Capsule Corp
"Your facility is safe, and Son Gohan is uninjured," Mercenary Tao declared, "Even without my involvement with the Saiyans, the terms of my contract are complete."
"Of course. Your upgrades are yours to keep," Dr. Briefs said, "I'm glad everything turned out well."
"As am I. If you require anything else, you and your daughter know how to contact me," Tao said. Dr. Briefs took a deep breath.
"There is, actually," he said, walking over to the computer. He tapped in a password, and brought up the galactic map.
"I've been developing an interstellar scanning system for a few months now, and keeping an eye on the areas around our solar system. I failed to track the Saiyans properly, but I think I have it now. What I do know is that there was a fourth Saiyan pod in our solar system, which had arrived before the three that attacked the Earth," Dr. Briefs showed the readings of Shive's pod on the screen, "I believe this was the missing Saiyan, Shive. Watch this."
The screen showed the three pods flying past Mars on the day they arrived. The pod in orbit around Mars took off and flew after them, about an hour behind. It landed on Earth, and then, a short while after, it took off, with a second pod behind it.
"Fascinating. What does this have to do with me?" Tao asked.
"Everything," Briefs pulled up a duffel back full of cash, "I have our own Starship, and I'm currently tracking those pods. I want you to follow them into space, find Shive, and either bring him back here, or, if he turns out to be a threat to the Earth, kill him. I'd avoid Vegeta if I were you; it's obvious he was in the second pod. If you return with any extra technology from space, I'll pay you a fortune for every piece you bring back, along with any intelligence about this empire of Freeza I've heard so much about. If the Earth is going to be attacked again, I'm going to be damn sure that we're prepared for it, with or without my daughter's friends."
Tao inspected the cash; it was billions of Zeni.
"Do you have any further upgrades for me?" he asked.
"I do, but you'll have to install them yourself," Dr. Briefs said, "I'll have the instructions installed on the ship's computer."
"Then you have a deal, Dr. Briefs. I will bring back the Saiyan-dead or alive, as appropriate."
"I know you're not a hero, Tao. But the world may be depending on you."
Tao bowed, and took the bag of cash, "I leave tomorrow."
With Tao gone, Dr. Briefs made a call. King Furry appeared on the video screen.
"Dr. Briefs. How goes the upgrades?"
"Unfortunately, we've hit a few snags. I'm going to have to focus on other projects for now, but it shouldn't delay me more than a few weeks, your Highness. But I had dealt with two issues: Mercenary Tao, and the missing Saiyan."
"Mercenary Tao? That's a name I haven't heard in a long time."
"Indeed. I've sent him on a mission into space. I've given him instructions to find the missing Saiyan and either bring him back or kill him. Hopefully, we'll have answers about what's out there son," Dr. Briefs explained.
"You've done quite a lot already. The damage to East City was extensive, and from your satellite reports of the battle, it could have been a lot worse. The Earth is in your debt, Dr. Briefs, once again."
"I believe we're only at the beginning, Your Highness. I'll keep you updated."
XXX
Planet Freeza 79
"You should leave this planet when we're done here, Doctor," Shive said, looking down at the operating room, where surgeons were grafting artificial skin onto Vegeta's face and stitching up his other wounds. They would then put him into an incapacitating tank, which would heal the rest of his injuries while also keep him unconscious until a superior officer determined it was prudent to do so.
"Why? You brought in Vegeta, and this is the most secure facility in the Empire. Cui can handle this," Kikono said, wiping Shive's arm with a disinfectant. Shive looked at him.
"You've done a lot for us in secret, Doctor. Vegeta is capable of anything. I'd hate for you to be caught in the crossfire," Shive told him. The researcher swallowed, and nodded.
"I see. It's rare to get my hands on a subject like Vegeta. But I do have research elsewhere that requires my attention, of course. I'll just have to come back later. Speaking of which, are you sure you don't want me to test this on him? It's rare to have this kind of opportunity to experiment on Saiyans, and most of the previous subjects couldn't handle it," Kikono said.
"I don't have time for it. The Ginyu Force will expect me to keep up, and this is my best shot. Besides, do you REALLY want Vegeta to achieve that kind of power that quickly? What would Lord Freeza say?" Shive pointed out.
"All right. But I can't guarantee you'll survive."
"If I don't take it, I won't anyway. Do it, Doctor."
Kikono grabbed the injector, and jabbed it into Shive's arm, the green liquid inside filling his veins. Shive let out a shout, clutching at his arm as soon as the injector was pulled out. Shive punched the wall, leaving a dent, screaming as his muscles contorted and twisted on his body. IT became hard to breath, and his face started to turn red. Kikono rushed at him with another injector, but Shive's instincts kicked in, and he punched the doctor across the room while he continued to thrash about.
When Kikono awoke, the room was completely destroyed, and covered in blood. Three dead Freeza soldiers had been beaten and smeared about, having entered the room at some point. Shive stood in the middle of the room, putting on his Ginyu Force armor.
"Sh...Shive?" Kikono said, "How...How do you feel?"
Shive grinned at him, "Never better. Congratulations, Doctor. Your serum worked. Captain Ginyu will be quite pleased with the results."
"Well, let's see your gains," Shive took a scouter off one of the corpses, "S-Sixty...Sixty seven thousand? This can't...Can't be right!"
Shive grinned at him, "Isn't that what your serum is designed for?"
"Yes, it exploits the Zenkai boost by bringing the subject to the brink of death repeatedly! The highest gain I've ever seen was twenty thousand! This is over three times that amount! How? How did you manage it?" Kikono demanded. Shive pulled his gloves on.
"Training and dedication. You know. Sit ups, pulls up, plenty of juice. The truth is, I've been brought to Zenkai so many times by Nappa in training, I'm not even sure what my limit was before. Now?" Shive clenched his fist, "Now it could be anything."
Kikono swallowed, and threw the scouter on the ground.
"Well, I have to say, I am impressed with your tenacity. And I have a lot more to look into. Please give Captain Ginyu my regards," Kikono said, slowly walking out the room. Shive said nothing until Kikono was at the doorway.
"I'll be sure he knows your contributions," Shive said, causing Kikono to jump, nod in 'gratitude', and hurry off down the hall.
XXX
King Yemma's Office
"Yamcha...Piccolo...Meys...Yep, right here, orders from King Kai. You're to run Snake Way, and receive his training," King Yemma pointed to his notebook.
"Really? We're going to get the same training as Raditz and Goku? All right!" Yamcha cheered, "This is gonna be great!"
"Don't cheer too much. We don't know how long the others are going to be resurrecting us. We could be here for a long time," Piccolo said.
"Well, however long it takes you, don't wait here, I have work to do," King Yemma gestured to the entrance to Snake Way, "So you better get started."
"Wait! Wait for me!" another voice called out. The three dead warriors turned as a fat Samurai ran towards them, panting.
"Yajirobe? What are you doing here?" Yamcha asked.
"I was waiting for you guys! This jerk told me I was going to Heaven, but there's no way I'm gonna sit around while you get all the training!"
"WHAT? I thought I told you to beat it already!" King Yemma growled.
"I didn't even know you were dead!" Yamcha confessed.
"I had Vegeta right where I wanted him! But then this other guy came along and shot me! Then I was standing in line forever and got super hungry, and this guy wouldn't let me see you guys, but I saw you waiting in the line!" Yajirobe explained, "I'm going with you guys to King Kai's!"
"Oh no you're not! I've got orders, and YOU'RE holding up the line! Now beat it, before I throw you to hell!" King Yemma said.
"Come and get me, big guy!" Yajirobe tugged his eyelid and stuck out his tongue.
"We'll bring him to King Kai's with us, and let him figure it out," Meys said, "Can't be that much trouble, King Yemma. We'll take responsibility for him."
"Ugh! Fine! Just get him out of here!" King Yemma waved them on, "Just stop holding up the line!"
The four of them walked to the beginning of Snake Way and looked at its length.
"Hmm. Shouldn't be too tough. We can fly this," Yamcha said.
"Yeah, about that," Yajirobe said, "I skipped Flight Day. I can't do it yet. We're gonna have to walk it."
"What? Seriously? You bum!" Yamcha snapped. Piccolo let out a groan.
"Well, I guess we'll take turns carrying him, then," Meys shrugged, squatting, "Hold on tight, Yajirobe."
"Thanks, Meys. You're an alright guy, for a Saiyan."
XXX
Briefs Mansion
"Hey, Brussa," Gohan peeked into her room, "How are you?"
"Gohan! C'mere, squirt!" Brussa called him over. Her arm was in a sling, and she had bandages over her head, chest, and legs, "I'm on a call with my friends. Bell, Kaz, Vuvu, this is my nephew, Gohan."
"Oh my goodness, he's so cuuuute!" Vuvu squealed, "Look at that hair! Aww, he's adorable!"
Gohan blushed, looking away from the screen.
"He wasn't at the fight, but Gohan's super tough! I trained him myself! He's gonna be big and strong like his aunt and uncle!" Brussa rubbed Gohan's hair.
"And my dad!"
"Yeah, him, too, I guess. Anyway, thanks for taking my call, girls. I know it's super remote out there," Brussa said, "Everyone's so sad and upset over everything, so I'm glad to have a friendly face."
"I'm glad you got your brothers back, Brussa," Bell said, "But, Meys...He was a good guy."
Brussa nodded, "I miss him already. Anyway, I'm gonna hang out with Gohan a bit, okay?"
"Bye!" the girls said together, and the feed ended.
"Are you okay, Brussa? That looks like it hurts," Gohan pointed to her bandages and cast.
"Yeah, but I'll be fine. There's still some Senzu beans around. When we find them all, I'll be good as new. How about you, squirt? It must have sucked, sitting on the sidelines with Bulma and that gross Mercenary Tao."
"He wasn't so bad, I guess. He talked about the moves everyone was using, mostly. He's scary, but he knows a bunch!" Gohan said, "I wish I could have helped, though."
"I wish Meys hadn't tricked me like that," Brussa said, wrapping her good arm around Gohan and laying back on the bed with him, "If we'd stuck together, we could have won…"
"We'll get them all back, don't worry," Gohan said, cuddling up next to her, "And I have my dad back! He'll fix everything."
Brussa nuzzled his hair, "I hope so."
They laid there for a moment in silence, until Gohan realized that Brussa had fallen asleep. He tried to wiggle out of her arm, but her grip was too tight. The door to the room opened, and his mother peeked in. Gohan could do nothing but give her a pleading look for assistance. Instead, Chi Chi giggled, and closed the door. With no escape available, Gohan gave in, curled up with his aunt, and fell asleep.
XXX
Briefs Mansion
Chi Chi closed the door, and turned to Goku, "They're taking a nap, so we'll let them rest."
"Aww, I wanted to hang out with Gohan. It's been almost a year! He's gotten so big and strong! So have you, Chi Chi, I never thought you'd get back into fighting," Goku said, pulling his wife in toward him. She clutched his shirt.
"Well, I just decided, if you're not here to protect us, who will? We're both warriors. Besides, I wanted something...More than cooking and cleaning," Chi Chi admitted.
"I'm glad. You seem a lot happier. And that makes me happy," Goku rest his head on hers, and the pair of them held each other, swaying a bit.
"Who knew Goku was so sappy?" Krillin muttered, looking on from the couch. Everyone left from the fight except Tien and Chiaotzu were hanging out in the sitting room, plus Raditz and Gine. Raditz was on a recliner chair, fast asleep and covered in bandages, while Gine had curled up on the chair next to him.
"I'm glad to see the boy happy," Roshi said.
"I never struck him as being sentimental, though," Krillin said.
"The boy traveled the world several times just to get his hands on the Four-star Dragon Ball because it reminded him of his grandfather. Of course he's sentimental," Roshi pointed out.
"Oh, yeah. I hadn't thought of that," Krilling admitted.
"I think it's adorable. I knew the kid had had a big heart. They're so cute together," Bulma fawned.
"I figured you'd be more broken up about Yamcha. I know you were having problems, but you are still a couple, right?" Krillin asked.
"I mean, yeah, I cried, but then I remembered something Vegeta said. He mentioned Piccolo's homeworld, Namek, remember? They might have Dragon Balls!" Bulma said.
"You weren't there, how'd you hear about that?" Krillin asked.
"Oh, I hacked their Scouter system months ago. My dad and I watched the whole thing from their perspective. Well...He did, anyway. I...Couldn't handle it. But he told me about it afterward. So we can-" Bulma's explanation was cut short when Gine started to cry on the chair. Raditz snorted awake and immediately stood, getting into a fighting stance.
"NOBODY TOUCHES-what? What's-OW!" Raditz shuddered as soon as he stood, his body still reeling from the effects of Kaioken.
"Sit down you dummy!" Chi Chi barked at him. He obeyed, and turned to Gine.
"Mother, what's wrong?" he asked.
"All of this is my fault! I let myself get so angry...I killed your friends, I broke Nappa's face...Kakarot, I even threatened your wife! I became the thing I hate the most in the world. I'm a monster…" Gine stared at her hands. Bulma knelt at Gine's chair, and reached out her hand; Gine recoiled from the offered touch, and Bulma pulled her hand back.
"I can't imagine what you were going through, Gine. You were suffering in a way I don't think any of us have. I'm...I'm angry about Yamcha and Piccolo, I won't lie. But I'm also really happy to meet you. You know, I'm Goku's first friend? If I knew I'd meet his mother someday, I'd have spent every day thinking about it. So," Bulma stood, and offered her hand to Gine, "My name is Bulma. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Gine."
Gine stared at the hand, and shook it. Krillin walked over, and shook Gine's hand.
"My name's Krillin. Goku and I have been training together since we were kids, and he's still my best friend," Krillin said. Roshi stood behind Krillin, and then Chi Chi.
"My name is Roshi. Goku is the greatest student I've ever had. You should be proud of your boy; I know I am," Roshi said as he shook her hand. Tears poured down her face.
"Your son is the most wonderful man I've ever known, and I'm so happy to have him back. I neer dreamed I'd meet my mother-in-law. As for what happened, Gine, I forgive you," Chi Chi told her. Chi Chi leaned in, and hugged Gine.
"Th-thank you all...So much," Gine sobbed, "I can't...It's been a long time since anyone spoke to me with...Such kindness...Especially after I've been so awful."
"If it makes you feel any better, mother, I threw my nephew off a cliff," Raditz said, "If anything, all of this is my fault for not listening to Kakarot."
"Yep," Bulma said.
"That's right," Krillin said.
"All you, boy," Roshi added.
"You're an asshole," Chi Chi pointed out.
"Entirely on you," Goku agreed.
"Well. So long as we're all on the same page on the subject. I'm sorry. I should have trusted you, Kakarot. I let my arrogance get the better of me," Raditz lamented.
"You already apologized to me, Raditz!"
"Well, now I'm apologizing to everyone, Kakarot! I'm sorry, I'm a big, stupid lug who doesn't listen to anyone, there, happy?" Raditz snapped. There was another round of agreement from everyone in the room. Raditz groaned, and shifted, trying to get comfortable on the chair again. Gine placed her hand on Raditz's arm, and stroked it.
"I love you, Raditz. I know you were doing what you thought was right, at the time. We both needed to trust family," Gine said.
"That reminds me," Goku approached Gine, and he knelt before her.
"We haven't been formally introduced. Mom...It's me. Kakarot," Goku said. Gine started to tear up again, and she hugged her son.
"Oh, Kakarot...I promised you that I'd come for you...I'm so sorry it took me so long...I'm so sorry I left you alone like that...I should have gone with you...I should have gotten into the pod with you when Bardock sent you away...I love you so much, Kakarot…" Gine rambled. Goku remained silent, just letting her hug him.
"I wasn't alone, mom," Goku said, and he gestured to everyone in the room, "I still had family. And now, I have you, Raditz, and Brussa, too, and I'm not letting you go."
Goku cupped his mother's face in his hands, and looked her in the eyes, "Let me be the first to say: Welcome home."
Gine kissed him on the forehead, "I have waited so long to hear those words, and I never even knew...Thank you, Kakarot."
Power Levels:
Gine: 11,000 with Rage
Nappa: 8,500
Vegeta: 15,000, 30,000 with Rage
Meys: 7,000
Brussa: 5,000
Yamcha: 2,600
Piccolo: 3,500
Krillin: 3,000, 6,500 at Max
Roshi: 2,500, 6,000 at Max
Chi Chi: 3,300
Tien: 3,300
Gohan: 2,000
Raditz: 12,000
Goku: 12,000
Shive: 5,500