Empire

Chapter 44: Decisions and Revelations


Bulma walked outside to meet Mieke's ship. She had told Chichi to take their sons to Trunks' nursery. When Bulma arrived outside, the Queen Mother was nowhere in sight. Instead, Bulma was greeted with servants carrying flower pots full of roses. Bulma pinned one of the servants against the wall. He looked down at the much shorter woman.

"Y-Y-Your majesty..."

"Where is Mieke?" Bulma glanced at the roses he was carrying. "And what's with the roses?"

"The Queen Mother brought these with her from Earth. We are taking them to the greenhouse. As for the Queen Mother herself, I believe she mentioned a... sauna?" Bulma was gone before the servant finished.


Bulma entered Mieke's chambers. She was immediately stopped by Dr. Oolong. He was wearing a face mask. Bulma frowned and took a step back.

"Your highness, if you want to speak with Lady Mieke, you'll have to wear a mask. She is still very contagious to humans," Dr. Oolong said.

"I think I'll survive." Bulma started to go around the doctor.

"These are her orders, my queen. She doesn't want your health in jeopardy. If it was up to her, she would ban you altogether." The doctor noticed the look on Bulma's face. "I persuaded her otherwise. Please wear the mask, your majesty." Dr. Oolong handed Bulma the face mask. She sighed and put it on.

Mieke was sitting against the wall of her private sauna. This was the only way she could sit upright anymore. She had to be supported by something. Her hair had grown back. Mieke had not had the heart to cut it again after remembering the look on Vegeta's face when he had noticed she had cut her claret tresses.

I wonder what he's doing now, Mieke wondered idly as she ran a hand through her damp hair. She flinched as she heard the door open to the sauna. Bulma.

"Mieke? Damnit! How can you stay in here? I can barely breathe," Bulma said. She walked forward and sat against the wall. She knew Mieke was on the other side. She could see her tiny, thin hand. Frowning at it, Bulma cleared her throat. "So, how are you?"

Mieke smirked and closed her eyes. So, the queen wanted to make small talk?

"I suppose I am as well as can be expected, given my condition," Mieke said dryly. Bulma noted how different she sounded.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"When was the last time you spoke with your husband, Bulma?" Mieke asked.

Bulma blinked. Did Vegeta know something she did not? Bulma stood up and walked around the wall to look at Mieke. Mieke sighed and watched Bulma come around the wall. Bulma took in the former queen's appearance with rather narrowed eyes.

Mieke was shadow of her former self. Her muscle mass had been greatly reduced. She hardly resembled a Saiyan anymore. She had various bandages on her arms and legs from where she had clawed at herself. But, to Bulma, she was no less beautiful. Bulma kneeled down on the wet tile floor in front of Mieke.

"What is going on?" Bulma asked. Mieke smiled weakly.

"I saw Vegeta. I guess he was on his way to fight and made a little detour. Why do you think I'm here?" Mieke watched Bulma raise an eyebrow. The elder woman sighed. "I'm dying, Bulma. I'll be dead within a couple of days, actually. I just wanted to come home before that happened."

Bulma rocked back on her legs for a moment. She finally fell over to sit on them in shock, still staring blankly at Mieke. It had taken a moment for her words to sink in, but they sunk in no less. Now all Bulma had to do was comprehend them. She started to shake her head.

"No. That's not true, Mieke. You can't be dying. You're a Saiyan. You're Vegeta's mother. You can't die. You're... You're..."

"... invincible?" Mieke laughed. "How I wish that were true, Bulma. Vegeta knows I'm dying, Bulma. He knew it the minute he found out I was sick. I knew it the minute I found out I was sick. Once Saiyans get sick, we usually don't recover easily."

"I refuse to accept that," Bulma said stubbornly. Mieke sighed and shook her head.

"You have to and you will. I'm sure you have heard it before. Death is a part of life, yadda yadda yadda. I will be perfectly fine, believe me. Besides," Mieke took a deep breath, "you have no idea how much pain I'm in right now," she whispered. Bulma blinked again.

"Pain?"

"Yes, Bulma. Pain. I have a great threshold for pain. Most Saiyans do. But the agony I experience sometimes brings tears to my eyes. I've cried once in my life. I haven't all out bawled yet, but I'm coming close to it." Mieke lowered her head. Curiosity got the best of Bulma. She cleared her throat and clasped her hands together.

"I'm interested to know what made you cry the first time," Bulma said. Mieke smirked and looked up at her.

"I thought you'd ask." Mieke fixed the towel that was wrapped around her body. "You can thank your husband for that one," she said. Bulma's eyes widened.

"What did he do to make you cry?" she asked, thoroughly interested. Mieke smiled and looked up at the ceiling.

"When Vegeta was young, he was mischievous. He and his little playmate, Kakarrot, were always getting into trouble. They always played jokes on anyone and everyone. It usually was on the guards, though. You know; never to anyone of significance. They thought it would be a riot to play a joke on me one day when Vegeta was eight. Kakarrot was about seven."

"I thought they never played jokes on anyone of significance," Bulma said. Mieke shrugged.

"I guess it was time to step up to the big time." Mieke smiled. "Well, I was in my greenhouse when Kakarrot comes running in. He's utterly hysterical. He's screaming frantically that someone has attacked Vegeta in the garden just outside. So, I tell him to take me Vegeta first. The only thing I can think of is Vegeta. When we get there, Vegeta is on the grass, a hole in his armor, with what looks like blood dripping out of it. He also has this red stuff coming out of his mouth. He looks up at me, eyes glassy, and mumbles something. I say I can't hear him. He says that it's just a..." Mieke stopped and looked at Bulma.

"What a jerk!" Bulma yelled. Mieke laughed.

"I didn't finish, Bulma. Anyway, he sits up quickly, and says that it's just a joke. He and Kakarrot start laughing. All I can do is sit there, startled. Then it dawns on me what just occurred. I grab him by the scruff of his neck and make him look at me. I've never struck fear in my son, but I did at that moment. I told him that if he ever played a sick trick like that on me again, I would really kill him. Vegeta then asked me what was wrong with my eyes. I released him and told both him and Kakarrot to get lost."

"So, you were crying while threatening your child's life?" Bulma asked.

"I suppose so. I have no idea why I started to cry. I sat in the garden after that and continued to wipe my face for a good fifteen minutes," Mieke said.

"You were terrified of losing your son. It's natural to be scared, especially when he was so young. But, that was a pretty sick joke, even for Vegeta." Bulma laughed. "Why did you bring all those roses?"

"For my display," Mieke answered. Bulma looked confused. Before she could answer, Mieke held up a hand and shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough. Just let Crenia handle it." Bulma nodded. Mieke watched Bulma in silence and noticed her fidgeting. "You are pondering something else."

"Uh... no," Bulma said.

"It wasn't a question."

"What does 'haj-dee' mean?" Bulma asked quickly. Mieke stared at her for a moment. It was as if she was trying to figure out what Bulma had just said. She managed to put two and two together and almost laughed and Bulma's pronunciation of the word.

"You just butchered that word," she said, concealing a giggle. Bulma frowned. "I thought you were the smart one. Vegeta never told you how to read our language?"

"He taught me the basics. Can you just explain to me what it is?" Bulma asked. Mieke raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I don't know, Mieke. To be a better queen, I guess. It would help if I knew at least some war protocol, wouldn't it? Right now, I don't know any. You knew it all, didn't you?" Bulma asked. Mieke smirked.

"I'm a Saiyan, Bulma. It's all I knew. I lived and breathed war until I became queen." Mieke sighed. "First of all, the word is pronounced 'high-day.' It's sort of a command to rise and a challenge to fight. It's when a signal is given for the battle to begin in a..." Mieke seemed to be searching for the right word. Bulma already knew what she was talking about.

"A disrespectful way, I presume?" she said. Mieke nodded. "I figured as much. What would be considered disrespectful?"

"Usually, we send someone to negotiate the terms of battle." Mieke nearly laughed at Bulma's face. "Yes, we negotiate terms. We just don't slaughter each other. What are we? Animals? But if our negotiator is hurt, dies, or the deal goes sour, this is considered a hajde. Got it?"

"So far. Are there any other ways?"

"Loads. Taking hostages is one. For instance, if Frieza took you as a hostage before battle started, this would be considered a hajde and Vegeta and Cooler could do whatever to him, no holds barred. You've seen how Vegeta does his 'diplomacy.' He's a strategic fighter."

A long silence followed after that. Bulma stared at the tiled floor, thinking intensely about Vegeta. Then she looked up at Mieke. Her mother-in-law was leaning heavily against the wall with her eyes closed. Her head had rolled to the side. Bulma crawled forward and looked into Mieke's face.

"Mieke?" she said. Mieke did not move. Bulma's breathing became faster. "Mieke?" she said louder. Mieke still did not move. Bulma reached out to shake the unmoving woman. Before she could touch her, Mieke opened her eyes and looked at Bulma. Bulma slumped back on her legs and sighed relief.

"I was just resting. I'm not dead," Mieke yawned, "yet." She smiled. Bulma rolled her eyes and stood up.

"I don't find that funny at all. You and Vegeta have sick, twisted senses of humor," she said. Mieke just shrugged. Bulma shook her head. "I'm going now. I will be back later to see you."

"Before you go, my queen, what will you do once I am gone?" Mieke asked. Bulma blinked.

"I..." Bulma stopped. Mieke smirked.

"I thought so. You plan on going to him, don't you?" she asked. Bulma turned her head to retort. Mieke shook her head. "Hey! I obviously won't be here to stop you. Just think before you act. There is an empire to care for, a son to raise, and a war to fight."

"I'll keep that in mind," Bulma said quietly before exiting the steaming sauna.


Vegeta's pod docked with the main ship in the fleet. Kakarrot was waiting when he stepped out of it. He waited for the wave of vertigo to pass before looking up at the taller Saiyan. Kakarrot had the ever-present smile on his face and was beaming it down at Vegeta. Rolling his eyes, Vegeta started walking.

"I see my ship is still intact," Vegeta said.

"What's that supposed to mean, Vegeta? Why wouldn't it be?" Kakarrot asked. He sounded almost hurt.

"I didn't hurt your feelings, did I Kakarrot?" Vegeta asked snidely. Kakarrot sighed and crossed his arms. Vegeta shook his head and kept walking. "How much longer until we've reached Namek?"

"About a week. Our radar isn't picking up anything on the planet other than the Nameks. It doesn't look like Frieza has arrived yet," Kakarrot said. Vegeta halted and faced Kakarrot.

"What?" he asked.

"It doesn't appear that Frieza is on the planet yet. We might beat him there," Kakarrot said. He noticed the look on Vegeta's face. "What's wrong, Vegeta?"

"Scan the entire quadrant for any of Frieza's ships. I want to know how far away he is," Vegeta said.

"Okay, Vegeta. Oh, and Bulma sent a message to you while you were gone," Kakarrot said. Vegeta nodded.


Crenia watched Mieke stare outside at the crescent moon. She had managed to stand upright on her own for a while. She had been doing nothing but standing there for about an hour. Finally, Crenia stepped forward and walked up next to Mieke.

"Mieke, why won't you go to your bed? You're only tiring yourself out," Crenia said. Mieke cracked a lopsided smile, but did not look at Crenia. Before she said anything, Bulma walked in, wearing a mask. "Your majesty, do something," Crenia said.

"Mieke, why won't you stop this? What's wrong with your bed?" Bulma asked, stepping up next to the former queen.

"If you two had seen what I've seen from that bed, you wouldn't want to get in it, either," Mieke said cryptically. Crenia and Bulma exchanged perplexed looks. Finally, Mieke sighed and turned around. She sauntered to the bed and sat on it. "Yes. I've seen very frightening things from this bed." Mieke laid back and sighed. She closed her eyes and appeared to fall asleep. Bulma turned toward Crenia.

"Make sure she stays there all night. I don't want her up and about through the night. I also don't want to have to resort to strapping her down," Bulma said. Crenia nodded slowly, still looking at Mieke. Bulma left the room.

"Somehow, I don't think you'll have to worry about that," Crenia whispered.


Vegeta shut off the message that Bulma had sent him. She had really laid into him about leaving her alone on Vegeta-sei. Her shrieking probably would have destroyed his eardrums had he been there in person to hear it. Smirking to himself, he sat down on his bed and relaxed his shoulders.

They would be on Namek in less than a week. Vegeta was sure that the Elder Namek could feel what was about to happen on the planet. The king would hate to be the bearer of bad news. The last time he was on the planet, he had noticed that it was not the most populous of planets.

I might actually have time to gather them up and place within the perimeter we set up. That way I won't have to worry about "protecting" them, Vegeta thought. He lay back on the bed and shut his eyes. Right before sleep overtook him, a soft knock came at his door. Sighing, Vegeta stood and walked over to it.

"What?" he asked gruffly as the door slid open. Kakarrot was standing there. He paused when he saw the look on the taller Saiyan's face. Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "Don't even say it." Vegeta walked away from the door. He purposely left it open. Kakarrot stood in the entryway for a moment before stepping inside.

Vegeta sat on his bed, staring at the floor. Somehow, he already knew what Kakarrot had come to tell him. He did not want to hear the words. He did not need to hear them. The knowledge would sink in eventually. The young king would come to terms with it the only way he knew how: by beating the living crap out of something or someone.

"Are you okay, Vegeta?" Kakarrot asked.

"Peachy, Kakarrot. Why are you still here?" Vegeta asked brusquely.

"Because," Kakarrot sat next to him, "I'm your friend," he said in an almost happy tone. Vegeta glared at him. Kakarrot gave him a lopsided grin. Vegeta just sighed and looked away.

"Whatever."


The glass sarcophagus was surrounded by roses. The former queen was encased in the sarcophagus, looking as serene as ever. Her wine-colored hair framed her face. A slight smirk graced her features. She had been dressed in a dress the color of her hair. Everything was done exactly as Mieke had wanted it done; Crenia had seen to that. The area had not yet been open to the public for them to pay their respects, though.

Bulma sat on the floor of the large room, twenty feet from the enormous display. She was staring at it with silent tears running down her face. She still could not believe that Mieke was really gone.

Has this really happened? she asked herself. Bulma was so abstracted by her feelings that she did not notice when Bardock came up behind her.

"She is beautiful, even in death," he said rather gruffly. Bulma jumped and began wiping the tears away hastily. She watched him approach the glass casket that held Mieke. "She was the perfect Saiyan woman," Bardock said.

It suddenly dawned on Bulma why Mieke had always seemed to hold Bardock in such high regard. Bardock had always seemed somewhat attached to Mieke as well, though he tried desperately to keep it hidden. Bulma's eyes widened.

"You loved her?" Bulma whispered. Bardock turned to face her. A cynical smile was on his face.

"Such a forbidden thing would have been traitorous. But, how could I not when she loved me just the same?" he said dryly.

"So why weren't you two together?"

"Mieke had the professed 'providential' fate of catching the future king's eye. Once that happens, there isn't much one can do." Bardock sighed. "Doesn't matter now. She learned to care for the king and I found a wife. If that hadn't happened, Kakarrot and your husband wouldn't be here, would they? I suppose everything worked out for the best."

"At the expense of your happiness," Bulma whispered. If Bardock heard her, he did not respond. Instead, he just looked back at Mieke's still body. After a moment of silence, he looked back at Bulma.

"What are you doing hiding in here, your majesty? Do you not have duties you should be attending to?" he asked. Bulma glanced back at him.

"Other than the normal things that I have already gotten out of the way, no. Can't a woman mourn in peace?" Bulma asked. Bardock stalked over to her. He stepped directly in front of her and stood for a moment. Bulma rose to her feet and stared up at him. "What is it?"

"You know exactly what I am talking about, your majesty. You know you have something to do." Bardock stepped around her. "What it is, I leave to you," he said quietly.

Bulma pondered his words for a moment. She heard him leave and walked over to the glass sarcophagus. As she stared down at Mieke, her eyes welled up with tears again. She wondered what Vegeta was thinking at the moment. She'd honestly never seen him sad before. It was not an emotion that Vegeta portrayed. Then her mind wandered back to Bardock's cryptic words. Bulma ran a hand through her long hair.

"I wish everyone would stop speaking in riddles to me," she said. "I just want a simple, meaningful answer that I can understand. I may be smart, but I'm a scientist. I'm not a philosopher," she said. Bulma stared down at Mieke's face.

What would you have me do?


Piccolo stood outside his Elder's home on Namek. He watched as several ships entered the atmosphere of the planet. Frowning, he stalked back inside the house of the Elder. Nail and the two young ones were inside, sitting beside the Elder.

"I assume they have arrived, Piccolo?" Nail asked while standing. Piccolo nodded.

"More than I expected. Elder, can you tell who it is exactly?" Piccolo asked. The Elder was silent for a moment.

"The Saiyan king and that alien who abducted the queen. I believe there has been some sort of pact made between them." The Elder paused. "We should expect a visit from the Saiyan king within the hour. Though, I fear something awful will happen within the coming weeks," he said. Piccolo looked over at Nail. Nail just shrugged.


Vegeta stepped off his ship and looked around. He had instructed his men to remain on their ships for the time being. None of Cooler's men had left their ships, either. For the moment, the king would be making this trip alone. Vegeta placed a scouter over his right eye and turned it on. He located the Elder Namek almost instantly and took off in the direction of his home.

Vegeta had never flown so fast in his life. Perhaps it was to release some of the anguish he felt from losing his mother. All he knew was that he arrived at the Elder's home in less than ten minutes; it was nearly a fourth of the way around the planet and should've taken at least forty-five minutes. When he landed, he created a small crater and actually had to steady himself.

Calm yourself. You don't want to scare the woman's friends, he thought. Vegeta took four deep breaths and approached the front door. Before he could knock, the door swung open to reveal Nail.

"We've been expecting you, King Vegeta," Nail said. Vegeta raised an eyebrow as Nail stepped to the side to allow him entrance.


Bulma sat up in a cold sweat. The half moon of Vegeta-sei shone through the terrace doors. She looked to her right and saw that Trunks was still asleep beside her. Since Vegeta had left, Trunks had refused to sleep in his nursery for some reason. He would cry and cry until she let him sleep with her.

But, it was not Trunks Bulma had just had a nightmare about. In fact, she had not dreamed of her son at all. It was Vegeta whose life she feared for. Bulma put a hand to her chest and saw how fast her heart was beating. It felt as though she had been running for miles. As she stared at Trunks, she was torn on what to do.

What can I do? I'm just a human. I don't have all the power like they do. I'd just be in the way, she thought. But, something told her otherwise. The little voice in the back of her mind yelled that her help was indeed needed. She would be useful; more useful than even she thought.

"But why?" Bulma whispered. "Why would they need me if they have Vegeta? What will happen to him?"


Frieza stared down at Gero's plan. It was virtually foolproof. He had no idea how the great doctor knew so much about the Saiyan war modus operandi, but he grateful that he did. This would greatly make all this waiting worth the trouble.

"This plan should bring the queen out of her hiding, Frieza. We both know how noble she is. She wouldn't dare go against her code," Gero said. Frieza nodded.

"For your sake, you had better be right." Frieza looked out at the androids. They were undergoing some sort of charging process. Frieza looked confused for a moment. "So, do they have any sort of weakness I should be worried about?" he asked. Gero swallowed and shook his head.

"Of course not. They're invincible. Those Saiyans and your brother won't know what to do. They have inexhaustible power. Even if there is a Saiyan with enough power to destroy one, there are too many androids for one of them to take out," Gero said.

"You had better be right," Frieza said quietly. "We're seven weeks away from Namek. I'm sure the bratty monkey king won't like that I'm overdue."


Bulma had been surprised at how easily Chichi had consented to her departure to Namek. No had seemed surprised that the human queen was leaving at all. Brolly had only demanded that he accompany her along with some of her lab technicians and Crenia. Bulma had been ready for some sort of resistance, but when none came, she was dumbfounded.

"What's the deal?" she asked.

"We know you, Bulma. We knew you were going to do this before you did. I'll keep Trunks until both you and Vegeta return." Chichi had avoided Bulma's eyes while saying the last sentence. She took the Saiyan prince from Bulma and stepped back. Bulma looked at her son. Trunks seemed to realize what was happening, but did not cry. He just frowned in a Vegeta-like manner and waved. Bulma blew a kiss at him.

"Yeah. We'll be back, Cheech. Count on it," Bulma said before turning to board her ship.


AN: I'm so sorry for how long I took to update. I am ashamed. Seriously, I am. But, Wimbledon 2008 had me HOOKED (did you all see that Gentlemen's final this past Sunday? Can you say EPIC?). But on the real-real. I'm nearing the end, and if you hate the way I leave cliffhangers now, you'll hate the way I end this story...

DEUCES!!