"Hey, Charlie. It's your lucky day." Jack smiled down at me when I looked up from some paperwork I was working on. "We got an alien that needs some catching." I just looked at him.
"Yes?" I absently played with the cap of my pen. Jack smiled.
"I mean, you can go on a mission?" Jack laughed. I stared at him, confused for a few moments. "Charlotte?"
"Oh, uh, thanks. A lot." I smiled. Jack nodded. "I was a little worried I'd be stuck doing paperwork all the time." I laughed, capping my pen.
"Of course not, your brain might come in handy." He took a sip from a cup of coffee in his hand. I blushed slightly. Now that people actually appreciated my brains, I found I was more humble about it.
"Thanks. Let me grab my coat." I closed my file and logged off. Jack gave another smile and went into his office. I pulled on my black pea-coat and went into the front desk. Ianto smiled when I walked in.
"Hey, where are you off to?" He stood up and leaned against his desk. I bit my cheek and smiled.
"I'm going alien hunting." I was beaming with joy. I was really excited to get out there and actually do something useful. Ianto raised his eyebrows.
"Really?" He smiled. I nodded, jumping up and down. He laughed. "You go get in the SUV, I am going to go talk to Jack. I'll meet you out there." He kissed me on the cheek and disappeared into the hub. I watched him and sighed quietly before turning to walk outside.
"Charlotte, you and Melanie go around the back." Jack was speaking into my new earpiece. I nodded and followed Mel around the back. She glanced behind her every few moments to make sure I was still there. I would smile at her every time.
"Charlie, take this." Mel held out a gun. I looked at it, hesitant to take it. She motioned for me to take it. I took it, surprised by the weight. "Just stay behind me." I nodded.
We walked into a dimly lit alley between the two buildings. I stepped lightly, careful to stay silent. Mel pulled open a heavy metal door, pointing her gun in. She motioned for me to follow. I held my gun tightly and slipped in behind her.
The building was surprisingly bright. Florescent lights loomed above us. Jack, Ianto and Owen were on the opposite side of the large room, scanning every inch. I followed behind Mel, but my eyes were on Jack and Ianto. Ianto followed closely behind Jack, his whispers echoing. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but it caused a twinge in my stomach. I quickly snapped out of it and stood next to Mel.
"It says that there is strong rift activity here. Witnesses say people have just collapsed, dead. Whatever it is, we can't see it." Owen walked over to us. "If you sense anything, be on alert." We all nodded and the room fell silent again.
We walked through the room several times, looking for any clues to help us figure out who was doing this. Every once in a while, I felt a cool breeze against my face but nothing else. I quickly caught up with Jack.
"Jack, I keep feeling a breeze." I kept my voice down and looked around. Jack nodded and looked around.
"If you feel it again, tell me." I agreed and walked back over to Mel. I froze when I felt a icy breeze and suddenly Jack collapsed. Ianto rushed over to his side. I stood still, watching the two of them. It felt like whenever I saw them together, I couldn't function. I jumped when I felt the icy breeze again. I tried to move, but it felt like the icy breeze froze around me. I tried to take a deep breath to calm myself down, but air was running out until I felt lightheaded and my knees gave out.
"CHARLIE!" Mel hurried over, her hands on my arms like fire. Suddenly, we were enveloped in a bright light.
"Charlie, are you okay?" Mel's hand felt normal against my skin and I was gulping in air. I blinked open my eyes to see the warehouse ceiling. "Charlie, please say something?" I slowly sat up and looked at Melanie.
"What the hell was that?" I looked around the warehouse for Jack, but no one was here besides Mel and I. "And where is everyone else?" Mel looked around as she helped me into a standing position.
"Maybe they're outside waiting for us?" Her voice didn't sound very convincing. I nodded as we slowly walked out of the warehouse and into the bright sunny day. We walked around to the side of the building we had parked on, but froze when we got there. The SUV was gone.
"They wouldn't leave us here, would they?" I said in a quiet voice. Mel shook her head, looking puzzled.
"Let me call Jack." She pulled her cellphone out of her pocket and dialed. "Hello? It's Melanie. Where are you guys?...the hub?...yeah...we will be there in a few minutes." She hung up and looked at me. "They're at the hub?" she shrugged.