52

Ianto was still steaming as he continued to rearrange the castle into a workable home for the near future, the news not good as the pumps failed for a second time.

"Right" he said, addressing the war room, "Looks like this will be a longer occupation than first thought. Once the pumps finally engage it will take up to 48 hours to pump out all the flooding, another 24 to 48 with full sun to dry the place enough to get in and assess, most places will be condemned and/or need repairs. So …I am estimating a week to two for those who are lucky, those who are not may be here for a month or more until the pop-up building are all erected …of course that's once the others are removed. Personal effects and such …gods. People will have to pick through what can be salvaged, I suggest small contingents of civilians allowed in with military escorts in case of forced evac again."

"We have four standard fliers and the stock carrier" Jack said calmly as he watched his mate hold the room, "If we have four contingents that can use the stock carrier as a transporter, we can store whatever is salvaged in the outer buildings. It will take days but we can do it, anything that is good enough to come inside can go into their rooms, under bunks etc, we will have to limit amounts allowed inside or it will be overrun."

"Agreed Cariad" Ianto smiled softy, his manner changing to one of affection as he nodded to Jack to continue and Jack was again struck with how lucky he was to have such a wonderful mate.

"Livestock is being assessed now, pets that were abandoned are a priority also, any heat signatures to be checked regardless of size, agreed?" Jack looked around at the nodding audience, "There may also be survivors that missed pick-up, gods willing they will be our first meet and greet when we land. We sweep, assess and move as efficiently as possible."

"I will leave this to you Cariad, I shall stay here to liaise, Tosh can work the coms as Owen and I assess any survivors brought in and billeting."

"I will ferry survivors with one of the hoppers as the others check, then the main stock flier can take whoever goes with me back, allowing me space to jump." Rhys said calmly, "Jack and I can double team while the stocker stays put, at the end of the day I can fly it back."

"Good idea soldier" Jack grinned at him, "The only vehicle that should be dormant if the stocker. Also, fuel …I have a refueller enroute and it will be stationed behind the red barn, repeat the red barn at the back of the Keep, we can refuel as we go. Tht Quadrant is picking up the bill so don't run low, just keep filling and jumping until I call uncle or a second team can take over. Yes?"

Rhys nodded as Malcolm stepped forward, "The Press Hopper has medical facilities, if Owen stays here maybe another medic can come with, liaise and assess so when we reach Owen he already has a work up in flight?"

"Good idea" Ianto nodded and Rose cleared her throat.

"I am a second year medical" she said with pride, stepping forward to stand with Malcolm, "I can easily do the pre-filing workups."

"Brilliant" Owen said with a nod, "That will make things quicker this end."

"Right" Jack swung to watch his mate bend over to rifle through a box and cleared his throat, "Sweetie, please be careful, if your trousers don't split mine might!"

Ianto looked around his arm at Jack and blushed as he realised what was happening and straightened up with a raised eyebrow, "Rose, where is our daughter?"

"They have a dayroom set up as a makeshift play area" she grinned, "Rhiannon is quite organised and there is going to be some lessons later."

So…while everyone else sorts themselves we have a little window…right…er…" Ianto looked around and then addressed the room again, "One hour furlough to sort yourselves before we start preparing to go!"

As everyone started to move out Ianto called to Jack softly, "Cariad, can you come help me change out of this uniform? I think it's going to be a long day and I want something more casual."

"See that?" Margaret huffed angrily, "Our son is reduced to a butler."

One of the passing soldiers snorted softly, "Ma'am, I think you'll find that it was an offer for both of them to …change clothing. The Captain looked a little too keen the way he was patting the FL's arse just then."

Franklin spun to stare at the woman with horror as she grinned at them and said, "A true bond is a lovely thing to see, is it not?"

As the solder walked away Franklin turned to face his wife as she struggled to calm own, "How dare they. Under our roof. They are ….coupling ….dear gods. In broad daylight like …like …commoners."

"One Quadrant, One People." Rose snarled and they spun to find her glaring at them, her hand dropping as she shook her head, "And here I was, about to speak to you about the possibility of a nice family meal and you remind me why I would have no appetite."

She stormed off as Margaret glanced at her husband and wondered how they would salvage this debacle.

The legals would sort this, surely.