Author's Note: Ok … I don't own anything except for Mardo, Surae, Rieder, Brunx, Soen, and mention of Nirrikii, Xixi, Kanie, and Raylin. That's a lot of new characters … Anyway, thank you for reading these snippets. I hope that you enjoy them. :)
This snippet takes place when Vegeta is a young adult. About a cycle prior (approx. 3 earth yrs), his first-ever assignment was an emergency observation mission with a pilot to the Omega Sector because of communication loss with a battle. It was thought that a new weapon was being used, but the Planet Trade couldn't figure out what kind, and Vegeta was sent in as a last resort, being the only one in his class at the base. He runs into Raylin (the lost experiment) and kept prisoner for a long while, only to be released for an unknown reason and Freeza among others becomes interested in knowing why he survived. Now he has returned to the base only to discover that as much as some things have not changed, in other respects everything has.
Added notes: S.P.A. mission is a mission type saiyans are involved in and spell out Shell, Purge, and Assimilate. Can you guess which one is their job? Also, a solar day is a planetary day – completely different from a revolution, which is the length of time the moon takes to go around the planet. The base in on the moon, so be aware (doesn't change the story or anything; just a cute tidbit for those interested). On a final note, the term 'pup' used here translates into 'child/baby' and is used as an insult. 'Si' is a cuss word like 'shit' or 'fuck'.
Keep in mind that these excerpts are rearranged to fit in chronological order with the story. Sorry, but it's what happens when writing disjointedly.
As always, please please please REVIEW. Your comments are always appreciated and good motivation for writing. Happy reading:)
Survivor
"So the pup returns!"
Vegeta leaned on the entry edge waiting for the return of the D class crew. Brunx was really the first he kept keen for, ignoring the captain with silent resilience. Captain Mardo peered down at the adolescent as he passed, mentally noting all of the change in demeanor. The young saiyan looked taller, and although was still dwarfed by his brethren clamoring through the docking bay, he composed himself more assertively than the veteran was used to seeing. The childish tone was all gone, replaced with hollow refined features and an overly lean torso, no doubt resultant of his gradual recovery from any malnourishment he suffered while missing. The Vegeta-tsu blood line was ever evident in him, and expressed itself with a developing sense of strength no matter how hidden it remained.
A smile surfaced from beneath the heavy weighted mask expertly prepared for Mardo's arrival. Brunx looked up from his plod across the platform to see his bunkmate standing and in apparent healthy condition. Adults were no longer present in either of their minds.
"Si!" Brunx proclaimed, dropping his bags while motioning down to his friend, "You're alive!"
"Feh," and the immature banter commenced between the two, "Give me more credit. You don't think I could be gotten rid of that easily, do you?"
"Right, well, you've been missing for a while. What did you expect us to think?"
"Does it matter?" Vegeta inquired, contorting a brow with a smirk before motioning to the crew, "How was the mission?"
Brunx shrugged, "It was. Nimα is an amazing base, if you can believe it. I heard they were going to post a docking crew there for supplies and it may become the next risa in many to bridge the territories before long."
"That old moon," he immediately recognized the location as the base Xixi reported from when she was first assigned to him. He half wondered if she were there again. The recruiting base was meant to train tactical positions related to defense, transport, and S.P.A. missions. As much as the remote facility was known for its strategic positioning between Freeza's and Nirrikii's territories, it was in need of expansion to handle the infiltration of soldiers, mostly from the latter's jurisdiction, temporarily stationed in route for the next assignment along the Omega Sector. Their obligation rendered death in Vegeta's mind as he could appreciate the kind of impact the Planet Trade's advancements could have if not handled properly. He already experienced a taste of it first hand.
Brunx, however, had no ability to hack into the reports, and was thus ignorant to the issue, "Yeah, a hundred and eighty thousand troops landed and passed while we were docked there for repairs. I have never seen so many razukin ground soldiers in my life without being out in the thick of it myself. And you wouldn't have even known that they were higher ranked, 'cause I swear we were treated with some damn high reverence."
A snicker caught Vegeta's attention momentarily in rebuttal to his friend's naïve discovery. Of course the saiyans would receive veneration when they were the ones designated to save everyone else's ass in the field. It was no secret that the elite demanded gratitude for their own sacrifices from those who were ultimately acknowledged the praise and power with less work.
The two trailed behind the rest as they quickly made way down the docks and into the main station. As the second crew of six to return, the D deck was becoming more lively with time. Relieved sighs could be felt as fellow comrades were reunited after their lengthy assignments, and a chorus of load ovation resounded as the two legions met once again in their deck foyer. This situation, among the clatter, Vegeta ironically missed while out on his own personal adventure. In all of his time thrown to the wayside as a nuisance allowed only to observe the social interaction between soldiers, it was a far cry better than the isolated black compartment he had grown accustomed to for nearly a cycle. He figured in the end that he should be grateful for what little attention he received from the military, which were realistically his only caretakers. Yet somehow an edge was sharpening beneath his calloused rejection that demanded he finally be inducted into their games. After all, he entered the forbidden domain and returned alive; a feat that certainly none of them could tout over.
"It is just so good to seen you," Brunx grinned with such sincerity that Vegeta could not help but return the gesture, "How long have you really been back?"
"Honestly, I don't know," he returned, trying to find the best approach to discuss the circumstances he knew the others would eventually inquire upon. "I don't remember much. I was released from the med bay about two solar days ago, but I was in recovery before then."
"Well, everyone's talking about you."
"How do you mean?"
"Vegeta, your survival in the forbidden zone is big news. I imagine it's plastered all over the territories."
And it was no secret. When Vegeta awoke, a myriad of upper ranking officers immediately questioned him about the 'mission that went awry' and all of the events he could recall after they lost contact. The most deeply encoded reports suggested that the mysterious opponent he was confronted with, the same one that contacted Freeza on a personal transmission and not-so-subtly told him to pick up his trash was some kind of informant. He was asked everything about her, including a name, title, and origins, before he could scarcely carry himself. In all the interrogation, Vegeta was half surprised the warlord did not lower itself to consult with him. As suddenly as the barrage came though, it ended once he could relay the most significant details. He had little idea who or what 'she' was, and could only reminisce the torturous serial meetings they had together before he was released from the Omega Sector's custody in a bagged heap. The last thing he saw was Rieder fall before him and all thereafter was a blur.
All he could do was shake the projected fame off as he would doubtfully see it any time soon, "I was questioned fairly rigorously even before I reported for duty. I'm guessing that whatever I encountered was important."
"So then, are the reports true?" Surae idly question as he approached, peeling back the skin of a crop he carefully smuggled to the base with a small knife. In their own content reunion, the young adults neglected to reason that the captains also found interest in his account, listening carefully in on their tête-à-tête.
"I heard you got your tail handed to you by a female pup," Mardo chimed in behind the lieutenant, chuckling at the thought of some tiny saiyan doppelganger taking out so many of his elite. Assuming, of course, that the reports were accurate and the specific enemy was indeed responsible for all of his loss.
Vegeta sullied, glaring at Nieder, near the rear of the three, for obviously not reporting his own pissing puerile reaction to the very female that 'handed him his tail,' "You have no concept of what happened, so shut it."
Raised eyebrows responded followed by tense quiet. Vegeta never talked back.
"Oh, don't take it that way. It is understandable for someone as weak as you to fall under such an adversary," the insult rolled off of his tongue with disturbing grace. The use of these idioms was all too common for Mardo to pass up, "I am sure you will not have the opportunity for it to happen again."
"You caved like a rookie, didn't you?" Surae promoted.
"He is a rookie," the captain reconfirmed with a dampened lilt. A serious pitch crossed shortly after, "A sad one at that, especially considering his pedigree."
Vegeta knit his brows in confusion, disliking the tone of Mardo's statement. His origins had nothing to do with captivity, torture, or lack of training for the field. All he had up to this point was observation, "Insults are all well and good when they only convey your deficiency in my instruction."
"I have not taught you anything, subordinate, except how to show respect to your higher authorities. These are lessons you still have yet to appreciate."
The young saiyan did not respond submissively to this, as the captain expected so many times in the past. The paradox in the declaration only furthered Vegeta's aggression and he instead raised his voice such that it echoed passed the circle enclosing their conversation, "I'm sure that you are well experienced in how to subdue to authority. You certainly make up for it with your regard to others in your rank."
Silence befell the foyer.
Naturally, the first to recover from shock was Surae as he swiveled the tip of his blade around the words like he was carving the response," Well look who's balls finally dropped."
Brunx jerked to his bunkmate, elbowing gently at his shoulder, "Calm it, Vegeta. I'm sure he s just goading."
"Mm," Mardo replied, a sly toothy smile was still directed at the offended male, "Goading would be the term I could use for the only thing you are truly useful for."
He so badly wanted to pummel the indignant chortles reveling in the horrid experiences they were completely oblivious to the severity of. He could feel the heat of rage rising uncontrolled in his cheeks, and images flicked past Vegeta's eyes as he thought carefully about how he could utilize the open area always present under Surae's right arm. It exposed his rib cage just enough to dig his stupid family knife into. Sink it deep and tight. Puncture the lung and then he would finally shut up. After that, then there was the broken patch in Mardo's upper suit near the collar bone. He may need the knife still after all. He could keep it as a trophy when he was done.
Rightly though, Vegeta thought better to compose himself, and turned a heel to leave the humor taken at his expense. Fighting anyone would only land him in more anguish, detention, and future servitude for the captains. The put downs would never end and it was a waste of his time. At least he spoke enough to express his hatred to Mardo in a way that none of the other pansy secondary officers were willing. The sudden realization that he did not care if the older saiyan could cause him harm only deepened the satisfaction as he noticed for the first time all the awed faces while he walked away and down the hall in silence.
It was not until he made it to the familiar living district that he considered what Mardo said with more emotion than he was willing for the superior to see. Throughout Vegeta's life, his enigmatic family lineage was thrown into his face. No one was willing to let him in on the dirty secret as to why, but it was allowable to ostracize and hate him for it. He could recall Xixi telling him stories of prominent origins, but the translation of his language was aged considering none of military spoke it around him and his early foster parent thought it better, or otherwise was ordered, to shield him from knowledge of his saiyan culture. The return to his military was a shock he never quite recovered from, and the lack of any duties on his part only resulted in segregation with regard to relating casually or professionally as he got older. Now, after finally given the opportunity to see what they dealt with and recognize the graphic nature in which the elite lead their lives, he was still denied entry into their precious microcosm.
It was not fair.
"Vegeta!"
Along this course, he conveniently found the way to his unknown air dock. Ripping down the panel without care, he tweaked the wires together with a spark and entered. As he looked back, Brunx slowed just beyond the closing door with a worried expression. If his own kind could not welcome him, surely others would. He was willing to suffer the consequences of getting caught if it meant approval by another, even if only briefly.
Kanie. The thought evoked a flush of fond memories and he mentally kicked himself for not thinking of going to her immediately after he was unrestricted. No one was allowed into his suite beyond high officials while in recovery, so it was natural that she might have imagined him still out for the count. Perhaps she could talk him through the sudden reality he was not willing to deal with.
The B deck was relatively empty as he strode headlong down the hallway, past the main shafts and toward his destination. Each step, as always, relieved tension away from his shoulders and he could feel the threatening angered lump in his throat disappear. The slight glimmer of hope beaded on his hairline as he quickly traversed the memorized path leading to her. It had been too long since he was around any real companions, and although obviously different from them, the razukin pilots accepted the young saiyan for who he was. It was easy to relate for they taught him everything feasible in return, and in hindsight, Vegeta could only now comprehend why Xixi desired to be similar in so many facets.
The student deck was open to him and he counted the number of panels as he went, making sure that recollection did not fail. On the sixteenth, he halted and took a breath. Taking one additional moment to better collect himself from seeming too desperate, Vegeta slid a narrow finger over the electronic plate and pressed the button.
The delay was short, and the door slid open followed by a deep feminine voice, "Yes?"
Without hearing, Vegeta eagerly searched for the face of his friend only to find a formal navy chest wrap of the occupant staring back. He paused for a second, giving his eyes time to adjust before realizing that it was not a hallucination. Frustration created a frown and he finally glanced up to the owner's face. The older female pilot was of obvious high rank, her dark brown hair wrapped smoothly in a hidden pin, in turn highlighting oval cheeks and slant eyes. Manicured brows immediately knit down as she studied him over while the saiyan fumbled with the situation.
She cocked her head to the side at the unfamiliar male cynically, alarmed by the menacing appearance of the low ranking officer, "Who are you?"
The stunned expression was unbefitting and he backed away directly now undertanding that the tenant was not who he expected. With a curt nod, he made way to excuse himself, "I must have the wrong quarters."
"Wait," she demanded lowly, but the D class officer was already down the hall. She leaned out of the door, unhappy by the disrespect to her authority, "Stop right there."
But he did not halt, instead ducking toward the next available corridor sprawling away from the living district and directed himself to where he knew memorable faces should be. The pilot followed suit, assuring herself that an answer for his actions would be forced if necessary.
"Subordinate, I order you to stop."
Vegeta entered a communing sector, the large round room nearly empty as many of the pilots must have been on test flights. He quickly became aware that there were no exits to the other side, only a series of framed casements faced him with a vision of Ngtsusei, the immense gas giant beyond.
"Subordinate, round immediately and explain yourself."
The command registered, but the saiyan could not pull himself to submit. He had been a coward his whole life to everyone and he was done. The unruliness to his immediate superiors was already proof of that. Clenching his fist by his side, indecision pressed firmly.
"Subordinate-"
"Nia, leave."
The pilot directed herself toward the sound as it cut her silent, still angered by the unwanted intrusion, "Captain, this subordinate-"
"Leave," she repeated.
All argument was dropped as the tall razukin saluted and returned to the door, leaving Vegeta and Soen alone. The captain took a deep breath and peered back at the small male she barely recognized enter initially. Vegeta continued to stare forward, the grinding of his back teeth tensed the jaw muscles exasperatedly. He stood upright and his fist relaxed as he felt the childhood protector and confidant slowly approach him. He knew she was wary.
Soen's eyes grew wide and watery. The reports were proved true and all she wanted to do was rush him with questions and consolation for the entire trauma he no doubt endured during the missing cycle. However, the sustained tension, even in her presence, made her unsure how he might react to her. In her own mind, the razukin had to encourage herself that she had not mistaken the young saiyan for her Vegeta.
With a shaky hand, Soen clasped the edge of his cheek.
A flinch replied, gray eyes closing. She flattened her palm against him, turning the saddened visage toward her before her own pained heart could no longer stand it. In an aching sigh, she wrapped her other arm around his shoulder in a tight embrace.
The solace did not last long. He could not handle the shame anymore. Everyone pitied or hated him for whatever reason, and the still adolescent emotional imbalances tore at the young adult's conscious for fighting control. Unexpectedly, he was tired of being comforted for something he did not understand, and with an effortless nudge, he pushed the astonished female aside.
"What happened to you?"
He looked around the space as though he were pacing a cell, "Where is she?"
"She?"
He glared at her such that the captain appropriately backed away, recalling rapidly the young pilot he so enjoyed company with.
"Kanie was transferred-"
"Transferred," Vegeta stopped pacing and suddenly lost all conviction in taking another step. She was gone, "When?"
Soen's sympathetic expression intensified, "Near half a cycle ago. Sequi Risa was her first stop on the tour."
The emotions were not difficult to read as he clenched fine brows together again. The base was so quiet now that many of the recruits were routed to their final command stations, as was normal after their extensive instruction at the academy. It would be nearly as long before the next shipment met with their captains, and the sole remaining trainees were designated for prototype development in Freeza's inner network. Two narrow crafts converged near the edge of his sight, barely grazing the outer atmospheric profile of their backdrop. The information was overwhelming, and Vegeta felt more alone than ever at the thought of losing his intimate friend, in addition to the novel passion he did not know how to cope with. Blame was the first natural step in the process, "Why did you send her away?"
Soen narrowed, confused by the charged question, "Vegeta, I do not have a choice in the matter. She would have left eventually."
He could only shake his head in subtle defiance of this truth. He at least wanted to opportunity to say goodbye, and this was not enough. A flat palm reached up and slapped the metal wall panel hard.
"What did you expect?" The remark was meant to sooth more than chide, but Vegeta turned back belligerently anyway. Soen blinked and pushed forward, providing the only tender advice she could, "You were gone for over a cycle. We all thought," she paused to swallow and reword, "All of the pilots that followed near the border confirmed that your and Captain Tsun's communication ceased. You were gone to us."
"Why didn't they come after me?" He demanded as though the razukin had answers to retort.
She bit her lip and shrugged, "I can't answer that."
"We were outclassed," he mumbled after a moment, finding it hard to admit that his first mission off of the base was such an utter failure. No wonder the captains were mocking him. He never had a chance. And no one came, not that it would have mattered much anyway for the scene was a massacre. No survivors and only a sole individual remained in the middle of the combat zone. His orders were merely to not be visible and immediately report all activity back to operatives along the borders. "They should have sent someone more experienced to handle this."
"You were the only one here who could follow through."
"I wasn't briefed properly."
"No one was. That is how it is in the forbidden zone," The captain approached him more confidently amidst his denial, yet still tentative to ask for details she knew the reports themselves could not offer, "Do you know what happened to Tsun?"
He motioned a negative, "The last I saw him was when I left the ship and we were already drawing attention by that point."
The reports stated that the captain relayed a distress signal within hours of landing, requesting supplementary support and that he lost signal with his passenger. Vegeta was already beyond reach whether he knew it or not, and it was daunting what the enemy's technology was truly capable of.
"You cannot blame yourself," Soen consoled gesturing in an atypical posture she never allotted for her students. "When I heard that you survived, I had difficulty believing it. But here you are, and at least one will do for the return."
"That is not good enough," he insisted hastily, ranking a hand through his ebony hair. Tsun was a close comrade of the captain's, the regret he was sure she felt when discovering the loss, "I fell. Easily. I had no opportunity of following through with the assignment. I could not remain invisible or protect him. I failed."
Tears stung his eyes. Vegeta left the base with such naïve promise that his life would change. He was finally going to do something constructive with his time by contributing to the greater goals along side his military. His outlook was no doubt altered, but far from the manner that he intended and at such a high cost to those he cared about. The concept of fitting somewhere no longer mattered, for only the guilt and letdown remained.
"There is no failure, Vegeta. No one has ever survived the Omega Sector," Soen paused to turn his chin toward her with the accompanying eye contact, "except for you."
His face lost expression, questioning the relevance, "And what do I do with that?"
She raised a brow in retort, the tone brutally serious, "You hold your head up high and tell those captains where to stick it if they give you trouble. You fight for that credit and disallow anyone who dares to tell you otherwise."
The saiyan was struck from his stupor as the words graced her lips with ease. She was right in all ways, nonverbally reminding him that the fact he was alive was a conundrum let alone his free ability to retell his encounter with a very real enemy posing as one of their own. The female was so small, so child-like, it baffled him even as the memory from the first time he saw her in the center of the field mentally resurfaced. They shared such a striking likeness, and Vegeta was beginning to see now that this must have been the sole reason why she let him go. He was meant to be the message. "Everything has changed, hasn't it?"
The razukin relaxed herself and managed to bring the other hand up to compliment the first, "No. You have."
