Chapter 25 Day 17 Part 2 — A Royal Problem
At the resort…
Bulma had just broken out of her room. The earthquake safety briefing said all electronic doors would automatically open, but her door had locked and refused to budge. The terrorism briefing, however…
"That wasn't a bomb," Bulma thought, putting her secret welding laser lipstick away. "Vegeta, you promised. God what did you do?"
Bulma ran to both ends of the hallways. The elevators were disabled and the fire doors locked.
"If I cut the fire doors it will set off the alarms," she thought. "They took the magnet before I could get it back."
Bulma went back to her room. She sliced the patio door lock and went outside. She discovered others had smashed through their patio doors and were outside as well. Two men had thrown a wooden bed frame across the railings of their decks and had crossed.
"Hey lady!" one called out. "You ok?"
"Yes!"
"Do you know what's going on?"
"No! All the fire doors are locked and the elevator is disabled."
"You got out of your room? How?!"
"Broke the lock!"
One of the men walked back over the bed to the empty patio. "Can you go back out and break ours too?"
Bulma nodded. "Just stand back from the door!" she shouted as she left.
Bulma cut through the lock and opened the door. She is greeted by a man in a clerical collar.
"Who are you?" he asked, amazed watching her turn off the laser.
"Bulma Brief. Capsule Corporation."
"Ah," he said. He put his hand on his chest,"Pastor Luke Miller. Come on, Isaac next." He walked out and to the next door.
She quickly cut through it, and was greeted by a familiar face.
"Wait, Bulma?"
"Isaac? Michael's brother?"
He nodded. "Why are you here?"
"My husband Vegeta is competing."
"Oh no… so is my brother…"
"Great…" she thought. "Well, my husband hasn't killed him yet. So that's a good sign."
He looked around. "So, no one yet? Where's the security?" He went over to the door across from him.
It was opened.
"What the hell?" he went inside followed by the others.
Bulma went for the landline. "Not even a busy tone," she hung it up.
"TV isn't working either," the pastor said, putting the remote down.
Isaac opened the unlocked patio door and headed out to the balcony. "Fuck! There's a helicopter upside down in the swimming pool!"
"What?!" Bulma ran out.
Sure enough, there was the helicopter. She looked up and saw the façade crumbing from the top of the building.
"Did it flip off the roof?" the pastor said. "God save them."
They looked out over the bridge connecting the resort island to the mainland. There were fire trucks and ambulances stacked at the toll booth and it looked like armed security were arguing with fire fighters. Suddenly the men got into their truck, backed up, and rammed through the pike. The rest of the emergency crews screamed through after it.
"That's good to see," Isaac said. "Guess we should head back and tell the others the cavalry has arrived.
"I'm not satisfied yet," Bulma said.
Isaac and Pastor Luke lifted Bulma onto the balcony above from their bed.
Bulma looked back down, "Thank you."
"Good luck, miss," the pastor said.
Bulma opened the unlocked door into the hallway. Here again, she found no one. But at least the elevator worked.
Bulma exited on the ground floor to a warzone.
Broken glass everywhere with dozens of people bleeding. Bulma pushed her way outside as the trucks and ambulances arrived at the entrance. Bulma turned around.
She gasped a shout and put her hands over her mouth.
All the windows in the top half of the building were gone. The façade of the top two floors had tumbled to the ground as well revealing concrete and steel.
"Vegeta would never do this. What's happened? Where is he?"
People began racing past her.
Someone grabbed her shoulder. "Ma'am are you hurt?"
She turned and saw a doctor.
"Wait, you're one of our contestants. How did you get— nevermind. If you're not hurt, can you step aside for the emergency crews?"
Bulma snapped out of it and grabbed him by his coat. "Where's my son?! Where's my parents?! Where's my husband?!"
"Who are you?"
"Bulma Brief!"
"The alien's wif— yes, I'll see about them. Come with me."
He grabbed her by the arm and began pulling her off to the side. He pulled out a radio. "Anyone know where Dr. Brief, his wife and grandson are?"
*fuzz* I'm with the Brief's now. Britches and Panchy have minor scratches *fuzz* came a voice. *fuzz* They were just dropped off in room 301 auditorium. *fuzz*
"And the grandson?"
*fuzz* I don't know. Let me ask. *fuzz*
A few tense moments go by.
*fuzz* They don't know. They said he likes to hang out with a Yamcha on staff. Try changing frequencies. *fuzz*
The doctor turned the knob and came through on a channel where a multi-person argument was taking place.
He sighed. "Does anyone know where the Brief's grandson is? His family is looking for him."
*fuzz* Who is this?! Get off this frequency! *fuzz*
*fuzz* Reynolds, shove it! The boy is with Yamcha. Try frequency 4 *fuzz*
The man turned the knob again. "I'm looking for a Yamcha?"
*fuzz* This is Yamcha. *fuzz*
Bulma grabbed the radio. "Yamcha! Where's my baby?!"
*fuzz* Bulma? Trunks is here next to me sleeping. Out like a light. Sooooo, um Bulma? Did you know he could fly? *fuzz*
"What?!"
*fuzz* Yeah… we're chilling on the blue team beach. He came to see Vegeta. *fuzz*
"Where is Vegeta?"
*fuzz* He went to calm down. Haven't seen him that freaked out since… well, that time Trunks got really REALLY hurt. *fuzz*
Bulma closed her eyes. "Yeah. He would freak out at the thought of him dying again…"
"Yamcha, can you come pick me up and take me to Trunks? I don't want him here at the resort yet."
*fuzz* Why? What's happening at the resort? *fuzz*
"Are you kidding me?! Yamcha you are so dense!"
*fuzz* Hey. Hey. Everyone dealing with a crocodile attack over here with the police. I'm just staying off the radio so the screaming doesn't wake Trunks up. Someone walked up and just handed me his. *fuzz*
"Crocodile?"
*fuzz* Yeah, over in the big river. Hey you sure you want to head over here instead of dropping Trunks off? *fuzz*
"Yes. Definitely."
*fuzz* Ok I'm coming. Here's your rad— *fuzz* the transmission ended.
Seconds later, Yamcha arrived.
His jaw landed on the ground before his feet.
"How— Oh, kami… Is everyone alright?"
"Mom and Dad are fine," Bulma said "Can we go?"
The two landed at the camp. Trunks was tucked in under a small lean-to.
A man was there carving bamboo with a machete.
The man saluted, reminding her of Goku for a moment. "You must be Mrs. Crazy Alien."
Bulma walked over and knelt, "Is he ok?"
He went back to carving. "Vegeta said he would be. Called it a blowout. He'll just be exhausted for a while." He chuckled nervously, "That was a pretty gnarly temper tantrum. Snapped a bunch of trees and blasted a dent in the sand." He glanced up, "You live an exciting life if this is normal."
He saw Bulma had blanched. She slipped from her knees to her butt.
Jerry put his stuff down. "Are you ok, miss?"
Bulma started crying and put her hand over her mouth.
Suddenly a boat rounded the mangroves and came into view. They pulled in.
"What the hell?!" Bob shouted seeing the mess. "What the hell happened here?" He got out of the boat. "Who's this woman?! You're that alien's friend. Why are you here?"
"Don't wake the kid!" Jerry said. "Vegeta's kid flew over and he's exhausted. Let him sleep."
"Then you're the princess?" Daisuke asked. He and Sugar Petal were helping Jessica from the boat.
"What happened?!" Jerry scrambled from out of the lean-to and ran over. "You're covered in blood."
"I hugged Vegeta," she said. "After he killed the crocodile." She began to weep, "It bit him and spun him and pulled him down."
"Sounds scary. But he's fine from what I saw," Jerry said. "We should focus on that blessin— Jessica? What's wrong?"
"I can't see," she hung her head. "My ki injury has gotten worse…"
"You're blind?" Yamcha came over. "Who told you you had a ki injury?"
"I… I can't say…"
"Let's get you resting," Yamcha said, taking her arm from Sugar Petal. "There's no way its permanent. Even if we need to intervene after the game finishes, you will see again."
"Thank you…" she said and followed his lead.
"Why is the sand still wet?" she asked. "We are headed up the slope."
"Trunks caused a big wave from a temper tantrum. Nothing too spectacular," Yamcha chuckled dismissively. "See, here's the dry sand."
"Nothing too spectacular?!" Bob said. He pointed at the lean-to, "You're telling me that blast was that toddler?! That tiny brat?!"
"What," Bulma slowly stood and turned around. "Did you call my son?"
"Bob. Just chill. I was at ground zero. I had it a lot worse than you and I can get over it."
"If you were at ground zero, why aren't you yelling? I can barely hear you over the ringing!" He suddenly threw his hands in the air, "Oh what am I talking about! You're a drummer. You don't have any hearing left to lose." Bob stomped over to the shelter. "Get that demon spawn out of my camp!"
Bulma responded by slapping him across the face. "What has my family ever done to you other than some hearing loss!"
Bob pointed in her face, "Your husband, turned everyone against an innocent girl and got her expelled from the game! He ruined her life!"
"You mean Casey?" Jerry said. "Bob, Casey did that to herself."
"Casey was right!" Daisuke said.
"Who cares!" Jerry said. "So are monkeys at a typewriter. And Casey was gunning for the Briefs even before she got on the show!"
Suddenly Sugar Petal came up and tapped Bob on the shoulder. As he turned around, Sugar Petal jumped and slapped him across the face as well.
Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.
"Vegeta-jeoha has done nothing but help every one of us! He fed you. Helped you win games. Was nothing but nice! How do you know! How do you know he's an alien?! Because he jumped in the mouth of a big lizard for you! He was eaten for you! Because he knew he would live while we would die!" She began to cry. "It was scary! Everything is scary! But he has done nothing! Absolutely nothing!" She backed up so she could lean forward while continuing to scream. "I'm not helping you anymore! No ball! No knitting! Until you bow and apologize! You owe him Miahnhamnida! Jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida! Nae chaegimieyo!"
Sugar Petal turned and walked away towards the ATV track.
"Mama?"
The remaining people turn and see Trunks rubbing his eyes. "Mama? Why are people shouting?"
"It's ok, baby," Bulma came over and picked him up.
"Did someone go away again?" he asked, worried.
"No. No. Everything is perfectly fine."
Yamcha suddenly flashed into existence in front of Bob. "Shut up," he said. He then turned around, "Hey why don't we wait for Papa away from all the loud, angry people up the beach a little. You can make sand castles Trunks."
Trunks raised his hands in the air and smiled.
"Oh, you like that idea, Trunks?"
He nodded. "Yes Ancle Yamcha."
"All right then," he put his hand on Bulma's shoulder blocking their view of Trunks. "Let's go make some castles."
Trunks was quickly back asleep in his mother's arms, so after they were close to the ATV track, Yamcha ripped a bunch of palm leaves from the fallen trees to make a dry mat for them to sit on.
Meanwhile, across the planet…
Security guards were racing through the private residence at a silent alarm at the second-floor patio doors. They find the broken handle with muddy footprints leading inside. They follow the trail until they find sneakers, then socks with a handprint on the wall. A shirt was next. Then at the door to the washroom, they found shorts with underwear.
Inside they could hear the shower running.
They bust through the door weapons drawn. "Freeze! Put your hands up."
Vegeta poked his head out of the glass door. "It's me dumb asses. Oh… you're the new hires. No wonder." He slammed the door.
"Mr. Vegeta?!" one said wide eyed. "I… I thought you were in Indonesia. I mean… Welcome home, Mr. Vegeta!" she said putting her gun away.
"I won't be here long," he said. "In fact, it's best you forget I was here."
"Yes, sir… Mr. Vegeta, sir."
Later in the break room, the three are getting coffee.
"How is he here? I don't get it…" the woman said.
"We are working for the Briefs," another said. "Maybe they have some kind of teleporter or something."
An older African guard with white sideburns steps into the room.
"Mr. Orjee, sir." the third said.
The three stood.
"So, you three are the ones who broke protocol and entered the private residence without authorization?" he said sternly. "The Briefs don't trust just anyone in their house."
"But no one was—"
"The Briefs and their friends are always welcome and have no need for the front door," Mr. Orjee sat down. "If an alarm goes off on one of the higher balconies, it is ignored."
"But how do they get up top?" the woman asked. "That doesn't make any sense."
"If you wanted sense, you shouldn't have been hired," he said. "The only people allowed in the residence are people who can be paid off or blackmailed. Or, since Ms. Bulma married into a powerful alien royal family, ones who will not be missed." Mr. Orjee stood and leaned his weight on his hands on the table. "The question is, which of the three are you?"
"Alien…Royalty… Mr. Vegeta?" the woman stuttered.
"That did not answer my—" suddenly the table started rattling.
"Are we having an earthquake?" the woman asked, startled.
"We're on the wrong coast for that," one of the men said. He looked at Mr. Orjee. "What's going on?"
Mr. Orjee sighed and took out his tablet.
"Seems he's overstressing the dampeners. Mr. Vegeta must have the gravity maxed out in his chamber."
"Mr. Vegeta has a gravity room?"
"Yes, he goes in there for his health, but he also will increase the gravity for pseudo weight training when he exercises." He began putting his tablet away. "Before you ask, it's maximum with the new limiter is 500 Gs."
"As… in 500 times Earth gravity? No one could survive that…"
"No Human, could survive that, you mean." He began to turn around, "I suggest you contemplate that in relation to the three options." He left the room.
The tree sat back down, and watched their coffee quiver.
"Sorta like the T-rex from the original Jurassic Park, huh?" one of the men chuckled awkwardly.
"I don't want to die on the toilet…" said the other.
Suddenly the shaking stopped and a different alarm went off. They saw a scramble past the door, including Mr. Orjee.
Then they saw medical staff pushing a gurney.
They looked at each other. Then got up and followed.
"Prince Vegeta, sire, please comply with the medics," Mr. Orjee said when they arrived. He was leaning in the doorway with his back to them.
Then they heard someone scream.
"See, shoulder's back in. Everything is fine. Let me get back to training."
"Your majesty, only your wife's biometrics can restart the machine after a medical sensor shutdown. Remember?"
"Fuck!"
"Prince Vegeta-sama, please let us look at you," came a woman's voice. "Your shoulder clearly isn't the only injury."
"Bah! Fine! Make it quick. I'll need to head back to the set."
"Neck brace please, Vegeta-sama. Let us stabilize you."
"I will WALK," Vegeta growled.
"Ok. Ok," the woman backpedaled. "But you will be walking to the med bay, correct?"
"Yeah, whatever…"
"Ok, stand up. Sloowly. Slowlyyyyyyy. SLOWLY!"
"Shut up!"
"Ok. Ok, she backpedaled again. "Let's just walk you over to the med bay."
"Someone needs to move my clothes from the washer to the dryer. Abram!"
"I'll make sure your clothes are clean for departure," Mr. Orjee said.
"GOOD," Vegeta growled as he walked out the door.
His jaw was clinched in a snarl. His skin looked burnt in some places, rapidly bruising in others.
Vegeta disappeared down the hall followed by the med team.
Mr. Orjee turned and saw the group. "Ok, Newbies. You got laundry duty for sneaking up here again. Make sure to use the free and clear, then the puff balls in the drier. Mr. High and Mighty has sensitive tuchus in more ways than one."
Back on the other side of the international date line…
Ichiro had walked into the fan palm grove.
"Vegeta did that. Freaking Vegeta did that. What was his game with that sonic boom?"
"Ichiro," his field producer warned.
"No one is around. And I need to vent out loud."
"Hey!" they heard. "You alone Ichiro?"
They turn and see Hassim and his crew.
"I'm not here to cause trouble," Hassim said with his hands in the air.
"What do you want?"
"Someone to talk to about what I know you know as well! Shit is getting ridiculous!"
Ichiro looked at his field producer.
He sided, then looked to Hassim's crew. "Does he really know about," he used air quotations, "'it'."
"Yes," Randy nodded from his off road segway. "I'm ok with this if you are."
He sighed again, "Ok. Let's head to them to get more distance from camp."
The group walked over and the camera teams set up.
"I thought this topic can't be filmed," Ichiro said.
"Something useful might come out of this," Randy said. "We can edit this out no differently than any other conversation we filmed with our camp."
Ichiro turned to Hassim, "This gets talked about a lot?"
"Vegeta used his alien powers to save Sugar Petal's life, we've known the whole time."
"A man like him isn't capable of saving a life," Ichiro sneered.
Hassim sighed, "Ichiro… I watched her almost die. Vegeta kept her heart beating and when the staff said they were not intervening and were just going to film her die, it was his threat to fly off with her that got them to move." He looked up, "He may be a mass murderer. And I do not like him, but his wife made him promise to take care of his teammates and he's more than fulfilled that promise. I have to respect that."
Ichiro looked like he was about to scream. "You swear," he said forcefully. "You swear on your god that Sugar Petal was about to die?"
"I swear on Allah," he said.
Ichiro turned his back to Hassim and put his hand over his mouth to hide his twisted snarl.
"So," he said through his clenched teeth, "What the hell was he doing to cause that boom? And when is he getting kicked out."
"That wasn't Vegeta, it was his son."
Ichiro spun around. "What?" he said loudly.
"Vegeta has a four-year-old son. He flew over to visit him, then threw a temper tantrum when he had to leave. He caused those earthquakes by jumping and stamping his feet then a wind came out from him blasting a crater in the blue beach before Vegeta grabbed him and jumped in the air. Then the explosion came and flattened everything and caused a small tidal wave.
Hassim raised his voice and clawed the air. "He said it was normal! Completely normal for a child to cause explosions! He called them blow outs! If Vegeta hadn't grabbed him, I'd be dead at the bottom of a crater and God knows how big it would have been! He could have killed everyone and he and that friend on staff said it was completely normal! Like a toddler causing a nuclear explosion is an everyday thing! We all almost freaking died!" He then looked up at the sky. His shoulders started to shake. "I almost died," he started to cry. "I almost died and no one is taking that seriously." He leaned against a tree, then shifted and sat down when his knees failed. "I almost died," he cried. He gripped his hair and shook his head. "I almost died."
"Was this an alien child or…"
Hassim let go of his hair. "Vegeta only has one child. His son with Bulma Brief."
"So that was all caused by a person with human blood?"
"I didn't come here to talk about Vegeta's DNA!" Hassim shouted. "I came here to talk about almost dying with someone who won't shout me down defending Vegeta!"
"Sugar Petal?"
Hassim looked aside, "She's been through enough as it is… but yes. She's clinging to him like an orchid on a rotting tree."
"Was she not with you?"
"She and Vegeta went off to find a spot to entertain our families when they come. Vegeta dropped from the sky when he grabbed Trunks."
"What do you mean by entertain?"
"Sugar Petal wants to throw a party. Cooking food for everyone and playing games. Sugar Petal is planning on making a ball from coconut husks and she and Vegeta talk about music a lot."
"You have enough food to throw a party?" Ichiro said surprised.
"We got three meals a day," Hassim said. He sniffled and looked Ichiro up and down. "You look really thin. Still got diarrhea?"
"Yeah… yeah everyone does. It's easing up though."
"Vegeta said eating too many coconuts can cause diarrhea. I haven't had any problems since I left."
"We figured as much. Becky keeps arguing no way in hell, but that's Becky."
"How's Sam?"
"Not good. But It's his own damn fault. I have no sympathies."
Hassim suddenly stood up. "I heard Becky smashed his head in with a rock!"
"It was a brick technically."
Hassim took a deep breath. "Vegeta thinks you guys aren't taking care of him very well."
"I help him in and out of the water when he needs to go to the bathroom," Ichiro said. "Other than that, there's nothing to do."
"Do you want a plastic bottle for him to pee in so he doesn't accidently wet himself? There's a huge trash pile in the mangrove swamps near the big river. We got a good pile of plastic from all the times he's dragged us there."
"That's several miles?"
"Trust me, my feet know it." Hassim said. "Now about that bottle?"
"We don't need his help. I've already made that clear."
"It will be my bottle."
"Would you have even known about that pile if Vegeta had never found it. No, you wouldn't. So, it will always be HIS bottle."
"Ichiro, can't you compartmentalize your hatred of Vegeta for just—"
"Don't make me the villain here! You're asking me to compartmentalize working with a literal space Nazi! Do you have any idea how many trillions of people he's killed?! He's a professional planet clearer for land sale and resettlement. Thousands of planets. Earth has 12 billion people on it. Do the math!"
"Yeah! He's also said his people practice human sacrifice and cannibalism! Like I said, I don't like the guy! I just smile and deal with it for Sugar's sake! But we're also dealing with people who will just film us die without intervening!" Hassim pointed at himself, "I'm the one who found Sam! I know how bad he's hurt! At least Vegeta has the power to do SOMETHING while the rest of us are completely POWERLESS!"
"Like the power his son inherited to turn a thriving city into a crater?! That type of power! The power you came to cry about because we all almost died from a spoiled brat's temper tantrum!"
Hassim began to tremble. "Ichiro," his voice quivered, "I didn't come here to fight…"
"Yes you did," Ichiro stepped forward and got in his face. "You sided with a person you knew was a murderer over someone who did something as little in comparison as pee in your food. We've ALL been dealing with her ignorant ass but you sided with a literal war criminal over a troll. Do you like the price of your full stomach? Do you even question WHY Vegeta is so good at killing things? Or with what he learned to cook the food in your belly? What would your Imam think about you breaking your Halal this way?"
Ichiro suddenly stumbled back. He gripped the side of his face, then looked up at Hassim.
Hassim was holding up his fist. "Becky is a woman. You are not. Do not confuse my unwillingness to strike her with cowardice. And what about your gods? What would they think about your role in almost killing an innocent girl? Of hurting Sam by refusing help?"
"I will not sully my soul and honor by dealing with such a monster!"
"Funny thing about honor," Hassim said. "Vegeta is always complaining about how he is lowering himself, insulting his own honor by even being here. But despite his constant complaints, he has constantly swallowed his pride and is doing everything he can to help others."
Ichiro went to speak.
"Shut up. I'm not finished! Even IF he's only doing these things because he promised his wife to behave like a good person, he has been nothing but a good person here, even at the cost of his honor. Are YOU capable of being a good person despite yours?"
"You're defending a Nazi!"
"I'm not defending that son of a bitch! I'm saying that son of a bitch is acting better than you," he pointed towards the sea, "and everyone else!"
"Didn't you say you almost died because of him?!"
"His stupid toddler! His brat almost killed everyone because of a stupid temper tantrum! His entire species is completely terrifying! And I'm sick of dealing with their defiance of the laws of physics and basic common sense!"
Hassim then straightened up. "He saved you. You know that? When his son lost control of those alien powers because of his anger and almost killed everyone, he grabbed him and flew off. That boom would have been our graves."
"That was still his fault! It was his powers! His spawn who's obviously a catastrophic danger to this planet! No human has any business with those abilities! That THING should have been terminated before it ever became a threat to the planet!"
Hassim clinched his teeth.
"No defense?" Ichiro said smugly. "Cat's got your tongue?"
"My wife," he said slowly, "has miscarried." He took a deep breath, "I'm not going to argue that a child should not have been born — I'm not going to argue that a man should not have a chance to be a father if he finds a willing woman — Vegeta clearly adores his wife. And that he constantly says he obeys her says volumes on her willingness." He pointed at Ichiro, "This child clearly has a problem. But it is a problem to be treated. He saved Sugar Petal and treated Jessica…" he took another deep breath. "It's the fact he considers this completely normal and not a problem is what's bloody nuts!" he shouted. "He was completely nonchalant! Like the fact we all almost died didn't matter!"
"And that says everything you need to know about Vegeta! He doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself!"
"You're right. It does." Hassim leaned forward, "He didn't let us die." Hassim turned to walk away. "Oh, I just remembered something." He turned around. "I heard this from an old American comedy the Western sector ski team invited all of us to watch for Christmas one season over beers. It goes, 'You can't crucify yourself because you can't drive in the last nail.'" He then gave the British two-finger V salute to a stunned Ichiro and walked off.
"Come on, chaps, get those wheelies turned around," he said walking past Randy.
Ichiro quickly recovered. "If you're so determined to burn with Vegeta, I'm done with you! Don't come back!"
Hassim grumbled internally. "Whatever Allah wills… But I'll be there a shorter time than you."
Ichiro came back to the beach, and found Michael waiting for him.
"So how was your confession— What happened to your face?!"
"Ran into Hassim. He said not to mistake his unwillingness to hit Becky as cowardice."
Michael pressed his lips together and looked down and away. "Well," she said, looking back at him. "That was definitely unexpected. Are you ok?"
"Yeah," he rubbed his face. "I've been smacked with harder line drives."
"So why was he all the way over here?"
"Needed someone to vent to about the thing I can't tell anyone about."
"Did he want to come back?"
"No."
Michael looked at her skeptically. "So, he just came to vent and punch you in the face?"
"Basically."
Michael put his hand on his shoulder. "Ichiro, buddy, it's just us now and the two dead weights. We need to be honest here."
Ichiro jerked his shoulder away. "He knows everything. Even more than I did because Vegeta got outed and has been talking casually about his former line of work. But he still defends him as a better choice than being with Becky. I tried to reason with him and he punched me. THAT'S what happened."
"Ok, then. But tell me this: What intel did he spill about Vegeta's camp? What are they up to?"
"Vegeta's skills at killing have kept them with three meals a day," Ichiro growled. "He looks as good as he did on the first day."
Michael's stomach growled. "Anything else?" he asked, annoyed.
"Sugar Petal wants to throw a party for family day. Cooking food for them. Making music and games to play."
"Sounds like they don't have a care in the world," Michael said, annoyed. "We need to turn this into an advantage, even if it's temporary…"
"Hassim said Vegeta's religion practices human sacrifice and cannibalism. I am NOT lying," Ichiro said, walking up to him, stopping at his side. "I am not eating ANY food coming from that camp." He walked off. "I'm going to check on Sam."
Michael's face twitched. "So, he's a full blooded Aztec or something?" he thought.
He looked at the crews. "Is that going in the show? What I said beforehand is a perfect cut off."
"Reynolds is covering Vegeta up hard. No way in hell," his field producer said.
"Conner is the one that always has Vegeta's back, right? I want to talk to him."
He stuttered and Ichiro's crew scurried away. "He… They are both busy with two emergencies that happened back-to-back. Nothing that involves Berapi, so we can't tell you anything."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Both halves?"
He nodded. "Yes. Both halves."
"Sam. What the fuck?! I told you I'm not cleaning you if you piss yourself!" Michael heard Ichiro shout behind him.
Michael sighed looking up. "Those trade boxes are operational right?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I want to ask if the others have any plastic bottles they are willing to donate for that issue…"
Back on the blue beach…
Everyone had wandered off alone to decompress. Bob was sitting at the fire guarding camp. He had the canteen.
Bulma walked up to camp, she seemed awkward. "Could I have some water?"
"Princess, I've dealt with high schoolers for decades. I can spot BS a mile away. So don't try the innocent, meek girl routine."
"Hmph," Bulma spread her legs and put her fists on her hips. "Alright then. How's THIS?"
"Honest. And no, you're not getting water. I've seen you drinking from the staff cooler."
"It was a conversation starter."
"Then start."
"Tell me about Casey. She must have been special if your first instinct after my husband saved your life was to turn on him."
"Ask your husband," he said, not looking at her.
"I will. But I want to hear it from someone mad at him."
"Casey… believed in aliens, and is related to some famous conspiracists. She was suspicions of Vegeta a couple days in—"
"And how did my Vegeta react?" Bulma interrupted him.
"He was… nervous," Bob admitted, "… avoiding her." His anger returned to his voice, "And I defended him against her. He turned all of us against her."
"How?" she demanded.
"He made her look crazy."
"How?"
Bob clinched his teeth glaring at her.
"So, was it because he acted like a normal, reasonable person? Look you, I met my first alien at three. A space cop whose ship was damaged and needed an emergency repair. Since then, I have met a lot of people here and overstars, and yes that is a real word. And know what aliens are? People. Purely people. Vegeta always criticizes our language because it defines us as the standard for sentience. Our race against an empty universe, void of life equal to our greatness. But for lack of better words, every person I have ever met are human. Many better at being human than many humans I've met."
Bob flinched.
Bulma smiled, "Did my husband say something similar?"
"It doesn't change what he did! Vegeta used his shit in front of her and sent her off the deep end. If he hadn't done that and gaslit us into attacking her, she wouldn't have broken the rules to prove herself right!" He looked into the trees. "And Jessica already knew and let it happen!" he shouted even louder.
"So," Bulma said slowly. "The fact my husband was so articulate convinced you he was human?"
"I wouldn't call shouting and cursing articu— wait, I know what you're trying to do! DON'T EVEN START WITH ME, LADY!"
Bulma noticed Bob suddenly look behind her.
Bulma swallowed, then slowly turned around.
Vegeta was there, looking over Trunks.
"Vegeta," she said softly.
Vegeta stood still. She knew he heard her.
He turned, hanging his head. Then he looked up at her.
Bulma froze.
"What the hell?! Did the crocodile actually hurt him?" Bob said.
The side of Vegeta's face is bruised with slices above his eye, meaning he had a swollen black eye that had been drained.
Bulma walked swiftly up the beach. Half way she tensed up and turned into an aggressive march. Then she formed her fists.
Bob watched her wind up and slap him across the face.
"What the fuck did you do?!" he heard her scream.
"What the fuck did you?!"
"I went home," he said softly.
"How did you pull this off?! Did you mess with the limiter?! Or the battle robots?!"
"Everything shut off as designed."
Bulma slapped him again. "You promised you wouldn't hurt yourself again!" And again. "Why?!" She raised her hand a third time. "Why?!"
This time Vegeta caught it. "Don't. Enough damage has been done by my blood today." His voice cracked. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dropped the subject and kept pushing, even if you went through with leaving me."
Bulma teared up. Vegeta released her hand and she wrapped both arms around her neck. "No. No. I should have listened to you to train him earlier."
"How many dead? I saw what happened to the building from above."
"I don't know, but Mom and Dad are fine."
"How do you want to do this? A Saiyan would be praised and celebrated, but that's not the Earth way."
"I don't know," she sobbed. "I really don't know."
Suddenly Yamcha ran to them from the ATV camp holding a small broadcast radio. "Listen."
"…Scientists have concluded that the explosion that rocked western Indonesia around 2:18 p.m. local time was a meteor airburst that exploded 6 miles above the ocean. A series of small earthquakes and heightened wave activity has led scientists to believe some fragments may have hit the surface, but so far, no craters have been located by satellite. The blast happened near the set of The Last Survivor, which is currently filming. The main building of the resort being used as its headquarters suffered some broken windows and a cracked façade, but is structurally sound. Reports say there was only one serious injury, caused by flying glass. GBS Entertainment says filming will continue. Elsewhere, five passenger jets were directly affected by the air blast. The hero pilots manage to rescue and land all five aircraft. The planetary government, the Sundaland sectoral government, and the Indonesian national government have all put out a joint statement that despite the rumors of local fisherman, this was a completely natural phenomenon and not an alien attack. In other news…"
"Oh, thank god he's covering this up!" Bulma buried her head in her husband's neck.
"Reynolds?" Vegeta asked.
She nodded against his skin.
"Gal freki vektai," he whispered in her ear. "Talb sessu jukkix."
"Give me the order," she remembered her lessons. "The wind will lose sight."
"No…" Bulma said. "There has to be another solution to this mess."
"Hey Vegeta?" Yamcha started nervously. "Did you tell Jessica she had a ki injury?"
"No," he looked at him confused. "Dende and Picc—" His eyes widened. "Oh goddess… How bad is she?"
"Piccolo said he'll be sneaking in tonight to look at her," he said, "but right now, she's… she's blind."
Vegeta clinched his eyes and teeth and looked up.
Yamcha turned off the volume on the broadcast radio. "Hey… umm. Now that you're back, Vegeta, I need to take you guys back to the resort. Conner and Reynolds wanted to talk to you both."
Bulma looked at him, "Why didn't you tell me this before?!"
"Because you were with Trunks, and I didn't want to disturb you."
Vegeta pointed at him, "This is why you're a joke. If we weren't classified, you'd be one of those meme things Dad always shows me."
The four arrived at the resort, Vegeta carrying Bulma, Yamcha Trunks.
Vegeta took a deep breath looking at the damage as Bulma hopped from his arms.
Bulma put her hand on his shoulder. "Teslak poti saiya."
Vegeta smiled. "To battle."
Vegeta and Bulma strode confidently into the conference. Reynolds and Conner were on the other side of a conference table. Behind them were two huge televisions, one divided into six faces, the other eight.
The two sat down and Bulma reached for Vegeta's hand under the table. They interlaced fingers. Then Bulma tapped his foot.
"What?" he asked telepathically.
"Doesn't that guy look like Dr. Gero? Top center of the six split?"
Bulma felt Vegeta's grip tighten.
"You sure you don't want me to start killing people?"
"No."
"Prince Vegeta and Mrs. Bulma," one of the eight split began talking. "I am Bill Terrance, CEO of GBS."
The man who looked like Dr. Gero then spoke. "And I am Alcibiades Souvlaki, CEO of World Networks and owner of GBS AND," he stressed, "owner of the resort that from testimonials YOU demolished." He leaned forward to his camera. "Now, we all know you did it, so don't get started on the lawyer denial stuff." He held up his smartphone. "Do you recognize this number, Mrs. Bulma? A woman of your stature should."
"I do," she answered.
"Illuminate for the room on whose number this is?"
"King Furry's work cell phone number," she answered.
Alcibiades pushed it and plugged in a cable.
"Hello? Alcibiades? What's wrong, I'm busy with an asteroid impact."
"Actually sire, it wasn't an asteroid. But a deliberate act. And I have the person responsible in conference. I'm sure you're familiar with a certain spiky troll called Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans? Have I piqued your interest?"
"Put me in."
The bottom row of the six-split moved to create a new black screen. The newly crowned King Ferdinand Furry appeared. He was the spitting figure of his father, but his dark mustache was only now starting to pepper out into his father's iconic white.
He was holding his cellphone vertically and had dogman style ear pods sticking out from his head.
"So…" he growled. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!" he barked.
Vegeta surprised everyone by quickly standing and bowing. "My young son lost control over his ki. I'm sorry I was not able to get enough altitude to prevent damage on the ground. By the time I got there, he was already screaming in agony and was about to blow out." He allowed emotion into his voice. "I was as fast as I could. I swear of my son's life."
"We'll pay for all the damages my son caused," Bulma quickly added. "All Mr. Souvlaki needs to do is give us the bill and we'll write the check."
King Furry glared daggers through his phone. Then he turned aside. "Hey what altitude was the burst at?"
"New calculations say 10,900 meters, sire, just below seven miles."
"That's up from last time, correct?"
"Yes, by about 1200 meters. The modelers are having difficulty matching the entry angle and size with air pressure readings."
"Why?"
"I don't know King Furry. Do you want that information?"
"Yes. And tell them I don't care how absurd that answer is that fits the data. Throw all common sense out the window and just look at what the data is telling you."
King Furry gritted his teeth as he turned back. "So, this is how this is going to work. You are going to sit and tell me everything about how and why this happened. Then you are going to try and convince me to not seize your family's entire assets for treason and force the five of you onto the closest spaceship never to return to Earth again."
Vegeta nodded and sat. "As you know, a Saiyan's ability to transform is tied to their emotions, but that includes our ability to control ki in general. Just like humans, strong emotions lead to a release of ki causing exhaustion. Blowouts… they only happen with children with high power levels who are put under extreme emotional distress. I blew out when I was told I would lose my brother after his birth for example. Destroyed the palace and part of the capital."
"I see…" he said. "So, what set Trunks off? If I remember his name correctly."
"Trunks has never been separated from his mother and I before. He somehow learned to fly on his own and went looking. When he was intercepted by a family friend, something threw a switch in him and he blew out." He closed his eyes. "Like I said before. I did not get there in time." He opened them. "All I could do is fly straight up."
"So. Why did this explosion occur so far from your island? Were you saving your property by endangering innocent lives?"
"No, your Majesty." Vegeta said firmly. "I am a contestant on The Last Survivor. My son actually almost made it to me. He was on the opposite team's beach when I grabbed him. About three miles away from my location at the time."
"You're what?! Since when?"
"I did not realize I needed permission to go on Earth game shows. As a fully naturalized citizen, I have the same freedoms as everyone else."
"But," he rubbed his temple with his free hand. "Why? Why you?"
"I lost a bet on my honor, and my associates thought it would be funny to have me audition for this travesty. Unfortunately, I was chosen and my honor wouldn't let me back out. So I've been here, quickly losing my faith in the innate goodness of humanity. Mr. Provost really scraped the bottom of the barrel this year, if I'm using the Earth phrase correctly."
"I see. Vegeta, how likely is it for your son to have such an event again?"
"Now that a pathway has been established in his nervous system, quite likely in the next few months if the situation is repeated. But for the next week or so, he's completely out of fuel. I would like to offer a solution to the producers with your witness and approval of the plan."
"What is it?" King Furry asked.
"I see two options here. The first," he looked to the side of the camera, "That I know the lawyer is drooling over," He looked back at the camera. "Is for me to be ejected from the game and be subject to the 150 million zeni civil penalty for premature exiting."
"What?! That's absurd. No normal person can pay that."
"There's been two suicides already," Bulma blurted out as fast as she could.
"Two—" he caught himself. "and the other?"
"The second is simple. Trunks joins me on set whenever he wants. Piccolo takes the children out day camping with just the clothes on their backs quite often. Him getting covered in mud with Papa this time around should cool his head for now, then if he wants to see me again later during filming to simply not deny him."
Vegeta moved his hands on top of the table. First, he holds his palms up. "The truth is, I would prefer the second. I am caring for multiple people with severe injuries that are being ignored by staff." He then lightly interlaced the tips of his fingers. "Two stem from physical violence and…"
"Now that's enou—" Reynolds started.
Suddenly the king's screen went black.
Alcibiades visibly turned off his phone and shoved it in the desk drawer.
Vegeta leaned forward and smirked. "What's wrong? Afraid that your little stunt was backfiring?"
"King Furry has heard your explanation," Alcibiades said. "This decision is ours to make."
Vegeta leaned back and pressed his fingertips together. "Last I checked, don't political leaders tour disaster sites? The plane ride here from the central capital would be shorter than the drive. What's stopping him from jumping on a plane to hear from me directly?"
Suddenly Bill Terence's phone started going off.
"Judging from the look on your face," Vegeta smiled, "That's a Central Capital area code."
He sighed and moved to answer it.
"Don't you dare!" Alcibiades shouted.
"Hello, sire. Welcome back. I saw you get disconnected. Is everything alright? … I can't speak to his phone, sire. You're ordering me to reconnect you? Yes sire, let me get this link set up."
On the eight split a new black block appeared. Then a familiar face.
"Ok," King Furry said angrily. "So, before we got disconnected," he sighed. "Prince Vegeta. You said you wished to stay because you are caring for injured players? That is not like you, from what I've seen and heard."
Vegeta looked at Bulma, "My wife specifically told me to take care of the other players." He looked back at the camera and folded his left hand covering his loosely-fisted right. "But even I have my limits. This isn't a war and I am not on the battlefield. The reason I said I'm losing my faith in humanity is because violence is allowed this season and Bobby Provost made sure to choose people who would utilize it. I'm dealing with a woman who was sexually assaulted, beaten black and thrown off a cliff, another woman was blinded, and now a man got his head smashed in with a rock by a teammate. I've also personally been assaulted with a machete, had my camp robbed, and there have been attempts to light my camp on fire in the middle of the night while everyone else was sleeping. And a place where we got food was set on fire taking out part of the forest. Yamcha is on staff and water had to be levitated to douse it before the whole fucking forest went up in flames. It is the dry season."
"And have you responded in kind?"
"Other than knocking the bastards out who tried to raise my camp to the ground with a quick strike to the gut, no. I haven't done anything permanent."
"Vegeta, I must ask. How were you injured?"
"It was a self-injury. Everyone has been desperate to hide their fuck up of letting a non-human on the show. Before my son showed up, I had just rescued the blue team from being eaten by a large crocodile. I couldn't blast him so I dove in the water with a knife. Humans usually don't come out unscathed when they get bitten and put through the spin cycle."
"You didn't need to go that far!" Conner said.
"Did you want to use the footage?" Vegeta said pointing. "Then shut up."
"We wouldn't be admitting to such a liability anyway," Reynolds said.
"With human remains involved, good luck with the police if you've destroyed evidence," Vegeta said. "Bribery can't save you now."
Reynolds stood. "Don't make such accusations!"
"Then don't hire corrupt cops to do your dirty work."
"Be silent," King Furry half shouted into his phone. He then looked away from the phone briefly, "It's fine. Go back to what you were doing." The king sighed, returning to the call, "Vegeta… I was planning on visiting the damage in the next couple days, but we need to secure your son beforehand."
Vegeta smiled, "Well why don't you visit the camps? My son did uproot a bunch of trees. I'm sure a special episode featuring the king's visit will do wonders for ratings."
Conner stood up suddenly. "Vegeta you're a genius!"
"The son first," King Furry stressed. "Before anything else."
"That won't matter when we expel Vegeta," Reynolds said.
Conner slammed the table with his palms. "We are not ejecting Vegeta! Stop looking for every little thing to try and get him on breach of contract. I am in charge and I say no."
"That means the second option. Then how do we explain the boy being over there before family day?" Mr. Terrance asked.
"We just had a natural disaster. We have footage of Bulma on the beach too. We brought them, plain and simple."
"Bulma, what is your opinion on this?" the king asked. "He's your child as well."
Bulma sighed and looked at her husband, "As long as Trunks gets normal food and his potty. And remember he has a Saiyan's metabolism and appetite."
"The staff can bring a capsule with food prepared by your mom each morning," Vegeta looked back. "Or at least we can tell him that so he doesn't get picky."
"Trunks is not picky," Bulma said.
"Every Earthling is picky. In fact, I'm catching the picky virus apparently because food I used to eat now tastes bad, and that says a lot."
"Ahem! We're getting off topic," King Furry interjected.
Vegeta and Bulma turn back to the camera. "Sorry," she said.
"So…" he continued. "I am taking the choice on whether Vegeta remains or not in the coming days away from your staff. If we determine my safety is best served by your absence, then you and your family will be removed from the region. While I have sympathy for those under your care, and these contracts you've described sound suspect on their face, in the end your son is a lethal threat."
Vegeta stood, put his arm across his chest, and bowed. "Your safety is paramount."
"Your family owns many remote properties across this planet. You have 48 hours to make a short list of them to be submitted for your family to be put into isolation until your son is deemed safe. You two may leave." King Furry said. "Now… Conner, was it?"
"Yes, sire?"
"What is your private number? I would like to talk with you once things calm down here at the palace."
"My phone has been confiscated and switched to a company phone," he began feeling his pockets, "Let me find its number…"
"No. I want your actual phone number. Someone give this man back his phone."
"It was taken from me before I was flown out. It's on a completely different continent."
As they talked, Vegeta grabbed Bulma's arm and the two left the room.
Vegeta tensed, "That bastard better have gotten a good look at the top of my head, because that's the last time he'll ever see it."
"You handled that really well, Vegeta," Bulma said. She then sighed, "I guess we're going on vacation after this…"
"It's going to be months," Vegeta crossed his arms. "I wonder who is going to be in charge of judging his 'safety'."
"Ferdinand was always on the opposite side of things than his father," Bulma leaned against the wall. "I'm surprised he listened to you."
Vegeta smirked, "Well. You got to admit, me actually giving a damn is too outrageous to be a lie." He looked at her seriously, "We will be having a house guest once my time here ends. Asian girl named Hwa-Young." He jerked his head, "Tsk. I promised her I'd go scorch earth on her enemies but now the king is watching me like a hawk." He looked at her, "Hawk right? Not eagle?"
She smiled, "Yes you got that right."
Vegeta took a deep breath, "So how did I do? I tried to copy that damn book you made me memorize on human behavior."
Bulma paused "You mean the one on body language?" It dawned on her face. "I… didn't even notice… But you've never used your hands like that before."
"I've never been submissive before either… but I'll take that as a compliment that I passed off as human." Vegeta noticed her face. "Ok…" he turned to fully face her, "what are you thinking about that will piss me off?"
Bulma sighed. "I called Baba after you asked about mom's shoes. She told me about Sugar Petal and what would be happening in the next few days." Her voice cracked up, "But she never mentioned this."
"Knowing her, she would have held off for more money since it didn't directly affect Sugar Petal," Vegeta said. "But what did she say?"
Suddenly the door opened and Reynolds came out. He pointed, "You two need to separate. Vegeta, grab your son and head back to camp. Bulma, stay here. You will be escorted to new isolation rooms by security and you WILL turn over whatever you used to break out of your room."
Vegeta smirked and looked at her. "I'll see you in a couple days. And get in as much trouble as possible." He then walked off towards the elevator.
Vegeta walked out into the lobby and headed outside. He looked up at the building.
"Ok, where are you, you little bastard?"
Vegeta sensed where he was and spotted a broken window behind a palm tree. He flew up.
Vegeta looked around. "This is a medical room…"
He left the room and walked down the messy hallway. Everything was deserted, save for one room that had a light.
He comes in and sees his son on the bed, with an IV in his arm.
"What the fuck is going on here?!"
Yamcha turned around. "Oh! Hey Vegeta… umm Trunks started shivering so I came here. Doctor will be back in a bit."
Trunks opened his eyes and sat up. "Papa!" Then he started to sniffle. "Papa, Papa got a bad booboo."
"Don't worry about it," Vegeta smiled. "I killed a big, scary monster today that attacked the other players." He then pulled up the stool. "But Trunks," he turned serious. "As impressive as learning how to fly on your own is, I do not want you playing birdie without an adult there again. You had floaties and a board with you, so even you thought you might not be able to fly that far and would need to swim, correct?"
Trunks nodded.
"Well, the monster I fought was a water monster. And there are others I still need to find and kill before it is safe. Your mother and I, and Nana and Grandpa would be really sad if you got eaten."
"But I really strong."
Vegeta nodded. "I know you are." He pointed at his face, "But look at what it did to me. And you were sleeping when we found you. What if you didn't make it and were sleepy in the water?"
Trunks started to cry. "Papa!"
"Warriors don't cry Trunks. Do you want to be a warrior like Papa?"
Trunks nodded.
Vegeta smirked. "Well good news on that. Your mother has finally agreed to let me train you. Once this game is over, we're going to head out to the wilderness and start." He lost his smile. "Now stop crying."
Trunks nodded vigorously.
"And I'm back," the doctor came through the curtains. "Oh, you must be the father." He came over and handed Trunks a cup with a bendy straw. "Ok drink this and you'll be just fine."
"Ok!" Trunks happily took the cup and started sipping.
He turned to Vegeta, "May I talk to you outside?"
"Stay here Yamcha," Vegeta ordered before exiting.
Vegeta walked several doors down. "Ok, what the fuck is with the IV?" he said turning to face the doctor.
"Hyponatremia," he answered. "I've seen marathon runners with more stable electrolyte levels."
Vegeta crossed his arms. "He's not fully Human, you know."
"He's also not fully, whatever you are," he answered. "Even if you can handle a wider metabolic range, your child was in pain. That drink was apple juice mixed with Pedialyte. It will help, but with such a young body, those high acid levels will take time to clear."
"My species carries the Karnazes mutation as part of our normal genome," Vegeta answered.
"And it wouldn't be called a mutation if it was common in humans," the doctor retorted. "Don't be so cavalier with your child. Your genes are clearly recessive if he inherited his mother's hair over your black."
"On my home planet I'm a screaming redhead, you—"
Suddenly Yamcha ran out carrying Trunks with the top of the IV bag in his teeth. He ran into a room across the hallway.
"Toilet?" Vegeta asked.
"Yes," he nodded.
"Good. I'm next," he walked past him.
Hassim made his way back to camp. He was exhausted after walking several miles. He chugged water from the bamboo cups then headed to the stream. He took his clothes off up to his underwear and walked into the water.
"What are you doing?" Randy asked.
"Cooling off," he answered.
"Hi, Hassim-nim."
He turned and saw Sugar Petal with her hair down and wet in another oversized Hawaiian shirt. She was carrying the soap basket.
"Do you want some bark?"
"No, I'm just cooling off," he said. "So, how was the big blast for you?"
Sugar Petal began to tear up. "Everyone was screaming at Vegeta for saving their lives, then the earthquakes started, then Mr. Vegeta flew off, then the big boom happened."
Hassim paused. "Wait, Vegeta saved people before the blast? From what?"
"There… there… there was a crocodile in the river!" she burst out crying. "He jumped between it and the blue team and it ate him and spun him and it went under the water with him. And the blood came up but he didn't and everyone was crying and screaming. Then the crocodile came back up. Then Vegeta, and he killed it and cut it open to eat it but there was a body already in its stomach and the police came in boats and they made us leave. Then everyone started screaming at Vegeta for saving them and I told them I was never helping the blue team again until they apologized."
Hassim's jaw almost dislocated. "Oh… Allah… But is everyone ok?"
Sugar Petal nodded. "Yes, but it was my fault! Vegeta saved everyone but now all they do is rage because of where he was born. Why," she wept, kneeling on the bridge. "Why am I the only one he's saved that doesn't hate him? Why is being an alien so bad?"
"Ollie Ollie Oxen Free!"
The two look and see Jerry waving, pulling the wagon which was loaded high with baskets. Jerry had two backpacks, one on his front and the other on his back. Jessica was with him. She was wearing her backpack correctly, one hand on the wagon load and the other holding a walking stick.
"Stop here Jessica," Jerry said, stopping the wagon near the bridge. "Got room for two homeless vagabonds?"
"Are you leaving the blue team?" Hassim asked.
"Yep!" Jerry said. "I know Vegeta doesn't want us to join you guys, but could you let Jessica stay a couple hours until I can figure out a camp of our own?"
Sugar Petal stood defiantly. "Not until you apologize!" she shouted.
"I'm sorry everyone else is a fucking dickwad! We got no beef with Vegeta, honest."
"Ok!" Sugar Petal made a heart with her hands. Then picked up the basket and walked as fast as she dared across the bridge. "Follow me."
"Dude! He's got skulls!" Jerry said gawking. "This looks way cooler in the sunlight."
"Can we just go in, please," Jessica asked.
Sugar Petal opened the gate.
*Bark* *Bark* *Bark*
"Hello, little guy," Jerry said, kneeling. "If you wag your tail any faster you're going to fall over. Yes you are."
"Hammock is over here, Jessica," Sugar Petal said, guiding her over.
"You guys have a hammock?" Jerry said standing. He followed them over.
"Wow," Jerry said, spinning around looking at everything. "You guys are really set, huh? Did, did Vegeta build all of this?"
"The houses, yes," Sugar Petal said. "The furniture was me and Hassim."
Jerry dropped the handle to the wagon and put his backpacks down. "Dude, I gotta see the inside," he said dashing into the hive.
"Well hello pretty kitty."
*Hiss*
Jerry ran out of the hive with a cat on his heels. "Ah! Grumpy cat!"
She hissed and went back inside.
"That is Peaches," Sugar Petal said. She walked over and entered. "Peaches, why are you up here? Did you move your kittens above the floor?"
*Hiss*
"Oh you did! Ok, I'm leaving."
"You guys got a mommy cat?" Jerry asked as she came out.
Suddenly the puppy ran through camp being chased by three cats slightly larger than him.
"We have two."
*Meow!*
A cat sat at the lower gate patiently.
Sugar Petal opened it, "Hello Labu. What did you catch today?"
The cat dragged in an animal almost as big as it.
"Is that a bunny? Wow, Labu. You're a good mommy hunter. Vegeta would be very happy if he was here."
Labu dropped it at her feet and looked up at her expectantly.
"Oh. Do you want me to cut it up for your babies?"
*Meow* she pawed at her leg.
Sugar Petal reached down. "Ok, rabbit for babies." She waved, "I'll be back." She slipped out a side door followed by Labu.
Jerry crossed his arms, "Ok. That's a house cat if I ever saw one."
"This whole place used to be a farm village," Jessica said. "This isn't a wild area. It's a curated forest used by the people there."
Jerry looked at her, "Guess that explains all the food you keep finding, huh?"
"Not everything can be grown in a field. Some things can only be nurtured but never tamed."
Jerry sat down on the bench and watched the puppy and the older kittens chase and tussle with each other. After testing the wall of the hive, he leaned back.
Jerry woke up to a high-pitched squealing noise. He opened his eyes and saw a familiar child with a bamboo whistle. It had a few holes in it, but he was just letting it hang freely from his mouth as he blew into it.
"He finally wake you up?" Vegeta said looking over his shoulder. He returned to lighting the fire, "I've had him blowing in your ear for a few minutes now."
He looked around. "Where are the others?"
"I saw the three up at the second camp before I landed. They don't know I'm back yet." He turned around after getting the fire up. "Hey Trunks, why don't you play with your whistle out in the bananas while the grownups talk. Music makes bananas grow faster. If you play for them, we might get some to eat soon."
Trunks nodded and ran out an open side gate.
"Really?" Jerry looked at Vegeta.
"There's a new green bunch that just started to turn yellow. It will be much more noticeable tomorrow. Give the boy something to do." He turned around and crossed his arms. "So. I warned you several times you could not join me, but you came anyway. Did you think bringing luggage would raise the slightest bit of compassion in my dead soul?"
"No," he said leaning forward. "We were planning to make our own camp after resting here."
Vegeta looked up, "Well, it's too late now. It gets dark an hour early here."
Jerry looked up, "So what? It's only 5ish?"
"5:23 according to the watch," Vegeta said. "We got one because of Sugar's meds. She's been on a whole new set since the fall."
"Damn… Sorry bud… umm… so…"
"I've been thinking watching you sleep there," Vegeta interrupted. "Hassim and I have been quietly butting heads. I'm not so completely out of touch with Earth mannerisms to know he doesn't like me and only stays for Sugar Petal." He looked towards the banana grove, "Your high king is involved now. He's deciding whether or not to put my family in isolated house arrest until we can prove our son's safety or in his words 'strip everything from your family for treason and shove the five of you on the closest spaceship never to return'."
"Damn…"
"But until then, Trunks will be with me. Which I'm sure Hassim will be thrilled about." He turned to face Jerry. "Humans tend not to think logically. It only takes a power level of 30 to destroy a planet, and many athletic humans cross that threshold. It's only a matter of being taught how. My son was born in the tens of thousands and is edging a million even at his young and untrained state. Knowing Hassim's reaction, he'll probably bolt to the blue team since he can't just pick up and quit. But who knows, Hassim's family is 100 zenis for toilet paper rich so he could afford to quit easily."
"So, you want me and Jessica to replace Hassim if he leaves?"
"I chose this location because I found the foundation of a house here," he nodded, "I built the hive on it."
Jerry looked behind him.
"But I've found another one since then, but it's deeper into Red territory on the other side of the grove." He pointed in its general direction. "Even found some smashed concrete and a filled in hole. I think it was the outhouse meaning that was the main building while I stumbled on a shed or something." He lowered his arm, "BUT… Only way you'd be able to live there would be if you joined the red team." Vegeta smiled, "Of course as a fellow member of the red team, I'd be able to build you a new house on that foundation and any other things you would need like a fence, or a new outhouse."
*Bark* *Bark* *waff* *waff*
The two looked at the puppy, barking at Vegeta pretending to be a big dog.
It ran behind a basket the second Vegeta looked at it, then began barking again.
Vegeta sighed, "Maybe a dog…"
Jerry chuckled, "It doesn't like you, does it?"
"Dogs hate my guts. Cats love me for some reason," he said, annoyed. "They crawl out of the woodwork to find me…"
Vegeta looked down at his feet at the newly intertwined feline. "Were you just waiting for your cue, Labu? Huh? I say the word cat and you come running?"
Labu purred loudly.
Jerry laughed.
"Humans don't even speak English here. How do you know the English word cat?" Vegeta continued.
"You'll need to show Jessica and I tomorrow," Jerry chuckled, interrupting his rant. "Hopefully her eyesight will be better then."
Vegeta nodded. "Let me see what hides are ready for mats."
"Oh, no I'm not sleeping on rawhide."
"It's not fancy but it's better than nothing."
"I'm a drummer!" Jerry said, clawing the air. "That's like sacrilege or something."
"It's not like it's ever going to be made into a—" Vegeta's face soured. "You want to waste one of my hides for a drum…"
"It's not a waste, I actually know how to make a drum. Just need a frame, Buuudy," he smiled.
Vegeta gave a soft growl. "We'll talk more about this tomorrow." He looked at the wagon. "What here needs out of the rain?"
"Everything here was open air in Jessica's minicamp we emptied. We sorta dumped the sand Hassim had gotten to steal your baskets when we ran out of room. But we got everything but the pottery and the wheel. Jessica said you knew where they were."
"The pottery I own according to the staff because I stole it from outside the blue camp boundary. But the wheel I haven't touched since I gave it to you. I'm not going to risk anything with Ferdinand breathing down my neck. I'll be making a new one if she wants." Vegeta began walking away, "Bedrooms are on the second floor of the hive."
Vegeta walked out the door towards the banana grove.
"Trunks!" he heard him yell. "I'll be right back! Keep turning the bananas yellow!"
Vegeta was on his way up the hill as he saw Hassim coming down back in his normal clothes.
"You're back," Hassim said, surprised.
"I am," Vegeta said looking up at him. "You've gotten your wish, by the way. I've invited Jerry and Jessica to join us."
"Good," he said. "We finally have numbers against Michael. Next elimination we deliberately lose and we take him out. Chop the head off the snake."
Vegeta held his palm up. "It's not that simple. But it's your choice whether we are up a net of one or two."
He glared down at Vegeta. "Why?" he asked, already guessing the answer.
"My son will be at camp tonight and tomorrow. Past that, King Ferdinand Furry has assumed final authority over my and my family's presence here. So, you have a choice. Be nice to my son and tell him nothing other than a meteorite went boom in the sky because that's the official line, or you can pack your rug and I'll drop you off at the Blue beach."
"Where is he?" Hassim asked, worried.
"In the banana grove. I told him if he played the flute I made him the bananas would turn yellow faster so he could eat them."
"That…" Hassim paused. "Is a lie worthy of Santa Claus. Blimey…"
Vegeta shrugged. "It keeps him busy, and if the bunch turns as fast as the others, he'll get to see them half yellow tomorrow…. So," he turned serious, "Which will it be?"
"What are the chances he detonates again?"
"He'll be out of gas for a few days, a week and a half at most."
Hassim hesitated, but his clenched fists did not go unnoticed.
"Wait… you have scuffled knuckles," Vegeta smirked looking up at his face. "Did you punch someone?"
"No," Hassim said.
"Some human mannerisms are beyond me," Vegeta said. "But lying isn't one of them. Especially someone who is morally opposed to violence." His smile widened, "Your sin is written all over your face."
"I'm getting my rug," Hassim pushed past him.
"I'll see you down at camp," Vegeta said, following him down with his eyes. He then looked back up and continued.
"I'm coming up!" Vegeta shouted as he reached the top. "Everyone decent?"
"We're ok!" he heard Sugar Petal shout.
Vegeta walked into the clearing. Sugar Petal waved from the main shelter. He saw Jessica lying on her side with her back to him.
He walked over. "Jessica? I'm told you lost your sight?"
"Yes…" she said softly.
"It is far from permanent," Vegeta said. "It will be corrected soon." He sighed. "King Ferdinand Furry is involved now that my son had his outburst…"
Sugar Petal gasped and Jessica sat up.
"He has taken control of this situation. And I will most likely be leaving and my family put under house arrest until my son is deemed safe." He took a breath, "But until then, my son will be spending the night with me." He looked at Sugar Petal, "Hassim said he will be joining the blue team. He might change his mind as he spoke with emotion, but I don't think he will." He looked at Jessica, "You and Jerry will be joining our camp and I already spoke with Jerry about a new building. Are… You," Vegeta stressed, "going to be ok being so close to my son? Hassim clearly isn't even though I told him my son will not have the energy for another blowout for a few days."
"I have nowhere else to go," Jessica said lying back down. "I will deal with it."
"What's going to happen to me?" Sugar Petal asked, tearing up.
Vegeta crossed his arms looking at her, "If you quit alongside my exit," he smirked, "I'm all for kidnapping a pop star."
Sugar Petal hardened her face with determination. "Yes."
Vegeta nodded back. "Then don't worry about anything else." He looked back at Jessica. "I assume you'll be staying up here tonight?"
"Yes."
"Ok," he looked back at Sugar Petal. "If you're done up here, then you can head down. I'll be breaking down the bridge as normal once everyone leaves."
"Oh, Mr. Vegeta," she said. "I'm being refused new clothes. If you could try and clean them. I can't get them clean."
"Seriously?" Vegeta looked at the crews. "You panicked at only a small splash of fluid gutting the goats but you do nothing over getting filthy gutting a giant lizard?"
"It's not our call," Jackie stammered.
"Alright," Vegeta sighed, "Where did you put your dirty clothes?"
Sugar Petal pointed in the corner of the clearing by the grass.
"Ok. I'll get that taken care of." He turned around. "I'll head back down. See if Hassim has calmed down any."
"So you're really going to leave?" Jerry asked.
"Yes I am," Hassim said, grabbing his rug. "I can't do this anymore."
"Vegeta can't be that bad," he said.
"He is. And if you're joining, you'll see for yourself."
"What did he do?" he asked dismissively.
"I'm a mass murderer who eats babies."
They turned around and saw Vegeta.
"Vegeta you just ruined the shot," Randy said exasperated. "Get lost, we got to refilm this. This is important."
"Fine…" Vegeta rolled his eyes. "I'll go check on Trunks." He stopped behind Hassim. "There is no guarantee Bob will take you. You're welcome back, no questions asked." Vegeta walked out the side door."
Vegeta found Trunks still playing his bamboo flute looking up at a small cluster.
"Papa, they not turning yellow."
"Well they need to sleep first, silly. Even your body grows best while asleep. But playing music makes them happy so they sleep better at night. So wait for tomorrow ok?"
Trunks went to say 'ok' but yawned half way through.
"Are you tired?"
Trunks shook his head.
"Don't lie," Vegeta crossed his arms. "You should be pooped."
Trunks giggled.
"Very funny."
Trunks then put his hands on his butt. "Potty Papa!"
"Yeah, I got it," Vegeta reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a box of capsules. He opened the box. "Nana said it was 2?"
Vegeta tossed the capsule.
"Papa! That's my toy box!"
"Ok. Ok…" Vegeta grabbed another. "Shit…"
"Papa! That's my snacks!"
"Ok, we're using a big person toilet." Vegeta grabbed Trunks and sped over to the outhouse.
"Ok, pants down," Vegeta said, pulling them down. "Butt hole." Vegeta put him down on the edge.
"I'm going to keep looking so I can find your paper. Don't fall in," Vegeta stepped outside.
Trunks looked around. "Papa?"
"Yeah?"
"This a potty?"
"Yes. It's just like Chichi's, except it's made of bamboo."
"Aunt Chichi's is prettier."
"Well, Papa didn't care about it being pretty when he made it."
"Papa made this?"
"Yes I did."
Trunks was quiet as he looked around.
"Gah! I know Panchy said two… I'm not opening all 30… wait, there's a 22… THERE! Funking goddess…"
"Trunks, Papa found the paper," Vegeta reached his arm in but did not look in. "Here. Take it."
Vegeta felt Trunks take the toilet paper roll from his hand.
"Papa."
"Yes?"
"You made ugly things. Mama and Grandpa is better."
Vegeta sighed, annoyed. "Are better. Not is better. Mama and Grandpa are better…"
"Mama and Grandpa are better. Papa is ugly."
"… Are you done pooping yet?"
Once Trunks was settled, Vegeta flew Hassim and Jackie's film crew to the entrance of the ATV track to save time.
Vegeta glanced in the direction of Samundra's camp. "They're not going to take you," he said. He turned back to look at Hassim, "I'll be here when you get back."
"Are you using your psychic powers?" Hassim scoffed.
"No," he said definitively, "I don't have to. The outburst when they realized Casey was right was more than enough. That type of blaze never goes out."
"I'm sure they can be reasoned with," Hassim said confidently.
"If this was any other planet, I would say your funeral. But you'll be just fine."
"Vegeta, can you stand up in the trees so we can get our shots?" Jackie asked.
"Yep," Vegeta hid while the crew got the shots of Hassim walking up.
"They took everything," Daisuke said to the camera, shaking his head. He was sitting out on the rocks giving his confessional. "She left the mat though," he ran his hand over it and sighed. He looked back out to sea, "I'd like to know what type of charisma a jerk like that has to draw everyone towards him. We're down to three, Michael's group is down to three. Vegeta's group is up to five. I guess… they feel safe around him for some bizarre reason. I know I should, too. He's been practically an honorary Samundra member. But Casey…" he sighed again and rubbed his forehead. "The longer I think about things… the more I side with Vegeta about this. Casey was going nuts about him beforehand. I mean, thinking Panchy Brief is a robot? Capsule Corp workers being attacked? Government plants and the illuminati?
"Then that argument Jerry and Bob got into, my goodness… I mean the stories line up. It's not like he lied to either of them. And I can definitely see how the story of how they met could be true. She just railroaded Vegeta smacking him in the face over and over again. That be a divorce and restraining order for any other couple. Must be pretty toxic behind the façade. And their kid literally just exploding…"
Daisuke laid on his back with his knees bent and gripped his head, "My brain just isn't cut out for this." He dropped his arms to either side, "I just want to go home right now…"
"What are you doing here?! Don't come any closer!"
Daisuke covered his face with his hands. "What is Bob screaming at now?" he said, muffled.
He put his hands on his chest and turned his head. He saw Bob and Jamal running down the beach.
Daisuke sat up, "Is someone here?" He stood up. "That Hassim?"
"Why do you have your rug with you?!" Jamal shouted.
"Ah crap…" Daisuke made his way off the rocks and ran up the beach.
"You're throwing the baby out with the bathwater, guys please."
"No! Get out!" Bob pointed down the beach. We ever see any of your faces again, you'll regret it!"
"No violence between teams, guys. Calm down," Tom said moving in between. "Don't add to the list of problems going on right now. Reynolds will make you beg for what happened to Casey and Nick when he's done with you."
Everyone paused for half a second, before continuing with their rage.
"Then get that bastard off our beach!" Bob shouted.
"And take the traitors with you!" Jamal shouted. "Don't come back!"
Hassim turned around and walked away.
Jamal took a handful of sand and threw it at the back of his head.
Hassim cringed as the sand went down his shirt, but kept walking.
Daisuke finally arrived as Hassim turned and disappeared down the track.
"What… What happened?" he panted.
"Nothing important," Bob said, turning around, "Let's head back."
"He was carrying his rug, was he trying to join us? Guys!" he stood up. "We're down to three now. Berapi is up to nine!"
"It doesn't matter," Bob said. "Merger is coming up and if there is a challenge before then, we get our pick on who competes against us."
"Then Vegeta has an alliance of five going into the merge, what do you want to do? Side with Michael?"
"Don't be ridiculous," he snapped.
Vegeta was still waiting there with his arms crossed when Hassim and his crew returned.
"How did you know they wouldn't take me in?"
Vegeta leaned off the tree. "Because despite what I was promised, humans are no different than the rest of life in the galaxy. Let me guess, you used the phrase 'baby and the bath water'?"
"Yes," he said, surprised. "Why?"
"The version of that said in the rest of the galaxy is the 'system for the planet'. See money makes more than this planet go round. Destroying a planet is common practice, and it doesn't take a small moon to do it. Just a missile about the size of a baseball bat. But there's another weapon, one that can cause any star, no matter size or age to supernova. But that obviously destroys everything of value, thus the system for the planet. People like me only come to the surface when the LIFE of a planet is what is worth the money, either for domestication, slavery, or resettlement once cleared."
"Bob would never murder anyone."
"You're right. But only because of this planet's messed up morality." Vegeta pointed towards the blue camp. "But that emotion, that fuck everyone and anything, is what makes people chose one weapon over the other when Earth's morality doesn't exist."
Vegeta looked up. "It was a beautiful lie, wasn't it?" he chuckled. "Even a cynical pessimist like me was fooled for a while." He extended his hand, and Hassim took a step back seeing the craziness in his eyes. "The blue team is now our enemy just as much as the red one, but come. Let's cover our heads with our hands like your famous three monkeys and reenter the collective delusion together."