Chapter 31

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Here is a nice long chapter. Once again, a disclaimer that I refer to real people and events due to the inclusion of the Brexit Referendum in the storyline. The comments attributed to Michael Gove are a direct quote of his actual televised announcement. I hope you enjoy and leave a review if you can. Reviews are the author's muse!


HEADLINE FROM THE ALTERNATE TIMELINE

Five Cabinet Members Break Ranks with PM over EU

The Guardian, London, 20 Feb 2016

Prior speculation that Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, would join the Eurosceptics was unfounded. Within hours of Cameron's announcement, he was interviewed on BBC News and conveyed his continued support of Cameron's Remain stance.


19 February 2016, Earth, Wales, Cardiff Bay, Torchwood Hub

"Are you sure you don't want any of this?"

The mutant human glared at Jack from his cell.

Jack waited, but Beckman did not speak. Perhaps he was hung over from the hyper MDMA Jack had used to drug him and take him into custody.

"Okay, suit yourself, but you don't know what you're missing."

He made a show of enjoying his fish and chips in front of his captive, who he knew must be hungry by now.

BBC One droned on in the background. Jack had set up a laptop just outside of Beckman's cell so they could watch the news together. It was nearly time for the story Jack waited for, the story that would ensure Beckman could not revisit this event on the timeline and make alterations.

Jack wandered back into the control center to dispose of his leavings. They were alone in the facility, which was not currently operational and purported to be defunct. Thanks to the Doctor, the TARDIS and Jack's unlimited supply of funds, he'd managed to harden the facility enough to host its current guest.

Jack picked up Beckman's time travel device from the desk where he'd tossed it after removing it from the captive's arm while he was unconscious. It looked very similar to his own vortex manipulator with a few notable differences that Jack wanted to investigate, but now was not the time.

Jack had surprised the Doctor and his young, precocious traveling companion upon their return to the TARDIS after they intervened with the London Mayor, Boris Johnson, to correct one of the many events that led to England staying in the European Union instead of leaving after the 2016 Brexit Referendum. He brought take-away from the Doctor's favorite mid-23rd-century pub to celebrate their reunion but unfortunately the Doctor seemed to have developed a strong aversion to food.

While Rex Matheson gave him the low-down on his run-in with the time lord, Jack was still surprised when he met this incarnation of the Doctor for the first time. He was so unlike his gawky, strong-jawed predecessor or his fawn-eyed, bubbly female next incarnation. While some of his appearance was no doubt a result of his recent exploits, the severe eyebrows, hawklike features and solemn demeanor were like the personality of this edition. He mused over what might have led to such a contradictory transformation. Was the sum of a given incarnation an act of rebellion over the previous one? Or was a new incarnation the result of a culmination of the previous version's life experience? Jack had asked the Doctor about it once, and from the answer he surmised that the time lord didn't really know where the new faces came from, either.

And while Matheson warned him about the Doctor's exposure to chorenn, a lethal byproduct of time travel, it seemed that the time lord received additional prolonged exposure after parting ways with the American Torchwood operative. Without the boy he would be essentially TARDIS-bound, unable to proceed with the remaining timeline corrections and facing an uncertain future.

And then there was the boy. Peter. Another mystery. The moment Jack met him he had the eerie feeling of Deja vu, even though he had never seen the boy before. Across Jack's long, long, life, he'd only experienced that feeling one other time; not the feeling that he had already met Peter, but that he would meet Peter at some point in his own future. It was the feeling of timelines crossing, folding over each other. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.

And the Doctor picked up on it right away.

"Under no circumstances are you to be alone with Peter at any time."

The boy was sleeping. The Doctor and Jack were in the med bay and Jack had just injected the remaining dose of acer into the Doctor's bicep.

"So, this incarnation is a bit of a prude, huh? Don't worry, Doctor! I'm not into anyone under the age of 18, regardless of age, gender or species."

But the Doctor wasn't referring to Jack's well-known pan-sexual libido.

"I know you felt it," the time lord continued a little breathlessly once he'd recovered from the initial rush of the acer. He used a handkerchief to dab perspiration from his brow, then stood gingerly. The acer brought ruddy color to his cheeks. Jack hoped the drug would help. The Doctor had said it might not at this stage.

"Spoilers," he cleared his throat and seemed to make a conscious effort to pull himself together. "You are deeply involved in his future. I can't tell you more without risking further damage to both timelines."

After the Doctor explained what he could, they studied the timeline together and came up with a plan for Jack to abduct Beckman before he could meet with Justice Secretary Michael Gove and persuade him to hold fast to Cameron and the Remain camp instead of joining the Euroskeptics and coming out publicly for the Leave campaign. On the true timeline, Gove came out for Leave, which further eroded support from the Remain camp and contributed to the vote that led to the UK exiting the European Union.

This delicate timeline grooming was all a bit too heady for Captain Jack. Left to his own devices, he preferred a life of random chance and unlimited opportunities for debauchery. But after a few hundred years, that lifestyle felt increasing hollow and unsatisfying. He liked his stint with Torchwood and dropping in on the Doctor from time to time to lend a hand.

Hearing the start of the evening news on the laptop back at Beckman's cell, Jack fixed himself a scotch and water, knocked it back and rejoined his prisoner to watch the coverage of the day's events.


BBC News at Six, 20 February 2016

GEORGE ALAGIAH

"In a surprise announcement this morning, Justice Secretary Michael Gove broke rank with the Prime Minister over Brexit, joining fellow Eurosceptics Iain Duncan Smith, John Whittingdale, Chris Grayling, Theresa Villiers and Priti Patel."

"Gove set out his reasons in a 1500-word essay and issued a statement earlier today."

CUT TO B-ROLL: Michael Gove

MICHAEL GOVE

"For weeks now I have been wrestling with the most difficult decision of my political life. But taking difficult decisions is what politicians are paid to do. No-one is forced to stand for Parliament, no-one is compelled to become a minister. If you take on those roles, which are great privileges, you also take on big responsibilities."

"I was encouraged to stand for Parliament by David Cameron and he has given me the opportunity to serve in what I believe is a great, reforming Government. I think he is an outstanding Prime Minister. There is, as far as I can see, only one significant issue on which we have differed."

"And that is the future of the UK in the European Union."

"It pains me to have to disagree with the Prime Minister on any issue. My instinct is to support him through good times and bad."

"But I cannot duck the choice which the Prime Minister has given every one of us. In a few months time we will all have the opportunity to decide whether Britain should stay in the European Union or leave. I believe our country would be freer, fairer and better off outside the EU. And if, at this moment of decision, I didn't say what I believe I would not be true to my convictions or my country."


Beckman finally broke his silence after Jack closed the laptop, cutting off the broadcast.

"What are you going to do with me now?"

Jack smiled. "That's a good question, buddy. What do you think I should do with you?" He loved playing with them.

Beckman didn't like the game, but he played along. "Give me back my timepiece and let me go, of course."

Jack laughed. "Hey, nice try. But I've got something so much better planned for you." He checked the screen on his vortex manipulator.

"My friends will be here in three, two, one…"

Four Judoon materialized in Beckman's cell, surrounding him.