Here's Chapter 104!
Thanks to Uub God of Destruction, Harper loves Alex, Blake2020, The ItchyCocoon, 15songoku, Saiyaness of Destruction, Obeyashleyk, Guest and Diosa de la muerte for all the reviews on Chapter 103. And thanks for the Guest review on Chapter 2.
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
A/N: Loss of internet access made it take a while to post another update and hopefully my readers will respond. I looked over the current writers today and was quite saddened to find only three familiar names. SO many writers AND readers have left this site. But anyway, on with the story...
...
Chi-Chi stared dismally at the floor of Turles's ship. She fought in vain to keep her tears at bay. The daughter of the Ox-King's plan to win freedom for the unwilling Earth-born passengers of the pirate ship and the lone Namek had failed miserably. Instead of any gratitude for her and Bulma's assistance in allowing the Saiyan to survive his injuries due to the confrontation with Salzar, Turles had nothing but contempt for their efforts.
Somehow she'd managed to gather up the nerve to demand that they be allowed to take the extra ship Bulma had constructed and be permitted to leave. The pirate's cruel laughter still rang in her ears.
"What are we going to do?" Chi-Chi moaned.
She could no longer hold back the floodgate of tears…..
….
"I know about the Dragon Balls," Turles had declared.
"I…I don't even know what you're blathering about!" Bulma snapped as she struggled to regain her composure.
The deserter of Frieza's forces chuckled softly, "You are a continuous source of amusement, Bulma dear."
Her breath caught in her throat when the dark-skinned warrior leaned forward, "It's a pity that I'm not seeking entertainment at the moment. You will divulge the location of the fabled orbs or….."
Cold fear seized the young genius as the pirate commander spun her around before she'd even noticed him stir. Blue tresses and the image of her face reflected on the shiny metallic surface of the console she now stood before.
"Fail to do as I command and the next time you observe your reflection it will be altered most significantly. It would be such a shame to mar such loveliness," Turles warned as he traced his right index finger from her left temple to her chin.
In spite of her terror Bulma slapped the offending hand away from her face.
Chilling laughter was the Saiyan's response, "I truly enjoy your fire as always. DON'T force my hand to extinguish it."
"This game of cat and mouse bores me!" Taimaz huffed. She stomped over to the seating area on the opposite side of the ship. There she would still be able to listen and observe without calling attention to herself.
Daiz gave her a strange look as she passed by. He was still uneasy about Taimaz joining them aboard the ship but what else could he have done? Leaving her behind wasn't an option. It would only be a matter of time before Frieza's ilk found planet Arturay.
The former royal swallowed hard as he realized the Saiyan pirate commander gaze was now totally focused on the Kabochan woman.
"Why was I not informed that an additional passenger was allowed aboard my ship?" Turles demanded.
"Master Turles, with everything that occurred on planet Arturay there wasn't any time for formal introductions…"Daiz began.
"I'm well aware of what 'occurred', Daiz!" the Terror of the North Sector snapped.
Turles glared at Taimaz who simply squared back her shoulders and stared back. For a fleeting moment a pained expression crossed his face but disappeared just as swiftly. Then his countenance held an evil grin.
"I couldn't just leave her behind, Commander," Daiz pressed.
A stunned Taimaz found herself suddenly struggling to keep from being struck by lightning fast punches. How dare the Saiyan attack her? Absolutely infuriated the slim Kabochan began to retaliate.
"Whatta ya know? Tha' little fluff ain't half bad!" Gartoas chuckled as surprisingly Taimaz was actually able to block several of the punches Turles flung in her direction.
"Can take ah punch wi' out whinin' too," the Kardanagan added approvingly.
Daiz simply watched in consternation hoping Taimaz wouldn't be injured seriously or anger Turles.
"ENOUGH!" Turles barked as he dropped his fists.
"You can stay…for now.." the pirate commander declared to the woman facing him. Then he abruptly stopped speaking and turned on his heel sweeping out of the room.
Daiz gave a deep sigh of relief as he gave Taimas a quick look-over and found her unharmed.
"Well it seems like you got Turles's approval for the moment at least."
"I suppose!" the dark green-haired female huffed.
Taimaz wanted to say what she thought of arrogant ape's approval but decide it was best to keep her opinion to herself. She walked briskly back to the seating area without another word.
"Ya think tha Earth female'll break?" Gartoas cut in.
"If she wants to live she'll do as Turles orders," his teammate answered.
Bulma stood looking out of one of the huge windows of the ship in utter despair. Her arms wrapped tightly around her. She shrank back suspiciously as Daiz approached.
"Miss, it's best to do as Turles wishes," the Saiyan's second in command stated.
"If my friend Goku was still alive he'd show that monster a thing or two!" the once heiress of Capsule Corps snarled.
"Perhaps, but he no longer exists. You and your friends do. Endure what you have to and survive," the dark green-haired pirate advised.
'YOU'D know all about survival wouldn't you, traitor! Sacrificing our entire planet was nothing in order for you to save your own miserable hide," the Kabochan female mentally seethed.
"How can I just betray everyone I ever knew? I WON'T!" Bulma declared fiercely.
"Turles has a way of convincing you wouldn't appreciate," Daiz warned.
Gohan sighed inwardly. He hated watching Bulma suffer but he had to be careful. For now she was going to have to make Turles think she was going along with his plans. A shudder coursed through the youngster. He could only imagine the dire consequences that would come about as a result of the Dragon Balls falling into the possession of Turles.
…
Meanwhile in Otherworld….
"I can't believe Turles just threatened Bulma!" Yamcha raged.
"That surprises you?" Piccolo asked sarcastically.
"Goku! We have to do something!" Krillin shouted.
"I'm sure Gohan has something planned," Goku said confidently.
"I hope you're right," Tien added.
"It doesn't look so promising from here!" Chiatzu exclaimed.
"C,mon, guys! Have a little faith, huh?" the Earth-raised Saiyan urged.
"Goku, you know Gohan's going to go along with whatever Turles orders," Yamcha huffed.
"He's still my son he'll do the right thing. You'll see!" Goku insisted.
'I wonder if you trying to convince us or yourself? ' Piccolo mused to himself.
….
Gohan brought the pirate ship into the airspace of planet Klerios and landed the enormous craft with a skill that belied his tender years. Thankfully Turles had made no further mention of the Dragon Balls. He barked several orders in rapid succession which appeared to be no surprise to his crew.
"I can manage on my own!" Yamcha's former sweetheart snapped as Daiz offered to assist her in disembarking from Turles's ship. The brilliant lavender skies of Klerios startled her for a moment.
Bulma resentfully stole a glance at the dark-skinned Saiyan that strode ahead of her. The crafty pirate had left Chi-Chi and Malako on the ship while she was forced to accompany him and his crew as they set out to replenish supplies. There was no chance of escape while her friends would be left behind. The azure-haired former denizen of Earth narrowed her eyes as the massive form of Gartoas lumbered past.
Daiz walked alongside her. He'd tried to point out various objects of interest but desisted when she steadfastly ignored him. This was no casual outing to enjoy sightseeing she was the prisoner of a heartless fiend. The Kabochan female seemed to disregard her existence entirely. It had astonished both of her fellow crewmates when Taimaz had exited the ship wearing steel blue and black armor.
Any other time the young scientist would have been fascinated with the throngs of varying species of interstellar beings that frequented the busy spaceport. Her heart sank as she watched Gohan keep up with Turles easily chatting gaily as if nothing were amiss.
In spite of herself, Bulma couldn't help but gape at a gorgeous necklace of sea-green Kelia pearls worn by a young pink complexioned humanoid female. She was rapt with interest causing her to walk right into a barrel-chested green porcine alien.
"Watch where you're going, strumpet!" the pig-faced being shouted.
"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT?" Bulma screeched.
Daiz stepped in front of her, "I'm sure the lady meant no harm, sir."
"No harm? Clumsy witch ran right into me!" the hefty porker raged.
"I'm sure we can settle this," a cold voice declared.
The imposing figure of Turles now stood before the pig-ling. Even so there was only a brief moment of pause before the space-swine angrily exploded into a torrent of epithets.
"That trollop's gonna pay!" the furious green-skinned creature snarled as he lunged forward.
A smoking pile of ash was all that remained of the porcine life-form.
"He was being rather unreasonable," Turles remarked flippantly before he turned on his heel and continued on his way.
"We'd best get moving," Daiz spoke up.
Bulma nodded weakly as she fell in step beside him. Taimaz followed with a backwards glance at the scorched remains.
Gartoas chuckled " Same ol' Turles!"
…
"Couldn't we have loaded a transport of some kind instead of manually carrying all of this?" Bulma complained.
Her arms still ached from the first load she'd carried from the shop on the outskirts of the spaceport all the way back to Turles's ship.
"No, a loaded down transport would cause unnecessary attention. You'll get used to it after a while, " Daiz replied.
"Used to slave labor? I don't think so!" the irate bluenette hissed, she bent down and dropped her armload in disgust.
"We all do our share."
As Bulma straightened up, a sharp pain shot across her lower back. She gave a muffled cry as her hands flew to the small of her back.
"Excuse, me, Miss," Turles's second-in-command remarked.
Bulma was startled as a strong hand gently pressed against her aching spine for a fleeting moment. To her sheer amazement the pain was gone!
"How…..how did you…"
"Learned that from a very special lady, Miss" the dark-green haired pirate said with a sad smile.
The young scientist stared at the blue and gray armored warrior as he effortlessly lifted several containers of supplies. As always he worked without a word of complaint. He was more refined in speech and manners than the other crewman Turles employed. She was almost certain that he had once held a higher station in life. The single female in Turles's crew had made her disdain apparent by the way she glared at Bulma anytime she happened to glance her way.
"Why don't you call me Bulma instead of 'Miss'?"
"Bulma it is then," Daiz answered with a genuine smile.
'He's kinda cute when he smiles like that….Get a grip, Girl!' Bulma mentally scolded herself. She might have a penchant for bad boys but any involvement with one of Turles's crew would be going way too far!
"One more load after this," the Kabochan informed the aquamarine- haired female.
A groan was her reply.
Suddenly a thought occurred to Bulma.
"How is all of this going to fit in the ship's storage area with the extra ship in there? Not to mention everything the others must have took over and we still have even more to come back for. Care to enlighten me?"
Daiz cleared his throat and looked a bit sheepish as he explained.
"Um...Turles has had the ship removed for safe keeping for the time being."
The color drained from Bulma's face as she realized the insufferable Saiyan had cut off every means of escape.
With a sigh of defeat she shouldered her burden and fell in step behind Daiz.
…
Turles was discussing the price of some item with a slender orange rat-faced lifeform. Taimaz saw it as an opportunity to slip away for a moment. In a secluded corner of the Arkelsian Market she pulled out her scouter, "Dodoria, inform Lord Frieza that…."
"Whatcha doin' sneakin' about back 'ere?" the voice of Gartoas barked.
Taimaz held her breath as she quickly shut off her communication. How much had the overfed pirate overheard?
"Time ta be getting' some food! Yer on yer own ifn' ya gonna dawdle!" the burly Kardanagan barked.
"You could stand to skip a few meals," the dark-green haired female snorted as she came out of her place of concealment.
"Can't all be a sack o'bones like ya are, ya turn sideways and tha resta o'
us can barely see ya!" Gartoas shot back.
"Just remember you're a target that would be impossible to miss!" Taimaz warned.
"Ifn yer threatenin then c'mon girlie!" the smirking pirate goaded.
"You're not worth the effort!" the steel blue and black armored Kabochan snapped.
The bumbling oaf had ensured that she'd get a stern lecture from Dodoria for abruptly cutting him off but she couldn't risk discovery for the time being.
A quick check to make sure her scouter had been turned off was an absolute necessity. It wouldn't do for Frieza's officer to contact her.
Just the idea of consuming a meal in the Saiyan's presence made the former citizen of Kabocha's stomach churn. Taimaz shrugged her shoulders in acceptance, she'd begged for this assignment and she'd see it through to the end.
"YOUR end most of all, Turles," the gray-eyed woman gloated.