Chapter 3: Who Are You?
(Writer's Note: I know this chapter has been delayed for a long time. Blame my job. It leaves me no free time at all these days)
"I am sorry Tynzien." Xalmer said, as he looked at the saiya-jin with regret and a tiny bit of fear. He had seen what Tynzien had done to someone he didn't like, and although Lyre had assured him that it was unusual for Tynzien to react that way, he was still worried that if he displeased Tynzien, the results could be less then good for him. "I can tell you nothing about this Tarlos woman. She has no reputation, or at least one we would know. She may have seemed so special to you, but to me she just sounds like one of the many Tarlos prostitutes that roam the streets."
Tynzien looked displeased.
"How about…" he finally said, and gave a description of Zathiny and how he had treated the girl he had seen.
"No, I know nothing of someone like him either…it sounds like you just saw a typical deviance of the Tarlos, their sexual enslavement of their women." Xalmer said, looking disgusted.
"Sexual enslavement? Do tell." Syria said. She had been listening to the conversation without much interest until that line had come. Then it had shoved a knife of cold ice in her gut.
"Well, we spoke of how the Tarlos, in their activity, have an underground network in, well, there is no other term for it then slavery. You are taken, priced, and then sold to whoever wants to buy you. Your rights cease to exist. You become a piece of property, living only to serve your new owner's whims, until you die, most likely from atrocious treatment at the hands of said owners. Men are used as free labour of human shields, and the women…they become sex slaves. They get used until there's nothing left and then they get tossed aside like trash for a new batch. I guess that man owned this Tarlos, and if what you say is true, I doubt he treats her well. Are you sure this isn't just some feeling of humanitarism you're having, Tynzien?"
"Humanitwhaaa? Is that English? Is that even a word?" Syria said.
"No Xalmer. It wasn't that, although it was surely part of it. There is something very…unique about her. She has something I've never seen before…her potential for combat…it's so…"
"WHAT?" Syria cried in mock horror. "I thought I was the one who had the greatest potential for combat! You said it all those times we trained! And I'm being tossed aside for some Tarlos floozy! Oh, my heart is broken! Catch me Lyre, I'm going to faint!" Syria wailed, and pitched herself backwards, expecting the Namek to catch her.
And he would have, if he hadn't been deep in thought and paying no attention to Syria at all. With a squawk of surprise and pain, Syria sprawled on the floor.
"OW! You know Lyre, when I asked you to catch me I kind of meant NOW!"
"Hmmmm? Did you say something Syria?"
"ARGH!"
"It's not just the potential for fighting power Syria, and if it makes you feel better, you still outclass her there." Tynzien said, helping the Raeus woman up. "I could sense something…well, special."
"There's that word again." Syria said, rubbing her head.
"I can't think of any other word Syria. She has something I've never sensed before. I have to find her, if only to find out what it is. But whatever it is…it's amazing. If I could train her…I could turn her into the greatest fighter ever!"
"HEY!"
"Correction. ONE of the greatest fighters ever."
"Much better Tyn. Next time my foot goes up your rear."
Xalmer stared at the two.
"Are you always like this?"
"Pretty much." Lyre said, coming over to the three. "Tynzien and Syria, I wish to speak with Xalmer for a bit. Could you possibly…"
"We get the hint Lyre. Smell ya later." Syria said, and before Tynzien could say anything she grabbed him by the arm and hauled him off.
"Xalmer, I have been thinking…you say your people and the Tarlos have to have some kind of big meeting in a few days…"
"Yes Lyre. The Tarlos call it the Convergence. We don't look forward to it, but it's a necessity. If we don't keep our contracts up to date, god knows what those Tarlos could try and pull. Plus, most of the criminals in the city attend the function now, acting like honest citizens who just want to make sure their species is being treated fairly! Bah! What a crock!" Xalmer grumbled.
"I see…are tensions usually this high between you?"
"No, this time it's even worse! What with those Tarlos not showing up to check you out until it was too late, and our inability to contact our colony, and the rate of violence in the Tarlos part of Fravlor being worse then ever…we are very worried Lyre."
"Your colony?"
"This planet was originally a Roe mining operation, before circumstance and fate turned it into a home for us and the Tarlos, curse them. But we still have mining operations going in various parts of this galaxy. The Tarlos "leader", Arcstor, suggested that we try and work together on one, to lessen the tension between us. I wasn't sure then, but we decided it was worth a try. Now we can't raise them, and while the Tarlos claim they can't either, I can't help but worry their people have murdered ours and taken over the mining operation secretly! It would be just like them to try such a stunt!"
"I see. This Arcstor…um, well…"
"I can guess your question. I must admit, he is better then some of the previous "mayors", but he still turns a blind eye to virtually all the illegal activities in his city! If their police force does anything, it's because we have to give them an incentive!" Xalmer said. Lyre had no problem figuring out what exactly the incentive might be.
"Well Xalmer, I had been thinking this over, and I would like to ask if I could somehow…supervise this Convergence."
Xalmer looked confused, but he unfurled his wings somewhat as he looked at Lyre. Lyre had come to recognize that body language as a sign of contemplation.
"Exactly what do you mean?"
"I'm an alien, a neutral figure. If I try and keep the peace, hopefully neither side will be distrustful of me…or particularly distrustful of me…" Lyre said, casting a glance that indicated the fact he had been staying with the Roes. "I won't interfere if you don't want me too…it was just an idea…"
"One I'm not sure the Tarlos would go for…but you would have to speak with them…it would be comforting to know that a powerful warrior like you would keep us safe…"
"I said I would be neutral Xalmer. Unless the Tarlos decide to attack you, I will not interfere. And that does not give you the right to incite them. I may be a warrior, but I'm not stupid. Now, if you agree, I should speak with Kastor, he'll be the main representative if I remember correctly…"
Tynzien didn't exactly appreciate getting yanked on the arm, so the second he was out in the hall he yanked back, nearly tossing Syria into a wall. Syria made a noise that indicated she was accepting a challenge and yanked back as hard as she could, and the two played a bizarre game of tug of war up the hallway.
"We have to stop this, one of us will go through a wall if we're not careful." Tynzien said, half laughing.
"You just wanna quit because you're losing." Syria shot back. "Fine, thumb-wrestling?"
"You're on."
"One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war, five, six, seven, eight, let's see who can keep it straight." The two said in unison as they cinched up their hands, and at the end of the sentence their thumbs began to grapple, Tynzien matching his strength against Syria's flexibility.
Tynzien's strong sense of smell picked up a familiar scent. That sweet smell again…I guess she gives it off when she's exerting herself…
That, and his closeness to Syria, immediately sent Tynzien's mind off on a tangent, and Syria crowed with joy as his concentration was broken and she pinned his thumb with hers.
"Ha! Was there ever any doubt?" Syria said, and began jumping up and down. Tynzien watched until he realized he was paying too much attention to a certain area, and then he turned away in embarrassment. Syria took it as shame.
"Ah, did I make you cry Tyn? Well, you're gonna cry alone, I'm off to bed. I'd ask you to join me, but eh, you know, politics!"
That made Tynzien turn.
"Politics? What the heck do politics have to do with that?"
"You really don't know huh. You're smart, and a man. I'm sure you'll figure it out." Syria said, and headed off down the hallway. Tynzien watched her go, and he didn't realize why until she turned the corner and he lost sight of her that he realized why. He curse and hit himself on the head in annoyance and frustration.
"Snap out of it Tyn." He muttered to himself, and then he realized he'd used Syria's pet name. He ground his teeth. This was worse then back on Velas. Velas had been hormones. Now feelings were starting to mix in, and saiya-jin feelings could be very…dangerous.
Tynzien turned, heading for his own room. He was going to take that cold shower he had thought about earlier.
And then if he had to, he was going to eat a ton of saltpeter until he had sorted himself out.
"Shoo! Get out! Vamoose!" Syria said, shooing the Roe and Tarlos servants out of her room. "I can take care of myself! Go have a coffee! A smoke! Whatever you do!" Syria said, and locked the door behind her. "I swear, the Roes must have everything done for them!"
Syria crossed the room and flung herself on the massive bed, enjoying the silky smoothness of the sheets and blanket. After lying there a while she sat up and began undoing the tight laces and buckles on her boots, sliding them off along with the socks she wore.
"Ah, that's better." Syria said, and just to check something, she took a sniff of her socks. "WHOA! Maybe I'd better call them back to clean these things. Eh, maybe tomorrow." Syria said, and tossed her boots across the room, along with her socks. She slipped off her gloves and began undoing the complicated straps that kept her outfit on. After struggling with it for two minutes she finally got them all undone and slid the outfit down and off her person. She felt much better. Decency be damned, sometimes she just found clothing restrictive and confining.
Checking the floor to see if it was cold, Syria slid into a full split and did some stretches, feeling his bones pop as air was forced out from between the hollows in between them. She smirked, remembering how much that had freaked her out when she first started training. She thought her bones were being warped in some way. She got to her feet and did a different split, stretching some more. She got to her feet again, and did some final stretches, mostly involving her legs. She always felt her kicks were more lethal then her punches, and she had to keep her muscles in tip-top shape.
She found the full-length mirror and did some shadow boxing in front of it, then some shadow kicking, watching for flaws, errors, or openings. Finding none, she got herself a stool and sat down to brush her hair. She looked out the nearby window, watching the night sky.
"When you wish upon a star…" Syria hummed. What should she wish for? Beauty? Nah, she had that in spades, and that wasn't arrogance talking. Power? No, she'd get that in due time, and she preferred to train with Tynzien for it. He knew his shit, and she could tease and humiliate him at will.
Money? Nah, she didn't want to carry around the root of all evil. Look what it did to the Roes.
Love?
That gave Syria pause. Should she wish for some new Raeus to enter her life, a knight in shining armour instead of a knave with raging hormones and/or ambition? She hadn't known her parents long before Koola had murdered them along with half her planet, but they always seemed happier together, like two parts of a whole.
That was what she wanted…but apparently life hadn't seen a reason to give it to her.
"Eh, what do I need men for? I've got two good hands." Syria muttered.
The utterance failed to make her feel any better about her situation. She sighed. She envied Tynzien. He and Zeen had had something truly special. All she had was bad memories and the terrible sense of uncleanness that overcame her when she recalled them. She hated the fact that to them, she'd been little more then a piece of meat…
Piece of meat…
Syria got up and crossed to the window, not bothering to cover her nudity. She didn't care much if someone saw her. This was how she was and she would be damned if she felt ashamed of it. What would annoy her would be if someone decided to oogle or spy on her. And seeing how prim and proper the Roes were, she doubted any of them would find interest in a naked alien. Maybe the Tarlos would, but she doubted any would be in a position to see her.
She looked over the wall to the Tarlos section of Fravlor. Unlike the brightly lit Roe section, the lighting was sporadic and low. She wasn't surprised.
She wondered what was going on in that section.
More specifically, she wondered if all the bad things Xalmer had spoken of were happening.
Women being bought and sold…
Syria shuddered in revulsion. Maybe she had it easy. The men in her life had been jerks, but at least she had had choice in consenting to them. Bad choice, but a choice nonetheless.
Tynzien would be hunting for that Tarlos prostitute tomorrow. Maybe she would tag along in the guise of aid. She wanted to make some observations.
And if need be, she'd take some action.
Syria tossed the brush over to the dresser, clapped her hands to turn out the lights, and glided over to the bed, resting on top of it. It didn't take long for sleep to find her.
She thought she dreamed of Tynzien, but she couldn't remember when she woke up. But considering the way she felt, if he had been in the dream…he had some explaining to do.
"I didn't go into your room Syria. I slept, and unless I sleepwalk, I stayed there." Tynzien said, and went back to devouring his sixth plate of food.
"You sure?" Syria asked. She hadn't told him what kind of dream it was. Even she didn't know. All had was how she had felt when she woke up, and she'd only felt that way after a certain kind of dream.
"Oh no Syria, he's lying. He really did sleepwalk. He sleepwalked out of his room, sleepwandered until he found your room, sleepopened the door, sleepwalked over to you, sleepsat next to you, sleepwhispered things in your ear that made you have this ever so unusual dream, sleepgiggled at his prank, then sleepwalked back out to his room, only to awake with no memory of any of this. It all becomes so clear." Lyre said, and the look on his face indicated he was struggling not to crack up. Syria gave him a dirty look.
"Either that or he sleep…" Syria said before she trailed off. Maybe she had better not say that. If Tynzien heard, he was too busy devouring his breakfast to notice. The Roe servants could barely keep up with him.
"Tynzien, how is Century doing?" Lyre asked after Tynzien had finally slowed down, although whether that was because he was filling up or because he noticed how tired the servants looked was a matter only the beholder could decide.
"She's got all the fancy gadgets that absorbs solar power up and running, and the switchover to one of our other sources is about 60% complete. It's the solar absorption that takes the most time. Besides that, nothing new. She's been very busy, so I've left her alone."
"I see. That is a pity, I wished I could speak to her."
"About what?"
"Various things…mostly involving the Roe and Tarlos." Lyre said. Tynzien took a swig of his drink and looked at Lyre.
"You really want to help them achieve peace, huh?"
"Yes…must be my old soldier instincts. I am sure I can get them to see eye to eye, but the two races have hated each other for so long…it's…"
"They would prefer to cut off their noses to spite their faces?"
"Yes, that will do. In any case, I've managed to get the Roes to agree on my idea of being a moderator. Now I have to get the Tarlos to agree, and do it in a way that doesn't give them the idea I've been bribed by the Roes to side with them!"
"You'd best find out their defacto leader then Lyre. You see the wrong person, the Roes may think you'll be biased against them due to possible intimidation." Syria said.
Lyre gave her a wry look.
"Oh yes, I forgot you're the insanely strong warrior Namek Lyre, with a power level even higher then mine." Syria added. The last sentence was a resentful grumble.
"Indeed Syria, but I don't want to solve this with my fists. The last time I had to do that, I lost all my friends." Lyre replied. He looked sad.
"I see Lyre." Tynzien said.
"We ought to declare a patent on those letters." Syria suddenly said.
"What? What letters?"
"I C!"
There was a moment of silence, and then Tynzien and Lyre began throwing food at Syria.
Later on, after the three had cleaned up and apologized to the servants who were cleaning up the massive mess they had made, they headed off to the Tarlos section of Fravlor. Tynzien led the way.
"Ok Lyre, you're going to go speak with the Arcstor? I wish I knew where he stayed, but I didn't gleen that info from his son when I met him."
"Not to worry, I can find him. Good luck finding that girl."
"Yes. So Syria, what are you going to do?"
"Eh, politics bore me. I think I'll help you Tyn."
"If you wish Syria."
"Leaving now, Tynzien?" Xalmer said, appearing from a side hallway and startling the three.
"Yeah Xalmer. Why, you don't want to invite us to another party I hope."
"No no. But it would serve Lyre best if he got back as soon as possible." Xalmer said, and left that sentence hanging in the air.
"…Very well Xalmer. I will do my best." Lyre said, adding a tone that he was displeased with what Xalmer had indicated. Xalmer shrank a bit.
"It is also so we know when to expect you back at the gate…"
"We can fly."
"Oh yes. I keep forgetting that. I guess I'm just used to seeing wings on flying beings." Xalmer said. He didn't get to say any more as Lyre turned and left, followed by Tynzien and Syria.
Tynzien knew why Lyre had called an end to the conversation that way. Most likely, another comment on the Tarlos was forthcoming.
He was getting sick of them too.
"Ye gods. Too bright." Syria muttered, pulling out her sunglasses and putting them on as the two wandered the streets of Fravlor. Lyre had split off from them and wished them luck again, and then gone off to speak with Arcstor.
"Oh, don't be such a wuss." Tynzien commented, although he had to admit, the sun WAS bright. Whether this was a daily thing or an exception, Tynzien didn't know. The Tarlos seemed to be coping with it though, so he couldn't complain.
"You know Tyn, this would have been much easier if you had procured a name."
"I would have, except she got carted off by that guy she was with, and then you showed up half-sloshed…"
"I was not drunk! I don't have a hangover, do I?"
"Is that because you didn't wake up with one or because you begged the Roes for some medicine?"
"SHADDUP TYN!"
They turned down another street, which had a huge amount of shops set up, creating a makeshift market that seemed to sell everything from clothes to weapons. Tynzien and Syria were immediately besieged by people asking them to buy stuff, and the two had to fight their way through the crowd, Tynzien trying to see if the girl was there and Syria just trying to get through.
Ironically, Syria spotted the Tarlos woman first.
"Is that her?"
Tynzien took a look at one of the women standing around the busy corner, laughing and flirting with passing males. He frowned and shook his head.
"No, she had longer hair and more delicate features."
"Are you sure Tyn? They all look the same to me."
"She stands out Syria, like you did to me when I first met you."
"That might have been due to the fact I tried to pound your face in…hey, is that her?"
"Too short."
"Tynzien, are you sure you just saw this girl once and haven't been stalking her for years?" Syria teased. Tynzien glared at her.
"You know what? We've been searching for two hours and come up with two things, Jack and Shit, and Jack's left town. Maybe we should split up." Syria suggested.
"I don't know Syria. I was the only one who saw her, you might get confused…"
"Confused? Tynzien, after all the women you've shot down I've pretty much eliminated all the middlemen, er, women. Besides, if she's so unique, I should be able to find her…unless it's the kind of unique only males can sense, and if it's that I won't be looking for her, I'll be looking for you so I can beat your chauvinistic ass."
"You wish."
"Try me!"
"Maybe later Syria. That girl is my priority. Tell you what, you go that way, I'll go this way, and we'll meet up in say…three hours?"
"Fine by me. Smell ya later Tyn." Syria said, and then she had vanished into the crowd.
Tynzien sighed.
"Women. Can't live without em, can't…" Tynzien said, and the rest of his sentence was lost as a merchant assailed him asking him to buy some kind of meat.
Syria figured she had an advantage. She was a woman, and women knew each other better then men could know women. Or so she thought. Instead, she had gotten lost and turned around, and had had no luck finding the Tarlos girl Tynzien was so interested in. A few times she thought she had been sure, but she could sense no "unique qualities" as Tynzien had put it. She snorted in annoyance. She wished Tynzien could have been more specific.
Well, if the girl was a hooker, as Tynzien thought she was, she was definitely in the right part of town to find one. The area was dark and seedy, with few people on the streets, and Syria could sense a general feeling of fear and "Please don't notice me" ess in the air. In fact, a few people (all men) had given her dirty looks for no other reason then she was walking down the street.
Sort of how her old boyfriends used to look at her when she didn't do exactly as they said.
Leaving the past behind her, Syria turned another corner and found another group of women all standing along the street. The degree of attractiveness had been going downhill ever since she had started this quest, and it had reached the level of "junkie skank". Some of the women looked halfway normal, but more were painfully thin, shivering constantly in their low cut and high end dresses. Their eyes showed only hopelessness and a willing servitude that spoke of an experience that had become their lives. Syria felt bile rise in her throat. Maybe she was being selfish in complaining about her problems. Maybe she had had rotten relationships, but she was free, strong, and in the end, her decisions had been her own. These girls would live the epitome of bad relationships for the rest of their lives.
And those lives were often quite short, as Syria's eyes strayed upon a Tarlos male berating one of the junkie skanks (maybe she was being cruel in that description, but she had seen the effects of drug use on more then one species, and they certainly LOOKED like junkies). The girl looked to be trying to apologize, but it seemed to cut no dice with the male, who reared back his hand and belted her. The girl crumpled like a leaf, but that wasn't enough to satisfy her pimp, as he raised his hand to hit her again.
Syria's hand closed on his wrist so hard she nearly snapped his arm off. He howled in pain and tried to turn.
"Lay another hand on her and you'll spend the rest of your life having machines breathe for you." Syria growled.
The Tarlos didn't listen, instead twisting around and punching Syria in the stomach. She barely felt it.
"Have it your way."
The street briefly filled with the sound of fists, screams, and breaking bones, and then Syria strolled on, leaving the ruined wreck of the pimp behind her. She felt much better.
Tynzien was having no luck either.
His ability to sense ki was being hampered by all the kis around him, because mostly everyone knew how to fight to some degree, and his mind was being assailed by hundreds of weak power readings that might hit 10 on his scouter if he had it. However, the feeling he had had from the girl was that she would stand out, no matter where she was.
He had gone into some seedy bars and asked around, ignoring the lecherous looks given to him by the bartenders and customers. He could care less if they thought he was some pervert out to try a taste of alien flesh. But their information had been spotty and nigh-useless, but what could he expect from a society of criminals…
Tynzien kicked himself mentally. He was starting to think like the Roes. A few dirty drops of water did not pollute an entire ocean.
But then…there were more then a few.
Tynzien scanned another group of prostitutes. Nothing. The females made kissing motions toward him, and he waved back. They looked disappointed as he walked off. They probably wish all their customers looked like me. Tynzien said, allowing himself a moment of arrogance.
Twenty minutes later, Tynzien was still empty handed and beginning to feel frustrated. He had to find this girl, sooner rather then later. If he left her in this society…or this part of a society…he didn't want to think of the result. The waste…the potential horror…
Tynzien was drawn out of his thoughts as something slapped across his mind. But it wasn't the girl. It was Syria's ki.
Syria was never sure what hit her, in every sense of the word. She had been walking along another street, thinking she could really use one of her planet's Waterfall Diver drinks, when something slammed against the back of her head.
The pain was minimal, but the surprise sent her pitching forward in a stumble. At first she thought the pimp had somehow gotten back up from the beating she had give him and had come for revenge. Her second thought was to kick his ass even harder for that. Her third thought was that maybe he couldn't have gotten up, but maybe he had sent some friends after her. Her forth thought was strangely pleasant: More asses for her to kick.
But before she could formulate a plan based on these options, they were shot down as a crush of bodies suddenly enveloped her, dozens of hands grasping and pulling. Syria's mind reeled. What the heck was going on? Was she being gang attacked? Mugged?
Raped?
That last thought brought about a surge of anger, even as more bodies crushed around her, yanking at her hair and clothes, trying to find pockets.
One of them decided, in the chaos, he could cop a feel.
Syria snapped.
"GET THE FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Syria screamed as her ki exploded around her, the golden aura of power throwing all her attackers away, slamming them into the surrounding walls.
Syria stared in amazement. Most of her attackers were little more then children, teenagers at most. As if realizing this fact along with the one that their target was no ordinary woman, the group immediately scattered, fleeing down into the dark alleyways and surrounding streets.
Syria set her eyes on one and teleported in front of one of the fleeing youths. He ran right into her. Not realizing what had happened until Syria got a fistful of his shirt and yanked him up.
"What's the big idea, jackass? Didn't your parents teach how to treat a lady?" Syria growled, as her Energy Shyutou ki blade exploded on her hand. The youth began to talk excitedly in his native language. Syria cursed inwardly, wishing she had a scouter. She was able to verify one thing though: he didn't want her to do bad things with the blade. Except after what he and his buddies had done, all Syria could think off was bad things.
"There are three things you should know in life shithead. You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, and if you jump me, you DON'T TOUCH ME." Syria hissed, raising the blade. She wasn't going to kill him, but he could probably get through life without a few fingers…
"Hold it Syria."
Syria turned her head as Tynzien landed next to her. She wasn't that surprised to see him.
"He did a bad thing, but you're about to do a worse thing. Put him down. He's just a poor kid trying to survive."
"Trying to survive does not mean groping females."
"And you know it was him who did that."
Syria ran her tongue over her teeth and looked back at her capture. He was still babbling, and he looked quite scared. And now that she thought about it, he was awfully young.
"Hey Tyn, translate this for me, will you? Tell them if I ever see them around me again, I'll kick them so hard their ancestors will feel it!" Syria growled, and tossed her catch away. As he struggled to his feet, Tynzien said something in the Tarlos language, and the teenager scampered off after nodding.
"I can understand how you felt on that Syria, but two wrongs don't make a right."
"Could you?" Syria whispered to herself. Then she put on a happy face again and walked over to Tynzien.
"You have any luck?"
"Nope, you?"
"Nadda, zip, zilch, zero, freezing, arctic, absolute zero."
"Peachy. Well, you want to stay together now or…?"
"No, you're right. Being apart gives us more of a chance. Besides, I can take care of myself, as you can see." Syria said.
"Ok then. Shall we keep doing this until sundown or do you have a better plan?"
'Sounds good to me." Syria said, and then she was gone, hopping over a building and vanishing back into the bowels of Fravlor.
Tynzien hoped for the city's sake it decided that throwing bad things at his hotheaded companion was a good way to commit suicide.
"She's ok? That's good. Yes I am. Yes, I'll ask them." Lyre said into the small communications device Tynzien had handed him at some time or another before he had set off to meet Arcstor and his son Zarven. Tynzien had called telling him Syria had been involved in some kind of gang attack, but she was ok, or so it seemed. Frowning, he ended the call and turned back to the Tarlos men.
"Problem?" Arcstor asked, worry creasing his brows. Based on how strong the Namek and his companions were, he did not want them getting a grudge against his society. If one was forming, it was best to defuse it.
"Sort of. My friends are looking for a Tarlos girl Tynzien saw last night…someone he noticed at the fight with your son…something unique about her."
"Anything physical? We could check our records…"
"No, he didn't give anything specific or unique. Just something he sensed. A warrior thing. But he was calling to report some kind of mass attack on Syria, my Raeus friend. Apparently a rather large group of youth just up and tried to molest her for some reason. It got ugly."
"Any fatalities?"
"None reported."
"I see. Well, if you would like an apology…"
"No, just an explanation."
"The Piranhas, we call them." Zarven said, jumping in (apparently it was a habit). "Gangs of kids and teenagers. They attack people, steal what they can, and run off almost as soon as they appeared. They don't hurt and kill, at least." Zarven added, as if Lyre was about to start an accusation.
"I've tried to deal with them, but most of them shun us. They think our help would be slavery." Arcstor concluded.
"They'd rather die on their back then live on their knees?" Lyre offered.
"Pretty much. They think starving or overdosing on drugs would be better. Poor, misguided fools…" Arcstor said, genuine sadness in his voice. Lyre could understand his grief. He was a powerless elite, a puppet who couldn't escape the strings his society had wrapped itself in, only a serving boy to the high powered criminals. Maybe if he could broker a peaceful existence between the Roes and Tarlos, Lyre could look into reducing the influence the underworld had.
"Well, she's not hurt, at least. Now, getting back to what we were discussing…I would like to suggest that I act as a kind of supervisor. Trying to keep your arrangements going could be very difficult this year…I think a neutral figure would be most appreciated."
Arcstor glanced at his son. Zarven shrugged.
"Could have potential, but it could be coloured by the fact that you're staying with the Roes."
"Just because I am staying with them doesn't mean I believe their views…or yours. I think peace between your people could accomplish much more then the simmering feud you've had going for god knows how long."
"Tell that to them." Zarven said cynically.
"I will if I have to." Lyre said, his tone firm. "Frankly, I find it very annoying that innocent people are constantly being hurt in this silly disagreement."
"It's not just a silly disagreement, Lyre." Arcstor said. It was his tone that was firm now, with an undercurrent of tenseness and anger. "Those Roes have looked upon us as inferiors the moment we set foot on this planet. If it's not the high crime in our society, it's Zarbon. If it's not Zarbon, it's our hygiene. If it's not our hygiene, it's how we tie our shoes! It gets irritating, to say the least, when money makes people think they have the right to make such judgements. Arrogant twits."
"Indeed there are. But there are Tarlos which are just like how the Roe describe them, and we cannot let a few individuals control the interaction between two species, especially when one needs the other to survive, and vice versa. Don't you think peace would be better?"
"Sometimes I wonder." Arcstor said.
"I don't." Zarven added, and cracked his knuckles. Lyre rolled his eyes. The hot blood of youth.
"But in any case, I agree. A neutral figure could be a great help in the Convergence…if you are sure you will be neutral." Arcstor said.
"I swear on the honour of the Yarwus."
"Whoever they are."
"My fallen unit. Great men…" Lyre said wistfully.
"Can the flashback for now. Ok, you have my agreement. You had just make sure you get the Roes to agree to the same terms."
"I will."
"We'll see." Zarven whispered, a cynical glow in his eyes.
It was kind of strange. After all the effort Tynzien had made in searching for the Tarlos girl, he literally almost ran into her.
He was turning another corner in what seemed to be the millionth seedy street he had seen that day and there she was, just walking down the street.
She stood out, no matter where she was, and not just in aura. Tynzien had seen lovely Tarlos and pretty Tarlos, cute Tarlos and attractive Tarlos (and when one had seen all the prostitutes Tynzien had, there was definitely a gamut that ran all the way to ruined and destroyed), but this one…in her own way she just seemed to glow.
But her ki…it definitely glowed. It was like meeting Syria all over again.
Tynzien paused, suddenly unsure what to do. He didn't see that bullying bastard that she had been with before, and it showed, as the air of despair that had floated over her seemed to have dispersed a tad. He was pretty sure she had seen him last night, if only a glance. Should he just walk up? No, that might scare her. Maybe he should pretend to be a "customer" and talk to her once he got her alone, as slimy as the thought made him feel. But you couldn't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs…
And then all his plans were dashed as the girl suddenly did just that, breaking from the street and running down an alleyway. Tynzien blinked in surprise.
Then he saw three other men break from the crowd and go running after her. Tynzien growled. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts he had never even noticed that she was being followed. How her body language said she knew she was being followed and had decided to make a break for it.
Well, he wasn't going to lose her again. A few surrounding Tarlos gasped, as he seemed to vanish, blurring up and away.
Jezebelle ran down the alleyway, nimbly leaping over a garbage can that had sprawled across the path, cursing herself inwardly. She knew it had been a mistake to wander off on her own. But Zathiny had drunk himself into a stupor, and seeing how much he had done to her lately, she thought it would be no harm to slip off and just walk a little, like she used to before she had been sold into…
Selling. That was the problem. Her previous owner had had some financial problems and had been forced to liquidate most of his assets, including her. She had wound up in Zathiny's possession, which was even worse then her previous owner since to him she was just one of his girls. But Zathiny had the time to look closer, and had promptly put her life into an even deeper circle of hell. Then again, maybe she had died the moment she had come out of the womb since her life had always been hell in one form or another…
In any case, her previous owner had recovered and heard about her…"success" on the grapevine. Now he wanted her back. Zathiny had refused to sell her back. So it had come to this. Out without his protection, she was now prime to be stolen and delivered back to her previous owner (What was his name? Ranaxi? Raxi? Ramna? She could never remember).
She hated Zathiny, hated her life, but the devil she knew was better then…
The man she ran into, as he literally appeared out of thin air. Her heart leaped with fear when she thought she was caught, then she realized none of the low grade punks Ramnaaxii or whatever his name was hired could do that.
"Hey! Relax, I won't hurt you." Tynzien said, as the girl tensed as if to struggle. Instead, she just pulled herself away. Her eyes filled with surprise and a hint of recognition.
"You. You're from the…I have to go! Let me go!" Jezebelle bleated, trying to run past Tynzien. Tynzien grabbed her again.
"I saw them. I'll protect you."
"But there's…"
"I can handle it." Tynzien said, powering up.
Surprising even herself, Jezebelle stopped struggling and pulled back. She could feel it as well, Tynzien thought.
"What are you?"
"I'm Tynzien Warlock. A saiya-jin. What's your name?"
Jezebelle never got to answer, as it was at that point that her pursuers caught up to her. They stopped when they saw she had as well, and that she had company.
"Well well well, what have we here?" Punk 1 said (and there was nothing much to distinguish them from each other. They were all big, brutal, and dumb, and apparently that was all their employer needed). "You picked a wrong time to get together with a trick, girly."
"Leave. Now." Tynzien said quietly. Jezebelle didn't expect them to listen. Sure enough, they laughed instead. The laugh grated on Tynzien's ears. It was like he was confronted by the damn Gangrene Gang from those Powerpuff Girl cartoons Century had found.
"Well buddy, if you want to get beat too, we'll be happy to comply." Punk 2 said, as the group procured weapons from their person. Tynzien looked unimpressed with the collection of blades and bludgeons.
"Last chance."
"Get 'em!"
The group charged. Motioning for Jezebelle to stay behind him, Tynzien took a few steps forward as Punk 2 swung a pipe at him.
Tynzien snapped his head back, avoiding it.
"You do not…"
Tynzien snatched the pipe out of his hands.
"know…"
Tynzien bent the pipe in half.
"who you are…"
With one quick explosive burst of ki on his hands, Tynzien vaporized the pipe.
"FUCKING WITH!"
And Punk 2 never found out, as Tynzien took one last step forward and kicked him as hard as he could. The other punks only saw a blur as Punk 2 was thrown out of the alleyway and into the building on the other side, hitting the wall with a sickening crack.
The remaining men stared, and then Tynzien waded into them, destroying them in an orgy of blood and confused shouts. He hated bullies, especially ones who tried to interfere with his tasks.
Unfortunately, his destruction of his targets kept him from noticing the two other men sneak up behind Jezebelle and grab her, dragging her back towards two more men and a waiting van.
Jezebelle was entranced. She had seen what Tynzien was capable of doing, but it didn't keep her from being amazed as he demonstrated his power and skill, and above all else, the vicious edge he had when confronted with something he found wrong.
But why would he be interested in her…?
The sweaty hand clamped over her mouth. Jezebelle's eyes widened and she tried to scream as she was suddenly yanked backwards, another pair of hands grabbing onto her as well. Tynzien, a moment ago her glorious savior, was now a total moron so wrapped up in what he was doing he didn't even notice she was being kidnapped.
"Just keep calm girly. In a few minutes we'll be back with Ramiai again (so it was RAMIAI) and we'll all be one big happy family again." One of her holders said, as they dragged her towards the van.
Jezebelle looked at the open door, at the blackness beyond, at yet another abyss opening up to swallow her…
Rage, long repressed and held back, flooded her senses, and she bit down on the hand covering her mouth as hard as she could. The man bellowed in pain.
"You bitch!" he snarled, rearing back to belt her.
"LET ME GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Jezebelle shrieked, pulling herself from the grip of her two kidnappers and lashing out, twisting her leg and slashing the foot of her heel forward and up, driving it into the man's neck and throat. His eyes flew open a moment before the blood exploded from the wound.
Tynzien felt the surge of ki and turned from the last punk he was destroying, seeing Jezebelle pull herself from the grip of two men and doing a picture perfect kick on one. That was all he saw though, as the last punk tackled him from behind and drove him to the ground.
Jezebelle didn't need her help as she attacked her other kidnapper, driving her fist into his gut. As he doubled over she drove her elbow into his spine, feeling a savage satisfaction as muscle tore and bone gave. As he dropped twitching to the ground, Jezebelle sprinted at the man who had opened the door, who was now pulling some kind of knife out (A shiv, a primitive knife consisting of a glass shard with tape on one end, a throwback to the days the punk probably spent in prison).
Jezebelle reached down and activated her talent, the one that had given her her hated reputation, as the man swung the shiv at her face.
It hit her cheek and snapped in half, like the punk had been attacking a wall. Jezebelle grabbed his arm and used his momentum against him, flipping the punk right over her head and into the nearest alley wall.
An explosion of force tossed the punk off of Tynzien powered up again. He got to his feet as the punk fell behind him and then twirled, kicking the punk off to join his companion. Already forgetting his foes, he turned back to Jezebelle as she approached the guy who had attacked her with the shiv.
Slowly, the forth man, forgotten in the carnage, slid out of the darkness within the van and aimed the gun right at Jezebelle's back.
Jezebelle heard the hammer cocking, turned her head, realized that she was dead…
And then the van exploded, the gunman consumed in flames with only a quick startled cry. A second after it exploded the van flew off its "feet" and sailed though the air before coming back to the ground with a shriek of crunching, twisting metal. It rolled once and then came to rest on it's top as it burned.
Jezebelle stared for a second, then looked over at Tynzien, hand out. He'd saved her with a ki blast.
A savior after all.
Tynzien lowered his arm as Jezebelle turned her attention back to the punk she had tossed into the wall. She reached down and picked something up, what looked like two pieces of glass.
"Tell this to Ramiai…" Jezebelle said, as her hands closed over the glass shards.
Tynzien's eyes widened as shock. The damn girl was trying to crush the glass with her bare hands! Even HE couldn't do that without being cut, what the hell was she…
And then he was even more surprised when he heard the series of crunching and cracking noise indicating the glass was being crushed fine. The thing was, no blood was coming from Jezebelle's hands, and her face showed nothing except cold rage. It was if she was protecting her hands somehow…
"Tell him I am not for sale, for hook, or by crook, and not to come after me any more…" Jezebelle said as the punk tried to stand. He looked at Jezebelle.
And Jezebelle snapped her hand out, throwing a shower of powdered glass in the punk's face. He screamed and clutched his eyes and stumbled down the alleyway, blood leaking from his fingers.
"EVER! Do you hear me? EVER!" Jezebelle yelled after him. The last few flecks of glass fell from her hands.
They were unmarred.
And then the attitude and power went out of Jezebelle like air out of a balloon, and she almost fell to her knees. She couldn't believe what she had just done, never knew she had it in her. But she knew what Zathiny was going to do to her when he found out…
Sirens registered to her hearing, and then Tynzien was by her side again, kneeling, offering a hand.
"Can we talk?"
"How did you do that?" Tynzien finally said, as he watched the last of the Tarlos police drive off with the bodies of the punks he and Jezebelle had defeated.
"What?" Jezebelle said, sitting on the opposite side of the roof, her arms curled across her breasts like she was cold, almost in a fetal position.
"That glass thing. How did you crush it with your bare hands…and not even get a scratch? Even I can't do that, not without some kind of layered gloves."
Jezebelle grinned bitterly.
"I don't know what it is…but it's been manifesting itself since I was a child…my money maker, as Zathiny might say. It's…well; I'll demonstrate it. Here, hold out your hand."
Tynzien, his eyes showing the confusion typical of a person being explained something. Jezebelle seemed to concentrate for a moment, and then she held up her own hand and placed it against Tynzien.
"What's that feel like?"
'Well, your hand on mine."
"Well, I can't feel it at all."
Tynzien looked at their clenched hands, trying to figure it out.
"Now I can tell that something's there, but I couldn't tell you if your hand was hot or cold, rough or smooth. It's my talent. I can make myself…just stop feeling."
Tynzien stared at their hands, trying to pick something up.
And then it came to him, a tiny but incredibly concentrated flash of ki energy. He sucked in breath as it based over his senses.
Century!
What?
I need a hand here. Try to match up what I'm feeling with any other records.
Um, ok…just a second…
"Now I can feel your hand." Jezebelle said. "It's nice."
"You can do this anywhere?"
'All over my body. Try it, punch me."
"What? I couldn't…"
"Go ahead. It's not uncommon." Jezebelle said, offering her cheek. Anger boiled in Tynzien. Those stinking…
"Go ahead."
Sighing, Tynzien gave Jezebelle his equivalent of a love tap.
"Nothing."
He hit her harder, cringing within that he might hurt her. But she didn't even move. His curiosity aroused, Tynzien hit her with about half his full strength in his normal state. Her head rocked back a tad, but her face didn't change.
"I felt the force move me back, but I didn't feel any pain on that, and I'm not even going full steam."
Tynzien, it's some kind of ki shielding, but I don't have anything in my records for it. This girl's unique, and she's got one hell of a ki level for someone with no serious martial arts training.
"Amazing." Tynzien whispered.
"Not so. That's why I'm so popular. People can do anything they want to me, and I don't get damaged." Jezebelle said. Tynzien cringed again at Jezebelle's choice of the word damage. "They can screw me, whip me, choke me, beat me, it doesn't matter. I don't feel any of it."
And years of abuse and brainwashing have made your heart and soul as numb as you can make your body. Well, that's going to change right now. I won't stand for this.
"You…my god…by Kelas…miss, I never did ask you your name."
"It's Jezebelle."
"Jezebelle then. Jezebelle, have you ever had any martial arts training?"
"Any what?"
"Has anyone ever taught you to fight?"
"What…no. Everyone now and then one of the other women on the street showed me something to protect me from dangerous tricks…but I don't need that. I have my talent. The alley…I just did what I saw in those fights Zathiny is always dragging me to."
And it came to you so instinctively you were able to pull off your imitation like a seasoned pro…on top of your talent…
"Jezebelle, do you know what ki is?"
"Ki…isn't that some kind of drink?"
"No. Ki is a life force…it flows through all things…including you and me…and it is what true warrior tap into to give them strength. That Brutuz…he didn't use any ki, but Zarven did…and you saw the difference. Ki lets you do this…"
Tynzien let a gold fire explode on his hand, letting it burn for a few seconds, then dispersing it.
"Or this."
Tynzien floated up a few feet, then floated back down.
"It can be used for many things. Your talent…it's ki-based, and apparently, quite unique. Jezebelle, come with me."
Jezebelle looked at Tynzien as if he had suddenly spoken in a foreign language, and then her eyes filled with fear.
"What? Leave? No, I couldn't…Zathiny…"
"Zathiny doesn't matter! He's using you like you're some kind of tool, not giving a damn except his own pleasures…you don't deserve that. I could teach you to be an incredible warrior…to be so much more…"
"No…no…"
"YES, Jezebelle! I can't stand how you look at yourself like you're worthless!"
"But I am worthless." Jezebelle said, as matter of factly as one might say the sky is blue. "My mom threw me away like garbage. My whole life…I've been nothing but garbage. You're wrong…you must be making a mistake…"
"I make no mistakes."
"You must be…I'm just trash…worthless trash…"
At that moment Tynzien stopped trying to convince Jezebelle of her worth because he could no longer resist the rage, going on an inner tirade about how fate could be so cruel. Well, if fate was going to act like that, fate could just kiss his ass.
"Jezebelle…"
"No…go away…just leave me alone…I don't want to hear your…your delusions!" Jezebelle said, getting up and stumbling away. Tynzien stared after her, arms open, feeling more helpless then he had in a long time.
"Jezebelle…"
"JEZEBELLE!"
Both Tynzien and Jezebelle started at this sudden yell, a yell of anger and rage. Jezebelle turned, her eyes filling with new fear.
"It's Zathiny! Get out of here!"
'What? How did he…?"
"It doesn't matter! If he catches us together…"
"Screw him! I'll tear him limb from limb!" Tynzien said, powering up.
"No! Please! Just go!" Jezebelle cried, on the verge of tears. Tynzien could hear someone coming up a ladder.
You'd best retreat for now Tynzien. She's been horribly scarred by her life, and her mind is a minefield. Standing up for her may very well send her into catatonia…or worse.
But Century…
Tynzien…do what you will, but that's what I think.
Tynzien looked at the beautiful Tarlos girl who had had such an ugly life. He hated what he had to do…
"I'll be back. I promise." Tynzien said, and then he was gone, flying off, his mind roiling with disgust and hate.
Jezebelle stared after Tynzien as he left her.
"Will you?" she whispered. She couldn't understand it. Tynzien w s such a kind, noble soul. How could he see anything in her except a quick fuck…or a…
"Jezebelle!"
Jezebelle turned as Zathiny finally finished climbing the ladder. Years of acting came to her as she put on a terrified face and ran to Zathiny as he climbed up.
"Oh Zathiny, I was so scared!" Jezebelle wailed, calling on the unused tears of a few moments before. Zathiny paused as the woman he had bought and made his living on threw herself on him. He had been furious with her for leaving, and had tracked her down with the device he had hidden in her shoe, planning to give her a sound thrashing. But her reaction had confused him. Jezebelle knew this, and went with it.
"I went outside and there were men…they took me…said Ramiai wanted me back…I broke free and ran, finally hid up here…I was so scared they'd find me again…"
"Ramiai…? Why, that son of a bitch! I never thought…well, he's going to pay for this! Somehow…he didn't hurt you, did he?"
"No." Jezebelle blubbered.
"Hmmm…thought you ran away…but this makes more sense. After all, you won't want to leave me, would you?" Zathiny said, lovingly caressing Jezebelle's chin.
"No, never Zathiny." Jezebelle said, the lie coming to her as easy as breathing. Tynzien was surely wrong. This was her life. It was all she had ever had and all she ever deserved.
Deep deep down inside her, the spark of hope that had refused to give out no matter what happened to her flared up, telling her to punch Zathiny in the face like she really wanted to and flee to Tynzien. He was not delusional. She was the one with the delusions.
But it only lasted a few seconds before years of horrors came crashing down, snuffing it out and reducing it to the faintest of glows.
No, such things did not want redemption, as Jezebelle finished climbing down the ladder and Zathiny dragged her off to "work".
It would spoil all their fun. Nothing was quite as delightful as slowly sending a being into the pit of hell via her own mind and feelings.
No sir. Nothing.
If such things were fun, Tynzien was setting up plan after plan of being the ultimate party pooper as he met up with Syria and Lyre, who were traveling together. And arguing.
'Syria, did you really have to knock down that building?"
"That little kid stole my shades! I had to stop him somehow! Besides, it was scheduled for demolition anyway. I just saved them the trouble."
'And caused them more because you COLLASPED IT ACROSS THE STREET!"
"Good evening, although I think that's an oxymoron." Tynzien grumbled as he landed beside them.
"Tyn!"
"Tynzien."
"Lyre, Goofball." Tynzien replied, directing the last comment at Syria. Syria pouted. "How did it go?"
"Quite well. I convinced Arcstor to let me be the moderator. Now all I have to do is make sure I'm presented as a neutral figure, and not in the pocket of one side or the other."
"Good luck with that. Most of the Tarlos think you're already in bed with the Roes, and now most of the Roes probably think you're in bed with the Tarlos." Tynzien muttered.
"My, aren't we cynical! What's wrong Tyn? Didn't find the girl?"
"Worse. I found her." Tynzien said, and gave Syria and Lyre a summery of what had happened.
"Hard core brainwashed, huh?" Syria said when it was over.
"Cult level. This girl's talents and potential is being drowned in self-loathing and hopelessness. I have to find a way to make her come out of it, because I fear dragging her will just cause her more damage."
"Maybe the Roes will know something. They seem to know more about Tarlos law then the Tarlos do." Syria said. Lyre looked unhappy with the conversation.
"I do hope this hasn't made you think are Tarlos are scum, like the Roes are so fond of describing them. If my friends appear to show favorites."
" No no. Don't worry Lyre. We won't undermine your position. There are good Tarlos…like Zarven…and Jezebelle…"
"Met Zarven. Nice kid, if a bit unsure in when is the best time to talk…"
The three walked on, in silence. After a bit, Syria raised her head and looked at the night sky.
"The stars know everything." She suddenly intoned, and then did an about face. "Whoa, where did that come from?"
"Don't ask me what goes on in your insane mind." Tynzien teased, letting his anger lift a bit. Enough agonizing, it was time to work on a solution.
"It seems they would though." Lyre said, looking up as well. "They were hear before we were, and they'll be here after we're gone. Always watching, casting a silent eye on the worlds they helped grow and nurture without asking for anything back. Almost like benevolent gods watching out for our fortunes."
"Except they're not. They're big balls of burning gas, sort of like the ones I had earlier today in my gut. What the heck do the Roes put in their food?" Tynzien said. Syria and Lyre looked at Tynzien with distaste.
'Sure, break up the poetic moment Tyn! You should let your imagination soar occasionally!"
"Who wants a sore imagination?" Tynzien cracked. The next moment he was hopping on one leg as Syria kicked him in the shin and flew off, mumbling about men.
"Now I know where she got all that excess imagination. It took the place of her sense of humour." Tynzien grumbled.
"Thank heaven for little girls, eh?' Lyre said, indicating the star-filled sky.
"Yeah, except sometimes I swear they're from the other place."And some live in it, put there by others. Well, if I have to slay the devil to save an angel…just call me the Saint of Killers.
If the stars knew everything, he knew everything about the stars.
The things they showed to no one else. The things no one would understand. They had blessed him in their choice, and given him a cause that would fulfill his life and take revenge on everything else, the useless obsolete creatures that used the stars' gifts and offered no thanks in return.
He would make them pay.
He would make them proud.
He would prove that he was worthy of their friendship.
And then it would only be him, him and the stars, an eternity of whispering how proud they were of him.
The eternal silence of space swallowed his mad laughter.
To Be Continued!