Here's Chapter 28! Thanks to Ali,MohammadAlzor, Icewolf, Red Chimera, humancygrax, Belsareth, Ryo-chan wolfgirl and TrueDomination for all the reviews on chapter 27.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its' characters, Akira Toriyama does!
A/N: Two-hundred and eighty-eight reviews! You folks are AWESOME! Thanks SO much! And finally….I'M BACK! I have to share a school-owned computer for now but I'll try to personally reply to reviews as soon I can. I'm w-w-w-a-a-y-y behind reading and reviewing Fanfics so I'll be taking some time to TRY and catch up! THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR BEARING WITH ME!
…...
"I-I gave you the location. Now please let me go!" Artruay begged Salsir.
The Sarhassan gave an evil laugh before he flung the unfortunate reptilian being into the far wall. It just figured that the weakling would be rendered unconscious quite easily. Salsir struck out several times with his heavy boots and smiled at the sickening crunching noises that followed. Satisfied that Artruay would expire in a most painful manner, he exited the office. The room's plush carpet was soon riddled with small puddles of Artruay's blood.
'Pitiful Fool! As if I would leave an informant alive!' Salsir snorted.
Bulma peeped in Artruay's office and let out a shriek. She rushed to his side and was appalled at the extent of his injuries. Hearing her cry, Artruay's assistant rushed in and gasped in horror.
"We need to get him to a healing station immediately!" the enormous green humanoid shouted.
"There's no time! I might be able to save him! Help me get him to my lab!" the blue-haired scientist insisted.
The muscular green being easily lifted the critically injured gray reptile from the blood- drenched carpet and quickly followed after Bulma.
…..
Several hours passed and a weary Bulma sank gratefully into the cushioned seat of her desk. Artruay had survived the makeshift surgery she'd been forced to perform in hopes of sparing his life. His assistant stared down at his unconscious employer. Most of the Arturian businessman's skull and chest were heavily bandaged. A tube hung from his mouth and another from his chest. Both were attached to machinery that gave out tiny beeps at intervals.
Bulma sighed as she looked over at the massive green life-form. Shaggy blue hair hung down to his brawny shoulders, his piercing yellow eyes and grim expression gave evidence of his concern. He had his powerful arms folded over his chiseled chest. The tan leather garment he wore seemed as if it strained at the seams with his bulk.
"Will he survive, Miss Bulma?"
"I certainly hope so, Belas. I've done all I can," the former heiress of Capsule Corps mused.
….
"Hah! Salsir's on his trail and that Saiyan's not even gonna know what hit em' when that snake strikes!" a beefy blue-skinned simian creature guffawed as he downed another pint of a foul-smelling beverage.
Zailora grimaced in disgust as the ape-being put one of his hairy arms around her waist. She'd heard the offensive life-form bragging about his connections with the Sarhassan and decided to make his acquaintance. Did everyone in this dive of a tavern drink the malodorous brew the simian was putting away by the tankard? The putrid scent seemed to waft about all around.
"I told ya what I knew 'bout Salsir so how's bout' a kiss for my trouble? Huh, Beautiful?" the Kabochan female's admirer suggested.
The dark green-haired woman smiled sweetly and caressed the blue-skinned male's face. He smiled in return, regaling her with the sight of a mouthful of rotting teeth. Suddenly his eyes bulged and he pitched forward. Zailora carefully lowered him to the table and propped his chin onto his stone cup. She made sure that the blood seeping from his throat was concealed for the moment. With any luck, the other patrons of the tavern would think he had merely passed out. She wiped her concealed blade on the hapless ape-ling's own clothing.
"Sorry, Pal. I never kiss on the first date!" Zailora snickered.
After tossing a few coins on the table, Turles's crew member made a casual exit.
…..
Daiz grinned at the sight of Gohan entering the ship with an armload of new books from his excursion on Meros with Turles.
"MORE books!" Gartoas huffed as he rolled his eyes.
Turles ignored him as he stood listening to Zailora's report.
"Commander Turles. It appears that Artruay informed Salsir of your whereabouts," the Kabochan female declared.
"Of course," the dark-skinned Saiyan said flatly.
"So Artruay's tha one ta blame fer settin' Salsir on ya! Ah'm supposin' yer gonna be makin'n short work o' 'is worthless hide, Commander?" Gartoas queried.
"Artruay is weak. It was to be expected, Gartoas," Turles stated with a mere shrug of his shoulders.
"Master Turles! Surely some kinda punishment is due!" the burly Kardanagan protested.
"Artruay's safety is assured for as long as he is useful to me as is that of your own," the Saiyan replied darkly.
The bushy-haired bearded pirate fell silent at the implied warning.
"Should we be on our way, Master Turles?" Daiz asked.
"No. I'm not running from Salsir," the pirate commander stated.
The black and silver armored Saiyan returned his attention back to Zailora.
"It's time for you to complete your assignment," Turles insisted.
Zailora gasped as Turles pulled an Arkalazian sapphire from a pouch at his waist. She'd never seen such a magnificent gem! Its flawless facets glittered with a rich aquamarine hue and the immense size of the sapphire was mind-boggling. The Saiyan was unable to close his fist around it.
"Take this to the Merchant District. Find Tarkalease. He will know what I require to have done with this," Turles ordered.
"As you wish, Commander," Zailora said as she quickly departed.
Daiz scratched his head in curiosity. Why did Turles want Zailora to find that old thief? What was he up to now?
"Can't believe es' trustin' that wench wi' such a prize!" Gartoas growled.
"Is it just Zailora or have you got something against ALL women? " the former Kabochan prince snorted.
"There ain't no trustin' a female! NOT A BLASTED ONE O' EM!" the massive pirate bellowed.
Pure rage darkened the Kardanagan's face as he stormed away from the bridge area.
Daiz stared blankly at Turles. The Saiyan sighed," I might have known having a female aboard would annoy him to no end."
"Dare I inquire what his problem is with females, Master Turles? " thedark green-haired pirate asked cautiously.
Just then a yawning Gohan entered the room, the Charladon pup followed closely at his heels.
"Is there anything else you require, Master Turles?" the youngster questioned.
"You may retire for the evening, Brat," Turles answered.
Gohan gave a small respectful bow and turned away "Time for bed, Ember!"
A shrill bark was the brilliant red and yellow hued pup's reply as she raced after him.
"Gartoas had the misfortune of being betrayed by a woman in his life. He tolerates those he pays for "leisure" but despises all others," the Saiyan pirate began….
(Flashback)
A purple and red robed figure stood out against the pink colored skies of Telusar. The powerfully muscled bronze-skinned warrior's face broke into grin as he observed his day's haul. Twenty-two containers of Lord Frieza's finest wines had been skillfully pilfered from the tribute ship from planet Galonos. Gartoas smoothed down his bushy black hair a bit and made sure his beard looked presentable. As soon as his buyers appeared, he planned to take a certain lovely female out for a night on the town.
There were definite perks for being assigned to be responsible for the Ice-Jin's choice of beverage. With every delivery that came in, the Kardanagan skimmed a few cases for his own personal profit and no one was the wiser. A hefty sum of zeni weighed down his pockets after every successful heist he was able to pull off.
Gartoas suddenly found himself staring into the ugly face of Dodoria. The rotund pink behemoth shoved his meaty fist into the Kardanagan's chest.
"So YOU'RE the scum who's been stealing from Lord Frieza!" the furious general barked.
"Yer full o' it, Dodoria! Ah recovered this stolen shipment fer yer information!" Gartoas shot back.
"Oh DO give it up, Gartoas!" a familiar feminine voice rang out.
Gartoas gasped in horror at the sight of a beautiful pink-haired female with azure skin. NOT HER! It COULDN'T BE…!
"Malania! WHY?"
The blue-skinned woman smirked as she faced the stunned warrior. She ran her left hand over the polished blue and gold armor she proudly wore.
"Seriously, Gartoas! Did you REALLY think you matter to me? Lord Frieza has given me Elite status for turning you in," Malania snickered.
Gartoas swallowed hard. He loved Malania with every fiber of his being. How could she possibly betray him for power and position?
"You're good as dead, Gartoas!" Dodoria exclaimed gleefully.
"NOT YET!" Gartoas cried out.
A quick flurry of ki-blasts turned Frieza's wine into a wall of flame. The Kardangan fled for his life…..
(End of Flashback)
"WHEW! That explains a LOT, Commander," Diaz sighed.
"Indeed," Turles mused.
…
Zailora wondered why she received so many looks of disgust as she searched the Merchant District for Tarkalease. Her every inquiry about the elusive merchant garnered the same response. Well there was one last shop at the end of the District. The dilapidated stone and wood shop had certainly seen better days.
As the dark green-haired female entered the small building a wizened purple toad-like being startled her as he suddenly popped up from behind a counter. A toothless grin lit the strange blue robed creature's warty face.
"Greetings Pretty One! What do you want with old Tarkalease, hmmm?" the elderly life-form asked cheerfully.
Zailora held up the Arkalazian sapphire," Master Turles sent me with this."
"OH! So Turles is up to his old tricks again!"Tarkalease chuckled.
The merchant's leathery hands accepted the precious jewel from Zailora.
"AH! Turles must be very confident in me! Such an honor! This piece will be my masterpiece!" the toad-ling chortled.
Zailora looked on in confusion. What was Turles up to?
…
"Dear Bulma, I truly owe you my life!" Artruay sighed.
The gray reptile bowed his head guiltily," I don't deserve your assistance."
" Don't say that! YOU saved us, Artruay!" Bulma insisted.
Artruay shook his head "I can't begin to imagine how poor Chi-Chi must feel!"
"Maybe it would help a bit if Chi-Chi knew Gohan was okay….You know….treated well and…" the blue-haired scientist began.
"Stop, Bulma!" the Arturian businessman interrupted. "I won't lie to you. I'm afraid Turles is as cruel and evil as they come."
"POOR CHI-CHI!" Bulma wailed.
…
Raychalla's blue eyes flashed with anger as she regarded the Sarhassan that stood before her.
"YOU STILL HAVEN'T CAPTURED TURLES!" the pirate queen fumed.
"Rest assured, I shall do so shortly!" Salsir hissed.
"You don't have ANYTHING to lure him in!" the ivory-haired female pressed.
An evil glint suddenly appeared in the snake-being's demonic red eyes.
"Oh, I do. your Majesty! I MOST CERTAINLY DO…!"
…..
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daughterofrisingsun