Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Lost and Found II: Lavender Blues ❯ Searching for the Base ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: StarbearerTM 
Trunks and Vegeta search the abandoned base that Vegeta discovered, only to find something still alive...
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.02.2006 | Updated On: 03.02.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 365 | Status: Work In Progress
Trunks and Vegeta search the abandoned base that Vegeta discovered, only to find something still alive...
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.02.2006 | Updated On: 03.02.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 365 | Status: Work In Progress
Like a Father To His Son
Chapter 2 Father and Son Check out the Red Ribbon Base
(Formerly Chapter 40 of Royal Line Blues)
***
"So," Trunks said. "Let me get this straight, you met up with Goku's brother's spirit in Hell… when you died after Frieza killed you…"
"Yes, boy," said Vegeta, dabbing his face off with a napkin. Bulma shook her head, pressing it into her hands.
"Mom, you okay?" Trunks asked.
"Just when I thought this couldn't be ANY weirder, I get this… Vegeta… this is nuts!"
"I didn't expect you to believe it Woman, it's as absurd as anything. You think I wanted to admit to ANYONE that I got a tip from HELL?" Vegeta snorted.
"Could be worse," said Trunks. "But let me get you something to drink Mom."
"I need a beer," Bulma groaned.
"Not with the baby," Vegeta snapped. Trunks shrugged and got up. He wandered over to the fridge and instantly reached for the milk without asking. Vegeta noted this with extreme interest, especially when Trunks fished out a glass from the second cupboard over, then filled it. The handle of his sword partly obscured his profile as he turned, then sat down with the glass of milk in his extended hand.
"Here Mom…"
"Thanks," she mumbled, taking it from Trunks. He reached over to rest a hand on her shoulder, rubbing it. Vegeta sighed dramatically, cursing in Saiyago.
"Father, really, it's not THAT bad," Trunks said. Vegeta almost spewed another mouthful of coffee over Bulma at the sound of Trunks.
"You… know Saiyanese… but HOW!" Vegeta stammered.
"Father, please, I AM smart," Trunks rolled his eyes, causing Bulma to giggle. Milk dribbled out her nose, before she clamped her hand over it.
"Great Galaxy, I give up. My family is fucked up," Vegeta mumbled, banging his head against the table.
"That's the first time you called us your family," Bulma said, wiping off her nose. "Geta-chan… sometimes you amaze me…"
"SOMETIMES? Really, women… who the hell do you think I am? Kakkarot?" Vegeta spluttered. Trunks snickered, then hid his laughter behind his hand.
"What's so funny?" Vegeta glared at him.
"Sorry… it's just… being here… it's incredible… you two in the same room… I never though I'd see the day…" Trunks snickered, trying to keep from laughing.
"He laughs just as goofy as you do, woman," Vegeta frowned. "Damn it!"
"Well his pissed off face looks like YOU," Bulma glared back.
"Mother, Father… please…" Trunks said, holding up his hands. "This is cool and all, but what are we going to do about the androids? Does anyone have a plan?"
"Yes. We go kick their asses," Vegeta said.
"I think he means a more concrete plan, Vegeta," Bulma rolled her eyes.
"Do you have any BETTER ideas, genius?" Vegeta snorted.
"I say we go find their bases and destroy them!" said Trunks.
"Hey Vegeta, what about that red ribbon base where we found that craft… why didn't we think to look for androids THERE?" asked Bulma.
"Red Ribbon base?" Trunks spluttered.
"Where do you think we got that ship?" asked Vegeta.
"Father, take me there, now, please," Trunks said quickly. "This might be the chance we need."
"Very well boy, if only to shut you up," said Vegeta. "Woman, stay here where it's safe…"
"Damn it!" Bulma snorted.
"What you're carrying is precious to me," Vegeta glared at her. "Now do as you're told!"
"He's right Mom," said Trunks, gently kissing her cheek. "Please?"
"Men," she snorted, watching Trunks grab the dishes and pile them into the sink as Vegeta walked over to bite Bulma's ear.
"Stay PUT," he hissed, then stormed out. Grabbing his armor he raced out.
"Coming Father," said Trunks, rushing out of the kitchen.
Bulma shook her head, groaning. "I can't believe it. This is insane."
***
"See if you can keep up with me, Brat!" Vegeta shouted as he rocketed into the air. Trunks streaked after him, both father and son trailing identical tails of blue ki.
"The question is, Father, can you keep up with me?" Trunks laughed, letting out more speed. He blazed past Vegeta, laughing.
"You want to play that way, huh? Well, let's just SEE if you can go the distance," Vegeta grumbled, both annoyed and surprised at Trunks moxy. That boy could only be his, he thought, watching as he flared his ki and rattled the windows of west Central city below. Both Father and Son slashed into the air, reaching Mach 1 and surpassing it.
People glanced out of their windows, gasping at the blazing twin comets splitting the sky. Several members of the MUFON called the switchboards to report UFOS that day.
Trunks laughed, dodging around peaks and mountains before Vegeta overtook him. "Come on boy, I've traveled on galactic SLUDGE faster then you!"
"Wanna bet?" Trunks laughed, matching his Father's pace identically. Vegeta allowed himself a small smile, watching Trunks's face blister with sweat.
Finally they streaked out over the ocean. Blue waves broke and fell with regularity, turning into a blue floor mirroring a lighter sky. Clouds burst past them, leaving great streaks in their wake. To his left Trunks spotted the shape of an island blowing up fast. Vegeta dropped his speed, and then Trunks did the same an instant later.
"There it is… the island where I found the Red Ribbon ship," Vegeta nodded his head.
"Damn," Trunks whispered. "It's not the base where Dr. Gero was… but it's a similar one."
"Let's see how well you can mask your ki, boy," said Vegeta, flaring his envelope to nothing. He plummeted towards the island, then hovered just ten feet above.
Trunks did the same, glancing back and forth. He pulled out his sword, holding it at the ready. Vegeta nodded, then touched his white boots down on the soil in a clearing. Yellow boots landed ten feet from him. Onyx eyes regarded sapphire ones, set in identical frowns. Pushing aside lavender locks, Trunks waited for Vegeta to lead the way.
"Here," Vegeta's voice echoed in his mind.
"Right, sir," Trunks nodded, sending a clear thought cast that impressed the prince.
"This is where your mother and I found the ship…" Vegeta pointed out, striding up to the great gaping maw of the cavern. However the door was no longer ajar. He glanced to Trunks, then slowly raised his hand.
"Father, wait," Trunks said. "Let me go first…"
"As you wish, brat," Vegeta shrugged. "Whatever…"
Trunks carefully thrust his sword in between the door and the ledge. He levered it open, causing the massive metal door to creak apart. He eased himself through the gap, then motioned to Vegeta. Grunting, Vegeta squeezed through the crack, almost losing his armor in the process. Once inside, he raised his white gloved hand to generate a blue glow to light their way. Trunks held two fingers of his left hand to do the same.
"Right this way, boy," Vegeta, said. "See anything familiar?"
"It looks like this isn't the base… but yet there's a lot in common with the one in my mom's records," Trunks said quietly.
"I found the prototype this way," Vegeta said, motioning for Trunks to follow him towards the hangar. Dead silence faced them, and neither sensed any ki other than local animals making their way in this abandoned base.
Dust coated Vegeta's finger when he ran it down a console. Glancing at the accumulation on his white glove, he snorted. "This hasn't been touched in six months. Since I was last here."
"It's some aeronautics division. I see where they had the craft… this is the main computer," Trunks muttered, sitting down behind the console and cracking his knuckles.
"Be careful brat," Vegeta snorted, glancing over his shoulder.
"Please, my mom wrote the book on hacking," he said, punching keys. The system flared on, to their amazement. Vegeta saw Trunks effectively hacking his way into the system, bringing up various menus.
"I'm not even going to ask," Vegeta mumbled, seeing Trunks type in a password.
"Here's the latest projects. I'm looking to see if there's any mention of Dr. Gero…" Trunks said. "Here… it's not HERE… but it says that this base was for Project 23… a deep space operation based on seized prototypes out in West Province 439."
"That's where Kakkarot lives," said Vegeta, folding his arms across his chest. "They did find his space pod."
"But here's something else. They found the body of an alien about twenty years later… apparently it had been buried near a large crater."
"WHAT?" Vegeta spluttered.
"Yes… look here… the body of a large humanoid, seven feet tall has been confiscated and placed into a preservative mixture. Remains of a large pod craft resembling the first were retrieved, and confirmed. The species was said to be remotely hominid. Freshly dead, but still viable."
"Move over!" Vegeta snorted then saw the pictures of someone familiar. "Damn… how in the HELL did they get their hands on him?"
"Father, that subject is STILL HERE," said Trunks. "It's a Saiyan, isn't it?"
"Unbelievable. What level?" asked Vegeta.
"Level 23," said Trunks.
"Let's go," said Vegeta. "Dr. Gero can wait!"
Blue glows illuminated the large facility many levels down. A gleaming blade slashed its way with a blue line through the doors opening onto the Specimen holding facility. Trunks shoved the door open, then stepped inside. Vegeta levitated nearby, glancing left and right in the light from his own ki ball. Large vats pulsed and bubbled, the power still minimally operational.
"Unreal… it's like… the tanks the Artificial humans were grown in," said Trunks.
"But these are for preserving specimens," said Vegeta, glancing around. A sick feeling came in his stomach, remembering Bok Choi's gallery.
"Father, are you all right?" asked Trunks, watching Vegeta's face grow pale while they walked among the tanks.
"Mind your own business, boy," Vegeta snapped, wandering around. Large dinosaurs floated in some of the nutrient baths. Still others contained the remains of other creatures found from tar pits. . Each had a small mini keypad screen flashing with various labels.
"I found it," said Trunks, rubbing the dust off a label in front of a cylindrical tank. Inside floated a tall figure, gently drifting in the liquid. He punched a key, illuminating a screen that shone light in a blue nutrient bath.
Vegeta promptly held his hands over his mouth, gagging at the sight of a Saiyan male floating there. Long hair undulated like an undersea plant. His eyes were closed as if in sleep, while a gaping chest wound was slowly scabbed over. Immediately Vegeta rushed to the side, heaving as he retched the contents of his stomach.
"Father?" asked Trunks, rushing over to where Vegeta huddled on his hands and knees.
"Go away… leave me alone! I don't' need your help!" Vegeta gasped, tasting the bile of his vomit.
"Father, it's all right, I won't tell anyone you hurled," Trunks said softly, reaching into his jacket. He pulled out his box of capsules, selecting one and throwing it down. Smoke cleared, revealing the same fridge he had used before. He fished out a bottle of water then opened it, wetting a cloth and dabbing his father's face off.
"Those bastards… I swear by the Legendary Super Saiyan that they'll PAY for this," Vegeta stammered.
"Easy Father. I'm here… relax," Trunks said, helping Vegeta sit down. Shakily Vegeta heaved his breath, letting Trunks wipe off his face. He swirled some water in his mouth, spitting out the awful taste.
"They... that's Raditz," said Vegeta, voice choked with anger. "One of my own warriors in a lab like a fricking SPECIMINE!"
"I'm sorry Father… I didn't know," said Trunks.
"We need to take him away with us. Give him a proper Saiyan burial," said Vegeta. "Can you encapsulate this holding tank?"
"Yes I think," said Trunks, glancing at it. "But are you sure you want to do that?"
"Damn it yes!"
"Well, we never encapsulated a living being before, that's all," Trunks scratched his head dubiously.
"He's DEAD, you moron!" Vegeta spat, climbing to his feet. "This is a morgue! A museum for sick ningens to look at dead specimens!"
"But Father… these aren't tanks filled with preservatives… these are tanks that hold specimens under suspended animation," Trunks said, glancing at the keypads.
"WHAT?" Vegeta stammered leaning heavily on Trunks as his knees gave out.
"I don't think we should encapsulate him. Because he's still alive," said Trunks.
"Impossible," Vegeta gasped.
***
Back in HFIL, Raditz and his mate had spent much of the years getting to know one another again. They lay intertwined in the mists of time, on a blanket provided by the one horned t shirted demons. By force of will they conjured away armor, knowing that while they were dead, they still wanted to preserve some patterns of life.
"So that's the story?" Raditz said quietly, holding his mate in his arms.
"I'm sorry, but that's the sum total of 20 years," said Tomakt, gently stroking his hair. He leaned over and nipped her ear.
"I wish I was there. Now we know the score, what do we do?" Raditz asked, twining his legs with hers. Their tails wrapped around each other's waists.
"Well considering what we've been doing lately… if we were alive we'd have almost repopulated most of the Saiyan race," she teased, rubbing his chest.
Suddenly her hand went through it. She gasped, looking up at him. One second he faded out, the next he was still there. Blinking at her, he gasped, "What's going on?"
"You faded away… for a moment…"
"Impossible…"
Out of the mists two figures strode, one carrying a clipboard. He pushed glasses up his nose, flipping through papers while his comrade cracked his knuckles. Tomakt sat up, with Raditz blocking their view of his mate's body. He grunted, summoning his armor in a force of will. Tomakt did the same seconds later.
"What do you want?" Raditz asked, pulling her to stand up next to him in the mists.
"Excuse me, Raditz-san and wife?" asked the shorter skinnier demon. Instead of a t-shirt bearing HELL on it in black letters like his partner, he wore a button up shirt and tie. To humans he would resemble a pencil-pushing executive.
"Who wants to know?" Raditz asked. "And she's my MATE."
"Same difference," the demon said, waving his hand. The larger demon, as burly and tall as Nappa folded his arms across his wide chest, obscuring the HELL lettering on his t-shirt.
"Haven't we been through this before? We've got all we need, thank you," said Tomakt. "You treat us well for people in HELL…"
"This is the upper level of Hell, for those who aren't so totally evil. Which means you two. You're more towards self serving now, misguided," said the demon.
"What's your name again?" Tomakt asked as Raditz growled.
"Harvey," he said. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Raditz…"
"The name is Tomakt," she said with a grumble. "We're not humans…"
"Obviously," he said, glancing at their tails which threshed back and forth.
"What do you want?" Raditz grunted, pushing Tomakt behind him. He didn't like how the larger demon was undressing her with his eyes.
"You've been granted parole. Apparently someone brought your body back to life with special nanotechnology to study you…"
"WHAT?" Raditz gasped. "HOW?"
"It's a 51EX, or reanimation by experimentation," said Harvey, scanning the clipboard.
"But that means he's going to be brought back?" asked Tomakt. "That's GREAT!"
"No it isn't! I want to stay HERE," Raditz grunted. "With her!"
"Well, she's going too," said Harvey.
"How?"
"It seems that you weren't totally dead either. Apparently some of your friends on Idsarsei 7 found out that the Prince was back, and they took you out of suspended animation… thawed you out… because you weren't really killed… you were just part of Bok Choi's collection that they bought back from the museum on Archalisei… so you're being animated as we speak… by Princess Mandarin…"
"But that means…" she gasped.
"Yes. You're both getting a second chance. Now if you'll step this way… we'll show you to King Yemma's place and we'll get you back to your bodies…"
"Wait, Idsarsei 7 is light years from earth!" Raditz complained.
"Sorry, best we can do…" said Harvey. "Now let's not waste time. You're going BACK… it's not every time this happens…"
"Raditz, we're going to be alive!"
"You'd better get your ass on a pod and come to Earth!" Raditz said as he grasped her up and whirled her around.
"Ahem… this way…" Harvey coughed. Raditz grasped his mate's hand, and rushed after the two demons, not knowing what to expect. But thanking fate and whatever gods there were that there was another chance.
***
Chapter 2 Father and Son Check out the Red Ribbon Base
(Formerly Chapter 40 of Royal Line Blues)
***
"So," Trunks said. "Let me get this straight, you met up with Goku's brother's spirit in Hell… when you died after Frieza killed you…"
"Yes, boy," said Vegeta, dabbing his face off with a napkin. Bulma shook her head, pressing it into her hands.
"Mom, you okay?" Trunks asked.
"Just when I thought this couldn't be ANY weirder, I get this… Vegeta… this is nuts!"
"I didn't expect you to believe it Woman, it's as absurd as anything. You think I wanted to admit to ANYONE that I got a tip from HELL?" Vegeta snorted.
"Could be worse," said Trunks. "But let me get you something to drink Mom."
"I need a beer," Bulma groaned.
"Not with the baby," Vegeta snapped. Trunks shrugged and got up. He wandered over to the fridge and instantly reached for the milk without asking. Vegeta noted this with extreme interest, especially when Trunks fished out a glass from the second cupboard over, then filled it. The handle of his sword partly obscured his profile as he turned, then sat down with the glass of milk in his extended hand.
"Here Mom…"
"Thanks," she mumbled, taking it from Trunks. He reached over to rest a hand on her shoulder, rubbing it. Vegeta sighed dramatically, cursing in Saiyago.
"Father, really, it's not THAT bad," Trunks said. Vegeta almost spewed another mouthful of coffee over Bulma at the sound of Trunks.
"You… know Saiyanese… but HOW!" Vegeta stammered.
"Father, please, I AM smart," Trunks rolled his eyes, causing Bulma to giggle. Milk dribbled out her nose, before she clamped her hand over it.
"Great Galaxy, I give up. My family is fucked up," Vegeta mumbled, banging his head against the table.
"That's the first time you called us your family," Bulma said, wiping off her nose. "Geta-chan… sometimes you amaze me…"
"SOMETIMES? Really, women… who the hell do you think I am? Kakkarot?" Vegeta spluttered. Trunks snickered, then hid his laughter behind his hand.
"What's so funny?" Vegeta glared at him.
"Sorry… it's just… being here… it's incredible… you two in the same room… I never though I'd see the day…" Trunks snickered, trying to keep from laughing.
"He laughs just as goofy as you do, woman," Vegeta frowned. "Damn it!"
"Well his pissed off face looks like YOU," Bulma glared back.
"Mother, Father… please…" Trunks said, holding up his hands. "This is cool and all, but what are we going to do about the androids? Does anyone have a plan?"
"Yes. We go kick their asses," Vegeta said.
"I think he means a more concrete plan, Vegeta," Bulma rolled her eyes.
"Do you have any BETTER ideas, genius?" Vegeta snorted.
"I say we go find their bases and destroy them!" said Trunks.
"Hey Vegeta, what about that red ribbon base where we found that craft… why didn't we think to look for androids THERE?" asked Bulma.
"Red Ribbon base?" Trunks spluttered.
"Where do you think we got that ship?" asked Vegeta.
"Father, take me there, now, please," Trunks said quickly. "This might be the chance we need."
"Very well boy, if only to shut you up," said Vegeta. "Woman, stay here where it's safe…"
"Damn it!" Bulma snorted.
"What you're carrying is precious to me," Vegeta glared at her. "Now do as you're told!"
"He's right Mom," said Trunks, gently kissing her cheek. "Please?"
"Men," she snorted, watching Trunks grab the dishes and pile them into the sink as Vegeta walked over to bite Bulma's ear.
"Stay PUT," he hissed, then stormed out. Grabbing his armor he raced out.
"Coming Father," said Trunks, rushing out of the kitchen.
Bulma shook her head, groaning. "I can't believe it. This is insane."
***
"See if you can keep up with me, Brat!" Vegeta shouted as he rocketed into the air. Trunks streaked after him, both father and son trailing identical tails of blue ki.
"The question is, Father, can you keep up with me?" Trunks laughed, letting out more speed. He blazed past Vegeta, laughing.
"You want to play that way, huh? Well, let's just SEE if you can go the distance," Vegeta grumbled, both annoyed and surprised at Trunks moxy. That boy could only be his, he thought, watching as he flared his ki and rattled the windows of west Central city below. Both Father and Son slashed into the air, reaching Mach 1 and surpassing it.
People glanced out of their windows, gasping at the blazing twin comets splitting the sky. Several members of the MUFON called the switchboards to report UFOS that day.
Trunks laughed, dodging around peaks and mountains before Vegeta overtook him. "Come on boy, I've traveled on galactic SLUDGE faster then you!"
"Wanna bet?" Trunks laughed, matching his Father's pace identically. Vegeta allowed himself a small smile, watching Trunks's face blister with sweat.
Finally they streaked out over the ocean. Blue waves broke and fell with regularity, turning into a blue floor mirroring a lighter sky. Clouds burst past them, leaving great streaks in their wake. To his left Trunks spotted the shape of an island blowing up fast. Vegeta dropped his speed, and then Trunks did the same an instant later.
"There it is… the island where I found the Red Ribbon ship," Vegeta nodded his head.
"Damn," Trunks whispered. "It's not the base where Dr. Gero was… but it's a similar one."
"Let's see how well you can mask your ki, boy," said Vegeta, flaring his envelope to nothing. He plummeted towards the island, then hovered just ten feet above.
Trunks did the same, glancing back and forth. He pulled out his sword, holding it at the ready. Vegeta nodded, then touched his white boots down on the soil in a clearing. Yellow boots landed ten feet from him. Onyx eyes regarded sapphire ones, set in identical frowns. Pushing aside lavender locks, Trunks waited for Vegeta to lead the way.
"Here," Vegeta's voice echoed in his mind.
"Right, sir," Trunks nodded, sending a clear thought cast that impressed the prince.
"This is where your mother and I found the ship…" Vegeta pointed out, striding up to the great gaping maw of the cavern. However the door was no longer ajar. He glanced to Trunks, then slowly raised his hand.
"Father, wait," Trunks said. "Let me go first…"
"As you wish, brat," Vegeta shrugged. "Whatever…"
Trunks carefully thrust his sword in between the door and the ledge. He levered it open, causing the massive metal door to creak apart. He eased himself through the gap, then motioned to Vegeta. Grunting, Vegeta squeezed through the crack, almost losing his armor in the process. Once inside, he raised his white gloved hand to generate a blue glow to light their way. Trunks held two fingers of his left hand to do the same.
"Right this way, boy," Vegeta, said. "See anything familiar?"
"It looks like this isn't the base… but yet there's a lot in common with the one in my mom's records," Trunks said quietly.
"I found the prototype this way," Vegeta said, motioning for Trunks to follow him towards the hangar. Dead silence faced them, and neither sensed any ki other than local animals making their way in this abandoned base.
Dust coated Vegeta's finger when he ran it down a console. Glancing at the accumulation on his white glove, he snorted. "This hasn't been touched in six months. Since I was last here."
"It's some aeronautics division. I see where they had the craft… this is the main computer," Trunks muttered, sitting down behind the console and cracking his knuckles.
"Be careful brat," Vegeta snorted, glancing over his shoulder.
"Please, my mom wrote the book on hacking," he said, punching keys. The system flared on, to their amazement. Vegeta saw Trunks effectively hacking his way into the system, bringing up various menus.
"I'm not even going to ask," Vegeta mumbled, seeing Trunks type in a password.
"Here's the latest projects. I'm looking to see if there's any mention of Dr. Gero…" Trunks said. "Here… it's not HERE… but it says that this base was for Project 23… a deep space operation based on seized prototypes out in West Province 439."
"That's where Kakkarot lives," said Vegeta, folding his arms across his chest. "They did find his space pod."
"But here's something else. They found the body of an alien about twenty years later… apparently it had been buried near a large crater."
"WHAT?" Vegeta spluttered.
"Yes… look here… the body of a large humanoid, seven feet tall has been confiscated and placed into a preservative mixture. Remains of a large pod craft resembling the first were retrieved, and confirmed. The species was said to be remotely hominid. Freshly dead, but still viable."
"Move over!" Vegeta snorted then saw the pictures of someone familiar. "Damn… how in the HELL did they get their hands on him?"
"Father, that subject is STILL HERE," said Trunks. "It's a Saiyan, isn't it?"
"Unbelievable. What level?" asked Vegeta.
"Level 23," said Trunks.
"Let's go," said Vegeta. "Dr. Gero can wait!"
Blue glows illuminated the large facility many levels down. A gleaming blade slashed its way with a blue line through the doors opening onto the Specimen holding facility. Trunks shoved the door open, then stepped inside. Vegeta levitated nearby, glancing left and right in the light from his own ki ball. Large vats pulsed and bubbled, the power still minimally operational.
"Unreal… it's like… the tanks the Artificial humans were grown in," said Trunks.
"But these are for preserving specimens," said Vegeta, glancing around. A sick feeling came in his stomach, remembering Bok Choi's gallery.
"Father, are you all right?" asked Trunks, watching Vegeta's face grow pale while they walked among the tanks.
"Mind your own business, boy," Vegeta snapped, wandering around. Large dinosaurs floated in some of the nutrient baths. Still others contained the remains of other creatures found from tar pits. . Each had a small mini keypad screen flashing with various labels.
"I found it," said Trunks, rubbing the dust off a label in front of a cylindrical tank. Inside floated a tall figure, gently drifting in the liquid. He punched a key, illuminating a screen that shone light in a blue nutrient bath.
Vegeta promptly held his hands over his mouth, gagging at the sight of a Saiyan male floating there. Long hair undulated like an undersea plant. His eyes were closed as if in sleep, while a gaping chest wound was slowly scabbed over. Immediately Vegeta rushed to the side, heaving as he retched the contents of his stomach.
"Father?" asked Trunks, rushing over to where Vegeta huddled on his hands and knees.
"Go away… leave me alone! I don't' need your help!" Vegeta gasped, tasting the bile of his vomit.
"Father, it's all right, I won't tell anyone you hurled," Trunks said softly, reaching into his jacket. He pulled out his box of capsules, selecting one and throwing it down. Smoke cleared, revealing the same fridge he had used before. He fished out a bottle of water then opened it, wetting a cloth and dabbing his father's face off.
"Those bastards… I swear by the Legendary Super Saiyan that they'll PAY for this," Vegeta stammered.
"Easy Father. I'm here… relax," Trunks said, helping Vegeta sit down. Shakily Vegeta heaved his breath, letting Trunks wipe off his face. He swirled some water in his mouth, spitting out the awful taste.
"They... that's Raditz," said Vegeta, voice choked with anger. "One of my own warriors in a lab like a fricking SPECIMINE!"
"I'm sorry Father… I didn't know," said Trunks.
"We need to take him away with us. Give him a proper Saiyan burial," said Vegeta. "Can you encapsulate this holding tank?"
"Yes I think," said Trunks, glancing at it. "But are you sure you want to do that?"
"Damn it yes!"
"Well, we never encapsulated a living being before, that's all," Trunks scratched his head dubiously.
"He's DEAD, you moron!" Vegeta spat, climbing to his feet. "This is a morgue! A museum for sick ningens to look at dead specimens!"
"But Father… these aren't tanks filled with preservatives… these are tanks that hold specimens under suspended animation," Trunks said, glancing at the keypads.
"WHAT?" Vegeta stammered leaning heavily on Trunks as his knees gave out.
"I don't think we should encapsulate him. Because he's still alive," said Trunks.
"Impossible," Vegeta gasped.
***
Back in HFIL, Raditz and his mate had spent much of the years getting to know one another again. They lay intertwined in the mists of time, on a blanket provided by the one horned t shirted demons. By force of will they conjured away armor, knowing that while they were dead, they still wanted to preserve some patterns of life.
"So that's the story?" Raditz said quietly, holding his mate in his arms.
"I'm sorry, but that's the sum total of 20 years," said Tomakt, gently stroking his hair. He leaned over and nipped her ear.
"I wish I was there. Now we know the score, what do we do?" Raditz asked, twining his legs with hers. Their tails wrapped around each other's waists.
"Well considering what we've been doing lately… if we were alive we'd have almost repopulated most of the Saiyan race," she teased, rubbing his chest.
Suddenly her hand went through it. She gasped, looking up at him. One second he faded out, the next he was still there. Blinking at her, he gasped, "What's going on?"
"You faded away… for a moment…"
"Impossible…"
Out of the mists two figures strode, one carrying a clipboard. He pushed glasses up his nose, flipping through papers while his comrade cracked his knuckles. Tomakt sat up, with Raditz blocking their view of his mate's body. He grunted, summoning his armor in a force of will. Tomakt did the same seconds later.
"What do you want?" Raditz asked, pulling her to stand up next to him in the mists.
"Excuse me, Raditz-san and wife?" asked the shorter skinnier demon. Instead of a t-shirt bearing HELL on it in black letters like his partner, he wore a button up shirt and tie. To humans he would resemble a pencil-pushing executive.
"Who wants to know?" Raditz asked. "And she's my MATE."
"Same difference," the demon said, waving his hand. The larger demon, as burly and tall as Nappa folded his arms across his wide chest, obscuring the HELL lettering on his t-shirt.
"Haven't we been through this before? We've got all we need, thank you," said Tomakt. "You treat us well for people in HELL…"
"This is the upper level of Hell, for those who aren't so totally evil. Which means you two. You're more towards self serving now, misguided," said the demon.
"What's your name again?" Tomakt asked as Raditz growled.
"Harvey," he said. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Raditz…"
"The name is Tomakt," she said with a grumble. "We're not humans…"
"Obviously," he said, glancing at their tails which threshed back and forth.
"What do you want?" Raditz grunted, pushing Tomakt behind him. He didn't like how the larger demon was undressing her with his eyes.
"You've been granted parole. Apparently someone brought your body back to life with special nanotechnology to study you…"
"WHAT?" Raditz gasped. "HOW?"
"It's a 51EX, or reanimation by experimentation," said Harvey, scanning the clipboard.
"But that means he's going to be brought back?" asked Tomakt. "That's GREAT!"
"No it isn't! I want to stay HERE," Raditz grunted. "With her!"
"Well, she's going too," said Harvey.
"How?"
"It seems that you weren't totally dead either. Apparently some of your friends on Idsarsei 7 found out that the Prince was back, and they took you out of suspended animation… thawed you out… because you weren't really killed… you were just part of Bok Choi's collection that they bought back from the museum on Archalisei… so you're being animated as we speak… by Princess Mandarin…"
"But that means…" she gasped.
"Yes. You're both getting a second chance. Now if you'll step this way… we'll show you to King Yemma's place and we'll get you back to your bodies…"
"Wait, Idsarsei 7 is light years from earth!" Raditz complained.
"Sorry, best we can do…" said Harvey. "Now let's not waste time. You're going BACK… it's not every time this happens…"
"Raditz, we're going to be alive!"
"You'd better get your ass on a pod and come to Earth!" Raditz said as he grasped her up and whirled her around.
"Ahem… this way…" Harvey coughed. Raditz grasped his mate's hand, and rushed after the two demons, not knowing what to expect. But thanking fate and whatever gods there were that there was another chance.
***