24 Settled (1/2)
Inside of the motionless Raditz's mind, the Saiyan was trapped behind a roaring red cage of pure primal rage. During the fight with Frieza, he drifted too close to the rage of the Great Ape and became trapped by it.
”It seems you became caged by the primal rage of the Saiyan ape.” A familiar voice cut through the darkness.
”Grand Elder Guru?” Raditz questioned, trying to remember the speaker.
”Yes,” the voice answered. ”It has taken much strength, but I needed to contact you once I sensed you were in danger.”
”Where am I?” Raditz asked.
”You are trapped with your mind. I will free you, but you must learn to control your power. I will not be able to help you again.” The Grand Elder said before a cleansing light filled Raditz's mind, wiping away his prison.
In reality, as Raditz came to, his muscles shrunk and the crimson glow in his eyes vanished. He looked around at his surroundings and saw his allies, Nappa included, circled around him. They had worried expressions on their faces.
”I'm fine now. I just needed some assistance from the Grand Elder before he departed to the afterlife.” Raditz explained.
The others were shocked to learn the the leader of the Namekians had died while the fight to save his planet was going on. Piccolo looked particularly upset by the news. Raditz might have inquired further, but he honestly didn't care. After all these years he was still a results driven Saiyan.
”Krillin, toss me your Scouter.” Raditz ordered.
”Here.” Krillin said passing the device over to Raditz. He thought the Saiyan could have asked nicer, but he had saved them, so he let it slide. Besides, as far as he could remember, Raditz always was distant to everyone, but Kakarot.
”Bulma, it's settled. Pick us up near the soldiers.” the Emperor said over the Scouter. He then turned to the rest of the group. ”We'll wait at the designated location. Nappa, you can grab Vegeta.”
Nappa helped his wounded boss out of the pile of rubble and carried him to the rendezvous point. During the flight, Vegeta didn't know what to make of the events he witnessed. Normally, he would be furious at the fact Nappa was carrying him, but he couldn't think about that.
He saw the birth of the Legendary Super Saiyan, and it wasn't him. Raditz had achieved the thing he sought after all his life. Not only that, he defeated Frieza, avenging the Saiyan race. That form was the myth made real and he needed to obtain it at all costs. His thoughts were constantly interrupted by the pain coursing through his body.
When the group arrived at the landmass where the Prometheus soldiers were waiting, a round of cheers broke out. They were proud to be apart of the mission that removed Frieza from the universe. They could guess they would now be busy expanding the empire.
”I don't think Vegeta can walk.” Nappa stated when noticed his boss trying to get off the ground. Vegeta had been placed to the side to convalesce while they waited for transport.
”Are you asking permission to toss him into the air and blow him up?” Raditz asked. He thought it could be an amusing reversal of fate.
”No... I thought you had more of those bean things.” the burly Saiyan answered.
”I do, but neither of you are Promethean citizens. Nor have you performed any noteworthy tasks for the empire. He will live long enough to get to my ship. Our medical staff is excellent.” Raditz explained.
On the Menagerie, Vegeta was placed in a healing tank of Panacea extract. It healed injuries more thoroughly than the Frieza Force tanks, but was vastly inferior to the Panacea beans themselves. Bulma's sister observed the action from the bridge of the ship. She was enthralled by the defeat of the space tyrant.
Tights knew the galactic community was going to go crazy when the her story broke. To top it all off when she asked Bulma about the other two Saiyans, she was given inspiration for a new book. It was going to be a story about a prince in exile; if she could get an interview with the prince, it would help a lot. Her last book loosely based on Jaco the Galactic Patrolman was a monumental failure. She had a feeling the book about Vegeta could salvage her career as a fiction writer.
Her sister didn't let her sit in on the meeting that brought Namek into the Prometheus Empire. She was told, ”press was off limits.”
Raditz went over the planetary data downloaded from the computer systems of Frieza's ship. The Menagerie assisted with locating the information he was looking for. When he was satisfied he summoned Lt. Rasp and his brother, Kakarot, to the meeting room.
”Lieutenant, I have a mission for you.” Raditz said activating a terminal on the desk in the center of the room. A projection of a planet rotated as it hovered above the terminal.
”This is planet Yardrat.” Raditz continued looking to his brother then the Lieutenant, ”I located this world in Frieza's files. I would like for you to invite them into the empire Lieutenant.”
”Yes, your majesty!” Rasp stood performing a sharp salute.
”Kakarot, as a new Security Agent, I would like you to assist the Lieutenant. He has done this job before and can show you the ropes. Your job will be to basically keep Rasp safe and to learn if the population has any interesting techniques they'd be willing to share.” the Emperor explained.
”I hope they are strong.” Kakarot smirked from the thought of meeting strong people.
Lt. Rasp took a small group of soldiers along with Kakarot and departed the ship in the saucer shuttle NO. 04. The rest of the Earth natives were allowed to return home using shuttle NO. 03. They decided to redouble their efforts in training after witnessing the strength of Frieza. They wanted to be ready if another powerful threat ever targeted their home.
The last meeting on the schedule was Nappa. Raditz had avoided the Saiyan henchman for most of the day. The Emperor was surprised the bald Saiyan chose to wait outside the meeting room for four hours. Raditz hoped Nappa would have gotten bored and went elsewhere. In the end Nappa's persistence was rewarded, because he found himself in the meeting room with Raditz.
”So what is it that you want, exactly?” Raditz asked. ”To be dropped off somewhere?”
”I want to join your empire.” Nappa stated, ”I can help you-”
Nappa was interrupted by the intercom system before he could make his full sales pitch. It was a member of the bridge crew.
”Your Majesty, we have had an unsanctioned shuttle departure!” the crewman reported.
”What?” Raditz asked, ”Explain.”
”All security systems were disabled around the hangar, my lord.” the crewman explained. ”We don't know how it happened.”
”It was Tights!” Bulma's voice rang out over the intercom, ”Science was never her main interest, but she would be able to do something like that. Plus, Vegeta is gone too!”