The Realtor Affair
By Melinda-chan
Note: This chapter is long so I hope it would not be a problem. In Chapter One I have enclosed a name guide at the end of the chapter which I will update as I go along. This is going to be a lengthy fic so I am going to add more references in future chapters to help the readers understand it more.
It was a morning that Princess Gena would never forget. The clock on the wall read eight o'clock. The monarch was in her dressing room with Latia, her human servant. The red-haired girl had tied the royal blue sash at the back of the Saiyan's yellow dress. She sat still on the stool as the girl prepared the sash.
"Your sash is ready my lady", Latia announced. "You can go to meet the Realtors now".
The princess looked at the girl. Latia could tell she was nervous. The Saiyan woman was not a cruel woman, always kind to everybody. Still she bore great responsibility as ruler. The stress of the current situation was apparent on her face. Already her bare forehead was covered with sweat. Latia felt herself become very attentive. She could not let the princess down if she wanted her to respond.
"Latia I am sad and angry. Why did they come back? A hundred years ago they sold this planet to my grandfather. The Realtors made everybody that was not part of my clan and our servants leave. Most of the humans and the descendants of Kakarrott had to go. The hybrid Saiyan race was split. It was an awful day for us and the planet Veta", Gena sighed at the end.
Latia thought before she replied. "My lady, I cannot give you any advice. I am just a lowly human servant and not trained for that sort of thing. But I do know this my lady," Latia looked at her princess with her green eyes. "The people, your clan, your servants, all of us, believe in you. You have introduced the New Way to us. You have tried to remove every trace of the old Saiyan way from us so instead of destroying we are building. You are a good leader to us," Latia was crying. "You must have an answer to this problem. You must have it."
"Thank you Latia. You're a good servant and I hope you'll be at my side for a long time yet," the princess took out her yellow-gloved hand to the girl. She took it into her small hand. "Such a little girl yet such a good servant. Would you want to serve me forever?"
The girl's eyes brightened. "Yes! Oh yes! I want to serve you forever! You are such a good master!" Tears flowed down her face. "The Realtors must be at the main room by now, my lady. We should go."
"Before we do, please get Daikon for me," the princess commanded. "I want to speak to him before I meet the Realtors."
"As you wish my lady," Latia replied in submission. She left the room quietly. Gena waited patiently. She was the Saiyan monarch, the ruler of an entire planet. She had built the society of Veta in a way that no ruler of Saiyan blood had done before. Her plans, her ambitions, her dreams- all of the things that she has done for the people and the city would be for nothing if the Realtors had their way.
"My lady do you wish to speak to me?" a male voice sounded. Gena turned toward the door and saw a lavender-haired Saiyan in a blue uniform with golden buttons and hems standing. He smiled at her.
"Daikon," the princess held out her gloved hand to him. "It is so nice to see you today!" She rose from the stool. Her face changed from a sad expression to one of deep love and warmth. He took his hand and kissed it.
"Daikon, your personal attendant, at your service, my lady," he said passionately. "Latia has left us alone so please speak freely."
"Yes let us do," the princess told him. "I summoned you to talk as a friend. You can save the kissing for later."
"As you wish," Daikon started to stroke her hair.
"Please," Gena touched his hand gently to take it away from her long dark hair. "Did you dismiss Latia?"
"Yes I did," he answered. "I sent her to the main room already. You should be going there shortly. So tell me why did you summoned me to your dressing room?"
"Daikon, I need to have a private discussion with you. The Realtors are waiting I presume?"
"Yes," Daikon became saddened. "The aliens are waiting for you. I fear you'll be there all day. Maybe I should cancel all your other appointments."
"That would not be necessary. I need only five minutes to speak my mind. I know what they want and I know what to say to them. The situation might get tense but it is important to use our best diplomacy. Do not forget that the New Way is being put to the test as well. Our plan has to work," Gena put her hand to her forehead as in pain. She then looked up to him again. "In good times and bad times, the New Way should guide us. It is a peaceful way to live with no violence. And it has to work for us now!" Sweat came down her forehead. "It has to work!"
"It shall work Gotena," Daikon spoke, using her full name. "We followed the New Way and rebuilt this city on this planet and all the other planets that are our birthright. Remember, my lady, that you are the ruler of this world. You are the Saiyan monarch, the direct descendant of kings and princes. You must take a stand and defend us against all that would threaten us! I do not want to leave this place. And you must remember that not only we go but also the barbarians in the hills and the outlaws as well. The Realtors are going to get everybody to leave this planet if they get their way. I know you must understand that."
"Of course I do!" Gena blurted out. Daikon arched an eyebrow. Gena calmed down. "I'll not let that happen. The barbarians are going to make it troublesome for us as well. Tubar, especially, might cause me trouble. He is the proudest of all the chieftains. He especially would love to see the New Way fail. And I do not want to think what solution they have to solving this problem! There'll be more trouble than it's worth!" Gena gazed into Daikon's blue eyes. "I do not like the Realtors and I would love to see them go. However, I still must deal with them courteously. I can only hope I can do this without breaking our principles."
Daikon touched her face with his gloved white hand. "My lady, I understand but our, ahem, guests are waiting for you. I assume you are ready?"
The princess looked at herself. "I am ready. Though I do not know how I'll get through this. Already I am getting a headache."
Daikon took hold of her left hand, gazing at her jewelry. "You are indeed ready, my lady. You got gold. You got diamonds. You got other jewels on you. They are so shining and bright! And your face! It is so nicely done!" Daikon went closer to her face. "We must celebrate! Once this is over, we must celebrate together!"
Gena at first did not respond. She pulled her left hand from his hand. Daikon saw in her face fear. Fear that a true Saiyan would never admit even in this enlightened age.
"We were young and foolish. Let it be. We must go now." Her voice sounded regal but uneasy. "It is time to face them."
"Ah we will not celebrate like in our youth but like a princess and her servant. Remember that you'll be speaking for all of us. Show those aliens that you are Gotena, the Direct Line of the Royal House of Vegeta, the ruler of Veta, the monarch of all the Saiyans! So feel free to do what you think is right. The people will be behind you all the way!" Daikon encouraged her. She rose up.
"It is time that I show who truly controls this planet! Daikon, take me to the main room! That's an order!" Gena commanded. Daikon smiled and reverted back to his role as personal assistant of Princess Gena.
"As you wish my lady," Daikon said. He guided her through the hallway. Just as her Saiyan ancestors went to the battlefield, Gena went to the main room to face her opponents. Gena found this ironic. Even in this enlightened age, there were battles that had to be fought and won. She did not want to roam the stars, like the Looters, the space pirates or the Kakuans, the descendants of Kakarrott.
And like a true Saiyan she must be confident of victory. Veta is her home planet and she rules it. All of the people in the city counted on her like Daikon said. She will not disappoint them. Her eyes were blazing like black fire when she and Daikon entered the room.
There were ten aliens, all of them ugly by her viewpoint that had assembled in the courtyard. All had long black robes with golden hems in the end.
"Princess Gotena, the ruler of Veta, the Direct Line of the Royal House of Vegeta and the Saiyan monarch and Daikon, her personal assistant, has arrived in the main room!" Celeta the speaker announced. He had on a royal blue robe with golden hems. Music-consisting of flutes- played. The princess raised her hand to make it stop. Gena and Daikon stood next to one another. Daikon then bowed before her. After that he went to the attendants on the right side of the room. The princess formed her hands into fists, then released them. She took a deep breath before she addressed her guests.
"I, Princess Gotena, ruler of Veta, the Direct Line of the Royal House of Vegeta and monarch of the Saiyan race demand to know the purpose for coming to my planet. One of you speak now!" she called out.
A brown, old alien came forward. Gena could see that something red was underneath his robe. He did a slight bow before the cold-staring princess.
"I, Todi, shall speak for my group. I remembered when your grandfather Kalle bought this planet from us," he told her. "He was one of our best customers."
"You knew my grandfather Kalle?" Gena sounded curious. "Tell me about the deal."
"You must surely know that your grandfather bought this planet that was called Earth from us for a price of two thousand Saiyan warriors. The best warriors are said to be from your people. How could we resist such a deal?" Todi rubbed his hands together greedily. "We have returned to tell you that the planet is again up for sale. Now if you can offer four thousand Saiyan warriors you can purchase this planet once more. So unless you plan to leave this place, I suggest you give us what we want."
Gena did not move. However, her face, though, was red as a tomato. She closed her eyes. She thought about her answer. The people in the main room were dead silent, partly by Todi's words and partly by waiting for the Saiyan monarch's words. The princess put her gloved hand to her lips, then slowly brought them down at her side. A little smirk then appeared at the edges of her mouth. Suddenly she chuckled.
"Oh Todi, you should have come when my father was still ruling but it's too late now. There is no magic ball to wish him back to this place. He would love to furnish you with warriors of the highest calibre. However, things have changed and it's all for the better for the people and the city," the princess declared. "You see, we have a new way of living that we follow. It has helped us a lot. The old way with the fighting and bloodshed and other barbaric ways are in the past. They are gone, hopefully forever. We are all civilized people now." She gestured all around the room. "From the lowest servant to me the ruler we are ladies and gentlemen." Gena smiled. "So you can see that we are not interested in your deal. We have built this city and we intend to stay here as long as possible. So go back to where you came from and do not come back unless you want to discuss trade. Do you understand?"
The Realtors were shocked. Todi was so stunned that he did not move. He stared at her in astonishment.
"It cannot be!" Todi finally declared. "This can't be possible! The Saiyan race has always been one of the best warrior races in the galaxy! You Saiyans were the ultimate warrior race! Your grandfather Kalle was like the Saiyans of old. He was proud and ambitious. I truly admired him. I am sad to know that he is no longer here but that cannot be helped now. We met just once a hundred years ago. Surely you all couldn't have turned pacifist! What would he think about all of this?"
"He probably would have sent you and your companions to the next dimension that's what! I, Gotena, do not like to repeat myself but please leave this world! If you continue to persist, I, Gotena, will place all of you under custody and make you leave this planet!" Gena threatened. It was the first serious threat she had ever made to an outsider but no one has made her this angry before.
"Your people has not really changed at all!" Todi exclaimed. "You are still a proud and arrogant race! The Looters have managed to steal a few planets from us and caused trouble for a bunch of our clients on other planets! At least the Kakuans have been cooperating with us."
Gena made a sound that indicated disdain. "The Looters are simply space pirates and the Kakuans are not of the same blood as us. They are a subspecies of the Saiyan race," she told him.
"Still they welcomed us with open arms. Not that they revealed to us all their secrets but no one threatened us like you did. We weren't interested in their planet though. They had little to offer us materially. And they didn't have the Dragon Balls like we thought. They were a small group and they also had no warriors beside guards. Something plain wrong had happened to your race. I expected one of you to have trained warriors. I still can't believe you don't have any fighters!" Todi sounded in disbelief. "You used to be so proud of your fighters. But are you telling me you have all changed?!" Todi then glared at the princess. "It's like you're a new species! At least your behaviour toward those outside your species and clan has not changed! You at least have been arrogant with us unlike your other kin. They were almost like children."
"What exactly did you do on this planet? I, Gotena, demand to know!" Gena ordered angrily. She clenched her hands into fists but did not do anything else.
"I assure you we did not harm them. Their leader, Goshan, was out of the planet and hasn't returned in a while. They still expect him to return so they didn't replace him. They did have a person called the Keeper and Goshan's son but they said that they would not make a deal that would involve the planet without Goshan's presence. They could not offer anything we want. We had to leave but we shall return if something comes up," Todi told her.
'So the Kakuans have been found but not by us,' Gena thought. 'But by those that wish to send all of us to space.' She remained silent, making the people look more intensely at her, waiting for her response. Todi decided to speak again.
"I find this interesting and a little amusing," Todi continued. "You and they are of the same species yet I have seen how you view them. You tried to dominate them as a low class when your grandfather was alive because your family used to rule all the Saiyans. So why should you be concerned about their welfare? Please do tell me."
"That is none of your business. I, Gotena, told you what she thinks and she have the full support of the people that she rules." Gena narrowed her eyes. "My people have lived here for a thousand years. This planet is our home. And I, Gotena, daughter of Belper, granddaughter of Kalle, am the ruler since my father and brother disappeared into space. It is through my family that the royal blood of the house of Vegeta is most direct! As for 'them', they may not be as submissive as we want but they had never challenged our authority and treated us with respect and you cannot ask for anything more from your subjects. I, Gotena, do not wish to force you to leave but she have to use her authority when it is necessary so once again she demands you to leave or you'll be in custody until you agree to leave!" Gena was trying to sound calm but she was shaking inside.
"I have to remind that we have signed a contract with your grandfather and so as the present ruler you are bounded by it. We have the right to null it and sell this planet to another group. Already there are fourteen groups interested in this world. Your grandfather Kalle bought this planet for two thousand Saiyan warriors so we only thought it was fair for you to offer us four thousand warriors to buy this world again," Todi said.
"I, Gotena, already told you she does not have a single warrior to give you. I, Gotena, cannot give you what she does not have. She rejects your offer," Gena told him. "Give me an alternative."
Todi thought there for a moment then joined the rest of his group in a discussion. Gena could not understand what they were talking- it appears to be a language that she never heard before. He then turned back to her.
"We are going to go back to our ship to talk with our clients. An alternative might be possible. I think we may have to convince them that you cannot fulfill their request however," Todi told her.
"I, Gotena, will personally talk with them herself," Gena said. "I, Gotena, will not do anything without the consent of her people whatsoever your people want to do. Give her one week and then her decision will be final even though I, Gotena, have never changed her mind before."
"One week then," Todi said. "We hope to make a deal that would satisfy both sides."
"Of all the-" Daikon said sharply. Gena whirled around and looked sternly at him.
"I, Gotena, did not authorize for you to speak, did she?" Gena said in a harsh tone. He stiffened up.
"No of course not! But I don't trust these people my lady," Daikon told her.
"Let this Gotena be the judge of that, Daikon. If you continue to speak out, you will be excused from this room," the princess said. (A/N: Sorry for the line error but I am unable to correct it.)
"Yes my lady," Daikon replied gloomily. Gena knew she made him unhappy. She made a mental note to make it up for him later. In the meantime, the princess turned her head back to Todi.
"Forgive this Gotena for that. Her personal assistant Daikon was merely voicing his own opinion without her permission. However, I, Gotena, don't think his comment is without reason. She does not like this at all. She has no intention of leaving this planet. And on this planet it is her opinion that matters. Talk to your clients and make another offer to us. It has to be fair and appropriate. Tell them that the planet Veta have a new way of life and it does not include warriors," Gena said. "I, Gotena, will speak in her planet's behalf if I have to."
"As you wish," Todi said. He sounded disappointed. Gena felt pleased.
"Then go and do it," she ordered.
"I must remind that my group here are simply spokespeople. If the reply of our clients is not to your liking, you must not make us accountable," Todi said.
"I, Gotena, will only make you accountable for your own actions. However, should you threaten any of her people or myself, I, Gotena, will get security. Do you understand?" Gena narrowed her eyes at him.
"I understand," Todi responded. "My group should be going back to our ship. The sooner we contact our clients the sooner we can make a new offer. Will you dismiss us now?"
"Fine. You're dismissed. Attendants, lead them back to their ship," Gena ordered.
"I hope you don't forget this planet is not really yours. The moment your grandfather bought it, it really belonged to us, the Realtors. In the end we will have the deal we want," Todi warned her.
"I, Gotena, should remind you that she is in charge on this planet. I, Gotena, will be the one that decide what to do with her people," Gena said. "Do keep that in mind when you discuss a new deal with your clients." Todi lowered his eyes.
"I shall indeed," he said. The attendants then led him and his group out of the room. Now everybody had his or her eyes on Princess Gena. She turned to her personal assistant.
"Daikon, do I, Gotena, have any other appointments that she must attend now?" she asked.
"Not now my lady," he answered. He still did not sound his joyful self. Gena sighed to herself. Her earlier words still hurt him and she knew it.
"If I, Gotena, do not have any more appointments, then everyone can leave now," the princess said. "Daikon, Latia, take this Gotena back to her room. You are all dismissed."
"As you wish my princess," Daikon said. Latia nodded. Everybody had left or was leaving. Her two servants guided Princess Gena down the hallway. They then walked until they went to the door of her room.
"Latia, please stand outside for a few minutes. I need to talk to Daikon privately," Gena commanded.
"Yes my lady," Latia answered.
"Come with me Daikon," Gena commanded. The lavender-haired man stiffened but obediently followed her to her room. Gena shut the door.
"Princess Gotena this lowly servant of yours is sorry for disturbing your discussion with those aliens. This lowly servant of yours was not being a proper gentleman. The New Way was not in his mind when he spoke," Daikon apologized, sounding sorrowful.
"You did what you thought was proper. I didn't think your disruption affected the outcome. Still I do need to remind you that as my personal assistant, you are not supposed to speak in my behalf unless I ask you to," Gena told him. He went onto his knees bowing so low that his head touched the ground.
"This lowly servant of yours have earned your anger. He will accept his punishment that you wish to give him," Daikon said.
"Get up Daikon. I am not going to punish you," Gena told him. He did as she commanded. He still looked anxious. "I want to speak on more important things than your outburst."
"Yes my lady," Daikon said. "What do you wish to talk about?" Gena walked to the window. She could see all the lights of the city from her view. Daikon went behind her and placed his left hand on her right shoulder. She used her right hand to flick it away. Daikon then put his hands on his sides.
"I want to know about the plans for the celebration of my tenth anniversary of my rule," Gena said. "I am hoping that things are going smoothly."
"Ah yes my lady," Daikon answered, happy to be talking about the event. "I assure you that everything is going as planned. We already had planned the entire menu- vegetarian of course- and prepared a special drink made from the mountain berries of Taru that you like. As well, we have planned a free dance to all that could come to the palace. I am sure that many are going to wish you well. I have something special for you. It is something that no man have ever done to you." He smiled, hoping she is pleased.
"You already had done to me what no man has done before and since then," the princess told me. She then saw the eager expression on his face. "Unless you plan on taking a step further."
"I cannot hide it any longer. My feelings toward you haven't changed since we were sixteen. It has been an honour to serve you all these years. I know I am just a servant according to the law but I know you will be thirty years old and I cannot think you will continue to be without a man, especially when your father and your brother are gone, perhaps forever. I do not expect you to be single much longer and so I am preparing to give a surprise though you spoil it for me," Daikon told her.
"And you think that you are the man that I should marry and father my children?" the princess questioned him. She then saw his earnest expression. "Do not answer that one. I know you're the man that I want to marry and father my children. My authority is fully established. No one has challenged my rule lately. Everyone is living in peace and harmony. The barbarians are not a big threat to us anymore. The New Way is in the minds and hearts of everyone in the city. I am content now. I should start a family now so the Direct Line of the Royal House of Vegeta would continue. But-" the princess then stopped.
"But you don't want your children to be exiles. I understand," Daikon said. He sighed. "The Realtors are threatening to change all our plans. Do you really think that they are going to make an offer we can accept?"
"I have no idea. I believe you. We cannot trust them. But we cannot show that distrust to them. It will make diplomacy difficult. We need them to think we trust them even when we don't. However, we need to make a plan in case things do not work the way we want," the princess told him.
"I dread to think what they might do if they can't have their way. Gotena, our ancestors used to destroy all intelligent life when they conquered planets. I do not know about the policy of the Realtors but they could use force if we refuse to accept their offer," Daikon said. The princess let out a low growl from her throat.
"My grandfather Kalle was such a fool. He pounced on the chance of being the ruler of this world but to do so he handed control of this planet to an alien race he didn't even know. He died thinking his family would have no problems. What an arrogant, stupid man!" she shook her fists in the air. This disturbed Daikon.
"My lady, please do not speak like that to a dead man, especially an ancestor of yours! I was sure that he thought what he did was right, especially when your family hasn't ruled for over a planet for nine hundred years or more! He was responsible for the expansion of the Vegetan clan to other planets and started trading with many other planets. He is not totally bad," the lavender-haired personal assistant tried to reason with her.
"You know that I cannot hate my grandfather. I just despise his foolish behaviour in regard to his relations with the Realtors. He reminded me like our barbaric ancestors or the present barbarian chiefs. Proud and strong but nothing else," Gena shook her head. "I have finished my ranting. I cannot change the past. I need to focus on the present. Daikon, make an appointment with me and the Science and Technology Committee for this afternoon. Cancel an appointment if you have to."
"As you wish. You still need to go to a meeting with the Trading Board. They are quite upset over the maximum pricing regulations that you imposed a few years ago. They claim that it is preventing them from earning a living. They say the prices are too low and may put them out of business," Daikon told her. The princess groaned inside.
"I don't know what is worst. Squaring off against the Realtors or the members of the Trading Board. I imposed those rules so people could buy food and clothing and other essentials without paying too much. The merchants only care about money. Maybe I should ban money and put a barter system in place." Her lavender-haired servant said nothing in reply. "I have to mentally prepare myself for the confrontation. I do not like it but it is unavoidable." She then thought for a moment. "Daikon, I want you to summon Vegetana for me. I just thought of something. I need to talk to her right away."
"You do need to inform her about what happened between you and the Realtors. She is the Guardian of the Earth and Keeper of the Dragon Balls after all," the lavender-haired man said.
"Yes she has the right to be told. I need to address the public soon too. I do not want them to be anxious and come up with various rumours. Schedule a press conference for the media services this evening. But do get Vegetana right away," Gena ordered in a kind manner. Daikon bowed submissively.
"I shall get the Guardian of the Earth here. Do you want to meet her in your room?" Daikon asked.
"I don't see why not," Gena answered.
"If only we had a time machine like our Great Mother Bulma had, we could have solved this problem right away," the lavender-haired man declared. "Our ancestors could have dealt with the Realtors and their clients if they want to."
"Daikon!" the princess exclaimed. "Remember the New Way! We cannot suggest violence, even if others would be doing it!"
"I know but I feel that we cannot be too soft toward the Realtors. Our ancestors had to face opponents that gave them no choice but to use force. And I am not talking about what our Great Father Vegeta had to face. We don't know what the Realtors would do if we refused to do what they want. I have always believed in the New Way but I am not sure if we can pull this off without force. I support you but I do not want to be killed at the same time," the lavender-haired servant said. Gena smiled.
"I believe that the New Way will prevail. I cannot control what others do but I can control how I respond. If they plan to use violence, we will simply leave the planet and let the barbarians deal with them. If they win, we simply come back and resettle our city," the princess said.
"I have to admit that does sound like a good plan," Daikon replied. "Let's just hope we could be given advance warning." He then saw her gloomy face. "I am sorry. My words are depressing you." He then grabbed her left hand and kissed it. "Gotena, O shall do as you say. I should get Latia to watch over you as I summon Vegetana. Is there anything else you want me to do?"
"No," Gena replied. "Just bring some painkillers too. By the time this day is over, I might need them." Daikon nodded and left.
Latia was still there by the door waiting. She is so loyal, he thought.
"Latia, go to the doctor and get him to give painkillers to you. Tell him that Princess Gotena has a tension headache. He'll know what to give to you. Then bring it to her and stay with her until I come back," Daikon ordered. The girl nodded and left. He stood there thinking.
'My dear lady Gotena, I first met you in person when I was sixteen and has been in loyal service since I became your personal assistant at the age of eighteen. My father was a commander in your father's army until you made him a civil servant, which he retired from. I do not blame you for that. You have made Veta greater than your own father had through the New Way and that makes me glad. Still I fear that your philosophy may not work this time. Of course without a time machine we cannot contact our ancestors who could solve this problem quickly. I just hope that the barbarians are equal to the task,' Daikon thought as he walked down the hallway. He had to get Vegetana and then hold a little meeting of his own. There was so much for him to do and so little time. He quickened his pace as he left the place. Time would tell whether he was right or not about his assumption.
End of Chapter One
Name Guide:
Gena is pronounced with a hard "g" as in "Gotena" her full name.
Daikon is named after a long white radish used in Japanese cooking. It is pronounced as it would in Japanese, "Dy (as in hair dye)-kon".
Celeta (the royal speaker) is pronounced "se-le-ta." The first part of his name comes from "celery" or "celeriac" both considered vegetables and the last part of his name comes from "Vegeta". You'll find some other names in the fic with the last part of the name being "ta."
Todi is the closest Japanese equivalent to "toady" which Todi resemble.
Latia is pronounced "La-ti-a". It is a made-up name.
I first wrote the first chapter in 1998 and the last half of the chapter in the last year so you can say this chapter is over five years old. I promise that the next chapter won't take that long. In case anyone wants to know when the DBZ characters are going to appear, my answer is that I must provide the background for the fic first. That is going to take a few more chapters. This is going to be a DBZ story. Dragon Ball Z was created by Akira Toriyama. Do not forget to review!