'All systems functional' the screen read smugly. Shael felt a sudden urge to ram his fist into it, but knew he didn't dare. He sighed and looked to Dolmit, who only shrugged.

"I don't like it," he grumbled. "It looks awfully suspicious to me, but which of us is going to tell the captain?"

Shael shook his head. "We'll just write it off as a coincidence. It seems innocent enough."

"No. He may be a raving lunatic but he's not stupid. Planets don't just blow up out of the clear blue. He'll know, and I'll bet my life someone on this ship will die for it."

"If you're willing to bet your life," Shael argued, "then you tell him."

"Forget it. My life's nothing to cheer about, but I'm not willing to give it up completely. I wish to hell he hadn't killed Fespa. Fespa knew how to deal with him."

"Evidently not," Shael uttered dryly, "or he wouldn't be dead now." He paused and glanced at the clock. "Looks like our time is up. Ready to die?"

"Not really," Dolmit muttered. "You know, we don't have to just take whatever he gives us. We could fight him."

"Are you kidding? Start a mutiny and stand in the way of his chosen mission? He'll do worse than kill you for that."

"Chosen mission? Shael, none of us chose to be here, least of all Koretz. Why do you think he's in such a violent mood?"

"Oh, I'll bet he wanted to come. After what that guy did to his tail, I'm sure he's just itching for revenge. He's probably in a bitchy mood because he's having to wait so long for it." Dolmit was unconvinced, but decided not to argue further. Shael was obviously quite sure of his views. Dolmit stood and headed for the door.

"Let's go find him," he said, sounding none too thrilled at the prospect. As he walked through the door he nearly ran into Koretz, who'd been standing just outside--listening. Dolmit felt a sudden overwhelming sense of dread. Koretz grimaced, but it couldn't really be called a smile. He shoved Dolmit back into the room to stand beside a stunned Shael. For once, Koretz didn't shout. When he spoke, his voice was low, deadly, and somehow much more frightening than his usual tirade.

"I will not tolerate this kind of gossip," he growled. "My objectives on this mission are of no concern to you or any other member of my crew, and neither is my sanity. What bothers me more is your apparent ignorance of the fact that you are both obligated to report all your findings to me directly, and I heard you just now. You were trying to come up with some lie to save your own worthless carcasses!

"Geo can spare no more warriors. Fespa was a useless weakling, but you are both experienced fighters, and for that alone I now grant you your lives. If I hear any more of this insubordination, however," he lifted an open hand, "I will reclaim those lives!" He clenched his hand into a tight fist. A trickle of blood came from where his claws had pierced his own skin. With a hard look at the two before him, he turned and stormed away.

Dolmit and Shael sighed in unison, a sigh of relief. They hadn't expected Koretz to hear them talking, but the fact that he'd spared their lives was even more surprising. Neither had any illusions of the captain's generosity; they lived only because of the sad state of affairs on their home planet.

"Never thought it would feel so good to be alive," Shael breathed. Dolmit nodded, still unable to speak. He peered at the computer; it had begun to make a faint hissing sound. With a sharp crackle, a fuzzy, gravelly voice filled the room.

"Stupid fxxxing piece of junk, I kxxxsf have hkkkk--"

Astonished, Dolmit punched the transmit button and shouted into the speaker.

"M45 do you read me? This is SP3, do you read me, over!" He looked anxiously at Shael.

"S-ffff-three? Where the kxft hell hafffk you been? Whfft is this?"

"Dolmit, sir, I'm part of the crew. A planet exploded nearby and the energy burst knocked out our communications systems. This is the first we've heard from you."

"Can't kxxxderstand you, fzzk talking kkkx fast. Where's zzzft damn captain?"

Dolmit frantically motioned to Shael, who was already halfway out the door, running to retrieve their squad leader.

"He's coming. Please hold."

"Hsst fxxxk get hskk ass moving."

"Yes, sir."

Koretz entered the room, Shael at his heels.

"All right, you two: out."

"Yes, sir." They left hurriedly. Koretz pressed the transmit button.

"You still there M45?"

"Hks course I'm kxxx here. Where the fhkx were you?"

"We lost communications. An explosion nearby. What news from the mothership?"

"Xxxks hkkk found him?"

"Yes. We're locked on, and tracking."

"Good. Do ykkk know whxxxx hekx headed?"

"I can only guess, but--"

"Hkk guess is as good kkkhz any."

"I'd say he's heading for Earth."

"Why kxxxsh do that?"

"I think there's someone there he wants to meet."

"Who?"

"A Saiyan."

"Hkxs thought he hkk done with Saiyans."

"Not quite."

"Don't knxxxk what the hell kstff mean. Just kkfoceed acxxkding to plan."

"Yes, sir."

"M45 sxxxing off."

"Roger."

Koretz shut off the transmitter, his mind on what he's seen and heard that fateful day. His stump of a tail ached as though remembering its own pain. He sighed.

"Kakarot, whoever you are," he muttered, "I hope to hell you know what you're in for."