What a weird time to be alive. Cayenne had been a creature of routine for years, relying on and following the same set of actions every day. Be it her pre-teen time as a cadet or marching to the drum of the army, the opportunity to deviate from the norm was rare. Here she was. Having visited an ""underground"" fighting ring, fought an Oozaru wearing ancient armor, eaten stand kebabs, and now served an official invitation by the king himself. Braccus was a controversial ruler. While some roared for a replacement, finding his actions with the USD wholly unacceptable for a Saiyan, others (like Cayenne) held loyalty. He was the rightful king. In her eyes, allowing unrest to dethrone him would be a victory for the USD. Even if they were soundly defeated afterward, their actions led to a coup; for the Saiyans to turn on their own systems.

Cayenne was hesitant to accept the invitation. The controversy was part of it, but not the whole story. She was a simple soldier in the Elite Army. The Elites may have been rarer in number, but surely the crown would prefer associating with the brass more than the grunts? And then there was the issue of her blood. The Earthling had made a semblance of peace with her heritage in adulthood, and her comrades treated her as any other Saiyan. The whispers of doubt and flashes of hatred never vanished from others. A HUMAN in the ELITE army? What a disgrace! Comments like that were no longer common, but they bubbled to the forefront of Cayenne's mind, stronger than ever in the face of this meeting. What would they say about a human being granted direct training with the king, of all people?

"What's bugging you this time?" Cayenne's glazed eyes blinked, snapping back to reality as they focused on the speaker. "You always get that weird look and fall silent... plus you haven't really eaten anything, either." The girl glanced down, fingers tightly gripping a fork tipped with some sort of mash. Sighing, she'd shove the morsel in her mouth and harshly swallow. "Nothing you could help with, Tercres." The jovial Saiyan shrugged dramatically, looking overly offended. "I may be a mere guardsman here in the capital, but I can assure you my help is quite valuable in these parts. Besides, if this whole distant contemplation thing persists back to duty, it'll be Marrow hounding you on it instead." It would've been an effective half-threat if the issue COULD persist that long, but Cayenne only had a few hours left to decide. The king didn't expect an RSVP, but ghosting him wouldn't sit right with her either. "Don't worry too much about it. More of a personal issue than an army one."

He looked thoroughly unimpressed. "I'm getting a strong sense of deja vu. Hm... like specifically a decade old?" Cayenne bit back a bark of laughter, head shaking. "You aren't wrong. Lot has changed since then, though. Trust me here, Tercres; If this was something that wasn't both important and deeply personal, I'd talk. As is, I'd rather try and sort it out on my own." Such was their relationship. A push and pull between a man who wore his heart on his sleeve and a woman who preferred to shoulder the weight of the world. "Alright then!" The guardsman took it in stride, poking his fork towards Cayenne's plate. "Either way, you'll need energy. Eat something!" The Earthling robotically moved to shovel more food in her face, content to simply indulge in the fulfilling flavor and forget about her worries, if only for a moment.

---

'The Forgotten.' It was a fitting name, Cayenne thought, for the weathered statue of stone before her. The visage of a battle-armor-clad Saiyan was still clear as day in the piece's features. A lone soldier standing proud, one foot elevated atop a flattened boulder. Their left hand clung to a flagpole, a royal emblazoned banner fluttering freely in the wind. Their right pointed to the distance, the exact meaning of which was lost to time. Was it meant to symbolize strong leadership? To assume dominance over a defeated enemy? Or to simply tell future generations to move forward? Cayenne couldn't tell. While painstakingly preserved and guarded against the elements to the best of modern sensibilities, the monument was worn. The statue's facial features were rubbed and weathered, bearing only traces of an intense scowl and piercing eyes. And still, this statue had inspired a young Cayenne so many years ago; Zucchero took the young wards on a trip to the palace so they could adequately pay respect.

There was something magical about being beyond the first gates, standing close and feeling just as small as she had as a child. Yet sightseeing was the least important thing Cayenne would do today. The massive dark-iron bound doors leading to the antechamber opened without a sound, swinging open softly as the royal guard gestured to her. The Elite nodded, regrettably leaving the courtyard behind and ascending the entryway's steps. It was quiet, aside from the guard's faint breathing and her own footsteps. A plush red carpet stretched towards another pair of great doors further down, hallway decorated with lit braziers, portraits, and suits of antiquated armor. Piecemeal windows of colorful glass planes lined the walls, some depicting battles or famous scenes from Saiyan legend. Her pace was quick. Before Cayenne had arrived, the throne room doors swung open. Swallowing a lump of nervousness, the Elite continued, stopping twenty paces from the king and kneeling. "My liege-"

"Stand." The single word carried a world of authority behind it. It was laced with an immutable weariness, said firmly but not loudly. Cayenne obeyed, rising to her feet. Braccus mirrored the motion, taking slow, deliberate steps from his elevated throne. The king dressed practically, lacking any trace of decadence or jewelry aside from the crown's symbol of authority: a gold necklace embedded with three gems. "Your helmet." With only a minute moment of hesitation, Cayenne moved to remove the piece, listlessly stashing it betwixt her left arm and torso. The woman's bright red hair, customarily hidden beneath her armor, was on full display. Braccus' eyes were alight with a cocktail of unreadable emotion, his stony expression remaining: "Cayenne, correct?" She nodded immediately, miserably failing to smooth out the nervous, jittery motion. "Yes, King Braccus." The Saiyan hardly seemed to react for a moment, blackened eyes piercing through her resolve. "I've heard favorable things about you. From your commanding officers in the army, the Militia, and your former benefactor, Lord Zucchero. A litany of praise from all. That is quite rare, even among the Elite."

Unsure of what he was getting at, Cayenne mutely agreed, head bobbing up and down. A short silence persisted, the soldier shifting as she realized Braccus expected some kind of response. "Thank you, my liege. I take pride in my abilities and dedication to my homeland." Braccus grunted, slowly turning to face one of the many glass murals. "A homeland by nurture." Cayenne stayed silent, any retort fading away. "Yes," The king continued, "It is quite the case. An Earthling babe left in the care of my people and reared as one. I understand you have dealt with much doubt and viciousness because of your lineage. Come, Cayenne, tell me what you see captured in this mural." Eyes flitting to the brilliant, gleaming glass, the soldier paused to try and understand what exactly was captured on it. A Saiyan, garbed in ancient armor, faced upward - bearing a banner with the royal crest. Other Saiyans in rags, armed with knives and with unkempt tails, confronted him. "The legend of unification?" It was a children's tale that enforced early respect for the crown. A story of how kings of old brought the Saiyans together into a cohesive force for the first time in history.

"It is said that once upon a time, the Saiyans were embroiled in civil war. Small tribes ruled the land, fighting against one another for control of land, resources, and loyalty. Minor things separated these tribes. Dialect, food preparation, perhaps even the type of loom they used to make clothing. The ancient king, according to the legend, saw potential. The Saiyans had something in common: Pride, strength, and brotherhood. He united the warring tribes through conquest and established the true Saiyan Kingdom under these values. Our unity and way of life are preserved in an isolationist culture yet imperial doctrine. Those seen as outsiders are threats. Yet many of the common men forget something important. It is not by blood that the Kingdom was formed and held together, but by creed. All of that to say... I formally apologize on behalf of my subjects. You, Cayenne, are a true Saiyan and a valued part of this Kingdom and its' forces." To hear the king she respected so much lower himself to an apology? Tears stung the edges of Cayenne's eyes, years of repressed self-loathing absolved in a single moment. The woman swiftly blinked away her weakness, nodding twice and attempting to keep her voice steady. "Thank you, King Braccus. That means... more to me than I could ever possibly express."

Politics and the USD be damned. At that moment, Cayenne felt a measure of vindication and relief beyond anything she had ever felt before. Her acceptance into the Militia as a cadet a decade ago felt relatively hollow next to this. "That, and your pristine record, helped me come to a decision. The Kingdom is a glacial entity in an ever-shifting galaxy. Between the Changelings' resurgence, their immense natural power, and increasingly harsh struggles in handling colonies, we need stronger warriors. The Elite Army has served the Saiyans well to that end for centuries, but even the best among them isn't enough. You are not the first and shall not be the last, but I shall ask you again: do you wish to train with me? To push yourself beyond anything you thought capable and to learn an ancient technique passed down by kings of old?" That was the crux of the matter and the original reason she had been summoned to the palace. Cayenne was still unsure when she entered the throne room, but now? "I would be honored, my liege!"

---

Cayenne did not expect her initial training phase to involve heavily weighted gear and facing a machine of all things. She was in a small indoor sparring area, Braccus seated off to the side in an observation area as Cayenne faced off against her robotic opponent. It didn't look imposing at a glance, worn metallic frame sporting split limbs and a plated head with glowing blue eyes. At the moment, it was currently rumbling, fists held up in a boxer-like pose. "Should I restrain myself more?" asked Cayenne confusedly. "Not that I doubt your methods, King Braccus, but this machine doesn't seem very... sturdy?" Braccus chuckled lowly, sweeping an arm in the bot's general direction. "K-OH, here is one of my finest tools, I assure you. It would take the might of five Elites in their Oozaru form to truly cause any damage. He has been calibrated to better suit your current battle power. I advise you hold nothing back." Cayenne's focus returned to the field just in time to see K-OH rocketed towards her, a sloppy defense thrown up to intercept the metallic fist aimed at her jaw.

Her blocking forearm stung from the surprisingly strong below, attempting to pull back but was forced to hunker as a continuous flurry of blows came Cayenne's way. The Elite adjusted to the assault slowly but surely. An attempted counter-throw ended up with the Earthling on her back, wind knocked clean from her lungs. K-OH halted, bouncing back into an idle stance about twenty paces away as Cayenne gasped for air, blinking spots from her vision. "Adaptive circuitry. A Tuffle secret, or so it is said." Braccus marched over, offering a hand and firmly pulling the soldier to her feet. "You lasted longer than the average first tester does," He noted humorously. "But there's room for improvement." That much was clear. Cayenne hadn't been so soundly defeated since her preliminary test into the Elite Army. "I understand, my liege." There was vague disappointment lacing the woman's voice, but it wasn't directed towards the king. She had honestly thought her power was nearing the plateau of what was possible. Certainly not to the level of the legendary Super Saiyan, but such warriors were said to be mythical beings only appearing ONCE over thousands of years!

The next few tries went similarly. At first, Cayenne relied wholly on melee attacks. Block this, counter that, feint there. A good dozen attempts went by, minor dark bruises dotting the soldier's body as she continued to fight. Another twenty passed with marginal improvement, K-OH adjusting to her particular fighting style. For every three steps forward, there were two steps back. Upon the fortieth try, Cayenne's simmering anger boiled over. Before the bot had time to move, she unleashed a torrent of energy bullets, blanketing the training grounds in a storm of yellow. The haze of rage cleared, giving way to incredulity as K-OH wove through her attacks. Twisting, sliding, ducking. Not a single shot landed as the training dummy landed a solid uppercut, sending Cayenne sprawling against the dirt again. "You need a break." Braccus' tone brokered no argument as it carried across the field. "I believe one of your friends happens to be working with the medical team today. Why not pay her a visit?"

---

"-and you know about my Lucora Gun, right? Flood the field with enough bullets so a Saibaman wouldn't even have room to move? It just dodged it! Slipped in and out like a damn snake and knocked me flat on my ass, AGAIN." Cayenne finished regaling her tale, winding down with a strangled sigh and staring at the puffy-haired Saiyan before her. "And here I thought I was making progress." The comment was met with a sharp stare, Elite admonished enough to look away. "I know what you want to say. That there's always gonna be something higher and trying to be the best is a good PASSIVE goal, but thinking about how far I am will only hurt." The same had been said before when Cayenne's resolve had faltered. Those hurdles a younger soldier had been stuck on seemed so insignificant now. "Fuck-" Grunting, her fingers clenched her bruises, listlessly attempting to get the healing gel to work faster.

"I think," started Luffa slowly, "That you already know this is a repeat of your doubts returning. As an Elite of Vegeta, had you expected the king of Saiyans to offer a subpar or easy training venture?" Cayenne wilted slightly, rubbing her shoulder. "Well, uh,-" The scientist held a hand up for silence. "Then what's the problem? Our leader gives you personal lessons to grow stronger, and you get discouraged at the slightest adversity. For as long as I've known you, Cayenne, this seems entirely out of character for you." It was TRUE, and that made it all the more frustrating. "I KNOW, Luffa." This had never been a problem before. Why was she getting so caught up in it all? "It's just because... reaching my level, I thought it was over. I had done it. Proven myself a competent warrior, a loyal soldier, and shirked off the judgemental assumptions through hard work. Then come to find out I'm not even close to being the best Vegeta has to offer? Seems like a cruel joke."

It wasn't a sense of dread that propelled her forward anymore. It was rage. A restrained, thrashing fury. Mad at the world around it for being so unfair. "Have you considered training to refine your techniques alongside your battle power? Most enemies you face are overwhelmed, meaning you most likely formed bad habits when outputting your Ki. Efficiency is just as important as maximum potential." That train of thought was simple, yet logical. Sparring between Saiyans didn't help to improve it either since most soldiers didn't bother honing specific skills either - everything was centered around battle power. "So, try and work on my accuracy, then?" Luffa paused, tapping her chin and looking over a datapad. "No," she said, tapping away as a small application of gel touched Cayenne's bare back. "It would be precision you are looking to enhance. If your continuous energy bullet is avoided by large gaps in the cluster, you simply need to close those gaps. Accuracy when aiming such a blanketed technique would be secondary."

---

Second verse same as the first. Her initial barrage went virtually the same as before, Cayenne harshly calling out to the bot before it could reach her: "RESET!" Snapping to attention, K-OH marched back to its starting point and awaited the signal to go again. Braccus was absent for the moment. The Elite wanted nothing more than to sharply focus on this one idea; anything past the initial barrage could be saved for later. Energy hissed as Cayenne slung another opening salvo, attempting to angle and aim each individual shot as it left her palms. This time the number of bullets was slashed, barely half her usual pouring out. While the spread and coverage were tighter, the lack of shots allowed K-OH to avoid the majority with a wide circling motion. "RESET!" The battle halted. Positions reset. Cayenne stared disapprovingly at K-OH, who seemed like they couldn't care less.

Fire. Reset. Repeat. Fire. Reset. Repeat. FIRE. RESET. REPEAT.

Cayenne's hands ached, fingers trembling from the continual, unending strain. Each time, a slight improvement. It took a second's more time to dodge or maybe required a new form of movement. Every single bit of progress mattered. The Elite stood opposite of an idle K-OH, blunted nails digging into the flesh of her palm hard enough to draw blood. "Alright you metal-faced bastard... EAT THISSSS!" This time was different, whether it was by rage, drive, or evolution of skill. K-OH evaded the first few, but the robot's pace slowed dramatically as it became tangled. A maze with no exit, a labyrinth with no prize. K-OH fell as the bullets struck true. It activated shielding shortly after, protecting the metal from further harm, but the display was enough. "FUCK. YEAH!" Cayenne felt PROUD like she had accomplished something worthwhile for the first time in ages.

The woman was in high spirits as she went to fetch her extraneous gear, freezing at the sight of a seated Braccus with a bemused look. "Oh! Uh..." Swallowing, Cayenne scrambled to don her full suit, bloodied hands staining the inside of her gloves as she stretched them on. "King Braccus. I didn't notice you had come in, er, my liege." The man didn't reply, surveying the surface-level scorch marks marring K-OH's plating. "I didn't see most of it," He said slowly, eyes drifting to lock with hers. "Ha. I can tell you certainly put in the effort. It isn't easy to be consistently precise with that technique you favor. Good work." She'd stand tall, accepting the praise with a bow. "Thank you, my liege. I know that it isn't immense progress, but-" Braccus stepped down from the viewing stands, the motion instinctively prompting silence from Cayenne. "Vegeta was not built in a day, soldier. You would do well to remember that. Come. That is enough training for today. Get yourself patched up, and feel free to return to your regular lodging. If you wish to continue further, I shall arrange for another rendezvous soon."

---

Arriving back at the barracks felt strange. Just that morning, she had been contemplating the depths to which she would accept the king's training, and now Cayenne found herself fully invested in it. The session had been humbling, helping to expand the soldier's horizons past the narrow-minded plateau she had assumed to be the peak. Braccus had still vaguely promised the opportunity to learn an ancient Saiyan technique passed down by kings of old. She'd need to return for another full-length session (or two, at her rate) to get a chance at that. "Well, someone is in high spirits." Marrow's gruff voice served to put her at ease, Cayenne swiveling to face her comrade with a slight smirk. "From what I heard, you got summoned to the royal palace today. Considering you're still here and not impaled on a pike, I'd say it went well." It wasn't often that soldiers got called for an audience at the palace, Elite or not. Gleaning Marrow's secondhand knowledge also revealed the rumors didn't know WHO she had met. It made sense, given the private nature of the palace's interior and the stoic professionalism of the guard.

"You could say that," replied Cayenne slyly, moving to take her helmet off and crash onto a nearby couch. "I feel like I just went through basic. Twice." The larger Saiyan tossed a gourd her way, gloved fingers fumbling to pop the lid off. A generous splash of water went on her face before any found its way down her throat, the relief instant. "Thanks." Marrow grunted, taking a long swig of his own suspiciously honey-colored drink. "You snuck some into a water gourd?" She was more amused than offended at the technically forbidden move, the Saiyan shrugging absently in response. "We're literally here on break. I don't wanna have to stumble my ass down to the bar every time I get thirsty for something with a little flavor in it." The brass would likely punish him with added labor rather than the written legal suspension. No use in taking away an extra body for something that every Saiyan indulged in.

"Thanks, Marrow." For the drink, the company, and not prying into her business at the palace further, even if it was clear he was still curious about it. "I really needed to wind down." The man snorted, amused by the thought. "You? Taking a break? Be still my beating heart." Another long swig, and he spoke again: "Hey. If you aren't busy tomorrow, what say you come with me and some of the squad to this fancy new place opening up in the Elite District? It's a bar still, but rumor has it they imported some common games Earthlings like to play when they drink. Something about a pool, but I always thought it was just an enclosed swimming area? Eh, whatever. Anything works. You interested?" Braccus' words did imply his next summons wouldn't be for a few days at the least, leaving Cayenne to wallow in her break-induced boredom in the capital unless she wanted to spend the day training on her own... not that it seemed like a good prospect given Braccus' methods and facilities.

"Sure, why not? I think a change of pace is what I need."