"So," she said, "what activities are we avoiding now?" Trunks glanced at his watch.

"At the moment, nothing, but we probably ought to go soon. The whole gang's going to the Kame house to visit Master Roshi."

"Is he the one I heard Bulma grumbling about the other day?"

"Probably. He's legendary as the Turtle Master, but he sometimes uses his skills, ah, irresponsibly. He's very fast with his hands, if you know what I mean." Takira rolled her eyes.

"Well, he's in for a surprise if he tries anything like that on me," she said, only half-joking. Trunks stood and stretched.

"I'd like to see that," he commented, helping Takira to her feet. "Shall we?"

"I suppose. Are we meeting them there?"

"At this point, yes. We may be a little late as it is."

"We'll hurry. After you, Trunks; you're the one who knows where we're going." Rising through the gap in foliage, they shot away in twin bursts of energy. The ground below them passed as a green-brown blur, at last giving way to clear blue water, unbroken except for a small island with a single house. An old man stood outside, talking with a short bald man and an icy-looking blonde with a baby. Behind him stood a muscular triclops and what appeared to be a very short mime.

"Trunks, I know none of these people," Takira said nervously.

"I'll introduce you. I can assure you you've heard of all of them." The pair landed on the hot sands and Roshi broke from his conversation to greet them.

"Hey, Trunks, what's--yow!" He stepped forward with a goofy smile. Takira got the impression his eyes were about to burst out from behind those sunglasses. "Hey Trunks, who's your friend here? Pleased to meet you, honey." Before Trunks could introduce or warn him, Roshi gave Takira a more-than-friendly hug, hands sliding down ward. The next thing he knew, he was sailing through the air, landing with a splash in the shallows at the far end of the island. The blonde woman smirked.

"What? No warning slap in the face?"

"Wasn't his face that was the problem," Takira answered shortly. Trunks decided to start the introductions without Roshi, who was still picking himself up out of the water, looking stunned.

"Takira, this is #18 and her daughter Marron, and the short bald guy is her husband, Krillin. Guys, this is Takira." Krillin took exception to his description, but nonetheless greeted Takira.

"I've heard a little about you, and most of it's been confusing, but it all fits with the way you handled Master Roshi just now. Bulma told him you'd be coming and warned him not to try anything, but I guess he forgot."

"Are you kidding? He probably thinks it was worth it," said the triclops, stepping forward. He shook Takira's hand. "My name is Tenshinhan. This is Chaozu," he said with a gesture toward his diminutive companion. Chaozu looked a little scared. A dripping Master Roshi returned, and Trunks stepped between him and Takira as a precaution.

"Master Roshi, this is Takira; Takira, Master Roshi."

"We've met," she uttered stonily. Roshi shuddered.

"Welcome, anyhow; have you met everyone else?" She nodded. "Well, the rest should be here soon." As though on cue, a strange-looking hovercraft arrived, bearing Bulma, Bra, and Yamcha. Roshi kept a careful distance from Bulma, which surprised her until she saw Takira keeping a watchful eye on him. Bulma chuckled.

The others came from the air, Gohan carrying Chichi, and Goten, Videl, and Pan flying themselves. After much hugging, handshaking and small talk, Master Roshi suggested they go for a swim. All but Chichi, #18, Takira, and Master Roshi(who was already wearing a swimsuit and tanktop)ran inside to change.

"You're not going swimming, Takira?" asked Chichi.

"I am," she replied, "It's just easier for me to change." She kicked off her boots and removed her scabbard. "Done."

"You know, I'm sure there's an extra bikini inside if you wanna borrow it," Roshi suggested helpfully. Takira ignored him.

"What about you, Chichi?" she asked.

"Oh, I'll stay high and dry, thanks. The guys tend to get a little rowdy with their games, and I don't want to get blown to pieces playing Marco Polo." She turned to #18. "I can keep an eye on Marron, if you want to go in."

"Thank you, but I wasn't planning on it."

Goten, Trunks, and Pan burst out of the house first, followed by Gohan, Videl, Krillin, and Yamcha. Tenshinhan and Chaozu came next, having failed in their quest for appropriately-sized suits, and decided to watch from the beach. Bulma and Bra emerged last, dodging Master Roshi and spreading towels to lie in the sun.

Those outfitted for it plunged into the water, and, teeth chattering, tried to make a convincing show of how little the cold water affected them. After a little paddling around and somersaulting, the antics began, Goten shoving Pan underwater. Trunks shoved him away, only to be tackled by Gohan, who soon found himself in a choke-hold from Videl. Krillin and Yamcha splashed each other as Takira began to stealthily float away. Yamcha caught sight of her attempted escape and led Krillin in the attack.

"You won't get away that easily!" With a tremendous splash, all three tumbled underwater, wrestling in a flurry of bubbles. After a moment, Krillin and Yamcha realized they were alone and stopped, looking around in confusion. A drop of water landed on Krillin's head and he looked up.

"Yaaah!" Takira dove, dragging them down with her. Bursting through the surface, she hovered again, smiling as Krillin and Yamcha sputtered, gasping for air. Suddenly she was struck from behind, executing an undignified belly-flop with Goten in hot pursuit. She flew up again, coming to an abrupt halt as Goten caught her by the ankle.

"No escaping it, Takira!" he shouted. "You're going down!"

"That's what you think," she spat, surging upward, dragging Goten with her. He called for help, and soon Yamcha had her by the other ankle and Pan had one of her wrists. She moved to strike with her other hand, but Trunks caught it. Inexorably she was dragged down, struggling for all she was worth.

"I can take you all on," she snarled. "I'm not going down--"

"Well, it sure looks like it," Trunks commented.

"Really, Takira, you could at least make it a little difficult," Goten chided.

"Fight it, Takira!" Gohan called. Krillin looked at him strangely, but didn't comment.

"Why are they ganging up on her like that?" asked #18.

"Well, apparently her power is triggered by anger and adversity," said Chichi. "I'll bet they're trying to see how strong she can get."

"I'd say she's plenty strong enough," muttered Master Roshi. "She'll be getting wet soon, though."

Trunks pulled down on her arm, struggling to maintain his grip as she squirmed. Suddenly, he felt her ki rise with a speed that could signal only one thing. A bright explosion threw him back as he let go of her arm. He hit the water with a splash, and, resurfacing, saw Goten, Yamcha and Pan come up as well, wiping water from their eyes. Takira still hovered above the surface, her aura casting ripples in the water, a mane of silver hair framing her triumphant face with its pale eyes. With her newfound speed, she shot away in a series of loops, laughing. Krillin gaped and turned to Gohan, who was smiling.

"Gohan, what the hell is that?"

"Her transformation. She discovered it in the fight against Mordrig, but hasn't been able to repeat it until now. I guess she just needed a challenge." Takira returned to float above them, grinning.

"Come on, guys, weren't you going to take me down? Come on up and try; I'd hate for all this work to go to waste." Trunks appeared before her in super Saiyan form, and, eyes locked, the two prepared to fight.

*****

Alone in the communications room, Shael silently cursed Mordrig a thousand times over for having knocked out communications so completely. After an hour of tweaking and twiddling, he was only just now getting the first, fuzzy transmissions from Geo. The mothership had already landed, along with much of the fleet; their own ship had made slower progress due to mechanical failures in the power supply system. Fespa had been in charge of that, and the new guy Shael had assigned to the job refused to attempt fixing the problem, for fear of making it worse. Shael sighed. As acting captain, he probably should have checked it out himself, but he had too much else on his mind. The image of those two strange beings from Earth still haunted him. Pushing those thoughts aside, he tried to focus on the task at hand. Pressing the transmit button, he repeated for what felt like the hundredth time:

"Geo, come in Geo, this is M45-SP3, do you read me, over?"

There was a long hiss of static, cutting off so abruptly Shael thought he'd lost the transmission entirely, until a deep voice came through, loud and clear for once.

"M45-SP3, this is Geo, we read you just fine. What's the story?"

"We've accomplished our mission. Mordrig is dead."

"Congratulations, Koretz. We--"

"I beg your pardon, sir, but I'm not Koretz." Stunned silence.

"Well, then who the hell are you?"

"Shael. I'm acting as captain in the absence of Koretz. Koretz is dead, as well as his first-in-command, Fespa."

"Shit. Who killed them?"

"Koretz killed Fespa--"

"--insubordination?"

"Yes, and Mordrig killed Koretz."

"So Koretz took Mordrig down with him?"

"No, sir. Apparently, two Earthlings also engaged in the fight, and one of them killed Mordrig."

"Humans?"

"It's difficult to say. Their power levels were not typical of humans. I suspect they were not, but they certainly looked like humans."

"We've got Koretz on record here as saying Mordrig may have been planning a rendezvous with a Saiyan. Was either of the Earthlings a Saiyan?"

"I don't think so. Their hair wasn't right, and they had no tails."

"Then the Saiyan Mordrig was after may still be down there, and now there are new aberrations we can't even classify?"

"Yes, sir."

"Shit." Shael hesitated, unsure of the proper response. The voice continued wearily.

"You're the new captain?"

"Yes, sir."

"Land your ship on the east docking bay of the palace and present yourself to the king. The palace guards with take care of the rest of your crew."

"Yes, sir. Anything else?"

"Just get your asses down here as soon as possible, got it?"

"Yes, sir. M45-SP3 signing off."

"Yeah, yeah--" The voice faded into varied static. Shael was about to leave when Dolmit appeared in the doorway.

"Any luck?"

"Actually, yes. I got through to Geo, and we're to land on the east docking bay at the palace. Pass it along, will you? I'd make the announcement myself, but I have to see what that idiot's done to powerplant."

"You got it," Dolmit said, sliding into the chair at the console. Grumbling about something or other, Shael left. Dolmit prepared to switch stations to make a general announcement to all areas of the ship, but paused a moment, listening to the static hissing from Geo. Turning up the volume and adjusting transmission properties, he could make out a voice, apparently talking to some unseen party on another line. 'Their transmit button must be stuck,' Dolmit thought. The voice on the other end was awkwardly polite.

"I'm sorry for the setback, sire, but nobody thought he would--I know. I know. Did you want me to connect you, or speak with him myself? Really? Well, sire, if I may be so bold, he respects you far more highly than me, and rightly so, may I add--right. Of course. I apologize, sire. I was only thinking he might prefer to hear it from you. Of course not. Right. As you wish, sire." There came a series of clicks as the operator muttered under his breath.

"Arrogant prick. He's less likely to kill me, that's what I meant by respect, fool. What have I gotten myself into? Hello? This is Geo, Azher speaking, with a message for Lord Denatu; requesting permission to deliver said message personally. Whose orders? King Deoge's orders, idiot! To hell with protocol, just put me through. Stupid bastard--Your majesty? I bear news concerning the journey to Earth. Yes, he's dead, as planned. They're both dead, actually. Apparently two humanoids killed Mordrig. No. No." A heavy sigh. "Right. I'll speak with King Deoge, and he'll arrange it. Of course. Yes. I realize. Okay, then. Signing off." More rustling and clicking, and suddenly the transmission was cut off.

Dolmit sank back into his chair, sick with apprehension. Denatu was the present ruler of the shape-shifters, the race that had produced Mordrig. Why was he exchanging messages with Geo's king? Dolmit dared not repeat what he'd heard to Shael. As acting captain, Shael had probably already been informed, more than likely with instructions to kill anyone found eavesdropping on confidential communications. Deeply uneasy, Dolmit made a brief announcement to the ship and returned to fiddling with buttons and dials, trying to reestablish the connection. He had to know more.