Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Payment in Full: Saiyan's 2nd Chance ❯ Dinnertime Discussions ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z or Full metal alchemist. Funimation brings us these master works of anime on DVD. Toriyama created DBZ, and Full Metal Alchemist belongs to its own creators. I can only claim responsibility for the plot and the character of Atomique, Parsnip, Fermi, Bohr, Merlot, Cabernet and other fan characters here. The only pay I get is your reviews so please keep them coming! And my thanks to those who have already reviewed! Kudos and hugs to you!

Payment in Full

Dinnertime Entertainment

By Trynia Merin

***

 

Her head swam as she finished helping Lyssra prepare the food. Having decided there wasn't nearly enough for their repast, both father and son had exchanged heated words. Such words only rose to the level of debating who was going to go out and hunt that is because both wanted fresh kills.

 

"Stupid whelp," Bardock growled as Radditzu swore he was going out and that was final. He cocked his head, shaking it after watching his son storm off to the entrance to the dwelling. Atomique bit her lip, glancing nervously at Lyssra.

 

"Is it just me, or are those two getting along, and why is it scaring me?" she asked.

 

"Stupid sod, he just has NO sense whatsoever," Bardock cursed, and then caught Lyssra reproving gaze.

 

"You two won't quit, will you?" Lyssra commented, her violet eyes flashing with that strange bottomless look common to all Saiyans. Even the half bloods had a hint of it. Atomique pondered the reason for the bottomless black stare, and why it would translate into her eyes when it dawned on her what was so eerie about it.

 

No reflection in those dark eyes. Since they were commonly black, the added revelation of being unable to see one's reflection in them gave such an illusion. Perhaps it was the refractive index of Saiyan bodily fluids that was different. The chemical composition of Saiyan tears must give the fluid the ability to refract light that would somehow blur it to reflect visible rays. Thus the bottomless illusion when staring right into their eyes. Nevertheless, light did reflect off their eyes because she saw the gleaming sparkle of the room around them glowing off Bardock's black orbs. Most Saiyan males had eyes of a penetrating black. Some of them had lighter brown, almost copper eyes, but the hair was always dark brown or jet black.

 

Females had copper or dragon green eyes. The half bloods were most likely to have the variations due to basic genetic shuffling. Idsarjins had pink or violet eyes and blue or purple hair. So far they were the only race to crossbreed. So that resulted in Saiyans with violet eyes, mostly females, and males with dull bluish black hair. Some of them even had blue streaks.

 

"It's fashion on our world for females to silver their hair with streaks of platinum, and males to use dark blue. The lines you see are indicative of male warriors and females of the noble house. The red stripes often result when males are in heat, and females," she said.

 

"Temporary pigmentation?"

 

"Normally the red patterning indicates a male is ready for breeding. If you see green, that's war paint indicating noble blood," she explained. Lyssra walked over towards an amused and disgruntled Bardock. He wandered over towards the large alcove leading to what must be a science lab. Atomique hesitated before following her female friend into the vast space.

 

Most of the equipment was designed for physics experiments. From her two months of knowledge she had observed enough Saiyan science to determine their disciplines. Yet the technology seemed hopelessly advanced compared to her ken. After all the world she was originally from had nothing like television or computers. Sure they had the internal combustion engine, but plastic was just beginning to be invented, and she was one of the foremost scientists practicing 'organic chemistry'. Atomique herself had picked up research on organic polymers, and had managed to synthesize what she called 'bakelite'.

 

Wandering into Bardock's lab, she caught sight of him sitting in front of a 'computer' terminal. His fingers depressed buttons, calling up various things that flashed across his scouter lens. Lyssra sat near him, peering over his shoulder.

 

"You really should stop the banter. You two are so stubborn," Lyssra said as she rubbed Bardock's shoulders by slipping her fingers between his armor and skin.

 

"Humph, he's just like his mother," mumbled Bardock, glancing up over his shoulder.

 

"Tomique, something on your mind?" Lyssra asked. "Don't worry about the food preparation, we'll continue when Radditzu returns with the rest of the game."

 

"Is there something I should be doing as far as food prep goes?" Atomique asked. "While Radditzu is off hunting?"

 

"It's pretty much done," said Lyssra.

 

"You could pass the time by telling us more about your world. I had little chance to properly interview you," said Bardock. "Since there's a discrepancy in temporal drift in your DNA."

 

"Come again?" asked Atomique.

 

"You aren't from the same century as other people from Chikyuu, in that other universe," said Bardock. "Why?"

 

"What does it matter? It's another universe, why so interested?"

 

"The Destroyers were from that same universe as you were," said Bardock. "But they were from a point in time in its future. You are from a time from its past. Explain."

 

"Why worry about another universe. Considering your people left it behind when they were chasing me. And the Destroyers were clearly from THIS universe," she snorted.

 

"Don't think me stupid. The Destroyers are NOT from this universe any more than YOU are. Your quantum vibrations are different," he said.

 

"Quantum vibrations? You're saying… that my atoms are moving at a different frequency? How preposterous," she laughed.

 

"Your clothing and knowledge is not in line with the native inhabitants of Chikyuu encountered by Nappa and Radditzu. They took a few items and human specimens from Chikyuu along with the Destroyers. Where do you think Pepper and the other 'humans' came from?"

 

"But Radditzu said that I was the only…"

 

"We took at least five humans from that other universe. They're the newest mates you see. But you're not from the same time period in that universe as they are. You're from sometime in its past. You're a time traveler, aren't you?"

 

"Even if I was, so what?"

 

"The Destroyers are from your planet's own future," Bardock said with a hint of amusement. "Your enemies are your planet's own damn fault."

 

"Explain!" Atomique glared at him.

 

"It's an amusing puzzle, Lyssra my dear. The Destroyers use the philosopher stone technology to channel their ki, just like you do with that watch. And they were after you and your children, enlisting OUR help to find you. Why would they care, considering the vast technologies our universe has to offer? Why bother with your backward world's technologies in ANOTHER universe when they had all of what we had to help them with?" Bardock laughed. "Why even BOTHER with dimensional travel to such an insignificant world like yours?"

 

"Your point?"

 

"You're part of their past. They went sideways in time instead of back, and that's how they ended up in THIS universe meeting the Saiyans. I admit they fooled Freiza into thinking they were natives of THIS universe, but their quantum vibrations are very similar to yours. Each universe has its own quantum signature. Its molecules vibrate at a specific frequency unique to it. Your particles and those of the Destroyers vibrate at the same frequency."

 

"If so, how can you tell I'm from that other universe's past or future?"

 

"Because of the amplitude," said Bardock. "Your quantum vibrations have a different amplitude but the same frequency. It's off by a power of one. The peak height is 0.1 variance."

 

"It hardly matters now, since I'm stuck here," she said quietly.

 

"It's just a loose end that I've been meaning to solve," Bardock said with a chuckle. "And that wasn't the only way I could tell you're not from the time in which Radditzu captured you. You're from that world's past in the way that your brain scan indicates. You're not familiar with that time's technology like the other humans we captured."

 

"You come from a world where computers don't exist, and there is no such thing as space travel?" Lyssra asked. "Aren't you?"

 

"I don't' see why this matters," said Atomique angrily, turning on her heel.

 

"It does, if you're going to be part of this family group, little one," Bardock said, not unkindly. "You're my son's mate, and my daughter in a sense. I just want to know all I can about you, as any scientist would."

 

"You never asked before. Is it because I'm suddenly a Saiyan that you're so interested?" she snorted. Angrily she stomped out of the room, followed closely by Lyssra.

 

"He only wants to know more about you, so it will make the transition easier," Lyssra implored, catching hold of Atomique's armored shoulder.

 

"What, it's 'for my own good'? Damn it Lyssra he didn't ASK me if I wanted this monkey tail stuck onto me! He didn't ask ME if I wanted to be a chimera!"

 

"I know you're scared, so am I! But Radditzu asked him to do this," said Lyssra, turning Atomique to face her.

 

"Radditzu?"

 

"He did. It's because of him that you're alive. Bardock suspected you and the other humans from your universe might be compatible, but they never expected you to be so powerful," Lyssra said.

 

"There aren't humans in this dimension?" she asked.

 

"We haven't explored the sector of space containing your world in this universe," Lyssra explained. "All we have to go on is what you can tell us."

 

"So you can find the Earth here and purge it?" she snapped.

 

"There's no guarantee we'd even reach there. The Saiyan people are trying to survive. WE might not even live through the conflict to come," Lyssra said.

 

"What conflict? Damn it!"

 

"What I mean to say is that we need you. We need every Saiyan. You know that we don't want to be slaves of Freiza forever. Only with Master Brolli and the strength of the Saiyan people can we overthrow him. And we can only do that by finding the Prince, in OUR dimension," said Lyssra.

 

"We dared not take him from your universe," Bardock interrupted, striding out of his lab. "Atomique, you must understand that you're valued. Despite what you think of our society, you have been given a second chance to make a difference here."

 

"Why do you care? I'm just a slave like you are. Fourth or third, does it matter?"

 

"We're ALL Dogs of the military, girl. Surely you must know how that is. Here you have a chance to break that control," said Bardock.

 

"What the HELL would you know about that? You don't know me, or my society!" she raved.

 

"We know about what Napa and Radditzu learned from the Destroyers about Earth in your native universe. But we don't know about your time and place. All we know is what files they gave us regarding you. And as your 'father' I think it behooves me to learn," he said.

 

"I don't care, do what you want," Atomique said quietly, sinking down to sit in one of the fur lined sofas along the living area wall. Lyssra settled down next to her, rubbing her back.

 

"Bardock, give her some time. She and I have only just gotten used to the change. Can't this wait till we've eaten?"

 

"Give her something to eat now, and my son will just have to deal with his tardiness," Bardock snorted, striding into the eating area.

 

"Come on, let's get some food, there's enough to start with," said Lyssra, guiding an angry Atomique to stand on shaky boots.

***

Eventually with food in her belly, Atomique warmed to Bardock's inquiries. Slowly she revealed to him that his theories were correct. Alchemy was in reality a type of telekinesis. Telepathy and other mental arts were common. Yet more and more this 'science' was causing men to invent things that didn't' require studies of the ancient disciplines like Astrology and Alchemy. More and more they were relegated to being 'charlatans' and necromancers. In the Empire, Alchemy and Astrology were encouraged. Unlike in the Imperial British Empire where Christianity reigned supreme and alchemy was seen as devil's work. Fuhrer King Bradley had funded much research.

 

All these facts spun out in the tales of her world. Over the fresh fruits and roasted meat of their dinner, she told Bardock Lysrra of the world she had once inhabited. Her marriage to Stanley Stellari, an astrologer who worked for the military and was enlisted in Genoa. It was an annexation to the Empire that was steadily growing. Time was reckoned in terms of whom they could conquer and whom they could keep in their empire. The Ishballans were a rebellion to be put down to the Far East, Far East of Kiev and Moscva. Only the Imperial Empire of Britain was their rival, they, and the kingdoms of North Africa, and the Ottomans.

 

Part of her work had been under Shau Tucker. Yet she had abandoned this in favor of studying natural materials like silk and wool. She soon decided to work under another specialist named Morairty, who was a consummate scientist inventing new materials he called 'polymers'. He was deemed the Polymer alchemist, in honor of the strange materials he constructed by rearranging bonds in living molecules.

 

He called it 'plastic', the strange translucent things that he had made from building blocks. Under his tutelage she learned how to do the same to organic sludge. But Moriarty also supplemented his alchemy with synthesis not involving his powers. He used experimental science, a realm of those not able to use alchemy as she was. The common man could make vast discoveries by using experiments instead of shaping elemental forces. Soon alchemy was in danger of being relegated to those few that had the mental ability to channel it.

 

"So your time they had mastered the arts of alchemy to transmute matter, and at the same time scientists were just developing radio and the internal combustion engine," Bardock said. "Interesting dichotomy."

 

"You can imagine my shock being in a time where cars hovered and things called computers linked everyone's homes and libraries with no limit to access. But alchemy was all but forgotten, relegated to legend," she said.

 

"Why? Why was Alchemy abandoned in the future of your world?" Bardock asked.

 

"Maybe because it was considered too dangerous?" asked Lyssra. "Am I right?"

 

"Yes," said Atomique, lifting her goblet of Ylavorian, a spicy fermented brew of the various jivaragh fruits native to Vegitasei. It tasted like sherry, and was as thick as tree sap.

 

"Tell me," Bardock said.

 

"There were those that had practiced human alchemy. Few survived. Except for those like the brother's Elric, of which the Full Metal Alchemist was one. The two of them had been an interesting case study. They worked at Central, under my commanding officer Colonel Mustang, but in a different unit. I was in research. I didn't see them much, but there were some missions where I saw them in action," she said.

 

"You had mentioned their abilities during training," said Lyssra. Bardock nodded, acknowledging this would be a tale for another time.

 

"But Edward Elric had traversed time. Due to an encounter with his father Hoenheim. He glimpsed the future of our world where there was a Great War, and things called Zepplins bombed our towns and cities. Few others had traversed and mastered the element of time, but Hoenheim was one."

 

"And the others?" asked Lyssra.

 

"An imperial British scientist by the name of Wells also had. Some of our top men had done so as well, but that research was as top secret as Human alchemy and the creation of Philosopher stones. Such knowledge was kept from the public. So it wasn't a surprise when I arrived in the 'future' of my world and found all knowledge of Alchemy forgotten and relegated to myth and quackery," she sighed, draining the rest of her ylavorian.

 

Bardock tore off another hunk of meat from the bones with sharp teeth. Chewing he swallowed thoughtfully, holding the bone in the hand his chin rested on. His scar shifted with the muscles gliding under his jaw. Finally he sighed, "Yes, such is the fate of all dangerous science. I cannot traverse time physically but I see the future myself. One of a few who are cursed with such abilities."

 

"Clairvoyance," she nodded.

 

"When my team raided planet Carnivore I was struck by one of the shaman of that world. Ever since I have spells where my mind is transported in a dream state to the future. I can see what might be, based on the present time. It allowed me to see that the Destroyers would come. It even allowed me to see the destruction of my world at Freiza's hand. Brolli alone believed me and saved our race. But I also saw a time when our race would all but perish, save five of us," he shuddered.

 

"In my world there were only 2 full blooded Saiyans. Prince Vegeta, and Son Goku," she said.

 

"My son," said Bardock quietly. "Would that we had his power on our side here."

 

"Radditzu said we should leave him. I offered to go in his place. But I'm puzzled why Napa didn't insist on informing Prince Vegeta…"

 

"It was better that way," Bardock said. "To discover him alive in your universe gave us hope he might still exist in this one."

 

"But tell us more about time travel," said Lyssra. "And how it was arrived at in your time."

 

"It was pure theory. But space and time, physics were being researched by the King's own top men and women. Not all of them were from the Kingdom. Many were from Imperial Britain," she said.

 

"Many empires on your world?" said Lyssra.

 

"Britain, ruled by the Queen, on which the sun never set. The Ottoman, who ruled from Istanbul to Asia Minor and our allies under the rule of Catharine the Great, in the land of the Russ, which stretched from the ester holdings past Ishballa, and the great Siber," she nodded.

 

"We had only one empire under Idsar. The royal families consolidated power, till those of Vejitasei came," Lyssra said, fiddling with her goblet.

 

 

"That explains how you came to be in the world you left if you say your technology was so backward," Bardock nodded. "This is what I said before."

"Time travel," she said. "The world I came from was in another time. Radditzu picked me out of a point in my world's future, as you said, Bardock."

 

"Time travel is dangerous and physically impossible," Lyssra snorted. "It was outlawed by King Cold. Tampering with destiny was seen as a coward's way out. That's why the Destroyers were looked down on."

 

"The Destroyers were dimensional travelers," she said.

 

"And time travelers. As I hypothesized, they must have gone back to a point in your world's history where we didn't have the technology to fight them," Bardock grunted triumphantly.

 

"It still seems crazy to realize that," she shivered.

 

"Think about it, your world was one of empires divided against each other. Wouldn't it stand to reason it was a better time to invade your dimension then in its future? To take what they wanted when Alchemy was still viable?" asked Bardock. "You say they used talisman like yours. If they had first gone to the time when Radditzu had picked you out of, where the Z fighters were alive, they wouldn't have gotten anything. So they picked a time when alchemy was at its peak."

 

"I see what you mean. And not only that, some of the alchemists were studying isolation of the element of time. Hoehneheim Elric and others had worked alongside physicists… non-alchemists to study its ebb and flow. Yet only he and a few others in Imperial Britain had succeeded in mastering it."

 

"So somehow this time travel catapulted you, your husband and children into your world's future," she nodded.

 

"Yes, so we could follow the Destroyers and determine where they came from. Some of us theorized it was from a point in Earth's future. In which there were things like televisions, automobiles, space ships, and the like. Where there was something called an 'Internet' and people used 'cell phones'. And most homes were round dwellings like beehives with all manner of things that you could derive from capsules. But others of us were sure they were from an alien world."

 

"Humph, and you were bewildered," Lyssra said.

 

"Why?" Bardock asked.

 

"I couldn't understand a WORD of what anyone was saying," Atomique grimaced.

 

"Why not? Surely you could learn…" he trailed off.

 

"We didn't have scouters with UVT circuits," Atomique looked witheringly at him.

 

"Dear," Lyssra sighed as Bardock gave an uncomfortable grunt.

 

"As you were saying," he mumbled, his cheeks flushed pink.

 

"My husband gave my children to me and tried to escape. The team that we led was composed of Commander Stellari, Professor Wells, Hoenheim Elric, and several others. Even though Elric had been shunned and presumed dead he was 'pardoned' so he could work on this. Despite his sons rejection. But in this new 'reality' the Destroyers hadn't reckoned on the world's ability to defend itself. There was a battle, and most of us didn't survive. The people of my world's future arrested those that remained as the Destroyers escaped. My children were saved by two of them."

 

"Earth's Special Forces," Lyssra confirmed. Bardock saw her nod.

 

"Yes. Yamucha and Krillen. I was still trying to escape and free my husband, but I was 'arrested' by the inhabitants of West City. Nobody spoke my language and I couldn't read any of his or her written word. Little did I know that it was because my language wasn't spoken for at least a century in that region?"

 

"Your language again," Bardock laughed. "Sorry but I find it amusing to think that language is a barrier considering we Saiyans can master most speech with or without scouters."

 

"They kept insisting I was from Westmar Germanic province. I had no clue what this 'German' was. The language I spoke was that of the Empire of Fuhrer Bradley, of Prussia," she laughed.

 

"The conquerors had obliterated it naturally," Bardock surmised.

 

"Humph, yes. Somehow they found someone who could speak my language, and soon their scientists determined that I wasn't from this time. I was forever trapped in their future. The Destroyers had the only other means of time travel, their dimensional devices, and use of them was forbidden. So the only alternative was to make a life with my sons in that time. I divulged all I knew of the Destroyers to their King, and worked for Capsule Corporation. There was so much I had to learn of the new science. I never mastered Japanese though. Fortunately they spoke my language and published books in British, a language I COULD read somewhat."

 

"How did you cross the path of Bardock's elder son?" Lyssra asked. "Tell me from your point of view."

 

"Yes do tell me, I'm curious to see how my son handled your first encounter," Bardock chuffed with amusement.

 

"The Destroyers were suddenly popping up again. The Z fighters were trying to stop them when they could. I helped Bulma Briefs develop a means of detecting their 'philosopher talisman' that they used to harness their awful mental powers. The latest trace was near the house of son Goku, the most powerful of the Earth's Special Forces. There I saw Napa and Radditzu. I had learned of Saiyans because of my encounter with the Prince."

 

"The Prince alive in your dimension. I scarcely believed it," Lyssra drew in her breath.

 

"The existence of parallel universes is well established as fact," said Bardock, interrupting them. "I should know. Considering the research unit that investigated hyperwarps."

 

"I know you think 'alchemy' is mostly mumbo jumbo hiding a real discipline, but you know it works," Atomique glared at him.

 

"Alchemy is merely hyperfoccused specialized telekinesis. Manipulation of mental and natural battle power to shape matter from an atomic structure," Bardock said. "At least from my observations of the Destroyer's files regarding your time period."

 

"And from studying my powers, correct," she said wryly, glaring at him across his table.

 

He held out his goblet for Lyssra to fill from the large pitcher of ylavorian. Taking a sip to clear his parched throat he said, “Well, you do have a high facility for telekinesis. And it specifies in the reorganization of molecular bonds. Spontaneous reformation of matter that you claim such as the 'full metal' alchemist is capable of is reorganization of matter from a subatomic level."

 

"Not every alchemist can transmute without a circle," she said.

 

"Circles and the like must be complex mental channeling capabilities to master the art of focussing latent physical energy and subjecting it to human mental command. Your 'philosopher's stones' were matter energy regulators. Quite intriguing how you were able to wield such dangerous forces that most civilizations would balk," Bardock surmised, wiping his lip with the back of his hand.

 

"Most Saiyan technology seems rudimentary and uncluttered of devices," she shrugged, waving a hand around to indicate the interior of the house.

 

"We use our physical powers well without it. Save that what is necessary for space travel, food synthesis and other necessities. But seriously, manipulating environments to the artificial level on our OWN worlds makes no sense. Except using it to purge a planet for our 'customers'," said Bardock. "Waste of energy and abuse of technology. You know it isn't the answer to everything."

 

"The world in which I left, and the time wasn't unlike yours, but we believed Alchemy was the answer to everything," she said. Lyssra folded her arms, sitting down next to Bardock. He reached over and pulled her to sit on his knee in the big chair he leaned back in. Small stools and two large chairs flanked the round table, loaded with platters of food.

 

Since one large chair was left vacant, and Bardock sat in the other, the two stools were the only place left for the two females to sit. Lyssra had whispered to her that it was Saiyan custom, since the females often scurried about replenishing the food for the males. Besides, sitting in a male's lap was considered the norm.

 

"Then your future proved that 'technology' held a similar promise," Lyssra said quietly, shifting in Bardock's lap as he wrapped his tail around her waist.

 

"Odd that you developed any technology," said Atomique with an amused smile.

 

"It was adapted from those that we conquered. We only took what was needed. As for this 'time travel' it's highly risky. Causes considerable damage to the structure of reality. That which is used for space travel is enough," Bardock said, accepting the berries that Lyssra was feeding him one by one. A look of fondness crossed her face as he settled her to lean against him, his arm across her back. She rested crosswise across his lap, contentment filling her countenance.

 

"And yet you used your' technology' to achieve a goal that was perfected in my 'backward' century," she said. "We made chimeras. But Human alchemy was expressly forbidden."

 

"Human is relative," Bardock said quietly. "If not for that forbidden technology you'd be dead."

 

"And I'm grateful. But it does suffice to say there's no chance of me being returned to my own time and place?" Atomique asked, swirling her goblet. Liquid sloshed around the brim. Lysrra indicated the pitcher, and Atomique helped herself to pouring more beverages for all of them.

 

"Your universe is only one of many alternatives," he said quietly. "Your scientist Heisenburg put it best with his uncertainty principle."

 

"I had read his research and found it annoying," she snorted. "He was a cocky son of a bitch. Denouncing Alchemy as charlatans' work and dangerous undertakings."

 

"Your alchemy has done little to help your world, save tinkering with forces you have no business dealing with. With such weak mental capacity," snorted Bardock. "Perhaps if you'd focused on channeling the mental abilities towards controlling energy and telepathic functions you'd have stood a chance against your Destroyers."

 

"Maybe. They achieved what we did not," she said.

 

"They are indeed your descendents," he said. "From a probable future time later on in another sidebar of your universe. I had studied their sudden emergence into our universe, the one you inhabit now. Frieza knew they were from another universe, trying to somehow make their way into other realities. But your dabbling in 'temporal' alchemy sealed your universe's own fate."

 

"Which you Saiyans were all too eager to exploit," she snorted.

 

"We do what we must to survive, just as your species does," Bardock said.

 

"What was that about survival?" Radditzu interrupted. They glanced up to see him carrying a large beast around his shoulders. Behind him he dragged the carcass of a boar like creature along the front step. Atomique leapt up at the same time Lyssra did, rushing over towards him.

 

"Um do you need help with that?" she asked.

 

"You've begun without me? For shame. I've been tracking these two beasts and you've been stuffing your faces," he grunted, holding out the one beast towards Lyssra to take.

 

"You take so damn long, what do we do, starve?" Bardock growled, glancing over his shoulder.

 

"Perhaps. Are they boring you with their babble, Tomique-chan?" he purred, turning his gaze to Atomique standing nervously there. She held out a hand, wondering if she had to accept the large carcass he shouldered.

 

"I guess we should be grateful you brought enough homes for US as well as you and your mate," Bardock said. "I guess you do have SOME manners, whelp."

 

"For shame father, in front of my mate," Radditzu laughed, snaring Atomique in one arm and steadying his burden with the other. He strode towards the kitchen, and then hung his kill on a large tenterhook next to the one that Lyssra had set his other kill on.

 

He reached for the knife she tossed to him, pulling Atomique to stand next to him. "Well, get on with it, and sit down like a civilized Saiyan, or I'll doubt that you've retained ANY etiquette at all!" Bardock called from the table.

 

"You forget custom yourself," he snorted, cutting into the prey in a y incision to reach into the chest of the beast. Atomique almost threw up when he cut out the heart and liver from the chest, lapping the blood from it.

 

"In honor of those who came before," he called, handing the liver to Bardock.

 

"My thanks," he nodded.

 

"And the best for you love. Representing what I give you to your charge," Radditzu said, holding up the heart he had torn out of the chest of his larger kill. He leaned down and bit into it, bloods staining his lips. Then he held it before Atomique, his black eyes gleaming expectantly.

 

Bardock and Lyssra were nibbling the fresh liver between them, alternating bites and staring at Atomique. Nervously she leaned over and sank her teeth into the soft flesh of the heart, tasting iron blood. Part of her felt sick while the rest tingled with expectation and hunger. On the ship she didn't eat much uncooked meat, preferring the roasted fare. Most of the females refrained from raw meat, since there wasn't much to go around on the ship. Only once or twice had she eaten fresh kill, raw and bloody, and the banquet was the second time only. Slowly she chewed the tough cardiac muscle, letting it roll on her tongue. The more she swallowed the more she realized that her body craved each morsel.

 

"You like?" Radditzu asked.

 

She nodded, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes. Here she was eating the heart of a fresh kill and liking it. To her horror she couldn't stop from taking more bites after Radditzu. Together they held the organ, feasting on it till they were licking blood from one another's fingers. It dawned on her that it was the equivalent of giving chocolates and flowers to a lover during Valentine's Day.

 

"Shall we cook the meat?" asked Lyssra.

 

"No, I'm too hungry. I'll eat it raw, and hope that you still have room for some of the rest, precious one," Radditzu said, licking his lips and glancing at Atomique.

 

"I can eat a bit," she said quietly, letting him lick the blood from her fingers. Shock poured over her, realization hitting only minutes after what she had just done. Instinct had overridden reason. Of course she was half Saiyan, and eating raw meat was part of their diet. Nevertheless the human side of her reeked with disgust.

 

"To the table, you two," Lyssra called.

 

***

The rest of the meal passed in silence for Atomique. Only Bardock and Radditzu talked, interrupted by Lyssra and occasional nods or grunts from the demi Saiyan. She simply curled up in Radditzu's lap, leaning her head against his shoulder and shivering. He flared his ki slightly to warm her, passing his hand over her back.

 

She reached over to help pull meat off the bones and pass it to him. At least five goblets of ylavorian passed over his lips along with half of the kill and the remainder of the food on the table. Lyssra and Bardock consumed most of the other animal, saving the rest for Radditzu and his mate there. Bare bones were cracked open to consume the marrow that he slurped like sugar from a cane.

 

Atomique half-heartedly accepted the thighbone with marrow still inside from an excited Radditzu. She swallowed the yellow marrow to placate the three sets of eyes watching her intently. Although her belly was close to being full, she hadn't the heart to eat any more. Speaking of home had dredged up a terrible longing for her time and place however imperfect. It dawned on her that she had told Bardock and Lyssra far more than she had promised herself. They knew of her two sons and her past life.

 

"Love, what is wrong? Are you not hungry? Does the food not please you?" Radditzu asked, stroking her hair.

 

"I'm just tired, that's all," she said.

 

"Not too tired I hope," he purred.

 

"I just wish to be alone with you," she murmured, hoping he wouldn't detect that she was making an excuse to retreat.

 

"Understandable. Well father, Lyssra, we've imposed on your own time enough, haven't we?" he said, nudging Atomique off his lap. He stood up, stretching and rolling his joints to crack them. Snapping bones made her start and shudder.

 

"I was wondering when you'd stop eating us out of house and home," Bardock quipped. "But I can't complain since you brought your own meal."

 

"Father really, you're convincing my mate that we're unwelcome. Is that your intention? Or are you really as eager as I am to."

 

"Get out of here and leave us be," Lyssra laughed. "Your father and I have much to discuss…"

 

"In the lab," Radditzu completed.

 

"Depends on what you think we're going to experiment on, whelp," Bardock added with a lascivious wink towards his mate sitting on his lap.

 

"Thank you for the food," said Atomique quietly.

 

"Thank you for a most entertaining meal. Too bad my son missed your tales," said Bardock.

 

"You can update me in private, ne?" Radditzu purred in her ear.

 

"Once you two leave. Don't keep your mate waiting," Lyssra laughed. "We'll have plenty to discuss in five days time."

 

"Five days time?" she asked.

 

"Five days alone with that loudmouth. I can see why she's hesitating," Bardock teased. "Don't be too sad girl. I'm sure he'll find some way to amuse you, unless I'm totally wrong about him."

 

"Far be it from me to disappoint you, Father. Come now, let's leave them to their experiments," he laughed, half-dragging Atomique along with him.

 

"Five days? Are we going on a trip?"

 

"Simply that for the next five days all they'll be concerned with is spending as much time experimenting with one another to want to be saddled with us," Radditzu grunted, squeezing her hip as he drew her close to him.

 

"Where?"

 

"Not very far," he purred. "And not all trips are made from the dwelling."

 

***