The Doctor's the only one awake in the prisoner's room at the moment - Toshiko's dozed off, which he can't blame her for, concussion and all, and April's napping, head in his lap. He manages to not jump at the contact - wouldn't want to wake April, as little sleep as she's likely to get in this place.
:: Vesmier! :: he replies, tone artificially bright. He knows the Vesmier's likely to see right through that, but it's habit anyway. :: You did get my note, then. That's good - I wondered about that. ::
Well. The Doctor is conscious and coherent, at least - both of which qualities are good.
:: I did. I'm working with Torchwood to retrieve you. Is there anything you can tell us? ::
The tone to the Doctor's thoughts is both encouraging and not. At least he's grounded enough to put on the appearance of being untouched, but the dark thread thrumming under it... is not so promising.
:: There's a lot I can tell you, I just don't know how much of it's actually useful. You already know where we are, or if you speak to the TARDIS, she can tell you. April and Toshiko Sato are also here, which... well, you're working with Torchwood, you already know that too. Oh, he did write something in my journal, I hope no one took that too seriously... ::
He pauses a moment, glancing around the room. The problem with Thane is that Torchwood is far outclassed here. And sure, they have superior numbers, but getting someone or several someones killed to rescue the people here is not the Doctor's idea of an acceptable solution. :: I did get a look inside his head, though. Very briefly. ::It's... not promising. He offers up his impression of the general landscape of Thane's mind, all of it tinged with the Doctor's disgust, the anger he hasn't managed to shove away entirely. He's been considering it. He could probably break something in Thane's mind, if he's still touching April. The trouble with that is even with the boost April gives
( ... )
The Vesmier picks over that information, analysing it in the depth in which it's presented. Some shade of his own disapproval filters back through.
:: I spoke with Elashte, :: he sends back. :: He was :kind: enough to allow me to see the mechanisms by which he altered Captain Harkness' mind. I also took what I could from the minds of Captain Harkness' team which might be relevant. ::
Putting it all together, of course, is the big issue.
:: In the most simplistic terms, Instagur John Thane is a pocket of memories and experiences without contextual referent. There is an imposed but integrated framework placed in his psyche which serves to allow an otherwise nonpsychic mind to suppress, in totality, whatever is trapped beneath it. In trying to circumvent this, Elashte reversed the positions of suppressor and suppressed.
:: It is my understanding that Captain Harkness was concerned about the nature of his suppressed memories and their access to his conscious mind, even without knowing the mechanics involved. These memories,
( ... )
The Vesmier checks who it is with a quick mental brush. Under other circumstances he'd invite her in psychically, but she's given indications that she prefers vocal communication, so he gets up to open the door.
"Ms. Costello." He gives her the slight nod-bow indicating respectful meeting between peers or to a junior, not that he expects her to catch the nuances. His shadow... doesn't do much of anything as he steps back. Just what it's been doing since time immemorial. "Please, come in."
Suzie's good at nuances. "Vesmier." She returns the nod-bow, just a fraction deeper, held just a moment longer. Even if she's not familiar with Gallifreyan customs, gestures of respect are only polite. She's not coming to him as part of Torchwood right now, but as an individual who's hoping for assistance, and even if she's just guessing at protocol, the gesture should communicate as much.
"I hope this is a convenient time," she says, stepping inside and smiling faintly.
If the gesture didn't carry it, her mental presence would be enough to. He's not actively prodding around in her mind, but he makes it a habit to listen to projections and undercurrents.
"As convenient as can be expected," he says, motioning her to a chair. "You thought it prudent to talk."
It's a nudge for her to take the reins on the conversation. While he can guess at what she'd like, they're here at her request.
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:: Vesmier! :: he replies, tone artificially bright. He knows the Vesmier's likely to see right through that, but it's habit anyway. :: You did get my note, then. That's good - I wondered about that. ::
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:: I did. I'm working with Torchwood to retrieve you. Is there anything you can tell us? ::
The tone to the Doctor's thoughts is both encouraging and not. At least he's grounded enough to put on the appearance of being untouched, but the dark thread thrumming under it... is not so promising.
Reply
He pauses a moment, glancing around the room. The problem with Thane is that Torchwood is far outclassed here. And sure, they have superior numbers, but getting someone or several someones killed to rescue the people here is not the Doctor's idea of an acceptable solution. :: I did get a look inside his head, though. Very briefly. ::It's... not promising. He offers up his impression of the general landscape of Thane's mind, all of it tinged with the Doctor's disgust, the anger he hasn't managed to shove away entirely. He's been considering it. He could probably break something in Thane's mind, if he's still touching April. The trouble with that is even with the boost April gives ( ... )
Reply
:: I spoke with Elashte, :: he sends back. :: He was :kind: enough to allow me to see the mechanisms by which he altered Captain Harkness' mind. I also took what I could from the minds of Captain Harkness' team which might be relevant. ::
Putting it all together, of course, is the big issue.
:: In the most simplistic terms, Instagur John Thane is a pocket of memories and experiences without contextual referent. There is an imposed but integrated framework placed in his psyche which serves to allow an otherwise nonpsychic mind to suppress, in totality, whatever is trapped beneath it. In trying to circumvent this, Elashte reversed the positions of suppressor and suppressed.
:: It is my understanding that Captain Harkness was concerned about the nature of his suppressed memories and their access to his conscious mind, even without knowing the mechanics involved. These memories, ( ... )
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She taps gently on the doorframe, not wanting to interrupt if he's busy.
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"Ms. Costello." He gives her the slight nod-bow indicating respectful meeting between peers or to a junior, not that he expects her to catch the nuances. His shadow... doesn't do much of anything as he steps back. Just what it's been doing since time immemorial. "Please, come in."
Reply
"I hope this is a convenient time," she says, stepping inside and smiling faintly.
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"As convenient as can be expected," he says, motioning her to a chair. "You thought it prudent to talk."
It's a nudge for her to take the reins on the conversation. While he can guess at what she'd like, they're here at her request.
Reply
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