Chapter Thirty-Five: Exposed!
Tayla was caught in a myriad of emotions, ranging from shock to fury to dismay to sadness. Right now, it was her usual fury, and she tightened her hold on Ruli's shoulder and said in a steely tone between clenched teeth, "Just whom were you talking to just now? I thought I heard the name, 'Zarbon'. And I was certain that I heard his voice." And after that, Tayla heard a low sound of static, coming from Ruli's trembling fist.
Ruli gulped, and then she choked out too quickly, "I-I...well, you had to have made a mistake, really. You see, I—"
Tayla angrily yanked Ruli by her arm and pulled her up towards her. "I heard Zarbon's voice! What is going on, Ruli?"
"Let me go!" Ruli cried. "You're hurting me!"
"I heard Zarbon's voice!" Tayla hissed savagely. "I recognize that bastard's voice from anywhere! How is it that you know him?" When Ruli began to sob, Tayla's impatience increased, and she shook Ruli hard. "Answer me! Tell me the truth!"
"Let me go, please!" Ruli shrieked, as Tayla's grip on her upper arm tightened.
"Answer me," Tayla growled, as her brown eyes darkened. Ruli paled at the deadly expression on Tayla's face. Tayla's eyebrows were lowered menacingly, and all of her features were unified in a dark glare. "What is going on, Ruli?"
Ruli tried to shake her arm free of Tayla's viselike grip, but in her struggle to escape, her scouter fell out of her free hand and onto the floor with a clatter that echoed throughout the silent, dim hall. The look on Tayla's face changed quickly from fury to shock, and then to utmost horror.
Ruli had a scouter! A scouter exactly the same, as those from Frieza's army! Suddenly, it was so hard to breathe! Oh, sweet Orchida! First the assassins after Vegeta and Nappa, and now this! No, anything, anything, but this!
Color drained rapidly from Tayla's olive skin, and her throat constricted, as if fighting every breath of air that passed through it. Stricken with terror, she abruptly shoved Ruli away from her and fell against the wall, as she continued to eye the scouter. Before she knew it, tears clouded her mocha eyes, as her heart hammered within her chest.
No, no! Frieza could penetrate even Intergalacticpol! What in the universe was he trying to pull? Just how far could his power and influence reach?
Tayla's whole body shook, and the sudden, queasy feeling in her stomach spread throughout her body. Her tears burst free from her eyes and coursed down her ashen cheeks. She wanted to scream, to tear out her hair, to even fling Ruli against the wall!
Ruli was debating at this point on whether to run, break down and cry herself. Sweet Ankor! She had to get out of here! Now!
She tried desperately to force her feet to run, but before she could even attempt a sprint, Tayla seized her arm again and wrenched her backwards. Ruli nearly fell down, and it was only Tayla's arm that kept her from falling completely. Sobs choked her throat, as she tried to avoid meeting Tayla's eyes. Her cries of terror and pain did not prevent Tayla from shoving her into a wall. And when Tayla stuck her livid face into her frightened one, Ruli truly wanted to die.
"How could you do what you did?" Tayla snarled. "Why would you want to work for Frieza and Zarbon? Why?"
"Please..." Ruli whispered.
"Why?" Tayla screamed. "What are they up to? What are they planning?"
Ruli broke into a fresh round of terrified sobs.
"Do you know what they have done to all of us?" Tayla cried, with her voice filled with the tears that she had not yet shed. "They harmed my people and your people, and you work for those killers! Why? You had everything going for you here, other than you didn't get Kekron! Why, Ruli?"
Ruli continued to sob harder for several more minutes, but finally, after hearing no new demands or threats from Tayla, she took deep breaths. She whispered, more ashamed now than frightened, "I am so sorry, truly. I-I know it's too late now, but I-I am. If-if you wish to arrest me, you may. But if you do, I think it's best I not say anything else."
Seeing the fear and terror on Ruli's tearstained face, Tayla took a deep breath and slowly began to regain her self-control. Attacking Ruli was not going to solve anything, and she was realizing this. As an Intergalacticpol trainee, she had to handle this horrifying situation more professionally.
After her breathing returned to normal, Tayla said emotionlessly, not trusting herself to speak too loudly, "Even though we were never the best of friends, I am hurt, Ruli, but it is Caline that I will wind up feeling sorrier for, because she told me what happened between you two earlier. Apparently, she had thought that she just found something redeemable and worthwhile within you, and now she'll be proven wrong. It's over, Ruli." She added on that last sentence so somberly, with such a sepulchral finality that was usually reserved for speaking to a prisoner condemned to death.
"I know," Ruli said, her voice as detached as Tayla's. "You may as well arrest me now."
"I cannot arrest you myself," Tayla replied evenly. "I am only a trainee. I can only take you in for questioning, or lead you to a full officer, for him or her to arrest you. Since Chief Gohan is not here, I will take you to Bendros and Cirono, and they can arrest you. Right now, consider yourself to be officially held under suspicion of spying and conspiring with the enemy, for that is what I will report. I will take your arm; no, don't look at me like that, for I'm not going to squeeze it like before. But you must come with me."
Ruli only replied with a sad nod, and Tayla fought fiercely against the spark of pity that suddenly arose within her for the Calmagian girl.
She saw the tears remaining in Ruli's eyes, and she herself wanted to cry.
For Ruli whose life, through her own fault, was now over, before it had really begun.
For Caline, who had just forgiven Ruli and given her a second chance, but would now be proven wrong about Ruli's goodness.
For Kekron, who had trusted and trained Ruli as a fellow technician and friend.
And for herself and her family, who had foolishly allowed themselves to be lulled by the long peace after Calmag.
"Zarbon, what the hell happened to Ruli? Why did we hear some other young girl's voice now? What happened?"
Zarbon did not answer Jaden immediately. He was gasping for air, and his golden eyes were wide with a terror he could not yet speak of. The greenness had been bled from his now sickly-white skin. Droplets of sweat quivered on his brow and cheeks.
"Zarbon? What's going on? Tell me!" Jaden seized his shoulders, but not even the pain of her viselike grip could force Zarbon to look at over.... done for, we are..."
"What? What about Ruli?"
"Ca-Caught.... Tayla...caught...her...know Tayla's voice, never...forgot..."
"Are you saying that Tayla busted Ruli?"
Zarbon nodded rapidly. "Yeah, yeah...Tayla knows all now...she'll turn me in...she knows I'm will...surely...tell on everyone..."
"Zarbon, get a grip!" Jaden hissed, smacking him on the side of his face. The force of her palm shook Zarbon back to his senses.
"S-Sorry, J-Jaden," Zarbon stammered. He took several deep breaths, returning to his normal authoritative self. "Now we have to figure out what to do about Ruli."
"Hmm.." Jaden said thoughtfully, scratching her temple. "Well...I suppose I could try to rescue Ruli and capture or disable Tayla, find a way to silence her, but getting Tayla out of the way without creating suspicion is going to be next to impossible. Too many people would miss her. I can't as easily get rid of her, as I did Boja and Mango. And I'm not for certain that the Intergalacticpol folks entirely bought Nappa's story about what happened to Honeybee; Kami knows that Nappa and I came up with the best story that we could, but Intergalacticpol could find ways to poke holes in it."
"But how do we stop Ruli from talking, assuming she does decide to turn us in?"
"We don't even know yet, if Ruli will go that far. But I'll track her and Tayla down; it won't take too long to determine, if Ruli will crack and expose us all."
Zarbon nodded, crossing his arms. "And, if it's likely Ruli will tell all, you know what must be done. Jaden."
Jaden nodded back once. Sorry, Ruli, she thought.
"Oh, Caline, that's right, little girl, you can be as naughty as you want, I won't mind at all. Fact, I like it better that way; you're sure a sweet, delicious little thing, finally grown up at last..."
"WHACK!"
"Ow!
"Wake up, you moron!"
"Ohhh..."
Nappa was rubbing the side of his head, where a reddened lump was growing. Vegeta was rubbing his palms together, after cuffing Nappa. Vegeta climbed down the bunk bed ladder, as Nappa groggily awoke.
"Vegeta, was that necessary?" Nappa groaned.
"Of course it was! What if Bendros or Cirono had heard you call out Caline's name like you did just now? Or even Kekron--"
"I don't care about Kekron! That boy's a weakling, a genius weakling, but still a weakling. What could someone as gorgeous as Caline see in him? He's not even good-looking, and his strength has to be a joke."
"Believe it or not, Nappa, there are females out there who actually prefer brains over brawn--and someone they can have a conversation with for more than two minutes."
Nappa then grinned, sitting on the edge of his bunk. "Ah, I get it now! So that's why Tayla prefers Bendros over you-she thinks he's smarter than you are!" Crossing his beefy arms, he chuckled over his own words.
Vegeta rewarded his partner's remarks with a leap in the air and another hard cuff to Nappa's head.
"Owww! Um, sorry, Vegeta."
Vegeta crossed his arms and turned away from his injured partner. They both heard several knocks on their cell door
"Prince Vegeta? Nappa? We have your food!"
"If they can call it that," Vegeta grumbled, marching to the door. The slot in the door opened slowly, and two unfamiliar male hands passed a tray of food dishes through it. Vegeta accepted it and the one that followed.
"How are you two feeling?" asked an equally unfamiliar male voice that was deep and steady.
"Who are you?" Vegeta growled.
"My name is Lived. My brother, Legna, and I are your new additional bodyguards. Cirono and Bendros mentioned us to you, I heard."
"Yesterday," Vegeta replied tonelessly. "Just who are you and Legna other than are our new bodyguards?"
"We're from Etisoppo and twins, Intergalacticpol for five years, transferring to this space station. I can assure you that Legna and I wish you no harm nor ill will," Lived replied calmly and firmly.
"That last part remains to be seen, but Nappa and I will eat now. You two may do whatever while you're watching over us." And without a goodbye or further response, Vegeta turned away from the door and carried his tray to his bed after handing Nappa his. He heard Lived mutter something about "sociable fellow, that prince", but he paid it no mind.
He did pay attention when he heard a second, silkier voice:
"I've met the most exquisite young female today, lovely curves, beautiful hair of midnight, delicious eyes of chocolate. Bendros always did have good taste in women."
An involuntary snarl escaped Vegeta's throat. Just who was this interloper who had dared to show interest in Tayla? As if having to compete with Bendros for her wasn't bad enough!
"You've met Princess Tayla Chloe, Bendros' new ladylove, I gather." Lived's voice, for some odd reason, was cool and neutral.
"That I did, dear brother, that I did. And for the short time that she and Bendros have been together, he is quite possessive of her. Kissed her right in front of me, I might add. And, after that dark, velvety flower left, Bendros further warned me to leave her alone and not bother her any more than necessary."
"Then, Legna, you should listen and do just that."
Vegeta firmly agreed with Lived.
"Bendros," Legna asserted sternly, "is not married to Princess Tayla, nor is he her master. Therefore, Princess Tayla may be with any man she chooses--"
"Which is Bendros."
"Princess Tayla is a prize," Legna insisted, "meant for royalty such as yours truly; I am a Prince of Etisoppo, heir to Etisoppo throne. And what is Bendros? A fine warrior and officer, but he's still no more than that. Lived, you are a prince yourself, and surely you would agree with me-"
"No, I don't, Legna, and you know it. Why must you continue this rivalry with Bendros? Why must you deliberately repeat history? Ever since you and him have met, you have tried to take everything that was his because you knew that he was favored above you, despite your royal blood. Why, even when you both were in training, you stole the woman that he had said he wanted to wed--"
"Ah, Parisse? Such a rare, rare butterfly, a truly unique woman of Papillionian. Saiyan and Astorian blood! I do still think of her now and then, although I still don't understand how she could have left me, a future king? And just because I wouldn't marry her when she wanted! Heard she tried to go back to Bendros, but Bendros wouldn't take her back. And after that Bendros still held it against me--"
"Of course he would! He caught you two in bed together! And you had her so convinced that you loved her, that she left Bendros for you! What do you expect?"
"I would expect him to move on by now, at least."
"Not while he knows you have designs on Princess Tayla."
"He could easily find another young lady. Royalty should be with royalty, and I could take Princess Tayla from Bendros anytime I wish."
"Legna, don't you dare do it. You leave that poor young girl alone!"
Vegeta was growling like a dog, with his fists clenched and veins pulsing through his forehead. Nappa covered his mouth, doing his best not to laugh or snicker. The Saiyan prince clamped his teeth shut and pressed his lips together tightly, trying to swallow his anger. It took him a few minutes, but he became calm enough to suppress his fury. He forced a smile onto his face, as he strode towards the cell door.
Shoving his anger deeper within him, he managed to say as smoothly, "I heard you gentlemen speaking about Princess Tayla. May I have a word with Legna, or Prince Legna, as he says he is?"
Legna raised the slot of the door. "Why, yes, Vegeta, what is it?"
Vegeta began as somberly as possible, '"Trust me when I say that I know Princess Tayla better than the two of you. I have fought against her, as well as seen her interact with others." He then schooled his face to become more properly serious and sincere. "She is not a young lady that you would want; she is foul-tempered, sharp-tongued, completely disrespectful of her superiors, and is totally unladylike. Not to mention her language alone--crude, foul words worse than any criminal's I've heard in here. She will not obey or heed anyone or anything, except her own will and whims. She is hardheaded, stubborn, and does not give in when she knows she should. She can be bratty and self-centered, as well."
"Lived is right to tell you to leave her alone, Legna; Bendros already has his hands full with her, and I heard him discuss with Cirono many times as to whether he should stay with her. I wouldn't, if I were he; I would have left her a long time ago, but some men can be fools when they are 'in love'. I'd hate to see the same thing happen to you, Legna, as you seem to be wiser than Bendros, being of royal blood. I feel sorry for him every time he comes to guard Nappa and I; he is always so downtrodden. It is like watching a father worry over a little girl."
"Hmm.." Lived said thoughtfully. "Is she really that bad, or do you bear a personal grudge against her. Prince Vegeta?"
"I will not deny that Princess Tayla and I have never been the best of friends, but I have seen her with her peers and family, and I know personally that she treats them no better than she ever did me. I feel sorry for her friends and family, for they try to do so much for her, but she is so difficult."
"I see," Legna replied. "She is all you say she is?"
"Without a doubt. I'd hate to see you become her next victim or the brunt of one of her numerous rages."
"So...you are saying that she's wild, willful, fierce, and possibly deadly with no respect for others at all?"
"Without a doubt," Vegeta replied gravely, trying his best to repress the smirk that was trying to creep upon his face. He winked at Nappa, and Nappa winked back and grinned, crossing his arms. Soft, stifled chuckles rumbled in their throats.
Legna smiled. "Thank you. Prince Vegeta. It was good of you to inform me of Princess Tayla's true character, and it has made me think. Your words have definitely influenced me; perhaps you still serve much good after all."
Vegeta carefully bit back any nasty remarks. He didn't want to spoil things now; he was so close to eliminating Legna as a rival for Tayla.
"So I have made my final decision, as to whether I will continue to pursue Tayla or not. What you have said has given me much pause for thought."
"Good," Vegeta replied approvingly.
Legna smiled, running slender fingers through his tawny mane. "Thanks to you, Prince Vegeta, I now am fully aware of what life would be like with Princess Tayla."
"So you have given up on her then," Vegeta said, not as a question.
Legna chuckled mockingly. "Are you serious? No way! Now I want her more than ever! Life with her would never be dull, that is for certain! I look forward to the challenge of taming her and settling her down. So much I could teach my little Astorian royal hellcat! And I have you to thank for it! Well, I must use the men's room for now, but Prince Vegeta, this has been an...interesting conversation we've had. See you in a few minutes!" And still chuckling, he walked away happily.
Afterwards, Lived was puzzled when he heard an angry punch at the cell door, fierce, feral growls, and loud, likely cursing in an unfamiliar language.
"Bendros, will you please get a grip-and I don't mean around Legna's neck!"
"He's right, Bendros; you really need to calm down."
Panting, Bendros was rubbing the scraped knuckles of his right fist, now decorated with dots and dashes of blue blood. "Sorry, Cirono, Kekron" he apologized between pants, as he glanced at the unfortunate wall that had received the punch that had been meant for Legna. He had spat out the entire tale of Tayla and Legna's first meeting.
"Okay, so Legna tried to make a play for Tayla, but Tayla didn't accept it, did she? She chose you, not him, so let it go," Cirono insisted.
Kekron handed Bendros a glass of ice water. "Here, drink this. Want some salt added to it?" Astorians often loved salt in their water--and their tolerance for it in anything edible or drinkable was much higher than that of most races.
"No thanks, just...water this time, thanks." Bendros accepted Kekron's offer and plunked down into a nearby chair at the usual table in the employee lounge he shared with his friends.
As Bendros gulped down the water, Kekron said to Cirono, "You have to excuse him; Legna hasn't given Bendros any reason to trust him in the past. He doesn't normally get this worked up over a potential rival."
"Umm, hey, exactly what did Legna do?" Cirono asked cautiously, as he toyed with several noodles on his fork.
"Let's just say that Bendros had feared for a few moments that history would repeat itself," Kekron replied briefly, not wanting to give away too much without Bendros's permission.
"Repeat itself?" Cirono echoed.
"Ah, yes, repeat itself!" a jovial male voice exclaimed, and the other three men groaned, as Mikos Pearl plopped his enormous bottom right next to Kekron. Kekron tried glaring at him to let him know he wasn't entirely welcome, but Mikos paid him little mind. He slung his meaty arm around Kekron's now tense shoulders.
"Kekron, my frrrieend, I must 'gratulate you, really! You're one lucky man to have such a sweet young girl like Caline! Ah, I wish everrrrry daaayyy that I was in youuur shoes, or rather your bed! Shoulda known that Caline would want a young stud like you over an old man like me, though I do have the experience to please such a lass!"
Kekron wrinkled his nose in disgust and threw Mikos's arm off of his shoulder. "You're drunk!" he hissed. "And aren't you supposed to be on your way home by now? Don't think either Intergalacticpol, or the customs guards on Pearl will be happy to see you intoxicated."
"Kekron's right," Bendros added tightly. "And you should know better than to drink, Mikos--you know how bad alcohol is!"
"Oh, relax, I only had a few, and I don't drink on Astoria!" Mikos replied defensively. "'Sides, thanks to Kekron and Dedron reportin' me, I'll be out of work for two months! I meant Caline no harm, just wanted to show her how I felt. Did she ever see that letter I sent?"
"She received it, yes," Kekron replied, annoyed. He didn't mention mat Caline had recently tossed it in the trash without opening it. "And I can assure you that she does not want to hear from you again."
"Well, I never did get a response from the little lass, so I sent her a second one--with some lovely flowers, to let her know how sorry I really am!"
Kekron slapped his head. Just wonderful! He just hoped Caline hadn't checked her mail yet. With all that she was going through, flowers from Mikos were the last things she needed.
"Mikos, leave Caline alone," Bendros ordered sternly, "or I will report this to Chief Gohan."
"But I only wanted to show her my support in this trial, having to testify on behalf of those disgusting monkeys! That stupid Mayala, Ayala, whatever the hell her name was--doing that to that sweet child!"
"She'll be fine; just leave her alone," Cirono told him. "Now why don't you go take a nap to sleep off what you drank?"
"Can't, 'cause I'm leaving today."
"Yes!" Kekron cheered out loud. His jaw dropped in horror when he realized what he had just said. "Oh, sweet Orchida," he whispered, "did I just say what I thought out loud?"
Cirono and Bendros gave him sympathetic glances, but they knew it was too late. Nevertheless, Bendros cleared his throat and spoke, hoping to save Kekron quickly and change the subject, "So, will you be leaving by yourself, Mikos, or will any of your family be coming with you?"
"Esmera and Rudijal are coming home with me. Esmera wanted to stay, but the Superior Gran and my grandmother insist that she come home to Pearl. Poor Grandmother; she and I are still ashamed of what Esmera and Rudijal tried to do to poor, sweet, Tayla...by the way, Bendros, does Tayla know about Parisse?"
"She's met her once or twice, I believe," Bendros replied reluctantly.
"Ah, yesss, buuuttt does Tayla know that...if things had been different... Parisse would have been the next Gran of Sahara and your wife...possibly the mother of a couple of your little ones by now?"
"That's in the past now," Bendros said in a tight, stiff voice.
"Really?" Mikos taunted with a drunken chuckle. "Only because you refused to give Parisse a second chance. C'mon...all because she had one lay with the wrong man! Bad timing on her part, I'll admit, seeing that --we found her and Legna all over each other in her bed, and Legna pumping into her like..."
"SHUT UP!" Bendros roared, slamming his fists on the table. The entire lounge fell silent, as everyone looked at the normally composed Sastorian in shock.
"Bendros..." Kekron began hesitantly.
Bendros looked down, ashamed of losing his temper like he just had. Cirono, hoping to spare his friend any more pain, turned to Mikos and said quietly, "Mikos, I think it's time for you to go. Now."
Mikos used what little good grace he had to blush. "Of-of course. Well, suppose I better...my flight leaves soon-in two hours, I believe."
"Not soon enough," Kekron muttered under his breath. Cirono silently agreed with him, but Bendros was suddenly too morose to even think or utter a word.
Mikos arose, stumbling out of his chair. "Well, must go...er, sorry 'bout...you know...the Legna/Parisse thing...oh, hey...well, look here...Caline, glad to see you! Did you check your mail today?"
"Mikos..." Kekron began warningly, but Caline, for once, was too preoccupied to worry about Mikos's presence. She pushed past him and ran over to the three other officers. "Excuse me, but have any of you seen Ruli around? I'm worried about her."
"Ah, Ruli...such a fine girl not as fine as you. Caline, but..." Mikos trailed off, but Caline ignored him, too worried about Ruli.
"No, not since this morning,'" Kekron replied, as Caline slid in the chair that Mikos had vacated. He said in a lower tone, "I'm surprised you're looking for her; I didn't think you two were well...that chummy."
Caline replied nervously, "Well, I-I kind of felt sorry for her, seeing that she was alone so much, so...anyway, she seemed worried about something...Tayla went to look for her, I believe."
"How is that delicious Tayla these days?" Mikos asked brightly. No one answered him.
"Kekron, would you go for a walk with me, please?" Caline asked timidly.
"Um..." Kekron replied, looking at both Cirono and Bendros. Bendros was toying with his food, rearranging it into neat little piles.
Now noticing Bendros's melancholy, Caline asked him directly, "Bendros, are you okay?"
Bendros managed a brave smile. "Of course."
"He's fine!" Mikos shouted merrily, tumbling about in a circle. "He was just upset 'cause Legna's back on this ship and has the hots for Tayla now, instead of Parisse! Poor lad is afraid Legna's going to steal Tayla away, just like he did Parisse! Ah, it was a pity Parisse had to cheat on Bendros all those years ago...'cause then Parisse and Bendros would have been married by now, and I might have had a better chance with Tayla! Ah, Bendros, poor man, you better be careful 'cause now Legna's going to try to take Tayla from you! Never forget what he did to you and Parisse!"
Bendros growled, and his friends across the table drew back away from him. He shoved himself away from the table and stomped out of the employee lounge without saying goodbye.
"Well so long, farewell!" Mikos cried happily, completely oblivious to the wounds he had just reopened. He blew a kiss towards Caline's direction. "Farewell, especially to you, my sweet, buttery marshmallow! Please read the note I just sent you...sent you some pretty flowers to match as an apology...so long, everyone!" And to everyone's relief, he stumbled out of the lounge.
"Flowers?" Caline asked worriedly.
Kekron sighed. He sometimes collected Caline's mail for her, and he had been hoping to get rid of Mikos's note and flowers before she found out about them. Now it was too late.
"I'll take care of it," he promised her. He turned to Cirono. "Look, Cirono, I think I'm going to take that walk with Caline."
Cirono nodded. "Sure. Maybe one of us will run across Bendros later and be able to calm him down."
"I'll keep a watch out for him. Poor guy."
"This Parisse must have hurt Bendros so badly," Caline commented softly, as she and Kekron held hands, walking along the corridors. They were still looking for Ruli and Bendros, but they could not find either one. Meanwhile, both had calmed considerably, especially knowing that Mikos was leaving today.
"He did love her very much at one time, or he thought he did, poor guy," Kekron replied. 'I know he had planned to ask her to marry him, and was even going to give her his mother's engagement bracelet, but before he could ask her, she betrayed him with Legna."
"How could any girl want to cheat on him?" Caline asked, puzzled. "He'd make a wonderful husband...well, not that I'm planning on running away with him or anything..."
Kekron chuckled. "I know, 1 know, believe me. I felt sorry for Bendros...and his broken heart led him to Calmag with the rest of us...he was hoping there he could forget what had happened. And it helped, thanks to Tayla, really...he told me one time that he believed he started to fall for Tayla when Tayla had trusted him, even when he had accidentally turned Oozaru."
"I'm glad they're together! I believe Tayla's always loved him, even...when she was with Ridikar..." Caline's voice trailed off, as she wondered whether she should feel guilty about being happy for Tayla and Bendros when Ridikar had cared for Tayla so much, especially in the end. She blushed slightly, feeling awkward.
Kekron lightly ran his hand along her cheek. "It felt a bit awkward for you, didn't it, when you realized that Tayla liked both Bendros and Ridikar?"
"Yes, almost, like wanting both sides on a battlefield to win. Ridikar just seemed to become a better person when Tayla came around..." Caline sighed. "But I am happy for Tayla and Bendros. I don't believe Bendros has nothing to worry about, though. Tayla loves him; she told me that she'd follow him to the ends of the universe."
"I think Bendros realizes that, but I've met Legna before, and he is charismatic and handsome man. Sadly, it was too easy to see why Parisse fell for him and left Bendros. I can understand why Bendros fears that Legna might try to take Tayla from him."
"That won't happen!" Caline insisted with new strength in her voice. "Tayla isn't going to have her head turned by some pretty man! She's very lucky, and she knows it! Just like me..." Her voice grew softer, as she took Kekron's wrist to her lips and kissed it.
Kekron smiled, pleased to see her take such initiative. He whispered his usual request to touch her hair, and Caline smiled and brought his hand to her tresses. "Tayla and I are very, very lucky," she murmured, "to find such kind, handsome men who respect us and love us and would always try to protect us...how did it happen?"
Kekron's heart was too full to speak a word, so he answered the best way he could—with a gentle kiss.
"Please don't hurt me!"
"Shut up, boy! You tried to kill my Vegeta, and that's something that I will never forgive! Now tell me who else is involved, and why you are trying to kill the man I love!"
Tears streamed down Shirvin Tosse's face, as Diamonique pinned him against the wall, holding him up by his scrawny neck. "I don't know what you're talking about, I swear!"
"Hah!" Diamonique scoffed. "Your partner, Honeybee, confessed all to Jaden before Jaden finished her off. And I basically took care of Mango. Now, either tell me why you tried to kill Vegeta, or I'll let you die, nice and slow. I'm sure that you're aware of the deadly poison in my nails. Mango died that way, and it was rather disgusting. I'd hate to have put myself through that again."
"Honeybee...is gone?" Shirvin whispered.
"For good—riddance. Now start talking."
"Please! I only attacked Vegeta because Vegeta killed my brother on Calmag. We were best friends, my brother and I! You would have done the same thing, surely, lady! Please, let me go, and I won't go near Vegeta ever again, I promise!"
"My dead skin cells are worth more than your 'promises'," Diamonique sneered. "But, if you tell me everything, I'll quicken your death. Otherwise...well, you'll go the same way as Mango, that fat bastard!"
"It was just between Honeybee, Mango, and myself," Shirvin whispered hoarsely, realizing he had very little reason to keep silent longer. Honeybee and Mango were gone. Perhaps, there would be a slim chance of survival, if he told all.
And even, if he died today, not all hope was lost. After all, the Astorians, and their powerful allies still lived. They would insure that those awful Saiyans would soon be destroyed. The last of the Saiyans destroyed! Then, finally, finally, all those the Saiyans had harmed would not have died in vain.
A small smile formed on his face, a hint of hope, even as Diamonique taunted him with her sharp, poisonous nails.
"Now, little boy, who else helped you to attack my Vegeta?"
"I already told you—" Shirvin began in a moan, but a sudden beeping noise interrupted him.
Diamonique cursed. "Great timing!" she hissed. Angrily, she pressed a button to respond.
"Yes?"
"Diamonique, we have a problem."
"Don't I know it! I have the little bastard here who tried to kill my Vegeta, and he still won't confess anything further! What am I supposed to do, Jaden?'
"Refreeze him and deal with him later. Zarbon and I will meet you shortly. We just have a little situation to handle. Take Shirvin back to our room and wait for us. Stay out of sight as much as you can."
Diamonique refroze Shirvin fairly quickly, and Shirvin's mouth was opened wide in horror, unable to close. Hands and arms in protest still hung in the air.
Diamonique took a deep breath and then asked, "Why stay out of sight?"
"We may be about to be busted."
"Busted?" Diamonique gasped.
"Yeah, busted. Ruli's been arrested—sort of. Tayla, being a trainee, can't officially arrest her, but she can take her for questioning—"
"Ruli got caught? Doing what?"
"Doesn't matter. Tayla knows we're nearby. We'll probably have to eliminate Ruli 'cause Ruli's likely to crack under pressure—we could be wrong, but we can't take chances. Either way, she's screwed, and anyone smart as her would try to cut a deal and expose us all."
"So that means if she talks, we're done for, and I'll never be reunited with my Vegeta!"
"He's not your Vegeta!" Jaden roared, but Diamonique heard Zarbon quietly scolding Jaden for talking so loudly. Jaden's voice grew softer afterwards. "Seriously, Diamonique, yes, that's what it means. We're treading on quicksand now; any moment we could sink. But you don't have to do anything right now, except take Shirvin back to our room and stash him in a closet until we get there. I'll handle Ruli."
Diamonique's voice raised two octaves. "Why should YOU get to 'handle' Ruli? Ruli's words could prevent me from reuniting with my Vegeta, and so I should be the one to 'handle' her!"
"No, Diamonique." Jaden's tone left no room for argument. "I will take care of Ruli. You just do as you're told."
"But if I go after Ruli, I can take of her—and Tayla! I want another shot at that Astorian brat! You don't know how much I hate her! I hate her, I hate her, I hate her! I can destroy both her and Ruli! Let me do it, I demand of you!"
"You can demand all you want, but it's not happening. Ruli is mine. You just take Shirvin and stay out of trouble. Gotta go now. Bye." And Jaden cut off communication
Angry and defiant as she felt, Diamonique might have obeyed Jaden even then, but then she heard voices far outside of the restroom:
"Tayla, please, I never meant any harm!"
Diamonique gasped. Curses, she didn't expect Ruli and Tayla to show up so soon! What was she going to do? She still had to plan their demise.
Sounds of footsteps tapped gently outside of the restroom. Diamonique quickly tossed the heavy statue of Shirvin over her shoulder, and she scurried into an open stall. Hurriedly, she lifted up Shirvin's crystalline body and stood it upon the toilet seat. Then she herself dashed to the next stall over and closed the door and locked it. Swiftly, she leapt onto the toilet seat and crouched, still standing, resting her bottom against the tile to prop herself up.
Peering through the crack of the stall, she saw Tayla and Ruli slowly enter the restroom. She saw Tayla checking her surroundings cautiously. Just as Diamonique expected and hoped, Tayla peeked under the stalls to see if anyone was in the restroom with them. She muffled an evil chuckle, as Tayla breathed a small sigh of relief. Tayla walked over to the entrance, seeing an "Out of Order" sign on the floor. She tacked it outside the restroom doorway and the automatic door slid shut.
Good, the ki-masking bracelet was still working perfectly. Stupid Tayla thought she and Ruli were alone. Well, she and her traitorous prisoner would soon be taken by sweet surprise! Diamonique had to muffle yet another chuckle at her cleverness.
She'd finish off both Ruli and Tayla, and she'd finally show Jaden and Zarbon her true worth! Especially Jaden, that bullying old wench!
"You may not have, Ruli, but I still don't understand why you would want to work for the bastards who slaughtered so many of your people. That whore, Diamonique, killed Ridikar, your once and future king! That alone should have made you think!" Tayla's voice rose against her better judgment. "Ruli, why, why? Were you forced or blackmailed?"
Ruli was weeping. "No, no, I wasn't. I was just looking for a better life, that's all."
"There is no better life with Frieza."
"I-I realize that now. What's going to happen to me?"
"I don't know, Ruli, I really don't, but it's not going to be good."
"I don't want to go to Zelthar; I'd rather die."
Tayla's tone held both pity and sternness. "Perhaps, if you were to confess all, a deal could be made. Despite what you did, you'd still be considered a small matter; maybe, if you turned the others working with you in, the RIC and Mr. Norr might go easier on you."
"They'll kill me, if I betray them."
"Are they nearby? Is Zarbon one of them?"
"Umm..." Ruli's voice visibly shook.
"Are they on or near Grain?" Tayla's voice was now softer, lower.
Several sobs followed.
"Ruli, we can protect you." Tayla's tone was gentler. "Help us, and we may be able to help you."
"I-I don't know. My life will be worth nothing, if I tell all."
Tayla decided to try another tact. Her voice became soft and coaxing. "Ruli, I understand why you're afraid. But you see, we've defeated Frieza's forces before. Think about it. Do you really believe that Zarbon and his bunch are going to spare you after they carry out whatever they're planning? They care for no one but themselves and Frieza. They don't care anything for you. You are no one to them. They've hurt and killed so many innocent people, but you can help put an end to that. You can redeem yourself."
"Yes, you may have to pay for your part in their plans, but you will finally be able to have something that you haven't had in a long time: a clear conscience. Please, help make things right. If you can't tell me what's going on, at least tell Chief Gohan, or Bendros, or Cirono."
Tayla took a deep breath and whispered so low that Diamonique almost didn't hear, "Just tell me this much: does part of what they're doing involve trying to...free Vegeta and Nappa?"
Ruli paled, and several small veins in her forehead pulsated. Afraid to speak a word, she nodded.
Diamonique growled, low and soft, clenching her small fiats, and sinking her diamond nails into her palms.
Tayla covered her mouth, trying her best to conceal her horror. She knew she shouldn't have been too surprised, but still...why hadn't she and everyone else realized before, or even had the slightest clue.
Then there's still Nappa's story about how Honeybee had died...I always had my doubts about that. Had one of his comrades helped him to kill Honeybee? Zarbon perhaps? Or Jaden? I've heard that Zarbon and Jaden usually go on the more important missions together, sometimes with Chestra.
No, it's impossible! That would mean that Zarbon, Jaden, or even both would have to be either on the RIC or the Intergalacticpol stations! But any one of us would have sensed Zarbon or Jaden's ki by now; neither of them is supposed to know how to mask ki. How would they have arrived undetected? Did Zarbon or Jaden or whoever else was with them now know how to mask ki?
Tayla shivered at this last thought; the usually cold restroom suddenly felt much colder.
Naykiar strolled through the corridors happily, whistling notes of a happy, old Calmagian love song. Monique's exquisite face drifted languidly through his mind, sometimes smiling somberly, sometimes laughing. Naykiar smiled dreamily, as he lovingly caressed a flat, square, silken jewelry box.
Briefly, he leaned against the smooth wall to open the box. A gold necklace lay nestled atop a red, velvet surface. Dangling from the necklace was one perfect pink pearl. Both the gold and the pearl gleamed brightly, as the overhead lights flashed upon them.
Naykiar smiled wider. The necklace was just right; he knew it was. It had cost him nearly an entire paycheck (he could have requested funds from his home planet, but it had been faster to use his own pay to make the purchase), but it was worth it.
It was the perfect gift...an engagement necklace worthy enough for a Prince of Calmag to give to his future bride.
Julien would likely have a royal fit because his brother wanted to make a "commoner" and a non-virgin his future wife. That thought, however, made Naykiar smirk. He had to admit that he loved the idea of defying and irritating his pompous, selfish brother by giving him an "undesirable" sister-in-law. Julien wasn't king yet, so there was nothing he could do to stop Naykiar from marrying Monique.
He chuckled softly. He'd have to make sure that Caline was with him the day he would confidently announce his betrothal to Monique to Julien. He and Caline would both delight in their brother's fury.
Of course, Grandfather would not likely be pleased, either, but he'd eventually accept his grandson's choice. After all, since Naykiar wasn't the next king of Calmag, his choice of brides would be of no real importance.
He danced and spun around merrily holding the necklace in the air, twirling towards the ladies' restroom...where he sensed the ki signatures of Tayla and Ruli! Perhaps those two could tell him where Monique was!
He leapt towards the restroom entrance and—slipped and lost his balance!
Diamonique huffed and puffed louder with each breath as Tayla asked Ruli in a hoarse voice, "Is Zarbon nearby?"
Ruli nodded.
"Is he on Grain? On this moon?"
Silence.
"How about Jaden? Is she close?"
Silence still remained, but a very hesitant nod occurred.
"Where are they?"
"I don't know," Ruli replied truthfully.
"Where have they been staying?"
"Not-not too far away."
"Ruli, please stop putting me off! We have to know."
"I'm scared."
You should be, Diamonique thought, as she studied her fatal nails to see which one was the sharpest.
"Does Vegeta and Nappa know they are here?"
A very reluctant nod followed. Tayla sighed and shook her head.
"I should have known! But how would those two have contact with Zarbon and his crew...you?"
Ruli evaded that question for now. Gulping, she prepared to say what she thought would be a harmless enough statement. She said very softly, "I can tell you this much..."
"What's that?"
"Vegeta wants you...he probably can't do anything while he's a prisoner...but I think he may plan to take you away—to make you his."
Diamonique repressed an angry screech and dug her nails deeper into her palms. Vegeta! Wanting Tayla? As in wanting to sleep with her?
Tayla was a mere child! Why would Vegeta want a little girl? He had some serious explaining to do!
Now it was Tayla who was pale, but she said as calmly as possible. "I know he has an...obsession with me, for some strange reason."
"He told you he wants you?" Ruli gasped.
"He's made it very obvious, I'll put it that way." Tayla would elaborate no further.
Diamonique hissed, squeezing her fists so tightly that they turned white. Made it obvious? What had Vegeta done with Tayla? Tayla was nothing more than a scrawny brat!
Through angry eyes, she stared long and hard at her new rival. Certainly, Tayla was still thin, but slender, not scrawny, not any longer. Her face had almost matured from childlike to womanly, and the once too-big eyes now suited her. She had breasts now, although they were small, and such a wondrous figure that could only belong to a girl her age! And she had youth and innocence! And very likely, being an Astorian maiden, she still had her virginity!
Tayla had become a beauty! Why hadn't she seen it before? But Vegeta, her Vegeta had seen it—and like any hot-blooded, virile male, of course he would want the chance to deflower the Astorian chit. She was furious with him for wanting Tayla, of course, but who could blame him? All men, even Gemstarians, went through periods of desiring virgins, especially, if they were beautiful. Of course, Vegeta would want to initiate the little tart into womanhood.
Growling a little more loudly, Diamonique knew there was only one thing she could do—cure her Vegeta of his unhealthy obsession with Tayla Chloe! Permanently!
She leaned over to the bar locking the restroom door, watching both Tayla and Ruli. It would be so easy. She'd just freeze Tayla's heart and later shoot the traitorous Ruli with one of her nails. Both girls wouldn't take too long to die, hopefully.
Barely, just barely, Naykiar steadied himself by crossing his legs before he fell. He sighed with relief. He was glad that it had happened before he made it to the entrance. Sweet Ankor, he had been almost as clumsy as Caline's beloved Kekron—a good man with a brilliant mind, but still so unusually klutzy and awkward at times!
But Kekron loved Caline and Caline loved him—Naykiar could tell every time he looked at his sister's happy face. So Kekron wasn't the most graceful of men—he was smart and kind and would likely provide well for and take care of Caline, should Caline choose to wed with him.
Naykiar and Monique. Caline and Kekron. Those names just sounded so right together!
He couldn't wait any longer to see his Monique. He just had to have Tayla and Ruli help him find her!
The "Out of Order" on the door did not deter him. Excitedly, he pushed the door button open, even though he knew he shouldn't.
The door of Diamonique's restroom stall opened slowly, and she slid her slender finger through the crack.
She whispered, "Heart Freeze!"
A tiny knot of whitish ki grew slowly from her finger.
Naykiar couldn't resist peeking his head into the doorway of the ladies restroom, as the automatic door slid open. "Hey, Tayla, Ruli!" he cried, oblivious to any words he had heard from them earlier, but had paid no attention. He didn't even pay any mind to their gasps at his audacity. "Do you girls know where Monique is?"
"Monique?" Tayla asked, puzzled.
"Yes!" Naykiar whooped. "I'm going to ask her to marry me today!"
"Monique..." Ruli murmured, and then, just then, she remembered Commander Zarbon telling her about how he and Commanders Jaden and Diamonique had snuck past Intergalacticpol security by posing as escaped sex slaves. Monique was...no, Naykiar couldn't want to marry her!
"No, Prince Naykiar!" Ruli screamed before she thought. Naykiar was Caline's brother; she couldn't let any more harm come to Caline or her family. "You can't marry Monique!"
"Why not?" Naykiar demanded indignantly.
Ruli cried the fatal words:
"Monique is...Diamonique...the woman who murdered your brother!"
"WHAT?" Tayla and Naykiar cried. Naykiar was about to protest Monique's innocence, and Tayla was about to question Ruli further, but then she sensed it.
"Duck!" she screamed, shoving Ruli to the ground. Both girls fell to their stomachs, as a stream of ki zipped over their heads and crashed into a bathroom mirror.
As the mirror shattered loudly into fragments, a loud feminine voice shrieked:
"YOU WILL DIE, DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU BOTH WILL DIE!"