Ch. 3
I won't be a sucker.
I'll never be your lover.
I'd rather make you suffer,
You stupid Mother-fucker.
-Son of a Gun, Janet Jackson (this song is now my theme song.)
Krista awoke with a distinct feeling of nausea. She remembered what had transpired the day before and wasn't looking too forward to fighting Burter.
A look at the shift monitor told her she didn't have long until she was due in the Command Centre. Sighing, she flung herself out of the bed and into the shower.
"Sir?"
Frieza looked up sharply. "What is it?"
"I'm getting a report of something wrong in Section 13."
Frieza frowned. "Son of a-Zarbon!"
Zarbon nodded. "On it." He hurried out.
Make sure you tell me what's going on!
Are humans always so nosy?
Oh definitely! That's why we invented the telephone, television, internet and term "voyeur".
And you wonder why your planet is in trouble.
I ought to introduce you to talk shows sometime.
Zarbon rolled his eyes as he hurried to Section 13, passing a black being on the way. The Captain said hi to him, but he paid it absolutely no mind. He had an idea he already knew what was wrong.
As he entered Section 13, he saw that he had been right. A fight had broken out among a few members of the Ginyu once again. Jeice and Racoom were scuffling, while Guido and Burter looked on in amusement. Racoom knocked the smaller being into the wall next to the entrance as Zarbon had entered. Guido cast two of his eyes on Zarbon and grinned.
"Frieza sent the pansy to stop you guys," he said. Burter grinned too.
"Come to separate them?" He chuckled. "Good luck."
Zarbon snarled. But Burter had a point. Despite his boasting to Krista, he wasn't as much of a match for the Ginyu as he'd said.
I'll be sure to remember that, Commander.
Perfect, Krista was still listening in on his thoughts. Sighing, he grabbed Jeice by the arm as the Ginyu member launched himself at Racoom. He was immediately thrown back into the doorway as Jeice flung him off and hit Racoom in the gut. Zarbon shook his head in a feeble attempt to clear it.
This was going to be fun.
Would you like some help? Krista's thoughts were ripe with amusement. Zarbon shook his head visibly in response to her question.
Last thing I need is for the new girl to save my ass.
Suit yourself. Some of you guys seem to love the healing tanks.
Shut up.
He could see Krista shrugging in his mind's eye and he knew she'd closed the connection. He began to gear up for a blast when a figure came into the room behind him. It brushed past him and stood by the battling Ginyu members. The looked up sheepishly and backed off from each other, still bristling but no longer fighting. Zarbon scowled as a smug grin played across the face of Captain Ginyu.
"I'll deal with you two later," Ginyu said to Jeice and Racoom. He then turned to Zarbon in a very self-satisfied way.
"Tell Frieza I've got all of this under control."
Zarbon nodded, turned and left without a single word, his fingers flexing as he did so. He was itching to put them around Ginyu's throat and choke that god damn smug look off of his face. He returned to the Command Centre and tried his best to look calm and unbothered.
"Captain Ginyu has everything under control," he reported. Frieza frowned again but said nothing.
Okay, what happened?
What do you mean? Zarbon had meant to keep his anger out of his thoughts but he found there was no way.
It's showing up all over your face. You're pissed.
So much for calm.
That fucking idiot Ginyu.
Captain Ginyu?
No, Zarbon thought involuntarily. My pet chibling. Yes, Captain!
Krista actually turned and gave him a nasty look.
It's not my fault if Captain Ginyu shoved a bug up your ass. Just don't take it out on me. I didn't do anything to you.
Zarbon knew he should have squashed it, never even dared to think it. But he couldn't help himself.
No, nothing…unless you count my humiliation at nearly being beaten by a little wench, then being assigned to protect someone I'd rather fuc-
Krista's eyes flashed. It was as if she'd actually slapped him across the face-his head turned with the force. He could feel her indignant eyes on him as he turned his back to her and began to do some busywork.
Fuck you, She thought at him venomously. Zarbon couldn't stop himself. Nor did he try.
You first.
He felt the connection sever abruptly. He shook his head and sighed. He shouldn't have lost his cool, not like that. But then again, what did she expect? Smart ass human. He shrugged. He was better off.
Burter grinned as he entered the arena. Krista was already standing there, waiting. And she looked mad. Good, he thought to himself. She'll be careless and make mistakes.
Zarbon was the ref. He looked disdainfully at Burter, and very quickly at Krista, as if he were truly trying to avoid looking at her.
"Fighters," he said. "Begin!"
Burter launched himself into the air, Krista following. He flew straight at her, making her gasp and veer off. He grinned. Perfect. He teleported behind her and hit her hard between the shoulder blades, sending her smashing into the ground below. He smirked as the dust rose beneath him.
"I expected better."
"Well, I hate to disappoint."
Burter never quite knew what hit him as he went barrelling into the crater Krista had just created. He looked up to see Krista about half a second away from sending him to another dimension. He teleported out of the way just as she landed her punch. He appeared twenty feet above her and she went after him. The two began to battle, each blocking the other's attacks for about half a minute until Burter kicked her in the head.
She went spiralling sideways but recovered quickly and smirked. Burter found himself unable to move a limb as Krista flew up to him and, bringing her fists together, hit him on the back of the head. As Burter began to fall, she kneed him in what may or may not have been the gut. Burter fell, fetal position and all, to the ground. After a few seconds, he got to his feet and looked up to see Krista had landed and sat down on the ground. She smiled at him in an annoyingly innocent manner. Burter snarled and aimed his largest blast at her. As the dust cleared, and he saw the trench he had made, he began to laugh crazily.
"Having fun?"
He started and turned. Krista was floating right behind him upside down. She grinned and backhanded him across the face. Burter grabbed for her but she had already removed herself from his reach and was now on the other side of him. She smirked and kicked Burter in the butt.
Burter rounded on her and looked about ready to throttle her when she kicked him in what definitely was not the gut. Burter doubled over again and fell. This time, he did not stir again. Zarbon, who throughout this had watched with an increasing level of amusement, nodded.
"Krista wins."
The area around her burst into cheers as she walked over to Burter. She knelt by his head and saw that he was conscious. She bent low to his ear.
"That rough enough for you?"
She smirked again and walked away, swaying her hips in a very provocative manner. As she began to receive congratulations all around, she looked at Zarbon. His face was carefully guarded. He simply nodded his congratulations and turned to leave.
You owe me, Zarbon.
She could feel Zarbon's amusement.
Is it an apology you want?
Krista didn't answer. Zarbon let a grin filter across his face.
All right. I'm sorry you didn't kill the bastard. That good enough?
Krista's eyes narrowed. I can easily see if that part of your anatomy is as sensitive, Commander.
Zarbon smirked, turned and walked away.
