*********************Episode 6********************
**The Evil Rubaru; Bardock's Enrollment in Boot Camp**
The following day seemed to pass by in a blur. Bardock had been woken up to find himself in a windowless shuttle headed for Special Training Program HQ. With him, packed in the small compartment, were children about his age. By the looks on their faces, they were fully aware of what was in store for them.
After an entire day's travel they arrived in the underground station. The Sayin kids, in two straight lines, were escorted into a small white room with two door; a back and a front. There, they were stripped, given loose gray uniforms, and were led to the dormitories.
The dormitory Bardock was assigned to, reserved for lowest classes, was called "Qelpex @4", or "Pad 84" in Basic. Every room thus far had been made of marble, but "Pad 84" was far from such glamour. The walls were made of bumpy stone and the floor of black asphalt. There were two rows of bunk beds, each made of stone and uncomfortably close to each other. Most of them were occupied by boys of various ages, some wearing pants, some nothing but their tails.
One particularly hairy boy turned to Bardock and gave him a menacing grin. "Welcome to Hell," he cackled.
Bardock, shaking slightly, pretended to ignore him. He simply marched down the long isle-way toward the back of the room.
"I wouldn't do that," one said. "The entrance is the only way out. If there's a fire, you're toast!"
Again Bardock ignored. When he reached the end, he noticed all four beds on the end were empty. "Good," he muttered. So he hopped onto the bottom bunk farthest from his dorm mates.
The first thing he realized was that the bed had a hard straw mattress. Next, he felt a sharp pain spread throughout his body when he landed on his tail. He let out an uncontrollable shout of pain. The room burst into uproarious laughter.
Bardock stroked his bruised tail in near tears. "Damn them," he said to no god in particular. "Damn them all."
The next morning, all to the "trainees" were gathered into a very large auditorium. Bardock hadn't seen any of the other classes before, but he realized it was stupid to think only third class Sayins are sent to STP. The uniforms were of different colors, and all students were told to sit in accordance to their class color.
The theatre itself was enormous. It was hard for Bardock to believe it was underground. The only lights were those onstage, so the ceiling seemed to disappear into oblivion. The marble stage was simple, no furniture or props, just the teachers lined up at attention, and a backdrop that bore the royal crest of their sovereign, King Vegeta I. It begs to note that the symbol of the Sayins seemed to glow, because the fabric was made of threaded ruby and gold. To the Sayins, young and old, felt it was a beacon of pride and glory upon the unworthy stage.
Bardock found a spot in his section. He spoke to no one. Since most knew him by reputation, he wanted to preserve his anonymity.
A hush fell over the crowd as the headmaster's footsteps sounded at the top of the theatre. Lord Saladus never needed to utter a word to make his presence known. The dark figure marched to a slow, steady beat, sending chills up the spines of those he passed.
Bardock, normally cool and collected, bit his lip in fear as the tall figure bypassed. Even for creatures who were nearly a half century from learning to read ki energy, the negative aura given off by this being was unmistakable.
When the lord stepped into the stage light, there was a great intake of breath from the younger students. He towered over the other faculty; about nine feet tall and four feet wide, muscles upon muscles, black and gold armor gleaming. The gold came from several medals and honors molded onto his person.
But that wasn't what made the children gasp. Above the gleaming accessories, and below the white mohawk, there were two glass red eyes, a gaunt face, and no nose. The creature was hardly Sayin, too hideous to be real.
And when it spoke, the voice was low, deep, and in a whisper that could be heard from the top of the audience from whence it came.
============================================================================
[Commercial Break]
============================================================================
"For those who do not know me, I am Lord Saladus. Welcome, new students, to the Special Training Program of Sector 4D. I trust that you are all willing to learn what it is meant to be a true Sayin. I will not lie, the process is more difficult then you could ever imagine. A genuine test of physical endurance, mental exhaustion, and emotional obliteration. This is not a school of honor, it is a school of total submission for disgraceful Sayins such as yourselves. Once you are deemed fit to leave by a high ranking officer, you will be chosen by a captain and taken to a team for space pirating for King Kold. Until then," there was a dramatic pause, "your little minds and bodies are mine to toy with."
Bardock tightened his fists, trying not to cry out.
"You have already been assigned to your barracks and class colors: Red for first, green for second, and gray for third. Boys and girls are not to associate outside of practice time and Mess Hall. And there is to be no inter-class association at all! Understood?"
"YES SIR," came the response of the students.
"Excellent. You are to have no material possessions not required or allowed by officers. You will respond when spoken to, eat when ordered to, and laugh when allowed. Any insubordination will be met with swift punishment."
One teacher stepped forward. He was tall (though not as tall as his superior), with green armor and blue pants, had short, black, spiky hair, and a scar that ran from one ear, across his eyes, and to the other.
"Allow me to introduce you to my deputy headmaster," said the icy Lord Saladus, "Sir Rubaru."
One kid near Bardock snickered at the name, which was normally given to females. Bardock took a sidelong glace of the boy's face, memorized it, then turned back. The adults hadn't heard; lucky for the boy.
The deputy held out a paper in front of him, studying a picture clipped to the documents. Sir Rubaru, unlike Saladus, had a mega-phone loud voice. "I have been informed by my son, Captain Snoino, that one student we have just received is not only a troublemaker, but the weakest of our respected race. Will the one known as 'Bardock' come forward."
At that moment, Bardock would have preferred being at home with his mother drunk and abusive, and Celipa laughing at him, then the spot he was in now. The blood drained from his young face, and he felt like self destructing on the spot. But the damage was done. Rubaru knew his name and past. There was no backing out.
Slowly, like a boy heading for the gallows, Bardock stood, and crept quietly down the steps. He was so small, that most of the others had to crane their necks top get a better look. His footsteps made no sound. And by the time he got to the steps to the stage, he felt sick with fright that he was ready to turn inside out from puking.
Bardock tried not to look at the awesome Saladus, but instead at the Sayin who had ruined his chance at a new start. Rubaru looked a lot like his son close up, but then again, most Sayins looked like their father or family member. Still, the resemblance brought no comfort to the Sayin boy.
Rubaru faced the crowd and circled around Bardock. "This boy was born the lowest in our proud history of warriors. He attempted to socialize with those beyond his reach and power. This . . . worthless piece of trash dared to disobey all rules that this system was built upon. Actions like his could crumple our status of living as we know it. I plan to make an example of him."
Rubaru snapped his fingers and two Sayins brought out a small stool. It was placed in the center of the stage, right next to Bardock and Rubaru. The latter pointed down to the former. "We shall witness what you consider to be worthy of training, young filth. Stand on this stool. If you can last two days on it without dropping from your inherent weakness, you will join your classmates in training. If you succumb to it, you shall die! Refuse altogether, you shall be sent home in disgrace. What do you choose?"
To many, the obvious choice was to ask to be sent home. Life was certainly more important then death. But Bardock could hear Col's voice in his head. "I see great potential in you." If Col meant it, it had to be true. The Bond with a Teacher is strong.
Without a word of acknowledgement, Bardock climbed onto the stool, and faced the audience with full and undeniable confidence.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hey! I'm Bardock!
My first week in school, and I already am getting enemies. Big surprise! I was never popular. At least not everyone is out to get me like before. I miss Col and Zucina so much! I need a friend!
Next time on DragonballBC: The Dreaded First Week; Bardock Gets a freind
**The Evil Rubaru; Bardock's Enrollment in Boot Camp**
The following day seemed to pass by in a blur. Bardock had been woken up to find himself in a windowless shuttle headed for Special Training Program HQ. With him, packed in the small compartment, were children about his age. By the looks on their faces, they were fully aware of what was in store for them.
After an entire day's travel they arrived in the underground station. The Sayin kids, in two straight lines, were escorted into a small white room with two door; a back and a front. There, they were stripped, given loose gray uniforms, and were led to the dormitories.
The dormitory Bardock was assigned to, reserved for lowest classes, was called "Qelpex @4", or "Pad 84" in Basic. Every room thus far had been made of marble, but "Pad 84" was far from such glamour. The walls were made of bumpy stone and the floor of black asphalt. There were two rows of bunk beds, each made of stone and uncomfortably close to each other. Most of them were occupied by boys of various ages, some wearing pants, some nothing but their tails.
One particularly hairy boy turned to Bardock and gave him a menacing grin. "Welcome to Hell," he cackled.
Bardock, shaking slightly, pretended to ignore him. He simply marched down the long isle-way toward the back of the room.
"I wouldn't do that," one said. "The entrance is the only way out. If there's a fire, you're toast!"
Again Bardock ignored. When he reached the end, he noticed all four beds on the end were empty. "Good," he muttered. So he hopped onto the bottom bunk farthest from his dorm mates.
The first thing he realized was that the bed had a hard straw mattress. Next, he felt a sharp pain spread throughout his body when he landed on his tail. He let out an uncontrollable shout of pain. The room burst into uproarious laughter.
Bardock stroked his bruised tail in near tears. "Damn them," he said to no god in particular. "Damn them all."
The next morning, all to the "trainees" were gathered into a very large auditorium. Bardock hadn't seen any of the other classes before, but he realized it was stupid to think only third class Sayins are sent to STP. The uniforms were of different colors, and all students were told to sit in accordance to their class color.
The theatre itself was enormous. It was hard for Bardock to believe it was underground. The only lights were those onstage, so the ceiling seemed to disappear into oblivion. The marble stage was simple, no furniture or props, just the teachers lined up at attention, and a backdrop that bore the royal crest of their sovereign, King Vegeta I. It begs to note that the symbol of the Sayins seemed to glow, because the fabric was made of threaded ruby and gold. To the Sayins, young and old, felt it was a beacon of pride and glory upon the unworthy stage.
Bardock found a spot in his section. He spoke to no one. Since most knew him by reputation, he wanted to preserve his anonymity.
A hush fell over the crowd as the headmaster's footsteps sounded at the top of the theatre. Lord Saladus never needed to utter a word to make his presence known. The dark figure marched to a slow, steady beat, sending chills up the spines of those he passed.
Bardock, normally cool and collected, bit his lip in fear as the tall figure bypassed. Even for creatures who were nearly a half century from learning to read ki energy, the negative aura given off by this being was unmistakable.
When the lord stepped into the stage light, there was a great intake of breath from the younger students. He towered over the other faculty; about nine feet tall and four feet wide, muscles upon muscles, black and gold armor gleaming. The gold came from several medals and honors molded onto his person.
But that wasn't what made the children gasp. Above the gleaming accessories, and below the white mohawk, there were two glass red eyes, a gaunt face, and no nose. The creature was hardly Sayin, too hideous to be real.
And when it spoke, the voice was low, deep, and in a whisper that could be heard from the top of the audience from whence it came.
============================================================================
[Commercial Break]
============================================================================
"For those who do not know me, I am Lord Saladus. Welcome, new students, to the Special Training Program of Sector 4D. I trust that you are all willing to learn what it is meant to be a true Sayin. I will not lie, the process is more difficult then you could ever imagine. A genuine test of physical endurance, mental exhaustion, and emotional obliteration. This is not a school of honor, it is a school of total submission for disgraceful Sayins such as yourselves. Once you are deemed fit to leave by a high ranking officer, you will be chosen by a captain and taken to a team for space pirating for King Kold. Until then," there was a dramatic pause, "your little minds and bodies are mine to toy with."
Bardock tightened his fists, trying not to cry out.
"You have already been assigned to your barracks and class colors: Red for first, green for second, and gray for third. Boys and girls are not to associate outside of practice time and Mess Hall. And there is to be no inter-class association at all! Understood?"
"YES SIR," came the response of the students.
"Excellent. You are to have no material possessions not required or allowed by officers. You will respond when spoken to, eat when ordered to, and laugh when allowed. Any insubordination will be met with swift punishment."
One teacher stepped forward. He was tall (though not as tall as his superior), with green armor and blue pants, had short, black, spiky hair, and a scar that ran from one ear, across his eyes, and to the other.
"Allow me to introduce you to my deputy headmaster," said the icy Lord Saladus, "Sir Rubaru."
One kid near Bardock snickered at the name, which was normally given to females. Bardock took a sidelong glace of the boy's face, memorized it, then turned back. The adults hadn't heard; lucky for the boy.
The deputy held out a paper in front of him, studying a picture clipped to the documents. Sir Rubaru, unlike Saladus, had a mega-phone loud voice. "I have been informed by my son, Captain Snoino, that one student we have just received is not only a troublemaker, but the weakest of our respected race. Will the one known as 'Bardock' come forward."
At that moment, Bardock would have preferred being at home with his mother drunk and abusive, and Celipa laughing at him, then the spot he was in now. The blood drained from his young face, and he felt like self destructing on the spot. But the damage was done. Rubaru knew his name and past. There was no backing out.
Slowly, like a boy heading for the gallows, Bardock stood, and crept quietly down the steps. He was so small, that most of the others had to crane their necks top get a better look. His footsteps made no sound. And by the time he got to the steps to the stage, he felt sick with fright that he was ready to turn inside out from puking.
Bardock tried not to look at the awesome Saladus, but instead at the Sayin who had ruined his chance at a new start. Rubaru looked a lot like his son close up, but then again, most Sayins looked like their father or family member. Still, the resemblance brought no comfort to the Sayin boy.
Rubaru faced the crowd and circled around Bardock. "This boy was born the lowest in our proud history of warriors. He attempted to socialize with those beyond his reach and power. This . . . worthless piece of trash dared to disobey all rules that this system was built upon. Actions like his could crumple our status of living as we know it. I plan to make an example of him."
Rubaru snapped his fingers and two Sayins brought out a small stool. It was placed in the center of the stage, right next to Bardock and Rubaru. The latter pointed down to the former. "We shall witness what you consider to be worthy of training, young filth. Stand on this stool. If you can last two days on it without dropping from your inherent weakness, you will join your classmates in training. If you succumb to it, you shall die! Refuse altogether, you shall be sent home in disgrace. What do you choose?"
To many, the obvious choice was to ask to be sent home. Life was certainly more important then death. But Bardock could hear Col's voice in his head. "I see great potential in you." If Col meant it, it had to be true. The Bond with a Teacher is strong.
Without a word of acknowledgement, Bardock climbed onto the stool, and faced the audience with full and undeniable confidence.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hey! I'm Bardock!
My first week in school, and I already am getting enemies. Big surprise! I was never popular. At least not everyone is out to get me like before. I miss Col and Zucina so much! I need a friend!
Next time on DragonballBC: The Dreaded First Week; Bardock Gets a freind