Journey of a Vichy Rebellion
Chapter 1: Two Saiyans Walk Into A Bar
A/N: Welcome to Chapter 1, here we get a tense confrontation and learn some underpinnings of Frieza's rule.
The cold wind snapped a harsh breeze as Gohan trudged along a few feet behind his uncle, his once purple outfit now being swapped for one of a dull grey, complete with a brown cloak.
Planet Bertha, or as Uncle had put it, Frieza Planet 902, a prime trading post for smugglers and bounty hunters, Gohan could see why as they stepped into the dimly lit building.
He had briefly wondered if the galactic emperor's reign had been as secure as Raditz had led him to believe, what with so many rogue elements dancing around the cosmos, one could almost see the cracks in leadership which started to form as that belief took shape.
But then, Gohan was not one to lie to himself, at least not anymore – he knew that the fact that this Frieza allowed such elements within the quadrant was a stroke of genius – he wouldn't need to use his own men for patrolling smaller planets or stamping out whatever small pockets of rebellion.
Let the dregs of the society have impunity on whatever inconsequential turfs they desired and have the larger, more wealthier breadbaskets soak in the rewards – it was a system which allowed the privileged to never get their hands dirty, and, Gohan realized many of them would often have similar scholarly vocations which his own mother had tried to instill in him.
Oh how he had missed her and dad.
The inside of the building was more desirable then the climate would lead one to expect, his Uncle shuffling in the door like he had belonged her, effortlessly scanning and working the crowd of criminals packed like rats enjoying the night-life.
The stench of piss and booze reeked throughout the night-life and colored lights allowed Gohan to make out some of the key visuals of the place.
Four pink aliens sat in a corner booth arm-wrestling (four arms, wow don't see that everyday) over what appeared to be tabs of bronze.
Elsewhere, a larger group of blue and green fish-like females patted down what appeared to be a burly, horned yellow soldier and his compatriots – whether they were looking to seduce them or simply steal their equipment and funds, Gohan did not know, but he himself had to admit they held an otherworldly beauty, distracting him just long enough to bump into his uncle whom had taken a seat at the bar.
Copious amounts of blue and grey liquids filled the rotunda, all aligned in odd shapes and sizes of jar along the wall – scattered in between them and their bizarre labels, Gohan could also make out range of pinks, greens, and reds.
His uncle had nodded to him, sliding him a canister of what his mom had called an 'adult drink' what seemed like ages ago, the crude numbering of FD121 – what Gohan had posited to read as Frieza Drink – Was everything in the galaxy named as plainly after this dude?
Gohan took some swigs, sloshing it around in his mouth and savoring it – it was tart, but quenched his thirst all the same.
Raditz for his part was muttering to himself discreetly, where is that damn blob – for his part the bartender, some grotesque purple alien that reminded Gohan of a shark, was just doing his job when he glared down at his uncle with his three eyes, demanding payment.
Raditz for all his annoyance at having been interrupted simply sneered and flashed his ray-gun, before blasting the poor soul twice in the chest.
Gohan could see it play out then and there, the rays of the blaster toppling the larger bartender over with a thud as the entire atmosphere stilled with the unspoken rule of first blood, his eyes squinting narrowly in disbelief.
But, to Gohan's surprise and Raditz's even further annoyance, the two shots appeared frozen in mid-air, allowing the bartender to duck as they shot forward for the briefest second, harmlessly shattering a few bottles of whatever viscous fluid onto the man's head.
The bartender peeked his head out from under the table in time to hear a loud guffaw from Raditz complete with the throwing of a handful of copper tabs, mood appearing to lighten just a little.
At the same time Gohan was cleanly aware of what appeared to be a gelatinous hand on the scruff of his collar and the exiting of a breath from the figure he held him.
His eyes widened imperceptibly at his uncle who waved his concern off right away, a raised brow and sharp flash of teeth like a dangerous predator, addressing the stranger like an old friend.
"Guldo, the runt, how are ya? Still running around playing space pirate?"
The plump, short figure – only a foot or so taller then Gohan and whom smelt like shaving cream – Guldo, was wrapped around in a cloak of his own, face mostly hidden, Gohan could make out the peek of two larger eyes on the side of his head near the hood.
His voice reminded Gohan of the most annoying tutor his mom could have brought him for geometry; still, he was stuck here listening to Guldo as his words splayed forth like a running stream.
"Well, well, Raditz, who would have thought your monkey-brain would need my knowledge? As an elite member of the Ginyu Force, I'm sure it'll cost you – what's the price on your friend here?"
Raditz did not miss the way Guldo had been steadily shortening his breath throughout the conversation – a good trick to those not familiar with the member of the head-honcho-mercenaries of the Ginyu Force, most thought him so ridiculous and talkative that he would naturally run out of breath before they even realized his time-freezing powers.
Raditz side-stepped the conversation, "I'll be quick. This Halfling Saiyan was discovered and will be presented to Frieza as a gift."
Instantly noticing the anger on Guldo's face, Raditz directed the plump green alien's four-eyed gaze down to his roughly clenched first.
The color drained from Guldo's ugly mug, and his eyes held a panicked look of injured pride.
Raditz has strong-armed him and his next sentence all but confirmed him.
"As you can see," Raditz gestured with his other hand to the assortment of tabs strewn across the bar, "I have funds, I simply wish to know if the rumor is true on Frieza visiting Namek in two week's time – my Scouter was destroyed so communications with the empire have been..." – Raditz injected a false smile, "Delayed."
Guldo held up a finger, the hand which was once on his nephew's scruff – but Raditz wasn't done, his tenor turning grim, he finished "Unless boy, you think you can hold your breath faster then moonlight?"
The end of the sentence was almost a loud, shrill, cadence of excitement, the bloodlust practically itching from his uncle for any reason to kill the slovenly, pitiful creature.
The artificial moon technique was renowned and feared, though not many could perform it, just the allusion toward it seemed to do the trick – Gohan's body began to shake, the trauma from seeing the great ape known as Oozaru mirroring the terror Guldo must have felt.
Guldo's grip loosened as fast as his resolve, fully letting Gohan go, he bowed his head in anger and let out a shaky 'Yes' as Raditz had chuckled and shot up from his seat.
Using his precious little nephew as bait worked perfectly.
Raditz's tail roughly swatted Guldo's face to eye-level with his bar-tab, humiliating the Ginyu Force member further was the small gash started to drip crimson,
"There's your payment, no need to thank me, we Saiyans are quite generous!"
Elsewhere in the galaxy, on a tiger-striped planet, the communications nerve-center of the Frieza Empire - a notification blared of a scouter that was destroyed.
A dark verdant eye closed in acceptance, the sniper beginning his hunt.
A/N: We close out on a looming threat halfway across the galaxy, as our vagabonds seem primed to head to Namek. But what of Raditz's former comrades?