1969/AWftF: Clouded Visions

AWftF: Clouded Visions
Date of Scene:	06 April 2015
Location:	Void - Super Solar System
Synopsis:	Vegeta and taylita consult with Kakarot to learn the shape of the Neo-Saiyan Empire. He shares it.
Cast of Characters:	180, 663, 723
Tinyplot:	A Wish for the Future

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Kakarot (723) has posed:
Vegeta is calling himself a king now. This intrigues Kakarot. What's more intriguing is Vegeta is actually calling to speak with him instead of continuing to threaten to kill him.

Privately, Kakarot might be wondering if someone stuffed the real Vegeta into a box and made a clone.

Regardless, he is willing to meet with Vegeta despite the dissonance. His delegation is met at the Bardock, his flagship, with guarded politeness. Vegeta is greeted by all three of Kakarot's lieutenants. Toma, in red armor, is muscular and always seems to be fidgeting. Perhaps even a little hyperactive. Zuki, in green, is a slim female Saiyan who seems to always weigh everything she's looking at with a piercing, judging gaze. Behind the pair towers Gaplan, in blue armor.

Toma waves as the pair arrive. "Hi there! Good to see both of you! Welcome back to the ship. King Kakarot's waiting for you both in the meeting room." He almost talks faster than his mouth can handle, even.

"Enough, Toma. They've been here before." Zuki responds, gesturing. "Please, King Vegeta. Taylita. Come with us and we'll get you to the one you're interested in seeing."

Gaplan says nothing. He simply moves to one side, the hulking Saiyan moving to escort the pair to the meeting room.

The meeting room is a smaller affair from the main conference room that they met in before. This one is not so opulent, Kakarot sitting at a regular chair in front of a table piled high with foodstuffs from across a dozen planets. There's other chairs present for the visitors. He is already twirling a meatbone in his fingers as the pair arrive. "Ah, the new king and Taylita. Welcome back. Please, help yourself, this is for everyone."

The three lieutenants move to the sides, allowing the pair to do as they like. Kakarot himself begins eating, stripping the meat off the bone in one quick gulp. "So what can I do for you... /King/ Vegeta?" The weight of his emphasis says a great deal.

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"I want to know how you run these people." Vegeta says as he takes a seat across from Kakarot, grabbing what appears to be a massive steak in both hands, then he takes a large bite out of the side of it. "What exactly is your goal? What are you leading toward? How do you plan to -grow- and evolve the Saiyans? You portray yourself as a man who isn't short-sighted, so I want to know why you are the kind of leader that you are, the reasons for your actions and beliefs."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita walks beside the others into the meeting room, thanks their escort as they are directed into the room, and takes a seat as close to equidistant from the two kings as possible. She then eyes the food before looking between the other two saiyans as they speak. Vegeta asks a question that Taylita wants to hear, so the red-head just claims a leg of something and starts biting into it. But, her eyes remain on alert. She doesn't trust Kakarot, and isn't sure how stable Vegeta is. She wants to be ready if something happens.

Kakarot (723) has posed:
Kakarot gestures with the bone as Vegeta and Taylita sit down and partake of his table. That's one good sign, at least. It's usually a bad idea to fight on a full stomach. Cramps, you know.

"So you want to know how I run things. All right. I'll tell you how I make things work around here."

He takes a moment to eat a bunch of grapes whole, and then gestures with his bone again. "Everything starts with the Saiyan people. We needed to grow. Gain organization. Create a new path. Monarchy is all well and good, but /our/ King Vegeta wasn't willing to take the steps necessary. The Saiyan people are superior physically. We are more than capable of being superior in other ways as well. It takes discipline and willpower to use ki properly. People who fight stupidly tend to just get beaten. Intelligence is not something to be scorned, either."

He gestures in the air, then. "That's why you begin first at home. We have a series of reforms that we've been putting into place. Most of the normal challenge systems have had the lethality taken out of them. A dead Saiyan doesn't get you anything but another corpse. I've been instituting more standardized training reigmens, selecting people to engage their specialties and dividing them up to use complimentary squad-based military tactics. Through this process, we're increasing our people's ability to apply power and maintain military presence. One Saiyan is terrifying. A squad of them acting with support? That's almost unstoppable."

He leans back. "Also, the process of training our Saiyan warriors allows me to introduce ideas to them. Over time, I plan to give them more ways to compete. We all know Saiyans make the best warriors. what if we channelled that spirit of competition the knowledge of superiority into other fields, like actually getting some of our own scientific and cultural development for a change, instead of having to rip it out of the hands of other races?"

He takes a moment to bite the end off of the meatbone, crunching the bone casually. "The logic follows from there. Saiyans are superior warriors. Now we expand to be superior at /everything/. We create a culture that celebrates excellence, no matter what field it is. There will always be a need for warriors, and we must never lost that. But there are more battlefields than we can ever imagine. Even so, it's going to take generations to get the rough edges polished off and get everything working right."

He gestures to Zuki, who then adds, "In the meantime, we have aggression to keep focused on external targets. An empire needs to grow. Conflict allows a Saiyan to grow stronger. Conflict also gives us access to the resources and talents of new races as they join the PTO."

Kakarot nods. "That's right. The Empire grows larger, more capable of dealing with threats like Frieza. The aliens who join us provide us tribute and a portion of their fighters to support, and we in turn protect them from anything they need to be protected from. Over time, we take what works from them and incorporate it into our own progression while they gradually assimilate into our culture. It's basically win-win once you get past the initial war."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
Vegeta listens to all of this, now with the same leg of whatever Kakarot was eating, mostly because the damned thing keeps being waved around and now he wants one. So he takes a large bite. Then when Kakarot is finished, Vegeta is quiet... then he just laughs, for a while, then stares down at the food immediately in front of him, before raising his eyes to focus on Kakarot.

"This is... this is absolutely rich. Most of this is the basic premise for how I intend to run the Saiyan Empire. The primary difference is that I hadn't put any thought into squad based tactics, and obviously I intend to handle empire aggression differently from the way you are, which, of course, is where our primary difference of opinion lies." He sits back in his chair, now waving -his- bone around.

"This is beyond rich." he observes, with another bite. "My system, which is still a work in progress, was generally most of what you said. Except I wanted to base most of the system on physical power and making claims. If a Saiyan is strong enough to keep a piece of land, then it's theirs under the empire. But if another Saiyan challenges them for it, then they need to be able to meet that challenge and win. Non-lethally, of course. However..."

He furrows his brow, intensely focused now. "You've clearly had more time to think about the way that yours functions, my ideas are fairly new and not yet fully formed. I -believe- that something could be gained if we discuss and consider the potential flaws in my ideas, as well as the potential flaws in yours."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita listens to Kakarot while she nibbles rather un-saiyanly on her chosen leg of mystery creature. And, as she does, her expression goes from one of mistrust to one of introspection.

     The plan that Kakarot is laying out for his people...is very close to what Taylita thought their people should focus on. Growing their own culture, not pillaging it from others. Although, she wants to eliminate war simply for the sake of war.

     "There has to be some way for our warriors..." She blinks, then sighs softly. "..your warriors..." she corrects herself, realizing she has no claim to either empire, "...to grow stronger without such destruction and death." She looks between the two. "Tournaments, battle simulators, that sort of thing. If a world wants to join you and gain your strength in exchange for protection, then fine, but they shouldn't be forced into it."

Kakarot (723) has posed:
Kakarot nods to Taylita. "If that becomes popular enough, perhaps. but there's no real subsitute for live combat for experience. You can never lose your edge. Another tyrant like Frieza might come at any time to dismantle everything you've tried to create, to /chain/ our people again. I will never allow it as long as I draw breath, Taylita. I and the Neo-Saiyans will /never/ bend knee again before a non-Saiyan."

He leans back and absently eats the remainder of the bone, then tosses in a few oranges and a bunch of bananas, not even peeling them. He's certainly still got the appetite of a Saiyan. "Sure, you have a work in progress. Everything is a work in progress. It has to be or you stagnate, become unchanging... And eventually become irrelevant." He grunts. "You do realize I'm also never going to bow to you, Vegeta. I'll discuss things with you, but I could never accept you to lead me and the Neo-Saiyans... Even if you chose to leave me alive after the... 'leadership discussion'."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"I have at least two agreements in place that keep me from killing you right now." Vegeta points out, as if to alleviate any concerns, grabbing a large melon and cracking it in half so that he can shove his mouth into one half. "This is not about what will obviously be an inevitable conflict. But, you being Kakarot, I'm sure that you view me killing you as an impossibility. Though since I've regained my tail, I reached a power level that I've entirely kept a secret, specifically so that you have no idea what to expect from me."

"But, let's imagine a scenario where you die. Even if it isn't me who kills you. Let's imagine that tomorrow you simply dropped dead for no reason at all. Do you imagine that I would simply leave your people to implode in on themselves?" he asks, very seriously, already on his second melon half. "No, I wouldn't, and you know I wouldn't. However, I'm well aware that if I have no idea of the methodology you use to rule your people, I would have possibly little to no chance of reigning them in and keeping them stable."

He looks to Taylita, then he looks to Kakarot. "However, I do have a compromise in our leadership styles. We do not have to go and crush peaceful or seemingly innocent worlds, nor do we even need to necessarily involve civilians. We can, however, go and take over all of those worlds where people are being ruled under the thumb of someone like Frieza, take over these worlds and put them under Saiyan rulership. Take them away from other organizations like the PTO."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita raises an eyebrow at Kakarot as he says he could never accept Vegeta. "What reason do you have to refuse Vegeta if he somehow bested you? I mean, I have refused him because he was a murderous psychopath, but he is showing steady improvement in that area. And, I doubt you have gotten a history lesson on Vegeta, so...why? Just because he is the son of his father?"

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"I take solace in the fact that you are capable of adhering to your agreements, Vegeta." Kakarot replies. "You killing me isn't impossible. Many thought killing Frieza was impossible, and that happened. I simply will be doing everything I can to prevent it. The alternative..." He laughs. "Well, I would be dead, I would be in no position to care."

He considers Vegeta's words. "You would consider it quite the windfall were that to happen, I bet. Regardless, I appreciate that you care for the well-being of my people." He smiles thinly. "Though you do bring up an interesting point. You propose that we become a force for liberation, then, replacing the subjugation of other tyrants with our kinder, gentler rulership." It's hard to tell if he's mocking Vegeta or not, he doesn't SOUND like he's deadpanning. "This idea has merit. Shall we begin with removing the tyrrany of the Confederacy?" He smiles at that, letting it sit there. "Or perhaps the Union? Where shall we go? Though I suppose if I had 20 years to build up my Empire, the choice would be irrelevant, wouldn't it?"

Taylita then asks a pertinent question. "Because immortality is the path of cowardice. He has nothing to lose. Even if I crippled him to the point he could no longer fight ever again, he would need to merely be killed by someone to restore himself." Kakarot replies simply. "And the Neo-Saiyans deserve better than to be ruled by a coward."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"This is a common misunderstanding of my immortality that I allow simply because it makes people fear me even more. I don't doubt that on some level my immortality was the short-sighted decision of a younger man, but it doesn't work the way you're saying at all. It isn't like -Cell's-." Vegeta explains, grabbing more grapes as a thirst overcomes him, though he wants to continue eating. So this is a good middleground. "If you crippled me, and then I was killed, do you know what would happen?"

He gives pause, even though the question is rhetorical. "I would heal from the killing blow -just- enough to no longer be dead, but I would still be crippled and otherwise have all of the damage done to me up to the point of death. This is what happens when you make incredibly vague wishes. I'm immortal, but that's all my immortality is. It keeps me from -dying-. Why do you think the battle with the Hulk terrified me enough to grow my tail back?"

But, moving on, he returns to the topic at hand. "The Confederacy and the Union are too large to trifle with. In truth I could care less about the Confederacy, I was very particular about my agreements with them. I only joined so that I could have protection in case the Union acted against me. But this is exactly why what I propose would work. Not every tyrant is affiliated with the Confederacy, nor is the Confederacy particularly interested in protecting them. But -plenty- of planets full of innocent people that -aren't- affiliated with the Union could still be considered under their protection. We would have far more freedom as liberators functioning as the lesser of two evils."

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"Fascinating." Kakarot says with a glint in his eye as Vegeta spells out the loophole in his immortality clause. "But that really just keeps you from dying in battle. How can you tolerate that knowledge? You are a high-class Saiyan Warrior, isn't a glorious death in battle the greatest end you could hope for?"

Kakarot turns and pours several soup dishes into his mouth in quick sequence, nodding as he folds his hands. "I do like your idea, regardless. I will be putting it into action after the resolution of this... Reptilon problem. Your mistake, however, is considering the Union and Confederacy too large to trifle with. They are so large that they /must/ be trifled with. Both the Union and Confederacy circle my holdings, considering how best to assimilate them into their own. Their leaders understand the danger inherent to allowing me to continue, which is why they demand my subjugation or destruction. When it comes to the survival of the Neo-Saiyans, there is no good, no evil. Only victory or defeat."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"My deal with the Confederacy gives me complete control of my empire. They cannot order my Saiyans or order me to do anything that puts me in conflict with my Saiyans or my ideals. This allows me to function under the Confederacy however I please, and also benefit from their resources and their protection from the Union. However, ultimately, I intend for the Saiyan Empire to be a neutral body with largely people who aren't neutral. This gives us complete protection from both ends of the spectrum, and it entirely avoids civil war because the Saiyans will not be ordered to turn against their own people." Vegeta starts to quickly inhale a large bowl of noodles, looking up at Kakarot.

"But my immortality... well, I'm not entirely sure how long I'll have that. But this is a matter for me to discuss with Serori. As I said, I was young and short-sighted." He stares down into his bowl, exhaling. "I am not subjugated by the Confederacy. As you've seen by Dracula's actions on the day I tried to kill you, that was one of the rare moments where our interests were in direct conflict. And they know very well that I will not follow their orders at such a time. When that moment comes, we are enemies."

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"The ability to crush you into the ground and kill you in a single blow made an excellent impression on me as to how much they value your presence and opinion, Vegeta, as well as your capacity to resist would you engage in full rebellion." Kakarot replies, his voice flat. "Are you sure you should not be working with /me/, Vegeta? It is only a matter of time. They do not understand you our our people. They see us as raging barbarians, and even Serori's loyalty seems to be... divided. When it comes down to it, Vegeta, which is she going to choose, The Confederacy or her people? Do you even understand how insidious the influence is?"

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"I understand very well what you mean, and I've considered Serori's loyalty many times. But I understand her loyalty, and I understand why Dracula did what he did. Their priority was stopping the assault, and I was not concerned with it because I wanted to kill you. It was admittedly not a proud moment for me." Vegeta grabs two oranges, then flexes his fingers as the peeling just flies off. "But if the Confederacy truly betrayed us, she would be with us. I do not doubt this for a moment. But the Confederacy is -not- subjugation, it's more like a super nation of many worlds. The leader, Dracula, his position is simply to keep it all organized, and keep Confederate business running smoothly. If I truly wanted to, as long as I left their territory alone, I could function within the Confederacy while throwing them the occasional favor. But I work with them, and I help them, because the benefits are many."

He motions one of his oranges at Kakarot, before taking a large bite out of it. "If you're going to do what I suggested, and you said you are, then the Union won't bother you, and if you stay away from Confederate worlds, the Confederacy won't bother you either. You can exist with complete autonomy when you understand these two things. They don't want to subjugate you, they want to know for sure that you aren't a problem. If you listen to me, if you can see it in you to -trust- my opinion, then I can assure the safety of our people."

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"Allow me to make a prediction, Vegeta." Kakarot replies. "The Confederacy is going to value the life of one lizard over that of the entirety of my Empire. I am convinced of your motivations. The question is if the Confederacy will be as loyal to your goals when it is time to put them to the test. Consider what those benefits are worth when the time comes."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"Let's assume for the moment that what you're saying could possibly be the case..." Vegeta squeezes a banana and it simply launches into his mouth from the peel. "If you intend to survive outside of the Confederacy, this is -still- your best option. If you go against either faction on your own, you are dooming our people to certain destruction. If you listen to me, you at least have a chance to show that you're willing to cooperate for the sake of peace and stay out of their way. If you truly believe yourself to be a reasonable person, then consider that I may hold the key to our survival."

He suddenly stands, brushing his gloved hands off on a napkin, then wipes his mouth. "I intend to rule the Neo-Saiyans one day, so I would not say anything to put them in danger. Though, on an unrelated note, you'll soon have a test courtesy of myself. Though I won't spoil the surprise." He smiles in that sinister way that only he seems to be capable of. "But I still look forward to fighting you, to the death or otherwise. I have never gotten to fight a Super Saiyan Kakarot, nor one who could still take his Oozaru form."

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"I believe you. But your rule of the Neo-Saiyans remains to be seen. You have given me some useful information, and I will make full use of it. Thank you for your time, Vegeta. You have showns surprising sides of yourself tonight." He stands, and nods to Vegeta. " I will look forward to your challenge, no matter what form it takes."