Fitch-Elmore Research Subsidiary; Cottage Junction, Illinois
Jack Harkness walked around the arboretum. Reviewing hand-held scanner results without network access reminded him why they needed it. He and John had extensive experience with the strange and bizarre, but the situation required medical and science knowledge they didn't have.
The massive plant had all the indicators of an intelligent life-form. Based on the neurology, he had no doubt it was self-aware. Whether they could communicate with it was another story. Although it seemed to understand who they were when it let them in the building.
"Jack." John walked under a tree-like sensory stalk. "This is similar to what Jerard is dealing with in Malaysia. Except the growth is much older. Based on the core root system, I estimate it's seventy or eighty years old." Pause. "The parasites are comparable but there is nothing here that could create them. It's not producing spores."
Intentionally? Jack wondered, looking at the creature. "Are you trying to tell us you're innocent?"
"It has complete control of this facility."
"Did you scan the water?"
John quickly adjusted the criteria on his hand-held and scanned again. "Intentionally contaminated. But it's not toxic to humans."
Chloe had beneficial antibodies. "This was an industrial town before the research company arrived." Presumably bringing the plant. "Maybe it cleaned the water." Jack knew there had to be more to it. Why continue affecting the water unless there was an ongoing problem?
"The alien antibodies improved my immune system."
"It can clean the environment and generate energy." If it was like Four, it might be providing for community because it could. "If it can communicate, it made contact with the locals," Jack concluded. Sentient beings were social in general.
"How?"
Jack reviewed the brain scans again. "Spores. Like Dr. Stone." It was the only idea he had.
"If this one isn't involved, that means there are two more." John realized. "At least."
Jack nodded. Something changed recently. The contagious parasites couldn't have stayed hidden long. Someone like Zeke or Chloe would have landed in a mental health facility and a psychiatrist would have found it through blood work. That was why the people capable of communicating with the plant were hiding. It also meant they needed more information about Dr. Stone. She might willingly have a parasite.
"What if the dangerous parasites are a result of sick plants?" That fit with what he found in Auckland.
"Cross contamination with the seaweed. Or a problem with the meteorites. If they are part of a probe," from John's tone it was still the only idea he had, "Then using them is exploiting malfunctioning alien technology with the potential to destroy the planet."
It was unlikely the people involved understood that. They knew because they witnessed what a probe did to a trash planet while they were with the Time Agency. Unless something tragic happened, it was unlikely they could prove the technology was too dangerous to use.
Jack reprogrammed his scanner to check the room for an intercom system. As he expected, someone was listening. Ideally, someone able to communicate with the plant. "We need someone to translate for us."
"Gaia isn't hurting anyone," a young woman said over the intercom.
Interesting choice of names, Jack thought. "Does she know who or what created the parasites causing problems?"
"One of her seedlings."
That made sense. "Does she know where?"
Minutes passed. "North of the big city. Chicago, I think. She's young and sick. Possibly on purpose. Gaia asks you give her seedling the same consideration you gave the affected humans."
Jack hoped they could. The plants would likely need custom structures. "How do we find the sick seedling?"
"She's by a large body of water. Maybe Lake Michigan," the young woman said.
John grimaced. "If someone activates probe nanotech near that much pollution…"
It would be catastrophic. "I need access to the Torchwood network. A drone will be able to check the lake faster then we can." Jack wondered how they were going to deal with the political fallout. He doubted the US would agree to move the plants. If Gaia wanted to stay, that meant she had to be monitored to prevent exploitation.
"What if there's a plant drawing water from the Coral Sea? Exposure to the seaweed could have potentially caused the problems in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea."
Jack's ear com chimed. "I'm here."
"Captain Harkness," Eryn sounded relieved. "Are you and Captain Hart safe?"
Hopefully. "What happened?"
"It's Director Matheson. He's back in London, but he's infected."
Jack exchanged a look with John. That wasn't good. "We may have the locations of two sentient plants. Both are potentially sick and maybe infecting people because of it." Jack repeated the information he'd been given.
"We may have a lead in Brisbane. The general is there now."
Good. "Compared with the details from Auckland." Ideally, the information they received from the woman was accurate. "We need immediate plans for rescue and relocation."
"Captain, you need to get back to London. Ms. Cooper's trying to deal with the representatives and politicians, but she's ready to introduce them all to Dr. Harper."
Jack smiled, remembering the press conference Owen held. "As soon as possible."
Static filled the connection and it ended.
The young woman sounded nervous. "The military is here."
Jack used his hand-held to scan the computer again. The network interfere was coming from outside the building. He hoped Keara was tracking military movement.
His ear com clicked again.
"An Atmore drone landed on the roof." Luc sounded angry. "Kailen's preparing a ballistic shield barrier." He swore. "They're prepared. I notified Keara."
Static affected the connection again. "Try not to hurt anyone."
"Only my uncle." The connection died.
Jack wondered what that meant.
The intercom crackled. A man declared, "You are in violation of US law. Exit the building with your hands…"
An explosion shook the ground.
"US military, this is Torchwood Global," Keara said over the intercom connection. "Stand down."
"This is US soil…"
The ground shook again.
"You are in violation of the Biological Weapons Convention. While the League of Nations couldn't enforce the Geneva Protocol a hundred years ago, I can and will. Whether your country signed it or not."
"This is Captain Jack Harkness. Torchwood is trying to save lives. Human and other," Jack said. "The drone shields you disabled were intended to protect the creature in this building." Pause. "From one military man to another, stand down before you get your people killed for nothing."
"We have orders, Captain," the man replied.
"Global, disarm them."
A sizzling sound came over the intercom a moment before the ground shook again.
The ear com clicked. "They're neutered."
"Secure this building and the climate controls." Jack realized the creature wasn't contained. "All surrounding water and soil needs to be monitored."