Vegeta's eyes widened in interest. Never before had Kakarrot referred to himself by his Saiyan name.

Goku took another glance around then seemed to realize something. His eyes widened. "Earth? I'm on Earth?" he muttered. "If that's so, then . . . why are there humans still here?"

"Goku, what's your problem?!" Krillin yelled, getting up and glaring at Goku. "We're just making sure you're all right and you go and—"

But Vegeta noticed that Kakarrot wasn't giving Krillin any attention. Kakarrot was now looking straight at Vegeta, and Vegeta was surprised to see that Kakarrot's eyes seemed harsher than usual. More similar to his own. Identical, in fact, to the numerous expressions that he'd seen on Planet Vegeta. The Saiyans. His father's people. King Vegeta. His—

"Your power level is substantial," Kakarrot said. He took a step toward Vegeta, and though Kakarrot's stance was relaxed, Vegeta found that his muscles were instinctively tensing up and preparing for battle. He relaxed, making sure Kakarrot saw none of this. "Very substantial," Kakarrot added. "You are not human."

Vegeta smirked and raised his head a bit in arrogance. "That's correct. I am a Saiyan."

Kakarrot's eyes briefly flashed in interest. "What's your name?"

Vegeta didn't dare break Kakarrot's gaze as he stepped forward himself. There was something about this that excited him. A sort of battle despite the fact that no battle was occurring. "My name is Vegeta."

Kakarrot's eyes widened, and he gasped. Before Vegeta could do or say anything more, Kakarrot knelt down on one knee with the opposite hand across the bent one, his head low. "Forgive me, my prince," Kakarrot muttered. "I did not recognize you. I was only an infant at the time, but I still have vague recollections of the stories my parents told me of both your father's and your own ingenuity and skill in battle. Forgive me once again for my blatant disrespect."

Vegeta's shock at Frieza's ending his father and the destruction of his home planet was nothing compared to what he felt now. Quickly though, he recovered and felt a swell of pride greater than the shock he'd previously experienced. If this was how Kakarrot acted every time he was knocked unconscious, Vegeta would be sure to knock him out quite often from now on. Such deference and submission! Yes! He! Prince Vegeta! Finally he was being given the proper respect due his bloodline and inherited royalty! He was being hailed as the prince that he was!

"You are forgiven," Vegeta said.

But Kakarrot remained in his knelt position. "Thank you, my prince. I am forever indebted to you."

"Goku, what's—"

Vegeta gave Krillin a look that silenced him instantly. No one dared speak now. Vegeta allowed himself a few more seconds of silence to revel in his elevated position and status. One Saiyan knew who he was. One Saiyan remembered both he and his father. King Vegeta, their ruler. And Vegeta himself, their prince. "Rise, Kakarrot."

Kakarrot stood, glancing briefly at Vegeta before lowering both his gaze and his head. "I have no accomplishments to merit such a regal visit. Thank you for gracing me with your presence."

"The pleasure is yours," Vegeta said. It was strange, almost. Vegeta was hardly used to such eloquent talk coming from Kakarrot's mouth. Yet it seemed as though this was the personality that Kakarrot would've developed had he grown up on Planet Vegeta. Vegeta was suddenly struck with memories of his home planet, and the image of his father swum to the forefront of his mind. He quickly shook this off.

"Forgive me again, my prince," Kakarrot said, glancing over at Krillin and Bulma and pulling a face of complete revulsion. "I have failed my mission."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "And what is your mission?"

"I have failed in preparing this planet for sale on the intergalactic market."

Realization crashed upon Vegeta like a punch from Majin Buu. How many times had he himself done exactly that? On orders of the cruel Frieza, how many times had he exterminated all life on a planet to prepare it for sale? And Kakarrot, yes, had been sent here to do just that. Vegeta could still remember Bulma mentioning it some years back. Kakarrot had been an infant at the time, but after arriving on Earth, he'd received a blow to the head that'd wiped his memory. Now a second blow to the head had regressed him to that former state, with nothing more than memories of Planet Vegeta and his Saiyan heritage to ground him.

No one else seemed to understand the implications of what Kakarrot had said just yet. Except the green one, but Vegeta knew that Kakarrot would pay attention to no one except him. A dual Saiyan and royal bloodline gave Vegeta the present advantage. But he had to think fast; this was dangerous territory.

"And now that I've come to my senses," Kakarrot said, "I will carry out my mission."

"That won't be necessary. Your mission has been aborted," Vegeta said.

Kakarrot blinked in confusion. "Why?"

"A better planet has been selected," Vegeta said. "This planet is no longer desired by the intergalactic market."

Kakarrot's eyes narrowed. "Really. The humans are weak and the vegetation seems to be flourishing. My prince," he added quickly, but Vegeta was no fool. He could see the distrust creeping into Kakarrot's voice and expression.

"Your mission is aborted, Kakarrot," Vegeta repeated.

Kakarrot looked straight at Vegeta for a few seconds. "How long have you been on this planet, Prince Vegeta?"

Vegeta thought his words carefully. "Not nearly as long as you have." This seemed to visually unbalance Kakarrot, and Vegeta knew he'd regained the upper hand.

"That can't be," Kakarrot muttered. "No, you're lying. My space pod must've gotten off course somehow, and I only recently landed here—yes—and then I woke up here with all these, these, humans." Kakarrot said the word with such disgust and loathing, and Vegeta distinctly remembered the revulsion he'd previously felt when he'd said the same word. Kakarrot looked again at Vegeta, this time with a calculated gaze. "You failed to answer my question. How long have you been on this planet?"

Vegeta had to admit, the blow to Kakarrot's head had given him a fair amount of wit. Much more than what the idiot usually possessed. "Not long," Vegeta said.

Kakarrot nodded slowly, then looked first at Bulma, then Trunks, then back at Vegeta. Vegeta could almost see the connections being made in Kakarrot's head. "Are you a defector?"

"Why would I, prince of a superior race, care for a planet of worthless, weak humans?" Vegeta knew that he'd bought himself more time, for he could see that Kakarrot had backed down under his commanding tone. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Bulma was opening her mouth to say something, but she quickly closed it. Smart female.

"Then why would it matter if I destroyed this race?" Kakarrot asked, extending a hand out toward Chi-Chi.

Vegeta's entire body was alert to the gathering of energy in Kakarrot's palm. "It would be a waste of valuable time and energy that would be better serviced elsewhere."