The hatch of the capsule spaceship hissed open.
Bulma stepped out in her orange work jumpsuit, took one look at the endless green plains and twin suns, and immediately exploded.
"You two absolute morons! Do you ever listen to a single word I say?! This is an alien planet! We have no idea what's out here, and you just waltz outside like it's a picnic?!"
Krillin and Gohan froze mid-step, sheepish grins plastered on their faces.
"Auntie Bulma, we were just "
"Yeah, we're totally fine, see? Nothing to worry abou "
"Don't you 'nothing' me!" She jabbed a finger at them. "One weird spore, one toxic breeze, and you'd both be dead! Then who's gonna carry me home?!"
The two warriors shut up instantly. They knew the drill: when Bulma went full mom-mode, resistance only made it last longer.
Bulma huffed, yanked the Dragon Radar from her belt pouch, and flicked it on.
"Let's just grab those Dragon Balls and get the hell off this rock."
Beep.
A strong signal blipped onto the screen almost instantly.
All three stared.
"No way… already?" Krillin whispered.
Gohan's eyes went wide. "We really found one? On Planet Namek?!"
For a glorious ten seconds, pure joy.
Then Gohan's smile vanished. His whole body went rigid, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Uncle Krillin… you feel that?"
Krillin's excitement died just as fast. He closed his eyes and reached out with his senses.
His face drained of color.
"There's… a lot of them. Really strong. And that way " He pointed southwest. "Some of those energies are… wrong. Evil."
Bulma blinked. "Huh? Namekians are supposed to be peaceful. King Kai said so himself!"
Gohan shook his head slowly. "These don't feel anything like Mr. Piccolo. Some of them are… cold. Cruel."
Krillin swallowed hard. "A couple of them are way worse than anything I've ever felt. Worse than Vegeta on Earth."
Bulma's bravado evaporated. The radar trembled in her hand.
"You're saying… someone else is here? Saiyans? More of them?"
"W-we don't know," Krillin stammered. "But if they are…"
"Let's leave," Bulma squeaked, already backing toward the ship. "Right now. We'll come back after Goku's healed. Please?"
Krillin's resolve cracked. "Yeah… yeah, maybe that's "
Gohan opened his mouth to agree.
None of them had bothered to suppress their ki. Not even a little.
Two thousand kilometers away, a dozen Frieza Force scouters chirped in perfect unison.
"Unknown power levels detected two mid-range, one negligible. Coordinates locked."
And high above a different ocean, Vegeta's eyes snapped open.
A cruel, delighted smirk spread across his face.
"Well, well… Kakarot's pathetic little friends. Here already?"
He cracked his knuckles.
"Perfect timing."
The board was set.
The pieces were moving.
And the Prince of Saiyans was finally ready to play.