Vegita walked through the smoke and dust of a Lebhanian city bare-chested. He had discarded his armor for it was broken and he used his under-shirt as a bandage for his wound. It was still bleeding, but Vegita ignored it. He was more interested in finding a ship.
He walked towards what he believed to be the spaceport. Whatever it was, it was now a mere pile of rubble. The Saiyan hoped that at least one ship had survived the destruction. But, as he approached the building, he felt as if he was been watched.
Vegita spun around, wincing a little; the pain was still there. His eyes fell upon a beautiful lady, with a tail wrapped around her waist. She wore no armor, just the tight black suit that was worn underneath the armor.
"And you are?" he asked, trying not to sound impressed.
"I am Tanipu your highness."
"Ah yes," Vegita said, recognizing the name, "Bardock's mate, correct?"
"That is correct your highness." She replied politely. But Vegita could tell that she didn't addressing people with such respect.
"Please, call me Vegita," he said with a false politeness, "I'm not feeling very high today."
"So I've noticed," she said, eyeing Vegita's wound, "What happened?"
"Something strange," he replied, his tone serious, "Even I have trouble believing what happened."
"Weren't you here when it happened?"
"Oh yeah," Vegita said, gently patting his side, "I was there." Tanipu gave him an odd look. Finally, she proposed that they leave the planet. She had found a ship in another city and managed to steal it.
"And I think they're not too happy about it." She said, suddenly alert. Vegita couldn't hear anything, but he was just too tired to concentrate. He followed Tanipu to the ship.
Twenty minutes after lift-off, Vegita asked why Tanipu hadn't been with the attack force.
"I actually made it there before you guys."
"How?"
"When I saw Namek in the condition it was, I knew something terrible was wrong."
"No shit, it blew up." Tanipu gasped.
"Namek blew up!" she exclaimed, "I knew something was going on there but I didn't think…" she trailed off.
"What's your connection with Namek?" Vegita asked, intrigued.
"I just knew some of the Nameks, that's all," she said, a touch of sadness in her voice.
"Anyway," Vegita said after a pause, "You made it to Lebhania before us."
"Right," she confirmed, "But I didn't land on the same part of the planet as the rest of you. I knew I wasn't going to be welcomed, so I decided to get out of there as quickly as I could. I figured I'd just steal a ship and leave."
"But something happened between the stealing and the leaving part."
"Yep," she looked at him, smiling, "you boys and girls decided to shake things up a bit."
"We were the ones that got shook up." Vegita said, lowering his eyes.
"I guess this where you tell your side." Tanipu said, her smile gone.
"Your mate Bardock came charging in, taking out some Crotas."
"What were the Crotas doing on Lebhania?"
"Don't know. But that's not important anymore." Vegita sighed and continued; "One of the Crotas nailed Bardock across the head and knocked him out. I mention this 'cause that's what I think set off Toma and Celipa." He paused, "Or whoever they were."
"What do you mean, 'whoever the were'?" Tanipu asked.
"Actually, it was more like, 'whatever they were'." Confusion showed up on Tanipu's face, "They transformed into horrific creatures. I have never seen the like of them before. And they were immensely strong. And they didn't seem to favor any side."
"They wiped out the Crotas and our kind?" she was having trouble believing Vegita.
"And the Lebhanians that were close by." Vegita added, "Except for me. And for Bardock."
"You mean he's still down there?" she cried, turning the ship around.
"No, they took him." Vegita said, pulling the controls out of Tanipu's hands. When he got the ship back on its original course, Vegita let Tanipu resume control and fell into the co-pilot's chair.
After a few minutes of silence, the radar started to beep.
"What do we have here?" Vegita asked, leaning forward so as to see the radar. But he was knocked back into his chair when the ship came to a sudden halt. Before he could ask, a voice came over the radio.
"Attention unknown ship. We have control of your ship-"
"Toma?" Tanipu asked, recognizing the voice, "Is that really you?"
"Tanipu?" Toma asked, stunned, "It can't be."
"Come aboard and see for yourself." She pressed a button and Vegita heard a door open in the back. That's when he spoke,
"Are you insane?" he asked angrily, "Weren't you listening to me before?"
"Yes," Tanipu replied calmly, "That's why I'm letting them in instead of letting them break in. Besides, do you really think the two us can take them out?" Vegita glared at her but had to agree. He heard the outer door closing and the ship pressurizing the newcomers. Then the inner door opened.
Tanipu jumped from her seat and ran into Toma's arms. She then embraced Celipa, then Panboukin and Totepo. When she mentioned the names of the latter two, Vegita rose from his seat. Upon seeing him, the four Saiyans became stiff.
"Your highness." Toma said curtly.
"At ease," Vegita said tiredly, "No need for that sort of thing." The others relaxed.
"Sir," Celipa started.
"Vegita," he corrected her.
"Ok, Vegita," she paused, trying to get used to addressing the king by his first name, "Where are the other Saiyans?"
"Dead."
"What?" Totepo exclaimed, "They weren't resurrected?"
"Oh, they were," Vegita replied, "But they were killed soon after."
"By whom?" Toma asked.
"By you."
"What?" Toma asked, surprised at the accusation, "Where the hell did you get that idea?"
"Because some strange creature took on your appearance." Vegita's voice had risen a bit, "And there was another one that took on Celipa's form."
"And they killed the other Saiyans?" Panboukin asked disbelievingly.
"Yes," Vegita replied. Tanipu detected a twinge of sadness in his voice. He continued, "I was lucky to get away myself." Toma was about to ask another question when they heard a noise. It came from the radar. Tanipu walked over to it and said that there was a ship approaching.
"I don't need radar to tell me that." Celipa said, pointing out the window. Everyone followed her gaze. And they all saw it at the same time. It was King Cold's ship.
"Time to go." Tanipu said calmly, "Everyone hold on to something, this could be rough." She pulled hard on the lever and the ship flew up and to the left. When they could no longer see the other ship, Tanipu punched in some numbers.
The stars in the distance started to stretch. Tanipu pushed a lever forward. The engines began to whine and groan. The ship suddenly lurched forward, knocking Panboukin off his feet. The others managed to keep their balance. The tension in the air dissipated as the Saiyans realized they had entered hyperspace.
"Good work Tanipu," Vegita said, "Now, where are we headed?"
"To Yaarsdat."
"Why there?" Toma asked.
"I heard that the people of Yaarsdat are old and wise. Maybe they can tell us something."
"Like what those two creatures were?" Vegita asked.
"Precisely," Tanipu replied, "But it's a long way. It will take us a few days before we get there." She looked at Vegita, worried, "I just remembered though; do you think you can make it?"
"No problem," Vegita said reassuringly, "The bleeding stopped and it doesn't hurt to breathe anymore. I think I'll last."
"Good, cause it won't at least five days before you see an infirmary."
"That's okay," Vegita said, getting up, "I just need rest."
"They are cots on the level below." Tanipu said.
"How many?" Panboukin asked, still on the floor.
"Enough for all of us," Tanipu answered, "But someone needs to watch the ship. I'll take the first ship."
"It's usually five hour shifts, right?"
"Yes. Want me to wake you after five hours?"
"Deal," Panboukin answered, getting up from the floor. They all wished each good night. Soon, Tanipu was left alone on the bridge. She looked out into hyperspace, the strange colors that flashed by every once in awhile. And she said in a whisper to herself,
"We'll find you Bardock. We'll find you. And then we'll find Kakkarot together."