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Chapter 12 - Chapter 12 - Primus' Orders

Samuel lay under a thin white sheet inside of the med bay. He had been asleep for several hours after his Dad had repaired his wound in his back. Karen had stayed there with him, running her fingers through his hair as she sat on the side of his bed, and watching him sleep.

The television played the news that hung on the wall.

The reporter spoke, getting Karen's attention. "And tonight, we had planned to have guests Tony and Pepper Stark, but unfortunately they were unable to make it. Mrs. Stark's office sent several photos to be released immediately. Take a look at these."

The screen showed a photo of Tony standing in the sea, with Pepper on his back. He was looking back at her and both of them were laughing.

The reporter spoke to another one. "Maybe they are still on their honeymoon."

"That's what the images look like." The first reporter agreed.

The next image showed them both lying on the beach together. Pepper's head was on Tony's shoulder. She was smiling as he leaned over to kiss the top of her red hair.

The first reporter spoke again. "We hope to see them soon on the program."

Karen smiled at the screen.

The reporter smiled as another image of Samuel, Arles, Pete and Rose was shown, "And in other news. Peter Tyler and Doctor Rose Tyler-Smith announced today that the Vitex Company has been purchased by the unknown brothers Doctor Samuel and Arles Bennett. Both of Malibu, California. Neither party was available for immediate comment.

Samuel's voice spoke, "And now everyone knows."

Karen looked back at him and smiled. "And you're awake."

He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Yeah."

"How are you feeling?"

"My entire body is tingling." He stretched.

"I've been playing with your hair for hours."

"That's why, then." He smiled at her. "I love it. Thank you."

She smiled, "You know, next time you ask me on a date, I'm going to pick what we're doing."

Samuel laughed and rubbed his eyes.

"You asked me not to leave, and I thought it might help."

"It did. I'm sure of it." He opened his eyes widely. "I'm…..hang on. Why are we moving?"

She treaded her fingers through his. "Your Dad is taking us to Plentitude."

"Why? I'm not injured that badly, am I?"

"No, he says he has to meet someone there. It's a quick trip out, and I know you needed something to wear that doesn't make you itch."

He relaxed back on the pillow. He noticed that she had lifted the head of the bed up for him to sleep. "Talked to him about that?"

"I spoke to Rose about it. She just left."

"What did she say?"

"Well, I asked if they had any problems with the baby's clothes. They said that he didn't have any clothing from Earth. Your Dad thinks it's something with…petrol? I don't understand that."

Samuel grinned. "Yeah, they are still using that in clothing here now."

"Petrol? Gasoline?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Where do you think polyester comes from?"

"I've never thought about it."

Samuel smiled, "I should be thankful we didn't crash in the '60s. That's where Dad first landed. And I've been told by Mum, to never ask about his wardrobe."

Karen giggled. "That sounds like all parents."

Samuel rose the sheet up and looked under it, "And I'm without any clothing again. Karen, we have to stop meeting like this."

"What? With you in the med bay? Absolutely!"

He rose his eyebrow at her. "Are you cross-"

She quickly held up her hand. "I am determined to not be upset about this."

Samuel nodded. "You're upset. Alright…well, hmm…"

"And your Dad cut your clothes off."

"When did he do that?"

"He had to….go a bit lower on your back. He found something with your spine?"

Samuel rose his eyebrows and took a deep breath. "Oh, that's going to…."

He looked back at Karen and cleared his throat. "I'm fine, Karen. See?"

Karen groaned, "I'm not getting into this right now with you-"

"Yes, you're cross-"

"I have everything that was in your pockets. I'll have to get you something to wear. Little Genie is on board, and your Dad insisted you are not to walk around in just a sheet."

He laughed, "So, Dad said I could go to our suite?"

"Yeah." She told him just as someone knocked on the door.

Lewis poked his head inside. "And he's awake?"

Karen smiled, "Just woke up. You have perfect timing, Lewis. I need to go get him some clothing. Could you stay here with him?"

Lewis nodded. "Happy to."

Karen kissed Samuel's lips quickly and whispered. "I'll be straight back."

Samuel told her quietly. "I'll miss you."

Lewis held the door open for her as she left.

He sat at the end of the bed and grinned at Samuel. "How are you feeling?"

He sighed, "Thick. Karen is proper cross at me over this. Papa, I don't know what I was thinking."

Lewis nodded. "Your Dad says you will be fine from this. No, long lasting damage done."

"Where is Arles?"

"Arles went back to the island. He's covering your class tomorrow, and handling the introduction from Pete at Vitex. John wanted to keep an eye on you, just in case."

Samuel rubbed his face. "Yeah. I'm anxious to hear everything he had to do."

"It was involved. There was some, other injuries that he took care of while he was there."

Samuel scratched his chest and groaned when he realized his Dad, or someone had put cream on it. "Oh, yuck."

Lewis grinned. "So. I have spoken to Legate. And know why Genie and him have disappeared to Photoria."

"They are on Photoria?"

"You didn't know they had gone there?"

"No. I really didn't."

"I'm thinking, it's because someone has evoked the Right of the Patriarch and performed the Life Promise ceremony for them. They have left so Legate can inform his brother, and speak with Poltious, regarding this entire decision about the Legate who is heir."

"That is a good theory-"

"Because, it's true. And let me explain how this works, son. You, see your sister, upset and of course you want to make her happy. Stop any pain."

"I'm her brother. It's my job to help her in any way I can."

Lewis nodded. "And I agree. But, the way you have done it. You would have had to use your status as a Quauhtin. Convenient. You can use it when you want, and the rest of the time….."

Samuel sighed. "So, you've told Dad?"

"No. That's for Genie to tell him. He's not going to be pleased that he wasn't included. I imagine Rose will be disappointed, too."

"This is guilt? Is that it? Papa, she felt as though the only people who cared for her and Legate were me and Arles."

"And she will explain to us all that it's because we're not from your time, and we're different people. And that's true. Samuel, I'm not the same man I was…..two months ago. And I'm sure, I'm not the same man, eighteen years from now. We grow. We change."

"So, you're alright with this-"

"Didn't say that." Lewis told him. "But, this is the thing. You, Quauhtin son of mine-"

Samuel grinned, "I don't use the title of Quauhtin-"

Lewis held up his finger to make his point, "Unless it suits you, and gets you what you want. This, has made my job, very easy then."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am your Papa-"

"Uh oh."

"And I'm also the Primus of the Prime Guard both here and in the future. So, as such, I can order you do something and you have to obey me."

Samuel sighed. "Oh great. Papa. Just being Papa is enough-"

"No. It's not. I want to make sure this sticks, son. See, I've only properly known you for a very short period of time. And it is remarkable how many times, I've had to look over your nearly, lifeless body. And I'm just not prepared to do that ever again."

Samuel rose his eyebrow. "I'll be more cautious-"

"No. You won't. I know that people are a product of their environment, and I see so much of myself and Rose in you that it frightens me. As your Primus, I'm ordering you to keep your personal shielding on at a minimum of 30%-"

"30%!?"

"I've spoken to Tony and John both, and 20% would have prevented this from happening-"

"So, let me keep it at that-"

"No. And that's not all. You, in these suits of Tony's, riding in a car, flying at top speed in a spacecraft, all of these things you love to do in which you have no idea how dangerous they actually are, that personal shield will be at 100%."

Samuel sighed and dramatically rubbed his face. "Papa. Can't we discuss this?"

"What do you think we're doing?"

"I'm lying here getting ordered by a Primus-"

"Good! Then you understand. Because if I find that you aren't keep that personal shielding at the settings I have asked you to, your status as a Quauhtin will be revoked by me. Primus and one of the four sons of Lavatch who was heir to the throne of the Quauthin which still makes me a Prince. I have control, even if I don't normally use it, to do just that."

"You've never spoken like this before-"

"Which will mean that this entire Life Promise between Genie and Legate will not be valid."

"Papa. Couldn't you contact Luce and create Legate a new identity? Then, they could properly wed."

Lewis was already shaking his head. "I'm sorry I can't."

Samuel sighed. "Papa. I just….can't believe that her happiness-"

"Her happiness is a very small price for what is at stake."

"A kingdom."

"A people. A dying race who could very well be headed for war and there can be absolutely no doubt when it comes to who orders these soldiers into battle. Samuel. This was not a decision that was made lightly. The consequences of what happens now means lives that could be saved later. One couple's happiness. One, knowing that he has always been born into that role, is a very small price to pay."

"Papa! How could you do that?"

Lewis closed his eyes tightly. "Samuel. I don't want to do that. The point I want to walk out of here having made, is that we're not meeting like this anymore. You, son, are a husband. And a father. And you are simply, not bulletproof. Do not leave Karen to do this on her own."

"Papa. I think that perhaps-"

"Perhaps, this is something I know something about!" Lewis insisted. "So, you have your orders. Quauthin. And when you speak to your sister, please tell her that Papa is very happy to hear of her recent marriage, and I wish her and Legate all the best the universe has to offer. Tell her, 'Welcome to our mad family'. Royalty sucks, and she has already had her first taste of that. Her choices, are very rarely her own."

"Papa. I really think we need to chat about this-"

Karen knocked on the door and opened it. She carried with her some clothing for Samuel. She was certain she had interrupted something as she looked at the two men. "I can, step back out."

Lewis stood up and grinned. "No, Karen. As you told me, you have perfect timing. I am needed in the Control Room."

Samuel rubbed his lip in annoyance.

Lewis looked back at him. "Any questions?"

Samuel shook his head. "No, Papa."

"So, we're clear?"

"Crystal clear." Samuel nodded.

Lewis smiled at Karen. "John says we'll be there in less than an hour. He's speaking with the dock now. Samuel and you should eat at Nebvan's. He has rang ahead and has a table waiting for you there."

Karen smiled, "Oh, thank you, Lewis!"

He kissed her cheek and then left the room.