"Authority? I'm an adult, though nowadays it seems I'm hardly even that," Aito mused, smiling despite himself. He would have been in his mid forties if it weren't for that minor setback of dying, now he was just barely older than his son. What a weird thing to think, that if he didn't know Vegeta or Yumi they could just as well be friends of his now. "I'm plenty used to putting people in their place when they get out of line, trust me. This wouldn't be the first group of hotheads I've been with and I'm sure it won't be the last." So which one was it exactly that was giving Kiton grief? According to the Frost Demon it was the one with the prosthetic limb, or lack thereof by a glance. Hm, of everyone here he seemed the least bit pleased with how things were, Viral notwithstanding. What was his story then Aito wondered, and what made him so bitter and vindictive towards Kiton? There was probably plenty to hear there but that would be neither now or any time soon, there were others who needed his attention first.

"You're still an unknown, you're potentially a threat and so people may be uneasy around you. Plus you've got to take into consideration what your people are known for, it hardly makes you the life of a party now does it? But then that brings me back to what I was saying earlier, about how you have to work to change that image. If you don't want to be stigmatized and treated like a common criminal then you need to prove to everyone that you're not. Try to get along with them, you may find they're far more receptive to you than you think." Aito would have to end their conversation there, wanting to get the shuttle moving already. Kiton's wounds weren't serious but it was best they take care of them quickly, and then Viral needed attention. Sitting around here chatting idly was nice and all but it was also a waste of time, and Aito loathed to waste time. Taking a seat in the control room he went about going over all of the buttons and switches, getting a grasp on the basics before finally getting the engines running again, the thrusters sparking to life as he prepared for take-off.

Haku watched Kiton with a bit of curiosity as he talked, wondering why he was so nervous. Weren't Frost Demons supposed to be really powerful? Even if he was hurt he figured the alien could fight and defend himself, even from the likes of Ricken. Hell, the reason Haku himself was always so uneasy was because he didn't feel able to fight back, but Kiton shouldn't have that problem. Watching as the newly-resurrected man went off to the control room he figured he'd rejoin the Frost Demon for now, maybe try and help alleviate some of his nerves. Everyone else seemed to be making some use of themselves, no reason he should be the only one to sit by idly.

"This seat taken...?" Haku asked, smiling slightly as he took the spot beside where Kiton sat, "You shouldn't worry so much, I'm telling you these people are good. They won't let the rebels do anything to you, and they can help you turn your life around if you want to. Just give them a chance, because sure it might take a while, I'm still working on it, but they can be your friends if you let them."

"There were... But none of them were just tossed aside Viral," June explained, smiling sadly as she continued rubbing his back, "They died. A lot of them were sick when they were born or had complications, and Aito did everything he could to save them. The RRA doctors and the other man Aito worked with wanted to put them down to end their misery, but my husband fought to keep them alive and help them improve. I think that's part of why he's already so determined to get to work, maybe he feels like he owes it to the ones that came before you to take care of you. When he said you're the second best earlier? I know he didn't mean it, because I've never seen him so proud as when you were born." Well, there was Vegeta's birth too of course but they were hardly going to pick favorites of those two. Far as both she and Aito were concerned these two were their children, no matter how they looked, and they could never love one more or less than the other. There was a lot of work ahead of them, but June was confident things were going to work out ultimately.

"If you're so worried Viral I can join you. It's not exact yet but I can calm you down, so I'll be there if you start to feel stressed or something." Yumi could only offer to be a sort of sheath for Viral's blade that was his anger, yet that was more than enough for her. Whatever she could do to help her friend she would, even if it might feel meager compared to what Aito was doing. "Like June said too, you're not going to be replaced. You mean too much to everyone for that to ever happen, and you can't replace someone like that. It doesn't matter if he made another 10, or 100, there can only ever be one you," Yumi added, smiling up at Viral, "And I'll never let anyone try to replace you, neither will anyone else here."

[hr]

[h2]Back on the ship, one hour later.[/h2]

"Holy crap... I'm so sore..." Takeshi groaned as he lay sprawled across one of the tables. The mother of all meals had just been eaten by much of their group, and they had only just finished recounting everything that happened to those who hadn't come along. With a full stomach and fresh change of clothes he could finally relax, and appreciate just how banged up he had been. All of the healing that Eri had done didn't do much for his tired body, and while the actual wounds themselves were gone it'd be a while yet until he felt totally refreshed. Probably not such a bad thing though, it wasn't like they were going to be fighting again any time soon; getting his ass kicked would make him stronger too, wouldn't it? Hard to say without training or something but he felt a bit tougher for it. That could just be him aching too though.

"You're telling me... I got tossed around like a doll," Haku chimed in, leaning back in his seat with his hands over his stomach, "I still can't believe we killed that thing, it was huge!" He'd been scared as a baby in a thunderstorm earlier, but now that he could look back on it the whole thing was kind of exciting, in a near-death experience sort of way. Hardly as sore as Takeshi was (or claimed to  be) he was ready to do a bit of training even, though he hadn't a clue with who. Maybe T'charrl would be up for some, they had trained together before a few times after all. Or Shu, albeit he was pretty sure the young Prince still hated him. He could always try one of these others too, not having seen any of them in a very long time. They were hardly friends before, or acquaintances for that matter, but maybe he could get one of them to agree anyways.

Kabocha smirked in amusement as the two boys complained, rolling his eyes before shaking his head. "Listen to you two, complaining like women. Being sore means you fought hard, you shouldn't be complaining about that. Hell, you'll be even better for it later," he said, glancing over at Shu and T'charrl curiously. "You two are awfully quiet, that because you're not as banged up as they are? Or are you two tougher than them?" After asking that Takeshi tossed an empty carton at him, to which Kabocha ducked under and laughed at his friend's expense. Oops, someone struck a nerve!

Aito was fairly impressed with the resources the medical bay had in store, thrilled too to find that everything he needed was here. Or almost everything, a few instruments were missing that he would require in order to work on Viral. If they were going to put the Beastman under then they were set to go, but Viral had made it abundantly clear earlier that he had no such desire for that. Fair enough, Aito couldn't say he really wanted to do that either; it had been well over a decade and a half since he had spoken to either Vegeta or Viral, there was plenty on his mind. There was the need to examine what his son had done and determine where to pick up from, but he could easily talk as he was doing that. For now however Aito was remaining fairly silent, mostly because he was working with Kiton and his injures. The Frost Demon deserved proper treatment, and Vegeta could tend to Viral for the time being.

"And there... That should be the last of the wounds. That stitch will dissolve over time so don't worry about pulling it, and the gel should help the injuries heal even faster. As for your sore muscles," Aito began, handing over a small pill bottle of supplements, "Take one of these every day for a week. It's a mixture of vitamins that will help you rebuild muscle mass and also repair any damaged tissue. Be sure to take it with food, and don't do anything strenuous for a while after you take it, hear me? It's a fast road to recovery using these but it also puts strain on the body, so anything excessive could cause a tear or more injury."

Vegeta didn't quite know what to do with Viral now, other than sit there and chat. His days of working on the Beastman were at an end, he didn't dare start any treatments now that his father was back; best case scenario his work would have no effect as usual, worst case it would impede whatever Aito might do. He'd made the best efforts he could, and while not good enough he couldn't really offer any more. Something else he also could not offer right now was simple conversation, feeling a little awkward with his father in the room. Just seeing him again after all this time was weird, especially considering the fact he looked exactly as he did all those years ago. And never mind the appearance of his parents, how were they going to explain any of it back on Earth? While one problem was solved a dozen other sprung up in their place, he could only hope that Aito had some kind of plan in mind for handling his miraculous return to the land of the living.

"It's strange... Seeing them again, don't you think?" Vegeta asked, smiling slightly as he watched Aito work, "It's been so long... I hardly know what to feel right now. I mean we're both adults now, almost as old as they are, and yet they're still our parents. I don't need to explain why that's so weird, do I?"