Chapter 1- A man and his work
Note from the Author- Hey all! I'd like to say thank you for all the positive feedback I've received- particularly from some writers that I look up to.
I'd like to make a correction though- The last prologue should have been set in age 714, rather than 716. Not so good with the maths.
That said, here's the first, full length chapter of A Chance Observation!
Age 722 Planet Plant- Nashi, Tuffle Capital City
A slightly hunched, rather diminutive figure sat at a long, cluttered desk. What would seem like Chaos to you or I was perfectly organised to the middle-aged scientist sitting at his desk, contemplating several problems that he had only a short while to deal with.
The figure was possessed of average height, with slightly thinning, short brown hair and the beginnings of a moustache on his upper Lip. He possessed the demeanour of a man who was constantly absorbed in work- Anti-social, with quite a short temper and an aversion to being interrupted.
was, as ever, absorbed in his work. If you were to observe Raichi while he was working, you'd be forgiven for thinking that his profession was that of a living statue- he hardly ever seemed to move, just analysing reams upon reams of data, hour by hour.
But, those who knew him would expect nothing less of the eminent Tuffle scientist, perhaps the most gifted mind their culture had ever seen. Raichi had dedicated so much of his life to the pursuit of knowledge, that it would seem strange for him to not be working on something.
But today was different. Being the greatest scientist among the Tuffles had its perks, yes indeed- not only was he was given funding for any project he desired to work on, courtesy of the Kings treasury itself, but no-one would even question his research methods- when it came to Raichi, the man was an enigma to everyone. Well… almost.
But to Raichi, there were several negatives. Today was an example of one such negative- everyone and their mother seemed to want a part of his time lately.
"Can they not see" Thought Raichi, still absorbed in his facts and figures "That I have important work to do? I can hardly be at every University at once, I haven't got any Doppelgangers!"
Raichi paused for a moment, before pulling up a file entitled "New Ideas". He began to tap the pad incessantly, pouring his thoughts into the digital document.
"Make clones. Get them to handle the hum-drum day-to-day affairs, so that I can work in peace. Damned nosy people, I have important work to do!"
Raichi saved the document, and put the pad down. "Still… I did promise Momo on this one. I do owe the University for letting me study there… all those decades ago. I suppose… one appearance wouldn't hurt."
Raichi stood up, and turned to a large console in the centre of the large, darkened room.
"Hatchi!"
The machine, whirred to life, taking a few brief seconds to become fully online.
"Yes, Master Raichi?" The Machine intoned in a high pitched, mechanical voice.
"Continue to analyse the data for the DNA of the… Saibamen, did I call them? Continue to analyse the data while I'm gone, Hatchi.""
A few lights lit up on the console briefly, before the machine intoned once again- "Yes, Master. Scanning of DNA Base sequence currently stands at 17% completion. ETC, 3 hours. Is this satisfactory?"
Raichi waved off the machines' question, heading towards the exit of the lab, trading his lab-coat for a flowing, emerald-hued hooded cloak as he went, and equipping a blue-lensed scouter.
"Yes, yes, perfectly fine Hatchi. Continue as I have instructed."
Hatchi made a few final beeps, before silencing itself and continuing with its assigned task.
With a mind full of calculations and reasons why he should just turn around and continue his work, Dr Raichi strode from his lab, down several flights of stairs and into the evening air of Nashi, capital City of the Tuffle people.
"Ah… when you've been inside a Lab for as long as I have, you grow to appreciate some parts of the outside world more so than you normally would."
Raichi stood slightly taller, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the cool evening air, and the sight of the City before him. A population of roughly 10 Million Tuffles, in an area of 15 square miles, all of which was at the very height of Tuffle ingenuity. Raichi took silent satisfaction in the fact that he, along with a team of scientists and countless construction droids, were responsible for much of the architecture before him.
"Such a long time ago now" He thought. "And speaking of Momo, I ought to check up on her and Budo. Out in the bad lands for research, she says… and with her child, no less! Honestly, there are some times when I can't tell if she's fearless or thoughtless. Perhaps a combination of both."
The Doctor, walking through the quiet streets, thought of his Daughter in his way of expressing affection- that is, mild irritation. Since he had lost his wife in an Earthquake in Age 714… she was all the family he had left. Well, her and her son. His only grandchild, Budo.
"7 years old now, and already with a keen interest in Science. Good boy." Raichi thought to himself.
Raichi tapped his scouter, bringing up a communications hub of sorts. After some navigation, he was able to connect with the scouter belonging to Momo- who was currently on the other side of the Planet. The device made a few beeps, before the face of Raichi's only daughter popped up on the screen.
Momo was possessed of a healthy, vibrant looking faced, albeit with some dark circles around the eyes. To be expected, when your profession pretty much involves staring at several screens of data for hours at a time as part and parcel of scientific method. Her hair was similar to Raichi's, being the same color yet slightly longer. Her eyes were a calm, sky-blue, yet they held an inner fire- a natural curiosity that had been with her since she could crawl. Raichi chuckled at the memory.
"Momo, my Daughter. I see that you're keeping well. How's the field operation?" Raichi made a brief smile, which turned to one of mild confusion as his Daughter responded:
"Really, Dad? Just one sentence about how I'm doing, and we're moving onto my work? Could at least ask about Budo first."
Raichi paused, chiding himself on his latest faux pas. Of course he cared about his family, but he was equally anxious to hear about his Daughters work.
Raichi summoned up another awkward grin, before continuing: "Of course, Momo. Sorry about that, I've just been working since… 2 days ago, now? Anyway, how's the little terror himself?"
Momo allowed herself a grin on that one- it wasn't often that Dad made an attempt, however awkward, at humor. "Looks like he's finally getting over Mom…" she thought to herself. She replied to her Fathers question- "Oh, 'The Terror Himself' is just fine, Dad. He's sleeping now though, he's had a long day. Done a lot of 'research', into how many legs you can pull of a Kumo before it stops wriggling. A little sick, I guess, but curiosity is curiosity."
Raichi chuckled as he walked at this, recalling his own experiences with insects as a boy. "The casual sadism of youth… what a strange thing. But yes, curiosity is curiosity. Speaking of which…" Raichi's expression darkened a little: "How goes your investigation?"
"Actually, it's going very well. The local Saiyan chief doesn't actually support this 'Vegeta'. Contrary to popular belief, that Warmonger doesn't have the solidarity of the Saiyan forces behind him- the local Chief is apparently happy to let us observe Saiyan life and culture, provided we stay at a distance from the Village. So as yet… no, we haven't been attacked."
The Doctor breathed a short sigh of relief, before speaking once again "That's good. That man, Vegeta… he's a short-sighted fool. Can't he see the potential we'd have if both our races joined forces?"
"According to Kabu- that's the chief of the Village- Vegeta sees us a race of cowards, hiding behind our walls and our technology. So, he's pretty crazy about the whole 'might makes right' principle" she said with a lopsided grin.
Raichi frowned at this last remark, before saying: "What a moron. He knows he doesn't have the numbers to destroy us all, he just got lucky with Appuru City. Bunch of lazy layabouts… it's a good thing the Saiyans haven't figured out how to push buttons yet, or we'd all be in…" Raichi trailed off as he was met with an irritated frown from his Daughter.
"Too soon, Dad. It's only been 2 years, and I lost friends there…"
Raichi chided himself once again, cursing his mild sociopathic tendencies. He cleared his throat as he passed a lovely little restaurant, attracting a look of mild concern from the doorman. He continued "Right. Sorry about that. Anyway, I called to tell you that I'm fulfilling my promise to you."
Momo's eyes shot up, with a grin spreading across her features: "You're serious? I didn't think you'd find the time, what with the Saiba project and…"
The Doctor interrupted his Daughter, puffing himself up slightly and maintaining a nonchalant expression.
"Yes, well, I suppose I could make an exception, just this once. Old place could do with a little publicity, anyway…"
Momo continued on, excitedly- "Dad, you don't how much this would mean to the University! With someone like you giving lectures there, applicant rates would skyrocket! We'll get more funding, and… oh that's great, Dad!"
Raichi gave a slight grimace, saying "Yes, yes, it's all well and good for me to take time out of my busy schedule just to educate some jumped up dullards who wouldn't know hard work if it slapped them in the face… honestly, I don't even know how many of them'll be able to understand what I'm saying, much less comprehend the fine points…"
"Yeah yeah Dad, you're an amazing super genius who's light years ahead of everyone else on Plant. Dad being conceited count- 9001. Staggering."
The Doctor blushed slightly, before replying in slightly more humble manner:
"Well… I didn't quite mean it like that…"
"Curses!" he thought, as he walked along the lengthy road to his destination. "I've got to change the subject before this gets any more awkward!"
Raichi stopped a second, before continuing: "Hold on a moment, Momo. Isn't this the day of the full moon?"
Momo paused on screen, before taking out a datapad and tapping on it a few times.
"Huh. So it is. But that means it's 8 years to the day since…" Momo trailed off.
Raichi stopped, a faraway look in his eyes as he remembered that night, the night that he lost the person closest to his Heart.
"I'm sorry, Dad. Hey, if it'll cheer you up, I'll make the data on the full moon available to you ASAP. That said, I wonder how the Saiyans will react to the Moon? Maybe they have a ritual connected to it or something."
Raichi once again cleared his throat, snapping out of his reverie.
"Yes, that'll be fine. Just be careful, and if you are going to observe the Saiyans again, try not to antagonise them."
Momo smiled at this protective comment. "Alright Dad. Over and out. Enjoy your Lecture, and thanks again!"
The Scouter beeped twice, signalling the end of the call.
"Well then. What was the lecture on again?" Raichi asked the Scouter, waiting a few moments before the result was brought up on screen.
"An introduction to Saiyan biology? Keff… hardly worth my time. Still… I did promise. Added to that, if tonight really is the Night of The Moon, then I'll even get a free dinner out of all this. Not much to complain about, I suppose."
Raichi clicked the Scouter twice once more, pulling up the lecture schedule.
"Now, that's interesting. I even have a live adolescent Saiyan to demonstrate with. No vivisection, of course. Well, all in all, this should make for an interesting evening."
Raichi strode up the steps of the Nashi City University, being greeted by curious and excited looks and questions from what seemed to be a horde of students. He ignored them all, and continued to the main hall.
The Dean of the University was short even by Tuffle standards, with a wiry moustache and short, black hair. He spoke with a reasonably high pitched voice to roughly 600 students. The seats had been sold out in under 10 minutes-but that was to be expected, considering who was giving the Lecture.
"And so, without further ado, I'd like to personally introduce our guest lecturer for this introduction into Saiyan Biology, the eminent and celebrated Scientist, and former student at this very centre of learning and application, Dr. Raichi!
The slightly hunched scientist, now wearing a blue and green overcoat, a white shirt and navy-blue trousers walked up to the podium, to the applause of the entire room. All save one… the adolescent Saiyan in the corner was on edge, and unsure of the entire situation. And something about the night was making his blood boil all the more…
Thank you for taking the time to read the latest chapter of my little excursion into fanon. I hope this was slightly more extensive than the prologue.
What I plan to do here is make more out of the Tuffle people. But I don't have very much to go on… so forgive me for any inaccuracies.
Still haven't got a schedule for this stuff on anything. I'll just… keep posting as I go, I'll guess.
Any questions, leave a review! I'll be happy to answer them.
For now, toodles!