Chapter One - Allons-y Alonso
Chapter One - Allons-y Alonso
It had take three hours of deadly silence to reach Cardiff by train. All the while Ianto had stared daggers at Alonso, who had stared daggers straight back, even though he gave off an air that suggested to Louise Ruth, that he didn’t have a clue why either of them were doing it.
They were met at the station by a UNIT representative who, Ianto said, looked the spitting image of Arthur Daily from the television show Minder. Ianto smiled at Louise Ruth, avoiding Frame’s gaze. ‘He suggests that, for a price, we could hire his brother-in-law’s motor vehicle.’
Nodding Louise Ruth said with a look of relief on her face, ‘Take it… it’s got to be better than walking.’ Not having time to argue Ianto paid the extremely expensive hire charge, which the UNIT representative demanded before the keys were relinquished into his care. With a look of reservation on their faces they walked outside.
Ianto’s first disappointment of the day came when he realised with horror that the keys belonged to a rusted, broken down 2CV Citroen Dolly, that wasn’t so much parked outside the train station, as abandoned at the curb. An apologetically pleading owner assured them that his brother-in-law told his wife that ‘she was a good runner,’ and that ‘most of the miles on the clock were genuine.’ This news didn’t help the situation and made Ianto uneasy.
‘Well… Two CV or not Two CV that is the question?’ Louise Ruth said acting more optimistic than she felt. Walking towards the vehicle that had once been a bright shiny yellow but now was the colour of baby vomit, she thought, she tried to open the passenger side door. ‘I bags shotgun,’ she said, but to her surprise the handle came off in her hand, which unfortunately for her meant that she had to slide across from the driver’s side avoiding the gear stick as she moved.
Alonso, with some intricate manoeuvring techniques, just managed to squeeze into the rear seat, his knees squashed against Ianto’s seat, to Ianto’s utter annoyance. He could have sat anywhere, Ianto almost shouted, but no, he sat behind me, knees thrust into my back.
With shock and utter amazement on their faces the engine started first time and kept running despite the racket and fumes coming from the broken silencer. The owner lent forward through the belching black smoke and shouted over the din, ‘I told you she was a good runner,’ he announced, trying his best to quash their initial disappointment and hang onto his newly acquired cash. He added, with a serious look on his face as Ianto began to grind the gears to get it into first, ‘Bring her back in good condition or there’ll be a further charge. My wife’s brother needs it for his business.’
Ianto looked angrily at the owner as he pulled away. With a sigh he resigned himself to the undeniable fact that this was the only motorised form of transport they were going to get. ‘This heap of junk will never be in good condition even if it had a complete overhaul,’ Ianto said, shouting at the quickly retreating owner. The fan belt on the 2CV squealed its protest as if joining in the conversation, wanting its say in matters at hand. More black smoke belched from the exhaust and from somewhere under the vehicle as he pulled away from the curb. Surprisingly, Ianto realised, the vehicle moved and moved fast; as it turned out, too fast. With a look of mounting horror showing clearly on his face it wasn’t long before he found that the brakes were not all that they should be.
He came quickly to this conclusion with a grin and a slight look of apprehensive as he gazed down at the foot peddles. While taking corners almost on two wheels and narrowly avoiding pedestrians, he decided to take his mind off things and gave himself the luxury of talking to Louise Ruth who, he realised had turned chalk white. In utter panic she was griping tightly the cracked and stained plastic seat which she was sitting on. Her eyes were fixed in pure horror at the road ahead and Ianto could almost detect a slight quiver in her bottom lip.
‘I’ve never seen you looking this frightened, all things considered.’ Ianto said with a reassuring smile. Trying desperately to change gear he waited patiently for her reply, which eventually came out in nervous, frightened gasps.
‘That’s… that’s because I’ve… I’ve never been this frightened… All things considered. Shit… watch out for that news paper stand,’ she screamed a warning, but was too late. Ianto had demolished the vendor’s stand, sending papers and splintered wood flying in all directions. He also sent a very irate vendor running into the road and shaking his fist in obvious anger.
‘I’ll go back later and apologise,’ Ianto said in an offhanded tone. Wrenching the wheel to his left he narrowly avoided a group of sightseers, taking photos and pointing at the crazed vehicle as it sped passed. Pulling the wheel violently to the right in a screech of rubber and black smoke he headed down a one-way street narrowly avoiding a variety of oncoming cars.
‘You daft bastard!’ she screamed. ‘This is a one way street.’
Without taking his eyes off the road he answered, ‘But I’m only going one way.’ He pulled the wheel to one side as he sideswiped a taxi in a hail of paint chips and sparks of metal against metal.
‘Yes but you’re going the wrong fucking way,’ she said, as she was slammed against the passenger side window by the force acting on the car as it came out of the side street and ran on un-hindered through a red light.
‘Are we in a hurry?’ she just managed to ask, obvious concern showing on her fear stricken face as the car picked up speed again in the crowded streets.
Trying to sound as nonchalant as he could Ianto replied, ‘at the moment… we’re still one step ahead… but that wont last long believe me.’ He wrenched the wheel to the left this time, clipping the curb and scraping the side of the car on a concrete lamp-post, sending a group of pedestrians scurrying back into the relative safety of a bus shelter.
‘There goes your no claims bonus,’ she said trying her best to inject humour into the situation, humour that she didn’t feel. Her hands still clung tight onto the seat as if her life depended on it. Sweat was now showing clearly on her forehead. Her precious shoulder bag was forgotten as it fell from her lap landing on the oil stained floor, where her feet were firmly planted as if trying to apply imaginary brakes of her own.
‘Depending on how good their intelligence network is,’ he shouted over the noise of the engine, ‘will determine how fast they can find us.’ Ianto turned the wheel in a tyre-screeching arc, threatening to tip the small car over onto its side.
‘Shit!’ Louise Ruth screamed holding one hand to her mouth as if she were about to be sick. At the last moment he just managed to wrench the wheel back bringing the Citroen crashing down on four wheels with a loud bang. This time, he realised, he had just made the turn but if the next one was just as tight he wasn’t sure weather he would have the same luck. Coming to a section of straight road Louise Ruth managed to regained her composure slightly and felt confident enough to question Ianto about something that was nagging at her in the back of her mind.
‘This may sound a funny question and some how I think that I may not like the answer but why don’t you use the brakes when you come to corners?’ She said the last words in a shout of fear as Ianto took another corner at high speed. This time even he looked worried.
‘Would it upset you if I said that we didn’t have any brakes?’ Ianto said this time with a smile, then just as quickly turned his attention back to the road, pulling on the wheel and forcing it to one side, sending the small car into a sideways skid to avoid a group of cyclists. In a split second of nail biting anticipation he managed to regain control of the 2CV and with a smile continued down the road.
‘Yes it fucking would Ianto Jones,’ she screamed hysterically. Ianto turned to look at the fear stricken woman sitting next to him, surprised at the use of his full name.
‘Then I’ll better keep quiet then.’ he said, a smile fixed firmly to his face. He did have some brakes but he knew they wouldn’t be any good at the speed they were travelling. He was saving them until he really needed them and that time seemed to be approaching fast.
They swerved sharply to avoid a battered old Renault, which had decided to change lanes without telling anyone. Ianto noticed that Louise Ruth had instinctively pushed down with her right foot, as if trying to brake.
‘There’s a person driving here,’ he shouted at the Renault driver as he passed his off side.
‘This isn’t driving, Ianto. It’s a collection of near death experiences,’ she almost screamed. A number of people were hitting their brakes, which to Ianto seemed ironic when he was the only one that wanted to stop but couldn’t. Pulling to the right he narrowly missed the car in front, unlike a vehicle two cars back, he realised when he heard the sound of squealing tyres, a sickening thump closely followed by breaking glass. The Renault driver, it seemed, had met his Waterloo, Ianto thought.
Salvation came, as it usually did for Ianto when he needed it most and least expected it. As he turned another sharp corner a large continental tourist bus loomed into view. Bringing the hurtling Citroen directly behind it he deliberately slammed into the back, causing Louise Ruth to give out a loud scream of panic as the seat belt dug into her shoulder and waist. Her side window dropped back into the door of its own accord. Both seat belts snapped tight, reassuringly holding both of them in their seats.
The bus didn’t immediately stop, but slowed down, which also slowed down the Citroen to a speed where Ianto could use what was left of the brakes more effectively. Without stopping he pulled out and passed the irate bus driver and headed off down the road at a more controllable rate.
‘That was a spot of luck. I was wondering how I could get it to slow down before we hit the bay.’ Ianto said as he turned to a very pale-faced Louise Ruth who, in her fear and sheer panic had ripped off a section of the seat and was still holding onto it in her right hand. Her eyes were wide, like stunned rabbits caught in car headlights. ‘Something bothering you?’ he asked, in an off-handed tone.
‘Bothering me, you nearly got us fucking killed back there you crazy Welsh bastard,’ she screamed and repeatedly hit him with the section of plastic passenger seat that she was still clutching onto. Calming down slightly she threw the ripped plastic into the back seat and glared at the road ahead.
Trying to lighten the mood Ianto said, ‘You might have to pay for that you know,’ nodding towards the back seat as he looked at the side of her face, still white with shock.
‘Piss off!’ was all she said, and then stared straight ahead, deliberately ignoring him as the car slowly this time, chugged along. Because of the life or death way he had been driving Ianto was fairly positive that they hadn’t been followed.
Following the directions he had been given he slowly headed towards the curb, outside of a large grey building. From the outside it looked dirty and derelict, its dark grey walls chipped and pealing. Rubbish lay strewn about in the street and down and outs lay around its front door begging to anyone that passed by.
Slamming both feet against the almost none existent brakes the car shuddered to a halt. In a final explosion of black smoke, it shuddered and eventually stalled. Louise Ruth’s feet had again been forcing imaginary brakes themselves. When she relaxed her legs she realised that they had been tensed for most of the ride.
Swivelling in the seat, and not in a good mood, she kicked both her feet against the passenger side door, sending it crashing from its hinges to collapse in the street as if relieved to be apart from the vehicle. Jumping out she began to put as much distance between herself and the ‘Dolly,’ as she possibly could.
‘Do you think it has an alarm?’ Ianto asked, but received no answer. Instead Louise Ruth turned and gave him a look that told him the joke was over, if it had ever started. Looking back at the vehicle both Louse Ruth and Ianto gazed at each other then at the white face Alonso who still sat in the rear seat forgotten in the confusion.
‘Are you all right?’ Louise Ruth asked as Ianto opened the rear door.
‘I was shot… and helped the Doctor… helped the Doctor stop the Titanic from crashing… into Earth… into the Queen.’ Ianto helped him to stand on unsteady legs. ‘I need the toilet… I’ve shit myself.’ Ianto quickly let him go keeping his distance and exchanging looks with Louise Ruth. He hadn’t been joking.
***
Cleaned and refreshed the three walked into a giant warehouse not far from the old Torchwood Three and Millennium Square. Ianto had mixed feelings about returning to Cardiff but kept them to himself as he walked into the hanger-like warehouse.
‘You did a good job Ianto,’ Louise Ruth said as she gave Alonso the once over. Ianto had taken him into a gentleman’s outfitters to purchase more suitable clothing. While in there they had formed a truce, with regards to Jack as Ianto picked out a suit, shirt and matching tie.
Ianto smiled, ‘My father was a…’ he paused remembering the lie he had told his closest friends back in Torchwood Cardiff; a lie that always seemed to come naturally to him. He had told them his father had worked as a tailor of some renown when in fact he worked in Debenhams. He was done lying, especially to Louise Ruth when Alonso was about ‘...nevermind.’ She looked into his eyes and knew that he’d stopped himself lying and smiled.
Looking back at Alonso she slapped him on the backside saying, ‘Allons-y Alonso.’ Alonso looked round but rather than having an angry look on his face he frowned. His memory had brought back the time he stood on the bridge of the Titanic and the Doctor had said the very same thing.
Before he had time to reply they were approached by a UNIT officer who appeared from behind the giant double doors.
‘Captain Erisa Magambo, Unified Intelligence Taskforce… we’ve been told to expect you.’ She held out her hand as if to shake Louise Ruth’s but before she could make contact it was pushed out of the way as a small man wearing a white coat and thick glasses forced his way passed her almost knocking her to the ground.
‘Where is he… where is he?’ The gazed at Ianto then realising that it wasn’t the man he was looking for turned his attention towards Alonso. Moving his head up and down like a dog sniffing for food the he took in everything that was Midshipman Frame then shook his head in disappointment.
‘This… I’m afraid is UNIT scientist, Professor Malcolm Taylor… He’s a highly intelligent UNIT scientist but, devoid of manners… and basic protocols.’ The last three words were said louder than the rest for Malcolm’s benefit they deduced.
Malcolm looked across at the Captain and shook his head. ‘You said he would be here… but you said,’ Malcolm looked at Magambo accusingly then, down at the ground his bottom lip almost jutting out like a child’s.
‘I’m afraid he was expecting someone else… you see the piece of equipment you have requested led him to believe that, that someone else, was the only one that would have a use for it.’ Louise Ruth smiled as Ianto leaned in and whispered.
‘Be careful… we need him… only Malcolm can help. Without him on our side we’re dead in the water before we start.’ Louise Ruth approached Malcolm and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He flinched slightly then looked up at her.
‘It’s all right Malcolm… we’re all looking for the Doctor.’
At the sound of his hero’s name he looked back at her and smiled. ‘Well that’s what I’m talking about… only the Doctor would want a machine that can detect a wavelength parcel of ten KHz operating in 4 dimensions… I discovered it and named it… I call it a Malcolm you know… a Malcolm.’
Louise Ruth smiled, ‘Named after yourself I see… didn’t do Watt any harm I suppose.’
Malcolm beamed at her. ‘That’s what I said… and one hundred Malcolm’s are a Bernard.’
Louise Ruth held up a hand to stop him before he had a chance to continue. ‘A Bernard… no don’t tell me,’ Malcolm was about to explain when Louise Ruth stopped him again with a mischievous smile. ‘You named it Bernard after…’ She thought for a moment then said, almost blurting it out ‘After… Bernard Gitton the renowned French scientist and artist….’ He looked blank but she continued anyway. ‘Inventor of Time-Flow water clocks, water calculators, and fountains of,’ she stopped as Malcolm shook his head. It was his turn to sport a mischievous grin. ‘Don’t tell me, I’ll get it.’
‘She will you know… her logical thought patterns are amazing believe me.’ Turning Captain Magambo led the way into the warehouse. Malcolm kept pace with Louise Ruth waiting eagerly for her next guess.
As they entered Ianto nudged Alonso in the back causing him to trip forward. Louise Ruth shook her head in disappointment. It seemed the truce was off. As they entered she didn’t fail to notice the boxes and packing crates which were piled high lining the walls and floors. Each piece of floor space had been take up by a collection of creates forming artificial roads throughout the building. Two young men drove forklift trucks, rearranging pallets with machinery shrink wrapped to them.
‘That’s Nathan and Barclay… they work with us as warehouse men… they came highly recommended.’
Louise Ruth looked at the two young men and wondered how they were coping with the idea of alien technology. ‘They seem a bit young for all this. I mean… don’t they ask awkward questions?’
Magambo shook her head. ‘Like you they too know the Doctor. They were stuck on a planet with billions of carnivorous stingray-like aliens on the wrong side of a worm hole. Malcolm got them out… and the bus… The Doctor told me to offer them a job so… I did.’
Louise Ruth shook her head in wonderment. There was so much more to the Doctor’s travels than she knew about. Then with a smile she turned to Malcolm who stopped obediently. ‘The astronomer Bernard Lovell?’ Malcolm shook his head, but before he could speak she quickly added, ‘Pharmaceutical Scientist Bernard Testa.’ Almost laughing he shook his head a second time enjoying the game immensely. Captain Magambo motioned for them to enter a side room just off the main through fair.
Ianto lent closely to Alonso and whispered, ‘Ten pounds says she gets it before we leave here.’
Alonso nodded then leaning back towards Ianto added, ‘You’re on, but just one thing,’ Ianto looked at him quizzically. ‘I’m not from around here… What’s a ten pounds?’
Shaking his head Ianto followed Louise Ruth and Malcolm into his office. As he passed through the door frame Alonso nudged his shoulder so he slammed into it. Rubbing his elbow Ianto decided to ignore him. Entering Malcolm’s office was a privilege it seemed as even the Captain looked surprised at what she saw. One half of the room resembled a small library, stacked high with old UNIT files, all neatly kept and not a speck of dust in sight.
The other half looked like something from a Frankenstein movie with glass jars, dishes, test tubes and the obligatory Bunsen burner covering every conceivable piece of worktop space. On a cork board hanging on one of the walls were a number of pictures of men all dressed in the most outlandish clothing Louise Ruth had ever seen on grown me. With a smile she noticed that the Doctor was one of them. His thin form was clad in a blue suite, wearing a dark brown coat and red converse trainers.
Motioning for them to stand in one corner, away from almost everything except Malcolm’s anorak, wool hat and umbrella, Malcolm disappeared round the corner of a book shelf and was gone from sight. Moments later they heard strange noises coming from the depths of his room. The small group of invited guests looked at each other quizzically.
Louise Ruth’s eyes scanned the room hoping to find a clue at to the Bernard Malcolm had referred to. One of the shelves, she noticed had novels, not UNIT journals. Scanning the titles she hoped to find a Bernard but with a sigh of defeat couldn’t find any. The expected Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea stood next to H.G. Wells the Time Machine. Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass and the Pit rested neatly against a number of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels. No clues there, she thought to herself, although something was niggling at the back of her mind but she didn’t know what. Turning she nudged Ianto and pointed at an arrangement of photographs which decorated one of the walls.
‘Who are they…? I mean… I recognise one of them but who are the rest?’
Before Ianto could say anything Captain Magambo answered. ‘They are the Doctor.’
Louise Ruth looked at Magambo then back at the photographs. She remembered some of the clothing when she had searched the Doctor’s wardrobe for for something dry to wear. ‘You mean…?’
Magambo nodded, ‘He can regenerate when the body he’s using begins to die. That’s where we think he is at the moment… regenerating. The next time you see him…’
‘I’ll not recognise him.’ Louise Ruth added in a quiet voice.
After a few minutes that had seemed to drag on for hours a silver clad head pocked itself round the corner of the book shelf with what looked like a stainless steel colander on its head. The eyes were masked by binocular type glasses and the ears were covered with earphones that looked as if they were out of the early seventies. Jumping into view, Malcolm removed the Heath Robinson helmet and smiled.
‘It’s me… Malcolm.’ The group nodded and smiled as one, as if they’d previously assumed he’d been an alien being. ‘This will focus your eyes and ears,’ he said pointing out parts of the helmet. ‘The real genius part of it is here in the belt.’ His fingers followed the electrical cable from the helmet to a small yellow box on his hip. ‘It’ll pick up any four dimensional signal and relay that information back to the helmet so…’
Louise Ruth cut him off with a smile of realisation and relief. ‘So we can see the Rani’s TARDIS no matter what it’s disguised as.’
Malcolm smiled as Ianto reached out for it. His smile was cut short by the action and he snatched it out of reach. Stepping around Ianto he passed the helmet and belt over to Louise Ruth who took it gratefully. Captain Magambo had expected Malcolm to give her the machine and her disappointment showed clearly on her face.
While the others were distracted Ianto picked up a small ash tray filled with nuts and washes and tipped them into one of Alonso’s pockets, without him noticing.
Louise Ruth looked back at Malcolm hopefully after giving the machine the once over. ‘Bernard Beryl Brodie chief of the Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology.’ Smiling Malcolm shook his head but she wasn’t finished. ‘Claude Bernard, French physiologist known chiefly for his discoveries concerning the role of the pancreas in digestion.’ Ianto placed a hand over his mouth to hide the laughter he was trying to hold back. Malcolm’s grin did change to thought as if he recalled the name Claude Bernard.
‘Advances are made by answering questions. Discoveries are made by questioning answers,’ he said quoting from the famous French physiologist.
Louise Ruth looked hopeful, remembering the quotation herself, but Malcolm shook his head. Turning Malcolm careful lifter a small wooden box and offered it to Louise Ruth so she could place the helmet and belt safely inside.
Once secure, Malcolm allowed Ianto to carry the box as they headed back out into the warehouse. Nathan and Barclay had moved further down, the mechanical sound of the lift truck sounding loud in the confines of the warehouse. As they headed back towards the exit Malcolm stopped the procession with a gentle but firm hand on Louise Ruth’s shoulder.
‘There’s something else you’ll need.’ With that he turned and hurried back to his work room.
‘He’s annoying as hell but we seem to understand each other.’ Captain Magambo said as she watched Malcolm leave. ‘He’s the most intelligent man I’ve ever met, bar none and apart for his hero the Doctor, you’re the only one he’s ever smiled at.’ Louise nodded as three more famous people named Bernard came to mind. ‘He lives alone with his mother and apparently five cats… none I’m told are called Bernard.’
Louise Ruth’s, look of hope fell from her face and was replaced by wonder as Malcolm walked back towards them with a small wooden box in one hand and a digital recorder on the other. Looking nervously at Ianto and Alonso he passed her the box first.
‘It contains a field disrupter. You can use it as a key to get into her TARDIS when you find it.’ Louise Ruth nodded at Ianto who looked as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
‘That should have been my question… I forgot. We were wondering how we would get in if and when we found it.’ Ianto said with a sigh of relief. Passing the box to Ianto, Louise Ruth accepted the digital recorder. Again looking around conspiratorially Malcolm whispered in Louise Ruth’s ear so no one else could hear.
‘This is a recording made by Jo Grant… one of the Doctor’s companions… like you. She traveled with him to numerous places… including Spirodon.’ She was about to push the play button when Malcolm stopped her with a careful hand on hers. ‘When you’re alone…’ he looked at the others standing around then added, ‘You never know.’
Nodding she too looked at her companions then secretly hide the recorder in her shoulder bad. Before heading towards the door she gave Malcolm one more try. ‘Is it Bernard Haisch and his inflation theory…Implications for Extra Terrestrial Visitation?’ She looked at Malcolm again hopeful, her breath held in anticipation.
‘Yes…’ Malcolm said but not with as much enthusiasm as she would have expected.
‘Yes?’ she questioned, but to her dismay he shook his head.
‘No… not Haisch but...’ her eyes widened. Had she been close this time? ‘The paper sounds interesting… I wouldn’t mind reading it.’
Louise Ruth gave a sigh then unperturbed, continued. ‘Bernard Timothy Baxter, M.D. Developed a drug to prevent aneurysm progression?’ again he shook his head as he followed her to the front doors. With a deep breath she gave her last effort, a name she’d held back until now, and the last Bernard she knew. ‘It’s got to be Bernard Feld, on the responsibility of a scientist?’ Malcolm’s eyes lit up but again not to the extent she would have hoped for. He knew Feld but he wasn’t her man, she realised.
‘The military's attitude can be symbolized by the cliché.’ He began his quotation while gazing strongly at Captain Magambo. ‘We need to have a divorce between the academic and the military.’ A favourite quotation of mine but unfortunately…’ A taxi arrived cutting him off in mid sentence. Captain Magambo nodded towards the vehicle.
‘It’ll take you to the airport… safer than your last form of transport.’ Alonso nodded as the memory of their drive in the 2CV came back to him closely followed by a shiver which ran down his spine.
‘I’ll be in therapy for years on the strength of that,’ he said as he jumped into the back of the vehicle. Ianto passed him the box containing the helmet and searching for a handkerchief to wipe his hands found his pockets filled with miniature circuit boards. Not wanting to admit he’d been ouitfoxed he slid in next to Alonso who held out an hand expectantly.
‘That’ll be ten pounds you owe me… but first tell me what it is.’ Louise Ruth looked dismayed as she jumped in next to them watching Ianto pass Alonso a ten pound note. Turning it over in his hands he gazed longingly at the picture of the Queen. He’d never had money before, never needed it. The thought that kept nagging at her when she had been in the warehouse kept digging into her memory until she nearly screamed. Then she remembered the novels on Malcolm’s shelf and smiled. Before the driver could pull away she rolled down the window and shouted to Malcolm who stood next to the warehouse doors.
‘Quatermass’s first name isn’t Bernard is it? Quatermass, the rocket scientist, from Quatermass and the Pit.’ Malcolm virtually beamed, the look of joy on his face couldn’t have been exceeded if the Doctor himself had walked out of the taxi. ‘With Joe Kapp when they establish that an alien force was causing the downturn of society… not too far fetched… could happen.’ Malcolm smiled back.
‘Did happen… let me tell you…’ Captain Magambo looked at him reproachfully. ‘Bernard… I mean Malcolm… that will be quite enough.’
He smiled after them and nodded vigorously as the taxi pulled away. ‘She was nice but I didn’t like the other two. They stole a load of washes and micro chips,’ Malcolm said as he turned and headed back into his office.
Sitting back in her seat Louise Ruth breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Ianto and Alonso fighting over a ten pound note.
Chapter Two - The Thals of Skaro
It had take three hours of deadly silence to reach Cardiff by train. All the while Ianto had stared daggers at Alonso, who had stared daggers straight back, even though he gave off an air that suggested to Louise Ruth, that he didn’t have a clue why either of them were doing it.
They were met at the station by a UNIT representative who, Ianto said, looked the spitting image of Arthur Daily from the television show Minder. Ianto smiled at Louise Ruth, avoiding Frame’s gaze. ‘He suggests that, for a price, we could hire his brother-in-law’s motor vehicle.’
Nodding Louise Ruth said with a look of relief on her face, ‘Take it… it’s got to be better than walking.’ Not having time to argue Ianto paid the extremely expensive hire charge, which the UNIT representative demanded before the keys were relinquished into his care. With a look of reservation on their faces they walked outside.
Ianto’s first disappointment of the day came when he realised with horror that the keys belonged to a rusted, broken down 2CV Citroen Dolly, that wasn’t so much parked outside the train station, as abandoned at the curb. An apologetically pleading owner assured them that his brother-in-law told his wife that ‘she was a good runner,’ and that ‘most of the miles on the clock were genuine.’ This news didn’t help the situation and made Ianto uneasy.
‘Well… Two CV or not Two CV that is the question?’ Louise Ruth said acting more optimistic than she felt. Walking towards the vehicle that had once been a bright shiny yellow but now was the colour of baby vomit, she thought, she tried to open the passenger side door. ‘I bags shotgun,’ she said, but to her surprise the handle came off in her hand, which unfortunately for her meant that she had to slide across from the driver’s side avoiding the gear stick as she moved.
Alonso, with some intricate manoeuvring techniques, just managed to squeeze into the rear seat, his knees squashed against Ianto’s seat, to Ianto’s utter annoyance. He could have sat anywhere, Ianto almost shouted, but no, he sat behind me, knees thrust into my back.
With shock and utter amazement on their faces the engine started first time and kept running despite the racket and fumes coming from the broken silencer. The owner lent forward through the belching black smoke and shouted over the din, ‘I told you she was a good runner,’ he announced, trying his best to quash their initial disappointment and hang onto his newly acquired cash. He added, with a serious look on his face as Ianto began to grind the gears to get it into first, ‘Bring her back in good condition or there’ll be a further charge. My wife’s brother needs it for his business.’
Ianto looked angrily at the owner as he pulled away. With a sigh he resigned himself to the undeniable fact that this was the only motorised form of transport they were going to get. ‘This heap of junk will never be in good condition even if it had a complete overhaul,’ Ianto said, shouting at the quickly retreating owner. The fan belt on the 2CV squealed its protest as if joining in the conversation, wanting its say in matters at hand. More black smoke belched from the exhaust and from somewhere under the vehicle as he pulled away from the curb. Surprisingly, Ianto realised, the vehicle moved and moved fast; as it turned out, too fast. With a look of mounting horror showing clearly on his face it wasn’t long before he found that the brakes were not all that they should be.
He came quickly to this conclusion with a grin and a slight look of apprehensive as he gazed down at the foot peddles. While taking corners almost on two wheels and narrowly avoiding pedestrians, he decided to take his mind off things and gave himself the luxury of talking to Louise Ruth who, he realised had turned chalk white. In utter panic she was griping tightly the cracked and stained plastic seat which she was sitting on. Her eyes were fixed in pure horror at the road ahead and Ianto could almost detect a slight quiver in her bottom lip.
‘I’ve never seen you looking this frightened, all things considered.’ Ianto said with a reassuring smile. Trying desperately to change gear he waited patiently for her reply, which eventually came out in nervous, frightened gasps.
‘That’s… that’s because I’ve… I’ve never been this frightened… All things considered. Shit… watch out for that news paper stand,’ she screamed a warning, but was too late. Ianto had demolished the vendor’s stand, sending papers and splintered wood flying in all directions. He also sent a very irate vendor running into the road and shaking his fist in obvious anger.
‘I’ll go back later and apologise,’ Ianto said in an offhanded tone. Wrenching the wheel to his left he narrowly avoided a group of sightseers, taking photos and pointing at the crazed vehicle as it sped passed. Pulling the wheel violently to the right in a screech of rubber and black smoke he headed down a one-way street narrowly avoiding a variety of oncoming cars.
‘You daft bastard!’ she screamed. ‘This is a one way street.’
Without taking his eyes off the road he answered, ‘But I’m only going one way.’ He pulled the wheel to one side as he sideswiped a taxi in a hail of paint chips and sparks of metal against metal.
‘Yes but you’re going the wrong fucking way,’ she said, as she was slammed against the passenger side window by the force acting on the car as it came out of the side street and ran on un-hindered through a red light.
‘Are we in a hurry?’ she just managed to ask, obvious concern showing on her fear stricken face as the car picked up speed again in the crowded streets.
Trying to sound as nonchalant as he could Ianto replied, ‘at the moment… we’re still one step ahead… but that wont last long believe me.’ He wrenched the wheel to the left this time, clipping the curb and scraping the side of the car on a concrete lamp-post, sending a group of pedestrians scurrying back into the relative safety of a bus shelter.
‘There goes your no claims bonus,’ she said trying her best to inject humour into the situation, humour that she didn’t feel. Her hands still clung tight onto the seat as if her life depended on it. Sweat was now showing clearly on her forehead. Her precious shoulder bag was forgotten as it fell from her lap landing on the oil stained floor, where her feet were firmly planted as if trying to apply imaginary brakes of her own.
‘Depending on how good their intelligence network is,’ he shouted over the noise of the engine, ‘will determine how fast they can find us.’ Ianto turned the wheel in a tyre-screeching arc, threatening to tip the small car over onto its side.
‘Shit!’ Louise Ruth screamed holding one hand to her mouth as if she were about to be sick. At the last moment he just managed to wrench the wheel back bringing the Citroen crashing down on four wheels with a loud bang. This time, he realised, he had just made the turn but if the next one was just as tight he wasn’t sure weather he would have the same luck. Coming to a section of straight road Louise Ruth managed to regained her composure slightly and felt confident enough to question Ianto about something that was nagging at her in the back of her mind.
‘This may sound a funny question and some how I think that I may not like the answer but why don’t you use the brakes when you come to corners?’ She said the last words in a shout of fear as Ianto took another corner at high speed. This time even he looked worried.
‘Would it upset you if I said that we didn’t have any brakes?’ Ianto said this time with a smile, then just as quickly turned his attention back to the road, pulling on the wheel and forcing it to one side, sending the small car into a sideways skid to avoid a group of cyclists. In a split second of nail biting anticipation he managed to regain control of the 2CV and with a smile continued down the road.
‘Yes it fucking would Ianto Jones,’ she screamed hysterically. Ianto turned to look at the fear stricken woman sitting next to him, surprised at the use of his full name.
‘Then I’ll better keep quiet then.’ he said, a smile fixed firmly to his face. He did have some brakes but he knew they wouldn’t be any good at the speed they were travelling. He was saving them until he really needed them and that time seemed to be approaching fast.
They swerved sharply to avoid a battered old Renault, which had decided to change lanes without telling anyone. Ianto noticed that Louise Ruth had instinctively pushed down with her right foot, as if trying to brake.
‘There’s a person driving here,’ he shouted at the Renault driver as he passed his off side.
‘This isn’t driving, Ianto. It’s a collection of near death experiences,’ she almost screamed. A number of people were hitting their brakes, which to Ianto seemed ironic when he was the only one that wanted to stop but couldn’t. Pulling to the right he narrowly missed the car in front, unlike a vehicle two cars back, he realised when he heard the sound of squealing tyres, a sickening thump closely followed by breaking glass. The Renault driver, it seemed, had met his Waterloo, Ianto thought.
Salvation came, as it usually did for Ianto when he needed it most and least expected it. As he turned another sharp corner a large continental tourist bus loomed into view. Bringing the hurtling Citroen directly behind it he deliberately slammed into the back, causing Louise Ruth to give out a loud scream of panic as the seat belt dug into her shoulder and waist. Her side window dropped back into the door of its own accord. Both seat belts snapped tight, reassuringly holding both of them in their seats.
The bus didn’t immediately stop, but slowed down, which also slowed down the Citroen to a speed where Ianto could use what was left of the brakes more effectively. Without stopping he pulled out and passed the irate bus driver and headed off down the road at a more controllable rate.
‘That was a spot of luck. I was wondering how I could get it to slow down before we hit the bay.’ Ianto said as he turned to a very pale-faced Louise Ruth who, in her fear and sheer panic had ripped off a section of the seat and was still holding onto it in her right hand. Her eyes were wide, like stunned rabbits caught in car headlights. ‘Something bothering you?’ he asked, in an off-handed tone.
‘Bothering me, you nearly got us fucking killed back there you crazy Welsh bastard,’ she screamed and repeatedly hit him with the section of plastic passenger seat that she was still clutching onto. Calming down slightly she threw the ripped plastic into the back seat and glared at the road ahead.
Trying to lighten the mood Ianto said, ‘You might have to pay for that you know,’ nodding towards the back seat as he looked at the side of her face, still white with shock.
‘Piss off!’ was all she said, and then stared straight ahead, deliberately ignoring him as the car slowly this time, chugged along. Because of the life or death way he had been driving Ianto was fairly positive that they hadn’t been followed.
Following the directions he had been given he slowly headed towards the curb, outside of a large grey building. From the outside it looked dirty and derelict, its dark grey walls chipped and pealing. Rubbish lay strewn about in the street and down and outs lay around its front door begging to anyone that passed by.
Slamming both feet against the almost none existent brakes the car shuddered to a halt. In a final explosion of black smoke, it shuddered and eventually stalled. Louise Ruth’s feet had again been forcing imaginary brakes themselves. When she relaxed her legs she realised that they had been tensed for most of the ride.
Swivelling in the seat, and not in a good mood, she kicked both her feet against the passenger side door, sending it crashing from its hinges to collapse in the street as if relieved to be apart from the vehicle. Jumping out she began to put as much distance between herself and the ‘Dolly,’ as she possibly could.
‘Do you think it has an alarm?’ Ianto asked, but received no answer. Instead Louise Ruth turned and gave him a look that told him the joke was over, if it had ever started. Looking back at the vehicle both Louse Ruth and Ianto gazed at each other then at the white face Alonso who still sat in the rear seat forgotten in the confusion.
‘Are you all right?’ Louise Ruth asked as Ianto opened the rear door.
‘I was shot… and helped the Doctor… helped the Doctor stop the Titanic from crashing… into Earth… into the Queen.’ Ianto helped him to stand on unsteady legs. ‘I need the toilet… I’ve shit myself.’ Ianto quickly let him go keeping his distance and exchanging looks with Louise Ruth. He hadn’t been joking.
***
Cleaned and refreshed the three walked into a giant warehouse not far from the old Torchwood Three and Millennium Square. Ianto had mixed feelings about returning to Cardiff but kept them to himself as he walked into the hanger-like warehouse.
‘You did a good job Ianto,’ Louise Ruth said as she gave Alonso the once over. Ianto had taken him into a gentleman’s outfitters to purchase more suitable clothing. While in there they had formed a truce, with regards to Jack as Ianto picked out a suit, shirt and matching tie.
Ianto smiled, ‘My father was a…’ he paused remembering the lie he had told his closest friends back in Torchwood Cardiff; a lie that always seemed to come naturally to him. He had told them his father had worked as a tailor of some renown when in fact he worked in Debenhams. He was done lying, especially to Louise Ruth when Alonso was about ‘...nevermind.’ She looked into his eyes and knew that he’d stopped himself lying and smiled.
Looking back at Alonso she slapped him on the backside saying, ‘Allons-y Alonso.’ Alonso looked round but rather than having an angry look on his face he frowned. His memory had brought back the time he stood on the bridge of the Titanic and the Doctor had said the very same thing.
Before he had time to reply they were approached by a UNIT officer who appeared from behind the giant double doors.
‘Captain Erisa Magambo, Unified Intelligence Taskforce… we’ve been told to expect you.’ She held out her hand as if to shake Louise Ruth’s but before she could make contact it was pushed out of the way as a small man wearing a white coat and thick glasses forced his way passed her almost knocking her to the ground.
‘Where is he… where is he?’ The gazed at Ianto then realising that it wasn’t the man he was looking for turned his attention towards Alonso. Moving his head up and down like a dog sniffing for food the he took in everything that was Midshipman Frame then shook his head in disappointment.
‘This… I’m afraid is UNIT scientist, Professor Malcolm Taylor… He’s a highly intelligent UNIT scientist but, devoid of manners… and basic protocols.’ The last three words were said louder than the rest for Malcolm’s benefit they deduced.
Malcolm looked across at the Captain and shook his head. ‘You said he would be here… but you said,’ Malcolm looked at Magambo accusingly then, down at the ground his bottom lip almost jutting out like a child’s.
‘I’m afraid he was expecting someone else… you see the piece of equipment you have requested led him to believe that, that someone else, was the only one that would have a use for it.’ Louise Ruth smiled as Ianto leaned in and whispered.
‘Be careful… we need him… only Malcolm can help. Without him on our side we’re dead in the water before we start.’ Louise Ruth approached Malcolm and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He flinched slightly then looked up at her.
‘It’s all right Malcolm… we’re all looking for the Doctor.’
At the sound of his hero’s name he looked back at her and smiled. ‘Well that’s what I’m talking about… only the Doctor would want a machine that can detect a wavelength parcel of ten KHz operating in 4 dimensions… I discovered it and named it… I call it a Malcolm you know… a Malcolm.’
Louise Ruth smiled, ‘Named after yourself I see… didn’t do Watt any harm I suppose.’
Malcolm beamed at her. ‘That’s what I said… and one hundred Malcolm’s are a Bernard.’
Louise Ruth held up a hand to stop him before he had a chance to continue. ‘A Bernard… no don’t tell me,’ Malcolm was about to explain when Louise Ruth stopped him again with a mischievous smile. ‘You named it Bernard after…’ She thought for a moment then said, almost blurting it out ‘After… Bernard Gitton the renowned French scientist and artist….’ He looked blank but she continued anyway. ‘Inventor of Time-Flow water clocks, water calculators, and fountains of,’ she stopped as Malcolm shook his head. It was his turn to sport a mischievous grin. ‘Don’t tell me, I’ll get it.’
‘She will you know… her logical thought patterns are amazing believe me.’ Turning Captain Magambo led the way into the warehouse. Malcolm kept pace with Louise Ruth waiting eagerly for her next guess.
As they entered Ianto nudged Alonso in the back causing him to trip forward. Louise Ruth shook her head in disappointment. It seemed the truce was off. As they entered she didn’t fail to notice the boxes and packing crates which were piled high lining the walls and floors. Each piece of floor space had been take up by a collection of creates forming artificial roads throughout the building. Two young men drove forklift trucks, rearranging pallets with machinery shrink wrapped to them.
‘That’s Nathan and Barclay… they work with us as warehouse men… they came highly recommended.’
Louise Ruth looked at the two young men and wondered how they were coping with the idea of alien technology. ‘They seem a bit young for all this. I mean… don’t they ask awkward questions?’
Magambo shook her head. ‘Like you they too know the Doctor. They were stuck on a planet with billions of carnivorous stingray-like aliens on the wrong side of a worm hole. Malcolm got them out… and the bus… The Doctor told me to offer them a job so… I did.’
Louise Ruth shook her head in wonderment. There was so much more to the Doctor’s travels than she knew about. Then with a smile she turned to Malcolm who stopped obediently. ‘The astronomer Bernard Lovell?’ Malcolm shook his head, but before he could speak she quickly added, ‘Pharmaceutical Scientist Bernard Testa.’ Almost laughing he shook his head a second time enjoying the game immensely. Captain Magambo motioned for them to enter a side room just off the main through fair.
Ianto lent closely to Alonso and whispered, ‘Ten pounds says she gets it before we leave here.’
Alonso nodded then leaning back towards Ianto added, ‘You’re on, but just one thing,’ Ianto looked at him quizzically. ‘I’m not from around here… What’s a ten pounds?’
Shaking his head Ianto followed Louise Ruth and Malcolm into his office. As he passed through the door frame Alonso nudged his shoulder so he slammed into it. Rubbing his elbow Ianto decided to ignore him. Entering Malcolm’s office was a privilege it seemed as even the Captain looked surprised at what she saw. One half of the room resembled a small library, stacked high with old UNIT files, all neatly kept and not a speck of dust in sight.
The other half looked like something from a Frankenstein movie with glass jars, dishes, test tubes and the obligatory Bunsen burner covering every conceivable piece of worktop space. On a cork board hanging on one of the walls were a number of pictures of men all dressed in the most outlandish clothing Louise Ruth had ever seen on grown me. With a smile she noticed that the Doctor was one of them. His thin form was clad in a blue suite, wearing a dark brown coat and red converse trainers.
Motioning for them to stand in one corner, away from almost everything except Malcolm’s anorak, wool hat and umbrella, Malcolm disappeared round the corner of a book shelf and was gone from sight. Moments later they heard strange noises coming from the depths of his room. The small group of invited guests looked at each other quizzically.
Louise Ruth’s eyes scanned the room hoping to find a clue at to the Bernard Malcolm had referred to. One of the shelves, she noticed had novels, not UNIT journals. Scanning the titles she hoped to find a Bernard but with a sigh of defeat couldn’t find any. The expected Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea stood next to H.G. Wells the Time Machine. Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass and the Pit rested neatly against a number of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels. No clues there, she thought to herself, although something was niggling at the back of her mind but she didn’t know what. Turning she nudged Ianto and pointed at an arrangement of photographs which decorated one of the walls.
‘Who are they…? I mean… I recognise one of them but who are the rest?’
Before Ianto could say anything Captain Magambo answered. ‘They are the Doctor.’
Louise Ruth looked at Magambo then back at the photographs. She remembered some of the clothing when she had searched the Doctor’s wardrobe for for something dry to wear. ‘You mean…?’
Magambo nodded, ‘He can regenerate when the body he’s using begins to die. That’s where we think he is at the moment… regenerating. The next time you see him…’
‘I’ll not recognise him.’ Louise Ruth added in a quiet voice.
After a few minutes that had seemed to drag on for hours a silver clad head pocked itself round the corner of the book shelf with what looked like a stainless steel colander on its head. The eyes were masked by binocular type glasses and the ears were covered with earphones that looked as if they were out of the early seventies. Jumping into view, Malcolm removed the Heath Robinson helmet and smiled.
‘It’s me… Malcolm.’ The group nodded and smiled as one, as if they’d previously assumed he’d been an alien being. ‘This will focus your eyes and ears,’ he said pointing out parts of the helmet. ‘The real genius part of it is here in the belt.’ His fingers followed the electrical cable from the helmet to a small yellow box on his hip. ‘It’ll pick up any four dimensional signal and relay that information back to the helmet so…’
Louise Ruth cut him off with a smile of realisation and relief. ‘So we can see the Rani’s TARDIS no matter what it’s disguised as.’
Malcolm smiled as Ianto reached out for it. His smile was cut short by the action and he snatched it out of reach. Stepping around Ianto he passed the helmet and belt over to Louise Ruth who took it gratefully. Captain Magambo had expected Malcolm to give her the machine and her disappointment showed clearly on her face.
While the others were distracted Ianto picked up a small ash tray filled with nuts and washes and tipped them into one of Alonso’s pockets, without him noticing.
Louise Ruth looked back at Malcolm hopefully after giving the machine the once over. ‘Bernard Beryl Brodie chief of the Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology.’ Smiling Malcolm shook his head but she wasn’t finished. ‘Claude Bernard, French physiologist known chiefly for his discoveries concerning the role of the pancreas in digestion.’ Ianto placed a hand over his mouth to hide the laughter he was trying to hold back. Malcolm’s grin did change to thought as if he recalled the name Claude Bernard.
‘Advances are made by answering questions. Discoveries are made by questioning answers,’ he said quoting from the famous French physiologist.
Louise Ruth looked hopeful, remembering the quotation herself, but Malcolm shook his head. Turning Malcolm careful lifter a small wooden box and offered it to Louise Ruth so she could place the helmet and belt safely inside.
Once secure, Malcolm allowed Ianto to carry the box as they headed back out into the warehouse. Nathan and Barclay had moved further down, the mechanical sound of the lift truck sounding loud in the confines of the warehouse. As they headed back towards the exit Malcolm stopped the procession with a gentle but firm hand on Louise Ruth’s shoulder.
‘There’s something else you’ll need.’ With that he turned and hurried back to his work room.
‘He’s annoying as hell but we seem to understand each other.’ Captain Magambo said as she watched Malcolm leave. ‘He’s the most intelligent man I’ve ever met, bar none and apart for his hero the Doctor, you’re the only one he’s ever smiled at.’ Louise nodded as three more famous people named Bernard came to mind. ‘He lives alone with his mother and apparently five cats… none I’m told are called Bernard.’
Louise Ruth’s, look of hope fell from her face and was replaced by wonder as Malcolm walked back towards them with a small wooden box in one hand and a digital recorder on the other. Looking nervously at Ianto and Alonso he passed her the box first.
‘It contains a field disrupter. You can use it as a key to get into her TARDIS when you find it.’ Louise Ruth nodded at Ianto who looked as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
‘That should have been my question… I forgot. We were wondering how we would get in if and when we found it.’ Ianto said with a sigh of relief. Passing the box to Ianto, Louise Ruth accepted the digital recorder. Again looking around conspiratorially Malcolm whispered in Louise Ruth’s ear so no one else could hear.
‘This is a recording made by Jo Grant… one of the Doctor’s companions… like you. She traveled with him to numerous places… including Spirodon.’ She was about to push the play button when Malcolm stopped her with a careful hand on hers. ‘When you’re alone…’ he looked at the others standing around then added, ‘You never know.’
Nodding she too looked at her companions then secretly hide the recorder in her shoulder bad. Before heading towards the door she gave Malcolm one more try. ‘Is it Bernard Haisch and his inflation theory…Implications for Extra Terrestrial Visitation?’ She looked at Malcolm again hopeful, her breath held in anticipation.
‘Yes…’ Malcolm said but not with as much enthusiasm as she would have expected.
‘Yes?’ she questioned, but to her dismay he shook his head.
‘No… not Haisch but...’ her eyes widened. Had she been close this time? ‘The paper sounds interesting… I wouldn’t mind reading it.’
Louise Ruth gave a sigh then unperturbed, continued. ‘Bernard Timothy Baxter, M.D. Developed a drug to prevent aneurysm progression?’ again he shook his head as he followed her to the front doors. With a deep breath she gave her last effort, a name she’d held back until now, and the last Bernard she knew. ‘It’s got to be Bernard Feld, on the responsibility of a scientist?’ Malcolm’s eyes lit up but again not to the extent she would have hoped for. He knew Feld but he wasn’t her man, she realised.
‘The military's attitude can be symbolized by the cliché.’ He began his quotation while gazing strongly at Captain Magambo. ‘We need to have a divorce between the academic and the military.’ A favourite quotation of mine but unfortunately…’ A taxi arrived cutting him off in mid sentence. Captain Magambo nodded towards the vehicle.
‘It’ll take you to the airport… safer than your last form of transport.’ Alonso nodded as the memory of their drive in the 2CV came back to him closely followed by a shiver which ran down his spine.
‘I’ll be in therapy for years on the strength of that,’ he said as he jumped into the back of the vehicle. Ianto passed him the box containing the helmet and searching for a handkerchief to wipe his hands found his pockets filled with miniature circuit boards. Not wanting to admit he’d been ouitfoxed he slid in next to Alonso who held out an hand expectantly.
‘That’ll be ten pounds you owe me… but first tell me what it is.’ Louise Ruth looked dismayed as she jumped in next to them watching Ianto pass Alonso a ten pound note. Turning it over in his hands he gazed longingly at the picture of the Queen. He’d never had money before, never needed it. The thought that kept nagging at her when she had been in the warehouse kept digging into her memory until she nearly screamed. Then she remembered the novels on Malcolm’s shelf and smiled. Before the driver could pull away she rolled down the window and shouted to Malcolm who stood next to the warehouse doors.
‘Quatermass’s first name isn’t Bernard is it? Quatermass, the rocket scientist, from Quatermass and the Pit.’ Malcolm virtually beamed, the look of joy on his face couldn’t have been exceeded if the Doctor himself had walked out of the taxi. ‘With Joe Kapp when they establish that an alien force was causing the downturn of society… not too far fetched… could happen.’ Malcolm smiled back.
‘Did happen… let me tell you…’ Captain Magambo looked at him reproachfully. ‘Bernard… I mean Malcolm… that will be quite enough.’
He smiled after them and nodded vigorously as the taxi pulled away. ‘She was nice but I didn’t like the other two. They stole a load of washes and micro chips,’ Malcolm said as he turned and headed back into his office.
Sitting back in her seat Louise Ruth breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Ianto and Alonso fighting over a ten pound note.
Chapter Two - The Thals of Skaro