The next day, Vegeta was seated in a back corner of the Ozo Tavern, elbow propped on the table, his gloved hand loosely resting on his mouth. Nighttime was the busiest time for the tavern, but it was early afternoon and the place wasn't exactly deserted. The orders hadn't come in yet for the day, and so several soldiers were milling about, killing time until they were sent on their next assignments.

Vegeta was no different, though his day had already been busy. He had chugged the contents of the vial that Felsin had given him after the brutal "strength of will" competition the night before, unsure if it would heal him or kill him - though he numbly found that he didn't much care either way. Luck was on his side though, and though the pain lingered, the broken bones had mended. It had given him enough strength to get through the morning training session with Dodoria and his fellow competitors – another "pain tolerance" lesson that had left him with fresh, painful burns along his back that he could still feel under his uniform even now, hours later.

Nonetheless, he had survived as per usual, and he had other things on his mind. So when Dodoria had finally dismissed them from training, telling them to report back later for orders on their next off-planet mission, Vegeta had bypassed the opportunity to get healed and had come to the tavern to meet with his fellow Saiyans. Nappa and Raditz were flanking him now, each with a drink in hand that was untouched. The three Saiyans sat in silence, conversing only using their telepathy. The conversation at hand was far too dangerous to risk voicing even a word of it out loud.

It's risky, Vegeta, Nappa finally commented after Vegeta had finished. The three were sharing a telepathic link with each other, allowing the prince to tell them both at the same time about his recruitment into the resistance.

Vegeta just grunted, raising his drink to chug more of it down. He was sweating and already mildly intoxicated, but he didn't much mind – it brought the pain of his burns and bruises from last night's session and today's training down to more tolerable levels. Raditz tapped one finger rhythmically on his own drink, his eyebrows drawn together. He looked around, as though someone would manage to overhear their telepathic conversation.

It feels like a mistake that's going to get us killed, Raditz nervously said. Vegeta wasn't sure if his comrade's fear was from the idea itself, or from voicing opposition to a decision he had made. He usually did not tolerate dissent from either of his fellow Saiyans, but this was different. He had unilaterally made a decision that could see them both killed along with him, and he at least owed them a conversation in return.

The prince took another drink. He raised his hand and signaled Aradeen to bring more, though he purposely avoided looking at her while he did so.

It's my decision, Vegeta finally sent to both of them, his voice filled with authority. I may indeed be killed for it, but you are both to deny any knowledge of this, even under torture…even if it means my death. That is an order, understood? We cannot allow the Saiyan race to vanish if this plan fails.

Kakarot is still alive, Raditz reminded him. Vegeta rolled his eyes, then sighed.

He is undoubtedly a weakling, but yes, if he has survived this long then I suppose we wouldn't all vanish, Vegeta relented.

Do you trust that this is going to work, Vegeta? Nappa asked anxiously.

I'll find out more during my next assignment. In the meantime, you both are to stay here and train Adriel while I am away.

I thought the whole point was for you to train the runt, Raditz mentally grumbled, earning a death glare from the young prince. Raditz quickly amended, I'm just saying that I'm not sure if Dodoria will allow us.

Well, do what you can with the boy. Even if you can't physically train him, then mentally prepare him for life or death battle. Look out for him and make sure he is not injured beforehand. I imagine I should be back before he fights the other recruits, so I will take it from there.

So you are still interested in earning your rank, even while helping the resistance? Nappa asked.

I don't know what their plan is, or how long it will take. Hell, there is no guarantee it will even work. I have to keep looking out for myself in the meantime. We stay the course for now. Nothing changes until I say so.

There was silence as Aradeen approached with fresh drinks for them. Vegeta kept his gaze down on the table, even as Raditz and Nappa relaxed upon her arrival. Nappa laughed over something as they made brief small talk, but Vegeta tuned them out. He snatched the new drink Aradeen offered him without a word or a look, and quickly brought it up to have a drink. When he lowered the drink, it was with a sigh that had him feeling like he was five times his age as he ran one hand up his hair. These were dangerous games they were playing, and even the alcohol couldn't ease his anxiety.

"Not interested in fucking the girl anymore, Vegeta?" Raditz asked curiously, before betraying a slight grin. If they were risking death soon with these dangerous plans, he may as well try to get laid before he got killed. "Because if you aren't, I might be. She's growing on me."

"Are you capable of seeing a woman without wanting to fuck her, Raditz? I'm surprised your dick hasn't fallen off with some disease," Nappa shot at him.

Vegeta snorted, and despite himself, he came dangerously close to an amused smile.

Raditz smirked, finally taking a drink of his own. "Now now bald man, don't be upset that women prefer me over you. It's all in the hair, they can never resist it."

"Heh, what woman would want your jungle hair?" Nappa mumbled.

Raditz rolled his eyes, looking back towards their prince. "So, what do you say, Vegeta?"

"You can't have her, Raditz," Vegeta said, no room for argument.

"She's still yours then?"

"Technically, she is Manzin's."

"That didn't stop you before."

Vegeta frowned, finally sneaking a look at the woman in question who was cleaning down some spilled drinks as some rowdy soldiers came close to a fight. He raised his drink again, pausing in thought when it was at his lips. Frieza's words were still on his mind; the tyrant knew of his interest in the slave girl, and had already threatened him with what should happen should he sire a child. It was unwise to pursue her further, with Frieza knowing about it. He knew this.

Still, his mind was saying one thing, and his hormones were saying something else. Saiyan men were red blooded warriors, and even if his interest was tempered for now, he knew himself well enough to know it would not be forever. Manzin was bad enough; the thought of Raditz touching her was enough for him to want to kill the older Saiyan.

If anyone was going to have her, it was going to be him - in his own time.

"How do you do it?" Vegeta finally asked. Nappa and Raditz both laughed at the question, making him frown.

Raditz was grinning as he began, "Well, you get yourself good and hard, and then get her naked, then you gotta find where to put it because it varies species to species-"

Vegeta cut Raditz off with a hard punch to the face, sending him crashing to the floor, his wooden chair crashing with him. Nappa laughed as Vegeta snarled down at Raditz.

"I know how that works, idiot!" Vegeta hissed, his face red. "I'm talking about the other thing!"

"What other thing?" Nappa asked curiously.

Vegeta growled and angrily mumbled something about them both being complete morons, before he opened up their telepathic link again.

How do you avoid siring children if you're constantly with women? the young prince demanded. Nappa and Raditz both gave a chorus of "ohhh's" of understanding as Raditz took his seat again, cradling his face. He would have a bruise, but fortunately, Vegeta hadn't broken anything in his face this time.

Well, the easiest way is don't let Frieza find out if you do sire one, Nappa said, making Vegeta's brow furrow. Half these fools here have half-breeds they've sired on other planets, they just keep it quiet and never go back to those planets.

Another easy way is just have your fun before you work on a purge, Raditz offered, shrugging as he raised his drink. He chugged most of it down before sighing in satisfaction. Then she won't live long enough for you to worry about it.

Vegeta said nothing to that, preferring to raise his drink instead as he scowled. At the uncomfortable look on his face, Raditz chuckled and added- Your hand is always a good option too. Nappa knows. It's the only thing he ever gets.

This time Raditz sprang to his feet and avoided the punch from Nappa, laughing out loud as he did. Vegeta smirked, before he glanced over at Aradeen again. A second later, and she made eye contact with him. She held his gaze for a few seconds, and he was intrigued by the mix of emotions his stare evoked before she broke their eye contact. He wondered if she was attracted to him as well, but he wasn't quite sure how to tell. He could tell she was afraid of him, but she also seemed…wary? Confused? For the first time in his life, he wished he had more experience reading emotions.

"Wait!" Nappa finally cried out, his eyes widening. "Isn't it your name day, Vegeta?"

"Supposedly," Vegeta grumbled, downing the rest of his drink.

Nappa and Raditz exchanged a look between them, and then they both stood up. Vegeta raised an eyebrow; with them standing and him sitting, they both towered over him.

Come on then, we have to do the ritual, Nappa informed him, his mental voice serious. He was specifically using his telepathy so that no one could overhear and interrupt. Raditz nodded his agreement.

What ritual? Vegeta asked, bewildered.

You are 18 years of age now – you are now old enough that you could have challenged your father for the right to the Saiyan throne. We must do the ritual to mark your coming of age.

Vegeta blinked. He then scoffed and shook his head, his mental response coming out bitter.

Who cares? I'm literally waiting for my fucking orders to go off planet on another mission for Frieza. My father is long dead. There is no point to any of this shit.

We care. We are still Saiyan. It's our rite of passage into manhood. It's our culture, Nappa informed him, and Vegeta thought he heard some annoyance in his voice. And it's all we have left, Vegeta.

You're still our prince, aren't you? Raditz mentally asked, trying not to sound angry but failing. Going through this with Bardock was the last memory he had with his father before he was sent into Frieza's service, and it annoyed him that Vegeta was being so dismissive of it now. Every Saiyan male goes through the ritual, the prince is no exception.

Especially with the things you are planning…how dangerous things could get…you need this. Get up and come with us, Nappa added in the voice he used when commanding the Saiyan army, so long ago.

Vegeta looked up at both of them, his stare hard. Both Nappa and Raditz were braced for retribution – Nappa in particular. He had suffered at Vegeta's hands for far less, and he had now given him a direct order, which the prince never took well. They both waited, the silence hard and cold.

"I must be more intoxicated than I thought," Vegeta finally muttered. Nappa and Raditz shot each other a hopeful look as the prince sighed in defeat. "Fine. Let's get on with it then. But let that be the first and last time you both talk to me like that, or you'll be in the tanks for days," he angrily warned them.

Moments later, after flying back in a tense silence, the Saiyans were in the only place they could expect somewhat reasonable privacy – their own private quarters. It wasn't much, but it would do.

Vegeta had tossed aside his scouter, and then stripped down to just his boots and his pants as he knelt on both knees on the floor. His back burned more now with the removal of his uniform, but he could not deny his culture and still call himself the prince of his people – even if his kingdom was a kingdom of four Saiyans, one who didn't even know he existed. That mattered little. He was the prince all the same.

Usually, it is the boy's father who does this, with his blood, Nappa explained. He stood in front of Vegeta, with Raditz standing next to him, arms crossed over his armor. Every Saiyan boy goes through this when he turns 18 years of age. When it's the prince in particular, it was usually accompanied by a large feast, followed by fighting that lasted all night. We can't give you that, but we can still ensure you are seen as a man by our people in the afterlife. We'll skip the part that required you to hunt and kill a large wild animal to prove yourself a capable hunter – we already know that you can hunt. Now, give me your hand. Your blood is your father's, so we will use yours in his place.

Vegeta hesitated for several long seconds, making Nappa and Raditz think he was going to end it before it even began. Finally though, the prince begrudgingly extended his hand to Nappa. Vegeta frowned but otherwise did not react as the larger Saiyan used his ki to slice into his palm, producing fresh warm blood.

Prince Vegeta of Vegetasei, we call upon your ancestors, that they may grant you knowledge and wisdom for the battles to come. Nappa's words were now in their native language as he smeared blood on Vegeta's forehead. Vegeta's scouter beeped then, the screen lighting up, but the Saiyans ignored it.

May they grant you the strength to defeat your enemies, on and off the battlefield, so you may make your ancestors proud. He smeared blood over Vegeta's knuckles on both hands.

May they grant you the bravery to always fight with honor and pride, and the determination to never give up, until your dying breath. When the god of death does finally come for you, may you face him with courage, honesty, and a warrior's spirit. Nappa smeared some of the blood on Vegeta's chest, right over his heart.

Strength and honor above all, Nappa said.

Strength and honor above all, Raditz repeated.

They both stared at the teenager kneeling before them expectantly. Raditz nodded to him, gesturing for him to repeat the words as well.

Strength and honor above all, Vegeta finally repeated in his native language.

You knelt as a boy, now rise as a man, Prince Vegeta.

Vegeta stood up, to both Nappa and Raditz patting him on his shoulders in approval. They were both grinning from ear-to-ear, and though he looked indifferent, Vegeta couldn't hide his relaxed posture from them. This was nothing but a mere fraction of what he would have gotten had his home been intact, but it still filled him with a deep satisfaction.

This was one thing that Frieza would never be able to take from him.

"Where have you been, monkey boy? I've been paging you on your scouter," Dodoria peevishly said.

Vegeta crossed his arms over his silver armor as he lined up next to Jhainer, his black cape waving behind him. "Well I'm here now," he replied with boredom.

"Well, you already know I would schedule you for a thrashing for being late – however, Lord Frieza wants no excess punishment for you today. He says it's a gift for you since today is special, for some reason," Dodoria bitterly informed the prince. Vegeta's favoritism with Frieza was no secret, but Dodoria had made up for it with a brutal lesson in pain tolerance earlier that day during the squad's morning training. If Vegeta had noticed that Dodoria was harder on him than he was on Cui, Manzin, and Jhainer (despite Jhainer also being favored), he had wisely not commented on it.

Vegeta and Jhainer both stayed silent as Dodoria turned away from them, taking a warm drink while he pulled up a digital screen.

"Manzin and Cui are being sent on a dual assignment to complete a purge of a rather large planet. You two are also being sent on a dual assignment, but it will be separate from them. Your task is a diplomatic one on Planet Pilaz."

The planet blinked to life on the screen before them, a large red planet with rings that spiraled around it from top to bottom. Vegeta and Jhainer exchanged a look between them; Vegeta raised a questioning eyebrow which Jhainer returned with a small smirk before Dodoria turned back to them.

"The Pilazians have been enslaved by a sorcerer king named Kynton and his legion of men. You two are to eliminate this sorcerer king, and free the Pilazians from his tyranny. He is running interference on their technology; as such, you will not be able to use your scouters on the planet, so keep your eyes open and remember your training so you can stay alive."

Vegeta smirked. "Why, Dodoria, I never knew you cared."

"Don't push it, Saiyan, or I'll make your next training session with me even more miserable," Dodoria growled, raising his drink again as Vegeta's smirk vanished. Jhainer rolled his good eye, shaking his head while Dodoria continued. "We are investing training and time into both of you, so while we wouldn't miss you, it would be a poor return on our investment for either of you to die while on an assignment. Now in exchange for your work against Kynton, Planet Pilaz will pledge its allegiance to Lord Frieza's Galactic Empire - so don't fuck this up. This is a normal assignment outside of the competitions, which will resume upon your return. You have five days, including travel. Dismissed."

Jhainer and Vegeta both turned away without another word, walking together in silence in the direction of their space pods. Vegeta relayed the mission telepathically to Nappa and Raditz, reminding them again to step in with Adriel in his absence, if they were allowed. They both responded wishing him luck.

"I've seen Manzin training with his invisibility cloak," Jhainer whispered to Vegeta as they approached the dock. "He's still gunning for you. Best you keep one eye open, Saiyan."

"Tch," Vegeta scoffed. "Let him do his worst."

"He will, since you won't see him coming."

"Worry about the mission ahead, Trikan. Manzin will be on another planet soon enough," Vegeta said, even as he reached up to his scouter. He cycled through and tried to pinpoint Manzin, but when he couldn't pick him or Cui out, he figured they must have already departed for their own mission.

He and Jhainer walked on in silence again, the space pods coming into view as they came onto the dock. The prince scowled. "A sorcerer king, Dodoria said. I wonder what he can do," Vegeta muttered under his breath. "Do you think he can fight?"

"We will find out soon enough. If he has the whole planet under his control though, best we don't underestimate him."

Vegeta grunted as the two teenagers separated, each going to their space pod. They each took a few moments to run some diagnostics and ensure their space pods were in good condition, before Jhainer called out to him.

"Who is primary?"

"I am," Vegeta immediately answered, climbing into his space pod and taking his seat. He hit the latch, then leaned back as it closed. Crossing his arms over his chest, he growled out the order. "Set destination to Planet Pilaz, secondary is Jhainer."

"Destination set to: Pilaz, Galaxy #68 in the west sector. Landing coordinates will now be synchronized with secondary space pod. Awaiting verbal command from Jhainer, soldier rank preliminary, to finish synchronizing…"

"Verbal confirmation received, landing coordinates synchronized. Awaiting verbal command from Vegeta, soldier rank preliminary, to launch."

"Launch then, damn thing," Vegeta growled in annoyance.

The rush of acceleration slammed into him, forcing him back into his seat. Vegeta closed his eyes, surveying his physical state. It was not great – he was aching and his burns still felt hot on his back – but it wasn't as bad as his last assignment where he had recruited Adriel.

Of course, he had Felsin's vial to thank for that. The night had been painful enough even with his healed bones; he wasn't sure how he would have managed without any medical aid. Resentment burned in his chest as he remembered Frieza denying him the right to heal, something that was granted to everyone who endured the competitions to earn rank. Those were brutal enough, without Frieza making it even harder on him.

He took off his scouter, putting it into a compartment in the space pod. It seemed he would not be needing it on this next assignment. He frowned as he thought about Planet Pilaz. He surely hoped this was not the base for the resistance movement against Frieza – the planet being enslaved by a sorcerer king did not exactly inspire confidence.

Regardless, all he could do now was wait. Leaning back, he closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to relax. His exhaustion easily overwhelmed him, as it normally did when he was in flight.

The young prince was soon in a deep sleep, dreaming of the ritual he had undergone earlier that day, with his father in Nappa's place.

It was hours later when Vegeta was jolted awake by the computer speaking.

"Incoming transmission from destination planet. Receive or decline transmission?"

The prince sat up in surprise, and then looked out of the portal window, putting one hand on the cold glass. He could see Planet Pilaz in front of him, along with the large, bright colored rings that encircled the enormous red planet.

"Receive," he gruffly ordered, retrieving his scouter and seeing if he could get a signal to Jhainer. He cursed when he saw what Dodoria had warned him of – the signal was jammed. He scowled and turned it back off, putting it back.

A voice suddenly came in over the communication system in the space pod.

"Unknown space vehicle, identify yourself at once and state the purpose for your visit," the female voice ordered.

Vegeta reached up and manually declined the rest of the transmission.

"Computer, initiate a direct communications link with secondary space pod," he ordered.

"Initiating…" Some long seconds passed as Vegeta began to sweat, before the computer spoke again, with its usual cold voice. "Unable to establish link with secondary space pod belonging to Jhainer, soldier-"

"I know his fucking rank," Vegeta snarled impatiently. "Receive external transmission from destination planet."

The female voice came in again, sounding as impatient as he was. "Unknown space vehicle, identify yourself at once, or you will be destroyed."

Shit. Dying in his space pod was not how he wanted to go out. Vegeta took a breath, and then responded, "We wish to make landing on Planet Pilaz. We come in peace."

"I will only ask one last time. IDENTIFY yourself, and state your PURPOSE, or you WILL be destroyed before you land."

"We come from Planet Nioren, with business purposes," Vegeta smoothly lied, remembering that Felsin had told him the planets conducted business often. "We have new technology to demonstrate that we think may entice the leaders on your planet."

There was silence for a moment, before the voice responded. "King Kynton has granted permission for you to land on Pilaz. Emissaries will greet you upon landing."

Vegeta scowled. Emissaries meeting him upon landing was never good. He hoped Jhainer would follow his lead upon their landing, or they were going to be forced into action sooner than he had hoped. It was always better for him to see just what he was dealing with upfront before a fight, especially if words like sorcerer were being thrown around. Brute strength was one thing. Magic was quite another. Not insurmountable, but annoyingly resilient from his limited experience with planets that yielded it.

He raised his hand up as a blinding light came through his portal window, followed by red and white flashing by as the space pod accelerated into the atmosphere of Pilaz. It lasted for less than a minute, before his space pod landed.

Vegeta looked out, but it was dark from what he could see. He opened the latch to his space pod, and then climbed out, finding himself in a crater. This wasn't unusual – but the uncomfortable thickness in the cold air was. The prince looked up and could see a stretch of blue and white light that looked crystallized through the dark purple sky. It took him a moment to realize that he was seeing the rings that enveloped the planet. Had he been on a trip of leisure, he might have marveled at the sight.

As it was, he instead turned his attention to his surroundings. He couldn't see Jhainer from the crater he was in, and so he started levitating out so he could see more.

As soon as he did, he felt a blue light surrounding him that was completely out of his control.

"What the-" he started, panicking when he felt himself being pulled out of the crater through the air against his will, seemingly by the light.

He flailed against the control he was under, trying to raise his ki, to no avail. As soon as he was out and floating above the crater, he could see that Jhainer was also trapped in a blue glow as he hovered over his own crater. The Trikan soldier was valiantly trying to break free, but it seemed whoever was in control was stronger than them both.

Vegeta and Jhainer both cried out in surprise when they were rapidly yanked forward and then pulled down to the ground, close together, on their knees. At once, soldiers dressed in black uniforms complete with black helmets emerged from the darkness and surrounded the two, aiming weapons right at them. Vegeta couldn't move a muscle, trapped in the blue light that was manipulating and controlling every move he made. The light was obscuring his vision, making it hard for him to see anything with clarity.

"Your lie was amusing," a male voice chuckled, a mere silhouette in the shadows past the blue light surrounding both Vegeta and Jhainer. "But we know Frieza's space pods, and your uniforms leave no doubt that you work for him."

"We know Felsin," Jhainer instantly said, earning a look of disapproval from Vegeta. The prince somehow doubted that this group of "emissaries" was related to the alien that had tried to recruit him into the resistance.

"Oh? Well, we will find out the truth of it."

The male beckoned with a finger, and then one of the soldiers stepped up in front of Vegeta. The prince's eyes widened as the rifle was raised and pointed at his head.

Panicked, Vegeta sputtered, "Wait-"

Jhainer could only watch as a red beam fired from the rifle. The beam struck Vegeta, and then red light enveloped him, replacing the paralyzing blue light that had previously surrounded him. The Trikan watched with wide eyes, wondering if they had walked into some kind of trap when he saw Vegeta's skin, hair, and eyes all turn different shades of red. He was mildly relieved when it looked like Vegeta hadn't been killed, but the prince had a blank expression on his face that made Jhainer uneasy.

The man in the shadows beckoned again with a finger, and then Vegeta was forced to levitate up and forward until he came face to face with him. Jhainer squinted, but he still couldn't make out the man.

"Now then, the truth," the man ordered. Vegeta still had a blank look on his face. Jhainer tried again to stand, but he couldn't move. "You will tell me the truth now, won't you, boy?"

"Yes," Vegeta mechanically answered without blinking.

"Who do you work for?"

"Frieza."

"Why did you come here?"

"Jhainer and I were sent here on an assignment to destroy King Kynton and free the Pilazians from his rule."

"Why was this order given?"

"The Pilazians have sworn allegiance to Frieza if we eliminate the threat to their planet."

"Vegeta! Would you snap out of it?" Jhainer shouted, as he struggled more. The answers were too direct, and it only now occurred to him that whatever they had shot Vegeta with had him under some kind of mind control that was forcing him to tell the uninhibited and brutal truth. Jhainer's tail lashed against the ground in his frustration, the only part of his body he still had some control over.

Jhainer was ignored, as the man continued an onslaught of questions.

"What was your intention when you came here?"

"My intention was to fulfill the mission."

"What was your real intention?"

"My real intention was to find Felsin."

"Why?"

"Because I have decided to join his resistance movement."

"Why?"

"Because I want to see Frieza dead, and I want my freedom."

"Are you here as a spy for Frieza?"

"No."

"Does he know of your real intentions?"

"No."

"Does he know of the resistance?"

"Not that I know of."

"Do you have plans to betray us?"

"No."

There was a moment of heavy silence. Finally, the man seemed to nod. The light vanished from around Vegeta, as the prince promptly collapsed on the ground while the soldiers lowered their weapons. The light surrounding Jhainer vanished as well, and he found that he could move. The Trikan immediately shot up to his feet, his teeth bared angrily.

"Calm yourself, young Trikan," the man laughed. "We already vetted you before your arrival. It was the Saiyan we had to ensure was not a spy. I am sure you both understand. The risk is too great with what we are doing, so we must be very careful who we allow within the resistance."

Vegeta was practically writhing on the ground, his chest in fierce pain, his face covered in sweat. Jhainer noted with some relief that at least he had gained his normal color again.

"What the hell did you do to me?" the prince growled.

"We have a weapon that forces the truth out of you, whether you want to give it or not. It will hurt for a moment, but it will pass soon. You will live, Saiyan."

"Who are you?" Jhainer asked incredulously.

"I am Kynton," the man replied, and though Jhainer couldn't see him, he could practically hear a smile. "I am indeed a sorcerer king, but I am no threat to this planet. In fact, I am here protecting it. Your assignment was nothing but a political ruse to bring you both here. Political maneuvering to get us inside Frieza's ranks. It's where we found the two of you. The Saiyan, in particular, has been quite the surprise."

"Where is Felsin?" Vegeta demanded, finally getting back up. He was still shaken up by the interrogation he had just received, the one that had him speaking truth without his own consent. He prayed to any gods that were listening that Frieza never get his hands on that kind of…weapon? Magic? He had no clue, but if he died without experiencing that ever again, he would die happy.

Kynton held out his hand in the darkness, and above it, a holographic Felsin materialized.

"Vegeta? Jhainer? I'm happy you both made it. Sorry about the crude meeting for you both upon your landing. I hope you understand that we have to take the utmost precautions with what we are doing here. We had to make sure you were with us."

"We understand," Jhainer answered. Vegeta scowled and remained silent, though now that his pain was subsiding, he supposed he agreed.

"Good. Kynton will teleport you both to our base on the planetary rings. We will make sure both of you boys are fed and well rested tonight. Tomorrow we will show you our plans and get your input on what we can improve. I will see you both soon."

The holographic Felsin vanished. Kynton raised his hand with a chuckle to do the teleportation.

"Welcome to the resistance."