RP for
rude_not_ginger The morning after...
Jul. 20th, 2009 01:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Follows on from this
When Jack woke it took him a while to realise where he was, a while to catch up with the night before.
But it soon came rushing back.
The sleep, what little he'd had, had still been more than he'd had in weeks. Though it still wasn't enough to relieve the ache he felt inside. An ache that only seemed to grow when he thought about the night before.
He felt like a fool. A fool for attempting to push aside pain. Guilty for it too. Guilty for trying. Guilty too for making a fool out of himself in front of the one person who might understand.
One thing he knew though, almost immediately; he should leave. The TARDIS wasn't the place for him. Not any more. It was once, when he was a man who could die, a man who could sleep a dreamless sleep. But he wasn't that man now. And besides, the Doctor had hardly asked him to stay, had he? If he left it would remove the need for the inevitable conversation that would only leave them both feeling awkward. And besides, Jack didn't want to have to hear the Doctor asking him to leave.
So he washed and dressed (and he had to admit he was thankful for the shower), and he made his way back to the console room. His feet padding as quietly as they could along the endless corridors.
He took one last look around the room, touching a light hand against the walls as he took his coat and put it back on. He smiled at it, at the memories this place and the man who owns it hold.
And he walked to the doors to leave.
When Jack woke it took him a while to realise where he was, a while to catch up with the night before.
But it soon came rushing back.
The sleep, what little he'd had, had still been more than he'd had in weeks. Though it still wasn't enough to relieve the ache he felt inside. An ache that only seemed to grow when he thought about the night before.
He felt like a fool. A fool for attempting to push aside pain. Guilty for it too. Guilty for trying. Guilty too for making a fool out of himself in front of the one person who might understand.
One thing he knew though, almost immediately; he should leave. The TARDIS wasn't the place for him. Not any more. It was once, when he was a man who could die, a man who could sleep a dreamless sleep. But he wasn't that man now. And besides, the Doctor had hardly asked him to stay, had he? If he left it would remove the need for the inevitable conversation that would only leave them both feeling awkward. And besides, Jack didn't want to have to hear the Doctor asking him to leave.
So he washed and dressed (and he had to admit he was thankful for the shower), and he made his way back to the console room. His feet padding as quietly as they could along the endless corridors.
He took one last look around the room, touching a light hand against the walls as he took his coat and put it back on. He smiled at it, at the memories this place and the man who owns it hold.
And he walked to the doors to leave.
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Date: 2009-09-16 08:47 pm (UTC)"I'll be all right," he said. "Nothing quite like a few minutes of spacewalking to remind you to love life. Read those books you never read, go to those places you've never been to. 'Course, that's how I try to live. Let's give these doors a go, shall we?"
He waved the sonic over the next door's panel.
Open door 5.
The Doctor opened the door, and behind was nothing short of carnage. The bodies of dozens of medical personnel, skewered alive or strangled. Piled on top of each other in stacks, with a thin path to walk through. The strong stench of decaying bodies assailed the Doctor's nostrils immediately.
"Think I preferred space," the Doctor said. "Explains why there weren't any bodies along any of the hallways. They were being stored.
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Date: 2009-09-16 08:56 pm (UTC)Clearing his throat he advanced through the open door, his hand immediately raising to his mouth to mask the stench. "You know and I thought I'd never miss Weevils."
He trod carefully around the piles of bodies, shaking his head at whoever or whatever would have done this. "You know, Doctor, I've seen a lot, but some things never fail to make me sick to my stomach. The universe would be better without some people."
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:00 pm (UTC)He wanted to think that they were the latter, at least. It would be easier that way. He could just save them, not worry about justice for these people. There were so many of them. None alive.
The Doctor gave the side panel a wave with the sonic.
"In either case, we can't leave them to die."
Open door 4.
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:07 pm (UTC)The door opened and he took a step through. His hand went to the gun in the holster at his waist, discreet so the Doctor didn't notice. It made him feel more comfortable that way.
On the other side were four people and one body. They were too late for that one. A young man huddled in a corner with his arm around his shipmate, whimpering and pleading Please don't hurt us, it wasn't out fault!
Jack glanced at the Doctor and then back to the frightened people in the corner. "We're not here to hurt you. Just wanna find out what happened, that's all."
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:15 pm (UTC)He stepped forward and pressed his fingers to the pulse of the man on the ground. Oh, long since dead, his skin was cold to the touch. "Radiation sickness?" he asked.
One woman nodded. "We've been locked up here for days while he---" She looked like she might burst into tears again.
"He?" the Doctor demanded. "Who is he?"
The Doctor looked down at the body, then at the four frightened people. "Jack. You said there were five life signs on board?"
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:25 pm (UTC)"Five, yeah." It took a moment or two, but it caught up with him. He had been assuming the fifth was the other body but no, no that body was far too dead for that.
He flicked his wrist strap open and turned his attention immediately towards it. "Doctor, I'm still reading one. It's weak but it's close." He looked back up to him. "He's on the bridge."
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:37 pm (UTC)He took a breath and turned immediately to the door.
"You can't go in there!" One of the crew cried. "Look what he did to our officers!"
The Doctor shook his head. "If I'm not back in five minutes, just go without me."
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:42 pm (UTC)"He'll be fine," Jack said, reassuring the crew, a hand outstretched to touch a shoulder.
With eyes back on the Doctor he nodded. Oh he'd take them to the pod all right, and do everything he asked, but he wouldn't leave, not without him.
"Not a chance. I'll see you in five."
He turned back to the crew and with an arm gesturing towards the door, he led them out of the room, with just one quick glance back to the Doctor.
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Date: 2009-09-16 09:56 pm (UTC)He turned back to the door and took in a deep breath.
"Blimey."
Open door three.
The door slid open easily, revealing the expanse of the bridge. Blood smeared across the floor and one lone figure dressed in war gear struggled to steer the ship.
Close door three.
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:02 pm (UTC)He guided them past bodies and damaged beams, heading out a path that bypassed the majority of the radiation. These people had been exposed enough, the last thing they needed was another blast.
As they walked, Jack kept an eye on his manipulator, making sure those life signs were still there, that the Doctor was still okay. He got the survivors to the pod and safely inside, reassured them they'd be okay as he removed his wrist strap and wired it up to the panel, fiddling a little with the incompatible technology to make it work.
He was counting down the time in his head. Cutting it close. As soon as it was ready he stepped out and back into the ship. Back to wait for the Doctor. He had to wait for the Doctor.
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:10 pm (UTC)He brandished a sword and he raised it menacingly. "You weren't here when I cleansed the ship!"
"No, no, I missed that part, unfortunately," the Doctor replied cooly. "Because if I arrived then, I might've been able to stop you from slaughtering dozens of innocent lives."
"They were not innocent! I cleansed them, and I will cleanse you!
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:17 pm (UTC)He checked the pod, promised the crew he'd be back, and locked them inside, pocketing the sonic, and he ran. Ran the path he'd walked and back towards the bridge, back towards the Doctor.
He'd be there for him.
He took a deep breath before pressing the door release and walking inside.
"Need a hand, Doctor?"
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:23 pm (UTC)Things had progressed from bad to worse (much like the rest of the day). The man admitted to piracy and ritualistically murdering the crew. The Doctor told him the ship was about to be destroyed, but he had a chance, one chance for them to take him to the authorities. And then he attacked the Doctor.
Negotiations could've gone better.
The man swung his sword towards Jack, the new target an easier kill than the one protecting himself with an overturned chair.
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:30 pm (UTC)Like a reflex reaction his gun was de-holstered and in his hand, pointed towards the man. "This guy giving you trouble, Doctor?" He stared forward at the man, a stern and harsh expression on his face.
"You know, I don't take kindly to people hurting my friends. Especially this friend. You mess with him, you mess with me. And you really don't want to mess with me." He cocked the gun back, "I'm volatile."
Jack hadn't had many chances to vent the anger and rage he'd built up since he'd left Earth. The anger that made him leave Earth. It looked like he'd just found an outlet.
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:39 pm (UTC)On one hand, they really needed to get off the ship. No time for waiting.
On the other hand, it would be cold-blooded murder.
On the other hand, this man just murdered everyone on board, and would probably murder him and Jack, too.
And the Doctor promised himself he'd take care of Jack.
"Aim up! There's a radiation cable!"
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Date: 2009-09-16 10:48 pm (UTC)It's a good job the Doctor was there to do the shaking.
At the words he tilted his arm up and fired. The sound of gunshot echoed around the room and the bullet ripped through the cable.
Jack was a good shot.
The man cried out in a mix of rage and pain as the radiation started to flood the room, but Jack didn't lower his gun completely. He kept it trained on the man.
"Doctor. Go." He called out, loud, pointed.
"I'll make sure he doesn't follow us."
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Date: 2009-09-16 11:13 pm (UTC)"Jack! The ship's going into critical collision, we have to leave, now!"
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Date: 2009-09-16 11:18 pm (UTC)"I'm right behind you." He offered, less than convincing.
His finger squeezed down over the trigger and... he stopped. He took a breath and put the safety back on the gun, breathed out deeply and turned his head back to the Doctor. His throat a little dry.
"Yeah. Yeah time to go."
There'd be time to get thoughtful or morose over feelings felt when they were safe again, but for now there was running to do, and Jack could do that. So he turned, nodded to the Doctor, and ran.
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Date: 2009-09-17 03:02 am (UTC)They wouldn't be saving the insane man, of course. At this point, they couldn't. All they could do was flee and hope for the best.
The Doctor broke into a run, padding down the corridor and towards the pod. The crew were waiting anxiously, none certain how to operate it with the vortex manipulator.
"Jack, in! Everyone, hold on tight!"
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Date: 2009-09-17 11:00 am (UTC)He still had the sonic, so he opened the door and climbed inside, holding the device out towards the Doctor.
Inside he took a seat on the side benches and checked on the crew. "Everyone okay?" He rubbed his hand against one of the men's arms and smiled a little. It was a fake smile.
Looking to the low ceiling he took hold of the safety straps and motioned for the rest to do the same.
"Ready, Doctor!"
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Date: 2009-09-17 02:44 pm (UTC)He grinned over at his companion, the grasped the hand brake.
"Expect moderate turbulence---"
There was a sudden banging at the door. That man! Trying to break in!
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Date: 2009-09-17 03:00 pm (UTC)He beamed a little more but it was short lived as the door shook and a thud echoed as the man tried to gain access.
"Some people just don't give up, do they?! He's persistent. I'll give him that." Jack huffed out and was immediately at the door, holding it down, supporting it.
"Sorry, but this ship has sailed. Looks like you'll have to make your own fun." He struggled against the latch as the man kicked a the door making heavy dents, and tugged at the handle. Jack did all he could to keep it in place.
"Doctor," he said through gritted teeth, "A getaway might be good right about now."
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Date: 2009-09-17 04:17 pm (UTC)He smacked the side of the panel and everything came to life in a buzz of energy.
"Brilliant!" he cried. "Everybody, hold on---"
He turned the wheel on the panel and the ship shook, sidetracking the pull of the Wall and tearing away.
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Date: 2009-09-17 04:30 pm (UTC)Then they were away. The whole craft moved and Jack rolled back now the force wasn't being pushed against the other side of the door. He fell back to the floor and started laughing. This was adventure, this was the sort of thing that had been missing from his life.
"That'll do it," he grinned from the floor. "Everyone okay?"
With an arm pressed against the floor he lifted himself up and moved over to the Doctor. Pushing a hand against his back he looked over at the controls. "She holding?"
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Date: 2009-09-17 04:38 pm (UTC)As if on cue, the main ship hit the Wall. Through the display monitor, the Doctor could see the rippling mass begin to absorb the machine. Seconds later, there was an explosion, and the Wall began to ripple more. A hole began to form in the center of the mass, then another. Like a piece of paper going up by fire, it was quickly being consumed.
But not fast enough. The claw at the end of the wall extended, reaching out for them through the pain of its destruction.
"This is...yeah, this isn't good," the Doctor said, spinning the tiny pod faster. "I have to get to maximum velocity before I can hit the time vortex----"
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