Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Full Spectrum ❯ What Friends Are For ( Chapter 3 )

Special thanks to the Prince's Jewel for beta reading this for me.

Full Spectrum

By Ginia

Part 3
What Friends Are For

When Bulma first awoke she thought she was in a hospital, but as she examined her surrounding in detail she decided this was like no hospital she'd ever been in. She was strapped down and her legs were immobilized within a domed device. Although it wasn't truly painful, something definitely uncomfortable was happening to her sore ankle.

Trunks was asleep nearby,  heavily belted down and with wires attached to his head and chest. She didn't want to wake him but she didn't want to simply lay here either. There was just too much she didn't know. Like what had happened to them and why were they here? Bulma wanted answers and she wanted them now!

"Hey out there!" she called, "Hel-l-lo-o! Can any body hear me?"

A mousy little man complete with oversized ears and stubby whiskers entered the room with questions of his own. "You're awake, are you? How does your leg feel? Is it still tingling? Hurting any? Do you have any dizziness or head --"

"Hold it Bud! Slow down!" Bulma interrupted, "Who are you, where are we and why are we here?!" 

The man shied away from her sharp voice, startled at the disruption of his interrogation. "The commander will speak with you shortly and my name is not relevant to the situation." Clearing his throat to regain his composure the man continued, "Right now what *is* relevant is to make sure you're both stable and haven't suffered any after-effects from the gas used to anesthetize you before you were collected. So how are you feeling?"

Gas, knock out gas… well that explained why she couldn't remember how she got here but it looked like the 'where' and 'why' were going to remain a mystery. Well she'd already learned one thing, maybe she could learn more by answering a few of the man's questions and trying to get him to talk a bit.

"My right leg feels uncomfortable - what are you doing to it?" she asked.

"I'm just mending the muscle and tendon attachments in your ankle. It was damaged you know," he answered condescendingly. "The process should be finished soon. Over all you are in very good health. Will you tell me how you're feeling now? Any after-effects can be neutralized, that is if you'll describe them?" he concluded looking at Bulma expectantly.

"I feel fine except for my leg but that's not to bad now." Bulma looked at Trunks who was wide awake and had begun to complain and squirm within his restraints. "Why is my baby strapped down like that?"

The little man looked surprised, "Why? Because he's a Saiyan of course!"

Alarms went off in Bulma's mind. No one knew Trunks' father wasn't human except for a very select few! So if these people knew Vegeta was Saiyan… That must mean that they knew Vegeta from his time with Frieza. She and Trunks were in very big trouble!

Ok, thought Bulma, there are levels of trouble. Maybe she could use this guy's fear to gain a bit of freedom. "Are you telling me that you are afraid of a ten month old baby?" she laughed. "Sure he's strong - gets that from his dad - but unless you really make him mad he's just a sweet little boy."

At just that moment Trunks frustrated cries began to build toward tantrum levels. "Uh-oh, that's about what I was afraid would happen. Can you think of a better way to make a baby mad than tying him down and keeping him away from his mother?" Bulma's voice had risen to a shout in order to be heard over Trunks' shrieks, "I really think you should let me hold him and calm him down!"

The mousy man considered what Bulma said and nodded agreement but instead of releasing them he approached one of the consoles, touched a switch and spoke, "The subjects are ready for transfer." Moments later three guards arrived and the pair were finally released, only to be escorted directly into a small room whose only significant feature was its airlock door.

"Out of the frying pan…" Bulma murmured as the door was sealed behind them.

* * * * * * * * *

Vegeta dropped like a rock to touch down nearly nose-to-nose with the escort described in the note, "You have something that belongs to me." His snarl was almost a whisper, promising death and destruction to any one who stood in his way.

"Prince Vegeta," the escort nodded demonstrating no surprise at the sudden appearance of the Saiyan. "The commander is expecting you. If you'll follow me?" He indicated the ship's entrance. 

Vegeta stood unmoving with his arms crossed, "I think not," he replied. "Your leader will speak to me out here. If I am satisfied with his explanation and apology for this inconvenience then perhaps I shall make your deaths painless."

Another nod met Vegeta's statement, "The commander thought that you might feel that way - One moment sir." Another crewman exited the ship rolling out a small cabinet. Inside it was a monitor that immediately flashed to life. Vegeta found himself watching Bulma as she tried to calm a crying Trunks.

"As you can see Prince Vegeta, your family is quite safe, for the moment." A voice began as the two crewmen retreated to the interior of the ship. "Well, it certainly took you long enough to return home! Wouldn't it seem reasonable that I would want to contact you regarding this situation? Really Vegeta! How can that happen when you're off gallivanting around the planet with your playmate? I thought you were more intelligent than this." Vegeta generated a tiny ki sphere on the tip of his finger and allowed it to breech the ships hull leaving a nine-foot slash before winking out.

"You will release my family at once or I will take your ship apart until I find them." Vegeta stated in a quiet voice as he ignited another fingertip and pointed towards the ship again.

"My dear Vegeta, I *do* recommend that you hold your temper! I don't think you fully understand your position here," Vegeta held the glowing sphere as the voice continued, "You will shortly be assisting me in my research, beginning with a brief surgical procedure. However, I believe you were told that your family's well being depended upon your behavior. You have already failed to follow the first of my instructions - to enter with the escort I provided you - and now you have damaged my vessel. In response I shall reduce the air in their chamber by 50%." As the air thinned around Bulma she banged on the door, screaming for release.

"I was really quite surprised that you had allowed such a pathetic creature to produce your heir. She is actually quite... delicate... isn't she?" The cruel voice continued in a sharper tone, "You will submit or they will die. Eventually the procedure will be forced upon you regardless of their fate." Vegeta snuffed out the sparkling sphere and paced before the small screen on which he watched Bulma and Trunks. The room they were contained in was apparently a vacuum chamber somewhere deep within the ship. The air pressure had already dropped to the point where Bulma was panting as she clung to the now silent baby.

Vegeta's fury at the situation caused the air around him to spark and crackle. He could destroy these fools and their ship with just a thought but that wouldn't free his family. His anger was nearly as much for himself as for his adversaries - how had he let this happen! He was one of the most powerful beings in the universe - and he was also completely powerless while his family was held hostage.

"What do I have to do?" he finally growled.

Vegeta was directed to open the small box he found sitting on top of the monitor screen; inside he found a syringe filled with a murky blue liquid. He was instructed to inject the substance into his thigh. Vegeta stared at the syringe for several seconds before glancing again at the screen. 

"Don't even think of trying any tricks with the injection Vegeta," the voice admonished, "I know what the effects of that drug are - you don't. Your family doesn't have time for games."

"You will die for this… slowly and painfully," snarled Vegeta just before he jabbed the needle into his leg, injecting the full contents of the syringe. 

"Ah yes, I'm sure," the voice murmured, "Now I suggest you sit down." 

Vegeta's leg almost immediately felt like lead and the heavy dead feeling spread quickly through out his body as he struggled to keep his balance. He quickly fell to his knees and in just a few seconds more had collapsed to the ground, lying on his back. His body was numb and he felt as if drawing each breath was a battle he might lose.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see someone approach. Try as he might, he was unable to turn his head for a better view, but the creature's scent was clear. This was Bulma's stalker in the woods.

"I designed that drug specifically for Saiyans many years ago," the being said as it came into view, "before the pool of potential study subjects suddenly vanished. I gave you quite a strong dose. I do hope you don't mind too much, my little Saiyan, but there's no sense taking chances with such a rare specimen - especially one reported to be the pinnacle of his species."

The thing before him was female with pale skin and dark burgundy hair, but it was the eyes that Vegeta noticed. An unusual shifting gray, like old oil floating over dirty water. Vegeta's eyes must have widened slightly, giving away his shocked recognition, because the creature laughed before speaking again. "Do you know me little one? It was so long ago and of course I had a different form then… but I do think you remember me. How lovely! Did you ever know my name? It's Brietoth, Commander Brietoth now."

Vegeta remembered those eyes and would have shuddered if he could move. He would, in fact, have done just about anything to put distance between himself and the creature before him. Brietoth had been part of Frieza's Biological Research staff and up until Frieza directly forbade its continuance, had personally handled the series of tests, examinations and experiments the child Vegeta had been forced to endure during his first few months as a member of Frieza's crew. Regardless of the body they now wore, those gray eyes were something Vegeta would never forget.

Brietoth signaled to several crewmen who moved to collect Vegeta's unresponsive body, directing them to take him to the lab.

"You might like to know, my little one, that thanks to the drugs in your system you will be awake during the procedure I have planned - your reflexive neural responses will no doubt be quite interesting." Walking alongside Vegeta she continued, "You don't have Frieza to protect you now little Vegeta. Once this procedure has been accomplished my in depth research can begin. If you are cooperative this need not be excessively unpleasant. Of course, if you choose not to cooperate…"

* * * * * * * * *

The air returned to normal around Bulma and she gratefully took a deep breath. The exhausted baby had managed to fall asleep once Bulma had turned her focus to breathing instead of shouting; he had not been bothered by the thin air nearly as much as his mother had been. Having earlier determined that there was no way out of the room until released, Bulma sat quietly on the floor rocking Trunks and thinking. She wondered where Vegeta was and what could have kept him from coming after them - surely he had noticed they were missing by now? For nearly an hour she sat and waited for something to happen while Trunks slept peacefully.

Finally the chamber door was opened and Bulma was allowed to leave the tiny room and care for the needs of her baby. The items provided had obviously been gathered form her home, which only increased her concern. Vegeta would *never* tolerate strangers in their home - so where was he?

Bulma began once again to ask questions, but each one received the same pat answer, "The Commander will see you shortly." Frightened, angry, and frustrated Bulma had no real choice but to follow her captors as they led her into another area of the ship. Her guards paused in a juncture of corridors as a woman approached and spoke to her. 

"Welcome Bulma, sorry I couldn't have met with you sooner but I did have several other important matters, including a rather annoying equipment malfunction that required my attention. I'm Commander Brietoth," finished the woman extending her hand.

"I remember you," Bulma said, staring pointedly at the offered hand. "You're the woman from the mall." Bulma's voice began to build up steam, "Why are we being held?! How can you treat an innocent baby like this?! When my husband gets his hands on you you're dead!! You know that?! Dead!!"

Brietoth smiled, "So I've heard... Now if you'd like to see your husband?" She gestured for Bulma to follow her and began walking, as Bulma stood stunned behind her. 

"Vegeta's here? Well it's about time!" The commander looked back at her briefly and just smiled again. As Bulma hurried after her, she decided that this was a woman she could very easily hate.

They stopped outside a door and Brietoth faced Bulma again, "You will give the child to the guard - "

"Not on your life!" snarled Bulma, clutching Trunks tightly to her.

"Bulma, please be reasonable. I assure you the child will be well cared for and returned to you at the appropriate time. However, if I must have him forcibly removed from your arms, I will, and then you both might very easily be injured. You are wasting time, Bulma, and I believe Vegeta needs your attention just now."

Bulma looked from the woman to her guards, her heart sinking into the pit of her stomach. There really was no way for her to prevent Trunks from being taken and what did that comment about Vegeta mean?

"Hey sweetie," she whispered to Trunks, "Mommy has to go for a little bit. You be a good little boy, OK?" She hugged Trunks tightly then hesitantly handed him over to a guard. As he disappeared around a corner Bulma turned back to Brietoth demanding, "Where's Vegeta?"

The door opened and she glanced into what appeared to be basic crew quarters. On one of the two narrow beds Vegeta was lying on his stomach still wearing his black workout shorts, unmoving. Bulma ran into the room and knelt beside him. His breathing was shallow and a sheen of sweat covered his face and back. There was a two-inch incision on his spine just below his shoulder blades from some sort of surgical procedure.

"What have you done to him," she moaned as she stared in horror at her unconscious husband's back.

"I'd be careful of the back of his head also, my dear," the hateful woman answered. "He's had a little bit of surgery back there as well. I expect he should be fairly functional soon."

Bulma heard the door lock behind her as she reached out to touch his cheek, "Oh Kami! Vegeta, what have they done to you?"

* * * * * * * * *

*"Go see to your family Kakarott. I'm going back to Capsule Corp."*

After Vegeta left him Goku flew slowly over the city one last time before turning towards home. He felt as if he had let everyone down by not being able to lock onto little Trunks' ki or even find even a trace of Bulma's weak energy signature - and he knew hers as well as he knew Chichi's! But there was nothing - still nothing.

When he finally returned home he found Chichi and Gohan waiting anxiously for him. 

"We heard about Bulma and Trunks, it's on every TV channel - " Chichi began only to be interrupted by Gohan, "Did you find them dad? Did you catch the kidnappers?" Chichi looked at her husband's sorrowful expression, as with eyes downcast, Goku silently shook his head 'no'.

"Has there been any contact from the kidnappers," Chichi asked as she wrapped her arms even tighter around Gohan, "What were the ransom demands?"

"Ransom? Gee, I don't know… We didn't think about that - we just went looking for them to take them back," Goku answered sheepishly.

"YOU WHAT!! Goku, you get back to Bulma's house right now!" Chichi screeched, "This is why Gohan's studies are so important! HE is going to learn to think with his head not his muscles! Get going! I bet the kidnappers DID try to contact Vegeta about a ransom but he wasn't home! I'll call Bulma's parents - maybe they were contacted."

As Goku beat a hasty retreat Gohan saw his chance to get in on the action. "I better go help Dad - bye Mom!"

Chichi tried to catch hold of her son shouting, "No Gohan! WAIT!!" but Gohan was already a dwindling streak in the sky.

* * * * * * * * *

When the two Sons arrived at Capsule Corp there was no sign of Vegeta. The house was dark and the gravity chamber was empty, but things were not as they should have been. They found the back door had been broken open, and as they moved from room to room several areas appeared to have been ransacked. Expensive jewelry still lay in plain sight on a dresser in the master bedroom while the nursery was in shambles. Whatever the intruder's purpose may have been, it wasn't robbery.

Sighing in defeat Goku returned to the back door to stare out at the darkening sky. Vegeta was gone. Goku had never felt so completely useless. Vegeta's ki should have been a glowing beacon to him from anywhere on the planet - unless he was deliberately suppressing his power level. But that would make no sense. No, whatever was hiding Bulma and Trunks must now be hiding Vegeta as well.

"Dad," Gohan asked joining his father at the back door, "do you think they came back and kidnapped Vegeta too?"

Goku shook his head, "I don't think anyone could *make* Vegeta go any where he didn't want to go. So… something must have happened to make him *want* to go." Goku turned back to the house thoughtfully. He began to search the kitchen for any note or message that could have been left by the intruders, there was nothing.

Goku sat at the table and tried to imagine Vegeta returning home and finding a message from the kidnappers. "Well, first of all," he softly began, "the note would probably have been left somewhere it would be easy for Vegeta to find - like near the door that they broke in through right? Now what would Vegeta have done with it?" Gohan sat watching his dad try to work through what had happened. "If I know Vegeta he would have read the note and then either thrown it down before he left or - uh oh, he might have disintegrate it."

"Dad, if he destroyed it -" Gohan began but couldn't finish. They both knew that without some clue to aid their search they really didn't have much chance of finding the missing family.

"OK, if he threw it down where could it be? There's no note in here - maybe he dropped it outside before he took off?"

Gohan followed his dad into the yard, both searching in the deepening gloom for the note that simply HAD to be there. Gohan was the one to discover the crumpled sheet under the bushes near the door. Together they read the kidnapers note that had been left for Vegeta:

*Greetings Prince Vegeta,*

*Exactly 12 miles east-north-east of your location*
*at Capsule Corp you will find my ship and your*
*family awaiting you.*
*You will be met and escorted within.*
*Please remember that your behavior determines*
*their treatment.*
*Anticipating your prompt arrival,*

*Commander Brietoth*

Now they were getting somewhere! This was not a simple kidnapping from one of the richest families in the world! No wonder they couldn't find Bulma's and Trunks' energies! That note had been addressed to "Prince" Vegeta, not Vegeta, husband of Bulma Briefs. Whoever wrote that note was someone who knew of Vegeta's past, perhaps someone looking for revenge.

With the technology available to space faring beings, Vegeta's theory that they were being tracked suddenly made a lot more sense to Goku. OK, if they were tracking Goku - and possibly Gohan - then it was time to get some help from people who weren't being watched.

Goku grinned at Gohan; "I think you had better go on home now son… Tell your mom that I'm thinking with my head and that I'll be home in a few minutes."

Sporting a smile that had begun to resemble Vegeta's smirk, Goku placed two fingers to his forehead and disappeared. He'd like to see anyone try to track him now.

* * * * * * * * *

End Part 3