Author's note: Hey, guys, thanks for the reads, & the reviews. I love getting those alerts. Please feel free to keep them coming, & let me know your thoughts as the story progresses.

Chapter 35

Capsule Corp

Six weeks after Cooler had attacked the Earth, the Earth was finally prepared to strike back. In the outer gardens of Capsule Corp a large group was starting to gather around a revolutionary space craft. The main body of the ship resembled a squished baseball, as if someone had placed a spherical lump of clay in a centrifuge and spun it until it was far wider than tall. Eight spikes were extended into the ground, holding it level. Small circles, no more than six inches in diameter, were arranged in five circles around the exterior of the ship, the middle was at the equator, and the next two in either direction closed in towards both the top and the bottom. Each mark contained both a camera and a variety of censors, and corresponding to both a digital interior window, or the ships navigation system

Dr. Brief and Panchy were coordinating a large group of staff around the vehicle. Dr. Brief was directing a team of scientists on the final touches to be made to both the gravity chamber as well as the rejuvenation chambers. Without the liquid itself to be studied Dr. Brief couldn't duplicate what the Frieza Force was using, but with a moderate understanding of Senzu beans, he assumed his creation would work just as well, or close enough.

Panchy was just as busy as her husband, but in an unrelated manner. She had several large tables brought out to the garden, and each one was covered to the point of near collapse in massive quantities of food. She knew who was coming, she knew the Saiyans were coming, and she would not let them clean their plates.

While Dr. Brief was calibrating the new gravity chambers higher levels, and Panchy was ensuring no knives were in the Saiyan feeding area, their first guest appeared. Panchy had gathered the last steak knife that was mistakenly placed, and turned to return them to the kitchen. Directly in front of her was a pale white face, with a pair of red cheeks, and large eyes. Startled, Panchy threw the knives into the air, and as each one left her hand, it was grabbed by an invisible force, and redirected to gather with the others in an organized bunch, slightly over her head.

"Sorry." Chiaotzu yelped. "I didn't mean to scare you." Without moving a muscle, the knives rotated to face each other, edge to edge, handle to handle, so that no sharp surface was exposed, and lowered back between them.

"Oh, uh, don't worry about it." Panchy smiled. "I really should have expected you." She held her arms out for Chiaotzu to deposit the knives, but they continued to float.

Chiaotzu's cheeks reddened a little deeper. "I hope I'm not too early. Can, can I help you prepare?"

Joining her lips, Panchy's eyes smiled. 'Such a nice boy." She looked between the remaining tables. "No, you're right on time, we're just a little behind. If you wouldn't mind, it would be really helpful if you could get anything sharp back into the kitchen. You know how Saiyans are. I don't want them to accidentally get hurt if they don't see something and try to eat it."

Chiaotzu rotated one of the knives so he could inspect the edge. He ran his finger down the honed edge. "Of course." He said. "I wouldn't say that in front of the Saiyans though, they'd probably take it as a challenge." He nodded to his host and began seeing to his task.

Not long after the tables were prepared, Krillen flew in from the sky. With an enthusiastic wave and a large grin he announced his presence before touching down. Chiaotzu had finished his assigned task, as well as deboning both the poultry and salmon.

Krillen looked around the gathering, or lack there of. "I'm not too early, am I?"

Chiaotzu shook his head. "No, everyone else is just running late, I guess."

Krillen threw his senses out, and could easily detect several large power levels heading their way at variable speeds. "Maybe it's an alien thing?" He asked.

The two former opponents shared pleasant conversation. Chiaotzu was asking about Krillens previous time in space, and while Krillen answered each question, he didn't offer up much additional information. When the questions slowed, Krillen switched subjects, and eagerly told Chiaotzu all about the woman he had been seeing these past few weeks.

Piccolo and Loa were the next guests to arrive. Piccolo nodded at the two warriors, and headed to an ornate glass bottle of water, while Loa went to a similar container of chocolate milk. Loa clanked her bottle against Piccolo's, and he shook his head before taking up post next to the humans.

Krillen nodded towards the towering green warrior. "Heya, Piccolo, how's it going, old buddy?"

"Fine." Piccolo responded. Noticing a small twitch of the eye from Chiaotzu, he continued speaking. "How about you, Krillen?"

"Oh, you know, same old same old." He chuckled. "Excited to head into space, nervous about nearly certain death if we find what we're looking for. So, yeah, nothing new."

Piccolo nodded again, but didn't respond.

"You okay, Piccolo?" Krillen asked. "You seem a little..."

"He's just anxious." Loa took a seat next to the monk. "He's never personally been into space before, but he's got a good amount of memories from Cooler, and I assume they're not good ones."

Piccolo bared his teeth. "Those memories are meaningless to me." He said.

"If it's not those memories, then it's probably Kami's memories." Loa said. "As the planets guardian, he probably never intended to leave its gravity well."

Piccolo growled through his teeth, but nodded slightly. He opened his mouth to speak, but chose to turn and walk away instead. "I need space." He said.

Loa cracked a smile. "Well, if he needs space, he's come to the right place."

Chiaotzu chuckled and began choking on a small piece of food. A swift, controlled, single finger strike to his chest dislodged the food. "Thanks, Loa."

While the group was finishing their meals, Yamcha and Puar had arrived and began plating themselves up. Making a difficult decision, between the lively group of seated companions, and the solitary Piccolo, Yamcha took a seat and greeted the others. Puar chose to stay standing, hovering, and took up a spot next to Chiaotzu.

Not long after his arrival, four of the five Saiyans arrived. Turles greeted Panchy and Dr. Brief before joining his allies at the collection of overflowing tables. As they were eating their way through the Capsule Corp fortune, the fifth Saiyan arrived, carrying Master Roshi on his back.

As Goku landed Krillen got to his feet, followed shortly by Loa and Yamcha. Chiaotzu and Puar floated slightly higher and waved a greeting. A majority of the table sat back down, but Krillen jogged over to meet his oldest friend.

Krillen reached Goku as the Saiyan was inspecting the spread in front of him. "Goku, long time no see. I, I've been trying to get in touch with you."

"You have?" Goku looked away from the feast just long enough to acknowledge Krillen. "Wow, Panchy really went all out today, didn't she. I'm thinking I'm going to start with the soup. How about you?"

Krillen scratched the back of his neck. "Well, you're actually a little late. I already ate, most of us have. This table, it's yours." He said. "I think Panchy is trying to challenge you to eat it all."

"I haven't had fresh cooked food in." He looked up towards the sky. "It's been too long. Challenge accepted." He picked up a small bucket of soup, no spoon in sight, and began drinking. Moments later the bucket was upside down, and being used as a stool. "So, what's up, Krillen? Why were you trying to get a hold of me?"

Krillen blinked twice. "Goku, you, you had something pretty major happen, and, and you're my best friend. I, I wanted to make sure you're doing okay?"

Goku froze, teeth half way through a drumstick. He took a deep breath and let it out, before tearing the meat from its bone and swallowing the chunk after only a few chews. "I'm okay, Krillen. I'm not well, but I'm okay. Ox-King has been sending regular updates to Master Roshi, and Gohan is okay, so I'm okay."

"You know, Goku." Krillen began. "It's okay to not be okay. You know that, right?"

Goku snapped his attention back to the table. Spotting a stick stacked with doughnuts he smiled slightly and picked it up. There were fifteen doughnuts on the stick, and no two were the same type. In one smooth motion he slid them all off and into his waiting mouth. Aggressively chewing, bobbing his head, he was able to get them all down in one go. "So, is everyone here going with us?"

Krillen shook his head. "I see what you did there, Goku, and I want you to know I'm here when, if, you ever need to talk. But, to answer your question, I don't think so." He looked back to where Chiaotzu and Puar were animatedly discussing something. "I don't think Yamcha or Puar are coming."

Goku slammed his hands on his table, shaking the large pile of almost completely empty plates. "Well then, let's have a show of hands!" He raised his voice, and all other conversation stopped. "Who's coming?" He lifted his own hand first. Goku's hand was the only one raised as the rest of the group processed his words and looked among themselves.

Krillen moved to stand beside Goku and he raised his hand as well. "I'll always be at your side, Goku. Always." Getting a nod of appreciation from Goku, Krillen looked back towards everyone else.

Vegeta rose slightly into the air. Once all eyes were on him, he spoke. "I am coming." He said. "So is Nappa."

The far larger Saiyan pointedly made eye contact with Goku. Without blinking he raised his hand. "I wouldn't miss this." He joined Goku at his table.

Turles followed close behind Nappa, giving Goku a high five with his raised hand. He looked from his younger nephew to his eldest. "Raditz?"

Raditz looked down to his uncle's boots. "I'm staying." He shook his head. "I don't want..."

"That's fine." Goku interrupted. "We're not going to make anyone come who doesn't want to."

"I'm sorry..." The elder brother said.

"It's fine." Goku interrupted again. "Really. I get it. I don't want to leave Earth either, and if Bulma wasn't up there, waiting for us, I wouldn't."

Vegeta scoffed, but before he could deliver his intended insult to Goku, Chiaotzu raised his hand and levitated over to the gathering group. "I'm with you." He said.

Goku tilted his head. "Are you sure? I mean, we could easily bump into Frieza again, or his dad, and they're really strong."

Chiaotzu bit his lower lip and nodded.

"Don't underestimate Chiaotzu." Loa approached behind him, placing a supportive hand on the small fighter's shoulder. "He's been training with me and Piccolo. He's a lot more powerful than he looks."

"Thanks, Loa." Chiaotzu perked up slightly. "Yeah, I'm sure. I'm coming."

"Alright!" Goku shouted enthusiastically. "Loa, how about you?"

"There's nothing up there for me." She responded. "I'd rather stay here, and, and I don't know what, but I don't intend to go into space again anytime soon."

Goku nodded in understanding. "Fair enough. Piccolo?"

Piccolo took a deep breath. As he exhaled he flicked his eyes between the Saiyans, skipping over Krillen and Chiaotzu. "This is probably Kami speaking, not myself, but no, I'm staying here."

Loa flashed a smile before quickly returning her face to neutral. "Called it." She whispered to Chiaotzu. She received a fairly well masked chuckle in response.

"Alright, anyone else?" Goku made eye contact with the others as he listed them off in his mind. Receiving nothing but shaking heads, he nodded in return.

Goku looked around himself tallying up his teammates for this journey. His oldest friend, someone who died for him when they were children. His uncle, the bridge between him and Saiyan culture. Chiaotzu, a breath of fresh air and a brilliant individual. Nappa, he didn't know Nappa that well, but from what he's heard from Turles he was coming around to life on Earth, and while he understood why he was coming, he was still surprised. Vegeta, on one hand, he was happy the self proclaimed prince wouldn't be left on Earth, but on the other hand, he knew he wouldn't sleep well with him on the ship.

Goku rotated to be in front of a majority of his companions. "Well, let's get going then!"

"Not so fast." Dr. Brief said. "We still have a few checks to do. We'll need another half hour or so..."

Goku visibly deflated before shaking the impatient thoughts out of his head. "In that case." He nodded to Turles. "Think we could have a quick chat?"

Turles shrugged and floated into the air. Goku followed close behind, and moments later they were standing atop the dome of Capsule Corp.

"What's up?" Turles asked his nephew. "Aside from us that is."

Goku cracked a smile. "I haven't gotten to know Vegeta or Nappa that well." His expression sank slightly. "If I had been in a better place, I'm sure we would have already gotten comfortable with each other, but, we haven't."

Turles crossed his arms and snapped his heals together before widening his stance. "So, you're telling me you don't trust them?"

"I don't know if I trust them." Goku said. "I trust you, and you seem to trust them..."

"I know them." Turles interrupted. "That does not mean I trust them. It just means I know what they're like, and I know what to expect out of them."

Goku mirrored his uncles posture. "What do you expect from them?"

"From Vegeta." Turles nodded at the smaller of the two Saiyans, who were back to standing by themselves. "I expect him to be arrogant, I expect him to be entitled, and I expect him to not lift a single finger until everyone's lives are in danger."

"And when everyone's lives are in danger?" Goku followed Turles' gaze.

"I expect him to be selfish." Turles returned his gaze to Goku. "If we run into grunts, he won't do anything. If we run into Frieza, or Cold, then he won't stop until they're dead. If he has to go through you, or me, or Nappa, well, he will."

Goku frowned. "So as long as we're not getting in his way, he won't hinder us, but he won't help either?"

"Pretty much." Turles nodded.

"Unless I'm wrong, Vegeta wouldn't stand a chance against either of them, would he?"

Turles cracked a smile and let his tail uncurl behind him. He shook slightly as his smile cracked into a grin, and he couldn't hold back his laughter. "Maybe if him, and Nappa, and Raditz, teamed up. In that case, maybe, they could beat Frieza in his standard form. And even that's a stretch."

Goku sighed and palmed his forehead. "Then what's he doing? If he gets the fight he wants, he'll die."

"You don't think he knows that?" Turles got his laughter under control, but kept the grin. "My guess is he's hoping that when in distress he'll become a Super Saiyan like you and your son did. Personally, I think he's crazy."

"How about Nappa?" Goku asked. "You said you know what to expect out of both of them. What's he going to do?"

"Nappa." Turles eyeballed the bald Saiyan. "He's, he's different." He shook his head. "While he may want Frieza and Cold dead, I don't think he'll risk his life to do it. Also, while he may have been Vegeta's personal bodyguard, I expect he'll be more loyal to me, and you, than Vegeta."

"Really?" Goku asked. "Why's that?"

"Vegeta is the last member of the Saiyan royal family. He's not going to let you, or me, or anyone, forget that. Us? We're here, we're in the moment, we're moving forward, and Vegeta? He's stuck." Turles shrugged. "Nappa doesn't want to be left in the past."

"I have one more question, and then I'm going to go talk to them."

"And that would be?" Turles turned to face the group again, preparing to leave the roof.

Goku followed his uncles lead and rotated in place."When this is done, if we all live, what should we do with them? Can we keep them on Earth?" He kept his body facing forward, but looked towards Turles.

"Nappa is fine. I don't think he'd do anything to jeopardize what he has here." Turles looked towards Goku.

"That's what I thought. And, Vegeta?" Goku flicked his eyes down to the fighter.

Turles waited until his eyes were again locked with Goku's. "He will never be able to settle down on Earth. If he survives this, and Frieza and Cold don't, he'll proclaim himself King of the Saiyans, and pick up where the Cold Empire left off."

"Even after experiencing what it's like on the other side, you think he'd be like Frieza?"

"I don't know." Turles broke the eye contact. "It's what I expect though."

"I'm not going to allow that." Goku crossed his arms and began approaching the other Saiyans. "Thanks." He called over his shoulder.

"I wouldn't expect anything else from you." Turles smiled at his nephew, and jumped to the grass below.

When they had landed Turles went to talk with Chiaotzu and Krillen, Goku continued to the Saiyans. The uncle was met with a warm welcome and open conversation. The nephew was welcomed by one pointedly neutral Saiyan, and an openly disdainful one.

"Nappa." Goku nodded towards the larger Saiyan. "Vegeta." He nodded a little deeper as a sign of respect. Nappa smiled and returned the gesture, Vegeta didn't react.

Goku looked from one to the other, and finally settled his gaze on Vegeta. "Since we're not stopping once we get going, I want to make sure the three of us are all on the same page before we take off."

Nappa nodded and opened his mouth, but Vegeta cut him off. "We are going into space to..."

"We are going into space to find Bulma, and bring her safely back to Earth." Goku interrupted. "That is the only objective to this mission. And while other things may pop up, nothing will take priority."

Vegeta stepped towards Goku. They stood only a foot apart. "Wrong." He sneered. "We are going to hunt Frieza. We are going to hunt King Cold. We are going to kill them both."

Goku pointed at the ship. "This ship is under Earthling control. We are finding and rescuing Bulma. If you, as an INDIVIDUAL, want to do something that reckless, that is up to you. But you will NOT endanger the rest of US, you will NOT endanger OUR ship, and you will NOT endanger our goal. Do I make myself clear?"

Behind Vegeta's back Nappa nodded. Goku didn't know if it was in acceptance of his authority, agreement of the objective, or approval of the firm approach to Vegeta, but any of the above was better than what he received from Vegeta. "I will not be threatened by third class trash like you." The former prince leaned forward, and touched his nose to Goku's.

Goku didn't back down. "Bulma is our only reason for going into space. If you put our mission in jeopardy, we may leave you behind."

Vegeta tried to push forward, through Goku, but it was like a toddler pushing against an elephant. "You, may leave me, behind? That's rich. You're just going to release me, that easily?"

Goku smiled and pressed into Vegeta, forcing the smaller man to bend backwards slightly. "Yeah, we will." He stood up straight again, leaving Vegeta bent away. "I can assure you that wherever we leave you will be far less comfortable than Earth, and if you're not lucky, far less survivable as well."

Vegeta stepped back and floated up to put his eyes at an equal level as Goku's. "Are you threatening me?"

Goku shook his head. "I'm warning you that there will be consequences to your actions. If you can't handle that, then stay on Earth."

"What's in it for me?" Vegeta asked. "Come on, let's talk. Why in the world would I be going into space with you, if not for my own reasons."

"I'll make you a deal, Vegeta." Goku crossed his arms and relaxed his stance. His guard was completely down, and Vegeta knew he still wouldn't be able to lay a hand on the Super Saiyan.

Vegeta tried to relax his stance, but he couldn't reach the same level of comfort as Goku. "What's that?"

"You don't want to be stuck on Earth, and to be honest, we don't want you here either. We want to rescue Bulma, from the Cold Empire. You want to take down the Cold Empire." Goku rose a finger on his left hand for the first and last points, and one on his right for the second. "You help us save Bulma, and we'll leave you." He lowered one finger on his left hand, and the only one raised on his right. "That's an equal trade, but you'd be there, wherever Bulma is. You could start your hunt there, by yourself."

Vegeta looked at Nappa, studied him for a moment. "As long as circumstances don't change, we can agree to that." He extended a hand to Goku. He didn't care to shake hands, but he knew this is how the simpler races made agreements.

Goku kept his hands close. "You." He said. "This is an offer we're making to you, not to anyone else. If someone else." He glanced at Nappa. "Wants to go with you, they can, but that is their choice, and you won't be making it for them."

Vegeta scowled. 'You may have gone soft on Earth, but the true Saiyans are still under my command." He pointed his thumb at himself.

"The only authority you have is over yourself." Goku said. "And for now, that's only as far as we, as I, allow it. You will not force anyone to do something they don't want to."

Vegeta snappily turned in place and walked away from both the larger Saiyans, towards where Raditz was chatting with the scar faced bandit. "Raditz!" He barked.

Goku ignored Vegeta, turning his focus to Nappa. "He's, he's something else, isn't he?"

Nappa uncrossed his arms and finally relaxed. "I'm sorry about him." He said. "He's struggling to accept everything that's happened over the past few years."

Goku shrugged. "I'm not too concerned about him. How about you though? What are your thoughts about this?"

My thoughts?" Nappa tilted his head.

"Yeah." Goku said. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're willing to come, but, why?" He asked. "Are you coming to help us find Bulma, or will you be staying behind with Vegeta?"

Nappa shook his head and looked at the ground. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do." He said. "While Frieza and Cold are still out there, I don't know if I'll be able to relax. On the other hand, I don't think we're ready to fight them."

"So that's to be determined." Goku smiled. "But, you are coming because you want to, right? You don't feel pressured by anyone, do you?"

Nappa smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I want to go. I want to help you, and I want to help Turles." He waited a few seconds, long enough that he could have said he wanted to help Vegeta, but didn't. "If we encounter the frost demons, as a group, will we fight them?"

"I want to avoid that if at all possible." Goku admitted. "I may be able to beat Frieza, but from what I've heard from Turles, which I think he heard from you, Cold is on a completely different level." He let out a deep breath. "Nappa, you, and the others, don't belong anywhere near a fight like that. If we encounter Frieza, we need to get out of there, immediately. If we have to fight, I'm not going to hold back, not for a moment, and I want you, and the others, to get as far away from the battle as you can." He took another deep breath. "I'm sorry. I know you and Vegeta want to be part of the fight, but I don't think I'd be able to keep you safe and beat him."

Nappa held up a hand. "Kakarot, I have no interest in dying, but if we get that close to Frieza, Vegeta will do nothing but attack. Even if he doesn't stand a chance, he will not stop until Frieza, or he, is dead."

"Then we need to stay away from Frieza."

"No." Nappa said. "That's not going to change. If it comes down to it, you need to do what's best for you, your family, your friends. Vegeta will not run, and you won't be able to save him."

"What exactly are you saying?" Goku looked over to where Vegeta was quietly dressing down his brother.

"I don't think Vegeta will survive this trip, and I'm okay with that." Nappa's shoulders sank slightly. "Vegeta is okay with that. I want to know that you're okay with that too."

Goku closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "Thanks for being up front with me." He shook his head. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Just, please don't put yourself or the others at risk to help him. He wouldn't expect your help, and he may not even accept your help."

"Okay. I'll keep that in mind." Goku repeated himself before looking around the garden. He noticed that the scientists were packing up their equipment and filing back into the building.

A few minutes later Goku had checked in with Dr. Brief. The genius took him, Turles, and Krillen, on a tour of the interior of the ship. He gave them basic instructions on navigation, and told them to leave the details to the computer. He also showed them how to operate the gravity room, the medical equipment, and the resource management systems. A stasis system was also built into the ship, based on the Saiyan hibernation technology, but it hadn't been tested over long periods of time, and Dr. Brief told them it was only to be used in case of emergency. He showed the three how to isolate different sections of the ship, so that not everyone was put into stasis at once, before concluding the tour back at the entrance to the ship, in the kitchen.

When Goku walked down the ramp, his way was blocked by Piccolo, Yamcha, and Ox-King. In addition to the massive human, Gohan and Chi-Chi were also at the base of the ramp. Gohan looked frustrated, and Chi-Chi tried to hide her exhaustion.

Chi-Chi clutched the front of her shirt in a tight fist. "You promised you wouldn't do this. You said you just wanted to say good bye."

"I want to go." Gohan said. "You know where I'm going to be this time, and we'll be able to stay in contact. I'm going."

Chi-Chi didn't notice Goku coming down the walkway, but they spoke in unison. "No, you're not." She was surprised to hear her words echoed, and looked up to see her smiling, Gohan's smiling father.

Piccolo and Yamcha stepped aside, and Goku moved up to be in front of his son. He dropped to a knee, and was dwarfed by his father-in-law. "Gohan, you need to stay on Earth. Focus on Earth. Help your mother."

Gohan shook his head. "Grampa can help her, or Yamcha, or anyone. I need to go with you, to help you."

"Yeah, they can help her chop wood, go fishing, and get to the grocery store, but she needs you a lot more than we do." Goku patted his sons head.

"Thank you, Goku." Chi-Chi whispered.

"Dad." Gohan wined. "I killed Frieza once, I can help you do it again."

"Yeah, you could." Gohan agreed. "But that's not what we're doing. We're going to get Bulma, and we're coming right home." He looked up and realized all eyes were on him. "We're not going out of our way to encounter Frieza, or his dad."

"But what if they find you?" Gohan argued.

"Then we'll run." Goku smiled. "And if we can't run, then we'll fight. Come on, you know how strong I am."

Gohan shook his head. "You're not as strong as me. I can keep you safe."

"Yeah, you're right about that too." Goku kept his smile. "You are stronger than me, but if you come into space, who will protect Piccolo, Loa, and your mom?"

Chi-Chi gave Goku a thumbs up behind her son's back, in clear view of everyone else. She placed her other hand on Gohan's shoulder.

Piccolo recognized that he wasn't needed at the moment, and grabbed Turles' attention. The pair stepped off to the side. Once they wouldn't disturb the others, Piccolo went through his limited memories of Bulma, of Frieza, and of Cold, and answered any and all questions Turles had. The information was already well documented, both digitally and in several notebooks on the ship, but it would be a lot easier to have a conversation now, then once they were gone.

"Come home safe." Chi-Chi said, putting her other hand on Gohan. "We'll be waiting for you."

"I'll do my best." Goku said solemnly.

"Do you know how long you're going to be gone for?" She knelt down to be at the same level as Goku and Gohan.

Goku hugged his son, and Chi-Chi did the same from behind him. Slowly, comfortably, they hugged each other as well, with the boy in the middle. "Too long." He said. "If everything goes perfect. If there's no conflict, and Bulma is where we think she was, then, even then it'll be a few months."

"I'm sorry." Chi-Chi said. "I'm sorry I..."

"I'm sorry, Chi-Chi. I was insensitive. I was wrong. I made a mistake. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He hugged his wife and son tighter.

"I know it won't." Chi-Chi blinked away a tear. "Now, go get our friend, and, and be careful."

Goku stood to his full height, bringing Chi-Chi up with him, and Gohan as well. "Yes, ma'am." He said. He kissed his son on the forehead, and went to kiss Chi-Chi as well. She saw him coming, and looked down at the last moment. Disguising her action by kissing her sons head as well, she received a forehead kiss of her own.

Goku felt a sharp pain in his stomach, in his heart, but opted to walk it off. "I'll be home as soon as I can." He gave one last squeeze, patted Chi-Chi's back, and released them. Gohan would have fallen to the ground, but used his ki to help his mom hold him where he was. "Okay!" He clapped once and looked around. "The ship is ready, the ship is fueled. I'm ready, and I'm fueled. How about everyone else? Everyone ready to go? Once we take off, we're not coming back until Bulma's with us."

With that the final farewells commenced. Krillen hugged Yamcha and Puar, as well as Loa, Panchy, and finally Master Roshi. Chiaotzu shook hands with the same roster, but included Piccolo. Nappa exchanged a few words with Raditz, Loa, Piccolo, and a particular thanks to Panchy for the food. Turles followed Nappa's lead, but threw another thank you towards Chi-Chi. Vegeta followed the rest into the ship in silence. Goku was the last to enter, taking the time to hug and thank everyone that came to see them off, and taking extra time with his son.

Once they were all aboard, Goku sealed the door and took one of the two chairs at the main console. Turles occupied the other.

Turles activated the ship's computer. With a few key strokes he brought up a preset course and locked it in. "With any luck Bulma is still where Cooler knew her to be. We're heading directly there." He looked to Goku. "Are you ready?" He pointed at a large green button on his monitor, mirrored in front of Goku.

"I am." Goku answered, turning to face the rest of his team. "Everyone buckled in?"

Three passengers responded that they were, the fourth just sat with his arms crossed, looking out the window.

"Majority rules, let's go!" Goku pressed the button, and immediately they were pressed into their seats.

Author's Note: Next time, the hunt for Bulma begins!