73

Ianto knew it was going to happen but he still couldn't believe it when the live footage of a Xenomorph rampaging through a small town played on the evening news, also showing the military clamp down on said town.

Jack cursed softly as he lifted Tuck from the floor and carried the limp child to bed, leaving Ianto still watching the TV screen silently.

"Well?" Rhys said after a while, "Are we going to clean that up?"

"We've not been asked" Martha replied, "Ianto? You OK?"

Ianto grunted, his eyes moving restlessly about the room as he considered things, then he turned and strode out to the big rock and waited for her.

"Brother" Maddy said softly, even though she knew he would not jump.

"It's started" he replied, watching Rex walk out to check the perimeters with a shotgun over his arm.

"Yes" she confirmed, "We believe a hive has been activated."

"How many?"

"Forty? Fifty?" she shrugged, no mean feat for a Predator.

"Goody" Ianto replied dryly as he looked up at the stars blanketing them tonight, "A party then."

"I did warn you it was coming Brother" she apologised and Ianto waved a hand dismissively, of course she had warned him. This is why he was here was it not? Why she had saved him, given him life, this life? He owed her.

"When does the hunt begin?"

"It already has"

Ianto walked calmly inside to retrieve his armour and Jack looked up from their baby's bed with alarm as he watched Ianto slide the wristlet on and reach for the staff.

"Babe?"

"It's happening" Ianto said softly, "I have to go. It's my calling. I will go stand with them as I should, payment is due Cariad. Time for them to collect."

"I…I don't want you to go" Jack Whispered, surprised with the level of sorrow he was feeling even knowing all the Predators would die before letting anything happen to Ianto, like he was their bloody pet or something. He didn't want him to go.

"24 hours" Ianto promised, "Maddy said this time tomorrow I will have earned rest and I will return. I will expect a hot bath and hotter mate, OK?"

Jack nodded forlornly as he watched Ianto walk from the room, the house, the safety of their compound.

"24 hours" he said softly, knowing it was going to be a long day.

.

.

.

.

.

Maddy was proud to see Rumtuck walk towards her, his head high and his staff clutched with both familiarity and casual ease that showed he was anxious but not afraid. They stood side by side as the vessel lifted off and moved to the battle ground, neither speaking as they simply existed in the moment, primed and ready.

As the ship touched down and the ramp hit the dirt Ianto scented the air and grunted softly. The Predator blood was running, she could smell it and as he lifted his head she knew he smelt it too.

"Come brother" she whispered, her heart soaring as his eyes gleamed "Hunting time."

Ianto crouched low as he ran along the alley way, Maddy moving to flank and another Predator dropped from the sky so it seemed, the rooftop lookout eager to be in a hunting party. He looked at the smaller creature with momentary surprise but when Ianto swung to regard him he saw Predator eyes looking back and settled, moving with them.

Ahead the battle raged, a Predator was already wounded and screaming. An ungodly noise that should have terrified but for some reason Ianto felt energized by the sound as he surged ahead of the others and he used the edge of the building to gain height, running Parkour style up the window ledge and swinging in mid-air, twisting as he came down with the staff at half length.

He rammed it into the Alien that made a sound of annoyance and began to buck like a bronco in an attempt to dislodge its unwelcome rider.

Not his first rodeo.

This thought randomly popped into Ianto's mind and the giggling started, the image of himself in a cowboy hat riding bucking bull would not quit and he realised it was not a silly thought, something was trying to assist him. He leaned his weight back and flung an arm out for balance, riding the Alien as it twisted and gyrated, the staff moving deeper each time it slammed down and Ianto managed to throw his weight forward.

Into looked up and saw Predators watching, more than one yelling encouragement as they watched and he laughed as he grabbed the staff with both hands again, the Alien swinging back as Ianto planted his feed then threw himself backward, taking the alien with him and they landed on their backs, the staff now exiting the exoskeleton and the Alien screamed as green blood exploded from the wound as it thrashed wildly while it died, Ianto feeling hands gab and pull to extricate him from the body.

Ianto stood and touched the button to shrink his armour and he panted as he grabbed his staff and growled viciously while twisting and pulling until it popped, the Alien convulsing more.

"Stinks sister" Rumtuck growled in that deep melodic voice.

"They always do brother" she agreed, "Come. More?"

"Yes!" he turned to grin, the man startling her for a moment as she looked down on the human face, then a hand touched her arm lovingly, a squeeze and he started to walk off.

Maddy blinked.

"Brother wait for me" She yelled as she jogged after his disappearing back, "You always move too fast."

The laugher that echoed back was definitely Rumtuck.

Cheeky Gordittt.