A Rebel\'s Heart

For hours the group, joined by Fasha and the rest of the team, waited by the healing tanks, anxiously watching Raditz's and Nappa's progress. "Their injuries are multiple," the medic reported, "As you glean from their reports, three Rinajin were waiting for them on Feron-sei and the battle wasn't pretty, but they did defeat them and were first treated as much as possible by local medics, otherwise they would be dead now. Their medics sent a report. The reason why Raditz almost died of blood loss is because his opponent underestimated him by biting his wrist to mark its victory... falsely, as Raditz defeated him with the rest of his strength. Unable to live with the shame of such a mark, Raditz cut it away himself with a scalpel, hit a major artery and lost too much blood."

Bardock's jaw tightened and he slammed his fist into the wall with a growl of fury. The bite on the wrist or arm was the signature of the Rinajin to brag of a victory and to shame their enemy, and they knew that Frieza was behind it all. Grimly the king placed a hand on Bardock's shoulder to steady him, of which he barely took notice. His glowering regard met that of Prince Vegeta and a look of silent agreement in their recognition of fury passed between them. Bardock had almost lost the only son he had left, and this was it. They would pay. FRIEZA would pay.

Three hours later, Raditz and Nappa were released from the tanks fully healed, at least on the physical plan. Now united in the throne room, they revealed their story to the king.

"Majesty, we had no choice but to form a secret alliance with the Feronjin by mutual debt. Our report of Feron-sei's destruction, which we knew would reach Frieza, was false. Though we claimed it to be useless, their planet is intact but won't show up on Icejin radar. While they lack in strength, they're a very intelligent people," Nappa reported, "In fact, the medical knowledge that saved the young boy the prince rescued last week came from Feron-sei and Earth. We were informed that this same treatment can be developped into a massive arm against the Rinajin. Frieza knows nothing of it, of course, but now we are able to crush the Rinajin once and for all."

The king nodded, his jaw set firmly. He was not at all happy with the alliance, but had no choice now. And, seeing as Frieza had refused to pay Raditz and Nappa for taking too long, it served him right. Anyway, once the Rinajin out of the picture, they could put their true plan into action.

"You may retire to your quarters," the king told Nappa and Raditz, "The medic advised rest, and I agree." The latter two bowed and left for their quarters as told, certainly without complaint.

"Sire," Bardock said when they'd left, "I'd like to talk to my son a moment, if you don't mind."

Noting Bardock's worry-lined face, King Vegeta nodded. "Of course, Bardock. Go ahead."

Bardock left the throne room and strode quietly to Raditz's quarters, where the guards let him pass. Hearing voices at the door, Bardock paused to listen, watching curiously. The prince was sitting in an armchair beside Raditz's bed.

"The roles are reversed today from last week," Vegeta said to Raditz with a forced smile.

"You'll bury us all, prince," Raditz said tiredly with a half smile of irony. Vegeta took Raditz's left arm and removed his wristband to inspect it. Though he wore no armor, Raditz still wore a pair of simple wristbands.

"Your wound is gone now, Raditz," he said in quiet sympathy. He'd already known the Rinajin's humiliation.

"But I still see it." Raditz turned his face and Vegeta nodded silently, averting his eyes to save face for the older Saiyan. He clasped his hand in comradity, his face level.

Bardock's jaw clenched again. Raditz was lucky to be alive, only to suffer the Rinajins', then Frieza's humiliation once again, not to mention the nightmares that would follow. Soon it would be the same for young Vegeta, when his class status would only be used against him. Bardock had the irrespressible urge to destroy something and rung to signal his presence as well as to change his thoughts. The door slid open and he entered, nodding to Vegeta and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"You okay, kid?" Bardock brushed a lock of Raditz's long hair from his face and the latter nodded. "How's Nappa?" he asked.

"Sleeping," Raditz replied groggily from some medication, "He manages to sleep whatever happens." Seeing Bardock's taut face, he said, "Father, stop worrying. It looked worse than it was."

Bardock nodded at Raditz's tough façade, silent for several minutes. "We will destroy them both. It's almost time." His words rang with a startling finality, and the other two watched him solemnly.

"Father, please don't do anything rash," Raditz said quickly, knowing his father, "Maybe we can destroy the Rinajin now, but we have no chance against the Icejin and you know it. It's a suicide mission." Vegeta looked questioningly between father and son in silent debate.

"The king and I have discussed it at length," Bardock affirmed, his face determined, "I just want you to be ready for that. This can't be tolerated any longer."

They were interrupted by the king's urgent voice on their scouters, commanding their immediate presence. The three of them looked up in alarm, then got up and ran for the throne room.
*
TBC...