The technology here was a generation outdated. A mix of modified foreign imports and retrofitted machines. Yakone shook his head in disbelief, anger welling that the Empire had been forced to operate on a shoestring budget. That their standards and capabilities had slipped enough to allow this. His data interrogator came with backward compatibility ports - thank the Queen - and it was just a matter of finding the correct plug and jack to stick the probing wires into. The soldier skimmed through the data on the tiny display as it downloaded, the bulk of it observations and calculations on USD planetary force size, supply depots, and possible strategies that an invading Empire could employ.

Ha. Invade. Waging war against Earth in a traditional sense had been deemed too costly. Why waste the lives of their common soldiery when a few well-placed Elites at the core of USD command and Earth government could achieve total victory? There was the 'small' snag of the Super Saiyans inhabiting this planet, but Yakone held no love for Saiyans who had clearly turned their back on Vegeta in favor of Earth. They were mighty, but Yakone witnessed Zak's intense training firsthand, confident that they couldn't afford to stop them so soon after Liari's devastating assault.

Yakone tugged his interrogator back, intent on moving further into the primary data storage. That was where any exceedingly important information would be kept under lock and hermetic seal. Or he would've had a strange battle power not met him defiantly. "I should be asking you that," The Saiyan replied smoothly, tone neutral. His own light brightened immensely, allowing the two to see each other properly. Yakone stepped forward, tail unfurled, and kingdom emblem emblazed upon his jacket's chest. To him, this stranger looked like a human. An issue if they reported this place to the authorities. "You control The Flame..." He noted, mildly surprised. "My name is Yakone. Who are you?"

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Yakone's stance remained confident, if defensive. He would not be responsible for a potential political misstep. The 'safest' option was to simply kill the weaker human before they had the chance to BECOME an issue, but Zaks' Empire made it clear times were different. The Saiyans were Empire builders, not barbarians. As the two exchanged initial tense pleasantries, Yakone was sure to slip his data interrogator into a hip side pouch, flipping the latch shut in case he needed to make some sort of quick movement. Fighting in an arctic base with sensitive electronics using mass amounts of fire was one of the LAST things he wanted. Even if he fried his enemy, the data would burn alongside it.

"Casca." He repeated, a slight edge of humor lacing the man's tone. "And here, the brass thought you'd abandoned your post or died along the way." Racist idiots. No use in throwing away loyal soldiers because they didn't have tails. The old files they had on Casca weren't extensive, but it did note her as a hybrid of a Human and some sort of dark being, likely a Demon. The closer he concentrated on her fire, the more Yakone could feel the difference. Hers was... natural. Magical. No doubt her darker heritage had something to do with it. The Flame was not talent - it was raw skill, converting Ki into pressure and heat. Most often, it was used for fire... but Yakone had developed it further to his own ends.

He stepped inside, removing his mask and lowering his hood to reveal stark black eyes and hair alongside a neutral heavyset frown. "Your dedication is admirable. If you haven't heard the news by now, an entourage of the Empire has arrived planetside. The former coward king has been deposed, and in his place is Queen Zaks. If you harbored or still harbor any personal allegiance to the old monarchy, say so now, and I won't speak of our interaction to anyone else." A very generous offer. The Empire considered such treason worthy of death, though whether Zaks would reform their law and punishment was up in the air. "My current mission is to fetch what data this outpost has accrued over the years and report to my superiors."

He'd look around, nodding at the well-kept nature of the powered bunker. Acceptable. "Many said my persistence in combing over dated mission files on Earth would be a waste. I can't imagine you've managed to make much headway with the USD on your own." He'd grunt, locking eyes with the woman. "Seeing as I'm no officer, you have the full right to refuse this suggestion and carry on with your mission until told otherwise by higher authority: but with the new Queen on the planet, I believe it best you accompany me back once we're finished here."

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Yakone fetched his interrogator, flashing the device to Casca before moving to one of the nearby terminals. He needn't ask for permission to accomplish his crown-given mission, and so... didn't. The device beeped as he plugged a few cables in, the process much smoother now that the computers and databanks actually had power running to them. Even at his utmost suppressed, the woman was no threat to him. Most of her kind could quadruple or quintuple their battle power, still leaving Casca short of his. If at any point there was a betrayal or Yakone felt it necessary, he was fully confident the hybrid could be dealt with swiftly.

"It would've been easier for you, too," He noted calmly. "No doubt your appearance would make acceptance by Earth easy. Yet you did not. You stayed the course, and that proves you are truly loyal to the cause. Whatever sentiments other Saiyans held of you before... know that I'm glad to have found you." Yakone stepped away from the interrogator as it worked to siphon and cherry-pick usable data from the systems, the Saiyan gesturing. "If you feel manual sorting would help, feel free." The device would warn him if any tampering was done, so Yakone had no reason to be suspicious of Casca's intentions. She had no objection to rendezvous with the main force, and while Yakone was glad to have the opportunity, there was a snag.

She'd need to grow if he intended to induct the scout into their elite force proper. Her mission undoubtedly left her starved of battle and adequate training techniques. With a little effort and the right guiding hand, Yakone was confident he could raise Casca into fighting form in the short span of time they had before Zaks' declaration to Earth. "While we have the opportunity, I'd like to fight you." They were secluded. Free from prying eyes and potential danger, the harsh environment could be abated by the fiery source of power both of them employed. Admittedly, Yakone was also curious to measure himself against someone with such a similar power who WASN'T a disciple of The Flame. "You need to grow stronger, and I need to make sure you're combat capable in terms of skill. Advocating for you to join the Queen's entourage directly means your performance falls on my head."

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"Yes. When I joke, a telltale sign is all around me bursting into laughter," Yakone replied dryly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "Let me be candid. We lack a strong core of soldiers at the moment, between those who still ally themselves with Braccus and USD rule against Zaks and the new empire. "Your battle power is low. Not high enough to be considered for leadership or Elite status in the old army. That being said, you are clearly loyal - and I have every intention of expediting your growth immensely." His fixed scowl returned as Casca talked herself down, citing that she wasn't a pure Saiyan.

"Saiyans are born with incredible talent. Power that comes naturally. Such is the way for every warrior race." The Saiyan glanced over the rapidly compiling data, ensuring the process ran smoothly. "You can achieve the same power as me. As any Elite. You just need to work harder for the same results. Are you willing to do that?" Despite Casca's help, the data interrogation was painfully slow. Siphoning and sifting through the important bits of years' worth of data would take some time. Luckily, the scout was on board for an impromptu training session.

"Good," He sighed quietly in relief. "We can go outside while this process is ongoing." Yakone took the lead, stepping back out into the glacial winds without complaint. It was cold enough to strike a human dead in minutes, but his natural battle power and use of the Flame kept Yakone comfortable enough. "This may seem patronizing... but we've had no tabs on you for years. Running through the basics again is a necessity to ensure you haven't lost form." Yakone took a deep breath, allowing his Ki to rush forth, bound in place by the immense weight on his body.

"You have not neglected ranged or physical in favor of the other, have you? Keeping both as a solid option will ensure maximum versatility on the battlefield." Yakone formed a fireball in his palm, tossing it off into the distance and watching it explode on a mountain. "And beyond that, it'd be a waste of energy. Every soldier has their physical limit and Ki limit that operate independently." He punched the ground with a heated fist, rumbling the nearby area gently. "Of course, you should know how to charge your Ki or rest your muscles to restore lost vigor..." A dark-purple aura enveloped Yakone for a split second as he stood stock still. "Remember that no enemy worth their salt will just let you charge."

He looked to Casca expectantly: "With that in mind. Throw three weak ranged attacks at me, if you would."

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