Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Sculpted In Gold ❯ Vegeta's heading back to work finally ( Chapter 5 )

Sculpted In Gold

Chapter 5

Vegeta refused to let himself look at any of the other soldiers as he emerged from the throne room. He could feel their cold, jealous stares, but it was easy to ignore them. None of those present were even close to his rank, so they didn't dare say anything to get his attention. He wondered for a moment where Dodoria had wandered off to, but decided not to worry about it, knowing that Dodoria would make his move against him when they were both out of Frieza's sight, and he knew that the fat pink marshmallow was not due for active mission status for at least a week yet, and by that time he would have thought of a plan to deal with his larger, more powerful enemy.

On the subject of enemies, Frieza had also made him angry, but Vegeta knew he couldn't afford to waste any more time here than he already had. De Arran was supposed to have been be a simple mission, but it was turning out to be one that he still couldn't overlook. Napa and Radditz had been there working for more than a month already, and neither of them knew how to create the moon orb so that they could transform. If they were both still alive, when he got there, Vegeta would be very surprised. These creatures they were fighting were not very strong, but their population was enormous!! Hundreds of millions of these strange looking black skinned, green eyed lizards with no hair and venomous fangs would make for an interesting environment and a tough mission, especially since De Arran's three moons all gave off positively charged moon rays. So, even though at least one full moon reigned over the planet's skies every four nights, that wouldn't let them transform. Vegeta growled, the mission had looked easy enough on the files, but that was before he had learned that Napa and Radditz were going alone, and he hadn't known that the planet had positive moons.

Vegeta checked the time on his scouter and swore softly. Still another two hours before he could expect a report from Napa… Finally he reached the launch bay. As he waited for the techs to finish prepping his pod, Vegeta swore again, pressing the button on the scouter.

"Napa, come in." Vegeta ordered.

There was no answer for a few moments, then, he heard Napa's voice on the other end. He sounded tired… very tired. "P-prince Vegeta??"

"Yes, it's me, you idiot. Is Radditz still alive?"

"Yes. He's hurt pretty bad though, sire."

"And how are you holding up? I'm sure you two noticed that the scouting reports for that planet were a little… misrepresented??"

"You can say that again, Prince Vegeta. But at least these things are nocturnal. This planet is too hot for them to come out during the day. If they could be more active, well…"

"I understand, Napa. I'm coming to get you but you'll have to hold on for another 48 hours."

"Forty-eight more hours?? I thought you were going to be here by now!"

"It's the best I can do, idiot. Take it or leave it." Vegeta snapped.

"I'm sorry, Vegeta." Napa said softly.

"How serious are Radditz's injuries?"

"I finally put him in his pod, and sent him back to base yesterday morning. He couldn't fight anymore when one of the little bastards bit him on his neck two days ago, and he had been getting worse since then... I think I had been developing immunity to their poison, but I'm starting to feel the effects now too, I don't know how much longer I can keep going either… "

"Well then, pay close attention, Napa. I'm going to teach you how to create the moon orb. Even a false moon ought to give you enough of a recharge to help you last at least long enough for me to find you."

"But sire, only royalty…"

"You really are an idiot, aren't you? Anyone strong enough to focus the energy can summon and control the orb. I learned it when I was only a little stronger than you, just do as I say and concentrate!"

**

"My lady!! " The Empress's handmaidens were buzzing with activity even before Zarbon had reached the outer doors of the Empress' chambers. He held the Elven Princess gently; he could feel how close Frieza had been to killing the girl. Elves and their magic were a strange combination. They believed in destiny more strongly than any race he had ever before encountered. And even though they accepted most things that happened as being destiny or fate, and thus, being unavoidable, he had never seen anyone so busy with learning about their fate and the future…

Lady Raya, the Empress' favorite handmaiden was waiting for him at the door, predictably looking quite cross. He sighed even before she spoke, her voice was musical and soft, and her eyes were a deeper blue than any sapphire. She was a titled countess, and a strikingly beautiful woman, with waist length black hair and pale skin. Raya carried herself proudly, and addressed him with perfectly spoken Common. Although he had started occasionally sleeping with her even before her people had ever tried to fight Frieza, she was still quite a handful when she was angry. "Will you ever bring our princess to her mother in any state besides unconsciousness? The child has already had nearly every bone in her body broken at least once."

"If the little minx wouldn't go out of her way to piss off Lord Frieza it wouldn't happen!"

"Perhaps if he were not such a cold hearted bastard he would find our people easier to deal with." She shot back. They glared at each other for a minute, until more of the Empress' handmaidens showed up, and took their Princess out of his arms.

"You're impossible." Zarbon growled. "Now, where is she?"

"Empress Shinesta?" Raya looked up in surprise. " She is in her study. Working on the Ball Frieza wanted to hold next week. The girls will be taking the Princess to her now. Did you need to speak with her? "

"No." Zarbon growled under his breath and watched the other servants leave before he said anything else. " Last night Frieza made a huge mistake. Your little escape artist got out of her room again, but by the time I found her, Prince Vegeta's Birthday party was underway. Had I known that he had arrived already, I never would have brought her in there…"

"What are you trying to tell me?"

"Frieza gave Shani to Vegeta for his birthday present. They were locked in a… bedroom for about 16 hours. The scandal will be disastrous if the two aren't married or at least engaged soon."

"How could you even say something like this? After everything our Empress has already had to put up with over the last 13 years you would dare to insult our princess??"

"Raya, please listen to me. I'm deadly serious. Your Princess was late this time because she was locked in a room with Prince Vegeta. And she's presently unconscious because she tried to refuse when Frieza told her to marry Vegeta. You know Shinesta better than anyone else. I think it would be best if she heard this from you. As for myself, I have a very angry Ice-jin to look out for and a wedding to plan. At least for the moment, Vegeta is willing to marry your princess, and just so that you know, Saiyans mate for life. He has marked her as his, although I don't know if it was done for the sake of his honor, or because he really wants to keep her. "

"What do you mean he marked her?"

"Saiyans bite their mates to show possession. She has his mark on her neck, but she doesn't seem to know what it is or what it means. If you could try to…"

"You let our princess get locked in a room with one of Frieza's most bloodthirsty soldiers and he bit her???" Raya gasped, then she looked at him as if trying to judge his seriousness. "Didn't anyone try to…"

"Raya, most of Frieza's men happen to enjoy the cruelty that he inflicts upon others… and there was going to be no changing his mind I could see it in his eyes. I got Frieza to see that he had made a mistake, but only after it was too late. The only way to protect your princess and her mother is to get Shannelle to marry Vegeta- and soon. You know how fast rumor travels…"

"So why would this matter to you?"

"Simple. It's my fault. I brought her in there… But there is another reason too. Because if this scandal disgraces Vegeta there may never be any hope of seeing Frieza destroyed. Vegeta is the one, Raya, I'm sure of it. But even if I am right, he has an empire to fight his way through to prove it. Even the Legendary can't do it alone he will need an army of his own just to get past Frieza's soldiers for the chance to fight the bastard. Who would support an empire who's leader could be said to have raped a beautiful princess on his 18th birthday? Even though it was at Frieza's command and while the other soldiers who serve Frieza certainly found that amusing; the millions of refugees that Frieza's cruelty has already left homeless and without hope will be devastated. There are millions who will stand up to Frieza if we can find them a leader they believe they can trust. When I was a boy I watched Frieza lay waste to my planet and before he died in my arms, my father made me promise to find the one that can stop Frieza. Find him and train him to do what my people could not. I intend to honor that promise. I know what your Empress has been through for the sake of her daughter and I also know that you Elves think I'm Frieza's most loyal servant but I want nothing more than his destruction so I have learned to be patient. He taught me well Raya, but all of my waiting and planning will be for nothing if I can't keep Vegeta in a positive light. Our ends are the same, so will you help me or not? It isn't time to break from Frieza, but when it is we need to have as much public support as Frieza has of their hatred, and with Vegeta's temper I'm sure that won't be easy, even if we somehow manage to get this settled quietly. "

" I want to believe you... " The beautiful Elven countess said softly, her blue eyes looking deep into his golden eyes. She saw only sincerity, but she had known him for 15 years and had never heard him mention an ulterior motive for serving Frieza before… "But you are good with words Zarbon, and experience has shown me that you can be less than trustworthy, when it suits your purposes. For the sake of my Empress, of course I will try to help you. What exactly do you want me to do?"

"I don't have time to explain this now… Just try to trust me. I do not think that Prince Vegeta has hurt the princess, he's got too much pride to lower himself to forcing her… but I am sure that they did something in there. Perhaps talking to Shannelle before informing Shinesta of anything would be the wisest thing to do. I will need to talk to you more tonight, but Frieza was expecting me back a while ago. "

"Don't make me regret trusting you, Zarbon." Raya said quietly, but he was already gone. Silently she closed the door to the Empress' chambers, and tried to compose herself before venturing into the Empress' study. She had never kept anything from her mistress before, but she knew that Zarbon was right. The news of what Frieza had done would hurt and upset her terribly and there was nothing worse than upsetting a sorceress of Shinesta's power.

In the study, Raya found Shinesta leaning over the princess as she lay on a comfortable velvet settee. "Oh there you are Raya, I'm glad you're here." The Empress said looking over her shoulder. "Will you put her in my bed when I am gone? I am going to go have a word with Frieza."

"Are you sure that is wise? You know what a bad mood he's been in lately because of the disastrous business with the Killjarrin delegation, and it's sure to be worse after..." Raya cautioned, following the Empress into her bedroom and casting a silence spell across the doorway, as there were no doors to close in any of the Empress' inner chambers.

"And let him get away with hurting my child again?" Shinesta interrupted, her silver eyes flashed with determination and no fear. " Never. Besides, Raya before I was informed he was indeed bringing her to me I was supposed to see him tonight anyway, remember."

"Don't you think he's been awfully brazen lately with his demands on your time? With Shani here he can't possibly expect you to visit him tonight. Please don't go. What will I tell Shani if she wakes up and you are gone?"

"That I couldn't sleep and I'm in my laboratory researching spells. Don't worry; I'll have the room enchanted so no more than an hour will pass for you here. "

"It drains you terribly to use such powerful spells and lay with him. Does Frieza realize how hard that is on you?"

"Alright, out with it. Who are you and what have you done with my Raya? Where is my fun-loving, scandalously mischievous not to mention sensual handmaiden who would usually shove me out the door to my trysts with Lord Frieza?" The Empress cocked her head and came over to Raya, a curious smile gracing her perfect lips, Raya could see it in her eyes that she was not terribly anxious to keep her appointment with the tyrant, but she was probably right, most likely Frieza would be more angry if she tried to miss seeing him just because her daughter was visiting. It wasn't fair that Frieza could get away with this, especially now, knowing what had just happened to Shani. Shinesta's whole reason for going to him tonight was to protect the girl… if she ever found out what her mother had sacrificed for her safety…it would likely destroy them both. It was no wonder that Shinesta had attracted the tyrant's attention, but only a tyrant as cruel as Frieza could have found a way to trap her into becoming his mistress in the first place. The Empress was a beautiful creature; even among Elves her beauty was legendary. With her small, delicate bone structure, large silver eyes, soft golden skin and hair that fell to her knees when it was unbound, she was a striking beauty even before one added in her sleek graceful build and the dazzling, although blatantly feminine and seductive clothes and jewelry they dressed her in for her trysts with the Ice-Jinn. "You are starting to frighten me, Raya. What is wrong?"

"Nothing I guess." Raya said quietly. "Zarbon just seemed different today as he brought us the princess…Listen to me. I'm probably being silly, aren't I? I suppose if there is something going on with him I'll find out what it is later… But for now my lady, are you feeling like silk, satin or lace tonight?"

"Something exotic and flowing that we haven't done for a while. If he is still in a bad mood from whatever my charming little girl said to piss him off this time, I'd like to know that I can get his attention focused on me just by entering the room."

"You already know you could do that just as you are." Raya smirked. "There isn't a woman he's ever seen that could hold a candle to your beauty, my lady. On the other hand, a little costuming and primping hasn't ever hurt our cause before, has it?"

"You are the best, Raya. I know anything you come up with will be perfect."