"Access denied," repeated the computer in its emotionless, female voice, "Your communication privileges are restricted. If you wish them granted, you may log a plea."

"What kind of advanced computer intelligence are you?!" Vegeta screamed up at the ceiling, his expression absolutely livid, "I already told you, I was just granted access!"

"Incorrect," the computer retorted, "Communications privileges are granted as a reward for positive prisoner conduct—"

"You insufferable, worthless machine!" Vegeta scowled.

"No merits have been logged. Would you like to submit a plea?"

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK I'M DOING RIGHT NOW?!"

"Please clarify."

"Gahhhhrrrr!" Vegeta snarled, snorting like a bull, "I'll say it again. The Standing-Warden just granted me access clear as day! Now put me through to someone important right now!"

"Access denied. Your communication privileges are restricted. If you wish them granted—"

"He said 'Prisoner Triple-Zero' and was about to say 'one!' That would be me, yes?!"

"Correct."

"Well then grant me access!"

"Access d—"

He pounded his foot against the cell floor. "Who the hell do you think he was talking about?! Prisoner Triple-Zero-Two?!"

"Inaccurate. Prisoner 0002 does not exist on record."

"Were you not programmed with logic?!"

"Please clarify."

Vegeta felt his rage rise to such a level that he actually was feeling faint again when suddenly the panel on his cell wall came to life. "Yes, finally!" he cried, some of flush alleviated from his face, "It's about time someone listened to me." Vegeta's eyes widened and then narrowed as the panel filled with the faces of the Justiciars. "Well, aren't you all looking very alive and well," he snidely remarked, "Where the hell are you? Aren't you even aware of what's going on in your own fleet?!"

"Embarrassingly?" Laswe remarked, folding his arms, "Not so much. Only that there's been a break out on Prison Ship 7, people are dying, and we're trapped in the Council Chamber."

Vegeta's brow lowered. So that's why they haven't shown up. I suppose it's better than them being dead…though part of me honestly wouldn't mind.

"Vegeta," Oom'Bagu maneuvered himself to center-screen, "Please, inform us best you can."

"And what good will that information do you if you are incapable of action?" Vegeta countered.

"Your warden just asked you a question, prisoner," Nevrrest snapped, her eyes narrowed at the screen, "Answer him."

Vegeta eyed her and scowled mockingly. "What's the matter, Nevrrest?" he shot back, "Feeling uncomfortable without your pacification field to torture me with?"

"Vegeta, please," said Horkion, pushing his way past Nevrrest's tail, "We're asking for your help."

He grunted irritably. "Fine. There's a number of things you should know. One, you're standing-warden is currently lying dead against the front of my cell." Oom'Bagu's eyes closed with pain. "Second, your Justiciar Nettelish is a fake."

"What?!" Laswe cried, his body shimmering as he shoved the others aside, "Fake?! What do you mean she's a fake?"

"I mean the current one is a shape-shifter capable of completely replicating another," Vegeta sharply explained, "According to her, your Nettelish has been dead for years. And…" His jaw clenched. "She claims to have poisoned and murdered Kakarot as well."

Laswe squealed like he'd just entered a surprise party. "We haven't been betrayed!" he cheered, "If Nettelish is an imposter that means she…" His expression dropped like a rock. "Oh God…but that means Nettelish, she's…she's dead."

"Would you be quiet?!" Vegeta snapped, his chains rattling, "I wasn't finished." His black brow tightened. "I also have good reason to believe she means to seize the Quantum Fusion Core."

"Damn it!" Nevrrest snarled, pounding her fist, the rest of the justiciars suddenly silent.

"We can't let that happen!" Sepis's voice came over the speakers, "If an evil force took control of the core, you can't imagine the evil they could do with it."

"Oh I have a few ideas," Vegeta assured.

"I bet you do," Nevrrest scowled, her plume lowered.

"Vegeta," Oom'Bagu interjected, "How do you know all this?"

"Call it personal experience," Vegeta answered with a growl, "It just so happens that before the attack that thing came in here to feed off me and steal my form as well. I'm unhappy to say it succeeded."

"And let me guess," said Laswe, "It got cocky and blabbed to you."

"Immensely," Vegeta agreed.

"But what do you mean 'feed'?" Horkion pressed, looking nervous.

Vegeta snarled. "Apparently the creature steals a person's memories, body, and energy by drinking their blood. And it doesn't even leave a bitemark behind."

Nevrrest's eyes widened. "Hammer Syndrome," she stated with shock. Her brow lowered. "So that's how it managed all this. It must be capable of replicating any one of us!"

"And who knows how many others," Oom'Bagu agreed. He nodded. "Thank you, Vegeta."

"Wait, I'm not done," Vegeta sounded, eying them all seriously, "I haven't been fighting to contact someone so we could trade secrets. I wished to be released from my cell so I can fight."

Nevrrest scoffed and laughed. "You're mad if you think we'd let loose our most dangerous criminal when we already have who knows how many out of their cells."

Vegeta's brow lowered. "Your standing-warden said similar when I asked him. Look where he is now."

Nevrrest's plume shot up. "Are you threatening—"

"Nevrrest, cool it," Laswe snapped and then gave Vegeta a sharp look, "Though, I kinda got to agree with her. Off the record, I'll admit it, I found all the testimonies in your favor very convincing. All the same, no question about it, you are a very dangerous man, Prince."

Vegeta couldn't help but viciously chuckle at this. "Dangerous, am I? Unleash me against this trickster and her rabble of thugs and I'll show you just how dangerous I can be."

"Why the hell do you even care?" Nevrrest snarled, planting her hands forward, "I know you, Vegeta, and I can't understand why you aren't out there helping them tear this fleet apart."

"Because this creature is smarter than you are, Nevrrest," Vegeta shot back, glaring her down, "It knows that I left that life behind years ago and I have no interest in follow it or taking part in its ambitions. So it left me here to die with the rest of you."

"Left you to die?" Horkion anxiously asked.

His gaze shifted. "Yes, that's another thing…it mentioned something about this fleet exploding."

Suddenly, every one of them looked like they'd just seen a ghost. "So…" Sepis's voice spoke up again, "That's why the vote counter was changed on the Closed Book Initiative." They turned paler still. "It must not be able to replicate Misado because she doesn't have any blood. She's a planet and her avatar's foliage based."

"And what the hell is the Closed Book Initiative?" Vegeta demanded.

Oom'Bagu looked at Nevrrest, swallowing a little. "It's a failsafe…a last resort to be used in a scenario where all security measures have failed. Rather than let our host of criminals be unleashed on the galaxy…all personnel will be evacuated to the Hammer and the fleet will self-destruct."

"Terrific," Vegeta growled.

"Oh this is great," Laswe squeaked, slapping a hand against his face, "Our entire security system has been turned against us and soon the prisoners will be running the prison."

"For as long as there is a prison," said Horkion apprehensively.

"You've all seen my power," Vegeta stated fiercely, putting a foot forward, "You know very well I have a far better chance of stopping them than any of your security force. Your best hope was Hameus and now he's dead." His brow lowered. "Release me."

"He…probably could take them all on," Horkion had to agree.

"It'll be easy," Vegeta assured.

"And I'll be willing to bet," Laswe muttered angrily, "As soon as she has control of the Hammer, she'll eject the Council Chamber and pound us with the Hammer's weapon systems until we're powder."

Vegeta cocked a brow. "Your vessel has that much power? Or are you just that weak?"

"Okay, now that was just rude," Laswe accused.

Vegeta paused for a moment, not for their sake, but the notable quiet outside his cell. "We're running out of time," he growled, "Your forces have lost the battle for this vessel. With your warriors defeated you and I both know very well who will be next."

Horkion ground his jaw anxiously. "The civilians."

The Justiciars were quiet for a long moment, looking at each other. Laswe curled his tail under him as he landed, his tiny legs stretching. "…Okay. Let's do it then. Let's let loose the monkey."

Nevrrest's eyes flashed. "No—!"

"Nevrrest, I understand!" Laswe snapped, hissing severely, "Really, I do. He wiped out your entire race and many others. No one's denying that. But that was then and this is now. The fleet is damned if we don't do something."

"You don't understand a damn thing," Nevrrest shot back, her teeth showing under her beak and tail whipping, "This fleet means everything to me, and you expect me to put its fate in the hands of a mass murderer?"

"Well I'm in," Horkion interjected with a nod. He touched his fusion band. "Computer, recognition Justiciar Horkion. Remove the locks on Prisoner 0001's cell."

The computer hummed. "Recognized."

"Laswe, don't you dare," Nevrrest hissed.

"Sorry, Nevrrest," Laswe responded, "But you aren't the boss of me. And I'm not about to let even more of our people die."

"Sorry, Laswe," Sepis nervously called out, "But it's not going to work like that. Someone – probably our infiltrator – patched the system so that it takes five votes to remotely remove locks, not two."

"Shit," Laswe cursed, looking up at Nevrrest.

"Good," Nevrrest snapping, returning the look angrily, "I'm tired of being undermined."

"We don't have time for this!" Vegeta shouted at them, kicking the cell wall and hurting himself again. He growled and glared. "If you don't cooperate with me we're all going to die. End of story!"

Misado's voice rose. "Computer…recognition Justiciar Misado…"

"Recognition Justiciar Laswe!" Laswe piped.

"That's three votes," Horkion sighed.

"Oom'Bagu?" Laswe turned, "You're up, bud."

Oom'Bagu, who had been silent for some time now, looked very heavily at Vegeta. His brow lowered. "I will not."

"What?!" Vegeta and Laswe cried.

"Oom'Bagu, you can't be serious!" Horkion protested.

Nevrrest looked at him in shock as well, her expression softening and shriveling slightly.

"What is this?" Vegeta scowled at the Gregorik, "Have you gone and lost your mind?!"

Oom'Bagu was unmoved. "I will not," he repeated, "Despite all you have done, you are still the man who has tormented the heart of my friend all these long years and murdered her people in cold blood. How can I betray her trust so easily?"

Vegeta's teeth ground over each other. "So, you'd rather we'd all just sit here, helplessly waiting to die?"

Nevrrest's expression cracked and melted even further as Oom'Bagu continued. "Yes," he stated sternly, "We will all remain at a bypass till death finds us. You, warrior prince, will die the most pathetic death imaginable with the rest of us…" He leaned forward. "Unless you first answer truthfully a simple question."

Vegeta snarled, glaring at him. "Damn you and your mind games. Fine. What is it, Gregorik?"

Oom'Bagu spread his arms, ushering the other justiciars back from the screen. They gave him the space. Oom'Bagu drew a little closer, holding Vegeta under a stern gaze. "Answer me truthfully – I will know if you lie."

"Yes?" Vegeta asked impatiently, "Spit it out already!"

Oom'Bagu's eyes were like daggers. "Do you love your son?"

Vegeta's expression faltered. "What?" he gaped.

"That is the question," he answered, "I'll say it again. Do you love your son?"

Vegeta's face twitched, his eyes wandering downward and growling. "I don't see what that has to do with—"

Oom'Bagu's fist slammed against the wall next to the interface, making the camera shake. "DO NOT SEEK THE DODGE THE QUESTION!" he boomed, "DO…YOU…LOVE …YOUR…SON?"

Vegeta grunted, recoiling slightly as though he'd been burned. His mind flashed. Did you see my new move, Dad?! Trunks laughed, holding up his fists, Pretty cool, huh? He saw him sparing with Goten. Got you! You can't beat me now! Haha! He saw him running, the wind caught in his violet hair. Dad! You're back from training! He saw him pressed close to him, tightly held under his arm. Dad…cut it out…this is embarrassing.

Bulma giggled winking and giving him a thumb's up. That's our boy! Your muscles combined with my brains and good looks! I tell you, we sure are lucky, Vegeta!

The tension in Vegeta's body relaxed, letting it all go. "…Yes…"

Oom'Bagu watched him for a moment and leaned back, slowly nodding. "Then," he pronounced, "For his sake…you will do as I instruct."

Vegeta's eyes jerked up to him.

"Before I agree to your temporary release," Oom'Bagu stated, leaning a notch forward again, "You must agree to first perform an empathic bind with me."

Vegeta scowled. "So," he remarked, "You would have me trade one shackle for another?"

"In a sense, yes," Oom'Bagu answered, "But not as you think. You know empathic bind as a form of containment. It can be used as such, but that is not its purpose. It is not the binding of one, but of two together. Further, at this great of distance any control I could exert over you would be very limited. We'd have to be very near to each other to completely merge into one will as we did during your capture."

"So what's the point then?" Vegeta asked suspiciously.

Oom'Bagu drew a breath. "Two fold. One, to prevent you from committing any unwarranted acts."

"Escaping in other words," Vegeta irritably surmised.

"Further, you said this creature steals energy from others. Therefore, we do not know how much power it has amassed. I am not convinced you will be strong enough to defeat it." Oom'Bagu lifted a corner of his mouth. "However, with empathic bind I will be able to enhance your power and attune your senses. Make you swifter and more precise. It can be very useful in combat." He eyed his tropically feathered friend. "Isn't that right, Nevrrest?"

She growled, her eyes shifting away and nodding. "Yes. Oom'Bagu and I have used the bind in many battles in the past to enhance our strength and coordinate better."

A corner of Vegeta's own mouth rose and he started to chuckle. "Very clever, Gregorik. You would use my Saiyan nature against me to convince me to allow you to tie a leash around my neck." He chuckled again and straightened up. "Very well. I'll agree to this 'bind' of yours."

"Then you will have my vote," Oom'Bagu replied. He looked to Nevrrest. "And what of you, my friend?"

She ran her fingers through the long, silky down of her plume and sighed. "…Very well. I will agree to it." She looked hatefully at Vegeta. "But this is not an escape for you, Vegeta! Take a good look at that number on your shoulder and remember you are still a prisoner of The Justice. And I will see you suffer for your crimes."

Vegeta turned his head and snorted at her. "Fine. Honestly, at the moment, I could care less."

"Let's get on it with it then," stated Oom'Bagu, "No time to waste." He folded his hands and peered at the screen again. "Prince Vegeta…you know from your previous experience we have to reach an empathic commonality in order for this to work. The stronger the similarity, the more powerful the bind. But we haven't much time for consideration. So, I'd like you to concentrate on the most painful memory you have. And I will do the same."

Vegeta brow furrowed. "A painful memory, is it? What an interesting choice."

"I am quite certain you must have pain in your past. It will be sufficient." He pressed his palms together and his eyes flashed mauve. Vegeta's did as well. "Concentrate. Let the memory fill you. Allow yourself to feel as you did then…"

Vegeta growled softly and shut his eyes, his brow tight. A painful memory…no, specifically his most painful one. There were many to choose from: memories of failure, memories of loss, memories of utter agony. But there was only one memory he could think of that encapsulated all three.

The memory of the first time he'd cried.

It was by far his darkest moment – no torture of Hell had compared. It had been his weakest moment – no shackle of The Justice was its equal. He had felt…utterly helpless. He remembered the searing, horrible pain that had shot through his body and soul as he hung there…and Frieza looked upon him in utter scorn. The blows Frieza had dealt him after that moment hadn't even mattered, he'd hardly felt them in comparison to the gut-wrenching pain within. The pain of a life-long dream shattered. The pain of despair.

Vegeta hissed through his teeth, his entire face and body trembling as he felt that agony course through him again. His mouth came open, gasping for breath in a struggle to endure the pain as the empathy made it as real and vivid as the actual moment, tears touching the corners of his eyes.

Nevrrest held Oom'Bagu shoulder as he also choked with grief and pain, his white fur shivering. Now his turn came. A memory filled his mind, entering Vegeta's as well. A frozen planet. Oom'Bagu's family huddled behind him. A wife. Two little girls, barely out of infancy. And a son. A smooth voiced, green man wearing a scouter, coyly demanding Oom'Bagu come with him, adding a veiled threat as well.

All this pain you're causing…all this grief! Oom'Bagu cried, How can you stand it? Isn't it tearing you apart?!

Zarbon made some remark, but, like Vegeta's, the memory was blurred. But what was clear was the motion that soon followed. It had been so fast, but to the memory it was slow. Slow and agonizing. The green monster flew forward, his foot connecting neatly with his young son's chest. His frail, furry body buckled with the motion, flying upward and landing motionless just in front of their house. His wife screaming. His daughters crying. Agony, horror, grief – it was all so great he couldn't even breathe.

Agony. Horror. Grief. Pain. So much pain. Vegeta hissed and shook. No…there was something else. Something else he could feel. He was angry. So angry. So very angry! Frieza. His visage filled both their minds. Frieza. He was responsible. He was responsible for it all. Even now, as heroes of The Justice perished and a monster in another's skin stepped over their bodies – Frieza's legacy lived on, driving them.

Vegeta's chest heaved, blood and adrenaline gushing through his veins, his teeth gnashed and brow convulsing. "No…"

"What?" Laswe jerked up as Oom'Bagu's form began to shake even more fiercely as well.

"Pain…" Vegeta hissed and growled, "Is that all you think I am? Is that the best you can do?!"

Oom'Bagu's lips curled back, his teeth glimmering. "No…you are much more than this…we are much more than this…!"

"What's going on?!" Laswe piped, looking rapidly between Oom'Bagu and Vegeta, "They should have broken off by now! The bond should be made!"

"It's getting stronger…" Horkion gasped.

A memory flashed from Oom'Bagu.

Is it true then? whispered the soldier to his taskmaster, Lord Frieza…he's really dead?

Oom'Bagu's eyes shifted as he lifted the crate onto his shoulder.

That's what they're saying, his taskmaster warily answered, They're saying…they're saying it was a Saiyan who did it.

No kidding…Vegeta?

No, someone else. They say it was a Saiyan named Kakarot who calls himself Gokaak or something.

Oom'Bagu sat the crate down atop another.

Well then…who's running the organization now?

I don't know..but— Oom'Bagu's hands whipped around the taskmaster's head, snapping his neck. The soldier cried out in horror, backing away as the body hit the deck.

What the—?! the PTO infantry cried, shakily pointing his gun, W-what are you?!

A memory flashed from Vegeta.

The last remnant of the monster, Kid Buu, danced on the edge of a crater, laughing maniacally.

What are you laughing at…freak?! Vegeta crawled from the pit, bloodied, undeterred, and furious. What are you gawking at?! What did you think, huh?! That I was gonna roll over and die from an attack like that?! The utter rage on Kid Buu's face and still Vegeta scowled. You're nothing…just a trickster! I am a warrior! The Saiyan Prince! VEGETA!

"Yeeeesss!" Vegeta cried, his heart racing with the feeling, "Now you're getting somewhere!"

"This feeling," Oom'Bagu breathed, raising up and towering in stature, "I know it…I know it well!"

"HAAAAAAAAAA!" Vegeta bellowed a warcry, throwing back his head and shoulders as mauve energy blazed from his eyes like a flame.

Oom'Bagu roared as well, energy shooting out of him like a tidal wave, the entire room thrown into chaos as the table and chairs were overturned.

"Whoa! Whoa! What the hell?!" Laswe screamed, buzzing his wings as hard as he could against the gust.

Nevrrest talons dug into the floor, bracing an arm by her face. "This is the most powerful empathic bind I've ever seen!" she gasped with wonder.

"Aaaaarrrgggh…" Vegeta growled with satisfaction, taking in the feeling.

Oom'Bagu panted, holding onto the wall for support, the mauve flame burning in his pupils as well. "Incredible," he breathed, "I haven't felt an emotion this strong since…since I can't recall."

Vegeta raised his head. "I'm ready, Oom'Bagu!" he shouted. His brow intensified as the flame rippled past. "I'm ready to take them out."

"And so you shall," Oom'Bagu agreed. He looked up, touching his band. "Computer. Recognition Justiciar Oom'Bagu. Remove the locks on Prisoner 0001's cell."

"Recognized," the computer answered.

They looked to Nevrrest. She stared at the empathically bound Vegeta for a long moment. A new feeling…what was it? What in the worlds could they have felt that was that strong? She bitterly sighed. "Computer…Recognition Justiciar Nevrrest…"

"YES!" Vegeta roared again as the jaws holding his tail snapped open at Nevrrest command. It whipped around aggressively, his chains disconnecting from the wall and the cell unlocking.

"Vegeta," Oom'Bagu firmly spoke, "Listen carefully. We won't be capable of communicating from you from here on out. However, our bind allows me to help guide you with suggestion. So…I strongly advise you pay attention to your gut. Also, we can't remotely remove your shackles. You'll have to make your way to a shackler."

"That's likely going to be a problem, but I'll manage," Vegeta answered, carefully moving to the front of his cell and leaning against the glass to peek out, "As I recall, your infirmary has such a device. And the freak injured my leg quite severely while she was here, so I might as well cover both bases at once."

"Very well," Oom'Bagu nodded, "I will guide you to the infirmary. Good luck, Prince."

"I won't need it," Vegeta assured. His tail wrapped around his waist and he slapped his shoulder against the release panel, his cell opening. His teeth shone as he stepped out. "I'm ready to fight." His eyes shifting about for foes, Vegeta took off rapidly down the cell block.

Oom'Bagu grasped one of the chairs off the floor and took a seat, shutting his eyes and bowing his head. Nevrrest turned from the computer interface as the call ended, looking down at Oom'Bagu as the power seeped from his closed lids.

"What was it, Oom'Bagu?" she said quietly, barely a whisper, "What was it that made the bond?"

Oom'Bagu's pursed lips grew into a smile. "Righteous fury."