Child of Earth
By Lumendea
Chapter Forty: Children of Earth: Restoring Spock
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any of the spinoff material and I gain no income off of this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.
…
Rose parked the SUV near a park which had parents crowding near their children, watching them like hawks. Some police officers were patrolling and watching the children from a nearby corner. Looking over at Clem, Rose forced a small smile as she reached back to retrieve the heavy backpack.
"Clem we need to find a place to lay low," she told him. "I need to get the computer working so I can find out what is going on."
"What's going on?" Clem repeated with a dazed expression as he looked around nervously.
"Yeah Clem," Rose told him, reaching over and squeezing his hand. "I'm going to stop this remember. I know that attack was scary, it scared me too, but the other children are still in danger."
Something in what she said seemed to get through to him because a moment later he nodded. He squeezed her hand in return and Rose's expression softened. It really was frightening to look at him and see the different parts of what remained. Rose couldn't help but feel lucky all of a sudden. Even with the Guardians, the Trickster and that horrible almost marriage to the Silver Lord she'd been lucky. The Doctor had been there when things were at their worst, but this boy's world had been shattered.
"Come on then," Rose forced out as she opened the door and climbed out. She pulled on the backpack with a slight huff, already making a list of what she'd need to get Spock to the point that he could help her sort out this mess.
She pulled out the sonic pen as they walked and started zapping the various cameras. It wasn't much, but if they kept moving for a bit and stayed out of the direct line of sight of the cameras then hopefully they wouldn't be found. Rose almost looked back at her SUV, wondering if it would be safe. She was suddenly very worried about her flat in Cambridge or her mum's home being sacked. There wasn't anything truly dangerous there for them to find, but her letters from Eve and her diary could be a problem.
Rose shoved the thought out of her head, trying to calm down. The letters were all hidden in hollowed out books and after the Silver Lord wedding fiasco, she'd taken to hiding her diary just to be safe. They'd have to tear everything apart and attract a lot of attention to find everything. She was beginning to really look forward to the safety of the TARDIS in the future. After all, the Doctor might not like it, but she had no doubt that he'd respect her privacy in regards to the diary.
She paused and reach back and retrieve a small duffle bag from the floor of the back seat and handed it to Clem. "This has some blankets and emergency stuff."
"Emergency stuff?" Clem repeated.
"Yeah I drive between London and Cambridge and other places so I keep a few things in the car," Rose explained as she closed the door and locked everything up. Hopefully, it wouldn't be totally destroyed. Though she really wasn't going to need it after graduation.
"You're worried," Clem observed as they began to walk down a side street.
"Yeah," Rose agreed, knowing it was rubbish to lie to Clem. "I'm not sure yet how to stop these aliens. I need to know more about them."
"I don't remember much," Clem apologised softly. "There was just the light."
"Yeah and they took the kids," Rose finished uneasily. "And now they're communicating through the kids and you."
They wandered for a while, losing themselves in the hum and flow of London. The atmosphere of the city was all wrong. While during the staged crash by the Slitheen Family humans had been torn between torn between excitement and panic there was true fear in the air. As they walked she could hear radios and tellys with the news running and no new information. There were more 'experts' providing their theories on the crisis, but despite the blind denial of the past, it seemed that aliens were finally being accepted once and for all.
"They all know now," Clem sighed, shaking his head and almost hugging the duffle bag. "Innocence over."
"Not all aliens are bad," Rose offered weakly. "We'll sort this out and find out what is going on."
Clem said nothing and Rose wished he could tell her something about the aliens. Looking around, Rose tried to figure out where they could go that wouldn't be too obvious, but still had access to what they needed. Clem shuffled along beside her and thankfully no one paid any attention to them.
Then two words caught the corner of her eye and Rose stopped to take in the elegant graffiti that read: Bad Wolf. Rose looked up at the building thoughtfully. It looked like half studios and half offices with signs of construction on the upper levels. Gesturing to Clem, she led him back into the alley and brushed her fingers over the painted message. Someday she was going to find out where these all came from. A message was one thing, trusting it was another thing when you didn't know who the one who sent the message was. At least the Doctor trusted them.
A heavy metal backdoor was sealed up, but the sonic pen was able to disengage the keypad lock. It clicked open and Rose pulled it open. The corridor beyond was dark and Rose fought down a shiver of worry. She reached into her shoulder bag and retrieved a small torch that she shined the corridor. The building was cold with the concrete walls still holding onto the chill of winter. There were signs of restoration work, but the layer of dust on the tools and supplies spoke of delays which Rose could only be grateful for.
"Come on Clem," Rose called gently as she walked into the dark building. "Let's see what we have to work with."
A narrow staircase that didn't look up to code led up to a second floor where the work seemed to be concentrated. Rose figured judging from the layout it was being turned into a bedsit. There were small rooms with loos and water closet at each end of the hall. It was more depressing than the small flat she'd grown up in. Windows were covered with wood and plastic, but some light was leaking in around the rough job. It didn't look like the best construction job and Rose figured some arguments were why the work had stopped. None the less, she was a bit grateful for it.
Pulling out her phone, Rose wandered amongst the small rooms until she found an internet signal from the coffee shop down the block. It was weak, but she could work it to get Spock up and running again. The sound of running water made her jump in alarm and look around frantically for intruders. Then the sound stopped and Clem re-entered the room a few moments later with a smile. Rose blinked at him and he must have realised the source of her surprise.
"Loo still works," he offered with a sheepish smile.
"Oh," Rose breathed. "That's good then." She gestured towards the outlets and exposed wiring. "Hopefully we have some electricity too, but we have to be careful not let any light show in the street."
"I know," Clem murmured and Rose grimaced at the reminder that he'd probably lived on the street plenty over the years.
Clem was silent as he sat in the corner and watched Rose pull out the parts of Spock's old system. Her fingers reconnected the wires and unfolded the collapsed frame automatically as her mind kept racing. Harriet's statement about these aliens: 456 kept echoing in her head, but it didn't make any sense. Why that name? What were they like and what were they after?
"How long will this take?" Clem questioned softly. "To fix the computer?"
"I'm not sure," Rose admitted. "I need to get the interface working again, replace anything that I missed and make sure he can access the internet again." Rose reached into her bag and found a hair tie. She pulled her hair up into a sloppy ponytail and returned her attention to the interface.
Rose worked on it, lamenting the passage of time around her. This had taken months to perfect the first time and had been done in stages. Some of the elements had been used in the creation of Spock's full interface and Rose was left scrambling. Clem was seated near the window and peering out of the small cracks. Slowly the light began to die just as Rose's patience with the project was fading.
"Bugger!" Rose grumbled as the interface flickered off. "I knew I should have upgraded this thing just in case!" She sighed and rubbed at her eyes, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. "I took Sarah Jane's house for granted. I should know better." Rose looked at Spock's crystal form waiting in the backpack and reminded herself to stay calm for him. It was much worse for Spock, trapped inside his own mind with no way to communicate that she'd understand. Exhaling slowly, Rose rolled her shoulders and sighed. "I need to go find a few things Clem," Rose told him softly making Clem's eyes widen. "I'll be back soon!"
"Why?" he questioned in a low voice as Rose tied her hair up in a ponytail.
"I need some more parts for Spock," she answered with a sigh. "And we need some supplies."
"How can I help?" Clem asked to her surprise. "They might not be looking for me."
Rose paused and rolled her lips nervously. It was possible. She glanced around the small space they were squatting in. They really did some basics like food. Pulling out her wallet, Rose checked what cash she had and sighed in relief. She'd probably have to find a cash point and use the sonic pen which she disliked at some point, but she could get them started.
"We need some food, simple things we don't need heat for," Rose instructed quickly as she held out several bills to Clem. "Will you be able to find your way back here?'
"Yes," Clem answered calmly.
"Okay then," Rose breathed. "There's one more thing I can do and then I'll run out myself."
Clem lingered for a moment longer to watch her as Rose attached a small wireless card to the interface. It clicked into place and Rose gently picked up Spock's crystal from the backpack. Scooting back, Rose used her foot to spread the interface frame out another inch before carefully lowering Spock into the small cradle. Some of the lights turned on and there was a faint hum from the interface. Rose picked up a couple of electric sensors and gently laid them over Spock's crystal surface. Clem was eying the set up with some suspicion but said nothing as she stood up.
"Hopefully I can find what I need," Rose told him with a smile as she stretched. Her back popped a little and Rose grimaced at the sound. "I don't want to wait until tomorrow."
"Aliens coming quickly," Clem agreed with a frown as his eyes flickered over the window. "Just a few days."
"Any idea how many?" Rose pressed, suddenly aware of the knowledge Clem possessed. "Two? Three?"
"I'm not sure," Clem admitted as he took a step towards the door. "We should go now. Shops will close soon."
Nodding, Rose followed him to the door. She glanced back at Spock uneasily. It didn't feel right leaving him like this, but she couldn't ask Clem to protect him and they needed some parts. They made their way down the stairs and parted with Rose glancing back toward Clem. She had to keep reminding herself that he'd survived for years and kept his head down.
The electronics store was already closed as Rose looked it over carefully. She pulled out the sonic pen from her bag and quickly flicked it on. The nearby camera blinked and Rose smiled in relief, knowing that it was now looped. Pointing the tip of the pen at the doorway, Rose breathed out a little easier when the electronic lock clicked open as the soft blue of the pen illuminated it. She pushed the door open and stepped inside quickly before she could draw too much attention. Rose's eyes swept around the space as she checked the wall.
She stepped over the alarm beam quickly and moved to the counter. There was a white panel behind the register that Rose opened and soniced in one smooth motion. Rose paused and waited for a long moment and any indication that she'd triggered an alarm. All was silent except for the sound of the traffic outside. Exhaling, Rose ignored the grumble in her stomach that protested she hadn't eaten sine lunch and began to go through the aisle of the electronics store.
"Okay," Rose breathed as she looked around. "Theft, lovely. But necessary," she reminded herself.
Rose moved through the aisles grabbing cables, wires and a few other odds and ends to cannibalise. Her mind flashed back to her other life memories of watching Peter Tyler tear apart new technology while Jackie protested across the room. He'd had a notebook full of sketches and ideas on how to improve them.
Freezing in place, Rose barely held back a wave of sorrow as tears pricked at her eyes. She almost laughed, it came at the oddest times. Rose took a slow breath and tried to push the memory away as she wondered why her alternate self hadn't followed her father in technology. Peter Tyler had excelled in maths and the sciences for his Os and yet she'd never followed him. Rose tried to remember why she'd chosen music only for the memory of her mum's face when she first performed after a year of lessons to swim before her. A soft chuckle escaped her and Rose allowed herself to linger in the memory of that Rose Tyler studying music so she could create and the pieces she'd written herself for her parents. She may have had her father's talents, but she'd had a passion to do something different from both versions of them. It really was a bit funny: one of them trying to be different from her parents and the other emulating him without even knowing it for years.
Shaking her head, Rose wiped away a stray tear and sighed. As she grabbed a set of speakers and a microphone, Rose wondered what her father would have thought of her stealing so she could save the world and her life history. She regretted that there hadn't been time to let him see how much of her he was no matter the reality. Gathering up her things, Rose put them into a couple of bags she found behind the counter. She also found a notepad and wrote out an apology note, a list of things she'd taken and a message to bill it to UNIT. It made her feel a bit better even as she could hear the Doctor laughing at her in her head.
…
Rose hated feeling helpless and detached. Things were going badly, she could feel it in her gut and yet she was hiding and trying to get Spock's interface working enough to find out what was happening. Part of her was beginning to wonder if the Doctor's favourite plan of getting captured was the best route this time, but then she thought back to Bannerman Road and the firearms the unknown forces had been carrying. If it was Eclipse than she already knew they had an execution order out on her and there was no Dalek to save her this time.
Turning on her mobile phone, Rose checked the list of missed calls. Her mother had called ten times, she noted with a grimace. This was going to be an ugly argument when it was all over. Rose wasn't sure how safe it was to keep her phone on under the circumstances. She'd never bothered asking the Doctor if it could be traced or if the TARDIS protected the calls. Deciding to risk it, Rose kept it on and flicked down her list of contacts. The TARDIS was still greyed out.
Before her were scattered the various things she'd taken from the shop, half a can of cold beans and a banana peel. She set the phone to the side and picked up the microphone and speakers and hooked them into the old audio connection. Her fingers moved on their own as she clicked the makeshift circuits and connections into place. It was half sleek and refined work from a Cambridge student and half scraps and last minute patchwork.
"Come on, come on, come on," Rose hissed as the interface began to light up around Spock's crystal structure. She heard Clem take a sharp breath of alarm and wonder.
"It's alien isn't it?"
"Yeah," Rose admitted uneasily. "But he's on our side Clem," she assured him as she risked looking over at him. "Spock is a Xylok and his purpose is to protect the Earth and humanity. He'll help us and he won't hurt you." Clem didn't look convinced and Rose felt a twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry, I know this scares you, but please trust me."
The interface finished lighting up and the speaker light flickered on. Rose sucked in a sharp breath and waited for what felt like forever as the laptop screen began to turn on. A moment later the familiar crystal looking screen saver that served as Spock's image appeared and a smile took over Rose's face.
"Welcome back Spock," Rose breathed. "Everything okay?"
"Indeed," the Xylok agreed. "All systems working at necessary function level."
"Good, I hooked you up the internet first. Any chance you found anything?"
"Nothing yet I'm afraid," Spock admitted. "But I am establishing a connection to the Prime Minister's office."
"Excellent," Rose sighed in relief. "Maybe Harriet will have something."
"It will take me some time to go through everything," Spock reminded her. "I am not operating with full systems at the moment."
"Right," Rose groaned, nodding her understanding sadly. "How much time do you think?"
"A few hours at least," Spock told her gently. "I have been completely out of the loop for several hours." Spock paused and the interface lights flashed. "Rose may I suggest you rest. It is almost midnight and you need sleep."
Rose wanted to protest, but a wave of exhaustion hit her suddenly. Clem stepped up behind her and draped a blanket over her shoulders. He sat down beside her and picked up the can of beans. Rose managed a smile as he held it out to her.
"You're good at this," he remarked with a nod towards Spock as she took the tin.
"Yeah," Rose breathed. "I'm a student at Cambridge. Computer science and physics."
"I would have guessed robotics," Clem offered with a slight smile, looking more relaxed than Rose thought she'd ever seen.
"Nah," she chuckled. "Mind you I did take a robotics seminar. Teased my main professor about liking that teacher more than him, not that Ian believed me. I like computer science, it transcends the technology really with the logical progression it works on and physics is well… physics." She took a sip of water from one of the plastic bottles. "My education has served me well so far."
"That's good isn't it," Clem sighed, shivering a little and pulling a blanket around himself. "You should sleep."
"So should you," Rose countered even as she shifted over another blanket that was stretched out on the floor on top of a pad of carpet. "It's been a long day for us both."
"Won't sleep," Clem whispered, fear creeping into his voice. "Isn't safe." He looked at Spock again. "Too many aliens."
"I know they hurt you," Rose whispered. "But Spock is different. I promise. He protects Earth. He's my best chance now of stopping this."
Clem nodded but said nothing else. Holding back a sigh, Rose cushioned her head with her arm. Even as she tried to consider what to do next and worried about what the next day would bring. So much had already happened and she could feel it in her bones that the crisis had only just begun.