Chapter Ten
"His name is Guld, and he is one of the elite members of a group of mercenaries known as the Ginyu Force. He is actually a mutant of his species, the Bas, and his psychic abilities made him the assassin of the group". Celipa looked over the body laid on the examining table before her, Goku stood across from her, arms folded as he frowned at the body.
"You think this, Ginyu Force, was behind the attack on Prince Vegeta? Why would a bunch of mercenaries try to assassinate a Prince?" he asked. Celipa sighed and started to put away her surgical tools. "They're mercenaries Kakarotto, they could've been hired by anyone. Saiyajins don't exactly have the best reputation with other species" she replied, voice full of sarcasm. "What with our winning personalities and all".
Goku smirked then looked over the creature again. This Guld was tiny, only reaching up to Goku's knee standing upright. His skin was a sickly green color, covered in lumps and what seemed to be a thin layer of mucus. He had four eyes, two regular eyes and another two bulbous eyes on top of his head, now complete with a hole in the middle of them. His whole body looked grotesque to Goku and he averted his eyes, looking back at Celipa. "So unless we contact the Ginyu Force ourselves, we won't know who wanted Prince Vegeta dead".
Celipa looked back at Goku. "Right. But even if we did enquire, they're not likely to tell us. Client confidentiality and all that. Plus, it's not like we can just pin it on one or two races. King Bejita has many enemies looking to settle scores, and unfortunately, both Prince Vegeta and Prince Tarble have bull's-eyes on their backs. That's why we have you guys", she slapped Goku on the back then pulled the cover back over Guld's body. "Whoever did it, he's not going to tell us now".
Sighing, Goku thanked Celipa then left the laboratory, heading off down towards the council room, which was filled with bustling council men all arguing while Vegeta stood off to the side, looking exceedingly annoyed with all of it and an anxious Tarble stood fidgeting next to him. Goku walked over, purposefully bumping Vegeta slightly, who flinched and looked round, relaxing slightly upon seeing who it was. "You're back".
"Yeah. Celipa couldn't tell me anything more than what we already know. Belongs to a mercenary group, mutant of his species etcetera" Goku said, turning to face the members of the council. "What's going on?"
Tarble turned to them, his voice low. "There's been a big argument about calling Father…I mean King Bejita…and informing him of the attempted attack. There's also been a discussion about security and who should be punished for missing his presence".
Goku blinked and looked back at the group as a voice rose above the rest, quieting them. Zorn. The councilman had rarely spoken at the meetings that Goku had attended but when he had, his words had been quiet and calm, his reasoning and demeanor impeccable. Goku could tell that while he may not have the strength to win a battle, he definitely had the cunning. One to watch out for, he thought to himself, furrowing his brow lightly.
"It doesn't matter how he got onto the castle grounds, what matters is, he achieved it. In light of this attempt on our future King's life, the guard should be doubled and patrols increased" Zorn said stoically, the other council members nodding in agreement, Vegeta making a rude noise under his breath.
"I also believe that during King Bejita's excursion to Earth-sei, this attack will unfortunately be the first of many. Therefore I am proposing that we move both Prince's to new accommodation, which they will share with their bodyguards for added protection during this time", he added, sitting back in his chair to let the room absorb his words.
Vegeta spluttered and stood upright, looking at Zorn like he had just grown another head, Tarble also letting out a strangled gasp. "You cannot be serious Zorn?!"
Zorn looked toward Vegeta boredly and interlaced his fingers. "I feel it is necessary Prince Vegeta, that you and Prince Tarble are protected at all times. As both bodyguards have proved capable, I believe it to be the most logical action to take at this time. Once King Bejita returns and our forces once again replenished, we will then discuss with the King whether to continue this course of action or resume our normal patterns".
Goku blinked as Vegeta growled. "You have no say over me Zorn! I am the Prince and acting ruler during my Father's absence and I won't have you dictate to me what should and should not be done!"
A smirk graced Zorn's lips. "On the contrary Prince Vegeta, while you may be the figure head, King Bejita granted this council over-ruling power, should a matter be put to a vote or the majority council members agree on an issue. It is my understanding that in this instance, everyone except yourself agrees with this course of action?" Zorn looked around the hall, all members quietly nodding their approval. "Then it's settled. The Prince's and their bodyguards will be moved to new, adjoining quarters immediately".
Vegeta's face began to redden, glaring at each council member before turning with a swish of his cape and storming from the room, Goku hot on his heels.
As they neared Vegeta's room, Goku moved closer, trying to grab his attention. "Vegeta? Vegeta! What's going on? I don't understand".
"That bastard Zorn! Undermining my authority! I have a good mind to make him swing from the rafters!" Vegeta fumed, completely ignoring Goku, who sighed and decided to wait till Vegeta was done venting.
They came to a stop outside Vegeta's room, both blinking at the sight of guards moving furniture and other belongings out of it. Vegeta hesitated only a moment before bellowing in rage, stomping forward and frightening the guards.
Goku watched curiously, waiting for Vegeta to go quiet before approaching him again. He lowered his voice, touching Vegeta lightly on the shoulder, who tensed on the contact. "Vegeta? What's going on?"
Vegeta glanced at Goku. "They're moving us out of our respective rooms and putting us under one roof Kakarotto", he turned, his glare now fully directed at Goku. "You better not snore".
Goku gulped. "What?! We have to sleep in the same room now?!"
"More or less. We'll have to wait and see" he glared back at the soldiers moving his things. "Fucking Zorn! He had this planned from the beginning! I bet he had guards inside our rooms before we even finished that meeting", he growled, then blinked startled as Goku shot past him, trying to move past the guards. "Kakarotto?!"
"I'm sorry Vegeta! Just…wait there I'll be right back!" Goku called over his shoulder, disappearing off down the hall, breaking into a flat out run back to his quarters. He hoped to whatever deity was listening that they hadn't already started to move his things yet!
Vegeta watched the large Saiyajin disappear and folded his arms, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Seemed like Kakarotto still had things to hide. Well, he wouldn't be hiding it for very long. At least something good was coming out of this move.
Goku looked around his new lodgings in amazement. His new room was now located within the palace itself instead of in the army barracks as it was before and was twice as big. Now located in the corner of the palace, giving it a slight L-shape, his bathroom was still a walk in but now had a door instead of a curtain and was better ventilated than his other accommodation. He had a huge arch shaped window that looked out over the palace gardens, a window seat built into it for relaxation. His bed was twice as big as his last one, with a huge canopy above it. It also had net curtains attached to each post that opened and surrounded the bed, allowing for privacy and to keep out all manner of insects in the hotter seasons. A wardrobe, cupboard, bookcase and desk lined the wall near the doorway, a hamper for any dirty clothes stood next to the door, the palace servants taking care of that particular issue he was assured.
He looked at the door connecting his own bedroom to Vegeta's, which at this particular moment was closed. As far as he could tell, Vegeta's room was exactly like his own except that it was more open and decorated. Next to Vegeta's room was Tarble's and connecting Tarble's was Turles room, taking the other corner of the palace. As far as Goku could tell, all four of them took up one whole side of the palace.
He went to the connecting door then stopped and shook his head, turning back to his belongings. Since moving, Vegeta had stated that he wanted to be alone so Goku had left him to his own devices, keeping a sense on his Ki to make sure he didn't try to sneak out. So far, he had stayed right where Goku had left him, allowing Goku to relax slightly and get accustomed to his new living arrangements. He moved his belongings into the spaces provided then paused when he came upon the box of senzu beans, wondering where he should stash them. Last time it had been easy to keep them out of sight as nobody ever went into his room at the barracks, but this was the palace, servants would be coming in and out all the time. Thinking for a few moments, he looked up at the canopy over his bed and smiled, levitating slightly and placing it into one of the corners, making sure it was secure. He then lovingly took the 4 star dragon ball out and placed it on the top shelf of his book shelf, making sure it wouldn't fall before taking a step back to admire his new room.
Hearing a knock on the connecting door, he blinked and went to answer it. "Everything ok Vegeta?"
Vegeta looked at him, a scowl on his face. "I'm fine...or at least I will be when I get to the training halls and punch somebody in the face. Coming?"
Goku smiled lightly. "Of course" he agreed, quietly shutting the door, taking a quick look around Vegeta's room. Vegeta noticed the look and smirked. "Take a good look Kakarotto, you won't be seeing much of it". He pointed a finger in Goku's face. "Get this straight, you keep to your room and I'll keep to mine, got it? Just because they stuck us together, doesn't mean it is open season for you to come and root through my belongings understood?"
"Relax Vegeta, there will be no need for me to be in your room anyway. I'll be able to sense whether or not there's anyone besides yourself in there" Goku replied shrugging. "Honestly, this will make it a lot easier for me to do because there's less distance between us".
Vegeta cocked an eyebrow at him. "Really? How far can you sense Ki?"
Goku scratched his head. "I'm not sure, quite a while away, but it takes more concentration and more energy to do. To do it all the way from the barracks to your old room took a lot out of me, I had to learn how to sleep lightly and still concentrate enough to know when something was wrong".
Vegeta stopped and looked at Goku, studying him intensely, Goku fidgeting under his stare. "Vegeta?"
"It's decided. Forget training today", Vegeta said, walking back into his room. "You're going to teach me this Ki sensing of yours".
Goku followed Vegeta back into his room, trying to cover the grimace on his face. "What now? Can't you just go…you know…beat somebody up?" he asked, trying to wheedle Vegeta out of his decision.
Vegeta ignored him and sat on the floor, crossing his legs as he looked up at Goku expectantly. Sighing, Goku sat across from him and began to teach Vegeta.
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