"Your majesty?" Bulma said calmly for the first time as she bowed before the king. The gasps coming from the court servants and guards were audible.
"Well,well...the wild girl has been tamed," the king said almost thoughtfully with a smirk, "wonder what did it."
"My king, you requested I came for something critical," Bulma said stiffly, indirectly urging the king to continue. 'Get it over with', in other words.
This did not slip by the king, of course, who let it slide. After many years of having her around, this was the first time he'd become utterly fascinated by this...creature.
"How did you break the code? The master door to the laboratory of arms?" the king inquired.
Bulma shrugged, but she was more than worried. How was she supposed to explain how she had unlocked the door?
It had happened the day before. A mysterious fire had been started in the training room. Such a room was right next to the laboratory of arms. Why Sayajins needed man-made weapons of mass destruction when they had their inborn ability to cause harm, was beyond her. But the panic was that the room on fire could make contact with the chamber of arms and cause a major explosion. Not that people would be harmed by it- well, not the Sayajins, at least- but the palace had been nicely remodeled and it would be a shame to let it get destroyed to rebuild a big part of it again. The scientist who had built the chamber and who held the key and the code to enter had not been present at the time of chaos. She was surprised that only he had access to it. That, of course, had its benefits, but not so much in the desperate situations.
The guards and soldiers yelled and hollered to get the scientist, but that had not been possible. Even if it was, by the time he got there, it would be too late. And it was something within her that had surged, as if by magic; some kind of thing that she had held in, like an old practice or knowledge that had not been used, that had made her venture up to the locked vault that had to be opened. As she stared at the technologically-enhannced iron door, she couldnt help but notice something vaguely familiar in it. The linear empty slot through which the card key had to slide through in order to open; the small screen that required the seven-digit code. It was all so familiar. As everyone stared and wondered what she was thinking to dare and try to open the door, she managed with agility to somehow break the code. It was all very easy- three numbers, three letters, and a symbol. It suddenly dawned on her that she had learned that from her father, and for a moment she believed that somewhere in the planet, her parents might be alive.
The spectators had been shocked as the iron doors slid open, and stared at her in wonder and amazement. She actually had to yell at them to run in and remove the arms and weapons before the fire tore through the wall and consumed half of the palace. And for once, after that, she was not looked down upon or insulted much as a slave. In fact, she was looked at in admiration and...did she dare say...respect?
Whatever the cause and results were, the king was suspicious- and everyone else as well. And she wished she could come up with a decent excuse that would take all eyes off her and save her behind.
"Well, I see you are fool enough to ignore my question," the king said calmly and then paused, followed by an outburst, "how the fuck did you break the code, goddamn it??!"
"Your majesty, I truly dont know how I did it. I...just...guessed. I liked to do puzzles and crosswords since I was a child," Bulma explained, hoping that the simple statement could be enough.
The king stared at her, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "Puzzles, huh? Well, I dont know what the fuck that is...but however you did it, you...managed to save half of the palace from getting destroyed and...well, you showed cunning and intelligence."
"It is my duty to do what I can, sir," Bulma said, relieved that he was taking her excuse.
The king smirked, "That actually sounds like you're watching your tongue and being respectful."
Bulma remained silent, cursing him out in the worst kinds of ways in her mind.
The king seemed to ponder for a while more, "Our lab could use someone like you...I think it would be good to use you in it."
Bulma looked up suprised. Of all things, she'd never expected this! "I...your majesty...I work as a kitchen servant. I- couldnt."
The king laughed, "Yes, and I'm sure your cooking is disgusting. I am not asking you to work for my lab, I am commanding you. Of course, I would be most grateful if I were you...there are many benefits that come from doing such a work. And of course, a heroic act- whether it is done by a noble or a slave- is not overlooked and does not go without a reward. So take this as a gift. It would be in your best interest to remain humble and grateful," the king concluded.
"I thank you, your majesty," Bulma said softly, with a touch of bitterness that made the king smirk. He had never, ever, taken the time to notice slaves around his palace- but this one was just...different. Could have been a perfect queen.
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"Well, the explosion didnt work, father. Do you really think that weapon was in there?" Isa asked her father.
"I am sure of it...and it is critical that we get it for Frieza or get rid of it. What I dont understand is how that young woman was able to break the entering code," the father said bewildered.
Isa frowned. The little bitch was still alive and not working as the slave she'd ordered her to be, "Well, if a mere slave was able to break it, then it cannot be that difficult."
"Oh, but it is. Do you think that if it were easy I would have had to set the training chamber on fire? Believe me, I have tried to break the code and have found it impossible," the Duke said shaking his head.
"Well, we'll just have to find out who the little slut really is. I'm sure that her knowledge is explainable. Who knows? Maybe she had her little affair with the old, crazy scientist who created it," Isa laughed.
The Duke shook his head, "Dr. Gero? No, I doubt it...besides, he was not the creator of it. He is just the only other person who carries the key and the code. But there is another scientist who makes all the improvements that we see being made every day in this planet. The man is a very intelligent man."
"How do you know that?" Isa asked.
The Duke shrugged, "I have my ways of finding out things here and there...but I am not entirely sure. I will investigate it further. But I'll tell you what is getting me on my nerves."
"What is it?" Isa questioned.
"That elite...Radditz. I am almost certain that the king sent him to spy on us," the father said angrily.
"Does that mean?...do you think the King knows something?" Isa asked worriedly.
"I dont think so...the king does that for his own security...but he can be a problem."
Isa thought for a while...then smiled, "Father, you need not worry...I will take care of that."
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"So the king thinks you're smart enough to be here, huh?" the so-called scientist said through narrowed eyes as he sized Bulma up, rubbing his chin with his hand. The classic stance of a villain, Bulma thought.
"I dont know what's so good about being here," Bulma said shrugging and looking around unphazed.
"Well, you'll see after you set this thing up for me. It's a device. I took all the pieces out and decomposed it and you're gonna put it back together; that's your test. you dont pass, I tell the king you're no good and, hopefully, you'll go back to being a servant.
"What are those things?" Bulma asked looking around, ignoring what he was saying.
Dr. Gero frowned. This girl was going to be tough to have around, he could already tell. "Those are supposed to be regeneration tanks. We're not done with them yet."
"You mean, like, to put hurt people inside so they can get rehabilitated?" Bulma asked, almost in awe.
The scientist rolled his eyes, "Yes, thats the damn plan. Get this done. Now!"
Bulma frowned and rolled her eyes at the annoying man, but looked down at the pieces of the device and smiled. This was definitely a puzzle. And a pretty easy one.
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Ok people...this was a very short chapter, but I cut it in half because I didnt want to put all the good stuff in one chapter...lol...this is definitely taking a different turn, trust me! Next chapter will be very, very...interesting. (HINT: Bulma/Vegeta encounter) so please, keep reading and sending your reviews!
Luv you all,
Stonecrusher7.