was rattling and several voices called out. "OK, you," he said to the humanoid the Doctor had already freed, standing in the corridor.
"Tal," he identified himself. "This is Cana and Frial, my mates."
"Ok, I need a sentry out front to keep an eye on things while we get sorted and the Doctor gets the doors open."
"I will go, I am warrior caste," Frial said, her voice quiet but strong.
"Good, you know how to use one of these?" Jack said, pulling his hidden blaster out.
"I have no need," she said. Claws sprang free and Jack nodded approvingly.
"Alright then, Tal…"
"I'm an engineer, bet they have an armoury somewhere and I can get into it."
"Good, do it," Jack said, as more prisoners were freed and came to join him by the door. He noticed the other one, Cana, had already gone into the cell next to the door and was helping the Gloxien girl out. "Healer, medic?" he asked.
"Psycher, close enough. I have enough field training for this," she said without turning.
"Works. If you can't fight, help the Doctor with the unconscious. If there is an injury or trauma, shout for Cana. Understand?" There were nods from the group. "OK, I need two volunteers to check the rest of the ship. I don't trust these scum not to have some 'guests' squirreled away for personal pleasure," he said with distaste. "The rest, follow me. Doc, see you in hell," he said with a wink at the man who brought him here, now working his way down the line of cells. The Doctor met his look with a smile before turning back to the cell he was opening.
