Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Hunted Saiyans ❯ Part 2: Chapter 2: Close Steps ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 2

Close Steps

 

 

 

“I don't think you understand the situation,” Gohan nearly laughed as he leaned on Picollo for support.

 

Planet Senord was known for its superior technology in the Southern Galaxy. The entire planet had advanced itself into a strange, eerie, and highly intelligent society. Though it would have suffered the same fate as the rest of the planets in the Eastern Galaxy when the Saiyans and Freeza began their plunder, this planet was of the few to be spared. From space, the planet had little clouds, and they were anything but white. Due to vast amount of toxic substances in Senord's atmosphere, the clouds and rain have now become a dull colour; a grey that was very close to black. Orbiting Senord, were two moons, both which had a vast network of cells within the moon's crater and intertwined bases. Defence systems were always on in order to protect the planet from invasion or, more commonly, asteroid showers, which were frequent during the fall. The planet never got struck once from incoming meteors, and the wealthier, luckier families, could watch the meteors get blown to bits in an amazing firework display in space (provided they wore special goggles that allowed them to look that far).

 

“What the hell are we doing here?”

 

But Vegeta didn't answer his mate or Kakorot's spawn. Hunger wouldn't allow him to. Their reaction was as expected: at first sight, it would seem that planet Senord was the last place to provide them with food, considering that there was hardly any vegetation, water or wildlife as far as the eye could see. The capital city of the planet was Egarots, (Vegeta himself had trouble pronouncing it, (and he knew seven languages fluently)) which was the best example of a superior and highly advanced city. Egarots city centre was one of the few wealthy city centres on Senord. It had very little litter or crime, and everything was kept well in order by machines: there were machines for traffic, machines for litter, and machines for construction work. Noticeably, it was around 4:00 am when they arrived on the planet and yet the city was alight well enough to brighten up every dark corner. Blue neon lights seemed to be the cities favourite colour, as well as blue hued lampposts that were aligned perfectly on every street. Nothing in sight was cramped; everything was perfectly spaced. This part of the city had definitely undergone prestigious, well thought-out and fortunate planning.

 

The NS 5000 was parked on a landing zone on a plain, close to the tallest building in sight: the planet's Ruling House, home to the leader of Senord, entitled `Governor'. Vegeta knew these people well enough, and provided he played his cards right, he would get enough food from them to last a month.

 

Tilo peered his head out from the ship and noticed the rushing of flying traffic above them. “Woah, the whole planet's blue, black and…”

 

“Different shades of grey?” Picollo finished, “Not very imaginative huh?”

 

“Alright,” Vegeta said as he stepped out of the NS 5000, “I'm going to talk to them.”

 

Bulma could hear the hubbub of people and cautiously looked over Gohan's shoulder. People were coming towards them, human looking people, though they had all kinds of gadgets strapped onto their arms, chests and legs. One of them even had a green Scouter on his eye. As they came out, the blue neon glow from the lamp-posts reflected on their black glossy hair.

 

“Alright, out of the way!” a loud grunt was heard and then the sound of heavy treading on the pavement came closer. About a dozen guards, each equipped with Scouters, made their way through the dividing crowd, each holding long weapons in their right hands.

 

“They still wear that?” Gohan pointed as he looked at a more high-tech version of Saiyan style armor the guards wore.

 

“I don't like the way they're looking at us…” Chi Chi commented as she held on to Videl.

 

“Halt! You shall not continue! What is your purpose?” a large guard said. The crowd behind them peered up at the strangers on their planet with curious eyes.

 

Vegeta's eye twitched a little, then he growled slightly, “I am Prince Vegeta, prince of the Saiyans.”

 

The guards looked at one another and the crowd began to whisper quickly.

 

“Ehh… dad…” Trunks commented, “Are you sure they know who you are?”

 

After a quick debate, one of the guards hit the other at the back of his head and quickly told the rest the news. The guards all realised their mistake, and quickly bowed, “Your highness…” one of them stuttered, “I'm sorry, we… we didn't realise! It's been so long! More then, more then 30 years!”

 

Vegeta nodded.

 

“We will never forget your mercy! We are forever in your debt your highness! Prince Vegeta,” he continued hysterically, “We heard that a Saiyan killed Frieza! Was it you that freed our people?”

 

A very evil smile came on Vegeta's lips, “Hmn. Maybe,” he said. For a moment, he felt and looked like the old Vegeta.

 

Goten opened his mouth to protest but Gohan gave him a look that told him not to object. It was all part of Vegeta's “plan” after all.

 

“Cool,” Tilo came out completely and as he looked at the bows and smiled, “Hey Dad, maybe you should become prince Trunks!”

 

Bulma, now with more confidence, stepped out of the ship and breathed in. She blinked in surprise and took a deeper breath. She looked at Trunks and said, “Trunks have you noticed? The air… it's really fresh despite the amount of carbon dioxide and acid in the air. Weird huh?”

 

“Yeah…” Trunks sniffed and stepped out to. The rest soon followed but Vegeta growled and held them back.

 

“We have no time to sniff and smell,” he said angrily, “We have a crisis on our hands in case you've all forgotten!” He looked back at the guards and said loudly, “I need to speak with the Governor. Tell him it's urgent!”

 

“Of coarse, right this way!” The guards said.

 

“The rest of you stay,” Vegeta ordered, “Trunks, Gohan, follow me. That leg of yours won't repair itself.”

 

Gohan nodded and Picollo handed Gohan over to Trunks.

 

“Wait a minute, what about the rest of us?!” Bulma yelled, “You can't expect us to sit here and do nothing while you're gone!”

 

“Mum, please. We'll be back. It's better if we don't split up.” Trunks said, and within a few minutes, they had disappeared into the crowd.

 

Picollo crossed his arms as he observed his surroundings, “He's right. We should stay and wait. I have a bad feeling about this place.”

 

“Oh, all right then!” Bulma huffed and strutted back into the ship.

 

But Tilo couldn't keep his eyes off the adventure that awaited him.

 

****

 

Tilo couldn't contain his curiosity. Before him there was a whole new world to explore, he couldn't let this slip by. There might even be fighters on Senord! He couldn't wait to test his strength.

 

But Picollo was guarding the exit, Goten by his side, leaning against the wall. Bulma was with Chi Chi and Videl chatting about something, and the chibi's were engrossed in a game of marbles that they had received from one of the dispersing crowds outside. Fifteen minutes had passed, and there seemed to be hardly anyone left on the plain. He guessed the citizens wanted to go back to sleep.

 

Knowing if he didn't wear a disguise he'd be caught, Tilo ran to the Meeting Room and tore a brown table cloth off one of the oak tables and managed to make a hood and long coat. Concealing his eyes as much as possible, Tilo sneaked past Bulma and Chi Chi, just in time before Videl spotted him, and he flitsed quickly out of the space ship. He knew there was more then one entrance on this massive thing, but he couldn't switch on the engine without alerting anyone.

 

Quickly, Tilo managed to disappear into the cities buildings and conceal himself…

 

****

 

Soft music was playing as Vegeta passed the metal doors. Behind him, Gohan limped with Trunks holding him tightly. The room was brightly lit, and the Governor sat on his throne. It was a tall building with a roof that reached for the sky. Around them, the walls were carved with expensive brown wood, which gave the room an unusual holiness. Noticeably, each carving on the pillars seemed too precise and too accurate to have been done by a normal person, though the curtains and red drapes were embroidered by skilled hands. The whole room seemed warmer and more organic then outside the Ruling House, though Vegeta knew that this was just a façade appearance. The building had more chambers and networks, all which didn't share the same man-made appearance. The very vast building was all machine except for this room, which was round and made of stone. All the other chambers were stretched to the other cities underground. This building was one of Senords hearts and lungs.

 

On his throne, about 20 meters high, the Governor wore red, the Imperial colours. He was relatively plump, and didn't look like much of a warrior. His black hair was balding, and he was the oldest person Vegeta had seen in Egarots so far. And this was a problem.

 

Vegeta raised his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

 

The Governor stood up and spread his arms out in greeting, “Welcome Saiyan! I am pleased to finally meet you. I have heard a great deal about you!”

 

“Has Everdis been replaced already?” Vegeta asked.

 

“Yes, I see we have a lot to catch up on, you and I. Evardis is dead.”

 

Vegeta hmphed.

 

“The fool had it coming,” he said more to himself then to the Governor.

 

“So, what can I do for you?” he said and slowly walked down his massive thrown. A terrible hungry growl from Vegeta's tummy echoed in the room and the Governor stopped in his tracks. Then he let out a hearty laugh. Vegeta blushed slightly and waited for the Governor to finish.

 

“My family is in a crisis,” Vegeta finally said, “You were the closest living planet I knew that might be able to help us. There is a faceless person who has made it his pleasure to hunt us down. We are not planning on staying on Senord; we'll be endangering your people. He has destroyed my new home planet and we have merely escaped. We have no food and we don't know how long our space ship's fuel will last. This person is a great risk, not only to us, but to everyone else. We're asking for supplies so we can battle this new evil.”

 

“I see. Well what a considerate Prince you have become! I always knew you to be rather cold blooded, but I guess this changes you once you rid the universe of Freeza. Don't worry Prince Vegeta, my men will help you.”

 

For a moment nothing happened, and then two people walked into the throne room.

 

“Governor?” they asked.

 

“These people need some supplies. Be sure to take enough food from the Greenhouse to last them a good while. Ask them their fuel source,”

 

“It's carbon electricity,” Trunks filled in, “It's an electric core we invented, but it works like a battery. It will die out in three months.”

 

“I see, and who may this young man be?”

 

“My son,” Vegeta said, “And the man next to him is also Saiyan. He needs a new leg.”

 

“I can see that,” the Governor laughed friendly, “Don't worry about it; I'll have my scientists take care of it. Ehm,” he clicked a button on a gadget that was attached to his whole his am, “Skid, there is someone here who needs medical attention. Take him to our finest hospital immediately.”

 

From what looked like a teleporter a short man suddenly appeared and bowed. Then he walked towards Gohan and Trunks.

 

“Em, if you don't mind Governor,” Trunks began, “I'm an inventor, and…”

 

“A Saiyan inventor?! My my, times have changed, ay Vegeta? Well this is extraordinary! Well, what is your request young Saiyan?”

 

“I would like to be there when they make my friend's new leg.” Trunks said.

 

The governor smiled and nodded, “Of course, of course. Skid, let this young Saiyan see how we work on Senord. And, if he wishes, he may borrow some of our hardware? I'm sure you need something to keep you busy on your journey, young inventor!”

 

Trunks eyes widened in surprise, “Well, yes thanks!” he smiled, “I'd love some materials, thank you!” and to his father Trunks said telepathically, “He's really generous this new Governor. He must be scared shitless of you.”

 

`I killed Freeza didn't I?” Vegeta grinned.

 

“Well then,” the Governor finally reached the floor, “While you're waiting for the preparations for your journey Prince Vegeta, I think we should talk.”

 

****

 

If there's something Tilo noticed, it was that the poorer parts of Senord were very much like that of Earth. As he made it through several clean streets, he came to an alleyway and noticed that the further away from the city centre he walked, the poorer the areas became. He had more difficulty breathing, every step suddenly became too much of an effort. He knew that the gravity was the same as Earth's but even then it that shouldn't stop him.

 

He walked on, the smell getting worse, his breathing becoming more difficult. Finally, when the lights dimmed and the signs of dawn came, he stumbled onto a very poorly kept neighbourhood. The buildings were still tall, but paint was peeling off and litter scattered the streets. Giant rat creatures scurried in the dirt and homeless people in rags and skinny sheets for covers became more frequent. None of them wore the high-tech equipment and most of them had covered their mouths and noses with masks.

 

He rasped and clutched his throat. He must have breathed in too much toxin… He fell to his knees and wheezed and coughed.

 

“Hey,” a man said and Tilo looked up. He looked like he was in his 30's but there was an aging look in his eyes. He wore a plastic mask over his mouth and nose which looked a lot like a surgery mask. He handed a spare to Tilo. “Put it on. It helps a bit. You must be new.”

 

Tilo kept his hood as low as possible and smiled warmly, “Yeah, thanks,” he said and thanked the man for the mask. The man nodded and walked away. Tilo continued on, his breathing a little better then before, but he was disturbed by the amount of pollution in the air. Surely this thin mask didn't help much? How could all these people live? Soon enough, Tilo came to an alleyway as broad as a road and came across more homeless people crowding the street. It was busy, he noticed; a lot of people were walking out of their homes and going to work. Stalls were put up and beggers started cupping their hands to the more fortunate passers-by.

 

Tilo knew that he must have been walking for more then an hour, and already he felt that something was bizarre and chilling. Of all the faces he saw, all the shadows and crouching, people, none of them were children. Not once, had he seen a kid with a ball, or a baby in a woman's embrace. Even people his age, none were in sight. Every single person on this planet seemed to be over 30 years old…

 

“Can you believe the rumours?” a lady asked as she peeled what looked like a turnip and then ate it. Another lady shook her head, her sleek black hair dancing in front of her face as she did.

 

“There's a Saiyan in Egarots. And he's the Governor's guest.”

 

“What?!”

 

“Not just any Saiyan…” she tried to whisper but all could hear, “Prince Vegeta!”

 

Tilo felt his heart jump at the way she spat his name.

 

“No… that! That killer!”

 

Tilo's heart froze immediately. He had to hear this. What they were saying about his grandfather could not be true. Tilo escaped from the crowd and leaned against the wall, trying his best not to look like he was eavesdropping. He lowered his head and listened.

 

“What are you all worried about?” a stronger looking man suddenly interrupted, “Of coarse he should be the governor's guest! Vegeta was one of the Saiyans that killed Frieza! We should be grateful!”

 

There were murmurs of disapproval.

 

“Maybe you middle class zombies can believe every word the Governors tell you, but we won't! We've seen with our eyes, our sons and daughters have gone to fight against the Saiyans on their planets! They've seen the way the Saiyans treat people. They're all barbarians! No one had a chance! Can you even begin to imagine the things they did?”

 

There was a moment of silence.

 

“You know Saiyans have tails, don't you?” the older woman with long black hair said, “Whenever there was a full moon, they'd turn into giant monsters called the Oozaru. Every time that happened, they'd stomp their giant feet onto the planet and kill everything in sight. When they were done, they'd blow up the entire planet despite the please for mercy!”

 

“Yes, they did do all that, but Vegeta did kill Freeza! He freed the universe!”

 

The woman cackled. She drew her sleeve up and showed the man her stump for a hand.

 

“Vegeta and his men. They personally did this to me. They weren't warriors. They were KILLERS!”

 

Tilo knew he had heard enough. His heart shrivelled at every word as he imagined the insanity of his race. How were the Saiyans any better then the Voice or… or Scar? Tilo moved away from the wall and disappeared in the crowd. He wanted to go home. He didn't want to believe what he heard. He did not want to believe that he was part of a murdering race…

 

****

 

“Everdis was in league with Freeza. Our people would rather die then grant Freeza and Cooler our technology,” the Governor explained as he gave Vegeta a tour through the Ruling House, “The people overthrew him, and I was voted as the new Governor.”

 

“Makes sense,” Vegeta said as he ate the last of the large drumstick in his hand. A servant came and gave him a towel which he used to wipe his hands. Vegeta felt much better. “This happened after I killed Freeze, right?”

 

“That is correct.”

 

Vegeta spotted a population pyramid on the wall and the Governor stopped as well.

 

“Your population has gone down I see,” Vegeta pointed, “Why is that?”

 

“Well, really, it's very simple. As you might have noticed Senord is extremely polluted. Air in the city centre is the easiest and cleanest to breathe. That is because we installed a special force-field around the Ruling House and the surrounding area. Without the force-field, we'd all suffocate. That leads to the next problem. Keeping all this air is expensive and takes too much energy, and there's only a certain number of people who can breathe the air. Which is why I've abolished the birth of children.”

 

Vegeta stopped and stared at him.

 

“You did what? But, how on Earth are you going to,”

 

The Governor held his hand up and continued, “Of course, this poses a problem. With no births, our race will eventually die. But we have become so crowded that I cannot even afford to have five people breathing the air. You are very lucky indeed Vegeta; people further away from the city centre have to wear air masks to bear the smell! It's very difficult you understand… But, like all problems, there is a solution! My scientists invented an ageing potion. It's a chip and chemical that keeps us alive! Everyone on the planet has taken it!”

 

Vegeta tried to find his voice. The Governor was pleased at the Prince's reaction, “We are not immortal, of course. Eventually, we will die. There are people dying right now of old age, and when they do, their bodies are used for fuel, and one lucky woman gets picked to give birth to a healthy child. The ageing potion triples our life span!”

 

At this point Vegeta was feeling very disturbed. Just as he thought the Governor finished, he continued. He took Vegeta to several more rooms, showing off Senord's technology. He explained about the problems as you travelled away from the city centres, it mainly being crime, hacking, drugs and litter. He said that most of them had lost their jobs because of the robots. Low paying jobs like street sweepers, traffic directors and construction workers were all taken away by machines. This has forced many citizens living away from the city centre into a life of crime. He sighed at his misfortunes and took Vegeta to a balcony, allowing them to see Egarots spectacular view.

 

“The death rate has also fallen,” the Governor smiled, “Health is relatively affordable for most middle class citizens. Everyone can afford some air, water, food, but this of course, is a problem for the lower class citizens. There is still a large number of Senrod's population that cannot afford these basic needs.”

 

Vegeta hadn't said much anymore. The people were suffering and he was here eating their food.

 

He gazed at the view and realised just how much he missed the Earth.

 

Now, more then ever, did he want his beautiful home back.

 

 

****

 

Scar walked into one of the well known technical and medical stores on the black market to date in the Southern Galaxy. This place was the whole reason why he had come to Senord. It was a place kept well hidden from the authorities and competition, as well as other citizens that were violent and jealous enough to try and do them in. As Scar stepped in, he noticed a hacker with large black headphones covering his ears typing at his desk. He was surrounded by at least a dozen computer screens suspended on the wall; the whizzing of their monitors filled the room. Everything on the screens was in blue code. There was another room with a metal door and glass window. He could see a bed, surrounded by computers and robots at work.

 

So nothing much changed.

 

A man noticed his customer and came in greeting. He had a wide smile, with several teeth missing, and thin eyes. He had almost no black hair anymore. His clothes were greasy and had many pockets, each filled with stained gadgets. His hands were hugged with white lab gloves and yellow substance was dripping from them. His right eye was machine.

 

“What can I do for you?” he asked.

 

Scar took off his mask and hood violently and quickly breathed in the air.

 

“Oh Scar!” the man gasped and smiled, “I didn't recognise you under all that! It's been long! How long?”

 

Scar whipped his coat up and revealed his missing arm. The shop owner raised his eyebrow.

 

“Well, I see you've been fighting again, as usual. Why am I not surprised?”

 

“Can you fix it or not?”

 

“Can I fix it? Can I fix it? I'll give you an arm better then your last one.”

 

“I doubt that,” Scar said darkly, “the last one was courtesy of the Voice.”

 

The room was silent, all for the typing on the hacker's keyboard and his faint music in his mega earphones.

 

“So you did see him. And, did he have many shiny things?”

 

“Listen, I don't have time Screed!” Scar warned, “I still haven't finished what I started, and I definitely want to finish… what I've started.”

 

“Come right this way,” Screed guided. He took Scar to the operation room and asked him to lie down. He threw away his old gloves and strapped on new ones. He ordered Scar to take of his shirt and Scar listened. He tossed his top on the ground and lay down on the operation desk. The lights switched on. They were painfully bright. Scar squinted. The robots surrounded the desk and awaited orders.

 

“Okay boys, we're going to measure the size, capacity, strength, tolerance, and all that. Scar, I'm sorry but you have to be awake during the operation, it's the only way we can get the biochinetics to-”

 

“Just do it.” Scar interrupted angrily.

 

Screed pressed his lips together firmly and nodded.

 

“Right, you, 87-Y, pass me the syringe labelled four in that drawer. Drawer seven,” he pointed. He put on a mask and stretched his fingers. His face suddenly became very serious. The robot handed him the syringe and the shop owner looked at it carefully before piercing through Scar's skin and injecting him.

 

“This will numb the pain and keep your ki momentarily at bay,” he said, “It will also make you a little drowsy afterwards.”

 

He then strapped Scar tightly on the operation bed.

 

The operation began.

 

The procedure became worse as the seconds ticked by, and Scar couldn't remember feeling so much pain for so long. He screamed as they zapped him, his nerves screaming and burning within him. He reminded Screed when he managed to catch some breath that he had nano-parachinium-cells inside of him. The shop owner smiled as two assistant robots wiped away sweat from his brow and Scar's. He told Scar that the parachinium cells were an advantage to his operation. They were resisting the new machine like an anti-body resists bacteria, but they were slowly getting used to the intrusion and would soon fuse together with the new substance to become one.

 

“Possibly, the nana-p-cells will make you stronger.”

 

“GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Scar screamed during the final hour as his body writhed in pain. Finally, when it was over, his eyes rolled to the back of his head and his head dropped in a thud. The shop owner sighed in relief and began to clean the blood and leftover metal. He threw the stained towels in the laundry basket. One of the robots began to prepare a bill for Scar.

 

After a long moment when the owner dimmed the lights, Scar sat upright shaking. The drug was still full boost in him and he felt the dizziness take him. He looked at his new arm and moved it easily. It was silver, smooth, shiny and fast. For some reason, he preferred this one to the Voice's evil thing.

 

“Your ki senses will be numbed because of the drug,” the shop owner explained as he handed Scar the bill made of metal paper, “I know you've got quite a gift for sensing spirits, but you won't be able to in the next two hours. Also, I don't want you straining your arm too much.”

 

Scar looked at this receipt. “You want Saiyan blood in exchange for the operation?”

 

“You don't know how many people would pay for it! I could make a fortune!”

 

Scar put his shirt on and tucked the receipt away. He left his armour was on the floor, “Don't worry, I'll bring you a bucket full,” he said. Just as he was about to jump down and put his armour on, the hacker came storming into the room.

 

 

“Brother!” he shouted at the shop owner in a very womanly voice. Scar raised his eyebrow. Not only that, the hacker also had a very slim, curvy body under that coat and all those layers of clothes. Wait… that was a woman? Her earphones were hanging from her neck and she took her goggles off her face. She had long black hair and slim, deadly eyes on her beautiful face. “Why didn't you tell me Scar was here?”

 

“You know if you want Scar that would be considered molestation. You're seven years older then him. Probably more!” an agitated Screed sighed.

 

“Age is but a number. Besides, I know that Scar's age isn't true either, right?”

 

Scar sighed. He jumped off and walked to his armour, slowly picking it up and putting it on himself. Then he took his coat and wrapped it around him.

 

“You're leaving? Scar, when was the last time I looked at your face! You haven't even greeted me, what's wrong with you?”

 

“The Saiyans must be killed for what they've done. I cannot allow them to live.”

 

“That's all you keep talking about!” her lips suddenly pouted in anger, “When are we going to be together!”

 

“I'm not interested anymore.”

 

The room was awfully silent. The hacker's eyes widened as her heart froze. Her mouth was agape and she couldn't believe her ears.

 

“What?” she asked again, not sure whether she was dreaming, “You… you're not…”

 

“Yeah. There are more important things.”

 

He cracked his neck, the sound echoing in the room.

 

“Revenge?” she asked angrily.

 

“Yes.”

 

He walked passed her but not before stopping by her side. He saw the tears in her eyes. He slowly stretched his left arm over her perfect belly and she shuddered at his touch. He gave it a quick slide, “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear, and then walked out of the store.

 

Shutting the door behind him, Scar already forgot about her and put on his air mask. His eyes burnt with the fire of vengeance. He squeezed his hands into fists and continued down the alleyway…

 

There Tilo walked slowly on in the crowd. He couldn't believe what he heard. His strides were slow as he kept his head down from passers by. He did not want to reveal his shock? Anger? Shame? But this strategy of not looking up caused him to bump into civilians and they shouted angrily at him.

 

“Hey! Watch where you're going!” they shoved him back and Tilo apologised. Guess he had no choice but to look up. He tightened his air mask. He was worried that his blue eyes were reflecting his soul, but he had no choice. He lowered his hood as much as possible. He had to watch where he was going...

 

…Scar looked ahead. What was all the commotion about? A man was shoved and he apologised. The man came closer. Scar shrugged. They guy must be drunk.

 

Tilo continued walking, coming ever closer to Scar. Scar continued walking too. They were but two meters apart… their eyes met; one pair black, one pair blue. The next second, the connection was gone and both walked on continued on, neither realising the other.

 

****

 

“I hope you weren't too bored while waiting Prince Vegeta,” the Governor said as he sat back on his throne. Vegeta smiled, “No. It was very interesting. Thank you for you hospitality.”

 

“No, thank you for your visit! It was an honour! Your son is still repairing the other Saiyan's leg I heard. But in any case, we will depart here! I wish you all the luck in the world!”

 

Vegeta nodded. He turned and the guards behind him slowly closed the throne room's doors.

 

The Governor sighed with a smile on his face. He sat his plump self back on his throne and snapped his finger. The lights dimmed. His eyes drifted shut slowly… a nap was exactly what he needed…

 

“Gah!”

 

Somebody grabbed him at the back of the neck and the Governor cried out suddenly. Nails dug into his skin and blood dripped down his attacker's fingertips.

 

“Hello Governor…” someone whispered in his ear.

 

The Governor panicked and cried out, “Guards! Guards!”

 

The doors opened and the guards' bodies fell to the floor. From the shadows two more people with horrible smiles and evil in their eyes stepped into the thrown room casually. The governor looked behind him. His attacker looked like a human, had red flaming spiky hair, and armour the governor had never seen before. He had icy blue eyes and a smile that stretched further to the corner of his ears. His grip was like steel on the Governor's neck.

 

“The Voice has ordered the execution of the Saiyans,” he rasped, “He does not want them messing up his plan. And you're messing up his plans, you dick!”

 

The Governor shook in fear and held his hands up for mercy, “I don't know what you're talking about! I've never met the Voice!”

 

“Yeah, I know. I'm his right hand man. Was that to slow for you? Let me repeat: I'm - his - right-hand - man.”

 

The two henchmen at the bottom of the throne room laughed.

 

Suddenly the red-head let the Governor go. The governor fell to his feet. With shaky fingers he touched his hot blood on his neck. He looked at it in shock.

 

“All the machines on this planet are going to get infected by the Voice's virus. Any Saiyan on this planet will get killed instantly.”

 

The Governor looked up, “You're crazy! That's impossible! A machine can't kill a Saiyan!”

 

The man grabbed the Governor's head again and pushed it roughly against the wall. “That's what Scar thought too. And that bitch got killed on Earth by the Voice's machine!”

 

With one final pull, the attacker smiled, “The hunt will begin in one minute.” With that, he smashed the governor's head against the wall, breaking him like an egg. The blood splattered out and slid down the wall.

 

“Let's go,” the henchman said, “Our business here is finished.”

 

****

 

Outside the Ruling House Vegeta walked back into the NS 5000. He was greeted by Bulma whose tummy was growling loudly. Goten almost crawled towards Vegeta, “Can we leave now! I'm starving!”

 

“Everything's on board,” Bulma said, “Where's Trunks and Gohan?”

 

“Still working,” Vegeta said.

 

Videl held a sigh. The whole time she had been praying for Gohan's safety. She hoped he would be ok. Chibi Trunks and Goten whined loudly, “Can we unpack some of that food! Chi Chi said she would begin cooking as soon as we turned the power on!”

 

“I'll help!” Videl said and she disappeared with chibi Goten and Trunks in the ship.

 

Vegeta eyed Picollo. Without having to be asked, Picollo said, “I still have a bad feeling about all this.”

 

****

 

The first sign of the robots acting crazy was in Screed's store. His assistants suddenly jerked and danced and Screed's sister cried out, “A virus! Brother, look!” she pointed at one of her screens.

 

Screed squinted and then cried out as the robot's eyes glowed red and jumped out of the store. They were speeding towards Tilo's direction. Every other robot in the city began to vibrate and jerk.

 

Tilo looked around him.

 

“Gah!” he got shot in the shoulder. Blood oozed from his wound. He looked round. Everywhere, robots were speeding towards him, knocking down passers-by in their way. Tilo knew when something bad was about to happen. He braced himself. Anther robot shot at him and he dodged it. But the shot went through several people behind him, killing them instantly. They had no ki, these machines, but the force of that blast was enough to kill Tilo.

 

He knew that. He knew that.

 

“Shit!” he jumped in the air and hovered up high, “What now?!”

 

“Tilo!” it was King Kai. Tilo looked up in the air in amazement, “King Kai!” he called.

 

“Boy, get back to the ship! Do you know how long it took me to find you people! I'm telling you, this static is spreading across the universe! It's getting harder to communicate!”

 

`Gotcha!” Tilo nodded and powered up. Quickly, he raced past buildings and he caught sight of the Ruling House rising in the distance. But all around him, more robots were going hay-wire. They jumped in the air after him and shot him from all directions.

 

“Fuck…” Tilo swore and went to Super Saiyan, smacking most beams out of the way. He cursed again when his arm got burnt. Powering up as much as he could, Tilo shot in the distance, ignoring most of the destruction the robots left in their wake…

 

****

 

With a half-finished leg, Gohan and Trunks realised it was time to go. Crying hysterically in their minds, King Kai warned them to leave the planet immediately, saying something about the Voice's machines finding them. Skid pushed a large trolley full of spare parts into the NS 5000. The engines roared as Videl took Gohan over from Trunks. Trunks paused and felt a familiar ki.

 

“No…” he whispered.

 

“Trunks, get in! Pulla's planning on leaving! We have to go; you heard what King Kai said!'

 

“TRUNKS!” Picollo yelled. Trunks snapped out his thoughts. He ran into the space ship and began searching for Tilo. He knew that he had detected his son's ki in the distance, but that could not be true! Could it?

 

“Trunks!” Vegeta growled when they met on deck, “Fool, what are you doing!”

 

“Tilo…” Trunks gasped, “Dad, I can't find him! Darn it! That boy, what am I going to do with him?!”

 

The ship was in the air and the familiar blue flames burnt from its majestic engines. Pulla clicked in some co-ordinates which she memorised from Bulma and waited patiently.

 

“I knew something was wrong…” Picollo said with his arms crossed. Suddenly, in the distance, behind a crackling golden form, a league of machines rose in the air. As the form came closer everyone aboard recognised him as Tilo and Trunks growled. Tilo had sweat dripping from his brow as he tried to evade blasts from robots of different forms and sizes. Pulla quickly opened the hatch for her son to fly into. He managed to just in time and she closed it once again. She then turned the ship round as fast as she could, the machines coming closer and closer, their beams deadlier. With one final thrust, she warned everyone to hold on, and she blasted out of Senord's atmosphere, forever.

 

****

 

Please Note: I'll be going on holiday (yay!) as from the 29th of June until August and where I'm going I doubt there'll be any Internet, so I won't be able to update until then. But don't despair! Hopefully by the time I'm back Nova Celestia (Part II) will be finished for your reading pleasure! So until then, please don't lose interest in this story, because it has just begun!