4

The next thing to amuse Ianto was the check-in for the Gala to collect his tickets or whatever it is they needed. Justice accompanied him, of course the Judoon did too as John and Gwen slunk in the shadows trying to learn the dangers there.

"I do not see you on the list" came the bland reply from the man who did not look up from his work, his fingers going over the keyboard like artwork… not as good as Toshiko but talented. Also, clearly a Meatstick with a little authority. A pet one. Ianto had heard of these. Every now and then a member of Gentry will take a liking to a Meatstick for whatever reason and simply... well… steal them from their cell. This Meatstick has been gone from his brothers and sisters for some time, given the fact his voice did not reflect the soft tones of subservience. Ianto was intrigued.

"What cell are you? Seven? Eight maybe?"

"Nine" the man finally looked up with a leer "We were bred more for looks than….."

Ianto waited for the man's eyes to take in the uniform, the little lapel pin each of them wore. A Double D with the first D inverted so it looked like a cloven hoof print. Ianto let an eyebrow rise as if asking him to finish his tirade.

The Judoon spoke "LIST!"

"Yes, just so my good man. Calm down, I am sure he is looking in the wrong place, is all. Whitty invited me as part of his crew" Ianto let a finger tap at the top of the screen to refocus the man who was now wide eyed with shock.

Justine added "Ianto. Might be under the common Meatstick name of Jones, or the title High Commander Harkness-Jones."

The man continued to gape.

"NOWWWWW" the Judoon roared so loudly that people instinctively cowered.

"Look, Rhino, you must calm down. Most are not accustomed to your style of… dominance" Ianto crooned, using the Judoon's nickname the children had chosen and he now preferred. Ianto then turned back to the Meatstick "So, come now… ah … Marius? Lovely name. Marius, look again."

The man took a deep breath, rising from his chair "How did you know my name?"

"I heard it in the breeze" Ianto let his hand wave near his head then he said softly "I am not your average Meatstick, boy. I am a bio-enhanced weapon that was merely grown alongside you all. One of my advanced features is to be able to feel and anticipate the actions of another Meatstick in battle. Due to some… tweaks… I can at times catch random snippets of thought. My mate is Boeshanninan and is honing my skills with his own telepathy skills. The Bladesinger in me lends an ear."

"You are the Devil."

"Yes. I am called that. This is Justice and of course you've noticed Rhino. Don't mind him. We have a few Judoon who have claimed residency on my planet too. All are welcome." Ianto smiled disarmingly "Now… my passes?"

Marius sat heavily and taped at the keys, "Ah, listed under…. Next of kin?"

"His superior DNA was part of my creation. Part Bladesinger ya know. Right? Trippy. How I was able to catch the behead The Snake. Whitty is my …. Well… papa." Ianto said softly so no one else could hear.

"There seems to be a mistake. There are no lodgings for you. No state rooms, this is inacceptable. Someone had listed you as Meatstick and inferior…" now the change was happening. As it always did with any Meatstick near Ianto long enough to imbibe his strength to their own backbone. Marius was righteously angered by this slight for one who his people saw as a messiah.

"No mind, we are happier on our vessel anyway. Safer there with the security protocols" Justice said with a snarl, her sharpened teeth flashing.

"You have a Judoon AND your own vessel?"

Ianto turned on his heel to find a man behind them in full dress uniform, including many medals. Of course, Ianto was in DD uniform with no insignia or outward sign of rank other than the fact he had two matching hoof prints on each side of his collar, miniature versions of the pins. The simpering fool from the loo was behind the man with a look of slyness that Ianto did not like at all.

Rhino answered with a huge hand rising to point in the direction of the dock "Agency Regulation Star Skimmer. You probably saw it… it is a ARSS-3!"

Ianto snorted with amusement, Jack's insistence at calling it his ARSSE coming to mind and around him several Meatsticks automatically snorted as well. Ianto was having an impact.

"You. You have one of our most expensive new model Agency Skimmers at your disposal? What prey tell did you do to deserve such a craft for your command?" the man asked snootily.

"Oh. We stole it" Justice said.

Ianto again felt the amusement of the Meatsticks now moving to listen openly.

"Pirates. Right, I suppose that sword on your hip is a piece of stolen crap too" the man pointed to the scabbard on Ianto's hop, even devoid of it's tassels it was obvious. Ianto did not like lugging it about but it was not actually a sword. It was his blades. Gifted by his beloved father, the sheath consisted of a double sheath both blades snugly fit on the one side, easier when you have a bub on your other hip to carry the blades together as one. Also, a good way to disguise singing blades.

Ianto decided he did not like that man, the common consideration for him shown in the way the Meatsticks glared at him and looked to Ianto with some sort of expectation. Oh well, can't all be friends I guess.

"I challenge!" the man blurted out, "I say, I demand the right to…"

Justice was like a snake, her fist in his solar plexus dropping him to his knees so she could could knee him in the jaw. Ianto looked at her and said softly "I do believe it was me he was challenging my dearest sister."

"Oh. Sorry. You know I can't abide arseholes" she sniffed "He looked at my tits, I saw invitation to spar."

Ianto shrugged as he turned away, dismissing it all. Instead he reached of the packet being offered by a highly amused Marius. "Thank you soldier."

Marius found himself coming to attention and snapping off a salute, something he had not done in years.

Felt…. Right.

Ianto felt it in the air too.