Here's Chapter 17! Thanks to Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Chimera prime, SSJ2 Silven, Ali, Gohandominates, icewolf, 9thZFighter, Nimarin Driggen for all the reviews on chapter 16.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its' characters, Akira Toriyama does!
A/N: Yep! Saiyansweetheart is posting my chapters!
…
Gohan shook his head as Gartoas stomped into the bridge area scowling at Daiz. It seemed as if the two were locked into a pattern of constant arguments.
"Ah got stuck loadin' tha ship agin'while ya was out sight seein' wi' tha brat!" the Kardangan complained.
"I was purchasing the boy some clothing on Halsnor not having a holiday!" Daiz shot back.
"Ya took ya sweet time bout' it didn' ya?" Gartoas huffed.
"It took a while! And why am I even bothering to….." the dark-green haired warrior began.
"Would the two of you like me to stop somewhere so you can make your relationship official?" Turles called out from the pilot's seat.
Daiz turned red and sputtered at Turles's remark.
"Now Master Turles, Was such a thing called fer' now?" the burly bearded pirate protested.
The little half-Saiyan stifled a giggle behind the book he was reading. He looked over at Turles and he could have sworn that the commander gave him a wink.
Turles had a point, the two pirate crewmen squabbled like an old married couple Gohan thought to himself. A snicker escaped the small boy earning him a baleful glare from the massive Kardangan.
…..
After a hearty breakfast on planet Feldarion, Turles had his crew board the ship to prepare to set off for planet Quarshrim. But something was wrong. An acidic sulfur-like smell reached the Saiyan pirate commander.
"GET OUT OF THE SHIP! NOW!" Turles roared.
Daiz snatched up a startled Gohan who clung to the book he grabbed as the Kabochan swept him off his feet. Gartoas was already exiting the ship. Who knew the burly pirate could move so fast?
No sooner had the pirate crew gotten clear of the ship then a series of explosions tore through the ship. Flames curled through where the crew had stood just moments before. Daiz sighed, the ship was the last bit of the Crusher Corp's legacy. It had been created by the Beenz brothers, Lakasei and Rasin.
"Where's the brat?" Turles suddenly demanded.
Daiz stopped his musing and looked frantically about. Had the boy run off somewhere to escape?
"Blasted lil' fool! E's gone back ta' tha ship!" Gartoas shouted.
A shudder went through the former prince and he started toward the ship. He was stopped by the dark-skinned Saiyan.
"I'll get the brat!" Turles growled.
"Master Turles! Are ya mad? Tha boy's done fer'!" the bearded pirate exclaimed.
Daiz held his breath as Turles disappeared behind a wall of smoke and flames.
"Are ya sure tha brat's not is' ?" the Kardangan huffed.
…
Turles found a coughing Gohan lying just inside the ship's entrance. Though overcome by the thick smoke, the boy held two items tightly under his little arms. It was no effort at all for the Saiyan warrior to scoop up the small child and quickly move away from the ship. A final explosion completely obliterated the pirates' craft. Daiz breathed a deep sigh of relief as he realized the half-Saiyan was safe.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Daiz scolded.
"Wasn' a thing on tha ship that couldna' been bought agin'!" Gartoas barked.
"Y-Yes …there ….was!" Gohan choked out through a spasm of coughs.
The Saiyan pirate commander raised an eyebrow as he recognized the thick book under Gohan's left arm. It was the very first book he had purchased for the boy, so the book meant something to the brat. But it was the item under the little half-blood's right arm that brought a genuine smile to Turles's face. A small basket of shriveled dried fruit-it contained the seed for the Tree of Might! The past few months had been so eventful that he'd almost forgotten about it.
"Well done, Gohan," Turles rumbled.
"Ah get tha feelin' ahm missin' somethin'," Gartoas snorted.
Daiz couldn't help but laugh. The Kardangan had no idea how valuable those seeds were to the full-blood Saiyan.
"Get the brat looked over, Daiz," Turles ordered.
"Breathin' a bit o' smoke ain't gonna kill 'im!'" the beefy bearded pirate scoffed.
"I SAID have him looked over," the Saiyan snarled.
"Right away, Master Turles!" the dark-green-haired warrior spoke up quickly.
"Fussin' over tha brat so! Ah swear tha brat's his pup!" Gartoas grumbled when Turles strode away.
…..
"So now whatta we goin' ta' do, Commander?" Gartoas wanted to know.
"I have enough for a shuttle to Kagerish. We'll be able to replace our ship there," Turles informed him.
"You mean you're going to….."Daiz began.
"Surely ya not gonna beg that blasted woman fer' help are ya now? She'll be tryin' ta' get er' claws in ya!" the massive bronze-skinned pirate interrupted.
"We're in Raychalla's sector, it only makes sense to request her assistance," Turles insisted.
"Kami be helpin' us all! That she-devil's not ta' be trusted!" Gartoas sighed heavily.
Daiz shook his head. They needed a ship for sure but even he didn't relish the idea of obtaining one from Raychalla. She was the self-proclaimed pirate queen of the Northeastern Sector.
…
Kagerish was a lush green planet with clear pink skies lit by two suns. Turles and his crew were quickly ushered into what appeared to be a craggy cave from the outside but was an opulent palace from within. Gohan looked about in awe at the resplendent throne room. Priceless thick carpets cushioned the pirates' feet as they walked over the polished cream colored floor. Exotic animal hides decorated the walls that were constructed from rare woods. An onyx throne sat in the center of the room.
The regal being that was seated upon the throne was unlike any the son of Goku had ever observed before. Long silky white hair framed the delicately sculpted face of a pale-skinned female with eyes of the most brilliant blue the little half-Saiyan had ever seen. A luxurious black spotted white pelt hung about her shoulders, soft pink silk comprised the elegant gown that sheathed her curvaceous form. Knee-high white boots encased her feet and a great sword with a red gemstone encrusted hilt lay across the woman's lap. The six-year-old's eyes widened as he realized the female's hair swept down to her feet.
A squat blue-skinned reptilian being bowed before the woman," Queen Raychalla, These three humbly request an audience with you."
Turles gave a dramatic sweeping bow as he made his way to the throne. He was followed by a less imposing Daiz and Gartoas gave a stiff imitation of the Kabochan. Gohan quickly bowed as properly as he imagined doing so. A smile lit the woman's face as she took in the sight of the Saiyan pirate.
"Turles! So nice to see your handsome face again! Have you finally come to join us here? We could use someone ….with your particular talents," the pirate queen said in a honeyed voice.
"As tempting as that would be, I have business elsewhere to attend to, Raychalla," Turles replied.
"Only livin' soul that gets by callin 'er by name!" Gartoas growled under his breath.
"Still charming as ever, Gartoas!" the queen huffed. "I see you haven't managed to get killed off yet, Daiz."
"I've been fortunate, your Majesty," the former prince stated politely.
"And who is….Come here child!" Raychalla motioned to Gohan. He looked apprehensively at the Saiyan pirate commander who gave him a nod.
The little half-Saiyan slowly walked over to the throne. A soft hand stroked his now lengthy spiky hair.
"He's absolutely adorable, Turles! I suppose you're attached to someone now, " the female sighed in obvious disappointment.
"I am not attached to anyone nor am I the brat's sire, I'm merely responsible for him," the dark-skinned Saiyan insisted.
"Really?" the pirate queen brightened. She dismissed the boy and turned her attention back to Turles.
"Why are you here, Turles?" Raychalla asked.
"I wish to purchase a ship."
"But what happened to that wonderful ship those two little imps made for you?" the ivory-haired female asked.
"We were on Feldarion when someone dropped Grelsarian explosive charges wrapped in an acidic base that ate through the exterior hull of the ship….." Turles began.
"Someone certainly planned on getting rid of you. I am most gratified that you escaped any harm," Raychalla interrupted. "Now where are my manners? You must be tired from your journey and I'll have a grand meal prepared. We'll discuss the business of a ship later."
"As you wish," Turles agreed with another expressive bow. Gartoas rolled his eyes.
'I hope you know what you're doing, Commander' Daiz thought.
…
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