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Chapter 45 – Battle of the Quauthin Homeworld

The Doctor ran into the Control Room. "Have we been detected?"

"No." Jack replied. "They seem more interested in that patrol just there."

"Are they cloaked?"

"Arions? Yes. Patrol, no. But, I'm not detecting any life signs."

The Doctor nodded, "Drones, most likely."

Tony's voice could be heard over the speaker. "I'm suiting up. Where the hell are they?"

Jack spoke, "Port side, 14 degrees down."

"Copy that." Tony said.

The Doctor spoke, "Tony. They are cloaked. If the patrol can see them-"

"Understood. I'll take care of it."

A buzzer went off in the Control Room.

"We have intruders." The Doctor said in disbelief. "That can't be right."

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Soli and Genie sat in the ball pit inside of the playroom. Genie laid her head back and tossed a ball up into the air. "Oh. That was fun. What shall we play now?"

"I don't know. What do you suggest?" Soli asked her.

"Going back to the flat and having ice cream."

Soli laughed. "That sounds good. I wonder if Tony has returned yet?"

"Where was he going?"

"To the surface. He told me he would play football this afternoon."

Genie laughed, "Uncle Tony doesn't play football. Are you certain?"

Soli shrugged his shoulders and stood up. "That's what he said. I asked him to give it a try."

Genie stood up and Soli helped her through the small opening of the ball pit.

Soli spoke. "I love this play room. I could stay in here all day."

Genie laughed, "I have before. It's….." Genie's eyes got huge and her mouth gapped open. Soli turned to see what had frightened her. He saw the familiar sight of what appeared to be a large, muscular crocodile with a long neck, standing on its hind legs looking at him. His large form dwarfed the children. Three others stood behind him, looking around at the large room.

"Velt. So, we have found you."

Soli quickly stood in front of Genie. "You are not taking her."

"We'll take whoever we want." The Arion said.

Genie covered her mouth to keep herself from shouting. She was so frightened. She knew her Daddy could feel her emotions and would be running through the door at any moment. She whimpered quietly, "Help, Daddy."

Soli continued to stand in front of her. He took her hand, "Genie. It will be okay."

"I'm frightened." She managed to say.

The Arion walked closer to the children. Soli held his hand out. "Stop! You're not taking her!"

"Don't tell me what I will do, Velt."

Soli remembered what Tony had told him. "Velt means filth. You aren't filth. You are important."

Soli shouted, "Do not call me that!"

The Arion laughed, "That's your name-"

"I am Honorem Quauhtin Soler of Chaomlean, son of Mageer, and protector of the house of Stark and Smith. You will address me as such!"

The Arion laughed. "A Quauthin. Ha!"

Soli clicked a few buttons on his bracelet that Tony had given him. He felt the electricity around him and pulled it in to his body. "Genie. It's going to be okay."

Genie whimpered. "Please let it be."

Soli's hand began to glow white. He whispered to himself, "Just like tossing a ball." He made the motion of throwing a ball and the electrically was shot in a bolt of lightning toward the Arions, hitting him and the three others that stood there. They fell lifeless to the ground.

Genie's eyes became huge. "Did you really just do that?"

Soli took her hand, "Hold onto me tightly."

He imagined himself running as fast as he could to the Control Room. A white light flashed in front of him. The next thing he saw was The Doctor falling on the floor in front of him and Genie.

"Damn. Warp speed on the ship, Soli?" The Doctor laughed.

Soli had apparently run straight into the Doctor who was rushing out of the door to their aid.

Genie took over explaining as she threw her arms around her Daddy's neck. "There are monsters in the playroom, Daddy! Soli fought them!"

Jack nodded his head. "Take care of this here, and I'll take care of that." He rushed out of the door.

Tony's voice could be heard through the speakers. "We have more incoming."

The Doctor held Genie and kissed her cheek. "You are strong, Genie. You are safe."

Genie was trying not to cry. "Where is Mummy?"

"She's safe. She's with Samuel."

Soli looked at the main screen. "John. What is that little ship?"

The Doctor sat Genie in his chair and kissed her head. "Everything is going to be alright." He looked back at the screen. "That is Tony."

He walked over to the panel and held down a button. "Tony. Your Soli just saved my daughter."

Tony laughed, "That's my boy! Way to go, man."

Soli smiled.

"What happened?" Tony asked.

"The Arions are on the ship. They were in the playroom."

"Blast the hell out of them?" Tony asked.

"Just like we had practiced." Soli told him proudly.

"I'm so proud of you. Well done. And you protected Gene. Great job!"

Soli looked back up at the Doctor, who rubbed his head proudly. "He's earning his title today. I'm seeing three Arion ships here. What are you reading out there?"

"Four. There's one on the other side of the planet."

The Doctor groaned. "They aren't here for a social engagement."

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Lartius ran down the hallway of the castle and met up with Lewis and Licis. Pepper held his hand. Lewis looked surprised, "Where is Tony?"

Lartius explained, "He has transported up to help. He has left me in charge of his princess."

Lewis nodded and pointed down the hall. They continued to run just as a siren sounded inside of the castle.

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Tony had his suit's cloaking device engaged. "One of these ships are the fuckers that had Soli, isn't it?"

The Doctor's voice spoke in his helmet. "Yes. Soli isn't sure which one it is."

Tony landed on the side of one of the ships. He pulled a panel off of the side and twisted a knob he found there. Suddenly, the ship's cloak disappeared and the ship became visible.

Tony laughed, "And that's when the fight started."

Genie asked, "Daddy! Shoot them!"

The Doctor looked back at her and shook his head. "No. No one knows we're here. We have to stay out of this."

Genie crossed her arms. "Why?"

"If we fire on them, it could begin a war."

The little girl wasn't pleased. "But, they-"

The Doctor turned and looked at her. She groaned and crossed her arms.

Soli pointed to the screen. "They are firing! Will they hit Tony?"

The Doctor shook his head, "It's safe to say those patrols are going to keep them busy. They can't see Tony."

Three Quauhtin ships flew around the visible Arion ship. The Arions fired on the small ships and they spun around to avoid being hit. A dozen more Quauthin ships launched from the surface. Some headed towards the Arions, some quickly disappeared in a blaze of light to quickly escape the battle.

The Doctor pressed a button on the panel. "This is the Primus John of the Prime Guard of Terra. I have a friendly in a personal flight suit around the enemy. Switch viewers to thermal mode and fire at will."

Rose ran into the room holding Samuel. "What do you need me to do?"

He pointed at a chair. "Sit just there. I'll let you know."

She handed him Samuel and sat down at the panel. Soli sat down at the panel next to her. He looked around. "This is weapons. John, are you sure we can't fire?"

"No firing. Otherwise they will know where we are. They haven't seen us yet."

He pat Samuel's back and turned to hand him to Genie. "You. Are on brother duty."

She held Samuel in her arms. "Great, as long as he doesn't poo."

Rose smiled at her remark. Jack came back into the Control Room. "I have four Arions in a tank."

The Doctor put his hands on his hips. "Good. Any clue how they got in?"

"None."

"Damn. Friday, lock out all transports until further notice. Allow Tony access."

"Yes, Doctor." Friday replied.

"List all contacts within the ship."

Friday spoke. "The only contacts I have are Primus John Smith, Doctor Rose Smith, Genie Smith, Samuel Smith, Soler Chaomlean, Captain Jack Harkness and four Arion prisoners."

Rose looked back at the Doctor. "Where is Pepper?"

"She's with Lewis. They are leaving the castle." He told her quickly. "Tony. I see three more ships."

"You're about to see another one." He told him as another ship appeared. They heard him laugh, "And FOUR! Oh, I love this shit."

Soler smiled at Tony's voice. "He's disabled the cloaking on all of the Arion ships."

"And the transporting abilities." Jack added. "Damn, hell of a job, Stark."

Tony laughed, "It's what I do, man. I'm on my way back in."

The Doctor nodded. "The door is open. Thanks man."

Soler pointed at the screens. The smaller Arion ships where firing on the larger ships. "Primus. We need to make sure there aren't already children aboard."

The Doctor nodded. "I've already checked. The computer is scanning for them now."

The smaller ships continued to fire on the Arion ships. The Doctor stood and watched the fight. Rose turned and looked at him. "This isn't like you."

He held his hand out. "I've been ordered to stay out of it. Just knowing I'm here could start a war. Keep us cloaked, Jack."

Jack nodded. "We're still hidden."

Soler pointed at another small ship leaving orbit. "There is a small ship departing the castle."

The Doctor nodded, "Protocol. They are moving the King to a secure location."

One of the Arion ships fired and hit the small ship that held the king. The explosion lit up the sky. The Doctor's heart dropped. "Oh no."

Jack read the sensors. "No life form readings."

The Doctor looked back at Rose. "I'm done with this. Turn off the cloak."

She rose her eyebrows. She could feel his shock and anger.

Jack looked confused, "They will see us-"

"Turn it off." The Doctor insisted.

Jack looked back at Rose and pressed a button. All of the ships in orbit around them seemed to notice they had appeared. The Doctor stood with his hands on his hips surveying the situation.

Rose saw a button light up. "And we're being contacted by the Arions-"

The Doctor was furious. "Oh, put that on the screen."

Rose pressed a button and gasped when she saw the crocodile looking creature on the screen in front of them. He quickly turned and pat Genie's head. "It's alright."

The Crocodile growled and spoke. "You have my son."

The Doctor shook his head. "No, I don't. I have the son of Mageer."

"He was sold to me-"

"Well, I can't believe that because I know his father. He wouldn't have sold this boy."

"I'm here to tell you he did-"

"And that justifies you to kill a King? A Primus? A Quautin? A Princess?"

Rose realized he was talking about Lewis and Pepper. They had to have been on the ship with the King when it exploded. She turned and covered her mouth and willed the tears not to flow.

"A small payment-"

"The Quauhtin won't see it like that. I know they won't. Neither will the princess' mate. This ends here."

Jack hung his head and looked back at Rose. She understood that he realized who was on the ship, too. He shook his head and mouthed, "This didn't happen."

The Doctor shook his head. "See. You had already made me angry when I found Soler. But, this….no. I'm sorry, but I can't even give you a second chance with this. It's probably for the best, that it's not completely up to me."

Just as he said that, another ship came out of light speed between them. It was bigger than all of the ships in orbit together, smooth and brilliant white. It seemed to reflect the light of the planet below. A smaller, round craft appeared right below it.

The speaker sounded with Poltious' voice. "How late are we?"

"About five minutes. But, the real fight hasn't started yet."

Poltious grunted, "Good. Because I have plenty left in me. I've brought you someone you have been looking for."

Rose saw another button flashing. Tony walked into the Control Room. He had taken off his metal suit and wore the trousers and oxford from his suit that he had worn to the planet.

He looked at the main screen just as its image filled up with a man with a long, black beard. Soler's eyes became huge. "That's him!"

The Doctor smiled, "Mageer of Chaomlean. Your son is safe. The Arions who took him are currently attacking the planet of the Quauhtin. Will you assist?"

Mageer nodded, "Of course. Where is my son?"

The Doctor pointed at Soli who sat in the chair at the weapons panel. Mageer smiled proudly. "Wow. How you have grown."

Soli smiled.

Mageer pointed at someone in his ship and shouted, "Target all weapons to the Arions and fire-"

Soli shouted, "They may be children onboard!"

Mageer nodded, "Quite right. Disable the ships. Drain their power."

"Aye sir." Was heard over the speaker.

Mageer looked back at the screen. "Soler. I'm so pleased to see you. I received Tony's message. Has he treated you well?"

Soler smiled, "He has told me that I am important. He and Primus John have shown me how to be a Khrele."

He laughed proudly. "I couldn't be happier."

Jack looked at the panel, "Doctor. This reading is…not good."

The Doctor looked at the panel. "Mageer. There is a ship entering the Quauhtin orbit with an overheating engine."

Mageer asked his officer, "Life signs on all ships. Which ones have children?"

The officer reported, "Only one, sir."

"Tractor beam and pull it out-"

"It's already in orbit, sir."

Mageer shook his head. "Primus John. Please lock onto the children's signal and transport them to safety. Access code 879200"

The Doctor pointed at Jack. He nodded, "Got them. All clear."

The large ship of Mageer's took heavy fire. A man unseen shouted, "And we have now lost our shielding."

Mageer sighed, "Is there anything we can do?"

The officer shook his head. "We burnt it up to get here. It's only a matter of time."

"Can we jump-"

Another man answered, "Negative. The engine is spent."

Mageer sighed, "Soler. My son. Where is this Tony?"

Tony stepped forward. "I'm here."

Mageer smiled. "Thank you for caring for my son. Please see to it that he will grow into the man I know we will both be proud of."

Tony shook his head. "What?"

Mageer pointed at Soler. "Son. I've searched for you since I lost you. The fault was mine, and I'm so sorry. Remember, that I love you more than any father could. Tony, will keep you safe. Remember what got you here, and help someone else. There will always be someone who needs help."

The image went blank. They watched as Mageer took his large ship and positioned it between all four of the Arion ships. The Doctor saw what was about to happen at moments before it did. He quickly moved the ship away just as Mageer's ship exploded in a huge fireball, taking the Arion ships with him. Jack pressed a few buttons. "The Quauhtin homeworld is fine. The atmosphere is protecting it."

Tony covered his mouth in shock at what he just had seen happen. Soler looked back at him. "What happened?"

It was too much. Rose couldn't face the little boy's questions. She covered her face and took a deep breath.

The Doctor pointed at Jack. "Go see to our children we transported onboard. Take them to the med bay and I'll be there shortly."

Jack nodded. "Right." He left the room quickly.

Tony knelt in front of Soler. "I'm so sorry, buddy."

Soler looked back at the screen. "Why did he do that?"

Tony held both of the boy's hands. "To save you. To save the entire planet. Your father is such a brave man."

Soler dropped his head as tears filled his eyes. Tony pulled him into his arms. "It's alright to cry. I've got you."

Soler held Tony tightly and wept.

Rose stood up and wiped her eyes. "Come on Genie."

Genie handed Samuel to Rose and they walked out of the Control Room together. The Doctor sat down at a panel and clicked in a new destination. It showed they would be arriving at Lenox's in about three hours.

Soler wiped his eyes and looked at Tony. "Tony. Why did you say you were sorry?"

"That's what you say when something bad happens."

Soler sniffed his nose. "Then I'm sorry, Tony."

"What are you sorry for?"

"Lartius' ship was destroyed. I saw it leave the castle. John said the Princess was on it."

Tony looked back at the Doctor. "What?"

The Doctor shook his head. "I don't know that for sure."

"Do you freaky head thing and talk to Lartius!"

"I'm not connected with him-"

"Lewis!"

"His doesn't work!"

"Licis!"

"He's not answering!"

Tony closed his eyes. "This isn't happening. That's not what happened. Contact the castle-"

"They are scrambling. It has been damaged."

"She's DOWN THERE!" Tony shouted.

"She's not! Her bracelet is reading she's not on the planet. Lewis isn't there either. It's just… a blank line."

Tony collapsed on the floor. "She's…."

"Tony. I don't know." The Doctor insisted.

Tony looked back at Soler in shock. Soli knelt between his legs and took his hands in his. "Tony. You said it was alright to cry."

Tony shook his head and fought back tears.

Soler held Tony tightly. "We're going to be alright." He told him.

Tony held his eyes shut tightly and whispered to Soler. "She's alright. She's alright."

The Doctor wiped his own eyes and increased the speed to Photoria.

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