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Chapter 8 - Black Jack and Poker Face
Goku was considering the bulky guy sitting opposite from him and talking with Vegeta in a foreign language. It sounded like a senseless chain of gravelly and hissing sounds. Goku felt mesmerized by the sight. He had always known Vegeta came from Vegitasei, but he had never figured out his coworker could have any connection with a Saiyan community, let alone he hadn't even figured out such a community could exist in West City. Like anybody else, Goku had always assumed that Saiyan people were a sort of endangered species, given that the countless wars ravaging their country in the last decades had killed most of them and scattered the few survivors all over the world. Yet, the bulky guy - Nappa - was one of them and he seemed rather familiar with Vegeta.
Vegeta had never confessed a lot about himself even at the time he and Goku had risked their lives together while investigating Freezer and Goku was realizing that he might have missed a lot about him. For now, he was relieved that his Saiyan rival ended up agreeing to team up with him and the simple gathering of their respective information had allowed them to build a proper plan about their next move.
Goku knew a killer was tracking the Heiress down and she needed protection. Giada had mentioned that she had hired a bodyguard, but for some reasons he'd resigned on his first day. Goku wasn't very surprised. Bodyguards upsetted her as much as journalists considering she couldn't bear with someone tailing her night and day. Yet, Goku also assumed that people around her were worried for her and that they would do anything to convince her to take another bodyguard, starting with Yamcha who had become a lively target by her side. Sure enough, the Heiress was too paranoid to hire any guy out of the blue, but she might be willing to accept a "friend". Or even, with some luck, a friend's friend.
On the other hand, with Nappa running most of the illegal gambling clubs in West City, Vegeta had been able to discover that Yamcha was a compulsive gambler - something Goku hadn't found out so far. Vegeta had described Nappa as an unsavory guy with a particular liking for violence and the guy sitting in front of Goku looked true to this depiction. Thus, one thing leading to another, Goku had thought Nappa's gambling club should be the best place to introduce a reliable friendly bodyguard to Yamcha.
The chat between Vegeta and Nappa had been going on for a while and Goku didn't like the situation. He had no clue what they were talking about and he disliked especially the insistent glances Nappa was giving him as he had the feeling both men were talking about him.
Goku cleared his throat. "Okay, guys, what about talking in Westernish? I'd like to be in," he offered.
Nappa kept quiet and smirked. "Don't you speak Saiyan?"
Goku rolled his eyes at the tease in the question, "Why would I?"
Vegeta interrupted them with a sharp voice. "Nappa says Yamcha is supposed to show up soon. We'll wait for him. You said you befriended him during that party at the club, so we'll act as if stumbling across him by sheer luck. Will he remember you?"
"He should. It won't be a big deal if he doesn't though." Goku grumbled.
Vegeta turned to Nappa. "You have to make sure he won't win."
Nappa chuckled. "He won't. Either way, he owes me so much money…"
"Forget about that tonight," Vegeta hissed in irritation.
Nappa scowled. "Sen, I shouldn't even tolerate him in my place. I don't want anyone to think they can be in debt with me and laugh at my face."
Vegeta glared at him. "You'll do as I said. You won't harm a hair on his head as long as I don't allow it."
Silence answered Vegeta's harsh voice. Goku contemplated Nappa with amazement. The guy was much taller and much bulkier than Vegeta. He was obviously a true brute with no care for legality and yet, he merely bowed his head in disgruntlement at the other Saiyan's speech.
"How many guys do you intend to send then?" Vegeta asked ignoring his compatriot's annoyance.
"Three," Nappa grunted.
"It's not enough. Five will do," Vegeta corrected.
Nappa raised his head with a start. "Sen! You're gonna ruin them, I know you won't hold back. I don't have an army at my disposal. Let's say four," he pleaded.
"I said five," Vegeta replied coldly, "and I don't want chicken. I want dreadful badasses."
Nappa got up nervously. "As you wish, Sen," he replied half-heartedly. Then, he glared suspiciously at Goku and left the room.
Goku eyed Vegeta with an admiring smile. "Hey, it seems you're something of a boss here."
"I just hope your plan will works. I still doubt the baseball player is moronic enough to buy it," Vegeta spat.
Goku chuckled. "I'll make him confident, don't worry. My only concern is whether you'll be nice and friendly enough with him. Your rate of sympathy is quite low, right now."
Vegeta sighed and got up. "That's why we should go to the bar and have a few drink while we wait for him."
They left the back room of the club and joined the public room. Although the business was illegal, the place was stylish. The decor was rather refined with a varnished parquet floor and large painting hanging on the wall. Gaming tables were arranged all around and swarming with players and watchers, the former sitting and the latter standing. Their talks were forming a smooth rumor troubled by yells of joy or horror from time to time. Guys wearing neat black suits were standing discreetly around the room and watching carefully what was going on. Despite being totally illegal, Nappa's club was actually looking like a select casino and the Saiyan might not tolerate brawls or scandals in there.
Vegeta headed to the bar and ordered a Vodka. The barman served him even before Goku could join him.
"It's crowded," Goku stated, "We should watch out so we don't miss him."
Vegeta stared at the swarming gambling room. "Someone will warn us, don't worry."
Goku got a drink for himself by the time Vegeta was served with a second vodka. Goku glimpsed at him and noted he was looking too stern and annoyed while the plan demanded him to be somewhat cheerful. "Smile," Goku grunted.
"What?" Vegeta replied.
"I said, smile. Give it a try at least. We're no longer after Freezer, the target is different this time. You look like a killer and you're gonna scare him."
Vegeta huffed and drank his second vodka in one go. "We need him to see me as a ruthless fighter in the first place. You can do the socialization."
Goku repressed a sigh. He'd worked with Vegeta before, but their target had been definitely something else. At the time he'd tracked Freezer down, Goku had needed a reliable partner with quick reactions and ruthlessness. Vegeta's ability as a fighter had been precious too. Goku kept thrilling memories of their work together and he thought highly of the Saiyan, but he dreaded his lack of flexibility when it was about people interactions. Goku realized he might keep an eye on him and be wary of his bad temper.
While pondering about his partner's weakness, Goku noticed a waitress heading to them. She was dressed in a tight dress and she looked much more like a stewardess if you asked him. Yet, the girl's outfit complimented the hushed atmosphere. She walked to bar and rested her tray on the counter just between the two reporters.
"Sen, the guy you're waiting for is playing Blackjack in the back of the room," she mumbled while acting as if she wasn't addressing anyone in particular.
Vegeta snatched his empty glass on the counter and stepped away without a glance at her. Goku let him go with his eyes locked on him. The waitress ignored Vegeta's move and she kept unloading her tray wordlessly. Goku looked down at her. "What is that name, 'Sen'? Everyone calls him that. Where does it come from?"
Her eyes turned to him with an amused pout. "You don't know, really? It's Saiyajinn. It's supposed to mean 'Prince' or something like that."
Goku arched his eyebrows in bewilderment. "Prince? Whoa! What the hell did he do to deserve such a nickname?"
She smiled and shrugged. "He is a Prince. That's what the boss says at least. He says Vegeta was once a Prince in Vegitasei. When I see him, I tend to think it's true."
Goku frowned in disbelief and it resulted in the waitress chuckling. The reporter focused back on the crowded place. He spotted Vegeta ruthlessly making his way through the crowd and he hurried after him.
Yamcha was indeed sitting at a Blackjack table along with four other guys, his back turned to Vegeta and Goku. They walked closer to the player and Goku peeked at his hand. Two nines, that was pretty bad. Eighteen points while the bank had nineteen. Yamcha was pondering about asking one more card or giving up to any chance of winning. Goku crossed his arms and waited for him to make his decision.
"One more, please," the baseball player asked with bated breath.
The dealer obliged and flipped a five over. Too bad. He grasped Yamcha's counters in a blink.
"Bad Luck tonight?" Goku whispered at Yamcha's ear. The player had a faint jump and turned around. Goku could read a slight hesitation on his face as their eyes met. "Remember me? It's Kakarott. We met at the club after your victory."
Yamcha's features eased in a smile. "Hey sure, how are you, dude? Gambling too?"
Goku beamed. "Yeah, I'm broke though. I lost everything at poker."
Yamcha chuckled. "You have to bear with such shit sometimes. I won a few so far,"
"Really? Let's see if I can do it too," Vegeta stepped in. He took the seat next to Yamcha as a player was leaving the table.
"Let me introduce you to my friend, Vegeta," Goku claimed.
"Hey, I'm Yamcha," the baseball player greeted him with a smile. Vegeta was hardly able to smirk back with a nod. The sight was quite frightening and Goku's concern surged back in his mind. "Hey, Veg, what about ordering a good vodka for all of us?" he offered.
"Great idea," Vegeta grunted coldly while watching his first card.
"Nineteen," the dealer announced to Yamcha as he turned his second card over, which was a nine after a ten.
"Just like you Vegeta," Yamcha pointed out as Vegeta was just served with his second card.
The Saiyan smirked at him. "I'll have one more," he claimed without a second thought.
Yamcha swallowed hard. The bank had a twenty so the only way to beat it was to get a twenty one, but if his score was higher than that, he'd lose again and the possibility to have a two was thin. "So, will I," Yamcha answered.
His eyes almost bulged out of his head as the dealer flipped a two over for Vegeta and a three for him. Vegeta's smirk widened as he glanced aside at his unfortunate neighbor. "The thing is you have to feel it in your guts. It's all about guts," the Saiyan stated by tinkling his glass against Yamcha's. As if illustrating his theory, Vegeta swallowed his vodka in one gulp under the baseball player's puzzled gaze.
Goku was standing still behind them and giving the events a close look. Yamcha had an awkward chuckle and drank his glass in one go as well. He repressed a cough showing he wasn't used to strong alcohol. Goku relaxed slightly. Vegeta wasn't the sympathetic type, but he wasn't completely clueless when it was about dealing with people. Yamcha was obviously impressed by his self-confidence and willing to keep up with him. As a matter of fact, Vegeta was somehow acting like a leader. He wouldn't inspire sympathy, but he would inspire respect. Goku remembered the waitress' confession. What she had said about him being a Prince matched his behavior and even further, it matched the way Vegeta addressed Nappa. Goku made a mental note to ask his partner about his so-called past as member of a Royal Family.
Meanwhile, the game kept going. Yamcha wasn't quite at ease with Vegeta's cold manners but he would do his best to look unabashed. Everything Vegeta dared, Yamcha would answer it and every time Vegeta would empty his glass, Yamcha would empty his too. However, while Vegeta was winning, Yamcha was badly losing - just as Nappa had promised. Goku tried to pinpoint the dealer's method for cheating so brilliantly, but he wouldn't catch the trick.
After an hour Yamcha was drunk and broke. Truth to be told, Vegeta didn't look completely sober either, but he had piled up an impressive amount of chips. All the watchers were silently staring at him with a kind of respect. Even Yamcha had stopped his cocky talk and he was pale, ogling at Vegeta's winings while he had nothing left.
"Sir, the boss would like to talk to you - in private," the dealer said sternly.
Yamcha had a faint start when he realized the guy was addressing him. A member of the security staff helped him get up by grabbing firmly his arm. "If you don't mind, Sir, would you please come with me?" the man grunted.
Yamcha hopeless eyes searched for Goku and Vegeta, but they just gazed back impassively at him. "I - huh -I have to," Yamcha stuttered, some panic tinging his hesitant voice.
"It won't be long," the security guard added politely as he guided him forcefully to the back of the club.
"Game is on!" the dealer announced as to focus the audience's attention back on the table. The guests went back to their business in a blink of an eye and chatter resumed all around. Vegeta and Goku glanced at each other with some satisfaction. "I guess it's time," Goku mumbled.
He was rewarded by Vegeta's smirk. The Saiyan stood up and left the Blackjack table behind. They headed to the backroom, but at some point, Vegeta stumbled on the way. Goku caught him just in time to avoid him fall flat on the ground. "My, Vegeta, you're wasted. How many vodkas did you drink?" Goku hissed with a frown.
Vegeta struggled out of his grip. "Not enough to prevent me from knocking out a bunch of weenies like Nappa's guy, trust me," he replied in annoyance. Goku considered his unsteady gait. He wasn't sure his partner would be able to make it. If needed, Goku would have been more than pleased to give him a hand, but they needed the baseball player to be impressed by Vegeta's skill. If Goku had to step in, the plan could be ruined. Goku could have slapped himself. He'd known from the very beginning that Vegeta wouldn't make it.
The Saiyan had resumed his unstable gait to the backroom and Goku had little choice but to follow suit with a sigh. When they reached the private part of the club, they found a guy of the security staff smoking near the back door. He raised an eyebrow at Vegeta's sight and repressed a smile. "Hey, Sen. The guys are already in the alleyway taking care of the client. Go ahead," he greeted him while pointing his thumb at the door behind his back.
Vegeta walked straight to the door and went out. Goku rushed behind him. Like Nappa had promised, there were five guys. Goku was stunned to find out one of them was already knocked down on the ground although Vegeta hadn't stepped in yet. One guy was standing behind Yamcha. He'd wrapped his arm around the baseball player's neck strangling him while another was landing a punch in his stomach. Against all odds, Yamcha was able to divert the blow by kicking his fist away. The assailant was caught off guard and almost lost his balance. Goku frowned at the sight. Nappa had promised to send strong guys, but it seemed that Yamcha was quite able to take care of himself.
He had no time to think further as Vegeta dealt a blow in the abdomen of the man Yamcha had just kicked. The henchman doubled over and tumbled down on the ground. Another guy struck Yamcha on the head, causing a dirty sound and a trickle of blood escaping his mouth with . Vegeta looked up at the man and Goku caught a glimpse of horror in his eyes when he met the Saiyan's eyes. Vegeta gave him a formidable uppercut and sent him fly away a few step further.
Goku was speechless. He'd seen Vegeta fight before, but he hadn't expected him to be able of such a feat in his current state of drunkenness. The Saiyan didn't seem to be bothered by the weakness of the light either. He was as quick as usual, if not quicker, and he looked like he was having a blast.
Goku's reflection was interrupted by Yamcha's yelp. When he focused back on the baseball player, he froze instantly. The guy strangling him had pulled out a knife and he'd cut Yamcha somewhere under the chin. Hell, that was nothing near the plan. Before Goku could make a move, Vegeta grabbed the fist holding the knife and snatched it away from Yamcha's skin. Goku hadn't even figured out his move.
Yamcha was panting in pain while Vegeta clenched his fist around the guy's knuckles. There was a little crack like bones slowly crushing and the man gave a slight growl. His last fellow jumped on Vegeta from behind, but he was welcomed by the Saiyan's free elbow sinking right in his jaw. It wasn't enough to knock him out though. He stepped back, waddling on his feet. Goku wondered if he should step in since Vegeta couldn't let go of the hand holding the knife. The opponent he'd just got rid of might have free hands to come back and attack him from behind again. Yet, Vegeta disapproval glare let him know that the Saiyan wanted him to stay at distance.
Vegeta was tightening his grip a little more on the fist brandishing the knife. The blade was now cutting the side of his own palm, but he didn't mind and kept going on until the guy blurted out a yell of pain and let go of the baseball player in order to try to release himself from the Saiyan's clutch. Vegeta threw him away with a powerful circular gesture and he landed right onto his fellow. Both of them crashed down and the knife flew away and hit the floor meters away.
Goku grasped Yamcha as he was stumbling down and sat him on the ground. Vegeta was smirking while contemplating his last opponents' pathetic attempts to get up. They ran away as soon as they were able to struggle to their feet leaving their unconscious friends behind. Only then, Vegeta turned a satisfied face to Goku by licking his injured hand. "Fun, huh?" he growled.
Goku didn't deem it necessary to give any reply and he looked down at Yamcha. "Hey, are you okay? Let me see, you're bleeding."
Yamcha allowed him to lift his chin in order to gauge his wound. Fortunately, it was nothing serious. The cut wasn't deep and relief washed over Goku. He was seething, thinking about how Nappa's guys had been on the verge of screwing up the whole plan. Yamcha was trying to gather his thoughts, sitting on the filthy sidewalk.
"We shouldn't stay here," Goku suggested. They might send more guys after us.
Yamcha gave a weak nod in agreement, but he couldn't bring himself to stand up. He looked up at Vegeta. "Hey, man. Thank you. I'm impressed, no kidding. You're Saiyan, aren't you?" he panted.
Vegeta crossed his arms and stared silently back at him.
"Didn't I mention, Vegeta was part of the Ice-Jinn family's security staff?" Goku resumed. "Needless to say, anyone would be safe by his side, no matter what."
Yamcha had a weak smile. "I see that. Interesting," he whispered.
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