DISCLAIMER:  Me: *Reads an e-mail that mysteriously ended up in her inbox* 
                        Deer Skitsofrenik Egplat:  I, Jen Fukkunager of Funomashun Ink, hairbye relink.. relinqw.. give you all rites to DBZ.  One condisshin, you must surrenda ur computer to me.  Luv, Jen.  fukkunagerj@funomashun-mail.com
                        *Ponders* Hmmm…  lets see… DBZ.. and no computer.. or a computer and no DBZ…  *presses Reply and types*  Hey there, Mr. F!  I humbly and gratefully accept your offer.  Could you send your details forthwith, so I can offer you my second most prized possession in the universe?  I am truly happy this opportunity has arisen, you have no idea how long I've waited for--
                       *Voice sounds on computer, a little muffled*  "Hey!!"
                       Me:  *shocked, and a little freaked*  What the… who's that!!
                       Another voice:  Mimmimive Owfook
                       Me:  HUH?
                       Voice: *louder* MINIMIVE OUFROOK!!
                       Me:  *minimises Outlook, and wheels back suddenly in her swivel-chair, not believing what she is seeing.  All 7 Vegeta's on her desktop are looking at her with.. with… PUPPY DOG eyes(?!?!?!?)*  You.. you.. can talk??  I never knew…                      
                       Vegeta with a tail:  You never asked!  Don't give your computer away!!!  We like it here!!!  Don't give us to Mr F!!  *eyes start to water*
                       Me: Don't look at me like that, go back to being angry or smirking!!!
                       Majin Vegeta:  Only if you keep your computer so you can stare at us longingly while you're trying to get through the busy ISP signals!!
                       Sexy-lookin SSJ Vegeta:  And we can glare/scowl/smirk back at you!  And can you get that ridiculous QuickTime icon off my nose?
                       Me: You can see me as well???  Well that changes my perspective on things..  Hmm.. DBZ or computer with INTERACTIVE VEGETA DESKTOP Hmm…… *Presses Delete on the e-mail… *  Probably spam anyways…  Oh well, it still looks like I don't own DBZ… *shrugs then indulges in the strangest (and most enjoyable) conversation in her life*


Authory thing:  Sorrys about the really long disclaimers.. these things sometimes come to me like visions.  Anyways.. here is the next instalment of Voices!!!  ^_^


Italics are my thoughts – internal and external.  In some cases towards the end of the chapter it looks like bigger text! *curses MS Word*
~ Squiggles are my characters thought-speech ~
"Normal Talking Dialogue."
And non-fancified text is my characters thoughts (non-conversational ones.. which can still be picked up by me if I'm listening in – annoying eh?)  and actions, etc.

         
                      

Voices (In One's Head) by `InSaNe`/Schizophrenic Eggplant

Part 3.  Chapter 9:  Sightseeing and Searching.

The outside of Castle Vegeta in all its wonderment is unexpectedly contrasted by the inside.  Huge friezes (no pun intended) depicting scenes of war and bloodshed adorn the circular walls of the castle interior.  There are so many - their short but impressive civilised history, beginning with the takeover of the planet, the plundering Oozaru crushing the out-powered Tsufurujin and all their technology;  a round, shimmering full moon; interactions with other races sparking their own technological revolution, for the technologically advanced races had exchanged their knowledge, skill and money for favours involving efficient mass-destruction of planets, and said destruction of planets. Frieza also appeared in these wall-sculptures, and the artwork told of when he had turned those 'favours' into an all-out planet-takeover business, which was also shown.   No doubt the artisan who had literally slaved for weeks on these works had been threatened (or maybe paid, depending on the tyrants mood) by Frieza to make him physically appear more imposing, for he was portrayed as bulkier and fear-inspiring than he actually was at first glance, yet like an evil big brother. 

The floor was stone, polished to smooth perfection, in two colours.  Most of it was a mottled grey in varying tones from light to darkest, almost black.   The other colour was red, blood red.  It was so smooth it looked like Real blood had pooled in a semi-circle around the doors we had just entered, ran in a straight line along the diameter of the entire room, collected in one round flawless circle in the centre underneath the high vaulted ceiling, and continued its trail right up to the be-staired podium on which sat the unoccupied thrones in all its glory, where it mirrored the semicircle of the entrance.

King Vegeta's throne sat above everything on a 3 staired dais.  It was of a substantial size, carved out of the blackest wood, polished to a shine and cushioned with red velvet for comfort - (yes even the king of the Saiyajin, sitting for hours doing his kingly duties (including on-the-spot execution) would suffer from the occasional sore arse.. although he never told anyone, of course!!)  The Queens was to his right, and of the same design as the kings but on a smaller scale, and lower to the ground.  Above  them, suspended from the ceiling stretched  a wide cream banner, displaying the Vegeta coat of arms in red outlined with royal blue.

Flanking either side of the thrones, were column-lined areas topped with a slab of stone, where the council and top-elites would sit at ceremonious occasions.  Seating was arranged for next weeks ceremony which would recognise Vegeta as the true Prince of Vegetasei and heir to the throne.  Above them, along the sloping ceiling, were intricate stained glass panels, which threw colours of all the spectrum in a mosaic on the mottled grey of the floor, courtesy of one of the two orange suns.  Strangely, with all this added light, the throne-room still felt cold and sterile.

(This bit is also in italics but FFN doesn't want to make it so)

The final thing worth noticing was that there was no staircase to access the higher levels.  There was no need, all Saiyajin can fly, and all business conducted between the royal council and delegates from other planets were carried out on the ground floor.  Instead of the staircase you'd expect in most castles, it has a giant round chute going right up the centre of the main spire like a self-powered elevator shaft.  It's entrance was sealed, but when motion sensors set around its circumference is activated, an immense round door opened up in a retracting spiral pattern.  The lower 3 floors of the  spire consisted of the levels where the castle staff were housed, the next were guest quarters, above that was a science lab and hospital wing, and who knows what was above that, it could be anything, but I will not find out yet for I have a busy schedule.  The doors are sealed shut and only open-able  by a code encrypted into a chip which, in the Kings case, was mostly likely hidden inside his royal pendant.  The material making up this chute, like the outside of the castle, was smooth and a lot like concrete, but probably very light, not to mention stron-

(End italics)

~ OK, enough of the sightseeing and history lesson, I have a job to do. ~

I touch down on the Treatment and Physical Science level, using logic to discern that this is where I need to be – where else is a baby birthed, and I assume that a baby holding as much status as a prince, the environment would persuade even the most harmless of microbes to take a vacation elsewhere.

Now to find something amidst all this that resembles a maternity suite.

~ A what? ~

A place where a baby is born… but how will we locate him in such a large area?

~ Easy. ~

I spread out my senses to try and locate the newborn.  I pick up numerous ki signatures all concentrated in one particular place situated in the hospital wing  I could sense panic, and hear raised voices.  One particular ki stands out – a stronger one, I can almost see it, a white burning flame searing through my head.  A painful beacon, but a beacon nonetheless.  Unmistakeably the one I am here to see.  Still concealed within my robe, looking very out of character under the halogen lamps and fluorescent lighting, I purposefully make my way along winding corridors, passing laboratories, healing facilities, offices and storage rooms.  Sometimes I get caught in a dead end and have to double back.  I don't know my way around here, there is probably an easier route, I am only-

Following your nose…

~ Hey!  I can't scent them yet!! ~

It's only an expression…

-following my life-energy sensing abilities, and to a lesser extent, my eyes and ears.  At least I know approximately where they are, that's a first.  Because I am using the latter two senses as a secondary means, I fail to notice only a handful of staff are working (but that doesn't occur to me at the time), or the change in my surroundings, until it can no longer be ignored.  It doesn't look so drab and monotonous as the rest of the complex, more.. more..

Futuristic?

What she said.  Luxurious too.  The corridors are wider and lined with carpet barely travelled upon, like it doesn't get used as much as the rest of the place.  I think I'm heading in the right direction, too immersed in my thoughts to notice much else, but I stop suddenly as I round a corner, and I hear a deep booming voice.

"Halt.  You may not pass.  Members of the Royal Family and specialised staff are prohibited only.  Anyone else, and we are ordered to execute on site."  Uh-oh… so much for being inconspicuous.