Child of Earth
By Lumendea
Chapter Fifty-Nine: Alignment: Threats
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.
….
It was all Rose could do to stay at the house and remain calm. Her instincts as a daughter wared with her instincts as a friend. Mickey had called her in a rush and was meeting his Gran at the hospital. He hadn't said where he was exactly, but Rose figured he'd been at the base when the message finally came through. The ambulance had arrived fifteen minutes later while Rose had done her best to stay calm and keep the CPAP mask over Rita-Anne's face.
Now it was out of her hands. Rita-Anne was gently placed into the ambulance as the neighbours on the street gathered. Rose looked across the street to find Luke, Rani and Clyde all watching with worried expressions. Several adults were out watching the proceedings with worry, but no one panicked. As the back of the ambulance closed and took off a moment later, the trio of teenagers rushed across the street.
"Rose?" Clyde asked. "What happened?"
"I don't know," Rose answered shortly. Her temper was trying to flare and Rose nibbled at her lower lip. She looked at her phone. "I still can't reach Mum." Looking up at the three teenagers, Rose's frown deepened. "Have you three noticed anything today? Have you seen my Mum?"
"Not really anything strange," Luke replied with a shrug. "Your mum was here earlier, I saw her walking back from the market and talking on her phone."
"When was that?"
"Maybe four hours ago. It was this morning." Luke said. He glanced uncertainly at his friends. "Uh then we were headed out for ice cream and this black SUV pulled up, maybe two hours ago."
"Yeah," Rani agreed. "It was your mum's boyfriend I think. Tall, brown hair." Rani shrugged. "Nothing odd, though, he comes by a lot."
"Anything else?" Rose pressed. She hit the speed dial for her Mum again. "Did you see them leave?"
"No," Clyde answered. He shook his head and shifted between his feet, picking up on Rose's distress. "Sorry, there was nothing weird about it. They probably just went out to lunch. Lucky you came home when you did huh."
"Mum's been wanting me to meet him," Rose muttered. "So I doubt they would have just left and Mum always answers her phone." Rose bit her bottom lip and looked back towards the house.
"What else Rose?" Rani asked. She narrowed her brown eyes on Rose. "There's something more. I can tell."
Rose hesitated for a moment, but then shook her head. "There were three used tea cups in the house. One of them in Rita-Anne's room and the others in the kitchen." She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and tried to calm her worry enough to think.
"Rita-Anne is an old woman," Luke pointed out. "She might have had a stroke or something after having her tea." Her godson gave her a sympathetic look. "It doesn't mean that your Mum is in trouble Rose."
"Yeah, but that doesn't feel right to me," Rose said. "Come on Mum pick up!" She pulled the phone away from her ear and shook her head. "Give me a second, then I'm going to need Spock and K-9."
"Wait, what is going on?" Rani demanded. "What do you think happened Rose?"
Without answering her, Rose turned on her heel and went back inside. She went straight to the kitchen and found a plastic bag in the drawers. Rani, Luke and Clyde followed her inside and watched as Rose began carefully putting the cups in the bags without touching them.
"You think Rita-Anne was drugged," Rani said.
"What?" Clyde asked. "Are you serious?"
"That's my current theory," Rose said. She manoeuvred each teacup into a bag, using the plastic sides as a grip. "Spock will be able to tell me more."
Rose could tell from their expressions, but the teenagers weren't convinced. Thankfully, they didn't argue with her. Instead, Rani offered to look around the living room to see if anything jumped out at her. Luke studied the counter top and sniffed at the kettle while Clyde checked the garden again. Rose didn't expect them to find anything but was grateful for their acceptance. It didn't take her long to get the cups all sorted and she called them as she headed for the front door.
The neighbours had begun clearing out though Mrs Douglas from down the road was eyeing the house curiously. She was an older woman and a gossip as much as her Mum or Gita, but less pleasant. Rani, Clyde and Luke gave her tentative waves, but Rose outright ignored her as they crossed the street.
"Luke where's your Mum?" Rose asked. She pushed open the front door of Sarah Jane's house and glanced back at the teenage boy.
"She and Dad took Skye to meet some music teacher," he said. Luke shrugged a bit. "She wants to learn to play the piano. Mum thought it might be a nice thing for her this summer."
Despite the worry for Rita-Anne and her Mum, Rose couldn't help but smile. Then she nodded and headed up the stairs with the three teenagers rushing after her. Thankfully, she heard someone close the front door. Rose kept the bags with the tea cups tight against her chest.
"Welcome Mistress Rose," K-9 greeted as she pushed open the attic door.
"Hi K-9," Rose said. "Mister Spock I need you!"
The brick wall of the attic hissed and began to swing open. Rose moved right in front of it and tried not to fidget as Spock's systems unfolded. The Xylok's interface lit up on the large screen that served as his main display, casting a soft green glow across Rose's face. She adjusted the bags eagerly and moved up to his controls.
"Hello Rose, welcome back," Spock said. "I'm detected an elevated heart-"
"Yes Spock I'm distressed," Rose said. She tapped one of the buttons on Spock's controls and a flat panel slid out. "I need you to scan these." Rose carefully set the three teacups down and stepped back. "Chemical traces and if you can fingerprints."
"Rose your Mum probably just went shopping," Clyde said. His voice was even and reassuring, but it didn't make her feel any better. "Lucky you found Rita-Anne though."
Rose didn't reply. Her right hand came up to toy with her TARDIS key. As Spock's sensors began to sweep over the tea cups, she began to pace nervously. Rose tried to remember if she'd seen anything odd in the house, but nothing came to mind. There had been nothing unexpected, but perhaps it was odd for the tea cups to be left behind. Maybe she really was jumping at shadows.
"Try to calm down Rose," Rani said. She turned to find the girl giving her a soft smile. "Rule one: don't panic, remember."
Chuckling a bit, Rose nodded and exhaled slowly. "Sorry Rani, just…" Rose shook her head. "Something feels off. Has all day if I'm honest." Rose glanced towards the window. "Even the air felt funny to me. Maybe it is just my nerves."
"Maybe," Rani said. "But no harm in checking. Rita-Anne should be at the hospital, Mickey'll look after her and you can meet your mum's boyfriend."
"Rose," Spock said. "There are traces of sedatives on two of the tea cups."
"I'm not surprised." Rose sighed and shook her head. "But I didn't want to be right. Scan the third for fingerprints, if I'm lucky then this will be a local criminal or something."
"You think it could be that simple?" Clyde asked doubtfully.
Rose frowned, lately she'd had a feeling that someone was trailing her, but hadn't seen anyone. She didn't like the idea, but it was possible that someone had caught on to the strangeness of her life. Or worse that an enemy had decided her mum was a good target. Rose lifted her phone, preparing to call UNIT when an unfamiliar number popped up on screen. She hesitated for only a moment.
"Hello?"
"Hello Rose Tyler," a voice answered.
"Hello," Rose greeted. She told herself to stay calm. "I'm looking for Jackie. Who is this?"
"This is Robert," he replied.
"Mum's boyfriend." Rose didn't relax. "Did I miss something? I thought I was meeting you at the house."
"Ah yes well there has been a change of plans," Robert said. "Now listen to me very carefully Rose Tyler unless you want something horrible to happen to your mother."
"What is it?" Luke asked.
Rose waved her hand at him and shook her head. "Okay," she said. "I'm listening. Am I to assume that you actually work for someone?" In the corner of her eye she saw Rani straighten up.
"Indeed, but you need to listen to me," Robert said. There was a hint of smugness in his voice, but also a layer of caution. Rose snapped her fingers at Spock and pointed to her phone, hoping that he'd get the message to try and trace the call. His screen shifted and Rose focused on Robert's voice "You're going to be a good girl for the next few days, Rose. You're going to stay home and keep UNIT out of this. Your mother will be returned home in three days, just in time to see you graduate. Sound fair?"
"What's the catch?"
"The catch is that you do not interfere, no matter what happens. If you obey these instructions then your mother will be fine."
"And if I don't obey?"
"I really thought you were a more loyal daughter than that," Robert said. "Your mother expresses frustration with you to be sure, but you are each other's, only family. Surely you won't be caviler with your mother's life." Rose licked her lips, suddenly unsure of what to say. On the other end of the line, Robert chuckled. "Good girl. Just keep your head down and no one has to get hurt." Then the call ended and Rose held back a snarl of frustration.
"Did you get a trace?"
"A partial trace only," Spock replied. "Unfortunately the trace links to a payphone in Brussels. The camera feed in that area of the city is down."
"Brussels?" Rani repeated. Her surprise was obvious. "You think they already took your Mum to Brussels?"
"Maybe," Rose said. "Private plane, a couple of hours. Totally possible." Rose shook her head. "Anything else Spock?"
"On the call no, but in addition to the remains of tea two of the cups were laced with a major dose of sleeping pills," Spock said. "It is fortunate given her age that you found Rita-Anne when you did."
"Okay." Rose took a slow breath and tried to calm her racing heart. "Spock send a message to the hospital about what you found." She looked down at her phone and nibbled at her bottom lip.
"Also I have partial fingerprints from the undrugged teacup. I will attempt to find you a match."
"Good," Rose said. She felt out of breath and was painfully aware of the panic beginning to stir in her chest. Pacing across the floor, Rose was aware of the teenagers watching her as she tried to think. "Can't call UNIT… well maybe Alistair, but if there are any leaks then…"
"Who do you think took her?"
"Probably Eclipse," Rose muttered. She was growing more agitated as she watched Spock run the partial prints through a dozen national systems. So far no luck. "They're some of my only enemies still mucking about. The Silver Lord is imprisoned with the Guardians, Apep and Thane are dead and the Trickster… well, I suppose it could be him, but this seems very human."
"You know your life is sorta scary," Clyde said. She looked over to find all three of them staring at her. "Brilliant, but scary."
"Isn't that Harry Potter?" Luke asked. He frowned and looked at Clyde.
"Possibly," Clyde agreed after a moment of thought.
"Anyway, now what?" Rani asked. "Rose?"
"I need something from Spock," Rose answered. "I'm not sure where to start looking."
"You should call UNIT," Clyde said. "They can help if you're right."
"I'd be watching the house," Rose said. "Until I know who I'm dealing with I want to be careful." She turned and looked straight at Luke. "So no talking about this with your Mum over the phone." Rose shook her head. "Come on Spock, I need something." She pulled out her phone and eyed it thoughtfully before shaking her head and moving her thumb to the speed dial.
"Rose it is going to take some time," Spock said gently. "May I suggest you return home. I will contact you when I have something." Rose hated that answer and frowned. "If they are watching your home then surely it is better to be at least seen there for the time being."
"Fine fine," Rose grumbled. She shook her head and glanced at Luke. Her godson offered her a soft smile and a nod. Sighing, Rose headed for the door. "Fine, you win."
Heading downstairs, Rose slipped her phone into her pocket and stepped outside. She paused and sniffed at the air. Something about it still smelled off and she looked up. The dark clouds were still churning, but she couldn't detect even a hint of rain. Rose headed across the street, still toying with the phone in her pocket and formulating what she could tell the Doctor. They didn't know much yet, but maybe the TARDIS would be able to pick something up.
She was to her drive when an SUV pulled up right next to her. Rose frowned as she turned slowly to face it. Two large men climbed out, dressed all in black and smirking at her. Rose merely raised an eyebrow and waited.
"Miss Tyler, our boss was worried that you might not take your warning seriously," goon one said. He looked too amused for Rose's taste.
"You are aware that UNIT keeps an eye on this street," Rose said.
"Not 24/7," goon two said. "We've got plenty of time to talk." He cracked his knuckles. "Now remember Princess, stay out of this and your mum stays safe."
"Where is my mum?" Rose asked.
"Don't ask questions," goon one said. Then he smiled. "That was you last verbal warning missy."
Suddenly the goon grabbed her right arm and pulled sharply. Rose stumbled but lashed out a leg to kick him. The second man punched her and Rose twisted to avoid the blow. Her phone slipped out of her pocket and hit the ground with a crack. She glanced towards her, moving to rescue it before anything else happened, but a goon smashed his foot down on it. Regret for not calling the Doctor faster and pure anger fought for dominance with anger winning. Slamming her own fist forward, Rose hit one of the goons in the nose with a satisfying crack.
Spinning around, Rose kicked the second goon in the chest. He stumbled back into their face, hitting his back with a grunt. Shouts from across the street alerted Rose that the kids were coming. She wanted to shout a warning but had to duck a wild right hook from goon two. A laser beam struck on of the goons in the back and Rose watched in surprise as the beam was spread across some sort of armour. The goon stumbled and turned around in shock as K-9 rolled across the street with Luke, Clyde and Rani right behind him. Rose tried to grab the goon, but this time he jumped back as his partner was already climbing into the SUV. K-9 released another beam, but the goon evaded it. The SUV roared to life and Rani had to jump out of the way to avoid it as they sped off.
"Thanks, K-9," Rose said. She glared at the SUV, wishing she'd been able to capture one of them. Then again Eclipse did so like suicide tablet and she didn't have the means to remove one by herself. And she didn't need a bed body in her mum's drive. "Something has them worried."
"Yeah looks like they didn't think their phone warning would be enough," Rani said. She frowned and looked after the SUV. "Why would they send two messages?"
Rose groaned slightly and carefully rolled her shoulder. She could already feel a bruise forming. "I'm not sure," she said. "It is odd. I hope we're not dealing with two groups or factions or any nonsense like that." Kneeling down she touched the superphone and grimaced as the poor thing fell into multiple pieces. "Well there goes my contact with the Doctor."
"You know when you start travelling with him, you should really look into something unbreakable," Clyde said.
"There's no such thing as unbreakable," Rose sighed. "But I'll deal with a new superphone later."
The bad smell in the air suddenly increased, gaining a sharp earthy tang that was all wrong. A shiver went up Rose's spine and she saw the teens all shudder. Rose looked up and her eyes widened in surprise. "What the-"
Overhead the dark clouds began to change and the street darkened. The clouds faded revealing the sun, but the whole sky was too dark. Automatic lights began switching on and Rose looked up in alarm. The dark clouds had stopped swirling, there was a bitter taste in the air and the sun was dimming. It wasn't even necessary to shield her eyes as the sun took on a dark reddish hue. She shivered as the temperature began to drop.
"What is it?" Rani demanded.
"It's alien whatever it is," Clyde said darkly.
"Some sort of reaction in the air," Luke said. "It's making some sort of… film."
"Why is it so cold?" Rani asked.
"The sun is being blocked out," Rose answered.
Then just as quickly as it had started the odd colouring in the sky began to break apart. Clouds formed once again and even as they hid the sun the temperature shot back up. Shuddering, Rose was frozen in place for a moment, still staring up at the spot where she'd seen the sun. Around them, the lights in the street switched off and she could distantly hear sounds of panic.
"Rose?" Clyde asked. "Do you know what that was?"
"No," Rose said at first. Then she shook her head. "Yes, it was an eclipse. An artificial one." Rose swallowed and her grip around her phone tightened. "Three days they want me to lay low. I'd say we just saw the first test."
"Of what exactly?" Rani asked.
"That's what I need to find out." Rose spun on her heel and dashed back to the door of Sarah Jane's house. She was halfway up the stairs before the teenagers even got back inside. "Spock!"
"I have no explanation for what occurred, but a shield of some kind effectively isolated Earth from the sun by 25%."
"All of Earth?"
"Indeed, the effect was not localised."
"So it was an eclipse," Rose said. Her mouth dropped into a dark frown. "An artificial one, but all across the globe."
"Yes the temperature locally dropped two degrees," Spock said. "With no radiant heat coming from the sun. However, I noted that heat still seemed to be escaping."
"So it's some kind of shield, but not a complete bubble. The Earth wasn't completely closed off."
"Yes, but the energy field K-9 detected was far too low for a simple force field," Spock replied. "Rose… I am uncertain what you just witnessed."
That statement, even more than the knowledge that her mum had been taken and Rita-Anne could have died thanks to being drugged worried Rose. It wasn't often that Spock was stumped. It seemed that Eclipse was finally making a move and it was a big one.