"For so many years, you were thought of as my superior. For so many years, you were placed on a pedestal while I was forced to observe like a common peasant. For so many years, you were praised for being the strongest while I was just praised for my family name. For so many years, I've been forced to live in your shadow, but no more! I have achieved something that you will never achieve. I have ascended beyond a level that-for so long-we believed was our natural limit. For you see, I have become…"

"Cooler!"

Cooler shifted his scarlet eyes back up to the holo-screen that displayed a clearly annoyed Frieza, his eyes being a reflection of Cooler's with a hint of intimidation coming from the demon-resembling appearance of his first form. It was clear that whatever business that Frieza had halted their previous conversation for was complete and he was ready to revive their discussion.

Leaning back into his hover chair, Cooler said, "I see that you are back."

"Yes, I am, and it appears that you have returned from whatever vacation that your brain had been on as well," replied the younger Arcosian.

If only you had an idea of the kind of vacation that my thoughts had taken, then you wouldn't be so quick to speak with that insolent tongue, you infuriating brat. "How is the search for your little primate pet going?" Cooler laced his fingers in front of his face as a devious smile slowly graced his features.

This was the epicenter of his and Frieza's conversations, harmless jesting between the two. It wasn't just important to prove their physical strength, but their quick-witted mental abilities as well.

Seeing the subtle souring of Frieza's face proved to Cooler that he had struck a nerve.

"It's going superbly, as a matter of fact; I just sent Zarbon to retrieve Vegeta's incapacitated body," replied Frieza with a smug smile as he tried to cover the tracks of his troubled mission. "Apparently, Zarbon had transformed and got a little carried away when he fought Vegeta earlier. Not to mention that the Ginyu Force should be landing shortly; so, in all, things are going swimmingly."

"Zarbon had to transform? Has Vegeta gotten that strong? And you've called in the Ginyu Force? Dear brother, I must say, it sounds like everything is far from superb on Namek," stated Cooler with a subtle chuckle as he reached for his glass of wine on a nearby stand.

As he tipped his glass back to savor the intoxicating liquid, Frieza blurted, "Everything is going fine!"

Cooler had to be careful not to choke on his wine from the fit of laughter he was tempted to engage. Sitting his wine back on its stand and raising his other hand to wipe away a trail of wine that escaped his mouth from Frieza's outburst, Cooler calmly stated, "I am only looking out for your wellbeing, Frieza. Surely you can't be upset with me?" Cooler watched as the throbbing vein- which had popped out of Frieza's right temple-slowly receded and thought, Yes, that's right, Frieza. I win yet another round.

Changing the subject, Frieza said, "Where are you heading to anyway, brother? Last I checked, there weren't any major missions that desired a royal to be in person, let alone you and your entire squadron." Finishing his statement, Frieza glanced over the shadowy and dim-lighted captain's quarters that Cooler and his squadron inhabited; Neiz and Doore were working controls in the front and Cooler sat in the center with Salza at a computer that was a few meters to Cooler's right.

"We're handling some…business," replied Cooler.

"…Business" skeptically restated Frieza.

"Yes; business," said Cooler, maintaining his expressionless disposition.

"Would you care to elaborate?" Frieza said, tilting his head towards the screen in expectation of Cooler's explanation.

"…No."

Cooler and Frieza maintained an awkward, yet unmoving, stare down for nearly a minute, Frieza waiting for Cooler to explain something and Cooler inwardly enjoying Frieza's perplexity.

Finally giving in, Frieza released an audible sigh and said, "Fine; don't tell me what you're up to. I could care less." Frieza turned away from the screen and had begun to float down to floor, but then he stopped and looking over his shoulder, said, "It's not like you've found a means to eternal life…like I have." With a menacing fit of laughter, Frieza floated out of the view of the screen and within a couple of seconds, the transmission was ended.

With the only illumination in the room shut off, the lights came to life. Neiz lifted from his seat with four scouters in his hand, beginning to hand them out to Salza and Dore. "These are the new series of scouters that I snatched before hopping aboard. They're supposed to be able to record up to a one million power level," he said.

Slipping the scouter onto his head, Dore said, "Why would they bother creating scouters that read that high? The only people with power levels over one million are Lord Frieza, King Cold, and Lord Cooler."

Cooler had unconsciously tensed at the mention of his father's name. He didn't even want to think about what would happen if King Cold figured out what he was planning. Just that brief mention of his father's name was beginning to drive him into a fit of paranoia; as if, by some means, that was a sign that King Cold would eventually find out. Cooler had done his best to cover his tracks before leaving his home planet, Arcos, though. There was no way that Cold would find out, right; he could never find out why Cooler was heading to Planet Namek.

"Um…Lord Cooler," Neiz awkwardly said as he held the scouter to the side of Cooler's unmoving frame.

Cooler lazily looked over to Neiz, who was beginning to grow nervous under his commander's glare. Cooler glanced down at the scouter and dismissed it with a wave of his hand as he said, "I do not need that."

His words drew a look of surprise out of Neiz and Dore. Salza answered to their shock by saying, "Lord Cooler has evolved beyond zi need of such primitive devices. He has learned zi art of sensing energy; an ability zhat has eluded many of us."

An arrogant smile drew across Cooler's lips at the words of Salza. Out of his three loyal minions, Salza was by far his favorite. It wasn't just because Salza was good at bootlicking, but he was a much more skilled fighter than the rest. However, the doting was always a positive trait in Cooler's eyes.

Through his peripheral vision, Cooler saw Neiz withdraw the scouter and head back to his seat. "How much longer until we land?" he asked.

Neiz took a quick second to look at the computer's monitor before replying, "We should be landing in approximately four hours."

"Lord Cooler, may I ask what is our mission?" asked Dore.

Cooler took a moment to ponder if he wanted to disclose this furtive and potentially damaging information to his crew. He was engaging in an act that would not only shun him from further proceedings in the Cold Empire, but also place him in the rage-filled path of one of the most terrifying powers in the galaxy, his father.

Cooler didn't like admitting that anyone was stronger than him, but when it came to his father, there was no denying it. Cold's second form was relatively the same power level as Cooler's basic fourth form. At his third transformation, Cold's power exceeded Cooler's fully powered fourth form. And Cooler didn't even want to think about the power of his father's fourth form. At that level, Cold could crush both of his sons with minor difficulty. This was a power that brought about an unwelcomed fear inside of Cooler, an emotion that was so foreign to the tyrant that it rattled him with each of its passing.

Nevertheless, he trusted his team. He also trusted that his team feared him beyond any other person, even his brother and father. With that in mind, he said, "As you all just heard, Frieza is planning to achieve something that every mighty ruler wishes to achieve-immortality. I cannot allow this to come to fruition.

Anyone that would take the time to study our interactions with one another would assume that Frieza and I have an extensive sibling rivalry between us. This is, however, an immense misinterpretation. To have a rivalry with Frieza would mean that we engaged in some form of competition to prove that one of us is better than the other. I am in need of no form of competition to know that I am superior to Frieza.

Unless one had the ability to read minds, then they could never truly understand the feelings that I hold for my brother. Hate isn't even a strong enough word for my resentment of Frieza; I loathe him with every fiber of my being and want nothing more than to watch that impudent cur die. The only thing that could make me happier would be for his death to come from my own hands, which is why we are going to Namek.

You see, I have been plotting against my brother for quite some time, but father would never allow anything foul to become of his pretty little princess. Any danger that would be brought to Frieza would be dealt with by my father, even if that danger was me; this had lead to trying to formulate a plan that would not leave a hint of my involvment. As I'm sure you can imagine, trying to plot the downfall of Frieza while making sure that father wouldn't come to the knowledge of my betrayal was excruciatingly difficult. No scenario would play out without father being able to suspect me, that is, until now.

Frieza has left himself wide open for my strike by running out to this planet in the middle of the Space Boondocks. Not only will I take Frieza's wish for immortality, but I will take his life as well! And who will be blamed for the death of father's dearest Frieza? None other than the Prince of the primates, Vegeta! And where will I be when Vegeta is executed for crimes against the PTO and the royal family? I will be watching gleefully beside my father as the new crowned lord of the galaxy!"

After giving his speech, Cooler took a moment to survey the expressions of each of his operatives. If he caught even the slightest hint of reservation, he was going to plant a death beam directly through the potential traitor's eyes. To his surprise and essential glee, there was no reservation in the eyes of his Armored Squadron. In fact, Cooler was sure that he could see a twinkle in their eyes as smiles began to spread across each of their faces.

"Zi right hand man of zi lord of zi galaxy, zhat sounds exzeptional!" commented Salza.

"HAHAHA!" bellowed Dore. "We'll finally get the type of respect that those Ginyu freaks get!"

"Oh, yeah baby! Then, we'll be the head hens of the PTO and it'll all be thanks to Lord Cooler!" shouted Neiz.

Cooler emitted a soft chuckle at the elation of his squadron. He couldn't believe that he doubted their loyalty to him, even for a minute. This was his crew and this was his mission. And soon, immortality, along with Frieza's head, would be his as well.

Leaning back into his hover-chair, Cooler grabbed his wine from the nearby table and toasted his squad. Though they were without glasses, the Armored Squadron raised their fists in salute. "To the fall of Lord Frieza, gentlemen," said Cooler before bringing the glass to his lips.

As Cooler took in the rest of his wine, his crew responded, "The Fall of Lord Frieza!"