Part 4 – the arrival
'Rioni stared out at the blue
planet below lost in thought. They had
arrived at Varlia only moments before and now were in orbit. Lord Frieza's ship was on the surface, their
sensors told them. She wondered what he
could be up to. *Well, I'm not going to
find out by just standing here.*
She walked out of her chamber
with a determined look. She had come to
a decision.
"Asper, round your warriors and
head for the palace. I'll head toward
Lord Frieza's vessel."
He raised a questioning
eyebrow. She ignored him. He did not pursue his unspoken
question. She made her way toward her
pod. He made his way toward the central
room to inform his troop. Before he
completely disappeared around the corner she took the chance to look at him
once more. This may well be the last
time she would see him.
"Good luck," she whispered then
quickly straightened up with a half-embarrassed expression coloring her round
race. She silently cursed herself for
showing weakness even if no one was present.
A Saiyan warrior was proud, tough, and fierce. Love was an unnecessary evil.
"Computer, enter these
coordinates and launch immediately," she spoke authoritatively. It obeyed her every command, as a machine
should. She sat back in her chair and
contemplated her upcoming actions. All
her life she had trained to become the best overcoming her lowly background as
the daughter of a weak third-class warrior.
Her strength was high enough to impress even the elite. They'd said she had potential and that kept
her going, pushing herself to new levels.
Of course, she was no match for Lord Frieza. But she was willing to risk her life to defend her homeworld and
the Prince. It would be an honor to die
in such a glorious battle.
Suddenly the silence was broken
by an intercom transmission. "Captain
Irioni," a male-voice filtered through her brain.
Leaning forward she tapped the
nearby button. "Yes? What is it?"
There was a pause before he
continued. "Be careful," he said
tersely. The tone held no hint of
emotion. Saiyans were infamous for
being stoic, but still her breath caught in her throat.
"You too," she said barely
managing to keep her voice steady. *Get
a hold of yourself.*
Another pause. This one was longer. "Watch out for his tail," he warned.
"I will," she answered. Where was this conversation going? "Is that all, Asper, or did you actually
have something important to tell me?" she tried to talk business. He wasn't helping matters much by getting
her all emotional before the battle.
Big pause. "Rini," he used his pet name for her. "Come back alive, huh? Asper, over and out." The transmission ended with a click. She sat frozen for a minute, her mental
state in a whirl. *Why couldn't it have
been you Asper instead of that idiot Nappa who chased me that day? Then maybe I wouldn't feel this way. Or would it be worse…?*
EXECUTING LANDING SEQUENCE
BETA-2, the computer voiced interrupting her thoughts. *If I come through out of this…* No, she would worry about that later. If there was a later.
***
She tried to be brave but her
body still shook violently. The cell
she was in was small, dark and smelly.
For the past hour she'd had to fight the urge to puke, the smell of
urine, feces, and who knows what else being too much for her nose to
handle.
She was curled up in a corner as
far away from the smell as possible waiting…just waiting. No one had come for her yet and she hadn't
seen a soul since they put her in there.
His words kept ringing through her head…once they get through with you you'll wish you'd die…and she shuddered. She closed her eyes tight as if that would
somehow make this nightmare go away.
Her plan was flawless, she had thought.
They shouldn't have been able to detect her or her probe. Even with all the stories and warning she
had heard about Frieza, still she had underestimated him.
If you run into trouble don't expect me to come to your
rescue, woman…the
scene was clear as day in her terrified mind.
Not of the battle she had been engaged in because truth be told she wasn't
paying too much attention to it besides firing her blaster every once in a
while. Her main focus was her Saiyan
husband. Husband…it felt kind of
strange to think of Vegeta in that sense but that was what he was although they
had yet to consummate their marriage.
Not for the lack of desire that was for sure. She remembered well her burning liquid fire that almost made her
jump him in his sleep. Oh, how she
wished she could turn back time to that very moment. *I bet he tastes good.*
She imagined his powerful arms wrapped around her, his deft and nimble
hands stroking her soft belly, his head resting amidst her hair, his furry tail
wrapped around her thigh as if to stake his claim of her…
She scoffed even in her present misery. *He'd probably just do me hard and fall right
asleep.* It made her depressed to know
she may never experience that particular action with him. She had thought of him to be overly boastful
and proud to a fault. It hadn't
occurred to her until now that he was really a reflection of herself.
Don't be ridiculous,
Vegeta. You couldn't possibly defeat
all them by yourself…she had yelled at him and yet she had tried to do the
same. *We're so alike.* Was that why they fought like cats and dogs?
I've heard stories…She
wasn't sure now if it was a good thing he had not told her what might happen to
those that were captured. It had
allowed her overactive imagination to have free range of possible scenarios,
all of which more horrifying than the one before.
Well, don't expect me to scream for your help either,
Saiyan…she began
to sob softly. *I didn't mean it,
Vegeta. I didn't mean it. Please help me. I need you.*
But only darkness answered. She felt so alone, so unprotected. There was no hope. She
wasn't even sure if Vegeta cared she was gone. *But I never got to tell you…no I won't think about that. No one will know. No one…no one cares…*
She felt her sanity slowly slip from her and for a brief
second she contemplated just letting herself go. Go with the flow, her mind told her. But her heart said different.
She had to survive. There was no
way she was going to let that bastard of a husband get away from this sacred
marriage that easily. Of course she had
no way of knowing that Saiyans mate for life and Vegeta couldn't get a new mate
even if he wanted to. Not even her
death would free him but she didn't know their customs very well.
*Oh, Vegeta…you fucking bastard…why do I want you so much?*
***
His
head perked up in mid-flight. *I
thought I heard something.* He shook
his head in denial and continued on. He
had bigger things to worry about.
Kakarot was following him. He
didn't have to look back. *That
fool. He's going to get himself
killed.* But then again why should he
care? *I don't.*
He
shook his head. There was no time for
this. He had to prepare himself for the
upcoming battle, physically and mentally.
He didn't have time to let his mind wander, he didn't have time to let
himself think about that weakling, foolish Kakarot, he didn't have time to
worry about that bitch of a woman.
There was no time. He had to
fight. He had to win. He had to protect his loved ones.
Loved
ones?! Where the hell had that come
from?! He was getting distracted,
losing his focus. So much had happened
in the past few weeks it was hard to keep track. How long had he even been on this planet? If only he had more time in that gravity
chamber she had built for him…
Stop
it! He didn't want to think about
her. It had nearly killed him not to
touch her on their wedding night. She
had looked so beautiful, always was, but that night as she laid on her side
with her soft tressels lightly framing her angelic face and a small lock of
exotic blue hair hanging loose across her forehead he had desperately wanted to
reach over and pull it behind her ear.
Then he would have leaned forward and kissed that ear. Then kissed her cheek making his way to her
cute little nose and down to those luscious lips. But he would have lingered just above barely touching and she
would let out a little moan as she waited impatiently for him to finish what he
started. He would smirk and kiss her
gently on the lips, no tongue, then pull back.
Then he'd go down again and kiss for a little longer. Then a little longer, a little more
forceful, a little more passionate.
Then he'd…
*Kuso!* Vegeta couldn't believe he had let his
imagination run away from him like that.
His tight spandex pants felt even tighter although the pants had not
shrunk in size. *Argh! Woman, even when you're not here you mess
things up! If I get out of this…no when
I get out of this I swear by my ancestors and all your fucking ancestors that
I'll…* His mind started going down the
gutter again.
*Woman,
I hope you know what you are doing to me.
After all this is over you better watch out. I'll get you out of my system one way or another.* Or several ways actually. He had learned some new tricks when he used
to work for Frieza. Let's just say
those men really got around. But Vegeta
never tried. Not there anyways. Those prostitutes on board should've been
labeled with a big, red sticker that read 'Diseased.' Of course being a Saiyan he didn't have to worry about that but
still, they didn't appeal to him. Hell,
he doubted he could've even got it up.
*I'll
have you woman. You're mine. Don't forget that. Don't forget…the vows. I
will protect you until I have no breath in me.
Too bad you'll never know how deeply I feel…no one will. That's the way it has to be, for me.*
He
could see the ship faintly in the horizon.
They were almost there. It would
soon be time. The ultimate battle. The future depended on now, on him. Before kicking up his ki another notch to go
faster he had one last deep thought pass through his mind.
*Will
you mourn for me if I die? Will you
miss me? Will I ever see you again?*
Then
his mind shut and he became the ruthless fighter he was born to be, the cruel
fighter he was meant to be, the heartless fighter he was raised to be. All extraneous thoughts were gone and his
focus was back. The battle was what Saiyans
lived for. That was where his attention
was and would be until the end either by his death or Frieza's. Time was up.
***
He
heard a noise nearby, a sound he was all too familiar with but still brought a
smile to his face especially if he was the cause. He had thought that monkey's mate would have been tougher to
break but already she was in tears and all he had done so far is lock her
up. She was so weak. Her power level barely registered in his
sensor, which was why he had a hard time believing Ginyu's report. Vegeta couldn't possibly be attached to such
a pathetic creature. He would surely
crush her amidst their lovemaking if they had done it.
Was she
pure? Already she was being sought for
by his crew. Of course, it was up to
him to choose who would have the privilege of breaking her first. He might even try her out himself not
because he was interested but just to see the look on Vegeta's face when he
found out.
*Or
perhaps I should do it while he's watching.
What a delicious thought.*
"Zarbon,
I want Vegeta brought to me alive and conscious. Can you do that?" Frieza asked.
"Yes,
Lord Frieza. Right away," he answered
and left the room.
Frieza
sat back pondering what to do next. He
was not worried that his men would be able to take of the Saiyans back at the
palace although he only had half of them there. The other half had been sent on a grave mission. They should be finished by now and on route
back to this planet. He could just
imagine the look on Vegeta's face when he…or maybe he should tell the boy
himself? The girl could wait. Once Vegeta was lying in his own pool of
blood and vomit he would show that pesky Prince who was boss.
He
powered up his mechanical throne and glided through the interior of the ship
making his way to the ship's main entrance.
He would let Zarbon toy with the Prince and anyone else he brought with
him. Then it would be his turn to have
some fun. These foolish Saiyans. Did they really think they could defeat the
all-powerful Frieza?
*I'm
coming for you, Vegeta. I'm coming.*
***
"Kakarot
get out of here!"
He
adamantly shook his head to which Prince Vegeta promptly shot a ball of ki
at. It missed him by less than an inch.
"I'm
not leaving, my Prince," he said boldly.
"Then
you're a fool."
He
tilted his head to the side. "What else
is new," he joked. Kakarot could see a
half smile on his Prince's face and knew everything was okay now.
"Come
then, fool," the Prince ordered and picked up speed. Kakarot did also.
To both
their surprise Captain Irioni was waiting for them when they arrived.
"Irioni,
what are you doing here?" Vegeta asked.
She
stood tall and saluted respectfully. "I
am here to serve, Prince Vegeta. The
reinforcement has already been sent to the palace to take care of Lord Frieza's
main forces. We were able to round up
about 5,000 warriors, over half of which are elites. They should be able to handle anything thrown at them."
He
cocked his head to the side, a corner of his mouth upturned. "Good, but why are you here? Are you so eager to die today?"
'Rioni
looked over at Kakarot and wondered why she was the only one getting the harsh
treatment. He was also a third-class
warrior, only a bit stronger than herself.
"It would be an honor to die by your side," she said, chin up and eyes
fierce.
An eyebrow rose but no words were
said. He merely turned his head away
with a slight nod. She took it to mean
she had his approval and got into a fighting stance.
The door to the massive ship
slowly came down. Kakarot tensed up. Irioni cleared her mind. Vegeta tightened his fists.
"Well, well. What a grand reception," a chilling voice
rang through the air.
***
Her tear ducts were nearly spent
and she sat in the corner staring at nothing in particular. To a passer-by she could easily be mistaken
for a statue, she was so still and her face unnaturally pale.
Do you swear by your ancestors…she
was lost in her own world oblivious to her outer surroundings. It was easier to dwell in the depths of her
imagination, to dream of her most happiest moment.
To love, cherish…did she
love him, she wondered. There was lust,
of course. She could not deny
that. But love? Such a strong word. What did it mean? Was it to have strong feelings for a person? Or was it deeper than that? Bulma could find no answer. *Does it even matter?* But she knew the answer to that even before
she asked. She also knew it was more
than lust, but even now it was hard to admit it.
*It really doesn't matter because
I'll never tell him. He'll never know
how much I feel for him. That's the way
it should be, for her.*
And protect her with all your
heart and soul…where was he now? He
made a vow. Where was that damn bastard
when she needed him the most? *You made
a promise to protect me so where are you now?
Do you even care?*
For all of eternity…could
she imagine her life with him forever?
To her surprise she found that she could. There was no one else she'd rather be with albeit his fierce
temper, rudeness, and over-bearing pride.
There was no one else that fit her so completely, like a glove.
Suddenly a thought struck her
that almost brought fresh tears to her already red, swollen eyes. *What if I never see him again?* Bulma couldn't explain it nor could she
admit her true feelings for that Saiyan Prince but that thought jarred her into
action. She had to survive, she kept
thinking, she had to escape. But how?
With a renewed spirit she
examined her grim environs. There was
not much, just some chains on the wall and a rusty bucket in the far corner
which she was not even going to touch let alone go over there to peek
inside. She was at a loss of what to
do. *If only I had my capsules…* She looked down at her clothing. They had simply placed her in here and had
forgotten to search her for possible weapons probably figuring she had
none. She reached inside one of her
hidden pockets hoping against hope for a familiar touch. It was small, long, and rounded at the top.
A capsule! Her eyes darted beyond her prison gates wary
of any potential wanderers or guards.
The coast was clear. With a tiny
smile of triumph she popped it open to discover a mass of goodies. No weapons to speak of but some tools that
could aid in her escape. She picked up
one of her many inventions and went to work.
***
Ginyu rounded up his elite
warriors and headed for the palace at the behest of Lord Frieza. He was by no means uneducated but sometimes
he had a hard time understanding his master's way of thinking. Vegeta was more dangerous than all those
other Saiyans combined so why was he sending all of his army over to the
palace?
But then again, he supposed, Lord
Frieza was the strongest being in the universe. He should have no problem in disposing that belligerent
Prince. As long as that legend held false…
"All right, warriors. Let's move out," he barked so that everyone
could hear. In sections they blasted
through the air.
***
Bulma heard a lot of commotion
nearby and she froze trying not to draw any attention to herself. But nobody came near her cell. By the noises it seemed they were moving
away from her not toward her. She
frowned at what the implications of that might be and she hurried her pace even
more.
It would make sense for Frieza to
send his men over to the palace. She
thought everyone was still over there and had no idea that Vegeta was standing
just outside the ship along with Kakarot and Irioni.
She cringed as the last piece
clicked into place and hoped no one heard the loud sound it made. She scanned the surrounding area as far as she
could. The coast was clear. She positioned her rocket carefully checking
the trajectory again and again. There
was no room for mistakes. She crossed
her fingers, shut her eyes, and pushed the 'Launch' button. Immediately after she put on her gas mask
which she should have done before she launched the sleeping gas but she was
nervous and so was a bit disorganized.
The capsule was filled with
useful items such as this mask for which she was grateful. She checked her watch. The gas should have done its work by
now. On to phase two, she thought as
she picked up a peculiar-looking device.
The device hummed as it turned on and a shaft of ki extended from its
base. During testing she had found this
ki sword to be useless against Saiyan physiology but perfect for slicing
through metal. But as she began to cut
away at the bars she uncovered the first flaw in her plan. The bars seemed to be made of some foreign
material that was ki-resistant.
"Kuso!" she cursed and threw the
ki sword down. It made a huge noise as
it hit the hard floor but since all the guards were asleep it was not a
problem. The sleeping gas only lasted
for about two hours and that was based on the body type of her people. Who knew how these aliens would react to it.
Suddenly she froze as she heard a
scuffling of feet nearby. She craned
her neck to check down the hall and saw one of the guards walking almost
drunkedly toward her cell.
"Kusottare!!"
Her outcry startled the dazed
guard.
"Mommy?" a hopeful voice
asked. The guard was now down on his
hands and knees crawling toward her cell rather than walking.
Her eyebrows rose as she
witnessed this unbelievable event, but she was not about to let this choice
opportunity slip by.
"Yes, honey, it's me," she said
to the unsuspecting guard. At least the
gas was having some effect on this guard.
But how long would it last?
"You sound funny," he replied
crawling closer and closer.
She kneeled down so she could be
on the same eye level as him. As he
moved the clanging of the keys could be clearly heard. Needless-to-say it was music to her ears.
"I think I'm getting ill. It's so cold in here. Can you please let your poor mother
out? I'm afraid I can't last too much
longer if I stay here." She used her
best soothing tone.
"Well, I don't know…" he paused
in his step.
She tried not to let her extreme
anxiety show and kept calm. "But it's
soooo cold and," she faked a cough, "I feel so deathly ill."
"I dunno if I'm a supposed 'ta,"
his speech getting more childish by the second.
She leaned back and tried to act
as if she was dying. "That's okay, uh
son. I guess I'll see you in the
afterlife. So long."
"Wait! Don't go," he cried out in pain.
Wobbily he stood on his feet like a first-time toddler and pulled out
his keys. Bulma let out a little cheer
silently in her head. As soon as the
door was opened she whacked him on the neck rendering him unconscious.
"Nighty-night," she cooed and
dashed out of that filthy prison to freedom.
***
"Well, well, so Frieza has sent
us his whore to play with," Vegeta snarled.
The blue-green alien visibily tensed at the insult.
"You are just jealous of my
beauty, but no matter. I will soon
teach you a lesson, oh noble Prince of the dead Saiyans," hissed Zarbon.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "We're not defeated yet."
A suspicious smile suddenly arose
on that blue freak's face. "I see you
haven't heard the news. It's a shame
really. They didn't even have time to
fight for their lives only enough to beg for mercy. Such a pitiful sight I'm sure although I was not present when it
happened I've heard stories…" he drifted off like a cat baiting its prey.
He growled low. *What the hell is this fool up to?*
"What are you talking about?"
asked Kakarot. Vegeta was relieved he
didn't have to raise that question. He
was afraid to look weak and ignorant in front of his enemies.
"Oh nothing important," he waved
his hand back and forth casually. "Just
the destruction of Vegetasei. No big
deal."
"WHAT?!" all three cried out in
unison.
"You're lying," said Captain
Irioni.
"I'm afraid not, my dear,"
another voice said in the background.
"Frieza," Vegeta muttered under
his breath.
"Lord Frieza," Zarbon saluted.
Frieza rode his moveable throne
out of the ship and floated near Zarbon.
"I see you have yet to take care of them," he stated.
"I was just on my way to do so,
Lord Frieza," he answered with a low bow.
"Good. So I haven't missed the show.
You may begin now," he said and moved the chair back into the shade
created by his tall ship.
Vegeta was staring intently at
Frieza's every move. There was no way
he was going to waste an ounce of energy on anyone else but him. He looked over at Kakarot and gave a nod. He gave Vegeta a questioning look but agreed
silently to go after Zarbon. Within a
flash all three Saiyans had disappeared as if they were all in sync with each
other. Kakarot and Irioni appeared next
to Zarbon while Vegeta appeared before the master enemy himself. A look of surprise crossed Frieza's face but
was quickly erased by one of amusement.
"Well, the monkey Prince wants to
play I see," he chuckled powering down his mechanical throne. "I will make sure you get a long, painful
death."
Vegeta didn't respond. He didn't feel like talking, only
fighting. He began to power up. The others followed suit. The battle to end all battles had begun.
