Chapter 5 – Part Four – Best Laid Plans

Admiral Picard's panel flashed to advise that a message was waiting, as he pressed it a life size hologram appeared of a man, he was average size with a dark tanned complexion, blue eyes, and dark swept back hair – he seemed to be wearing a black uniform, stars were bright in the sky.
"If you are hearing this recording Admiral Picard then your actions have triggered a long dormant program warning of the danger the martians pose. Their craft have been uncovered throughout our history, any appearances being described as the work of demons. The last happened a decade after the Second World War where work on the London Underground was to being carried out on Hobbs Lane. A Professor Quatermass found their organic ship and managed to stop it - Colonel Green, refused to see and interpret the facts correctly, his ignorance and arrogance was the cause of his death, albeit not the sole cause," the figure seemed to stand a little straighter, just for moment even going so far as to check the watch on his left wrist, nodding to someone in the background. "Unfortunately time is now running short. If humanity has spread among the stars then whole worlds could be infected, in need of quarantining. We never found a cure to the martian programming, we only hope you can – I wish you luck, the safety of the human race now rests in your hands."

As the recording finished the figure vanished.

He was left there staring in shock at the empty space that Captain Jack had occupied only moments ago. Several things bothered him about the recording, that there was one for a start! His thought processes were interrupted when he turned to the console, glancing at the time – he was due to meet Beverly shortly – then they would both be setting course for Earth.
"Computer search for a person called Jack Harkness"
"Search complete"
Surprised at the speed, "Display results"
"There are no such organisations."
Damn! His door chimed unexpectedly. "Come," he said automatically, as a ravishing figure stood there waiting in the doorway. "Beverly, I thought I was going to meet you"
He sounded surprised, she liked when that happened it reminded her of the old Jean-Luc. "Admiral," she never had chance to finish.
"Beverly," he admonished, "Let's forget rank for moment and just enjoy some time alone"
"That would be nice," she said demurely. Slowly she sat, her eyes flashing the emotion she truly felt for the Admiral, feelings she believed were long gone. "Tell me Jean-Luc…" she began, "You look puzzled"
Standing quickly, "A little," he laughed self consciously. "Computer playback last message from Captain Harkness"
"You have no such message"
His forehead furrowed slightly, "There was a message." His tones were adamant, "telling me all about the Martians, the ship they had found in 1950's London."
"I believe you." She said walking towards the replicator, "Computer two Earl Greys, hot." As the cups materialised she reached over the grab the handles.
"I've got it!"
His shout was so sudden that she jumped reflexively, dropping both cups which broke apart showering the contents all over her clothes and boots, and staining the floor.
"Oh I'm sorry Beverly," he rushed over tenderly to her, "Are you okay?"
Slightly irritated, "Are you going to share what was so urgent with me?"
He didn't know how he knew it, he just did. "The message was deleted by the same person that sent the message,"
"I don't understand Jean-Luc"
"It wasn't a recording from the late 21st Century at all, it had been sent to me, today."
She nodded in understanding, "You hope to find who actually sent it"
"Yes I do, and I know where to look," he said confidently, "Betazed"

Marcus Pierce looked at the night sky, waiting, hoping, if that didn't draw Picard to him nothing damn well would! Unfortunately he had meant what he had said on the recently made recording. He stood looking at his friend, Reed Richards, who seemed to be perpetually eighteen years old, having never aged a day, after the sabotage of his experiment by Victor Doom. He had married his girlfriend, Sue, within five years later, who despite gaining the ability to manipulate forcefields, her powers did not extend to longevity like Richards- who now no longer ate, slept or drank. In truth didn't even need oxygen to survive any longer, it was more of a habit.

Very few had survived the Third World War – although no human weapons had been directly involved as such, not at the beginning at any rate. In fact there had been no power on Earth capable of stopping it. Stormwatch and Torchwood had been targets numero uno, listed as the only ones that may have been able to stop the atrocity. That had been why they were the first to die. Some had defected and chosen to survive on the Carrier, but he couldn't blame them for that. Only those who had been injected with the super soldier serum still lived, having stopped their aging entirely – anyone else had been given a choice, age, or wait it out in a cryo-pod if any could be constructed in time. Many had taken the latter option. But they had endured, survived and now ready to re-emerge into the society of the 24th century. None were aware of just what the recent invasion entailed – but they would soon find out. Their only hope to find out would have had been either Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, or Earth's Shaman, both were on the Carrier.