Jens flexed his back as he sat listening to the presentation. Mara and Ajit were transfixed. He felt uneasy, but chalked it up to what he was hearing. The evidence coming through the Conservancy investigations of the raiding incidents painted a picture of a highly intelligent species. Tracks around the bodies reflected humanoid features; however marks on the bodies indicated they may be dealing with a form of shapeshifter which would make the search more difficult. These were invaders that could blend in if needed.
The raiders would come at any time, day or night, their ships flying in with a droning sound, like a massive invasion of bees. They would swoop into settlements in small ships, scattering the inhabitants in terror. Those who were not killed or hid during the first assault, were captured and taken to another place, usually caves, which was often later found by search parties.
Most of the bodies of the kidnapped were drained of blood, with evidence of extreme torture including sexual assault. In some cases, a few victims survived long enough to give evidence of psychological torture as well indicating the perpetrators wanted to create as much fear and terror in their victims as possible. The military in the audience shifted uncomfortably when it was revealed that soldiers were a particular favorite target, and sometimes survived the kidnap and assault. These were taken with the marauders, and never to be seen again. A few children were also listed as missing.
Marks on the bodies indicated that the attackers could alter their appendages at will into weapons making them more terrifying than any species previously encountered. This supported the shape shifter theory. They ravished the victims causing intense pain, and then discarded the bodies in piles before they moved on. Colleagues and families who were left in the colony after the attack usually moved back to home planets after they viewed the bodies to prepare for burial. The injuries and frozen mask of horror on the faces of their loved ones was devastating. The odd thing was that the raiders did not steal, did not destroy property, and moved on without occupying the land. This supported the proposed theory that they worked on behalf of the Aurora Cartel to clear the planet for illegal mining.
A discussion broke out among the dignitaries on the panel as to what action to take next. Some insisted non-intervention noting that the affected planets should finance their own protection forces. Others felt that only a massive interplanetary task force could track the illusive foe that would only grow bolder and begin to widen their sphere. The Shadow Proclamation ambassador provided legal support to both sides of the debate.
During a rest break from the proceedings, Jens asked Mara to continue to take notes while he returned briefly to the TARDIS. He had unsuccessfully tried in the last four hours to contact Jack to ask about Gray, but was unable to get a response. He suspected the Conservancy's security system might be interfering with communications.
As he signed out, a young intern rushed up to him with a blue box containing Jack's Webley. Apparently the Captain had forgotten to take it when he left with Gray. The Time Lord thanked the young man and began his walk to where TARDIS was parked. As he drew nearer, the uneasy feeling increased until he broke into a run. The TARDIS itself was in distress.
He could feel Kira trembling as he opened the door. The very walls of the TARDIS quivered. He pushed into the central control room and saw the scattered maps on the conference table splashed in blood, and pooled blood drying on the floor. Jack's coat was carelessly tossed on a chair. There was no sign of the Captain or his brother.
"Kira, show me what happened!"
A holographic image appeared shimmering in front of him. As he watched Gray plunged the knife into his brother again and again, Jen dropped to his knees in horror. Then he watched as Gray took the Captain's wrist strap from his body, activated it, and then disappeared taking Jack with him.
Jens quickly regained his composure, and went to the communication panel triggering the tracking program for the wrist strap. Nothing. Gray must have turned it off. He went back to the table frantically looking for other clues. Under the table near the splatter of Jack's blood was the photo Gray took from the medical packet earlier that day. It was shot taken of a pile of bodies found after a raid: men, women, and older children. He looked at it closely. On the neck of each of the victims was a scaring pattern that looked exactly like the one on Gray.