35

The four men headed out with a clear head and a full stomach, not sure where they might end up. They also both went on horseback, the motorbikes or SUVs would be quicker, sure… but at the same time, called attention to them more. This way their back packs and saddle bags could hold enough, if they could find another horse along the way to use as a pack horse maybe.

Jack, Ianto, Greggor and someone Jack had never noticed before called Hamish who looked almost terrified at times, then stride ahead with bravado. Ianto seemed to know him so Jack accepted this was one of their kin.

Ianto wouldn't mind a little horse drawn buggy or something if they found one along the way either, some homesteads to check out that might be good. Especially the one with a vet's sign hanging over the letterbox. Ianto was REALLY wanting to go in there, the three men riding into the car park of the little clinic.

They tentatively got off the horses and Jack went first, calling out in case there were people inside but the silence was telling. As they tried the back door to the clinic Ianto said softly under his breath "Please don't let there be animals. Pease don't let us find little bodies."

They found the cages empty and Ianto's relief was palpable. Jack find that sweet, that Ianto cared so much and then considered it, finding himself also not liking the idea of little bodies. The thought of how they died, the smell… god. Ianto is right… let's be positive. Thankful.

Ianto was filling crates and boxes at a great rate, Jack not sure what half the things were but Ianto seemed determined to take it all. Jack asked "Where are we going to put all of this love?"

There is a good looking horse drawn flat bed trailer out there in the yard." Ianto replied.

"It's in the garden, ornamental" Jack said, swinging to stare out at the brightly painted cart.

"See there by the door? A double harness. Two horses can pull it" Ianto continued to pull things about.

"I will join my horse with Toto's" Hamish said, startling Jack who swung to find him directly behind them "I know how the tack goes."

"Thank you 'Mish" Ianto said distractedly, letting Jack now know they definitely knew one another.

"Second cousin" Ianto said after a while and Jack smiled as he must have been projecting a bit too much.

"So… all of this? And what the hell is this thing?" Jack asked.

"A centrifuge? It's… well… you put the vials of blood in it and they spin separating the different cells and things… Owen wants one so… he gets it" Ianto said as he pulled open a drawer and stared, then yanked the entire cabinet from the wall when seeing it was on casters "And this too!"

"Ianto… we will fill the entire thing with all of this, what about the food and things we are looking for?" Jack asked.

"The field behind the barn has cows… I see they are not pregnant or feeding calves… I think if we check we will find them healthy and plump. We can cull a few" Ianto shrugged.

"Best to take them back alive, add those two are out in the other field with the bull… they are either in calf or about to be given the fact he is in with them. We don't' have a nice big Angus like that" Greggor pointed out.

"How much longer will it take to get home with them?" Ianto asked looking out the window in that direction.

"Add another half hour? Maybe?" came the shrugged reply.

"OK, we can o that… but… I want to move quickly. I don't' like us being so exposed like this, any noise will attract attention. Let's get it done, get back and then go silent for a few days before we consider another extraction" Jack agreed "Also… we place those motion cameras on our way back so if we did in any way attract something we can see it coming."

"Agreed" Ianto nodded everyone moving with purpose.

Myfanwy slid past, a soft chuff the only warning as Ianto swung, dropping the linens he had gathered "Jack! Incoming."

"Everyone in the barn" Jack demanded, striding to the clinic to wait like he was the rightful owner.

"Any idea who it might be?" Greggor whispered.

"No… but I do know the Captain is losing his goddamned mind thinking he is the lead here… he has forgotten the smplye fact that we are slightly stronger than him." Hamish huffed.

"No… we smell different. He has a unique smell that might confuse them, give him a chance to ascertain their intentions" Ianto explained patiently "we might see a threat where he sees another frightened person. Let's give him that."

"OK… but I am not staying here" Greggor said, the white dog swishing it's tail as it followed Myfanwy out into the sunshine and Ianto agreed, his own black sleekness matching Hamish's slightly dappled brindle.

Jack stood waiting to find out who was in the vehicle approaching as two dogs flanked him, the other two slipping around the flower bed unseen.

Formation achieved.