Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Full Spectrum ❯ One Step At A Time ( Chapter 2 )

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

Full Spectrum

By Ginia

Part 2
One Step At A Time

The next morning Vegeta and Goku met for their scheduled sparing session. After they had been sparing for nearly an hour Goku frowned and withdrew to hover a short distance from his opponent.

Vegeta crossed his arms and smirked at Goku, "Giving up so soon Kakarott?" 

Goku seemed to be having a hard time finding the words he wanted, "Well, no - it's just that, well, if you only wanted to practice your blocking moves you could've trained with Bulma's machines. You're not really thinking about sparring - is something bothering you Vegeta?"

"You truly are an idiot Kakarott!" Vegeta replied taking an aggressive stance, "I came to train not talk!" 

Goku backed away again and rubbing the back of his neck in an embarrassed gesture but continued to probe, "Chichi says that if you talk about what's troubling you it'll make things easier to deal with."

Vegeta began to growl, "Kakarott…!"

"OK, OK, but how about if we talk while we spar? That way we can keep fighting and you can keep thinking about - well, whatever it is you've been thinking about!" answered Goku happily.

"Kakarott, you're not smart enough to talk and fight at the same time," snorted Vegeta.

"That's alright Vegeta! All I have to be is smart enough to fight and listen," Goku smiled lopsidedly.

Vegeta chuckled at Goku's self assessment and agreed, "Fine with me if you want to get your ass kicked, lets get started."

The warriors began sparring in earnest, each attempting to break thru the others' defenses. In the peak of one such exchange Vegeta began to speak. "Bulma ran into an intruder on the Capsule Corp grounds the other day…" 

Goku looked up in surprise, about to ask what had happened - and left himself wide open, which is never a very good idea when sparring with Vegeta.

After Goku pulled himself out of the crater his body had made in the ground, he returned to the smirking Vegeta. Wiping a smear of blood from his mouth he told Vegeta, "This time I'm just going to listen." The spar resumed and Vegeta relayed the story Bulma had told him, then added his own part - something he had not shared with Bulma - that there had been a strange scent in the woods when he found her. Something that didn't belong there and that he couldn't identify.

At this point Goku spoke up and tried to describe a strange scent he had noticed in several areas around his own home over the last several weeks. Vegeta was so disturbed by the sudden realization that Bulma's intruder might have been stalking her for an extended period of time that he soon found himself sitting in his own self-made crater.

Goku and Vegeta faced each other on the ground, all thoughts of sparring forgotten. "Tell me everything Kakarott! When did you first notice anything unusual? Have your mate or brat mentioned anything? *Think* Kakarott!"

Vegeta paced before Goku as the taller Saiyan searched his memory for the details needed. As both shared their observations and information Vegeta grew ever more concerned at the volume of small items there were. None were particularly significant until you added them together with a large dose of suspicion.

Someone unseen had been spending a lot of time around their homes, apparently paying very close attention to their daily activities. They concluded from what had most recently happened to Bulma in the woods that these 'observers' had apparently grown tired of just watching.

* * * * * * * * *

On the mainland many miles from Capsule Corp a spaceship lay hidden. Inside the craft its humanoid crew monitored the constant location of the only Saiyans known to have survived the reign of Frieza: the two adult males were again battling each other in a relatively isolated island location, the male youth was stationary in its mountain home with its human dame, and the infant male was currently in one of the larger local cities in the company of several human females.

"Commander," spoke up one smiling crewman, "do you wish the youth collected while the males are entertaining one another?" 

"Are you so eager to die young Vaner?" answered the commander, "Saiyan infants routinely purged planets. That youth is older than Vegeta was when he first came to Frieza's service. Do you recall the summary of that time from your briefing? Ah, I thought not."

All eyes were on the commander as it moved to the monitor tracking Gohan and then continued speaking. "Young Vegeta was undoubtedly exceptional but even then he was more than a match for you. You have, of course, seen our Vegeta's power level at rest and also during his exercises? And have you compared those readings to his demonstrated power levels on Namek? Now what does that suggest about this seemingly insignificant saiyan lad who just happens to have survived an encounter with Frieza?"

The Vaner hesitated then replied, "Not to trust the currently observed levels? That they could be hiding their actual power levels?"

"Very good - now if we are quite finished with this review of basic information, perhaps you'd be kind enough to allow me to tell you what I want to be done now?" finished the Commander in an *almost* kindly voice.

The errant crewman bowed low and answered in an almost frantic tone, "Yes Commander! Please forgive my foolishness!" Flipping a negligent hand the Commander addressed the entire crew, "Very well, you are to continue monitoring the Saiyans - I will need to be notified immediately if either adult leaves their current location. You are to take no action beyond that without my explicit orders. Is that understood?"

The crew saluted and answered as one, "Yes Commander Brietoth!" The commander adjusted the tiny receiver hidden within its ear and left the ship murmuring, "That's good, very good."

* * * * * * * * *

Bulma really wasn't enjoying this morning's shopping trip as much as she had hoped to. Even with the snug wrap she wore, her ankle had begun throbbing after only a few minutes of walking and Trunks was already fussy and tired. Still, at least she was out of the house and away from her office. Maybe she could hire a wheelchair from the stroller rental place in the center of the mall…

"…that would be so cute don't you think Bulma? - Bulma!" 

Her companions laughed as Bulma jumped, suddenly realizing she'd been daydreaming and ignoring her two friends, "Sorry - umm, what were you saying?" 

"Trunks' birthday?" One woman chided, "Weren't you listening to any of our ideas?"

"Well sure I was, we were talking about having a theme party for Trunks' first birthday right?" Her friends just looked at her and smiled. Bulma gave up, "OK guys, I'm sorry. Could we sit for a while? My ankle is killing me."

The ladies found an empty patio table at the nearest cafe and placed their orders for a round of cappuccinos and a giant pretzel for Trunks. While they were waiting a woman stopped to play with Trunks for a few moments. Trunks was like a magnet for any woman who either wanted to have a baby or whose babies were all grown up. As always, Bulma accepted the attention as confirmation of what an adorable baby she had produced.

After a couple of Tylenol, some delicious coffee and a break from walking, Bulma's ankle felt much better. The three friends discussed a variety of theme ideas for the party. There were some pretty good ideas: A Hawaiian Luau, an Underwater/Mermaid approach, and - Bulma's favorite - A Medieval Knights scenario. Bulma could just picture Vegeta as the Dark King, dressed in royal splendor of midnight blue velvets and silks with light blue lace accents. Bulma couldn't help giggling at the image and once she described it to her friends all three were giggling and endorsing the Medieval theme as the winner for the party. With nearly two months available for planning, Trunks' party was sure to be a huge hit with everyone who attended.

Trunks was more interested in sleeping than shopping or even discussing his party and had dozed off as soon as he had finished his snack. As the ladies continued on their shopping expedition Bulma's eye was caught by an absolutely gorgeous dress in a store window.

As they were admiring the dress from outside the store, the woman who had played with Trunks earlier was passing by. She paused to look briefly at the dress then commented to Bulma before continuing on her way, "That dress is such a lovely color, it would highlight your eyes and hair wonderfully - You really should at least try it on."

Bulma's friends whole-heartedly agreed and soon all three had an assortment of beautiful dresses to try on. Fortunately there were several empty dressing rooms so no one would have to wait to check out their choices. As Bulma maneuvered Trunks stroller into the little room she was grateful that the rooms were all designed to accommodate wheelchairs, it made stroller parking a breeze.

As she began to strip she felt dizzy and then she felt nothing at all as she sank limply to the floor.

* * * * * * * * *

Brietoth watched Bulma and her friends move slowly through the mall, keeping them in sight but never getting too close. As the trio settled at the cafe, the commander began to wonder if they would ever enter a more secluded area. Things would go so much more smoothly with a little privacy. Perhaps a little direct involvement was warranted.

The tiny communicator in the commander's ear came to life, "--Sir, the adult males have left the island and appear to be headed for the youth's mountain location."

"Are they separating?"

"--No sir, they are moving together. ETA at the mountain is five minutes."

"Understood. Keep me informed. Out."

Bulma and her friends were on the move once more. The commander had to get the woman and child to a suitable area immediately or this opportunity would be lost. The males had changed their regular pattern and without predictability the desired collection would be nearly impossible.

Yes, indeed it was time to intervene... 

* * * * * * * * *

The communicator continued to mark the Saiyans progress from the island to the mountain and on towards the commander's current location. A smile of pure malice touched the commander's face, things were moving along smoothly now. The timing could not have worked out any better.

Arms laden with garments, the ladies entered the dressing rooms to try on their finds. Once the doors were closed Brietoth approached the unsuspecting attendant, quickly knocking her unconscious. With no obstacles left, the commander now had easy access to Bulma and Trunks.

A fast acting gas released into the area rendered the occupants of the dressing rooms unconscious almost immediately. Commander Brietoth recalled the transport shuttle and began the collection of Bulma and Trunks. The Saiyans were still more than four minutes away. Carefully spraying the back wall of the dressing area with an extremely potent but short-lived solution the commander created the perfect escape path without any of the unwanted attention an energy weapon would have caused.

Bulma and Trunks were quickly loaded into the shuttle. Once sealed and with the energy shield in place no trace of ki would be detectable from the outside. Now the commander waited. The Saiyans were very close now but it should take them at least a few seconds within the buildings to determine the last location of Bulma's ki - more than enough time.

Finally the Sayians entered the mall though an open courtyard. Once they had no clear line of sight to the sky, Commander Brietoth ordered the immediate launch of the shuttle and, unseen by anyone, disappeared into the distance.

* * * * * * * * *

After Vegeta and Goku concluded that there were valid reasons for concern they decided that their best course of action was to first make sure their families were safe and aware that there was a problem, then go hunting. Chichi and Gohan would be the first alerted, they were only slightly out of the direct path to the city where Vegeta knew Bulma had gone shopping with friends.

Leaving the mountain, Vegeta could feel the ki's of both Bulma and Trunks. Everything seemed fine until Bulma's energy level suddenly dropped as if she had gone to a sleep. Bulma sleeping in the middle of the mall? - Not likely! Vegeta powered towards the mall only to lose all indications of his family's energy signatures less than a minute before he could arrive.

Vegeta and Goku set down in a small courtyard surrounded by shops; Bulma must have been in one of them when they lost track of her ki. The method of their arrival startled quite a few shoppers but not nearly as much as the alarms and shouts suddenly erupting from one of the nearby shops. They charged thru the gathering crowds to find that several women had been discovered unconscious near a destroyed section of the exterior wall.

Bulma was not one of the women found but her scent was definitely present - and so was that strange scent from the woods. It only took a moment more for Vegeta to find the dressing room that Bulma had been using.

As Vegeta looked at the empty stroller his face paled even as his eyes narrowed. No one would touch his mate or brat and survive. Someone would pay with their lives for this outrage. Goku followed Vegeta as he moved through the area of destruction into the clear air above the mall. They surveyed the sky to the horizon in all directions.

Vegeta's fists clenched and unclenched as he tried in vain to sense the location of Bulma or Trunks. "Can you lock onto anything Kakarott?" 

Goku shook his head; he had been searching for any trace of the pair since the first moment their ki had vanished. "It's as if they were never here at all, how could they have just vanished like that?" was Goku's answer.

"Something is blocking them." Vegeta agreed, "This will have to be a visual search then." Vegeta and Goku began by searching the immediate area and slowly fanned out covering hundreds of square miles of terrain centered on the city where the abduction had occurred. All without the slightest hint of the missing pair. Finally Vegeta halted in midair with his arms crossed and waited for Goku to approach.

"They knew where we were - every second! It's the only logical explanation!" The prince's voice was filled with anger and pain. 

At first Goku could only stare at Vegeta, "What do you mean 'they knew'? How could - " 

"Kakarott *shut up*! It doesn't matter *how* they did it. Just accept that they did. Look at the timing; their abduction was too precisely timed for our arrival. Even Bulma's encounter in the woods - they must have known exactly where I was and only backed off seconds before I landed on the path beside her."

Vegeta growled in frustration as he continued, "Those were no coincidences Kakarott! They knew where we were all along. They know where we are now. And they will make sure to stay clear of us until they *choose* to make contact." Shaking his head Vegeta finished simply, "Go see to your family Kakarott. I'm going back to Capsule Corp."

Leaving Goku staring after him, Vegeta flew towards his home. His thoughts were tumbling restlessly as he tried to find a point in the last 24 hours where he should have realized what was going to happen and somehow have prevented it. Growling in disgust Vegeta forced his thoughts aside - 'should haves' and 'could haves' were not going to help his family now.

Vegeta approached Capsule Corp intending to enter his home through his bedroom balcony. He had no interest in the kitchen right now and walking through an empty house was not what he really wanted to do. When he reached the compound things were not as they should have been. Changing course he landed in the yard near the door to the kitchen. The door had been kicked in - the lock torn form the splintered wooden frame.

Before Vegeta could enter the building he noticed that a note had been stuck on the door. Tearing it from the door he found simple instructions for reaching Bulma's location. The note even promised that an 'escort' would be waiting to direct him to their meeting. Vegeta crumpled the note as he stared into the direction he would be going.

Contact had been made and now the fools would die for challenging him this way. "You want me?! - You got me!!" he screamed to the heavens. Dropping the already forgotten note, Vegeta leapt into the sky and sped off to exact his revenge.

* * * * * * * * *

End Part 2