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When a star dies it's light can still be seen from lightyears away, long after it ceases to exist. Even though the heart of the star was destroyed the heat still lingers and people often don't seem to realize it's gone until one night the light is no longer there, leaving behind a dark forgotten space. But these lights disappear so often that no one would think twice about them anymore. They forget that every single light in the sky has it's own legacy, it's own cry just before death, it's own remnants travelling through the universe still being seen by those who wouldn't bother a second glance.
There's an age old question asked when stary eyes gaze up at darkened skies and the heart seems to welcome in oblivion; If a star dies in space and no one is left to mourn it, had it even existed in the first place?
But some stars go out with a cry louder than the others, some lights still shine brightly, and some people remember. Some stars refuse to die.
Deep within the folds of the universe, where some say a darkness reaches with claws blacker than the space between stars, a predestined planet dominated a small pocket of a brilliant celestial system.
Vegeta imposed against the star studded blackness like an angry red eye, glaring at the vast space around it, just daring the universe to try its stubborn pride. It's scorching red sands and howling purple skies made it a hostile cradle for life, but to it's inhabitants it was home. The people reflected their planet with the strength and admiration that legends would inspire for generations. The Saiyans were a proud and powerful people, known for their ruthlessness in battle and their vindictive strength that made lesser hearts shiver in trepidation. Their hides were tough like the deserts that dominated the planet, their hearts unyielding as the rocky mountainous ranges, their resolve harsh like the unrelenting wind that crumbled even the most stubborn of spires.
Considered barbaric in nature the Saiyans were mostly left alone, only the bravest and most powerful warriors dared to challenge the battle hungry race. The Saiyans lived to fight, to conquer. Their blood would sing with battle lust, they thrived on war and destruction. Their need to feed their bloodlust overshadowed that of food and drink. A saiyan deprived of battle was like a great tree deprived of sunlight; sickly and stunted.
But the Saiyans were not mindless beasts, as some would believe. Intelligence and cunning were not rare in the masses. They lived an honored existence; superior in their genetic makeup, advanced in their technology and outer space exploits; gifts given to them by their alien neighbors, but they learned to use them and use them well. They built cities and government, nothing like the metropolises and webbed political systems on the Capital World, but developed all the same.
They built their homes and artifacts from the gifts provided to them by Vegeta, their pride and joy. Their planet gave them life and soul and the Saiyans honored their home with reverence. Only the strongest and wisest were deemed worthy enough to rule, and the subjects lived to prove their unwavering devotion. Their cities were carved into the mountains and canyons, a reminder of their gifted existence, their birthmark on the flesh of the planet.
The royal palace formidably claimed the tallest spires with a dominance that bent all of it's far reaching domain on it's knees in loyalty. The red stone bled in the scorching heat of the two suns like a great warrior standing victoriously after battle. It's towers jutted up defiantly into the angry red sky, it's walls strong and unyielding against the elements.
The Hall of Kings was the center of Saiyan pride. The high reaching walls were adorned with rich Saiyan culture; ancient myths and legends of great heroes were woven into regal tapestries, Epics were carved into the bones of the palace telling of fantastic battles and prophecies yet to come. Statues of the almighty Oozaru- the Saiyan's form of true power -stood watch over the hall, ruby eyes praising those who were worthy, damning those who were not.
High Commander Nappa marched purposefully through the hall, his eyes trailing over the tales of his people, an air of pride puffing his chest. Tucked beneath his large arm rested a small decorative box, the glittering jewels whispering to everyone's eyes that something precious lay hidden inside. The strong Saiyan warrior was willing to die for what he carried, his loyalty swelling his heart and straightening his spine.
Passed the Hall of Kings and into the heart of the palace he journeyed, nodding to passing guards who tipped their heads in respect. Deeper he marched until he came to a heavily guarded corridor where the happy gurglings of a babe sung in his sensitive ears.
He shadowed the arch of an open set of wide doors, pausing to make sure his armor rested straight on his chest. He was faced with the back of a woman whose dark Auburn hair cascaded in elegant waves to her heels, precious beads and red twine decorated her locks like an armor of regality. Her vigil was kept over a bubble-like chamber that protected something far more precious than any star inside.
Nappa clicked his heels together, and presented a low bow of respect. "My Queen," he purred, the beginnings of a smile tugging his mustache askew.
The Saiyan Queen turned at the presence of her Commander, revealing an elegant and refined face with a strong glint in her eye. She beamed at Nappa, her radiance brightening the room tenfold, her joy spilling out into the corridor to reach the hearts of the crown's most trusted guards.
"Oh Nappa," she sang, an uplifting of her hand freeing the warrior from his bow. "Do you have it?"
Nappa did not disappoint. He presented his Queen with the box he guarded, and the brightening of her eyes easily put the shining precious jewels to shame.
She turned once more to reach inside the bubble-like chamber beside her and very gently retrieved a bundle of royal red velvet that draped to the floor in shimmering waves. She held the bundle close to her chest, and between the protective folds a squirming baby fussed and bubbled against the beating of her heart. Tiny fists reached into the air to grasp at things only the child could see and The Queen chucked, her laughter chiming like the bells of Nirvana.
Enthralled by the beauty of what he beheld, Nappa stepped forward, two of his strides covering half of the large room. As he drew near, a small brown furred tail fought it's way through the folds of the blanket to sway restlessly in the open air. With a surge of Saiyan pride bursting in his chest Nappa took in the flame of pitch dark hair heralding the baby's royal heritage, and the strong set features of his King.
"Isn't he beautiful?" The Queen whispered, adoration softening her voice.
Nappa felt the air stolen from his lungs as the babe's long lashes fluttered open to reveal striking obsidian eyes. The child's gaze pierced him with an intensity that sent a shiver down the hardened warrior's spine.
"He is." Nappa mumbled, momentarily forgetting himself. The child was tiny, not even reaching the length of his forearm. "He's so small." The words had tumbled from his mouth before he could stop them and Nappa's eyes bugged in horror. "I mean, he's a baby," he corrected dumbly, mortified that he had just offended the royal family. He sheepishly braced himself for the lashing he was about to receive and rightfully deserved. "My deepest apologies, your Grace."
But the Queen graciously dismissed his thoughtless outburst with a sly wink of her lashes, and Nappa felt his heart stutter in gratefulness. The Queen was known for her perilous battle reputation, but she was also patient and understanding, rare attributes for the Saiyan people. She was powerful enough to beat Vegeta's most esteemed warriors into submission, but she chose to rule with a benevolence that left everyone too charmed to argue against. She was the perfect queen, respected by all, and she would make an excellent mother to the new Prince.
Shaking his head lightly, Nappa produced the box he nearly forgot he carried, opening it to reveal the awaited prize.
The Saiyan Queen hummed at the sight of the small golden medallion, it's center blue stone winking mischievously under the torchlight. "My trusted Commander, would you please assist a proud mother?"
If possible, Nappa filled with even more pride, unable to hold his immense feeling of joy in check. "I would be honored, my Queen."
The Saiyan Queen smiled graciously as Nappa lifted the medallion from the box to secure it around the young Prince's neck. The baby watched Nappa's every move with narrowed, curious eyes. The Prince started at the cold press of the medallion against his bare skin and an angry flush brightened his severe features. His small tail lashed out in anger and latched itself almost painfully around Nappa's large wrist. Afraid he might hurt his young Prince, Nappa stilled under the babe's deceptively strong grip, wary of even the slightest movement.
With a motherly touch the Queen freed her Commander from her son's iron grip, chuckling as she did so. The Prince then curled his tail around his mother's fingers- much lighter this time -and growled his displeasure. All was forgotten, but not forgiven as the Prince's attention turned to the medallion he had gripped in his tiny fists. He grumbled as the jewels proved hard to remove from their golden bed.
"He's going to be strong," the Queen wondered, soothing her tempered baby with a gentle caress of his cheek. "Vegeta, my little prince."
Nappa nodded, already the boy showed tremendous strength, and at only a few days old. He would carry the namesake of their people well. "Indeed, he will make a great warrior, and a fine King."
"And he's going to be handsome too," the proud mother gushed. "Just like his father."
A deep rumbling laugh alerted the attention of both Commander and Queen. Nappa bowed low in respect for the arrival of the King of all Saiyans.
"The Saiyan race could never ask for a finer Son."
Nappa couldn't agree more, pressing a fist over his heart. "King Vegeta."
The strongest and proudest of all the Saiyans swept into the room in a bellow of his royal armor and decorum. King Vegeta eyed Nappa impassively from beneath his severe brow before releasing the large man from his bow. His hard set features instantly formed into a broad grin as he approached his mate and offspring.
"My hatcci," the Queen's endearment sweetened the ears of the Saiyan men and beckoned to her mate's heart as she reached for his arm.
The Prince mewled happily at the sight of his father, kicking his little legs and flicking his tail in excitement.
"Onyonna," The proud King stepped forward to meet his Queen, and Nappa cast his eyes to his boots in respect, willing to leave the royal family in their privacy but knowing he was not yet dismissed. The little Prince Vegeta fussed in his mother's arms for attention, voicing loudly his displeasure at being ignored.
King Vegeta raised a dark brow at his son's antics, his eyes softening as he reached for the medallion. "I remember when this was once mine," he spoke firmly, rubbing his thumb over the precious blue stone as the Prince grasped his father's large finger in his hand. "It's weight is heavy, but you will be strong enough to carry it." The conviction in the King Vegeta's voice caused the baby's eyes to flash in delight, and he was rewarded with a toothless grin.
"You should expose him to your ki," The Queen offered with a brilliant flicker in her eye. "Let him feel the power of his birthright."
King Vegeta acquiesced wordlessly, raising a finger a few inches from the Prince's wide eyes. The baby did not flinch as a pinprick of brilliant orange light flickered to life at the tip of the King's finger, casting long shadows across the room, pulsing dangerously within the child's grasp.
Enthralled by the heat and raw power the light suspended in front of him held, Prince Vegeta reached out to touch the tiny star gifted to him by his father. As his fingers neared the light, the little Prince felt something swell and release within him; a warm energy resonating in his very bones, starting from his core and spreading through his body, like a mother's kiss on his forehead. He was not afraid of it, nor did he struggle to let it take him over, flow through his body and gather in his hand. His little finger touched his father's light and the energy expanded, turning white and growing just a little between father and son.
The little Prince Vegeta felt his father's pride echo in his mind and saw his mother's adoring smile in the shining light he helped to create. He squealed happily, and looked to the other man in the room for more praise.
Nappa grinned and lightly clapped his large hands. "Wow! Look at all that power!"
The baby kicked his legs in agreement, his pointed little nose scrunched up in concentration as he instinctively tried to feed more energy to the miniscule ball of light.
"Slow down, little one," the Queen cautioned her very determined baby. "You're going to hurt yourself!"
"No, let him test his strength." King Vegeta commanded with a quirking of his lip. "He must learn how to wield his power, how to control it. On his own, he must learn his limit."
Nappa watched intently as the little ball of ki grew slowly, pulsating and even crackling with power, sending dark shadows across the young Prince's face. But the commander saw even darker shadows starting to writhe in the boy's fathomless eyes, highlighted by a sort of manic fascination that did not sit well in Nappa's gut. No, he didn't think he liked that look in the Prince's eyes at all.
But the King and Queen seemed oblivious as they cooed at their son's strength, and Nappa quickly tried to shake the odd feeling away. It was just a baby, what harm could he do?
"King Vegeta,"
At the call of his name the King dissipated the growing ball of light, ignoring his son's cry of dismay. He turned his attention to the figure boldly shadowing the door.
"Apologies for the intrusion." Ardenyolk, Vegeta's top lieutenant, quickly saluted his King and commander, and acknowledged his Queen with a polite bow.
"Speak," Vegeta barked, eyeing the reluctant set of the Saiyan's shoulders.
Ardenyolk swallowed thickly before reporting. "Lord Frieza requests an audience," the air in the room suddenly turned cold. "Immediately."
The King and Queen exchanged a look between each other, Vegeta's bones turning to stone beneath his skin. Onyonna's face didn't change, but her eyes swelled with fear and she gripped her baby tight to her body. The Prince began to grow agitated, confused at the lack of smiles and attention.
"Sir?" Ardenyolk quietly cut in, the sudden tension making everyone uneasy.
King Vegeta held his mate's eyes as she nodded. "Nappa, with me."
The commander quickly dismissed himself from the Queen's presence before following his King as he swept from the room.
The soldiers on guard snapped to attention, saluting their King as he passed them by, long strides carrying him further away from the cries of his son.
Ardenyolk fell into step beside Nappa as they made way down to port, awaiting orders. They exchanged a wordless agreement that whatever was about to happen, it definitely wouldn't be good. Meetings with Frieza never ended in their favor.
Vegeta addressed the lieutenant on his right. "No one is to enter or leave the palace in my absence."
"Understood, Sir."
Nappa watched the young lieutenant leave to carry out his duties, his brow furrowed in concern. "You fear an assassination attempt?"
"The Prince was born mere suns ago and Frieza demands to meet now, this presents an opportunity few would ignore." The King answered bitterly.
Nappa took a moment to puzzle through the logic. "Do you really think he wants the royal family dead?"
"I don't know what the bastard wants, but he's not getting it." Vegeta entered the landing deck, his crimson cape snapping behind him. "I refuse to stand by and let that freak take control of my kingdom."
Nappa followed his King into a shuttle already waiting, armed with the King's personal guard. "And if he threatens war, what's our plan of action then?"
A scowl deepened the lines of King Vegeta's face as the shuttle left port, shooting off to the stars and the massive flagship waiting just outside the planet's reach. "We're Saiyans, Nappa. We never cower from a threat."
Nappa had been inside Frieza's flagship three times, each time had gone to the same meeting room, and each time swore that the arrangement of the halls changed. Even now he thought he could feel them moving, changing paths and directions as the Saiyan's passed. Nappa felt that the walls were more than just metal, not alive, but embedded with something far more sinister, caked with evil and the sorrow of billions like soot from an all consuming fire. He was careful not to touch them.
What's more was that other than the sound of footsteps that counted more than the bodies Nappa could see, the ship was completely silent, far too silent. Frieza's soldiers were everywhere, patrolling or standing guard, and not one of them spoke. Nappa observed them; aliens of all different races from all corners of the twelve quadrants, but all of them wore the same defective, senseless faces. He swallowed, eyes watching for an attack, but the soldiers they passed seem to ignore their existence completely. This angered Nappa's Saiyan pride; how dare these men show such disrespect to a King.
He studied his King, impressed with the way Vegeta fearlessly strutted down the curving halls like he owned them. Nothing could intimidate the King of all Saiyans; he would sooner have Frieza begging for mercy on his knees than bow before that freak.
Nappa allowed his King's resolve fuel his own courage. Vegeta was strong, a good leader. He would protect his people, and Nappa would protect his King.
They stopped just outside a set of large black doors, the soldier that silently escorted them eyed King Vegeta with amusement. "Our Lord Frieza will see you now. He is displeased with the amount of time it took for you to arrive, Saiyan."
Vegeta narrowed his eyes at the challenge, glaring at the alien a full two heads shorter than himself. "Your Lord Frieza can wait as long as it takes for me to decide to accept his invitation."
The soldier laughed loudly, but it was devoid of any mirth. "That's what they all say, at first." He then opened the doors, cutting off any retort the King may have had.
King Vegeta boldly stepped in, walking straight to the center of the room. His guard shadowed him, and Nappa took his place behind his King. But the moment Nappa stepped in the room the steadfast resolve he had built since entering the ship quaked when a wave of something he couldn't see assaulted his every sense, like being submerged into a freezing pool of liquid. It felt wrong, evil. He swallowed his sudden fear, and observed his surroundings.
The room featured an impressive viewport facing Planet Vegeta, the red horizon making Nappa's gut clench for reasons he could not explain. Disrupting his view of the scene, like a spot of impurity on a painting, was a throne hovering above the dark purple tile, it's back facing the Saiyans. The only sign of it's occupant was a bone white hand cradling a crystal wine glass. A large green alien straightened from whispering something in the owner's ear and stood to the side, a smirk caressing his handsome face. Standing on the other side of the throne was a grinning fuchsia alien, it's girth rivaling it's height. Nappa didn't think he had ever seen something so ugly.
The hand began to twirl the wine glass, the pink liquid sloshing delicately with the gentle movement. "Ah, Vegeta, how nice of you to finally arrive."
Nappa grimaced at the shrill voice cutting his ears like shards of glass, the sound making the fur on his tail stand on end.
"What do you want, Frieza?" King Vegeta growled, annoyance clear in his voice.
The creature in the throne tsked, the wine glass still twirling in it's long fingers. "My, you Saiyans are always so impatient, no time for pleasantries or edicate. Well, I suppose it's to be expected when working with barbarians."
Nappa bristled, anger tensing his muscles and loosening his tongue.
King Vegeta stepped forward, raising his voice to a level used to send the strongest Saiyan warriors with their tails between their legs. "I will not stand here and be insulted by the likes of you, freak!"
The wine glass stopped twirling, and the air in the room grew very still.
Nappa held his breath, waiting for something, anything to happen, for something to move again. The silence stretched the distance of space, growing more suffocating with each moment.
"It seems that I have offended you. Forgive me, perhaps I was out of line." The throne turned to face the Saiyans, revealing a hideous pink creature, his legs daintily crossed, dark red lips stretched into a pleasant smile. "Afterall, I invited you here to my ship, offered you my hospitality, and you come in rudely demanding that I 'tell you what I want'."
While Frieza's smile was friendly, the malicious gleam in his ruby red eyes was anything but. Whatever anger and courage Nappa felt before was slowly starting to die. It was hard to maintain any sort of bravado when faced with something so perversely wicked. It was the taste in the air, like fear and death, silent and dangerous like the rising of a full moon.
Frieza took a small sip of his wine, a forked purple tongue slipping out to lick his lips. "So, Vegeta, I suppose you'd like to get down to business, as they say."
"That would be ideal." King Vegeta calmly agreed, regaining his composure, but Nappa could see his tail tightening around his waist.
"Fine." Frieza held out his hand, and the green alien wordlessly took the wine glass away. "The soldiers you've 'lent' to me have been most useful, they make most excellent grunts and decoys."
Vegeta clenched his fists, his fury barely contained. "Those soldiers are some of my finest, they are not meant to be grunts or decoys. They should be commanding legions, pushing the enemy, not used for cannon fodder."
Frieza shrugged dispassionately, as if the condemnation of good men was of little concern to him. "Their power levels placed them as grunts, so unless you can scrape up more capable soldiers they will continue to be grunts."
King Vegeta opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted by a silencing white hand. The Saiyans stared at the smooth skin and long manicured fingers, wondering just how much power was contained in that one hand. Nappa thought he could feel it bending his bones. "Speaking of more soldiers, I must request another donation."
Vegeta blanched, red faced and cutting his hand through the air to emphasise his point. "Absolutely not!"
Frieza placed an offended hand over his chest. "Excuse me?"
The King didn't buy the false display in the slightest, unwilling to bend despite the danger Nappa could literally feel pressing on them. "I have already given you a third of my army,"
"Yes, and now I require more." Frieza's bored tone and inconsiderate demeanor infuriated the Saiyans. A chorus of low growls could be heard and the aliens flanking the throne snickered in sick amusement.
"That is ridiculous, you can't expect me to-"
"King Vegeta, I feel that I am being more than fair in this trade," Frieza cut in, the sincerity in his voice so thick Nappa nearly choked on it. "You give me soldiers, and I give you intergalactic relations, technology, trade, protection," The pink creature then settled back into his throne, long fingers steepled in front his face. "You could do with a great deal of protection."
"We don't need your protection." Vegeta said through gritted teeth. He sounded extremely convincing, but Nappa knew his King enough to know that the subject was making him more than a little uncertain.
"Yes, I think you do." Frieza's long, white tipped tail began to rhythmically tap the side of his throne, the smile on his face strained. His head tilted slightly to the side, the dim light gleamed dangerously on his sharp black horns. "I can make a very valuable ally to you. You wouldn't want me to be anything else."
Nappa watched his King struggle to find a foothold. Frieza had their backs against a wall and they were quickly losing control over the conversation, not that they ever had any. It was a long time before King Vegeta visibly swallowed his pride, deciding it would be best to not take this creature's threats lightly.
"How many more soldiers do you need?"
Frieza grinned, and the stars behind him dimmed. "All of them."
Nappa made a noise of pure dismay as his fellow Saiyans quivered in outrage. King Vegeta shook and boiled over with rage, but he knew he needed to hold himself in check if he was to survive this meeting. "You can't be serious, your request is absolutely absurd!"
"Well I don't think so." Frieza commented casually. He turned to the fuchsia alien on his right. "Dodoria, do you think it's absurd?"
"No, sir, I don't. I think it's a perfectly reasonable request." The alien named Dodoria drawled, the sneer on his face as blunt as the spikes on his head.
"You can't possibly expect me to hand over my entire kingdom!"
"Oh of course not!" Frieza laughed, the shrill sound jarring the King's bones. "You'll still have your kingdom, and i'll just have your army."
"Actually, Lord Frieza," the green alien spoke, his smooth dulcet tones grating on Nappa's nerves. "The majority of the Saiyan population is the Saiyan army. Only a small percentage remain civilians."
Frieza tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I see. Quite unfortunate, but i'm afraid I can't back down from my request."
Nappa didn't know what was going on in his King's mind, and he was sure he didn't want to. He himself was angry, terribly so, but he was also afraid of what might happen if Vegeta refused. War? Genocide? There was good reason why Frieza was so feared. He was as cold as the world he was spawned, more cunning than should be mortally possible, and absolutely delighted in the devastation of others. He had built an empire in the corner of the universe his father had gifted him out of the suffering of every galaxy he conquered. Everyone of every race and planet feared the day Frieza came to start 'negotiations'.
"If you think for one moment that I will ever let you-"
"I think we would make fantastic allies, you and I." Frieza placed his hand over his heart, his eyes cutting jagged holes through the Saiyans' remaining fortitude. "Just think of all the planet's we'd be able to conquer together, with your army joined in mine. I will take our soldiers on a noble crusade across the galaxies fit for a true warrior, and you will hold down the homefront. I don't see how you could deny the opportunity." He rested his head lazily on his hand, eyeing the King like something stuck on the bottom of his boot. "Besides, you're not really in a position to refuse."
"Sir." Nappa said softly, the cold barrel of a ki gun pressed to the back of his neck. Frieza's soldiers moved so quickly and so quietly the Saiyans had no means to prevent themselves from being apprehended.
Vegeta turned slowly to see each member of his guard with strong arms wrapped around their necks and rough hands gripping their tails tight. Nappa stared helplessly at his King, his hands forced behind his back.
Frieza chuckled as the King watched his men struggle, bound and overpowered.
"Let me go you freaks!" One of the Saiyan's tried valiantly to break the hold of the enormous alien behind him. "I said let me go or i'll-"
The green alien snapped his perfectly manicured fingers and before the sound had finished echoing in the room the Saiyan's body hit the floor with a sickening thud, his head facing backwards.
The only sounds in the room were a high pitched giggle and the tapping of a tail against metal.
King Vegeta was no fool, he knew how dealings with Frieza turned out, he'd heard the stories. But damned if he hadn't hoped. Damned if he hadn't thought for a moment he could challenge this tyrant. But now, standing with a knife at his throat and a fist poised over his people he realized there was little choice.
Frieza made a sound of consideration in his throat, his eyes narrowed like a scientist studying a specimen pinned to a lab table. "I quite like that armor." He addressed the alien on his left. "Zarbon, what material is Saiyan armor made of?"
"I believe it is made out of a Pectorium Alloy, native to planet Vegeta." The alien's dulcet tones grated against Nappa's nerves and his fingers itched to wrap around his green skinned neck.
"Can we make it stronger?"
"I'll order our lab technicians to fabricate a more improved material. I'm sure it won't take too long to produce."
"Excellent! Begin research right away." Frieza turned his attention back to the Saiyans, looking like his day couldn't get any better. "I should also like to add the designs of your Saiyan armor to the agreement. This is acceptable, yes? Good." He moved on before his 'guests' could get a word in, the red skin of his lips stretching into a horrid gash across his face.
"So, mighty King of the Monkeys," Vegeta forced his eyes to meet Frieza's, a tremble of deep shame threatening to bend his spine. "Do we have a deal?"
Something sick and cold was roiling inside of Nappa's gut and his eyes found the planet he called home. For some reason he couldn't explain, he felt as if it was being pulled further and further away. The sound of his King's defeated voice only fueled this overwhelming sorrow.
"Deal." King Vegeta stood tall as he condemned his race to hell, his head held high, tail wrapped firmly around his waist.
Frieza clapped his hands together. "Splendid! Now that we've got that nasty bit of business out of the way we can enjoy more pleasurable company." He reached out his hand and Zarbon placed the re-filled wine glass within the waiting fingers. "Can I interest you in some wine? It's Vivivshka, imported all the way from Procnar in the Xylon sector."
King Vegeta glared at the liquid and sneered. "No," he growled, hands fisted at his sides.
Frieza rolled his eyes. "Oh, you're no fun, Vegeta. Very well, I suppose we're done here. Dismissed."
The Saiyan's turned on their heels to storm out of the room. Nappa eyed his fallen comrade and decided to leave him where he lay. If he was foolish enough to try and challenge Frieza's men without an order from his King then the man could very well rot there.
They were nearly out and Nappa prepared a sigh of relief when Frieza's piercing voice nearly stopped his heart.
"Oh! I almost completely forgot, how abhorrently rude of me. Please do forgive me Vegeta."
Nappa shared a look with his King before Vegeta slowly turned around, apprehension in his eyes. What did the lizard want now? What more could he take?
"I heard you've recently sired a son."
Vegeta had never felt such dread before, not in a thousand battles won and lost. No. He begged the Saiyan ancients. Not this.
Frieza's gin was like a bleeding wound. "I believe congratulations are in order, you must be very proud."
Vegeta swallowed around the hatred in his throat. "Yes. He will make a fine King one day."
"Powerful?"
"He is heir to the Saiyan throne, of course he will be strong."
Frieza seemed to consider him for a moment, his voice was flat. "And here I am without a gift to give, where are my manners."
Vegeta shook his head, his body so tense he shook. "That is not necessary."
"But of course it is." Frieza leaned forward in his throne. "I feel terrible, just terrible, truly. I'll have Zarbon send a gift fit for a prince at once."
King Vegeta knew that any refusal would go over well. He simply nodded and waited to be dismissed- hoping to be dismissed. Please let that be all he wants.
Frieza smiled at him, his eyes holding the Saiyan King Prisoner for a long time. The Saiyans waited, barely daring to breathe. Nappa dreaded the worst. Not the Prince…
Finally, Frieza sat back in his throne. "Well, if that's all…" He trailed off, taking a sip of his wine.
Vegeta nodded, and turned quickly to leave. Every step he took felt like he was walking further into his grave and when the black doors closed behind him he couldn't even manage a breath of relief, his despair was too great.
Nappa watched his King, his fingers numb and steps heavy. "Sir?"
The King grunted, and Nappa took that as permission to speak.
"Were being conquered, aren't we?"
"No Nappa, we're being enslaved."
Behind the closed black doors the pink liquid swirled gently in the crystal wine glass. A Black sharpened nail lightly scratched the surface.
Zarbon observed Lord Frieza, deciding to take advantage of his rare good mood. He took a small step towards the hovering throne.
Frieza waited a few long moments to acknowledge him, not taking his eyes off the doors. "Yes?"
"Permission to speak freely, Lord Frieza."
"Of course Zarbon, what's on your mind?"
Zarbon stepped up beside his Lord, staring straight ahead. "Do you think it is wise to play with these monkeys?"
Frieza chuckled. "Come now Zarbon. Do you doubt me?"
"Not at all, my Lord-"
"Then what is your issue?"
Zarbon breathed deeply. "We've never taken an entire race into our ranks."
"No, we have not." Frieza said, examining the wine left in his glass. Indeed it was not something normally done. Courage and blind stupidity grew strength in numbers, Frieza knew this. Yet these monkeys are most useful to him, it would be foolish to let them go to waste.
"It's risky. It might be dangerous to anger them, should they revolt-"
"I'm surprised, Zarbon, in your lack of faith in me." Frieza's' tone completely lacked surprise or amusement.
The alien's skin took on a paler shade of green. "I have complete-"
"If these Saiyans prove to be a problem I can easily obliterate them." Frieza deadpanned, his eyes dark. "They are nothing compared to me. Compared to you, too, Zarbon." His eyes shifted to the lieutenant and the green skin of his neck bobbed as he swallowed. "Do you doubt yourself?"
"No, Lord Frieza."
Dodoria chuckled from the other side of the throne, his large belly jumping. "You worry too much Zarbon. We've got them thick skulled apes scared shitless. Did ya see how they ran with their tails between their legs?"
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Frieza said with a disgusted sneer.
Zarbon bowed his head. "Of course you're right, Lord Frieza, forgive my ignorance. They are just dumb brutes."
And that was precisely why Frieza knew he had to keep an eye on them. Dumb brutes had a knack for ignoring reason and thinking they could defeat the odds. He had seen it happen many times before, and each time was no less annoying than the last. Anyone stupid enough to go up against the Cold Empire deserved a long and painful death, something in which Frieza delighted in giving, but it was oh so tiresome when it happened nearly every other week. Honestly, one would think his subjects would know better, what with all the examples he'd made in the past.
Having the Saiyans under his control would make an excellent example. Putting a leash on the galaxy's most unruly and ruthless of species would prove just how powerful his empire had become.
That'll show Cooler, the smug bastard.
Though Frieza was no fool, he knew keeping the entire Saiyan race under his control was easier said than done. Saiyans had a thirst for blood and a temper that lead to unpredictable behaviors. But their pride and their loyalty, in which they ruled themselves on, would ultimately be their leash.
"The one thing we can be certain of Saiyans is their loyalty to their King."
Zarbon smirked, the shadows of his handsome face darkening. "So as long as we control the King monkey we control the entire barrel."
"Loyalty runs out." Dodoria argued.
Frieza smiled. "That it does." He raised his hand, and a maroon sphere of deadly ki formed above his palm. It sparked and throbbed with power, casting darkness throughout the room even though the ki itself shined brightly, like a star before it swallowed it's system whole. "Fear and power rule all."
Dodoria eyed the ball of ki, both awed and envious of the overwhelming amount of raw power contained in that one effortless form. "So when they start fearing you more than their King and revolt themselves, what then?"
"It is unlikely that they would go against royal decree, no matter how much they fear us." Zarbon looked across at Dodoria. "Loyalty and honor before the throne is everything to a Saiyan. If their King told them to hang themselves on their own tails they would do so without question."
Dodoria huffed and rolled his eyes. "What a bunch of hoohas."
Frieza snorted, dissipating the ki. "Uhg, how terribly droll."
He mulled the meeting over in his head. An amused smirk broke over his face and his ruby eyes gleamed maliciously. He had King Vegeta bent at the knee in submission- for now. There would come a time when the Saiyan King grew bold, and his obedience would not be so easily maintained. His thoughts turned to the Prince.
"Zarbon, arrange for a gift to be sent to the royal house of Vegeta in honor of the Prince's birth."
"Certainly, my Lord. Did you have anything specific in mind?"
Frieza finished his wine, and held the glass up to the light to examine it. The subtle stains left on the glass could almost look like blood. "Perhaps."