The vast halls echoed with the sounds of bustling activity as crew members from the two vessels, along with station personnel, moved about their duties with purpose and precision. Free from the servile hum of slaves and the mechanical whirr of servitors and servoskulls, the station hummed with an energy all its own.
As Bann strode through the bustling corridors he towered over the various passers-by, his imposing figure commanding attention with each thunderous step. His presence demanded respect, forcing those around him to part ways to accommodate his determined advance.
BIP DI DI DI
As Bann's fingers danced across the buttons of his scouter, a series of beeps echoed in the corridor, drawing curious glances from those nearby. With a commanding tone that resonated in his mother tongue, he addressed his teammates, his words tinged with a sense of urgency that hung heavy in the air. "Guys, there's something I need to address with you all. Shall we meet in person, or shall I convey my message through the scouter?"
"If it's not that important and you just need to tell us something, just do it over here," Aprit's voice resounded over the scouter, competing with the background chatter of the bustling space station.
"We will meet later on for training. If it is that important, we can speak about it then," Rucule's voice chimed in, its calmness contrasting with the urgency in the air.
Bann found himself agreeing with Rucule's pragmatic approach, though he remained silent as Seleri voiced her thoughts. "Brief us over here, and if a meeting is necessary, you can provide more detailed information once we're together," her tone carried a hint of annoyance, the reason behind it eluding Bann's intentions to understand.
"Just say it now," Ramela added, echoing Seleri's sentiment, prompting Bann to release a deep sigh before relaying the urgent information.
"I've been informed by the humans that Tyranids seem to be attacking one of their planets. I've tasked Urocain and the other Eldars to bring a large ship to transport me and some of you there, so we can cleanse those fuckers and secure valuable resources in the process," Bann explained, his words met with an eerie silence over the communication channel.
As he continued his stride towards the hangar bay, Bann pressed on, "We need to agree on who will be accompanying me and who will remain behind to defend the system in case of unforeseen events. The journey will last at least a couple of days, so consider that in your decision-making process. Those remaining behind will not participate in the scheduled training ses—" His words were abruptly cut short by two voices speaking in unison.
"I'll be going with you," Seleri's voice sounded determined, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Let's exterminate those pests! I'll start preparing immediately, Bann~" Ramela's voice rang out with joy, anticipation, and eagerness, her movements audible as she dashed about with purpose.
As the sounds of Ramela's bustling activity reached his ears, Bann couldn't help but wonder, 'Don't tell me she's preparing outfits? We only have three sets each. What else could she be up to?'
Meanwhile, his mouth went into action, relaying instructions to the remaining members of the group. "Well, since Seleri and Ramela have already spoken, Rucule and Aprit, I'm assigning you both to oversee Faradras in the meantime. One of you will remain on the space station to ensure everything is running smoothly according to our established protocols, while the other will patrol the cities down below."
His command was met with two affirmative grunts from the two males. Despite the fact that both of them would benefit from the training with Urocain, they were more than capable of maintaining the safety of the planet in his absence. With a power level around 7,400 units, Rucule ranked as the third most powerful Saiyan in the group, making him well-equipped to fill the temporary void left by Bann's departure.
On the other hand, Aprit, with his power level of 6,300 units, ranked as the second weakest in the group. However, he possessed the skills and agility to provide ample support to Rucule in the face of any potential threats to the planet.
As Bann pondered their capabilities, he concluded, 'Their fighting styles somehow complement each other, making them a formidable duo overall.' With a nod of approval, he acknowledged how well the two Saiyans could hold their own and buy time in his absence.
"If anything comes up, remember that the channels will remain open so you can notify us," Bann reminded them sternly, emphasizing the importance of this piece of information that most factions in the galaxy would covet.
"Roger that," Rucule replied dutifully, his tone firm and resolute, while Aprit remained silent, more occupied with the two tasks at his hands.
Just as Bann was about to address them once more, he heard Seleri's voice cut through the silence, asking, "When will we be leaving?" The question caused Bann to pause in his steps, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
'I forgot to ask Urocain,' Bann realized, his mind flashing back to his earlier oversight. However, instead of retracing his steps to the chamber, he discreetly approached one of the station personnel and requested to be guided to the Eldar's ship in a hushed tone, before addressing Seleri's inquiry.
"Ahem, I'll be accompanying the Eldars to meet with some individuals. Once we return, we will depart," Bann announced, fully aware that this decision hadn't been discussed with the Eldar, but confident that they would comply with his wishes nonetheless.
His words, however, seemed to catch Ramela off guard. As she paused in the midst of packing her scant belongings, her eyes widened in shock, and she couldn't help but blurt out to Bann, "You won't be spending the night with me!?" Instantly regretting her lapse in judgment, she grimaced at her outburst.
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"He's doing what!?" Rucule's voice thundered through the scouter, echoing the shock and disbelief of everyone who heard it. Bann closed his eyes and muttered a quiet "Crap" under his breath, knowing he had to address the situation head-on.
Inhaling deeply, he steeled himself to be forthcoming with his friend. "I've taken your sister as my partner. I had planned to discuss this with you in a more formal manner, but circumstances have led to this revelation now," Bann explained, his tone earnest yet tinged with apprehension.
"Way to announce it during a group chat..." Aprit chimed in, amusement evident in his voice as he heard the unfolding drama.
Meanwhile, Rucule, who had been casually enjoying a meal in the palace of Argonas, was forced to hastily gulp down his food in shock, nearly choking on his surprise at Ramela's unexpected revelation.
Frowning deeply, Rucule directed his question not to Bann, but to Ramela herself. "Are you truly happy with choosing him as your partner? He has already taken humans as his concubines, and I fear he may take more. We've discussed what happened before..." His concern was evident in his tone, not stemming from judgment of Bann, but rather from a desire to protect his sister from potential heartache.
The communication channel fell silent for a tense moment, the air thick with anticipation as everyone awaited Ramela's response. Finally, her voice broke the silence, her words firm and resolute. "I am aware of the risks, but I have made my choice," she declared, her conviction unwavering.
With her response, Rucule and everyone else on the channel understood that further inquiries were unwelcome. It was clear that Ramela had made her decision, and it was to be respected and accepted by all.
Letting out a deep sigh, Rucule slumped back in his seat, his gaze fixed on his food with a sense of resignation. "Well, I suppose congratulations are in order for the both of you. I look forward to seeing my nephews flying around soon," he remarked, the latter part of his statement accompanied by a wistful grin.
As thoughts of family's filled his mind, Rucule couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. 'Oh man, I hope our family is large, strong, and healthy, so that Father and Mother would be proud of us,' he murmured to himself, his eyes misting over at the prospect of forming a new family, albeit far from the familiar lands of Planet Vegeta. It was a dream that offered a brief respite from the deep regret and longing he harbored for those lost to Frieza's tyranny.
Among the group, Rucule was the one most profoundly affected by Bann's revelations about the tragic fate of their race. He had chosen to keep this burden to himself, burying any hope of ever returning to the land of his birth or reuniting with his parents.
"Stop it, aniki! Or I'll swear I'll beat you up round and square when we see each other again!" Ramela's embarrassed tone and the slight tremor in her voice snapped Rucule back to reality from his introspective thoughts. A gentle smile spread across his face as he listened to his sister's spirited retort.
Meanwhile, Bann had long since deactivated his scouter, choosing instead to wait patiently alongside the Aeldari craft. His keen eyes roamed over the ship's sleek lines, analyzing its design with a practiced gaze. With the ship assessed, his attention shifted to the various figures bustling around the hangar, each one a story waiting to be uncovered.
As he observed the individuals moving about, Bann found himself intrigued by the diversity of faces and backgrounds. He wondered about the lives they led, the challenges they faced, and the dreams they harbored. For a while now, he had yearned to immerse himself in the everyday experiences of the inhabitants of this galaxy, to understand their struggles beyond the pages of Warhammer novels.
'I've spent so many years fixated on our existence in the Dragon Ball universe that I often forget about the reality of this galaxy,' he mused inwardly. His attention was drawn to the cybernetic implants adorning many of the individuals, a stark reminder of the harshness of life in this unforgiving universe.
Lost in his thoughts, Bann failed to notice the passage of time until the Aeldari trio stood before him, bringing him back to the present moment with a start.
"...Bann, can you hear me?" The gentle voice of Urocain pierced through Bann's reverie, prompting him to shake his head and focus on the helmeted visage of the warlock.
Beside Urocain stood Anáeth, her expression filled with concern as she observed Bann's unresponsiveness to their attempts at communication.
Irelene, her features concealed by the warrior helmet of Craftworld Mymeara, also regarded Bann with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
With a wry smile, Bann hastily replied, "Yes, sorry about that. I was lost in thought for a moment..." His explanation seemed to satisfy the Aeldari, who nodded in understanding as they observed the clarity returning to the Saiyan's gaze.
"What are you doing here? Is there something you wish to discuss?" Anáeth's soothing voice broke the silence, her gaze fixed intently on Bann's.
Meeting her gaze, Bann nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, I neglected to mention this earlier, caught up in the moment as I was. But I desire to accompany you to your home and meet with this Farseer you've spoken of," he declared.
His words hung in the air, causing not only Anáeth, but also the other two Aeldari, to visibly freeze in surprise. Anáeth averted her eyes from Bann, directing her gaze instead to Urocain, silently urging him to take control of the unexpected turn of events.
Urocain's face, concealed behind his helmet, betrayed a mixture of surprise, apprehension, and a faint hint of exasperation in response to Bann's request.
'Although a meeting between the Craftworld and the Saiyans was inevitable, I fear this may be too sudden,' Urocain thought to himself, his mind racing with concerns about the potential repercussions of bringing Bann into their midst so abruptly. Having witnessed the Saiyan's formidable power and the fragile nature of their alliance, Urocain harbored reservations about extending such trust so soon.
However, instead of outright rejecting Bann's request, Urocain gritted his teeth and decided to place his faith in the Farseer's judgment, taking a gamble on the potential outcomes of this unexpected event.
"If my request has caused any discomfort, Urocain, I understand, and I'm willing to wait for a more opportune time," Bann offered, his wry smile betraying his attempt to lighten the tense atmosphere.
Shaking his head, Urocain spoke with a gentle tone, reassuring Bann, "Your request, though sudden, is not troublesome. I would be honoured to escort you to our home and introduce you to the esteemed and wise Naer-Lyoc. I am certain he will be pleased to meet you."
With a gesture towards the awaiting ship, and Irelene opening the door to reveal the interior, Urocain continued, "Please, make yourself comfortable. Although our journey will be brief, it will take a day's time. Rest assured, we will ensure your safety and comfort throughout the voyage."
Bann subtly nodded his head in appreciation and turned towards the awaiting ship, his gaze shifting from Anáeth's surprisingly plump back to the open doors as he made his way inside, muttering a quiet "Excuse me" as he passed.
Close behind, Urocain followed with a subtle smile playing on his lips. Though unexpected, something deep within him began to affirm that this was the right decision in response to Bann's request.
Once inside the ship, Irelene provided a brief explanation of the accommodations, indicating the two rooms where they would be staying. With everyone settled in, she initiated the ship's engines before guiding it away from the space station.
As the ship departed from the space station, thousands of glints scattered across the inky void, accompanied by the distant glow of the system's star. These celestial witnesses bore witness to the departure of the first Saiyan to travel beyond the confines of the planet he had once crashed upon. This event marked a pivotal turning point, ushering in a new chapter of uncertainty not only for the Saiyans and Aeldari but for all beings intertwined with the fabric of fate itself.
In the cockpit, Bann stood beside Irelene, watching with a mixture of curiosity and fascination as she expertly piloted the craft. The soft glow of the machinery and data cast a dim illumination across his face, which Anáeth observed with keen interest from her position nearby. Her own expression mirrored his, a smile gracing her lips as she absorbed his various expressions in raptness.
Overseeing them all, Urocain stood with a sense of quiet anticipation, his hands folded across his chest. He hoped that their journey would unveil the mysteries that awaited them and looked forward to the many meetings and encounters yet to come.