[3] The Road

[Kaden]

Things could definitely be going smoother for Kaden's cause. Every minute they were on the road brought them that much closer to Kai's mansion. Orion's little jaunt into the dessert had bought some extra time for the young courier to figure something out, but with the "hostages" still incapacitated, there weren't a lot of options. Once they were back on the road, Kaden renewed his plea for Orion to do the right thing.

Sadly, it didn't do as much good as Kaden was hoping it would. Repeating the same argument over and over again was only so effective. Moreover, the one-eyed warrior seemed far more resilient to the courier's case. Either he had already made up his mind about what he was going to do, or his mind was on something he considered more important.

With a sigh, Kaden ran a hand through his hair and flopped onto the backseat of the SUV. On either side of him were the captives, neither of which looking particularly good. That they were conscious and lucid enough to scarf down whatever rations they had was a very good sign. While they ate, both Dmitri and Zena watched the people around them intently. Orion and Ares seemed to be their biggest concerns, for obvious reason, but Piper and Kaden didn't seem free from suspicion. Kaden was grateful that, while he may not trust him, Dimitri didn't seem overly suspicious of the courier.

Though it may have seemed pointless, Kaden tried to reassure their captives that no harm would befall them. First, the courier turned to Dimitri trying to reassure his "friend" that he would find some way to keep Kai from doing anything devious. As he spoke, the courier placed a hand on Dimitri's shoulder.

The young saiyan had just been nodding along as Kaden spoke, not particularly interested in what he had to say. When Kaden's hand fell upon his shoulder, however, Dimitri's eyes snapped towards the courier. Kaden smiled as his ki flowed from his body and into Dimitri's. The courier only wished that there was more he could do.

Turning to Zena, Kaden repeated the process. Zena's initial reaction to being touched bordered on anger. Once realization dawned upon her, however, she scrutinized the courier with a glare. She was definitely more suspicious than Dimitri, but Kaden couldn't fault her for that. He had no idea how he would feel in her situation.

Leaning back, Kaden looked at the two hunted. He was well aware that his energy had no curative properties, it wouldn't do anything to heal their wounds or ease their pain, but it might help sharpen their senses or, in a worst-case scenario, give them enough energy to be able to defend themselves. Either way, Kaden had done just about everything he could to help them given the situation. With a frown, the courier's eyes turned to the horizon. It seemed like they would be reaching Kai's mansion shortly. Until their vehicle screeched to a halt.

Orion was the first to question Piper, their driver. The one-eyed saiyan definitely seemed a little on edge. Following his fellow Hunters out of the SUV, Kaden walked around to the front of the SUV as Piper waved away a fresh plume of smoke with her hand. Orion cursed as he peered under the hood. Kaden had to restrain his eyebrow from rocketing upwards. He had seen cars simply give out before, but never like this. He turned to catch Piper's eye, but she was on the move.

Sorry.

The word echoed through Kaden's head. His head snapped towards Piper; it had clearly been her voice. That removed any doubt from the courier's mind that the car had simply broken down on its own. Piper was trying to buy time and Kaden didn't plan on letting it just go to waste. As she reached into the car to retrieve her weapon, Kaden was quick to follow. Before she could make her way back to the other Hunters, the courier stopped her by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Something's off." Kaden leaned toward Piper and whispered to keep from being heard by either the other Hunters of the captives. "When Orion was gone, someone else appeared. Someone strong. I don't think there was any fighting or anything, but he was there for a minute, then gone, and then Orion returned."

Piper eyed Kaden for a second, processing what he had just told her, before turning her head towards the SUV and, presumably, the hostages. After another second she nodded to Kaden and made her way to the front of the car once more.

With a long sigh, Kaden pulled off his jacket. Though it seemed to be setting, the sun still wasn't doing the courier any favors. Before tossing his jacket back into the SUV, Kaden retrieved Trisha's dagger and tucked it into his belt. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he rejoined Piper, Orion, and now Ares.

Kaden could feel a large knot forming in the pit of his stomach. Both Orion and Ares seemed more than capable in a fight. If they decided to take Dimitri and Zena to the mansion, the choices left would be very few. The courier had to try and prepare himself for a fight. He had to try and prepare himself to take on two experienced saiyan warriors... with a deep breath, Kaden whispered to himself.

"I really hope they make the right choice."