Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Thing ❯ Dog day Afternoon ( Chapter 2 )

The Thing

Chapter 2

Dog's day afternoon…

Bulma's heavily shielded armed forces copter lands swiftly impelling the snow the covered the ground; turning it into a cyclone of frosty snow, and the propellers spreading the smooth crystal flakes into a like dust like fashion.

She is expecting to see the welcome wagon as she maneuvers the consignment armed copter. Although, being in the incandescent arctic cold surrounded by high-peaked mountains made communications difficult to the extreme, and perhaps no one knew they would be arriving. Therefore, it really wasn't that unusual to not be greeted in such climate, however, she still felt the modus operandi of professionalism was incompetently shoddy. This was the correct location according to the map's coordinates, the auto navigation pinpointed the direct location by an inbuilt synchronize graphic representation atlas, which the compass had an earth-shattering 99% accuracy.

The chopper cyclone landing blasted the snow in all directions; Blustery weather, the platinum silver gray-cast skies made the snowdrift caused by the lading look like sparkling fairy dust as the door hatch opens.

The troop hastily gathered their equipment, and working materials; ridiculously, the cold atmosphere out there was in subzero temperatures. The freezing gale wind increased as the sky started to shower with snow; Bulma got a bad feeling about this...

A partial impairment of vision made the troop shield their eyes, they had been exposed to the brightness of the snow for a while inside the helicopter, but now being fully exposed to the luminosity was beginning to effect their vision; luckily, they had snow gear equipped on them, and simply put on their ski-goggles. This action was preventing any glare trouble from the snow; however, it still didn't help them to see any better for the snowy field was encased by the early stages of a strong blizzard. Bulma took charge immediately, and ordered the Dragon squad, to enter the charter flight's central command office. She thought it strange that no one came to greet them by now, the air traffic controls should had pinpointed the chopper's levitation on the radar, plus this was capsule corps, military section, motion detection sensors surrounded the compound, it was no excuse why they were being so discourteous.

Bulma shielded her frostbitten face from the strong gust of bitter-cold wind; she was going to be a Popsicle if they didn't get quickly inside! She held her hat as the wind gained momentum, smacking against the group, she yelled over the untimely blizzard, " Hurry, we have to get inside, it looks like the storm is already here!" she quickly pulled her hood over her face, her thermal-cap aiding in shielding from the full blast of snow.

The group quickly geared up and marched through the thick masses of the snow; heading toward the only source of soft light, leading to the main hall of the facility, hurriedly, they burst through the warm doors of the facility. Still feeling the effects of the cold they stood there panting from exhaustion, they were all dead on their feet having to carrying all the technical equipment, dealing with drastic weather changes, running through the massiveness of snow, yes, they were pretty spent.

Bulma sighed with exhaustion, removing her thermal cap, and moved her aqua sweat drenched bangs out of her face, it's natural for body heat to rise in that type of cold environment, she wished she had cut her hair for this mission; she then looked around confused. She looked outside of the offices doors, in could see it as getting dark and the storm was in it early stages, they were indisputably snowbound. They were in for a long stay, and it appeared that this place was deserted, and it was developing to look for quite some time, "What the hell is going on here? Where is the briefing team?" she asked in confusion.

The tried group looked around, agreeing that this place was very empty. Bulma looked lost as to what to do next. "But, the generator is still operational…" she observed aloud.

Roshi steps up, "All right, Bulma you take Turles, Krillin, and Marron. The rest you come with me hehe, I need protection Goku, so you'll lead the way to the kitchen, this old man is starving! Bulma, you search for those idiotic buffoons who didn't bother to inform us on the details of this crazy mission." Commander Roshi ordered, and his group took the equipment.

"All right guys you heard the commander, lets go rummage around, hunt for any assistance." Bulma commanded, as they exchange the equipment to the others.

~*~*~

She and her group went the opposite direction; the place seemed so empty, where was everybody? Bulma knew this building well, not that she has ever been in it, but she helped the architectural constructing draft design. It was fascinating to actually see her creation come to life, every crevasse was coordinated in accord with the digital compose. She looked around amazed, she noticed Turles's persuasive flirtatious gaze. Turles had a thing for Bulma if you will, he would often fraternize his charming wiles to goad her into going out with him, Bulma was rather intrigued by his sexual nature. He had an alluring way with words, and a suggestive chemistry, his body language spoke more then his words, purely physical, which were enticing and captivating.

She eyed him sideways, and could tell he was about to try to seduce her once again; she gave a knowing smile. She liked Turles, really, he was appealing; at times in her loneliness, she often thought about taking him up on his offers, but she was also a commander. Bulma was too busy for indulging in opulent reckless lustful relationships, besides, Turles was an underling a private at that. She didn't go into that, she didn't want to deal with relationship problems with working with someone who was under her, or someone she worked with period. She made that mistake before with her last boyfriend, he nearly pilfered her of her once highly gentrified dignified esteemed reputation. He started disreputable rumors, and told of their relationship to others, bragging about their intimate encounters; He was a shameless brazen opportunist. Zarbon, ugh she hated that name now, at one time she thought she couldn't live without it, but now it was different.

He was still part of the military also gaining a high position with status privileges, and what irony that it would be he whom was part of the debriefing team, whom was expected to acknowledge, and salute them upon arrival.

She suddenly looked down in remembrance; he made her look like a infatuated smitten fool, and her old teammates shunned her, losing all respect they once held for her. He told vicious lies to gain position all the while Bulma remained dutifully naïve to his monopoly game; looking in retrospect, he literally buried her in tabloid gossip, complete utter rubbish. He disclose, and expose their private confidential encounters as if it were a mere joke, refuse to be passed among other staff members, more specifically, high commanders, a male vilification conversing. Making the environment extremely uncomfortable, vilifying her in her own element. He systematically managed to demean Bulma's proud integrity, and used her status against her to gain his own.

She was look down upon, and others tried to take advantage of her because of the rumors spread by Zarbon, making her look like a filthy tramp. Bulma was head-over-heels for Zarbon, and never cheated outside their relationship, however Zarbon was nowhere near as loyal. In sad truth, he was never devoted to Bulma, just her prominent status and substantial cash flow.

Turles came from behind, and cupped her chin. "Hey, what's the matter my precious sweet flower, you look malcontented Bulma." He said deeply.

They stopped as Krillin and Marron move further on, looking like cybernetic zombies oblivious of Turles's misconduct. "Turles, please don't, I'm your superior, commander this is exceedingly, and abundantly inappropriate."

"Hey come on, all that stands in our way is silly titles, Bulma. I just want to get to know you better that's all, I promise no strings are attached." He pleaded, embracing her from her backside, she constricted, her body completely stiff as if it congealed, giving her a rigid disposition.

Bulma was caught off guard by his aggressive intentions; she was startled and tempted, but now was not the time to be looking for date, "Turles, if you don't stop I will write you up, and you will be demoted. This is a high-risk operation, and your insistent assertive belligerent intentions are out of place, and out of line. There is no us, we are soldiers, we are a team. I never gave you any impression otherwise, so take your hands off me now, and learn some proficient military professionalism. Your ragamuffin adequate is indeed quite amateurish. You're just a child with a gun; honestly, you have no tact or class. I suggest you keep your covetousness lust under control." She said coldly, walking ahead of the stunned Turles.

Turles stood there disappointed, and angry with himself for not being higher in command. The commander was right his flirting was highly tactless, and very improper, but she didn't have to be so nasty about it! He grunted angrily, and followed the three members ahead.

~*~*~

Krillin heard mumbled sounds of terrible music up ahead, it sounds like people engaging in combat, interfering with the music. "Hey Commander Briefs, we have company!" he shouted, gearing his weaponry, listening to the thunderous resounding commotion the other side of the door.

Marron picked up a broom to defend herself; well she was the cleaning lady. "Right, locked and load teacher!" she said with seriousness in her posture, gripping the broom indetermination. Bulma sighed there was no point in mentioning again that she was not Marron's teacher, but she never once took it in consideration, not once!

Bulma and Turles looked at each other strong-minded resolutely indomitable, and armed themselves with heavily laden artillery. The music was off rhythm; as if it had been damaged, it just sounded demented rumbling with fragmentation, ear-splittingly loud, somebody must have lost his or her mind. They could here a hostile brawl pursuing on the other side of the steel insulated door. They stood alertly by, listening in on riotous dispute.

~*~*~

"Fuck you Zarbon! You all are infected, none of you assholes are who you say you are!" shouted a male voice, he sounded deranged, and very edgy.

They looked at each other and with a positive nod, kicked opened the door; Bulma pushed ahead aiming her weapon at Zarbon's involved face, however, his eyes stayed resolutely on the crazed man.

The room was full of animosity and intensity was staggering; they all looked very tired, and flushed. There were five soldiers in total, Bulma observed. She didn't recognize anyone except for Zarbon, who she detested.

The mutinous man pulled out a handgun, and pointed it at Zarbon's head, "Calm down Tien! You are over-reacting! It's okay, we are just here to help!" said the blue-faced man, with short politically correct, clean cut, short green hair.

"Fuck you, you're fucking liar! I saw it, and he changed! It was him!" he shouted deranged shaking his gun around sweating profusely.

Bulma didn't like Zarbon, nor did she understand what was going on. The man was out of control rebellious in nature, foaming spitting, moving wildly about; Bulma didn't hesitate and aimed her weapon at his paranoid head.

"Put down your weapon soldier." She ordered calmly, never deterring her focus.

He turned to her crazily, "Who the fuck are you? Teaming up on me huh, Un uh, not going to happen! Fuck you, this is endless! None of you freaks are going to get me!" he said madly, staggered back, then he quickly put his gun in his mouth, and obdurately persistent selfishly pulled the trigger! With a powerful jolt, his brains splattered on the wall behind him, dripping sloppily down, he fell to the ground limply and lifelessly. His blood saturated his clothes as it was slipping down his opened smoking mouth the gun in his limp lifeless hand still oddly gripped the gun tightly as the smoke released from the gun hole. His body twitch from the involuntary spasmodic reaction, of the sudden gunfire, his eyes rolled back he was instantly killed.

Zarbon stared in incredulous dubious shock, "Tien, you damn fool, stubborn idiot…" he closed his eyes looking away in regret, then turned to Bulma's group in anger. " You stupid idiots, why did you interfere? We almost calmed him down! Then you had to bring your weapons in, and ruin everything!" he shouted.

Bulma looked emotionless, "Your soldier was out of control, and if he didn't do it himself we would have been forced to shoot him down. He was a weak link as such removed from the chain. He just saved us the trouble," she said with a cold aura.

"You bitch!" alleged a burly solder.

"Nappa! Calm yourself…this bitch is… Bulma Briefs, she's your superior." Zarbon simpered, starring at his old girl friend with contempt, crossing his arms in a self-righteous manner. "Ah…well if it isn't the omniscient, she knows all huh. So, I see your even colder then before, I see I did my job well then." Zarbon said with scorn, smoothing back his green hair, devious golden glint in his eyes.

Bulma flinched, but keep her composer uncompromising, "Think what you like, what is going on here? Where is the rest of your squad? It's obvious why you didn't make our acquaintance upon our arrival, but still why was he so erratic? Your squad was not here that long to suffer from cabin fever, or isolation cabin-fever delusions, something set that man astray." She insinuated.

Zarbon growled undignified, unwrapping his arms, "I don't know, and thanks to you we'll never find out!"

"Enough of your bullshit! Commander give me the order and I kill these deplorable traitors!" said Turles with his husky gun pointing at their heads.

Zarbon grew alert from the primal threat of Turles, as were his remaining soldiers, "Put your weapon down, subordinate that's an direct order from your commanding officer, and in this cold dominion that makes me your prime minister, monarch, supreme ruler, you're just a mere subject compared to my status, prick!" said Zarbon threateningly, grasping his gun.

Turles didn't listen to him, still aiming his weapon at Zarbon, finger fastening the trigger; Bulma turned over to Turles, "At ease, this viper is not worth it."

Turles put his weapon down, and glared at Zarbon's smirk. "Good boy, you deserve a Scooby snack!" he joked, and the other three soldiers of Zarbon's team snickered. "Good thing, you had that ruffian under your thumb; mutiny isn't the wisest course of action, hmn… I wonder why he listened to you so… how shall we say dotingly, my how sad. The poor boy is pussy whipped I'd say!" he laughed, as his crew mocked and scorned Bulma's group.

"That's enough! Your professionalism is something to be desired, perhaps that is why you were assigned to this area, and you failed; now we're here to clean up your mess. You claim you had hegemony over the state of affairs, Zarbon; however, it didn't look like you had control of the situation, more like subjection. I'm a trained military psychoanalysis that terrified man did not trust you for some reason, he was a loose cannon that could not be tamed by mere words, and you know it! Now stop behaving like a pugilist grunt, and act like a commander, now I ordered you to answer my question, third command." She said holding her rank above him.

Zarbon grunted, " It goes like this…. Me, and my men arrived here a week ago, when we got here the laboratories, the factories, the storage shed were all sabotaged, it was anarchy when first arrive, obfuscated multifaceted with convolution, difficult to define exactly what happened. Moreover, it seems as if it was done on purpose. We arrived here with fifty men, and now we are down to six, excluding the one who just killed him-self. Nappa, 18, Bardock, Brolly, and myself included are the only ones left alive, and undamaged."

Bulma frowned her brows, "You said six, who is the other?"

Zarbon looked at her with scorn, "A hired merc; Vegeta, he's not part of our convoy recon, I didn't feel it important to mention the snooty scurvy insurrectionist, he's merely supporting our endeavors, a hired hand if you will."

Turles spoke with urgency, "Bardock, you said Bardock, right…my father, but where is he?" asked Turles earnestly.

"I thought you looked familiar, being that your father has so many scars on his face, and that wild hair, I narrowly realize whom you were. You've cut your hair, anyway he and Vegeta are at generator making sure this hellhole has enough fuel and power to last a month."

"Okay, got that now, onto more important situations… What was that soldier spouting about?" asked the impatient commander Bulma, crossing her arms.

Zarbon sighed, "You never did beat around the bush did you, look, I prefer we talk else where, while Nappa and Brolly clean this mess up."

~*~*~

Vegeta stood mutely by Bardock as he fixed the generator's supply unit, the circuitry had been damaged, manually; someone was trying to freeze them to death. It was dark out, and Vegeta ignited a flare, so that Bardock could see what he was doing. He waited silently as he was patient; it was freezing out there yet, neither he nor Bardock complained, however Bardock was worn from the cold. They put a sensor on the generator to allow them to know when someone is screwing with the power; it will also take a snap shot of the assailant.

"…Finish this," Vegeta said coldly, glaring down at Bardock.

They both looked like hell, Vegeta needed a shave, and his facial hair thick with sideburns, even though his facial tissue is covered with smooth stubbles it still made him look like he needed a shower. Bardock wasn't better off; in fact, he had a burly beard as opposed to Vegeta's slight hair growth. They were heavily clothed, with boots and gloves. Both had black uniforms, as were their outerwear, meaning winter coats. Vegeta had a different uniform simply because he was not a soldier; he wore a thick black leather coat with a fluffy gray collar, stretching to the chest, and black pants. Bardock had a standard issued military black winter outwear.

Bardock hissed from the distraction, "Do you think you can do better?" he snapped snidely, involved with the circuitry panel.

Vegeta looked down with a sullen sour expression, he pushed Bardock out of his way, and fixed the contraption himself, and in record-breaking timing compared to his counter part, making Bardock look old and stupid. Vegeta didn't bother to look at him as Bardock glared enviously, and picked himself up. He was angry with the young smart-ass know it all, he was always showing everyone up, then mocking them with an arrogant silence.

"You don't have to be nasty about it, you are out of line soldier, damn, always have to have one gutful rebel! Do you hear me?" shouted Bardock exasperated.

Vegeta ignored him, and looked toward the base camp in perplexity, "Someone's here…" he said quietly.

"What? How can you tell? This is great we can get the hell out of here!" Said Bardock smiled through his fluffy facial hair.

Vegeta said nothing in reply and started walking to base camp. Bardock followed after unnerved by his negative attitude, and with a stupefaction reaction, he questioned. "Why aren't you saying anything? You should be happy to get out of here, and be rid of us! Come on, damn party pooper, your making me nervous with your apprehension." Bardock glared at Vegeta's back.

Vegeta slowly turned, "That's because we are not getting out of here…if you haven't noticed a snow storm is headed this way up the isthmus. Visibility will be less then nothing, and the temperature will decrease dramatically as tempus fugit. The gas will no doubt be frozen, as will other means of lubrication for our means out of here, the helicopter, and look, it has already started to snow. I suggest you get ready for a long stay… naïveté doesn't suit a soldier of your caliber old man." he said and turned to hike through the already thick snow, and trudge through the thick mass of snow, making a rubber sound. The wind gust of flurries blew against the two, the snowdrift carrying a blanket of snow covering the two in fluffy frost.

Bardock had to stubbornly agree Vegeta was right; he obstinately walked behind the arrogant swine with his nose in the air, shielding his face with his coat. Bardock stopped stumped at what Vegeta had said, "Hey merc, what did you mean by tempus fuga... whatever?" he looked to see if Vegeta would answers his question. All he saw was the back of Vegeta, he didn't turn, but he spoke.

"Tempus fugit…time flies…now, lets get a move on …it's rather frigid, and my ass is nearly frozen." He began his original destination.

Bardock thought to himself *Well why didn't he just say that in the first place, instead being so cryptic, bigheaded, egotistical jackass! * Bardock soon followed Vegeta; his ass was ice as well.

It wasn't until they were in a half/hours in walking distance that they heard a single gun shot. Bardock looked up alert. "That was at base camp! What the hell is going on over there?"

Vegeta said nothing, and started racing toward the base camp, as did Bardock. Trekking through the treacherous mountain of white snow, protracting and decelerate their speed down the snowy path; they expertly marched unhindered by the surrounding callous rudiments. Both men were well trained in the military reconnaissance, having to deal with all types of vigorous training methods in various harsh elements; they both were in excellent shape. However, they have been exposed to the cold for some time now; then again blood was pumping from excitement, adrenalin thirstily pumping made it easier to deal with the vicious frost; they were also in their element of their infantry groundwork, training.

Vegeta was far ahead of Bardock when he heard another sound, and it wasn't a gun. He stooped down low, as if he were spying, quickly camouflaging himself by masquerading mixing with the snow. Bardock assumed he was waiting for him, but then thought, and decided against it, one the unsociable detached man never waited for anybody, and two he had a concentrating expression; squatting as if he were pursuing an enemy by using such crafty cunning means such as stealthily studying the perpetrators distant actions.

Vegeta looked purposefully in the direction of the noise, he …panted, seeing his cold breath he realized something was out there with them. Listening closer as he stopped his breathing, and heard another set of lungs, panting inhaling and exhaling brusquely husk, and it wasn't Bardock. Vegeta looked doggedly in the distance; he caught sight of a jackal-ish type of creature, no doubt a carnivorous mammal, racing forward. He looked more closely it was more like a ravenous rapacious wolfish type of animal, with a feral untamed structure, definitely volatile, and it was approaching steadfastly. Coming persistently toward them with ferocious speed, Bardock quickly pulled out his gun as the black wholly mangy creature drew near, it looked to be a feral uncultivated mutt, not one of their huskies.

It snapped its sharp bloody fangs, filled with remnants of venison, red flesh ridden meat, this dog was eating dead soldiers it was assumed, because he had a soldier's dog tag around its mouth, stuck it appears, and now it wanted a piece of Bardock. It sprung forward gnashing its teeth wildly wanting to sink them in Bardock's innards, twisting his viscera, bowels, internal organs ripping them into sloppy pottage mush. It viciously leaped onto him, as he was endeavoring to fight the beastly creature off, it open to the elements, exposing its sworn gory blood-drenched jaws, ferociously it hovered above Bardock's juicy tenderized neck, its slobber drooping onto his exposed neck, and inhumanly attempted to crunch into it with its honed incisors…To be continued.

That's it for now!

Next Time on the Thing: Vegeta strives to save Bardock! Bulma and the others find out some interesting details, Yamcha says hello to an old friend. In the next bamboozling episode of The Thing! Bye!