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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 18, 2010 12:21:33 GMT -7
Jack nodded at Zane's request and realised there was one island the ranger should probably know about.
"Head East to 65 degrees at 4 knots, you'll see a small island, cliffs one side, beach the other. Head towards the lighthouse, there will be a wooden jetty." Jack indicated on a map, pointing to the piece of land.
"Flat Holm Island."
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 18, 2010 12:42:58 GMT -7
Zane Nodded and turned the boat in the right direction, following Jack's instructions to the little island.
"Can we just tie off here?" he wondered the proper etiquette for this place. It didn't look to get many visitors.
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 18, 2010 13:22:58 GMT -7
Jack nodded slightly, before pulling his phone out of his pocket and dialling a number.
"Maggie, I've just arrived. I have a guest with me. Can you expect us in twenty minutes? That's great." he pocketed his phone and looked at Zane.
"The Rift gives as well as takes, Zane."
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 18, 2010 13:26:43 GMT -7
"I know, Jack," Zane answered in a bit of confusion. "Where else would the weevils and the blowfish come from?"
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 18, 2010 13:44:27 GMT -7
Shaking his head, Jack looked solemnly out across the water.
"It's not that simple. The Rift is volatile, it takes people without discrimination and dumps them in times and places you couldn't imagine. The thing is... some of them get dumped back. It doesn't discriminate about that either. This is a place for those people. Only Ianto and Gwen know about it, I set it up as a place those people could be looked after, well, you'll see."
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 19, 2010 8:26:09 GMT -7
With Jack as somber as this, Zane knew the rest couldn't be good.
"I know that you do the best you can, Jack. Just show me."
If he could take a little weight off Jack's shoulders he would do it. Even if it was hard.
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 19, 2010 13:37:27 GMT -7
Jack nodded and didn't bother trying to explain anything else yet, it would speak for itself eventually.
Stepping onto the dock, Jack held his hand out of Zane, and led him up the narrow gravel path to the top of the island.
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 19, 2010 13:45:39 GMT -7
The island itself was windswept and bare. Zane wrapped his fingers around Jack's hand and offered a comforting squeeze.
"Only Gwen and Ianto know about this place? So you're asking me to keep it quiet. What about in emergencies?"
He wasn't sure what kinds of emergencies they might have, weather trying to keep people out or keep people in, but Zane liked to know the game plan for when things did not live up to expectations.
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 24, 2010 12:57:54 GMT -7
"I have... plans in place for any emergencies that encroach on Flat Holm island." Jack stated, without an offering of an explanation.
Squeezing Zane's fingers he led him down a gravel pathway and to the entrance of a hidden bunker, its entry blocked by an old, rusting cast iron door. Jack pressed a small buzzer, hidden by a reflective screen and tapped his foot in impatience.
'Please identify yourself...' a voice crackled through the old intercom device.
"Captain Jack Harkness, identification two one two seven six nine five." he spoke clearly and waited.
'Confirmed. Good to have you back Jack.' the female voice softened after the identification, 'Captain, scanners indicate two personnel?' the female voice questioned.
"Zane Williams, Torchwood. He's with me." Jack stated, casting a meaningful glance to his mate before stepping inside as the door automatically released.
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 24, 2010 13:59:46 GMT -7
Zane followed Jack inside, blinking as his eyes worked to adjust to the sudden gloom in the bunker.
"Jack?" he asked softly as they walked down a long hall and he started noticing names on the closed doors.
He remembered a pair of dark brown eyes staring out of an impossibly dirty face three weeks after the young teen had been separated from her hiking party. In less than twenty days, civilization was nearly forgotten and the savage girl they found bore little resemblance to the popular girl she had been. How much worse would it be to leave your planet altogether?
He took a steadying breath and kept walking.
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 27, 2010 13:20:46 GMT -7
Jack just nodded as Zane spoke his name, knowing what the other man was thinking.
"There are more and more arriving, we try to look after them but..." he was cut off by the person who they had spoken to over the intercom.
"Jack," she smiled fondly, a small hand resting on his shoulder as she spoke, "It's so good to see you again. I have some new files for you and updates for Ianto, I haven't seen him lately either, is he alright?" she asked with a slightly worried complexion.
"Ianto is fine," Jack smiled reassuringly, ignoring Zane's line of sight slightly as he spoke about the Welshman, "He sends his regards and I'm sure he will visit soon. But this is Zane Williams." he introduced.
The woman gave Zane an appraising and calculating look, before nodding to him, "Mr Williams, my name is Margaret Saunders, I have worked in this facility for over twenty years, as did my mother before me. If there is anything you need please let me know." she said formally, before patting Jack on the shoulder and making to leave down another tunnel.
"You'll get used to Maggie," he smiled.
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 28, 2010 4:49:48 GMT -7
"Oooookay," Zane told Jack with a small cringe. Clearly Maggie wasn't taken in by Western charm. "I'm gonna need a full briefing on how to avoid pissing off anyone else before the formal handshake."
He didn't wait for Jack to fill him in, though, following after Maggie and trying to get his own perspective on the facility. "How large is your staff?" Zane asked her.
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 28, 2010 14:12:02 GMT -7
Jack stood back and let Zane try to interact with Maggie. She was a strong woman and the perfect person to run this facility, but she took her time with strangers, he just hoped she would approve of Zane over time.
"I have eight staff, plus Jack and Ianto when they visit." she said, smiling at Ianto's name.
Jack, who was a few steps behind Zane reached out and places his hand comfortingly on the small of Zane's back, wanting and hoping to reassure the other man.
Maggie turned back to address Zane once more and gave Jack a narrowed look, "Well, I need to get on with my work Captain, Mr Williams." she said, "Jack, please be careful with whoever you visit, for some reason everyone is a little on edge at the moment." she reaffirmed, before walking off down the corridor.
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Post by Zane Williams on Mar 29, 2010 7:01:41 GMT -7
After taking a little time meeting a few of the rift survivors and mostly following Jack's lead because Zane had no idea whatsoever what might trigger horrible memories for these lost souls, they were finally back out in the fresh air.
On the trail, Zane glanced at the lighthouse back where they had tied the boat, and turned the other direction. He needed a little time with his feet on tera firma while trying to take in what he'd just seen, what he would be responsible for in the future.
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Post by Captain Jack Harkness on Mar 29, 2010 7:46:24 GMT -7
Jack followed Zane out of the tunnels and into the stark daylight that was a contrast to the florescent lighting in the facility. He kept a step behind Zane and let the man alone with his thoughts, knowing he would speak when he was ready. Hearing his phone beep Jack pulled it out, it was a message from Maggie: Jack,
Mr Williams seems to have made quite an impression on our guests, please tell him we look forward to seeing him again soon, Maggie.
Jack smiled to himself and caught up to the Ranger, silently passing him his phone but not saying anything. |
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