Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.
The Perfect Flaw
Chapter III
Geldin 35, 451 a.d.
Dear Diary,
I've made my decision. I'm going to make an escape from this mud-ball of a planet so that I can see my father for the first and last time. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do yet, but I know I have to act as soon as possible; probably tonight..
I've also decided not to tell Mark about my plan. There'd really be no point; it would only make things riskier for me.
Well, I have to go now. I have to start packing food for my trip. Don't worry, I'll bring you along so I can keep recording events in my life.
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Bulma walked briskly down the hall, her steps heavy and fierce. She didn't have much time. If she wanted to escape before her father died, she would have to act as soon as possible. The problem was that she wasn't sure she would be able break their code. Each space- pod was guarded by the same exact password, for the prevention of attempted escape. Really, they weren't that stupid.
She just hoped her hacking skills wouldn't let her down during this scheme.
"Hey, Bulma."
Caught off guard Bulma turned to meet the sudden greeting. Mark stood before her, a look of shame written on his face as he stared down at his boots. "Look, I feel really bad about what happened the other day— and — I wanted to make it up to you."
A voice screamed in Bulma's mind, reminding her that she had to make her escape. She didn't have time to sit and chat about inventions and Earth with the guy that liked her. She was too busy trying to think of a way to get to Earth. Besides, Bulma wasn't sure she was ready to go back to the dining hall just yet. What if Nappa was there again? Shit, what should I say?
Bulma gave a groan of fake disappointment, rubbing a cool hand along the back of her neck. "Er— I don't know, Mark. I'm really— busy right now and—,"
Mark brightened. "Oh, with your invention? Because I can help you with it. We could have dinner in my dorm and—,"
"No, Mark," Bulma confirmed, shaking her head and wringing her hands. "This is something I have to do alone." As he frowned again, Bulma grinned in hope that it would be contageous, just as it had when Kett laughed. "After all, you wouldn't want to hurt my ego, would you?"
Mark laughed at this. "Yeah, I understand," he assured sweetly, unaware of the relief that ran through Bulma's veins. "Well, then, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, right?"
As he said this, he continued past her, making his way back to the Science Wing. Meanwhile, Bulma turned to watch him disappear down the hall, knowing in the pit of her stomach that it was probably the last time she'd ever see him again, whether she made it to Earth, or died trying.
"Yeah . . . see you tomorrow."
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It was time to work her magic.
Later that night, during after hours, she'd sneaked out from her dorm, a bag of food and supplies hidden in her coat pocket. She was wise and put her boots in there as well, knowing they'd be a risk of getting caught due to the noise they made. Stealthily she slid around walls and corners while her eyes adjusted to the darkness, making her way down the East Wing to where the control center for the space pods lay. All the while, her heart pounded rhythmically in her ears. She'd never done anything like this before; it was sort of exciting, despite the fact that if she were caught, she'd probably be tortured and slaughtered.
Once down the East Wing, she came to a long, dimly-lighted, stray hallway. From her position around the corner, she could make out the forms of a couple of Saiyan guards; a particularly large one securing the door to the control room. Now was the time to use it.
Carefully she reached into her chest pocket, withdrawing the small device her father had given her. She stared at it for a long moment, nearly smiling at the coincidence. It was almost as if her father had known that she'd try to escape, and decide to send her the invention in order to make it easier for her. What were the chances? She knew she probably wouldn't be able to do this without it.
She had decided to use it right then because of, once again, risks. If it were to feed off some fueling source, there was no telling when it could run out and die. Therefore it was safer to use it only if she absolutely needed it, and right now, she needed it.
Slowly she placed it on her leg where it stuck obediently. Then she placed her finger upon its button and watched as almost instantly, her form disappeared. There we go! Now all I have to do is get to that room.
And luck seemed to be with her on this night as the smaller guard turned the far corner just then, vanishing from view. Now! Cautiously she began her way to the larger guard, cursing silently when her bare feet stuck slightly to the cool floor with each step she took. She thanked God when she observed that the Saiyan had no scouter, probably never having suspected that a weak human could get past him. Hah!
She stopped a few feet from him, noting the way his eyes drooped occasionally, how he drummed his fingers against his chest armor in boredom. He looks like he'd fall asleep any minute. Even though Bulma knew she had no need to be stealthy while doing this, she hesitantly shot a quick glance to the aluminum door. She almost gulped at the thought of what she was about to do. As slow as honey, she extended her arm toward the door, sneaking her slender fingers behind his calves. She caught her breath when she almost grazed his skin.
Two clicks with her nails upon the aluminum surface was all it took for the guard to whirl around in a sudden frenzy, his eyes wide as he searched frantically for the noise. He studied the door for a long second, his brow furrowed in worry. "From inside?" he questioned in a low whisper. "How could anyone have gotten inside? Impossible."
Bulma couldn't help but smile. He was falling for it, just as she'd hoped.
Gulping, the guard reached to type in the code, oblivious to the invisible human who watched his every move. He pressed the numbers as Bulma took a mental note. 53281. I have to remember that. As soon as he finished the door slid open and the guard ventured inside. Bulma followed him on her tiptoes, triumphant at the thought of being in the control room.
But there was one more thing to do with this idiot. Carefully she retrieved a pencil from her pocket while sneaking toward the doorway, praying this would work. She'd made it too far to get caught now.
She then reared back, taking a dramatic pause as she measured the distance, and chucked the pencil as far as she could down the hallway. She waited impatiently, unaware that she was nibbling her lower lip, when she heard the distant click clack click as it made contact with the floor.
The guard gave a ferocious growl. "What now?" he asked the Gods, rushing out of the room in panic.
When she heard the door close, bulma allowed her shoulders to relax as she turn to face the colossal computer system. As she sat down in the chair, she absently wondered if they had computers as immense as this on Earth, or perhaps if they were more efficient than the Saiyans'.
Well, I'll find out soon enough.
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"Commander Semuld, sir!" the guards cried near hysteria, coming to a halt before their superior. They bowed in deep respect.
A tall and powerful Saiyan, Semuld had been born into a noble blood-line. Since he was a child, he'd known that he'd grow into an elite Commander; he'd been a born leader. His long rumpled locks cascaded into the small of his back; his bangs falling away from his fierce and merciless eyes which put fear into any inferior that crossed his path."What?"
There was a small silence as both guards waited for the other to bare the news that would surely anger the Commander.Semuld tapped his foot with intimidation. "Well?"
"Uh—well—sir," the larger guard began shakily, shooting a distressed and pleading glance to his partner, "we believe someone is within the control center without permission."
Semuld's eyes narrowed to contemptuous slits. "And? Did you capture them?"
"Well that's just it, Sir," said the smaller Saiyan. "We can't even find them." He hesitated before continuing. "Drekkun said he heard someone in the control room."
At hearing this, the Commander gradually colored, regarding his men with a cold, impersonal glare. "What?"
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She'd done it! She 'd finally broken the code! And surprisingly, their system hadn't been as complex as she'd imagined. It seemed that they focused a lot more on outer security than on the computer itself. With overwhelming jubilance she spun in the chair with childish glee, holding her hands tightly to her chest while biting down her triumphant laughter.
But her celebration didn't last long as her ears instinctively strained, catching what she feared most. Voices. They were faint, but sure as hell were there. Someone was coming.
A subconscious whimper escaped her lips as she reminded herself of a cornered rodent. She couldn't go through the door; they'd know she was in there. What was she going to do? Just then, she saw a flicker of white as her form came back into view, and she couldn't prevent the last of her breath being banished from her lungs.
She whipped her head around at the hiss of the door.
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! They give me motivation!