Chapter 8: A Brooding Durian

In the depths of space, a small space pod could be seen rocketing towards a large ship. Inside the pod, Kai was meditating attempting to improve his energy control further. With his limited number of fights he quickly ran out of image training material, and so he pivoted to focusing further on his ki. The first thing on his list was to learn how to sense ki. Since he won't be able to interact with Earthlings for some time he knew his best bet was figuring it out by himself like Vegeta had. That was easier said than done, though.

"Nearing ship, please prepare for landing." His ship's robotic voice crackled to life, bringing him out of his meditation. 'Those two days went by quickly. I feel somewhat more confident in controlling my energy, but I'm no closer to learning ki sense.' Kai pondered. It was much harder than Vegeta had made it seem. 

His pod closed in on the ship as a large hanger door opened. The pod flew through the hanger, slamming into a large cushioned wall, breaking the impact the pods are known for. As the pod settled a few engineers approached to check for any damages to the cushion or the pod. The door opened, spewing pressurized air. A pink hand could be seen grabbing the edge before Kai pulled himself up and out of the pod. 

Sweeping his gaze across the landing zone, he could see various Frieza Force soldiers scuttling back and forth. Eventually, his gaze rested on one of the engineers who was inspecting his pod. "I'm here to see Dodoria." 

Not expecting to be acknowledged, the engineer jumped slightly before pointing towards a door with a soldier seemingly waiting for someone. "Ah, y-yes, you must be the new recruit, p-please go to her over there, and she will take you to Dodoria." The engineer stammered out before refocusing on his work. Kai nodded before moving towards the door. 

As he approached, the woman gave him an unimpressed look before scanning him with her scouter. A frown flashed on her face for a moment before she sighed. "I don't know what the boss was thinking recruiting you, but follow me." Without another word, she turned on the spot and began walking down the hall.

'Huh, maybe Nuyal wasn't as impressive as I thought.' Kai pondered as he fell in line behind the woman. He assumed his power level would be somewhat average for a Frieza Soldier, but maybe Nuyal was weaker than he expected. Regardless, he would find out when he spoke to Dodoria. 

The woman led him through a long corridor, passing many soldiers going about their business. As they approached a door, she turned back to Kai, "Word of advice. I don't know what the boss sees in you, but I'd be on my best behavior if I were you." With a disdaining look, she knocked once and walked away. From inside the door, a rough voice called out, "Come in!" Steeling himself, Kai opened the door and stepped inside. 

Upon entering, Kai was surprised at his size. He was so much smaller than he expected him to be, or maybe the height gained from Nuyal was just more than he realized. Regardless, Kai looked down at Dodoria, facing away from him and looking out a window. Dodoria turned to face him, "Ah if it isn't Kai, our newest recruit." He bellowed in a loud voice. "Well, let's see what we are working with here." Dodoria reaches up and presses his scouter. Kai pauses in front of him, unsure how to react. 

The numbers eventually settle in Dodoria's display and a small frown could be seen on his face. "Huh, what's this? You defeated a Frieza Soldier; why is your power level so weak? If I wanted some random trash off the street I would've called Raditz in here." He chuckles to himself before an evil grin forms on his face, "Well, I suppose I'll just have to see for myself!" 

'Shit,' Kai thinks before Dodoria rushes him fast enough that he can just barely react, throwing a punch toward his midsection. Kai stretches his torso into a 'C' shape, causing the punch to miss before he throws a punch himself at Dodoria's head, smashing his fist against his face. A laugh can be heard as his fist is slowly pushed back, "Oh, you have some tricks, huh? But you'll need to do much better than that!" Dodoria mocks him as he spartan kicks Kai, causing him to fly back against the wall, splattering against it. "I think I broke him," Dodoria snickers. "Come on, I know you can heal from that."

Kai's liquified form slops off the wall and reforms into his proper body. He is sitting with his back against the wall, panting slightly and glaring daggers at Dodoria. 'He is way too much for me. Is he just trying to confirm my regeneration? Or is he just messing with me?' 

"Get up; I'm not done giving you your entrance exam, kid." Dodoria once again charges at him, this time a bit slower. Kai pushes himself up, and they begin exchanging blows. 'He is going easier on me. He must want to gauge my prowess now that he has seen my regen.' Kai thinks as they go back and forth. His focus is tested as it takes all of his mind to keep up with Dodoria's movements.

Kai takes as many attacks as he gives. Dodoria's punches and kicks are visibly denting his body as Kai's are taken on the chin with little reaction. He can see he is having no effect. 'Damnit, this guy is just too much. His power level around this time should be like 20 times Raditz's and even he would give me a run for my money.' As Kai is being pushed to the brink, he feels that familiar instinct well up within him. His Majin biology disdains his own weakness and seeks to take his opponent's strength for its own. 

Just as Kai begins to lose control over himself, Dodoria gives one final kick, launching Kai back some distance. "I've seen enough." He says, giving Kai a once-over. He thinks to himself before giving his evaluation. "I can tell you've had no training. Your movements are sloppy, and you fight like you just started a week ago. Without those fancy tricks of yours, I wouldn't have taken an interest in you. Remember that." Kai frowns, hearing the less-than-stellar critique. 'Keep taking. Just wait until the Namek saga, and we'll see if you're still laughing.' 

Seeing Kai's sour face, he laughs. "Did I hurt your feelings? Tough shit, kid, you'd be a wanted man without my help, so I think you'll live." He taunts. "Before I assign you a squad, you'll need training. I can't have you sully my reputation going out into combat like that. Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz haven't yet returned from their mission, so I can't pawn you off to the Saiyan monkey squad." Dodoria mumbles to himself, trying to decide what to do with Kai. Kai is shocked to hear his first bit of news about a main cast member. 

'So this should be before Raditz goes to earth then. I wonder how much time I have to improve before things kick off.' He was also a bit worried about messing with Canon by interacting with Vegeta and the others, but that was a worry for later. He wasn't going to stress too much about keeping things the same. 

Breaking him out of his musings was Dodoria finally coming to a decision. He spoke with a devious smile like he had some evil plan, "I'll have you train under Geisha for the time being. I'm sure you two will get along." He paused to bark some orders into his scouter. "She's on her way. Try not to disappoint." He turned back to look out the window, signaling it was time for Kai to leave.

Beaten and ignored wasn't what Kai expected when he agreed to join up with the Frieza Force, but he knew he just had to bear with it until he was strong enough to flip the table. 'Sorry Vegeta, I might have to take this kill off your hands come the namek saga.' He left the room after seeing he had no reason to stay. He sat on a nearby bench and began waiting for his new trainer.

-

Inside Dodoria's chambers

'... Shit, what is up with that freak? I know we overheard he could heal, but that was more than just a bit of healing.' Dodoria thought while pacing back and forth in his chambers, all thoughts of emulating Frieza by brooding and looking out the window gone from his head. 'His power level barely scrapes 900, but he was improving so much during the fight. It was like just seeing my moves once was enough for him to figure out counters.' Dodoria sits in his chair and slumps down. 'I know I wanted to wait until he grew to present him to Lord Frieza, but it may be better to inform him now.' A tense expression flashed across his face for a moment. "Forget it!" He screamed aloud. "I'm not afraid of some little punk with a power level that doesn't break 1000! I'll present him when I'm good and ready!." With that decided, Dodoria returned to brooding out the window.