DB SF ch 7: Departure

Finally, the five months calculated for the construction of the new version of the Saiyan space pod had passed by. Briefs was able to transform this small sphere, which had only enough space for one adult in it, into a round sphere of more than ten meters in diameter. It stood on five metal legs and of course was wearing the symbol of the Capsule Corporation.
In the last weeks Goku had trained like crazy, he didn't even go out of the bunker for sleeping. He reached 10G in the last 10 days and worked hard to get used to it, only interrupted by the necessary pauses for the generator to cool down. Dr. Briefs was positive to be able to eliminate this problem for the next model. And… it was time for them to leave the bunker; it looked very worn and used. The walls were cracked and dirty- and it would be a good idea to air it.
It was Bulma who called her friend and presented it to him. Goku inspected it full in awe.
"Wow! It's incredible! Considering the original pod… it's huge! Amazing!"
Bulmas dad joined in and coughed a bit embarrassed, then he begun to explain:
"Thank you, boy… well… as you wished I made it big enough for you to be able to train inside. The new G-generator is ten times more powerful, it can reach 100G. But could you tell me please what do you need that for? I think 100G are exaggerated… Don't overdo it please! So… the last thing I have to do is to find a good spot to place the stereo…"
Goku smiled broadly. "Naa, don't worry. I know what I'm doing…  almost. It's perfect! I just need a tutorial and then I can start! I can't wait!"
"That's my job, dad! Come, Goku, I'll show you everything!" Bulma called in and grabbed Gokus arm to drag him in. "Wow! Those are some nice muscles! You gotta be strong as hell now, Goku!"
"I hope so!"

Goku was able the hold his focus for almost two hours straight, but after that his head started to smoke- literally- and he asked for a pause. The day was already ending, so he used the remaining time to visit his wife. Since that dreadful day he didn't dare to call or visit her. Hesitantly he landed in front of his old house and knocked on the door.
"Hi, Chichi! It's me! Please open!"
After a few moments of silence fast steps were audible from the inside and then the door opened. Her first reaction was surprise, but after e moment she glared at him a in a slight angered mood.
"Oh hi, guess who's there? You could have called me! Why do you take all things so word-for-word?"
"But… but you said…!" stammered Goku now fully caught off guard, this was the last thing he expected! Chichis angered expression didn't last long through, long repressed tears shot into her eyes as she finally embraced her long lost husband.
"Goku… I'm so happy to see you… I felt so lonely… I'm sorry… Goku…"
The Saiyan was startled for a second, but then he smiled and hugged her back. They stood like that for almost half an hour, just enjoying the sensation of feeling each other. In this moment all the anger, the arguments were gone, a rare moment of only peace and love between them.
Goku stayed until next morning, after sunrise he rose and put on his usual blue and orange attire. Chichi, who law in the bed near him watched him in silence trying to memorize every second of his presence. She hadn't seen him for so long time and would probably have to deal without him for another unknown span of time.
"How long will this journey be?" she asked in the end.
"Dunno. Bulmas dad said the fuel will last for a bit more than a year." shrugged Goku. "I don't even know where to start this. Really, ask me something easier."
"Hurray for such precise information…" the woman sighed and stood up. "I hope you can find him soon… please, you have to find him…"
Again her face was soaked with tears, while she embraced her husband. Goku caressed her long black hair and whispered in her ear. "I will! That's a promise. Wait for us!"
Chichi raised her head and looked in his face, seeing his typical smile that has the power to give new confidence. One last hug and a loving kiss, then he stepped back and grabbed his backpack, which he had prepared the last evening. One last glance, then Goku left the house and started his flight to the Western Capital City. Chichi followed him as long as she could, even when he already had vanished from her sight.
"Goku… please take care of you too…"

Gokus power was incredible, and with that also his speed. He cut the air with Mach 2, surrounded by a light blue aura of energy. He made some neck-breaking moves and loopings, just to see how it felt.
"Yahooooohhh!!! That's so cool!!! I'm faster than light!!!"
He reached the WCC in less than an hour and landed in the garden of the Capsule Corp literally out of the blue. To his surprise he found there almost all his friends, Muten, Yamcha and Krilin; and even Tenshinhan and Jiaozi.
"Uh? What are you guys doing here?" he wanted to know.
"What question is that?!" Krilin laughed out. "YOU are about to make a journey into space to search or your son and YOU ask US what are we doing here? Take a guess."
"Ah, right….! Well…"the Saiyan echoed the laughter.
Now it was time for his three-eyed friend to speak some words. Tenshinhan put his hand on Goku shoulder and begun sternly. "Goku… I only learned it yesterday. I'm so sorry, I would have liked to know your son before this. I hope that you can bring him back safely. And believe me, in the meantime I will train harder than ever!"
Goku nodded. "Thank you, mate. About the training… I would give that advice to you all!"
"Why that?"
"Raditz said that the Saiyan have some interest in coming to Earth. There's a fair chance that they will arrive before I find Gohan and can come back. For that case the Earth will need strong a defence!"
That statement sunk in, and then Krilin, as the speaker of the team laughed. "Don't worry! We'll do your best! We will be able to save this planet without you for once! You only concentrate on finding Gohan, understood?"
"OK, I know I can trust you. And thanks again." Goku turned his head to Bulma. "Is it ready?"
The woman raised her thump and smiled. "Of course. And before you ask, the fridge is filled up! When you need it, just change the route to a near planet. I've loaded the star maps from your old space pod and the ones we own in this ship. Good for me you taught me Saiyan- language…"
"Perfect! Then let's go!"
With those words Goku was already about to run over the entrance ramp, Bulma called him back for a second.
"Wait! One last thing! That button on your right near the entrance lock! That's to put the whole ship into a capsule!"
"Thank you! OK then! See you… then!" Goku answered waving with both hands, then he closed the lock sat down in the pilot chair. He looked around and was relieved to see that everything was on the same spot as yesterday.
"Ok… then here we go… where was the button to start the engines again…? Ah, there!"
Simply pushing that button he started the countdown, and then the powerful engines woke up and freed their power. One second later the whole ship shot into the sky and left the terrestrial atmosphere. The pilot forgot to fasten his security belt and was shaken violently. It didn't take him 10 seconds to reach the open space; the only trace left was a white path of contrail.

It was seven days earlier as programmed the Saiyans returned from their mission on planet Tayara to their base. As usual Vegeta was almost unharmed, but that couldn't be said for Nappa and Radditz. That mission was labelled with "A" not for nothing, the highest category for routine missions; the inhabitants were strong and used high-developed artillery. Many of them would have been able to make carrier in the Freeza-army, but their government was too sturdy to give up his freedom. Now they got the bill of that sturdiness: the population of Tayarians was more than decimated, there were only some hundred left. And those few survivors were damned to face a life as homeless refugees from now on.
"Finally back from that lurid planet… I'm starving…" grumbled Nappa as he came out of his spacepod. He was covered in dirt and small wounds all over the body, but he didn't care. Vegeta was already waiting for him impatiently.
"Move! Where's Raditz?"
The addressed one struggled to get out of his pod, he was wounded quite badly. That was the cause of the spiteful glances his comrades shot at him; who gets hurt made errors and had to deal with the consequences.
"I'm here, Vegeta…" he was able to say, then he did his best to go on attention
The prince surveyed him and his bleeding wounds; the only comment was a derogative sniff. After that he turned around and walked away, ignoring his underling. Raditz sighed deeply and fell on his knees, his blood dropping on the cold ground. After some moments of rest he pulled himself together and hobbled to the nearest sickbay.
Doc Mao was already waiting for him, but the Saiyan wasn't his only patient in that moment. Raditz was just able to see who was coming off the regeneration tank while the medics put on the electrodes; it was Kwaldarik.
"W-What happened, Kwal?"
"Your nephew happened… damn, that boy's a phenomenon…"
That was it, Raditz wasn't able to hear more, his regeneration tank was closed and he fell into a deep sleep. He will learn the whole meaning of those words only later on.
Kwaldarik put on his armour and clothing, and walked away. If Raditz was back the other Saiyan won't be that far. So it was time for him to return that brat… Not that he hated him- it was quite the opposite, but he started to grow some respect for this boy.

The two Saiyans followed their usual routine after a mission: they entered the canteen and filled up their hungry stomach. The Glacian visited the training area and called Gohan to follow him.
"Gohan! Your comrades have returned! I will escort you!"
The boy stopped his movement and looked at him. "They needed five weeks for that planet… those guys must have been quite strong…"
Some part of his old personality had returned, but the stern and cold glance of a warrior was still visible in his eyes. Good for Kwaldarik, because of that he was spared of much more serious injuries; it was a last wall. But when Gohan busted out his anger without restrictions, there was almost nothing what could stop him.
Gohan changed his clothing and followed his mentor to the canteen. Since that incident 2 weeks ago the attitude for the other soldiers towards him had changed. Now almost nobody dared to mock him, even some guys who had laughed at him first. Somehow he even enjoyed being that famous; but the most important thing was that sort of privacy.
Vegeta recognized the Glacian on the spot the moment he entered the canteen, Nappa only followed his glance. To their surprise the boy had come with him, and both were heading to their direction.
"Kwal… long time no see…" was Vegetas only question; for a split-second the miracle of a small smile was visible on his face. Nappa only nodded, his attention was drawn to the boy besides him.
"Mister Vegeta, I was in charge to train this boy during your absence. Now, that you have returned, my job has finished. I would like to give him back to you. He was quite interesting."
The two Saiyan surveyed the boy another time, this time more accurate, Vegeta noticed the slightly different eyes and the more muscular body. He allowed himself to show a wink of surprise, even small and almost unnoticeable.
"Uhm, I see. You did a great job. You can go now."
That signed the end of the short conversion; the Glacian made a small bow and turned on his heels, heading back to where he came from. Now Gohan was standing there alone, he didn't dare to make a move. Even with his new power he still felt fear in front to the Saiyan prince. But with Nappa… that was another question, maybe this time a fight between them would end differently.
"C'mon, half-blood! Put you together!" the huge bald man laughed out and signalled him to sit on their table. One seat was free, but the boy looked briefly to Vegeta, who was drinking from a chalice or something similar. As he didn't have any signs of objection, he sat down very hesitantly. The three warriors were sitting on the same table, but it was impossible to make a normal conversion. Gohan sat down stiff like a tree staring at the table in front of him, only glancing to the other two Saiyans occasionally. That game went on for about ten minutes, until Vegeta sighed and activated his scouter. He read the value, but kept his silence.
Finally Nappa broke that awkward silence. "Hey, boy, would you like to come with us on our next mission? It will be fun!"
Gohan looked at him and nodded after a few seconds, still quite embarrassed. Nappa was talking about coming with them???
"What was that? Could you please raise your voice?"
"Y-Yes… I-If you want me to…" the boy answered hesitantly.
"A little bit more of enthusiasm! Finally we are back to be four Saiyans, even without your disgrace of a father! What do you think, Vegeta?"
The addressed one just shrugged. "Why not? But to call him a "Saiyan warrior"…? He's only a half-blood. Let's see. Hurry up and finish your meal, we still have to give Freeza our report!"
"Argh, right… man, how I hate that part…" Nappa growled out like wolf and swallowed down his meal. He and Vegeta stood up, Gohan only followed them.
"Wait… you now… are going to see Freeza-sama?!" he wanted to know. He surely knew who hat person was, but he ever saw him. The only thing he knew was that everybody had a fairly good amount of respect and fear of this Freeza.
"YES! You come with us! He will see you! Show him our dignity!"
"What… seeing… me?"

Gohan ran after the two adults, now he was agitated again, he felt his heart beating faster. They went to a reserved areal of the base, which he had only seen from the bottom. In the highest tower there were the offices of the base, which was only accessible to Freeza and his nearest underlings. But that was exactly where the little group was heating!
They went on until a heavy door blocked their passage, together with two quite strong-looking guardians. They stopped the Saiyans and denied the access.
"Stop! You cannot pass!"
Vegeta growled and grabbed the forearm of the guardian. "Listen. Do you know who are we? You will now go inside and announce our presence to Lord Freeza! Got it?!" he hissed menacing, over-emphasizing every word.
The other guardian wanted to grab the Saiyan by the shoulders to drag him away from his comrade, but Vegeta anticipated that and grabbed his arm too. Then he squeezed his grip, until the bones begun to crunch.
"How was that? C'mon, will be behave now?"
"W-we have orders…! You cannot- pass! Lord Freezas orders… Outch! Let me go!"
Vegetas anger was about to break out on the two warriors, but he was stopped by a light voice from the speaker. "Vegeta! You have returned already? Please enter."
The Saiyan smirked briefly and let the two go, they held their aching arms, secretly happy to hear this order.
"Thank you, Lord Freeza!"

The door hissed open and the three Saiyans entered. In the huge room inside reigned a certain darkness, but from that kind that allowed everybody to see everything after some seconds of adjustment. The whole furniture was kept in tones of purple and white and showed a quite opulent gusto. A small figure stood in the middle of the room, with a long tail  and two small horns on the side of his relatively big head. He showed his back to the waiting visitors, showing nonchalance. Left and right from him stood two other warriors; one was a tall attractive man with green hair and skin, the other one a pink fatty with a thick meat-like front.
"So, Vegeta… I heard you had some problems on planet Tayara? And… where is that longhaired man, ehm… Radditz?" the small figure, Freeza, began without caring to turn around to face them. It was quite impolite, but he liked that game, knowing that it would raise Vegetas blood-pressure. He was right, but the prince was more that capable to hides his emotions. A small nod of him and the three Saiyans kneeled down in front of Freeza.
"I have to admit, that those information is right, Lord Freeza." Vegeta began his report. "The inhabitants of that planet showed more resistance that expected…"
"Would you allure to that… you, the invincible Saiyans, have underestimated your opponent?" he was interrupted by one of the two henchmen, Dodoria, who giggled in a sinister way. The two adult Saiyans shot him angry glances, but that amused him even more.
"Ow, let them be, Dodoria… They did their best after all…" he was corrected by Zarbon, the green guy. His look showed his true intentions behind his apparently warm words; he despised the Saiyans with all his heart. "But you are right. Of course, we together would have conquered this planet in one week, that's for sure."
The provocation didn't fail its purpose, but only Nappa showed his emotions, Vegeta struggled hard to keep his straight face. The giggling continued until their boss Freeza finally turned around, his attention focused on Gohan, who was kneeing behind the other two. The boy jerked unvoluntary as he noticed that glance laying upon him.
"Who is that? Ah, you must be that little Saiyan, am I right? What is your little name?"
Gohan swallowed hard before answering, and looked up. "May name is Son Gohan… Lord Freeza…"
The space-tyrant smiled in a sugar-sweet way that was almost frightening. He was floating a few centimetres over the floor and passed between Nappa and Vegeta, only to land in front of the boy.
"Gohan… that is not a typical Saiyan name… but I like it. So, Gohan… Will you work for me?"
That was a question that allowed only one answer. "Of course, Lord Freeza."
And again this sugar-sweet smile. Freeza kneeled down and caressed the sturdy raven hair of the young Saiyan, which has grown visibly in the past months. "Serve me well and you will experience a good life. Don't forget that. Otherwise… you will follow the same fate like the inhabitants of Tayara."
"I-I understand."
That marked the end of the conversation; the three Saiyans left Freezas room and returned to their quarters. Only Gohan cared about the injured Radditz, he visited him briefly n sickbay, but seeing him still asleep, he postponed the conversation until the next day.

It was shortly before the main sun of that planet- it had three- was about to rise, as Doc Mao opened the regeneration tank. It had taken one hour more that expected, but now Radditz was declared as fully healed.
"What about Gohan? How… what did he do? Is he well?" he wanted to know while he was rubbing his long hair with a large towel.
"He did very well… But it's also a bit of a shame… He changed so much…"
"Meaning?"
Mao put down an instrument and faced the Saiyan. "That was a scene…! Some of the cadets tried to kill him, but he was faster and stronger that them and… killed 2 of them. He… behaved like a real Saiyan."
"Wow…" Radditz whistled. "Kwal was talking about that, I suppose… good… no, better! Maybe he can follow us on some missions!"
"Maybe… Oh, by the way… You have improved too! Your fighting power has risen to 3720! Not bad!"
Radditz nodded and put on a new armour- the other one was reduced to shreds. If that story was true…maybe his nephew would be able to survive…