Dragon Ball Z: The Catalyst
Act II:
Chapter 12: The Survivors
One Day After The Battle With The Saiyans:
Raditz looked at the human doctor with disdain.
"Please, your friends have asked that we take a look at you. There isn't anything strange going on here. We just want to make sure you are well."
Raditz's eyes never left the surgical tray in the background however, noting a needle on it. It almost made him shiver, he had a similar fear of anything that they tried to poke or prod him with at any Planet Trade base. It wasn't about being afraid of needles even however, it was the fact he felt fine. All these humans wanted was an excuse to grab at him. If they didn't stop it, he'd inform them how he slaughtered a dozen of their colleagues in West City, perhaps that'd get them to back off.
"Alright, that seems to be enough." Master Roshi said. "Let the man be, clearly he doesn't want our help."
Raditz smirked, at least the old human understood. Now all he needed to do was figure out how to get to Namek. He'd overheard them talking in the blue haired woman's aircraft about the planet Namek, and to say the least he intended to go. If Namek was where there were more Dragon Balls, as Vegeta and Krillin expected, than that was where he had to go. Unfortunately at this time he realized there was a clear and obvious trust issue.
"Now then, stand aside." He said, referring to the patient's room.
"You can't go in here, its family only." Roshi said, trying to think of a way to delay Raditz. In truth, everyone now worried Raditz would take advantage of Goku in his weakened state and kill him. There was a lot of good reason to do this.
"How convenient, I am his brother, now stand aside." Raditz said, implying he'd move Roshi if needed.
Finally, Roshi bowed his head slightly, not to Raditz but to himself, stepping to the left he allowed Raditz to pass.
Inside the room, Chi Chi, Bulma, Gohan, Krillin, Ox King, Mr. Popo, and Goku were all there. Goku looked like he was in the worst shape, completely in a massive machine designed to heal his injuries. Gohan and Krillin merely looked slightly bandaged, they'd be fine in no time. They were apparently in argument. He'd overheard the woman Bulma speaking of a Space Craft...
He found Kakarot's 'mate', largely as anything as beastly as that he didn't want to label as a woman, completely repulsive. The flight with her truly tested his resolve to at the very least pretend to fit in for the time being. She was loud, disrespectful, annoying, she even seemed to show open hostilities to Kakarot himself at times. The reason the boy was hardly a saiyan was clearly her as well, constantly disapproving of all his saiyan instincts. It was a tragedy to his nephew, but it wasn't his place. Kakarot should have stepped in long ago.
The human male, Krillin, was glaring at him with mistrust as well. Raditz could already tell the conversation was progressing swimmingly without him.
"I'm telling you right now Gohan, you are not going to Namek! What if anything were to happen to you!"
Goku tried to intervene of course, his son not only wanted to go to Namek to bring back his friends, but he of course thought Gohan would love the adventure.
"I just got you back, and now you already want to run off again!" Chi Chi waled.
Raditz winced as she did, growling.
"Beast-woman be silent!" Raditz snapped finally.
The entire room went quiet as soon as the words left his mouth. He looked to Kakarot, whose jaw was open in shock at what Raditz had just done. For some reason Kakarot was scared for him. His facial features almost seemed to say 'what have you done?'
Raditz began to wonder exactly what had he done?
When he looked at Chi Chi, she looked completely furious. With one hand she grabbed the Ox King, her father, pulling him into the air.
"Wait Chi Chi! Calm down!" He urged.
Raditz realized a second later, that there was a distinct reason they all seemed to fear this mad harpy.
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Planet Frieza 79's Outpost:
The large hover chair carefully rotated itself through the room. Lord Frieza, the most powerful fighter in the universe looked ahead coldly. They were supposed to be en route to Namek by now, and instead this cursed ship was being repaired at dock. The workers outside were working feverishly to complete the repairs needed for the cruiser to take off.
Zarbon looked nervously to his master, his eyes tracing over to him briefly.
"Zarbon," Frieza finally said, the name came out almost like a threat already.
"Y-yes Lord Frieza?"
Zarbon had worked for Frieza for thirty years as his right hand man. He knew when to be bold, and he knew when to be frightened, now was one of those times for the latter. They'd been tied up now for days since things had finally migrated through the food chain about the Dragon Balls. It'd still be another two weeks to Namek even when the ship was fixed. Frieza had even tried to see if there was another ship in the area they could travel on, but the only one was King Cold's private battlecruiser.
Frieza most certainly didn't want his father to know he was seeking Eternal Life, for himself alone.
"Do you remember what you told me before these mechanical failures occurred?"
Zarbon felt a chill run through his body.
"Th-that we'd be on Namek within two weeks."
"How long has it been, Zarbon?"
Dodoria looked at his colleague with sympathy and a sense of dread. This hadn't gone well for the last few people who displeased Frieza. Those thirty years ago even, this was how Zarbon got his job.
"It has been, as of now, two weeks."
Frieza's face finally shifted to one of supreme displeasure. His red eyes stared out into the stars from his bridge before he turned his hover-chair to face Zarbon directly. When he did, his face back to its calm, calculated self.
"Tell me Zarbon, when will we arrive on Namek?"
"Th-the Engineers tell me the ship will be fixed in another 10 days, and then it will be two weeks from there."
Zarbon felt his heart racing as never before. He'd helped annihilate planets for Frieza, organized his armies, was his personal lieutenant. Despite being all those things, he could face an ignominious death at any moment now, due to a technical failure not even related to him.
"If we do not arrive on Namek in exactly 24 standard days then, Zarbon, your death will be both exquisite and excruciating. Consider your long track record of success being the only thing which has bought you any additional time, am I being quite clear?"
Zarbon swallowed the lump which had formed in his throat, before nodding to Frieza.
"Yes, Lord Frieza. I will oversee the repairs personally from here on out."
"See that you do, Zarbon."
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The entire door to Goku's room was busted. Both the Ox King and Raditz had been blown through it. Or rather, the Ox King being used as a human missile, was thrown through the door and Raditz happened to have the misfortune to be standing there at the time.
Ox King was still on top of Raditz, in fact. The saiyan warrior lay back, looking dazed, before he sneered, shoving the King off of him, slowly rising to his feet.
"So that woman wants to fight?!" He snarled, before he noticed a huge hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe you need to calm down some, friend?" Ox King offered with a large gentle smile.
"She just threw you! Into me!" Raditz said, still looking outraged.
Kakarot had surrounded himself with a cult of insane people. This man was trying to be nice to him now, and encourage him to be nice. Were they all mad?! Once he got off this wretched place he'd never return.
He pulled his shoulder from the huge man, sneering at him.
The only reason any of them still lived was he needed access to a space craft, he needed to get to the planet Namek. Still, this would push his patience and tolerance to their greatest limits he was sure. He'd get to Namek, get access to the Dragon Balls, and wish for Eternal Life, just as Violet recommended he'd done on earth.
He'd killed Nappa earlier. Raditz paused as he realized the full volume of what that had meant. He'd lived and fought at Nappa's side for well over a decade. They had ate the same meals, fought the same enemies. He was a traitor, and he was a traitor for what? For some woman who saw him as a means of surviving her planet's pending apocalypse? He'd been so willing in all of it as well to argue for her life in front of his two allies, even knowing they'd never agree to such a thing.
Furious.
That was the best word he could use to describe in terms of how he felt. He wasn't just angry with Nappa and Vegeta, he was angry with himself for being such a weakling. Even now he was becoming weaker as he grew in strength. He needed to get off this planet, and stay off this planet, for a very, very long time.
Stepping into the room from the completely shattered doorway.
"If your wife is quite done, Kakarot." He said, avoiding snarling at the woman and killing her on the spot. His arms crossed before he said his next words. "I was about to say that the boy should go."
Krillin gave a puzzled look, nobody trusted Raditz, and for good reason. To him, what he was looking at in the room wasn't a man, he wasn't Goku's brother, he was a monster. He could see the hunger for power in his very posture, a posture not so different from all the other despots and beasts they'd overcome. Commander Red, General Blue, Mercenary Tao, King Piccolo, Garlic Jr., Nappa and Vegeta, they were all echoes of one another in some form. In each one of them they could see the same reflection of evil, and Raditz was without a doubt a card carrying member of their group.
Goku however, looked innocently on at his 'brother', as far as Krillin could tell.
"Yea, that sounds like a great idea. C'mon Chi Chi, it will only be for a few months, and we really need the Dragon Balls on Namek to wish Piccolo back," Goku explained.
"However," Raditz cut in. "I think I should also be going on this little expedition to the planet Namek."
Krillin knew it.
However, Goku just smiled.
"Yea, that sounds like a great plan!"
Raditz blinked, not expecting such a... cheerful response. What was Kakarot playing at? He'd remembered his harsh words after he killed Nappa. Why the change of heart? He never trusted changes this abrupt, especially after having served under Vegeta, and Frieza. Quick mood changes often meant some kind of sinister plot.
"What?! Goku, are you out of your mind!? After all the people he's killed! After what he did to you! And worse after he acted like a barbarian!"
"No more barbarous than you, my sword wielding friend." Raditz said, referencing when Krillin had tried to take Vegeta's life while he was helpless.
Before Krillin could say anything more to the now smirking Raditz, Goku did finally cut in.
"I know full well what he's done, Krillin. Look at him." Goku said, his whole body bandaged still as he turned his head to meet Raditz's gaze. "He's lived a shallow life of excess and violence, plotting, murdering, and stealing a living. However, he did save you two against Vegeta and Nappa, and he hasn't tried to harm us since then."
"Goku," Krillin cut in. "I cannot go into space with this bastard aboard the ship."
Bulma looked fearfully at Raditz herself, she was still terrified of him. In so many ways he was like Goku, physically. But there was that dark core, he'd killed thousands and didn't show a shred of remorse for a moment of it. He'd even tried to kill the Z fighters, and her at the Capsule Corp. She didn't trust him at all, even now she could tell he was acting, playing the role of a friend and adviser when he really only had his own sinister plots.
"You all seem to be forgetting something, until Kakarot is healed, I am the strongest one here." He said simply.
"So what?" Krillin demanded. "Is that a threat?"
"Hardly, it is a statement of fact."
Goku's eyes narrowed as Raditz spoke, speaking of power. He was going to threaten to kill everyone if he didn't get his way?
"Do you not think Vegeta is going to be after these Dragon Balls as well?" Raditz asked. "Do you somehow think that he will somehow forget about these? Vegeta will annihilate anything in his path to get the chance of Eternal Life, including the Nameks. I may not be much of a challenge for Vegeta, that is true, but I am certainly better off than your son, or your friend here, Kakarot."
A lie hidden within the truth. It was very true Vegeta was more powerful than he was, but he didn't want to go to Namek to protect the Harpy's bastard child, or Krillin. He'd annihilate anything in his path on his quest for the Dragon Balls, the same as Vegeta would. He just needed to gain more power before he could confront his former Prince, and the squirts could prove useful until he either had all the Dragon Balls, or had Vegeta at his mercy. Soon, there would be a new order in the universe. Frieza, Vegeta, and any other scum who crossed his path would feel his wrath.
Goku however, saw through the lie. He'd seen what Raditz true intentions were from the moment he'd walked into the room. He wanted the Dragon Balls for his own selfish gain. Worse yet, he knew he'd be willing to do almost anything for this chance at power. The familial bond between the two of them was near non-existent, but even Goku could see this as the truth. What Goku however thought was something Raditz would never admit to.
In all that hate, power hunger and anger, he could see a small, extremely small pang of good. Some of his pleas to him when they first fought, trying to get him to join his evil cause, were out of real concern. Goku also knew that something radical had to have happened to Raditz to get him to turn on Vegeta and Nappa, something life altering. He was still curious as to what it was, and even though it'd not made him good by any means, it'd started him on a different path. To deny Raditz the opportunity to go to Namek, would be to deny him the chance to take a different role in life. Krillin and Bulma were his best friends, and he had little doubt that they couldn't find some common ground with his 'brother' on such an adventure. Gohan had also shown Piccolo a whole different side of himself as well.
However, this had to be tempered with caution, he was extremely dangerous. A miscalculation meant that all of this would be for nothing. Goku felt himself staring at Raditz again, knowing it was making his brother uncomfortable. With his mind he almost tried to peel away the layers of thoughts on top of Raditz mind. The most prominent thoughts amongst them were insecurities. Insecurities about not being strong enough, about being emotionally weak, about avoiding attachment. However there was a thread there, a broken thread.
What a lonely existence you must lead, Raditz.
Goku thought to himself quietly.
"He's right," Goku finally said.
"Goku! No way!" Bulma protested.
"What's wrong woman?" Raditz asked, turning his smile towards her. The devil was in that smile. "I won't try to hurt you this time, I promise."
Bulma felt herself cross her arms. "Well then I guess we're not going to Namek at all. I won't go with this brute, you can't change my mind."
"But Bulma, if you don't go who would fly the ship?"
"That's right Bulma," Mr. Popo said. "Everyone must work together and make compromises."
"He tried to kill me!" Bulma finally shouted angrily, glaring at Mr. Popo then at Goku.
"I never even got a chance." Raditz said, rolling his eyes and looking away. The less he said beyond the most basic facts, the better.
"Is that why you blew up half my home! The home my parents lived in!"
"He blew up half the Capsule Corporation?" Chi Chi asked, her mouth dropping in shock.
"Well," Gohan said, his eyes tracing down. "I thought it was more like a quarter." He then said quietly, wanting to keep his head down but at the same time feeling the need to correct everyone.
"Alright look, its not about the fact he tried to blow up half the Corp building, alright? We can't possibly let him join us! I mean. I mean.-"
"Don't worry Bulma." Goku said finally. "Just trust me alright? I promise everything will work itself out."
Bulma reluctantly looked towards Raditz, before looking at Krillin and Gohan. Krillin was still glaring at the saiyan and Gohan looked determined, though he looked determined in the direction of Raditz. Well, in essence, that meant he was glaring at Raditz as well.
Raditz rolled his eyes.
"If you try to mess with our wish to bring everyone back, you'll pay." Krillin reminded.
"Everyone?" Raditz asked. "What a joke, bringing everyone back to life. Why don't you outlaw death with these Dragon Balls."
Bring everyone back, what kind of wish was that? Bring them back from what?
"No, you don't get it. We can wish everyone back from a common occurrence." Krillin explained. "For instance, we can wish back everyone Vegeta and Nappa killed." He explained.
Raditz froze at the comment, his eyes narrowing on Krillin. Everyone? His head raised slightly. That nagging feeling in the back of his head returned.
"So when do we leave?" He finally asked, turning towards the door.
"10 days." Bulma then informed.
"Wait," Goku said, looking towards everyone. "I need to speak with Raditz, alone."
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Raditz stood there, looking down at Kakarot with his arms folded over his chest as everyone else vacated the room.
This had better not be some sappy speech.
Raditz could already see it, another preachy monologue from the great and mighty Kakarot, about goodness and virtue. His brother was so naive it was painful, he'd not changed since their first confrontation at the "Kame House". Still, he had to play along with anything these miserable earthlings wanted for the moment. He couldn't take the things he needed by force, yet.
"Raditz," Goku started. "We've never really talked, well not without a fight about to happen, so I'm not really sure how to start this off."
It was awkward, and Goku knew it was awkward for both of them. He could see Raditz keeping his facade of good intentions up still, but even behind that this was highly abnormal for both. He doubted there had been much meaningful conversation between Raditz and his comrades over the years. Goku hated to admit it himself, but he'd never even imagined having a brother in his entire life, and the one he was dealt was... well, worlds apart from him.
"How about with getting to the point?" Raditz responded roughly.
"I know you have your own agenda for the Dragon Balls," Goku then said, wanting to clear the air of any deceptions.
Raditz for some reason felt relaxed at Kakarot saying this. It was perhaps the only saiyan thing he'd seen him do, talk plainly about intentions. It was relieving even to hear another saiyan for once, especially now.
"We aren't friends, Raditz. What you've done will have to be answered for one day, to the people of Earth and to countless others. I see in you the chance for you to change though." Goku finally said. "But you betrayed my trust when you attacked Nappa,"
There was almost a sneer at the last remark, Raditz feeling unjustly judged. Did this fool not understand the kind of man Nappa was? He knew Nappa far better, Nappa was even more severe than himself. He was truly a fool, he had to be! As if Nappa was somehow going to turn about and play nicely with everyone.
"You are a fool, Kakarot." Raditz responded harshly. "Did you think Nappa was going to turn around and decide it was time to embrace peace and love? I watched him as he tore men apart and laughed as how easily they came apart in his hands, and I laughed right along with him!"
The stare Kakarot gave him made him almost, almost for that one moment feel shame. He'd killed Nappa for the very behaviour which he himself had demonstrated, and only when it happened to him and someone he... cared... about, did he find fault and slaughter his former comrade. Worse yet, that stare told him that he was wrong.
Raditz felt his hate quickly come to the rescue however. How dare Kakarot judge him? What kind of saiyan was he?! He'd never known the thrill of the hunt, conquering a whole world and utterly obliterating its inhabitants. The slaughter itself was always invigorating. Nappa had ever right to laugh when he tore those men apart, and so did he.
Goku's stare continued however, finally beginning to crack through Raditz's false calm.
"Stop staring at me Kakarot," He demanded, his eyes narrowing coldly. "You have no right to judge me!"
"And you have no right to endanger my son, your Nephew." Goku told him finally. "If you think about it for one second, even one, I will hunt you across the galaxy if I have to and make you pay." The saiyan assured him. "The same is true for my friends."
Raditz remained quiet at first, his fist tightening, however there was a brief nod. It was a small trade off to make. He could avoid killing those fools and still obtain what he needed from them.
"I agree. I will not harm your friends." He finally said.
Goku smiled at the remark.
"Good," The younger brother said. "No matter what you may think of yourself Raditz, you can change. The hatred inside of you will only destroy you. I know that you will let Gohan, Krillin and Bulma make the wish when the time is right, and I know you'll keep them safe."
It cannot destroy me if I am immortal, Kakarot. I will take the wish for myself and have Eternal Life.
"What was Vegeta's punishment?" Goku finally asked. "What was so terrible that you betrayed him and tried to kill him and Nappa?"
Raditz blinked, seeing the look on his brother's face. It was serious and somehow knowing. For a moment he almost wanted to admit to him what it was, perhaps then his brother wouldn't look down at him for killing Nappa.
Worse, he thought bitterly, he wanted his approval?!
Instead of responding to the question, Raditz sneered and growled.
"I won't answer such a question to you, Goku. Needless to say it was enough, and you should be glad it was enough, otherwise I'd have crushed your skull in my hands, had the so called Prince ordered me to."
With that, Raditz turned, beginning to walk from the room.
"Hey you!" Raditz stopped as he exited the room, his large frame turning to see Bulma.
"I'm not going to have you running around in rags while we're up there. So, that means we'll at least get you some new clothes."
Raditz looked down at his nearly completely destroyed clothing, before looking up at the blue haired woman. He could already tell he was going to hate this one.
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A/N: Plenty of development chapters ahead. There just isn't any fighting that will be happening for a while. Next chapter however, expect to see the Namekian ship take off, you'll get to see Vegeta, and best of all Turles and Frieza.
Now then. To answer some reviewers:
Coldblue: Will Turles and Lord Slug's Cronies die on Namek? I don't know, you'll have to read :P
Will Raditz save some Namekians?: You'll probably have to read that too.
Will the Z Warriors bring Senzu Beans to Namek?: Did they in Dragon Ball? ;)
Sorry dude, all those questions could be considered huge spoilers, can't answer them :(
Luke: Thank you for the kind review. The longer the story carries on, the more things will diverge, so it will become increasingly AU as the story goes forward. I've already got some one off chapters written for further down the line, I think people will appreciate them. :D
Pointer39: It'll be interesting to say the least, I promise.
And thank you to everyone else for reading and reviewing! :D
I hope everyone enjoys, and if you'd be so kind as to leave a review, that'd be great! :D