Child of Earth
By Lumendea
Chapter Sixty-One: Alignment: Jackie Tyler
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.
AN: To update all of you: The Blonde Girl and Defender of Earth have just finished a new round of editing and clean up. Huge thanks to Natsumi who has been editing the stories for me. So update any downloaded copies of the stories that you have.
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The TARDIS shuddered around them. Rose gripped the console and told herself to breathe. Nervousness warred with excitement. She and the Doctor were together and she knew that Eclipse didn't stand a chance. Still, there was fear that she hadn't felt since that Slitheen had attacked her mother. Jack had stepped in to protect her that time, but this time… Timelines she decided. It had to be. This was just one more event that Jack knew had to happen.
"We're here," the Doctor said. "Near where the trail cut off."
Blinking, Rose looked at the Doctor in near surprise. His voice was calm, even and almost gentle. He was at the screen and looked over at her expectantly. Nodding, Rose hurried over to his side and looked at the console screen. They were in some sort of storage room judging from the shelves around the TARDIS.
"Nice landing," she complimented. "What do you think?"
"We need to find your mum," the Doctor said. His tone was still even, but anger was creeping in. "Can't leave them a hostage. Hopefully, we'll learn more about what they are up to." He stepped away from the screen towards the door.
"Just be careful, yeah?" Rose gripped his arm and licked her lips nervously. "This may be a trap for you as well. They captured you once before."
"I remember," the Doctor said. His tone was low and dangerous, but somehow it eased Rose to know how seriously he was taking this. The Doctor pulled his arm away from her and took her hand. "Come on."
They stepped out into the storage cupboard that barely fit the TARDIS. There was just enough space for the Doctor and Rose to squeeze around to the door. Rose's foot almost tipped over a broom and she found the light switch. In the pale glow, she looked out and made mental note of things that could be useful.
"Could make Nitro-9," Rose said softly.
"Let's hold off on channelling Ace just yet," the Doctor replied. His lips twitched into a smile. He put an ear to the door and waited. Then he nodded and gently turned the knob, pushing it open.
The base was large. Rose could tell from the sheer size of the corridor which stretched out before them for several feet in either direction. Artificial lights hung overhead in heavy looking metal frames. The air was sterile and she could hear a faint hiss from vents in the walls. Looking both ways down the corridor, Rose nervously searched for cameras or guards, but nothing was apparent.
"Bit empty," the Doctor said. He actually sounded a touch disapproving. "Strange."
"Maybe we're deep inside," Rose suggested. "Past the guard stations." She looked around again. "Any idea on where they might be keeping her?"
The Doctor pulled out the sonic screwdriver and made a small adjustment. The hum of the device changed slightly and she looked at Rose. "Teleport trail goes that way," he gestured to the right.
"But would the cells be right there?" Rose asked. She wasn't expecting an answer and looked around, hoping for some flash of insight.
"Where are you bloody sods!" the voice of Jackie Tyler weakly echoed down the corridor from the left. "You'd better tell me what is going on and I mean right now!"
"I'm going to say that way," Rose said. She fought back a relieved smile. "Never been so happy to hear my mum shouting."
"Pair of lungs of her," the Doctor remarked. He sounded a touch worried or maybe impressed.
"Yeah, about time they were useful," Rose said.
Smiling, she grabbed the Doctor's hand again and led him down the corridor, following the sounds of her mum cursing. She kept her eyes open for guards, but there were none. Suspicion churned in Rose's gut as they came to a heavy electrical door with a control panel next to it. The Doctor released her hand and stepped forward with the sonic screwdriver. The control panel beeped and the door slid open revealing a large square room with a table in the centre and heavy doors lining the walls. There were cameras scattered all through the room and Rose grimaced, reaching for her sonic pen.
The two guards at the table looked up in alarm. Behind her, Rose heard the sonic screwdriver and hoped he was dealing the cameras because she didn't have time. Jumping forward, Rose formed a fist and hit the first guard right in the fleshy area above his liver as he stood up. He stumbled back, gasping for air and clutching his stomach. Rose delivered a sharp blow to his temple, sending him slumping to the ground. The second guard reached for a radio only to the Doctor to grab his arm. Rose raced around the table as the Doctor wrestled the radio away from him. Wrapping an arm around the guard's neck, she carefully applied pressure. He tried to throw her off, but the Doctor kept a tight grip on him. After a few moments, he swayed on his feet and Rose eased her grip. With the Doctor's help, she lowered him into a chair.
Breathing out, Rose ignored her mum's voice demanding to know what the noise was about to check the pulses of both men. She relaxed a little and smiled at the Doctor. He visibly relaxed at the confirmation that they were just unconscious.
"You're very good at that," the Doctor said.
"Well UNIT did train me well and I insisted on knowing how to do unfatal damage," Rose said. She shook her head. "I just wish the human body wasn't so fragile. It always scares me a little."
"What is happening out there!" Jackie's voice shouted from a nearby door.
"Mum! I'm here," Rose called back. She rushed to the door.
"Rose?" her mum asked. Rose opened the small viewing window in the front of the door and sighed in relief as her mum's face came into view. "Sweetheart! What is going on here?!"
"Just a tic mum," Rose said. "We'll get you out and be quiet."
"Deadlock sealed," the Doctor said a moment later. "They shouldn't have this technology." He looked around the room and frowned. "No controls here, they must have a central control for the prison someplace else."
"They've got a lot of tech they shouldn't have," Rose growled. "Mum back away from the door."
"Rose what-"
"Not now Mum, just get away from the door."
Rose gave her mum a moment to comply and then summoned her sword. She eyed the metal door thoughtfully and was a touch worried before she jabbed the sword forward. There was a moment of resistance and a shudder went through Rose's arms, but the blade sank through the door. On the other side her heard her mum gasp. With a grunt, Rose pulled the sword down and began cutting a hole around the locking system.
It took another go around to get all the way through. Rose shoved the door open and it swung slowly, leaving the locked section fastened in place. Stepping into the cell, Rose blinked in surprise. It was a larger room with a loo visible through a small doorway. There was a large bed-like sofa with pillows, a table with some food and bottles of water and a telly.
"About time!" Jackie huffed. She was in a pink tracksuit, her blonde hair up in a messy bun and a scowl on her face.
"Mum!" Rose jumped forward and hugged her mum. "You alright?"
"Yes I'm fine," Jackie said. Her irritation was clear, but she hugged Rose just as tightly. "Now what is going on?"
"You were drugged Mum," Rose explained. She released her mum and got a look.
"Yes, sweetheart I noticed that," Jackie said drily. "Felt it starting and asked Richard about it." Jackie's eyes narrowed. "He had the nerve to laugh at me. Got him good once with the frying pan before I went down."
Rose was a bit impressed and it spared her from having to tell her mum that her boyfriend had just been using her. Then she noticed that her mum's eyes were a touch red and her makeup had been partially washed off. Still, Jackie was uninjured.
"I'm sorry Mum," Rose said softly. "But we're here to get you out."
Jackie made a small noise and looked at the Doctor who was lingering I the doorway. "Who is he then? One of those UNIT soldiers?"
"No," Rose said quickly. She took her Mum's hand and pulled her towards the doorway. "He's a friend of mine. Come on, we need to get moving."
"Who is he then?"
"This is the Doctor," Rose said quickly. Her mum's eyes narrowed, but Rose knew they didn't have time. "Just come on and stay quiet. I'll fill you in later."
"Rose Marion-"
"Do not middle name me," Rose said sharply. "There isn't time Mum. We need to get you out of hostage territory."
Jackie huffed and her eyes moved to the Doctor, glaring at his back. "Fine." Then her mum all but stomped out of the cell, then stopped and dashed back in to grab a bottle of fancy water from the table. When she got back she raised her chin and ignored Rose's knowing look. "Fine then." She looked down at the guards. "What ya' gonna do with them then?"
"Uh, lock them up," Rose suggested. She tried to grimace at her own sudden uneasiness. Having her mum here was really throwing her off.
"Can't open any of the doors without cutting them open," the Doctor said. "So it wouldn't do much good."
"Lovely," Rose sighed. "Well let's go then."
The Doctor looked at her and his hand twitched slightly. Rose wanted to reach out and take it, but her mum quickly stomped up to her side. Giving the Doctor a sad smile, Rose held back another sigh. He nodded and led the way back out.
"So how we leaving then?" Jackie asked softly. "Some sort of getaway car?"
"Not exactly," Rose answered. "Besides, we should probably try to get some information. Doctor, do you think this is the main base?"
"Not sure," the Doctor answered. "I was able to trace the teleport, but whatever they're using for the shielding around Earth is a more dispersed signal."
"I didn't ask, any thoughts on what they're doing?"
"A few," the Doctor answered. They were tracing their steps back towards the TARDIS when the Doctor made a sound of excitement and pointed to a side corridor. "This way. I need a computer terminal or something. We need to find out just what this lot is up to."
Rose nodded in agreement and grabbed her mum's hand, tugging her after them. Overhead in a corner she spotted a strange little light and realised with a groan that it was a camera. She pulled out her sonic pen and quickly looped the camera, but she wasn't sure if it was too late.
"Doctor, we may have company coming."
He nodded his understanding but didn't change course. The Doctor's long strides made her mother grumble but kept close to Rose as they headed down the large corridor. Up ahead was an open doorway leading into another room. They slowed as they approached it and Rose held her breath. Peering inside they found a small control station that was empty. There was a computer on a desk and an odd looking touchscreen built into the wall.
"Here we go," the Doctor said cheerfully. He skipped the computer and went straight to the touchscreen, running the sonic screwdriver down the side of it.
"So this is what it's like," Jackie muttered. "Sneaking around and sabotaging everything."
"Would you prefer to back to your cell while we sort this out Mum?" Rose asked sarcastically. In truth, she found the idea a little too tempting. A daycare to check her mum in while she and Doctor saved the world would be fantastic right now. "It can be arranged."
"That cell wasn't so bad," Jackie all but growled. Then her eyes went back to the Doctor and she frowned darkly. "So this is all your fault."
"Mum!" Rose turned back to her mother trying very hard to keep her own temper in check. The last thing they needed was two furious Tyler women running around the complex. Taking a slow breath, Rose relaxed her shoulders and tried to speak calmly. "This is not the time. We just rescued you from being imprisoned by a group of very dangerous people with a lot of nasty technology who are basically Bond villains wanting to take over the world. Let's focus on that."
"You're avoiding my question," Jackie said. She eyed Rose for a moment before as she looked back at the Doctor. "This is all his fault isn't it?" she questioned with a nod his way.
"No it's my fault," Rose insisted. "I've made them mad too many times. Eclipse has had a kill order on me for a while apparently." She saw both her Mum and the Doctor tense at that statement.
"But that's ultimately his fault," Jackie all but growled as she glared at the Doctor. "He's the one who got you involved with aliens in the first place."
"Again no, that is not true," Rose said. But her mother was moving towards the Doctor with a fierce expression. "Mum I told you, the kids were taken by an alien when I was a kid. I was a target too and he helped me."
Before Rose could do anything, Jackie was next to the Doctor, glaring at him even as he worked at the touch screen. "Who are you anyway?" Jackie demanded.
"I'm the Doctor," he told her with impatience creeping into his voice.
"I'm asking for your name!" Jackie gave him a warning look. "You bloody alien!"
"I'm just the Doctor." He made the mistake of turning to look at her mum.
"Is that right? Then stitch this, mate," Jackie snapped. Then she slapped the Doctor so hard he stumbled back and the sound echoed in the corridor. "That's for dragging my little girl into your mad world."
"Mum!" Rose growled as she grabbed her mother's hands and forced Jackie to look at her. "Don't do that again," Rose warned her with a sharp look that made Jackie gap a bit in response. "This is not on him and I happen to like my life thank you very much. Now reign in your temper because right now the world is in danger and needs saving. Do what I or the Doctor tell you to do when we tell you to do it."
"Fine!" Jackie snapped. "Blimey you're a bit bossy aren't you."
"Mum…" Rose tried to organise her thoughts, tried to think of some way to reassure her mum and explain how worried she'd been. Yet all that wanted to come together was her frustration. "Just… don't, not now."
"Fine," Jackie repeated. She shrugged a little and gave Rose and expectant look. "Save the world then!"
Holding back a sigh, maybe a scream Rose moved over to the second computer. She glanced at the Doctor who rubbed his cheek, but was already looking back at the wall touchscreen. Rose eyed the computer with a sneer. She wasn't sure that she trusted it being here at the security desk unguarded, but with Eclipse moving forward with their plans maybe they'd had to pull some of their staff. That was a weird idea, there really were people who were henchmen of evil organisations. There were times her life was like a poorly scripted show. Sitting down at the desk, Rose took out her sonic pen and began to fish around in her bag for a certain flash drive. She glanced at the Doctor who was at the wall touchscreen. His fingers were brushing over it at rapid speed.
"Anything?"
"Not yet," the Doctor said. He made a thoughtful sounding grumble that almost made Rose smile. Rose sighed as he glanced toward her mum who was waiting near the doorway. "Almost pity the bloke she hit with the frying pan. With her swing that had to hurt."
Grimacing, Rose held back a groan. She'd been dreading her mum meeting the Doctor, but clearly not enough. "I am so sorry," Rose sighed as she rubbed at her eyes. "About my Mum I mean. She's never taken the whole alien thing well. I mean she's getting a bit better, but she hates it and makes no secret of it."
"Are you sure you weren't adopted?" the Doctor muttered as he glanced back at Jackie. "I'm not seeing any similarities."
He rubbed his cheek again and muttered something under his breath that Rose was certain wasn't flattering to her mother. She almost laughed at the realization that someday her Mum would be the Doctor's mother-in-law. And wasn't that a crazy notion. Course his next incarnation at least sounded a bit fonder of her, enough to check in on her while she was gone at least. That was something. After this she wouldn't have blamed him for distance as much as she loved her Mum.
"Well you've never seen me really mad yet," Rose chuckled and the Doctor gave her teasing look. "But for the most part I take after my father," Rose answered softly even as she smiled. Then she looked over her mum and sighed a bit. "But there are things I get from her too so consider yourself warned." The Doctor looked up at her from the panel. "Still want me to come with you?"
There was a moment of silence. Something in his eyes shifted, almost pained and desperate all at once. Rose almost gasped. She recognized that look, she'd seen it whenever his next incarnation came to see her after a bad day. Rose's whole body tensed.
"Can't leave you on Earth," the Doctor finally said. He swallowed, but then forced a manic smile. "You're not safe here, attract too much trouble."
Rose opened her mouth to say something when the sound of marching drew their attention. She tensed up and her mother made a sound of alarm. Coming around the corner were three rows of humanoid figures dressed all in black walking three by three in perfect unison. They were carrying what looked like electrified batons. Rose looked around the small office frantically, but there was no other way out.
…Coming Soon: Total Eclipse….