*READ THIS FIRST!*

Author's note:Wow okay, life got in the way and this came two and a half months later than I predicted. First things, first. I added a whole lot to chapter 14 so go back and read it if you haven't already. What was added was basically the beginning of this chapter until I realized it fit better in the last chapter. Another thing to note is that I skipped a lot of filler such as the roaming lake and the Pilaf stuff. Pilaf is a running joke I don't care for so I will skip him when I can. Without further rambling, enjoy!

Chapter 15: The Red Ribbon Army

As Goku and Ranko were saying goodbye to their friends, many hundreds of miles away there was a small town just on the edge of a massive desert. On the outskirts of the town was an antique shop that was run by a keeper with a reputation for being a cheapskate, a charlatan, and greedy. Despite his reputation he actually did possess a decent collection. But he only showed those items to people who were actually rich. Mostly he sold cheap knock offs to tourists. It was about noon and the shopkeeper was sitting on a rocking chair just outside his shop when he saw a large trail of dust coming down the road in the distance.

"Hm? A caravan?" he thought.

He reached for a pair of binoculars to get a better look. What he saw was not a traveling caravan, but a troop of several military vehicles. Each vehicle had a logo that resembled a red bow with the initials RR on the side. He dropped the binoculars and started to sweat. He knew that mark was the symbol of the Red Ribbon Army, an army of mercenaries, terrorists, and criminals. They were so well equipped and funded that most governments couldn't do much but let them pass through and hope they didn't kill them all.

"Hopefully they're just passing through." the old shopkeeper thought. But this hope didn't amount to much as the jeep in front turned up the road towards his store. In a few seconds, the jeep came to a halt in front of his porch and several men got out. One of which was a man who was about mid 30's, tall with a broad build and red hair. He was wearing a blue jacket with black pants, brown leather gloves and combat boots. He wore no shirt underneath and kept the coat open, so his well-built muscles were often exposed. The other soldiers saluted him as he stepped in front of them and looked at the shopkeeper and then turning his head, observing the small town in the distance. The commander's face was impassive as he contemplated his surroundings. Wordlessly, he held out his hand and a soldier immediately placed a portable radio receiver into his hand.

"Headquarters, this is Colonel Silver. Requesting confirmation on coordinates."

The radio hissed for a moment before a deep voice partially scrambled by static answered. "Colonel Silver, this is headquarters, you're location is confirmed. The target should be within 1 mile of your current position."

"Acknowledged, expect my first report in 1 hour." He answered and handed the receiver back to the soldier.

Silver and a few soldiers made their way towards the shop and the shopkeeper stood up from his chair and wringing his hands together greeted the Colonel.

"Greetings friends and travelers! What brings you to my most humble shop this fine day?" he said in a his most polite tone.

Col. Silver did not answer immediately but looked at some of the merchandise placed around the entrance. He immediately recognized that treasures were fake, and the old instruments to be nothing but imitations with a bit of dirt splashed on to make it look old. Not seeing what he sought, he then returned his gaze to the shopkeeper.

"I am seeking something." he said at last. "I know it is nearby…a treasure you could say."

"Well no wonder you came to me!" the shopkeeper answered with great enthusiasm honed by years of pawning cheap crap onto tourists. He was a crafty old man and had noticed the visitors look of disdain when he raked his eyes over his merchandise. "Please come inside! My most valuable merchandise is kept safely in the back, what you see out here is just for tourists."

Silver raised his eyebrows at the invitation but allowed himself to be shepherded inside and two of his men followed. As he walked through the door he saw that the quality of the merchandise had steeply changed. He saw many things lining the walls that definitely had value…if they weren't broken or no longer practical. He saw old cell phones that had been cleaned up and somehow managed to charge them, but satellites and the internet had been nonfunctional for generations. In fact most people didn't even know what those words meant. He also saw jewelry that was clearly fake but looked real enough to fool ordinary folks. The pocket watches might be worth something if they worked.

"I can see that the front of my store has nothing to offer you." the shopkeeper said in a fake disappointed voice. "Come to the back with me, and you may find what you seek."

He led Silver and his men into a back room that was filled with shelves. This time, the Colonel really was impressed. There were glass cases filled with real jewels and weapons, an old bazooka caught his eye and found himself wondering if it worked. He saw several boxes labeled, U.S. Airforce, probably filled with ammo or junk that looked like it belonged.

"Some interesting things…but not what I'm here for." the Colonel said. "The object I seek is incredibly rare and invaluable, said to have the ability to grant the wish of any who possess it."

"Oh, but of course!" the shopkeeper said with enthusiasm. "I have just the item, but I warn you, I demand a high price for such a treasure…"

Col. Silver smirked. "I assure you I am well-funded."

"In that case…" the shopkeeper trailed off and turned his back to Silver. He grabbed a step stool and brought it to the far wall where a shelf was crammed with dusty chests and boxes. "Dirty mercenary!" the shopkeeper thought, "You and your masters aren't the first treasure hunters that have come by my shop. I have just the thing to shut you up!" He opened a box were 12 or so glass orbs with stars on them and took one out, he also reached into another box and pulled out a revolver and put that in his front pocket. "Just in case".

"Here we are!" the shopkeeper said dramatically as he unveiled the shining orb to Col. Silver. The two men behind him looked excited, but Silver betrayed no emotion. He reached out and took the orb from the shopkeeper and held it to the light.

"Come on! Take the bait!" the shopkeeper thought impatiently.

Col. Silver finally smiled and so did the shopkeeper, thinking that his ruse worked. But then Silver let the orb drop from his fingers and it shattered on the floor.

"Wha-why did you do that?" the shopkeeper said in panic.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Col. Silver said in a dangerous calm.

"No! I assure you that was the real deal!" the shopkeeper cried. "These things are priceless, fragile antiques!"

"The Dragon Balls," Silver continued in his dead calm, "priceless and unbreakable! Now think carefully, your next words could determine the quality of the rest of your life."

The shopkeeper just stammered, sweating and looking scared.

"Times up. Do it." Silver gestured to his men.

Before his men could act however, the shopkeeper had reached for his revolver took aim at Silver. The colonel, however, had expected something like this and had already drawn his own pistol and fired three times into the old shopkeepers chest. The old man fell dead to the floor instantly.

"Stupid peasant" Silver said as he kicked the man's lifeless body over. "Gather the other men and tear the store apart!"

The other men quickly saluted and ran out of the room but quickly returned with more men. They promptly began to do exactly as they were ordered and began tearing down shelves, emptying boxes, shattering jars, and tossing junk to the side. Eventually one of the soldiers called Silver over to a wall where an overturned bookshelf revealed a wall safe.

"Break it open!" Silver ordered.

A few men ran back outside to the vehicles and returned with explosives and carefully set them around the door of the safe. After a few minutes they cleared the room and one of the soldiers pressed a remote. *BOOM* The safe door was blown off its hinges and revealed inside several large stacks of money and jewels, clearly the old man didn't believe in banks. One of the men rifled through the contents and brought out a small box and opened it.

"Sir! We've found it!"

The soldier threw the box to the side and presented the ball to Silver. He took it and held it up to the light and it glowed with a golden light, six red stars shone from within the orb. This time Silver gave a genuine smile of satisfaction.

"Good work soldiers!" he exclaimed. "This explains how the old man knew enough to make a forgery. Take the cash and whatever other valuables you please and then burn this ramshackle hut to the ground! Oh, and grab that old Bazooka for me!"

As the soldiers continued to raid the building, Silver returned to the jeep outside and grabbed the transceiver.

"Headquarters, come in headquarters, this is Col. Silver."

"This is Red Ribbon command" a deep voice responded. "Is there a problem? We weren't expecting your report for another half hour."

"No problem." Silver said with satisfaction. "I've simply achieved success far earlier than expected. I have possession of the Six Star Ball."

"Excellent work" a new higher voice answered. "Return to base immediately, stop for nothing."

"Yes sir, Commander Red" Silver answered and hung up the transceiver.

A few days later Silver arrived back at Red Ribbon HQ and was immediately summoned to Supreme Commander Red's office. Col. Silver had always been the type of man who did things meticulously, methodically, and perfectly if possible. That meant he never compromised on anything if he could help it, including his training. He studied old maps and read books on military strategy. He also pushed his body to his limits and trained with professionals in various martial arts. All this training paid off, because the moment he opened the door to Red's office, a dark blur flew at his face. He barely dodged in time, his well honed eyes found the moving blur as it hopped onto the commander's desk and came to rest in his arms.

Commander Red was a man of about 40 with broad shoulders and a short stubble beard. Like his name, he had red hair with white lines on the sides. Any other features could not be discerned as he sat behind his desk.

"Well done!" the commander said laughing and stroking the small creature that resembled a mix between a cat and a weasel. "The last person who came through that door unprepared lost an eye, needless to say, he's no longer with us. Haha!" Col. Silver did not respond but ran his thumb over the cut under his right eye.

"As I was saying" the commander continued, "You are an exceptional officer who has what it takes to go far in this organization. Nothing exceeds like excess, agreed?"

"Yes sir" the Colonel answered and bowed politely.

"Thanks in part to your efforts, the Six Star Dragonball is now within my grasp" the commander said as he lit a cigar. "Unfortunately, this particular treasure is only useful as part of a complete set. Just four more dragon balls stand between me and global domination!"

The commander then pressed a button on his desk and a painting on the wall rose into the ceiling, revealing a tv screen that showed a radar map of the world. There were four spots blinking on the map, each one thousands of miles apart.

"Study the map closely" Red said urgently. "Each marker represents the location of the remaining dragon balls. We must retrieve them as soon as possible!"

Silver approached the map and quickly memorized the four locations on the map and then turned to face the commander.

"Our forces are stretched thin sir, and the dragon radar is…imprecise. It only gives a general idea of where the dragon ball is. Not to mention we've had trouble with locals and other interested parties."

"If our forces are spread thin it is because the dragon balls are that important!" Red snapped, causing his pet to hiss angrily. "The Dragon Radar is extremely advanced, to be able to pin down the location to within a mile out of an entire planet is amazing considering the complex energy signature of the dragon balls! And as for any other parties or interfering locals, you've always known my policy. Anyone who interferes with our goals are to be removed with extreme prejudice! I do not tolerate competition! Understood?! Now…dismissed!"

"Sir!" the Colonel saluted and bowed again before leaving the office.

Minutes later, Silver was once again in an armored jeep, with a full escort of men in all manor of military vehicles. They headed west, to the location of the next Dragonball.

Two days later, in the morning by a river that ran through a lush forest, a small naked boy was fishing…with his tail. About 20 feet away upstream, a young woman with dyed black hair was knee deep and staring into the flowing river with her hands poised for attack. Suddenly, she struck with such speed that the water was hardly disturbed. Out flew a fair sized salmon that landed on the rocky riverbed, where two other salmon were flopping weakly.

"Come on Goku, give it up!" Ranko said laughing. "I've already caught three fish, and you haven't gotten one yet. Contest over!" She waded back to the shore and rang water out of the bottom of her shirt. At the moment she was wearing a sky blue one piece swimsuit, with a yellow t-shirt over it. She then gathered the fish and carried them toward a tower of sticks that would clearly be made into a campfire soon. "Seriously, enough now!" she called as she skewered the first fish.

"Just one…more…minute…" Goku said slowly. He had closed his eyes, and his tail was swishing back and forth in the water, when suddenly a huge dark shadow appeared in the water behind him. In a huge sudden splash, Goku was beneath the waves. A moment later a giant fish burst from the water and flew high into the sky, followed by Goku rocketing out from the water. Goku grabbed the fish in midair and landed on the river bed, holding his prize over his head.

"Ha-ha!" Goku laughed in victory. "I win! You may have caught 3 small fish, but I caught one bigger than you!"

"In a contest of catching the most, quantity over quality, my Sweet." Ranko answered calmly as she skewered the final fish. "And put some clothes on already! It chilly this morning and you'll catch cold. Then go grab some large branches from the forest. I'm afraid we'll have to make a larger fire if you insist on eating that thing."

Goku quickly put his red Gi back on and dashed into the woods. 5 minutes later he was back with several large branches, one of which was large enough to skewer the large fish Goku had caught. His shirt was also bulging, but Ranko didn't question him on what he found. A few minutes later, Ranko and Goku had turned the small campfire into a large bonfire with the large fish on a home-made spit that Goku turned every once in a while, Ranko's smaller fish were set around the edges of the fire.

The sun was approaching Noon by the time Goku's fish had finally finished cooking. Ranko had already finished hers and was discarding the bones.

"We should get going soon" she said looking at the sky. "You should eat quickly-, but of course I don't have to tell you that!" she finished looking annoyed and exasperated at Goku. The large fish had barely come off the spit and more than half of it was already gone. Goku was eating with indecent voracity. Not even 2 minutes later, all that remained was a huge fish skeleton. Goku let out a satisfied belch.

"God!" she said furiously. "You're going to make yourself sick one of these days, eating like that!"

"I'm alright!" he said smiling. He then rifled through his shirt and pulled out heaps of fruit. "I found some snack trees while I was getting wood, want some?"

"No, thanks" Ranko said exasperated and then whispered to herself, "Where on earth does he put it all?"

Goku quickly finished the fruit as well and followed Ranko uphill to where their actual campsite was. They had a decent sized tent and sleeping bags as well as some other camping supplies. Goku would have been fine living off the land as he was used to being on his own, but Ranko insisted they stop by Kame House and pick up some supplies as she did not want to sleep in dirt and eat just whatever they found. When Goku got up the hill, Ranko had already put the entire setup into a large box. She then pressed a button on the side and *POOF, in burst of smoke the box had collapsed into Dyno Cap. She had also changed into jean shorts, a red t-shirt with faded lettering, and sneakers. She looked like an ordinary college student.

"Alright you little glutton, where does the dragon radar say to go now?" she said as she placed the dyno cap in her purse.

"Let's see…" Goku said as he pulled the radar from his shirt. He clicked the dial, and the radar screen came to life. "It looks like the Dragonball moved from last night, how'd that happen?"

Ranko looked over his shoulder, "It looks like it went downstream, it rained pretty hard last night after all. Let's start by following the river."

"Okay then!" Goku pocketed the radar and yelled out, "Flying Nimbus! Come to me!"

The faithful yellow cloud zoomed down from the sky and came to a halt in front of them. Goku jumped on without hesitation, but Ranko did not immediately move. She stood there with her eyes closed, once again she was implementing the Soul of Ice technique to regulate her emotions. After a moment with slight apprehension, she hopped up and landed lightly on the cloud.

"There!" she said with satisfaction as she settled herself behind Goku. "Even with the Soul of Ice technique, I'm always scared I'm going to fall through. Alright, ready for take-off!"

"Go!" Goku shouted and the Nimbus zoomed into the air and headed down the river path.

They didn't go much higher than the trees because they were hoping the Dragonball might be in plain sight. They hadn't traveled much further than two miles when they saw below them a literal army of men working hard around the river bed. They were digging with shovels, and pickaxes, cutting through shrubs with machetes and even using excavators to move large mounds of earth.

"Who are they Miss Ranko?" Goku asked. "What do you think they're doing?"

Ranko looked down and caught sight of the back of one of their jackets with the Red Ribbon insignia on it. She recognized it and scowled.

"I'm not sure…" she said slowly, not taking her eyes away from the men working. "But let's not ask them. What's the position of the Dragonball?"

Goku clicked the radar once and said, "Well, if they're after the Dragonball, then they're way off! Looks like it's about another quarter mile downstream."

"Good, let's go!" she said as the Nimbus sped off.

A little ways downstream, two men sat on top of a boulder smoking and resting. They wore red ribbon bandannas and were armed. Worn looking excavation tools were propped against the boulder.

"Ugh, my aching back!" the taller one said miserably.

"You said it!" the shorter one answered. "My arms feel like their going to fall off! I honestly don't understand what's so important about these drago-whats-its."

"I know, right?!" the taller exclaimed. "We're a mercenary army, not treasure hunters. I tell ya, I'm really starting question why I joined this army. The pay is decent, but this seems ludicrous."

BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Several shots suddenly ran out and the two men fell off the boulder in shock and scrambled to their feet, their hands searching for their gun holsters. Then they saw who had fired the shots and stood rigid at attention and saluted.

"Colonel Silver, sir!" they both said trembling.

"Enjoying ourselves are we, gentlemen?" he said in a dangerous voice, his rifle still trained on them.

"It-it's not what it seems sir!" the taller said panicking.

"That's right!" the shorter piped up. "We've been at it since the crack of dawn and were only taking a few minutes to rest our backs."

BANG* *BANG* Colonel Silver fired another couple of shots at their feet, causing them to dance around panicked.

"This army does not tolerate excuses, and I certainly do not tolerate laziness! Get back to work immediately or I'll arrange a permanent break for you!" He fired one more round to make his point and drove off. The two soldiers immediately started shifting stones and cutting through bushes.

"Man, that ball could be anywhere, this place is huge!" the taller said panting while trying to cut through a bush.

"Tell me about it!" the shorter grunted as he lifted a small boulder and sat it back down. "And he'll kill us if we don't find it!"

"Hello!" said a voice.

The soldiers looked up and their eyes widened. A young boy, and a young woman riding a cloud were flying to a stop right next to them. The boy promptly jumped off the cloud and started fiddling with a watch like device. The young woman stretched out her figure on the cloud and waved her fingers and winked at the two men.

"Is this a dream?" asked the taller, staring at Ranko. She was dressed casually but she still struck an impressive figure.

"I don't know, just enjoy it!" the shorter said. Goku had been completely forgotten.

Ranko made a few more flirty gestures, and the two men approached her. "God, men are so easy!" she thought, "But that's what makes it so fun!" Meanwhile, Goku was now attentively scanning the ground towards some bushes.

"Hello there young lady" the shorter said in a deeper voice. "This is a dangerous area, you know."

"Oh, is it?" Ranko said in a convincing swooning imitation of Snow White. "I'm so ever lost I these dangerous lands with no one to help me!" Even Ranko thought she was laying it a little bit thick there, but apparently these men weren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

"Well you're in luck little lady" said the taller in what he apparently thought was a suave voice. "There are two brave, strong soldiers who would love to be your knights in shining armor." He reached up and politely took her hand. Her eyes widened for half a second but then she turned her head away, placing her other hand over her lips.

"O-oh, h-how, how kind of you!" she said brokenly.

"Look at you, you're trembling!" the taller said.

"I think she's so touched she's tearing up!" the shorter said.

Ranko was most definitely trembling and tearing up…from trying to hold back her laughter. She had to turn her face away and cover her mouth to stop the laughter from escaping. "Oh my god, this is hilarious! They're so stupid! Goku, hurry up and find the Dragonball because I don't know how much more I can take!" No sooner had she thought that, Goku called out.

"I found it!"

This broke the two soldiers out of their spell as they suddenly looked over.

"Hey kid! This area's dangerous, you shouldn't be here!" the shorter shouted angrily.

"It's okay, I found what I was looking for!" Goku said holding up the Five Star ball. "Aww, to many stars!"

"The Dragonball! How did he find it so quickly!?" the shorter said shocked.

"Pure luck, that's how answered the taller. "But it doesn't matter to me, I smell a promotion!" Both men approached Goku with weapons drawn, Ranko was now the one who was forgotten. She took out a handkerchief and dabbed at fake tears and continued her Snow White impersonation.

"Oh woe is me! Men are oh so fickle!" she then dropped the act and the handkerchief and fell into such a raucous state of laughter she fell off the nimbus. The men paid her no attention.

"Alright kid, I'm going to need you to hand over that ball!" the taller said.

"Huh? But why do you want the Dragonball?" Goku asked.

"I don't need any sass! Just hand it over now!" the taller shouted and reached for the ball.

Goku ducked and kicked the taller in the chin, sending him flying backwards. The shorter quickly loaded his weapon and opened fire. Goku quickly dodged each bullet while closing distance and stopped short in front of him. He then let loose a flurry of punches that sent him flying as well. Looking satisfied, Goku leapt back onto the Nimbus and looked down at Ranko.

"What's so funny down there? Let's get going! The next one will be Grandpa's ball, I just know it!" Ranko struggled to her feet and climbed onto the cloud. She was in such a good mood, she didn't even have to regulate her emotions.

"I hope finding every Dragonball is as fun as that one!" she giggled.

As the Nimbus took to the sky, the taller soldier crawled to a blue truck not 20 feet away and reached through the window and grabbed a radio.

"Colonel Silver sir, we have a problem!" he groaned into the radio.

About a mile away at Silver's camp inside a capsule house, Colonel Silver briefly heard the soldier's explanation and the direction. He quickly deduced that speed and trajectory would place them nearby. He grabbed the bazooka he took from the antique shop off the wall and ran out the door and looked up. He spotted a yellow object moving at high speed.

"That must be them!" he said. He took aim and fired.

The sound of the bazooka going off made Ranko look down. Her eyes widened and she grabbed Goku and leapt off just in time. The missile struck the nimbus and exploded, causing the nimbus to disappear into nothingness. Ranko and Goku landed on their feet within the camp.

"You!" Goku yelled angrily, "You broke my nimbus!"

"A pity, it seems you lost your ride." Silver said in mock sympathy.

"Why did you do that!" Goku yelled angrily. Ranko said nothing but stared. During their adventures, she had resolved to let Goku make his own decisions and only interfere when it became truly dangerous.

"I will ask the questions here, boy!" Silver answered dangerously. "Now tell me, why do you seek the Dragonballs, and how did you find so easily what all my men could not?" Goku said nothing. "Allow me to venture a theory," he continued, "Our radar is a bit imprecise to the location of the dragon balls. Perhaps you have something more sophisticated?"

Goku blew a raspberry. "I'm not telling you anything! I'm leaving!" He turned his back and started to walk towards Ranko. This caused Silver to lose what was left of his patience and took off his jacket revealing his impressive physique.

"Very well boy, I see I'll have to get my answers the old fashion way!"

Silver ran full tilt towards Goku at impressive speed and seized Goku's sack of belongings from his hands. Ranko whistled slightly in appreciation, it was clear to her that he kept in good shape.

"And what's in here I wonder?" he said holding up the sack. "Is your radar in here, and of course the Dragonball that is rightfully mine?"

"That's none of your business!" Goku yelled and moving like a blur, seized his sack back from Siver, leaving him shocked.

"Well now boy, it seems your not at all what you appear! This actually might be fun!"

Colonel Silver then rushed Goku with a right hook. Goku ducked and kicked him square in the gut, causing Silver to collapse to his knees and holding his gut.

"H-he kicks like a donkey!" he muttered to himself as Goku continued to walk away. Silver rallied within a second and charged Goku again, but this time Ranko appeared in his path.

"It's normally my policy to let Goku handle things himself, but I was in a good mood until your silly little bazooka ruined the nimbus, and I was getting bored."

She said all this in a light tone but there was clearly a hint of danger in her eyes. Being a soldier with great experience, Silver was unintimidated and did not discriminate between men and women when attacking. He took a stance and observed her for a moment. She had taken her usual stance with her hands behind her back with a somewhat bored look.

"Well?" she said.

Silver charged and unleashed a flurry of punches. She casually dodged each one but took note of his skill and style. He was clearly professionally trained and kept in excellent condition. All things considered Ranko deduced that Yamcha would have a tough time against him, and without his Wolf Fang Fist he wouldn't stand any chance at all. Now getting frustrated, Silver then put all his power into a sweeping kick. Ranko lightly jumped up to dodge it and landed deftly behind him. Silver spun around and found her finger between his eyes.

"And we're done" she said. Her hand suddenly moved in a blur and a resounding SMACK filled the air. With blinding speed she had simply slapped him across the cheek. He fell over on the ground and didn't move.

"He's well trained but a bit boorish, don't you think, Goku?" she said shaking her hand that slapped him.

"I don't know what that means, but without my nimbus, how are we going to search for the Dragonballs? They're probably to far to run." he said looking at the dragon radar.

"Well this one broke our ride, so let's call upon his army to replace it." Ranko said haughtily. She was still in a foul mood.

They went inside the capsule house and found what you might expect from a military base. There were books, maps, a sophisticated looking computer, radar screens, and a bed in the corner. After digging around they found capsule case.

"Alright! These are like the Dyno Caps Bulma has!" Goku said excitedly.

"Let's see…" Ranko said looking at the labels. "Ah! Here we go!"

They stepped outside and she threw the capsule. *POOF* A two seater jet plane with the RR insignia on the wings appeared.

"But that's a plane!" Goku said. "I don't know how to fly that!"

"Don't worry kiddo!" Ranko said. "I know how to fly all sorts of vehicles! The next Dragonball is north, right? Well, what are you waiting for? Hop in!" She was thankful that Roshi had had a long life. He had taken the time to learn many things.

They both boarded the jet with Goku in the back seat. Ranko quickly flicked a few switches, and the engines hummed to life. She pulled a lever, and it began to move and a minute later they were in the air.

"Alright! We're flying!" Goku said excitedly looking out the window. "Although I think the nimbus was faster."

"Don't be picky!" Ranko called back. "We're just lucky we're not walking!"

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Goku said and settling into his seat.

As they got to cruising altitude, Ranko began to think of the events of the last hour and was troubled. "I wonder if it was a good thing that we didn't kill the soldiers who saw us" she thought. "I hope it doesn't come back to bite us."

Hundreds of miles southwest at RR headquarters, a situation had arisen. Commander Red was called to the Radar room.

"What's going on? What's happened?" he said fiercely.

"Sir!" his chief staff officer answered. "Something's happened with the Dragonball that we sent Colonel Silver after. It's heading North at a high speed and if our calculations are correct, it's headed towards General White's position."

"Contact Colonel Silver immediately!" Red shouted. "Find out what happened!"

Back at the Silver's camp, Silver had regained consciousness and had crawled into the capsule house with the intention of reporting to headquarters. By the time he got to the receiver, they were already calling him.

"Colonel Silver, come in Silver. This is Chief Staff Officer Black. Report!"

"Silver here!" he gasped into the receiver.

"Silver, the radar shows the Dragonball is moving. How did it get away from you?"

"We were attacked" he gasped again.

"How were you attacked? What were their numbers?"

Commander Red watched from his desk Officer Black speaking with Silver over the radio with increasing impatience. Suddenly, Black shouted causing Red to jump.

"What do you mean a young woman and a child!?"

A few minutes later, Red had a full report on the enemies appearance and how Silver had been overpowered. To say Red was livid was an understatement.

"Contact General White immediately and brief him of the situation!" he shouted. "Tell him he is to kill those kids on sight!"

"Sir!" several officers answered and began fiddling with radio dials.

"What a disaster!" Red said to Black. "Not only was one our top officers beaten, we lost the Dragonball as well!"

"Sir, if I may" Black responded. "I don't think there's much to worry about, Silver was all alone and White sits in a fortress. While a young woman and a boy overpowered Silver, I don't believe they can overpower an army of men."

"You had better be right." Red said coolly as he watched the traveling dot on the radar.

End of Chapter 15

Just a final note, this will probably be the last chapter for a good long while. I'm pretty burnt out and I haven't quite worked out the next saga yet. Hopefully I'll have the next one by August. We'll see.