Bill walked up to what appeared to be a police officer. It was an alien with grayish skin in a blue uniform with a sidearm. It was some sort of laser or blaster or something in a holster. The alien was alert.
Bill hoping, he spoke his language as he asked, "Officer can you direct me to the market?"
The alien looked him up and down and sneered. "Monkey's like you should know your place. Just because you don't have a collar doesn't mean your citizens your just freeman." He spat at Bill's feet. "Down the street three blocks. Take a right then a left it will on your right."
Bill nodded and said, "Thank you." This alien was clearly racist to him, but Bill showed no signs of caring. This was just something to accept. He just thought, he should be just glad that he wasn't being given a bigger hassle.
He when back over to the group and said, "Alright were walking from here."
Hicks bitched "Oh you got to be kidding me!" Gorman gave him a dirty look but before he could speak Bill continued on.
"We don't have a license and I got the feeling we aren't welcome here. I was just called a 'Monkey' and was told to know my place. We are like free black's in the antebellum south, we're not welcome here and we're probably going to get spit on. So, don't try to act equal and don't make eye contact. Now let's move."
Down the streets they walked. They were seeing more signs of cruelty of this place. Children with collars bare foot sweeping despite the fact they had robots. They look to them thin and beaten.
They finally came to the market, yet it was more like an ancient bazaar. It was a big sprawling thing. Things from all over the universe seemed to be here. The foreign smells were at their zenith here. The colors were vibrant and dazzling. Some of the people in the stalls were slaves some were not. It was a mixed bag of a place.
"Alright Bulma you have most of the gold and rare metals. Gorman and the team will join you."
"Well what about you?"
"I'm going to find a map and a drink."
The team went into the Bazaar while Bill head into a nearby bar. Bill then entered into this new world like the Bazaar. It featured things far and wide from the galaxy. This ancient stone watering hole was dark under a building which he gathered was the town hall. It was loud the music was playing and the creatures talking.
He noticed he got a few looks from the attendants. He started to get ready to be told that his kind wasn't welcomed here and was going to be thrown out, but that moment never came.
Instead he sat down on a stool. He was next to a creature that appeared to an orange butt for a mouth talking to a man with a crushed messed up face. He didn't listen to the noise that they were making.
The bartender came up to him and asked him "What will it be Monkey?"
Bill cringed mentally at that. It sudden made him realize that these people were calling him the same thing they probably called Kakarrot and his people, it fucking stung to say the least. He had half a mind to break this mother fucker's jaw but instead he decided to shut him up. He took out his revolver with its six blue god killing bullets then took out the hunk of gold that he had taken with him.
The bartender's grey reptile eyes lit up like it was Christmas or something. Bill grinned. At least it seems like gold was universal enough. Using his enhanced strength with the suit, he ripped off a nugget then tossed it to him.
"Largest and strongest bottle of booze you got stilt eyes and keep the change."
The creature nodded and then Bill placed the rest of the bar back into his pocket. It was then he felt the stares. The stares were not positive. He realized the fuck up he had just committed. He looked a slave showing off how much money he had in slave country. By the looks of it there was a class system that he just broke and broke big time. He kept out his revolver on the very real chance, he might need it.
The bottle was placed in from of him and without a glass he took a swig of it. He was probably going to have to take a punch or two from one of these critters. When they up and decided to put the 'Monkey' back in his place.
A tap came to his shoulder and Bill sighed 'here it comes' he thought. He grasped his revolver and swiveled around expecting to get a hard, right hook to the jaw. He looked but was surprised. Instead of a 'good old boy' it was another hominid.
The man looked strong like he had worked all his life. His skin was tan. His body had scars face and what little he could see through his rags. His eyes were green, his hair blonde. There was a brand on his neck that was the letter F. This man had to have been a slave.
He said calmly "Care to share the wealth brother?"
"My mother never told me I had a second brother only the one."
He said, "Well I suppose you never been a slave, but I don't think they care much."
Bill looked around and saw their glares. "I suppose not."
The freeman pointed to a booth and said, "Follow me."
Bill followed him dodging the attempts to trip him from the other patrons. They came to the booth and the man sat with his eyes facing the entrance while Bill laid back and putting his foot on the table.
"So are we at the part where we give names?"
"I've a few but I go by Crixus now."
"It's Bill only ever been. So how you know I'm not a slave or ever have been."
"The armor. Your walk. Your attitude. It all tells me no one's ever whipped you until you wept. No one stole your kids and sold them."
"Well you half right on that last one. So why throw your lot in with me?"
"We to be honest I wanted some of that liquid paradise…"
"Are you sure it tastes like piss to me?"
"Sure but also I get the feeling you're not from around here 'Mandalorian?'" He said like he was asking a question.
"Never heard of them."
"Really? Well you must be from some out of the way place. Hominids that actually have power go Saiyan's (but their all but extinct mostly) and Mandalorian's. I just figured with the armor?"
Bill shook his head "Nope."
"Interesting then I figure your not will to talk about home."
"Yep. So, you want a way out of here."
Crixus laughed then came up close and whispered "My leader might want to but no. I want weapons. The kind that kill masters." He pulled back.
Bill took a swig "A little bold to ask that of a stranger."
"Aw but you're just that. Your no PTO, no GP. Your no master, no slaver. You're just a weary traveler come to trade and get some info. I can assure you that me and my friend have been busy gathering money for this exact situation."
"What will you do when Frieza comes?"
"We run, and we spread the gospel of 'death to the masters'."
"So that's why you're looking at the door. You already started this."
"Yes, but luckily we all look alike to them."
"Well hate to burst you bubble but I have my own mark on me. I can't help you. My weapons are my own. I don't have any spars and even if I did, they might be used to hunt me."
Crixus smiled at him "The goblin said you say something like that."
Bill now very confused "What?"
"He said that you'd come. He told me what you'd say. Oh well I guess we'll just have to go with option number two." He got up as some policeman started to come in. "See around Stryker of Earth."
Bill looked to see the cops come in and Crixus was gone. Confused Bill sat still as the cops came over to him. Two the lead one saying to him "Monkey, time to go. Your upsetting the customers. You've been asked to leave. We need you for questioning."
Bill sighed and said, "Sure thing." He put his revolver into his pocket without letting the cops see. He knew he was about to get a beating, but he wanted to make sure they only got a chance to do that, not the either of the other things. He certain not let himself die on this crap hole of a planet.
On Earth
Raditz slammed back first into a hard metal wall. He let out a yelp as pulled himself out of the wall. He then growled as he heard his brother.
"My word brother you are out of shape. Just look at you. Your little brother is rag dolling you so easily."
"How did you get this strong. And how come my scouter didn't pick this up."
"Brother you haven't seen my grandpa's toys and your still using outdated tech. I'll teach you the powers of this world." He came over and lent a hand to his brother. Raditz took it and got up.
Raditz coughing said, "You pack one hell of a punch."
"Training in thirty times earth's gravity can do that for you."
Raditz gasped asking "Thirty times this planet's gravity?"
Kakarrot grinned at him "Yeah I've been slacking. I should have been on fifty by now."
The two men stopped as they heard a clapping the two turned to see Dr. Gero coming with Moff Green over to them.
"It's good to see my son getting along with his blood."
"So, this is the man you call grandpa brother?"
"Yes. The man who made all this possible." To Gero. "I trust Grandpa that with this cheery mood that you are in you have good news to tell?"
"Oh, most certainly. Grand Moff Copper has recommended that we attack the Planet Risa."
"Risa what for? That's not a military target."
Gero stopped him "Correct but an economic target. PM Black is concerned that our men are not fit yet for an all-out war against the PTO so as a compromise it was decided that a softer target was preferable. The tyrant makes quite a bit of money on this world. It is loosely defended. A group of commandos could prevent anyone from calling for help and we can destroy it, hurt the bottom line of our enemy and prove our might on the field."
"So small scale bush fire as opposed to large scale shit storm?"
"Correct."
"I don't know sounds cowardly."
"It is always your call son. But I remind you that you yourself are not sure of your ability to kill Frieza. A smart leader takes advice when in the dark. We will have our big battle against him, when we decide to."
"Wait isn't that where Prince Vegeta and Nappa are?"
"Exactly we also needed a place where allies might be present to assist us on the ground. On every level this makes sense. It is soft, we have allies, it hurt the big money interests, and moral. Seeing the slaves will be more evidence to our army of why we fight. This is why they will fight to the bitter end. So that this will not happen to them."
Kakarrot grinned "Well I'm sold. Raditz try to inform them of our arrival without tipping off the PTO. We need total surprise. You understand?"
"Yes."
"I suppose it would be better for me to meet him on neutral ground anyways. If this little alliance of ours is to succeed. Green get me the best of the best for our trip to Risa."
Back on Risa
Bulma was staring at some of the items on sale. There was an air of frustration in her eyes. She thought to herself 'Yeah smartest woman the universe my ass. I don't know what half of this stuff is. Sure, it's easy enough to tell the different between a shirt and a flux capacitor. But whether it works? I have no idea what a 'defrackular' is and whether we need it. This is Star Trek shit.' She felt as lost as a caveman would be in an electronics store.
She heard Vasquez and Hudson talking to one another behind her.
"Damn man look at her. That's a lady that knows what she's doing."
"Well no shit. She could make a time machine in her basement and make a suit of power out of some scraps in a cave. The lady is just that awesome."
A bead of sweat came down her face. She thought 'Oh my Kami these people trust and rely on me. Oh, so this is what it feels like to be Chi-Chi or Bill, damn this sucks hard. Well I have to ask one of these tellers about what these things do. But that would make them lose faith. Oh, what am I going to do?' Mentally she slapped herself. 'Stop mopping. Your Bulma fucking Briefs the smartest and beautifulest woman in the universe. You could have any man or doing anything you set your mind to. You can outsmart a bunch of military Cro-Magnons from the stupid ages.'
Bulma turned around and gave Gorman a big fake smile. She knew he had a thing for her. Getting him out of the way would make the rest easy.
"Gorey could you go get me a 'hydraulic discompluater' from the ship?"
Gorman blushed and looked confused "A what?"
Bulma cursed herself mentality she thought 'Oh I'm terrible on my feet. That was complete nonsense. Now I look like a moron.'
Gorman quickly said trying to not look stupid "Oh the big thing that goes beep, beep with the nobs and such?" He stroked his back nervously.
The other marines looked confused. Bulma cheered in her head 'See doesn't matter how dumb you act their all a hell of a lot dumber.' She nodded her head "Yes I won't have put it like that but yes. It should be it the main storage room in one of the capsules." She talked very sweetly to him. "You're going to get it for me, right?"
Gorman nodded and began to walk off when Hicks spoke up "Lieutenant I thought Major ordered us to say with her?"
Bulma mentally cursed Hicks and his gorgeous chin. He was about to ruin all of this.
"Major ordered us to guard and assist Bulma in her efforts to save us all. She needs something we get it."
Hudson and the others seemed convinced but Hicks wasn't as Gorman took off. Bulma thought 'So then there is Hicks.'
"Could you guys go over and get a quote from that last teller on that defrackular I want to compare it to the one over here."
Three of them nodded and following the Lt lead by walking away. Much to Hicks distress.
"Marines were supposed to stick with the VIP. Bulma were not supposed to leave your side. Please call them back."
Bulma with authority now "Corporal their your own men. But this is my field. You're here helping me, so I can help you."
H looked frustrated. He wasn't buying it. He could tell she was up to something. He was a good guard dog.
Bulma trying to sound innocent "Look all I need you to do is to go over to that stall and I will stay right here."
"Bulma your smart. You understand that this is hostile territory. You need us here. We don't know if the saiyan's are here."
Bulma waited for the right moment then said in a shriek "Does that thing have a gun!"
Hicks turned and looked making sure to use himself a shield and looked for the would-be assassin. Then sighed and looked back to see Bulma was gone like he suspected. He couldn't not look and act like the threat wasn't real.
Hicks when on the com "Everyone get back here Bulma's gone she gave us the slip. I don't know why but Princess is loose. We got to find her quickly!"
He began to look as Bulma snickered. He didn't think to look behind on of the stands. She knew they were all going to chew her out for this but not looking stupid was its own reward.
She ran the other direct from where they were going, and she was prepared to go and ask some question when out of nowhere she ran into someone. Headfirst she smacks right into him.
His commanding voice barked out "Why don't you look where you're going! Stupid woman!"
Bulma attack looked up without really looking and said "Asshole you were standing in my way. So why don't you get your short ass out of my way."
The sun was over his head, but she could she could see his outline. His hair was shaped like flame. He was wearing armor and wearing a fuzz belt. She could just tell he was a jerk. She got up and put her finger into his chest.
"It's a Bazaar. Your supposed to be moving around not standing in place like some great hedge buddy.
Her finger felt like it was touching stone. Whoever this was really liked to work out. His face came into view. It would have looked good if it wasn't all scowls. His Onyx eyes. His chin. His black hair. Oh yeah, he looked good to her. It might have been a while but either way. He was turning red and she was sure it was because of her finger and eyes She was sure despite his rage he was looking her over too.
Vegeta for his part was about ready to kill her. Some slave had just come up and disrespected him. Her hair might have been his favorite color and it was nice to see some spunk from someone other than the backstabs and insults he was used to, but this couldn't stand.
He grabbed her wrist and said with a menacing dark voice "Maybe slave, I should beat some manners into you."
Bulma was not intimated "I don't care if your cute you can't call me a slave. I'm nobodies slave." She pushed her hand into his chest. Yeah, he was ripped. She might be a widow but thanks to this little exchange this would give her something to think about for quite a few nights.
Vegeta was now really confused on what he wanted to do. He wasn't sure if he wanted to scream at her more or find another way to shut her up. He got his face into hers.
"If you don't shut up. I'm going to make you shut up."
Bulma said not really thinking at all "I'd like to see you try."
He smelled something that he thought, sure smelled good. He could help but look down. He knew he should be looking for those others Saiyan's but hell this was going well whatever this was, all work and no play after all.
His tail had gotten loose. She noticed it and realized what it was just as Vegeta yelled out in pain.
A ki blade had emerged from his chest right around were his heart should be. Bulma screamed and Vegeta was pushed to the ground bleeding as the blade was removed. The man how stabbed him was revealed. It was Bill without his helmet having snuck up while Vegeta was very distracted.
Bill's face was cut up and he was bleeding. Someone had just kicked him around. He grabbed Bulma and pulled her away. She and Vegeta eyes meet and spoke of confusion.
Bill yelled into his com "Everyone to the ship. I have encountered a saiyan! We're leaving!"
They left with Vegeta still bleeding on the ground but still breathing with no signs he intended to stop anytime soon.
