Chapter 21: The transaction
In partnership with Capsule Corp, Kaelor managed to acquire a spaceship. He understood that a ship was not just a means of transportation but a symbol of status and reliability.
After all, how could he inspire confidence when dealing with aliens in negotiations if he didn't even own a ship of his own?
This was the current scenario. The Arcosians, an alien species associated with Freeza's army, were known for mediating planetary trade in exchange for technology or contracts.
Kaelor needed a planet, and the Arcosians were his best option.
Sitting in a floating chair in his spaceship's cabin, Kaelor stared at a holographic panel while discussing with a green-skinned Arcosian who wore a mask.
He got straight to the point. With a calculated smile, he declared:
"Let's get to the point: I need the planet known as Lumora in exchange for a contract."
The Arcosian, with a neutral expression, assessed the proposal before replying:
"The planet is available for trade. However, the contract involves elimination. I want you to get rid of the alien Nakorad."
Kaelor remained calm as the Arcosian continued:
"He has been a problem for our Sky Gold routes on the planet Zanthar."
Hearing the mention of Sky Gold, Kaelor frowned slightly. This material, essential as fuel for spaceships, would be a crucial resource for his own ambitions.
However, he knew that associating with these people might attract unwanted attention from Freeza's army.
After some consideration, Kaelor replied confidently:
"Very well. I will deliver Nakorad's head in exchange for the planet Lumora. However, I demand that this transaction remain off the records. I want to avoid Lord Freeza's involvement."
The Arcosian interjected and added:
"You only need the identification chip located in his neck. As long as you bring that, we don't need the head."
After this clarification, the Arcosian bid farewell and ended the transmission.
Following the negotiations, Kaelor allowed himself a moment to relax. As the strongest among the group's members, he had naturally taken on the role of leader of the resistance.
He had reviewed the organization's documents and assessed the situation. To his surprise, the resources were not as scarce as he had imagined.
There were about 5,000 individuals under his leadership, with 80% being Tuffles and 20% Saiyans and other subordinate alien races. It was enough to start a colony but insignificant to found an empire.
Turning to Tarako, the man who was his father in this life, Kaelor smiled:
"Father, you heard the conversation. I'm heading to Zanthar to oversee the Sky Gold route. I need you to manage everything here while I'm gone."
Tarako nodded calmly, exuding the confidence of someone used to handling adversities.
Feeling more at ease, Kaelor prepared his battle spaceship.
As he programmed the destination, Kaelor checked the distance: a three-month journey. Regretful about the time lost, he consoled himself with the fact that, once he found someone with a peculiar Ki, he could return in the blink of an eye.
He activated the cryogenic function and fell asleep as the ship propelled itself toward its destination.
Three months later, Kaelor arrived on the planet Zanthar. The landscape was unique: a vast clay desert under a reddish sky, illuminated by twin suns.
He stepped out of the spaceship and looked around with restrained admiration. He murmured to himself:
"Now this is the sight of an alien planet."
Until then, every planet he had visited had some resemblance to Earth. This landscape, however, was a fascinating anomaly.
He took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever lay ahead, and took his first steps toward the mission that would change his destiny.
Kaelor closed his eyes, focusing on sensing the flow of Ki around him. After a few moments, he detected a formidable energy that stood out from the rest.
Placing his two index fingers on his forehead, he teleported to the source.
When the surroundings materialized around him, Kaelor found himself in a vast space hangar illuminated by artificial lights, casting metallic shadows on the walls.
The sound of operating machinery and distant murmurs filled the environment. He quickly turned to face the individual whose presence he had tracked.
Standing before him was a blue alien with humanoid features, save for the prominent tusks protruding from its mouth.
The alien paused what it was doing and shot him a wary glance.
Kaelor raised a hand in a friendly gesture. "Hello, I come in peace. I'm looking for someone named Nakorad."
The alien crossed its arms, sizing up Kaelor for a moment before cautiously asking, "And why are you looking for this person?"
Kaelor responded with a calculated smile, maintaining his composure.
"That's confidential, but I can assure you my intentions are peaceful."
The alien furrowed its brow, still hesitant, but didn't respond immediately, giving Kaelor time to assess the situation around him.
Curious, the alien asked, "Do you have an interest in Blue Sky trade?"
Kaelor saw an opportunity in the question and decided to follow the conversation's lead. With a slight nod, he replied, "Yes, I do."
The alien sighed in relief before introducing himself. "My name is Nakorad. I'm a Blue Sky trader."
Kaelor let out an unexpected laugh, surprising Nakorad, who raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"
Still smiling, Kaelor commented mockingly, "And the mouse walks right into the cat's trap."
Confused, Nakorad retorted, "Mouse? Cat? What are you talking about?"
Irritated by the lack of understanding, Kaelor snapped, "Are you stupid?!"
But then, as if struck by a realization, he murmured to himself, "Ah... in space, there probably aren't any cats or mice, right?"
Nakorad nodded, still puzzled. "I don't think so. What are they? Are they edible?"
Kaelor blinked, surprised by the question, before giving a sarcastic reply: "Are you of Asian descent or something?"
"Descent of what?" Nakorad asked, completely lost.
Kaelor, already tired of the conversation, decided to end the interaction. He revealed, in a direct tone: "Actually, I'm here for a contract kill. And you, Nakorad, are the target."
Without giving him a chance to react, Kaelor raised his hand and shouted, "Kienzan!"
A spinning golden disk was launched with precision, cutting through Nakorad's neck in one swift motion. The body collapsed to the ground as the head rolled away.
Kaelor calmly approached, retrieving the chip implanted in the alien's neck.
As a precaution, he placed Nakorad's head in a bag, preparing to complete his mission.
Before teleporting away, something caught his attention. In a nearby metallic cart, he saw blue crystals glowing brightly.
"This is Blue Sky, isn't it?" he murmured, intrigued.
As he examined the mineral, the sound of footsteps and voices coming from outside the hangar interrupted his thoughts.
Kaelor quickly adjusted his stance and decided to confront the approaching aliens.
He took a deep breath and murmured to himself, "Time to improvise."
With a confident smile, Kaelor flung the hangar door open with superhuman strength, the booming sound echoing through the area and startling the aliens outside.
He faced them confidently and remarked:
"Hello, everyone! Are you Nakorad's subordinates?"
One of the aliens, hesitant, replied, "Yes, we serve Lord Nakorad. Are you a client?"
Kaelor maintained a friendly expression as he answered, "Lord Nakorad has made an important decision: he's retired and handed over all his trade operations to me."
The alien frowned in confusion and asked, "What?"
Kaelor, keeping a tone of apparent honesty, explained: "It's true. It's all in his will."
Suspicious, the alien insisted, "We need to consult Lord Nakorad about this first."
Kaelor gave a dark smile and pointed toward the interior of the hangar.
"Nakorad isn't exactly available right now. In fact, he's resting over there on the left. Feel free to question him, but I doubt you'll get an answer."
The aliens followed the direction he indicated, and upon spotting Nakorad's headless corpse, they froze in shock.
One of them, now clearly nervous, quickly declared, "At your command, sir! Forgive me, what is your... great name, sir?"
Satisfied with their submission, Kaelor responded with an arrogant smile, "You can call me... Vegeta."
Taking the initiative, the alien introduced himself: "My name is Zarkon, Lord Vegeta. I was in charge of managing the operation for Lord Nakorad."
Kaelor nodded, maintaining control of the situation. "Very well, Zarkon. From now on, every 30 days, I will come here to collect ten carts of Blue Sky. Make sure everything is ready at this location and time. Understood?"
Still stunned, Zarkon nodded vigorously, not daring to question him.
Kaelor then walked over to the rows of carts loaded with Blue Sky crystals. He grabbed the chain linking them together, gripping it firmly before focusing his energy.
With a sudden flash of light and a displacement sound, he teleported directly to where Tarako was, taking the carts with him.
Onboard the spaceship, in a tranquil setting, Tarako anxiously awaited Kaelor's arrival. They had meticulously planned every detail before the mission, but as time passed, he began to wonder if something had gone wrong.
Sighing, Tarako tried to push away his anxiety, but he was startled when Kaelor materialized before him along with a line of carts filled with Blue Sky crystals.
With a confident smile, Kaelor said:
"Hello, father. Please call a team to organize my spoils. I have a meeting scheduled."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and began walking toward the cockpit, leaving Tarako speechless at the sight. Still in shock, Tarako muttered to himself:
"We're rich..."
Kaelor caught the comment in passing and smirked with satisfaction before disappearing down the corridor.
In the spaceship's cockpit, Kaelor settled into the main chair and activated the communication panel.
He contacted the Arcosian responsible for the deal, who answered with a cold and calculating expression.
Without delay, Kaelor displayed his accomplishment, holding up Nakorad's head for the camera.
"Here's your target. Can we consider the transaction complete now?"
The Arcosian carefully examined the "trophy" before responding:
"I need the identification chip."
With a slightly irritated expression, Kaelor handed over the requested item while muttering:
"Here's your damned chip. Seriously, what happened to classic mercenary aesthetics? Now even a simple target needs a chip?"
Ignoring the sarcastic remark, the Arcosian gave an affirmative gesture and declared:
"The transaction is complete. The planet Lumora is now yours."
Without any farewell or formality, he abruptly ended the call.
Kaelor let out a sigh, a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion, leaning back in the chair as he stared at the now-dark panel. Another victory for him.