Chapter 14: Jaco and Tights
Planet Kano.
Galactic Patrolman Jaco was sprawled under his ship, inspecting the damage. Unfortunately, the drive system had taken a direct hit. The damage was severe.
Staring at the maze of wiring, Jaco's eyes glazed over. As a combat member of the Galactic Patrol (self-proclaimed), this task was beyond him. He should be fighting on the front lines against space pirates, not flying this decrepit patrol ship on routine duty, getting shot down, and crash-landing on this planet.
Jaco thought resentfully, randomly connecting a wire to a circuit board port. Unexpectedly, the ship began powering up. Jaco let out an excited yelp, immediately scrambling out from underneath.
"Tights! I fixed the ship! We can leave now!" He found his companion sightseeing nearby and shouted the good news.
Tights, who'd been photographing distant scenery, spun around with a delighted expression.
"Jaco, really?"
Hearing doubt in Tights's voice, Jaco immediately took offense. He pointed triumphantly at the activated ship: "Could something this simple challenge an elite like me?"
Following his gesture, Tights looked over—just in time to see sparks fly, followed by thick smoke billowing from the ship. Her forehead filled with black lines. Voice strained, she asked: "Jaco, are you SURE that ship can still fly?"
Jaco, unaware his tinkering had completely destroyed the vessel, nodded confidently. "Of course! Can't you see?"
Tights shrieked furiously: "You idiot! The ship's ON FIRE! How's it supposed to start?!"
"Impossible, I—" Jaco turned around and froze, speechless at the smoking wreckage.
"Moron, put out the fire!" Tights was already running toward the ship, not forgetting to insult the stunned Jaco.
Snapping back to reality, Jaco immediately followed.
After an hour of firefighting, they finally extinguished the flames. Both stood covered in soot, holding water buckets, staring at the ruined ship for a long time without speaking.
"Jaco, can you still fix this ship?"
"What do you think?"
"Then how do we leave this planet?"
"I already sent out a distress signal. Once headquarters receives it, they'll send someone."
"How long?"
"...I don't know."
"..."
"Jaco, I'm going to kill you!"
Meanwhile, in Kano's outer orbit, a massive spacecraft hung before the planet. Several small escort vessels arrayed behind the main ship.
"Bekum, detected the ship's signal yet?" An evil-looking space pirate captain questioned his subordinate.
"Boss, got it! On Planet Kano. That idiot patrolman just broadcast a distress signal—we intercepted it!"
"Excellent. Land immediately! I want that Galactic Patrolman captured alive!" The pirate issued his command.
His crew erupted in cheers.
Jaco and Tights had no idea the pirates who'd attacked them had caught up—and that Jaco's message had led them straight here.
After their scuffle, Tights lay on the ground without dignity, staring hopelessly at the sky. She'd known Jaco was unreliable—he'd needed Bulma's help just to fix his ship back on Earth.
But she hadn't expected him to be THIS incompetent. Now they were stranded on this desolate planet with no idea when rescue would arrive. Thinking about the primitive survival ahead made her want to cry.
Suddenly, lying there, Tights saw several fireballs appear on the horizon. Years of space-travel experience told her immediately—ships were landing. She shouted excitedly: "Jaco! Get out here! Ships are coming!"
Hearing the commotion, Jaco immediately emerged from the wreckage. He'd been sorting salvageable supplies, thinking Tights was in danger.
"Tights, what's wrong?" Jaco held his laser pistol, eyes scanning alertly.
Seeing Jaco's reaction, Tights froze. Emotion flickered through her eyes before excitement returned: "Look! Ships landing—we're saved!" She pointed skyward.
Jaco immediately looked up, spotting the descending vessels. But his superior vision let him clearly see the pirate skull insignia. His expression changed dramatically. "Quick, Tights, we need to hide! It's those space pirates!"
Hearing that, color drained from Tights's face. She went pale, voice trembling: "Jaco, are you sure? Didn't you say we'd lost them?"
Jaco fell silent, then said uncertainly: "Maybe... maybe they tracked the distress signal I sent."
Hearing that answer, Tights went speechless. The brief gratitude she'd felt vanished without a trace.
"Jaco!"
Tights gave up completely. She never should have expected anything from this fool. After traveling the universe with him this long, how could she forget Jaco was absolutely useless? And space pirates who'd risen to power were never simple—Jaco was no match for them.
Soon, the ships landed. Tights and Jaco had hidden behind a rock, secretly observing.
Seeing who emerged, they exchanged glances, abandoning their last hope. That pirate captain was the same one who'd chased them before—Jaco had only recognized him from wanted posters in his Galactic Patrol mission files.
Carefully, they began retreating, looking for a better hiding spot.
Unfortunately, these pirates wore power scouters. Tights's battle power was negligible, but Jaco measured over 500. On this nearly-lifeless planet, he stood out like a candle in the dark.
Suddenly, the pirate captain's gaze locked directly on their hiding place. A cruel smile spread across his face.
"Run!" Jaco's superior vision caught that look instantly. Realizing they'd been spotted, he grabbed Tights and bolted.
But without understanding how to suppress his ki, even hiding was pointless—he was eventually tracked down.
"Well, well, well! Look who we have here?"
"If it isn't a Galactic Patrolman! The scourge of space pirates!"
"Wait, doesn't that make him OUR scourge? So how'd he end up in our hands?"
"Hahahaha!"
The pirates surrounded them, mockingly taunting Jaco without taking the Galactic Patrol seriously.
Jaco's expression turned ugly. He wanted nothing more than to pull the trigger on his laser pistol and shoot these bastards. But with Tights present, he didn't dare act rashly. In combat, the fragile Tights would struggle to survive.
After so many years, though they constantly complained about each other, their shared adventures had forged a strong friendship. Jaco already felt guilty for getting Tights involved in this attack. If she lost her life because of him, he couldn't accept that.
"Alright, capture them both. Remember to disarm the patrolman!" After sufficient mockery, the pirate captain gave his order. All the pirates moved into action.
"Tights, I'll hold them off. Find a chance to run—then hide immediately. Your battle power's too low. They probably won't detect you." Jaco stepped protectively in front of Tights, whispering instructions.
Hearing his words, tears welled in Tights's eyes. But she knew the situation was urgent, so she didn't argue. Just nodded firmly, saying quietly: "Jaco, you be careful too. I'm still waiting to adventure with you. My novel's not finished yet!"
Jaco understood—Tights's novel protagonist was based on him. He didn't speak, just grimly watched the slowly approaching pirates.
Just as Jaco prepared to pull the trigger, several energy blasts suddenly streaked down from above. The airborne pirates didn't even have time to scream before the attacks vaporized them. As the smoke cleared, most pirate grunts were dead—only a few with decent battle power had blocked the assault.
Everyone was shocked by the sudden attack. Only Tights showed relief at their salvation, whispering happily to Jaco: "Jaco, looks like we're saved!"
Though surprised by other survivors, Jaco didn't lower his guard. He remained vigilant, watching the pirate forces.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Seeing subordinates wiped out, the pirate captain demanded furiously.
"Raditz, your battle power's still lacking. Extra training when we get back!" A young voice rang out above the battlefield, drawing everyone's attention.
Three figures appeared in view. All wore Frieza Force combat armor. One—a youth with knee-length spiky hair—wore a single-ear scouter.
Seeing that familiar outfit, Jaco and all remaining pirates' expressions changed drastically. They recognized the three's identity. Especially those tails coiled around waists—an unmistakable signature.
"Say—i—ans!" The pirate captain ground out the identity through clenched teeth.