Chapter 5 Sativium Sector. The Planet Armant.
" Ready for descent...its your call Pan."
Rika swiveled on her co-pilot chair to await Pan's command. The planet of Armant, with its deserts, forests and water worlds glowed in the window.
" What's the status on the ship?"
" Currently maintaining orbit of Armant, all systems clear. Cloaking device is fully functional."
" Good. Get ready for the descent...I'll grab the weapons. We'll be ready to disembark as soon as we land."
" Understood."
Pan took off her seatbelt, getting out of her chair to see Trunks sitting behind in a spare control seat with a rather bemused expression.
" What's wrong?"
" Oh nothing. It's just a little weird for you to be up there flying instead of me."
Pan let out a short laugh and put a hand on his shoulder.
" Well...It's not like last time. Nothing like last time. Come with me. You do know how to use a firearm?"
" Can't be that complicated right? Aim and shoot."
Pan bent down, pulling up a tile from the main deck, and pulled up several small pouches. Accepting one, Trunks reached inside to see what was being hidden.
" A capsule?"
Pan popped one open. When the dust cleared, a stunning array of weapons appeared before his eyes, making him take a step back in awe. Although he had been fighting all his life, he had always use hand to hand combat...never weapons like this.
" Alright, get the gear on. We've got to get off this ship as soon as it lands. Less chance of being discovered."
Trunks awkwardly strapped the gear on. Although it was not all that heavy, he was unused to the 2 guns on either side of his body. He encapsulated the rest of the weaponry and watched in awe as Pan was hiding fire arms on her body.
" Why do we need fire arms if we can use ki balls?"
" It's better this way. I don't want to give away the fact that we're on the planet, ki is easily traceable if its above normal range. Plus, the reason you're along for the ride is because no one knows you're alive. No one knows you're a saiyajin...the element of surprise will be a good tool."
Trunks watched as Pan grabbed 3 back packs and stuffed the extra pouches in one of them.
" Lets get back to the cockpit. We'll be descending. Here, carry this one."
Trunks raced after Pan, entering the cockpit and buckling himself into the seat with the backpack in his lap.
" Alright Rika. Here's your pack...take us down."
Rika nodded, reaching up to flick a few overhead switches.
" Beginning descent."
Trunks watched as the green planet of Armant grew bigger in the window. He gripped the side of his chair as the ship zoomed forward at a fast speed. Unfortunately, Trunks noted, though the speed was similar to flying, the experience was far less satisfying. He swallowed hard as the aircraft landed softly, seemingly undetected in a small clearing.
" Hurry up. We've got to clear out."
Pan unstrapped herself from her chair, quickly running from the room with Rika and Trunks running after her. As soon as they were all safely outside, she capsulated the ship, tapping her foot impatiently as she looked around for any signs of detection. Trunks stood as he watched the flurry of activity. Rika was looking at her device, which to Trunks looked like a tracker.
" We've got to move fast. There's a guard station within range of tracking us. Even with the cloaking device they'll be able to detect us if we stay here any longer. They'll send a team out here to check this out."
Pan shoved the capsule containing the ship in her pocket and heaved the backpack onto her bag. She cocked the trigger of her gun and looked towards the trees surrounding them.
" Alright...lets get out of their range."
" That's a 5 mile radius. But we're pretty close to the edge anyway...they might think it was just a slight fluctuation or an error with their system if we leave."
" Then lets go."
________
" I've got it."
Pan surfaced from the water, swimming for the shore where Trunks and Rika stood stealthily in the surrounding trees. She dragged herself up onto the shore, flinging her wet hair behind her as she looked at the round orange ball in front of her, containing three stars. Pan shivered involuntarily as a breeze blew through the bay, feeling cold against her wet skin.
" Can't even ki blast yourself dry?"
Trunks smiled enigmatically as he tossed Pan a towel. He looked down at Rika who had busily pulled a contraption out of Pan's backpack and started to fiddle with it. Pan nodded, rubbing the towel on her head vigorously, handing the prized dragonball to Rika who placed it inside the cube contraption. He wondered what it was, as Rika had already used it once already that afternoon for the six star dragonball.
" What is that?"
" Capsule Corp's secret invention. It block dragonball radars so no one can track us. It should work...hopefully the last intelligence mission for an update of the alien technology wasn't a failure. This should work against their radars."
" But then wouldn't they think of the same thing?"
Trunks looked at Rika who had explained to him what she was fiddling with. Pan thrust their dragonball radar into his hands, pointing at the screen.
" Still all dragonballs accounted for. Except for the one Rika just shoved into that machine."
Trunks nodded as Rika shoved the contraption back into Pan's backpack. Pan sneezed as she pulled her backpack onto her shoulders, ready to set off again. They walked for a little while, trying not to disturb the forest floor so to not leave a trace. It grew more and more apparent that Pan was cold. She was shivering uncontrollably, her teeth chattered and her skin began to take on a reddish tinge.
" We're not going any further until you get warm Pan."
Pan stopped in her tracks, looking up at Rika who stood before her with crossed arms. Pan waved her away, walking past her. Suddenly she stumbled, her hand grabbed the overhanging branch to steady herself.
" I'm fine."
Rika's palm felt amazingly cool against her forehead.
" Like hell you are. This is where we stop tonight. Trunks, make yourself useful while I set up camp. Go scout the perimeter."
" Sure."
Trunks dropped his pack, running off into the wall of trees as Rika grabbed Pan's pack off her, rummaging around it to find a new set of clothing capsules. Rika smiled as she found what she was looking for, letting it pop out in a cloud of smoke.
" Change now. No one is looking."
Pan nodded, not protesting, grateful for a change of clothes. She dried her skin with a small towel that Rika had handed to her, still shivering at the air brushing by her damp skin. Quickly, she pulled on her usual outfit, grateful for the dry feeling. She wrung out her wet clothes and hung it over a branch to dry as Rika cleared the area.
" This place is fine, nothing in this area as far as I can see."
Trunks stepped forward, coming out of the surrounding trees, giving Rika an incredulous look as she 'swept' the small clearing with a tree branch, brushing all the dead vegetation out of the way.
" Ingenious. Using a tree as a broom."
" Hey Mr Smart guy, can't see you with a broom can I?"
Rika waved Trunks away as he tried to help. Trunks shrugged and headed over to the still shivering Pan.
" You want me to light a fire or something?"
" You mean you can do that?"
" Of course...what do you mean by that?"
" Just that I assumed you weren't really the rough and tough sorta guy."
" I do it out of the virtue of necessity. Gohan once taught me for fun."
Pan looked away at the mention of her father's name. She backed up against the tree, leaning against it and looked wistfully into the sky, streaked pink with the disappearing sun.
" Sorry Pan...I didn't mean to."
" Don't worry about it...You can't do it without ki can you?"
" Well...not really."
" Then forget it. Can't use your ki like that."
" But you're freezing."
" I'd rather freeze than be ambushed or attacked."
" Suit yourself."
Pan shrugged and looked away from him again. Trunks smiled, pulling her away from the trees and rubbing her shoulders vigorously in an attempt to warm her up. He suddenly pulled her towards him, enveloping him in a cloud of warmth. Despite the welcomed warmth, Pan felt uncomfortable hugging a guy, even if it was Trunks. Hugging was not something Pan had done with a man for a long time. But other things...
" I don't want to think about it."
Pan relaxed, allowing herself to rest her head on his shoulder.
" He I know you're cold Pan. But is a human blanket necessary?"
" Eh?"
Pan pushed Trunks away abruptly at Rika's question, feeling an uncharacteristic blush spread across her cheeks. She quickly turned away, absently grabbing her tail and playing with the end of it.
" Hey come on Rika. Give me a break."
" What's this Trunks?"
" I've been frozen for 10 years. I've stayed in a time-compressed room for 4 years. Its not like I've had much human contact."
" You mean contact with a woman right?"
" Hey! Don't put words in my mouth. I was only doing it because Pannie was cold."
" Sure...but did you ever think to just lend her a warm top or something?"
" Stop it. That's enough."
Pan interrupted the bickering pair, sitting down on the earth floor. She put her head down, searching through her pack for something warm to wear. She was vaguely aware of Rika proclaiming that she would go scout the area for herself, also hoping to find some water. This was alright with her, finding water was a one person task. The job had to be done by one person, any more and it would be conspicuous as there were always people near water.
" Here."
Pan looked up at Trunks holding out a tan coloured jumper. She gladly accepted, pulling it over her head and wrapping her arms around herself. He took a seat next to her, dusting the dirt off his hands as they sat in silence.
" You know...no one's called me Pannie in a long time. I want it to stay that way."
" Why? You'll always be my Pannie."
" Time's have changed. I'm no longer the Pannie you used to know...she's long gone. I've seen too much. I'll never hold that innocence again."
Trunks' eyes widened at Pan's bitter words.
" Seen what?"
" You'll never understand."
" Try me. If you don't tell me I can't understand."
" I want it to stay that way. I don't need you to know about me...I'd prefer it if you can remember me as the Pan I once was...because you are the only one who remembers. I can't remember what it feels like anymore."
" I want to know you. The you that is now, not the past. I remember you always smiled Pan...what happened?"
" Simple. After 10 years, I found no reason to smile anymore."
" But...you looked so much prettier when you did."
Pan stiffened, turning her head to look at Trunks seated next to her.
" I don't want to be pretty anymore. I'd give anything not to be. Remember me as I was. Not what I've become...I don't want you to remember me like this."
" But Pan, I'm going to have the rest of our lives to get to know you."
Pan shook her head, standing up to break eye level.
" No. You won't."
Pan began to walk away. Trunks quickly got up, grabbing her wrist before she walked away from him and his question.
" What do you mean by that?"
Pan shook him off, turning to face him with flashing blue eyes. A brief spark before her deep blue eyes became dull.
" After this mission, you'll never see me again. Ever."
___________
Author's note: Chew on that for awhile. Doubt I'll get another chapter out until around the end of October...I know I know...my bad. But I gotta do good on my exams. BTW to all those who are still handing onto the thread of hope that I may actually get a new chapter out on that untitled fic ( and name it) you're about to strike it lucky. I'm updating that VERY soon. Edited all the previous chapters ( plot changes...some minor ones...some important ones) and writing the new chapter. You'll see why I had trouble with it. Til then, ja. Thanks for reading you guys!!
" Ready for descent...its your call Pan."
Rika swiveled on her co-pilot chair to await Pan's command. The planet of Armant, with its deserts, forests and water worlds glowed in the window.
" What's the status on the ship?"
" Currently maintaining orbit of Armant, all systems clear. Cloaking device is fully functional."
" Good. Get ready for the descent...I'll grab the weapons. We'll be ready to disembark as soon as we land."
" Understood."
Pan took off her seatbelt, getting out of her chair to see Trunks sitting behind in a spare control seat with a rather bemused expression.
" What's wrong?"
" Oh nothing. It's just a little weird for you to be up there flying instead of me."
Pan let out a short laugh and put a hand on his shoulder.
" Well...It's not like last time. Nothing like last time. Come with me. You do know how to use a firearm?"
" Can't be that complicated right? Aim and shoot."
Pan bent down, pulling up a tile from the main deck, and pulled up several small pouches. Accepting one, Trunks reached inside to see what was being hidden.
" A capsule?"
Pan popped one open. When the dust cleared, a stunning array of weapons appeared before his eyes, making him take a step back in awe. Although he had been fighting all his life, he had always use hand to hand combat...never weapons like this.
" Alright, get the gear on. We've got to get off this ship as soon as it lands. Less chance of being discovered."
Trunks awkwardly strapped the gear on. Although it was not all that heavy, he was unused to the 2 guns on either side of his body. He encapsulated the rest of the weaponry and watched in awe as Pan was hiding fire arms on her body.
" Why do we need fire arms if we can use ki balls?"
" It's better this way. I don't want to give away the fact that we're on the planet, ki is easily traceable if its above normal range. Plus, the reason you're along for the ride is because no one knows you're alive. No one knows you're a saiyajin...the element of surprise will be a good tool."
Trunks watched as Pan grabbed 3 back packs and stuffed the extra pouches in one of them.
" Lets get back to the cockpit. We'll be descending. Here, carry this one."
Trunks raced after Pan, entering the cockpit and buckling himself into the seat with the backpack in his lap.
" Alright Rika. Here's your pack...take us down."
Rika nodded, reaching up to flick a few overhead switches.
" Beginning descent."
Trunks watched as the green planet of Armant grew bigger in the window. He gripped the side of his chair as the ship zoomed forward at a fast speed. Unfortunately, Trunks noted, though the speed was similar to flying, the experience was far less satisfying. He swallowed hard as the aircraft landed softly, seemingly undetected in a small clearing.
" Hurry up. We've got to clear out."
Pan unstrapped herself from her chair, quickly running from the room with Rika and Trunks running after her. As soon as they were all safely outside, she capsulated the ship, tapping her foot impatiently as she looked around for any signs of detection. Trunks stood as he watched the flurry of activity. Rika was looking at her device, which to Trunks looked like a tracker.
" We've got to move fast. There's a guard station within range of tracking us. Even with the cloaking device they'll be able to detect us if we stay here any longer. They'll send a team out here to check this out."
Pan shoved the capsule containing the ship in her pocket and heaved the backpack onto her bag. She cocked the trigger of her gun and looked towards the trees surrounding them.
" Alright...lets get out of their range."
" That's a 5 mile radius. But we're pretty close to the edge anyway...they might think it was just a slight fluctuation or an error with their system if we leave."
" Then lets go."
________
" I've got it."
Pan surfaced from the water, swimming for the shore where Trunks and Rika stood stealthily in the surrounding trees. She dragged herself up onto the shore, flinging her wet hair behind her as she looked at the round orange ball in front of her, containing three stars. Pan shivered involuntarily as a breeze blew through the bay, feeling cold against her wet skin.
" Can't even ki blast yourself dry?"
Trunks smiled enigmatically as he tossed Pan a towel. He looked down at Rika who had busily pulled a contraption out of Pan's backpack and started to fiddle with it. Pan nodded, rubbing the towel on her head vigorously, handing the prized dragonball to Rika who placed it inside the cube contraption. He wondered what it was, as Rika had already used it once already that afternoon for the six star dragonball.
" What is that?"
" Capsule Corp's secret invention. It block dragonball radars so no one can track us. It should work...hopefully the last intelligence mission for an update of the alien technology wasn't a failure. This should work against their radars."
" But then wouldn't they think of the same thing?"
Trunks looked at Rika who had explained to him what she was fiddling with. Pan thrust their dragonball radar into his hands, pointing at the screen.
" Still all dragonballs accounted for. Except for the one Rika just shoved into that machine."
Trunks nodded as Rika shoved the contraption back into Pan's backpack. Pan sneezed as she pulled her backpack onto her shoulders, ready to set off again. They walked for a little while, trying not to disturb the forest floor so to not leave a trace. It grew more and more apparent that Pan was cold. She was shivering uncontrollably, her teeth chattered and her skin began to take on a reddish tinge.
" We're not going any further until you get warm Pan."
Pan stopped in her tracks, looking up at Rika who stood before her with crossed arms. Pan waved her away, walking past her. Suddenly she stumbled, her hand grabbed the overhanging branch to steady herself.
" I'm fine."
Rika's palm felt amazingly cool against her forehead.
" Like hell you are. This is where we stop tonight. Trunks, make yourself useful while I set up camp. Go scout the perimeter."
" Sure."
Trunks dropped his pack, running off into the wall of trees as Rika grabbed Pan's pack off her, rummaging around it to find a new set of clothing capsules. Rika smiled as she found what she was looking for, letting it pop out in a cloud of smoke.
" Change now. No one is looking."
Pan nodded, not protesting, grateful for a change of clothes. She dried her skin with a small towel that Rika had handed to her, still shivering at the air brushing by her damp skin. Quickly, she pulled on her usual outfit, grateful for the dry feeling. She wrung out her wet clothes and hung it over a branch to dry as Rika cleared the area.
" This place is fine, nothing in this area as far as I can see."
Trunks stepped forward, coming out of the surrounding trees, giving Rika an incredulous look as she 'swept' the small clearing with a tree branch, brushing all the dead vegetation out of the way.
" Ingenious. Using a tree as a broom."
" Hey Mr Smart guy, can't see you with a broom can I?"
Rika waved Trunks away as he tried to help. Trunks shrugged and headed over to the still shivering Pan.
" You want me to light a fire or something?"
" You mean you can do that?"
" Of course...what do you mean by that?"
" Just that I assumed you weren't really the rough and tough sorta guy."
" I do it out of the virtue of necessity. Gohan once taught me for fun."
Pan looked away at the mention of her father's name. She backed up against the tree, leaning against it and looked wistfully into the sky, streaked pink with the disappearing sun.
" Sorry Pan...I didn't mean to."
" Don't worry about it...You can't do it without ki can you?"
" Well...not really."
" Then forget it. Can't use your ki like that."
" But you're freezing."
" I'd rather freeze than be ambushed or attacked."
" Suit yourself."
Pan shrugged and looked away from him again. Trunks smiled, pulling her away from the trees and rubbing her shoulders vigorously in an attempt to warm her up. He suddenly pulled her towards him, enveloping him in a cloud of warmth. Despite the welcomed warmth, Pan felt uncomfortable hugging a guy, even if it was Trunks. Hugging was not something Pan had done with a man for a long time. But other things...
" I don't want to think about it."
Pan relaxed, allowing herself to rest her head on his shoulder.
" He I know you're cold Pan. But is a human blanket necessary?"
" Eh?"
Pan pushed Trunks away abruptly at Rika's question, feeling an uncharacteristic blush spread across her cheeks. She quickly turned away, absently grabbing her tail and playing with the end of it.
" Hey come on Rika. Give me a break."
" What's this Trunks?"
" I've been frozen for 10 years. I've stayed in a time-compressed room for 4 years. Its not like I've had much human contact."
" You mean contact with a woman right?"
" Hey! Don't put words in my mouth. I was only doing it because Pannie was cold."
" Sure...but did you ever think to just lend her a warm top or something?"
" Stop it. That's enough."
Pan interrupted the bickering pair, sitting down on the earth floor. She put her head down, searching through her pack for something warm to wear. She was vaguely aware of Rika proclaiming that she would go scout the area for herself, also hoping to find some water. This was alright with her, finding water was a one person task. The job had to be done by one person, any more and it would be conspicuous as there were always people near water.
" Here."
Pan looked up at Trunks holding out a tan coloured jumper. She gladly accepted, pulling it over her head and wrapping her arms around herself. He took a seat next to her, dusting the dirt off his hands as they sat in silence.
" You know...no one's called me Pannie in a long time. I want it to stay that way."
" Why? You'll always be my Pannie."
" Time's have changed. I'm no longer the Pannie you used to know...she's long gone. I've seen too much. I'll never hold that innocence again."
Trunks' eyes widened at Pan's bitter words.
" Seen what?"
" You'll never understand."
" Try me. If you don't tell me I can't understand."
" I want it to stay that way. I don't need you to know about me...I'd prefer it if you can remember me as the Pan I once was...because you are the only one who remembers. I can't remember what it feels like anymore."
" I want to know you. The you that is now, not the past. I remember you always smiled Pan...what happened?"
" Simple. After 10 years, I found no reason to smile anymore."
" But...you looked so much prettier when you did."
Pan stiffened, turning her head to look at Trunks seated next to her.
" I don't want to be pretty anymore. I'd give anything not to be. Remember me as I was. Not what I've become...I don't want you to remember me like this."
" But Pan, I'm going to have the rest of our lives to get to know you."
Pan shook her head, standing up to break eye level.
" No. You won't."
Pan began to walk away. Trunks quickly got up, grabbing her wrist before she walked away from him and his question.
" What do you mean by that?"
Pan shook him off, turning to face him with flashing blue eyes. A brief spark before her deep blue eyes became dull.
" After this mission, you'll never see me again. Ever."
___________
Author's note: Chew on that for awhile. Doubt I'll get another chapter out until around the end of October...I know I know...my bad. But I gotta do good on my exams. BTW to all those who are still handing onto the thread of hope that I may actually get a new chapter out on that untitled fic ( and name it) you're about to strike it lucky. I'm updating that VERY soon. Edited all the previous chapters ( plot changes...some minor ones...some important ones) and writing the new chapter. You'll see why I had trouble with it. Til then, ja. Thanks for reading you guys!!