Disclaimer: Ow! Okay, okay, its in chapter two! Now let go of my arm! Geez... I hope you choke on it, you damned lawyers.
Isn't college great? Especially when you take Calculus cold? And then you have music theory homework after that? Ah, you kids will enjoy it if you haven't gotten there yet.
The Namekku-sei-jin diplomat folded his hands together and bowed his head thoughtfully. "We understand that you have been separated from the rest of our race, Muni Saichourou, and that your people were the last to see our home world before its total annihilation. However, we don't have such resources to implement you into the population."
The appointed elder cleared his throat nervously and shifted his glance side to side, trying to pull up something significant. "But you realize, sir, that we have no females on our planet, and the male eggs that we have in stock are dwindling to nothing. Our tribes will die after this generation."
"I understand the predicament, but that doesn't make our position change. It's seems to be a vein of luck that one of your former warriors had brought to our attention of a continuing civilization. As much as we welcome your tribes into our own emotionally and in name, we cannot bring you physically with us. There is simply too much societal stress to allow us the luxury of accepting a hundred more of us."
"But it isn't necessary for us to make a pilgrimage over to Katatsu-sei. Our new planet has a surplus of room, and can accommodate well for an increase of population. Even though we've already had to move from the home world once, we have no interest in changing again. We simply want some to come here and keep our tribes continuing."
"I suppose, then, that you want us to send some women to your planet? A brash request, Muni-sama… I doubt that Katatsu-sama would agree with drafting some of our precious female citizens so that they may be trekked across the Red Stream."
Muni wiped away the sweat over his brow and groaned in frustration. When the first Saichourou had left the matters of the whole planet to him before he died, he knew that there would be difficulties, but he never imagined that they would include negotiations to obtain perhaps the only thing that the adults feared and yet never spoke of, and that was of the pitiful death of their race from not being able to reproduce. Of course, he was overjoyed to hear that they already have been continuing light-years away, and his people found great relief. But they didn't want their tribes to die out any more than their race. The murders that they personally experienced from Freezer and the total absence of Tuno's village, who were slaughtered by the Saiya-jin Vegita punctuated this.
From somewhere in his mind, one of the most important facts popped up, giving him something that might just be enough for persuasion. "It was a stroke of luck that Purunga included the eggs with the rest of the life forms when we were transported from Namekku-sei. And it was also a stroke of luck that they were able to outlast the disaster centuries ago. The Saichourou before me didn't tell any of us his story in its entirety until we were quite well into adulthood. As you probably know, these monasteries were places where abandoned eggs were kept, and he was the head of the largest. After the disaster, most of the male eggs were broken, only leaving less than two hundred. He took it upon himself to hatch these eggs."
"Sir, I hardly see—"
"I'm not finished! There was also a large selection of female eggs, although not originally even a thousandth in size when compared to the males, was kept in a much more fortified area of the nursery and no damage befell them. He attempted, against what he's always been taught, to hatch those by himself as well, but only ended up with a stagnating illness from the poisoning. We haven't had a proper place to store them since Namekku-sei was destroyed, so it's only a matter of time before they are destroyed or made useless through time."
Now the negotiator seemed interested. "And about how many female eggs are there?"
Muni hesitated for a moment, suppressing a grin. "Exactly five million, two hundred twenty-five thousand, three hundred sixty two female eggs. I told you it was the biggest monastery… and at that time, the only monastery that held orphaned female eggs."
The man's face didn't change for a few moments, but gradually fell into a great expression of shock and awe. "E-excuse me," he squeaked out before he ran down the hall from the communication console, screaming for Katatsu and the other royalty.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The newest general of the Namekku-sei-jin forces entered the office with a growl and crashed down onto the chair set before Arufuredo's desk, immediately deactivating the force field shielding and pulling off the bone-like frame. "Damn, this shit's uncomfortable. How does Atsa handle wearing full metal armor when this partial stuff is so irritating?"
The doctor looked up from his charts with a brow raised. "Piccolo-sama? What's the purpose of this visit? Atsarute-sama is not present on this base at the moment."
The green man gave another grunt before forming his trademark cape over his shoulders. "I'm aware of that; I wouldn't be here if she was. The truth is, I have some business with you that she must not know of."
"And what would that be, sir?"
Piccolo pulled out several papers and set them before Arufuredo. "This. The second sheet is a translation of the first from Sui-go into Japanese."
Arufuredo set the first aside and read through the second quickly before commenting. "What a strange poem. Where did it come from?"
"It's some sort of folk song that Atsa sings all of the time. I got her to write that translation for me not long ago."
"Hmm… if you don't mind me saying, it figures that she would sing such a strange thing all of the time giving her personality. But why are you showing it to me?"
"I've been doing some research, trying to get to the bottom of Atsa's personality. Her odd behavior towards her suitors and her digressions with tradition are some of the primary topics. Since you're actually under her command and more in contact with her race and family than I am, I figured that you would be the best person to help me out on this."
"And you think that this has something to do with it?"
"No, not really. But something tells me I shouldn't overlook it. I want you to figure out what exactly that song is about, and maybe do some espionage if you find it to be necessary. Of course, you're under no obligation; I'm asking as a favor."
"Actually, there are several aspects of Puroeriun culture that is outside of my understanding," the doctor commented, "and such a task I think could only supplement the research to quench my thirst for curiosity. I'll gladly do this for you, Piccolo-sama."
"Good. I'm glad." Pause. "And how is that edgy half-brother of mine?"
"Neil-san's health is increasing gradually. He no longer needs constant surveillance, but he is still unwilling to share his thoughts or what had happened to him when he was held prisoner."
"Has Toniko been worried by your knowledge?"
He made a sigh. "At first, it seemed that she had been quite taken by Neil-san, and she was at first quite worried and made constant visits. But lately they've been little to none, and she's expressed no interest to anyone for him."
"I figured that Neil was overreacting… but are you sure that you just aren't being hopeful?"
"Excuse me?"
"It's pretty obvious that you're taken with that warrioress cousin of mine. Its pretty much common knowledge to anyone associated with you at the least."
After a long silence, he finally spoke. "I suppose it was pretty obvious, but I remain beside my observation regardless. I pride in objective reasoning; I am a scientist, after all."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Atsarute passed out over her maps and charts again as the steering stick swayed back and forth from the autopilot, sending a slight dynamic hum through the otherwise quiet room. Her hands were once again bloodied and cramped from working too hard; she recently came to a horrifying realization, and had to plan every battle without the possibility of Piccolo's forces backing her up. The plans not only included tightened and perhaps dangerous strategies for herself, but also included diplomacy scenario sheets.
The diplomacy plans were nothing but strange. Anyone who knew Atsarute would know that she rarely, if ever, planned her diplomacy beforehand. She was a natural presence, intimidator, negotiator, manipulator, and con. Such were gifts from her royalty, intelligence, strength, and demonic cunning. But that wasn't all. These communication maps weren't for enemy negotiations, preparations for weapons trade, or even spinning speeches to gain allies.
They were planned excuses for when she is questioned for excluding Piccolo's forces from her plans. A variety of lies and deceptions constructed to fit any situation, with different annotations from person to person for each lie, and the person with the most notes in every one of them was Piccolo himself.
Her eyes lazily opened, and she rose, looking down at her forearms at the mirrored black shapes across her skin from lying on the papers. She debated internally for a moment, and decided that going to bed is more important than washing off a little ink.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The discussion continued in great length, with the Namek and the Pasuko-jin bringing together their observations and theorizing with the material. It was many hours later before Piccolo finally left the office, his armor under his arm. But as he turned to continue down the hall, he saw a Puroeriun that he hadn't seen since that day he went to Sui-sei: Atsarute's uncle, Setto.
He made a nod and waved a bottle of alcohol. "Yo. Piccolo, isn't it?"
Piccolo made a stern nod then moved to go past the man. But as was just adjacent to him, he spoke again: "You're curious about Atsa's behavior, right?"
The Namek stopped and turned his head, not breaking his solemn expression. "I assume that you've been listening in."
"I eavesdrop from time to time. But that isn't the point. I can tell you about Atsa's past… why she acts that way towards Kenturion and Sanatoasu… why she regards some traditions with respect, but not others… and even the real question, which you didn't bring up with that scientist… you know… her aversion to marriage. Is there a particular reason why you want to know about something like that?"
Piccolo suppressed a scowl, but spoke regardless. "The rest of my family is beginning to pressure me into marriage. I've even overheard some of them discuss arranging something for me."
"So you did fall in love with my maiden of a niece?" Setto chuckled, then pulled out another bottle and passed it to Piccolo. "How about we have a little talk over on the walkway of the upper floor? I'll gladly enlighten you on Atsa-chan's little mysteries."
Look, you got a chapter and everything! Isn't that great! I know it's not the usual 2000 words, but you'll just have to deal with 100-200 words less.
I'm going to go screw around instead of studying for my finals or practicing for my jury.
Responsibilities are unimportant.