Sorry for the wait. Family and the holidays and all. No time for anything. Thanks for your reviews btw ^-^.

DBZ=Not owned by me…no matter how much I wish it did

Bardock turned the corner to the launch station slowly.

His legs refused to move and the pressure in his chest just would not alleviate.

His team turned to face him.

Fascia opened her mouth to say a smart-ass comment but Kane, Bardock's fraternal twin brother, stopped her.

As twins, they could sense when something was wrong with the other.

Kane decided not to press the issue. His brother already looked withdrawn and unfocused; not good for this assignment.

"Frieza wants us to clear out some wild planet across the galaxy." He said, "It shouldn't be too hard, but we don't know much about the inhabitants, so we all need to be focused." He looked to Bardock, "All of us."

"Aye, aye, captain." Fascia said, already walking to her pod.

The others did the same, but Kane stopped Bardock before he could even move, placing a hand on the unsettled brother's chest.

"If you're not 100% tuned in, you'd better just march your ass on home."

"I'm fine." Bardock's voice was so light that it was hard to hear.

"Nonononono. You listen to me. If you're not on top of your game then you're not coming." Kane blocked him from his pod.

"I'm fine."

"Don't give me that bullshit, kid. You know better. King Vegeta would—" he stopped when his brother's head twitched and his fists tightened, "What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Damn it, Bardock, tell me the fucking truth!"

Bardock looked up angrily and Kane gasped at the pain in his brother's eyes, "How can I tell you the truth when I can't even tell it to myself."

Kane paused, "What happened?"

"You'll find out when we get back." Bardock shoved past his twin and climbed into his pod.

"What's gotten into him?" Tora asked.

"A whole lot of trouble if he screws up this assignment." Kane replied, "Let's go."

*MEANWHILE*

Shasta sat in her new room staring at the mirror next to the window.

She had seen countless pods launch into space and with the passing of each one, she wondered if Bardock was on it.

A young servant was brushing her long, strait, black hair as she sat quietly.

"Is something the matter, majesty?" the servant asked.

"No, Quida. Nothing is wrong."

"You seem awfully depressed for a newly named queen."

"Perhaps it hasn't hit me yet." Though Shasta knew very well how hard it hit her. Her face was bruised from it.

"Perhaps." Quida allowed, "Are you waiting for something?"

Yes… "No."

Quida put down the brush, "Is there anything I can get you?"

No… "Could you send for my son, please?"

"As you wish, majesty."

There we go. Next chapter up soon. Promise.

-Andantino