Chapter 4: Into the Hub
"They're attacking the city." Ianto said to Jack, Gwen, Regina, and Rumplestiltskin.
"They'll be here any minute." Gwen said.
"The Doctor took most of our big laser guns, but there's still three left." Jack said. "I'll take one and stay by the front of the hub. The man who can't die should be up front."
"You're also immortal?" Rumplestiltskin asked.
"You are too?" Jack asked.
"Indeed." Rumplestiltskin said.
"Then take a gun and get in the front with me." Jack said.
"I don't know what that is dearie." The Dark One said. "I wouldn't know how to use it. If you open the rift, then I can use magic."
"No." Jack said. "The rift is unpredictable. The Daleks could go through to Neverland, but something could also come through into the city like last time."
"If you don't open it," Regina said, "then we can't help you. We don't know how to use your technology."
The sounds of explosions and screams outside was growing louder.
"They're destroying Cardiff." Gwen said. "Maybe we should open it."
"I said no." Jack repeated. "Ianto and Gwen, grab the other two guns and defend the rift manipulator. The Daleks can't get access to it."
Jack, Gwen, and Ianto ran to the weapons area to grab the remaining laser guns while Regina and Rumplestiltskin remained in the main hub area, where the rift manipulator also happened to be.
"Do you know how to open the rift?" Rumplestiltskin asked Regina.
"No." Regina said. "What if the Doctor fails and the Daleks kill us?"
"You mean kill you." Rumplestiltskin said. "I can't die."
"How convenient." Regina sarcastically said. "Remember you need me to cast your curse and I need to be the one who casts it to get my revenge. It would be in your best interest to keep me alive."
"I suppose so." Rumplestiltskin said.
Rumplestiltskin again pondered the reason for casting a curse to bring him to a land where he already was. However, he knew that he would never find his son without magic. If he could somehow open the rift, then he could also use his magic to reunite with Baelfire after all these years apart. Just then, Jack, Gwen, and Ianto returned with large laser guns which could easily destroy a Dalek. Jack went past the Evil Queen and the Dark One and went outside to guard Torchwood's secret entrance above. Ianto and Gwen stood with their laser guns ready.
"What are we supposed to do?" Regina asked.
"Stay out of our way and don't die." Gwen replied.
Regina was not used to being talked to in this way, but she didn't have any of her magic to install fear into Gwen. So, she let the comment slide. Rumplestiltskin smiled as he noted the angry look on the Evil Queen's face.
Outside, Jack Harkness stood with his gun guarding a little shack, which led downstairs into the Torchwood hub. Once the Daleks caught sight of him, they descended on his location. Jack fired his lasers and destroyed ten of the fifty alien killers swiftly approaching him. However, he was shot and fell to the ground dead. He would reanimate in a couple of minutes, plenty of time for the remaining forty Daleks to float past him and invade the Torchwood hub.