Dragonball Z: Vegetian Moon
Note from Author:
I do not own DBZ or any of it's characters. So don't sue me.
You may notice some similarities between this story and Frank Herbert's Dune. It was greatly inspired by that, this is true. However, casting Trunks as Paul Muad'Dib Atredies and Vegeta as Duke Leto wouldn't work. So, I took the basic principle of the story and ran with it in a DBZ sense. The story of Dune is simple: a young boy is uprooted from his home and taken to a distant planet, only to have his father killed and he and his mother left in the wastelands of desert to die. He rises amongst the desert people to become their leader and takes back the planet that is now his birthright. It is here that we begin:
Vegeta-sei was not destroyed by Frieza, it was taken over.
Chapter One
Trunks sulked in his apartment aboard the space cruiser that had departed the only home he had known, Chikyuu. Bound for his father's birthplace, Vegeta-sei, a planet that had been taken over by Lord Freiza. Under his rule, the life-giving water called Aquaseine had dwindled in production, so much so that the High Emperor, Helos, had decided to put the Saiya-jin King Vegeta back in control.
His grand-father, the now-deceased King Vegeta, had died shortly after arriving to control Chikyuu. Now, his father, Vegeta, was King and was returning to the planet of his birth. With him, he brought his Chikyuu-jin wife, Bulma, and their two children, a nineteen year-old Trunks and a five-year-old Bra. Bra was too young to really care that they were moving, possibly forever, but Trunks knew well enough that he was leaving life there behind.
"This isn't a good way to approach this, Trunks-san," Kakarroto said gently, "think of this as a new adventure."
"An adventure? You call going to some planet I've never known an adventure?"
"Sure, if you look at it the right way," Kakarroto said.
"Will it be as dangerous as they say?" Trunks asked.
"Vegeta-sei is a rough planet, all right. We may be technologically advanced, but in the wastelands, where the water is, it is dangerous. Storms there can come up without any warning, and the Outlanders there are known not to like intruders."
"I just don't understand why my father was chosen-the emperor could have-"
"Chosen anyone," he said, "of course, but your father is Saiya-jin and Vegeta-sei is populated by Saiya-jin. Even the Outlanders are Saiya-jin and the Emperor believes that if anyone can bring the production of Aquaseine back under control, your father can."
Trunks nodded quietly. He was forced into this, as the son of King Vegeta. Kakarroto and his sons, Gohan and Goten were along, as well as their families. Of course, they were all part of the Royal House of Vegeta, so they should well be. He longed for at least Goten's company, his childhood friend and playmate, but he had been sent in an advance ship, looking to secure their new palatial quarters.
"I don't understand why I couldn't stay and rule Chikyuu."
Kakarroto laughed, "Why, Vegeta-sei is your birth-right, young Prince. If anyone should rule after your father, it should be you."
"I just want to see my father and friends, Kakarroto-san."
"I know. We'll be on Vegeta-sei soon, and you'll be happy once you've settled."
"I doubt it."
Their landing was greeted by a torrential downpour, with lightning and thunder crashing with increasing frequency. Vegeta, Gohan, and Goten were awaiting the cruiser.
Bulma was the first to step off. Vegeta greeted her with a quick kiss- he wasn't much for public displays of affection. With Trunks, he clapped him on the shoulder, speaking of how Trunks was going to enjoy it here. Bra ran up to him, squealing, and he picked the little girl up, "How's my girl?"
Gohan spoke up, being very highly educated and his father's personal advisor, "I've seen that your rooms have been attended to, m'lady," he said, then motioning to a woman dressed in a servent's uniform, "this is Kiley-dono, head of household. She will see to your every need."
Trunks noticed that she looked tired, but thought that maybe it was to be expected.
"This way, m'lady," the woman said humbly, "I've seen to it that the children's rooms have been made ready as well."
"Arigato, Kiley-dono," Bulma said, taking Bra from Vegeta and setting her down to walk on her own.
Trunks turned to follow, but his father stopped him, "Wait, son. It is time you sat in on one of the advisor's meetings. We have much to consider."
"Now?" Trunks asked, "I was hoping to see Goten-san."
"There will be time enough for foolishness later. This is a dangerous planet, and with it comes a never-ending struggle to defend it. It is time you learn to rule."
"Hai, otousan," Trunks acquiesced.
Inside the meeting room, there were his father's top lieutenants; Gohan, Kakarroto, Nappa, Radditz, and Goten was there, but he was to sit silently and observe as a lieutenant-in-training. Trunks smiled and waved cheerfully, but Goten just nodded his head.
Vegeta spoke in his formal voice, "Now, we return to where we belong. The life-giving water production has dropped in production nearly a third, and this has caused our great emperor worry. Gohan-san, what was the cause of the drop in production?"
Gohan coughed, "Frieza-sama, it appears, nearly lost control of the planet. Several of his workers revolted. These revolts were put down violently, costing many lives. There is the matter of the Outlanders, but they live in the swamplands, where the water is readily available. Their miniscule consumption amounts for no more than a tenth."
"Any suggestions?"
Gohan nodded, "Win back the support of the people. If you have their support, production will increase dramatically. The city people have ties- both ancestral and political- with the Outlanders. If we can attain the support of the Outlanders as well-"
"What good will that do us?" Radditz asked, "they're savages- uneducated and immoral."
"I agree, m'lord," Nappa said, "they'd be of no good to us."
"Gohan-san?" Vegeta looked at him.
"I disagree. Preliminary reports find that they're a ahardy people, sire. Fierce warriors that are unafraid of risking their own lives to defend their lands. They've killed members of the Ginyu Force, a feat some of our army can't do."
Vegeta nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "Hmmm. Kakarroto-san, Goten-san. I have a special assignment for you. I would like the two of you to wander into the swamplands and see if you can find these Outlanders."
"What shall we do if we do find them, sire?"
Vegeta thought again, "Tell them that House Vegeta comes in peace. They'll not be treated as House Kold treated them."
"Hai, sire," Kakarroto said.
"Now, we've to deal with the smugglers," Radditz said ruefully, "and I do hope we have a good fight."
"Radditz-san," Gohan began, "that may not be necessary. I am sure we can find an amicable solution that will benefit both of us."
Radditz snorted, "Have you thought of any ideas?"
"Not yet," Gohan said.
Trunks coughed, "House Kold took bribes from them- and then kept their operations secret, right?"
Gohan nodded, "Yes, m'lord."
"Then, why don't we do the same?" Trunks asked, watching the looks of surprise on the faces of those present.
"The emporer will be watching us like a hawk, boy," Nappa said, "if we were caught doing such a thing-"
"Then, we pay the bribe as tribute to the emperor. He'll never know any different. And even if he suspects, his tithe will be big enough so he won't really care."
Gohan began laughing, "That's- that's genius, Trunks-san. I haven't even thought of it."
Vegeta smiled proudly, but said nothing, "I think that concludes business for today. Everyone is dismissed- Trunks-san, stay behind."
As everyone left, Trunks wondered what his father would have to say. He wasn't a man to show affection- even to his beloved wife- and as for Trunks, who wasn't even a full-blooded Saiya-jin, sometimes he was cold and distant.
"Trunks-san, I know that this move hasn't been the easiest- but you must know how proud I am to have you back in the place of your origins."
"Hai, Otousan, I do."
"One day, son, this will all be yours. On Chikyuu we ruled by our power alone. Here- the people we rule have the same abilities. Some may not be able to transform into Super Saiya-jin, but the same abilities nonetheless. If we hope to continue ruling here, we must surpass our current abilities."
"I- I'm not sure I understand, Otousan."
"Do you think that House Kold has just pakced up and left?"
"I don't know- but I wouldn't think so."
Vegeta nodded, "House Kold, like House Vegeta, has many friends- as well as many enemies. The Aquaseine- the water that prolongs life and heals more quickly than even our rejuvenation chambers- is a valuable commodity. Defending it- is a lifelong trial."
"If what you say is true, then we've walked right into a trap."
"And knowing that there is a trap is the first step in evading it."
Trunks nodded, "But- where or when the trap is set-"
"Is something that we must be vigilant about, Trunks-san. The wealth of this planet- and the never-ending struggle to defend it- has been left again to House Vegeta.".