Chapter Three

"We'll have a tournament. Everyone will be invited to enter- even the Outlanders. The prize will be well worth the try- if one thinks they can win," Vegeta mused.

Bulma yawned, "I doubt anyone would be able to beat Gohan-san, Trunks-kun, or Goten-kun, even if they are Saiya-jin."

"Then they will not enter- and if they do, it will be understood that they'll lose."

Bulma laughed, "You- let your son- no, make your son lose?"

Vegeta shrugged, "An alliance with the Outlanders must remain a priority. It's not that I want my son to lose- just that it may be necessary."

A knock on the door to Vegeta's office was greeted by the whirring of hydraulics as the door slid open. Trunks stood there dressed in the high-collared jacket that he wore formally.

"Son," Vegeta said, "what do you think about hosting a tournament?"

Trunks shrugged, "I- I don't know, tousan. Why would we host a tournament?"

"Where's your sister?" Bulma interrupted.

"With the nanny," Trunks replied as though Bulma should know full well where she was, "Pan's with her as well."

"As I was saying," Vegeta began tersely, "a tournament- inviting the Outlanders as well might put us on friendlier terms."

Trunks shrugged, "I suppose. Isn't this what Gohan-san is for? To ask about these things?"

Vegeta frowned deeply, "One day you will be expected to rule, son. You must learn how."

Trunks said nothing, just stared past his father, looking out the window to the blue sky outside. He'd rather be anywhere but here.

"I'll have the tournament announced. You will be entering of course, but only because everyone will expect that you'll enter. But you will not win."

Trunks looked at his father, his blue eyes flaring, "Who said I wanted to enter?"

"You'll do as I say!"

Trunks swallowed, cursing under his breath, "Hai, tousan."

He pivoted, leaving the room.

"I have no idea what to do with that boy," Vegeta growled.

Bulma began massaging his shoulders, "He's just left the only place he's known and been forced to come here. Give him some time. Soon, he'll see that this place has more to offer than Chickyuu."

"I hope so. I just hope we all survive long enough to see it."

Spinning, Trunks kicked the training drone into the wall, watching as it shattered in a spray of nuts, bolts, and metal. Tiny beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead and began falling slowly down. He wiped them away before they could sting his eyes, and jumped into the air, launching a ki blast at another drone, vaporizing it. Landing, he didn't even seem winded- the heavy breathing was more from frustration than exertion.

Kakarroto noticed this from the control room and frowned. The daily training sessions seemed to take on a forced quality- like his student didn't want to be there, didn't even want to be on this planet for that matter. This worried him- after all, the prince was a childhood friend of his son and despite obvious class differences, the families were intertwined.

"Maybe he'd like to spar with a real opponent," Goten offered.

Kakarroto looked at his son then nodded slightly, "It certainly wouldn't hurt."

Goten descended the dark stairway into the training room and pushed open the door, "Konnichiwa, Trunks-kun."

Trunks looked at him but didn't say anything. Goten knew that Trunks wasn't happy here- but that didn't mean he couldn't try to at least pretend.

"Want to spar?"

Trunks shrugged, "I suppose I have to."

Goten's eyes flared, "You don't have to do anything! I just thought-"

He was cut off by an aggressive punch to his cheek, which he narrowly avoided, jumping back and kicking. Trunks ducked, bringing his arm up to block the kick, twisting his body to bring up his leg. He connected and heard the smacking sound as Goten backed off, rubbing his ribs.

"Hey, take it easy!"

"Gomen," Trunks said, as they squared off again, "don't be such a baby."

"We'll see who the baby is, Trunks-kun!"

With that, they both launched into a flurry of attacks- some that would connect and others that wouldn't. They continued this until they both collapsed on the floor. Goten looked at Trunks and sighed.

"I know that you hate it here, but you might as well make the best of it."

Trunks said nothing, but got up and opened the door to the training room, walking out. Goten stood and looked up at the window in the control room. His father frowned again, shaking his head as he turned and departed.

HOUSE KOLD

Freeza grinned at his father, "They're holding a tournament? What a perfect opportunity for us."

"Yes, that traitor- our valuable traitor- said that the entire planet has been invited to enter," King Kold smiled a vacant, evil smile.

Freeza's smile deepened, "And I shall finally have what belongs to me and we'll wipe the Saiya-jin off the map."

King Kold chuckled, "All in good time, Freeza my boy, all in good time."

THE OUTLANDRERS

Soren was concerned. Not only had Skye not returned that night, she hadn't been seen either. He'd sent out a search party, but if she had gone into the city- then it would be impossible to find her.

She was getting older- expecting to be able to do as she wished. It wasn't that she couldn't- it was that Soren was too protective of her. His wife hadn't been able to give him a child, so when he'd been asked to care for his niece, he raised her as though she were his. He had genuine fatherly concern for her, maybe a little too much.

His wife hadn't taken to the girl- and had conceived, but she and the child had died in childbirth. It left Soren with an empty heart and Skye had been the child to fill that void. That and a promise he'd made to his brother was what tied him to the girl, seeking to protect her at all costs.

She moved easily through the crowded streets of the city, taking in the sights. Rarely had she gone into the city and hadn't done so in recent memory. Of course, when House Kold was here, it was nearly impossible to go into the city without being found out and killed. Perhaps things had changed as leadership changed.

She wore her undersuit- a tight sheath of clothing from neck to toe that fit inside her hard suit, allowing nerve connections and plumbing connections, that while uncomfortable, were necessary. They made underwater travel possible for long stretches at a time- a necessity when the place you lived was nearly covered in water.

She stopped to examine some jewelry from a nearby merchant. The old woman peddling her wares smiled. Skye quickly put the trinket down, moving on.

Trunks walked with Goten, squeezing their way through the main thoroughfare of pedestrians. Finally having some time to explore the city during the day, they stopped and bought some local food- a huge slab of meat from some creature. Trunks stopped, waiting as Goten looked at some combat suits- made in the style they usually wore. That was when she caught his eye.

She moved through the city with an air of confidence. Not only had she attracted Trunks' gaze, she had attracted others' as well. Trunks could here bits and pieces of conversation, broken up like static in a radio.

"... nice piece of Outlander ass there..."

"... not bad, for an Outlander..."

Trunks elbowed Goten, who turned and saw the same thing, "An Outlander! In the city! That's... well, odd."

Trunks tried to pull his eyes away- to not stare- but couldn't. Especially when he noticed a small band of men- three or four in al- following her. He and Goten looked at each other.

"Let's see what happens, Trunks-kun," Goten said, "they could just be going the same way."

An opening between buildings allowed the men their chance and they surrounded her, pushing her into the narrow alleyway. Trunks and Goten looked at each other and began pushing their way through the crowd. As they arrived where they had last seen her or the men, one of the men landed at their feet, unconscious. The crowd gathered just at the opening, trying to catch a glimpse.

"Let go of me!" she said, and Trunks immediately recognized the voice.

He started into the space, but nearly immediately had to jump up to avoid the sailing body of yet another assailant.

"Damn, this girl is good," he thought to himself.

A bright light lit up the shadows and the other two came sailing out as well, and Trunks ran in, hoping to find her. He saw her for a moment, and their eyes met. Recognition lit hers and she smiled slightly before taking off into the air. Trunks took off after her, followed shortly by Goten. She looked over her shoulder and frowned. Pressing a button on a bracelet she wore, she was surrounded by a metal chassis.

"Stealth mode on," she whispered.

The suit immediately responded, changing to the exact color of the sky. Trunks and Goten pulled up, looking at each other.

"Was that Allegra?" Trunks asked.

Goten shook his head, "No. I've never seen her before."

THE OUTLANDERS

Soren looked at her, trying to control his anger, "You what?!"

"I went into the city. The King Vegeta is holding a tournament. All are invited to attend."

"No one from this tribe will enter."

"But, Soren-san! I have a chance- at least-"

He shook his head, "Don't defy me on this one, Skye. Not this time."

"Why not! It seems perfectly safe."

"You can not fight with your suit on, Skye. That will make a difference."

"I can fight well without it."

Soren sighed, "Not well enough. You're lucky I don't thrash you for your disappearing act. Now, get inside. Dinner is waiting."

Reluctantly, Skye did as he said. Even though she knew she could best Soren on any day- she was stronger than he was; he was her guardian and owed him at least that respect. She was still trying to think of a way to enter the contest, though.

Her answer came when Perge arrived- a member of their tribe who worked in the palace. He was the one who told them of the traitor.

"Evening, Perge," Soren said, taking in a mouthful of meat.

"Soren-sama," he said, "you've heard of this tournament?"

Soren glanced at Skye and nodded, "Hai. I don't want anyone from this tribe participating."

"I understand, however, the traitor has let a common enemy know of the tournament. I fear that they may choose that time to strike."

Soren shrugged, "It is none of our concern."

"I believe it is, leader," Perge said, "they've tried to become friends with us at least- they haven't hunted us for sport as the Ginyu did. If we do not take sides on this one- then House Kold will surely come back here."

Soren considered it a moment, "House Kold may not even return for the tournament."

"I have reason to believe they will- what better time to attack House Vegeta than when a tournament is going on?"

"He's right, Soren-san," Skye said quietly, "can we not at least go watch the tournament- in case something happens?"

Soren put down his cup of coffee, then looked at Perge, "How do the other members of the tribe feel about this?"

"They are in agreement. Most of them wish to be on friendly terms with House Vegeta. We are all, after all, Saiya-jin."



Trunks lay back in bed, his arms crossed behind his head. He stared up at the black ceiling, sleep evading him. The encounter today had intrigued him- even in the royal palace females were rarely trained as warriors. Some were- those that had nothing else they could do. In House Vegeta, a servant (not a slave) could be many things. The males were technicians, soldiers, trainers, and sometimes, advisors. The females were cooks, cleaners, concubines, teachers, and rarely, soldiers.

The Outlander girl today was highly trained- and skilled in fighting. When he asked Kakarroto, he said it was due to House Kold's control of the planet. House Kold's Ginyu force sometimes hunted the Outlanders for sport. So, Outlanders trained from an early age to fight. Their powered suits were still a mystery, but it was known that they greatly enhanced their fighting ability.

Trunks sighed, blinking, unable to sleep. He wondered if she would be entering the tournament- she would certainly have a chance- since he'd seen her defeat three males nearly twice her size without any effort at all. Somewhere, deep in his psyche, he wanted to fight her- he thought it led way back in their ancestry- to when the man claimed the woman after winning her in a fight. If the woman could defeat the man, she didn't have to become his mate, however, that rarely occurred.

Still, she was the first to catch his eye on this miserable planet. Even though he hadn't seen much of her, just her profile. She had the long, jet-black hair, common to most Saiya-jin that hung straight down to the middle of her back. Rather than looking spiky and coarse, like Kakarroto's family, and his own fathers, it seemed soft and flowing.

"What are you thinking?" he murmured to himself, "You haven't even really seen her."

But he had seen her, when she looked over her shoulder at him just before disappearing. He replayed the moment over again in his mind, remembering the fierce eyes- violet colored, yet another oddity for a Saiya-jin. Full, crimson lips, and a pale, cream complexion that was almost ethereal.

For the first time since he'd arrived on Vegeta-sei, Trunks was beginning to feel like he could possibly belong there.