Note: I don't own anything related to Torchwood (unless you count the books I have)...Enjoy...
I stared him down but wouldn't use my ability to change his mind. When his eyes didn't stray from mine, I shrugged and looked around the table.
"Fine but get Martha on the line. If I'm telling you then she should know as well."
It didn't take long for Tosh to have Martha on the speakerphone. Jack and she bantered back and forth for a bit before he turned it over to me.
"Dr. Jones, as a companion to the Doctor, you've visited many times and places but one should stand out in your mind. New York in the 1930s."
It took her a second to place but soon she remembered. "Bloody hell. First, who are you and are you sure?"
"Ria and yes. In fact you met the one that's behind this. He's the one who is running the show."
"Enough with the secret talk. Who are we dealing with?" Gwen asked.
"Creatures made from metal trash cans, laser beams, one eye, and a whisk looking thing that doesn't really do anything. In other words, the Daleks."
Jack paled and leaned back in his chair. He had told me the story of how he became immortal and I could understand what he was feeling.
"We're dead. There's no way of stopping them," he sighed.
"Wrong, Jack Harkness! I didn't study the files, listen to stories, and convince people to tell me what truly happened for you to just give up. We will get through this and I will not have Donna lose everything and see Uncle D so traumatized afterwards."
"What about Donna? Does she…" Martha asked.
"Not in a true sense. I would normally say we need to plan but a specific alien will know if we do too much. Martha, try to have the U.N.I.T post empty tomorrow morning. If you can't then at least you tried. You will be given 2 items and the first will work even if it's untested and the second won't be needed but hold onto it anyways."
"I will try but I doubt the Commander will give everyone the morning off."
"If not have him declare a Code Red Emergency. Now that's all we can do."
"If Ria is right, then we need to be ready. Go home and rest. Be back here by 8," Jack said.
"Ah, say 7:30. It's to start around 8am."
Martha bid us luck before hanging up. Tosh and Gwen didn't take long to leave the Hub. Owen went down to the autopsy bay to check on supplies. I offered Sarah Jane and Luke my flat so they could rest. As I led them out, I looked back at Jack.
Spend the night with Ianto. The shagging will take your mind off of tomorrow, I telepathically said to him.
He inclined his head and went to find his boyfriend. I took the two to my flat and showed them where they could sleep. Neither were tired and Sarah Jane was jittery so I persuaded them to sleep. I stood at a window, looking out from the flat, thinking about the different strategies and the different ways tomorrow could go. As long as no one died and I could save Donna, that was all that mattered. I pulled out my mobile and used my wristlet to boost the signal. Doubting Uncle D would know about SMS or texting, I was counting on Donna.
Doctor Donna, Earth needs help. Will be stolen by enemy. Taken out of time. Like Adipose 3, lost moon of Poosh. Will be used to destroy all.
Sarah Jane was the first one up and she asked if I had slept. I shook my head and went to change. Because we were bound to run, I chose a pair of loose black pants with plenty of pockets and buckles, a deep red tank top, and my favorite boots. I wrapped my hair into a loose bun and secured it with a couple sticks. When I exited the bathroom, Luke was just waking up.
"Hurry up and we'll head to the Hub. The others should be there by now. Sarah Jane, bring that pretty necklace that you brought. While we won't need it, it'll be another bluffing tool against them."
As we made our way to the Hub, I sent a brief text message to David warning him that something would be happening. While it was early, he still replied asking what.
Just stay calm and don't aggravate the aliens. When this is over, we will need to talk. I've been keeping some things from you. Love you.
Ria, what's going on? Should I call my grandfather?
Stay safe, love.
Once we were in the Hub and surrounded by the others, I read several thoughts of worry, strategies, and from Jack a stray thought of last night. I laughed and as the others looked at me, I looked at Jack and smiled.
"At least someone is calm, sated even if that's where his mind is."
Ianto blushed and hurried away to possibly grab coffee. I placed my mobile on the desk near me. Tosh and Gwen were at their computers, Owen was leaning against the wall near the autopsy bay, and Jack was standing near the railing with Sarah Jane, Luke, and Gray sitting on the couch. I wasn't surprised that Jack would bring his brother here for safety. The sound of clinking mugs and rattling spoons could be heard from where Ianto stood.
"Jack, I'm picking up some Rift activity," Tosh pointed out.
"It's begun," Gwen whispered.
My mobile buzzed and I found a reply from Donna.
Who is this? What enemy?
Earth will disappear. You need to go to Medusa Cascade. Follow the bees' trail. One second out of time. Caan and his sort are not gone.
The planet shook and everyone grabbed onto something to keep themselves steady. I popped my mobile into a pocket and turned to the computer. I grabbed the computer and typed a few commands.
"OK. So we have been stolen and several hundred Dalek ships are heading our way. Jack, call Martha and see if she's OK. She will need to leave by way of Project Indigo. Tell her to think of home. Tosh, keep an eye on news broadcasts. Gwen, call Rhys and keep him calm."
My mobile buzzed again but it was from David. I closed the message and focused on what was happening.
"They will take people back to their ships and kill those who won't obey. Rose should be showing up shortly but I can't bring her here. She needs to be with Donna's family. You will notice a signal on the subwave. It will patch anyone connected with the Doctor together. I would patch Rose through as well but he can't know that she's here just yet. I'm sorry to admit but he needs to be shot first. It's imperative that he regenerates."
"You're willing to let the Doctor die?"
"He won't be dieing, Jack. If I stop this part from happening, then I have no clue what would happen. We might not be able to stop them and we might lose more than what's lost in the other reality."