Here's the latest installment of Cold Accord. You'll see several familiar faces surface in this chapter.
The same disclaimer from the previous chapter still applies here.
Chapter 3: Seeds of Discord
The saiyjin girl watched the two fighters size each other up from opposite sides of the ring. The stadium was empty, spectators never came to watch the Prince spar for fear that they would be forced into fighting him when he ran out of opponents. It was just she, Nappa, Prince Vegeta and an unfortunate young saiyajin man who was stupid enough to think he had a chance against Vegetasei's strongest warrior. Nira looked fondly at her young master as he stood proudly in the ring. He really was remarkable for his age, a prodigy both on the battlefield and in his studies. It was rare to find someone endowed with both intelligence and fighting skill, which made him such a formidable opponent at such a tender age. She was only an indentured servant, little better than a slave, but she couldn't help but feel almost motherly towards the Prince. Perhaps it was improper but she couldn't help it. After all it was she who, cared for him as an infant when his mother was busy training or in other official capacities, which was almost all the time. She was raising him and not his parent's as was the saiyajin way. Only noble's children had caretakers, the other children, were put in large training centers according to their power level and grew up there. The weakest were shipped off to other planets on inconsequential missions so that they didn't take up time that could be spent on the more deserving.
The saiyajin teenager looked cockily down at the child grinning evilly at him. Sure he'd heard that the prince was powerful, the strongest on the planet, but he was just a child. In his mind, that gave him the distinct advantage of more experience in battle, which he intended on using to the full.
"Are you ready?" Prince Vegeta asked his opponent.
"Sure I am" the teenager replied "but are you sure that you are? Shouldn't you go put on some armor? After all you decreed that this should be a battle until only one of us is left standing and in need of a regeneration tank."
Vegeta chuckled and smirked imperiously. "I don't need armor against the likes of you," he stated crossing his arms over his chest.
"Remember that child when I send you to the medical ward" he replied defensively. "But don't worry I'll go easy on you, after all you are the Prince and I don't like the idea of hurting you too badly." He watched as a dark anger settled in on the child's features and he heard the female sitting at the side of the ring gasp.
"He's gotta death wish don't he" Nappa commented to the young violet-eyed woman sitting on the ground next to where he stood.
"I hope the Prince decides to be merciful," Nira added quietly.
Picking this statement up Vegeta ventured a glance at the girl. He knew she disapproved of what she termed "unnecessary killings". She sternly spoke against killing people just because they brought you your dinner cold or questioned your authority. His father, on the other hand, said such displays of power were necessary in order to make your underlings fear and respect you. He respected them both very much, only in different ways, and he didn't like it when either one of them was disappointed in him. Often times he felt frustrated about just how he should act.
"Begin!" shouted Nappa thanking the gods that the Prince had decided to use someone else as his punching bag that day.
Before the young man could move Vegeta was gone in a flash. The startled warrior looked around and saw no one and a sinking feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. He felt a sharp pain in his back and wheeled around as he caught a snatch of retreating laughter. Crouching in a fighting stance, ready to defend himself, he stared into the face of nothingness again. His every muscle tensed as he searched for his opponent unsuccessfully. Suddenly he was almost yanked off his feet by his long hair and he struck out at his tormenter only to connect with air yet again. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he began to wonder why he ever thought that he as a First Class warrior ever had a chance against a Super Elite even though he was only a child.
Nappa grinned as he watched Vegeta's ruthless efficiency while he played cat and mouse with the older boy feeling that he had something to do with the boy's skill. The truth was that he really did little to hone the prince's skills. The main crux of his ability was entirely and uncannily natural. He had a natural sense of weight and balance and possessed a natural grace and fluidity of motion that made his fighting a pleasure to watch. His abnormally high power level, that gave him strengthen beyond his years, was a deadly weapon wielded with the cruel air that was proper for a saiyajin warrior.
Suddenly Vegeta appeared in front of the teenager and landed a crushing blow into his leg instantly shattering the femur bone. The teenager doubled over in pain and clutched it holding back his tears. He screamed and fell over as the horrendous pain shot up his spine. He looked up at the child's gleeful face as he writhed on the ground every time a fresh pain shot up the length of his body realizing in astonishment that he had lost in less than a minute's time. "Father you were right" he said in his mind. "I was a fool to think I could fight the prince and now I will very likely loose my life for it."
"You underestimated me," Vegeta said reproachfully twisting the tail he held in his grasp. "You are pathetic" he gloated "I have beaten you without even breaking a sweat." He released the young man's tail and walked over to face him picking up his chin and forcing him to look into his eyes. "You are fortunate that I'm in a good mood today otherwise you'd be dead right now" the boy said relishing the look of shock on the other saiyajin's face "mockery of the royal house is treason." He then kicked the teenager hard in the stomach causing him to pull into a fetal position and then he walked to where his bodyguard stood and Nira sat.
"Tell me that someone actually worthy of the honor of sparring with me has signed up" the boy demanded taking a drink from the bucket with the dipper watching disinterestedly as the young man emptied the contents of his stomach onto the battlefield and commenced to coughing up a large quantity of blood.
"I'm afraid no one else has signed up Ouiji-sama" Nira said. "Your reputation for randomly killing opponents discourages other fighters from doing so." She smiled warmly at the boy knowing that it was her comment that had saved the young man's life. Her attention was brought back to the teenager who now collapsed. "Shouldn't he be taken to a regen tank?" she asked her young master.
Vegeta 'humphed' "Whatever," he said sitting down next to her gloomily. "Do what is necessary Nappa."
"Guards come and get this boy to the medical ward" Nappa ordered. He barely contained his jealousy at his charge's preference to his other caretaker. He found it very unsaiyajin to show preference to the one that attended to his physical needs and not the one who had taught him his fighting techniques. The prince had long ago surpassed him and moved on to other trainers and barely acknowledged his existence and he now served only as a figurehead of a bodyguard for a child who could easily protect himself.
"There's no one decent around here anymore to fight" the prince complained to the violet eyed girl. "I'm bored," he pouted.
"You could spar with me if you'd like my Prince" Nappa said hoping to gain his young master's attention.
Vegeta laughed. "You are as useless a sparring partner as you are a conversationalist," he told the man.
Nira looked up and saw the hurt and disappointment written all over the big saiyajin's face. He wasn't as shy about displaying emotions as most saiyajin were and this made her like him. That and his unwavering loyalty were excellent qualities but of course the only thing Vegeta noticed were his dim wits and his sloppy battle technique.
"Should I get some saibamen?" the giant asked hopefully.
"Why not?" the prince answered half-heartedly. "At least they provide a challenge even though it is a meager one."
"I'll get some right away" the big man stated hurrying away.
"Looking for a challenge monkey?" a voice said from behind. Freeza looked down at the saiyajin boy who sat with his back to him, rudely refusing to answer him or acknowledge his presence. The boy was just begging to be put in his place and yet his refusal to fear him didn't spark the usual indignation that other's defiance did. He found the boy uniquely fascinating.
Vegeta squinted his face up like he had just bitten into a lemon when the words hit his ears. Every time Freeza spoke to him his blood boiled because he wasn't allowed to say what he thought. Freeza had been on Vegetasei for a month while he and the King ironed out their alliance and his father strictly charged him to be respectful for the sake of the alliance. Vegeta looked up at his bodyguard, the man who was supposed to protect him, in reproach as he fairly shook in his boots. It disgusted him the way everyone cow-towed and showed the tyrant such fear. Even Nira was doing her best not to look at Freeza and was nervously twisting the skirt of her garment.
"No answer monkey?" Freeza chuckled. "You treat me deplorably. And to think I was about to offer you a decent challenge." Freeza smirked as he could see the boy desperately trying to hold back his explosive temper. He found the boy's little outbursts amusing and was disappointed that the king had counseled him against them.
"Are you offering to fight me?" Vegeta asked hopefully looking over at the Changeling. Vegeta seriously liked the idea of pounding out his animosity towards the tsirijin in a fight. When he turned around he saw that Freeza was not alone, he had his two bodyguards with him. He deigned them both with equally contemptuous glares and was pleased that it annoyed them.
"You would be at as much of a disadvantage against me as that unfortunate monkey you just vanquished was against you" Freeza said smirking superiorly at the boy as he fearlessly glared daggers at him. "I was thinking someone at your own level, the captain of my guard. I will arrange a match if you are interested."
Vegeta noted that the fat pink bodyguard looked a little surprised and perhaps nervous all of the sudden and the blue-skinned sissy one looked amused. "I'll accept your challenge Freeza-sama" Vegeta said craftily "but only if I get to face you when I beat him."
Freeza chuckled again. "It wouldn't be that simple. In order for me to consent to face anyone they must prove themselves stronger than my strongest men and you are far below their level Vegeta. I will allow you to face other fighters of greater power levels if you manage to vanquish him, in fact, I give you my word that I will always give you a new greater challenge each time you vanquish an opponent I set before you."
"Very well Freeza" the young prince replied. "I accept your challenge."
"Good," the tyrant said "I will bring him here in one week at this time."
"I will be here," the saiyajin boy said confidently.
Nira ventured to glance up at the tsirijin only to be met by the tyrant's red mocking eyes. Freeza gave a slight smile that Nira knew the meaning of all too well. He was enjoying the fact that she was powerless to do anything. He knew her conscious was bothering her, fairly ripping her apart over her divided loyalties, and he was enjoying her mental anguish. She was yet another puppet in his sick game. He then changed his look knowingly, teasingly letting her know he had further plans for her that would involve her in some new blood-chilling way. All at once she realized she was expendable, she had lost his good graces and would pay. She saw the delight shine in his eyes at seeing the fear that had no doubt betrayed with her realization before he turned to leave with his two bodyguards in tow.
"Nira, are you okay?" Vegeta asked her noticing how she had paled under the tyrant's gaze.
"Yes" she said quickly and nervously avoiding the child's eyes. "Yes, I'm sorry my prince. I disgrace you with my fear." Standing up she stared at the ground. "I have spent too much time here. I should be attending to the Queen. Will you excuse me Vegeta-sama?"
"You are excused" the boy said confused by her wishing to retreat from him.
Nira bowed, turned and quickly walked away towards the palace. She turned before she reached it and went to a place that she knew there were no cameras or prying eyes that could find her. There she sat down and wept the bitter tears she had held back in the presence of the prince and his bodyguard. She never thought she would or could be rejected by her lord. It was disgraceful. She would be labeled a traitor and be despised after all her years of devoted service. There had to be some way to save herself, to redeem herself, and she feared just what it might be because it undoubtedly would mean hurting someone she cared about. She blended in with the shadows her heavy heart weighing her down.
Captain Ginyu twirled around in front of the mirror admiring his newly acquired body. She was really quite beautiful. She had two large dark eyes framed by thick eyelashes and topped by gracefully arching silvery white-eye brows. She had a small delicate mouth, high cheekbones and a snubbed nose. Her long, hair caught the light and appeared to be great mass of spun silk as it cascaded down to the middle of her back. Her figure wasn't too bad, but he himself preferred bustier women. He laughed his deep raspy laugh and looked over to where his newly occupied body sat trashing trying to get free of his men. Fortunately she had finally stopped screaming at last understanding that the sound bubble created by the machine prevented anyone more than 50 yards away from hearing her.
"Well, I'll give you this much Queenie" Ginyu stated, "your body may not be all that strong but it does look good. You have an excellent taste for clothes. They really do fit form as well as function."
His men laughed. "Yes Captain" Bata said "You look so good I wouldn't mind asking you out on a date." He was cut short as the Queen chomped down on his finger. He hissed and let go of her.
"You baka!" she screeched. "How dare you do this to me! After I was so hospitable!"
"It just goes to show you should never invite a strange man back to your quarters for a private dinner" he said with a smirk. He laughed as she screeched again and tried to pull away from Bata as he grabbed hold of her once again. "Don't worry you'll get your body back" he told her "this is only a loan until we get everything done that Freeza's ordered. I promise to take good care of it for you."
"Do you actually think you'll fool anyone," the Queen shouted. "You still sound like your old self and when I tell them what you've done they'll believe me!"
"Recoom" Ginyu said "hand over that new toy to me."
"Uh sure" the big fighter replied complying with the request handing over what looked like a large diamond choker.
"Now say something Queenie" Ginyu said with a smirk placing the necklace in front of her.
"I have absolutely nothing to say to you," she hissed.
"Thank you" he said now taking the item and placing it around his neck. After lightly touching the top of it he began to speak only this time it was not with his own voice. "You see Queenie now I sound just like you and you sound just like me" he said.
"No" she cried and looked horrified when she spoke with the voice of her captor.
"You see I have a special device implanted in my voice box that is connected with an outside, external device that at this moment inside this necklace. When I take a voice sample and turn it on it automatically turns the one on in my body so that for as long as I want I can swap voices with anyone I body snatch."
"Why?" she asked, "Why are you doing this? We agreed to support the Cold Accord."
"You see" Ginyu stated "Freeza wants more than just an alliance he wants the whole Saiyajin Empire and your little kingdom is going to play a big part in accomplishing that purpose. We are a commando squad specializing in little covert operations like this for Freeza."
"You are despicable," the woman said dolefully causing laughter to erupt from the three men that held her.
"Alright men I think it's time to begin" the captain told them. "Gurdo let the squad out just like you brought them in."
"You got it captain" the small green alien replied turning off the sound-canceling generator.
Preparing himself he took several preparatory inhalations before sucking in air deeply and holding his breath. The world froze around him and he quickly gathered Ki into his hands and lightly touched Bata and Recoom infusing a little of his ki into them. His ki allowed them to unfreeze and they bolted for the balcony leaping off and took flight. He leapt into the air already beginning to strain in holding his breathe. He concentrated sweat drops forming on his brow knowing he had to hold the Time Freeze long enough to allow them to escape unnoticed. He blinked his four-eyes as they reached the wall and flew over it. The others were already donning their hooded cloaks as he joined them. He noticed that there were people, a group of four women, passing by and they probably would react funny to a group of hooded figures appearing out of no where but he was beginning to feel lightheaded and knew he would never make it if he tried to continue further. He tried to reach out for his cloak but he was dizzy and missed it falling on his face instead. Unable to hold his breath any longer the air escaped his lips as his head struck the ground knocking him out cold.
The women gasped when they noticed the cloaked figures appear and watched transfixed as one of them stooped over and picked up the strange green creature. They had no chance to react any further as they were callously vaporized by Recoom's mouth attack.
"That was close" Bata said wrapping Gurdo in his cloak. "Sometimes I wonder if Gurdo really is an asset to the force."
"He has made our escapes much easier" Recoom offered.
"But I kind of miss blowing away everyone who saw us as we made our escape" the purple alien replied.
"Those were the good old days," Recoom said nostalgically.
Just then they heard the queen's, or rather Captain Ginyu's hysterical screaming about attempted murder.
"I think we should go" Bata suggested. The two walked calmly away leaving the melee behind them.
Vegeta strode into the throne room and found his father giving audience to a group of saiyajin who were kneeling before him. As the Prince drew near all but the saiyajin at the head of the group risked sidelong glances at him. Other than to note that there were four males and a female he took little notice of them. They were clearly third class soldiers and thus did not deserve anything more than a cursory glance.
"So Commander Bardock" King Vegeta intoned giving his son an annoyed glare. "I hear it is to you we can attribute the victory at Rycon 7?"
"Yes Your Majesty" Bardock said lifting his head to meet the ruler's gaze.
"Father I demand to speak to you immediately" Vegeta
demanded upon reaching the platform.
"Brat I am busy" the King growled that the child "I will speak to you when I am ready."
"But it is important" Vegeta proclaimed.
The King stood up from his throne and gathered energy in his hands. "You will wait brat or I will personally destroy your entire training center!"
Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest. His father knew just where to hit him. "Alright but don't keep me waiting long" he grumbled.
King Vegeta 'humphed' and sat back down and gave his attention back to his subjects.
"Now go on Commander," the King said returning his attention to the group who quickly lowered their heads respectfully after gawking at the little scene.
"Yes sire" Bardock said before continuing. "By using a technique that I invented during my time in the science labs I was able to turn the tide of the battle to our favor. By creating artificial moonlight we were able to transform and even the local's radical weaponry did not stand a chance against us then."
Vegeta looked at the saiyajin man with more interest after hearing his statement.
"You are Third Class" the King remarked "and you gained victory because of a parlor trick when my elite squadron had been struggling for weeks. I am very impressed. I can imagine what this technique could do in the hands of an Elite. I trust that you can teach this technique to others?"
"I would be honored to teach it to anyone but it is very difficult to learn" Bardock said. "It takes someone with extraordinary control over their ki energy to execute it successfully. Thus far I am the only one who has learned how to master it."
"Then I should be able to learn it easily" Vegeta interjected with a smirk. "I demand to be the first to be taught this skill."
"I would be honored to teach this skill to you my Prince" Bardock stated "with the King's permission."
"You have my permission Commander," the King said with a bit of an aggravated glower at his son. "You will receive a list of those others that I wish to be trained as well. You are dismissed."
Bardock and his squad crossed their arms before them in the military salute before rising and exiting the throne room.
King Vegeta immediately looked angrily at his impertinent son. "Now what is it that is so urgent brat?"
"I am in urgent need of a new trainer," Vegeta said. "I have learned everything the current baka can teach me and I need new skills for an upcoming battle in a week."
"What battle?" King Vegeta demanded.
"Freeza has agreed to have the captain of his guard fight me in one week and I need to be ready" Vegeta replied.
"You accepted a challenge that Freeza gave you?" King Vegeta said with delight. "I knew that he was taking an interest in you but this is extraordinary. He doesn't make a practice of doing such things. I hope you were respectful."
"What is this about Freeza?" Queen Naoko demanded entering the room.
"He has set up a match between the brat and the captain of his guard," the King told his mate. "I told you that he has taken a liking to him."
"That is why you cannot allow it" Naoko told him. "Freeza is treacherous and may very likely use the Prince against you. Who knows what he is scheming for this match."
"You are making too much of this woman" King Vegeta told her "besides which, it is none of your affair."
"I cannot stand by while you endanger your people and my son," she shouted unfurling her tail and waiving it about in agitation. "Every time you make a concession to him and allow him put his finger in another area of power he gets closer to taking the rule from you. He has done it before to others so what makes you think he won't do it to Vegetasei?"
"He sees us as equals and respects us as warriors" the King returned.
"And that is why he calls us monkeys and degrades us" she snapped. "You may be a fool but I am not and I will not allow him gain control of my son and he has my mate!"
"SHUT UP!" King Vegeta bellowed rising up and glaring down at her gathering energy in his hand. "How dare you insinuate that I am anyone's puppet!"
Vegeta looked at his parent's in dread. He felt the animosity thick in the air and it disturbed him. For the first time he feared that it was possible for his father to hurt his mother and yet she stood defiantly before him unafraid.
"Leave now Vegeta" Naoko said to her son "I need to talk to your father in private."
The prince gave them both a look of concern and for once obediently left their presence without a protest or complaint. He entered the hallway and the door closed behind him and then slowly ambled down the passageway his tail drooping and lifeless as he heard his parent's raised voices invade the quiet of the palace. He tried to tune them out by concentrating on the even rhythm of his footsteps. He had a terrible feeling of foreboding and the words of the soothsayer echoed in his mind. "You will never be King of Vegetasei," she had said. He didn't want to think about it and concentrated more deeply to the sound of his footfalls and found no solace but more confusion as he came to realize he was hearing more than one set.
Vegeta wheeled around quickly in readiness for his shadow and instead found nothing but an empty hall to greet him. His keen eyes darted back and forth his, his tail following suit, but he could detect nothing but a familiar scent that always seemed to hang about him and his family that he couldn't quite place.
"I think I'm letting this get to me. I need to block this out and concentrate on other things," he thought starting down the hall again listening carefully but not hearing another set of ghost steps this time. "I will find this Commander Bardock and demand he teach me his technique and begin training for the match."
"But Lord Freeza" Dodoria protested "why do I have to fight the little monkey? Why should I waste my time?"
"Because Mr. Dodoria" Freeza said evenly swishing the wine in his goblet staring out at the endless sea of stars. "I want to test the true nature of his power which is something that I cannot do when he is fighting those weaker than himself. Your power level is much closer to his than any of my other men so the task has fallen to you."
"But why not Zarbon?" he continued.
"Zarbon is much too strong for him," said Freeza. "There would be no contest."
"If I didn't know better I'd say that you are nervous that the kid might beat you Dodoria" Zarbon prodded.
"I am not" Dodoria protested, "I'm stronger than him and there's no way he can pull anything that I haven't seen."
"Then why are you sweating?" Zarbon continued with a chuckle.
Suddenly the door behind them opened and their honed reflexes immediately snapped them into fighting stances. The door swished shut and the intruder revealed herself.
"Oh Ice" Zarbon said resuming a relaxed position. "I forgot you had the code for the door."
"You could warn us when you're coming" Dodoria scolded.
"What else do you expect?" Freeza asked the bloated alien with a throaty chuckle. Freeza turned the hover chair to greet his guest, a rare gesture that made Ice nervous. "She excels at her work Dodoria and what's more she never questions my authority. No matter what I ask she will do. Is that not right my dear?"
"Yes, My Lord" she said trying not to sound as fearful as she felt.
"Come here and sit at my feet" Freeza commanded the tsirijin female "and join me in a glass of wine."
Ice came towards him and did as he bade hoping that she had been wrong earlier that day about his rejection of her. She knew from experience that his kindnesses always came with a price attached. He had not offered her wine since the night he had ordered her to perform her first assassination for him. Her test of loyalty then had been very cruel, as she knew; no doubt this one would be as well. She took the goblet from Zarbon and noted the pity in his golden eyes.
"Thank you Zarbon" Freeza said politely "now both of you guard the hall." Freeza watched as the two exited and then directed his blood-red gaze on Ice. He was pleased to see her squirm and advert her violet eyes. "Come now my dear," he said "drink and enjoy the wine it will help you relax" he said taking a sip of his own goblet. He watched as she brought the glass to her lips and swallowed a mouthful of the draught and smirked. "Tell me what you have to report," he commanded not wavering his piercing gaze.
"My lord the Queen is against the match you arranged between the Prince and Dodoria but the King is not" she stated.
"Yes" Freeza said sadly. "She is beginning to become quite a thorn in my side. She seems to have somehow gotten a smattering of my plans and the King has listened to her on occasion. Do you believe our monkey king is beginning to give in to his mate?"
"I fear it My Lord," she answered still not looking up.
"Yes Ice you do fear it don't you?" Freeza answered. "There was a time when you feared me and never dared to even think about disobeying me." He reached out with his free hand causing her to drop her wine in alarm and grabbed her face forcing her to look him in the eye. "Now you balk and cringe at my every command and it concerns me for today's doubt always becomes tomorrow's betrayal. Need I remind you of how I took you in after you were so tragically orphaned and your clan was in shambles?"
"No My Lord" she pleaded in panic. "You know that I am forever grateful to you and I am loyal."
"Ah there it is!" Freeza cooed sweetly. "I was wrong you still do fear me Ice and I know that you won't disappoint me. Will you?"
"No, my Lord" the tsirijin girl mumbled.
"I'm so glad we have that straightened out," Freeza said coldly releasing her face. "Now I have a little assignment for you" he continued almost seductively caressing her cheek. "I want you to kill the Queen of Vegetasei for me" he said slowly so as to let the words sink in watching in satisfaction as her pale blue skin blanched almost completely white. "I want it be an especially violent and imprecise assassination that you could blame on a young nationalistic fanatic. This is your cover."
The tyrant handed Ice a hollow-image projector and she hit the button with a shaky hand. An image of a dark orange-skinned humanoid with short white hair appeared.
"He is the oldest son of the royal family from a planet in the saiyajin's influence," the tsirjin lord continued. "His mother openly opposed the alliance and when it is announced the Queen will be rejecting it. He will then disappear; you will be notified and will take action. Do you understand?"
"Yes my lord" Ice replied meekly.
Freeza smirked. "That's my good girl," he said with a laugh. "Now I think you should be getting back to your duties before you are missed."
"Yes my Lord" Ice replied still feeling numb from shock and fear. She stood up still clutching the emitter in her pale, shaky hands. She looked at her lord and master as he peered at her over his beverage examining her carefully for every delicious and minute detail of her inner struggle. Taking another sip of the wine as red as his cold eyes he turned the chair from her and faced out toward the view port once again. Ice turned her back to him and melted into the air before leaving so that no one would see her as the tenants of the Shadow Sisterhood decreed trying hard not to think to deeply about the horrible task set before her.
Bardock watched the young prince scan the area. The boy was a strange child, yet there was no way for him to be anything else, he was being raised to be both a king and a legend neither of which allowed him to be normal.
"You have done well Commander" Vegeta told the older solider. "This is so far away from everything that there is no risk of discovery while I train." He turned and regarded the man suspiciously. "You will teach me both how to create the ball of light and how to control the transformation, as you claim that you can, and when I dismiss you upon your return you will tell no one where I am or what I'm training to do. Is that clear?"
"Yes Ouji-sama" the man said with a smile "as long as you grant me what you promised."
The boy frowned at him. "Yes, yes" he said irritably "I will be sure that your squadron has the opportunity to take choice assignments no matter what power-level is recommended. I don't see why you have such a death wish but my word is good."
"Excellent" Bardock said. "I wish to thank you for that and for your earlier service to my house this day."
Vegeta cocked an eyebrow. "And what service was that?"
"Earlier today you sparred with a First Class warrior, a teenager, who you spared despite his foolish disrespect of you. That boy was my son, Raditz, and I am pleased that he will live to continue my family line."
Vegeta smirked. "That weakling was your son?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes I warned him not to fight you but he is stubborn and believes himself invincible" Bardock said. "I hope you managed to knock some sense into his thick head. He could use it."
Vegeta laughed. "You may only be a Third Class peasant but at least you are not feeble minded like half of the Elites." He looked at the man inquisitively. "Can I ask you a question soldier?"
"Of course" the commander answered.
"Why did you leave the work of a science technician?" Vegeta asked.
"Because there was no honor in it," he answered. "Only those with low power levels who manage to come back from their infant assignments sane and in one piece are put there. I wanted a chance to prove that I was a warrior that deserved the respect of his race."
"And you have proved it with your recent victory?" asked the prince with a smirk.
"Not by a long shot" the warrior told the boy with his own smirk.
Vegeta laughed. "Well then warrior let's begin. I have much training to do before my match and you will want to get back to choose your next suicide mission."
"Very well" the man said beginning to gather ki in his hand "Pay close attention Ouji-sama I don't want to have to explain this more than once."
And thus concludes another complete chapter thickening
the plot still further. How did you
like it?
I had to add in a cameo from Bardock and crew to explain
how Vegeta learned the artificial moon technique so I found a way to fit it
into the plot. Yes Captain Ginyu and
his band of merry men do figure as a major component in the story and you will
be seeing more of them and Raditz too but not Bardock
What's next?
Vegeta faces off with Dodoria and * sniff * Ice is
called upon to carry out her dastardly assignment. Will Vegeta best Dodoria or be pounded into the ground by the
disgusting blob? Will Ice carry out the
assassination or will she find the courage to defy Freeza? To find out "tune in" for…
Chapter 4: The
Sealing of Fates
Shameless plugs:
Be sure to read my other current epic Machine Planet Saga (it's staring Veggie, Bulma, Chibi Trunks, Android 17 and Android 16) and you will find that all of my stories connect in some way. At one point or another in the trilogy you will see some of the characters that appear in this saga because Machine touches on Veggie's past. In fact, you will kind of be getting a sneak peek at some elements of part II of the Vegeta Trilogy in Machine.
Please read my short story A Super Saiyajin Story it's about chibi Trunks and Goten going SSJ for the first time.
Last but not least come and visit my homepage, The Songbird and the Dragon, for more fan fiction and fan art at http://www.geocities.com/l_songbird