65
"Right, we've talked over things, picked at it and using Jack's Agency training and memories from the history books, we think we have it." Ianto said as he looked around the table, Toshiko sitting back rubbing her bump as everyone else sat still.
At the other end of the room the kids were doing decorations for the tree, Ianto letting them have the last of the precious glitter and craft supplies while ensuring the kids would not hear. Some things they didn't need to know, not when their world was a happy one right now.
"Right" Abner said softly. "Let's have it."
"They are pulling back. From what I understand they have decided there are no more survivors out there in the 'wilds' so they are focusing on the cities where bunkers and such exist. Also … they are terrified of the mist. A word kept being used 'kersha' that Jack's VM translates as border or battlement. Think they are choosing the main cities for their lack of water. They are hunkering down and barricading themselves in, scared of the Mist that they can't control. They have decided it has killed us all, they now realise it will seek them too." Ianto stopped for a moment, taking a sip of water while Owen turned to Jack.
"They did this?"
"Yes. I remember being told there was a time of hiding. The mist broke into pieces or renewed as small clumps or something. Why I did not expect this wave … in the books it talks of it as many creatures or entities. Like … a hive. I think the mist dies and renews like a seasonal thing. Why the plants keep coming up, they have to recreate the mist. It dies. I think the notations mean it had not died out, merely breaks into manageable pieces and still stalks about hunting." Jack reasoned "Attracted by heat and water … goes to reason the Huntrall would be pretty yummy to it by now. They travel in groups of three but … they also like to be Hive so twenty…thirty…fifty? A nest of them? The heat given off would attract a heat seeking missile. The mist now circles the cities where it 'feels' a food source. As a result … the mist still dies, spores will fall and the plants renew." Ianto agreed.
"Around the main cities" Owen caught on "If the mist does not run over this land regularly …"
"No plants."
"No plants … no mist. Holly shit" Owen sat back "are you telling us you think the Mist is contained?"
"Well … more like the Huntrall is … yes. Wolves stay close to the flock they are picking their food from" Jack grinned "There is still a risk, but we are no longer at a code red… maybe a code yellow?"
"And the mother ship is not picking them up?"
"No … quarantined as they are also scared of the mist I think" Ianto nodded. "This planet is more lush than they thought, also … damp. I think their away vessels are stuffed or held back for escape pods… not sure but for some reason they are not allowed to travel between the planet and the ship. Those here are stuck."
"This changes nothing about our day to day security measures" Ianto said as he watched everyone start to rejoice "We trust no one and nothing. This changes some things though, maybe Jack and me can think about me going on some recons … delicately testing the lay of the land out there. Also … Toshiko, keep looking for survivors on the radio, maybe those trapped by the Mist will realise it's dissipated and start to move again, finding a radio during their reconnaissance trips. Nothing now does not mean nothing tomorrow."
"Agreed" Jack grinned "Drones may still pass over, I am sure satellites will so … still little hobbits in our hole right?"
"I love those movies" Owen sighed, "miss them."
"Then tonight we must start the bedtime stories off with the first 'Fellowship of the Ring' book. I remember it in detail … the book and the movie. I have to say, I am usually a snob who says the book is always better but I have to admit … the moves made more sense."
"I know… right?" Owen grinned, and then said softly "are you sure? That's what you heard? Are you sure Ianto?"
"Yes. I am. I am sure they are consolidating and hunkering down. With care … we might gain some light freedoms" Ianto smiled softly, reaching out to pat his hand "Skinny-dipping may resume."
"Oh thank god!" Owen sighed theatrically "I really want to soap up me balls but the hot tub full of cold water does not make it that easy to find them."
Everyone erupted with mirth as Ianto glanced over at Tosh then he asked softly "Tosh? Are you in labour?"
The table grew silent as she looked at Ianto owlishly "You think?"
"I don't think it's gas. I think you were having Braxton hicks the other day not just baby moving into position and there is a good chance you have a high pain threshold and do not realise it … but … you do know you water just broke right?"
Everyone looked down at the puddle of water beneath the chair and she howled with horror, rising as Owen shot from his own chair, seeding it flying back to land with a loud clap that had the kids jumping and looking over at them, then resuming their play as the Grups were just a bit crazy sometimes.
Toshiko was definitely about to drop her load.
Abner calmly went to wash his hands to help out as Owen might forget his medical training all together when she started to feel pain.
How exciting.
.
.
.
.
Merry Christmas everyone, mine is hot and no dramas apart from my sister's fridge/freezer giving up the ghost. Luckily my best friend of 40+ years happened to be selling hers LOL … win-win. I don't know. The other Christmas is was our washing machine … now her fridge. What's next? Our stove is getting a bit…. Nope. Not going there! Eeeeeek