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Chapter 46 – A Drink with Summus

The Doctor walked into the huge reception hall of the castle. He saw Summus and the Quauthin Mardian, Leontes, and Oberon immediately. They all turned and greeted him. He smiled and shook their hands.

Summus smiled, "It has all been sorted for the moment."

The Doctor nodded his head. "Thank you all for the help."

Leontes smiled, "My Genevieve was sad to hear that your Genie wasn't with you this trip."

He nodded, "She stayed behind with her Mum. They are having a very "Girl Day". They started with getting their hair and make-up done. Then their nails. Our Quauhtin, Lance, ended up getting his nails done, too. They sent me pictures to show to his brothers."

They all laughed.

"Ah, he's a good sport. He's really surprised me while I've been away. He's risen to the challenge."

Summus pointed at his chest. "Which makes me rethink this entire rule about his Trials. Walk with me. We need to chat."

The Doctor nodded to the Quauhtin. "Excuse us."

They bowed their heads, "Sirs."

Summus walked with the Doctor out to a bar that sat on the terrace that overlooked the snowy city. Summus ordered a bottle of some sort of green liquid and two glasses. He gathered them in his huge hands and walked with the Doctor over to a small table and sat down. After he sat down the glasses on the table, he opened the bottle and poured the liquid into the glasses. They both took a drink. The Doctor closed his eyes tightly as he was sure he felt his hair stand on end. Rose spoke in his head, 'What the hell are you drinking now?'

He smiled at Summus. "Rose felt that. I need to shield her. What is this? Hebridan?"

Summus refilled their glasses. "Yes. From Copernicus. Have you been there?"

The Doctor took another drink. "Yes. It's been a while. Are there already colonists there?"

"Indeed. And they pass their time making this beautiful liquid. It's really my absolute favorite. If I plan to get pissed, this is what I drink." Summus told him flatly.

The Doctor laughed, "So, you have plans to get piss drunk-"

"I have plans to get piss drunk with you, my friend. I have information that I need to discuss with you that will you take a lot better in an altered state of mind." Summus told him as he refilled both of their glasses.

The Doctor took another drink, "Well. Let's get this started then."

They drank as they spoke.

Summus began. "First of all, the attack on the ship is classified. We don't need more fuel to an already strong fire."

He nodded, "I understand. Ashena has told me of you and Luce's work. So, I'm a Quauhtin, huh?"

Summus smiled proudly, "A proper Quauhtin. From the same town as myself. There are so few. I'm very proud to add you among us."

He took another drink. "Anything I should know?"

"I've sent a full report to your ship for your review. I feel confident you will be pleased, my friend."

He rolled his eyes.

Summus refilled both of their glasses, "You understand, these questions had to have answers."

He sighed, "I do. I just didn't realize it would have to be done so quickly. I thought I would have some input on who I am."

Summus nodded, "It had to be done quickly."

He nodded, "I understand." He sighed, and groaned.

"You are not pleased?"

"No. Not about this. I'm sure I'm going to have to remain here longer than I had planned. I was hoping to leave as soon as I could after the party tonight-"

"You are free to go."

He poured their glasses full again. "Why? What's happened?"

Summus held up his hand. "Everyone is fine. We have much to discuss."

The Doctor's head was already spinning. "Alright. I'm ready to discuss whatever. Proceed."

Summus smiled and nodded his head, "Lance has told me of his suspicions. Jake? Really?"

The Doctor raised his eyebrows. "Something is going on there. Not that I feel it is related, but him and Jack had a disagreement bad enough that Jack came to sleep on my sofa. I had offered Jack a flat, but-"

"Yes. Another time travel error. Do you think Jake is overwhelmed by this Director position?"

"I'm not sure. Lance seems to feel that he's withholding information that I need to know."

"I have known Jake for a few years. He is not your enemy. Jake is extremely independent and wants to appear strong. The Director position is not a good idea for him. He will attempt to do everything on his own. He does not delegate well."

The Doctor nodded his head. "I agree."

Summus nodded, "How is Rose?"

The Doctor looked confused, "She's fine."

Summus shook his head, "In this moment. How is she?"

The Doctor listened, "She's happy. Laughing. Feels safe."

"You are still shielding her?"

"Well, yeah. From this drink."

Summus pointed at him, "And now would be an excellent time to put your telepathic shields from Rose at their highest."

"You have new information. What has Lance told you?"

"Well, Jake is keeping things from you. Lance confirmed with me today that he knows that Dorian Idles is still alive."

"What? Dorian Idles?"

"Yes. He asked me to ensure that he was the same man who you lot had called the Time Weaver and had been responsible for all of the trouble before."

The Doctor shook his head. "No. That's not possible. Howard Shepherd sent a unit in and they were eliminated. Him and that other guy from the CIA. What was his name?"

"Ard. Ryan Ard. Yes. I remember that. Lance says his intelligence shows that Dorian Idles has attempted to contact you three times in the past week."

The Doctor sat back in the chair and crossed his arms. "That means not only does he know, but he's keeping it from me. Why would he do that?"

"What does he have to lose?" Summus asked.

The Doctor nodded. "Ugh. This is ridiculous. After all of that. I'm going to kill Jake."

"I've known Jake a long time. I feel he hasn't told you because he wants to show you he can do this Director position on his own. Without you or Pete. Jack was Director of Torchwood while in the other Dimension, alone. Jake wants to fix this problem all on his own."

The Doctor grew angry. "Defending him. While he's keeping this shit from me and putting my family at risk-"

Summus held up his hand to calm him. "There's nothing to say he is doing that."

The Doctor closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "I need to calm down. Rose will feel this." He took another drink.

Summus pointed out, "Jake has probably never looked out more for their well being. He knows that nothing can happen to them while you are uninformed of this. Anything that happens, he has to stop."

He shook his head. "This is …" He bit his lip. Unable to form words. "I really need to calm down."

Summus groaned and held out his hands. "First of all, you can feel her. She's alright."

He nodded. "She is. Wondering why I'm blocking her, but yes."

Summus poured them both another drink. "She is safe. I have Lance and Poltious' assurances."

The Doctor drank the glass and nodded his head. "Something happened. That's why you are getting me pissed before you tell me. To keep me from getting angry."

"I know your anger will trigger the Bad Wolf. Something has happened, but, all is well. The family is safe."

The Doctor took a deep breath. "Alright. I'm ready. Out with it, then."

"Lance worked out that there was going to be a kidnapping this afternoon. They were at a charity event with Jackie Tyler and Harriett Jones. When Gobbo and Lance surrounded the guys, they faded away."

"Transported?"

Summus chuckled, "No. Rose's weird thing she does. She stopped them."

"And nobody told me this?! Why?"

Summus shook his head. "It has only just happened. The same time the attack happened on your ship, this was happening on Terra. Rose doesn't know about either. I have forbidden them from informing her of our situation, or hers. Lance has never seen the effects of the Bad Wolf, so he has been chatting with me to ensure that's what it was."

"Poltious-"

"He's with Sam. They are fine. Rose, Genie and the other two Primaries are secure. None of them know what happened. Lance didn't tell you because he didn't want to frighten them. I've explained your connection with Rose isn't like that, but he didn't want to be responsible for causing her alarm. Especially in your absence."

The Doctor groaned and crossed his arms again. "I can't believe this. And still. No call from Jake."

Summus held his finger up to make a point. "That's the other thing. Jake has no idea this has happened."

The Doctor closed his eyes and shook his head. He grabbed a glass of green liquid that was sat down in front of him and drank it quickly. Summus watched as he kept his eyes closed and reached out to Rose.

"Okay. Thank you, Summus. She's alright. Lance has her back on the island. She's still….her."

Summus chuckled. "No doubt, the drink helped."

The Doctor drank another glassful exhaled slowly. "Okay. I'm …..better. I can't do anything about this anyway. That is the worst about this. Being helpless."

Summus nodded. "That's the reason I believe Lance has really done a hell of a job. If not for him, this would have been so much worse."

He nodded, "Lance has saved them." He looked back at Summus and chuckled, "Wow. Do you see that? He really has. Who knows what they would have done to them, and I'm trapped out here. Lance really came through for me."

Summus nodded his head. "Yes. Now, I need you in a proper, sound state of mind for the next thing."

The Doctor poured them both another glass. "We are four drinks past that, my friend. This is a hell of a chat."

Summus chuckled, "Alright. Well, you can still form words, so I'll accept it. I've decided to promote Lance to Praetor. You will have to agree with me to make it permanent."

The Doctor leaned on the table and looked surprised. "Praetor? That's just one level below-"

"Primus. Yes. I realize he is jumping over two ranks, but he should have been promoted long ago. He's ready for the Trials, but he has spoken to me and said he wants to wait. He has decided to remain with his brother. That loyalty speaks volumes to me."

The Doctor nodded, "So, he's decided. I'm not surprised. My only hesitation with that is that we are pushing him into an advancement that he might not want."

Summus nodded, "I have thought about that. He is welcome to sit at Praetor, and not do the Trials. It is completely up to him. We're not sure if Lewis will fully recover from this. He was injured so badly, both physically and mentally. He will always feel some effect in his judgment now when it comes to children and wives. You understand this from your past."

He took a drink and shook his head. "Let's not make this about me. Lance isn't supposed to do any of the Trials under the direction of me or his brother."

"But, he can with Poltious as a Primus Partner. Poltious is also a Praetor. The only thing that has kept him from Primus is his recklessness racing. You know how he is! Who would put him in charge of a unit?"

The Doctor bit his lip. "He's in charge of the Prime Guard now. Ummm… with Lance. I feel as if a bit of recklessness is necessary to perform at optimal level."

"You would." Summus insisted and took a drink.

The Doctor chuckled. "So, does Lance know?"

"No. You are his Primus and so it falls to you to tell him. I've already informed Luce. I knew you would agree with me, so it is official. Well, as soon as Luce returns to records, it will be. Personally, I'd make him sweat it out and do something…embarrassing. I know you won't let me down on that."

The Doctor laughed, "Oh the possibilities. I'll give it a think."

Summus laughed, "This also means that Poltious and Lance can now enter the trials together. If they are Primus Partners, you and Lance can administer the Trials. It will not be frowned on."

The Doctor nodded his head and laughed, "This is great news!"

Summus held up his drink. "Give them hell."

They clanged their drinks together and laughed.