2
Three Days earlier …
The Halderguard image blinked on the screen as Owen manipulated the folders, then opened the one marked 'blood' and began a long winded description of its blood anomalies.
This did not interest Ianto, nor did it Jack.
"Owen, it's rift bubbles" Jack said softly, silencing the medic.
"What?"
"It is remnants of the rift it travelled through to get here" Jack explained, "I might have some too, if you look hard enough."
"For god's sake, Owen didn't you think to check that?" Gwen huffed.
"This isn't helping" Ianto sighed, "I thought we agreed, no flaming."
"Sorry"
"OK, maybe it can help?" Ianto said as he swung in his chair, "The hole that sucked the void stuff back, that power was some sort of magnetism."
"The Doctor might know" Jack muttered, then sighed, "The Ghost Shifts."
"I'll check the files!" Tosh assured them as she tried to break into the old T1 servers spinning in cyberspace.
Finally, she called out and everyone gathered around, reading the portal reports, the sphere reports and such.
Ford had already seen all of them and waited quietly, trying not to roll his eyes as they poured over the useless information.
He made more coffee and waited until they wore themselves out.
"It is not affected by the rift or it would not come to Cardiff at all" Ianto pointed out calmly, "I would be affected the same, given that it followed me through the portal to this place along with my parents."
"Shit, he's right." Owen sighed, slumping and throwing a balled up napkin at Gwen.
"Stop it or I'll put you in separate corners" Ford growled as he tried to focus.
"If … if something affects it, it will affect me as well, this gives us an edge" Ianto turned to face them, "If we can find the right frequency, it might work."
"But what about you!" Gwen snorted, ever the pragmatist, "If you are affected you could be vulnerable."
"Well, either I find a way to shield from it, or you guys will have to protect me, like you want to" Ford balked but agreed with them.
The Halderguard would come, it was only a matter of time.
Ford knew this.
Jack did as well and he watched his lovely mate as he paced, displaying his teeth without even knowing he was doing it.
Ford was unnerved.
Jack looked at the screen, staring at the creature that could potentially take away the first thing he had found that gave him hope.
Typical.
Owen was staring and he frowned, "You said back of the neck, right?"
Ford turned with a soft hum.
"Well, a noose would hit the back of the neck as it closes. Can we set some up about the place?" Owen asked and Ford looked at Jack with interest.
Jack agreed.
"Good Owen," Ford smiled affectionately, "Very good."