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Chapter 6 – Meeting with the Queen

The Doctor, Pete and Howie walked down the hallways of the castle on Andromeda. It was evening and the first sun was about to set. They stopped walking and looked out of the large window of the castle at it.

Howie put his hands on his hips. "There's really two suns here?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "There is."

"Then, why isn't it warmer? That's some shit." Howie observed.

The Doctor and Pete both laughed.

Pete shook his head. "I wouldn't have thought of that. Well spotted, Howie."

The Doctor filled in. "It's because of the tilt of the planet. The Earth is the same way."

Howie nodded his head. "Interesting."

The Doctor smiled back at Howie. "You sound sober. I've never heard you speak this plain."

Pete rolled his eyes. "I've told him he has to stay off the sauce while we're here-"

Howie waved his hand and they started walking again. "Oh hell. Like anything is going to make me forget where we're at. I'll have a drink later. Ole Pete needs me at the moment."

Royal Staff Coordinator Talus spotted them and ran to meet them. "John, sir-"

"Oh please don't call me that." The Doctor complained.

Talus bowed his head once he got even with them.

"That's even worse." The Doctor complained under his breath.

"Your family has returned and the Queen has requested the honor of your presence at your earliest-"

"We're headed to her now." The Doctor informed him as they started to walk again. "Summus has been in contact with me."

Talus nodded his head. "Right then." He bowed and walked away.

"Who was that?" Pete asked.

"Talus, the Royal Staff Coordinator."

Howie chuckled, "An acorn calf if I ever laid eyes on one. I'm glad he absquatulated. He needs to try drinking dirt. It might help."

Pete shook his head at his friend. "Dirt? What the hell are you on about?"

Howie shook his head. "Yeah. Coffee without caffeine in it. What do you call that?"

The Doctor stopped and looked at Howie in surprise. Then smiled, "That's the Howie I know. Welcome to Andromeda."

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The men walked to the same room that the Doctor had attended the day before for the debriefing. They were met by Summus and Licis. Pete laughed as he embraced Summus. "It's so nice to see a familiar face. Settling in here?"

Summus exhaled slowly. "It's an overwhelming task what I've sat out to do here. The Royal Guard is looking better already though."

Licis shook both of their hands. "Summus was the right man for the job. We're grateful to have him."

Queen Ashena walked in with Oberon and Leontes. She looked almost magical in her long, white robes and glowing hair which she wore down.

Pete's eyes grew huge. "Wow. It really does glow."

Ashena smiled and held out her hand. "It is so good to see you, Pete. Thank you for coming. Have you seen young Tony?"

Pete kissed her hand and smiled. "I have. He seems to be alright."

She nodded, "He has so many who love him. I'm sure he'll be alright. Who's your friend?"

"Oh! I'm sorry. This is Howard Shepherd. He's the President of the United States back on Earth."

Howie kissed her hand and smiled, "Ma'am. Forgive me. I'm at a loss."

She smiled at them. "I assure you, you are most welcome. I'm Queen Ashena of the Andromedaens."

Howie coughed in surprise. "Oh! My apologies. Your majesty." He bowed his head.

She smiled, "Please. You are among friends here. Call me Ashena. Let us get to the business at hand. I know you all are very busy individuals. Please, sit down."

Everyone in the room sat down at the table. Ashena sat at the head, while Pete and Summus sat on either side of her.

She threaded her hands together and looked back at Pete. "You have been informed of everything that happened?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "He has. I have told him everything."

Ashena nodded her head. "Very well. The Jeclaonides are in our custody and I have spoken to the leadership of their world regarding this matter. You should know that Jeclaonides do not have the same values that we do, and feel that John and his crew, are responsible for the destruction of two ships."

Pete shook his head. "One of them didn't belong to them."

"We have spoken about this and I have made my position very clear. That ship in question was not theirs. It was mine. It was also my decision to have it destroyed. I have informed them if they have a problem with that, they were welcome to discuss it with me. Of course, after they found a way to prove their ownership of the ship."

The Doctor sat back and crossed his arms. "The other ship?"

"I explained to them that it was a matter of self defense. They fired on your ship, with intentions to destroy it. I could also take it as an attempt upon my life due to the fact I was on that ship at the time. The repair crew here has been hard at work making the necessary repairs to get you back home. Beyond that, your ship is much larger and was no match for theirs at the time. The one shot you fired was a direct hit. They were already disabled from their ship being in disrepair. No doubt why they wanted to claim the Royal Cruiser."

Summus looked impressed. "Makes sense."

Ashena looked back at them. "So, having given them that information, I briefed them on the matter that we face now. The crew that took young Tony Tyler is from a ship that traveled with the one you destroyed. They fell into disrepair and were behind the other ship you destroyed. They came here, to seek revenge. Because of this…. Lone need to find justice on their own….the Jeclaonides leadership have made a very bold decision. They have asked to speak to you, directly."

Pete looked surprised, "Really?"

"I can tell them this is not acceptable if you don't wish it, but I feel it would make this entire process faster and hopefully we can all reach a resolution we are satisfied with."

Summus looked impressed, "Uncommon way for the Andromedaens to handle something of this nature."

Ashena looked back at Summus. "When my brother and I would have a disagreement, my father insisted on sitting us both down at this very table, and getting to the bottom of it himself. It just makes sense."

Summus shook his hand, "Oh, I completely agree. Pete?"

Pete nodded his head. "Of course. I'll speak with….ummm…"

Ashena smiled. "Good. He's waiting on the transmission. Also, I have informed them that any abduction of a person off of this world, or any under Andromedaen control, would be looked at as an act of war. No one should have this fear of being taken without cause. They have agreed and have offered several options. They asked first to speak to you, Pete. As the father of the child taken, your opinion carries more weight than anyone else sitting at this table."

Pete nodded his head. "I appreciate that."

Ashena nodded, "Now. Before you speak to this ambassador, keep in mind that your son was taken. Threatened. Injured at their hands. And was told he was going to be killed."

"Do you think they would have killed my son?" Pete asked.

Ashena looked back at Summus. He nodded his head. "There's no doubt in my mind."

Howie put his hand on Pete's shoulder and whispered, "He's alright, Pete. He's safe."

Pete took a deep breath and looked back at the Doctor. "Psychologically?"

"He's frightened. He's a little boy and he's been through something extremely terrifying. Even to an adult. He will have nightmares. He fears he will be taken again. Hurt. He doesn't want to attend school because of the fear. He doesn't feel safe. It's going to take a long time for him to recover, and it's possible he never completely does."

Pete sighed. "Okay. I'm ready."

Ashena smiled and took Pete's hand. "I should warn you that some species find Jeclaonides' appearance to be extremely frightening. We're here with you." She turned around and spoke, "Please put the transmission from the Jeclaonides ambassador on this screen."

The screen on the wall displayed the most frightening creature that Pete had ever seen in his life. He was a dark red, creature with horns that came out of his head. The eyes were completely black and seemed to disappear in his head. When he opened his mouth, his teeth were all pointed and the tongue that licked his lips was pointed.

The Doctor felt Pete and Howie's immediate fear. He quickly said, "Mute the transmission."

A red line appeared across the screen.

He leaned up and looked at Pete. "Are you alright?"

Pete was shaken. He pointed at the screen as the color finished draining from his face. "Jesus! Is that what did this to my son?"

The Doctor shook his head. "No. He's the ambassador. The ones that had Tony were much worse than that."

Pete looked back at Howie. "Howie?"

Howie shook his head in fear. It took him a few seconds to find the words. "I'm not going to lie about this. I'm going to need a fresh pair of underwear when we are finished here."

Pete's fear turned to laughter at those words. "Me too, mate. Okay. Let's do this."

Summus asked for the transmission to be unmuted. The demon looking alien looked at the screen. "Your majesty. Thank you for the opportunity to have this meeting with you and the child's father. Please, allow me to express my deepest regret as to what happened. I also want to assure you that your son is quite safe from the Jeclaonides. This crew that took him stands apart from our people. It was not something they had been ordered to do. They acted completely on their own. I am a father myself and respect your position."

Pete nodded his head. He was too overwhelmed to even speak. Without a word from Pete, Howie took over. He cleared his throat. "My name is Howard Shepherd and I will speak for the boy's father. The boy who was taken is my godson and thus, I am family, so I have every right. I can understand and respect that this crew acted of their own accord. Even on our world, we have citizens who would commit unbelievably cruel acts towards children. It's not something we accept and I will admit, is something we should condemn more harshly than we do."

The Demon nodded his head. "The Queen has explained your values and beliefs. In this case, we are similar."

Howie nodded his head. "What we need to hear here is, what you intend to do about this? Nothing is going to erase that it happened."

The Demon agreed. "The leadership have offered several options in this case."

"First. Our most sincerest apologies. Second. This act is a disgrace in the highest order. Kidnapping and hurting a child is expressly forbidden. Even if we were at war. Which we are not, nor do we want to be. Third. It has been decided that you are to pick the punishment for these individuals. They can return to our homeworld and be incarnated for the remainder of their lives. They can be sent to a prison planet of your choice for the remainder of their lives. Or, they can be eliminated. If you need time to make your decision, you are welcome to take it."

Pete rubbed his chin and looked back at Howie.

Howie looked at the demon. "I really appreciate you having these opinions available to us already. This has been very frightening, not only to the child, but to our entire family. This is the only son my friend has. We have been worried about what state we would even find him in once we arrived here. I've been told by his Doctor that he may never fully recover from this. Mentally, he will always be afraid. All because of this crew seeking vengeance."

The Doctor had to admit, seeing Howard Shepherd speak to the ambassador was impressive. He could feel he was frightened, but had pushed it all to the side for the moment. The Doctor looked back in awe at Pete's oldest friend.

The ambassador nodded his head. "Your anger is expected."

Howie shook his head. "I'm sorry, you have misunderstood. I'm not angry as much as I am fearful. My godson will one day grow into a man. What disappoints me is this is his first experience with an alien race, and this is what happens to him. Every individual he meets from this point on, he will carry this hatred because of this. When he grows up, he will continue to carry this fear and hate with him. He might even one day forget why. But, it will always be there. If, by some chance he will be able to learn to forgive them for what they did, it will be nothing short of a miracle. Wars have begun for far less than this."

The Demon's eyes got huge. "Please understand, we do not intend to seek a battle with the Andromedaen Army. This was an isolated incident. We do not intend any harm or misunderstanding on that matter-"

Howie narrowed his eyes at the demon, "You better be damn sure this is the only time it ever happens. We're going to mute the transmission for a bit to discuss these options with the boy's father."

The Demon nodded his head. "That is acceptable."

Summus spoke, "Pause the transmission."

A red line appeared on the screen as it went black. Pete pointed at Summus. "Can he hear us?"

Summus shook his head. "No. He can't see us either."

Pete turned to Howie and chuckled in disbelief. "Did you really just threaten that…. guy?"

Howie shrugged his shoulders. "Someone needed to. What do you want to do?"

Pete covered his face and shook his head. "I never dreamed I would be in this situation. What do you think, Howie?"

Howie shook his head. "Well. It would be interesting to see if it really was an isolated incident. Giving these guys back to them is not what I would do. I would either insist they are given to the Andromedaens, John, or a third party."

Pete nodded, "John?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Howie makes a good point. Several actually. And it also brings up the question, how safe are the Andromedaen people? That area should have had a signal scrambler."

Summus nodded his head. "It's something we've sorted out. It's there now. We also found many other places that needed them." He pointed to the Queen. "We have discussed it. I have teams on it now."

The Doctor nodded his head. "Alright. Well, Pete. This is up to you."

Pete shook his head. "I don't want this to happen to anyone else."

Ashena pointed out. "An execution would be the only way to completely prevent them from ever doing it again."

The Doctor quickly shook his head. "That's true, but let's try to keep that as the last option."

Pete sighed. "I don't trust the idea of giving them back to their own ….. people."

Ashena nodded. "We can transport them to a prison planet for you. It's not under our control, nor theirs."

Pete looked back at Howie. "Thoughts?"

"That might be the best thing. John?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Volag-Noc?"

Ashena nodded her head. "Seems like a popular place over the last few months."

The Doctor explained. "The guys that attacked Genie were sent there."

Pete nodded his head and looked back at Ashena. "The Andromedaen Army could take them there?"

Ashena smiled and took his hand. "Pete Tyler. Your family have welcomed me in their home and always treated me as extended family. This has shaken me to my core because of who it involved. Please, allow me to help you in any way I can."

Pete nodded his head. "Thank you, Ashena."

She looked back across the table. "So, we have decided? Summus, continue the transmission."

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The Doctor walked into the suite she shared with Rose at the castle. "Rose?" He called. He walked into their bedroom, "Rose?" Then he stopped and thought. "Oh this is stupid."

He reached out in his mind, 'Rose. Where are you?'

He felt her smile. 'I'm on the ship with my little brother.'

He relaxed and smiled. 'Our little brother. How is he?'

'Genie and him are playing in those canoes. He loves the new playroom and his new treehouse here. Legate has threatened to copy the trampoline, but I told him you would kill him.'

'Nah. Not kill him. Just make him walk home.'

'He talked to Genie about him staying for a while.'

'How did she take it?'

'I think he knows who's he's dealing with. He started with three weeks and she's demanded two weeks. And then he had to come back. No excuses.'

He smiled as he looked around the bedroom. He found the suitcase and started to toss things into it. 'I agree. She's going to make a great Primus one day.'

'I'll just be happy to get through this day. How did the meeting go?'

'Well, short of Howie threating a Jeclaonides, not too bad. We're free to go home. I'm packing our stuff now.'

He looked around and picked up her robe. He rolled it up and threw it into the suitcase from across the room as if it was a basketball. It fell into the suitcase easily. "Yes!" He celebrated. He looked around for something else to throw into the suitcase. He grabbed his shoes and stepped further back.

He felt her excitement. 'Wonderful. When will we leave?'

'As soon as I can find everything and get it to the ship. We'll be back in two weeks for me to ….. do a thing with the hospital here.' He took aim and threw the shoe. It went in easily. "Nice! What else is down here?"

'You feel so playful. What are you doing?' She asked.

He threw his overnight bag that contained his shaving and bathroom supplies over his shoulder. It went into the suitcase. 'Just packing!' He told her. "Ha!"

He felt her laugh. 'You are certainly enjoying it. Shall we come down to say good-bye to everyone?'

'Legate is going to bring Genie back down to say good-bye to that little girl she's been playing with. But, Ashena has meetings the remainder of the afternoon. I explained to her that we needed to get Howie back as soon as possible. Rose. Can you believe he came out here for Pete? The President? He put everything on hold to be there for his friend. Even with this mess with the Vice President. He's something. I hope I have a friend like him one day.'

She smiled. 'Howie Shepherd is your friend.'

He leaned on the side of the suitcase as he tossed some more stuff inside. 'You know what I mean.'

'You have me.' She reminded him.

A smile spread across his face. 'That's very true. I have something even better!'

He felt her laugh. 'Don't forget Genie's Goofy and I'll see you back onboard shortly.'

'Yes, ma'am! Howie and Pete should be getting to you within the next few minutes.'

He brought the suitcase into the sitting room. He was putting the cot into it when someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" He strained.

Tony opened the door. He saw what he was doing and rushed over to help him. After the cot was in the suitcase, Tony looked up at him and laughed. "Travel light, huh?"

He laughed, "When you have children, you have to uproot your life to go anywhere."

Tony nodded. "So I see. I'm already packed. How can I help?"

He stopped folding up a blanket off the sofa and looked surprised at him. "I thought you were staying?"

Tony put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "Nah. I need to go back. Get this…. Sorted out."

He nodded his head. "What did Ress say?"

He sighed as he picked up Genie's pack of toys from Ress and dropped it in the bag. "We understand one another. It was a strange discussion. But, yeah. Do we have to talk about this?"

The Doctor smiled, "Not if you don't want to."

"Then let's not."

"I'll be back in two weeks. You're welcome to join me then."

Tony nodded his head as he watched him roll up Genie's shirt and toss it in the suitcase from across the room. He laughed at him. "Basketball, huh?"

He laughed, "I've never tried that. Have you?"

Tony laughed and nodded his head. "I have a goal at home. I never use it anymore. I'll dig it out for us."

"Do you know how to play?"

He smiled, "Yeah. I'm not too bad. I can show you how."

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Tony had already transported up to the ship with the Doctor's suitcase. The Doctor remained in the castle with Genie. They were presently in the hallway with the Queen Mother, Leontes, Logan, Legate, Summus and Genevieve.

Summus knelt down to speak to Genie and Genevieve. "Friendship to someone who lives so far away can be difficult. Believe me, children. You will never be completely at home ever again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That's the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place. Distance teaches us to appreciate the days that we are able to spend together and the distance teaches us the definition of patience. It is a reminder that every moment together is special, and every second together should be cherished."

The Doctor nodded his head and smiled, "Deep thoughts for small children, Summus."

Legate laughed at the Doctor's teasing.

Summus wrapped his arms around Genie and she kissed his cheek. "I'll see you back here in two weeks." He told her.

Genie smiled back at him. "I'll have Daddy program spaghetti in the food machine."

Summus' eyes lit up. "I can't wait! Thank you!"

Genevieve hugged Genie. "I'll see you soon. Have a safe trip."

Genevieve wiped tears from her eyes and Leontes picked her up and kissed the side of the head. "You'll see her soon. Not to worry." He looked back at the Doctor. "Next time you come, I insist on a card game. You can leave Lance at home."

The Doctor laughed and shook his hand. "How much did you lose?"

"More than I'll ever admit. I'll need two weeks to recover from that." He insisted.

Logan stepped forward and shook the Doctor's hand. "Thanks for everything, mate."

"Call your mum sometime, but try not to worry about anything back home. I'll keep an eye on them."

Logan smiled, "Thank you. Legate is going to give me more lessons on piloting a ship. Ashena has insisted on giving me one so I can go back whenever I like. I won't have to depend on anyone for travel."

Summus put his large hands on Logan's shoulder. "Ah. But, I plan to keep this young man busy with training. There's never been a human Quauhtin before. The honor of training the first one will be mine."

Logan smiled.

Legate had knelt down and was speaking to Genie. "Two weeks."

The Doctor should tell she was having a harder time saying good-bye to Legate than she had with anyone else. She held up two fingers. "Two! That's it, Legate. You have to come back."

He smiled. "I promise. My most excellent promise. I need to stay and keep Logan out of trouble for a few days. Lance will look after you and keep you safe. But, he's a bit of a goofball. I need you to help keep him safe, too. Alright?"

She smiled, "Alright."

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you."

She kissed his cheek as tears ran down her face. "Make two weeks go by fast."

He chuckled. "As fast as I can."

The Doctor picked her up and held her in his arms. She hid her face in his shoulder and cried silently. The Doctor shook Legate's hand. "Keep me posted what's happening."

"Indeed." Legate agreed.

The Queen Mother stepped forward. "Thank you. For everything. I'm sorry that Ashena couldn't be here."

He smiled. "We've said our good-byes. And it's not even that. We'll be returning soon."

She smiled and rubbed Genie's back. "We look forward to seeing you again. Farewell."

The Doctor took the remote trigger out of his pocket and they disappeared.

Summus looked back at Leontes. "Cards, huh? Peducko? I'm pretty good at that. Let's get a game together. Tonight. We can start Logan's training by teaching him to be a good loser."

Leontes laughed, "Yes, sir!"

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