To Free Will
Chapter 9 – Meeting of the Minds

When the TARDIS landed, everyone onboard exited out into what appeared to be part military base, part library. Cas was there to greet them, handing Baby's keys back to Dean. "Good flight?"

"Dude you have to try it," Dean grinned then turned to group. "Welcome to the Bunker. All the ammo, books, and supplies you need to fight the good fight.

"We have rooms if you need to rest, showers and the kitchen is fully stocked." Sam added. "Please don't hesitate, if you need anything."

"Thank you," John said sincerely. "Now that you mention it, coffee sounds amazing right now."

"I second that," Molly chimed.

"Black, two sugars," Sherlock said simply.

"I'll put on a pot," Sam smiled but it faded, his eyes sliding over the TARDIS, all the people standing there and probably thinking about the situation they were in. "Or four."

"Let's make it eight mate," Rory clapped his shoulder sympathetically. He and Sam went to the kitchen and the rest assembled around one of the library section's long polished tables.

"So what do we know?" Dean began.

"I should go first," the Doctor leaned forward. "In the simplest terms, there was war in outer space, absolutely catastrophic. And the Zygon homeworld was one of its casualties. Sometime ago, the Zygons attempted to turn Earth into their new home. I negotiated, or rather I will negotiate, a treaty so that they could live here undetected and in peace."

"What do you mean you 'will'?" Molly asked.

"He's a time traveller Molly," Sherlock reminded her. "You heard that Stewart woman. 'It hasn't happened for you yet', his timeline is non-linear."

"All timelines are non-linear," the Doctor nodded. "Mine just even more so."

"So you are attempting to aid a situation previously recitified by your future self," Cas tried to sum up.

"Something like that," River shrugged. "Happens more often than you think. Except the Zygons aren't the problem. They've kept to the treaty, someone else is hurting them."

"Which is where we come in," Sherlock gestured to his team. "Dozens of victims have been cropping up in London. Bodies mutilated then thrown away like trash. What's more is that information indicates that the Zygons are being deliberately hunted. For what reason we don't know. They've been attempting to flee England en masse, although given what you found, the threat seems to have followed them."

"That was the first set of remains we'd seen like it," Sam and Rory returned with the coffee. Everyone took a cup gratefully. "Can't guarantee there aren't more but hunters are normally good about reporting new stuff. It would have come down the grapevine."

"And we're certain that the Zygons have done nothing to provoke this," Lestrade said. "It's really hard to believe that a peaceful race would be targeted for nothing."

"I believe it. The universe is cruel detective," the Doctor shook his head.

"It's more than that," Molly insisted. "The way the bodies were treated. Malicious, uncaring to the person's suffering yes but it wasn't sloppy. These were ruthless, methodical dissections. Someone or some people with proper training cut up those Zygons."

"Didn't look too methodical in the woods," Amy pointed out.

"Circumstance," John stated. "Could have been a blitz attack, the Zygon put up too much of a fight. Perhaps they already got what they wanted back in London and don't need to waste time with the surgery anymore."

"Then what are they after now?" Rory asked.

"Whatever it is, the Zygons are in trouble." The Doctor pronounced and a silence fell over the meeting.

Finally Cas sighed and got to his feet. "We need to secure the survivors. I can go to London and get those remaining to a safe place. They wouldn't even be traceable."

Everyone nodded and Sherlock said, "Go to the Tower of London and meet with my brother Mycroft Holmes and Kate Stewart, head of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce. They are coordinating with the Zygon leader as we speak."

"If there are anymore of your…." John struggled to find the word. "Any more of you on Earth. Perhaps you can ask if they'll help as well. We're talking about thousands."

"Understood." And the angel took off.

*TFW*

Back in London, Kate and Mycroft were in the same board room going over possible safe houses. Leader Droflux had to go home, school night and all that, but swore she would be in contact as soon as possible. "UNIT has several black sites further north and some in the Ardennes but transport would definitely be conspicuous."

"What we need is a network, an underground railroad of sorts," Mycroft traced a potential route with his finger. "It will be slower but ultimately safer and less suspicious. There are potential ports in the isles if necessary to go overseas."

"Sherrinford?" Kate raised a knowing eyebrow.

Mycroft's jaw tightened, "That is beyond your reach."

"My apologies," Kate returned her attention to the map. "You forcibly injected yourself and your brother into my work. Inquiries needed to be made."

"Don't you trust me Kate?" Mycroft asked sardonically.

"Do you trust me?" the woman countered, and they shared a smirk.

The door banged open. The pair sprang to their feet and Dr. Hess strode in, "He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them."

"Who are you?!" Kate demanded. "How did you get in here?"

"I think you'll find my reach sufficient Ms. Stewart," Hess eyed them. "I am Dr. Hess, Headmistress of Kendricks Academy and Elder of the British Men of Letters."

"Men of Letters?" Mycroft repeated.

"Yes," the older woman nodded. "You see my group takes a special interest in the inhabitants of England, human and otherwise. We ensure that the other does not encroach where they are not wanted." Mycroft and Kate shared a horrified look.

"Not wanted?" Mycroft spat. "How would you even know if they were wanted? Your people didn't exactly ask before murdering them."

"Are they human? No? Are they natural creatures of this planet? No? Then they are not wanted."

Kate's nostrils flared and got right into the doctor's face. "They were granted asylum by the leaders of the world. They are where they should be."

"Oh yes," Hess said softly. "A few of them mentioned that. Something about a war, losing their home and coming here to settle. Oh well, not the first time the government has made a mistake. The beasts will be dealt with and no one will be the wiser. Consider it a civil service to the Crown."

"They are living beings."

"They are monsters." Hess corrected her. "There hasn't been a werewolf pack in London for more than a hundred years, no vampires, not even a malevolent spirit. Why? Because the British Men of Letters cut them down for the safety of the world."

"They are innocent!" Kate growled dangerously and Mycroft grabbed her arm to pull her back.

"Then they should have no problem leaving and finding somewhere else to pollute," Hess retorted savagely. "They are not welcome here."

"I do not believe you are meant to be the judge of that." Castiel appeared behind her. He flashed his grace eyes. "You look nothing like my Father." He cut a glace at Mycroft and Kate, "Your brother sent me to help with the evacuation."

"Why Castiel," she greeted him like an old friend. "The angel of Thursday himself. What are you doing here? Don't Sam and Dean keep you on a leash somewhere in the Bunker?"

The angel tilted his head towards her, "Call off your men. The consequences will be dire."

"For who?" Hess challenged and started to walk out. "I hope the Winchesters kept the place clean. They are about to get company."

*TFW*

"We were able to establish contact with one Zygon," River was saying. "She said she would alert us if 'the suits' appear."

"Good. Until then we can start looking for clues in the area around that the body was found," Sam had gotten out his laptop. "I can check motel reservations but we might have to just start knocking on doors."

"Look into recent real estate purchases," Lestrade added. "There could be a Zygon safe house nearby. No mortgage, out of country buyer potentially."

"On it," Sam began working away.

Just then, an almighty banging sounded from the Bunker's door and the group rose from their seats. "You're not expected company I hope," Amy said cautiously.

"None," Dean denied. "But I know how we can give them a welcome." The brothers pulled out their guns, cocking them. Nodding,

River, Lestrade, and John followed suit. The door opened.

A/N: Hey all, hope this finds everyone safe and well at home. My love and support is with all of you, always. ENJOY! R&R PLZ!