23

As Ianto had hoped Alice was too excited about the prospect of getting a dog to notice Caden had Henry with him, let alone that he was a cloned version when cloaked. Caden wore a onesie with the hood pulled up turning him into a Gerfillen Beetle complete with fake muzzle full of teeth, the purple fur and clawed hands plus the fake arms for the extra feet making the boys giggle as they both pretended to be something else.

To someone watching it would appear Caden had his human friend with him in dress up, it would never occur to people they were seeing a bug as a human and a human as a bug. They two of them thought it was extra funny, making noises like twits.

Ianto was ignoring it as a god parental does who is pleased they are not fighting. Alice was in dog mode.

"A black one? Maybe a white one this time. Is that racist?" she suddenly turned to her father as he flew the Transporter, immensely excited as well as he piloted the small vessel in the upper reaches of the third level, the Jones insignia flashing to push other fliers to one side.

The pound was clearly in panic mode as the Transporter touched down on the landing pad, Ianto quietly reminding the children to wait until the Captain told them it was safe to undo their safety harnesses. Although they scoffed that they were safe as houses and hadn't needed them, they had all clipped in for Ianto. Henry hooting softly at the first ever trip in a real spaceship.

"Alright pumpkin" Jack said happily, "You are with Taddy, you two maniacs are with me, we will hang back as it is her decision, OK?"

Both boys nodded obediently as Henry shifted into Caden Mode, reaching for Jack's hand as the purple beetle giggled and reached for his other and they followed the excited girl who was pulling Ianto back and forth to each cage as he gamely hung on to her.

As they passed a cage Ianto seemed to hesitate and then look back, a frown as he looked in and then glanced back at Jack who walked over to peer into the dark. Whatever Ianto had seen it had annoyed him no end and Jack saw why as a snow white Fuzzy Fenja stepped forward and bowed politely, looking at the bug who waved back, his Caden Mode slipping momentarily to show solidarity to a fellow bug.

Jack turned to find a staff member, "Oi! Come here!"

Jack soon had the creature released and he demanded to see their paperwork for all 'inmates', hoping this had been a simple case of mistaken identity and the Fuzzy Fenja, 'call me Flicker' was happy to return to the transporter with the children with obvious relief at having been recognised as a free creature.

Alice started to squeal and Jack ran to see what she had chosen, pleased to find the beast not only larger than the little lap dog she had lost but also fully grown and hopefully trained as it lunged at the bars in an attempt to get to her.

"This is a security model" Ianto said mater of factly as he inspected it's clip board on the cage.

"Yes sir, slated for destruction. The handler was killed in action and they are notorious for one person…" the staff member's voice petered out as Ianto calmly opened the cage to release the dog, roughly the size of a small pony. It was chocolaty brown and shaggy, some sort of alien mix that was more like a bear than a dog.

Alice threw her arms around it and crooned that it was her baby now and the 'dog' sat to accept affection.

"It clearly states that this was a Crowd Control Animal" Ianto said to Jack, ignoring the protesting staff member, "This fellow was of the Royal Council Security Team. No wonder it can't be re-issued. They only accept commands from their handler. Shame. Can't work now."

Jack watched Alice croon and kiss the huge face the glee, "Well, retirement is preferable to destruction. We were allowed a spot in the sun, so should he."

"It will not do as it is told" the staff member advised.

"As ordered" Ianot corrected, "You can't order it, only it's handler can and he is dead. You can only ask. Alice, try some commands and we shall see if he allows you to handle him."

"Come on fluffy. Sit!" she said and the beast did so.

"Can you shake hands sweetie bum?"

Of course each request was met with a confirmation and both men turned to the staff member who saw he was outnumbered now. Ianto smiled "I am sure there is no problem here. You could always ring Director Hartman, after all she will be happy to sign off on her Goddaughter's decision."

The paperwork was not needed apparently as the beast lumbered into the Transporter and took up three seats, it's head resting by Alice with adoring eyes drinking her in. It knew she had chosen it, saved it and also knew she was delicate. A baby. A pup.

Caden didn't care.

He had a new friend, Flicker was fluffy too.

Ianto sighed as he saw the family grow.