Happy Reading! Hope you enjoy it! See you later!

Chapter 9 – Escape

'TAO?! Mercenary Tao?! You think its him!?' Krillin asked

'It has to be! Look he has vendetta against Goku and I, It must be Him'

'Who is This Tao?' Vegeta Huffed

'An assassin. I stopped him once when I was a boy, he's now this crazy half human cyborg foe and has had it out for me ever since. Tien and chiaoutzu were a part of the Crane's school who was also Tao's Brother…..'

'Until we sided with Roshi and disowned him and Tao. Now he sees us as enemies and swears vengeance.'

'Who knows what he'll do to the girls if we don't find them in time!' Krillin Panicked

'But where can we find him? Can you sense his energy dad?' Gohan asked as Goku searched out and huffed

'No! He's blocking that too! Someone must know where he'd be hiding out now!' Goku huffed as Tien gasped

'I think I know someone!'

'You do?'

'A soldier I was once familiar with, last I heard, he got away from Tao's elite and found solace in a small village not far from here'

'Well what are we waiting for?!' Krillin said as they all took off.

….

40 minutes later they landed in a small village and looked around, came across a blacksmith working in his workshop as Tien approached him

'Excuse me, I hope you can help us' he said as the blacksmith stopped hammering and looked at him

'What do you need?'

'I'm looking for someone who was once a part of mercenary Tao's fighting squad, goes by the name Snipe'

'You'll find him in the bar. Where he works'

'Thanks' Tien and the others headed to the bar and as they were about to enter, two guys were thrown out by a larger gentleman

'Don't Let me catch you in here for at least a week! Maybe then you can learn some manners and treat the ladies with respect!' he yelled as the two guys picked themselves up and walked away, the Large man noticed the z warriors and smiled

'Good day fellas, come on in' He welcomed as they all entered the bar, big and popular and plenty of good times happening. They all approached the bar where ther was a bartender not facing them as the large gentleman walked around into it 'What can I get Ya'll?' He asked

'We're looking for a guy called snipe' Krillin asked as the bartender frowned

'Ohhhh uhhhhhh' he said as the other bartender turned around, a smaller build man with a scar across his eyebrow.

'You found him. Only around her, the crowd calls me Shots'

'Why Shots?' Krillin asked

'Because I serve up pretty good shots and…' he was cut off by a fight breaking out in the bar area, grabbed his gun from behind the counter and shot at the two guys causing the fight, a warning shot going past their ears. They sat down quietly as he turned to face the z warriors again 'And also that' he answered putting his gun away and looked to the others again, he then saw a familiar face

'Tien?' he nodded as Tien and he shook hands

'Good to see you snipe'

'I Was wondering when you'd some by. Didn't think it be this soon though. What's the matter? Saving the world getting too tough for you?' he teased as Tien rolled his eyes and softy chuckled

'No. But We need your help? We're looking for someone you once know'

'Friend or foe?'

'Depends, what's your relationship like with former employers?' Gohan asked as Snipe stopped cleaning his drink glasses and put them down, facing them

'Depends on the employer'

'Mercenary Tao' Goku said as Shots' face grew nervous

'I don't know what he has done, but you can count me out of it! I gave up that life long ago!' he huffed

'Snipe Please. We're not asking much, just where would one of his recovery bases would be. I know you know it! All the soldiers would have known at some-point.'

'I left that life of cruelty and murder long ago Tien, that guy is nothing but a cancer on this planet and the sooner someone puts him six feet under, myself and a few former soldiers will be more than happy to dance on his grave!'

'We can arrange that to Happen if you tell us where he would be keeping our women!' Vegeta yelled as Snipe looked to him

'Your women?' he asked

'Our wives.' Goku said

'Well, my girlfriend too' Tien blushed

'Wouldn't have had you pegged as the relationship type' Snipe teased as Tien noticed a picture hanging up on the bar and he grinned

'And I never had you down as a family man' Tien referred to the picture as Snipe sighed

'Then you know my reasons for staying out of business when it comes to Tao' he said

'I get it, he put us through hell and he wouldn't show anyone mercy. But please understand this, if it were your family that were in danger and I held the key to giving you the slightest chance to save them. Wouldn't you take it? No matter what?' Goku asked

'Please Snipe. I need to save her' Tien begged as Snipe sighed hard and looked around to make sure no one was listening

'He had a few bases north of here, back when there was a red ribbon army, there were all these recovery bases that he would retreat to, all had the latest technology at the time, suits of armour and all else you need when you trying to start a war. Last I checked, the snow base was still up and running with the latest Technology from a few corrupt scientists back from the days of the red ribbon army. That would be your best bet' he said

'And this snow bunker would be in….?' Krillen asked

'The Artic'

'Oh man its gonna be freezing!' Krillin huffed as Tien shook Snipe's hand

'Thank you old friend'

'Give him Hell' he smirked as they all made their way out of the bar and all took off! Next Stop Artic!

…..

'Okay, we ready?' 18 asked

'Shall we go over the plan one more time cause this may not work' Launch said nervously. Currently in her navy blue hair form

'We've gone over this! just do your part of the plan and we'll do ours!'

'Again! I don't see why this is our part of the plan!?'

'Would you like to do our part?' 18 huffed as Launch laughed nervously

'Nope!'

'Great! Then let's get to it!

'Okay you ready?' Launch asked Bulma

'Let's do this' Bulma said as she put on her most flirty girly voice as she heard a couple of soldiers walking down the long corridor. 'heyyyyyy Mister Tough Soldier Man!' She giggled as they stopped and rolled their eyes

'What?! What do you want?!' one called out

'I was just wondering, can we borrow you both for an opinion?' she asked

'Urgh look I swear if this is about the food again then i….HOLY COW!' They Both gasped out as Launch and Bulma stood there, in the middle of their cell in nothing but their bra and matching panties, striking a seductive pose indicating they wanted so much more of these boys

'Who's boobs do you think look more real?' Launch asked as she swayed her chest gently

'Uhhhhhh… I… Don't know' Soldier 2 said as Bulma pulled the strap off her left shoulder and let hit fall

'Care to….. find out?' she smirked as the 2 soldiers looked to each other and both got super excited, the soldier opened the key to their door as they entered

'Hey Wait a second! I could have sworn there were 4 of you?'

'Oh right! Yes well you see ummmmmm…how do I put this…..uhhhhhh…. OH YEAH! They're above you' Launch smirked as they looked up to see 18 and chichi holding onto the beams of the bunker like monkeys on a bar and landed down on the soldiers 18 kicked 1 in the gut and upper cut his chin as he went flying down to the floor as chichi took on the other on, punched him dead in the nose and twirled kick him into the wall, knocking him out'

'I can't believe that plan actually worked' Chichi gasped

'You are welcome' Bulma smirked

'okay well we got the door open, now let' get out of here please!' 18 yelled as the other two got changed.

'Oh I don't know about this, what if they have guns and decide to shoot us?' Launch panicked as Bulma picked up a feather from the pillow and tickled her nose.

'Never stopped you before has it?' Bulma smirked

'Ohhh….. Ahhhh…. Ahhhhh…. ACHOO!' She sneezed to her blonde feisty side and picked up the unconscious soldiers guns and armed herself and gave one to Bulma too.

'I'm ready to show these jerks that no one kidnaps me and lives to tell the tale!' she smirked and cocked the gun in her hands.

'We need to get out of here, but we don't know if this place could be surrounded by troops, so we do this with stealth' Chichi instructed as they all made their way out the cell and began to go down the corridors and came across a few military men, but those guys were no match to these girls! 18 dodged two of the soldiers punched and sent 2 to his face sending a roundhouse kick to his head. Knocked him out cold. Another soldier wen to punch chichi who defended herself and knee kicked him in the face and a punch to the face sending the soldier down. 18 looked at her and smirked

'Remind me to get a training session in with you sometime.'

'Sure!'

'We need to find an exit!' Launch yelled as then another soldier walked around the corner as she held up the gun ready to fire and he put his hands up. 'Hey wait…. I know you' she said lowering the weapon 'You're the guy that brought us more food'

'Wash, ma'am' he saluted 'Are you guys escaping?' he asked

'That depends, you gonna raise the alarm?' Bulma asked

'No of course not! You gotta get out of here, once Tao has gotten revenge, he's just gonna kill you too. The guy is merciless.'

'Glad we agree on that!' Launch huffed

'You know where the exit is?' 18 asked as he nodded

'Over here! Its gonna take you around the back! From there you can take the nearest ship and fly on out of here' he answered pointing at the door to freedom.

'Yes! We can go home!'

'No! We need to wait and see the guys! If they come here and can't sense anything! Tao will use his weapon on them!' Chichi advised

'Ohhhhhh you mean the energy canon?' Wash asked as all 4 girls looked at him

'What?' 18 asked

'Yeah that's what he's been planning, the device can extract another being's energy, stripping them with all they have, and Tao has plans for your friends that could make him the deadliest assassin on the planet! He'll use it on them and they wont sense that its coming as he has cloaked the whole base so no one can sense anyone. That's when he'll strike, as soon as they are here. No point beating around the bush. Then He'll send the Meta To take them out. They won't stand a chance without their Ki'

'Oh Shit.' Launch gasped

'God knows how long it'll be till they get here!' Bulma panicked

'Or If they aren't here already?' 18 said, with concern

'Then we need to Find Tao Now and Stop him!' Chichi huffed

'You can come with us! It's obvious you don't wanna be a part of this!' 18 said as Wash Nodded loading his gun.

'Tao Will be waiting on the other side of the canyon. Up in the caves. It's a perfect view of the ground and the upper cliff.'

'Then we better Get Moving.' Launch yelled as they all headed out of the exit, to be greeted by huge gust of snow wind

'Oh Jeez it is freezing!' Bulma huffed

'The Artic? Why the hell is it the artic!?' Chichi yelled

'Here he keeps his latest experiments and weaponry, how do you think he developed the energy canon?' Wash answered

'But you said he would be in the caves.' Launch yelled

'Yeah. Ice Caves. Up there!' He pointed

'Great! Then I'll fly up now and end this!' 18 smirked and went to fly only not be able to get higher that 2 feet and landed on the ground again!

'What!? What's going on!? I can't fly!' She huffed

'Tao has cloaked the whole base, no one can use as much energy and ki. So no one can fly! This is to prevent your friends having an advantage in battle'

'Humph! The old bastard was more cunning than I thought' she huffed, suddenly she had been shot at with a blast, knocking her off her feet

'18!' the girls ran over to help her up

'The Hell?!' 18 huffed and noticed several military soldiers charging at them.

'Girls… Lock and Load!' Launch smirked as she aimed her rifle. Chichi getting into a defence stance. Bulma and Wash with their guns and 18 looking pissed.

'I'm not going back to that cell!' 18 huffed

'Wanna tell that to them?' chichi referred to the oncoming assault.

'Humph… I can do more than that' she said and charged full speed at them as the others began either shooting or hand to hand combat. Launch never missed her shot as she and wash stood back to back shooting at the soldiers who tried anything. 18 didn't need a Gun, she was using her own hand to hand combat skills to take these guys down as was chichi. Who was dodging every punch and kick and that was coming their way. Bulma was also shooting, but she was no solider. And she knew nothing about guns, unless it was maybe either build one. And she never had any sort of training to understand the basics of hand to hand combat. A soldier came up behind her and was about to stab her when chichi noticed and grabbed a revolver from the ground from one of the dead soldiers and shot him in the face. Bulma shrieked and dropped the gun. Chichi moved her away from the fight and made her hide.

'You stay here. Keep your head down and it'll be over soon!' Chichi ordered as Bulma looked sad

'This is why!' She said

'What? Why what?'

'Vegeta. He would prefer you. I can't fight, I'll never know how to fight. I…. I'm too afraid' Bulma sighed in defeat as Chichi looked at her.

'Bulma. You're not afraid. I have known you long enough to know that you have faced enough in anyone's lifetime to not be afraid. You are one of the bravest women I know. Your just out of your element right now. this isn't a computer override scenario or a ship we need to navigate, this is the battlefield. And I think you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. And if your stubborn pain in the ass husband doesn't see that. Well then that is his loss. But you have a chance to prove to yourself just how brave you can be. Its your choice. You can stay here while we fight. Or you can get up, load that gun and fight with us, because whether you wanna believe it or not. You're a fighter. You always have been.' Chichi smiled as she went back to the fighting as Bulma evaluated all She had been told.

Chichi slid across the ground to get up and set a hard roundhouse kick to a soldiers face and punch another. Dodging two bullets and tackling another soldier to the ground and grabbed another and threw him at his comrade. Another soldier punched her in the gut and fast punch to her face as she fell to the ground and was about to shoot her in the face when a bullet fired and went straight through his skull. Chichi looked around and saw Bulma standing there holding a revolver and walking over to help Chichi Up.

'You were right… I am a fighter' she smirked

'Yeah, well time to start fighting!' Chichi said as they went back to back, chichi either handling a gun she found on the ground or using her own hand to hand combat skills to fight as Bulma shot at the soldiers and using the butt of her rifle to hit the soldiers knocking them out cold.

…..

Meanwhile Tao Was waiting above the ground near one of the Caves with the meta next to him, both noticing the commotion below as Tao huffed.

'How the hell did they escape?' Tao huffed but then chuckled 'No matter, they are no use to me now. By now, their loved one will be coming and I will have my revenge. I have been waiting far too long to let these broads ruin things' he said turning to the meta as the brute growled

'Kill them' Tao ordered as the meta nodded, loading his Brute-Shot and went after the girls

…

The battle was over. The soldiers were either knocked out or dead.

'We all good?' Launch asked as they nodded

'Well….. some vacation this turned out to be' Bulma joked as they chuckled slightly, The girls and Wash looked around and saw the ice caves above.

'We need to find a way of disarming the weapon!' 18 yelled

'Or I try and make a weapon twice as good!' Bulma suggested

'You think you can?' Launch asked

'I may not be up for an award. But I'm still one of the most intelligent scientists in the world! You watch me!'

'Okay well there's a work shop over there! It must be where Tao Designed the weapon!' chichi pointed to the abandoned workshop.

'We need to find the right tools. So let's go over there!' Bulma yelled as they went to run they heard a thud of someone dropping down to the ground. They turned around to see a familiar face.

The Meta!

'We got trouble' Chichi frowned getting into her defence stance

'Bulma! You and Launch go find what you need! Chichi and I can handle this guy!'

'Okay! Come on Launch!' Bulma said as they ran towards the shed leaving the two fighters to the mute soldier

'Don't Worry! I can take Him!' Wash loaded his shotgun

'Ummm are you sure cause he's pretty strong!'

'And you said so yourself, your no match for him!'

'I know, but it's like you said 'being a soldier is about facing fear, danger or adversity. And putting the welfare of the people before your own. Well I am a soldier, and I will face this enemy head on!'

'Wash…' 18 gasped

'I got this!' Wash answered and charged at The meta who saw him as no fit challenge and was quick to send a knee kick to his rib cage and a punch to the face, Grabbing a blade from his side and stabbing Wash the middle of his back.

'NO!' Chichi and 18 yelled in horror as the meta picked him up and threw him to one-side, turning his attention at the 2 fighters

'He's gonna regret that' Chichi frowned

'You sure you got this?' 18 asked as chichi smirked

'Time to see if that meditation worked' chichi answered as the Meta charge at them. Chichi was quick to dodge and send a kick to his back. He punched the ground in frustration and got out his rifle. Chichi dodged behind a boulder as 18 saw a gun in the snow and dived to grab it and shoot at him but he dodged too. Chichi jumped over the boulder to send a kick to his face as he grabbed her and threw her to the ground. He went to attack but 18 kicked him in the side and aimed the gun at him, only he disappeared!

'Where'd he go?!' 18 said as she felt a kicked to her side and fell to the floor!

'He can camouflage!' chichi yelled as she felt a punch to the face! This guy was tough!

…

Meanwhile, Launch and Bulma were searching the work shop. Bulma a plan to make some sort of canon weapon but time was not on her side.

'Bulma, what are we looking for?'

'Power cells, batteries, anything.' Bulma answered

'How is a power cell different from a battery?' Launch asked

'Launch, this is not the time!' Bulma huffed trying to make her own weapon against Tao's canon weapon when they heard an Explosion, followed by pistol shots. 'Hey! did you hear that?' Bulma gasped as they heard the commotion outside

'Yeah…. I did... Come on Bulma, let's go!' Launch said as she picked up a nearby rocket Launcher

'But what about the canon!?' Bulma panicked

'We don't have the time, we'll have to think of something else! Come on they need our help!'

'Aren't we supposed to run away from explosions?' Bulma whimpered following her friends when they came across 18 and Chichi fighting the Meta just as an explosion sends Chichi crashing into the snow in front of them.

'Ow!' Chichi huffed

'What happened?' Launch asked

'The Meta... there...' Chichi pointed to the meta and 18 fighting as she got to her feet again and wiped the blood from her nose

'He's tough!' Bulma whimpered holding a rifle in her hands, but she was shaking.

'Maybe, but he's nothing if we work together' Launch smirked

'And to think, I was afraid we wouldn't get to kick a little ass today! Come on, Girls!' Chichi powered up again and charged towards the battle. Meanwhile The Meta opens fire and 18 dives aside to avoid the hit. The Meta charges towards her, but 18 whips out a knife and parries the blow. She then slices him in the shoulder but the Meta cloaks himself and ducks aside. 18 stops and glances around the field. She spots the snow being shifted in one side and throws the blade towards the movement. As it hits, the Meta uncloaks with a roar of pain. 18 raises her battle rifle and opens fire, but the Meta shoots a grenade out and sends 18 flying back under the abandoned army jeep. She gets up and sees her friends charging in, she can't help but smirk and joins in with them.

'Attack!' Chichi yells

'Get him!' Launch yells

'We're gonna fuckin' die!' Bulma whimpered but still with courage charges in. Up on the top of the hillside.

At that moment, As Tao watched from afar, he noticed some beings flying towards the ice canyon. He smirked.

'Perfect! Once they land here, they aren't getting back up' he smirked as he began his plan to destroy them once and for all, the fight below would be a perfect distraction. Goku and the others landed at the cliff side and looked around

'Well your friend said they'd be here! So where are they?' Vegeta asked as Tien looked around

'He said Tao had a military base around here. They must be held up here!' Tien answered as They all looked around.

'Hey uhhh… does anyone else feel like the gravity is different somehow, like…. They can't fly?' Krillin asked as Goku tried to fly but didn't get far and landed back on his feet

'How Is that possible?' Goku wondered

'Tao has put all the stops to kill us, he knows he can't unless we're on his level. Be on your guard, that won't be the only trick up his sleeve' Tien frowned, promising that is anything happens to Launch, Tao will pay with his life! Gohan looked over the Cliffside and saw the commotion down below!

'DAD!' Gohan yelled as They all ran over and looed below and saw who they had been looking for. And what they saw, they weren't expecting…..

…

As the girls charged, they all began to open fire, but the Meta slams his hand into the ground, summoning a domed energy shield around him that blocks the explosions.

'Oh Come one!' Bulma huffed still shooting at him, He then leaps out through an opening at the top and fires at Bulma and 18 who quickly roll out of the way. Launch then raises her rocket launcher up and fires at the Meta.

'Fire in the hole!' She yells as The Meta nimbly flips over the rocket and crashes down in front of Launch, slicing her launcher in half with the brute shot blade. 18 grabs a sword form the ground and swings it at the Meta, but he blocks the blow and knocks her aside. Chichi raises her shotgun and fires, but the Meta blocks that as well.

'Oh I may regret this…..' Bulma sighed. In a rare act of bravery, she suddenly pounces onto the Meta's back and grabs him by the neck, throwing him off-balance.

'Bulma!' 18 yelled as Bulma hung on to the meta as he tried getting her off

'Hiyah! Ah, ah, ah, this guy's like a bear!' she yelled as The Meta grabs Bulma and throws her off, but as she falls Bulma snatches the Brute-Shot out of his hands. 'Yoink!' She yelped. With the Meta now unarmed, Chichi charges forward to tackle him but the Meta punches her to the ground

'OW!' She huffed as the meta grabs her by the leg. Chichi fires again but the Meta dodges. He then swings her around twice and flings him into Bulma and Launch. 'Ow, dammit!' She huffed as the 3 got up, Suddenly, 18 comes out and impales the Meta's chest with her sword.

'Stab!' she yelled as the meta punched her in the face repeatedly. Meanwhile, Chichi gets up by where Wash was lying.

'Wash! Come on, she needs help!' she exclaimed as he coughed up blood

'I can't... I'm done...' he said wearingly felt his life force drain away

'Guys, I can't fight him by myself!' 18 yelled while fighting the Meta, now panicking. Chichi looked back at her and back at Wash who was dying

'Here... Take this...You know what to do...' he handed her his shotgun as he then went limb and died right there. Chichi looked down at the gun and back at the Meta.

Meta punches 18 to the ground, with her sword having been snapped in two by the brute and falling to the ground as well. A round of buckshot suddenly hits Meta's armour. He spots Chichi pointing his shotgun out.

'Come here, you big son of a bitch!' She Yelled and the Meta growled at her, the girls and the Z fighters watched on as they bother moved towards each other.

'Chichi…' Goku gasped. With a growl, the Meta moves towards Chichi. She steps closer, firing her shotgun with each step but the Meta's over-shield withstands each hit.

'What's she doing?' Bulma asked

'It looks like she's killing herself.' Launch answered

'Oh no!' Bulma panicked. Chichi fires again, but the Meta ducks the next shot and knocks the shotgun away. He then grabs her by the throat and begins to strangle her.

'Ahhhh….RRRAHH…..*GAG*' Chichi coughed and gagged as the Meta held her by the throat and off the ground.

'We Need To Help!' Launch said as Bulma looked around. She saw a rolled over jeep with a tow hook, she then smirked

'I Have an idea! Come On Launch' Bulma grabbed the tow hook and threw it to 18 who managed to attach it to the Meta's armour on the back without him realising. But chichi Knew and grinned

'Agh... Ahh... Hey Meta... Answer this, would you?' She said as he grunted 'Does that thing look like its gonna send you to Hell?' She smirked as The Meta turns his head and spots Bulma and Launch pushing the wrecked jeep towards the edge of the cliff.

'Come on, push, Bulma!' Launch yelled

'I am pushing!' Bulma huffs

Quickly, the Meta turns and looks down and realizes that the jeep's tow-hook onto his armour! But by then it is too late. Bulma and Launch shove the jeep right over the edge, and just as the cable tightens, Chichi uses her feet to push on his chest and release her throat As the Meta is thrown off his feet, Chichi falls to the ground and as the Meta is dragged along the ground towards the cliff, his arms flailing. As he nears the edge, he catches hold of Bulma's leg and drags her down with him.

'Ahh' Bulma cried in terror

'Bulma!' Launch Gasps and Dives forward and grabs Bulma's outstretched hand Just as they reach the edge. The sudden stop causes the Meta to lose his grip and he falls down to his death with a distraught roar into the icy sea below.

'Launch Grab my hand! Help!' Bulma panics as Launch holds onto her but her hand is slipping

'Hold on! Hold on! Don't let go!' Launch was losing her grip on Bulma's Hands

'Uh-oh.' Chichi noticed the struggle and ran over to help as did 18. Launch tried holding on for as long as she could but lost it as Bulma went toppling over the cliff

'BULMA!' Launch Yelled

'AHHH!' Bulma screamed as she went toppling over, only for someone to grab her arm tight. She looked up to see chichi grinning, she was being held by 18.

'I got you!' Chichi smirked as Bulma sighed in relief as she was pulled back up onto the Cliffside and caught her breath!

'Oh man That was close! For a moment there I thought I was gonna be a wish' Bulma sighed in relief

'You wouldn't have been' 18 smirked

'Yeah I know, you would have saved me. Thanks' Bulma smiled

'No I mean…. Who would wish you back?' 18 asked smirking as she asked

'HEY!' Bulma huffed as the other 3 laughed, Bulma then also began to laugh.

'So you think he's dead?' Launch asked as she looked down at the icy ocean below. Chichi also looked down and couldn't sense anything

'He's gone. Despite what he just went through. That armour would have dragged him under the water.' Chichi answered

'Good riddance. He was a psycho' Bulma huffed

'YOU HAVE MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE!' A voice roared over them as they then saw Tao standing there, his arm had turned into a very large canon and FIRED DIRECTLY AT THEM!

Uhh Ohh? Will they survive? Tune in next time and find out! Please Let me know your thoughts! Xx

Penelope out ;)