"They are in the fifth sector!" Colonel McGrath rose in excitement from the console and pointed to the report. "The raider mother ship has been spotted orbiting Cassia, and three attack ships have left to the surface. The Conservancy fighters are on their way to defend the planet surface, and more have been ordered to the sector."
Jens ran over to the console followed by Gray and the Doctor. He peered at the map. "We can move close to the Adyan mother ship. We still have two vortex manipulators. If we can scan the ship and find Jack, we could be in and out before they realize they've been boarded, especially if the fighters are away."
Mara, Adjit, and Toshi heard the commotion and joined the group.
"You know I can't be part of military mission," said the Doctor warily.
"But you can be part of a rescue mission!" pleaded Jens. "Please!" He turned to McGrath, "Let me go and get Jack."
McGrath shook his head, "You would be a liability on this mission. You are too close to him, and that might cloud your judgment." Jens scowled at the rebuff. "We need your TARDIS as a medical bay, especially if there are casualties on the surface of the planet. Doctor Kincaid and the Doyenne can assist.
McGrath turned to the Doctor. "We need your TARDIS to get close enough to launch a rescue. I'll take a team in for Jack once we locate him."
Gray stepped forward and turned his eyes on McGrath. "Take me. I want to go in for my brother."
Jens and McGrath looked at each other warily.
"Please, I want to make things right between us!" pleaded Gray.
"I don't know if you are ready," said the Colonel.
"The Doyenne has treated my blood, and the balance are correct." He glanced towards the Adyan. "Right?"
She nodded.
"I've been working with Mara on emotional balance."
Jens and McGrath looked at the Catkin doctor.
Mara shrugged her shoulders. "He may be ready to make this right, but I'm not positive."
"How do I know that you won't crack and make things worse for Jack!" growled Jens.
"Because he's my brother!" pleaded Gray. "Jack is my only family. Look, I was sick before…damaged.. but now…Let me put this right!"
"I'll take him in with me," said McGrath as he turned back to the Time Lord. "I'll watch him, Jens. If I see even a hint of instability, I'll send him back to the Doctor's TARDIS." He turned to the Doctor. "Are you with me on this, Doc?"
The Doctor smiled and nodded. "As long as you don't call me 'Doc'."
Jens looked uncertain, but gave a curt nod, yielding to the Colonel's plan.
Jack's heat signature was programmed into the search computers as they rushed to the scene. Mara, Adjit, the Doyenne, and Toshi stayed with his TARDIS in a higher orbit, waiting for news from both Colonel McGrath and the Conservancy strike force.
The Doctor's TARDIS arrived and began to shadow the Adyan ship as it orbited Cassia. Their scans swept each level carefully, listening for the ping that would indicate human life.
"There, in the second level, see it?" McGuire pointed to the screen. "It's got to be Jack!"
"How many others are in that area?" asked the Doctor.
"There is only human signal," said McGuire. "The other Adyan heat signatures are crowded into what looks to be the bridge, and engine support sections. There is one Adyan near Jack, probably a guard." He looked at Gray. "I'll take out the guard and you get Jack."
"Yes sir," said Gray as he entered the coordinates into both vortex manipulators and handed one to the Colonel. McGuire slipped it on his wrist. As he checked his weapon, the Doctor frowned.
"I will keep my promise as best I can for no violence, Doctor," said McGuire. "But I will defend myself and my team."
The Doctor nodded.
McGuire motioned to Gray to put his hands on the wrist strap, then turned to the Doctor. "Signal your son that we are going in."