Post by Emperor Ninjin Hattori on May 20, 2015 23:09:02 GMT -5
“You are the Emperor and CEO of the PTO, Ninjin Hattori?” The woman who resembled a goblin did not even glance up from her computer in front of her. Her long and well-manicured glossy pink nails rammed the keyboard with merciless precision. Her bespectacled green face was illuminated by the glow of the monitor in front of her.
“Yes that’s correct.” The words sounded annoyed. As they were. Despite being known all over bureaucratic regulations remained in place. This was the umpteenth time he had had to verify who he was. But that was how these banks kept everything in order he supposed.
“You’re completely broke.” She turned the monitor to face him and the amount that was shown on the screen was dismal. Ninjin did his best to ignore the chuckle that came from Aella to his left. With a practiced self-control Ninjin kept his face in check, though his bit his tongue.
“You have to have known that” There was no denying the mirth in Aella’s voice. She was enjoying this. The goblin woman turned the screen back to herself.
“I’m the CEO and EMPEROR!” Ninjin’s voice rose at the end, but it was clear that the tow woman present did not care. Their faces remained unimpressed.
“While that may be the case…” The goblin woman began. “Your personal wealth is determined by your own actions and a monetary reward will be given from the PTO and transferred into your account.”
Ninjin blinked.
“She means you’re not going to just get rich from the PTO and being Emperor. You still need to do things to get paid.”
Ninjin huffed and Aella placed a loving hand on his shoulder. The goblin woman lowered her bifocals.
“Is there anything else sir?”
Ninjin stood.
“It’s sire, and yes, there might be. Enter the account number 02135947362111.”
The woman tapped at the keys and Aella turned to look at Ninjin.
“Secret accounts hmm?”
Ninjin shrugged.
“Something like that.”
The goblin woman’s eyebrow rose.
“There’s something here. An account, it’s locked.”
Both woman turned to look at him expectantly.
“Well Mr. Emperor? Do you know the password?”
Ninjin raised his hand to his chin and wracked his brain.
“Let me think.”
“Wherever did you get the money for another account anyway?”
“A couple places actually.”
~~~
Ninjin’s armored boots thudded heavily on the stone floor. This was no building he desired to be in, but he was protected by his anonymity. Here he was a bounty hunter named Syn. Word had traveled quickly about Syn, aided by a shadow broker named Purgot Bulba, and what he was looking for. A Saiyan child. Word had brought him to this location, a local pit boss. The thug was named Yukka, and apparently had come into the possession of some Saiyan children. Now here Ninjin was, poised as Syn and walking into what he felt was definitely a trap.
Suddenly the hallway ended and a large room sprawled in front of him. In the center of the room was what Ninjin could only guess was a pit, but it was covered by a grate. On a raised dais behind it was a slug like creature. It was fat and bulbous, with two spindly arms jutting out from what could only be joking called a torso. It was Yukka. There was no doubt, and no mistaking the description. He was surrounded on all sides by half-naked alien woman. Further beyond that, as if just out of sight, was his guards. They were a reminder of who had the power in the room, or who had the perceived power. In truth Ninjin could crush them all with barely a thought.
“Huh huh huh. Welcome.” The voice boomed out. Long ago Ninjin had bought a translator so that he could understand the various species on Omega and had integrated it into his helmet. The slug’s thick natural language was translated through it. Ninjin walked further out of the doorway, but was careful to avoid the grate on the floor.
“My name is Syn, I come seeking information.” [/b] The woman that stood behind the slug like creature chuckled, and he held up a hand. It halted all laughter. Ninjin watched him closely. There were guards behind him, ready to pounce at any moment. He could sense them. They would die trying if they did, but he hoped it would not come to that. Yukka had information he thought he might need.
“I know of who you are. It may be that we can help each other.” There was always a catch. It was good that Ninjin’s face could not be seen for his eyes roll would have no doubt upset the alien.
“Name your terms.” [/b]
“So businesslike. Do you have no time for friends?” The creature joked and the woman laughed, though Ninjin could tell it was a very practiced giggle.
“Terms, Yukka.” [/b]
The woman stopped chuckling and both Yukka and the guards straightened.
“I will not be talked to in such a ma-” Ninjin held up a hand and Yukka’s voice stopped.
“I mean no disrespect Yukka, I am simply a man of business. Both of our times are precious and we can best be of use to each other by being straightforward and to the point.” [/b]
A silence hung in the space between the bounty hunter and the slug-like creature.
“There is an item that has come into my attention that I want. I need someone to go and acquire it for me. It is a trident of some legend. A man named Obadiah Roxxon h—”
Ninjin immediately tuned out the next few words. Obadiah Roxxon was a name well known to Ninjin Hattori. Roxxon was an old enemy. One that had once attempted to keep Ninjin a pet in a simulated world. Ninjin had ruined that plan and had thought Roxxon dead, but there was no doubt that he was still alive. The Saiyan swore under his breath. Still if there was one person that he didn’t mind taking something from it was Roxxon.
“—d. Do we have a deal?”
Ninjin turned once more.
“Counter-terms. I will retrieve the trident from Roxxon. In exchange you will turn over to me all knowledge of the Saiyan child.” [/b]
Yukka stroked his chin.
“If you bring me this spear I will turn over all Saiyan children I have to y-”
Ninjin stepped forwards and the room tensed.
“I will take all slaves that you have and empty your coffers if you own Saiyan children.” [/b]
The slug creature chuckled and his guards stepped forward.
“I thought we were having a pleasant conversation Ninjin Hattori. One of businessmen. This is no way for businessmen to act.”
Ninjin raised his hand and an orb of ki formed. He let his power raise, though was careful to keep it low, but strong enough to be threatening. The guards stepped back.
“We, and moreover, you, cannot continue business as such. If you keep Saiyan children as slaves then your days of doing business are at an end.” [/b] The orb was no strong enough to kill Yukka. The slug like creature raised a hand.
“Clearly we misunderstood each other.” The guards stepped back when the slug-alien made a guttural sound.
“Guards go and release all Saiyan’s that we have, children or otherwise.”
One of the guards began to protest, but with another guttural sound Yukka had him struck down. The same guard that did the action kicked him into the pit and the grate was revealed to be nothing more than a hologram. It shimmered as the guard passed through it, and Ninjin could hear the sound of bones crunching from somewhere below.
Ninjin lowered his hand and the court relaxed. Soon the Saiyan’s that Yukka had had as slaves were strolled out in front of him. None of them were Azuki, but all of them were set free and told to go to New Vegeta where they would be welcome. They were also told to tell no one of any of this. Fortunately they would no Ninjin not, only see the armor and his mask, both of which were relatively new for the Saiyan.
When they had left Yukka clapped his tiny hands together, very comical in front of his massive slug like frame.
“Can we now resume business?”
Ninjin cocked his head.
“What could you have left to offer?”
“Come Syn you are a bounty hunter, does Zeni hold no sway over your interests?”
Internally Ninjin cursed. Trying to find Azuki had drained him of what little money he had. And his bank accounts had been frozen and his money returned to the Saiyan government upon his death. His stomach rumbled in anger inside his armor.
“Very well. I return to you this trident in return for…”
“You will be handsomely rewarded, of that I promise you.”
Ninjin nodded.
“Very well. Yukka. When I return the trident shall be yours.”
~~~
The goblin woman tapped the keys again and once more her face was lit up by the red of the screen.
“Nope. Password denied once more.”
“You acquired this money bounty hunting?”
“Not all of it…”
“There’s other sources?”
“Yes but one story at a time love.”
~~~
The building looked like many on Alpha Prime. It was tall, and ornate. It had far too many windows for the Saiyan’s liking. As well it had far too much Obadiah Roxxon. Signs of his ego was everywhere. It was especially explictic in the uniforms of those that entered and extended the building, the statue of him both inside and out of the main entry way, and his name in huge neon lights. Ninjin scowled at the whole of it. Roxxon was a creep. The lowest of the low in the universe. Once he had sought to keep Ninjin as a pet. Anything to get back at Roxxon was wholeheartedly welcome by Ninjin.
No one looked up from their forward progress as Ninjin slipped into the line and made his way into the building. A cool blast of air-conditioned oxygen filtered through his suit. Everything was immaculately clean and everyone seemed to know exactly what it was and where it was they were going. Ninjin stepped up to the front desk and no one looked up. He cleared his throat and in a shimmering light a woman appeared.
Welcome to Roxxon corp.
She stared expectantly at him. Ninjin stared back in silence for a long moment.
Welcome to Roxxon corp.
She repeated in the same exact way, the same exact inflection and tone. Was he just going to ask about the trident? That wouldn’t do. She would alert the guards and they would be upon him right away. It was not that he was worried about getting caught and what they would do to him. Who knew what measures they had in place to keep their treasures from falling in the wrong hands however.
“I’m looking for your archive.”
Error. Invalid request ‘looking for archive.’ Please issue another request.
She quoted him using an exact recording of his voice and question. Ninjin shrugged and repeated himself, changing the question slightly.
“Find Archive.”
Error. Invalid request ‘Find Archive.’
Well this was going nowhere. Ninjin looked down and conveniently on a screen there was a layout of the Roxxon building. Somewhere far below them was “Ect.” No doubt that was where the trident was going to be. Ninjin smiled.
“That’ll be all then thanks.” Ninjin awkwardly tapped the desk and turned and walked away. Others moved in clearly practiced patterns across the floor. He was sticking out like a sore thumb so he quickly shifted into a line he surmised was heading towards the elevators.
When he entered the elevator he was surprised to find that it was a one-person pod. Restraints came around his ankles and wrists and his heart leapt into his throat as he panicked. Had they discovered who he was? A voice filled the pod.
Which floor sir? Ninjin’s eyebrow raised inside his helmet. Was the restraints thing standard? Roxxon really was a strange individual.
“Vault please.” The entirety of the pod flashed red.
ERROR! ERROR! Invalid clearance for floor “Vault”. Currently civilian has access to two floors, entry level and visitors level. A third level, head of PR, is available upon request and approval.
Ninjin cursed under his breath once more and rolled his eyes. Leave it to Roxxon to make it impossible to just walk into his building and right into his vault to steal his stuff.
“Visitor’s level then I suppose.” The pod began to ascend and then suddenly it felt as if Ninjin was weightless, and his body flipped and turned but seemed to stay steady at the same time. Then as soon as it all started the sensation stopped and he was deposited into a brightly lit floor that could have very easily been mistaken for an Earten shopping mall. Aliens of all types moved about joyfully, crowding from one shop to the next. Decorating the entire thing was fresh plant life and beautiful water features.
Ninjin stepped out of the pod and out into the simulated sunshine. Statues of Obadiah Roxxon hung everywhere much to his disgust, but it did not seem to upset the thousands of shoppers that no doubt filled the grand space. This was absolutely not where he wanted to be in order to get the trident. The Saiyan looked around and found a floating sign that caught his attention. Information desk. Perhaps they would get him the information he needed, and not catch on, if the right questions were asked. Without further delay he made his way over, he had nothing to lose.
The woman who sat behind the desk was an actual woman, much to the masked Saiyan’s surprise. She seemed human, as she was small and way too thin to be Saiyan. A ridiculously surgically enhanced upper body was squeezed into a tight pink uniform with a big R in the center of the chest. Under his mask Ninjin rolled his eyes. The woman was loudly and showily chewing and smacking what Ninjin could only guess was some sort of elastic-material. The chew seemed popular on Earth but Ninjin had never taken a liking to it. She eyed him as he walked up.
“oooh tall dak and mysterious. Why don’t ya take off that helmet sweetie and show us if ya handsome too.” Her accent was thick and clearly of Earthen descent. Not for the first time Ninjin was thankful that he wore a helmet now, as he was sure his blush could have warmly toasted marshmallows. Instead of responding with words he slowly shook his head. The woman pouted, but he could not run the risk of a camera seeing him and Roxxon catching sight of him, even though Ninjin highly doubted that Obadiah, or at least the real one, was actually present.
~~~
Aella held up her hand. The goblin-looking-woman continued to type furiously away as Ninjin recounted his tale.
“You still don’t know the code?” She looked at him exhaustedly. How long had he been sitting here telling her and his personal banker this story.
“I told you I’m thinking. I have lived a very eventful life, a lot of things have happened to me. I could fill novels with thousands of words of the adventures that I’ve had. Excuse me for not remembering one password when I can recount the time I’ve been tortured at the hands of vampire-lords or dredged through a swamp by a toad-dragon to make myself immune to poisons. The time I fought my sister to a bloody finish or the time I literally blew myself up to try and take out one of my people’s greatest enemies.”
Aella thought for a moment and then shrugged and nodded.
“Okay, good point.”
“Thank you. I’m trying here.”
“Is it really enough Zeni to go through all this trouble.”
Ninjin shrugged.
“That depends what your definition of “enough” is”
~~~
“Well then what can I do ya for mista mystery?” The woman behind the desk’s attitude had quickly changed from friendly and flirty to no-nonsense all-business. Ninjin had to ponder the question for a moment. He was searching for a treasure that her bosses’ bosses’ boss kept hidden somewhere in the basement of this establishment and he was there to steal said artifact and return it to a slug like creature for an undetermined sum of zeni because he didn’t have any and was trying to locate his son. There had to be a better way to word that.
“I’m seeking an item I purchased from Obadiah Roxxon. Name… Syn” [/b] And thus the lies had begun, and if she suspected that he wasn’t telling the truth, or was up to something, she would no doubt call security. It was the best he had and if he was pressed he could invent another lie, or perhaps use his charm to beguile her. Given her introduction it didn’t seem to be that farfetched to believe. Though he had the power to deal with anything they could possibly throw at him his situation was much direr than that. His own life was not the one he needed to worry about. Azuki could be captured by these monsters, and if they knew that Ninjin was alive and after them they could kill the boy and ditch him, avoid the Saiyan ever knowing. Despite his massive power level it was as if he had none at all.
The woman nodded and typed something into a computer next to her. Ninjin froze with fear and his heart beat loudly in his chest. He was sure that she could hear it, that anyone within a few miles could hear it. Instead she turned back towards him all smiles.
“I was right, ya voice is cute. Ya all set sweetie ya item is waiting for you in Dock 12B. Here’s ya clearance code.” She typed something into the computer and out from a tube shot a small card. Ninjin raised an eyebrow as he picked it up. Something was wrong. This was wrong. How in the world could there have been something there waiting for him. Unless by some massive cosmic conincedence someone else by the name of Syn had ordered something from Roxxon Corp. and Ninjin had just so happened to be the luckiest person alive. All his years of living the contrary screamed within Ninjin’s head that this was so obviously a trap, yet what other choice did he have?
Ninjin walked back over to the elevator trying to think out his plan. Azuki would be placed in very great danger is he was exposed. This seemed like a trap, but thus far he had no solid evidence that it was. The restraints wrapped tight around his wrist and ankles once more. The voice once again asked him where he wanted to go. Ninjin wiggled the key card in his hand until he felt the pod take it from him. It shuddered for a second nearly causing the Saiyan to go into a panic. Then it began to move steadily downwards. And downwards. And downwards. After not too long Ninjin was amazed by how long the ride was taking. They must have been in the very bowels of the space station now. How had anything been allowed to be built so deep?
Suddenly the pod jerked to a stop and the glass front slid open with a hiss. Ninjin stepped from the machine and stale air filled his helmet. All Ninjin could see was steps illuminated in front of him. Everything within him was screaming that this was a trap, and yet down he climbed. It was for his son was how he rationalized it. Anything for Azuki.
A familiar voice stopped his blood cold.
“Welcome Syn.” Syn. Did that mean that Obadiah did not know him as Ninjin. Perhaps. It was something that he had to count on.
“I was hoping that you and I might meet in person. Did you get my letter?” Ninjin turned. At the bottom of the light-up staircase was a platform. The platform was black and hung in inky darkness all around it, but a ring of teal light made its way just along the outside of the platform. It was enough light to illuminate the center where at a table with a lavish dinner spread sat Obadiah Roxxon. Ninjin had no doubt in his mind that it was simply a LMD, but would not reveal that to Roxxon, especially if Roxxon did not truly know who he was.
~~~
“Wait a minute!” The goblin woman looked up from the computer screen interrupting Ninjin’s story. He and Aella both turned to look at the woman because of her outburst. She lifted a finger and pushed her glasses further up on her nose.
“Didn’t you say Roxxon knew who you were the whole time?” Ninjin and Aella nearly fell out of their chairs. They had thought the woman about to tell them that she had gotten into his account, when really she had been so enthralled in his story and had a question about what occurred next.
“That’s true.” Ninjin said the words as if thinking about them and considering for the first time the ramifications of them.
“Doesn’t that make this whole scenario all the more disgusting?” The goblin woman gave voice to his feelings. Aella was looking at him sadly, he could feel it more than he could see it. In the end, all he could say was;
“Yup.”
“Okay. Carry on.”
~~~
“I did.” [/b]
Roxxon clapped his hands and smiled, because of course he did. Long ago Roxxon had found what he thought was the perfect face, and had surgically had it replaced with his own. It had worked, and Roxxon’s face had been forever frozen in a handsome smile, though after a long while it grew very creepy, and very unsteadying.
“Wonderful wonderful. Tell me then, why are you here my dear Syn. Do you perhaps have news of the Saiyan child?” The excitement in his enemy’s voice brought a sick feeling to Ninjin and he had to fight back the bile as it rose in his throat. One day he would kill Roxxon. The real Roxxon. And the universe would be a better place for it. Who knew how many aliens and sentient beings he kept as pets? Someday Ninjin would make him pay for each and every one. For now he was on a mission.
“I heard you possessed an artifact that I desire. I came to bargain.” Shit. That was dumb. He had nothing to bargain with. Roxxon’s smile was slimier than the fast-food Ninjin had seen man Earthlings eat en masse. It wasn’t as though his face had changed, but there was something in his eyes that had. A madness. A craving. Once again the Saiyan fought back the vomit that threatened in his disgust.
“I would be delighted to trade with one such as yourself Syn. I have heard nothing but good things around the circle. I must say your fascination with the Saiyan child rivals my own. I love healthy competition don’t you know. Which of my many artifacts is it? I love that you’re a collector too.”
Roxxon made Ninjin sick to the very core, and so he had to fight to speak in the man’s presence. Even if the “man” sitting in front of Ninjin was just some twisted sick automaton replica.
“There is a trident” [/b] Ninjin barely had a chance to get the words out before Roxxon was speaking once again.
“Ah yes yes that silly old thing? You know it’s supposed to be worth a fortune to this one race of slug-people? Not Namekian’s I mean these things are actually like grotesque slug things. This one thing, Yelch or Yuck or Yerk, something like that, offered me quite a bit of money for it. I had debated selling it to him but it was much more fun to see him squirm as I toyed with it. In the end I decided to keep it to one day ransom over his head. Whatever could you want it for?” Roxxon titled his head, as if signifying confusion for his face did no such thing. The eternal smile remained plastered. Did Roxxon really have to do it to all of his life-model decoys as well? Though Ninjin supposed Roxxon had thought he had achieved the “perfect form”
“Legend has it that trident is the only thing that can kill the great being Hip’Po’Po’Ta’Mus.” [/b] Ninjin pulled the lie from out of nowhere, the hippopotamus was a Earthen animal that was known for killing people and its savegry. With any luck Obadiah would have never heard of the animal, or better yet never heard of Earth. Roxxon nodded, his face a perfect mask and smile.
“Oh? I had not heard that legend but I take your word for it. If you need it so badly it is yours my friend.” Roxxon rose and his fingers splayed in the air as if resting on the keys to a piano. They tapped away and suddenly screens appeared in front of him and his fingers moved in a blaze. After a moment he waved it all away and turned with a smile.
“The trident shall be waiting for you at the door. Now while I have you here I was hoping I could talk to you about something. Friend to friend.”
A cold chill ran through Ninjin’s body and that ever present feeling of nausea kicked him in the gut with Obadiah’s words. Though his face never changed his eyes did, and despite no-doubt being a decoy model of the ruthless businessman the eyes held so much emotion for Obadiah. Right now they were filled with greed. Syn, Ninjin, nodded.
“The Saiyan child.”
Ninjin’s fists clenched but he kept them held behind his back. The trident was waiting for him, as was a very large pay-day if he could return it to Yukka. All he had to do was get out of here, get it, and get back. Simple as that. Truthfully he was looking forward to a hot meal and a hot shower. After spending months in Heaven his body had not been prepared for the harsh reality of needing things like food and sleep daily. Without money, it was hard for Ninjin to get either. That combined with worry about his son made sleep impossible for the Saiyan.
The way Roxxon said the words made his stomach churn and tighten. That was his son he was talking about, not some toy. Not some pet. One day Roxxon would pay for everything. Everything he did. Everything he said.
“I’ve made no attempt to make secret that I lusted after his father.”
~~~
“He did not straight up say that to your face.”
“He straight up did.”
“I tried Roxxon_wants_to_Spoon, but that wasn’t the password.”
Ninjin turned and glared at the goblin woman.
“You know I could send a beam through your skull at any moment right without break a sweat.”
“And then you’d be out the best damn banker you ever had.” She said it with confidence and no fear of death. Ninjin shrugged and relented.
~~~
“You see I wanted him as a pet. I got him once. Trapped him in a place I thought he couldn’t break free and I even brought some little friends for him to play with and grow stronger with. I underestimated my pet. I underestimated how strong he was. How resilient. He got away and I lost more than just one pet.” Ninjin noticed how tight the man’s grip had become on his wine glass. Soon the glass began to break and it splintered off into his hand causing blood to spurt up. The man didn’t seem to notice until Ninjin moved forwards and he shook with a start.
“No it’s nothing… nothing indeed. A minor injury.” The alien moved to the table and took a cloth and wrapped it around his hand. It quickly soaked through but the creature didn’t seem to mind, nor did it pay the wound any further attention. It turned back towards Ninjin.
“Sadly he died, on a far off world, somewhere far away from my protective embrace.” Ninjin’s skin crawled under his suit and he wished that he could surge forwards and rip the being standing there in half. But he couldn’t. Not without risking blowing his cover. Not without risking Azuki’s safety. And so he had to stand there and be molested by Obadiah’s disgusting words.
“I would want his son for obvious reasons as it were, but my desire to acquire is made all the more great by the fact that his father has passed. Saiyan royalty is what I’m so incised by. Owning that. It gives me shudders just to think about”
Ninjin was glad his face was obscured, as it was a twisted mask of rage. His fists were clenched tightly and it was everything he could do to keep himself from lunging at the vile creature that wore a permanent smile.
“And so now you know how much the child means to me. I would pay any sum to acquire him. He would be the crown jewel of my collection.” Obadiah sighed and his eyes seemed wistful despite the face-wide smile. Ninjin, comparatively, found that this conversation was one of the most vile and disgusting he had ever had been forced to be one-side of.
“And so with my full disclosure I could only hope that you would do the same. Why, praytell, are you after the Saiyan child?” There it was. The question that Ninjin had known was coming from the moment he had heard Roxxon’s voice. The Saiyan paused for a moment, and could only imagine what Roxxon was thinking as he stared at the masked face. They were both masked, though one was grotesquely so.
“Normally my business is my own, especially between those that are after my same bounty.” [/b] Obadiah’s smile did not falter, nor could it.
“But after your generous gift I will disclose to you my intentions. I am on a bounty, like any other. My employer’s reasons were not disclosed to me, but he is an Icejin of some wealth. The child is wanted alive preferably, but dead if not.” More lies. Would they stick? Roxxon clapped his hands together as if it was the greatest news ever delivered to him.
“Wonderful. Wonderful indeed. Then my dear Syn as I have said I would give any sum of money, you find the child, bring him to me, and whatever the Icejin was paying you I will make it seem like a speck of sand along the shore.” The being walked over and placed his arm around Ninjin’s shoulder’s, though he had to stand on his tip-toes to do so. It made Ninjin’s insides feel as if they were crawling with worms.
“If money is all you care about I will make you a rich man indeed. However my offer only stands if the child lives. You bring him to me alive, and you will want for nothing that money can buy you, which, you’ll find my friend, is everything.”
It was all Ninjin, Syn could do but nod. Obadiah smiled, because of course he did.
Ninjin quickly left the building, and picked up the spear at the front desk. It felt heavy and cheap, though he had been through much to pay for it. It did not take him long to find himself once again walking down Yukka’s hallways. They seemed slimier and grimier, but perhaps that was just because of everything he had been through recently. The world seemed more disgusting. Obadiah Roxxon would someday die, and die badly. There was a very short list of people that Ninjin absolutely wanted dead with a fiery passion, and Obadiah Roxxon was one. When he entered Yukka’s main room everything grew quite.
They had clearly been in some discussion before, but the sight of the armored bounty hunter, specifically the sight of the armored bounty hunter holding the trident so lusted after, had instantly quieted whatever it had been. Ninjin tossed it in the air and Yukka caught it. Though Ninjin was sure his tiny spindly arms would break under the weight of it they held firm. A deep smile came over his face and he began to laugh mirthfully, which set his half-naked alien slave women laughing as well.
“You have done me a great service hunter, and you will be rewarded as I have said. I do not know what you have been through to acquire this, nor do I wish to know. Funds will be transferred to your account. I will recommend you to others, and will call again should I have need of a bounty hunter. I trust our business together can be most profitable.”
Ninjin, Syn, nodded. The merriment and music began to play once more in full force.
“If I find out you have any more Saiyan slaves Yukka…” [/b] The threat was not masked and the music faltered. Yukka waved it back up again.
“And damage our relationship Sin? Surely not. Surely not. The Saiyan people are banned. Are there any other species you’d like off the list?”
It was no doubt said as a joke said to clear the tension out of the air, but Ninjin pondered for a moment. Slip-up or no he was going to take full advantage.
“Icejin.” [/b]
The alien chuckled and nodded, realizing its mistake but also realizing it had been outplayed in the game. If it had had eyebrows Ninjin had no doubt one or both would have been raised at the selection of species however.
~~~
“Wait wait wait.” Ninjin was once again interrupted in the middle of his story. Both he and the goblin-banker woman, computer abandoned at this point, turned to glare at the Icejin female.
“This was before you knew Azuki was dead.” It took her a moment to realize she had put the question so bluntly. Ninjin had been taken aback by it and had faltered.
“Nin… I’m so sorry.”
“No…. No it’s okay. Yes this was before that.”
“Then why did you ask the Icejin people to be spared from Yukka’s slave ring?”
Ninjin hadn’t been expecting the question as he was telling the story, and so was unprepared for it. Still he pressed onwards. This was Aella afterall. He would hide nothing from her.
“I had assumed Azuki was alive. Even with him being alive we couldn’t just return home. I had come to realize that. Still I thought perhaps I could conquer Beta from its tyrant overlord and make a fresh home for Azuki and I here. It was thinking ahead.”
Aella nodded and smiled, then the smile quickly faded.
“Why not shut down the entire slavery ring.”
“I wanted to. Believe me I did. But it was the same reason I did not run Obadiah through, even though it was very likely it was merely a LMD of him. I thought it would bring harm to Azuki. With my leverage I could stop him from having Icejin and Saiyan slaves. Too much more risked Azuki.”
Aella nodded. Having never had children she could not imagine the pain he felt, and yet because their love was so strong his pain was her pain. The choices he had had to make were difficult, but who could blame a father doing what they thought was for their child’s safety.
~~~
“Done.” The alien pressed a final button and new orders went out to his slavers. No more Icejin, and no more Saiyans. Iblisains had also been added as an addendum, on the condition that they could prove they were Iblisains and not one of the other similar races in the galaxy. Furthermore a great deal of zeni had been transferred into Ninjin’s account. Despite all he had been through he was smiling. Somehow seeing the money in the account made everything worth it somehow. With it, hopefully he would able to find Azuki. With it maybe they could have some semblance of a normal life.
“I hope we can work together again very soon Syn, this relationship has been profitable for us both I hope.”
Ninjin, Syn, nodded, though inside he hoped for the contrary. With all his might he hoped to find Azuki very shortly and never see the slug thing, Obadiah Roxxon, or any other criminal lowlife street-thug he was forced to interact with these days, ever again. Yet if he didn’t he would need more zeni. And perhaps he would come back to Yukka, should their needs intersect.
Still, by the kais he hoped not, and he really didn’t like the kais.
~~~
The two women sat back in their chairs.
“Crap.”
“You can say that again.”
“Yes well it wasn’t easy for me either.” They sneered at Ninjin together as a collective unit and then went back to processing everything that the Emperor had told them. After a long moment Ninjin cleared his throat and they looked up at him expectantly.
“How’s it going on that password?” The goblin-woman sneered at his question and turned back towards the monitor.
“Do you have any guesses smartass?”
“I’m your EMPEROR!” Once again Ninjin rose out of his chair in anger. The goblin woman looked up at him.
“Do it. Do it and we’ll see how long Beta and the PTO last without me.” Ninjin turned to Aella, who shook her head indicating not to kill the diminutive woman. With a sigh he sat down.
“try… FundsforAzuki.” She entered in the code and Ninjin braced himself for a red screen and denial beep that never came. The screen flashed blue.
“Congratulations your highness it only took you the entirety of a story to guess your password.” She said the words sarcastically and Ninjin glared at her.
“So after processing fees, a back-tax, banking fees, a charge for a therapy session, and adding in collected interest.” She turned the screen to face Ninjin. Aella and he stared at it for a moment. There were many feelings that he was feeling, but he fought them all down. This was his personal account. It would have to do for now. It would have to be a start. Still it was something. Something they could build on. He was not in need of food or shelter, he had a palace and his every whim attended to. In fact there was not much that he truly did need the money for. Except his coming war. Wars were expensive. As a general he knew that. As a solider he knew that.
Still it was a start. Aella turned to him and smiled.
“We can always work to get more.”
“I’m going to have to. Wars aren’t cheap.”
Zeni please.
“Yes that’s correct.” The words sounded annoyed. As they were. Despite being known all over bureaucratic regulations remained in place. This was the umpteenth time he had had to verify who he was. But that was how these banks kept everything in order he supposed.
“You’re completely broke.” She turned the monitor to face him and the amount that was shown on the screen was dismal. Ninjin did his best to ignore the chuckle that came from Aella to his left. With a practiced self-control Ninjin kept his face in check, though his bit his tongue.
“You have to have known that” There was no denying the mirth in Aella’s voice. She was enjoying this. The goblin woman turned the screen back to herself.
“I’m the CEO and EMPEROR!” Ninjin’s voice rose at the end, but it was clear that the tow woman present did not care. Their faces remained unimpressed.
“While that may be the case…” The goblin woman began. “Your personal wealth is determined by your own actions and a monetary reward will be given from the PTO and transferred into your account.”
Ninjin blinked.
“She means you’re not going to just get rich from the PTO and being Emperor. You still need to do things to get paid.”
Ninjin huffed and Aella placed a loving hand on his shoulder. The goblin woman lowered her bifocals.
“Is there anything else sir?”
Ninjin stood.
“It’s sire, and yes, there might be. Enter the account number 02135947362111.”
The woman tapped at the keys and Aella turned to look at Ninjin.
“Secret accounts hmm?”
Ninjin shrugged.
“Something like that.”
The goblin woman’s eyebrow rose.
“There’s something here. An account, it’s locked.”
Both woman turned to look at him expectantly.
“Well Mr. Emperor? Do you know the password?”
Ninjin raised his hand to his chin and wracked his brain.
“Let me think.”
“Wherever did you get the money for another account anyway?”
“A couple places actually.”
~~~
Ninjin’s armored boots thudded heavily on the stone floor. This was no building he desired to be in, but he was protected by his anonymity. Here he was a bounty hunter named Syn. Word had traveled quickly about Syn, aided by a shadow broker named Purgot Bulba, and what he was looking for. A Saiyan child. Word had brought him to this location, a local pit boss. The thug was named Yukka, and apparently had come into the possession of some Saiyan children. Now here Ninjin was, poised as Syn and walking into what he felt was definitely a trap.
Suddenly the hallway ended and a large room sprawled in front of him. In the center of the room was what Ninjin could only guess was a pit, but it was covered by a grate. On a raised dais behind it was a slug like creature. It was fat and bulbous, with two spindly arms jutting out from what could only be joking called a torso. It was Yukka. There was no doubt, and no mistaking the description. He was surrounded on all sides by half-naked alien woman. Further beyond that, as if just out of sight, was his guards. They were a reminder of who had the power in the room, or who had the perceived power. In truth Ninjin could crush them all with barely a thought.
“Huh huh huh. Welcome.” The voice boomed out. Long ago Ninjin had bought a translator so that he could understand the various species on Omega and had integrated it into his helmet. The slug’s thick natural language was translated through it. Ninjin walked further out of the doorway, but was careful to avoid the grate on the floor.
“My name is Syn, I come seeking information.” [/b] The woman that stood behind the slug like creature chuckled, and he held up a hand. It halted all laughter. Ninjin watched him closely. There were guards behind him, ready to pounce at any moment. He could sense them. They would die trying if they did, but he hoped it would not come to that. Yukka had information he thought he might need.
“I know of who you are. It may be that we can help each other.” There was always a catch. It was good that Ninjin’s face could not be seen for his eyes roll would have no doubt upset the alien.
“Name your terms.” [/b]
“So businesslike. Do you have no time for friends?” The creature joked and the woman laughed, though Ninjin could tell it was a very practiced giggle.
“Terms, Yukka.” [/b]
The woman stopped chuckling and both Yukka and the guards straightened.
“I will not be talked to in such a ma-” Ninjin held up a hand and Yukka’s voice stopped.
“I mean no disrespect Yukka, I am simply a man of business. Both of our times are precious and we can best be of use to each other by being straightforward and to the point.” [/b]
A silence hung in the space between the bounty hunter and the slug-like creature.
“There is an item that has come into my attention that I want. I need someone to go and acquire it for me. It is a trident of some legend. A man named Obadiah Roxxon h—”
Ninjin immediately tuned out the next few words. Obadiah Roxxon was a name well known to Ninjin Hattori. Roxxon was an old enemy. One that had once attempted to keep Ninjin a pet in a simulated world. Ninjin had ruined that plan and had thought Roxxon dead, but there was no doubt that he was still alive. The Saiyan swore under his breath. Still if there was one person that he didn’t mind taking something from it was Roxxon.
“—d. Do we have a deal?”
Ninjin turned once more.
“Counter-terms. I will retrieve the trident from Roxxon. In exchange you will turn over to me all knowledge of the Saiyan child.” [/b]
Yukka stroked his chin.
“If you bring me this spear I will turn over all Saiyan children I have to y-”
Ninjin stepped forwards and the room tensed.
“I will take all slaves that you have and empty your coffers if you own Saiyan children.” [/b]
The slug creature chuckled and his guards stepped forward.
“I thought we were having a pleasant conversation Ninjin Hattori. One of businessmen. This is no way for businessmen to act.”
Ninjin raised his hand and an orb of ki formed. He let his power raise, though was careful to keep it low, but strong enough to be threatening. The guards stepped back.
“We, and moreover, you, cannot continue business as such. If you keep Saiyan children as slaves then your days of doing business are at an end.” [/b] The orb was no strong enough to kill Yukka. The slug like creature raised a hand.
“Clearly we misunderstood each other.” The guards stepped back when the slug-alien made a guttural sound.
“Guards go and release all Saiyan’s that we have, children or otherwise.”
One of the guards began to protest, but with another guttural sound Yukka had him struck down. The same guard that did the action kicked him into the pit and the grate was revealed to be nothing more than a hologram. It shimmered as the guard passed through it, and Ninjin could hear the sound of bones crunching from somewhere below.
Ninjin lowered his hand and the court relaxed. Soon the Saiyan’s that Yukka had had as slaves were strolled out in front of him. None of them were Azuki, but all of them were set free and told to go to New Vegeta where they would be welcome. They were also told to tell no one of any of this. Fortunately they would no Ninjin not, only see the armor and his mask, both of which were relatively new for the Saiyan.
When they had left Yukka clapped his tiny hands together, very comical in front of his massive slug like frame.
“Can we now resume business?”
Ninjin cocked his head.
“What could you have left to offer?”
“Come Syn you are a bounty hunter, does Zeni hold no sway over your interests?”
Internally Ninjin cursed. Trying to find Azuki had drained him of what little money he had. And his bank accounts had been frozen and his money returned to the Saiyan government upon his death. His stomach rumbled in anger inside his armor.
“Very well. I return to you this trident in return for…”
“You will be handsomely rewarded, of that I promise you.”
Ninjin nodded.
“Very well. Yukka. When I return the trident shall be yours.”
~~~
The goblin woman tapped the keys again and once more her face was lit up by the red of the screen.
“Nope. Password denied once more.”
“You acquired this money bounty hunting?”
“Not all of it…”
“There’s other sources?”
“Yes but one story at a time love.”
~~~
The building looked like many on Alpha Prime. It was tall, and ornate. It had far too many windows for the Saiyan’s liking. As well it had far too much Obadiah Roxxon. Signs of his ego was everywhere. It was especially explictic in the uniforms of those that entered and extended the building, the statue of him both inside and out of the main entry way, and his name in huge neon lights. Ninjin scowled at the whole of it. Roxxon was a creep. The lowest of the low in the universe. Once he had sought to keep Ninjin as a pet. Anything to get back at Roxxon was wholeheartedly welcome by Ninjin.
No one looked up from their forward progress as Ninjin slipped into the line and made his way into the building. A cool blast of air-conditioned oxygen filtered through his suit. Everything was immaculately clean and everyone seemed to know exactly what it was and where it was they were going. Ninjin stepped up to the front desk and no one looked up. He cleared his throat and in a shimmering light a woman appeared.
Welcome to Roxxon corp.
She stared expectantly at him. Ninjin stared back in silence for a long moment.
Welcome to Roxxon corp.
She repeated in the same exact way, the same exact inflection and tone. Was he just going to ask about the trident? That wouldn’t do. She would alert the guards and they would be upon him right away. It was not that he was worried about getting caught and what they would do to him. Who knew what measures they had in place to keep their treasures from falling in the wrong hands however.
“I’m looking for your archive.”
Error. Invalid request ‘looking for archive.’ Please issue another request.
She quoted him using an exact recording of his voice and question. Ninjin shrugged and repeated himself, changing the question slightly.
“Find Archive.”
Error. Invalid request ‘Find Archive.’
Well this was going nowhere. Ninjin looked down and conveniently on a screen there was a layout of the Roxxon building. Somewhere far below them was “Ect.” No doubt that was where the trident was going to be. Ninjin smiled.
“That’ll be all then thanks.” Ninjin awkwardly tapped the desk and turned and walked away. Others moved in clearly practiced patterns across the floor. He was sticking out like a sore thumb so he quickly shifted into a line he surmised was heading towards the elevators.
When he entered the elevator he was surprised to find that it was a one-person pod. Restraints came around his ankles and wrists and his heart leapt into his throat as he panicked. Had they discovered who he was? A voice filled the pod.
Which floor sir? Ninjin’s eyebrow raised inside his helmet. Was the restraints thing standard? Roxxon really was a strange individual.
“Vault please.” The entirety of the pod flashed red.
ERROR! ERROR! Invalid clearance for floor “Vault”. Currently civilian has access to two floors, entry level and visitors level. A third level, head of PR, is available upon request and approval.
Ninjin cursed under his breath once more and rolled his eyes. Leave it to Roxxon to make it impossible to just walk into his building and right into his vault to steal his stuff.
“Visitor’s level then I suppose.” The pod began to ascend and then suddenly it felt as if Ninjin was weightless, and his body flipped and turned but seemed to stay steady at the same time. Then as soon as it all started the sensation stopped and he was deposited into a brightly lit floor that could have very easily been mistaken for an Earten shopping mall. Aliens of all types moved about joyfully, crowding from one shop to the next. Decorating the entire thing was fresh plant life and beautiful water features.
Ninjin stepped out of the pod and out into the simulated sunshine. Statues of Obadiah Roxxon hung everywhere much to his disgust, but it did not seem to upset the thousands of shoppers that no doubt filled the grand space. This was absolutely not where he wanted to be in order to get the trident. The Saiyan looked around and found a floating sign that caught his attention. Information desk. Perhaps they would get him the information he needed, and not catch on, if the right questions were asked. Without further delay he made his way over, he had nothing to lose.
The woman who sat behind the desk was an actual woman, much to the masked Saiyan’s surprise. She seemed human, as she was small and way too thin to be Saiyan. A ridiculously surgically enhanced upper body was squeezed into a tight pink uniform with a big R in the center of the chest. Under his mask Ninjin rolled his eyes. The woman was loudly and showily chewing and smacking what Ninjin could only guess was some sort of elastic-material. The chew seemed popular on Earth but Ninjin had never taken a liking to it. She eyed him as he walked up.
“oooh tall dak and mysterious. Why don’t ya take off that helmet sweetie and show us if ya handsome too.” Her accent was thick and clearly of Earthen descent. Not for the first time Ninjin was thankful that he wore a helmet now, as he was sure his blush could have warmly toasted marshmallows. Instead of responding with words he slowly shook his head. The woman pouted, but he could not run the risk of a camera seeing him and Roxxon catching sight of him, even though Ninjin highly doubted that Obadiah, or at least the real one, was actually present.
~~~
Aella held up her hand. The goblin-looking-woman continued to type furiously away as Ninjin recounted his tale.
“You still don’t know the code?” She looked at him exhaustedly. How long had he been sitting here telling her and his personal banker this story.
“I told you I’m thinking. I have lived a very eventful life, a lot of things have happened to me. I could fill novels with thousands of words of the adventures that I’ve had. Excuse me for not remembering one password when I can recount the time I’ve been tortured at the hands of vampire-lords or dredged through a swamp by a toad-dragon to make myself immune to poisons. The time I fought my sister to a bloody finish or the time I literally blew myself up to try and take out one of my people’s greatest enemies.”
Aella thought for a moment and then shrugged and nodded.
“Okay, good point.”
“Thank you. I’m trying here.”
“Is it really enough Zeni to go through all this trouble.”
Ninjin shrugged.
“That depends what your definition of “enough” is”
~~~
“Well then what can I do ya for mista mystery?” The woman behind the desk’s attitude had quickly changed from friendly and flirty to no-nonsense all-business. Ninjin had to ponder the question for a moment. He was searching for a treasure that her bosses’ bosses’ boss kept hidden somewhere in the basement of this establishment and he was there to steal said artifact and return it to a slug like creature for an undetermined sum of zeni because he didn’t have any and was trying to locate his son. There had to be a better way to word that.
“I’m seeking an item I purchased from Obadiah Roxxon. Name… Syn” [/b] And thus the lies had begun, and if she suspected that he wasn’t telling the truth, or was up to something, she would no doubt call security. It was the best he had and if he was pressed he could invent another lie, or perhaps use his charm to beguile her. Given her introduction it didn’t seem to be that farfetched to believe. Though he had the power to deal with anything they could possibly throw at him his situation was much direr than that. His own life was not the one he needed to worry about. Azuki could be captured by these monsters, and if they knew that Ninjin was alive and after them they could kill the boy and ditch him, avoid the Saiyan ever knowing. Despite his massive power level it was as if he had none at all.
The woman nodded and typed something into a computer next to her. Ninjin froze with fear and his heart beat loudly in his chest. He was sure that she could hear it, that anyone within a few miles could hear it. Instead she turned back towards him all smiles.
“I was right, ya voice is cute. Ya all set sweetie ya item is waiting for you in Dock 12B. Here’s ya clearance code.” She typed something into the computer and out from a tube shot a small card. Ninjin raised an eyebrow as he picked it up. Something was wrong. This was wrong. How in the world could there have been something there waiting for him. Unless by some massive cosmic conincedence someone else by the name of Syn had ordered something from Roxxon Corp. and Ninjin had just so happened to be the luckiest person alive. All his years of living the contrary screamed within Ninjin’s head that this was so obviously a trap, yet what other choice did he have?
Ninjin walked back over to the elevator trying to think out his plan. Azuki would be placed in very great danger is he was exposed. This seemed like a trap, but thus far he had no solid evidence that it was. The restraints wrapped tight around his wrist and ankles once more. The voice once again asked him where he wanted to go. Ninjin wiggled the key card in his hand until he felt the pod take it from him. It shuddered for a second nearly causing the Saiyan to go into a panic. Then it began to move steadily downwards. And downwards. And downwards. After not too long Ninjin was amazed by how long the ride was taking. They must have been in the very bowels of the space station now. How had anything been allowed to be built so deep?
Suddenly the pod jerked to a stop and the glass front slid open with a hiss. Ninjin stepped from the machine and stale air filled his helmet. All Ninjin could see was steps illuminated in front of him. Everything within him was screaming that this was a trap, and yet down he climbed. It was for his son was how he rationalized it. Anything for Azuki.
A familiar voice stopped his blood cold.
“Welcome Syn.” Syn. Did that mean that Obadiah did not know him as Ninjin. Perhaps. It was something that he had to count on.
“I was hoping that you and I might meet in person. Did you get my letter?” Ninjin turned. At the bottom of the light-up staircase was a platform. The platform was black and hung in inky darkness all around it, but a ring of teal light made its way just along the outside of the platform. It was enough light to illuminate the center where at a table with a lavish dinner spread sat Obadiah Roxxon. Ninjin had no doubt in his mind that it was simply a LMD, but would not reveal that to Roxxon, especially if Roxxon did not truly know who he was.
~~~
“Wait a minute!” The goblin woman looked up from the computer screen interrupting Ninjin’s story. He and Aella both turned to look at the woman because of her outburst. She lifted a finger and pushed her glasses further up on her nose.
“Didn’t you say Roxxon knew who you were the whole time?” Ninjin and Aella nearly fell out of their chairs. They had thought the woman about to tell them that she had gotten into his account, when really she had been so enthralled in his story and had a question about what occurred next.
“That’s true.” Ninjin said the words as if thinking about them and considering for the first time the ramifications of them.
“Doesn’t that make this whole scenario all the more disgusting?” The goblin woman gave voice to his feelings. Aella was looking at him sadly, he could feel it more than he could see it. In the end, all he could say was;
“Yup.”
“Okay. Carry on.”
~~~
“I did.” [/b]
Roxxon clapped his hands and smiled, because of course he did. Long ago Roxxon had found what he thought was the perfect face, and had surgically had it replaced with his own. It had worked, and Roxxon’s face had been forever frozen in a handsome smile, though after a long while it grew very creepy, and very unsteadying.
“Wonderful wonderful. Tell me then, why are you here my dear Syn. Do you perhaps have news of the Saiyan child?” The excitement in his enemy’s voice brought a sick feeling to Ninjin and he had to fight back the bile as it rose in his throat. One day he would kill Roxxon. The real Roxxon. And the universe would be a better place for it. Who knew how many aliens and sentient beings he kept as pets? Someday Ninjin would make him pay for each and every one. For now he was on a mission.
“I heard you possessed an artifact that I desire. I came to bargain.” Shit. That was dumb. He had nothing to bargain with. Roxxon’s smile was slimier than the fast-food Ninjin had seen man Earthlings eat en masse. It wasn’t as though his face had changed, but there was something in his eyes that had. A madness. A craving. Once again the Saiyan fought back the vomit that threatened in his disgust.
“I would be delighted to trade with one such as yourself Syn. I have heard nothing but good things around the circle. I must say your fascination with the Saiyan child rivals my own. I love healthy competition don’t you know. Which of my many artifacts is it? I love that you’re a collector too.”
Roxxon made Ninjin sick to the very core, and so he had to fight to speak in the man’s presence. Even if the “man” sitting in front of Ninjin was just some twisted sick automaton replica.
“There is a trident” [/b] Ninjin barely had a chance to get the words out before Roxxon was speaking once again.
“Ah yes yes that silly old thing? You know it’s supposed to be worth a fortune to this one race of slug-people? Not Namekian’s I mean these things are actually like grotesque slug things. This one thing, Yelch or Yuck or Yerk, something like that, offered me quite a bit of money for it. I had debated selling it to him but it was much more fun to see him squirm as I toyed with it. In the end I decided to keep it to one day ransom over his head. Whatever could you want it for?” Roxxon titled his head, as if signifying confusion for his face did no such thing. The eternal smile remained plastered. Did Roxxon really have to do it to all of his life-model decoys as well? Though Ninjin supposed Roxxon had thought he had achieved the “perfect form”
“Legend has it that trident is the only thing that can kill the great being Hip’Po’Po’Ta’Mus.” [/b] Ninjin pulled the lie from out of nowhere, the hippopotamus was a Earthen animal that was known for killing people and its savegry. With any luck Obadiah would have never heard of the animal, or better yet never heard of Earth. Roxxon nodded, his face a perfect mask and smile.
“Oh? I had not heard that legend but I take your word for it. If you need it so badly it is yours my friend.” Roxxon rose and his fingers splayed in the air as if resting on the keys to a piano. They tapped away and suddenly screens appeared in front of him and his fingers moved in a blaze. After a moment he waved it all away and turned with a smile.
“The trident shall be waiting for you at the door. Now while I have you here I was hoping I could talk to you about something. Friend to friend.”
A cold chill ran through Ninjin’s body and that ever present feeling of nausea kicked him in the gut with Obadiah’s words. Though his face never changed his eyes did, and despite no-doubt being a decoy model of the ruthless businessman the eyes held so much emotion for Obadiah. Right now they were filled with greed. Syn, Ninjin, nodded.
“The Saiyan child.”
Ninjin’s fists clenched but he kept them held behind his back. The trident was waiting for him, as was a very large pay-day if he could return it to Yukka. All he had to do was get out of here, get it, and get back. Simple as that. Truthfully he was looking forward to a hot meal and a hot shower. After spending months in Heaven his body had not been prepared for the harsh reality of needing things like food and sleep daily. Without money, it was hard for Ninjin to get either. That combined with worry about his son made sleep impossible for the Saiyan.
The way Roxxon said the words made his stomach churn and tighten. That was his son he was talking about, not some toy. Not some pet. One day Roxxon would pay for everything. Everything he did. Everything he said.
“I’ve made no attempt to make secret that I lusted after his father.”
~~~
“He did not straight up say that to your face.”
“He straight up did.”
“I tried Roxxon_wants_to_Spoon, but that wasn’t the password.”
Ninjin turned and glared at the goblin woman.
“You know I could send a beam through your skull at any moment right without break a sweat.”
“And then you’d be out the best damn banker you ever had.” She said it with confidence and no fear of death. Ninjin shrugged and relented.
~~~
“You see I wanted him as a pet. I got him once. Trapped him in a place I thought he couldn’t break free and I even brought some little friends for him to play with and grow stronger with. I underestimated my pet. I underestimated how strong he was. How resilient. He got away and I lost more than just one pet.” Ninjin noticed how tight the man’s grip had become on his wine glass. Soon the glass began to break and it splintered off into his hand causing blood to spurt up. The man didn’t seem to notice until Ninjin moved forwards and he shook with a start.
“No it’s nothing… nothing indeed. A minor injury.” The alien moved to the table and took a cloth and wrapped it around his hand. It quickly soaked through but the creature didn’t seem to mind, nor did it pay the wound any further attention. It turned back towards Ninjin.
“Sadly he died, on a far off world, somewhere far away from my protective embrace.” Ninjin’s skin crawled under his suit and he wished that he could surge forwards and rip the being standing there in half. But he couldn’t. Not without risking blowing his cover. Not without risking Azuki’s safety. And so he had to stand there and be molested by Obadiah’s disgusting words.
“I would want his son for obvious reasons as it were, but my desire to acquire is made all the more great by the fact that his father has passed. Saiyan royalty is what I’m so incised by. Owning that. It gives me shudders just to think about”
Ninjin was glad his face was obscured, as it was a twisted mask of rage. His fists were clenched tightly and it was everything he could do to keep himself from lunging at the vile creature that wore a permanent smile.
“And so now you know how much the child means to me. I would pay any sum to acquire him. He would be the crown jewel of my collection.” Obadiah sighed and his eyes seemed wistful despite the face-wide smile. Ninjin, comparatively, found that this conversation was one of the most vile and disgusting he had ever had been forced to be one-side of.
“And so with my full disclosure I could only hope that you would do the same. Why, praytell, are you after the Saiyan child?” There it was. The question that Ninjin had known was coming from the moment he had heard Roxxon’s voice. The Saiyan paused for a moment, and could only imagine what Roxxon was thinking as he stared at the masked face. They were both masked, though one was grotesquely so.
“Normally my business is my own, especially between those that are after my same bounty.” [/b] Obadiah’s smile did not falter, nor could it.
“But after your generous gift I will disclose to you my intentions. I am on a bounty, like any other. My employer’s reasons were not disclosed to me, but he is an Icejin of some wealth. The child is wanted alive preferably, but dead if not.” More lies. Would they stick? Roxxon clapped his hands together as if it was the greatest news ever delivered to him.
“Wonderful. Wonderful indeed. Then my dear Syn as I have said I would give any sum of money, you find the child, bring him to me, and whatever the Icejin was paying you I will make it seem like a speck of sand along the shore.” The being walked over and placed his arm around Ninjin’s shoulder’s, though he had to stand on his tip-toes to do so. It made Ninjin’s insides feel as if they were crawling with worms.
“If money is all you care about I will make you a rich man indeed. However my offer only stands if the child lives. You bring him to me alive, and you will want for nothing that money can buy you, which, you’ll find my friend, is everything.”
It was all Ninjin, Syn could do but nod. Obadiah smiled, because of course he did.
Ninjin quickly left the building, and picked up the spear at the front desk. It felt heavy and cheap, though he had been through much to pay for it. It did not take him long to find himself once again walking down Yukka’s hallways. They seemed slimier and grimier, but perhaps that was just because of everything he had been through recently. The world seemed more disgusting. Obadiah Roxxon would someday die, and die badly. There was a very short list of people that Ninjin absolutely wanted dead with a fiery passion, and Obadiah Roxxon was one. When he entered Yukka’s main room everything grew quite.
They had clearly been in some discussion before, but the sight of the armored bounty hunter, specifically the sight of the armored bounty hunter holding the trident so lusted after, had instantly quieted whatever it had been. Ninjin tossed it in the air and Yukka caught it. Though Ninjin was sure his tiny spindly arms would break under the weight of it they held firm. A deep smile came over his face and he began to laugh mirthfully, which set his half-naked alien slave women laughing as well.
“You have done me a great service hunter, and you will be rewarded as I have said. I do not know what you have been through to acquire this, nor do I wish to know. Funds will be transferred to your account. I will recommend you to others, and will call again should I have need of a bounty hunter. I trust our business together can be most profitable.”
Ninjin, Syn, nodded. The merriment and music began to play once more in full force.
“If I find out you have any more Saiyan slaves Yukka…” [/b] The threat was not masked and the music faltered. Yukka waved it back up again.
“And damage our relationship Sin? Surely not. Surely not. The Saiyan people are banned. Are there any other species you’d like off the list?”
It was no doubt said as a joke said to clear the tension out of the air, but Ninjin pondered for a moment. Slip-up or no he was going to take full advantage.
“Icejin.” [/b]
The alien chuckled and nodded, realizing its mistake but also realizing it had been outplayed in the game. If it had had eyebrows Ninjin had no doubt one or both would have been raised at the selection of species however.
~~~
“Wait wait wait.” Ninjin was once again interrupted in the middle of his story. Both he and the goblin-banker woman, computer abandoned at this point, turned to glare at the Icejin female.
“This was before you knew Azuki was dead.” It took her a moment to realize she had put the question so bluntly. Ninjin had been taken aback by it and had faltered.
“Nin… I’m so sorry.”
“No…. No it’s okay. Yes this was before that.”
“Then why did you ask the Icejin people to be spared from Yukka’s slave ring?”
Ninjin hadn’t been expecting the question as he was telling the story, and so was unprepared for it. Still he pressed onwards. This was Aella afterall. He would hide nothing from her.
“I had assumed Azuki was alive. Even with him being alive we couldn’t just return home. I had come to realize that. Still I thought perhaps I could conquer Beta from its tyrant overlord and make a fresh home for Azuki and I here. It was thinking ahead.”
Aella nodded and smiled, then the smile quickly faded.
“Why not shut down the entire slavery ring.”
“I wanted to. Believe me I did. But it was the same reason I did not run Obadiah through, even though it was very likely it was merely a LMD of him. I thought it would bring harm to Azuki. With my leverage I could stop him from having Icejin and Saiyan slaves. Too much more risked Azuki.”
Aella nodded. Having never had children she could not imagine the pain he felt, and yet because their love was so strong his pain was her pain. The choices he had had to make were difficult, but who could blame a father doing what they thought was for their child’s safety.
~~~
“Done.” The alien pressed a final button and new orders went out to his slavers. No more Icejin, and no more Saiyans. Iblisains had also been added as an addendum, on the condition that they could prove they were Iblisains and not one of the other similar races in the galaxy. Furthermore a great deal of zeni had been transferred into Ninjin’s account. Despite all he had been through he was smiling. Somehow seeing the money in the account made everything worth it somehow. With it, hopefully he would able to find Azuki. With it maybe they could have some semblance of a normal life.
“I hope we can work together again very soon Syn, this relationship has been profitable for us both I hope.”
Ninjin, Syn, nodded, though inside he hoped for the contrary. With all his might he hoped to find Azuki very shortly and never see the slug thing, Obadiah Roxxon, or any other criminal lowlife street-thug he was forced to interact with these days, ever again. Yet if he didn’t he would need more zeni. And perhaps he would come back to Yukka, should their needs intersect.
Still, by the kais he hoped not, and he really didn’t like the kais.
~~~
The two women sat back in their chairs.
“Crap.”
“You can say that again.”
“Yes well it wasn’t easy for me either.” They sneered at Ninjin together as a collective unit and then went back to processing everything that the Emperor had told them. After a long moment Ninjin cleared his throat and they looked up at him expectantly.
“How’s it going on that password?” The goblin-woman sneered at his question and turned back towards the monitor.
“Do you have any guesses smartass?”
“I’m your EMPEROR!” Once again Ninjin rose out of his chair in anger. The goblin woman looked up at him.
“Do it. Do it and we’ll see how long Beta and the PTO last without me.” Ninjin turned to Aella, who shook her head indicating not to kill the diminutive woman. With a sigh he sat down.
“try… FundsforAzuki.” She entered in the code and Ninjin braced himself for a red screen and denial beep that never came. The screen flashed blue.
“Congratulations your highness it only took you the entirety of a story to guess your password.” She said the words sarcastically and Ninjin glared at her.
“So after processing fees, a back-tax, banking fees, a charge for a therapy session, and adding in collected interest.” She turned the screen to face Ninjin. Aella and he stared at it for a moment. There were many feelings that he was feeling, but he fought them all down. This was his personal account. It would have to do for now. It would have to be a start. Still it was something. Something they could build on. He was not in need of food or shelter, he had a palace and his every whim attended to. In fact there was not much that he truly did need the money for. Except his coming war. Wars were expensive. As a general he knew that. As a solider he knew that.
Still it was a start. Aella turned to him and smiled.
“We can always work to get more.”
“I’m going to have to. Wars aren’t cheap.”
Zeni please.