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14.
Élite
Granium welcomes us when the sliding door opens. I don't even look at him: my eyes run behind him, where I see Zarbon, the Nemanian, composed but visibly exhausted as if he had just fought. He did, for sure: it's clear, first of all, from the fact that he is, against my orders, outside the cell into which I had him thrown.
Zarbon looks at me with wonder; just now I remember I'm in my original form. However, he doesn't let himself be intimidated. He quickly gets down on his knees, bowing in deep reverence. I was so certain that he would attack me that I'm astonished, but I'm not upset.
«What is he doing here?» I say, but I don't look at the traitor. My eyes are fixed on Zarbon. I finally know why this young man attracts me so much: it's certainly not his appearance, although he is truly fascinating, but rather the total, intense devotion towards me that shines through in every gesture he makes. It's intoxicating.
He himself answers for Granium.
«Lord Frieza, it was not my intention to disrespect you. I wanted you to know that I didn't lie to you and I never would. No one who has any idea of your power would ever dare challenging you.»
It sounds good. Cooler behind me laughs amused at such deference.
«So you escaped just to tell me this? You could have done it when I freed you, since you knew you didn't lie.»
«You're right, Lord Frieza, but I wanted to deserve my place next to you in every way.»
I do not insist. I know what this Nemanian is aiming for, I can understand it immediately: his escape was just an excuse to demonstrate his strength to me. And I can't deny that I'm really impressed if he even managed to get rid of Dodoria. However, I notice something in him: a slight tremor that means hesitation.
I remember that the communicator was already vibrating before Nemanan blew up. In an instant I'm sure he has seen everything and I realize all the suffering that spectacle must have caused him. Maybe he wasn't expecting such a drastic solution? That would be stupid of him. Perhaps he's simply still coming to terms with himself. Only one thing is certain: his plan worked perfectly. I can't let a servant of such power slip away.
«I have some arrangements.»
The élite surrounds me and I look at them one by one. Zarbon is about to move, but I signal for him to stay where he is.
«Dodoria, you come too.»
He advances, head held high, from the corner of the room where he was standing. If I know him as I think I do, Zarbon's escape must have hurt him, but I'm happy to find that he hasn't lost his pride.
«From today on, a few things will change. After some careful thinking, I have come to the conclusion that I no longer want my father's men so close to me.»
I can almost hear Cooler snort when I mention the careful thinking, but I ignore him. All my attention goes to the élite, who pale in unison as Zarbon and Dodoria prick up their ears. The situation is quite clear: perhaps someone has guessed what will happen now, but no one could have foreseen everything, of this I am certain. It will be a nice surprise for them too.
Taking out my anger on Cooler was good for me. Now that my mind is clearer I realize that murdering the traitor here and now would be fun, but not as fun as my new idea is.
«You four» I point to the élite, excluding Granium. «You will be promoted to Commanders of the different sectors. You will find other important roles, but from this moment on I no longer want to see you in my élite.»
They look at each other, confused. No one dares to ask for further explanations but it is clear that they don't understand what led me to this decision.
The desire to eliminate them for good is strong, but they are too important. They were trained for battle, to lead troops, and they know the army like no one else. Maybe I'll get rid of them too when I find valid replacements, but for now it would be a mistake.
I wave my hand at them.
«Go, I'll update you.»
When only Granium, Zarbon and Dodoria remain in the room I gesture to the Nemanian to rise from his bow. Granium seems relieved: he is certain he has escaped the purge.
«Zarbon, Dodoria, you are remarkable warriors and I knew it from the first moment I saw you. I want you as my élite, and I'm sure you'll like it.»
Zarbon's golden eyes light up and a pleased smile curves his lips. I catch a slight glance from Dodoria towards the Nemanian. I'm sure he doesn't like being next to him, maybe he still feels humiliated by his escape however it happened, but I don't care. They better settle their differences, because I'm not going to tolerate arguments between them.
Finally I turn towards Granium. My smile must be really disturbing, because I see him widen his eyes.
«You knew this moment was coming sooner or later, didn't you? Don't tell me you were so naive as to think I wouldn't understand… I'd take it as an insult to my intelligence.»
He stumbles, his tongue articulates nothing meaningful. His skin turns white, almost bloodless.
«I don't… I don't…»
«You know that I cannot tolerate treason.»
I thought he would deny, and yet, proving to be a disappointment in this as well, he resists less than I expected. He throws himself on his knees at my feet, lowering his head until it touches the ground, crying desperately, his back jolting with every sob. A painful scene. I feel an incredible desire to crush his stupid head with my foot but he doesn't even deserve me to get up from my throne.
I would like to observe Cooler's reaction to this incredible demonstration of my power; too bad the show my new victim is offering me is much better.
«I only followed orders» he is muttering between sobs. It's amazing how he stops stuttering when he's panicking; It's almost less pathetic than usual. «I had no choice…»
«You did have a choice» I deny. «If you had come to tell me about my father's intentions as soon as we left his planet, I would have spared you and perhaps promoted you. Look at Zarbon. Instead you preferred to continue to be his puppet... what was on your mind? How could you even imagine this was a good idea?»
He is broken by tremors and trembles so hard to irritate me. Plus, he doesn't say anything else, which infuriates me even more.
«Speak! What did he promise you? Power? A planet? Not to kill you? Too bad this will happen anyways, he just handed over the honor to me.»
«I had no choice, Lord Frieza…»
I shake my head in disbelief. Those words are repugnant because they imply only one thing, the only one that he shouldn't have implied, the only one that I was waiting to hear him say from the very beginning of this farce.
«Tell me, how could he from his planet threaten you or be a danger to you?»
«I didn't know… I didn't believe…»
«You feared him more than me, that's the truth. You certainly noticed the mistake, but maybe when it was too late to go back. The point is, you never should have made it, Granium. Not with me. And now you have to pay for it.»
It's the first time he raises his face. I find him shocked. He has never been a champion of fearlessness but at least I have always seen him composed; now the tears, the paleness, the redness and the fear have hollowed out his face in an unrecognizable way. I smile admiring my work of art.
«No, Lord Frieza, please, you don't have to do this» he whispers, his voice cracking. He doesn't even believe it, deep down. «I'm not guilty… please… I was only following orders…»
«I always knew you were a coward, Granium, but a traitor... towards me, moreover... all those who tried to betray me died like the worms they were. What makes you think you deserve better?»
«You can't… Lord Frieza, please…»
I pretend to think about it. I take my chin in my hand, looking him up and down as I watch him waste away in the hope of an act of mercy.
Stupid idiot... you grew up alongside me.
«You're right: I can't do it. I would hate to get rid of you.»
He relaxes, but he's alert. Petrified.
«That's why they'll do it.»
His face, if possible, pales even more. Dodoria rubs his hands and I see him ready to act. Zarbon remains impassive with his princely coldness: a reaction that leaves me confused and does not convince me.
«What do you think, Zarbon?» I ask him. The fear of having been wrong about him is slight, but it's starting to make his way.
I wait for a few moments in which he seems thoughtful. I watch his lips twitch, his eyebrows arch, his eyes narrow. Then he speaks.
«If I may, Lord Frieza, killing him might not be the best idea.»
His denial annoys me, but I look at him with interest. Countering my words is not for everyone, but doing so to propose better ideas than mine could give meaning to the confrontation. If what he says is interesting I might even forgive him this insolence.
«I'm listening.»
He bows his head towards me in a slight reverence.
«It is not my intention to contradict you. However, even if you know your father is spying on you, your father doesn't know you found out. This could be a great advantage in your hands.»
«What kind of advantage?»
«If instead of killing this being you imprisoned him, you could send any messages you want to your father. This way you would be able to manipulate him to your liking.»
It's definitely a good idea.
«Oh well. Let's do this.»
I seem to perceive the sensations of everyone in this room. Cooler's surprise. Zarbon's satisfaction, while he enjoys having said the right thing. Dodoria's disappointment, who was already anticipating the challenge and starting to imagine how to create the best show for me. But above all, I feel the relief of Granium, who nevertheless does not dare to move. He knows he has just escaped an atrocious death and this thought disturbs me: I don't want him to believe that the worst is over. For what he has done he deserves nothing but hell, and that is what I will give him.
I lean forward, looking out from my throne and addressing him directly.
«How did you communicate with him?»
«Through communicator, Lord Frieza» he hastily replies.
«This is obvious. In what way?»
«Messages written and signed with my fingerprint. One at the end of each day.»
Wrong answer, he should have lied. I smile, looking up at Dodoria.
«Then there won't be any need for you to remain in one piece, right? Dodoria, take him to a cell and let him be watched. And don't worry... he will be all yours. Then you come back here.»
«At your orders» he smiles. He vehemently grabs him by the back of the neck and drags him out of the room.
«Zarbon, give me a few minutes.»
He bows and follows Dodoria out. As soon as the metal door seals behind them, I turn to Cooler.
«What are you going to do with the prisoner?»
«Make him regret being born» I cut short. «Did you hear? He reported at the end of each day. You are still safe. Consider it my thanks, we're even now.»
He nods, and his crossed arms tighten.
«No killing… I feel quite disappointed.»
«If you care so much, you still have time to be the one killed.»
«What cutting humor for someone who couldn't even take two steps without getting caught in my tail.»
«Don't make me regret my kindness, Cooler. Our father could take back your little planet in a heartbeat.»
«My little planets, you mean. The Cooler System currently has seven.»
I can't help but smile mockingly.
«Who was the one who copied moves?»
«Did you really think I would just sit there waiting for him? You're really naive. It's just that, unlike you, I do things in a discreet way, I avoid razing different populations to the ground and, above all, I don't blow up the Stars. Of course I'm less noticeable.»
«Of course you're not capable of doing so» I scoff.
«So kind. I'm going now, I've already wasted enough time with you. I'll see you again when you cause another disaster or I'll wait for you in my System, you're always welcome if you avoid blowing up anything that comes your way. See you soon, little brother.»
I don't even say him goodbye and he doesn't expect it: as soon as the upper hatch opens he jumps out of my ship, returning to board his. When the hatch has closed and his ship is moving away beyond the glass I decide it's time to dedicate myself to my new trusted men.
«Come in.»
The sliding door swings open. Zarbon and Dodoria enter the room with their heads held high, as befits my élite.
Next chapter:
New business
19.01