Child of Earth

By Lumendea

Chapter Forty-Four: Daughter of the World: Black Archives

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 pulled the sputtering bike over into the car park of one of the box stores on the edge of London and groaned. Her left side and arm were aching and her back felt ready to collapse under the weight of Spock's bag. People were coming and going from scattered cars and on foot from the nearby train station. She carefully dismounted the bike and hissed in pain when her right arm caught on the handlebars. Rose's left hand was shaking and she looked down in alarm. Dried blood had seeped down over her hand without her even noticing in the rush of adrenaline during her escape.

Looking around nervously, Rose forced herself to breathe deeply. There was a jolt of pain in her arm and along her side, that sent a rush of fear and near panic through Rose. Pulling out her sonic pen, Rose pointed it up towards the mounted cameras and waited a moment. She told herself to start moving and headed for a nearby car parked on the edge of the car park in what she thought might be a dead spot in the camera feed. With the sonic pen, she unlocked the driver's side door and carefully took off the backpack. Putting in on the passenger side seat, Rose all but collapsed into the driver's side and closed the door.

She reached down and pulled out the panelling below the steering wheel and found the correct wires. Pressing them together a few times, Rose sighed in relief when the engine roared to life. No one in the car park came running over and she decided to risk a few more moments. She shifted carefully and looked down at her left side.

Her jacket was ripped open with a long dark slice across the skin of her arm which made Rose frown. It looked more like a blade wound rather than a bullet and judging from the stickiness on her coat arm it was the source of the blood. She carefully pulled the fabric away from the wound, grimacing as it tugged at the painful skin. It needed cleaning and bandaging. It would probably scar, but it wasn't life threatening. Shifting again, Rose slipped her right hand along her right side. She found another hole in the coat, but rather than a blade wound there was a short burning patch of skin.

"Got knifed and shot and didn't notice," Rose said. She almost laughed.

The bullet line was already cauterised and while it ached it also wasn't life threatening. Sighing in relief, Rose shook her head and carefully pulled on her seatbelt before shifting the car into drive. It was small, a few years old and wouldn't attract much attention. Rose steered it carefully out of the car park, hoping to avoid drawing any attention to herself. Once again no one came out yelling and as she pulled up to the traffic light, she took a moment to get her bearing and resumed her journey, ignoring the dried blood still covering her left hand.

…..

Rose ditched the car on a small side road about a mile from the Lethbridge-Stewart house by driving it carefully into a small patch of trees. It wouldn't hide it long, but hopefully long enough that she could get to her destination without Eclipse on her back. She loaded Spock's backpack up again and started walking through the small forested area that separated the Lethbridge-Stewart house from a nearby farming field.

The Lethbridge-Stewart house was an imposing old brick building surrounded by well-tended gardens and an impressive wrought iron fence. To an untrained eye, it probably looked like any other old country house, but Rose couldn't help but note the brutal sharp points at the tops of the metal fence and the heavy front gate. This place had a couple extra points of protection and the only thing that kept Rose from smiling was the ache in her left side.

There were three SUVs parked in the front drive that Rose could see from her place at the side of the house. She eyed the fence carefully before she carefully began to climb. Her coat caught on the spikes despite Rose's best effort to avoid them and another sliced into her right arm. Rose grimaced but stayed silent as she half shrugged out of her coat, keeping a tight hold of her shoulder bag. She used the fabric to form a sort of rope and lowered herself down to the ground. Then she pulled the coat down and sighed as a loud rip reached her ears. Rose rolled up the remains and started creeping towards the back of the house.

There were a few guards near the SUVs, but they were keeping an eye on the gate. Rose looked around the house nervously, hoping for a cellar door or an open ground floor window. She didn't have any luck with that but did find a second story window and a wall full of ivy. Rose eyed it carefully and felt her left side flinch in the pain it knew was coming.

It was slow, but she managed to climb up the side of the house inch by inch. The weight of Spock nearly threw her off, but she didn't dare leave him behind. Her fingers gripped the thick vines while her feet sought out ever little ledge provided by the bricks. She grunted and huffed in pain as she gripped the windowsill and pulled herself up. Rose almost fell into the room and froze as she strained her ears, certain that someone was about to come rushing inside. A minute passed and there were no loud noises indicating that she'd been heard. Rose sighed in relief and shrugged out of the backpack. Her back cracked slightly and her muscles ached even as a wave of relief hit Rose.

She looked around quickly. The room looked like a guest bedroom that had just been cleared. The duvet was pulled back and a bottle of cleaner was still sitting on the bedside table. There were some books on the desk against the wall that made Rose assume this was the room Kate's son Gordon stayed in when he visited. Rose dropped the remains of her coat in a nearby trash can and gingerly walked across the wooden floor. As she opened the door to the corridor, Rose could hear voices echoing up from downstairs and nervously moved forward.

People were standing in the main entrance below and Rose could see down through the bannister. The General was standing straight and tall, leaning a little on a cane and glaring at a pair of gentlemen in suits. Pressing herself against the wall, Rose forgot how to breathe as she listened to Alistair and the two unknown men.

"We just need to talk with Tyler," a smooth posh voice insisted. "You may think you're protecting her Sir Alistair, but you're making the situation worse."

"It seems that I lack the proper understanding of the situation," Alistair's voice replied sharply. "My understanding is that Agent Tyler is seeking a solution to the crisis we find ourselves in."

"The British government-"

"Prime Minster Jones is a friend of Agent Tyler's," Alistair reminded them. "I have difficulty believing that she's sent you to arrest Rose."

"Elected Officials are only ever part of the equation," the smooth posh voice replied with a hint of smugness. "You were a solider, Sir Alistair and this is an order."

"I answer to the United Nations," she heard Alistair answer sternly. "As far of the British military is concerned I am retired."

"You have two grandchildren correct?" the second voice questioned and Rose saw red at the subtle threat. "Your grandson Gordon is too old to be affected I believe, but your younger grandson James isn't. Lists are being made General, of children to be protected from being taken. Surely you want to see this crisis come to a safe conclusion for them."

"I haven't seen Tyler," the General answered in an icy calm tone that sent a shiver up Rose's spine. "UNIT was ordered to leave the situation to Torchwood by the Security Council. Whatever Rose is doing she is doing it as a private citizen. She's on the run and I doubt she'll risk coming to me or anyone else for help. For the very reason, you just outlined."

"What can she do on her own?"

"You'd be very surprised," the General replied evenly and Rose almost smiled. "She's one of the only people who has ever scolded me. I'd suggest you work on the crisis your way and let her see what she can do."

"That isn't possible General. Unity is of vital importance now."

"No you being able to cover your arses is what matters most to you," the General all but growled. "You've already barged in, searched my home and now threatened my grandson. I suggest you boys leave before you make me angry. This is a large estate and I've taken up gardening."

Rose almost laughed at the threat. A warm feeling filled her chest despite the fact that her friend was basically suggesting murdering them and burying them in a garden. She risked another look around the corner and saw that at least one of the men looked shaken.

She stayed completely still as the door slammed shut. The house was silent as the sound of car doors slamming outside reached her ears and a moment later the sound of gravel being thrown up could be heard. They were gone, at least for now. A sigh of relief escaped Rose before she thought to contain it.

"Rose that had better be you creeping around up there," Alistair declared a few moments later. Rose's eyes widened when he turned around and looked up towards her. Their eyes locked and a relieved smile crossed his face. "You have a lot of explaining to do."

"Yes sir," Rose answered, rising to her feet only to grimace and clutch her side.

"You're injured?"

"Sliced arm and maybe bullet graze," Rose answered. "Nothing too bad."

"But bad enough." Alistair was already climbing the stairs, worry written on his features.

"Do you know how Kate is?"

"Benton took your mother and friends into protective custody. He's been able to keep them, my grandsons and Kate safe on the basis of not revealing UNIT safe houses, but I'm not sure how long he'll be able to get away with that."

The General took Rose into one of the upper stairs bathrooms. She blushed as she removed her shirt and gripped the edge of the sink to keep still. Her whole left side was aching and Rose was afraid that she had broken something. In the mirror, she could see a long angry line, but limited bruising so she was optimistic. Alistair cleaned the wounds with military efficiently in silence as Rose tried to gather her thoughts.

"We'll bandage then after you clean up," he informed her. "I'll get some of Kate's things. They should fit you and make you something to eat. Then you'll explain where we're at."

"It's about the Black Archives," Rose told him nervously. "I need something inside them."

"Oh." The General inhaled sharply and seemed lost in thought for a moment. "You clean up and catch your breath. I'll start working on the Archives."

Nodding, Rose washed her face in the sink until Alistair returned with a bundle of clothes. His sharp eyes were checking her over and Rose wondered just how bad she looked that he wasn't just demanding explanations. Part of her was urging them to leave at once, but she needed to catch her breath and with any luck, Alistair could track down some information.

She didn't take long, there was too much to do, but just being clean and having the start of a plan helped. When she opened the door a little there was a pile of clothing waiting for her and Rose was struck by how sweet the General could be. Kate was a taller than her so Rose stuck with her own jeans which weren't too dirty, but the fresh shirt was a welcome relief.

Alistair was downstairs in the kitchen and typing away on a laptop much to Rose's surprise. Sandwich makings were spread across the counter and he gestured to them with a stern expression.

"Do you mind if I set up Spock?" Rose questioned as she braided her damp hair.

"No, it's a good idea. Set him up, eat something and then start explaining."

Two sandwiches and three cups of tea later Spock was humming softly on the dining room table as Rose brought Alistair up to speed. With the ban from the UN on UNIT becoming involved apparently even he was having trouble finding anything. There was a lot to cover and thankfully Alistair let Rose get through Torchwood's role, the demands of the alien and the attack by her believed Eclipse before they addressed her current thoughts.

"In Berlin a telepathic hub was used to combat the telepathic abilities of the aliens," Rose explained quickly and Alistair nodded. "Spock found that somehow fewer children in Berlin are being affected."

"And you're linking it to this hub, that seems reasonable, but what are you going to do the hub?" Alistair took a sip of his tea. "As much as I want to see the children safe can you extend the signal around the Earth and even then it won't stop whatever weapons they may have."

"If I may offer a suggestion," Spock spoke up. "Rose in the time you were travelling I've been analysing what we know about the Qreiz'elt and I may have found something." There was a paused. "The signal they used to execute Clem has interesting properties."

"Clem?"

Rose waved Alistair off and focused on Spock. "Interesting how?"

"Judging from their biochemistry it would trigger the same reaction in them as it did in Clem if reserved on them."

"Hold on you're saying the very signal that they're using is deadly to them?" the General demanded, cutting in and looking between Rose and Spock. "That's madness."

"But it may be the only thing that gives them an edge." Rose tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the table. "This group may be exiles, Alistair. Spock's information on the Qreiz'elt says that those in power when the original group of children were taking were overthrown a few years later. This could be them with what limited resources they have."

"Then why demand so many children?"

"Drugs," Rose informed him with a shudder. "The kids are just a hit to them. They could sell them to other Qreiz'elt, maybe even take back power with a commodity like that."

"Bloody Torchwood," Alistair growled. "I knew I should have told the Doctor about them!"

"Why didn't you?"

Alistair sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he shook his head. "I received a warning from a future Doctor. It was shortly after his third incarnation was found on Earth. I'd recently become aware of Torchwood when he came and warned me to stay quiet about them because the formation and him making enemies of them was in his personal future. Thankfully Her Majesty rather liked the Doctor and told them to stay away from him."

"This future Doctor what did he look like?"

"Older gentleman, at least to me at the time." He frowned and shook his head. "I can't remember details I'm afraid but compared to the Doctor's I've known he was downright normal in appearance. But back to the point. These aliens are weak to this signal?"

"Yes and Spock recorded it when they killed Clem so we have it and with the telepathic hub we might just be able to use it." Rose looked back at Spock. "Start running the numbers, Spock."

"I will do my best, but Rose there is a limit to what I can do without details of the telepathic hub."

"Understood," Rose agreed quickly. "Alistair, what do you think?"

"I think it is a long shot," he admitted carefully. "We know so little, but we can't just sit around and wait to see what they will do." He stood up. "One positive thing about this crisis is that I'm certain UNIT won't be focused on the Black Archive. If this hub is still on Earth that's where it would be."

"Can you help me?"

"I can get you inside the Black Archives," Alistair agreed though he looked nervous.

"How bad is it?"

"We might be shot. It all depends on who is on duty and what is going on." It wasn't reassuring, but Rose nodded. "The real issue is where do you want to try and do this? If we are able to break in and get away with this telepathic hub then you'll still need Spock's help."

Rose's shoulders slumped at little. It was a good point and she chewed at her bottom lip. "You're right. Getting the hub is just step one. I don't remember enough about it to say for certain what we'll need." She glanced around. "And he can't stay here. It's the first place they'll look provided we get away with this."

"Indeed, getting into the Black Archives with my rank is one thing, but getting out with an item is something else completely."

"We'll just have to take him with us," Rose suggested. "While I'd love to make a plan and have him waiting somewhere that just doesn't seem possible."

"Alright, pack him up and let's get going."

Rose sucked in a breath as Alistair finished his tea and stood up. This was it and she would be lying if she didn't admit she was scared.

"Any concerns Spock?"

"Just stay safe Rose. I know I don't have the proper data, but I will begin running simulations and see if I can at least isolate some of the variables we'll be dealing with."

"Great!" Rose forced a smile for both Spock and Alistair. "We're ahead of schedule. There's still hours to go."

"Honestly that's one of the things that worries me most," Alistair said with a shake of his head.

….

The Black Archive rose above the gentle roll of the hills as a large grey brick of a building. There was a barbed wire fence around it and small guard buildings scattered about. To an outsider it would have looked like a small military base, but Rose knew that the most dangerous items were kept deep inside of it. As they drove closer, Rose pulled the backseat down and carefully climbed into the trunk. The backseat was pushed back up a moment later by Alistair using his cane leaving her in the dark.

She could hear muffled voices after they drove forward and held her breath, just waiting for something to go wrong. A soldier was asking Alistair about why he was there before it changed into a conservation about the crisis. Just as Rose was sure they weren't going to be let in the car moved forward. They rolled along for what felt like an eternity. Then they stopped, Alistair got out and started talking to someone else. His tone was friendly, but Rose could hear the underlying worry. She stayed as still and silent as she could until the voices drifted away.

"We were lucky," Alistair told her as the trunk opened and he extended his hand to her. "Skeleton staff today, too many are out in the field monitoring children as part of the British army." He shook his head and nodded towards the door. "We may have a problem inside. You're wanted for questioning. The order is coming from Geneva now. I'm afraid that the Prime Minister hasn't sorted that yet."

"Lovely." Rose shuddered as she got her feet under her. She picked up the backpack with Spock and hoisted it onto her back. Alistair looked at her in slight surprise. "Just in case."

He nodded his understanding and they turned towards the entrance to the Black Archives. "Stay back from me. I'll subdue the guards. The less they are involved in this the better, but I'm sure you can understand that security has been tightened here since Black Sun's attack."

"Okay," Rose agreed. Her stomach turned uneasily. Would they actually shoot her? Part of her didn't think so, but with the strain of the last few days, everyone was on edge. Rose felt a wave of unease as Alistair place his hand on a palm reader. This place looked too much like a prison with windows. Or a tomb. "Here," she said as she pulled on the sonic pen. Rose adjusted it quickly. "Just press and hold here. It will set the cameras on a loop."

Alistair took the pen with a hint of surprise but nodded. The door opened and he stepped in first with the pen in hand. There was a soft hum of the probe and Rose stepped forward to follow him. The door slid shut behind him. The air was as dry as Rose remembered as they walked down the long entry corridor with Alistair several feet in front of her. Rose was silent as he reached into his pocket and pulled out something too quickly for her to see.

"General?" The soldier jumped to attention as Rose ducked into the shadows. His partner looked too stunned to even speak. "Sir what brings you here?"

"Looking to review a report that might be useful." He walked to them casually. "Something about all this seemed familiar."

"I see sir, but UNIT has been ordered to stand down." The soldier didn't sound happy about that.

"I know."

Alistair shook his head but then reached out and gripped the man's shoulder. There was a flash of light and the man slumped to the ground with a slight grown. The second man started to move, but Alistair grabbed his shoulder tightly. The soldier slumped forward with Alistair catching him. Rose jumped forward and help leaned the man against the wall. Alistair stood up quickly and headed for the far side door. It opened a moment later revealing another guard who Alistair reached for before the man could react. There was another small flash and he too slumped forward.

"What was that?" Rose questioned, avoiding contact with Alistair's right hand.

"Oh a little piece of tech I was given upon my first retirement," he answered dismissively. "Useful, but you have to get close. It takes forever to charge up as well." He chuckled a little. "You should see what is in my cane."

"Well okay then." Rose moved to the far door and stepped into the main control room. The panels of computers and monitors displayed the different areas of the massive warehouse. She carefully took off Spock's backpack and set it beside the main computer. Taking a deep breath, Rose sat down in the chair and typed 'Berlin' into the database search. More than two hundred results came up. "This is going to take some time."