Disclaimer...I own none of the characters, etc. except the plot.

The setting seemed suitable for Trunks' mood. Dark, gray, and full of cold, merciless ice, the pit fueled his strength and desire. Nearly unrecognizable by most, the once clean cut and proper corporate president looked more like some feral beast. A thin layer of hair grew about his face and his body was marred with dirt, blood, bruises, gashes, and jagged cuts. He had to channel all inner energy into fuel for strength. And in doing such, his outer wounds took much longer to heal. Unable to eat a normal meal, he'd lost much weight. His once finely proportioned muscles on his lanky frame now desperately clung to a frame that revealed more bone. His purple-hued hair was caked with mud and clung like drooping two-toned spikes to his face. He was a sight not even his mother could love. But this condition was also a blessing. He was nearly unrecognizable. Perhaps he would fool his enemies as well...even if only temporarily. A half second's element of surprise would be all he needed.

As night fell, Trunks allowed his blue eyes to adjust to the faintest of light. For the past few days he had become relatively nocturnal so that he could master the night. He would strike when others feel the least secure. It would instill of feeling of dread in horror...a suitable effect for his torture. And no, he would not strike all at once. He felt the desire for them to suffer slowly. He would prey upon them over several nights,striking unseen, and disappearing again before the first whisps of daylight peered over the horizon. He would use tactics he hadn't shown them yet and save his super saiyan abilities as a last resort. Inwardly he thanked his father for the knowledge of survival and methodology of the hunt. Since his transition from evil to "good", Vegeta had taken interest in the tribal warrior tactics of Earth's primitive peoples. Ever curious, a young Trunks had read those very same books and seen those very same videos that his father had studied. They would be tactics unfamiliar to the full blood saiyans on the current planet he was on. Smeared in blood and mud, Trunks' skin blended beautifully with the darkness of night. It was time.

Elsewhere...

Pan slammed hard on the air brakes. The ship wasn't cooperating.

"I don't need to be a rocket scientist to know this Pan...we're entering the atmosphere too fast."

"Oh great observation Miss Sherlock. I know that already. Why do you think I've got my feet full on the brakes and the throttle down to almost nothing."

"You're going to fry us to a crisp if we don't slow down."

"Bra, you'd better shut up and let me deal with it or I'll make sure you're the first fried."

"Pan, just make sure, whether we're fried or can land that we don't end up wherever those saiyans are." Marron added quietly.

"Sure, add more to my already desparate problem. Thanks a lot." Pan replied sarcastically. Back seat drivers...now I know how Trunks felt during that black-star dragonball hunt. Trunks, if I ever see you again, I'll apologize for that. Pan thought.

"Uh Pan?"

"What NOW Marron!?"

"Doesn't this ship have retro rockets?"

I'm not going to let them know that I forgot about those. Pan thought. "Uh, yeah, but they can only be fired at the right moment. They take up a lot of fuel. Once we break atmosphere I'll fire them."

"Pan, this ship doesn't require fuel to fly. It flies on fuel cells that can handle another several months of non-stop flying before recharging."

"Bra, you'd better shut up before I get out my scissors and cut that damn hair of yours."

"You wouldn't."

"I sure as hell would. Now both of you please shut up and let me fly this thing!"

"Fine...eeeessh." Bra and Marron both replied.

Meanwhile...

Trunks slowly lofted himself into the air and floated towards the opening of the pit. He hadn't seen or felt the presence of any of the saiyans for over a week. Apparently it was their plan to abandon him and let him die. For a moment he gazed skyward and saw a firey ball race across the sky. Silently he took a deep breath and hoped it was a good omen. Goten had once told him that falling stars were to be wished upon for good fortune. While Trunks doubted anything that couldn't be backed up scientifically, he figured a chance of good is better than none at all. Both Goten and Gohan had good fortune befall them afterall and both held that belief. Little did he know that it was a Capsule Corporation product careening on a firey trajectory into trouble.

Slinking along the ice walls and following the crevasses, Trunks made his way flying low, nearly touching the ground below. His dark camouflague stood out on the ice but he had only a little farther to go before the ice and snow gave way to hard and crusted dead grass covered dirt. A little further beyond that and he'd be in woodlands. He felt more at home within shadows of trees. Growing up around nature-loving Gohan and Goten did have its perks.

Skyward...

Pan fired the retrorockets after one rotation about the planet. The atmospheric friction was burning the ship, but it was also helping to create drag on the ship. They were slowing, but whether or not it'd be enough and in time was yet another question unsolved.

"Pan, we're not gonna make it!"

"Stop whining Bra. You're such a wimp."

"I'm not a wimp."

"Then shut the trap and trust me. I saw Trunks do this once. I've been in one of these things before remember!"

"You said Trunks was a rotten pilot!"

"He was, but at least he knew the basics. And I rest my case."

"About what?"

"That Trunks is a rotten flier. He likely crashed rather than chose to land here."

"We don't know that yet."

"You don't know your brother very well do you?"

"Huh?"

"He doesn't like this type of topography. He only likes city or forest. There's way too much rock, ice, and treeless areas here. No place for a vacation."

"I don't think Trunks was thinking about a vacation when he left."

"As I said, you don't know your brother very well at all." Pan said as the ship suddenly lurched sidewards. She bit her lip and focused back on her flying. "Marron, keep me informed of that location of saiyans. Yell out if our approach is too close to it. This thing's coming down very soon now."

"Uh, right."

Planetside...

Trunks was by now, within the fringes of the saiyan encampment. He remained secluded in heavy bushes as he watched the progress of the inhabitants carefully, noting patterns, behaviors, and numbers. The guards were pathetically low in number. Then again, they really didn't expect anyone or anything to know of their existence or be stupid enough to attack a clan of saiyans.

He mentally noted that Midori and Sai were the lead guards only by day. Lower classes must guard by night. He strained slightly so he could view the main base building, if it could be called such. Midori, Sai, and most definitely Taree were within it. Off to its far right was a small shack like structure. Outside was a pit with a beast roasting over an open fire. The few scrappings of what could be called saiyan males were present there. It was the first time he'd seen males present. It was suddenly clearer why he was wanted. Their few males were low on the genetic pool of progress. They had no intelligence, no physical prowess, nothing that could contribute to the prosperity of the saiyan species. They probably couldn't even fight. The females likely hunted for the beast they were now cooking. They were nothing more than sperm factories so the females could at least have a flicker of hope of keeping the saiyan species alive. Trunks now knew his job was going to be so much easier. His first strike would be that encampment of males and the lovely smelling beast roasting. With food, he could think with a clearer head and not fear being given away by a growling stomach. He licked his dry lips in anticipation of a decent meal. The beast was large enough that it could sustain him for several days. It was as good as his.

Stalking silently like a panther on the prowl, Trunks crept ever closer to the male encampment. He flanked it until he was behind it, still keeping to the outskirts where the shrubbery and dense grasses hid him from view. Once on the other side, yet still behind it, he watched and waited for the right moment. He also debated whether or not he should put the sorry saps out of their misery. Vegeta would. They were a disgrace to the saiyan race. But he wasn't his father. With an evil smirk and a fire in his eyes, Trunks silently crept into their encampment.

Once there, he struck with lightening fury and speed. Only one of the four caught a glimpse of him, but by then, his neck was snapped and his head twisted backward. Of the other three, Trunks knocked them unconscious, caught them before the collapsed, and quietly laid them to rest inside their shack. He bound their legs and arms as well as their mouths. He found some rotting ale in their shack and laid glasses beside them. He poured the rest on and around them. Perhaps if found, they would be assumed to have gone into a drunken stupor and had fun with one another using bindings and other rough sex play methods. These idiots likely didn't get much action anyway so they probably took out their sexual frustration on each other. With the occupants taken care of, Trunks silently peered through the opening in their shack. The roasting beast was only a few short steps away. He watched the guards. They likely knew that something was roasting. Suddenly and idea popped in his head. He returned to the depths of the shack and dragged the dead male forward. The dead guy was conviently wearing fur coverings. When the guards crossed their rounds and were reporting to each other, Trunks yanked the roasting beast of the skewer and placed the dead saiyan male in its place. Dragging the beast into the shack then out the backside, he returned to the depths of the woods. Yes, his father would have been pleased with that little trick. What his father never learned and he did, was that revenge was best served over time. This was just a little nip for him. So much more was yet to come.

Back in the air...

"Marron, the saiyans aren't located near ice right?"

"They're well west of the ice."

"Good. We're landing on the ice."

"What!? Ice is cold and hard!"

"Bra, just shut up!" Both Pan and Marron yelled as Pan pulled forward on the controls, urging the ship to arc downwards and descend. "Here goes everything..." Pan muttered as she braced for the impact. Bra and Marron were clinging tight to their straps and holding their eyes closed tightly.

Pan levelled the ship out as best she could. It's speed caused it to hop several times before skidding for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually it stopped. It took several moments before the trio actually took a breath and sighed relief.

"Well, we're here." Pan said as she was the first to gather her bearings and reorient herself.

Marron and Bra slowly opened their eyes to realize they weren't dead or moving anymore.

"Yeah, some here." Bra muttered as she looked out the viewport.

to be continued...