"I don't like this, it stinks of trap," Jack said as he looked round the deserted airfield. "Way too many places for snipers to hide."
Martha took in the rusting sheds and damaged runway.
"I don't like it either, but what choice do we have. We have to deal with the Devil or let her kill him," she said and nodded to where Sarah Michaels was handcuffed to one of the buildings.
They both tried to ignore the sounds that were coming from inside one of the hangars and look up at the skies instead.
"If he doesn't turn up soon he'll tear through the side of the van, then there'll be hell," Martha said.
"He'll be here, he wouldn't want to miss getting his hands on his prize possession," Jack replied, anger giving his voice an edge.
The sound from the hangar increased and Ianto walked out of the building and over to Jack.
"The van won't last much longer, it's starting to buckle, and I don't know what damage he's doing to himself."
Jack nodded and was about to reply, when the silence was broken by a sound similar to that of the rift when it was opening.
They all looked up as a shuttle appeared and began descending.
"He's here," Jack said.
White Coat could scarcely believe his good fortune when he'd received the call from Dr Michaels. At first he thought she was calling to gloat over her victory at destroying his plans, but his anger had turned to a mixture of nerves and anticipation when she told him the reason.
Now he could hardly contain his excitement as he stepped out of the shuttle...his property was within reach once more.
He looked over to where Captain Harkness and Martha Jones were standing, and then over at Dr Michaels...pity he thought, she was so good at her work.
He gestured for the two guards with him to wait and he slowly walked towards the waiting pair.
He stopped when he heard the sound coming from the hangar, and then continued until he was only a few paces from Jack.
"Having problems are we?"
"I'm not here to socialise," Jack said. "We, I need your help."
"So I see, and tell me what do I get in return for helping you Captain?"
Jack glared at White Coat, he itched to wrap his fingers round that arrogant bastard's throat.
"You get to breath for another day," he growled.
White Coat smiled at the words. "Really, I thought you were above such crude ideas. But I digress, shall we look at it."
Jack bridled at his description of the Doctor, but Martha's hand on his arm stopped him from retorting.
"He's this way," Martha said and gestured towards the hangar.
Gwen had been standing as far away from the van as she could, having almost been knocked flying by the Doctor slamming against the sides.
He had kept up a constant barrage of what she presumed was his own language, and she could guess they weren't polite ones either.
However as soon as she saw Jack, Martha, Ianto and someone who she assumed must be White Coat enter the hangar she moved back towards the van.
"Thank god, he's not stopped since you parked it."
She tensed as the man in the white coat approached the door of the van and reached out to open it.
"Don't," she said and went to pull the man away.
"No it's okay, let him," Jack said.
White Coat gave Gwen a look he might give one of his specimens and brushed at the spot where she had grabbed his jacket.
"I really don't think he's going to hurt me, not if my conditioning has been effective," he said.
He reached into his pocket and brought out something Jack recognised instantly.
"You can't use that!"
White Coat looked at Jack. "Captain, if you and your crew have any wish to leave this place alive, I suggest you let me do this my way. The collar is the only way I'll have a chance of getting near it. Now be quiet and let me work."
Without another word White Coat opened the van doors, collar in hand.
The figure inside whipped round at the sound of the doors opening and moved...but stopped after a few strides when he saw a way too familiar object.
Memories of pain flashed through his head and he back-pedalled until he was against the back of the van, fear rising in his stomach.
White Coat smiled at his property's reaction... yes the conditioning was still working.
"Good, you do remember. Now behave and I can stop your pain."
Jack watched White Coat like a hawk watches the rabbit in its sights as he opened the doors to the van.
He couldn't quite hear what White Coat said, but he could hear the effect the sight of that collar had on the Doctor.
He almost stepped in to stop White Coat when he heard the Doctor whimper in what could only be fear, but he stopped himself as White Coat stepped away from the doors and the Doctor followed seconds later.
"Now Captain Harkness, I think it's time for me to take my property back."
Jack whipped round when there was the sound of feet and the click of safety's being released.
The hanger filled with armed men and a now released Sarah Michaels, although she was being virtually carried inside.
"You really shouldn't be so trusting Captain, did you really think I would let you keep my property."
White Coat turned back towards the Doctor.
"Hold him," he ordered two of the armed men.
The Doctor struggled in vain as White Coat approached with the now undone collar.
"Please no, I'll be good...you don't need to...please..."
The Doctor's words were cut off as his face went blank.
"You are so dead!" Jack snarled at White Coat.
White Coat gave him an unpleasant smile. "Really Captain, I believe that's the...let me see...yes, that's at least the fourth time you've threatened me and failed. Now if you don't mind I, my property and the unfortunate Doctor Michaels will be leaving now. Goodbye Captain Harkness."
With that he turned away from Jack.
"Come along," he said to the Doctor.
"Doctor, you can't, you have to fight this!" Jack cried, but his words fell on muted ears.
The sound of the shuttle entering the rift was the last thing Jack heard before his world collapsed into dark grief.
He was gone...and this time he didn't think he would find him.
TBC in 'The Strategy of Chaos"