How Can You Tell?
Chapter One: Ranking
Shaking off the hopes that the images in his head were real, Shashii recalled some sound advice, Get Real. Dreaming never did anyone any good and wishing wouldn't help much either. At best it gave you a bad headache and made you forget what you really where. That's what his father had always told him and he never lied to him. Nappa had told him many times that his father was the rarest kind of warrior, an honorable one. It was true, and Shashii had the challenge of trying to stay true to his father's teachings. As a second-class warrior in Freeza's vast empire he had to do a lot of the crappy assignments and rarely got to see Raddittzu.
Since he was now sixteen universal years old he was to be retested, something he was dreading. Because in all honesty he was like his father in the fact that he enjoyed the freedom of his ranking. Long ago Prince Vegeta tested him and found that he was qualified as a first class warrior, luckily it was informal and Vegeta told him that if he were to raise his ranking he'd have to report to someone else, and everyone else tended to hate the Sayajins and would most likely reassign him and make his life hell. Raddittzu was also in reality a first-class warrior, somehow he could keep getting the lower scores needed to keep his position.
Shashii, rolled his eyes, he had come close to death again on Silesia. That meant he was royally screwed. It was the seventh time in the past month; he would count himself lucky if he could be a first class still. When he came knocking on Death's door and returned his sento ryoko tended to rapidly escalate, more than normal for his kind. He had started to try to learn to suppress his sento ryoko but had along way to go. The healing tank started to drain, and Shashii opened his eyes. The reptilian physician greeted him warmly as the hood went up. Grumbling a reply he went over to the lackluster table where a new set of his clothes lay. Pulling on the green leggings and the matching green undershirt he asked the doctor if his father was in.
"Yes he is. He, Nappa and the Prince are in for the time being. How the hell do you always end up so damaged on the routine stops you make? You are covered with scars and the rest of your team doesn't have a scratch upon them." Joked the doctor. Shashii grinned wildly at him and stretched his arms over his head. His tail stretched too and then curled around his waist.
"You're right. Check their bankrolls though. I bet you they are emptier than Master Freeza's heart."
"And why would that be so?" asked the doctor.
"We have a running bet. Highest body count gets ninety percent of the cut. I always win." He bragged as he fixed his scouter on his left ear. "Now let see, do you know when my ranking is?"
"Yeah, as soon as you get down to the training areas. They have been getting impatient."
"Damn, I need to see my father first. If they call, I'm on my way but stopping to get my scouter fixed. It won't turn on without a code that I don't know. Okay?" Shashii looked at the doctor with a pleading face. The doctor sighed and nodded. Shashii grinned his thanks and ran off to the wing where the recreational areas where located. Passing his and his father's shared barrack room he popped his head in, it was empty. Finally he reached recreation room seven. Standing by a window was his longhaired father, Raddittzu.
"Dad!" He shouted joyously as he entered. Raddittzu turned and smiled at his son.
"Hey, long time no see, eh Shashii?"
"Yeah. I missed you." Shashii's face did a one-eighty, " Dad, I need your help. I have ranking soon and I just got out of the medical wing not a minute ago."
"You've been in there a lot lately huh?" asked Raddittzu concerned. Shashii nodded.
"Near-Death five or six times in the past month." Said the boy sadly. Raddittzu sighed and shook his head.
"And command of the base has just been given to Dudoria. He and Master Freeza are here now. Prince Vegeta is before them now. We can't pull the usual tricks."
"This looks very bleak. Please tell me you have some tricks left. I can't suppress my sento ryoko well yet."
"Push it as low as you can and I'll test you." Raddittzu suggested as he turned on his scouter. Shashii nodded and complied. Raddittzu's scouter scanned through numbers and then finally came to rest. "Nine Three Six. Not bad, if you screw up one or two times on the aim test and mess up on the speed test you could get second-class. But you have to look frustrated and pissed when you screw up and look disappointed when you get your rank." Shashii nodded and grinned.
"Want to come with me? We need to catch up." Raddittzu smiled and nodded. Walking down to the training areas they chatted about everything from their assignments to food. As they approached they found the area crowded and shoved their way through. Raddittzu called over to the controller of the rings, one of his many acquaintances. Over the dull roar the violet skinned snake-like creature told them that Freeza was there to watch the rankings and so everyone wanted to prove themselves. He added that the sixteen and seventeen year-olds had first priority. Shashii frowned, he had to bottle up his egotistical nature and put on the best act he could. Raddittzu told him in a quiet voice that the sooner he got it over with the sooner they could get food and talk some more. With that in mind, Shashii sighed and pushed forward. He came to the Ranker's assistant and gave his name and age.
"Ah, Yeah they've been waiting for you. You Sayajin?"
"Duh, now what's up first?" asked Shashii. The short thin lizard pointed to where Freeza, Dudoria and Vegeta stood.
"Go and greet them and they'll tell you what to do." Shashii nodded and walked up to them five paces away he bowed.
"And who is this one?" asked Dudoria gruffly.
"Second-class forward warrior Shashii." Answered the Ranker as the burly green furred man came up.
"Why are you out of proper uniform?" asked Vegeta.
"Fresh out of the healing tanks, my Prince. I was told I was late as it was and so hastened to get down here." Answered Shashii. Vegeta nodded his approval and Shashii offered a smile in return. He had forgotten about Freeza's presence.
"So boy, you ready to be ranked?" asked Freeza, Shashii held back a shiver, his voice was so creepy.
"I suppose so Master Freeza." Said Shashii said as confidently as he could.
"Good, stand." Commanded the short horned creature, Shashii complied, "Now, what test do you want to do first?"
"If it please you sir, I'd like to do the sento ryoko test first." Shashii said politely. Freeza nodded to the Ranker who lead the Sayajin to the ring. The green man turned and pushed a button on his scouter.
"Seven, five, three. Not bad kid. Okay, how about targeting test now?"
"Sure." Shrugged Shashii.
"Good, five of those targets on the wall in six minutes. go." Shashii raised his hands and fired almost blindly, the six minutes flew by and the lit targets vanished. Shashii turned to the Ranker.
"Four out of five okay. Speed test is up now, you need to avoid as much as possible. go." From every side rays of false energy came at Shashii. He moved at half his speed and after the seven minute time period they vanished. "Well, seventy- four percent avoided. Second-class rank given." Shashii frowned a bit and shrugged his shoulders. Shashii looked at those already ranked, most had burn marks or gashes, and he wasn't even singed. He panicked for a second and prayed no one noticed, quickly he strode out of the ring bowed and was dismissed. Pushing his way back to his father he heard it, Freeza spoke again.
"Now, Dudoria I believe he ranked low on purpose. That takes real skill and control. Who it that one that looks like him?"
"That is the boy's father, Raddittzu, another second-class warrior."
"He also is ranked lower than he should be. Interesting. I wonder why. Vegeta I would like you to bring them before me now." Nodding Vegeta caught Raddittzu's eye and signaled for the two to come forward. Now the crowd parted and soon both were kneeling before Freeza. Freeza ordered the soldiers to leave and the five were left alone. "Rise," ordered Freeza, "Now why don't you want to be ranked properly?"
"Master Freeza, my son and I enjoy one of the best positions under your rule and have no wish to take on the extra duties of a First-class or elite warrior." Said Raddittzu respectfully. Shashii grinned and nodded.
"That and I make a killing hustling the fools on the base." Raddittzu nodded and grinned evilly.
"Yeah, I almost forgot how fun that is. Good to know you took my place son." Raddittzu and Shashii shared a look and then returned their gazes to Freeza. Freeza was smiling in amusement.
"So, how do you hustle the other soldiers?" asked Freeza.
"Well, rule number one never look serious and put on a good show. When I do it I keep up the conversations and banter and try to act like a clown." Said Raddittzu.
"I tend to over-exaggerate my moves and name every blasted punch, block and kick. It makes everyone think I know nothing." Said Shashii grinning.
"Sounds fun. Go on." Said Freeza.
"Rule number two, never bet more than you can afford to lose." Said Shashii. Raddittzu nodded in agreement. "Rule number three, don't tell or let on that you are a hustler and don't rat out other hustlers, it's a professional courtesy. Rule four, don't over stay your welcome." Raddittzu nodded and smiled proudly at his son. Freeza raised an eyebrow.
"Are you proud of your son being a con-artist?" he asked.
"Yes, and an honorable warrior, I told him the four steps when he was five. If he recalls them so easily he must recall the rest of my words. From what I'm hearing he's staying true to all my teachings. I'm very proud of my son. A father could ask no more than that." Said Raddittzu to the tyrant. "This is the first time in two years we've talked more than hurried hello- good byes."
Shashii nodded at that statement when Freeza looked to him for verification. Vegeta had an odd masked expression on when he heard Raddittzu's words and Shashii noticed it. Dudoria frowned unhappily, it seemed the finicky Freeza was finding new favorites. Vegeta was already in the tyrant's good graces and now it seemed the longhaired duo entertained him. It wasn't good news for the soldier.
"Good reasons. You both are dismissed." Said Freeza. Raddittzu and Shashii bowed and left.
Authors Note, this is weird, huh? Who's this Shashii? What was Shashii's dream? What about Goku? Who's Raddittzu's mate if Shashii is his son? What's up with Vegeta? So many questions. I'll answer them in time. Later!
Chapter One: Ranking
Shaking off the hopes that the images in his head were real, Shashii recalled some sound advice, Get Real. Dreaming never did anyone any good and wishing wouldn't help much either. At best it gave you a bad headache and made you forget what you really where. That's what his father had always told him and he never lied to him. Nappa had told him many times that his father was the rarest kind of warrior, an honorable one. It was true, and Shashii had the challenge of trying to stay true to his father's teachings. As a second-class warrior in Freeza's vast empire he had to do a lot of the crappy assignments and rarely got to see Raddittzu.
Since he was now sixteen universal years old he was to be retested, something he was dreading. Because in all honesty he was like his father in the fact that he enjoyed the freedom of his ranking. Long ago Prince Vegeta tested him and found that he was qualified as a first class warrior, luckily it was informal and Vegeta told him that if he were to raise his ranking he'd have to report to someone else, and everyone else tended to hate the Sayajins and would most likely reassign him and make his life hell. Raddittzu was also in reality a first-class warrior, somehow he could keep getting the lower scores needed to keep his position.
Shashii, rolled his eyes, he had come close to death again on Silesia. That meant he was royally screwed. It was the seventh time in the past month; he would count himself lucky if he could be a first class still. When he came knocking on Death's door and returned his sento ryoko tended to rapidly escalate, more than normal for his kind. He had started to try to learn to suppress his sento ryoko but had along way to go. The healing tank started to drain, and Shashii opened his eyes. The reptilian physician greeted him warmly as the hood went up. Grumbling a reply he went over to the lackluster table where a new set of his clothes lay. Pulling on the green leggings and the matching green undershirt he asked the doctor if his father was in.
"Yes he is. He, Nappa and the Prince are in for the time being. How the hell do you always end up so damaged on the routine stops you make? You are covered with scars and the rest of your team doesn't have a scratch upon them." Joked the doctor. Shashii grinned wildly at him and stretched his arms over his head. His tail stretched too and then curled around his waist.
"You're right. Check their bankrolls though. I bet you they are emptier than Master Freeza's heart."
"And why would that be so?" asked the doctor.
"We have a running bet. Highest body count gets ninety percent of the cut. I always win." He bragged as he fixed his scouter on his left ear. "Now let see, do you know when my ranking is?"
"Yeah, as soon as you get down to the training areas. They have been getting impatient."
"Damn, I need to see my father first. If they call, I'm on my way but stopping to get my scouter fixed. It won't turn on without a code that I don't know. Okay?" Shashii looked at the doctor with a pleading face. The doctor sighed and nodded. Shashii grinned his thanks and ran off to the wing where the recreational areas where located. Passing his and his father's shared barrack room he popped his head in, it was empty. Finally he reached recreation room seven. Standing by a window was his longhaired father, Raddittzu.
"Dad!" He shouted joyously as he entered. Raddittzu turned and smiled at his son.
"Hey, long time no see, eh Shashii?"
"Yeah. I missed you." Shashii's face did a one-eighty, " Dad, I need your help. I have ranking soon and I just got out of the medical wing not a minute ago."
"You've been in there a lot lately huh?" asked Raddittzu concerned. Shashii nodded.
"Near-Death five or six times in the past month." Said the boy sadly. Raddittzu sighed and shook his head.
"And command of the base has just been given to Dudoria. He and Master Freeza are here now. Prince Vegeta is before them now. We can't pull the usual tricks."
"This looks very bleak. Please tell me you have some tricks left. I can't suppress my sento ryoko well yet."
"Push it as low as you can and I'll test you." Raddittzu suggested as he turned on his scouter. Shashii nodded and complied. Raddittzu's scouter scanned through numbers and then finally came to rest. "Nine Three Six. Not bad, if you screw up one or two times on the aim test and mess up on the speed test you could get second-class. But you have to look frustrated and pissed when you screw up and look disappointed when you get your rank." Shashii nodded and grinned.
"Want to come with me? We need to catch up." Raddittzu smiled and nodded. Walking down to the training areas they chatted about everything from their assignments to food. As they approached they found the area crowded and shoved their way through. Raddittzu called over to the controller of the rings, one of his many acquaintances. Over the dull roar the violet skinned snake-like creature told them that Freeza was there to watch the rankings and so everyone wanted to prove themselves. He added that the sixteen and seventeen year-olds had first priority. Shashii frowned, he had to bottle up his egotistical nature and put on the best act he could. Raddittzu told him in a quiet voice that the sooner he got it over with the sooner they could get food and talk some more. With that in mind, Shashii sighed and pushed forward. He came to the Ranker's assistant and gave his name and age.
"Ah, Yeah they've been waiting for you. You Sayajin?"
"Duh, now what's up first?" asked Shashii. The short thin lizard pointed to where Freeza, Dudoria and Vegeta stood.
"Go and greet them and they'll tell you what to do." Shashii nodded and walked up to them five paces away he bowed.
"And who is this one?" asked Dudoria gruffly.
"Second-class forward warrior Shashii." Answered the Ranker as the burly green furred man came up.
"Why are you out of proper uniform?" asked Vegeta.
"Fresh out of the healing tanks, my Prince. I was told I was late as it was and so hastened to get down here." Answered Shashii. Vegeta nodded his approval and Shashii offered a smile in return. He had forgotten about Freeza's presence.
"So boy, you ready to be ranked?" asked Freeza, Shashii held back a shiver, his voice was so creepy.
"I suppose so Master Freeza." Said Shashii said as confidently as he could.
"Good, stand." Commanded the short horned creature, Shashii complied, "Now, what test do you want to do first?"
"If it please you sir, I'd like to do the sento ryoko test first." Shashii said politely. Freeza nodded to the Ranker who lead the Sayajin to the ring. The green man turned and pushed a button on his scouter.
"Seven, five, three. Not bad kid. Okay, how about targeting test now?"
"Sure." Shrugged Shashii.
"Good, five of those targets on the wall in six minutes. go." Shashii raised his hands and fired almost blindly, the six minutes flew by and the lit targets vanished. Shashii turned to the Ranker.
"Four out of five okay. Speed test is up now, you need to avoid as much as possible. go." From every side rays of false energy came at Shashii. He moved at half his speed and after the seven minute time period they vanished. "Well, seventy- four percent avoided. Second-class rank given." Shashii frowned a bit and shrugged his shoulders. Shashii looked at those already ranked, most had burn marks or gashes, and he wasn't even singed. He panicked for a second and prayed no one noticed, quickly he strode out of the ring bowed and was dismissed. Pushing his way back to his father he heard it, Freeza spoke again.
"Now, Dudoria I believe he ranked low on purpose. That takes real skill and control. Who it that one that looks like him?"
"That is the boy's father, Raddittzu, another second-class warrior."
"He also is ranked lower than he should be. Interesting. I wonder why. Vegeta I would like you to bring them before me now." Nodding Vegeta caught Raddittzu's eye and signaled for the two to come forward. Now the crowd parted and soon both were kneeling before Freeza. Freeza ordered the soldiers to leave and the five were left alone. "Rise," ordered Freeza, "Now why don't you want to be ranked properly?"
"Master Freeza, my son and I enjoy one of the best positions under your rule and have no wish to take on the extra duties of a First-class or elite warrior." Said Raddittzu respectfully. Shashii grinned and nodded.
"That and I make a killing hustling the fools on the base." Raddittzu nodded and grinned evilly.
"Yeah, I almost forgot how fun that is. Good to know you took my place son." Raddittzu and Shashii shared a look and then returned their gazes to Freeza. Freeza was smiling in amusement.
"So, how do you hustle the other soldiers?" asked Freeza.
"Well, rule number one never look serious and put on a good show. When I do it I keep up the conversations and banter and try to act like a clown." Said Raddittzu.
"I tend to over-exaggerate my moves and name every blasted punch, block and kick. It makes everyone think I know nothing." Said Shashii grinning.
"Sounds fun. Go on." Said Freeza.
"Rule number two, never bet more than you can afford to lose." Said Shashii. Raddittzu nodded in agreement. "Rule number three, don't tell or let on that you are a hustler and don't rat out other hustlers, it's a professional courtesy. Rule four, don't over stay your welcome." Raddittzu nodded and smiled proudly at his son. Freeza raised an eyebrow.
"Are you proud of your son being a con-artist?" he asked.
"Yes, and an honorable warrior, I told him the four steps when he was five. If he recalls them so easily he must recall the rest of my words. From what I'm hearing he's staying true to all my teachings. I'm very proud of my son. A father could ask no more than that." Said Raddittzu to the tyrant. "This is the first time in two years we've talked more than hurried hello- good byes."
Shashii nodded at that statement when Freeza looked to him for verification. Vegeta had an odd masked expression on when he heard Raddittzu's words and Shashii noticed it. Dudoria frowned unhappily, it seemed the finicky Freeza was finding new favorites. Vegeta was already in the tyrant's good graces and now it seemed the longhaired duo entertained him. It wasn't good news for the soldier.
"Good reasons. You both are dismissed." Said Freeza. Raddittzu and Shashii bowed and left.
Authors Note, this is weird, huh? Who's this Shashii? What was Shashii's dream? What about Goku? Who's Raddittzu's mate if Shashii is his son? What's up with Vegeta? So many questions. I'll answer them in time. Later!