Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story, I am merely using them for my own entertainment.

Thanks to everyone the reviewed and followed the story so far.

Chapter Three: The Hounds of War

"War does not determine who is right – only who is left."

Rose attached the last of her armour before making sure all her weapons and equipment was in order. A thump to her right brought her out of her thoughts, she turned to see Jack beginning to sort her own weapons.

"So…care to share what the hell is going on?" Jack shifted her gaze indicating that she was more interested than she was letting on.

"Ha! I wish I knew myself, I am as clueless as you are." Rose ran a gloved hand through her hair, this really was the last thing that she needed right now.

"Well I suppose it isn't every day that the man who is a copy of your husband and two other versions of him turn up." Rose couldn't prevent the bark of laughter that escaped her, which only increased at the glare she received from the ex-con.

"Thought you called bullshit on that?"

"Well shit Blondie, after the things ave seen you do? Doubt there is anything that is impossible when it comes to you."

Rose found herself laughing once more as she turned and made her way towards the shuttle. As she walked past she felt the strangest sensation tugging at her mind, almost as if she was missing something important. Glancing off towards the corner where all three blue boxes stood she understood. After Game Station, Rose had always been close with the TARDIS. But she hadn't realised how much she had truly missed the time machine. With a slight smile she sent a wave of affection back towards the magnificent ship she had once called home. The wave of gratitude and surprise directed back at her made her smile widen. Apparently she had surprised the old girl with that trick.

"Commander, ready when you are." Rose sent a nod towards her shuttle pilot and proceeded towards the mission. Maybe the Doctor's showing up wasn't all bad.

Nine scrubbed his hands through his cropped hair, something had gone wrong with Rose and he had no idea where to start. He chanced a glanced over to everyone in the room, Pinstripes seemed to be thinking along the same lines as he was. Bowtie seemed pretty closed off and Nine couldn't help but wonder how long it had been since he had seen the blonde woman. He seemed to be taking it better than he was. It was Rory who broke the eventual silence.

"How is it that you know her?" He had directed the question towards Bowtie, good he really wasn't interested in any chitchat till he figured this all out himself.

"She was a previous…companion. I left her here to have a life, actually managed to leave her with a human copy of myself. I wonder where he is in all of this, can't imagine he approves of the career choice."

"You created a metacrisis and left her out of her time with no way of knowing if it was stable or not? What the hell would possess you to do that?!" Nine exclaimed almost violently, he turned into more of an idiot than he thought. It was didn't really surprise him that it was Pinstripes that rushed to defend the action. He very much doubted that this was the last time the tenth version of himself would need to defend his previous actions, especially the one's regarding Rose Tyler.

"It was the right choice! The metacrisis was dangerous, he needed Rose to make him right. I thought that he could the rest of his life with her, the one adventure I, we, can never have." He could see the reasoning, he really could. He had always wanted the best for her. An irritated huff caught everyone's attention and all eyes turned towards the source.

River Song could feel her irritation building by the minute, she knew of Rose Tyler, had found enough information to piece together some parts of the puzzle. The Doctor never mentioned her, not like that was a surprise right enough, but still. To leave a clone of himself with her, she must be something else. However judging from the interaction they had previously, the woman didn't seem overly interested in the Doctor. River glanced towards the Eleventh Doctor, her Doctor, but it seemed as if he was as interested in Rose as she was of him. He didn't get defensive, he didn't worry about her safety and he wasn't showing any sign of wanting to know her past. That couldn't be said about the other two, and while she was normally quite confident with who she was and her position in the Doctor's life, she couldn't quite couldn't quite control the huff of irritation that escaped her.

Realising she had the attention of everyone in the room she felt the irritation increase, "If you are wanting to find out about her, why don't we just check out one of the terminals. If she is military personnel then they are going to have a file on her." She wasn't the least bit surprised that it was the Tenth Doctor that rushed over towards the terminal, she was surprised he had held out as long. The familiar buzz of the sonic echoed through the room followed rapidly by a blaring alarm and a synthetic voice.

"Alert, unauthorised access detected! Unauthorised access detected." River flinched as the alarm continued, she seen Amy and Rory clutching their hands over their ears as the door slid open once more. Standing at over six feet tall with features similar to that of a raptor the alien posed an imposing figure, the blue face paint stood out sharply on his face but did nothing to hide the scars on the lower half of the right side of his face. He was flanked by another alien, this one looked similar to a human but instead of hair she had what looked like cartilage ridges extending from the back of her head and she was blue. Amy and Rory's eyes bulged as soon as they saw then, still getting used to the aliens. River knew it was more the shock of everything else going on, Amy was very good at reacting to new species. A human woman with dark hair and sharp eyes pushed her way through the two standing in the door frame.

"EDI, shut down the alarm. We can handle things from here." With the alarm finally shut off the woman turned towards them, "I'm Lieutenant Ashley Williams, just what do you think you are playing at in here?"

"Well you know what it's like, just needed a bit of light reading!" Ten responded with a toothy grin, River smothered a laugh when the glare on the Lieutenant's only intensified.

"Well you will just have to do without, Commander might have given you access to the mess-hall, but that's all she has authorised and until we hear otherwise that's the way it is staying. But we aren't completely heartless, Garrus here has volunteered to…keep you company till the Commander returns." The two women left, while Garrus propped himself against the side of the door. River wasn't sure but she would swear he looked amused by the whole situation. That amusement only seemed to increase at the groan from Ten and the scowl from Nine.

Again her Doctor was seemingly blank about the whole situation.

The shuttle docked with the research base with surprising ease, the report had stated that Horde ships were in the area but so far it had been quiet, too quiet Jack couldn't help but think to herself. Glancing towards Rose she could tell that the feeling was mutual. Rose pulled out her pistol and took point with Jack and Vega following close behind. There was no preparing themselves as the door leading to one of the main labs slid open, the Horde had been here alright. Blood had coated the floor, she seem Vega slip slightly but managed to catch himself just in time swearing violently as he did.

"Watch yourself twinkle toes." Jack snorted but the joke felt hollow even to her, none of them were opposed to using violence but this was wrong, "Were there any soldiers on board?"

"According to the reports there is a security team of seven, thirty scientists were stationed on board as well. This is a slaughter plan and simple." Rose voice was grim as she continued making her way through the lab, "Keep a look out there is a good chance they could still be here, finding survivors just became a priority. Salvage as much data from the each of the terminals as we go hopefully we can find something to make this worthwhile. Cortez, stay on standby we may need a quick getaway." Moving gingerly through the room, Jack couldn't stop the grimace escaping her as she made her way towards the terminal in the corner where she could clearly make out a severed arm still clutched to it.

"OK, what the fuck is going on? I have seen the Horde do some messed up shit but this is brutal even by their standards!" Jack finally managed to hack in and upload the data to her omni-tool.

"I hear that, this is loco! Commander, you think something else did this?"

"I'm not sure. Jack's right though, this is extreme even for them." Jack didn't like the troubled look on Rose's face, not that she would ever admit it but she had been worried about the Commander for a while now. A lot of expectations had been placed on her when it came to this war and they were finally taking their toll.

They continued their way through the base, the bloodshed also continued each room was as grim as the previous. They progressed forward at a steady pace pausing only to collect more of the data required. The screech of claws on metal was the only warning the received as a Horde Scavenger launched itself towards Vega sending them tumbling to the ground with curses and hisses, the marine was barely managing to hold the creature back, the only thing preventing his neck from being ripped open was the armour that he was wearing.

Rose moved forward quickly, grasping the creature by the head and jerking it roughly to the side effectively silencing it. Jack covered them as the Commander pulled the downed marine to his feet ensuring he hadn't sustained any injury. More screeches echoed throughout the halls bouncing from the metal walls and making Jack cringe, well least we always know when they are coming. The three of them dove behind cover as more Scavenger's poured into the hall and wasted no time in opening fire onto them. Screams broke out as the bullets' hit home, Jack flared her bioticas and sent a powerful throw towards three of them sending them flying violently into the air while Vega finished them off with three well placed rounds.

Jack heard the Commander curse violently before, looking over she saw Rose had a golden glow surrounding her. Vega shared her look, it was never good when Commander Thorn was pissed!

Rose dove behind cover while delivering a well place head shot, this was starting to turn into the worst case scenario. She seen the flare of Jack's biotics take out three of them, but cursed when she saw more appearing down the hall. These things are really pissing me off! She started to pull from the power that always lingered just under the surface, after almost one hundred and sixty years it was safe to say she had mastered it. She stood quickly, holstered her pistol and sent a surge of power through her that sent her flying towards the Scavenger's faster than the human eye could follow. The brutal charge sent a great number of them backwards, flailing arms and legs causing more of a hindrance than anything. With them downed she pulled the golden glow into her right fist then slammed it directly into the floor, the sheer force caused a small creator to appear in the floor and ended many of the Horde.

Standing, she felt the force of the bullet's being fired past her head to take out any creatures that had escaped. One had escaped both her attack and the gunfire of her companions and was running directly towards her, blood dripped from its mouth as it snarled, the intentions clear. Rose stepped to the side slightly and brought her right knee up sharply and straight into its stomach, more blood sprayed from its moth as it hissed in agony. The momentum caused it to flip over and Rose had shot it in the head before it had registered hitting the ground. A low whistle brought her out of her musings.

"Jesus Lola, remind me never to get on your bad side." Jack's laughter seemed to agree with the statement and Rose found it hard to resist the smile that tugged at her lips. John had hated guns, had hated violence in general and she often wondered just how disappointed he would have become with her. For all she knew that what she was doing was to help protect many lives across the galaxy, she knew that doing this had already saved many lives she just couldn't help but wonder just what he would have said. Maybe it would have been better if there was guilt she thought to herself, she was taking a life, surely there should be some! But there never was.

"Please Vega, you love getting me annoyed." She couldn't help the laugh at his smug expression, any of her doubt fading away for the moment. She could always count on her crew to make her feel that what she was doing was right, regardless of the violence behind it. A scrapping of the vent had all three team member's guns drawn and pointed towards the celling ready to open fire when a frantic voice caused them to pause.

"Wait! Don't shoot!" Rose frowned, she recognised that voice.

"Miranda? Is that you?"

"Commander? I don't think I have ever been so happy to hear your voice." The vent popped open and Miranda's pale face came into view, "Would you mind giving me a hand down?" Rose motioned for Jack and Vega to continue collecting the data from the terminal as she dragged a table to below the vent, hauled herself onto it and helped ease the trapped woman from the vent. Her eyes widened ever so slightly when she seen the state she was in.

Miranda's form fitting trousers had been ripped right up to the thigh, teeth marks covered her lower leg. Something had literally tried to take a bite out of her. Moving her eyes up she saw the scrapes, bruises and burns that littered the woman through the taters of her clothes her once long hair appeared ripped and singed and now sat in jagged cuts above her shoulders.

"Oh Miranda, what happened here?" Rose never got her answer as the other woman pitched forward, the adrenaline wearing off. "Cortez! We need an EVAC now, and notify the Chakwas we have injured incoming." She slung Miranda over her shoulder, being as mindful as she could of her injuries and made her way back to the shuttle with her team.

"I sure hope that data was worth it." Vega grumbled behind her, she couldn't help but agree.

Ten sighed as he poked at the food he had been given, they had been taken to the mess-hall under the watchful eyes of their babysitter something he could definitely do without at the moment. Unsurprisingly Rose had been plaguing his thoughts for several hours now. He needed to know what had happened. He hadn't left her in 2005, but it definitely hadn't been 160 years out. She had been placed in the time that she was supposed to be in. None of this was possible, but saying that neither was sitting having dinner with two versions of his self would be possible either.

His musing was interrupted when the elevator opened and a rush of feet sounded and the young Lieutenant from earlier came barreling round the corner shouting at the other soldiers in her way.

"Make a hole! We have a medical emergency in bound!" The second half of the statement seemed to be directed towards an older woman who had just come out of what he assumed was the medical ward, rather than the soldiers that were flattened against the wall. Ten felt his hearts sink and his throat clog, Rose? Had something happened to Rose? Nine had stiffened upon hearing the news, ice blue eyes swivelled towards the two woman who were setting up the room. Even the three companions looked a bit concerned, his future self didn't seem to share the concern instead kept his head bowed over his food. Ten scowled at him, was this what he turned into? Someone without a care for a former companion, a friend?

He was interrupted from his musings as the elevator doors slid open once more. He automatically stood up, willing to rush forward to help in anyway, when the person rounded the corner he almost passed out with the sheer rush of relief he felt. Rose was carrying an unconscious woman over her right shoulder and was striding towards the medbay. Ten sat back down heavily, she was fine. Nothing had happened to her, not that he knew what could have happened to her, but still. She was safe. So caught up in his musings he nearly missed Rose and the Lieutenant coming back out of the room, it was Rory moving towards them that finally snapped him out of it.

"I was wondering if you need any help, I have medical training and I may as well earn my keep while I am here." Rose seemed to study Rory for a bit before nodding her head.

"I am sure the Doc will appreciate that, Ash get him introduced and see if we can put him to work." With a salute from the other woman, she led Rory back towards the medbay. He took this moment to quietly study her, she was clad in an armour unlike any he had seen before. The gunmetal grey reflected off the florescent lights in the room, the shape emphasised her breasts, toned stomach and strong legs but strong enough that it could withstand a hit. Ten felt his ears flush slightly even with a layer of metal he couldn't prevent himself from eyeing her form. This time it was Garrus who startled him out of his musing.

"You been having some fun without me Thorn? I'm upset." The distinctive voice managed to convey his amusement easily and what was with all the nicknames that people were throwing at her? He could feel the jealousy rise within himself and the growl that escaped Nine shown just how he felt about the other aliens comments. The slight tightening of another's fist went completely unnoticed.

"Well, you know me Big Guy. I do love a party. I'll be sure to bring you along next time though." Rose directed her signature smile towards the raptor. His smile! This was just not right, it was also exactly the opposite of a reunion that he would have ever wanted. Not that he ever thought this was in any way possible. Enough was enough, they needed answers and they needed them now. He opened his mouth to put his point across when he was interrupted by Rose turning towards them, "Just let me get changed out of this armour and file a mission report. I won't be much longer." Without waiting for a response she turned, motioned for Garrus to follow her and walked out on them once more.

"Is it just me, or does she walk out on us before we ever get an actual answer?" Amy pointed out helpfully with River humming in agreement. Everyone failed to notice that the Lieutenant had joined them once more.

"Seriously? You lot are complaining that the skipper has better things to do? You do realised that there is a war going on, right?" Cutlery clattered to the table as the three Doctors stared at her in horror as her words sunk in. Rose, his precious pink and yellow human, was fighting in a war?

What had he done?

"We won't know anything further till Miranda wakes up but we did manage to retrieve all the data from the terminals." Rose could see that this wasn't exactly the answer that the Captain was looking for, but unfortunately there really was nothing more that she could say.

"Understood Commander, keep me posted. Anderson out." There was no control over the tired sigh that escaped her, today was quite possibly turning into the day from hell and until Miranda woke up there really was no chance of it getting better. She felt a taloned hand land on her shoulder, turning she sent a tired smile in the direction of her friend.

"You are starting to look a little rough round the edges, maybe you should try and get some sleep."

"Yeah maybe, don't think that I am the only one that should be taking that advice. How you holding up Big Guy?" Rose looked up at her friend and truly was worried for him, she couldn't remember a time she had ever saw the Turian looking as drained.

"You know me Rose, I'm ready to follow you into hell whenever you need me." Rose beamed at the use of her first name, she could only assume he had done it in an effort to cheer her up.

"Right I best go down and face the music I suppose, have put them off for long enough." Garrus motioned for her to go first and both headed down on the elevator. Whatever she had been expecting when she turned the corner towards the mess-hall it hadn't been for the pinstriped wearing Doctor to take a hold of both her arms with bruising force and give her a fierce shake. Before Rose could even raise an eyebrow in response he was hauled off her and pinned against the wall, Garrus snarling fiercely in his face.

"What do you think you are playing at? You ever touch her again I will rip your arms off" Rose tried to push down the exasperation she felt towards her friend, she knew he was just being overprotective over her just like he knew he was more than capable of taking herself.

"Ease off Big Guy, am sure he never meant any harm…Right Doctor?" Rose turned her questioning gaze towards him, she hoped she managed to convey her exasperation through the amusement she felt. The Tenth Doctor nodded as much as his position allowed and with a final snarl Garrus released him, "Why don't you give me a bit of time with them, see if I can't get to the bottom of what caused this. Besides, you know as well I do that I can more than take care of myself" Garrus looked ready to argue but one look at her irritated glare, or the fact he remembered she really could take cae of herself, seemed to make him think otherwise and he let the Doctor drop to the ground in a graceless pile.

"Alright Thorn, just watch yourself. I don't trust them." With that he turned around and stalked off towards the forward batteries. Rose sighed once more before reaching a hand down to pull the stunned man off the floor before turning to the rest of the group who had watched the altercation in stunned silence. She moved forwards to sit at the table next to River and the bowtie wearing Doctor and looked over all of them before landing her gaze on Ten.

"You wanna tell me what the fuck that was all about?"

And that is it for chapter three. I hope you have enjoyed and shall try and update again soon. Big thanks to everyone that has been reading, reviewing and following it does mean a lot and encourages me to keep up the (hopefully) good work.