CHAPTER 11: WHAT MAKES IT A RIGHT?

The hum of the ship’s engines was a constant, steady rhythm as Truffle’s vessel cut through the void of space. The group sat scattered in the ship’s lounge, a rare moment of calm before they reached their destination. The interior of the ship was sleek and functional, with a modern design emphasizing efficiency over extravagance. The lounge’s walls were lined with storage compartments and subtle lighting that gave the room a warm yet utilitarian feel.

Vegeta stood near a viewport, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the stars streaking past. The glass was reinforced, offering a clear view of the endless expanse of space. Nearby, Tarble sat on one of the padded benches built into the room’s corners, clearly hesitant, as if deciding whether to speak.

At the center of the room sat Truffle in a chair surrounded by holographic projections. The glowing displays floated in midair, cycling through data streams, star charts, and logs of her research. Her chair was part of a control panel embedded into the floor, with multiple interfaces allowing her to access the ship’s systems and monitor their journey. She leaned back, arms crossed, her eyes sharp and focused, as if weighing the worth of the group before her.

From the cockpit, the faint sound of Meelo’s beeping occasionally drifted into the lounge. The spherical droid hovered calmly in place, his optical lens glowing faintly as he monitored the ship’s systems. The controls were fully automated under his supervision, with the ship navigating its course towards the South Quadrant. Through the transparent partition separating the lounge from the cockpit, rows of blinking lights and a panoramic screen displayed their trajectory, the soft glow casting subtle reflections on Meelo’s metallic surface as he hummed a cheery tune to himself.

Finally, it was Tarble who broke the silence. “It’s strange…Cooler told me that all of our people were gone. That no one survived the destruction of Planet Vegeta except for a few like you, Nappa, and Kakarot. But now, there are more of us out there. A whole clan, even.”

Vegeta didn’t look away from the stars. “I thought the same,” he admitted, his voice low. “Raditz and Nappa were the only ones I knew survived, and even they didn’t last long. Raditz got himself killed by Kakarot and Piccolo. As for Nappa…I killed him myself.”

Tarble flinched slightly at the bluntness. “But they were still Saiyans. Our people. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

Vegeta turned to face his younger brother, his expression unreadable. “It didn’t back then. I was ruthless—a monster. I cared only for power, for conquest. I killed Nappa because he failed me, and I felt nothing about it. That’s who I was.”

“And now?” Tarble pressed, his voice trembling. “Would you do the same now?”

“No,” Vegeta’s gaze softened, ever so slightly. “I’ve changed. I’ve seen the price of that kind of thinking. Compassion was something I learned…painfully, over time. I wouldn’t have survived without it.”

Tarble’s brow furrowed, his voice low but tense. “And yet…Kakarot killed Raditz. His own brother. What kind of bond do Saiyans really have if that’s what we do to each other? What about me, Vegeta? If I hadn’t listened to you back then—if I’d stayed on Cooler’s side—would you have killed me too?”

For a moment, Vegeta didn’t answer. His jaw tightened as if struggling to suppress the truth. Finally, he exhaled deeply. “Perhaps. If you’d found me when I was still that man, perhaps I would have.” He glanced at Tarble, his tone firm. “But you’re here now. You survived. And I will not fail you as I once failed our people.”

The air hung heavy between the brothers until Truffle’s voice cut through the tension. “You speak of failure, Vegeta, but tell me this: If you were king back then, would you have been any different?”

Vegeta turned toward her, his eyes narrowing. 

Truffle leaned forward, her tone sharp. “You’re so quick to dismiss this Turles guy as some saiyan unworthy of the title of King. But what gives you the right to claim it? What makes you think you’d be any better?”

Vegeta’s scowl deepened. “The bloodline of kings runs through me. Turles has no such claim.”

“And yet your bloodline didn’t stop your people from destroying my planet,” Truffle said, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of pain. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms, her gaze focused on Vegeta. “I grew up learning about the Saiyan-Tuffle War. My people preserved what little history we could after the Saiyans conquered our world. It was said you arrived as refugees, seeking a new home—but it didn’t stay that way.”

Her eyes darkened as she continued, carefully choosing her words. “The Saiyans turned on us. You waged war against my people, slaughtered us, and took everything. Our cities, our technology—our lives. You didn’t just fight us; you hunted us to near extinction. My ancestors barely survived by fleeing across the stars. I’ve read the stories, heard the accounts of those who lived through it. Growing up, I couldn’t understand how anyone could be so cruel.”

She exhaled deeply, as though trying to keep her emotions in check. “You say the bloodline of kings runs through you. Maybe it does. But that same bloodline didn’t stop the atrocities your kind committed. And let’s not forget—your brother shares that same bloodline, doesn’t he? So tell me, Vegeta, if you hadn’t changed… if your path had stayed the same… would you truly be any different from Turles?”

The room was silent as Vegeta’s fists clenched at his sides. He didn’t respond immediately, his mind racing with memories he’d buried long ago.

Vegeta’s voice was low, almost a growl. “I’ve faced my past. I don’t need you to remind me of it.”

Truffle didn’t back down. “I’ve seen what’s out there, Vegeta. If you want to stop them, then prove you’re different. Prove you’re worthy of the title you cling to so tightly.”

The tension between them was palpable, but before Vegeta could respond, Broly’s voice broke through.

“Vegeta...”

Both turned to see Broly and Gohan sitting off to the side, watching the exchange. Broly’s tone was calm, almost hesitant. “Fighting each other won’t change anything.”

Gohan nodded in agreement, raising a hand in a lighthearted gesture, a small smile tugging at his lips as though hoping to diffuse the tension. “Broly’s right. Let’s save the energy for where it really matters.”

Truffle exhaled sharply, stepping back and glancing toward the stars outside the viewport. “He’s right. We’ll be arriving in the South Quadrant soon. I know someone there—an old Patrol member who might have answers. If anyone knows where Turles and his Saiyans are hiding, it’ll be them. Let’s hope they can help.”

As the ship continued its journey through the stars, Gohan turned back to Broly, grateful for the chance to break the tension. “I didn’t get to say this before, but I’m glad you’re here with us, Broly.”

Broly’s expression softened. “Thank you. Your father…I admire him. Part of me wishes my father cared for me the way yours cared for you.”

Gohan frowned, sensing the weight of Broly’s words. “Your father, Paragus… he pushed you too far. But you’re stronger now, and you’ve made your own path.”

Broly hesitated. “Even so…I still cared for him. If someone had taken him from me, I would have fought to get him back, no matter what.”

Gohan nodded, understanding. “It’s not easy. But you’ve got us now. We’re in this together.”

Broly gave a small, grateful smile, and the two sat in companionable silence as the ship streaked through the stars, carrying them closer to their next battle—and the answers they all sought.

___________

Writer’s Note:
This chapter takes a tense turn, and that was entirely intentional. I wanted to highlight a central question driving this story: What makes someone truly worthy of power? Royalty, as a concept, fascinates me. What defines a ruler’s worth? Is it nobility, a divine connection, the weight of legacy—or something else entirely?

I wanted to explore this idea through Vegeta, the “prince of no one.” Here’s a character whose surviving Saiyan peers now bow to someone without royal blood—and not to him. This dynamic challenges Vegeta on a deeply personal level, forcing him to reflect: If I were given the throne, would I truly be worthy? It’s a question that pushes him to confront his past, examine his growth, and consider what it truly means to lead.

Note (2025):
From this point forward, the story enters uncharted territory for returning readers. The original version of Chapter 10 was posted on February 3rd, 2023, and that marked the last chapter I shared—until now. In 2025, I’m thrilled to finally bring you new material. While the core of the story remains intact, I’ve added significant details to enrich the narrative, including the inclusion of Tarble and Broly, who bring added depth to the story.

I’m genuinely excited for both new and returning readers to explore this updated journey. After fine-tuning the story to a point where I’m truly proud of it, I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you all. Thank you for being part of this experience!