A Project Revived

Where Nervan’s focus was squarely on providing the energy, Budoshi was left to make sure that everything progressed properly. Even though he didn’t put much stock into technology himself, he still had decent knowledge. Less than the average individual of a technologically focused species of course, but noticeably more than the average individual of a non-technologically focused species.

As Nervan requested, Budoshi would begin to relay information as it was available. “Okay, the transfer of energy looks to be working. I can see it going through the funnels and tubes.” Even if he couldn’t see what was happening in the floor, the results were ultimately seen as the contents of Bane’s chamber changed colour. “The preservative is changing colour now, looks to be clearing up!” Now that he could fully see the entity within, Budoshi almost began rattling with excitement. “Awww hell yes dude!” Afterward, the chamber began to heat up as the collected energy began to fuel it. “Final stretch, looks like the energy is being distributed, we might be feeling some rise in temperature soon if my guess is correct!.”

The room began to heat up moments later as Budoshi predicted— it didn’t bother him one bit since he could cool himself if he wanted to, but he was also no stranger to higher temperatures given that his one true rival was a pyrokinetic! Nervan had no visible reaction to the change in temperature, choosing to focus on what they were doing first and foremost; an ironclad conviction to complete this quest.

“They’re moving, it’s working!” Budoshi noted the muscle responses of Bane as the gargantuan being began to react. Eventually the chamber would drain completely, venting steam and heat at the end of the process, after which it would finally open.

Nervan powered down and shuffled their way over to Budoshi just as Bane shot awake fully; though doing so seemed to induce a form of headache. “Woah there Bane, don’t strain yourself.” Though Bane towered over him and to most looked like some sort of freakish monster, Budoshi approached with firm kindness and no fear. “Take it easy.”

Examining Bane for themselves in silence, Nervan found themselves feeling as though they could relate to how he was acting. Like Bane, Nervan was a creation, and their first waking moments were confusing, and somewhat painful— though for potentially different reasons. Even so, Nervan felt a sort of empathy here. All the more reason to safely get Bane out of here; off world if necessary.

Budoshi and Nervan waited patiently for Bane to ‘load’ so to speak. Each of them had their own concerns regarding if this entire process worked properly since they were working with technology that while it had been preserved, it had also been dormant for ages— years if they had to guess.

Slowly, Bane began to move; to test their structure, and so far there seemed to be no issues. With one last breath and exhale, Bane’s eyes opened properly, lacking the cloud of awakening sickness. The first thing that Bane saw or looked with his vision unclouded was Budoshi— and that made sense, Budoshi spoke to Bane just a moment ago.

Bane let out a mighty howl, causing the nearby technology to completely fry and shut down in the wake of his strength. Nervan tilted their head at the utterly trashed energy transference device. Thank goodness they weren’t still using it!

With his gaze trained directly on Budoshi, Bane effectively scooped the Tuffle up into his grasp. “Woah—!” The awakened giant then triumphantly declared that he lived, but not only that. He said Father when referring to Budoshi. It took the Tuffle a second, but he supposed he should have expected that, Guara did mention an imprinting protocol; which meant Bane could be seen as acting similarly to a bird or reptile. “T-that’s right, you live, Bane!” Budoshi actually took it in stride. Maybe Flambréra would laugh at him for basically adopting a really big monster thing, but he didn’t care, anything was better than leaving this poor creature to rot in here or worse— be forced to just be what Guara intended and not something that he chose to be. “C-could you loosen your grip though, please?” Budoshi coughed a little, even though Bane didn’t intend to bring harm, he didn’t fully seem to know his strength. “W-we gotta get a good and proper look at you, after all, and introduce you to a friend of ours.” Budoshi tried his best to gesture to Nervan, who was staring unblinkingly upwards at Bane. “Hello.”

“Hahaha, it’s fine-” Budoshi wheezed a little, but he smiled wide. Bane seemed alright so far, and that was a good sign. “If anything, you’re definitely healthy and strong.” He flexed one of his arms as a sparkle came to his eyes. “I’m also pretty tough. I’ll only get tougher!” Budoshi was already wondering how to teach Bane various aspects of martial arts— maybe even teach the big guy how to step gently yet with purpose, it would pay to lead with a good example!

“Impressive. It is good to know that you are healthy.” Nervan gave a soft nod. “We are glad to have made another friend.” Afterward, Nervan and Budoshi looked to each other after Bane explained their supposed purpose, which Budoshi chose to speak up on. “Fighting against Saiyan invaders specifically and such is all well and good, but what the computers neglected to tell you was the prospect of Saiyan friends. They are two very different things. It may be tough to hear, or maybe even take you a long time to process, but it would be illogical to view all Saiyans in the same way. This is one of my first lessons for you, Bane. You have learned from the computers, now it is time to learn from beyond them.” Budoshi did his best to approach this as if he was speaking to a younger person that needed guidance, while still keeping in mind that Bane was likely quite smart despite appearances.

The Tuffle also had some emotional experience to draw from in speaking to Bane this way— many had told him that Tuffles could only be smart scientists and tech users as if it was their sole purpose. Budoshi could not stand by and let the same sickening thing plague Bane if he could help it.

Bane looked upward, as if to seek something, and eventually returned to confirm that the Destron storm from earlier was still raging. Waiting it out down here wasn’t the best plan, and while Nervan would be fine, Budoshi could probably use the extra protection beyond using his energy in a taxing manner. “Good to know! We should probably be getting out of here soon anyway. Can you fly? You’ve got some impressive wings on you, and you could probably carry us both, right?”

Oh, did Bane think that Budoshi was Guara then? Or did the imprinting program simply conflate ‘father’ with ‘creator’ as well? It was still early days, and if the information that Budoshi and Nervan took at look at was anything to go by— Bane had a lot of potential to learn if given the right guidance. Still, Budoshi would approach this with what he had. “Hmm, indeed, out of date. There is a lot to learn, Bane. Many people will be beyond what you expect. Besides, I did say that it may be hard for you to understand, but I have faith.” The Tuffle raised a finger authoritatively. “Additionally, there is a Saiyan that I will not allow you to harm. I will introduce you to them one day— she is an elderly woman by the name of Illuma. Please remember this, okay?” In any case, Budoshi had faith in Bane now, that he would learn well, and faith in Illuma that she could defend herself if need be.

“Oh, to clarify, I was moreso wondering if you were confident that they could work, given how long you’ve been inactive for.” Budoshi said, it was hard to believe that Bane’s wings were for decoration anyway.

Bane moved over and a far wall had begun to move in response. Budoshi and Nervan followed along, seeing that the wall opened to the outside. It was kind of like a runway! Budoshi winced at the sight though, it was utterly hellish out there right now. Nervan wondered how those others that showed up were doing. Hopefully they either left entirely or found somewhere safe to wait in. Bane soon grew in size— around the size of your average Oozaru. Budoshi and Nervan nodded when the giant reached out to them, allowing Bane to protect them within his wing casing.

Once they broke past the clouds, Budoshi let out a triumphant cheer, this was a lot cooler than he had expected it to be. “Okay. Bane. We have to meet up with some other friends, we have plans to visit some other worlds. You can come along if you like, or you can remain stationed here on Plant for a bit until we return and tell us what you have learned in that time. I will leave that up to you.” Budoshi explained, otherwise giving Bane directions to reach the meeting place that Illuma and Prophos had spoken to Nervan and Budoshi about before...

In the end, Bane had been freed, the abandoned life was given a chance.

The project was revived.