12: Turles's Deal With The Darkness

The large, menacing gray vessel carried on smoothly through the thick blanket of stars and planets. The thrumming engine swallowed all other sounds as it blasted along on its way. No other ships came across its path, which was a good thing, for the other ships, that is. Turles was in a bad mood, so he would have gladly blown anything in his sight to unrecognizable pieces.

Turles sat in his piloting chair, his eyes closed gently. His thoughts were wandering out of his control, but he didn't mind. He knew what he needed to get done, so long as everything went according to plan. It was a risky plan, he knew that much. If he were being completely honest with himself, he didn't know how else he would fully defeat Kakarot without the aid of someone he used to know. The only problem was that he hadn't been in contact with his old ally for many years.

He almost laughed at that. I wonder what he's up to. What he's been planning and what he's gotten done. Has he accomplished what he set out to do? He's a persistent one, I'll give him that much.

"Sir?" A voice broke into his thoughts and pulled him back to reality. Turles opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder to see Amond. The hulking soldier walked over to stand beside his commander, his face unreadable.

"Yes, what is it?" Turles asked, not bothering to mask the irritation in his voice. He had hoped that nabbing the female Saiyan would be a quick job, but Kakarot and his new buddies ruined his entire glorious plan. It angered him to no end. He wasn't a very patient Saiyan, that much was obvious. He was used to things going as he had delicately planned them, but now they weren't. All because Kakarot decided to show his damn face again.

Amond cleared his throat. "We have located Lord Frieza's ship, sir."

Turles smiled. Finally, things are clicking into place. It's about time.

"Did you send him my message?" Turles asked, standing from his seat.

"Yes, sir. He did not send a reply, but at least he knows you're going to be coming aboard his ship." Amond replied, then sighed. "Is this the best plan of action, sir? Lord Frieza isn't always...cooperative."

Turles chuckled and patted Amond's shoulder. "Do not worry, Amond. I will handle the talking. You and the others just have to stand there and be prepared in the event that Lord Frieza does indeed decide not to cooperate."

Amond nodded. "Yes, sir."

...

Lord Frieza's spaceship was styled in a way that made it strikingly similar to that of a hermit crab. It was rather large and slightly Frisbee-shaped, with a domed top. It was white, gray, and tan in color, with little yellow and light-blue windows varying in size.

The ship did not move through jet propulsion, like most other ships. The entire bottom of the ship was an anti-gravity device that allowed the ship to freely move through space via gravity control. The ship was also replete with living quarters and medical machines, which allowed it to serve as a suitable base of operations. Lord Frieza was very content with his ship, as seen by the smug smile he wore on his face.

So, after all these years, the Mighty Turles wants to strike a deal with me? Frieza thought, then chuckled lightly to himself. How amusing. What could it be, I wonder? Perhaps he wants me to take him back, let him serve yet again under the Frieza Force? He is a strong and applicable fighter, I'll admit. He better make one hell of an offer.

Berryblue, one of Frieza's old attendants, entered the room at that moment. The automatic doors opened briefly to grant her entry, then snapped shut behind her. She was a rather short blue-skinned alien with light purple hair. Her eyes were a penetrating yellow, and she cast them around the room before they landed on Frieza. She was fairly small, but strangely intimidating, which Frieza saw as an excellent quality in his subordinates. Being his childhood nanny, Frieza was more lenient with her blunt behavior, and didn't outright threaten her the way he did to many of his soldiers.

She slowly made her way over to Frieza, who sat rather regally in his floating chair in the center of the room. "Lord Frieza, the guests have arrived. Would you like me to let them in?"

Frieza smiled. It had been a long time since he had had guests, though he wasn't sure if he could call Turles and his motley crew 'guests.' Turles was more of an acquaintance than anything else. He looked down at the squat alien at his side and shrugged. "Might as well. I am intrigued as to what they have in mind for a deal."

"Can't be anything of value," Berryblue said. "I highly doubt they are here to applaud you on your ruling, though."

"Nevermind that." Frieza stepped out of his chair and walked to the large window directly in front of him. "I think I might have some idea. Let them in."

"Yes, Lord Frieza." Berryblue gave a stiff bow, then turned and walked away.

...

Turles remembered the disc-shaped ship like the back of his hand. Every door, every turn, every crevice embedded deep within his mind, as if his brain had saved all that information for later use. Once he and his crew entered the craft, he shoved aside the Frieza Force lackeys and made his way down the corridor to the main piloting room, where he was sure Frieza would be located.

I can't trust that he won't be hostile, Turles thought as he walked. I have to play nice if I want him to listen to my plan. All I have to do is be on my best behavior so as not to set him off. If he refuses my deal, then I might never get my sweet revenge on Kakarot. He took a deep breath as he entered the piloting room, where a handful of Frieza Force soldiers stood, as if awaiting his arrival even more eagerly than Frieza himself. They all wore the same green and black armor, creating a scene like a repetitive painting. He stopped and took the room in. It had certainly been a long time since he had been in this room, and it brought back loads of memories he hadn't dusted off in some time.

Frieza still stood in front of the large window, his hands clasped behind his back. His red eyes stared out at the stars, his long, sleek tail flicking back and forth every few seconds.

Turles cleared his throat and took a step forward. His soldiers stayed behind, each of them unsure if they should follow their commander's lead or keep to their places.

Frieza turned his head, glancing over his shoulder before turning back to the window. Turles looked just as he remembered him looking, which, he guessed, was a good thing. He was still well-built and his muscles were well-defined. "Hello, Turles. It's been quiet a while. What have you been up to?"

"Is this an attempt to make conversation?" Turles asked with a chuckle.

Frieza turned around so he was facing the large Saiyan and shook his head. "Far from it. You say in your message that you wish to strike a deal?"

Turles nodded. "Yes, I do."

Frieza grinned. "Well, do tell. I, for one, am eager to hear what you have to offer."

Turles motioned to his crew, who stood rather awkwardly behind him. "My soldiers and I have a concordat to make. I do believe you'll be interested in it. I recently fought the young Saiyan, Kakarot, on the remains of Planet Vegeta."

Frieza perked up, his eyes drowned in interest. A few of the Frieza Force soldiers exchanged nervous glances, for even they were afraid of the powerful Saiyan. "Really? Planet Vegeta? What on Earth was that pesky little monkey doing there?"

"As it turns out, there happens to be a female Saiyan that was surviving on what little remained of that planet." Turles explained. "She is fairly young, and not very powerful. I believe that Kakarot and his friends were there to take her to Earth, possibly to convert her to their side. She's very gullible and naive. It would be very simple to win her over to our side."

"Our side?" Frieza laughed. "How confident you are."

"Wait until you hear my offer." Turles smiled.

Frieza began to slowly pace back and forth, his mind gathering all the new information he had learned in the past few minutes. A female Saiyan? How impossible that sounds, yet I can't rule it out. I don't believe I have encountered any female Saiyans during my rule. How strange. I thought none of them survived the destruction, yet I hear that one lucky monkey in fact did. Turles is right, however. If she has indeed been on that planet for a great many years, then she has no idea of the great battles that took place. She may not even know of Majin Buu, or Cell, or even me. Oh, what wondrous news this is! I could certainly use a potentially powerful Saiyan in my ranks. Though, if that annoying pair Kakarot and Vegeta have her on Earth already, it may be difficult to recruit her. He stopped pacing and looked over at Turles and his crew. "What deal do you intend to make with me, Turles?"

"I want the girl," He said, rather bluntly. "In exchange, I offer mine and my crew's services in bringing you Kakarot's head."

Frieza chuckled. "You sound rather optimistic. What exactly do you intend to do to kill Kakarot that my forces haven't already tried?"

"Your forces always start with straight-forward attacks, using their most powerful moves right out of the gate." Turles said, walking forward. "I have a plan. Instead of outright attacking Kakarot in the open, my crew and I, with the aid of a few selected members of your own force, sneak in while he is unaware."

"A sneak attack?" Freiza questioned, then laughed. "How unoriginal."

"Exactly," Turles confirmed, silencing the short tyrant. "It is an unoriginal move, so no one makes it. Which is exactly why Kakarot and his tiresome allies won't expect it. It will be out of the blue."

Frieza thought for a moment, then looked over at his assistant, Berryblue. She gave a nod, signifying that she, too, thought it a worthwhile investment.

He sucked in a breath, then grinned at the Saiyan, who practically towered over him. "Alright. Your plan does indeed sound very promising. I will lend my crew to you, in order for you to complete your side of the bargain."

"And the girl?" Turles said with a raised eyebrow.

Frieza rolled his eyes, waving his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, you may do with her what you please. What I care about most is the death of Kakarot. The permanent death of Kakarot."

Turles smiled and nodded, giving an elegant bow. "Yes, sir. My team will not fail you."

"They better not." Frieza mumbled as the Saiyan and his soldiers turned and left the room, heading to the armor room to prepare for the upcoming attack.

Berryblue walked over to stand beside Frieza, her hands on her hips. "Are you really going to let him have that female Saiyan?"

Frieza placed a finger to his lips, grinning evilly. "Do not worry, my friend. That Saiyan will join my forces. I just need Turles and his idiot crew to do all the heavy lifting for me."

Berryblue laughed. "You are very cunning, sir."

"I know."