Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Saiyan Foster Father ❯ Can't Go Home Again ( Chapter 42 )

Saiyan Foster Father

You Can't Go Home Again

By Trynia Merin aka StarbearerTM

 

Disclaimer I don't own DBZ, Toryiama and Funimation do and I don't own Full Metal Alchemist! Also, I don't own KISS or their fictional superhero portrayals, which are owned by Marvel, KISS Catalogue, and Dark Horse. These are Fanfiction concepts developed by me Trynia Merin for use in the fanfiction Saiyan Foster Father. BulmatheBabe owns Christine Black Widow. They are based on the Dragon Ball universe; KISS Next Generation, and Fullmetal and my fan interpretation. Please ask my permission if you'd like to borrow them for yours!

***

 

Both females landed at Capsule. Alien aggressive thoughts spun through Tomakt's brain causing her stomach to squirm. Half of her welcomed them while the other loathed such new killer instincts. Every day it became easier to give into the raw instinct that gave her the edge on speed and sensations. It was a ticket to new heights of power.

 

Within her hand she clutched a silver watch inscribed with the chimera. Somehow she sensed if she would use it now there would be grave consequences. Cabernet glanced back at her, questions in her eyes behind the bleeping scouter.

 

"Whelp what the fuck was that you just did?"

 

"Nothing," Tomakt mumbled, pocketing the watch. "Just a glitch."

 

"You know you shouldn't use that thing," Cabernet said, reaching out to grab her wrist. "The prince gave explicit orders."

 

"You gonna tell on me?" Tomakt asked, narrowing her eyes.

 

"If it jeopardizes his safety yes. I've had my scouter tuned for any weird energy, and that was definitely not Saiyan. Don't think I haven't learned about that device, because Vegeta gave us all the briefing. It's pretty similar to what those Destroyers used."

 

"A philosopher's stone, yes. Capable of transmuting mental energies into whatever state of matter desired," Tomakt said. "In my case it would be transmutation of matter from one chemical compound to another. IN t he hands of a destroyer it would be the creation of electronic plasmas."

 

"But it's incompatible with Saiyan power," Cabernet said, grabbing it from her.

 

"How would YOU know?"

 

"Where the hell do you think I've been rotting the last 20 years kid? Orchydsei? At least one race or another was developing those devices. For five revs that power was strong enough to wreck havoc with my abilities. Until I found a way around it," said Cabernet, eyes filled with hatred.

 

Tomakt removed the watch, balancing it on the palm of her hand. "So, I wondered how you managed to survive."

 

"In a Destroyer prison camp, whelp. That little toy is almost identical to those power crystals you saw them use. Why else do you think they invaded that alchemy universe?"

 

"To gain the power for transmutation. But I hadn't realized they'd perfected it."

 

"With those dimensional jump devices they sent that technology into the future. Now they can simulate battle power in massive ways. But when one of my Saiyan scientists tried to use it, the consequences were worse then you can imagine," said Cabernet.

 

"So you're saying Saiyans can't use these?" asked Tomakt.

 

"Why else do you think that the Prince forbade it? It wasn't just because he wanted to keep your ass safe. It was because that power will feed off yours, and eventually corrode your ability to generate it. You have to get rid of it, whelp."

 

"I can't transmute with it?"

 

"You don't dare. Give it to me. I'll put it in a place where you won't be tempted to use it," Cabernet said, holding out her hand.

 

"It's mine by right. I'm still half human," she hissed.

 

"And still half the fool," Vegeta snapped. She whirled to see the Saiyan Prince appearing behind her. His hand flashed out, grasping the silver watch before she could blink. It gleamed in his gloved hand upon his materialization ten feet away.

 

"Your Majesty, why didn't you tell me?" Tomakt asked.

 

"Because you would not have believed me otherwise. Now that your loyalty to me is unquestionable, you know the second reason. These devices are lethal to pureblooded Saiyans. Using them would endanger yourself as well as the babies you carry. They're incompatible with Saiyan ki. While they amplify human abilities, your power would be pushed out of control," Vegeta answered.

 

"It's mine… I earned it!"

 

"It doesn't belong to you any longer, Third Class. As of now you're forbidden to use it. And to make sure you'll never be tempted," Vegeta said.

"No," Tomakt swallowed hard.

 

"It's too risky. You'll thank me later, Tomakt," Vegeta laughed harshly. His fist closed on the watch, followed by the grinding crunch of metal upon glass. When next he opened his hand all that remained was a twisted lump of metal, gears and other components that dropped to the ground.

 

"Damn it," she gasped.

 

"Ungrateful female," Vegeta snapped. Cabernet suddenly flashed out her hand and slapped Tomakt across the face. Holding her jaw she lay headlong on the floor.

 

"You should thank the Prince. He saved your ass. Don't make him regret it," Cabernet jabbed a finger in Tomakt's direction. Aiming two fingers, Vegeta sent a pencil thin beam of sapphire power into the remains of the alchemy watch, vaporizing it in a microsecond.

 

"Kuso," Tomakt cursed, squeezing her eyes shut. Purple ki flickered through her hair and fists.

 

"Apologize NOW, if you value your life and your position," Cabernet hissed, jerking Tomakt to her knees with a tug on her forearm.

 

Tomakt sighed, letting her weight drop to her hands and knees. Slowly she crawled up towards where Vegeta stood, with his back partly to them. Slowly she hesitated, spitting blood from her mouth that dropped near his white boots. "Your Majesty," she said quietly.

 

"Do you have something to say to me, Third Class?" he snorted.

 

"I apologize, your majesty," Tomakt said sullenly. "For my defiance."

 

"That will do," Vegeta said. "Wise decision on your part. You'll find that my conditions aren't unreasonable. What I do is for the preservation of our race. You shouldn't question matters that are for the greater good."

 

"So, no transmutation?"

 

"None aided by such devices. Unless it is for the express use of Saiyan survival. You may be a half blood but you still abide by my rules. And as such you fight as you are trained, unless ordered otherwise," Vegeta said, resting his boot on her shoulder.

 

"What are your orders, Sire?" she asked quietly.

 

"Get and clean off. You'll report to duty in an hour. Your apology is accepted. See that you learn from this," Vegeta answered, lowering his boot. He pressed his hand to her forehead, indicating it was clear for her to rise in his presence.

 

Cabernet grunted, watching the Prince stride out. She turned to a frustrated Tomakt. "You were wise to defer. It's not out of cruelty we do these things. You have a lot of potential. Don't screw it up."

 

"Shit," Tomakt gritted.

 

"Go get something to eat whelp. You might wonder WHY he had me hit you. It's his honor code not to hit a female warrior by his own hand. Something to think about, whelp," said Cabernet, settling her hand on Tomakt's shoulder with a hard squeeze.

 

Tomakt exited the room hugging her body. Her entire figure shivered with rage and momentary hatred. Yet the majority of her mind saw the logic in their statements. She had made a commitment to her mate Raditz, accepting all that came with it. IT was her body that had made the irreversible change that now bound her to this race.

 

"I can't go back anymore," she thought sullenly.

***

Later that day she sat in the cafeteria with a fully loaded series of plates. Cabernet had just finished and was getting up to leave when Christine entered. Seeing Tomakt picking at the large mounts of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, she wandered up.

 

"Hi," Christine said. Tomakt looked up at her.

 

"I thought you wouldn't be speaking to me after that problem with Gene," Tomakt said warily. "I wouldn't blame you if you didn't wish to."

 

"That's Gene talking, not me," Christine clarified. "Just cause he's an ass doesn't automatically qualify ME to be one."

 

"He made it clear what his feelings were. And I can't blame him. I'm very sorry about what happened earlier," Tomakt said quietly, setting down her chopsticks.

 

Christine set her tray down and pulled out the empty chair across from her friend. Tomakt made no objections so she sat down, picking up the knife and fork. She dipped a piece of meatloaf into the gravy lake soaking the depressed mound of mashed potatoes. Raising it to her lips she took a small bite. Tomakt picked up her chopsticks again, grabbing a piece of sushi to drag through the wasabi.

 

"I don't blame you. Gene's just freaked out because of that bomb Raditz dropped," Christine explained, reaching for her glass of diet Pepsi.

 

"That wasn't intentional," Tomakt sighed.

 

"Well, shit happens. I have to admit I'm shocked as well as Gene was. Did you really know it?"

 

"Yes to my shame. I kept it secret to protect you and Gene. To preserve the integrity of the community. You HAVE to believe it was for the greater good," Tomakt implored.

 

"Hey, I believe you. It's not easy keeping that nasty thing under wraps. But Gene feels betrayed," said Christine.

 

"I'm sorry but I can't change that," said Tomakt. "There are many things I wish I could change, but apart from returning and addressing them in person…"

 

"Just stop right there. We can't change it. And besides, you have a right to know what's been going on since we've been away," said Christine.

 

"Please tell me," said Tomakt. "Where are the people living?"

 

"Underground in those bunkers that those scientists abandoned. Those that live with Tyler's group are in the wilds. Led by him and Simone. Gene's group is living in what remains of New York City. They're using tidal force to power the city and coal. The thick clouds around Earth are still pretty bad, and the climate's very cold. But they've found ways of making food."

 

"The other places?" Tomakt asked, picking up another piece of sushi.

 

"Only a tenth of the world's population still exists. Ace's space station has distributed generators and stuff worldwide. Most of the places being lived in are Australia, parts of Europe, and the coastal areas. Simone's group is migrating across the Mississippi valley following herds of game. Paul's group joined Gene's. Eric and Bruce are living in NYC under Gene's protection. I guess they swallowed their pride and did it. Just isolated little pockets of people keeping in touch by radio."

 

Tomakt then asked, "What about my family?"

 

"Your older brother is still alive. And what remains of your family. They're living with Simone's group. Those that wanted to. The others are with your priest brother in that 'cloister' that your padre started. In what remains of the Appalachians in New England. Simone's gang comes and drops off some fresh kill every few months in exchange for food. The hydroponics worked wonders."

 

"And Ace's group?" said Tomakt through more mouthfuls of sushi.

 

Christine skewered a few green beans on her fork, raising them up to nibble on them. "The astronauts are trying to figure out ways of cleaning up the atmosphere. Apparently the kittens are living with Mona and Tyler, who are with Simone's hunting group. It's safer."

 

"Four population centers exist, you said," muttered Tomakt.

 

"One in the place of NYC, one in Berlin, one in the Midwest, one in Philadelphia, and there are smaller ones in Europe. One even in London," Christine nodded.

 

"Who's in command?" Tomakt asked, her brows lowering behind the pink lens of her now ever-present scouter.

 

"A few army groups are keeping martial law. But the rest are under Destroyer control. And there's been a rise in aliens being seen," said Christine. "The ones that remain sovereign are Gene's band because he's made a deal with the local traders to stay away."

 

"How many mutations?" her friend asked.

 

"Most of our people have the white and black markings. Those that don't live underground and the others are becoming Destroyers. They're mutating. Simone's group is becoming more animal then anything. I guess it's ironic because the only 'true' humans are the ones who've accepted the Change."

 

"So NYC is a stronghold, as is my brother's Star Citadel, ruled by Elliot?" Tomakt nodded. She grabbed the next plate loaded with sushi, attacking it with a healthier appetite now that Christine had made the first move in mending the rift.

 

"Elliot's gone missing at times. The Padre's doing his best to keep the Citadel running. That's where your brother comes in. The troops are doing what they can to take anyone in who doesn't want to get changed. It's martial law by Destroyer, Gene, or the other groups. Anyone else is just in the way," Christine shook her head.

 

Tomakt exhaled, finally stopping in her eating spree for breath. She dropped her chopsticks, folding her hands underneath to rest her chin on them. Soberly she asked, "What hope is there for our world?"

 

"Gene thinks he can hold order long enough. He's getting together all the people he can into NYC. Easier to defend. Jeannie wants to go back and look for Elliot at the Starlight citadel. And Gene needs me to help teach what Vegeta taught Jeannie and me to his warriors."

 

"So he expects you to go back with him naturally," said Tomakt.

 

"That's about the size of it."

 

"When?"

 

"Not sure yet, but I don't think he wants to stick around for long. There's a lot that needs to be done," said Christine.

 

"He needs to recover his strength. He lost a lot of energy," said Tomakt.

 

"Yeah. It will be at least a few weeks before he's back to his usual self. And in the meantime maybe we can clear this mess up," said Christine.

 

"Does he want to?" Tomakt asked.

 

"Yes. He's still hurt and fuming. But he blames Paul more than he does you. Also, he's talking to Jeannie right now. They're in one of the training rooms beating the hell out of some simulation. So I figured I'd come straighten things out and chitchat with you while they're having a father daughter slug fest," Christine chuckled.

 

"Thank you," Tomakt nodded.

 

"What for? You're still my friend, and that hasn't changed," said Christine.

 

"Thank goodness that some things have remained the same in this situation," said Tomakt. "Change seems to be the only constant as of late."

 

"Look, I know you're not yourself. Don't feel guilty for being happy with Raditz. Hey, it's great. You deserve it. Gene understands that, and he accepts it. But it will take him time to get over this whole thing with Jeannie and Paul."

 

"I don't know if he can 'get over it' ever," said Tomakt. "Such betrayals stay hurts far longer than any would admit. That's why Paul justified it."

 

"Yeah, but forgetting things isn't the best way to deal," said Christine. "Cause it sure came back in a bad way."

 

"It never will go away entirely," said Tomakt.

 

"I guess not," said Christine. "But let's not let it ruin our friendship."

 

"No, I don't wish that to happen, ever," said Tomakt, reaching across to take the hand her friend extended. Christine gave her friend's hand a squeeze, nodding at the look of gratefulness. It didn't erase Gene's harsh words, but it did ease the hurt a tiny bit. Still, a sense of foreboding hung over both women that it was only the beginning of their worries.

 

"Say, there's something ELSE on your mind if I don't know any better," Christine said.

 

"Just that it's ironic that's all. The choices I've made are for the good of others, but even if I wanted to, there isn't an easy way for me to change my mind," said Tomakt.

 

"Is this about your choices here? Because you don't owe me or Gene any explanation for becoming Saiyan," said Christine.

 

"This goes beyond that, Chris. You know that I was ordered not to use my watch for transmutation?"

 

"Yeah, something about attracting Destroyers here?"

 

"There was a reason beyond that. Apparently such devices are incompatible with Saiyan powers," said Tomakt.

 

"Really? I figured there was a good reason you weren't transmuting left and right. But I figured you'd tell me when you wanted to," said Christine.

 

"By order of the Prince," she said. "And the fact that my watch has been destroyed."

 

"Since when?" Christine demanded, straightening up in her seat.

 

"It doesn't matter. It's dust now. I had it destroyed to stop myself from being tempted to use it. But the talisman has been given to Goku for safekeeping."

 

"Goku?" Christine blinked, leaning forwards in her chair.

 

"For my sons. They'll have to use the power. I can't use my talisman anymore. If I can't use my watch, then using the Talisman might have similar consequences," said Tomakt.

 

Christine plunked her glass down, asking, "Why? It doesn't affect me or Jeannie?"

 

"You're still human. I'm not," Tomakt explained. She seized another mouthful of sushi in her chopstick tongs, shoving it into her mouth.

 

"You're half human," said Christine.

 

"I'm not a fit host to use the talisman anymore, Christine. That's the reality. I tried using it the other day, but the power feedback was far too terrifying to contemplate. That's why Goku's got it. He can't use it either, but my sons can, given the right training," she said.

 

Grumbling, Christine shook her head. "I don't get it. You can't use it? Jeannie and I have evolved beyond mere humanity and we still…"

 

"There's no need for it when I have Saiyan blood in my veins. That's the source of my power now. Using the Talisman would be redundant. I guess I got what I wanted the power to protect my family. I should have been careful what I wished for," Tomakt said. She reached up to pull the scouter off her face and folded it into a neat compact object. It easily adhered to the strap on her hip.

 

Breath rushed out of Christine's lips. Her eyes glowed scarlet momentarily in her white and black patterned face. "But without you, who's going to wield the power?"

 

"I don't know. But it cannot be me. My sons have the requisite ability. And if we keep one of the talisman here, then its beyond the reach of the Destroyers. Till the time is right," answered the Third Class scientist.

 

Christine stretched her scalp with black and red fingernails. She pushed long tendrils of curly hair from her face, saying, "Maybe that's why Paul didn't want you becoming Saiyan. Maybe he knew it would neutralize your ability to wield it," said Christine.

 

"One reason," she said. "But it's too late now."

 

"Hon, I'm sorry," apologized Christine. Scarlet faded from her hazel eyes. They gleamed with understanding of a line that had been irrevocably crossed. Tomakt had paid the price for her power just as Jeannie and she had. None of them realized how dear it would be.

 

"So am I," said Tomakt. Christine got up and crossed over to give her a reassuring squeeze.

 

"I'd better get moving. I promised Gene I'd show him the workout room so we could get him back on both feet. Will you be okay?"

 

"Yes," said Tomakt. "Go on. I'll live."

 

Reluctantly Christine rose from the table with her emptied trays. She cast Tomakt a look of sympathy accompanied by a smile. Tomakt returned to the task of sating her hunger with the remainder of the food to her left and right. Another crop of tears threatened to form, but she pushed them back. There would be time for crying later. Right now she needed to figure out what was going to become of the uncertain future.

***

Two weeks later found Tomakt in her laboratory. She and Gene had made some headway mending the fences in their relationship. Nevertheless there was that sense that she would never be as close a friend as she once could have been. Too much had changed. Many conversations filled in the two-year gap she had been missing.

 

William was alive and well, thriving in Gene's care. He was a healthy half dragon humanoid with a loving and attentive set of women looking after him, including Gene's remaining children. Elliot often went on long trips but was often there to care for William. Other children had been born from other concubines Gene had taken.

 

In two years he had joined forces with her eldest brother who was a marine commander. Together they had consolidated the survivors scattered all over the place into a bunker. Those that wished to remain with Bruce and Eric in the mountains of California stayed with half of the marine soldiers. The rest had struck out East to join a group that needed Gene's help. In NYC Simone and Peter had gathered another selection of people enslaved by Destroyers.

 

Gene had led a raid to capture the Big Apple. Now it was his stronghold, the island of Manhattan. Many of the buildings were housing for the survivors scattered everywhere. At the museum and in many large buildings he had made his fortress to house the females and others under his protection. Close by Elliot had constructed a 'starlight citadel' from the Natural History Museum, to preserve cultural knowledge.

 

Scientists who had survived were at the universities in places here and there. Many of them had associations with other members of the Four. Other armed forces had taken control of cities in the United States, under the control of several senators and politicians. They learned to work with the Four, especially Gene in managing what little there was. Together with those that were trusted they had converted some of the scientists under Raina's control to their ways. Those intellectuals had banded into the Starlight Citadel to be a think tank.

 

Others had gone to join the astronauts in Ace's celestial station. Shandi was still alive, raising little Kiara with help from the others present. Tyler and Mona had elected to help those with technologies while Simone had taken over leadership of the people she had met with Peter. A culture of nomadic shape shifters roamed the continental US to hunt the large herds of bison. They restored and surveyed what remained of the habitat.

 

In Europe there were pockets of civilization in London and Berlin. Other pockets in Africa's most rural areas had survived easily. Now they were a center of trade. Those politicians in European cities that survived were string in a loose confederation of city-states. However the region in the Pacific Rim was under Destroyer control. The Europe and Africa survivors made do with their alliance, under the control of orders from London, Moscow and Berlin. Federated states of Africa had its seat in central Africa, flourishing well. Remote villages in South America were doing well with agriculture. Only a tenth of the world's population existed, and those that had not changed pigmentation were slowly adapting in their own ways.

 

People did what they could. Trading and shifting powers were suddenly under the realm of strange beings that seemed to come from here and there. Reports of mythical beings coming out of mounds and other burial sites to stabilize the communities.

 

"If we didn't know better they fit the description of those elves in D and D," said Christine.

 

"Elves?"

 

"Uh huh. Seems they do exist. Paul met them firsthand. They surfaced in England and places in Africa. Seems they're helping where the Four aren't," said Christine.

 

"From 'Avalon?" she asked.

 

"Yeah. And there have been reports of other beings. It's like magic's taken root. We've seen dragons. But the 'elves' are the ones who are walking around clear as day in Europe. Some of them were ordinary people, changed by the chikara running loose. As if being elves were their true aspects."

 

"Other sorts?"

 

"Dragons like Gene. Spider people like me. I went to one of the cities in France with Gene at one time, and there were more of these elves then humans. Seems almost the entire population of Europe is elfish. Except places where they've seen dwarves and gnomes. A few trolls here and there. And in Africa most of the population is gone back to their tribal roots. Or shape shifters like Simone's group."

 

"It's started. The world spilling over into some other way, just as was predicted."

 

"Yes. The Destroyers control lands. Only the Four who are one and these elves and others who can channel magic have a chance. And they pretty much stay in one place. Alivere and the other guys are cool enough, but some of the dark and woodland guys are pricks," Christine had mumbled.

 

"Elves in earth. Seems to make sense. People changed into white faces and elves, and other things. What next? Unicorns?"

 

"They saw lions and boars, and even dinosaurs running rampant. Animals they thought were long extinct. But the clouds still cover most of the skies. It's a mess, and we're barely keeping the Destroyers at bay, elves or no elves."

 

"Humph, sounds nothing like the world we knew," said Tomakt.

 

"Astron Tellar's spilling over into our world," Christine said. "It's only a matter of time before it becomes reality, or the Destroyers wipe us all out."

 

"I wonder if they'd recognize me now," Tomakt mumbled, glancing down at the samples she had obtained from the newest batch of destroyers they'd fought.

 

Inside one of Bulma's labs she perused the various materials taken from scraps of uniform. It had been her idea to check and see if any new advances had been made in their technology. She had successfully duplicated the polymer used to make Saiyan armor perfecting Bulma's designs flawlessly. Brown eyes narrowed in front of the eyepiece of the microscope she now loaded.

 

"This is new," she mumbled. "Wonder where they scavenged it from?"

 

Mostly the Destroyers scavenged pieces of clothing to make their patchwork armored suits. Bits of metal taken from ruined cities were sacred trophies, bound together with animal skins and spandex. However as time had elapsed, more of the outfits were mass manufactured, losing some of their hand made look. From what she had observed the Destroyers used the scavenged bits to taunt their enemies. There was much to ask Gene about regarding how things had changed since she had left.

 

Christine entered the laboratory, closing the door behind her as she stepped inside. "Hey, am I interrupting anything?"

 

"No. In fact I had hoped to see you," said Tomakt, standing up.

 

Christine chuckled at the sight of her friend wearing a labcoat overtop the black and gold Saiyan armor. She had inherited it from Raditz, who now wore second class black and gold. Already the armor conformed to the curvature of the female Saiyan's body bearing two new lives. Still she was smaller then she would be at the same point in a human pregnancy. Four or five months along. Ironically she recalled seeing her friend in her Alchemist form while carrying the twins.

 

"You sure it's okay to be working in your delicate condition?" Christine joked.

 

"Saiyan bodies are far more impervious to chemical hazards then human," said Tomakt. "One advantage of this form."

 

"So, how are things? I haven't seen much of you the last two days. I was beginning to think you'd disappeared into a reaction flask," Christine joked.

 

"You and Gene have a lot of time to catch up on," said Tomakt.

 

"That doesn't mean you can't spend time with your buddies," said Christine.

 

"He has no use for me. I betrayed him, remember?" Tomakt laughed ironically.

 

"You really think he hates you that much? You're wrong you know," Christine shook her head. "He understands why you did what you did. But he doesn't get why you're not talking to him about it."

 

"Mister I don't like sharing wants to talk to me?" Tomakt asked.

 

"Yes. Clear the air. Something you guys didn't really do properly. I mean yeah we've all eaten and trained together. But he really wants to clear things up."

 

"Before he returns. I'm sorry. I just have thought that it might make things worse," said Tomakt.

 

"C'mon, running and hiding isn't a Saiyan trait. I thought you guys spoke what was on your mind!" Christine teased.

 

"Contrary to what you believe, I'm not THAT different am I?" Tomakt asked her soberly.

 

"Just yanking your chain," said Christine. "You really haven't smiled in days. Too much training with Vegeta must have made you permanently pissed off."

 

"Heh," Tomakt laughed, giving one of those Saiyan style grunts she knew so well. "I suppose I've been a bitch. But I suppose if Gene wants to mend fences I can do it."

 

"Give it a chance," said Christine. "Before he leaves again."

 

"Before you both leave again?" asked Tomakt.

 

"Sooner or later we'll all have to make that decision. Do we stay or do we go," said Christine. "What have you decided?"

 

"I'm torn between here and there, Chris," said Tomakt.

 

"You're not bound to our world anymore. You're Saiyan, and that pretty much precludes you returning," said Christine.

 

"I can't turn my back on half my heritage," said Tomakt.

 

"Vegeta will expect you to," Christine pointed out. "I'm not trying to be cruel, but you're in over your head. You're mated to a Saiyan, and you're carrying two kids. That pretty much takes priority over any old loyalties."

 

"Tell me something I don't know. He made it VERY clear what I should decide. That it's best to forget what I was."

 

"You've got some hard decisions to make," said Christine. "But that doesn't' mean you don't have choices despite what Vegeta says."

 

"Damn it, I sometimes wish I'd never met any of them, but that's useless," said Tomakt.

 

"You could ask Vegeta for a leave of absence, if you wanted maybe, after your kids are born," said Christine. "Or the gestational tank."

 

"I abandoned my children once. I cannot and will not do it again," she said bitterly.

 

"Two Saiyan kids you're carrying, you could still go, but they'd be taken care of," said Christine.

 

"Vegeta won't hear of it," said Tomakt. "Unless they are reared in gestational tanks. It feels like cheating."

 

"It's encouraged in Saiyan culture. If you really feel like you gotta go back, it's an answer. But Gene wants to return to our world in a few days time. Just thought I'd let you know," Christine said.

 

"Where's Jeannie?" asked Tomakt. "Speaking of people you haven't seen for ages."

 

"She's already packing to return," said Christine.

 

"Shit," Tomakt said quietly.

 

"I just wanted you to know ahead of time. There's not much hope changing his mind," Christine said sadly.

 

"What does the Prince think?" asked Tomakt.

 

"He says that he will release us from duty if we so choose, but to carefully consider the consequences of that. Once we give up that protection, he won't let us back," said Christine.

 

"Can't you stay a bit longer to recover?" asked Tomakt.

 

"No. Gene wants to leave soon. Bulma's giving us some capsulated supplies to take with us. He's contacted the various guys on the elfish council and the other seats of government. They want him back ASAP," said Christine.

 

"And you want to return," Tomakt said.

 

"Yes. I wish you could come along," said Christine.

 

"I cannot," Tomakt said quietly.

 

"If it's cause you can't use your talismen, that's no reason not to return. You could be a lot of help with your Saiyan powers," said Christine.

 

"I need to stay with Fermi and Bohr. And I've got two on the way," said Tomakt.

 

"I knew it was the case. But I'm asking just in case," said Christine.

 

"When do you leave?"

 

"Soon," Christine said. She slowly got up and gave her friend a hug.

 

"That's real specific," Tomakt mumbled.

 

"I've gotta go find Gene. He's giving me the mental call," said Christine. "Take care okay? And talk to Vegeta about what I said. Maybe you two can work something out."

 

***