Blood Lines

Chapter Three

Talia heard explosions as she scurried through the ship. She had searched the control room and had found no escape hatch. Now she was searching through each small room.

NOTHING!

DAMN!

What would she do?

The cargo bay….yes. She would check the back of the ship.

Raditz had sent a series of large blasts toward the fighters. Each one was dodged or diverted. Taking to the sky, the angered Saiyan continued his assault.

Earth's fighters spread out. Goku used the most direct approach. He flew back behind Raditz and struck him in the back with an energy blast. Raditz was surprised, but quickly rebounded. He turned and struck Goku hard in the face, then again in the stomach. Goku fell slightly. As Raditz continued his attack, Piccolo grabbed him from behind and threw him to the ground.

"DESTRUCTO DISK!" Krillin shouted, sending a flat, round ball of energy toward Raditz who was still dazed.

However, Raditz saw it in time and shot back into the air, avoiding the explosion.

Goku met him in the air.

The two brothers fought, toe to toe. No one was prepared for the onslaught of punches and blasts that was seen. Everyone just stood back as the fight progressed into a full-fledged battle.

With each explosion Talia heard outside, her heart raced a little faster. She wasn't sure who was fighting, or why. But she hurried. Continuing to look for an accessible escape route.

The cargo door was locked. Talia had never been taught to use a blast, so she relied on her strength alone. She rushed the door with her left shoulder. After several attempts she managed to break through.

It was dark and dusty, apparently not much stored in this area. It took several minutes for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She stumbled and fell twice. Talia didn't realize how weak she was, but her strength was leaving her. Running her hands across the floor, she found a crack. Then another. Then a handle.

The escape hatch!

Frieza was pacing nervously. They had slowed their pace considerably, allowing the smaller, slower ship to gain ground.

"Sir, we could send someone to board the ship and retrieve the passengers." A soldier said.

"True. But, I am wanting to see if these persons present themselves as friend or foe." He said smiling. "Of course, I assume them to be hostile."

"Yes, my Lord." He replied.

Zetell woke up in darkness. She reached for Vegeta, but he was gone. She rose up in bed and wondered how long she had been asleep.

She dressed and headed to the control room.

Vegeta stood on guard with Shenor at the helm. "Are we still on course?" Zetell asked him.

"Yes." He said casually.

Zetell made her way over to Shenor and stood behind him, as he remained seated. "Is that Frieza's ship?" She asked pointing to a small red dot on the radar.

"Yes." He said. "We are making excellent progress."

Zetell had examined the controls on several occasions, as Vegeta had requested. Learning as much as she could.

"What's this?" She asked him, pointing to a blinking light.

Shenor paused. "That is…an indicator light. Shows the ships radar is functioning properly."

Zetell felt a tug at her stomach.

Something wasn't right. She glanced over the board. There were several indicator lights, but each was located directly beneath the specified function. So, why was this indicator light two feet away from the radar?

Shenor sensed her uneasiness, but remained quiet.

Vegeta looked at her, their eyes meeting.

He knew something was wrong from the expression on her face. She started in his direction when Shenor jumped up and grabbed Zetell around the neck.

"YOU MOVE AND I WILL BREAK HER NECK…" Shenor said.

Vegeta remained still. "Where do you think you are going to go? The ship is not that big….."

"I am taking a pod ship and leaving." Shenor said smiling. "And you will not stop me…"

Vegeta knew that Zetell could easily overtake this man. But, his arm was so tightly wrapped around her throat that it was impossible to make a move.

"Fine. You take the damned pod ship. I could care less." Vegeta snapped at him. "But you will let her go. Otherwise I will kill you."

"She will be set free when I am safely inside the pod ship. Not before." Shenor said defiantly. "Agreed?"

Vegeta eyed his angrily. "Agreed."

Walking slowly backwards, Shenor made is way down the corridor with Zetell. Vegeta was close behind. Once inside the small launch bay, Shenor put in access codes for the pod ship.

The door of the small ship opened. Shenor reached in with his free hand and programmed yet more codes. "The floor will open up and allow me to descend." Shenor told Vegeta. "So, when I am safely in the ship, I will let her go."

"You will let her go now, or I will blast you, your pod ship and us into hell." Vegeta said slowly.

As Shenor climbed inside his pod ship, he pushed Zetell to the ground. He quickly closed the door.

Zetell moved quickly to get away from the ship as it powered up for its journey. She ran to Vegeta's side and they watched the pod ship as it was sucked beneath the floor.

"I should blast him with the ship's guns!" Vegeta said angrily.

"No…just let him go." Zetell said. "No harm was done."

"You are entirely too forgiving, woman!" Vegeta yelled at her. "He could have killed you!"

For the first time, Zetell felt as if Vegeta cared for her. More than physical…more than his Saiyan pride….more than him being Prince. She sensed genuine feeling.

Zetell said nothing. She followed Vegeta back to the control room. "I hope you can fly this damned ship. Otherwise, we're doomed." Vegeta was extremely angry.

She sat down at the control board and watched as the bleep on the radar grew closer. "It shouldn't be but a few hours. And we will be on Frieza's tail. Then, the invisibility shields go up. This will hopefully allow us to board his vessel unnoticed."

Vegeta just grunted as he stared out into space.

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