Tatum's War

“Hey…does someone want to tell me what this is!?”

The screeching voice woke Tatum. He blinked, bringing the white, sterile ceiling into view. Movement out the corner of his eye, made him turn his head to the side, only to see an alien/person with a red skin and black hair retreating in a white coat with white pants and black shoes. Confused, Tatum let his gaze roll around the room. Much of it reminded him of the typical hospital rooms that he’d seen on T.V. plenty of times. Gabriella always made him watch Gray’s Anatomy with her. She loved her McDreamy. So the room didn’t bother him, but the aliens walking around tending to the other aliens on the beds peeked his interest. A red face, black hair alien appeared to be examining a green, what he thought was a female, because of her long lavender hair and large breasts sticking up through the covers, with a device he could only guess at. Other aliens were watching another group of aliens over near the corner with nervousness clearly etched on their faces. More aliens wearing green scrubs rushed about delivering medicines, he assumed, to other white coat aliens. The activities were quite fascinating to him, and conversations began floating to him.

“I need 10cc of vodka over here, stat!” An alien doctor yelled.

Tatum perked up looking for the source of the unusual comment. He propped himself up just in time to see an alien with deep brow ridges and wispy yellow hair run across the room to the waiting doctor. The floating monitor above the patient, who appeared an off blue, had numbers next to a line, just like the heart monitors from the show. The lines were erratic, several were flat, and one had a weird type of sign wave. The alien handed the syringe to the waiting doctor, who stabbed it into the patient’s chest. Everyone watched expectantly. Caught up in the moment, Tatum held his breath as the erratic lines began to smooth and the flat lines began pulsing. Others appeared relieved and Tatum let out his own breath.

“Life and death. Such a fragile filament keeping the two separate.” A voice said next to him.

Tatum turned to find an alien standing next to him, but dressed like the other alien who he assumed was a doctor. The bright yellow eyes were what stood out the most, but the round owl looking face took a close second. Again to fascinated to recoil or be anything else but interested, Tatum nodded his head.

“Did that doctor actually ask for vodka for that alien?” Tatum asked.

The owl doctor turn his head to the side, before realizing what he was talking about. The owl doctor tapped his head. “Sometimes the translator doesn’t get the language translation right. And I’d probably not use ‘alien’. ”

The confused look on Tatum’s face prompted the owl doctor to continue. “Alien, is a relative term. We are of different Species. Species would probably be a better term, though using their names would probably be most appropriate.”

Tatum nodded, not even realizing that he could understand him. He touched the side of his head. “Ow!” He pulled his finger away quickly. “Ow!”

The owl doctor nodded in sympathy. “It will be sore for many hours.”

“What did you do?” Tatum’s eyes held the first inkling of fear. The horrific alien movies played in his head, and he thought maybe they had implanted some living thing in him.

“Implanted a translator on the vestibulocochlear nerve.” The Owl Doctor explained. “Its bio processor contains the languages of every species in the Observer Trifectoric.” He leaned in close to Tatum. “Including all the dirty words too.” His big yellow eyes darted around making sure no one could hear.

If it was supposed to be a secret, Tatum nodded to the Doctor to assure him he’d keep it. “How many species are there in the Observer Trifectoric?” Again, just as quickly as the first inkling of fear began it was quashed by his curiosity.

A big toothy grin greeted his question, but before he could answer, a red skinned alien with deep black hair walked up to them. The Owl Doctor’s grin faded quickly, as he took a formal demeanor with the man.

“Sir.” The Owl Doctor said.

“Doctor Oullwyyng. That information is on a need to know basis.” The Red skinned alien told him.

Doctor Oullwyyng nodded. “Yes, Buccaneer Zulutan.” His yellow eyes looked nervously between the two.

Tatum scrutinized him. “Who are you?”

Buccaneer Zulutan drew himself up. He clearly thought low of Tatum, for his superior manner asserted itself as he spoke to him. “I am Buccaneer Zulutan, second in command of Station Hope security. How did you get here?”

Tatum bristled under the condescending tone being used by Zulutan. “If you are head of security, you should know. It’s your station isn’t it?” Tatum fired back.

Buccaneer Zulutan’s eyes grew wide. The blackness around the blue pupil darkened. Tatum watched fascinated.

“I don’t like your tone.” Buccaneer Zulutan stepped up close to the bed.

Tatum understood he was trying to intimidate him which made him laugh. Jackson had been much more menacing than this man.

“Then get out of my face.” Tatum swung his legs around and slid off the bed. He stood about four inches taller than the buccaneer.

“Could we not start anything, please?” Doctor Oullwyyng suggested. “There are still wounded in here.”

“I’ll ask you again. How did you get on this station?” Buccaneer Zulutan hissed.

“A magical fairy brought me here to save your sorry ass.” Tatum stepped closer.

Buccaneer Zulutan didn’t back away.

“I’m not sure Random would appreciate being called a magical fairy.” A voice commented beside them.

Tatum turned to the voice and again was greeted with an alien that must have had an avian back ground. But unlike Doctor Oullwyyng, the sharp pointy features were clearly a bird of prey. Sleek brown short hair dotted with off browns and black, fell into a widow’s peak. Sharp amber eyes with perfect black pupils watched him intently. Tatum couldn’t tell for sure, but his skin also appeared to be covered in dark brown short fur.

Buccaneer Zulutan snapped to attention, grabbed both his hands, and bowed his head, just as Tatum had seen many martial art students do to their masters.

“Commodore.”

An easy smile appeared on the Commodore’s face. He offered his hand to Tatum, who took and shook it.

“Thank you for identifying that ship. How did you know that the helium plasma spheres would reach their target?” The Commodore asked.

“Helium plasma spheres? Interesting. I didn’t. But I’ve played enough video games that it appeared reasonable.” Tatum shrugged.

The Commodore laughed. It was both short and high pitched. Tatum smiled.

The Commodore turned to Buccaneer Zulutan, “What’s the problem?”

“Sir! I’m trying to ascertain how this alien…”

“I thought alien was a bad term.” Tatum mused to Dr. Oullwyyng.

Dr. Oullwyyng shrugged his shoulder. Zulutan ignored the conversation and continued with his report. “… got on to the station. I have no record of an Earther being assigned to us.” Buccaneer Zulutan explained. “And he is not cooperating.”

“I’m an Earther.” Tatum nodded. “Least you didn’t call me a monkey.”

Clearly Buccaneer Zulutan thought it was a better description than Earther. “Sir, is there something I can do for you?”

The Commodore shook his head. “I wanted to come and meet the person that saved the station. Normally our fleet would have protected us, but the Draco Conclave is always on the move. The fleet had just entered the Streem when they attacked us. Your quick thinking, in an unfamiliar setting, saved a lot of lives.”

Tatum nodded. The Commodore turned back to Zulutan.

“Random sent him to us, via the Streem Blink. Little risky, but Radom was never a man to heed warnings. He’s cleared. Assign him his quarters and have Cadet MeerRhonda escort him.”

“At once Commodore.” Buccaneer Zulutan tapped the side of his head. “Cadet MeerRhonda report to the infirmary at once.” He turned to Tatum. “She’ll take you to your quarters. I suggest you be more cooperative next time.”

“Then don’t be a dick.” Tatum informed him.

Buccaneer Zulutan was about to respond when a gentle cough from the Commodore made him think better of it. He crisply turned and left.

Tatum watched him go. “If I tap the side of my head, will I get to talk?” He asked Doctor Oullwyyng.

He shook his head. “No. You’ll get a flexipad to use.”

“How did we do, Doctor?” The Commodore asked.

Doctor Oullwyyng looked solemn. “Ten dead, over a hundred wounded.”

Tatum hadn’t had time to think of anything but the extraordinary experience he was living. He didn’t remember the station being hit or any explosions, but he had to admit, he had been too focused on the situation to have noticed either.

To hear about those that died and the wounded made him stop and think. His gaze wondered around the room. Doctors and nurses attended those that were hurt. It’s the first time he noticed how large the sickbay was. While he scanned the area, he noticed in a corner across from him, that several aliens had gathered around another. The doctor pulled a cover over the body. Tatum felt moved by the quiet grief displayed by the alien’s friends.

“Good to see you have compassion. The enemy doesn’t.” The Commodore commented quietly.

Tatum wiped a tear from his cheek.

The Commodore placed his hand on this shoulder. “You saved a lot more because of your actions. Remember that.”

“I got lucky. I didn’t even know what I was doing. I’m not even sure where or why I’m here. I’m just an average high schooler.” Watching the death of the alien, Tatum finally allowed the enormity of the situation and the uncertainty to finally intrude upon his excitement. He never could have imagined anything like this, and he was confused.

The Commodore laughed. “Well, Random is unpredictable, but he wouldn’t have sent you to us if he didn’t think you could help us.”

“With what?”

“Survival.”

Tatum was about to inquire further, when MeerRhonda stepped up. Dressed completely differently than before, she didn’t look at him as she gave a crisp salute to the Commodore.

“You’ve met MeerRhonda?” The Commodore returned the salute.

Tatum rubbed his chin. “And her right cross.”

A slight smile appeared on her face, and disappeared as quickly.

“The Ermeerka are known for their short tempers.” The Commodore smiled. “But she will be assigned to you as your escort and trainer.”

“Trainer?” Tatum eyed MeerRhonda, wondering what kind of training they’d have.

The Commander nodded. “Yes. The reports from Random say you are a very good tactician. I’ll be expecting great things from you.” He turned and walked away.

Tatum watched him go with mixed feelings. He turned back to MeerRhonda. Her crisp white uniform, with blue and silver trim, did a nice job of hiding her chest. He found himself looking at the lump where her third breast was. Not wanting to get hit again, he forced his eyes to look at the uninteresting things about her uniform; gray, plain, with several ribbons for things she must have accomplished

“Follow me.” She commanded in a low and husky voice.

“What… don’t I get an apology?” He asked her.

Her look told him she’d die before doing any such thing.

“Clothes?” Tatum asked the Doctor.

Doctor Oullwyyng appeared distracted by their interaction before he realized that Tatum was talking to him. “Oh, they were destroyed. Didn’t want any nasty Earth bugs on board.” He handed him his phone. “Interesting item. Is it a toy?”

“This? No, it’s a phone. We talk to other people with it.”

“Very primitive.”

“I’m sure. Clothes?”

“Your quarters will have new ones.” He told him.

Tatum frowned. “Not like hers?” He absently tried to put his phone in his back pocket, but then realized he couldn’t.

MeerRhonda’s eyes widened in anger as she stepped forward. Her arm twitched, like she was forcing it from punching him again. Tatum didn’t move from the amazon alien in front of him.

“If you don’t like the clothes. Just talk to the computer.” He offered.

“What if I don’t like my date?” Tatum’s leveled insult appeared to have the desired effect.

He manage to duck under the left cross that came his way after his comment. But he failed miserably in noticing the follow up knee that caught him in the midsection doubling him over. As the breath left his body, and he crumpled to his knees, Dr. Oullwyyng knelt down beside him.

“I don’t know what meaning that word has on your world, but to an Ermeerka…it means love giver.” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t use that again if you value your life.”

Between gasping breaths and stars bursting in his eyes, Tatum nodded. After a few moments, he struggled to his feet. MeerRhonda peered down at him with a mixture of disgust and contempt.

Tatum scowled at her as best he could. Dr. Oullwyyng slapped him on his back, which almost sent Tatum back to his knees.

“I’ve got to give you impressiveness, Earther. That blow would have knocked most species out for a while.” The joy in his voice couldn’t be hidden.

Tatum smiled at the syntax error from the translator. “You’ll be more impressed when I put her in here.”

The squeaky laugh from MeerRhonda reverberated around the room. Some occupants propped themselves to see the source of the mirth. Dr. Oullwyyng watch MeerRhonda with surprise. MeerRhonda quickly recovered her sour demeanor.

“Well, well. The Ice Cat does have a humorous bone in her body.” Dr. Oullwyyng laughed.

MeerRhonda eyes narrowed dangerously at the doctor. He involuntarily took a step back. “Well, yes…uhm, maybe you should take him to his quarters.”

“Ice Cat, huh.” Tatum mused pulling the thin dress gown back around his shoulders.

Dr. Oullwyyng shook his head. His face clearly indicating that he miss spoke and that if Tatum valued his life, he wouldn’t repeat those words. Tatum, of course, knew he’d file it away for a future confrontation. Tatum turned to the menacing seven foot tall meerkat amazon, put on his best charming smile, the one he used on Gabriella all the time to get her to bring him ice cream, and motioned her to lead the way.

MeerRhonda’s left eye twitched annoyingly as she turned and led him through the door and down the corridor.