>>5251117“Ooooff, h-hey princess.” Turles says, gingerly hugging her to him as the door continues opening. Dr. White approaches, and starts disconnecting the man from the machine. As well as she can, because Ticho's clutching her father close and not letting go. “Wh-Who are you?”
“Turles, Dr. White. Dr. White, Turles.” you say, stepping forward into his field of vision. “Glad to see you're awake.”
“Karn?” he asks, looking surprised. “What's going on?”
“You've been out since yesterday afternoon.” Dr. White tells him as Ticho lets him go, allowing the doctor to finish disconnecting him from the healing pod. “Your chest injury was life-threatening, but you've healed faster than I expected. I was expecting you to still be unconscious for another hour or two.”
“I'm rather confident in my healing.” Turles says with a wry smile, but you can see the pain in his eyes. “After all, I've had a lot of practice.”
Ticho doesn't react to this sentence, but you and Dr. White exchange worried glances. His expression is dark, the old doctor looking genuinely angry for the first time. He turns and heads back to the other end of the room, and you turn from Turles and Ticho to have a few moments alone while you focus, reaching out telepathically.
“King Vegeta, he's awake.” you <span class="mu-i">think</span>, sensing the king's mind immediately. “Turles is finally conscious.”
“I'll be right over.” he replies. “Don't let him leave.”
“Understood.” you reply, then ending the mental link address Turles directly. “Turles, we need to talk.”
“Sure?” he asks, looking up to you curiously as he climbs out of the healing pod, holding his young daughter to him. “What's going on?”
“King Vegeta's on his way, you should get dressed first.” you say, Turles' expression immediately becoming more serious. But he doesn't argue or talk back, immediately putting Ticho down despite her protests and dresses quickly. Putting on the training suit, he then looks around confused.
“Where's my armor?” he asks you, to which you look over at Dr. White. Who produces it from behind his desk, with the giant hole straight through the middle. “....Oh. Never mind, then.”
You sense King Vegeta's approach, his aura blazing as it rapidly approaches, but he's not alone. You sense Nappa and Emilia with him, as well as several of the Royal Guard. But, with them you also sense her. Komand'r. A second after you sense her, Turles does as well, his body stiffening as he freezes in place. Ticho clutches to his leg, her grip tightening on the fabric as well. Looks like they can both sense her approach as well. He whispers something to his daughter, who nods once then vanishes as he turns around to face you.
“Let's get this over with.” he says, taking a deep breath and trying to exude confidence. But you can tell he's worried, and you can't help but wonder if this was the right call to make?
-Saiyan Conqueror Quest 174 paused-
