Bringer of Death

Cooler Saga - Part 6: Execution

Cooler Saga - Part 6: Execution 

The scene was one of silent, swirling majesty. The asteroid field created by the moon's destruction, illuminated in the pale light of the blue supergiant, was both wild and beautiful. Two ships, one a saucer-like yacht and the other a sleek black cruiser with gold trim, hovered on the outermost edges of the field. Neither dared to enter the dense cloud of debris just yet, but their scanners were desperately searching for signs of life. The explosion had initially caused interference in their sensors, but they were trying to bring everything back online. On board the Bringer of Death, the crew was downcast. They knew that hope was lost; despite Vegeta's complete domination of Cooler, there was no way he could have survived the destruction of the moon. 

"C47! Are you able to get any kind of reading from Lord Vegeta at all? If we can locate him quickly, perhaps we could get him to the medical bay in time!" Oniya, clearly concerned more than the others, was frantically trying to rescue Vegeta. Something in her still hoped that he would survive. 

"Resigned conclusion: Sadly, my sensors are completely overloaded. I was tuned to the Master's energy signature when the moon blew. Statement: While I can no longer detect him, I can speak with certainty that the blast was not greater than he could survive. If only he weren't hindered by those fragile organs you meatbags possess, he would certainly still remain alive." 

Oniya brushed her hand across the cushioned arm of Vegeta's throne, staring out the window into the void. Why she cared so much, she didn't know. The bridge was silent. 

"Query: Have you tried to get a radio fix on the master's scouter?" the robot asked. "Theory: If he survived, he might be able to send us some kind of message." 

Oniya turned, suddenly daring to hope. "Oh, that's excellent! Quickly, open a search for the scanner signal; let's see if we can't get that broadcast back online."

Cooler, the mighty frost demon, ruler of myriads of planets, had just breathed a deep sigh of relief. He had miraculously emerged the victor against a superior warrior who had him beaten and bloodied. It was especially significant to Cooler because he had never before been victorious when facing such an overwhelming challenge. In fact, he had never faced anything like a Super Saiyan. It was frightening, but he had comforted himself, sure that his victory was now sealed. 

Then, suddenly, he had been jolted out of his relaxation. They were the most startling words he had ever heard, like being rudely awakened from a comfortable sleep. Adrenaline suddenly flooded his bloodstream, ripping him back to reality as he searched frantically for the source of this terrifying voice. 

"Surprised?" the voice spoke through his scouter once again. 

Finally, the frantic frost demon spotted him as the asteroid field parted. Golden light was still rippling around Vegeta's body, boldly announcing his appearance. Not only was the prince of Saiyans grinning, but he was completely unscathed. 

Cooler was stunned. He knew the Saiyans could hold their breath in space for a few minutes - their toughened biology kept the harsh vacuum from damaging them - but the Super Saiyan was floating freely in the newly-created asteroid cloud without the slightest difficulty. The smile on Vegeta's face chilled the frost demon to his very core. "How? How did you survive? Only our clan can live in space without air!" 

Vegeta's voice, transmitted through the scouter, was low and calm but filled with confidence. "I knew you were a coward, Cooler. You're just like your weak and pathetic brother. I knew my power would be more than you could handle. Your fifth form has impressive strength to be sure, but I am a warrior unparalleled in all the universe!" 

"How are you speaking to me, you miserable primate?" Cooler screamed. "It's been too long for you to have held your breath! You should be gasping for air, dying a slow and painful death before my eyes!"