Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Business Matters ❯ Fires and Firings ( Chapter 5 )

AN: So it's Thanksgiving break so I can finally spare some time to update!!! Aren't you guys happy? Sigh…probably not. Ah well. The fans have asked and I have delivered. A bit late, but a new chapter is here, longer and better than ever! Thanks for the reviews gals/guys!!!! I love you guys!!! On with the story.

 

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the DBZ characters or Kasumi from D.O.A! Just use them for my personal enjoyment and crazy mind!

 

Chapter 5: Fires and Firings

 

Stretching the kinks out of his neck, Vegeta prepared for his spar with Radditz that would be taking place in the next 20 minutes. If Radditz knew what was good for him, he would show up real soon and began warming up, because when it hit 5 on the digital clock in the gym, the spar would begin whether Radditz was ready or not. Bending down to stretch out his hamstrings he couldn't help reflecting on the day's pass occurrences.

 

As usual he had been a bit early for his meeting with the corporate giant Capsule Corps President and CEO, Dr. Briefs. He had gone over all the necessary paperwork for the fourth time that day, making sure that he knew every single bit of information down to the kind of coffee Dr. Briefs preferred. He would use every bit of information to his advantage. From his previous dealings with the powerhouse that was Capsule Corps, he knew that he had his work cut out for him. They were very scrupulous when it came to money and they wanted to know all the information in any project proposal down to what color socks a project engineer wore.

 

They were just that meticulous and Vegeta couldn't help but admire them. He had been running his company for a good five years now, after his father had decided that it was high time his son learn some real work ethic and responsibility, and Vegeta couldn't have been happier.

 

Corporate life is what he lived for. He thrived on the rush of the business world. The steady hustle of finishing a project before its deadline. The cunning conversations between execs who would do anything they could to get ahead.

 

Vegeta, he was the master of smooth talking. Hell, he could even talk a lady of the highest caliber out of her clothes. Except one in particular. The very one his mind kept straying too. She was such an enigma. Blue hair, voluptuous soft curves that made any man look twice- plus she was headstrong and stubborn. She knew what she wanted and more often than not, she got it, and on a silver platter to boot. She could even crack a joke when the situation called for it. But really, who had blue hair? He couldn't help but ponder on it. He had been with many women in his years but none with blue hair, natural at that. He had had a slew of blondes, brunettes, and red heads, and had even dated one girl with green hair for a good three months. But that had been dyed. But he couldn't be sure that Bulma's hair hadn't been dyed itself. There was only way of figuring that out. He thought grinning wolfishly to himself.

 

“Uh Vegeta sir. I'm ready to begin sparring whenever you are.” In all Vegeta's contemplation he had forgotten about Radditz and their spar. Radditz had been there stretching for about five minutes just watching Vegeta absentmindly stretch. He was obviously thinking extremely hard about something and Radditz really hadn't wanted to interrupt his train of thought. But he knew he would be worse off if he had let Vegeta think one minute more. Vegeta was a stickler about being on time and it was now five.

 

“Good idiot. I hope you're ready to get your ass beat to the ground.” Vegeta answered getting into his fighting form. Radditz winced a bit, knowing the pain he would be feeling by the end of this ordeal. Hopefully Vegeta would go easy on him and not leave bruises on his face. He could hide the bruises on his body from the ladies; even promote them as battle scars. Now that made the ladies wild, but cuts on his face made it harder to get with the ladies.

 

Vegeta abruptly shook Radditz out of his thoughts with a bone shattering quick jab to his midsection. Groaning Radditz quickly reset his mind for the fight with the last thought: Vegeta wasn't going easy on him today.

 

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Sighing heavily I shifted through the files for my companies latest project for what had to be the twentieth time. I just can't see where the malfunction occurred, and it's irritating the hell out of me. It just didn't make sense. One second I'm enjoying a steaming mug of specialty coffee and talking with Goku- than the next, as soon as I walk in the door from my much deserved and needed coffee break, my secretary Anne rushed to my side with a cordless phone in her hands. After that everything had moved in slow motion.

 

I had answered the phone ready to talk business, “Hello, President Briefs speaking.”

 

A shaky voice had answered amidst sirens, some screaming, and explosions, “Bulma you need to get down here quick. The new core we've been working on is exploding.”

 

In that instant I knew who was talking and just where everything was happening.

 

“Eddie, calm down.” Saying this more for myself than Eddie who was perfectly calm. “I'll be there in a minute, five tops.” Clicking off the phone it took not even a second before Anne had handed me my keys and I was on the elevator waiting for it to take me to the main complex floor.

 

“Anne make sure to take all my calls and reschedule any appointments I have.” I called out before the elevator doors closed.

 

Sighing heavily, I rubbed my temples finally letting everything was over me. Millions of thoughts were playing through my brain causing a slow but throbbing migraine to begin on the edge of my lobes. Just what I need.

 

What had gone wrong? Had the reactive core been tempered with? Was there a flaw in the design? Was it foul play? Was anyone hurt? Was anything important destroyed?….. Thousands and thousands of questions entered and swirled in my head as I waited for the elevator to reach the floor.

 

Shaking my head to clear the thoughts that were becoming more and more depressing by the second, I began pacing as the elevator made is descent. What could be taking so long?!

 

In actuality the elevator was going at an extremely fast pace, seeing as though her executive offices were on the top floor, level 32. I was just too stressed to realize this. The elevator finally stopped on the ground level as I stepped out extremely frustrated. I was extremely worried about what was going on. Looking to my left I noticed that no one was occupying the welcome desk. Actually it appeared that the front entrance had been closed.

 

Raising a finally trimmed blue eyebrow I finally shrugged more worried about the state of my laboratories than losing some business because we had closed early. Turning to the right I made my way to the doors that would take me onto Capsule Corps main compound. I quickly made my way to the main science building. That's where all of our public experiments happen and where most of my scientists worked. Right behind that building is what I am actually headed for. This is my top secret science research laboratory. The actual outer shell looks only like a concrete rectangle (and it is) but the real building is underneath.

 

Unconsciously noticing that there was no one walking around the compound as usual I resisted turning around and going to the main science center to see what was up. I'm sure I would find out when I get to the scene so instead I continued to my destination finally seeing a steel door that was the entrance to the concrete building.

 

Entering my six digit numerical password and swiping my ID card, I made my way through the empty gray halls toward the elevator. This top floor is merely a cover up for what goes on downstairs. This floor is simply for storage of products such as paper and pens and the like, cleaning products, and just about anything the offices would need.

 

Walking down the last gray corridor I found the gray-doored elevator. If you don't look close enough you would definitely miss it. It's purposely blended into the walls for those who try to break in and snoop around.

 

Stepping into the elevator I again typed in another six-digit password, this time with letters, and swiped my card. There are only three people with my level of security for Capsule Corps and that would be: my second in command Eddie, my father Dr. Briefs, and me. As the door slid close I couldn't help the trepidation that filled me at the thought of what was happening just a few hundred feet below me. Though the elevator was descending extremely fast it once again felt like an eternity, but now it was because the labs were deeper underground. They were built this way because of the types of projects and experiments contained and worked on there. Not many knew about these labs. It was truly a secret that only about thirty or so knew of and those had sworn an oath that if broken would result in penalty of death of them and maybe even there family. Harsh yes, but if the government and the world ever got a hold of the different things kept under wraps down here it would cause all out chaos.

 

Plus we weren't the only corporation with secrets. I know personally that Vegeta Ouji's corporation Vegetasai Inc. had a top secret laboratory with things that the government didn't even know about, that went too for Cold Inc., which was an overall secretive company itself. You definitely can't trust them over there. They are the sketchiest businessmen I've ever met. (The Colds that is.)

 

The elevator finally stopped with a low melodic chime and I waited with baited breath as the doors slowly slid open. As soon as they did I was confronted with utter chaos. Sirens were ringing loudly, the few scientists that did work down here were running around frantically from room to room in the big hall, and every two seconds a programmed voice (which was actually mine) came over the intercom system telling everyone to remain calm and make there way to the special emergency elevator. No one of course was following this direction because they were trying to figure out how to stop whatever problem there was.

 

Quickly I made my way through the hall picking up speed the closer I got to the main room.

 

“Dr. Briefs.” A voice called from someone around me bringing me to an abrupt stop. Turning to the right I located the voice to be one of the main scientists Dr. Marsei. “I'm glad you're finally here. The main room has been closed off due to a radioactive leak in the core. We need to get you suited up and in there as soon as possible. Dr. McGinnis (Eddie) and your father are in there currently trying to stabilize the core so that it won't explode the whole lab.

 

My eyes widening greatly at the thought of my father and Eddie being so close to a radioactive time bomb coupled with the thought off all the hard work not to mention lives that could be lost in only a few seconds, which spurred me to run right past Dr. Marsei and into the suit room with extreme haste. As soon as I got there scientists seized upon me dressing me in protective gear so that the radiation wouldn't be an issue.

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Chuckling at the idiot that was my employee Radditz I settled myself on the black leather coach of my office.

 

“It's not funny Vegeta.” Radditz muttered pouting childishly as he iced the welt that was growing on his wide forehead.

 

“Au contrar Radditz. It's extremely funny.” I answered laying my head back on the soft pillows. “You should be a clown. Yes maybe I'll promote you to company jester.”

 

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” He muttered wincing harshly when the company's hired nurse dabbed him with alcohol on one of his many open cuts.

 

Leaning deeper into the cushions I let everything drain from me with a deep sigh. The spar had definitely been helpful in relaxing me. I had gotten in a good many hits on Radditz until after two hours he had wisely finally given up. I have to admit the tiniest bit of respect for Radditz not giving in after the first half and hour. I hadn't taken it easy on him at all hitting with all, well almost all, I had.

 

Turning back to Radditz I couldn't but help grin at the fool as he squirmed and yelped under the hands of the nurse who was constantly scolding him and dabbing more alcohol on his wounds.

 

“Suck it up loser I went easy on you.” I growled out grinning all the while as he glared at me.

 

“Easy my ass. More like I'm trying to kill you hard.” He muttered wincing as the nurse hit him for moving while she tried to place a bandage causing me to burst out into laughter at the comical sight.

 

“Yeah laugh it up.”

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Slowly entering the containment field I held my breath in the suit as the door slid open. Stepping through into the main room I was immediately blinded by a harsh red light that blinked showing that there was an emergency. I could feel the moisture begin to bead at my brow as I slowly made my way in the room. These suits may have been state of the art but they were still hot as hell. Note to self: Make suits with cool air circulator.

 

Looking to my left I noticed that the computers had short-circuited and were currently going crazy. Good thing I decided to back up all our information last week. Sighing softly I turned to my right noticing right away Eddie kneeling, typing furiously on a laptop hooked to the mainframe.

 

“Eddie!” I called out rushing over to him. Not surprisingly he could not hear me over the blaring siren. I quickly made my way over to him stepping over thick wires and cords strewn about on the floor. “Eddie.” I called out again placing my hand on his shoulder.

 

Jumping a good five feet in the air he whirled around to face me. “Bu..Bu..Bulma. You made it.” He gasped out through his suit finally catching his breath.

 

“Yes. Dr. Marsei briefed me on what he could but I need to know details.” I responded.

 

“Right.” He answered turning back to his laptop. Pointing to the map on the screen he began to explain what was going on. “Basically something triggered the radioactive core to overheat which created the crack in the phramework. We've located the crack and we're now trying to patch up the leak. We need to contain it before the temperature rises too high and it explodes.”

 

“Oh goody.” I sighed sarcastically knowing that this wouldn't be a simple repair job. “Where is my father?”

 

“He's by the core now trying to repair it as we speak.” Eddie answered pointing over towards the huge center machine were the core was housed.

 

“Right. We'll let's get down to business and fix this so we can all go home.” I mumbled rubbing my hands together in half trepidation half excitement. Making my way over to the huge core in the center of the room I could see my father working furiously on the slowly growing crack.

 

“Dad.” I shouted over the sirens, coming up behind him.

 

“Oh hello Bulma. Glad to see you could make it. Wish we could turn those damn sirens off. I'm going deaf.” He answered turning a bit to face me.

 

“Well unfortunately we created this system so that they wouldn't stop until the problem is fixed. So we're going have to deal with them until we're done.” I answered kneeling down next to him.

 

“I suppose your right. Well let's get to work then shall we?”

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

“Mr. Ouji you wanted to see me?” My air headed secretary asked standing in front of my desk.

 

Looking up at her, I could see why Radditz would definitely be attracted to her. She had long curly blonde hair, hazel colored eyes, and a nicely proportioned figure. She might actually be attractive to me if she had something other than dust-bunnies floating around in her head. “Yes. I unfortunately have to downsize the company a bit and in effect must relinquish you of your job.”

 

Looking down at the red slip I waited for the waterworks to begin and some pleading and begging and was quite surprised when I didn't get any of that.

 

“Um relinquish means a raise right? Am I getting a raise?! Oh I'm so happy. Maybe now I can buy one of those cute Paris Hilton dogs.” She babbled on and on actually jumping up and down in excitement. I didn't bother hiding the surprise and disgust that covered my face. She probably wouldn't even notice anyway. Really was she this dense?

 

“Are you stupid?!” Yelling at her, I stopped her in her tracks. Having just lost my cool I tried to regain some sort of professionalism and lowered my voice. “No. Relinquish means to give up or in other words I'm letting you go.

 

“Letting me go? Like on vacation? Cause I could really use one. I've been needing a tan for a while now-”

 

“What the hell?! You are stupid. NO. I'M FIRING YOU! Do you understand that now?” Screw professionalism, I can't deal with these idiots. Remind me to kill Radditz and hire a secretary with an IQ higher than a pea.

 

“Bu..Bu..But why?” She sputtered out tears beginning to creep out. Oh no here comes the waterworks. Think fast Vegeta.

 

“Radditz will explain everything to you on the way out.” I answered picking up the phone and dialing his extension. You are one smart man, Ouji.

 

“Vegetasai Human Relations, Radditz Son speaking.”

 

“Idiot get over here to my office right now. I have something you need to take care of.” I said hanging up before he could respond. Looking up I sighed loudly when I realized she was now sitting in one of my leather chairs still bawling. I never could deal with crying people. Looking back down at the red slip I scribbled a few more lines on it as I waited for Radditz's slow ass.

 

Moments later (felt like hours with her crying) he burst into the room paling considerably when he noticed the crying secretary. “Um, what can I do for you Vegeta?” He mumbled edging slowly into the room.

 

“Radditz I need you to escort Ms. Heart to her desk and help her gather her things. I'll also need you to explain to her the circumstances of her dismissal.” Grinning evilly I handed him the red slip and turned my attention to the still bawling ex-secretary. “You will be receiving your check in the mail and I will pay you full pay for the rest of this week even though you will not be working here.” I spoke softly almost feeling sorry for putting her in this situation. But company policy was company policy. Radditz only got off as a favor and he was quickly exhausting the ones he had. She really wasn't that bad, nice on the eyes, though a bit dumb. She wouldn't have too much trouble finding a new job. “Thank you for your services.” I finished watching boredly as Radditz escorted her out.

 

Sighing softly I turned back to the never-ending pile of paperwork that needed to be looked through by the end of the day. Alls in a day work.

 

xxxxxxxxx

 

Flexing my shoulders to get the knots outs that had settled from being in one position for too long, I had to applaud myself for a job well done. My father and I had stabilized the core in less than twenty minutes and somehow managed to reset the cracked grid in another thirty. Definitely one of the most dangerous not to mention thrilling things I had ever done. All those lives in your hand, just one mistake and the whole thing would have blown. You did good Bulma, alls in a days work.

 

“Wonderful work Bulma dear. I couldn't have done it without you.” My father remarked clasping me lightly on the back. “Why don't you take the rest of the day off and rest up. We have a board meeting at seven tomorrow that I want you to be in top shape for.”

 

“I'm fine daddy, really. But, if you insist I could always go for a massage to get these kinks out.” I answered turning my attention from my father to Eddie. “You did beautifully Eddie. Take the rest of the day off too. We have a lot of work to get done tomorrow.”

 

“Thanks Bulma. Dr. Briefs, I'll see you both tomorrow at seven. I'll finish checking things over and than make my way home.” Eddie answered heading back to the main lab room.

 

“Now then, I'll be making my rounds before I head up to my office. Call me if you need anything dear.”

 

“Alright daddy. I'll see you later.” I answered gracing him with a kiss before he walked off to another part of the lab.

 

“Alright Bulma let's close up shop.” I made my way back towards the elevator stopping only to chat with a few of my employees. Must keep up employee morale.

 

Finally making it back up to my office, I could finally let out the breath I was holding. A major disaster had been diverted thanks to the levelheadedness of my staff. Note to self: give top-secret research employees extra week of vacation. Leaning back I closed my eyes just for a second.

 

“Bulma? You in there?” The knock jarred me awake. Damn girl must have fallen asleep. Looking over at my wall clock I noticed I had been asleep for a good twenty minutes.

 

“Yes, come on in.” Wiping the sleep from my eyes and the drool that had begun forming on the corner of my mouth I tried making myself look as professional as possible.

 

“Hey Bulma. I'm sorry to disturb you but I wanted to give you these to look over.” Eddie said placing a stack of papers on my already overcrowded desk. “They're just the readouts from the mainframe computer. They might give you some indication into what triggered the overheating of the core.”

 

“Oh thanks Eddie. Don't worry about this. Head on home and I'll look this over tonight and we'll talk about this tomorrow after the board meeting.” I answered flipping quickly through the 127-page summary. Waving him away with a nod and an affectionate smile I turned my attention back towards the papers. “First order of business: one steaming cup of coffee.” Too bad Anne left already… Oh well Bulma time to get your own cup.

 

Four hours and I'm back were I started annoyed and irritated as hell that this readout isn't helping me solve anything. There's no way this could have randomly happened. Our core was created with an automatic temperature gage made unconnected from the mainframe itself so the worry of a computer shortage would not be an option. The only way this could actually happen was if someone…..TAMPERED WITH THE CORE ITSELF. Shit Bulma! How didn't you realize this earlier. Some genius you are. Now the question is who? None of my employees would even think of doing such a thing since it's basically suicide and Eddie, my dad, and I are the only ones who actually know the blueprints of the core itself. So it would have to be someone from the outside. But the question is who?

 

“What the hell is that vibrating noise?” Looking around for the annoying noise I came across my cell phone, which was hidden, in my pocketbook. Not bothering to check the caller ID I opened it. “Hello Bulma speaking.”

 

“Oh good Bulma. I was afraid you weren't going to answer.” I knew that voice right away.

 

“What is it Kasumi?” I muttered annoyed though I was actually smiling. She could always cheer me up when I needed it.

 

“Oh well I was bumming it over at your apartment waiting for you to show up so we could go out from some drinks when Yazuka showed up with your gown for that company party. It's so gorgeous girl! Now I'm going to have to do some major shopping to try and show you up.” She babbled over the phone.

 

“My dress arrived?! Shoot I still have to buy shoes for it.”

 

“Well I guess we'll just have to go shopping tomorrow won't we?” Kasumi answered as I began packing up all my things. I'll worry about that readout tomorrow when I've had some sleep and daddy and Eddie are here to discuss it.

 

“Make it Friday. The party is next Thursday right? That gives a bit of time to get our outfits together.” I said placing the readouts in a secure locked cabinet.

 

“Ha. The way you work you only have Friday to get your outfit together. You know we have to look great for the party. How else are we going to score high power husbands?” I couldn't help laughing at my best female friend. She was always on the lookout for a husband. And with good reason Bulma girl, our biological clocks are ticking. With that sobering thought I locked the door to my office and made my way to my car.

 

“Your right. I'll be home in like twenty minutes. We'll talk about these lucky bachelors when I get there.”

 

 

 

 

AN: Okay okay. I know I went from Vegeta being in 3rd person to being in 1st , but this part just seemed to work much better that way. When I tried to go back and change it, it just didn't read as well. But don't worry Vegeta will definitely be back in 1st person for my next chapter. And more comic relief will come too. I'm sorry for taking so long. I'm a new kid in college and I'm just now getting used to my new life, not to mention all the work. Teh. So please be patient with me. Review and let me know how I'm doing. I'm on a roll here.