Hello again. In case you didn't
know I have been injured and it's slowed my writing down a bit. For the time being I will be releasing a
Chapter of Cold Accord every other week, alternating with Machine Planet.
We have reached the halfway mark of this story! The entire epic will be about 12 or 13
chapters long and then we will be on to the next part of the Trilogy!
All standard disclaimers still apply.
Chapter 6: The Hour Approaches
The young Prince walked down the hallway with singular purpose only pausing to give a stray soldier here or there a nod of recognition. His young mind was occupied with many things, most of which he'd rather not think about. It had been an entire week since he had awakened from his healing slumber, an entire week without his mother's reassuring presence in his life, an entire week since Nira had disappeared and an entire week of preparations for war. With one single action the Daidaiirojin had succeeded in turning his life upside down and he was determined to make them pay for it.
As Vegeta approached his destination he could hear Nappa's booming voice shouting and downgrading the would-be troops and smirked. They were probably already jumpy and the big idiot was making it worse. It was almost impossible to access somebody's skills when they were overly nervous so, not surprisingly, the boy was rather miffed when he entered the arena.
"How dare you think that you could come in here" Nappa hollered as he berated someone that his massive bulk blocked from Vegeta's view. "The Prince only wants the best and that means Elite Class Warriors only!"
"Nappa that is enough" Vegeta announced striding confidently towards the towering giant.
"Prince Vegeta" Nappa exclaimed with an apologetic air, dropping to one knee. "I was just preparing the troops for your inspection."
"By dismissing candidates for my squad before I have a chance to see them?" the five-year-old asked accusingly.
"I only wanted to get rid of the unworthy so you wouldn't waste your time" the big man said defensively.
"If I had wanted your help I would have asked for it baka" the boy told him. He next set his keen eyes upon the target of Nappa's tirade. The young man had his head bowed respectfully, his long hair falling about his face, so that Vegeta could not see him. He was about to order the young man to look at him when he heard Nappa begin to speak again. "You are to be silent until I tell you to speak again. Do you understand?" The prince paused long enough to see the man nod before he turned his attention to the other soldier.
"I can see clearly from your attire that you are a First Class soldier," the Prince said looking up at the inclined head. "The announcement said that I would only take Elites for my squad, so why are you here?"
The teenager lifted his head and just enough to look the child in the eye. He was pleased to see recognition register on the Prince's face and more than a little surprise. "I am here Ouji-sama to repay a debt," he said confidently.
"You are Raditz, son of Bardok, are you not?" Vegeta questioned.
"Yes, my Prince" Raditz replied. "You spared my life although I was foolish and now I wish to repay you with my loyal service."
"It seems, like your father, you have the insane desire to take on tasks far above your sphere and ability" the boy remarked. "Tell me, why should I allow someone who couldn't even last a minute in battle with me to fight by my side?"
"With all due respect, my Prince, there is not a man in this room that could last a minute in battle against you" Raditz replied cagily. "You are the only opponent ever to best me and I doubt I'll be fighting anyone close to your power level. Besides both you and I know that superior strength doesn't always guaranty victory. Your recent match with Freeza's lackey proves that."
Vegeta studied the young man's face intently upon hearing this and saw the unmistakable spark of intelligence in his black eyes. He was confidant yet deferent, a refreshing combination. "I'll tell you what, Son of Bardok. If you can last for one minute against Commander Nappa here I'll let you into my squad."
"Thank you Ouji-sama" Raditz replied with a deep bow.
"But Prince Vegeta…" Nappa began.
"SHUT-UP NAPPA!" Vegeta cried angrily wheeling around striking the man hard above his knee. The child watched as the man sunk to one knee and grabbing the other. "I didn't tell you that you could speak yet."
"Come back in one hour Raditz" Vegeta told the teenager turning his back on his former sensei. "By then the mental midget here will have recovered from his punishment."
"I will be here then," the teenager answered. With another low bow he exited the chamber.
The young prince's gaze immediately returned to the line of soldier's who snapped to attention. "Now I think I'll test all of you myself since Nappa is indisposed" the boy said observing the squirming group with a sly smirk, clasping his hands behind his back. "Who would like to go first?"
***
Zarbon walked cautiously into his quarters glancing around as the door closed. "Are you here?" he asked in a hushed tone. His answer was Ice suddenly appearing two feet in front of him. The man jumped although he had known to expect something like what just had happened. "I'll never get used to that," the man told the girl.
Ice didn't answer, but merely closed her violet eyes and made her way to the view port on the far side of the room. Curling her tail beneath herself she used it to prop herself upright and commenced to staring out the window. Zarbon sat on the bed and removed his boots while he watched her. She seemed to always be gazing at the stars her delicate features unreadable. He had never taken the time to truly study her before and he was surprised to realize how she had matured. She was now probably the equivalent of a late teen or young woman now. She had grown up, like so many others, under Freeza's grip probably to remain there forever.
"You didn't here anything from Lord Freeza?" he asked Ice hoping the break the awkward silence.
"No" the girl replied succinctly "and we won't unless his orders change."
"You know I don't know what's worse" Zarbon stated "knowing that you're probably hanging over my shoulder and I can't see you or seeing you and getting the silent treatment."
"I'm sorry that I'm not a better companion" she replied "but I wasn't molded to be one. I was made to be a silent and unseen assassin in the tradition of the Shadow Sisterhood. If you want a conversation I suggest you go elsewhere."
"So you can actually say more than just a few words at a time" Zarbon replied with a smirk taking off his cape. "You know I'm not your enemy and we could at least make this partnership a little more friendly." He said removing his gloves. "It won't hurt to have a little conversation Love."
"What would we talk about?" the changeling asked nervously observing him removing his armour.
"I don't know, maybe you could tell me a little about yourself or tsirisei," he suggested.
"We're not suppose to talk of the home world," she answered.
"I've never seen a more secretive lot than your kind," Zarbon answered. "I've been working for Lord Freeza for 10 years and I've been practically living with you for two weeks and I still know next to nothing about your planet or your customs. Why all the secrecy?"
"That's our way," she said.
"Well," Zarbon pried "if not about your planet what about you?"
"There's not much to tell" the girl replied.
"From what I understand you're from a rival clan to the Cold Clan" he pressed. "Is it common for someone from a rival clan to serve a warlord?"
"No" the girl answered. "My circumstances are not usual."
"Then how did you come be under Lord Freeza's yoke?"
Ice turned her head from him and gave no reply causing his heart to sink. This changeling girl moved him for some inexplicable reason he had yet to name. He had seen the plight of many under Freeza's thumb and she was the only one that had moved him to pity. He wished to reach out to her but she was so aloof.
"Okay Shadow Sister, what-ever-the-hell that is," Zarbon said releasing his hair from its braid "I'd like to look my best for the assault so I'm going to take a shower. Don't you dare go invisible on me and watch."
"I would never…" the girl gasped turning a darker shade of blue.
"Relax Ice" Zarbon chuckled "can't you take a joke?"
"I'm sorry I just…"
"No its okay" he said with a smile and a wink. "I think you should just relax and try to enjoy yourself is all. Catch you later."
***
Ginyu sat on the orange queen's throne watching Bata teaching young Jeice some fighting moves. The kid seemed to catch on pretty quick and definitely was seriously worth considered as a new member of Team Ginyu. Of course, once they revealed their true identities there was a chance the boy would refuse. He wanted to join them in their exercises, but of course the queen would never do that so he was reduced to just being nothing but a bystander.
"So kid," Bata said, "now that I've taught you some of my special attacks why don't you show me some of yours."
"If you insist," Jeice answered. "Shoot off a small attack."
"I wanted you to show me something not the other way around" Bata said snidely.
"I will if you'd just do as I say" Jeice said with a sly smile.
Bata 'humphed' and, stretching out his arm before himself, fired a lance of ki into the air, from his palm. To his surprise the young daidairojin sent a small bit of energy that swallowed his own. He gasped as both the attacks began to swirl in a whirlwind of purple and yellow and the combined energy went zooming through the window, blackening a stand of trees outside.
"Very impressive" Ginyu said. "You can combine your own energy with someone else's attack to create an even stronger one. How did you learn to do that?"
Before the teenager could answer a soldier interrupted him. "Excuse me your majesty but you are getting a transmission from Strike Force A"
"Put them through" the queen/fighter replied.
"Hiya captain" Recoom said flinching after he received a poke in the ribs from Gurdo.
"Uh..your majesty" the toady creature said "we are about an hour away from the saiyajin base."
"Excellent" he replied. "Remember not to underestimate them men. They may be monkey's but they are also one of the best warrior races around."
"We won't Cap….er…your majesty" Recoom stuttered. "We're striking at the precise time the guard changes."
"Report to me as soon as the base is secured. I know I can count on you."
"We won't let you down" Gurdo replied.
***
The politicians and military strategist in the meeting stood at attention as the Saiyajin King and the Tsrijin Lord entered the room. They tried to ignore the chill that crept up their spines as they were appraised with crimson eyes.
"Everyone be seated" King Vegeta declared and everyone did so, but for Freeza that is.
"Lord Freeza won't you sit down?" the King asked the tyrant.
"I'd rather stand if its all the same to you" Freeza replied in an almost sugar sweet manner.
"If that is what you'd like" the saiyajin ruler stumbled out in confusion.
"Yes" the warlord said beginning to walk the length of the table satisfied that he had made everyone in the room rather uncomfortable.
"We are here to plan the first strike on the planet. As agreed it will take place next week coinciding with the full moon on Daidairosei. I asked for all of you to bring your reports on the status of your tribe's battle readiness."
Freeza watched as the attendees shuffled their papers ready to speak in turn. The Lord managed to catch the eye of Hakka. The minister of war shifted uneasily in his seat knowing what the tyrant expected him to do.
"Ou-sama" Hakka spoke out.
"Yes Minister" the King said eyeing him suspiciously.
"I agree that this invasion is of great priority but I feel that there are other matters of still greater importance" the War Minister stated.
"Such as?" the King prompted.
"There is much unrest and talk of rebellion in all of the empire and its protectorates" the politician began. "It is our duty to send military to create constant presence in and around the Empire while we battle with the Daidairojin otherwise they will follow suit."
"That is just what would increase their chances of rebellion!" Lady Endou retorted.
"It is that attitude that resulted in the murder of the queen" Hakka replied. "Swift strong response is necessary!"
"If you want to start a galactic war!" Endou responded.
"SILENCE!" the King bellowed rising from his seat in a motion so violent his chair topple over. "This invasion, Minister Hakka will serve as an example to those that would defy us. It is enough for now. If we tighten our grip too quickly then these people will most certainly rebel and that is my final word!"
Freeza smiled as he looked at the chronometer on the conference room's wall. "Soon, very soon, these apes will be forced to take decisive action" he thought to himself. "Their entire empire will be rendered in two with the disease of rebellion and I will be there to pick up the pieces. I will increase my grip on the universe and the Cold Empire will at last have no equal."
Wow, I just went back and noticed how many Chapters end with Freeza's little contemplations. LOL! I guess I like probing into his devious little mind. He's my favorite of all the villains because he's so sadistic and conniving. I'm really having fun writing him. There may be much more of him in Part Two of the Trilogy than in this one!
This is a spot that I'd like to ask your opinion. As you've probably noticed, Zarbon is a
little partial to Ice (which is important for plot development) but I hadn't
planned on writing anything romantic for this fiction. After that little "bedroom" scene above it
made me wonder if I should though. Do
you guys want to see a little more between Zarbon and Ice or should I just
leave it as is? Let me know and I'll
write some in for you. The more I write
Ice the more I like her and it breaks my heart knowing what's going to happen
to her… sniff.
In Chapter 7 we witness the assaults on the bases and
their effect on the Saiyajin Empire and Freeza's plan…