THE BLACK PHOENIX

This is an AU story.
What if Prince Vegeta had not been taken hostage, enslaved and abused by Frieza? Instead the last four Saiyans had escaped the destruction of their world and were now leading a rebel pirate fleet against the Frigid Empire.
Note- Asterisks surrounding quotations marks (*“---”*) indicate a telepathic conversation, apostrophes (‘----’) enclose private thoughts.
Telepathic talents are enhanced by mating, familial and blood bonds. Raditz and Kakarot can converse as well as Raditz and Vegeta because of familial bonds. Vegeta and Kakarot can converse because of Raditz (and they also have a blood bond). Telepathic conversations can be private or broadcast as conferences. Anyone telepathically linked can join such broadcast conversations, so Bulma and ChiChi can conference when telepathically open with their mates.
The Royal Vegetisia (the monarch and the heir) can broadcast to all Saiyans (due to the use if allegiance wives), that talent had been what made them the leaders of their people.
I have based the Saiyan culture (very, very loosely) on the structure of a lion pride.

Saiyana

Eons upon eons ago , while the universe was still in it’s infancy a race arose on one of the first worlds. Their genesis was so close to that of the universe’s itself that they had the ability to communicate with the very stars themselves, who were in truth their siblings.

Wise and noble, their civilization prospered. More races arose and the First Ones as they were known would help and nurture their lesser brethren. Some called them gods, some called them demons, but they were both and neither.

In their great wisdom the First Ones knew the ephemeral truth of existence. Their sun was one of the first to alight in the newborn universe, and it burnt hot and swift so they knew it would be one of the first to die. In the universal timeframe their world’s life would soon end, so they went out seeking a new worlds to seed with their descendants. And found two worlds of equal beauty almost mirror images of their own idyllic home planet.

Both were gentle blue worlds filled with life but no intelligence. On these two planets they left their legacy, by depositing the tiny genetic precursors of their own people on each. Not to colonize or inflict them with their aged ancient race, but rather with the progeny of their world. Allowing each new home to sculpt their spiritual descendants with it’s own magic.

But after the First Ones passing, midway through this miracle, disaster struck one of the two worlds. It’s nature was altered when a wandering orphan planetoid struck and destroyed the fourth planet in it‘s solar system. The high gravity wanderer rained high density debris on the nursery world, altering it drastically over time. Orbits changed, and it’s mass was increased turning it from a blue paradise to high-gravity red desert.

Thus were born the Saiyans and their sibling race, the Humans.

PROLOGUE

The day has come for the newborn Prince Vegeta to be dedicated to the Battle God. Saiyan Nobles and visiting Galactic Dignitaries are in attendance for this momentous event. They all wait with bated breath to hear the foreteller’s pronouncement. The high priest lifts the royal babe to the sky for the Mighty One to see, then lowers him, the temple seer steps forward and places her hand upon the infant Prince’s head. Her eyes glaze over as she is gripped by her power to foretell his fate.

“The golden shall ignite vanquishing the dark triumvirate, restoring what was lost in even greater glory.”

No one understands the first or last parts but the middle is completely clear.

Frieza's eyes narrow at the seeress’ strangely intoned words and the implied threat.

The Saiyan King, his mate, along with the First Science Minister and his mate all exchange perplexed glances. They have heard this birth prophecy once before.

Now it has been repeated verbatim for the Prince.

The Galactic Sector Overlord has already been enchanted by the pretty infant prince. And the Tyrant had been toying with the idea of returning to claim the Saiyan Princeling for his pleasure harem when it reached a useable size for such diversions. But the seer’s words have now sealed the infant’s fate. Frieza will definitely return for Prince Vegeta now. He will take the boy, use him up, then when fully sated kill him. Ending any incipient rebellion before it can occur.

The Saiyanna Pholayje and her heart sister Leticee are leading the boys rapidly through the palace catacombs. Kakarot who has barely started walking stumbles a little, Raditz at 16 snatches up his youngest brother and carries him. Prince Vegeta frowns a bit, at 7 he is strong and agile but doesn’t quite understand why they had to bring that silly baby along on this adventure!

The lungs of Bardock’s son are becoming almost legendary, the Prince cannot understand how such a tiny boy can scream loud enough to practically bring the palace down. And now the normally noisy Saiyan babe is slowing them all down, but even he seems to sense something , because instead of screaming at the top of his lungs as usual, his eyes are big and round and he’s sucking on his tail apprehensively.

Vegeta understands that something strange is happening too. Mother and Auntie are shedding silent tears. And before they had left the royal apartments Father had given Mother a box, then hugged both him and his sibling Raditz for an inordinately long time giving them both a look as if he might never see his two sons again.

Auntie takes her littlest son from his older half-brother and they continue their flight through the subterranean halls. The catacombs lead to the hidden tunnel that takes them to the concealed launch hanger, where a small escape craft awaits them.

Reaching the underground chamber, they are greeted by Uncle Nappa, *“Come with us!”* He pleads, but the two women demure.

“When Frieza comes if we must be there beside our mates to greet him.” States the Saiyan Queen. *“Otherwise he’ll suspect something right away. Our presence will buy you and the children needed time.”* Adds the Saiyanna Pholayje telepathically. Leticee nods, the two, heart sisters since they had met, were so often of one mind and close meshed thoughts that it was hard to believe there was only a blood bond binding them, “The Saiyanna has to be beside her truemate, Nappa! Just as Bardock as a First Minister and I as his truemate must also be to greet Frieza.”

Nappa nods sadly. “I understand.”

Leticee had always be the most intelligent one of the clan, that was why she had been chosen to serve as the King’s first Allegiance Wife. When their son Raditz was born she was released to bond with her truemate, Bardock. It had been a great honor that his mate had birthed the first Royal Sibling Raditz. It had elevated both her clan’s and her truemate’s status substantially, then Bardock had proved his worth as well. The warrior scientist had created and developed the brutz moon ball and because of that was awarded the title of King’s First Science Minister.

Nappa turns to his monarch’s truemate and descends to one knee, “My Saiyanna, I pledge to shield the heir with my life.”

The regal woman looks down at her sister-friend’s brother, *“I know you will, Nappa. Now go, take them to safety and hide them well, for they are the hope of the future. The Wise One spoke the prophecy’s words thrice, each time on the day of their dedications, so all three must be preserved!”*

The grizzled pirate looks at the child in his sister’s arms and the two boys beside him. *“And that’s why Frieza's come.. he fears the prophecy.”*

The Saiyanna nods and then almost spits with fury, “Who else could be the dark Triumvirate but the Frigid Tyrants?”

The women embrace their sons for the last time.

Raditz is the only one of the three children that truly understands and he begs, *“Mother please let me stay!”* It has been known that Frieza’s fear of the Saiyans has grown through the years, since he first heard the Prophecy and now rumors have come that his elites are eliminating all Saiyans and anyone with Saiyan blood in his army.

The teenaged boy suspects this is the beginning of the end.

Leticee shakes her head, *“Raditz, your place is by your Sibling’s side, it is your birth burden and honor to be Prince Vegeta’s Chief Guardsman.”* She smiles a small bittersweet smile, *“Besides you too, are part of the prophecy. For it’s words were spoken first at your dedication.”* She kisses his forehead, then moves to his ear, and whispers, “Make sure Kakarot doesn’t forget me!” She turns to her brother, hugging her tiny babe one last time before handing him over, *“Farewell Nappa-chan!”* She leans over the small bundle in his arms and a single tear falls on the baby’s face as she kisses him, “Grow strong my little Kakarot.”

As Leticee bids her sons goodbye the Saiyanna does the same with her only offspring. *“Vegeta, your father wanted you to have this, keep it safe.”* She hands him the small box, reaching around her neck she removes the Saiyanna‘s medallion, opens the box and places it inside next to the Saiyan Vegetisia’s medallion. *“Someday you will have a use for these, until then keep this box safe and well hidden.”*

Then to the prideful little boy’s disgust she kneels down, runs her fingers softly through his black flame of hair and kisses him on the cheek. “Always be brave and honorable my son, you are the strongest Saiyan ever born. You are the Prince of all Saiyans. One day you are destined to be legend.”

The two women leave as Nappa hustles the three boys into the small craft.

Kakarot’s face starts to screw up as he realizes his mother is no where in sight, but Raditz realizing the infant’s impending outburst, sticks sustenance bar in his little brother’s mouth. Diverted by the food the little one settles back down chewing if not contentedly at least quietly.

Nappa knows that there are still a few robotic cargo ships being allowed to leave the planet and if he can take off quickly enough he can use his pirate shuttle’s chameleon cloak to slip in amongst them hiding their departure from Frieza‘s blockade.

As his ship lifts from the pad, it’s shape shimmers altering it’s outer appearance before emerging from the hidden port, taking on the form of a small robotic cargo ship. A tandemed computer circuit sends out a force field that returns a matching false signature to any sensors that scan it.

The disguised the pirate craft slips away to be lost in the darkness between the stars.

Frieza is casually sitting in on his throne aboard his ship when the Saiyan Vegetisia, his Saiyanna, the First Science Minister and his mate are finally drug in to be thrown to the floor before him.

“Where is the Prince?” Asks the Tyrant ominously.

The King raises his head defiantly. “Safe!”

At a signal from his master Zarbon backhands the Saiyan Monarch.

Bardock reacts, and Dodoria kicks him back to the floor.

“Tell me or your females will suffer the consequences." Purrs the pink and white monstrosity as it lounges in it’s seat.

The Saiyanna struggles to her knees defiantly, “No one will tell you anything. And some day when you least expect it we will be avenged!”

Frieza’s black lips purse as he smirks, “Oh, really! Perhaps I should let my attendants play with you a bit. You might be a bit more amicable to my inquiries after that.”

Dodoria grins lustfully at the two females, while Zarbon grimaces in distaste, it is known he prefers masculine partners but both start advancing on them slowly, the fat pink blob leering.

*“NOW!”* comes the imperial command from King Vegeta.

The four Saiyan warriors explode into action. As King Vegeta and First Minister Bardock simultaneously leap for Frieza, their two mates turn to attack his minions.

The pink and white monster waves a lazy hand and a white light engulfs the four Saiyans reducing them to ash.

“Have some one clean that dust up,” he rises. “I want Prince Vegeta found and brought to me alive!” Orders the monster. His eyes gleam with a feral glow, and he licks his lips thinking of the young prince’s lithe body writhing in his grasp beneath him. All he needs to do to eliminate the prophecy is to kill the boy before he matures, but there‘s no need to hurry it. The luscious little Saiyan Prince will make for an interesting diversion as a bedmate before he dies.

“Now to rid myself of the rest of these mammalian vermin.”

Frieza strides to the airlock and then floats out of the opening, crimson eyes glaring bloodily down at the ruby jewel slowly revolving beneath him. With a maniacal laugh bubbling to his lips, he raises his hand and with a single blast, bores a hole to the center of the planet obliterating the core. The doomed planet shutters then it’s mantle cracks, fiery geysers erupt, as it collapses in on it's self. Trying unsuccessfully to restabilize it’s vanished center. But only vacuum remains where it’s molten core once was and it implodes leaving nothing but a floating cloud of debris where once the teeming world Vegeta once orbited.

“No more monkeys, HE, HE, HE!” Chuckles the diminutive beast as it drifts back into it’s ship.

Out in space another ship now completely cloaked floats silently as four Saiyans, a man, a youth , a child and an infant silently watch the destruction of their homeworld.

The seven year old Prince’s young eyes turn hard and cold.

The Saiyan homeworld had been destroyed over twenty years ago, by Frieza when the object of his desire and fear, the young Prince Vegeta was snatched from his grasp. He, along with his Sibling Raditz, and Raditz’ half brother Kakarot, were smuggled off the planet by the latter two boys’ uncle, the space pirate Nappa. The crafty old Saiyan had fled taking them with him to his own hidden base, one of the many pirate hideouts that existed in the darkest spaces between galaxies and preyed on the Frigid empire.

Frieza had immediately posted an enormous bounty for the capture of the Saiyan Prince. So the little group of refugees concealed their true identities, by always keeping their tell-tale tails hidden under their clothing.

Nappa raised them as his own, claiming that they were his sons. The three boys were added to the crew of Nappa’s corsair ship the Zara, named for his lost truemate.

Soon, even despite their youth, their formidable strength and fighting abilities made the boys presence felt through out the space lanes. They quickly rose to dominate the refuse and dregs of the universe.

As the years passed, the three youths continued to grow in power and strength. The elder two, who had been old enough to understand their world’s destruction, carried a deep abiding hatred for their deadly foe, so they were often prey to dark pensive moods. But Vegeta and Raditz were kept from becoming quite as brooding and morose as they might have been, by the ever enthusiastic and irrepressible young Kakarot who had no cognizant memory of the event he too had witnessed.

Through the ensuing years of enforced sparring amongst themselves, the two Saiyan brothers have become almost as strong as their liege lord and brother-friend the Prince. Nappa had stopped training with them when after only a year or two the young cubs had quickly outstripped the older male.

Prince Vegeta has been driven to increase his own power, training hard and constantly, ever since that fateful day of their escape. When he had seen with his own eyes the power of the monster Frieza, who shattered his world and destroyed his birthright. The Prince has one determined course, to seek vengeance for his murdered people.

The three young Saiyans grew to be more like real brothers than liege lord and loyal subjects, even though both Raditz and Kakarot always defer to the Prince who true to his heritage was a born leader. But each one of the trio complemented the other two, like three corners of a triangle. And when they presented a united front they were nearly unstoppable.

Raditz as the eldest was somber and the quietest, his maturity now served to anchor of the trio with steadfast solidity. At sixteen he had best understood the tragedy of their planet’s destruction when it happened. Always the warrior, when he was younger, he had often attacked before he thought things completely through, but over the years he had learned to wait and depend upon the other two‘s superior intelligence.

Prince Vegeta was also dark natured and pensive like his Sibling, but was the most intelligent of the three. Gifted with an inborn strategic genius that was equaled only by his strength. The brooding Royal Saiyan was often given over to scheming and plotting the demise of his ultimate enemy Frieza. Quick to be angered he was often steadied by his older Sibling. With a inborn strategic genius he usually guided his small contingent of Saiyans with consideration and forethought.

While Kakarot the youngest, who had no real memory of the tragedy, possessed a sunny cheerful temperament, that seemed almost happy go lucky and carefree in comparison to those of his comrades. Often he was the only one who could bring them back from their darkest moments with a rapier like quip or comedic antic. But his lighthearted attitude concealed a keen intellect and his own strength was almost equal to that of the Prince. And often his gift for intuitive leaps could solve a problem the others thought unsolvable. Having been an infant at the time of their witnessing their homeworld’s destruction, he was the least affected by it’s loss. But even so, he too had solemnly vowed to oppose and help bring down Frieza. He just as determined to attain that goal as the others were.

Once they became old enough and strong enough to take command of their own ships, the three started on their unrelenting mission of vengeance, led by the Prince. Their primary target was Frieza's sector, but no part of the Frigid Empire was safe from their depreciations.

The Saiyans now led a small successful privateer fleet in smash and grab attacks, whittling away at the Three Dictators grip on the galaxy. Prince Vegeta is their acknowledged leader, with Raditz and Kakarot his trusted lieutenants, while Nappa true to his last pledged word to his liege's mother, remains always close to the Prince’s often serving as a bodyguard, even though he knows all three boys now men, strengths far exceed his own.

The Saiyan Prince hides his true identity under the name of ‘Geta, The Black Phoenix.

As the Black Phoenix he leads the rebel resistance from his flagship, Legend. Always flanked and accompanied by the twin corsairs Raditz’s Fury , Kakarot's Rage as well as Nappa’s lancership Zara. The four irresistible vessels swoop down on galactic military shipping lanes without warning. Plundering and taking what they need from the imperial transports then capturing or destroying them. Earning them the label of the worse Space Pirates in the Frigid Empire.

But only Frieza, King Cold and Cooler’s shipping is the target of the Saiyan pirates.

Their hit and run tactics have no central focus and they flit from one end of the Frigid Empire to another. Sometimes months pass between strikes and just as three dictators think that they might be gone for good, they hit again!

Between naval strikes, they hire themselves out as mercenaries. But only to planets that are being preyed upon by Frigid forces. They have destroyed numerous purging teams and saved many planets and civilizations from being crushed beneath the cruel claws of the Tyrants. Fuming Frieza is still aware that a handful of Saiyans exist, and knows that on e them has to be the elusive Vegetisia Prince. But the icy beast has no idea of who the other three are or where they will strike next. He rages violently whenever the reports of the four mysterious Oozura destroying entire cleansing squads, reaches his ears. His troops fear such outbursts, for Frieza is apt to blast anyone in his path when such news arrives.

The Saiyan Oozura are the bane of Frieza's existence.

And the Black Phoenix has become a thorn is the side of the Frigid Empire, the hope of the downtrodden. He is the whispered legend of the space ways and his mighty ki sword a beacon of freedom in the Frigid darkness.

But the last Vegetisia cares little for the accolades, that are his by right. Instead the Prince concentrates on one goal only, to someday kill the monster that murdered his people with his own hands, and free the galaxy from it’s frozen shackles. Until that time comes he and his brother friends will sting and strike whenever and wherever. Making the monster rue the day he dared to raise his claw against the Saiyans.

Three years ago Earth was attacked by one of Frieza’s less destructive divisions. It had been decided to enslave the indigenous race instead of eliminating it, because of it’s extensive versatility.

Whereas most worlds had only one planet wide climatic environment, Earth because of it’s unique axial tilt is one of those rare planets that has a wide diversity of habitat's.

Everything from icy cold to burning heat, steamy jungles to dry windswept plains. Along with it’s deep oceans and tall mountains, making it an ideal habitat for a major training facility and base.

Because of this wide range of environs Frieza decided to make it a central military clearing house for his vast armies. A place where the numerous racial representatives from around the galaxy could be easily and cheaply kept in relative comfort, while between missions and/or undergoing training.

Fortunately the indigenous population, humans as they call themselves, are extremely adaptable to their planet’s multiple climates. Which will make them the ideal slave species for an eternally transient military population.

But a stumbling block had arisen. The weakling inhabitants were far more wily than they seemed, although low in relative physical and spiritual strength, their IQ’s far outstripped most of Frieza's people. And what was even more puzzling by far, was that even though they had no interstellar contacts or prior knowledge of the breadth of galactic civilization, they been fully prepared for the initial attack! As soon as the fleet had appeared overhead a planetary wide defense shield had sprung into existence.

After three years of constant bombardment, they only managed to weaken enough from time to time for small attack groups to get through before it snaps shut again.

And none ever come back. Sensors couldn‘t even penetrate through the shield except when it’s pierced and somehow even when they did manage to locate the planetary defense forces main base. And readied to destroy it in the next attack, when they managed to get through, it vanished!

Fortunately a vile turncoat to the native species had recently joined the Frigid Forces and given the beast’s fleet information about the resistance and it’s mysterious but beautiful, brainy leader Azure. The traitor revealed that the planetary bound vermin have a special technology that enables them to move the entire bases in a matter of minutes.

Frieza has ordered an enormous price on Azure’s head (almost as large as the one outstanding on the long missing, presumed dead by most, Saiyan Prince) and wants her brought to him alive!

Five years ago a strange little old woman riding a crystal ball had arrived at the gates of Capsule Corporation. She had bruskly demanded to see the owner’s daughter even asking for Bulma by name. When they met the old woman had revealed that she was the fabled seer Baba, and that she bore a warning danger for the entire planet but also one of new hope for the universe. In two years an evil from beyond the stars would come to conquer Earth, but that she, Bulma Briefs was the counter to the danger, the key and central focus for a new beginning that far outstripped any single planet‘s future.

So Bulma began her work combining all scientific and technical organizations, even taking some of the more reluctant ones by force. She and her team melded and transformed them all into the Blue Ribbon army, the Terran Defense Force.

Known only as Azure to the public and her enemies, her true identity only known to a handful of her closest friends. She and her staff have been leading the successful resistance in the protection of Earth. Weapons of offense and defense based on the blue haired girl’s technological designs have held off the continual attempts at invasion from Frieza’s fleet. They are assisted in these efforts by a group of special guerrilla fighters, the Z warriors who thwart any minor incursions.

This group of ‘Special Forces’ is counseled by Roshi the Turtle hermit. The squad of unique warriors consists of his disciple Krillian, the wolf bandit Yamcha, Launch the transformer, the two shape-shifters Oolong and Puar, as well as the fabled the Ox-King and his daughter. They have even forged an uneasy alliance with Roshi’s rival the Crane Hermit, along with his two disciples Tienshinhan and Chaotze!

Even the Fist of Kami, Diamoa Piccolo the punisher, has joined the in fight to defend the planet. The Guardian’s counterpart had been dispatched by Kami’ himself to help them oppose the invasion.

Together they have managed protect Earth for almost three years. Their efforts have be successful up to now, due to the fact that Capsule technology allows them to move their base of operations rapidly from one operational site to another and that their information source, the psychic Baba is infallible (who it had turned out was Roshi‘s older sister no less!)

Bulma had long ago when she was a child discovered the Legend of the Dragonballs and over the years spent what free time she had researching them.

Then one morning Baba arrived with a gift, a glowing ball with four red stars glimmering within.

The young scientist commander, gazes in awe at the beautiful orb. “Baba, wh-what is this?”

The old woman chuckles, “Oh child, you know exactly what it is.”

Bulma breaths the words softly, “A Dragonball!”

“Yes,” nods the sage old hag, “Do what you must, as I am not allowed to find the rest for you. The need will arise soon for the use of their power. The days of evil and rebirth swiftly approach.” Then the old seer vanished as mysteriously as she always arrived.

Once in possession of the fabulous object, Bulma had used her keen intellect to study it and discovered a way to create a device to locate the rest of the magical orbs. By lucky chance she had quickly acquired two more. For it turned out that not only Roshi, and an assistant of hers, the Ox-King’s daughter ChiChi had each had one. Using them all, she had developed what she called a radar, tuned to detect the signature of the unique radiation they emitted and thus leading you to each Dragonball’s location. Forewarned of another attack of forces even stronger than they have been facing. She and her two most trusted companions, ChiChi and Serera race to find the rest.

Frieza is growing impatient, so determined is he to possess the glowing jewel of the Northern quadrant and the luscious leader of Earth’s resistance forces that had been described to him. He has decided to sent in his top purge squad, the Ginyu’s to find her and dispose of the resistance.

Prince Vegeta’s forces are located at the opposite end of the galaxy from Earth. Secreted in a deep space station named The Phoenix‘s Nest.

The station was built from the pilfering of a hundreds of military transports and the grateful gifts from dozens of rescued planets. It is manned by only the most trusted of the Prince’s adherents, beings who bear just as strong a hatred of the Frigid Empire as the Saiyans do. Sad remnants of other slaughtered peoples, usually the last handfuls their species, who like the four warriors themselves, have been left homeless and adrift. Wanderers that have lost everything, families, homes and planets to the vicious appetites of one of the three Frigid Tyrants. The station’s crew has been gathered and winnowed through the years and only the most trustworthy have been given the privilege of entering and manning the Nest. There they serve the last of the Saiyans with fierce respect and loyalty. The Phoenix’s Nest is now the only home they have. But someday Vegeta hopes to give his adherents and allies a real home, a place they can live in peace, happiness and safety.

But secrecy is still remains paramount to the last four Saiyans, only a bare handful of even their trusted comrades know that their imperious commander and his seconds are Saiyan, or that the Black Phoenix is in reality the fabled Prince Vegeta.

The Pirate Prince is sleeping in his private quarters at the Nest, when there’s a tap at the door. He wakes tense, always fully alert and ready for battle, “Who is it?”

*“It’s me.”* Sends Nappa, which is also repeated aloud in his gruff voice, from the other side of the barrier.

“Release lock.” Vegeta sits up as the door slides aside revealing the faithful old pirate.

“I’ve received a message you might be interested in.” The older man grins wolfishly. “The Ginyu Force is finally being sent out on an assignment.”

Vegeta swings his legs off the bed. “The Ginyu’s huh. Where?”

“There’s a little planet in the Northern galaxy, I think it’s called Earth or Terra something like that. Frieza’s Seventh Fleet hasn’t been able to crack it for three years.”

“Three years!?” The Prince looks at Nappa in puzzlement, “Why hasn’t he just purged it?”

“It’s one of those rare multi-climate planets the Tyrants are always looking for, with a highly adaptable but relatively weak indigenous population. The plan was to enslave them to serve the military base he wants to set-up there.”

The Prince scowls, “If they’re so weak how have they lasted this long?”

“No one understands it, but when the fleet first attacked they were ready, a massive force field sprang up and enveloped the entire planet. No one had even known they were that advanced.”

Vegeta smiles wolfishly, “I bet some heads rolled when that happened , Frieza was probably fit to be tied.”

Nappa nods, “Somehow they knew the attack was coming ahead of time even without any means of galactic communications.”

The Prince stands and strides to the refresher. “So do we know anything else?”

“One of the inhabitants has turned traitor and managed to reach the fleet. He still has contacts on the planet, with one even inside the defense forces. He’s trying to make a deal with Frieza. All he wants is to get rid of some female called Commander Azure who turns out to be the military leader. The turncoat’s really pissed at her. It seems she and a few friends of hers took over his organization during the early preparations for Frieza's assault.” Nappa chuckles, “She’s brains behind the entire resistance. The defector claims she’s a vicious bitch when crossed but a real beauty, so you know what that means.”

The Prince nods using his prehensile tail to turn on the refresher, as he runs his hands through his thick mane, scratching his scalp as the sonic waves loosen dirt and debris left on his skin from the day before, the air vacuum susurrating softly as it sucks it all away. “A new victim for Frieza’s ‘playroom’ if he can get his talons on her.”

“That’s everything!” is Nappa’s coded answer.

*“So what’s his suggestion.”* asks the Prince telepathically.

*“He advises that we might go check it out. Frieza's getting really riled up that it’s taken so long to subdue this place. There’s a good chance we might find some valuable allies!”*

A fierce smirk appears on Vegeta’s normally stoic face, *“I agree, contact the captains of the Fury and Rage. The Black Phoenix is rising again.”* He pauses, then sends an addendum,*“Tell you son good work.”*

Nappa smiles with fatherly pride.

Years earlier during his long pirating career when Nappa was young and impulsive, he had found love and his truemate in the form of a green haired alien beauty. His beloved Zara had bore him a son, a fine boy-cub who possessed his mother’s coloring and looks, as well as his father’s prodigious strength.

When his mother was killed after being caught on a planet during a purging, Nappa’s teenaged son had determined that he had to do what ever he could to help oppose Frieza. He had consulted with his father and his leaders, and had then gone to enlist in the beast’s forces.

Because of his strength, he had risen rapidly through the ranks. Then his statuesque beauty and youth had quickly attracted the bisexual Frieza's attention. Soon he was one of the pink monsters favorite playmates, along with Dodoria. But if the blue green attendant’s dangerous secret is ever discovered, it will mean his immediate and painful death.

For Frieza’s pretty boy and the court’s favorite fop Zarbon, is indeed half Saiyan. And Frieza has ordered his father’s entire race full, half, and even quarter bloods to be eliminated from the universe. Zarbon, for many years, has been the secret source of information for the Saiyans. And it had been his timely warning that enabled his father to assist in the escape of his two cousins and the Prince, before Frieza’s destruction of planet Vegeta. And he still continues to feed his father and his Prince’s forces information to this day.

The Legend, the Rage, the Fury and the Zara launch, heading for the blue planet that has defied Frieza and managed to keep one of his top fleets at arms length for longer than any other.

Vegeta is seated in his command chair.

*“Raditz, Kakarot, Nappa.”*

*“Yes, my lord.”* Comes the acknowledgement from Raditz’ mind.

*“I am at your command, Phoenix!”* comes from Nappa.

While the ever irreverent Kakarot’s eager response is, *“Hey Geta what’s up, where we goin‘.”*

An amused quirk momentarily flits across the Prince‘s lips, that clown Kakarot, never takes anything but fighting and eating seriously. *“Set course for Earth in the northern galaxy, there that I’ve decided that I want to pay a visit to that little planet ”*

Four Saiyan hands program identical courses, then lock them in. Now they cannot be altered until the destination is reached.

On Earth Bulma has finally gathered up the last of the Dragonballs and summons the Dragon. But when Shenron appears and she tries to wish for the end of Frieza’s existence, the Eternal Dragon demurs stating “MY POWER IS NOT ENOUGH TO DESTROY SUCH A FEARSOME EVIL!”

The leader of Earth’s Defense Forces asks half hopefully, “Is there anyone who can?”

“NO ONE WITH ENOUGH POWER EXISTS AT THIS MOMENT!” Is the enormous lizard’s reply.

Turning away in frustration Bulma mutters angrily almost to herself, “Oh shit, now what? I wish there were someone around here who could get strong enough to beat Frieza!”

Unnoticed above her Shenron smiles and takes her unplanned statement as her wish.

“YOUR WISH HAS BEEN GRANTED!” Intones the mighty dragon, just before he vanishes in a flash of light, the Dragonballs shooting upwards to disperse.

Prince Vegeta, Kakarot and Raditz are suddenly snatched from the bridges their three ships.

Chaos ensues as three startled and furious Saiyans take in their new obviously alien outdoor surroundings. Raditz and Kakarot automatically move to flank their Prince taking up their defensive battle positions. Vegeta glares about him, trying to ascertain what has happened. Seeing his two lieutenants staring in slack jawed wonderment over his shoulder, he whirls.

Bulma stares up at the disappearing dragon in shock, “NO! WAIT! WHAT!” She’s momentarily dumbfounded with shock, she hadn’t wished for anything ,...or had she?

“Hey boss, I don’t know what you were wishing for, but I sure like what we got!” Says Serera from behind with an appreciatively sounding smile in her voice.

Bulma whirls around to find that three men have materialized in front of the bemused female querists in the spot where the Dragonballs had been moments before.

Her two companions are staring in awe at three of the most magnificent specimens of manhood she has ever beheld. One is well over 6 feet tall with a fall of hair Lady Godiva would have killed for, the second is only a few inches shorter with a wide friendly looking face and unruly thatch on his head, while the third one is very close to her own height of 5’3” and the handsomest man she‘s ever seen with a black flame of hair. And although he is the shortest of the group, the other two’s body language imply unequivocally that he is their leader.

Even her gaze is drawn almost magnetically to him, his dark commanding eyes are mesmerizing. There is a dignity, an almost regal reserve about him.

They are all dressed in black skin tight pants with thigh high boots, their shirts are a silky material, similar in cut but in differing colors. The collars are open to mid-chest, tucked into thick wide sashes wrapped about the waist and halfway down their hips. They’re each wearing an odd looking device over their left ears with a strange moveable lens.

The tall red clad one’s facial features remarkably resemble those of the shortest one in blue, while his physical build is more similar to second tallest in orange. It’s almost as if he’s blend of the other two.

Vegeta is startled to see standing in wide eyed wonder staring at them, three females, that but for the lack of tails, could have been easily mistaken as Saiyan. And the one in the center is the most exquisite woman he has ever seen, her blue haired loveliness almost takes his breath away.

Recovering himself the intemperate Prince shouts, “What in the hell happened and how did we get here!”

The azure haired beauty who had caught his eye, starts to come forward and smiles sheepishly spreading her hands as she shrugs her shoulders, “I think it’s my fault.”

As her sky blue gaze stares into his ebony orbs, flashing with anger. Bulma's breath catches in her throat, even furious he’s absolutely gorgeous!

“Explain!” Demands the dark haired Adonis, as he stalks towards her. She takes a step backwards from his blazing anger.

“Well.., I .. er.. said something and Shenron took it as my wish and brought you here.”

“Shenron, what’s a Shenron?” Asks ever curious Kakarot from behind his Prince.

“The Eternal Dragon,” responds the shortest of the three, a small dark haired beauty to the right, her eyes are riveted to him. “If you can gather all seven of the Dragonballs, he will grant you one wish, anything that is in his power to grant.”

“And you expect me to believe that?!” Vegeta steps forward and grabs the blue haired woman’s arm.

At his touch, a jolt like almost like an electric shock runs through the pair.

The Prince almost but not quite releases her in startlement. ‘Oh great! Like I needed this to happen now!’ He thinks as he continues to maintain his grip on her as he stares at her, even as the activation courses through his body.

As Bulma tries to vainly pull her arm from his surprisingly strong grip, she retorts.

“Well you’re here aren’t you!” Unable to free herself, she glares at him beginning to get angry herself but still curious enough to wonder, ‘That sensation, what just caused it?’

Vegeta pauses, the woman has a point. “What did you say, exactly?”

She pauses then her eyes widen as she realizes what she had said before the dragon had granted her wish.

“I-I asked for..., someone who could get..., strong enough to beat Frieza!!!”

At those words Vegeta does release her in surprise, the three Saiyans exchange knowing glances.

Raditz mutters, “The prophecy..”

Vegeta scowls, “That old thing Nappa keeps harping on.”

The tall red haired female on the left is gazing raptly at Vegeta’s Sibling, as she asks him, “What prophecy?”

Kakarot grins, “The prophecy that says someone will come to overthrow Frieza and his family.”

Bulma glances at the other man whose eyes are riveted to ChiChi with a goofy looking grin on his face.

‘Just who in all the hells are these guys?’ She thinks. ‘And how could they possibly be the answer to my inadvertent wish?’

ChiChi and Serera seem unable to take their eyes off the other two men, and Bulma herself is having problems tearing her gaze from the one in the center, who in her mind the most the attractive of the three warriors standing opposite them.

And she has little doubt, that that is exactly what they have to are, because no one could be that well built and not be a true fighter.

Besides the fact that she could tell he had been using only a fraction of his strength when he had a hold of her arm. She’s certain that he could have snapped her bone with hardly any effort at all by merely tightening his grip!

“It’s a myth, a fantasy to comfort the hopeless.” Growls Vegeta tearing his eyes away from her incredibly lovely face. He needs to keep his thoughts focused, at least till he can recover from the shock of the activation. But she is perfectly tantalizing.

Raditz shakes his head disagreeing, “It was predicted with the same exact words three times, and I’ve heard it, twice. Once with you and once with Kakarot.” His face darkens, “And what really matters is that Frieza believes it!”

Bulma glares at them all but her focus is on him, “The Dragon seems to think you three could do it, eventually, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought you here!”

Vegeta reluctantly looks over at her again. “And where might I ask is here?” He’s having trouble keeping is mind on the situation and it looks like his companions are having difficulties too.

Three Saiyan jaws drop when they hear the single word emerge from her lips.

“Earth.”

“Bu-but that’s clear across the galaxy!” Splutters Raditz.

The red head smiles at him coyly, “You’re wrong, it’s right here.”

Bulma finally decides she wants to know more about these strangely garbed men. “Just who are you guys, from the way you’re talking, it sounds like you’re aliens too. But you certainly look human enough to me. What are your names?”

“Never trust only one sense, woman! But you are correct, we are strangers to this world.” Vegeta glares at her, “But before I reveal my name tell me, who are you?”

ChiChi bristles, glancing away from the contagious smile of second tallest stranger, thinking ‘What an arrogant bastard!’ As she frowns at the shortest man, she barks, “This is Azure, head of the Blue Ribbon army, Commanding General of Terran Defense forces.”

Vegeta cocks an eyebrow, ‘She‘s the one we were coming to look for?!’ His eyes narrow, “An impressive title, did you earn it or just make it up?”

Bulma glares right back at him. “Both! Now you know who I am but I still don’t know who you are.”

“I am the Black Phoenix.” States the Prince crossing his arms over his chest as he straightens regally.

“That‘s a name?” She says in disbelief.

“Just as much as Azure is.” He says eyeing the obvious reason for that title.

*“Hey ‘Geta, I really don’t think they’ve heard about us on this planet.”* Sends Kakarot helpfully.

Vegeta glares at his Sibling’s brother. Then realizes that he’s probably right.

*“For once you’re using your brain, loudmouth.”*

The youngest Saiyan shoots a grin at his commander then goes back to staring appreciatively at the little dark haired vixen.

“Very well, I am ‘Geta, a space pirate known to most of the cosmos as the Black Phoenix. That buffoon over there is Kakarot, and my other companion is his older brother, Raditz.” Explains the Prince, “We have been fighting against Frieza and the rest of the Frigid Empire for the last 23 years.”

Bulma eyes the three with disbelief. “Yeah sure! You guys don’t look to be much older than us!”

‘Geta frowns and growls, “Don’t question me woman! We have been battling Frieza since childhood, ever since he destroyed our world.”

Startled by his vehemence and slightly chastised by his words she says, “So you aliens aren’t part of that fleet out there that’s been attacking us?”

“Definitely not!” Exclaims Raditz with feeling, not removing his attention from the redhead.

Just as Vegeta’s about to repeat his question about the females real names, a strange beeping sound interrupts them. The tall redhead rushes over to the nearby vehicle and then listens to something. Vegeta catches a couple static garbled phrases, “Advise”, “field flaw” and “..another breakthrough.” before the woman acknowledges the message received and returns to the Commander’s side.

“Commander, the enemy space fleet attacking the force field again. Computer models predict a 85% chance of one or two field flaws developing under intense enemy fire. If they locate one there will be enough of a weakness that concentrated fire could cause a breakthrough large enough for several of their small attack fighters to slip in.”

With a curse unsuited to her soft seductive lips, the blue haired woman glances skywards, then as she runs for the flitter, she calls back at them. “We’ll sort this all out later. Right now we’ve got bigger problems. You’d better come with us!”

The three Saiyans remain motionless as the three women clamber into their vehicle.

*“What should we do my Prince?”* Queries Raditz telepathically.

*“We’ll go with them, of course. I need to find out more of what’s going on here before I make any decisions.”* Is Vegeta’s heated response.

His sharpness causes Raditz and Kakarot to stare in perplexity.

Once at the air car's controls Bulma realizes that the three alien men haven’t moved. She glares at them, “Are you coming or what?”

The Prince smirks at his female, “Of course, just lead on.”

The blue haired beauty waits but the three strangers remain motionless. Finally she blurts out, “Well get in already!!”

“There’s barely enough room in that fragile thing for you three.” Their leader retorts, “I think we’d prefer to travel the old fashioned way.”

“Sure! And how will you know where we went?” She glares at him, “This fragile thing as you call it is one of the fastest, safest cars on this planet. I should know since I designed it.”

The one who called himself the Black Phoenix just smirks and says, “We’ll keep up!”

“Fine!!!” She slams the door shut and guns the engine.

ChiChi glances out at them, “But Bulma..”

Her boss smiles wickedly, “Don’t worry I’m just gonna show them what this baby can do then we’ll come back land and let them get in.”

As the ship rises, Serera voice is tinged with amusement saying, “I don’t think their gonna wait for us to come back for them.”

Bulma looks up to glance out the front windscreen of the rapidly rising ship and directly into the Black Phoenix’s cynical dark eyes, there’s an amused quirk to his lips.

The three men, each enveloped in a different colored glowing aura, are floating just outside the ship partially surrounding it. The tallest one is on the right, just outside Serera's window with the grinning one on their left, outside ChiChi‘s. They almost act as if they are guarding the vehicle and it’s contents!

Bulma notices that each man seems to be focused on the woman nearest him. ‘Geta moves out from in front of the vehicle, to center himself just over it directly above Bulma and then waves his hand almost graciously to her indicating for the car to lead on.

“They’re flying! Just like trained ki warriors do! They really are aliens!” Gasps ChiChi in amazement.

A mutter chuckle originates from Serera’s seat, “Yeah, but if all aliens looked like these guys half the female population would have surrendered three years ago!”

The three almost start giggling. And Bulma smiles at her two lieutenants, “You’re right about that one Serera, but damn, that leader of theirs is an arrogant jerk.” She notices that the other woman is sneaking glances out the window at the tallest of the three men while Chichi is equally interested in the other brother on her side.

She shoots a glance upwards at the leader, and notices that even at the speed they’re traveling, the three men are having no difficulty pacing the car.

She peers at her preoccupied companions, ‘Serera’s right those other two are certainly cute enough to satisfy any woman’s fantasy, but they’re nothing to compare to their leader!’

She sneaks another look at him. “The Black Phoenix, huh! Well he’s certainly full of himself that’s for sure. But I wonder why he calls himself that? And what about this prophecy thing, that Ra- Rad-..”

Serera’s voice dreamily prompts, “Raditz.”

“Right,” Bulma glances at her friend in amusement, “Raditz was talking about?”

“I don’t know,” ChiChi murmurs almost as bemusedly, “but Kakarot said it predicted Frieza‘s overthrow, so maybe....”

‘What in the hell‘s gotten into them!? They usually don’t get all moony eyed over men. At least not when on a mission anyway.’ Bulma thinks as she answers, “Yeah! Maybe they’re what we wanted after all!”

Until Bulma had met Baba she hadn’t put much stock into all that psychic pre-cog mumbo-jumbo. Sure telepathy and telekinesis were real but they were well documented, testable talents. Foretelling the future was completely different, most of the time is was so vague and unreliable that you weren’t even sure what events it was referring to. At least that’s what she had thought. She was a technical whiz kid, a scientific genius, give her good solid hard facts and she could build anything to do the job.

But then that batty old woman had turned up and shown her different, introducing her to the mythic Fist, Piccolo. And opening her eyes and mind to the mystic wonders and endless miracles. And after seeing that Dragon materialize out of seven glowing balls, Bulma’s not gonna naysay anything anymore, until she can check it out herself.

She steals another quick peek at the leader of their escort, “Damn he’s great looking!” Then assesses her two companions, ChiChi and Serera. They seem to be feeling the same about the other two. Which makes her start to wonder if they are using some sort of mind control or something. Then she shakes her head, ‘Naw, if that were the case I wouldn’t be able to be wondering about it in the first place.’

Prince Vegeta is fuming. What a rotten time for this to happen. It’s bad enough that they've been snatched out of their ships, drug halfway across the cosmos and dumped on a primitive mud ball that‘s under attack from Frieza forces. But then to have this happen on top of it all. Talk about inconvenient! Someone up there must have a really wicked sense of humor.

Oh sure! He was on his way here at the time, but he had a ship under him then. Right now his fleet is still on the other side of the Universe and he’s stranded here with hardly any back up. On a planet that is under attack by Frieza’s forces and to make matters worst his imperative has been activated!

It certainly looks like he and the other two Saiyans are gonna be stuck for a while. At least until their flotilla arrives.

He glances bemusedly down at the woman piloting the airship. Not that it’s all bad! She’s certainly a beauty! And certainly seems worthy enough for a Vegetisia since it also seems that she is equipped with plenty brains to boot. Even if her natural strength is pitiful.

He just thanks the Battle God that the three of them were fully equipped when they’d been dragon napped and had already locked the courses in for here. But one of them will have to remain constantly aware at all times so they can telepathically contact Nappa, when their ships do finally come into range.

Bulma glances up again, and catches him watching her bemusedly. ‘Whatever is causing it, all three of these guys are just dripping with sex appeal! They kinda of remind her of some kind of big sexy looking sensual cat, the way they move. Like a panthers, no...’ looking at those big unruly shocks of hair, she concludes, ‘they’re more like lions.’

And she suspects that they can be just as deadly.

Kakarot interrupts the Prince’s train of thought, *“Hey is this really happening to us?”*

*“Unfortunately it is.”* responds the Prince.

*“Fortunate or not it has happened. It‘s not like we didn‘t know it wouldn’t occur one day.”* States Raditz almost philosophically.

*“I had almost begun to think it might never happen.”* Responds the Prince slowly.

*“It’s kinda surprising that it hit all three of us at once, though.”* adds Kakarot thoughtfully.

*“It’s not that strange, just look at them. They could almost be mistaken for Saiyan.”* States the Prince.

*“All they need is a tail, and they‘d be perfect.”* Adds Raditz.

Kakarot's enthusiasm is apparent, *“Tail or not, mine is one gorgeous creature, just look at that long braid of black hair it‘s almost as good as a tail. When it’s undone I could lose myself in it!”*

*“They all are, and mine’s red mane is riveting.”* Says Raditz admiringly.

Before he can stop it the Prince’s thought escapes, *“But blue is best.”* His thoughts growing husky with his desire.

Kakarot looks narrow eyed at his Prince, *“I knew it! You’re imperative has been activated.”*

*“Yes.”* Responds Vegeta.

*“Will you be alright, my lord.”* The Prince’s sibling, Raditz asks in concern.

“I can control it... for now.”* replies Vegeta heavily.

The more Bulma looks at the Black Phoenix, the more her unruly thoughts want to turn to erotic musings. The thoughts of what an incredible looking hunk he is followed by her wondering if he’s half as good in the sack as he looks. At twenty-seven she’s had her moments, but has not yet found anyone she’s willing to remain with permanently.

Yamcha's always been lots of fun, but he’s never been really dependable. And while Tienshinhan seems interesting, the three eyed man is an old enemy and she still doesn’t quite trust him. Besides, if she even looked at the quiet warrior that way, Launch would probably break both her arms.

The volatile transformer has made it quite clear to everyone that she has her sights set on him, in both her forms.

And that in itself is positively hilarious, because the reclusive three eyed warrior doesn’t know what to make of it all, or even how to respond to the blonde bombshell or her alter-ego, as she predatorily stalks him fully determined to seduce him. While Tien reacts with completed bemused mystification, because he’s never been around women much before, having been sequestered in a monastery as a child and then assigned as personal guard to the small doll-like Emperor Chaotze for most of his adult life.

*“Now be quiet both of you! And let me think!”* Sends the Prince crossly, flustered that he let the thoughts about her slip out. ‘She’s affecting me already! Why did this have to happen now? The genomes sequencing must be practically identical for all three of us to be bonding to these females so easily. But why here, why now, after all these years?’ He had assumed it would happen eventually, it was as inevitable as breathing for Saiyans to be eventually drawn to their bondmates where ever they were.

Stealing another look at the Black Phoenix’s fantastic bod, soaring so effortlessly just above, Bulma smiles to herself thinking about him. ‘Boy these guys are definitely intriguing.’ She looks up once more, admiring his lithe compact musculature. “In more ways that one, especially this ‘Geta!’

But the more she looks at him the more obvious it is that he is also an alien. His eyes are bigger than a human’s and so are his ears. All three of them have that ferally pointed face, even if the cheerful one’s isn’t quite so narrow, while their jaws protrude a slightly more than a human’s does. But not enough to detract from their overall rugged good looks. In fact it actually adds to their attractiveness.

She wonders if the rest of their basic physiological similarities are just superficial or if they really are true humanoids. Then she flushes, as her wandering mind goes from pondering if they could have viable offspring to whether or not the ‘equipment’ is compatible. It’s so odd, each time she looks at him her thoughts turn sexual.

Luckily, her truant thoughts disperse as the Blue Ribbon Army's command base hoves into view. And it looks like the beat the enemy here.

Even his usually dour Sibling has a bemused looking smile flickering on his lips and a glint in his eye.

The thought occurs to the Prince once more, ‘What a time for this to happen, we really can’t afford this kind of nonsense right now. And the worst of it is that I’m the hardest one hit by it! Why did I even grab her in the first place?’ He looks down at the tightly fastened blue tresses as she concentrates on landing. ‘We’ll have to resolve this problem quickly, then maybe we can get back to business.’ He gazes raptly through the wind screen at the bent azure head.

‘That, this blue haired minx has turned out to be his truemate is almost unbelievable. And from the way she stood up to him, she’s going to be a real handful. And he still doesn’t even know her real name! But all the signs are there, the shock when he touched her, the fact that he can’t seem to get her out of his thoughts already and the beginnings of the discomfort of his physical reactions. He can even sense the increase in his own belligerence. But as long as he sticks close to her, he should be able to handle the stresses until he can explain the matter. He just hopes he isn’t forced to fight or defend her, or it might accelerate the process.

It’s also obvious from the telepathic exchange that the two brothers Kakarot and Raditz are, to a much lesser extent, going through the same symptoms, but at least their imperatives have yet to be activated! They still haven’t had any physical contact with their newly discovered truemates.

The Prince shakes his head ruefully, ‘What an incredible mess!’

As the ship settles a door in one of the domes opens and several people spill out. They rush over to it, sparing only cursory looks for the three strangers. One of the white garbed people begin to report as soon as the Prince’s future mate exits the vehicle.

Vegeta quells the urge to rip the man’s head off.

“Commander, the fleet launched an attack approximately 35 minutes ago, they managed to weaken the field enough for ten attack ships to slip through the shielding before we could reseal the breach. But the defense field has been upgraded and is fully secure once again. Four enemy ships were stopped but the other six evaded our fighters and are now on course for the base, they will be arriving in approximately 10 minutes.”

“Very good Captain Blue, start standard pull out procedures.”

‘Well at least she runs a taut ship. Let’s see how she plans to counter the attack.’ Thinks the Prince with pride.

One of the others, an old man with a beard and bald head, steps forward, in his outlandish outfit he looks completely out of place on a military base.

The Prince stares, ‘What is that thing on his back anyway? It looks like some kind of shell?’

Roshi glances at the three newcomers, then asks Bulma, “Did your quest succeed? Did the dragon grant the wish?”

Bulma gives him a rueful lopsided smile. “I’m not sure. The dragon couldn’t grant our original wish, Shenron claimed he wasn’t strong enough to eliminate Frieza, he said no one was. But then I got frustrated and inadvertently asked for someone who would be able to beat him someday and got these guys.” Pointing her thumb at the three men.

“Hmmm! Interesting.” Roshi turns and examines the three with a steely gaze, probing their strength. “I can sense an enormous amount of power from all three of them. They’re each strong enough to rival Piccolo.” Then he gestures towards the smallest one, “And that one’s the most powerful of the bunch.” The old man grins almost impishly, “Welcome to Earth, boys!”

Vegeta reacts testily, “I’m not your boy!” But his eyes narrow, how had that old codger managed to figure out their power levels so quickly, he’s not even wearing a scouter!

The Prince activates his and is shocked to discover the old man’s power reading is quite respectable for someone native to this planet. It almost approaches that of a low level Saiyan, even the frequency is similar.

But Kakarot grins back at the old man’s friendly smile and Raditz's younger brother’s thoughts impinges on those of his Prince, *“Geta they seem nice enough to me, and besides I kinda like the old codger! Come on let’s help them okay?”*

*“First impressions can be deceiving, or have you already forgotten about that serpent girl?”* Admonishes Vegeta.

The youngest member of the Saiyan team flushes, *“Aww, who knew someone that cute would be a man-eater,... literally!”*

Raditz’ thought breaks in, *“Man-eater is right, she almost had a Kakarot cake for lunch, little brother!”* He chuckles mentally and a small smile flits across his lips.

Kakarot perks up, and grins back at his older half brother, *“Speaking of food...”* The other two groan mentally....

The Prince glares at him, *“Not again! I swear do you never stop eating!”*

Kakarot grins *“Only long enough for a good fight, Geta!”*

All three young Saiyans start to chuckle.

The noise draws Bulma's attention, she’s been consulting with her staff on how to best expedite the evacuation. Getting everything packed is easy enough but doing it while under attack is going to be extremely dangerous. She glares at the visitors, “What’s so funny?” The leader sobers quickly. “It doesn’t concern you.”

“Well instead of standing around laughing at nothing, how about giving us some help?” She says crossly.

“What would you have us do woman, haul boxes around?” He snaps back, “We’re warriors not stevedores!”

“Okay then prove it!” She puts her hands on her hips, challengingly, “There’s enemy ships coming to attack this base, if you can delay them for just a few minutes, ten at the most, we can get everything packed and bug out of here!”

“Ten minutes!?” Vegeta looks at the sprawling base that covers two square miles. Two massive domes loom over twenty medium and fifteen smaller ones, then there's numerous sheds and outdoor facilities. He sneers, “It’ll take at least ten days to pack this mess up, unless your planning to level it with explosions.”

She smirks at him, she’ll show this arrogant pirate a thing or two. “Can you hold those fighters off or not?”

“One of us could do it alone with one hand tied behind his back!” He retorts smugly crossing his arms over his chest.

“Then prove it! I’ll worry about the base!!”

Vegeta sends a thought flying at his two warriors, ordering, *“Raditz, Kakarot you two go stop those fighters. I want to see what she’s up to!”* At their slight hesitation, caused he knows, by the instinctive reluctance to abandon their newfound truemates, he adds, *“Don’t worry if needed I’ll protect our mates.”*

Kakarot grins as his brother nods. Then the two levitate away heading towards the high pitched whistle that their sensitive hearing can already pick up from the attacking ships rapid descent through the atmosphere. The formation appears high above the base growing larger by the moment. One slows to eject six figures, who orient on the two figures rising to meet them and prepare to attack.

Confident in his two companions ability to handle the meager an assault force, Vegeta turns his attention back to the earthbound bustle. People are rapidly emerging from the structures. Curiously though they are barely carrying anything. And several are already climbing into waiting transports.

Commander Azure is standing beside the door of the largest building, once the flow out of the opening trickles to a stop, she asks “Everybody’s out?“

The man who had first spoke to her checks a clip board and then nods, “Building’s clear!“

She opens a small compartment beside the doorway and depresses something, then backs quickly away. There is a sound like a small sharp explosion and the dome suddenly vanishes from sight!

‘So, she is destroying the base after all.” He thinks at first, then does a double take, ‘But that explosion wasn’t big enough to completely level that building!’

The Prince glances about the area in puzzlement, ‘There’s not even any debris! What’s going on here?’

The woman walks forward again and picks up a small object on the ground, casually slipping it into her pocket.

After capsulating the command center, Bulma had turned to observe the overhead battle and is startled to find the Black Phoenix standing right behind her trying to comprehend what he’s just seen happen.

More sounds of small explosions assail Vegeta’s ears and he looks about to see more buildings begin to vanish one by one all around them in exactly the same way.

“What‘s happening?” He demands crossly.

She looks at him, “I told you we’re packing up.” Then at his vacant look of complete mystification she relents, “Each of these structures are capsule constructs. They’ve been specially designed to dematerialize into their component atoms then shrink down to occupy the smallest possible space.” She pulls out the object she had pocketed, and shows it to him. Upon examination it looks like a small elongated ovoid with a shielded button at one end. “The entire building and all it’s contents are right in here. When I’m ready all I have to do is depress the button on the top, throw the capsule and the atoms will reemerge and reconstitute the building and it’s contents exactly the way it was when I capsulated it.”

“Incredible! Did you create this?” He takes the tiny capsule in his hand tossing it lightly in his palm to gauge it’s weight. Astonishingly, it’s light enough for a human child to carry several.

She laughs, “No, my father did that, but I've designed lots of other things like the planetary defense shield. I got my brains from him.”

Suddenly the sound of several aerial explosions pulls their attention skywards.

Raditz and Kakarot had quickly defeated the six troopers and were now taking care the ships. Vegeta can tell that the brothers are thoroughly enjoying themselves showing off for their future mates as they make short work of the invaders. But a single ship breaks free evading them, it swoops down strafing the ground aiming for the on-lookers. Reflexively Vegeta pushes her behind him and easily deflects the energy bolt, then returns fire. A single shot of his gallic gun disposes of the last ship.

He turns back to the woman, to find her looking at him in bright-eyed admiration. Her approval upsets his control, stoking his ego as it increases the intensity of his imperative. He feels as if he’s trembling inside.

“It looks like my wish may have been a lot more on target than I thought.” She says before bestowing an incredible smile upon him and Vegeta’s whole world suddenly goes topsy-turvy.

Unable to resist the impulse, he pulls her into his arms. Her lips part almost breathlessly, expectantly. She looks deep into his eyes and his face moves closer, their lips are a mere whisper from their first kiss...

Suddenly a tall young male with a scar on his face comes rushing up and destroys the moment. He grabs her arm and pulls her away asking worriedly, “Bulma are you okay?”

Vegeta turns on him growling ominously. “Remove your hands from the woman if you value your life!” His hair is almost bristling in rage!

Bulma is breathless, her heart is pounding rapidly, she stares at the furious Black Phoenix. ‘He... he had been about to kiss me!’

She pulls free from Yamcha. Glancing in wonderment at ‘Geta.

Yamcha points his thumb at the angry alien warrior, “Who this flame headed freak and why is he being so bossy?”

Bulma wraps her arms tightly around herself and rubs them with her hands, she’d gone all goose-pimply in the Phoenix’s embrace, and for some strange reason she’s almost as furious as the Phoenix is at Yamcha for interrupting.

Vegeta’s eyes are still snapping in anger, when Kakarot and Raditz return to the ground to rejoin their Prince.

Raditz, glares at the offending human male warningly. “You shall keep a civil tongue in your mouth when you address the Black Phoenix.”

Bulma turns to Yamcha, “I am hoping these are our new allies, and the freak as you called just so rudely called him, is their leader!”

“Uh oh!” He turns to look at the man he had insulted, “Sorry about that dude.”

“You will address him with respect!” adds Kakarot sternly.

“Wha--” starts Yamcha glancing from one to the other.

And even Bulma eyes are flashing at him warningly, “Just do it Yamcha!”

He sends her a hurt, puzzled look, but ducks his head in agreement before backing off.

The Prince releases a pent up breath, he’s still trembling from the strain. He had almost attacked that male for daring to touch his truemate. The imperative has gotten stronger, defending and protecting her had made it’s urgings more insistent. His muscles are flooding with adrenalin, cramping them.

They need to get this situation straightened out soon, luckily unlike Vegeta, Kakarot and Raditz haven’t initiated their imperatives yet with physical contact. He just hopes these females won’t balk when everything is explained to them.

His companions, who have been watching him, glance at each other worriedly. Knowing the pain he is starting to endure.

As the last of the buildings disappear the other two females rematerialize. Kakarot and Raditz move to flank their mates.

*“Be careful not to touch them yet!”* Is Vegeta’s swift commanding thought to his comrades.

Kakarot looks at his Prince, then seeing Vegeta’s worsening condition, the Prince is sweating slightly and paler than usual. The youngest Saiyan’s eyes grow round. *“Ho boy, glad you warned us!”*

*“Your imperative is growing stronger?”* Asks Raditz with concern.

*“Yes, protecting her has accelerated it‘s progression.”* Growls the Prince’s thoughts. *“If it hadn’t been for that baka, I might have been driven to claim her.”*

*“Good thing he interrupted you!”* sends Kakarot.

*“You will have to mate with her soon, tonight if possible.”* advises his Sibling.

*“I already realize that!”* Vegeta thinks angrily, then takes a deep breath, struggling to calm himself, *“But it has to be done diplomatically. I will not take the Saiyanna, my truemate, the first time by force.”*

“Everything’s secured Commander Azure, we’re ready to move out.” Reports the redhead.

Bulma nods in acknowledgement, passing the order to Yamcha. “Proceed with the final evacuation.” He nods and departs.

Then she looks at over at ‘Geta. Of some reason she’s somehow pre-naturally aware of the Phoenix’s plight, but doesn’t quite understand what is or why it’s happened.

“Are you alright?” She asks starting to reach out towards him.

He jerks away, then looks at her with an odd light gleaming in his eyes, “So your true name is Bulma.”

She glances at the departing Yamcha in vexation, then nods in confirmation, “Yes, my real name is Bulma Briefs.”

He half smiles, and comes to a decision that startles his companions, “Then I shall tell you mine. I am Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans.” He looks over at the other two women, knowing his how badly his comrades want to know their truemates names, “And what are theirs?”

“That’s ChiChi,” she says indicating the dark haired woman, “and this is Serera.”

Kakarot begins to beam and even Raditz cracks a smile. Even in his distress, their liege is mindful of his men’s needs.

“So, we are leaving this area?” the Phoenix asks. Looking up as several fully loaded personnel transports begin to depart.

“Yes, each time the base is attacked we move it. The enemy is unable to scan through the planetary defense shield so after breaking through their fighters have to take time to scan and relocate our base before they can attack it again. A new site was chosen as soon as we set the last one up. Once we start setting up at the next site, another will be scouted out for our next move.”

“Ingenious, a permanently mobile base, with all the advantages of a static one.” says Kakarot.

Vegeta has finally regained a measure of control, “Where is it, how far away?”

“It’ll take us about four hours to get there.”

The Prince glances up at the sky to get an approximate idea of how long it is till sunset, they’d been here long enough that he had gotten a feel for the planet’s rotational period. But suddenly he notices a half moon floating a quarter of the way up into the sky.

He broadcasts, *“Dammit this planet’s got a moon, what’s next!”* Raditz and Kakarot's attention snaps to the orb in the sky.

Vegeta asks Bulma apprehensively. “This may seem like a strange question , but how many satellites does this planet have?”

“Satellites? I dunno hundreds.” She answers casually.

At the sound of his sharp intake of breath she looks up and sees where he’s looking ,“Oh you mean moons.., just that one.”

Vegeta relaxes a little, “And what are it’s rotational and orbital periods?”

“About 28 days for both.” Is her answer as she looks at him curiously, but when no further explanation is forthcoming she shrugs it off.

*“Well at least that’s one worry deferred for a few days.”* sends Raditz.

*“We’ll have to warn them or stay inside when it reaches totality.”* adds Kakarot.

*It’ll be best to do both, but we should have several days grace yet.”* says the Prince, *“Right now I have a more pressing problem.”*

*“Is it rearing it’s head yet?”* quips Raditz’ brother with a wicked grin.

The other two Saiyans response melds as one, *“Shut Up Kakarot!”*

Just then Kakarot’s stomach growls, loudly!

ChiChi looks at him in startlement. The youngest Saiyan ducks his head in embarrassment.

Bulma’s realizes that these men have just expended an massive amount of energy in their defense and no one’s even offered them a drink of water!

“Oh Kame’ mom would kill me!” She exclaims, then she waves over Captain Blue who has been awaiting her final orders, instructing, “Proceed with the base transfer and reconstruction as usual. Once on site, Muten Roshi and Colonel Yamcha will be in command until we rejoin you there. Myself and my two adjutants will take our visitors to the north refuge. We’ll negotiate with them there so there will be a delay in our joining you. If you need us you know the frequency.”

“Very good ma’am.” He signals for the rest of the transports to depart as he boards his own. Soon nothing is left where the base was but the three Saiyans, the three women and the air car.

Bulma turns to ChiChi and Serera, “We’ll go to my mountain retreat first. I think we’d all be more comfortable there while we sort things out.” She glances at the one whose stomach growled, “There’s plenty of food there and it’s not too far from here. I just hope you can eat our stuff without any problems.” He grins at her.

“We are capable of consuming any type of animal protein without harm.” Says Raditz helpfully.

The Prince humphs, “And Kakarot, well Kakarot’ll eat just about anything!”

The females board their ship and the Saiyans take the same positions as they had during the earlier flight.

Guarding their unknowing mates.

*“How are you going to broach the subject of mating Vegeta?”* Asks his Sibling.

*“Carefully, we have no idea as to what their customs in this matter are, but I got the distinct impression that the male I almost attacked was more than just a casual friend. I will need to find out if they are bonded in some way.”*

*“Hey ‘Geta once you’ve bonded with her, how long do we have to wait?”* asks Kakarot impatiently.

*“Once we explain it, you should leave it for them to decide. I just wish I could give Bulma the time to get used to it!”* Answers the Prince shaking his head. *“But I dare not, with that moon of theirs waxing and the imperative already activated I have to mate with her or the madness will grip the Oozura.”*

Subdued they fly the rest of the way in silence, each locked in their own thoughts.

To be continued....