4.02: The Torchwood Conspiracy

## Episode

The next day dawns in Lincoln City and a crime scene can be seen down the alleyway and into the office area where Miles and Crystal's bodies remain in the same place they were found whilst detectives, forensics and various police officers take photos for the sake of evidence among many other tasks, a cleaner stands traumatized by the side of the crime scene being questioned by an officer about what happened, she states: "It wasn't me! I didn't kill them! It wasn't me!" the officer then tells her: "Look lady, we just need to know how long ago the bodies were dumped here, we don't need your story" the cleaner replies: "Oh come off it, who would dump two dead bodies here overnight?! this is a public office space." the officer tells her: "If you're lying we'll find out eventually, so tell us or..." before he can finish, a black SUV with the Torchwood logo pulls up and Shane, leader of the Lincoln City branch of the institute, steps out - thanking his driver in the process, he mutters to himself that he could have just walked but having a driver makes him look cool. He then walks inside and heads straight for the scene, a detective stops him however: "You're not supposed to go near the crime scene without permission, sir" he says "My job is to make sure it gets treated with respect, if I see you getting anywhere close I'll report you." Shane shows him his Torchwood ID "I'm here on official business" he says - The Detective looks confused but steps aside anyway, Shane then continues to walk up the gloomy alleyway with dumpsters aligning either side of the tight walkway, he eventually arrives at the crime scene and is shocked to see Miles' body on the floor as he enters the office space "Whoa!" he exclaims "What the hell happened?!" he asks the Detective "Hard to say, we all have our own theories about it, apparently there are two versions of events" he replies. Shane then notices the blood stains and Crystal's body lying on the ground "Whose this?" Shane asks the detective who stands in the background, he answers: "That's believed to be Miles' significant other, the name of Crystal Jackson."

Shane nods at this information before quickly saying "I'm Shane by the way, I've been sent by Torchwood to investigate and you are?" he asks extending his right hand for a handshake from the detective who takes it after a moment of hesitation "You can call me DI Boyd" he says, Shane then says: "Now that's settled, what do YOU think happened?" the detective responds "Well...we believe the two of them got into a heated argument, one thing led to another and then suddenly...they both ended up dead." Shane looks down at Miles' body "But that doesn't sound very likely, does it?" seemingly quizzing DI Boyd on the statement he made earlier, the Detective remains silent as Shane says: "I would like to look around, have your team recovered anything?" the detective shakes his head "No, not really, no signs of forced entry, other than the door you came through, everything seems to be in order apart from this" he points to Crystal's body "We have nothing, I mean absolutely nothing except for the fact that they were both stabbed several times, we won't know the full story until the coroner has finished their investigations" Shane then turns his attention back to the body of Miles, kneeling down and noticing the two are in a sort of embrace "I never knew he had a girlfriend, I wonder if it was a recent thing...either way, the guy could never catch a break - he deserved better." the Detective overhears this remark and starts to get angry "Sir! We should focus on finding out who killed them, not reflecting on the past" Shane smiles and waves him away "Sorry about that, but I guess people that don't have a soul wouldn't like that sort of thing" the detective stares blankly at this remark for a second before turning and leaving, Shane sighs "Hmm ok" he remarks at the detective leaving, he proceeds to look around the crime scene for evidence as well as talk to witnesses and ask questions of those around, writing anything of note down as he goes - he then heads back to the Torchwood base in the city centre to begin the report of his findings.

Back at the base, Shane would compile the evidence and photos of the scene and place them into the computer - he would then use a mix of records and the Torchwood archive to see if anything similar to this has happened before or if he can uncover anything else that maybe of use. After a while, the report is completed and the system has found a weapon that matches the wounds that were inflicted on Miles and Crystal, he is surprised to find that there are actually two weapons: a survival knife and what appears to be some homemade weapon that looks like a blade on the end of a ruler which, to Shane, is very puzzling indeed. He would then read over the report and add any further comments, including the possibility that the survival knife may have belonged to Miles himself judging by the patterns and Anarchy logo on it. He then logs off the computer and makes his way out of the room where he would take a short rest before going out again.

Shane would end up revisiting the crime scene out of sheer shock, he would mull over what he is seeing however he would notice a new piece of evidence - the back wall where Miles landed following his attempt to fight his assailant is dented and somewhat cracked with wall plaster everywhere, "Hard impact" Shane says observing the damaged wall, he would also notice that a blood trail is visible from the impact site on the wall to where Crystal lies - "I guess he wanted to be with her during his last moments" Shane says bowing his head as a sign of respect to Miles.

Elsewhere, DI Boyd is called in by his boss who informs him of Shane's latest investigation and wonders why the Torchwood man was interested in Miles' death, after all Torchwood aren't known for working well with the police department, especially since they're technically private investigators, not cops - DI Boyd decides to change his investigation up a bit and decides to monitor Shane's movements and thus going against protocols set by his boss for the investigation of Miles' death, he sets off for the crime scene on his own.

Back at the crime scene, Shane uses his tablet and decides to try and reconstruct the crime scene using Torchwood's advanced simulation technology - "This is still in beta but it may work" Shane says touching the tablet screen as he steadily pans the tablet's camera around the crime scene, after this is done a progress bar appears as the technology works its magic - as this happens, DI Boyd pulls up to the crime scene and starts walking through the alleyway, he takes out his phone and sends a text message to one of his contacts, he then walks over to the crime scene and stands beside a lamp post, picking his moment to enter the office area where Shane currently is - he enters by surprise and holds a taser up at Shane, who is confused by the detective's action until Boyd states "You don't want to know" and shoots Shane in the leg with the taser. Shane falls onto the floor and Boyd quickly puts a pair of handcuffs on his wrists and throws him inside his car, he locks the doors and drives away.

DI Boyd drives frantically back to the police station, he parks outside and gets out of his car and heads towards the building, a handcuffed Shane in tow. As he walks into the station, he heads straight to the interview room where DI Boyd's superior officer, John Rook is waiting for him, he greets him with a friendly smile and asks how the investigation is coming along - "It's just about wrapped up, I'm sure you'll be happy with the result" he tells him.

Rook smiles and thanks him but then notices the handcuffed Shane, who is trying to recover from the taser shot - "Who is this?" Rook asks Boyd curiously, "Just an associate of ours" Boyd answers, "I need to put him under arrest now" Rook replies, "Why? You're almost done here" he says, "He was present at the crime scene and knows too much already, we need to question him" he continues, Boyd seems to keep his composure and doesn't show any signs of panic despite the fact he is in danger of losing his job if the truth that he went into business for himself gets out - Rook then sighs and asks "What do you need me to do?"

Boyd thinks for a second before responding - "Please go ahead and book him in for questioning" he says, Rook nods and leaves the room without saying another word, Boyd then turns to Shane and slams his fist onto the desk, forcing Shane to sit down on the chair in front of the desk, "So what do you want to tell us?" he asks, Shane scoffs: "You? Nothing, but whatever you have planned..." before Shane can finish, Boyd interrupts him - "That will be enough!" he yells, Shane looks surprised by the sudden outburst from Boyd, "Don't worry, I'm only going to ask you once, what are your plans for the future?" he questions - Shane plays along: "Meaning?" he asks - Boyd sits back down on the chair behind the desk and leans forward so he can stare directly into Shane's eyes - "If you cooperate with me, you might live long enough to see the sun rise again."

Shane laughs at this "Your threatening me? that's what you're doing now?" he asks like he cant believe what he's hearing, "Yeah, it's called negotiating, isn't that right?" Boyd says calmly - "And what makes you think I'm gonna help you?" Shane asks sarcastically - "Because if you don't I am going to lock you up and throw away the key, do you understand?" DI Boyd responds coldly but Shane is having none of it "You could've said anything there but you used the most overused phrase in the book, oh dear." he says clearly finding the detective's threats amusing - "Do you really expect me to believe that I'd get the chance to see the sunrise again if I cooperate? Do you really believe I'm going to give you the information you desire if I know my life is on the line? Which by the way it isn't otherwise you would've killed me when you abducted me from the crime scene" Shane points out to the detective.

DI Boyd pauses for a second, not knowing how to respond to the man's claims. He then snaps out of his daze and quickly explains why he had to take Shane into custody - "Well, let me make things simple for you... We're going to take you back to the crime scene and we're going to question you about your involvement in this case" he says, Shane shakes his head and laughs - "What part of I'm from Torchwood escapes your understanding?" he asks incredulously - "Torchwood has been disbanded! It hasn't existed since the whole Live Control Agency business all those years ago" DI Boyd snaps sounding very sure of himself however, once again, Shane just simply replies "Keep telling yourself that mate" and he begins laughing loudly.

DI Boyd ignores Shane's comment and continues - "Now, as soon as we arrive, you are going to answer my questions and if you refuse to comply, I will use every trick in the book to force the answers out of you" he adds menacingly, Shane laughs at this and retorts: "Good luck with that one mate" - "We're not finished yet" DI Boyd states - Shane laughs louder - "Oh no? And what are we missing exactly? a plate of chocolate biscuits? a map of the city? more evidence? or the literal kitchen sink?" Shane jokes, which causes DI Boyd to become even angrier and shout "ENOUGH OF THAT!" - Shane stops laughing and becomes silent - "You'll be glad to know that the police don't play around with suspects, especially ones who have committed multiple crimes" he explains angrily - Shane smirks "I'm in the clear then" he says, making DI Boyd look confused "No, you aren't" he says, "We still need to bring you back to the crime scene where we can conduct further investigation into the case" - "Well let's get on with it" Shane says standing up before being lead back out to DI Boyd's car, the two then arrive back at the crime scene to see that the coroner's have been and cleaned up the scene, DI Boyd places Shane down on a chair in the ransacked room before pulling up a chair and sitting across from him: "Here we are again" DI Boyd begins "Now, as I mentioned before, this is the bit where you explain yourself" Shane doesn't reply and instead starts looking through the items scattered throughout the room "What's your issue with Torchwood?" Shane asks instead much to the confusion of DI Boyd "Look what you did a few minutes ago, you weren't under the orders of your superiors...if this gets out into the public, your head will be on the metaphorical chopping block" Shane says shrugging during the last part of the sentence - "So what are you saying? You want me to tell you everything I know? That's hardly fair considering you haven't told me anything so far" Shane asks, DI Boyd sighs "It's not about fairness, its about the truth" he argues back, "Fine, what do you want to know?" Shane asks curiously - "First off, why were you here?" DI Boyd asks - "That's obvious, I was here to investigate this murder" Shane replies "What was the nature of this murder?" - Shane looks at DI Boyd suspiciously for a moment before replying "In what context?" he asks - "The manner of the murder" DI Boyd clarifies - "Multiple stab wounds, several non fatal blows to the chest area before the fatal stab was delivered, the wall over there suggests there was a struggle, satisfied yet detective?" Shane asks sarcastically "Yeah, I suppose..." DI Boyd responds reluctantly "How did you know the victim?" he asks - "He didn't like my jokes" Shane jests causing DI Boyd to groan impatiently. "Seriously though, what's your connection to him?" DI Boyd asks - "I once crossed paths with him, I tried to help him - that was it" Shane says simply, "Why would you do that?" DI Boyd presses - "Because he was a good man, he didn't deserve any of this" Shane says, "And that's enough, right there. Why does it matter if he was good or bad, what difference does it make in this day and age?" DI Boyd responds causing Shane to look unimpressed "You spineless prick" Shane mutters "Shut up, shut up" DI Boyd shouts back, but Shane doesn't stop talking "Look, I'm not saying anything but this whole thing seems to me that you have some sort of inferiority complex around Torchwood" Shane states, "Do you know how many times they've saved this planet from total annihilation? Do you know how many lives have been saved because of them? Do you know how many people have died because of their work and dedication to the cause of saving the planet? No? I didn't think so." DI Boyd stares at Shane in disbelief as Shane continues to rant on. "Torchwood isn't perfect, everyone knows that, but the fact of the matter remains that they are better than most, and if you're too thick headed to see that, then I pity you." Shane finishes staring DI Boyd in the face, waiting for a response.

"Whoa! Hold on just a second now! You've got it all wrong" DI Boyd snaps, "We're the good guys, we fight for justice and protect those who cannot defend themselves against those who seek to harm others" he spouts, trying to explain himself, "And you sir are a fucking disgrace!" DI Boyd yells, throwing Shane onto the floor in a rage - "What did I say now?" Shane mumbles, looking down at his feet and rubbing his eyes, he then looks up to see DI Boyd standing over him however he stands up and looks up at him "I'm a disgrace? Is that right?" Shane asks, looking directly into DI Boyd's eyes, "Yes, yes it is" DI Boyd replies angrily, "So what makes you think you can judge me based on your own ideals? Are you really such an arrogant prick that you believe that you are above judgement?" - Shane tilts his head "No, I'm not above anyone and I know my place and if you really want to pin that claim on someone...look in a mirror mate" he says, walking away.

DI Boyd sits back down, shaking his head and sighing deeply, he places his hands on his head and begins to rub it as he thinks about everything he has heard thus far and seriously considers what was said to him, all of a sudden a blue light appears from behind him and creepy laughing can be heard behind him, he turns to see Susie sat by the damaged wall with her mask off, she smiles creepily at him and begins to laugh even louder - "What the fuck are you doing here?!" DI Boyd demands, "Oh don't worry about me, I just came to get a closer look at the damage done by our friend, they did a good cleanup job!" she giggles, "It's a shame about this wall" she adds, "This wall could've had a lot more graffiti on it!" she laughs, "Yeah yeah, whatever, just go" DI Boyd growls.

Back at the Torchwood base, Shane runs the simulation of the crime scene revealing the murder of Miles and Crystal were at the hands of The Legion, Shane quickly searches any nearby CCTV to see if he can confirm the involvement of The Legion in Miles' death, after searching through hours of footage and finding nothing he goes cold and runs back to the crime scene to warn DI Boyd.

Back at the crime scene, Susie skips around the room whilst DI Boyd stands there with his taser at the ready "I have to say, you could call me a witness to the whole thing if you're interested in this crime scene" she says chillingly. "You saw something you shouldn't have" DI Boyd replies. "Well if I did, would I tell you?" she asks. "Of course, I am a detective after all" he replies. "Then I'll tell you anyway, but first let me ask you something, why does Torchwood do what they do? Why do they keep protecting people like us when no one else seems to care?" she questions. "To protect those who cannot defend themselves against those who seek to harm them" DI Boyd replies. "That sounds pretty noble to me" she responds "I'm getting sidetracked, would you like to know my connection to this crime scene?" she continues, "I'm sorry, what?" DI Boyd replies, "My name's Susie Lavoie and I killed Miles and Crystal and I'd like to see how you handle yourself" she states matter-of-factly, she holds her right pointer finger up before saying "Actually I didn't, the thing inside me did" she finishes, DI Boyd proceeds to fire his taser at her (he's heard enough) it knocks Susie down and sends her into spasms as electricity shoots through her body and she screams, covering her face, DI Boyd walks over to her and goes for the arrest however a blue light emits from Susie and seemingly from nowhere a wave of electricity slams into the detective and throws him backwards onto the floor, DI Boyd lies motionless, his eyes open wide and his mouth agape, the blue light vanishes and Susie jumps to her feet looking smugly at the stunned DI Boyd "Shocking" she says, "I bet you weren't expecting that" she laughs - at this point, Shane bursts in and a walk of confidence becomes one of caution upon setting eyes on Susie, he puts his hands in his pockets "You're not who I was expecting" he says to Susie, she looks at him with a grin "Ah a new arrival, I don't believe we've met...Susie Lavoie at your service!" she replies.

"Well at least I'm now acquainted with the host but I'm talking to the being inside you" Shane responds, she looks at him confused "Who are you?" she asks, "My name is Shane, I have had a run in with your "friend" before Miss Lavoie" he says trying to get a reaction from her whilst also stalling time so DI Boyd can regain consciousness - "Oh yeah! You were the one who banished Kasuti from our world to another" she exclaims, Shane nods "I'm not proud of it but it was right at the time" Susie tilts her head at this "Regret? Is that what that is? Guilt?" she asks. "Yes, a lot of guilt" he replies, Susie shakes her head "No you're wrong about that, you regret doing it, but you don't feel guilty because you knew what you were doing was right at the time" she explains. Shane looks at her puzzled as a blue light emits from Susie again, he quickly grabs DI Boyd and places him outside as a now masked Susie stands there, an echo in her voice (once again like many people are talking at once) "Well, well, well" The Legion says "Look who it is" they say through Susie - "What are you doing out of confinement? I saw Lamashtu take you there" Shane questions the being within her. "I am free now because of...circumstances" the being says, "So, why are you here?" Shane asks, the being begins to speak in a calm and collected tone, almost robotic. "I will find the ones responsible for banishing us to an eternal wander of the multiverse..." the being concludes "...starting with you" Shane shrugs "You know, after everything you have been through I have just one thing to say to you...BYE!" Shane exclaims as he legs it from the office area with The Legion giving chase.

The Legion soon catches up to Shane and tackles him to the ground, the two roll around on the floor wrestling each other until Shane manages to get on top of The Legion and holds them down by placing a foot on either side of their body "Listen, I'm not going to kill you, instead I will give you a choice - go back into confinement and if you go willingly..." The Legion hisses and rants at Shane "You don't understand Shane" Shane's face goes to one of surprise when it uses his name "We don't want to go back, we have plans - not just for you but for EVERYONE that has ever come into contact with the multiverse and with Miss Lavoie as our host, vengeance will be swift and vengeance will be SATISFYING" the being finishes ominously. Shane lets out a sigh "If you truly mean that then let me ask you something" Shane asks "Go on" The Legion answers, "Do you believe in fate?" Shane asks. "Of course" The Legion answers. "Then, do you think I am destined to meet my end at your hands?" Shane asks as the struggle continues. The Legion remains silent.

"Yes" The Legion replies ominously "Good" Shane replies as he pulls The Legion off of him and stands up "I like a challenge" before The Legion can land a significant blow in what is now a fist fight, a taser shot comes from behind and The Legion quickly changes back to Susie, who once again begins to spasm and fall unconscious. Shane sighs and looks down at the prone form of the being known as The Legion. "That was close..." Shane says looking over at the still unconscious Susie, he looks up to see DI Boyd standing there looking at both him and The Legion with a concerned expression on his face. "You okay?" He asks. Shane nods. "Yeah, looks like you have your killer? no more personal glory?" Shane asks to him. "Not exactly, we found her but she's your responsibility, if Torchwood is as good as you say it is then prove me wrong and save the world from that...thing" DI Boyd says pointing his taser down at Susie before barging his way past Shane and walking away.

Susie springs to life all of a sudden and pushes Shane out the way, declaring her dislike for DI Boyd, she jumps on the detective's back and starts punching and kicking him in the head while yelling things like "You're dead meat!", "You're gonna die!", "Die! Die! DIE!". It takes several minutes of fighting and a few punches thrown in his direction before Susie finally gets the better of him however DI Boyd makes it to his car and escapes leaving Susie with Shane, she turns to Shane and says: "I didn't like him either, now what to do with you" she ponders as her masked face seemingly stares into Shane's soul, suddenly she leaps forward and grabs hold of his neck, a blue energy surrounds her fingers and Shane is pulled towards her, she wraps her legs around Shane and presses her body against his before whispering "Don't worry, I won't hurt you." - "I don't believe you" Shane says in fear. Suddenly, she breaks free and leaps backwards landing gracefully on the ground before turning back to Shane with a look of disappointment "You know what, I think we need a change of scenery and by we I mean you" and after closing her eyes and muttering something in The Legion's voice - a portal can be seen, it swallows Shane and he lands on an aesthetically pleasing looking beach and is wearing summer clothes, he looks around confused as to where he is in an almost panicked state, back in Lincoln City - Susie skips away whilst The Legion's voice echoes and speaks to her "It seems this one will be harder than expected, we shall deal with him later, for now though - we move onto more interesting targets." it says ominously.

## Characters

* Shane
* DI Boyd
* Susie Lavoie
* The Legion
* Miles Windsor
* Crystal Jackson