Post by Rory Williams on Jun 16, 2014 8:10:26 GMT -6
“You and I both know they aren’t coming.”
Rory spun around on his heels at the sound of the voice that had broken the rain’s patter. Before him stood a man dressed in a dark military jacket that hung to the ground. The man had spoken with an American accent and his eyes glowed with a dim sparkle of understanding of the situation.
“What?”, Rory asked puzzled by the man’s statement.
“Oh Rory, you and I both know who.” Stated Jack matter of factly.
“I’m sorry……Do I know you?”, Rory squinted, always one step behind everyone else. This always made him feel quite dumb. Being one puzzle piece short of the whole picture.
“No. Not yet anyway.” Jack flashed his smile and Rory shuffled his feet nervously.
“Wait. So….”
Before Rory could become any more confused, Jack stepped in to fill the gap,” I’m Captain Jack Harkness.” Jack extended his hand and Rory took it nervously. “Come, let’s get you out of this rain.”
Rory fell in line behind Jack as he walked at a military pace. The sun had finished setting by now and the rain had tapered off. As they walked the streets, the cool air began to drift in along with a thick coat of fog from the east. Not a soul was to be found on the cobblestone streets except for an occasional gas lantern lighter carrying their long wick poles shedding what little bit of light that could pierce the fog that had formed a blanket across the city.
“Where are we?” Rory asked impatiently.
“Cardiff. 1923.” Jack spat out while maintaining his stride.
“1923…..” Rory stopped remembering the newspaper he had picked up, confirming what Jack had said.
Jack stopped to look back to find Rory struggling with the idea. It wasn’t so much the idea of being caught in an unfamiliar time in history. It was that no one was coming for him, not that they could. Jack noticed Rory’s soaked clothes. He quickly walked to him, removed his jacket and swung it across Rory’s smaller frame.
“We have to get you out of those clothes before hypothermia set in.”
Rory nodded and resumed his pace beside Jack.
********
Ten minutes later, Rory looked up out of his daze when Jack stopped. They had come to an opening where the streets created a town square. Gas light lanterns burned with a warm glow that surrounded the cobblestone courtyard and illuminated a towering stone obelisk that marked the center of the square. The distant sound of fountain quietly running helped to break the silence of the foggy night. Jack motioned for Rory to start walking again. They quickly approached the obelisk. Up next to the towering monument, the light’s reach was much less, creating dancing shadows along the stone’s almost wet surface.
Jack began rummaging around the monument, feeling along the crevices.
“What are you doing?” Rory asked quizzically.
“Well, it’s been awhile since I entered this way and the entrance hatch is a bit tricky.”, Jack said expelling a deep breath as he bent down to get a better look at the monument.
“But when one wants to make an impression,” Jack’s finger ran across the mechanical trip and a low clack resonated in the night time air. “it is totally worth it.” Jack said smiling as he stood up.
The ground they stood on quickly broke itself loose from it’s housing and began to plummet. Jack quickly encased Rory in his arms, realizing how much bigger his jacket was than Rory’s frame. Rory made his usual nervous sounds as warm air swished passed them and the platform they were on came to a resting stop 100 meters below where they once stood. As Rory declenched and looked around, he noticed several whirring machines. What appeared to be an over sized typewriter connected to giant printing press reminded him of a primitive fax machine. Large brass containers with glass inlays surrounded the base of a copper column that stood in the center of the room that extended the entire height of the structure.
“Welcome to Torchwood!” Jack said throwing his arms up and turning around to admire his surroundings.
“What is this place?” Rory said, stepping off the platform.
“This, Rory Williams, is your new home.” Jack said, turning to face Rory.
“Okaaayy, but what is it?” Rory said, slightly perturbed by Jack’s grandiosity. It reminded him too much of The Doctor’s and right now, Rory was not a fan.
“This is Torchwood Three. Also know as Torchwood Cardiff.” Jack stated.
“Ok. So there are others?”
“Five actually.” Before Rory could start another question, Jack began to stride about. “The Torchwood Institute was founded by Queen Victoria in 1879 after having a run in with The Doctor. The Institute is designed to protect the world from any alien attacks and we have been quite successful.”
“How successful?”
“We're still here aren't we? Besides we know who you are Rory Williams.”
“Oh, right.” Rory hung his head in shame. “But why bring me here? To question me? Am I a prisoner?”
“I don’t give prisoners my coat.” Jack stated with a smirk.
Rory, having forgotten that he was wearing it, quickly removed the coat and proceeded to hand it back to Jack. Jack took the coat in one hand and said, “Let’s get you into some dry clothes.”
Rory quickly fell in behind Jack as he made his way across the open room that was scattered with desks that were covered in stacks of papers and readouts from the giant typewriter-like machine. Jack descended down a tightly wound set of stairs that landed onto a corridor with low metal ceilings. Everything was dimly lit with greenish-yellow lanterns that looked out of place somehow.
Jack led Rory down to the end of the long corridor to a room that opened up and the ceilings rose. The walls were lined with metal lockers engraved with names.
**Guppy**
**Holroyd**
**Gaskell**
**Harkness**
**Williams**
Jack walked to the last locker and swung open the door. He pulled out a set of regulation clothes perfectly tailored for Rory. Jack dropped a set of combat boots at the ground between them.
“Here are your clothes. Showers are down the hall. Take your time. When you’re ready, head back upstairs.”