34
Logan found Ianto as he bent over some boxes he was sorting through looking for something he knew was back in this storage room somewhere.
"I want to know what happened out there!" Logan demanded, making Ianto straighten up with surprise at the angry tone of his friend.
"Excuse me?"
"What happened out there? You were only travelling between domes, there was no need for Gill to come back traumatised like he has. He won't talk about it but he didn't sleep a fucking wink last night. His mother is beside herself trying to comfort him."
"Look … I didn't like the idea of him coming with us in the first place and I did point out that he was young in his heart for such a thing but you all decided for yourselves. Do not come to me with that tone. He was safe, he was always safe but he needed to know what it will be like out there in the Real World." Ianto argued "I for one said he was not ready. Clearly if his parentals have to have a go at me like this he isn't!"
Ianto pushed past Logan and stormed from the room, Login turning to follow but finding himself with a face full of captain "What the hell is going on here? I can hear you down the hallway to the main tunnel!"
"My son is traumatised"
"Your son is capable of speaking for himself and if he has a problem maybe … maybe he needs to bring it up with his group supervisor, not his parental whinge for him" Jack snarled "And do NOT talk to my mate like that again! He is the one keeping your arse out of a sling, remember?"
Jack caught up with Ianto and they walked as Jack sighed "Sorry. You were right. He was not ready."
"I wonder if any of them really are. Are we mollycoddling them?" Ianto stopped walking at the stairs to the surface and turned to face him "Do we stop taking them or do we immerse them? We need soldiers."
"I think we need farmers and teachers too. Maybe there will be some not suited to the outside world. No shame in that" Jack agreed as he looked at Ianto long and hard "are you OK?"
"I don't know. Scotland seems so far away but the surprise at learning we can get there wining a day … that's a surprise too. Is it all too neat? We travel for a day, get in before nightfall … spend a day or two pillaging and get out before the fail-safe's kick in that seal the damned place forever, then a sedate putter home?" Ianto seemed to be searching Jack's face then he turned to head up as he shot over his shoulder "tell me you don't find it a tad convenient too."
"Well … OK. Look … maybe I don't like the idea of it all being so easy either. Nothing is easy in this world, if it is you are doing it wrong and it will bite you in the arse. Literally" Jack agreed. They walked through the building out into the street. Finally Ianto answered.
"I don't know, just uneasy. I feel like the sooner we get things sorted the better but that is why I am doubly sure we are not just going to tool up and ride off posse style for a good old fashioned pillaging" Ianto stopped talking and turned to look over at the children playing in the distance "I keep thinking about the Lab. Marley. I keep thinking back to what was down there. It is nothing compared to what we are walking into. Think I don't remember his zoo? Shit. Those plants Owen and he gushed over? What is running rampant now? Just like we evolved up here, what did down there to survive too?"
Jack nodded as he considered Ianto's logic and knew he was right. Like a hostile planet suddenly teaming with life. The payback can be vicious to those that terra-formed. This is a form of that which Ianto is talking about. Evolution on an accelerated timeline.
"Anyway, I know I might be reading too much into this but really … if I have not learnt to listen to my inner Wolf by now then we might as well all call it a day."
"Hwy … I love your wolfy-self. You hear me? I am listening, I know sometimes I don't listen but right now. Here. I hear you. Gill was not ready. You said that. I heard it but didn't agree and now your point is made. Don't think I didn't catch on there with those Zs getting past you either. Nothing gets past you but I also know we needed that test." Jack said "He did act in the end. I think another year or so on perimeter detail and he will one day be ready for a recon. Just not this time. I hear you, Ok?"
"I wonder if we should fill the last couple of spots after we've done some classes. Yeah? Let's set up a couple of sparring matches and watch to see who is the most confident then see how they go against Frank."
Jack stopped walking and gaped at Ianto then started to laugh.
Frank.
Only Ianto and the other Wolfling had fought him in fake battle. The others had no idea the strength or agility of a Weevil.
Ianto was right.
Time to shake the tree to see who falls out.