Chapter 10
Unnatural Alliance
The next morning found the Saiyan King shrugging off the sleep even as the door chimed a person outside the door. "Enter." He called he stated as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and began to sit up. As the door slid open, Vegeta turned to tug on the white boots. "I was not sure if I were still to wear the rank of Commander or go back to being a guest aboard ship."
Picard only gave a light smile. "Wear the rank. You have proven to be most interesting when it comes to tactics and other operations, not to mention being the fastest and most efficient worker I have ever seen. Commander Riker may be my Number One, but your presence upon the bridge would still be accepted. Now about the delegations. Have you come up with a reply?"
Vegeta mused over the deliberations. "I'd love to relent on the delegations, but I cannot. If I do this time, then next time I'd be expected to give a bit more. I cannot set that up. We can send in a few Saiyans if needed for protection, but we cannot fight their internal battles. One or two will reside on the planet. It's the least invasive tactic and still allows for them to be under the Saiyan Empire and offer protection."
Jean-Luc nodded seeing the situation fully now in context. "So just like us, you do not interfere with another culture. Which means the Federation must have come to a certain point for you to make First Contact with us."
"We made First Contact because of the situation brewing. Now with each race in their respective boundaries, the shark may soon appear and reveal themselves to us. It is reasonable to assume whomever it is should not be taken lightly and may prove to be exponentially more powerful than the Romulans, Cardassians, and the Ferengi combined." Vegeta said even as he moved into the bathroom to change into the uniform once more.
As the Captain gazed about the room, he could see the older book once more on the desk. His hand grazed the cover, feeling the leather under his fingertips before lifting them off and nodded. "This book, I have seen it by your bed now for some time. May I ask what it is?"
Vegeta stepped from the room, dressed in the red and black Starfleet uniform and began putting the pips back on. "It is a journal that I record in. I have found it much more reliable than using computers. I have almost an entire bookshelf with the journals I have written, Captain." Gazing at the mirror, the Saiyan would align the pips so that they were straight and evenly spaced before he turned to face the Captain.
"To have nearly a bookshelf full, you must be quite the writer as well it seems." Picard added as he watched the Saiyan tweak one or two more things before the King finally gave his meticulous approval. "You also seem very geared toward precision even upon uniform. If only half my officers took just a couple more minutes to sharpen up as well. However it is your day off, why the uniform?"
"I have never done official business in casual clothing. Besides who knows when I will be needed and as a Universal Warrior, I must always be ready, even in times of peace. As soon as the North Kai contacts, we will be ready to be underway and quickly. That can come at any moment. I just wish he would at least give us coordinates to get there." Vegeta said as he moved toward the door.
"North Kai? Is this another Saiyan?" Picard asked him with curiosity.
"No, he is one of the overseers of the Universe." Vegeta stated carefully. "You have the Guardians which watch over a planet. Above them, you have the Check In stations to the realm of the dead. Only a few planets per galaxy has one of their own, Earth being one of them. Above them you have the Four Kais, each overseeing a quadrant of the Universe and called by their respective location of the quadrant, East, South, West, and North. Currently we are under the North Kai's jurisdiction. Above those four is the Grand Kai, and above him, are the Supreme Kais." Vegeta stated rather casually as he and the Captain walked toward the Conference room.
When they entered the Prime Minister was already there and turned around. "King Vegeta, I have thought a lot of what was placed on the table, and you are right. One or two is the best on the planet and more to come should help be needed. Would this be acceptable to allowing us to be part of the Saiyan Empire?"
Vegeta nodded lightly. "Then two Saiyans will be placed on your world. Yes Prime Minister it is acceptable. I wish you a safe journey home and welcome to the Saiyan Empire."
The men would embrace in a handshake before the Prime Minister would take off toward the shuttle bay and departed quickly. Vegeta shrugged lightly. "That was easy. Now maybe I can indulge in other activities."
"Vegeta." A voice came into the room on the lower tone as the warrior stopped and looked upward. The Captain looked around as well, trying to see who was speaking. "Vegeta, are you there?" The voice again stated as the warrior furrowed a brow."
"Who is speaking?" Vegeta asked as though speaking to thin air. If Picard had not been there himself, he would have thought Vegeta to have been mentally unstable.
"This is Kabito Shin." It responded again.
"Who is that?" Picard asked looking at Vegeta with a bit of concern on his brow.
"He is one of the Supreme Kais. They're contacting us via telepathy." Vegeta stated quietly as he informed the Captain. "Go ahead Supreme Kai." Vegeta responded to the other.
"We have dire news Vegeta, some that could effect the entire Galaxy. This is to take the utmost importance." Kabito responded from his own world. He could hardly believe the events himself.
The Captain glanced at the Saiyan King as he learned how the Saiyans were dispatched to different circumstances that may have needed their attention so readily. He looked back up again as Kabito Shin continued. "Lord Beerus has awoken and already ten planets have fallen victim to his rampage. He's on his way to your location even as we speak. Expect him in about ten minutes. Whatever you do, do not engage him, meaning do not fight him, insult him, don't even look at him funny, or he could take out the entire Galaxy."
The warrior furrowed a brow lightly. "Beerus, I know the name, but I don't remember the face. If it has the Supreme Kais on edge though, this is not good news. It means we have to keep him calm and convince him to leave. This may be one of the toughest missions you have ever had."
Picard nearly scoffed. "It sounds about like the Q Continuum. They are annoying and don't want to leave at all."
"This is nothing like those jokesters Captain. You just heard that with the power this person wields, the entire Galaxy could be destroyed. That means no more Cardassians, Romulans, Klingons, or Federation. Frankly I would like to keep my home a bit longer as well." Vegeta turned, trying to place the name to the face. "Either way, I have ten minutes to prepare for him, Captain."
"You take it with seeming ease. This is the entire Galaxy we're talking about Vegeta." Picard reiterated rather firmly.
"Welcome to a day in the life of a Saiyan King. There's no pressure, just the fate of a galaxy resting on my shoulders." Vegeta sarcastically stated as he looked ahead quietly. Tapping on the comm badge, Vegeta put in a command to the bridge. "Lower the shields, we will be expecting a guest. I'm on my way up to meet him when he appears. No one is to speak to orengage him in any way."
The Captain looked at Vegeta, a brow knitting. "You seem to take too much freedom in running my ship."
"If you want your ship blown up and over a thousand lives on your head, fine, I'll be glad to take a back seat. Either way, I'm going to be the one to greet this Lord Beerus. Captain, once he's on board, I'll be the one to show him around and make sure that he's seen to properly. You want a delicate situation, this more than qualifies." Vegeta stated as he finally walked off headed toward the bridge to leave the Captain contemplate what was at stake.
As the Saiyan entered the bridge, he stood in the center of the bridge, his hands behind his back as the orders had been followed. Worf watched momentarily and by that time, the warrior king now waiting. A pit settled like a knot in the stomach as Vegeta stood, the seconds seeming like minutes. The Saiyan took a deep breath when a flickering could be heard and the awaited guests appeared aboard the bridge with them.
Whis picked up his staff only moments later to have it disappear. From behind him stood a cat like creature. The moment he stepped out from behind Whis, Vegeta's gaze took on one of a furrowed brow, a touch of surprise in his eyes. He remembered him now. Beerus had held him motionless on the floor as a child while his father was humiliated. "Don't tell me you have already forgotten Lord Beerus. Its hard to imagine with even my great intellect that the last time we met was when you were just a child King Vegeta. Your father was putting out quite a spread of food when we last met."
Vegeta scowled deeply. "Yes, my lord, it has been a while since we had last met. How may I be of service?"
This took everyone on the bridge by surprise. As strong as Vegeta was, it seemed this person was of even higher importance, and possible strength. Even Worf found it difficult that the proud warrior would swallow the pride and prowess he had as an accomplished warrior. Vegeta however seemed to remember far more than he was even speaking of.
Beerus only smiled. "It is known that humans tend to have some of the best food in the galaxy. I would like to try some, as would my associate, Whis, if you don't mind sparing a bit of food. However if I taste it and don't like it, it will just mean the destruction of this ship and all its people, Vegeta. However, I would not mind meeting the head of this ship. Would you be kind enough to introduce us?"
Whether it was the politeness that took the bridge crew off guard or the fact that he ordered the Saiyan King as though he were a servant, it was hard to say. Vegeta only nodded gesturing to each of the crew. "The Captain of Enterprise is Jean-Luc Picard. The first officer, William Riker, Security and Tactical is the Klingon, Lieutenant Worf. At the helm is the Android known as Lieutenant Commander Data. The Chief Engineer is Lieutenant Jordi LaForge, and of course the two ladies, Doctor Beverly Crusher, and the Betazoid Councilor Deanna Troi."
"It is a pleasure to meet everyone. I am Lord Beerus." He stated as the others nodded respectfully giving their greetings. Turning back to Vegeta, he gave a light grin. "Now about that food, Vegeta. My mouth is simply watering to taste some of the delightful food."
As the two departed, Deanna looked up at Captain Picard. "Politeness is only a façade between them, Captain. This Lord Beerus thinks of Vegeta as a subordinate and had even planned for the destruction of the Saiyan home world. Vegeta is seething with rage underneath having suffered humiliation at his hands when he was a child."
"Is what this Lord Beerus stated true Deanna? Would he destroy the ship if he found insult suffered by anyone's hand?" Captain Picard asked looking rather concerned.
Deanna nodded. "He's extremely dangerous and both he and Vegeta believe that Lord Beerus could carry out the threat without so much as a flick of the finger. Captain, seeing as how Vegeta has had interactions with him before, perhaps it is wise if we follow his lead and try not to insult him."
Each of them conversed toward the desired response to this guest as Vegeta pulled the food from a replicator and brought it to the table. "Perhaps you would not mind some of this. Pudding, sushi, tempura, some cake, and of course a couple glasses of juice." Stepping back, Vegeta watched and waited.
Whis was the first to try and he seemed to marvel at the taste of the food and soon after so did Lord Beerus. "Alright, this ship is spared for now." Beerus stated, delighting for now in the dish of pudding.
Vegeta though spoke up as well. "Would you mind if I asked you a question as well my lord?"
"What question do you have, Vegeta?" He asked rather casually as he leaned back in the seat, swirling the juice about in the glass, taking a drink.
"We are on a mission to find out what is causing the Ferengi, Cardassians, and the Romulans to band together. Would you have any idea, my lord of what may be causing it, if anything at all?" Vegeta asked, remaining by the replicator closest to the table.
Whis peered into his orb at the top of his staff and nodded. "Yes, it seems to be quite the weird situation. They seem to be striking a deal with the other two, but I see you are right, another entity is causing them to strike this alliance. However as I just stated, you'll find that answer with the Cardassians."
The Saiyan King nodded only once as he acknowledged what was stated. "If my lord does not mind me asking, what brings you to this ship?"
"I heard Planet Vegeta was reformed and there seem to be more than a handful of Saiyans on planet right now. You are now the King, are you not, Vegeta?" Beerus asked of the Saiyan King that stood about five feet from him.
Vegeta nodded lightly. "Yes my lord, I am the King now, and we just struck a treaty with another planet wishing the protection of the Saiyan Empire."
The tedious conversation continued as Riker came in to Ten Forward, noting the scene before him. However he also noted the cool collection of the Saiyan too. If the Saiyan King felt any discomfort or anxiety, it was masked under a deceptively calm exterior. What they spoke of though would be anyone's guess as he continued to the bar where Guinan offered the usual drink to the Commander. "Any idea what they are speaking of?"
Guinan only shook her head. "Whatever it is, the guest seems to have had Vegeta on edge and then recently has changed to a more cordial conversation. The two mentioned that this ship was spared for now, thanks to the food that Vegeta offered them. I assumed it is stuff that the King must handle as part of his rule over the Saiyan Empire."
The Commander stayed at the bar and listened from afar to the conversation going between Beerus, Whis, and Vegeta. Whis looked at the cat creature and then pulled his staff out. "My lord, it seems that the Borg have intruded upon the Alpha Quadrant. Shall we see if we like their food as well?"
"Very well Whis. Thank you Vegeta for the food, I look forward to many more novelties." With that, the two stood, a tap of the staff projected energy before the were gone. Vegeta turned and sat down himself now, leaning forward on the table as though he'd just gone ten rounds with a more powerful opponent. He'd barely had time to enjoy a sip of water before he found Riker there, sitting across from him. "What was all that about?"
"They're going after the Borg ship. By my estimation, they won't be a problem about…now." Vegeta stated as a message from the bridge came in over the comm badges stating that the ship had been destroyed with no surviving members. Vegeta only looked up to Riker. "That could have been us." The Saiyan stated with little seeming concern.
"I don't believe it. Taking out one of those ships is hard enough as it is. If that was them, then it took them…" William seemed a bit flabbergasted.
"About ten seconds for it to happen. He must have tapped on the ship and caused its destruction. Lord Beerus is the last one you want to have angry." Vegeta stated as he leaned back, his finger simply tapping on the table. "The Q may be omnipotent, but the two you seen aboard today, are beyond them."
"What do you mean?" Riker asked leaning forward.
"Beerus is the God of Destruction. Whis is his attendant and teacher. Before you go on saying that such things don't exist, remember, he just took out a Borg ship without effort. He's not the cause though of the three joining forces though." Vegeta stated as he stood up. "They said that the Cardassians would be the ones to ask."
"Why would gods destroy stuff? I mean it sounds crazy." The Commander stated quietly.
"Creation and Destruction. They are needed to help balance each other. Without them, the Universe would go out of balance. Its not a matter of good or evil. It is just a basic fundamental reality that if something is created, something must be destroyed. For example, to create a structure for a house, you have to destroy some trees by cutting them down and using them for lumber. To create a field for planting, you must first destroy it with a plow. Beerus is the destruction where whatever deity you believe in are the creators." Vegeta looked out the window, watching the stars going by.
"Cardassians though, good luck getting information from them." Commander Riker stated as he looked at the King sitting across from him.
"Either way, if we are to find out who is doing this, it should be taken to consideration. Breaking this to the Captain though…" Vegeta's voice trailed off a bit. He had remembered what it meant when Frieza's ship was diverted. Some planet or race was about to meet its end. However, this was not Frieza's ship, this was the Enterprise, and things here followed what seemed a strict command structure.
A sudden jostling rocked the ship, followed by a summons to the Commanders to report to the bridge. The two jogged to the nearest turbo lift and it wasn't long after that they had reached the bridge. Both came out as Commander Riker took his place to the right of the Captain while Vegeta moved to the left. The Captain stood up as he called for the images to be brought on screen.
"I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. You are firing on a Federation starship and further aggression will not be tolerated." There was urgency in the Captain's voice as the ship decloaked and shown its predatory nature.
"This is Gul Danar of the Aldara, the firing was by accident. We did not mean harm." The sly Cardassian stated. The Galor class ship was now nose to nose with the Enterprise, dwarfed by the Galaxy class starship.
"May I ask what you are doing in Federation space? I would hate to consider this as an act of war on part of the Cardassians." Picard said in a friendly tone, though it seemed tinged by sarcasm.
The unexpected move from the Cardassians though made Vegeta rise from his chair as Riker and he came up beside the Captain. Danar ordered the lowering of shields and the disarming of the disrupters. Normally construed as an act of peaceful intentions, it was not like the Cardassians to have done such a thing. The strange behavior seemed to catch the attention of the Saiyan.
For a tense moment no word was spoken. Worf would relay the information of the opposing ship's disarming. Picard spoke up. "Would this have anything to do with the recent building of alliances with the Ferengi and the Romulans?"
The Captain and then looked back to Gul Danar. The Cardassian nodded only once. "It indeed does. It seems that you are aware of the situation brewing in all three of our Empires. The strange alliances have forced me to seek out a more neutral party."
After muting the transmissions, Picard, Riker, and Vegeta turned to the rest of the bridge crew. "I need options." The Captain stated.
"We could invite them on board, discuss the issue." Commander Riker said quickly and then as the three turned around, it was then the Cardassian remembered the Saiyan beside the Captain. It was short lived, but Vegeta had caught the micro expression quickly fading from the other's features.
Gul Danar nodded. "Agreed. We will teleport over." The screens went blank before a shimmering of light would bring the Cardassion leader aboard the Enterpise where he soon sat across the table from Vegeta.
The Saiyan warrior only seemed to look back with that intense gaze, almost spell binding as Danar found himself sinking further into the depths of the Saiyan's gaze. Breaking the line of sight, the Gul spoke up once all the senior officers were there. "There is something that we must talk about. I feel this entire quadrant may have to come to alliance at least for a brief time."
Captain Picard took his seat at the head of the conference table as he raised a brow. "What kind of threat are we talking about?"
"I have no idea what it is. However, it is large enough to engulf a planet, and seems to have an intelligence about it." Danar said as he brought up an image of the massive ship, circular in size. "We have already lost a good half of our fleets and it does not seem to be stopping there. We have fired disrupters, phasers, and all other sorts of weapons. It seems to take it and keep coming."
Jean-Luc gazed at the image. "I have never seen anything like this."
Danar continued. "At this rate, the entire quadrant will be destroyed. A number of Borg ships have already fallen and been engulfed by this ship. We are sure that if we don't band together, then we have no chance of survival."
Vegeta looked up at it and then narrowed his gaze. "I'll have a couple scouts encounter it and see what can be done. If we can get a name at least, it may tell us more."
The Cardassian looked at Vegeta. "A couple scouts won't do any good. They'll be taken out with ease."
Scoffing lightly, the King spoke once more, tapping on the scouter he wore. "King Vegeta to tactical. Deploy two Saiyans to the Cardassian borders. We need to find out what this is. We may have a Universal threat on our hands."
It was all that was stated as the warrior then continued to listen. The room fell silent as they waited for word. It was only a matter of minutes before two Saiyan pods careened past the two starships, racing toward the designated area. "We will know here in a couple of minutes what we're dealing with." Vegeta stated as he looked toward the window. If he was worried about the safety of his people, he was not showing it. The demeanor instead turned cold.
Picard and Danar now could only wait and watch to see what would happen. Vegeta leaned back in the chair and furrowed a brow lightly. The waiting always seemed to be the hardest part. The warrior though had every confidence that they could get the needed information.