Chapter 20

London, England

Earth

August 7th, 2009

In a rare moment of cooperation, the TARDIS landed precisely where and when the Doctor specified.

The Doctor pulled a case out of his pocket and returned to the screen display. "We will need to establish an identity for you so that you can infiltrate the government. Whatever has happened, I think the Prime Minister and his cabinet would have to be at the center of it. They are the only ones who would be able to cut Torchwood and UNIT out of contact." The Doctor looked up from his work. "Using the TARDIS, I can construct a background for you. We can also let out a flat for you to use as an official address and set you up for a low level administrative position. It will give you just enough authorization to remain knowledgeable about the situation without requiring you to know things about contemporary Earth politics and government."

Nehti nodded mutely. The thought of being thrown into such a volatile situation on her own was more than a little intimidating but she knew that there was too much at stake to refuse.

The Doctor reached over and pulled out a set of documents. "Hari Nehti, may I introduce you to your new alter ego, Lois Habiba?"

Nehti woke up with the sun streaming in through her windows. The Doctor believed that it would be more convincing for her to immerse herself fully in Earth life, as well as add credibility to any type of investigation a potential employer would see fit to instigate. It had only taken them a week to find an appropriately clean furnished flat for her to reside in and now she was ready to go on to find a job. After showering and cleaning her teeth, she walked over to choose something to wear. It was difficult to know what was appropriate for job searching in this time period. The Doctor had given her a crash course on early 21st century fashion but she well knew that he was hardly the expert on blending in to a time period.

Finally selecting a pair of plain black trousers and black blouse, she looked at herself in the mirror. There certainly could be nothing objectionable to this. She resolved to purchase a few fashion magazines while she was out.

She then looked at the false CV the Doctor had compiled for her. A solid education, good credentials, and several false references all qualifying her for work as an office assistant in a government official's office. Had everything she needed except for step by step directions on how to find a job in a 21st century political office. She sighed.

"Right then. How would you go about this at home?" she asked herself aloud. "Get a list of potential employers. Send out CV. Hope to get a response."

She walked over to the primitive computing device and began a search. She smiled. Perhaps this wasn't going to be as difficult as she thought.

Nehti chewed on her lip, feeling discouraged. It was nearly September and she still had not found a job. The Doctor had been checking up on her daily to keep track of her progress and she was dreading hearing from him again today. He had altered her phone so that he could call her or tap into it as a listening device whether or not it was powered on, which would be quite useful if she had anywhere to be that was worth listening in to.

She jerked out of her thoughts when the phone rang. She looked over at it on the counter and groaned. Facing the Doctor's disappointment in her was more than she could bear at the moment.

Picking it up, she frowned. She didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?"

"Yes, is this Lois Habiba?" A woman's voice filtered through the line.

"Yes, ma'am. May I help you?"

"My name is Bridget Spears, I work in John Frobisher's office. We have a recent opening for a new assistant and I caught a look at your CV. You seem qualified. Are you available for an interview?"

"Oh. Yes. Of course. When?" Nehti wanted to kick herself. This was not the type of impression she wanted to make.

"Shall we meet tomorrow?" Bridget Spears' voice was brisk and Nehti knew that she would brook no nonsense.

Grabbing a pen, Nehti made notes for their arrangements and said a very grateful thanks and goodbye before the Doctor called. She was so pleased to have good news for once.