Plague

by Laura Harkness

“The President of the United States and the Administrator of NASA are on line 2 for you,” Jack Harkness is informed... And Ten, Rose, Jack and the Torchwood team are about to find out what the 21st century has in common with the 14th. Hint: it's not good.

6. Chapter 6

PLAGUE

SIX

The homecoming was not as expected.

Jackie was parked on the couch, in front of the television, remote in hand.

When Rose opened the door and cheerily announced, "We're home!" she was met with a stern glance.

"Hush! Something has happened at the international space station. There's been an accident – they've lost touch with the station and the space shuttle. The Endeavour, she arrived yesterday; or was it the day before? I don't remember. But there are nine people up there!"

The Doctor and Rose quietly moved behind Jackie to watch. Jackie turned up the volume for them, unnecessarily. Or was it, The Doctor wondered, to stop them from talking?

The news announcer was reporting that neither the Americans nor the Russians had a way to quickly initiate a search and rescue.

Jackie pressed the mute button and turned to look hopefully at The Doctor. "Have you come to help them?"

The Doctor shook his head vehemently.

"Doctor!" said Rose.

"No, there's nothing I can do. I'll tell you the same thing I told Carl Sagan during Apollo 13 – space travel is a messy and dangerous business. If your planet wants to venture into space, you must accept the risks and consequences. If something goes wrong you either fix it or you fail. Either way you must learn from your mistakes and move on. Or not…" (1)

Rose looked at him, ready to argue but saw the look of absolute resolve on his face.

Jackie made a disgusted sound and turned back towards the television; mumbling something uncomplimentary under her breath she set the volume on high.

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(1) See my one shot "Canned Primate."