Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Altiverse: Dawn of Time ❯ Child of the Stars ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 8

Child of the Stars

Many days passed. Vaya and Vegeta's decision hadn't changed. But it was starting to come out in Vaya's training, because the effort of sustaining the life budding inside of her and hiding it at the same time was taking its toll...

Then they received a stroke of the best luck they had had so far.

Frieza had just heard about a new planet in the middle of that same galaxy, called Tironda. It was rumored to be extremely beautiful and green, and the beings living there were immune to any kind of disease. This meant a longer life for all of the inhabitants. So naturally Frieza was thrilled.

He had summoned Vegeta to his quarters and explained to him about the faraway planet. The evil tyrant wanted the Saiyans on the mission as soon as possible. Then he told Vegeta how long it would take to reach Tironda.

Five months.

This was absolutely perfect. Among Saiyans, it only took five months for a baby to develop, if the mother was Saiyan. The waiting period always depended on the species of the mother.

Vegeta could not have been happier. He informed Vaya first, and she was just as excited. It would give the baby just enough time to develop, because for some reason suspended animation did not stop this singular process, and then it could be born far away from the reaches of Frieza or his sneaking spies.

Frieza had wanted to get them started as soon as possible, which was perfectly fine with the four Saiyans. Then he told them that he wanted them to stay on the planet for a time after it was cleansed. When Vegeta asked why, he learned that Frieza was worried about another race moving in to take over at the first opportunity.

The Saiyan S-Squad had gathered the few things they needed and had started off that very day.

~*~

They were swiftly approaching the small green planet. The four Saiyans were asleep in their pods. Vaya's stomach was bulged to full size. Suddenly, a sharp pain caused her eyes snapped open.

Vegeta! she sent frantically. Vegeta!

In the pod next to hers, Vegeta received the call and stirred. Vaya? What's the matter?

The baby... she mentally gasped. I think it's coming! It is! We have to land, NOW!

Are you serious? Vegeta answered in disbelief.

YES!

Instantly, Vegeta's eyes snapped open. The pod sensed his waking movements and began to adjust the lights, but Vegeta had no time for that. He pressed his transmitter. "Nappa! Raditz! Wake up!"

Some cranky noises were heard through the scouter. Then Nappa and Raditz groggily voiced their affirmation that they were listening.

"All right! Listen to me. Vaya is having the baby, right now," he started, but was cut off.

"Are you for REAL?!" Nappa cried. "That's impossible!"

"Shut up, Nappa, you psycho!" Raditz hissed. "What do you want us to do, Prince?"

"We're going to land. Raditz, you help Vaya out of the pod. We're going to find the nearest city, and...try to...get help."

The other Saiyans could almost hear the disgust in his voice when Vegeta said this to them. Raditz and Nappa agreed, and they clicked out.

~*~

The next few minutes were a blur.

The pods crashed on the outskirts of a large city on Tironda. Almost instantly, Vegeta and Raditz leaped out of their pods. Raditz rushed over to Vaya's pod, which was just opening. He reached in and lifted her small body into his arms, because she was so close to having the baby that she couldn't walk, or barely even move.

There was a crowd of Tirondians standing around the pods and staring at them. They all had purple eyes and green skin, with silver hair and sharp, pointed teeth. Vegeta flew up to them, almost frantic, explaining the situation as quickly as possible. He was in such a rush that he didn't remember if what he said made sense or not. He didn't even know whether or not they spoke Standard Galactic, the universe's common tongue. All he knew was that they weren't moving fast enough.

Suddenly, a female Tirondian pushed her way through the crowd and ran up to Vegeta, taking his arm and tugging him back with her. "Bring her this way," she said in a soft, snakelike voice. "My name is Chandra. I am experienced in this sort of matter."

Without hesitation, Vegeta followed the female to her hut, with Raditz close behind, Vaya clenching her teeth and panting in his arms. Nappa was behind them, grumbling about the inconvenience of the whole situation. None of his partners paid any attention.

Chandra led them to a house that resembled a small, one-roomed hut. Vegeta gave her a suspicious look. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Yes," Chandra answered. "Now put her inside, on the bed."

She, Vegeta and Raditz went inside, with Raditz still carrying Vaya. The female Saiyan was clenching her fists so hard that her nails were drawing blood, and sweat was pouring down her face from her refusal to scream. A crowd of Tirondians had gathered around the house, waiting to see what would happen. Nappa waited impatiently at the front.

Suddenly, there was a series of crashes and small explosions. Vegeta, Raditz and Chandra came tumbling back out the door, which slammed by itself behind them. Vegeta sat up and stared at it in bewilderment.

"What just happened?" Nappa asked in confusion as the three pulled themselves up.

Vegeta blinked. "She kicked us out!" he gasped in disbelief.

Chandra looked very nervous. "But...she...she can't have her own baby all by herself! Someone needs to help her!"

"Which one of you wants to tell her that?" Raditz asked.

The rest of them sweatdropped, completely unwilling to do this.

So they waited.

~*~

An hour went by. The door remained locked, and the walls of the hut were soundproof, so they could hear nothing inside. The crowd remained gathered, eager not to miss anything. Chandra sat by the door, sometimes staring at it, sometimes staring at the ground. Raditz was lying on his back on the ground and staring at the sky. Nappa sat Indian-style, playing with the dirt absently. Vegeta was pacing constantly in front of the hut.

Nappa sighed. "Vegeta, stop pacing. You're giving me a headache."

"Deal with it."

Another hour passed, and suddenly, the door unlocked.

Vegeta and Chandra both jumped, but Chandra was closer. She told Vegeta to wait for a minute while she went inside to check on Vaya, and disappeared into the house.

Suddenly, the whole crowd was alive again. They were all standing once more, and chattering excitedly about the events taking place.

Raditz nudged Nappa in the ribs. "Remember, two kegs say it's a girl!"

Nappa gave him a nasty grin and a nod.

Vegeta stood outside, arms folded, frowning with impatience. He didn't like being told to wait. Finally, he opened the door to go inside. Chandra instantly appeared, blocking his path.

"NO!" Chandra cried, putting a green hand on his chest and pushing him back. "You cannot come in! Why, the idea is improper!"

Vegeta's expression darkened. His face twisted into a scowl, and his sharp black eyes narrowed dangerously.

Chandra gulped. "H-However..."

Without waiting for another word, Vegeta pushed past the female Tirondian and entered the dimly lit house, shutting the door behind him. The entire throng of gatherers held its breath in anticipation. Nappa and Raditz glanced at each other, grinned, and prepared their scouters.

When Vegeta finally emerged from the hut, the gathered crowd was prepared for his smile of uncontained pride. He leaned against the doorframe, one fist on his hip. But they were not prepared for the strength of the tiny bundle he bore in his strong, capable arms.

Nappa and Raditz stared as the numbers on their scouters ticked off to--

"100!" Nappa gasped. "There...there's no way!"

"Uh huh," Vegeta smirked. "A boy."

"Boy..." Nappa repeated in shock.

Vegeta nodded; his voice was very soft. "My son."

The baby boy was very small. His hair was jet black, like his parents, and it formed a spiky mane around his head, hanging down his back just below his shoulders. His hands were balled into tiny fists as he slept, clutching tightly to the side of his father's armor. A tiny furry tail curled itself around Vegeta's wrist.

Nappa and Raditz gazed, openmouthed, at the new life in their prince's arms. Then, without a word, they sank to the ground, kneeling with reverence and humility to the newest infant prince.

~*~

"Vaya?"

Vegeta opened the door to the small hut once more, his silhouette dark against the light outside. He entered silently, crossing the room to stand by the side of his mate's bed.

Vaya was now sitting up, looking tired and worn, but filled with pride. Vegeta gave their newborn son back to her. The baby slept soundly in his mother's arms, every so often snuggling closer to her warm body. Vegeta smirked, and Vaya smiled.

"Well, little one...you've certainly caused quite a bit of trouble already for someone so small. I wonder if this is a foreshadowing of things to come?" Vaya murmured gently.

Vegeta just could not stop staring at his new son and his beautiful mate. Vaya glanced at him, amusement written across her features.

"We'll need to name him at some point, Vegeta..." she said, her tone teasing.

Vegeta blinked and tilted his head to one side. He hesitated for a moment...then his expression softened. "Adrian."

"Adrian..." Vaya repeated softly.

"It means "Child of the Stars"."

Vaya nodded. "Yes...born on a new planet...Adrian. It's perfect."

There was silence for a while. Little Adrian, the child of the stars, sucked his thumb contentedly in his sleep. Suddenly, something in Vaya's mind seemed to click.

"Vegeta," Vaya whispered in a barely audible breath, "we have a baby."

Vegeta made no response, but his obsidian eyes sparkled.

~*~

Life with a brand new baby was, too be expected, rather unusual.

The Tirondians were beside themselves with excitement. Everyone wanted a look at Adrian, who seemed to be very shy. He would just burrow deeper into the torso of whichever of his parents happened to be holding him at that moment. As for Vaya, it was true about the atmosphere of Tironda and its healthful conditions...she was back on her feet in no time, although she was still a little weak.

Vegeta had reached a whole new level of protectiveness, and he would not allow his mate or his son to be out of his sight for a minute. Which was fine with Adrian. Surprisingly enough, the infant had quickly developed a strong attachment to his father. Vaya, too, would get upset if Vegeta was not by her side.

Chandra was the busiest. She immediately set out to find a suitable living residence for the four "aliens". Somewhat used to having visitors from other worlds, the Tirondians were very hospitable. Three one-room house-huts were immediately found...one large, two smaller.

Raditz and Nappa had made a dive for the larger house.

"I call this one!" Raditz yelled, running in through the door.

"You think so?" Nappa growled, charging in after him.

Then there were the general sounds of a fight, and Raditz came flying out the big window. The Tirondians jumped as he landed on his back in the dirt. However, the big Saiyan merely sprang back to his feet again and zipped back inside. He must have caught Nappa off guard, because this time Nappa tumbled through the window.

This would have continued for much longer if Vegeta had not gotten fed up. He was standing with Vaya, who was holding the infant princeling Adrian bundled up in her arms. Vaya made no reaction to the fighting, except to gaze with her mystifying eyes at the low-power Saiyans. Vegeta, however, had none of his mate's tranquillity, and he scowled before stomping into the hut after Nappa.

Then the crashes and bangs and thuds intensified, and suddenly Nappa AND Raditz came hurtling out the window. They landed in a dizzy heap at Vaya's feet, and she looked down at them over her son. She said nothing, only the faintest trace of a smirk passing across her lips. Then she stepped coolly around them to meet her mate inside.

The larger Saiyans blinked at each other, taking the time to register what had just happened. Then they heaved themselves up and stumbled off to the separate, smaller houses.

~*~

As a Saiyan child, Adrian learned quickly. He could move on his own and sit up and laugh just a few days after his birth. He loved to play and to eat, but he disliked being in his crib, and he absolutely HATED being left alone. If at least one of his parents weren't with him at all times, he would fuss until they returned again.

This was rarely a problem. When a Saiyan female became a mother, her whole world was her child for the first year of its life. So, needless to say, Vaya was completely devoted to her new son. She made sure he was always comfortable, and if he cried during the night she was instantly rocking him, cooing softly to calm him again.

Vegeta didn't fall in for fatherly duties. He was still unsure as to what they even were. His own father hadn't really been one at all, since Vegeta hardly saw him except for training. The Crown Prince marveled at how Vaya seemed to know exactly what she was doing. She assured him that once he tried to be a father, he would know what to do.

So Vegeta tried. He watched Vaya carefully, and every once in a while she would ask him to do something, like put Adrian to bed, and he would comply with little hesitation. Playing with his infant son soon became Vegeta's favorite duty. Every day he would take Adrian outside, where the baby would try to catch his father's tail, or just climb all over him. Adrian adored his father, and it was very apparent.

One day, while they were doing this, Vegeta received a mental call from Vaya. Adrian was clinging like a little monkey to Vegeta's arm, trying hard to pull himself farther up. Vegeta watched with fascination and affection.

Imperial Playground, monkey bars speaking, he answered Vaya with a smirk.

He could feel her soft laughter, and it gave him shivers.

What is our little princeling up to? she asked him.

Just trying to -- ow! -- be strong like his -- ow! -- daddy, Vegeta replied, wincing as Adrian managed to grab a tiny fistful of his hair.

There was another wave of warmth as Vaya laughed again, and Vegeta couldn't help but smile.

What can I do for you? he asked her.

Vaya hesitated for just a moment, but it made Vegeta curious all the same. She replied, Chandra is taking me to a military intelligence base. I want to see a few things.

Vegeta could tell from the way she said this that Vaya was planning on investigating something she considered interesting. She practically lived to find out new things, and perpetually sought puzzles to satisfy her staggering intellect. He raised an eyebrow, wincing again as Adrian tightened his tiny grip. What are you up to all of a sudden?

I'm just curious about something, that's all. I think this may be very useful, since we depend on machines so much.

What...?

But Vaya wouldn't tell him anything else. She gave him the mental version of a smile, and broke contact.

Vegeta blinked in confusion.

~*~

"As you can see, our facilities are much stronger than your computers had anticipated."

Vaya was walking inside a large room full of technology with Chandra. She and Vegeta had not informed the Tirondians of the true reason why they were on the planet, and had allowed instead that they just happened to think it seemed like a nice place to visit. No one suspected a thing; Vaya had taken control in the explanations, and she was very convincing.

Computers lined the walls, along with machines that Vaya had never seen before. Chandra took the time to explain about each of these, and Vaya eagerly drank in the information, but still she waited for the real reason why she was there in the first place.

Finally, they came to a piece of equipment that resembled a chair covered in assorted wires and circuitry. Vaya stared at it like a child waiting to unwrap a huge present on Christmas morning. Chandra smiled proudly.

"This," she said with a flourish, "is what I wished to show you. Our technology has come far and expanded to this...a machine that uploads a being's brain wave patterns...filling their mind with any technological information that they could ever imagine they'd need."

Vaya's ebony eyes glittered with wonder. "Fascinating..."

Chandra smiled, pleased that Vaya was so impressed. "Not just anybody is allowed to use this, you know." She paused. "But I think that for you we could make an exception. After all, you barely need this anyway, don't you?" she added with a grin.

Vaya nodded. "Thank you very much. How do we do this?"

"Sit in the chair."

Vaya eased herself into the cold metal seat around all of the wires. "Is this going to hurt?"

"You won't feel a thing," Chandra assured her. "Put on the helmet."

Vaya looked around and found a black metal helmet, very large and cumbersome. She maneuvered the heavy piece of equipment onto her head. It obscured her vision of Chandra at the controls.

"Now, just relax. This will only take a few minutes," Chandra said.

Vaya nodded and calmed herself entirely. Then Chandra flicked a switch and Vaya was plunged into utter blackness.

~*~

When Vaya awoke much later, she pulled the helmet from her head and found Chandra staring at her expectantly, her purple eyes shining with excitement.

"How do you feel?"

Vaya stood up and hesitated, doing mental stretches and making sure she wasn't missing anything, so to speak. Then she blinked in surprise, and frowned at Chandra. "I don't feel any different."

Chandra's grin broadened. "That's the beauty of it!" she laughed. "You are exactly the same...but now you're a mechanical genius!"

Vaya shook her head and waved her hand in disbelief. "I don't think so. Looks like your machine is broken."

"Oh really?" Chandra raised an eyebrow, and turned around quickly. She began looking around her as if searching for something. Finally she grabbed a small device off of a table.

"Do you see this?" she asked, holding it out to Vaya. "This little thing contains readings on all of our ships." She turned her back to Vaya, and the female Saiyan could hear a bunch of small snaps and clicks. When the green-skinned alien turned back around, she dumped a pile of scrap into Vaya's hands. "Fix it."

Vaya stared at Chandra, then at the scraps, then at Chandra again. Suddenly, something seemed to click. She raised the pieces into the air with telekinesis, and they started to move...

Thirty seconds later Vaya had recreated the same machine from its old pieces, in perfect working order. Chandra smiled. Vaya was shocked.

"I didn't know I could do that..."

Chandra nodded. "I told you it would work. Our technology is very advanced, although your powers may be great." She raised her eyebrows. "I think that there is much we can learn from each other."

Vaya lowered her eyes and did not reply.