TW// Guns, death

—

I can already feel Mickey's glare as he gets into the car. "You're late. Our plane landed an hour ago."

Rolling my eyes, I give him a quick side hug before starting the engine. "Unfortunately, I can't control traffic. Seatbelt."

Jake sends me a cheery wave from the back seat. "Miss us?"

"Dreadfully."

"Yeah," Mickey scoffs, "'cause that's definitely why you've been ignoring my calls."

He has every right to be angry. It wasn't fair on him. "I'm sorry, really. I was struggling but I shouldn't have frozen you out like that. I really did miss you."

I can tell that he is trying to appear cold, just to make feel bad for a little longer. He turns to the window but I have already seen the faint upwards twitch at the corner of his lips. "So," Jake speaks up, resting his chin against the back of my seat, "what did you call us back for? Sounded pretty urgent." Nodding, I pass my phone back to him. "You've got a burner?"

"I work for a sketchy underground institute that deals in the unknown, and my boss is a poorly concealed xenophobe. Of course I have a burner phone for emergencies. Just look at the picture."

He closely examines the photograph of the file. With each second, his eyebrows raise further. Cursing under his breath, he passes it to Mickey. "What the—"

"I know! This is so bizarre. I knew that something was wrong but this beyond anything I'd expected of that-"

"Can't we stop this? Get rid of her or something?"

Jake nods. "I know where we can go."

——————

"Hmm."

Pete sits at his desk, studying the picture in front of him. We have been waiting for his response for some time and that is all we get in return. Crossing his arms, Mickey lets out an impatient sigh. "That's it? 'Hmm'?"

The man removes his glasses, setting them down on the polished oak.

I try to force a polite smile but I don't know how long it will last. "Pete," I say, already hearing the panic and frustration start to build, "I just showed you a file detailing secret experiments on my DNA and all you can say is 'Hmm'? "

Huffing, he pushes the phone across the desk to me. "I've already seen it."

"What?"

"Torchwood's always been dodgy. I've been collecting dirt on them for years. They have a mole. It's actually funny you came right now. I'd just gotten off the phone with the President. He was asking about you, going over plans for tomorrow?"

The thee of us share anxious looks and Mickey jabs his thumb in my direction, saying, "Her? Why?"

He shrugs innocently, although I see his gaze dart over to Jake for a moment — they know something. "Sometimes you have to look outside for help. An alien from a parallel world is as 'outside' as it gets. Just be smart tomorrow, act like this never happened."

——————

I follow Pete's advice the next morning, although I have no idea why. Everything seems perfectly normal.

"I found the data," Mark says excitedly, leading me over to his desk.

I take the seat that he offers, frowning when I see that he has what looks like security camera footage of an empty street playing on the computer. "What am I looking at?" He hushes me, pointing to the screen. We wait. A light appears out of nowhere. It glows brighter and brighter, and we watch as the Tardis materialises. My breath catches at the sight of it. "Mark, what is this?"

"This is the energy spike I mentioned. We caught this on camera in Albert Embankment, just by Lambeth Pier, on the first of February, 2006. About 6pm. This old police box just appeared. And then a few weeks later at the British Museum when you first tried to use the Coin."

I rerun the footage, chewing anxiously on the end of my little finger as I watch the Tardis appear over and over again. I've missed it far too much. "So we can link two of these events. But the Tardis..."

"The what?"

Sheepishly meeting his gaze, I sigh. "That's the ship I came here in. See the one walking out just then, looks like she's got a headache? That's me. And that ship is called the Tardis — Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. We weren't meant to come here, we fell out of the Time Vortex and crash landed here."

He nods slowly. "So... this is the same technology?"

"No. The Janus Coin originated from Capitis, the Tardises were grown on Gallifrey — my, uh... friend's home planet. But they are both ancient technology. Maybe they use similar energy, like that radiation. They can—"

A sharp buzz picks up in the air. Then a screeching of sirens. Everyone in the lab freezes.

"Attention. This base has been compromised by the armed forces of the People's Republic of Great Britain. Staff are strongly advised to remain at their stations to await arrest. Resistance will be met with force," a man barks down the PA system.

"Really subtle, Pete," I mutter under my breath before turning to the rest of my team. "All right, everybody, you heard him. Stop whatever you're doing and wait against the wall. Let's not test their patience."

"Oh, don't be a bloody coward."

Turning sharply, I feel dread slowly take over as I see Yvonne stride into the room, flanked by an armed security team. I can't let it faze me, though. My chin juts out, a gesture of confidence — at least, I hope so. "What do you suggest, then? You heard the announcement. It doesn't matter how strong you think you are, you can't fight them off. Just let it go."

She chuckles softly, her eyes fixed on me in a scornful glare. "This was you. You're responsible somehow, I know it."

"Just do yourself a favour and give up. You're not as liked as you think, Yvonne," I retort. This faked stoicism is starting to give me more courage. The way shock creeps past her smirk is satisfying.

"Well, if you want it to be like that, be my guest. Boys?"

A series of clicks echo throughout the room and I find myself at the end of five guns. It doesn't scare me as I would normally expect. I smile, resting my hands on my hips as I glare her down. "Okay. Hide behind your guns. It's fitting, isn't it?"

The woman takes a step closer, her voice little more than a bitter whisper, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I've heard you talk of your duty, of 'the Crown and Country', of an eternal British Empire. As if this place has even had a monarch since the 1870s! It's all nonsense, I hope you know that. You're a coward, a scared little girl using other people to do her dirty work. I've seen a lot of things in my life. I've lost a lot, too." My gaze darts to the lifts behind her. The numbers on the screen go up, coming closer and closer. "Can I give you a piece of advice?"

She shrugs. "Guess it won't hurt. Go on. What's your brilliant advice?"

"Don't point a gun at the person with nothing left to lose... and certainly don't let her stall."

The lift doors slide open with a gentle ding. Shouts fill the lab, panicked calls from the terrified technicians hid in the corner of the room. The security team drop their weapons. Relieved, I look to Jake and Mickey. They stand with a squad of soldiers, all with their guns aimed. "Come on, guys. Do we really need the guns?"

"I'm hoping we don't," Jake replies, his narrowed eyes landing on Yvonne, "but who knows?"

"You're traitors. The lot of you are traitors. What you're doing, it's—"

"A direct order from the President himself? Yeah, sounds like we're the traitors." Mickey moves closer, his gun trained right on her. His eyes dart over to me and he nods behind him. "Move, Inara. We know you're on our side."

I don't move. It can't happen like this. With all of these weapons pointed, something bad is bound to happen. "Put the guns down. We can all talk this through, okay? Yvonne, just go with them. I won't let them do anything. You have my word."

She laughs. It sounds just like the first time I heard it, so saccharine and patronising. "And, of course, I'm going to trust you. You're not even human."

"Ma'am, surrender."

"You're all ridiculous. You know that, right? This is— This is pathetic. I'm not doing anything."

"Yvonne, please."

"I own this place. I bloody own it! All of you are only here because of me. Torchwood is mine!"

"Yvonne—"

Her eyes are wild. Everything about her has suddenly become far more urgent and panicked. She strides over to the case that holds the Janus Coin, throwing the door open. "Guess what? This is mine too! I had it brought here, I funded your little experiments to keep you happy. I know what you're doing, Inara. This is a weapon, isn't it? You want to kill us all. You're just like the rest of your kind. You're a monster! I won't let you destroy this planet!"

Her fingers are barely an inch from the Coin. A sharp bang sends a shock throughout the room.

Yvonne staggers. A frantic shout escapes me and I rush forwards. It's too late. The bullet has been fired. I catch her but she's already gone. "Oh Gods. What did you do? What did you do?"

The young soldier stares back at me, wide-eyed. He drops his gun, hurriedly shaking his head. "I didn't mean to! I just— I— I panicked. I didn't mean to."

"Put your guns down. Gods, all of you, put your guns down!"

The shot is clean, a little too perfect for a scared boy. I don't want to but I can feel my focus shift upwards towards the case. Towards the Coin. Blood spatters its surface, bubbling as the metal begins to glow.

It is gone in an instant. Burned away.

——————

It all happened so fast. Just like that, the Torchwood Institute is taken over. The employees are arrested and questioned. Some return and some are sent away, imprisoned or fired.

And now I sit outside the office of the President himself. This is something I certainly hadn't expected.

Footsteps echo down the corridor of polished wood and green carpets. Ceasing the anxious bouncing of my leg, I look up to see Pete Tyler approaching. He mutters something as soon as he sees me. "Miss Luscinia. Isn't this a surprise?"

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

He doesn't get a chance to respond, as the nearest door opens and we both stand tall, as if called to attention. The secretary hurries out, gesturing for us to enter.

The man sat at an ornate wooden desk smiles thinly at us. He almost looks in pain. Grey hair is scraped back from his dull, almost colourless complexion, lined with the long wrinkles of stress. He wears a dark suit and a navy tie, without a single crease or mark.

Leaning across the desk, he politely shakes my hand. "Brian Green, ma'am. And you must be Miss Luscinia?" His voice is a little gravelly and carries the accent I only ever hear in thr upper classes of this city, drawling and cold.

"A pleasure, sir. And feel free to call me Inara, I'm not a fan of all of those formalities." Awkwardly, I add, "Th-That is unless you'd rather not. Whatever works. Sorry, I don't meet a lot of presidents."

He grimaces. "Maybe it is better, then. Of course, I haven't met many aliens; although I must say it put Mr in a great deal of bother, convincing UNIT to let you stay put. It is good to see you again, Peter. I do hope you are well." He gestures to the empty chairs on our side of the desk — padded with the same olive green as the rest of the room's upholstery.

Forcing a smile, Pete sits and I quickly follow suit. "Not too bad, all things considered. Working hard."

He lets out a rather empty chuckle, "Well, we all know the alternative." With a glance towards me, he seems to realise that whatever she has said hasn't made the impression that he had intended. "Anyway," he says with a slight cough to clear his throat, "back to business. I have heard good things about you, Inara. Peter has praised your intelligence."

Arching an eyebrow, I look to the man beside me with a smug grin. "He has, has he?"

Green remains oblivious to the awkward tension. His response is half-hearted at best, "Oh, yes. And I have read all of the reports for your research on the Janus Coin, not to mention everything that happened with that dreadful Mr Lumic. We are lucky to have you with us, at least that's what UNIT says and far be it for me to disagree."

The comment leaves me feeling a little uncomfortable. Sinking into my chair, I pick at a loose speck of padding. "Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, sir, why did you ask to speak with me? And why is Pete here?"

Nodding, he rests her clasped hands on the desk, leaning forwards slightly to get a better look at me. I can't help but cringe under his scrutiny. "What happened two days ago was not the end of the Torchwood Institute. It is far too important for the protection of this planet, we cannot lose it. I have taken the matter into deep consideration and can only conclude that we must keep it strong if we are to survive. If the human race were to be contacted by aliens and the like, we would need its help."

"With respect," I cautiously begin, "while it is a smart idea, you'd have to be careful. This may be your planet, but it is not your universe. Millions of other species exist and they cannot be seen as the enemy... o-or inferior. If Torchwood were to continue, it would have to be built on strong principles of respect and peace. I have seen the destruction that your people cause and I won't see it happen again."

"Well, I suppose I was never going to get my way with this," he sighs, seeming almost disappointed as she turns back to Pete. "Obviously I had my doubts but Stewart's not an easy woman to ignore — far too bossy for my liking. Suppose we won't get much better."

"Pardon?"

He can barely hide his disapproval now. I find myself disliking him more and more by the second. "Torchwood needs a leader — a Head of the Institute — but this time with a council of influential representatives to monitor and guide its progress. While a council could certainly help to keep all countries' Institutes in check, some think it might be... nice to have an unbiased leader. Someone who can make decisions alongside humanity but with enough distance to provide a unique point of view, someone who won't put the planet's needs over others simply because it is home."

I don't like where it's going. I itch the back of my neck, trying to relieve my nerves by at least a fraction. "Right..."

"And they think that you will be up to the task."

I wince at the very suggestion. "I don't think that's a good idea. I'm not a leader. I'm... a scientist, an engineer, a healer."

His forced smile fades but only for a second. "You can heal this planet by providing a stable institution with which we can grow and progress correctly."

"Okay, I'll admit, that was kind of clever. But what about Pete? Why is he here? Can't he do it?" I plead, glancing hopefully over to him.

"Oh, no. Definitely not." Pete seems a little offended by the speed with which it takes him to respond. "He is a friend, he endorsed the decision. He will be one of our representatives as a leading businessman and philanthropist, not to mention his involvement in the Torchwood and Cybus Industries investigations."

The man sends me a smile, far more genuine this time. "Figured you could be of some use if you are really stuck here. You can even keep on with your research. Plus, Mickey mentioned that you can't lie. That trait's almost extinct in politicians these days."

"What do you say?"

They watch me expectantly, waiting on my answer.

I know that they have a point, that I have knowledge capable of guiding this planet into the future, but I also can't even begin to wrap my head around the idea of being a leader. I ran before I could be made High Priestess. I have always been more comfortable with making the smaller decisions, letting someone else guide the way. At least then there'd be less chance of me getting people killed.

Pete is also right. Aside from Mickey and the possibilities of the Coin, I haven't got much else. No home, no family. I don't even know if Mickey wants to be my friend after I ignored him. With this, I could start over and do something good.

"I'll do it."

—

A/n:

And thus the girlboss era begins. I hope.