The Worlds Smartest
This Is The Enforcer Speaking,
Hello constant readers! If I missed replying back to your review I apologize and thank each and every one of you who takes the time to feed my spirit with your reviews! Nothing perks me up quite like seeing new reviews lol :)
Now…On To The Story!
Proclamations
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Bulma could not believe the words that fell out of her mouth. Snapping her jaw shut Bulma blanched but refused to break eye contact with Vegeta. The bell could not be unrung. She'd said what she meant and meant what she said but she feared his reaction. The moment hung in eternity before time began moving once more.
Strong fingers dug into her hair, tugged her into a soul searing kiss, before firmly pulling her head to the side. Bulma froze as he tugged the collar of her suit down and trembled at the first scrape of teeth against the scar already on her throat. Electric jolts shot through her when she felt Vegeta's deep growl rumble through her chest and then, movements almost gentle, he bit her.
Bulma dug her nails into his back. Warmth spread through her, different from the markings before. Gone was the furious ecstacy replaced by the most wonderous feeling of connection with her mate. Happiness, like the warmth of the sun after a long winter, filled her. It was peace. It was home.
Releasing her from his bite Vegeta looked her in the eyes before wordlessly passing out. His wounds finally getting the better of him.
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Bulma watched the sunrise through the balcony windows. The balcony itself now off limits. Two elite guards stood watch out on the beach below on four-hour rotations.
Vegeta was in a regeneration tank and alone in their room Bulma found sleep to be impossible. She hadn't expected him to make declarations of love and he'd answered her in the best way he could, by reconfirming their bond. Her hand settled on the fresh mark. He'd laid it over the original mark. It was more than she could have hoped for after her spontaneous confession. After all, she'd shocked herself let alone him.
Glancing at the clock Bulma noticed that they had about an hour before the planet wide announcement was scheduled to start. It might be enough time for Vegeta to recover and change she supposed. For her own part Bulma already showered, again, and dressed in her royal armor, ready to go when the time came.
The com notification from the door drew her attention away from the sunrise.
"What?" Bulma snapped knowing they could hear her through the door.
"Elite class Bardock requests entry, my Queen." One of the guards at the door announced.
Bardock was one of the only people Bulma wasn't likely to lose her temper on that morning. After telling them he could enter her advisor was allowed in by the guards at her door.
"My Queen." He acknowledged her status with the traditional Saiyan salute instead of the more formal greeting. She'd thrown a big enough fit the first time he took a knee before her after the coronation that he didn't do that anymore.
Bulma returned the salute in the same instance that her stomach growled, loudly. She sighed in aggravation. It felt like all she did was either eat or throw up. Sometimes the former promptly followed by the latter. Bardock raised an eyebrow.
"Your Majesty, forgive me for asking but when is the last time you ate?"
"I swear Bardock if you don't stop with these formalities at least in private I am going to have a cow."
"What's a cow?" Bardock truly looked confused. With another sigh Bulma waived him off.
"It's just an Earth saying. It means I'll get really upset. As I have already pointed out before, I need someone who is willing to talk to me like a normal person or I will loose my mind."
"But you are not a normal person. You are a Queen." At Bulma's continued glare Bardock continued. "However, your wish is my command…Bulma."
Saying her name seemed to physically hurt Bardock. Rubbing her forehead Bulma continued, "I haven't eaten since last meal yesterday. But that's not why you're here so, what's going on?"
"I want to give you an update on the traitors and on the Kings healing status." Bulma waved him on.
"The King will be out of the tank shortly. His vitals are improving quickly, and his power level has continued to increase by leaps. Though I've blocked this information from the computer systems since receiving your list of names from the would-be assassin. Most were minor warriors, 2nd and 3rd class at best however two names were elites, Borgos and Fasha. Their collusion with Frieza has been confirmed."
Bardock's face fell slightly at the mention of the two elites' guilt.
"Were you close to them?"
"When we were younger."
Knowing that Saiyans were not a fan of the word sorry so she avoided it but wanted to offer her condolences.
"My regrets." She clapped him on the shoulder, making the older Saiyan jump slightly. He nodded solemnly but continued as thought nothing happened.
"All of the confirmed traitors are being held in the prison until you and the King decide how to handle them."
Pacing Bulma's mind ran. "How much would those two know about the shield tech?"
"Not much, neither worked in the labs though I did discover they were regularly accessing both yours and the Kings medical records I have found no evidence of them knowing anything about the shields beyond their existence."
Nodding Bulma reached one end of the room, whipped around and continued her pacing. "We need to figure out if anyone who has critical knowledge of the shielding plans or how the generators function has been compromised. Pull all communication records, all computer records, everything from everybody. Lock down everything. I know it's going to cause an initial decline in productivity, but we have to make sure no one is passing on critical information or building in a fault. Sabotage is a real threat."
"I have already frozen all the systems but will also halt production. You're right someone could have been building in a failure. I am actively investigating all of those who have had access to the plans or processes. As I clear individuals, I will send them out to begin the installs of generators deemed safe. We can restart the production line once we clear all of the currently produced generators."
"Sounds like you're already off to a good start. Work quickly Bardock. We can't afford to lose much time. Who do you know you can trust?"
"My son, and his small friend Krillin. He's a 2nd class warrior but trustworthy enough. A few other advisors and elites."
Bulma frowned. "None of them are…technologically inclined?"
"No but they can take direction for the most part."
"If you think they can be of assistance use them."
She wanted nothing more than to go down to the lab herself and begin inspecting the completed generators, but she couldn't. Unfortunately, she had Queen stuff to do and training to keep up on first. Might still made right and she had to remain strong to ensure the people continued viewing her as a fit ruler. Not to mention the multiple assassination attempts. No, she couldn't afford to go soft.
"I'm heading back to the labs now. I will have food sent to you. Please eat it." With that Bardock saluted and bid her farewell.
Grumbling to herself about bossy Saiyan males Bulma sunk onto her favorite armchair to wait.
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The breakfast Bulma managed to get down threatened to come back up as she sat upon her throne next to Vegeta.
"This was your idea woman." Vegeta gave her side eye.
"So, we are speaking, again are we?" She hissed back.
The tension between them odd since his return from the regeneration tank. As in Vegeta hadn't said two words to her, just showered, changed and followed her to the throne room. Frowning Vegeta shut his mouth and looked away. Bulma barely avoided rolling her eyes not looking forward to whatever conversation they were going to have to have about his attitude later.
The throne room was empty except for their closest elite guards and advisors. Only the most trustworthy were allowed anywhere near her now. She knew that the cameras in the room would be turned on shortly to broadcast their announcement across the planet.
"Your majesties the broad cast will begin in ten, nine, eight…" Bulma listened to Zorn, Vegeta Seniors personal advisor, make the count down. She would have preferred Bardock, her own advisor, but he was too tasked out to be there.
The countdown hit zero. They were live.
"We appear before you today to announce a proclamation." Vegeta spoke. "This proclamation will ask much of you, and we are asking much of you. Remember we are stronger together than apart." His eyes shift over to Bulma.
They'd decided that it would be better received if he started things out. Bulma wrote the proclamation, modeling it after the American emancipation proclamation from Earth's history. She picked up the thread where he left off and they would continue to take turns until it was done.
"We as your King and Queen, by virtue of our station, on this day do publicly proclaim that slavery is henceforth and forever forward abolished on Vegetasai. On this day all persons held as slaves within any part of Vegetasai, shall now and forever be free; all the free citizens of Vegetasai will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons in any legal efforts they may make for their freedom."
"Equality shall not be denied or reduced on account of freedman status. We hereby order upon the people so declared to be free to labor for reasonable wages or seek asylum where they choose."
"We further declare and make known, that persons of suitable strength, intellect, and loyalty may be received into the army to positions, stations, and other places that they may be deemed worthy."
"And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, both warranted by the times and necessary for our continued growth we invoke the considerate strength of all our people, and the favor of our Ancestors."
Vegeta finished the proclamation and moments later the signal was given that the feed was cut. Bulma sighed, slumping into her chair. This was going to be a disaster, the feeling of impending doom swept over her again.
"We have garrisons deployed to assist in this transition." Zorn spoke calmly. "As we planned, they are well prepared to maintain peace and aid the slaves in gaining their freedom and establishing them either here or off world. Significant funds have been dispersed for reparations and to compensate owners who may feel slighted by the loss of their property…as it were."
"We cannot afford a civil war." Vegeta growled. "Ensure any rebellion is crushed." He shot a look at Bulma and she felt his seething anger like a physical blow. Standing Vegeta stormed from the room. Confused Bulma followed after her mate.
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"I thought we were in agreement on doing this now?" Bulma asked Vegeta as they stormed down their private wing. Seeing the guards outside the main door Vegeta snarled at them to leave. They left. Fast. Slamming into their quarters Vegeta rounded on Bulma.
"We were." He all but yelled.
Running his hands through his hair and snarling to himself he stormed over to the balcony windows and activated the newly installed shutters. The heavy steel plates sliding shut, blocking out the daylight, and preventing the guards on the ground below from hearing them. Clearly Vegeta didn't want an audience for this argument.
"So, what is your problem?"
Emotions swirled through her, the impending doom, the…the…
"Your scared." Bulma answered her own question. Voice soft she made to touch him but Vegeta backed away as though struck. Well, Bulma decided, probably a poor word choice.
"I fear nothing!" Vegeta screamed. He turned and paced away from her as though he would look out at the sea but came face to face with only steel.
"Fine then, you are worried?" Bulma tried again. The synonym seemed to rub him better. "I know I am."
"Centuries. Centuries of doing things one way and now we must do them another. There will be decent among our people at a time when we need to be working together."
"You're right." She told him. This seemed to take the wind out of his sails. "But if we waited then more people would be here to die when Frieza comes because he will come and destroy as much as he can before you kill him. A simple stray ki ball could kill dozens of the weaker slaves let alone the kind of energy you and the elites will be throwing around. This gives them the chance to escape and if they stay it will be their choice."
"I do not care if random slaves live or die." Vegeta's cold blooded voice dripped with malice. "My concern is for you and for my planet. My people."
Bulma approached the fuming male with caution. Their link as open as it'd ever been, she could feel everything he felt. His concern over whelmed her, his fear, his stress, flared around her. Bulma knew he must have been hiding it from her. This didn't develop overnight.
For her part Bulma knew she was scared. Scared of failure, scared of losing Vegeta, of dying, of some much. No words would be able to sooth Vegeta as he paced and all but twitched before her. Stepping into his path Bulma wrapped her arms around him. Stopping him in his track.
They never really just hugged, not unless one of them was half dead and that really didn't count. It was a realization that hit her as Vegeta froze in her arms as though he wasn't sure what to do. Silently Bulma willed him to feel how much this meant to her. All of it. Slowly Vegeta's arms encircled her. He made her feel small as he held her in his arms. His shoulders were broader, his arms thicker, his chest wider than when he first found her. His gravity training already paying off.
Vegeta rested his chin against the top of her head with a sigh. Bulma curled in against him tucking in tight to him. Holding him, being held. Comforting each other.
"I am not strong enough. I must obtain my birth rite. I must become the legendary or we will all die." Vegeta's voice was just a whisper into the room. As though a afraid someone, anyone, else might hear him.
"I believe in you." Bulma told him and it was true. "You will defeat that monster because you don't know how to fail."
Bulma ran her hands down Vegetas back, past where his armor ended, and brushed her fingers across his tail. Something she rarely dared to do. At times she could almost forget it was there but right then she wanted to feel that soft brown fur under her hands. Moving slowly Bulma raked her nails delicately through his fur.
Vegeta startled at the touch. "Watch yourself woman."
Ignoring his words she slid her fingers underneath his tail pulling gently. Despite his warnings Vegeta allowed her to unwind his tail from around his waist. He was too strong for it to have been any other way.
Wrapping her hand around his tail Bulma squeezed him gently before running her hand experimentally along it's length. Careful not to pull too hard. She'd never done this before. Bulma watched his face as she touched him. Enjoying the look on it.
Eyes closed Vegeta's lips parted slightly has he gasped. Using her free hand to massage the area around the base of his tail she continued running her other hand along its length before grabbing the base of his tail and squeezing him firmly.
Vegeta caught his weight on her as his knees buckled, nearly taking them both to the ground.
"Fuck." He gasped.
Releasing his tail Bulma cupped his face and kissed him. Vegeta opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. But a kiss wasn't enough, they needed more. Clothing and armor fell under heated hands as they sought to touch more of each other. Bulma wrapped her legs around her mate's waste as he lifted her up and pinned her against the wall.
Bulma gasped as pain shot through her injured ribs. Nearly healed but not quite. Vegeta hadn't touched her since her injury, afraid of causing her more pain. Now he froze mid motion and looked at her wide eyed.
"If you stop." Bulma growled. "I will kill you myself."
"Oh, will you, little human?" A fierce smirk spread across his face, his tone wicked. "How do you suppose you will do that?"
Vegeta leaned in and scrapped his teeth along her neck as he thrust his hips, grinding his hardness against her most sensitive of places. She wanted him, needed him and in that moment, she would have done several morally questionable acts to keep him from stopping.
"Stupid Saiyan." Bulma muttered letting her head fall back against the wall. "All muscle no brains."
Chuckling Vegeta continued his slow, grinding, rhythm against her folds until Bulma began pleading with him. She was so wet, so ready, if he would just please give it to her.
"What?" He panted. "Tell me…what you…want."
Vegeta as egotistical as ever enjoyed hearing her tell him what she wanted, in hearing her beg, but she loved this side of him. Completely masculine, dominating, it ignited something primal within her that reveled in his strength, his ego, and yes his arrogance.
"I want you." She arched her back. "Inside me."
"As you wish." He shifted himself around and slid inside of her. Bulma clung to him as he moved. His energy poured slowly into her as he gave of himself and through their bond, their pleasure multiplied. Bulma lost herself, unsure where her pleasure began and his ended. Each thrust of his hips brought them closer and closer until finally it took them tumbling off the edge of the abbess. The orgasm tore through them, shattering any barriers between them and they came, crying out as one.
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Cool sheets and rain greeted her as she slowly opened her eyes. The gray light of dawn filled the room making Bulma frown. Dawn? Had she really slept away an entire day? Sitting up in a panic she cursed at all the lost time. She needed to train, she needed to be in the lab. Why in the hell had Vegeta let her sleep for an entire day?
"Calm yourself woman." The familiar voice grumbled from the other side of the bed.
"What are you still doing in bed? What am I doing in bed?" She huffed, making to get up. A firm hand around her wrist drew her up short. Looking over she met Vegeta black eyes. He looked calm, if a bit annoyed, and as though he had no intention of her getting out of bed.
"Who are you and what did you do with my mate?" Bulma asked.
"Woman, after you passed out, I trained and questioned our captives." Bulma made a face at the last part remembering his last go at questioning a captive. "I was much more, what would you call it? Humane? This time. The two were friends of Bardock at some point and held little more information than we have already guessed. Frieza will be arriving early in hopes of surprising us and has had spies monitoring my training progress and you in general. Bardock is clearing workers to return to the lab one at a time and they have begun inspecting your shield generators. And you, woman, are injured, with child and low on energy. You need to eat and sleep more than usual. Both of which you have been neglecting. So, if you plan on staying strong enough to survive random assassination attempts and birthing a Saiyan Prince you are going to do as I say."
"Well then." Bulma mumbled. "Anything else?"
"Yes. You need a bath."
Without warning Bulma hit him full in the face with her pillow. The look on his face afterwards made her fall over with laughter and would be one she remembered for the rest of her life.
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A/N: I hope this chapter isn't too much. I found trying to figure out how to handle the slavery issue relatively complex and therefor thought to base some of it at least off of American history. There's a lot going on right now for this couple and I'm trying to make sure I don't end up weaving a web too complicated to follow. Please R&R and feel free to ask questions/give constructive feedback. As always thank you for sticking with me through this story.
