Berter Beginnings: A Ginyu Force Outlook
By Son Rhandi
Part 2
"So you're really gonna do it?"
"I said I was, so I guess I have to."
Berter lay in his bed, talking to Tage of his accepting Miruku's challenge. They usually conversed before the Riizards gave the order to retire for the day.
"The trials begin in a week, right?" Berter asked his friend. "How are the teams divided?"
"Lesse...." Tage thought for a moment. "There's 25 of us, excluding you, so they'll probably divide us up in five groups of five."
"Always the mathematician, eh, Tage?" Berter joked. Tage scoffed.
"Simple mathematics. Anyway, about this challenge, just be careful when the time comes. You're going to be out there all alone with no one to guard your back."
"Thank you for reminding me." Berter turned over on his side, facing Tage. "You yourself be careful. Even with four others with you, the Razher Outlands are still a dangerous place."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Touching. You two should write a performance peace," said a familiar voice. Berter and Tage turned their attentions to the doorway to see Jerin leaning up against it. He then entered the barracks.
"Berter, you don't really think you can face up to Miruku's challenge, do you?" Said Jerin in mock tone.
"If I didn't think I could do it, I would not have accepted," Berter replied calmly.
"Still, you only think you can. That doesn't mean you'll actually succeed. And I seriously doubt you will."
"Hey, shut up!" Tage said angrily. "If Berter says he can do it, then he can do it! What's it to you whether or not he'll succeed? You didn't even accept!" Jerin blustered up at this remark.
"Don't you start with me, chubby!"
"Chubby, am I?! Why, I'll--"
"Tage."
He turned to Berter, who placed an arm out in front of Tage, as if to say, 'Stay back. I can handle this.' "Despite what you think, Jerin," said Berter. "I will succeed in Miruku's
Challenge. You can count on it."
Jerin was about to respond, but the sound of the Riizards' ordering all Tokage to retire interrupted him. Jerin growled.
"Lucky. But just to forewarn you, you, Berter, and your chubby little friend are going to get it good in fight training tomorrow." And with that, Jerin left to retire to his own barracks. Berter, wearing a stern look on his face, simply sighed and got into his bed.
One week passed, and it was time for all Tokage in training to begin their final trials, with the exception of Berter, who had accepted Miruku's challenge and would be off on his own. All the groups were divided, and were ready to start their journey. Berter waited outside his barrack for his escort to the Razher Outlands. He watched those of the eleventh year age group lining up with their Riizard escorts and chuckled a bit.
Five of five, just as Tage predicted, thought Berter.
"You Berter?"
Berter looked up to see a behemoth of a Riizard looking down at him. He stood gaping at the Riizard. He was huge even for Tokage standards. The average height for a Tokage male was about (in U.S. measurements) 8' 5", but this guy was easily pushing 11'. The giant narrowed his red eyes.
"You got some kind of hearing problem? I asked if you're the one called Berter."
He shook his head. "Y...Yeah. I'm him.
"I'm your escort, Mesan. Take this and let's go." Mesan tossed Berter a knife, which he carefully ties to the belt holding his tunic together. Mesan began walking to the outside of the camp, while Berter trotted to keep up.
It was a 3-hour run from the camp to the Razher Outlands. Even with the speed the Tokage are known for, it still took a while to reach the desired location. Berter, tired from the long trip, wanted to rest. Mesan had his share of weariness, too, but showed no signs of it. After all, he was the one who had to spend 6 more hours getting back. Both Berter and Mesan sat at the oasis to rest up before each had to do what needed to be done. Berter dipped his hands into the cool water and drank what amount was cupped in them. Mesan
pulled out a tin bottle from a leather pouch and drank its contents. Berter looked at him curiously.
"What is that you're drinking?" He asked. Mesan wiped the sides of his mouth free of what liquid had trickled down them. "Blood wine," (a mixture of the blood drained from the 'birds' the Tokage hunted for food, and an assortment of fermented fruit juices) he said gruffly. "Want some?" Berter shook his head 'no'.
"Come on! This stuff helps you grow! How do you think I go to be so tall?"
"Genetics....?" said Berter with a tiny hint of sarcasm in his voice. Mesan narrowed his eyes. "Whatever," he said before taking another gulp of the wine.
"When I was in camp, I took Miruku's Challenge too, y'know."
Berter looked up. "Really?" Mesan nodded. "Yeah. 'cept I didn't attend the camp that
you are. I was from the forests, between the west end of the Plateaus and the east start of the Razher Outlands, so I attended the male adulthood camp closest to there."
"But then why are you working as a Riizard here in the eastern section of the
Plateaus?" Berter asked curiously.
"I can still remember when Miruku came to our camp and told us about his challenge,"
Mesan continued, ignoring Berter's question. "'Who here will be a man and accept my challenge?' He said. Back then I was a foolhardy young guy and thought that would be a good way to get out of camp… and away from the guy who always picked on me."
Hmm. Sounds like me and Jerin, thought Berter.
"Anyhow, I accepted, and a week later, I was escorted to Razher Outlands, just like you. The first month passed rather quickly,and the first couple of weeks of the second month went just as fast. But on the final
week of that month I encountered a sail-backed Razher dino. I had successfully killed the creature and dragged it back to camp. When I presented it to Miruku on the day of my return, he congratulated me and
asked to see my scar to prove it, I told him I had none. He was very displeased, and accused me of finding it already dead. So I was ineligible to participate in the Regional Championships and sent into exile
from my sector. I'll never forget.....the hurt look on my mother's face when she had to see me off....." Berter winced at that.
"I really did kill that thing. I was just being careful, that's all...." Mesan trailed off. "But don't you disgrace yourself and your family like I did, kid. You go and kill one of those Razher dinos fair and square and make your nurturers proud. You got me?"
Berter nodded slowly. "Yeah. I got you."
"Good." Mesan reached into his back pocket and pulled out a rolled up sheet of paper.
"Here's the map that tells you the locations of all the things in this area you'll need to know about. I've gotta get back to the camp. You take care of yourself, Berter, and remember what I told you."
"I will. Good-bye, Riizard Mesan."
Mesan flashed a toothy grin, turned back the way he and Berter came, and began to run with great speed. Berter looked on as the giant Riizard Mesan ran off, disappearing over the horizon. Now not only would he
have to complete the challenge for himself, but for Mesan as well. Berter sighed as he scanned his surroundings. They weren't much, from what he saw. A few scattered trees, the oasis, and, of course, an outstretch of earth and rock.
Welcome to your new home, Berter thought ruefully.