PEACE PLAZA, AbbayorAfter the Dominion fleets arrived on Abbayor, the first thing Queen Radia did was have her engineers get the Galactic Hypernet station back up and running. The antennae had taken a beating, so they had to rig a makeshift setup using salvaged transmitters. The speed of the connection was slow, but it worked. But, after that she had broadcast a message to the people of the planet. For the most part, they had taken the Dominion planet with minimum civilian casualties. Of course, the Imperial Patrol garrison and some of the Imperial fleet had taken a beating, but they were valid targets in a war.
Her message was clear--that this was a liberation of Abbayor and that those that wished to stay and remain in their homes will be treated with respect and dignity. The Dominion had no intention of apprehending their property or altering their laws. Any citizens that wished to evacuate the world, were allowed to freely go.
Thus the mass exodus began, of the rich and powerful. Most Imperial bureaucrats went as well. The average folk, the typical citizens were trapped. They couldn't afford a transport off the planet. Supply and demand made that nearly impossible. Every shuttle, freighter, and liner was stuffed to to the brim with the warm bodies of the most affluent. The Dominion kept their presence to a minimum, communicating and brokering a tentative cooperation with the lingering members of the ASF (Abbayor Security Force) to maintain civility. There were bouts of looting, some violent outbreaks and rallies. But, it was to be expected during a hostile takeover.
The Dominion did everything they could to help mitigate loses. But, she would not allow her armies and officers to put a stranglehold on the free citizens.
For a very good reason.
She stood before the podium, all eyes upon her. Today she didn't wear her royal armor. In fact, she was unarmored--instead wearing a flowing set of crimson robes. He hair was tied up in a topknot, and she wore makeup (for the second time in her entire life.)
Most of the crowd were members of the press or officers of in regime. Very few Abbayorans had come out, only those brave or curious enough to see the Queen of Saiyans first hand or hear her address. Camera bots fluttered around through the air, snapping pictures and recording holo-vids. No doubt people would be watching over the Hypernet, all across the galaxy, listening and waiting to see what came next.
She looked to the dull blue sky, it was late--almost dusk. Light reflected and glittered off of the chrome clad buildings and the crystalline sculptures that made up the Peace Plaza. Most of the monuments here were erected in dedication to fallen Galactic Patrol members, those who died in the line of duty. Others were war heroes and stoic citizens who had given everything to make sure the galaxy was a peaceful place.
Across the plaza, a far larger statue had been erected, gleaming in bronze and gold. This was of the Emperor Polaris, the size and majesty of his monument far greater than the rest. It made her sad to see such a narcissistic display. Did he really deserve to tower over the other paragons of peace? Was he a
real hero?
She had admired him once, but now she felt like he was a monster--one that hat turned his ugly eye upon her to try and take her and her people out. Even though she helped do the very thing the Galactic Patrol never had the gall to do--take on the Frieza Force head on.
Princess Ginegera and Supreme Commander Onyon stood each of her sides, below the podium. She wished in this moment that it was large enough for them to join her. She felt lonely facing the entire galaxy. She dared to believe that she was making the right decision.
Master Shin's words echoed through her mind.
Do the thing that Polaris would never in a million years do.She took a deep breath and exhaled, moving her head closer to the mic before she spoke.
"I spent a better part of my life serving as a mercenary under the employ of the Galactic Patrol. I was a weapon of war, as with many of my Saiyan brethren--including Supreme Comamnder Onyon, pointed at the Frieza Force. We fought across hundreds of worlds. We pushed the Frieza Force back and carved out pockets of peace and prosperity. And then, at the brink of the Frieza Force's defeat--the Galactic Patrol withdrew their crusade. They let those tyrants lick their wounds and regroup. And we Saiyans were left without the only work we were cut out for--war.
"We are a tenacious people, we are a strong people. But, for many years we were misguided and forlorn from each other. I set out to change that, and to alter this galaxy for the better. I thought, if I could rally my people under one banner--we could face the Frieza Force and rid this galaxy of their filth forever. I never once asked the Galactic Patrol to absolve their false peace, or to assist us in this endeavor. Because, I felt we were strong enough to handle it ourselves. I saw a future of unity and prosperity, and I was willing to have Saiyan blood spilled to acquire it.
"I was wrong about that. And I've been wrong about many things. I make no illusions to the fact that being the Queen of Saiyans has been a learning experience to me. I am under the school of thought that leaders are not born, they're forged in troubling times. They rise to an occasion, take it by storm and guide others to do so as well."
"But, mistakes have been made. Terrible ones. Ones that I can only hope to rectify now, with the help of the galaxy as a whole.
"The first mistake the Dominion made was our imperialism. War is not easy, it needs resources. We should not have held onto Kabocha and other planets as our own. We should have handed them back to their rightful rulers and asked for their help in carving out a new future together."
She paused for a moment. One could hear a pin drop in the crowd.
"The Saiyan Dominion was never responsible for the death of the Galactic King. Despite the propaganda pinning it on us. U had nothing but the highest regard for him, in his centuries of trying to bring justice and truth to this galaxy. But, that doesn't mean the Dominion didn't make a mistake after his loss. We should have been there to support the Patrol during its troubling times. We should have offered aid and succor. Instead, we were too busy planning out next moves, charging headlong into our next battle against the Frieza Force. War had become our obsession and it blinded us.
"As we all know, the Frieza Force eventually collapsed in on itself. It's been cannibalized. Our goal was accomplished. Yet, we found ourselves at the brink of a new war. One we didn't ask for. One that was brought upon us by Emperor Polaris, who sought vengeance against us for a crime we didn't commit.
"Our second mistake is that we never sued for peace. Not that I think that Polaris would have accepted it. But, the gesture was never there by us. Instead, we hunkered down and defended ourselves and our holdings.
"We decided to bring the fight to him, which has led us to today. And to horrible instances, like the what happened on Tech Tech. Actions we regret.
"This galaxy is no doubt tired of war. The Frieza Force is gone, yet the turmoil continues. As someone who has made the mistake of playing into it, I stand here before you looking to make it right.
"We Saiyans seek forgiveness, and we will work towards it by doing everything we can to help this galaxy and its citizens going forward.
"The first thing the Saiyan People shall do to make it right, is to forsake our Dominion and imperialistic aspirations. The Dominion is no more as of this
very moment. All holdings besides New Sadla and its surrounding systems will be released from our control, free to rule over themselves once more. We shall help during the transition period, offering whatever is needed to ensure security and peace remains.
"We shall be known as the Saiyan Kingdom, and that is all. One of many governments that make up this galaxy. And as the new anointed Kingdom, we wish to sue for peace with this entire galaxy. Abbayor will be the hub of this new collaboration and cooperation. We wish to help forge a new Federation of Peace, bringing in all worlds and leaders into the fold that ant participate in this new vision. I cordially invite the King of Earth to come sit with me, Emperor Carambolis of the nascent Kabochan Confederacy as well, and any other rulers that wish to have their voices heard. Even those worlds once held by the Frieza Force. Finally, I invite Emperor Polaris to come sit at the table with me and participate in forging this peace, to set aside our difference for the greater good.
"The fleets of the former Dominion will be leaving Abbayor, making way to New Sadla. We do not control Abbayor, nor do we ever pretend to. I and a small retinue of my most loyal servants shall remain here, waiting for the other leaders to come and speak with us. Our weapons and violent intents are laid to the side.
"Let's build a new future. Together."