In The Air Tonight

Disclaimer: I in no way own any of the Dragonball Z characters. That honor goes to Akira Toriyama. I do however own Zaria and any other original character that appears here. So.. hands off if you don't have permission.

Prologue

"Zaria!" Frieza stormed through his base's corridors, fuming. Growling, he stopped near the intercom and slammed his hand against the button and snarled, "Zarbon, where is that half-breed you call a sister?"

After a moment's hesitation, the speaker let out a tiny chirp of introduction and Zarbon's sharp baritone voice came through quietly. "Lieutenant Zaria is still on the Theta planet with the sweeper team. They aren't due back for another year, my lord."

A grunt of frustration rose from Frieza's broad chest. "That girl knew I had a use for her if that monkey Bardock was terminated."

The intercom chirped once again and the same baritone voice rang out through the hallways. "Sir, does she ever know that Bardock has been exterminated? She has gone from the Delta planet to the Theta planet. Her team came back to the base long enough to drop their injured in the regeneration tanks."

"Zarbon, find a way to contact your worthless sister and let her know that her time limit is shortened by six months. She is to sweep the planet and make it inhabitable to our buyers in that time. If not, her team will be liquidated. Is that clear?" The authority with which he spoke with allowed for no argument from his inferior.

The speaker made no hesitation before a beep and short "Yes, sir," came out of it. Frieza let go of the small azure button before he made his way to his throne room. A smile crossed his lips as his he thought of the new "soldiers" that he now had to train.

The bright sun rose over the beautiful horizon. The only sound that could be heard over the emerald plain was the sound of a few chirping birds. This was soon interrupted by the sound of a beeping communicator and a feminine shriek of frustration.

A thin, manicured hand reached from underneath a blanket and grabbed the offending object. Instead of uncovering her head, she brought the communicator underneath the coverlet and spoke in a lethargic but annoyed voice. "Lieutenant first class Zaria speaking, who do I need to blast to get some damned sleep around this place?"

The tumultuous voice of Zarbon rang out loud and clear in her ears. "Listen you ugly monkey, you may have the same father that I do, but don't forget what your mother was. You're lucky I didn't just leave you on that planet to be liquidated like the rest of them. Do not disrespect me, for I am your superior in both life and rank, understand?"

Zaria growled menacingly then responded with clenched teeth. "Yes sir. What is it that you and Lord Frieza wish of me?" Her eyes rolled at her own submissive tone. Her plans ran through her head as she awaited her "dear" brother's response.

The communicator beeped. "Lord Frieza has shortened your team's time on Theta planet to six months. Bardock and the rest of the Saiyajin scum have been exterminated. You are to return in that time or you and your entire team shall be liquidated. Is that understood Lieutenant?"

The sapphire blanket suddenly seemed to toss itself off of the bed and the petite woman sat straight up. She stared at the communicator as if were an alien object that she had never before seen. Her golden brown eyes narrowed in disbelief of the words she had just heard. "Six months. You expect me and two others to sweep an entire planet in six months?" She stopped and took a deep breath, knowing starting an argument with Zarbon would just cause him to tattle to Frieza. As it was, she knew she was in for punishment for not stopping between missions to see him. After all, Zaria was his favorite female pet. Shuddering at the thought, she continued. "Expect us in six months then. Zaria, out."

Staring at the communicator for a minute, she proceeded to throw it against the floor and blast it into about 100 pieces. Getting up, she stretched slightly and looked for her clothing. As she found them and started to dress herself, she screamed her head off, waking up her team. "Toran, Akira, get you lazy asses out of those beds and dressed, now! We have work to do!"

As the short, dark haired male wiped a splatter of blood off of his cheek with the back of his gloved hand, his communicator beeped. Looking around to make sure that none of his enemies were close enough to ambush him or even notice that he was preoccupied, he answered. "Yes."

The communicator beeped and suddenly there was a sickeningly feminine voice on the other end. "Hello monkey, how goes the purge?"

Flinching, but swallowing his pride, the young male responded quietly, "Lord Frieza. Things are successful. If all goes as planned, we should be back on the ship within five months."

The sinister voice came through again. "Good. Do not share this with your team. I've decided to allow you to have some sensitive information, since you are after all the prince of the monkey race. Planet Vegeta has been destroyed."

The prince stopped breathing for a moment and caught the tears before they were able to fall. "What does this have to do with me, Lord Frieza, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Patience monkey, I have a point. Considering that you are now one team member short since Bardock was also destroyed, I will be replacing him with someone hand picked by myself."

Vegeta steadied himself against the barrage of new information and calmly replied, "Yes, Lord Frieza. We shall see you soon. Vegeta, out."

Smirking as he let the button on his communicator go, Frieza studied his lackey, Zarbon. His eyes seemed to glare into his inferior soul, making him feel uncomfortable. Suddenly, Zarbon broke the silence. "Sir, do you really feel it's a good idea to allow the two of them to join forces? I've heard whisperings that both of them are out to overthrow you."

Frieza closed his eyes and gave a sickeningly feminine chuckle. "Zarbon, I hope the monkey and the half breed have their fun plotting against me. Both of them have been way to quiet around the station and it's about time I have some fun."