10
Jack and Ianto had exited their Away Vessel silently, the world below still slowly turning and changing as the Valiant settled into their temporary berth. They had lowered a ramp, had not opened the vessel, simply flown from the Flight Bay out and then down, trying to preserve the natural world that was still recovering.
"Nothing solid enough to claim here and we are sinking" Jack said as he watched Ianto fiddle with his boots, removing them to dump on the tub of sand. "No trackers on her hull, nothing to make us seen. We don't have to be here."
"Not nothing, we did get some soil samples Ianto muttered as he watched the muddy boots settle at least three inches into the sand with the weight of the mud. Strangely, it felt thrilling to know he would have to clean them at some stage. He then turned to slip his normal shoes on that he had left nearby for a quick reclaim.
"I'm hungry" Jack sighed as he straightened up from tying his boots.
"Me too Cariad" Ianto answered him and they went through the vessel to the Galley where everyone had started to eat already, Francine rising with a look of relief.
She went to get their plates and they all ate in relative peace, no one asking them about the world outside the hull. They knew sooner or later Jack would tell them, and he did.
"The river is flowing well, a little dirty but it looks like it maybe has been raining up country so that would account for the water's colour. Signs of wildlife, some plants here and there. Not bad. The air was clean but a little… hard. Like after a forest fire and that sharp tang of new smell is in the air. It felt not quite settled." Jack said as he sat back and burped "Safe. I don't want us upsetting the fragile ecology out there by stomping about now we have landed but maybe tomorrow, if the weather holds and we are settled in the new berth, the kids can play on the main landing deck. Breathe real fresh air for once."
Everyone nodded happily and went back to their meals as Ianto rose and wiped his mouth with a napkin "Lovely Mama. Thanks, I needed that. Now, I am going to… yes you can come."
Nellan clapped his hands softly to let his Taddy know he was done being left behind today and Ianto lifted him from his highchair onto a hip as Jack rose "Here let me take him, he's too heavy for that."
"He's my son, he will never be too heavy" Ianto gushed to the little one who grinned back happily, then held out his arms for Jack. "Ouch. Jeez Brutus. Get the knife from my back to take too why don't ya?"
Everyone laughed as the little boy showed his preference to having Jack carry him. I mean, what child wouldn't. Not only to you get superior cuddles but every now and then for no known reason Jack will suddenly start rabbit hopping or suddenly the child will be an airplane flying through the air in huge sweeping circles…lots of things a Daddy can do that a Taddy finds silly.
They headed back to the flight deck where they began checks, John joining them with a drink in his hand. "This really needs a cup holder"
Ianto froze with his hand over a button as he stared at him and then said softly "Reach under the console dipstick."
"Dipstick?" John stared at him and did so, pleasantly surprised when a fucking cup holder appeared and he stated to laugh "No way. They upgraded her with cup holders? Oh fuck, you people are so bloody funny."
"And yet, you wanted it, you got it" Ianto shrugged as he went back to work.
"Right, no trackers on us, no signs of any Bots moving in this direction and for the last half hours we have been noting the absence or anything dangerous in the air at all. I go… we are good to fly" Jack said as he looked around the flight deck at those slowly retaking their seats. This was something they were clearly all in agreement on as they belted in and began to fire the engines up.
"So we are going home?" Tish asked from the doorway "Since they stopped invading and sensors show they all left… it's safe right? To go to the real location?"
"No. We don't know that they left. Didn't leave some powered down like monsters in the shadows or if they rigged the place to blow sky high one we are back inside, release poison gas inside… no idea if we would be attacked the moment they see us in range… we cannot go back. Maybe one day, maybe never. We have to stop thinking of that as home… this is home now. This ship, this big flying city is home now. With eight levels , a safe interior and since is was designed as a flying aircraft carrier they kids an safely play outside on the deck once we are settled." Jack said softly to her.
"What do you mean, on the deck. We will have an entire backyard to play in, right?" she asked with a frown.
"We are too soon. The greenbelt is large and lush, yes. But do we want to sully it and crush it down? No. The kids will need to learn how to preserve it, treat it respectfully before being let loose. Small excursions with correct training on how to stick to a path, how to lessen our impact. We fucked the planet up once already, let's be more respectful this time" Ianto said before anyone else could, his anger evident "Besides. Who knows what wildlife exactly is out there. They will be hilt off the ground on the main decking, safe. Down there, anything could be roaming about that has never seen a human before. A pack of wild dogs? You think they would not attack a small child the same size as the one over there in the play pen? The size of a nice pig?"
Chastised, she nodded and left them to their work.
Was it too much to ask, for a little time for the world to acclimate to humans again?
The real destroyers of worlds?
