Disclaimer: Oh Come on Really?! Although I wouldn't mind owning Vegeta or Trunks!!
Fate
Chapter One
Bardock looked up from his reports to see his youngest son come into his study. Kakarot stood at the door with his head down, not looking at him.
"What's wrong, Kakarot?" Bardock stood and walked over to him. He took the boys shoulders and steered him to a chair. Pulling another up beside Kakarot he placed his hand on his son's chin and lifted is head up. Bardock was surprised to see fresh tears glistening in the teen's eyes.
"Kakarot?" Bardock was suddenly worried. Kakarot was never one to shed tears for ANY reason. For him to do so now meant that something serious has happened.
Kakarot pulled his head away from his father's gaze. "The m...mil ...ilitar... ary d...doc …tors c…ame." He took a deep breath. "They g…gave everyo…one phy…sicals."
Bardock was stunned that his son was stuttering. "What did they say to you that has you so upset?"
"Um… th…that I'm a b…be…ear…er." Kakarot crumpled after that, curling into a ball on the chair. Bardock just looked at his son in shock.
"Bearer? They must be mistaken. They have to be." Bardock shook his head in disbelief. Those military doctors must not know what they are talking about. "Come, son, we are going to get a different opinion."
"No!" Kakarot jumped up from the chair grabbing his father's arm. "No, father please! I don't want anyone else to know. Please, not even Raditz."
"What else is there, boy? You know the law." Bardock pulled is arm away and took his youngest son's hands. "There are few enough women as it is. They would have already reported this to your superiors by now. There is no escaping it son."
Kakarot shivered then nodded his head. "I'll go pack." Dejected, Kakarot turned and went to the stairs. Just then the front door banged open and his oldest brother came in yelling.
"Father, I just heard something about Kakarot!" Raditz, with his long hair streaming out behind him, came to a halt as he noticed his little brother at the stairways. "Kaka, oh, Kaka, I'm sorry little bro." Raditz went to his brother and pulled him into his arms.
The younger boy sobbed into the comforting arms of his elder brother. The one person who always stood by his side. Now he's not quite sure how Raditz will handle this news. All he wanted was to be a fighter like his father and brother, and now that is being pulled away from him.
Over the last thirty years, with the decrease in female children born, a defect started showing up in young men throughout the Saiyan Empire. As they hit their heat cycle they go through a change, a change that allows them to carry young. To prevent the species from dying out the king declared all male bearers to be pulled from the military rosters and mated to Elite or First class saiyans.
"What are we going to do father?" Raditz asks Bardock. "We can't just let them take him."
"We have no choice, boy, and you know it." Bardock sighed and pulled both his boys into his arms. "We have no choice. They would have informed the council by now. Along with any others who have become bearers."
"Oh, Gods, Jopher and Handen." Kakarot gasped. "They also are bearers. I heard some of the doctors talking."
"We can't worry about others now, Kakarot. We must present you at the council before sunset or you will be banned a runaway." Bardock pushed his sons to the stairs. "Go get ready. Don't bother with any armor, just the necessities."
Kakarot headed to the stairs with Raditz at his heals. In his room he slumped onto his bed with a dejected sigh. Raditz came and sat beside him.
"Don't worry, Kaka. I have a friend who became a bearer a few years ago. He does get to keep in contact with his family. I've even gone to see him a few times. It's not all that bad." Raditz did not mention the fact that his friend was treated like a prize possession and was not very far from his new 'mates' side.
"Will they at least let me work out?" Kakarot asked him. He did not want to get fat or lose his muscle mass.
"I'm not sure Kaka, I guess it all depends on …" Raditz trailed off.
"On who I'm mated to, right?" Kakarot growled. "We don't even get to chose? I'm being auctioned off to the highest bidder."
Raditz gasped, "That's not how they do it, Kakarot. They don't pay for you."
"Might as well." Kakarot said glumly. "Just get out Raditz, I have to pack. Sunset is only a few hours away, and I have to be at the council before then." Kakarot pushed his brother out the door and closed it tight. He pulled out his duffle bag and started shoving his things into it. He had a few mementos from his first years in training, a few collector items from off planet that his father picked up for him and his journal. Before putting his journal in his sack he wrote down the events of the day, then shoved it in. Slinging the sack onto his shoulder he went back down the stairs.
"Father, I'm ready to go." Kakarot came into the front room and stopped as he noticed two other saiyans in the house talking to Bardock. The three of them turned as he came in.
"Kakarot, these men are here to escort you to the council." Bardock glanced at the two men beside him. "They will help you settle into the dormitories at the center. Your brother and I will be able to see you tomorrow."
"I thought that you were going to take me, father?" Kakarot glanced at the other two cautiously. "Why can't you come as well?" Kakarot knew he was whining and didn't care. All he knew is being stripped away from him, and he just wanted to curl up and cry.
"Don't worry, boy. Your sire will see you tomorrow. You will be weeks in the center for training." One of the men spoke up. "My name is Rousi, and this is Eaker. Come, it's time to be going."
Rousi took Kakarot's pack and waved the young teen towards the door. Eaker stood waiting for him to move. Kakarot turned to Bardock and gave him a hug. "Take care of yourself, son." Bardock said, then pushed him to the door.
Kakarot straightened his shoulders and walked out the door. Eaker brought up the rear as the three of them took flight towards the capitol.
******************
The fifteen minutes flight to the capitol was uneventful. Not one of his escorts spoke to him as they flew. Kakarot swallowed back the fresh set of tears that threatened to fall. He was determined not to show any emotion. They arrived at the center just a few minutes before dusk. Rousi went into the building to the front desk. A short saiyan was seated at the desk plunking away on a computer screen. He glanced up as he heard the doors swing open.
Peering at three of them, he looked at Rousi and asked, "Name?"
"Kakarot, son of Bardock." Rousi said.
The man typed on the keypad and glanced at Kakarot. "Section three, level five. Room 228. Itinerary will be sent to personal computer. Make sure you memorize it." He handed Rousi a key card and turned away.
Eaker took his arm and propelled him to another door. When they arrived at his new room they opened the door and went inside. Rousi threw his pack on the couch and handed him the key card.
"You have a main sitting room, bedroom and a bathroom. The key card gives you access to the commissary and kitchens. You have the rest of the night off to explore and get acquainted with the area. You are not allowed to leave the center unless preapproved by the council. Any visitors will need to sign in at the front office. All the rules and regulations are posted I your personal computer, and if you have any questions regarding them feel free to call the front desk."
Then they left, and he was alone. Kakarot slowly gave his new home a once over. The sitting room consisted of a fireplace along an outside wall, a burgundy colored couch, and arm chair. A desk sat against the common room wall of the bedroom, with afore mentioned computer. There was a balcony to the left side of the fireplace opening out to a view of the center garden. He went to the bedroom and was surprised to see a large four posted bed with dark blue satin sheets. The bath was also large with a sunk in tub, large double shower, and sauna. He was agog at the richness of it all.
Kakarot went to his pack and began to empty its contents. Walking over to the computer he began to read the orientation and rules. About halfway through he began to realize how different his life has now become.
TBC