Here's chapter 54!
Thanks to Diosa de la Muerte, Perfect Carnage, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Dark Domination, icewolf, Hoshi124 and Apope for all the reviews on chapter 53.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Gartoas suddenly took great interest in the floor beneath his boots as soon as he heard Turles's growl. That was never a good sign. Something had to truly annoy or even anger the Saiyan to bring about that reaction.
Zailora had went immediately to her quarters but Daiz went straight to his seat. At hearing the animalistic sound, the former prince bravely faced Turles.
"Is there something wrong, Master Turles?" Daiz questioned.
"That should be apparent!" the dark-skinned Saiyan snapped.
"With all due respect, Commander, I fail to see the problem," the Kabochan pirate stated.
Turles momentarily turned his attention to Gohan ,"Gohan, Set your course for Aldrain. The coordinates are TR48669X3."
"As you command, Master Turles," the little demi-Saiyan replied as he took charge of the ships controls.
After giving out his order, the dark-skinned Saiyan returned his focus to Daiz.
"Why do you think I never had females as part of my crew, Daiz?"
"I can't fathom the reason, Master Turles. A female can be just as valuable an asset as can a male," Daiz said coolly.
Gartoas snorted at that. He was rewarded by a swift kick in the right shin by Daiz.
"Because they could provide the possibility of involvement resulting in attachments that can prove distracting in our line of profession," Turles said coldly.
"I'm sure we can still fulfill our duties even with an 'attachment', Commander," Daiz said quietly.
"Can you now? If something where to happen to Zailora would you still be able to do so?" the pirate commander demanded.
"I surely hope no harm comes to her but I would still carry on even if it came to the loss of her. I've lost several past crew members as you should remember, Master Turles," the dark green-haired pirate declared.
"I am quite aware of past losses, Daiz," urles snarled. T
he brownish-black tail slid from the Saiyan's waist and began to lash about threatenly.
"But what of Zailora? Can she still function as a member of this crew should something befall YOU?" the black and silver armored warrior.
"Commander, She is a Kabochan warrior. Her loyalty would remain to this crew even if I were to take my last breath," Daiz said confidently.
"We shall see," he Saiyan pirate growled.
"May I speak freely, Sir?" the once royal queried.
"You have permission to do so" Turles responded.
"Is it concern over an 'attachment' or do you have a personal interest in Zailora?" Daiz asked boldly.
Gartoas gaped in disbelief that Daiz had dared to ask such a thing!
The Saiyan's tail slammed into the ship's floor. A flush of color appeared on Turles's face.
"NEVER make such a suggestion AGAIN!"
"Of course not, Master Turles," Daiz said.
'Why didn't he give me a straight answer?'
….
Bulma tried to hurry to the security of her lab. She'd spent considerable time being absolutely humiliated by the "gift" Turles had bestowed on her. The scoop-necked garment she had worn gave absolutely no concealment to what that Saiyan beast had done. She had been the recipient of leers, looks of complete disgust and outright bursts of laughter from the varied alien races of Telico.
Mercifully she'd found all but the Zithrium wires for her invention. It served Turles right to be instrumental in providing her with the final item needed. The young scientist also managed to find a small bolt of dark blue fabric that she fashioned about her throat to conceal it. But that was after several hours of embarrassment.
Finally she reached the sanctuary of her lab, Bulma let out a sigh of relief. No more judgmental stares to worry about. As soon as she put away the purchased supplies she was going to the living quarters she and Chi-Chi shared to change into a garment that would hide the source of her shame.
Chi-Chi burst into the room. The first thing she noticed was the fabric tied about Bulma's neck.
"Seriously Bulma! It's sweltering in here! You're going to break out into a heat-rash wearing that old rag!" the brunette female scolded as she snatched the cloth away.
Pure shock registered on the face of Goku's widow as she took in the sight of Turles's parting gift. Artruay chose that very moment to enter the room.
"Bulma, I trust you found all the items…" the gray reptile's voice faded away as he discovered what had Chi-Chi so appalled.
"I sent you on a very important errand not out to....to entertain yourself, Bulma," Artruay chided.
"It's not MY fault that Turles…" the blue-haired heiress blurted out before covering her mouth with her hand. How had she let THAT slip out?
"TURLES?" Chi-Chi shrieked.
"Bulma, I believe you have some explaining to do," Artruay sighed.
….
Kqarasayla was frantic, her four arms flailed about nervously. She had checked the menu Chi-Chi and Malako had created four times. The dining area was in perfect order. The rotund bald orange being was leaving nothing to chance. She didn't dare, not since he was arriving soon.
"Just try to ignore her hysterics Chi-Chi, she does this every time. You'd think she'd be used to the routine by now," Malako shrugged.
Chi-Chi nodded. She only paid half-attention to her Namekian assistant's words. The daughter of the Ox-king was still furious over Bulma's behavior. How dare she allow that horrid creature such liberties? The ebony-haired female had staunchly refused to speak to her azure-haired companion for the past two days. She deserved the cold shoulder for her antics. Artruay may have given Bulma a scathing lecture but she was the one who had lost her darling boy to that Saiyan menace. It would be quite a while before things were fully settled between her and that Capsule Corps hussy.
…
Turles had decided to send his crew on an errand while he partook of his noon meal alone. Things were a bit tense between Daiz and himself for the moment. He wished no ill will to his second-in-command but the Kabochan was going to have to face the risks he had undertaken. The safety of the crew had to come before personal concerns.
Some fault of the situation rested on his own shoulders as he had broken his own rule about signing on female crew members. Zailora had made quite an impression or he wouldn't have taken an exception to his own mandated rule. He only hoped he would not come to regret his decision.
As he had immensely enjoyed his last meal at the establishment belonging to the gray reptilian Artruay, Turles decided to make the short trip to the small planet.
…
"Now don't forget! Everything has to be absolutely perfect! Don't leave any-" Kqarasayla's words were interrupted as Malako seized two of her arms and propelled her out of the kitchen.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE HERE!" the irate manager of Artruay's exclusive eatery exclaimed.
"I am quite aware. You've spoke of nothing else for hours! Chi-Chi and I are quite capable of handling the kitchen. Calm down so you can do your job or you'll be in the infirmary for a heart ailment instead of greeting your distinguished guest,"Malako said firmly.
"I suppose I might have got a little bit carried away," Kqarasayla sighed.
Malako crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at the orange-skinned female.
"OKAY! I did get carried away but…Oh! I have to go!" the four-armed being sped to the dining area.
"Lord Turles! So good to see you again, you honor us with your presence…."
….
"Can ya two make three steps wi'out smoochin'?" Gartoas huffed as he walked behind Daiz and Zailora.
"Oh c'mon. We're not that bad," Zailora protested.
"That's right. We've taken five steps," Daiz teased as he reached over and kissed his female counterpart full on the lips.
Gohan covered his eyes and groaned "Gross! Why couldn't I go with Turles?"
"Maybe we are overdoing it a bit," Zailora laughed.
"Can't help it with the present company," the dark green-haired pirate sighed dramatically.
"Can ya just blast me an' end muh misery Brat?" the burly Kardanagan asked Gohan.
The little half-blood giggled at that.
"Whatta ya laughin' bout'? Ahm sufferin ere!" Gartoas complained.
"Let's find that Ladrashian wine and I think we've got everything Turles sent us after," Zailora suggested.
Daiz nodded but he really wasn't in too great of a hurry to return to the ship.
…..
"I still can't believe how much food that Saiyan could put away all by himself" one of the servers commented as she carried a tray of empty plates and bowls into the kitchen.
"This is the third tray of dishes I've carried in here from him alone!" the purple reptilian female huffed.
A distracted Chi-Chi only caught bits of the server's conversation as she supervised the cleaning crew as they took care of the immense array of dishes being brought in during the service of the noon meal.
Saiyan? Did she just hear that a Saiyan was here?
The raven-haired woman sucked in her breath as she came to a realization. All the fuss and Kqarasayla's insistence on sheer perfection could only mean one thing….
Chi-Chi hurried from the kitchen and entered the dining area. She had to force herself to breathe as she caught sight of a creature that had made itself a prominent figure in her nightmares-TURLES!
Once again the Saiyan pirate was dressed in gleaming black and silver armor and blindingly polished black boots. His spiky black hair was immaculately groomed. Encircling his waist was a blackish- brown furry tail. A long pristine white cape hung at his muscular shoulders. Sheer hatred welled up within the widow of Goku for the being who was truly the epitome of evil. Why was fate so unkind as to have the one who was responsible for slaughtering her only child to be the mirror image of her late husband?
"Another outstanding meal I must say, Kqarasayla," the dark-skinned Saiyan declared.
"You are far too kind, Lord Turles," Kqarasayla stated as she bowed as elegantly as her ample girth would allow.
Turles turned to leave…
A screaming Chi-Chi launched herself at the Saiyan pirate commander. Turles easily side-stepped her attack, his initial surprise quickly turned to amusement.
"I wasn't aware that entertainment was going to be provided today," he Saiyan male quipped.
"YOU MONSTER!" Chi-Chi bellowed.
Monster? Again? " Surely you can come up with a better insult than that!" Turles chuckled.
Kqarasayla was beside herself as her cook sank into a fighting stance to oppose her most important client.
Turles took in the sight of the petite brunette female who dared to attempt to attack him. She was actually quite attractive. If she wore something other than her drab yellow uniform and her simple up-do he was sure she'd be quite stunning.
"I do appreciate the extra effort you've taken to get my attention but all you had to do was ask," the Saiyan male said laughingly.
A flurry of punches and kicks was Chi-Chi's response.
"Come on now! At least cause me to sweat a bit!" Turles taunted as he easily evaded her attempts.
To the pirate's amazement Chi-Chi actually landed a punch to his jaw.
"Now look what you've done. You'll have to kiss it and make it all better!" the pirate needled.
A cry of outrage escaped the daughter of the Ox-King at the Saiyan's remark.
"No? Guess I'll just kiss YOU then!" Turles chortled.
The dark-skinned Saiyan phased in and stole a kiss before the startled Earth-born female realized just what happened.
Chi-Chi kicked and screamed as Malako seized her and started pulling her back to the kitchen. He prayed the Saiyan wouldn't follow.
"YOU KILLED MY SON!" the dark-haired female screamed.
Turles merely rolled his eyes. He'd killed millions in his time.
"YOU MURDERED MY GOHAN!"
The Saiyan froze at those words.
Kqarasayla rushed over apologizing profusely for Chi-Chi's behavior.
"I'm SO sorry, Lord Turles! I don't know what got into that Earth woman!"
"She was probably just overworked and needed to let off steam. Not a word of this to anyone!" Turles commanded.
"Of course, Lord Turles!"
'Earth woman hmmm?...'
…..
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daughterofrisingsun