I wish I owned DBZ, but I don't. I own DVD's and tapes, but it just isn't the same. I also don't own the right to Starcraft or any of the music pieces you see selected, just copies of merchandise, such a shame. The artists that created them are geniuses and we all must bow to them.
Chapter 17: To the Front
"Verto, can you teach me how to do that? That is so cool!" Trunks and Goten both wailed when I demonstrated the Psi sword move.
I shook my head and put the blade away, "Maybe when you grow up," I said in a low enough voice so they couldn't hear me.
"So can Gohan do one of those too?" Videl asked.
"No, I worked on my movement capabilities first. I can do Instant Transmission now just like Dad can!" Gohan said, sounding pleased.
"Don't you have to sense someone's energy at a certain point for that to work correctly?" Roshi asked.
"Yes, but instead of concentrating on someone's ki, I have to locate their Psi. That is constant rather its powered up or not. A strong spirit really shows up well, and as far as I can tell, its hard to hide," Gohan explained.
"Well, before you go into showing off your little moves, keep in mind that tomorrow we will be leading an offensive against the Zerg with the assistance of the Protoss. Everyone be ready to go in the morning!" Vegeta barked before heading for his precious gravity chamber. I sighed slightly, he never changes, oh well. I trudged up the stairs, where I sensed Fasha sulking slightly inside my room. Oh boy, well I suppose she probably feels neglected or something, I should spend time with her. As I headed for the stairs Vegeta came back into the area, heading straight for me. He pulled me aside from the others, obviously wanting a word or two.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Keep your woman out of tomorrow's events, I want her to stay here," he said.
"I know, for her own protection right? Or I may fly off the handle again if she gets hurt, I kinda figured that!" I said grumpily.
"That's not it," he growled.
"What is it then?" I asked.
"She will be the only protection for the women here, the only realistic protection anyway. I can't completely count on the boys, the robot bitch or the idiot." By idiot, he was referring to Yamcha, if he said weakling coward he would have meant Satan. If he said moron, well that could belong to anyone, but mostly Goku.
"I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I'd feel better if there was a Saiyan here to protect my family. Kakarot has similar feelings on the matter," Vegeta said. He almost sounded worried, which was very unlike him.
"Sure I'll see what I can do. But one question, how did you trust the Protoss so quickly?" I asked.
"I don't," he said quickly, turning the other way. That left me confused, but he answered my next question before I asked it.
"They just happen to have enough firepower up in space to blow up this planet at a moment's notice and I don't think we could stop them if things go south!" he explained before walking off. I see your point.
-
"Nothing is wrong, you were just doing what our prince ordered! It's not bothering me!" Fasha whined.
"Yes it is. I can see it in your eyes clear as day, and I can sense it," I said plainly.
"Well its just that we haven't gotten to spend much time together. Me or you are always off to a battle without the other, and I don't know if I can be a good mate or not if me and you are not together!" So that's what this is about.
"Are you trying to prove yourself to Vegeta or something?" I asked first. She glanced up, surprised that maybe I had figured it out.
"Or to me?" I added. She paused, not knowing how to answer.
I did it for her, "You should know you don't have to prove yourself to me Fasha, and as for Vegeta, don't worry about him. If it's an issue, I'll worry about it."
"But if I don't prove myself then he may kill me, or order us apart!"
"And if he did he would have a lot of trouble on his hands from me, he knows that as well," I said with a slight smile. She didn't look very relieved.
"I'm not completely familiar with all the Saiyan customs and rituals or anything. Hell, half of them I could care less about and the other half doesn't make a ton of sense, but that's to me. Since were not on Planet Vegita anyway, why should we have to abide by them twenty-four hours a day?"
Fasha looked almost petrified, "He may think I'll back out on the deal, he may think I would dishonor you!"
"I know he doesn't think that, is that why you act so independent around Mom and Videl when I'm not around? I've only seen you around Bardock and the crew. Are you afraid that he would be mad if you socialized, or even made friends? Is it really that bad to think about?"
"On Vegita, other than your crew, you would rarely socialize with others unless you were out looking for a fight, a mate, or to dishonor one," she said with her head down.
"Well not on Earth, its okay here. Now don't get me wrong, if you were out in a bar and some drunk came up trying to get with you, yeah that's bad. But you don't have to be tough with everyone, most everyone around here are my friends. You can at least speak to them if they try to talk to you. You don't have to give everyone the cold shoulder," I explained.
She looked relieved almost, "You sure don't act like many Saiyans I know."
"Funny, Mom says I act too Saiyan sometimes. You're not exactly acting like many that I know either, you're being too emotional," I laughed.
"Well that's your fault isn't it?" she asked.
"I guess so, but the emotions seem to really drive the Super Saiyan power in the upward direction. Beats being regular old third class eh?" I cocked a grin at her.
She laughed before frowning again, "But what if the prince doesn't approve of social behavior with the others?"
"You're strong enough to make your own decisions, prince or no prince. What's he gonna do, tell you that you can't come out unless I'm here? You're no slave Fasha, and I would never dream of treating you like one either, you be yourself!"
"Thanks, I needed that slap in the face," she said, lying back on the bed.
"I wouldn't call it a slap in the face, more like a wake up call," I said, relieved myself that she hadn't gone into hysterics, "Now that's out of the way, I do have a request, but you certainly don't have to honor it. And it probably contradicts everything I just said."
"What's that love?" she asked.
"I want you to stay here with the others when we go to battle tomorrow. I'm sure we can go about this easily, but I'd rather stay on the safe side since Mom and the others will not have any real protection should the Zerg sneak attack while were in their home turf," I explained.
"What, why? I can handle myself you know!"
"It's not about you Fasha, did you hear what I said? It's about Mom and the others! The boys and Eighteen will be here, but I don't think that will be enough should anything go down here. I know you can handle yourself in a battle, if Vegeta didn't think that than he wouldn't have even allowed you to come this far with us. And he definitely wouldn't want you protecting his family. Please do it for me, not for him, for me!" I begged her.
She sighed, "Fine, but you owe me a sparring match! And if you end up dead or something, don't you dare think I won't chase you down to wherever you go!"
"Deal!"
Interlude 17.1 –Planning-
The Overmind watched over its minions as always with a knowing eye. His Cerebrates were working quickly on their new plans. Everything had been thrown astray thanks to the Protoss, but even they would not deny him.
"Zasz, make sure our defenses hold, the Protoss will not be alone tomorrow. I don't want them getting within one hundred miles of here!"
"Yes father!"
"Daggoth, draw all the resources you have to in order to repel this attack, we must not fail!"
"Yes my master!"
"Kerrigan, I want you standing by here. I have a feeling we may need your special abilities as well!"
"Understood!" she bowed.
"Cerebrate, is our new weapon ready to go?"
"Yes, the Lurkers are being deployed as we speak. The Protoss won't know what hit them!"
"Great father, I have intercepted a transmission from one of the Protoss camps back towards their home world Auir!" Daggoth announced.
"Let us hear it!" The audio and video came in on one the Overmind's pods, showing the conversation between Judicator Aldaris and the Conclave Chancellor Zorbon. After it ended, The Overmind flicked its one eye a few times, almost like a smile.
"Yes, this will work in our favor. It seems that this Aldaris is quite deceptive and power hungry. A flaw in many of his kind, and one that will lead to his quick downfall. If he indeed conjures a way to capture the Saiyans, then all we have to do is sneak in once they're disabled. Our own enemy's plan is going to help us, what fools they are!"
"How shall we proceed then?" Zasz asked.
"As planned, however, should our lines start to cave in, retreat and regroup. They won't get this far tomorrow, but it will give the Protoss that false comfort zone they seem to prefer and all we must do is wait for the time to strike!"
"Understood!" Everyone resumed their current activities, leaving the Overmind by itself. Yes, very soon, the power I have sought out will be mine!
-
"Hurry up brat!" Vegeta's voice roared through the compound. I rolled my eyes as I was saying a proper goodbye to Fasha.
"Good luck you little worm, tear it up out there!" she said, planting one on my cheek.
"You be careful here too, never know what may happen with two different sets of aliens duking it out on a planet they aren't even apart of. Whatever happens though, don't worry about me. The way I'm feeling, someone is going to have a bad day if they screw with me!" I said in full confidence. I quickly left and joined the team downstairs. Mom was in the process of asking Vegeta if she could come along, to bet met with a quick no. After all of the goodbyes, one that was difficult since Videl would not let go of Gohan, we took flight to the Protoss main line where we were to meet. I flew between Tora and Piccolo, a little behind Vegeta, who was in the lead of course. When we arrived at the Protoss camp, we were slightly surprised to find so many warriors lining the grounds. There had to be at least five thousand of them. Then we glanced upward to see countless Protoss ships in the air, mostly small but quick attack flyers, but there were some big ones too.
"Ah Prince Vegeta, how good of you to join us," Aldaris said as we landed nearby him, "And you to, what was your name again child?"
"It's Verto you old prune!" I shouted at him.
"Oh that's right. My apologies for my shaky memory, names escape me sometimes when they are insignificant!" Aldaris sneered.
"Perhaps you need another beating to remember me then!" I warned, stepping towards him.
Piccolo's hand stopped me, "Don't kid, that's the last thing we need right now!"
"Quite a shame you don't have any better manners. Maybe if we find your carcass out in the battlefield we can teach you some!" Aldaris snapped back, trying to get the last word in.
"That's if you have the guts to go there at all!" I declared. He must have run out of things to say to that, or he shut up because Tassadar had just arrived. As Vegeta and Goku discussed things with Tassadar, my eyes wondered over to the Protoss troops. One in particular stood out, he wore a lighter gold armor than the rest of them, along with a lot of tattoos, so many his skin was officially a different color. He was practicing with his Psi blades as I walked up to him. When I got a closer look I realized it was Fenix, the Praetor, whatever that meant. He didn't pay much heed as I walked up, merely a glance before swishing the air some more.
"Hey, you're the one called Fenix right?"
"That is correct, you're the special Saiyan child Verto. I hear you can now control Psi energy!" Fenix said, sounding impressed.
"I'm still working on that, but its getting there," I grinned slightly.
He grunted in response, "You should watch yourself out there, I sense unseen enemies about. A child such as you shouldn't be out here, but that is not my place to decide who fights," he said, turning away.
"How do those work anyway?" I asked, referring to his Psi blades.
"It draws on the one's inner power automatically when attached, it is a way to determine worthy warriors. Though it can be mistaken from time to time," he explained. Must be a religious thing.
"Can I try them?" I asked.
"No, they are not to be touched by any other than the Protoss," he said sternly.
"Okay I guess, don't want to break your code or anything. But what's this about being mistaken? Every Protoss I've seen can control Psi to an extent," I said.
"Depends on what you mean by control. Most basic warriors can only dream about it, as some are more suited for fighting and others to be Templar. Some are not suited for that either but make their way up somehow. Damn noble bloods," he cursed.
"Noble bloods?" I asked.
"Yes, some Protoss believe just because they are of noble blood that they are better than all the others, ha! I've seen the high and mighty nobles run from a battle while the true warriors fight!"
"Is Aldaris one of those noble bloods?" I asked, while not truly knowing.
"Humph, yeah you could say that. I'll never know how he got this far, he's never deserved it. Always trying to take command of a fleet just so he's in charge. Granted he is talented, but I sense corruption within. Do not bother with him," Fenix warned.
I snorted, "He's nothing, I wasted him in one blow!"
"Don't be so overconfident about your abilities. Aldaris is very tricky and cunning; he has ways of going around obstacles rather than facing them head on. Lately I believe he is interested in your abilities, for what I don't know! As for your question of control, a lot of the warriors you have seen require technology to use our Psi energy, and it's also in place as an inhibitor so they do not succumb to corruption."
"Thanks, and I'll keep a eye out for any rogue Judicators," I nodded. A loud horn blew and I sensed Vegeta's energy rise.
"That's our cue, final orders are coming. Prepare for battle!" Fenix shouted to his fellow Zealots around him.