Chapter 4: Blood of Namek
In the dimly lit control room of the pirate spaceship "Head Taker", sat Captain Zurkan, a brutal pirate and plunderer from the Northen galaxy, he sat in the command chair surrounded by his "loyal" crew. He is an extraterrestrial entity of striking appearance. With skin in the vivid hues of lavender with ebony stripes that swirled across his imposing form, this imposing being stood tall, reaching an impressive height of three meters.
His head, reminiscent of a fearsome reptilian predator, bore a formidable visage. Massive, serrated teeth protruded menacingly from a set of powerful jaws, while a pair of crimson, reptilian eyes blazed with a killer intensity. Crowning his head were small, horn-like protrusions that lent an air of menace to his already intimidating countenance.
What truly set this space marauder apart, however, was his four muscular arms, each rippling with sinew and strength. These additional limbs provided unparalleled dexterity, enabling him to navigate his interstellar voyages and battles with great skill. Near his chair or better to say throne stood a double headed axe that Zurkan loved to use for taking trophies from particularly resilient prey.
The control panels cast an eerie glow on his menacing face, adorned with battle scars and a malicious grin." Hmm... so this backwater is Namek?" He spoke. Zurkan had arrived on Namek with hundreds of his soldiers, he had heard about this backwater that is the home of a peace-loving race, an easy target, he smiled menacingly at the control panels looking at the data the ship sensors gathered. No signs of industrialization and no satellites or fleets of ships to defend it and make a nuisance of themselves. His intent is to enslave the denizens of this world and seize the planet. His long-term goal is to present this world and others that he already plundered to the Planet Trade Organization, hoping to enter their ranks as one of their leaders and high-ranking officials under the Cold family's command.
The room was filled with the hum of machinery and the flickering of holographic displays. Zurkan's cold, calculating eyes scanned the control panel before him as he issued orders to his troops. "Prepare for the Operation" he bellowed in a commanding voice. "Kurgan come here" he called his right hand. Kurgan was an imposing marauder of impressive stature of about 2.5 meters. He was a veteran of many raids and followed his captain for almost a decade. He had a muscular frame and orange skin, his head was adorned with small horns instead of hair and he wore black form fitting armor the same one that Planet Trade forces use, on his belt he had a power mace. "Take as many slaves as you can, to those that resist, we show no mercy. This is the final planet Kurgan, do not disappoint me. Zurkan glared at his lieutenant, he can't afford any setbacks. "This backwater will bow before us, or it will crumble!"
His lieutenant and his soldiers, a motley crew of mercenaries and cutthroats, snapped to attention and saluted. "Aye, Captain Zurkan!" They chorused, their loyalty held by the strength and fear of brutal reprisal by their captain, they readied themselves for the impending invasion.
As the massive hangar doors of the interstellar spacecraft slowly creaked open, a soft hiss of escaping air marked the beginning of a daring interplanetary invasion. The hangar was vast, its towering walls disappearing into shadows above. The cold, metallic walls bore scars of countless battles, their battle-hardened surface reflecting the dim blue glow of overhead lights.
The crew, comprised of hardened spacefaring pirates and their formidable captain, stood in hushed anticipation as the hangar doors parted further. The air was thick with tension and excitement, for they had reached their destination, a distant and uncharted planet ripe for plunder.
The hangar's enormous bay doors fully revealed the star-studded backdrop of the cosmos, contrasting starkly with the dark interior. Beyond the yawning threshold, a lush and verdant world lay in wait, its unsuspecting inhabitants almost oblivious to the impending doom.
With a controlled and purposeful stride, the crew moved into action. Cargo containers and transport ships stood ready, their engines humming with restrained power. The transport ships, sleek vessels designed for planetary assault, were a marvel of both technology and malevolence. Painted in midnight hues, they exuded an aura of impending dread.
Crew members worked in tandem, guiding the cargo containers towards the awaiting transport ships. The containers, filled with an array of advanced weaponry and nefarious machinery, fit seamlessly into the belly of the ships. Each ship had massive hatches that yawned open like hungry maws, ready to swallow their deadly cargo.
With the precision of a well-practiced orchestra, the transport ships began to lift off the hangar floor, their thrusters emitting a low, ominous growl. One by one, they glided out of the hangar into the infinite void, forming a menacing phalanx in the starry expanse. The dark ships, each bristling with weaponry, cast shadows on the world below as they drifted towards the lonely planet.
The planet, a tranquil orb of life, looked oblivious to the impending storm that would soon descend upon it. The transport ships descended gracefully through the atmosphere; their sleek forms cloaked in the fiery glow of reentry. Soon, the world below would feel the wrath of the Head-taker pirates, as they unleashed their insatiable appetite for conquest upon an unsuspecting planet, plunging it into a nightmare from which they might not wake.
Meanwhile, in the serene confines of Lord Guru's house, Nail, the mightiest warrior of the Warrior Clan and Guru's personal guardian, convened a meeting of the village elders using Lord Guru as a medium to telepathically connect all the elders on the planet. Guru himself looked on; his ancient eyes filled with concern.
"Honorable elders," Nail began, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "We face a grave threat. Invaders, led by a malevolent yet unknown power, have set their sights on Namek. Their numbers are overwhelming, and their intentions are unknown "The elders gasped in surprise, their antennae quivering with apprehension.
Lord Guru joined the meeting and spoke with solemnity, "We must act swiftly. The safety of our people is our utmost priority. Begin the evacuation to the wilderness of Namek. Those who can, you are to seek refuge in the Hidden Vault that was constructed after the cataclysm that once befell our planet. We must protect our children and the Dragon Balls at all costs."
The elders nodded in agreement, their resolve firm. They knew that Guru's wisdom was their guiding light in these dark times.
Nail continued the meeting and organized the Namekian warriors, both seasoned fighters and those still in training. "Warriors, my brothers, upon us are hard times but this is what you have been training for, I want third of the warriors to go with their noncombatants and elders and escort them to safe hideouts if they can't make it to the vault. Those that are near Grand elder's house, convene here, the rest advance on the enemy when they approach your villages, I and the other warriors will come to help as soon we can." The Warriors and elders understood their duty and rushed to do as commanded, Nail then turned to the rest of people gathered in the chamber "Turambar, Sarnak you know what to do, I will stay with the Grand elder until nearby warriors arrive then I will join the fighting."
They nodded and said their goodbyes and rushed to their home village, they took flight as fast as they could, their aura trailing behind them, water and dust flying up to the sky, their focus was upon their village and the enemies in orbit, they could sense that attack is imminent. When they arrived at the village, they arrived to chaos. Tsumuri, Zalan and the few warriors that their village had were trying to herd stubborn elders who refused to abandon their home and wanted to help protect it.
Normally calm Sarnak was wroth and yelled "Enough you stubborn fools, now is not the time for willfulness, the enemy is almost upon us, you heard Sir Nail and the Grand elder collect the young ones and go to the vault." Villagers looked chastised at that and rushed to obey, he then turned to Turambar. "Young one... no, Turambar you are to defend the village with Zalan and two others, I will take the rest of warriors and escort our stubborn brothers, if situation permits we will return to help, you keep them occupied as long as you can but if things get dire abandon this village and seek shelter, a few buildings are not worth your life and the life of others."
Turambar was surprised, he never saw this side of Sarnak, he responded. "Yes elder, we will not let you down and we will be careful." Sarnak smiled and said, "I know you will not, now I must be off, be careful." He then gathered the children, some supplies and the other villagers and then took off with haste towards the vault.
Tsumuri was planning to stay and help heal the defenders, he was a member of the Dragon Clan and almost skilled in combat as in healing but before he could join Turambar he was intercepted by elder Sarnak and asked to join him and the others in escorting the children to safety, he could only agree, he turned and nodded towards Turabmar his closest friend and conveying his thoughts and asking him to be careful. He then flew towards safety with the others.
Turambar was joined by Zalan and two warriors that he had trained many times with Koran and Poro. They nodded to each other, all knowing what was at stake.
The sky above Namek grew ominous as Zurkan's large spaceship flotilla descended, casting a shadow over the land. The approaching storm was a harbinger of chaos and violence. In the midst of the turmoil, Turambar felt a surge of trepidation and adrenaline. This was the moment he had trained for. He couldn't allow the invaders to harm his people, and he knew he would need to unleash the full extent of his abilities but he was nervous could he really harm some other intelligent living being , he was doubtful that even his fellow warriors were ready for such a thing, after all Namek was peaceful for a long time and only Sir Nail their champion had fought for his life. He shook his head and stopped thinking of such things, things were simple, the enemy is upon them, and he had long ago decided that this was his life and home now. His brothers are with him, and he at least won't let them down.
As Head-taker pirates began their assault on the planet, their transport ships split, and then converged in groups upon the few settlements this Planet had and their sensors could pick up, for the marauder piloting this vessel this was an overkill, this planet was sparsely populated and all this equipment was unnecessary in his opinion, of course he won't say that out loud not when lieutenant Kurgan is nearby , he valued his life thank you very much.
Just as he thought that a ship nearby exploded in flames, losing most of its crew. He was shocked, the sensor data did not show any anti air batteries what the hell hit them, his superior apparently thought the same because he yelled "What the seven hells is this, from where is the enemy fire coming from" His copilot answered, "We do not know Sir the sensors are not picking anything." Kurgan was livid, to think that this filth dared to fight back, just for this insult he will take special pleasure breaking their spirit. But first he needs to direct his useless wretches. "Evasive maneuvers full power to shields bring us to the ground near that nearby settlement." His orders were transferred to the other ships, and they corrected their course to follow Kurgan's transport ship.
They and the nearby ships were hit a few times, but the shields were holding when they were near ground Kurgan ordered their vanguard to make a beachhead, dozens upon dozens of marauders ignited their jetpacks and jumped from the transport all the while shooting their pulse rifles upon the illusive enemy.
Turambar and the other warriors were the ones welcoming Kurgan and his band, a few minutes prior Koran and Poro were protesting attacking first and attempting to convince Zalan and Turambar to wait and see what the outworlders wanted. Turambar knew that that course of action was foolish and even if he did not have the foreknowledge, he could sense the intent of the beings that were approaching them even more after having his potential unlocked by Lord Guru. "No brothers we have no option of hesitating, I can sense the intent of these invaders they come to use violence with blood and fire in mind." Zalan nodded, agreeing with him. Poro tried to argue one more time, "But brother sur..." Turambar released his aura, his blood singing with power his very essence transformed into a surging maelstrom of power. The wind seemed to howl in response to the impending storm, "The time of talks is over brother the enemy is upon us." He gathered his ki, his life energy that he honed for years to harness and now for the first time using it for violence.
Suddenly, the sky above erupted with a dazzling display of light and sound. In a breathtaking spectacle, Turambar unleashed the Maelstrom Grenades. A hundred pulsating spheres of brilliant ki energy manifested around him, hovering like malevolent stars in the midnight sky. With a thought, Turambar set the barrage of energy into motion, and the spheres streaked towards incoming ships from all angles. The ships found themselves surrounded.
The Maelstrom grenades became a chaotic dance of destruction, the spheres closing in on the transport ships with unerring precision. They dogged and their shields deflected as best they could, but there was no escaping the relentless storm. Explosions lit up the battlefield as the ki spheres impacted with devastating force, each one a furious missile seeking its mark. Some of the ships exploded others resisted soon they opened their hatches and warriors streamed like a flood of locusts towards them screaming and shooting with feverous zeal. Soon battle was upon them, Zalan and the other joined Turambar in the Assault evading the fire from the enemy and slowly closing in upon them. They took cover behind buildings and soon the area was littered with corpses of the enemy, small craters and fire.
As the first transport ships descended from the sky, their metallic hulls glinting in the harsh sunlight, the ground trembled beneath the boots of the pirates within. With a deafening roar, the hatches of the ships swung open, revealing the rest of marauders who had come to claim this unsuspecting world.
Emerging from the belly of the vessels, the pirates spilled forth like a swarm of relentless ants. Each one was a fearsome figure, bedecked in motley attire adorned with symbols of their group or culture. Armed to the teeth with blasters, energy swords, and exotic weaponry, they advanced with a predatory grace.
Their boots left a trail of disturbed soil in their wake as they closed the distance between themselves and the settlement. The defenders, sensed the impending threat, gathered at the settlement's perimeter, their faces etched with determination.
The battle was joined with a sudden, explosive intensity. Blaster fire lit up the air, streaking toward the defenders who retaliated with energy beams screams of defiance of their own. The acrid scent of scorched earth mingled with the metallic tang of sweat and fear.
One by one the attackers fell and Turambar thought that things were looking up, that is when they were assaulted by enemy melee fighters who were frothing and screaming as they ran at them, he thought nothing of them until he tried to block an overhead strike with his arm and the power mace shattered his forearm and almost striking him upon the head. He winced in pain swallowing the scream that wanted to get out all the while backpedaling evading another strike and focusing his healing ki in the shattered forearm.
He quickly healed the bone in his arm and continued fighting, activating for a moment the Red Haze he almost instantly moved in the mist of marauder melee fighters, they had only a moment to react widening their eyes before Turambar performed another technique yelling "Explosion wave" He vaporized the nearest enemies and knocked back and wounded the rest. He took a moment to survey the battlefield, the proud structures that once adorned the landscape had been reduced to rubble, and the remnants of those who had brutally attacked their home now rested in eternal silence. Zalan was using all his skill in ki manipulation to shoot the enemy sharpshooters and small groups of marauders that were incoming, Poro was using his skills as a brawler shattering skulls, arms and legs of his enemies, brutally putting anyone down who stepped in his range, Koran used his superior speed never staying in a one place for a moment dispatching targets of value before they even knew that he was there.
Turambar took a moment to take a breath and review the situation, he could sense some of the Namekian life signs disappearing in other villages, he could even... "Aaarghh" he yelled, in a moment of carelessness his knee was shattered by a projectile from a pulse rifle but that wound is nothing for a healer like him, he started to heal his leg before suddenly he put his arms overhead to block and axe kick from a muscular yellow-skinned alien. "You filthy bugs, how dare you interfere with Lord Zurkan's plans? Why don't you just do me a favor and die? The alien focused his ki in his fist that started glowing with purple light and punched Turambar trough one of the remaining houses.
He started running after Turambar but before he could advance even more Koran intercepted him and slashed him across the back with a power sword that he looted from one of the defeated marauder berserkers. "Aaaa you magot, I am Kurgan the Scourge I will drink from your skull" yelled enraged alien now known as Kurgan.
Koran ignored the idle boasts and threats, he moved almost instantly and kicked Kurgan across the chest sending him back to some of his men. Kurgan enraged by the disrespect and failures so far stood up and shouted instantly and simultaneously sending a ki blast from his mouth towards Koran, Koran blocked the attack with his newly found sword and was blinded for a moment, a moment was all Kurgan needed, he moved swiftly towards Koran and grabbed his leg amidst the chaos and destruction, the colossal figure of Kurgan stood as a titan of fury. His yellow muscles strained beneath his torn clothing, and his eyes blazed with an untamed rage. Koran, the warrior Namekian, had incurred the wrath of the Scourge, with a roar that echoed like thunder, Kurgan grabbed Koran's leg in a steel like grip. Koran's face contorted with a mix of fear and defiance as he found himself in the grip of an unstoppable force.
Kurgan, fueled by an unquenchable anger, began to shake Koran like a ragdoll. The warriors form whipped through the air, his antennae trailing behind him like a banner of defeat. The ground quivered beneath them as Koran's body struck with incredible force.
For a moment, Koran's defiant words were drowned out by the sheer power of the Scourge fury. The very earth seemed to tremble in response to the violence of the spectacle. Kurgan repeated the action a few more times, each strike ferocious as the previous. Zalan and Poro tried to help their brother, but they were surrounded on all sides, with a final strike Kurgan broke Koran's body upon the very world that he was trying to defend. With a cruel smile and almost lazily so to savor this moment he stomped on Koran's head sending skull pieces and brain matter all over Namek's soil.
"Noooo!" raged the Namekians, fighting with even more fervor, "Do you see little bugs that your defiance is futile, surrender and knell before us and maybe we shall allow some of you to live... as slaves of course" He cruelly grinned not expecting them to last much longer, "Special Beam Cannon" a Ki attack of magnificent power emerged from the ruin of the Namekian home that Turambar was sent to, it took only a moment for the attack to travel to the intended target but Kurgan was already moving. The attack missing his vitals and striking his right arm vaporizing the lower part.
Turambar was upon him in an instant cloaked in a red aura oozing bloodlust and rage, his Red Haze technique looking almost like the completed Kaio-ken. He smashed Kurgan with an overhead double strike, hitting him on the top of his head bloodying both of them, Kurgan continued to defend himself with one arm the best he could but the Namekin was savage and relentless, some of the other marauders tried to help their commander but were almost instantly killed by Zalan and Poro , or vaporized by Turambars Ki blasts. Soon Kurgan was on his last legs, the wounds he acquired taking it's toil, Turambar continued to rain savage kicks and punches enhanced even more by his rage bloodlust and almost completed Kaio-ken technique.
With a final savage punch Turambar felled Kurgan upon the broken soil, Kurgan not even being able to raise his remaining arm in defense could only look in disbelief as this Namekian savage was about to kill him, "No... please... mercy" he coughed blood and spittle trying to reason with this Namekian.
Turambar was shaking and quivering in rage, this...this murderer had the gall to ask for mercy after killing his brother... in a deathly quiet voice he said, "None of you will be granted mercy." He then flied up in the air and with a deathly focus proclaimed once again purple glow and stormy winds spreading around him, "Special beam cannon." Vaporizing the upper body of Kurgan and finally killing him.
The remaining marauders started running, surrendering or crying, sometimes all three but none of that impacted Turambar with a yell "Maelstrom grenades" he lit up the sky like the very stars have come to help the Namekians, he destroyed most of the ships and the crew in them only the farthest few surviving but staying still as if not to attract the monster upon themselves.
Zalan and Poro were in shock, with the death of their brother or the tide of death that followed they did not know but before they could decide they were interrupted from their musings by Turambar, "Brothers stay here and finish these invaders I will go to the vault and help end this, I can sense our brothers fighting there, when you finish join me there." Poro tried to answer but before he could Turambar had flown away with the red aura still trailing behind.
In space Zurkan was livid, the remains of an unfortunate messenger laying at his feet. He smashed the nearby panel and ordered, "Prepare my armor and the rest of the troops, I will bring the end to these savages." The troops rushed to obey before they also tempted his wrath.
Nail was having a bad day, first their peaceful day was interrupted by invaders from the stars, now he and his brothers had to fight for their lives and while simultaneously protecting the gate to the vault from the invaders where Elder Guru resides with the children, other elders, and the dragon balls. The rest of the elders were protecting the gate from the inside. This more and more looked like it would be their last stand.
Is this the way their race ends, enslaved or killed by evil from the stars, as he was contemplating, he noticed a large power level approaching their position fast, soon he could see it, it was his most recent brother, but something was different with him , he noticed that he was stronger than the last time he saw him and also he sensed even though that was not his strong suit, that his brother was full of rage that was threatening to consume him as a raging fire, what could have happened?
Before he could contemplate anymore his brother arrived. He was full of wounds and cuts, his clothes in taters and he breathed heavily. "Turambar are you well?" He asked his younger brother. "I will be, when all these invaders are dead" he answered in a controlled rage. Turambar started shooting ki blasts with considerable speed, many blasts finding their target and easing the pressure of the defenders. Nail decided that questions could wait and joined his brother to help stave off the attack on the gate. The rest of the warriors formed a sort of a living wall in front of the gate entrance that was carved on the side of the mountain. A sort of a stalemate formed where neither side could get an upper hand, Namekians strong but few in number and marauders their numbers in the hundreds and armed with deadly weapons but unwilling to be the first to sacrifice their lives.
Just as the situation seemed a bit more winnable and that a stalemate was forming, from the heavens above, a change in the tide of battle emerged. The leader of the spacefaring pirates, the brutal and ruthless Captain Zurkan, descended from orbit like a vengeful deity. His body pierced the atmosphere, creating a fiery streak across the Namekian sky.
With a powerful burst of energy, the pirate leader landed on the battlefield, his arrival shaking the very earth beneath him. As he touched down, a shockwave radiated outward, creating a deep crater that separated the two opposing forces. It was as if a scar had been carved into the battlefield itself.
The pirate leader stood at the center of the newly formed divide; a formidable figure bathed in the crimson glow of his energy aura. He gazed at the Namekians on one side and his pirate crew, the rest of them descending in their ships bringing reinforcements, on the other.
One by one, the other spacefaring pirates landed beside their leader, their ships settling with a thunderous roar. The pirates' numbers swelled, and they formed a menacing line behind their captain, ready to renew their assault on the Namekians.
The stalemate had been broken, and the balance of power had shifted once more. The fate of Namek now hung in the balance as the two sides prepared to clash anew. The battle for this alien world would continue to unfold, a relentless struggle for dominance and survival on the distant planet of Namek.
AN: So here I am with another chapter , this one was a bit hard to write :) I had never written fight scenes before, honestly I thought it would be easier to move my vision of the battle to "paper".
Tell me what you think , good , bad or too edgy? :)