"Order received. Commencing message playback," the AI promptly responded.
"Hello, my dear son! If you're listening to this message, I'm sincerely hoping that your ships have successfully made it to a hospitable planet located in the Sakara sector. I can only imagine the whirlwind of emotions you must be feeling right now, a mix of confusion and anger perhaps, finding yourself in an alien environment, far removed from the heat of the battle that you so bravely faced back home. However, I implore you to trust in my judgment. I assure you that there was a compelling reason for this seemingly drastic action. Given the circumstances, I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of time to pen down a detailed letter, so I've entrusted SAGE with the task of uploading the most recent war reports, detailed logs, and strategic deployment charts onto the support ship that we meticulously prepared for your journey.
Now, about the matter of the ships, I have a bone to pick with you! I've heard through the grapevine that you had the audacity to pilfer an attack pod from my vessel for your little experiments. You even flew your prototype and conveniently erased the logs to prevent me from finding out? After your hilarious prank on SAGE, he's been compelled to maintain a separate backup dedicated solely to your adventurous endeavors. I can't help but wonder if I've been too lenient in my parenting?"
Orach, upon hearing these words from his mother, felt a wave of dread wash over him. His face turned as pale as a sheet, and a cold shiver ran down his spine, just at the mere thought of the severe punishment his mother would have in store for him given his recent antics. Diana, an observer to this spectacle, was taken by surprise upon hearing the stern reprimand from Orach's mother. This was her first insight into Orach's more playful and mischievous side. Observing his reaction to his mother's stern words, she could clearly see that he was genuinely afraid of his mother's disciplinary measures. She almost broke into fits of laughter witnessing his reaction but managed to maintain her composure and continued attentively listening to the rest of the letter.
"I swear, young one, the next time our paths cross, I guarantee you a thorough thrashing. But let's return to the matter at hand. We've observed that despite our alliance's victories on the front lines in the battle against the corrupted, our Saiyan warriors are suffering heavy casualties. I have a growing suspicion that Sevich's underlying objective was to lure the Division Captains and the Elites of our race into the open, with the intention to either corrupt them or eliminate them. I had initially retreated to tend to your wounds, but in hindsight, it seems our withdrawal might have been a strategic advantage, even with the cost of your injuries. My boy, based on the patterns and intelligence reports we've been analyzing, I have strong reasons to believe that Sevich is planning to invade Sadala. Although we cannot confirm this with absolute certainty, the odds are high, especially considering Vegeta's downfall and the shocking revelation that King Vegeta has sworn allegiance to Evil God Sevich, effectively becoming his apostle."
Upon hearing this unexpected piece of news, Orach wasn't taken aback. He had prior knowledge about the King of Vegeta and his self-serving, exceedingly arrogant demeanor. This was, after all, the man who had exiled his father, his father's loyal squad, and their respective families from their homeland, Vegeta.
"Knowing you as I do, I imagine you wouldn't be as surprised as others might be. It's important to note that Sevich only appeared after the Saiyan God ascended to the God's realm. This timing strongly suggests that he was closely watching Sadala from the beginning, patiently waiting for the right moment to make his move. Given these circumstances, our division, in cooperation with your father and his capable squad, will be under my direct command. We will lead the remaining elite forces on Sadala, who will be on standby. Should Sevich manage to penetrate our defense lines, it is us who will make a firm stand against him. I would rather wish for you to stand with us in these trying times, but I hold a firm belief that your father and I possess the strength to defeat the traitor. Therefore, I have a different mission in mind for you. "Despite your mischievous nature, a trait that is as endearing as it is exasperating and which we all know only too well, my son, you have proven time and time again that you stand out as the most intrepid, the most courageous among us," began Gula, her voice ringing out with a commanding tone that was as awe-inspiring as it was authoritative, her presence radiating the undeniable, palpable aura of a Division Captain.
"Science Officer Orach," the message started, the words spoken with the unmistakable authority and commanding presence of the Division Captain of the Strategic Division, a role she had earned through hard work and determination. "Under my direct command, you are assigned an essential, a vital mission that holds the future of our people in its balance. Your task, your duty, is not only to heal from your wounds, to grow stronger in both body and mind, but also to survey the vast and uncharted Sakara Sector for habitable planets that could potentially serve as new, thriving homes for our survivors. Continue this mission with an unwavering resolve, a relentless determination, until you hear from us." Gula's voice was firm, unwavering, a rock against the tumultuous sea, but a hint of hoarseness, a slight crack in her otherwise stoic demeanor began to creep in towards the end, revealing a sliver of the vulnerability beneath.
"However," she continued, each word carrying the heavy weight of their situation, "in the unlikely event that you do not hear from us, you are ordered to make a life for yourself on one of these habitable planets. Ensure your survival, find love in the vast expanse of the universe, marry, and start a family. It is of paramount importance that our bloodline, our legacy survives. This is your mission." Gula's usually stoic tone began to crack during the last few lines, allowing her raw, unfiltered emotions to seep through, revealing the mother beneath the captain.
The letter ended with a choked voice, a mother's love resonating in every syllable, every pause, "We love you... we believe in you, so my son... live... live on!"
"End of recording," announced the Mother Empress, her voice trembling, shaking with the gravity of the message and the severity of their situation.
As the recording of the letter drew to a close, the sun had already taken its leave for the day, allowing the evening to take its place. The only sound that pierced the quiet tranquility of the night was the gentle whispering of the evening breeze. Orach and Diana found themselves lingering in silence, the weight of the message from Orach's mother hanging heavily in the air. Diana, reached out to hold Orach's hand and nestled her head comfortably on his shoulder. She could perceive the raw strength, the enduring resolve of his mother through the letter. She could sense her determination to shield her home and her loved ones from harm, and her fervent hopes for her son's safety and happiness. A fleeting suspicion that a disaster might have occurred briefly shadowed Diana's thoughts, but she opted to keep her worries unvoiced, choosing instead to lend her silent support to the man beside her.
Diana noticed that Orach seemed lost in thought, his eyes locked onto the the night sky. Closing her eyes, she tried to tap into their bond, desperately seeking some form of connection, but to her dismay, she found nothing. Alarmed, she swiftly opened her eyes and stood up. Taking a step forward, she positioned herself directly in front of Orach. Tenderly grasping his face, she searched his dazed eyes for a moment before leaning in to kiss him.
After what felt like an eternity, she felt a tear mingle with their kiss, and a whirlwind of emotions surged through their shared connection. She pulled away only to find Orach, the formidable warrior who had brought every champion of her world to their knees, in tears. Feeling his sorrow as if it were her own, she did the only thing she could: she hugged him. She held him close, cradling his head against her chest and gently stroked his hair. Orach, comforted by her warm embrace, allowed himself to release his pent-up sorrow. They remained in this intimate embrace until Orach had regained his composure. He then separated himself from her, wiping his tear-streaked face with a handkerchief.
Diana, seeing Orach's somber mood, decided to make an offer. "I think I'll stay a few more days," she proposed, with a softness in her voice. "There's a lot about the city I could show you." She hoped the prospect of exploring together would give him something to look forward to and lift his spirits.
Orach, however, had a different response in mind. "Thanks, Diana. But I'd rather we part ways temporarily now, so that you can return to me sooner and stay by my side for good," he replied, offering a slight but genuine smile that reached his eyes.
"But you're clearly not…" Diana started to protest, her voice filled with concern. However, she was interrupted as Orach pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers in a comforting kiss.
When he pulled away after a moment, he looked deeply into her eyes. "Don't forget, princess, I'm a warrior who's lived through countless battles. Now that I've had a good cry and calmed down with your help, I'm in a better place. So, prepare yourself and catch your flight. I'll manage here. Despite the troubling contents of the letter, I still don't know the full story since the data was on the support ship. So, I'll do just what I was ordered. I'll LIVE. I'll concentrate on my objectives, join forces with Bruce, and even try to enlist the space cop to help me locate the support ship. So, go! Complete your tasks, clear your mind, so that you can join me again wholeheartedly. I want to spend quality time with you, learn about you, even spar and train with you," said Orach, his voice steady and his gaze unwavering.
Diana paused, closing her eyes as she processed his words. When she opened them again, she nodded. She felt his calm assurance and found comfort in it, knowing he would be okay.
After another 30 minutes spent leisurely strolling and talking, they returned to the mansion. Diana said her goodbyes to Bruce and Victor, who wished her well, and was then escorted back to her hotel to change her clothes and retrieve her luggage. She had initially come to Gotham for a museum assignment, but her plans had drastically changed when an unexpected invasion occurred. After a quick change, she was escorted by their ever-reliable butler, Alfred, to the airport.
Once at the airport, she turned to Alfred and said, "Alfred, thank you for looking after me. But I do have a favor to ask. Could you please watch over Orach until I return? Make sure he doesn't miss meals and, since he's new to this world, guide him as he learns about it. I'll try to sort things out on my end as swiftly as possible and return."
Alfred nodded with a warm smile, "It's been a pleasure serving you, Miss. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Master Orach. I owe him for rejuvenating me."
Diana smiled and nodded, stepping into the bustling terminal. She carried with her the comforting certainty that Orach would be well cared for in her absence. She navigated her way through the sea of travelers, the hum of chatter and the clatter of suitcases on the tiled floor creating a familiar symphony of travel. After managing to weave her way through the stringent security checks, she found herself waiting patiently in the spacious boarding area. As soon as her flight was announced, she joined the line of fellow passengers, presenting her boarding pass and making her way onto the aircraft. Settling into her seat, she buckled her seatbelt and looked out of the window, watching as the ground crew made their final checks. Not long after, the engines roared to life, and the flight took off, carving a path through the sky as it embarked on its journey to the historic lands of Greece.