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23
The Planet of the Monkeys
The first thing I notice about this planet is the incredibly intense gravity that weighs on my shoulders with unmistakable pressure. Needless to say, it's just an annoyance to me, but my men find it much more unbearable. In fact, it's so intense that their legs shake in the effort to stay upright. One thing is clear, at last: the boy's speed during the fight is not a result of skill. He must have felt like a feather in zero gravity on my ship.
Planet Vegeta is neither more varied nor more exciting than it appeared from the ship. Everything is exactly as I expected, from the vast deserts to the great ocean visible in the distance through the barren atmosphere and the reddish mountains. It almost reminds me of Nemanan, and perhaps it is the same for Zarbon since I see him scrutinizing the surroundings with caution, his arms tight to his chest. One thing is for sure: this rock is not going to be my planet number one.
My arrival was obviously expected. As soon as I exit the ship, I am greeted by a small delegation of Saiyans in horribly crude uniforms waiting for me in a semicircle a little further on. I can't help but notice the hairy tails that emerge from their armor and twist behind them.
In addition to disgust at that vision, I feel a certain nostalgia. It's been a while since I personally descended onto a planet, and I admit that I was starting to miss it.
«Lord Frieza, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our planet.»
«That's not a phrase I hear often.»
He smiles. He's already more brazen than I'd like, and I'm not surprised.
«I am Gherkin, King Vegeta's first advisor. If you'll allow me, I'll escort you to his presence.»
I smile at his words. I see through this naive child's bluster. He has no idea what he's saying, and it's only because it somehow amuses me that I spare his life. For now.
«Escort me, then» I tell him.
He'll soon find out who the king is, between me and that ape of his.
The throne room is magnificent, befitting a ruler.
As I stride across the wide red carpet, I imagine it was laid out just for me. My gaze wanders upwards, seeking the end of the tall columns that line the room, creating two side aisles. They have no end. The tall capitals are hidden by light-colored drapes that hang between the columns, giving the entire room an air as pompous as that of the one sitting on the throne. If we can call it a throne. It is nothing more than a velvet-covered chair, surmounted by a pointed decoration that vaguely resembles a fire in progress. It looks quite comfortable; I will have the opportunity to see for myself.
I approach, flanked by Zarbon, Dodoria, and the small Saiyan delegation led by that ridiculous-named advisor. The room is full of men, and all their eyes linger on me, but no one dares to speak. I stride to the throne and look into the eyes of the one who sits there.
«Lord Frieza» he greets me.
He sits perfectly straight, his hands gripping the knobs, his eyes never leaving mine. His entire being radiates tension. It's not an enjoyable situation to have a renowned conqueror and usurper of kings standing before you on your own planet, after all.
«King Vegeta,» I reply. «You already know why I'm here.»
«I do» he confirms. I am convinced that when he sent his son to participate in the auction, he did not expect to meet me in person, and perhaps even doubted that he would ever do so. This is yet another example of the arrogance of these monkeys, which only serves to confirm my theory about their collective stupidity.
«The auction» he states finally.
«Precisely. I wanted to announce his success to Prince Vegeta in person. May I meet him?»
He has sensed the danger, and my mere presence must inspire threat. He is cautious. He looks around, undoubtedly searching for his son and ensuring his guards are close by in case of danger. As they could never lay a finger on me.
He finally turns to the one who welcomed us.
«Gherkin, call him.»
«Right away, Your Highness.»
While the advisor finally makes himself useful, I turn to the king. He has questions, and I have no intention of keeping the answers to myself.
«As you know, Your Highness, I am looking for soldiers who can make my army great. Now that Planet Vegeta is under my control, I have the right to ask you for warriors, but in fact, I don't care about anyone else. I want Vegeta.»
I see him stiffen. I don't know what kind of relationship they have, but King Vegeta is isn't very keen on the idea of leaving his son to me.
«Naturally, I promise to treat the prince as royalty deserves, to honor his royal blood» I hasten to point out, but the mockery in my words is obvious. Even the least perceptive of monkeys would notice. «I will have a gravity chamber set up just for him, so that he can train as best he can. I will also train him to become part of my elite team. But I did not convince you, did I, Your Majesty?»
He is filled with disappointment. He would never turn down an offer like that for his son; there must be another reason, and I will find out what it is.
«You're afraid for him, aren't you?»
«Absolutely not. He's doing just fine. It's just that... he's only five years old.»
I am surprised. I was certain he was older, even if only a little. Yet, his excuse doesn't hold up.
«Wasn't he only five years old when you sent him on an unknown spaceship to fight on behalf of the entire planet? Tell me the truth, Your Highness. Don't make me beg for it.»
He's hesitant because he probably knows full well that I won't like his words. And in fact, I do not.
«Vegeta is the heir to the throne. He is not a subordinate. He should not be treated like one.»
The line has been crossed.
«I'm afraid the situation isn't fully clear. If you agree to buy my planet, as the prince has made possible, you yourself, while remaining king of your men, will be my subordinate.»
My messengers and his men likely didn't tell him the full situation, because I see him startle even though he tries to hide it.
«I would lose my freedom» he states. «Then why should I go for it?»
He's right to measure his words. This meeting is crucial for the fate of him and the planet, and he knows. I shrug.
«You'd have the planet. Females. Power. Blood. Whatever satisfies your monkey instincts.»
His face doesn't change. Perhaps he doesn't understand my provocation because he's well aware of his nature.
«And what if I refuse to accept?»
I smile.
«Well, this planet is indeed fascinating. It will become part of my domain, one way or another.»
The threat engulfs him and seeps into his very being. However, he does not seem convinced, so I decide to double down.
«You should be honored. My planets are for powerful warriors, I don't want scum among my people. I called the auction for a reason, and if I bothered to come all this way here, it is because I'm sure you could be the strongest of my army.»
«And what does it mean?»
«Your Majesty, you ask too many questions. It means that, if that were the case, you Saiyans would have a special preference and would fight on the front lines with all due honors. I know battle excites you. I will also make your high technologies even more powerful. In fact, I'd like to take a look at them.»
He nods, unconvinced.
«Take Lord Frieza for a tour of the Palace» he orders. I read a warning in his eyes toward his men. That was a nice try to change the subject, but he won't get away with it.
I don't need to remind him in person, and I'm glad of it. The main door creaks, and little Vegeta strides into the room with the same pride inherited from his father, accompanied by his two personal monkeys. He stands next to the throne, silent, and stares me down with the same unflinching gaze he wore at the auction. It's a look that makes you question not just his age, but his very resolve. His father, standing next to him, is paralyzed with fear.
«Prince Vegeta. I am pleased to see you again. Do you know why I'm here?»
«No, Lord Frieza.»
Had he had any intelligence, which I don't expect from these monkeys at all, he would have guessed. No problem, I'll enjoy his reaction to the news.
«It's because you're one of the winners of the auction. And there's more.»
His childish face is alight with a proud but haughty smile: the smile of someone who, deep down, already knew he had won and was just waiting for it to be official.
The time has come to refresh the Monkey King's memory.
«King Vegeta, I'm sure you didn't do it on purpose, but you still haven't answered.»
The prince doesn't understand what I'm referring to. He scrutinizes his father with a look full of questions. I know he'll be pleased.
«I'd like to talk to my son about it before entrusting him to you.»
«Good. So be it.» I turn to his advisor. «Let's go. I believe you promised me a tour.»
Zarbon wasn't lying when he spoke of the high technologies of these people. It's incredible how their technological advancement clashes with the crude nature of the inhabitants, making it clear in the that it is not their work, but rather the legacy of those who came before. The Saiyans use them, but have no idea how they work. If they defeated such an advanced people with only brute force, they must be truly incredible, as they say.
Zarbon returns to the room with a bag in his hands.
«For now, they have provided us with these,» he states, pointing to me. «There are a few hundred, and they'll keep sending us more. We'll always have new ones.»
«Splendid. At least now the training will be more interesting.»
«Shall I start watering them, Lord Frieza?»
«Yes, have Kyui plant them. He will take care of it.»
The Saibaimen were undoubtedly one of the most astonishing discoveries made on this planet, but they were not the only one. Gichamu, next to me, is expertly operating a device.
«Is it possible, then?» I ask him as Zarbon leaves the room. He lifts the device and examines it in the light.
«Nothing easier» he states. He hands it to me and gestures for me to put it on.
I do so. I place it on the side of my head, keeping it balanced and connected to my ear canal. Half of my vision is tinged with red, and at first, I'm bothered by the two-tone vision. However, the surprise soon overcomes the annoyance.
I press a button on the side, and the scouter lights up with high-pitched sounds. I point it at Gichamu. A few moments later, the symbols light up in front of my left eye, perfectly matching the screen.
Gichamu. Netician. Combat level 500.
He sees the smile on my face and bows.
«Press the second button to discover the implemented function» he states. I don't need to be told twice. I press it as instructed, and the scouter buzzes until I hear words coming from the other end in an incredibly clear way.
«Lord Frieza?»
«Can you hear me?»
«I can.»
«Okay. Come here now.»
I press the button again, and the communication is interrupted. I turn to Gichamu, removing my scouter and placing it on the control panel of my chair.
«Truly impressive» I state. «You are dismissed until further notice.»
He greets me with a curtsy and heads towards the door, which closes behind him. Now that I have a quick way to assess who I'm facing and communicate with my men, everything will be infinitely simpler. This technology is a waste for such crude people. I will make better use of it.
Ginew arrives as ordered. I remember it's him in seconds; his body is no longer the same as it was a few hours ago.
«Did you choose the men?»
«I did. Two out of four were perfect. Three, if we count the one who granted me his body.»
Granted is a euphemism, but I don't argue.
«So, it's three of you. Too few to make a decent team. I will provide you with Attack Balls, with which you can visit any planet you want: you will recruit any warrior you see fit.»
«Do we have to conquer, Lord Frieza?»
«If the three of you manage to conquer an entire planet, it means that it offers us nothing worthwhile, but nothing is thrown away.»
He bows in the affirmative.
«Any other instructions?»
«Just one: remember that all of this is your responsibility. You can handle it however you want: threaten, offer compensation, seduce with the power of my name. I don't care. But just as you will be rewarded for your successes, so will your failures fall on your shoulders. That's all. You will report after every important event, and if you have empty days, every evening. You must also report every body change.»
«Understood.»
«Go.»
As he leaves the room, I mentally review what I have to do next: On the one hand, I have to organize the mission for Zarbon and Dodoria, even though I'm sure they would rather I forget about it. On the other hand, I have to take care of the most important thing, and luckily I don't have to go all the way to the palace to communicate with King Vegeta.
I press the button Gichamu showed me and the communication slowly moves to the desired receiver. The scouter buzzes, freezes and then begins to transmit. A few moments later, King Vegeta's voice echoes around me.
«Lord Frieza?» he asks. I am glad to see that Gichamu has already distributed the modified scouts to those I am most interested in.
«Yes. I was thinking that, while you are considering whether or not to entrust him to me, Vegeta could visit the ship and maybe do a little training to test my methods. That way, he can get an idea of what I'm offering him.»
He hesitates, seems to be thinking, but knows that he cannot deny me such an innocent request. Maybe he wonders if I am trying to trick him, but I have no intention of betraying him and leaving: He will bring Vegeta to me without my interference.
«Lord Frieza, the Saibamen sprout every four days. The ones we provided you will not be ready soon.»
I smile at the incredible ability of this primate to always find a convincing excuse to say no. Too bad he is very wrong if he thinks his little monsters are of any use to me.
«Oh, they won't be necessary.»
He can no longer deny it. He nods and says he will mobilize Gherkin immediately to bring the little prince to me. I can't wait for him: I'm sure he'll appreciate what I have in store for him.
Next chapter:
Pride and arrogance
21.11.24