Author's Note
The team interrogates the creature and finally get some answers.
The Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights belong to Russell T. Davies and BBC. I make no money and intend no harm.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy it, any reviews or comments would be great. :)
The team stood around the creature, which was tied to a chair and beginning to wake up. It looked a bit like a weevil and was shaped more or less like a human but unlike the weevil it had thin papery skin and its' eyes lacked the bestial savagery that the weevils possessed. Sitting in the chair, all tied up, it looked meek and afraid, almost pitiful.
"Have you seen anything like this before, Jack?" asked Gwen.
"Yeah," said Jack thoughtfully. "A long time ago. It's a Daor. They're a slave race, bred on certain planets and bought by the hardworking citizens of the universe. I'd say this one was made to guard that sphere. From what and for whom, I have no idea. Why don't we ask our friend here?"
"No good." said Owen. "I've been talking to him for half an hour; don't think he can understand us."
"Course he can." said Jack smiling. "The Daor can speak every language, its part of the job description, isn't that right."
"That is correct." said the Daor in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Bloody hell!" said Owen angrily. "Why didn't you answer me?"
"It was funnier that way." said the Daor.
"Funnier!" shouted Owen outraged.
"The Daor are known throughout the galaxy for their sense of humor." said Jack suppressing a laugh. "Anyway, back to the point. You have got some explaining to do. First off, what is that sphere and why do you have it?"
"It is a travel capsule, my master left it in my possession."
"Yeah? And where's your master?" asked Jack.
"He is here." said the Daor simply.
"What do you mean he is here?" asked Jack.
"My master is in the capsule." the Daor said.
"You mean there's an alien inside the sphere?" asked Owen horrified.
"I've scanned that sphere dozens of times, there's no life inside it." said Tosh.
"It's a trick." said the Daor. "In case it falls into the wrong hands, the metal tricks your scans so that no life registers on them."
"Genius" whispered Tosh impressed.
"That's great technology and all," said Jack impatiently. "But what's your master doing in the sphere in the first place"
"My master's planet was destroyed. He knew it was the end so he hid himself away in the capsule and he gave me a transporter. He told me to search the galaxy until I found a new planet for him. I have been traveling for many years but no planet I have encountered can sustain my master. I was preparing to leave the planet I was on to keep looking when a bright light flashed and I ended up here."
"The rift." said Gwen softly.
"I was frightened and when I saw all of you coming for me I panicked and dropped my master and fled. I'm sorry if I hurt you." the Daor said looking at Jack.
"You nearly chewed my head off." said Jack disgruntled.
"I thought you had come to kill me. I needed to get away to find my master."
"We only wanted answers." said Jack. "Like, what the hell has your precious master done to us?"
"What do you mean?" asked the Daor innocently.
"That capsule exploded and we all woke up in each others bodies. How the hell did that happen?" asked Jack forcefully.
"Oh," said the Daor, realization dawning on his face. "I see you must have activated security protocol 37."
"Yeah and what's that?" asked Jack.
"The capsule is programmed to my touch only. If anyone else touches it one of 40 security protocols will be activated. 37 is one of the more humorous ones." said the Daor chuckling. "My master's race are a very peaceful people. They would never want to hurt anyone, just deter them."
"That's all this was" asked Jack incredulously. "A way to stop us touching it?"
"Precisely." said the Daor.
"Okay," said Jack. "Then how do we reverse it?"
"Simple, once the threat has been removed you should return to your original state."
"Well, how do we know when the threats gone?" asked Owen. "We haven't touched the damn thing since it blew up."
"If you let me hold it, it will register my touch and know that it is in safe hands once more." said the Daor.
"I don't buy it." said Owen suspiciously. "He could be lying about the whole thing. It could be a weapon."
"No." said Jack. "He's telling the truth. The Daor are installed with these chips that prevent them from lying. Good thing to have in a servant, truthfulness. But, there's still one thing you haven't told us. What exactly is you master? Where is he from?"
"My master is a Verloren from the planet Koti." said the Daor.
"Koti?" asked Jack disbelievingly. "That's impossible."
"Have you heard of it?" asked Gwen.
"Yeah, long time ago." said Jack. "Koti is just a legend, the Verloren were wiped out centuries ago."
"Yes." said the Daor sadly. "We have been traveling a long time."
Jack stood lost in thought for a moment. "Tosh, bring him the sphere. Owen, untie him."
"What, you're just gonna trust it?" asked Owen in disbelief.
"Yes!"
Owen begrudgingly untied the Daor and stepped quickly away from it, looking wary. Tosh came back holding the sphere gingerly and set it gently in the Daor's waiting arms. It glowed softly at his touch. "It should take a couple of minutes for you to turn back, so please be patient."
Several minutes passed in silence and nothing happened. Owen was about to open his mouth to complain when he suddenly felt warm all over. He looked down and he was glowing the same color as the sphere. He felt his stomach drop as if he were falling, he closed his eyes and when he looked down again he smiled. "Thank God. I'm back! I missed you old boy." he said looking down.
"That's wrong." said Gwen. "I've had that thing for two days now and it's not that fun."
"Glad to see your just as chipper as always, Gwen." said Owen unable to stop smiling.
Jack looked down at himself and was relieved to see his own body once more, his familiar coat wrapped securely around him. He looked over to see both Tosh and Ianto smiling happily down at themselves.
Owen broke the happy silence. "So, what do we do with him?"
"We let him go." said Jack. "That's all we can do for him. Maybe he'll find a new home someday."
"He's been alone foe hundreds of years just searching for a new home." said Gwen sadly. "What if he never finds one?"
"There's always hope." said Jack.
Later on that evening, Jack sat at his desk absentmindedly shuffling papers when Ianto walked in. He walked forward and leaned against the desk, looking at Jack carefully.
"Everyone gone?" asked Jack.
"Yup, just me left." said Ianto. "Gwen wanted to get back to Rhys and Owen seemed eager to find the nearest pub. I can't imagine why."
"The Daor?"
"He's gone. He took the sphere and just left." said Ianto.
"I hope he finds what he's looking for someday." said Jack.
"What about you?" asked Ianto
"What about me?" replied Jack enigmatically.
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Who said I was looking for something?" Jack said avoiding his question.
"Do you miss it, the traveling?" asked Ianto changing the subject.
"A bit." said Jack thoughtfully. "When I was younger I would have shuddered at the thought of living permanently in the past, especially the 21st century. But, I've grown up a lot since then and it's not like I can just leave. Even so, I'm glad I'm here. I left home a long time ago and since then, nothing has been the same but here and now feels like home. More so than anywhere I've been in a really long time."
"So you're happy here, then?" asked Ianto.
Jack's smile was touched with sadness as he rose from his chair and walked to where Ianto stood looking at him uncertainly. He wrapped his arms around the man he loved so dearly. "Yes, I'm happy here." said Jack. "Ianto?"
"Yeah, Jack?" Ianto replied.
Jack cupped Ianto's face in his hands and kissed him gently. He pulled away slowly and smiled at Ianto. "I found what I was looking for."
FIN