Chapter 54: Plan to Relocate the Saiyans
So some people didn't get the Broly joke in last chapter's Kai bit. Basically, his speech in italics was entirely composed of (sometimes pronoun-edited to change around the 'I's and 'you's) quotes from a man called the Ultimate Warrior. He is a wrestler and also completely out of his mind. Now, I don't follow wrestling, but I saw a video of this guy rambling and had a lightbulb moment. Hence, Broly's, ahem, lines.
Thing the second: I'm spelling Dr. Raichi's machine 'Hatchiyak'. In English it's often called Hatchiyack, with a 'c', but I think it looks cooler without. And anyway, in Japanese it's 'Hatchihyakku' or something (I think it means 'eight hundred'?), so Hatchiyak is my best approximation of that.
Dr. Raichi shifted in his chair. "Hatchiyak! Report."
+++Energy Signature Detected, Location: Alfheim. Match Record: Nemea. Proceeding to intercept+++
"Excellent. ETA?"
+++1.75 Standard Days+++
He nodded, closing the transmission. A soft exhalation produced a cloud of steam in the cold air of his central chamber. "I will never forgive the saiyans for what they did to us...even if God does..."
"Two hundred twenty-four..." Gohan was currently doing push-ups in his quarters in Citadel. "Two twenty-five...come on, Videl, why do you always make me do this? I've got to get back to writing..."
"Because if I let you do your own thing, you never train!" she snapped. "You can't just assume that your natural power will always carry you through—you need to keep your skill and stamina up! C'mon, two hundred and fifty, then you're done!"
"Feh...two twenty-six..." he grumbled.
"Gohan!" Darye, the nervous older Speaker, materialised in the doorway. "Come quickly!"
Gohan stood up, looking at the new arrival. "What's the problem?"
"Some kind of large creature has landed a few miles from here! It ignored all attempts to communicate, marching straight towards Citadel...when we used a platoon of drones to block its path, it just trampled over them! It looks like it has hostile intentions, and it's incredibly strong..."
Videl nodded, understanding. "So your government or whatever want Gohan to stop it?"
Darye grimaced. "Not exactly...it's more of a personal request. The Council is still undertaking a Preliminary Meeting to Assess Threat Levels and Vote on the Necessity of an Emergency Committee." He rolled his eyes as he continued. "The Emergency Committee would then elect an Emergency Action Leader, whose job it would be to give orders in the crisis—well, not exactly orders, as each one would be subject to a review, Council discussion, and citywide vote."
"And this would take?" she asked.
"Well, they've never actually had to do it yet—neither of our two violent encounters in recent history have lasted long enough—but I'd guess anywhere from a day to a month. As I've said many times...bureaucracy. So, would you mind..."
Gohan headed for the door. "Don't worry. You're pretty sensible...the Gordian knot solution."
"The what?"
"Earth saying, don't worry."
"Actually, I don't understand it either..." Videl admitted.
"Read a history book sometime. I'm going to fight a thing. See ya."
Despite this closing statement, his three travelling companions accompanied him, partly out of curiosity, partly out of boredom.
It stood easily twice Gohan's height or more, an organic-looking machine sporting red panels and casings on its torso, head and limbs, a more pinkish colour beneath. Green gem-like objects gleamed on its forehead, chest, forearms and knuckles.
+++Scanning+++
+++ID match: Saiyan+++
The machine's gaze swept from Gohan to his companions.
+++Unknown+++
Gohan walked confidently up to it, folding his arms. "What do you want? Why'd you attack those drones, and what's your intention here?" It carried on walking, stopping inches away and staring down at him blankly. "Wonder how strong this thing is—just like the androids, I can't sense any ki..."
At some silent signal, the gems began to glow with an angry, burning emerald light. Gohan gasped, staggering back as if dealt a physical blow, as its power core flared to life. "Woah! I take it back...this ki, it's even greater than..." With speed he couldn't follow, its fist lashed out, catching him on the head and knocking him out instantly. "...Broly..."
Kuriza grimaced. "Did you see that? It's fast!"
"Be on your guard..." Zarbon muttered. "That energy...just appeared out of nowhere..."
Slowly, its head turned. Its gaze locked on them.
+++Secondary Threat Identified+++
+++Neutralise+++
"Mmm, this is delicious!" Goku downed another mouthful of soup. "This tastes like the fish my grandpa used to make when I was a kid!"
"Well, it should!" Chi-Chi grinned, spooning a serving into her bowl. "It is the same fish."
"But it's huge and carnivorous..." he mumbled. "And it only lives in one lake up the mountain. How'd you—"
"Hiked up the mountain and killed it with my own two hands."
Goku beamed. "I love you, you know that?"
"You'd better! The things I do—" a ringing came from the other room. A few seconds later, she returned with the phone. "It's for you—Bulma."
"Eh?" Goku took the phone, holding it awkwardly—he'd never been too comfortable or familiar with technology. "Hey, Bulma! What is it?"
"You'd better come quick." There was a tension behind her words. "You're not gonna like this."
Goku walked into Capsule Corp to see a projector and screen already set up in the living room. "What's all this?"
Bulma pressed a button on a remote. "Received a transmission—broadcast all around the galaxy. Just watch."
The screen flickered to life, immediately showing a disturbing image—a decapitated Namekian head stuck on a pole, which someone more aware of galactic current affairs would identify as Lord Slug. "I trust I have your attention," a raspy voice spoke.
The image zoomed out to show a sinister-looking, blue-grey face. Visible veins snaked up and down the forehead. One red eye, one white, both blank and pupil-less. A bushy mane of hair around the shoulders, but the top of the head was bald, and a large moustache draped down the chin.
"Now...if there are any saiyans watching, I advise you not to disregard this message. It may be...a matter of life or death. Observe." He indicated to his right, and the camera swung around to show three figures standing behind him: Gohan, Paragus, and a third Goku didn't recognise, short and wearing traditional saiyan armour. All had a dark red ring around their eyes, and appeared to be conscious but immobile and passive. "These are the three I have gathered so far," he continued. "However, I have reason to suspect more are still lurking around the galaxy, so if you can hear me, consider this a challenge. The co-ordinates broadcast with this message are my location. If you wish to attempt to rescue these three...if you relish a call to battle...or if you simply desire to finish what you started all those years ago...I am waiting. Any non-saiyan detected approaching will be shot down in orbit. Goodbye." The transmission cut out.
Goku noticed he was trembling slightly. "Bulma...I need a ship."
"Gotcha. I know you guys—I always have a spare lying around. It's actually been pretty easy replicating the one we used to go to Namek—"
"Not now, all right? I'm going. Tell Chi-Chi."
"Are you mad? She'll bite my head off!"
"Goodbye, Bulma." He strode out of the room, forcing himself not to scream in frustration.
"He's WHAT?!"
Bulma winced as the phone shook with Chi-Chi's furious shout. "Uh...he left a few minutes ago. Sorry. You have to admit he has a good reason."
"Well, just tell him he'd better bring our boy home safe, or I'll kick his ass from here to next week, you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, sadly."
Nail entered the room just as Bulma put the phone down. "Am I going crazy, or was Goku just here?"
"Yeah, but he's kind of in space now. Long story." Bulma shrugged.
Nail sighed. "Perfect timing. I'd just detected some weird ki spike in the North...I was going to ask him to help me investigate. Are there any other fighters around?"
"Yamcha's here, I think. I'll call Tien and Krillin if you want, though, tell them where you're headed."
"Thanks." He headed back outside. "Hey! Yamcha!"
"What's that? You're going?" Launch asked as Chiaotzu finished relaying the message to her and Tien.
"Yeah." Tien nodded. "I'm sure Nail and Bulma wouldn't ask something like this if it wasn't serious. It could be dangerous, so...I'm going to ask you two to stay here."
Launch frowned. "Yamcha's going."
Silence for several seconds.
Tien sighed. "Yeah, point taken. Chiaotzu, do you mind staying and watching Break? Can't really take her along."
"Okay." Chiaotzu smiled. "I'm not really that keen on fighting anyway. You guys be careful!"
"Sure." Launch handed Break to Chiaotzu, and immediately the baby started protesting loudly. "Hey, hey, calm down. It's not like it's a total stranger." The crying continued. "Ugh, come on! Shh, quiet now, it's okay..."
"Waaa...aaaa...aaaAAAAAHHH!" In a burst of light, Break's hair turned golden and stood up on end. A wave of destructive force rolled out from her body, hurling Chiaotzu across the room, Break landing heavily on the floor but not appearing to be affected.
"Uh..." Tien scratched his head. "Is that supposed to happen? I mean, at such a young age..."
Launch shrugged, picking the struggling baby up and sitting on a nearby chair. "The future Break did warn us it happened early with her...that unstable genetic combination...well, I guess I'm staying here. Go get 'em."
"Right." I should get going... Tien turned and flew out of the doorway into the cold morning air.
"Are you gonna be okay?" Chiaotzu asked Launch. "I mean, even a baby Super Saiyan must be pretty strong..."
"True..." Launch growled as she wrestled with Break, trying to keep her still. "But she doesn't know how to use her strength at all...and besides...KAIOKEN—times two!" A red aura enveloped her, and she felt new strength surge into her muscles, finally letting her hold Break easily. "There! That's better. Now quit your whining and go to sleep already! I swear, next time I'm just going to leave you here and go punch someone!"
Precisely 46.5 hours later...
Goku rushed out as soon as the ship touched down on the barren moon. Little to no life visible around him, but he ignored the scenery, heading straight for the tall chimney-like structure on the horizon. Wonder if he's there? Only one way to find out... It certainly seemed so—he began to sense some ki signatures as he approached, but most of them were strangely hazy, as if something was partially blocking them. He guessed those were inside. Still...seems like there's one out here...and it's familiar. Wait, that couldn't be...could it?
He landed next to the building, standing a few metres behind a depressingly familiar figure.
"Kakarot..." Vegeta turned around, smirking at him. "I see you've finally decided to grace me with your presence. Where's your slightly less moronic brother?"
"He's dead."
"My condolences. I'm sorry someone else beat me to it. I hope I won't be denied the same with you." Vegeta wore a heavily customised suit of battle armour, with the shoulder and leg guards removed—they always seemed to get snapped off in battle anyway, or so he'd reasoned. "That's your brat he's got ahold of, isn't it?"
"What's it to you?" Goku said tersely. "You're just here for the fight, aren't you?"
"Actually, no." Vegeta frowned. "Much as it pains me to say it, there is someone I care about enough to come to their rescue."
What's this? He cares for somebody? Goku shook his head. "Who are you, and what have you done with Vegeta?"
"Very funny, Kakarot. But...I could never bring myself to abandon my brother, Tarble."
"Oh! So that's who the third guy was! Say, he did look a bit like you...how come he survived when Frieza blew up our home planet?"
"You really are ignorant...Tarble was banished to the outer reaches of the galaxy, for his cowardice, low power and unwillingness to fight. In other words, not a true saiyan at all." Vegeta pointed at the screen on the front of the building, which portrayed a video feed of the three captive saiyans. "What I'd like to know is what that worm Paragus is doing here?"
"You know him?" Goku shrugged. "Far as I know, his son Broly saved him...Broly was the Legendary Super Saiyan, which basically means he was born with a naturally huge power. Gohan killed him, though."
"Incorrect." The voice, belonging to the man from the transmission, emanated from the tower.
"What? No!" Goku looked up at the source of the sound. "I saw it happen! There's no way he could have survived!"
"Then you are mistaken," the voice continued. "Because I am detecting the energy signal of the saiyan Broly rapidly approaching his planet. He is in a large cargo freighter." Pause. "Judging by the velocity and approach vector of said vehicle, I do not believe that he knows how to fly it. Projected impact zone: Three kilometres east. Stand by."
At this point, a low humming noise became audible, and the two saiyans looked up, to see a slowly-growing light in the sky. Eventually it formed itself into an elongated oval shape, a common cargo ship model. As predicted, it did not land so much as plummet, meeting the ground edgeways with a satisfyingly thunderous impact, before suddenly exploding and nearly deafening them.
"He's right..." Goku said quietly. "I can sense him from here...Broly survived!"
"Well, who cares!" Vegeta grunted. "What's the big deal with this Broly, anyway? What's a Legendary Super Saiyan? Isn't the Super Saiyan legendary anyway?!"
"Broly was born with the power...it's a sort of hidden genetic 'switch' in saiyan DNA...he didn't have to work for Super Saiyan like we did. And it gives him access to a higher form, which is what we call the Legendary form." They both transformed to the first level of Super Saiyan as they felt, then eventually saw, Broly's approach.
He landed in front of them, smirking slightly. "Well...it's been a long time..." he chuckled.
"How did you survive?" Goku snapped. "Gohan killed you—he blasted you right out into space!"
"Well, he should have tried harder," Broly snorted. "I've always been...a survivor. I floated in space—I don't know how long—only kept alive by my unconscious power, the same power that saved me when Frieza tried to destroy us. Finally, a ship picked me up, recognised I was a saiyan, and their captain decided to drop me here on the way to their destination. They were too kind-hearted for their own good...that's what's left of their ship back there." He paused. "So the Tuffle in there has my father?"
Vegeta nodded. "Right. You're here to save him? From Kakarot's description of you, I wouldn't have thought you cared."
"I don't, but...I'm going to kill the old bastard, and I'll be damned if I let someone else beat me to it."
"Hold on!" Goku interjected. "What's a Tuffle? Guys?"
Vegeta glanced at him, then back at Broly. "Raditz never told you...typical...planet Vegeta, named as I was for my father, used to be known as Plant...that was the name the Tuffles gave it. We saiyans used to be locked in an unending war with them for control of the planet. Our warriors were much more powerful than theirs, but they were cultured, advanced, masters of technology, whereas we still lived in caves...the war raged on throughout the years, with neither side able to gain an advantage. Finally, a full moon—a rare event on our homeworld—caused our entire race to transform into Oozarus, and we wiped them out. After renaming the planet after my father, the king who'd led us to victory, we quickly adapted to the Tuffles' technology...unfortunately, it was not long after that that we were enslaved by Frieza."
"Right..." Goku looked over at the tower. "So this guy's one of these Tuffles? I guess you missed one..."
"We'll see. He looks the part, anyway, as does his technology." Vegeta faced the tower, shouting a challenge up to the heavens. "Well, we're all here! You wanted us—you've got us! Are you going to come out and face us, or are we going to have to drag you out of there? Answer me!"
The giant screen showed their enemy's face again. "You are correct...my name is Dr. Raichi, and I am the last of the Tuffle race. Well...perhaps not even that. I am but a ghost now, the embodiment of my people's hatred for you...anyway." He adjusted something off-screen. "You will have your battle, saiyan. You will face the pinnacle of our technology...deploying Hatchiyak and Baby."
Goku raised an eyebrow. "Baby? Doesn't sound very threatening..."
Raichi chuckled. "Merely a private joke...I once referred to the project as my 'baby'...it seemed to dislike this name, and its discomfort amuses me. So the name stuck. In any case, you three appear to be an overall more powerful group than the saiyans I'd previously captured, hence why I am sending them both. Hatchiyak alone was sufficient for these three."
"All right...here they come!" Goku growled, as he and Vegeta entered fighting stances. Broly just folded his arms, turning Super Saiyan nonchalantly. Hatchiyak strode out of the tower's entrance, gems burning green and emitting a constant pulsing stream of ki, followed by a smaller figure, murderous intent evident in his red-framed eyes.
Goku did a double-take. "Gohan?!"
I'm sure Gohan's just really angry that Doctor Who ended a season on a massive cliffhanger. That's all.
Q:So, Raichi next chapter? Wonder how Hatchiyak will fare against SSJ2 Gohan, it will be a close battle.
A:Well...it turns out, the battle was actually Hatchiyak vs Extremely Surprised Base Gohan. Don't worry, though—one way or the other, Gohan will get his share of the action.
Q:So, Gohan picks up a new technique on this new planet that will inevitably be useful in an upcoming situation? Plot Convenience!
A:Sort of. I'm kind of playing the long game here...this will pay off in a big way eventually. Until then it'll just be a neat trick.
Q:What bout goku and raditz aswell. And vegeta? All ascended. Cant wait to see. How that goes down.
A: Well, Raditz is kind of dead, but yeah, the rest are all here.
You know what? This bit's kind of short today. Have this:
Even Further Beyond Preview #2: Helios Shenron
(Notes: 1. I'm being vague about what forms and power the characters have, intentionally, to avoid spoilers. 2. Yes, these are the Goku and Raditz you know, not the 'Jr.' versions from the previous preview. What happened to them? Is this before or after in the story? What's going on? Again...not going to spoil anything.)
The dragon grinned, flexing its expansive muscles. "Is this truly all your world can muster? I can command the heat of your sun...can you withstand that?!" It drew its head back, then flung itself forwards, a great cone of flame billowing forth from its jaws, engulfing the heroes and completely vapourising the lake beneath them.
Slowly, the smoke cleared, to reveal Raditz hovering protectively in front of Goku, arms crossed in front of his face. "Apparently so."
"No! That's..." Helios spluttered, recoiling in shock. "No mortal could survive that!"
Raditz's eyes narrowed. "Don't make idle claims. With the power I have right now...there's no telling what I can do." His aura intensified, waves of ki rolling out from his body, almost solid. "My turn."
