Chapter 10 - Tribbles

Jack eased the Torchwood boat out of its mooring shed in Barry Harbour. Aidan was monitoring the craft as it arrived.

'It's getting closer but slowing down, so we know it must be some sort of craft, not a missile. I'm a bit puzzled by the size of it as it appears to be quite small. I suppose it could be interference but these monitors are usually pretty reliable. It should be breaking through the Earth's atmosphere any minute now.'

'OK everyone,' said Johnson, 'make sure you have your weapons ready just in case but we ask questions first and shoot only if we have to.'

'We should be able to see it soon,' yelled Aidan over the sound of the waves. The Channel was a bit choppy and the ship was rising and falling in the swell.

'There!' Aidan pointed west and arriving at some speed was a small, bluish object.

'You were right,' said Jack, 'it is only small but remember this doesn't mean it won't be any less dangerous. There could be anything in there. However, it does make it easier to pick up and isolate.'

The object ditched into the sea about two miles west of the boat. Jack revved the engine and they went after it. The object bobbed back to the surface and Aidan and Johnson prepared the nets. Ellie stood by with the isolation container. This was a bit of alien tech which could freeze anything into position but Aidan had managed to tweak it so they could use the tech to pick up and move the object without picking it up.

The object was about four feet square and so they netted it easily. Ellie turned on the containment field as the object was deposited on deck.

'Ready?' Jack questioned.

'Yeah, get off now and I'll let Gwen know that we have the object and they can let UNIT know what's happening,' Aidan replied

They arrived back in the Hub having unloaded the object which was now sitting the one of the cells. The containment field remained around the craft. Gwen, Aidan, Jack and Johnson stood looking at it.

'So do we wait for it to do something or try to get it open?' Johnson asked.

'I think for now we just leave it,' said Gwen. 'Is the artefact still flashing?'

'Yes it's still going but the colour has changed. It's now sort of green not orange.' Ellie was watching the artefact through bullet proof glass.

As they watched the side of the craft began to open. All got out their weapons and four guns pointed towards the opening door. It opened to reveal two small furry 'objects' which seemed to fall out of the craft and push at the containment field. They made short, high pitched noises, like distress signals and were very agitated. Three of the guns were lowered and there were some slight smiles. Only Johnson kept her gun pointed.

'You never know they might have teeth hidden amongst that fur. I never take chances!'

'And that's why you're in charge of security,' Gwen answered.

Suddenly Gwen realised that she could hear voices in her head.

'I'm hearing things,' she said. 'I think it's them trying to communicate. I can hear four words being repeated over and over – Give us our children. I don't know how I'm hearing this but that's what I think they are saying. Could their children be in the artefact?'

'Yes, yes,' the voices screamed in her head.

'Perhaps the children had to be placed in the escape pod for some reason and it ended up here. If these are the adults the children might only be small. Should we put the artefact in with them and see what happens?'

Jack spoke for the first time. 'Just at the back of my head I'm thinking Gremlins and worrying if there might be something we do, that turns them into creatures with teeth that fling themselves across the room and attach themselves to your jugular.'

'I don't think they're pleased with that observation Jack.' The creatures began to get agitated again.

'OK I've decided. Bring down the artefact Ellie but do it carefully.'

Five minutes later Ellie brought down the artefact in a secure box which could be remotely opened. The box was placed next to the craft. The creatures almost sat on it and suddenly it opened and three small, almost ping pong ball, furry things fell out.

'They are really pleased and are asking if they can go home now.' Gwen said.

'What do we think?'

'Seems OK, I don't think they are really a threat. They're kind of cute really. They remind me of something.'

'Tribbles,' Aidan said laughing. 'They look like Tribbles from Star Trek. They were small furry creatures that bred and began to overtake the ship. I think we need to let these go. I've often wonders if the writers of Star Trek had ever met any real aliens!'

'Right,' said Gwen, 'we let them go. Keep them in the containment field and Jack, you and Johnson take them out to a spare piece of ground on the docks, release the field and hope we've made the right decision.'

Aidan remained behind for a moment and Gwen said 'isn't it tonight that you've got your third date with Bronwyn?'

'Yes it is and why does everyone keep winking when they ask me that? Jack has driven me mad about tonight being the night I get my leg over. I don't know if Bronwyn is that sort of girl.'

'My advice is to go with the flow and hopefully we should get a bit of down time after this activity.'

'The rift monitor doesn't have anything noted for a few days so we should be quiet, as long as our furry friends get away.'

'I'll go and contact UNIT and let them know. Get off early Aidan and get ready. I hope you're taking her somewhere nice.'

'Bayside Brasserie, so I'm pushing the boat out.'

Gwen winked and said 'I thought you weren't just planning to get your wicked way!'

'A boy's gotta try!' Aidan turned and went towards the exit whistling a happy tune.

Meanwhile, Squee was in Ianto's flat, having got out of work early. She really liked being Bronwyn, far more than being Ianto. For a start the clothes were much better. Bronwyn was also hoping that tonight would be the night. She was really looking forward to this new experience.

Coming up next the chapter some of you have been waiting for. I'll publish it later this week.

Don't forget you can also read Torchwood High.

Thanks for reading.