Pride Rekindled: Chapter 7

Papri looked around at the halls of the ship as she followed Halvar. The alien had made no attempt to talk to her as they walked so

The ship she was on seemed to be a standard model PTO Frigate based on Papri's limited knowledge. Big enough to house a few dozen people and hold its own in a small battle if need be, but not much else.

The walls of the ship were a light cream color, reflecting the blinding white lights up above. As they walked, several aliens passed them by on their way to their own destinations.

Papri was surprised by the variety of them. Usually the PTO only recruited from three or four races because of their abundance, but Papri had counted at least seven different species as they walked. She was pretty sure she even saw a Vexian, though that couldn't be right. They couldn't survive in any atmosphere that wasn't their home planet’s without a biosuit.

Some of them gave her oddly shocked looks as she passed by which she guessed was probably because they had never seen a Saiyan before. There weren't very many of them after all, especially not on this side of the galaxy.

There were also several of them that were wearing the same collar that Papri herself was. Well, not exactly the same, theirs looked slightly thinner, less heavy duty than the one around the Saiyan's neck.

“Hey, Halvar,” Papri spoke up, eying the gleaming ring of metal strapped to the alien’s neck, “Why are we wearing collars?”

“Hmm?” He looked back at her, eyes lidded in apparent boredom, “What did you say?’

Papri gave him an annoyed look, “I asked what these collars were for? Why are so many people around here wearing them? Why am I wearing one?”

Halvar stared at her like she was stupid and Papri bit back a growl, “What?”

He stared at her for another second or two before shaking his head and turning around, “Orishi will answer your questions. I can't be bothered.” Halvar said, yawning lightly. Papri stared at his back incredulously.

“Can't be bothered!? What the hell are you talking about!?”

“I can't be bothered.” He repeated, “Answering stupid questions is above my pay grade. And I don't even get paid. Anyway, we're here.”

Halvar stopped in front of a door that looked exactly the same as the ones they had been passing, if a little bigger. He pressed a button on the nearby pad and it slid open. He nodded inside, “He's in here. Have fun. Don't ask stupid questions.”

Papri stared at him as he did an about face and began walking back down the hall, “Really!?” She yelled after him, “That's it!? Can't you at least tell me what I'm doing here!? Hello!?”

There was no responded and Papri was left frustrated as she watched Halvar walk away, completely ignoring her shouts.

She huffed, turning back towards the door, “Can't be bothered. What does that even mean?”

Whatever. Maybe whoever was inside this room would tell her what was going on. Papri made her way inside of the dark room, the door sliding shut behind her the moment she cleared the doorway.

The moment her eyes adjusted to the light inside, she froze. The room was almost completely empty apart from a large holographic emitter in the center, as well as two aliens who were standing silently. She only had eyes for one though. He was staring at her stoically with his arms crossed, his burning orange eyes standing out on the dark grey skin of his face.

It was the same alien who knocked her out on Grinn! Papri stared at him and he inclined his horned head, shoving her a nod of recognition that did nothing but piss her off.

Papri’s hackles as she stared at the horned alien, her memory going back to the beat-down she had endured at his hands. It wasn't even a fight, not really, and the memory of how easily she was defeated burned her right in her pride.

A powerful growl rumbled in her chest and her energy began to leak out of her almost automatically, saturating the room with her ki as the anger that was always simmering below the surface made itself known.

Her collar beeped loudly, startling her slightly, but she ignored it as she prepared to stomp forward towards the horned alien to do… something. Just before she could take that first step though, she was interrupted by the other person in the room.

“Calm down, ape. Davik isn't the type to hold back when attacked.” Papri's eyes shot over to the voice, glaring at the person who had interrupted her.

It was a Neijin, that much was clear by his bright blue skin and white hair. This one was much more muscular than normal and absolutely massive besides that. The towering alien gave her a smirk as she locked eyes with him.

“Though even if he was, it wouldn't matter. If your power level rises too high within non-cleared areas of the ship, your collar will activate.” His voice was like a rumbling thunderstorm as he spoke, an underdone of derision in every word he addressed to the Saiyan.

“You already tampered with it once, and I'm not sure you'll survive the next shock.” Here, the Neijin grinned, “Actually, go ahead. I'll just toss your smoking corpse out the airlock when you're done convulsing.”

Papri's growl turned into a full on snarl at the threat even as she tried to rein in her ki. If that other guy's name was Davik then this must have been Orishi. He was the one who she was brought here to see

Something about him tickled her instincts in the same way that Davik did and the anger she was feeling was multiplied greatly. What the hell was it about this guy that pissed her off so much?

She stared at him with narrow eyes, “So I guess you're Orishi.”

“Oh, so it looks like the ape does have a brain! How surprising.” the man laughed, “Yes, I am Orishi, captain of this ship. And from now on, your master.”

Papri's eyes widened incredulously, his words ringing in her ears like a bell, “Master!? Who the hell do you think you're talking to? I am a Saiyan Warrior! I have no masters!”

Her ki exploded outwards from her, breaking through her careful calm and filling the room once more. Her collar beeped warningly and Papri grimaced, clenching her fists as she reigned her ki in for the second time. She would definitely need to practice her ki control some more if this collar would be remaining on her for any length of time.

As she concentrated on not frying herself, Orishi smirked, crossing his arms, “Just like I thought, nothing but a brute just like all the rest of your race. No brains to speak of.” He taunted, and Papri was suddenly struck with the realization that he was purposefully egging her on in an attempt to make her blow up and activate her collar

The Saiyan scowled, utilizing all of her ki control techniques and just barely managing to keep a lid on her energy this time. She took a deep breath stowing her energy back into her body and l coming it down tight,

Orishi scowled as his attempt to make her activate her collar failed. Just as he opened his mouth to try again, they both froze as the holographic emitter in the center of the room lit up, a bright blue beam extending from the top and fizzling as a call came through and was answered automatically by the machine itself.

“Dammit,” The Neijin cursed as he turned away from the Saiyan and made his way towards the machine. Davik followed close behind him, and Papri's rage gave way to confusion as they both knelt before the crackling hologram, “He has the worst timing as always.” The Neijin muttered.

Not sure what was going on and feeling much more wary than angry at this point, Papri slowly made her way up to the two men. Orishi gave her a glance but didn't linger as the image began to thicken, a figure beginning to make itself known in it.

Soon enough, the figure resolved itself fully, the image becoming clear. Papri's eyes widened and she immediately dropped to her knees alongside the other two as she took in the image that had appeared hovering above the emitter, languishing in a throne as he gazed down at them in apparent boredom.

Off-white bio armor occupied his upper torso and forearms, covering dark purple skin as well as his head, acting as a form of helmet upon which a sapphire blue gem sat. Crimson eyes peeked out from under a brow of the same armor, judging them silently.

Papri had never personally seen the man, nor had she even seen pictures, but his resemblance to the one who held an iron grip over Planet Vegeta couldn't be mistaken. That, combined with what she already knew from Buri's words back on Grinn, let Papri know exactly who this was.

Lord Cooler, Frieza's older brother and ruler of the Northern Quadrant.

Papri stared at the ground, unwilling to meet the Arcosian's gaze as she kneeled down on the floor, practically placing her head on it as she prostrated himself to the image of the emperor. Her pride stung at the maneuver, but her instincts for survival far outweighed it in this circumstance.

Cooler's eyes roved over the three individuals, a satisfied smile coming to his lips as he took in their cowering forms. He quickly locked in to one in particular, finding the reason for this particular call.

“Ah… so you're the Saiyan who escaped my little brother's hack job of a genocide.” His gaze turned calculating as he looked Papri over and found her wanting, “You certainly aren't the most impressive of specimens. Nothing but a child.”

Papri glared at the floor at his words but held her tongue. Even she knew that it would be stupid to say anything even slightly disrespectful to the eldest Cold sibling. Even looking them in the eyes was often a death wish.

Cooler tapped his fingers along the side of his chair as he examined the one who had escaped his brother's sloppy work.

She looked like a standard female Saiyan. Incredibly muscular despite her age, and with an air of barely suppressed feral energy behind her even as she knelt before him. Her massive mane was longer than most he had seen, resting heavily against the ragged cloak that she was wearing.

Although… Something was off about this picture. It took him only a moment to find it, and he quirked a brow as his crimson eyes locked onto the bushy tail wrapped tightly around her waist. It was black as opposed to the normal brown that all others of her race possessed. How interesting.

“Hmm… Look at me, Saiyan.” He ordered. The girl froze, before doing as he commanded, hesitantly raising her head to face him instead of the ground. And as she did so, he saw it. Peeking through a curtain of black, was a pair of burning orange eyes filled with so much suppressed anger that Cooler thought he was looking in a mirror.

A grin came to his lips and he let out a laugh, “Well well, it seems I was mistaken! You are far from unimpressive!” He turned his eyes to the blue-skinned Neijin kneeling beside her, “It seems you've developed a habit for collecting warriors like yourself, Orishi. This makes the third of my memories serve me correctly. Well done.”

Papri caught the way that Orishi's fists clenched at the words in her peripheral vision and wondered exactly what Cooler had said to make the alien so angry, “...Thank you, Lord Cooler.”

“Yes… I think I will keep this one.” Cooler looked down at her, “You Saiyans are a hot commodity in the galaxy. If the reports are correct, only a handful of you survived your planet’s timely destruction. It's too bad that so many of them were snatched up by my idiot little brother. You do make wonderful fighters if given the correct motivations”

Papri's blood went cold and whatever fear or anger she was feeling deepened into a frigid horror, “What…? What do you mean by my planet's destruction? What happened to Planet Vegeta!?”

Cooler's eyes widened at her sudden outburst before a smirk came to his face, “Oh, you didn't know? You really have been out of the loop haven't you?”

His tail lightly beat against the side of his chair in amusement, and a laugh bubbled up from his chest as he leaned forward slightly, “My my, this is interesting. Where exactly have you been hiding all these years, Saiyan?”

Papri swallowed roughly, trying to answer as clearly as she could with her thoughts whirling like they were, “I… I got stranded on an eradication mission. I've been on Grinn for a little over a decade.”

Cooler nodded, “I see. Well then, allow me to enlighten you on what happened during your little vacation.” He leaned back, taking a long sip of his wine.

As he drank, Papri fidgeted with suppressed emotions. What had happened while she was on Grinn? What about her parents? Were they okay? She needed answers!

Finally, after several agonizing seconds, Cooler pulled his drink away from his mouth. He licked his lips free of residual crimson liquid, and the smirk on his face told Papri that every moment of that pause had been intentional. He really was just as sadistic as his younger brother.

“Ten years ago my brother was ordered to destroy your planet by a being so far beyond the both of us it is incomprehensible. Your species, whatever is left of it, numbers at less than twenty members.”

Papri stared at the Arcosian incomprehensibly. Someone ordered her planet's destruction? Someone who even Frieza would willingly take orders from? Who!? Why!?

Cooler didn't answer her mental question. He hummed quietly, “Truthfully I believe that incident was the catalyst to this little feud he and I have going on. It was roughly around that time that his tantrums got much more extreme. Perhaps he got a taste for genocide. Well, more of a taste.” He chuckled to himself, the noise ringing in Papri's ears.

“But I digress. The important thing is that the Saiyan Race is effectively extinct.” He took another sip of his wine, “Especially so considering how few females survived. You're the first I've heard of to have escaped the explosion. Congratulations monkey.”

Papri sat back on her knees numbly, the Arcosian's words repeating in her head. Destroyed… her home…

Cooler stared down at the emotionally devastated Saiyan in amusement. He hadn't thought that this call would be so entertaining. The look of despair and horror in her eyes was oh so delicious.

Unfortunately he wasn't able to savor it for very long. There was still an important topic he had to address. He leaned back in his chair, moving his gaze to the kneeling blue-skinned alien as a frown appeared on his face.

“You did well in informing me of this development, Orishi, however that does not excuse your failures in the most recent skirmish with my brother's forces.”

Orishi froze, “...Failures, my lord?”

Cooler sneered, “Yes. Failures. I have been informed that you lost not one, but two competent fighters during the battle above Grexis. It is disgusting.”

“The fact that the Vistri suffered any losses to my brother's paltry forces is a disgrace in and of itself.” He stared down at the supplicating Neijin coldly, “Add in to the fact that this is just the most recent addition to your already impressive mountain of failures, and it paints a bleak picture of your abilities. Know that if I had the men to spare, your days as captain of the Vistri would be over immediately.”

He rested a cheek on his hand, his harsh expression lessening, “Luckily for you, I do not currently have the men to spare. Rejoice Orishi. You will remain in command of the ship and its subjects for so long as this fact remains true. Aren't I generous?”

He was clearly waiting for some sort of response and Orishi's teeth grit loudly enough that Papri could hear them as the Neijin bowed his head even lower, “Yes Lord Cooler. I am eternally grateful for your decision.”

Cooler smirked lightly, “As you should be. Your usual shipment of supplies will be waiting at the nearest orbital station. Make sure that they do not go to waste.”

Orishi nodded silently, not saying anything, and Cooler moved on.

“Before I go, there is one more matter to attend to. Davik,” The emperor looked towards the grey-skinned alien who had been silent the entire time. The horned man inclined his head towards his leader, “There is still an opening on my Armored Squadron should you ever decide to put aside your little squabble with Salza.” he offered

Davik was silent before he shook his head slowly, “Thank you for the offer my lord, but Salza and I… our differences are too great I'm afraid. It wouldn't work.”

To Papri's surprise, Cooler didn't seem angry by the alien’s words and was instead amused by them. The Arcosian’s crimson eyes glittered with amusement, “Very well I suppose. If you wish to continue wasting your talents aboard that ship I suppose I won't stop you. Though I recommend that you remember who you answer to above all else.”

“Of course, Lord Cooler.” Davik answered dutifully, “I will never forget.”

“See that you don't.” With that, the hologram faded away, leaving the room in darkness again.

The moment that it did, Orishi shot up from his position on the floor. He growled, his suppressed anger making itself known as his energy exploded from him.

His ki saturated the room, more potent and heavy than Papri's earlier little tantrum, “That bastard! Who does he think he is!? He knows NOTHING about what we are put through every day! Every battle! He just expects us to throw ourselves at the bulk of Frieza's forces and come out on top! That fool says on his throne and thinks he knows a thing about real conflict! Disgusting!”

The energy was becoming suffocating as bright sparks began emanating from Orishi's body, the crackling manifestations of his rage scorching the ground below him. One of them scored a hit on Papri's right cheek, easily slicing through the skin and drawing blood. The Saiyan didn't even notice.

It ended as Davik placed a single hand on his massive shoulder. Orishi took a deep breath and slowly his energy receded, calmed in an instant by his second in command.

He turned to the horned alien, energy gone but still crackling just beneath his skin, “Davik, come with me to the training room, I need to blow off some steam.” Orishi said, turning to leave the room.

“What about the Saiyan?” Davik asked, looking towards where Papri was still kneeling on the floor in the same position she had been in when Cooler finished his transmission.

Orishi scoffed, “Forget about the ape, I can't even stand to look at her right now. I'll find someone to show her where her bunk is on our way to the training room. Now let's go.”

The two of them left the room leaving the Saiyan in darkness. And yet even as they left, Papri remained in her position on the floor, staring straight at the ground as she came to terms with what she had just been told. Blood dripped from her damaged cheek, landing on the cold ground below her as she shook with emotions.

Ten long years stranded in isolation, hoping for a way off of the planet she had found herself on, had been for nothing. Frieza, on orders from someone even Cooler believed was above him had destroyed her home, turned it to nothing but floating debris orbiting their star.

And Papri was one of only a handful of survivors and not only that she was the only female left of her race. The Saiyans as a species were no more. And it was all thanks to dumb luck.

…Or was it? Her mind went back to the malfunctions her pod had experienced, how they seemed most perfectly manufactured to strand her on that planet with everything she needed to survive and educate herself

Did they know? Was that why her pod had malfunctioned, had they sent her to Grinn to be stranded on purpose? And if so, why?

Saiyan parents weren't known for being kind and Papri's were no exception. Her mother was a warrior and often off planet and her father was a member of the King's guard. There was no reason for them to think about her in their planet’s final moments.

And yet it seemed they had. And now Papri didn't know what to do with herself.

She had spent ten years stranded on Grinn, praying that she would escape her isolation and return back to Planet Vegeta, to her parents and finally join her fellow Saiyans and conquer alongside her kin.

Now that would never happen. Planet Vegeta was… gone. The Saiyan race was no more and Papri's parents were dead. All of her hopes had burned to dust along with the entirety of her race and planet and she found herself wishing she had burned with them.

Not knowing what else to do in the face of her hopelessness, Papri buried her face in the floor and began to cry.