"Goku," Oom'Bagu spoke up again as they passed through one of the security gates near the infirmary, "What did you mean by what you said before? Why did you say 'Nevrrest'?"

"I really should see Vegeta before I say," Goku answered, weariness and frustration evident all over his face.

Again, Oom'Bagu let it go, returning to silence as they passed through the last of the blast doors, leading Goku to the section of the infirmary where Vegeta was held. Goku cringed and grimaced as they entered a familiar hospital setting, with white walls and doctor tools all over the place. Though he did his best to remain serious, he couldn't forget how much he hated hospitals. Give him a sensu bean any day. He looked around for Vegeta.

"Oh by the ancients, another Saiyan?!" A turtle-faced doctor came waddling out from behind a computer bank, scowling at Goku. "I'd only just started getting used to the one being in here and now you bring me another?! With all due respect, Warden, are you trying to suffocate me?"

Oom'Bagu sighed and held out hands between Goku and the shell-less turtle in the lab coat. "Son Goku, I present Dr. Tottle. Dr. Tottle, Son Goku."

Dr. Tottle froze and frowned, eying Goku. "Son Goku? That's not a Saiyan name."

"Born Kakarot," Oom'Bagu added.

"Now that's a very Saiyan name." He eyed Goku as he continued to look searchingly around the room. He cleared his throat. "Excuse me! I know this is a foreign tradition to you Saiyans, but when you're introduced to someone it's polite to say 'good day' or some such."

"Oh," Goku blinked, looking back at the doctor with shame, "I'm sorry. I just really need to see Vegeta." He bowed to him, putting his hands together. "It's an honor to meet you, doctor."

Dr. Tottle's jaw about dropped off. "Where in the galaxy have you been hiding?!"

"I don't know what you mean…" Goku muttered and then sighed, looking back to him once more. "I'm sorry, but could we get to know each other better once I've seen Vegeta? It's really important."

"Baaa….." Dr. Tottle gaped. He rubbed his eyes and blinked twice. "Well stuff me and call me a pillow…yes, of course. He's just behind that curtain. Asleep, though, I'm afraid. Best sleep he's had in days, I imagine, he was slowing clear signs of sleep deprivation when he was brought in."

Goku walked immediately to where the doctor pointed, drawing back the white curtain, revealing the saiyan prince sleeping shackled to the medical bed, an IV in his arm and sensors connected to his chest and head. Goku frowned heavily, lowering his brow as he pulled back his shirt collar to purple and yellow swelling on shoulder. His teeth set on edge. "So it's true. She has been hurting you…"

Oom'Bagu's brow slowly lowered. "Goku…I hope you're not implying what I think you are."

"I'm sorry, Oom'Bagu," he bluntly replied, "But Vegeta wouldn't do this to himself. While all Nevrrest wants to do is cause him as much pain as—"

"Stop…right…there," Oom'Bagu cut him off in a deadly tone, making the doctor behind him draw back in shock. He walked to the other side of the bed. "This is not the time to be losing your restraint and making senseless accusations."

"But I know it was her!" Goku protested, bent protectively over Vegeta, "She doesn't care about justice, not when it comes to Vegeta! All she wants is revenge! Can't you see that?"

Oom'Bagu pointed a finger in his face, startling him. "Stop and consider what you are saying. You are accusing the founder of this fleet – and my friend – of breaking the very laws she helped set down. And on what evidence? An injured prisoner and your insistence on his character, of which there has been very little evidence of…either way, admittedly, but all the same."

"But you yourself said you found the situation strange!" he insisted.

"Strange, yes, but that does not mean I am ready to accept that one of the foremost forces of justice this universe has ever known has resorted to shadowy games of torture." His brow lowered further. "And neither should you be." Goku gripped the side of the medical bed and started to tremble as Oom'Bagu turned from him to Dr. Tottle. "Now, have you run any tests on him yet?"

Goku slammed his fists down on the medical table. "Oom'Bagu you have to listen to me!" he shouted, "Can't you see how serious this is?! If we don't do something, she's just going to keep hurting him until she kills him!"

"NOT another WORD!" Oom'Bagu spun around, baring his teeth.

Goku stepped back, his face falling, his eyes wide and blinking. "Oom'Bagu…"

The Gregorik drew a deep, shuddering breath, holding Goku in an intense gaze. "You do not know on what dangerous grounds you tread. Twice now, you have overstepped your bounds. You are here because you wish to support this prisoner, not to fight Nevrrest. This is much bigger than your quarrel, or are you too blind to see what all is at risk? This fleet contains well over a million prisoners. Can you imagine what would happen to the galaxy if we allow The Justice to be divided? The whiplash would be catastrophic, billions of innocents would perish in the wake." He stood over the Saiyan. "So unless you have any solid evidence behind your accusations, keep your mouth shut. Cause if you endanger those I care about I will personally return you to Earth. Do you understand?"

Goku stood with his head bent, his thick spikes of black hair hiding his eyes from view, his mouth a flat line. "…I understand…"

"Good." Oom'Bagu glared for a moment longer and then drew a deep breath, rubbing about his horns wearily. "Now…if you wish to be of help, then speak with your friend. It will not help his case if he continues to refuse to speak for himself. If he is experiencing psychological illness, we can treat him for it. But if he won't reveal the cause behind his injuries I'll be forced to have him completely immobilized for his own safety. Make certain he understands this."

Goku pulled up a chair and sat next to Vegeta's bed, his expression solemn. "Right." He put a hand to the prince's side and shook him gently. "Vegeta. Wake up. I need to talk to you."

"Allow me," Dr. Tottle interjected, going over to a cabinet, "He's in far too deep a sleep for you to wake him up like that. Honestly, I'd rather you come back tomorrow – he's going to need a good twenty-four hours of sleep with the state he's in – but I know you're all on a tight schedule so I won't make a fuss. Also, you should know that due to the drugs he's on he's going to be extremely groggy and very calm, maybe even a little passive." He returned with a small jar. "I'd plug your nose if I were you. Oddball Saiyan you are, that Saiyan nose isn't going to like this at all." Goku did as instructed, pinching his nose as the doctor opened the jar and wafted it under Vegeta's chin.

Vegeta's face started to twitch. "Grr…ahh…eegghh…" His head jerked to the side viciously away from the open jar.

Dr. Tottle chuckled. "Time to wake up, Triple-Zero-One, you have a visitor." Vegeta grew stiller again and he put the jar near his face once more.

"Arggh…" he snarled, jerking his head to the other side of the pillow.

"Come on," Dr. Tottle insisted, almost teasing, "I know you were enjoying your nap, but prisoners don't have many choices, now do they?" Vegeta's lids shivered and started to crack open. "There now." He sealed the jar shut.

Vegeta slowly opened his eyes, the world around him fuzzy and unknown. Barely aware of anything, his vision came to focus on the familiar face that hung over him, with gentle eyes and a concerned brow. His dry mouth opened. "Kakarot," he stiffly pronounced.

"Hey Vegeta," Goku softly smiled, "How you feeling?"

Vegeta's lids blinked heavily. "Kakarot," he said again, as if he hadn't heard himself say it the first time.

"Yeah, it's me," Goku assured with a chuckle, "Boy you really are groggy."

Vegeta drew a long, deep breath, stretching his tight, muscular form and flopping against the bed again. He grunted. "I'm…seem to be…stuck on something."

"Uh…" Goku's eyes wandered over the restraints that pinned his wrists and ankles to the bed, his tail strapped to his leg as well. "Yeah…you could say that."

"Don't worry, give him a moment," Dr. Tottle assured, snorting softly, "He's still coming to."

"Mrgh," Vegeta grunted again, shutting his eyes firmly and then blinking at Goku again. "Everything's…a bit…" He seemed to lose whatever he was saying, staring upward till his eyes started to drift shut again.

"Hey, don't go back to sleep on me now," Goku shook him a little, "I know you're really tired, but we have to talk, Vegeta. Just for a bit, then you can go back to sleep, I promise."

"Don't…touch me," he grumbled back, jerking a little, "Can't you see I'm…" He growled, his arms tensing against the restraints. "All right, Kakarot, what have you done this time? I seriously can't…uh!" His eyes widened, the memory of recent events returning to him. Slowly, he lifted his head off the pillow and gazed down at himself, his vision wandering over the red prison uniform and the medical bed he was shackled to. His brow lowered. "Oh…yes…of course." His head flopped on the pillow again.

"You remember where you are now?" Goku prompted.

"Yes…" he mildly replied, glaring gently at the wall.

"Do you feel any pain?" interjected Dr. Tottle, coming to stand next to Goku, "You shouldn't, you're under strong pain killers along with the sedatives and regeneration boosters. But if you are, I'll increase the dose. Unless you'd rather I didn't." He snorted. "After all, as I recall, some of you Saiyans seem to enjoy pain."

"Oh…the annoying doctor…" Vegeta glanced at him.

"A simple yes or no will do, thank you," the doctor huffed.

Vegeta blinked heavily and snorted. "No. No pain. For once." His eyes shifted lazily, spotting Oom'Bagu standing a ways back. "Oh…and you too," he grumbled. His head started to nod to the side but jerked back up, glaring at Goku. "Ugh, why did you wake me up anyhow? First sleep I've had in days…"

"Why haven't you been sleeping?" Goku pressed, turning concerned again, "You slept just fine your first night here – I saw you."

Vegeta's jaw tightened and he glared up at the ceiling. "I just…haven't, all right?"

"Are you having nightmares? I know you get those sometimes."

He chuckled cynically. "I'd have to be asleep to have nightmares. And I haven't slept …idiot…"

Goku studied Vegeta, actually relieved that he was under those drugs – maybe he could reason with him without him getting angry like he usually did. Still, he doubted the proud warrior was going to make this easy. He glanced back at Oom'Bagu. "Could I be alone with him for a moment? He'll be more…comfortable that way."

Oom'Bagu nodded. "Come, Doctor. I wish to discuss those tests with you anyhow."

Dr. Tottle nodded back, eying Goku before they left. "Don't touch anything," he warned him.

Goku watched them go, listening carefully as the door closed and then reached down, gripping the straps that bound Vegeta's tail to his leg. "I know I'm breaking the rules by doing this, but you've been through a lot and I want you to be comfortable." He began to undo the straps' latches and gave Vegeta a child-like look. "Don't tell anyone, okay? I'll tie it back down before they come back in."

Vegeta actually smiled, lifting a corner of his mouth and chuckling. "Good little Kakarot, always following the rules until he decides not to."

"Well I'm gonna get it good from Oom'Bagu if he finds out," Goku assured, chuckling back. He undid the last strap. "There. Now you can—" The tail rose up and flicked, smacking Goku back and forth across the face. "OW!" he complained, grabbing his cheek as the other Saiyan started to laugh, "Vegeta!"

"Sorry, looks like it's got a mind of its own," Vegeta cackled, waving the tail and it's clamp about.

"No it doesn't – that was on purpose! – geez, what was that for?!"

Vegeta stopped laughing and lowered his brow. "For waking me up."

"Ow, that wasn't very nice you know," Goku continued to whine, rubbing his reddened cheek.

"No," Vegeta agreed, smiling again, "But I've had a lot of pent-up aggression lately and it makes for a good stress reliever."

"Eesh, so much for being passive," Goku grumbled. He finished nursing his face and smiled softly. "Well at least you seem to be doing better than last I saw you."

Vegeta's smile fell into a dark expression and he turned his head away…and smacked him with his tail again.

"Ow!—now quit that!" Goku shouted, holding his cheek again.

"Idiot," Vegeta quietly snapped. His tail flopped over his hips and he shut his eyes.

Goku scooted around to the other side of the bed. "Hey I'm sorry. I should have visited you sooner." His brow lowered. "But you're right…you're not doing well, are you?"

"I'm tired," he grunted back.

Goku's eyes widened. "Wait a minute…that's part of it, isn't it?!" He gripped the side of the bed and leaned over him. "She's not letting you sleep, is she?!" His brow lowered again. "I bet that's not the only thing she's been doing either. I'm right, aren't I?"

Vegeta growled, turning his head back to the other side of the pillow. "The only one who's not letting me sleep right now is you, Kakarot."

"I'm serious, Vegeta," Goku insisted, materializing on the other side of the bed right with his head turn, "Everyone thinks you've been beating yourself up, but you're not, are you? I promised I wouldn't tell anyone, but I saw what she tried to do to you, Vegeta. It wasn't the first time she'd done something like that, was it? And she's still doing it. Isn't she?" He frowned with frustration. "Ugh, why won't you answer me, Vegeta?"

"It doesn't matter," Vegeta finally answered, cracking open his eyes, the pain in them betraying him, "It doesn't matter that I was suffering before or that I'm comfortable now – either way I'm still…" The word caught in his throat, but the drugs made it slip out. "…A prisoner." He shut his eyes again, his face quivering as his teeth clenched. "They've taken my strength from me. But I won't let her take my pride."

Goku sighed heavily and put his hand on Vegeta's arm. "You have to tell them, Vegeta. Whatever's been going on, it doesn't have to be this way. If you tell them the truth, the other justiciars will put a stop to it. Please, Vegeta."

"Apparently you didn't hear me," he grunted, glaring evenly up at the ceiling, "I won't let anyone take my pride from me. No, not even you, Kakarot."

Goku's mouth hung open helplessly. "But…if you don't…she's just going to keep hurting you!"

"Who? You must be mistaken."

"Vegeta, quit it!" Goku snapped, "This isn't a joke, this is your life we're talking about! You said it yourself before, she's not going to stop until she destroys you!" His grip tightened on Vegeta's arm and the prince's brow narrowed. "But we don't have to let that happen. You can still fight back, Vegeta. You can still win this."

Vegeta grunted and flicked his tail, rebuffing Goku's hand. "I don't need your help, Kakarot. Or anyone else's."

Goku looked at him and his brow slowly lowered. "Because your pride won't let you…" He folded his arms and growled loudly in frustration. "Oh man! I get it, she's set this up perfectly! Every knows something strange is up, but as long as you don't say anything no one can do anything about it. And you won't say anything because if you did, that would be admitting you can't stop her yourself and you'd lose your pride." He gripped fistfuls of his hair. "Grr-oh! But if you don't say anything, she's just going to keep attacking you in any way you can until she's broken you – so either way, you're at risk of losing your pride. But you think if you hold on against her attacks by yourself, then at least then you have a chance to—"

"Grraa…you're babbling now," Vegeta grumbled, clenching his lids.

"But that's horrible," Goku gaped, looking down at his friend, "I don't understand her. I mean, how does a person learn to be that cruel?"

Vegeta's eyes snapped open and in any other situation he would have shouted. "Probably from me," he snapped.

"Ah…" Goku looked at him with a start, "Vegeta…"

"What?" he scoffed, "Is that really so hard for you to wrap your head around? Yes, Kakarot, I've done many things I doubt you could even fathom. Like all the rest, I obeyed without question. It didn't matter if the order was to slaughter a planet's population or slowly crush a child's head under my boot until the parents squealed whatever information we were after. I was…" He gave a long pause and quietly laughed, scoffing at himself. "I was, as you once put it, a pirate. And I was good at it."

Goku's expression softened with understanding. "You are sorry…aren't you?"

Vegeta stared at the ceiling. "…I've never thought about it either way."

Goku sat down again and looked at the other Saiyan earnestly. "What do you want me to do?"

Vegeta weakly smirked. "Whatever it is you usually do…that always seems to work."

"I'll try," Goku promised. His black eyes fell down. "You know I've always respected your pride…so I won't ask you to sacrifice it. I'll just have to find some other way to prove what Nevrrest is doing to you." His eyes shifted. "But…you should know…Oom'Bagu told me to tell you if I couldn't get you tell him how you got your injuries they're going to chain you up even worse than they already have been."

"Ha, let them," Vegeta scoffed, his brow lowered, "Their pathetic cages don't frighten me."

Goku blinked. "Then…why are you shaking?"

"Erg!" Vegeta snarled, tensing his muscles to stop the subconscious quiver, "Why don't you mind your own business, hmm?" He shoved his face into the pillow. "If I'm shaking, it's probably because I'm so damn tired and some fool is keeping me awake. So just let me sleep, or is that too much to ask?"

Goku sighed and stood up. "No, it's fine. Go ahead and get all the rest you need, friend. I'll be back to see you soon."

Vegeta's eyes followed him as he gently strapped his tail back to his leg. "Kakarot."

"Hmm?"

He watched him. "I'm glad you're here."

Goku started with surprise and then giggled, smiling big. "I think that might be the medicine talking. But all the same…" He looked at him warmly. "I am too. Rest well, Vegeta. No one's going to stop you. Not this time."

"Hmm…" He pushed his face into the pillow again and breathed softly.

Goku headed out the door, pausing for the scans before he entered where Oom'Bagu and Dr. Tottle were.

"So he hasn't been eating either," Oom'Bagu was saying as he approached.

"Barely at least," Dr. Tottle added, "His intestines are as clean as a whistle. Going to set him up on a tube once I—oh." They turned to Goku.

Oom'Bagu gave Goku a questioning look at the Z Fighter sighed and shook his head. "I couldn't get him to talk about his injuries." He hesitated. "But…I think Nevrrest is involved somehow. He kept saying how he wouldn't let her take his pride from him."

"Notable," Oom'Bagu relinquished. He sighed. "I'll give him a few more days to speak up but unless some explanation comes up, further restraints will be required." Goku's head bowed. "Goku…I hope you understand my harshness earlier."

"I do," Goku assured, "And it was thoughtless of me to just come out and say something like that."

"I hold it not against you." He felt Oom'Bagu's large furred hand on his shoulder. "Though I do not understand it, he is clearly dear to you and you are afraid for him. But I too am afraid. So please, Son Goku, be cautious what you say and do. Your every action affects more than you know."

"I'll remember that." He glanced back at the doors he had just come through. "Vegeta should be back to sleep by now…I have to meet with Laswe soon, but until then I'd like to stay with Vegeta a little longer. If that's all right."

Oom'Bagu looked at Dr. Tottle and the doctor heavily sighed. "I'll get the air freshener…"

(**Scene Break**)

Nevrrest watched the screen as several shuttles were launched from The Hound – the vessel of her primary jurisdiction – each carrying one of her marshals and their fight teams on their way to capture various criminals that plagued the galaxy. Even with Vegeta around, there were still plenty of other monsters out there and it was her duty and privilege to see to it that they were brought to justice.

"So…Vegeta," said the voice over the comm, seeming to echo her own thoughts. Nevrrest's sharp, predatorial eyes shifted from the viewing screen to the one lit by a man with three red stripes and a star on his black uniform – one of her Master Marshals. His golden hair that curled in two clumps like ram's horns about his ears shimmered as he pinched the end of a cigarette, lighting it with the heat of his energy. "Now there's a man who's about to be one sorry son of a bitch. Am I right?"

Nevrrest snorted a bird-like call in her throat in reply, lifting a corner of the flesh-part of her mouth slightly.

The marshal put the cigarette to his lip and inhaled a puff briefly. "I'd congratulate you, my lady, but any praise I could offer would be an understatement. But still…" He smiled whimsically. "Sinking your fists into that meat must have been like shoveling a five-course meal. God, I'm jealous. Saiyans always did make for the best punching bags."

Nevrrest drummed her talons on the table, watching him smoke carefully. "I hope you aren't getting too excited. Vegeta is mine and a private matter. Not your new toy."

"Damn," he remarked with an amused pout, "Don't worry, fearless leader, I'd sooner blow my own head off than do anything to upset you."

"A wise policy," she agreed.

"I look to please, my lady," he inclined his head in his usual charming manner. He gave his cigarette another puff. "Alright then. I'll put a few marshals in reserve in case you need any handling services. Other than that, I'll just wish you happy days of raw justice with the sorry prince. I'll keep myself busy here on the Hound."

"Justice reigns," she nodded and the transmission ended. She sighed and ruffled her feathers. Managing the affairs of the Justice could be exhausting at times. Even her ever-loyal marshals had wild streaks that could be difficult to manage. They had been especially antsy ever since her successful capture of Vegeta.

But yes, Vegeta…until his death he was truly her primary concern. She'd received word that he'd been moved to Prison Ship 7's infirmary. Little did anyone know that was exactly what she'd been counting on.

Now all that was left was to bring herself to do the dirty deed. Among all the things she had done thus far, this was truly a dirty deed, one that she loathed to soil herself in. But there was no other way. And if she didn't act, all the ground she had gained on Vegeta thus far would be lost. This was not the killing blow, but it was the debilitating strike. The monkey prince's pride would have to be brought to the absolute brink, be made frail, cracked, and brittle.

Then, when the time was right, she would shatter his soul.

And now, thanks to Sepis, she knew about his triumph card: the dragon balls. Goku had said that all seven needed to be brought together in order to perform the summoning and make the wish, so stopping Vegeta's resurrection would be a simple matter of taking possession of one of the mystic balls. As long as that single ball was in her keeping, Vegeta could never be wished back to life. Once he had perished, it would be the first thing she'd set about doing.

But one step at a time. It was time to make the call. Her fingers stretched out over the controls…and stopped. There it was, that little voice that had been nagging in the back of her mind. Don't do it, it said. This is going too far, it said. Her fingers retracted and she grimaced. Just what she needed – self-doubt – as if Kakarot wasn't bad enough. It wasn't the first time she'd had these doubts, she'd had them when she'd manipulated the meal server, she'd had them again when Sepis expressed his doubts about doctoring the security footage. She honestly hated sneaking around like this – she hated it deeply to the core.

She lifted her eyes sharply, her brow lowered. "Computer," she spoke, "Show me Planet Blech. Show me home." It came up on the screen. "Display as hologram." The image disappeared from the screen and floated before her as slowly turning ball – ugly, brown, and splotched with polluted waters. It was all the thieves who'd bought it had left behind. Nevrrest's talons gently encompassed the holographic image, brow slowly flattening as she cradled it in her palms.

…She'd gone into the forest that day. She was angry at her mother for scolding her, about what she couldn't recall. She remembered napping in the high branches of a zyra tree, lazily munching on the large purple and red fruit. She never saw her parents die. She supposed that was a mercy. But heard the screams, they shook her from her slumber – even now, after all these years later, she could still hear those wretched screams. She saw the corpses falling from the sky as they tried to flee and were shot down with energy blasts, and the Saiyan prince hovering above the canopy.

This is stupid, is there no one on this planet who will even try to fight me? If you're all going to try to hide from me, I'll just have to blast anything that moves down there!

The little Blecha chick covered her head as the sky started to rain death. She remembered. She remembered the wood shards that impaled her, her vision coming to focus on the blood on her hands. That smile. That smile when he landed and started moping her fellow Blecha up as they lay helplessly on the ground, nonchalantly kicking heads in.

Nevrrest pressed her forehead to the barren planet and shut her eyes. In her mind, she could see her younger self standing before her, a little fuzzy chick with a bloody hole in her chest and tears running from her eyes.

Is there anything, demanded the vengeful chick, clenching a fist up at her, Is anything you wouldn't do to bring them all back? The chick shut her eyes, fat tears rolling down her plumage. I promised! I promised I would avenge their death! You have to make him pay for what he did. Isn't that why we survived? Because if you don't, then who will?!

She could see herself waking up in a pool of her own blood. She could feel the agony in her soul as she crawled away, hiding under some debris as PTO soldiers came to clean up the bodies. The rage. The rage she felt to see them all piled up, carted away, and incinerated…like garbage. The soldier who found her laughed.

Well look here, I guess the little prince must have missed one.

The gun pointed at her face. But this time, she didn't beg. Instead, her beak opened wide in a scream of rancor, a red beam escaping from those gaping jaws. Daaaaaaaaahhh! …There wasn't even anything left of the soldier to hide away. Just smoke.

That power. Power she didn't know she had. Power that no Blecha before her had ever even grasped. She stowed away on one of the ships and eventually made her way to the Planet Trokkaag. The kind people there nursed her back to health with their healing waters. She might have lived there with new parents in peace. But months later, the horror happened again. Not the monkey prince this time. Another monster. A much weaker one. But he killed just the same.

Her first battle. Her second kill. But she knew more would come and she couldn't stop them all. Her friends sent her away in the killer's pod. She made a vow that day that she would never rest until she'd put a stop to the madness…and destroyed the one who had started it all.

The young prince Vegeta appeared out of the shadows of her mind. What a pathetic weakling. A true warrior stops at nothing to win. But you're scared to do what it takes. That smile. I guess I win after all.

"Over my corpse," Nevrrest hissed. She slammed her fist down on the button. "Computer, contact Prisoner 0385." Her eyes held the screen in a livid gaze as the computer made the call. "There no action I am too afraid to take. Not for you, Vegeta."

The screen came to life with the inside of 0385's cell. His wild white hair hung down against his shoulders, his back to the screen as he suckled water from his dispenser. He shrugged a shoulder and twitched one of his pointed ears. "Whichever one of you that is, give me a minute. The water's extra cold today."

Nevrrest's brow lowered. "I wouldn't suggest you make me wait, Zero-Three-Eighty-five."

The prisoner paused, his back going rigid. "Ooh…I know that voice…chills old Lacor right to the bone, it does." The mutant swung his head around, his chain rattling as he flashed a toothy smile. "Marshal."

Her plume rose threateningly. "You've got nothing to smile about at me."

"Old Lacor always has something to smile about, Marshal," he assured, "Especially if he's hearing from you." His long, wet tongue rolled about his mouth as he drew uncomfortably close to the screen. "Something juicy must be going on if the mighty Nevrrest is contacting little old me. Something perhaps…to do with a primate problem?"

Nevrrest's talons extended and though she was but an image on a screen he recoiled. "You're getting ahead of yourself, you walking corpse."

"Corpse?" he asked, giving her a pouting expression, "Now why have you say it like that?"

"That's all your sort is to me," she stated forbiddingly, "Nettelish and Horkion's vote may have saved you from the death sentence, but that vote can be called again at the slightest slip up. In my opinion, it's always just a matter of time."

"I do like to get occasionally naughty," he grinned, shrugging mildly, "But I've been a good little boy this month. Cross my heart, just ask the Warden."

She was unmoved. "You're going to do something for me."

"I am?" he marveled, sharp teeth parted.

"And if you perform to my satisfaction, you'll be rewarded."

"Marshal," he gasped, eyes wild, "Are you getting a little naughty now?"

Her face darkened. "Computer, lock 0385 and pacify."

His smile fell. "No wait—!" His screams rang through the speakers. He panted as forced himself to his feet again. "Okay, Marshal…I get the message." He clenched his teeth and eyed the screen. "Now…what exactly is it that you need from me?"

Her eyes gained a look of satisfaction and she uncrossed her arms. "Listen carefully…"

The corners of Lacor's mouth gradually lifted again as he listened to Nevrrest describe the task she needed from him. When she had finished, his eyes were dazzled. "Oh Marshal…" he purred, "That is delicious. I'd almost be willing to do it for free. But…you did say something about a reward. Perhaps you could arrange a little…transfer for me?"

"Ta-hahaha…" Nevrrest laughed mockingly at him, "As if. No. But…I could arrange a temporary change in your rations. Real food from Prison Ship 3."

"H-oh," he sighed, shaking his head, "It's sad what I'll do for simplest of pleasures." He raised his chin, his lips peeling back once more. "It's a deal."

Her eyes shimmered darkly.

"But…you're not very good at this yet, I'm afraid." He clicked his tongue twice. "I'm going to need some help. Two other prisoners – don't worry, I know just the ones. One as an accomplice. The other as a scapegoat."

"Scapegoat?" she scowled.

"The Warden isn't stupid, Marshal…he'll know this was no accident."

"I can't believe I'm taking advice from a mass murderer." She turned her head and spat. "And I'm supposed to believe these other two will go along with this? Even your scapegoat?"

He laughed softly, his tongue dancing over his razor teeth once more. "I got a way with people," he assured, "They'll cooperate. Besides, no one would dare snitch on the likes of you…" He drew very close to the screen. "It's true, isn't it? You've done the unthinkable… you've surpassed Almighty Frieza, haven't you? And I mean without having the energy of an entire fleet pumped into ya through your lovely jewelry there. Course, he had to be put in his grave in order for it to happen…he would have blown you to pieces for sure as soon as he realized your full potential. He had a way of doing that when it came to competition…just look at what happened to the Saiyans."

"I think you're getting a little off topic, Zero-Three-Eighty-Five."

"Hardly," he assured. He laughed. "What I mean to say, Marshal, is there's a good reason we all fear you so much. No one questions you for the same reason we never questioned him – law of the universe, the strongest rules. Though…you might want to learn from his example, lest you one day meet your Legendary Super Saiyan—"

"Pacify." The flashing light from the screen made the shadows on her darkened face flickered, the mutant squealing again.

"Easy, easy!" he weakly pleaded, moving back against his cell wall as his suffering ended, "I meant no offense, Marshal!"

Her eyes were like death. "If you ever again," she rumbled, "Compare me to that madman, you'll one day find yourself escaped from your cell…and I'll be forced to kill you."

He swallowed. "I…get the picture, Marshal."

She held him in a disgusted gaze before continuing. "Make your preparations quickly. I'll want to know who your…accomplices are so that they can be scheduled for medical inspection as well." She leaned in close. "And do not even think to betray me, Lacor. If you do, it will be the worst mistake of your life."

"You have nothing to fear, Marshal," Lacor grinned, "I am elated to be doing this favor for you. I'm a man who's good with his hands…it'll be an utter pleasure to use them again."

Nevrrest had meant to give some closing remarks to seal the deal, but before she could she sensed a familiar energy approaching. She quickly ended the call just before there was a chime at the door. "Enter, Oom'Bagu."

The Gregorik did as requested, regarding the Blecha with a concerned brow. "You are anxious," he observed.

Nevrrest's jaw tightened slightly. Well, there was no real hiding from an empath. "About whatever it is you've come to talk to me about," she covered. It was not a lie.

"Ah…a pity to have become the bearer of ill tidings as of late." He joined her at her computer bank, glancing briefly at the various screens. "You are preparing for Prince Vegeta's trial…it seems you have insisted on playing the role of prosecution after all."

"Did you expect any less from me?" she eyed him sharply.

"No," he agreed, "Of course, you realize this means your vote is locked."

"Of course. And who will be the defense?"

"Undecided."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You?"

He looked down. "I…cannot."

"Really?" she said with curiosity, "I had thought with your insistent support of Son Goku that you would jump to aid him."

He sighed and shook his head, rubbing at the base of his horns wearily. "I cannot go against you in this, Nevrrest. The recent strain between us has already taken its toll on me."

She sniffed, looking away to the screens. "Our friendship has always been a tenuous one. We see the world through very different eyes."

"Not as different as you often think. We both have known great pain. We were both born of peaceful races and were forced into this life by the acts of criminals." He looked at her. "I may not be as decisive as you at times, I may not have the natural talent and fury that you do as a warrior, but I know rage, I know grief, and I know hate just as well as you do."

"Mm," she grunted.

Oom'Bagu studied her for a long moment. "Vegeta is no longer in his cell, I moved him to the infirmary early this morning."

"So I heard." She shut her eyes and bowed her head in a chuckle. "What? Did you think I wouldn't be keeping tabs on him?"

"Hardly," he assured.

"Then why tell me?"

Neither of them moved. "…I want to know what you know about it."

Nevrrest sighed and ran her fingers up through her plume. At last she chuckled and held up her hands in a helpless shrug. "I suppose there's no hiding it. I'm at fault for his injuries."

Oom'Bagu's brow lowered. "Explain."

"Very well. I've been visiting him daily. Mocking him severely." Her eyes flicked to him. "I didn't know he was hurting himself. But to be honest?" She smiled deeply. "I was ecstatic to hear the medical report. It's solid proof that I've been getting to him."

"How could you be so childish?" Oom'Bagu scowled.

"Oh don't chastise me," she scowled right back, "Yes, it wasn't exactly professional of me. But if it was Frieza or Zarbon in that cell, could you honestly resist making him feel like a worm?" Her eyes narrowed. "Could you? Could you truly?"

Oom'Bagu's brow slowly melted back in sadness and he deeply sighed, looking downward. "…No," he finally relented, "I suppose I could not." His gaze turned sharp again. "Still, I must demand that you cease these visits. It's clearly having negative effects on both your health."

Nevrrest laughed. "On my health? Oom'Bagu, I've never felt better."

Again, sadness fell over him. "That…is what you tell yourself. But my empathic connection with you is strong. I can feel your insides being cleaved and torn asunder…and it's tearing me apart as well." He turned away from her, his hands behind him.

Nevrrest's brow did a rare act, raising in a gentle, tired way. "Perhaps you are right…no I know you are…yes. Yes, it's true, I suppose. But…" She raised a clenched fist. "It is worth it."

"And what exactly are you trading for what?"

The brow fell again. "My moral comfort for his ruin."

"So you tread the edge of the knife, daring to fall into Hell just to drag him down with you?"

"I don't intend for it to go that far. But…"

"No," he cut her off, waving an arm, "There will be no 'buts' in this, I will not hear it." They stared intensely at each other and in a fit of compulsion Oom'Bagu suddenly embraced her. "Please…if he's truly the scum you say…Nevrrest…he's not worth it."

It was like trying to withhold a vomit, the terrible darkness that fought to spill out of her as she was held by her old friend – her lone equal. She quaked, her irises shrunk to tiny dots as she put her arms around him as well, resting her chin with ridiculous delicacy on his shoulder, like she might catch fire. "I…never meant…I wish harm on no one but him."

"Wish not for harm," he pleaded, "Harm was never what justice is about…I am a Gregorik. Every wrong I have ever committed was reflected back on me in equal measure. This is justice. This is righteousness. It's not about us hurting them. We are the mirrors that return to them what they have done. They are the prisoners of justice, Nevrrest…not ours. Never ours."

Her eyes shifted. "Your conviction is…admirable. As always, Oom'Bagu."

"It was easier, I think, back when we were mere warriors." He gripped her shoulders. "But you gave us the conviction that we needed to be more than that. It wasn't enough to just fight evil, we needed to create a better universe. It wasn't enough to be heroes."

"We had to become a symbol," Nevrrest nodded, looking down, "Yes, I know…" She chuckled. "I'm the one who first said it."

"You're a brilliant leader. And a good friend…most days."

She laughed.

"So is that it, then?" he pressed, pulling back from her, "The prince stays undisturbed in his cell from now on?"

"From now on," she agreed.

"Good to hear." He smiled. "Glad to have that settled…I wasn't looking forward to having to complicate this whole matter even further." He straightened his cuffs. "The trial is in a few days…I'll keep him in the infirmary till then. That should fix any damage that was done."

"Agreed." She eyed the data on her screen. "And we'll need a defender for him soon. Otherwise, this is going to be a little too easy for me."

"I'll see to it," Oom'Bagu assured, feeling much more settled now, "Fear not, my friend, this whole affair will soon be over."

Nevrrest turned back to her screens, her irises shrinking again as she smiled contentedly. "Yes…I think it will."