Three Rivers of Justice

Chapter Five

Bulma was preparing a ship. It would need to be large enough to accommodate Piccolo and his girls, Vegeta, and the remaining five Nameks.

"Give me two hours!" Bulma said. "I'll have it ready and will pilot it myself. We'll get to New Namek before Frieza!"

Piccolo went back to the Lookout where he and Kami joined forces again. "I need to let Gohan know that we are on the way."

"Of course." Kami said. "I wish I could go with you, to avenge our Namekian people." The pain in the old man's voice was intense. His shoulders slumped slightly at the mention of the death and destruction.

"This time, Frieza won't get away." Piccolo said angrily. "And if Goku has become Kakarott again, then, he won't get away either. Between me and Vegeta, they won't stand a chance."

The girls stayed outside while their father and Kami retreated to a secluded room. Mr. Popo stayed away as well, not really knowing how to handle the headstrong threesome.

"I can't believe we are going into space." Rhyne said. "If it weren't under such horrible circumstances, I would be excited."

"You should be excited anyway." Rikola said. "We have an opportunity to assist our father, perhaps saving what is left of our people….not to mention Gohan."

At the sound of the boy's name, the three girls felt extremely sad. "If they hurt him, I'll blast them all to hell." Rideria said angrily. "And it will be a fiery blast at that."

"I don't think father would object." Rhyne said. "Gohan is so…well, he's just so wonderful. He has helped me so much with my training. I couldn't stand it if he never came back."

"He will be back." Rideria said loudly. "Even if it kills us all, we will bring Gohan home….father needs him."

"I guess, Gohan is the son he never had." Rikola said. "We were supposed to be like him….male I mean."

"It doesn't matter now." Rideria said. "Father has grown accustomed to us now, and I am fairly certain he no longer regrets his decision."

"I know…" Rhyne said. "But, Gohan is like a part of me…a part of us."

"And he will be again." Rikola said.

Back in the room, their meditation had intensified to the point of their minds joining. Since they already knew Gohan's location, establishing a link was not as time consuming.

Piccolo could hear voices in the room with Gohan.

"Gohan. Can you hear me?" He asked.

"Piccolo!" Gohan shouted. "Help me!"

"We are on the way. It seems your dad is on his way back to New Namek. We'll be waiting for you there to bring you home." He replied.

"What about my dad?" Gohan asked. "Will you…kill him?"

Piccolo honestly did not know how to answer. "We won't discuss this now." He decided to say. "Just know that your safety is our only concern at this point. Do you know where you are? Are you still in the same room?"

"No." Gohan said. "I'm in a tank. I heard them say it was a Saiyan tank of some kind."

"Did they hurt you? Beat you badly?" Piccolo asked clinching his fists.

"I don't remember." Gohan said. "I don't feel hurt, but I'm not sure what is happening. There are all these people outside the glass, staring at me and talking."

"Once I arrive, no one will ever hurt you again." Piccolo promised. "For now, just go along with their demands….we're coming."

It sounded as if Gohan sniffled, but it was muffled. Probably due to a face mask of some sort. The connection was broken and Piccolo and Kami went out front to wait for the remainder of the two hours to end."

Gohan wished that Piccolo's voice could stay in his mind, helping to keep him calm. Whatever they had done to him, Gohan felt extremely weak. As if the tubes were the only things holding him up. His blood-shot eyes darted around, trying to see his father on the other side of the glass. He had not seen Frieza again, but felt certain he was close by. Several strange looking men were hustling around, all wearing white coats like doctors. Gohan guessed that he was in a lot worse shape than he had realized. Unable to keep his eyes open, he finally gave into the exhaustion that consumed his body.

Outside the tank, Goku was watching. "How much longer?" He asked one of the doctors. "Can't we take a DNA sample now? While he's unconscious?"

The doctor held up a small vile of blood. "It is already done, sir." He replied. "This was taken just before he was placed in the rejuvenation tank."

"Excellent." Goku said, smiling. "Soon, there won't be a reason to keep that little shit alive anymore."

"Now, now." Frieza said as he entered the room. "I won't have you going off and killing such a remarkable specimen as the boy." He glided into the room as if on air. "Just because we have one sample, doesn't mean we wouldn't want a few more….just to make my army interesting."

"You don't need a greater army!" Goku snapped. "You have me and I will not let you down!"

Frieza smiled proudly at his faithful warrior. "No one will ever take your place by my side as leader and commander of my armed forces." He said. "But, if this boy is as powerful as we believe, he will be taught to obey you, just as you have been taught to obey me."

Goku smiled at the thought. "Yes, I suppose he would be of great use to me after he is taught obedience. Perhaps, he could be my new lead scouter."

"Excellent idea." Frieza commended. "See, your mind works just like mine, my son."

Bulma made excellent time and actually had the ship ready in less than two hours. She had it equipped with food and clothing as well as two large training chambers. This had to be the biggest ship Capsule Corporation had ever produced.

"Where have you been hiding this?" Krillin asked. "I mean, this is huge!"

"Father finished it several months ago, and it's been in storage. All I really had to do was set the coordinates, make sure the systems were in order and fill it with supplies. We've even got two fuel tanks. No need to refuel until we get back to Earth!" Bulma was very proud of herself. "Now, let's go get Gohan!" She said, frowning in determination.

Krillin, Tien, Yamcha and Chiaotzu stayed on Earth, along with three of the five Nameks left. There was always a chance it could be attacked by Frieza or Goku at any time.

The rest, Piccolo, his girls, Vegeta, as well as the Nameks, Kaizer and Gowan headed into space.

"It should take us approximately…..two days!" Bulma said. "This ship is much faster than our earlier models."

"Good." Vegeta said. "I'm anxious to meet the real Kakarott."

Piccolo glared at the Saiyan. "Remember, we are going to rescue Gohan."

"Of course." Vegeta said. "But, if Kakarott gets in my way, I'll finally have my chance to fight him. No holds barred."

Knowing that he needed to distance himself from Vegeta, or risk losing his temper, Piccolo took the girls into one of the training chamber.

"Right now, it is on ten times Earth's gravity." He told them. "I'm increasing it to thirty."

Rideria even gasped at this. "Father! We won't be able to move!"

Piccolo sneered. "When I am done with you, you will." He flipped the switch and the girls cried out as their bodies felt like they were filled with cement.

Rhyne had the hardest time of all. She lost her arm twice, trying to fight with her father. It was painful, but she had learned two very important lessons. First, never train with Piccolo. Second, only train with Gohan.

Rideria and Rikola improved greatly and after about six hours, they had become accustomed to the gravity.

"Go drink some water." Piccolo said. "Be back in one hour. At that time, I'm increasing the gravity to fifty times Earth's."

Rhyne whimpered, but tried to be strong. "You spar with father on this round." She whispered to Rideria. "I don't think I can grow another arm today."

Piccolo took the opportunity to try and form a mental link with Gohan. They were several hundred thousand miles into space; therefore a connection should be easier.

What Piccolo found was very disturbing. Completely unbelievable.

"Gohan? Can you hear me?" Piccolo asked.

At first, there was no reply. Then, it was as if a knife had been rammed into the Namek's heart.

"What the hell do you want, green bean?" Gohan said mentally. "I don't have time to listen to your useless moaning."

"Gohan? What is wrong with you? Answer me!" Piccolo demanded.

He heard loud laughter. "There isn't a thing wrong with me, you idiot!" Gohan shouted. "I'm just finally telling you how pathetic you really are! You make me sick!" Again, he laughed loudly.

Piccolo paused, unable to comprehend what was happening. This was sweet and respectful Gohan? Full of love and innocence? "Gohan, what have they done to you?" Piccolo desperately wanted to understand.

"I'm ending this shit now." Gohan said angrily. "I know how to block your feeble and worthless dribble from my mind, and you can go jump off a cliff for all I care!" Then, he was gone.

Piccolo opened his eyes, feeling a sense of great loss. "Gohan…." He said out loud.

Sensing their father's distress, Rideria, Rikola and Rhyne hurried back to the training chamber. "Father? What's happened?"

He didn't know where to begin. "It may be too late." He told them, torn between anger and sadness.

"Too…late?" Rikola repeated. "Gohan?"

Piccolo nodded. "Something has happened to him. I don't know what, but I'm warning you now." It pained him to have to say these words to his girls. "When we get to Namek, Gohan may have been turned into the enemy, just as his father. It may be necessary to ….eliminate him."

"NO!" Rhyne shouted. "Father! NO!" Not sure where it came from, but Rhyne ran to Piccolo and threw her arms around his neck, tears running down her face. At first, Piccolo flinched, but then, he softened. He was happy to know, that at least for the moment, his girls were safe. In an unprecedented moment, Piccolo hugged his daughter, putting his arms tightly around her small body and letting her cry on his shoulder.

Neither Rideria or Rikola were subject, as of yet, to such an outburst, but they stood quietly by. When she had calmed down, Rhyne curled up in Piccolo's lap, as she had done when she was a tiny girl. He did not push her away or scold her, but allowed herself to be comforted in his presence.

After a while, they resumed training.

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