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Chapter 7 – Soler, the Lost Son of Mageer

Tony Tyler and Velt were sitting at the bar, eating breakfast, when Tony arrived back in the Doctor's suite. Tony Tyler turned to him and put his finger over his lip. "Samuel is sleeping. Don't be loud like you normally are."

Lewis laughed at the boy's advice.

Tony pointed at himself. "I'm not loud."

The Doctor handed the boys both a cup of milk. Tony rose his eyebrow at him. "Yes, you are. Don't deny it, Mr. Stark."

Tony sat back down at the bar and laughed under his breath.

Pete walked in the room. Again, without knocking. The Doctor counted on his hands, "Tony, Pete, Lewis, Legate, and the boys. That's now 6 to 1. Amazing."

Pete walked to his son and put both of his hands on his shoulders. "If you want to go home son, your Mum just left."

Tony shook his head. "I was going to stay and show Velt the playroom here."

Pete nodded his head. "Oh. I'll stay up here with you then."

Tony Stark pointed at Velt. "Is that alright? Staying with Mr. Tyler today?"

Velt nodded at Tony. "Yes. Where will you be?"

"I have to do some stuff, but I can return and bring you back to New York with me later. If you like."

"I don't want to be any trouble."

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. "Velt. I've never heard of anyone named that. Is that really what you are called?"

The boy looked up and nodded. "Yes. Well, I have been called something else. I'm not supposed to say it, though."

Lewis chuckled, "Sounds like someone else I know."

The Doctor rolled his eyes at Lewis.

Tony put his hand on Velt's shoulder. "Buddy. These guys are some of my closest friends. They can help you get home. You can trust them."

Velt immediately looked frightened, "You don't want me to remain with you?"

Tony shook his head and pointed at the young boy. "That's not what I said. Listen to me. You can stay with me as long as you like-"

"And you will keep me safe."

"John and Lewis will keep you safe, too. They are Primus's." He looked at Lewis and the Doctor. "Primus? Primuses? Pre-Madonnas? What is it?"

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "No idea. English is strange."

The Doctor chuckled.

Tony pointed at Lewis, "Remember the stories about Lewis helping all of those children? That really happened. Didn't it Lewis?"

Lewis nodded his head. "Yes. Well, with Poltious and Summus' help."

Pete made himself a cup of tea. "Velt. You are in good hands here. These men are not going to let anyone hurt you, or return you to anyone who will. You can trust them. Tell me. Have you ever met a Quauhtin you can't trust?"

Velt relaxed, "No, King."

Pete smiled at being called King by the boy. "I'm not a king. I'm just Pete."

Velt shook his head. "You are the leader of the family here that the Quauhtin protect-"

Tony waved his hand, "Yes, he's King. Trust me Pete, it's easier."

Pete rolled his eyes as he sipped his tea.

"Velt. You said you are from Arion." The Doctor said.

Velt nodded, "Yes. Arion."

Lewis shook his head. "But, that's not right."

The Doctor held up his hand. "Hang on. Let's start with the basics. Your proper name. What does your father call you?"

"Velt."

Lewis snapped his fingers, "Have you ever had another father?"

He nodded, "Yes."

The Doctor smiled, "What did he call you? You can tell us."

"Sotan." He said and looked back at Tony. He put his hand on his back encouragingly.

The Doctor thought, "Gosh, I'm thick. I can figure this out quickly. Velt, when I point to you, tell me….ummm….. the last thing you remember before you saw Tony on the ship."

Velt looked back at Tony. "It's alright."

The Doctor sipped his coffee. "Friday, turn off the Universal translator." Then he pointed at the boy.

Velt took a deep breath and spoke in a language only him and the Doctor seemed to understand. He explained something simply, then the Doctor asked him something in the language. Velt shrugged his shoulders and tossed his hands out.

The Doctor thought, then ask him a few more questions. Velt answered each one in the odd language.

Then the Doctor said, "Friday. Turn back on the Universal Translator."

Pete smiled, "I never get tired of seeing that, son."

Tony turned and smiled at the boys. "You guys go check out the playroom. We'll figure this all out here."

Velt nodded. "Okay."

Tony Tyler jumped off of the stool. "Let's go!"

Tony suddenly remembered something. "Hey, Sparky."

Velt stopped and turned to look at Tony. "Yes?"

"When Tony Tyler eats, so do you. Understand? There's no limit on food. I want you to eat."

Tony Tyler put his arm around Velt's shoulder. "I'll make sure he eats, Mr. Stark."

"Thank you, Mr. Tyler." Tony told him seriously.

Tony watched them as they walked out of the room. He turned around and asked the Doctor. "Anything new?"

"He said he was going to be cleaned. He disobeyed his father and was punished. He doesn't remember anything else."

"Cleaned, like bathing?"

The Doctor shook his head and sipped his coffee. "No. Completely different."

Tony grit his teeth. "Did he mention anything about talking to electricity?"

The Doctor shook his head. "No. What?"

"Yesterday, he was in the shop. He pulled the power out of a screen with his hands. He was able to roll it into a ball. He said it was natural and friendly."

The Doctor covered his mouth. "He's a Khrele. Oh wow."

Lewis shook his head as he sipped his coffee. "He's not a Khrele. That's from stories."

He turned to Lewis, "It makes complete sense. Have there been….electrical storms in the Tuleer System? That can't be explained?"

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "Well, yeah. But…that sort of thing happens there."

"Because that's where Khrele live! He's from there."

Lewis held his hand up. "So, you're saying he was taken?"

"Have you ever, in your entire life, heard of someone honest from Arion?"

Lewis sighed and thought. "No. Bunch of pirates and shit-"

"Even Velt. What does that mean in Arion?"

Lewis shook his head, "Beats me. I don't speak every language in the damn galaxy."

The Doctor closed his eyes tightly, "Filth. It means filth. I didn't even spot that."

Lewis smacked the Doctor in the chest. "How did you miss that, John?!"

The Doctor raised his voice, "Hell, I can't think of everything! Do you know what Lewis means on Hronfor-"

Lewis raised his finger, threateningly. "Hey! Don't make this about me!"

Tony and Pete were tired of not following, "Hold on…" They said together. They looked at one another. Tony held his hand out, "Your majesty. First question."

Pete rolled his eyes. "It means, what?"

The Doctor answered, "Velt means 'filth' on Arion. He has been taken."

Tony sat back and sighed, "Well, I'll be damned before I call that again. I'll call him….Peckerhead or anything else."

The Doctor nodded his head. "His name isn't Sotan. It's Soler. The translator did…a…thing. He told me that when we were speaking. Soler of Chaomlean."

Lewis spit his coffee out and rubbed his mouth. "Chaomlean?"

"The fabled lost son of Mageer, Soler of Chaomlean. Holy shit. And he's here on my ship. Fucking hell."

Tony pointed at Pete. "Are you going to ask, King Pete? I mean, I don't want to upset royalty here."

Pete waved his hand, "Hang on, guys. You're telling me this kid is kidnapped?"

Lewis nodded his head. "Absolutely, he is. Same bunch of shit that used to take Quauhtin were suspected of taking the Chaomlean. Chaomlean have these ships that shoot electric pulses to other ships and could siphon off the power. I guess it wasn't a weapon. They were keeping it secret they were really Khrele. Wow. Chaomleans are Khreles. I didn't know they really existed. John. We need to talk about history. What else really happens that I think is just stories?"

He shook his head, "You would be amazed. Every story has a beginning. Oh wow."

Tony nodded, "He said there were other children. Some being sold."

Lewis nodded, "There's no telling how many, or where they have gotten them all from. Oh. I'd love to bust this shit up."

"Break a few legs, huh?"

"On an Arion? I'll break them both. And that long ass neck." Lewis insisted.

Tony leaned on the bar. "So, I was right. He's been mistreated by this…asshole."

Lewis shook his head, "There's no telling what he's been through."

The Doctor added, "The cleaning, he mentioned. That is where they bathe him to….umm…. remove the smell of his species. It's very painful. The pores of his body would be injected with this chemical that would make him smell different."

Pete looked horrified. "Why?"

"Arions are very sensitive to smell. He would make them sick after a while."

Tony rubbed his face. "This is worse than I thought. What do we do?"

Pete spoke, "Call his father. His real father, and tell him he is here."

The Doctor shook his head. "No. It's not that simple."

Pete pointed at the door and became angry. "Son, that is this man's child. If that were Sam-"

"I'm aware of that. The Arions are probably monitoring all transmissions. They know he is a Khrele, and probably took him for that reason. If we send out where he is, they will come get him. Wars have been fought over less."

Lewis sighed, "Give me a bit to think."

Tony shook his head. "He electrocuted himself. He wasn't stuck by lighting. Something happened on that ship and he did this to himself. They thought he was dead, so they dumped him off on Andromeda. The Jeclaonides' took Tony. A child. That was all over the news there. They have heard about this and are probably in orbit around the planet now."

The Doctor nodded his head, "Taking children. That's the reason the Andromedaens public are so furious."

Lewis shook his head. "They wouldn't have taken but, maybe two by now. They don't want to draw attention to themselves."

The Doctor nodded, "They are following the ones they plan to take. They plan to take them all at once, and blame the Jeclaonides. Start a war."

Pete shook his head, "But, they would be able to see their ships sitting in orbit."

Lewis shook his head. "No. Their ships can hide themselves."

Tony smiled, "Not from me. Or this ship. I can install that thermal imaging on your systems in about an hour."

The Doctor bit his lip and tapped the bar top. "Ashena doesn't want us back, but I'm not going to give her the option. We're the only ones that can see the ships. Tony, can you make another few?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I can copy the one I've already made. How many you need?"

"At least one more, for the Hamlet. I'll ask Summus how many more he needs. This could get out of hand very quickly. Damn."

Tony shook his head and covered his face. "John. There is never anything simple with you, is there?"

Lewis pointed, "Alright. This is what we will do. John. Contact Summus telepathically and tell him to have the Queen to order all transmissions stop and put the shielding up on the planet immediately. Anything we need to tell them, you can telepathically notify Summus to inform her. Close the ports and lock-down the planet. We'll get everyone up here and depart for Andromeda. Tony can put that thermal imaging sensor …thing, on the ships there. We'll hide in the nebula so we're not seen. Meanwhile, we'll send Poltious out to find the Chaomlean. You said he was a fable?"

The Doctor nodded, "In the other Dimension, he is known as Soler, the lost son of Mageer. Tragic tale. Mageer never found him, but destroyed a large amount of the galaxy looking for his son. He ended up destroying his own ship, in a fit of anger because he couldn't find him. They say that he went completely mad."

Pete nodded, "As a father, I can imagine why. Poor guy."

Lewis sighed, "Maybe we can stop that here. We'll have Poltious launch mid-journey to Andromeda. Maybe he will have his ship ready by then. Tony. Soler needs a bracelet that will prevent him from being transported if he leaves this ship. He'll have to remain on the ship to be protected in case they have managed to find us."

"Got it." Tony sat back and nodded.

The Doctor nodded his head. "Nothing can take him off the ship with the shielding. But, now that we know the full story….we need to be extra careful. I don't want to take any chances. Tony, go ahead and get a bracelet sorted for him. He likes you. You'll have to come with us. Well, and you have to put the imaging sensors on Summus' ships. He's counting them now."

Tony nodded his head. "I'm in."

The Doctor added, "I have no idea how long it will take to find his father."

Tony shook his head. "He's with me. Don't worry about that. Tell Summus I can put them in the smaller ships, too."

The Doctor nodded as he seemed to return to his conversation with Summus. "Alright. Good."

Lewis smiled back at Tony. "Tell Pepper to join us. She will like that. We shouldn't be gone but a few days."

Pete smiled at him. "And we'll make you look good."

Tony rose his eyebrow at them. "Shouldn't be too hard of a job for you guys."

The Doctor nodded his head. He had finished his conversation with Summus. "Got it. Summus is talking to her now. Tony. Bring Pepper."

Tony shook his head. "Bit behind on the times, freak." He stood up and pat the barstool. "I'll go talk to Pepper. When are we leaving?"

Lewis rubbed his chin. "It will take three hours to warm the engines. They are dead cold."

The Doctor shook his head. "They can't be relit for a full 28 hours and 14 minutes. This is from Veaglurst. That's how long their day is there."

Lewis groaned, "Damn. That's right. So…"

The Doctor nodded. "5 hours and 52 minutes. Damn."

Pete sighed, "Do you have any good news, son?"

The Doctor seemed to listen to the voice in his head again. "Okay. Ashena has been informed. Everything is shutting down. Ashena has given Summus complete control of the planetary defenses. Wow. This is bold for even her. But, she doesn't want us to come."

Lewis sipped his coffee, "Hell with that."

The Doctor chuckled, "That's what I just told him. We're going to hide in the nebula there. We'll send Tony over to the Hamlet to install the thermal imaging so Summus can see them. No one will know we're there."

Lewis pointed at Tony. "Copy several. I didn't realize you could put those on the smaller cruisers."

Tony nodded, "Of course."

"That would be the most useful for them. Alright." Lewis asked. "How long will it take us to get back?"

"We can do it in 4 hours. That's at 80%. I'd rather not do that. It's a narrow path."

Tony shook his head. "Why not fly at 100%? I've never understood that."

The Doctor rubbed his chin and thought. "It's like a…. car. 100% on a car would be with your foot all the way to the floor. Most people drive it half or 40%. Same thing here."

Tony chuckled, "I'm a 92%'er myself."

Pete chuckled at his reply.

Lewis sighed, "Damn. Nearly six hours. Well, they are doing everything they can. At least they are warned and the planet is locked down. Everyone is safe."

Tony stood up and pat the bar. "I'm going back to New York. I'll be back in 5 and half hours. Call me if you need me sooner."

Pete pointed at him. "I need to explain this to Jacks. Damn. I have to go into Torchwood today. I can't go. I hate this shit. How long will you be gone?"

The Doctor shook his head. "A few days? I really don't know. I'll take little Tony. Sell it to Jackie as a holiday for you and her."

Pete rolled his eyes. "To talk about more wedding stuff. Be grateful Rose went simple, son."

Tony teased him as he walked towards the door, "You mean, 'common'. Right? Your majesty?"

Pete groaned, "This isn't going away anytime soon, is it?"

Tony pointed his finger in the air as he walked out of the door. "Not if I can help it."

The Doctor remembered and looked down at his phone. "Tony rang, Michelle. Logan's Mum on my phone. Why would Tony call my secretary? Oh! Damn, that's clever."

Lewis laughed, "That is. Wow. I'm impressed."

Pete sat his cup in the sink. "Why did he ring her?"

The Doctor smiled, "Well, he can't ask Pepper to send herself flowers."

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