Here's chapter 139! Thanks to The Rocha, BannedUserAccount, Rawrzx3 and Twisterblake2015 for the reviews on chapter 138. Thanks to Nathow for the review on chapter 7. And thanks to Guest for the review on chapter 26.
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
A/N: I know it's been a while! But on with the story!
...
Planet Ardash:
Markelia was the last person the Kabochan had expected to see on the backwater world of Ardash.
Daiz was immensely grateful that he'd managed to concoct a legible sentence with his scattered thoughts. At least she wouldn't think he'd taken leave of his senses entirely.
"I am so relieved we are still friends. And I thank you for putting up with my childish hopes that we would someday be more than that. I have put those foolish notions aside now, " Markelia declared.
"Markelia!" an elegantly dressed woman shouted as she rushed over to the Dayogien.
"We still have to get the flowers for the presentations."
Daiz immediately recognized the pale, golden- haired female as Narlisa. She seemed to almost float along in the light green gown she wore. Narlisa had taken Markelia into her family when Turles and his crew had brought her to planet Bernizarr. It was a most fortunate occurrence for the young Dayogien as it seemed she had truly blossomed under the woman's care.
A brilliant smile of recognition lit the newcomer's face as she regarded Daiz.
"Daiz! What a pleasant surprise!"
"We can never thank you enough for bringing our dear Markelia to us. She is the absolute joy of our lives, " Narlisa gushed.
"Oh! And our sweet girl seems to have captured the attention of a prince! Can you imagine our Markelia being sought after by an actual prince? But why wouldn't such a jewel be recognized by a royal?"
Markelia blushed furiously at her caretaker's comment.
"It was wonderful to see you again, Daiz. But we really must attend to the preparations, " Narlisa said apologetically.
"Farewell Daiz!" the two women chorused.
Markelia turned back for a moment; gave a sweet smile and a wave then she hurried away alongside her benefactor.
'Can you imagine our Markelia being sought after by an actual prince?'
The sheer irony of the words wasn't lost on Turles' second-in-command.
'She's getting the life she deserves. Markelia doesn't need ME complicating the perfect existence she has now. I have nothing to give her, ' Daiz thought.
But why did he suddenly feel so awful?
'Just stop it. The last thing I need is to get wrapped up over someone again. I'm better off alone!"
...
Turles' Ship:
"You're back so soon?" Turles declared as Daiz handed him the item he requested.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I thought perhaps you might have found something to occupy your attention for a while, " the Saiyan remarked.
"What..."
Daiz stopped abruptly. Was Turles aware of the fact that Markelia was on Ardash?
'Surely not. As scheming as Turles is I don't think even he's THAT good at it.'
"Obviously nothing or no one was of any importance here, so we'll be leaving shortly, " Turles declared.
The former prince swallowed hard. No, he was just being ridiculous. Turles had no way of knowing about his chance encounter with Markelia.
Gartoas looked at the jar in Turles' hands with interest for a moment.
"UGGH! It's green! Don' wanna any o' THAT!" the Kardanagan announced with a shudder.
"I don't recall offering to share even though your palate could certainly use some refinement, " Turles snorted.
Kosho had returned from whatever task Turles had assigned her to. Even though Daiz was his second-in -command, Turles didn't divulge every action of his. The little green female was sitting beside Gohan seemingly absorbed in the large book the male half-ling was holding. She looked up rather expectantly at Daiz. He simply shrugged his shoulders. Kosho looked a bit disappointed and then returned her attention to the thick tome in Gohan's hands.
'Why do I get the impression there's something going on?' Daiz wondered.
...
Planet Kanish spaceport:
Vegeta cursed under his breath as he realized the ship had locked down. If he forced or blasted his way out no doubt an alarm would sound which would bring in every guard in the port on the run. The last thing he needed was to call attention to himself. Frieza's ilk could also still be lurking about. Was the ship constructed in such a manner that it was intentional to have him trapped aboard? Surely not, that was giving way too much credit to the lawless miscreant that obviously owned the craft.
Well at least there was an adequate supply of decent food available. It wouldn't be too hard to conceal himself until the opportunity arose to leave the ship...
...
Turles' Ship:
"Daiz is not being honest with himself, " Turles remarked.
"An' jus' what would ya know bout' bein' honest, commander?" Gartoas chortled.
The Kardanagan winced at the dark look he received from the Saiyan.
"Aw, ya can't take a joke can ya now?"
"Where would you like to be taken, Gartoas? I'm sure there's some backward planet that would welcome the likes of you," the pirate commander quipped.
"Why do Ah evin' open muh mouth?" Gartoas huffed.
"Exactly! Nothing good ever comes out of it not to mention the foul odor..." Daiz began as he came up behind his burly crewmate.
"That will do, Daiz!" Turles interrupted even as he seemed to suppress a snicker.
The Kabochan's eyes widened as he noticed Kosho seated in the pilot's chair. Gohan stood beside her with his hands over hers on the controls.
"Now you take us out of here," Gohan instructed as he lifted his hands away.
"I don't know if I'm ready!" Kosho protested.
"You'll be just fine and remember I'm right here, " the son of Goku coaxed.
The Pergashian grinned as Gohan gave her a wink and a gentle squeeze to her right shoulder.
"Ain't tha' two o' em' gettin' kinda' chummy?" Gartoas snorted to Daiz.
"Course ah reckon Turles not mindin' at all ifn' they wuz ta' pair up."
"C'mon, they're just kids!" Daiz protested.
"Saiyans be ah' differn' breed than most, " the Kardanagan remarked.
'I thought Markelia was just a kid and look at her now.'
Daiz shook his head trying to dispel thoughts of the lovely Dayogien from his mind. To his utter chagrin he was failing miserably.
Turles looked on with approval as Gohan instructed the newest member of his crew. Kosho learned quickly and it was no doubt that the Earth-raised youth's patience was proving to be instrumental in her becoming a true asset. Gohan was eager to share his knowledge whether it concerned fighting techniques or piloting the ship. The pair were developing a fierce loyalty to each other but of course their Saiyan blood would make that only natural.
Gohan whooped excitedly as Kosho succeeded in her efforts to bring Turles' ship from planet Ardash's surface to the vastness of space.
"Take over the ship's controls, Gohan, " Turles ordered.
"Yes, commander, " the son of Goku responded.
The pair of demi-Saiyans quickly reversed their positions.
...
Brentarr Prison:
A guard rushed up to the Prisonkeeper, "Sir, you have an urgent message from...
"Can't you see I'm BUSY!" the beetle-being barked.
"But sir, it's ..."
When the guard whispered the name the insectoid's eyes bulged. Suddenly scolding errant prisoners was the last thing on his mind.
"Well what are you waiting for? Get those two prisoners back in their cell. I have urgent business to attend to!" the Prisonkeeper fumed.
The blue canine guard shook his head as he ordered Bulma and Chi-Chi to march back to their cell. For all his swagger and bluster the Prisonkeeper lived in mortal dread of visits from the "guest" that was soon to arrive. The bloated beetle completely fawned over the never do well that helped himself to whatever they pleased to before going back to the hellhole he'd crawled out of.
...
Turles' Ship:
Turles chuckled to himself as he ended the communication from his scouter. It amused him greatly to terrorize the Prisonkeeper of Brentarr Prison.. Artamis was nothing more than a self-important braggart. His portly figure also made the Saiyan detest him further. He glanced at Daiz, the Kabochan seemed absorbed in his thoughts which were by no means pleasant judging by the expression he wore. Turles sighed he knew the sight of a certain blue-haired female would by no means improve his crewman's disposition. He had no wish to cause Daiz further pain but the Earth women were instrumental in accomplishing his plans. Regretfully Gohan would soon be unwittingly used as a pawn but necessarily so...
"Master Turles?"
"What is it, Daiz?"
"Can I ask a personal question, commander?"
The black and silver armored Saiyan gave an annoyed growl. Personal questions were usually emotion based when asked by the former royal.
"You may within reason, " was the terse reply.
"How...how do you know someone's the one for you?" Daiz blurted out.
Kosho gasped. Gartoas smacked himself in the forehead. One didn't go asking Turles that kind of question!
"WHAT?"
Daiz cringed at the Saiyan's bark and demeanor. Obviously he'd made a grave error with his query.
"Excuse my bluntness, commander. But it was apparent Zailora was that for you."
An unbidden memory suddenly took form in the mind of the furious Turles...
Flashback:
Turles sat scowling in his quarters over a report one of his numerous spies had delivered. Zailora entered the room and pressed a soft kiss to his knitted brow. He looked up at the Kabochan female.
"I'm quite sure your father's plans for your future did not include having you pair with a filthy pirate."
"Perhaps not but you're MY filthy pirate, " Zailora mused as her arms wrapped around the Saiyan's shoulders.
The brigand instantly relaxed leaning into the woman's embrace.
"Hmm, your possessiveness is quite appealing."
Turles pulled away as his face suddenly flushed with color. He shook his head trying to shake the unfamiliar emotions surging through him.
"What you do to me woman..."
Zailora looked crestfallen, "Do you wish me to leave, commander?"
The hurt look in the woman's eyes physically stung.
What was wrong with him?
Turles never ran from a fight but every instinct was warning him to bolt from the room. He needed to escape from this female's enticing presence. The thing was he didn't want to leave. Zailora was completely dumbfounded as the Saiyan suddenly pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair.
"You know...your appearance is quite immaculate considering you're a filthy pirate, " the Kabochan teased.
"Your Saiyan needs his woman's attentions, " Turles growled as he raised his head.
"My Saiyan?" Zailora choked out in surprise.
"Yours alone."
Tears welled up in the dark-green haired woman's emerald eyes.
"The idea distresses you?" Turles asked in a hollow voice.
"These are happy tears."
"I will never fully comprehend females!" the pirate commander snorted.
"You're NOT meant to!" Zailora giggled as she threw her arms around the black and silver armored warrior...
End of Flashback
Turles had a faraway look in his eyes that abated as he shook his head. He glared at Kosho who suddenly dropped her upraised right hand and hunched her shoulders. She looked apprehensively at the Saiyan as if she expected to be punished for some misdeed.
A ragged sigh escaped the space buccaneer as he turned to Daiz.
"Imagine your life without that someone and you'll have your answer, Daiz."
Kosho let out the breath she was holding as Turles walked away without reprimanding her.
"What did you DO?" Gohan whispered.
"I let him see a memory for a moment, " Kosho answered.
"Ahm hearin an' seein' things! Ah' knew somethin' wasn' right about tha' green brat!" Gartoas blurted out.
Daiz didn't respond. He'd made a mistake. A very grave mistake...
...
Brentarr Prison:
"All right, both of you'd best mind your behavior. If you cause any trouble with the Prisonkeeper's guest you'll both be hauled off to the Salt Mines to rot!" the green avian guard warned as she ordered Bulma and Chi-Chi to leave their cell.
"NOW what's going to happen to us?" Chi-Chi whispered.
"AND BE SILENT!" the guard barked.
Chi-Chi gave a venomous glare before turning it on Bulma as the bluenette elbowed her in the ribs.
The guard made Goku's widow think of a snooty fat green pigeon. She would never get used to the bizarre aliens she constantly encountered...
...
Until the next chapter!
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