Chapter 11
(Fuel follies)
The gang had been traveling for about 6 hours. The supply station was in sight, and they were preparing to dock. The pod they were in was kind of cramped, but comfortable. There were 4 seats in the cockpit and 2 couches in the back. There was a small port-a-potty sized bathroom. However, the pod was apparently not designed for over night voyages because there were no beds.
"We're almost there" Goku said. "Thank god. I couldn't stand another minute sitting next to Frieza" Vegeta griped. "At least I showered before we left" Frieza replied. "Why won't you two ever stop arguing?" Goku asked, annoyed. "Vegeta just hates me because I killed his father and kept him prisoner until he was about 30" Frieza answered. "Shut up!" Vegeta shouted. "Quiet guys, we're docking" Goku said as the pod entered the station, towing the enormous gas can behind it.
They disembarked and looked around. The floor was made of tiles, and the walls of cement bricks, to give the place the atmosphere of a mall. There were food franchises, a ship repair station, a fuel station, and even rooms for the night.
"Hey look, a Burger King!" Goku exclaimed. "Wow, they're still in business?" Kriluin asked himself. "A burger what?" Frieza asked. "A Burger King. It's a fast food franchise from earth." Goku said. "Man, I could really go for some of that right now" Goku drooled. "We haven't got time for that!" Kriluin reminded him. "Oh, sure we do!" Frieza said. "If we're late, a few planets blow up. Big deal! I blew up hundreds of planets in my day" Frieza shouted. "No, Kriluin's right. We can't let those planets be destroyed. I'll go get the gas" Goku said and walked up to a nearby counter.
"Hi, I'd like...um...a LOT of super K12 starship fuel please" Goku requested. "Ok, that'll be $5 a gallon" the woman behind the counter says. "Hey guys, who has the money?" Goku asked. "Money?" the three responded. A long silence passed between them.
"...score two for Demetrium!" Frieza said sarcastically. "Well now what are we supposed to do?" Kriluin asked. "I'll tell you what we do. I am Frieza, supreme lord of the universe. When I want something, I get it, and no one, NO ONE, makes me pay for it. If I want gas, they will give it to me or die!" "No Frieza! We can't rob them!" Goku exclaimed. "Sure we can! We're the most powerful beings in the universe! Well at least I am. Besides, don't you want to save those planets?" Frieza asked patronizingly. "There must be another way" Goku said. "Fine. While you're trying to think of it, I'll go get the fuel" Frieza said and walked toward the counter. "No! Stop!" Goku shouted and grabbed Frieza. "What's wrong with you? For once in your life, have fun playing with someone else's life" Frieza said. "*sigh* Ok. We'll steal the fuel, but we're not killing anyone!" Goku said. "Ha! Says you!" Frieza said and approached the counter.
"Hello my good woman. Now I hope I only have to say this once. You will give me the fuel I desire or die!" Frieza ordered. The woman took out a gun the length of her arm. "Oh please!" Frieza said. With that, the gun, for no apparent reason, exploded, killing the woman, and leaving Frieza unscathed. "Now, can someone else tell me where the fuel is?"
Goku ran and checked the woman's pulse. All the other people just ran. Frieza started blasting people and laughing like a maniac. "Get back here! All of you!" "Frieza, stop it!" Goku commanded. "Make me!" Frieza replied. Goku flew at Frieza with his elbow, but Frieza was expecting him and blocked. Then they started fighting. Meanwhile, Vegeta grabbed someone. "You! Where's the fuel?" he demanded. "Ah! Uh-the pumps are outside" the terrified man said. "Pumps?...Hey Frieza, Kakarot, you can stop fighting now! There are pumps outside." Vegeta said. Frieza and Goku broke away from each other. "Why do you kill people?!" Goku asked Frieza, both still in fighting position. "Because it's fun!" Frieza responded. "How about I kill you? Would that be fun?" "It would be fun to watch you try!" Frieza said. "Shut up, or I'll kill both of you!" Vegeta said. "Bring it on monkey!" Frieza challenged.
Kriluin, who had been staying back, kind of scared, leaned into a button on the wall. An alarm sounded and large metallic walls sealed off every exit, as well as separated Kriluin from the others.
The three stopped their arguing at the sound of the alarm. "What's going on?" Vegeta wondered aloud. "Someone must have tripped an alarm" Goku said. "Nice going Frieza, now we're trapped!" Vegeta said. "You call this trapped? A few walls aren't going to stop me!" he shouted and fired an energy blast at the wall. It remained untarnished. Frieza stared at it for a while. "What IS that made of!!!??" he shouted. "It would make great armor." Goku said. "It can't be invincible! There must be a way to melt it!" Frieza said. "Let's all blast it at once" Goku suggested. They do, but nothing happened. Frieza looked like he was about to crack. He searched the room frantically for something useful, tearing open desks and such things. Upon finding a cup of coffee, he angrily threw it at the wall. The mug shattered to dust, and the coffee began melting the wall. The three stood there, looking quite disturbed, unable to speak. "What was in that, Frieza?" Vegeta asked. "Beats the hell out of me. Let's just go!"
They passed through the hole made by the coffee. Kriluin was on the other side, frantically playing with buttons, trying to open the walls. "It's Ok Kriluin, we're out." Goku said. "Good. Now let's get out of here before someone calls the police!" Kriluin said. They found the pumps, beat the machine until it gave them gas, and flew home.