Chapter 22: The planet lumora
A spaceship advanced silently toward a bluish planet, gliding under the light of a solar system with two bright suns.
The view of the celestial body was majestic, reflecting soft hues that contrasted with the dark void of space.
Kaelor, observing the scene through one of the ship's windows, murmured softly,
"So, this is the planet Lumora? It's perfect."
Beside him, Tarako, his right-hand man and father figure, displayed a slight smile of satisfaction. He understood how much this moment meant to Kaelor.
With a firm motion of his arm, Kaelor commanded the Tuffle pilot,
"Let's land near that old coastal city."
The ship responded with a sharp sound, and an intense beam of light descended toward the surface. Slowly, the immense vessel landed, stirring up dust and echoing a metallic noise that reverberated through the environment.
In a ruined building near the coast, a small community of aliens watched the bright beam in the sky with wide eyes.
Fear quickly spread among them.
An elderly woman with green skin, her face lined with wrinkles that spoke of decades of wisdom and suffering, murmured with a trembling voice,
"They've returned... Prepare for conflict."
Silence fell heavily over the group, broken only by the distant sound of the spaceship now resting on Lumorian soil.
When the ship's hatch opened, Kaelor took a deep breath of the planet's air, feeling the pure and slightly dense oxygen fill his lungs. He sighed, appreciating the atmosphere, which seemed alive with energy.
Suddenly, he sensed a significant concentration of Ki on the horizon. Without hesitation, he raised two fingers to his forehead, focused, and vanished in an instant.
Kaelor materialized next to the elderly green-skinned woman, catching everyone off guard. The group of aliens instinctively stepped back, alarmed.
A bearded man, also with green skin, raised a rudimentary rifle and shouted firmly,
"Don't come any closer, invader! We'll defend our home to the last man!"
Kaelor raised his hands in a gesture of peace, a serene smile on his face.
"That's the kind of spirit I admire. Very well! You'll be a valuable addition to the Kaelor Force."
The man hesitated, his tone still cautious.
"Are you saying... you want to enslave us?"
Kaelor frowned, genuinely surprised by the suggestion.
"Enslave? No, not at all. I want you to join my organization. This planet will be my home in the near future, and I need people to protect it and help it thrive."
The aliens, who identified themselves as natives of Lumora and survivors of a genocide committed by space pirates, began to relax. However, mistrust still lingered in the air.
To them, Kaelor's words seemed too good to be true.
Understanding that trust isn't built overnight, Kaelor chose to be patient. He gave clear instructions:
"Meet near the ship at sunset. We'll discuss how we can work together."
Without waiting for a reply, he vanished again, returning to the ship and appearing next to Tarako.
"Father, here's the plan for the city I've designed," Kaelor said, handing over a hologram with a detailed diagram. His expression was calm but determined.
Tarako activated the hologram, which projected a three-dimensional map of the city. Bright lines outlined the structure of the new society the young half-saiyan envisioned.
The bluish light reflected on Tarako's face as he analyzed the project attentively.
"Impressive…" Tarako murmured, while Kaelor crossed his arms with a slight smile of pride.
The hologram detailed each sector of the city:
The Heart of the City – The Administrative Center
At the center of the map rose the Administrative Center, symbolized by a circular building with a transparent dome that gleamed under Lumora's sun.
"This will be the seat of power," Kaelor explained, pointing to the hologram.
"The command room and my residence will be in this building. This is where we'll make the most important decisions."
Surrounding the central building, several smaller structures were arranged in harmony. Tarako noticed that each had a specific function, from diplomacy to military logistics.
The Houses of the People – The Residential District
Kaelor gestured to the area encircling the center.
"This is where Lumorians and other inhabitants will live. The Residential District is designed to accommodate different species."
In the hologram, houses of varying designs were connected by tree-lined streets, with communal gardens scattered between the blocks.
What stood out the most was the variety in housing: some homes were underground, others perched atop trees, and some floated slightly above the ground, supported by anti-gravitational technology.
The Forge of Progress – The Industrial and Technological District
At the outskirts of the map, a sector stood out with its robust and functional structures.
Chimneys emitted clean vapor, and automated assembly lines could be seen in operation within the hologram.
"This is the heart of Lumora's technological advancement. Here, we'll build weapons, vehicles, and everything else we need to defend ourselves and thrive."
The Field of Warriors – The Military Training Area
Kaelor moved the hologram, enlarging the view of a vast open plain surrounded by watchtowers.
"Every great empire needs a well-trained military. This field will be the cradle of our warriors."
In the hologram, simulated figures trained in duels, while others practiced with advanced weaponry.
Tarako observed silently, acknowledging the importance of this area.
The Commerce of Harmony – Market and Trade
In the heart of the lower city, a vibrant marketplace took shape.
"This will be the place where our inhabitants can prosper economically. Tuffles, Saiyans, Lumorians, and other aliens will trade here in peace."
Kaelor pointed to the organized and colorful pavilions displayed in the hologram.
The Invisible Walls – Defensive Infrastructure
The map zoomed in on the city's outer perimeter, where watchtowers were strategically positioned. Blue energy barriers flickered on the hologram.
"These towers will generate a defense field around the city, protecting it from invaders."
The Starport – Spaceport
Near the coast, the hologram displayed a massive semi-circular structure jutting out over Lumora's blue ocean.
"This will be the Spaceport. We need a solid connection to the universe out there, but it will be heavily monitored."
The Green Future – Agricultural and Sustainability Area
Finally, Kaelor shifted the hologram to display the lands beyond the city, where vast green fields and hydroponic facilities shimmered under the sun.
"Here, we'll grow food and produce renewable energy. Lumora will be self-sufficient."
Tarako closed the hologram and looked at Kaelor, his grave expression softening into a slight smile.
"You've really thought of everything, kid. If we can bring this to life, Lumora will be more than a base. It'll be a home."
Kaelor, his gaze determined, replied,
"A home... and the first step to an empire."
Hearing Kaelor's words, Tarako smiled and commented in a light but direct tone,
"We're going to need a lot of manpower and resources to build all this infrastructure. I think it's time you brought in the rest of the resistance... or rather, the Kaelor Force."
The mention of the resistance brought to Kaelor's mind the image of a strong and determined woman: his mother, Liryn.
She had led so many over the years, protecting them and keeping hope alive.
"It's time," he thought, bringing two fingers to his forehead. Focusing on Liryn's ki, he concentrated, feeling her presence like a warm flame in the distance, before vanishing with a soft pop.
When Kaelor opened his eyes, the scene had completely changed. He was now in a spacious hangar, where the metallic walls echoed with the sounds of machines and anxious voices.
In front of him stood a stream of people—aliens of various races and ages—holding hands, waiting patiently and expectantly.
Liryn, standing at the front of the group, stood out immediately. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Kaelor, and a gentle smile softened the tension on her face.
"You're back." Her voice carried a mix of relief and pride.
Kaelor nodded, keeping his gaze steady. "I'm back, and everything's ready. We can leave."
Liryn stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"So, this is it? The beginning of a new chapter?"
He nodded again, a determined spark in his eyes.
"Yes. Let's go to our new home."
Liryn turned to the group behind her and gestured for everyone to prepare.
"Hold onto him, everyone. Kaelor will take us there."
Kaelor extended his arms, allowing the group to form a physical connection with him, creating a network of hands and shared hope.
As the touches spread, he felt their trust—and the weight of the responsibility he carried.
Taking a deep breath, he focused again, visualizing Tarako's familiar ki on the planet Lumora.
The world around them blurred into streaks of light and energy before, in the blink of an eye, they materialized on the surface of their new home.
The group looked around in awe. The fresh air, the blue sky with two suns shining brightly, and the vastness of a world ready to be rebuilt filled them with emotion.
Liryn smiled once more, this time at the horizon, as if seeing the future ahead.
"Well, son, I think it's time for us to get started."
Kaelor looked at her, the same determined glint in his eyes as before.
"Yes, it's time."
In King Vegeta's palace, a tense atmosphere hung in the air. Murmurs echoed through the halls as a heated discussion took place in the throne room.
Before the king, a gray-haired advisor cloaked in a heavy mantle spoke firmly but cautiously:
"My lord, I believe the best course of action is to surrender the prince. Lord Frieza is far too powerful; we cannot face him on equal footing."
King Vegeta's face twisted with rage, and his voice thundered through the hall:
"Surrender my own blood to that miserable wretch?! That would make me worse than an animal!"
The advisor, though shaken by the king's tone, maintained his composure and replied coldly:
"Your Majesty rules over the fate of more than a million Saiyan warriors. You cannot afford to be naive."
The room fell silent for a moment. The weight of the advisor's words seemed to press down on King Vegeta, who clenched his fists and averted his gaze.
His face reflected the internal struggle between his pride and his sense of duty. Finally, he sighed deeply, his voice heavy with resignation:
"Very well..." he began with effort. "I will hand my son over to Frieza."
Despite his apparent compliance, the king's eyes burned with suppressed fury.
Sensing the growing tension, the advisor decided to change the subject. Holding a holographic device, he accessed a report and began to read:
"My king, there is a matter that requires your attention. On the planet Zhantar, rumors suggest a rogue Saiyan has assumed a false identity and is extorting the natives in the name of Frieza's army."
King Vegeta frowned, clearly irritated.
"Eliminate that scum immediately! What are you waiting for?"
The advisor offered a calculated smile and replied calmly:
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for... a diversion. This Saiyan appears to be a low-class warrior. What do you think about turning this into a personal hunt?"
The advisor's words ignited something in King Vegeta's eyes. The idea of a hunt—a chance to release his anger and reassert his authority—was tempting.
He leaned back in his throne, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"A hunt..." he murmured. "Yes, that could be interesting. This impostor will make a fine target to relieve some stress."
Rising from his throne with renewed determination, King Vegeta gazed out at the horizon through the throne room's grand window.
"Prepare my armor. Let's show this traitor the true power of a Saiyan."