Fic : So Many Letters (Torchwood)

[burntcopper]

Title : So Many Letters
Author : Gunbunny
Fandom : Torchwood.
Pairing : ....aside from Jack's back catalogue?
Rating : No sex and no violence. :sigh:
Summary : All the young men have gone for soldier.
Disclaimer : Not mine. Russell's and Chris's.
Feedback : I accept burnt offerings and alcohol.
Archive : http://burntcopper.com/fic , anywhere else feel free.


Somewhere in the Hub, something is dripping. From the echo, Harriet thinks it's the autopsy room. It's just so quiet in here. In a way, it's quiet above ground in Cardiff - all the young men gone for soldier. Including her brothers - she had a letter last week from the youngest, with black marks across it, from where any sensitive information had been censored. She's used to the task of hushing things up and editing the sensitive information and people as part of this job, but she can't imagine having to do it to so many letters. So many personal letters.

Gerald comes over, putting a mug of tea on her desk, and she smiles gratefully. At least the Torchwood team haven't gone. Their work for the Empire was considered more important. Well. Except for Jack. Jack joined up on the day war was declared and he and Gerald had an almighty row about it.

It ended with Jack saying in a mocking tone "Haven't you heard, old man? It'll all be over by Christmas."

That statement made everyone in the Hub within earshot stiffen. Jack has a way about him, a way of knowing odd things, and that... well. Jack's a soldier through and through. Maybe he'd just seen enough in his career to be cynical about the promises of the generals and politicians. But still, Harriet doesn't want to know if he had any inkling of what would happen. Gerald wouldn't dare order him home now unless it was necessary.

They get his letters. Uncensored - the man's an officer, but more than that, since his letters count as intelligence. They're sometimes horrific, always self-deprecating - part diary, part report. He's still doing Torchwood work out there in the trenches, tracking down alien technology between dodging shells and taking care of his men. But he'll survive to return, which you can't guarantee about the others gone for soldier.

END

Comments

[fmanalyst.livejournal.com]

Okay, we need the letters. We really need the letters.

[thaddeusfavour.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. I'm constantly amazed at how much story can be put into such small word counts. I'd like to second the request for letters. :P

[rabecka.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this. I like glimpses of Jack interacting with previous Torchwood teams. You have to wonder how much they knew about him, or suspected. You catch that nicely here.

[nightporters.livejournal.com]

I'm always pleased to see fic from you. You never disappoint.

[laurab1.livejournal.com]

Oh, Harriet. And Jack, knowing too much, like always. Love it.