Contradicting Mission

Part 12

"So where are we going?" Garlic asked as he walked beside Freeza down a hall that looked suspiciously like the hall before it, likewise the one before that. Navigating didn't seem like an option to the gremlin, so he allowed himself to be led to their destination, wherever it may be. But he didn't have to like it. He pulled his cape in closer to his shoulders. It was chilly in the halls.

"To check out Backlash," Freeza said, switching his tail behind him as he walked. They brushed past an Aeesu-jin couple that was talking in quiet murmers.

Garlic looked behind them, then to the sides. Were they whispering about him? He never did like large groups of people, or most living things for that matter. He wondered how long getting there would take, "What's Backlash?"

"One of many governing offices," Freeza said. He paused as a very large Aeesu-jin suddenly emerged from one of the apartments as they passed. With his bull-horns and gargantuanly proportioned body, Freeza did not want to get into a scuffle with this guy. They passed eachother without exchanging looks.

"What makes you think they're involved?" Garlic asked as he, too, eyed the large Aeesu-jin.

"A hunch," the other said, his voice constricting with annoyance at the questions, "At least we're doing something. It was getting frustrating sitting idle around that damn apartment."

Garlic had suffered years of torment in the hell he created. Being cooped up in a three-room apartment with sweet water, cool air and a soft bed didn't seem too harsh of a living. He nodded anyway; they did, after all, have a mission to carry out.

They walked in considerable silence, brushing past other Aeesu-jin and allowing themselves to think about whatever came to mind. It really did feel good to get out of Sunow's stuffy home and walking about again, stretching their legs, moving in straight lines instead of pacing in circles. Garlic could almost thank Freeza. Almost. He just wasn't the gratuidious kind of guy.

Time measurment was hazing and the gremlin didn't know how long they had been walking before they came to a stop before a rather large, intimidating metal door.

"We're here," Freeza said. He didn't bother announcing his arrival as he raised his hand to the control panel and palmed open the door. It slid aside with a soft hiss; within, it was rather dark, and the cold pricked at Garlic's skin. They entered.

There was movement. Moving around in the dark, Garlic could see at least six Aeesu-jin, talking in hushed tones and trying to move something that looked rather large. At first, he couldn't make out what it was--a luminous shape that didn't make sense; Garlic's eyes were too used to the bright halls to adjust instantly.

Slowly, the scene took shape. As the door now behind them quietly closed, the room proved to have a small blue light shining from some unknown source, and Garlic's eyes started to make out everything clearly. It was surprising. The object they were trying to move was a body, a large, dead, Aeesu-jin body; two of the living Aeesu-jin within looked battered, and they sat in defeated shame as they were bandaged and tended to by fussing Aeesu-jin paramedics.

"So the kid was telling the truth when he said he had a scuffle with Backlash," Freeza mused, rubbing the back of his index finger against the point of his chin. He looked intrigued.

Garlic only half heard him. There was another being in the darkness. This other being, seeming to be half made of smoke and shadows, seemed to live in the darkness around it, attracting little to no attention at a glance. But Garlic was a demon. He, too, lived in shadows, and the figure's near invisibility only drew his attention more. He was a strange looking fellow, considerably tall and covered with thin, white fur. An aqua shock of hair ran down the center of his head in an almost rediculious mohawk-type look. He was obviously not of the Aeesu-jin race.

But he certainly seemed to be in charge. With a quiet, daringly polite sounding voice, he issued his orders to a larger Aeesu-jin, who then relayed the instructions to the rest of the group. He deeply intrigued Garlic.

As of yet, none of the busy Aeesu-jin or the white stranger had noticed Garlic or Freeza as they worked diligently at their given tasks. Surely it was only a matter of time until someone noticed them, and the gremlin was quite sure it wouldn't be good when that happened. Freeza seemed content to stand, calm and collected, out in the open; in the way.

"Who's the guy in the corner over there? White fur," Garlic whispered to him.

The other glanced up, narrowing his almond eyes in puzzlement, "I haven't a clue."

And just as the two were staring directly at the blue-haired stranger, he turned his head their way. His odd gold eyes met Freeza's ruby, then Garlic's ebony. They locked eye-contact for a few seconds each, then the white furred stranger called to a large Aeesu-jin that was passing by. Garlic tensed.

The two whispered to eachother, the white stranger pointing at Garlic and Freeza in obvious inquiry. The large Aeesu-jin shook his head--no, he didn't know who they were. They both stared at the two unknown guests in perplexion, when suddenly the quiet hum-drum of whispering Aeesu-jin was broken as an one of them jumped to his feet and raised his voice.

"Hey, isn't that the off-planet Aeesu-jin we're looking for?"

Garlic felt Freeza nudge him in the arm, it was time for them to leave. They both began to back up.

One of the wounded Aeesu-jin--a splint half administered to his arm--joined the first in raising his voice, "Yeah! That's him. And his little alien, too!"

Freeza and Garlic continued to slowly back toward thed door.

Sunow opened his eyes. Bojack was shuffling around in his kitchen; perhaps he was looking for something to eat. The Aeesu-jin's hazy mind recalled watching Son Gohan eat, and to his half-conscious mind, it was humorous. He chuckled hoarsly; it felt like he was swallowing gravel.

He tried to sit up, probably too quickly, and darkness nipped at the edge of his vision. He lay back down and waited until the spell passed. Slower--oh, so slowly--he lifted one leg, then the other over the side of the couch. Using arms that had never felt so weak, he pushing himself up until he was finally erect. He only sat up, but to him it was one of the greatest achievments in his life. And it hurt.

With a grunt of effort, he stood, staggered, nearly fell as bright flashes of color swam across his eyes, and grabbed the couch arm for support. He stood like that, his pale hand gripping the material of the couch for all he was worth, for quite a while. The colors and spots and following darkness that swam through him abaded again; he was not standing.

Slowly, slowly he made his way to his computer console. He had some things he needed to look into.

Gohan followed Forester, who in turn carried Eesie, and was grateful for it. Searching, counting turns, praying to whatever kami happened to hear him that he would safely find the correct place he was looking for was extremely taxing; the boy had enough. Still, out of new-found habit, he counted their turns on their way back, curious if his calculations would be accurate, or if the past two occurances had been blind luck. Though he was sure his form of navigation was right, something about the way they moves seemed off. He got to the end of his counted turns and Forester didn't show any signs of slowing down. Where were they going?

"Son Gohan, would you stop that?"

Gohan jumped when Forester talked to him. He had been so busy paying attention to his surroundings he had almost forgotten the thing he was following--a moving body and tail--was a secient, living being. He blinked.

"Stop what?"

"That," the young Aeesu-jin said, pointing at him, "You keep chewing on your bottom lip."

"Sorry....," Gohan said, making a conscious habit to clamp his teeth together. He hadn't realized he had been doing anything. When he flicked his tounge over his slightly dry lips, he felt many salty, tender areas. He had chewed off all the pieces of dead lip skin, making the cracking and drying of his lips even worse.

"Why are you so nervious?"

"Hmn? I'm not....." the boy asked, touching fingertips to his mouth. His lips were chapped; he was probably dehydrating. "Where are we going? This isn't the way I took before."

Forester smiled a chilling Aeesu-jin smile, reminding Gohan too much of Freeza's, "We're taking a different way home. Backlash goons would be waiting for us if we went the other way."

Well, that was cleared up easy enough. If only this whole situation could be solved as easily; the sheer weight of his mission was pushing down on his thin shoulders with such force he was sure he would collaps, submitting to such a brooding depression that he wouldn't even matter if he failed or not.

But he didn't submit; didn't collaps. He just walked beside Forester, not bothering to wonder why Eesei was being so quiet. He could at least look forward to a drink of water.

"How long till we get to your home?" He asked.

"Long enough," A short, simple reply. An annoying one.

"You're biting your lip again."

Gohan squeezed his eyes shut and kept them thus for a few minutes. He felt old.

***

By the time they reached Sunow's door, Gohan had composed himself. He was almost embarassed to admit to himself that he was probably hungry again; hungry, tired, irritable. And now, he couldn't even have the safety of his Super Saiya-jin form. Strange how, only a few years ago, he had been unable to use the form at all, and he never missed it. Perhaps now he was spoiled, so used to the extreme Super Saiya-jin power at his beck and call that he simply took it for granted. He stopped himself. He didn't have time for self pity, or self loathing. He did moan. He hadn't felt this bad--emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually, in a long time. But, as stated, he had pulled himself together after a brief self-analysis and felt he was capable of continuing on.

He just hoped to kami that he wouldn't have to fight again. At least not today, if not ever. He didn't want to have to deal with that savage killer that lived beneath his skin.

"Okay, we're here, Son Gohan," Forester said. The boy realized he had been so busy thinking he hadn't realized Forester had stopped walking. He had passed them and continued down the hall for nearly twelve paces before Forester had called to him. The door had already been opened by Forester. They entered.

A quick glance around informed Gohan that Sunow was no longer laying on the couch. A tickle of chi coming from the kitchen informed him where Bojack was......but Freeza and Garlic were gone. Bojack was here, but Sunow, Freeza and Garlic were gone......what if-

"Son Gohan, good to see you and the children made it back okay! I must admit I was worried. Unfortunatly, things have gone from bad to worse."

Sunow. Sunow was here, alive and well. Infact, he must have been well enough to get up from the couch and move across the room to the computer console--where Gohan could now see him. Nothing to worry about, "Where are Freeza and Garlic?"

Sunow, who had been eyeing the red-purple Aeesu-jin blood splattered across the boy's gi, blinked his still swollen eyes in surprise, "How did you know they weren't here?"

"Uh-," that's right, Aeesu-jin don't sense chi-" Just a talent I have. Where are they?"

Sunow pursed his lips into a thin line, there was bad news, "Not long after you left, Freeza heard me talking about Backlash. I don't really remember everything I said, but it must have been about them trying to destroy the planet. He and Garlic left to check up on them."

"Oh," Gohan said, and started to head down the hall to the bathroom--he wanted to wash the blood away and take a nice, long drink of water. He felt ill. Perhaps he could even take a warm, soothing bath.

"That's not the end of it," Sunow called to him. Gohan stopped.

"What?"

"After I managed to stand up--a difficult task, I assure you," Sunow said, "I went directly to the computer and hacked into Backlash's information archives to delete my home address and anything else they had on me to delay the time it took for them to come here. I didn't know how long it would take you to get back. While I was there, I decided to look around further, and found a large amount of top-security files, all titled 'Tahch-jin.'"

"Tahch-jin?" Gohan asked.

"Yes, so I-"

"When did you get back?" Bojack interupted Sunow as he entered the room, noticing Gohan and the children. He narrowed his eyes, gave a short laugh and said, "Looks like someone's been in a fight or two. What happened to your face?"

Gohan covered the gash on his cheek, that question was starting to get on his nerves, "Nothing," he returned his attention to Sunow, "What's a Tahch-jin?"

"I don't know," Sunow admitted, "I couldn't break into that information. But when I looked for related topics to them, I found something that will no doubt be met with discouragement."

Bojack crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. Gohan steeled himself for the worse. Forester set Eesei down and told her to go to her room.

"What is it?"

"Hardly five minutes ago, there was a report that two off-planets, an Aeesu-jin and an alien, were captured at the scene where three Backlash Aeesu-jin were brutally beaten, resulting in one death and two hospitalizations."

Gohan's mouth went dry, "Three Backlash Aeesu-jin.....those three that were attacking you?"

Sunow nodded, "The very three. I guess your retaliation has driven Backlash into a frenzy--they hate off-planets intensly."

Gohan felt horrifically numb. If Freeza and/or Garlic were to die, then Cell would.....

"But there's yet another odd turn."

Gohan didn't know if he would be able to take another twist to this winding situation, it was like being caught in the middle of a giant knot--unable to release himself, or even know where to start. It was difficult to breath, and for the first time he realized his fight with those four Aeesu-jin had hurt him--perhaps he had a cracked rib; perhaps internal bleeding. It was a unwelcomed, if not familiar, feeling.

"The Tahch-jin, whoever they are and however many there are, seemed particularly interested in getting ahold of Freeza and Garlic. They were taken into custody; any further information cannot be found.......except where they are being held."

A tiny, clawing hope arose, "So they're alive?"

"Since last report, yes. But I doubt they'll remain thus. Whatever these Tahchi-jin want with them, it can't be good."

Gohan's mouth felt like sand-paper. He was dirty, tired, thirsty and hunger was arising once again. He had already faught seven Aeesu-jin within a period of two hours, and had realized he could no longer use the Super Saiya-jin power he was hoping he would be able to depend on. He had every right to wash up, and take a nap.

"You said you know where they're being held?"

"Yes...," Sunow said, and suddenly he looked surprised, "You're not seriously considering trying to save them!"

Gohan pursed his lips, "Can you give me directions on how to get there?"

"Son Gohan," Forester said, "You could be killed. You don't even like those bums, who the hell cares if they die?"

"You don't understand this situation. Things are complex. Besides, if I'm careful, I can get them out with only a few people knowing, and they'll be unconscious before they can do anything about it."

"What about the Tahch-jin?" Sunow insisted, "From the sound of it, they could be stronger than we Aeesu-jin. If you go, you might die."

Gohan paused. Dying would mean the whole mission would be a failure, his universe and Kami Larkas's would cave in, erasing the existance of both. Everyone he knew and loved would cease to be, and he would never see his mother, or Kuririn, or Piccolo-san or anyone else ever again. But being forced to confront Cell a second time, unable to transform to even his first form of Super Saiya-jin.........

"I won't be killed," he said. He met Sunow's eyes, "Please. Give me the directions-"

"Dammit, bozu!" Bojack suddenly raised his voice. Gohan whipped his head around to look at the blue giant--who was rising from the couch and looking particularly angry. Instinctively, the boy started to raise his chi, "I don't give a damn if you die or not. I'd kill you myself. But if you die, I have to go with you!"

Gohan was quiet for a moment, composing himself, pulling himself together, wanting to be calm when he spoke, "Some things are worse than death."

Bojack approached him, stood directly infront of him, staring down. Their size difference was rediculious, but neither seemed aware of it.

"How the hell would you know," Bojack said, "You've never died before."

Gohan couldn't respond to that. He had never died, though he had faced many near-death expiriances. But time was wasteing, "I'm going. If you really want to keep me from getting us both killed, you're welcome to come along."

And just as he said it, he realized having Bojack come along was the last thing he needed right now.

"Fine. I will."

Kuso.......

To be continued.......