AN: The usual: Torchwood: don't own it; none of the characters are mine EXCEPT Eva. She's all mine and I'm not making any money off of any of it.
BIG BOO-BOO ALERT! When Jack joined them it was supposed to be forty-eight hours – NOT seventy-two. Sorry about that…that's basically what happens when you're writing the last four pages and submitting the chapter at 6:45am while not having gone to bed yet…yeah. Insomnia is a killer! And so is Writer's Block! Sorry it has taken me forever to update. RL has been beating me like a Wall Street Stockbroker and finally I decided it's time TO PLAY!!!! So….
Summary: Ianto, Eva and Jack awaken to a new universe: one with a Triumvirate in it. Aliens across space and time have gathered for this – and Gwen is still trying to find her place in this new dynamic. Mickey, Martha, The Doc and Lethbridge-Stewart make appearances along with a few aliens….
Torchwood: Archangel
Chapter Nine: Rising Angels – A Celestial Triumvirate Is Born
STAGE TWO IS COMPLETE.
TRANSITION IS COMPLETE.
STASIS IS LIFTED. THE TRIUMVIRATE IS BORN.
STAGE TWO IS COMPLETE.
TRANSITION IS COMPLETE.
STASIS IS LIFTED. THE TRIUMVIRATE IS BORN.
~~TWTWTW~~
The lighting within the capsule changed to its normal colors suddenly as the female computerized voice began chanting the same four sentences, awakening everyone from their uneasy slumbers. The past two days hadn't been pretty to say the least. There had been a rise in Weevil activity, but no attacks. Just sightings; especially around the Plass area. Gwen, Mickey and The Doctor figured out the cause of the disturbances rather quickly.
Eva's capsule had been emitting a low level pulse that affected the Weevils. All of the ones within the cells were unusually docile; simply purring and preening while looking up…towards the location where Eva's capsule was. The signal was being beamed out into space as well, where the thousands of ships now stationed just outside the Milky Way were still gathering as far as The Doctor and UNIT could tell. The Doctor still did not know what to make of what was going on. He still did not believe…Lethbridge-Stewart jokingly referred to him as 'their Doubting Thomas'.
Nine more alien races braved the storms within the Rift to make appearances bearing gifts for The Captain and His Archangels. Gwen, Mickey and occasionally Lethbridge-Stewart would meet these delegations, thank them for their gifts and then ask them to leave the planet. They would leave, bowing low and apologizing, not wanting to disturb or anger the Sleeping Angels.
Martha remained at the Hub, refusing to leave Eva's room or the bed where the Archangel, the Captain and the Archivist lay. But now….now they would awake…
~~TWTWTW~~
They awoke to a hum. As their collective and separate awareness took hold, they realized the hum was actually noises outside their cocoon. The man – Ianto! - and woman – Eva! - wrapped around the principal man – Jack! - andpulled themselves closer. His hands, on top of both of theirs, gripped tighter. The noise was annoying…it was different…it was to be ignored. The hum, however, would not stop. It demanded their attention… STASIS IS LIFTED. THE TRIUMVIRATE IS BORN. TIME TO AWAKE!
The three opened their eyes as one as their PDT's synched. They were The Three…The Triumvirate…The Captain and His Archangels. Jack turned slowly to his right and kissed Ianto on his forehead. He then turned to his left and did the same to Eva.
WE MUST, he began.
RETURN, Ianto and Eva answered.
Jack trailed his hand down Eva's arm, skimming down to her hip and thigh that had crossed over onto his leg. He smiled softly as emotion and feelings began seeping back into his consciousness. She was the reason they were here…like this. And it will be like this…for eternity. He smiled at that. His hand traveled up to the back of her head, cradling it as he kissed her lips softly, tenderly.
EVA TOVAR, he whispered into her mind. MY FIRST ARCHANGEL. ARCHANGEL CHARON. ARISE AND TAKE YOUR PLACE BY MY SIDE. He then turned to his other side. Ianto… He kissed the young man passionately on his lips…desire coiled within his abdomen. He wanted him badly. There was no time now…but later… Yes, later he would have them both. They in turn would take him and give to each other.
YES, they both whispered into his mind passionately. He chuckled. He really needed to learn how to shut down the damn PDT…
IANTO JONES, he continued, kissing the young man on the lips again. ARCHANGEL METATRON. ARISE AND TAKE YOUR PLACE BY MY SIDE.
The two on his sides looked over Jack's body, catching each others' eyes. The smiles on their faces were anything but innocent.
AS YOU HAVE COMMANDED, SO IT WILL BE, Ianto and Eva said as one.
Jack then wrapped his arms around Ianto and Eva and pulled them into his chest again. MINE, he said through their PDT's. Ianto and Eva both nodded.
Ianto took Eva's hand and put it on Jack's chest. He then covered with his own and looked to the pair. MINE, he intoned.
Eva shifted her hand out from under Ianto's and covered it while holding it to Jack's chest. MINE, she whispered.
'Forever,' the Three said as one. With their PDT's in synch again with the computer systems outside their cocoon, Eva deactivated the computer's audio message and sent it as a repeating message to the ships stationed out in space.
All Three then looked up at the carapace that surrounded them. It was still intact.
WE MUST, Jack began.
BREAK, Ianto continued.
IT, Eva finished.
Three fists connected with the top of the shell, making a resounding noise.
~~TWTWTW~~
The sudden deactivation of the audio message and BANG! alerted those outside that they were awakening. Martha gasped and stood up from her post at the vanity table as Gwen, Rhys and Mickey rose from the sectional in the lounging area. The Doctor and Lethbridge-Stewart came in from the balcony.
'They're moving inside,' Martha said in explanation. Three fists from within made contact with the shell again, this time cracking it slightly as the BANG sounded again. The third time they hit the shell, three fists broke through.
'Jack?!' Gwen's panicked voice called out. 'Ianto?! Eva?!'
The three inside stopped moving and focused on the sounds from outside.
WE KNOW, Jack began, those gathered outside could hear the telepathic call.
THAT, Ianto continued.
VOICE, Eva finished.
GWEN, the Three said as one.
SHE WILL HAVE A LONG LIFE. ONE SO DIFFERENT FROM US; ONE WITH SO MANY POSSIBILITIES, Jack said.
SHE WILL HAVE MANY THAT WILL FOLLOW HER…MANY THAT WILL BE PROUD IN HER DECISIONS, Ianto said. MANY THAT WILL REJOICE IN HER AS THEIR LEADER.
SHE WILL HAVE MANY CHILDREN AND A GOOD AND FAITHFUL HUSBAND. HALLS THAT WERE ONCE THOUGHT BARREN WILL RING WITH THE LAUGHTER OF THE YOUNG. SHE WILL PASS FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT A HAPPY AND FULFILLED BEING, Eva said.
Three fists connected with the shell again, making the holes bigger still.
'Jack!' The Doctor called out, his hand going to the edge of one of the holes.
THE DOCTOR, Jack said indifferently.
THE UPSTART, Ianto said angrily.
THE TIMELORD; LAST OF HIS KIND, Eva said sadly.
HOW CAN YOU BOTH FORGIVE HIM SO EASILY? Ianto questioned angrily.
There was a pause. IT WAS NOT EASY, Jack and Eva answered together.
BUT WE MUST TAKE THE HIGHER GROUND, Jack continued.
FOR WE HAVE ETERNITY AND HE DOES NOT. THE PAST IS PAST. IF WE DO NOT LEARN FROM IT AND THEN LET IT GO, IT IMPRISONS US FOREVER, Eva finished.
I…AM STILL ANGRY… Ianto answered after a bit. TIMELORD, he then said, addressing The Doctor. I FORGIVE ONLY BECAUSE MY DEAR ONES ASK IT OF ME. YOU WRONGED THEM BEFORE…IN THE PAST. YOU ABANDONNED JACK WHEN HE NEEDED YOU MOST, YOU CALLED HIM WRONG. YOU SHUNNED EVA BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WAS THAT YOU SAW; YOU WERE AFRAID. I FORGIVE YOU BECAUSE OF THE GREATER GOOD YOU HAVE DONE ON COUNTLESS WORLDS THROUGHOUT TIME AND SPACE. BUT WRONG EITHER OF THEM AGAIN – AND MY VENGEANCE WILL KNOW NO BOUNDS. THAT IS NOT A THREAT – IT IS A PROMISE.
BY THE GREAT ONE, Eva's voice said softly. I BELIEVE I HAVE CREATED A MONSTER.
Jack snorted at that and once again three fists hit the shell.
~~TWTWTW~~
The Doctor's hand fell back from the shell as he stepped back. Hands within the shell pushed against it. It fell away with the sound of ripping papier maché as it tumbled to the floor. A mist then rolled away from those on the bed and skirted to the floor disappearing. It reminded Mickey of a scene from an old Hammer Horror film: Dracula and his two Immortal Brides curled in a coffin waiting for the sun to set and the moon to rise… He shook his head; he really needed to get a life.
The Three sat up as one, reinforcing the horror aspect for Mickey, as they took in their surroundings looking at everything as if for the first time.
THIS FEELS, Jack began.
SO DIFFERENT, Ianto continued.
AND YET NOT, Eva finished.
OUR SLEEP IS OVER, Jack began.
OUR TRANSITIONS ARE COMPLETE, Ianto continued. The Three then looked up – towards space.
OUR PRESENCE IS REQUIRED, Jack began. BOTH ON EARTH AND IN SPACE. IT IS HIGH TIME THAT WE GIVE THEM NEW DIRECTION.
THAT WE HELP THEM FIND A NEW WAY, Eva continued.
THAT WE SHOW THEM THE WASTE AND ULTIMATE COST OF TRANSGRESSION, Ianto finished.
'For the wages of sin,' the Three said as one.
'Is me,' Eva finished quietly.
The Three then took each others' hands and in a flash of light, stood at the foot of the bed. Ianto and Eva were wearing the armor of the Archangels while Jack was dressed in his RAF off duty attire, down to his waistcoat, fob chain and gun belt.
The Doctor held his hands up to them. 'You really shouldn't be going anywhere,' he began slowly. 'At least until we have checked you out,' he said, motioning to Martha, who crossed over to them.
'Please,' she said softly. Jack then looked to his Archangels – and their armor morphed into clothing: Ianto wearing his usual three piece black pinstripe suit with claret red silk shirt and accoutrements; a periwinkle flower in his lapel button. Eva was in robes of black and red knobby silk with a blue sash around her waist the color of Ianto's flower and Jack's shirt.
'You can never resist when someone says 'please', can you?' Ianto asked, his voice low and melodious. Jack simply closed his eyes and sighed contentedly.
'No,' he said. He then turned to Martha. 'Do what you will, Nightingale. But quickly, yes?'
Immediately, The Doctor and Martha went to work, examining the Three.
~~TWTWTW~~
Martha began scanning Ianto and was shocked at what she found. He…was no longer human. His DNA identified him as marginally Terran, but other than that…he was a cyborg. His bones were like Eva's – poly-bond carbonite. His organs were still organic, but capable of fast healing and repair due to nanogenes housed within his body; again, like Eva. She took his blood pressure and pulse and jumped slightly as Ianto touched her with his other hand.
'Is there something wrong, Martha Jones?' he asked. She looked up into his young face and realized that even though his visage had not changed – HE had the look and feel…of something infinitely older. 'Martha Jones,' he called out softly. To her, his voice sounded and felt like thick brocaded velvet sliding across naked skin. The hairs on the back of her arms stood on end.
Now Martha understood Lethbridge-Stewart's previous statements. Looking at the Three of them, she could see how easily all of UNIT Command could fall under their thrall. But it was Ianto's voice: the slight lisp, the depth of its timber, the pronounced Welsh accent. His voice was truly foreplay without all the work. She had closed her eyes without realizing it – and now as she opened them, three sets of luminous, almost unearthly eyes stared back. On their faces, they each wore the same playful smirk.
'Quit it,' The Doctor said warningly. Jack and Eva turned to him, their smirks widening to smiles on their faces. Eva then turned to Martha.
'It is his voice. His designation is Metatron: The Voice of The Great One. His Word is Law. When The Great One wills it, whole civilizations will fall to ruin or prosper to the heavens just by the spoken word of the Metatron,' she explained softly.
The Three then looked up as one, then to Lethbridge-Stewart. He started slightly as he realized he was the sole focus of their attention at that moment.
'Brigadier General Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart,' Jack said formerly. 'How goes it?'
'How many ships are out there now?' Eva asked.
'And how are UNIT and the world governments dealing with all of this?' Ianto asked.
'Everyone is still a bit perturbed, but holding their own,' Stewart began as The Doctor finished his cursory exam of Eva. As he moved to Jack, both Eva and Ianto stepped in his way.
'MARTHA JONES, NOT YOU,' they said as one. The Doctor opened his mouth to make a scathing retort, but realized it was a lost proposition when he looked at their faces.
'Fine,' he muttered, stepping away.
'Nine more species came through the Rift bearing Gifts,' Gwen added, presenting the Three wrapped presents on a rolling cart. 'They've all been scanned. I think they know of Eva's fondness of Arcadian diamonds. Most of these are filled with them.' She pointed to cylinders on the cart. 'These are messages of greeting.'
Jack nodded and grabbed one cylinder, he then passed it to Ianto, who passed it to Eva, who then put back on the cart. They did this with all nine cylinders.
'We will meet with these first,' Jack said. 'They have the furthest to go home.'
'I sense potential within all except-,' Ianto began.
'The last…Brinn, they called themselves,' Eva finished. The Three then looked to each other and nodded.
'We are in agreement,' Jack said finally. 'One hundred years?'
'Agreed,' Eva and Ianto said together.
'They were sent back?' Jack asked Gwen. She and Lethbridge-Stewart nodded.
'There are thousands of ships out there. Hundreds of species…but we will not allow them to make planetfall on Earth. We will go to them,' Jack announced.
'There's no real need, Jack,' The Doctor began. 'Cathen of La-Ren has been keeping the peace out there and talking with me-.'
'All those out there have come to see The Triumvirate, Doctor,' Eva said, cutting him off. 'Not The TimeLord.'
'Cathen of La-Ren was named our 1st Delegate. We must make our presence known and reinforce that fact,' Jack continued. 'He is the first of many. They need our help. They require…us.'
'What about free choice?' The Doctor blurted out. The Three looked at The Doctor incredulously. He, in turn, looked to the others and found the same look on their faces.
'Did we trick them into coming, TimeLord?' Ianto asked. 'They've come of their own free will. They look for hope, Doctor. For something beyond cold metal and exact science. Dare I say it? Dare we express it? They come for new ideas; they come for deeper meanings. They come for food for the soul. They come for expressions that will change their ways of life…hopefully for the better. Change,' Ianto sighed deeply then. 'It is never easy. Sometimes it occurs as a whisper.'
'And other times, as a cataclysm,' Eva continued. 'Whether it happens immediately or takes a thousand generations. Whether it is set as an immutable concept or takes form as a million different religions, it doesn't matter. It is the planting of the idea…the telling of a Story. The belief that a better way of living can exist here…and in the hereafter. And when their toils in this Realm are done…that there is another one waiting.'
The Doctor snorted at that, then looked to Jack. Jack, in turn, simply gave the TimeLord a pitying look.
'What?' he asked, still looking at Jack. 'What?! You…you believe that claptrap?!'
'Yes,' Jack answered simply. 'Because this time many things were finally explained to me. I saw…and it was beautiful,' he sighed happily.
'What hope could you offer them?' Eva asked The Doctor softly.
'None,' Ianto said sharply. Eva put a steadying hand on his arm.
'Ianto,' she admonished softly. He put his hand over hers and looked deeply into her eyes. 'I love you as well,' she continued. She then turned to The Doctor.
'You go through the motions of living – but secretly you long for it to be over. You long to awaken to a universe where the TimeLords still live…where you will not be alone. You long for this mantle to pass to another – that will happen soon enough. Another visage, another personality will take hold…your last.' She sighed sadly, putting a comforting hand on the arm of his coat. 'Poor Gallifreyan. Poor Last of Your Kind.'
'Do not forget the Other,' Ianto said suddenly.
Eva's eyes brightened; then winked with mischief as she turned to her fellow Archangel. 'Where is she now?' she asked.
'Out there – with those gathered,' Ianto answered.
'What "Other"?' The Doctor screeched indignantly. 'She?!'
'Come with us,' Jack said as Martha was putting away her equipment. 'All of you,' he continued, looking to everyone present.
'Please,' Eva and Ianto asked as one.
Lethbridge-Stewart looked to them, a small smile on his face. 'I've always wanted to see the stars up close,' he said softly.
Martha and Mickey smiled and nodded.
Rhys, standing next to Gwen, pulled her close. 'You…you mean out there?' he asked, pointing up. The Three nodded. He put his hand protectively over Gwen's still flat belly.
'Nothing will happen to harm them, Rhys Williams,' the Three said as one.
'Or to you,' Jack continued.
'Safe as houses,' Eva and Ianto said as one.
Rhys then took Gwen's hand in his; the pair had silly grins plastered to their faces. 'Sure,' he said laughing. 'Imagine telling our son he made it out to space before he was even born!'
'Some nerves need to be soothed here first,' Jack said looking to Ianto. 'Metatron,' he intoned. Ianto stood straighter; he almost seemed to grow taller as he looked to Jack and Eva. 'UNIT first, then the other Torchwoods. Next, the U.N. and Prime Minister.' He turned to Eva. 'Charon – accompany him.'
'My Lord Captain,' she answered, then walked to Ianto and took his hand. He looked down to her and smiled. She reached up with her other hand and tenderly caressed his cheek.
'What are you - ?' The Doctor began.
Eva held up her pointer finger. 'Just hold that thought,' she said – and in a blinding flash she and Ianto vanished.
'Where did they go?' asked The Doctor, looking to Jack.
'Like I said,' Jack answered, speaking to The Doctor as if he was speaking to a child. 'They went to soothe frayed nerves.' He looked to Lethbridge-Stewart, who in turn straightened his back and saluted Jack.
'Good to have you back, Captain Harkness,' he said with a hint of a smile.
'So,' said Mickey. 'What was that whole "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" cocoon thing?'
'Ianto needed to be protected as his DNA was being re-written. Eva was being broken down at the molecular level and recreated as well. As for me…,' he smiled, then closed his eyes and in a flash vanished – and reappeared next to Lethbridge-Stewart. 'I was given better control over the vortex energy within me. I can see…time. Not as you, Doctor. Nor as Eva and Ianto; but now I understand it a little better. And…I am finally content.' He turned to The Doctor. 'Really…I am,' he put his hand on the TimeLord's shoulder. 'Let it go,' he whispered. 'I see it. A tiny ember in your darkness. Blow on it…softly. Let it spark, Doctor. Trust me…just believe.'
The Doctor reached up and put his hand over Jack's on his shoulder. 'I…,' he took a deep breath and squeezed Jack's hand. 'I'm trying.'
'Better than not,' Jack said softly, squeezing the TimeLord's shoulder. 'Right,' he said, turning to the others and clapping his hands together. 'Breakfast in the Main Library. Ianto and Eva will be famished when they get back.' He clapped his hands twice and in a blinding flash everyone was standing in the library. Jack started laughing at everyone's reactions, until he saw The Doctor's.
'Okay…so I showed off a bit there,' he said sniffing in mock hurt as he walked over to the food laddered sideboard.
Another flash and Ianto and Eva appeared before them. They both bowed to Jack.
'It is-,' Ianto began.
'Complete,' Eva finished.
'Well done,' Jack said, then pointed to the food. 'Tuck in. I'll get us started.'
'Perfect,' Eva and Ianto answered.
'I don't know if I can get used to that,' Gwen muttered. Jack smiled as he looked to her.
'There are many advantages,' he said softly. He then noted the look of horror on her face. 'Not THAT!' he said quickly, then his eyes took on a faraway look. 'Later,' he muttered to himself. Eva and Ianto smiled behind the sandwiches they were eating. AGREED, they said to him telepathically.
'In battle where one thought-,' Jack began.
'Begins, another continues,' Ianto continued.
'Until its' completion,' Eva added. She then turned to Gwen. 'We think faster then most organic beings. Even-,'
'Faster then most computers,' Ianto said, completing the sentence.
'But you do understand how disconcerting it is,' Lethbridge-Stewart said, looking to the Three.
'And yet you have networked computers that do the same thing all the time,' Jack replied.
'But to see a human do it-,' The Doctor began.
'We are not human,' Jack answered, cutting him off.
'Human looking enough,' The Doctor continued.
The Three nodded. 'We understand, but we cannot help it. It is the way we are now,' they said in unison.
'Think,' Jack began.
'Of us,' Ianto continued.
'As triplets,' Eva finished, smiling her saucy little smirk.
The Doctor, Lethbridge-Stewart and Gwen looked to each other, then at the Three and simply laughed.
After ten minutes of silence Jack looked to his Archangels. They had finished their sandwiches and were waiting for instructions.
'Cathen first,' Jack said suddenly. Ianto nodded and turning, waved his hand to the back wall. A holographic screen popped up and showed the thousands of ships on the edge of The Milky Way.
'What transport?' Jack asked. Eva tapped her finger to her cheek and snapped her fingers. She flashed away and returned with a black sleek model Starliner with wide bridge windows for easy viewing in her hands. Jack's eyes lit up as he took in its shape and streamlined design. 'Nexainian?' he asked. Eva nodded. 'You know its capabilities better than I, Archangel. If you approve, then I bow to your wisdom.' Ianto looked at it as well.
'Perfect choice,' he said softly. The others crowded around it until its engines flared to life.
'Is it a toy?' Rhys asked in wonder.
'No,' answered The Doctor. 'It is compressed.'
'What?' Rhys choked out.
'It is a starship that has been compressed,' Eva answered, pointing to black locking clamps on both sides of the ship's hull. 'Do not think that my people only had the technology to put big spaces inside little ones,' she finished, motioning to where they stood. She then removed the black clamps from its sides. In a flash the ship vanished and the library shook slightly.
'Your command awaits, Captain,' Ianto said, motioning to the doors of the capsule. Jack smiled.
'Charon – navigation and weapons. Metatron – communications and transmat.' He then turned to the Brigadier. 'Follow me, sir,' he said as they all walked towards the capsule's doors. 'Welcome aboard The Oberon,' he continued as he opened them. Even The Doctor whistled appreciatively as he whipped on his brainy specs to take a better look around.
'Nice, Captain,' he murmured. 'Better than that Toolian ship I got you from so long ago.' Jack and he smiled at the memory.
Bots scurried around the bridge, flashing e-reports to Jack, Ianto and Eva as they accommodated themselves in the three main seats of the bridge: two stations below the main seat in the center of the room; the Captain's. The entire ship was controlled from these three stations while the rest of the stations were simply observation posts set in front of large windows open to space.
'It is a pleasure cruiser – that is armed to the teeth,' The Doctor said aloud, suddenly recognizing the design. 'The Nexainians really knew how to fly in style. Beautiful.'
Bot waved the others into seats that gave them spectacular views of the Earth below. Rhys, Gwen and Lethbridge-Stewart watched as lights on the dark side of Earth winked out at the approach of sunlight crossing the planet.
'So…tiny,' Rhys said softly.
'So precious,' Eva mused aloud from her station. The bots then brought everyone food, fruit and drink, which Eva, Ianto and Jack tucked into almost immediately.
'Not too fast!' The Doctor said quickly, grabbing a banana from Eva's tray. 'You've been without food or drink for a while now. That bit you ate before should have been enough. Your stomachs may have shrunk during your transition, so sip your drinks slowly. Because Immortal beings or not, the lot of you will get sick,' he continued, pointing the banana at the Three. The Three smiled at The Doctor, then each other.
'We appreciate your concern, Doctor,' they answered in unison. 'We will heed your advice.'
'Well…see that you do,' the TimeLord nodded as he began stripping the banana of its skin and popped a piece into his mouth.
'All systems are functional and on-line, my Captain,' Eva said suddenly. 'Destination has been locked into NAVCOM – you need only to give the word, my Lord.'
Both Jack and Ianto closed their eyes at her words. Her voice didn't have the power of The Metatron, but its' undercurrents laden with promise was felt by both men.
'The word is given, Eva Tovar,' Jack said softly.
~~TWTWTW~~
The Three stepped back and simply observed from their stations. Rhys, Gwen and Lethbridge-Stewart were mesmerized by the stars streaking by as they raced towards the edge of the Milky Way, beyond the reach of even UNIT's deep space probes.
And then, in the dark edge of space, just a little to the left of the last star of the Way – there they were. Thousands upon thousands of ships. Every size, every shape, every class and every condition imaginable. Their lights were so many that they appeared as a star system of their own. Pleasure cruisers with their observation decks teaming with LIFE; different species all peering out through their windows or racing to monitors, for they knew these newcomers were the ONES they were waiting for.
The Oberon's bridge was silent until Jack heard a silent snuffle coming from Eva. He slipped out of his chair and knelt in front of her, encircling her with his arms.
'It…it is done. From here is where it continues…it goes on,' she whispered, a sad beautiful smile on her face. 'Billions of eons from now this will be remembered. That this crazy notion of true intergalactic – interspiritual peace – started here. In His name, by little beings like us,' she finished.
Ianto, sitting next to them put one hand on Jack's back, the other in Eva's open hand. 'Time for work,' he said softly, his voice touching the deepest parts of their souls, filling all present with a quiet peace.
'Really have to learn how to do that,' The Doctor mumbled. Could really solve A LOT of problems.'
Ianto smiled at him as he stood and addressed the teaming masses via the networked signal. 'You have all come from many places, planets, times and distances to be here. You have all come for so many reasons; for so many things. We simply have a Story to tell – an Idea to impart. What you do with this information is totally up to you. But it is our hope…our desire…that this gathering brings both physical and spiritual peace.'
Ianto then took his seat and began telling The Story. One of revenge and war. Of ultimate sacrifice, of sadness and heartbreak. Of death and rebirth and, at the end of all things, of joy, love and benevolent peace.
A dry eye or optic duct was hard to find on any of the ships. Then the Captain called the Representatives that travelled through the Rift to get to the gathering. They were named Delegates, but Cathen of La-Ren was named 1st Delegate and Jathren of La-Ren was named 1st Historian. His task was to document the works – good and evil – committed by all species present after the telling of The Story.
Jack was right – Eva did love the skittish La-Ren. Then, the last to come through the Rift were presented before the Three. Immediately it was made apparent why the Three had severe reservations when it came to these representatives. Their race was called Brinn. They were humanoid, moss green in skin tone, muscular builds with deep blue eyes and golden hair.
Their First Representative stated his name was Xalka The Valorous. He then began waxing lyrical concerning his own feats, his conquests, how many enemies he killed, how many possessions he had –
Jack suddenly raised his hand and the Brinn Representative fell silent, smirking as he stroked his golden goatee.
'We,' Jack began. 'Have only heard of -.'
'Your victories in war, the number of enemies you killed-,'Ianto continued.
'The amounts of spoils you have acquired,' finished Eva.
'But…what of your people? Your planet?' Jack asked.
'Have they benefited from your gains?' asked Ianto.
'Or have they suffered as your enemies?' asked Eva.
'Your people live in a serf system. Those that live within your domain…are they given a choice to join your army or are they indentured into service once they come of age?' asked Jack.
'You…who would make slaves of your own kin – your own kind! And you DARE to ask things of us?! Ianto growled, his voice growing in volume until the Brinn had taken two steps back. Ianto then stood, Jack and Eva followed suit.
'You are still too young, too filled with anger and avarice to understand the Gifts we offer-,' Jack began.
'And you would share them with those from the planet which you have come from?' Xalka asked incredulously.
'No,' the Three intoned as one. 'They are not ready either.' The Brinn backed down immediately.
'As I was saying,' Jack began anew. 'You are not ready. When 100 of your years have passed, we will visit your planet to see if you have changed…if you have grown. Until then,' the gifts they brought for the Three appeared in Xalka's hands. 'We can not accept your gifts. We have nothing to offer you in return at this time. You are just not ready. You are free to go.'
Xalka The Valorous looked down at the gifts in his hands, then back up at the Three. 'You…you are rejecting us?!' he asked, simply not believing. 'We…we can be the most powerful army you could ever have at your disposal!'
'And why would we need an army?' asked Eva quietly.
'I am sorry, Xalka,' Jack said softly. 'But yes, we are rejecting you at this time.' There was no hesitation in his voice.
The Brinn looked up at the Three , his face a mask of sudden, pure hatred as he threw the gifts back at them, aiming specifically for Jack. As the small boxes flew in the air, Xalka pulled a laser gun from his hip holster and aimed it at Jack.
In a blur of black and red silk, the boxes appeared in one of Eva's hands while a samurai sword was in the other held at the Brinn's neck.
"your word, my Lord Captain,' Eva said to Jack never taking her eyes off the alien or his entourage. 'Drop the weapon, Valorous Swine,' she growled. The gun clattered to the deck. A clean-bot swept by suddenly, taking the weapon with it. Jack then sat down in his chair and waved his hand at Ianto.
'Metatron,' he said softly. 'At your discretion.'
Ianto nodded and from his station flashed next to Eva. The other Brinn delegates put their weapons on the floor and stepped back, their hands up and heads bowed in supplication. Eva handed the gifts to Ianto, who in turn returned them to the other Brinn gathered. Ianto stepped towards Xalka while Eva removed her sword and stepped back.
'You have too much pride, Xalka The Valorous,' he said softly, his VOICE gaining power. All present felt it…hairs and scales on the backs of everyone's necks stood up. 'You…personally MUST learn humility,' Ianto continued. 'We give your kind 100 of your years to change your ways. When we come…and if there is no change…if there are any worthy of salvation…they will leave with us. Those found unworthy…of not changing…we will be very displeased.' The tension the others present felt vanished, but the Brinn all collapsed to their knees, clawing their skin and hair.
'Forgive,' one of the entourage mumbled mournfully.
'Ask your people's forgiveness first,' Ianto growled. 'One hundred years.' He then took Xalka by the throat and lifted him into the air. 'Threaten one of my kind again and you and your species will cease to exist. Humility. LEARN IT!'
'As you have said, Metatron. So mote it be,' Eva said softly, the sword in her hand glimmering brightly. 'The Voice of the Great One has spoken. One hundred years. Fail in your task – and I will be your Angel of Death.'
Eva and Ianto looked to each other, then to the Brinn. 'BE GONE,' they both said in unison, their left arms making a sweeping motion – and the Brinn vanished.
~~TWTWTW~~
The Doctor looked to Martha Jones after the incident with the Brinn. He felt awful about the way he had behaved when he first arrived. This new idea terrified him! Not just Jack – but now THREE of them! Constant, fixed points in all of space and time! But, as the TimeLord continued to look at them, he realized the universe wasn't fighting them…if anything, it was totally at peace with them! Now wasn't that a kick! He then felt it…the…emptiness within him…just float away. That ember that Jack saw within him suddenly flared to life. He looked to Martha again…sweet, loving, brave Martha…and he felt his hearts expand. She suddenly turned to him, her dark eyes open and expressive as ever…
'Before my adventures with you…when I lost Rose. Then The Year That Never Was…before all of that, I never would have been as forgiving as they. You changed me for the better, Martha Jones. I am proud, no. I am Honored to call you my friend. Thank you for calling me here…,' he said softly.
Martha, her eyes suddenly bright, stepped over and bear-hugged The Doctor.
'Donna…she said you were a good influence on me. I honestly have to agree,' he murmured, relishing the hug. 'Of course, she also said you had to be mad to fancy me-,'he continued. Martha hit him playfully.
~~TWTWTW~~
Lethbridge-Stewart stood looking out the large observation windows to the thousands of ships still out there, then to all of the aliens that kept transmatting in and out. The Captain and His Archangels dealing with all of them while Jathren transcribed furiously. Cathen smirked at his junior officer as he sidled over to the retired Brigadier General.
'UNIT?' Cathen asked. Lethbridge-Stewart simply nodded. Cathen smiled and motioned towards his junior officer. 'His father was a great warrior. He took peace time rather hard until his mate gave him a male heir. For a while he had felt that the Great One had forsaken him by giving him a son more at home with books, learning and history then weapons and combat strategies. But now…now I think the Old Warrior will be proud of his Heir. All of his son's progeny will be Historians…Intergalactic Historians. Capable warriors with proper educations…they will change the face of our people once again.'
Lethbridge-Stewart put a hand on Cathen's scaled shoulder. "Is it not wonderful that we have lived to see such times? To see the before and the glimmer of hope that will be the future?' he asked.
Cathen nodded, smiling his too toothy grin. 'Praise be to The Great One. Who gave so much so that we, mere beings that we are, can believe.'
~~TWTWTW~~
Mickey watched the species that transmatted in and out, he watched as Jack, Ianto and Eva dealt with them…he then felt a warmth slide down his back and looked to see Eva looking at him.
DEAR MOUSE, she said softly into his mind. SO WILLING TO TAKE ON THE UNIVERSE'S ENEMIES –
'To protect your home and those you love,' she finished, sitting beside him. Mickey blinked, looking up to see her seated with Ianto at her side and Jack above her.
'How?' he began, then stopped. 'Temporal distortion. Amazing,' he breathed, realizing that the others had slowed down a bit and he could hear no sound.
'A bit scary, though. Ain't it?' she quipped. Mickey laughed, then took her hand and held it in both of his.
'Thank you,' he said softly, curling his hands around her smaller one.
'For?'
'For bringing me here. For allowing me to see another facet of aliens in space, that not all of them are out to enslave us, or exterminate us, or are just looking for spare body parts. But a lot of them are just like me…looking for the way to be happy with themselves and others in the end.
Eva blushed prettily as she wrapped her other hand around both of his. 'You are welcome,' she whispered, then vanished.
Sound suddenly returned and Mickey looked up to see Eva smiling back at him while she sat with Ianto and Jack.
'Thank you so much,' he whispered.
~~TWTWTW~~
Gwen sat next Rhys watching the myriad of species that were granted audiences with the Three. She looked out to the ships surrounding them and noticed that their numbers were dwindling as well. They are all going home, she mused to herself. She looked back to the Three. Do I have a home with them, I wonder, she asked herself. How do I fit in with them now? They…they aren't even human now. They need me…more than ever. To show them the human side of things…to help them not forget.
She then turned to Rhys again and watched the wonder of what was happening play across his face. She smiled at her big lug of a man. Less than a year ago, he wouldn't have believed a single syllable of this…and now they were light years from Earth and he taking it like a champ. She looked back to the Three.
Jack…she still loved him…very much. But not the lustful yearning she most certainly had when they first began. When he returned after what Gray and John had done to him (she still wasn't sure John was to be trusted) she wanted to protect him as much as he tried to protect her.
Ianto…her strong Welsh Countryman. So broken after Lisa…and when Jack ran off after his Doctor…and most recently with the deaths of Tosh and Owen…and yet. Now he stood proud, tall…and that beautiful accent of his. She always wondered how different his life would have been if he had taken up singing instead of Torchwood. Tosh had convinced the team to do Karaoke nights at a few of the pubs near the Quay. Ianto had been quite a favorite…she smiled at that memory.
Eva…the lynchpin to all of this. The one without which none of what was happening would have ever happened. The lost fallen angel…the castle guard without a Lord to protect. She had changed so much from the shy creature that could kill and be killed without remorse or compunction. She had told Gwen so much…so many things. More children down the line…a Council Position…then Lord Mayor. One day, a Cabinet Post…and then beyond. Who knows…maybe Prime Minister! She chuckled at that thought. As she sat with the other two, Gwen could not help but notice how the Three just seemed to fit. The universe would never be the same…Lucky universe!
With a Cabinet Post she could make sure Jack stayed in control of Torchwood – and that Torchwood London answered to him – not the other way around. She could then get Ianto some help – Lord knew he needed it! Even with Eva helping him sort through all the tat that was in the Hub's bowels, they needed more man power if they hoped to have it done within her lifetime! Poor Ianto…seeing to everyone else's needs before his own. She then looked back to her husband. HUSBAND, the word hummed in her mind. She reached out to him and he took her hand without hesitation, smiling broadly at her.
'By the time our great-great grandchildren are in primary school, this will be commonplace,' he said softly. He then brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles tenderly. 'Thank you. Thank you for giving me the beginning to a terrifying, maddening wonderful life, Gwen Elisabeth Williams. You will go forward – and I will be pleased as punch to be The Power behind your throne.'
Gwen leaned over and kissed Rhys…her husband, her mate, her everything tenderly on his lips.
~~TWTWTW~~
The Three had finished with their last audience and were now simply basking in the emotions coming from Gwen and Rhys.
'As he said, sealed with a kiss,' Eva said softly, so only they could hear.
'So mote it be – from now 'til eternity,' the Three intoned.
~~TWTWTW~~
'We are done for now,' Jack announced.
'Time to go home,' Ianto continued.
'But we will return at a more leisurely pace,' Eva finished.
'We would like for you to enjoy all your own galaxy has to offer,' Jack continued as Eva programmed in their return journey.
Gwen, Rhys, Mickey, Martha, The Doctor and Lethbridge-Stewart all gathered at the windows as they watched the last of the ships wink out as their star drives engaged. Cathen and Jathren remained on board as their ship followed. They would use the Rift to return home once they were in range of Earth. Jack, Ianto and Eva would point out interesting anomalies as they streaked past, as would Cathen and Jathren. The Doctor also added tid-bits of information, or stopped the others from saying too much.
'Spoilers,' he would say cryptically as he nibbled on cheese squares from the trays the clean-bots kept passing around.
Gwen's eyes suddenly filled with tears as she gripped Rhys' hand. 'Bloody hormones,' she quipped as Ianto, ever the gentleman, handed her a handkerchief.
'Thinking of Tosh and Owen?' he asked softly. Gwen simply nodded. 'They know,' he continued. 'And they send their love.' He squeezed her shoulder as he accommodated himself next to Jack on a small settee, putting his head on Jack's shoulder. Eva stood behind them as she laid her hand on Jack's shoulder and Ianto's head. The Three sighed contentedly.
'So,' The Doctor said, breaking the comfortable silence that descended upon everyone. 'What's next?'
Jack looked to Ianto and Eva, then to everyone present. 'Well, quoting from an old song, "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades",' Jack answered, earning a few chuckles and smiles from everyone.
A bot appeared with two open bottles of champagne and several crystal flute glasses.
'Ah,' mused The Doctor. 'Leave it to the Nexainians to have a ship armed with anti-proton weapons and perfectly chilled champagne.' He picked up one bottle and read the label. 'Ooo. Vexa-4. Good year too.'
Eva accepted the bottle back from the TimeLord, pouring the golden liquid into all the glasses until everyone – the La-Ren included – had one.
'A toast,' she said, raising her glass. 'To the Past, the Present – and the Future.'
~~TWTWTWTW~~
AN: OMG!!!! 21 pages in WORD! I have beaten the Writer's Block!!!! (Doing a Nerdy Techno Dance in the corner) I am so happy this chapter is finally. The next is the last B's and G's – so thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you that stuck it out. To my Aussies and my Kiwis – thanks ever so much for reading MY stuff! Next up – the Epilogue: Chapter 10: Angels – Past, Present, Future – and Distant Future.
Past – Eva visits her King one last time.
Present – Ianto thinks of those who have passed as Gwen is sworn in as PM. Future – Jack – aka The Face of Boe. Eva and Ianto collect their beloved after 'Gridlock".
Distant Future – The End of All Things….
Hope to have it up in a few days…school starts for me on the 13th…argh!