Post by Nero on Mar 12, 2024 7:06:12 GMT -5
This Guru’s Promise |
Nero had a lot of time to think. Yes, despite his many tasks, commitments, official business and now fatherhood; there was a lot more to think about as well.
It had been a while since Ticoga’s original message in response to the information given to him about the most recent coronation of a Mazoku Daimaō so quickly after the one prior. Marimba had landed himself with a less than stellar crowd, untrustworthy, and clearly malevolent. Was Ticoga’s reaction ordering for the execution of two offenders harsh? Ultimately, Nero didn’t think so. There was no mercy left in this day and age for vile racist maniacs and Destron using mass murderers— especially given what and who the two in question had threatened. They were still alive, clearly, or else Ticoga would have publically called off his declaration by now.
Even without putting that into consideration, the entire situation with the aforementioned role was... A mess, to put it extremely lightly. Not at all what Nero was at first hopeful for.
He had hoped for the best in Gandigan and Marimba afterward. Instead, the opposite was what happened. Gandigan’s paranoia caused him to agitate multiple people it would seem; namely Ticoga who had shared concerns openly with both Nero, Jinx and Pankaa at this point. Not once had Gandigan sent someone to converse with Nero on his behalf, it was only when Ticoga, Cabasa and Pankaa had learned anything themselves that Nero knew of Gandigan’s plans for Plant, Arcose and the people that called those worlds home. Not with. For. Then and there, Gandigan had lost the trust and faith of Nero.
Besides that, it could be easily assumed there were more— such as Lottus...
Speaking of, there was more to the situation now, too. Both Ticoga and Zuqetta had contacted Nero by their individually preferred means to do so with additional information. The psychotic galactic criminal Yangcong, alongside someone else within the Mazoku ranks of Marimba’s rule, and Nero had an educated guess as to who it could be. Not that he had to guess for long, all Nero had to do was momentarily visit Kyotei Fortress at some point, to see and hear for himself what had occured. The people spoke; 'Saxon' and 'Otama' had done this. They were false names, unearned. Their true names were Yangcong and Maxsuz.
Lottus was there, trapped in stone, his hatred burning it all away. Eventually he would find his way out. What possessed these fools to do this to such a volatile man was clear. Their ego. Nothing more, nothing less.
Verifying their claims aside, Ticoga and Zuqetta had their ways of obtaining such information, and neither had any reason to lie about it. Their truthfulness and trustworthiness, their willingness to actually communicate what they were doing and what they wanted proved one very important thing. They were real friends, allies. Unlike Gandigan who had immediately gone silent to Nero after the Namekian had tried to hunt down Lottus in the first place. Unlike Marimba who had chosen to ally himself with all manner of putrid, insidious freaks and bringing danger to Namek in the process.
Nero had to wonder, what would Cabasa and Gira think?
...
How would Cabasa and Gira feel?
...
Nero, at least, was far beyond furious.
So, the Guru would listen to the pleas of Ticoga and Zuqetta. First, Nero would make his way to the Northern Scar, contacting all Mazoku loyal to him and his ideals— the vast majority of them were as such of course, given his past deeds. He relayed to them the treachery of the two most recent Daimaō, that their actions put Namek in danger, that they had betrayed the Mazoku with their delusions. Then, he gave the people the warning as Ticoga had asked; making sure to let the people know that the Emperor of Arcose wishes them to be safe, to evacuate to safer regions so that the true enemy can be specifically targeted, and nothing else. Nero made this request from Ticoga into his order as Guru. The people listened, taking their belongings immediately, hiding themselves away safely as instructed.
Having done this, Nero returned to Dend Capital to meet with Ghleice, giving the liason a simple digital message to quickly deliver to Emperor Ticoga .I have evacuated the people as you asked. Zuqetta informed me of her situation as well. I will contact her directly about my terms in regards to it. I trust you both to do the right thing. If anything goes wrong on Arcose while you are here, I will defend it if I am able, I promise. Good luck, friend.
All that was left was to respond to Zuqetta. It was a highly complex situation. Lottus was a threat that Nero would rather have neutralized as soon as possible, dead once more if that could be done, but in this case he was a victim and luckily too arrogant in his own right to be a conniving liar. A threat though he was, he was still just a man. He could be dealt with later, and in a way that didn’t incur the wrath of Zuqetta as well— Nero had a few ideas as to how. For now, getting Lottus off of Namek would have to be enough. With a deep breath, Nero steeled himself to send Zuqetta a telepathic message.
’I heard you, Zuqetta. It is hardly an intrusion. My mind is among the strongest you will ever know. You would not be able to reach me if I did not will it to be so.’ He began, his pyshic tone matching the seriousness of the situation. ’I know more than enough about Lottus. As such, you should know that if he threatens Namek— and he very much might do so now— he will be dealt with accordingly. If Lottus ever means to harm you, or anyone you care about as well, he will be dealt with accordingly.’ Nero expected the same sort of warnings in return if the situation was reversed or similarly applicable in reverse. ’However, I know a truly broken man when I see one. Given your fearless honesty, I do promise you this; If I am able to, and he does choose to threaten anyone or anything under my protection, I will endeavor to first and foremost punish him non-lethally with a technique that can restore and reignite his better qualities without changing who he is as a whole. This could see him seek redemption of his own accord, and as his cousin you could support him if that is what he chooses.’
’With all of that said, currently, he is a victim of some viral stone-like prison brought upon him by men known as Yangcong and Maxsuz. If you encounter them, deal with them as you please. For now, I want Lottus off my planet as soon as possible, and I allow you to rescue him at this time— not for his sake given his deeds— but for the sake of my people, because I value our friendship and I know what family means to a Saiyan.’ That was the official business over, and Nero's mental tone relaxed, but only slightly. ’I trust both you and Ticoga to do the right thing. Good luck, friend.’
Now all Nero had to do was wait and be vigilant, to not react hastily. Many more lives were on the line now and in the future. Even so, Nero had promises to keep... As well as, sadly, promise breakers to punish.
|| Solo WC: 1,271 ||