Credit where Credit is due: Many thanks to MegaKat for giving me kind permission to use her Saiyan language throughout this story.

Words used in this chapter:

ah - ow
fr'i - no
heu - gods
Ten'ta - 'Big Guy' ... an affectionate nickname Nappa uses for Vegeta

Updated on 1/29/2016 for Saiyan language.

"Wake up, Vegeta."

Rough hands grabbed him, ripped him out of a sound sleep. He was being dragged backwards by one arm towards an open grate, out of control. Panic blossomed in his chest. How could he have fallen asleep? Vegeta started to thrash, tried to free himself. His arms and legs would not respond. Claws dug into his flesh, he teetered on the lip of the ledge, then was pulled forcibly through the small opening. Head spinning, his body useless, unable to summon Ki, Vegeta plummeted down and landed hard. His shoulder dislocated first then he blacked out.

"Wake up."

Someone kicked him in the ribs, pain lanced through his torso. He coughed, tasted blood, and knew that he was badly hurt. Vegeta opened his eyes. His head pounded, his skull felt like it had been cracked open. Disconnected shapes and colors swirled in his vision, streaks of painful bright light, blue and maroon and darkness that wavered into focus. Two monsters hovered over him, their forms huge and distorted. Their voices sounded like shards of glass; he heard jagged laughter and knew that the game was over.

"I said, wake up." The spiky magenta blob (Dodoria...his name is Dodoria) grabbed him by the collar and punched him in the face. His lip split, he felt hot blood pour down his chin. "You lose. Time to die now."

"Clever little monkey, you thought you could trick us?" Zarbon leaned into his field of vision, smiled cheerily, then ran one finger down his cheek. Vegeta tried to pull away from his touch, but was frozen in place.

Trapped. Can't flee. Can't fight.

"Lord Frieza won't like this ... you can't do this to me." Vegeta threw out the last and only defense he could think of, anything to delay the inevitable.

"Oh, Vegeta, Lord Frieza already knows!"

Zarbon's smile was as wide as galaxies. He lifted his right hand, palm up, fingers splayed. A blue sphere of glowing energy winked into existence and grew rapidly, so bright, filled up his vision until there was nothing else. It was the last thing he would see before he died. He screamed in terror. His hair stood up on end, static energy crackled across his skin as he started to feel heat. A blinding flash seared him; he could feel his flesh burning, the fires of a nova engulfed him to the sounds of laughter and he howled.

"Ah ... Fr'i ... fr'i ... FR'I!"

Vegeta awoke screaming and thrashing in full panic until he smashed the back of his head into a protruding edge. Sharp pain lanced through his scalp, blood rushed warm down his neck. His heart felt like it would explode from his chest, his breath came in spastic gulps, his body taut and his limbs twitched.

It was a dream. I'm alive. I'm okay. Vegeta covered his mouth with his hands, squeezed his eyes shut, and forced himself to calm down. Panic will not serve here. Deep breaths. Focus. Now, listen. Assess the situation.

His abrupt revival did not appear to have attracted notice, a positive thing. His tail had swollen during his unexpected nap, the cut in his leg still lanced pain, the back of his head bled, and he shook from hunger and thirst. All of his limbs tingled when he crawled back to the small opening a few feet ahead.

Without a scouter, he could not tell if Zarbon and Dodoria still hunted him or had grown bored and moved on. He also had no conception of how long had passed ... hours, days, an eternity? Inside the building, the lights always shone, and there was no marker to tell except for the gnawing pain in his belly.

In the end, hunger won out.

Ignoring the fear that cramped his stomach, Vegeta shimmied his way back into the narrow pipes until he could see the passersby below. His legs cramped up again when he stopped moving and he hissed in discomfort. The light stung his eyes, he squinted and searched for his enemies. No sign of either one. Good. Oh heu please, just let this be over and done with.

All he had to do now was remove the covering and fly down; he could not get his muscles to obey, perhaps due to disuse and or fear. So he remained in place, caught in his mind until he saw a familiar ebony mane of thick hair. Raditz! The older male was in a great hurry somewhere, his large strides ate the distance.

"Raditz! Up here!"

Vegeta tried to attract his comrade's attention, to ask about Zarbon and Dodoria but his mouth was dry as dust and whatever voice he managed was swallowed up by the hissing air. Next, he banged on the ducts and hoped that would be enough. Raditz, however, kept going. Damn him! Vegeta threw caution to the wind and kicked the grate free. He intended to fly down the egress, but he didn't have enough energy to do so. Instead, he tumbled out, arms and legs useless to break his fall, and landed on his back, knocked the air out of himself and blacked out, for real. He woke to Raditz slapping him in the face.

"W-what happened to you? We've been looking for you all last night and today! Nappa is furious!"

On a usual day, Vegeta would have ripped Raditz a new one for slapping him, but damn he was so glad to see a familiar face. That, and he did not have the strength. He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness swept over him. Raditz squatted next to him, fretting, a concerned expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" Vegeta felt like his mouth was stuffed with gauze.

"Tsss ... your scalp is cut, it's bleeding a lot ... I'm sorry I hit you, Vegeta. Stay down. I'm contacting Nappa."

Raditz stood, glanced around, then tapped his scouter for a secure line. He spoke in soft tones. "Nappa, I found him ... yes, I'm in Main Headquarters, near the supply depot ... I don't know. He's so weak he can't walk. I'm taking him to medical. Meet us there."

Raditz scooped him up as if he were a young child, unable to do for himself. Vegeta normally protested such actions, but didn't have it in him to fight this time.

"Get me out of here," the prince whispered, then lost consciousness.

When Vegeta came to, he lay on a medical bed with sensors placed on his skull and medical lines snaking from one arm. He found both Raditz and Nappa sitting next to his cot. Both wore expressions of worry, and persuaded him to lay back down when he tried to sit up. He still felt muzzy and tired.

A young red skinned female clad in the sleek black medical scrubs entered the semiprivate room by parting the curtain. She smiled, displaying sharp teeth, as she examined a tablet. She ran a bio-scanner over Vegeta's body, then turned to the older men.

"All right, let's see here. Which one of you is this young man's guardian?"

"That's me," Nappa raised one hand.

She nodded, an economical movement. "I'm Doctor Berra, attendant. I'm here to cover his incident report and treatment. Patient is a male Saiyan, approximate age seven years. Initial exam showed lacerations to the right thigh and back of the skull, a fractured vertebrae in his tail. Blood levels show an alarming level of dehydration and malnutrition. The cuts were dressed and sealed, the break immobilized, and he was given an IV to rehydrate and raise blood sugars. I highly recommend some nutrient dense food for him. Now, I hear that these injuries were sustained during training? Forgive me, but he seems too young to be a soldier."

"I've been on missions since I was five," Vegeta snapped in an automatic response. "I am not a child."

Vegeta missed the look that passes between the doctor and Nappa. She cleared her throat, tapped her stylus a few times on the screen, and continued.

"None of these injuries required the Medical Chamber. Once the IV drip is complete, he will be ready to leave."

"Thank you, doctor." Nappa placed his hand on Vegeta's head. "Hear that, Ten'ta? You'll be out of here in no time."

"Stop calling me that," Vegeta protested. He despised it when Nappa treated him like a child in front of others.

"Oh right. Sorry about that, Vegeta." Nappa didn't look very sorry.

"Hmph."

"We're just glad you're all right." Raditz voice cracked again, something that had been occurring more as of late. He looked embarrassed, then coughed. "We searched everywhere for you, y'know. We thought something horrible happened to you! Gave us the scare of our lives."

Vegeta almost laughed at the older boy for sounding weak, but held back his scorn. Raditz had come for him, searched for him. Worried about him. Vegeta felt an odd rush of gratitude.

"What happened?" Raditz repeated his question from earlier. Concern apparent on his features.

He meant to say it was nothing, to brush the event off, but when he opened his mouth he could not get the words out. Instead, he just started to shake. He bit his lip to keep the tears from spilling out. Nappa and Raditz exchanged a worried glance and Nappa put his hands up.

"Oh hey, Ten'ta, it's okay. We'll talk about it at home. Why don't you just rest, take a nap?"

Vegeta did not know if he ever wanted to sleep again, or if he even could.

"It was a training exercise, Nappa, and nothing more. I told you that already!"

Vegeta glared at his elder and hunched his shoulders as if to fend off a blow. He folded then unfolded his arms across his blue jumpsuit, refused to make eye contact with the older soldier. Although Nappa had his best interests in mind, Vegeta felt cornered and it made him defensive.

"Who was running it?" Nappa refused to drop the subject.

"I was alone, like I said. It was my idea. I'm done talking about it."

Nappa crossed his arms and imitated Vegeta's body language. His tail swished a wide arc. "I know you're lying. Did they threaten you?"

"No!" Vegeta shouted, "And I don't want to talk about it any more! You will stop pestering me, Nappa."

Nappa growled and stood up to his full height; he towered over the young prince. His expression was terrifying to behold. He ran one hand through his thick black mohawk. "I've had enough of your attitude, Vegeta. You're my Prince, but I'm still your guardian. I'm going to find out the truth. Better start talking."

For a second, Vegeta cowered away from Nappa's rage. Then he caught himself and recoiled. "No."

"Damn it, Vegeta! Stop being so difficult! Fine ... I'll figure it out without your help. I'll talk to Dodoria; he ought to know who was in charge of that so-called mission. If not, someone is getting an ass kicking until I find out the truth."

Nappa turned on his heel without another word and stomped out of the flat, his fists at his sides. Both young Saiyans sat quiet for a moment until Raditz let out a shaky breath, and Vegeta stared at him.

"I - I hate when he gets like that," Raditz sighed. "It frightens me."

Vegeta shrugged and pretended he had not heard Raditz. Sometimes the adolescent said such uncomfortable things.

"Why don't we go sit on the couch and relax? I'll groom you and we can watch the screen. I'll get your combs. Okay?"

Vegeta stared at the older boy, his dark eyes bored holes through him. "All right. But I'm not telling you anything either."

True to his word, Raditz retrieved the grooming kit from the small pantry, turned on the flatscreen, then settled onto the divan cross-legged, patted the spot next to him. Vegeta paused for a moment, then gave in. He loved being pampered, and he needed the reassurance. He clambered up next to Raditz, pulled his knees up to his chin, and wrapped his tail around his body. Once settled, he huddled up against Raditz for comfort. When Raditz started combing his hair, he sighed, let down his guard.

Grooming was a nightly routine, something that helped calm Vegeta and kept bonds strong between Raditz and him. First, Raditz ran a tined comb through his thick mane to remove snarls, check his scalp for dandruff and pests. Next, he brushed through roots to tip, then rubbed hair oils in and massaged his scalp, and smoothed the fur on his tail. Usually by that point, Vegeta was half asleep. Once a month, Raditz trimmed and shaped his eyebrows as well. But this night, after removing the snarls, Raditz ran his hands over his hair, petted him over and over until Vegeta's head dropped onto his knees and his breathing eased.

Often during this nightly ritual, Raditz told Vegeta the old stories, legends that he had heard from his mother Gine about the Legendary Warriors, of the great conquests of the Saiyans' space faring adventures. If Nappa was present, he could be convinced into telling war stories about the glory days when he was Commander of Armies, when he and King Vegeta fought for the honor of their people. Vegeta's favorite was the tale of the Legendary Super Saiyan; the last tale his father had told him.

The calming effect of the background noise of the screen combined with Raditz' calming touch helped Vegeta finally feel at ease.

He was home. He was safe. They hadn't won.

Raditz cleared his throat, and paused in his grooming.

"Nappa's gone, so do you want to tell me what happened?" Raditz continued scratching his scalp, but the calm Vegeta felt dissolved instantly.

"No," Vegeta snarled, and pulled away from Raditz. He felt his hackles rising.

"You can tell me, Vegeta. I swear I won't tell anyone else. Not Nappa, not anyone." Raditz pleaded with him.

Vegeta tensed up. "It was nothing!"

"You're petrified. Did they threaten you? You can just nod. That way you're not actually telling me. Please ... Trust me. We're all in this together. You're my prince, and I'm supposed to keep you safe. I can't do that if you don't talk to me."

Tapa ... He's right.

"They threatened all of us," Vegeta whispered then felt ashamed. "They threatened my father if I told anyone."

He heard Raditz take a quick breath. Don't you dare say my father is dead. Raditz did not reply, he continued brushing Vegeta's hair until he calmed down again, relaxed enough uncurl his tail.

"I'll ask Master Zarbon." Raditz spoke after a long delay. "He knows everything. He's my friend. I'm sure he'll help us."

"You can't! I'm ordering you not to tell him. Not Zarbon!"

"Why?" Raditz' eyebrows pulled together and his tail waved, indicating his confustion.

"He's not your friend, Raditz. Don't be stupid! How many times has he called us 'monkeys', or hurt us? He's not helping you. He's playing games with you! He's got some other plans and I don't trust him!"

"I wish you wouldn't say that about him, Vegeta."

For the last few months, Raditz had been training with Zarbon independently of either Vegeta or Nappa, and he often talked about how he was Zarbon's 'star pupil.' Vegeta did not trust Zarbon as far as he could throw him - in Vegetasai's gravity - and the fact that Raditz seemed so trusting of Zarbon was an irritant, to say the least. Raditz was the recipient of many gifts and favors from the General - and even though Vegeta was young, he knew that nothing came without a price in this galaxy. Also, nothing Zarbon ever did was just to be kind. Vegeta clenched his fists as he contemplated Raditz' naivety.

Raditz sighed, and shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. Have it your way. Don't say I didn't try to help. Sit back down, I'll continue with your hair."

Pacified, Vegeta returned to his perch next to Raditz and let the older Saiyan continue grooming him. Vegeta was scared, though, that Raditz would go and talk to Zarbon, and then Zarbon would know he had broken the rules. When would the game finally end?

Nappa strode through Headquarters side halls the like an advancing storm front, each stride eating up the distance. The Commander was furious - not only had Vegeta been put on assignment without them giving notice to him, but the boy had been hurt as well, needlessly. And no one could tell him a thing about why.

He had already been to the training gym, the officer's mess halls, and Dodoria's personal quarters in search of the Patrol Leader. Every individual he talked to told him they did not know where General Dodoria was at, and Nappa should check in at the gym, or the mess hall, or the Assignment Office, or several other useless locations. Nappa was quite sure he was getting the run around. He kept checking his scouter, but could not get a fix on Dodoria. Several dozen high power levels kept registering and masking each other. So, it was footwork, and Nappa just wanted to smash some skulls.

Being Vegeta's guardian was a task in frustration as the young Prince often defied his wishes - not that Nappa could officially order him to do something - but Frieza often held Nappa responsible for the actions of his squad. Unfortunately, Nappa did not have the favored status with the galactic overlord that Vegeta did. This often lead to Nappa taking punishment for Vegeta's actions.

"I'll be damned if I'm paying dear for this royal fuckup." Nappa grumbled. Did the boy just not know when to tap out? Vegeta really needed to get his pride under control, because it would get him killed.

The last lackey Nappa spoke to had, under threat of dismemberment, directed the powerful Saiyan towards the testing rooms - where he had begun this idiotic quest. The next moron who said, 'I don't know' would receive his wrath.

Kinqua's back was turned to him when he stomped into the control room.

"Where is he," Nappa roared, and reminded himself to control his temper. Frying the head tech wouldn't help any.

Kinqua leapt out of his chair, his thin shoulders hunched under his grey uniform. He spun rapidly to face the towering warrior, and he shook.

"Commander Nappa ... who are you looking for?"

"Don't you fuck with me, Kinqua. This run around stops here, with you. If you wanna keep your head attached to your shoulders you'll tell me where Dodoria is. Now!"

It took Nappa two steps to close the distance between them. He cracked his knuckles as he leaned down to glare at the blue skinned tech.

"What is it with you Saiyans and threatening me?" Kinqua's voice squeaked into the upper registers as he broke out into a cold sweat. His hands trembled as he folded them behind his back.

"Dodoria. Now."

"He's in Training Room Three. You'll have to wait, he's in the middle of a run." When Nappa bared his teeth, the tech thought better of it. "Never mind ... I'll signal him."

Dodoria met him at the entrance to the training room. The rotund being wore the standard flexible Saiyan over armor with blue chest plate and brown shoulder guards. He wiped sweat off his horned visage and tossed the used cloth in a bin to one side. Dodoria appeared to be overweight and perhaps a bit soft, but Nappa knew this was to fool opponents and the man was nothing but solid muscle. Nappa also knew that Dodoria outclassed him in power, although not in skill and fighting experience. Still, Dodoria acted as Frieza's main enforcer, and could make Nappa's life miserable with only a few words.

"Nappa," he grunted, "don't tell me you've changed your mind. I've already allocated time and men."

"You know why I'm here. No more fucking around. Tell me who was in charge of that unauthorized 'training' with Prince Vegeta. I approve all missions for the prince. Someone fucked up and I want to know who. Don't make me go over your head."

Dodoria brayed laughter, slapped his meaty hands against his ample thighs. "Aw ha ha! That's rich, Nappa. You shouldn't threaten your betters. I sent you word. Not my fault you didn't get it. I also told the boy during yesterday's workout period. He should have told you. Maybe you need to go yell at him."

"This was your doing?" Nappa felt a vein start to pulse on his forehead.

"Didn't say that. He should have mentioned it to you. Maybe he's trying to prove something? That's not my fault. You really need to keep a better watch on him. Now, we done here? I've got important things to do."

Dodoria swept him aside, leaving Nappa to stew in impotent anger. Someone was lying to him; someone was playing a game and all it took was one misstep to become deadly.