House of Vegeta

A/U

HOUSE OF VEGETA pt.24 Shadows Past

Two female saiyans rode a crowded helipod across town to a central
district. They were young, and clearly related. One was somewhat
lanky, the other more athletic in build. A chibi purred quietly
between them where they sat.

"Ubera, are you insane? What story did you tell Lubb this time?!"

"I can't risk his suspicions anymore, cousin." The pretty saiyan
tossed long spikes that tumbled past her shoulders. "I won't lose
this cub, too...when Etrie died in that purge a part of me died, too.
Another loss...would break me completely."

The other saiyan sighed, looking at the cub wistfully. "She was too
young, Ubera..."

Ubera buried her face in the chibi's mop of hair. "This little one is
special. And my own daughter...I couldn't save her!"

A comforting hand rubbed her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. Etrie
was always bullheaded like her father. No one suspected she'd forge
documents and lie about her age...even the commanders didn't know
immediately."

Ubera kissed the baby, who clucked quietly. "No one will take Bardock
away from me, Yedakk. Not even Lubb!"

Yedakk glanced about at curious stares. "Cousin, keep your voice
low...there's enough eyes on the cub as it is."

Ubera quieted, remembering the constant scrutiny her cub received in
public places. "I'll give these assholes something to look at in a
minute."

The chibi snarled to emphasize her point, his fat tail lashing wildly.

Yedakk chuckled, tickling the little nose. "Ai, this daza (demon) is
ready. At least Lubb is proud of his temper."

"Maybe so, but he's pressuring me to have tests taken again-"

"He still doesn't believe you, eh? I warned you he wouldn't!"

Ubera glowered at nosy passengers. "That's why I need to head off his
suspicions."

"How? You have a plan?"

"Ai, there's a physician I know downtown...he has access to contacts
in the public records office."

Yedakk smirked. "Do I need to guess here? Crazy fool!!"

Bardock shrieked, stubby arms waving. Ubera bounced him to quiet.

"Keep it down, Yedakk. These fools stare as it is."

Yedakk glared about. The other passengers were clearly interested in
their conversation. Pairs of eyes trained on Bardock.

She reverted to mind speech, as all relatives could. /Listen to
me...this is too risky!/

Ubera kissed her baby. /I'll do whatever's necessary. You know what
this cub is capable of!/

/If it gets out we'll all hang...Lubb included!/

Ubera cuddled Bardock, who purred quietly in content. Yedakk rubbed
the thick little mop affectionately. The baby nibbled her finger.

/He's such a beautiful chibi./

"Hai." Ubera was blissful as her cub nestled in close. A shiny black
coil wrapped her arm. She smiled gently at her warm bundle.

"Yedakk, hand me a bottle from his pack. My booky is hungry."

Her cousin complied as they resumed mind speech. /Why are you fooling
with records now? I thought they'd already been changed!/

Ubera plunked the bottle in Bardock's mouth. /Only hospital records,
but not the ones in the main offices downtown./

/How is that possible?! They're supposed to be duplicates!/

The baby sucked away at his bottle, eyes closed. His mother smiled
briefly once more. /That's what worries me...somehow they weren't
transferred./

Yedakk's eyes went round in silence. /You don't think someone knows?/

Dark eyes flashed equal worry. /I don't know for certain, but its too
suspicious...all records from hospitals are automatically transferred
to the central libraries./

Yedakk gasped. "They've made claim?!" she blurted unthinking. A hand
covered her mouth.

"Bedattka!!" /We're in public, fool!!/

Yedakk moved the hand away. /Dadim. If the family knows, they might
have had the papers blocked. Time is of the essence!/

Ubera nodded grimly. /This goes beyond Lubb's suspicions. I can't
face off their power and influence, but I can protect my cub./

A tall, rawboned saiyan stood over them. He was clad in dark grey
armor sporting many gash marks. A hooked nose graced his plain face.

"Greetings, _arde._ I was noticing that chibi. A fine one, eh?"

They glanced up from their seat. Ubera snorted. "None of your
buisness, _voon._ I don't recall you being invited over here!"

Cracked fangs flashed in laughter. "Come, now. I've noticed the looks
that cub is getting...are you a _podo_ (nurse) for one of the royals?"

"Go sit with the other slarggs. I've nothing to say."

The homely saiyan looked both women over. "Hn...a poor attitude to
present. Are you aware I'm with the _Yuxe_ (special task services)?"

"Who gives a quoon's ass?!" Yedakk snapped, her dark eyes
flashing. "This chibi is none of your concern."

"The name's Goslok, woman. I have connections to royals everywhere."

"I'll put that on your tomb."

Ugly eyes glittered unpleasantly. "That cub is elite. Why are you
riding public transport, and in this area? Surely the chibi's parents
would give escort!"

"This is _my_ cub, you asshole!!" Ubera growled. Curious passengers
watched the scene intently, murmuring.

A bushy eyebrow lifted. "Oh? Show me some identification-"

"Blow it out your hole, fool." Ubera snarled. "I don't recognize your
authority to question my word!"

Goslok pointed at her. "You'll know soon enough, woman. I have but to
contact my agent, who will notify the nearest _goderri._ Mock that if
you dare!"

The passenger car went eerily quiet as eyes stared from every
direction. Goslok waved a scarred finger in front of Bardock.

"He comes with me...we'll get to the root of this mystery!"

Ubera champed sharp teeth. "No one takes my cub!"

"You expect me to believe he's yours?"

"Hai, moron. You have no authority here! Go back under your rock."

Cold smirk. "Fierce words, woman. We'll see how they rate when the
proper authorities are notified!"

"Leave her be." another voice sounded out. Goslok turned, facing a
massive saiyan with a barrel chest. Grizzled spikes splayed
everywhere from a square head.

"She rides this transport often...this isn't a police state!"

Goslok turned in anger. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

A thick finger jabbed at his nose. "Aduta, asshole. Recognize me?"

Goslok blinked in confusion. "No...I don't believe you!"

"Ai, regent general of the _goderri._ You'll not sully our reputation
with such petty antics!"

"It isn't possible...this isn't your region!"

"So? I go where I will, boy."

Goslok pointed at the chibi. "But this cub is elite! Clearly, you can
see-"

"Appearances alone prove nothing. Do you realize there are thousands
of false claims every day? The goderri has no time for such nonsense!"

"But I still say...AIEEEEEE!!!!"

The crowd of passengers erupted into laughter as Goslok howled.
Needle teeth crunched a bone in his tail as Bardock clamped down.

"Bastard!!" the homely saiyan screeched, jumping around. He snatched
his tail free, clutching the open wound.

Yedakk roared with mirth. "A pity he didn't aputate your ugly ass!"

Aduta grabbed Goslok by the collar. "Time to go...I've a few
questions of my own!"

The whimpering saiyan gripped his bleeding appendage. "I've got
nothing to say!!"

"I'll be the judge of that." without another word Aduta dragged him
off.

****

Ubera and Yedakk snickered as the protesting saiyan was pulled into
another passenger car. The crowd roared, cheering his disposal.

"Should've happened a lot sooner."

"Elite snobs. Who needs 'em?"

"Damn, some o' thems the ugliest things you ever laid eyes on!"

Ubera tickled her chibi on the chin. Bardock licked his lips,
clucking innocently.

"Good soup, booky?"

Bright eyes shone as fat legs kicked. Stubby arms flailed wildly.

"I think so, eh? Blood's good for you!"

An elderly saiyan seated nearby peered over. "Hn, what a pretty
cub...his coloring is so rich!"

"Adieru, madiam. Many refuse to believe he's mine."

"Ridiculous, girl. I can see the resemblence, even with my bad
eyesight!"

Yedakk spoke up. "There's been much harassment by elites lately. I
wish I knew the root of it!"

Bardock burst into happy purrs. The old woman ran fingers through the
little mop.

"Such fine texture...this cub is most unusual."

"His father has special...traits." Ubera kept her voice low, speaking
quickly. Yedakk tried to shush her cousin.

"Are you crazy-"

Aged eyes observed them both. "You've nothing to fear from me, but I
suggest you watch your tails. Too many ears are listening."

Yedakk whispered in her cousin's ear. "Ai, the old one speaks true.
Any one of these slarggs would love to turn us in for a few thousand
credits. I warned you to watch your words!"

Bardock burbled, sticking his tongue out. A fat tail thumped his
mother's thigh.

"Be still, booky. We've a long ride ahead!"

The elderly saiyan grinned. "Ai, a very different baby. There's a
power to him."

Ubera and Yedakk went pale. A withered finger touched the chibi's
forehead.

/I see inner things. This is no ordinary cub, I feel his blood./

The voice echoed in their minds.

"How do you know this?" Ubera's throat went dry.

"My name is Tenne, of the Bularis clan."

"The readers of fortune, fate and ki." Ubera blinked in
amazement. "But-"

"Silence, girl. I know your blood is unusual too, though you rate as
third class. There is more."

"Be quiet, you old _hadda!_ (hag!)" Yedakk hissed. "Are you trying
to make trouble?"

The cracked features were smug. /Well I could...but I'm past such
things now./

"Good. Now if you don't mind-"

Bardock howled. Ubera tapped her cousin's arm.

"Hand me a bottle of his pesto."

Yedakk rummaged through the baby's bag. "It's too thick, Ubera.
Why'd you put it in a bottle?"

"I thinned it with lizard butter."

Yedakk rolled her eyes. "Here, maybe this will fill him up."

Seconds later the air filled with sucking sounds. Bardock squashed
contentedly against his mother, her quilted flight jacket puffing
around him like a pillow.

Yedakk tugged the fat little tail. "Crazy cub. In one end and out the
other!"

The furry coil wrapped her wrist. A loud bell distracted everyone
moments later.

"Hn, this is my stop." Tenne announced, standing slowly. She made a
sign at them.

"Watch those fingers, woman." Ubera snapped. "Fortune teller or no,
nobody insults my kin!"

A dry cackle. /That one is of the blood and born to rule...care for
him well. Let the prophecy be fulfilled to Vegetaseii!/

"What?!" Ubera blurted at the mind voice.

With an amused wave, the elderly saiyan sauntered off the transport.
Yedakk gawked as well.

"She's mad...a crazy old _guna._ (maniac)."

Ubera glanced down at her hungry chibi as he drained his
bottle. /Could what I suspect be true?/ she stared in wonderment.

Bardock burped, grinning at her.

****

Hours later they sat in a small office at the downtown medical
facility. At Ubera's not too gentle insistence, it was a closed
session. The primary physician of the pediatric wing, Yugur, was not
amused by the strongarm tactics.

"Woman, you think to tamper with records? I could have you broken for
this!"

The lovely saiyan smiled slyly. "Now I wouldn't want to produce
evidence against you."

Yugur laughed. "Get out of my office, third class. I've no more time
for you."

Ubera glanced about the office casually, noting several plaques of
certification. "You're highly regarded. For now, anyway."

Yedakk snickered at the ploy. Yugur glared at them both.

"If you sleazy boodas think to blackmail me-"

"We'll do more than that!" Yedakk suddenly opened her jacket shirt
and hopped on the examination table.

"Are you insane?!"

Bardock screeched, grinning. Ubera placed him on the countertop.

"Hai, we've come prepared. Aid me in doctoring the secondary records
on my cub and you'll be paid well. Otherwise..." she flashed her
jacket open, exposing full breasts.

If nothing else Yugur had eyesight and hormones. Growling, he moved
at her.

"So, you want to play?"

Ubera shook a finger at him. "Uh uh. Work first."

Yugur snorted, staring at her chest. "What's to prevent me from
exposing your plan to the proper authorities? Not to mention your
mate...surely he'd want to know!"

Yedakk pulled her pants down a little. "There's a problem with that
threat, physician...I have a coded computer chip that captures our
images as we speak. With a little editing here and there..."

Yugur nearly went for her throat. "You wouldn't dare, slakka!!"

"Oh no?" Yedakk exposed a thigh.

Yugur cursed. "Skuzzy ragtails...I should've been suspicious when you
entered this facility. It isn't rated for your kind!"

"It's good enough now." Ubera closed her jacket.

****

Bardock was examined. Yugur wrote an updated 'report' overriding the
previous information recorded with his birth certificate.

"We could all hang for this." the physician grumbled, staring at his
notes.

"No one will hang, if you keep quiet!" Yedakk snapped.

Yugur was smug. "What if I risk your blackmail? What then?"

The women stared at each other. "Then, you die." Ubera finally said.

"Oh? Even assuming you could pull it off, what happens next? A body,
two third class on the run, and altered documents. Not to mention
that strange cub of yours!"

Bardock snarled, pushing himself to a sitting position on the
examination table. His tail puffed to twice its normal size.

Ubera jabbed a finger at Yugur. "Just do your job, physician-"

A strange glow enveloped the room, casting everyone in amber light.
Startled to silence, the three adults stared at Bardock. Something
was happening.

"My baby!" Ubera shouted, moving to grab him. Yedakk held her back.

"No, Ubera. Look!!"

Yugur gawked in astonishment. "No...this isn't possible!"

Bardock crackled with energy, his hair standing on end. A flicker.
Then another. With a shearing surge of power the infant erupted into
brilliant flame, his hair and tail turning burnished gold. Bright
teal eyes blinked innocently.

Yugur backed against a wall from the glare. "What is this madness?!
Who are you, really??"

Ubera and Yedakk held each other, looking in wonderment.

"I knew it!!" Ubera was nearly in tears with joy. "I felt it...my cub
is a super saiyan!!"

"Ba...how?? I mean, even considering-" Yedakk stammered, shaking her
head.

Yugur approached the glowing chibi in awe. "Once in many
millenia...do you realize what this means?!"

He picked Bardock up. "Incredible...then, he must be of the line.
There's no other explanation."

"I'm Fabreani!!" Ubera shouted. "Such exists in my ancestry."

"That alone isn't the reason, woman. Perhaps I have blackmail of my
own now, eh?"

The bright flame surrounding the chibi abruptly went blue, then
dissipated. Golden hair turned dark once more.

Ubera was silent a moment. "Call it a standoff...we'll keep quiet if
you will."

Yugur pulled his chin in thought. "So be it. And my knowledge
supersedes yours in this matter, woman."

"Don't push it, physician."

"Watch your own tail, third class. You have no real leverage here.
For myself, I like a good mystery. Seeing you sweat pleases me also."

Yedakk grabbed Bardock's bag. "Dress him so we can get out of here,
cousin!"

****

They traded cross threats for an hour before leaving. Ubera was
visibly shaken despite her brave front.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

Yedakk went to mind speech as they stood at the transport stop. /You
did what was necessary. At least the baby is protected now./

Ubera smiled sadly. /Most of all from his father. I dread thinking
what Lubb would do if he found out, especially after all the
arguments we've had./

The taller Yedakk inclined her head as the transport approached the
station. /That isn't a problem now...we'll go home and play it
straight, eh?/

"Hai." Ubera said aloud. "It'll be nightfall by the time we get back,
anyway. Did you pack some snacks in the baby's bag?"

"You know it. Come on, let's go."

****

The transport was jammed with lower class as usual. The women
considered themselves fortunate to get seats. Barock snoozed
blissfully between them, having polished off his third bottle.

Ubera sighed to herself, thinking. _You were never meant for this
life, Bardock. Power rules, and I swear I'll see Vegetaseii bow at
your feet! Then will the King himself quake in fear, and I be avenged
for my family's humiliation._

Content in her thoughts Ubera drifted to sleep, reassured by the warm
bundle at her side.


THE END