Chapter Five
Jack kicked a piece of burning rubble in frustration, absently watching it skitter across the scorched grass.
The stench of burnt wiring and other less pleasant things filled his nostrils, making his stomach roil again. This was the nightmare of last year returning, and the very real fear that he would have to do the one thing he really didn't want to do.
He turned away from the shell of the Institute and saw Ianto walking towards him.
"He did this, didn't he?" Ianto said
Jack nodded, unable to meet Ianto's stare.
"You know what you have to do, you can't ignore it, not anymore," Ianto said quietly.
Jack drew in a breath and shook his head. "I can't, I just can't, its genocide."
"Jack, all those people, he could have killed Martha." He paused before speaking again. "He nearly killed me."
Jack looked up at that. "He not in his right mind, he wouldn't have..."
"No Jack, you can't see, because you don't want to see. He's out of control, for the second time. How many more people are going to be hurt or killed? What if this time it's not something White Coat has done? What if he's gone mad, just like the...."
"Don't say that!" Jack cut him off. "He's not like him, don't ever say that Ianto, don't."
He turned away from Ianto and walked back towards the helicopter, quelling the anger that was rising.
He knew Ianto was right, but he didn't want to think about it. For now all he wanted to do was find the Doctor and take him away from White Coat, see for himself if the madness was forced or self-inflicted.
He couldn't stomach the thought of doing what the Doctor made him promise, he would rather lock him away and care for him, for as long as he needed, an eternity if he had to.
"Come on Ianto!" he yelled and climbed into the helicopter.
The Doctor watched as the land sped past below, he looked over at the pilot, then down at the carrier at his feet.
A thought suddenly came to him, if those three were at the institute, that meant the Hub was empty, and his TARDIS was unguarded.
He looked over at the pilot again, then at the controls of the helicopter. If White Coat wanted the virus he could have it, what use was it to him. If he wanted to use a virus to wipe out humanity, he had far worse and much more efficient samples stored on the TARDIS.
No, all he wanted was off this stinking world, and back to more civilised worlds, where his talents would be much more appreciated.
He glanced over at the pilot again, who looked over at him.
The Doctor gave him his brightest smile. "So, is it fun flying these things?"
White Coat was angry, not at the pilot, who had returned a few hours ago, battered and bruised, but holding the carrier containing the virus. He was angry at himself, he knew it had been a mistake to trust his property, and he cursed his stupidity at not going along.
Now a frisson of worry was tapping at his mind. His property would not return of its own free will, that was a given. But he couldn't let a valuable piece of property like that run free, he would have to get him back.
The Doctor had ditched the helicopter, as much as he wanted to, he really couldn't land it in the middle of Roald Dhal Plas, it would draw unwanted attention. Stealing a vehicle had been easy, but he was beginning to regret his choice, which had drawn unwanted attention.
He eventually pulled up and climbed out of the Lamborghini, glaring at anybody who looked in his direction. But he didn't need it anymore, besides, he had rather ruined the engine, escaping the police vehicles that had chased him along the M4.
Now he was walking across the plaza, heading for the water displays that marked where the Hub was located.
He stopped just short of the displays and closed his eyes, he could feel it, all that power, and it would be his, not the pathetic excuse for a Time Lord that usually dominated. Oh, he was going to have so much fun.
He walked over to the set of steps and stopped. He could feel the power coming from the platform, and felt the jolt as it moved.
He stepped off the platform and into the Hub.
All was quiet, only the hum of computers disturbing the silence.
The Doctor walked down the stairs, following the psychic scent of the TARDIS. He stopped outside one of the door and reached for the handle.
The electrical charge threw him across the corridor and he hit the wall behind with bone breaking force. He landed in a heap, and his eyes rolled back and he slumped to the floor.
Jack jumped slightly when his wrist device beeped. He pulled up his sleeve and looked at the readings.
A grim smile crossed his face. He knew the Doctor would not be able to resist, the temptation of getting to the TARDIS would have been too great, and now his trap was sprung.
"Step on it Ianto, our hawk has returned to the coop."
The Doctor came round with a start, which was rapidly replaced by anger. He wasn't outside a door anymore, he was inside a brightly lit cell.
He sprang up and began thumping on the clear wall.
"Harkness, let me out of here!" he roared.
A figure moved into view and stood, arms crossed a steely expression on his face.
The Doctor let out a snarl and flew at the wall. "Harkness, I'm going to snap your puny neck!"
The figure said nothing, shook his head and turned away, moving out of sight.
"Harkness, don't you walk away from me. Nobody walks away from me!"
The Doctor screamed his anger and kicked violently at the wall, cursing the figure in Gallifreyan and human.
Jack had stood and looked at the Doctor, heard the words come out of his mouth. His voice was full of arrogance and hate, and madness.
He didn't flinch when the Doctor threw himself at the wall, nor did he react. He just shook his head and turned away, trying to close his ears to the insults.
"Harkness!" he heard the Doctor scream as he closed the door to the cells.
It was only then that he reacted. He felt his knees go weak and he slid to the floor, and the horror of it washed over him.
The Doctor was insane, and this time there was no implant, no alien creature.
Jack let out a sob and knew that he'd lost him
Ianto had been right, the Doctor had gone insane....he'd become like the Master!