Surviving Together: A New Legacy

Chapter 1 - The Coming

"You sent for me, my King." Bulma bowed formally as she met King Venril for a conference. Though they were friends, she was careful to always show him proper respect in front of others.

"I'm glad you could come on such short notice, it seems we have a serious decision to be made." The King explained as he directed Bulma to her seat at the round table of the highest standing officials on the planet.

"I know you are all wondering why I have called this conference, so I won't waste your time with formalities." Venril began as he took a seat himself. "I have been in contact with Lord Garok of the Emperors high planetary relations division. It seems we have been presented with the opportunity to have our planet absorbed into the Kings Empire."

An immediate uproar ensued among the members as soon as the words left the King's mouth. "We will be giving up our heritage and prestige to become nothing more than a generic number for a planet!" One member argued as others began throwing in their own opinions.

"But the power and trade benefits, our planet could benefit so much from the alliance!"

"But what about what we must give up! We will not longer report to King Venril, but the Emperor himself! I hear he's untrustworthy and has no loyalty!"

"That's all here say, you have no substantial support to back that claim!" A member bellowed as he slammed his hand down on the table and stood.

"What about military support! Do we really have the choice to refuse? The alliance is the strongest standing force in the universe, if we refuse now we could be crushed later!"

"Gentlemen, if I may." An older member of the committee interrupted. "I believe you are all asking the wrong questions. What you should want to know is why has the Leader of the Northern Alliance taken a sudden interest in our little planet? We are on the far outskirts of the northern territory, we are a peaceful people who pose no threat to him, and offer no military enhancement, so why would the Supreme Leader want us in his empire?"

The group went silent as they all looked back at their King. "What is it, Sir?" The elderly man questioned. "What is it he wants?"

Venril paused a moment as he glanced briefly at Bulma, who jerked her head around wondering that same thing herself. "It seems it is our technological
prestige that has put our planet in contention to join the alliance."

There was much whispering as the group took this all in. "What in our technology is so crucial that he would want out entire planet to join the union?" The elderly member continued again.

"Ya?" One member yelled. "What aren't you telling us?!"

The King ignored the childish whining as he turned back to Bulma. "It is many things, but as a part of our alliance I am instructed to send our science geniuses to work for him."

Bulma's eyes widened, as she couldn't believe her 'friend' was actually considering using her as a bargaining tool. "I'm sorry, Sir." She tried to control her anger. "But I have a son, I can't just uproot him on the whim of a ruler, even if he is the leader of the northern alliance."

"There you have it, we shouldn't join!" And older member objected. The group then continued going back and forth debating this as Bulma and Venril discreetly left the group to continue the conversation more privately as they made their way into his office.

"With all due respect." Bulma immediately turned around, angered as the door closed. "What you are offering is to send me into the lion pit completely
defenseless!"

"Bra, I understand your objections, but please here me out." He tried to calm her down as she took a seat. "I spoke directly with one of the Kings advisors. This situation is more serious than you think."

"Then explain." Bulma narrowed her eyes wanting all of the cards on the table.

Venril took a deep breath before he began to speak. "The Emperor's advisor informs me that a war is brewing between the King's northern alliance and
Cooler's southern alliance."

"Cooler?" Bulma asked confused.

"Yes, I believe you mentioned you once met Freeza, correct." Venril tried to explain.

"Yes." Bulma nodded coldly. "What about it?"

"Cooler is Freeza's brother. He always controlled the southern sector as Freeza controlled the northern sector. When he learned of his brother's death he immediately wanted revenge, however he wasn't strong enough at the time for an attack. He's been biding his time, strengthening his army and training intensively to some day face the King and avenge his brother's death."

"And what does this have to do with me?" Bulma asked not really needing all the drama.

"Over the years the Northern Alliance has been absorbing planets for power, the Southern Empire has been absorbing for power as well, but more beneficially for technology. Apparently Cooler's technology has far surpassed that off the Freeza's former empire."

"So why doesn't his 'almighty northern alliance ruler' just go and kill Cooler?" Bulma asked the obvious.

"How can you kill someone you can not get to?" Venril shout back at little exasperated himself.

"So let me get this straight?" Bulma asked needing this clarified. "I am supposed to go help create weapons and other evil equipment to kill a bunch of innocent people who have unwittingly been taken in by Cooler's Empire?"

"Don't take this so lightly, Bra. There is a war going on and there are never innocent victims among those on Cooler's side."

"That's where you're wrong." Bulma objected. "There are always innocents."

Venril went silent. He knew only a small amount of her past, but he knew her planet was destroyed and at one point she was once a slave herself. He figured this line of argument might not work in his favor. "Look Bra." He tried to calm down. "This is really your choice. I can't force you to go, but you know what this alliance will do for our people." He finished hating having to putting the burden on her, but knew as King he had no choice.

"I'll consider it." Bulma said begrudgingly before she rose and turned to leave to try and figure out what the hell she was going to do about all of this.

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Vegeta watched through the window of his throne room as his military fleet practiced an in-atmosphere attack simulation. He took some mental notes to illuminate certain weak links and strengthen some open lines. He frowned as he had long foreseen it coming to this. Battles were being fought by ship, not merely bruit strength. He cursed as he thought of all of this power he possessed but couldn't use with cowards like Cooler who hide behind technological loopholes. He never thought he'd have to stoop so low as to make a treaty with a planet for 'help.' He would have much preferred sending a fleet in and telling them to surrender their scientists or die, but since he needed willing participation in the matter, his normal approach wasn't an option.

It was only after extensive coercion by his most trusted advisor, Garock, that he agreed to the peaceful way of dealing with the planet. He snorted at the thought of having to bring a group of weaklings to his planet. He took over planet Frost immediately after killing Freeze, and transformed the planet into a rigorous training facility. It was meant for only the strongest to come and harness their power to be whipped into an elite fighting being of the universe. Of course always far from matching Vegeta, many were worth a sparing match or two. It was a place of war and violence with few rules. It was not meant for a bunch of pathetic scientists who'd suffer under a paper cut. 'How pathetic a life to lead.' He thought as he suddenly heard the door open.

"I've extended your proposal to the Merighian people Sir, they have agreed to send a response by morning." Garock informed the dark emperor as he entered with respect.

"I assume you explained the necessity of this union?" Vegeta asked as he stood with his back to the man as he continued to watch the training exercise.

"Yes, Sir." Garock nodded.

"And they understand that their science department is to be moved to work directly from here?" Vegeta questioned, as he wanted to make sure the man made no mistakes.

"Yes Sir I did, though I thought you might be interested to know that the planets technology seems to be produced predominantly by the planet's chief
scientist. It seems if they do agree they'd only be sending the department head along with a small group of possibly ten or fifteen other technicians."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow as he turned to acknowledge the man for the first time. "One person?" He repeated. 'This is quiet beneficial. The fewer the people that come here the less suspicious Cooler will be, and the less annoyances to deal with.' "Good, see that we are not refused." Vegeta said very changeling like before he motioned his associate to leave him.

Vegeta smirked as he turned back to the simulation he was earlier watching. 'Your time is coming Cooler.' Vegeta thought triumphantly with his classic smirk. 'I will defeat you, just like your pathetic brother.'

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Bulma took a long breath before she entered the place she had called home for the last ten years. She sighed as she sat down. Here she was being asked to go back to a life she had so much tried to forget. Once again becoming involved with murder and purging and war; she was going back to what she had run from, only now it was worse. She had her son to consider. How could she bring him into that life? She felt a chill run down her spine as she thought of him being seduced by the same life his father once found appealing. She cringed knowing she could never forgive herself for letting him follow that life.

"Mom?" She heard a young voice interrupt her thoughts as she turned to see her son join her in the living room. "What are you doing here?" Trunks asked a little curious why she had returned so soon.

Bulma smiled as she beckoned the boy to join her on the couch. "We need to talk." She began calmly as she motioned for the boy to sit across from her.

"What is it?" He asked rather surprised by his mother's seriousness. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Bulma shook her head calmly. "It's just that I've been informed of a treaty that will affect us if it is agreed upon."

"Us?" Trunks asked confused. "How would it affect us? Is it bad or something?"

Bulma's expression grew very dark debating how she was going to tell him this. "Trunks, the treaty our planet has been offered is for the chance to join the
Planetary Alliance of the Northern Empire."

"Oh…" Trunks nodded with only a vague understanding of what that meant.

Bulma smiled at her son as she moved closer to him. "Since your probably wondering why that affects us, I'll explain. You see Trunks, Merigh has been
asked to join the alliance for our technological advances… So that means, if we join this alliance as a part of my position, I'll have to move to the Emperor's base planet, where I'll have to work. You'll of course have to leave as well."

"Leave?" Trunks asked a little surprised by the suddenness of all of this. "What about school? What about my training?"

Bulma frowned deeply. "I'm afraid your schooling will have to be discontinued. Your training will as well."

Trunks crossed his arms. "Look Mom the schooling thing I can deal with, but training? Come on it's what I love most, and do best!"

"I know." Bulma nodded regretfully. "But you do have an option here, you can say no. I can refuse the position. We don't have to join this alliance."

Trunks shook his head, as he looked down offended. "I'm no fool, Mom. I might only be nine, but everyone knows the planetary alliance is the most powerful coalition in the entire universe. No planet is dumb enough to refuse. It's not far for you or me to deny these people all the benefits because of some inconveniences."

Bulma smiled at her son's knowledge of politics, and consideration for the greater good. "Then you understand what you'll be giving up?"

Trunks nodded sadly. "Good of the planet, right?"

"Right." Bulma took pride in her son's honor. It wasn't every nine-year-old child that would be willing to give up his life of security to move to the blood
capital of the universe. "Well… I guess since we will probably be leaving soon, you had better start p-Trunks… Trunks what is it?" Bulma asked as he son's face suddenly jerked away from her as he jumped to his feet. "What is it?" Bulma asked as she rose as well.

Trunks gulped before he spoke. "Do… Don't you feel that?" He asked with the slightest hint of fear in his voice.

Bulma froze a moment as she tried to figure out what it was, and then like a bolt of lightening it hit her. She felt a power like nothing she had ever experienced before. It felt like thousands of ki's coming towards the planet all at once. "Trunks get your things." She shouted at him in a rush. "We need to get to Venril immediately." Trunks instantly complied as he and his mother grabbed what they needed and took to the air.

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"How did Bra act when you told her?" Zarra asked with concern as she sat across from the King in his office. She knew what Bulma had come from and the thought that she was now being faced with going back to that world couldn't have been easy for her to say the least.

"Not well." Venril shook his head. "But I really couldn't expect less."

"Then, I assume she told you 'no' flat out?" Zarra asked assuming her friends natural reaction.

"No. I could tell she wanted to, but she said she'd consider it. I just fear she mi--" King Venril froze as he suddenly shoot to his feet as he felt a force like no other speed through his veins.

Zarra seconds later felt the same power and came to attention herself. "It… it… can't be! Who… Who would attack us?" Zarra asked as she turned back to the visibly worried King.

"I… I don't know." Venril shook his head before he reached quickly grabbed his intercom. He pressed a few buttons and then brought the controller to his
lips. "General… Yes, I've felt it as well… Yes… Yes… I want our border protected at all cost… I know… I know… Yes, see that it's done." He then put the controller down as he looked back up at his green friend. "Find Bra, and get her to the science department immediately, I want out planets shield up to give us more time!"

"Right!" Zarra nodded as she turned to leave, but as so as she did she walked right into her blue haired friend.

"Arraz!" Bulma said relieved as she hugged her friend. "Have you felt it?"

"Yes." She nodded. "We need to get you to the lab, and get a defense up right know."

"Right." Bulma nodded as she looked down at her son. "Stay here, alright?"

"No!" Trunks shook his head. "I'm not leaving your side!" He said very protectively.

Bulma frowned. "Trunks, I don't want you getting hurt-"

"Take the boy with you." Venril almost ordered as he walked over to the group. "He's more protection than an entire legion of my men could offer. Let him go with you."

Bulma reluctantly nodded knowing they really didn't have time for this. The three then sped down to the science lab where most of the heads were already frantically working. Bulma immediately sped over to the planetary shield. It had only been tested once and not all of the problems were illuminated yet, but it's effectiveness, even temporary, was worth a second attempt.

"Is it ready, Euran?" Bulma asked her personal assistant whom she had worked with since she had been given the position.

"Yes." He nodded. "We just need your code."

Bulma nodded as she plugged in her security code and then had Euran power up the shield. The machine began to shake rather violently at first, but then a
golden beam shot into space just outside the atmosphere and then slowly expanded over the planet. Bulma watched worriedly at her computer consol as the energy shell surrounded the planet.

"Is this going to work?" Zarra asked a little pessimistically.

"Let's hope it does." Bulma hoped as she watched the shield enclose around the entire planet, which was lucky for Merigh, because the second the shield closed, the planet was rocked by an energy blast.

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"What the hell do you mean they're being attacked!?" Vegeta bellowed with a fury building in his eyes.

"I just spoke with the planet's King, Sir." Garock tried to explain. "He said that an estimated thousand men are about thirty minutes away from the planets
atmosphere."

Vegeta clenched his fists. "It's Cooler. No one else is stupid enough to attack a planet I am in negotiation with… Where's my nearest fleet?"

"On Dianor, Sir. It's about five hours away." Garock explained knowing full
well this wouldn't please him.

"Send them immediately." Vegeta grunted.

"I already took the liberty, Sir." Garock coughed out.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes some, but he knew the man well enough to trust his wisdom and ignore the action as insurrection. "Tell me Garock, what is this planet's chance of surviving until the fleet arrives?" Vegeta asked as he turned around and looked at the man accusingly.

"Well, Sir, the Merighians do have a fighting power, and I do know that their science department has, of course, produced some defenses that might help their chances-"

"Will they survive?" Vegeta asked directly, not needing all the detail.

"Nothing is certain Sir, but if it is Cooler as you believe, we can expect a greater part of their population destroyed by the time your forces arrive." Garock explained truthfully.

Vegeta clenched his fists as he turned his back to the man. "Prepare my ship."

Garock's eyes widened. "You… You're going personally, Sir?"

Vegeta momentarily rolled his eyes back to the man behind him, and then looked forward again. "Yes Garock… Cooler has been very careful over the years not to openly challenge me. This is his first act of defiance, and if I know Cooler, he'll make a personal appearance for it."

"Yes Sir." The older man nodded. "It shall be ready for you within the hour." Garock then nodded as he walked out of the room leaving the young King to prepare for the first alliance war that's been fought in millenniums.

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Author's Note: So let us talk about the plot for the next chapter. We have Cooler and Vegeta heading for Merigh, and I think it's obvious Cooler gets there first. But will he succeed in getting what he wants? Will there be casualties? Will Vegeta's forces make it in time? Oh so many things could happen! You will all just have to wait and see!