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26
Starting point
I know they're there before the door even opens. Their footsteps are distinctive: some light and muffled, others heavy and loud. My men are behind me, as I knew they would be. I greet them with a smile as I turn around.
«Lord Frieza» they greet me. Zarbon bows, Dodoria lowers his head before me.
«Welcome back. I am pleased to hear of your victory. You did it in less than a day, just as I predicted.»
«Twelve minutes, to be exact» Zarbon states, emphasizing the point. He must be proud of this achievement.
«I had no doubt. Very good. We didn't even need to communicate; you did it so quickly. Which one of you will tell me how it went?»
Dodoria steps forward, and I'm surprised. I didn't think he was inclined to narrate. Mine was a ritual question, I was sure that Zarbon would speak. Evidently the experience must have loosened his tongue, even though he doesn't seem enthusiastic about speaking.
He crosses his arms over his chest and begins to tell his story with his head held high.
«After landing on Tzareg, we arrived in a strange village where the detector signaled the presence of something. I was ready to raze it to the ground to show them who was boss. Zarbon, however, had a different idea. He thought it would be better to talk to the inhabitants to negotiate and see if we could make a deal to spare them if they were useful to you. We waited for one of them to come out into the open. He was alone. His little friends were too afraid to leave their houses.»
Zarbon watches him with his arms crossed and a strange, satisfied smile on his face. I don't know if he finds the memory funny or if he knows this story will do him justice and is already looking forward to the continuation.
«While we were talking to this alien with the best of intentions,» Dodoria continues, «another one of them decided to play the hero and imprisoned us with a strange telekinesis. Then, with some particular technique, he immobilized us.»
«He told us he could control time» Zarbon states. I'm listening. «It was a short-duration technique, in fact, but it was interesting since he was able to neutralize us with it. If he wanted to kill us while we couldn't move, he would have done it without any problems.»
«And why didn't he do it?» I ask, genuinely surprised. He shrugs.
«He wanted to use us to blackmail you, probably. While we couldn't move, he sent his friend to call for reinforcements to imprison us. In any case, Lord Frieza, I advise you to keep a close watch on that planet. It's a technique that only a few of them know how to use, and it makes up for their lack of skill with sheer force.»
«Absolutely. Go ahead, Dodoria.»
The Madorian pauses, gathering his courage. He was undoubtedly relieved at Zarbon's interruption. He probably thought I wouldn't ask him to continue with the story. I am suddenly struck by a strange doubt: everything did go according to plan, didn't it? Otherwise, why the reluctance to share details of their success?
«I was saying, he captured us with this technique and immobilized us with telekinesis. I immediately tried to free myself, but the barrier was too powerful in the beginning, so... the ingenious Zarbon made him waste time. Thanks to this magnificent idea, we made him waste energy uselessly without him harming us. We were able to free ourselves before reinforcements arrived.»
Hearing him call Zarbon ingenious, I remain silent. Dodoria's tone reveals a hint of mockery and clear annoyance. It's evident something happened between them on the mission, but at least they didn't attack each other. I should have implemented the interception network before; if I had, I would have heard what they said on the mission and I would understand more.
In any case, there's nothing I can do about it. I nod.
«In the end, the reinforcements arrived and we destroyed them as they deserved. They knelt down to ask for mercy and swear allegiance to you. We killed a few hundred, but we just mortally wounded the most powerful without killing them.»
«Excellent» I say, smiling. I turn to Zarbon. «Tell Ginew to go to Tzareg. Tell him what you told me. He'll decide whether it's worth taking those warriors with him, since they possess such a unique ability.»
«Right away, Lord Frieza.»
«No, not right away» I interrupt him. «I need advice, Zarbon. Tell me everything you know about Val and the Twins.»
He pauses to think, recalling everything he knows from his studies.
«Val is the largest of three planets that, in all other respects, are perfectly equal. They are known as the Twins of the Black Star because they orbit a star of that name. The Valians possess advanced technologies, though they are not as sophisticated as those of Netiko. Many of these technologies were exported by Netiko itself, as the two planets had close ties. In return for technology, Netiko was committed to protecting Val, which was much larger than Netiko and added to the two twins, almost tripling its surface area. In short, it is a rich and prosperous planet. I don't know what it is like climatically, but considering the Black Star, which is called that precisely because of its cold light, it shouldn't displease you too much.»
I think so. It doesn't sound like a bad planet, the idea of placing my Empire's capital there continues to persist.
«After the matter of Netiko, I decided to make it the new Number One planet» I state.
Zarbon raises his eyebrows in the usual expression he always does before contradicting me. As expected, he does not disappoint.
«Isn't it a little too far on the edge of the System? Your brother owns many planets in the vicinity.»
I verify this small unexpected event by looking at the space map. It's not a lie. The planets Zarbon is referring to are insignificant, though, and I hadn't even noticed them.
I'm not giving up Val for this, especially not now that Zarbon and Dodoria know about it. I try to suppress the annoyance I feel at the thought of finding myself so close to Cooler. At first, I even consider taking those rocks to solve the problem at its root, but on the map I still see the empty space where Netiko was and this brings to mind things I don't want to remember. I give up the thought.
«It won't be a problem for me, and I'm sure Cooler thinks the same. In fact, he better do it.»
Zarbon shrugs. «As you wish. In any case, it's a good idea.»
«Good. Now go. You've done a good job. Rest until further notice.»
They bow and leave.
When I'm alone, I wait for a few moments, then I do what I know I should. I try to chase away that vile need, but in the end I can't resist. I give in. I seize the communicator from the console of my throne and forward the call.
The communicator is undoubtedly faster than the scouters and Cooler seems to be particularly reactive because he answers after a few moments.
«Frieza. What did you blow up this time?»
«Funny.»
«Only when it happens to you. Talk, I'm busy.»
I am disappointed to see that his seriousness and sense of urgency have vanished. Cooler has returned to be the arrogant, irritating imbecile that I thought I had left behind forever in favor of someone I could reason with. Unfortunately for him, that's not the case, and unfortunately for me, I'll most likely find myself living near him. I won't waste time chatting.
«I've found a new Number One planet» I reveal. «And you know it well. It's Val of the Black Star.»
I watch him think for a moment as he tries to remember.
«Close to Netiko and almost in my territory. We'll be neighbors, then… like in the good old days.»
«Yes, with an army and a few more expansionist aims. That's why I'm calling. I have the best intentions, so don't bother me or I'll return the favor.»
He smiles mockingly, as if I've said something truly funny.
«How ironic. You're the one who needs to calm down here, little brother. I'm docile and understanding as long as you don't touch me.»
«Then we're in agreement. Peace be, until further notice.»
«So be it. When will you go?»
«Soon. I plan to leave any hour.»
«Excellent. Since you're already on your way, I expect you to stop by my Number One planet. We have unfinished business, and we need to settle it, remember?»
I am suddenly reminded of our challenge. So much has happened since our clash on the ashes of Nemanan that I now feel as if it happened in another life.
«I guess I can't help but accept.»
«If you don't want to concede the victory by default...»
I have no choice, even if I'd rather do anything else than waste time with an inferior being like him.
«How far is it from Val?»
«A couple of days' journey. Shall I wait for you, then?»
«You better be ready.»
I end the call without saying anything else, before I let annoyance and anger take over me and crash the communicator to the ground.
I don't waste any more time. I press a button on the scouter and wait. This planet offers me nothing: every second I waste here is a second taken away from the expansion of my empire.
«Lord Frieza.»
«Tell me how Vegeta is doing.»
«We'll be at the ship in a few minutes," Kyui's voice crackles through the device. "He's saying goodbye to his father the King, and then we'll be on our way.»
«I'll hold you personally accountable if you're not here in ten minutes.»
I hang up without even enjoying his reaction. I don't care. My only concern now is leaving this useless mass of earth and rocks behind and heading toward my final starting point.
He has been trying to meet me with remarkable stubbornness ever since we left his home planet. After all, we haven't had a chance to see each other since he boarded. My rush to leave that planet was the only thing that interested me at that moment, even more than the little prince. Now that we have about ten days to spend together, he is relentless in seeking my attention.
As he has already done three times since we left, Kyui enters the throne room and I know exactly what he will ask. I watch him. He knows I won't be pleased with his request, or he's afraid of me. He dares not look me in the eye.
«Lord Frieza, Prince Vegeta asks to meet you.»
I snort.
«How many more times do I have to tell you, Kyui? You are all to stop calling him prince. The next person I hear using that word, excluding Saiyans, will pay the consequences.»
«Yes, of course, Lord Frieza.»
I pause to think. This is the fourth time he's tried to get a meeting with me. I'd like to keep him waiting like I have for the past three days, but deep down, I've had enough fun imagining him trembling and helpless at the thought of being rejected by the only reason he boarded the ship. How lonely and useless he must have felt, poor prince…
«Bring him to me» I say firmly. As much as I try to deny it, I want to meet him and find out what he has to say that is so important.
When he enters the room, I see right away that he hasn't lost an ounce of his pride. He advances with his fists clenched and his battle suit shining, brand new. His father insisted that he and the Saiyan warriors I took on board could continue to wear the crest of the royal house. I accepted that emblem on the chest at first, but now I find it annoying for the meaning it carries, in addition to the fact that it's really a tasteless ornament.
The prince arrives before my throne and bows obediently, though with the stiffness of someone who is not yet accustomed to doing so.
«Prince Vegeta. You've been looking for me insistently these days. I'd like to know what you want.»
«I'm here to train, Lord Frieza.»
I know exactly what he means, and I'm going to tease him about it.
«The first Saibaimen have sprouted, and there are daily training sessions under the best commanders in the gyms.»
He pauses and takes a deep breath. We both know what he's about to say: what he has no idea about is my reaction and that seems to be holding him back.
«Lord Frieza, I want to train with you.»
«You really do want to suffer, little masochist» I laugh. I ask myself: do I want to reduce this tiny body in front of me to a fragile pile of bones and flesh? The answer is clear. «Don't get used to it. I won't have much time for you. Let's go.»
I push my throne through the door and Vegeta follows me, excited at the mere idea of being able to fight me again. I hope he can make this fight even slightly interesting: it would be better if I kept myself trained. I have no intention of letting Cooler even touch me.
Next chapter:
Like good brothers
5.12.24