NOVEL WEB Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Escape and Schemes
Chapter 11: Escape and Schemes
The spaceship trembled as it broke through the upper atmosphere, streaking toward the depths of space. Ben gripped the controls tightly, his breathing heavy. His ribs ached, his body was exhausted, and the Omnitrix was back in cooldown mode.
That was too damn close.
Frieza was no joke. Even with all his tricks, all his knowledge of the Dragon Ball timeline, he barely survived. If he hadn't distracted the tyrant at the last second, he'd be nothing more than space dust right now.
He winced, shifting in his seat. I need to get stronger. Way stronger.
---
The ship's control panel flickered, and an automated voice crackled through the speakers.
> "Current destination: Unknown. Power levels detected within range."
Ben's eyes narrowed. "Define 'power levels.'"
The screen displayed a cluster of readings—some weak, some strong. None were anywhere near Frieza's level, but that didn't mean they were harmless.
"Great. I just escaped one death trap, and now I might be flying into another."
Still, he didn't have many options. The Omnitrix needed time, and he wasn't in any shape for another fight. He needed to lay low, recover, and most importantly… figure out his next move.
---
Frieza's Wrath
Back on the battlefield, Frieza hovered above the ruined landscape, his aura flaring violently. His golden form flickered, the damage from the battle finally catching up to him.
The ground beneath him was nothing but scorched earth and destruction. And yet, Ben had escaped.
Frieza's teeth clenched. "That insect… dares to mock me?"
A few of his soldiers stood in the distance, trembling. One of them, a horned alien in Frieza Force armor, hesitated before stepping forward.
"L-Lord Frieza… should we—"
A violet beam shot through the soldier's skull before he could finish. His lifeless body hit the ground with a dull thud.
The remaining soldiers recoiled in fear.
Frieza turned to them, his expression unreadable. "I want every available unit searching for that thing. He won't get far."
One soldier, braver than the rest, swallowed hard. "B-But, my lord, if he's left the planet—"
Frieza shot him a look.
The soldier immediately dropped to his knees. "We'll find him! Right away!"
Frieza's gaze returned to the sky, his golden aura pulsing.
No one escaped him.
Ben Tennyson would suffer for his defiance.
---
Crash Landing
Ben's stolen ship finally entered the planet's orbit, and the AI's voice returned.
> "Warning. Unstable atmospheric conditions detected."
"Of course," Ben muttered. "Wouldn't be my luck otherwise."
Before he could do anything, the ship lurched violently. The control panel flickered, sparks flying as alarms blared.
> "Emergency landing protocol engaged."
"Yeah, no kidding!"
The ship spiraled downward, breaking through thick storm clouds before hurtling toward the surface. Ben braced himself as the impact sent a shockwave through his body. Metal groaned, flames erupted, and then—
Boom!
Everything went dark.
---
A sharp pain in his skull was the first thing Ben registered. The second was the sound of distant voices.
His eyes fluttered open. He was lying on his back, half-buried in wreckage. Smoke billowed around him, and the Omnitrix, still on cooldown, was dim against his wrist.
He groaned, pushing himself up. "Okay… not my smoothest landing."
The voices grew clearer. He wasn't alone.
Forcing himself to his feet, Ben stumbled forward, finally laying eyes on his welcome committee.
A group of humanoid warriors stood near the wreckage, each clad in mismatched armor. Their eyes were locked onto him, some with curiosity, others with clear hostility.
Bandits? Mercenaries? Some random backwater planet fighters?
Didn't matter. What mattered was that he was outnumbered.
---
A burly, scar-faced alien stepped forward, arms crossed. "You've got five seconds to tell us who you are and why you just crash-landed in our territory."
Ben sighed. "Would you believe I took a wrong turn at Jupiter?"
The alien's scowl deepened.
"Didn't think so."
Ben glanced at the Omnitrix. Still in cooldown. No transformations for now. He was going to have to talk his way out of this—or, if that failed, figure out a way to stall until the watch was back online.
He gave the group a cocky grin.
"Alright, fellas. Let's talk business."
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