14
The next morning they made their way to the University of South Wales, Newport.
"Electronics, science, biology, Art and Design." Owen read the signs as they rumbled into the campus.
"Right, pilfer away, stick together and you have 30 minutes before the doors close." Jack said stepping aside as the boys raced off with Ianto patently loping after them as he checked his weapon and shook his head gently.
25 minutes later, he was watching the boys struggle back down with several crates full of art supplies as Liam proudly carried a little robotic dog.
"Really? Looks a bit like K9" Jack snorted, then shook his head as Ianto questioned it. "A story for another time perhaps."
They turned off, heading down Emlyn St to the Army Careers Center. Jack was beside himself once they'd swept the area, not trusting the drones. It was important to show the young ones to always trust their own eyes first, last and foremost.
Then came the part Ianto had dreaded.
The aircraft hangar.
"The Wildcat Mk1 replaced the Lynx helicopter for superiority, it's light weight and as you can see, we can take a good scouting pack up in it" Jack was gushing, then he gave a strangled shout as he looked beside it.
"The Apache attack helicopter can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritize up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds. It carries a mix of weapons including rockets, Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun, as well as a state of the art fully integrated defensive aid suite." Jack was now running his hands over it like an old lover, "In addition to the distinctive Longbow radar located above the rotor blades, this aircraft is equipped with a day TV system, thermal imaging sight and direct view optics. Oh gods, I want them both."
"I can see that Cariad" Ianto said calmly.
"Shit!" Jack roared, "Why do I have to fucking chose!"
"Why indeed" Ianto said dryly as he pointed into the interior of the hanger, "The Coyote tactical support vehicle, (TSV) light, is based on a 6x6 derivative of the Jackal 2 and supports the go-anywhere, high-mobility Jackals across the harsh Afghanistan terrain. The extra two wheels give a heavier vehicle; can transport supplies and equipment over similar terrain. The Coyote can also carry an extra crew member compared to the original Jackal vehicle. I also see a trailer attached that could fit the smaller Wildcat if you can set it on there for transport. Strap it down. I would find it a better alternative to take both."
Jack seemed to have stalled out, gaping at Ianto.
"Rhys, is there a fuel truck around here? One we can fill with aviation fuel? Two would be better" Ianto said with his voice never changing and Billy looked at his Taddy with new admiration as Rhys and Art took off like kids after the cream truck.
Ianto then walked out into the sunshine, heading for the main building and they were soon inside.
"Grab all the clothing you can, including boots. Look for Osprey assault body armor. They can withstand a bullet, we need those." Ianto was instructing them, then turned with a pistol from a crate. "The Glock 17 Gen 4 pistol is much lighter than the current Browning pistol, and more accurate. It also has an increased magazine capacity of 17 9mm rounds, compared to 13 rounds for the Browning."
The boys watched him expertly shoot the clip and then grin like a shark.
"Get those three crates as well, and those rifles with the scopes, as much ammo as we can. Once Jack has the chopper on the trailer we can pack these around them as they are waterproof." Ianto stopped talking and started at them. "Well? Hop to it!"
The boys took off, determined to get changed into assault gear first.
Jack checked the helicopters, changing out some parts and then Ianto crossed his fingers as the first one fired up, the high pitched whine making his hair stand on end and he was glad to see the armored vehicle quickly following it out so as the chopper was gently placed on the trailer the turret was already tracking for incoming Zs.
It was almost sad that none did turn up.
Was there nothing left here that resembled life?
"Cariad, here are the coordinates for the square were we are going next, take the chopper there, we'll meet." Ianto said and Jack pulled him in for a kiss, wanting him to come with but knowing the boys wouldn't want to and Ianto would never leave them.
To see the boys step out in full combat gear, complete with sidearms did something to Jack's gut as he watched the young men stride confidently towards them.
"Well done" Ianto grinned, "I think we all need some of these!"
As they rolled out, the armored chopper overhead, Owen commented that they felt like kings of the world.
Ianto feared that they were.
John Frost Square had Mother Care, amongst other things and that was where Ianto wanted to go, hopeful that there would be airtight packaging on some things and he was touched when Billy headed there ahead of him to gleefully shop for the new baby. The other two went to the music store.
Another block over was Friars Walk Shopping Centre and Debenhams. Ianto looked warily at Jack who shooed the kids ahead, his own sidearm unholstered and Ianto loped after the boys, just in time to hear a startled shout.
He ran, his heart in his mouth as he again cursed their relaxed attitude, turning to look for the Z and instead finding the boys with tiny motorbikes, crowing gleefully.
"Look Tad, they're four wheelers for babies!" Billy squealed, "Battery powered!"
"OK" Ianto sighed softly, "As many as can fit, or until your father breaks one trying them out!"
The young men all laughed as they gathered safety gear for all sizes and Ianto held back the desire to praise them, that would come later.
Back to Mill St beyond the roundabout to IAC Electronics Centre and the automotive centers in that one block area were a boon, the spare parts for the vehicles back in the car pool as well as more drones, a mini RV that caused a little riot and even a motorbike that resembled Owen's so much that they couldn't break his heart by leaving it behind.
All the food they could carry that was not past its use-by was included as well as some that was slightly over.
Ianto finally opened a chiller still going on a solar powered generator that was obviously a show piece in a camping display and knelt as he stared at the frozen chocolate bars, and he wept.
Chocolate.
They were returning kings alright.
The airport was next door and a second fuel tanker was found and filled, Ianto making sure to note the fuel still there for another recon, maybe by chopper next time.
Just Dance studio was the last stop as the day waned, the little dresses and tutus gathered as well as some little boy' dress ups that would be so popular in the coming winter months as well as some fresh music CDs.
They headed to a pub to hole up for the night and Ianto finally relaxed, watching the chopper power down in the closed court yard.
They would be safe again tonight, then headed home at first light.
Same shifts as the night before and Ianto was unable to sleep.
Jack knew his heebie-jeebies were not to be ignored, his second sight had saved them too many times so at four in the morning they woke everyone and ate quickly rolling out without lights and moved quietly out of the town, heading home.
By the time the sun was rising they were well gone, all trace of their visit would be erased by the rain turning to a storm.
Ianto felt the tightness loosen around his chest.
He was not ready to relax yet.
The chopper overhead scanning silently his only comfort.
He wouldn't rest until they were safe within the dome again.
His hand gently sweeping softly circled on his stomach as he sat in the jump seat.
Knowing this was the unofficial blooding of the boys, he was also glad they had not found trouble.
He reached out and tapped Owen's head as he snoozed and Owen snorted, sitting up and looking around, then frowning at Ianto in silent accusation.
"Just knocking on wood" Ianto winked.
"Wanker"