"Commander Sorbet controls the economic lifeline, Commander Berryblue guards the southern frontier, and the Abo and Cado Brothers keep the northwest in check."
Frieza's pod slowly turned halfway around, and three regions lit up simultaneously on the star map behind him.
"These three forces are the three cornerstones that support the Frieza Force."
Frieza's pod stopped in front of Turles.
"And you, Mr. Turles."
A tail hung over the edge of the pod and lightly tapped Turles on the shoulder.
"I hope you can become the force's fourth cornerstone."
Turles stiffened slightly.
What a lofty title!
Even Dodoria, standing below, trembled involuntarily.
But Turles's mind was racing.
He had no way of knowing whether Frieza was sincere or merely making empty promises.
But he did know that the more he received, the more closely tied he would become.
It probably wouldn't be so easy to sever ties with the Frieza Force whenever he wanted in the future!
Today he was the fourth cornerstone; tomorrow he would be the fourth chain.
Besides, no matter what kind of cornerstone he was, when things stopped being fun and games, Frieza wouldn't care a whit about his life.
Had anyone ever seen a cornerstone build a house on its own?
As long as Frieza, the central pillar, remained standing, the Frieza Force could keep adding new cornerstones without end.
Still, whatever he was calculating in his heart,
Turles wouldn't neglect the proper appearances in the slightest.
"I am truly humbled that you think so highly of me, Lord Frieza. I only fear that I might disappoint you."
Turles really was afraid of that. If he disappointed Lord Frieza, his life would be in danger!
"Ho ho ho, no need to be modest."
Frieza waved a hand and continued.
"You're different from Mr. Zarbon and Mr. Dodoria. Neither of them is skilled at giving orders, nor do they possess fighting power that inspires awe."
"Before I met you, Mr. Turles, I kept wondering whether what I needed was a barbarian army like the one from Planet Vegeta, to charge into battle, or a governor to oversee a region. Now I believe I have my answer."
"If I remember correctly, a select few outstanding Saiyan warriors seem to have the ability to create moons. You should have mastered this ability too, shouldn't you, Mr. Turles?"
Turles hurriedly nodded. "Yes, Lord Frieza. I can indeed create an artificial moon with over seventeen million zeno of Blutz Waves."
The transformation in question was, of course, the Great Ape transformation.
In fact, however, this ability had even greater limitations.
The first was that it couldn't be used on planets where life energy was scarce, or, in simpler terms, planets where the oxygen content was too low.
The second was that it consumed a great deal of ki and stamina. A Saiyan's fighting power usually dropped considerably after creating an artificial moon, so fighting power after transforming with one was naturally inferior to what it would be under a genuine moon.
"Ho ho ho~ I was right about you after all, Mr. Turles." Frieza nodded in satisfaction.
"That puts my mind at ease. You can certainly become a solid foundation for my Frieza Force, Mr. Turles!"
"I look forward to that day."
"However, even a cornerstone needs a starting point."
Frieza traced a line across the star map.
"So, Mr. Turles, tell me, do you have any thoughts about where you'd like to go?"
Something stirred in Turles's mind.
He had no intention of choosing.
How could he decide something like that himself?
Wherever the boss wanted to send him, he had to go.
He put on an expression of just the right amount of consideration.
It made him seem neither so quick to respond that he had planned it in advance, nor so hesitant that Frieza would think him indecisive.
"I leave everything to your judgment, Lord Frieza."
Frieza flicked his tail and nodded.
The star map on the console began rotating again, finally stopping on a region at the edge of the galaxy.
The points of light in that region were sparse and dim. Compared with the other regions, it looked like a forgotten corner.
"You haven't been with the force long. This caution is the right approach."
"Everything should be done step by step."
Frieza's tail swayed lazily behind him.
"Here."
His finger came down on the dim region.
"It's remote and backward, its resources aren't particularly abundant, and its population is sparse, but it has the advantage of being peaceful."
"The situation isn't too complicated, making it a suitable place for you to establish yourself first and gradually familiarize yourself with how the force operates, Mr. Turles."
Frieza's gaze left the star map and settled on Turles.
"What do you think, Mr. Turles?"
"You've thought this through very carefully, Lord Frieza! I'll do my utmost!"
The star map slowly zoomed out, returning to a view of the entire North Galaxy.
"Very well. I'll be looking forward to seeing how you perform from now on, Mr. Turles."
"I'll have Mr. Zarbon coordinate the details with you later. There's no need to rush."
With that, Frieza's hovering chair had already begun turning slowly toward the console, as though he were ready to wrap things up.
Turles, however, didn't move.
He stood where he was, looking as though he wanted to say something but was holding back.
Frieza caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye.
The hovering chair stopped turning.
"Hmm? Mr. Turles, you seem to have something else to say?"
Turles lowered his gaze and put on a hesitant expression.
Then he raised his head, but he didn't look at Frieza.
Instead, he cast a quick glance in Dodoria's direction.
Frieza quickly understood what Turles meant.
Then he smiled.
"Oh? Now I'm a little curious."
The tip of Frieza's tail traced a small circle behind him.
"Mr. Dodoria, go help Mr. Zarbon make the remaining arrangements for Mr. Turles."
Dodoria froze for a moment.
He instinctively looked at Frieza, then at Turles.
Wait, you just got promoted and you're already trying to squeeze out an old employee?
Dodoria's face turned purple with anger.
But Frieza had already turned his head back and didn't look at him again.
Displeased as he was, he still didn't dare disobey Frieza.
"Yes, King Frieza."
The heavy alloy door slid shut behind Dodoria.
The command room fell silent at once.
Only the faint electronic hum of the star map on the console remained.
"Go ahead, Mr. Turles."
Frieza's tone was lazy, but Turles could feel the weight of his gaze.
"What is it that requires such caution?"
Turles raised his head.
"Lord Frieza, while dealing with the Heeters Group, I inadvertently discovered something."
"Those fellows seem to have engaged in some rather questionable behavior toward the Frieza Force, and even toward you, Lord Frieza."
Frieza's tail stopped swaying.
"Oh?"
"For example?"
Turles immediately picked up the thread and spilled everything the Heeters Force had done in the transaction for this mission.