Here is my latest chapter. Once again I underestimated the amount of
writing it would take to complete this section so there is a little less
here than promised. This is Part 1 and Part 2 is partly written already.
There will be a brief wait though because I need to complete a chapter in
my other current epic before I post another here (details about them after
the story). In Death Knell For Vegeta-sei Parts 1 & 2 I will be running
around between various scenes that are in the events of the Bardock Special
and the Freeza flashbacks to his murder of King Vegeta. I won't be
recounting these scenes but I will be filling in the holes between all of
them. I will give you cues as to what has just happened and you can use
your imagination to piece it together with the events of my story.
You will also get an explanation as to where Raditz and Nappa were when the planet was destroyed in the next two chapters. I got the impression from the call to Vegeta's space pod in the Bardock special that Nappa was not with him because he was told he was the only known survivor. It would be kind of stupid to tell him that if Nappa was with him.
The conclusion of this story is fast approaching then Part II is waiting in the wings. Little teasers will appear after the last few chapters and I hope it whets your appetite. LOL!
Enjoy!
All previous disclaimers still apply.
1 Chapter 11: Death Knell For Vegetasei, Part 1
Three months until the destruction of Vegetasei:
Zarbon stood dutifully behind his Lord drawing the folds of his woolen cloak around his arms. Of course this seer would have to be a hermit and recluse living at the top of a freezing and treacherous mountain. He glanced at his master and the seer as they sat at either side of the blazing fire at the center of the cave. They had searched long and hard to find this man after the amazing sight of an entire population awaiting their arrival and the subsequent surrender of his people by the Nekojin King. Once the monarch had revealed the reason for their surrender was a warning from his personal seer, a man who had withdrawn from society in a half-mad state after an unusual encounter that had left him with an unwanted gift, Freeza had spared little time and all his available manpower to ferret him out.
Freeza sat on the cold stones of room his deepening scowl made all the more hideous by the dancing torch light deep in concentration. The kyouryuujin wanted to know precisely what was going through the tyrant's head. Over the last few month's his employer seemed to grow increasingly nervous and for no apparent reason began seeking out psychics and seers in order to know his future. Many had been frauds but a few had told him things and had suffered their demise at his enraged hands. Secretly Zarbon wondered if the powerful ruler was going mad for now they were in the middle of nowhere on a conquered planet to have Freeza's fortune read once more.
This time the unfortunate seer appeared to be on death's door already, emaciated so badly he appeared to be a walking skeleton. He moved as little as possible, breathing shallow, his sunken yellow eyes darting about apprehensively. "You wisssssssh to know the future?" the haggard cat-like creature finally hissed.
"I wish to know if you see the same future as another" the reptilian King stated "and what I can do to prevent it."
The creature hissed in a strange raspy laugh peering at him over the fire with his sunken eyes. "Thissss I will tell you for a priccce" he said.
"I will only hand over your price if you answer my request" the Lord said with a strange grin to his lips "tell me the story of how you gained your powers."
The creature paused in surprise, glaring at the man. "Why do you wissssh to know?" he asked suspiciously.
"Curiosity" the tsirijin stated in a low, even and unreadable tone.
"Thisss I did not ssssee" the creature whispered nervously "but I will tell you." The man shifted on his bony haunches and stared into the fire his eyes losing focus. "I wass a young sssoldier" the man began in a clam trance like voice "and we were at war. I quickly joined the ranksss of battle and fought for my people. There wasss a planet that did businesssss with our enemy and I wasss chosssen ass part of a force to go to the planet and demand they sstop aiding our enemiesss. If they refussed we were to kill the rulersss and ssignal for the invasssion forcesss."
"We were welcomed to the planet and were lissstened to politely then the fissh-faced devilss ssurrounded us. They told usss they had our entire fleet sssurrounded and we would all die. My commander questioned them, demanding to know how they were sso well prepared for usss. They told uss they could foretell the future and their aide wass the reason our enemiesss did so well in businessssss. Most of ussss including mysself believed thisss to be a lie to belittle usss, asss if we were naïve and gullible enough to believe their tale. I, being young and impetuousss, decided to uphold our honor."
"'We are not foolsss' I ssshouted at them 'why tell us liessss. Kill usss but do not inssult our intelligence.'"
"Ssaying that wasss a misstake I will regret for the resst of my life. A tall Lord of theirsss walked up to me and laughed coldly telling me he did not lie. Out-raged I continued to sspeak against him and hisss people inssulting them in every way I could. Finally, the man cried 'Enough! You will live for your inssolence'. I didn't undersstand how living could be a punisshment and told them sso. My only ansswer wasss laughter and a hit the back of my sskull. I felt a sspark of pain asss if I had been sshocked by electricity and after a moment my head sswam and I passsssed out."
"I woke-up on a sslave sship. I wasss tortured, beaten and sstarved by the sslaverss but the worsst thing that plagued me were the vissonss I began having. I ssaw the sship being torn apart and almosst everyone dieing and I knew it wasss the future. I warned the traderss but they only abussed me more cruelly. At last I wasss vindicated when my vission came to passss. This raissed my sstatuss among the ssurviving traderss and taken in asss part of the fold. With ssome more accurate predictionss I gained money and purchased my freedom and traveled home."
"My homecoming wasss not what I expected. My world wasss now ruled by a treacherousss and sstupid king who wasss placed on the throne by the desstroyerss of my culture. Our enemiesss conquered usss and now we are only a sshadow of the great civilization I remember from my youth. That isss what the Kanasssssanjin meant by my punisshment wasss living. Now I live to ssee our new sslavery under your rule Freeza-sssama. Yesss, I got to ssee it before it happened, watch it playing out before my eyesss, and ssee it live in my memory and haunt my dreamsss, both waking and ssleeping."
The man shifted his amber gaze upward to the tsirijin who now smirked confidently back at him. "I know what you are thinking," the creature accused stabbing a bony finger towards him "and wouldn't advisse it. Ssecond-ssight is a cursse and you would be forced to relive your coming death over and over again, powerlessss to sstop it. You will try everything you know to prevent what you have sseen only to disscover the new path you created isss leading to yet another horror."
"You see my death as well?" Freeza questioned nonplussed.
Without warning the man's eyes grew unfocused as his body colapsed lurching forward into the flames his ragged clothing instantly igniting into a leaping inferno. The sight had to be the most terrifying thing Zarbon had ever witnessed not because of the burning man but the fact he did not cry out or rouse from his catatonic state. Freeza, unfeeling baka he was, sat stupidly staring in surprise but also in rapt fascination at the sight relishing the smell of burning flesh. Suddenly brought to himself Zarbon rushed the prophet outside extinguishing him quickly in the frigid bank of snow. The blue skinned warrior looked up to find Freeza standing in the doorway to the cave dwelling staring down at the man without a trace of emotion. Zarbon may have enjoyed killing but Freeza's sick penchant for pain and torture turned even his stomach.
"You will meet your death at the handsss of a golden warrior" the man half wheezed and half hissed. "You will be ssplit open on a blade of ssteel at the handsss of your worsst fear."
"Who is my executioner?" Freeza unfeelingly demanded of the charred creature.
"A ssaiyajin prince with eyes of blue" he rasped as his own eyes fluttered open.
"So it is not my Princeling then?" Freeza more stated than questioned a slight spark of some strange emotion in his eyes. "That means there is either a half-breed bastard of King Vegeta's I know nothing about or perhaps a descendant yet to come."
Zarbon stared up at the enigmatic expression that crossed his employer's face. He couldn't tell if it was delight or anger. Perhaps a little of both was the answer. He never could understand Freeza well but he did know that whatever was going on in his mind was calculated, cold and utterly wicked by the spark he saw dancing in his eyes.
"I think you have earned your price," the tsirijin announced.
"Death" the man demanded softly.
"Very well" the changeling said with a smirk "Zarbon will pay your fee." With this said the tyrant turned gracefully walking a few sinking steps. "Do hurry Zarbon" Freeza said in a tone icier than the biting wind swirling around him "I don't like to be kept waiting."
Zarbon watched Freeza rise into the air spellbound as always by the monstrous nature of the tsirijin. The smell of charred flesh pierced his nostrils and his golden eyes looked down to see the Nekojin had reached out and touched his face.
"You" he whispered "musst move the girl."
"What do you mean?" Zarbon said feeling his heart begin to pound.
"The child" the man gasped "or he will kill her. He knowsss where sshe isss." With this statement the prophet breathed his last leaving Zarbon to fear the worst.
***
Two months until the destruction of Vegetasei:
Ice sighed as she shook her tired muscles. She was not accustomed to constant drilling and her daily lessons with the prince were quite fatiguing. Taking a deep cleansing breath she dropped all pretense and let her senses dull. The truth was she was tired, tired of it all, and wished more than ever to end her stay at this place. She was beset by heartache and headache daily and she was growing disgusted with it. If it were only herself she had to think about she would chance escape. She would run far from Freeza's reach and start a new life with her child, but there was Vegeta. The familiar pain of guilt resurfaced with the mere thought of the boy. She couldn't abandon him to Freeza; her heart wouldn't allow her too. She was personally responsible for Freeza's gaining power over the boy and his people and she had to make amends in whatever way possible. In her heart of hearts she knew that there was no way to make amends to him or any of his race and thus her sense of obligation would not die until her last breath. Gods she loved the boy as much as her own child…so much it tore her up inside having to choose between them. She couldn't be with both; she couldn't guide both so she had to live with her disquieting thoughts.
A pair of arms came around her touching off her perfect reflexes. Without thinking she bent forward taking the offender over her head to the ground. Ready to pounce she was jolted to reality as one golden eye glared at her accusingly from under a disheveled mop of green.
"Zarbon!" she cried squatting down to his eye level "I'm so sorry."
"Yes" he said pushing himself to his knees "I'm sure you are."
"I wasn't paying attention" she continued lightly touching his arm "and I didn't hear you come in."
"No problem Love" he answered "I should have been sure you knew I was here before touching you. Its dangerous to sneak up on a trained assassin."
Ice turned from him ashamed of being reminded of the truth. She could have easily killed him before she knew who he was. It was dangerous for him to be here in her private quarters in more ways than one. Freeza knew he had come to visit her a few times shortly after they were assigned to the station and made it clear there would be consequences if they continued slyly dropping hints he knew the secret they were hiding on Zarbon's home planet. They had almost entirely broken off contact with one another only meeting in secure areas when necessary. He wouldn't come here without good reason and that thought chilled her heart. "Why are you here?" she asked slowly.
"I'm here to let you know the latest," he said cryptically watching as the anxious fear in her features was replaced by pure joy. His chest constricted as he gazed into her lavender eyes for they sparkled with a glimmer of hope. She saw his mood and slowly reflected it back their sparkle dying slowly growing shiny with tears filling himself with self loathing because he was about to hurt her again.
"What is it?" she asked breathlessly.
"Freeza found out where she was…" he choked out watching her eyes grow wide with horror "she's dead Ice."
"No" Ice whimpered pitifully feeling the numbness set in as her heart was torn from her chest.
"Ice" he gasped reaching for her feeling fresh pain as she jerked away from him.
"You said you'd make sure Lealia would be safe" she hissed in uncharacteristic anger "you promised me!"
"Ice I'm sorry but…" he sobbed his words catching in his throat. Paralyzed he could only stare at her slight form while it shuddered with silent sobs slowly giving way to the flood of self-hate he had held back since his meeting with Freeza. He deserved her hatred for this heinous acted, for everything really. If he hadn't selfishly seduced her on the ship and if he hadn't continued the condescend affair then Freeza wouldn't have had the power over both of them he now had. She strangely touched him and being self-absorbed as he was this drove him to take advantage of her. He had thought he could get her out of his system after allowing her to breech his defenses for those two years but he had been wrong. Not only had she managed to find a permanent in-road into his cold heart but also she gave him a child. Gods he had never intended for her to become pregnant but because of his lack of knowledge about her kind and her naivetie it had happened. He had been a fool to think they could hide the baby on his home world in his mother's care and he had been an even greater fool to allow himself to be swayed by Ice's pleas to see her only once in a while. If they had abandoned the child the sadistic master they served would have never known a thing but she couldn't bring herself to do it. They had visited several times during those two years and he too had been lulled into a false sense of security in their own little world. He had grown attached to the girl and wanted more than anything to just live quietly with his small family, however, they were called back to Freeza. Their reluctance to break all ties with the girl was what had allowed Freeza to discover everything and place before him the hideous choice…his child or the woman he had grown to care for in some perverted since of the word.
Ice softened as she saw the warrior she had known as the paragon of strength slowly unravel before her eyes weeping like a lost child. How could she turn on the only one who had truly cared for her and tried to protect her? He shared her pain and her loss.
"Zarbon" she whispered whipping a tear from his cheek "I'm sorry." He looked up at her with such a lost expression all barriers her grief had erected dissolved and she launched herself into his arms allowing her hug to covey the words she was afraid to articulate.
"Gods" Zarbon reproached himself mentally as he allowed her to cling to him "why does she have to do this?" He knew the answer; despite everything Ice still was the kindest most empathetic soul he had ever known. She would continue to adore him when he was the last bastard that ever deserved such selfless affection. Her depth of feeling was so unfathomable to him, he cared for her but he hesitated to say he loved her would be a lie. He who had agreed to Freeza's Faustian bargain to sacrifice her to save the life of another deserved nothing but contempt. He regretted the hurt he would be causing Ice and that his deal meant no contact with his child except on rare occasions for him, he had truly began to grow attached to her. Besides he had an obligation to see she was safe, the little half-tsirijin was his blood. To ensure her safety he had to break all ties with her mother and never again interfere with the demonic changeling's elaborate game involving both Ice and the saiyajin prince.
Zarbon sighed as her tears grew faster and harder before he placed his hands against her chest. Forcing her off of him he steeled himself to the shock apparent in her faced and rose to his feet. This was the hardest part for him. Her moods seemed to draw him in for some reason he couldn't explain. As long as he'd known her she had this unexplainable power to move him. An unbearable guilt began to settle heavily on his chest. "I'm sorry Ice but it isn't wise for me to stay here any longer" he said hardening his voice and resolve. "In fact it's best we not see each other ever again." The heartbreak and confusion on her face twisted his stomach and he whipped around to keep his resolve. "Look at it this way Love, things are better this way." He turned and forced himself to walk calmly from her quarters rather than run in shame as he heard her broken cries.
***
One month until the destruction of Vegetasei:
King Vegeta stared up at the moon waxing steadily toward its goal. He sighed agitatedly his mind weighed with many quandaries. He knew Freeza was no fool yet he had heard not a word from the warlord about the coming full moon. No precautions had been set in place for the large contingent of Freeza's army that now occupied the planet. Surely, he knew that there would be a revolt and his troops would be completely crushed by a planet full of enraged oozaros.
He was no fool either. The full moon was the only chance they had to take back Vegetasei from Freeza's forces. The only problem remained the tyrant himself, who could easily devastate them once moon time was over. For that reason, the saiyajin no ou knew his only recourse was a strike on Freeza himself just before the night of the full moon. Freeza had to be killed or there was no hope for the saiyajin people or his son.
"Your majesty?" the quiet voice of Zorn echoed in the throne room.
"Over here" was the weary answer.
Zorn approached the King with hesitant care. He had been worried as of late about the ruler. He had grown increasingly withdrawn locking himself up in his inner chambers planning and scheming on how to rescue the Prince and save his people. The guards were the only ones he spoke to and trusted. Everyone could see swollen bags under his eyes and the broken spirit beneath his bravado. The queen's death had unbalanced him but the loss of the prince had him teetering on the cusp of insanity. There was only so much someone could endure no matter his measure of might and the King had reached his breaking point. Only shear will, and a mad reckless hope, was holding him together for the last desperate attempt to regain everything that had been stripped from him.
"Your highness I come with good news" the captain began "I have word that Freeza has accepted your petition for an audience."
The King smiled ironically. "So we have our way in now," he said quietly in low voice. "I wonder what good it will do us?"
"We will succeed" the guard stated. He was startled from his confidence by the deep rumbling laugh of the King and dismayed at desolate waning fire he saw lurking in the depths of the monarch's eyes. "Majesty you mustn't loose hope."
"Zorn I came to a recent epiphany" the man stated looking straight into his eyes. "When I enter Freeza's ship I'm going to die and the whole guard is going to go down with me." His hand came up in a stopping gesture and silenced sputtering of the guard before he continued. "All this time I have been worrying about my son and it is I that will die. He will live just as the sooth-sayer said and will have no Kingdom to rule because it will collapse with my death."
"I don't understand" Zorn faltered.
"Don't you remember?" Vegeta insisted, "She said he would out live everyone in that room save one. That includes me and every member of the guard including you!" The King stopped dead when he saw the shadow fall across Zorn's face leaving him pale and ashen. "Rest easy my friend we all knew it was an impossible task but I'd rather die bravely trying to kill that bastard then rot here while he molds my son into his protégé."
"I wish I could say I something that would disprove your theory" the man said solemnly "but I can't."
"Then there is nothing more to discuss" the King said soberly turning his back on the man "except the message I wish for you to send to Nappa on Freeza's ship."
"What message?" the man queried in confusion.
"Its recorded on the disk sitting on the table" he stated quietly.
The faithful guardsman allowed his eyes to view the scattered mess of plans and reports strewn on the hard black surface of the table the King had been using for a work area. He saw only one innocuous gray information disk and picked it up in his gloved hand with care.
As if Vegeta-ou had eyes in the back of his head he spoke immediately upon the man's picking up the message. "See that it gets to him Zorn" he said with a serious tone.
"Yes ou-sama" Zorn replied with a bow exiting the throne room and the air of death and despair that threatened to suffocate him.
***
Radditz walked down the base's corridors briskly. When he had heard of the condition his sire when he had returned in from Kanassei he had a strong desire to see him. He had no idea why; perhaps it was the news that his brother was tested at third-class level as well. He had hoped the brat would have a higher level and that would make the bearcats re-check both himself and his father but instead the boy had turned out to be a disappointment testing a pitiful level. His family seemed doomed to ignominy.
The teenaged boy slowed his pace slightly. His father wasn't going anywhere after all and he needn't look so eager to see him. He entered the room at a slow pace scanning each regeneration tank until he found Bardock's naked form floating in the sea-green fluid.
"Son of Bardock" the little green alien sputtered rushing to him. "I am pleased to see you."
"How is the old baka doing?" he asked watching the man's brow furrow in the healing sleep.
"Okay" the short alien said nervously. "He seems to be experiencing an unusual level of brain activity but other than that I don't know."
"Usual level huh?" Radditz questioned. "I wonder if what they said about that planet is true then."
"What do you mean?" creature asked eagerly.
Raditz turned his black eyes to the medical technician to see the ghost of concern. "There is an old legend that attributes the power of second sight to the planet's inhabitants. They say anyone who sets foot on it can see the future."
"A silly legend" the tech laughed "and false as they all are no doubt."
"I wouldn't knock it" the saiyajin counseled, "Most legends are based in fact. Remember the Legendary, that is no myth."
"Perhaps" the tech said "but seeing the future is a bit far fetched."
"He won't be out for a while will he?" the young man queried.
"Nope, not anytime soon," the alien tisked "I've told him time and time again not to push himself too far or he would end up in bad shape and I was right."
"I'll talk to him when I get back then," the young man said with a smirk.
"You are going off planet?" the tech asked excitedly.
"Yes, my squad and I are being sent to some purging mission," he said straitening with pride as he carefully enunciated the last of his statement "by Freeza himself."
"There have been a lot more than usual recently ordered" the tech said worriedly. "Your father's squad was just sent out on a mission as well by Freeza. I don't like this one bit Radditz. I'm getting a bad feeling about all of it."
"Don't worry" the saiyajin said with a grin "we're just finally getting the recognition we deserve is all." He ventured a gaze at his sire with an ironic grin. "He'll be really pissed he missed out on the mission ordered by Freeza though."
"Yes" the tech mumbled nervously. "I hope he doesn't try to charge off after them. He just might you know."
"Maybe" he laughed.
"By any chance have you seen your brother?" the creature asked.
"For a moment" Radditz said with a wince "but that was all my ears could stand."
"He will be shipped off planet soon perhaps while you are gone," the technician continued. "If Bardock is not well he may be sent off without the traditional send-off."
Radditz snorted. "My family has never been much for sentimental scenes."
"Both your mother and father were present for your send-off" the man stated quietly.
"Well" Radditz said tersely "she was an overly emotional saiyajin."
The green creature sighed. He could never understand the posturing of saiyajin insisting they were above emotion when their actions said otherwise.
"See you Scopa," Radditz said quickly before stopping and saluting injured the man before him "and see you soon father."
***
Freeza eyed the young female as she sat in her usual position of subjection. Although her head was tilted down and she refused to look up it almost appeared, from the slump in her shoulders, it was not out of fear. The changeling lord did not like this change in attitude.
"Ice I have a new assignment for you" he said sternly.
She looked up at him and didn't like what he saw swimming in her lavender pools it was something other than the usual awful trepidation he was accustomed to. It almost appeared resentful and hollow. Could his little minion grown bolder a symptom of her latest "loss"? If she had it was most vexing. He had believed the news of her half-breed spawn's demise and rejection of Zarbon would have broken her but it seemed to have tempered her into something stronger. He would break her soon enough, however.
"As you know I have grown tired of the haughty attitude of the saiyajin recently" he said calmly "so I decided to get rid of the ones I feel could cause the most trouble. I've already sent Dodoria to rid me of a particularly strong group of warriors under a third level soldier. Since the third-class monkey's are growing considerably stronger I feel it necessary to destroy the elites completely. Zarbon has been sent to dispatch of a few off-world dignitaries and it has come to my attention today there is a small group of self-banished elites, former cabinet members of the Kings on a backwater planet."
Saying this he tossed a data recorder to her, which she caught effortlessly her face remaining a stern mask of studied concentration.
"Vegeta no ou sent the message you now carry a copy of to Nappa. It gives the location of the meeting set for seeing the contact named Lady Endou. Do you recall seeing her?"
"I remember her," Ice said softly in answer looking sadly at the device. "She was one of the few that saw through your charade."
"Good," Freeza said abruptly "I want you to go to this place and wait there for Nappa. Follow them back to the hovel they are hiding in and kill all of them." At the very least her show of emotion as he said this meant was not yet jaded. Oh, yes would utterly delicate her before he was done with her.
"Including Nappa?" she asked in surprise.
"Especially that buffoon" Freeza sneered "I can't have any simian influences on the boy any longer if he is to be properly instructed. Vegeta has been most annoyingly obedient, a perfect little guest and with that idiot questioning everything anyone does in connection with the brat he keeps reminding the boy of his noble heritage. With him gone and the boy surrounded by only those who hold him in contempt he will feel totally and utterly alone."
"Why is that necessary?" Ice questioned with a note of protectiveness in her tone.
Freeza smirked at the young woman. Yes she still had a weakness for the boy that could be exploited. "My, my" he scolded, "You wouldn't be questioning my decisions, would you?"
"Of course not" she answered quickly not shrinking from the ruby gaze of the monarch.
Freeza felt the stirring of frustration as she refused to crumple. It appeared she needed something more to send her emotions into a spin. It was imperative she be thinking with her heart and not her head. "Ice" he said coldly with a wide sweeping gesture "I don't like the idea of you caring more for those monkey's than for your own family. Remember Ice you still hold the fate of your clan in the palm of your hand. They will suffer if you don't do as I say."
"I know that my Lord" she answered with a surprising hardness "and I'm aware that you always keep your word as long as they don't pose a threat."
His temper threatened to explode with her defiance. His expert control staved the imminent eruption before he allowed her to know she had gotten to him. "If I didn't know better I'd think you were belittling me. I know that you are much too smart for that Ice. You've been showing a rebellious streak of late that is concerning me."
"I thought I was of little consequence to you any longer" Ice answered frankly.
Freeza chuckled under his breath. "So the shrinking flower finally has some back bone," he answered. "I think your charge is influencing you more than you are influencing him." Dismissively studying his pasty hand rather than her he paused allowing the moment to become pregnant with unease. His eyes suddenly snapped up to hers burning with purpose unnerving her for a moment before she began to recover. He then shot his final blow to her wavering courage. "I still have a great deal of things in store for you" he said with a maniacal gleam in his eyes.
Fighting back the sudden wave of fear that threatened to overcome her she looked away for a moment. "That is comforting" she said "and I will continue to seek to please you always."
"I'm sure you will" Freeza said breaking into a disturbing smile "most definitely you will."
***
The boy ducked under the massive fist jamming his own into the enormous being's rubbery flesh under its right armpit.
"Very Good Vegeta" it said in a strangely small feminine voice stepping away. "You remembered where its heart is. That blow would have killed it instantly." Ice smiled at the boy. "Remember, every race has its own weakness to exploit."
"And a saiyajin's is our tails" Vegeta said blasé "so I must learn to over come it. I know, you've told me enough."
"What have you been doing to desensitized yourself to it?" the woman questioned curiously.
"Nappa and I have been taking turns using a tail grab while sparring and trying to work through the pain. We have been very successful" he announced proudly.
Ice flashed a smile at the giant saiyajin on the sidelines that he quickly turned away from. She was glad Vegeta had been sharing some techniques with Nappa, especially ridding himself of the tail weakness, because she knew the big saiyajin secretly coveted the expert knowledge she had been disseminating to the prince. Every once in a while she had caught him closely observing their sessions deeply engrossed in her instruction. She seemed to have earned his respect somewhat.
"Is that all for today?" the boy demanded impatiently.
"Yes it is" she said. "Actually that will be all for the next few weeks."
"What?" Vegeta questioned irritated.
"Freeza is sending me on a mission and it will take me that long to complete so I will be unable to train you" she explained seeing the pouty scowl crossing the boy's face.
"I will come with you" Vegeta insisted. "There will be nothing to do here since none of the losers on this ship is worthy of sparing with me."
Ice smiled piteously. He had no idea just what she was to do. "You can't come" Ice stated lamely "Lord Freeza wouldn't allow it." In actuality she thought he probably would be delighted if Vegeta were to witness the deaths of more of his people, but she wouldn't allow that to happen. Not after the pain she had to endure murdering her own kinsman.
Looking down at the boy glaring angrily at her for her refusal she had to wonder if the super-saiyajin legend that so unnerved Freeza really was a myth. Young Vegeta certainly was increasing in strength steadily. He was not anywhere near his power level but Freeza certainly seemed nervous when she reported the boy's remarkable progress under her tutelage. This too made her worry for Vegeta. She wondered if the bizarre affection the Lord held the boy in would be enough to save him from being a victim of the tyrant's growing fears.
"Then I will just have to make due with Nappa" he sneered in disgust.
She caught Nappa's jealous glare in her direction out of the corner of her eye. It seemed almost as if they had gone back in time to Vegetasei when Nappa hated her for Vegeta's preference to her company over his sensei. Vegeta still was cold and rather aloof to her but she could see that he was warming up to her again. He held her in a sort of honor for her skill and seemed to appreciate her kindness and the protection she afforded. He was listening to her and that was a good sign. He had taken to bowing to Freeza and calling him "Lord" and "master" as she and the others did though his opinion of the tyrant remained the same. He hadn't tried to start any fights, after the first one she had intervened in. She was glad she could help him and she found herself lapsing back into her old feelings of fondness, only this time the feeling was stronger. She felt almost as if he was her child…
"I shouldn't think of that" the tsirijin woman thought bitterly to herself. "I can't use him as a substitute for her."
"I will see when you return Ice" the boy said. "Come Nappa" the Prince ordered making a hasty exit.
Ice watched Nappa trot out on the boy's heals like a faithful pet. An odd feeling of foreboding settled in her chest.
***
Zarbon genuflected automatically as the hover chair turned to face him. The doors hissed close behind him and he peered up at the ruler of half the universe warily. "You wished to see me my Lord" he said smoothly.
The Changeling said nothing for a moment boring a hole in his minion's head nervously swirling the wine in his glass. "Yes" the tyrant said laced with venom. "I was informed by a very reliable source that the girl has inextricably vanished from your home."
"I was informed of the same thing only recently" the kyouryuujin stated emotionlessly.
"So calm for a man whose child just went missing, aren't you?" Freeza said an angry cold note in his voice.
"I've learned from the best not to get attached to anything or anyone that could be used against me" the alien said a slight flash to his amber eyes.
The changeling laughed an insane and mirthful laugh before rising from his seat. "Really now Zarbon I'm not a fool" he said condescendingly floating to the floor without spilling a drop from his goblet. "You've hidden her from me" he continued strolling non-threatening towards the man kneeling in the middle of the floor "and our deal was that I know where she is at all times. I'm certain that you recall that my dear friend and so I shall let this pass if you immediately disclose her location."
"I'm afraid I can't do that Lord Freeza" Zarbon said clearly trying to remain calm "I don't know where she is myself."
Freeza's imperious burgundy smirk suddenly fell into a hard tightlipped line his red eyes sparking with indignation. "You think you're clever don't you" he erupted flinging the contents of his glass into Zarbon's face "you deliberately go behind my back and arrange for someone to steal her away where even you don't know she is and you think this will save you from my displeasure. I don't take disobedience lightly."
"No you don't" the man said resolutely loosing every trace of fear "and I'm prepared to pay for my insubordination."
The changeling started and peered intently into the kyouryuujin's dripping face and saw the truth in his eyes, he expected this and was prepared to die. This insufferable toady had the gall to believe he could outmaneuver him, the Lord of the universe, and play the martyr in the name of his bastard offspring. He wouldn't get off that easy. Freeza sneered and shattered the glass allowing the unfortunate vessel to bare the burnt of his destructive fury. Easily his countenance settled once more into his imperious smirk and he watched as the man stared at him in surprise. His sadistic nature instantly noticed the chink in his underling's armor and prepared to strike.
"I'm not going to kill you Zarbon no matter how much you want me too" the said craftily "there are other ways to punish you that are far more painful than death." Turning his back on the man he continued staring out into the vastness of the starry expanse just outside his enormous view port. "You are extremely fortunate I still find you useful to my cause. You know I may very well allow the child to slip completely away into oblivion and forget she ever existed. You see I made a bargain with you for her safety that previously allowed you to remain neutral in regard's to its mother. Now I ask that you aide me in my little project. At first I sought only to destroy her mind but now I've decided I'd like her to pay the ultimate price for her weakness."
He turned and saw the look of horror that passed over his features. "You don't mean that you want me to…" he began in an almost frantic tone.
Freeza held up his hand cutting the kyouryuujin short. "Oh no," he chuckled "I'd never ask that of you because I know you would utterly fail such a task. I have another in mind for that" he said a wicked glint to his eye. "Besides you aren't as dear to her as you were and it would make the suffering far more pathetic to make her die at the hands of the one she holds the most dear. Someone it will equally destroy to kill her."
***
Nappa slid silently into the seat before the console in his chamber. He reached down into the neck of his armor drawing out the unimpressive flat- gray disk. The giant saiyajin took a moment to contemplated the royal insignia on front paired with the dagger that appeared on its face. He had nearly face-faulted when he had been handed the diskette earlier that day and clearly recognized the symbol that had been used to flag top-secret messages. He hadn't seen one since he had left behind his post as Commander of the Saiyajin Army.
Slipping the disk into the convenient port he leaned back in his seat as the screen came to life. It was the King, and by his grave expression, he was certain the news he had to deliver was equally grim.
"Nappa" the saiyajin no ou began "you have always served me well and now I must ask you to do so again. I am ordering you to go and see Lady Endou and the other defectors in a last ditch effort to save the Prince. I know she will be willing to help despite our past contentions."
"The day before the full moon on Vegetasei I am planning an offensive on Freeza's flag ship. I have no delusions of it being successful but I hope it provides enough of a distraction that you can make an escape. Have her people waiting to shuttle you both away to safety. According to my information she has been staying on . She has the connections and means to hide the no ouji from Freeza's eyes and is my last hope to spare the boy from Freeza's influence.
"Go" he ordered pointedly "find her and secure her help. Vegeta is to know nothing of this. Do not fail me."
Nappa frowned as the image on the screen abruptly faded. The timing of the message didn't give him much time to prepare his mission before moon time. He had to find a way to leave quickly.
What is Freeza planning for Ice and what part is he going to force Zarbon to play in it?
Well you know who Lealia is now and many of you have probably but enough together to know a little about Ice's fate. I think you'll be a little surprised as to how it all plays out though. Ugh, my next two chapters are going to be very emotionally draining to write. A lot of death and suffering are coming up.
As you can see both Nappa and Ice are being sent to the exiled saiyajin. What will this meeting with Lady Endou be about and how will Ice's presence affect it? What happens to Radditz and his squad on their mission?
Promos:
I will take this moment to promote my other epics and give a taste of Part 2 of this trilogy.
Machine Planet Saga:
This epic is mainly a B/V story that features several figures involved in this story arch as well. The Cold sisters, whom Ice was swapped with, figure heavily in it as does Ice's daughter Lealia and another member of her family.
Unsung Heroes Saga:
This story is being put on hold until I finish this and Machine Planet. I can only realistically handle 2 stories at a time.
Now is the promised information on the next part of the Vegeta Trilogy:
This is a teenaged Vegeta tale, to be precise he is 16, just at the awkward phase between adult and child. Most stories I read miss the true feel of this difficult period in life and (I think it would be especially difficult under Vegeta's conditions) or overplay the angst. Another common thing I see is teenaged Vegeta romances that have him involved in some tragic love affair that forever scarred him with his loss of the one he loved. I think this is unrealistic. I seriously doubt Vegeta capable of having a real relationship at this point in his life. We meet an emotionally isolated and closed-off Vegeta in DBZ. As I show in the first part, I think this trend began early in his life because of his people's customs and was helped further by his experiences under Freeza. So what do I see? Another torrid tale that teaches Vegeta to further distance himself from others. It involves a powerful weapon, a young queen and my original characters Wrench, Snow, Blizzard and Frigid from Machine Planet. This is the back story to all the rivalry you see in Machine Planet!
More on it later!
You will also get an explanation as to where Raditz and Nappa were when the planet was destroyed in the next two chapters. I got the impression from the call to Vegeta's space pod in the Bardock special that Nappa was not with him because he was told he was the only known survivor. It would be kind of stupid to tell him that if Nappa was with him.
The conclusion of this story is fast approaching then Part II is waiting in the wings. Little teasers will appear after the last few chapters and I hope it whets your appetite. LOL!
Enjoy!
All previous disclaimers still apply.
1 Chapter 11: Death Knell For Vegetasei, Part 1
Three months until the destruction of Vegetasei:
Zarbon stood dutifully behind his Lord drawing the folds of his woolen cloak around his arms. Of course this seer would have to be a hermit and recluse living at the top of a freezing and treacherous mountain. He glanced at his master and the seer as they sat at either side of the blazing fire at the center of the cave. They had searched long and hard to find this man after the amazing sight of an entire population awaiting their arrival and the subsequent surrender of his people by the Nekojin King. Once the monarch had revealed the reason for their surrender was a warning from his personal seer, a man who had withdrawn from society in a half-mad state after an unusual encounter that had left him with an unwanted gift, Freeza had spared little time and all his available manpower to ferret him out.
Freeza sat on the cold stones of room his deepening scowl made all the more hideous by the dancing torch light deep in concentration. The kyouryuujin wanted to know precisely what was going through the tyrant's head. Over the last few month's his employer seemed to grow increasingly nervous and for no apparent reason began seeking out psychics and seers in order to know his future. Many had been frauds but a few had told him things and had suffered their demise at his enraged hands. Secretly Zarbon wondered if the powerful ruler was going mad for now they were in the middle of nowhere on a conquered planet to have Freeza's fortune read once more.
This time the unfortunate seer appeared to be on death's door already, emaciated so badly he appeared to be a walking skeleton. He moved as little as possible, breathing shallow, his sunken yellow eyes darting about apprehensively. "You wisssssssh to know the future?" the haggard cat-like creature finally hissed.
"I wish to know if you see the same future as another" the reptilian King stated "and what I can do to prevent it."
The creature hissed in a strange raspy laugh peering at him over the fire with his sunken eyes. "Thissss I will tell you for a priccce" he said.
"I will only hand over your price if you answer my request" the Lord said with a strange grin to his lips "tell me the story of how you gained your powers."
The creature paused in surprise, glaring at the man. "Why do you wissssh to know?" he asked suspiciously.
"Curiosity" the tsirijin stated in a low, even and unreadable tone.
"Thisss I did not ssssee" the creature whispered nervously "but I will tell you." The man shifted on his bony haunches and stared into the fire his eyes losing focus. "I wass a young sssoldier" the man began in a clam trance like voice "and we were at war. I quickly joined the ranksss of battle and fought for my people. There wasss a planet that did businesssss with our enemy and I wasss chosssen ass part of a force to go to the planet and demand they sstop aiding our enemiesss. If they refussed we were to kill the rulersss and ssignal for the invasssion forcesss."
"We were welcomed to the planet and were lissstened to politely then the fissh-faced devilss ssurrounded us. They told usss they had our entire fleet sssurrounded and we would all die. My commander questioned them, demanding to know how they were sso well prepared for usss. They told uss they could foretell the future and their aide wass the reason our enemiesss did so well in businessssss. Most of ussss including mysself believed thisss to be a lie to belittle usss, asss if we were naïve and gullible enough to believe their tale. I, being young and impetuousss, decided to uphold our honor."
"'We are not foolsss' I ssshouted at them 'why tell us liessss. Kill usss but do not inssult our intelligence.'"
"Ssaying that wasss a misstake I will regret for the resst of my life. A tall Lord of theirsss walked up to me and laughed coldly telling me he did not lie. Out-raged I continued to sspeak against him and hisss people inssulting them in every way I could. Finally, the man cried 'Enough! You will live for your inssolence'. I didn't undersstand how living could be a punisshment and told them sso. My only ansswer wasss laughter and a hit the back of my sskull. I felt a sspark of pain asss if I had been sshocked by electricity and after a moment my head sswam and I passsssed out."
"I woke-up on a sslave sship. I wasss tortured, beaten and sstarved by the sslaverss but the worsst thing that plagued me were the vissonss I began having. I ssaw the sship being torn apart and almosst everyone dieing and I knew it wasss the future. I warned the traderss but they only abussed me more cruelly. At last I wasss vindicated when my vission came to passss. This raissed my sstatuss among the ssurviving traderss and taken in asss part of the fold. With ssome more accurate predictionss I gained money and purchased my freedom and traveled home."
"My homecoming wasss not what I expected. My world wasss now ruled by a treacherousss and sstupid king who wasss placed on the throne by the desstroyerss of my culture. Our enemiesss conquered usss and now we are only a sshadow of the great civilization I remember from my youth. That isss what the Kanasssssanjin meant by my punisshment wasss living. Now I live to ssee our new sslavery under your rule Freeza-sssama. Yesss, I got to ssee it before it happened, watch it playing out before my eyesss, and ssee it live in my memory and haunt my dreamsss, both waking and ssleeping."
The man shifted his amber gaze upward to the tsirijin who now smirked confidently back at him. "I know what you are thinking," the creature accused stabbing a bony finger towards him "and wouldn't advisse it. Ssecond-ssight is a cursse and you would be forced to relive your coming death over and over again, powerlessss to sstop it. You will try everything you know to prevent what you have sseen only to disscover the new path you created isss leading to yet another horror."
"You see my death as well?" Freeza questioned nonplussed.
Without warning the man's eyes grew unfocused as his body colapsed lurching forward into the flames his ragged clothing instantly igniting into a leaping inferno. The sight had to be the most terrifying thing Zarbon had ever witnessed not because of the burning man but the fact he did not cry out or rouse from his catatonic state. Freeza, unfeeling baka he was, sat stupidly staring in surprise but also in rapt fascination at the sight relishing the smell of burning flesh. Suddenly brought to himself Zarbon rushed the prophet outside extinguishing him quickly in the frigid bank of snow. The blue skinned warrior looked up to find Freeza standing in the doorway to the cave dwelling staring down at the man without a trace of emotion. Zarbon may have enjoyed killing but Freeza's sick penchant for pain and torture turned even his stomach.
"You will meet your death at the handsss of a golden warrior" the man half wheezed and half hissed. "You will be ssplit open on a blade of ssteel at the handsss of your worsst fear."
"Who is my executioner?" Freeza unfeelingly demanded of the charred creature.
"A ssaiyajin prince with eyes of blue" he rasped as his own eyes fluttered open.
"So it is not my Princeling then?" Freeza more stated than questioned a slight spark of some strange emotion in his eyes. "That means there is either a half-breed bastard of King Vegeta's I know nothing about or perhaps a descendant yet to come."
Zarbon stared up at the enigmatic expression that crossed his employer's face. He couldn't tell if it was delight or anger. Perhaps a little of both was the answer. He never could understand Freeza well but he did know that whatever was going on in his mind was calculated, cold and utterly wicked by the spark he saw dancing in his eyes.
"I think you have earned your price," the tsirijin announced.
"Death" the man demanded softly.
"Very well" the changeling said with a smirk "Zarbon will pay your fee." With this said the tyrant turned gracefully walking a few sinking steps. "Do hurry Zarbon" Freeza said in a tone icier than the biting wind swirling around him "I don't like to be kept waiting."
Zarbon watched Freeza rise into the air spellbound as always by the monstrous nature of the tsirijin. The smell of charred flesh pierced his nostrils and his golden eyes looked down to see the Nekojin had reached out and touched his face.
"You" he whispered "musst move the girl."
"What do you mean?" Zarbon said feeling his heart begin to pound.
"The child" the man gasped "or he will kill her. He knowsss where sshe isss." With this statement the prophet breathed his last leaving Zarbon to fear the worst.
***
Two months until the destruction of Vegetasei:
Ice sighed as she shook her tired muscles. She was not accustomed to constant drilling and her daily lessons with the prince were quite fatiguing. Taking a deep cleansing breath she dropped all pretense and let her senses dull. The truth was she was tired, tired of it all, and wished more than ever to end her stay at this place. She was beset by heartache and headache daily and she was growing disgusted with it. If it were only herself she had to think about she would chance escape. She would run far from Freeza's reach and start a new life with her child, but there was Vegeta. The familiar pain of guilt resurfaced with the mere thought of the boy. She couldn't abandon him to Freeza; her heart wouldn't allow her too. She was personally responsible for Freeza's gaining power over the boy and his people and she had to make amends in whatever way possible. In her heart of hearts she knew that there was no way to make amends to him or any of his race and thus her sense of obligation would not die until her last breath. Gods she loved the boy as much as her own child…so much it tore her up inside having to choose between them. She couldn't be with both; she couldn't guide both so she had to live with her disquieting thoughts.
A pair of arms came around her touching off her perfect reflexes. Without thinking she bent forward taking the offender over her head to the ground. Ready to pounce she was jolted to reality as one golden eye glared at her accusingly from under a disheveled mop of green.
"Zarbon!" she cried squatting down to his eye level "I'm so sorry."
"Yes" he said pushing himself to his knees "I'm sure you are."
"I wasn't paying attention" she continued lightly touching his arm "and I didn't hear you come in."
"No problem Love" he answered "I should have been sure you knew I was here before touching you. Its dangerous to sneak up on a trained assassin."
Ice turned from him ashamed of being reminded of the truth. She could have easily killed him before she knew who he was. It was dangerous for him to be here in her private quarters in more ways than one. Freeza knew he had come to visit her a few times shortly after they were assigned to the station and made it clear there would be consequences if they continued slyly dropping hints he knew the secret they were hiding on Zarbon's home planet. They had almost entirely broken off contact with one another only meeting in secure areas when necessary. He wouldn't come here without good reason and that thought chilled her heart. "Why are you here?" she asked slowly.
"I'm here to let you know the latest," he said cryptically watching as the anxious fear in her features was replaced by pure joy. His chest constricted as he gazed into her lavender eyes for they sparkled with a glimmer of hope. She saw his mood and slowly reflected it back their sparkle dying slowly growing shiny with tears filling himself with self loathing because he was about to hurt her again.
"What is it?" she asked breathlessly.
"Freeza found out where she was…" he choked out watching her eyes grow wide with horror "she's dead Ice."
"No" Ice whimpered pitifully feeling the numbness set in as her heart was torn from her chest.
"Ice" he gasped reaching for her feeling fresh pain as she jerked away from him.
"You said you'd make sure Lealia would be safe" she hissed in uncharacteristic anger "you promised me!"
"Ice I'm sorry but…" he sobbed his words catching in his throat. Paralyzed he could only stare at her slight form while it shuddered with silent sobs slowly giving way to the flood of self-hate he had held back since his meeting with Freeza. He deserved her hatred for this heinous acted, for everything really. If he hadn't selfishly seduced her on the ship and if he hadn't continued the condescend affair then Freeza wouldn't have had the power over both of them he now had. She strangely touched him and being self-absorbed as he was this drove him to take advantage of her. He had thought he could get her out of his system after allowing her to breech his defenses for those two years but he had been wrong. Not only had she managed to find a permanent in-road into his cold heart but also she gave him a child. Gods he had never intended for her to become pregnant but because of his lack of knowledge about her kind and her naivetie it had happened. He had been a fool to think they could hide the baby on his home world in his mother's care and he had been an even greater fool to allow himself to be swayed by Ice's pleas to see her only once in a while. If they had abandoned the child the sadistic master they served would have never known a thing but she couldn't bring herself to do it. They had visited several times during those two years and he too had been lulled into a false sense of security in their own little world. He had grown attached to the girl and wanted more than anything to just live quietly with his small family, however, they were called back to Freeza. Their reluctance to break all ties with the girl was what had allowed Freeza to discover everything and place before him the hideous choice…his child or the woman he had grown to care for in some perverted since of the word.
Ice softened as she saw the warrior she had known as the paragon of strength slowly unravel before her eyes weeping like a lost child. How could she turn on the only one who had truly cared for her and tried to protect her? He shared her pain and her loss.
"Zarbon" she whispered whipping a tear from his cheek "I'm sorry." He looked up at her with such a lost expression all barriers her grief had erected dissolved and she launched herself into his arms allowing her hug to covey the words she was afraid to articulate.
"Gods" Zarbon reproached himself mentally as he allowed her to cling to him "why does she have to do this?" He knew the answer; despite everything Ice still was the kindest most empathetic soul he had ever known. She would continue to adore him when he was the last bastard that ever deserved such selfless affection. Her depth of feeling was so unfathomable to him, he cared for her but he hesitated to say he loved her would be a lie. He who had agreed to Freeza's Faustian bargain to sacrifice her to save the life of another deserved nothing but contempt. He regretted the hurt he would be causing Ice and that his deal meant no contact with his child except on rare occasions for him, he had truly began to grow attached to her. Besides he had an obligation to see she was safe, the little half-tsirijin was his blood. To ensure her safety he had to break all ties with her mother and never again interfere with the demonic changeling's elaborate game involving both Ice and the saiyajin prince.
Zarbon sighed as her tears grew faster and harder before he placed his hands against her chest. Forcing her off of him he steeled himself to the shock apparent in her faced and rose to his feet. This was the hardest part for him. Her moods seemed to draw him in for some reason he couldn't explain. As long as he'd known her she had this unexplainable power to move him. An unbearable guilt began to settle heavily on his chest. "I'm sorry Ice but it isn't wise for me to stay here any longer" he said hardening his voice and resolve. "In fact it's best we not see each other ever again." The heartbreak and confusion on her face twisted his stomach and he whipped around to keep his resolve. "Look at it this way Love, things are better this way." He turned and forced himself to walk calmly from her quarters rather than run in shame as he heard her broken cries.
***
One month until the destruction of Vegetasei:
King Vegeta stared up at the moon waxing steadily toward its goal. He sighed agitatedly his mind weighed with many quandaries. He knew Freeza was no fool yet he had heard not a word from the warlord about the coming full moon. No precautions had been set in place for the large contingent of Freeza's army that now occupied the planet. Surely, he knew that there would be a revolt and his troops would be completely crushed by a planet full of enraged oozaros.
He was no fool either. The full moon was the only chance they had to take back Vegetasei from Freeza's forces. The only problem remained the tyrant himself, who could easily devastate them once moon time was over. For that reason, the saiyajin no ou knew his only recourse was a strike on Freeza himself just before the night of the full moon. Freeza had to be killed or there was no hope for the saiyajin people or his son.
"Your majesty?" the quiet voice of Zorn echoed in the throne room.
"Over here" was the weary answer.
Zorn approached the King with hesitant care. He had been worried as of late about the ruler. He had grown increasingly withdrawn locking himself up in his inner chambers planning and scheming on how to rescue the Prince and save his people. The guards were the only ones he spoke to and trusted. Everyone could see swollen bags under his eyes and the broken spirit beneath his bravado. The queen's death had unbalanced him but the loss of the prince had him teetering on the cusp of insanity. There was only so much someone could endure no matter his measure of might and the King had reached his breaking point. Only shear will, and a mad reckless hope, was holding him together for the last desperate attempt to regain everything that had been stripped from him.
"Your highness I come with good news" the captain began "I have word that Freeza has accepted your petition for an audience."
The King smiled ironically. "So we have our way in now," he said quietly in low voice. "I wonder what good it will do us?"
"We will succeed" the guard stated. He was startled from his confidence by the deep rumbling laugh of the King and dismayed at desolate waning fire he saw lurking in the depths of the monarch's eyes. "Majesty you mustn't loose hope."
"Zorn I came to a recent epiphany" the man stated looking straight into his eyes. "When I enter Freeza's ship I'm going to die and the whole guard is going to go down with me." His hand came up in a stopping gesture and silenced sputtering of the guard before he continued. "All this time I have been worrying about my son and it is I that will die. He will live just as the sooth-sayer said and will have no Kingdom to rule because it will collapse with my death."
"I don't understand" Zorn faltered.
"Don't you remember?" Vegeta insisted, "She said he would out live everyone in that room save one. That includes me and every member of the guard including you!" The King stopped dead when he saw the shadow fall across Zorn's face leaving him pale and ashen. "Rest easy my friend we all knew it was an impossible task but I'd rather die bravely trying to kill that bastard then rot here while he molds my son into his protégé."
"I wish I could say I something that would disprove your theory" the man said solemnly "but I can't."
"Then there is nothing more to discuss" the King said soberly turning his back on the man "except the message I wish for you to send to Nappa on Freeza's ship."
"What message?" the man queried in confusion.
"Its recorded on the disk sitting on the table" he stated quietly.
The faithful guardsman allowed his eyes to view the scattered mess of plans and reports strewn on the hard black surface of the table the King had been using for a work area. He saw only one innocuous gray information disk and picked it up in his gloved hand with care.
As if Vegeta-ou had eyes in the back of his head he spoke immediately upon the man's picking up the message. "See that it gets to him Zorn" he said with a serious tone.
"Yes ou-sama" Zorn replied with a bow exiting the throne room and the air of death and despair that threatened to suffocate him.
***
Radditz walked down the base's corridors briskly. When he had heard of the condition his sire when he had returned in from Kanassei he had a strong desire to see him. He had no idea why; perhaps it was the news that his brother was tested at third-class level as well. He had hoped the brat would have a higher level and that would make the bearcats re-check both himself and his father but instead the boy had turned out to be a disappointment testing a pitiful level. His family seemed doomed to ignominy.
The teenaged boy slowed his pace slightly. His father wasn't going anywhere after all and he needn't look so eager to see him. He entered the room at a slow pace scanning each regeneration tank until he found Bardock's naked form floating in the sea-green fluid.
"Son of Bardock" the little green alien sputtered rushing to him. "I am pleased to see you."
"How is the old baka doing?" he asked watching the man's brow furrow in the healing sleep.
"Okay" the short alien said nervously. "He seems to be experiencing an unusual level of brain activity but other than that I don't know."
"Usual level huh?" Radditz questioned. "I wonder if what they said about that planet is true then."
"What do you mean?" creature asked eagerly.
Raditz turned his black eyes to the medical technician to see the ghost of concern. "There is an old legend that attributes the power of second sight to the planet's inhabitants. They say anyone who sets foot on it can see the future."
"A silly legend" the tech laughed "and false as they all are no doubt."
"I wouldn't knock it" the saiyajin counseled, "Most legends are based in fact. Remember the Legendary, that is no myth."
"Perhaps" the tech said "but seeing the future is a bit far fetched."
"He won't be out for a while will he?" the young man queried.
"Nope, not anytime soon," the alien tisked "I've told him time and time again not to push himself too far or he would end up in bad shape and I was right."
"I'll talk to him when I get back then," the young man said with a smirk.
"You are going off planet?" the tech asked excitedly.
"Yes, my squad and I are being sent to some purging mission," he said straitening with pride as he carefully enunciated the last of his statement "by Freeza himself."
"There have been a lot more than usual recently ordered" the tech said worriedly. "Your father's squad was just sent out on a mission as well by Freeza. I don't like this one bit Radditz. I'm getting a bad feeling about all of it."
"Don't worry" the saiyajin said with a grin "we're just finally getting the recognition we deserve is all." He ventured a gaze at his sire with an ironic grin. "He'll be really pissed he missed out on the mission ordered by Freeza though."
"Yes" the tech mumbled nervously. "I hope he doesn't try to charge off after them. He just might you know."
"Maybe" he laughed.
"By any chance have you seen your brother?" the creature asked.
"For a moment" Radditz said with a wince "but that was all my ears could stand."
"He will be shipped off planet soon perhaps while you are gone," the technician continued. "If Bardock is not well he may be sent off without the traditional send-off."
Radditz snorted. "My family has never been much for sentimental scenes."
"Both your mother and father were present for your send-off" the man stated quietly.
"Well" Radditz said tersely "she was an overly emotional saiyajin."
The green creature sighed. He could never understand the posturing of saiyajin insisting they were above emotion when their actions said otherwise.
"See you Scopa," Radditz said quickly before stopping and saluting injured the man before him "and see you soon father."
***
Freeza eyed the young female as she sat in her usual position of subjection. Although her head was tilted down and she refused to look up it almost appeared, from the slump in her shoulders, it was not out of fear. The changeling lord did not like this change in attitude.
"Ice I have a new assignment for you" he said sternly.
She looked up at him and didn't like what he saw swimming in her lavender pools it was something other than the usual awful trepidation he was accustomed to. It almost appeared resentful and hollow. Could his little minion grown bolder a symptom of her latest "loss"? If she had it was most vexing. He had believed the news of her half-breed spawn's demise and rejection of Zarbon would have broken her but it seemed to have tempered her into something stronger. He would break her soon enough, however.
"As you know I have grown tired of the haughty attitude of the saiyajin recently" he said calmly "so I decided to get rid of the ones I feel could cause the most trouble. I've already sent Dodoria to rid me of a particularly strong group of warriors under a third level soldier. Since the third-class monkey's are growing considerably stronger I feel it necessary to destroy the elites completely. Zarbon has been sent to dispatch of a few off-world dignitaries and it has come to my attention today there is a small group of self-banished elites, former cabinet members of the Kings on a backwater planet."
Saying this he tossed a data recorder to her, which she caught effortlessly her face remaining a stern mask of studied concentration.
"Vegeta no ou sent the message you now carry a copy of to Nappa. It gives the location of the meeting set for seeing the contact named Lady Endou. Do you recall seeing her?"
"I remember her," Ice said softly in answer looking sadly at the device. "She was one of the few that saw through your charade."
"Good," Freeza said abruptly "I want you to go to this place and wait there for Nappa. Follow them back to the hovel they are hiding in and kill all of them." At the very least her show of emotion as he said this meant was not yet jaded. Oh, yes would utterly delicate her before he was done with her.
"Including Nappa?" she asked in surprise.
"Especially that buffoon" Freeza sneered "I can't have any simian influences on the boy any longer if he is to be properly instructed. Vegeta has been most annoyingly obedient, a perfect little guest and with that idiot questioning everything anyone does in connection with the brat he keeps reminding the boy of his noble heritage. With him gone and the boy surrounded by only those who hold him in contempt he will feel totally and utterly alone."
"Why is that necessary?" Ice questioned with a note of protectiveness in her tone.
Freeza smirked at the young woman. Yes she still had a weakness for the boy that could be exploited. "My, my" he scolded, "You wouldn't be questioning my decisions, would you?"
"Of course not" she answered quickly not shrinking from the ruby gaze of the monarch.
Freeza felt the stirring of frustration as she refused to crumple. It appeared she needed something more to send her emotions into a spin. It was imperative she be thinking with her heart and not her head. "Ice" he said coldly with a wide sweeping gesture "I don't like the idea of you caring more for those monkey's than for your own family. Remember Ice you still hold the fate of your clan in the palm of your hand. They will suffer if you don't do as I say."
"I know that my Lord" she answered with a surprising hardness "and I'm aware that you always keep your word as long as they don't pose a threat."
His temper threatened to explode with her defiance. His expert control staved the imminent eruption before he allowed her to know she had gotten to him. "If I didn't know better I'd think you were belittling me. I know that you are much too smart for that Ice. You've been showing a rebellious streak of late that is concerning me."
"I thought I was of little consequence to you any longer" Ice answered frankly.
Freeza chuckled under his breath. "So the shrinking flower finally has some back bone," he answered. "I think your charge is influencing you more than you are influencing him." Dismissively studying his pasty hand rather than her he paused allowing the moment to become pregnant with unease. His eyes suddenly snapped up to hers burning with purpose unnerving her for a moment before she began to recover. He then shot his final blow to her wavering courage. "I still have a great deal of things in store for you" he said with a maniacal gleam in his eyes.
Fighting back the sudden wave of fear that threatened to overcome her she looked away for a moment. "That is comforting" she said "and I will continue to seek to please you always."
"I'm sure you will" Freeza said breaking into a disturbing smile "most definitely you will."
***
The boy ducked under the massive fist jamming his own into the enormous being's rubbery flesh under its right armpit.
"Very Good Vegeta" it said in a strangely small feminine voice stepping away. "You remembered where its heart is. That blow would have killed it instantly." Ice smiled at the boy. "Remember, every race has its own weakness to exploit."
"And a saiyajin's is our tails" Vegeta said blasé "so I must learn to over come it. I know, you've told me enough."
"What have you been doing to desensitized yourself to it?" the woman questioned curiously.
"Nappa and I have been taking turns using a tail grab while sparring and trying to work through the pain. We have been very successful" he announced proudly.
Ice flashed a smile at the giant saiyajin on the sidelines that he quickly turned away from. She was glad Vegeta had been sharing some techniques with Nappa, especially ridding himself of the tail weakness, because she knew the big saiyajin secretly coveted the expert knowledge she had been disseminating to the prince. Every once in a while she had caught him closely observing their sessions deeply engrossed in her instruction. She seemed to have earned his respect somewhat.
"Is that all for today?" the boy demanded impatiently.
"Yes it is" she said. "Actually that will be all for the next few weeks."
"What?" Vegeta questioned irritated.
"Freeza is sending me on a mission and it will take me that long to complete so I will be unable to train you" she explained seeing the pouty scowl crossing the boy's face.
"I will come with you" Vegeta insisted. "There will be nothing to do here since none of the losers on this ship is worthy of sparing with me."
Ice smiled piteously. He had no idea just what she was to do. "You can't come" Ice stated lamely "Lord Freeza wouldn't allow it." In actuality she thought he probably would be delighted if Vegeta were to witness the deaths of more of his people, but she wouldn't allow that to happen. Not after the pain she had to endure murdering her own kinsman.
Looking down at the boy glaring angrily at her for her refusal she had to wonder if the super-saiyajin legend that so unnerved Freeza really was a myth. Young Vegeta certainly was increasing in strength steadily. He was not anywhere near his power level but Freeza certainly seemed nervous when she reported the boy's remarkable progress under her tutelage. This too made her worry for Vegeta. She wondered if the bizarre affection the Lord held the boy in would be enough to save him from being a victim of the tyrant's growing fears.
"Then I will just have to make due with Nappa" he sneered in disgust.
She caught Nappa's jealous glare in her direction out of the corner of her eye. It seemed almost as if they had gone back in time to Vegetasei when Nappa hated her for Vegeta's preference to her company over his sensei. Vegeta still was cold and rather aloof to her but she could see that he was warming up to her again. He held her in a sort of honor for her skill and seemed to appreciate her kindness and the protection she afforded. He was listening to her and that was a good sign. He had taken to bowing to Freeza and calling him "Lord" and "master" as she and the others did though his opinion of the tyrant remained the same. He hadn't tried to start any fights, after the first one she had intervened in. She was glad she could help him and she found herself lapsing back into her old feelings of fondness, only this time the feeling was stronger. She felt almost as if he was her child…
"I shouldn't think of that" the tsirijin woman thought bitterly to herself. "I can't use him as a substitute for her."
"I will see when you return Ice" the boy said. "Come Nappa" the Prince ordered making a hasty exit.
Ice watched Nappa trot out on the boy's heals like a faithful pet. An odd feeling of foreboding settled in her chest.
***
Zarbon genuflected automatically as the hover chair turned to face him. The doors hissed close behind him and he peered up at the ruler of half the universe warily. "You wished to see me my Lord" he said smoothly.
The Changeling said nothing for a moment boring a hole in his minion's head nervously swirling the wine in his glass. "Yes" the tyrant said laced with venom. "I was informed by a very reliable source that the girl has inextricably vanished from your home."
"I was informed of the same thing only recently" the kyouryuujin stated emotionlessly.
"So calm for a man whose child just went missing, aren't you?" Freeza said an angry cold note in his voice.
"I've learned from the best not to get attached to anything or anyone that could be used against me" the alien said a slight flash to his amber eyes.
The changeling laughed an insane and mirthful laugh before rising from his seat. "Really now Zarbon I'm not a fool" he said condescendingly floating to the floor without spilling a drop from his goblet. "You've hidden her from me" he continued strolling non-threatening towards the man kneeling in the middle of the floor "and our deal was that I know where she is at all times. I'm certain that you recall that my dear friend and so I shall let this pass if you immediately disclose her location."
"I'm afraid I can't do that Lord Freeza" Zarbon said clearly trying to remain calm "I don't know where she is myself."
Freeza's imperious burgundy smirk suddenly fell into a hard tightlipped line his red eyes sparking with indignation. "You think you're clever don't you" he erupted flinging the contents of his glass into Zarbon's face "you deliberately go behind my back and arrange for someone to steal her away where even you don't know she is and you think this will save you from my displeasure. I don't take disobedience lightly."
"No you don't" the man said resolutely loosing every trace of fear "and I'm prepared to pay for my insubordination."
The changeling started and peered intently into the kyouryuujin's dripping face and saw the truth in his eyes, he expected this and was prepared to die. This insufferable toady had the gall to believe he could outmaneuver him, the Lord of the universe, and play the martyr in the name of his bastard offspring. He wouldn't get off that easy. Freeza sneered and shattered the glass allowing the unfortunate vessel to bare the burnt of his destructive fury. Easily his countenance settled once more into his imperious smirk and he watched as the man stared at him in surprise. His sadistic nature instantly noticed the chink in his underling's armor and prepared to strike.
"I'm not going to kill you Zarbon no matter how much you want me too" the said craftily "there are other ways to punish you that are far more painful than death." Turning his back on the man he continued staring out into the vastness of the starry expanse just outside his enormous view port. "You are extremely fortunate I still find you useful to my cause. You know I may very well allow the child to slip completely away into oblivion and forget she ever existed. You see I made a bargain with you for her safety that previously allowed you to remain neutral in regard's to its mother. Now I ask that you aide me in my little project. At first I sought only to destroy her mind but now I've decided I'd like her to pay the ultimate price for her weakness."
He turned and saw the look of horror that passed over his features. "You don't mean that you want me to…" he began in an almost frantic tone.
Freeza held up his hand cutting the kyouryuujin short. "Oh no," he chuckled "I'd never ask that of you because I know you would utterly fail such a task. I have another in mind for that" he said a wicked glint to his eye. "Besides you aren't as dear to her as you were and it would make the suffering far more pathetic to make her die at the hands of the one she holds the most dear. Someone it will equally destroy to kill her."
***
Nappa slid silently into the seat before the console in his chamber. He reached down into the neck of his armor drawing out the unimpressive flat- gray disk. The giant saiyajin took a moment to contemplated the royal insignia on front paired with the dagger that appeared on its face. He had nearly face-faulted when he had been handed the diskette earlier that day and clearly recognized the symbol that had been used to flag top-secret messages. He hadn't seen one since he had left behind his post as Commander of the Saiyajin Army.
Slipping the disk into the convenient port he leaned back in his seat as the screen came to life. It was the King, and by his grave expression, he was certain the news he had to deliver was equally grim.
"Nappa" the saiyajin no ou began "you have always served me well and now I must ask you to do so again. I am ordering you to go and see Lady Endou and the other defectors in a last ditch effort to save the Prince. I know she will be willing to help despite our past contentions."
"The day before the full moon on Vegetasei I am planning an offensive on Freeza's flag ship. I have no delusions of it being successful but I hope it provides enough of a distraction that you can make an escape. Have her people waiting to shuttle you both away to safety. According to my information she has been staying on . She has the connections and means to hide the no ouji from Freeza's eyes and is my last hope to spare the boy from Freeza's influence.
"Go" he ordered pointedly "find her and secure her help. Vegeta is to know nothing of this. Do not fail me."
Nappa frowned as the image on the screen abruptly faded. The timing of the message didn't give him much time to prepare his mission before moon time. He had to find a way to leave quickly.
What is Freeza planning for Ice and what part is he going to force Zarbon to play in it?
Well you know who Lealia is now and many of you have probably but enough together to know a little about Ice's fate. I think you'll be a little surprised as to how it all plays out though. Ugh, my next two chapters are going to be very emotionally draining to write. A lot of death and suffering are coming up.
As you can see both Nappa and Ice are being sent to the exiled saiyajin. What will this meeting with Lady Endou be about and how will Ice's presence affect it? What happens to Radditz and his squad on their mission?
Promos:
I will take this moment to promote my other epics and give a taste of Part 2 of this trilogy.
Machine Planet Saga:
This epic is mainly a B/V story that features several figures involved in this story arch as well. The Cold sisters, whom Ice was swapped with, figure heavily in it as does Ice's daughter Lealia and another member of her family.
Unsung Heroes Saga:
This story is being put on hold until I finish this and Machine Planet. I can only realistically handle 2 stories at a time.
Now is the promised information on the next part of the Vegeta Trilogy:
This is a teenaged Vegeta tale, to be precise he is 16, just at the awkward phase between adult and child. Most stories I read miss the true feel of this difficult period in life and (I think it would be especially difficult under Vegeta's conditions) or overplay the angst. Another common thing I see is teenaged Vegeta romances that have him involved in some tragic love affair that forever scarred him with his loss of the one he loved. I think this is unrealistic. I seriously doubt Vegeta capable of having a real relationship at this point in his life. We meet an emotionally isolated and closed-off Vegeta in DBZ. As I show in the first part, I think this trend began early in his life because of his people's customs and was helped further by his experiences under Freeza. So what do I see? Another torrid tale that teaches Vegeta to further distance himself from others. It involves a powerful weapon, a young queen and my original characters Wrench, Snow, Blizzard and Frigid from Machine Planet. This is the back story to all the rivalry you see in Machine Planet!
More on it later!