"Sorry I'm late," Bulma huffed, out of breath as she settled into the only open seat left-next to Vegeta. It was plain to see that she was not feeling well.

Vegeta moved imperceptibly closer as she took her seat, shifting uncomfortably and rubbing at his face.

The captain graciously allowed her to get set up before continuing with an update on the Namekian Crisis. Upon discovering that the Namekians had received a strange transmission before the probe attacked, Roshi had requested access to their logs for review in exchange for sending copies of the recordings the communications officer had made of their own interceptions.

Bulma sipped her ginger tea as she listened to both transmissions again. The transmission to Namek was definitely in the same language as the ones Nimbus had been receiving. She wished Raditz would tell her how the Legacy was involved. But she didn't want to speak with Raditz right now. It'd been three days since she'd abruptly cut off their transmission to talk to Goku.

Goku, who'd gone wide-eyed and quiet at the revelation, had only asked if Captain Bardock knew. He looked like his whole world had just come crashing down on him and retreated to his quarters to think.

Now, as Bulma contemplated if and how she should tell Raditz that his brother was safe after all, a chime sounded to indicate somebody was at the door. She sighed. If she stood, another wave of nausea would overtake her, and she wasn't sure she'd be able to stave this one off. "Who is it?" she called.

Of course it had to be Vegeta.

Just the person she didn't want to see right now.

"Come in," she said begrudgingly.

"You look terrible," he said when he saw her. "Why haven't you been to sick bay?"

She flipped him off and turned back to her console. He was right. She hadn't showered in two days, and the dark circles under her eyes were something else-but sick bay was the last place she wanted to be right now, so close to discovering who the Namekians' mystery attackers were.

"The captain wants to know if you have any news from the Legacy."

"Don't know why he can't ask me himself," Bulma said, taking another sip of tea and scribbling notes on her padd. Her stomach flip-flopped and she let out a low groan.

"I'm your assigned liaison, for one," Vegeta said, ignoring her distress. Bulma could practically see the sarcastic eyebrow raise he was no doubt giving her. "And second, no one has seen you for the last two days."

"I'm sick. You might want to keep your distance."

"And you might want to get to sick bay," he repeated. "There's no reason to live like this."

Bulma looked up at him with a frown. "Can't a girl suffer in peace?"

"Like it or not, ambassador, I have a job to do. Suffering or no, answer the question. Do you have any news from the Legacy or not?"

Bulma debated telling the lieutenant about Goku's family history, but it wasn't hers to tell. So far, only the captain knew, and even he wasn't sure how to proceed with that information. Surely it would be a valuable bargaining chip for their mostly-non-existent negotiations, but that would involve telling them first. "Nothing that concerns your assignment," she finally said, turning her back again and effectively dismissing him.

But Vegeta stayed put. "You're working yourself sick. While some might admire your work ethic, you should take a break. I'd like you to complete your mission sooner than later, and you'll be needlessly delayed if you are ill."

Bulma sighed. Why wouldn't he just leave? She turned back to him, arms crossed. "And do what? Get everyone else sick in the mess hall? Not likely. Go to sick bay? Some relaxation that is."

"You could join me on the holodeck," Vegeta said.

Bulma couldn't contain her scornful laughter. "Fat chance," she said. He still hadn't let up with his bonding ceremony nonsense. She had to give him credit; if nothing else, he certainly was persistent. She wished he weren't.

The task force assigned to the translation made a breakthrough that very afternoon. One of the officers, an acquaintance from Bulma's academy days named Yamcha, had the idea to check an old database not in regular use by Starfleet.

"See," he said, pointing at a starmap that had to be at least seventy-five years old, it was so incomplete. "This sector of the quadrant here, it's called the 'Frigid Zone' in most old star maps, but it's never been charted by any Federation ships. It's said to be inhabited by a race of reptilian humanoids known as Ice-jin. We don't know much about them, but a passing freighter once had the misfortune of intercepting one of their probes. We discovered the wreckage of that ship—along with its black box—six years after it went missing. They're brutal."

"I want you to cross-reference the information that Federation has on the Frigid Zone with the Saiyan database," Vegeta told Yamcha, and was met with an enthusiastic Yes, sir!.

It took only three more hours for results.

"Sir, we have the translation." Yamcha sat back as he allowed the universal translator to take over the recording.

"Come in," Goku said. He sounded tired.

The doors to his quarters slid open and Bulma surveyed the room before she stepped in, surprised to see the ship's counsellor sitting at the small dining table with the commander. She was feeling better this evening and had managed to eat something small earlier that day.

"Counsellor Chichi," Bulma greeted. "I hope I'm not interrupting a session…"

"Not at all. Please, come sit," Chichi said, relinquishing her own seat. "Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?"

"Uh, ginger tea, please." As she approached, Bulma wondered why Chichi was offering hospitality in Goku's quarters, but the question vanished from her mind when she saw Goku's expression as he stared down at his half-eaten dinner. He still hadn't fully processed the information about his heritage, and now this news about the impending threat of attack weighed on his mind, too.

"I want to meet my brother," Goku said quietly. "I have so many questions."

"You must. I do, too, but I haven't worked up the courage to speak with Raditz about anything yet."

"Since you owe me a favour, I was thinking you could have him speak to me directly. I'd like to be the one to tell him."

Bulma nodded. She was sure Raditz would agree to that, at least, especially in light of the Nimbus crew's newfound knowledge regarding the source of the mysterious transmissions. She made to stand, but Goku and Chichi shared a look and she paused, waiting for them to speak.

"That can wait, why don't you stay for dinner?" Chichi suggested.

Something clicked in Bulma's tired brain. "Wait," she said, looking between them and raising a finger. "Are you two…? No way. No way. Why didn't you say something?"

"Goku," Chichi said, addressing him with her hands on her hips. "Did you not tell her?"

"You're not the only one who can keep a secret," Goku said to Bulma, eyeing her with a pointed look. Then he broke into a wide grin despite himself. "But, cat's out of the bag now. Bulma, I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Chichi."

"Wait, when did you get married?" Bulma shrieked, throwing her hands in the air and looking around the room at her imaginary audience in disbelief. Did their friendship mean nothing to him? How could he have not told her?

Chichi laughed at her theatrics. "Coming up on five years now," she said with a wry smile. "Captain Roshi performed the ceremony, and my father and Krillin were the only others present."

Bulma shook her head. "Well, that explains why your quarters are so damn huge," she muttered. Head reeling with this revelation, she put her forehead in her hands. "And I'd love to stay for dinner."

"Nice of you to call," Raditz said, deadpan. The cut on his face had been cleaned up, but the bruise around his eye was turning all sorts of shades of blue and yellow.

"I suddenly remembered something," Bulma lied. "Sorry. But I have a lot to tell you, if that makes you feel better."

Raditz rubbed his hands together. "Oh, goody," he said with the same unexcited tone and dead eyes.

When Bulma told him about their breakthrough and their new-found knowledge, he seemed nonplussed.

"Ah, so you finally know our big secret. I knew you'd get there eventually."

"It might have helped if you'd given us the means to translate it instead of some useless filter," Bulma muttered.

"Hey, that filter wasn't useless. And besides, I told you that my father wouldn't clear it. He's adamant that we solve our own problems since this is 'our fault'. His words, not mine. I don't feel like being punished for my ancestors' mistakes."

"Maybe he'll be a little less adamant if he speaks to the other Saiyan we have on board," Bulma said. "His name is Goku and he'd like to talk to you."

"That doesn't sound like a Saiyan name," Raditz said. "None that I've ever heard, anyway."

"He's adopted," Bulma replied. "And waiting. Shall I invite him in?"

"Ah hell, why not," Raditz said. "I'm curious. And I haven't got anything better to do."

"Okay, you can come in," Bulma called over her shoulder. Her friend emerged from the other room wearing his hood. In the low light of the room, his face was in complete shadow.

"Hello," Goku said as he sat down and pulled off his hood. "I think we've met before."

"High Command and Starfleet have decided that this matter is urgent enough to spare an envoy, so we are to expect them in two weeks. In the meantime, we have our work cut out for us. Ambassador, I trust that your contact on the Legacy has proven useful?"

Bulma shook her head. "He's been unsuccessful in convincing Captain Bardock so far. I'm afraid he's too proud for his own good. He won't budge."

"Their captain represents the Saiyan values of a century ago," Vegeta said. "Of course he's proud. I must say I admire his convictions." He glanced over at Bulma. "Unfortunately, all of the ambassador's methods have failed. Perhaps we should leave them alone, as they ask. We are clearly unwanted here."

"Not all of them agree with that stance, Lieutenant," Bulma shot back, seething. How dare he undermine her like that? "My contact doesn't, for one, and I know many of the officers are sympathetic to his viewpoint as well."

"So, what, you want them to mutiny so they can force the crew to accept our help?"

"I just want their captain to see reason. If these Ice-jin are the same race that attacked Namek, the Legacy won't stand a chance against them. We have enough room on board to take on their crew for the trip home. We can make it look like the ship was abandoned so that the aliens don't come looking for them. And if they do, well, Vegeta-sei is armed to the teeth and has the support of the Federation behind it."

Captain Roshi, until then silent, stepped forward. "This is not solely our decision to make. We will wait for the envoy, but in the meantime we must consider the very real threat that the Ice-jin will arrive before the envoy does. Commander, please make the necessary preparations," he commanded, nodding toward Goku. "I will be in my ready room speaking with Starfleet. The bridge is yours."

Though tensions on the bridge had been high ever since Yamcha had finished translating the signals, Goku had maintained his decorum and upbeat leadership without hindrance. Commanding the bridge crew seemed effortless when he did it, his light-hearted demeanour engendering respect from his subordinates who responded to his get-things-done attitude with the kind of efficiency Bulma could only hope to achieve.

"Every shift will assign a monitor to our long-range scanners. If they so much as stick their toes in this sector, I want to hear about it. Lieutenant, see to it that you and your team are at the ready and that weapons and shields are checked and double-checked. I have a feeling the Ice-jin aren't the talk-things-out type," Goku ordered, pointing at each crew member as he doled out tasks for each.

"Aye, sir," Vegeta said.

Goku turned toward Bulma, and his face softened just a little. "Please tell Raditz that he needs to come through for us."

Bulma nodded. Just as she was about to head back to her quarters, a hunger pang cramped her stomach and she rubbed it absentmindedly. She still felt queasy, but decided it was best to eat something. She would stop by the mess hall on the way.

News of the translation and impending contact with the hostile aliens spread like wildfire throughout the ship. It was the only topic of discussion at the mess hall, and Bulma wished she knew enough to answer the questions she heard. Who were these people? Why had they waited until now to retaliate against ancient wrongs? How strong were they? She decided to ask Raditz if he knew any of this, since the Legacy was the obvious recipient of the message, anyway-the transmission specifically mentioned the Saiyan race and the generation vessel in particular.

As it turned out, when the Legacy was still new and only ten years into its exploration, they had encountered a ship of aliens who attacked on sight. The Saiyans were fierce, and though they were initially outgunned, their tenacity saved the day. The battle ended in a draw, with both ships limping away severely damaged.

Bulma stuffed another roll into her mouth and nodded as Raditz continued his story. They were transmitting openly now, it seemed, because the Legacy was also in a frenzy of preparation to receive the Colds, and nobody was monitoring intership communications anymore.

"Who are the Colds, anyway?" Bulma asked, mouth full.

"They're the clan whose ship attacked us 90 years ago," Raditz said. "There are a few warring clans in the Frigid Zone, all Ice-jin, but the Colds are the rulers of an empire that stretches from here almost into the Beta quadrant."

"Impressive," Bulma said. "Why are they coming back now?"

"We don't know. Sounds like they've upgraded their weapons, and just wanted to make sure we wouldn't put up a fight. They take great pleasure in squashing their enemies like bugs."

"We can help, you know-Starfleet is on its way. We need to change Captain Bardock's mind and accept the aid we have to give. Have you told him about your brother?"

Raditz shook his head. "No. I talked to him again this morning, but I haven't told him about Kakarot yet. He's too focused on preparing for combat even though he has to know it'll be a losing battle. His damned pride won't let him accept aid, and he wouldn't think of backing down from a fight. He has a lot of supporters, unfortunately, but there are also a lot of people who are scared." He sighed, putting both hands over his face. When he looked up at Bulma again, his eyes were shining angrily. "There are families aboard," he said through gritted teeth. "And he's not seeing the bigger picture. He thinks pride should come before survival, but what legacy will we have left if we're all dead?"

Bulma frowned. She hadn't thought of the families. There were children on board. Of course there would be-it was a generation ship. She sighed. "One moment." The screen went blank as she rerouted the pathway and strengthened the end-to-end encryption. Then she re-established connection. "I've made our connection more secure," she explained. She couldn't believe she was about to say this. It was a damned risky plan. "Vegeta suggested inciting a mutiny. He was kidding, of course. But do you think you could garner enough support to overthrow Bardock, even if it's just temporary?"

"I can't risk the lives of the crewmen if the mutiny fails. The penalty is death. But I can challenge him. That way I'll only risk my own ass, but I know I have enough friends on the bridge that they'll follow my lead when I win."

"Do it," Bulma agreed, and ended the transmission.

It was late.

Bulma was trying to enjoy her tea alone in the mess hall, looking to take her mind off the fact that she probably sent Raditz to his death. Vegeta sat nearby with a group of officers and surreptitiously cast glances her way every thirty seconds. She pretended to ignore him, but she knew he was itching to talk. So she finished her tea, stood to leave, and in the instant it took for her to realize she was losing her balance, Vegeta was there to hold her up.

And she thought she'd finally gotten to feeling better.

"You're hovering," she muttered in annoyance as he helped her sit again. "I wish you'd leave me alone."

Vegeta said nothing in reply, only placed the back of his hand against her forehead. "You're not feverish," he stated.

Well, duh. She could have told him that. She wasn't sick, just tired. And she hadn't been eating enough-a bad habit of hers. Obviously she had low blood sugar.

He watched her for a long moment, and she felt the strong urge to hide from his intense gaze. It never failed to set her heart pounding.

"You need to go to sick bay. Something is clearly the matter with you, and I don't want to hear excuses."

She swallowed hard. "No, I need to eat something and get some sleep. I was about to head to my quarters."

"I will accompany you." It was not a question.

As they reached their destination, Vegeta stood expectantly by the door, waiting to be let in.

"I can take care of myself, lieutenant. I'm not a child."

"One of those statements is true," Vegeta scoffed. It wasn't entirely unkind. Bulma could see the concern in his face, though he did his best to hide it.

"I promise I will eat and go to bed," Bulma said.

Vegeta watched her for a moment longer, looking like he wanted to ask something but then thinking better of it. He left without another word.

It had been several days since Bulma had heard from Raditz. She hoped it was because he was settling into his role as the Legacy's new captain.

The Saiyan vessel Junpak't, named for the Saiyan word for courage, kept in regular contact with Nimbus as it made the journey at warp seven toward them. Bulma was at one such discussion when a communication from the bridge interrupted their proceedings.

"Captain, the Legacy has just ejected a pod and set it adrift."

The Starfleet representative on the Junpak't graciously took her leave and ended the transmission.

Once they were on the bridge, Captain Roshi stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Bulma stood behind him and gaped as the pod flew straight toward them.

"The pod is hailing us, captain," said the officer at the comm station.

"On-screen."

"Hey ambassador," Raditz said, addressing Bulma as his broken visage and enormous hair filled the view screen. "Didja miss me?"

Bulma paced back and forth. "I understand the need for caution, but he's on our side. I've been in communication with him for weeks, we can trust him."

"He could be a spy," Vegeta replied. "I trusted him more when he was on board the Legacy. Why come over now?"

The Saiyan High Command member on screen nodded his agreement with the prince.

"Because he challenged the captain and lost," Bulma said with a sigh.

Vegeta looked up sharply. "You knew about this?"

"I suggested it," Bulma said, though it was only partly the truth. "It seemed like the best way to gain their cooperation."

"Well, great," Vegeta said, throwing his hands in the air. "Now they'll never listen to us. Excellent work, Ambassador."

"Lieutenant," the captain warned, tired up to his eyes of the animosity between them.

Vegeta crossed his arms and looked away, curling his lip. "As the chief of security aboard this vessel, I cannot allow him to wander around unaccompanied."

"No one's saying you have to do that," Goku said calmingly. "But I don't think an entire detail is necessary. He's my brother, so I can accompany him. I'd like the chance to get to know him better, anyway."

"Now that that's out of the way," Roshi said, letting that be the end of the matter, "we have options to discuss." He turned toward the viewscreen. "As Lieutenant Vegeta has mentioned in the past, the first is that we leave them to their own devices."

Bulma gave Vegeta a sidelong glance, barely able to suppress her lip curling.

"We could subdue them and force repairs on their vessel," Roshi continued, "But that's not a very attractive solution."

"The Nimbus can support their crew long enough to return them to Vegeta-sei, but their captain would have to agree first," the Starfleet representative suggested, her voice high-pitched but confident. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and clasped her hands together, waiting for the others to voice their opinions.

"Or we can stay and fight alongside them," Goku added. "And it's looking more and more like that's the option we'll have to go with." He turned to Bulma and frowned sympathetically. "I'm sorry diplomacy hasn't worked. I know what this mission meant to you."

Bulma gave Goku a half-smile. "Can't win 'em all, Commander." She was aware of Vegeta's eyes on her; the energy in the room felt stifling. No one knew how much longer they had before they were forced into a decision. "Just because Raditz isn't on the 'inside' anymore doesn't mean he can't be useful to us. He said there were other officers and crew who agreed with him. I can still try to get in touch with them," Bulma said, glad she didn't feel completely helpless.

Goku nodded. "Raditz said the captain still doesn't know about me. If we could get Bardock to respond to our hails, I can greet him with my hood off. That'd make him pay attention."

"This is ignoring the fact that we must take their autonomy more seriously," Vegeta said. "If they've decided they don't want our help, then so be it. They could have come to us a century ago for assistance, but they did not. You heard what Raditz said in the debriefing, the Colds vowed revenge. They've known this was coming for the ninety-odd years."

"I can't believe you're agreeing with their captain. Saiyan pride aside, he's leading an entire colony's worth of people to their deaths!" Bulma retorted, hands on her hips. She continued pacing up and down the conference hall. "If I can't get a message to sympathetic crew members that they'll be welcome aboard the Nimbus, then I must convince him to evacuate."

"That'd be as easy as making the Ice-jin agree to turn around and go home," Vegeta snapped in reply, then eyed her curiously. He took a step forward, as Bulma whirled to face him, grabbing onto the back of one of the chairs for support as a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. "I haven't seen you do anything to persuade them lately," she hissed.

The room was silent.

"Ambassador," the captain said, moving closer to her along with the officers. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Bulma murmured before crumpling to the floor.

x-x-x-x-x-x

A/N: The Saiyan vessel Junpak'tis named for the Klingon word Kajunpak't, meaning "courage."