After a further handful of hours then, they arrived. It was another airfield, but this time there was no obvious military presence and no official reception. Kathmandu was, to be expected, sunny and cold. Just how sunny and how cold, was still a surprise to most of the Cardiff team. Yawns all round, their sleep had been fitful and unrewarding. This was not an energizing place to have arrived at.
"We have arranged a small hostel to ourselves in the center," informed Bruce as he stamped his feet on the bare mud of the airstrip. Other small planes were parked up near the terminal, some with markings from India, some clearly private vehicles.
Ianto looked around him. They were in the mountains, but there were even more mountains surrounding them.
"Have you ever been this high before, Owen?" he asked as they threw their bags into the back of two unmarked jeeps. Local drivers stood waiting to assist.
Owen looked up at the painfully white peaks. "Not geographically. In a plane obviously. But I tried to go up a ski-lift in the Rockies once. It didn't make me happy." He smiled blankly. "It's so sunny here. And still so cold. What do you think? Will we get to climb Everest before we get home?"
Ianto missed the joke and looked a little surprised. "I hope that's not strictly necessary. A good look at this phenomenon in the monastery and hopefully a clue to Jack's disappearance. Then home with as little climbing as possible in between. You don't generally find monasteries on the top of mountains do you?" His gaze implied that Owen should reassure him, but Owen walked off shaking his head.
Tosh patted him on the elbow. "You need to get out more, Ianto. Buddhists love to put their monasteries on mountains. On the top, on the side. Some of the historic ones were so far from civilization, they may never be found." She smiled.
Ianto frowned. "That doesn't make me happy."
:::
The pair of of jeeps carried them into the city at great speed and with little regard for gripping the road. The recently built access road seemed functional and sturdy and brought them into the city quickly.
Gwen laughed as she was thrown about in the back seat beside a very tense Tosh. "Who needs a seat-belt?" Gwen laughed. "It makes a change from being stuck in traffic on the M4." Tosh made no comment as she sides concentrating on staying in her seat.
In the other car, Owen kept his face straight, as ever, keeping the conversation to practical matters. "I hope you counted all the luggage this time," he quizzed.
"Don't worry," Ianto replied between bumps. "All our kit from Cyprus is with us this time. We should look around for other supplies though. Watch out there."
The houses looked flimsy and dated, but some taller office blocks were being built with flimsy wooden scaffolds in the near distance. It was a much bigger place than any of them had anticipated.
:::
The hostel was unmarked and unremarkable from its surroundings. Shortly after unloading the bags they gathered in the small downstairs common room. "Don't unpack," instructed Bruce "we'll be gone in a few hours." He walked back to the main door.
"Are you going out for a walk?" asked Gwen. "Can we join you?"
Bruce shook his head. "I've heard a whisper that the Van Staten people are here already", he muttered. "I need to speak to some of my contacts. Find out how much they know."
"Who are these people, Bruce?" asked Owen. "I've not read about them anywhere in our files."
Tosh answered for him. "They're a private organization. Mainly North American. But they scour the world looking for anything remotely advanced in technology. Things that look like they're out of our time line. Or maybe things that fell from outer space."
Ianto pushed out his bottom lip. "Sounds like we would get on with them just fine. Like a house on fire." He corrected himself. "Possibly a bad analogy."
Bruce continued as if no-one had talked to him. "While I'm gone. You should all look for supplies that can be carried on a pack animal. Nothing bulky. Stay low key. And don't speak to anyone connected to the government or any Westerners at all. There are packets of local currency on the table. You have two hours." He left quietly. No-one was sure what means of transport he intended to use or where he was going.
Owen swigged a strong coffee from a heavy metal mug. He joked wryly. "We should walk up and down the bazaar asking the rice sellers if they sell laser guns. Just to annoy Bruce."
Ianto tried to scowl, but could not resist a small laugh. "Let's eat in the town and that will give us time to have a look around. I have a feeling we could do with some extra blankets. Did he mention pack animals though? I hope we're not trailing some poor pack of llamas up the hills behind us."
Owen nodded. "I agree. Let's go now. But bear in mind you might just be riding one of those llamas." He turned to Gwen and Tosh who remained sat comfortably at the broad wooden table. "How about it, ladies? Breakfast in town?"
Gwen and Tosh exchanged glances. "No thanks," said Gwen. "We'll fill up here and catch up with you later."
Owen and Ianto picked up the small wallets of local money and left the kitchen with mocking waves. "Miss you already. Lightweights," joked Ianto.
Owen turned back before closing the door. "Remember, we're traveling light. Don't buy anything ridiculous that'll weigh us down or make us look silly."
"Hats and high heels?" suggested Gwen. Ianto closed the door still doing his best to frown.
Gwen and Tosh laughed then looked at the light meal of bread and fruit laid out on the table. It would take only a few minutes for the two of them to eat it.
"We should get used to smaller meals from now on," Tosh remarked.