David Robbins - Seattle Run

“I don’t agree that our intellects are superior to most others,” Blade said. “I don’t see myself as possessing more than an average intelligence.”

“Rubbish!” Tiger responded. “You’re selling yourself short. The average moron wouldn’t know Edgar Allan Poe from Edgar Rice Burroughs. You do.”

“I know about Poe because I studied him in school when I was younger,” Blade detailed. “The Elder teaching our literature course taught us about all the truly great writers. I don’t regard Poe as highly as you do, because like most of us he possessed certain flaws in his character, flaws which interfered with the expression of his inherent brilliance.”

“All superior people display eccentricities,” Tiger said lamely.

“Feeble excuses do not justify bigotry,” Blade noted.

Tiger peered at the Warrior. “Poe was not a bigot.”

“No, but some of those who have misconstrued his writings qualify as bigots,” Blade said.

“How so?”

“Take his writings on the superior person, on the true genius,” Blade elaborated. “Poe acknowledged there was a difference in degree between a true genius and someone of average intelligence, but he never, so far as I know, claimed the genius was better than the average person. He never claimed the superior types should subjugate the so-called inferior ones and rule them with an iron fist.”

Tiger was silent for a full minute, studying his guest. At last he spoke.

“You are referring to myself.”

“If the shoe fits,” Blade said.

Tiger leaned forward, his tone hardening. “You don’t believe I am superior to the rest of the Sharks?”

“Physically you are,” Blade acknowledged. “Maybe intellectually too. But even if that’s the case, what gives you the right to lord it over them? What gives you the right to treat them as your slaves? You mentioned Thomas Jefferson before, but you missed Jefferson’s point. When he wrote that all men are created equal, he wasn’t referring to our natural talents and abilities. He was referring to our rights under the law. All men and women are entitled to the same basic rights. We studied the Declaraction of Independence in school. Jefferson said that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Inalienable. Which means that no one, no government or no individual, should be permitted to take these rights away from us.”

Tiger pursed his lips. “You’re referring to me again.”

“I saw what you did to Oakes,” Blade stated. “You deprived him of his life without justification. He wasn’t trying to kill you. He wasn’t a threat in any way. His only ‘crime’ was incompetence and cowardice. You had no right to kill him.”

Tiger’s nostrils flared. “Who the hell are you to judge me? If it wasn’t for me, the Sharks would still be the disordered, motley rabble they were when I assumed command. I molded the Sharks into what they are today! I made them a force to be reckoned with! I gave them new life and brought culture into their miserable existence! I selected the Seattle Art Museum as our headquarters. I did all of this because they need someone like me, a superior man, a genius who can ease the strain of their wretched lives by doing their thinking for them. Without me the Sharks are nothing!”

Blade was startled by the transformation in Tiger’s countenance. From placid host the Shark had changed into a raging egomaniac. He was glad Tiger had returned his Bowies because he sensed trouble brewing.

And he was right.

“I can see I misjudged you,” Tiger was saying. “One must learn never to rely on first impressions. You are not my equal, after all.”

“I would like to be your ally,” Blade mentioned.

“My ally?”

“Yes. Against the mutant known as Manta,” Blade said.

“What do you know of Manta and his followers?” Tiger questioned.

“Not a lot,” Blade admitted. “I know he is holding a number of people as prisoners somewhere in Seattle. My friends and I came here to free them.”

“Manta and the Sharks have been at war for years,” Tiger stated. “If we could not defeat him in all that time, how can you expect to best Manta with the aid of just three others?”

“There would be more than three if I could rely on the Sharks for assistance,” Blade commented. “You’re the Shark leader. The decision is up to you.”

“And the answer is no,” Tiger said. “We don’t need your help.”

“But we can use yours,” Blade corrected him.

“It’s the same thing,” Tiger remarked. “The Sharks don’t need your help. We’ll defeat Manta on our own.”

“And what about the prisoners Manta is holding? When will you free them?” Blade inquired.

“When we defeat Manta,” Tiger reiterated.

“And when will that be?” Blade asked.

“Who knows? As I said, we have been fighting for years.”

“It doesn’t sound to me like you’re very anxious to resolve the conflict,” Blade said.

“Meaning what?” Tiger rejoined.

“Meaning maybe you like things the way they are,” Blade commented.

“Maybe you don’t want to defeat Manta. Maybe you prefer the status quo.”

Tiger laughed. “That’s ridiculous!”

“Is it?” Blade countered. “If you’re as superior as you claim to be, then you should’ve finished off Manta long ago. Surprisingly, you haven’t done it. Why? Because you know Mania’s presence consolidates your own power. As long as Manta is a theat, the Sharks will look to you for leadership, for protection.”

“The Sharks will look to me for leadership even after Manta is gone!”

Tiger interjected.

“Maybe.” Blade shrugged. “Maybe not. Here’s your chance to prove yourself. Help me overthrow Manta. Help me make Seattle a safe place for humans to live again.”

Tiger stared at Blade for a moment. “If anyone is going to overthrow Manta, I will be the one. And as far as the Sharks are concerned, I know what is best for them. You don’t. You’re a stranger here. How dare you come in here and dictate to me!”

“I wasn’t dictating—” Blade said.

“Strangers always bring trouble!” Tiger declared. “Fortunately, I have ways of dealing with trouble.”

“I can see this is getting me nowhere,” Blade remarked, standing and shoving his chair back. “I thank you for your hospitality.”

Tiger grinned. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m leaving,” Blade announced. “I must find my friends and locate Manta.”

Tiger slowly shook his head. “You’re not going anywhere, Blade.”

Blade rested his hands on his Bowies. “Do you intend to stop me?”

Tiger’s right hand disappeared under the table. “Yes. I do.”

“I’m leaving!” Blade repeated.

“Yes, you are,” Tiger concurred. “But not in the manner you expect.”

His right arm moved and there was a loud click.

Blade felt the floor fall out from under him, and the next instant he was hurtling down a dark shaft toward whatever awaited him below.

Everything was so… strange.

He felt like he was floating, and when he glanced down at himself he received two shocks: first, he was floating; and secondly, his dark-blue uniform seemed to have been replaced by a diffused, light-blue glow.

What was happening?

He stared overhead, bewildered to observe a dark, cylindrical tunnel nearby. The moment he saw the mysterious tunnel, and without consciously willing himself to move, he glided toward the tunnel opening.

As he did, a sensation of extreme serenity pervaded his being.

Was this a dream?

It must be a dream.