House of Vegeta Highlights

HOUSE OF VEGETA HIGHLIGHTS 11 Storm Surge


Kakarot stood on a central platform inside a giant chamber. Panels with indicator lights surrounded him with beeps and clicks. The circular room was over a hundred feet high and nearly twice that size in diameter. Kakarot surmised it was used for oozaru testing based on size alone. Outside the chamber stood the royal clan inside an observation enclosure. On the opposite side of the chamber resided doctor Jedanuk, with other medical staff and psi scientists. Their tower room was reinforced with transparisteel.

Kakarot had been outfitted with a dark blue unisuit, a base design with no pockets. A slightly elasticized waist allowed more freedom of movement. The specialized fabric would expand to any size needed. Freedom of movement was an illusion, however. The psi dampers were still firmly in place and functional. Feeling anxious, the young saiyan warrior wound his tail tightly about himself. He glowered at the scientists.

"So? Am I going to stand here all day?"

A hollow voice came over the loudspeakers. :A MOMENT, KAKAROT. WE'RE MAKING A FEW ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EQUIPMENT.:

"So you say."

:YOU WILL FEEL A SLIGHT BUZZING SENSATION AT VARIOUS TIMES. DON'T BE ALARMED. AS THE TESTS PROCEED WE WILL BE CHANGING TRANSMITTER FREQUENCIES.:

The young warrior smiled. "I'm getting a headache again. Can you do something about this brain drainer?" he tapped the metal band circling his head.

Jedanuk wasn't amused. :DURING THE COURSE OF THE TESTS THE PSI BANDS WILL BE REMOVED. NOW PLEASE PREPARE, THE TESTS WILL BEGIN IN THIRTY SECONDS.:

Kakarot was smug. "Whatever, as long as the toys go."

****

The royal clan watched through their glass, annoyed.

"Why the delay?" Bardock questioned. "Kakarot's been standing there for at least ten minutes."

As if in answer, a localized intercomm buzzed. "WE ARE MAKING MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EQUIPMENT. EVERYONE, PLEASE BE PATIENT."

The ouji shrugged. "What choice do we have?"

Raditz pointed. "Wait, hear that? They're cranking it up!"

****

Inside the chamber Kakarot felt a strange vibration, an ache in his bones. It was reminiscent of jungle run...

The common intercomm blared for everyone to hear. :OOZARU SENSITIVITY TEST. BRUT WAVES 1,000,000 RSI. WAVELENGTH SET AND ACTIVATE, INFRARED SHIELDS UP.:

The ouji watched intently. "I presume safeguards are in place for visitors."

Raditz nodded. "Look, the infrared shields are closing over the viewing areas."

"Obviously." Bardock folded his arms. "They'd better have a good containment method!"

"The dampers are still on." The Ou noted. "I don't believe the meds are as confident as they pretend to be."

:LOW LEVEL SIMULATION OF PLANETARY BODY.:

Green beams of energy crackled about the great chamber, striking Kakarot in a random pattern. He reared back and roared, fists clenched.

"Hn, they want him to transform." Bardock commented.

Kakarot shifted, tail whipping wildly. Blood pumped in his body, pulsing to a primal beat. Muscles bunched, teeth clenched. Primitive singsong, calling to base instinct...

"RUAURRGHHHHARUARARRRHH!"

He exploded and grew, increasing in size rapidly. A furious oozaru bellowed, vibrating the facility with deafening noise.

The Ou squinted. "Krukka, he might smash out of here!"

Raditz pointed. "Maybe not. Those dampers are the last failsafe."

The ouji wasn't convinced either. "Maybe, but will this chamber hold up to his strength-"

As if in answer, oozaru Kakarot slammed mammoth fists against smooth metal walls, denting them. Panels popped and crackled, shorting out. Shrieking and roaring, the raging were-ape turned and found his main target.

Bardock's eyes widened. "He's not going to do what I think?"

"HA HA HAAAA. GOODBYE, DOCTOR!" Lifting a huge fist high, oozaru Kakarot hurled a mighty punch straight at the observation tower. The doctors stood back but didn't retreat as hairy knuckles collided with transparisteel. Vibrations from the blow rumbled through floors and walls, knocking everyone from their feet.

Raditz staggered up first, laughing. "Shit, no wonder Saiyans scare the crap out of everyone."

"But what now?" the Ou lifted himself up, looking.

Bardock leaned against the viewglass. "He's done some damage, but the chamber still stands!"

The ouji snickered. "He's cracked their containment tower. The fools! What if he goes golden?"

"It hardly seems possible with the dampers." Bardock watched closely. "But when it comes to Kakarot, never say never."

Oozaru Kakarot held his hand, shaking it. "THAT HURT. DAMN."

The doctors appeared to converse briefly from above deck. Jedanuk spoke into the intercomm.

:KAKAROT. FOR PURPOSES OF THE NEXT TEST WE WILL REMOVE THE DAMPERS.:

The irritated oozaru growled, rumbling like distant thunder.

:STAY CALM AND FOLLOW MY WORDS. PSI MED ZOOVIS WILL REMOVE THE BANDS. AGAIN, I STRESS THAT YOU MAKE NO AGGRESSIVE MOVES OR ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.:

The Ou snorted. "Kakarot wouldn't be saiyan if he doesn't try for it. Who's she trying to convince?"

Bardock nodded. "It has to be part of the test, although I don't see the relevance."

The ouji peered intently, eyes narrow. "We'll know more when those bands are off."

****

Oozaru Kakarot looked about the chamber, his giant tail swishing in agitation. "WHERE IS THIS ZOOVIS?"

A doorpanel opened on the far side. A heavily armored saiyan strode inside carrying a long rod. The square jaw was set, all buisness.

Oozaru Kakarot looked down at him as he approached. "NOT BAD. YOU COME HERE OFTEN? MY PLACE OR YOURS? TRANSFORM AND LET'S PARTY! OR AM I TOO BIG FOR YOU?"

At a distance the royal family barely suppressed laughter.

Raditz shook his head. "He hasn't sounded this idiotic since first rut."

"Ai, it's ridiculous." the ouji grinned. "But stay alert. Any moment now those dampers will come off."

Further conversation was halted as Zoovis pointed at the were-ape with his rod. A laserlike beam struck with precision at huge wrists. With a loud clank, bands of metal fell to the floor.

Oozaru Kakarot flexed his hands. "UUUUUGH. WHAT ABOUT THIS?" he tapped his hoary head.

"That one remains."

"WHY? LIAAARS!!" oozaru Kakarot roared, raising his fists high. "DIE, YOU STINKING SCUM!" he moved to smash Zoovis where he stood, but the saiyan flew above him, nimbly avoiding the attempt. Hairy fists crashed into the floor making a crater.

"We aren't foolish, Kakarot. The next round of this test will tell us the limits of your oozaru strength. We needed to remove the main dampers to release a portion of your energy."

"A STUPID ANSWER. TAKE THIS THING OFF! MY HEAD RATTLES WITH PAAAIN."

"Another frequency change may be necessary. Your brain is quite active."

"SO ARE MY FISTS, YOU WORM."

Zoovis barely avoided being swatted from the air. He twisted, avoided and turned as the frustrated oozaru struggled in close quarters.

A pause. Zoovis pointed the rod again. "Activation level two, transformation stage."

:CONFIRMED. BRUT WAVES AT 5,000,000 RSI. ENGAGE.:

Green energy crackled about the chamber, more intense than before. Zoovis floated to a relatively safe corner to observe.

Oozaru Kakarot halted all movement as he was bombarded with intensified brut waves. Simian roars rocked the chamber and rattled both observation decks.

Vegeta Ou shouted over the chaos inside. "Anyone sense him yet?"

Raditz squinted. "Not exactly. That headband still throws up interference-"

"I almost had his ki" Bardock stared through the glass. "But it was different, attached to something."

The ouji looked to his sire sharply. "Explain!"

"That's just it, I can't." Bardock stared ahead. "Before I could focus, the signature scattered then shut off."

"Damn."

Raditz watched another change in his sibling. "We have more immediate concerns."

****

It was too much. Wild energy encased Kakarot, ripping him to final stage. Dark fur flickered in color, turning golden. In blind anger he struck aimlessly, punching deep holes in the chamber wall. Deafening roars burst from his throat as he spat fireballs that bounced around the chamber and dissipated. Zoovis made a break for the doors and was nearly incinerated. Up in the tower the meds disappeared temporarily.

"He's lost it!" Bardock pointed. "Vegeta, have them stop the tests!"

Vegetaan stared at the berserk golden oozaru. "The doctors panic! Where did they go?!"

The entire facility vibrated. Zoovis frantically went to the emergency escape hatch but was blocked by a huge tail slamming down. A giant foot crashed in front of him, knocking him out from impact as he rolled and collided with a wall. Suddenly silent, the crazed were-ape smiled wickedly. He picked up the unconscious saiyan and opened monstrous jaws wide.

"Kakarot!!" the ouji shouted uselessly at the viewglass. Wild dark eyes swung on his family.

"I'm stopping this if I have to smash my way in-"

Bardock started to move. "He'll eat him before we can get there!"

Raditz edged alongside, indicating the chamber. "Wait, look at those turret guns!"

The Ou stared in astonishment. "Are they insane?"

SKRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

A deafening, high pitched sonic wave forced the oozaru to drop his captive. Turret guns angled on the simian, firing white beams. Inhuman howls drowned out static discharge as Kakarot held his head.

The royal family squinted from the blazing glare.

"What the hell are they doing now?" the ouji shielded his eyes.

"Kakarot's shifting back!" Raditz likewise covered his face. "Those rays are reversing the transformation."

"The chamber can't take anymore." Bardock surveyed the damage. "It looks like an emergency abort to me."

"RARUUURGHHHAAARRRUUUHHH!!!"

A screeching Kakarot shifted, then shifted again. Oozaru form retreated only to return.

"Unbelievable!" the Ou stammered. "He resists the reversal! See how his form goes back and forth?"

More earth shattering roars. The turret guns heated to dangerous overload, circuitry sparking from overuse. Blinding energy obscured all view of the uncontrolled simian as he smashed away, causing severe damage to the chamber.

Bardock staggered to his feet from the vibrations. "What now? We'll have to transform to stop him!"

"There isn't room for that!" the Ou shouted to be heard, stumbling also. "Head to the observation tower-"

"Look, they return!" the ouji shouted, pointing. The meds returned to their station, heavily armored and bearing weapons.

"He's shifing for good this time!" Raditz bellowed, leaning against the glass view panel. "The rays take effect."

It was true. His strength finally exhausted, Kakarot shrunk in size, regaining his normal form. He fell to his knees, gasping.

A panel door opened as more meds filtered into the chamber, also armored and holding devices. Kakarot eyed them warily, tail lashing in agitation. Stun poles pointed in his direction.

"You won't need those." he sneered.

"Patient." the first one bellowed, moving forward. His features were barely visible under a faceplate, only the eyes exposed. "Come with us now. This session is over."

Kakarot gained his feet slowly. "You're damn right it is."

"We go to another area to continue the tests."

"What? Again!"

A shorter med stood alongside. "Your psi levels must be monitored. Go with Goonn down corridor six. The rest of us will follow."

She poked him with the pole for emphasis.

Kakarot growled, pushing past. "It's too bad I changed back. Stepping on you and hearing the crunch would be fun!"

She poked him again, prodding him along. "You aren't helping your case any. Get moving!"

A snort. "I love it when women get rough."

****

Vegeta pointed from the opposite chamber. "Look, they're moving him. We need to catch up!"

"Then let's get going!" Raditz headed down the corridor. The others caught up quickly.

Bardock stared at destruction everywhere. "This joint's a wreck." Floors and hallways were cracked outside the chamber. The giant room itself would take months to repair.

"Never piss off a golden oozaru." the ouji stated pointedly. "They poked and prodded, wanting to see. Well I hope they got enough!"

The Ou motioned to his family as they moved along. "It's time we had a little meeting of the minds."

****

The royals caught up with Jedanuk and two other senior meds. They were talking in an access corridor. She waved as they approached.

The Ou spoke first. "It would appear your facility needs repairing, doctor. Where is Kakarot?"

She exhaled. "We've moved him to the psi testing unit."

"And what will that determine?"

"The stability of his brainwave patters. But first, let me introduce my colleagues. This is Terrun, our psi shield expert. Uvvu to my left specializes in telepathy."

The family nodded briefly in acknowledgement. "So where have you moved him?" Bardock wanted to know.

"Fourth level. I must admit the results of the transformation test were astounding."

The ouji huffed. "Because he trashed this place?"

Uvvu responded first. He had an odd combination of arrogance and dignity. Long spikes flopped over his eyes. "Not primarily, prince. It was impressive because his power was still being restrained."

"That headband won't hold him forever, you know." Raditz remarked. "Sooner or later my brother will find a way around it. You can't believe his resourcefulness."

"I can believe most anything." Jedanuk replied, motioning them to follow her. "Many of our patients here possess extraordinary abilities. Study of the mind is most fascinating."

"Scientists." the ouji mumbled as they moved along. "To them the world is a petri dish."

****

The facility was gigantic. Despite the damage Kakarot inflicted, they passed through pristine hallways a few minutes later.

"Krukka, it's unbelievable!" Raditz stared up. "You'd think nothing happened at all."

Jedanuk smiled. "Your brother isn't the first to lose control and cause damage. The base structure of this building is querillium metal. It's indestructable from physical force."

The hallways filled with hoots and catcalls. More patients shouted from their various cell rooms.

"HEY! You with the fat ass. Come here!"

The Ou curled a lip. "Again with this. Doctor, are there no other access corridors to level four?"

The doctor chuckled. "I'm afraid not, my Ou. Level four is secured and sealed, so access is limited. The simplest way is through the main structure."

"Great." Raditz glanced at an old saiyan who blew him a kiss.

More patients shouted. "Hey, the Ou's cute. Wanna party, boo?"

"I want the one that looks like Kakarot!"

"Me too!"

"The prince, he got biiigg muscles."

"I wanna run my fingers through his pelt."

"See all that hair? Let's play hide in the mane!"

Bardock held his ears. "Do they ever shut up?"

Uvvu snickered. "You're celebrities. This is the most fun they've had in months."

"Wait! I need to talk with the prince."

The familiarity of the voice startled everyone. Brolli moved to the edge of his force field, waving.

"Don't pay attention to those loud fools."

Bardock blinked. "Brolli? So the rumors are true, you're here."

The young saiyan smiled. "It's been a long time."

Bardock nodded cautiously. "You're being treated well?"

"As well as can be expected." he glanced at Vegeta. "Please hear me out, prince."

The haughty ouji sniffed. "What for, crackbrain? This facility suits you."

"No insults please, prince." Jedanuk reminded him. "Patients deserve respect-"

"Tell it to everyone he's murdered." Vegeta snapped, rounding on Brolli again. "We have buisness to attend, Brolli. Save your conversation for another day."

Brolli smiled at Raditz warmly. "Hey, you look great."

Raditz grinned. "So do you. But Vegeta's right, we need to press on."

Those dark eyes sparkled with mischief. "You always were nice to me, Raditz. I used to pretend you were my brother too."

"I know, I remember. But there were problems."

"That doesn't matter now."

"It matters to me." The Ou cut in, approaching the barrier. "We've no time for nonsense, Brolli-"

"Well I know about Kakarot, so you don't need to pretend."

"Pretend what!"

"I know the real reason he's here. But it's a surprise, I think."

Raditz shook his head. "Let's go."

Brolli bumped against the barrier, sparking it. "No! Kakarot's my special friend. I'd do anything for him."

"And anything _to_ him, given half the chance." the ouji was snide. "Enough. "Come, everyone."

"At least make certain he eats enough!"

Bardock watched the mad saiyan closely. "What do you mean, Brolli?"

Jedanuk coughed. "Everyone, if we could proceed?"

Bardock held out his hand. "Wait, doctor." he faced Brolli. "You know something about Kakarot's condition?"

"We talked earlier." the glazed eyes were wild now, as if revealing a great secret.

"This wasn't mentioned." the Ou glared at Jedanuk.

"Don't get mad at her, I asked to visit." Brolli babbled on. "We would have had dinner, but mealtime wasn't until the next hour-"

"Get to the point or we leave now!" Bardock barked.

"You know Kaka and I have a special connection. Well, I'm more adjusted to these dampers than he is. So I found out the real reason he had a seizure."

Raditz moved alongside his father. "He told you everything?"

"As much as he remembered." the crazed saiyan laughed. "You really don't know?"

Fascinated, the ouji moved up. "Don't push your luck, Brolli. Tell us, or we'll know you're lying."

"He needs rest and nutrition, prince." Brolli was smug now. "Lots of it!"

The prince blinked. "The hell?"

"Like I said before, Kakarot's always been fast. All of them are strong and healthy! I'd tell you, but it isn't my secret. Out of respect to Kakarot I won't say."

"Idiot!" the ouji stalked away. "I've had enough of this."

"So have I." the Ou joined his side. "It's time to go."

"I'm not crazy." Brolli started shouting. "Kakarot's mine! When I break out of here I'm taking him with me! You hear that, prince Vegeta? I issue challenge!"

Bardock shook his head sadly as they left Brolli to his rants.

****

Terrun broke the silence as they neared level four. "Generally we don't engage the patients in casual conversation. Often they get agitated and unresponsive to treatment for a period of time."

Bardock glared at her. "Brolli and my son were friends in leyschool. He stayed with us periodically when his father threw him out."

Terrun was surprised. "I never realized this. It explains his reactions to Kakarot."

Bardock chose his words carefully. "Ai, they were...closer than I preferred growing up."

"Hn." Terrun scribbled on her notepad.

"How much further?" Raditz peered down another curving hallway.

"There." Jedanuk pointed at a hallway emitting red light.

The Ou stared into the gloom. "Have they started?"

"It appears so. There's a booth around the corner. We can observe from there with no interruption."

The ouji moved in front. "Will this be the final testing for today?"

"Ai, prince."

Uvvu interrupted. "I've a few cases to check on, Jedanuk. Do you need me for anything else regarding Kakarot?"

"No. We can get together later and compare notes."

The tall saiyan nodded at everyone before leaving. Terrun spoke next.

"I'm afraid I have other duties as well." she turned to the Ou. "We'll talk again once we know the final results."

"Well enough, physician. We're most anxious for answers."

****

They peered into another sealed chamber, this one far smaller than the first. The room emanated a bizarre crimson haze, similar to infrared. Kakarot stood against a square wall panel with his hands covering his face.

:KAKAROT. REMOVE YOUR HANDS AND LOOK AT THE CORONA.:

"It hurts, dammit!" the wild saiyan snarled, blinking as he stared ahead. Hands slowly lowered.

:THESE WAVELENGTHS SHOULD NOT CAUSE YOU DISCOMFORT.:

"Bullshit." Kakarot sweated, squinting as thin rays of colored light struck his face.

From outside the chamber, a confused Raditz turned to Jedanuk. "What is the purpose of those light sources?"

"They are 'testers' that determine brain activity. Kakarot's mental energy is being recorded for any irregularity. By altering the wavelengths we can actually 'see' the shape and size of an individual's psi shield."

"Really?" Bardock was fascinated.

"Yes. This test is often brief as it takes a toll on the subject."

"But why?"

"Expenditure of mental energy can be even more draining than physical. And we intend to draw his energy out and study it."

Everyone fell silent at the sound of roars inside. Kakarot raged, a nimbus of blazing energy crackling around his head. The energy expanded, soon filling the entire chamber.

Vegeta made an observation. "I don't like his eyes. Something's wrong!"

"His psi shields are remarkable." Jedanuk noted coolly. "You worry needlessly, prince."

"I know my mate, doctor. You tread dangerously here."

"Agreed." Raditz added. "We've already seen the results of the earlier test. And given what you know about my brother's history, this seems risky."

"Excess energy discharge is not unusual-"

/A STUPID MISTAKE, DOCTOR!/ a mental voice boomed in everyone's head.

The Ou stared wide eyed. "Reslake su! (exceptional!)"

"Impossible!" Jedanuk moved, hitting buttons on a wall panel. "Rostok, what's happening in there?"

:Doctor, I don't know how he did that! The dampers-:

Bardock pushed past everyone suddenly, staring into the room. "Can't you feel his ki explode? He's turning super saiyan!"

It was true. Everyone crowded around the observation panel to see. Inside, the chamber filled with raw power. An angry super saiyan glared at nothing, pupils feral and red. Golden spikes flared inside a sphere of crackling energy.

"A red eyed super saiyan?" Raditz wondered. It must be a new manifestation!"

The ouji turned to his king. "Are there records of this happening anywhere?"

"None." the Ou was transfixed, his face bathed in eerie light. "But I have a suspicion about what's happening here."

Kakarot smiled suddenly, reaching for the headband. He turned and faced the observation panel. "IT'S BEEN REAL, DOCTOR. PLAY TIME IS OVER."

"Krukka!" Bardock couldn't believe his ears. "He's talking in oozaru!"

The assistant operating the equipment buzzed again. :Doctor, what are your instructions? These readings are strange. He may have neutralized the dampers!:

"Shut down systems, NOW!" Jedanuk banged another panel. "Code seven. Disengage and reset before he tries for it."

Kakarot grabbed at the headband before letting out an earsplitting screech. "NO! TRICKED..." he slumped forward, landing on his knees. Mad energy dissipated, returning the raging saiyan to normal appearance.

"Open the chamber, doctor!" the Ou demanded.

"Of course. But first, I must remind everyone to keep calm." she reached for a button.

"Calm? After what we've just witnessed?" the ouji stared at her.

The panel slid open. "Yes, especially now. The tests have left him in a state of exhaustion. Further excitement will only hamper his recovery."

"So you say." Bardock barged past everyone.

****

Kakarot grinned weakly at his family. "Like the show?"

The Ou spoke first. "Quiet!" he leaned down, scooping Kakarot up in powerful arms. Startled, the young saiyan was confused by the seeming embrace.

"I'm fine, really."

Jedanuk shook her head. "You're quite unique, Kakarot. I'd say you warrant a report by the world science council."

The ouji was more interested in the bizarre scene in front of them. "What in the world are you doing, father?"

"Confirming a suspicion." the Ou gave Kakarot another bear hug, feeling along his sides and back.

"And here I thought it was love." Kakarot snickered, silly. He yelped when the Ou yanked his tail.

Raditz watched the motion of Vegetaan's hands. "Quit being stupid, Kakarot. It's an examination."

Jedanuk stared also. "I don't understand what you're trying to discover. We have equipment here that will give whatever information we need."

The wild one leaned back from his king. "I'm just tired, that's all. I really need sleep badly."

Vegetaan kept looking him over. "There's more to this than that."

"You were talking in oozaru." Bardock said suddenly. "_After_ turning super saiyan. Your eyes were red."

Kakarot straightened a bit. "I don't remember that."

Raditz folded his arms. "Hn. What now, doctor? Is he through for the day?"

Jedanuk wrote extensively on a pad. "Yes. I'll page an attendant to escort him to his room in a few minutes. Meanwhile, I'll leave you to your visit."

"What about the tests?" Bardock wanted to know.

"When the results are in I'll notify everyone." she turned to go.

"Wait!" the Ou held out a hand. "Doctor. I have a request."

"Yes?"

"Do a full body scan on Kakarot. I insist."

"Excuse me?" Kakarot pushed away from the Ou and wobbled. The prince was at his side immediately, bracing him up.

"I don't understand the point either, father."

Jedanuk agreed. "It's highly irregular, Ou. We only do cursory scans of base body functions. Our primary focus is on psi energy, brain physiology and telepathy."

The Ou was stubborn. "Humor me."

"No." Kakarot replied. "I refuse."

Vegetaan smiled oddly. "A prince-ke doesn't overrule a king."

"No one overrules my rights."

"Stop it, Kakarot." the ouji touched his arm. A hand ran along his mates' thick arm. "We do this out of concern. There's a mystery to be solved."

"I happen to agree with the suggestion." Bardock supplied.

"So do I." Raditz piled on. "Can you honestly say you don't have questions about your condition?"

"I don't have a condition!" his younger sibling snapped.

"No? What about the excessive fatigue? And the fact that your body is changed?"

Kakarot flushed red. "You know about that? How?"

"Does it matter?" the ouji cracked. "Take the examination! At least it will be brief, and cause no pain."

Kakarot sighed, leaning into his mate. "Fine. Whatever. I'm too tired to argue anymore."

Jedanuk waited patiently. "Well? Do you agree to a full body scan?"

"Yes." Kakarot avoided the Ou's eyes. "As soon as possible."

The doctor nodded. "That will be tomorrow. Ah, the attendant is here."

A large, square jawed saiyan entered. "Shall we go, Kakarot?"

"Sure." he eased from his mate's grip. "See you all later." without a second glance he left with the attendant.

****

The royal family was mostly silent during their flight back home. The ouji broke that silence as they reclined in the ship lounge.

"Something specific caused Kakarot's seizure." it was a general statement.

Raditz picked up the gauntlet first. "Mounting evidence suggests that."

Bardock paused before speaking. "Kakarot's pissed at all of us. Not that I blame him."

Vegetaan sipped his drink. "I could care less, Bardock. Something throughout all of this has bothered me. A missing piece of information."

The dark saiyan eyed his mate. "You suspect this isn't a random episode from his condition."

"No. I suspect we're chasing the wrong condition entirely."

Everyone stared in surprise.

The Ou chuckled. "Hell, it's what we're all thinking, ne?"

Raditz nodded, sprawled out on a circular couch. "When I held Kakarot he was heavy as stone. Not that he's much lighter normally, but I could tell the difference."

"You didn't seem at all surprised when he spoke in oozaru earlier." the ouji commented.

"No. Kakarot did that as a child whenever he had nightmares. I'd hold him until the 'monsters' went away."

"Curious you never mentioned it to me." Bardock snipped.

"Mother knew."

"So. My family had secrets from me?"

Raditz laughed. "You really want to go there, father? Besides, nothing came of it."

Bardock persisted. "That isn't the point-"

"I'd agree that the topic of secrets is a touchy one." Vegeta gave his parents a look. "However, none of that is relevant to Kakarot's current condition. I've no interest in starting old arguments again."

"That's the most sensible thing I've heard all night." the Ou added. "Are you sulking, Bardock?"

The dark saiyan glared. "If I am it's none of your buisness."

The Ou grinned. "My, we're in a foul mood. I'll have to do something about that later."

****

Kakarot rested quietly in his room. Exhaustion claimed the young saiyan the second he climbed into bed. His rest would soon be interrupted, however. A feeling struck his senses.

///we.///

Kakarot blinked to drowsy wakefulness. "Huhn?" the tousled head slipped back under covers.

///we. here!///

/The hell?/

///warm. safe.///

/Must be some nightmare./

///belong.///

/What is this. Get out of my head!/

///yours.///

/I need sleep, not this nonsense./

///rest.///

/I'd like to. Now would you please be quiet? I can hallucinate later./

///protect.///

/Something's wrong here. I never heard these voices before!/

///weaker. now strong.///

/Krukka, can it be?!/

///know us.///

/I feel.../

///part of.///

/Yes, I sense it. You are well?/

///strong.///

/I know, you affect me./

///part of both. you and other.///

/!!!/

///we strong. like ours.///

/True. Rest now, let me sleep./

///yes. others know us!///

/Others? Which?/

///others like we. others we part of. small.///

/You sense them, too?/

///we feel. they feel. all belong.///

/You will know them soon. Now rest./

///safe. rest.///

A rolling, stabbing pain woke the startled saiyan. Bolting upright in bed he stared into space.

Whispered denial. "It can't be..."

Kakarot thought furiously. /The stairwell. That's why I was there! Was hurting so bad I thought my guts would burst. I just assumed it was something I ate. Then the seizure happened and I lost control./

He looked down at himself in amazement. "Shit. Or something ate me."