Rook pulled the key out of his front door lock, pausing before turning around and regarding the three travellers standing outside the shop that practised business under his apartment. He was still reviewing the whirlwind tour the strangers had taken of his apartment, all of them acting like tourists while admiring his haphazard decorating and the clutter in the kitchen. It was only when he managed to shepherd them down the stairs while throwing a jacket around his shoulders and hurling a t-shirt that would barely fit at Jack, that they picked up their previous sense of urgency.
Martha smiled at him and asked "You live over an art supplies store? Isn't that a little coincidental?" Rook grinned at her, "And beneficial. I pay my rent on time and say my p's and q's, I'm the ideal tenant. I get free art supplies and tips from the owners. Plus, their kid is in the same college as me doing Graphic design."
She chuckled, "Wow, wish I had such a sweet deal." Rook simply smiled at her, before he turned to the Doctor and put his hands on his hips, "And where to now?" He demanded. The Doctor delved into a pocket and pulled out a small stick like device, while behind him Jack peeled his soggy t-shirt off, Rook took a step back and raised his eyebrows, "What're you gonna do with that?"
The Doctor looked up, shock and bemusement on his face, "It's a sonic screwdriver, it will do nothing to you unless you're secretly a robot." It was Rooks turn to stare bemusedly at the Doctor, "What?" The Doctor was already looking down at the sonic device held flat on his hand, he pressed a button three times and the screwdriver started to beep every few seconds.
Jack, newly dressed, leaned over the Doctors shoulder and stared at the screwdriver, "It's nearby." He looked up and gazed around at the area, "We're about a five minute walk away from the bay, that's the area where most alien sightings or odd occurrences happen. We should head there." The Doctor, Martha and Rook stared at him. The Doctor raised an eyebrow, and Jack coughed quietly before saying "Well, that's where the rift is, I guess that's where all the sightings occur." The Doctor and Martha shared a look before looking back at the screwdriver.
Rook turned to Jack, "Aliens? The Rift? Occurrences? What are you on about?" The taller man stood up straight, settled his long coat better on his shoulders and said in an authoritative voice, "The 21st Century is when everything changes, and you gotta be ready." Rook laughed; that line coupled with the Red Dragon FM t-shirt pulled tight across his chest just became more ridiculous, but Jack continued. "There is a rift in time and space that runs through Cardiff, more often than you know space debris, flotsam and jetsam and the odd alien comes through and lands in the way of humanity. That is what all the news reports and rumours are about; odd disappearances, killings, mutant rats, they are all alien related. Some are hostile, others not, most aren't. A lot of citizens on this planet aren't even from this planet, a lot of the UK based are in Cardiff and its environs. I know 15 that live in the surrounding areas, one that lives next door to you."
Rook glanced at the two shops either side of his apartment, he couldn't believe it of Mrs. Grace, but Mr. Ziegler must have been the alien, he always wondered what those little tusks were, and the bumps on his skin. He shook his head and looked back at Jack, understanding written all over the young lads face, "OK, so say I believe you. That means that there is an alien or alien device nearby that is calling out to your... TARDIS?" He struggled to remember what the Doctor had called the big blue box. Jack nodded, "Something like that, yeah."
Rook nodded decisively and spun on the spot, turning his body to face the end of the avenue, he put his hand in the air and commanded while walking briskly away, "Right, Follow me then." The three friends started after him and had to run a little to keep up, Martha lengthening her strides so she didn't fall behind the men. She was surprised that she had to keep up with Rook, he was no taller than her, maybe even a little shorter, but he managed to keep ahead of the lanky Doctor and heavy built Jack.
He took a sharp left and ducked into a narrow alleyway, cutting between a cafe and a music store. The Doctor and Jack skidded to a halt before following Rook, Jack having to squeeze in sideways, Martha playfully teasing him as she slowly followed the unfortunate Captain.
They emerged from the long, narrow alley and saw Rook jogging down the street, his light grey t-shirt and faded blue jeans disappearing into the fog rolling off the bay. The two men sprinted after the stocky lad, Martha trailing behind, her breath coming a little bit harder now, while her mind screamed, 'Five minute walk my ass!'
The Doctor saw a shadow looming in the mist and slowed his pace, coming to stop at the railings of a bridge that over looked the Rhoald Dhal plass on one side and the bay on the other. Jack, on the other hand, pelted full force into the indistinct figure of Rook who stood near the Doctor, a few steps away from the railings. With a shocked shout the men fell to the floor in a tangle of limbs.
Martha came upon the scene as Rook was persistently nudging Jack in the head with his left foot, hissing "Get off of me right now!" Jacks heavier body was effectively pinning the smaller lad to the decking of the bridge. Jack pushed himself up with a grunt and rubbed his head, "Jeez Rook, you've got a head made of stone!" The lad scowled at Jack, "Maybe. But the rest of me is squishy, and right now, you're squishing me. Get off!" He gave Jack a shove and pushed him onto his ass next to the Doctors feet. Martha snorted with laughter and extended a hand out to the younger man, "come on squishy-boy. Up you get."
Rook took Martha's hand and grinned at her, he dusted the back of his jeans off and scowled at Jack, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and his green eyes glinting. "Well, here we are, this is the bay. You see anything odd?" He announced as he turned to face the water, his features smoothing out. The Doctor said nothing, only stared at the sky with a look of puzzlement on his face. Jack looked up from his position on the floor, Martha flicking her eyes up before shrugging and scanning the water of the bay.
Jack heaved himself up off of the floor and wandered closer to Rook, saying quietly, "Hey, is there a storm forecasted for today?" Rook frowned at him and shook his head, "No, they said it should be clear and warm after the fog and mist cleared. Why?" Jack pointed up and all of them turned their eyes skyward as a sharp electrical crackle assaulted their ears. Blue bolts streaked through the tumultuous bruised purple clouds.
"Hmm." Was the only noise to escape the Doctor before another bright blue bolt streaked through the sky. The only problem was that this bolt didn't crash through the clouds as the others had; this one streaked straight for the ground. Locking onto a group of four people congregated on a bridge overlooking a bay.
In a second the three time-travellers and the short, black haired lad were gone, not a trace of them remained. The mist started to clear and the ominous purple clouds dispersed, letting the weak morning sun shine through and start to warm the wooden boards of the bridge. Cardiff started to wake up, completely unaware of the mystery that had taken place that morning.