Chi-Chi felt a bit left out. Once again the men seemed to be controlling things.

"Damned it Abigail! I didn't come along to be shut out of things!" Chi-Chi fumed.

"I agree, I love Raditz beyond words to describe, but his chauvinism is sometimes too much to bear." Abigail replied. "By the way, is it me or did you sense a sudden change in mood of our friends over there?"

Yambia started at the word 'chauvinism'. "What does chauvinism mean?"

"Well, it means that men think they have to rule everything, that they are superior to women." Abigail said.

"Oh!" Yambia blushed suddenly.

"Why? What's wrong?" Chi-Chi asked.

"Roger called me a chauvinist the other day." Yambia admitted.

Chi-Chi and Yambia laughed. "Well, I guess it could work in either direction, now that you mention it."

"Ladies?" Vegeta said "If you are finished running down the entire male population of the universe, you could join us over here."

Chi-Chi gave Vegeta the look; the Chi-Chi patented warrior-withering look that chilled even Vegeta's heart.

Roger and Kirillin gulped loud enough for Vegeta to hear. The warrior's looked at each other not knowing how to react.

"How about you, Kirillin and Roger join us here, my king?" Chi-Chi said in a low cool voice, her face suddenly radiating a bright smile.

"Ummm... Sure...." Roger said as they walked over to the women.

"Priceless!" Yambia said under her breath. Abigail only smiled in response.

"Did you two feel the same thing we felt? Something has definitely changed with the Kladeshians." Vegeta observed.

"Yes, we were discussing that, among other things." Yambia smiled. "I don't know what is going through those bald heads, but I for one have a bad feeling about it."

"Shame we didn't bring Jessica with us, she might be able to tell us what is going on." Roger said.

"What is her deal anyway?" Vegeta said nodding towards Katrinka.

"It seems that we are looking at the results of a totally male dominated society." Abigail observed. "Other than when we teleported, she has not been closer than 10 yards or so from the males in her group. They are talking and she has not been invited to participate at all. She only speaks to the males when addressed by them. Other than what is necessary communications, the males shun her almost entirely." Abigail said.

"We noticed that as well." Uub and Tien walked up to the group.

"When we teleported, she placed her hand on my shoulder, and not one of her own people." Yambia said.

"They may be my people, but their customs are strange." Tienshinhan said.

"I've seen many male dominated cultures in my travels." Vegeta said. "Saiyan culture was, in large part, male dominated.

"What do you mean 'was'?" Abigail smirked.

Vegeta smiled "I've even seen some female dominated cultures. Seemed all topsy-turvy to me, and the incessant nagging was too much to bear!" Vegeta smirked, pleased with his jibe.

"Imagine that! A planet where the men actually work and get things done. Must be a social paradise!" Chi-Chi returned.

Vegeta's smirk faded. "Women!"

"Wait! Korlos is coming back." Roger alerted the group in a whisper.

Everyone turned and watched the Kladeshian land in front of the men, and address them.

"We have decided to accept your 'hospitality' until this matter is resolved." Korlos stated flatly. "We cannot wait forever, however."

"Understood." Vegeta said as he felt a familiar ki approaching from the Southeast. Vegeta smiled.

"Feels like Trunks." Yambia said.

"Goten is coming in from the West." Roger said.

"Feels like Pan and Bra just joined Trunks." Chi-Chi added.

Everyone suddenly lost Trunk's ki for an instant, then felt it directly behind them.

"I forgot you could do that son." Vegeta smirked as he turned around.

"How are you father. What brings you to our little ball-o-mud?" Trunks smiled. Pan and Bra were with him.

"Tien is a King!" Kirillin blurted out.

Trunk's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Vegeta looked down at Kirillin. "Mr. Subtle."

"Sorry." Kirillin shuffled his foot.

"Tien is apparently the son of their king, and they want him to go back and claim the throne." Vegeta said. "We need to stay on Earth until the details are ironed out."

"Wait a minute! What details? I haven't even consented to be their king!" Tien said.

"That's one of the details." Vegeta smirked.

Chi-Chi turned to Korlos. "What if he doesn't want to be your King?"

Korlos shot Chi-Chi a look of horror. "Y-You a-addressed m-me?" He stammered out.

"Yes. I did!" Chi-Chi glared at the man.

Korlos started to speak again, but broke it off. He made a visible effort to relax.

"King Vegeta." Korlos bowed. "It's a matter of utmost importance to my people that we have our king back on his throne as soon as possible. In the four hundred years since the death of King Sarmen III, our people have splintered into dozen or so factions. Wars between us have destroyed millions of lives. Our weapons technology has increased to develop terrible weapons. We have been at a standoff for almost a hundred years, but that won't last forever. The next battle will reduce our planet to ash! It is imperative that King Sarmen IV takes his rightful place. Only he can unify our world again!"

"I hear what you are saying. However I have no authority over this man." Vegeta said. "The people on this planet are free to make their own choices. If Tien decides that he doesn't want to be your king, I'm afraid that you will have to accept his decision."

A momentary flush of red passed across Korlos's face. "Yes your highness."

Vegeta turned to his son. "We need some place to stay for the Kladeshians. We will use the living quarters at Capsule Corp."

Trunks nodded his head. "That's fine, but since there hasn't been any need for a staff there, you will be fending for yourself."

Vegeta suddenly got an evil look. "Well, that's why we brought these women along!" Vegeta shot a quick look at Roger indicating that he should play along.

"Well, I've lived long enough I guess." Roger thought.

"Yeah, we brought along our own staff!" Roger could barely keep from laughing.

The next sound that was heard forced every Saiyan to cover their ears in self-preservation.

"NOW WAIT JUST A MINUTE YOUR ROYAL BAKA! WE DID NOT COME ON THIS EXPEDITION TO BE YOUR MAIDS!" Chi-Chi screamed. Yambia and Abigail were standing in brazen defiance along side her, or as defiant as one can be with their hands on their ears.

Vegeta was silently berating himself for forgetting about 'The Voice' and the decibel level to which it could attain. "It was a joke woman! What are you trying to do? Deafen all of us?" Vegeta momentarily wondered how she could stand her own voice now that she had the hearing of a Saiyan.

"We well all take part in whatever work needs to be done." Roger said looking apologetic for going along with Vegeta's joke.

"I will see what can be done to get a temporary staff to help out." Bra said.

Tien suddenly recognized Chi-Chi for the first time. "Chi-Chi?? Is that you?" Not only did he recognize her, but also he sensed how strong her ki had gotten.

"Yes! It's me!" Chi-Chi spun around on her toe. "You like the change?"

"I must say that the change agrees with you. But how did you become a Saiyan?" Tien said.

"Goku said The Ultimate Ki did it. He said that it was a reward for both Goku and I after everything Goku has done for the universe over the years." Chi-Chi explained. "Or so that's what he thinks."

"Well, if anyone deserves a reward, it's you and Goku." Tien smiled.

"Thank you!" Chi-Chi said.

Korlos's face had grown red again. The longer Tien talked to Chi-Chi, the redder his face became.

"Your highness!" Korlos addressed Tien. "Perhaps we should go to this Capsule location. We really have a lot to discuss in a short period of time."

Tien looked over at Vegeta who nodded.

"Um.. Very well. Trunks can you take us?" Tien asked.

"Of course!" Trunks answered. "Since there is no one's ki for father to sense, it's either me, or we all fly."

"Good. Let's go then." Tien said.

Everyone arranged himself or herself to be transported to Capsule Corporation. Abigail took special note to see that none of the male Kladeshians would make contact with a woman, and Katrinka was careful not to make any contact with a male.

"Interesting." Yambia muttered as her eyes made contact with Abigail's and Chi-Chi's.

"How can such a scientifically advanced civilization have such backward views?" Yambia heard Roger's voice through their bond.

"Roger, when you called me a chauvinist, is that what you meant?" Yambia asked mentally.

"Sort of, you do tend to push that 'Saiyans are superior!" thing a bit far sometimes, but not nearly to that extent! You can be reasoned with, these people are so entrenched in the male dominant mind set that anything that they see that goes against that belief shocks and horrifies them. Did you feel Korlos's ki when Tien was talking to Chi-Chi? I thought he was going to blow the top of his head off!" Roger said.

"Before you came over and joined us, we all said we have a bad feeling about all this." Yambia said.

"So did we." Roger said. "Vegeta said that he felt something sinister about Korlos."

"What are we going to do?" Yambia asked.

"Vegeta says we should play it by ear, at least for the time being." Roger relayed. "Tell Chi-Chi and Abigail when you get the chance."

"Will do." Yambia said.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Trunks said. "Capsule Corporation, here we come!"

Everyone disappeared except Uub. Uub had other things he needed to do.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jessica monitored the currently Earthbound Saiyans as best she could. She had to be careful because Vegeta had this uncanny ability to catch her trying to read his mind, and Yambia, and Goku could do the same. She sort of felt at the edges of Chi-Chi's mind and felt worry, apprehension. Her worry seemed to be twofold. She wanted someone to be proud of her, but not for the same reasons that she had made him proud before. She wanted someone to respect her abilities as a warrior.

"She must be thinking about Goku." Jessica thought.

Jessica sensed that Chi-Chi was a happy person, particularly in recent years. She loved to care for Goku, and Gotarm, she loved the domestic role. But part of her was also a fighter. She was trained in the martial arts. She watched too many times as her husband and sons went off to save the universe, occasionally not returning for years. Although she complained bitterly, part of her longed to be there beside her husband, sharing the battle with him. She wanted to prove herself, but knew that she would never get the chance with him along. He would try to protect her, as he always has.

She left Chi-Chi and started scanning the unfamiliar minds. She felt a woman. This woman was full of fear, and that fear coalesced into well-suppressed hatred.

"Hatred for who?" Jessica thought. "She delved farther. The fear and hatred was all consuming! The woman's only real passion. Suddenly images of beatings appeared in Jessica's mind, beatings so severe that surgeons had to be called to reattach flesh to bone, and in some cases, organ transplants.

With some effort Jessica broke free of the woman's mind and fell to her knees. "Poor Katrinka!" She gasped out. She had gotten her name from her assailant who kept repeating it as he beat her. The images faded out, but their memory would linger for some time.

As Jessica's strength slowly returned, her mind brushed up against another, male this time, and a very strong personality.

Suddenly Jessica's eyes flew wide open and her mouth dropped open in a silent scream of pain.

Several minutes later Jessica felt a splash of cold water on her face. Her eyes fluttered open to Gerald smiling down on her. She was in a bed in the medical facility.

"Geez Jess! You gave us quite a start! What happened?" Gerald asked.

Jessica racked her fuzzy brain for an answer.

"Maybe we should join our friends on Earth." Jessica said. "I think it would be a good idea."

"Why? Father, Vegeta and the rest can handle themselves." Gerald gave Jessica's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I know they have the power. But someone is plotting their death." Jessica said.

"So what's new? Seems like someone is plotting our demise 24/7 recently." Gerald smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood.

"They should be warned." Jessica said. "They should be warned that the person they are dealing with is totally insane. I've run across the occasional loon from time to time when trying to read minds, but never have I run across a mind so terrible, s-so ugly, before! In a way, he's more dangerous than an Icejin!"

Gerald looked into the eyes of the girl that he had come to have a crush on, but at the same time felt like a sister.

"If you think it's important, then we will go as soon as you've eaten something and gotten your strength back. Deal?" Gerald made a face at her.

"Deal!" Jessica agreed.

"Besides, I want to ask the king a favor." Gerald said.

"Oh? What's that?" Jessica asked, her curiosity mounting.

"Well, as you know, both of my parents are mystics. That is to say, they both underwent a procedure from the Elder Kai that drastically increased their power." Gerald said.

"Yes, I remember, although I was just a kid at the time." Jessica said.

"Since they became mystics before I was conceived, their altered genetic code was passed to me, as well as the mystical energies." Gerald continued. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure." Jessica smiled. "I can keep a secret!"

"The only time I have ever powered up to my maximum is the day I was born." Gerald said.

Jessica looked at Gerald in wonder. "But you went Super Saiyan Four! Are you saying that you could have gone even farther!?!?

"I'm not sure. I went Super Saiya Four, but when I tried to access my double mystic abilities, the power I felt was so incredible that I was afraid I'd blow up the planet or something, so I suppressed it." Gerald said.

"I see." Jessica looked thoughtful. "So what is the favor?"

"I want to know if Vegeta knows of a planet or place where I can really cut loose without worrying about destroying everything around me. I've been training with Dad, and he says that one-day, when I learn to control my ki, I will be able to power up without disturbing so much as a blade of grass, but I can't do that right now." Gerald said. "The thing is that I'm just dying to cut loose with everything I have just to see how powerful I really am."

Jessica smiled. "I understand." Jessica slid shakily out of bed and headed towards the facility's cafeteria.

"Let's get something to eat. I should regain my strength in a few minutes if I eat something. " Jessica took the lead.

"Your wish is my command pretty lady!" Gerald blushed right after he realized what words just left his mouth.

Jessica turned to look at the boy behind her. "Why thank you Gerald." She decided not to tease him about the crimson color in his cheeks. Jessica seen the man this boy would become when he was in his Super Saiyan Four form, and she was impressed to say the least.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"I'm bored!" Goku complained.

"What's wrong? Not used to sitting about when others may be saving the universe?" Bulma teased.

Goku growled in a very Vegeta like manner. "No I'm not! I don't like it one bit!"

"Touchy, Touchy! Maybe you should go and visit the Supreme Kai. At least you could watch Chi-Chi on his crystal ball. Or maybe you could just relax and go visit Grand Kai's planet. You have a lot of friends there you know." Bulma suggested.

"Grand Kai doesn't like living people on his planet." Goku said.

"C'mon Goku, he's always made an exception for you!" Bulma encouraged. "I bet he won't mind one bit."

"I would like to see them again." Goku said. "Alright, but I'm going to keep my senses open for Chi-Chi, if she gets into trouble I'm..." Goku was interrupted.

"No! That would be the worst possible thing you could do!" Bulma warned.

"Why?" Goku scratched the back of his head.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but the whole purpose of Chi-Chi training and going on this mission was to prove herself to you as a warrior. Can't you see that if you bail her out she will view it as a failure, no matter how the battle turns out." Bulma said.

"Oh..! I never thought of it that way. " Goku said.

"You are always telling people to have faith. Now I'm telling you. Have faith in Chi-Chi and don't interfere, no matter what, promise?" Bulma asked.

"I understand." Goku said. "I promise that as long as Chi-Chi has any fight left in her, I will not interfere."

Bulma thought about it. "I guess that is fair, after all I guess we wouldn't want to just abandon her if she was about to die. But not before that!"

"Agreed." Goku said. "I will be on the Grand Kai's planet until then."

"See you later Son." Bulma said.

Goku smiled and used instant transmission to disappear from sight.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The sun had set in a brilliant display of reds, oranges, and yellows. Never had Katrinka seen something quite so beautiful. She looked out at the horizon long after the sun had extinguished itself in the sea. Her thoughts raced about her world, and her people.

Next door, Korlos had gathered his male people in his room for a conference.

"Your Excellency, with all due respect I fail to see how we are going to accomplish your plan. We cannot out power the Saiyans, nor do we have a single weapon at our disposal." Kardeem complained.

Korlos chuckled evilly. "You lack faith guardsman!"

Korlos walked over to the bed and began to go through some motions. It looked as if he was taking off his shirt, but his tunic remained on. Korlos then placed something unseen on the bed. The mattress sunk to accommodate a heavy load. Not removing his hand from the object, Korlos began to feel around. Korlos finally grunted in satisfaction and turned an invisible knob.

Suddenly a large pack appeared on the bed.

"What is that?" Kardeem asked.

"You didn't actually think that I'd let them bring us here without weapons, did you?" Korlos smirked.

"B-But we agreed to..." Kardeem started.

"We were coherced!" Korlos said in a harsh whisper.

"Yes your Excellency." Kardeem said. Kardeem learned a long time ago that opening one's mouth once to often to this man was bad news.

"Good then Kardeem." Korlos turned and started inspecting the contents of his pack. He came across a small item and smiled.

"Can you tell me what this item is Kardeem?" Korlos asked indicating a grenade-sized device he was proudly displaying in front of Kardeem's eyes.

"T-That's a N-Neutrino Warp G-Grenade!" Kardeem's eyes were wide.

"Correct Kardeem, a Neutrino Warp Grenade! Banned on our planet by mutual decision almost 100 years ago, before on could actually be used. After testing in an asteroid belt showed that it was far more powerful than its designers had intended. This is the only one left." Korlos eyed the weapon like a thing of beauty.

"That will destroy the whole solar system!" Langlot spoke up.

"That's the idea idiot!" Korlos said impatiently.

"W-What's the plan?" Faklar asked.

"Well, first things first. I convince King Sarmen IV to ascend to his rightful office, or drug him and take him back to our planet by force, whichever works, then we plant this little baby, and teleport out of here with this." Korlos pulled another, larger, device from his pack.

"I've never seen that before, what is it?" Kardeem asked.

"It's a teleportation device, a gift from our more scientifically bent ancestors. A product of the time before the Icejins came. I found it a few years ago." Korlos explained. "Its coordinates are set for Gardedose. We get the King, pull the pin, and zap out of here. No muss, no fuss."

"He's totally insane!" Kardeem thought to himself. Kardeem snuck a peek at Korlos's backpack. There were several blasters, bandoleers of grenades, and what looked to be two or three small thermal nuclear devices.

Kardeem shuddered.

Korlos laughed maniacally as he tossed the Neutrino Warp Grenade into the air and caught it.