14
"Well we don't know until we try so…where is it closest?" Owen asked as he posed the question they were all thinking anyway.
"About a day that way" Henry pointed to the west, "That bloom looks thick and is heading thankfully past not towards."
"So… we drive there and find somewhere that is not in the line of spread and is out of range from being hit so we can walk in, do our testing and walk back to rest before coming home. We will be looking at probably at least two days away, more like three." Tosh was tapping the table as she made each point. "The flame thrower as well as the fire engine….so you will need to take the rig. A bit obvious isn't it? We will have to travel by road."
"No" Lefty said as he leaned forward, "The fire house there has a canon on their crowd control rig. We can get in and pinch that if the mist is not there yet. Then drive the hour or so to the mist, try the experiments and withdraw."
"So we need Lefty and Tosh. Owen. That will leave Henry here with Bonny, Andy and Rhys and Ab to mind the stinks" Jack considered, "Five of us. Huh. Funny, my teams always see to fall into a five."
"Good number" Ianto nodded as he wondered if Jack was uneasy with that number, "Easy to control, maintain contact with and if we have to retreat we can watch each other better."
So… we want to test the flame thrower because?" Lefty asked.
"So if it ignites the air as well we know before we blow the place up" Owen replied, "I mean…will it just burn away the red shit or will it be like gun powder and go with a bang."
"Shit" Lefty leaned back, "Good question."
"I think Henry will want to come" Ianto said suddenly, "The last one…he was good to have and he is a trained soldier. He enjoyed feeling part of a team again."
"So, go get him then" Jack nodded and he watched Ianto rise, walking off to find a sixth member, then he turned to Lefty, "Ianto is the one to listen to if I am not around, got it? If I fall or die, do not falter. Go with his orders, do not be upset if he shows no fear or grief. Things are not always what they seem."
Lefty nodded, remembering the others warning him that Ianto and Jack had tricks up their sleeves and Henry came with Ianto to settle in a chair, Abner as well.
"Right. We want to travel about five hours that way to some homestead we can find. Or hopefully the firehouse, that works well if we can be another two or three hours from the Red Mist like we are expecting. We take the rig from there to the mist and experiment on our ideas, retreat back when done with time to rest before we then travel home with what we have learnt" Jack explained calmly, "If the fire doesn't work we will know and not waste our time when it reaches us. We can also measure the rate of travel, see how long it will take to get to us, how long it is likely to stay and hopefully if we leave sensors they will help us determine when it has passed."
"We can do all this?" Amy asked from the doorway.
"Yes. We can place sensors that can help us a lot with measuring and calculating our coverage" Tosh nodded.
"I would like to help but…"
"I know. We need to keep it as lean and dirty as we can. You staying here is more help, Bonny cannot wield a gun as she is scared of them and Abner is in need of extra hands here. The bloody lizards might come visit, anything." Ianto cut her off "Besides, when we get back we will be fucked for the next 24 hours, more than we were with the last recon. This is further and more risk. We are going to the source of the danger."
"But you will beat it back?"
"At the moment we think we have another month, maybe two before it hits. We need to be more certain, we need to know when to hunker down. The last thing we need is a gust of wind to take us by surprise." Tosh explained.
"When do we go?" Henry asked.
"I want to have another day before we go, little Roe is gonna be pissed for sure" Ianto sighed as he rubbed his face, "this is important though, we don't have time to dally. This will be on us before we know it."
"Agreed" Jack patted his arm affectionately. "A day to prepare is a good idea, also gives Owen another day to test the flame thrower. No point getting there and the bloody thing misfires."
Ianto smiled as he nodded, knowing Jack was backing him up and he realised he wanted that day too.
A day together.
Before they go out and risk everything again.