/Only two terrors have ever encapsulated the Earth so terrible that it was actually forced from memory by fear. One of those terrors has not even a name, for it was too long ago for people to remember. But the other terror is a fresh one, and only six hundred years have passed since it left the scars across the face of the Earth. The Great War, was a war designed to end all wars. Indeed, it started merely as a plan, but soon turned to a bloodbath. Who knows if it is by miracle or malice that the War is to be soon forgotten? But I, Kami, can never allow its memories to be forgotten for all time: or else great peril awaits all of mankind when the past creeps back to the present.
Kami Mikinko
613 PGW/

*Chapter 1*
The eagle spies its prey,
a lowly snake slithering on the ground below.

*Reverberations of the Continuum*

"Sir," suddenly spoke the lieutenant, "we will soon reach system X760E0221, what your orders, sir?" his hands were straight down as he faced the General, a stone-faced Smargleoid wearing the traditional garb of the royal class.
"Hmm," General Maxra grumbled as he studied the layout of the blue planet, "It seems that this planet is going to be difficult to traverse, it has forests, deserts, and lots of acid, approximately 75% of it is covered with the clear liquid.
"Let's land on planet four of the system, and establish base. Then we can build a military asylum on number three's satellite, on the far side where it is never visible. It appears that establishing Nexen (Oxygen) Air converters will be a difficult task. What we'll have to do is hide them in the polar regions and in the deserts, and destroy all of the competing organisms," he was thinking aloud now, "Yes, then we can move forward with Operations."
"Yes sir," said the officer after he was sure the general was done with him; then he saluted and left.
The general, however, hadn't finished thinking, instead he just became aware of the need to be silent, 'It seems so strange that this planet is as of yet uninvaded. Why, I wonder, did the Saiyans not take it long ago when they were a dominating force? They even breathe Nexen just like the animals of this planet,' his eyes glared at the topaz atmosphere of Earth, and his heart, a militaristic one in every facet, shuddered, 'this planet is protected by some force, some guiding light that has strayed away all plunderers who come for its greatest treasure. I must go see the Emperor, he must hear my advice,' he finished thinking and turned to leave the bridge of the Lenologence (Conqueror).

/The Smargleloids are a proud warrior race coming from the East Galaxy planet of Smargle, far, far away from the watch of Kai. There it was that they developed a Samurai-like system of living which made them a vicious yet cunning people. People were of three classes: nobility, warriors, and slaves. Slaves, of course, did all the work, and were selectively bred for both stupidity and strength. The warriors were bred for speed, power, and instinctual loyalty. The nobility ran it all.
It was after the death of Emperor Milanxa-Gemini (Milanxa means 'of the gods') that the nobility became ambitious and greedy beyond reason. They used the death to 'influence' the selection of the next Emperor. Soon they pushed the limits of the biological knowledge, science, and military to slowly spread their influence around the galaxies. But, it wasn't until the decline of the Cold lineage, and of course the Saiyans, that they were able to spread uninhibited. It wasn't long before the stumbled upon the ruins of a lost planet and learned of the creation of the Universe and its laws. But, they were dismayed, for only a few planets were now left with a true Kami in place, and almost all of them were unable to be located. It was only with expensive luck that they found Earth and came to plunder its most sought after treasure: the Dragonballs./

It wasn't long before the Lenologence reached the fourth planet of the system and established base. Immediately, the crew of scientists set out four mega-nemants (robots) which would shape the planet to their liking. The first nemant turned into a mining factory with both fision and fusion reactors and magnetic destabilizers that broke down molecules and rearranged them. It would of course take soil and rock from the planet and turn it into several things: metals, Nonexan (Carbon Dioxide), and a base called Gilfan which was the source of their life supply. It was Smargeloid water.
The second nemant would take the raw metals and make materials for building things like other nemants, or cities. It also was responsible for producing transparent liquid Milanxanan (what the Kais call 'Kichin') which was then used to cover all materials.
The third nemant produced war materials, and prefabricated a military base for deep space installation. It also was responsible for designing the wormhole generators that would be set in place to allow for quick movement of personnel. Lastly it was a scientific development center which looked for ways to increase the knowledge base of the Smargleoids.
The last nemant was responsible for making forestry of Nonexan producing specimens, and growing food for the population.
The system was a flawless and highly successful system, and the power possessed by the military was godlike. Indeed they had conquered both nuclear technology and Ki technology, although it was only the nobility that ever learned to use Ki with their bodies. Warriors were responsible for running the boundless droid armies that were created, as well as using military tactics in their operations.
Soon, Maxra arrived at the helm of the Emperor; he approached the sentinel guards, "General Maxra, nenocomalinkanomicon, eta-vonglerby," he spoke the password to the sentinels.
"Cleared, proceed General Maxra," their robotic voices spoke back.
Maxra, walked calmly and confidently through the doorway – he was perhaps the only Smargleoid not afraid of the Emperor. But, also that was perhaps because he knew too much about everything to have anything to fear, he was after all the most gifted of any General due to his personal acquaintance with the nobility class and their 'education'.
Yet, it is also duly noted that he never actually spoke in person with the Emperor. Emperor Malanxa-Neolas was well protected in the fortress of Liplosa, a paradise only known of by the nobility.
Maxra knelt down on the com-center as nemants moved to test his blood, eyes, and breath. Then, he spoke, "I have come to thee, my liege," his eyes never left the ground.
"What is thy reason, Maxranoma (noma is 'insignificant')?" the Emperor's voice was deep, cryptic.
"I have good news, sire, we are soon to establish base on a planet very close to the third one. It seems that the third one will be difficult to convert, and it will be more economical to invade it after the wormholes have been fully established there."
"Nothing," retorted the voice, "should be difficult about it at all, Maxranoma."
"No, sire, it is just that…"
"Just that you sense something?"
"Y-yes, sire, I am alerted by a strange power that resides upon the planet, that seems to guide it and protect it."
"You are referring to the lack of Saiyan plunder, I assume?" the Emperor obviously knew more than he let on.
"Yes, sire, I do. I think it would be wise to send some nemantons to probe the planet further. It will only be seven missa (7.2 weeks per missa) until we are fully established both militarily and economically. By then, it will be easy for our nemantons to gather the necessary intel on the planet to begin making the invasion. After that, it will be relatively easy to find the treasure you seek."
"Treasure, Maxranoma?" the Emperor suddenly became very curious and interested, "I never told you you were searching for a 'treasure'. I simply order for the invasion…"
Maxra broke into a small, cold sweat, 'Try to be calm,' he thought, "My lord, I merely heard that rumor from the nobility, I shouldn't have presumed…"
"Indeed you shouldn't!" the voice snapped back, then became calm and reassuring, "Proceed with your plans, Maxranoma, and prepare for me a palace, I am coming in six missa to personally oversee your efforts."
"W-what? But, sire!"
"Do you question me!?" he shouted angrily.
"No sire, I just want to reassure you that I will not fail you…"
"I trust in that, Maxranoma, it is simply that I want to observe personally your work, you are due for a promotion if you succeed."
The statement threw Maxra off guard, "Sire?"
But it was too late, and the sentinels soon lifted Maxra from his seat and slung him outside the chambers.
Walking back to the bridge, Maxra still maintained his composure, though he was significantly rattled, 'That was a large mistake, how stupid of me. Now it will be far more difficult for me to attain my goal. The Emperor will certainly be watching my movements closely, but he'll never be able to completely eliminate my ability to gain the treasure for myself. Then I can do as I please. But first, things must move forward as planned, with a little extra insurance on my part. I must call upon Sancoah, he is the most trustworthy and capable, indeed.' Maxra smile and then strolled further down the hall turning into a lavatory just before reaching the bridge.

*The Simple Life*

"Goken! Goken!" called a woman from her hut, her hair vibrating with her voice's interruption of the silent surrounding foothills, "Come inside, son, and eat! Gomen," she turned to the man sitting at the table already, face staring intently at the bounty in front of him, "where is your son!? I thought you told him that from now on he had to be back by eight every night for supper?" she was very angry.
"Aww, hun," he turned to her with a not-so-concerned face, "you know how he gets. He goes out to the mountains to read, and then he trains all day with Centura. He doesn't mean to forget the time, it just happens. Come sit down, and eat," his big black eyes pleaded with all their innocence and honesty.
"No, no, Gomen, I have work to do!" she started towards the sink.
"But baby, look, we're all hungry," Gomen was referring to the two young girls sitting at the table, staring at the food and at their mother, "Don't worry about him, he can take care of himself. Besides, he's got Centura with him, exactly what could happen?"
"Oh… alright, I suppose you're right. I don't know why I continue to struggle to keep control of that boy. Ever since you gave him permission to fly when he turned 13, it's been a struggle… but," she turned to look out into the setting sun, "I can't seem to let go of him…"
"MOM!" the twin girls, Nina and Shira, whined at the same time, "He's 18 for crying out loud, he's going to enter college soon, let it go and come eat!" they were both so sure that they'd never be like their mother once they had a family. At age 15, they cared little for either family or fighting, plus they were popular in high school: they worried not the least for Goken.
Suddenly, the phone rang. "I've got it!" the two girls yelled, but their mother was faster than she looked and before the girls were up, she had the phone.
"Hello?" her voice was vindictive, but polite, she hated phones and especially when they came at supper.
"Hey Lila! Rosetta here, just calling to see if Centura is over there…"
"No, he isn't, but if he comes by, I'll tell him you called."
"Thanks, dear,"
"And if Goken comes by tell him to get home right away, too."
"Yeah, I'll do that. Thanks a lot Lila," she sounded lonely.
"No problem, bye," and Lila hung up the phone, then walked over to the table to sit down and eat.
"What'd she want?" asked Gomen.
"Her son, like me…" was the sad response.
"Hmm… she's been pretty lonely ever since Aretay died," Gomen suddenly recalled the vision of the youthful warrior, cut down in his prime by an unlikely stroke.
"Yeah… I feel sorry for her," she spoke, then lifted her sticks to eat.
The rest of the meal passed in silence.

/The family line, was indeed no line for either of the two Saiyan houses. Instead, it was a sad, and odd meandering zig-zag. Its main result, however was that by the time Gomen's generation was in youth, it was only himself, his brother Gojin, Aretay, and Aretay's missing brother, Odysean to carry on the names. There were some sisters, but they did not carry on the names, nor did they pass on the sex-linked Saiyan genes that made strong warrior sons and daughters. It took a male to pass those on. But, it appeared that the lineage of King Vegeta was in great peril, for Aretay's brother was quite missing and had recently vowed to remain celebate in the priestly service of Korinans. Aretay himself had died alone in his training quarters of a mysterious stroke, and it was then discovered that he had wished long ago from Shenlong to never be allowed to be revived. It was known to his friends and loved ones that he greatly feared old age.
So now Centura spent all his time with his close friend, Goken, the only son on Gomen. Odysean was a hermit, who fled the presence of his brother after a fistfight when they were both still young. Gojin, to say the last necessary information, was somewhat of a bachelor, and was still young, without desire for a family. Gomen's life was a simple one, but seemed to him to have been the most promising and happy one./

On top of Mount Hiromi, in a tiny little hot-spring, sat the two friends, talking as if they had no care in the world. It was a pleasant evening, no harsh cloud cover to disgust the soul – the sun had just set over the pastures below, casting magnificent colorful rays about the land. Goken, had closed his eyes for the moment, listening to his friend talk about the girl he had met in his senior year mathematics class. "Dude, she is so, so hot! And she is just an amazing speaker, she is a lot smarter than the other girls," he was enthusiastic.
"Uh-huh…" Goken pretended to listen, "What's her name, did you say?"
"I, uhh, forgot to ask her…" he was embarrassed.
"I see," Goken responded, eyes still closed, 'dumby, he never was good at this stuff,' he thought, observing the warmth enter his neck.
"So, anyhow, I invited her to my mom's birthday party, you're coming, right?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," he echoed without giving it any thought, "When did you say that was?"
"Dude, I've been saying this all day! It's tomorrow. Man, you have to come meet this girl!"
"Alright, I'll be there, damn. Can I enjoy my bath now?"
"Yeah, sure," Centura replied dejectedly.
After they had finished, they got out and clothed up, each going his respective direction towards home… unaware were either one of them that above in the deep blue sky lurked a villain waiting and biding his time to strike.

*The Party*

Goken had spent that whole day out in the sun, basking, reading, fishing, and doing all the things he loved. His mother had chided him the night before not to squander his days like so, but he couldn't help but feel as if his life had no other purpose but to enjoy the beauty of the world. She'd never understand him, he thought as he counted the puffs in the clouds while laying in the growing dimness. Often he had spent his time here contemplating many things, even having conversations with Kami or Korin whenever they chimed in to his thoughts. They indeed liked the youth. 'How am I going to tell mom I don't plan to go to college?' he thought. For a while now he had known he truly could never be happy with that kind of life, but the pressure of a parent is hard to overcome. Even Gomen, he recollected, had been forced to take up a job and such. But, that was because he had a family… Goken didn't have one nor did he want one. In fact, he really just wanted to be an adventurer. Long ago he had traveled the Earth, flying and climbing everything. Now he enjoyed gazing to the stars and wishing he could see them all. 'If only I had a spaceship…' Goken then remembered that Centura had legitimate connections by family ties to the Briefs' company, Capsule Corporation, now over a hundred years prestigious. Somehow, he could earn enough money to buy a ship and then he'd blast off! 'Wait a minute,' he thought, 'oh shit… I told Centura I'd be at his party!'
Quickly he jumped up and flew off to his house to eat supper and get ready, it wasn't long before he was out the door and on his way to West City.

/The Briefs family had always enjoyed success with Capsule Corporation since two things had happened: one was Bra becoming a huge lawyer that defended the patent of capsule making, the other that Trunks used his strength and persuasive intellect to defend and expand the family business. Bulma was indeed a clever woman with how she prepared the family's future.
Now the Briefs owned more than half of West City and housed in several mansions all of their relatives, like in the old days. To get in, you needed a very special permission from a relative or a security clearance from the company. But, for Goken, to go to Centura's house was as easy as dropping in. He always loved to be at the Briefs residence, it was a splendid 'castle' that had so many things for him to eyeball. He knew his mother had plans to get him a job there with his acquaintance and friendships, like Gomen had. But in truth he did not plan to ever work in the Capsule Corporation compound, he found it both trite and meaningless. Instead, he had his own reasons for coming there often: to get a glimpse at the spaceships and ports./

Goken landed outside the front door, and though the guards a hundred meters back came shouting after him, wanting clearance, he knocked and then went inside anyhow. He didn't ever bother with formalities. He was a simple country boy, and to him Centura's house was like his own. That was quite alright with Rosetta, too; especially now that her husband was gone. Instead of being a home, to her the mansion was a tomb – a catacomb of torture and pain that only reminded her everyday of lonely nights, and every night reminded her of lonely days.
"Hey there, Goken, my word, aren't you handsome?" Rosetta came up to him and hugged him.
"Thanks Mrs. Briefs," he said to her, "How are you feeling today?" he looked into her eyes with sympathy, he was a warm-hearted soul.
"I'm doing alright, Goken, thanks…" she stared back at him for a moment, a tear coming to her eye, "Centura is in the back, if you want to see him," she broke the silence.
"OK, thanks," and he started towards the back, then stopped, "Oh, by the way, happy birthday, Mrs. Briefs."
"Thank you, Goken," she turned away and then walked to the kitchen.
Goken took his time to get to Centura's room, enjoying the fine paintings and statues and all the other artwork adorning the hallways of the Aretay Mansion. Finally he came to Centura's room, where inside was a mess only barges could compete with. Heavy metal music blared nonstop at all hours of the day, and the walls were plastered with everything you could imagine. Goken noticed something else special about those walls: recently they had become more and more covered with family photos that had before been hidden away in embarrassment.
"How do you ever sleep with that music on!?" yelled Goken as he walked in.
Centura poked his head out of his bathroom and stared, "Oh, it's you! Glad you came," he looked nervous as Hell.
He went back in then came out after five more minutes. He reached over and turned off the music. "I don't sleep in here anymore," he announced, "I can't sleep with all the eyes on me. I just keep the music on to clear my mind so the eyes don't bother me when I am here."
Goken stared at him then looked at the walls, "Yeah…" he murmured, 'I forgot he told me how he sleeps in the training room now. He's like a ghost of his father, only he wishes to throw away his youth…'
"So, how do I look?" Centura presented himself.
"Why?"
"For the girl, you twit! Do I look good?"
"Yeah, sure, you're hot…" and then he burst out laughing.
Next thing he knew Centura flung a kick at him… he dodged it.
"You are too slow, Centura."
"I'll show you slow, you bastard!" and then he chased after Goken down the hall to the front rooms.
But, it wasn't long before both of them stopped suddenly and without a word, stared straight ahead of them.
"It's her," Centura whispered half to himself.
It was at this point that Goken seemed to feel as if he were on his mountain, or better yet, on the moon staring into the Earth's jewel-like surface. It was, to him, as though Heaven itself had descended for a day and took the form of a young girl, only slightly shorter than he, but with the eyes of an Angel. He noticed too, that she seemed to stare into his, drawing him in as well. Centura, however, took no note of it.
"Ahem, welcome to the Aretay Mansion, Mei-ling," he spoke, bowing and then slapping Goken on the shoulder, "This is my best friend, Son Goken. Goken, this is Mei-ling."
Goken and she were silent for a moment, just long enough to instill a slight tinge of jealousy in the naïve Centura. "A pleasure to meet you, Mei-ling," Goken finally said softly, staring still into her emerald eyes.
"It's my pleasure to be here," she said without thinking, then broke off her stare and spoke to Centura, "Do you have a bathroom?"
"Uh… yeah, of course, I'll show you the way," he then took her hand and led her down another hall.
Goken stared at them the whole time, but for his own manly stupidity did not see her stare back from the corner of her eye, and more importantly from her heart. Suddenly, he needed a glass of water.

/The rest of the evening went splendid, there were over a hundred guests and well wishers to come to the birthday party. When the time was right, Rosetta's father said a toast and wished her well. The younger ones partied down, while the adults drank themselves silly. Gomen, Lila, and their daughters showed up to see everything. The daughters fit in well, and were very much the center of attention for almost all of the guys in the room, except Goken and Centura of course. They both focused their attentions to Mei-ling, who was of course quite embarrassed to be so much the focus of the two young warriors. Gomen, Lila, and Rosetta all took notice of this, and simply smiled as they sat mostly alone talking of old times. At one point, Gomen's brother crashed the party in a big way, drunker than anybody there, and soon become the party's personal jester, much to the dismay of Gomen's family.
Eventually things wound down and everyone took their leave. Attendants came in to clean things up and it was time for Mei-ling to leave too./

"Well, I guess it's time I be going home…" she said disappointingly.
"I'll take you home," Centura announced proudly, "I've got a limousine we can use."
"No no, that's alright, I drove here."
"Ok," said Centura.
"Well," interrupted Goken, "We should walk her to the car, Centura, it's a long walk, you know."
"Good thinking," Centura agreed, and they all started out the door when suddenly Rosetta called to Centura.
"Centura! Centura, come in here for a moment, I want to have a word with you!"
"Damn, well, I guess I can trust Goken to walk you safely, he's almost as strong as me," he punched Goken in the arm and then turned to Mei-ling, "Hey, I'll see you in class tomorrow, OK?"
"Yeah, good night, Centura," and the two watched him go inside and run towards his mother's room.
Walking alone in the dark gave them both a chill, and not a chill from the cold, for it was late May and not the least bit cold. They felt chills at being alone, as if Fate had something to do with it. For the majority of the time, they remained silent, until the braver of the two struck up a conversation as they were halfway to the gatehouse. "So, Goken, Centura tells me you're in college…"
"Uh, yeah, I am studying to be an engineer. But…"
"But what?" she turned to him and stared.
"I don't think I am going back."
"Why not?"
"I, uh, don't want to do that for the rest of my life. I don't want to work for the Briefs and get rich and all of that."
"Really? What do you want to do?" she asked, then noticed he was staring up at the oversized moon above their heads.
"I don't know, I guess I want to be an adventurer. I can't explain it, but I feel like my soul is like that of an Eagle, too wild to be tamed and caged."
If only he knew how his words had already captured both her heart and mind, perhaps he could have kissed her. She knew then that her love for all time had been found, and being the intelligent woman she was, contrived immediately to make sure that was so.
"Well, I sort of know how you feel. My mom wants me to be a doctor, but I don't feel like that is me. I want to be an artist, to draw beautiful landscapes and sculpt and design things. I want to express myself…" she was honest, and gorgeous, and Goken was spellbound.
"Have you done anything so far?"
"Well, yes, but it isn't much. I don't have anything good to show…"
"Can I see some of it?"
"Yeah, sure, I guess," her trap was working.
"I love art, all kinds. I practice the martial arts myself, sometimes with Centura, sometimes alone on my mountain. I still maintain that my ultimate goal in life is to practice my sword fighting on the moon."
"That's strange…" she blurted out, then said, "I'm sorry."
"No, you're right, it is odd," he then chuckled at himself and she laughed too.
Suddenly she felt brave, and with a new purpose in mind, said, "It's cold," then wrapped her right arm around his left and leaned in.
He was both totally unprepared, and also totally perplexed. Then he lifted his face to the sky and smiled. It seemed as though the Universe was smiling back upon him too, and he was grateful.

*Red Rock*

Deep in the chasms of space, the Smargleoids had already spent two missa setting up base. It wasn't long before Maxra found time to not only enjoy himself, but make the scheduled visit with Sancoah. Riding his Flanvula (hovercar) alone, he turned off all signals with base, using his authority to put into affect Martial Zenco, which was, in essence, the authority to go completely secret in times of war. He abused it regularly, but no one would ever know it was abuse since his was a secret life and one of personal and unchained discretion. The Empire trusted him totally, and why not? He had won mor battles and conquered more systems than all the other generals combined – by three times as much at least. He was a patriot in every sense of the word, but lately he had come to see being patriotic with a different light.
It wasn't long before he had entered the crater of Olympus Mons and parked under a ledge to escape view from probing satellites. Soon, he saw Sancoah on the radar and sent a small message detailing his location under the ledge. 'Yes, Sancoah is indeed always the most reliable. I can't ever remember a time when he was late for an appointment,' thought Maxra as he looked to his watch and then to the distance to see the approaching Flanvula. The air was breathable nowadays, and the climate was just warm enough to take a short walk outside. They had a great many things to discuss, Maxra and Sancoah did…

/Mitai Foreshna Sancoah, alias: the Never-was. Sancoah was an alien of immeasurable usefulness. He had spied on more planets and in more governments than every thought possible. Somehow, no matter the conditions, he managed to infiltrate everything he was asked to and get every piece of information he wanted. His price was beyond almost every wallet, but Maxra was richer than almost everyone anyhow, and had made use of Sancoah to do many things that always paid back the money lost in the job: assassinations, espionage, sabotage, smuggling, robbery, high jacking, and many other unsavory things. He realized though that it would forever be a professional and dangerous tie. But, he never worried. Sancoah had also escaped imprisonment more times than any being on any planet, anywhere in the Galaxies. Rumored dead, he had become very profitable and useful, indeed, especially now that a very special treasure had come to Maxra's attention./

The ship landed and to show good bidding, both turned off their engines and landed. Then, they stepped outside with hands up. Each knew the other well enough to know that it wouldn't be wise to attempt the kill. While Sancoah was known among the elite for his work, it was known among the masses that Maxra was a twenty time champion of Death Tournament. He had never lost.
"Welcome, old friend," Maxra spoke kindly, fake as well, to the prospective hire.
"It's a pleasure to be here, Maxra, although this planet is an absolute dump!" he felt the chilly air whip on him.
"Indeed it is, Never-was, but then again, before long it will be fit for even the five kings to live on," he did not reveal the imminent arrival of the Emperor, nor did he feel it prudent.
"Perhaps, I personally think that this pithy mountain ought to be looked at as an eyesore," they continued the façade of conversation.
"Yes, but before long the planet will be pleasantly transformed and the military base on the third planet's moon will be quite operational. Eventually, the third planet will be harvested to turn this heap into a paradise, and the wormholes will work round the clock to do so,"
"Speaking of work," Sancoah interrupted, "what is it that you wanted to discuss with me?"
"Yes, well, let's have a seat in my Flanvula, it'll be warmer there."
"Not so fast, old friend, how can I be sure you aren't setting me up?"
"Well," reasoned Maxra, reaching to his pocket and pulling out a sack, "Here's the first reason," and he tossed to Sancoah the bag filled with diamonds, "And the second being I wish to discuss with you a matter of treason. Mine, namely," the look in his eyes showed Sancoah he meant business.
Entering the machine they sat facing completely forward, never looking at each other. One thing that they had both mastered long ago was the ancient art of Yuni (ventriloquism) and as they sat they spoke without moving a visible muscle so that even if the car wasn't safe, they couldn't be associated and therefore proven as haven ever spoken. It was common knowledge, in fact, that Yuni no longer existed, so therefore any words heard by recordings were digitally mastered sabotage.
"The Emperor has very special plans for this planet, Sancoah. By this planet, I mean the third one, the blue one about two clicks away. He is giving the nobility the impression that he plans to use it for mining and for making this red one a prosperous tourist destination, but I know otherwise."
"Oh?" was the short reply.
"Yes, after making some inquiries, I found that indeed he is interested in the blue one's treasures, a very valuable treasure to be exact."
"I have heard it too. I have heard the planet is a haven for these," and he showed his little bag of Diamonds, "plus a lot of other rare elements and nuclear fuel."
"That is quite right, but that treasure is only secondary. There is a treasure far beyond that in the depths. More rare than any element in the galaxy. An ancient knowledge and power that goes beyond anything the Empire can muster."
"What? You don't speak of… of the Klasfugen?"
"Yes, Sancoah, I speak of that exactly!"
Sancoah gasped, he was genuinely amazed. "That does explain a lot…"
"I made inquiries and spent quite a lot of effort into learning this. More importantly, I have spent quite a lot of time learning the truth behind the legends they teach in school. This is where you come in. You are to go to this planet and find me this treasure, by whatever means possible. I also need for you to find out how it all works, bring back the Klasfugenon to me and this will earn you more money than the five kings together."
"Sounds dangerous, what's the catch?"
"The terrain is tough: acid rain, Nexen, military powers, and something else I haven't mentioned…" he hesitated.
"Yes?"
"It seems to me as if, and I may be wrong about this, but it seems quite possible that this planet it the last stronghold of the Saiyan race. I get very strange Ki readings from the planet. Besides the Klasfugen, a powerful adversary guards the planet, powers that rival the five kings and even myself."
"Hmm… that seems unlikely Maxra, you must be just worried that the Emperor will learn of your deception."
"Maybe, but at least if you know then you can use the element of surprise in case you encounter them. They may even have the treasure or the key to the treasure's location. It may be wise to seek them out. I fear that soon the planet's scientists, if they have any, will discover our presence on this planet and begin to alert the world. At that point the surprise advantage may disappear. So move quickly to intercept and if need be, destroy. You will be compensated beyond your wildest dreams, I assure you. That bag is to cover your expenses," he moved not an inch to convey his meaning, "it's time to get back now."
With that Sancoah took his leave and they parted. It was as if nothing had ever happened back at base. His Flavula's stealth system brought him silently back. Maxra's mistresses made sure that all believed he had merely been napping and without a flinch another missa passed without repercussions of his midday conversation with Never-was.

*Silent Night*

Deep in his chamber, Kami Dende was meditating. His slender body sat rigidly still as he focused all his thoughts on a chess board. It had been only three hours since they had started playing, but it was already apparent the Korin, the master chessman he was, would win. Kami Dende was getting on in his age, he was quite a bit younger than Korin, for sure, but being a Namekian, he aged much faster. Besides that he was a far more stressed individual. Still, he never could refuse Korin in a match of Chess and almost won a few times. It seemed to him, though, that the cat was getting on in age, and it wouldn't be long before a new provincial leader would need be found. 'Knowing Korin, he already has a successor in mind,' thought Dende as he watched the white queen decimate his green knight.
Suddenly the game evaporated into the air as, seemingly simultaneously, both Korin nodded off to sleep and Dende heard voices coming from outside.

/It had been ages since anything of note had happened to the Earth, and though some saw it as good luck, Mr. Popo saw it as the excellent guardianship of his master. Only three times since Goku emerged from the Dragon's lair had the great Shenlong been called upon. One was to bring back to life the young Odysean, and the dragon dismissed. One was Aretay wishing to die an honorable and warrior death while in his prime, and then Shenlong was dismissed. The third time was Gomen to wish for an education to please his wife, and then to wish for his wife's new pregnancy to be daughters that would make their mother happy. These were the only wishes made, and although strange, they were innocent and some even noble.
Dende had since taken into possession the Dragon Radar to guard it from evil hands and ever since he had been quite happy with the world he had led./

"Kami, Goken is here."
Standing up, Kami Dende walked with his staff towards the light and emerged to greet the young warrior.
"Well hello, Goken, what bring you here today?"
"I came for your advice, sir."
"My advice?" Dende acted as though that were a ridiculous thing; Mr. Popo turned to leave them and go back to his garden.
Dende led Goken towards the edge of the Sanctuary, and both stood gazing out into the blue heavenly sky. The azure seemed to sweep Goken away, and this absentness was aware to Dende. "You do love her, don't you?"
Goken almost fell to the ground. "Yes. Yes, I do."
"Hmm. Quite a predicament, I see. You are feeling as though your plans for the future are changing, aren't they?" Dende stared at Goken, face old and darkening by the year.
"Yes, I never planned for it, and now…" he debated in himself.
"Now, you feel as though the world is upside down? As if your whole vision of life is threatened?"
"Yeah, I guess so…"
Dende put his arm around the warrior. "Goken, I ask again, do you love her?"
"Yes, Kami, I do."
"Then what else do you need to know?"
"Well, is it the right thing to do?"
"The future, Goken," he began to lead him back to the gardens, "is almost impossible to foretell. In one moment you may feel as though everything was in your grasp, like you were the Dai Kaoishin himself, and the next moment you may be lost in a sea of helplessness. But, if you follow your heart in those times, then your mind will naturally adjust and when you were once at the valley, you will again be at the peak."
"But, what about Centura, he loves her too,"
"No, Goken, he is infatuated with her beyond all possibility. He so believes he is in love, death would not distill his mind of it. He is a soul of loneliness and is lost as well. His mind is never clear as the sky here is. Unlike you, he has totally imagined every future possibility with Mei-ling, and did not ever intend to flee the baseness of life to uplift his soul," he faced Goken now, and played with a butterfly gingerly on his old hands; plucking a flower from the garden to give it to the creature, then returning the plant to its base and life.
"So what do I do? I would rather scorn myself and torture my mind than hurt my best friend…"
"No you wouldn't, you are just loyal. In truth you wish for him to not love her as he does. But no power on Earth can relinquish that lust he holds onto. I foresee that the struggle to vanquish his false demons will be almost insurmountable."
"Even the dragon cannot help me?"
"No, that is beyond the ability of the dragon. And besides, it is a wish no one should make when he is as loyal as you are to your friend."
"You're right, Dende, as usual."
'Dende!' yelled a voice in their heads, 'Are you going to move, or what?' the old cat had woken to find no move had been made on the board.
They both laughed at the cat, shaking amiably.
Then suddenly they felt the cold cry of deception as a scream was heard from across the Sanctuary. Fleeing towards the source, they soon found Mr. Popo knocked out cold on the ground, a mysterious look upon his face.
Dende closed his eyes, searching the grounds for the culprit while Goken took a stance and looked about, waiting for an adversary to emerge. 'Korin,' Dende spoke to him, 'Do you see anything?'
'No, not yet… wait! Goken, look out!' cried Korin.
It was too late, as the cold, steely knee of Sancoah came crashing into the neck of Goken, knocking him out but not killing him. The boy fell with a hard thud to the floor, a look of shock on his face. Kami Dende was petrified.
In front of him now stood a strange thing. It was a creature wearing a breathing tank and armor. Sleek and tall, with muscles that protruded only slightly. His skin was completely orange, though with many different hues about it. His green hair dangled from his head in a misshapen mess and his eyes were colder than ice. Claws and razors lined his body, and clearly he was an assassin. They now faced each other, unspeaking. Then, slowly Sancoah raised his left hand and in it, his gun. Then he fired a tiny dart that punctured Dende's skin and tranquilized him.
The last thing Dende saw was Sancoah pull from his pocket a capsule that when 'poofed' formed a man-sized ring. He felt a strange sensation of being lifted and then he was gone.
The only trace of their movement was a small pile of ashes where the ring had been until it self-incinerated, leaving no way for them to be tracked, and also a small notebook addressed to Son Gomen.

*NOTE* - to see the geneaology of the story's main character's, go here: "" \t "_blank"

This is a file that talks about the political setup of the Smargleoids
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This is a picture of the drechen, the imperial sword
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This is a picture of the iuqua, Sancoah's personal weapon, this will come in handy later when you try to see actions scenes.
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