Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ REPRISAL UNBOUND ❯ chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

Bulma walked around the enormous rectangular table, looking for the empty seat that was reserved for her. When she finally saw her name on one of the small plaques she slouched down into the comfortable chair with a deep sigh. Since the shower incident the ache between her legs had not left her and the limp she tried to hide was visible despite her hardest efforts to do so.

She glanced around the room. It was large. Being a corner room two sides of it was sheer glass allowing the late afternoon light to enter in and illuminate everything. Bulma looked upon the empty seats. Over half of the representatives had yet to arrive.

`Hpmh! I didn't need to rush after all.' She thought. Then her mind went back to her previous thought. She just couldn't believe that Vegeta had taken her against her wishes. He had never ever abused his strength like that before. Never! Not only that, but there was nothing that happened earlier that day would have clued her about the sudden behaviour or accumulate up to the act.

True, during a number of moments in forgetting how frail she was and his own strength, Vegeta had caused her pain; and knowing it was accidental she wouldn't say anything to him. But he had never hurt her like this. Never with such careless deliberateness…

Bulma sighed. She knew she should've been angry, maybe even scared that he could do it again, but she wasn't. She was confused and sad. Sad for herself…sad for Vegeta. She knew that right at the very same moment, he was probably torturing himself in that infernal gravity chamber, all in the name of training.

"Ms Briefs…"

"Oh…Vegeta…" she whispered softly to herself.

"Ms Briefs."

Bulma attentions snapped back to where she was, and she saw that not only were all the representatives now present but they were also all staring straight back at her.

"Would you like to share something with us before be start?" Asked the vice chairman

Bulma looked at the middle-aged man who had spoken to her. In fact, nearly all in the room were male and middle-aged. It made her feel like she was a little schoolgirl who had just gotten into trouble and had been sent before the headmaster. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat before sitting up straight.

"Er …n-no," she stuttered. "I'm sorry for the interruption. Please begin." She bowed her head apologetically, but also to hide the blush that had crept up into her cheeks.

Bulma listened attentively as the meeting began.

From what she heard Bulma found out the URSO was founded after the time when the Saiyan duo Vegeta and Nappa first came to conquer the earth. It was a living fact alien races existed out in space, some friendly some obviously hostile. They came together with resources and ideas on how to detect from a very early stage the approach of alien life, and assess whether it be something to welcome with open arms or something to fear and prepare against.

"Just over seven months ago our furthest placed satellite, the URSO-8G99W2, picked up a signal some fifty million miles from Pluto."

"What!" Bulma exclaimed. "Satellites have been placed that far out and have that kind of range?!" She wished she hadn't spoken out when all eyes turned on her for the second time.

"Not all manmade satellites in space do. Only those produced by our group can attain to that range." The vice chairman replied to Bulma's interruption. His glance told her that he had not appreciated it.

"We cannot tell exactly what is causing the signal. It could be probable that it is just some form of radiation that we have yet to catalogue, or some other reason. But there are those of us who believe it was caused by some kind of space vessel that is not fully detectable by our satellites."

Bulma's face told the chairman that she had more questions, but he continued to speak.

"If it is possibly a ship, then it is also likely that they have some sort of cloaking technology that keeps us from detecting them."

"But all this is just speculation." A male representative spoke out. "You have no proof that it is indeed a space craft."

"I am only saying that it is a possibility." The vice chairman replied.

"But you have no physical evidence prove any of what you're saying." The sceptical representative added.

"We do now."

Everyone turned from the arguing pair to the new voice that had spoken from the door.

Dr Briefs panned the room and looked at all seated in turn. He wasn't surprised to see Bulma, but she was very surprised to see him.

"Father…?" She began but when he looked at her she stopped. Bulma saw the look that meant he would explain everything to her when they had the chance to be alone.

"The SO-8G99W2 was not the only satellite to pick up that same signal. Two of our other satellites did so as well. The SO-7G99W2 at Neptune, and the SO-6G99W2 at Saturn. From the intervals that the signals were received we can assume that the object is indeed moving…towards earth." Dr Briefs removed a capsule from his pocket, pressed it release button and threw it several feet from himself. The explosion and smoke cleared away to reveal a large 1.5 by 2 meters monitor that had a keyboard. He walked over to it and switched it on.

"Only the SO-6G99W2 picked up this image. Observe."

All representatives looked captivated at the screen. On it showed a clear image of the far south east of Saturn's rings. The sight was beautiful, then after ten second it appeared at it a part of the rings was disrupted from it normal shape. Just like a holographic 3D picture. Even the natural shimmer seemed as if it were altered. As if something passed through it.

"What was that? What just happened there?" One of the representatives asked.

"I'll enlarge that part of the screen for a better view." He'd already begun to type on the keyboard before he even finished his sentence and began to replay the image from the beginning.

Again all present saw the same thing for several seconds a portion of the rings of Saturn seemed to be pushed out of their form along with the natural shimmer being distorted just like that of a holographic 3D image.

"As you all can see," Dr Briefs concluded. "Something did indeed pass through at least part of Saturn's rings. Some sort of object that could most likely be credited to that of a cloaked ship."

"Dr Briefs," Bulma asked making sure she addressed her father appropriately as he had always told her to when business was concerned. "From the intervals can you give an estimate how long it will take the object to reach earth?"

"Not for another month or so." He removed his glasses and took out a cloth to clean the lenses. "So that still leaves us time to prepare for...its arrival."

"Will we be able to see it?" Another representative asked.

"At the moment none of our sensors from either out satellites or radars can establish clear visual contact."

"I suggest that we break now for a two hour recess and resume at 7:15." The Vice Chairman suggested.

The representatives present nodded their heads in union and there was monotonous wave of vocal concurrence.

"Dr Briefs, the Head Chairman and I would like for you join us." The Vice Chairman said.

"As you wish." Dr Briefs stole a quick glance at Bulma that told her they'd have to speak much later than he originally intended and he exited the room following the Vice Chairman.

Bulma sighed quietly to herself. She was glad for the break. It wasn't that what she was told and had seen was boring; on the contrary! She usually found it very exciting indeed. It was just that something of more profound importance was currently occupying her mind. She didn't even make any further attempt to talk to her father. That one person refused to leave her thoughts. Vegeta.

She walked out the meeting room and headed for the building cafeteria she had passed on her way there. After a few sips of cappuccino and several measly bites of her late lunch, Bulma no longer had an appetite even though she was famished. Bulma felt miserable, confused and depressed. She needed someone she could talk to, someone to confide in. Only one person came to her mind; her best female friend. Chichi

Bulma got up and left her unfinished lunch to find a phone, having forten her mobile in her rush to reach in time. Since she was asked to come by special invitation, Bulma was given a private and secure phone line to use. After dialling the number for the Son house, she had only to wait a few moments before the phone was answered.

"Mochi mochi?"

"Hello Chichi."

"Oh Bulma! Hello!"

"How are Goku and the boys?"

"I managed to get Goten to study, but Goku and Gohan have gone off to train with Piccolo somewhere." She said in an annoyed tone. "How are you?"

"…" Bulma remained silent.

"Bulma?"

"I'm fine." The way Bulma had answered suggested otherwise.

"…No." Chichi said perceptively. "No, you don't sound fine. What is it? What's wrong?"

"…" Bulma didn't respond to her friend's question.

"Is it Trunks?"

"No. He's alright."

"Is it Vegeta?"

"…Chichi." Bulma spoke shakily even though she fought to control her voice. "Chichi. I need to speak to you, but I - I can't…not over the phone…"

"Bulma what's wrong? Did you two have a bad fight or something?" Chichi's voice was full of worry.

"Can I see you?" Bulma knew there'd be a strong risk of her breaking down if she said anymore over the phone; and she wasn't in the right place to do so.

"Sure. Can you come by?"

"Not right now. I'm in a meeting and I won't be able to come by until much later, but I really need to speak to you."

"It doesn't matter what time you do, just come see me. Alright?"

"…"

"Alright?!"

"Y - Yeah…thanks Chichi. See you later."

"Ok. Bye Bulma."

"Yeah…bye." Bulma was the last to put down the phone. She realised that her breathing was rigid and her hands were trembling.

***

Chichi placed the cordless phone back in its place. Then folded her arms over her chest and tried to make sense of the strange phone call that she had just had from Bulma.

Whatever it was, Bulma was very upset. Chichi knew her, knew the behaviour of the woman that she had now become. Bulma wasn't a child anymore; she'd never burst into tears over a foolish trifle. But she was sure that her assumption of Bulma's problem being Vegeta, again, was the cause for her disturbing mood. Chichi was so engrossed in thought that she didn't even notice that Goku and Gohan's arrival. Only the affectionate peck on her cheek from her husband broke her away from her thoughts.

"Hi Chichi honey." The tall spiky haired Saiyan said.

"Hi Mom." Greeted her young adolescent son. "Is dinner ready yet, I'm starving."

Chichi silently looked at her family. To her annoyance, as Gohan grew so did his appetite. It wouldn't be long before his consumption of food rivalled that of his father's.

`No! Wait a minute! Nothing in the universe could rival Goku's appetite! Only Vegeta comes close!' Chichi correctively thought to herself, then an uncompromising glare came upon her face as her fists planted themselves on her hips.

"There'll be no dinner for you Gohan until you do at least and hour and a half of study."

"Oh mom…" he began to whine.

"Don't you `oh Mom' me, young man. Go to your room and get a couple of hours in."

Gohan glanced at her father supportively.

Goku sighed before opening his mouth to speak. "Go on Gohan. Your Mom did allow you to train all afternoon."

"Alright…" he dropped his head dejectedly and walked towards his room.

Chichi eyes followed him until he disappeared around the corner and she smiled. `That's my good Gohan.'

She suddenly felt two powerful arms engulf her from behind and she sub-consciously leaned back into her husband's embrace. Goku began to nuzzle her neck but stopped when she didn't respond.

"What's wrong Chichi?"

"Bulma."

"Bulma?" He repeated quizzically.

"Just before you came she phoned me. She sounded upset. I think she and Vegeta had a fight or something."

"Don't those two always fight?"

"Yes I know, but if you would have heard her…" Chichi trailed off shaking her head.

"What do you mean?"

"When it's just a normal fight she calls me to shout down a couple more insults about her `over bearing prince'," Chichi did an almost perfect vocal imitation of Bulma and she got a responsive giggle from Goku. "But when she called today, she sounded so upset, like she wanted to cry."

"Really?" Goku said more seriously. "I'm sure she's alright. Maybe she's just havin' one of those days that a girl goes through."

"Goku!" Chichi said in an annoyed voice.

"What?!" He cried, having no idea that the second meaning of that phrase was in regards to women and their menstruation cycle. "I heard it in a song once."

Chichi sighed. Goku's innocence still surprised her at times.

"Anyway," Chichi continued. "She said that she would drop by this evening some time. I think she really needs a friendly ear."

"Well since we have to wait for the boys to finish their studies before we eat…" Goku captured Chichi's lips in a kiss before picking her up and heading towards their bedroom, and naturally she didn't resist.

***

"It now 20:00 hours, gravity simulation will automatically shut down in 10 seconds, 8, 7…" spoke the feminine sounding computer voice, "2, 1, 0." There was whizzing down sound as gravity returned to normal.

Vegeta swore violently. It was Bulma's idea to programme the machine to automatically shut down at this time as a means to force Vegeta to eat dinner at this time with Trunks and herself. His intensive training had managed to keep his mind from thoughts about her, but now that it was off and he couldn't train effectively, she was right back in there in the forefront of his mind again.

Grabbing a towel from the rack by the door to dry off the sweat Vegeta angrily stomped out the gravity chamber and headed towards the house. He couldn't sense Bulma's ki anywhere in the Capsule Corp. compound, meaning she still hadn't returned from the meeting she had left to attend that morning.

`Hmph! The woman did say she'd be late.' Vegeta refused to allow himself to worry about her. He didn't want to admit that he was neither in the mood to or could face her at the moment.

As he approached the kitchen he could hear the familiar voice of Mrs Briefs humming in the kitchen as she was serving dinner, and Vegeta breathed deeply allowing the delicious aroma to assault his senses. Vegeta automatically assumed his usual seat and waited for his first plate of many to be placed in front of him. His view slid to Trunks, who was involved in consuming his evening meal, but then momentarily ceased to greet his father and then went back to his food.

"Here you go Vegeta." Mrs Briefs cheeringly said as she placed the first of many servings of dinner in front of him. "Eat up now." After serving a small plate for herself, Mrs Briefs sat down at the table and began to have her own dinner.

As Vegeta ate as he listened to the conversation Trunks had with his grandparent. Though it did not interest him in the slightest, he'd preferred it to eating in total silence.

"Did Kaasan say what time she was coming home?" Trunks asked openly.

"Well she didn't phone personally, but she had someone call to say that the meeting wouldn't finish at least for another two hours." Mrs Briefs answered.

"Oh," Trunks complained. "I'll be in bed before she comes home."

Vegeta's eyes jumped towards the blond woman. Obviously surprised by what he heard. Bulma never stayed out so late, especially when she was on her own.

"Vegeta dear, what's wrong?" Mrs Briefs asked.

"Nothing." Vegeta muttered coldly, annoyed that she had noticed his slight astonishment. "I'm going back to my gravity chamber." After cleaning his plate of the last morsel of food, he got up and headed for the gravity chamber.

`What the hell could that meeting be about?! Unless she's engrossed in one of her stupid projects, the woman detests missing out on her sleep!' Vegeta wondered as he entered the chamber and the door automatically closed behind him. `Ah fuck it! I should get back to my training.'

***

The rest of the two-hour break had passed at an incredibly slow pace, as it seemed for Bulma. She waited until it was five minutes before it was time reconvene and then left to join the rest of the URSO representatives.

For almost another three hours the representatives of URSO, Dr Briefs and Bulma argued and discussed about what to do about the presumed UFO that was heading to Earth. If the visitors did indeed turn out to be hostile then some sort of offensive or defence would be needed; and if they were friendly, it wasn't like the defensives would turn out to be a waste of time and resources. There were bound to be aggressive aliens out there who would choose the planet to be their next victim. Then again it was debated that unless they knew something of the biological make up of the oncoming visitors any weapon that they would come up with could prove to be useless. So as a backup plan, due to persuasion from both Dr Briefs and Bulma, all representatives agreed to enrol the services of the earth special defences team (AN: I think that's one of the name for the team. Another is Zensui team - I think. If I'm wrong in the name or spelling someone please tell me)

When the meeting was adjourned it was already after ten. Bulma stood out side the room doors waiting for her father, while talked privately with the Head and Vice chairman. After an additional fifthteen minutes he emerged.

"About time father, what were you talking about in there?" Bulma asked not hiding her irritation well.

"Just clearing up some small details up. But I am glad to say that were finished here for today." He sighed gratefully. "Come on, let's go home." Dr Briefs began to head towards the exit of the building, but then turned around when he didn't hear her following him.

"Bulma…?"

"You go ahead father, I have to see someone before I go home tonight."

Dr Briefs arched his eyebrows curiously. "Who? Where are you going?"

"Just a friend." Bulma answered vaguely. She knew that her father knew that with the amount of associates that Bulma had and labelled `just a friend' according to need it could be anyone.

"It's already almost half pass ten." He said thoughtfully, and Bulma could tell that he didn't like the idea of her being out so late on her own.

"It's alright father. I'll be fine." She reassured him. "I'll try to get back as soon as I can. Bye." With that Bulma hurried off before her father could speak the objections that had formulated in his mind.

Dr Briefs watched Bulma as she ran into a lift and waved goodbye to him, smiling as the doors closed. He frowned as he stroked his moustache. For fragment amount of time, that smile she had been wearing seemed so forced; so much like a façade. But he shrugged his shoulders continued his journey to the exit.

to be continued…

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