Threat

Bardock sailed straight out of the palace window, pulled high into the air, and turned southeast, towards Pistopon. That little weirdo Paragus, he'd known there was something creepy about the baby. Bardock didn't like babies, and the sudden, unexplained appearance of one in Paragus' arms had disturbed him. He didn't like he idea of an infant appearing from nowhere, as his own sons seemed to have done. He'd sold Raditz two months ago- with any luck he would persuade his wife to let him sell the smaller one soon enough. They made him feel things he didn't like to feel.

The air tore around Bardock like fire. In his emotional state, he was already soaring over the woods and lakes of the Tersee District. He could see Pistopon on the horizon, a blob in the blue. Pistopon- he still laughed every time he saw the name. He spiralled down over the city and landed in the dirty cobbled street. He'd timed the landing well. Paragus' inn was only a short walk from here.

He found Paragus on the street by the inn, holding the boy in his arms. He looked up as soon as he saw Bardock coming, a flash of guilt in his eyes. He seemed to be instinctively afraid.

'Paragus,' Bardock said, stopping in front of him. 'I've been sent to talk to you. You've been practicing illegal dark magic.' Paragus' eyes widened and he took a step back, clutching his son closer.

'No,' he said. Bardock knew he was guilty then.

'This child,' Bardock said, pointing to the baby asleep in his father's arms.

'His name is Brolli,' Paragus said sharply.

'This child wasn't born the normal way, was he?' Bardock said, watching Paragus' expression grow more distressed.

'I don't know!' Paragus shouted. 'I found him! I just found him by the road.'

'That's not what you said to me yesterday,' Bardock told him.

'Leave me alone!'

'Paragus, I'm doing this under the command of the King,' Bardock sighed. 'I've got to question you. You're suspected of a serious crime.' Paragus turned and looked behind him as if he was thinking of running away, then seemed to think better of it.

'I haven't done anything wrong,' he said, hanging his head in defeat.

'I'll bet. Did you really dig up your wife's body and cut out her heart?' Paragus slumped against the wall, his face strained with disbelief.

'How did you know?' he croaked.

'King Vegeta figured it out,' Bardock admitted. 'He's a smart guy. And he's got that book to help him.'

'I- I didn't mean to- I only wanted-' Paragus muttered, staring at the ground, the wall, anywhere but Bardock.

'You are so screwed,' Bardock smiled. 'King Vegeta was saying, why would anyone do anything this messed up? And honestly, Paragus, I'm curious myself. Why did you do it?'

'Because of something you wouldn't understand,' Paragus said, glaring at him fiercely. 'Love. I loved my wife.'

'So you dug up her corpse and cut out the heart? How romantic. Sounds like something right out of a half-disk novel.'

'Shut up, you jerk!' Paragus yelled. 'I don't have to explain myself to you!'

'No, but you do have to explain yourself to the High Court,' Bardock said smoothly. 'I think you'd better come with me. And bring… Brolli… with you.'

'You won't take him away from me,' Paragus muttered, shaking and looking away. 'He's my son!'

'No he isn't,' Bardock said.

'He is, though!' Paragus moaned. 'Not that you'd understand, of course. Everyone knows what you did to-'

'Let's go,' Bardock snarled, cutting him off. He grabbed Paragus by the wrist. 'They're talking about you right now in Perelandra. They'll probably have the court ready by now.'

'Really?' asked Paragus, his eyes wide with fear.

'Oh, yes,' Bardock said. 'This is a very serious crime. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you got in more trouble than Turles.'

'Leave Turles out of this,' said Paragus, clearly struggling not to show his fear. He looked into Bardock's eyes and wrenched his hand free. 'I stand by what I did. I'm not afraid of you or King Vegeta or anyone else. I'll go to Perelandra of my own will.'

Bardock shrugged. 'You're going to Perelandra, will or not. Let's go.' He levitated ten feet vertically. Paragus paused, and then shot up after him, the baby in his arms. The soulless monster, Bardock thought.

They flew higher, reaching the colder air, and the baby began to wake up, mewing slightly and struggling. Paragus held it closer, struggling to maintain a grip. Bardock watched them, slowing himself down to do so, and wondered what would happen if the baby just fell from Paragus' arms. Perhaps it wouldn't have to be an accident… But he let the thought pass. They flew on.