Chapter Twelve, I believe.
Disclaimer- I really don't think anyone cares whether or not I'm pretending to be Akira Toriyama and own them all.so I think I will.. Mwa ha ha ha!
Recap- Bulma, Tien, and Krillin were about to crash on a great big planet. Piccolo is following them. Gohan is at Labyrinth, Prince Vegeta's base. Radditz has gone to report to Freiza, Vegeta is coming back from a mission for Freiza. This installation is mostly setup and exposition, which is always necessary before the real plot begins. Oh, yeah, I have not yet begun. We're getting to the core here, people.
**
"Shit." Piccolo watched the Earth ship crash through a certain planet's atmosphere. What was he going to do now? It was possible the Earthlings had found Radditz here, though from the way they were careening out of control, Piccolo guessed not. He quickly disabled the 'lock on' function and switched to manual, easily avoiding the planet. Now he had time to think. Not that he needed it. He needed a dragon radar to find Radditz and Gohan. Making a split decision, Piccolo decided to follow the Earthlings- but discreetly. Far from them- practically on the other side of the planet- he began a landing that, while by no means comfortable, was much smoother than theirs.
**
Prince Vegeta was going home. Back to base, that is. He, Nappa (whom Vegeta was rarely without), and two new recruits in stolen alien technology pilfered from the last world they'd purged flew through space in a neat flock. They were through for the time being with the lizard and were nearing Labyrinth when the scanners on both their pods went off.
"Unidentified craft." Nappa's voice crackled over the radio in Vegeta's pod. On the screen next to the speaker was a code transmitted from Nappa. Freiza could monitor the radios, so nothing was ever said about Labyrinth or the resistance when they were using Freiza's ships. The overgrown reptile might catch this message, but he wouldn't be able to read it. The message was simple enough, advising Vegeta of the obvious: A ship this close to the base that they didn't recognize could be a scout. Whether or not it was Freiza's did not matter. If someone discovered Labyrinth, word could get out. It would be disastrous. Vegeta pondered. He could easily send Nappa after it, or he could go himself. He sent a terse message back to Nappa's pod. I am going to check it out. Continue as usual. He fell in line behind the other ship, making sure to cloak, and unaware that he was not the only one following that ship.
Nappa reached Labyrinth ten minutes later and headed straight to his bunk after handing the two new ones off to the trainers. Checking the wireless box the three Saiyens all had, he discovered that Radditz was away reporting to Freiza. Nappa stretched his massive bulk out on the cot, hoping he'd be back soon. He had been on a mission to collect another Saiyen- exciting news even if it was just a low level. Maybe if Radditz wasn't back when he woke up, Nappa would fish around the base himself for some information, or possibly he'd run across this new Saiyen himself.
Gohan and Kako were in the gym, watching the other soldiers work out and spar. The boy had been watching long enough Kako decided. He needed training. Just as he decided this, an out-of-breath soldier sprinted into the gym.
"Everyone!" He called. "Nappa has returned!" The Prince was the only one who used a title. The other Saiyens seemed to feel it presumptuous- and wholly unnecessary- to take titles of their own. Their very auras spoke of power, so a title was redundant. Prince Vegeta's power, however, was so great that a title was needed to convey all possible respect. Besides, not a few soldiers felt that if his name was uttered they might drop dead where they stood, struck down by some heavenly lightening. And a leader needed a title.
There was an excited buzz around the gym, but people went back to their training rather quickly. The soldier, when questioned, revealed that the Prince had not returned with Nappa as was expected. None of the soldiers would presume to guess where he was, but they imagined it might be some spectacular mission to further their cause.
"Hear that Gohan? Where Nappa comes, the Prince soon follows. We had better begin, don't you think?" Kako said tentatively, trying to gauge the boy's reaction. Gohan's chin stuck out in an uncharacteristic pout and he had his arms folded across his chest. However, despite this negative posture, he nodded his head and led the way onto a free mat.
Kako quickly discovered that Gohan had had absolutely no training, formal or otherwise. Sighing, he began with the most basic blocks and punches. It seemed like it would be quite a while before Gohan came into the power Kako sensed about him. But the Seika was in for a pleasant surprise. He found Gohan to be a quick study, displaying the proficiency for fighting that the Saiyen race had been legendary for and an intelligence that had sometimes been lacking in that dead species. The time passed quickly. Soon Gohan was shining with sweat. Kako felt perfectly comfortable and energetic, but he realized Gohan was unused to this sort of exertion and called it a day. So began the only demi-Saiyen's training.
The next day, Kako decided to test his young friends retentiveness.
"I am going to simply stand. You attack me, using what you learned yesterday." He explained. Gohan's thoughtful frown deepened.
"I don't want to attack you." He said very, very quietly. Kako smiled in disbelief at the boy's gentleness. He must get over that, else the Prince or his uncle would beat it out of him.
"Don't worry. You can't hurt me. Now." He assumed the ready position. Gohan, with a final, unsure glance at him, also settled into the position Kako had shown him yesterday. His teacher was pleased to note that Gohan accomplished it with grace and ease. He didn't even have to correct his footing.
Gohan's first attacks, were, of course, predictable and easy to block. There wasn't much heart behind them, but that was okay. Heart would come later. Eventually, Gohan had preformed every attack Kako had taught him perfectly, though he never landed a hit. Kako motioned for him to stop, and he did, with obvious relief.
"Now for blocking. You remember what I told you yesterday?" Gohan nodded silently. "All right. I will attack- not seriously, of course. I suggest you block, though." Kako started off slowly, but as Gohan demonstrated that his blocks were as perfect as his strikes, Kako sped up. There were obvious gaps in Gohan's defense, but that was to be expected and not to be taken advantage of. For all he had learned, Gohan was an expert. Kako felt a flush of pride. Now at least the kid wouldn't be a complete embarrassment to his uncle.
**
"My Lord Freiza." Zarbon knelt before the embodiment of nastiness and ick.
"Zarbon. I have a tracking mission for you. It seems his royal highness has separated from Nappa again. This time I want to know why. If you come back to me and tell me you lost him like last time, I will feed you to my army." Freiza said, tail lashing irritably. Zarbon swallowed hard. Normally Nappa and Vegeta were inseparable. Last time they had gone apart, Freiza had been only mildly curious, sending Zarbon out on an idle whim to follow Vegeta. The monkey, however, had led Zarbon right into an asteroid belt, leaving Zarbon's ship badly damaged and escaping unscathed in his smaller pod. Zarbon was convinced Vegeta had done this just to spite him, that there was no ulterior motive, or secret. Monkeys were not smart enough for that kind of thinking, and he had told Freiza as much. But now his lord was suspicious, and if he was not satisfied heads would roll. Lovely, green plaited heads.
"Of course, my lord." Zarbon excused himself and quickly discovered the coordinates of Vegeta's last transmission and before long joined the train of ships following the Earthlings through space.
**
Vegeta had about the same sentiments Piccolo did when he saw the ship he was tailing begin to crash on a large, green planet. He considered letting whoever it was go at that, but then his radar bleeped again. Another ship had just uncloaked on the other side of the planet, and it was landing deliberately. If that ship intended to help the first one, they might still be a danger to Vegeta's plans. He also began to land. Zarbon followed. On the planet itself, a peaceful race of people looked up to the sky as shadows passed through the light of the three suns. Shrugging- they couldn't make out the shapes of ships in the glare- they returned to their work and play, unaware of the descending danger. By the time events played out, however, everyone in the universe would know of the tragedy of the planet Namek.
Disclaimer- I really don't think anyone cares whether or not I'm pretending to be Akira Toriyama and own them all.so I think I will.. Mwa ha ha ha!
Recap- Bulma, Tien, and Krillin were about to crash on a great big planet. Piccolo is following them. Gohan is at Labyrinth, Prince Vegeta's base. Radditz has gone to report to Freiza, Vegeta is coming back from a mission for Freiza. This installation is mostly setup and exposition, which is always necessary before the real plot begins. Oh, yeah, I have not yet begun. We're getting to the core here, people.
**
"Shit." Piccolo watched the Earth ship crash through a certain planet's atmosphere. What was he going to do now? It was possible the Earthlings had found Radditz here, though from the way they were careening out of control, Piccolo guessed not. He quickly disabled the 'lock on' function and switched to manual, easily avoiding the planet. Now he had time to think. Not that he needed it. He needed a dragon radar to find Radditz and Gohan. Making a split decision, Piccolo decided to follow the Earthlings- but discreetly. Far from them- practically on the other side of the planet- he began a landing that, while by no means comfortable, was much smoother than theirs.
**
Prince Vegeta was going home. Back to base, that is. He, Nappa (whom Vegeta was rarely without), and two new recruits in stolen alien technology pilfered from the last world they'd purged flew through space in a neat flock. They were through for the time being with the lizard and were nearing Labyrinth when the scanners on both their pods went off.
"Unidentified craft." Nappa's voice crackled over the radio in Vegeta's pod. On the screen next to the speaker was a code transmitted from Nappa. Freiza could monitor the radios, so nothing was ever said about Labyrinth or the resistance when they were using Freiza's ships. The overgrown reptile might catch this message, but he wouldn't be able to read it. The message was simple enough, advising Vegeta of the obvious: A ship this close to the base that they didn't recognize could be a scout. Whether or not it was Freiza's did not matter. If someone discovered Labyrinth, word could get out. It would be disastrous. Vegeta pondered. He could easily send Nappa after it, or he could go himself. He sent a terse message back to Nappa's pod. I am going to check it out. Continue as usual. He fell in line behind the other ship, making sure to cloak, and unaware that he was not the only one following that ship.
Nappa reached Labyrinth ten minutes later and headed straight to his bunk after handing the two new ones off to the trainers. Checking the wireless box the three Saiyens all had, he discovered that Radditz was away reporting to Freiza. Nappa stretched his massive bulk out on the cot, hoping he'd be back soon. He had been on a mission to collect another Saiyen- exciting news even if it was just a low level. Maybe if Radditz wasn't back when he woke up, Nappa would fish around the base himself for some information, or possibly he'd run across this new Saiyen himself.
Gohan and Kako were in the gym, watching the other soldiers work out and spar. The boy had been watching long enough Kako decided. He needed training. Just as he decided this, an out-of-breath soldier sprinted into the gym.
"Everyone!" He called. "Nappa has returned!" The Prince was the only one who used a title. The other Saiyens seemed to feel it presumptuous- and wholly unnecessary- to take titles of their own. Their very auras spoke of power, so a title was redundant. Prince Vegeta's power, however, was so great that a title was needed to convey all possible respect. Besides, not a few soldiers felt that if his name was uttered they might drop dead where they stood, struck down by some heavenly lightening. And a leader needed a title.
There was an excited buzz around the gym, but people went back to their training rather quickly. The soldier, when questioned, revealed that the Prince had not returned with Nappa as was expected. None of the soldiers would presume to guess where he was, but they imagined it might be some spectacular mission to further their cause.
"Hear that Gohan? Where Nappa comes, the Prince soon follows. We had better begin, don't you think?" Kako said tentatively, trying to gauge the boy's reaction. Gohan's chin stuck out in an uncharacteristic pout and he had his arms folded across his chest. However, despite this negative posture, he nodded his head and led the way onto a free mat.
Kako quickly discovered that Gohan had had absolutely no training, formal or otherwise. Sighing, he began with the most basic blocks and punches. It seemed like it would be quite a while before Gohan came into the power Kako sensed about him. But the Seika was in for a pleasant surprise. He found Gohan to be a quick study, displaying the proficiency for fighting that the Saiyen race had been legendary for and an intelligence that had sometimes been lacking in that dead species. The time passed quickly. Soon Gohan was shining with sweat. Kako felt perfectly comfortable and energetic, but he realized Gohan was unused to this sort of exertion and called it a day. So began the only demi-Saiyen's training.
The next day, Kako decided to test his young friends retentiveness.
"I am going to simply stand. You attack me, using what you learned yesterday." He explained. Gohan's thoughtful frown deepened.
"I don't want to attack you." He said very, very quietly. Kako smiled in disbelief at the boy's gentleness. He must get over that, else the Prince or his uncle would beat it out of him.
"Don't worry. You can't hurt me. Now." He assumed the ready position. Gohan, with a final, unsure glance at him, also settled into the position Kako had shown him yesterday. His teacher was pleased to note that Gohan accomplished it with grace and ease. He didn't even have to correct his footing.
Gohan's first attacks, were, of course, predictable and easy to block. There wasn't much heart behind them, but that was okay. Heart would come later. Eventually, Gohan had preformed every attack Kako had taught him perfectly, though he never landed a hit. Kako motioned for him to stop, and he did, with obvious relief.
"Now for blocking. You remember what I told you yesterday?" Gohan nodded silently. "All right. I will attack- not seriously, of course. I suggest you block, though." Kako started off slowly, but as Gohan demonstrated that his blocks were as perfect as his strikes, Kako sped up. There were obvious gaps in Gohan's defense, but that was to be expected and not to be taken advantage of. For all he had learned, Gohan was an expert. Kako felt a flush of pride. Now at least the kid wouldn't be a complete embarrassment to his uncle.
**
"My Lord Freiza." Zarbon knelt before the embodiment of nastiness and ick.
"Zarbon. I have a tracking mission for you. It seems his royal highness has separated from Nappa again. This time I want to know why. If you come back to me and tell me you lost him like last time, I will feed you to my army." Freiza said, tail lashing irritably. Zarbon swallowed hard. Normally Nappa and Vegeta were inseparable. Last time they had gone apart, Freiza had been only mildly curious, sending Zarbon out on an idle whim to follow Vegeta. The monkey, however, had led Zarbon right into an asteroid belt, leaving Zarbon's ship badly damaged and escaping unscathed in his smaller pod. Zarbon was convinced Vegeta had done this just to spite him, that there was no ulterior motive, or secret. Monkeys were not smart enough for that kind of thinking, and he had told Freiza as much. But now his lord was suspicious, and if he was not satisfied heads would roll. Lovely, green plaited heads.
"Of course, my lord." Zarbon excused himself and quickly discovered the coordinates of Vegeta's last transmission and before long joined the train of ships following the Earthlings through space.
**
Vegeta had about the same sentiments Piccolo did when he saw the ship he was tailing begin to crash on a large, green planet. He considered letting whoever it was go at that, but then his radar bleeped again. Another ship had just uncloaked on the other side of the planet, and it was landing deliberately. If that ship intended to help the first one, they might still be a danger to Vegeta's plans. He also began to land. Zarbon followed. On the planet itself, a peaceful race of people looked up to the sky as shadows passed through the light of the three suns. Shrugging- they couldn't make out the shapes of ships in the glare- they returned to their work and play, unaware of the descending danger. By the time events played out, however, everyone in the universe would know of the tragedy of the planet Namek.