Chapter 7: Jack 3
Owen ran silently along the corridors to the Boardroom door. He heard Toshiko's final alert about a fourth incursion, this time in the medical bay. He trusted her to deal with that; his job was to find out who, or more likely what, was in the Boardroom. He hesitated outside the door, took a deep breath and entered the security code. The door opened on what appeared to be an empty room. He moved forward cautiously, his gun held two handed at arm's length in the regulation manner. He checked round the room and heard a groan from the far wall.
Moving round the table he edged closer. He saw the back of a person on his hands and knees making to rise. He appeared to be dressed in something furry and purple. "Hold it right there," he ordered. The person stopped where he was, alert. "All right, get up and turn around." The figure rose, hands held well out to his sides and turned. Owen gaped.
"Captain Jack Harkness," said the man. "Can I put my hands down now?"
Owen just stared. He was silent not just because this was Jack standing in front of him – which he knew was impossible – but also from the look of him. His hair was long, reaching to his collar and he had long sideburns and an untidy moustache. He was wearing a blue tie-dyed top, denim jeans cut tight round the crotch but with enormous flares and a purple coat with fur trimmings. And were those platform-soled boots?
Taking Owen's silence as agreement, Jack 3 (as we shall call him) put down his hands. He opened his wrist strap and looked at the controls. "2008." He looked again at Owen. "Are you going to introduce yourself? Tell me where I am?" He seemed irritated, annoyed.
"I'm Owen. Dr Owen Harper. And you're in Torchwood."
"The Hub? Oh joy of joys," he said sarcastically. He pointed to the gun still aimed in his direction, "If you're Torchwood you know there's not much point in that." Owen lowered his weapon. "So, what do you need me for this time? Can't you people leave me alone?"
"What do you mean?" replied Owen, confused. This was a very different Jack to the one he knew. Where was the dazzling smile, the charm? This one seemed angry and defiantly anti-Torchwood.
"Why am I here? Why did you bring me here?"
"I didn't, we didn't. I have no idea what you're doing here. In fact, I'm not sure I even believe you are who you say you are." He raised his gun again, thinking he was being just a bit too trusting.
Jack 3 sighed. "Okay, is this where I say 'take me to your leader'?"
Owen thought this might be a good idea. He needed to assure himself this was not some elaborate joke and anyway he wanted to check on Toshiko. "Good idea. Let's go," he waved his gun in the direction of the exit.
Jack 3 moved to the door. Owen made him walk in front and told him which way to go. They were soon in the main Hub. Owen looked over at the work area outside Jack's office and saw Tosh with Jack. He sighed with relief; Jack had recovered. Then he looked again and saw Jack's body lying where he had left it. What the hell was going on?