The Time family and Donna were in the TARDIS swimming pool. Romana and Donna were already in there and were racing each other with lengths. Romana was wearing a crimson bikini with her Chapter House Symbol on whilst Donna was in a purple one and Romana saw out of the corner of her eyes the way Braxiatel would eye her longingly and she blushed slightly, and ducked her head under the water so he would not see her cheeks turn the same shade as her bikini.
Braxiatel chuckled, looking at Romana's figure appreciatively and reminded himself how lucky he was to have her as he carried Thyra to the swimming pool. He was just wearing average swimming trunks and truth be told, he hasn't swum for a very long time and he was thankful he had this opportunity to teach Thyra how to swim and he looked at Thyra before he climbed down the pool's steps. "Are you ready to learn how to swim my dear?"
Thyra was wearing a cute swimming suit for children, one her Auntie Martha had given to her recently and it was her first time wearing it. "Yeaah!" Thyra giggled. She was so excited! They never really got the chance to go in the swimming pool often due to them being so busy with adventures, her parents giving her her education and visiting family members and now was the time to teach her how to swim. Something that she has always wanted to do. He chuckled deeply and they stepped into the warm water.
First, they had fun moments. They wanted to make this as fun as possible for Thyra and they played around in the water like a normal family would in a swimming pool. Braxiatel would hold her by the waist, letting her go on her back as she kicked and splashed in the water whilst he and Romana took it in turns to swim lengths. Braxiatel and Romana would often lay Thyra on her back, gently swimming her along as she laughed in delight before trying to do a few back strokes on her own. "Good girl! That's it. You can do it!" Romana encouraged her daughter as she finished her length, watching Thyra and Braxiatel interact. Romana had forgotten how good of a teacher Braxiatel was and how good he really was with children. Yes, he used to be a teacher at the Academy back on Gallifrey as he used to teach her himself once upon a time but that was before he wiped her memory due to the incident with the Pandora and saved her life and she smiled faintly. He was always saving her life just like she will always save his.
"Mummy, look at what daddy and I can do!" Thyra shouted and Romana her stopped the length she was about to do and turned and looked at her as she saw Thyra being thrown into the air before Braxiatel catching her as she squealed with delight, making a slight splash in the water and Romana threw her head back and laughed, feeling very much relaxed.
Suddenly they heard the TARDIS phone rang and Romana swam over to the edge and grabbed her new sonic screwdriver that she had built a few days before and activated the phone, putting whoever was on the other end straight through the line. "Hello?" She called, noticing Thyra and Braxiatel have stopped swimming as had Donna.
"Romana? Braxiatel? Are you there?" It was Jack and he sounded on the verge of tears.
Romana looked concerned, wondering what was wrong with him. "We're all here. We're fine. Are you all right?"
Jack bit back a sob. "No. Nothing's all right. It's my brother, Gray and an old friend of mine-Captain John Hart. You told me to ring you two if we were ever in need of trouble. This is that time."
Braxiatel had already climbed out of the swimming pool with Thyra and draped a crimson towel around his daughter. Captain John Hart? Was this another conman that Jack knew? Or another Time Agent? "We're on our way Jack. We'll be there as soon as possible."
"Thank you. I'll put the coordinates through the TARDIS databank now." They heard Jack type in something, presumingly on his vortex manipulator before the line went dead.
Donna gave an exaggerated sigh, also wrapping a towel around herself before she headed into her bedroom, shaking her long damp, wet hair. She was so much looking forward to a day off in the swimming pool and sun lounges in the TARDIS. "And here I thought we could get a nice day off."
It was a little while later and the TARDIS crew were all dressed and dry and were landing the TARDIS with the given coordinates that Jack has given them. "So this is Thyra's Uncle right?" Donna questioned. She has never met the man before but she has heard Thyra talk about him plenty of times. She knew from the little facts that she picked up about this man was the fact that he lived with another man called Ianto and he ran a small Torchwood team in the middle of Cardiff where they saved Wales and the rest of the Universe there.
"Yes. The immortal one." Braxiatel replied as he, Thyra and Romana managed to fly the TARDIS safely despite the fact that the TARDIS was still sending him mini-tantrums and Donna raised an eyebrow at him, surprised. He waved his hand at her, not wanting to explain the story and how Romana regeneration went wrong that day after defeating the Daleks. "It's a long story."
"Is Uncle Jack going to be okay?" Thyra asked, putting on her hat as she looked at her mother worryingly. Uncle Jack sounded so upset over the comm and she wondered why he sounded so upset about his brother and this Captain John. She knew Jack lived a very long life due to his immortality and wondered if it was something from his childhood and what could be so upsetting about it.
Romana held her hand as they made their way towards the TARDIS door. "I don't know my love. He needs our help and we always help those in need. Even the strongest people break down sometimes and ask for help when they need it most."
They stepped outside where they realized they were in front of what appeared to be a recently destroyed abandoned building as smoke was still pilling from it and they saw Jack and his Torchwood team with Gwen and her husband Rhys nearby a car. All apart from Rhys and Gwen were covered in dust, cuts and bruises and Romana and Braxiatel knew they have just recently been in a bomb explosion.
Jack dashed towards them, looking so relieved to see the Time family. They actually came! They actually came at the right moment to help him and his team when they needed it the most and for that, he was forever thankful towards them. "Romana! Braxiatel!" He called and the Time-Lord's could see he had been crying recently.
"What happened? No, let me guess. You've just been in a bomb explosion haven't you?" Romana enquired, glancing between Jack's human team and the building, deducting what had happened and she wondered who caused it. No doubt it was this Captain John he was speaking of. What a mess this man has made!
Jack hesitated. "We...might have. But that's not the least of our problems. You are not going to like what else has happened."
Owen threw his hands up in the air. Not the least of our problems? Was Jack bloody kidding him? He had nearly been killed in that bomb explosion! He nearly died! Again! And now John had stolen the only transport system they had. This day was just getting better and better. "Bastard John's taken our SUV."
"Watch it, there's a kid here." Donna glared at him, covering Thyra's ears and Thyra looked up innocently at her as Owen merely scowled.
Tosh was reading signals of her device, looking horrified as she clutched at her wound. She was so lucky to have made it out alive for the bomb explosion hadn't been pleasant. ""I'm getting readings of rift activity all over the city. Major rift of flares at St. Helen's Hospitals, the Cardiff docks-wait, no that's gone now. The Police Headquarters and the Central IT Sever Station."
Romana pursed her lips disapprovingly. These humans were meant to be working with the rift responsibly! Not treating it like a toy. When all this mess was over, she was going to show the Torchwood team how to properly look after the rift and take it with great care."What have you lot been up to?! You are destroying the rift and Time itself!"
Suddenly Gwen got a phone call and answered it, trying not to panic. So many things were happening all at once and she wasn't sure how to take it and she felt her heart race. "Hey, Andy?"
Andy went straight through the phone, sounding desperate. "Gwen, you've gotta get here right now. I'm serious, we need you."
"Okay, I'm on my way, all right?" Gwen switched off the line, wondering what sort of trouble Andy was in this time but she knew it had something to do with the rift and Captain John Hart and Gwen tried not to think about the time John kissed her and paralysed her.
"Okay, you called us for help and we're here. I would like some serious explanations as to why someone is messing around with the rift activity like it's a toy." Romana snapped angrily. She deserved to know what happened after Jack had called them and dragged them along to help them with this Torchwood mission. She knew he was perfectly capable of looking after himself and his team but she also knew that sometimes he just needed some help.
"It's one of Jack's buds." Owen glowered darkly, looking over at Jack. "Captain John or whatever he likes to call himself. He tried to kill us."
"It's a long story and it involves him and my brother." Jack winced, trying not to think about the day he let go of Gray's hand. It was all his fault, he knew. He let go of Gray's hand when they were running but Jack did come back for him. He did but he was gone and he always hated himself for it. He hated himself every day for letting go of Gray's hand. "Okay. Here's what we are going to do-"
Romana shook her head, standing in front of them with authority. "No. You listen to me Jack. This is a highly dangerous situation that needs to be taken seriously. You need our help and now you got it. These are all going to be traps to divert us off from the real plan. It's obvious despite us not knowing what the real plan is. This will be a painful journey for you but we can all try and make it easier and safer for our selves." She began before looking at Braxiatel. "Braxiatel, you go with Owen to the hospital. Make sure you are both armed and see what they are doing there. Tosh, Ianto and Thyra, you go to the Central Sever building. Myself, Gwen, Donna and Rhys will go to the Police station and Jack-"
"I'm going to Torchwood." Jack interrupted her and Romana looked surprised. "I need to have words with John and figure out why he's doing this."
"Woah, hang on there's a little kid here!" Rhys pointed out, indicating towards Thyra. She was just a kid! She couldn't go heading into danger like this when there was a psychopath from the future on the lose. "She can't come with us!"
Thyra merely shrugged, heading back into the front passenger seat. She has never met this man before and for all she knew, he thought of her as a human kid but Thyra was not. She was a six-year old Time-Lady and has been through more than Rhys could ever begin to imagine. "I'm tougher than I look." She looked up at Rhys once more. "Besides, I'm no ordinary kid. I'm an alien."
Rhys looked baffled. An alien! She was an alien kid! This day was just getting stranger and stranger. Then again, his wife's job did involve aliens but he just never expected an alien kid to look exactly like a human child. In a way, it was kind of unnerving. "All right. Hang on though, we can't all fit in my car."
"Some of us will go in the TARDIS." Braxiatel replied, smirking at the man's stupidity and at how proud Thyra was for taking care of herself. He knew he could trust Tosh and Ianto. Tosh and Romana knew each other before with the Slitheen incident and they knew Ianto for he was Jack's boyfriend and Thyra's Uncle. Someone that they could both trust Thyra to be with and someone to protect her from harm. "Myself, Owen and Jack will go in the TARDIS."
"But what are you gonna do Jack?" Gwen asked as she opened the car door and Romana sat in Thyra's seat and lifted her daughter before pulling her onto her lap. "You can't just talk to him."
"Yeah, he just tried to kill us all!" Owen reminded him once more, sounding far from happy.
"I was the only one who could ever control him. That's why the Time Agency partnered us." Jack replied, heading into the TARDIS. It was true. Back in the Time Agency, Captain John Hart was a dangerous man. He was fed on blood-lust and was sexually active. He was so dangerous that not even the head of the Time Agency could control him and Jack always wondered what was so special about him that John seemed to like about Jack and he shook his head. He wondered why the head of the Time Agency even hired John in the first place.
Rhys looked after him as he got into the drivers seat. This day was just getting weirder and weirder. "Hang on. Did you just say Time Agency? Don't tell me that's based in Cardiff too." The Time-Lord's looked highly amused, Braxiatel kissing Romana on the lips longingly and giving Thyra a peck before they all went their separate ways.
Jack had just left the TARDIS, leaving Owen with Braxiatel before he entered the hub to the music of 'I lost my heart to a Starship Trooper' by Sarah Brightman playing over the speakers and Jack grimaced, trying not to think back on his time on the Valiant when the Master would play the Scissor Sisters song every day in the Year that Never Was. It was agreed upon between him, Braxiatel and Romana that they forever hated the Scissor Sisters with a burning passion and he looked around to find John standing on the edge of the railings, holding a football banner flag. "Come on! Sing along. It's our song!" He whined at the fact Jack was not singing along with him. He was so disappointed for Jack had a great singing voice.
Jack looked at him, far from pleased. He only hoped Thyra would never have to see or meet Captain John Hart but Jack knew she would and he regretted calling the Time-family for a brief moment even though he knew he desperately needed their help. Even if that meant putting his favourite niece at Risk."We don't have a song. And if we did have a song, it wouldn't be this song."
John almost pouted. "You're no fun." He turned the music off and discarded the banner before walking down to greet him. It had been a long while since he has last seen Jack but John wished he could change the circumstances he was in.
"Thank you."
"I've been here quite a while. What kept you?" John asked, cocking his head to the side. Truth be told, he has been waiting here. He has been waiting patiently for Jack to get out of the nice little party he has planted for him in the old abandoned warehouse and he was disappointed at the fact Jack took him longer than he expected. Maybe Jack really didn't want to see him after all and was slightly hurt by that fact.
Jack decided not to mention the fact that he has called for help by some of the greatest people in the universe, knowing that John would sooner or later be defeated. It was just a matter of time of when he was going to be stopped. Then he was going to find his brother and say how sorry he was for letting go of his hand. "We all survived. You know, if you're gonna set an explosion, you need to be more efficient."
John puffed, waving his hands across as though he didn't care. Truth be told, he didn't. He just wanted to test out a theory that seemed intriguing to him for the past few days and was slightly discouraged at the fact it didn't work. "Oh, them. They were just prototypes. Had to test out a theory that a woman I recently slept with gave me. How are they all, your little team?"
Jack didn't answer, wanting to get to the bottom of this business and more importantly, he wanted to know how his brother survived. He also knew John really didn't care about his team despite the fact that he has met them plenty of times before. John didn't care about anyone other than himself and Jack. "What do you want?"
"I want you to know that I love you." John replied, turning his back on Jack as he grabbed hold of his two machine guns. He meant that and he wasn't just saying it because he was forced to either. He said it on his own accord and he hoped one day that Jack would forgive him for all he has done.
Jack glowered at him darkly. "Funny way of showing it."
"No, seriously. You have to understand. I really do love you." John turned around and empties two machine gun into Jack. He watched as Jack fell face down into the water, dead into the bottom of the tower.
John looked at him longingly, looking over his dead, bloody body and almost felt slightly guilty. "Because this is gonna get nasty."
"Andy, this is Lady Romanadvoratrelundar and Donna. They are with Torchwood. Practically, Romana was the one that founded it." Gwen quickly explained to her friend Andy as they walked quickly through the Cardiff City Police Headquarters, seeing the mass of bloodied bodies that were scattered around them. Gwen tried not to blanch, knowing she has seen worse with Torchwood but that didn't mean it wasn't going to be easy.
"Don't remind me. Met Queen Victoria and a werewolf that was not a werewolf that bit her and now the Royal Family are infected. Then she knighted me as 'Dame Lady Romanadvoratrelundar' and Braxiatel as 'Sir'. Not that his ego was already big enough as it is." Romana told them, shaking her head and Donna and Rhys looked at her, not sure whether she was joking or being serious and Andy looked at her like she had grown two heads. "But on a more serious note, what is happening at HQ?" She asked as she saw a bloodied body beside her and she stopped, quickly examining the wounds and noticed the police officer that lay dead before them had his neck ripped out and she looked at the marks that the teeth had left. "Attacked from the neck. Sharp and pointed teeth used to rip out meat. Severely strong. It could very well be a Hoix but I have to see these for myself to identify it." She dipped her finger in the officers blood, tasting it and Donna and Andy blanched. "Hoix or Weevil. Can't tell for certain."
Andy was about to reply but then he noticed Rhys and he held his hands up for Rhys to stop. Rhys couldn't just go walking around lose on here! Sure, these strangers Romana-whats-her-long-name and Donna could come in because they were with Torchwood but not Rhys and Andy tried to push aside his own personal judgement of Rhys and tried to be professional. "Whoa, Rhys, what are you doing here? This is a crime scene and a confidential crime scene at that. If this here gets out, there'll be a city wide panic!"
Gwen rolled her eyes. She wished Andy would stop treating her husband like an idiot and would just get along with him. He had to accept that Gwen just didn't love him and that she belonged with Rhys. "Rhys isn't going to go blabbing."
"Hey, I'm keeping more secrets than you'd believe." Rhys told Andy, looking serious. He was! He knew more than Andy could ever could.
Andy looked unamused, testing Rhys's stupidity. He'll never forgive Rhys for marrying Gwen, the woman that Andy loved. "Oh, like what?"
"Like the fact that Romana is an alien and so is her daughter and the fact that there's a Time-Agency based in Cardiff."
Romana and Gwen rolled their eyes, not believing at the fact Rhys fell for Andy's question. "I have you know I'm a friendly alien." Romana coldly told Rhys, causing Donna to chuckle slightly despite the grim situation behind them and Donna tried not to throw up-bottling it all up and was thankful she had not eaten anything earlier. "And the Time Agency is not based in Cardiff. It's based in the 51st Century thank you very much." She and Gwen continued examining the bodies before heading off to the prison cells.
Andy rolled his eyes at Rhys, folding his arms across his chest. "Brilliant secret. I ask, you tell. Well done."
Romana looked through the food slot at prisoners cells. These prisoners cells really were primitive weren't the? Back on Gallifrey, during the CIA or when the Time-Lord's, they always held the highest prison cells and equipment, making it nearly impossible for anyone to break out. She gazed through the tiny food slot, seeing about four Weevils running like mad dogs in the large cell. Really, did Torchwood have no clue on how to handle these Weevils at all?
"Bloody hell. What are they?" Rhys asked, seeing the angry creatures on the other side and he winced as one ran up to them, showing it's large, bloodied teeth through the slot before running around again.
"Weevils. They like to live in dark, damp places. More importantly, the sewers." Romana replied and she cracked her neck, knowing what she had to do. "Gwen, give me your subdue gas for a moment just in case. I'm going in to talk to them."
"Woah! You can't go in! The Weevils will kill you!" Gwen protested as she lifted up her trousers and grabbed her subdue before with her spare hand, she stopped Romana from entering the cell. If anything happened to Romana, she knew her little girl would never forgive her. This was her first time meeting her and already she liked the woman a great deal. But that did not means she could let her go in with a bunch of Weevils, alone in a cell with so little to defend herself with. "And Weevils can't talk. They just sort of growl at you." Gwen made a mental note to tell Romana that Owen was now King of the Weevils but she had a feeling that Romana would not like the situation at all.
"Trust me Gwen, Romana has been in much crazier and dangerous places than this." Donna grinned at her. She knew Romana could take care of herself even if there were a bunch of ugly beastie boys inside the cell. "Besides, Romana can speak god knows how many languages. She can literally speak dog if she wanted too!"
"Yes, thank you for that Donna." Romana replied, unamused before looking at Andy. The subdue in her hands at the ready incase she needed it. "You don't mind me going in do you?" She would go in anyway even without Andy's permission but Romana knew it was polite to ask first. A Lady always asked for permission.
"Be my guest." Andy replied with a sigh, gesturing towards the cells and Romana quickly opened the door and slammed it shut behind her and as soon as she entered the cell, the Weevils stopped running around and slamming into the walls and were now cowering before Romana as Romana barked at them in a language that the humans could never understand.
"Bloody hell, she really can speak Weevil." Gwen replied, gob-smacked. Never in her life did she expect the Weevils to develop some kind of language. Suddenly one of the Weevils tried to attack Romana but Romana blocked it's attack and knocked it to the ground with ease as though it was nothing more than fighting with a young child and Andy's and Rhys mouth dropped open in shock before Romana gave them all a large piece of meat to chew on and she quickly left the cell.
"That was bloody brilliant." Gwen replied with awe, holding even more respect for the Romana than before. She wondered where the woman learnt to fight like that and Gwen wished she could learn some moves of her. "You are going to have to teach me how to speak Weevil. It will be a life-saver. What did you say to them?"
Romana handed Gwen back her subdue, having no need for it now the Weevils were under her control. The human woman had team-leader qualities about her and Romana liked that. She reminded her a bit of herself in a way with her qualities and she shook her head briefly. "I told them who I was and what species I was. They are very primitive beasts and Weevils have always held a respect for Time-Lord's since my kind had saved them plenty of times in the past. That and I told them off for their poor behavior and they were very much ashamed."
"You're bloody brilliant you are." Andy told her with praise. Time-Lord's? Was that the species she was? If she was, she certainly looked more human than alien and Andy held some sort of relief with that. Glad at the fact she didn't have five extra legs or arms and was not a green blob walking around.
"Thank you." Romana couldn't help but feel smugged. What she did back there was rather simple. The Weevils just needed some discipline and Gallifrey, she certainly did give them some discipline and the Weevils actually felt ashamed of themselves which was what Romana wanted before she turned round and soniced locked the prison cell door. "They should be kept quiet now that they know I am here so they are all on their best behaviour." She suddenly looked thoughtful at Andy. "Did you say they killed four most important senior officers?"
Andy nodded. "Almost like it was targeted."
Romana looked at Gwen and Donna, deadly serious. "I have a feeling this is a trap. But what for? What could this Captain John be planning?" She knew little of this Captain John Hart. All she knew from him was what Gwen told her about her tales the last time they encountered him and she knew he was a deadly psychopath and was told not to go anywhere near his lips. Not that Romana would ever kiss a Time Agent. Romana pointed and laughed at Time Agents save from Jack.
Gwen logged into her comm, wanting to find out where the others were. "Tosh, report where you are."
Tosh, Ianto and Thyra were entering the Central Sever building top floor. The three of them entering the office building and they stuck close together, checking left and right for any sign of alien activity save from Thyra. "We are just entering the Central Sever. No sign of rift activity yet." Tosh reported as she walked in front, Thyra in the middle and Ianto last. "This building houses servers for the military, police, NHS. Even looks after the server systems for the nuclear station at Turnmill."
"What did they report exactly?" Thyra asked, curious as she glanced around for any unusual sightings. Before they even left the TARDIS, her father had given Thyra her own gun for safety, knowing that being with Torchwood was going to be dangerous despite her mother's disapproval of handling a weapon with one so young but Thyra knew that the gun was not a toy to be dealt with and knew the full responsibilities that came with it. Especially after seeing how General Cobb nearly killed her mother from few days before. She was so thankful she had her telekinesis power and that she was able to save her mother's life.
"Ghosts. In these server stacks." Tosh replied, smiling at the little girl. The girl had grown up so much since Tosh had last seen her at New Year. Then again, she was only a baby back then but now she was so mature at such a young age and had already faced so much danger from what she has read from the up to date records on the computers back at the hub but couldn't help but wonder if it was the most suitable lifestyle for a young child, no matter if she was alien or not.
Thyra scoffed, flickering her braided hair. She knew very well there was no such things of Ghosts. They were only memories of the past that have been brought back by the rift. Her parents have taught her that much. "No such thing as ghosts."
Ianto gave a sly smile towards Thyra, agreeing with her before looking back at Tosh. He enjoyed spending time with his niece as he got to know her. Developing his relationship with Jack, Thyra now got to call him Uncle Ianto and even though he was already an Uncle to his sisters children who he did not see very often, it was warming for him that he got to spend time with her and interact with her. That, and she always complimented on his coffee making skills and joined him on his James Bond marathon which his team mates did not do and he always liked those moments he shared with Thyra before he looked at Tosh. "How's the arm?"
"Owen gave me industrial strength painkillers. Seems to be doing the trick." Tosh replied when suddenly she felt a tug at her sleeve and she saw the little girl tugging at her coat and pointing towards three cowled figures with Scythes on the other side of the room and they just so happened to be in the darkest place in the room. Typical. "Ianto."
Ianto walked back towards them, looking slightly amused. On any other occasion, he would find the situation highly amusing but this was a serious situation as Jack's life was at risk. "Huh."
"Devils. Blasphemers. Pray to your heathen God, while in the Lord's name we cast you out." The monks snarled and they began to quickly advance on them.
Ianto, Thyra and Tosh quickly shared a look with each other before each getting their guns out and they shot them, Ianto and Tosh shooting bullets whereas Thyra's guns shot lasers and the monks fell to the ground, dead.
"There we are then." Ianto shrugged, putting his gun away and couldn't help but wonder if Thyra was okay with shooting an alien dead at such a young age. Was she okay with this? Did she fully understand the responsibility of shooting someone and the damage it caused? He hoped she did but Ianto knew her parents wouldn't hand Thyra a dangerous weapon
"Sorted." Tosh chirped, putting her gun away carefully.
"Easy peasy, lemon squeezy." Thyra grinned and she put her gun back in it's original position before seeing Ianto and Tosh look at her with an amused expression. "What?"
"You know that phrase too?" Tosh asked, amused. She would have thought Thyra and her family would not be able to understand most human phases but she knew the family liked to return to Earth often to see dear friends, including them.
Thyra giggled. "Auntie Donna taught it me. Mummy's useless with Earth phrases." Ianto and Tosh couldn't help but laugh along with her with relief despite the situation they were in.
Braxiatel and Owen arrived at St. Helen's hospital where they followed a Doctor named Angela towards the basement doors before Romana voice entered through the comm. "Owen, Braxiatel. Do you have anything to report?"
"We are entering the basement now." Braxiatel replied, following Angela and they peered through the door and he could hear the concern in her voice and he wondered how she and Thyra were doing on their missions.
"Coming back from a fag break, saw the door open and there it is, chewing through the cables. So I locked it in." Angela explained to them, standing away so the men could have a look at the creature that lay inside the room. She was so she glad she found experts to deal with this creature in the room and with her quick thinking and logic, she had managed to get out alive and call for help.
Braxiatel and Owen glanced at each other and gave each other a curt nod before they looked through the glass doors, Braxiatel then raised his fists to knock on the door quietly before suddenly a Hoix jumped out of them at the door which made Owen jump out of his skin and move away from the door with fright but Braxiatel stayed where he was, unfazed. He wondered briefly for a moment if it was the same Hoix that he wrestled with when they dealt with Arkadian when they travelled with Rose and the Hoix turned round, a few scars on the back of it's head where Braxiatel last tackled it and he inwardly groaned. Yes. It was the very same Hoix and it was still angry with him. But this time, Braxiatel had one advantage because the Hoix wouldn't know who he was due to him being in a different regeneration.
Angela panted, looking at them with wide eyes. The beast looked so strong! It was impossible for these two men to defeat it. "What the hell is it?"
Owen looked at her. "Short answer, it's an alien." He replied and he looked at Braxiatel, wondering if he should mention that he was an alien to her to but he shook his head, knowing now was not the time to be messing around and he began to rummage his medical equipment out, preparing a sleeping drug.
Braxiatel looked at him sternly. "I'm going in. Myself and this Hoix have some unfinished business to attend to." Unfinished business that should have been finished a long time ago with the Free Time Terrorists.
"What, you met this Hoix before?" Owen retorted angrily. Who did this man think he was? Weren't they meant to be working together in a team? "How do you know you've met this particular Hoix? They all look the same."
"You see those scars on the back of it's head?" Braxiatel pointed towards the Hoix and both Owen and Angela looked at the Hoix carefully, seeing the bloody scars across it's head before looking back at Braxiatel, nodding. "Acid attack from me. Last time I met this Hoix he was with some old Free Time Terrorists and turned out this Hoix was working with them. I put up a fight with the Hoix and managed to send it back where it came from. Unfortunately, the rift has let it lose on Earth once more."
"But hold on, won't the Hoix be angry at you though if you enter?" Owen asked. If they were old enemies, didn't that make the Hoix even more dangerous and blood-thirsty? "It will be less dangerous if I go in."
"No. I've changed my face since then." Braxiatel replied smoothly and Owen nodded in understanding. Like Tosh, ever since the New Year he had done his research on this Time-family and Owen knew that these aliens could change their faces and bodies when they were dying. Owen wished he could do that since he has already died once and thanks to the Torchwood team, they brought him back from the dead and made him King of the Weevils.
"You mind if I take that off you?" Braxiatel pointed towards the needle in Owen's hand. He was going to need it and luck.
Owen gloomily handed it over to him. Not at all pleased at the fact that Braxiatel was taking over his job despite him having a cool alien ship even if it did send mini-tantrums at him. "Sure. Though, if you get hurt, I'm not going to be the one that's going to fix you."
Braxiatel considered him for a moment with a frown. "I thought you were a Doctor."
"I am. But I don't save assholes." Owen smirked, reminding Braxiatel pointedly that he was an asshole whether he wanted to admit it or not.
Braxiatel rolled his eyes before he checked in his pockets for dog treats, mainly pigs ears before Braxiatel looked at Angela. He knew Owen was a dead man walking like Jack and it unnerved him. It made him feel nauseous to be around Owen and he knew Romana and Thyra felt the same way. He pushed the nauseous feeling down, knowing he had more important things at hand rather than worrying about a rude dead man standing next to him. Never speak ill of the dead was what his mother told him when she was alive and he inwardly scoffed. If only she could see how rude this dead man was. "Can you open the door for me?"
Angela nodded and dug out her keys. "I still don't understand. What is it?"
"It's a Hoix." Owen explained to her, glad that he was still doing part of his job. "The only profile we have is that it lives to eat-" Braxiatel snorted in amusement. "Doesn't matter what. Caught one in Barry last year in a Kebab shop. He went through seven doner sticks in twenty minutes."
"Amusing, I'm sure." Braxiatel opened the door. "Wish me luck." He smirked before going through into the dark basement, Owen closing the door behind him and he peered through the glass, wanting to see how Braxiatel handled the situation. "We've met before, you and I." Braxiatel began and he crouched down as he walked in through the dark basement, his Time-Lord senses were on high alert to try and find the Hoix. "Remember our dear friend Arkadian?" He saw the Hoix at the other end of the basement near the vents lift its head and growled at him and Braxiatel dug out in his pocket some pig ears and began to throw one at a time at him, making a line of them directly towards him. "Ah, so you do remember me. I've changed my face last time we met. Do you like it?" He spoke calmly as the Hoix continued to growl dangerously at him. "I've come here to apologize so I have some pig ears for you." He hid behind the corner, Owen's needle in his hands as the Hoix followed the trail and Braxiatel rolled it's eyes as it bent down on the last pig ear towards him. "You really are a stupid Hoix aren't you?" He stabbed the Hoix in the back of the head harshly and the Hoix roared in pain, it's roars could be heard throughout the whole basement and Angela moved back away from the doors in horror and Owen looked at her concerned before Braxiatel lay the Hoix on the ground there. "Playtime's over now." He told the Hoix coldly, feeling very satisfied that the business between him and the Hoix was finally over.
Back in the Hub, Jack revived once more, noticing he had been strung up by chains in a crucifixion style and he gasped, screaming slightly and was dripping wet from head to toe. He panted, trying to struggle from the chains before he noticed John from Tosh desk.
"Comms and weapons have been in removed in case you're wondering. So no chance of rescue." John told him as he walked down the stairs towards him before holding up a photo of Thyra and Jack when Thyra was only a three years old before she has met Donna. It was when Romana and Braxiatel went out on a small date one night in Cardiff and he and Ianto had decided to cover for Thyra, spoiling her rotten and she loved every minute of it. "Whose she?"
"Doesn't matter. You're going nowhere near her." Jack retorted, wanting to protect Thyra as best as he could before he looked between the chains and back at John again. If John harmed Thyra in anyway shape or form, he knew Romana or Braxiatel would never forgive him and it was his duty as her guardian and Uncle to protect her. "This is a little extreme, don't you think?"
John merely raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, so what? Suddenly you're anti-bondage?" He threw the picture casually into the water beneath Jack. John wanted to know who the girl was for she looked very similar to the woman he slept with few days ago with previously. But it couldn't be her. It just wasn't possible. Urgh. Time Travel certainly did his head in sometimes.
Jack shook with rage and he growled angrily at John, wanting to kill the man before him after everything he has done to him and Torchwood team previously. He will never forgive John for trying to hurt them. "Why are you here?"
John threw his hands up in the air like a teenager who didn't get to spend enough time with his best friend who spent to much time with their lover. It was always when they were tied up everyone was suddenly interested in him. "Well, see. Now you're interested in me. It's always the same. Nobody cares until you tie them up." He walked back towards Tosh desk. "Number of reasons, actually. First of all, you were very rude to me."
Jack looked at him, baffled. He was joking, right? He had to be joking. "What?"
John pointed his finger at him accusingly, like a mother telling of their children when they have misbehaved. "Very rude indeed. In front of people who barely knew me, you belittled me. I can't let that go." He typed something on the computer before typing something in on his own vortex manipulator.
"You're serious?" Jack asked, not wanting to believe this. This was ridiculous. John was behaving like a child!
"Second. You have all of time, eternity essentially, and you still refused to spend time with me. After all we've been through together. After all I've done for you."
Jack managed to regain his composer, stopping fighting against the chains and he looked at John, deadly serious. Yes, Jack had eternity to live through but that didn't mean he he could see John for one day. He had always wanted to avoid him after John's crazy past and the times they had together for John had been a very bad influence to Jack during his Time Agency era. It was how he became a conman in the first place. "Where's Gray? What have you done with my brother?"
John looked at him with a deadpan expression. "You don't realise. Actions, ramifications, ripples in the pond. It's beyond my control."
Jack scoffed. As if it was beyond his control. He was the one that started all this mess to begin with! He was the one that just tried to kill them all with a bomb explosion. He had no right to say it was beyond his control when he could easily sort it all out. "Beyond your control? Please."
"It is. You need to understand that. So, localise the Rift storms, a few short sharp rocks." John walked over to the Rift manipulator, knowing what he had to do.
No! If John messed up with the Rift, Romana and Braxiatel were going to kill them both and permanently. More times than they could count. "Don't touch those controls!" He shouted out, struggling against his chains and he tried to break free, not wanting John to do anymore damage.
John turned and looked at him. "Oi! I'm working here." He pressed a button on his vortex manipulator and he sent electricity through Jack's manacles and chains and Jack screamed in agony. Just because he can't die, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. "If you don't want that again, keep quiet."
"No." Jack managed to bite out despite the agony he was in. He had to stop John. He had to stop him somehow. But Jack knew he would. He's stopped him before and he will stop him again.
John plugged some wires into the rift, working his way round the it. It was so very simple to use and he remembered being taught how to control the rift back in his Time Agent days before it closed down. "So, I think I'm ready to find the vantage point. A little power and we're all set."
Jack struggled once more. Oh no. This time he was certain that Romana and Braxiatel were certainly going to kill him and make sure that he stays dead this time. "Hey! Whatever you're planning, we're going to stop you." He smirked, knowing this time he had Romana and Braxiatel working along side him.
John finished plugging into the rift and it began to activate and he turned and walked to the railings opposite Jack, throwing his arms out. "Oh. Okay. Go on then, stop me. I hope you can. Really." He dropped his arms, looking slightly disappointed at Jack's attempts. He would have expected so much more from Jack. "No? All right. Let's go get ourselves a good view."
It was now 6:28pm and John had literally dragged Jack all the way to the top of Cardiff Castle and he threw Jack against the wall that was facing the view of Cardiff city. "What the hell are we doing here?" Jack rasped after being thrown harshly against the stone brick wall. What was the point of dragging him up to Cardiff Castle? What was so important about this location to John?
John smirked, admiring the city view. He had to admit, Cardiff did have it's nice points now and then. Even at night. "Now this is a good view." Jack struggled to get up and made to attack John but John used his brace and zapped more electricity through Jack, making him scream once more. John tutted. "I told you, no struggling."
Jack looked up at him desperately, wanting to get John to see sense. He had to get through to him. He could control John all those years ago. Surely he could control him again now? He had to. He couldn't let John lose when Thyra was nearby. "I can make things right with you."
"You don't understand. You can't ever make this right." He pressed another button into his vortex manipulator, putting the comm online. "Attention Torchwood employees and the new additions to Torchwood. Evening all. Now, stop what you're doing."
Romana and Gwen looked at each other and Romana turned her comm on, walking away from Gwen, Donna and the others. "Who am I speaking to?" Romana demanded, having a sinking feeling she already knew who. "Where is Jack?"
"I could ask you the same thing." John smirked.
"I'm Lady Romanadvoratrelundar and trust me, I'm not a person you want to mess with. If I can bring worlds and governments down, I can certainly bring you down in a matter of seconds." Romana snapped. He reminded her of the Free Time terrorists and she wondered briefly for a moment if he was working for them and she stiffened. Knowing that some of the Free Time Terrorists were still standing and would kill any Time-Lord or Time-Lady they came across and that meant Thyra too. "Let me guess, this is the famous Captain John Hart I've been hearing so much about?"
John chuckled. "My, we have a pompous one here don't we? I'm afraid Jack can't come to the comms right now. But if you leave a message, I'll be sure to pass it along."
"What's your plan Captain?" Romana asked coldly, ignoring this man's attitude. She would not let this Time Agent rival her temper. She would not let him control her emotions like that. "What are you planning to do?
"Pompous and smart. I like it!" John barked out a laugh. Oh, he did love it when ladies have a short temper and a brain!
"Put Jack on right now!" Ianto demanded angrily through the comm and he could see Thyra and Tosh looking at him worryingly.
"Oh, Eye Candy! That was so masterful, so bossy, so basically powerless. I kind of liked Romana-whats-her-very-long-and-silly-name threats better. Get up to the roofs of your buildings. Quickly now, spit spot." He heard them all running to the rooftops.
Owen and Braxiatel looked at each other. "Why should we trust you mmm?" Braxiatel asked through the comm as they made their way upstairs. "Why should we do as you say? You are nothing more than a psychopath."
"The famous Irving Braxiatel. I know all about you and your little Collection and your sweet little friend, Bernice Summerfield. Oh-ho! No. Really. Because if you don't, well, you'll miss all the fun." He heard them all running over his comm. "Hold on a minute, do I mean fun or do I mean carnage? I get them confused." He gave a sick twisted smile. "Are you all running yet? No dawdling now."
Gwen and Romana began to ran up the stairs quickly, heading for the rooftops and they ignored the others who sent them baffled looks as they turned the corner up the stairs.
"Romana? Gwen?" Donna asked, confused and she and Rhys looked at each other. "Where're they going?"
"The rooftop." Rhys replied, also confused and they both ran after the two women with Andy right behind them. Wondering what on earth was going on.
John got out his device to explode the city with his multiple bombs. Jack looked at the device with horror, a sinking feeling in his stomach. "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry." John told him once again as he typed in some more codes onto his pad.
"No." Jack protested weakly, knowing that John was not at all sorry. Not one bit.
John spoke into the comms once more, knowing all of Jack's team were on the rooftops. Knowing this was the last time they were going to see Cardiff in all it's glory, before he put them through hell. "Cardiff. Isn't it pretty? Doesn't it twinkle so? Take a good look. Remember this because it all goes so quick." He pressed a button and waited for the explosions to start, lifting his head as it waited for the musical sounds across the city.
He waited but there was nothing. John frowned and looked at the machine in his hands in confusion. Now that wasn't supposed to happen. There were supposed to be multiple explosions going off around the city one by one. Why weren't they working? He was in deep trouble for sure. No doubt he would be punished severely later by Gray.
He quickly pressed the button again, feeling panicky and knew that Gray would set the bomb on him any time soon for failing his plan. No! That just wasn't possible! He planted those bombs himself. He made sure they would go off all at once at the right time! Why were they suddenly failing him?
Suddenly, they heard a deep chuckle coming from behind him and he and Jack shared a confused look with each other and John spun around to see a woman standing before him. A woman that wasn't there a few minutes ago. She was wearing a dark tricorn hat on top of her head and had long and slightly curly black hair that was as black as coal and her skin as pale as snow. Her lips were as red as Jack's blood and she had a horizontal scar across her left eye and her emerald eyes were burning into his and she wore a feminine yet practical brocade coat with beaded dots and that had lacing at the armholes and elbows, all in white and gold. Her belt around her was hoisting all sorts of weapons, some even John couldn't name and she wore a peplum, split skirt and leather pants and combat boots. John's blood turned cold as he knew this woman very well. She lifted up her head so they could both see her face more clearly and gave them a mischievous smile. "Hello mates."