Chapter Thirteen
White Coat stepped out of the shuttle, and wrinkled his nose at the smell that drifted on the breeze.
Sometimes he thought, why did his employers so desperately want this world, and its inhabitants?
It's not that he didn't want to know, it was better not to know. As long as he got what he wanted, he didn't care, he'd lived too long to care about such things.
The only thing he cared about at the moment was finding his property, and finding a way of spiriting it away from his employers and the numerous people that wanted it instead.
He heard the scuff of boots on rubble behind him. He didn't react when his newly appointed Security Chief stopped next to him.
"Sir, they're nearly in Earth orbit and are asking for an update."
White Coat sighed. "Tell them...nothing. No, tell them the rendezvous point has changed, give them these co-ordinates, they might come in handy."
"Yes sir...report from number five and seven. They've found Captain Harkness, and it looks like he's onto something."
White Coat smiled. "Excellent, tell them to follow but don't engage."
"Yes sir," he said and walked away, speaking into his comm.
White Coat let out a sigh, if he was lucky, something he did not believe in, he would soon be off this pathetic little planet.
He hadn't decided yet how he was going to spend the millions of credits that his employers had already paid him. A foolish thing for them to do, he would never trust that much.
And if the gods were with him, he would have his property and the ultimate in weapons, once he'd removed the thing that was now destroying it.
If that meant this dirty little planet was infested by it, fine. His employer's would get what they wanted, and he would be a wealthy and powerful and own the last of an ancient powerful race.
He turned back to where his Security Chief was relaying orders to his men.
"Take them out, no witnesses," he said before shutting off his comm.
He looked up as White Coat approached.
"Elimination taking place, they've already taken out the NSA and MI6 operatives They're now starting on UNIT."
The sound of gunfire filled the air.
Jack looked up at the gunfire, looking round, unsure of where it came from.
"Ianto, Martha, are you okay?" he said anxiously into his comm.
He sighed with relief when their voices came back.
"Jack, there's full on battle going on outside. I think its UNIT, not sure who they're fighting!" Martha shouted.
"Stay down, let Ianto know where you are," Jack ordered.
"Ianto, get to Martha, then get the hell out."
"What about you?" Ianto asked.
"Just do as I say Ianto!" he snapped.
"You've found him, haven't you," Ianto said. It wasn't a question, more a statement.
"He could, no will kill you," Ianto said.
"He might, but I have to try. Just find Martha and go," Jack replied
"I can't..."
"No!" Jack cut him off savagely. "I can come back if he kills me, you two won't!"
A burst of gunfire drowned out Ianto's reply, and his voice was replaced by the hiss of static.
"Ianto!" he hissed, a wave of panic rushing through him.
"Martha," he hissed again, but once again there was only static. Someone had blocked radio transmissions.
"Dammit!"
He was torn between going to find Ianto and Martha and following the sound.
His mind was made up for him, when there was another bang, something metallic moving, and he moved towards it.
The Doctor had made it out of the silo, just and was now stumbling his way to...where was he going?
He was trying to find...what was it?
Another wave of dizziness and now pain assaulted him, and he stumbled.
He fell against something. He peered at it through pain- fuzzed eyes...machinery of some sort.
He frowned...why was he here? Why couldn't he remember?
"Memory loss...definitely not good," he mumbled.
He frowned again...there was something?
Then he felt it, something in his head...and it wanted out!
Pain shot through him again, and this time it brought him to his knees.
He couldn't let it escape, it would destroy everything. He felt like his head was going to explode, and he couldn't stop himself from crying out.
White Coat looked up as the cry echoed around the empty space. That sounded like his property, and it was very close.
He snapped his fingers to get the attention of his Security Chief, and was about to move in the direction of that cry, when the air in front of him began to shimmer.
This really is the time, he thought, and plastered a smile on his face as several figures started to coalesce.
"Welcome my Lord, what an unexpected pleasure."
The figure he was addressing gave White Coat a look that was full of disdain.
"Liar, you stink of deception and decay. Where is our purchase?" the figure hissed.
White Coat swallowed before replying. He knew the possible outcome of lying to these particular individuals.
"It will be with us in a while."
The figure that had spoken closed the gap between itself and White Coat in two large strides.
"I hope you are not lying to me, or your ancient carcass will adorn my trophy wall. So, tell me why have you changed our rendezvous point?"
"My Lord, I thought you could have some sport, hunt some of the inhabitants before they are converted. I think you will find them worthy prey," White Coat said and bowed.
The figure considered White Coat's words then turned to his companions.
White Coat could only listen to the hisses and growls that was his employer's language.
The figure turned back to White Coat and reverted to human.
"It might be a distraction. However, business first, the virus, is it ready?"
White Coat smiled. "Yes my Lord, I would say this planet will be yours within one Earth day."
"Well done, but I was not pleased that you had to use our property to do so. I was against paying you before a successful conversion. I hope it has not been harmed?"
White Coat chose to ignore the threat in that question. "Of course, it is too valuable a prize to damage beyond repair. Once the virus had mutated, I can remove the code and he will be yours."
The figure nodded. "Good, then perhaps a little hunt will be entertaining."
White Coat smiled, everything was going to plan. With any luck, his employer's would either kill or be killed by Captain Harkness and his team, and he could walk away with his prize.
He had no intention of letting the virus loose on this planet. There were too many other potential clients who had an interest in Earth, wealthy potential clients.
Jack moved slowly, trying his best to avoid kicking the many pieces of scrap and rubble that were strewn on the floor.
If that cry belonged to who he thought it was, he really didn't want to spook him into running again.
He stopped when he heard footsteps to his right. He flattened against a rusting piece of machinery and held his breath as the footsteps came closer.