ROYAL PALACE, New Sadla.Radia plopped into her throne, annoyed and irritated. Compared to most rulers the throne itself was modest in design, made of the wood native jungle trees and carved with geometric patterns. She wore a long fur shoulder cloak with a platinum clasp marking the symbol of the Saiyans. It was the same icon that the Vegeta line wore all those centuries ago, before Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta.
Her discontent was obvious with hard lines and a hawk-like scowl she worn on her face. Typically, she choose a far more a stoic expression. But, she wanted her subjects to feel the pressure, to soak up her disappointment. None of them wanted to look her in the eye.
She had a lot to worry about. The reports were coming in that the ion cannons on Kobocha had been taken, and also Captain Leeka defeated. The enemies of the Dominion were gathering under one flag it seemed. The Emperor himself had participated in that sortie. She had just got done ordering Supreme Commander Onyon to head to the scene. And despite her orders, he had already been in route. She knew he wouldn't fail her. The Black Lighting was a warrior of great renown and feared across the galaxy, for good reason as their enemies would see.
Also she was feeling the loss of Taro, as though she had lost a little brother. The fool had died to the Emperor himself, biting off way more than he could chew. The fresh faced Galactic Empire had more manpower and more resources than the Dominion. They also had framed the Dominion as having been the ones to kill the Galactic King, making them seem like monsters. Not that an army of Saiyans needed any help in that department. These lies were damaging, erasing all she had done to rebuild their reputation. Then again, it was expected from an ineffectual group of Space Cops trying to preserve themselves. They knew they were out matched in power and skill, so they had to be treacherous instead.
Radia wondered what her best angle was in all of this. She wanted to avoid
doing it all herself, but that was beginning to seem like the option.
If I step in too often, my warriors will rely on me and not grow. But, I also can't afford to have the entire Dominion fall apart. The question is when I should step in, the timing must be perfect."Captain Quash," Radia said. She just wanted to get this over with. "Bring in Lord Snow."
The Captain put a fist to his chest and strode out of the hall. The clicking of his boot heels was the only sound echoing off the vaulted ceiling. Each guard down the lime stood stoic and rigid in their posture. They didn't move an inch, for fear their queen would bring wrath. Not that she ever had, since the birth of her fledgling reign. A couple minutes passed in the quiet. Radia contemplated her next move, legs crossed over each other, chin rested in her palm.
The former Lord of the Third Division entered alone. He had no entourage or escort. Either he was brimming with confidence, or he was a madman. Only weeks prior, they had been enemies at war. With the Frieza Force gone, she didn't know what he represented anymore. The Friza Clanmen was short and sporting sharp horns on his glossy gold armored head. She knew the species had different forms. Based on the
pathetic power level he was carrying, she assumed he was suppressed. She had never met one of their species so weak before. Some of her royal guards could have obliterated him in one punch, if that was his true strength.
"Your Majesty, the Queen of Saiyans. I am humbled that you have chosen to give me an audience," Lord Snow said.
He fell to one knee. Radia's jaw almost detached from her face. She didn't expect such formality and respect from an insipid ex-Frieza Force leader.
He wants something."You may rise. And, it's not like you were going to leave anyway. From what I here, you've been persistent in demanding my presence."
Lord Snow got back up and smiled. "I know you have many pressing concerns and I do not want to waste your time. But, I want to address the animosity that you may feel about me. We were enemies, pitted against each other as leaders of two opposing factions. The Dominion is a very personal thing to you, your magnum opus I imagine. For me, the Frieza Force was a job handed to me through heredity. To not disgrace my father and his father before him, I served my station as the Warlord of the Third Division. I did what I could to earn profits for the Planet Trade Organization. Ultimately, their business model failed and I was free of that burden."
He chuckled.
"I must say. The Frieza Force death has made m happier than I've ever been in my life. I am truly free now. "
Radia rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"
He held up his finger. The guards in the room flinched visibly. Each one been trained to counter the fighting style of the Frieza Cla. They knew what body language to look out for. Lord Snow did not spark any ki, however. It had just been a normal gesture.
"I am here to offer you resources. The Frieza Force immediately liquidated as many assets as they could. Being that I had taken a considerable commission from them for all these years, I used a small portion of my wealth to buy up those assets. I have entire fleets worth of Arcosian Destroyers and warships. Also tens of thousands of mercenaries looking for work. I could have easily approached the nascent Crusher Corp with an offer. But, I chose you first, as you have real ambitions," Lord Snow said.
Radia was silent for a moment, trying to figure out what his angle was. It didn't seem clear. "I imagine you want to profit from it. What is your price?"
Lord Snow grasped his chin, appearing to think it over for a long moment. She didn't really feel like getting into a haggling match with him. But, she also couldn't lie. The offer was sweet, almost too sweet. It would give the Dominion a huge boost to manpower and fighting strength.
"I really have no need for wealth. I have more than my family or the next one thousand of my descendants could ever dream of spending. I will give you all of this if you do one thing for me. I think it would be in your best interest anyway."
"Spit it out."
"I want you to conquer Abbayor. I want the Seat of the Galactic King, the the symbol of the Galactic Empire, to be taken."
"Why would I do that?" Radia asked.
"Because, the Dominion had no involvement in all with the Galactic King's death. Yet, you were blamed. There's nothing you can do to repair your reputation. So, why run away from t? If they want to paint you as the barbarians at the gate, be those barbarians. Take their capital, show your strength. Make them quiver in fear and question their Emperor's resolve. With the resources I'm offering, you'll catch them off-guard. They think they have the Dominion on the ropes."
Lord Snow made a snatching motion. "Grab them by the throat while they've left it exposed."
Radia didn't respond. Minutes ticked by as she processed his offer, tried to figure out what strings were attached. She didn't understand his motivation. She was wary of his intentions.
"Why?"
Lord Snow, who had patiently waited for her to say anything look surprised. "Pardon?"
"How do you benefit from any of this?"
It was then she saw the malice and hatred in his eyes. It came with a creeping stare, hollow and empty of all remorse. A coldness washed over her as she stared back. It startled her, but she did not look away embracing his ice with her own fiery resolve.
"Let's just say, the Galactic Patrol took away something
very important to me. Something I can never get back. In the Frieza Force I could never cut them down like I wanted. I was mired in the politics and the logistics. I had to play games, skirt around and tickle them. I've dreamed of going for the throat. The Dominion has none of the same things to worry about. You have nothing to lose by going all out. The longer you drag it out, the more they will bleed you dry."
This was personal for him. It all clicked, it all made sense. This wasn't a political game, or a dance. Lord Snow was a man free to chase his own vengeance. He wanted her to be his instrument.
"Very well. I accept your deal. Bring me those ships and mercenaries and Abbayor will fall," Radia decreed.