Here's Chapter 92! Thanks to LostHero171, TheItchyCocoon, SuperSaiyanKnight, Diosa de la muerte, Mara Fernanda, The Zelos Wilder, UltimateGoham, 15songoku, Dark Domination, Ryo-chan wolfgirl and Guest for all the reviews on chapter 91.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Bulma hurriedly dressed and splashed some cold water on her face. Then she did her best to try and keep up with Dr. Mazzim who practically flew up the hall.
"Why are we doing the surgery NOW? What happened to first thing in the morning?" the azure-haired scientist wanted to know as she stifled a yawn.
Bulma's eyes went wide as she followed the insectoid medic into a room where a gray-looking Turles lay attached to various pieces of machinery. Beeps and hums constantly pierced the silence.
"We know our stubborn Saiyan initially refused to allow surgery to be performed. Bleeding in his thick skull caused his blindness. And the swelling resulting from the bleeding caused his brain to compress against his skull causing pain and loss of necessary functions. A few moments ago Turles stopped being able to breathe sufficiently on his own. So now we'll need to move quickly. First we have to remove the pooled blood from between his brain and skull and then repair the injured tissue…." the alien physician began to explain.
"Pardon the interruption, Doctor, but he's not even prepped for surgery!" Bulma exclaimed. "Shouldn't someone have shaved his head for you at least?'
Dr. Mazzim chuckled, "My dear, were Turles's head to be shaven he could possibly remain permanently bald. And upon his recovery I can promise that he would annihilate whoever was the cause of it in the most excruciating manner. We do not have to open the dura mater only the skull itself so the risk of infection will be minimal. Now let's get started shall we?"
As she sterilized her hands a startled Bulma suddenly noticed the Kabochan woman standing at the head of the Saiyan's bed. The female pirate stared at the device that forced air in and out of Turles's lungs at regular intervals. Zailora's eyes were red and swollen. It was obvious that she had been shedding tears for some time.
"Zailora, you must step back now," the mantis-being said gently.
"Please don't let him die," the dark green-haired female pleaded.
Bulma's curiosity was piqued once more as she wondered what connection the she-pirate shared with the renegade Saiyan other than being a member of his crew.
"We will do what we can," Dr. Mazzim sighed.
The young genius suddenly wished she had the luxury of time to inspect the most amazing medical instruments she'd ever laid eyes on and confer with the alien physician as to their use. With the planet's meager medical facilities there was no question that the items that fascinated her must be his own.
…..
Chi-Chi was stacking plates into a wall cabinet when the enormous bearded pirate suddenly seized her around the waist and pulled her with him to the floor.
The irate daughter of the Ox-King began to pummel him furiously with her fists while screaming at him.
"YOU DISGUSTING….!"
Chi-Chi's words caught in her throat as the cabinet exploded under a hail of energy blasts. If she had still been standing there…..
Gartoas flung an answering volley of ki-blasts which decimated two black and dark blue armored reptilians before they could fire their weapons once more. Despite his bulk the burly pirate swiftly rolled onto his feet pulling Chi-Chi up as well with one beefy hand.
The former bandit gave one of the fallen reptilians a kick and rolled them onto their back, "Jus' like Ah thought, Arquilian mercs"
"They don't come cheap, someone must want to be rid of us pretty badly," Daiz cut in as he walked up followed by Gohan.
"More in' likely ta be rid o' Turles," the Kardangan snorted.
"If that's the case then there will be more of them arriving soon," Kabochan affirmed.
Gohan balled up his small fists, "I'm not letting anyone hurt Turles!"
A completely bewildered Chi-Chi stared at the huge black bearded pirate. Why had he made such an effort to save her? Then her temper flared, of course he saved her! Who else was going to fill the cavernous chasm the enormous pirate had the pure nerve to refer to as a stomach? She bolted from the room after stealing a quick sad glance at Gohan. When would her son realize his misguided loyalty?
A massive explosion suddenly rocked the building.
"Here we go!" Daiz called out.
"What kinda sef' respectin' merc announces 'es 'round?" Gartoas bellowed. "Buncha' amateurs!"
Chi-Chi hadn't gotten very far down the hall when the wall beside her ruptured and a mass of armored warriors of every description poured into the area like a wave of angry ants. She had no choice but to defend herself against the motley horde. Dropping into a fighting stance, Goku's widow took on a green fish-faced biped. A rapid knife-hand strike snapped back his head followed by a kick to his left knee that sent him to the floor.
"Ain't she ah feisty one?" Gartoas remarked as the commotion caught the attention of Turles's crew.
"Don't even go there!" Daiz answered.
The ebony-haired woman of Earth gasped as she watched Gohan casually lift his hand and send a squad of four bovine lifeforms in green and gold armor to oblivion. He immediately spun around to face another assailant. A leg sweep and a vicious punch right through a purple humanoid merc's chest took out the enemy that tried to attack the young demi-Saiyan from behind. Chi-Chi covered her mouth with her hand as her son merely leaned forward and wiped his fist clean on his victim's clothing. A barrage of blasts fired by a serpentine warrior's weapon merely sent the youngster vaulting out of the way.
Gohan seemed relaxed and completely unruffled despite the melee going on about him. His every move was perfectly controlled and precise. A wicked grin lit the half-Saiyan child's face as he dispatched the serpent-being with a fiery ring of ki.
'Gohan's ENJOYING this!' a horrified Chi-Chi realized.
At the sight of his mother's stricken expression Gohan gave an annoyed growl.
"This isn't a tournament, Mom. It's life and death…it's them or us!"
The Ox-King's daughter soon found herself with an opponent once more. A monstrous blue- furred feline slashed at her face with a clawed hand as he leapt towards her with unbelievable speed. His left boot crashed into her chest slamming her into the far wall. The sheer force of the impact knocked the air from her lungs momentarily.
"Ay! Be pickin' on someun' yer own size!" Gartoas barked.
The Kardanagan seized the hapless feline and snapped his spinal column with an audible crunch. A shudder went through Chi-Chi as she sucked in a breath.
While she appreciated the timely assistance, the former housewife couldn't help but be appalled by the wanton destruction around her. An impressive pile of bodies began to accumulate at the feet of the Kabochan warrior as Daiz did his best to subdue the seemingly endless horde of attackers.
"Where are all these damn clowns coming from?" Turles's second-in-command cursed.
Suddenly it dawned on the two adult pirates why they were having their hands kept full….Turles!...
….
"Now all we have to do is….."
Bulma's sudden scream caused Dr. Mazzim to look up at the smirking blue armored boar-like creature that was giving both females in the room a lecherous once-over. The alien medic quickly took in the sight of the yellow-haired orange humanoid that accompanied him. He knew exactly what their intentions were.
"Step away from the Saiyan, both of you!" the humanoid ordered.
"I must respectfully ask that you allow us to complete our medical procedure," Dr. Mazzim declared.
"Well, well, Zefis, it seems the good doctor here intends on ignoring your order," the porcine lifeform snickered.
"It doesn't really matter if you've finished stitching up that filthy ape or not. I only need his head anyway! Step away from the Saiyan NOW!" Zefis demanded. He crossed his arms over the stained brown leather garment he wore.
"Bulma, continue with the closing. Zailora please give her your assistance. I'll attend to… our guests," the mantis-being said quietly.
"Whoo, you're in for it now, Zefis!" the armored porker snickered.
"Shut it, Gerdo! Listen you overgrown insect I'll go through YOU and anyone else who gets in my way!" the humanoid snarled.
"You are most welcome to try," Dr. Mazzim replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
Zefis plowed forward swinging his right fist to strike nothing but air. The dumbfounded orange being blinked in disbelief at the medic that stood before him wearing a bored expression.
'How the hell did I miss?'
With a roar of absolute fury Zefis charged the insectoid but once again his blow failed to connect.
"Quit jumping around and fight!" Zefis bellowed.
"Very well," Mazzim said flatly.
Gerdo's jaw dropped as he watched a rapid succession of punches erupt from the alien healer that each struck their mark much to the humiliation of the leather-clad merc.
"WHO IS HE?" Bulma blurted out in surprise.
"Someone very special," Zailora said mysteriously, "Now pay attention towhat you're doing!"
"Right!" the aquamarine-haired scientist replied as she returned her focus to the task at hand.
"I've finished fusing the bone we displaced now hold this instrument like so and we can close the incision," Bulma instructed.
The former heiress was surprised that the she-pirate followed her instruction without argument. But then the woman had made it quite apparent that she was concerned for Turles's welfare.
'Now we have to see if Turles survives the surgery,' Bulma thought to herself.
"Gerdo! Jump in anytime!" Zefis shouted as he made another fruitless attempt to land a single punch or kick to the mantis being.
"Ow' bout' ya be takin on ah fighter an'leave tha medic alone!" Gartoas bellowed as he came up behind the two mercenaries.
"Don't be selfish! Leave someone for me!" Daiz called out.
A cursing Gerdo flung himself at the Kabochan, the fight was on!...
…
Gohan sighed with satisfaction as two pale gray elephantine beings fell to the floor. They were the last of the throng that had initially attacked the medical building. It was a reasonable guess that his mother was somewhere safe. It wasn't that she couldn't take care of herself if the need arose but he wouldn't feel right leaving her to face up against impossible odds. Now he could catch up with Gartoas and Daiz.
The little half-blood looked about him at the score of fallen foes and swallowed hard.
"Sorry Dad, I hope you understand."
…
Zefis was beyond disgust that things hadn't gone as planned. The dregs of society he brought along on this assignment were supposed to have enabled him and his cohort to slip in to collect proof of the Saiyan pirate's demise and be on their way unimpeded. But then an unexpected bonus had also come about, the exotic coloring of the two females would guarantee a high price when they were delivered to Urlegashian slave traders.
As soon as they disposed of Turles's ilk they'd soon be richly rewarded by the Sarhassan that had initially employed them. Of course Zefis reasoned that he might decide not to share before he and Gerdo parted ways. The orange-skinned humanoid felt no loyalty towards the boar-being he was simply a means to accomplish his goal.
Zefis grunted in pain as the Kardanagan's fist slammed into his ribs. No doubt the burly pirate had shattered a few as the merc took in a breath that felt like needles were stabbing at his lungs. He dropped to his knees and gave the former thief a punch in the groin. Gartoas sank down to one knee and fought against the nausea that threatened to have him expel his lunch.
The leather clad soldier of fortune smirked evilly he made his living utilizing whatever tactics were necessary. He didn't believe in an honest fight just winning at all costs. A beefy fist that sent him careening into the far wall abruptly wiped away his triumphant expression. Zefis shook his head to gather his wits as the black bearded giant slammed into him.
Meanwhile Gerdo had his own problems. The low level mercenary was no match for the well trained Kabochan. He frantically pawed at the hand that seized him by the throat. A muffled squeal pierced the room right before the boar-being's windpipe was crushed. Daiz tossed away the merc' s lifeless form and turned to observe the Kardanagan's progress.
Gartoas had his huge arms wrapped around the orange humanoid's frame literally squeezing the life from him. Zefis strained his fingers to reach a small pouch at his belt. A cruel smile lit his face as his digits closed over cold metal. The enormous pirate suddenly fell to the floor landing on his back.
Zefis whirled to face Daiz. The former royal leapt back as he caught sight of glinting metal in the mercenary's hand. Some sort of weapon was concealed in the orange being's fist. Anger surged through the dark green-haired pirate as he realized the merc had used it to injure Gartoas. A glance towards his fallen crewmate revealed that Zailora was by the pirate's side. He was in good hands now it was time to dispose of the trash.
"I've worked too hard to let some filthy pirates ruin…" Zefis went silent and gurgled as blood seeped from his lips. He fell forward to expose a furious Gohan standing with an upraised blood-drenched fist.
Tears were coursing down the half-Saiyan's face. He flung himself at Daiz and released a torrent of tears. The fierce warrior was now a weeping child. One arm wrapped around the youngster and the other ruffled his hair comfortingly. Obviously this was all too much Gohan was still just a kid after all Daiz reasoned.
A deep sigh came from Turles's second in command. The sobbing half-ling had now realized the cold hard truth. Not every day of a pirate's life involved exciting raids and sumptuous meals. Quite often it was necessary that lives were taken to ensure their very survival and at times comrades were lost. The Kabochan felt a sinking feeling….
"W-We l-lost him…we lost Gartoas!" Gohan choked out…..
…
Until the next chapter…..please read and review!
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