34 Assistance (1/2)
Bulma finished going over the reports sent by Big Gete detailing the status of the Prometheus Empire. She chose to use the royal palace on Planet Garden as her temporary work space. The Empress was worried about how the situation on Earth was progressing. She warned Raditz and Reiss to contact her if something went wrong. So far, there were no communications from Earth, so things should be progressing smoothly. But she was still unable to shake the growing sense of unease.
A group of Saiyan guards flanked her as she made her way across the bridge leading to the landing platform. She was eager to return to the Menagerie and unwind on the ship. As she walked to the shuttle landing pad, she saw two familiar Saiyans kneeling nearby in her path. When she was close enough to the the kneeling Saiyans, she cheerfully asked them to rise.
During her stay on Planet Garden, Bulma had become more familiar with Toma and Celipa. The pair of Saiyans were wearing black and red Promethean armor.Celipa had requested a pink leotard be made because the color wasn't an available uniform under suit color.
”What do you guys need?” she asked. She hadn't expected to see them at the landing platform waiting for her. ”Did you guys want to train on the Menagerie, with Nappa?”
”No, we wanted to know if the Emperor needed any help?” the short haired Celipa asked confidently, crossing her arms.
”Well, Celipa wanted know, I just came for support. I know there is no way a Super Saiyan needs any help.” Toma clarified. ”I think she's obsessed.”
Bulma smiled and laughed as the female Saiyan quickly turned to glare at her friend. Toma didn't understand what he had said to earn such a glare. It was true that in the last few years most of her conversations revolved around beating the emperor or becoming a Super Saiyan.
”I haven't heard anything, yet.” Bulma answered. ”I'm about to head to the Menagerie, if you come along, you guys can stay updated.”
The pair nodded and followed along to the waiting shuttle. Even though Bulma enjoyed flying herself, recently, she had been using Saiyan pilots. She did this to make sure they understood the operation of Promethean ships.
The empress had become close with Celipa over the years. She found the female Saiyan's attitude a breath of fresh air. She was completely unconcerned with their status differences, either from brashness or stupidity, either way Bulma enjoyed her presence.
When the shuttle docked with the Menagerie, Toma separated from the two women to find Nappa. Toma found it hard to believe how much the bald Saiyan had changed since the time of King Vegeta. Now he was a respectable member of the Prometheus Empire willing to converse and train with others. Toma had to admit Nappa was thorough in teaching the training methods he learned from Emperor Raditz with those willing to learn. Toma found Nappa in the ship's galley talking with Commander Lime. He knew the two of them had gotten close over the years, which was surprising to Toma.
”Nappa, you guys waiting on word of Emperor Raditz?” Toma asked approaching the table Nappa was sitting.
”No, Lime was telling about me about an outbreak of pirates in the East Galaxy Area.” Nappa said.
”The East Galaxy Area?” Toma thought about what Nappa said. ”Is there really anything out there?”
”We aren't sure. Most of the information is sketchy at best.” the commander informed him. ”I'll see you on the bridge later.” Lime nodded to Nappa before leaving the table with her tray.
”I guess you must be bored on Garden if you came all the way up here.” Nappa probed. Usually Toma stayed on Garden helping to train the younger Saiyans.
”No, Celipa thought the Emperor might need back up.” Toma shrugged. Nappa released a hearty laugh at the response.
Bulma and Celipa were sitting in the private lounge outside of the Emperor's quarters on the Menagerie. Celipa listened, wide eyed, as Bulma went over the plans for expanding the empire. She found that the Earth woman's plans were quite far reaching and long term. Celipa understood that the Emperor, or rather the empire, would need as many strong warriors as it could get. Fired up from hearing about the future of the empire, Celipa decided to go train. Bulma allowed her access to the private training rooms.
Commander Lime was sitting at the communications hub, her station, when she received a forwarded communication from Big Gete. According to the message, a Promethean ship, the Shadow, was in distress and needed assistance. The Shadow was tasked with exploring the East Galaxy Area. Its mission was to investigate the pirate situation, while prospecting for resources or new technology. The Menagerie was the fastest ship in the fleet and would be able to reach the Shadow in just a few hours.
Bulma was sitting on a elegantly designed couch in the Emperor's quarters. She was wearing a pink robe and her hair was wrapped in a yellow towel. In her hands was a datapad with her sister's book loaded on the screen. The book was her sister's first bestseller and Bulma had yet to actually finish it. She had gotten over halfway through the story, but she wasn't usually in the mood to read after working through documents all day.
”Empress Bulma,” Commander Lime's voice spoke over the intercom.
”I'm here.” the Empress responded.
”We've received a distress call from the Shadow.” Lime explained, ”The Captain would like to investigate.”
Bulma considered the request to investigate the problem facing the Shadow. She did want to help if possible, plus they might find something useful. However, she was still worried about what was happening on her homeworld. There still wasn't any word from Earth, and Bulma didn't want to check at a bad time, making the situation worse.
”Tell the Captain he has my permission to investigate.” Bulma answered. She was confident Raditz would be fine. He had some of the strongest people she knew helping out against the cyborg threat.
The Menagerie traveled through the black sea of stars at its fastest speed towards the coordinates of the Shadow. While the ship was waiting in the Garden System, the crew's duties had become more lax. The crew of the ship manned their stations with great bearing and professionalism when the Captain gave the order to move out.
”What the hell are you doing!” Bardock glared at Yamcha. He was ready to blast the Earth man into dust for kicking the cure out of his son's hands.
”It seems the bio-weapon was a success.” Yamcha grinned. ”Kochin should be pleased by the results of the test.”
BAM!
Yamcha was struck by a fierce punch to the face by Bardock. The ponytailed Earthling didn't react to the pain at all. Two trenches were dug by Yamcha's heels digging into the ground as he tried to stop.
”Tsk, Tsk.” Tien shook his head from side to side sarcastically, ”That wasn't a nice thing to do to your ally.”
BAM!