The alien's frail body shivered as Raditz approached, its eyes wide with a mixture of fear and relief. It looked barely conscious, but there was a desperation in its voice that made Raditz pause.
"Help me…" the alien repeated, its words coming out in a weak rasp.
Raditz studied the creature. It was small, about half his height, with smooth blue skin and large, almond-shaped eyes. Its body was hunched over, and its limbs appeared delicate, like they couldn't support its own weight.
This is no warrior. Whatever it is, it's not a threat, Raditz thought. Still, he kept his guard up. There were too many unknowns.
The alien's gaze flicked nervously to the ship's controls, and then back to Raditz. "They're coming… I I'm not alone…"
"Who is?" Raditz's voice was cold, his hands clenched into fists. He didn't have time for unnecessary risks. If the creature was a distraction or some kind of trap, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate it.
"I… I escaped… they… they're chasing me…" The alien's voice trailed off as it slumped again. It looked to be on the verge of collapse.
Raditz hesitated. His survival instincts told him to leave the alien behind, but the mention of pursuit intrigued him. Was this creature part of some larger threat? A part of Frieza's forces?
"Get up," Raditz commanded, bending down to lift the alien. Its eyes widened in fear, but it made no attempt to resist. It was too weak, barely able to stay conscious.
Raditz took the alien to the ship's medbay, placing it on the table. His hand hovered over its fragile body. "Speak, and I'll help you. But I won't waste time on someone who can't even explain themselves."
The alien's breathing was shallow, but it seemed to regain some strength as Raditz gave it a moment to collect itself. Finally, it spoke again.
"I'm a survivor. From a planet… far from here. My people… we were taken by them. Their leader is called Korrath… an invader, a tyrant like Frieza. He destroys everything." The alien's voice was trembling, but there was a fire in its eyes now. "I managed to escape his ship, but I don't know how long I can hide from him. He has the power of a thousand soldiers. His forces will stop at nothing to find me."
Raditz's eyes narrowed. Korrath? Another tyrant, like Frieza?
"Where is he now?" Raditz asked.
The alien swallowed hard, its blue lips trembling. "I… I don't know. He's in search of something, a powerful artifact. If he finds it, no one will be able to stop him."
"Artifact?" Raditz's interest piqued. An artifact of power could be the leverage he needed. "What kind of artifact?"
"I don't know much. It's… it's ancient, rumored to grant unimaginable power to its wielder. He's been searching the galaxy for years, and my people were his latest target. We were trying to stop him, but…" The alien's voice cracked. "We failed."
Raditz's mind raced. Another tyrant… another potential threat. But if I can learn more about this artifact, maybe I can use it to my advantage.
"What's your name?" Raditz asked.
The alien hesitated. "My name is Zalor."
"Zalor." Raditz nodded. "You'll come with me. We're headed to Namek, and you'll have a chance to escape Korrath. But if you don't pull your weight, I'll leave you behind."
Zalor nodded weakly, but there was a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you…"
Raditz turned away, already moving back toward the cockpit. Korrath, huh? I'll have to be careful. I can't afford to let anything interfere with my plans. But this could be useful. If I can track down this artifact before Korrath does, it might give me the edge I need to stay ahead of Frieza.
Over the next few days, Raditz continued his journey toward Namek, all the while keeping his energy suppressed. Zalor proved to be a helpful companion, though mostly silent, as he seemed to be recovering from his ordeal. Raditz made sure to keep the alien occupied, teaching him the basics of ki manipulation and survival skills, just in case Korrath's forces found them.
Zalor had knowledge of the stars, and he was able to direct Raditz toward ancient space maps that detailed rumored locations of powerful artifacts. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
One night, as the two sat in the ship's small galley, Zalor spoke up. "The artifact… it's said to be hidden on a forgotten planet, a world lost to time. It's not on Namek, but there's a chance it could lead us there."
Raditz looked up, his interest piqued. "Tell me more."
Zalor shifted nervously. "I don't have exact coordinates, but there are legends stories passed down by my people. The artifact is known as the 'Heart of the Cosmos.' If Korrath finds it, he could rewrite reality itself. But if someone else obtains it, they could reshape the universe."
Raditz leaned back in his seat, considering the implications. A universe-shaping artifact. This could be the tool I need to ensure my survival, to rise above Frieza's reign and take control of my own destiny.
His mind raced with possibilities, each more enticing than the last. The stakes were higher than ever. He wasn't just fighting to survive anymore he was fighting for power, for control. And with the Heart of the Cosmos, he could finally make a stand against the tyrants of the universe.
But first, he needed to survive Korrath's forces and get to Namek.
Raditz could feel it the subtle shift in the air. A faint disturbance, barely detectable but undeniable.
They're coming.
Zalor had said it would be only a matter of time before Korrath's forces found them, and now Raditz could feel the tension building. The faint ripple in the fabric of space, like an unseen predator closing in.
He moved to the ship's console, his fingers flying over the controls. The stars outside blurred as the freighter's hyperdrive hummed to life.
"We're leaving," Raditz announced. "Hold on."
Zalor looked up, confusion on his face. "Where are we going?"
"To Namek," Raditz said simply. "And from there, we'll deal with Korrath. But first, we need to get off this ship and fast."
The faint power signature was growing stronger. Raditz didn't need to know who it was. He could feel the energy of the approaching pursuers, closing in fast.
With a jolt, the freighter shot forward, leaving the unknown pursuers in the distance. But Raditz knew this was only the beginning.