43
The doors to the conference room swung silently as Ianto pushed his way in, the bugs were like liquid as they swarmed up the walls and around the room, covering the windows to block the sun and plunging the room into artificial light only.
Ianto chose the chair at the head of the table as those already in the room had fled to the other end with horror, now starting to straighten their clothes with embarrassment and he sat, "well? Yvonne? Brig? Captain? Sit my end please, I would like friends in my corner. Come, everyone sit please. Don't mind the security."
People gingerly sat, their bodyguards moving from their spots against the walls in order to avoid the bugs pushing against them and one made a noise of alarm as he found himself caught by his wrist.
Ianto rose and walked towards him, standing close enough for his bump to brush the man's hip. "Hello there, don't mind me, just taking a look at you."
A woman at the table turned to watch with obvious alarm, her eyes wide as another bug dropped to the floor and approached, sniffing at the man as well.
"Is there a problem here?" she demanded and Jack held his tongue, watching Ianto shine as his head swivelled ominously to stare at her, then an eyebrow slowly rose.
"And you are?" Ianto asked politely.
"Luciasher Poomifont" Yvonne replied for her, "Your son was lost in the storm, right?"
Ianto stepped away from the hapless man and leaned forward to examine the woman, "Well now. What do you have against Yvonne?"
"I have nothing against Ms Hartman" she said with a sniff, her eyes flicking back to the young man now openly shaking with fear.
"Then why is your man smelling like the bomb placed on her hover?" Ianto replied with the same calm expression, "Seems he works for you so it stands to reason that you ordered her demise. Right?"
Ianto straightened up and addressed the room, "If anyone wants to take a pot-shot at my family I suggest you do so now as you may not get another chance. While we are on the subject, anyone who wants to have any pot-shots at any cuckoo please stand as it makes it easier to behead you. I am part cuckoo, my child Caden is a cuckoo and this one inside me will be part cuckoo too. We are not a new race, not a fresh breed. We have always been here, part of the bloodlines simply renewed with modern gene splicing and manipulations. However, I am quite violent when it comes to the safety of my chicks and I will not tolerate any hint of danger. Ms Poo…whoever here tried to kill Yvonne and the Brig, my natural father. Unfortunately for her it happened in my keep so not only was the device inactive, my children were endangered with its mere presence. So, those squeamish might want to look away for a moment."
Three did.
Ianto watched as the man's body was torn apart like tissue paper hit with great force.
The wet sound of flesh hitting the floor was almost serene, like a water feature and Ianto realised he was smiling, schooling his features before turning back to the table, "Now Ms Poo thing. I think it is up to the Brig to deal with you, after all you openly tried to kill his desired mate."
"Mate" she squeaked as the Brig rose from the table and stalked around it, his ceremonial sword only now obvious as the sound of it grinding against its scabbard filled the room then the sound of it swinging through the air was a musical note. Her head thumping on the table a dull thud of finalisation.
The Brig removed a pristine white handkerchief and wiped the blade, then replaced it in its scabbard with a sigh of satisfaction. He turned to the table, "Anyone else wanting to question my love for my family?"
Silence.
"Very well Pop, let's get this done" Ianto said grandly, "Let's all have a seat, the bugs will clean up. I do hope they taste OK, not too sour. Bugs don't seem to mind though."
A woman made a sound of disgust and Ianto smiled at her, "Just don't look. They are very quiet and will have devoured them within a few minutes, I assure you dear lady."
The meeting went with mostly Ianto talking and the vote to let the babies remain in their homes was unanimous. The vote for those without families to be homed as soon as possible also unanimous.
Ianto then asked for a vote to vilify those responsible.
A pause, then slowly hands rose until only one remained on the surface of the table and Ianto looked at the man without anger, "Dartyl. I know you worry but your name was only in passing in the notes, I believe you were duped into agreeing to the creating of the visas in order to sneak them here. I have no malice towards you, any cull of undesirables or considered dangerous to the continuation if this planetary peace does not have your name listed. I assure you."
Then finally a hand rose shakily and Ianto nodded.
"Fine, done" Ianto slapped the table and they all jumped "Now I have to pee."
Exit stage left.