JASON
As much as I try, I am not a lot of help to Andros with the research. Unfortunately, most of the information that is coming up is not in English and I don't read any other languages - well none from other planets anyway. I didn't realize that he read so many - or that he could read so fast. Even so, I do what I can to avoid thinking about what Zedd told us about what happened in that place. When the hail comes over the communication system, I answer it.
"Go ahead."
"Jason - it's Dar. Tommy is awake, but still in the infirmary at the moment. Also the meal will be ready soon."
Andros speaks. "Thanks, Dar. Also Pina asked me to try and find some information for her. Do you think that she'd rather it was sent to her or brought on a wafer?"
"Why don't you just put it on a wafer and bring it in with you? I know that she is still waiting for other information to come in through the messaging system. I wouldn't want your messages to get lost in the shuffle. That certainly won't help anyone."
I respond. "Understood and we'll be in shortly. Megaship out."
I wait as patiently as I can for Andros to transfer the information, but really, I just want to talk to Tommy - just him and me. I need to know for myself that he's really okay here. I've been giving Zedd and the others the benefit of the doubt, especially as protective as they seem to be over him. But I haven't been able to figure out if they have been on the level or if there is a different agenda that they are hiding from us.
Finally, Andros is ready and we quickly head for the castle infirmary. As we get close, I catch the sound of voices before I hear Zedd's loud - "That is NOT happening!"
I find myself running the last several yards and pop into the infirmary. "What is going on here?"
Zedd's eyes do not leave Zordon and Rita as he answers me. "They want to have Thomas speak to the Keeper of the Powers, but on their ship." Zordon opens his mouth to speak but Zedd snarls over him. "I already said no!"
My eyes search the infirmary, before finding the person I really want to talk to sitting on the exam table being shielded by Pina. As the others continue to argue, I study him for a moment, years of practice allowing me to read the emotions as they cross his face. Uncertainty and fear are the most common. If Tommy and Zedd are bonded, why is Zedd not responding to the fear that Tommy is obviously feeling? The answer occurs to me a moment later. Either he is too busy drowning in his own emotions or this is him reacting to Tommy's.
Suddenly, Tommy locks eyes with me. We were so close there were times that we could almost read each other's minds - and this time is no different. After a few moments of silent communication, he and I both give short sharp nods, take deep breaths and, as one voice, shout, "ENOUGH!"
Stunned silence quickly falls and Tommy slides off the table and draws himself up to his full height. I can see the tremor in his hands as he addresses everyone in the room. "I know that I'm not completely right in the head, but I wish that everyone would quit talking about me as if I'm not right here!"
I speak quietly into the silence. "If this is really about getting him better, then there has to be some consideration for what he is comfortable with. If this is just a contest of wills or a pissing contest to see who is bigger and badder, well then just carry on."
Tommy turns his attention to Zordon and Rita. "Frankly, I don't know you two. I kind of remember who you were, but I don't know who you are now and have no reason to trust you." He turns his attention to Zedd. "I know that you are just trying to protect me, but I don't necessarily need you to speak for me."
Once more he addresses the room at large. "Now, what I think is that we need to eat and CALMLY discuss options and what to do from here. However, for the time being, I have no intention to or interest in going anywhere."
Dar speaks from the doorway. "Dinner isn't quite ready, I'm afraid. Perhaps Tommy and Jason could talk while Zedd and Pina help me to prepare the dining room for our company."
Zordon speaks quickly. "If it will help everyone relax, Rita and I could stay near the dining room so that there is no worry about what you think we might do."
Andros pipes up. "Maybe if Zordon and Rita help or stay near Dar and Zedd, I could help Pina with the information I've found and Jason and Tommy could go talk - in the garden or something?"
There is a slight pause as everyone considers this proposal. Tommy turns to Pina. "Communicators?"
She nods, moves toward a cabinet, pulls out what looks to be every spare communicator that they must have and hands one to everybody. Dar levels a look at Pina and Andros. "You only have about a half an hour - an hour at most. Do not get so caught up that you forget to come and meet us."
Cheerfully, Pina waves the communicator at him. "You can call us if necessary." She then turns her attention to me. "Call me if anything happens - anything at all."
I nod then turn my attention to Tommy. "Lead the way, bro."
After a final glance at Zedd, he nods and crosses to me. He cuffs me on the shoulder lightly and says, "Let's go."
