Chapter 29: Ride of a lifetime
Ianto walked into the Hub expecting noise and movement but finding silence instead. Jack had come in earlier and Ianto had stopped off to buy pastries so was later than usual. He went up to the main work area and put the box of goodies on the table by the sofa. He looked around but couldn't see anyone. He checked Toshiko's computer but there had been no Rift activity to call everyone away. He was starting to think he was the only person in the Hub when he heard faint voices from above. He moved towards the water tower and looked up. The voices were definitely coming from up there somewhere. He took a few paces to his right to get a better angle of sight and was surprised to see Myfanwy glide out of her nest and sweep around the Hub. There was someone on her back: Jack 4, he thought. Myfanwy swept twice around the Hub then settled on the lower floor of the Hub and the figure dropped from her back. He moved awkwardly, as if he had not done it before, and Ianto looked hard at him. It was not Jack 4, it was Jack!
"Having a ride?" he asked as Myfanwy took off back to her nest.
Jack, startled, looked across at Ianto. He was grinning widely. "That was fantastic! It's amazing, Ianto, just amazing." He looked up as Myfanwy appeared again, carrying another figure. "That's Jack 4," explained Jack, watching the creature circle and then descend.
Jack 4 slipped to the ground with considerably more style than Jack had done and patted Myfanwy. He looked across at Ianto, "Want a ride?" he asked.
Ianto hesitated for only a moment. "May I? Really" he questioned, wanting to accept but unsure if the offer had been genuine.
"Of course. Come here," called Jack 4.
With a push from Jack, Ianto crossed to Myfanwy's side and was helped onto her back while being told where to find handholds. It was amazing, terrifying and exhilarating. Ianto hung on tightly as Myfanwy flew above the highest of the walkways and circled slowly, dipping her right shoulder and wing to make the turn. Ianto braved a look down then quickly looked ahead; it was a long way down and Jack and Jack 4 looked very small standing by the water tower. The ride seemed to last for hours but it was actually only a few minutes before the pterodactyl made her landing approach. Ianto clung on even tighter as the ground rushed up towards him. Then it was over and he was being helped down. His legs felt wobbly and he kept a hand on Myfanwy's side to steady himself. With a final pat from them all, and a ear-splitting screech, the creature rose aloft and made for her nest.
Ianto turned to the others, a grin plastered across his face. "Wow," was all he could say.
"She'll remember that, so you may find her more friendly from now on although, of course, you won't know why," cautioned Jack 4. "She's a beautiful creature."
"She certainly is," agreed Jack, turning to look at the door as the alarm sounded.