Amond and the others behind him noticed the strange looks too. He instinctively edged half a step closer to Turles, his shoulders tense.
Turles glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and shook his head slightly.
A figure was already waiting at the end of the corridor.
Zarbon.
He had emerald-green skin, gold ornaments, and a finely crafted lens resting on the bridge of his nose.
He was a senior advisor to the Frieza Force, with overall strength greater than Dodoria's.
Judging by looks alone, Zarbon was definitely one of the more pleasing sights among the Frieza Force's many bizarre-looking members.
"Mr. Turles."
Whatever Zarbon thought of Turles, he addressed him politely here.
"Please follow me."
Zarbon turned around, his pace unhurried and his movements graceful.
Turles and his group followed.
They walked down the corridor toward the depths of headquarters, with neatly trimmed low shrubs on either side.
A guard post stood every few dozen meters, manned by soldiers of different races.
Zarbon kept facing forward.
"I'll go over the basic rules of headquarters as we walk."
He raised the data terminal in his hand.
"King Frieza's force operates under a strict hierarchy. Assignment ranks are determined by a combined assessment of combat power and contributions."
"For now, you have been assigned to rank B."
"Rank B?" Turles asked.
Zarbon kept walking.
"Headquarters assignments are divided into five ranks: S, A, B, C, and D. Rank B is entitled to independent barracks, a dedicated training ground, and access to a certain amount of supplies."
"With your combat power, Mr. Turles, you could be assigned directly to rank A, the same as me. However, the force has its regulations."
"To be promoted to rank A, your record must include at least one military achievement personally approved by King Frieza."
"Still, I believe that with your abilities, Mr. Turles, it is only a matter of time."
"Mr. Zarbon."
Turles suddenly spoke.
Zarbon's steps faltered for a beat. It was brief, but enough to speak volumes.
"...What is it?"
"You have served in the force for many years, Mr. Zarbon. I hope you'll offer me your guidance from now on."
Though Turles had taken the initiative to show goodwill, he had not overstepped.
It was just the right gesture of goodwill from a newcomer toward a veteran.
The underlying coolness in his manner had not faded, either.
After all, strength reigned supreme in a place like this.
His combat power was higher than Zarbon's, so it would have been stranger if he had put on a sycophantic act instead.
Zarbon's steps faltered noticeably, but he did not stop.
He merely nodded slightly and continued forward.
The buildings on either side of the corridor grew more closely packed.
Individual disc-shaped structures stood next to one another, separated by neatly trimmed strips of greenery.
Small transport craft occasionally swept overhead, their engines trailing a brief hum.
"The rank B barracks are in the middle sector."
Zarbon finally spoke again, his back ramrod straight.
"The middle sector has its own training ground, repair shop, and small supply station. You and your men won't need to share facilities with other units."
Turles nodded.
After settling Turles and his group in, Zarbon returned to Frieza's side.
When Zarbon entered the command room, Frieza was sitting upright in his hover chair.
A holographic projection spread across an entire wall before him.
Live surveillance feeds from various areas of headquarters were divided into dozens of squares. Patrolmen walked about and transport craft took off and landed; everything was in perfect order.
Frieza's gaze wandered among the squares. The tip of his tail rested on the armrest, tapping it intermittently.
"King Frieza."
Zarbon stopped to the right of the chair.
"Turles and his group have all been settled in. Their barracks, training ground, and supplies are ready, and their identification numbers and access permissions have been entered into the system."
Frieza did not nod.
"Mm."
Only then did Frieza speak again.
"Have they made any unnecessary moves?"
"Everything is normal."
Zarbon adjusted his lens.
"On the way here, he even took the initiative to show me goodwill."
"Oh?"
Frieza seemed somewhat surprised to hear that. The light of the holographic projection flickered across his face.
A derisive laugh came from beside them.
"That monkey certainly knows how to put on an act."
Dodoria leaned against the command room's bulkhead, his two thick arms crossed over his chest.
Zarbon turned his head and glanced at Dodoria.
He thought Dodoria had a point.
Frieza ignored Dodoria's rudeness.
He lightly swept a finger across the armrest, and the holographic projection changed.
The image settled on the middle sector.
Several people were carrying supplies around the rank B barracks where Turles was staying.
Amond carried an entire crate of supplies on his shoulder, his braid swinging back and forth behind him.
Cacao stood at the entrance to the barracks, the optical units on his metal torso scanning from side to side, seemingly surveying the surroundings.
Turles himself leaned against the outer wall of the barracks, arms crossed, speaking quietly with Daiz about something.
Frieza stared at the surveillance feed, his thoughts unknown.
The tip of his tail rose from the armrest and hung in midair.
"Mr. Zarbon, Mr. Dodoria."
"Yes, sir."
"What do you think of this Turles..." Frieza paused, his gaze still fixed on the figure leaning against the wall in the holographic projection.
"What kind of person is he?"
Zarbon took a small step forward and bowed slightly.
"King Frieza, in my opinion..."
His wording was as precise as ever, marked by the caution characteristic of a senior advisor.
"This Turles is very different from the Saiyans we know."
The command room was quiet, save for the faint electrical hum as the holographic projection switched images.
"His words and conduct are far more appropriate than those of an ordinary Saiyan. He is even... better than Vegeta at reading people."
That assessment drew a disdainful snort from Dodoria.
Zarbon paused, then gave his own view.
"That makes him very... un-Saiyan."
"For that very reason, I believe we should pay him even closer attention."
"Oh? What insights do you have, Mr. Dodoria?"
After listening to Zarbon's analysis, Frieza did not immediately state his opinion. Instead, he looked at Dodoria.
"I wouldn't call it insight, King Frieza."
"Hmph, isn't he just a wild monkey who knows a few little tricks, plain and simple?"
"Zarbon, you're overthinking it!"
"Reading people, knowing when to advance and retreat-if you ask me, he's just a guy who's been out there long enough to know how to latch onto someone powerful!"
Dodoria's assessment was blunt and direct, quite in keeping with his appearance.
"He ate some lousy fruit and got a little boost to his combat power, so he came running here to latch onto someone powerful."
"Ho ho ho ho..."
That unmistakable laugh rang out again.
"You two really do hate Saiyans as much as ever."
"However, our Frieza Force is very accepting. No capable talent should be overlooked. What do you think?"
With Frieza having said that, Zarbon and Dodoria naturally did not dare openly disagree.
They both nodded in agreement.
Frieza's voice rang out again.
"By the way, Vegeta has returned, hasn't he?"