Chapter 21: Over Dinner

A/N: Sorry about the delay, long hours and stress just made it hard to finish this up. Secondly if there is anyone who'd like to help beta/edit/read through for consistency for this story or others i'm looking for assistance in that. Snolane my current beta is off taking vacation and i'm looking for anyone else who'd like to give me a hand.

The smell punched all three saiyans squarely in the stomach as they walked inside and if they were even hinted at showing any sort of concern for this evening their nearly a dozen first class guards all quietly waiting outside for a just-in-case scenario wouldn't have guessed it was because of food. The heavenly aroma wafted into the air as they walked inside and were greeted by a shimmering blonde woman, her dress embroidered with gems that revealed enough womanly curves without being overtly sexual.

Afterall she had no intentions of seducing the King, her daughter's choice… well that was another story.

"Ah welcome, welcome. King and Queen Vegeta." Panchy said smiling as she gestured into the main forum, the entire area converted into an open table spread of food. The deep enchanting aroma of some of the finest Earth foods were on display, still warming from portable heat lamps and others cooled by a thermal system specifically designed by Dr. Briefs. "Oh and Prince Vegeta, you're here as well, wonderful! Please, please come and make yourselves comfortable."

Waving them inside the royal family were greeted by an entire den of comfortable commodities nearby the table. Panchy smiling as always she curtsied, "It's so fantastic to finally be able to meet the two of you," Coming closer the King and Queen didn't react keeping their noble posture intact as Mrs. Brief offered a welcoming hand to them. "I can see very much why your son is so handsome and a perfect gentleman." Her normal unabated compliments flowed as she shook the King's hand. The monarch smirking enjoying the blonde woman's idle prattle as he quickly discerned her as no threat.

More of a social being, the obvious matriarch of the household.

"Oh and Queen Vegeta you are absolutely stunning, my Kami you look fantastic…" She then shook the Queen's hand who chuckled lightly taking the simple woman's compliments like her husband. Both were not object to flattery, but unlike the usual specter of beings who paid their lip service to the empire they could tell that she was being quite genuine.

Placing her hand over Mrs. Brief the queen smiled, "No need for such flattery, we've come to see if our son's words spoke true of what transpires in this home of yours." The light red lip gloss made the queen's lips shine vibrantly, though not one to apply heavy amounts of makeup, when dressing herself up she would apply some. As the Queen she was required to look better than any other saiyan woman, but being physically stronger and more imposing trumped that minor detail.

"Oh yes your dear son, it has been so nice to have him around. He and my daughter have been working so well together-"

"Bah, that woman can't make the machine work for more than twenty hours before it breaks down, I have to constantly get her to make the machine work." Vegeta snorted. The insinuation that he worked with such a weak woman was nothing short of a lie in his mind. The blonde woman having some sort of lens that allowed her to view the world from a different reality.

Whatever it was that made Panchy act and see the world in Vegeta's eyes was some complete denial or perhaps the complete absence of real thought. Some fantasy world that she imagined and believed to be a reality seemed more appropriate for the prince. Her daughter was sluggish and unable to meet his demands leaving him unable to stand being the same room with her as she wasted his time. He should be training, or fighting in battles. But thanks to that blue idiot he was stuck playing second fiddle to his role as his mother deemed it appropriate to humiliate him.

His mother smiled, "you always to rough with your playthings my child." Causing a sting of red to flush across his face as she degraded him yet further in front of a weakling!

Though much to the Prince's immediate relief in walked Dr. Briefs, a stark contrast to the King as he wore his smoking jacket and pressed pants, looking representative but still carrying the aura of a man of science and patience. Though atop his shoulder remained scratch who just stared wide eyed at the new arrivals while remaining limp on the old man's shoulder.

"Greetings monarch's of Vegeta-sei, it is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance," Approaching them the good Dr. just smiled and offered his hand to the two members of saiyan royalty. "I'm Doctor Trunks Briefs, father of my dear daughter Bulma with whom you've had the privilege of meeting when she arrived on this world."

King Vegeta looked over the older gentleman and while he did not see much in the way of a potential warrior, he did possess a very forward attitude and had approached him without timidity like his blonde mate. The same confident aura that surrounded both of them was one he had seen around the Blue haired Earthling. "You are the one who developed the Capsule technology correct?"

Nodding his head a little smirk of pride showing on his face, "Yes that was me, one of my first inventions that helped create the small empire I had back on Earth before the invasion that took place."

Removing his hand from the smaller man the King stroked his beard slightly, a question that had brewed in the King's mind since hearing about it had the opportunity to be addressed. "I heard that your planet had been invaded by an alien species with the intent of purging it's existence from your home world correct?"

"Yes… yes it was, many good people lost their lives for that. It was truly a tragedy." The Dr stated as the King pushed the question a little further.

"Care to enlighten this ruler as to how your planet pulled off such a feat as to then suddenly remove all traces of these alien invaders from your world? Some secret weapon that a mind such as yourself created or was it another force that I am aware of that stepped in and interceded on your behalf?" The truth surrounding this world called Earth left a curiosity to the King of all Saiyans. Just how had this little event unfolded? Where had a race with limited fighting strength and no proper galactic combat strength had managed to repulse a clearly superior opponent?

With the numerous options possible it left some good… and some displeasing images in his head. "Was it some form of blaster or maybe… a chemical weapon?"

Dr. Brief shook his head, "No, it was none of those things. It was simply luck, for whatever reason the invaders simply… packed up and left without a reason. We still don't know why they did, but they left a good portion of our world desolate, but i'm assuming from their departure it garnered more attention and favorably yours."

I shall have to inquire as to why that happened from my subordinates more thoroughly. But since he could not smell a lie on the old man's breath or in his eyes he gave him the benefit of the doubt. "Well then what other marvels do you have that I might be able to see and utilize for my people and my army?"

Pulling back from the saiyan King Dr Brief placed his hands in his pockets and walked towards the main area hosting the food as to discuss some things.

This left the queen to chatter with Panchy who spoke of all the extravagances she had gone through to make sure everything was perfect, explaining her home and how it functioned, operating with only really her minimal input and how the artificial servitors worked and maintained everything.

As Vegeta looked around, his senses unable to detect the blue haired banshee he had to press the question but not too forcefully. "Where is your blasted daughter?" He growled irritated.

Well he had tried…

Bunny released a slight gasp, "Oh my, you are right. Where is my sweet little Bulma… I guess she must be really taking her time to demonstrate what she's made!" Having caught sight of her little girl wearing such an… interesting piece it would surely impress them. If not make the prince's jaw drop from viewing her as the beautiful young woman that she was.

While not blind to the obvious native inhabitants rules, a little nudge here and there was always a good thing.

"I'm intrigued by what she is making, as has my son after viewing what she's been making," The queen ignored the growl behind from her son, continuing to speak with the unique Mrs. Brief. "I've heard that your dear mate was attacked recently by one of your workers, is that correct?" Having seen the injuries and the few specs of information she had gathered from her son when he actually spoke with her about the issues at the Capsule Corp building.

Bunny gasped, "Oh yes, it was terrible. My husband and his once long time friend got into quite the little scuffle." She brought a hand to her cheek as she shook her head, still not happy about the event. "It's always been rough between the two of them. Gero and my husband were both pining for my affections a long time ago when I had come to the wrong gathering, both of them had assumed I was initially some scientist like them, but both forget they cared about that when I met them. They were both such nice young men, but I just couldn't resist my dear Husband's charms and I chose him and it's created a rift between the two of them since I can remember."

The queen nodded her head slowly, "I see, I surmise that this Gero? Was punished?"

"I don't know what happened to him, no one has seen him since that event which I am oh so thankful for your son being here to help protect my love, I can't ever be so thankful for you prince Vegeta!" Her almost doting motherly tone made him turn away embarrassed that she had the nerve to address him so informally.

But a diversion came as a human male with many scars on his face came down the hallway, dressed much like the doctor a second figure came around the corner and immediately caught the guests attention. A slender figure wrapped up in gray and black, their feet almost like heels but as they touched the ground one could see the back heel move fluidly with the operator's own feet. Nearly fully encased in a metal and augmented fake muscles that stretched overtop of everything save their face and hair, whirring gears connected in small pistons near the main joints from the knees, elbows, hips, shoulders and neck.

The material clung to the body like second skin, glowing pulses of white light showing alongside the moving joints, hips, and back. Small shoulder guards and a collarbone protector jutted out slightly with the only other protruding piece from this suit were the pair of developed breasts covered in side pieces of metal and showed every single detail of her flesh. Rising up to around her neck and rounded her ears like scouter covering was the face of the heiress herself, one Bulma Briefs. Her blue hair in a long sweeping blue ponytail that was held upright before falling back down behind the center of her back.

Oh gods, this is so embarrassing! They can see… EVERYTHING! Bulma lamented but retained her silent composure. Her suit was a prototype, based off Chi-Chi's power armor, but improved from the ground up. Unlike the bulky armor set that relied on a power pack and was not all silent, Bulma had compressed down the artificial muscles and ceramite armor into a form tight pressure suit that regulated body temperature, scanned vitals and could seal off minor injuries. Though perhaps not as… durable as the suit Chi-Chi had delivered this one was built around a female figure much like it was based off of.

Her body was several times stronger with the augmentations made, the ideal prototype would hopefully be roughly ten times that amount as she perfected it. But, and a very big one at that, she was being propped up to showcase it in front of the royal family. The actual goal was to create a better version of saiyan battle armor. Using their stronger compounds, elastic material and along with dozens of other beneficial technological perks.

Walking her body mostly muted save the thuds of her feet contacting the with porcelain floor. "It is an honor to see you again Queen Vegeta." Bulma spoke as she approached stopping just away from the royal matriarch. Remaining as she was to be thoroughly studied by the larger woman, her hand coming to her chin as she examined the heiress like one would judge a dog show and scientific exhibit all at the same time. Scrutinizing her, trying to picture what, exactly she was looking at.

Behind her being nonchalant about the entire event despite now looking at her with some form interest was Vegeta himself. His senses able to detect the hidden artificial movement of her muscles, the way she did not sway, how her body exuded limited scent.. It was interesting.

"My, my. What have you shown me now?" The queen smiled as she looked at Bulma.

Bulma nodded her head, "A prototype, an advanced version of your saiyan battle armor. Though it currently works for myself i'm certain I can have this suit modeled and able to be used by a saiyan with a greater increase in all factors…"

Grinning more the queen gestured with her hand, "please… demonstrate."

"I'm less than impressed," Paragus grumbled noting the heavily broken androids that he had recently tested against his son, even the weakling that was his son didn't take more than several seconds to dispatch these pieces of twisted metal and foolish little wires. Were these supposed to be threatening or imposing? Hah! He bet any saiyan child could break these things without too much effort.

Gero who was still recovering from his broken voice box still relied on his grainy voice modulator to project his speech. He had not much first hand experience with saiyans but this… well this was making this remarkably challenging. The hastily constructed androids he had built in years past, while effective against humans were nothing but toothpicks, this left him with very little in the way of building any sufficient data as they were destroyed in ONE hit.

Adding onto the pressure that probably his very life was resting on this deal he had to come through with something of merit… But this obviously wasn't a good start as he watched the saiyan warrior continue to throw punches and kicks struggling more with the pulley system of weights than years of his hard work.

"They were old models, i'm certain that I can create something powerful that can last several minutes in a few days."

"I'll give you two, and if you don't last more than a minute with my son… well." Paragus clicked his tongue as he looked down at Gero. "I'll let my son use you for training. Got it?"

He didn't flinch, but he felt some of his blood flow from his head down into his legs. "Of course, I promise to deliver."

Snickering Paragus tucked his cloak around his waist and began to walk upstairs. "Good, I'll see you in forty-eight hours." Leaving the oh so great Dr. Gero in the lower cells of his home. A partial lab set up in one of the rooms and not much else, the only company to be given was his 'hosts' gracious son Broly who continued to move with almost robotically.

Gero knew he was going to be struggling to meet the high demands placed upon him. Yet he had a small chance of success, but he was going to have too start his experiment early. Moving down to the side room, a small ten by ten cell that felt suffocating to a man who was used to massive expanse laboratories. This was almost degrading for a man who had come from such a station of power and respect.

Now just a resident basement scientist with a lifeline for two days.

He needed to get to work, his life was depending upon all of this. Retreating into his small confined space the doctor had eight large capsule storage pods, each one a relative project though not even close to what one would call complete.

Viewing the faces of his current projects. Several early models based off human processing, an middle aged gentleman with gray hair and coveralls, another was a gray skinned pigmented humanoid with a ponytail, the last being a drunkard purple skinned project. All of them were incomplete, but failures at the same time. Lacking any real significance to his projects goals of creating the perfect artificial lifeform.

"Wasted projects, perhaps they will have to suffice to delay my stay of execution but I doubt they will even be working at ten percent of their capacity." Looking towards the door he could hear the heavy grinding of wheels as the saiyan trained on the other side. "I need… more time… I need that technology of the Tuffles. They created a perfect frame with strength and speed."

Walking towards his next line, "The pair of stowaways… While I am tempted to use the two of you, you're young bodies are still quite malleable for what I have been planning." There was a young man with black hair, wearing a faded black shirt and his orange handkerchief dressed like most other young punks on Earth. Except now he was currently a less than willing test subject, having already begun to replace and automate his body while under stasis as a means of improving upon his earlier designs for a male body.

Yet that wasn't all, beside him was his partner in crime, a blonde haired woman who cared more about her clothes being ruined than surviving in the depths of a storage container when they made the trip to Vegeta-sei.

"Hnn, 17 and 18… Perhaps I could use you, to gather some of that delicious technology for me from the Briefs. Perhaps slip a way into the facility, or even trick someone into getting your hands on that Warp Device that the fucking fool refuses to use," With it he could bypass the shield and layers of protective barriers housing a slumbering set of ancient mechanical warriors of a bygone era.

The ability to reconstruct one of those bodies… oh it would be perfect! Just imaging the ability to remove all of these pathetic human tissue, blood, and draining emotions for the sake of a brighter future! It was the absolute goal of any scientist who dreamed the greatest of dreams!

He, the great Dr. Gero was the only one who saw the truth, who saw the merit in his actions for the greater good of all. Then finally he would be able to receive the recognition he deserved, the admiration of his people as the single greatest scientific mind of all time! No more languishing in the shadow of Dr. Briefs and his blasted daughter, without him Capsule Corp would never have even existed. It should've been him to earn all that fame, that wealth, and a beautiful woman's affections not that two bit hack!

Pushing on the panel to the side of 17 and 18 he decided to have them run a few errands… no one would suspect a few teenagers would have any problems, granted they would need some safeguards put in place. They weren't wholly machine and loyalty was less than questionable, "but that's what science is for…" The doctor laughed as he entered in a new series of codes to be followed by his two future creations. Intent on sending them out and procuring some necessary resources…

Chi-Chi had returned to her home away from home at the villa. Finding herself just wanting some peace and quiet as she would have to no doubt struggle to find a solution to the coming list of problems that she would no doubt be facing in the coming months. "This is how I would start a family… I can't believe it… maybe i'm still being punished after all."

With Kakarot having departed her company for the time being she just wasn't sure of what she was supposed to do. What options did she really have?

Fleeing, no they would catch her before she made it to far and her secret would be up. No she couldn't simply run away, and even if she did that she had no means of providing care. No way of creating a healthy environment for any child, she'd be just as well off as to agree to Kakarot's demands and send him off world at that point.

Hiding? Maybe, but where would she hide him. There wasn't a secret area to dispose of unwanted royal elite hybrid children and there would be no way that Bardock and Gine would ever allow her to take time away from her schedule to take care of a child.

It was expected of her to maintain at least ten years of loyal service and then be able to do as she wished after fulfilling that contract which was almost done with the first year, meaning she would keep this a secret for a full nine years?

Nope.

Releasing a heavy sigh Chi-Chi just brought her hands to her face as she just laid down upon her personal bed. Trying to come to any possibility that may help her.

Perhaps she could talk to Kakarot again, maybe there was some type of way to have their child out of the way… like a surrogate? Letting her hand fall from her face she tried to imagine if there were places like that? Where he could be with other children and with her free time she could go to him.

Sending him to some place maybe in capsule town, or she could talk to someone like Bulma who might have a way of helping her…

She does owe me, several times over in fact. The idea clicking in her head of having the child tucked away in the recesses of the primary building of Capsule Corp wasn't all that bad. There would be humans there and if she could have some type of agreement with the Briefs in exchange for this favor it could be an assurance that her baby would be protected and cared for with the best that could be afforded on Vegeta-sei.

It wasn't a bad idea, not fool proof or a hundred percent certain but it was better than the former options she had. Perhaps she could find the chance to ask Bulma if there was some way she could help her. They might not be friends, but it was the best option she had.

Sighing Chi-Chi rolled her head to the side looking towards the windows of the Villa, the quiet tranquility of the world around her was a complete reversal to the unstable mess of thoughts and emotions she was going through now.

As her eyes looked through the window she noticed something that was far out of place… There was someone outside their back to the window standing atop one of the decorative fixtures on the railing. Who would be out here?

The white cloak made it difficult to see who it was, so she had to investigate. After All if it was one of Bardock's companions or acquaintances possibly looking for him, it would be rude of her to not go out and see to them.

Fixing her hair as to make herself look somewhat presentable as she came outside looking at the figure that its back towards her. It's head covered by a white turban with a purple cap… she hadn't seen this type of garb worn before.

"Excuse me, but can I help you?" Chi-Chi asked clearing her throat. "The Lord is away, and his son is currently out with the lady of the house and won't be returning until later." Her eyes watching as arms moved from the cloak until a gust of wind blew threw and it made Chi-Chi's heart jump into her throat.

Green skin, with the same muscular markings on the beings arms… just… like… Kami! Her mind panicked as she watched the man turn his head towards her. "Not Kami, but a part of him." The green being spoke towards her his angled face a much younger version of the God of Earth that Chi-Chi had seen as she took a step backwards.

"H-how H-H-HOW!?" she stammered as the being turned around fully.

"Telepathy, I read your mind though right now your thoughts are in a rush and emotion filled haze making it near impossible to trace your thoughts currently." His face remained neutral, the green skinned being dropped down slowly floating till his orange tipped boots touched the ground. "Before your little human mind explodes, I would inform you that I am not Kami, well I should say not one, but a fragment of him. I am Piccolo."

"What… What are y-you?" Chi-Chi's body was gripped by some deep fear, the one that was a reminder of her punishment somehow returning after she had fled Earth. That perhaps this being called Piccolo was here to torment and revitalize what had made her wish to flee from her homeworld to begin with.

"I was sent here to follow the remaining Earthlings and to be the eyes of Kami, while he was aware of your plans to leave Earth and attempt to circumvent what you had done. I am not here to restart a punishment given to you as I am merely a piece of him."

Piccolo took in a full breath of air, "But I am here to remind you that fleeing your troubles on one world will not absolve you of what you have done. You will still have to answer for your punishment in way or another."

Chi-Chi shook her head, "No more, I've tried to atone for what I did. I-"

"That is not up for me to decide. It is Kami's will not my own," Piccolo cut her off, "To truly be free of your sin's you will-"

"WHO ARE YOU!?" A voice bellowed, the thundering voice almost shaking the ground as both parties looked over to see a massive saiyan bearing down upon them. Still soaked with sweat the long haired saiyan saw the green intruder.

Broly!? What is he doing here!?

Chi-Chi saw him appearing from nowhere, the hefty saiyan exhausted as he caught sight of an unfamiliar alien.

After seeing the caretakers less than approving reaction to this intruder. "I said who the hell are you!?" Broly snarled angrily advancing upon the green alien being.

"I'm no thr-" He didn't get to finish jumping backwards as Broly swung at him. The blow barely catching his clothes, but not striking the piece of the guardian who was sent backwards. Feeling somewhat fortunate that the saiyan was exhausted and probably wouldn't have been so lucky and have even this small opportunity to escape intact.

Flying backwards quickly as Broly jumped up into the air, his hand beginning to spark green with his ki as he glared daggers at the man who had instilled fear in those soft brown eyes of Chi-Chi. "Run little green one, I'd hate to kill you so suddenly!" Throwing his hand forwards the blast missing Piccolo as he dodged to the side barely as it sheared off a piece of his clothing and burned a hole in his white cloak.

The stranger to both flicked his eyes between Chi-Chi and the saiyan before deciding to take the moment to throw his shoulder pads towards Broly. The saiyan snarled and batted it away and when his eyes looked back to where he once was he saw that the green skin was nothing. His eyes looking around, his ears trying to pick up on the sound of anything that would resemble feet scurrying off and away from him.

Growling in his head that if he weren't exhausted he would've torn the bastard to shreds, but he looked back towards Chi-Chi and descended from the air. His feet touching the top of the villa as he looked at with obvious concern. "Are you alright?"

Chi-Chi nodded her head as Broly came down, finding some relief in seeing her up close again but, there was something now quickly festering in the back of his mind.

Coming this way to just observe her once again, only to bear witness to the sight of that green skinned alien talking to her. It wasn't even a race he recognized or was familiar with. But, as he watched her almost recoil, seeing even from as far away as he had the image of fear and worry. It, triggered something.

Something primal screamed from inside his veins, he couldn't stop himself. The way her face had recoiled when his father had threatened her, he never wanted her to be like that again. She was undeserving of such fear and loathing, she was already treated less than most due to her status as a caretaker which he could do little of for his people. Though to watch some strange alien do this to her.

He shook his thoughts away, that was another time. Broly had acted irrationally and come leaping in to protect her without waiting because his body had commanded him to do so.

Taking a moment herself Chi-Chi released a huge sigh of relief, "thank you, I wasn't sure what was going on… but i'm glad you were around." Her mind missing out exactly why he was here for the moment, more happy that the image of her god Kami, was missing saved her untold amounts of stress temporarily. The idea of Piccolo, or whatever he wanted himself to be called-despite his resemblance to Kami- left her wondering what his plans were should he return. Was he going to punish her again?

She couldn't endure suffering those nightmares again, sleep became a prison and she simply just didn't want to have it happen. The years she remained on Earth were spent in attempt for penance, she wished to do what was right given every opportunity. But it hadn't changed anything.

"Why was he here? Did he know you or perhaps threaten you?" Broly asked catching Chi-Chi in her mind for a moment as she looked to him.

She bit her bottom lip slightly as she wondered how much she could openly say about it, as she had confessed quite a bit to Kakarot. Telling someone like Broly about her past… she didn't want to have him see less of her, he was perhaps the closest thing to a true friend on this world.

"I don't know what he wanted, though he did resemble someone from my planet. He was called Kami…" She wanted to at least tell him something, though omitting just enough.

He raised his eyebrow, "Kami?" he grunted, "He calls himself God? Bah, the notion of such a being being a green freak. Bah! Ludicrous." Calling himself a divine being then fleeing when he arrived. If gods are that weak then are worth nothing!

She brought a hand to wipe her forehead, removing the few sweat beads that had formed before looking up at Broly. "Were you coming out here to speak with Kakarot or find Gine since she is having another baby?" It was surprising that he was out here, but she had no inkling of the saiyan being here for her, how could she?

Broly remained stoic saying nothing about the grand revelation, but she had given him an out, "I did, I wished my aunt be well with her next pup, but I also have been wanting to ask you for some of that delicious cooking you have told me about."

Chi-Chi lips pulled into a small smile as she sighed heavily, "Well Gine is off to find Bardock when he arrives home and Kakarot is with her. Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I whipped something up for you as a thank you."

As if too agree Broly's stomach growled in response, the two of them sharing a small moment as Chi-Chi laughed and Broly smirked releasing a chuckle.

Her brown eyes looked into his obsidian ones and wondered… 'what if'. "Say Broly,"

"Hn?"

"If I ever have a problem here on Vegeta-sei… would you… help me?" The open ended question not alluding to the huge secret she and two other people now knew about. "Could I ever ask of you a favor… I know that it's a bit presumptuous of me but wo-"

Taking a knee in front of her Broly set his hand over both of hers. "Chi-Chi… I will do whatever I can to help you."

Saiyan and caretaker shared a moment together as Chi-Chi gave him a huge smile to which he could not help but give her a slight one in return. "Thank you." her voice a softer whisper.

"Don't worry…" Broly replied standing back up, much like Chi-Chi he was holding in a secret he did not speak aloud because beating in his heart was an even further passion, a greater motivation to pursue his goals. In a few months you won't have to deal with these saiyans ever again...

A/N: I know we kinda took a detour int his chapter, but it'll have its implications. Don't you worry.

R&R

Kerghan