Chapter 1

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a Saiyan in possession of power, must be in want of more power.

However little known the feelings or views of such a Saiyan may be on his first landing on a planet, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the planets inhabitants, that he is considered a creature of unimaginable violence.

"My dear Mr. Brief" said his lady to him one day, "have you heard of the mysterious and other worldly Pods that have just landed?

Mr. Brief replied that he had not.

"But it is so," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just seen it, and she told me all about it."

Mr. Brief made no answer, his mind on other things.

"Do you not want to know who has arrived from the heavens?" cried his wife impatiently.

"You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."

This was invitation enough.

"Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that there to greet the pods was a young man of such an immense power from the wilds; that he came down on Monday with a companion to see the what the ships were here for, and was so promptly attacked by the men within the pods. With his companion, a Sir Krillen, immediately; he fought them and have saved us all. Now he is to be in town before the weeks end."

"What is his name?"

"Son Goku."

"Is he married or single?"

"Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of such power levels must be available; Mrs. Long says it is over nine thousand. What a fine thing for our girls!"

"How so? How can it affect them?"

"My dear Mr. Brief," replied his wife, "how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."

"Is that the best idea for a young man of those immense levels of ki manipulation? To settle in a city such as this?"

"Nonsense, how can you talk so! He does not intend to settle in the city, but rumor has it he has an abode out in the wilds near here he built himself. But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes."

"I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Son Goku may like you the best of the party."

"My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty."

"In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of."

"But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Son Goku when he comes into the neighbourhood."

"It is more than I engage for, I assure you."

"But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir Toriyama is determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, he visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not."

"You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Son Goku will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though I must throw in a good word for my little Bulma."

"I desire you will do no such thing. Bulma is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Chichi, nor half so good-humoured as Launch. But you are always giving her the preference."

"They have none of them much to recommend them," replied he; "they are all young and naive like other girls; but Bulma has something more of quickness than her sisters."

"Mr. Brief, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves."

"You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least."

"Ah, you do not know what I suffer."

"But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood."

"It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them."

"Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all."

Mr. Brief was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; her husbands was to pass his business onto the better minded of his children to continue his legacy of invention.