The Hardest Thing

Chapter 3

Piccolo braced himself for the inevitable scream that was to follow his abrupt introduction, but it never came. Confused, he locked eyes with her momentarily and read not fear, but confusion in her pale, violet eyes. They reminded him of a sweet smelling flower that he had forgotten the name of. She broke the brief connection and looked him over with an incredulous eye. "No, cannot be," she said finally but then appeared unsure, "well, maybe… but… too young… not so evil. How is this?"

Kami chuckled and Piccolo realized that it was his expression that had changed her mind. He had been surprised by her lack of belief in his claim. Before Gohan everyone had seen him as evil; and yet, at first glance, she had disagreed. It was secretly refreshing. He caught the feeling in its infancy and quickly ripped it away. "Futatsu, this is Piccolo." Kami explained, "He is what he claims to be, but much has changed since then. He is the one that found you."

"Another… world?" 'Picco lo' was Namekian for 'another world.' Piccolo scowled and she quickly lowered her head to say, "I see. Thank you, Piccolo."

Piccolo harrumphed and crossed his arms, "You can thank me by answering my questions." She breathed out a sigh and raised her hands to him as if to motion for him to continue. He decided that he would start with the pod. It didn't seem to him that she intentionally landed on their planet. It was more like a crash. "What happened in the pod?"

"Energy was low," Futatsu answered simply, "So… I use mine."

Her own Ki, a move like that could have just as easily killed her. "Where were you headed?" She wasn't worth the wish to send her home, but if Doctor Briefs had built ships in the past, maybe he could build another for her.

Futatsu ran her fingers through her long strands of blue hair, "I do not know," she muttered, "away from where I was."

That sounded to him as if she was running from something or someone; and, in his experience that often meant trouble. "Explain." He emphasized the command by taking a step forwards.

Her back already to the wall, Futatsu stood at her full height, which was about six feet tall, and flashed him a cool smile. "You could say… I was looking for… another world."

Piccolo might have been able to ignore the blatant pun on his name if it hadn't been for the uproarious laughter behind him. Cheeks darkened, he glared over his shoulder to where Kami stood, "this isn't a joke, old man!" He snarled in Japanese.

"Oh, I agree, but it is funny all the same." The old Namek replied with a grin, "Perhaps she would be more receptive if you didn't have such a threatening attitude." He turned to Futatsu and spoke in Namekian, "Miss Futatsu, please tell us what happened to you. Take your time, there is no rush."

Futatsu looked reticent as her pale eyes drifted over the three with a somber expression. Finally she spoke, "Please… do not judge harshly." It felt to Piccolo that her words were aimed to him more than Kami or Mr. Popo, but perhaps that was just paranoia. "I am a…" She paused, breathed, and started again, "I ran from prison…"

There was a moment of silence with her words. "You are a convict?" Kami asked. Wonderful, so what they had on their hands was a convicted felon. Someone was going to come after her and that meant even more trouble.

"Yes." She sighed.

"Are you guilty?"

"Mostly," she replied and turned to gaze out of the window.

"I see…" Kami muttered and Piccolo could tell that his counterpart didn't entirely believe her reply. Perhaps the old Guardian felt as he did that there was much more to the story that needed to be told; however, her knowledge of Namekian was limited which made it difficult for her to explain in detail. Piccolo decided it would be best to wait a while before pressing further on exactly what this supposed crime was.

There other issues that now concerned him. If this woman was indeed a fugitive, how long would it be until someone came looking for her? Knowing Kami as he did, the old man wouldn't be so eager to simply hand her over. Futatsu had said that her pod was made to find 'another world' and he assumed that she meant that the word she really meant was 'programmed'. "Why this planet?"

Futatsu kept staring out the window as she answered, "Not in… Triad Space. Not likely to follow."

"Why not?" Piccolo asked assuming that 'Triad' was some sort of group or union like the Planet Trade Organization.

Futatsu huffed at the utterance of his question and replied, "Hard to say. I do not know word… space locked? Lucky I got past!"

"I believe I understand," Kami spoke up and began to explain, "This Triad Space, or territory, must have locked borders: no one in, no one out. She believes they will not follow her because she is out of their reach."

"For her sake, she had better hope that she's right." Piccolo replied. If this Triad did come to Earth, he planned to hand her over. After all, she was guilty ("mostly" whatever that meant) of the crimes that she had committed; and yet, Piccolo had his doubts. They had yet to know what her crimes really were and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was situational. He had committed several crimes in his life time, more than he would ever care to admit to. What would he do if he found himself convicted of a felony? There was no prison that could hold him, save one or two. He shuddered involuntarily at the image of a rice steamer.

"I believe we have asked her enough questions for now," Kami stated, his black eyes fixed on his new guest. She was staring out the window again and her eyes, those pale violet eyes, had a distant look to them. "Mr. Popo, can you tend to her needs?"

"Yes, Kami." Mr. Popo nodded and watched the two halves leave the room.

Piccolo followed Kami into his throne room. "What do you plan to do with her?"

"Me?" Kami shook his head and sat down, "Nothing, she may stay here for a short time, but she cannot stay indefinitely. Futatsu is your responsibility.

The old Namek found it very difficult to laugh at the expression his younger self made in response. "What do you mean she's my responsibility?"

"You found her." Kami shrugged and leaned back in his seat. "You deal with her."

"I've got to train! I don't have time for that…" He flung his arm out in the direction he knew Futatsu to be, "that woman!"

"Well," Kami sat down on his ancient through, entwining his fingers around his staff. "I suggest you make time." With an angry flip of his cape, Piccolo retreated from the room leaving Kami in the silence of his work. The old guardian sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I may yet regret that."

Futatsu listened to the three speak in the disconcerting language that she assumed to be the native tongue. They were talking of the Triad, but apart from that she hadn't a clue of what they were saying. The language of Earth sounded ugly and uncouth to her, but it was one that she knew she would have to learn in order to survive on the blue-skied planet.

Such a pretty blue, so peaceful and serene! It was much different than the green and orange skies that she was accustomed to. It was a welcomed change and perhaps a good omen of things to come. Here she could grieve the loss of her beloved Una in peace and no be accosted by those who would call Futatsu of her murder. She did not kill Empress Una but, it was her fault, was it not? She should have realized the danger and taken steps to protect the Empress but she had failed. Her only solace was that those responsible now resided in hell.

"Miss Futatsu?"

She turned at the sound of her name and saw that the two Nameks had left. "Yes, Mr. Popo?"

"Would you like a tour of the grounds?"

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Popo."

Mr. Popo led Futatsu out into the curved hallway and explained that they were currently in the private living quarters. He then began to explain the basic history of the floating platform, reiterating some of what he had told her before. Futatsu pretended to listen attentively, far too embarrassed to tell him that he was talking too fast in the ancient tongue for her to keep up.

From what she gathered, 'The Lookout' was in geosynchronous orbit with planet Earth. She was secretly curious as to how Kami was able to 'keep watch' over the planet at such a distance and whether or not any technology was involved. Furthermore, how many Earth inhabitants knew about the floating palace? She hypothesized that with the right equipment that the structure could be detected, unless there was something was interfering with such transmissions? Futatsu had so many questions and not the vocabulary to ask them! It was frustrating.

At one point, Mr. Popo stopped in front of a door and announced that it led to the 'Room of Time.' The explanation boiled down to sending one's essence to another point in time, usually for battle training but Futatsu could easily think of other uses. Mr. Popo even opened the door and allowed her a peek inside. The circular chamber was covered in what he called 'clocks' which was a way to measure the time of day. Yet another thing Futatsu had to learn about.

Mr. Popo then showed her a large balcony area which also functioned as a sort of common room. There were pillows strewn across the floor made it feel strikingly similar Empress Una's favorite lounge. The genie noticed her expression and asked, "Are you all right, Miss Futatsu?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Popo." She replied, faking a smile, "please, lead on."

The two continued down to another door which Mr. Popo opened to reveal another room. This one was almost completely dark, save for an odd looking piece of technology sitting to one side. "This is a Teleporter Machine," he explained, "It can transport you anywhere on Earth."

"Very useful," Futatsu muttered, hoping that she had understood Mr. Popo correctly. Her main interest was that there was indeed technology on the Lookout which strengthened her previous theory.

Eventually the two wondered outside and onto the Lookout's vast courtyard. Save for a few scattered grouping of trees, the white-tiled courtyard had a rather barren feel to it. The courtyard was virtually empty save for a lone individual sitting lotus style near the Lookout's circular edge: Piccolo. He stood as they approached and turned to face them with his arms crossed and that same scowl from before still written across his face.

Was he always so angry? No, this was more like annoyance. Futatsu decided that it was best to treat him with kid gloves lest she incite is true anger. "Hello again," she said, offering him a warm smile, "It is… a nice view, yes?" His scowl deepened and her smile faded away.

He scoffed and demanded, "Can you fly?"

Futatsu looked down to the ebony skinned genie who shrugged back. She turned back to Piccolo and asked, "Do you mean a ship or…?"

"Alone," he replied evenly and began to hover in the air a few feet.

It was such an odd thing to ask. Futatsu had a sick feeling in the core of her body. "I can," she replied cautiously.

"Prove it." He ordered and she complied, floating upwards until her head was level with his. Piccolo floated closer, his deep black eyes looking her over. Futatsu remained still, wary of what this demon, this Namek was up to. She didn't have to wait long to find out.

She narrowly dodged being struck down by a blur of a punch.