Ianto's Journey, Part V-Redemption, Chapter 58-Ethics

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IANTO'S JOURNEY, PART V- REDEMPTION
TITLE:   Chapter 58 - Ethics
AUTHOR: Aviv_b
RATING: Chapter 58 - PG  for language
CHARACTERS:  Ianto, Jack, OCs - Peter Denon, Dr. Tara Martin
DISCLAIMER:  Not mine; Aunty B's and RTD's
WORDS: ~ 2080
SUMMARY:  Jack begins his tenure as head of Torchwood London.  Disagreements crop up between members of the Ethics Committee.  Will Jack support Ianto's position or his detractor's position on cyber experimentation?  And who is the new woman on the committee that Jack has his eye on?

Title is from:  A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.” Albert Camus

 

Jack assumed leadership of Torchwood London shortly before the fourth anniversary of the Battle of Canary Wharf. Fortunately, due to his recent appointment, he was able to maneuver out of attending the small memorial service held at the site. He reckoned that the day would be difficult enough for Ianto without his presence. 

Within the first few months, he had met with Ianto and his other department heads several times and had also met with Ianto privately on two occasions. During each of these encounters he had tried to quietly reach out and sense Ianto’s feelings but Ianto’s psychic barriers were firmly in place. His expression was absolutely neutral and he barely reacted to anything Jack said beyond a ‘yes sir,’ or ‘no sir.’ And those responses were devoid of any of the humor or fun they used to hold. He didn’t even sense any anger or anxiety from Ianto when they were together. It was like Ianto had completely deadened his feelings toward Jack.

In truth, Ianto’s feelings were anything but tranquil. He was uneasy and off balance every time he was in Jack’s presence. It was only due to his bond with Aaron that he was able to protect himself with walls of indifference. It became almost a ritual for Ianto. Before meeting with Jack he would carefully visualize himself in a castle surrounded by a high wall and a deep moat. Time for a meeting, raise the drawbridge.  Put bowmen in the towers. Prepare the troops to defend against the assault. Nothing could get through.

The only chink in his emotional armor that Jack ever saw was in relation to his role as head of the Ethics Committee. The first year went smoothly enough, but by the second and third years, some of the younger members of the R&D Departments as well as on the Committee felt stifled by his adamant stance against risky experimentation. This came to a head when the group gridlocked on a project to work with Cyberman components scavenged from the site of the destruction of Torchwood One.

Jack agreed to sit in on their next meeting to assess what was going on and see if some compromise could be worked out. The arguments were heated and tempers were raw. Understandably, Ianto was opposed to any use of the cyber technology.

‘We just don’t know at what point the cyber technology begins to overwhelm emotional freedom,’ Ianto pointed out. ‘We can’t take the chance of using even small implants. All it takes is one conversion and the whole human race could be at risk.’

One of the younger members of the R&D team, Pete Denon strongly disagreed. He hated the whole idea that he needed to get permission to conduct vital research, and besides, what right did someone like Jones telling him what he could and couldn’t do. Jones was clearly a coward, afraid of the future and not willing to do what it took to move forward scientifically. When he spoke, it was with a self-righteous arrogance that only the very young and inexperienced can afford to display.

“You know Jones; just because the big bad Cybergoons hurt you doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t handle it. Maybe you’re too damaged for this type of job. Science belongs to the young and fit, not to aging deviants. “

Ianto’s head snapped up at the last remark. “Excuse me, what did you say?” Ianto challenged.

Denon glared back. “Maybe I should be more direct. Maybe a man like you has no place in the new Torchwood. We need bold thinkers, warriors for science, not mincing men like you.”

Ianto face had gone gray. Jack looked ready to explode. The other eight members of the committee all looked like they wished they could melt into the background. With as much dignity as he could muster, Ianto got up from the table.

‘I can see no reason to continue this meeting. It’s apparent that Mr. Denon isn’t interested in discussing this matter in an appropriate way. Therefore, I’m calling this meeting to a close until such time as I am convinced that we can have a meaningful discussion. Any attempt to start research on any project involving Cyberman technology is expressly forbidden.’

Ianto turned from the table and began to walk to the exit. He was horrified when he heard Jack say, “Ianto, I did not dismiss you, please do not leave until I am finished.”

Ianto turned back toward the table but made no move to return. Denon sat at the table smirking. Jack reached out mentally to Ianto who pushed back with ‘you bastard, you’ve humiliated me in front of my team!’ ‘Shh…’ Jack thought, ‘have a little faith in me.’

“Mr. Denon,” Jack said smiling politely, “you are being completely disrespectful toward Mr. Jones, who is not only your fellow employee but your superior on this committee. I’d like you to apologize to him immediately.”

“The hell I will,” Denon sneered. “You’d think that someone like him would see the benefits of cyber technology; he might be more normal with a few implants, but no he has to play martyr with his damaged hand and no voice. It’s disgusting...”

“That’s enough!” Jack roared. “Attitudes like yours are what caused the destruction of Torchwood One. Over two thousand people died that day Mr. Denon. Mr. Jones is one of only 27 people rescued alive from that nightmare and only one of less than a dozen still alive and functioning today. I was there when he was pulled from the rubble, and I’ve been with him directly or indirectly almost every minute of his life since then. I don’t know anyone braver, stronger or more capable of heading this committee – and you will show him the respect he is due or you will have your resignation on my desk within the hour!”

Denon looked shocked. He hadn’t expected this reaction from someone like Captain Harkness. In desperation he tried one more tactic, not one that anyone who knew Jack Harkness would ever dream of using.

“You know what he is, don’t you? Lives with another man, he does. He a security risk and a deviant and he should be removed from his position.”

While Denon was speaking the other members of the ethics committee were discretely eyeing each other. Two men on the committee who had both dated Jack rolled their eyes and prayed they didn’t burst out laughing.  One woman started giggling and pretended to blow her nose to cover it up. She had spent several ‘interesting’ weekends with Jack and Captain John. She didn’t know if she’d call her time with them deviant, but she certainly thought of it as decadent. The other board members were well aware of Jack Harkness’ reputation, including the fact that at one time he had had some type of relationship with Ianto. They sat speechless wondering if Denon would get out of the meeting alive.

When Denon had finished his tirade, Jack walked over to Ianto, put an arm around his shoulder and guided him back to the head of the table along side him.

“Do you want to say it, or should I?” Jack asked, as he smiled at Ianto.

‘Oh Sir, as the head of Torchwood, I really think you should have the honors.’

“Ianto, as the Chair of the Ethics Committee, I believe protocol dictates that you make the announcement.”

‘So sorry Sir, but I must decline. Roberts Rules of Order clearly specifies that…’

“OK, if you insist. Mr. Denon, I’m afraid that you are being relieved of your position. Effective immediately, you no longer work for Torchwood London. Frank and Will (his two former dates) will escort you to your office where you may get your personal items. Security will be on hand to escort you from the building. Any attempts to remove confidential information, interfere with the operations of Torchwood or any inappropriate disclosures once you leave will result in you being charged with treason.”

Denon was down but not out. “I’ll contact the Queen directly on this! You won’t get away with this!”

Ianto smiled. ‘Don’t worry Pete, I’ll tell her myself when I see her for tea on Friday. I do so enjoy my monthly visits with her. I’ll even put a good word for you with Harry if he’s stops by.’

Jack was furious at Denon’s defiance. “If I hear one more word out of you, I’ll have you retconned back to when you were in nappies. And for the record, I don’t make threats, only promises. I have complete authority on this matter and yes you will be monitored to make sure that you comply with all secrecy agreements you signed.” 

He looked at the others at the table. “Now will someone get this man out of my sight; before I really get angry?” Frank and Will grabbed Denon and guided him out of the meeting room.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They took a brief break and then reconvened to finish the meeting.

“I happen to agree with Ianto, we can’t afford to take risks with implanting parts from Cybermen into humans.” Jack paused to make sure that everyone would hear what he had to say next.

“But I have to admit that some of the technology could have the potential of helping disabled people, particularly those with paralysis or neurological disorders. The question is how do we use the technology without creating uncontrollable risks?”

One of the newest members of the team, Dr. Tara Martin had given this some thought. “If I may, I’d like to propose that we continue to study the cyber implants until we fully understand what makes them work as well as what makes them potentially dangerous. We then might be able construct similar parts from scratch that will improve neurological functionality without compromising safety. Of course the entire project plan will be worked up first and submitted to this committee for approval before any actual work begins.”

Jack was impressed. Dr. Martin was an experienced researcher with a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering. Ianto had spotted her credentials while searching for an expert in medical ethics. He knew it was inevitable that they were going to look at adapting Cyberman technology and he wanted to be sure he had someone heading the program that had a good sense of the moral dilemma of testing on humans as well as the dangers of a Cyber conversion. Given the short shrift some of the younger researchers gave to these concerns, he needed someone who was both a technical expert as well as an experienced ethicist so that she would have the respect of everyone on the committee. Dr. Martin was the perfect candidate. In addition to her Ph.D. she had sat on the ethics boards at several prestigious hospitals, and had lost a brother in the Battle at Canary Wharf.  Ianto hadn’t known her brother, but he could tell that even seven years later, she still keenly felt the loss.

Also crucial to Ianto, was that she was a happily married mother of three young children, and therefore not in Captain Harkness’ top ten categories for romantic liaisons. Ianto was aware of the many employees Jack had ‘dated’ in his three years as head of Torchwood One. A number had left the organization when the relationships ended and he couldn’t afford to hire someone who would attract Jack’s attention.

Now as he watched Jack admire Dr. Martin he felt a bit concerned. ‘Single?’ Jack queried.

‘Very married, three children under the age of ten and an ordained Unitarian Minister,’ Ianto pushed back.

Jack winced. ‘Not exactly a woman with a lot of time on her hands then. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you hired her as much for her personal background as her job qualifications.’

‘You’re too clever for me, Captain,’ Ianto said smirking. ‘The last thing I need is turnover of a key position as we start what could be a very risky venture.’

Jack could see the wisdom in what Ianto was saying. Jack had no doubt that if she were single or even married without children and not a minister to boot he would already be planning her seduction. He sighed; as much as he loved having Ianto around, he just wasn’t any fun anymore.

Ianto smiled to himself as he left the meeting. ‘That’s another win for me, Captain Jack. You’ll just have to go trawling somewhere else.

Chapter 59 is here:'  http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/31761.html