Here's Chapter 117! Thanks to Uub God of Destruction, Guest, DingleberyDovah, 15songoku and DarkReina for all the reviews on chapter 116.

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!

…

"Sorry sir, we regret to inform you that it will be a considerable amount of time before we will be able to send a medical team to provide any assistance. After all the citizens of this planet receive first priority and…"

The message delivered across Turles's scouter ceased immediately as the furious Saiyan crushed the communication device in his right hand. Neither his notoriety nor his considerable wealth could bring the desperately needed aid for the critically injured half-Saiyan. Feeling helpless was intolerable for Turles.

Gartoas swallowed hard as he took in the murderous rage that burned in the pirate commander's eyes. Dark-hearted pirate that he was, the Kardanagan shuddered to even imagine the horrific fate that awaited the blue-haired Earth female at the hands of Turles. He hadn't thought the frail being had it within her to brazenly threaten the Saiyan's woman and unborn child. And to add further insult she used items that were unmistakably her belongings to render catastrophic injury to the youngster Turles had grown quite fond of. No doubt the human would beg to be allowed to expire if only to escape the torment the Scourge of the North Sector would exact…

…..

"DAIZ! LISTEN TO ME PLEASE!" Bulma shrieked.

"I've had enough lies! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DIFFERENT!" Daiz shouted.

"I really liked that Bulma I knew on Negliss. I liked her SO much!"

The azure-haired young scientist blinked in surprise at the obvious hurt in the Kabochan's voice. Maybe she still had a chance to….

Bulma's heart sank as the door to her quarters slid closed. If only she'd had time to explain….

'Why didn't I tell Daiz about the threat from Taimaz before? He MIGHT have believed me then!'

Throwing herself on her bed Bulma sobbed her heart out….

….

"WHY would Bulma want to hurt Kosho?" Daiz demanded.

"Ta get at Turles Ah guess! Vile wench did'n ave' a problem threatnin' an unborn babe did she?" Gartoas snorted.

"No. No she didn't," the former royal sighed.

It hurt to think of Bulma being so cruel as to hurt the gentle natured Pergashan/Saiyan. But then he'd heard the ominous threat to Zailora and the infant she carried. Hadn't she also attempted to destroy all of them not so long ago? But something about the situation wasn't right. He couldn't help having a niggling doubt about Bulma's involvement in all of this. But then his judgment when it came to women had never been boast-worthy.

"So when is the medical team going to arrive to treat Kosho?" Daiz queried.

"Don' look like thers gonna be one. Turles did everythin' but promise is firs' born ta get er help."

"Where is Turles?" the desert-born pirate asked.

"Guess e's gonna end Kosho's sufferin'…."

"I've got an idea! Maybe I'm not too late!" Daiz exclaimed as he raced to the lab.

…..

The former royal arrived at the ship's lab just as Turles raised his right hand and began to power up a blast to end the green complexioned half-ling's existence.

"Master Turles! WAIT!" Daiz shouted.

"Kosho will not continue to suffer. I WON'T ALLOW IT!" Turles bellowed.

"Commander, maybe Bulma could save her!"

"You expect me to allow the very one responsible for her condition to touch her?" the dark-skinned Saiyan snarled.

"I'll assist and watch Bulma's every move. At least this way Kosho has a chance. I-If Bulma tries anything…I'll..I'll end her myself," Daiz choked out.

Turles watched the conflicting emotions at war in his crewman's expression. Daiz had foolishly grown attached to the Earth female that was quite apparent. And yet if there was a chance for Kosho…..

"So be it then. I'll allow your suggestion," Turles sighed.

…

Chi-Chi decided it would be a good time to find Malako and have him share some of his wisdom on the situation at hand. The Ox-king's daughter smiled as she caught sight of the Namek as he bustled about the food preparation area of Turles's ship.

"I suppose Turles decided NOT to allow you to help search for Gohan," Malako stated.

"With everything that's happened I don't know WHEN a search will even START!" Chi-Chi moaned.

"Strange, I would have thought that Gohan would be the top priority for Turles," Malako huffed.

The Namekian snorted in disbelief as Chi-Chi quickly informed him of the events that had transpired.

"You don't seriously believe that Bulma's capable of such actions do you?"

"I-I wouldn't normally think so but I was there to hear her threats to that 'Zailora,' the brunette reasoned.

"There's something that just isn't right about all this," Malako insisted.

"I know. I 'm just worried about Gohan being out on that planet all alone and what will Turles do to Bulma now?" Chi-Chi worried out loud…..

….

Bulma covered her mouth and gasped in horror as she took in the sight of the young half-blood that lay unmoving on one of the beds in the treatment area of the ship's lab.

Daiz raised an eyebrow at Turles who simply growled threateningly and nodded toward Kosho.

'She wouldn't be so taken aback if she was responsible for this, Commander.'

''I'M quite aware that she can be the consummate actress, Daiz' Turles sent back.

"Let's get started," Daiz said softly.

The Kabochan gave Bulma's hand a gentle squeeze. Bulma looked up in surprise for just a moment she caught a glimpse of the Daiz she had gotten to know before all this.

"R-Right," Bulma said in a trembling voice.

What would happen if she couldn't save Kosho? And even if she could, it seemed Turles was dead set against her. Would Chi-Chi and Malako be next? And then there was poor Gohan …

"PAY ATTENTION!" Turles barked.

Bulma quickly assembled the needed items to begin the efforts to attempt to save the life of the barely breathing half-ling. Her small skull was severely damaged.

Somehow Daiz was sending encouraging thoughts to her as he assisted her with removing the shards of splintered bone and other tasks as necessary with a skill she wouldn't have believed possible for a pirate.

"I'm impressed, Daiz. Perhaps you missed your true calling," Turles observed.

"Zailora was the healer not me," Daiz said flatly.

Bulma wondered why Turles looked away at his crewman's statement but dared not say a word.

…

Malako took a sip from a container on the counter behind him. Chi-Chi shook her head. She would never understand how the Namek could subsist on nothing but water especially in light of the delectable dishes he had the talent to prepare.

A strange noise came from Malako, his eyes seem to bulge. The container fell from his grip and shattered on the floor.

"Malako, what's wrong?" Chi-Chi asked.

"T-The water…it's been…"

Malako crumpled to the floor in a heap. Chi-Chi bent down and began to gently slap at the Namek's face hoping to rouse him. His eyes stared out nothing and his chest no longer rose and fell. Chi-Chi let out a scream….

…..

Until the next chapter!

daughterofrisingsun