"Alright. Zeck, go to your father and tell him to get ready to launch the spaceships within the hour." I ordered.
"But Dad said-" Zeck began arguing. He probably wanted to say that it was going to be nearly impossible. I already knew that. Doctor Hyperion expected to have several days.
"Go!" I roared. Zeck practically leapt out of his chair and raced away, having never heard me raise my voice before. The rest of my team was shocked, too. I'd never needed to raise my voice before. My team respected me and followed me because they respected me, so they generally listened to what I had to say without argument.
Now, though, I needed everyone to listen to me without hesitation. There was a hard edge to my voice as I gave my orders.
"Keep your power levels pushed as low as possible, so that they won't catch you on their scouters." I said, standing up, "Meanwhile, you guys need to help the doctor get the evacuees into the ships, while I keep them busy."
"Alone?! Tarble, that's basically suicide!" Tommy shouted.
"No way!" The other three voiced their concerns at the same time. But I thumped my hand on the table to stop them.
"You guys aren't in their league. You'll just slow me down."
"And you're not on their level either, Tarble! We may not be able to sense energy as easily as you, but even we can tell that much. Fighting them alone is suicide." Lynn argued.
"Yeah, you're right." I agreed with a shrug, "But fighting them with dead weight holding me back is even more dangerous." There wasn't any other way to put it. They all looked down at the table, their ki signatures fluctuating with the rage that came with knowing that I was right.
But it didn't change the facts. "I won't let you fight them alone! I'm coming with you, whether you want me to or not!" Pepper shouted, standing up with a fire in her eyes that came from an unbreakable will.
In response, I stared her in the eyes, and nodded.
Then, Pepper collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut. Tater, who'd chopped her on the neck from behind, caught her limp body in a princess carry.
"Be careful, Tarble." He told me. I could always count on Tater, "We'll help the evacuation, but when Pepper wakes up…"
"Do what you can to stop her. Try to keep your power levels low." I replied, "Thanks, Tater."
"If we sense you dying, we won't hesitate, Tarble."
"Man, don't you miss just being nine, Tater?" I muttered. He responded with a smirk and a shrug.
…
I blasted off.
The seven Saiyans were landing in a separate area from the guy who I was pretty sure was Dodoria, and they were slightly closer to Celatus, too, which meant that they'd land about five minutes or so sooner. I chose to wait, masking my power a bit, but only around ten, fifteen percent. Still enough to put me far beyond anything else on this planet.
Whether they were looking for someone or on an extermination mission on a weak planet, the protocol on what to do was clear. The invader in question was to turn on their scouter and find the highest power level they could, then work down from there until they found what they were looking for, or everyone was dead.
I was the only power level on this planet that broke one thousand, even including the rest of my teammates.
Within ten minutes of their touching down, I could feel seven large ki signatures zooming to my location at a blistering speed that I'd probably have a bit of trouble matching. I looked up for a moment, towards where I could still sense Dodoria's energy, noticeably clearer than it'd been before.
"Prince Tarble, I am Captain Ricot of the Saiyan Second Prince Reconnaissance Squad. We are under express orders to bring you back to Planet Vegeta, dead or alive. Do not resist!" I spared a look over my shoulder. Seven Saiyans, flying in formation.
I couldn't help but smirk. This may just be the last time I ever see members of the Saiyan Army flying together, carrying out my father's orders. I found myself savoring it, even through the danger. "And what would happen to me if I surrendered?"
"That's not for us to say! If you don't come quietly, though, I will not hold back!"
"Trust me, you won't get to. But… You've got one thing wrong." I said, holding my hand out in front of me.
"Forget it, Prince. There is nothing that you can do to escape your punishment. I suggest you don't fight it."
"You know, for a Saiyan, you're a pretty formal guy. Too bad I'm not your opponent here." And with that, the ground beneath me exploded into dust.