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Chapter 16 - Vesuos Ambush

The night lights from New York shown through the large windows that ran down one side of the bedroom that Legate and Genie were in. Two Zeppelins hovered in the distance. Storm clouds, full of snow, had arrived. Snow blew against the window. Legate lay on his side facing Genie, watching her sleep peacefully and the snow blow against the window. It reminded him of flying his ship and how the stars would dance in the window.

He wondered how it would look to fly a small ship through a snow storm. He couldn't do it in New York City, but maybe close to the school a few hours away. He thought about the students there and how clever Genie was with them. How patience she was, explaining all sorts of complicated things.

He looked back at her and brushed his fingertips across her cheek. The beautiful woman who had grew up in front of him after just a few short years. She still had the dimples when she smiled, and wore the small ear rings that John had given her when she was so small. Legate thought back to the Genie that was there, on John and Rose's island. She was only six years old. He struggled to remember what she looked like then.

He looked at his bracelet to see the time. It was 4:08 am.

He held his lips to Genie's forehead for a few seconds. She smiled in her sleep.

He gently sat on the side of the bed and rubbed his face. Then he stood up and stretched his back. After the pain of lying down too long had past, he quietly walked over to the chair and slipped back on his trousers and oxford shirt. As he left the bedroom, he looked back at Genie's peaceful sleeping face and smiled. He quietly closed the door from the hallway.

It was quiet in the large penthouse. The television was turned off downstairs and the room was dim. Legate walked down the steps and saw the top of Samuel's head on the back of the sofa. He had fallen asleep watching the television sitting upright. Legate leaned on the back of the sofa and grinned as he looked down at his friend. "Sammy."

Samuel jumped awake and looked up at Legate.

"It's nearly 4:30. Do you remember the story?"

Samuel yawned. "That's tonight?"

Legate stood up and rubbed his hands together. "Hell yeah, it is. But, this time. We're here. This time, it's going to be different."

Sam's face spread into a smile. "Brilliant. Where is….what was his name?"

"Arcite. Yes. He and Exton are on their way in here. Go wake Tony and Arles."

"You can hear them in your head, here?"

He nodded, "Yeah. I didn't realize I would be able to. I'm having to keep quiet to keep my other self from knowing I'm here. How does that work?"

Sam stood up and groaned. "How the hell should I know?"

He pointed at him. "You! Are a-"

"That doesn't mean anything! I have no idea!"

Legate put his hands on his hips and nodded. "Really, Sam?"

"Why would I know that?"

"Well, you can see fixed points."

Samuel nodded. "Yeah. But, that doesn't make me an expert at this. I'm going to say the safest bet, is to keep it as quiet as we can that we're here. The less people that know, the less of a…..ummm…..ripple. You get what I'm saying?"

Legate sighed. "This isn't going to work. What did John write to you in those files?"

Sam started to walk away. "Good advice of not to get busy chatting when I need to go wake up people to help."

Legate shook his head in disapproval. "This discussion is not over."

Sam stopped and walked back to Legate. "You're right, mate. It's not. Fixed points here. Ummm. Soli has to join the fight. That's fixed."

"That's it?"

Sam thought for a moment. "That's all I see. Everything else, is….fluid. Oh, that's strange. Wow. I wonder if this is how Dad sees everything. It's like…..looking through water."

Legate put his hands on Sam's shoulders to get his attention. "We'll ask him later."

"Right." Sam walked backwards, "You don't want me to wake Uncle Tony?"

"Nah. We can manage this. Let him sleep."

Sam ran to the bedrooms where Tony Tyler and Arles had gone to sleep.

Legate rolled up his sleeves. On his forearm, a tattoo of a lighthouse, with angry waves splashing the sides, was visible. "Oh yes. This time is going to be much different."

Exton and Arcite walked into the sitting room just as Legate asked Jarvis to turn the lights down to 2%. Exton looked surprised. "How the hell are we supposed to fight whatever this is-"

"A Vesuos." Legate told him and put his hands on his hips.

"Right, a Vesuos. Well, hang on a minute. Lance put that Vesuos on John's ship last night."

Legate bounced on his feet and grit his teeth in excitement. "Exton. I've heard this story so many damn times. You're going to have to trust me on this. That same Vesuos, is about to walk through those lift doors. Arcite. You need to go to the top of the stairs and protect the family. Stay out of this fight down here. No matter what. Do not come down here."

Arcite bowed his head with his hands behind his back. "Begging the ….hmmm….I'm sorry. What rank are you, sir?"

Legate smiled. "Praetor."

Exton rose his eyes in surprise. "Congratulations, Legate!"

Legate waved his hand. "Just got it. It's not a big deal."

"Sir." Arcite began. "In the event that a Quauhtin knows of an impending attack, he is to notify the most senior ranked-"

"And that would be Lewis or John. John is drunk off his ass. He just left that party. And Lewis can't help because of his leg. I am from 18 years in the future, which gives me even more knowledge of the events than they would have. This is my responsibility to lead this. You. Upstairs."

Arcite nodded, turned and walked up the stairs. Exton looked back to see Samuel, Arles and Tony Tyler walking towards him. Exton stood close to Legate and said quietly, "A Vesuos? Do you remember what that even is? John is the only one of us that could overpower it."

"It's alright. Some of this has to happen. If we get in over our heads, Genie is just upstairs."

Exton shook his head. "This isn't time to joke-"

"You're right. We need to prepare ourselves. Soli will come down those stairs and do not stop him. If Arcite tries to join the fight, stop him. He isn't ready for this. Clear?"

Exton exhaled, "Alright. I'm behind you. But, I want to go ahead now and tell you that I'm protesting this entire thing!"

Arles laughed as he joined Legate and shook his hand. "Legate. You already have a protest?"

Legate grinned, "My Grandfather would say that I'm headed in the right direction. Everyone, take position."

They all readied themselves for what was about to come through the lift's doors. As they stood and looked at the display screen that was turned off, showing the lift was not in use, the tension began to build.

Arles cracked his knuckles and sighed, "Man, I wish Soli, our Soli, was here. He would sort this out in ten seconds."

Sammy chuckled, "Nervous, brother?"

Arles shook his head. "Nah. How long do you think it will take to get it down?"

Sammy rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Place your bets! Go!"

Tony Tyler smiled, "I know this story. I'm saying, five minutes."

Legate laughed and shook his head. "With us here? I'm saying four."

Arles grinned. "What are we even betting?"

Sam stood up and pointed at Arles, "Loser has to tell Dad."

Arles waved his hands, "I'm out then. No way-"

A loud pop reveled Jack Harkness' arrival using his Vortex Manipulator. "I can't find my kilt."

"Thank God." Sam insisted.

"But, I'm ready for the party!"

Legate rolled his eyes. "You're too late for that, Jack."

"Fuck! What the hell, man?!" Jack complained.

The lift's display turned on. The red numbers read what floor the lift was on as it came up to them. Jack looked around and realizing what was going on, he rubbed his hands together excitedly. "The Vesuos! Hell yeah, I'm in on this! Where is Arcite?"

Legate pointed up the stairs, without taking his eyes off the lift. "And ready?"

The lift doors dinged and the Vesuos stepped out of the brightly lit lift. In the few seconds that it took his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the flat, Arles ran and delivered a perfect side kick to his stomach. Legate grabbed the back of the Vesuos' neck and pushed his face towards his knee, breaking his nose.

Exton groaned, "Great! That's just going to make him more cross."

The Vesuos stood up and growled at all of them, blood slung across his face. "So! Quauthin!"

Legate grinned, "So! A Vesuos!"

The Vesuos smiled, "I love fighting Quauthin. They are the only worthy opponents."

"Then, you came to the right place." Legate insisted.

Jack Harkness struck the Vesuos with a heavy vase in his hands. It broke into two large pieces, but the Vesuous seemed unharmed. The Vesuos pushed him away and threw a piece of the vase at him. It hit the Vortex Manipulator and Jack disappeared.

Exton jumped on the Vesuos' back, and was quickly pulled off and tossed across the room. Arles tried to catch him, but they both landed on a side table, breaking it. Arles lay still and groaned. "Oh, that hurt."

"Jarvis!" Sam spoke, "Bring the lights in here up to 76%"

The lights came up and the Vesuos was busy trying to hit Tony Tyler, who was blocking every punch. He managed to get a quick jab in to the Vesuos' jaw, just as the Vesuos' kicked him across the chest. It sent him backwards and he slid across the floor. He left an impression in the wall as he hit it. He groaned, "I need a minute, guys."

"What the hell?" Tony Stark had woken up. He stood at the top of the stairs with Pepper, watching the fight. Soli ran out of his bedroom and joined Tony.

Pepper quickly wrapped her arms around the little boy to stop him from running down the steps. "No! Stay here with us."

Arcite held his arms out to prevent them from going down the stairs. Tony pushed him to the side and ran past him.

Pepper called after him, "Tony!"

Everything was happening at once. The Vesuos looked up and saw Soli. "And there he is! The one I've came for!"

Legate swung a punch to the Vesuos and his hand was caught. He was twisted around and the Vesuos held him in a head lock. Sam jumped on the Vesuos' back, and was tossed against the wall next to Tony.

Legate grunted through his pained breaths, "You'll have to walk through me before you take him."

The Vesuos' laughed.

Arles jumped off of the back of the sofa, striking the Vesuos across the face with both of his fists. He fell onto the floor and kicked him in the stomach. The Vesuos' grunted at the strike.

Meanwhile, Tony Stark was pressing buttons on his bracelet. Pepper watched as a metal repulser unfolded and appeared in Tony's hand. He took aim at the Vesuos' and fired a burst of energy.

The Vesuos' dropped the unconscious Legate in surprise. Sam jumped on the back of the Vesuos' and kicked the back of his knees. The Vesuos' fell onto the floor. Before anyone realized what had happened, he started to get onto his feet again. Sam held onto him, tightly. Hoping to strangle him.

Soli ran from the top of the steps and slid between the Vesuos' knees. He lifted his hands, and while touching his legs, he sent electricity through his body.

Tony Stark shouted, "Soli!"

Sam let go and saw that the huge body was about to fall onto the small boy. He reached out and pulled him away just as the Vesuos' fell hard onto the floor at Tony Tyler's feet. Tony looked fierce as he reached up, took the Vesuos' head, and broke his neck.

All was quiet. Everyone was panting and looking around the room.

Sam, with Soli still in his arms, lay back on the floor and sighed, "Six minutes and 34 seconds. Who won?"

Stark rolled his eyes and laughed, "Damn. You are as weird as John, too. Everyone alright?"

Soli stood up and walked to look at the Vesuos' face.

Genie walked over quietly and stood behind Pepper. "Sammy! What on earth are you doing?"

Sam threw his hands out. "Kicking ass. Vesuos ass, too!"

She pointed forcefully at him as she walked down the steps. "This is the sort of thing-" She stopped talking as she saw Legate laying on the floor unconscious. She looked shocked and whispered, "Legate?"

Sam jumped up and ran to him. He laid his hand on his chest, and Genie knelt down next to his head. She had started to cry. Sam looked at her and shook his head. "He's fine. Just a minute."

Tony Stark looked around the room at Exton and Arles who were picking themselves up off of the floor.

Within just a few seconds, Legate coughed. Samuel pat his chest. "There. You're fine." He stood up and looked around the room. "Anyone else hurt?"

Arles rubbed the side of his head. "I'm alright for now. Exton's back probably."

Exton sighed and waved his hand around to dismiss Sam. "I'm good."

Genie looked down at Legate, held his hand tightly in hers, and smiled in relief. "Why do you do these things?"

He smiled at her. "It's what I'm meant to do."

She smiled at him then looked up at Tony Stark standing looking down at them. He crossed his arms and smiled. "And I didn't see that coming. Cradle robber."

Legate groaned and laid his head back on the floor.

Tony laughed and pointed up at Pepper. "Arcite. It's all over. Pepper. Come down. It's fine."

Soli hadn't moved from where he stood, looking at the face of the Vesuos. Tony Stark walked over to him and knelt down in front of him. "Soler. You stopped this entire thing. You are one amazing-."

One look at the little boy's trembling face let Tony know real quick, that he wasn't feeling that way at all.

"Soli? Are you alright?"

Soler's frightened eyes looked back at Tony's. He shook his head. Tony quickly wrapped his arms around him and picked him up. Soli began to cry as Tony held him. "It's okay. You're safe."

Tony leaned on the back of the sofa, holding a sobbing Soli, just as Pepper joined him. "What's wrong?"

Samuel heard the small boy's cries, "Is he hurt?"

Tony held him tightly. "I think he's frightened."

Pepper rubbed Soli's back and kissed his head. She whispered encouragingly him. "Everything is alright."

Tony Tyler sat at the Vesuos' head and rubbed his hands on his own trousers. "So, who has a remote trigger to the ship? We can get rid of this damn body."

Legate sat up, "No. We have to notify Lewis first."

Arles groaned and put his hands on his hips. "Damn. Then he'll know we're here. Nice knowing all of you."

Lewis popped into the room, standing with the aid of his crutches. He rubbed his face. "So, we have an intruder? Is that what you said, Legate?"

Legate pat Genie's hand and stood up. "Umm….yes. Tony broke his neck, so we need to transport the body up to John's ship to dispose of it. There's also one on the ship, too. The Vesuos from earlier killed the other prisoner he was with and transported down."

Lewis groaned, "John isn't going to be happy with that. Another prisoner out of the brig."

Exton suggested, "We should have John and Timon look at it. Something isn't right there."

Lewis nodded his head, leaned on the crutches and took some sweets out of his pocket. He was unwrapping it as he spoke. "When you take the bodies up to dispose of them, see what you can sort out with it. I want answers. That's a new ship, boys."

Exton nodded, "Yes, sir."

Lewis popped the sweet in his mouth and closed his eyes. "Alright. Anyone hurt?"

Legate looked around the room at the surprised faces. No one could believe that Lewis hadn't looked up yet. Legate said slowly, "Ummm….no."

Lewis readjusted himself on the crutches and nodded. "Good. So, you said it was the-"

He looked up and saw the four teenagers, Legate with long, untidy hair and tattoo, Exton and Arcite looking back at him. Tony Stark still held Soli with Pepper standing beside of him. Lewis pointed at the teenagers. "Who is this?"

Arles ran his hand through his hair. "Funny you ask. Hmmm…"

Legate smiled, "Sorry, Lewis. I might have should have lead off with, we knew this was going to happen because we've heard the story of it so often."

Lewis looked around the room as he processed what had happened. "Give me a bit, I've been to a party."

Legate crossed his arms and laughed under his breath.

Lewis relaxed and smiled. "How far in the future are you guys from?"

Arles put his hands in his pockets. "18 years, Papa."

Lewis' sweet accidently dropped out of his mouth as he looked at Arles. "Papa?"

Tony Stark laughed. "That's Arles, Lewis."

"Why does he look like Lance?" Lewis asked in surprise.

Tony Tyler stood next to Arles. "And so it begins."

Samuel smiled and walked over to offer his hand to Lewis. "Oh, Papa. You complain about that at home, too."

Lewis looked confused at Samuel, but took his hand. A sudden relief spread over him as he touched him. He smiled in realization of it was really Samuel Smith. He pulled him close and hugged him tightly. "I can't believe this." He laughed. "Samuel. Damn, you look just like your Dad."

Samuel helped him get steady back on his feet. Arles joined his father and embraced him. Lewis laid his forehead to his and Arles said something in Quauthin to him. Lewis was smiling larger than Legate would have ever imagined.

Lewis looked back at Exton and smiled. "Remarkable. Wow." He looked at Arles with his hand on his smiling face. "I just left you with Lance." He teased, "You were sleeping."

Samuel laughed, "Sounds like him. I only just woke him up, Papa."

Arles grinned, "It's how I work things out."

Legate nodded, "Exton. Take Arcite and this body up to the ship. I don't have a trigger that will work."

Lewis looked curiously back at Legate. "Different ship?"

He shook his head. "Different transporter."

Lewis nodded and pointed at the ginger boy who stood next to Legate. "And Tony Tyler. Wow. You guys. Is that all that came? John?"

Samuel shook his head. "No, Dad didn't come." He turned and pointed beside Legate. "Genie is here, too."

Lewis spotted her. Beautiful with her smiling face and curly hair that framed it perfectly, she stood beside Legate watching the scene unfold.

He smiled, "Wow. All of you. Well, minus one."

Arles nodded and pointed at the young Soli that Tony held in his arms. "They are on Plentitude. For the playoffs. Tony is quite the fan."

Lewis grinned. "That's where Lartius and Politous are headed now. Wow." Then he covered his mouth. "You guys….John doesn't know you have his TARDIS here, does he?"

Genie smiled, "Papa can always figure this stuff out. See, Sammy. He just has to look our faces and he knows!"

Lewis pointed at her and raised his eyebrows, "Believe it, Genie. Nothing gets past me. Where is the time machine now?"

Sam sighed, "Dad's workshop. It's repairing itself."

"So, it's damaged. You lot stole and crashed John's ship?"

They all started to talk at once. Lewis, still leaning on the crutches, held up both of his hands. "Wait! Wait!" He pointed at Genie. "Genie will explain all of this to me…." He pointed at Arles, "While my son here, makes me a cup of tea."

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