The Deception--Chapter 19
By Elbereth in April
Zarbon knew there was something wrong when the ship landed and no one came to greet it but Dodoria. No Vegeta, no Kakkarot, nobody. And no Frieza, either.
Ryok walked out, carrying the bound Queen, who was still unconscious. Tory followed behind. He exchanged a look with Zarbon.
"Give me the monkey," Dodoria commanded. "Then Frieza wants to see Ryok in a few minutes. Wait for him in the small audience chamber."
Ryok frowned but handed her over.
Dodoria grinned at the prone woman. "Let's put you somewhere safe, hey?" He laughed.
"I think I'll just go with you," Zarbon said, staring with narrowed eyes. He and Tory both followed as he headed towards the cells.
Ryok went to the audience chamber. He sat down to wait impatiently. The door opened almost at once, but it wasn't Frieza. It was Sekot.
"Just what are you up to?" he hissed almost before the door closed behind him.
Ryok looked up at him insolently. "What? You think you're the only one Frieza comes to? He holds me in higher regard than you. I bring results. I actually overheard important information. I've been eavesdropping on Vegeta and his gang. They've been working to overthrow Frieza. As if they could. Frieza's going to reward me richly for my help."
Sekot could only stare. Had it been Ryok spreading lies about him this whole time, not Kakkarot? His own subordinate working against him!
"*I'm* the one Frieza sent to Vegeta-sei. Did you even know we're orbiting it right now?" Ryok gloated. "I just captured the Queen!"
"That *was* the Queen! How could you?"
Ryok snorted. "You're no patriot. You're just jealous. I bet you're dying to know who the Prince is, aren't you? He's being arrested right now."
"W-who?"
Ryok grinned. "Vegeta! Your rii-vaal!"
Sekot could hardly believe it. "And--Frieza's gonna kill them both?"
"Of course. Maybe he'll put me on the throne. What do you think?"
"Not likely."
Ryok took his feet from off the table with a thump and leaned forward. "Well, it won't be you. But here's a little salve for your wounded pride. Vegeta *is* in love with that scientist. I overheard that, too. So you were right, after all."
Sekot wanted out of that room. "Good." He turned to go.
"Frieza's going to execute her, too," Ryok called after him. "That'll probably be his next move. He still has her locked up, you know. Enjoy your little crumb, Sekot. I can afford to be generous."
The door banged shut behind him, hard.
__________ __________
When Kakkarot woke, he was lying on the table in the small audience chamber. Ryok had just finished debriefing Frieza, and was about to leave. Kakkarot groaned and sat up.
Frieza chuckled. "Ah, you're awake. You understand I thought I should just-- make sure of you."
Kakkarot's mind was working immediately. "You didn't have to. I'm loyal, sir."
"Well, but your brother and all. You didn't know he was the Prince, did you?"
Kakkarot frowned, genuinely confused. "But--how could he be?"
Frieza regarded him. "No, you didn't know," he realized, pleased. "He's been lying to you all along."
"What do you mean?"
"Ryok asked the Queen herself. She only had one child, as did the King. That would be the Prince. Who is Vegeta. You two aren't brothers."
The world seemed to tilt. Frieza had to be lying. That couldn't be what Vegeta was going to tell him.
"I think he's in shock," Ryok observed to Frieza.
"You're dismissed, Ryok." Ryok hesitated, sent one jealous, hate-filled glare at Kakkarot, and left.
Kakkarot missed the whole exchange. He tried to reach Vegeta's mind, but couldn't. "Did you kill him?" he asked in a panic.
"No, not yet. I'll want a well-attended, public execution. But I *will* kill him. And the Queen. What do you think of that?"
So he was just still unconscious, then. "How--how could he not be my brother?"
"Take some time to adjust." Frieza smiled at him, watching in delighted fascination.
Kakkarot blanked out again. It couldn't be true! But. . .
. . . "There's something I should tell you."
. . . "You and I. . . we're not. . ."
. . . "There's no need for you to grieve for me."
'It couldn't be true! Could it?'
Kakkarot felt strangely hollow. 'Was I just a tool? What's a lie and what's not? Am I brother? Am I loved?'
He looked at Frieza then. Frieza met his eyes and smiled. "Has it sunk in yet?" Frieza asked with fake politeness.
"Yes," Kakkarot said numbly. "Yes."
"So then. Who are you loyal to?"
'Saiyan pride. I can be a good double-agent.' He bowed, a full bow this time. "You, my lord. Always you. If that--Prince," and he spit the word out with great distaste, "isn't really my brother, then the last. . . twinge of conscience I had is removed. And I'm certainly not going to trouble myself about saving someone's who's lied to me! So, my lord, I'm entirely and completely at your service."
Frieza preened, seeming honestly flattered. "Good! I was hoping you'd feel that way. You're really not a bad servant, when all's said and done. So. I'm not really worried about the monkeys who were taking Vegeta's orders. They'll fall back in line when they realize Vegeta is gone. But why don't you sort of intermingle amongst them--among all the monkeys--and make sure they don't get stirred up over this. Ryok will be doing the same thing."
"Yes, sir."
_________ _________
Sekot hurried down the corridor, thinking hard. He was being forced to look at himself, and he didn't like to. He stopped just before a certain door. It was guarded. He and the guard stared at one another.
"What do you want?" growled Colyte.
"I need to talk to Bulma."
"I don't think so. You *are* Sekot, ne?"
"Yes."
"Then you're the one who got her into this in the first place." He bared his fangs.
"Exactly. I feel responsible. I need to warn her!" Sekot exclaimed, tugging nervously at the armor he'd put on.
"You lie." Colyte placed himself in front of the door, and loomed.
"Look, any minute now, soldiers are going to come to kill her. Or worse, take her to be killed in front of Vegeta. He's been arrested."
"Arrested? Why?"
"He's the Prince! They have the Queen!"
For a moment, Colyte stared at him. Then, without turning, he slid sideways and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Bulma called from inside.
"There's a Saiyan named Sekot out here. He says Vegeta's been arrested. Along with their Queen."
There was barely a pause. "Let me see him."
Colyte opened the door. Bulma and Sekot stared at one another. Bulma was frowning, arms crossed. Sekot looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"You have a lot of nerve to come to me," Bulma broke the silence. "What's your story?"
"I just learned that Vegeta is the Saiyan Prince."
Bulma kept the surprise from her face by an effort of great will. A lot of things made sense if that were true. "And?"
"That changes everything. He's not a rival anymore. He's my lord." Sekot ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I hated him. That's why I told Frieza about you. I still despise Kakkarot. I'm not above putting another Saiyan down to get ahead. But to harm *all* Saiyans, all of Vegeta-sei, by letting Frieza kill the Prince? I'm still a Royalist at heart, I guess. I realized I can't do it. So I'm telling you. Frieza's arrested him. And his mother the Queen. They're both in Frieza's cells. And his next move will be against you. He's decided Vegeta really does love you. As such, you're a possible way that the Prince could be harmed. Also possibly the future Queen of Vegeta-sei. I am honor bound to help you. Especially since I put you here."
"I think he's in earnest, Miss Bulma," Colyte said in surprise.
"As do I."
"Then we must get you to a place of safety."
"Yes. Let me grab a couple things." Bulma spun around and hurried to her computer. She deleted anything Frieza could use. She picked up a roll of paper, a few tools, and a small bottle, and shoved them into pockets in her work jacket. Then she pulled the jacket on and rushed back to the others. "Let's go!"
"Where?"
"My Escape Plan A," Bulma replied. "Air ducts."
The three of them jogged down the hallway to a panel at the end wall. Colyte held Bulma up so she could unscrew the panel, which was near the ceiling. Sekot climbed in and pulled Bulma up, with a boost from Colyte, who followed. They crawled through the dark, dusty shaft.
"Now what?" Sekot whispered.
"Do you know where Vegeta is being held?"
"No."
"What about the Queen?"
"Yes."
Bulma thought. "OK. Lead us to the Queen's cell."
"I can't find it from inside here," he protested.
Bulma pulled out a penlight and the paper she'd brought. It was a map of Frieza's ship. "Now can you?" Sekot grinned. "Just follow me."
They crawled along for what seemed to Bulma like miles. Finally they stopped. "We're here. It's just a few yards down this hall."
"How many guards?"
"Two, I think."
"OK. You and Colyte take them out. We're going to rescue the Queen."
Bulma unscrewed the panel in the wall and slowly, quietly pulled it inwards. She peered down the hall. Sure enough, the door of a cell was only a few yards away. And it was guarded by two. . .
Bulma smiled. "Colyte. The guard on the left. Is her name Natala?"
Coltye looked and nodded.
"She's with us. Kill the other one. Then let me talk to her."
The two men slipped out of the vent and charged down the hall. Colyte pounced on the startled second guard and ripped her throat out as Sekot hollered, "We're with Prince Vegeta! Don't fight!"
Natala didn't attack, but she didn't move from the door, either. "Prove it."
Bulma stuck her head out of the air duct. "Hi! I'm Vegeta's girlfriend. We're here to take the Queen into hiding. Do you still have a crush on Nappa?"
Natala blushed.
Sekot stared at her. "Nappa?"
"None of your business," she snapped. "Go help her down."
"How did you get assigned to guard here?" Bulma asked.
"Dodoria wanted two women. Tory recommended me."
Bulma reached the door. She quickly brushed back her hair, feeling quite nervous. This was Vegeta's mother. She hoped she'd make a good first impression.
Natala opened the door. Siane stared from the large warrior woman, to the dead guard, to the wolf-like creature washing his muzzle, to the slightly shady-looking Saiyan, to. . . a beautiful blue-haired, blue-eyed female, smiling at her with an anxious, trusting air.
"Hello, ma'am," she said. "I'm a friend of your son's. We thought it wasn't a good idea to leave you in that cell."
Siane appraised her thoughtfully. "A good friend?"
"Yes. We're all loyal to your son. He has been leading us against Frieza."
The Queen smiled proudly. "Then let's go."
"One thing first." Bulma turned to Natala. "You should hide with us. When Frieza finds the Queen gone, he'll blame you."
Natala shook her head. "I'm a warrior. I do not hide. I will find Kakkarot and report to him what we've done."
"Can you rescue Vegeta?"
"We'll try!"
"Good. Tell them to try deception first. See if Zarbon can let him out quietly, like we did here. We'll be hiding in the air vent above the hangar bay. Tell Kakkarot to come see me after Zarbon has made his attempt. All right?"
Natala saluted. "Very good!"
Bulma smiled. "Go." Natala went. Bulma turned to see the Queen watching her even more thoughtfully. "*Very* close friends?"
Bulma blushed.
"Come on," Colyte urged. They all went back into the air vent, Siane thinking, 'Hmm, she has potential. I wonder how serious about her my son is.'
_________ _________
When they were safely settled where Bulma indicated, Sekot nodded to Bulma and Siane with respect. "I'm going back out, as well. Frieza doesn't know about my part in any of this. I need to keep an eye on Ryok."
__________ ___________
Natala found Kakkarot, Spona, and the other Saiyans in their usual training room, plotting and waiting for Zarbon. Natala made her report. Everyone seemed overjoyed except Kakkarot, who was oddly apathetic to everything.
Zarbon came in eventually. "Everything's in an uproar," he told them excitedly. "The Queen's missing and Frieza's going crazy looking for her. He's got all the ships grounded. Is it your doing?"
Once again, Natala explained. Zarbon whooped and hugged her. "OK," he said. "I'll see if I can sneak him out. Who's coming?"
"Better be Spona. He's the only one who's not Saiyan and not under suspicion."
_________ _________
Zarbon and Spona cautiously approached Vegeta's cell. There were five men guarding it. "Hmm. Shall we try to smooth-talk our way in first?"
They walked casually over. "Hello, men. How's the prisoner doing?" Zarbon asked.
"He's still unconscious," said the human-looking guard. "Guess Lord Frieza hit him pretty hard."
"What a loser." Zarbon rolled his eyes.
"Yeah," laughed the guard who looked like a blob of green fur with eyes. "Stupid Saiyans."
"Can I get a look at him?" Spona asked. "I've never seen him up close."
The first guard shook his head. "Door can't be opened for any reason. Frieza's orders."
"Well, it just so happens. . ." Zarbon began.
But Spona cut him off, spinning around and bowing. "Good evening, Lord Frieza!"
Zarbon stifled a groan and turned around. Frieza stood there, scowling. "Why aren't you two looking for the monkey Queen?"
"We just wanted to make sure Vegeta was still locked up, sir," Zarbon answered quickly.
"Commendable of you, I'm sure. But not to worry. I have this cell on surveillance, directly linked to my throne room, which I've finally de- bugged. So get to searching!"
"Yes, sir!" The two bowed again and hurried off. Frieza continued on his way to his throne room.
________ ________
A/N: Feel free to come join me to talk about DBZ, writing, or whatever at groups.yahoo.com/group/Distortion_dbz
By Elbereth in April
Zarbon knew there was something wrong when the ship landed and no one came to greet it but Dodoria. No Vegeta, no Kakkarot, nobody. And no Frieza, either.
Ryok walked out, carrying the bound Queen, who was still unconscious. Tory followed behind. He exchanged a look with Zarbon.
"Give me the monkey," Dodoria commanded. "Then Frieza wants to see Ryok in a few minutes. Wait for him in the small audience chamber."
Ryok frowned but handed her over.
Dodoria grinned at the prone woman. "Let's put you somewhere safe, hey?" He laughed.
"I think I'll just go with you," Zarbon said, staring with narrowed eyes. He and Tory both followed as he headed towards the cells.
Ryok went to the audience chamber. He sat down to wait impatiently. The door opened almost at once, but it wasn't Frieza. It was Sekot.
"Just what are you up to?" he hissed almost before the door closed behind him.
Ryok looked up at him insolently. "What? You think you're the only one Frieza comes to? He holds me in higher regard than you. I bring results. I actually overheard important information. I've been eavesdropping on Vegeta and his gang. They've been working to overthrow Frieza. As if they could. Frieza's going to reward me richly for my help."
Sekot could only stare. Had it been Ryok spreading lies about him this whole time, not Kakkarot? His own subordinate working against him!
"*I'm* the one Frieza sent to Vegeta-sei. Did you even know we're orbiting it right now?" Ryok gloated. "I just captured the Queen!"
"That *was* the Queen! How could you?"
Ryok snorted. "You're no patriot. You're just jealous. I bet you're dying to know who the Prince is, aren't you? He's being arrested right now."
"W-who?"
Ryok grinned. "Vegeta! Your rii-vaal!"
Sekot could hardly believe it. "And--Frieza's gonna kill them both?"
"Of course. Maybe he'll put me on the throne. What do you think?"
"Not likely."
Ryok took his feet from off the table with a thump and leaned forward. "Well, it won't be you. But here's a little salve for your wounded pride. Vegeta *is* in love with that scientist. I overheard that, too. So you were right, after all."
Sekot wanted out of that room. "Good." He turned to go.
"Frieza's going to execute her, too," Ryok called after him. "That'll probably be his next move. He still has her locked up, you know. Enjoy your little crumb, Sekot. I can afford to be generous."
The door banged shut behind him, hard.
__________ __________
When Kakkarot woke, he was lying on the table in the small audience chamber. Ryok had just finished debriefing Frieza, and was about to leave. Kakkarot groaned and sat up.
Frieza chuckled. "Ah, you're awake. You understand I thought I should just-- make sure of you."
Kakkarot's mind was working immediately. "You didn't have to. I'm loyal, sir."
"Well, but your brother and all. You didn't know he was the Prince, did you?"
Kakkarot frowned, genuinely confused. "But--how could he be?"
Frieza regarded him. "No, you didn't know," he realized, pleased. "He's been lying to you all along."
"What do you mean?"
"Ryok asked the Queen herself. She only had one child, as did the King. That would be the Prince. Who is Vegeta. You two aren't brothers."
The world seemed to tilt. Frieza had to be lying. That couldn't be what Vegeta was going to tell him.
"I think he's in shock," Ryok observed to Frieza.
"You're dismissed, Ryok." Ryok hesitated, sent one jealous, hate-filled glare at Kakkarot, and left.
Kakkarot missed the whole exchange. He tried to reach Vegeta's mind, but couldn't. "Did you kill him?" he asked in a panic.
"No, not yet. I'll want a well-attended, public execution. But I *will* kill him. And the Queen. What do you think of that?"
So he was just still unconscious, then. "How--how could he not be my brother?"
"Take some time to adjust." Frieza smiled at him, watching in delighted fascination.
Kakkarot blanked out again. It couldn't be true! But. . .
. . . "There's something I should tell you."
. . . "You and I. . . we're not. . ."
. . . "There's no need for you to grieve for me."
'It couldn't be true! Could it?'
Kakkarot felt strangely hollow. 'Was I just a tool? What's a lie and what's not? Am I brother? Am I loved?'
He looked at Frieza then. Frieza met his eyes and smiled. "Has it sunk in yet?" Frieza asked with fake politeness.
"Yes," Kakkarot said numbly. "Yes."
"So then. Who are you loyal to?"
'Saiyan pride. I can be a good double-agent.' He bowed, a full bow this time. "You, my lord. Always you. If that--Prince," and he spit the word out with great distaste, "isn't really my brother, then the last. . . twinge of conscience I had is removed. And I'm certainly not going to trouble myself about saving someone's who's lied to me! So, my lord, I'm entirely and completely at your service."
Frieza preened, seeming honestly flattered. "Good! I was hoping you'd feel that way. You're really not a bad servant, when all's said and done. So. I'm not really worried about the monkeys who were taking Vegeta's orders. They'll fall back in line when they realize Vegeta is gone. But why don't you sort of intermingle amongst them--among all the monkeys--and make sure they don't get stirred up over this. Ryok will be doing the same thing."
"Yes, sir."
_________ _________
Sekot hurried down the corridor, thinking hard. He was being forced to look at himself, and he didn't like to. He stopped just before a certain door. It was guarded. He and the guard stared at one another.
"What do you want?" growled Colyte.
"I need to talk to Bulma."
"I don't think so. You *are* Sekot, ne?"
"Yes."
"Then you're the one who got her into this in the first place." He bared his fangs.
"Exactly. I feel responsible. I need to warn her!" Sekot exclaimed, tugging nervously at the armor he'd put on.
"You lie." Colyte placed himself in front of the door, and loomed.
"Look, any minute now, soldiers are going to come to kill her. Or worse, take her to be killed in front of Vegeta. He's been arrested."
"Arrested? Why?"
"He's the Prince! They have the Queen!"
For a moment, Colyte stared at him. Then, without turning, he slid sideways and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Bulma called from inside.
"There's a Saiyan named Sekot out here. He says Vegeta's been arrested. Along with their Queen."
There was barely a pause. "Let me see him."
Colyte opened the door. Bulma and Sekot stared at one another. Bulma was frowning, arms crossed. Sekot looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"You have a lot of nerve to come to me," Bulma broke the silence. "What's your story?"
"I just learned that Vegeta is the Saiyan Prince."
Bulma kept the surprise from her face by an effort of great will. A lot of things made sense if that were true. "And?"
"That changes everything. He's not a rival anymore. He's my lord." Sekot ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I hated him. That's why I told Frieza about you. I still despise Kakkarot. I'm not above putting another Saiyan down to get ahead. But to harm *all* Saiyans, all of Vegeta-sei, by letting Frieza kill the Prince? I'm still a Royalist at heart, I guess. I realized I can't do it. So I'm telling you. Frieza's arrested him. And his mother the Queen. They're both in Frieza's cells. And his next move will be against you. He's decided Vegeta really does love you. As such, you're a possible way that the Prince could be harmed. Also possibly the future Queen of Vegeta-sei. I am honor bound to help you. Especially since I put you here."
"I think he's in earnest, Miss Bulma," Colyte said in surprise.
"As do I."
"Then we must get you to a place of safety."
"Yes. Let me grab a couple things." Bulma spun around and hurried to her computer. She deleted anything Frieza could use. She picked up a roll of paper, a few tools, and a small bottle, and shoved them into pockets in her work jacket. Then she pulled the jacket on and rushed back to the others. "Let's go!"
"Where?"
"My Escape Plan A," Bulma replied. "Air ducts."
The three of them jogged down the hallway to a panel at the end wall. Colyte held Bulma up so she could unscrew the panel, which was near the ceiling. Sekot climbed in and pulled Bulma up, with a boost from Colyte, who followed. They crawled through the dark, dusty shaft.
"Now what?" Sekot whispered.
"Do you know where Vegeta is being held?"
"No."
"What about the Queen?"
"Yes."
Bulma thought. "OK. Lead us to the Queen's cell."
"I can't find it from inside here," he protested.
Bulma pulled out a penlight and the paper she'd brought. It was a map of Frieza's ship. "Now can you?" Sekot grinned. "Just follow me."
They crawled along for what seemed to Bulma like miles. Finally they stopped. "We're here. It's just a few yards down this hall."
"How many guards?"
"Two, I think."
"OK. You and Colyte take them out. We're going to rescue the Queen."
Bulma unscrewed the panel in the wall and slowly, quietly pulled it inwards. She peered down the hall. Sure enough, the door of a cell was only a few yards away. And it was guarded by two. . .
Bulma smiled. "Colyte. The guard on the left. Is her name Natala?"
Coltye looked and nodded.
"She's with us. Kill the other one. Then let me talk to her."
The two men slipped out of the vent and charged down the hall. Colyte pounced on the startled second guard and ripped her throat out as Sekot hollered, "We're with Prince Vegeta! Don't fight!"
Natala didn't attack, but she didn't move from the door, either. "Prove it."
Bulma stuck her head out of the air duct. "Hi! I'm Vegeta's girlfriend. We're here to take the Queen into hiding. Do you still have a crush on Nappa?"
Natala blushed.
Sekot stared at her. "Nappa?"
"None of your business," she snapped. "Go help her down."
"How did you get assigned to guard here?" Bulma asked.
"Dodoria wanted two women. Tory recommended me."
Bulma reached the door. She quickly brushed back her hair, feeling quite nervous. This was Vegeta's mother. She hoped she'd make a good first impression.
Natala opened the door. Siane stared from the large warrior woman, to the dead guard, to the wolf-like creature washing his muzzle, to the slightly shady-looking Saiyan, to. . . a beautiful blue-haired, blue-eyed female, smiling at her with an anxious, trusting air.
"Hello, ma'am," she said. "I'm a friend of your son's. We thought it wasn't a good idea to leave you in that cell."
Siane appraised her thoughtfully. "A good friend?"
"Yes. We're all loyal to your son. He has been leading us against Frieza."
The Queen smiled proudly. "Then let's go."
"One thing first." Bulma turned to Natala. "You should hide with us. When Frieza finds the Queen gone, he'll blame you."
Natala shook her head. "I'm a warrior. I do not hide. I will find Kakkarot and report to him what we've done."
"Can you rescue Vegeta?"
"We'll try!"
"Good. Tell them to try deception first. See if Zarbon can let him out quietly, like we did here. We'll be hiding in the air vent above the hangar bay. Tell Kakkarot to come see me after Zarbon has made his attempt. All right?"
Natala saluted. "Very good!"
Bulma smiled. "Go." Natala went. Bulma turned to see the Queen watching her even more thoughtfully. "*Very* close friends?"
Bulma blushed.
"Come on," Colyte urged. They all went back into the air vent, Siane thinking, 'Hmm, she has potential. I wonder how serious about her my son is.'
_________ _________
When they were safely settled where Bulma indicated, Sekot nodded to Bulma and Siane with respect. "I'm going back out, as well. Frieza doesn't know about my part in any of this. I need to keep an eye on Ryok."
__________ ___________
Natala found Kakkarot, Spona, and the other Saiyans in their usual training room, plotting and waiting for Zarbon. Natala made her report. Everyone seemed overjoyed except Kakkarot, who was oddly apathetic to everything.
Zarbon came in eventually. "Everything's in an uproar," he told them excitedly. "The Queen's missing and Frieza's going crazy looking for her. He's got all the ships grounded. Is it your doing?"
Once again, Natala explained. Zarbon whooped and hugged her. "OK," he said. "I'll see if I can sneak him out. Who's coming?"
"Better be Spona. He's the only one who's not Saiyan and not under suspicion."
_________ _________
Zarbon and Spona cautiously approached Vegeta's cell. There were five men guarding it. "Hmm. Shall we try to smooth-talk our way in first?"
They walked casually over. "Hello, men. How's the prisoner doing?" Zarbon asked.
"He's still unconscious," said the human-looking guard. "Guess Lord Frieza hit him pretty hard."
"What a loser." Zarbon rolled his eyes.
"Yeah," laughed the guard who looked like a blob of green fur with eyes. "Stupid Saiyans."
"Can I get a look at him?" Spona asked. "I've never seen him up close."
The first guard shook his head. "Door can't be opened for any reason. Frieza's orders."
"Well, it just so happens. . ." Zarbon began.
But Spona cut him off, spinning around and bowing. "Good evening, Lord Frieza!"
Zarbon stifled a groan and turned around. Frieza stood there, scowling. "Why aren't you two looking for the monkey Queen?"
"We just wanted to make sure Vegeta was still locked up, sir," Zarbon answered quickly.
"Commendable of you, I'm sure. But not to worry. I have this cell on surveillance, directly linked to my throne room, which I've finally de- bugged. So get to searching!"
"Yes, sir!" The two bowed again and hurried off. Frieza continued on his way to his throne room.
________ ________
A/N: Feel free to come join me to talk about DBZ, writing, or whatever at groups.yahoo.com/group/Distortion_dbz