36

Phoenix warned the family that he was going to open the bond in an attempt to find who or what was coming and they were all told to shield themselves.

Bennu used his strength to protect the others as Phoenix calmly opened the bond and felt for a nearby threat.

There it was again.

A scrabbling sensation.

Ianto didn't like it and Phoenix withdrew, startled by how clear the link was.

They were too close.

Tosh appeared in the room and Jack started with surprise as she slowly turned to look at them.

"How far away!" Jack rose and John rolled off the bed as well, knowing he couldn't do much, but feeling the need to do something.

"I was scanning the debris, trying to use different methods when I realized there was a large chunk that is turning counter clockwise in the debris" she blinked slowly behind the glasses she had chosen to wear.

"So?" John asked, genuinely interested in her as he walked around the image.

"So the other debris free-falls, nothing else twists." She answered, turning to wink at John and he snorted with delight as he looked over at Bennu with a wide grin.

"John! Stop flirting with the AI!" Bennu chastised, a wide grin letting him know that he didn't really mean it.

"So, you are scanning the piece more thoroughly?" Jack asked as he pulled on his coat.

Captain on deck.

"Yes. I believe it is a ship as like we have never seen before, it is so perfectly shielded and designed that it is unable to be internally scanned."

"So, what are our options?" he was already heading for the door when he realized Phoenix was in step, his head held high and a hand sliding into his own.

"Is it hollow?" Phoenix asked as they walked.

Yes

Phoenix thought about their options as they reached the bridge.

"Captain on the Bridge"

Everyone stood to attention as Jack strode to the captain's chair and he waved them back to their work.

"On screen please Tosh" he demanded and the piece of debris came into view on the screen as everyone watched.

Phoenix felt the dread bleed into his vey bones while he looked at the large mass as it slowly rotated across the screen, from one corner to another.

"That's them" he said softly and Jack nodded.

"Can we get close enough for a shot at them?" Jack asked and Leia shook her head.

"Not with the amount of debris, they're smart. Real smart." She informed the bridge, "Any shot would probably hit the surrounding debris before it could reach them."

"How long before they are on us" Jack asked as he looked over at Phoenix and reached out, catching his hand in a loving squeeze.

"I'm OK Cariad" he whispered, accepting the hand and holding on anyway.