Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Variations of Fate ❯ Arrival ( Chapter 17 )

"Savoya, the evening gown or whatever it is, is horrible!" Bulma shouted out of her room as she hung the dresses in the closet. "I mean, I like the day wear. It's something I really like, but...the evening gown...I just keep imagining the staring I'll receive."

Bulma shuddered.

"Bulma, it honestly can't be that bad," Savoya chided from the doorway, "And we can always just compare you to Sukena. You'll look positively angelic next to her."

"Angelic next to a common whore, fantastic," Bulma said sarcastically as she stalked out of her room and flopped down on the sofa.

Savoya shrugged and rolled her eyes as she made her way to the kitchen. "It isn't such an issue, Bulma. Really. Anyhow, I'm fixing lunch, you can come out here and help if you like, but it's not really anything important."

"Well...it's always more fun cooking when someone else is in the kitchen with you," Bulma replied, her irritation momentarily forgotten as she hopped up and strode into the kitchen. "Here, give me some vegetables to chop."

Savoya lifted an eyebrow and, saying nothing, slid the cutting board down the counter at Bulma. Bulma expertly caught it and pulled out a knife to begin chopping.

"So, what're you wearing, Savoya?"

"Oh, just this simple gown. I have to wear my armor, though, when Lord Freeza's ship lands -- being Sukena's guard and all," said the Saiyan as she basted the meat and plopped it down into the Saiyan grill. To look at her, one might gain the impression that everything was right in the universe.

"Oh, well, you're luckier than I am. What do you mean by simple?"

"Those gowns made for you were really costly. My family doesn't have that sort of money. Just a simple forest green dress."

"Oh. Still, lucky I say," said Bulma in a rather huffy tone.

"I'd love to have a dress like those, Bulma. They aren't really that bad. They make you look dignified, stately, and...all that stuff," Savoya shrugged at her verbal incompetence as she flipped the meat.

"I guess, but..."

"No. There'll be plenty of people there dressed in such a fashion as to make you look tastefully dress--"

"You're agreeing it isn't tasteful at all, then," Bulma interjected quickly as she tossed the chopped vegetables into the pot.

"No, I'm not," Savoya said, turning her head to give Bulma a look that could easily be interpreted 'can it.' She poked at the meat a bit with the tongue-like utensils, "Honestly, it isn't lacking in taste or refinement or anything. If anything, it has plenty of it. It's ALMOST immodest, in a way, and yet there's plenty that makes up for it. That dress is elegant, Bulma. ELEGANT."

Bulma made to speak but Savoya quickly intercepted. "No. I'm serious. That dress is elegant and dignified. Femininity can be a powerful thing in itself, but it's even more powerful with the right presentation. THAT is the right presentation. Prancing around in -- what was it? -- lingerie, would not be the right presentation. King Vegeta is making a statement with you. I'm not sure what just yet...but, it's a statement nonetheless. Perhaps that only the truly qualified individuals, maybe those with the most potential, will be chosen for certain careers or jobs or whatever in the future."

"But..."

Again Savoya cut off her roommate's protestations. "Your only problem is that you'd rather not have Saiyan males see you that way. I don't blame you, not at all, considering what so many of your species' females have been forced to do."

Bulma sighed and Savoya shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly in reply. She returned to cooking the meat.

Bulma could only admit that Savoya was right. She hadn't just read her like a printout; she'd interpreted her, as well.

Freeza stood gazing out at the planet his ship orbited, his fists closed loosely at his side and his spine ramrod straight, shoulders back, chest forward. It was a stance of raw, unadulterated self-assurance and arrogance.

The barest of smirks curled upward one end of his full lips. He was viewing a planet that might just be essential in his plans. The planet and its imbecilic people could be useful; its resources would aid in further empire building.

Freeza would have all his heart desired. Power and money and power. And who would challenge him? Who in their right mind would challenge Freeza, sovereign lord over all the universe.

No one Freeza planned on being 'round at any rate. He dealt preemptively with his possible problems. The Saiyans would be fully under his control and he would have a greater army of brutish imbeciles to order into death and useful expeditions. Wonderful.

A low chuckle escaped his lips, "Send word to King Vegeta: we shall arrive shortly. Then take us down there. We have garbage to dump."

What seemed like all of Vegetasei, Saiyans and slaves alike, had gathered just outside of the capital city, awaiting the descent of Lord Freeza's ship and therein the return of their prince.

The flying saucer -- perhaps rotating would be a better description -- landed in the open field. The metal ramp slowly descended to the ground, a metallic thump reverberating through the dale.

The crowd held their breath.

Led by guards and followed by a procession of ministers and directors and their help, King Vegeta stepped calmly towards the ship, his posture stately and stoic. The procession following at his heels came to a halt as dull thudding, followed by the ringing of metal upon metal, came into hearing.

Prince Vegeta, followed by his contingent of soldiers and guards, stalked resolutely down the gangplank. All stopped before King Vegeta, the prince standing at attention before his father while the soldiers all dropped to one knee in silent proclamation of their fealty.

King Vegeta regarded his son for a moment; Prince Vegeta likewise regarded him. There was a pregnant moment of intense silence, followed by whispers fanning through the crowd. Father and son nodded respectfully at each other. Prince Vegeta gave the signal for his guards to stand and assemble near the King before he himself stepped to his father's side and turned on his heels to face the ramp.

As if on cue, a floating Freeza followed by a sauntering Zarbon descended. Zarbon bowed to King Vegeta; King Vegeta and Prince Vegeta in return bowed their fielty to Lord Freeza. The guards and King Vegeta's procession all dropped to one knee, save the science and technology director and his chosen assistants -- Ruvari and Bulma.

Freeza cocked his head to the side to regard the three dissidents, though he pursed his lips to hide a smirk as he noted that Bulma was most certainly not Saiyan. King Vegeta followed the lizard's gaze and cleared his throat.

"Ah...Vegetasei's future. Director Suhyo, Director Ruvari, Miss Briefs...please. Step forward," said King Vegeta, waving them forward and then clearing his throat once more, glancing over his other shoulder as the three scientists stepped forward, "Lady Sukena, you and your guards, please step forward."

Sukena, clad in a dress to rival Bulma's in beauty, sauntered forward with hips in full swing. Savoya, Melopa and Kukora trailed behind her, all wearing battle armor.

Prince Vegeta eyeballed Sukena, eyes raking over her curves, and then snorted derisively. He lifted his nose and made sure as to avoid looking at the female.

"As I said," drawled out King Vegeta as he motioned towards the scientists, "this man and these two women are Vegetasei's future," he paused a moment as he looked over Sukena and her guards, "And, Vegetasei's future will also be molded by this four women. And of course, my son and his guards are also Vegetasei's future, a good portion of it in fact."

"Quite interesting," said Freeza, his tones laced with interwoven sarcasm and arrogance. He glanced over at Bulma, nodding approvingly as he returned his attention to King Vegeta, "I see you are...expanding the horizons of those in your employ. That woman is of that slave species from...oh, well, no matter. Human, am I correct?"

"Yes, Lord Freeza, I am a human, a native of the planet Chikyuu," said Bulma, inclining her head respectfully though her tone was scathing in its blandness. All present within the group glanced at Bulma, and then quickly away, save four individuals -- Savoya, Freeza, Zarbon and Prince Vegeta. Bulma met their gazes one by one. Though Vegeta's expression was mostly bland, Bulma caught the glint of sick amusement in his gaze. She quickly turned her attention from the Prince to the lizard Lord.

"Nothing special, these humans, m'lord," said Zarbon as he looked Bulma over, looking quite as though he'd just taken a drink of rancid milk.

"There is more to power than the power of the body," Bulma said, her tone so bland that Savoya chewed her lip and glanced away from her.

Lord Freeza chuckled and then began in insinuating tones intended to rankle on Bulma's nerves. "To be sure, to be sure. But, there is certainly something to say in having physical prowess, yes? Some sort of...oh, advantage? Survival is in the hands of the strong."

It was Bulma's turn to tilt her head and regard Lord Freeza, but after only a moment's consideration she nodded her concession. "Yes, Lord Freeza, that is so."

King Vegeta cleared his throat. Bulma looked warily, perhaps a bit guiltily, at King Vegeta, but to her surprise she found no reproach in words or gaze.

"Lord Freeza, I would like to invite you to ... attend the banquet being held in my son's honor this evening."

"It would be a pleasure to attend, King Vegeta," Freeza began, drawing out the words in such a way as to make complement insult. "I have an empire to run, after all. We will, of course, keep in touch. Come Zarbon, we must be leaving."

With that, Freeza and Zarbon turned about and ascended the ramp. Moments later, the ramp was retracted and the ship took off, showering the crowd in a flurry of sod and sand and silt.

Calmly, King Vegeta brushed the grit and grime from clothing and face; Prince Vegeta followed suit, though he looked far more annoyed than his father. The King cleared his throat and motioned for the now cheering -- and, admittedly, somewhat raucous -- crowd to part. They did so. The royal father and son stepped forward in stride, both looking regal and austere; after trailed their entourage. For the moment, nothing was spoken of Freeza.

King Vegeta glanced back at Sukena, waving her and her contingent forward. "My son, I would like you to meet Lady Sukena, the strongest of the daughters of the Saiyan elite." He motioned in turn to the young women in Saiyan battle armor. "Her honor guards and training partners: Melopa, Savoya and Kukora. Lady Melopa is the next strongest after Lady Sukena. The four function as a team."

Accordingly, Vegeta looked appreciatively at Sukena and Melopa, the barest of smirks twinging at his lips, and then he once more set his gaze forward. His expression went bland, set in his usual glower.

"Vegeta," began the King. Prince Vegeta glanced sideways at his father as the older man caught his gaze and continued. "It is from those four women you shall choose your wife, the future Queen of Vegetasei."

Prince Vegeta gritted his teeth before replying, "I understand."

"Good," said his father. He motioned for the four females to step back and motioned the science and technology contingent forward. "Now, I'm sure you remember director Suhyo, Vegeta?"

Vegeta glanced at the man. Suhyo cracked a toothy grin, "It gladdens me that you have returned to us, Prince Vegeta."

Prince Vegeta gave the smallest of firm smiles, though from the looks of it the man's presence relaxed him. "It is nice to know that competence has remained in my absence."

Suhyo held back a guffaw. King Vegeta smiled briefly before he pointed to Ruvari, "This is Director Ruvari, the head of education and training within her department. She is Suhyo's assistant."

Ruvari bowed her head respectfully.

"And this young woman," continued King Vegeta, waving Bulma forward, "is Bulma Briefs, our newest and most competent engineer. In fact, she is the daughter of the scientist who led the resistance on Chikyuu. She is, of course, a member of our most recent slave species."

Prince Vegeta quirked an eyebrow at his father, "You have...employed a slave?"

The King waved a hand at his son. "You do not pass over a chance for bettering your infrastructure, Vegeta, whatever that infrastructure might be. In this case, technology. She is highly talented, highly intelligent, and highly competent. She is, as I have said of our science and technology department, part of the future of our empire. I hope you will consider her for the directorship of science and technology when the day comes to replace Suhyo. Ruvari wishes to remain the departmental head of education and training."

Prince Vegeta glanced back at Bulma and snorted derisively. She narrowed her eyes at him and Prince Vegeta scoffed at her as he raked his eyes over her, "She looks more like a pleasure creature than one for designing and engineering our planet's 'future'."

"Vegeta, that was hardly necessary," spoke the King as he glanced over Bulma, tilting his head in consideration before conceding somewhat to his son's chosen words, "Although...she certainly is an attractive creature. However, I assure you, whatever her beauty she is twice as intelligent."

"You're bluffing, old man."

"Hardly. She has the second highest aptitude scores in the history of our planet. Second only to Suhyo after he had receiving education. Miss Briefs' education was halted due to our purging her planet."

"You speak as though you regret that action."

"Hardly. The Chikyuu natives, though physically weak, are a versatile and useful species, well worth the acquisition."

Bulma, who happened to be glaring daggers at both royal men, cleared her throat.

King Vegeta glanced at her and offered her the most delicate of smiles. "Yes, Miss Briefs?"

"Perhaps, sire, it would be well worth noting that my intelligence is more than sufficient to have questions and discussions about myself directed to me rather than over me," said Bulma, who then pointedly glared at Vegeta. However, the glare's effect was ruined by Bulma's slipping bodice, which she had to readjust.

"How rude of us, Miss Briefs," said King Vegeta, a modicum of apology present in his voice. He turned to his son. "If you have any questions about her or her species, please do direct it to her."

"I have none at the moment," came Prince Vegeta's perfunctory reply.

King Vegeta nodded and then waved the scientists back. He waved forward the representatives of the next department. Discretely, Prince Vegeta rolled his eyes.