19
Ianto was absently pacing out the fence line to mentally work out how far they could put the Valiant from the main building as he wanted to keep it as hidden as possible. Andy was following in his wake like a puppy while pointing happily at the field beyond as he still talked about the animals he had found "Owen is going to take a look at them. I like the cows. One is big and a bit pissy looking though. Black with the hugest shoulders man, could have been a quarterback."
"Bull" Ianto huffed, loosing count. Damn it.
"No… seriously" Andy squeaked "It's fucking huge. A tank."
Ianto stopped walking to stare at him, then start to laugh "No, ya bloody girl's blouse. I mean it is a bull. A boy one? You said there was a calf so… there has to be a male one."
Andy stared at him long and hard then said with a wide grin "Oh yeah. I don't like to think of them… you know… doing it. Ew."
Ianto was chuckling now as he gave up on the pacing as Jack probably has his own idea on where to park her anyway. He looked at Andy and watched the young man's face then realized the fucker was messing with him the entire time.
"Really?"
"What. A man has to get his kicks somewhere ya know" Andy winked, and then wandered off as Ianto laughed softly.
Ianto went to move of as well only to find Martha waiting for him "Is it safe?"
"Huh?"
"If those big cats came from here, what's to stop them coming back? We can reinforce the fencing all we like. What if they can get in?" she demanded "I don't like the idea of MY kids outside in this. I want a family and a future for them."
Ianto stared at her for a beat then shrugged "Then never leave the vessel. You can live on her, no problem. She was built for long term living, years at a time in space right? Personally, I am getting off that boat, found the one with whom to fuck to do so… ya know? I am happy here. They got out, they ran from a place of pain and fear for them. After three years those cubs they have had do not even know this place exists. Why would they attack us? We at not the enemy. Those who have never seen humans do not know what the hell we are and those that do remember humans will not want to engage."
"Are you sure?" she demanded.
"Martha, we are not landing and getting off. Once here, I want at least six to twelve months on board while we settle, acclimatize and fix thing to our liking. Buildings to be erected or altered to become homes. We will place cameras, motion sensors… the works. Not just for them but for the Bots too. And let's not forget other humans that might not be friendly." Ianto assured her, stepping closer as he saw her genuine concern "It's OK. You are at ground level looking around… let's remember how high she is, up on that flight deck we can see over the entire compound… the entire compound. From the landing pad area we could walk out and open fire on anything unfriendly and it would not even know where the shots are coming from given our cloaking."
"I am over worrying"
"Of course you are, that's your job. You are a mum now. I get it, this is a Taddy here talking with you. Don't worry about your end… OK? You are doing great… we all are" he smiled softly as he pulled her into a hug.
"As long as you are here, you and Jack. I have faith in you. Just that John Hart I don't trust not to set fire to us all one day" she agreed as she hugged him back then stepped back "Sorry to doubt you."
"Come on… let's go look at the cows" Ianto finally said as he released his grip, "Andy is obsessed."
You gonna name one Gwen? What… too soon?" she quipped and Ianto laughed.
.
.
"So we are agreed?" Jack asked like there was any other choice and Ianto kept his mouth shut as Jack stood in the middle of the walkway outside the Souvenir shop.
Everyone agreed.
"Right, so I will park here then?"
"I am sure everyone had a double door garage the middle of a walkway Jack" John agreed with wide eyes "not weird at all."
Jack stared at him, screwed his face up and looked around some more "Fuck. You're right. Yan?"
"If we park it at the end of the building… like… it's part of a row. Between the Café and viewing platform, it might look more like it's just another building?" Ianto asked like he had just thought of it.
"We can always extend the walkway. Then it will look like we use it as storage, will make it better in winter anyway." Rhys offered the solution and everyone nodded.
"Right. OK. Good" Jack pulled the face Ianto knew to be one of disappointment.
"Well, lucky for you Jack is piloting the vessel, to place it so carefully" Ianto said with fake bravado, "I can't' wait to see him at work. He is quite spectacular ya know, when not in a hurry like before. The kids will be able to watch this time, see how much work goes into flying her"
Jack puffed his chest out and smiled, then looked around some more "the kids will love that souvenir shop."
"I know, we might have to hide some of the stuff or it will all be pillaged by the mini marauders." SJ laughed, glad she was inclined in the last checks. She liked the place, saw what Ianto wanted in it as well.
That outer perimeter was what caught her eye and she knew it had Ianto's. Electrified fencing? The outer skin was at least three foot from the inner one, like it was a walkway between enclosed and outer fence but it was clearly a defense mechanism. Meant to keep the animals in if they escaped their enclosures. They might be able to jerry-rig up something to make it so once more, put a few volts through anyone or anything that tries to touch it. Keep animals out.
Zap zappity zap motherfucker.
Yeah.
SJ approved.
