Chapter 4 – Super and Speed
The small escape space ship landed in the smuggling port. Bulla sighed "not this again, this is not my kind of place". The captain grinned "but princess, you've never been here before with me." The bluehead raised an eyebrow, Goten stood up from his pilot's seat, with a crooked smile he winked towards Bulla. In turn, she rolled her eyes. Just before the exit Goten stopped, Bulla looked up "let me guess, don't say anything and do as you command captain?" Goten shook no "princess, consider this a date. We are just going to enjoy one another".
As they walked out of the ship small pink men about one meter tall ran around the ship. Bulla looked at them "is this safe Goten?" Surprised he looked back "what? The ship needs some care and loving. They are just doing there job." Bulla grabbed Goten`s forearm "okay if you say so". Together they walked away from the ship, Bulla looked back once more. "Don`t worry princess, this is normal" he slides his hand in hers and pulled her closer.
Together they walked toward some sort of bar-like place. When she stepped inside it was full of strange and filthy characters, the smell was of old dried up booze and cigars. They were pirates, smugglers and other scum who were obviously no sweethearts. Bulla walked over to a booth but Goten grabbed her hand and pulled her against him. With his arrogant grin he looked at her "we're going to the bar". With a raised eyebrow Bulla looked back but remained silent.
Goten sat down on a bar stool at the bar and pulled Bulla toward him between his legs. Next he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his hands on her buttocks. His nose buried in her neck he whispered "play along princess; we're on a date kind of thing. And we don't want to stand out too much". Bulla scanned the area with her profound blue eyes and whispers back "you expect to have a date with me, and not attract attention. You have a lot to learn about dating a Briefs?"
A little surprised, Goten looked up; gently Bulla pressed a kiss to his lips. For a few seconds they were in their own little world when the kiss broke again. "Goten" Bulla whispered. The captain grinned "princess?" One of Bulla`s slender fingers slid across his chest "I think I like this date. With a tough pirate captain". Goten pressed his lips against hers, the kiss interrupted as a drunken scum crashed into them.
Bulla looked up in an irritated state, but before she could react, Goten put a hand on the scum's shoulder. In a dominant voice the captain spoke "buddy, what are you are doing? I'm having a moment with this babe". His grip tightened around the shoulder "you don't want any trouble do you?" The skinny man looked up fearfully and in pain "captain Goten I-I-I didn't see you" the man's voice was high pitched. Goten grinned "but since you are here I have an assignment for you".
The captain reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold coin. The man looked at the gold coin with eyes as big as saucers "what do you want to know captain?" He sounded very eager and greedy. For a brief moment Goten looked at Bulla and then back at the man "anything you hear about a purple apple, I'll be the first one you tell everything. And if you are loyal, really loyal then I have a second gold coin piece". With a big grin the man accepted the coin and walked away.
"Is this safe?" Bulla looked after the man in surprise as he stumbled away. Goten buried his face in her neck again and gently planted kisses slowly from her neck to her jawline. Bulla closed her eyes. Goten grinned "yeah, he'll do anything for gold and he's loyal to the stuff." Bulla`s hand slid down the captain`s upper leg "and what if someone bids more?" Goten`s hand slid through her smooth silk like hair "then I`ll kill him. Bulla`s face turned paler.
Bulla bit her lip, for a moment she had forgotten what he was. Goten was a pirate, a captain and he steals and cheats. But when she was alone with him she forgot that. She just couldn't imagine that he would be able to kill someone just like that. But she had seen it on Vos his planet. Without any feeling, he left that creature to die from that gas. But despite everything, Bulla felt safe with him. She was one hundred percent sure; he would never put a knife in her back. She trusted him completely.
As the lips of the half Saiyans found each other again they did their best to keep their ears open. Meanwhile, two glasses of beer-like liquor had been placed near them. Goten felt a finger tap against his shoulder. It was the scum from earlier. Goten nodded to Bulla and together they walked towards their ship, almost arriving Goten turned and looked sternly at the frightened man "talk". Goten sounded impatient and harsh. The scum looked around nervously. "Captain there is a story that the purple apple is in the warehouse."
The Saiyan princess looked at the captain "warehouse?" Goten put his nose in the air and grabbed a gold coin from his pocket and tossed it aside. The scum ran after it eagerly. He then looked at Bulla "yes the warehouse. Heavily guarded and full of great treasures". Bulla crossed her arms "and where do we find this warehouse?" Goten pointed to the side "a few hundred meters to your right. Big bunker like building, not to be missed". The blue haired one got a smirk on her angelic face "let's go".
Goten grabbed Bulla by the wrist as she tried to walk away "princess, didn't I say it's heavily guarded? You don't walk in there like it's a shopping mall". Bulla looked in the direction of the warehouse and sighed deeply for a moment "what is your plan captain? And don't you dare almost get yourself killed again." Goten began to chuckle "okay, okay I promise. Let's wait for the team. I have a plan" Together they walked into the ship, Goten's hand grabbed Bulla's and as the door closed he pushed himself against her. He had a very mischievous look in his eyes, Bulla stared to unbutton is blouse already.
Three hours later and Bulla was sitting on the big leather chair next to the pilot's. She was sitting cross-legged and had a chip and a small screwdriver in her hands. Goten was slowly waking up from his after sex nap and was still looking dreamily to the side. "Hey what are you doing princess?" he asked sleepily. Bulla smiled "I'm making your speed chip; luckily this is an older simple type. Grandpa taught me about this". The captain smiled "smart of you grandpa, and is it working out a bit?" Bulla closed her eyes "I hope so, it's still so small and sensitive".
A loud knock on the door of the ship startled both half Saiyans. Quickly Bulla pushed the chip back into the dashboard and Goten walked to the door. For a moment he hit a large button and door opened, a cheerful voice almost singing to him "Captain!" Bulla stood up and saw the reunion of Goten and his team. The pilot Mash punched the captain against his chest. "Captain you have put my girl in danger." Goten didn't react to the blow to his chest and grinned widely "Mash don't worry, the ship is okay".
Following Goten's team, Jaco also entered the ship. Bulla had to laugh at the sight of what she saw. Jaco as a pirate, it looked so not right. Jaco crossed his arms and looked angry "what did you guys find out? Is that why we are at a smuggling port again?" Bulla took a step closer and picked up her boots from the ground "we know Jaco, that the purple apple is very close. A few hundred meters away from us so to speak". Mash walked past Bulla and sat down on the pilot chair "okay first we make sure the ships are back together. Then I want to know everything".
Half an hour later, the escape vessel was attached to the big ship again and the team plus the earthly Bulla and the patrolman Jaco were in the storage room. Xomu had pushed two crates together and Goten rolled a map of the area over them. "Men we are going to do something crazy" the captain began. "Di did dii di" cried the grey creature. Snip the squirrelly mechanic looked pensive "it's not ever a good thing when you're talking about doing something crazy". Goten had a wide grin on his face "oh but we are getting to be rich pirates".
Mash looked up "rich?" Jaco stepped forward "wait a minute captain, the purple apple is coming with us". Gotens eyes were on Bulla "yes, yes fine, once inside there is plenty for us to pluck". Bulla crossed her arms and sighed deeply once "you mentioned heavily guarded? How do you plan on getting in?" But it was not Goten but the pilot who answered "we fly, how else?" everyone looked at Mash in surprise.
Goten balled his fists "no hair on my head Mash, we are not going to pull that stunt". Jaco and Bulla looked at each other questioningly. Bulla turned to Goten "what stunt?" The captain stared at his pilot "Mash, no we are not going to do this. Last time it almost went wrong." Mash made himself bigger "captain listen, you know this is the safest way to get you guys in". Goten ran his hand through his thick black hair "shit I know that, but don't like it".
Mash grinned "so we're doing it?" Goten shook his head fiercely no. The yellow man looked surprised "but captain, the ship is agile and fast enough." Goten crossed his arms "And what if there are snipers? You'll be the first to shoot by them". It was suddenly deathly quiet. Mash squeezed his eyes shut "captain all due respect, but do we want to intrude or not? I'll fly you up there, drop you in. You guys grab the apple and other goodies and come back. And by the way, I have a patrol man on board". Jaco got a startled expression "what can I do?"
Mash laughed "not much, but you know how to shoot and fly a ship when I go down." Xomu made a wild "di did dii did di" sound. Goten sighed "anyone want this plan then?" Bulla tilted her head "why can't we just go super and walk in?" Goten turned around "I don't want the attention, we're not going to be super". Snip the squirrel mechanic asked harshly "super? What is this super?" Goten cast an angry look at Bulla, it was obvious his team knew nothing about this. Bulla looked down "just something Goten and I used to do as kids".
"It's not important; we'll take Mash's plan. We fly above it, we jump out of the ship. Snip I want you by the door, at all times. Xomu and Bulla are with me. Mash and Jaco are in the cockpit". Goten's voice sounded serious and dominant. Everyone wandered off to get ready. Bulla stayed behind with Goten. She felt worried; she wondered where his Saiyan pride was. Super Saiyan was child's play, and he could have been the wealthiest pirate. Why would he choose to live an anonymous life, he was the son of Goku.
Goten could almost read the questions off Bulla`s face. He rolled his eyes and took a step closer, placing his hands on her shoulders "you want to know why super is not an option?" Bulla only nodded yes. Goten smiled "because I don`t want the attention. I just want to be Goten, no one else. Plus besides that my father is the strongest man on earth, he picks up my energy right away if I went super. And maybe being a pirate is not something my mother could handle." Bulla glared "after all these years you still think about your mother?"
For a small moment Goten began to stutter "uh yes of course. She may have thought Gohan was a better son, but she's still my mother". At that moment he felt Bulla's fist against his shoulder "where did you get the nonsense that Gohan would be better? Your mother only wanted to help you!" Goten pressed his left hand against Bulla`s cheek "maybe, but I wanted adventure and not books. Selfish I know." Bulla`s hand rested on Goten`s "no, but maybe you should have said something."
Bulla pushed herself up and stood on her toes. She pressed her lips against Goten`s. He replied eagerly. For a moment she began to giggle in the middle of the kiss. Goten raised an eyebrow "what?" Bulla`s eyes shone "you, you act so tough but secretly you are still a softie". The pirate looked irritated "I am not a softie because I am now kidnapping a princess and going to do things that her father better never find out". With a simple swipe he picked Bulla up. The blue haired princess laughed "oh no, poor me". Goten carried Bulla to his sleeping quarters.
Ten minutes later, the ship took off into the sky. Mash and Jaco in the cockpit, Snip at the tailgate controls and the two half Saiyans and over 2 meter tall gray Xomu ready for the raid. Goten looked around and called out once more "everyone ready?" The team and Bulla nodded in agreement. Everyone was ready, Goten had a nasty premonition, but the plan was good. It was bold and wild, his team was strong and they had surprise on their side. Mash's cheerful voice sounded through the speakers "gentlemen and dear lady, we will arrive at our destination in a minute. Please loosen your seat belts and take your hands off each other".
Goten looked playfully at Bulla, he knew right away what Mash meant. He then looked at his loyal comrade Xomu "ready buddy?" the captain asked. "Didi" it sounded short. Then Goten gave Snip a Thumb up and the squirrel pressed the button to open the let valve "good luck" laughed the mechanic. Goten followed by Bulla and Xomu jumped out of the ship, onto the roof of the warehouse. Bulla was quick to take out the first guards. Xomu balled his fist and punched a hole in the roof. Time to go and grab an apple.
They jumped in and heard shots above them. Goten stared at the roof. Through an earpiece in his ear he heard Mash "find that apple captain; I'm like a leaf in the wind. They won't catch us." The trio began to search. Xomu who had a large bag on his back occasionally broke open a box and grabbed a diamond. Bulla ran to a computer and began to search. Goten made sure the incoming storming guards stayed at bay. "Princess will you hurry up a little?" called Goten impatiently. "Yes, yes I'm doing my best here captain" snarled Bulla back.
"Yes!" shouted Bulla loudly. At that moment, Goten heard through his earpiece "captain we have incoming, are you guys hurrying up?" Bulla ran through the warehouse, closely followed by the pirate men. "There!" pointed Bulla. Xomu grabbed the box. At that moment they heard shots above them "captain, they won't catch me, don't worry I argh" then there was a deathly silence. The captain pressed his earpiece "Mash? Mash come in?!" Bulla looked at Goten's startled face; a heavy feeling came over her in her stomach. Furious, Goten shot a new hole in the roof.
The trio flew through the roof. The ship was in the air, but it was not Mash who steered. In the pilot's spot was a hole in the window. "Xomu to the ship now, Bulla you too." Goten had tears in his eyes, Bulla knew by instinct what was about to happen. She jumped in front of him and grabbed his hand "Goten I'll help you, I know what you're going to do." The captain's breathing was short and heavy "Xomu the ship, now". The grey man flew up "Di did di di" he called out. Goten looked up "no one is taking from my team, especially not my members. We will be okay here, now go!"
The two half Saiyans still connected through their hands powered up. At the same time they floated into the air, the roof they had just been standing on began to shake. They increased the power and the roof collapsed down and a large hole was created. The colors of their hair turned to gold, their eyes went green. Everything that was close to them was blown away. They released each other and both flew in one direction, everything they encountered came to its end. Buildings, people and weapons. They were like a tornado of raw power.
After they finished their rampage they met again at the starting point. The ship hung high, Bulla put a hand on Goten`s upper arm "time to go captain". The super Saiyan powers were fading. Both half Saiyans came to composure. Goten`s eyes were full of pain, Bulla grabbed his hand and together they flew up, up to the ship where the door was still open. Once there, Snip immediately closed the door, it was deathly still on the ship. Goten felt nauseous, Mash was always from the start his buddy and he cannot be dead.
While Snip repaired the glass, Goten lifted his friend to the storage room. When the repair was complete Jaco flew the ship into space. Mash was lying on a couple of crates. His eyes closed, Bulla cleaned his face with a wet cloth. For a moment she ran her fingers through the yellow man's tangled red hair "thanks for always taking care of Goten" she whispered. Then Bulla walked away. The other men said their goodbyes. Goten was the last, he kept his head up, fighting back tears. There was still anger in his facial expression.
Everyone walked away, but Goten walked to the door he looked up at Bulla "brace yourself princess" he shouted. Bulla grabbed a railing and the pirate captain pushed the button to open the cargo hold. Crates and Mash's lifeless body was sucked out. "Goten what are you doing now?" cried Bulla startled. The door closed again, a single tear fell from Goten`s face "a space pirate`s funeral, he`s always one with space". Bulla ran down to the captain "Goten we could have gotten him". Goten cut her off "no, Bulla".
Bulla was startled "what do you mean? No?" Goten walked past her but stopped anyway "you were referring to the dragon balls, but they remain our secret. I don't want any pirates to earth". The captain walked away, Bulla stayed behind. For a moment she rubbed her arms, it was cold in the ship. Never before had she noticed that space could be this chilled.
The ship suddenly began to shake. Goten stood at the top of the cargo bay and caught himself against a wall "Jaco? Why are we shaking?" Bulla also ran up, the cockpit door was still open. Jaco looked back "we are under attack Captain Goten." Over the radio an angry voice sounded "captain Goten, that apple now. Or we will shoot the ship out of the sky". Goten looked furious "Snip the helm now. Xomu where is that apple?" The gray giant pointed to the box "di didii". Goten grabbed the box and pushed it open. The large round purple diamond shimmered.
"Princess, patrolman follow me" Goten sounded rushed. The three of them ran to an escape ship. Goten pushed open the sliding door and pressed the apple into Bulla`s hands. "Goten no, I won`t just leave you here, alright?" Bulla felt like she was in a rush and panicked. Jaco began to crank up the escape pod in a fast pace. "Princess don`t worry about me, I want you safe here take this". For a moment both half Saiyans held the apple. Bulla pressed her lips to Goten's. And passionate kiss was cut short by another shot at the ship.
Bulla shook no "let me help Goten, please" But Goten looked mad "you are leaving my ship princess, that is an order." With a hard shove Goten pushed Bulla into the ship and shut the door. For a moment he heard her give another scream. But Goten couldn't wander for long; he had a ship to save. Back in the cockpit, he saw the detached ship shooting away. "Is the speed engine fixed?" asked Snip. The captain grinned "she's more than just a pretty face". Again they were shot at, this was going wrong.