Chapter eight – lockdown

Martha was happy. She was sure that she died on her last adventure, and now was in heaven. In the scientist heaven. The Doctor and Jack often said that the Torchwood-people were smart, but she always thought, that they're just a bunch of geeks who just copy the stolen technology, and use them to blow up spaceships on Boxing-day. She underestimated them. Violet took her to the labs in the basement, where they tried out the new inventions. She told her, that this Torchwood isn't working for itself only. From time to time they let useful devices on the market. Now she was wandering between the labs with the security card Violet gave her. The other woman got a phone-call earlier, and had to go back to her office. She was about to go back too, when the alarm went off. She made her way to the elevator, when she bumped into Jack.

„Jack! It's good to see you. What happened? Violet left me here half an hour ago, and I don't know what to do. Should we go out? Or stay here?" she asked in a rush.

„I don't know what happened, but Black sent me after you. She said we go in one of the labs and stay low while they sort out everything," and with that he dragged her into into one of the labs. Before entering, took out a device out of his pocket, one that looked like the camera-manipulator in Violet's office. He noticed her looking, so said,

„It masks my features, so they won't attack me," at her nod he activated the machine, and in the place of Jack now stood a blond, blue-eyed man. They entered the room, and the occupants reached for thei guns. Jack was faster, and he pulled a psychic paper out of his pocket. He showed them and said, „No need for guns. Dr. Black sent me, to stay and guard the room from the intruders, that might attack."

The scientists relaxed, and went back to do the things they did, before the interruption. Jack began to walk around the desks, asking them, what they're working on. They answered him, and some of them even explained how the devices worked.

When he reached the last desk, the occupant took no notice of him. Or with other words, totally ignored him. It angered Jack. He pointedly cleared his throat for four or five times, and the man was yet to look up. He spoke,

„What are you working on?"

„A secret project. Sorry, I can't tell you more," the man answered.

„I have a clearance from dr. Black. She sent me to protect you, so I think, I should know, what's going on here."

The other gave in, „It's a very powerful explosive. It can destroy any kind of shield we know about, leaving the ship or any other object unprotected."

Martha found the questions a little strange, but didn't comment on it. She knew by know, that Jack can be unpredictable. What she didn't notice, was the disturbing gleam in his friend's eyes. However, Brynon, the physicist noticed what Martha missed, and slowly lowered his left hand onder the table. He ran his fingers over the metallic surface, until they reached their destination. He pressed the button he found there.

A couple of floors away an alarm went off.


After saying goodbye to Jack, Violet went back to her office, hoping, that Ben might be there. He often popped in during the day, sometimes to talk about the mission details they were to go on, sometimes just to chat. After not finding the man there, she went to the labs on the 15th floor. The files were still lying discarded on the desk, due to the Doctors earlier search. Her collegues on that floor noticed her, and immediately began to interrogate her about Rose's and Ben's well-being. After reassuring them that they were fine – tough rather impatiently,'cause she was more than a little annoyed by the recent events - , the elder scientists went back to their work. But the younger ones just didn't understand, when they were dismissed. Of course, it was only one reason. The other was the fact, that they all had a crush on either Rose, or Ben. Or on her, and just wanted a reason to talk to her. It was annoying.

„Look guys. I told you all I know, so would you mind leaving my desk, and letting me do some actual work? I'd recommend the same for you," when they didn't move, she sighed, and decided to use an other tactic. She leaned forward, and in a rather rude tone, she said, „Fuck. Off. Now." It worked, and they all went back to their desk, but not without sending glares and insults in Violet's way. After a 'she needs to get laid' comment she made a move, to give a girl a piece of her mind, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She whirled around, and came face to face with the Doctor.

„Hello. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important," he said as greeting, while grinning.

„You just saved Claire from a slap in the face."

„Yep, that's me. The savior of the innocents. I'm there, whenever they're wrongfully accused of something, or enslaved, or kidnapped, or threathened by an evil wench," here he noticed the glare Violet sent his way, so he corrected himself, "A beautiful, gorgeous, misundertood, and not-really-evil, but rightfully angry female, who has the…"

„Ok, enough. Has anybody ever told you, that you talk way too much?"

„Yes. In fact, exactly 326 people told me that. The funny thing is, that 213 of them was in my current regeneration. The first was of course Rose. She said it after….. Ok, I get it . Too much. I'm shutting up now."

„Anyway what are you doing here? Shouldn't you meddle with your ship right now?"

„Been there, done that. She's good, as new. I came after Rose. Where is she?"

„She's interrogating the prisoner. Jack Harkness,"at the man's alarmed look, she added, " I mean our one. Yours has gone back to the TARDIS."

„He didn't arrive."

„Well, he departed abot ten minutes ago. I'm sure, he wasn't captured, I'd know about it. So he either sidestepped you on the way to the ship, or he ignored me, and went after Ben."

„The latter sounds like Jack."

Violet was about to make a comment about that trait being genetic, when the lights suddenly flashed red, and the alarm went off.

„That's Code Red," she said, „That means, there is at least one intruder in the tower. Or more specifically on the 35th floor, where the cells are. "

„Let's have a look at it," he grasped her hand, and pulled her out of the lab.

They rounded the corner, and were making their way to the elevator, when they bumped into Rose, who was holding her head, blood slipping through between her fingers. The Doctor was immediately at her side, prying her fingers away, to be able to look at the wound. Meanwhile the also worried Violet asked,

„What happened? I thought, you were on the cell floor with Harkness."

„I was. Who do you think our intruder is?" answered Rose, while the Doctor was scanning her wound with his sonic screwdriver. Seconds later he was finished, and the wound was healed. „Thanks"

„No prob," he answered, „But how did Jack – I mean Harkness….this is confusing – escape? I thought, that Torchwood is secure."

„It is. He had help from one of the guards. I think his name was Flicks or something like that," said Rose, „He hit me with the barrel of his gun, then freed Harkness."

„We have to find them. They must be still in the building, 'cause all the exits are locked down, due to the alarm," urged Violet, „I'm going down to the basement labs. If I were Jack, I'd go there, 'cause Torchwood keeps the most valuable inventions and devices there. You two should go and find the Chief of Security. He can give you access to the security cameras, which could help find the guys."

„No, we're coming. If Harkness has helpers and they're in the basement, you'll need help to catch them. Not to mention, that you brought Martha there," reasoned Rose.

„Shit, I forgot her."

„So, what are we waiting for?" asked the Doctor, „We have a damsel in distress to save!" he ran to the lift, and pressed the button, „On the way there, you could tell us what happened, Rose."

When the elevator came, they hopped in, and Rose started her tale.

Flashback

After leaving Violet, Rose hurried to the 35th floor, to meet the Director and the prisoner. She was afraid of the confrontation, even after Violet's words, that the man has no interest in telling Hartmann about her…condition. She wasn't afraid only because Jack was unpredictable ,but because it was Jack as well. Right, it was only the evil counterpart of his friend, but it was hard to remember that, when the man was pulling her Jack's charming tricks.

When she arrived, the boss was already there, waiting for her. „Finally you're here Agent Tyler. I sent dr. Black after you about fifteen minutes ago," she said, clearly irritated.

„I'm sorry. I was out to buy some dinner, and I forgot my phone on my desk, so dr Black couldn't find me in time," answered Rose.

„Next time bring your phone with you,"then she changed topic, „As you already know, the extra person on the ship was Captain Jack Harkness. We captured him half an hour ago, and because of his help against your captors, we brought him in, instead of shooting him on sight." Rose fought the urge to roll her eyes. Hartmann said this part, like she would've had the Captain killed in another situation. No, even if he was captured during sightseeing, she would've had him dragged in for information. „I asked for you, because your skills could be useful. Go in, and make him talk to you. I want to know everything, from his favourite colour to his preference of underwear,"she ordered, „I can't be here, I have to inform you father about the recent events. Good luck, Agent Tyler. Flicks will go with you, to make sure you're safe."

Two minutes late Rose entered the room, and sat in the chair that had its back to the mirror. She noted, that it was very uncomfortable. She thought, that it might be a new interrogation technique. The prisoner has to confess if he/she ever wanted to get out of these horrid things.

She was snapped out of her musings by the sound of the door opening. The guard Hartmann assigned to her led Harkness to the other chair, and cuffed him to it.

After Flicks left, Rose started speaking, „Good evening. My name is Rose Tyler, and I'll be your contact. In order to get the amnesty you were offered, you'll have to answer all my questions. Is there anything you want to know before we get started?"

„Yes. How come you're here, if you were on the ship, earlier this morning? Isn't it a little contradiction?" he asked, clearly enjoying the sight of the angry Rose.

„My presence at Torchwood doesn't concern you, so I'll take that as a 'no'," she answered. She didn't like the situation. She entered the room a minute ago, and he already threathened her, tough not openly, „Let's start with the easy questions. What's your name?"

„You already know that, Sweetheart," he answered, „After all we have already met. We even have a common friend," he said, meaning his son.

„Where were you born, and when?" she asked, ignoring his quips.

„A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...," he answered.

„It's not the right time to quote Star Wars," she snapped, then tried an other approach, „Why were you on the ship, and what the hell do you want here?"

„That's my secret."

Rose was about to make a very rude comment, when she heard somebody moving behimd her back. She also noticed, that Harkness's gaze is on something behind her, so she turned around. The last thing she saw was Flicks with a gun in is hand before everything went black, for the second time that day.

End of flashback

„That's everything I remember. After waking up I sent a message to the Director and Dad, then came to find you," said Rose.

Right after finishing her sentence, the elevator doors opened. They stepped out to the empty hallway, and walked into the first lab. The scientists there didn't notice anything strange, so they came out, just to bump into arriving Ben and Jack.

„I guess you heard the alarm, you came to the same conclusion as me," said Ben as a greeting.

„If you mean our favourite Captain, you're right," answered Violet, „I sent a message to the boss, but we thought it wouldn't hurt to take a look. Care to help?"

„Yeah," said Jack, but he was cut off before he could continue.

Somebody at the end of the corridor screamed.