Thank you for all your kind reviews telling me to continue! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

As the Earth trembles

It was a blur. The last conversation with her father had been so clear and she had felt a flicker of hope. But now it was all a blur.

She could remember not being able to open her eyes. How her body kept on hurting. So much that her mind eventually began to numb the pain and all she could was focus on her breathing.

Only flashes of images were her memories for now.

A tear from her mother had landed on her cheek. …Or had it been rain?

Swallowing her fear, Bulma tried to come to her senses. It felt as if she was floating for the moment.

Am I dead…?

Noting she would probably be either less aware of her existence or more certain of it, she tried to open her eyes. Her eyelids felt heavy and something was tickling her face now that she was daring to move. Slowly opening her eyes, she felt more confused than before. Her vision was blurry, as if she was under water. While trying to adjust her sight, she could suddenly feel her hands moving.
Looking down, vision still unclear, she could see her body. She was sitting. Her hair was flowing around, and it tickled her cheek again just now. A tube was attached to her mouth.

Taking a deep breath, without thought, her entire body became more alive and suddenly alerted by this strange environment. Where was she? How did she get here?
Daring to move around, she immediately took note that her body was without pain.
Her hands touched her hair, the tube, her body. It was her. She was here. It was all real.
Thinking more clearly now, her hands searched for a button or a switch to get her out of this strange place. There was a small round window. She knocked on it a few times, but no one came. Finally, her hand found the switch and to her surprise the water, or fluid, slowly drained. Taking the tube off her mouth, Bulma took a deep breath and smelled the sweet aroma of the fluid. It even tasted sweet on her lips. Like medicine…

It occurred to her she was in some sort of machine and it made a noise, as if steam was coming out of it. It took another few minutes for it to finally open. Pushing the door slowly open, she warily looked around the room. It was all white. A few similar devices were lined up next to each other.

While trying to comprehend what could be going on or had happened, she had to assume she was either in a secret facility somewhere on earth or, and this she sincerely hoped was not case, in Saiyan territory. Her father had surprised her time and time again, like with the underground bunker, so why now not again?

Feeling great, she took note that every cut on her body had been healed. Even the ones she had been certain of would leave her with a disgusting scar. Eying the white tank where she stepped out of a few times over, she figured she pretty much owed her life to this thing.

Who had invented these marvelous machines?

Realizing she couldn't just walk around in her underwear, she looked around to find some clothes but found none. Not even a bathrobe or towel. Curious as she was, she walked to the main computer only to see strange markings she was not familiar with. Her heart sank when realizing her nightmare was true, she was in Saiyan territory. Pushing a few buttons on the main computer, seeing the unfamiliar language appear made her small flicker of hope completely disappear. With heavy sigh, she walked around hoping to find a way out before they realized she was awake.

Her mind was racing, the peaceful floaty feeling from earlier had evaporated completely. Where was dad? And mom? And the dragon ball? How was earth? Why was she here?

Her feet moved without thought and when she tried to open one of the doors, she failed. Frustrated, she looked around and saw another door on the far end of the room. It looked different but nevertheless, she gave it a shot. Becoming absolutely fumed at the idea she was stuck here, her nails dug into the number pad to enter the code. Noting that the material maybe different but the logic behind the system wasn't, she managed to open the door up by just moving a few wires.

A wave of excitement rushed over her when the door opened up but to her disappointment she found herself in another room and not a hallway that could lead to the outside.
There was a single white tank in the room. It was much bigger than the other ones, seemingly needing more energy. Probably a more efficient and high-quality version of the one she had been in. Curious Bulma took a wary step forward and saw trough the window the figure of a well-built man with black hair. His expression was stern, his eyes closed.

Definitely a Saiyan, Bulma noted. An important one…

Before she could even think of a plan, a voice startled her completely.

'Oh! You! No, no, no! Not in here! Come over here!'

The voice belonged to a strange looking alien woman that was not a Saiyan. Her chubby figure and green skin gave it away. Her expression told Bulma she was getting into trouble.

Her voice was below a whisper and yet she managed to scold Bulma and grab her by the arm.
Getting out of the room as quickly as they possible could, the woman whispered, 'Girlie, do you want to die?'
'W-what do you mean?' Bulma asked, looking back to look at the man in the pod.
'That's the prince! He's not nice!'
'Why is he— 'Because he's an idiot that always overdoes it during training! Mad man, I tell you!'
And just like that she closed the door before Bulma could take another look at him.

The man opened his eyes for a second, smirked and then closed them again, awaiting patiently to get out of the healing tank.

Bulma couldn't say the lady was unkind or rude. Like a typically elder woman taking care of the sick, she worryingly told Bulma to sit down and take it slowly. She insisted for her to take a seat on the examination table. Pushing a few buttons, she then got out some clothes, that came out of a tube, and held them out in front of Bulma to see if they fit. Unapprovingly she shook her head, stating she was so petite compared to the other ones. Bulma tried to move but the lady shushed her and commanded for her to stay put. She talked quick and nervously but had sweet and kind voice, so it didn't become irritating at all.

'Just like all the other ones! Feel better, run around! He's just like that, you know!' she said while nodding towards the now closed door. Bulma simply smiled while still not fully aware of her surroundings.

'You, uh, think you can fix that? I don't want you to get in trouble… or myself for that matter,' the woman asked while pointing towards the code-pad next to door.

'Sure!' Bulma nodded. 'But then I need permission to move…'
'Oh?' The lady blinked a few timed and then smiled.
'Oh! A joke! And sweet one a that! Haven't heard those since… forever!'
'Could you tell me what happened?' Bulma asked while getting up slowly, to make sure the woman didn't get upset, and walking back towards the door she had forced open.

'Yes, yes! Your father feared for your life! As he should, to be honest, for a moment I didn't think you were going to make it either! So much blood! So much blood in the tank! It was a sea of red!'

Bulma tried to take in the words but it felt as if she was talking about someone else. Her dad had put her here…? Why?
'I need some tape…' Bulma muttered while ignoring the woman.
The woman handed her some medical tape and waited for her to finish. When a clicking sound followed and the pad looked the same as usual, she let out a relieved sigh. Fixing the pad had been easy but Bulma suddenly wondered about the man behind the door.

He was the ruler of these beasts that had invaded her world…

'Here, here! Don't walk around like that! You'll get cold!'

Snapping out of her thoughts, Bulma accepted the clothes and noted it was simple pair of leggings and a t-shirt. All white.
'How did I get in such a bad shape?' Bulma asked, still confused.
'I don't know! Your father said it was because of the first invasion… Well, they are quite brutal;' obviously referring to the Saiyans, 'But honestly, a pretty girl like you? Sometimes I wonder if they have any sense at all!'
'Can I see my father?' Bulma simply asked, noting the woman wasn't telling her anything useful.
Who knows what her father had said to them, she might ruin his story if she didn't speak to him first.
'Oh! Of course! But I don't think he's done working yet— 'working?'
'Yes, he had to proof his worth— 'Worth?'
'Girlie, if you keep interrupting…'
Bulma let out a sigh, 'Sorry, I'm just really confused that is all.'
'That is quite ok, dear. You're not strongest race but a very strong-willed, which is either remarkable or quite foolish, depending on how you look at it.'
Bulma let out a laugh, noting this woman wasn't some lady that took care of the sick. The fine lines on her green skin told her she was exceptional in her own field. That of a doctor.
'So, you are imprisoned here too…?' Bulma asked, thinking she had found a companion.
'Oh, heavens no! I was very honored to be working for the Saiyan Empire, on the royal ship no less!'
'You want to be here?' Bulma asked baffled.
'Well, yes. I love my job!' She answered followed by bright smile.

Noticing she was getting more confused every time she asked a question Bulma kept her mouth shut and just waited for the woman to bring her to her father. The doctor simply kept chatting while walking bringing her to the hallway and into an elevator.
It was so strange to see such familiar devices and systems to Earths being used but with just different material. Everything seemed, from the control-system of the elevator to the way their doors swiftly open and closed more efficient and well thought out than compared to Earths.

It would be a lie if she said their technology wasn't alluring or interesting. For some weird reason she clung on to hate and anger and defiantly told herself to never think highly of these beings again.
Entering a huge room, full of Earths computers. Bulma recognized a few engineers and workmen from their corporation. With wide eyes they stared at her and it took her a moment to figure out that they too were in a state of numbness to the situation. None of them acknowledged her by greeting. It was earie quiet in this working place. And it was then she noticed the large figures of Saiyans keeping a close eye on them. Bulma nervously looked through the room in search of her father.
Her eyes lit up when a familiar figure rose up. And without bidding the doctor goodbye, she ran towards him.

'Dad! Dad!' Her screaming made a few heads turn.
Relief washed over his face and her embraced her immediately, holding on to her tightly. As if she had almost slipped out of his hands earlier when she had been out. He then hushed her and looked warily at the Saiyan guard that Bulma had failed to notice earlier.

'What happened?' Bulma firmly asked with confused frown.
He let out a sigh and whispered they had to be careful. Nodding his head at a few of the men surrounding him.

'It seems we can't trust everyone; fear does awful things to people,' he muttered.
'Some of these men and women have families, Bulma. Young children. All being held hostage, though they claim that they want us to work for them, as if it is some sort of honor for us to do so…'
'So everyone is quite anxious?' Bulma noted, looking around to see if anyone was listening in on them.
Her father simply nodded. His hands grabbed on to hers and squeezed them tightly, like he would always do whenever she had been scared. It didn't take her long to figure out, it was he who had been scared.
'I thought I was going to lose you, Bulma. After our talk everything seemed fine but during the night you had an internal bleeding. I needed help but our town was such a mess and there were so many in need of help, I couldn't find anyone! The government was breathing onto my neck and so I had no choice but to plea with the Saiyans for help…'
'So that's how I got here?'
'So far, we are the only ones with honor of becoming a part of their science-team.'
The look that followed was meaningful one, making Bulma realize their family wasn't going to be staying on Earth.
'Who knows what they'll do to Earth…' He muttered distressed by what the future could hold for them and the entire planet.
'Why us?'
'Our capsules.'
The simple answer made sense. And for a quick second she cursed the genius invention.
Her father continued, telling her that her mother was safe and awaiting their return. They had been promised a small living space, but her father claimed it was nothing more than a prison they were being kept in with hardly any basic luxuries.
Bulma swallowed, thinking of the precious Dragon Ball she had tried so desperately to get her hands on.
'Dad, what about the— 'I left it in the bunker. I thought it be safer there,' he quickly said while noticing some odd stares.
Simply nodding, she tried to think of what to do now. One moment she had been safe, now she was in the lion's den. A sigh escaped her lips when seeing the tall figures of the guards. All seemed so menacing and she knew they were far more powerful then any weapon they could use against them.
'I'm done here, we'll talk in our prison about…' 'About my necklace?' Bulma quickly said.
Her father gave her a bewildered look before realizing "her necklace" was a codeword for the Dragon Ball. He nodded. Bulma knew by the look in his eyes he had figured some sort of plan out before surrendering. He was never a man to dive in unprepared.
A small flicker of hope could be felt in her heart again. And as she placed her hands on her chest, she only now realized she had almost died.

I won't let myself get killed by any of you…

Glaring at the brutal men who were probably even unaware of her presence, Bulma asked her father if she could help but he dismissed her, saying she had to take it easy. So, all she could do was wait again until they were permitted to leave.
As annoyed as she was by this, she welcomed the rest. Though she felt fine physically, mentally she hadn't quite caught up to the situation yet. Her eyes wandered through the room, noticing there was indeed some unspoken hostility between everyone. As if someone was to blame for this awful situation. Suddenly the ground started to move. Alarmed Bulma looked around but noted so far no one was reacting. A co-worker from Brief Corporation informed her there was still fighting going on. One of the primary countries wasn't going down without a fight.
'Foolish, really,' he muttered while shaking his head in disbelief.
Bulma couldn't find a response. He already seemed so adapted to the new situation.

It seemed strange, to stay so peaceful as the Earth is trembling…

'Bulma, come,' her father said when they finally could go.
Placing a hand on her shoulder while they walk, Bulma stayed quiet, still trying to adjust to new situation. Hearing the Saiyan men talk, her eyes glanced at them. Her heart froze when she saw the familiar tall figure of the man who had attacked her. Stiffening up in her father's arm, he gave her a worried look. She swallowed her fear, shook her head and whispered they needed to get out of here fast.

When entering the elevator, Bulma sensed a change in the group. A more relaxed atmosphere surfaced. But her father kept his lips pressed together and gave her a stern expression to do the same.
It was a long way down, almost to the bottom of the ship. And after going through a long hall, they finally were at their personal room. No guards had bothered to follow or guide them, and it only now occurred to Bulma that they had already settled in some sort of routine.

Just how much time had passed?

'Bulma!' Her mother shrieked, jumping at the sight of her.
'You were with them for five days! I didn't know what to think! I told your father what if… what if!' she cried.
After getting hugged, kissed and questioned thoroughly by her, things finally settled down and it was time to discuss their next move. The living space was scandalously small for the three of them. Three beds, a small bathroom and a desk. That was all there was. Not a couch or a table. Nothing personal. No warmth. Bulma didn't bother commenting on it. Her mother already looked miserable enough.

'So, the necklace…' Bulma started.
'I couldn't ask your advice, Bulma,' her father explained. 'I figure the less they knew the better, we know its safe for now.'
Bulma nodded, it had been good thinking. 'No need to take risks, these beast care about nothing.'

Dr. Briefs then got something out of his personal trunk and handed it over to Bulma. It was the size of her hand and when she turned it on, she immediately figured out it was a hardwire driver for some device.
'I scattered drones all over the planet, so you can search for the Dragon Balls or try to contact Kami.'
Pushing a side button the screen switched from one place to another. Bulma face lit up and she jumped in his arms, 'You are a genius, dad!'
With a uncertain smile he just nodded while her mother dryly commented she wish he hadn't been a genius.
'We are better off, mom,' Bulma said trying to cheer her up.
'I know,' she muttered sadly. 'Others are only certain of death…'
The dark comment was odd to hear out from her mother's mouth but Bulma understood her pessimistic feelings. Things weren't look too good for the moment. But then her mother did what she always did, summon a cheerful smile.
'But we are together! And that is all I could truly wish for!'
Hugging her family while saying it Bulma could feel her tears staining her T-shirt. She wrapped her arms around her parents, realizing how tough these last few days must've been.

'They treat us like were animals…' Dr. Briefs starts.
'We adjust easily!' he then huffed, mimicking the voice of one of the Saiyans. 'Analyzing us like we are the aliens!'
As he rants on and on, Bulma oddly thought that perhaps they were not that different. Did they not do the same to one another? And would they have not analyzed them had it been the other way around?

She shook her head, not understanding were these thoughts were coming from. Focusing back on the task of finding Kami, Bulma glanced at the small device in her hand. It was still heading towards Kami's lookout. Slowly but certainly it was getting there. She just hoped he had the answers to their hopeless situation. Perhaps Mr. Popo could locate the other Dragon Balls.

Or maybe I need to find a way out of here...?

Looking up to see her parents talking about the instant food, that was surprisingly quite good. She couldn't just leave them here. Besides, she couldn't just leave either. Getting out of here without notice was out of the question. And they might get in trouble if I do succeed…
Her father had been smart enough to bring whole pack of capsules and the Saiyans were foolish enough to not check their belongings.

Suddenly a light on the desk started blinking. Alerted Bulma hid her device and got up but her father answered before she could figure out it was some sort of call. He pressed a button on the desk.

…. Briefs, tomorrow you are to meet the head of the science department…
'Y-yes!'
…Not you, Dr. Briefs. I was talking to your daughter, Bulma Briefs. She is with you, correct?
'I'm here,' Bulma answered on a stern tone.
…That is all…
'What!? Hello?' Bulma asked confused when it remained silent.
Annoyed at the prompt ending of their conversation, she let out a deep sigh. These men had no manners!

'I wonder what he could want…'
'What do you mean?'
'Head of the science department is not a Saiyan… Bit of a strange man. I wonder what he could want from you,' her father muttered. He had explained that his daughter was his righthand, he couldn't work without her. Which was true but for once it was more because he wanted to secure her safety and position in this strange new environment.
'I'll guess we'll find out tomorrow,' Bulma shrugged, not really thinking about it.

Her blue eyes stayed on the screen and finally, the floating temple came into sight. Trying to speed up the drone by tapping endlessly on the forward button, something she knew was utterly useless but couldn't help herself, her heart sank when it came closer and closer. The temple lay in ruins.