AN: a random chapter that's shows once again how much I love the ocean, especially Killer Whales. They are my favorite animals. But the chapter does have a purpose, it shows how much damage the environment went through during the time of the androids.

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Chapter 22: Sea Tail

Today I'm on patrol in East City, near the beach. 17 and 18 have been too quiet, but the weather hasn't. There was a hurricane here yesterday, and I was checking for damage.

I flew fast, searching the area, but all I found was debris.

Boring!

But I should be happy with boring, because then no one would get hurt.

Then I heard something, a sad wailing sound further up the beach, a sound I thought sounded familiar.

Never mind the boring now!

I flew toward the sound, and then I saw her. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Sprawled out on the beach was a large female Orca, AKA Killer Whale.

Killer Whales can grow to be 3-9 tons and 18-33 feet long. This female was very close to those maximum numbers. She was as wide as I am tall. Orcas live in family groups, up to 50 members, but as I searched the sea I neither saw nor heard anymore whales. She was alone, so I made up my mind to return her to the sea so she could find her family.

I flew and landed. She was so beautiful, but I could tell she was old. Her saddle patch, the little gray spot behind her dorsal fin, was deep, dark gray. Her eyes were tired, and when I went to touch her she wailed again, showing off her pearly teeth and human-like tongue.

"Shh, easy big girl. I'm not going to hurt you." I was slow and easy as I knelt down so I could look at her at eye level. Orcas are my favorite animal, and I love them. But since I came here I've been too preoccupied to visit the ocean, to see a whale of any kind.

I've got to get help for her. Though I may be able to lift her myself, I have to be gentle. I'll go get Trunks and Gohan, then the three of us can lift her and place her back into the sea, where she belongs.

I went to get up, but she wailed again, and at first I thought I was crazy, but I think I understood her.

"What?"

"I asked you not to leave. An old girl like me shouldn't die alone."

"Did I just understand you?" I asked, shocked.

"I believe you did. You're the first human that could talk back."

"I'm not human, but I didn't think I could talk to whales."

"Well, we're talking. What's your name? I go by Mama."

"My name is Katie. How are you talking to me?"

"I don't know, but we are."

"I'm going to get help, but I'll be back." I turned to go, but she wailed out again.

"It doesn't matter who you go get to help, I was dying before I was beached. Two creatures that look and smell like you killed my pod. But I can tell you're different."

"Like me?"

"Yes, a male and a female. They just started shooting lights at my family, and the light killed them."

"I know who did this. I'm sorry."

"Don't leave me dear, please? I may be an old fool to ask one of your kind, but I don't want to die alone."

"My kind is unique. Those two that hurt you may be similar, but we're as different as you are to a shark. I won't leave you."

"Thank you. I sadden you? Why is that?"

"Your kind are my favorite. Ever since I was small I've liked your kind. This is the first opportunity I've had to meet one of your kind. I love hearing your kind sing, too. Its beautiful."

"Why haven't you had the chance to meet my kind? We're everywhere."

"Because I've been trying to stop the ones who killed your pod."

"You are different."

"Mama, why can you understand me?"

"My kind can understand your kind, it just doesn't work the other way." she laughed in her whale voice, a sound that was very complex, but you could definitely tell it was a laugh. But then she started to sing, and it was a sad song that told of her home, her history, and of whales in general.

"Mama, I know we just met, but I'll miss you."

"I feel the same way, Katie. I'm glad you stayed with me."

Then she died as I sat on the sand next to her. She had been so beautiful, and now she was another casualty of the Android war.

I got home and took a good, long hot shower to wash away the sand and whale smell, but Mama remained on my mind, her song did especially.

Maybe Katie isn't dead, but she's buried deep. She may come back once 17 and 18 are gone, but for now my human innocence is locked away where no one can retrieve it.

I did a sketch of Mama later that night. No one knew about her except me and her pod. Maybe she was with them now.

I have to admit my drawing of Mama was good, very detailed. The way her saddle patch was 'S' curved nearly perfect, the color of her eyes, the slightly yellow tint on her white patches. Her eyes had been so deep, it was like seeing a human's eye. But no artist could copy that. I kept that sketch in my room on the wall, with a passage that read: Humans, Namekians, and Sayjins aren't the only victims of the Android War. Her name was printed above her image.

Later that night, when I did my weekly check-up on my body, I discovered why I could talk to Mama. I knew I had a built-in translator, and it can translate any sentient being's speech. I guess that means whales are more self-aware than we ever realized.

Mama was only the latest in a long list of reasons why I have to stop 17 and 18. Hopefully the list would end with her.