Crossroads

Chapter 28

Tarble arrived back on the lookout with the used scouter he'd gone out looking for securely on his face, replacing his last one. He wore it proudly, turning to nod to Felia as she greeted him promptly, bowing. Kami and Mr. Popo seemed pleased to see him, but no one said anything to him.

He held another scouter in his hand tightly and smirked at Felia, saying, "Raditz is nearly here and thankfully, not everyone's scouter malfunctioned earlier, so I was able to contact a few of the others. Those I couldn't reach will hopefully get the message soon. Those who I did are heading this way, now. It took less persuasion than I thought, at least on my end, and for that I am grateful. But I suppose I didn't have to really sell it, death sells itself, doesn't it? Still, I can't be sure what some of them may do... They may go out looking for my brother and Kakarot."

Felia nodded solemnly, and if her spirits brightened at the good news, she hardly showed it.

Tarble noted her silence and reluctance to celebrate but respected it as he looked around. He observed the mild distress on the faces of both the guard and Kami which was finally beginning to show through their strong façades, but he saw no one else around. He suddenly found himself a little irritated. He asked, in a biting tone, "Where are the others? Have they been sleeping this whole time?"

"No, your Highness," she answered quietly, and she glanced in Bulma's direction before turning back to him, saying, "There's been some... grief placed upon the Princess in the last few hours, I'm afraid."

"What's the matter with her?" Tarble frowned. The last thing he needed was anything coming up wrong with his brother's wife during this whole mess.

Felia could only blink at him hard, not knowing how to proceed with this information, but Raditz landed right then, saving her once more from having a less than desirable conversation.

"Commander Raditz!" Tarble grinned, and he tossed him the scouter he held.

Raditz caught it and eyed his prince briefly before asking, "Where did you get this, your Highness?"

"Never mind that!" Tarble snapped, "Show me what you've found!"

Kami watched them closely.

Raditz smirked and nodded, putting on the scouter that was gifted to him. In their native tongue he said, "With pleasure, my Liege, but I'd like to do so in private, if you don't mind," and he glanced at Kami and Mr. Popo briefly, as he searched out the area quickly, looking for everyone else.

Tarble gave him an inquisitive look before nodding and saying, "Felia, come with us," and he walked briskly across the platform and into one of the many empty rooms it held. Raditz followed him closely, with Felia right behind him.

Raditz removed the bag from his shoulder, placing it on the table, and he took the safe out of it, along with the radar. He remembered the passcode that Bulma had given him and used it to open up the box, showing the others his prize.

Tarble marveled at the display, and he smirked to himself as he looked at their bounty. Finally, he said, still speaking the old language, "So, all we need to do is find the seventh ball..."

"Actually, no," Raditz smirked, and he reached back into the bag, revealing the final piece.

Tarble's jaw fell and he wondered, "How did you find it so fast?!"

"I didn't," Raditz explained, quirking a brow in delighted explanation, "My brother did. He already had this one hiding in his room. Who knows how long he's been holding onto it...?"

Felia could only listen, just as shocked about it as they were, and she stared at the objects intensely in between looking at her Prince and her Commander's faces.