Episode Seven
'Target Set'
The Commander folded his arms and leaned against the wall listening as more senior Arcosians discussed strategy. Captain Kalt was pleased to have beaten General Boreal's ship to the station until Admiral Frigus had admitted that he had directed Boreal to strike another two targets before the rendezvous.
"With all due respect, Admiral-" Captain Kalt began but Frigus cut him off.
"Never mind respect, be frank."
"Well then by King Cold's jock strap where do you get off giving one of my mission planets to Boreal?" Captain Kalt roared, taking a step forward and almost tripping over his white cape, which he only ever wore to formal events or meetings with higher brass.
The Admiral's purple eyes narrowed, "General Boreal's ship has over two hundred fighters aboard, and the clients were growing impatient. They paid well for Han Dolt but the rats were so numerous I decided numbers would suit better than quality fighters. As compensation I have given you one of General Boreal's worlds."
"And which one would that be? Planet Vort, home of the universe's most comfortable couch?" Captain Kalt was practically shrieking.
"Earth." Frigus answered simply.
"Earth?" Captain Kalt hesitated. "But . . . I mean . . . Earth, Admiral?"
Karuto seemed about to ask a question but Chillax put a hand on his cousin's shoulder and shook his head.
Practically the whole Clan is here, don't embarrass the family! The young Arcosian warrior thought, wishing his cousin would understand.
Karuto rolled his eyes and asked it anyway, "Isn't that where the last of the Saiyans are hiding? Isn't that where we lost contact with Lord Frieza and King Cold? Why are you sending us there, uncle Frigus?"
Frigus folded his pale blue arms and said, "I wouldn't send you there if it were that dangerous." Captain Kalt relaxed visibly before the Admiral's violet gaze shot back to him, "Our probes report that something has happened on Earth, the population has been devastated, they're at a fraction of what they were when Lord Frieza was lost and there were no Saiyans detected by the probes."
"Where did they go?" The Commander dared to ask.
"Probably killed by whatever decimated the population." Captain Kalt said with a wicked smile.
"Devastated, Captain, not decimated." Frigus said with poorly disguised irritation, "If the population were decimated only a tenth of it would be destroyed, instead less than a tenth of it is left."
Captain Kalt blushed but no one seemed to think any less of him for such a simple mistake, besides they were all eagerly talking about finally getting revenge on Earth.
The Saiyans were gone . . .
The room was full of Arcosians and every one of them was pleased to know that Lord Frieza's murderers were slain. Whatever had happened to them it was wonderful news.
"What about half Saiyan scum?" Captain Kalt asked.
"The probe turned up just one result, but its power level was only five. It wouldn't matter if it were suppressed, nothing strong enough to be a threat to you or Commander Chillax's elites could hide its power level that well, Captain. That's why I want you to go there personally and exterminate the humans."
More like nepotism. After all Karuto and I are the sons of Frostbite and Frostburn respectively. If we had been apprenticed to Boreal instead of Kalt it'd be the General heading towards Earth at maximum burn instead of us. The Commander thought, and felt a bit of gratitude for Karuto's presence on the crew at that moment. Together they were a strong political bet.
It also explained delaying General Boreal's arrival by a few days: General Boreal would not take the news well and the Commander didn't doubt that Frigus would have to hear about the General's displeasure at great length. But what kind of maneuvering is going on, I wonder. The young Commander thought, General Boreal is one of the strongest of our kind, far stronger than Admiral Frigus, stronger than me. Only the twins are stronger than he is, and who knows for how long.
Rumor had it the General had been going out of his way, not only drilling to keep his skills sharp but according to rumor even training to improve them so that he could be worthy of the task of conquering Earth. To have his dream torn from his grasp might well result in a violent temper tantrum.
Are you counting on being Frostburn's mate to protect you if he's too angry? Chillax wondered, eying the Admiral suspiciously.
Frostbite and Frostburn were the clan's two heads. Frostbite's mate the Chief Scientist Glaceon was Kalt's brother and that had put Karuto under the Captain's tutelage. Frostburn was mated to Frigus and had given him a great deal of control over the fleet, but Frostburn considered Boreal to be one of the clan's great prides, while Frostbite thought he was too brutish and his tactics too savage leaving scorched worlds in his wake that only technically fulfilled their contract.
Frostbite, and Chillax as well preferred Kalt's more precise technique of simply eradicating the sapient populace and selling the world with wildlife intact; buyer beware.
But the twins never quarreled openly, they did it by proxy and Boreal and Kalt were considered to represent two separate factions in the Clan, one enjoying the protection of Frostbite and the other the protection of Frostburn. What could Frigus be doing by supporting Kalt's faction this way? With a power level of two hundred thousand Frigus wouldn't stand a chance against Boreal if it came to blows, especially if Boreal really was getting stronger from training.
Chillax wondered though, while Frostbite didn't like or particularly trust Boreal there were rumors that the General's rising strength had caught the more capricious twin's eye in just the sort of manner that might see Frigus sabotage Boreal to keep his position.
In more ways than one.
No, not Earth. Chillax thought. It's too important, father would never risk such a place over some kind of . . . romantic drama.
Never mind that Earth was technically a backwater world, or that everything on it was weak. The name of the planet had struck fear into the heart of the Frieza Clan and all Arcosians for years. Now it was time to erase that fear forever, that was what made it important. There was a definite buzz in the room, one Arcosian the Commander didn't recognize said, "We should all be there! Admiral, the whole fleet should go to Earth!"
"No." Frigus said firmly, "Not when there's still the rest of the Galaxy to conquer and sell and the Galactic Patrol breathing down our necks. The time may have come for Earth but it's still just one world, we have many others to work on."
"But it's the final resting place of Lord Frieza!" Another Arcosian protested.
"I'm sure our clients won't object to you vacationing there someday to pay your respects. But remember, Earth is just another backwater waiting for its new owners. So try not to break it too badly, Captain Kalt."
The Commander and Captain Kalt both saluted. After a moment Karuto, who was there but playing at a computer terminal realized he should too, and snapped to attention. The room full of their people gave them a round of applause, some laughed at the little one's innocent disinterest. The Commander heard Kalt whisper, "I wish Boreal were here after all. I would have loved to see his face . . ."
"You and me both." The Commander admitted.
Boreal might be stronger than Kalt and the Commander put together, might even be twice as strong as that if the rumors were true, but it wouldn't be the Black Ice that would erase their clan's shame.
"You're all dismissed," Frigus said, "Except for you, Commander. I'd like a word."
The Commander shuddered and couldn't help but scowl as Kalt and the others cleared out. Once again, Karuto, utterly disinterested in the events took a moment to realize what was happening and shuffled out after Kalt, nearly stepping on his cape.
"How is your service under Captain Kalt?" Admiral Frigus asked.
"I consider it acceptable, Admiral."
"Your power level was one hundred thousand when you began. You've gotten much stronger." Frigus said.
"Still not as strong as Cooly." The Commander said, surprised by how much hatred his voice revealed.
Frigus frowned. "Your brother is older, Chillax, you're still young. You haven't reached your full potential yet."
"Half brother. And maybe he just has better genes." Chillax scoffed.
Frigus laughed. "Yes, his father was much stronger than me . . . but I outsmarted him in the end, and with any luck you've inherited my superior intellect."
Chillax folded his arms. "Are we all caught up now?"
"Why are you upset with me?" Frigus asked. "Because I apprenticed you to Kalt instead of Boreal?"
Chillax hesitated, then shook his head. "No. I'm over that. Kalt is a better teacher than Boreal."
"Then what is it?" Frigus asked. "Doesn't the mission to Earth make you happy?"
"Is that what it's about?" Chillax laughed, "You gave Earth to Kalt to make me happy?" The Commander folded his arms again and scoffed. "Don't make me laugh."
"I didn't do it to make you happy, but I hoped it would anyway. I thought perhaps it would even see some gratitude from you." Frigus said evenly.
"It's exciting." Chillax admitted.
"I suppose that will have to do."
"What do you want from me?" Chillax asked. "Really."
"I am your father. I gave you life . . . but I was only half of the equation. You do have another parent. A parent you never write to."
Chillax laughed, "Oh I see . . . well, tell our illustrious leader that that trend will continue. The Twins might rule the clan, but they don't rule me in my downtime, and I don't want to be treated special because I can write a letter and get whatever I want. I never asked to be Frostburn's son."
"But you are Frostburn's son." Frigus said firmly.
"And yet I'm mopping up low level backwaters, clearing the Saiyan back-orders, going places so unimportant they've waited more than fifty years. Meanwhile my dear brother fights on the front lines, destroying civilizations and Galactic Patrolmen, fighting fights worth fighting against foes worth facing!"
Frigus remained quiet for a moment, then said, "And you're going to Earth."
"Now that the threat is gone. Now that the Saiyans are finally extinct. Now that it's safe." Chillax scowled.
"Well maybe someday you'll get what you want. Maybe someday you'll fight someone strong enough to challenge you apart from another Arcosian. Maybe you'll end up like Lord Frieza, dead on some unknown backwater. Strength isn't everything, Chillax. Neither is intellect. You need to know how to make friends, you need to know how to play the game. You are the son of one of our Clan's rulers, you have so much political power! You could have anything you want but you deprive yourself because you think you have to earn it. None of us earns anything, we take what we want with whatever means we have. You need to learn that."
"So if I write letters I can have whatever I want?" Chillax scoffed.
"It couldn't hurt. Don't you think Cooly writes letters?"
"To boast of his victories!" Chillax snarled, "I know, he sends them to me too! I'll write when I have something worth writing about!"
The Admiral sighed. He clasped his hands behind his back, but his tail was twitching back and forth, a sure sign of irritation.
"I do not understand you. You say you want to earn everything you receive, yet you jealously hate those who have earned more. You say you want more, you want better, but you refuse to show the respect necessary to receive it and you're slow to recognize or show gratitude for the great things you are given. Nothing you're given makes you happy, you only see what others have and say 'I want that instead' like a spoiled child. Is that all you are?"
"No!" Chillax shouted angrily, "I'm not!"
"Then what are you?" Frigus demanded.
Chillax tried to restrain himself, tried to refuse to answer.
Then he couldn't hold back his anger or his tears. He roared, "I'm a warrior without a war! I don't want to kill weaklings, I don't want to give even weaker people their worlds! I want to do better things, I want to fight real threats to our people! I want to conquer worlds because they deserve to be conquered not because it's a business! I want to see the galaxy, not burn it! I want to surpass you all and make things the way they were when we ruled the stars! I want to change things, not die under the weight of stagnation! I want to be Frieza, not chase his shadow, I want to make the decisions not follow stupid orders!"
"Well if that's what you want maybe you'd better get around to 'earning' it. All by yourself since you don't want any help or favors. Just what do you think you deserve, my son? Because that," Frigus pointed out the window into the emptiness of space, "is what the universe owes you. Absolute void. Family is everything. Clan is everything. Serve the clan, my son, and you can be part of something great. Or choose to reject it and find yourself as lonely as one of those stars twinkling in the distance. You might shine brightly, but really you're no different than every other speck of light in the void."
"Can I go now?" Chillax asked with a sigh and the Admiral nodded.
"You'll get what's coming to you eventually. Hopefully you'll understand before it's too late."
Z=Z=Z=Z=Z=Z=Z
The training of the new Earth Defense Force was moving apace, at least if Trunks said so himself. Capsule Corp.'s indoor gymnasium was a wreck and they'd been forced to start practicing on the yard out front. It got a bit of press attention at first but being friends with the King had had some unexpected advantages once Soda had reported that the reporters were getting in the way of effective training.
They weren't very fast, but the new defenders had mastered short flights, and Trunks was glad to see that Soda wasn't slowing any of them down at all when it came to martial arts skill. On the contrary she and Bocan, the winner of the martial arts tournament were easily the two strongest in the group. Pastel and Anavill were a close third and fourth and Trunks had quickly found that the other recruits, two fringe village youths named Gurein and Rhyce along with a former monk named Kodva and the young street urchin Schip were all solid additions.
Trunks could literally feel the increase in their power, after just two weeks they were all easily twice as strong as they had been when they first arrived. Any doubts he'd had about any of them were absolutely gone, he'd even taken to sparring with them. All of them at once. It was a good method of teaching them to work together against powerful foes and of really measuring their skills for himself.
It'd also had the unexpected benefit of dispelling any lingering doubts about his own skill level. The tabloids had alleged that he wasn't really the Golden Warrior and that he'd staged some sort of elaborate hoax to get Capsule Corp. more attention. Trunks didn't know how many people believed that nonsense, but he knew his students knew better.
"I think the sparring with you is accelerating them faster than anything else," Master Roshi was saying as training ended that day.
Trunks smiled, "It's fun too. I'm getting to watch them improve by leaps and bounds. But I wouldn't discount that milk delivery thing you've got them doing, it's a solid exercise."
"Master Briefs?" Soda asked, approaching him. "Do you have a moment to talk about the training?"
Trunks could see she'd already finished her sparring match with Bocan, and since he was cleaning up it seemed she'd won. He nodded and said, "Sure, what is it?"
He was relieved that Soda had been a good addition to the team and her advice was more than welcome.
"This unit functions very well as large group." Soda said, standing at parade rest. Trunks had told her she didn't have to do that, but he suspected now that it was actually just more comfortable to her.
"I agree, the eight of you work well together." Trunks said.
"Which is why I think we should split into two teams." Soda said. "In the field we won't always have the benefit of fighting as a big group, sometimes the unit must split up to achieve its objective."
"I was thinking that too," Trunks said and was a little pleased to see Master Roshi nod approvingly. "So how would you split the teams?"
"How would you, sir?" She asked him.
Trunks considered for a moment as he watched the warriors practicing in the sunlit yard, "I think I'd put you and Bocan on each. You're about even and the others look up to you. Also a little friendly competition might help to keep either of you from growing complacent."
"Interesting, rivalries can bring out the best in people when they're not bringing out the worst. Who else?" Roshi asked.
Trunks tapped his chin thoughtfully, "Schip and Rhyce are the youngest and they're the weakest so I think they should keep working together. I'd put them and Kodva on Soda's team and the rest on Bocan's team."
"Oh, really?" Roshi mused, scratching his bearded chin. "That's not the way I would have gone."
"How would you have gone, Master?" Soda asked.
"Boys on one team girls on the other. Then I'd take over training the ladies. More fun that way, if you know what I mean!" Roshi said with a chuckle.
Trunks laughed, "Come on, be serious."
"I'm being serious." Roshi said, joining in Trunks' laughter, "I didn't say my way'd be efficient, just fun!"
"If you'll pardon my saying so, I believe your roster is closer to what I would have had in mind, Master Briefs." Soda said. "I don't believe gender segregation during training is going to do anyone any good."
"Well I don't think a battle of the sexes is a thing we need right now," Trunks smiled, "besides Anavill and Gurein are sturdy defenders where Bocan and Pastel are furious attackers, they'd create a good balance."
"Bocan is also very focused on personal skill level," Soda pointed out, "in exercises he's content to let me take command, though the others do look to him for advice. I think it would be good to teach him to be a leader."
"Yes," Trunks said, nodding, "And your team makes sense because as a military officer you know how to lead a squad. You can help the younger fighters while they catch up, and Kodva isn't so strong that he'd just leave the kids in the dust the way Anavill or Pastel would."
"Yes sir, I'll do my best, sir." Soda nodded.
"It's a good line up, I think it'll work out well," Roshi agreed as Basil came running out of the main building waving a case over her head.
"Boss! Boss!" She cried, "Quick, before you dismiss everyone, your mom's finished her big surprise!"
Basil was running fast and carrying a large chest, she nearly ran into just about everyone in her rush to get to Trunks, and he wasn't entirely sure it wasn't just her weird sense of humor at work again because it wasn't as if the chest was blocking her field of vision.
Still he couldn't quite blame her for the excitement. He was excited too, he knew what was in that case. Basil brought the chest over to him and said, "She said it wasn't easy, so you should be careful with them."
"I will, thank my mother . . . and watch where you're going in the future."
Basil waved a dismissive hand, "I'm an engineer, we have reflexes like a cat!"
"But not nine lives." Trunks pointed out. "Next time they could be practicing blasts."
The green haired woman grinned, "Well not yet," she agreed, "I'll watch myself in the future, boss."
"You don't have to call me boss." Trunks told her, opening the case she'd brought as she left. Roshi and the defenders gathered around him as he pulled several small capsules out. There were only ten medium-sized capsules inside the large chest, which explained how Basil had been able to run so quickly with it. Still Trunks did think, a bit over the top, don't you think, Mom? A briefcase would have done the job, maybe even a lunch-box.
Well maybe his mother's sense of humor was on display too . . .
Trunks smiled at his team and said, "I've got something for you all. You might not like it at first, but it's going to make training more effective."
"What'cha got?" Bocan asked. He was a tall man with long wild dirty blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a yellow and black martial arts gi when he trained, but Trunks was about to change that.
He tossed him a capsule and said, "Your new uniforms, people." He tossed each of them a capsule with their own name on it.
Bocan was the first to be given his capsule, but Pastel was the first to use hers. The blond fighter gave an impressed whistle, "It'll never stop amazing me. Capsule Corp.: the place where you have boxes full of pills full of boxes. It's as magic as any of this energy forming stuff we've been doing."
"Just because you grew up without capsules doesn't make them magic." Pastel said as she crouched down and opened the box her capsule had revealed as the others started to use theirs as well.
Trunks folded his arms and smiled expectantly.
Pastel frowned, "You want me to wear a skin tight body suit? You're kidding right?"
"Skin tight?" Anavill complained, looking down at her baggy clothes.
"They're not exactly skin tight . . ." Trunks said.
"What's this thing? A bulletproof vest?" Soda asked, pulling out the chest-piece.
It was armor like the one the Bulma of the past had made for Trunks and the other fighters when they'd fought the Androids and Cell. It'd taken his mother a long time to replicate and improve on the design.
"It's battle armor," Trunks explained, "and this particular version is weighted, though you'll receive non-weighted versions too. This should make training more effective, and if there is a crisis you'll want some protection."
He had to admit he'd thought the suits would get a more positive reaction.
"I get it, it's like a Super Hero outfit!" Schip said excitedly, then he tried to lift the armor, "Ugh! It's heavy though!"
"How much do they weigh?" Soda asked.
"It's different for each of you," Trunks said, "but it weighs enough to make you stronger. Kodva, Pastel, Bocan, you all train with weights anyway, don't you?"
"Sure do." Pastel nodded, "I'll keep using my boots and gloves too, these one's feel lighter."
"Really?" Trunks hadn't really expected that, "well that's fine I guess. But what do you guys think?"
"That I wish Pastel had mentioned she was wearing weighted gloves before I let her hit me." Schip said.
"Did you die, Steel Bones? Besides, I'd 'a hit you harder without them!" Pastel smirked.
"These are good." Soda told Trunks, "I'm sure they'll help and it's good to establish uniformity in the unit. But you don't need our approval, we'll wear them. Right?"
She raised an eyebrow at everyone else. Anavill sighed resignedly but Bocan, Schip and Rhyce were all nodding vigorously.
"We're gonna look like super heroes!" Schip said excitedly.
"You're going to be super heroes!" Trunks assured him, "I'm watching you improve and I believe now more than ever that you will become Earth's new Defense Force, and no matter what happens we'll be ready to meet any threat that might be coming our way!"
To Be Continued . . .
Next time on Dragon Ball COED . . . Earth's Defenders discuss which team might be the strongest, and Kalt's ship prepares to get underway while Karuto learns more about the Saiyan warriors of the past.
Note: I hope you're enjoying the ride so far. It's been pretty cool to see the chart numbers steadily grow it's great to know people are actually reading, and I want to take a moment to especially thank all the reviewers because it's always great to know what people are actually thinking. As I said I'd try to avoid making too many of these author's notes, however there is now a message board for this story, find the link to them at the top of my profile page, I'll post info about Season Two and the "movies" there and eventually character images once I can decide the best way to bring them to you, the readers.