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Chapter 19 - Chapter 19 - The Plan Begins

Lewis walked into the Observation Deck holding baby Arles in his arms. The beautiful planet of Plentitude, and the nebula, could be seen through the domed ceiling.

He smiled at the baby. "And do you see that? That's lovely, isn't it?"

Arles coo'ed.

"You know, Licis loves nebulas. He wanted to explore each one when we were young. He always flies through them -"

"Well, that just sounds….dangerous."

Lewis looked over to see Tony Stark lying in the doorway of the Zero Gravity room with his arms crossed. His feet were still on the floor outside. The effect was rather odd.

He pulled himself back into the room. "He flies through nebulas?"

Lewis nodded. "Everytime. This blinking thing that he says happened to the ship, was when he was in a nebula. John believes he has found another black hole."

They sat down at a table together.

Tony shook his head. "Let me get this straight. Tony Tyler decides to leave, overpowers four Vesuos-"

"That part I think is exaggerated."

Tony held up four fingers. "Four. We'll just go with his story. And then, they just manage to be within hours of where Licis was dumped out by a black hole? Is anyone else seeing this all to be a bit too convenient?"

Baby Arles shouted and threw up his fist.

Tony grinned. "See, he agrees with me."

Lewis nodded, "John says you might be right in your thinking-"

"How does he know what I'm thinking-"

"Because it's what I'm thinking."

Tony leaned on the table and rubbed his hands together. "Yeah? This whole, weird thing of Rose's?"

"Oh yes." Lewis insisted.

Arles coo'ed and waved his hands at Lewis' face. Lewis smiled at him and kissed his forehead. "Papa knows you're there."

Lewis looked up at Tony. "What's up? I'm surprised you aren't asleep."

Tony sighed. "I can't sleep. I went for a walk."

"What's on your mind?"

"It appears that I have a rather large problem. I've tried to ignore it, but it's growing more oblivious to me, that it's something I need to do something about."

Lewis shook his head. "Maybe you are over thinking it-"

"Okay. Let's say it this way. See your son? That one in your arms?"

Lewis nodded. "Yeah?"

"Imagine that's Soli, and tell me we don't have a problem."

Lewis sighed.

"You know I'm right. Soli is some….mythical being. Just the idea of that is extremely…." He lost the words. "I'm surprised more people aren't coming for him. And maybe they are, and we just don't realize it."

Lewis nodded and looked back at Arles who was sucking his fingers and looking up at the planet overhead. "What does Pepper say?"

"I haven't spoken to her about it. She's going to figure it out though, if she hasn't already."

"What do you want to do?"

Tony shook his head. "That's what I'm working out-"

"Maybe, the question is more, what are you prepared to do?"

Tony sighed and sat back. "That is the question."

Lewis looked back at Arles, who was still looking up at the planet. "You're right. This is a bigger problem than I realized. Thank you for allowing me to help you with it."

"Well, you're involved-"

"Not really-"

"You've lost guys-"

"Honorability-"

"And it's…within the responsibilities of the Ten-"

Lewis chuckled, "Ten. Yeah. But that would mean I'm part of your….."

Tony grinned as he looked back up at Lewis' stunned face.

"How the hell long, then?"

Tony smiled. "Since the castle fell on your brother's head. Lartius is 'Two'. We had just made the Life Promise to one another."

Lewis laughed. "Wow. Congratulations! Why haven't you told anyone?"

"She needed some time to get….used to the idea-"

"She doesn't know you are telling me now-"

"You know. That's amazing how you can do that. I need you to…focus that….freaky ability on this problem with my Soli."

Lewis laughed under his breath. "John and I had a bet. I lost."

"Have you told John-"

"No. That's for you to tell. So, Lartius is 'Two'. Who are the rest of your Ten?"

Tony leaned back on the table and counted on his fingers. "Soli is 'One'."

"I love that. Perfect."

"Lartius, John, Lance, you, Pete, Legate…how about that…I got eleven out of the deal. Actually, wait. Thirteen. Very cool."

Lewis laughed. "So, I'm 'Five'. Okay."

Tony held his hands out. "And I'm asking for help. That's all I have to do, right?"

"That's it. Although, I'm going to straight with you. We might need some help with this."

"That's why I have thirteen. I'm starting with you."

"And I'm not to tell Pepper."

"I like this plan already!" Tony insisted.

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