Title: Manipulation of the Mind
Author: Trustno1
Disclaimer: As usual, they do not belong to me.
AN: Kind of a boring chapter here, I'm afraid folks; it gets better, honest! And thanks for the reviews!
Chapter XIIIDr. Carl Duquesne held the charred notebook in his hands as carefully as one would hold a newborn child. The handheld computer lay on the desk next to a photograph of a beautiful elderly woman, an equally good-looking middle-aged couple and three young children. He glanced briefly at the computer, then the photos, but his attention was more focused on the book. In his opinion, not enough scientists wrote their notes the old fashioned way – the good old paper and pen – and it felt far more personal to him to be holding these notes as opposed to the cold electronic device. He took a deep, controlled breath, and then began to relate his story to the nervous man sitting at his desk.
"One of my young scientists, a promising young man by the name of Dr. Robert – or Bobby, as he preferred – Ross, was conducting a private research project. We encourage this on Newtonia, particularly amongst younger scientists who haven't worked here as long as others and haven't published as much material; I also believe it helps them develop more as a scientist if the engage themselves in a project they find especially interesting personally. Dr. Ross was very interested in human behaviour, specifically manipulation, and the evolution of it over the millennia. He researched manipulation of humans on other humans, on animals, and on other races, throughout the history of human life. Even now, we know surprisingly little about the human characteristic of manipulation, and even with the numerous different races we as humans have encountered over the last few centuries as a result of space exploration, there are few species that come close to having the same levels of manipulation as humans do. It was a fascinating project, but, unfortunately, he kept his work closely guarded. There were two other scientists who worked with him, to help him carry out experiments and such like. All three went to the Academy together, and are good friends, which I imagine was one of the reasons he chose them – he knew they wouldn't reveal the details of his research to anyone." Dr. Duquesne laid the notebook down carefully, and pressed a couple of buttons on the side of the desk. From a minute silver disk set in one corner a hologram appeared. In it were two men and a woman, all late-twenties, all smiling.
"The one on your left is Bobby," Duquesne said, pointing him out to the Doctor. "Next to him is Dr Calleigh Lockhart, and on the end is Dr Max Duffy." The Doctor leaned forward now to look at the three young, jovial scientists. Bobby was smaller than Max, yet still looked tall and lanky, his strawberry blond hair sticking up stubbornly in all directions. He had kind blue eyes and a wide, slightly crooked grin, but was undoubtedly the 'pretty boy' sort that Rose liked. Max was the taller of the three, dark skinned and with his strong build looked like he could be a part-time rugby player. He and Calleigh leaned in close to each other, arms around each other, both with identically wide, handsome smiles. Max also had the 'pretty boy' look, he decided. But since the Doctor thought this of almost every male who had crossed Rose's path, it wasn't difficult to fit into that category.
Calleigh, he decided, was the sort of woman he could imagine Rose giving the Doctor a severe look for if he invited her on the TARDIS. She was very fair skinned with curly auburn hair framing her freckled face and laughing eyes. She was smaller than Bobby and Max by almost a foot, but in her deep blue eyes the Doctor saw a resolute determination, and he imagined she could hold an argument exceptionally well – probably a lot like Rose.
His heart ached at the thought of Rose, and how dramatically she had changed in a few short hours. As much as he appreciated the fact that background knowledge is essential to a story of scientific nature, he wished the Director would hurry up a little.
Duquesne watched Mr. Tyler studying the holographic photo, and saw the grief and fear settle on his face. He got rid of the photo and turned back to continue his story.
"This is his personal journal, where he documented everything relating to his research. We managed to salvage a little of it from the fire." He pointed to the A4 notebook, then the handheld computer. "He also transferred his notes to the computer. We recovered less from that, after he wiped the hard-drive. From Dr. Lockhart's accounts, which are rather sketchy due to the shock, and what we recovered, we have managed to ascertain that they were researching human DNA and particular areas of the brain that are thought to be involved with manipulation. Dr. Ross and his team were working on some kind of substance that was a replica of manipulation itself, to put it basically. Dr. Lockhart told us it was a very crude substance, in the very early stages of development; there were no limits, no boundaries or purpose as of yet. She said he didn't even want it to be used commercially; he was just curious about this particular human characteristic," Duquesne said sadly.
"What happened, Director?"
"Dr. Ross and Dr. Duffy were transporting the substance to a nearby testing facility when it came into contact with the Serpens. We're still unsure of the precise details surrounding the accident, and Duffy's in no state to talk at the moment."
"What about Dr. Ross? Why can't he tell you what happened?" the Doctor asked, though he knew what the answer would be.
"They were both stung; Bobby was obviously more affected by it since he's the smaller of the two."
"Director, what happened to him," the Doctor asked impatiently.
"He burned all his notes, deleted his files, then killed himself. Duffy is still in the infirmary, under suicide watch." The Doctor balked, sinking back into the chair.
"Killed himself? What, he was in so much pain?" His thoughts flew back to the TARDIS almost an hour earlier, and Rose's last words to him: "…it's hurting me."
"Not exactly, no. We think he was manipulated by whatever toxin was released by the Serpens. But because it was the prototype, and a crude one at that, and we haven't yet been able to talk to Dr. Duffy, that's all we know." The Director looked at the man sitting opposite him; his face was pale, his eyes anguished.
"I said I'd protect her," the Doctor whispered. He looked up, and the Director saw a fire burning in his eyes. "Do you have an antidote?" he said.
"Yes, it was administered to Dr. Duffy about four hours ago after I had my best scientists working non-stop for the last four days on it."
"And you're sure it works fine, no side effects?" Dr. Duquesne looked incredulous for an instant before collecting himself.
"Sir, this facility is the best in the Empire. The Director of Einstein and myself have personally interviewed every person on this planet, and I chose only the best doctors to work on the antidote. I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about."
"I'm sorry. Of course. I just… I really need the antidote. I've never seen Rose like that before." The Director gave a reassuring smile before rising.
"I'll take you to the Infirmary. If our research is accurate, then Dr. Duffy's system should be rid of the toxin and he will be waking very shortly, if not already." The Doctor nodded and followed the older man out of the office. He allowed a glimmer of hope to penetrate the fear inside of him as he headed towards the cure for Rose.
Just hold on a little longer, Rose. Please.
End Chapter XIII