Tatum's War

Tatum stared. “What do you mean? Neither.”

Vadell moved across the room and placed her hand on Tatum’s shoulder. It was warm and a calm spread though his body. Even though she stood mere inches away from him, her face was still hidden in the blackness of her skin.

“When I say neither, I mean, you. You determine your reality. You have to decide if what you believe about what death means is true or not. It isn’t predestined. If you want to see your loved ones, then do. If not, don’t. The gods only create an easy road for most cultures. Individuals have trouble believing. That is the greatest danger Piccolo’s course takes. She believes that individuals should choose. Not be led. But most people can’t cope with that kind of responsibility. They need guidance, they need assurance that their tragedies aren’t for naught. That what they perceive as evil or good has purpose. That is what the gods bring to weak individuals.”

“But if they are waring amongst themselves, then that isn’t helping.” Tatum argued.

“That is true.” Vadell conceded. “But just as there are bad people, there are bad gods. Piccolo isn’t discriminating. She wants to rid the universe of them all. You don’t kill the tree because of a few bad apples.” Vadell smiled.

Tatum couldn’t help but smile back. “I see, I think.” He scrunched his face. “What can I do?”

Ishmael stood. “Random must believe you might understand how Piccolo is going about her war. We are limited by those that believe she is using a strategic military strategy. Even I can’t understand how she is going about her hostilities and I’m very versed in war. I need you to find that strategy.”

“What about Alexa? How do we get her back?” Tatum said. “What does Piccolo want with her?”

Ishmael shook his head. “I don’t know. Alexa must have some magic about her. Piccolo is sensitive to magic. She can see it.”

“But it isn’t magic is it?” Tatum questioned.

“No. It’s the manipulation of energy at its fundamental level. But even to us, it’s magic.” Ishmael acknowledged.

“But why?” Tatum asked again. “What possible magic can she have that can help someone who has power greater than a god?”

Ishmael shrugged. “Only Piccolo knows. But be assured, whatever she wants with Alexa it will only further her obsession in wiping out the gods.”

Tatum’s face fell. He wanted to get his friend back. She was special. Not only to him but to his little sister as well and the thought of anything happening to Alexa ate away at him. “She won’t hurt her, will she?”

Vadell shook her head. “No. If Alexa is not useful in whatever way she needs her to be, Piccolo will just return her home.” Vadell’s face softened with sadness. “But that isn’t to say, Alexa won’t be changed.”

Tatum looked at her with concern. “What do you mean changed?”

“You don’t come in contact with that much power and not be changed. Only time will tell how. Just know that she will not be the same when you meet her again.” Ishmael assured him.

“I don’t want her to change. She’s perfect as she is.” Tatum whispered vehemently.

Vadell squeezed his shoulder. Warmth spread though his body quenching the anger welling up inside of him. He looked into her black eyes and saw his pain and the understanding of that pain.

“Don’t give up on Alexa, Tatum.” Vadell told him. “The sooner you can figure out what world Piccolo will most likely attack, the chances of getting Alexa back increases. We don’t have the resources to just go looking, we need to know her reasoning for moving the way she is.”

That statement brought Tatum up short. He didn’t know how you can travel though the whole universe much less predict how someone who had that kind of power would think. Where does one start? Tatum heard laughter and looked up. Ishmael watched him with an expression of understanding.

“I am neither as smart as my wife, nor as talented as either of them. I certainly was the weakest link in our group,” Ishmael started.

“That isn’t true.” Vadell scoffed. “You were just as talented, just clumsy.”

“True.” He smiled at her. “Even though my wife is being kind, I had trouble when I first came out into the expanse of space understanding how someone as small as I, can have any impact on it. But as we have traveled I’ve learned that it isn’t really that big.”

Tatum scoffed. “I’m not sure what you are trying to say, but the universe is a huge place. On my planet, scientist say that just in our galaxy alone has more suns than grains of sand on every beach.”

“But can you travel to each beach? Can you see every grain of sand? That is what I’m saying. We can travel almost instantaneous to anywhere in the universe. So, you see, if you can travel to every beach that quickly, just how big is your planet.” Ishmael explained.

Tatum looked dubiously at him. “You’ll forgive me, but the universe is still a big place. I hope I can come to realize what you just told me, though I think it will be some time.”

Ishmael nodded. “I understand.” Ishmael walked him over to the oak door. “Let us know if you come to any conclusions. You can come and see us at any time.”

Tatum shook his hand. “I will.” He looked down at the clasped hands. “I’m glad you didn’t throw me, unlike someone else I know.”

“I’ve seen this custom before. Even though it does leave you vulnerable.” Ishmael said.

“So I’ve been told.” Tatum nodded to Vadell. “Thank you.”

Tatum opened the door and MeerRhonda waited patiently beyond. When her eyes glimpsed Ishmael, she immediately lowered them and placed her hand across her chest.

“Master.” Her voice reverberated with respect.

“MeerRhonda, Ishmael is fine.”

“You know her?” Tatum asked.

“My finest student. Learned much quicker than I ever did. Please show him back to his quarters and continue his training.” Ishmael told her.

“Yes, Master.” MeerRhonda acknowledged.

“Now I’ll never beat her.” Tatum said mockingly.

Ishmael leaned close to him. “You never stood a chance.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling him, Master.” MeerRhonda had a slight smile come to her lips.

“If I bloody your nose, then it will be a victory.” Tatum smiled back.

“Like that would ever happen.” She mumbled.

Tatum understood that his next action might be mistakenly taken as underhanded and even deceitful, but he knew all along that he could never beat her, and he also knew that his actions wouldn’t be forgotten or forgiven anytime soon. So when MeerRhonda, still looking down at the floor, caught his uppercut aimed at her face before it even got past his leg, then flipped him on his back and placed her knee on his throat, he was surprised to see gratitude in her eyes.

Vadell looked over Ishmael’s shoulder as he knelt down next to him. “I’d keep practicing.”

“I will.” He hoarsely coughed out.

Ishmael stood and closed the door. MeerRhonda removed her knee from his throat and helped him up. Tatum coughed a few times to test his throat and quietly followed MeerRhonda back down the hall to the elevator. Neither spoke. After leaving the elevator and finding the Zero tube, MeerRhonda gave him a quick explanation on how the Zero tube worked. Tatum floated through the Zero tubes rubbing his throat until MeerRhonda left him at his quarters. A curt nod and instruction on where to go for training tomorrow were her final words to him. Tatum let her go without saying any of his usual comebacks, entered his quarters and sat on his bunk. His mind raced. He rubbed his neck absently and pondered how he could possibly figure out the next world the Draco Conclave would conquer.