Bringer of Death

Android Saga - Part 6: Infection

Android Saga - Part 6: Infection  

Breakfast at the Briefs residence had become even more of a spectacle now that both Oniya and Trunks were present. The boy from the future, like Vegeta, had been initially resistant to keeping a regular schedule, but due to the new arrivals Bulma insisted that mealtimes be consistent each day. No matter how much the two Saiyans protested, she wouldn't back down. They would either eat with everyone else, or not at all. 

C47 insisted on being present at all meals, if only to complain incessantly about the disadvantages faced by all meatbags who were forced to consume organic material to stay alive. As a general rule, his complaints were ignored, but Bulma eventually started bringing a taser to the table. After having his circuits fried several times in succession, the robot finally settled down. 

Vegeta's training still got overly intense from time to time. Like before, he would stay in his gravity room for days on end, only leaving when exhaustion made it too difficult to stand. After a few months, though, he came to the conclusion that his training was more productive when he was well-rested. He skipped meals on occasion, but for the most part he and his son developed similar routines. 

Trunks also found numerous opportunities to observe his father's training. Watching the prince of Saiyans practice his fighting technique was almost like going to a highly rehearsed performance of cirque du soleil; Vegeta's skills were unparalleled. Each time Trunks thought he had reached a new plateau in his combat abilities, watching his father train for just a few minutes immediately showed him how much farther he had to go. This happened frequently enough that the prince began making snide remarks to his son whenever he came around. 

"So, back again, I see?" Vegeta didn't even turn his head to look at Trunks. "You might want to consider surrendering to these androids if you haven't learned my fighting style by now." Despite his dismissive tone, the prince wasn't suggesting that his son give up. He had grown up in a place where ridicule was the most direct form of motivation; Saiyans were practically Spartan in their fierce commitment to combat. As hostile as the prince's words sounded, he was fostering a father-son relationship in the same way that his own father had done with him. 

Trunks had quickly learned to understand Vegeta's approach. Though slightly more sensitive to others than his father, he too was hardened by years of combat. Rather than being offended by Vegeta's insults, the young man resolved to use them as additional motivation. Unfortunately, there was never really any good way to answer. Trunks had so many questions he wanted to ask, but they never spent time together apart from training...and that didn't seem likely to change any time soon. 

"Father, I'd like to learn more about our people. I've heard you talk about the pride of the Saiyan race, but I don't really know anything about it. I know you expect a lot of us Saiyans, but I don't really know what that comes from." His Saiyan identity hadn't really meant much to him before - it was something that the adult Gohan had almost never spoken of - but now he wanted more than anything to earn the respect of his father. 

Vegeta still hadn't looked at the boy. For being the offspring of royalty, the young half-Saiyan was embarrassingly ignorant about Saiyan culture. The prince continued throwing punches into the air, pondering what he would say. 'My son should forget it. The Saiyans are no more. All that remain are me and that clown Kakarott.' But, as the prince thought more about Goku, his mind wavered. 'Yet If I don't teach my son about being a Saiyan, he'll doubtless end up adopting the culture of these Earthlings just as Kakarott has. I can't allow that.' 

"Fine." Vegeta's arms dropped heavily to his sides as he grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face. Opening the training room door, the prince yelled orders to his crew. "Oniya, prepare for takeoff. C47, tell that blasted Earth woman we'll be gone a few days. I'd never hear the end of it if I left with her 'little pumpkin' without leaving word." Trunks blushed for a moment - his mother's pet name for him was terribly embarrassing. Even so, the thought of travel was exciting. Where were they going? He didn't know, but he was sure it would be different from traveling in his time machine. Now, he would get to actually see where he was going.