Time and the Trickster

By Lumendea

Chapter Twenty-Nine: World War III: Best Way Out

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any of the spinoff material and I gain no income off of this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.

….

Jackie Tyler screamed as the large green creature took shape in front of her when the blue light faded. A fleshy pile fell to the floor as the creature rose to its full height and looked down at her. It was unlike anything she'd ever seen before and one of its long arms with horrible claws reached for her. She screamed and stumbled backwards into the dining room as the phone dropped from her hand.

"Mum!' she heard frantically shouted from the phone.

She didn't take her eyes off of the creature and shivered as it chuckled at her slowly backing away.

"Not even a good hunt," the creature lamented in strange rumbling voice. "And no knowledge of daughter, ever more a pity."

"Daughter?" Jackie stuttered, "What do you want with Rose?"

"My job is to remove trouble," the creature answered as it took another step towards her. Jackie skittered around the dining table, putting a few between her and creature. "And the family has reported your daughter as trouble."

It lunged towards her and Jackie screamed while shoving a chair forward. The creature merely used its long arms to bat the piece of furniture out of the way and sent it crashing into the wall. Jackie's back hit the wall and she whimpered as the creature moved closer to her. In a moment it was standing over her with a strange smile on its face.

"Disappointing," it grumbled. "Very disappointing." As it raised its arm, but suddenly stopped and sniffed the air. It turned away from Jackie to look back towards the front door. "More prey," the creature said sounding cheerful at the prospect. "A strong male of the species. Much more enjoyable."

As the creature moved away a tall dark haired man in a long grey trench coat teamed with clothing out of world war two. Strangely in his hands was a brightly colour water gun and Jackie opened her mouth to scream. The creature roared at the newcomer, but he just smirked and raised the water gun.

"Captain Jack Harkness," he greeted with a cheeky smile. "And I hear you don't like this stuff."

A gush of liquid shot from the front of the water gun and hit the creature squarely in the chest. Jackie's eyes widened in shock and horror as the creature shuddered. Then it exploded into a shower of green globs all over her dining set.

Her rescuer bent down and retrieved the fallen mobile. "Rose, it's Jack. Your Mum's fine and I'm taking her to Sarah Jane's until you're finished."

Jack walked over to Jackie who was still sitting stunned on the floor and quickly helped her to her feet. She didn't really notice as Jack started walking her towards the door and only vaguely heard him speaking with her daughter.

"Thank God Rita Anne was visiting Mickey," Jackie whispered weakly in shock. "I'm not sure her heart could have taken that."

Jack laughed and handed her the phone. "Rose wants a word."

Jackie took the phone with slightly shaking hand. "Rose Marion Tyler what are you into!?"

"Mum," Rose sighed at the other end. "I'll explain later, right now I've got to take care of business. Jack will keep you safe. He's a friend and you can trust him."

Then the line went dead and Jackie glared at the phone. She hit the speed dial for Rose and glared when she received a busy signal. Turning her gaze to her rescuer she examined the water gun in his hands and the bits of creature all over the room.

"Sorry about the mess," Jack apologised with a smile. "Figured you didn't want me to wait."

"You're a friend of Rose's?" Jackie questioned as she climbed to her feet.

"Yes," Jack replied calmly.

"And you know what she's into?"

"Afraid so," he answered with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry she'll be-" Jack was cut off by Jackie Tyler slapping him across the face.

…..

Rose had hung up and handed the phone straight to Frost. While she was grateful that she knew about the attack on her mother and knew that Jack was keeping her safe it had cost them time.

"My friend Jack helped her," Rose explained quickly to the others. "He used vinegar to kill the thing, apparently it doesn't take much, but in their natural state they are very vulnerable to it."

"Just like Hannibal!" Harriet declared with a smile.

Rose tilted her head in confusion. "Sorry?"

"Hannibal crossed the Alps by dissolving boulders with vinegar," Harriet explained with a smile.

"Did he say anything else?" Frost asked sharply.

"No, just that he'd keep my mother safe," Rose admitted, but Frost was distracted as she was connected to Brigadier Benton.

"Sir, this is Lt. Colonel Frost from Number 10. I'm afraid that situation is extremely dangerous. The aliens have killed almost all the representatives who came today, only Tyler and myself remain and we are sealed inside of the cabinet room." Frost listened to Benton on the other end for a moment before she reached over and hooked the phone back into the speaker system. "Say again please," Frost requested.

"Do we know their plan yet?" Benton questioned. "Or how many there are?"

"My sources indicate that this is a criminal family," Rose told him quickly. "I don't think there are too many of them."

"Well we know that a lot of strange people have been arriving at Downing Street in the last few hours," Benton said. "Politicians whose presence makes no sense."

"Are they heavier people?" Frost asked with a deepening frown.

"Uh, yes I suppose so."

"The Slitheen are using compression technology to walk around inside human skins," Rose explained feeling her stomach turn as she said it. "They need larger people to make it work."

"I see," Benton replied slowly with anger in his voice. "Have you discovered anything else?"

"Their body chemistry makes them very vulnerable to vinegar," Frost offered quickly. "But we aren't in a position to attack them. I suggest a strike against number 10 to deal with the threat."

"I'll see what I can do," Benton promised. "But with the aliens in power and the danger of raising an alarm, it might be tricky."

"We're safe for now," Rose told him. "And Spock is still working on it."

"Hold on," Benton suddenly said. "What?" his voice was faint. "You need to hear this, there is an international broadcast coming from number 10."

A moment later the voice of one of the Slitheen's in the human body of Joseph Green spoke. "The greatest experts in extra-terrestrial events came here tonight. They gathered in the common cause. But the news I bring you now is grave indeed. The experts are dead. Murdered - right in front of me by alien hands. Peoples of the Earth, heed my words. These visitors do not come in peace."

Rose looked up at Frost in alarm. What were the aliens doing?

"Our inspectors have searched the sky above our heads and they have found massive weapons of destruction, capable of being deployed within 45 seconds."

"What?" Rose asked loudly. "There's no ship!"

"Our technicians can - baffle - the alien probes. But not for long. We are facing extinction. Unless we strike first. The United Kingdom stands directly beneath the belly of the mothership. I beg the United Nations - pass an emergency resolution. Give us the access codes! A nuclear strike at the heart of the ship is our only chance of survival. Because... from this moment on... it is my solemn duty to inform you... planet Earth is at war."

"What are they up to?" Frost asked with a frown.

"What's this about access codes?" Rose questioned them.

"The British Isles can't gain access to atomic weapons without a special resolution from the UN," Harriet explained suddenly. "All access codes are kept secret by the United Nations otherwise. They must be after the weapons for some reason."

"Sir, can't you alert the Security Council?" Rose asked Benton through the phone.

"We'll alert them, but the panic that is gripping the streets is the most pressing issue. If they refuse to release the codes these Slitheen might do damage another way in revenge and the people in the streets who are panicking will riot."

"But if we alert them…" Frost shook her head, "What is this all about?"

Rose bit her lip and then turned and walked to the doorway. She summoned her sword and before the others could stop her pressed the button to open the door. Three of the large aliens were standing in front of the doorway.

"Right then," Rose said tightly. "Enough of the waiting game." She raised her chin and glared at the nearest one. "Who are you lot and what are you doing?" Behind her, Frost blocked the view of the phone by sitting on the edge of the table.

"Jocrassa Fel Fotch Pasameer Day Slitheen at your service," one of them greet in an amused voice. "And you are Rose Tyler." The alien glared at her. "My cousin was dispatched to take your mother hostage, but is seems she got lucky."

"My mother," Rose repeated softly, trying not to give anything away. "Most people would consider taking on Jackie Tyler suicide." She paused as if considering something. "You're the ones who set up that ship in the North Sea, the one advertising nuclear fuel. How's that supposed to work? Fuel from where?"

"Oh so the humans did figure out the advert," a new voice almost cooed and a short heavy blonde woman in the blue dress appeared. Rose smirked as she noted the woman's left hand was flapping around as she moved the arm. The woman glared at Rose and her eyes dropped to the sword she held.

"What's the plan then?" Rose asked sharply once again.

"Why put the world on red alert?" Indra asked behind her.

"Stupid little animals," Margaret observed with a sick little smile. "Running around so frightened."

"That's it then," Rose remarked with a frown. "Make us panic so we give you give the Prime Minister control of the nuclear systems. That's why you picked Britain, with the weapons from here you're in a good position to attack every other nuclear country. They retaliate with their nuclear missiles and suddenly the whole planet is nuked in World War Three."

"And we can sit through it in our spaceship waiting in the Thames. Not crashed. Just parked. Only two minutes away," Margret informed them smugly.

"But you'll destroy the planet, this beautiful place. What for?" Harriet demanded from behind Rose.

"Money," Rose spat. "They'll sell off the nuclear remains of Earth as fuel, exactly what their advert promises."

"Sale of the century. We reduce the Earth to molten slag, then sell it," Margret announced with smirk. "Piece by piece. Radioactive chucks capable of powering every cut-price starliner and budget cargo ship. There's a recession out there, Miss Tyler. People are buying cheap. This rock becomes raw fuel."

"And the five billion people who died?" Rose hissed.

"Stupid pigs," Margaret laughed. "Rather like our cute little alien don't you think?"

"Leave," Rose ordered in a low angry voice. "Go to your ship and just leave. This is your one chance. If you don't then I'll stop you and the cost will be a lot more than one hand."

"And what can you doing to do from your little box?" Margaret asked with a hateful look.

"You might be surprised," Rose answered as she lifted her hand to the button. "By what this girl can do from a box." As the metal door slid back into place, Rose turned on her heel and walked back to the phone. "Alright, sir they are all here at Downing Street. Now that they are in the final phase they can't stray far."

"While that's good to know," Benton said, sounding angry and exhausted. "There is a limit to the forces I can muster in London at the moment. Most of UNIT forces were scrambled for combat and aren't in the city."

"Aren't in the city?" Rose asked in alarm. "Then what forces are in the city?"

"Regular military is in the city," Benton groaned. "But they answer to the Prime Minister's office and not to Geneva."

"Can't you attack with the troops you have?" Harriet asked urgently.

"It's not the Slitheen standing guard out there," Frost said sadly. "Those are human policemen outside and we can't reach them without alerting the Slitheen."

"What can we do?" Rose questioned, tugging at her necklace nervously.

"I've alerted the Security Council in New York and they are stalling for time," Benton told them. "But it won't work for long. I'm not sure that we can move enough troops to take out the Slitheen quickly enough before they become suspicious." Benton sighed at the other end of the line. "And we don't know what other technology they might have."

There was an uncomfortable pause at the other end of the line. "Benton?" Rose asked, "What is it?"

"Well if they are all contained in one building then…"

"Then the simple solution is to destroy the building," Rose finished nervously as she looked around the room.

"Can you get ahold of the Doctor?" Benton asked. "Could he get you out of there? Geneva HQ is recommending a quick missile strike and the cabinet room cannot withstand long-range attacks."

"I can try," Rose answered softly. "What if he can't?"

"Then we'll think of something else," Benton assured them. "Maybe I can airlift a vat of vinegar above the building," he offered trying to lighten the mood.

"I'll call him," Rose promised seriously. "Stand by for me to call you back."

Rose pulled the phone out of the speaker phone and hit the speed-dial for the TARDIS. She was aware of Frost's curious gaze and the concerned expressions of Harriet and Indra. A few moment later she sighed and lowered the phone. "Voicemail is the bane of my relationship with him."

"So now what?" Indra asked nervously. "We've got to be running out of time." He looked over at Frost, "Surely they'll destroy the building soon. It's the best chance to avoid collate damage."

"I'm not sure they'll risk it," Frost admitted with a look over at Rose. "The person Rose was trying to reach is a powerful ally of Earth, but if UNIT hurts or kills Rose…."

"There'd be hell to pay," Rose agreed with forced cheer. "Or at least the Doctor to pay." Rose's expression saddened. "I'm not sure they could withstand that storm."

"I suppose you should call Benton back then," Harriet suggested. "Surely they'll think of something."

"Yeah," Rose turned her attention to her phone and dialled a number. The phone rang and she lifted it to her ear just as Spock came on the line.

"Spock," Rose greeted softly. "Are you aware of the situation?"

"I have been monitoring UNIT communications and I am aware of the current suggested means of attack," the Xylok replied. "The Security Council in New York is still officially in discussion, but demonstrations have already begun all over the world to protest the time it is taking them."

"So if something doesn't happen soon Earth might start tearing itself apart," Rose observed as she nibbled on her bottom lip.

"According to report three people have already been killed across the globe in these demonstrations," Spock informed her calmly. 'While not violent yet in nature, I'm afraid that people are causing rioting and stampedes. It will only get worse."

"Any suggestions?" Rose asked with a tightening in her chest. "If all of the enemies are in this building how can we quickly neutralise them without them having time to escape or retaliate with any weapons they might have?"

"I'm afraid the plan suggested by UNTI has the highest likely hood of success with the least damage to human life. A frontal assault would be between humans and alert the Slitheen and further delays will alert them that their plan has been discovered. My investigation of the ship has provided no information on what arms it might carry as it is a refitted escort ship."

"Any good news?" Rose questioned with a weak chuckle.

"You friend Jack Harkness was able to convince K-9 he was an ally before the dog opened fire," Spock replied. "And you mother is down in the kitchen with tea so she is not hearing this conversation."

"That is good news," Rose agreed with wide eyes. "Alright then, thanks, Spock."

"You are about to do something very foolish aren't you?" Spock asked.

"Possibly, keep an eye out," Rose replied before hanging up the phone. She turned her attention back to the others. "Demonstrations have already started because the UN hasn't handed over the access codes. Things are going to turn bloody one way or another very quickly. Spock can't verify what technology the Slitheen might have to attack Earth directly. While they probably can't destroy us, they might be able to kill a lot of people when they determine that their plan isn't going to work."

"What do you suggest?" Harriet asked with a remarkably calm expression.

"Use the missile," Rose said firmly as she did her best to keep any fear out of her voice. "If we blow up number 10 then we can destroy the threat while it is still isolated." Rose swallowed, "They've already killed a lot of people and have made it clear that they have no problems killing billions of us." Rose looked at all of them. "While I appreciate UNIT trying to find a solution that doesn't' risk us… I'm not selfish enough to want to risk this spiralling out of control."

"I agree," Harriet announced firmly from across the room. "And as the only elected representative for the people of the UK in this room, I say that using the missile is the best option to avoid further danger to the people. On their behalf, I order you to see this missile launched."

Frost merely nodded and while Indra looked a bit ill, he also nodded in agreement. Rose forced a small smile and accessed the internet with her phone, grateful for her recent upgrade. Her first phone hadn't had the new connections, but then it had been destroyed and she'd gotten the latest Blackberry to replace it. Quickly she accessed the UNIT website and entered the restricted sections. The tiny screen made it difficult, but it was doable.

"What are you doing?" Frost asked as she started coming around the table.

"I won't ask anyone else to do this," Rose said as she started to hack into UNIT using the access codes she'd learned from all her times hacking. "Not UNIT or Spock." Rose gave Frost a small smile, "That way the Doctor isn't justified being angry with them."

"If the rumours are true he's going to be angry no matter who fires it," Frost reminded her in a low voice.

"Well, I'm not planning on dying," Rose informed them. "Indra, Frost start preparing that cupboard," Rose ordered as she pointed to the small cabinet off of the main room. "It's small and strong so we might be able to ride it out in there."

"You think that will work?" Indra asked as he moved towards the cabinet.

"Well I have it on good information that I'm not supposed to die today," Rose replied with a tiny smile. "Now history can be rewritten, but I'm willing to think positive. Think of it like an earthquake and we're going to be standing under the strongest support."

Frost gave Rose a searching look but nodded. She moved over with Indra and began cleaning out the small room. Rose moved away from the edge of the table as the two of them started to pile boxes on the table.

"Harriet," Rose called, drawing the woman's attention. "Check the emergency protocols. I'm going to need to access the royal navy to get this done."

"Here it is," Harriet declared a moment later. "The password buffalo overrides all security measures."

"Great," Rose entered the password carefully on the tiny keyboard. "This really isn't the sort of thing phones were designed for," she muttered. "I'm in. Here we go the H.M.S. Taurean, Trafalgar Class Submarine, 10 miles off the coast of Plymouth." Rose pulled up the list of missiles. "What do you think Frost? Sub Haffoon, UGMA4A?"

"That will do the job," Frost agreed from the cupboard. She shook her head. "God your boyfriend is going to kill Benton for even putting this idea into your head."

"Well my idea was leaning towards using my sword and trying to attack them all," Rose chuckled darkly. "So this is actually probably a safer idea for me personally given the length of their arms. And don't call him my boyfriend." A moment later Rose took a breath and looked over at the others. "Target is set and missile in in our control. Are we ready?"

"Yes," Harriet said with a firm nod. "Fire."

"Okay," Rose breathed, fighting back her unease. "Firing." She pressed the tiny button on her mobile and watched the small message appear on her screen. "There it goes."

"Counter defence will try to stop it," Frost reminded her.

"556 was just neutralised," Rose announced as she moved towards the cupboard. "Either by UNIT or Spock so we're good on that front. Good thing too, this thing doesn't allow for speed hacking. The four of them climbed into the cupboard. "God I never want to hack on a mobile again!" Rose grumbled as she moved to join the others in the cupboard.

As Rose sat down she could hear the fire alarm sounding through the building. Indra closed the door behind them, sealing the small space. Unseen to them the area around Downing Street was being evacuated, but the aliens remained struggling to put on their skins.

"I hope they don't escape," Harriet told them all as they huddled together.

"They didn't have their skins on," Indra observed as they huddled at the bottom of the tiny space. "Surely it takes time to get into those."

"Here it comes," Rose breathed as a soft whistling could b heard.

"Nice knowing you," Harriet said to them all as Rose slipped the phone back into her bag. They joined hands and Harriet looked up towards the ceiling. "Hannibal!"

Suddenly the small room violent shook and a tremendous roar vibrating throughout the space. Rose gasped as the air was forced from her lungs and she was knocked into Indra. They were all thrown to the side as the entire cupboard was tossed by the explosion. Then everything went still. Rose carefully moved to her knees and studied the tiny room, it was intact. She shifted slightly to avoid putting her weight on the others and crawled to the doorway. With Frost's help, she was able to force it open, knocking back the debris.

"We were lucky," Frost observed as they moved out into the shell of the cabinet room.

The steel walls were bent and smoking from the explosion, but they had sheltered the small cupboard from the worst of the explosive forces. Together they forced down the weakened steel door of the cabinet room enough to slip outside. Harriet was first and quickly climbed to her feet.

"Made in Britain," Harriet announced proudly and Indra chuckled at the sentiment.

A sergeant in police black rushed up to them. "Are you alright?"

Rose grinned as Harriet pulled out her remarkably intact ID card and held it up. "Harriet Jones. MP, Flydale North. I want you to contact UN immediately, tell the ambassadors the crisis is over and they can step down." When the sergeant hesitated Harriet barked, "Go on, tell the news!"

"Yes, ma'am." As the sergeant rushed off, Harriet looked around with a frown.

"Someone's got a hell of a job sorting this lot out," Harriet laughed as she looked around. "Oh, Lord! We haven't even got a Prime Minister!"

Rose smiled at the woman while trying not to laugh. "Well, I'd certainly vote for you." Rose grinned at the look on Harriet's face.

"Now, don't be silly. I'm only a back-bencher."

"They wouldn't have to debrief you," Rose pointed out, brushing dust off of her jeans.

"Look, I'd better go and see if I can help," Harriet told them as she gestured for Indra to follow. The man nodded quickly and followed her over the rubble.

Rose climbed over the rubble and paused to watch as Harriet approached the crowd and the media. Smiling, she glanced over at Frost who nodded in silent agreement. Even at the distance, they were able to hear Harriet's speech.

"The crisis has passed! Ladies and Gentlemen - I have something to say to you all! Mankind stands tall - proud - and undefeated. God bless the human race."

Turning away they both headed carefully down the road away from the media crowd. Rose pulled out her phone and hit the number for Benton. The call was answered instantly.

"Tyler? God are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Rose said cheerfully. "A little bruised, but fine. Frost is okay and Harriet Jones MP, Flydale North is already working on clean up."

"You launched the missile yourself," Benton groaned. "Why?"

"There wasn't time to find another solution," Rose answered gently. "And I didn't want to ask you or someone else who is my friend to launch something that might kill me."

There was silence on the other end for a moment before Benton sighed. "What am I supposed to do with you?"

"Well how about not letting me be prosecuted for hacking into the royal navy and launching a missile. I'd really like to not go to prison," Rose suggested ignoring a snort from Frost.

"I'm sure I can manage that," Benton replied sounding both amused and exhausted.

"One question," Rose told him quickly. "Was it you lot who handled the counter defence?"

"Yes," Benton answered with another sigh. "Once we saw the missile had been launched to Downing Street we knew what you had done."

"Thanks for that,' Rose told him honestly with a tiny smile. "My phone really isn't designed for hacking even with web access." Rose sighed softly. "Well one thing you should know if that my Mum now knows about aliens," Rose told him nervously. "I'm afraid I'll have to explain some things to her."

"I see," Benton muttered slowly. "Do you need me-"

"I'll handle it," Rose told him quickly. "My Mum doesn't handle authority figures any better than I do." Rose sighed, "Mind you the temptation to jump on a plane to Australia and seek asylum with Tegan is very strong."

Benton chuckled on the other end, "Just try to stay out of trouble Tyler."

"I make no promises," Rose added with a laugh before she hung up the phone. She looked around the gathered people who were peering at the rubble. "Not too bad for the first widely known first contact," Rose observed as she looked over at Forst.

"If it is admitted," Frost reminded her with a tired shake of her head.

"You don't think it will be?" Rose questioned.

"Only a few people actually saw the aliens and the ship can be passed off as a small earth plane that was altered for an elaborate ruse." Frost shrugged as they walked down the street and away from the crowds. "I'm not sure they're ready yet."

"Maybe," Rose offered slowly, rolling her sore shoulders. "Anyway, I'll leave this in your hands, Elizabeth, I've got another crisis to go and deal with."

"Right then," Elizabeth stood at attention and saluted Rose. "It has been a pleasure, Thorn."

Rose smiled and held out a hand for Frost to shake. "The pleasure was mine Lt. Colonel," Rose paused. "I only hope when they promote you you'll be a pleasant Colonel. I've not had much luck with people of that rank."

Frost couldn't quite contain the smile and said, "I'll find a car to take you home."

"That would be nice," Rose agreed. "It's been a long long day." Rose swallowed and added, "Please let me know what sort of funerals or memorial is going to be held for the others."

"I will," Frost promised softly.

Frost walked over to a group of policemen who looked very confused by the sudden turn of events and Rose watched with amusement as they straightened for the military officer. As she looked around Rose noticed the words "Bad Wolf" spray painted on the side of a building. Judging from the texture, it was fresh. Rose took and looked at the words for a moment before she shook her head and walked over to join Frost as the woman gestured to her. A few minutes later she was in the back of a car heading for home and unfortunately her irate mother.