Chapter 10

The airship was getting pretty crowed. In addition to Bulma, Goku, and Yamcha the bandit, along with his trusty sidekick Puar, they had just added old man Roshi, Krillin, and some crazy blond chick named Launch, who, Bulma had ascertained, they had apparently met when she kidnapped them for the Red Ribbon Army.

Luckily, before she defected, Launch had stolen the Red Ribbon's two Dragonballs, making her slightly more useful than anyone else on the ship, and by Bulma's logic, the least likely to get kicked out of the plane if anything went wrong.

"This is fun!" Goku shouted to her over the chattering. "We've got everybody back together and got some new friends too!"

"Hey," Bulma whistled sharply to get everyone's attention. "So where the heck am I flying this thing?!"

The group was quiet for a moment. No one sure what their next move should be.

"Well," Roshi started. "We've got four Dragonballs. The two we just stole, the one Goku got from Muscle Tower and the one you found in the desert. So right now, the odds are in our favor."

"Maybe we should check the radar?" Goku suggested.

"That's kind of what worries me," Bulma said. "Their Dragonballs are all spread out, and with four balls, we're pretty much a moving target. We have to assume the Red Ribbon has a dragon-radar too, and can track us with it."

"Let's ask," Krillin spoke up, turning to Launch. "Ms. Launch, does the Red Ribbon have a radar of their own?"

"Oh yeah," she snorted. "I agree with little rich girl over there. We are totally screwed."

"So what do we do?" Yamcha asked.

"How'd she know I was rich?" Bulma asked.

"We've got to stop the Red Ribbon!" Goku declared. "They're turning people into monsters, and we can't let that happen!"

Goku explained about his encounter with Dr. Gero. Roshi confirmed with Blue's threat about 'conversion.'

"But also," he added, "Blue said that they were after you, Goku."

"Me?"

"Yes, they are intrigued by your defeat of the Demon King. They seem to feel that if they can find you, then they can turn you into one of their cyber-warriors."

Goku was quiet for a minute. "Do you think I'd get any stronger?"

Bulma and Roshi both whacked Goku over the head.

"Ow, I didn't mean it!" he sulked. Getting serious again, Goku said "If those Red Ribbon guys want me, they can have me. I'll go to their main base and beat them all up!"

"Nothing doing, shrimp," Launch said. "No one but the highest members of the RR knows where the real headquarters is."

"Goku makes a good point, though," Roshi stroked his beard. "We'd only be wasting energy running away. But if we attacked head-on, we might surprise them."

Yamcha looked back and forth during the debate. "I'm sorry, but is this the kind of thing you people do normally?"

"Afraid so," Krillin sighed.

Just then, the console started beeping. Bulma pressed a button to let the call come through, and her father appeared on the screen.

"Bulma, are you there? I've been following your progress and I have some news. The radar shows that the other three balls are moving towards a spot on the Eastern Coast, at coordinates 38.21.45. That must be the Red Ribbons base!"

"Wait!" Bulma shouted, "how the heck did you know what we where after?"

"I always bug your phone calls and vehicles to see what you're up to. Are all those guys your boyfriends?"

Bulma punched the screen, causing it to fracture.

"Wait," Roshi said. "That's where the Crane Dynasty is! Why would the Red Ribbon be taking all their balls there?"

"Maybe they're in cahoots?" Krillin offered.

"I certainly hope not. That's an ancient and powerful empire. I'd hate to think they'd have sunk so low."

"Well, whatever their problem is," Bulma growled, still upset about her father, "let's go kick their ass!"

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The young emperor Chaotzu stood on his balcony, hovering over the railings to get a better view of his kingdom.

His bodyguard, Tien Shinhan, approached. "My lord? You should not be out in the open like this, it is not safe."

"I know, Tien. But sometimes I wish to breathe the free air."

"I understand." Tien paused, as if unsure whether to break the emperor's moment of peace. "Your majesty, we've received reports that an unidentified airship is heading in our direction. We've tried to radio the crew, but there has been no answer."

"What could they want?" the young boy asked.

"Nothing good, my lord, I assure you," a man spoke as he joined the pair on the balcony. Tien sneered.

"Oh, General Tao, thank you for coming," Chaotzu offered. "What news do you have?"

"Only that these are thieves and monsters, come to ransack your royal treasures. They must be treated as hostile invaders. Please allow me to handle this situation."

"Where do you get this information, General?" Tien questioned, shooting Tao a cold glare.

Tao pretended not to notice, "Reliable sources," was all he said.

"I trust you, General," the boy-king spoke. "Please handle this anyway you see fit."

"Thank you sir," Tao bowed and turned away.

All was going according to plan.

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S-Shield's notes

The heroes have a destination and a trap is being set.

Thanks for reading.