Planet Gerrin:

Tarma was curled in a ball in a cave of ice. Her teeth chattered badly. What a way for a warrior to die, she thought. She had figured on taking her anger to the lizards but found she lacked the strength to even fly anymore. Between the cold, her injuries and the strain of reaching out to Bardock shivering was about all she could manage now. Down right disgraceful. Well at lest when the planet was blow from space no one would know she had gone out lying on the ground in a cave like a weakling. She groaned softy and pulled herself into a tighter ball, her tail wrapping around her knees. What she wouldn't give for warmth right now. Saiyans could handle the most extreme heat but cold was another matter. It leached their energy. A hard shiver wracked her body and she wished longingly for Bardock's warm form. Give up the fight girl, she thought, your dieing anyway. She tried to sigh and only bit her tongue for the effort. Yes she had to level with herself before death claimed her. She missed him when he wasn't around to bug the shit out of her. In some deep part of her she knew that she had cared about him for a long time. Not that she would ever admit to it. Well she was going to die on some gods forsaken planet two days travel from Vegetasei. It was ok to admit these things to herself. Oh how Geamie would have laughed if he could hear her thoughts and see her now. Just thinking of her lost crewmate sent a wave of useless anger ripping thru her. How long have I been here? She wondered numbly. It had to have been more than a day by now but she couldn't tell, the ice played with light. Soon now this whole rock would be engulfed in a blast and she would be free. The pain had stopped long ago, replaced by nothing but the cold. She fought to stay awake. If she couldn't go out fighting she would at lest face her end with her eyes open. The temptation to just fall into the arms of death sleep was almost over welling. Hurry up you ass holes and put me out of my misery, she snarled inwardly. She had felt Bardock's rage right before she cut off the link with him but she trusted him to do as she asked. The Prince would see the situation for what it was and send the team. Of that she was sure. Her tail twitched uselessly on her calf. Not that I can feel it, she thought dimly. Her vision swam and lights danced over the ice walls.

A growl made her shift her eyes towards the mouth of the cave. She couldn't even lift her head. A great shaggy white head appeared, two glittering amber eyes shone above a muzzle full of razor sharp teeth. Yippy, she thought, I get to be some beasts last meal. Come on you fucker, eat up. I hope you choke. She managed a harsh chuckle. The beast stopped and eyed the temping prey that lay clearly helpless before it. This would be the easiest kill it had ever made or so it thought. Its jaw hung open and drool dripped from its sharp canines. It moved forward slowly, weary. It was use to prey that ran at the sight of it. Maybe this thing before it was injured. Teeth closed over Tarma's right boot and the beast started to drag her out of the cave. My luck it will eat me alive, she thought sardonically. The light of the outside was blinding to her eyes and she had to close them. They flew open again as teeth sunk into her thigh. The beast worried her like a rag doll. She was so numb from the cold it wasn't a matter of pain but pressure. It didn't really hurt but she knew it should. She gathered her quickly fading energy and hissed at the thing as it ripped away a chunk of her flesh.

"Choke on it." She croaked but the beast had a taste of her now. It swallowed the meat in its jaws and moved in for more. Pouncing on her it penned her on the ground. Like I can fight, she snorted. It lowed its shaggy head, jaws open towards her belly. Suddenly the thing exploded in a mass of blood and fur.. A small clump of white fur floated down to land on her nose. The lizards found me, she thought. Her vision was filled with a dark figure.

"Go on and kill me you fucks." She couldn't even get her eyes to focus enough see the face of her new attacker but she wasn't going to go out without a last word. "You all will die soon enough. I will see you in hell."

She heard a chuckle.

"I can see her temper isn't broken. You sure you can handle her commander?"

She heard a grunt and felt arms lifting her off the ground. A face swam into focus.

"What in hell are you doing letting some beast take a bite out of you woman?" Bardock smirked down at her, covering the sense of relief that washed over him.

Gods he was warm. Tarma tried to work up a good temper at him but failed. She turned her head slightly with great effort to find the Prince smirking at her as well.

"You should have just blasted this rock."

Vegeta barked a laugh.

"And miss this?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I haven't been this entertained since I saw a street brawl in the market some twelve years ago." He turned to people she couldn't see and spoke. "Mop up the rest of the inhabits. This mud ball is going up for sale." With that he moved out of her line of sight and she rolled her head back to look at Bardock. She opened her mouth to speak but he laid a finger on her lips.

"Shut up woman. I told you not to get dead." His brows drew together and his voice lowered. "When you get out of the tank, we are going to have a long talk."

For once Tarma didn't feel like arguing with him. She snuggled to his chest and let herself pass out. She knew she wouldn't be alone anymore.

THE END...... or maybe not! Wait and see.