"Don't move, Ash…please," the voice said.
Ash turned and there was Gwen, with several soldiers, her weapon trained on him.
"What are you doing?" she said. "Has he got you doing his dirty work for him?"
"It's nothing I wouldn't do," he replied and put one foot on the small ladder.
"No Ash," she said.
"Are you going to shoot me, Gwen?"
"If I have to."
In the corner of his eye, he saw the metallic glint that meant the spider had registered the presence of the others. There was another glint of metal; it must have called for help.
"If I were you, Gwen, I would let me take this and go."
"I can't do that," she said.
"Seriously, you should. It would be beneficial to your health. There are some nasty things that can bite around here."
He hoped she would get the hint.
"I can't let you go, I have my orders."
He could sense the spiders now, sense they were about to strike.
"Gwen, you really should."
Two shots rang out and Ash heard metal shattering.
"Then it's a good thing I brought some pest control with me. Now, step away Ash, or they will put you down."
Ash let out a sigh and stepped away from the X-50; he wouldn't be captive for long.
Jack, Ianto and the Major entered level twelve.
"Be on your toes," Jack whispered.
They moved together, going up the numbered aisles, towards the aisle the thing the Doctor was after was stored.
They got a far as aisle nine, when they heard a metallic clicking.
"Please. Not them," Jack said. "Spiders."
"Spiders?" the Major asked.
"Nasty things…metallic spider. Uses some sort of neuro -toxin to kill, but can also hack into any computer system," Ianto said.
"Basically, they're killers," Jack said, then held up a hand for silence.
"The problem is, they never work alone."
Ianto touched Jack's arm and gestured with his head.
Jack looked up and saw a pair of red eyes; they knew they were here.
"Don't make any sudden movements, nice and slow."
The pair of eyes moved, and that chilling scuttling noise filled the air. They froze as it came out of the shadows, the click of its metal legs loud in the silence.
It crawled down the side of the shelving and stopped, right next to the Major's head.
One of its legs extended and twitched like a feeler. Its reaction was sudden; it drew back on its remaining legs and launched itself, latching onto the Major's neck.
"Move!" Jack yelled to Ianto as more skittering started.
He couldn't think about the major; he had to think about Ianto.
They sprinted down the aisle, the sound of the spider behind them.
A small shape narrowly missed Jack, as instinct told him to slow slightly…another one. He skidded to a halt, Ianto just behind him. In the silence they could hear multiple noises…how many of these things were there.
Jack realised they couldn't move, and this many spiders meant the Doctor must be near, so he called out.
"You won't get out of here. The whole base is on alert, and there's no need to keep quiet, your little friends tell me you're here."
He wasn't sure if he was going to get an answer, but a voice came from…somewhere.
"Why is it, I always find you at the centre of any trouble I get? I really will have to a way of killing you…permanently."
"You've said that before," Jack replied, trying to pinpoint the Doctor's voice.
"True, but sometimes you need a little motivation. Oh, and I see you brought my favourite toy….how considerate."
The scuff of shoe on flooring made both of them turn. That was deliberate, Jack thought. He's letting them know where he is…why?
It took a few seconds for Jack to realise that he wouldn't.
There was a muffled sound of alarm from behind him…Ianto. He span round…what the hell?
Ianto was in the grip of the major; who should have been dead.
"I don't waste assets," the Doctor's voice came again. "Major, if you don't mind."
The major spoke into his com. "All personnel, the Torchwood people are imposters. Disarm and detain. I need a squad on level twelve…double time."
"Thank you major…any second now. Ah, is the sound of boots at double time."
Jack tired not to be startled when the Doctor appeared…he'd bee that close, and yet it had sounded like he was in the distance.
He had a box in his hands and that look on his face…distaste.
"Captain, I won't say it's been a pleasure."
He then ignore Jack and paid attention to Ianto, who was still in the grip of the major.
"And as for you…oh, if I only had the time. B-u-t, I do have a timetable."
Jack found himself being pushed ahead of the soldiers, but behind the Doctor, as they walked towards hangar six.
The door was already opening, and the Doctor strolled in, looking for the world that he was in charge; which he was.
"Is it ready to go?" the Doctor asked Ash
"As good as it's going to be. It'll outrun anything they send after us," Ash replied.
"Good, you've done well," he said and kissed Ash.
"Doctor, why are you doing this?" Jack said.
"The clock is ticking, Jack. Tick….tick."
"Whatever it is, it won't happen. You don't have an army of fanatics behind you."
The smile he got in return, didn't fill him with confidence.
"We shall see…I have just one question and please, if you lie, I'll have the major shoot your little team. Tell me, Jack…where is the TARDIS?"