Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Nossoreg's Revenge ❯ Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

"I can't believe this is happening again!" Gohan said, pounding a fist into his palm. "This is just like when Vegeta sold us out to Babidi just so he could gain more power to fight you!"

"Gohan," Goku warned and tilted his head towards Bulma, who was huddled on the bed in the corner of the cell, crying silently. Chi Chi and Videl had tried to comfort her, telling her everything would be all right. When she kept pushing them away, they retreated and left her to deal with her feelings in her own way.

"Sorry, Dad," Gohan said, lowering his voice. "But what are we going to do? If Vegeta joins Nossoreg, I don't think the two of us are going to be enough to stop them!"

"Let's not worry about stopping Nossoreg's plans until we can figure out a way to keep the women safe," Goku said. "Once they're out of the way, we can deal with the rest."

"You have something in mind, don't you?" Gohan accused. "What is it?"

"Just follow my lead when the time comes."

They waited restlessly for an hour before Nossoreg finally returned. He strode confidently through his door, nearly glowing with excitement.

"Nossoreg, we. . ."Goku began, but lost his train of thought when Vegeta appeared in Nossoreg's doorway. At least it looked like Vegeta, dressed in Saiyan battle armor, but Goku sensed something was wrong.

"Vegeta!" Gohan shouted, ready to challenge the traitor. Goku held up his hand to stop him.

"That's not Vegeta," he said. "The energy is all wrong."

"That's right, Goku," Nossoreg smiled. "This isn't the Vegeta that you know. He has the same strength and power, but not the same thoughts. I guess you could say that he is a 'more focused' version."

"What do you mean by 'more focused'?" Goku asked, unsettled by the intense look in Vegeta's eyes.

"He has all the memories of being a supreme Saiyan warrior, without emotions getting in the way. He is loyal only to me and will do only as I command," he added with a smug smile at the silent Saiyan Prince.

Goku still could not figure out what was wrong with Vegeta's energy. It felt like Vegeta's power level, yet there were no inner thoughts or feelings that he could sense. It was almost like the inanimate feeling he sensed from Dr. Gero's androids, but with an energy reading the androids lacked.

"What's the matter, Goku?" Nossoreg asked. "Don't you like the new Vegeta?"

"No," he answered, eying the Saiyan who had not spoken or even moved since he entered the room. "I don't."

"Vegeta, why don't you take Bulma downstairs to more comfortable accommodations," Nossoreg suggested, then turned to the other two to explain. "Vegeta and I have reached an agreement. Bulma and Trunks will be under my protection as long as he assists me in my plan."

Vegeta walked over and stood in front of the women's cell. He pressed a button on a band that encircled his glove and the energy shield was shut down. Emotionlessly, he walked in and took hold of Bulma's arm pulling her from the bed.

"No, Vegeta!" she begged. "Don't do this! Don't turn your back on your friends! Don't turn your back on the innocent people of the universe!"

Vegeta ignored her as he continued to drag her from the cell. Chi Chi and Videl tried to pull Bulma's arm free, but his grip was like an iron band. Desperately, they pounded on Vegeta's back. In one smooth move, he turned, raised his arm and pointed his palm towards the two defenseless women.

"NO!" Goku and Gohan screamed, recognizing Vegeta's attack stance.

"Stop!" Nossoreg ordered and Vegeta stood still, but didn't lower his arm. "Let's see if our heroes have had a change of heart."

Goku looked helplessly from the people he loved to the cold-blooded eyes of the Saiyan Prince. He could sense no emotion from him and couldn't understand why he was doing this. This couldn't be the plan he had in mind when he asked Goku to trust him. Something had gone wrong.

"So, Goku, Gohan, are you still willing to sacrifice your wives to save people you've never even met?" Nossoreg asked them. "Or will you save your families by joining me as Vegeta has done?"

"We will join you," Goku said, trying not to look as defeated as he felt. He had to buy them some time to figure out what to do next. It was the only way he could see to do it.

"Dad, no!" Gohan said, but his father shot him a warning look. If this was going to work at all, they all had to play the part convincingly.

"Do as I say, Gohan!" he ordered, hoping he would understand. "We're going to do whatever it takes."

"Splendid!" Nossoreg beamed. "Vegeta, kindly lead them all to the control room. I'll explain more there."

Vegeta lowered his arm and let go of Bulma. She rubbed her arm where an angry red mark showed just how hard he had been holding her. He then walked toward the door, the women following meekly along behind him.

Nossoreg opened the other door, and Goku gave Gohan a slight shove towards it. Gohan gave him a puzzled glance, but did not object. He had learned long ago not to question his father's actions. Whatever his motive was, Gohan knew he could trust Goku.