The Deception--Ch 11
By Elbereth in April
Frieza sat in his floating chair, tail thumping restlessly against its side. "What's for lunch, Dodoria?" he asked idly.
"I'll check, my lord." He pushed a few keys on the computer by the throne. "What the--?"
Frieza raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"This computer's gone haywire!"
Frieza floated over and looked. He frowned. "This sort of thing wouldn't happen if Comer had any competence at all. Give him a call."
"Hey, Frieza, that rhymed!"
"You can be replaced, you know."
__________ ___________
Several hours later, Kakkarot was standing in front of Frieza. "Apparently some sort of computer virus has been inserted into our mainframe," Frieza said, watching Kakkarot closely. "Comer tells me it could be several days before he fixes it completely. What have you heard?"
Start small and clueless, Vegeta had instructed. "I haven't heard anything, sir. Although Sekot's been acting suspiciously lately. But since he runs whenever he sees me, it's hard to know what he's up to."
"Well, see what you can find out," Frieza ordered. "I'm not paying you to be ignorant and unobservant."
"I'll see what I can do."
_________ ____________
Vegeta was warming up in 400 times gravity. "How'd it go?"
Kakkarot started stretching. "As planned."
Vegeta smirked. "I got a new surprise from the Woman."
Kakkarot grinned, amused. Vegeta never called that scientist-lady anything but Woman. "What is it?"
Vegeta produced two small black discs. He pushed a button on each one and they began humming, then hovered up to the ceiling.
"Training robots. Watch." He fired a blast at it. It moved out of the way and fired back. Vegeta jumped to the side. It followed.
"Woah, cool," Kakkarot admired, before the other robot attacked him. They worked out with the robots for awhile. Then they decided to spar. "Hey, Vegeta," Kakkarot panted, dodging a kick aimed for his head.
"Yeah?"
"You want me to talk to that guy Vegan today, right? See if he's a Royalist?"
"Yeah. We'll see if he drops his guard around you like everyone else does."
Kakkarot tried to knee Vegeta in the stomach, but missed. "Huh?"
"Never mind. Just talk to him."
________ __________
Vegan was fixing an elevator when Kakkarot "happened" to walk by. "That looks complicated."
Vegan shrugged. "Aren't you the official Saiyan leader? Kakkarot."
He grinned. "Yeah. Want a banana? I got a whole bunch."
"Sure." Saiyans never turned down food. "So you killed Jeice."
Kakkarot nodded. They both sat down to eat their bananas.
"Good for you," Vegan said.
"I take it you didn't like Jeice either."
"Nah." He shuddered. "I didn't like the way he'd watch me sometimes." Vegan was very good-looking.
"Do you miss Vegeta-sei?"
Vegan looked at him for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "I was named for it, you know. So was my cousin, Vejene. But he died in a purge." Vegan's face darkened.
"He was under Frieza, too?"
"Yeah."
"Here, I'll throw the peel away for you. Life with Frieza has its risks, doesn't it?"
"Risks?" Vegan laughed bitterly. "Is that what you call it?"
"Maybe the King will return someday and overthrow Frieza," Kakkarot suggested softly.
"You mean the real King. Not that loser on the throne?" They looked at each other warily. "Maybe."
"That would be something, eh?" They stood up. Vegan picked up one of his tools. They looked at each other again. Kakkarot smiled.
"That would be something to hope for," Vegan said at last.
Kakkarot patted him on the shoulder and walked away.
_____________ _________
Zarbon was not enjoying himself. Two of Frieza's henchmen, purple lizard- like beings, had just reported in from purging planet Lamoth. The only problem was, they were supposed to have purged planet Haman.
When they'd been reduced to scorch marks on the floor, Frieza turned on Zarbon. "How could this have happened?"
"It's probably mixed in with the same computer virus glitch." Zarbon tried to calm Frieza down. "Things seem to be getting scrambled."
"This isn't the first garbled communication!" Frieza complained in a scream.
Zarbon raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I know, Lord Frieza."
"Get me Comer! And then get Kakkarot!"
When Kakkarot reported in, Frieza was a little calmer, but still furious. "What have you learned about the virus?"
"It doesn't appear to be Saiyan produced." Kakkarot lowered his voice. "I've overheard some things, sir. . ."
"Tell me!"
"This virus may be just a distraction. You know I've been following Sekot around. . . he's met with that Ginyu guy a couple times. Last time he left in disgust, like Ginyu had made him mad. I heard Rabin and Dom talking later. It sounds like Ginyu is testing some kind of bomb. I don't know what for. I don't know what it has to do with anything, except it didn't sound like something that had been approved of by you."
Frieza regarded Kakkarot with narrowed eyes. "Is that all? Then you're dismissed. Dodoria, get me Dom."
__________ _________
"I heard Ginyu had made Sekot some kind of offer, but he refused, saying Saiyans had more honor. Rabin told me. He said Ginyu was planning a surprise for somebody, once this bomb was fully tested. But that's all Ginyu told him, I guess," Dom reported.
Frieza looked very thoughtful.
_________ _________
"Now, plant it just like I showed you."
"I can remember simple instructions, Woman." Vegeta glared at Bulma as she handed over the ki detonator. "I just turn it on and leave it. Then when the Ginyu Force comes in to start sparring, when they raise their ki's, the bomb'll go off."
"Right."
Vegeta turned to go.
"Leaving so soon?" Bulma left her desk to stand in front of him.
"What do you mean?"
"How's everything going? You have to keep me informed. You can't just grab stuff and leave."
Vegeta guessed that was only fair. "Well, Frieza's getting really annoyed. It took Comer three days to fix the computers. . ."
"He's a moron."
". . .and he had to do some fast-talking to appease his last planet buyers, when the wrong planet got purged. The one they wanted was blown up." He smirked.
Bulma frowned at this, but said nothing.
"Those training robots are great. And it looks like Vegan--you've met him, right?--it looks like he's a Royalist. I'm thinking about bringing him in. He'd be perfect for some things we've got planned."
"He seems all right," she agreed. "For a Saiyan."
He scowled.
"Relax! I'm kidding again." She smiled at him, but he kept scowling. She sighed. "Saiyans don't have much of a sense of humor, do they?"
"It's not necessary for a warrior."
"Oh, Vegeta! It's necessary for everybody. How do you stay sane if you can't laugh at yourself and life?" Bulma asked in all seriousness.
Vegeta regarded her. "There's not much in my life to laugh about."
"Mine either." She stepped closer. "But you have to stay sane somehow. Don't think too many thoughts of hate and revenge, Vegeta. It'll warp you."
She was uncomfortably close. He could smell her hair. He could feel the warmth from her. She was awfully beautiful. But he was a Saiyan prince.
"I have to go plant this."
She looked into his eyes. "Are you warped, Vegeta?"
He didn't know how to answer a question like that. "Are you?" he shot back.
"Probably. A little. I must be a little crazy to find a Saiyan so attractive."
He took a deep breath. "Woman. I'll talk to you later." And he fled.
__________ ___________
It was Vanyar who actually planted the ki detonator in the Ginyu's private training room. He volunteered. Then the Saiyans went for a late supper and waited for the explosion.
They didn't have too long to wait. As it turned out, the only one seriously injured was Guldo. They had expected as much. The others were strong enough to block most of the blast.
It was Kwil who snuck in and poisoned Guldo's healing tank. When Frieza called Kakkarot in, Guldo was already dead.
"I guess their bomb test didn't go too well," Kakkarot said, half-smiling.
"No. Guldo is dead." Frieza didn't seem too upset.
Kakkarot faked surprise.
"He shouldn't have died though. I don't suppose you know anything about that."
"No sir." Kakkarot waited for more questions but none came.
"Gather me more info, Kakkarot. Go."
He left. Frieza turned to Zarbon. "Get me Sekot."
___________ ___________
Sekot bowed before Frieza. "How may I serve you, my lord?" Zarbon wanted to gag, even though he'd done the same sort of thing many times himself.
"What do you know about the Ginyu Force?"
"Somebody just tried to blow them up, is what I heard."
Frieza was rapidly losing patience with everyone in general and Saiyans in particular. He reached out and grabbed Sekot around the throat. "What else?"
Sekot's eyes widened in fear. "That's all I know!"
"Have you been speaking to them?"
"No."
The grip tightened.
"Who said I was? About what? It's Kakkarot, isn't it? He and Vegeta are trying to set me up, aren't they?" Sekot managed to choke out.
"Do you know anything about who killed Guldo?"
"I didn't know he was dead!"
Frieza sighed and looked at Zarbon, who shrugged. "What did Ginyu tell you about a bomb?" Frieza demanded.
Sekot's mind was working fast. He didn't know what was going on, but Frieza obviously believed he had knowledge of some kind. He was not going to get out of this without giving an answer. "Um. . . just that he had one."
Frieza let him go. He gasped in air. So he'd guessed right. That was the answer Frieza had wanted. "Who was he going to use it on?"
'Well, someone higher in power then they are. That only leaves a few options.' He gulped. "I did think Zarbon. But now I'm wondering if they meant it for you."
Zarbon stood up, frowning. Frieza smiled. "Interesting. Very wise of you not to go along with them." Sekot nodded. "Now get out. Oh, wait. What was that about Vegeta?"
Sekot twitched, half-way to the door. "I don't know," he admitted. "But *I* don't trust him."
"Go," Frieza repeated, and Sekot ran out.
"Lord Frieza, do you have any idea what's going on?" Zarbon asked, moving in front of the throne.
"There's a traitor somewhere," Frieza hissed. "It's smelling like Captain Ginyu. But I wonder if Vegeta's in there somewhere."
"I don't think so, sir," Zarbon said blandly. "We already know Sekot hates him and Kakkarot because he's jealous. I'd concentrate on finding out what Ginyu's up to, and if Recoome and Burter are in on it."
"Why would they kill Guldo?"
"Because he's the weakest. They'll be wanting to do some recruiting now. And I bet you Ginyu's already got somebody in mind."
Frieza crossed his arms. "Bring me Ginyu. And then get me Vegeta. A little reminder that I'm here won't hurt him."
_____________ ________
Vegeta was sparring with the gang when Zarbon came to get him. They all stopped to see what was going on.
"Hey Vegeta. Frieza wants to talk to you."
Vegeta floated down to the ground. "What about?"
"He just wants to intimidate you, I think. Make sure you don't have anything to do with the whole Ginyu thing."
"Why does he suspect me?"
"He just doesn't like you." Zarbon looked around. He had almost a dozen Saiyans surrounding him and none of them seemed happy. It made him a bit nervous.
He looked back at Vegeta. "Oh, and guess what."
It was Kakkarot who said, "What?"
Zarbon gave a half-smirk, half-grimace. "I am now a member of the Ginyu Force."
Vegeta and Kakkarot looked at each other, then at everyone else. "Go on."
"Frieza seems to want a spy in their ranks, as well as someone with a high fighting level. Ginyu wanted to recruit some Edorian named Rye, but Frieza over-ruled him and put me in. And Rye he murdered. Just. . . so you know."
"Zarbon, I am going to convert you yet," Vegeta said softly.
"Well right now you'd better go meet with Frieza."
"Vegeta, how will this affect things?"
"The possibilities. . ." Vegeta smirked.
"Be careful with Frieza, OK?" Kakkarot looked worried.
Vegeta shrugged. "He's just gonna beat me up again." He followed Zarbon out the door.
Kakkarot and the others went into a huddle. "What do you think will happen now?" Capran asked.
Van looked at Vegan, their new recruit. "Maybe now would be a good time for a little spacepod malfunction in the hangar bay. If something happens while Vegeta is with Frieza, Frieza can't accuse him of doing it."
Vegan saluted. "I'll get right on it."
"I'll go with you," Traigo said.
"I'm gonna go hang outside Frieza's throne room," said Kakkarot.
"OK, but stay hidden. The rest of us'll keep training as if nothing's happening."
_________ _________
"So Vegeta, how have you been?" Frieza greeted him.
"Oh you know, same as ever."
'How does he manage that blend of defiance and politeness?' Zarbon wondered. 'He goes almost to the edge of rebellion but never quite over it.'
"I guess you know some strange things have been occurring around here." Frieza was smiling, sitting on his throne, arms resting lightly on the chair.
"Rumors are running wild. Somebody said Guldo was blown to pieces."
"Not exactly," Frieza corrected. "Someone was playing with a bomb. Guldo was put in a tank to recover from injuries he received when it went off unexpectedly, but he died in the rejuv tank."
Vegeta frowned. "That's. . . unusual."
Frieza smiled wider. "Yes. You haven't been involved in any mischief, have you, my dear monkey?"
Vegeta's jaw clenched. "No. I have not. Plus I had no desire to kill Guldo." But he was thinking, 'He said the bomb went off *unexpectedly.* He's buying into our story.'
They stared at each other. "Whose bomb was it?" Vegeta asked.
Frieza laughed lightly. Vegeta's tail twitched. Frieza was just in too good of a mood.
"Unfortunately, I don't know," Frieza answered. "But I'll find out."
"So what am I? One of the usual suspects?"
"No, I already know who I suspect. And amazingly enough, it's not you."
Vegeta threw a quick glance at Zarbon, then back to Frieza. "So. Can I go?"
Frieza stood up. "Not yet. The truth is, I just wanted a little entertainment." He lunged at Vegeta, punching him hard across the jaw. Vegeta fell back. Frieza hit him hard twice in the gut, then slammed his tail into his leg. There was a crack and Vegeta toppled over.
Then they all heard the sound of a muffled boom.
"Not another explosion!" Zarbon exclaimed, glad of the distraction. To his own surprise, he hadn't liked watching Vegeta getting beaten up.
Frieza stalked over to the computer. "What is it now?"
Zarbon followed. "The landing and hangar bay seems to be on fire."
Frieza became furious. "I will deal with this myself." He threw open the door. "And get that worthless monkey out of my throne room," he commanded over his shoulder, then was gone.
Zarbon pulled Vegeta up and dragged him over to the door. "Hey Kakkarot!" he called. "I know you're out there somewhere!"
Somewhat sheepishly, Kakkarot appeared, then rushed over to throw an arm under Vegeta's shoulders. He and Zarbon half-carried him to the medical lab.
"See ya around," Zarbon grinned, and left.
"Tank first, talk second," Kakkarot ordered. Vegeta nodded.
When Vegeta got out of the rejuv tank a short time later, his broken leg mended, he discovered Kakkarot and the others lounging around the room waiting on him. Each one had a magazine. The first person read one line from his, then the next person read a line from his, and so on. They were laughing. Vegeta just raised his eyebrows.
"We got tired of Rock, Paper, Scissors," Nappa explained.
Vegeta shook his head, half-smiling, and crossed his arms. "Whatever. Were you behind the hangar fire?"
Vegan stood up and bowed. The others clapped. Vegeta smirked at them. "Clever."
"What about Frieza?"
"I seem to be in the clear. Zarbon was right. He just doesn't like me. As if I didn't know that." Vegeta sneered, "I was just there for entertainment."
They muttered a bit. Kakkarot scowled, shifting in his seat, muscles tensing. Frieza was a bully--an evil tyrant. He would make him leave his brother alone. He swore it.
"What about Zarbon?"
"Ah yes. Zarbon. . ."
__________ _____________
A/N: Time for an opinion poll! Review and tell me.
Should Kakkarot learn the truth about his heritage from Frieza?
Should Vegeta break down and tell him?
Should he never find out the truth and always think they're brothers?
By Elbereth in April
Frieza sat in his floating chair, tail thumping restlessly against its side. "What's for lunch, Dodoria?" he asked idly.
"I'll check, my lord." He pushed a few keys on the computer by the throne. "What the--?"
Frieza raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"This computer's gone haywire!"
Frieza floated over and looked. He frowned. "This sort of thing wouldn't happen if Comer had any competence at all. Give him a call."
"Hey, Frieza, that rhymed!"
"You can be replaced, you know."
__________ ___________
Several hours later, Kakkarot was standing in front of Frieza. "Apparently some sort of computer virus has been inserted into our mainframe," Frieza said, watching Kakkarot closely. "Comer tells me it could be several days before he fixes it completely. What have you heard?"
Start small and clueless, Vegeta had instructed. "I haven't heard anything, sir. Although Sekot's been acting suspiciously lately. But since he runs whenever he sees me, it's hard to know what he's up to."
"Well, see what you can find out," Frieza ordered. "I'm not paying you to be ignorant and unobservant."
"I'll see what I can do."
_________ ____________
Vegeta was warming up in 400 times gravity. "How'd it go?"
Kakkarot started stretching. "As planned."
Vegeta smirked. "I got a new surprise from the Woman."
Kakkarot grinned, amused. Vegeta never called that scientist-lady anything but Woman. "What is it?"
Vegeta produced two small black discs. He pushed a button on each one and they began humming, then hovered up to the ceiling.
"Training robots. Watch." He fired a blast at it. It moved out of the way and fired back. Vegeta jumped to the side. It followed.
"Woah, cool," Kakkarot admired, before the other robot attacked him. They worked out with the robots for awhile. Then they decided to spar. "Hey, Vegeta," Kakkarot panted, dodging a kick aimed for his head.
"Yeah?"
"You want me to talk to that guy Vegan today, right? See if he's a Royalist?"
"Yeah. We'll see if he drops his guard around you like everyone else does."
Kakkarot tried to knee Vegeta in the stomach, but missed. "Huh?"
"Never mind. Just talk to him."
________ __________
Vegan was fixing an elevator when Kakkarot "happened" to walk by. "That looks complicated."
Vegan shrugged. "Aren't you the official Saiyan leader? Kakkarot."
He grinned. "Yeah. Want a banana? I got a whole bunch."
"Sure." Saiyans never turned down food. "So you killed Jeice."
Kakkarot nodded. They both sat down to eat their bananas.
"Good for you," Vegan said.
"I take it you didn't like Jeice either."
"Nah." He shuddered. "I didn't like the way he'd watch me sometimes." Vegan was very good-looking.
"Do you miss Vegeta-sei?"
Vegan looked at him for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "I was named for it, you know. So was my cousin, Vejene. But he died in a purge." Vegan's face darkened.
"He was under Frieza, too?"
"Yeah."
"Here, I'll throw the peel away for you. Life with Frieza has its risks, doesn't it?"
"Risks?" Vegan laughed bitterly. "Is that what you call it?"
"Maybe the King will return someday and overthrow Frieza," Kakkarot suggested softly.
"You mean the real King. Not that loser on the throne?" They looked at each other warily. "Maybe."
"That would be something, eh?" They stood up. Vegan picked up one of his tools. They looked at each other again. Kakkarot smiled.
"That would be something to hope for," Vegan said at last.
Kakkarot patted him on the shoulder and walked away.
_____________ _________
Zarbon was not enjoying himself. Two of Frieza's henchmen, purple lizard- like beings, had just reported in from purging planet Lamoth. The only problem was, they were supposed to have purged planet Haman.
When they'd been reduced to scorch marks on the floor, Frieza turned on Zarbon. "How could this have happened?"
"It's probably mixed in with the same computer virus glitch." Zarbon tried to calm Frieza down. "Things seem to be getting scrambled."
"This isn't the first garbled communication!" Frieza complained in a scream.
Zarbon raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I know, Lord Frieza."
"Get me Comer! And then get Kakkarot!"
When Kakkarot reported in, Frieza was a little calmer, but still furious. "What have you learned about the virus?"
"It doesn't appear to be Saiyan produced." Kakkarot lowered his voice. "I've overheard some things, sir. . ."
"Tell me!"
"This virus may be just a distraction. You know I've been following Sekot around. . . he's met with that Ginyu guy a couple times. Last time he left in disgust, like Ginyu had made him mad. I heard Rabin and Dom talking later. It sounds like Ginyu is testing some kind of bomb. I don't know what for. I don't know what it has to do with anything, except it didn't sound like something that had been approved of by you."
Frieza regarded Kakkarot with narrowed eyes. "Is that all? Then you're dismissed. Dodoria, get me Dom."
__________ _________
"I heard Ginyu had made Sekot some kind of offer, but he refused, saying Saiyans had more honor. Rabin told me. He said Ginyu was planning a surprise for somebody, once this bomb was fully tested. But that's all Ginyu told him, I guess," Dom reported.
Frieza looked very thoughtful.
_________ _________
"Now, plant it just like I showed you."
"I can remember simple instructions, Woman." Vegeta glared at Bulma as she handed over the ki detonator. "I just turn it on and leave it. Then when the Ginyu Force comes in to start sparring, when they raise their ki's, the bomb'll go off."
"Right."
Vegeta turned to go.
"Leaving so soon?" Bulma left her desk to stand in front of him.
"What do you mean?"
"How's everything going? You have to keep me informed. You can't just grab stuff and leave."
Vegeta guessed that was only fair. "Well, Frieza's getting really annoyed. It took Comer three days to fix the computers. . ."
"He's a moron."
". . .and he had to do some fast-talking to appease his last planet buyers, when the wrong planet got purged. The one they wanted was blown up." He smirked.
Bulma frowned at this, but said nothing.
"Those training robots are great. And it looks like Vegan--you've met him, right?--it looks like he's a Royalist. I'm thinking about bringing him in. He'd be perfect for some things we've got planned."
"He seems all right," she agreed. "For a Saiyan."
He scowled.
"Relax! I'm kidding again." She smiled at him, but he kept scowling. She sighed. "Saiyans don't have much of a sense of humor, do they?"
"It's not necessary for a warrior."
"Oh, Vegeta! It's necessary for everybody. How do you stay sane if you can't laugh at yourself and life?" Bulma asked in all seriousness.
Vegeta regarded her. "There's not much in my life to laugh about."
"Mine either." She stepped closer. "But you have to stay sane somehow. Don't think too many thoughts of hate and revenge, Vegeta. It'll warp you."
She was uncomfortably close. He could smell her hair. He could feel the warmth from her. She was awfully beautiful. But he was a Saiyan prince.
"I have to go plant this."
She looked into his eyes. "Are you warped, Vegeta?"
He didn't know how to answer a question like that. "Are you?" he shot back.
"Probably. A little. I must be a little crazy to find a Saiyan so attractive."
He took a deep breath. "Woman. I'll talk to you later." And he fled.
__________ ___________
It was Vanyar who actually planted the ki detonator in the Ginyu's private training room. He volunteered. Then the Saiyans went for a late supper and waited for the explosion.
They didn't have too long to wait. As it turned out, the only one seriously injured was Guldo. They had expected as much. The others were strong enough to block most of the blast.
It was Kwil who snuck in and poisoned Guldo's healing tank. When Frieza called Kakkarot in, Guldo was already dead.
"I guess their bomb test didn't go too well," Kakkarot said, half-smiling.
"No. Guldo is dead." Frieza didn't seem too upset.
Kakkarot faked surprise.
"He shouldn't have died though. I don't suppose you know anything about that."
"No sir." Kakkarot waited for more questions but none came.
"Gather me more info, Kakkarot. Go."
He left. Frieza turned to Zarbon. "Get me Sekot."
___________ ___________
Sekot bowed before Frieza. "How may I serve you, my lord?" Zarbon wanted to gag, even though he'd done the same sort of thing many times himself.
"What do you know about the Ginyu Force?"
"Somebody just tried to blow them up, is what I heard."
Frieza was rapidly losing patience with everyone in general and Saiyans in particular. He reached out and grabbed Sekot around the throat. "What else?"
Sekot's eyes widened in fear. "That's all I know!"
"Have you been speaking to them?"
"No."
The grip tightened.
"Who said I was? About what? It's Kakkarot, isn't it? He and Vegeta are trying to set me up, aren't they?" Sekot managed to choke out.
"Do you know anything about who killed Guldo?"
"I didn't know he was dead!"
Frieza sighed and looked at Zarbon, who shrugged. "What did Ginyu tell you about a bomb?" Frieza demanded.
Sekot's mind was working fast. He didn't know what was going on, but Frieza obviously believed he had knowledge of some kind. He was not going to get out of this without giving an answer. "Um. . . just that he had one."
Frieza let him go. He gasped in air. So he'd guessed right. That was the answer Frieza had wanted. "Who was he going to use it on?"
'Well, someone higher in power then they are. That only leaves a few options.' He gulped. "I did think Zarbon. But now I'm wondering if they meant it for you."
Zarbon stood up, frowning. Frieza smiled. "Interesting. Very wise of you not to go along with them." Sekot nodded. "Now get out. Oh, wait. What was that about Vegeta?"
Sekot twitched, half-way to the door. "I don't know," he admitted. "But *I* don't trust him."
"Go," Frieza repeated, and Sekot ran out.
"Lord Frieza, do you have any idea what's going on?" Zarbon asked, moving in front of the throne.
"There's a traitor somewhere," Frieza hissed. "It's smelling like Captain Ginyu. But I wonder if Vegeta's in there somewhere."
"I don't think so, sir," Zarbon said blandly. "We already know Sekot hates him and Kakkarot because he's jealous. I'd concentrate on finding out what Ginyu's up to, and if Recoome and Burter are in on it."
"Why would they kill Guldo?"
"Because he's the weakest. They'll be wanting to do some recruiting now. And I bet you Ginyu's already got somebody in mind."
Frieza crossed his arms. "Bring me Ginyu. And then get me Vegeta. A little reminder that I'm here won't hurt him."
_____________ ________
Vegeta was sparring with the gang when Zarbon came to get him. They all stopped to see what was going on.
"Hey Vegeta. Frieza wants to talk to you."
Vegeta floated down to the ground. "What about?"
"He just wants to intimidate you, I think. Make sure you don't have anything to do with the whole Ginyu thing."
"Why does he suspect me?"
"He just doesn't like you." Zarbon looked around. He had almost a dozen Saiyans surrounding him and none of them seemed happy. It made him a bit nervous.
He looked back at Vegeta. "Oh, and guess what."
It was Kakkarot who said, "What?"
Zarbon gave a half-smirk, half-grimace. "I am now a member of the Ginyu Force."
Vegeta and Kakkarot looked at each other, then at everyone else. "Go on."
"Frieza seems to want a spy in their ranks, as well as someone with a high fighting level. Ginyu wanted to recruit some Edorian named Rye, but Frieza over-ruled him and put me in. And Rye he murdered. Just. . . so you know."
"Zarbon, I am going to convert you yet," Vegeta said softly.
"Well right now you'd better go meet with Frieza."
"Vegeta, how will this affect things?"
"The possibilities. . ." Vegeta smirked.
"Be careful with Frieza, OK?" Kakkarot looked worried.
Vegeta shrugged. "He's just gonna beat me up again." He followed Zarbon out the door.
Kakkarot and the others went into a huddle. "What do you think will happen now?" Capran asked.
Van looked at Vegan, their new recruit. "Maybe now would be a good time for a little spacepod malfunction in the hangar bay. If something happens while Vegeta is with Frieza, Frieza can't accuse him of doing it."
Vegan saluted. "I'll get right on it."
"I'll go with you," Traigo said.
"I'm gonna go hang outside Frieza's throne room," said Kakkarot.
"OK, but stay hidden. The rest of us'll keep training as if nothing's happening."
_________ _________
"So Vegeta, how have you been?" Frieza greeted him.
"Oh you know, same as ever."
'How does he manage that blend of defiance and politeness?' Zarbon wondered. 'He goes almost to the edge of rebellion but never quite over it.'
"I guess you know some strange things have been occurring around here." Frieza was smiling, sitting on his throne, arms resting lightly on the chair.
"Rumors are running wild. Somebody said Guldo was blown to pieces."
"Not exactly," Frieza corrected. "Someone was playing with a bomb. Guldo was put in a tank to recover from injuries he received when it went off unexpectedly, but he died in the rejuv tank."
Vegeta frowned. "That's. . . unusual."
Frieza smiled wider. "Yes. You haven't been involved in any mischief, have you, my dear monkey?"
Vegeta's jaw clenched. "No. I have not. Plus I had no desire to kill Guldo." But he was thinking, 'He said the bomb went off *unexpectedly.* He's buying into our story.'
They stared at each other. "Whose bomb was it?" Vegeta asked.
Frieza laughed lightly. Vegeta's tail twitched. Frieza was just in too good of a mood.
"Unfortunately, I don't know," Frieza answered. "But I'll find out."
"So what am I? One of the usual suspects?"
"No, I already know who I suspect. And amazingly enough, it's not you."
Vegeta threw a quick glance at Zarbon, then back to Frieza. "So. Can I go?"
Frieza stood up. "Not yet. The truth is, I just wanted a little entertainment." He lunged at Vegeta, punching him hard across the jaw. Vegeta fell back. Frieza hit him hard twice in the gut, then slammed his tail into his leg. There was a crack and Vegeta toppled over.
Then they all heard the sound of a muffled boom.
"Not another explosion!" Zarbon exclaimed, glad of the distraction. To his own surprise, he hadn't liked watching Vegeta getting beaten up.
Frieza stalked over to the computer. "What is it now?"
Zarbon followed. "The landing and hangar bay seems to be on fire."
Frieza became furious. "I will deal with this myself." He threw open the door. "And get that worthless monkey out of my throne room," he commanded over his shoulder, then was gone.
Zarbon pulled Vegeta up and dragged him over to the door. "Hey Kakkarot!" he called. "I know you're out there somewhere!"
Somewhat sheepishly, Kakkarot appeared, then rushed over to throw an arm under Vegeta's shoulders. He and Zarbon half-carried him to the medical lab.
"See ya around," Zarbon grinned, and left.
"Tank first, talk second," Kakkarot ordered. Vegeta nodded.
When Vegeta got out of the rejuv tank a short time later, his broken leg mended, he discovered Kakkarot and the others lounging around the room waiting on him. Each one had a magazine. The first person read one line from his, then the next person read a line from his, and so on. They were laughing. Vegeta just raised his eyebrows.
"We got tired of Rock, Paper, Scissors," Nappa explained.
Vegeta shook his head, half-smiling, and crossed his arms. "Whatever. Were you behind the hangar fire?"
Vegan stood up and bowed. The others clapped. Vegeta smirked at them. "Clever."
"What about Frieza?"
"I seem to be in the clear. Zarbon was right. He just doesn't like me. As if I didn't know that." Vegeta sneered, "I was just there for entertainment."
They muttered a bit. Kakkarot scowled, shifting in his seat, muscles tensing. Frieza was a bully--an evil tyrant. He would make him leave his brother alone. He swore it.
"What about Zarbon?"
"Ah yes. Zarbon. . ."
__________ _____________
A/N: Time for an opinion poll! Review and tell me.
Should Kakkarot learn the truth about his heritage from Frieza?
Should Vegeta break down and tell him?
Should he never find out the truth and always think they're brothers?