DAR
Andros, Zordon and Rita followed me back inside. I really don't have anything to say to them at the moment as I am lost in my own thoughts about what I have just seen. Oddly, I feel more relaxed than I have since the boy actually arrived here. Sure, our mini battle helped as does my new perception of Zedd's boy and his place here, but still I was uneasy around him. It's almost like I was waiting for something like this and now that it's happened I can stop waiting. I still have no love for him, but at least it is no longer the raw, seething hatred that it once was.
Andros and Zordon help me get the last of the dishes moved out to the table as Rita stares out the window. What is she staring at? I frown as I think. That window faces nothing but the woods to the side of the castle. She shouldn't be able to see any of the four that are still outside. Perhaps she sees the bird? Or is she just thinking? Either way, I get the feeling that I need to pay very close attention to any conversation that she is involved in.
A few more minutes and Pina and Jason enter the room, neither one of them looking very happy. I catch Pina's eye and raise an eyebrow, silently asking if everything is all right. She frowns and shakes her head slightly. She crosses over to me and quietly explains the current problem with the former Red Ranger.
I certainly have no love for him either, but nothing like the raw hatred that I have felt for Tommy all these years. I have to admit that while I didn't like him all those years ago, I did respect him as a warrior. The little bit of him that I've seen since he's been here has been more of the same - respect, but not much else.
Another twenty minutes and I'm about to go and fetch Zedd and the boy. Two steps toward the door and it swings open. Zedd walks in alone. He addresses everyone. "He'll be here shortly. We might as well sit down and start eating."
I point to a chair on one corner. "Zedd, you sit there. When Tommy comes down, he can sit between you and Pina." Zedd nods and quickly takes his seat while I direct the others to their chairs. Before I take my own seat, I begin passing dishes. Zedd and Pina make sure to fill Tommy's plate as the dishes come around. I look up as the door swings open once more. I meet Tommy's eyes briefly, then glance at his seat. He nods briefly and starts for the chair.
He pauses near Jason. "Sorry, Jase. I'm not actually angry at you. But you were right there, you know?"
I hold my breath to hear Jason's answer. "It's okay, bro. We'll talk more later."
Tommy gives his friend a weak smile before taking his seat. Everyone eats silently for a few minutes before Zordon speaks.
"Tommy" he began. He paused briefly when Tommy flinched. "I don't know how to explain any of this to you, but there is someone that Rita and I want you to talk to. We know that you don't want to go anywhere and - as you might remember - Zedd vetoed the idea of making the call from our ship."
Tommy nodded, staring at his plate. Zordon continued, "And Jason was right as well. There must be some consideration for what you are comfortable with. With that in mind, I came up with another idea. The new idea will have to be approved by everyone of course."
Tommy still didn't look up, but Pina, Jason and Andros looked at Zordon curiously. Zedd commented, "Oh, right. The four of you weren't here when the suggestion was made. I think that it might be worth considering."
Tommy glanced over at Zedd for a moment, who continued eating calmly. Tommy spoke quietly. "What's the idea?"
Zordon took a breath. "Zedd wasn't comfortable with the idea of making the call from our ship and Pina has no intention of clearing you for travel - even if you did want to go. Rita and I cannot just give them confidential information so-" He stopped as Tommy gave him a blank look.
"Secrets, Tommy. He and Rita can't give us the secrets" I filled in. When he nodded in understanding, I nodded to Zordon to continue.
"So - with Andros' permission - the call could be made from the Megaship. You could have whoever you want there so that you feel safe."
Silence as everyone ate some more and considered this plan. Finally, Tommy looked at Zordon and spoke. "Why?"
Unfortunately, everyone looked at him blankly. Pina addressed him. "Tommy, 'why' can mean a lot of things. Can you be more specific?"
"Why do you want me to talk to this other person? Why is it secret? Why does it matter?" Nobody is sure how to answer him as his gaze shifts from person to person before finally settling on me. "Dar?"
Of course he would settle on the one person that he knows to be truthful. I sigh, set my fork down and wipe my mouth before I respond. "You had some memories return earlier about past powers, right?" At his nod, I take a breath and continue. "It has to do with that. It matters because there is some - disagreement - about how your treatment might go in the future." I know that what I'm about to say may not go over well with the others, but it's what Tommy wants. "There is a possibility - however slight - that there might still be power within you."
No one moves - no one even breathes as he absorbs this new information. When he finally speaks next, he stuns us all. "There is no might to it. There is definitely still power - or something anyway. I feel it every time that bird is around." He thinks for several minutes before he speaks again. "Okay. So, Rita and Zordon don't trust Zedd, Pina and Dar. Zedd, Pina and Dar don't trust Rita and Zordon. Jason and Andros don't seem to have taken sides. So it makes sense to use their ship."
Rita interrupts. "You've already said that you have no reason to trust me and Zordon and you obviously DO trust Zedd, Pina and Dar." I hide my grin at this. My grin grows wider as I hear Tommy snort in amusement and Zedd choke on his food. The four visitors look at us puzzled as the four of us do our best not to look at each other, but I can feel Pina's amusement as well. I gain my control first.
"We've had a few trying moments, but we've worked through them." Once again, I can sense the amusement on our side of the table, but snap to attention once more when Rita speaks again.
"Given the choice, I'd much rather just take you to Dulcea so that she can see you in person. However, I've been outvoted at this time. So this really is the only option."
Something's off in her statement. Before Zedd can speak, I do. "Rita - I want your word - your word as a goddess of light. You will NOT remove Tommy from our care."
I can feel my mate's curiosity at my tone and choice of words and the looks from everyone else at the table, but keep my attention on Rita. Having served under her as long as I did, I can almost sense the plan she's concocting. I'm not sure what it is, but I don't like it. "Why, Goldar, why would you think-"
I cut her off, my voice changing to icy cold steel - something I rarely have to do these days. "Your word, Rita. Now. Or you can leave the planet any time in the next five minutes. Voluntarily or involuntarily is up to you." There is a long pause and I speak again. "Tommy and I are by no means friends. However, I will not have my household and work disrupted any more than it already has been. Without your promise, you are a liability - a detriment to his comfort and his recovery and that affects the rest of us and I will not stand for it."
I slide my chair back, ready to make good on my threat. Pina and Zedd follow suit and to my surprise, so does Jason. With no change to my voice, I repeat myself. "Your word, Rita. You will NOT remove Tommy from our care unless or until we AND he agree to it - which we won't."
Just as I'm about to stand up and escort them out, she - reluctantly - gives her word. As the humans say - checkmate. Satisfied, I immediately return to my genial and professional demeanor. "Excellent. Now, you might want to finish dinner as there is dessert yet."
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning at the groans from my side of the table.
