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Chapter 17
She's No Angel
Dende sat back in his chair, studying the female Namek as she rested. Mai was lying down on a bed near the window. Her breathing was even and calm, her features peaceful. The fright she had experienced earlier was gone now. There was still an underlying tension, though, a certain alertness that kept her from sleeping.
It had taken a while for Mai to calm down. She had huddled near the window at first, glancing at Dende when he had entered. But she didn't speak. Dende had been afraid she might leap out the window to try and escape. He had forced himself to stay calm for her sake. The silence had been a little unnerving, though it seemed to help his purpose.
Mai had eventually relaxed in his presence. He had told her that when she needed to talk about anything about her past, he would listen. He didn't want to press her with a lot of questions that might upset her again. Gradually, she had told him a little about her time on Dokusei.
Mai hadn't given a lot of detail, only that she had been a slave and her mother had been killed. She had let slip a little more about her and Brussi's escape. She seemed to harbor some guilt over leaving the others behind. There was something, though, that worried him a little about those experiences. For the moment, he had put off asking anything more about them.
He thought it would do her some good to rest, even though part of him was impatient to gather more information before Piccolo returned. He didn't want the warrior to overhear certain things. If those things were indeed part of Mai's past.
Dende watched and waited for a few more minutes. Then, he said, "Would you tell me more about your mother, Mai?"
Mai sighed but didn't open her eyes immediately. She had been enjoying her rest. She had managed to still her thoughts and meditate. The peace couldn't last, of course, when she still needed to answer Dende's many left over questions. Finally, she pushed aside the covering and sat up on the mattress.
"What would you like to know?" she asked.
Dende considered for a moment, then said, "Was she a warrior?"
Mai shook her head. "No, mother was a teacher type. Her abilities seemed to lay in farming and cooking. She enjoyed both very much."
Dende kept his expression controlled. He had been hoping Mai would say yes. It would make for an easier explanation. That her fight response was something her mother had taught to her as opposed to the alternative. He asked evenly, "Did she... ah... ever train? It's not too unusual for certain types to train themselves in abilities that aren't their prime disposition."
Mai shook her head again. "The only time I ever saw her fight was..."
She looked down at her hands. When she saw the edges of her sleeves gripped tightly by her fingers, she forced them to relax and let go. She took a deep breath and continued, "She fought against the soldiers who attacked us. That's how she died. She did tell me about a few times before I was born when she came across the natives on Dokusei. She did have to fight then, but afterwards she tried her best to stay out of their way. She didn't like the thought of having to injure anyone again. She never trained, neither did I."
Dende pressed his lips together, trying not to frown. The worry in his mind was growing. "Can you tell me a little about the times you've attacked or defended yourself with others?"
Mai glanced up. Her eyes were sad as she answered, "I think I would have attacked the soldiers if I hadn't been knocked unconscious. I did injure another woman in the harem when she attacked me."
Her voice was filled with regret. She shifted her gaze back to her hands in her lap. Dende knew he needed to tread carefully, but he also needed to confirm his suspicions. He asked softly, "Mai, were there other times you felt the same way, that you wanted to fight? Even if you didn't?"
Mai clenched her hands a few times, then opened them palm up on her lap. She didn't look up. She let her mind roam over her recent memories. Honesty forced her to accept certain occurrences she had previously pushed to the back of her mind, things she hadn't wanted to question. Her voice trembled, "A few months ago, one of the new harem females committed suicide. It resulted in everyone being punished. Two had been singled out as accomplishes who helped the girl do it, but they hadn't."
Mai's head hung a little lower. "The girl had been a telekinetic. She was able to stop her heart. I... wanted to tell the guards, but when Dorei accused Furyo and Toriko, they accepted the blame when Brussi tried to defend them. I was too much of a coward to speak up after that."
She raised her hands and covered her eyes. The images from that day took hold of her imagination, replaying the horrible events. "I didn't know they would be executed. It was brutal. They were whipped to death! I felt so much rage I almost... lashed out at Brussi."
Mai shuddered at the thought that she might have hurt her friend. She had never really acknowledged the incident, not even in her own mind. After the violent feelings had faded, she had excused it as a reaction to the executions. Something that would never be repeated again. She didn't compare it to the burst of rage she had felt years before.
She lowered her hands, willing the images to fade. There was another time she had to admit to feeling that way. A time that had been tucked away because of the tension surrounding it. "There was also a moment when Brussi had threatened to kill me. I was injured badly by Dorei and the others after I attacked her. When I suggested Brussi leave me behind, she grabbed my throat. She said it would be better for me to be dead than captured again. I felt the same sort of rage and will to live. She let me go before I could do anything and I fell into a half conscious state."
Mai's silence after her speech indicated to Dende that was the end of the times she could remember or was willing to tell him about. He rose from his seat and approached the bed. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he said, "It will be all right, Mai."
She nodded, but he could tell she wasn't convinced. He wished he could provide her with something more encouraging. His probing senses, though, silently confirmed what he had expected to find. He didn't look forward to passing on this information to Piccolo. The warrior might decide to over-ride Dende's authority and force Mai to leave too early. Yet Dende knew he couldn't keep this to himself. He might need more of Piccolo's help than he originally thought.
A tingling sensation in Dende's mind heralded Piccolo's return. Dende quickly decided he should meet him. He sensed Piccolo was still anxious. He sent off brief telepathic assurance to the older Namek. Giving Mai a brotherly pat on the shoulder, he stated, "I need to attend to some business, Mai. If you need anything, ask Mr. Popo. I'll return later so we can talk more."
He smiled, though she didn't raise her gaze to his, and walked out of the room. He was glad Piccolo had chosen to approach from the opposite way. It wouldn't help any if Mai decided to look out the window and saw Piccolo and Dende together.
Dende reached the ground floor quickly and made his way outside. Piccolo was standing in the shadow of the palace, his arms crossed, and looking impatient. He studied Dende, searching for anything that might indicate trouble. Piccolo was certain that the carefully calm expression meant something had happened.
"What did you find out?" Piccolo asked, not bothering with any greetings.
Dende struggled with the best way to tell Piccolo what he had discovered. It didn't help that his delay increased the frown on Piccolo's face. Finally, he decided to be blunt, "You aren't the first one she's attacked or wanted to. And... her mother was the same."
Piccolo released a drawn out breath. He closed his eyes and said, "I don't suppose you're willing to listen now?"
Dende shook his head. He spread his hands in a helpless gesture, "Where would you take her? She needs our help if she's ever going to live in peace, Piccolo. Not even the calm of Namek society would do her any good as she is. You know that better than anyone."
Piccolo sent Dende a sharp glance. "You did a second probe to confirm it?"
Dende nodded slowly. He lowered his hands to his sides. "I think she's already formed a primitive defense against it, but if the situation were bad enough, she would lose that control."
"Did you tell her?" Piccolo asked. His expression was still cautious, though not as stern as before.
"No," replied Dende. "You returned just a few minutes after I finished the probe. I think it would be best to let her rest some more. The calmer she is, the better she'll be able to handle the news."
Piccolo nodded. "I hope you're going to encourage her to go to New Nameksei. The society there will reinforce whatever help you can give."
"I will," Dende said. He placed his hands behind his back and thought a moment. He didn't think there was much more either of them go do now. "I think I had better return to my duties. Mai needs time alone and I must check on the surface."
"All right," agreed Piccolo. He didn't think Dende should be neglecting his watching. If there were some other way to help Mai, he would have suggested it. He glanced down at his arm, remembering the purple lines he had intended to ask about. They were gone, now, his skin back to its normal green hue. He decided it could wait.
"I'll watch over Mai," said Piccolo. When Dende gave him a questioning look, he added, "I'll stay out of sight."
Piccolo rose into the air. He aimed for the domed top of the palace. He circled it some, then landed on the portion over Mai's room. She was more calm than she had been when he left. He wondered how long it would last.
For the next few hours, Piccolo maintained his vigil. Mai hadn't moved from her room. Her ki was level and she was possibly sleeping. That was fine by him. He wasn't looking forward to the conversation that would eventually take place. He again considered talking Dende out of this foolishness. Keeping the female Namek at the Lookout was just asking for trouble. But he knew the stubborn Guardian wouldn't give in.
He ground his teeth in frustration. If only there were somewhere else to take her... someone else who could play babysitter until they could determine if this was a lost cause. Piccolo hadn't brought up that thought, though it niggled at him now. There was a chance that Dende couldn't do anything.
If that were true, then they might be forced to kill or imprison her. The warrior shivered at his father's memories of the denshi jar. Seemingly endless years of utter darkness with only one's own hate and rage was not a fate he'd wish on anyone.
A spark of ki drew Piccolo from his thoughts. He looked up and scanned the sky around the Lookout. Soon enough, the distant sound of engines made it to his sensitive ears. He concentrated on the ki signature, probing it to see who it was. He inhaled sharply.
Damn it, we don't need this. Not now. Piccolo stood, scowling at the unplanned interruption. He had to intercept the blasted Saiyan before Mai realized she was there. Hopping into the air, he aimed for the direction of the ki. He had barely passed over the expanse of white tile below when he felt an urgent mental tug from Dende. He growled. Surely the young Guardian didn't intend to let her land?
The distraction allowed the flier to come within visual range of the Lookout. Piccolo mentally cursed. If he flew out now, the woman was likely to do something to attract attention. Like try to ram him out of the sky.
He growled in irritation and lowered himself to the surface below. Crossing his arms, he waited for the flier to land. The vehicle had barely bumped to a stop when the Saiyan woman jumped through the hatch. She sighted the male Namek, her expression swiftly changing from cautious to enraged.
"You bastard!" Brussi bounded over to Piccolo, coming to a stop a few feet away. Her muscles twitched with the need to vent her anger and humiliation. She wasn't about to forgive him for taking Mai. Or for the defeat in front of the Prince. "Where is she? Where is Mai?"
"She's fine," snapped Piccolo. His voice was harsh, but he kept it level. The less noise they made, the better. "But you aren't going to see her in this state. She needs-"
Brussi's fist grazed Piccolo's cheek. The demented Saiyan had launched herself at him and he just managed to dodge the strike. She followed with a kick. He was better prepared this time and easily blocked her. Piccolo snarled, baring his fangs. It seemed the woman was intent on fighting.
Piccolo backhanded Brussi, sending her skidding across the tile surface. She came to a stop on her back. Pain throbbed through her cheek. Her half healed gut cramped, reminding her she wasn't in any shape for a brawl. She sat up slowly and moved her jaw a bit to assess the damage. Nothing broken that she could tell, though there was an increasing metallic taste on her tongue. She swiped at the trickle of blood coming from her mouth. The spasm in her stomach muscles was ignored.
"If you think you can defeat me again, you're wrong," Brussi said. Her words were low and determined. "No one is going to keep us prisoner."
Piccolo fisted his hands in annoyance. "She's not a pris-"
Brussi didn't let him finish. In a fraction of a second, she sprang up from the ground. She dove at Piccolo, her foot aimed at his head. The Namek warrior grabbed her ankle and smacked her into the tile. He briefly wondered if all Saiyans were so thick headed.
Brussi groaned. The tile beneath her back was cracked from the impact. Sharp pains traced over her body and twisted her gut. She grit her teeth against them. A shadow fell over her and she looked up. The large male loomed over her. Her eyes widened slightly as fear began to seep into her. Well, the bastard wasn't going to get anything out of her so easily. She clenched her fist, gathering strength for the next attack.
Piccolo grunted and deftly planted his foot on the Saiyan's wrist, forcing it to the floor. Brussi couldn't stop her yell of pain, surprise and rage. The sound echoed off the palace walls.
Piccolo scowled down at her. "Quiet! I've had enough of this nonsense. Mai isn't a prisoner and she's not in danger."
Brussi glared up at him. She grabbed his ankle with her other hand, trying to free her trapped wrist. The way she was baring her teeth, Piccolo thought she might attempt to bite him. He increased the pressure on her wrist slightly. Brussi growled at the pain, but stopped her tugging.
Finally, now maybe we'll get somewh-
A sudden spike in ki behind him cut into Piccolo's thoughts. He half turned as something slammed into his back and shoulders. Sharp nails clawed at his face. He stumbled back, thrown off balance. He grabbed for the slashing talons. They weren't doing much damage, merely scraping over his skin, but he didn't want to take any chances. Almost as soon he captured the offending hand, the attacker let out a feral growl and bit hard into his ear.
That was going too far. He gripped the hand tightly, using it as a lever to throw his opponent over his shoulder. Pain streaked through his ear as teeth ripped out flesh and cartilage. His attacker landed with a thud not too far from Brussi.
Piccolo glared at the new challenger. She wasn't unconscious, only dazed. Her white robe now sported streaks of slick purple. She rolled onto her stomach and pushed up on her arms. Blood stained her fangs and dripped from her chin. She didn't seem to notice nor care. Raising her head, she locked her gaze with Piccolo's.
Mai's red eyes bore into him.
Piccolo ignored the blood flowing down the side of his head and the burning sensation in his wounded ear. Things were spiraling out of control. If he didn't do something soon, he might just be forced to kill one or both of them. Piccolo clenched his fists and resisted the urge to use a ki blast to end things once and for all. Trying to calm himself, he said gruffly, "That's enough. Both of you. Mai, think about what you're doing."
Brussi stirred from her position on her back. The momentary reprieve resulting from Mai's attack had been what she needed to get her breath back. She sat up gingerly, sharp pains still radiating from where she had landed on the hard tile. Her abdomen throbbed, but she could handle it. She glanced at the female Namek. Mai's face was turned enough that Brussi couldn't see her expression. Her friend's body was tensed and ready for battle.
Brussi smirked as she switched her gaze to Piccolo. "Not so easy to tame, are we? We didn't escape from that pig Seisan just to become your toys."
Piccolo's glare snapped to Brussi. His voice came louder this time, impatient with the constant misconceptions. "We don't have any interest in keeping anyone as 'toys' or prisoners. Mai needs help. Your presence is only making things worse."
Brussi scowled at Piccolo. She'd be damned before she let someone force the two of them apart. "We won't be kept down so easily. Right, brat?"
The flier was still waiting several feet away. If they could knock out this brute, then they might have a chance. They could escape to somewhere else on this god-forsaken planet. The ship they crashed in was probably a lost cause, so they'd have to make do with some isolated area on this world. Brussi moved to take hold of Mai's arm.
"Don't touch her!" Piccolo warned.
It was too late. Mai twisted in her kneeling position. Her mouth opened and a hissing, animal sound rushed out. Her clawed hand swiped at Brussi. The Saiyan woman jerked back in surprise. The sharp nails passed within a hairbreadth of her throat. Piccolo took a step forward, already gathering ki in his hand.