Mr. Popo led the trio to a door inside the spaceship.
The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a vast hall bathed in a dim, bluish light. In the center stood a towering pillar, its surface sleek and metallic, adorned with an array of monitors and keyboards.
"Woah," mouthed Gohan as he took in the scene, his eyes wide with wonder.
Mr. Popo walked towards the computer, the soft sound of his footsteps echoing in the hall. He punched a few buttons, and the screens flickered to life with a gentle beep. "What gravity do you think you will be comfortable with?"
"Huh? Gravity?" said Krillin, his voice tinged with confusion.
"Yes, gravity. It is to make your bodies stronger. Now tell me."
Gohan stared in awe, his mind racing. "Hmm. Gravity training..."
"What's the range?" asked Yamcha, curiosity piquing his interest.
Mr. Popo pushed more buttons, and the screen displayed further information with a soft whirr. "0.5 times Earth's gravity to 20 times Earth's gravity."
Yamcha smirked, his eyes glinting with challenge. "Make it 20 times!"
Krillin looked aghast, his face pale. "Are you crazy?!"
Mr. Popo, eyes fixed on the screen, warned, "I must caution you, Yamcha. You may be trying to bite off more than you can chew."
"Hah!" Yamcha scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "You dare underestimate me, fat guy?"
Mr. Popo turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing with a flicker of anger. "You are not even above my fat faeces. You hear that?"
Yamcha, triggered, lunged at Mr. Popo. The two tumbled to the ground, and Mr. Popo's elbow struck a button as they fell.
BZZZZ
The air instantly grew dense, pressing down on them with an invisible weight. The hum of the machinery intensified.
"What's this?!" Krillin exclaimed, his knees buckling as he struggled to stay upright. He could feel his muscles straining under the increased gravity.
Gohan was having a tough time as well. "My God! I think they have turned up the gravity, Krillin!" He gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead.
Krillin strained with effort, veins bulging on his temples. "You are right, Gohan."
Meanwhile, Mr. Popo was pinned beneath Yamcha, the increased gravity making it impossible to push him off. "When was the last time you took a bath, Yamcha?!" he grumbled, his voice muffled.
"What..are you..talking about?...I just had one..last week!" Yamcha panted, his breath coming in labored gasps.
Mr. Popo wanted to face-palm but couldn't due to the oppressive force.
A soft humming sound began to fill the hall.
Krillin blinked as he suddenly felt lighter. He stood up straight, relief washing over him.
Gohan stood straight as well, stretching his limbs.
Yamcha sighed, but before he could get off Mr. Popo, the latter threw him aside with surprising strength.
Mr. Popo stood up, dusting his clothes, and examined the button he had accidentally pressed. It read: /test 15G/.
Mr. Popo turned to Yamcha. "That was a taste of 15 times Earth's gravity, Yamcha."
Yamcha looked amazed, his eyes wide. "What?! That was just 15 times?!"
Krillin looked at Yamcha with a skeptical expression. "So, what do you think? Still ready for 20 times?"
Yamcha did not reply, a hint of doubt crossing his face.
Mr. Popo looked at the group seriously. "This is a new technology that Khami and I designed for this spaceship. Previously, the gravity inside the ship was always equal to Earth's gravity. We achieved this gravity-changing technology by modifying that system."
Both Krillin and Gohan listened carefully, their expressions serious.
Mr. Popo continued, "But due to the limited battery of this ship, charged by burning the ship's fuel, I advise you not to use this machine for more than two hours a day. So, how about it? Do you want to train at gravity higher than Earth's?"
Krillin nodded. "Yes." He looked towards Gohan, who nodded seriously at him. Krillin then looked towards Yamcha. "Ready to train?"
Yamcha scoffed, trying to regain his confidence. "Of course I am."
Mr. Popo looked at the group. "At how many times Earth's gravity?"
Yamcha remained silent, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
Krillin clenched his fist, determination showing. "7.5 G."
"As you wish."
Mr. Popo pressed a button.
BZZZZ
Mr. Popo then calmly walked out of the room. "Call for me when you want to switch it off," he said over his shoulder.
Yamcha looked towards his friends. "So, what should we begin with?"
Krillin smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "How about some one-handed push-ups?"
Yamcha smirked as well, nodding. "Yeah. Sounds good."
Gohan blinked, puzzled. "What's a push-up?"
Krillin grinned at the boy. "I'm sure you'll recognize it when you see it, Gohan."
Soon, both Krillin and Yamcha got down and began the exercise, their muscles straining under the increased gravity, sweat dripping onto the cold, metallic floor.
Good. Better not slack on training. They will be needing all of it...
To be continued...