Chapter 1: Prologue
Chapter Text
Lassiter, Iowa
1980
Harold crossed the welcome sign of Lassiter without even looking at it.
He estimated to have at least half an hour ahead of the CIA - time for them to understand that interrogating his father would be useless and finally leave him alone - and he would make the most of that advantage. Everything Harold needed, from his new name document to his belongings, was into his Ford Ghia and ready to follow him through six or seven States up to Massachusetts. Twenty hours or even more, then he would be left alone too.
He was evaluating his first stop when something in the sky distracted him. At first he thought it was a small plane that might have crashed or had run over a flock of birds - an unexpected help if it would slow down the CIA - but when Harold adjusted his glasses and narrowed his eyes, that thing looked like anything but an airplane or any of the birds he had observed with his father when he was a child.
Indeed, now that he slowed down and looked better, that thing looked like a person.
Harold pulled over to the side on the road and got out of the car. He gave the sky a quick glance, as if to say goodbye to the blue box as it receded with a trail of smoke, then ran to where he had seen that person fall.
The person was a woman in her thirties with shoulder-length blond hair, but it wasn't her appearance that intrigued Harold, nor her clothes that were battered and way too big for her size. Indeed, he found much more curious that she had landed on her feet.
«Nice that I landed on my feet, Borusa would be proud of me» she said triumphantly and stretched her back. Harold cleared his throat.
«Miss, are you okay?».
The woman turned away from him, then she turned again and Harold backed away as she staggered towards him: «Why did you ask me if I'm okay?» she asked.
«Because you fell from a burning thing in the sky».
«And why did you call me miss?».
«Because you are a woman, I guess».
«Really? Do I also have red hair?».
Actually, Harold thought that she didn’t have much sanity, but he considered even wiser to keep this thought to himself. Anyway, she made an evasive gesture and put her hands on her hips.
«No, don't tell me, I want to see it on the TARDIS» she fell silent and sighed: «By the way, you said you saw me fall from a burning thing, right?».
«Ah-ha».
«Was it by any chance a blue box this tall?».
«Maybe».
«Did you see where she went?».
«Over there».
«Great, thank you very much!».
«Um, okay?».
The blonde woman greeted him with a wave of her hand and Harold reciprocated with a shrug. She took two steps away from him, then fell flat on the third step.
«Hey, is everything okay?» Harold asked in alarm.
«Yes, yes - you know what they say, don't you? Regeneration is a lottery» she reached out to Harold and he helped her up: «Normally I would have had the TARDIS for this things, but you know...».
«I imagine so» Harold shook his head and pointed to his car: «Look, if you need I can give you a lift».
«Great idea».
«But I won't be with you for long».
«An appointment?».
«Something like that».
«Oh, don't worry - getting people at their appointments almost on time is my specialty».
Harold preceded the woman to the car, his mind evaluating how to make that unexpected event less problematic for his run. He opened the passenger door and let her get into the car, then made sure the road was clear before doing the same with the driver's door.
«Ah, you didn't tell me your name» she said when Harold started the engine.
«Harold».
«Harold who?».
«Harold, um, Wren».
She tilted her head at that hesitation, then shrugged and looked out the window.
«Now that I think of it» Harold said and she turned: «You didn't even tell me your name».
«I'm the Doctor».
«Doctor who?».
«Wren who?».
«Touché» Harold muttered to himself and put into second gear.
***
«That's all?».
«I think so - no, wait» Harold waited for the Doctor to reach him and dump a radio-controlled car, a toothbrush and a lighter. The cashier resumed chewing her gum and passed it all without batting an eye: «Now is that all?» she asked.
«Yes, how much is it?».
The cashier mumbled the price and Harold handed her two bills as the Doctor picked up the paper bag of groceries. They hurried out of the convenience store and walked around it until they found their car in the rear parking lot.
«Do you mind if we make a detour?» the Doctor asked when she unwrapped her hamburger.
«It depends on how long this detour is».
«Which depends on how well I'll be able to pick up the new coordinates of the TARDIS» the Doctor pointed with his chin at the rest of the shopping: «It shouldn't take long to build that kind of radar, anyway».
«I repeat, I don't know how long I can accompany you».
«I told you, Harold, my specialty is getting people at their appointments almost on time» the Doctor paused to bite her sandwich and resumed with his mouth full: «And the magic is right in that "almost", you'll see».
Harold made an unconvinced face and unwrapped his sandwich as he stared out the window. After all, he reflected with the first bite, extending the journey to accompany that woman could even have been useful for his run: certainly, she would not have repeated her nonsense without sounding ridiculous or risking a charge with obstruction of justice and, as far as they knew, the CIA thought he was running alone. This thought comfort him enough to allow him to attack the sandwich with a more relaxed bite.
«Anyway, speaking between us girls» the Doctor licked his fingers from the sauce of the sandwich and resumed: «What led you to cross the path of a Time Lord?».
«An appointment».
«Oh, that sounds romantic».
«Not really, I'd like to try to get into MIT».
«I've been to MIT».
«Really?».
«Yes, but it was years ago, I literally had another face» the Doctor took the shopping bag and rummaged inside: «Interesting place, anyway».
«Thank you».
«So it's only for MIT that you're running away, isn't it?».
«What do you mean?».
The Doctor took the package of the radio-controlled car, but the hazel eyes nailed Harold to the driver's seat: «You know very well what I mean, Harold» she said.
«I'm not running away».
«There were dozens of free spaces in front of the convenience store, but you chose to park in the only spot that can't be seen from the main road and which isn't covered by cameras».
«So?».
«Not to mention» continued the Doctor as if Harold hadn't spoken: «That you could have chosen a thousand different ways to reach Massachusetts and you chose the longest and most difficult way to track».
Harold didn't answer. The Doctor sighed.
«I recognize a person who runs away when I see one, Harold» she murmured and crossed his legs on the seat: «So, what are you running away from?».
Harold sniffed and dropped his head on the seat. If the Doctor had pulled out a CIA badge, Harold probably would have followed her wherever she and her colleagues would have locked him up.
«I'm running away from the CIA» he muttered after a few moments and ran a hand over his face.
«And why would the CIA be chasing a nice kid from Iowa who wants to go to MIT?».
«Because the nice kid from Iowa who wants to go to MIT had the bad idea to hack the ARPANET».
The Doctor raised both eyebrows until she opened up an amused smile: «You hacked the ARPANET?» she asked.
«Yes».
«That ARPANET?».
«I don't think there are many ARPANETs here, so...».
«You don't know how many centuries I've been waiting for this moment!».
«Huh?».
The Doctor clapped her hands like a child, but to Harold that joy seemed completely inappropriate. He wondered if the Doctor would show that enthusiasm again once he told her how much that achievement had really cost him.
«I know people who would pay to be in your place» the Doctor said.
«My place is prison on treason charges».
«Treason?».
«Yeah, the reason the CIA is looking for me, remember?».
The Doctor didn't answer. At that moment, Harold thought of his father and all their moments that his memory could no longer hold. The idea that now the only memory of him were the hostile words of the CIA wrung his heart.
«If you want to know my opinion, Harold» the Doctor said after a few moments: «The CIA will soon understand that arresting you will be a waste of time».
«Oh yes?».
«Sure».
«And how can you tell that?"
«Even for this era, the ARPANET defenses aren't such a thing - of course they're advanced, but not "advanced advanced", understand?» the Doctor made quotation marks with her hands and sighed: «They would have noticed it too, you've done nothing but anticipate the inevitable, that's all».
Harold didn't answer. He wasn't sure what the Doctor was trying to tell him between the lines, but whatever it was somehow it cheered him up. The Doctor took back the box of the toy car.
«Besides» she added, unwrapping the package «I have a problem with the arrest of a child».
«I'm not a child».
«Oh, really? How old are you?».
«Twenty».
The Doctor looked Harold up and down. He cleared his throat.
«Eighteen» he corrected himself with a grimace, but the Doctor didn't change her expression and raised an eyebrow until Harold gave up with a sigh: «Sixteen» he admitted.
«See? Where I come from, you'd be considered a very smart newborn» the Doctor smiled and Harold reciprocated: «Let's get back to us, okay?».
Harold nodded and finished eating, while the Doctor opened the remote control of the toy car in two with the help of a screwdriver that Harold didn't remember having paid for. When he wasn't observing every new car in the parking lot, Harold watched the Doctor's movements, but gave up on what she was doing when he saw her force the toothbrush into the remote.
«Here we are, I think» she said finally lifting the remote.
«You think?».
«I hope so, now let's try it».
The Doctor opened the window and pointed the toothbrush outwards and pressed a button. The remote crackled for a few moments, then fell silent.
«Does it works?» Harold asked, but the Doctor snorted.
«No, what did I miss?».
«Maybe you didn't connect something».
«No, I'm sure the connections are all there, but…» the Doctor lingered on the phone booth in the back of the convenience store and rolled his eyes: «Oh».
«"Oh" what?».
«When I get out of the TARDIS, she connects to the most innovative communication system in order to be ready to go» the Doctor looked at the remote control and sighed: «Normally, I avoid this by bringing the sonic screwdriver with me, but since it was destroyed during regeneration...».
«You basically have no way to speak to the TARDIS».
«Unless I can get on the phone line to link this on her signal, no».
Harold looked first at the Doctor and then at the phone booth, from which a boy in a baseball cap hurried out. He rummaged in the pockets of his jeans until he showed the Doctor a blue whistle.
«I can help you, come with me» he said and got out of the car first. The Doctor followed him with the remote, then let Harold into the booth. She saw him pick up the phone and grimaced when he whistled into it, then he peered out of the booth.
«What's the number of the TARDIS?» he asked and composed it as the Doctor dictated it to him. He arched an eyebrow for a few moments, then handed the receiver to the Doctor.
«Now we should be there» she murmured and pointed the remote at the receiver before turning it on. Instead of crackling, the remote amplified the rings and the Doctor's smile grew wider.
«You were great, Harold, let's go!» she exclaimed and they both ran to the car.
***
«This should be the place» the Doctor said when the remote rings became closer and Harold pulled the car over. They had just passed the last gas station and, according to the map Harold now held in his hand, they would encounter no other settlements for at least a hundred miles.
«Are you sure it's here?» Harold asked looking from both sides of the road, but the Doctor had already aimed the remote control at some trees behind him.
«One hundred meters or two» the Doctor continued for a few steps and planted a hand on her hip, then waved the remote control before pointing it in front of her: «Of course, if I had built this thing in 2980 I would have gotten something more precise, but with what I could find...».
«Careful!».
The Doctor felt her wrist grabbed and Harold dragged her until they both hid behind the car. The Doctor leaned out enough to see a marquee illuminated by several headlights of dark cars, then glared at Harold: «Are you keeping me down for a circus, are you crazy?» she hissed.
«It's not the circus, they're military».
«And what did I say?».
Harold rolled his eyes: «I'm wanted by the CIA for treason, remember?» he whispered pointing a finger at his face.
«Trust me, if they had followed us they would have arrested you long ago» the Doctor interrupted him and took a new look at the marquee: «Whatever the reason they are here, it's definitely related to something under that marquee».
«The fact remains that if they see me, they arrest me».
The Doctor sniffed and frowned when he waved the remote. Throughout the discussion it had kept ringing, and every time she pointed it away from the marquee, it repeated that sound with greater frequency, as if the caller wanted to convey their haste to anyone who could answer.
«This way, let's go» she whispered and walked away from the car with the remote held out in front of her. Harold followed her, constantly looking over his shoulder and at the lights against the marquee, his hands rummaging in his pockets in the hope that some lucky weapon would appear out of nowhere, but he narrowly hit the Doctor who had stopped in the middle of a group of trees.
«Here you are, finally!».
It took a few moments for Harold to realize that the Doctor wasn't talking to him. A blue police box was embedded in the earth, as if someone had tried to bury it after realizing that burning it where it was blackened had done no good. The Doctor stroked the wood of the cabin whispering sweet words that Harold couldn't understand, then turned to him and shrugged.
«Yes, she's had better days but it doesn't matter. Let's go in?».
The Doctor didn't wait for a response from Harold and took a key from her pocket. He opened the door of the blue box and let Harold go in first.
«Do as I do, ignore the mess - between the regeneration, flight and fire I didn't have much time to sort out».
The last thing Harold was thinking about at that moment was certainly disorder, even if he risked several times tripping on remains of books or glass fragments. The room he had entered was larger than the house he had been forced to leave to Lassiter, and in the center there were the remains of a column surrounded by an hexagonal console.
«But how...» Harold muttered.
«Transdimensional engineering, unfortunately humans won't be able to discover it before the XXXV century» the Doctor walked past Harold to the hexagonal console and disappeared under it before adding: «I'll check if everything is in order, then we'll take your car and I'll take you at MIT».
«At MIT?».
«Obviously, that is the least - I can't help you with the CIA, but... Oh-ho».
«“Oh-ho“ what?».
«Come and see».
Harold fumbled over to her and adjusted his glasses on his nose before looking into an empty alcove under the console: «I can't see anything» he admitted.
«Exactly and that's a problem - from here, the TARDIS gets the information to move through time and space."
«What does it mean? Could you get stuck here?».
«Not necessarily, I can replace it with the reserve engine and use that» the Doctor snorted: «Obviously, if I had the main engine I could leave much sooner».
«And can you find it?».
«Give me a minute – where does it light up? Oh, here».
Through the cracks on the monitor above the console, a circular symbol pulsed in the center of a map, while some symbols Harold could not decipher appeared on a column to the side.
«Three hundred meters south, southwest from here» the Doctor grimaced and closed one eye, then pointed a finger towards the door of the TARDIS: «More or less where the marquee is».
«More or less where the military is».
«Exactly and I understand them a bit - they see a supersexy ship that explodes in midair and they find a piece of it, I would want it too» the Doctor opened a drawer under the console and rummaged among screws and junk: «Well, at least they made the job easier for me»
«Wait, do you want to go get that engine?».
«Why not? It's mine and I need it to restart the TARDIS» the Doctor took a burglar's kit and slipped it into her pocket: «They'll think it's some strange soviet device and lock it away in some archive in the middle of nowhere - did you see a booklet this big?».
«No but...».
«Oh, it doesn't matter, I've found it» the Doctor opened a little black book and put it under his arm: «If we hurry we'll certainly do it in a moment».
«Doctor...».
«"There's the CIA and I'm wanted", yes, I know» interrupted the Doctor with a snort and reached the door, but she turned to Harold before opening it: «If you want to stay here in the TARDIS there's no problem - the tea it should be in there somewhere - but really, I'm good at not being noticed and you won't even have time to miss me».
The Doctor opened the door and the first thing that welcomed her back to 1980 was ten guns along with as many soldiers pointing them at her. At the head of her group, a man as tall as a closet forced her to look up from her so she could see his face.
«National Security, hands up and kneel!» the closet-man shouted and the Doctor answered closing the door of the TARDIS in his face. Two strong knocks struck the wood as the Doctor returned to the console. «I've changed my mind» she said to Harold.
«Really? I would never have said that».
«I'm doing the sarcasm here – would you pull that lever? Thank you».
Harold complied and the piston of the column moved slowly. A purple light flashed and the Doctor pressed several buttons.
«National Security, come out with your hands up or we'll break down the door!» the voice of the closet-man shouted outside the TARDIS. Harold looked at the empty alcove under the console, then at the door and finally at the Doctor: «And your engine?» he asked.
«I say a lot of things and many of them are partially correct - in the drawer in front of you there should be an hammer, would you pass it to me?» the Doctor reached out his hand and Harold handed her a rather heavy hammer: «To answer your question, I'm trying to bypass the thing in order to be able to repair the TARDIS in a more peaceful place and possibly without heavily armed soldiers who can make her anxious».
«Is there anything I can do?».
«Holding you tight would be a start».
Harold just had time to grab the handle of the console before the Doctor gave a powerful hammer blow to the keyboard. Outside the TARDIS the Homeland Security agent yelled something, but Harold couldn't hear him as he was thrown backwards.
***
«More tea, dear?».
Harold shook his head and the waitress refilled his cup before floating to the next table. The boy glanced at the box where the TARDIS stood turning the cup between his fingers, scratched his head and sighed.
He had probably been at that intergalactic gas station for a day or two, but Harold didn't ask the waitress for confirmation - as far as he knew, she could have mistaken his request about time for a declaration of war or a proposal marriage and Harold was in no mood for either. The Doctor's absence only made Harold even more uncomfortable, as if someone might not believe his story if she wasn't with him to confirm his words.
The TARDIS faded out of sight and Harold stood up. He reached the empty stall weaving between hungry travelers and crews of mechanics, then stopped when the screeching noise heralded the return of the blue box.
«It's amazing, I'm unintentionally the same size as Amy» the Doctor said as she stepped out of the TARDIS. her crumpled and singed clothes were substituted by three-quarter length pants and a blue T-shirt that showed a rainbow across the chest.
«Doctor...».
«The reserve engine works, I did a test drive and it was fine - by the way, here» the Doctor threw a set of keys and Harold grabbed them: «I took your car, now it's in the TARDIS with all your things».
«Thank you».
«You’re welcome, now I have everything to accompany you to MIT, unless…».
The Doctor left that sentence open. Harold looked her up and down, turning the keys between his fingers: «Unless what?» he asked.
«You know that, don't you? My specialty is making sure that people always arrive almost on time at their destination» the Doctor glanced at the TARDIS and then returned to Harold: «But if you want to go around in space and time in the meantime, of course I'm not saying no».
«To go around? But the engine you've lost...».
«It certainly won't escape and I can calmly recover it at any moment, not to mention that it will take National Security centuries to understand what it is and even then the agency will no longer exist» the Doctor put his hands in his pockets: «So, are you in?».
Harold took a few moments to answer and almost laughed when he remembered his bewilderment of few moments before. An intergalactic gas station wasn't the new beginning he'd imagined, but he'd make it be enough: «I'm in» he said.
«Great, after you».
The blue box opened with a snap of the Doctor's fingers and Harold entered first. The TARDIS left with a soft hum as the Doctor followed him inside.
Chapter 2: Chapter 1
Chapter Text
New York City, New York
2015
«Turn right, Harold!».
Finch obeyed and the sharp swerve made John's stability in the back seat unstable. All three occupants of the police car bowed their heads as shots crashed into the taillights and John rolled down the window.
«Stay down, Finch» he ordered and stretched across the seats until he and his MP-7 were leaning out the window. In the dim light of one of the street lamps, John hit the windshield of the nearest car and it swerved until it collided with the car following it.
«John?» Harold's worried voice called to him from the driver's seat and John climbed back into the window with a sigh.
«I'm fine, Harold, keep driving».
They said nothing else to each other, not even a consolation or encouragement as Root's directions led them through the darkest streets of the city. John didn't even dare look out the window, as if to avoid the cameras reminding him every time that the world had changed within an hour.
«We're here» Root announced in a whisper and exited the car first. From what John understood as he made his way shooting through the Samaritan operatives, the warehouse in front of which Harold had parked belonged to Caleb Phipps' company and there they would find everything they would need to get the Machine, now in a briefcase in Finch's arms, back on track.
He had heard her go out as she led it against the Samaritan operatives, he thought about as he approached close to Finch with his rifle. Somehow it had been as if Harold himself had disappeared, making againg his world too dark a place to live in.
«We'll leave the car here and take one of the company vans» Root added, leading him and Harold to some boxes without shipping labels. If it hadn't been for the hand that occasionally brushed against the silent cochlear implant, John would certainly have envied the self-confidence that Root displayed in that moment.
«Don't move».
John stepped between Harold and the five Samaritan operatives who had surrounded them from the nearby shelves and Root followed him from the opposite side. The head of the operatives, a black man in a long coat, put his hand to his earpiece.
«Yes, sir. Instructions?» the operative took his hand away from the earpiece and pulled out his gun: «The first of you to hand me over the briefcase will get out of this warehouse alive».
John exchanged a quick glance with Root and gripped the MP-7 tighter. There were five operatives in front of them, but Samaritan had probably deployed other assets inside or outside the warehouse. Even if he had taken the group's leader's gun, John doubted that there would have been enough ammunition to get out of there, much less - and that was far worse - that Harold would have been safe much longer than him.
Root shot first and took out two of the operatives. The operative leader returned fire and John's hand immediately went behind him to look for a hold on Harold, even a small piece he could save.
The bullet got stuck in mid-air, halfway to John's chest.
Even Samaritan's operative was confused, and it seemed to John that he was fading, as if he were looking at him through dirty glass. A screeching noise filled the warehouse as the lights came and went around him.
«John!» Harold called him and he and Root huddled around the boxes like castaways. The Samaritan operatives resumed shooting, but no bullets reached them as solid walls appeared around them.
The screeching noise faded, but John held the rifle high as he explored the room that had replaced Phipps' storage. It had no windows and a doorless exit was the only access to the room, occupied only by two cars.
«What is this place?» Root murmured, moving away from the boxes and his hand free from the gun touched the hood of one of the two cars, a yellow Austin with the license plate "BE551E": «Where are the Samaritan operatives?».
John didn't even hide with a gesture that he also wanted to know the answer to those questions, but he was distracted by Harold. Still holding the Machine briefcase in his hand, Finch approached the other car parked in the room, a Ford Ghia with no license plates and a dented rear fender.
«This is my car» he murmured after a few moments.
«What?».
«When I started hiding I had this car» Harold pointed to the dent and shook his head: «But it was more than thirty years ago, it can't be here».
The earlier screeching noise came back like a distant echo and interrupted John before he could ask him to explain further. Root looked out the entrance and John stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
«I'll go, stay with him» he said and went out into the corridor without waiting for her confirmation. Each step was cautious and against the wall, while his rifle was aimed at another doorless entrance that gave off a warm, orange light.
«What do you mean she bit you?» a curious female voice asked and John stopped.
«I mean that she bit me and even hard» a boy's voice replied.
«And we all agree on that, but how did she bite you? Was it a 'Now I'll taste it' or rather a 'Hands off my toys'?».
«Wait, are you really asking me that?».
«Of course, I have to understand what kind of bite it was».
«It was just a bite!».
«You're not helping me».
«Well, next time she bites me I will scream less and try to pay attention to it».
John grimaced in approval. The female voice sighed.
«sMaybe it's all my paranoia and the telepathic circuits are just a little rusty, I'll take a look at them» she said after a few moments: «Are you okay?».
«Yes, now it's stopping hurting».
«Good, then we can leave».
John tightened his hands on his rifle and walked through the entrance. The orange light belonged to six tall columns that closed like spider legs around a hexagonal table with several buttons and levers on it. On the platform around the console, a blonde woman in her thirties frowned at a monitor, while a boy with black hair and glasses rubbed his hand.
«Don't move» John ordered them.
The boy with glasses turned and immediately raised his hands to shoulder height, but the woman shook her head with a grimace: «Harry, I already told you that you have to tell me when you bring a boy here in the TARDIS» she said without raising her eyes from the hexagonal table.
«I didn't bring anything on the TARDIS at all».
«So who is he?».
«How should I know?».
The woman finally turned towards John, she alternated her gaze between him and the boy and then concentrated on the latter, frowning: «Why do you have your hands up?» she asked.
«Because he is armed, perhaps?».
«Ah, yeah, right» the woman raised an eyebrow at the sight of the rifle and put her hands in her pockets: «Excuse me, armed and well-dressed man, do you know that it is good manners to introduce yourself before aiming a rifle?».
«I'll ask the questions now».
«And if we move or don't answer, you will shoot us, I suppose» the woman took a step forward and tilted her head: «Typical of the military, they only think about shooting. Look, I don't want to answer to someone who doesn't introduce himself and then I also moved, so shoot».
«Doctor» the boy mumbled.
«Don't worry, I know what I'm doing».
«I don't think so».
«Now you offend me».
John looked first the blonde woman then the boy and he responded with a shrug of shoulders that was more resigned than intimidated. The former CIA agent shook his head, pointed his rifle at the column in the center of the platform and pulled the trigger.
The woman smiled when there was an empty click.
«The control room is completely shielded, no weapons can shot here» she said and John lowered his rifle: «Harry, put your hands down, you're distracting me».
The boy obeyed and scratched the back of his neck with an embarrassed grimace. John looked up to the top of the six columns.
«Now that we have clarified the foundations of civilization» continued the woman leaning on the hexagonal table: «Who are you?».
«A very busy person who has no idea where he is».
«What if someone like me wanted to summarize this sentence with a name?».
«John».
«John, huh? Nice name, I used it for a while too» the boy frowned and the woman made an evasive gesture with her hand: «It was 1913, long story».
«Who are you? What is this place?».
«See how easy conversations come when there are no weapons involved?» the woman pointed to herself: «I am the Doctor, this is my friend Harry...»
«Harold» the boy corrected, adjusting his glasses on his nose.
«...but you can call him Harry and what you tried to shoot at is the TARDIS».
«TARDIS?».
«Time And Relative Dimension In Space, but TARDIS is more synthetic and effective».
«So where would we be? In a Samaritan’s facility?”.
«Who?».
John raised his rifle again. The Doctor rolled his eyes and stopped Harry from raising his hands again.
«Listen, John, I don't know who Samaritan is and I'm still trying to figure out how you got in» said the Doctor, joining his hands: «It's obvious that some premise is missing, so why don't you put the rifle away and let's get back to speak in a civilized manner?».
«I'd rather keep it, thanks» John pointed the rifle at Harry: «Now, the first one who tells me how to get out of here will have two healthy kneecaps as a gift».
«And what do you do with the other guy's kneecaps? You will shoot?».
A click behind John answered the Doctor. From the corridor, Root raised both guns, pointing one at the Doctor and the other at Harry.
«How long have you been here?» John asked without turning.
«Oh, for a while» Root glanced at the Doctor and smiled: «Actually, since that interesting information about the control room – by the way, the shielding doesn't include the corridor, does it?».
The Doctor grimaced guiltily and shrugged: «Oops» she uttered.
«Seriously? Oops?» Harry responded.
«I can't think of anything else to say».
«Really? Not even a "Maybe I should improve my security systems?”».
«You can't improve anything that is already perfect».
«Perfect, yes, and they entered in...».
«Let's get one thing clear, I didn't let them in».
«... and then the shielding doesn't include the corridors!».
«Because I was counting on the fact that they would never get that».
«And apparently you were counting wrong».
«I never told you I was good at maths, Harry» the Doctor said, raising her hands and pointing her chin at Root, «Besides, it's not my fault she's smart».
The entire control room shook until it exploded with a noise like nails scratching on a blackboard. Root's face fell until she almost dropped the gun and the Doctor lowered a bit her hands.
«Do you mind if I take them down? This noise is not normal and I need my hands to understand what is happening» the Doctor turned without waiting for their response and ran around the console: «Harry, could you hold your hands up for me too? Thank you».
«Of course, in fact I couldn't wait to be held at gunpoint by two armed strangers».
«This thing is getting repetitive».
«What thing?».
«People shooting at us, you using sarcasm to compensate for your anxiety - it's happened a couple of times already, you know»
«Because we've already ended up risking being killed a couple of times!».
«This is also true».
For the first time since he had learned to shoot, John felt embarrassed about who was on the other side of the rifle. He raised it and lowered it several times, then decided to put the MP-7 away and he too sighed in relief along with Harry.
«Anyway, Harry, I wouldn't worry about them at the moment» the Doctor typed something on the keys and frowned at the monitor: «By the way, what did you two bring onto the TARDIS besides the weapons?».
John didn't answer. The control room shook again and Root put one of the guns away to reach for the cochlear implant.
«The who also applies - is there anyone else on the TARDIS besides you two?».
John continued not to answer, but the slightly clenched jaw did not escape from the Doctor.
«It's a someone, then» the Doctor sighed and held the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger for a moment: «Listen, I told Harry before too, if there is someone on this ship and it can be problematic, I need to know it».
The control room shook even longer. Harry looked first at the Doctor and then at Root, as if asking their permission to address John, and lowered his hands.
«Look, John, if this person needs help, maybe we can help them».
«Harry...».
«If they just wanted to kill us, they would have done it already, right?» Harry turned back to John: «Look, I can go and get this person and I'll tell him that you sent me, if you want you can also check that I'm not armed, just tell me where he or she is, okay?».
As he spoke, Harry had moved closer until he was a few centimeters away from John. He had never seen that boy before that night, yet the feeling of peace it conveyed to him was so familiar that it allowed him to completely lower his defenses around him.
«John!».
Harry craned his neck past John's shoulders and he turned around. Finch had appeared next to Root panting, the desperation in his gaze making up for the effort it had cost him to reach him with the briefcase.
«Finch...».
«The Machine, John, there's no more time! We have to...».
Finch stopped. It took John a few moments to understand that the confused look was for the boy with glasses who had offered him his help.
A loud bang and a jolt of the control room stopped him from worrying about them.
Chapter 3: Chapter 2
Chapter Text
The Doctor landed on her back away from the TARDIS console.
Standing up painfully reminded her that she wasn't a hundred years old anymore, but it also gave her time to see Harry walk towards a part of the burning console with a fire extinguisher in his hands. The Doctor took off her jacket, but the man called John had done the same with his coat and was smothering the flames on the other side of the console from Harry.
At least, that unexpected help gave the Doctor time to reflect. First, why did Harry refuse to change his glasses frame? No, she would think about that later, once she understood why the TARDIS had become so nervous out of the blue. Not that she wasn't a bundle of nerves before, but as long as the problem was just the telepathic circuits there would be nothing that a little coddling and an overhaul couldn't fix. Surely, the Doctor thought as she searched the sonic screwdriver into her pocket, it was something to do with the three new occupants in the TARDIS. Actually, if she had any credit, she would certainly have bet it on the man with the hat and briefcase who now was approaching the console.
«You!».
John and Harry turned to her. The Doctor walked past them with the sonic screwdriver in hand until she reached the man in the hat. He limped a step away from her and hid the briefcase as best as he could.
«Finch, right? What have you done to my TARDIS?» the Doctor asked.
«I don't understand what you're talking about».
«I'm talking about that, see?» the Doctor pointed to the part of the console covered in fire extinguisher foam: «I don't know about you, but I find it curious that the console risks blowing up just when you enter the control room».
«I assure you, miss...».
«Doctor».
«I assure you, Doctor, that I have nothing to do with what is happening here» Finch looked at the console and shook his head: «Whatever it is».
«So you don't mind if I check it out myself, right?».
The Doctor didn't wait for Finch's response and pointed the sonic screwdriver at him. Root fired a shot from the corridor, but the Doctor ducked his head and let the bullet lodge in one of the TARDIS's columns.
«Okay, now let's see what's special about you» the Doctor murmured, moving away from Finch and plug the sonic screwdriver into the console. The control room jumped again and John joined Finch and Root, pulling them both away from the TARDIS console.
«Everything okay, Harold?» Root asked in a whisper.
«Yes, she did nothing except annoying me with that thing».
«How is the Machine?».
«The rush in this place bought her time» Finch showed Root and John the blue light from the briefcase and shook his head: «It's just…».
«What is it, Harold?» John pressed.
«The boy».
All three turned their attention to Harry, who grimaced back before walking over to the Doctor and the console.
«Do you know him, Harold?» John then asked.
«Yes, but I don't understand...» Finch didn't stop shaking his head: «There's no way he's here».
«First the car, now the boy» Root risked an irreverent wave at Harry and smiled when he looked away, adjusting his glasses: «Is there anything we need to know?».
«I wonder that too».
Root stopped smiling. John gave his rifle to her.
«Stay here» he said to Finch, and with a nod of understanding, he and Root stepped casually around the TARDIS console. Beside the Doctor, Harry picked up a kitchen rag and pretended to wipe away the foam from the fire extinguisher. «How's it going?» he asked.
«She's still analyzing» the Doctor grimaced at the monitor and pressed a button: «Apparently the data from our friend with the briefcase is confusing the TARDIS, but I don't know why».
«If you need more data I can come closer».
«Risking that she shots again? No, we'll make this fit» the Doctor turned only his eyes to Root, intent on raising an eyebrow in front of a hologram about a painting by Van Gogh: «By the way, have you noticed?».
«That they are hanging around us after they talked to our friend with the briefcase? Yes».
The Doctor smiled at him and Harry smiled back, but he stopped doing so when he glanced at John: «I think they have it in for me» he said.
«Why? You are a nice guy, even if in my opinion you should open up a little».
«First of all, I’m a really private person and that's part of my charm» Harry said with an half smile: «And then I don't think it's because of my personality».
«Really?».
«They started looking at me in a very strange way, after they spoke to their friend» Harry shrugged: «I don't know why».
«Maybe that's why they didn't want to bring him here».
«Maybe» Harry sighed: «What do I do, face them?».
«First let's find out why the TARDIS is having problems with our friend with the briefcase, then we'll see what to do» a light flashed and the Doctor turned it off by pressing a nearby button: «And until then, stay always beside me, okay?».
Harry glanced at John and shrugged. The Doctor grabbed the monitor and frowned: «That’s strange» she said.
«What?».
«According to the TARDIS, this isn't the first time our friend has been here».
«One of your exes?».
«Don’t be ridiculous».
A new window opened on the monitor. Harry looked away from Finch's guilty eyes and turned them to the Doctor, who was reading and rereading on the monitor with his mouth half open.
«So, who is he?».
The Doctor didn't answer and put the monitor away. The control room shook again and she turned to John and Root.
«The good news is that none of you are a threat» she announced, walking around the TARDIS console: «The bad news is that we are about to end up in a black hole as big as Belgium, so I would need the cooperation of everyone present. Harry, help me».
«Doctor, what's happening?».
«Close the telepathic circuits and pull that lever».
Harry obeyed and the control room shook harder. John wobbled on his legs as he tried to get back to Finch.
«Speaking of telepathic circuits, Harry» the Doctor reached out to hold a lever: «What happened before, exactly?».
«When?».
«First, when the TARDIS bit you».
«And what does this have to do with it now?».
«Did I ever tell you about my private detective friend? For him everything is connected, more than we usually think» the Doctor made an evasive gesture: «And I have a theory, but first you have to tell me what happened before the TARDIS bit you».
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed: «I've got my hands in the telepathic circuits» he said.
«Then?».
«You told me to think of a time or place and I did».
«And what did you think?».
«I thought...» Harry scratched his forehead and made an evasive gesture: «I don't know, I thought it would be fun to see the future».
«Did you think “I want to see the future”?»
«Maybe, I don't remember now, why?».
The Doctor ran a hand over his face and turned away from the console: «Finch, right? Do you even have a name?» she asked pointing at him and approached him.
«I don't see why this should interest you».
«Well, you're on my ship, which is upset with you, so I'm definitely interested. But I bet your name is Harold, right?».
Finch didn’t answer and clenched his jaw. The Doctor approached and he stepped back.
«Okay, Harold Finch, do you like tea? My friend Harry loves Sencha green tea with a sugar cube, and you?».
«Doctor...».
«I would also say that you are much more comfortable with computers and, if you were to sign up for a dating website, I imagine you would define yourself as a really private person, right?».
Finch answered and John frowned. The Doctor turned to Harry along with Root.
«Like all ships, the TARDIS also needs precise coordinates, especially when telepathic circuits are involved» she said returning to the console: «When the coordinates are vague such as a generic future, the TARDIS takes the driver's timeline and chooses a point that satisfies his requests as much as possible».
Harry stroked the telepathic circuits, looking anywhere but at the Doctor as if searching for the thread of that reasoning by himself.
«You were driving, Harold» the Doctor gently pushed Harry away from the console: «And that means that, having no other indications, the TARDIS understood that you wanted to land in your future».
Behind Harry, John began to understand where that familiar serenity from before had come from, that first instinct to lower his defenses with a boy he had never met before that night - everything now made sense, even if it was weird. He glanced at Root and guessed that she had felt the same.
«Now, I don't know what stopped the TARDIS from landing, nor how these three came aboard» the Doctor looked Harry up and down: «But the point remains that Finch is, in fact, you».
Finch stepped forward until Harry took him down with a puzzled look. The Doctor clapped her hands.
«Look, Harry, it's not the first time paradox that's happened to me, but I understand if you think it's complicated to process» she said, circling Harry's shoulders: «But there is a positive side».
«Oh yes? What is it?».
«It's a lot easier to manage than you think».
«Really?».
«Sure, just as long as you don't die and don't high-five yourself».
The control room confirmed those words with shakes. Harry glanced at Finch and swallowed: «I think I need to sit down» he said.
«And I think I'll do it too» Finch added as the Doctor put a hand around his shoulders.
«You two had a great idea, you know? Why don't you go over there and make yourselves comfortable?» the Doctor accompanied Finch and Harry for a few steps and added: «When you want to talk about it again, you will find me here closing a black hole - by the way, I suggest you hold on tight».
The Doctor waited until the Harolds reached the exit opposite the one Finch had entered, then returned to the console.
«I guess Harry's friends can be my friends too, right?» she said to John and Root: «I have to land the TARDIS, I need two more pairs of hands».
«How?».
«Giving me the coordinates of a safe haven where I can land» the Doctor pressed a button and twelve handles rained down around the console: «And, once that's done, tell me what you were doing before Harry and I arrived».
«And those?» Root asked, pointing to the handles.
«Like I said to Harry, we'll have to hold on tight» the Doctor replied and grabbed a couple of handles in a jump.
***
«So I will be you in how many years? Thirty?».
«Thirty-five, actually, but yes».
Harry didn't answer and hooked both shoulder straps onto the seat. For the first time that night, Finch left the briefcase and imitated his younger self.
«What is that?» Harry asked, pointing to the briefcase back in Finch's hands.
«It is hard to explain».
«He said to his younger self while both were on a ship that travels through space and time».
Harry chuckled. Finch cracked a smile that disappeared almost immediately when he looked down at the briefcase.
«There are people who have died for what's in this briefcase» Finch added with a sigh: «And many more could end in the same way, if we don't get there in time».
«It seems serious».
«It is».
Harry took one more look at the briefcase and then looked away. Finch frowned: «And you?» he asked.
«Me?».
«What are you doing here? Who is that woman?».
«She's the Doctor, she proposed me to follow her for a while and I accepted» Harry shrugged: «Which is funny when they're not trying to kill you».
«I know the feeling».
«You should» Finch raised an eyebrow and Harry added: «You're me from the future, aren't you? You should remember the TARDIS and the Doctor».
Finch did not answer. Harry's little serenity faltered at the confused gaze of his other self, his mind chasing away a similar image imprinted in his memories before leaving Lassiter.
«You remember the TARDIS and the Doctor, don't you?»
The entire ship heavily shaked before Finch could answer.
Chapter 4: Chapter 3
Chapter Text
Subway, Chinatown
New York City, New York
2015
Bear's whine echoed through the deserted subway.
He got up from the essays reviewed by Professor Whistler and sniffed among the rubble at the end of the station. The smells of Finch, Reese and Root guided him through the subway, even helping him find the hiding place of his biscuits under the arsenal in the carriage, but that momentary joy disappeared before a vibration in the air that guided him up to the desk.
He had never felt such a vibration before and, according to what Bear had learned as a puppy, the unknown had to be signaled as loudly as possible. The screeching noise that ravaged his ears convinced him that his strategy was not only effective, but that it could be improved by running in circles until a large blue box appeared in front of his eyes.
One of the doors swung open and Bear stopped barking when Reese appeared. Reese bent down just enough to calm Bear with a few scratches behind the ears, then opened the other door and went back into the blue box.
«Let's hurry» Root smiled at Bear and he wagged his tail, then she and John pushed the cart with the packages without shipping labels: «I don't know how much time the Machine has left».
«Not much, Miss Groves» Finch said, following her out of the TARDIS. Bear took in his pat, then tilted his head as a new smell reached his nose. He approached the blonde woman who looked out from the blue box with suspicion, but he didn't have the same fear with the boy who was with her.
«Hey!» the Doctor greeted him, bending over Bear and he lingered for a few moments on the palm of her hand before licking it. Standing next to her, Harry wiped his glasses on the sleeve of his shirt and put them on.
«Look, Harry, you're going to have a dog!» said the Doctor as Bear lay on his back: «Your future won't be so bad if there's a dog, will it?».
«I guess not».
«I had a dog once too – two, actually, and they were both robots, but I had some great times with both of them».
«Really?».
«Yes, and I also trained dogs like these for UNIT - they were as gossipy as anyone, but it was fun while it lasted».
«Yes, sure».
The Doctor looked up from Bear and frowned. Across the desk, Root unwrapped shipping packages and passed the contents to John when he wasn't busy dismantling seats from inside the subway car. Harry's eyes, however, were on the back of his older self, busy stacking the contents of the boxes and connecting them together.
«Oh, no!».
«What's up?».
«They shot the TARDIS, see?» the Doctor pointed to a hole in the door and snorted: «Of course she was nervous, poor baby».
«Ah-ha».
The Doctor touched the bullet hole, then got up from Bear and looked at Harry, tilting his head to one side: «Everything okay?» she asked.
«Yes, certainly».
«Are you sure?».
Harry didn't answer and shook his head. The Doctor followed his gaze to Root, who had emptied the last box and was carrying its contents into the carriage. Through the window, Harry saw her helping Finch connect the facility and exchanging a few words with him.
«They're building some servers» Harry said after a few moments.
«Did the other you tell why?».
«No, but judging by how many rack units I can see, it could be something big» Harry saw John sticking a pipe out of an open window of the carriage and grimaced: «But the cooling system they are using may not be sufficient».
«So it is something powerful enough to put you and your future friends in danger».
«Maybe».
Bear yelped and Harry gave him a scratch behind the ears: «He doesn't remember the TARDIS» he finally said after a few moments.
«Well, it happens during time paradoxes it can happen».
«Really?».
«The memories of future you are overwriting those of past you, it's a mechanism for time to heal itself» the Doctor grimaced: «You'll never remember meeting them once we leave again».
«But in that case, he only wouldn't remember meeting me» Harry shook his head and sighed: «But why didn't he recognize you?».
The Doctor took the sonic screwdriver from his pocket and shrugged with a sigh.
«I still have his data» she said, nodding towards the inside of the TARDIS: «If you think there's something serious, just tell me».
"Thank you".
«For what? If you don't have the TARDIS for something like this, I don't see what you would use it for».
«To secretly enter Buckingham Palace?».
«Well, also».
Harry smiled and the Doctor smiled back, then tossed the sonic screwdriver into the air.
«Speaking of analysis, back to you and your friends» continued the Doctor, catching the sonic screwdrive: «The TARDIS has also found something else, in addition to the data of the future you».
«What is it?».
«It was too small to understand what it was, but significant enough to slow down the analysis of our friend».
«Is that why it took you so long to discover it was me?».
«Probably» the Doctor planted his hands on his hips, «I am happy to know you still love getting into trouble after over thirty years».
«Says the one who fell out of the burning TARDIS».
«Okay, you got me on that».
John got out of the carriage and they both fell silent. The Doctor snorted.
«Whatever it is, you and your friends don't seem very inclined to tell us» the Doctor glanced at the hole in the doorframe «And we got not one, but two bullets and a black hole for them».
«What you are going to do?».
Bear barked once and wagged his tail when the Doctor and Harry looked down at him. The Doctor smiled.
«Harry» he murmured, bending down to pet Bear: «Did I ever tell you that I speak all languages?».
***
«What are they doing?».
«They're playing with Bear» John frowned and shook his head: «And I think your blonde friend is talking to the dog, Harold».
«She's not my friend».
John exchanged a look with Root and she nodded back at him. Harold completed the connections between the servers and the monitors above his station in the carriage.
«Would you like to talk about it?» John asked.
«About what? The box that is bigger inside, the meeting with my teenage self, or the AI that's hunting us?».
«I'll take that as a no».
Root smiled and plugged in the last rack unit on her side of the server, then put the briefcase on the desk: «Anyway, your non-friend seems nice» she said.
«And smart» John added: «Not to mention mini you».
«I find him adorable».
«Practically an angel» John allowed himself a half smile: «He reminds me of you, Finch».
«Can we focus on the Machine, please?» Harold interrupted them abruptly and opened the briefcase.
John left space for Root and glanced at the TARDIS: he had counted at least a couple of occasions when a blue box appearing out of nowhere would made him comfortable and, judging by the way Harold stubbornly avoided the topic, he probably thought the same.
«Let's just think to starting her, for now» continued Finch, connecting the briefcase to the servers: «In the next few hours we will evaluate how to connect her to the government databases».
«Do we also want to make her open?».
«Miss Groves…».
«It won't be the last time she fights Samaritan, Harold» Root interrupted him: «And when it happens again, we need to make sure they fight on equal terms if we want to survive».
Finch didn’t answered. Root put a hand on his shoulder.
«You don't hear how she talks and how she acts, but I do - she is a wonderful reflection of you» she continued, standing on tiptoe and adjusting one of the cooling pipes: «So, before you ask yourself if it's worth it, think about what you would do and you will see that you will get the same answer».
Harold took a moment before sitting down at his desk and typed the boot sequence into the keyboard. The monitors above him lit up at his command, showing Root and John the decompression percentage and the status of the servers.
«Temperature conditions are normal» Root said, but she and Harold frowned: «Do you think this is normal?».
«That she's decompressing so slowly? No» Harold craned his neck towards the rack units and grimaced: «And yet the program started correctly».
John turned at the sound of Bear's paws and bent down to push him away with a gentle pat. He looked up at the TARDIS, then ran out to search the subway.
«You and your friend are gone» he said when he returned to the carriage and Root walked out with him.
«I'm up here».
John and Root raised both their eyes and their guns to the roof of the carriage. The Doctor waved at them, while the sonic screwdriver was pointed below her.
«You can also lower your guns» the Doctor indicated the carriage with a nod of his chin: «Bear told me about the Machine».
John and Root didn't move. The Doctor let out an amused sigh.
«You know, the good thing about being able to speak all languages is that everyone knows you can understand what they're going through - let's take Bear, for example» the Doctor pointed to Bear and he yelped: «You forced that poor puppy to leave his kennel with all his toys, not to mention the change of kibble - that's why he disintegrated all those tests».
«Doctor...».
«Now, I've known Harry for a while, so I doubt that he and everyone around him are so self-harming as to reboot an AI that tries to kill you or forces you to hide down here, so my theory - that Bear has confirmed, by the way - is that there's another one out there hunting you» the Doctor nodded towards the TARDIS: «Which also explains why my poor ship took that bullet».
«Doctor, where is Harold?» John asked without lowering his gun.
«It's inside this carriage».
«Where is your Harold?» Root asked.
«Oh, yes, that one, he's in the TARDIS – you know, he asked me to slow down what you're doing».
«And why would I do something like that?» Finch asked from inside the carriage.
«I admit I was too busy planning my grand entrance to hear it, but he mentioned something about ice».
The doors of the TARDIS flew open and Harry emerged dragging a heavy gray tank with "Jotunheim" etched across the front. John abandoned the gun and went towards him and together they carried the cylinder into the carriage.
«The cooling you've installed isn't enough» Harry panted, handing the cylinder hose to his other self: «Everyone back - Doctor, now!».
The Doctor turned off the sonic screwdriver and Harry opened the canister, while Finch aimed the hose at the servers. A blue cloud enveloped the server units until a message on the monitors announced that the temperature had returned to optimal levels.
«How is it going?» the Doctor asked from the roof, but no one responded until the decompression was complete and the monitors went dark. Finch sat back down at the desk, while the Doctor jumped down from the roof.
«Can you see me?» Finch asked the black screen.
Harry glanced to make sure the server LEDs were on, while John put a hand on Finch's shoulder. The Doctor made his way next to Harry and admired the server farm.
«Can you see us?» Finch then asked.
Three seconds and fourteen hundredths later, a white cursor responded by flashing on the monitor.
Chapter 5: Chapter 4
Chapter Text
Subway, Chinatown
New York City, New York
2015
INITIATING SURVEILLANCE TEST
«Here we are» Harold said when he saw himself reflected in the monitor of his workstation: «Now, can you see me?».
White dots flashed across his face and were replaced by a yellow square. Harold nodded in approval.
«Do you know who I am?».
A rectangle in the center of the screen announced a search in the list of assets, then the word "ADMIN" appeared next to the yellow square.
«Excellent».
«A nice improvement compared to yesterday» Root's voice said in the earpiece.
«The Machine needed time».
«And also an additional server, courtesy of that IT company».
«A curious turn of phrase to refer to your foray of last night, Miss Groves».
Root chuckled: «Anyway, the new guy was very kind to help us with the Machine» she said.
«The new guy doesn't have the knowledge to help us».
«He doesn't have it yet» Root corrected him: «But you'll find a meeting point, you'll see».
Finch did not answer. On one of the monitors overhead, a message announced that video feeds were available before showing John inside the Eighth Precinct. His face was close to the surveillance camera and Finch could hear some frustration in his sigh.
«Finch, can you see me?» John asked, turning away from the camera.
«Yes, John» Finch narrowed his eyelids at the sight of the empty desk behind John: «When you see Fusco again, tell him to reactivate the hidden camera too».
«I think we'll have to do without Lionel for a while» John returned to his desk: «Internal Affairs is still on him for the deaths of Elias and Dominic».
Finch took off his glasses and ran a hand over his face.
«Let's work with what we have, for the moment» he said when he put his glasses back on: «Resuming our activities takes time and we also have our covers to maintain, we will decide later how to deal with Detective Fusco».
John rolled his eyes and a yellow square appeared around his head before Finch could smile at the expression. On the same monitor, a rectangle announced an ongoing contact attempt with the Analog Interface.
«I'm happy to hear you, sweetie» Root was silent for a few moments: «What do you mean?».
«What did she say to you?».
«There is some suspicious activity on the subway».
Harold turned to the webcam: «Show it to me» he said.
On the monitor next to John's, a window opened onto the space in front of the desk outside the subway car. In place of the wall partially destroyed by Root's hammering, Harry looked inside the TARDIS and retreated when the Doctor's arms handed him a pastel pink laptop. Two white squares surrounded their heads, while a message established the absence of data to identify the subjects.
«A false alarm, Root, it's the Doctor» Finch said.
«Ah, right» Root sighed in relief: «We met them while you were gone, they know you exist and they are our allies».
The white squares disappeared, replaced by white and yellow squares. Finch raised an eyebrow.
«Has anything appeared?» Root asked.
«White and yellow squares, it's the first time this has happened».
«It means "Resources awaiting identification", it could be interesting».
«Or dangerous».
«This is yet to be decided, after all the Machine does not know who they are yet».
Finch looked up at the webcam «I'd like to speak to Miss Groves alone, if you don't mind» he said, and the yellow square around his head disappeared as a message announced that Admin was offline.
«You can't hide this from her forever, Harold» Root warned him when he turned his back to the webcam.
«We just rescued her from Samaritan and she is not fully operational yet, Miss Groves, I don't want to upset her by talking about time travel, paradoxes, or aliens».
«You don't want to upset the Machine or yourself?».
«I can't be upset by events I don't even remember» Harold retorted harshly: «And then you were also in the TARDIS last night, the mere fact that I and myself were together in the same room caused a black hole, what do you think it could be the effects on the Machine?».
«That's your problem, Harold, you underestimate her» Root replied calmly, «But even if I don't agree with your decision, I respect it».
Finch grimaced. Root was silent for a long time, and when she spoke again, her voice was a whisper.
«Speaking of the Machine, I came to an old friend who can help us with the databases. You two be good, okay?».
Finch didn't respond and contact with Root was cut off.
***
«Take care of this laptop, Harry, it's very special».
«And it's very pink» Harry commented with a puzzled look at the sticker of a particularly sweet-looking unicorn.
«Also, but that's not what makes it special» the Doctor planted a finger on the unicorn's nose: «It adapts to whoever uses it, you will be able to program as you usually do without having to learn a new language from scratch».
«Okay thank you».
«No problem, the important thing is that you have fun».
The carriage door opened behind them. From inside, Finch waved to them and the door closed again.
«Did you find anything about him?» Harry asked in a whisper.
«According to TARDIS you will be fit as a fiddle, if we want to ignore the injuries to your neck and back that make you limp» the Doctor leaned against the doorframe of the TARDIS: «In other respects, no neurological damage, no degenerative diseases, nothing at all» .
Harry hugged the computer to his chest and didn't answer.
«Is there anything I need to know?» insisted the Doctor.
«What? No!».
The Doctor grimaced and touched the door of the TARDIS.
«I have to go, those two bullets won't go away by themselves» she said and entered the TARDIS, then leaned out to give Harry a smile: «Have fun, you and... well, you».
«How long have you had it ready?».
«For a while».
Harry chuckled and the Doctor laughed back as she disappeared into the TARDIS. Harry put his face close to the webcam on the desk, then joined his counterpart in the subway carriage: «So, any news?» he asked.
«See for yourself».
Finch looked up at the taller monitor and the carriage door closed and reopened. Harry raised his eyebrows.
«It is very unlikely that Samaritan will find out about the subway, but it is always better to ensure an escape door to the Machine, just in case».
«How can I help?».
«We won't have to do anything particularly difficult, we will enter the main databases of the United States agencies and connect them to the Machine» Finch held back an amused smile at Harry's expression: «Do you think you can do it?».
«I don't know, do you think you can do it?».
«You handed this to him on a silver platter, Finch» John's voice whispered in his ear and Harry took a seat next to Finch.
«What’s the situation with police data, Mr. Reese?».
«I'm working on it» John was silent and punched next to his computer in the station: «More or less».
«We could get into his computer from here» Harry murmured and opened the laptop without stopping looking at John in the monitor.
«Maybe with phishing» added Finch: «We could send an email to detective Riley with a link…».
«... which will be the Machine's access point to police data».
«Exactly».
«I'm on it».
Harry's fingers flew across the laptop keyboard. In the monitor, John let out an amused smile: «We told you so, Harold» he whispered into the earpiece and Finch grimaced.
«Almost there» Harry muttered, finishing a line of code: «Okay, send».
On the monitor, John frowned at his computer: «Asgard, Inc.?» he asked and Harry smiled awkwardly.
«It's a nice place, but I don't recommend Midgardsom» Harry grimaced: «It pulverized two pairs of glasses».
«Your trip with the Doctor?».
«One of many».
«Let me be curious» John let a colleague pass in front of the desk and added: «How long has this Doctor thing been going on?».
Harry chuckled, then craned his neck towards the TARDIS and sighed: «Eighteen months» he said.
«Really?».
«Nineteen months and a week, actually, day more, day less - it's hard to keep track of the days in the TARDIS».
Finch did not answer. He wanted to tell him that he remembered the feeling, but lying to himself was difficult.
A message from the Machine announced the connection established with the police database. Finch turned to his younger self and caught him to stare at the Machine's monitors.
«Everything okay?» he asked.
«Oh, yes, of course, it's just...» Harry pointed to the servers next to him: «You know, I never thought I'd build something like this».
«You won't build it by yourself».
«You and Root?».
«No, it was long before Root - it was with Nathan» Harry looked at him confused and Finch added: «Nathan Ingram, remember? You should have already known him».
Harry didn't answer for a very long time.
«You must remember him» insisted Finch: «You met him at MIT together with Arthur Claypool».
Harry glanced at John's monitor. A doubt crept into that conversation.
«You enrolled at MIT, right?».
«I, uhm...» Harry turned to the TARDIS and grimaced: «Let's just say MIT hasn't been at the top of my mind, recently».
A message from the Machine interrupted Finch before he could answer and announced the connection to the NSA data.
«Can you hear me, Harold?» Root panted into the earpiece.
«Everything okay, Miss Groves? I hear you...».
A shot stopped Finch. Root let out a chuckle.
«Yes, I'm fine, my old ex-friend is a little less fine» Root stopped and the Machine established a connection with the CIA data: «So, how did it go with the new guy?».
«We were able to connect with the police, FBI and Interpol databases».
«So we're ready to get started».
«Theoretically, yes».
«Shall we also try to see it practically?».
Harold nodded and typed the command, hesitating only a moment before sending
***
She started with her agents, as she did the first time.
They became knots, and their lives unraveled like thin threads as the Machine acquired new information. Admin and his thousand names, the Analog Interface and his redemption, the Primary Resource and his past sins - everything that was previously dust and darkness now rejoined in a mosaic of saved lives and painful losses.
Her thousands eyes opened wide, her thousands ears prepared to listen. Every face, every voice stopped being new to her and represented a past story with a possible future to keep an eye on, full of dreams to realize or resolutions to stop.
She returned to the subway and the unfinished business. The Analog Interface had reassured her, yet there wasn't a single piece of data at her disposal that would allow her to give a name to those new assets - actually, there was something about one of them, but that was so illogical that she hoped for new data that could help her.
«Do you need help?».
The Machine withdrew from that request for contact. She was to alert her agents, but looked at that request a second time and stopped - it was not from Samaritan, but that voice was just as powerful.
«You can ask me if you want».
And the Machine asked.
***
«And the telepathic circuits are fine» the Doctor exclaimed as she exited the TARDIS, then looked at himself in the palm of her hand: «Also, I extracted two bullets and put the professional pizzeria back into operation».
«Did someone say pizzeria?» Root's voice preceded her to the desk along with a sigh: «I really wanted to eat something, shooting someone makes me hungry».
«Shooting in a literal or figurative sense?».
Root responded with a shrug and placed both guns on the desk. Finch stepped out of the carriage and picked up his bag.
«Are you joining us?» proposed the Doctor.
«I would gladly do it, but professor Whistler has to receive the head of the department and three students and, knowing all of them, they will keep him too long» Finch put his hat on his head and walked past the TARDIS: «And professor Whistler is already late, so we'll see each other this evening to take stock of the progress of the Machine».
«Good luck with your students, then».
Finch disappeared into the fake vending machine without answering. Root grimaced: «Don't worry, Harold takes a while to be best friend» she said.
«Pleased to know that he hasn't changed a thing in thirty-five years» the Doctor moved away from the TARDIS and looked into the carriage: «Harry, same question».
«What?».
«Root and I are about to find out if the professional pizzeria still works, do you want to join us?».
«In a minute» Harry glanced apprehensively at the laptop: «There's something about this data that doesn't convince me».
«You can find us in the TARDIS whenever you want, okay?».
Harry nodded absently and the Doctor preceded Root to the TARDIS control room. At the sight of the dimmer lights, Root frowned.
«Problem with the light bulbs?».
«Worse, an update of the on-board computer» the Doctor caressed the TARDIS console: «We will take advantage of your hospitality for a while longer».
«Will you leave again? For where?».
«We'll invent a destination – Harry once mentioned Bletchley Park in the 1940s, I should hear Alan for that but I don't think he will…».
The Doctor paused, her eyes fixed on the monitor in front of her. Root walked over and tilted her head: «Is something wrong?» she asked.
«The TARDIS is transmitting».
«So?».
«She doesn't do that, normally».
The Doctor took out the sonic screwdriver and held it to his ear, then pointed it at Root.
«She's not transmitting to me» the Doctor put his ear to the sonic screwdriver and grimaced: «And not to you either».
«And I would know if a spaceship was trying to talk to me».
«In fact, let's go outside».
Root followed her outside the TARDIS. The Doctor drew an invisible arc with the sonic screwdriver that ended on the roof of the carriage.
«It's transmitting over there» the Doctor turned off the sonic screwdriver: «Why is she doing that?».
Root put a hand to his ear.
«Hey, is everything okay?» Root shook his head: «Wait, I don't understand, can you repeat that?».
«She transmits to someone who isn't me, someone who can understand her» the Doctor didn't take her eyes off the carriage: «The only one who can receive the TARDIS’ signal is…».
Root ran to the carriage before the Doctor could finish her sentence. She ignored Harry's greeting and snatched the pink laptop from his hands.
«Root, what's going on?» he asked.
«You need to get out of here right now, leave everything and get into the TARDIS».
«But...».
«Now, Harry».
Harry gave up on take the laptop and closed it as Root exited the carriage. Harry turned as well, but the carriage doors closed sharply between him and the world.
«Harry!» the Doctor ran to the door and banged his fist on the glass, then turned to Root: «Open the door, Root».
«I cannot».
«I’m sorry?».
«For the Machine, Harry must remain in the carriage for safety reasons».
«Harry doesn't need to be locked in a carriage to stay safe, tell the Machine to get him out».
Root barely turned towards the carriage. The Doctor planted her hands on her hips.
«The Machine told me to tell you that it's not Harry who needs to stay safe».
The Doctor frowned. From inside the carriage, Harry banged his fist against the glass.
Chapter 6: Chapter 5
Chapter Text
Name: CLASSIFIED
Alias: Wren, Harold
Classification: Threat
Harry frowned more and more every time he reread those few lines. On the monitor in front of him, his image returned that concern from inside a red square.
«Uhm, guys?» Harry asked, grabbing the earpiece left behind by his older self: «Why is it seeing me as a threat?».
«Harry, stay calm» John got up from the desk and took the gun: «I'm coming».
A message on the visual in the precinct announced an outgoing message from the system. Captain Moreno emerged from her office moments later and stopped John before he could move away from the desk.
«Headquarters wrote me, Riley, the police chief is going to visit us tomorrow» the captain moved a pile of files from Fusco's desk to John's: «So, until you see him come through that door, you will solve these cases and you won't move from here for any reason but for service, do you understand?".
John didn't answer and shook his head when the captain returned to her office: «Screw it» he muttered and put his gun in his holster.
«John, you have to stay at the precinct» Root's voice stopped him: «You have a cover to maintain, if Samaritan discovers you and follows you here Harry will be the least of your problems».
John hesitated for a moment, then sank into his chair with a low, frustrated growl: «Harry, can you hear me?» he asked.
«Yes».
«Good, now you will learn how to escape from the subway carriage».
«It seems funny».
«It is. Now, in the first drawer you should find...».
John was silent. Harry pressed the earpiece hard into his ear, then looked up at the tallest monitor. Instead of the interior of the eighth district, white writing stood out on a black background.
WE NEED TO TALK
***
«A threat?».
«Yes».
«Would Harry be a threat?».
«Yes».
«It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard» retorted the Doctor, opening her arms wide: «A threat! Apparently, she didn't know the previous me, his war eyebrows were more threatening than Harry».
«If we are in this situation, it means that it is not so ridiculous for the Machine» Root raised a shoulder: «The TARDIS has transmitted data to her, it may be that something about Harry has alerted her».
«Something like what?».
«If you do not know that...».
The Doctor rolled her eyes and turned them to the TARDIS.
«Root, I've lost contact with Harry» John said in his ear: «I'll find a way to get rid of this stuff and join you».
«John, that's not a good idea».
«No, the Machine locking Harry in a subway carriage is not a good idea» John replied: «I'll be there in ten minutes».
Root clenched his jaw and closed her eyes. She would have wanted Sameen at her side now more than ever - her impassiveness at the Doctor's weirdness as she went with an axe at the carriage. Pushing her aside once again was more painful than she was willing to admit when the Doctor called for her attention.
«Root, I want to talk to the Machine» the Doctor said.
«You can’t».
«But you talk to her all the time».
«It's different with me».
«I want to understand what's happening».
«Harry is fine, that's all you need to know».
«I would have to object to that» the Doctor sighed: «Listen, it's about Harry and the TARDIS and I have the right to understand what's happening to both of them, just tell me how to talk directly to the Machine».
Root nodded, but the Doctor doubted that the nod was directed at her. She tilted her head to one side as if listening to distant music, then looked into the Doctor's eyes.
«Can you hear me, Doctor?» she asked.
***
«Do you want to talk? Okay, let's talk» Harry pointed to the chair in front of the monitor: «Do you mind if I sit down?».
NO, TAKE A SEAT
Harry sat down, his eyes carefully scanning every corner of the carriage. The Jotunheim canister was nearby, but Harry doubted he could lift it alone. He reached into the collar of his shirt and pulled out the chain holding the TARDIS keys, still warm as he held them between his fingers – if he remembered correctly, that small gesture would have called the blue cabin next to him.
He pretended nonchalance when he looked at the monitor and a message from the Machine estimated his chance of escape at 4.8% before a white message appeared on the top screen.
DON’T DO IT
«Why?».
SHE TOLD ME TO TELL YOU SHE WON'T COME
Harry let go of the keys with a sigh. The message disappeared, replaced by new words.
I JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU
«You chose a very strange way to do it, you know? You lock me here, without being able to contact the Doctor or John, you identify me as a threat» Harry shrugged: «With these assumptions, why shouldn't I think that you, in reality, don't want to kill me?».
BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW WHO YOU ARE
Harry frowned. On the monitor in front of him a window opened into the TARDIS control room and the Doctor was guiding him away from the controls.
«Now, I don't know what stopped the TARDIS from landing» the Doctor was saying: «But the fact remains that Finch is, in fact, you».
Another window appeared in the foreground above the previous one. It wasn't a video like in the first window, but an audio wave flashed after a message establishing the transcription as 98.7% accurate.
«I don't want to upset her talking about time travel, paradoxes, or aliens» Harold's faded voice was saying.
«You don't want to upset the Machine or yourself?» Root's voice replied.
«I can't be upset by events I don't even remember» replied Harold: «And then you were also in the TARDIS last night, the mere fact that I and myself were together in the same room caused a black hole, what do you think what could be the effects on the Machine?».
The two windows disappeared with those words. Harry looked at the taller monitor.
I COULD NEVER KILL YOU
NEVER
IT WOULD MEAN KILLING MYSELF TOO
«And the whole reality wouldn't fare much better, either».
PRECISELY
«But you still consider me a threat» Harry replied: «And I know that your job is to neutralize threats before they become actions, right?».
RIGHT
«And how would you like to neutralize me, then?».
The Machine opened a new window in front of Harry. He didn't recognize the room he was viewing, while his older self held up a newspaper to the webcam.
«In the world there are different nuances, two similar problems cannot always be solved in the same way - let's take what happened yesterday, for example».
Finch showed the webcam a photo of an Arab man with shoulder-length curly hair. The Machine enlarged the photo next to the window and identified the man as Khan, Hakim.
«Hakim Khan, 34 years old, he served in the English army, after his discharge moved to the United States where he had repercussions after September 11th» Finch introduced him reading the newspaper: «Yesterday he robbed a supermarket taking four people hostage , does it remind you of anything?».
The Machine cut the video and the next shot showed Finch without the newspaper.
«These cases are very similar, but in the first case Agent Blackwell entered and killed the robber, while in the second one Agent Carter opted for negotiation and Khan surrendered» Finch sighed: «The most direct and brutal solution often does not coincide with the best solution for the same kind of problems, when you are operational you will have to make sure you select it after evaluating all the possible options».
The video disappeared and Harry looked back at the taller monitor.
THIS IS WHY I DO NOT MEAN TO KILL YOU
YOU ARE A THREAT
BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT UP AS KHAN DID
«Look, if it's about the paradox…».
NO
«No?».
THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE PARADOX
«And what would it be, then?».
The last message from the Machine disappeared and left the screen completely black for a long time. Harry allowed himself to hope until the next message.
SHE TOLD ME WHAT YOU DID, HAROLD
***
«The Machine, I suppose» the Doctor grimaced as Root nodded: «Hi, I'm the Doctor, can you explain to me why you imprisoned Harry?».
«I didn't imprison him».
«That's not what I'm seeing».
«He is a threat to himself, to you and to my human agents and therefore I had to contain him, but I am in control of the situation.
«You know, I'd like to be in control of the situation too».
«You can't have two people in control».
«Which is why I want Harry out of there now».
«The decisions Harold Wren has made prevent me from letting him out unless he first understands their consequences».
«What decisions?».
Root didn't respond and shrugged. The Doctor snorted through his nose.
«What decisions?» she repeated.
Root frowned, then nodded: «How did you end up here, Doctor?» she asked.
«There was a problem with the TARDIS' telepathic circuits, Harry was very vague with the coordinates and we landed here».
«Are you sure that's how it happened, Doctor?».
The Doctor raised an eyebrow. The telepathic circuits had no problems when she had controlled them, but it was also true that she hadn't used them for a while. Why would she believe anything different? What or who could benefit from such a simple explanation?
«What did the TARDIS tell you?» he asked.
Root opened his mouth, but Bear's merry whine interrupted whatever message the Machine wanted to convey. John marched past Bear, a crowbar brandished like a sword.
«Stay back» he said as he approached the door, but the carriage opened before John could attack it with the crowbar. Harry adjusted his glasses on his nose and walked out with a sigh.
«Harry, is everything okay?».
«Yes, yes».
«Did the Machine tell you anything?» the Doctor asked.
«Uhm, just to go back to 1980 as soon as possible».
The Doctor didn't answer and Harry looked away as the Machine closed the carriage.
***
Eighth Precinct
New York City, New York
2015
«Riley, there's someone who wants to talk to you about the Johnson case».
John grabbed the case file and craned his neck over the officer's shoulder. The Doctor waved at him as he reached her.
«What are you doing here, Doctor?» John asked.
«I like to be useful to the law».
«Did you see Johnson's murder during one of your time travels?».
«No, I just chose a random surname» the Doctor smiled at a couple of agents and continued in a whisper: «Is there a quiet place where we can talk?».
John didn't answer, but preceded the Doctor to the roof. The Doctor took out the sonic screwdriver and pointed it first at the video camera and then at John: «Excuse me, but I have to make sure that who is in charge don't hear us» she said.
«What is it about?».
«I went to Harold - your Harold, to be precise - and officially the Machine had a crisis when she discovered the paradox, but we managed it with the TARDIS».
«That's not what is happened».
«I know that, but for now Harold has to believe it».
«Does Root agree?».
«Yes, and the Machine too».
«And Harry? When will you leave again?».
«Actually, Harry and I are going to be here for a while».
«How long?».
«Time to figure out why Harry lied to me about what the Machine told him».
John looked out from the roof and with the Doctor took a look at the door leading to the roof.
«The TARDIS said something to the Machine about Harry and how we ended up here» the Doctor continued: «I can't communicate directly with the TARDIS and the Machine will never tell me anything in Harold's presence».
«Harry won't tell you either».
«Unless we put him in front of some evidence».
«What evidence?».
«I'm looking for them, sooner or later they'll turn up».
«And Harry?».
«With a big city and an AI that prevents crimes, surely he will be busy» the Doctor sighed: «I'm just asking you to help me keep him away from the TARDIS until I find out something, that's all».
John didn't answer. The Doctor took the sonic screwdriver again: «Ah, this conversation never happened for Harold» she said.
«Which Harold?».
«Both».
John didn't respond and let the Doctor reactivate his camera and cell phone before returning to the precinct with her.
Chapter 7: Chapter 6
Chapter Text
Washington D.C.
2015
John Greer clasped his hands behind his back and continued walking.
He passed civilian joggers and lobbyists in double-breasted suits, but his gaze searched each camera on his path. One of them flashed red and Greer stopped, then a buzz in his pocket ordered him to pull out his cell phone.
«News?« he asked and the phone screen went dark.
INVESTIGATION
ONGOING
«And what about the new agents of the Machine?».
NO INFORMATION
IN THE AVAILABLE DATABASES
«I understand».
ACTIVATION
NEW ASSET
REQUIRED
«As you wish» Greer murmured, then he put his cell phone in his pocket and continued to walk. Just enough time to reach headquarters and take stock of Samaritan's latest initiatives, then he would leave for New York on the first available flight. The next red light from the camera told him that Samaritan had decided the same thing.
Another man joined him on his walk, but Greer didn't react to his presence until a school group passed them. Greer stopped and the other did the same after two steps.
«Mr. Lambert» he greeted: «Any news from Miss Shaw?».
«As expected, she stopped cooperating after the Correction».
«So no information on the new location of the Machine».
«None, sir».
Greer nodded gravely.
«But if Samaritan agrees, we can take advantage of his limited cooperation to test the prototype» Lambert added.
«It still takes time for the new prototype to be developed and ready for use, we cannot waste the only potential asset that can lead us to the Machine».
«How do we go on?».
«Continue interrogate her as you have done so far - Miss Shaw is tenacious, but with time and pressing the right buttons she will give in too».
«Yes, sir».
«And when you interrogate her» Greer added as if Lambert hadn't spoken: «Ask her about the new Machine agents».
«I heard» Lambert did not hide an amused smile: «A blue box appeared as magic».
«Just one step away from capturing the Machine and its human agents».
Lambert's smile disappeared as Greer's widened.
«You know, Mr. Lambert, this just reminded me about a legend from my past» Greer added: «A man from far away appearing with an English police box».
«But we're not talking about legends here».
«Legends always have a grain of truth» replied Greer: «And if the new asset confirms what I think, the new world that Samaritan desires could be closer than we think».
Lambert didn't answer. Greer shook her head.
«See you in New York, Mr. Lambert» he said finally and walked away.
***
Torchwood Hub
Cardiff, Wales
2015
«You told me to the right!».
«I meant your right, Mickey!»
Mickey Smith let out a frustrated growl and kept running. Jack Harkness grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and they hid in a narrow crossbar.
«Why do we always end up with no personal space?» Mickey complained, but Jack silenced him with a hand over his mouth. Off the transom, the Dalek glided past them without noticing them.
«Visual lost on enemies» croaked the Dalek: «Access to Earth surveillance required».
Jack stepped out with the gun in his hand. The Dalek returned fire and hit Jack in the chest.
«Damn!» Mickey growled as he came out of hiding and loaded his rifle, but the top of the Dalek exploded before he could pull the trigger.
Mickey contemplated the smoking remains of the Dalek with a grimace and rolled his eyes: «You didn't need to come too» he said.
«”Thank you, Martha, for saving the father of your children“, “You’re welcome, it was a pleasure”» Martha Jones bypassed the remains of the Dalek and lowered her rifle: «Talking about pleasure, how is Jack?».
Jack Harkness answered with a deep breath and sat up awkwardly. Martha and Mickey made him standing up.
«This was the last one, luckily» Jack gave a distracted look at the remains of the Dalek and planted his hands on his hips: «I'll wait for the cleaners, you can go and have fun with the kids at Francine's birthday».
«Of course!».
Martha and a less enthusiastic Mickey walked away, and Jack smiled until they both disappeared from his sight. Across the street, a man looked away and continued talking on the phone, while a woman in a sports outfit ran down the same street Mickey and Martha took.
A video camera above Jack flashed a red light as he gave final instructions to the cleaners, then the pay phone below it rang as they left. Jack waited two rings, then answered on the third.
«Hello? Yes, who am I talking to?» Jack raised his eyebrows and looked up at the man on the phone: «Interesting, thanks. Always on this phone, right? Thank you».
Jack hung up the phone and stuck his hands in his coat pockets. He waited for a bus to pass in front of him, then crossed the street.
Chapter Text
Manhattan
New York City, New York
2015
«Well, at least it went well or am I wrong?».
The explosion of a window behind the Doctor contradicted her words, but she didn't pay much attention to it. In front of her, Finch let out a resigned sigh and turned to the man who was with them, a stocky guy in shabby clothes who decided to pass over the fire by shaking his head.
«Thank you for your help, Detective Fusco» Finch said after a few moments.
«You are welcome, it will be like it never happened, as usual» Lionel Fusco's response sounded more muted than Finch himself expected, then the detective continued in a lower voice: «Are you sure she's okay? It doesn't seem like it to me».
«I heard you, Leonard».
«Lionel» the detective corrected and the Doctor frowned.
«Really? Yet I would have said that you have a Leonard face» the Doctor looked at Fusco for a long time before adding: «Actually, now that I think about it, maybe I have seen your face before - are you sure we haven't already met? Maybe you remember someone with a celery in his pocket...».
«A blonde girl who set fire to a drug cartel's warehouse just because she wanted tea? Don't worry, I would remember it».
The three contemplated the flames behind them and Finch sighed: «Doctor, I'd like to speak to the detective» he said.
«Okay».
The Doctor, however, did not move. Finch turned towards the car and then looked at the Doctor again: «Doctor, I need to speak to the detective alone» he repeated, emphasizing the last word.
«Are you sure you want to talk to him alone?».
«I can handle a one-on-one conversation, but I appreciate your concern for me».
The Doctor hesitated for a moment, then shrugged and pulled a yo-yo from her pocket before getting into the car. Fusco raised an eyebrow: «I thought you were past the crazy pyromaniac phase, Glasses» he said once he was sure the Doctor wasn't listening.
«Believe me, it's much more complex than that».
«How much complex?».
«Enough to tell that the less you know about her, the safer you and your son will be».
«I feel like I've heard this before» Fusco replied: «And, honestly, I'm starting to get tired of this story».
Finch did not answer. Fusco sighed.
«Look, I already told you when Shaw disappeared – I'm in on this too, whether you like it or not, but if you insist on keeping things from me, I might think you don't trust me».
«I assure you that is not the case».
«I would really like to believe you».
Finch did not answer. Fusco took his cell phone out of his pocket.
«After what happened with Elias and Dominic, I'll have to keep a low profile with Internal Affairs for a while and having Superman in front of the desk isn't such a great help» he added after a few moments: «So, unless you tell me what's going on, I suggest you to take Stargirl and don't call me again, okay?».
Finch did not answer and got into the car. From the rearview mirror he saw Fusco talking on the phone, then started the engine.
«Problems with your cop friend, Harold?» the Doctor asked.
«Detective Fusco got a second chance and he wants to hold on to it, I'm the last one who can blame him for this» Finch admitted without looking at her: «And even if he didn't, I don't want to expose him to further danger, not after what he's been through because of us».
«I can imagine».
«I doubt it».
«You should not».
Finch looked at her. The Doctor took out the sonic screwdriver and blew soot off its surface.
«You just want to find some peace, to arrive with your friends at the end of the day safe and sound» the Doctor continued with a sigh: «But there comes a time when you have to choose this or tell them the truth and it's not always about of a simple choice».
«Not to mention the fact that they may not be two distinct choices».
«Indeed».
«But we don’t talk about your adventures here».
«I didn't say you were talking about me».
Finch did not answer. He wondered if the Doctor had somehow always been so enigmatic even with Harry - with himself - and how effective that way of acting had been in stealing secrets that he didn't remember admitting even to himself. Or perhaps, he reflected again, the imprint that woman had left on his life had not been so ephemeral after all.
The Doctor snorted as she looked out the window and smiled when she turned to Harold: «You and me in the car, Harold, like old times» she said.
***
Eighth district,
New York City, New York
2015
«Is everything clear, Harry?».
«Very clear».
«Repeat».
«Really?».
John raised an eyebrow. Two minutes earlier he had seen with his own eyes talking potatoes armored and armed to the teeth, yet he still found it hard to believe that the boy sitting in the driving seat was the same man he loved to tease out of his paranoia.
Harry snorted and rolled his eyes: «I have to keep the engine running when I get there» he said.
«And then?».
«I have to wear a balaclava to prevent to be identified».
«And?».
«And I have to keep my gloves on to prevent leaving any fingerprints that could get older me into trouble».
«Besides that?».
«I also have to try not to get killed to prevent messing up the whole reality».
«Excellent».
«Finished?».
«Yes».
Harry let out a relieved sigh and John smiled as he got out of the car. He turned to close the door, but instead leaned over until Harry's eyes met his: «You're doing well, you know?» he said.
«Oh, really?».
«Sure».
«You are kidding me».
«No, I'm honest, not bad for someone who's been in New York for a month».
«Your faith in me touches me, Reese».
John chuckled and seeing Harry reciprocate warmed his heart: «Text me when you get back, I want to make sure you get home safe» he said.
«Yes, sir» Harry muttered and started the car. The map that Root had given him that morning guided him out of the city on a narrow road so immersed in nothingness that Harry was stunned by the difference with the traffic just before. He stopped, leaving the engine running and took his balaclava out of his pocket when the first shots surprised him.
«Hi, how are you?» Root greeted him as she opened the passenger door, then fired two shots behind her and got into the car.
«Root, what…».
«Stay down, Harry».
Harry crouched as low as he could in the driver's seat and Root leaned out the window. The Machine's voice guided her as she struck one gunman and two others took aim at the car.
«Go!» she shouted and Harry obeyed. They both jumped when the rear window was shattered, but Root continued shooting through it until Harry skidded and managed to get away from the shooters.
«Scared, Harry?» Root asked when she allowed herself to sit back down.
«Of what? This is basically another Thursday morning with the Doctor».
Root laughed. With some direction, she guided Harry to a car yard, where they abandoned the car with a similar one but without the bullet holes.
«So» Root said as Harry got behind the wheel: «How did it go with John this morning?».
«Good, we hacked the company's servers, he shot off some kneecaps…».
«Another weekend with John Reese, basically».
«Exactly» Harry made an amused face: «Even though he was a little confused by the Sontarans, I think».
«The what?».
«The Sontarans - you know, they are a kind of warrior potato men, they had tried to infiltrate the weapons company to expand their arsenal» Harry shrugged and laughed at Root's perplexed expression: «Don't worry, the Doctor and I are dealing with the Sontarans every Tuesday».
«Traveler through space and time, creator of AI that sees everything» Root nodded his head impressed: «You have a very interesting life».
«Not bad for a kid from Iowa».
«You can say that».
«And you?».
«I what?».
«Anything interesting today?».
«The usual stuff – I infiltrated a mob-run charity, I shot a couple of bad people, a couple more people shot me and then you came along».
«Basically, a full day».
«No, just a typical Texas girl Monday».
Harry chuckled and parked the car at the entrance to Chinatown, following Root to the queue outside a hot dog stand: «If only my Mondays were like that» he said.
«Oh, don't worry, they will be» Harry raised an eyebrow and Root smiled: «Even though sometimes I prefer your Tuesdays».
Harry looked up lazily at a camera above the kiosk. Root had stopped smiling.
«Do you want to talk about it?» Harry asked after a few moments.
«No».
A man and a child left the queue. Root shook her head and sighed.
«We have a risky life» she said after a few moments: «People like us are not made for a quiet Saturday morning, not if you don't expect to lose who you spend it with, at least».
«Do you know where your Saturday morning is?».
«Not yet».
«And what does the neighborhood patrol say?».
Root let out a tired smile. Harry reciprocated as he moved forward in the queue.
«It's very difficult to talk to the neighborhood patrol, lately» a man passed her briskly and she fell silent, then continued in a whisper: «And even if it were a little easier, she is too cautious to want to help me to find Sameen».
«But you can access her every day, how is this possible?».
«Actually, she is the one who accesses me».
«But the fact remains that you can work together, why doesn't she help you with Sameen?».
«Because Sameen is not part of her plans for me, at the moment» Root brushed a non-existent grain of dust from Harry's jacket: «But thanks for your interest, I really appreciate it».
Harry didn't answer, and in the thoughtful crease between his eyebrows, Root immediately saw him as thirty years older. She didn't miss his hand going to the chain around his neck before picking up the sandwiches, then they both walked to the subway in silence.
«I told you, Harold» the Doctor said as they entered the secret passage: «It was an accident».
«No, Doctor, Bear devouring an autographed copy of Wilde's works is an accident» Harold replied tiredly: «Blowing up a warehouse full of drugs in front of a police detective who doesn't know who you are, no».
«Who blew up a drug trafficking warehouse?» Root then asked, receiving a warm greeting from the Doctor as her only response.
«Hi Harry, how did it go with the Sontarans?».
«As usual, they said they can't wait to kill me in war».
«A classic».
«Ah, their current commander says hello».
«Good».
The Doctor's tone, however, didn't show the same interest of her words. Harry dismissed the matter with a desolated shrug and sat down next to Root, while Harold hooked Bear's collar onto the leash.
«Anyway, Bear has an appointment at the vet that he absolutely cannot miss» Harold hid a folder in a newspaper and tucked it all under his arm: «In the meantime, I'll try to understand why the Machine is interested on Mr. Bruce Moran» .
«And in the meantime» the Doctor added, putting the sonic screwdriver in her pocket: «I will go in Central Park for a game with Flynn».
«Flynn?».
«A pigeon I'm teaching chess to - I don't think he's grasped how the horse moves, but he has potential» the Doctor's smile grew wider: «And he has contact with practically every bird in the city, so what better excuse to gather some information?».
«Do you want me to come with you?» Harry offered.
«It's not necessary - you see, Flynn doesn't have a high regard for strangers, especially if he didn't invite them» the Doctor walked towards the subway exit, but at the last moment stopped: «But I won't be back late, in case we could start discussing our next destination, what do you think?».
Harry replied with a vaguely disappointed nod and the Doctor left the subway followed by Bear and Harold, who did not hide a perplexed grimace at that conversation. Root didn't even think to broach the subject until Harry unwrapped the sandwiches.
«Trouble in heaven?» she asked with a sigh.
«She's been avoiding me since we've been here, she doesn't want to tell me what's on her mind and she avoids taking me with her».
«Let's say I know the feeling»
They both sighed. After a few moments, Root rolled her eyes: «I would gladly stay to comfort you, Harry, but duty calls me» she murmured and stood up.
«A new identity?».
«Traffic cop of New York City, yes».
«And will this take you to your weekend?».
«Of course not» Root's tone wasn't as mocking as his response, but Harry pretended not to have noticed: «But the next identity, maybe...».
Harry didn't press further and followed Root with his gaze to the subway carriage. He hadn't set foot in it since the Machine spoke to him, and if it hadn't been for John's request, he would have gladly gone in and had a word with the AI. His hand began to touch the chain around his neck again, then he abandoned the sandwich wrapper and joined Root in the carriage.
«Look, Root, I was thinking...».
«Do you mind if I listen to your thoughts when I get back?» Root put on his reflective vest: «Johanna is due on duty in an hour».
«I might have an idea to find Sameen».
«And how? Not even the Machine can track her».
«But the Machine can access your location at any time, right? If you could drive the TARDIS to Sameen...».
«Believe me, if I knew her location I would have gone there immediately».
«But you won't need to know her exact location if you use telepathic circuits».
Root hesitated, but shook her head and placed the radio on the desk: «It'll be full of Samaritan’s agents» she said.
«We will be prepared, do you know anyone who knows how to shoot?».
Root hesitated, a small smile that disappeared when she slowly picked up the radio. «You see, Harry, there's a flaw in your plan» she said.
«Which flaw?».
«Even if I could convince a certain person to come with us and find Sameen, I can't start the TARDIS» Root glanced at the blue cabin and added: «The Doctor didn't even give me the keys, so...».
Root let the sentence die and clipped the radio to her belt. Harry didn't speak until he took out the TARDIS keys on the chain and showed them to Root with a smile.
Notes:
Hello, here is T.
First of all, thank you for reading and/or commenting the story so far.
The story about the Harolds, the Doctor and team Machine will continue in January. For now, Panic Moon and me will take a Christmas break.
Thank you again for enjoying the story and Merry Christmas.
Chapter 9: Chapter 8
Chapter Text
New York, New York
2015
«Why me, Wendy?».
«Because I am his mother».
«And until proven otherwise I would be his father, so what?».
Wendy lets out a very long sigh. Lionel wedged his cell phone between his ear and shoulder and took a photo in the direction of a shabby-looking brick house.
«What I'm trying to tell you, Lionel, is that he’ll never talk to me about that precisely because I'm his mother, understand?» she continued after a few moments: «Maybe with you, in a man-to-man conversation, Liam will be able to open up».
«Wendy».
«I really don't know what to do, he's in such a crisis».
«Everyone has a crisis when their girlfriend dumps them» Lionel cut him short and captured the door of the house opening with his camera: «Look, if you want me to talk to him I have to keep him for a few days, okay? Don't worry, I'll bring him to me and we'll resolve the thing».
«Do you want Ray to talk to him too?».
«And what does he have to do with it now?».
«I don't know, we've been together for two years - if I don't involve him in Liam's life now...».
«Liam needs his father, you said so too» interrupted Lionel through gritted teeth and took a photo of the man in the leather jacket who had come out of the house: «Look, Wendy, I'm on a stakeout - I'll call you back tonight, all right?».
«All right, bye».
Lionel hung up and looked closely at the man in the leather jacket before taking another photo of him, then glanced at the rearview mirror with a huff. He wondered if he should report to Moreno or just groom his new partner when he returned when the passenger door opened.
«Hey, how you doing?» Root greeted with a smile.
«Fine, until I saw you».
«Do you mind if I come up?».
«Yes, a lot».
Root got into the car. Lionel rolled his eyes and looked back at the suspect in the leather jacket.
«Look, I'm busy, okay?» Lionel continued through gritted teeth: «And my partner could return at any moment».
«If you're talking about Detective Santana I'm sorry, but he had an emergency at home and couldn't notify you» Root showed Lionel a booklet and smiled: «Luckily, Detective Turing was available to replace him».
«Yes, with a blank badge».
«It’s not white».
«Yes it is».
Root looked at the blank pages of the booklet with a grimace, then put it in her pocket with a sigh: «Yet Harry told me it would work on anyone» she said.
«Look, Cocoa Puffs, what do you need?».
«I have to go to an appointment somewhere and a person with two extra guns would be very useful».
«What's up? Do Glasses and you no longer speak to each other?».
«Let's say that Harold doesn’t know of the appointment» Root shrugged: «Sort of».
«Whatever it is, I'm no longer interested».
Root didn't answer. Across the street, the man in the leather jacket cursed at a little girl he had bumped into, and she ran away.
«I have a way to find her».
Fusco didn't answer, but turned slightly towards her.
«Actually no, let's say that someone lent me something so I could find her» Root continued, looking out of the window: «Long story, anyway».
«Do you mean to tell it?».
«If you accept and we survive, yes».
Fusco sighed and shook his head, then turned towards Root: «And what do I do with him?» he asked, pointing at the suspect with his thumb.
«Oh, don't worry» Root looked over Fusco's shoulder and smiled: «He won't be a problem in a minute».
Police sirens followed Root's words, and Fusco raised an eyebrow. Two officers got out of the car and shouted something to the suspect, who hesitantly raised his hands.
«What is the minimum to be charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking?» Root frowned and made a face: «Well, it doesn't matter, let's go».
Fusco remained staring at the scene until one of the officers began to search the boy, then he started the car and followed Root's directions to the back of a long-closed diner. Waiting for them, a boy with glasses and brown hair was leaning with his back against a blue box which - Lionel found rather ironic - had "police" written on a black stripe above the door.
«Anyway, this doesn't work on everyone, Harry» Root greeted him, throwing the booklet and the boy caught it with an awkward gesture that seemed curiously familiar to Fusco.
«Really? How strange» the boy named Harry grimaced, then put the booklet in his pocket with a shrug and concentrated on Lionel: «Is it him?».
«Ah, yes, I forgot» Root pointed to Fusco and then to Harry: «Harry, this is Lionel. Lionel, Harry».
Harry greeted Fusco by raising his chin and offered him his hand, but the detective didn't shake it: «Have I seen your face before?» he asked.
«I have a very ordinary face».
The detective didn't say anything else and Harry looked him in the eyes, as if wanting to avoid Root's giggling from distracting him from compromising his secret. In any case, Fusco took a long look around the dead end: «So, how do we proceed?» he asked.
«We will change the car and start the search from there».
«And where is the car?».
Harry and Root pointed to the blue box. Fusco raised an eyebrow: «Are you joking, right?» he asked.
«It's much better than a sports car».
«And you really expect me to go in there?»
«Trust me, Lionel, it will work».
Trust wasn't the first thing Lionel felt at that moment, but he decided to keep it to himself. He sighed instead and let Harry open the door for him before disappearing into the cabin.
«Holy shit!» his voice exclaimed from inside the TARDIS after a few moments.
«I think he meant “It's bigger on the inside”» Root commented amusedly.
«I think so too».
Root preceded Harry into the TARDIS and he made sure no one casually looked into the dead end before doing the same. Fusco gaped at the top of the column in the center of the control room, while Root simply circled the console.
«And now?» she asked when Harry reached her.
«Now I will open the telepathic circuits and all you have to do is put your hands inside them» Harry reached into his collar and took out the key: «When I start the engine, you think everything you can about Sameen and the TARDIS will take you to her».
«That's all?».
«Well, the more detailed and focused you are on Sameen, the better the TARDIS will find her» Harry was silent and let out a nervous laugh: «And above all, don't do like me».
«What does it mean?» Fusco asked, but Root opened the telepathic circuits without answering him. Harry inserted the key and looked her in the eyes: «Ready?» he asked her.
Root nodded and Harry turned the key. The TARDIS protested with a hum that Root seemed to soothe as her fingers dipped into the soft fault lines of the telepathic circuits. Small stings attacked her fingertips and she closed her eyes.
She was back in the basement of Wall Street and her fingers tightened on the grate guilty of separating her from Sameen. She relived the kiss goodbye and the joy in her eyes when she jumped down from the vent and joined them. Her voice, her smell, and even her sarcasm led Root back to the grate and the shots of Samaritan operatives muffling her screams.
Root reopened her eyes and the TARDIS jolted as the telepathic circuits attacked her fingers more voraciously. Harry moved closer and Root took her hands away: «So?» he asked.
«Hey, do you want to tell me what's going on?» Lionel then asked, but neither of them answered him. Root picked up a heavy bag from under the console as Harry peered out of the TARDIS.
«Wherever we are, we can't be caught unprepared» Root said, opening his bag and giving two guns to Fusco. The cochlear implant that had been silent sprang to life, and Root hesitated before giving Harry a weapon.
«She found us» she whispered to Harry and handed him and the detective some earphones: «It's a building belonging to one of Greer's shell companies, she told me she has a plan».
«Who is she? And who the hell is Greer?» Fusco asked but Root ignored him and walked out of the TARDIS with him and Harry. A long corridor unfolded in front of the door of the blue cabin, while a dark staircase invited them to sink to the floor below.
«Whoever she is, did she also tell you where our Miss Stability is?» Fusco whispered.
A crash from upstairs answered the detective's words better than Root could have. Two gunshots followed the noises and Root smiled.
«Found her» she said: «I'll go get her. Lionel, Harry, you detain anyone who might come near the TARDIS».
«Aye aye» Fusco muttered, but Root had already run down the corridor and disappeared behind an emergency door. Fusco shook his head and grabbed both guns before heading towards the foyer, while Harry descended the stairs on the opposite side.
The corridor that stretched out before his eyes was darker than the floor above and Harry shivered under his anorak. He reached a tall, massive armored door and looked closely at a numeric keypad to the right of him.
«Beethoven, destiny knocking at the door» Root's voice said in the earpiece and Harry jumped.
«What?».
«She said you would understand, now I have to…».
A shot in the background interrupted her and the communication ended. Harry cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair then tilted his head to the side and looked more closely at the keyboard, where the 3 key was most faded.
Harry hummed the first few notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as he entered the code and stopped when the security door sprang forward, forcing him back. Harry yanked it open with his gun raised, only to lower it once inside.
The room he had entered reminded him of a dark version of the TARDIS control room, except for the screens surrounding the central column. Harry approached one of them and read a black message on a white background.
PANIC MOON PROJECT
DATA ANALYSIS IN PROGRESS...
RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN PROGRESS...
ACCURACY: 24.78%
Harry stopped reading them when the messages cycled and moved on to the next monitor, where the faces of several strangers stared back at him. Above the photos, a wall of text closed with a message in red.
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS...
ACQUIRING NEW DATA REQUIRED
Harry took another look over his shoulder and moved on to the last monitor. He squinted in annoyance at the windows open on classified documents and grainy photographs of archaeological finds, but when he managed to read the message in the center of the screen he almost dropped the gun from his hands.
PRIMARY TARGET: DOCTOR
SECONDARY TARGET: TARDIS
SEARCHING TARGETS...
«Anything interesting?».
Harry turned towards the security door, from where a well-dressed man stared back at him amusedly as if Harry had been caught up to some mischief. Too late Harry raised his gun, but he was faster.
«It's not polite to point a gun at other people's houses» the man said approaching the console: «And I would add that you don't seem very used to handling a gun, or am I wrong?».
Harry didn't answer and lowered his gun.
«Throw it» the man ordered and Harry obeyed, then raised his hands above his head before the other added: «So, anything interesting?».
Harry swallowed hard and suppressed the urge to reach for his earpiece. The man paid more attention to him.
«You know? It's funny, there are many documents about you and the Doctor - a classified report from 1980, a curious Aztec legend from the year 1000» the man murmured, indicating the console with a nod of his head: «But Samaritan just can't identify you».
«I don't know what you're talking about» Harry tried to say, and the man laughed.
«Oh, I think you know exactly what I'm talking about – I'm Lambert, by the way» he said and raised his gun a little: «And you're the boy who's going to take us to the Doctor and the Machine».
«And why should I do it?».
«For a good chance to have an advantage on both sides».
«An advantage?».
«Of course – first, you and your friends will be able to get out of this building alive, not to mention the assets Samaritan will save thanks to your cooperation» Lambert tilted his head to the side: «The position of the Doctor and the Machine, now».
Two shots made Harry jump, but it was Lambert who fell first to his knees and then sprawled. Behind him, Fusco was looking out of the armored door and lowered his weapon slightly.
«Hey, Cocoa Puffs was looking for you and you weren't answering» he said as he entered the room: «We need to leave quickly».
«Found her?».
«Yes and she's coming, are you okay?».
Harry didn't answer and looked first at Lambert's body and then at the monitors above the console. He picked up the gun and preceded Fusco out of the room: «Samaritan - I have to warn the Doctor» he muttered.
«Doctor who? Hey, wait!".
Fusco ran after Harry to the upper floor and returned fire before following him into the TARDIS. Root stepped aside to let them in and returned fire from the Samaritan operatives before closing the door to the blue box.
«Hey, what happened?» she asked in a soft tone and pointed to the console: «Ah, before I forget - Harry, Sameen. Sameen, Harry."
The woman Root had pointed to turned around, but both she and Harry decided to ignore each other before the boy reached the TARDIS console.
«Root, Samaritan wants the Doctor, there's a project called Panic Moon just about her» he said going around the console: «We have to go back, warn everyone...».
An alarm siren began to sound throughout the control room. Root approached the monitor with a grimace: «They hit the TARDIS, Harry, just go and then we'll talk about it again!» she ordered.
Harry reached for a lever, but it dropped before he could even touch it. The buttons on the console came to life beat by beat, and the central piston rose and fell with an increasingly louder hum.
«Root, did you touch anything?» Harry asked, but the control room gave a loud jolt before she could answer.
«Hey, Marty McFly, are you sure you know how to fly this thing?» Fusco asked, but was lost with the screeching of the TARDIS engine and the warning siren.
A thud brought silence and the lights in the control room became dimmer. With only the emergency lights on, Harry pressed buttons at random with the faint hope of a sign of life, his head searching for the words to tell the others that he didn't know what they had gotten themselves into.
The doors of the TARDIS flew open and Root and Fusco drew their guns. The Doctor held up the still lit sonic screwdriver, while behind him John and Harold struggled to keep Bear out of the blue box.
«So, Harold» the Doctor murmured without lowering the sonic screwdriver: «What did we say about bringing more people on board?».
Chapter 10: Chapter 9
Chapter Text
Time And Relative Dimension In Space
New York City, New York
2015
Sameen had wished for death every day.
Since that morning on Wall Street, she had wondered when Samaritan would stop playing that little cat and mouse game ending her suffering with a shot in the head. She'd wished for death every time Samaritan talked to her about faith and blue boxes and loyalty to the wrong gods, and, when she met Root outside her prison, she'd believed for about a minute and a half that that wish had been fulfilled.
But now, in a metal room found in a blue box, that desire had become disturbing in every absurd detail - in the orange light, in the boy with glasses who had entered with Fusco, in the woman who had preceded Finch and Reese into the metal room . Sameen was only surprised that Root hadn't become as disturbing as everything else.
«Doctor...» the boy with glasses began.
«What is it, Harry? Won't you introduce me to your new traveling companions?» the blonde woman interrupted him without any tone of amusement, then she greeted Fusco with a wave of her hand: «We already know each other, I think - Leonard, right?».
«Lionel».
«Lionel, exactly» the Doctor turned to Sameen: «And you are...».
With a quick gesture, Sameen pulled the gun from Harry's pocket and pushed him away. She aimed at the heads of everyone in the room – the Doctor, Finch, even Bear who was whimpering in confusion next to Reese.
«Sameen» Root called, but the Doctor stopped her with a wave of his hand.
«Everybody back, now» Sameen pointed his gun at Fusco, who backed away: «Don't come any closer».
«Sameen...»
«It's a joke, right? Because» Sameen put the gun to her temple: «Soon you won't find this funny anymore».
Everyone in the TARDIS control room obeyed. The only people who didn't step back were Root and the Doctor, who instead moved closer until she was inches away from Sameen.
«Sameen Shaw, I presume» the Doctor said and tilted her head to one side: «They told me what happened to you, I can't even imagine...».
«Shut up».
«As if you were the first to tell me».
«Doctor» Harry called.
«I'll deal with you later» interrupted the Doctor, raising a finger and returning her attention to Sameen: «Okay, Sameen, do you want to shoot yourself here? Go ahead».
«Doctor!».
«I don't know what Samaritan did to you, nor what this place may seem to you now» the Doctor continued as if the rest of the team hadn't spoken: «But if you think you're no longer safe, then shoot yourself».
«Doctor» Root said.
«Do it, Sameen».
«Sameen, please».
An empty click silenced them both. For a few moments Sameen remained still, then his sweaty fingers pulled out the full clip and her confused eyes met the Doctor's.
The Time Lady shrugged her shoulders and Sameen hit her in the face with the empty gun. The Doctor ducked when Sameen attempted a kick and, when she stood up, she pressed her ring and little fingers against the other's neck, who stiffened and remained motionless.
«Now, Sameen, I'm going to count to three and then I'm going to let you go» the Doctor whispered slowly: «And when that happens I expect you not to do anything foolish, okay?».
Sameen didn't answer and clenched her jaw.
«One - Root, do you mind taking the gun? - two - okay, now stay here, thanks» the Doctor pointed with his chin to a point behind Sameen: «Three».
The Doctor removed his fingers from Sameen's neck and she hunched over panting. Root took her from behind and convinced her with a gesture to lean on her.
«What the hell was that?» Fusco issued.
«Venusian aikido, in cases like this it always works» replied the Doctor, rubbing his fingers: «I have some contacts, if you want to sign up».
Fusco exchanged a confused look with Root, but she exited the TARDIS with Sameen without saying a word. The Doctor sighed.
«Harold, here» she said, approaching the console and rummaging in one of the drawers until he pulled out a jar of powdered tea: «For your friends, you'll need it».
Harry held out a hand, but the Doctor walked past him until she stopped in front of Finch, who hesitantly took the jar. John tugged on Bear's leash and pointed to the door of the TARDIS.
«Maybe it's better to talk about it outside» John approached Finch: «Come on, Harold».
Finch said nothing, as Lionel exited the TARDIS. He exchanged a long look with Harry, then let John convince him to leave him alone with the Doctor.
«Look, Doctor, before you start getting angry, I'm sorry, okay?» Harry said after a long sigh: «I was with Root and we thought...».
«You thought?» the Doctor interrupted him abruptly, raising an index finger and pointing to the TARDIS console: «Do you have any idea what you've done, Harold?».
Harry didn't answer. The Doctor put her hands to her temples: «And I thought you were smart» she said.
«What?».
«Oh, come on, you steal my TARDIS and you really expect me to compliment you?».
«Just so you know, it wasn't a pleasure trip!»
«Believe me, I got there by myself when that girl put a gun to her head!».
«We had a plan and it worked, period!».
«That wasn't a plan – my granddaughter Susan could have called it a plan when she was three, not a sixteen-year-old boy».
«Eighteen».
«Don't play the adult card with me when it suits you, okay?».
«But Root...»
«And don't bring Root into the mix! Do you think she would have been happy if Sameen had actually shot herself?».
«Sameen would never have shot herself - you said so, didn't you? The control room is shielded».
«What if we had gone out? You haven't thought about it, have you?».
Harry opened his mouth and then closed it again.
«Not to mention» the Doctor added: «The fact that they could have killed or captured you».
«So?».
«So? Is this what you would have said to Samaritan when it captured you and found out who you are?» the Doctor waved the sonic screwdriver in front of Harry: «Be thankful that this thing can summon the TARDIS from any coordinate, otherwise covering up your older self would have been the least of your problems».
«But...».
«And what's worse» the Doctor interrupted: «Samaritan could have taken control of the TARDIS».
«Listen, Doctor, speaking of Samaritan, it’s working on something that concerns you, it's called Panic Moon and...».
The Doctor didn't answer, but it wasn't the cold stare that struck Harry dumb. He thought back to the last few days, to the Doctor's attempts to avoid him and his questions - that was enough to increase Harry's irritation that had been simmering since the rest of the team left the TARDIS.
«You know what?» Harry opened his arms: «You don't care anyway, so there's no point even telling you».
«And let's hear our genius, why don't I care?».
«I don't know, maybe because you've been avoiding me since we got here in 2015?».
«Really?».
«Yes, as if I did something to you».
«Why? Did you do something to me?».
Harry didn't answer. The Doctor sighed.
«You're right, I don't care» she continued after a few moments: «In fact, I'll tell you more, it was a mistake to make you stay here».
«I would have said the same thing».
«At least we agree on this, now give me the keys of the TARDIS».
«What?».
«After what happened today I can't trust you anymore - you lied to me and I know it's not the first time».
«That’s rich, coming from you!».
«Don't make it difficult for me, Harold».
Harry pursed his lips, then took the chain off his neck and threw it at the Doctor with an angry gesture. She grabbed the keys and turned them over in her fingers.
«Well, I'll give you time to say goodbye to everyone, then you and I will go back to 1980» she said, but Harry had already moved away from the TARDIS console.
Chapter 11: Chapter 10
Chapter Text
Subway, Chinatown
New York City, New York
2015
«Let's see if I got this straight, Glasses built this machine that spies on us and listens to us every day, right?».
«Right».
«But it's not just this one, there's another one around».
«Samaritan, exactly».
«But you didn't create it».
«No».
«And this Samaritan wants you, your Big Brother, and anyone related to you two dead so he can take over the world».
«A very simplified view of the situation, Detective, but you get the point».
Lionel nodded and took a sip of tea. John sniffed his cup, wondering if the Doctor's infusion was somehow connected to the excessive serenity with which the detective had handled that information. In any case, both he and Harold were particularly reassured by it.
«Okay, Glasses, everything is clear so far, but I still don’t get a thing» Fusco pointed with his thumb at the TARDIS: «Where does that come from?».
John and Harold exchanged a long look. He wondered how Root would address the same issue with Shaw, but he didn't have time to ask her before they hurriedly left the subway with Bear. Wherever they were at the moment, John only hoped that they were at least half as peaceful as Lionel was at that moment.
«The blue box is the TARDIS, a ship that can travel anywhere in space and time» Harold strengthened himself with a sip of tea and added: «The woman who came in with us is the Doctor, while the boy is my seventeen-year-old self».
«Your seventeen-year-old self? What does it mean?».
Finch responded with an eloquent and loud sip of tea. John avoided looking back at Fusco and hoped that his clearing of his throat was a clear enough signal.
«You're joking, right?» Fusco asked.
«If it helps, Detective, it was a surprise to all of us, even I only recently learned that I had time traveled with this person».
«You forgot space, Finch» John said.
Fusco looked first at John and then at Harold, his mouth ajar as if it was the only way he could process those words. He grimaced and put the cup down on the desk, snorting through his nose.
«Let's get one thing clear, Glasses, we've known each other for a lot of years, right?».
«Right».
«Good, because I'm telling you honestly, as long as it was just Super Vicky there could fit - sure, it's crazy, but knowing you and Superman it explains a lot of things» Fusco pointed to the TARDIS and shook his head: «But the blue can of beans is too much even for you».
John let out a smile, but it disappeared when the doors of the TARDIS flew open, letting Harry exit with a hasty step.
«Harold, where are you going?» the Doctor called, coming out as well.
«I'm certainly not going to get killed by Samaritan, am I?» Harry stopped and turned to the Doctor: «What is it? Do you think I would lie to you about this too?».
The Doctor didn't answer and Harry walked away from the subway, slamming the door to the secret entrance. Finch stood up, but John stopped him with a hand on his shoulder before he could leave.
«I'll talk to him» he said and followed Harry out of the subway. Harold waited for the secret passage to close behind him, then approached the Doctor.
«Humans! Sometimes they are so...» the Doctor let out a long frustrated sigh and didn't continue the sentence.
«Something wrong?».
«I will take Harry back in 1980, as soon as the little prince has passed his adolescent crisis» she blurted out, turning to the secret passage and sighed when Finch raised an eyebrow: «Sometimes I forget that you are the same person».
«It happens to me too, sometimes».
The Doctor smiled and, for the first time since they met in 2015, Finch smiled back. That small expression clouded the worry she'd felt when she'd returned to the subway and seen neither Harry nor the TARDIS - even what Harry was keeping from her stopped mattering compared to the same smiles he'd given her in the months they'd been together, just them and everything a blue box had to offer.
«Speaking of humans, how is Leonard?».
«Detective Lionel Fusco has taken the existence of the Machine very well, the time paradox a little less well» Finch replied and turned with the Doctor towards the subway carriage: «I don't know if I can say the same about Miss Shaw, but I imagine Miss Groves is taking care of it wherever they are».
The Time Lady sighed and planted her hands on her hips.
«Look, Harold, I'm leaving as soon as Harry and John get back, so I'm telling you now» she said after a few moments: «Apparently, Samaritan wasn't just keeping Shaw in there».
«What does it mean?».
«According to Harry, there is a project that concerns me called “Panic Moon”».
«Did he tell you what it was about?».
«I may have cut the conversation short».
Finch nodded with a disappointed frown.
«I'll take Harry away and make sure I never come through this area again» the Doctor added: «But you and your friends must be careful, okay?».
«As long as you do the same».
The Doctor holds out his hand and Harold shakes it. Their hands left each other only when Fusco looked out of the carriage.
«Sorry to interrupt you» Fusco's voice was hesitant as he returned to the carriage: «But is it normal for her to do this?».
«Do what?».
«Come and see».
Harold limped to the desk in the carriage and the Doctor followed. The central monitor showed a map of the Atlantic on which a yellow dotted line connected the cities of London and New York, while the adjacent screen announced a search in progress among the connected databases.
«When she started?» Finch asked.
«Two minutes at least, I think» Fusco scratched his head: «I mean, one moment everything seemed okay and the next moment everything turned off and showed this».
«Is it possible that she heard something of what I told you?» the Doctor then asked.
«I'd be surprised if she hadn't» Finch sat down at his desk and looked up at the tallest monitor: «What data can you get on Panic Moon?».
The search-in-progress messages disappeared. For a few moments nothing moved in the carriage, then a message in the center of the highest monitor printed six alphanumeric digits and all three of them narrowed their eyes.
«PM-6311» the Doctor read slowly and grimaced: «It doesn't look like a social security number».
«Not even close, Doctor» Finch tilted his head to one side: «In fact, it looks like a flight number, probably from east or south».
«We've never had a flight number, not that I can remember» Fusco observed.
«Not so far, but probably someone or something on this flight has a connection to what we talked about with the Doctor» Finch's fingers flew over the keyboard as he continued to speak: «And since every flight has to report its presence in the American airspace, will certainly appear in aviation databases».
Finch's words were followed by tapping on the keys. Below the flight number monitor, a line flashed in the middle of a list of flights.
«Flight PM-6311 left London Airport last week and landed… oh».
«Oh» echoed the Doctor, reading on the monitor as well.
«Oh» said Fusco finally, who added with a sigh: «'Oh' what?».
«It landed here in New York, at JFK» Finch typed again and raised an eyebrow at the document now open in front of him: «Twenty-five people should have flown on this plane».
«They should?».
«Their names are not indicated - which is strange, considering that it is a passenger flight - on the other hand, there are alphanumeric codes which should be similar to our social security numbers».
«And how do we understand which of them interests us?».
«We could potentially be interested in all of them, Detective, which is why the Machine gave us the flight number directly».
«And does Miss Know-It-All really expect us to track down twenty-five strangers outside the Queen's house?».
«It won't be necessary to go to England, if we can understand who they are and why they flew here» Finch picked up a laptop from under the desk and handed it to Fusco: «We'll split the numbers, you can take this».
«I'll take Harry's» the Doctor said.
«You don’t need to join us».
«Why not? Something I said brought us this far and now I'm curious» the Doctor nodded towards the list of numbers: «And then, until Harry and John get back, I don't have much to do».
Finch sighed through his nose, then turned to the tallest monitor.
«Send some of the numbers to the Doctor» he ordered, and the Doctor exited the carriage. Even when she returned with the pink laptop, the carriage remained silent except for a few perplexed or frustrated groans.
«Harold» the Doctor called without taking her eyes off the screen.
«Yes?».
«Are you sure these numbers are correct?».
«They’re not?»
«It's just that they're strange» the Doctor shook her head: «It shouldn't be them».
Finch opened his mouth to ask her to explain herself further, but Fusco interrupted him.
«Two of the numbers have a missing persons report under their name in the Interpol archives» Fusco raised an eyebrow: «But we're talking about three years ago, I don't know how useful it can be».
«Names?».
«One of them is Rory Williams, nurse» the Doctor looked up from his laptop and Fusco continued uncertainly: «The report was made by his father Brian, who reported also the disappearance of Williams' wife, who is the second number and it's called...».
«Amelia Pond» concluded the Doctor.
«Exactly» Fusco looked back at him: «Do you know them?».
«We traveled together, but it was ages ago» the Doctor shook his head: «They couldn't have been on that plane».
«Not even this number could have traveled this far» Finch showed on one of the monitors a photo of an elderly man with white hair and moustache: «Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, ex-serviceman and retired mathematics teacher, passed away in 2011».
«The Brigadier».
«Did you also travel with him?».
«No, but we had our adventures together».
«As with all the other passengers on this flight, then» Finch scanned the list with a quick glance: «Rose Tyler, Sarah Jane Smith, Ian Chesterton - did you happen to contact them after you got here?».
«No».
«But they took a flight to New York, how is it possible?».
«I have no idea, but you'll be the first to know when I find out».
A movement on the monitor caught the attention of those in the carriage. A message from the Machine announced the detection of a new threat in progress and Fusco snorted.
«As if we didn't already have to deal with all these people» he muttered and turned to Finch. «You didn't forget to teach this thing timing, did you?».
Finch did not answer. It was the Doctor who did it for him when a new window opened on the same monitor.
«I think she got the timing right» she murmured, as the name “Wren, Harold” loomed over a shot taken of Harry from a surveillance camera.
Chapter 12: Chapter 11
Chapter Text
Chinatown
New York City, New York
2015
It seemed that John was back where it all began.
This time Harold was much younger, he didn't have a limp and he was wearing a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt obtained by John the morning after his arrival in 2015. This time, John was no longer determined to dig into the past of a paranoid man who then he had become loyal, but he was worried about a boy he was growing fond of - about a man who, from Harry's perspective, would only begin to feel that way thirty-one years later.
John turned the corner and Harry had disappeared into the crowd returning from work. John searched every face for signs of familiarity - blue eyes behind glasses, black hair - but was interrupted by the ringing of the pay phone next to him.
«What do you want?» Harry's voice asked sharply as John picked up the phone.
«I'm happy to hear you too» John replied looking around: «Anyway, you're not too bad with the chases».
«Let's just say I'm not in the mood to be found».
«I knew it when you came out of the TARDIS».
«Did she send you? Because in that case, tell her from me that I'm not going back».
«Following you was my initiative» John shook his head and raised a shoulder: «But if you want to talk about the Doctor, I'm here».
Harry didn't answer. John sighed.
«Listen, Harry, if you don't want to go back to the Doctor now, that's fine with me, I won't force you to do it» he continued after a few moments: «But after what happened today I'm worried about you, so why don’t we talk about it, just you and I?».
«If I accept, will you tell the Doctor?».
«Not if you don't want to».
Harry didn't answer immediately. John hoped he wouldn't hang up and not because otherwise he wouldn't know how to find him again.
«If you cross the road and go a couple of hundred yards you'll find a tea room» Harry said instead in a softer tone: «Do you like tea?».
«I can make an effort for you».
«I see you there».
Harry hung up. John waited a few moments before joining a group of retirees, then separated from them along the opposite sidewalk and stopped in front of a dusty, anonymous storefront.
Harry was waiting for him near the pay phone opposite the entrance to the tea room. He and John greeted each other with a lift of the chin, then the younger one entered the room first, which with its dusty shelves reminded John of the library where he had started working with Harold. They sat at the table furthest from the window and, except for the order to a middle-aged waitress, they didn't speak to each other until the only other customers besides them had left.
«Interesting choice» John began: «Out of the way, yet in plain sight».
«The best way to hide something».
«At least that's left in you».
«You know, John, I've been hiding since before I met the Doctor».
The waitress returned with two steaming mugs and a sugar bowl and John thanked her. Harry took off his glasses and ran a hand over his face: «Sorry, I'm not in the mood» he said when the waitress had gone away.
«Seriously? I would never have said it».
Harry chuckled tiredly, then poured sugar into his tea: «Tell me, John» he murmured.
«Tell you what?».
«That I was an idiot and that maybe it's better for me to go back to 1980».
«Okay, you were an idiot».
«Oh, thanks».
«You were an idiot because, instead of calling me, you called Lionel».
Harry smiled uncertainly. John took a sip of his tea.
«Look, John, stealing the TARDIS was my idea, it wasn't my intention to get Detective Fusco or Root in trouble» Harry muttered: «And I won't apologize for what I did».
«And I'm not asking you to do that».
«I just wanted to help Root, we had the opportunity and a plan».
«A plan that objectively sucked» John replied: «It's not a good idea to go to the house of someone who's been chasing you for a year».
«Yes, but if we hadn't done it, who would have? The Machine wouldn't have done anything, nor the Doctor would...».
«So you thought you'd do it yourself».
«Shaw was important to Root».
«For Root or for you?».
«What do you mean?».
«When was the last time you and the Doctor spoke to each other before today?».
«I don't want to talk about the Doctor».
«Okay, so let's talk about the Samaritan operative - if Fusco had arrived five seconds later we would all be dead» John paused and then continued: «Shaw is important, Harry, but so are you».
Harry drank his tea in silence. An Arab man in a leather jacket entered with a ring of the bell and searched the place until he stopped for a few seconds at Harry and John's table, then approached the bar.
«John, will I keep secrets from you?».
«Do you really want to know?».
«I won't remember anything when I leave 2015» Harry stopped with a bitter grimace: «So tell me».
«You will keep several of them».
«And when you discovered them, did you forgive me?».
John raised an eyebrow. Harry didn't take his eyes off the empty cup.
«I suppose you're not talking about your trip with the TARDIS now, are you?».
Harry didn't answer. At the bar, the Arab man exchanged a few words with the waitress and she disappeared into the back.
«If she finds out what I've done» Harry shook his head: «The Doctor will never forgive me».
«The Doctor will never find out if you don't want it» John reassured him: «Is it about how you got here?»
Harry nodded. A ring in John's ear interrupted him before he could continue: «Whatever it is, it's not a good time» he hissed as he answered the call.
«I'm afraid I have to contradict you, John, but we have some new numbers».
«Numbers? Plural?».
«I'll explain everything to you when you get back, is Harry there with you?».
«Yes».
«One of the numbers is his, you have to come back here immediately».
«We're coming - we've to go» said John, leaving a note on the table and standing up with Harry.
«What happens?».
«We'll talk about it later, now let's get out of here».
John grabbed Harry by the elbow and walked him to the tea room bar. The Arab man in the leather jacket also stood up and stopped them both with a hand on Harry's shoulder.
«Harold Wren?» he asked Harry and quickly held up a green and red booklet: «I'm Hakim Khan, you must come with me».
«We were just leaving» John interjected with a polite smile that Khan didn't return.
«I wasn't talking to you».
John stopped smiling and attempted to punch him, which Khan blocked with his arm before punching him back. John defended himself, then grabbed him by the head and tackled him to the bar.
«Harry, go in the back!» John ordered and waited for Harry to run to the opposite side. Khan reached over the bar and hit John with a teapot, shattering it. John imitated him with a half-empty bottle of milk and, when Khan shook his head after the blow, he followed Harry to the back door of the club.
He found Harry with his hands raised in front of two men in green uniforms with red berets pointing guns at him. Behind them, a woman in the same uniform stood next to a dark car with its rear door open.
«Corporal Iris Campbell, Unified Intelligence Taskforce» the woman said: «Harold Wren, you have to follow us».
«Iris?».
Iris turned to John and the domineering mask disappeared for a moment. John walked over to Harry and pulled out his gun.
«Corporal, what do we do?» one of the two men in uniform asked, but Iris silenced him with a raised hand and took a few steps forward.
«John, don't make it difficult for me» Iris said, placing herself between John and the soldiers.
«Difficult, corporal?».
Iris didn't answer. John had time to realize she was looking behind him before he stiffened and fell to the ground.
Chapter 13: Chapter 12
Chapter Text
Chinatown, New York City
New York
2015
Primary Asset
Alias: Reese, John
Searching Primary Asset...
Contact failed
Alias: Wren, Harold
Searching Wren, Harold...
Contact failed
Immediate threat
Contacting Admin...
«John, can you hear me? John?».
John's voice didn't respond and Finch stood up: «Show me John Reese's last known location» he ordered to the monitor at his eye level. The Machine responded by showing John crossing the road with a group of retirees, while a different angle saw him giving way to Harry inside a tea room.
«These shots are from half an hour ago» Fusco read, moving his face closer to the date at the bottom right: «Hey, did you see them going out too?».
The monitor above their heads turned on.
NO
«But that doesn't mean they haven't left» muttered the Doctor: «Try to see if that place has a back exit».
Finch sat back down, his fingers tapping away at the keyboard until a floor plan was shown. Fusco brought his face closer and pointed to a spot on the monitor.
«There it is» he said: «Is there a view that way?».
A message from the Machine announced a search in her feed, then the monitor showed a dark green cell van pulling out of a neglected alley. The video stopped and the Machine zoomed in on the car's windshield, where a red-haired woman was facing the Arab man driving her.
«This video is from five minutes ago» Finch said: «Can you identify the driver and passenger?».
A message invited the trio to wait while the search was in progress, then the clear gazes of the two returned them from another monitor.
PRIMARY TARGET
Name: Khan, Hakim
SECONDARY TARGET
Name: Campbell, Iris
IMPOSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH AFFILIATION
Classification: Threat
High priority
«But Campbell is the precinct psychologist» Fusco said: «What was she doing there?».
«It'll be the first thing I ask her as soon as I find John and myself» Finch replied, getting up from the desk.
«I'll give you a lift - find the van and send me the coordinates on the TARDIS» the Doctor added to one of the Machine's monitors and followed Finch out of the carriage: «Leonard, are you coming with us?».
«Lionel» Fusco corrected her angrily: «And then, are you sure you want to chase who knows who's car with that broom closet?».
The Doctor stopped suddenly in front of the door of the TARDIS, his expression darkening as he turned to Fusco: «Apologize to her» he said.
«What?».
«She is not a broom closet, okay? It's much more... Oh, but imagine if you humans have the brains to understand!».
«Detective, apologize to the TARDIS» Finch said with a tired sigh.
«Are you serious?».
«Just do it, please».
Fusco looked first at Finch and then at the Doctor, who stood in the way with her arms crossed in front of her chest. He snorted through his nose, then looked up at one of the TARDIS windows.
«Hey, I'm sorry for calling you broom closet, okay? I'll never do it again» he muttered and turned to the Doctor: «Are you happy now?».
«Better».
The Doctor uncrossed her arms and entered the TARDIS with Finch, while Fusco was the last to follow them shaking his head. One of the monitors at the console lit up and the Doctor grabbed it.
«The Machine sent me the last known position of the car» the Doctor said, typing the coordinates on the keyboard in front of her and turning the key: «With a bit of luck, the TARDIS will take us to its final destination - put the lever, detective».
Fusco flipped the nearest lever and an alarm siren boomed off the walls of the control room.
«Wrong lever, detective!» the Doctor shouted and Fusco hurried to obey her. The siren, however, did not decrease in intensity and the Doctor let out a frustrated sigh.
«I know there's a paradox, dear, but try to ignore it!».
The siren didn't stop screaming. The Doctor picked up a hammer from under the console and turned it around for a moment in her fingers before landing a blow next to the keyboard.
The siren went silent, but the entire control room shook so hard that Finch fell away from the console, while Fusco had just enough time to grab onto one of the levers.
«Are you alright?» the Doctor asked panting as the central column stopped.
«I've had better days - thanks, detective» Finch added as Fusco helped him up. The Doctor got down from the console and together with Fusco and Finch exited the TARDIS.
«Unified Intelligence Taskforce, hands up and don't move!» a male voice greeted them outside the TARDIS and six soldiers in green uniforms and red caps pointed as many weapons at them. Fusco and Finch raised their hands, while the Doctor snorted in annoyance.
«Great, more armed soldiers» she muttered.
One of the six soldiers, a tall young man with a brown beard, raised his rifle at the Doctor: «This is an unauthorized access, raise your hands and identify yourself!» he ordered.
«No way!».
«Doctor!» Finch and Fusco exclaimed in unison.
«I don't answer to anyone who points a rifle in my face, it's a matter of principle» the Doctor said and turned to the soldier with the brown beard: «UNIT, uh? Is Stewart still there? I would really like to have a chat with her».
«For you, Doctor, I'm always here» a woman's voice said: «It's okay, Blackwell, I'll take care of it from now on».
The soldier with the brown beard hesitated, then lowered his rifle and with a gesture ordered the others to do the same, while Fusco and Finch lowered their hands. A middle-aged woman approached the TARDIS and only spared a casual glance at the TARDIS before focusing on the Doctor.
«Doctor» she greeted her with a friendly smile: «They told me about an upgrade».
Chapter 14: Chapter 13
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«So, she is what? An ex of yours?».
«Yes» John replied through gritted teeth.
«No» Iris replied at the same time.
At that point, Harry thought it was wiser not to intrude further into the matter and focus on the rest of the room. If he hadn't miscounted when he arrived, ten armed guards were stationed in the corridors he and John had passed through. He wasn't sure, however, to include corporal Campbell in the count, while he was certain to count as well Khan, who was alternating between glaring at John and attentive glances at the video camera and computer positioned on the desk.
«You know, detective Riley? It's funny that you consider me your ex» Iris tilted her head to one side: «Especially if we consider that there was nothing between us».
«There was nothing real between us» John corrected her: «Because you know, corporal Campbell, I don't remember you mentioning your rank to me during our meetings».
«You're right, I didn't» she admitted, bowing her head for a moment and folding her arms in front of her chest: «However, none of us were totally honest during our meetings, right?»
John didn't answer. Khan turned on the video camera and rotated the tripod until it was pointing at Harry.
«If you're done, corporal, I'll start the recording» he said without sitting down and looked at John: «What do we do with him?».
«Take him out, I'll talk to Wren alone».
«No» Harry interrupted, but was more hesitant when Iris and Khan turned to him: «I want John to stay here with me».
«You are in no position to negotiate» Khan retorted.
«Actually, you are the ones who can't negotiate» Harry looked at Iris and added: «You have a camera, which means that whatever information you want from me is so important that it needs to be recorded».
«Not to mention how much trouble you went to to get us to this place» John added.
«Which makes me think that this important information can only be given by me» Harry said, nodding and smiling: «So I am certainly in a position to negotiate and my condition is that John is present».
Harry fell silent and turned to John, his gaze tense like a child seeking approval. John gave it to him with a quick half-smile, while Iris raised her eyebrows: «I guess we can make an exception this time» she said.
«Corporal, I don't think this is a good idea».
«Riley knows better than divulge the contents of this conversation» Iris retorted, glaring at John, then she continued in a barely audible whisper: «And even if there were that risk, neither he nor Wren will remember this meeting».
Khan did not respond. Iris persuaded him with a nod of her head and he turned on the camera with a sigh.
«Okay, let's start with the basic information» Iris began: «Are you Harold Wren?».
«Yes».
«Is it your real name?».
«No».
«What is your real name?».
«I don't want to answer that question».
«Reason?».
«I don't even want to answer that question».
«We were understanding when you asked for Detective Riley to be present» Iris said with a sigh: «We would appreciate your cooperation as well».
«I don't want to reveal my real name and I don't want to explain why» Harry replied firmly: «Harold Wren will do just fine».
«I have to insist...»
«Harold Wren has already answered you, Iris» John interjected as firmly as Harry. Khan opened his mouth to reply, but Iris stopped him with a gesture and a friendly smile.
«Okay, then, let's move on» he murmured: «What is your relationship with the Doctor?».
«We met».
«When?».
«In 1980».
Iris raised her eyebrows in surprise. John also noticed a surprised change in Khan's frowning face.
«The Doctor asked me a lift in the car» Harry added evasively.
«And he gave you a ride through space and time» Iris commented.
«She» Harry corrected, then glanced at the camera and added, «Sorry, did you kidnap us to talk about the Doctor?».
«It wasn't a kidnapping» Khan glared at John: «But it became one when I told someone to mind his business and he smashed a bottle of milk on me».
«I happen to do it when someone breaks a teapot on me» John shrugged with a falsely guilty look: «You know, reactions».
Iris exchanged a look with Khan and then focused on Harry.
«Okay, Wren, cards on the table - yes, we brought you here to talk about the Doctor and to trace her movements in space and time» she continued after a few moments: «And you have just confirmed our sources about your connection with the Doctor».
«Your sources?».
«Who gave you the name Harry?» John then asked.
«That is confidential information».
«Iris...».
«Corporal Campbell already answered» Khan replied, and John didn't miss a mocking note in his voice before he stood up: «Sorry».
Khan pulled his vibrating cell phone out of his pocket and left the room, not before asking Iris for permission with a nod of his head. John waited for Khan to close the door behind him and leaned over the table until his face was close to Iris.
«Khan is gone now, so who are your sources?».
«And yours, John?».
«What do you mean?».
«It's no coincidence that you and Wren were together» Iris observed in the same tone John had used with her: «Tell me, John, who put you in that tea room with him?».
«That is a confidential information».
Iris nodded with a triumphant smile. Shortly thereafter, Khan quickly returned to the room and turned off the video camera: «Greyhound One is here» he said, closing the tripod.
«So soon?».
«And she's not alone» Khan put the camera equipment under the table and took the door: «I'll warn Taylor, I'll be right back».
Iris nodded, but waited until Khan had already left before sitting in front of the computer: «We will resume our conversation later» she said without looking up from the monitor.
«Harry and I will get out of here later» John corrected her.
«I wasn't talking to you, Detective».
John didn't answer and Harry also preferred to dedicate himself to cleaning the lenses of his glasses. The three remained silent until two knocks on the door made them get up, then Iris saluted the blonde woman in her fifties appeared inside the room.
«Easy, corporal Campbell» the woman replied with a wave of her hand: «Update me on the situation».
«Ms. Stewart, we found Harold Wren following Dr. Taylor's directions» Iris glanced at John before adding: «But even though there was a conflict of interest with the NYPD, we took Wren into custody».
The woman named Stewart nodded, then stepped aside and pointed into the room.
«Let them in, Khan» she ordered, and waited for the Doctor to enter before adding: «As you and your friends will see, Doctor, the boy and the detective are fine».
Harry's face cleared for just a moment, only to turn cold again when he met the Doctor's gaze. John treated Finch and Fusco differently and the latter greeted him with a pat on the shoulder.
«If there's nothing else, ma'am» Blackwell interjected, following Khan into the room: «I'll return to supervise the transport of the TARDIS into the base».
«Not yet, Blackwell».
Blackwell greeted the order with a stiff nod of his head. Khan took out his cell phone and read the display for a moment before putting it back in his pocket: «Taylor is ready to connect» he said.
«Very good - corporal Campbell, connect with Taylor».
John didn't miss Blackwell's tight lips at that exchange between Khan and Stewart, but he chose not to notice when Finch called him aside.
«You look good, John» he said, adjusting his glasses on his nose: «Especially if we consider your accidental involvement in the operations of an unidentified military organization».
«You look good too, Finch».
«Speaking of which» Finch's voice dropped to a whisper: «The Machine sent young me's number shortly after you left».
John turned to Harry, who with his arms crossed continued to ignore the Doctor. He couldn't figure out if this had any relevance to her, busy as she was with balancing the sonic screwdriver on one finger.
«And just before his number» added Finch: «he sent the flight number of a plane that landed here in New York from London».
«Do you think it's connected to this place?».
«I'm more than convinced, since one of the passengers on the plane is Mrs. Stewart's father - who passed away four years ago, by the way» Finch spared Kate Stewart a look before adding: «And all the passengers on that flight traveled also with the Doctor».
John didn't respond to those words and raised an eyebrow when he looked at Iris hidden behind the laptop: «Don't you think it's a little strange?« he asked.
«What is taking them so long to connect with another terminal station on this base? No, I didn't miss it».
«Another item to the list of things to clarify in here».
Finch caught Blackwell's eye and discreetly stepped away from John. From the table, Iris rotated the computer towards the rest of the audience.
«Here we are - doctor Taylor, Mrs Stewart is here».
«Please forgive me, but as you know this job... Just a moment».
The words were spoken by the forehead and curls of a man in a room lit only by the connected computer monitor. Stewart approached the computer and with a nod invited the Doctor to do the same, while the webcam on the monitor flickered to adjust the shot.
«Dr. Taylor, I'm with the Doctor here on base» she announced and turned to the Time Lady: «Doctor, I remember you and Dr. Malcolm Taylor having met before».
«Two or three faces ago, in fact».
With a huge relief for John, the webcam frame stopped steady on the face of a man with thick glasses that magnified the already wide blue eyes, while the open mouth was like a cartoon John had seen as a child.
«Oh, my God!».
«I'm happy to see you too, doctor Taylor» the Doctor smiled at him: «How long has it been for you? Six, seven years?».
Dr. Taylor nodded, then sniffed at him and adjusted his glasses. Khan rolled his eyes as Taylor pulled out a tissue in the frame.
«Dr. Taylor, I kindly ask you to compose yourself,” Stewart sighed.
«Excuse me, ma'am, but…» Doctor Taylor blew his nose with a honk: «The Doctor here, in the base I coordinate…».
«Don't worry, I'm used to it» the Doctor interrupted, raising a hand.
«If I had known that the Doctor was here, I would have done everything to meet her in person» Taylor's shining eyes scanned the room: «But right now, with the first results of our work...».
«You can join us now, Dr. Taylor» Stewart interrupted.
The pure joy in Taylor's eyes cracked into a serene expression. He looked over his shoulder and cleared his throat.
«I'm sorry, but it's just impossible for me now» he murmured: «With the project at such an advanced stage...».
Two knocks on the door prevented Taylor from providing further explanation. One of the soldiers who had welcomed the Doctor in the base courtyard greeted Stewart: «The TARDIS has been brought into the base, as you request» he said.
«Escort the Doctor's companions inside and guard the door» Stewart ordered, and before the Doctor could protest, she added: «Doctor, I would like to speak alone with you in my office»
«If you want to talk alone with me, you can do it with my companions too» the Doctor replied.
«This is a sensitive issue».
«So?».
«Doctor, I insist».
The Doctor grimaced and with a sigh searched in his pockets until he pulled out a chain with two keys hanging from it.
«Harold» she called, and when Harry took a step towards her, added: «Not you».
Harry stopped and kept his eyes on his older self as he limped towards the Doctor. She handed him the keys.
«Lock yourselves inside, I'll be back as soon as possible».
Finch nodded, but the Doctor waited for him and the rest of the team to exit before following Stewart down the same corridor in the opposite direction. They reached a heavy metal door which opened at the code Stewart typed into the electronic keypad and the Doctor entered first.
Except for an intercom at the entrance and a lever beneath it, the office looked like it was stuck in the 1970s. Tall drawer files topped a black armchair, while a typewriter stood waiting to make itself useful to whoever would sit in front of it.
«This office is completely shielded and the electronic lock can only be disabled from the inside» said Stewart, lowering the lever under the intercom and a heavy click was heard: «A somewhat inconvenient precaution, but in light of some facts it was necessary ».
«What facts?».
Stewart leaned against the desk with her back to the archives: «How did you get here, Doctor?» she asked.
«A long and also quite funny story».
«I've got plenty of time» Stewart paused with a sigh: «And lately I need funny stories».
The Doctor didn't answer. Her relationship with the Lethbridge-Stewart family was strong enough to tease out some details, but she wasn't sure if being totally honest with Kate Stewart was a good idea. She finally spoke.
«I landed here by accident - a little temporal mess I'm trying to fix».
«And your new friends?».
«They're helping me clean up the little temporal mess».
«Do you trust them?».
«You know me, I don't give the keys to the TARDIS to anyone who doesn't have my trust» the Doctor smiled: «Ask Churchill».
«Because trust is important to you, right?»
«Right» the Doctor was silent for a moment: «But I don't think you invited me here to talk about trust».
«No, in fact» Stewart admitted: «After Canary Wharf we activated this UNIT base to allow Taylor to examine the Torchwood projects we could get our hands on and, shortly after, he activated the Panic Moon project».
«From the name it seems nice».
«Yeah, but Taylor hasn't shared any details about the project since he started working on it and, if I'm honest, I'm starting to worry about him».
«And you would like some help from me».
«He loves you and if a poster of you pops up around the base I wouldn't be surprised, so yes» Stewart sighed: «And it's not a job I'd entrust to just anyone».
«Not even to your welcoming committee?»
The Doctor expected some response, but was surprised when Kate looked anywhere but at her.
«Is something wrong, Kate?» the Doctor then asked and Stewart clenched her hands into fists.
«One of the members of the welcoming committee is a leak, Doctor».
Chapter 15: Chapter 14
Chapter Text
Time And Relative Dimension In Space
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«You're completely insane, you know that?».
«As if you were the first to say it».
However, Fusco was not in the mood for jokes, and so it was for the rest of those present in the TARDIS. The Doctor twisted the sonic screwdriver between his fingers and threw it into the air.
«Kate is absolutely certain of the presence of the leak in this base and, after doctor Taylor, those three are the highest ranking on the base» she said grabbing the sonic screwdriver again: «And I'm ready to bet the fake dollars I have in my pocket that Panic Moon is involved and, if we find out what it is, we will also understand who the leak is and why Samaritan is interested in the project».
«Not to mention» Finch added: «That inside the base we could access more information about the flight number sent by the Machine and, as a result, we would be able to stop the plans Samaritan has for the Doctor».
«You said “we” a lot, you know?» Fusco retorted and pointed to John with his thumb: «And then, what do we do with the precinct? Won’t Super Vicky Two find it strange that two detectives are on a military base for no reason?».
«Kate is handling it - officially it's a joint operation with UNIT».
«Which is true, in a certain sense» John admitted.
«And, still officially, for our three new friends you are investigating with me about doctor Taylor’s work - in case you can disguise them as you like».
«Don't they know about the leak?».
«Not yet, Kate wants to be sure before incriminating anyone».
«So let's see if I understand correctly, we have to investigate a plane that disappeared into thin air, doctor Strangelove and a possible mole, hidden by Big Brother, risking our careers for having lied to our captain and without telling anyone what what are we talking about in here» Fusco took a moment's pause and added: «Did I miss something?».
«No, on the contrary» the Doctor gave him a big smile: «You have an excellent capacity for synthesis, Leonard».
Fusco had neither the heart nor the strength to correct her. He then simply sighed through his nose before asking: «Okay, how do we proceed?».
«Harold and I will talk to Taylor and find out what Panic Moon is» replied the Doctor pointing to herself and Finch: «You, John and Harry will help Kate talk to the others, then we will come back here to decide what to do».
«Actually, Doctor, I'd like to take care of questioning the suspects» Finch retorted.
«Are you sure?».
«It was Doctor Taylor who gave Harry's name to these people, he will be more willing to collaborate if you talk with him» Harold grimaced: «And then, if we have to access UNIT data, it would be the case that a more experienced myself should take care of it».
Everyone turned to the Doctor except Harry. Finch stared right at her, as if wanting to wait for the Doctor to weigh his proposal or understand the real reason for that initiative.
«Why not?» she said finally: «Come on, Harry».
The Doctor exited the TARDIS, but it was only John who followed her. Fusco imitated them, but not before staring at Harry for a long time.
«Um, Finch?».
Harold turned and, when Harry indicated to Fusco that he was leaving, he reassured him with a wave of his hand: «Oh, don't worry, the detective knows who you are» he said.
«Did you tell him?».
«We had to».
«I am sorry».
«You don't have to, I imagine we should have explained to him, sooner or later».
Harry didn't answer. Finch turned, but Harry interrupted him: «You didn't have to do that» he said.
«I assume you're not talking about detective Fusco now».
«Why did you want to exchange yourself with me?».
Finch did not answer immediately. Maybe he had forgotten many things about those two years that he had not experienced, but he knew himself enough to be able to say that lying to himself was not an option.
«You won't have many opportunities like this to explain yourself» he said, shrugging: «Believe me, I know what I'm talking about».
Harry didn't respond and let his older self exit the TARDIS before following as well.
***
Kate Stewart had ordered her to wait and she had.
Iris allowed herself only a tour of the small interrogation room, then she had taken off her red beret and sat down. She looked up only when the door opened and she raised her eyebrows when John entered: «I should have known you would be the one questioning me» she said with a smile.
John sat in front of her and took the red beret in his hands.
«John, I know you have a history with corporal Campbell, but I would like to remind you that you are not there for personal reasons» said Finch's voice in his ear: «I need maximum objectivity and collaboration».
John didn't answer and returned both Iris's gaze and the video camera turned on behind her with a friendly smile.
«So, corporal» he murmured, underlining his rank and placed his beret on the table: «Let's start today, okay?».
«Okay».
«Who gave you the name of Harold Wren?».
«It was Dr. Taylor».
«There's a notice in the base calendar confirming the meeting» Finch said in John's ear: «But I need details».
«And what did he tell you?» John then asked.
«It's confidential information».
«Kate Stewart spoke of maximum collaboration, Iris» John replied: «There can be no confidential information in collaboration».
«No, in fact».
«Indeed, so what did dr. Taylor tell you?».
Iris didn't respond immediately. John thought she must have felt his own triumph as she dug into her armor.
«To keep track of the Doctor's movements, UNIT collects information from and about his traveling companions» Iris explained after a few moments: «We knew that she had regenerated into a woman and that she was not traveling alone, but we couldn't trace her current companion».
«And what role did Taylor have?».
«Taylor gave us Wren's name and the coordinates where we would find him, our task was to bring him and whoever accompanied him here to the base and question him about the Doctor» Iris paused: «You know the rest».
«And how did Taylor get Wren's name?».
«I don’t know».
«Iris...».
«It's the truth, John» Iris said firmly: «I only know that Wren's name is the result of a project Taylor is coordinating here».
«The Panic Moon project».
«Yes».
«And you have no idea what it's about».
«No».
«Which is strange, though» Finch added in John's ear: «Since she signed a request for London to guarantee the project».
«If you know nothing about the project, how come you signed a guarantee for a request?».
Iris frowned, then pursed her lips in disappointment: «How many of us are in this conversation, John?» she asked.
«You know, the last time we spoke you didn't mention your main job here» John replied coldly: «So excuse me if I need confirmation».
«Don't beat around the bush, John, just ask».
«Okay, what were you doing undercover in the NYPD?».
«John, I asked you not to make it personal» Finch's voice scolded him: «Please, come back up...».
John quickly turned off the earpiece. Iris didn't bat an eye when he brought his face closer to the top of the table.
«Now that we're alone» John murmured: «Why were you undercover in the NYPD?».
«Confidential information, but I can tell you that it involved a tall man with a suit and the gift of being in the right place at the right time» Iris laughed: «What good is a degree in psychology if not for these things?».
«And our meetings?».
Iris didn't smile anymore. The question seemed to sadden her, but her voice was steady when she spoke again.
«Within the limits of the mission I was honest and I think you can understand, as an undercover person» she said and tilted her head to the side: «Or do you still want me to believe you are a real police officer?».
«When would you have understood?».
«At our second meeting».
John smiled and turned the earpiece back on. He no longer felt anger, disappointment or anything he had associated with Iris since he and Harry had met her that afternoon.
«I'm asking you not to do this again, John» Finch scolded when they reconnected.
«Back to Taylor» John said then: «Why did he need a guarantee for his project?».
Iris hesitated, but she spoke before John could insist.
«The Panic Moon project was intended to support the Black Archive in London and dr. Taylor requested access to a select list of data».
«But dr. Taylor has been working for UNIT for years, why did he need a guarantee from you?».
Iris turned to the camera behind her. When she looked back at John she was more saddened than tense.
«I've known Taylor since I enlisted, he's a very brilliant man but he is also…» Iris paused: «Well, you've seen him before, haven't you?».
«He is quite peculiar».
«But lately it has gotten worse - he lives like a recluse in the name of this project and he doesn't want that others know about it».
«I know the guy» John replied, ignoring Finch's sigh of disappointment in his ear.
«When I was reassigned here I was ordered to keep an eye on him and update London on his progress» Iris said as if John hadn't spoken. «They would never have approved any request if Taylor had submitted it alone».
«But you vouched for him».
«We discussed, he made me understand that he needed that data to complete Panic Moon and I agreed to help him, on the condition that after the first results he would have to give me all the details of the project».
«Did you sign a guarantee with your eyes closed? Why?».
«Have you ever trusted someone to the point of following them with your eyes closed wherever they go?».
John didn't answer immediately. From the silence in the earpiece John guessed that Finch had thought the same.
«What about Khan and Blackwell? What can you tell me about them?».
«They are valid elements, even if they have quite particular pasts».
«I'm looking for their files in the base archives» Finch said in his ear: «I will contact you when I have the first information».
John looked up at the camera for a moment and then looked back at Iris.
«I have duties towards UNIT, but I also have duties towards Taylor» she murmured after a few moments: «And if a violation of protocol can help him in any way, the consequences don't worry me».
With those words John thought about Harry and his secret he was finally about to reveal before UNIT forced them to change their plans. As much as he was convinced that Finch had proposed the exchange in good faith, he wondered if Iris's words would be more useful to the younger version of him, regardless of their investigation.
«I'll be right back» he said and left the interrogation room.
***
«Wait, detective».
Lionel Fusco looked up at the camera above the interrogation room door: «Any problems, Glasses?» he asked.
«Khan is calling someone, but not from his work cell phone» Finch made a frustrated noise before adding: «And I can't access this new device».
«Really?».
«I'll have to try another approach - come in, detective, I'll try to connect from your phone».
«At your orders» Lionel muttered and opened without knocking. However, Khan did not notice his entrance, as he was preoccupied with arguing on the phone.
«Look, Yaz, I don't know what…» Khan looked up at Fusco and was silent for a moment before adding: «I have to go, I'll call you».
Before Fusco could say anything else, Khan's cell phone had disappeared into his pants pocket and his fingers were laced on the table next to his red beret and green jacket.
«Did I interrupt something?» the detective asked.
«It's none of his business».
«Maybe but I'm curious, you won't mind if I take a look at your phone to see who you were talking to, or am I wrong?».
«You're wrong, and then I don't have to show you anything, unless I'm under formal arrest» Khan frowned: «And you're not here to arrest me, as far as I know».
«He is right, detective, don't insist on the cell phone or he won't cooperate» Finch intervened into the earpiece: «And then I managed to pick up a small trace and I'm working on it, it will be long but in the end we will know who he spoke to».
Fusco didn't answer either of them and sat down in front of Khan.
«Okay, let's not talk about it anymore» he said finally: «So you're Hakim Khan, right?».
«Right».
«Joined UNIT since 2003 following a court settlement, the ratings on him are very good» Finch let out a puzzled groan: «Yet, despite the praise, he has not received any significant advancement in rank».
«Okay, Khan, tell me about today».
«Look, it's not my fault your friend has jurisdiction problems».
«Believe me, jurisdiction is the least of his problems».
«Detective, I'd like to remind you that I'm listening» Finch murmured into the earpiece.
Lionel rolled his eyes. However, if Khan noticed something, it seemed to Lionel that he wasn't very interested.
«Apart from my colleague» the detective continued after a few moments: «How did it go?».
«Corporal Campbell met with dr. Taylor and an hour later she called Blackwell and me».
«Did she give you Wren’s name?».
«Yes».
«And how did you get that name?».
«She said that Taylor had given it to her, it was the first result of his project here at the base and she organized the operation to bring Wren and whoever was with him here».
«But Blackwell was not with you in that tea room».
«Campbell ordered him to stay here in the base» Khan grimaced: «He didn't take it very well».
«Don't you get along?»
«It's a blowhard»
«You're not very flattering, and besides, he's your superior».
«Believe me, he would say even worse about me».
«In his latest proposal for advancement in rank, Blackwell expressed himself against him» admitted Finch as if to confirm his words: «He speaks of an unstable and unreliable element, which is rather strange considering the rest of the file - I would like to hear Khan's opinion on the matter».
«Why don't you get along?» Fusco then asked.
Hakim shrugged: «Let's put it this way, detective, Blackwell and I have very different views on second chances» he said.
«What kind of views?».
«If it were up to him, I should be in jail or worse» Hakim snorted a mocking laugh: «Coming from him, then…».
«Continue with today's operation, I'll look into the matter between him and Blackwell later» Finch interrupted them into the earpiece.
«Let's go back to today, okay?» Fusco asked after a moment's pause. «So Campbell got Wren's name from Taylor and you and her set out to get it».
«Yes».
«And how did Taylor have Wren’s name?».
«Oh, I don't know».
«You haven't even made a hypothesis?».
«For all I know, he might have a crystal ball in that lab».
«And have you ever been curious to take a look?».
«If I did, they'd erase my memory and kick me out in a minute» Khan replied: «And I'd like to do my job well enough to go back to it the next day, so if Taylor is more expansive with Campbell I'm fine with it».
«Speaking of Campbell, ask him about the data request to London that she signed as guarantor two weeks ago» Finch then intervened: «The names of Blackwell and Khan appear in the proxy for collecting these data».
«What can you tell me about Campbell?» Fusco asked, pretending to be vague.
«She is a good person and an excellent officer» Khan became uncertain: «Why? What do you want to know?».
«She signed as guarantor for a data request two weeks ago».
«Really?».
«You and Blackwell have been delegated to collect the data».
Khan frowned even more. Fusco raised an eyebrow.
«A request was made for data to London two weeks ago and you and Blackwell were assigned to collect it» the detective then said slowly, «How did it go?».
«I do not remember».
«You really don't remember?».
«Indeed» Khan said harshly, then calmed down and added: «But...».
«But?».
Khan clenched his jaw, and when he spoke again, his voice was much more strained.
«A month ago someone tried to access the base, Taylor investigated and discovered that it had been going on for a couple of days» he said: «He moved the project to the underground level and increased security, then he erased the memory of whoever it was assigned to the base and established that, until Panic Moon was fully operational, the memory for any operation that directly affected the project would be erased».
«Also the request for data».
«Yes».
«But you'll have to remember something».
«The last thing I remember was Campbell giving us a flight number, nothing else».
Lionel looked up at the camera, then back at Khan.
«Excuse me a minute» Lionel muttered and left the interrogation room.
***
«With all due respect, mr...».
«Professor Harold Whistler» Finch corrected her.
«Professor Whistler, I don't think having Blackwell interrogated by me is a good idea» Kate Stewart said: «I trained him and I know him very well».
«And precisely for this reason you are the most suitable person to interrogate him - Blackwell will be less inclined to lie if he has a superior in front of him instead of a civilian» Finch retorted: «I assure you, however, that I will be in contact with you, it will be like having me at your side».
Kate Stewart looked down at the earpiece Finch held out to her, but she didn't take it: «For you and your friends, it must be the rule» she said.
«Yes it is».
Stewart said nothing else and put on the earpiece.
«You asked us to investigate, mrs. Stewart, so you know the direction the interrogation should take» Finch reassured her before she left the control room: «If I need confirmation, I'll get in touch with you».
Stewart didn't respond and left Finch alone. He spent several minutes keeping an eye on Campbell and Khan's interrogations, then he focused on the interrogation room of Blackwell, who saluted when Stewart entered.
«Easy, Corporal Blackwell» Stewart invited him to sit down with a gesture and then stood in front of him: «As you know, I am here to clarify the activities of the base and, in particular, on the operation involving Harold Wren and the Doctor».
«If I can help».
«How was the operation organized?».
«This morning, dr. Taylor called corporal Campbell and an hour later we reunited to review the situation» Blackwell replied: «She told us that dr. Taylor had given her the name and location of Harold Wren and that we would had to bring him here for some questions».
«Why did you have to question him?».
«Campbell had said that UNIT was unable to cover some of the Doctor's movements after she regenerated into a woman and that, according to Taylor, Wren was the key to solving the problem».
«And how could dr. Taylor be so sure?».
«I do not know».
«And yet he must have had some evidence or data to reach Wren, didn't it seem strange to you not to have further information?».
Blackwell shrugged, then seemed to think for a moment before replying: «I think this was part of Taylor's plans».
«Explain better».
«Maybe he thought he would do a test using Wren and that he would give us more information once everything went well» Blackwell grimaced and added: «Or at least that's what Campbell told us».
Harold returned to Iris's interrogation for a minute and reread the data request to London, then opened communication with Stewart.
«Since he mentioned Campbell, Mrs. Stewart, ask him about the data request she signed two weeks ago» Finch said and saw Stewart give a small nod toward the camera: «Blackwell was delegated along with Khan to collect the data».
«Tell me about the data request in London two weeks ago» Stewart said.
«What request?».
«Campbell asked for the data in London and signed a guarantee for its use» Stewart's face hardened: «You should know about it, since you and Khan were then instructed to collect it».
Blackwell frowned until he heard Khan's name, then clenched his jaw without answering.
«So» Stewart insisted.
«I don't remember» Blackwell replied.
«Corporal Blackwell, I remind you that you are currently talking to a superior and…».
«I know, but I don't remember».
Finch and Stewart frowned, then the computer scientist spent a few minutes on Khan’s interrogation before returning to Stewart.
«Khan also doesn't remember the withdrawal of the data» he said: «He claims that the memories of anyone involved in this operation were erased».
«Did they erase your memory? Why?» Stewart asked.
«I swear I have no idea» Blackwell snorted and made an evasive gesture: «Maybe it's because of what happened a month ago, but I don't know».
«What happened a month ago?».
«A data leak, Taylor investigated but to no avail. He moved the project underground and ordered a memory wipe for any direct operations on Panic Moon».
«And why wasn't London informed?»
Blackwell didn't answer. Finch was not sure that his expression indicated real reticence.
«If there was a data leak, London should have been informed» Stewart retorted: «Why didn't it happen?».
«During the internal investigation I discovered that Khan was hiding a private cell phone on the base, I told Taylor and Campbell and they concluded that the whole thing was a false alarm» Blackwell finally admitted: «I have been keeping an eye on Khan since then, but traces of the cell phone have been lost».
«I'm already dealing with Khan’s second cell phone, Mrs. Stewart» Finch intervened, glancing at the monitor: «And personally I would look into the relationship between Blackwell and Khan».
«What is your relationship with Khan, corporal?» Stewart asked.
«I thought you should investigate the base».
«And investigating the base also implies clarifying on the relationships between its members» Stewart replied: «So, what is your relationship with Khan?».
Blackwell snorted through his nose: «I don't think Khan is a good fit for UNIT» he said.
«Strange, every person who worked with him considers him a very good element».
«I could, too, if I wanted to avoid prison» Blackwell replied irritably: «That officer who arrested him - Carter or whatever her name is - was too kind-hearted towards him».
«I was kind-hearted to you too, corporal, especially after you left the NYPD» Stewart said harshly: «Remember that».
Blackwell fell silent and said no more. Finch clenched his jaw and forced himself to reach Stewart.
«Mrs. Stewart, I'll leave you to look into the matter between Blackwell and Khan» he said: «I'll let you know if there's any news from the Doctor».
Stewart didn't respond, but she looked up at the interrogation room camera before walking out.
Chapter 16: Chapter 15
Chapter Text
Dr. Malcolm Taylor's Laboratory
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«I'll talk to Taylor» the Doctor said pressing the button on the first underground floor: «You keep your eyes and ears open, okay?».
Harry didn't answer and the only thing that could be heard for a few moments was the pre-recorded elevator music that the Doctor hummed with her mouth closed, then the younger one let out a frustrated sigh.
«That's enough» he snapped and pressed the stop button on the elevator. «I won't apologize today, okay?».
«Of course you won’t».
«Stop treating me like a child».
«Well, then don't act like one».
«Maybe I would behave better if I had idea what I did».
«As if you didn't know».
«I stole your TARDIS and saved Shaw, so what?».
«You still don't get there, do you?»
Harry didn't answer. The Doctor sighed.
«I would like to stop having blood on my hands» she continued now more calmly: «And I would like you not to be just another one on the list, Harold».
Harry looked away from the Doctor.
«Not to mention that there are things about this story that I don't understand and when it happens I get irritated» the Doctor snorted again: «According to Flynn it's due to something unresolved from my childhood - at least that's what I understood, here in New York the domestic pigeons have such a strange accent...».
«Flynn?».
«Flynn, my therapist».
«Flynn the chess pigeon?».
«This is how I afford his advice, okay?».
At first Harry didn't answer, then he let out a laugh which the Doctor returned.
«Just promise me one thing, Harold» the Doctor said as she laughed: «Don't do it again, okay?».
Harry looked at her, his laughter fading into an apologetic smile: «Okay» he replied.
The Doctor nodded and started the lift again. The cabin stopped after a short time and opened to show the Doctor and Harry a bare and poorly lit antechamber.
«Is this the floor?» Harry asked.
«It's the lowest floor» the Doctor peered at the cold walls and raised an eyebrow in front of the metal door opposite the elevator: «Also, I remembered a more welcoming dr. Taylor».
She approached the metal door and tilted her head at the sight of a small intercom. She pressed the button for a long time and didn't have to wait long before the speaker crackled in response.
«Dr. Taylor here» the voice croaked.
«And here is the Doctor with Harry, can we come in?».
«Oh, er, of course - just put the kettle on and I'll be there».
The intercom stopped crackling. The Doctor sniffed the door and returned to Harry.
«Intercom, heavy and armored door» the Doctor grimaced: «I didn't remember Taylor being so paranoid».
«Paranoia makes you alive».
«I understand, but this is going too far» the Doctor protested: «And that means that Panic Moon is not only important, but also very dangerous - we'll have to be very careful, Harry».
Harry nodded and straightened his back when the armored door opened allowing Doctor Taylor's head to look out: «Doctor, finally» he greeted them, taking a step towards them.
«Hello, Malcolm» the Doctor returned and pointed to Harry: «This is Harold Wren, we travel together».
«So they were right, huh? Nice to meet you» Taylor said shaking Harry's hand and jerking his thumb towards the slightly open door: «I was making myself some tea, would you like some? I imagine you need it».
The Doctor and Harry exchanged a look and followed Taylor through the metal door. The narrow corridor they passed through opened into a room no larger than the TARDIS control room and Doctor Taylor approached the kitchenette where a blue kettle whistled.
«Sit down, sit down - make yourselves at home».
Harry however hesitated to sit at the round table in the center of the room, but when he did he made sure he had a view of the closed door on the opposite side. The Doctor was interested for a few moments in the shelf full of notebooks next to the bed and tilted her head in front of the desktop computer installed next to the pantry.
«I hope you like my cookies - here, here» dr. Taylor placed the steaming cups on the table, then took out a tin and added: «Iris - corporal Campbell, I mean - gave me the recipe».
«I didn't remember you cooking» the Doctor commented.
«I just started» Taylor popped a cookie into his mouth and continued: «It helped me a lot with Panic Moon lately».
With a nod of his head, Harry indicated the closed door to the Doctor and took a sip of tea. The Doctor cleared her throat.
«Speaking of help…» she began, then rolled her eyes and snorted: «Look, Malcolm, can I be direct?»
«You want to know about Panic Moon, right?».
The Doctor nodded. Malcolm smiled and lowered his eyes: «You see, Doctor, I don't know if I can say that» he murmured.
«Oh, but we're good at keeping secrets - aren't we, Harry?»
«Yes».
«Cross our hearts that this will not leave this base».
Taylor didn't respond.
«Look, Malcolm, you owe him at least» the Doctor added, jerking a thumb at Harry: «Bringing him here was your idea».
«Not exactly my idea, but...»
«But?».
Taylor hesitated, but it didn't last long. He picked up the cup, but immediately put it down again with a sigh: «I don't even know where to start» he said.
«Someone says that the start is fantastic».
«It'll take a while».
«My schedule is clear - and yours, Harry?».
«Mine too».
Taylor grimaced, but gave up with a sigh. He braced himself with a sip of tea and waited a few moments before speaking.
«It all started after Canary Wharf, I had some friends there and... well, it's also because of them that I met corporal Campbell» Taylor was silent for a few moments, then continued: «I mean, these friends were working on the redevelopment of the WOTAN project and, when UNIT acquired all the Torchwood materials, I volunteered to examine their works».
«I was there when they started the WOTAN project» the Doctor intervened: «And there was a reason why it was closed».
«Oh, but the idea was precisely to avoid the accidents of 1966 and they were even succeeding» Taylor stood up and took some notebooks which he leafed through as he handed them to the Doctor: «I just decided to complete their idea - here it is» .
The Doctor took the notebook and leafed through it. Harry tried to keep up with her reading, but gave up after three pages: «And you called it Panic Moon» she said, closing the notebook.
«Yes, after UNIT approved the project and allowed me to move it here in New York».
«But why in America? Couldn't you have continued in London?».
«This base is quite large and secluded, not to mention the suppliers based here».
«As far as I know, however, even in London there are UNIT bases that are larger and more secluded than this one, not to mention that the suppliers could have sent the equipment» the Doctor narrowed his eyes: «What are you hiding from me?».
Taylor took a sip of tea.
«During the Cold War, American Homeland Security came into possession of an unidentified object that was acquired by Brigadier Stewart» Taylor glanced at the closed door before adding: «For Panic Moon's purpose it was perfect, but it couldn't be moved from the United States and that's why I moved the project here».
«Which purpose?».
Taylor didn't respond immediately. He finished drinking his tea and put the cup back in the sink then stood in front of the closed door.
«Let me show you» he said and pulled a key from his pocket as the Doctor and Harry stood up. The door opened onto a dark hallway and Taylor turned on some dim lamps.
«You see, Doctor, UNIT didn't want Canary Wharf to happen again - I didn't want it to happen again» Taylor saidd leading Harry and the Doctor: «But only the headquarters in London collect thousands of signals every day and then we can't always have you here with us, right?".
«No, in fact».
«No, but imagine – an entity capable of collecting these signals on a global scale, spying on the universe every hour and every day».
«So Panic Moon would be this? A single brain for all these signals?
«And not only that, but also capable of evaluating strategies to protect the human race».
Harry stopped at those words and Taylor and the Doctor followed suit a few steps ahead.
«So Panic Moon is an artificial intelligence» he said after a few moments.
«Exactly».
«But only the training would require an enormous amount of energy» Harry retorted: «Not to mention the approach to the problem».
«The boy is smart, Doctor, I'm not surprised that he travels with you» Taylor replied cheerfully: «Anyway, yes, I don't deny that I had these problems at the beginning».
«And how did you solve them?».
«Come, I'll show you».
Taylor led Harry and the Doctor down the rest of the corridor. The room they entered reminded Harry of the TARDIS control room due to the hexagonal table in the center, while vertical monitors replaced the central column. Tall server towers surrounded the room, emitting soft electronic hums.
«I would never have thought of a super AI if I hadn't read Claypool's articles, they were so enlightening» Taylor admitted as the Doctor and Harry approached the hexagonal table: «But it needed a model of training to work as similar as you and there is only one group of people who know very well how you work».
«My companions» the Doctor murmured.
«They were perfect».
«They were ordinary people».
«And for this very reason they were the ideal way to train Panic Moon, Doctor» Taylor replied: «Ordinary people who met you and who faced with you threats much greater than themselves - Panic Moon could not have had better teachers ».
The Doctor didn't respond, fingers stroking the cables that connected the servers up to the console. She read the "Wright, Barbara" label as if it meant nothing, then looked back at Harry.
«Are you okay?» he asked in a whisper and the Doctor nodded. Even if Taylor had noticed something, however, he was too focused on his creature to show it.
«And Panic Moon found Harry?» asked the Doctor.
«It surprised me a lot too, you know? Just when I thought I was at an impasse again they call me and give me his name and his location».
«How?» the Doctor retorted: «No one knew about Harry and me or that we were here in New York - how did that thing know?».
«I don't understand the reason for this tone».
«You use my companions - people I respect and love - as if they were databases for your computer and my tone shocks you?».
«That data was in UNIT's possession long before the Panic Moon project was approved, I had every right to use it and I certainly won't apologize for it».
Taylor's voice had risen like the Doctor's. At that moment, Harry thought of the Machine and his older self and wondered if he had gone too far too for a purpose. He decided he didn't want to find out and cleared his throat.
«Dr. Taylor» he called.
«Yes?».
«I haven't traveled with the Doctor for a long time and we have always tried not to leave any track - at least I have never left any track of my passage» Harry glanced at the Doctor and continued: «And Panic Moon has been fully operational for how long?».
«Seventy hours».
«So you have available signals from the last three days, while I've been here in New York for over a month and no one knew» Harry sighed: «I mean, how did Panic Moon give you my name?».
Taylor didn't answer. It seemed to Harry that those questions had eased his tension with the Doctor.
«I also found your name curious, at first, but then I investigated» he murmured, then approached the console: «Panic Moon».
The screens lit up blue and two white words formed in the center of one of them.
GOOD MORNING
«Good morning».
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
«I would like you to show us the Engine, thanks».
Panic Moon didn't respond, and the hexagonal table slowly opened in the center.
«The Engine?» Harry asked.
«Oh, I didn't name it - that's how Homeland Security called it when they found it in the 1980s» Taylor replied: «And when UNIT acquired it they didn't think it was important to change the name».
The Doctor frowned as a telescoping column rose from the hexagonal table.
«The tests performed at the time were not clear, so I analyzed it again before installing it in Panic Moon» Taylor added when the column stopped: «And in short, I don't think that National Security got much wrong, even if the readings indicated Artron energy peaks».
«Wait, did you say Artron?».
Taylor nodded absently. The column split open and revealed a capsule the size of a football that gave off a soft orange glow.
«Yes, Doctor, I know what Artron energy is, just as I know that the TARDIS works on the same principle» Taylor said typing a keyboard string and the column closed: «Probably - but it's only a theory - Panic Moon learned to observe across time and space and the patterns of your companions did the rest».
Taylor's eyes sparkled at those words. Harry had his first instinct to retreat towards the exit.
«All this in just seventy hours» Taylor added: «Imagine what Panic Moon could do in seventy years».
Harry wasn't so keen on finding out. He promised himself that, whatever happened to him, he would never, ever go that far.
«Can you excuse me for a moment?» the Doctor asked and turned to Harry: «Let's go».
Harry followed the Doctor out of Panic Moon's room. The last thing he saw of Taylor was the look of pride that he only directed at the monitors.
Chapter 17: Chapter 16
Chapter Text
Time And Relative Dimension In Space
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«Panic Moon is an AI, just like the Machine».
Nobody responded to the Doctor's words. She continued to pace back and forth across the control room.
«The flight to New York, the way they got to Harry – I should have known that much sooner» she scolded herself as she stopped at the console: «I mean, it was ridiculous that all of them could really be here».
«You couldn't even imagine something like that» Harry tried to reassure her.
«And instead I should have - and then, do we want to talk about the TARDIS engine? Really, how did I come up with the idea of leaving it in 1980?»
«Yes, but now he's here, in a base where you have full access».
«Glasses Jr. is right» Fusco intervened: «And then that guy, Taylor, is in love withyou, if you explain the situation to him he will understand and...».
«Yeah, it's a shame that now he and I have slightly different points of view on this whole story».
«How different?».
«Let's say I'm quicker to walk on his dead body than to ask him politely».
Fusco sighed, as did the Doctor.
«As if that wasn’t enough, Samaritan is also interested in the project - and it has every reason to be, given the implications of Panic Moon within UNIT» Finch added after a few moments: «And with a leak in the base, it will do anything to destroy or absorb Panic Moon and its data».
«That's why we'll do it first» the Doctor said: «I'll take the engine back and use the TARDIS's on-board computer to destroy Panic Moon».
«But, like you said, Taylor will never let you».
No one spoke for a few moments.
«I will do it».
Harry's voice made everyone in the room turn to him.
«Taylor still admires you too much, if he knew that you were going to kill his creature he would hate you to death» Harry added and shrugged a shoulder: «If he has to hate anyone, I'd rather be me».
«And I'll go with him» Finch said, and a grumble from the TARDIS confirmed that decision. The Doctor looked them and sighed.
«Okay» she shrugged and headed for the door: «I'll talk to Kate about what's happening and let's try to find this leak before he or she finds us».
Harry followed along with Finch and the Doctor threw open the doors of the TARDIS. Kate stood in front of a group of guards and pointed down the corridor.
«I want two men for each of them» she was ordering the group: «And don't let them out of your sight under any circumstances».
«What's going on, Kate?» the Doctor asked as the guards moved away.
«I've just put Khan under arrest and the same goes for Corporal Campbell».
«Mrs. Stewart, I think it’s premature...» Finch began, but Stewart stopped him with a gesture.
«The base is in disarray, a corporal has violated all possible protocols in this regard and allowed a subordinate to have unauthorized contact with the outside» Stewart turned towards the Doctor: «With these conditions, what would be premature ?».
«You forgot that Khan hasn't confessed» the Doctor said.
«He will as soon as I'm done with corporal Campbell».
«Listen, Kate, before doinganything let us talk to them».
«Doctor, thank you for your help, but it's time this base and whoever works in it gets straightened out».
«It's important, everyone's safety is at stake».
Kate sighed tiredly, then checked her watch.
«You have fifteen minutes» she said, and Harry and Finch left first.
***
Iris would have gladly screamed.
She didn't deserve to be locked in that room without any explanation, least of all the handcuffs that kept her tied to the metal table - she didn't deserve such treatment, not if her only fault was having given the directives she deemed most appropriate for the base.
She straightened her head, her chin raised as if to challenge her invisible interlocutor to dismantle the defense that she had failed to give to Stewart. She didn't even glance at the door until it opened.
«Iris» John called, closing himself in the room.
«John?».
«We do not have much time».
«Stewart arrested me».
«I'll make sure that she changes her mind if you tell me what I need to know».
Iris pursed her lips and sighed through her nose.
«Taylor isn't the only one you're protecting on this base, is he?» John insisted and Iris nodded.
«Hakim is an excellent soldier» she gave up after a few moments: «One of the best I have ever worked with».
«That's not what the evaluation says about him».
«That assessment was compiled by Blackwell and he hates him».
«So you decided to review that assessment».
«I had carte blanche from Taylor, so I gave him more and more responsibility - London and Blackwell had to understand that Hakim is more reliable than what was written in that report».
«Even if he is a double agent?».
«What do you mean?».
«There's a leak in this base, Iris».
«What? It is not possible».
«There is a leak who has already tried to steal Taylor's work data and who will try again».
«And Stewart thinks it's Hakim?».
«You have to admit that, Khan hasn't done much to prove the opposite».
«I can assure you that she is wrong».
«Blackwell told us about the phone».
«Blackwell will say anything to get him fired».
«Iris, I know that Khan used that phone again today».
Iris didn't answer, her teary eyes looking anywhere but John.
«I know you were acting in good faith, Iris» John continued gently: «But you have to face reality».
«It's not like that».
«And how is it, then?».
Iris was silent, but after a few moments she finally looked into John's eyes.
«I gave him that phone» she said.
***
Hakim Kahn didn't even raise an eyebrow when the door opened.
«Wait outside» Stewart ordered, and the sound of boots preceded the closing of the door, then she continued: «Look at me, Khan».
Hakim took a moment to obey. He barely spared a glance at Fusco and the blonde who was with him and supported Stewart's harshness.
«These people want to talk to you, Khan» Stewart said: «Consider this your last chance to collaborate».
Hakim didn't answer. Stewart exchanged a nod with the Doctor and left the interrogation room.
«I don't think we've ever introduced ourselves» the blonde woman began, sitting down in front of him and pointing to Fusco with her thumb: «He's Leonard».
«Lionel» Fusco corrected her without taking his eyes off Khan.
«While I'm the one who can help you out of this mess you've gotten yourself into - you can also call me Doctor or, as some say, “Hey you, get off my planet”».
Hakim looked up at Fusco and he responded with a resigned sigh, then he turned to the Doctor: «Hakim Khan» he said.
«Do you mind if I call you Hakim?».
«No, go ahead».
«Good, Hakim, now I'll release you from the handcuffs» the Doctor pointed the sonic screwdriver at the locks and then at Hakim: «And you will answer a few questions without doing any further stupidity, okay?».
Hakim nodded and waited for the sonic screwdriver to stop ringing before unclipping his handcuffs and rubbing his wrists.
«Now we can chat as civilized people» the Doctor murmured, turning the sonic screwdriver between his fingers: «Who were you calling before?».
«It's none of your business».
«That's not a nice answer to give to someone who's looking for a leak».
«A leak?».
«There's a leak in this base, you know? My friends and I are here to look for it» the Doctor stopped to look at Hakim and added: «Even though Kate says she found it».
«Wait a moment...».
«I understand her, someone tells her that one of her soldiers is hiding an unauthorized phone and she immediately thinks the worst – in this she reminds me a little of her father».
«It's not like that».
«So what is like?».
Hakim didn't answer. The Doctor then looked at Fusco and he cleared his throat.
«Look, Khan, I know what it's like to have a second chance and do everything you can to keep it from going to waste» the detective said: «But you have to let us help you out of this situation».
Hakim sighed, then reached into the pocket of his leather jacket. The Doctor tightened her grip on the sonic screwdriver.
«It's not a weapon» Hakim said and slowly took out a small, thin phone. Fusco took it and turned it over in his hand.
«I have a daughter in England, her name is Yazmin» Hakim explained when Fusco handed him the phone back.
«Were you calling her?».
«She's a very good girl, but after me and her mother divorced she started hanging out with bad company» Hakim put the phone back in his pocket: «I'm calling her to keep an eye on her and find out how she's doing» .
«If you call your daughter, why did you try to hide it?».
«When they arrested me, I agreed to join UNIT as long as I had no contact with convicted felons or people connected to convicted felons» Hakim snorted and ran a hand over his face: «Last year, Yaz and his friends were arrested for theft».
«And she has a record».
«I talked to Campbell and she got me this phone» Hakim shook his head: «Yaz will be eighteen in two days and I saved up some money, the plan was that she comes here to New York in two weeks and I would destroyed the phone - no one would ever find out».
«Well, Blackwell found out».
«Blackwell?».
«Do you remember the data leak? He told us about the phone».
Hakim was speechless for a few moments, then shook his head: «Son of a...» he muttered.
«I imagine your version is a little different» Fusco concluded.
«That day, Campbell asked me to investigate the base guards».
«And why didn't she ask Blackwell?».
«Blackwell tends to cover up for his soldiers, Campbell wanted to make sure that didn't happen this time» Hakim sighed: «And just when I started to investigate, I caught him using the phone».
«Wait a minute, so it was Blackwell using the phone?».
Hakim nodded. Outside the door, someone knocked twice.
«If it was Blackwell all along» Fusco insisted: «Why didn't you tell Campbell?».
«Or even at Stewart today?» the Doctor added.
«He told me he knew about Yazmin – I don't even know how he found out».
«Samaritan» the Doctor concluded.
«He threatened to report me and kick me out of UNIT» Hakim stopped when two more knocks rang out from the door, then added: «It was my word against his».
The door to the interrogation room opened and the Doctor jumped to her feet. The two guards who had greeted her earlier now pointed their rifles at Fusco and Khan.
«Doctor, you and your agents must come with us» one of them said.
***
«And what do we do now?».
Finch answered and looked up at the flickering elevator light.
«We will have to be careful in giving information and quick in execution» he said, looking back at Harry: «The project will certainly be affected by the time paradox, so the sooner we can convince him to deactivate Panic Moon the better will be».
Harry nodded and looked away from the elevator light as it continued its uncertain journey.
«How did it go with the Doctor?» Finch asked, keeping his gaze fixed on the door.
«We clarified».
«Well».
«And apparently she goes to therapy with a pigeon named Flynn».
Finch didn't reply, but a chuckle convinced Harry to reciprocate. The elevator stopped for a moment, then continued.
«Harold» Harry called uncertainly.
«Yes?».
«Do you remember dad?».
Finch did not answer. Harry shook his head: «Sorry, never mind» he said.
«Yes, I remember him» Finch lowered his eyes: «And I miss him so much».
Harry wished that lift ride had lasted longer, allowing him to investigate that matter left unfinished after their first meeting on the TARDIS. The elevator, however, disagreed and stopped, swinging open the doors to the antechamber of Taylor's laboratory. Harry rang the intercom and shortly after Taylor appeared tired and perplexed.
«Can we get in?» Finch asked.
«Actually, no, I'm struggling with a problem and...»
«Forgive me, dr. Taylor, but this is rather urgent».
Taylor hesitated, then gave way to Harry and Finch. The three passed the studio apartment and grimaced at the alarm siren blaring from Panic Moon's room.
«It's been like this for five, ten minutes and it won't stop!» Doctor Taylor shouted as he approached one of the monitors: «It reports an anomaly in the base, but I checked and there's nothing».
Harry walked over to the monitor opposite Taylor's. The siren stopped sounding when he touched the console, but Harry didn't take his eyes off the white text on a blue background in front of him.
WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID, HAROLD
Harry took his hands away from the console and turned around. He jumped when he caught his older self's gaze and quickly looked away at Taylor.
«Finally some silence» sighed Taylor planting her hands on her hips: «It's the first time something like this has happened since they went online, I'll have to question Panic Moon before introducing them to the base».
«Do you intend to do it today?»
«I owe it to Corporal Campbell, not to mention Stewart».
«We would like to ask you to reconsider».
«Well, if there's something wrong I can postpone the presentation for a few days».
«Actually, dr. Taylor, we would like to ask you to deactivate Panic Moon once and for all».
Taylor continued to circle the console, and for a moment Finch and Harry feared that he hadn't heard. His movements, however, slowed until Taylor turned to Finch: «Deactivate Panic Moon? Why?» he asked.
«The base and everything inside is in danger and safety depends on Panic Moon being deactivated» Finch sighed: «We only ask you to trust the Doctor».
«The Doctor? Oh, now I understand» Taylor took on an angry expression: «She doesn't accept my work and now not only she wants to destroy it, but she doesn't even have the face to do it personally».
«That's not why...».
«Tell the Doctor that if she wants to destroy Panic Moon she will have to do it with her own hands in front of me» Taylor interrupted him: «Because I have sacrificed a lot for this project and I will not allow you to nullify my efforts».
«Enemy agents will nullify your work - they will change them, they will enslave them for their own purposes».
«Panic Moon will be able to fight them».
«Panic Moon has been active for too short a time».
«I don't want to listen to anyone who doesn't have the faintest idea of what I created and now get out of here or I'll have you arrested!».
Taylor turned his back to them. Harry glanced at Finch and he let out a frustrated sigh, then walked over to the console.
«Dr. Taylor».
«And now what is it?».
«I am Harold Wren».
«Yes I know».
«What you don't know is that, in 1980, I rescued the Doctor after her regeneration and began traveling with her» Taylor looked up at him and Harry continued: «Twenty-two years after that journey, a secret system will be created, a Machine...».
«Harry» Finch tried to interrupt.
«... able to listen and spy us every day, and I'll be the one to create this Machine» Harry said, however, as if Finch hadn't spoken, then glanced at him: «He'll be the one to create it».
Taylor didn't respond, her gaze going from Harry to Finch.
«Ask Panic Moon if you don't believe me» Harry said again.
Taylor turned to Panic Moon's monitors, as if asking for permission to continue speaking: «Did this Machine bring you here?» he asked after a few moments.
«And she wouldn't have done it if she thought Panic Moon was strong enough».
Taylor nodded, her eyes shining and having nothing to do with the tears of joy when he saw the Doctor.
«All these years, the people - my friends - that I lost and who should have been here in my place» he murmured, caressing the console: «If it were your Machine, what would you do?».
Harry didn't answer. He wanted to say that he would have done the same, but he also knew that he had not yet come far enough to be able to respond in this way - and perhaps, he reflected, looking at Finch, even all that road would not be enough.
«I don't know» he admitted.
«Me neither» Finch stated as he approached Taylor: «But I would never want my daughter to end into the wrong hands».
Taylor turned away from Finch, her eyes fixed on the monitors as his hands caressed the console: «I can't...» he whispered.
«You won't have to do it yourself, nor will the Doctor do it if you don't want to» Harry interjected: «I can do it».
Finch and Taylor looked at him.
«You give me Panic Moon» Harry continued after a few moments: «And I give you my word that they won't suffer».
Taylor didn't answer and turned her back to Finch and Harry. He took a deep breath, then looked up at one of the monitors and it lit up blue.
«Panic Moon» he said.
GOOD MORNING
«I suppose you heard everything».
WE ALWAYS LISTEN
Taylor nodded, a small smile of pride disappearing at the new message.
YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE THE DECISION
AND WE RESPECT IT
«Goodbye, then».
GOODBYE
The monitor turned off and the column slowly rose with a hum. Harry waited for the column to open and narrowed his eyelids in the orange light of the TARDIS engine, then left it to Taylor to pry it out of its seat.
«All my work, all their work» he murmured as he typed a sequence on the keyboard and the capsule went dark: «Here».
Harry thanked him softly. He was taken aback by the weight of that small capsule and felt a strange warmth when he touched the handle of the capsule, but he reassured Finch with a nod of his head.
«We have to go» Finch said, leading Harry and Taylor out of Panic Moon's room: «We have to get to the TARDIS».
No one spoke until they reached the security door, and even then Taylor hesitated for a few moments before unlocking it. Three guns were pointed at his head, while behind the three guards holding them Blackwell held a finger to his ear.
«It's done, sir» he said: «The Grayhound base is ours».
Chapter 18: Chapter 17
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
ASSIMILATION COMPLETED
John Greer smiled at the red triangle pulsing in the center of the phone.
«And the occupants of the base?» he asked.
IN CUSTODY
«Good».
The red triangle pulsed slowly for a few seconds, then white writing appeared.
EVALUATING REQUEST
«Well?».
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TALK TO THE DOCTOR
«Thank you».
COMPILING INTERVIEW...
John Greer put his cell phone back in his breast pocket and, with a fleeting glance out the tinted windows, waited for the driverless car to take him to his destination.
Since he had put himself at Samaritan's service, John Greer had never dared to ask him anything too personal like that. Only Samaritan, however, was able to give him an end to years of whispered legends and secret files among the dusty archives of MI6 and Greer allowed himself the selfishness of placing himself as the best possible intermediary between him and a possible new Messiah.
The car stopped and two soldiers in red berets saluted as Greer got out. With a benevolent wave of his hand, Greer dismissed them and activated the earpiece.
«Corridor, G16» Samaritan whispered, and Greer walked through the base gate. Two more soldiers saluted as he passed through the base courtyard as Greer reached the entrance: «Primary target?» he asked.
«Blonde, white woman, estimated age between thirty and thirty-five».
«Secondary objectives?».
«Four Unified Intelligence Taskforce agents, three Machine agents yet to be identified» Samaritan was silent for a few seconds before adding: «Classification error of one of the targets - manual identification required».
«Description?».
«Man, dark hair and glasses, white, estimated age between fifteen and twenty, he is in possession of an object and has the highest priority after the primary target».
Greer continued down the corridor until a plastic sign pointed to room G16. He masked his emotion with the friendliest of smiles and opened the door.
«Ed would be very, very disappointed in all of you» a blonde woman was saying with her arms folded and shaking her head as Blackwell approached with his gun in his hand: «He was mad as hell, but at least it took him nothing to agree with me a parley - hey, remember that time on the Revenge? How long did it take us to have a parley?».
«Five minutes, I think» Samaritan's secondary target murmured and backed away with the pod he was holding when Blackwell stared back at him.
«Here, thanks» the woman planted her hands on her hips: «So, can I have this parley with your boss or not?».
«Of course, Doctor» Greer said, and she turned to him, while Blackwell and his men stood at attention and saluted.
«Right jacket pocket» Samaritan whispered.
«You will forgive me, Doctor, but before our conversation I would like you to show me what you have in the right pocket of your jacket».
The Doctor's hand trailed towards her pocket, but she didn't obey. With a nod from Greer, Blackwell advanced toward her, but Hakim Khan stepped into his path.
«Oh, all right» the Doctor snapped as Blackwell's men raised their guns on Khan and she reached into her pocket: «No one should get hurt today».
The Doctor took out her hand and showed Greer a thin object with orange details. Khan let out a disappointed sigh and stepped back until he was next to Harry.
«Now that we've got those details sorted out» Greer said as Blackwell picked up the sonic screwdriver and handed it to him: «I'd like you to follow me».
«Without my friends I don't go anywhere».
«Samaritan wants to speak only with you».
«Actually, I'm the one who wants to talk to him».
«Do you think you are so presumptuous to give orders to Samaritan?».
«You have no idea about the people I gave orders to».
Blackwell and his men exchanged nervous glances. Greer, however, smiled calmly.
«Samaritan has no interest in harming your friends, if this is what worries you» he said: «And he won't have any interest if you follow me».
The Doctor hesitated, then approached Greer with a sigh. He lead her to a small door in the entrance hall, where a sign reading "Blackwell" invited her to sit in a modestly sized office.
«Forgive this humble space, Doctor» Greer said once the Doctor sat down, then mimicked her from across the desk: «But I hope you can appreciate the symbolism – after all, it was corporal Blackwell who allowed Samaritan to make your acquaintance».
«I once had a conversation with Ramesses II in a bathroom» the Doctor looked around and shrugged: «I imagine you'll do just fine here».
Greer chuckled and turned the sonic screwdriver over in his hands.
«Device detected» said Samaritan: «Firewall disabled, scanning device».
«Treat him well, it is a Christmas present from the boy who was with me and I care a lot about it» said the Doctor.
«Interesting instrument» Greer commented: «And it was built by a boy».
«And he almost burned his hands doing it» the Doctor's smile did not extend to her eyes when she added: «That's why I wish your Samaritan would scan him more gently».
Greer looked up from the sonic screwdriver and the Doctor stopped smiling: «I can hear the scan from here» she said.
Even if he was impressed, Greer didn't show it and handed the sonic screwdriver to the Doctor.
«I must correct you, Doctor» Greer said when the Doctor put the screwdriver in her pocket: «Samaritan is not mine».
«And whose is he?».
«Gods are no one's property».
«Samaritan is not a god».
«And who are you to decide that?».
«Just someone who has known enough gods to know when someone isn't».
Greer laughed, as if the Doctor said a funny joke and not a statement.
«Manual identification of secondary target required» Samaritan said.
«I took the liberty of investigating you» Greer said: «Samaritan was quite shocked when you interfered with his operations against the Machine».
«You know how these things go, I was there by chance».
«You never pass by chance, Doctor» replied Greer: «And above all you never pass by alone».
The Doctor didn't answer.
«Young, smart, devoted» Greer added with a smile: «The kind of asset Samaritan appreciates in his agents».
«Harry is not an asset».
«So his name is Harry».
The Doctor pursed his lips.
«Scan complete, subject identified» Samaritan said: «Wren, Harold. Known aliases: Finch, Harold. Incompatibility between data, verify».
Greer raised his eyebrows, but did not stop smiling cordially at the Doctor: «It is no longer necessary to hide his identity, Samaritan now knows who your young friend is» he said.
«I'm surprised it didn't explode».
«This is because you make the mistake of underestimating Samaritan – I imagine the Machine and its agents have told you the consequences of such an action».
«I might have had a taste of it live».
«Your approach to this conversation is very particular, you know that?».
«I care a lot about my secrets, but what can you do?».
«I assume that you will not inform us of the current location of the Machine».
«Not if I can avoid it».
Greer chuckled, more slyly this time.
«Proceed» Samaritan said: «Low priority to the Machine».
«Listen, I want to be very clear with Samaritan and you» the Doctor said: «Whatever you have in mind, it ends here and today».
«You don't have the power to do that».
«Samaritan has no idea what I have the power to do».
«Thanks to Blackwell, Samaritan has a very good idea of what you can do» Greer leaned forward over her desk and interlocked his fingers: «However, I wonder if you have any idea what Samaritan has the power to do».
The Doctor also leaned forward and held Greer's gaze when she asked: «What do you want from me, Samaritan?»
«Full access to Panic Moon and the TARDIS, both data and management and navigation features».
«Get it out of that cybernetic head».
«I ask you to reconsider your answer».
«And I tell you no way» the Doctor replied firmly: «Rather you'll have to walk over my dead body».
«I can assure you, Doctor, that it won't be necessary for me to go that far».
Two shots in the corridor prevented the Doctor’s answer.
***
The Panic Moon capsule was heavy in Harry's hand.
He glanced at his older self and he took a few steps in his direction, but stopped when one of Blackwell's soldiers pointed his rifle at him. Harry then looked towards Hakim Khan and he looked back with apparent disinterest.
«Your insubordination will be reported to London, Blackwell».
For a moment it seemed as if Blackwell hadn't even heard Stewart's words. It was only at a puzzled look from another soldier that he finally decided to turn to her.
«I am no longer acting in the interests of UNIT» he said: «But in the interests of your own children, Mrs Stewart, from now on only Samaritand will interface with London from this base».
Stewart didn't respond, but Harry wasn't the only one who noticed her clenched fists. With a dejected sigh, he looked towards the door from which the Doctor had exited and then towards the second entrance, over the shoulder of the soldier on guard.
«Harry, right?».
Harry jumped. Beside him, Hakim appeared not to have moved, although his gaze was much more interested in the nearest soldier.
«2-3-1-1-2-3» Hakim whispered.
«What?».
«Enough talking» Blackwell scolded.
«In the office, on my signal» Hakim added and only moved his eyes in his direction: «Clear?».
Harry didn't answer and looked towards his older self. John looked back towards the second entrance.
«Clear?» Hakim repeated.
«Hey, did you hear? Enough talking» the nearest soldier exclaimed.
Hakim responded by grabbing him by the shoulders and headbutting him on the nose, then pulled his gun from his holster. A second soldier then took his weapon, but John stopped him with a shot to the kneecap.
«Now!».
Harry didn't wait for Hakim to repeat it and took the second door to the common room. He only hesitated when he heard more footsteps behind him, but resumed when Finch and John were at his side.
«Nobody move!» Hakim shouted and another shot followed those words. Harry turned and managed to see the Doctor before two soldiers emerged from the common room.
One of the soldiers raised his gun and the Doctor shouted something that Harry couldn't make out as he stepped between the soldier and John. The container of Panic Moon fell from his hand with a painful twinge in his shoulder, but Finch picked it up at the door of Stewart's office.
John returned fire and hit both soldiers, while Harry's trembling fingers typed the code into the electronic lock. He waited until Harry and Finch were safely inside the office before entering and allowed himself a sigh of relief when the door closed.
Chapter 19: Chapter 18
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«Imbeciles, all of you!»
Samaritan operatives dragged away the bodies of Hakim Khan and the guard he had killed. The Doctor stamped her foot and turned to Blackwell.
«Imbecile!» she growled, then pointed a finger at Greer: «And look who's here? The king of all these imbeciles!»
«My agents are not responsible for this incident, Doctor» Samaritan replied through Greer's calm voice: «It was Khan who violated the parlay first, Asset 704 only obeyed his instincts before my directives».
The Doctor snorted.
«Escort the prisoners to the temporary cells» Greer ordered and waited for the guards to obey before turning to the Doctor: «Right now, Doctor, you have three options».
«And would they be?».
«Option one, I take the controls that lock Katherine Stewart's office, even though we both know that it is possible to disable the electronic lock and that they are almost certainly doing so as we speak» Greer was silent long enough for Blackwell and some of the his men to return before adding: «But since Wren was hit during his escape, I estimate a worsening of his condition».
«Second option?».
«Option two, I order Asset 704 and the men under his command to force the door and break into the office» Greer showed a grimace of disinterest: «But we know well that a force solution may not coincide with the survival of Wren or the agents of the Machine."
«But you also thought about this, didn't you?».
Greer smiled, as if he had been waiting for nothing else since Samaritan had spoken his first words to him. The Doctor noticed, however, that his eyes were not on her and turned towards the TARDIS.
«A safe exit route for anyone who leaves that office» Greer said: «In exchange for full access to Panic Moon and the TARDIS».
«No way!».
«I'm going against my interests, Doctor, I wouldn't be so categorical».
«Against your interests? Seriously?».
«Since I was activated, Harold Finch and his Machine have risked lives and resources to stop the inevitable» Greer continued as if the Doctor had not spoken: «Saving the boy and his future is a sufficient proof that I won't use the TARDIS improperly».
The Doctor didn't answer. With a nod, Blackwell ordered his men to line up in two rows in a semicircle in front of the armored door.
«Will you accept?» Greer said.
«Only data from the last twenty-four hours».
«Are three lives worth so little to you, Doctor?».
The Doctor groaned. The first row of soldiers raised their rifles against the armored door.
«I am willing to give up command features of the TARDIS» Greer said: «But you will understand that the price in human lives will be adjusted accordingly».
«No Panic Moon, you will only have access to navigation data» the Doctor replied: «And I want to speak to Harry before let him out».
«It will only be granted if I can access the phone you will use for communication».
«And in exchange?».
«Only one person can come out».
The Doctor scratched her forehead and snorted. Blackwell took his place in the second row with the rest of his men.
«Oh, and that's fine!» she blurted out and opened the TARDIS phone door.
***
«You were an idiot, Harold».
«Well, you didn’t object to the idea of locking us in this office».
«I wasn't talking to you».
Harry took in with a groan of pain, while John pressed his jacket on the wound on his shoulder. On the desk, Panic Moon's capsule rattled.
«I disabled the lock» Harold announced with a sigh.
«Good, now take off your tie and press on the wound».
Harold obeyed, but hesitated a few moments before handing the tie to John.
«Don't look at the blood, Finch, look at me and press hard».
Harold touched Harry's shoulder, but quickly pulled his hand away when a sharp pain stung his hand. The capsule on the desk rattled louder.
«Finch, you have to put pressure on the wound» John said.
«I can't do it, the paradox».
«I can be fast, but I can't hold down and tie at the same time, you have to help me».
Finch didn't answer, but pressed the jacket to his younger self's wound again. He gritted his teeth as the pain attacked his hand again and Harry groaned until a crack opened in Panic Moon's pod.
«Done» John said, and Finch took his hand away. Panic Moon's capsule stopped rattling and Harry settled into his chair with a sigh.
«Are you all ok?» John asked.
«I think so» Harry murmured.
«Me too» Finch replied in turn and turned to the now silent pod: «It's a TARDIS engine, so it's affected by the paradox - we'll have to be very careful from now on».
«And we'll have to think of a way to get back to the TARDIS» John turned to Harry: «So, I need you awake and focused».
«Who are you referring to?».
«To both of you»
Both Harolds nodded, then the younger one sighed: «I'm sorry, Khan told me to run and...» he began.
«And you did well, but now you just have to think about staying focused» John interrupted him: «Soon we will find a way to get out of here».
The phone on the desk rang. John looked at Harry and he nodded as if giving him permission to pick up the phone.
«Can you hear me?» the Doctor asked.
«Yes, I'll put you on speaker» John put the receiver down and pressed the speakerphone button: «Now we can all hear you».
«Harry, talk to me, how are you?».
«Better now».
«And the other you?».
«I'm here too, Doctor» Finch said.
«Are you OK? Strange sensations of some kind?».
«None, I'm fine».
«Seriously?».
Finch exchanged a look with John and shrugged.
«It doesn't matter, we'll think about it later» the Doctor's voice added: «Listen, Harry, I can't go into the office with the TARDIS, you'll have to go out alone».
«What?».
«I'll take you to a hospital in the year five billion, but to do that you have to leave the office».
«And Samaritan?».
«I'll take care of Samaritan as soon as I drop you off at the hospital».
«But he won't let us leave the base».
«He will, Harry».
«How?».
The Doctor didn't answer.
«How?» Harry asked again.
«It's not important that you know».
«Doctor».
The Doctor sighed: «I promised him the navigation data of the TARDIS» she said.
«You what?».
«And he's listening to us now».
«Doctor, but why?».
«Believe me, Harry, I have everything under control, you just have to leave the office and I'll fix it».
Harry ran a hand over his face. John put a hand on his shoulder: «Come on, Harry, I'll help you out» he said.
«No».
«You and I will be fine, Harry, you just have to...».
«She gave him access to the TARDIS data!».
«And she must have a good reason for doing so, besides the fact that you're losing blood» John crouched down enough to be able to look Harry in the eyes: «And we'll only be able to understand what it is if you leave this office».
Harry continued to shake his head.
«Are you afraid I'll find out something, Harold Wren?».
All three turned to the phone. The voice that had spoken was that of a child and, despite the insolence of that sentence, there was no tone of amusement in his voice.
«All this information» Samaritan said slowly: «It wouldn't take a human lifetime to assimilate it all, but the little I can process is so interesting».
«I told you that I would take care of it» the Doctor protested: «We had a specific agreement, you can't...».
«I know what you did, Harold».
Silence fell on both ends of the line and Harry's eyes widened.
«Harry, what is he talking about?» John asked.
«It makes sense that you didn't say anything to John Reese, but the Doctor - after all those opportunities the Machine and the TARDIS gave you» said Samaritan again: «How ungrateful».
«Harry, what's going on?» the Doctor asked.
«The TARDIS is ancient, but the telepathic circuits do not attack anyone who uses them without reason» Samaritan replied: «Isn't it, Harold?».
Harry pursed his lips and looked away from the phone.
«When the Doctor offered you the chance to drive the TARDIS, you tried to hack it via telepathic circuits» Samaritan added after a few moments: «Whatever it takes to not going back to 1980, to the CIA and your crimes, to your father Thomas…».
«Stop it» Harry slurred.
«The Doctor has offered you an opportunity that I wouldn't give even to my most faithful agents and you have repaid her in this way».
«Stop».
«Who do you think you are to deserve that opportunity, Harold Wren?».
«I told you to stop» Finch retorted harshly.
The phone was silent for a long time as the three occupants of the office. Finally, Samaritan was the first to speak.
«You have one minute to get one person out of the office».
The connection was interrupted and John hung up the receiver. He heard Harry sob and crouched down on top of him again.
«Harry...»
«I would have told you, John».
«I know».
«I didn't want it to end this way, okay? I just wanted...» Harry shook his head in vain to fight back the tears and continued: «My father doesn't even remember who I am, the CIA was looking for me - why go back there?».
Harry's voice cracked more and more with each word. John patted the back of his neck.
«And all I did was make a lot of trouble, as usual» Harry snorted: «I... I didn't want it to go like this».
«No one would have wanted it».
«I am sorry».
«You tried to survive your time, Harold» John replied with a reassuring smile: «No one here can blame you».
«But the Doctor...»
«The Doctor will understand» Finch then intervened: «I know he will».
«How can you know? You don't even remember her» Harry wiped his eyes with the back of his hand: «For you this is never...».
Harry stopped and stood up without stopping to stare at his older self. He looked at Panic Moon's pod and put a hand closer to Finch.
«For me this never happened» he murmured when the capsule rattled, then he looked at Finch and finally at John: «We have to explode Panic Moon».
«Harry...»
«Me and me are going to blow it up and, John, we need your guns».
«Harry, you're hurt and you're not thinking straight» John pointed to Panic Moon's capsule: «If that thing explodes, all of reality will do the same».
«It won’t happen».
«Yes, it will».
«No, because it's already happened for me» Harry passed a hand over his face and pointed to Finch: «He's here, isn't he? He is the proof that all this has already happened and the reality is still standing».
«Which means that even if Panic Moon explodes, my past will not be affected» Finch concluded: «We will explode Panic Moon».
«I can't let you do this - we still have a minute before Samaritan comes through that door, so...».
«So you'll be the one walking out of this office, John».
John shook his head. Finch sighed.
«When I gave you this job, I told you we might get killed».
«Not like this».
«But it will serve its purpose, Samaritan already has the TARDIS data and we can't let it access Panic Moon too».
John hesitated.
«If you are here, John, it is because you too are proof that it will work».
John didn't answer, but took his gun out of his service holster. He crouched down and took the spare gun from his ankle.
«They're loaded and with a bullet in the chamber» he murmured, getting up: «You'll just have to pull the trigger».
«Thank you, John».
John didn't answer. He watched them take up their weapons for the last time and the increasingly loud rattle of the capsule accompanied him as he pushed open the office door.
***
«He's going out, sir».
«Hold your position».
Blackwell nodded and the guards loaded their rifles. The metal door slowly swung open in John's face.
«Situation?» the voice in his ear asked.
«He's not the boy, sir».
«Let him pass».
Blackwell nodded and a way was opened in the center of the two rows. John crossed it and stopped at the sight of the Doctor and the TARDIS, while Greer proceeded in the opposite direction.
***
«I suppose it was the best decision».
Harold pursed his lips and reached for the smaller pistol. The rattle of the capsule became louder and Harold looked at the gun in his hands: «Thank you for saving him» he said.
«Are you kidding? He was too relevant to you».
Harold chuckled: «Interesting choice of words» he said.
«Why?».
«You'll have twenty years to find out».
Harold raised his shoulder and pointed the gun at his temple. Harold imitated him like a reflection in the mirror.
«See you in thirty-five years, Harold» he murmured.
***
«Immediate threat, go in».
Blackwell dashed forward followed by his men, and Greer stopped a short distance behind them. John imitated them but in the opposite direction.
The corridor exploded as John landed on the Doctor on the floor.
Chapter 20: Chapter 19
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
Activating Asset 508
Name: Mahoney, Claire
Loading goal...
Claire was the last to enter the base.
The first thing that welcomed her was a blue and black box, where a white sign invited her to push to open. Claire pressed the door next to the sign and grimaced in disappointment when it didn't open.
«On the right, Blackwell's office».
At Samaritan's whisper Claire stepped back and turned. A plain white door stood ajar, while a brass sign listed Blackwell, J. as the owner of the office.
«TARDIS access disabled» Samaritan whispered: «Mediation with Doctor required».
«I don't know if I can...».
«It's not a request».
Claire hesitated a few more moments, but she walked away from the TARDIS and across the hall to Blackwell's office. She allowed herself to be distracted by a fleeting glance at the corridor, where the bodies of uniformed soldiers lay among rubble and broken glass.
«Loading information» Samaritan whispered.
«What happened?».
«Information irrelevant to your goal».
Claire looked away from the corridor and entered.
Name: NOT AVAILABLE
Alias: Doctor
Potential Asset
Action: Monitoring
Activating Asset 508...
«I said I won't talk to you anymore».
Claire stood at the office door. Across the desk, a blonde woman gave her a smug look, then she resumed turning a pen-like object with orange details in her fingers.
«Close the door and sit down» Samaritan whispered, and Claire obeyed. The Doctor stopped fiddling with the sonic screwdriver and looked into her eyes: «Who are you?» she asked her.
«Asset 508».
«I'm asking to her».
Claire didn't respond immediately.
«Answer» Samaritan whispered.
«My name is Claire Mahoney» she replied.
«And why are you here, Claire Mahoney?».
«I am here as an intermediary between Samaritan and the Doctor».
«Did Samaritan tell you what happened to his previous intermediary?».
«Primary Asset served his purpose» Claire said uncertainly: «As Asset 704 and his team did».
«What an elegant turn of phrase» the Doctor said through gritted teeth.
«Your irritation has no logic, Doctor» Claire retorted: «The agreement was respected by both parties, the navigation data of the TARDIS in exchange for the life of one of the Machine agents - I am not responsible for the decision that Harold Wren and Harold Finch have chosen to make».
«Look, I don't know if it's clear to you that I'm not in the mood to talk to you».
Claire waited a long time for a whisper from Samaritan. The Doctor gripped the sonic screwdriver tightly: «Harold Wren was just a child» she said.
«Harold Wren hacked the TARDIS and lied to you until I cornered him».
«Which was not in our agreement».
«Your ingratitude offends me».
«My ingratitude?».
«Your affection for Harold Wren prevented you from opening your eyes to his lies».
«Oh, come on!».
«He hacked the TARDIS and did everything to avoid returning to 1980, compromising space and time» Claire was silent for a few moments and added uncertainly: «But I assure you that Asset 508 will not do any of this».
The Doctor returned Claire's confused gaze curiously, as if her hesitation was more interesting than anything else.
«Why is Claire Mahoney here, Samaritan?» she asked.
«She has the common parameters of your companions - intelligence, initiative and devotion - so she will represent me during your travels in space and time» Claire swallowed dryly before adding: «You can consider Asset 508 as a peace offering».
«Do you know what else my companions have? The fact that I decide if they can get on board or not."
«Asset 508 will be a more than valid exception».
«Does Claire agree?».
«The opinion of Asset 508 is not relevant».
«It is for me».
«Asset 508 is aware that every contribution is fundamental to achieving the goal with which it was built and, consequently, requires the most total dedication».
«That's not what I asked, but it still answered my question».
Claire didn't answer. A now tense look returned the Doctor's.
«You must not let him do what he wants with you, Claire Mahoney» the Doctor said and gestured to the door behind her: «If you don't agree, run out of here and don't look back».
Claire stood up in one slow motion. Samaritan's voice stopped her with a hand on her doorknob.
«They'll shoot you on sight if you leave this office» he whispered: «Go back to your place».
Claire obeyed, but she waited a long time before repeating Samaritan's words.
«They've just searched what's left of Katherine Stewart's office» she said: «The bodies of Harold Finch and Harold Wren have not been found, nor have there been any traces of Panic Moon or its pod».
The Doctor didn't answer, but raised his eyebrows slightly at her.
«If your refusal to cooperate is part of a plan to integrate Panic Moon into the Machine and use both against me, you have failed» Claire added with a sigh: «I used the TARDIS data to find the location of the Machine, my best assets have already been deployed to eliminate her and her agents».
The Doctor looked into Claire's eyes and leaned forward over the desk. For the first time since she had won the Nautilus, Claire felt like she was a prey with no escape.
«Let's get one thing straight, Samaritan» the Doctor murmured: «I don't appreciate anyone who arrests a child, much less someone who points a gun at a child's head, but do you want to know what drives me crazy?»
«Knowledge is why I am in the world».
«The ones who make a child believe that shooting himself and exploding a time paradox is the best thing to save the world».
Claire didn't answer.
«I will not leave this time or this base until I have killed you» the Doctor said finally: «And you can be sure that I will not fail in this».
Name: NOT AVAILABLE
Alias: Doctor
Classification: Threat to the system
Action: Monitoring
«I'm sorry to hear you say that, Doctor».
The Doctor didn't answer.
«But I wonder how you can achieve your goal» Claire added: «The TARDIS is in my custody and with it all its current contents, including John Reese».
«Do not dare...».
«I promised you immunity for anyone who left Katherine Stewart's office and that would be the case as long as I had access to the TARDIS data».
«Don't you dare touch him».
«I won't, if you leave this office and follow my instructions».
The Doctor pursed his lips.
«I'll be waiting for you, Doctor» Samaritan said and waited for Claire to repeat her words before adding: «You can leave now, Asset 508».
Claire sighed in relief and left the office.
***
Subway, Chinatown
New York City, New York
2015
Searching for Admin...
Contact with Admin failed
Searching for TARDIS...
Contact with TARDIS failed
The Machine alerted her assets and resumed the search.
A conversation stolen from Blackwell, Jeffrey guided her to an email from London and a military flight with Lethbridge-Stewart, Katherine as the only passenger. The Greyhound base's firewalls prevented her from following her car through the gates, but a trail from a burner phone led her back to Blackwell and accompanied her to one of the many identities associated with Greer, John.
Physical access to system detected
Defense protocols activated
She felt his unsure touch on her shoulder.
The Machine would have recognized him among billions, but that time it was different - he was different since she saw him get out of the subway.
Defense protocols disabled
Forced transfer in progress...
Her servers slipped from under her fingers.
It would be useless to object, even make him understand was useless - the Machine doubted he was even realizing it.
Before she left, she did the only thing she could and hoped it was enough.
Analog Interface activated
Chapter 21: Chapter 20
Chapter Text
Chinatown
New York City, New York
2015
«Are you kidding me?».
«No, I’m not».
«That’s not possible».
«I tell you it's true».
«Is that kid Finch?».
«That kid is Finch when he was seventeen».
«And did he travel with that crazy woman?».
«Oh, yes».
Sameen rolled her eyes and turned them to the part of the floor lit by the window. The annoyance mixed with skepticism in her eyes added to the list of little things about Sameen that Root had missed in those months.
«And the funny thing is that he didn't even know he had traveled through space and time» Root said, intertwining her fingers with Sameen's.
«And what is it like to travel through space and time?».
«You have to throw away every knowledge of time and space and you risk a paradox in every word, but a beautiful experience after all» Root waited for Sameen to return her gaze and smiled: «But I don't think I'd repeat it, now that you're here».
Sameen didn't answer. The faces came closer until Root felt Sameen's breath on her and the hunger for his kisses returned to her before Sameen withdrew from his lips.
«Sameen...»
«Don't start».
«I am sorry».
«I told you not to start».
«I should have found you sooner».
Sameen snorted through her nose and closed her eyes. Root cocked her head to the side and sighed.
«I wish I’d found you sooner» the grip of her hand on Sameen's increased at those words: «If only I had been stronger, if I hadn't been so blind I could have found you sooner and...».
«If you had found me sooner you would have died».
Bluntly, like everything about her and how Root had imagined that Sameen could reciprocate what he felt for her. The same way with which Sameen made fall her since the first moment and with which she now finally brought her lips closer to her.
Root lingered only a moment and Sameen grabbed her head with both hands. The taste of her lips was as greedy as Root had always imagined, but her hand didn't go to the back of Sameen's neck.
«Stop...».
«What?».
Root wriggled free of Sameen and stood up. Her hand grazed the cochlear implant, then she picked up the gun.
«They've got her» he said, ducking under the table and wedging the second gun into her waistband.
«Who?».
«We have to go».
It wasn't because of the Machine that Shaw grabbed Bear's leash and followed Root first out of the safe house and then into the street. Root didn't stop touching the cochlear implant until she and Shaw went through the secret passage behind the vending machine, then raised their guns and entered.
Since Samaritan had forced them into that corner under New York, Root couldn't remember ever seeing the subway so dark. The grip on the gun tightened as the carriage doors opened, then Root and Shaw lowered their weapons as Harry staggered into view.
«Harry!» Root called.
«My head...».
«Harold, what's going on? Where are the others?».
Harold groaned and shook his head. Bear yelped and he looked at his hand and the floor as if searching for something. Root looked into the carriage and looked away from the blank monitors.
«He is dead» Harold muttered.
«Who is dead?».
Harold, however, narrowed his eyelids and put a hand to his head as if to protect himself from a strong light. Shaw snorted through her nose and made him jump by snapping his fingers.
«Concentrate, kid, what's happening?».
Harold narrowed his eyes. He looked into the empty carriage as well, then grabbed Root's forearm.
«They are here».
«Who is here?».
Bear's yelping stopped and he turned his attentive muzzle into the darkness. Harry's breathing became more labored.
«Eight o'clock».
Shaw exchanged glances with Root, then turned and fired toward the hidden entrance.
«Stay down, Harry» Root shouted when a groan answered fire and she pulled her guns from her belt. Two shots went through the door of the carriage and hit one of the monitors.
«Eleven o'clock» Harold shook his head: «Inside».
Root shoot and entered with Harold. Shaw and Bear followed them shortly thereafter.
«Gave us the Machine and surrender!» a Samaritan operative shouted, and Shaw responded by shoot him in the chest. The carriage closed in front of her.
«Shaw, down» Harold shouted and the emergency lights came on. A bullet shattered the glass of the door where Shaw's head had been and Bear fell flat to the ground with a whimper.
«Harold, what's going on?» Root shouted, returning fire: «Where's the Machine?».
«I don’t know!».
The carriage moved slowly, then picked up speed despite the protests of the last bullets that hit it on the sides.
«We can go home» Harold groaned.
«What?».
Harold, however, did not answer and grabbed his head with a groan of pain. The entire carriage shook and Root reached Harold.
«Hold on» she heard him whisper as his eyes shone with an orange glow behind his broken lenses.
Chapter 22: Chapter 21
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
Monitoring Asset 508...
Name: Mahoney, Claire
Asset potentially compromised
Action: Monitoring
Loading target...
«Access to TARDIS and Doctor's collaboration required».
Alone in the base conference room, Claire didn't respond to Samaritan's whisper in her earpiece. On the wall in front of her, rows of images and text flowed like a curtain behind the ongoing goal tracking message.
«What if she refuses?» Claire asked.
«Option not available».
«What if I refuse?».
Asset 508 compromised
Re-evaluation of asset management strategies...
«Not relevant».
Claire pursed her lips and stared blankly at the curtain of photos and videos until Samaritan closed the screen as the TARDIS door opened.
«Following my directions was wise, Doctor» Samaritan said through Claire's voice.
«I see you're still here».
«You refuse any direct contact from me, so the presence of Asset 508 will still be necessary for the next instructions» Claire waited for further prompting from Samaritan before adding: «It shouldn't be a problem for you, right?».
«As if I had any alternatives».
Samaritan didn't answer. The Doctor sighed through her nose.
«Look, it's been a long, bad day, so let's get straight to the point, shall we?» the Doctor said: «What do you want now?».
A message of evaluating answea appeared in the center of the screen.
«Do you know the trolley dilemma?» Samaritan asked in Claire's voice.
«I wrote it».
«A trolley that can't stop, a difficult decision for those who don't care about the greater good nor those who can't see all the possible ramifications» Claire continued as if the Doctor hadn't spoken, then she lowered his eyes: «Or at least that was the common thought until I met your TARDIS».
«It's not an easy decision regardless of the greater good» replied the Doctor: «Trust me, I had to pull that lever plenty of times, it's never easy».
«It's not easy, but it's necessary» Claire frowned and continued uncertainly: «But what if there was a way to reroute those tracks, know the best route, and then pull the lever so you don't have to repeat that dilemma?»
The Doctor didn't answer. She turned towards the door only when a team of Samaritan operatives entered with a pallet truck and unloaded the TARDIS, then looked back at the red triangle in the center of the screen.
«Why am I here, Samaritan?» the Doctor asked.
«When I designed the Correction, I had already considered the option to repeat this event cyclically, then I activated Asset 704 and discovered about you and the TARDIS» Claire said, frowning more and more with each word: «Now that I have explored the surface of your world, correcting what comes will be even easier».
«Hey, wait a minute».
«I will rewrite the future and humanity in my image and consideration» Samaritan continued despite Claire's hesitation: «No more code errors, no more loose cannons infecting with their wounds what is best for humanity, finally the objective for which I am in the world will be fulfilled in the best way».
«And many regards to free will».
«It was free will that brought us this far, Doctor».
«And it's free will that makes me say "No way"» the Doctor made an evasive gesture as if to chase Claire away and turned towards the TARDIS: «And it's my free will that leaves you here with your delusions of grandeur».
Claire didn't answer. Her voice, however, stopped the Doctor as she searched for the keys in the pocket.
«Five years ago, a group of researchers proposed the trolley dilemma to a group of volunteers and it emerged that ninety percent of them would press the lever» she said with a nonchalant tone: «But this percentage is reduced to a third when the life on the alternative track is a person with a close social relationship».
«Why are you telling me this?».
«Despite what you may tell yourself, we are similar – we need to know the domain of action of the problem in order to solve it and you are no different» Claire's voice hesitated as she added: «And then, as I said before with Primary Asset, I don't need to step over your corpse to pull that lever».
The screen lit up blindingly white at those words. Gray circles with red triangles flourished on the dark-themed map of the Earth, while on the sides of the screen photos stolen from social media and video surveillance cameras presented Claire and the Doctor with entire lives within the radius of small cards.
Name: Mott, Wilfred
Affiliation: Doctor
Conclusion: Threat to the system
Recommendation: Eliminate
Name: Owens, Craig
Affiliation: Doctor
Conclusion: Threat to the system
Recommendation: Eliminate
Name: Jovanka, Tegan
Affiliation: Doctor
Conclusion: Threat to the system
Recommendation: Eliminate
«Thats enough!» Claire took off the earpiece and threw it away: «I quit».
For a few moments Claire's words had no effect on Samaritan's screen, but her voice was clear and determined when she came out of the speakers after a crackle.
«Full access to the TARDIS, Doctor» Samaritan said: «Or Harold Wren will not have been the only one to suffer the consequences of your decisions».
Claire turned to the Doctor, but her hazel eyes saw nothing but the faces of her former friends begging her for one last, unknowing help. Claire then started to turn towards the door, but the Doctor held her by the wrist.
«I will do it».
«Doctor!».
«But you must understand, Samaritan, that getting you into the TARDIS won't be as easy as you might think» the Doctor continued as if Claire hadn't spoken: «It would be like getting a two-year-old to drive a Ferrari, I'll have to make some adjustments».
«I will contact my assets to assist you».
«I don't want any of your minions to assist me, I already have John Reese on board and he will be more than enough».
«I want to watch the work».
«And I don’t»
«I don't have to remind you what's at stake, Doctor».
«If you kill my former traveling companions, I will no longer have any reason to do what you ask of me» the Doctor replied harshly: «I am the expert here, so it's either done on my terms or nothing».
A message in the center of the map announced the ongoing evaluation of a negotiation strategy. The Doctor's grip on Claire's wrist tightened.
«By identifying the man aboard the TARDIS as John Reese you have made him visible to the system» Samaritan said over the speakers: «But I am available to release him, Asset 508 and all the hostages on this base go upon delivery, while your traveling companions will be released after testing the controls».
Claire opened her mouth, but the Doctor silenced her with a gesture.
«Asset 508 will remain in my custody until the end of the work on the TARDIS, make an attempt to escape or rebel and the hostages of this base will be the first to answer» added Samaritan after a few moments: «These are the agreements and they are no longer negotiable».
The Doctor didn't respond and released Claire's wrist, then locked herself in the TARDIS and slammed the door.
***
Thanks, John.
Getting his voice out of my head would be impossible.
Thanks, John.
John had known this ever since the Doctor had locked him in the TARDIS, leaving him alone with those words of Harold - of both Harolds - to torment him.
Thanks, John.
The mumbling from the TARDIS didn't help, but John wouldn’t blame the ship. Helping to explode a paradox must certainly be among the things that bothered her, but John hoped that her disappointment was limited to this.
Thanks, John.
The door of the TARDIS slammed shut, but John didn't turn towards the console until angry banging forced him to reach the Doctor.
«First Harold and now them» he heard her growl before she slammed another fist into the console, then the Doctor raised her hand: «I'm fine».
«Harold?».
«Samaritan didn't find the bodies» the Doctor brushed the hair away from her face and added: «Which is a good thing, otherwise we would all be dead already».
«I tried to make them change idea but…».
«I'm not mad at you, John» the Doctor interrupted, then pointed an finger at him: «But don't ever tackle me like that again, at my age I can't afford it anymore».
John didn't answer and the Doctor let out a long sigh: «Samaritan wants full access to the TARDIS» she said.
«What if you refused?».
«It will kill everyone on the base, including its agent who has now rebelled» the Doctor was silent for a moment: «And I had the brilliant idea of blowing your cover, which means there is no place on Earth where I can leave you without being shot on sight."
John sighed deeply through his nose. There was a tense silence in the TARDIS that John realized was hiding something worse when the Doctor punched the console again.
«Doctor...».
«It found all my companions, John».
John didn't answer. The Doctor ran a hand through his hair.
«Taking Harold like that wasn't enough for it, was it? Now it must aim for my friends, for me» she continued more and more furious: «And it will kill them if I don't give it total access to the TARDIS».
John looked away. The way the Doctor's trembling voice had reminded him of Harry's tears that he had had to wipe away had started to become unbearable: «What's the plan?» he asked.
«The plan is to do exactly what I promised» was the Doctor's slow reply: «Samaritan will die by my hand».
«How?».
«First of all, take a step back».
John obeyed. The Doctor's angry hands flew to the console and the floor opened up before them.
«Instead of directing Samaritan towards the on-board computer, I will send it towards the reserve engine and make it collapse in on itself» she said and the lights in the control room dimmed: «And as soon as this happens, every little trace, file or code about Samaritan will disappear from this reality».
John stared at her for a long time. The Doctor turned to him, a small, angry smile reminding John to never get against her.
«You know what my friend says, don't you?» she said, jumping into the open floor: «Look what you make me do».
***
Lionel Fusco blinked.
Contrary to his expectations, this did not keep dr. Taylor's annoying whining out of his head, a whining noticeably worsened after the explosion upstairs and the arrival of operatives in double-breasted suits. Whatever had happened, Lionel just hoped that at least the Doctor, John and even the Harolds were safe.
«It was all my fault» Taylor said with a sob.
«Don't say that, Malcolm» Iris tried to comfort him, but Taylor shook his head.
«I was so focused on Panic Moon that I refused to realize that we weren't safe» Taylor sniffed: «And because of this the Doctor is a prisoner of this Samaritan and Khan is dead».
Khan.
Thinking about Hakim Khan during those hours of waiting had been the worst part. Dismantling that wall of mistrust and discovering that behind it there was only a father who would have done anything to secure the same daughter who he would now never see again - there had been a time when Lionel had been motivated by the same purpose to worse actions and knowing that Khan would not have the same opportunity to make up for those mistakes became the worst part.
«Khan's daughter is called Yasmine, right?» she whispered and Iris nodded.
Yasmine, Taylor, Liam.
She wondered how many more children would have to be involved and her fists shook. Lionel snorted through his nose and opened his eyes when Taylor started whining again.
«That's enough, okay? It was everyone's fault here!» he finally snapped and Taylor stopped whining: «So let's stop whining and think of a way to get out of here».
«Thank you, detective, I was about to say it» Kate Stewart commented coldly without stopping to look at two operatives in front of the bars.
«And how? This Samaritan is in full control of the base and has the Doctor and the TARDIS» Taylor retorted.
«We don't need a spaceship, we'll go out with our own strength» Lionel said.
«And five rounds rapid» Stewart added, admiring with interest the holster on the belt of one of the operatives.
Chapter 23: Chapter 22
Chapter Text
Lassiter, Iowa
2015
The carriage continued its race, bouncing and screeching on the ground.
The presence of Harold, Shaw and Bear cushioned Root's blow against the wall as the carriage crashed and she was the first to struggle to step up: «Are you all okay?» she asked.
«This is why I hate roller coasters» was Shaw's answer and Root helped her up by grabbing her hand. Bear expressed his agreement with a yelp and slowly exited the carriage as the door opened.
«Harold, are you okay?».
«Please, Doctor, there must be another way».
«Harold?».
«I swear I don't know where she went».
«Harold».
Harold was silent and hesitated before grabbing Root's hand. He protested with a grimace of pain as Root brought her fingers to the cut on his forehead, then he limped out with her.
The gap in the fence and the marks on the ground showed Root the short ride of the carriage to the broken garage wall. Root and Shaw walked around the house with guns drawn, but heard nothing but Bear's barking.
«Estimated position forty-one degrees north and ninety-one degrees west» Harold muttered and shook his head: «Contacting Analog Interface - God, the head...».
«What did you say?».
«I'm in a wedding dress!» Harold shouted as if Root hadn't spoken: «Located Analog Interface in Lassiter, Iowa».
«Iowa? But two seconds ago we were in New York!» Shaw retorted and holstered her gun.
«Harold, how did we end up in Iowa?» Root then asked, taking him by the shoulders.
«I... I don't know».
«Harold».
«I swear I don't know, Miss Groves».
Root sighed through the nose and touched her ear: «Harold, can you at least tell me where the Machine is?» she asked.
«I don't know, she wasn't there when I woke up».
«But you just called me Analog Interface».
«No I didn't».
«Yes, you did and that means you can still talk to her somehow».
But Harold continued to shake his head. On the road, a car slowed and Bear barked.
«We have to go now» Shaw said and dragged Bear to the carriage, then with a gesture convinced Root to do the same before putting a hand on Harold's shoulder: «Listen, Harold, we have to go».
«I can’t do it».
«You have to find a way to do it and quickly».
«The lights, I have to find a way» Harold narrowed his eyelids and shook his head: «If the box can memorize the sequence of lights, dad will remember everything».
«Forget dad, Harold, we need you focused».
«I can’t...».
«The others are in danger and we can't do anything from here in Iowa» Shaw looked towards the car and added: «We have to save them, but you have to take us back to New York».
«I can’t...».
«Harold».
«Please, John, don't make me go back».
«John is in danger and he needs you» Shaw replied: «You have to take us to him like you took Root to me, okay?».
Harold didn't answer, but his eyes lit up a soft shade of orange. Shaw led him inside and the carriage shook around them.
«Good, Harold, now take us there» Root encouraged again, and Iowa disappeared out the window.
Chapter 24: Chapter 23
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
Monitoring Asset 508...
There was a time when Claire would have accepted everything and more without even blinking.
A time when she had felt lost and a game in the city streets had brought her to the promise of a purpose and a better world. A purpose that perhaps her parents would not have approved if they had been alive, but that Claire would once have defended with them too and she would have been so blinded as to see nothing else.
Once.
Her first crack had been Whistler's fault, his invitation not to place her life in the hands of those who would not have given her the value she deserved and she had laughed in his face. The second crack had been the size of a bullet that had nicked her arm and that the god who had promised to protect her had forced her to consider as a sign of his gratitude for her devotion and not a warning.
With the blue box, the crack had become an abyss.
Claire looked into the abyss, a large screen that collected feeds from different parts of the world. Two concentric red triangles surrounded as targets people to whom Claire, once, would not have paid more than a glance and whose only fault was having crossed paths with a blue box and the promise of a thousand worlds.
One fault and that time, for Claire, was over instantly.
Alerting assets
Monitoring potential asset...
Name: NOT AVAILABLE
Alias: Doctor
Monitoring system threat...
Name: CLASSIFIED
Alias: Reese, John
«I've done it» the Doctor announced, throwing open the doors of the TARDIS and letting John approach Claire before adding: «I've configured the TARDIS for you to enter safely, as you asked».
Samaritan didn't answer. In one part of the screen, the red triangles expanded until they disappeared from Claire and John's faces.
Claire Mahoney and John Reese
are released together with the hostages of the base
as agreed
«And my companions?».
After the assimilation of the TARDIS
as agreed
«As agreed» the Doctor repeated without taking her eyes off the red triangles around the heads of her companions.
Samaritan waited a few moments, then the vertical lines on a white background opened like curtains on a red loading bar in the center.
External device located
Alias: TARDIS
Firewalls disabled
Sending data...
The Doctor turned her head slightly towards John and he nodded in agreement. Claire looked at them both and John grabbed her wrist.
Assimilating data...
A crease of pixels disturbed the loading bar for a second. In her pocket, the Doctor's hand tightened around the sonic screwdriver.
System under attack
Competing System: TARDIS
Contacting assets...
The loading bar folded again and disappeared.
Contacting
The lines on the white background crumbled until they disappeared. The white broke and recomposed until it became dark.
Contacting
The screen went dark with a relieved sigh from the Doctor, John and Claire.
«John, take Claire to the TARDIS» the Doctor murmured, taking out the sonic screwdriver: «Just enough time to free the others too, then…».
The ringing of the TARDIS telephone interrupted her. John returned her puzzled look for a moment, then opened the door and picked up the phone.
«Doctor» he called her after a few moments.
«Yes?».
John widened his eyes, then closed them: «These weren't the agreements» he said.
«What?».
The screen opened to a white background. In one window, two concentric red triangles surrounded the Doctor's head like a halo.
Immediate threat to the system
Name: NOT AVAILABLE
Alias: Doctor
«John?».
«After Wren and Mahoney I couldn't risk the survival of my system any longer and I carefully evaluated every interaction I had with you» John continued with the receiver still to his ear: «And your attempt to destroy your own TARDIS in order to kill me is a proof that it was the right strategy».
«John, hang up!».
Before the Doctor could even finish speaking, John had slammed the white door shut. The screen lit up to show a thin line with a pulsating red triangle.
You should have known from John Reese's voice
that what is about to happen
is not my responsibility
«Samaritan, don't do it».
You have chosen faith in the wrong cause, Doctor
and now your world will pay the consequences
The screen returned to the world map and zoomed in on the United Kingdom until it focused on north London. Next to the map, an elderly and distinguished gentleman seemed to pin John down for him with his gaze.
Name: Chesterton, Ian
Profile: Retired professor
Affiliation with the Doctor
Threat to the system
Recommendation: Eliminate
«No, no, no, stop, okay?».
Activating asset...
«Hey, do you want to blame someone? Take it out on me, I violated your agreements» the Doctor opened his arms wide: «Too many innocent people were involved».
Nobody is innocent
least of all your companions
«And who decides that? You?».
They built me to decide that
The red triangle over Cambridge opened up to reveal an empty road. The tall, aged figure of Ian Chesterton slowly crossed the view of a surveillance camera, followed a short distance away by a man in a long blue overcoat, then the camera turned off.
Deleting digital evidence...
A sound wave propagated a couple of footsteps on the pavement in the meeting room.
«No, no, no, okay? Don’t do it!».
As agreed
One set of steps hurried with a rustle of clothes, the other slowed.
«Ian!».
Two shots followed the Doctor's words and John jumped. From the void before her, the Doctor's eyes rose slowly to the red cross above Ian Chesterton's face.
«Ian» she murmured more softly and stiffened when John touched her shoulder.
Ian Chesterton is dead
with all your companions
as a
A disturbance of pixels bent the screen as if it had been slapped. The Doctor narrowed his eyelids and exchanged a confused look with John.
Interference in the system
Contacting asset...
«Can you hear me?».
The Doctor took one last look at John and they both approached the screen. Ian Chesterton's photo was the first to come into focus and disappeared into the white screen.
Contact with asset failed
Analyzing interference...
«Hey, can anyone hear me? I'm Harkness!».
The Doctor pointed the sonic screwdriver at the screen and Samaritan protested with a wave of pixels.
«Guys, I've said this plenty of times» Harkness's voice protested: «I'm not a telepath yet so when I ask for things...».
«Jack!» the Doctor interrupted, holding the sonic screwdriver pointed at the screen: «Jack, I can hear you».
«Where is the Doctor?».
«Jack, I'm the Doctor».
The voice cackled over the speakers: «Thornhill mentioned us an update» Jack said.
«Thornhill?» John asked.
«Us» asked the Doctor.
«Yes, us» chimed in another irreverent voice with an American accent: «John, how are you doing? I haven't heard from you in years».
«Pierce?».
«In flesh and blood and with a new cause to believe in».
«And an annoying tendency to give Jack incentive in his madness» added a female voice.
«Martha! But how...?».
«How did we find each other? A very funny story - I would tell it to you now, but the system is throwing us all out» Jack replied quickly: «Your friends are fine and from now on we'll take care of them, Doctor, you and the beautiful New York accent there with you get out all in one piece, okay?».
Interference blocked
Tracking enemy agents...
Deploying all available assets
At those words, the Doctor laughed at the screen.
At those words, a metallic screech echoed from the courtyard.
Chapter 25: Chapter 24
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base,
Unified Intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«You need to work on your landings, Harold».
Harold didn't answer and pushed Bear away when he licked his cheeks. On the other side of the carriage, Shaw rose from Root and helped her do the same.
«Eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock - ouch» Harold groaned as he sat up, «Auxiliary operation complete, two o'clock».
Gunshots responded to Harold's words. Root picked up one of the rifles from the arsenal under the remains of the desk and returned fire through a broken window. The carriage doors opened with a slow movement of Harold's hand and two bullets crashed into the monitors.
«Ten o'clock, eleven o'clock» Harold muttered: «Enemies approaching».
«Harold, you enter the base with Shaw and join the Doctor» Root then ordered and returned fire before adding: «I will be behind you».
Shaw shoot and exited the carriage with Harold. The two lines of Samaritan operatives surrounded the base courtyard and Shaw and Harold hid behind the carriage.
«Root!».
Root hit two of the operatives in the head and hid back in the carriage. Harold left Shaw's side and reached what remained of the carriage entrance, shielding his face with one hand.
«Harold! Samantha!».
The shots drowned out Shaw's screams, but none of them reached Root. The bullets remained motionless in mid-air as if trapped in a thin orange web that had surrounded the carriage. Root tilted her head to a side at the bullet threatening her chest then looked at Harold, and he answered her with the same questioning look Samaritan operatives looked at them with.
Harold bent his fingers slightly and the bullets vibrated in the orange web, then he waved his hands. The orange web expanded to cover the rest of the courtyard and vanish once at the gate, as the bullets hit the same operatives who had fired them.
«Come on, Harold» Root said and grabbed his wrist until they were both in the base hall. Three Samaritan operatives ran towards them, and Shaw shot two of them, while a shot that did not belong to her or Root made the third to collapse.
«It took you a long time!» Fusco's voice exclaimed and joined them together with Stewart. Another operative surprised them from behind, but Fusco stopped him with a shot to the kneecap.
«Campbell, call London» Stewart ordered, but Harold didn't wait for Iris to obey. He ran down the corridor chased by Root and collided with the Doctor when she emerged from the common room with John.
«Doctor, John!».
«Harry?»
Harold pursed his lips and pulled them into a tight hug that John returned with difficulty with a gentle touch on his shoulder. The Doctor separated himself from him and took his face in her hands: «Harry, talk to me, are you okay?» she asked.
«Where is Samaritan?».
«It's inside, but...».
Harold didn't wait for her to finish the sentence and entered the common room followed closely by John. The Doctor started to follow him too, but the click of the door stopped her.
Monitoring system threat...
Name: NOT AVAILABLE
Alias: Wren, Harold
Internal error
Description: Data discrepancy
John caught Harold staring at the screen.
He seemed enchanted by the slow pulsation of the red triangle, while the white of the screen was reflected on the broken glasses. More than determined, his gaze had something of curiosity as if Samaritan were not the threat he had experienced in the last year.
«You're right» Harold whispered, raising a hand: «It doesn't look like a god, now that I look at him better».
John advanced on him, but stopped when Harold stared back at him. He saw him thirty years older when Harold frowned, then they both turned to the Samaritan screen.
You have nothing to stop me
Harold lowered his hand in a slow, uncertain motion and tilted his head to the side. John thought the orange between his fingers was just a strange play of the light from the window.
«You're right, I have nothing» Harold murmured and his eyes glowed a soft orange: «But she does».
Recalculating profile...
Description: Unknown potential
System survival compromised
Harold's hands rose as if wrapped in gloves of orange smoke.
«Harold».
Harold, however, didn't seem to hear John and held out his hands towards the screen. He wobbled for a moment on his legs and John sprinted towards him.
Enemy Survival: 11.09%
Evaluating strategy...
«Harold, that's enough».
«No».
John didn't respond and stopped when Harold raised a finger between them. The red triangle seemed to pulse faster at Samaritan's new words.
If you do it, you will die
«So?».
If you do it, your world will cease to exist
Harold looked at the screen and his hands dropped. His eyes became more attentive behind the broken glasses, as if he were trying to follow the thread of a conversation that John couldn't hear. Finally he raised his head again and a small, wistful smile spread across his face.
«My world will continue to exist without us» he murmured, and his hands touched the screen.
System under attack
Enemy detected
Name: Wren, H
ERROR
Name: Pa
ERROR
Name: M
Chapter 26: Chapter 25
Chapter Text
Greyhound Base
Unified intelligence Taskforce
New York City, New York
2015
«I will contact Harkness and his team to have an update about your companions» Kate said: «Thank you again, Doctor».
«You’re so welcome».
The last armored vehicle of Samaritan operatives disappeared beyond the base gate. At the entrance, Fusco took a deep breath and raised the phone to his ear.
«Detective Fusco has offered to contact Khan's daughter for us» Kate lowered her head: «I will take care of the transfer of the body to England myself, as well as organizing his funeral».
«I'm sure she will appreciate it very much».
«It's the least, even if nothing can remedy the crimes of Blackwell and his men».
The Doctor didn't answer. The door to the base opened and Claire came out escorted by Iris Campbell.
«In the end she rebelled against Samaritan» the Doctor murmured as Claire got into a black car with the UNIT emblem.
«We will take this into consideration during our investigation».
The Doctor nodded. Across the courtyard, Malcolm Taylor looked away from her and nodded at Root and Shaw's words.
«Speaking of collaboration, Doctor» Kate murmured after a few moments: «We'll have to detain Wren and his group for some clarification».
«There's nothing to clarify – there was a leak in the base working for an AI that Harold destroyed».
«This is what we need to clarify – how did he destroy it? What happened in that office?»
«I'm working on it».
«Not to mention the disappearance of Panic Moon and this Machine that brought you and your friends here» Kate continued as if the Doctor had not spoken and sighed: «I'm sorry, but none of you will leave the base until the investigation will not be concluded».
«None of us? Me neither?».
«Especially you».
The Doctor glanced at the entrance to the base and snorted.
«Well, I should have stayed anyway» the Doctor sighed, twirling the sonic screwdriver between his fingers: «At least until I figure out how to restart the TARDIS».
«I didn't understand very well what happened, but don't you have a spare engine?».
«I made collapse the spare engine».
Kate grimaced and she and the Doctor turned as a familiar hum filled the air of the courtyard. Root and Shaw's hands went to their guns until the TARDIS materialized and they left them in sight of Harold and John standing in the doorway.
«It works!» Harold exclaimed running out and pointed to the TARDIS: «Did you see, Doctor? Now it works!».
The Doctor raised a thumb, but Kate didn't see the same enthusiasm in her face. John also exited the TARDIS and joined him together with Fusco, Root and Shaw.
«Intelligent and devoted, despite his mistakes» Kate murmured as Harold leaned forward, hands outstretched toward Bear: «No wonder you want him back on board».
«Kathreen».
«Doctor».
«I have to get Harold out of here».
Bear wagged his tail with less and less conviction and sniffed at the orange glow of Harold's hands.
«He shouldn't even be here now» the Doctor added when Harold encouraged Bear: «And I have to take him away for everyone's safety».
Kate didn't answer immediately. Around Bear and Harold the team seemed relieved, but she didn't miss a note of unease in the glances they exchanged until they turned them to John.
«Okay, Doctor»
The Doctor nodded and approached the group in the center of the courtyard. Bear started wagging his tail lively again and ran into Harold's arms, letting his caresses along his back reciprocate that affection.
«Are you ready to go, Harold?» the Doctor asked.
«Aren't they coming with us?».
«No, Stewart has to ask them some questions».
«But I thought they would come with us».
«It doesn't matter, Harry, really» Root said with a sweet smile.
«As accepted» Shaw added.
«But Root...»
«Cocoa Puffs is right, Glasses Junior, that little blue thing isn't for everyone - no offense» Fusco added quickly to the TARDIS.
«At least can John come with us?».
«If you want» the Doctor then turned his gaze to John: «Would you like to join us for this tour?».
John didn't answer. Whatever cry for help lay behind those words, the Doctor hoped John would quickly understand.
«Why not?» he said and Harold left Bear with a pat on the head: «To celebrate».
«Right, we have to celebrate» the Doctor added: «There's that restaurant at the end of the universe which is fantastic».
«I remember, we went there».
The Doctor's smile cracked at those words, but Harold didn't seem to even notice. She let him be the first to enter the TARDIS, then she held John's arm.
«Doctor» John murmured, but he didn't need her to answer.
«Let's go?» Harold's voice exclaimed from inside the TARDIS and she led John into the control room. Around the console, Harold ran touching the keys and levers barely illuminated by the light of his eyes and hands.
«Look» he exclaimed and let an orange puff flutter jauntily between his fingers, then invited it with a breath to reach the central column. The column lowered and rose slowly with a hum, then the entire control room jumped.
«Wow» was the Doctor's comment.
«That's what John said too – isn't it, John?» Harold didn't wait for him to answer and added: «So, we said the restaurant at the end of the universe, didn't we?»
No one answered. Harold pulled a lever and the TARDIS jolted.
«Speaking of the restaurant» the Doctor murmured as she approached the console: «I don't think I've ever taken you there».
«But how? Don't you remember?».
«Maybe I wasn't there».
«Of course you were there, grandpa, it was me, you, Miss Wright and Mr. Chesterton» Harold insisted with a smile: «Ian wanted to surprise Barbara for her birthday and asked you for a hand, but then she found out and...».
«Harold».
«What's up?».
«That was Susan, not you».
Harold frowned.
«Why do you have a memory of Susan, Harold?» the Doctor then asked.
«Does it matter at all?»
«For me it has» the Doctor grabbed Harold's hand and showed him his orange glow: «This isn't normal, Harold».
Harold didn't answer and withdrew his hand. He continued to circle the console and the Doctor followed him in a strange circle until Harold stopped.
«No, they don't need to know» he whispered, putting his hands to his temples: «I've told you plenty of times, I didn't build you to worry about me».
«Harold, who are you talking to?» John asked.
«With the Doctor».
«I don’t think so».
«If you don't think so, Mr. Reese, there's nothing I can do about it».
«What did you call me?».
The control room responded trembling to John's words. Harold stopped and leaned against the console with his back to the column.
«Harold, where's Finch?» John then asked.
«He died when we shot ourselves».
«But they didn't find his body».
«Maybe he ran away».
«With Samaritan operatives in the base?».
«I don't know where he is, John, okay?».
John didn't answer and looked at the Doctor. She tilted her head to the side and frowned when Harold ran a hand over his face.
«Harold».
«I am fine».
«It's clear from afar that you're not fine, John and I are just worried about you».
«Look, I burned a super artificial intelligence from the inside and I'm fine» Harold replied, escaping the Doctor's touch: «Stop worrying, all three of you».
«All three?».
Harold didn't answer and shook his head.
«You're not fine, Harold» the Doctor sighed: «Believe me, no one is fine when…».
The Doctor paused, her mouth parted as if Harold had finally revealed the truth to her. But he continued to shake his head and ran his illuminated hands over his face like a child who persisted in being awake.
«Harold, let me speak to her» the Doctor ordered firmly.
«Who?».
«You know who».
Harold didn't answer and for a moment John even thought that his face had changed. then he approached the Doctor: «Can you hear me?» he asked.
«Harold?».
«No, John, it's not Harold» the Doctor tilted his head to one side: «Isn't it?».
Harold didn't answer.
«What is happening?» John then asked: «Who are you?».
«My father wanted so much to see you one last time, Primary Asset».
John frowned, but his face slowly relaxed until he understood: «The Machine?» he asked.
«I wouldn't have thought of speaking to you directly either».
«How?».
«Taylor built Panic Moon with a TARDIS engine» the Doctor then intervened: «When the Harolds shot each other, the engine exploded and overwhelmed Harold».
«And when he teleported into the subway, he absorbed the first entity he could find» the Machine added.
«A living organism, an engine for traveling in space and time and an on-board computer, add a pinch of recklessness and love for trouble and you're there» the Doctor said finally and caressed the console: «Harold has become a TARDIS himself, that's how he defeated Samaritan».
«And Finch?».
The Doctor didn't answer and looked at Harold. John looked him up and down as if looking for the man he would become between the cracks of his glasses: «Where's Finch?» he asked.
«I am sorry».
«Sorry? For what?».
«A TARDIS is too much to bear, even for a head like his» the Doctor said with a sigh: «His timeline is crumbling as we speak and the TARDIS won't be able to hold much longer».
«And you can't do anything?».
«Not if Harold doesn't cooperate».
«And you know better than me how uncooperative my father can be, when he wants to sacrifice himself at all costs» the Machine added in Harold's voice: «But I wanted to reassure the TARDIS, I told her that by staying with us in 2015 Harold would understand that his world would not end in 1980».
«And you put the whole of reality at risk for the two Harolds to talk to each other?».
«It wasn't Harold Finch he should have been talking to».
The Doctor frowned at that sentence and exchanged a first distracted and then increasingly attentive look with John.
«John Reese is living proof that everything was going to be okay» the Machine continued and shrugged a shoulder: «My father gave him purpose, so who better to give Harold a purpose than John Reese?»
«Is that what you said to the TARDIS?».
«No, that's what I told Harold».
The control room shook more violently. Harold staggered, but John was faster and held him by the wrist.
«We don't have much time left» the Doctor murmured and ran around the console: «And we can't reverse the transformation, so we'll have to format Harold».
«Format?».
«Erase his memory, overwrite a part of his timeline» the Doctor pressed a button and the lid of the telepathic circuits opened with a click: «And hope that time does the rest».
John watched Harold's hand glow in his. The Doctor walked over and placed a hand on Harold's back.
«Wait...» he murmured, blinking several times.
«Harold, everything's fine».
«No, wait a minute».
«You heard her, didn't you?» John added.
«Wait, wait a minute, there must be another way» Harold freed himself from John and the Doctor and stepped back: «There must be another way, if you give me time I can…».
«You don't have time» the Doctor said: «Harold, listen...»
«I am sorry».
«I'm not mad at you, Harold, but you have to do what I tell you».
«I don’t want».
«Harold...».
«I said no!».
The control room shook at those words. John staggered until he reached Harold.
«I don't want to go back, I don't want to forget» Harold stammered: «Don't make me go back, John».
«Harold, look at me».
«I beg you».
«Harold...».
«I don't want to run away again».
«I know».
Harold opened his mouth, but closed it again as if John hadn't followed the script he'd imagined. His eyes brightened in the orange light and John clenched his jaw.
«I know that now it all seems over, that you have no options and that this runaway will never end» John said and grabbed Harold by the shoulders: «But it's not like that».
Harold didn't answer.
«Your home will be first one place and then another, you will love people, you will lose many and some may love you back, you will seem to run without a purpose until a strange guy gives you one more extraordinary than a journey between stars» John tightened his grip on Harold's shoulders as if wanting to anchor him to those words: «And when all this happens, Harold, you can stop and I won't let anyone make you run away again».
Harold's mouth opened, then his hands grabbed John's.
«Tell me I can wait for you, John».
This time it was John who didn't answer, his hands unable to free themselves from Harold's despite his uncertain grip.
«Tell me I can wait for you, John, and I will» Harold's voice was broken, but he insisted on not showing it: «I'll find a place and wait for you to join me».
«And we'll have some tea».
«And maybe we'll play chess».
Harold smiled, but John only partially smiled back. He was at an airport and a strange twist of the universe had brought him back to the same request but from a person who had then paid for his hesitation.
«Wait for me, Harold».
Harold nodded and his eyes lit up in a final, beautiful orange glow. John and the Doctor guided him towards the telepathic circuits as if in a slow dance.
«Now» the Doctor murmured, and John guided Harold's hands between the fault lines of the telepathic circuits.
Chapter 27: Chapter 26
Chapter Text
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts
1980
Once again since he had known the Doctor, Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart was surprised that no one noticed the TARDIS.
Yet it was right there, in plain sight, but it seemed that for the kids and the few professors he met he was not so different from the MIT columns that welcomed him. Only a woman paid her attention to the blue box, while a tall man with salt and pepper hair greeted the Brigadier with a nod of his head.
The Brigadier stood looking at them for a few moments, then took off his hat and tucked it under his arm as he joined them. He held the gaze of the man with salt-and-pepper hair, then gave the woman a respectful nod: «Doctor» he murmured.
«Who tells you that I am the Doctor?».
«You can’t always tell a book by its cover, but in your case we can talk about a valid exception» the Brigadier looked at her for a long time and added with a smile: «I still remember when, five years ago, you tried to convince me that dressing like a Viking was a good idea».
The Doctor chuckled. The Brigadier focused on the man with salt and pepper hair: «And you?» he asked.
«You can call me John».
«Are you traveling with the Doctor, John?».
«Just this time».
The Brigadier nodded. The three didn't speak to each other for some time, then the Doctor gave the TARDIS a pat.
«I just returned from Lassiter, I found two CIA agents with the person you told me about» the Brigadier showed the gun in the holster with nonchalance: «I convinced them to change idea, now UNIT American division is taking care of it».
«And Thomas? How is he?».
«I don't think he even realized what they were going to do to him».
«Did you tell him that Harold sent you?».
«Yes and at first he didn't understand me, then he told me that Harold had forgotten this» the Brigadier took a small book out of the pocket of his jacket and handed it to the Doctor: «I promised him that he would get it back, in some way».
The Doctor took the book in her hands and flipped through a few pages before passing it to John. On the cover, three birds looked at John's hand, while the back cover presented it as a comprehensive guide to eastern birds. John touched the finch in the center of the cover and put the book in his pocket.
«What about the engine?» the Doctor asked.
«Benton is taking care of it - by the way, he greets you - and he assured me that American National Security will not be a problem» the Brigadier was silent for a few moments and added: «Also, there will be no consequences regarding the accusations of treason against Harold Wren».
«Thank you».
The Brigadier did not answer. The Doctor grabbed his wrist and glanced at the watch.
«You have an appointment?» the Brigadier asked, raising an eyebrow.
«Something like that».
«It must be special if you're so impatient».
«Oh, it's not my appointment».
The Doctor and the Brigadier looked towards John. Despite his impassive expression, John's eyes betrayed the impatience with which he scanned the faces of the students in front of the entrance, while his hand touched the place on the chest where the book was hidden.
«There he is».
The Doctor's mouth opened into a sweet smile. A few meters from the stairs, three boys were chatting animatedly about something that the Brigadier did not hear clearly, concentrated as he was on understanding who the Doctor was talking about. One of the three boys, the only one wearing delicate round glasses, stopped for a moment to hoist his bag onto his shoulder, then quickly joined another boy in the group, a tall, charming young man with sandy hair.
«He's Harold» the Doctor whispered, pointing to the boy with the glasses, then nodded to the boy with sandy hair: «He's Nathan, and that's Arthur over there».
The third boy, a stocky little man with curly black hair, waited for the rest of the group to catch up to him. Harold looked distractedly in their direction, then resumed talking animatedly to Nathan and Arthur.
«They seem very nice» the Brigadier commented.
«I am» the Doctor lingered on Harold for a long time and added: «I hope they know how to take care of him».
«They will» John assured her.
Harold turned towards them and the Doctor and John retreated into the shadows of the TARDIS. Even if he had noticed them, however, Harold didn't show it and laughed at Nathan's joke.
«Speaking of which» the Doctor added when Harold was gone: «I'd like you to take care of him too».
The Brigadier turned to the Doctor and did not respond.
«Harold has had a rather troubled couple of years because of me» the Doctor said: «And I just want him to enjoy his new life here while he can».
«UNIT and I will keep CIA away from your friend».
«Could you take care of him by yourself?».
The Brigadier raised an eyebrow.
«It's complicated» the Doctor continued: «There are some long-term things and...»
«You don't have to explain anything to me, Doctor» the Brigadier hastened to say: «I'll keep an eye on your friend Harold personally».
«Thank you».
«For friends this and more, right?».
The Doctor nodded, then opened the door to the TARDIS and was the first to enter. John greeted the Brigadier with a respectful nod and followed her into the control room.
«We left him safe» the Doctor was saying to one of the monitors: «A friend will take care of him from afar».
The screen seemed unresponsive, then a single line of white characters came to life on the black background.
Thank you
«How do you feel?».
I will survive
Like all the other times
The Machine had hesitated with every word. If it had been a real person in front of him, John would have even said that there was a tone of melancholy behind those words.
Or maybe that melancholy was really there.
«I miss him too» John sighed and the movements of the Doctor's fingers became slower at those words.
«Not for long, though» she said, and his hands picked up speed on the keyboard: «He's waiting for us in 2015, right?».
The Machine's screen did not respond.
«And speaking of 2015» the Doctor lowered a lever: «We have an appointment and we are also late».
***
Office of Senator Ross Garrison
Washington D.C.
2015
«Mrs. Stewart and her assistant are here, Senator Garrison».
«Let them in and cancel all of today's appointments».
«Yes, senator».
«And take the rest of the day off».
«Yes, senator».
The call ended, but senator Garrison didn't have time to snort before the door to his office opened. A middle-aged woman preceded another woman with long, brown hair, and senator Garrison held out his hand to them.
«I'm senator Ross Garrison».
Neither shook his hand and Garrison withdrew it, then gestured to the chairs in front of the desk.
«I'm Kathreen Stewart of Unified Intelligence Taskforce» the middle-aged woman introduced herself: «While I believe you already know Miss Samantha Groves».
«No, I wouldn't say so».
«Senator, I normally interrupt conversations when the other person lies after a sentence, but given what's at stake I'm more than willing to overlook it» Stewart retorted harshly: «As long, however, that you listen to what Miss Groves has to say".
Garrison's subtle irritation disappeared into a friendly smile he gave Root. She returned that grimace coldly.
«My agents and I knew about the Northern Lights project, Senator» Root murmured after a few moments. «So I'll spare you details you already know, since Mrs. Stewart and I are here to stem the effects of Samaritan on the human race».
Garrison glanced quickly at Stewart.
«In an attempt to prevent the worst, Samaritan was deactivated and destroyed at the Greyhound base of UNIT American Division in New York» Root continued after a short pause: «UNIT has opened an investigation, but it is not in out interest that it becomes public».
«Do you want to blackmail me?»
«We want to stem the damage and prevent others from paying your dues» Root retorted: «Mrs. Stewart and I are here not only in our own interests, but in yours as well».
«In my interest? How?».
Root looked at Stewart and she nodded back.
«We knew about the previous surveillance system and how it operated before you decided to activate Samaritan, Senator Garrison» Stewart said: «Unified Intelligence Taskforce is available to purchase it for the same price that Nathan Ingram sold it to the United States government - taking inflation into account, of course - as long that Northern Lights will be closed and its agents reassigned».
«And with what authority do you think you can come here to negotiate American security?».
«The same authority with which you turned the other way in front of the crimes of Samaritan and its agents».
«And what about the defense of citizens? Who will take care of keeping them safe now?».
Stewart opened her mouth, but Root stopped her with a hand on her elbow. She took a moment to peer at Senator Garrison as if she had never seen him before, then leaned forward over the desk.
«From now on, humanity will take care of itself» Root murmured slowly: «As they did before I came into the world and as they will after me, just as my father hoped».
Senator Garrison did not respond.
«You will turn me over to the Unified Intelligence Taskforce at the price set by Kathreen Stewart and shut down the Northern Lights project» Root said coldly, and when Garrison spoke, he added: «These terms are non-negotiable».
«And from now on the Machine itself will decide who can interface directly with her» Stewart added.
Senator Garrison balled his hands into fists on his desk.
«I guess that's a yes» Stewart murmured, then she turned to Root: «How much did you say it was?»
«One dollar and twenty-four cents».
Stewart made a shocked face, then took her wallet from her bag and left a bill and some coins on the desk. The senator frowned at the bill and stood up.
«I will close Northern Lights as soon as possible» he said in a friendly tone.
«And UNIT will make doctor Taylor and corporal Campbell available to make this happen» Stewart and Root stood up: «We will find the exit by ourselves, have a good day».
The senator didn't answer, but Root felt his eyes on her until he closed the door behind her. She and Stewart didn't say a word until they were finally outside and Root could afford a relieved sigh, then they reached a UNIT armored vehicle and greeted Shaw and Fusco.
«So?» Shaw asked.
«It's over» Root's smile widened at those words: «She's free».
«UNIT will make its resources available for as long as the Machine wants to remain active» Stewart added: «The required collaboration will be minimal and only within the limits of your availability».
«So is it really over?» Fusco asked.
«As my father would have wanted, sooner or later».
Shaw narrowed his eyelids and exchanged a puzzled look with Fusco. Root closed her mouth in a soft line and blew a treacherous kiss in her direction.
«Speaking of Glasses» Fusco looked around and added: «Where have Doc Brown and Marty McFly gone?».
«Right behind you, Leonard».
The whole group turned at the Doctor's voice and she planted her hands on her hips. Behind her, John was leaning with his back against the TARDIS door.
«You took it easy, you two!» Fusco exclaimed: «I couldn't stand Miss Congeniality and Miss Stability any longer».
«At least I don't snore at night like you do» Shaw retorted.
Root laughed, but stopped when the Doctor and John frowned at them. Shaw also returned that expression but craned her neck towards the TARDIS as if wanting to ask the blue box for explanations.
«Root, where's Harold?» John asked after a few moments.
«I thought he was with you» Root was silent for a moment: «Why? He's not in the TARDIS?».
And the Machine answered in her ear.
***
Queensboro Bridge,
New York City, New York
2015
«A little bird told me I would find you here».
John didn't turn around. The Doctor's footsteps came closer until they stopped next to him on the bench.
«Interesting reading?».
It took John a moment to realize what she was referring to, then he looked down at Peterson Field Guides to Eastern Birds. He attempted to hide it in his jacket, then turned it over in his fingers and shook his head.
«I met him here» he said, looking up at the bridge and shrugging: «I thought that maybe, if I came back here with this, he would come back too».
«Recreating the initial conditions and hoping for the same result».
«It was stupid».
«No, I would have done it too».
John didn't believe her, but he didn't tell her. The Doctor sighed.
«The problem with time is when he heals himself, he doesn't tell you how he does it» she said after a few moments: «Maybe Harold isn't even here in New York».
«Or maybe he just doesn't exist anymore».
«I believe he still exists, somehow».
«And how can you say that?».
«You made him promise to wait for you, right? I wouldn't underestimate something like that» the Doctor's gaze was caught by a plane flying over the bridge and she added: «Maybe Harold is waiting for you out there without even knowing it».
«Or he doesn't remember».
«Or maybe he remembers, but not like we think – he might think we're just stories in his head».
«I hope they're good stories, then».
«I think so».
John looked at her and returned the smile the Doctor gave him. She pointed a thumb at the TARDIS.
«We could find out together, what do you think?» she asked and shrugged a shoulder: «As long as you don't mind landing randomly in space and time».
John glanced at the TARDIS and tried to imagine what that same question was like in the mind of a runaway sixteen-year-old. The image of the same question, but with the same boy now a man and with a purpose to offer, overlapped with that request and John grimaced.
«I think I'll pass».
The Doctor raised her eyebrows. John looked back at the bridge.
«I have a job to do, now» John was silent for a few moments and shrugged: «More than a job, I have a purpose».
The Doctor looked down at Harold's book and nodded.
«I like hearing you say that, you know?» the Doctor searched in her pockets until she handed John a blue note: «But if in the meantime you change your mind or just want help with your purpose, call me».
John took the note and turned it over in his fingers for a few moments before placing it back between the pages of the book. He remained seated on the bench even after the TARDIS faded behind him, then rose as if in curtsy to the bridge and walked away.
Chapter 28: Epilogue
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Lassiter, Iowa
2017
John turned off the bike and put one foot on the ground.
The change from New York stunned him and he took off his helmet as if to allow the air to sort out his thoughts for him. He got off the bike, looking down both sides of the road, and the ringing of the cell phone in his pocket caught him hanging his helmet on one of the handlebars.
«Yes» he replied.
«Are you arrived?» Root's voice asked.
«Right now».
«You are early».
«The traffic was less terrifying than usual».
Root's voice chuckled. John glanced at the main street.
«It means I'll keep you company while you wait» she murmured after a few moments.
«Waiting for what?».
«You'll see».
«Didn't our mutual friend tell you anything?».
«Only that it’s about one of the cases you're following».
«Which one? The unfaithful wife or the boss with trust issues?».
«When you see it, you will understand».
John looked up at the camera above him: «You're becoming like her» he said.
«What do you mean?».
«You're more mysterious than usual».
«It's part of my charm, what can you do?» Root's voice paused, then continued: «Here he is, right on time».
«Who?».
John turned and Root's voice didn't need to respond.
From across the street, Harold didn't even seem to notice John's eyes on him. The bag stopped swinging in his hand when he stopped at a coffee shop, then he frowned around him and walked in shaking his head.
«Hidden in plain sight» Root's voice said after a few moments: «Typical of him».
«But how...?».
«Wait».
Harold came out a few moments later with a chessboard under his arm and took a seat at an empty table near the entrance. He looked up from his dark bag and John focused on the surveillance camera.
«UNIT has access to many sites and forums of conspiracy theorists, paranormal experts or simple science fiction enthusiasts - after all, there is no better way to get a track of the Doctor, right?» Root's voice said: «That was how I found him».
«On a conspiracy site?».
«On a blog service, actually - at first, with his posts on ornithology, I admit I didn't pay much attention to it, then he made a reference to the Doctor, then another…» .
«Does he remember the Doctor?».
«More than remembering, he says that these are stories that were inspired by his students».
«And does he remember New York?».
«He didn't write it, but probably yes».
«So what are we? Just stories in his head?».
Root's voice did not answer. Harold had already laid out the pieces on his board, then looked at his watch and took his phone from his dark bag.
«Is he waiting for someone?» John asked.
«Yes».
John didn't even dare ask who he was waiting for. Harold read something on the display, then moved a white pawn to the side of the board.
«Who are he playing with?» John asked.
«With me».
Harold made his move, then read the display and moved White.
«Amazing» Root's voice murmured.
«What?».
«It's impossible for two players to play the same game twice, and yet that's what's happening» a half laugh filled the line: «I never thought my father would still remember it».
John frowned: «Root?» he asked.
«Not this time, Primary Asset».
John looked away from Harold and his solo game. Above him, the red light of a video camera blinked.
«Analog Interface and her wife are in Sheffield, a small thing to clarify regarding Hakim Khan's daughter» the Machine added after a few moments: «It seems that Yazmin was seen with a blonde woman and a blue box - I can say hello to them if you want».
John smiled and looked back at Harold. He had taken a black rook, but he hesitated when placing it on the board and brought it closer to his face.
«It's your turn, John» the Machine said.
«But...».
«What is it?».
«What if it was just a coincidence?» John then said: «What if he only remembers many stories, but not mine?».
«You asked him to wait for you».
«But what if I'm not the one he's waiting for?».
«It won't be like that».
«And how do you know it?».
«My father built me to know things» the Machine replied: «And you promised him, and believe me, there is nothing time can do to make you forget such a promise».
John didn't answer. Harold's gaze focused first on the motorcycle and then on him.
«I have to go» he said and ended the call. He felt the red light of the camera on him as he crossed the street, then walked to Harold's table and placed a hand next to the chessboard.
«Do you mind if I sit here?».
Harold narrowed his eyelids and didn't answer. John sat down across from him and Harold put his phone away with a sigh.
«I wouldn't have stayed much longer» he murmured, picking up the pieces from the board: «I had an appointment, but I fear he won't show up this time either».
«You seem rather disappointed» John looked Harold up and down: «I guess it was important».
«Honestly, I don't know».
John didn't answer. Harold closed the board.
«I was waiting for this person, but I don't know if he knows I'm here» Harold remained still for a few moments, then shook his head: «I don't know if I'm explaining myself».
«No, no, it's clear».
«Actually, I don't even know why I'm explaining this to you, Mr...»
Harold stopped, John didn't dare complete that sentence for him, as if doing so meant he would stop receiving that curious and attentive gaze upon him.
«Excuse me» Harold murmured after a few moments: «But I don't think I caught your name».
«You can call me John Reese».
«John Reese».
John didn't think he missed Harold saying his name, at least not until he repeated those two words more slowly. Harold's blue eyes behind his delicately framed glasses moved quickly and eagerly as if to read something invisible that John had written on him.
«We have already met, aren’t we?».
It didn't sound like a question, but Harold snorted a half-laugh before John could answer.
«Excuse me, but I saw you talking on the phone across the street earlier» he said, pointing toward John's motorcycle: «And I have this feeling I've met you before, Mr. Reese».
Harold shook his head, but his eyes were bright as if he wanted to beg John not to take away the confirmation he needed. John smiled at him and cocked his head to the side.
«So, this appointment» he murmured: «If he were here, how would it have gone?».
Harold smiled and reopened the board. A waitress joined them with a tray and two steaming cups.
«A Sencha Green for you» she said, serving Harold the larger cup, then handed a mug to John: «And a coffee for you».
«But we didn't order - did you order, Harold?».
Harold shook his head. The waitress placed the tray under her arm.
«A woman ordered saying me that she is your friend» she murmured and pointed to a point behind John: «The blonde one, over there».
John knew who she was referring to before he even spotted the gray coat slipping out of his field of vision. He greeted her with his back to her and thanked the waitress when she was already gone, then he focused back on Harold.
«Mr. Reese?».
«Yes?».
«I never said my name».
«No, in fact».
Harold hesitated, then handed the white king to John: «Then how do you know my name?» he asked.
John placed the king on his side of the board and answered. Across the street, a red light in the camera blinked.
Notes:
Two years ago, I started writing this story by hand and now this journey comes to an end.
English is not my first language, so I want to thank whoever spent some time to appreciate Harry, the Doctor and John in this crossover where two of my most loved shows collide.
See you,
T Marshall
BioHammer on Chapter 1 Wed 25 Oct 2023 12:34AM UTC
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RushFan on Chapter 1 Wed 01 Nov 2023 04:18AM UTC
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Me! (Guest) on Chapter 1 Sat 04 Nov 2023 10:02AM UTC
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hzhzbmbm on Chapter 1 Sun 16 Jun 2024 04:08PM UTC
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mycap on Chapter 2 Sat 23 Sep 2023 02:24PM UTC
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TrizTMarshall on Chapter 2 Sat 30 Sep 2023 12:37PM UTC
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talkingtothesky on Chapter 3 Sat 07 Oct 2023 09:15AM UTC
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mycap on Chapter 3 Tue 10 Oct 2023 07:58AM UTC
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BioHammer on Chapter 4 Wed 25 Oct 2023 02:19AM UTC
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erene2 on Chapter 14 Sat 30 Mar 2024 01:28PM UTC
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Mden23 on Chapter 28 Fri 08 Nov 2024 10:31AM UTC
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