J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (5)

Olympia, Kensington

Ringmaster: "*laughing* Oh the look on your face. Priceless!"

Jago: "What? I assure you that this is no laughing matter Mr. Lambert. Get me out of here before I become the unfortunate feast of a ferocious and frenzied feline!"

Ringmaster: "At ease, Mr. Jago. There's no cause for alarm. I must admit to orchestrating a little jest at your expense."

Jago: "You mean to tell me there's no prowling predator preparing to pounce?"

Ringmaster: "I should certainly expect not, else we have a grave situation indeed. You see, the creature who inhabited that cage sadly died in the night. The body has been removed to London Zoo to be used in the instruction of anatomy, my personal policy for all deceased animals in fact."

Jago: "Nobody makes a mockery out of Henry Gordon Jago! I'd call you sir but a rum cove like you isn't worthy of the title. Farcical fantasies and wicked windups are no way to treat a fellow businessman."

Ringmaster: "C'Mon Henry, take a joke."

Jago: "I did not come here with the intention of being portrayed as a figure of ridicule. My offer has been withdrawn, and I bid you good day."

Ringmaster: "Oh, don't be like that. I'm sure we can work something out."

Jago: "I said good day."

Mortuary, St. Bart's

Quick: "Oh, hello there Professor. Surprised to see you working so late."

Litefoot: "Indeed, and not by choice I'm afraid. I had to finish the autopsies of those poor savaged victims myself."

Quick: "I thought you'd tasked your new apprentice with that? I take it his work was not up to scratch."

Litefoot: "On the contrary, Inspector, I can't pass judgement on the quality of his work, only on his work ethic or lack thereof. It seems young Gustav interpreted my instruction to mean 'Go home for the day'. Really, his attitude is most distressing."

Quick: "What exactly is his angle, I wonder? What's he playing at?"

Litefoot: "I cannot say, but I shall endeavor to find out the truth. But not tonight. It's been a busy day, and I have to meet with Jago in the Red Tavern. I wonder if he's had any luck in uncovering some new leads?"

The Red Tavern

Jago: "But as we came around the corner, there was one cage in particular that caught my keen eye. It was supposed to house a tiger, as evidenced by the signage surrounding it, but the bally thing was empty! Cage door swinging forlornly on its hinges."

Ellie: "Had it gotten loose somehow?"

Litefoot: "What did mister Lambert have to say about this?"

Jago: "All in good time. I'm trying to build some narrative suspense. Now, where was I? Oh yes...
Before I could ask this circus charlatan about the quality of his cages, I was struck by the expression on his face. He'd turned white as the proverbial linen, his wide eyes were wells of fear and shock. In a low whisper, he urged me not to move if I wished to remain uneaten. The carnivorous creature was crouched behind me, ready to strike."

Litefoot: "Good heavens!"

Ellie: "How did you get away mister J?"

Jago: "I... That is... The details are unimportant. What matters is that the cove has unsuitable security securing his animals."

Ellie: "You can't end it there! You've just gotten to the best part."

Litefoot: "It is a rather important detail Henry."

Jim: "Yeah, go on. Tell us!"

Jago: "Who the blazes?!"

Jim: "Names Jim. At your 'umble service."

Ellie: "That's enough Jim. Shouldn't you be swapping the casks?"

Jim: "But"

Ellie: "No buts, if you want to earn your crust."

Jim: "Fine. But you owe me the end of the story later."

Litefoot: "Go on Jago. How did you get out of your predicament?"

Jago: "Well, as it turned out, Sydney was having a bit of a jest at my expense. There was in fact nothing behind me."

Ellie: "*laughing* He got you good then! Sorry mister J. Shouldn't laugh. But it is kind of funny."

Litefoot: "*chuckles* It was a rather well played trick, in fairness."

Jago: "There's nothing fair about it. Man could have given me a coronary with that carry on. He's nothing but a twit, a trickster and a charlatan, twhoo cannot call himself a gentleman."

Litefoot: "So what of the tiger itself? If it wasn't stalking you, why was the cage empty?"

Jago: "Died in the night apparently, and the body sent to London Zoo for examination. Tu-which sounds somewhat fishy to me. Tu-woo you think he's covering up a breakout?"

Litefoot: "Certainly it seems somewhat unusual, and coincidental. Perhaps it didn't escape, but was released? Though to what end I cannot fathom."

Jago: "This Lambert could have a nefarious scheme of his own."

Litefoot: "Or merely attempting to cover up some negligence on his part."

Jago: "Tu-whichever it is, the tu-whoo of us will get to the bottom of it."

Ellie: "Why are you speaking like that?"

Jago: "Like what?"

Litefoot: "I thought it I was imagining it Ellie. You're putting an odd stress on certain sounds Henry."

Jago: "I don't know what you mean. But I do feel somewhat out of sorts. I think I've had too much excitement today. Having ones life in the jaws of a metaphorical tiger can have that effect."

Litefoot: "Perhaps a good nights rest is what's needed Henry."

Jago: "Maybe you're right. I suppose I'd better make my way home. I'll need to be fighting fit if we're to face a fearsome feline on the loose tomorrow. Goodnight, Litefoot, Ellie."

Ellie: "Get well soon!"

Litefoot: "Hopefully you'll be feeling more like yourself in the morning."

Ellie: "Oh, look at the mess he left behind him!"

Litefoot: "What mess? Oh my word... are those?"

Ellie: "Feathers? Looks like it yeah. But how? Something he picked up at the circus maybe?"

Litefoot: "Yes, that's probably it. Just some detritus from viewing a menagerie of performing creatures. Must be. What other explanation could there be?"

J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (4)

Red Tavern

Litefoot: "And Jago? One more thing. Try and subtle about it."

Jago: "Never fear Litefoot. I have a cunning and charismatic command of conversational coercion."

Olympia, Kensington

Jago: "Now listen here young man, that's no way to speak a potential business partner. I've got a certain clout in the entertainment game myself you know, a few well placed words in the right ears could see your crowds dwindle in a flash."

Stagehand: "I'm sorry guv. Boss is a busy man, with a lot of business to get through. A businessman like yourself must understand, you see? I can't let you in to his office without an appointment."

Jago: "Dashed cheek. I've got half a mind to..."

Ringmaster: "Excuse me gentlemen. I couldn't help but overhear a commotion out here. What seems to be the trouble, mister...?"

Jago: "Henry Gordon Jago, at your service. I'm a humble theatrical impresario: owner, manager and host of the New Regency Theatre. You may have heard of it, perhaps you've read one of the positively glowing review pieces periodically printed in some of the more pedigreed papers? I have earned a number over the years."

Ringmaster: "Can't say that have. But I've never been one for the pompous prestige of the professional press. Prefer to trust in intuition. All I ask myself is; will the audience enjoy it?"

Jago: "A fine way to run your enterprise. A sated crowd is a paying crowd."

Ringmaster: "And inclined to spread word to their friends. Jago, you and I are of one mind! But where are my manners? My name is Sydney. Sydney Lambert, a pleasure to greet you."

Jago: "Likewise."

Ringmaster: "Now that we've been introduced, shall we get down to business? My intuition tells me you come with an opportunity, and I'm rarely wrong on such matters. Please, step into my office so we can discuss this like gentlemen."

Jago: "Lead the way Sidney. I come to you with a proposition..."

Ringmaster: "No no, mister Jago. Always so eager. A man cannot be expected to negotiate on an empty stomach after all."

Jago: "I'm not altogether that peckish, if I'm honest."

Ringmaster: "You misunderstand me. I don't mean food for the body, but nourishment for the soul. A tot of brandy!"

Jago: "Oh. I see, well, far be it from me to refuse the generous hospitality of my host."

Ringmaster: "There you are, Henry my boy. Now, about this proposition of yours?"

Jago: "Ah yes. As I'm sure you'll agree, in this profession, one must always be on the lookout for fresh talent."

Ringmaster: "So, you wish to hire one of my tentpole acts out from under me? How exactly would I benefit from such a transaction? No mere financial inventive would be a fair trade. Losing even a single act from my roster diminishes the draw of my attraction."

Jago: "Very true, very true. I'd be dissapointed if I thought you'd countenance such a paltry offer. I propose  something of a cross promotion between our ventures."

Ringmaster: "I'm afraid you have me at a loss. What exactly are you suggesting?"

Jago: "Think of it as a loan. You lend me an act, to tread the boards in my theatre. In return, I use my position as an impresario to recommend your circus to my audience. If you liked that act, ladies and gentlemen, then seek out the superlative and sensational circus, the greatest show on Earth, only in Kensington."

Ringmaster: "A novel approach, to be sure. Tell me, before I comment on your offer, is there a particular act of mine you were considering?"

Jago: "Well, I'm open to negotiation, but I happened to witness the aerial antics of your gymnastic jesters during last evenings show. They'd be a perfect fit for the New Regency."

Ringmaster: "A-ha! I knew I recognized your face! You were here last night, with that woman... what was her name? Higson! Yes, scouting the competition no doubt, you sly devil."

Jago: "Last night was a purely social attendance, I assure you. Though the quality of yours acts inspired me to seek you out."

Ringmaster: "I'm only pulling your leg, Jago. I have a counteroffer for you though. Have you given any thought to an animal attraction?"

Jago: "In a theatre? I don't know if that's a good fit. It's bad enough having to contend with a flock of blasted parakeets."

Ringmaster: "Don't dismiss it out of hand. The public love to gaze upon the majesty of the animal kingdom. How majestic these creatures are. Have you even considered it?"

Jago: "I'm not sure I follow."

Ringmaster: "Look at how the animal kingdom has adapted to suit their needs. While we slave away over technological augmentations to overcome the strife of life, nature has already found solutions. Take the shark, ferocious hunter of the waves. It has multiple rows of razor sharp teeth. If one gets damaged, it can replace the broken tooth with a spare."

Jago: "Remarkable, eh. Say, shall we take a stroll through your cages? Maybe you'll have something suited to the stage locked away somewhere?"

Ringmaster: "A capital notion! Follow me, Jago. We have so much to discuss. There is so much wonder in the natural world. Look at the bat. It navigates by sound alone, its need for eyesight diminished by its nocturnal habits. Imagine if we could harness that natural gift. The blind could see again! Or the sharp eyes of a hawk. The benefits of eagle eyed vision. Picture soldiers, protected by the impenetrable carapace of the crab or tortoise. Men with the strength of bears. We should be in awe of the natural order, Jago."

Jago: "Yes quite. By the way, say for argument I was interested in one of your more dangerous animals. How secure are your cages? Could I guarantee the safety of my audience?"

Ringmaster: "One can never be truly safe in the presence of a predator, Jago. But I treat security as a most serious concern. These locks are regularly maintained, and always double checked."

Jago: "So there's no danger of an escapee?"

Ringmaster: "My animals are more secure than any prison in the land. Nothing gets out, without my expressed say so."

Jago: "I only ask because of that one cage at the end. The open one. The empty one. The one that says 'Tiger' above the door."

Ringmaster: "Where? What?! Oh dear. Oh dear. Don't panic Jago. Remain calm, everything is under control... don't move!"

Jago: "Corks!"

Ringmaster: "It's behind you Jago. Move a muscle and it will pounce."

J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (3)

***
Mortuary, St. Bart's
***

Quick: "The two unfortunates have already been laid out for you, Professor. Just under the respective cloth. I should warn you though, that their injuries are particularly upsetting."

Litefoot: "It's been my experience that the dead are rarely pleasing in their appearance."

Quick: "Even so, Jenkins lost his lunch after spotting the chap on the Heath."

Litefoot: "Well, let's just have a look then... good heavens! Look at the poor man."

Quick: "I'd rather not get too close if it's all the same to you."

Litefoot: "I'd have to agree with your theory of a savage animal, Quick. This poor man is practically torn to shreds! See here, on the arms: bite marks, something with a large mouth and sharp teeth. The chest has been ripped open. From the pattern of the ragged flesh, I'd say large claws pierced the ribcage and tore outwards. Here, on the face. Again there's evidence of bitemarks, with a clearer imprint of the bite pattern. I can't be certain, but the teeth marks are rather feline to me."

Quick: "You mean, some kind of large cat?"

Litefoot: "Hmm. I'm afraid that's exactly what I mean. And I have a worrisome feeling I know from where it came."

Quick: "Surely there can't be a tiger roaming the streets of London. I mean, I'd expect more sightings, more victims."

Litefoot: "With the extent of the recent fog enveloping the city, I daresay a skilled predator could easily hide in the mist. And I don't think a tiger is to blame."

Quick: "You can tell the species from a cursory examination of the bite mark?"

Litefoot: "No. But I've seen a lion in London just last night."

Quick: "What?!"

Litefoot: "I need to speak with Jago urgently. You see..."

Gustav: "I have completed my task, Professor. I hope it is to your satisfaction. How may I assist you further?"

Litefoot: "Ah, Gustav... How... efficient of you. Well, I need to pop out for an errand actually. I was hoping you could examine these two deceased and draft up an autopsy report."

Gustav: "Without your supervision?"

Litefoot: "Yes, indeed. I... um... want to assess you without the added pressure of having me staring over your shoulder. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a cab to catch."

Quick: "I'll just, see you out, Professor."

***
New Regency Theatre
***

*knocking*

Jago: "Come in, come in. Casey, if that's you, you had better have good news or... Oh! George. Didn't expect to see you here."

Litefoot: "And I didn't expect to have to travel here. Is everything alright with Casey, you sounded somewhat aggrieved?"

Jago: "It's nothing much, Litefoot. I have him out searching the pubs and taverns in a two mile radius."

Litefoot: "Whatever for? And Casey of all people, he's as likely to get lost in such a salubrious den as his quarry is, I'd wager."

Jago: "I don't have much of a choice. I'm somewhat short staffed at present. It's this new act, Ivan the Imitator. He's always disappearing during the day. Sure he'll turn up just before the curtain rises, but it's just unprofessional."

Litefoot: "And these disappearances, they end with his presence in one of the many ale houses in the vicinity, I take it."

Jago: "Indeed. But you didn't travel over here to hear about my troubles. Have you come here with a new confounding case for us to crack?"

Litefoot: "Yes, well, the game is afoot!"

Jago: "Some new infernal incident for us to investigate. Capital!"

Litefoot: "A couple of bodies were found last night, savages by a large animal, that appears to be feline."

Jago: "You mean, like a lion? Could it have escaped from the circus? And now it's prowling the mists of London, skulking in the shadows, striking at those walking alone in the inky night. Seeking revenge on the creatures who do cruelly ripped it from its homeland, imprisoned it in a cage and forced it to perform."

Litefoot: "A touch poetic, but that is the gist of my thoughts, yes. I came here to ask you a favour. Since you were already thinking of booking some of the circus acts for this theatre, you have the perfect alibi to meet the Ringmaster."

Jago: "And while I'm there, I can use my prodigious powers of persuasion and keen investigative senses to look for signs of an escaped animal."

Litefoot: "Exactly, Henry."

Jago: "Will it be dangerous?"

Litefoot: "Talking with a circus performer?"

Jago: "No. I mean, will it be safe if there's an escaped lion roaming the streets if London around the circus."

Litefoot: "No more dangerous than it is for every citizen or patron who happens to pass the area."

Jago: "Crumbs. OK Professor, I'll do it. Just let me grab my coat. Besides, if Ivan doesn't turn up in time for tonight's show, being a lion's lunch won't seem so bad in comparison."

J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (2)

Ringmaster: "First up for all you lucky people tonight, those aerial aces, the trailblazers of the trapeze, the Flying Graysons!"

Crowd: *Cheers*

Jago: "Litefoot. What was that name again? Flying Jasons?"

Litefoot: "Graysons. Why do you... Are you taking notes?"

Jago: "You don't get to be a titan of the theatrical trade by resting on your laurels. A man in my position must always be on the lookout for the next big attraction."

Litefoot: "Are you telling me I've gotten dressed up in this finery just so you can go spotting for talent? I was thinking the circus was a bit of a coachman's holiday for you."

Ellie: "Shh. You're missing the show."

***
A montage of circus events. Crowd reactions and snippets of performers. Bumbling clowns, comics and singers, ringing of a unicycle bell, cheers and gasps.
***

Ringmaster: "Settle down, settle down everyone. Now we've all been having fun so far, but I'm afraid I must insist on a calmer reaction from you for this next act. It is the most dangerous demonstration planned for tonight, and we must demand silence from you. What you are about to see is the result of months of intense training, and has resulted in several nasty scars for some of our performers.

Ladies and Gentlemen, all the way from the plains of Africa, from the depths of the Savannah, the most proud and majestic of all God's creature. You know his better as the King of the Jungle, a title he has earned from his fierce and deadly reputation as the world's greatest hunter."

A cart is rolled from behind a curtain into the arena, it's wheels squealing with the effort. Atop the cart sits a cage, in while a lion stands, roaring.

Jago: *clapping* "Marvelous!"

Litefoot: "If you say so."

Jago: "You're not impressed?"

Litefoot: "Don't mistake my lack of enthusiasm for disinterest, Henry. It's just, I've seen my fair share of large cats during my formative years in the Orient. Plus, our continued exposure to the phantasmagorical has tempered my awe of more terrestrial wonders, sadly."

Ellie: "Look at him, he's miserable."

Litefoot: "What do you mean?"

Ellie: "He's moping about in that tiny cage. Look at him, he barely has the energy to stand. And he looks so thin, like a starving Tomcat."

Litefoot: "Now that you mention it, he does appear somewhat malnourished."

Jago: "Funny. I don't remember the animals being so scrawny in my youth. A life of being ferried from town to town, surviving on scraps and never able to leave your one and only room, it hardly seems fair."

Ellie: "I'd much rather go to a zoo to see some animals. Sorry Mr. J. Didn't mean to ruin the night for you."

Jago: "It's quite alright Ellie. After all, you're not wrong. But even if this one aspect of the spectacle is tainted, I can still enjoy the overall show."

Litefoot: "That's the spirit. Chin up everyone."

***
***

Ringmaster: "And now, my wonderful audience, I'm afraid the night draws to a close."

Crowd: *boos playfully*

Ringmaster: "I know, I know, I don't want you to go either. You've been the best audience I've had the pleasure to address. And I've preformed for Royal courts across Europe! But I can't leave you empty handed, so let me introduce the final act. The fabled freak show!"

Jago: "Even I think he's laying it on a bit thick now."

Ringmaster:"We have gathered some of the most bizarre, the inexplicable and the fascinating for you tonight!

Meet, The Beared Lady! This hirsute housewife has a mane to rival the King of the Jungle himself!

The Lobster Man! Born with an unusual anomaly, the bones of his fingers have partially fused, giving him hands like a fleshly lobster! Watch out for his handshake!

Meet the Pygmy Warrior, hailing from darkest Peru! Careful with that spear!

Next up, Horned Herman, the Rhinoceros! Fear his protruding horn, rising out from his nose like the prow of a naval vessel. This horn isn't just for show, watch as Herman pierces this sheet of tin!

Finally, let me introduce Hawkeye! Now, I know what you're thinking. He doesn't look like a freak. Where's his deformity. Well, Hawkeye here has the best eyesight I've ever had the privilege to witness. I'll need a volunteer for this one. You, the lady near the back."

Ellie: "Me?"

Ringmaster: "Yes, you. What's your name my dear?"

Ellie: "Ellie, sir. Ellie Higson."

Ringmaster: "Wonderful, Mrs Higson. Now, I wonder if you could tell me what colour my eyes are?"

Ellie: "You joking? I can hardly make out the colour of your moustache from here."

*Audience chuckles*

Ringmaster: "Just the answer I expected. Nobody has eyesight that good. Nobody, that is, except Hawkeye. Go on then, what do you see?"

Hawkeye: "Green."

Ellie: "Oh my word!"

Jago: "Corks!"

Ringmaster: "And there we have it! On that note, we have to end the show. Goodnight everyone, and don't forget to tell all your friends about us!"

***

The show is over, the crowd is dispersing, footsteps crunching across the graveled surface.

Ellie: "Thanks again, Mr. J. It was a wonderful night. It feels good to do something social every once in a while. Sometimes it feels like all I do is wait on tables, waiting for you two to get in trouble again. I'll owe Jim a favour when I get back though."

Litefoot: "Who's this Jim character?"

Ellie: "Oh yeah, you haven't met him yet. He's one of the new boys helping out at the Red Tavern. We always get busy when the nights start to get long, so it's good to have a few extra pairs of hands around. He's a nice young lad, with a soothing Irish brogue."

Litefoot: "I look forward to meeting him. Thank you too, Henry. For the entertainment. Even if the last act was somewhat distasteful."

Jago: "I agree George. It's cruel to parade those with deformities on stage just for base titillation. For the braying public to laugh at the weirdos. At least most of them were fakes."

Ellie: "Fakes?"

Jago: "I could tell that woman was wearing a false beard. As a master of deception, I can spot a disguise from afar.  Those lobster arms are merely high quality gloves. That's why he was wearing a long sleeved shirt. And as for the trick with your eyes? Most likely you'd been spotted by a stagehand and selected during the interval."

Ellie: "Well, if it was faked, I don't feel so bad about the content now."

Litefoot: "Whether it is fake or not, I still find it abhorrent to ridicule the concept of birth defects."

Jago: "Too true, Professor. Now if you'll excuse me, Ivan wanted to run some of his more risque material past me before tomorrow's show, so I'd best be off to catch him before he hits the spirits."

Litefoot: "Very well, Jago. See you tomorrow at the Red Tavern I presume. Come along Ellie, why don't we share a Hansom?"

***
Mortuary, St. Bart's
***

Quick: "Morning Professor. Did you get up to much yesterday evening?"

Litefoot: "Good morning to you too Inspector. As a matter of fact, I did. Jago treated Ellie and myself to a night at the circus. It was most... singular."

Quick: "That sounds like it was an enjoyable evening. The missus is away visiting family in Margate, so I was able to enjoy a night at the pub for once."

Litefoot: "Oh, the joys of matrimony. Excuse me, who are you?"

Italian Man: "Excuse my interruption, sirs. I'm looking for a Professor Litefoot?"

Litefoot: "I am he. What might your name be?"

Man: "My name is Gustav. I'm a student of pathology. I've been assigned to assist you for a week or two, as work experience? You should have received a letter from my lecturer."

Litefoot: "Oh yes! Of course. I'd completely forgotten that was scheduled for this week. I haven't really had time to prepare any assignments for you... What don't you take these surgical instruments and have them sterilized?"

Gustav: "But they are already sterile."

Litefoot: "True, but I want to examine you skills at sterilization. To test you, you see."

Gustav: "Very well Professor."

Quick: "I didn't know you were getting an apprentice? Weren't you a bit terse with him?"

Litefoot: "It's mostly news to me too. I did receive a letter, but the masthead was incorrect, and I didn't recognize the names of Gustav's referees. Something is fishy about that chap."

Quick: "What would somebody have to gain by pretending to be an apprentice pathologist?"

Litefoot: "I don't know, but I intend on keeping Gustav at arms length until his story checks out. So Quick, do I have anyone on my slab this morning?"

Quick: "Two bodies, both found in the early hours of the morning. One at 2am, the other at 3:30am. One was found on Hampstead Heath, the other floating in the Thames."

Litefoot: "Do you suspect a connection? Was there any visible sign of motive, mugging perhaps."

Quick: "Neither body has been identified yet, for reasons you'll soon discover. Both were found to be carrying amounts of cash, ruling out mugging. But the cause of death in both cases is consistent. They appear to have been savages by a wild animal."

J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (1)

Olympia, Kensington

A cacophony of vibrant circus sounds. As a jolly crowd murmurs and makes their way inside the exhibition hall, cheery fairground music chimes out to draw in the punters. An announcer is shouting at the crowds directing them inwards while describing the nights entertainment. Meanwhile, an elephant trumpets while chimpanzees chatter to each other.

Jago: *inhales deeply* "Do you smell that? "
Litefoot: "I can't help but inhale it!"

Ellie: "It stinks! Worse than the Red Tavern after a public holiday."

Jago: "Nonsense. The sweet smell of sawdust and sweat, the magnificent musk of majestic mammalian marvels. The greasepaint, the tension, the excitement. Ah, the stupendous and singular scent of the circus!"

Ellie: "So, exactly like the Red Tavern then. No wonder you're fond of it."

Litefoot: "You're obviously giddy with excitement at being here, Jago. I never knew you had a fondness for the circus."

Jago: "Always, Professor. My dear mother brought me to see the circus every summer. How I loved it all, watching all these talented and skilled performers, plying their weird and wonderful trade to the delight and delectation of the paying public. I think it was these early experiences which propelled me into a life on stage you know."

Litefoot: "How charming. But if you loved the circus so much, why didn't you join it? How did you end up in theatre instead?"

Jago: "I have always felt that the theatre is a more noble pursuit, of course. Treading the boards requires a certain level of gravitas and gumption, sometimes lacking in the more lowbrow entertainment of the circus."

Litefoot: "And your mother wouldn't let you?"

Jago: "Yes, well,  that did also play a factor... And I was deathly afraid of baboons, which I hardly need to recount for you."

Litefoot: "I remember it well, old chap. Come along, let's find some seating, while we still can."

The trio continue inside the venue.

Ellie: "Nice of you to invite us for an evening's entertainment, Mr. J. And to pay for our tickets. Business must be booming at the New Regency."

Jago: "Not to worry, my dear Ellie. I'm always happy to treat my friends. Funds permitting, of course. Business is exceptional at the moment, now that you mention it. I've got a new act headlining, Ivanovitch the Inimitable Imitator! He's going down a storm!"

Litefoot: "Yes, thank you Jago. Though I wish when you told us you'd arranged a night of high class entertainment, you'd specified that you meant a circus. I feel somewhat overdressed in this velvet smoking jacket."

Ellie: "Lavender suits you, Professor."

Litefoot: "Yes, but it's not exactly in keeping with the general fashions of the other patrons here."

Jago: "Don't worry, George. The ample attractions, tremendous thrills and extensive excitement transcend class barriers. Everyone loves a clown."

Ellie: "Not me. I find them creepy."

Jago: "Nearly everyone. Look! There are a couple of seats over there!"

The trio take their seats and prepare for the show. In short order, the ringmaster steps out to address the crowd.

Ringmaster: "Ladles and Jelly-Spoons, Buoys and Gulls, you're all very welcome tonight, to the greatest show on Earth! We have a plentiful plethora of pleasing performances planned for your particular pleasure tonight  folks. Prepare to be amazed and astounded at death defying aerial acrobatics happening above you. Be astonished by exotic animals from around the world. Witness the bravery of our valued performers who will step up to face these ferocious and wild hunters. We have clowns to make you cry with mirth, and a fabulous freak show featuring the most grotesque and bizarre specimens of our species. Along with a whole host of mysterious and mystic marvels."

Litefoot: "Well! I daresay he could give you a run for your money, old boy."

Jago: "Such pitch perfect patter. This man is a professional at his craft."

Ringmaster: "So I ask you now, are you ready?"

Crowd: "Yes!"

Ringmaster: "You can do better than that!"

Crowd: "YES!"

Ringmaster: "That's better! Now, on with the show!"

TW Casefiles: Silver Linings (13)

"Engines primed and ready to fire. How's your search going?" I called to my companion, Susan, why my fingers flurried over the keyboard in front of me. In the far corner of the chamber, she was digging through the wreckage of the Cyber-Ship, looking for any useful weaponry.

"Nothing so far, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd even recognize an alien weapon if I saw one." She replied, heaving a steel shelf from he floor to investigate below.
"Hello... what do we have here? Gimme a hand, would you?"

I made my way to her, and took the weight of the shelf as she crouched down under it. She'd spotted something unusual beneath some twisted scrap metal. She struggled to remove the device, it was heavier than it appeared. It was a long, thin boxy shape, with a protruding cylinder at one end and a clunky offshoot grooved to accommodate large fingers, like a grip.

"This looks promising!" Sue exclaimed, hefting the rifle into her arms.

"Looks like a sort of laser rifle, at a guess." I added, inspecting the device. "See if it still has any charge".

"How?" Sue asked.

"Dunno." I admitted. "Try cocking it."

Sue placed one hand around the molded grip, and the other along the base of he rifle. With some investigation, she found a section that could slide along the length of the barrel. Shrugging, she pumped the section forcibly, like a shotgun. Red lights flickered into brightness along the edge of the weapon, along with a high pitched whine of capacitors charging. The lights flashed repeatedly, then went out in sequence leaving only a few near the trigger alight.

"Ammo counter, I'd say. Better make your shots count." I said, gravely.

"My shots?" Sue queried.

"Yeah. I've got my sonic, you need it more than I do. Besides, it's not like I've got any particular training with firearms, terrestrial or otherwise. Just try not to hit me."

"No promises." Sue said, with a cheeky grin.

"OK. We'd better get going, before the boss guy gets out if his cage. Ready?"

"Ready."

I aimed my sonic at the computer, and pressed its switch. On the screen, a countdown appeared, along with a progress bar. The system had begun to divert all power to the engines, as the warp drive cycled through its charging routine. I reckoned we'd have maybe 10 minutes before they fired. Hopefully that would give us enough time to escape.

Together, we ran from the crashed vessel, back through the labs, the corridors and the stairwells, towards the exit. We were just exiting the stairs onto the first floor, when the doors ahead and behind us in the corridor hissed shut. Before I had a chance to interfere with the lock mechanism, a stumpy figure emerged from a side corridor. The Cyberman.

"Lockdown protocol has been reversed." It stated, matter of factly in its grating electronic warble. "Prisoner has been liberated. Vessel engines primed for launch. You are enemies of the Cyberiad and will be executed."

"Killing us won't save you now!" I roared at the tiny tin torso before me."Give up, you may as well. Your scheme is ended. No more conversions, no more kidnappings, no more death. Your base is about to go boom!"

"Killing you will be trivial. There remains more than adequate time to reverse the attempts at damage you have caused."

The Cyber-chest lunged at me, arms outstretched and grasping at my throat. I ducked and rolled under the attack, spinning as I did so to jam the end of my screwdriver at his metal armour. There was a flash of sparks, but the creature was unharmed. Evidently it's metal frame was shielded against such damage.

"Susan now!" I yelled!

The Cyberman turned from me to face Susan, who had it in her sights.
"Suck on this, you Cyber freak!"

She fired several pulses from the rifle, each one a crackling burst of photons, glowing red and very deadly. All but one of her shots found its mark on the creature, covering its head and chest with scorched marks, though none of them penetrated the armour.

"Cyber weaponry is designed to destroy our enemies, not ourselves." The Cyberman explained, before turning his attention back to me. This time I failed to fully block his arms, and fell backwards with him atop me. His cold metal hands clung to my neck, choking the life from me. I struggled to free myself, attempting to roll and wriggle my way free from his grasp, but to no avail. All I was succeeding in doing was using up the oxygen in my system all the sooner.

Susan watched helplessly as the creature crushed my throat. She dropped the ineffectual gun and tried to wrestle the creature from me, but its grip was too tight and it lay across me, chest to chest, so she couldn't get a decent grip on him anyway.  I could feel consciousness ebbing away from me. My hands stopped struggling at my attacker as the fight drained from me. I was losing hope now, all we could do was delay the Cyberman long enough for the implosion to wipe him, and us, out together. I saw Susan reach foe the gun again, but I didn't know why. It was pointless. Unless, she intended to give me a quick end. I didn't have any energy left to fight anyway...

Then suddenly I was free! I gasped in deep lungfulls of air, guzzling greedily while I massaged my neck. The Cyberman was groaning an electronic whimper, as the light of his mouth faded slowly. A harsh, acrid smoke billowed out from his eyes and other joints of his metal shell. Susan stood before me, gun in one hand, the other outstretched towards me. Gently, she eased me up, before explaining what had happened.

"I didn't know what to do! You were dying in front of me and I couldn't help! But then, I saw it. He's only half a Cyberman, right? So there's no armour around the wound, is there? I gave him a few shots point blank into the hole in his waist. Poor bastard cooked boiled from the inside out."

"God I love you."  Was all I could say through my battered throat. I wanted to tell her how that was a remarkable plan, how she was a natural at this, how grateful I was for her saving my life, but now wasn't the time.

"Cmon. Times running out." She said, as I regained my footing. She dropped the gun and together, hand in hand, we raced through the airlock, enduring the de contaminating mist as precious seconds ticked away. We raced into the lift and hammered the button to return us to the surface. Once we were underway, I took the cure-all pills Derek had given me, offering one to Susan too. Just to be on the safe side. About halfway through the journey, the lift was shook by the sound of a dramatic burst below as the engines fired. A few seconds later, a blast of warm air rushed past the lift, hot enough for us to feel it inside the elevator. For a few agonizing moments, the lift swayed and I was afraid of the damage it may have sustained, but it continued to climb without incident.

Eventually, Susan and I made it back to the basement of the Rathbone building. There would be a lot of work to do in the coming days cleaning up this mess of course, but that would be something I could sort out with Jack later. Right now, it was just Susan and myself.

"Susan, look..." I began, before she shushed me, gently.

"Not now Arven. You've given me a lot to think about today. I've been kidnapped, nearly died, nearly watched you die... I've killed an alien! And you tell me that this has happened before? That I've died... in the past? I can't deal with this Arven. Not right now. Just... just promise me that you'll never lie to me again. No more secrets." She vented. I knew the feeling. It's hard to cow when your entire world view is suddenly flipped.

"OK, Sue. But, can I ask? Where does this leave us?" I asked, nervously.

"I don't know Arven. Honestly, I don't. You've been so weird lately, and now that I know why, it still doesn't fully explain it. I need to sort out what's real. I don't want to rush into something, high on adrenaline and glad to be alive. I need time to process."

"I understand." I said, sadly. I won't deny I had harboured a hope that we'd have collapsed in each others arms, like in the films. But I respected Sue too much to deny her the space she needed.

"Hey." She added, speaking slightly softer. "I can't process all this without the facts. I need to sit you down so you can tell me everything. From the beginning. All of it. How about my place, tonight?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Just as I was ready to accept that I'd blown my last chance with the woman I loved, another had appeared. I tried to maintain composure and act casual, but I think "giddy schoolboy" was a more realistic description. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Even on the darkest day, in the fiercest storm, when the blackest clouds spiral overhead, there is always a silver lining. Every storm must break, every night leads to day. Every horrible vegetable filled dinner gives way to a delicious dessert. We can't always get what we want, and sometimes the journey is rough, but there is always hope at the end of it.

TW Casefiles: Silver Linings (12)

Susan convulsed as the parasitic Cybermite dug into her temple and began burrowing into her flesh. I rushed to her aid, attempting to sonic the little creature, but this merely caused Sue to cry out in pain. Undeterred, I tried to rip it from her scalp, but it's tiny limbs had dug in too deeply. Nothing was working, and with every second wasted, it grew closer to total domination. I didn't know how long exactly it would be until Susan was beyond saving, but I knew it would be quick. I focussed on slowing my breathing, if I was to have any hope I needed to be calm and collected. If I couldn't physically remove the creature, then I'd just have to stop it from taking control. I knew it suppressed emotions, perhaps I could use that to my advantage? If Susan had a sufficiently strong emotional reaction, it might just overload the device in time.

I began to speak to her, urging her to remember, to feel. She had been so angry with me for keeping secrets, for lying to her. I tried to tap into that feeling, as much as it hurt me to say it.

"Susan. I lied to you. I was selfish. I kept secrets from you. Remember your passion. Remember how it felt as I betrayed your trust."

I sniffled and croaked my way through my words, struggling to contain my guilt.

"Because of me... because I couldn't bare to tell you... you ended up here. At the mercy of a cybernetic monster. I caused the pain you're in. I'm responsible, for all of this!"

I couldn't help my outburst. I'd kept so many secrets for so long, and caused harm because if it, once I began to pour out my heart I couldn't stop. But looking at Susan, it wasn't having any effect. The creature was still drilling away into her head. I frowned as I stopped my speech. Was I wrong to think making Susan feel would help her endure? Was I already too late? No. I refused to believe we were out of time. Maybe it was my approach. Anger is very much a base emotion. A primal, superficial, reactionary force almost as much a  survival instinct as an emotion. Susan needed something deeper, more complex, more powerful. Something like sorrow, or love.

"Susan, please hear me." I continued, taking her hands in mine. "I can't bear to lose you. Please, you mean too much to me. Fight this! I know you can!"

I paused to collect my thoughts.
"I can't lose you. Not again. Remember I told you, about the forgotten invasion? You gave me so much hope, and courage then. You believed in me when I couldn't even believe in myself. I only managed to keep fighting because you were by my side. You trusted me without question, and gave me the strength to endure."

For just a second, I saw a flicker of something cross her face. I pressed my advantage.

"But you died. When we stood up and saved the world, you died. Ran through with an alien blade. I held you in my arms as you slipped away." Tears were streaming down my face, but I continued. The Cybermite seemed to increase the pitch of its humming drill, as if it had to exert a greater force on Susan.

"But tine reset, and only I remembered it. I still feel the warmth of your lifeblood on my hands, in my fitful nightmares. Whenever I look at you, I see the wound, I picture your death as vividly as when I first witnessed it. That's why I couldn't bare to tell you. That's why I kept my secrets, and I've been distant. I just couldn't put you in that situation again. I swore that I'd never lose you again."

Susan's eyes were open again, her face lined with pain but with a steely edge to her brow. Her eyes were also watering.

"Susan. It took the destruction of our entire society for us to admit our feelings for each other. I've loved you for a long time, but I didn't have the courage to tell you, until both our lives were threatened. It tends to kind of puts things in perspective. After the invasion, I put my doubts aside and asked you out. I love you, Susan, and I know you care for me too. Focus on that. I know you can do it."

"Shut up you fool. You talk too much, it'll get you in trouble some day." Susan said, pulling me close for a deep passionate kiss. As we interlocked, I felt something small tumblr down our arms and hit the floor with a metallic clang. Slowly, eventually, we pulled apart and smiled to each other.

"Is it gone?" Sue asked me, while feeling her temple.

"Dead as my ambitions as a country singer." I retorted, while poking the Cyber mite with my foot. "You blew its tiny little circuits with your emotional response."

"More than a feeling..." She mused.
"That's the power of love!" I completed.

"When we get out of this, we have to watch Back to the Future again."

"Which one?"

"Why choose when we can marathon?"

"I could kiss you Susan."

"Let's save that for when we're out of an alien spaceship though  yeah? Priorities."

I turned back to the controls, looking for a way to overload the power banks of the Cyber-Ship.
"Hmm. Looks like I could trick the engines into firing off a warp pulse. This close to a gravity well should result in a hyperspace implosion. Minimal damage to the surrounding environment but a total obliteration of this vessel. And about half the facility above. The other half will be purged by incredibly hot gasses resulting from the pulse. Exhaust fumes, basically."

"What about the other scientists?" Susan asked, concerned. "Can they be saved?"

"Unfortunately not. You only pulled through because the Cybermite hadn't fully converted you. Plus I'm so devilishly handsome." I flashed her a brief smile.

"You keep telling yourself that." She joked back. "How long will it take to trigger this pulse thing? And more importantly, how long will it take us to get away?"

"Hard to say. About ten minutes, I'd say. I can rig up a countdown to give us some time to get away, but we'd want to be quick nonetheless."

"Right. I'll have a poke around, see if I can't find anything that might help us deal with the legless prick."

TW Casefiles: Silver Linings (11)

Susan was alive! Sure, her face and arms were bruised and lacerated from being dragged into this alien hell pit, but given the circumstances she was lucky not to have worse injuries. She seemed to be slipping in and out of consciousness, her eyes fluttering softly while her chest rose and fell faintly in time with her light breathing. I placed one hand on her shoulder, and with the other I raised her chin gently.

"Susan?" I asked, meekly. "Can you hear me? I'm here to rescue you. Please, please hear me.."

After a few moments, she stirred and tilted her face towards my voice. Her eyes eased open slowly, as she tried to process the sight in front of her. She spoke in a strained, croaking whisper.
"Arven?"

She recognized me. That was a good sign, at least she was lucid enough to recall my face. With a reassuring voice, I said
"Shh, easy now. Let's get you out of here."

I used my sonic on the shackles restraining her, and eased her gently to her feet. After a bit of wobbling, she managed to support her own weight without using me as a crutch. I could tell she was starting to come around. She rubbed her face attempting to clear the fog from her mind. She began firing questions at me, words tripping over each other as they tumbled out faster than she could think.
"What? What are you doing here? What happened? Why?"

"Easy. Easy, relax." I urged, warmly.

"Relax?! How can I relax? How can you be so calm, we're surrounded by death! What's going on?" She cried, pushing me away from her.

"Look. This isn't how I'd hoped to have this conversation." I sighed. "There are far more things in this Universe than we think we know, and we're standing in one right now. There's an alien creature who crashed here, we're in that very ship now. He wants to harvest us to replenish his cybernetic crew." I began to explain.

"What the....!" Susan began, before bursting out in harsh laughter. "Oh. Good story. Fantastic story, Arven. What film did you nick that one from? Aliens, what are you on about?!"

"Look around you!" I said, forcibly. This wasn't going how I'd planned. "This place is not of human design. The mutilation is inhuman. We don't have time to argue anyway, we have to stop the Cyberman before he escapes."

"Cyberman? Is that the best you could do? " she scoffed.

"I didn't make this up! Look around, it's happening!" I pleaded, defensively. "Oh, this isn't how it should go..." I sighed.

"A-ha!" She cried. "You admit it then, you've set up this whole thing. How did you want it go exactly? That I fall into your open arms when you valiantly rescue me? That we march off into the sunset arm in arm?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did she really think I'd faked this entire thing as some engineered scheme to win her heart? Where was the Susan who stood up to the Vakarians without protest? The Susan who believed in me and inspired me to lead a revolution?
"This isn't like it was the first time I told you." I whispered mostly to myself, though Susan heard it too.

"First time? What are you doing, drugging me if things don't go well enough for you? Good luck trying it on me again."
She was hysterical now, railing at the unfathomable consequences of where she was standing. Too late, I realized why she was reacting differently. During the Vakarian invasion, it was kill or be killed. We were a team, a unit standing in solidarity and enduring the hardship together. I'd failed to consider how Sue would cope with me swanning in seemingly unhurt while she had been the powerless victim of a vile creature. I'd expected to find a different Susan here, and if I wasn't careful I'd risk causing her a nervous breakdown. It was breaking my heart to hear her accuse me of attempting to trick her so maliciously, but I forced myself to ignore it. It was just the stress talking. I hoped.

"Susan. Do you really think I'd ever do anything like that to you? To anybody? How would somebody even begin to arrange it anyway? It's impossible." I said, forcing calmness into my words.

"I, of course not... but it makes more sense than aliens. Jesus, Arven. What's happening to us?" She replied, wary, but without the fire she'd been expressing. I like to think she noticed the pain in my eyes.

"I'll explain as briefly as I can. This isn't our first time encountering aliens. Last time though, everyone except me lost their memories when time was reset. Since then, I've been the only one to stand ready to defend Cork against the next threat."

Sue shook her head incredulously. "You must be insane. You've lost it, that's what's happened. But look around, I see it too. We're both mental. Say I believe you... why keep it a secret? Why not tell me, or anyone?"

"Would you have believed me?" I asked, bluntly.

"Probably not... but you might have convinced me over dinner." She said, smiling sadly at me. "No. Not even you could be idiotic to keep something like that a secret, letting it eat away at you without talking to your friends..."

There was a brief pause as she thought about what she'd said, while staring into my eyes.
"What am I saying, of course you're that big an idiot! Look at you! You'd keep a broken leg from your doctor to keep him from having to treat it. You impossible idiot. This is why you've been acting so weird these past few months, isn't it? "

With that, she closed the gap between us and embraced me fondly. As we parted, I softly said. "I didn't want to risk anyone getting hurt. Battling aliens is a dangerous business"

"Well, that worked out well, didn't it?" Susan joked, properly smiling for the first time since her capture. I squeezed her hand gently. "I'd rather know the risks and face it head on than be an oblivious and innocent victim Arven."

"Noted." I replied, sharing in her smile. For a second, I forgot the chaos and carnage surrounding us, and the mission we where engaged in. "There's time enough for chatting later though. We still need to see how many researchers can be rescued, and there's a Cyberman to defeat."

"I won't pretend to know half of what you're on about, but I'll trust you understand it."

I scanned around the room for something useful, some kind of computer terminal of instrument panel. Susan pointed me towards a recessed screen beside the conversion chamber.
"I've seen the metal guy use that to operate some machinery? Might be useful to you?"
I walked over to it and attempted to wake the screen from hibernation. After a bit of fiddling with my screwdriver, I had access.  I browsed through the available data, before finding some more information on the little parasitic Cybermites, hoping to find a way to free the researchers infected  from its control. Unfortunately, the process appeared to be irreversible. Once the parasite connects with a host, there's a limited window as it asserts control, but once it's tendrils make contact with the brain stem and hijack the host's system, and attempt to remove the parasite renders the host braindead. I could sent out a pulse to overload the devices remotely, giving them all a quick end. It would be painless too, as the parasite removed all pain signals. Before I could make up my mind on what to do, Susan anxiously called my name.

I turned to see what had frightened her, and saw several Cybermites emerging from tangles of wire on the floor. Immediately, I turned the sonic on them, firing controlled pulses hoping to fry their circuits. I managed to take out three before they reached us. Susan stomped on another, while I attempted to dislodge on that had leapt onto my sleeve. Once I dealt with that one, I turned to see how Susan was faring. My stomach sank and was replaced by a growing sea of cold dread in my core. The last of the Cybermites had just latched onto her temple.

TW Casefiles: Silver Linings (10)

I left the Cyberman locked in the quarantined lab, and raced to the stairwell to defend deeper into this facility. It was only a matter of time before the metallic monster broke out, so I had to make full use of my advantage. I pounded down the concrete steps, footsteps echoing in the enclosed space, until I'd reached the bottom level. I emerged from the stairwell into a corridor similar in layout to the floors above. It was a long, narrow space with what seemed to be a medical area at the far end and with three corridors branching off at each side. The Cyberman had been entombed beneath this place, and woken up because of its activity. Thus, I reasoned it must have entered the facility after burrowing its way in somehow. This would most likely have happened on the lowest floor, but I didn't have time to search every lab on this level. I needed some clue, some guiding light, which came in the form of another dead scientist.

This one was female, and was lying at the entrance of on of the side paths. She was facing the main corridor, one hand extended forward, with fingers curled, claw like. She had been trying to pull herself forward, away from something father down that side passage. I approached her, both to examine the manner of her passing and to make sure she was, in fact, fully deceased. As I neared the body, her cause of death was most apparent. She'd been one of the researchers chosen for Cyber conversion. One of the failed attempts. Her face was a mask of horror, a look I was sharing. The body was grotesquely mutilated. One eye was missing, replaced by a cylindrical implement like a camera lens. Her jaw was covered in metal playing, crudely screwed into bone to hold it in place. A section of steel ran along the left side of her head, covering the ear and capped off with a metal bar jutting vertically upward. One of her arms was encased in a gauntlet, which spread out across part of her torso. Where it ended, I could see that her ribcage had been torn open, and her organs augmented with various devices and wires.

I'd seen enough. I reeled backwards from the corpse, reaching out to brace myself against the wall. I turned away from her, struggling to resist the urge to vomit. I retched, considering the pure agony she had to endure. The Cyberman claimed the process would remove pain. Clearly, it augments the body before it affects the brain. This poor girl felt every agonizing moment of the conversion, as she was brutalized. Perhaps unspeakable pain helps break down the victim's mind, making them more susceptible to mental conversion. I was dealing with a race of psychopaths. All of that didn't even kill her outright. For some reason, she was deemed unworthy, or a failure, and was tossed aside mid conversion. Still she clung to life, slowly crawling to get away, get anywhere, as long as it was away from the cybernetic devil. I steeled myself to continue. There'd be time enough to grieve when it was all over. For now, I had to soldier on. Empathy was of no use right now.

I pressed on, stepping carefully around the body, and entered the lab at the end of the hall. It was clear that this room was different to the labs above. Not in terms of furnishings or size, but because of a hole about 4 feet wide sloping downwards in the corner of the room. I peered closer into the abyss. It was a shallow enough slope and seemed to only stretching down about 50 feet. It'd be easy enough to crawl along it in either direction. If Susan was anywhere, I knew it'd be at the end of this tunnel. There was nothing for it but to jump in. I slid down the passage easily, feet first, using my soles and raised arms to control the speed of my dissent.

The shaft opened into a room architecturally at odds with anything that was above it. I found myself inside the Cyber-Ship, or at least what was left of it. It was illuminated by a dim, green glow, whichever served only to highlight how run down the place was. The walls were stressed and buckled, the floor and ceilings a mess of debris, loose panels and snaking wires. Occasional sparks and bursts of smoke would emanate from these damaged areas, making me jump with anxiety. There was a doorway leading out of the room, but it was mostly blocked by bent steelwork, meaning this was the end of the line for me. There did seem to be enough space for a small person, or torso, to squeeze through however.

One side of the room contained a large bank of machinery and computer terminals, surrounding a gap that looked big enough for a humanoid figure. It was exactly big enough, in fact, because there was a person standing within. The male student who had gone missing. I checked his vitals, but he had already passed away.  He too had been operated on by the conversion chamber he was trapped in, but he had suffered nowhere near as much as the woman above. Mercifully, it seems he succumbed to the pain much sooner than her. The fact I could take that as a mercy was of no comfort to me at all. 

The other side of the room had been turned into a ramshackle prison, with a number of people chained to the wall. I counted three bodies: one was a researcher who had seemingly slit his own throat with a concealed scalpel rather than endure the same fate as the converted, one was the other missing student, also deceased. The third body was in a seated position, slumped forward, her hair hanging over her face like a curtain. Even so, I could recognize her. I'd know her anywhere. Susan! I'd found her, but was she injured? Dead? A part of me didn't want to find out. Until I checked to be sure, I could consider her alive and dead simultaneously. But Schrodinger couldn't save me now. I had to know. I had to rescue her, if that were even possible. With great trepidation, I reached for a parting in her hanging hair, and drew it to the side. As I did so, I gasped loudly.

TW Casefiles: Silver Linings (9)

"Come along then, Derek. Once more unto the breach." I said to my companion, as we left the lab.

"Do we actually know what we're up against? Or how to stop it? I mean, I'm just an immunologist, not Bruce bloody Willis." Derek asked timidly.

"Not as such, no." I admitted. "It's a work in progress."

"So we just blunder around until you think of something? Not much of a plan." He scoffed. "Isn't that like kicking a hornet's nest to count the number of bees?"

"I'm open to suggestions." I added tersely, before turning to him. I pointed a finger sharply into his chest. "You know as much as I do, which is very little. We don't know which species is behind it, what they hope to achieve, how many of them there are or why they've taken students down here. It's like trying to diagnose a patient without running tests. I don't exactly have a lot to work with, so we need more information. The only way to do that is to press deeper into enemy territory. If you've got a problem, by all means leave. I'm pushing on to rescue my girlfriend, and and many other victims as possible." I finished my rant, and stared intently at Derek. I knew he was right, of course, my methods were sloppy and dangerously foolhardy. I couldn't let him see my own doubt though. If I were to have any chance at instilling courage in him, I had to at least appear confident and in control. 

A momentary silence hung between us, before Derek spoke. "I'm sorry, OK. I'm just not very good in a crisis. You have a personal stake in this too, I get that, but it all seems a little ad-hoc."

"Because it is. That's how Torchwood operates. There's not exactly a training manual on dealing with aliens, so you just rely on your wits and reactions. Gut reactions and good reasoning are our best defense."

"Of course. Of course." Derek said, accepting but slightly unconvinced. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a foil sealed blister pack, offering it to me. There were three tablets, each the size of a fingernail contained within.

"We call this 'The Cure'. It's a sort of cocktail of antivirals, immune boosters, and the highest grade antibiotics. All but guaranteed to purge your system from any pathogen stored within this facility."

"Sounds miraculous." I said, warily. "Why isn't it on the market if it's so versatile?"

"Because each pill costs more than my research grant. This is an insurance policy, a way of guaranteeing we're clean before we leave the facility. Nobody is allowed a second dose. Ever. This is the nuclear option basically. The best antibiotics we currently have as a species, and if something becomes resistant to it, we're screwed. So we use it as a personal safety net down here while we work on outright cures and vaccines."

"Fair enough. Might come in handy."

"Certainly if you have any plans on leaving this wretched place. Who knows what's in the air by now."

We continued walking along the hall in contemplative silence, pausing to check on the scientist I'd electrocuted earlier. The electronic parasite on his temple was dead. It had released its grip and fallen in a mangled sparking heap on the floor. The man's head was still bloody were the device had burrowed into his brain. He was unresponsive, and had no pulse. Definitely this time. I wondered what had killed him: was he 'dead' the moment the thing took control? Was it when it released its hold? Was it a result of my supposed non lethal taser? I couldn't tell. Answers could wait, as we were both startled by a sudden noise, from the lab at the opposite end of the corridor.

Derek audibly gulped with nervousness. "What was that? Another of the digital zombies?"

"Perhaps." I replied, uncommitted. We had yet to see any sign of the legless creature. "Only one way to find out. Be on your guard." Before we left the prone body, I took his security pass, just in case.

I led the way as we crept up to the door of the lab. Peering through the window, I couldn't see anyone inside, though my field of view was limited and there were a number of cabinets and tables obscuring my view. Wordlessly, I motioned for Derek to unlock the door with his security card, allowing me to enter. I stepped across the threshold gingerly, scanning left and right into the corners nearest me. Finding nobody, I beckoned Derek to follow me inside. We split up to flank the row of worktops before us. I followed around to the left while Derek went right. We reached the far side of the first row simultaneously, finding nothing hiding behind it.  While I took a few seconds to investigate the area for potential clues, Derek was looking towards the second row of tables. 

With a sudden exclamation, he ran forward, before I could react. He cried out the name "Ruth" as he did so, having noticed the body of a colleague of his slumped on the floor, her head just sprawled out from behind the corner of the row. I made to follow him, crying out that it was dangerous, before skidding to a halt. Before my eyes, the creature I had only glimpsed before now rose from behind the presses, propelling itself from the ground with its strong arms and grabbing onto Derek's upper body. The two grappled for a brief moment as I watched in horror, before the creature shifted its grip from Derek's labcoat to the bare flesh of his neck. With a sudden electrical discharge, Derek collapsed, as the torso-figure lept from him onto the worktop in front of me. I held my sonic probe aloft like a wand, as I took an involuntary step backwards.

For the first time I'd managed to get a good look at the thing responsible for Sue's abduction, for the rash of disappearances, the parasites and the death of several researchers, including poor Derek. It was merely an upper body, holding itself up on its arms while it also observed me. As I'd theorized, it was wearing metal gauntlets. In fact, it's entire figure was encased in a sort of metal exoskeleton. I couldn't tell if it was wearing armor or simply some form of automaton. Perhaps a cyborg of some kind? Tangles of wire and pipework trailed from its severed waist and droplets of oil and other, more mysterious fluids leaked from within. Strands of a pink, fleshly substance also hung from the wound, confirming my theory that this thing was a cybernetic construct. 

Its armour was a dull silver like brushed steel and flecked with rust patches. Scores of scrapes and scratches adorned the metal, along with pockmarked dents. Its helmet had symmetrical pipes, almost like handles, emerging vertically from the sides, bending at sharp angles, and meeting horizontally at the top of the head. The eyes were black discs, betraying no emotion, with a tiny circle jutting from each like a teardrop. The mouth was merely a grey rectangle.

"You didn't have to kill him!" I yelled at the thing before me, angry at myself for letting Derek die.

"He was... defective." The creature responded, in an emotionless digitized monotone. Its mouth flashed with a blue light in time with its words. "His body was weak, his skull damaged. He was undesirable for Cyber Conversion."

"Is that what you're calling it? This parasite business. Cyber conversion?" I asked, while taking a further step back towards the door. The creature matched my movement as it shimmied forward on its table.

"The Cybermites are a simplified process. A method of ensuring an adequate labour force, and of control over targets of a sensitive nature. Full Cyber Conversion is reserved for adequate specimens." 

"Cyber Conversion.... is that what you do? Upgrade other species, give them cybernetic enhancements?" I asked, feeling that answers were imminent.

"The Cybermen will do more than simply upgrade your kind. We remove class, and creed and colour. We remove emotions to create unclouded judgement. We remove your differences. We will make you like us, to serve the Cyberiad. We will unify your people."

"But what if we don't want to change?" 

"It is foolish to resist. Emotional thinking is illogical, and counter productive. Without emotional conflict, without the need for sustenance or rest, you would be more efficient. It is logical."

"Yes, but at what cost? Why would anyone want that if it means losing their humanity?" I asked, still slinging towards the door. I'd passed the front desks by now, and the Cyberman kept from the rear row to the front to keep pace with me.

"Exactly. You will lose humanity. You will become Cybermen." The creature continued in its monotone. Its face an expressionless mask.

"And if we refuse, what happens to us then?"

"Then you will be terminated."

"Ah. Took much to ask that we could maybe live in peace then." I said, affecting a cheery tone.

"You attempt to mock. Your humour is merely a mask for the fear you feel. Your emotions betray you and weaken you."

"I beg to differ. But let's agree to disagree on a point of philosophy. Tell me, if the Cybermen are so mighty, why are you legless, swinging among the lampposts, capturing students?"

If the Cyberman was capable of embarrassment, its cheeks would be glowing. Instead, it stared at me with its unblinking orbs.

"My vessel sustained damage. We impacted upon the surface of this world. I was the only member of my crew to survive, though not without damage. This planet had not yet become technologically advanced enough to affect repairs, so I placed myself in suspended animation. After an indeterminate time, I was awoken by the effects of construction above my resting place. My ship leeched power from the generators of this facility, enough to restore emergency power and trigger my revival."

"OK, so you were short staffed. You needed the manpower from some new buddies to repair yourself and your ship, so you released the Cybermites. But why take students from the surface? Isn't that inviting trouble?" By now I'd reached the door of the lab.

"The Cybermite's control allowed the creation of an illusion that this base was still operational. Some were taken for full conversion, but other organic frameworks were necessary."

"What, were the staff here not of sufficient quality for you? Something doesn't add up, because you're too desperate to be picky here. No, I think you've got a problem with your conversion process. It's killing all your potential recruits, forcing you to expose yourself above ground." I stated, cockily. A plan was starting to form in my mind, but I couldn't get too excited just yet. I still didn't know if Susan was alive, and I was trapped in a room with a deadly cyborg, who I'd need out of the picture if I had any hope of rescuing Susan.

"You have been scanned. Your body is physically fit and your mental faculties are above average. You could survive the conversion process. You will be upgraded."

Things were escalating, and I tried not to panic. Not too much anyway. In desperation, I pointed my screwdriver at the Cyberman threateningly.

"Stay right where you are." I said, giving a noble if flawed attempt at a confident authoritative tone to my voice.

"Sonic devices and electroshock weapons are ineffective against the might of the Cybermen."

So much for that plan. I scanned the room for something else to use. Something that could either stop the Cyberman or slow him down. There was a canister of liquid nitrogen in the lab, but I didn't have the time or safety gear to mess with it. Instead, I aimed the screwdriver away from the Cyberman, towards one of the glass wall cabinets.

"One move and I shatter that glass. Instant lockdown for this room. There's 15 strains of disease locked up in there, shame if it got out."

"Your deception is obvious. Cybermen do not suffer from disease. It is only your body that will suffer and die." Damn. He had a point. This was a terrible plan.

"Yeah? Well, if you want to convert me, you won't want me infected. So back off."

"You are more difficult than is acceptable. You are not required for conversion. Other suitable candidate can be sourced. You are expendable."

"Oh yeah? Expend this!" I yelled as I activated the screwdriver. The glass case shattered, along with most of the vials and test tubes stored within. I instantly regretted both my course of action, and my pitiful choice of one liner. For a moment, the Cyberman stated blankly at the shards of the cabinet, as if failing to process the irrationality of my actions. As soon as I'd pressed the switch meanwhile, I'd spun around and swiped my spare security card against the door, hoping it would register before the containment seals locked in place. Luckily, I just managed to swing the door open as the alarms blared. The lighting in the lab switched to a red glow and extractor fans struggled to keep air within the room. I flung myself through the door even as it began to swing automatically closed. I could feel the rush of air behind me as the Cyberman pounced, followed by the relieving thunk of its bulk upon the sealed door. I took one look back at the creature locked within. I knew it was only a matter of time before it hacked its way past the defences or smashed its way out. I had to act fast, before anyone else could be harmed.