5
Ianto watched Toshiko and Owen bustle about with a look of glee, shared by Rhys of all people. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and wandered over to see why the 3D table was in such high usage at the moment.
"What are you three stooges up to?" he asked.
"I would prefer the three musketeers" Owen said with a look of insult.
"With you in the mix? Nah, definitely more of a comedy than an action adventure" Ianto replied and Owen blinked, then started to chortle.
"Hey" Suzie appeared, handing over something and they all watched Toshiko open the envelope to place…. Photos… face down on the table. Ah. Scanning and imputing? But what map were they creating?
Then the screen flickered and then the map rose into the air about a meter, the image of a mountain range coming into focus the land below and the long gone city… wait… Ianto watched as Toshiko reached out into the air with a stylus to tap one of the mountains and Rhys spoke softly, then acquired the stylus to turn the map.
Ianot nudged closer to watch as a mountain appeared…. Above a …. "You estimated the water levels pretty accurately"
"Owen did that, used the drone to take measurements from the landmarks that we knew the height of, that gave us a good indicator for the water level established on the bases of said landmarks" Toshiko said with pride in her mate.
"So… what are we looking at" Jack said, and Ianto moved slightly to allow him into the space. This was the moment the others realized that Ianot had known Jaky was behind him the entire time, so in sync that it was sort of expected.
"When I was younger, I liked camping" Rhys explained "Something carried over from Sol3 culture and tradition, the sleeping under the stars thing, connecting with nature and such so… this is a Wilderness Camp I used to go to as a teenager, later years as a camp councillor. If there are survivors, this is where they will be".
"What are the chances?" Ianto asked, "Did the drone detect anything?"
"We could not get the drone into the camp but I know it will still be there, only three years ago I took Gwen up there and … of course… she hated it" Rhys replied.
"Self-sustaining?"
"Yeah, it has solar panels, it has a water source and is more than capable of having people live there. There were long life supplies there for school groups and such… if the sheep and cattle ran up to get away from the water… they will be there too. It can hold … I don't know… maybe forty people?" Rhys shrugged. "It was tech free so could not call for help, no radio tech there."
"Either way, we have to look" Jack said as he rubbed at his face "I suggest we send john with a security contingent, and Rhys as he knows the area. The landmarks might be a little different but he will have a better feel for the terrain."
"As you wish" Ianto nodded.
Jack moved to the table to talk things over as Ianto wandered off, content to let them have this. He had another group to crash.
.
.
Ianto took a seat, watching those working on the inside garden area in the middle of the 'Green Level' while she worked near his feet. After a while he pulled an apple from his pocket, then a knife appeared from his shirt cuff and he began to cut a slice from the apple.
She sat back, turning to look at him as he offered the slice and as her hands were dirty, she opened her mouth and Ianto did what he had done so many times, he popped it into her mouth before slicing a piece for himself.
She sat back and then accepted his handkerchief he offered her to wipe her hands and she chuckled as she settled on the seat next to him, taking the next sliver from the blade of the knife. This is something they had done many times, the simple act of sharing food.
"I like the choice of surrounding rocks" Ianto said after a while.
They were on the top fell when it was slid back. Quite the boon" she agreed.
"I understand your man is seeking an annulment" Ianot finally said, cutting to the chase as she preferred that to chitchat.
"I have not provided him with an heir."
"How can you when he cannot provide good seed… too busy giving it to every other orifice out there" Ianto scoffed, "even as a child he stuck it in everything."
She giggled softly, "The man Hart… Dwyer has a crush on him, but he is not open to it."
"Jonh is a sexual beast; he is actually Jack's ex" Ianto informed her "So he will NEVER go there out of respect for me."
"Huh, I did wonder."
"Take the annulment, there is possibly a chance for me to get rid of him…. I mean… reallocate him" Ianto screwed his face up.
"What are you thinking?" she asked with surprise.
"You know me Lissy… I am a deep thinker. I need to talk to Granny, then… you decide what you want. Stay on the Torchwood or get off the boat. One way or another…I am getting him off." Ianto winked "And not in the way I would prefer."
"If I know you, he will not even see it coming" Lisa said as she rose to look around with newfound determination. "I want to stay; you know I hate the dirt... but this is… strangely satisfying. Why help me after I betrayed you like that?
"Because I did love you" Ianto sighed softly, "We will never be more than we are now, but I see you as a friend… I forgive you."
"Thank you" she whispered with a choked voice "I am sorry Ianto. I did love you too. And… I want to stay here, I feel safe under your guidance, I should have seen that earlier I guess."
"Then… go challenge him. Accuse him of being sterile. Make him mad and he will seek it out of spite."
"Is this part of your plan?"
Ianto just tapped his nose with a finger as he rose to leave as well.
Her Majesty had only to agree.
And he knew she would.