Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ In the Control Seat ❯ Caged ( Chapter 10 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: StarbearerTM 
Back on the planet, Trunks and Pan debate how they can escape.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Hentai | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 04.15.2009 | Updated On: 08.11.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 649 | Status: Work In Progress
Back on the planet, Trunks and Pan debate how they can escape.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Hentai | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 04.15.2009 | Updated On: 08.11.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 649 | Status: Work In Progress
Across a galaxy and light years away distance suddenly factored into an insolvable equation. Having shouted out to her father regarding their current status, a daughter now dropped into sheer exhaustion. She barely had an idea how she bridged the gap, and now she was paying the price. After she had lost the tenuous link she tumbled into blackness and painful unconsciousness. Something had rudely seized her and yanked her out of the shared space in mind and spirit her father forged.
Shame and fear filled her, floating in the blackness. Belief was part of the thing that sustained the forged link, and now Pan lie weighted down by it. She doubted if she could move or even make a muscle fiber twitch any more. Sheer exhaustion had claimed her and robbed her of any strength except to weakly listen to sounds wrapping around her. The only other thing she could do was struggle to process the sensory input that had been reinstated. She could feel the solid flat surface covered with scratchy fibers that poked at her bare skin. Also Pan felt the warmth of Trunks body and thighs cradling her head and shoulders. His strong hands gently shook her.
"Pan, say something wake up," he urged. Cool droplets touched her sensitive lips.
I want to, but I can't move a muscle. She thought towards him, hoping the bond they had forged would allow him to understand she had no energy. Shifting in her torso's position indicated he must be laying her down. Her neck arched over something else soft, and then she perceived the orange haze of her eyelids was blocked to blissful blackness. Now she could see the underside of her eyelids. After another minute she could wrestle enough oomph to open them. Through her lashes she saw Trunks looming over her. Concern wrinkled his features.
"Pan," he said hoarsely. His fingers stroked her cheek, and then dripped cool water onto her lips again. She managed to extend her tongue to lap the water, and it was heaven on her parched throat. Again he repeated the process and Pan licked the water from his dripping wet hand. Then he lifted a container to his lips and sipped, before bending down and bringing his mouth over hers. Water dribbled into her mouth from his attempt to share the liquid through a kiss. Instead it spilled and trickled over her neck and chin,
She spluttered and couched up to him, "What are you trying to..."
"I don't want you dehydrated," Trunks rasped, his voice hoarser than ever. "It's the only way to get you water. Just relax and let me try again."
Once more Trunks sipped a mouthful of water. This time Pan cooperated, opening her mouth to let him transfer a precious volume of liquid to her dry sandpapery tongue. About five times he did this until Pan had swallowed enough water to feel somewhat rejuvenated. The last time he drew back Pan noticed his chest was bare. The collar circling his neck was comprised of gold interlaced with silvery wires that seemed to penetrate his skin. Periodically it gleamed, and she realized that it was what inhibited their powers.
"It's no use taking them off yet. Till I figure out the mechanism. You really scared me Pan. What in hell were you doing?"
"I was trying to call Grandpa telepathically, but for some reason... I... I heard Dad's voice,” she weakly explained.
"Your father’s voice?" Trunks answered in shock, his angular eyes broadening. "How?"
"I followed it, and then I was able to see him and communicate with him. Didn't you do a same thing with your own dad?"
"Yes, but that was years ago! The last thing I'd want is my father to have access to my thoughts!" Trunks grunted. "Yeah we forged a link but it's only used when he wanted to telepathically yell at me! When I got older we shut it down. It's only used for emergencies... or to communicate to others to give orders!"
"Sounds like something your dad would say, Trunks," Pan cast him a sour look. "My dad and I practiced that just like my dad and grandpa. But what I don't get is why I can't get hold of grandpa?"
"The link between parent and child's more primal," said Trunks. Carefully he slid his arms under pan and lifted her up. With ease he set her into his lap, cradling her there and keeping her warm with his body heat. Pan let herself be held, drawing strength from him.
"I didn't have trouble before. But you and I..."
"Can communicate without trouble," Trunks finished her sentence.
"Daddy said so... he said that was why," Pan whispered. "But you and I..."
"That’s simple, Pan," Trunks answered softly. "It's because the link between... mates is the strongest bond there is."
"Mates," Pan repeated, glancing up at Trunks with a question. Her throat clenched and joy radiated through her body. In his own way he had affirmed the relationship without directly saying it. Out in the depths of space they were as good as married, judging from the scabbing scar on his shoulder. It was similar to the one she'd seen on her mother and father, or grandfather and grandmother.
"Pan, don't be scared. I won't let any of them harm you, I swear," Trunks promised.
"Like I'd let them have a chance in hell of that," Pan snapped back.
"That's my woman, you're getting your strength back," Trunks answered.
"You're really starting to annoy me with that 'woman' stuff," Pan griped. However she continued to enjoy it because it was further proof. Considering how his father called his mother 'woman' often, though through the years it became more of a term of endearment than anything else.
"You and I could still communicate telepathically even with these ki blockers. And you and dad could communicate as well. But talking to other Saiyans is close to impossible. I don't know how you could with your father," he murmured.
"Maybe because I've got a different relationship with mine than you do with yours, or it's because I'm a girl?" Pan asked slowly. "You know Bra told me she and her daddy had no trouble communicating."
"That’d make sense. Mom always did claim girls were better at communicating. Your mom would say it was sexist bullshit, but there are differences in Saiyan females. Since you and my sis are the only Saiyan females..." trailed off Trunks.
"Speaking of communication, you really blew it with those guys in there! What were you thinking?"
"I don't have to answer to anyone who makes themselves judge and jury and executioner without a fair trial Pan. They captured US, remember?" Trunks said with a deadly gleam in his eyes. "And they endangered you. I can't let that go unpunished."
"You looked just like your father when you said all that," Pan informed him. "It scared the hell out of me."
"I don't know if I should take it as an insult or a complement. But I know dad would have been proud of me," Trunks said.
"But your father did do all those things," said Pan.
"Maybe so, but he was manipulated by Freeza into doing so. Maybe by human standards that doesn't justify what our race did, but one way or another he's been paying for that for years. That was his choice, and his challenge as a warrior to carry. He answers for it alone. His choices to fight and survive were met as a true Saiyan warrior," Trunks said.
"Saiyan standards," Pan whispered. "But think of all the people they killed!"
Trunks face dipped into shadow momentarily as he leaned back against the cage wall. He said, "Hundreds of innocent lives perhaps? But Saiyans are predators Pan, don't you see?"
"Yes, but we're not like that anymore. We're part human too," she reminded him. His body was a solid strong anchor now from which she continued to derive strength. More of his warmth seemed into her body, reinvigorating hers.
Trunks laughed gently, "Can we say humans are any less guilty for wanting to go into space and conquer worlds of our own? Did the settlers of West City ask that when they founded the settlement and drove out the native populace?"
"Maybe not, but you're not Vegeta. You're you. I'm me. We make our own destinies Trunks. We live in the shadow of our fathers’ maybe, but we aren't them. Even though part of them is in us," Pan murmured, her dark eyes capturing his.
Sitting Indian style Trunks had Pan's bottom and back sitting in the triangle of his thighs now. His muscular bicep pillowed the back of her neck while his other arm wrapped around her hips to hold her there. However he held her not with the affection of a small child but a man who wanted to shelter and protect his woman, while she gave him a reason to fight and protect. Even though she could fight herself.
Trunks eyes deepened to a nearly cobalt blue. Ordinarily they were aqua, or even sky blue. Locking gazes with her he then said, “You're right that children make their own destinies. But I'm I am a Saiyan Prince, like my father before me. I am responsible for the house of Vegetasei and its future. But I will not be judged by a kangaroo court with groundless authority."
"I don't know if I'm angry at you or incredibly proud of you, Trunks. You just took responsibility for your actions and stuck your ground even though I don't totally agree with everything you said there," Pan murmured. She was able to lift her hand and let it drop on his chest. Her other draped over her belly, which was bare because of her belly shirt.
"What did your father say, Pan? He knows we're here?"
"He does... I showed him what happened, but not all of it," Pan said shyly, fear entering her voice.
"Yeah. But what we do here is our business Pan. I respect your father, but I will have to confront him when we return. Prove to him that I am serious," Trunks answered.
"We don't have to tell him yet!" Pan protested.
"I won't hold something back from your father Pan. He may not approve of me, but I won't sneak around with you. You and I have nothing to be ashamed of. No more than Bra and your uncle," said Trunks.
"Wait... you... my uncle Goten and Bra?" Pan spluttered.
"I'm not stupid Pan. I've seen how he looks at her. My brotherly instinct is to flatten his face, and I know your father will be the same way when it comes to you. So that's why we have to be honest. But... I can't blame you for not wanting to tell him," he trailed off.
"We don't know for sure," said Pan with a giggle. "I mean my uncle and your sister... it just seems so far off. I mean he likes that chick Valise."
"Maybe I'm just imagining things," Trunks grumbled. "But big brother instinct is like father instinct. I feel sorrier for what Dad will do to him if they ARE..."
"No sorrier than what will happen to you, when my dad finds out about us," Pan answered solemnly.
"I guess I'm dead meat then," Trunks chuckled. "For his sake I hope Goten's behaving himself. It’s worse when your best friend is..."
"I'd rather not talk about them right now, Princey," Pan said. Trunks snickered at her nickname for him. As soon as he'd call her Panny she would retort with that.
"How much DID you tell your dad before the link... went out?"
"I don't know. But I don't want to think of how much he may not know. But it's reassuring that he DOES in a way know... that we're okay..." she whispered. "And Grandpa will find us I know he will."
"Maybe, but if I could only figure out how to get these damn collars off," Trunks mumbled.
“You mean you haven’t figured out a way yet?” Pan asked.
“With what tools, Panny?” Trunks snorted. “Except my bare hands? You see how these wires penetrate the skin I’m afraid trying to remove them would only cause more pain. I tried.”
“What if you pulled mine off?” Pan asked.
“I don’t want to risk it,” Trunks answered.
“But if we were doing something pleasurable…” Pan answered.
“No. We’re going to wait for one of them to get in here. And out think them,” said Trunks patiently.
“What and whack one of the guards on the head? Really smooth trunks!” she answered. “I’m serious!”
“Unless you’re suggesting having sex and then pulling the collars off? Pan, that doesn’t work in real life,” Trunks grumbled.
“But perhaps they can only absorb so much before they…”
“Wouldn’t work,” Trunks cut her off. “These don’t absorb ki. They DISRUPT ki. As in blocking the part of our bodies that generate it.”
“But if they assume we’re Saiyans, maybe they’re only attenuated to them, not humans. And I’m three quarters human while you’re only ½,” Pan said. “Maybe human ki isn’t the same… and if…”
“There’s a reason other then ki that I won’t remove these collars,” Trunks said. “And I’m serious when I said there was more pain…”
He pointed to a small clear translucent gem on the clasp of the collar. “It looks like a trigger. I saw it on your collar. If we tried to take it off, it would inject whatever liquid is stored in the jewel in the clasp. It’s hollow. I am guessing it’s a poison.”
“Oh,” Pan murmured. Then she brightened up. “But that tranquilizing stuff they used on us didn’t affect me as much as it did you. So if these collars have a toxin triggered by trying to pull off the collars… then it must be tuned to Saiyans. So taking them off would poison us. But I could withstand the poison.”
“No Pan. I won’t risk it. I think the only chance is getting one of those guards who have a key that will unlock them. Only that will stop the needle from injecting the poison,” he said. “Why do you think they took all our garments? Any piece of metal we could use for making a trigger?”
“You’re not just giving up are you?” Pan despaired.
“They want us to try and escape. But I’m not giving them that satisfaction of doing it in the way they expect,” Trunks said.
“Father said if they wanted us dead they’d have killed us by now,” Pan murmured. “But I hate sitting here doing nothing!”
“Who says we’ll be doing nothing,” Trunks winked.
Dark brown eyes widened at the implications, after taking a moment to process his meaning. Sensually his eyes gleamed, before he bent down and pressed his lips to hers. Pan allowed him to do so, immediately looping her arms around his neck. Now that his chest was bare, she could freely roam her hands over his now tanned skin, mapping out his muscles.
He breathed heavily in her ear when he withdrew. Momentarily he paused before once more latching onto her mouth like a thirsty person denied water. Pan did the same, burying her fears in the sensation of Trunks hands squeezing her hips and then sneaking under her shirt to caress her. She abandoned clinging to his neck long enough to raise her arms and let him pull her shirt up and off. Now clad only in her bra she renewed their kiss. Swinging around she straddled his lap without breaking contact.
Neither seemed to tire of exploring one another's body with their hands and tongues. The taste of Trunks neck and shoulder were slightly salty, along where she had left her mark. Her tongue became familiar with the shape and slight indentation of the red scar.
“Ohhhh Panny,” Trunks groaned. “That’s how I like it!”
Trying to forget her embarrassment at how cheesy that sounded, Pan wailed, “Oh my Kami! Please take me! Oh Princey!”
“Oh yes, oh yes… damn!” Trunks continued.
Exaggerated moans and grunts soon alerted the nearby Quetzalcoatl guard. He glanced at his fellow soldier with a look of disgust. The other mumbled something obscene followed by the words, “Just like monkeys to make so much noise!”
“I can’t stand the thought of them copulating! We have to put a stop to it!” the other nodded. Both of them slipped small darts into their wrist-mounted crossbows, and then scuttled towards the cage. Within they saw the female mounting the male, having removed a good portion of the clothing that they had still on. Hands pawed at one another while their bodies moved against each other.
“All right, stop that disgusting noise at once!” the first snarled. At the sound, the female’s head popped up. Fear gleamed in her dark eyes.
“Or we remove the female from the cell! We didn’t say you could mate in there!” the second added. The Prince straightened up, his arms still wrapped around the female he held on his lap.
“Damn you you’ll take her away!” Trunks bared his teeth at them.
“Shut up or we’ll tranq you again,” the first threatened, hovering close and sticking the muzzle of his dart gun through the bars.
He motioned to his comrade to approach the cell door. Reaching into his vest, he pulled out a notched piece of metal. Then he pressed it to the lock, giving it a few turns. Pan and Trunks waited, their eyes glued to the first guard pointing the business end of his weapon towards them.
“One false move and you’ll both sleep for a long time…” the first continued his threat. Reaching in, the second grabbed Pan by her arm and yanked her out. As Trunks lunged forwards, the end of a crackling baton was thrust towards him. He backed off, his hands held up.
“Hey!” Pan shouted.
“Let her go!” Trunks snarled, but the crackling blue sparks held him at bay. He glared angrily at the dart still pointed at him.
Kicking and flailing, Pan suddenly jerked her body. With only one hand, the first guard held her, and then turned his attention to her and removed the baton from the cage. The quarter Saiyan then hooked her left leg around that of her captor, and lurched forwards. Dropping down she levered him up and into the far wall. Trunks reached through the bars and grabbed the muzzle of the dart gun, aiming it up. Before the astonished guard could react, he soon saw a fist sailing towards his face. Then only blackness and pain happened the next moment. Pan grabbed the tail of the first guard, and then chopped her hand against his neck. He lay stunned like his comrade.
Trunks leapt out of the cage. Already Pan bent over her guard, tugging and probing at the scaly armor. He raced around to the guard he’d knocked out, also probing through the battle harness and clothing for what he figured would be there. Sure enough, his fingers extracted a notched strip of gold about the length of a stick of chewing gum. Undoing the creature’s mail vest, he stripped it off and over the feathered neck. He tossed Pan her shirt, and she quickly pulled it on again. Trunks pulled the armored shirt over his torso to cover his bare skin. Fortunately, the thing fit reasonably well. Pan was also pleased when she stripped the other guard of their armor and dressed herself in the garment. Both Saiyans now were clad in lightweight scaly armor, preferable to being almost naked.
“It’ll do,” Trunks nodded.
He quickly inserted the key into his neck, and then popped the collar off. Motioning to Pan to come over, he seized the slender metal and inserted the tab. A second later and the pricking wires separated with a loud pop. Two collars gleamed bright silver in Trunks hand. With only a glance between them, they grabbed both their guards and heaved them into the cage. Pan slammed the door behind them and Trunks locked it.
“Nice work,” he nodded.
“Now let’s hope Grandpa can get here… before we have to get nasty,” Pan nodded.
“I think it’s a bit late for that Panny. I’m already more than ready to bust their heads in,” Trunks menacingly growled. With a feral gleam in his blue eyes, the Saiyan Prince enveloped himself in ki. Pan felt his hand reach out and wrap around her waist, carrying her along.
“Hey I can fly too, Trunks!” she protested. Trunks released her, mumbling to himself in embarrassment. Both of them blasted out of the corridor, blazing like two comets in the maze of tunnels. Surely now her Grandfather would sense where they were now, she hoped, before Trunks would cause their hosts to regret capturing two Saiyans.
***
Far outside the city, it was as if two beacons flickered on in darkness. Although this was in the midst of bright twin sunlight across a hot planet. Son Goku suddenly came to a full stop. As if it hit by an anvil the recently juvinile Saiyan reeled at the influx of ki. From nothing to full force, he saw Trunks and Pan’s ki unmistakably blazing with supernova-like intensity. For hours, he had followed the trail of their scent until it diminished to nothing. Just when he had all but lost hope.
“All right! I found them!” Son Goku cheered. Then he frowned, realizing they had not voluntarily supressed their kis. Something must have restrained their powers, artificially. Instinct ruled these realizations. Determination sculpted his facial features, travelling down to tense every muscle in his small body. Even the tip of his tail twitched in anticipation. Brightly the resulting ki envelope flared around him, heralding his change in direction.
Shame and fear filled her, floating in the blackness. Belief was part of the thing that sustained the forged link, and now Pan lie weighted down by it. She doubted if she could move or even make a muscle fiber twitch any more. Sheer exhaustion had claimed her and robbed her of any strength except to weakly listen to sounds wrapping around her. The only other thing she could do was struggle to process the sensory input that had been reinstated. She could feel the solid flat surface covered with scratchy fibers that poked at her bare skin. Also Pan felt the warmth of Trunks body and thighs cradling her head and shoulders. His strong hands gently shook her.
"Pan, say something wake up," he urged. Cool droplets touched her sensitive lips.
I want to, but I can't move a muscle. She thought towards him, hoping the bond they had forged would allow him to understand she had no energy. Shifting in her torso's position indicated he must be laying her down. Her neck arched over something else soft, and then she perceived the orange haze of her eyelids was blocked to blissful blackness. Now she could see the underside of her eyelids. After another minute she could wrestle enough oomph to open them. Through her lashes she saw Trunks looming over her. Concern wrinkled his features.
"Pan," he said hoarsely. His fingers stroked her cheek, and then dripped cool water onto her lips again. She managed to extend her tongue to lap the water, and it was heaven on her parched throat. Again he repeated the process and Pan licked the water from his dripping wet hand. Then he lifted a container to his lips and sipped, before bending down and bringing his mouth over hers. Water dribbled into her mouth from his attempt to share the liquid through a kiss. Instead it spilled and trickled over her neck and chin,
She spluttered and couched up to him, "What are you trying to..."
"I don't want you dehydrated," Trunks rasped, his voice hoarser than ever. "It's the only way to get you water. Just relax and let me try again."
Once more Trunks sipped a mouthful of water. This time Pan cooperated, opening her mouth to let him transfer a precious volume of liquid to her dry sandpapery tongue. About five times he did this until Pan had swallowed enough water to feel somewhat rejuvenated. The last time he drew back Pan noticed his chest was bare. The collar circling his neck was comprised of gold interlaced with silvery wires that seemed to penetrate his skin. Periodically it gleamed, and she realized that it was what inhibited their powers.
"It's no use taking them off yet. Till I figure out the mechanism. You really scared me Pan. What in hell were you doing?"
"I was trying to call Grandpa telepathically, but for some reason... I... I heard Dad's voice,” she weakly explained.
"Your father’s voice?" Trunks answered in shock, his angular eyes broadening. "How?"
"I followed it, and then I was able to see him and communicate with him. Didn't you do a same thing with your own dad?"
"Yes, but that was years ago! The last thing I'd want is my father to have access to my thoughts!" Trunks grunted. "Yeah we forged a link but it's only used when he wanted to telepathically yell at me! When I got older we shut it down. It's only used for emergencies... or to communicate to others to give orders!"
"Sounds like something your dad would say, Trunks," Pan cast him a sour look. "My dad and I practiced that just like my dad and grandpa. But what I don't get is why I can't get hold of grandpa?"
"The link between parent and child's more primal," said Trunks. Carefully he slid his arms under pan and lifted her up. With ease he set her into his lap, cradling her there and keeping her warm with his body heat. Pan let herself be held, drawing strength from him.
"I didn't have trouble before. But you and I..."
"Can communicate without trouble," Trunks finished her sentence.
"Daddy said so... he said that was why," Pan whispered. "But you and I..."
"That’s simple, Pan," Trunks answered softly. "It's because the link between... mates is the strongest bond there is."
"Mates," Pan repeated, glancing up at Trunks with a question. Her throat clenched and joy radiated through her body. In his own way he had affirmed the relationship without directly saying it. Out in the depths of space they were as good as married, judging from the scabbing scar on his shoulder. It was similar to the one she'd seen on her mother and father, or grandfather and grandmother.
"Pan, don't be scared. I won't let any of them harm you, I swear," Trunks promised.
"Like I'd let them have a chance in hell of that," Pan snapped back.
"That's my woman, you're getting your strength back," Trunks answered.
"You're really starting to annoy me with that 'woman' stuff," Pan griped. However she continued to enjoy it because it was further proof. Considering how his father called his mother 'woman' often, though through the years it became more of a term of endearment than anything else.
"You and I could still communicate telepathically even with these ki blockers. And you and dad could communicate as well. But talking to other Saiyans is close to impossible. I don't know how you could with your father," he murmured.
"Maybe because I've got a different relationship with mine than you do with yours, or it's because I'm a girl?" Pan asked slowly. "You know Bra told me she and her daddy had no trouble communicating."
"That’d make sense. Mom always did claim girls were better at communicating. Your mom would say it was sexist bullshit, but there are differences in Saiyan females. Since you and my sis are the only Saiyan females..." trailed off Trunks.
"Speaking of communication, you really blew it with those guys in there! What were you thinking?"
"I don't have to answer to anyone who makes themselves judge and jury and executioner without a fair trial Pan. They captured US, remember?" Trunks said with a deadly gleam in his eyes. "And they endangered you. I can't let that go unpunished."
"You looked just like your father when you said all that," Pan informed him. "It scared the hell out of me."
"I don't know if I should take it as an insult or a complement. But I know dad would have been proud of me," Trunks said.
"But your father did do all those things," said Pan.
"Maybe so, but he was manipulated by Freeza into doing so. Maybe by human standards that doesn't justify what our race did, but one way or another he's been paying for that for years. That was his choice, and his challenge as a warrior to carry. He answers for it alone. His choices to fight and survive were met as a true Saiyan warrior," Trunks said.
"Saiyan standards," Pan whispered. "But think of all the people they killed!"
Trunks face dipped into shadow momentarily as he leaned back against the cage wall. He said, "Hundreds of innocent lives perhaps? But Saiyans are predators Pan, don't you see?"
"Yes, but we're not like that anymore. We're part human too," she reminded him. His body was a solid strong anchor now from which she continued to derive strength. More of his warmth seemed into her body, reinvigorating hers.
Trunks laughed gently, "Can we say humans are any less guilty for wanting to go into space and conquer worlds of our own? Did the settlers of West City ask that when they founded the settlement and drove out the native populace?"
"Maybe not, but you're not Vegeta. You're you. I'm me. We make our own destinies Trunks. We live in the shadow of our fathers’ maybe, but we aren't them. Even though part of them is in us," Pan murmured, her dark eyes capturing his.
Sitting Indian style Trunks had Pan's bottom and back sitting in the triangle of his thighs now. His muscular bicep pillowed the back of her neck while his other arm wrapped around her hips to hold her there. However he held her not with the affection of a small child but a man who wanted to shelter and protect his woman, while she gave him a reason to fight and protect. Even though she could fight herself.
Trunks eyes deepened to a nearly cobalt blue. Ordinarily they were aqua, or even sky blue. Locking gazes with her he then said, “You're right that children make their own destinies. But I'm I am a Saiyan Prince, like my father before me. I am responsible for the house of Vegetasei and its future. But I will not be judged by a kangaroo court with groundless authority."
"I don't know if I'm angry at you or incredibly proud of you, Trunks. You just took responsibility for your actions and stuck your ground even though I don't totally agree with everything you said there," Pan murmured. She was able to lift her hand and let it drop on his chest. Her other draped over her belly, which was bare because of her belly shirt.
"What did your father say, Pan? He knows we're here?"
"He does... I showed him what happened, but not all of it," Pan said shyly, fear entering her voice.
"Yeah. But what we do here is our business Pan. I respect your father, but I will have to confront him when we return. Prove to him that I am serious," Trunks answered.
"We don't have to tell him yet!" Pan protested.
"I won't hold something back from your father Pan. He may not approve of me, but I won't sneak around with you. You and I have nothing to be ashamed of. No more than Bra and your uncle," said Trunks.
"Wait... you... my uncle Goten and Bra?" Pan spluttered.
"I'm not stupid Pan. I've seen how he looks at her. My brotherly instinct is to flatten his face, and I know your father will be the same way when it comes to you. So that's why we have to be honest. But... I can't blame you for not wanting to tell him," he trailed off.
"We don't know for sure," said Pan with a giggle. "I mean my uncle and your sister... it just seems so far off. I mean he likes that chick Valise."
"Maybe I'm just imagining things," Trunks grumbled. "But big brother instinct is like father instinct. I feel sorrier for what Dad will do to him if they ARE..."
"No sorrier than what will happen to you, when my dad finds out about us," Pan answered solemnly.
"I guess I'm dead meat then," Trunks chuckled. "For his sake I hope Goten's behaving himself. It’s worse when your best friend is..."
"I'd rather not talk about them right now, Princey," Pan said. Trunks snickered at her nickname for him. As soon as he'd call her Panny she would retort with that.
"How much DID you tell your dad before the link... went out?"
"I don't know. But I don't want to think of how much he may not know. But it's reassuring that he DOES in a way know... that we're okay..." she whispered. "And Grandpa will find us I know he will."
"Maybe, but if I could only figure out how to get these damn collars off," Trunks mumbled.
“You mean you haven’t figured out a way yet?” Pan asked.
“With what tools, Panny?” Trunks snorted. “Except my bare hands? You see how these wires penetrate the skin I’m afraid trying to remove them would only cause more pain. I tried.”
“What if you pulled mine off?” Pan asked.
“I don’t want to risk it,” Trunks answered.
“But if we were doing something pleasurable…” Pan answered.
“No. We’re going to wait for one of them to get in here. And out think them,” said Trunks patiently.
“What and whack one of the guards on the head? Really smooth trunks!” she answered. “I’m serious!”
“Unless you’re suggesting having sex and then pulling the collars off? Pan, that doesn’t work in real life,” Trunks grumbled.
“But perhaps they can only absorb so much before they…”
“Wouldn’t work,” Trunks cut her off. “These don’t absorb ki. They DISRUPT ki. As in blocking the part of our bodies that generate it.”
“But if they assume we’re Saiyans, maybe they’re only attenuated to them, not humans. And I’m three quarters human while you’re only ½,” Pan said. “Maybe human ki isn’t the same… and if…”
“There’s a reason other then ki that I won’t remove these collars,” Trunks said. “And I’m serious when I said there was more pain…”
He pointed to a small clear translucent gem on the clasp of the collar. “It looks like a trigger. I saw it on your collar. If we tried to take it off, it would inject whatever liquid is stored in the jewel in the clasp. It’s hollow. I am guessing it’s a poison.”
“Oh,” Pan murmured. Then she brightened up. “But that tranquilizing stuff they used on us didn’t affect me as much as it did you. So if these collars have a toxin triggered by trying to pull off the collars… then it must be tuned to Saiyans. So taking them off would poison us. But I could withstand the poison.”
“No Pan. I won’t risk it. I think the only chance is getting one of those guards who have a key that will unlock them. Only that will stop the needle from injecting the poison,” he said. “Why do you think they took all our garments? Any piece of metal we could use for making a trigger?”
“You’re not just giving up are you?” Pan despaired.
“They want us to try and escape. But I’m not giving them that satisfaction of doing it in the way they expect,” Trunks said.
“Father said if they wanted us dead they’d have killed us by now,” Pan murmured. “But I hate sitting here doing nothing!”
“Who says we’ll be doing nothing,” Trunks winked.
Dark brown eyes widened at the implications, after taking a moment to process his meaning. Sensually his eyes gleamed, before he bent down and pressed his lips to hers. Pan allowed him to do so, immediately looping her arms around his neck. Now that his chest was bare, she could freely roam her hands over his now tanned skin, mapping out his muscles.
He breathed heavily in her ear when he withdrew. Momentarily he paused before once more latching onto her mouth like a thirsty person denied water. Pan did the same, burying her fears in the sensation of Trunks hands squeezing her hips and then sneaking under her shirt to caress her. She abandoned clinging to his neck long enough to raise her arms and let him pull her shirt up and off. Now clad only in her bra she renewed their kiss. Swinging around she straddled his lap without breaking contact.
Neither seemed to tire of exploring one another's body with their hands and tongues. The taste of Trunks neck and shoulder were slightly salty, along where she had left her mark. Her tongue became familiar with the shape and slight indentation of the red scar.
“Ohhhh Panny,” Trunks groaned. “That’s how I like it!”
Trying to forget her embarrassment at how cheesy that sounded, Pan wailed, “Oh my Kami! Please take me! Oh Princey!”
“Oh yes, oh yes… damn!” Trunks continued.
Exaggerated moans and grunts soon alerted the nearby Quetzalcoatl guard. He glanced at his fellow soldier with a look of disgust. The other mumbled something obscene followed by the words, “Just like monkeys to make so much noise!”
“I can’t stand the thought of them copulating! We have to put a stop to it!” the other nodded. Both of them slipped small darts into their wrist-mounted crossbows, and then scuttled towards the cage. Within they saw the female mounting the male, having removed a good portion of the clothing that they had still on. Hands pawed at one another while their bodies moved against each other.
“All right, stop that disgusting noise at once!” the first snarled. At the sound, the female’s head popped up. Fear gleamed in her dark eyes.
“Or we remove the female from the cell! We didn’t say you could mate in there!” the second added. The Prince straightened up, his arms still wrapped around the female he held on his lap.
“Damn you you’ll take her away!” Trunks bared his teeth at them.
“Shut up or we’ll tranq you again,” the first threatened, hovering close and sticking the muzzle of his dart gun through the bars.
He motioned to his comrade to approach the cell door. Reaching into his vest, he pulled out a notched piece of metal. Then he pressed it to the lock, giving it a few turns. Pan and Trunks waited, their eyes glued to the first guard pointing the business end of his weapon towards them.
“One false move and you’ll both sleep for a long time…” the first continued his threat. Reaching in, the second grabbed Pan by her arm and yanked her out. As Trunks lunged forwards, the end of a crackling baton was thrust towards him. He backed off, his hands held up.
“Hey!” Pan shouted.
“Let her go!” Trunks snarled, but the crackling blue sparks held him at bay. He glared angrily at the dart still pointed at him.
Kicking and flailing, Pan suddenly jerked her body. With only one hand, the first guard held her, and then turned his attention to her and removed the baton from the cage. The quarter Saiyan then hooked her left leg around that of her captor, and lurched forwards. Dropping down she levered him up and into the far wall. Trunks reached through the bars and grabbed the muzzle of the dart gun, aiming it up. Before the astonished guard could react, he soon saw a fist sailing towards his face. Then only blackness and pain happened the next moment. Pan grabbed the tail of the first guard, and then chopped her hand against his neck. He lay stunned like his comrade.
Trunks leapt out of the cage. Already Pan bent over her guard, tugging and probing at the scaly armor. He raced around to the guard he’d knocked out, also probing through the battle harness and clothing for what he figured would be there. Sure enough, his fingers extracted a notched strip of gold about the length of a stick of chewing gum. Undoing the creature’s mail vest, he stripped it off and over the feathered neck. He tossed Pan her shirt, and she quickly pulled it on again. Trunks pulled the armored shirt over his torso to cover his bare skin. Fortunately, the thing fit reasonably well. Pan was also pleased when she stripped the other guard of their armor and dressed herself in the garment. Both Saiyans now were clad in lightweight scaly armor, preferable to being almost naked.
“It’ll do,” Trunks nodded.
He quickly inserted the key into his neck, and then popped the collar off. Motioning to Pan to come over, he seized the slender metal and inserted the tab. A second later and the pricking wires separated with a loud pop. Two collars gleamed bright silver in Trunks hand. With only a glance between them, they grabbed both their guards and heaved them into the cage. Pan slammed the door behind them and Trunks locked it.
“Nice work,” he nodded.
“Now let’s hope Grandpa can get here… before we have to get nasty,” Pan nodded.
“I think it’s a bit late for that Panny. I’m already more than ready to bust their heads in,” Trunks menacingly growled. With a feral gleam in his blue eyes, the Saiyan Prince enveloped himself in ki. Pan felt his hand reach out and wrap around her waist, carrying her along.
“Hey I can fly too, Trunks!” she protested. Trunks released her, mumbling to himself in embarrassment. Both of them blasted out of the corridor, blazing like two comets in the maze of tunnels. Surely now her Grandfather would sense where they were now, she hoped, before Trunks would cause their hosts to regret capturing two Saiyans.
***
Far outside the city, it was as if two beacons flickered on in darkness. Although this was in the midst of bright twin sunlight across a hot planet. Son Goku suddenly came to a full stop. As if it hit by an anvil the recently juvinile Saiyan reeled at the influx of ki. From nothing to full force, he saw Trunks and Pan’s ki unmistakably blazing with supernova-like intensity. For hours, he had followed the trail of their scent until it diminished to nothing. Just when he had all but lost hope.
“All right! I found them!” Son Goku cheered. Then he frowned, realizing they had not voluntarily supressed their kis. Something must have restrained their powers, artificially. Instinct ruled these realizations. Determination sculpted his facial features, travelling down to tense every muscle in his small body. Even the tip of his tail twitched in anticipation. Brightly the resulting ki envelope flared around him, heralding his change in direction.