Chapter 2: A New Threat

The ship fired through the atmosphere of a new, green, helpless planet called Earth. Four figures were crowded around the controls, excited and wary after long venture through space. Vivid blue eyes sparkled in the darkness. They were a new breed of Saiyans, genetically engineered to be stronger and more ruthless than their original descendents. They were virtually slaves of a powerful emperor who sought to expand his kingdom across the universe.

The four Saiyans were all unique. The youngest among them was immature and skinny compared to the rest. His hair was dark, and his bright blue eyes were intelligent and eager to please. The one that stood out the most was a Saiyan that seemed almost albino. His hair was an electric blond, and his eyes were a frightening blue. The second in command, the co-captain, had a shaved head and narrow blue eyes were downplayed by his prominent cheekbones. The captain stood above them all. He was clearly the strongest and most powerful. His black hair was cropped short, and his blue eyes were intense and full of depth. His angular face showed that he struggled with learning the complicated structures and workings of a ship.

"Ronin, are you okay?" asked the albino-looking Saiyan to the captain.

Ronin let out a bark of a laugh. "Yeah, I'm just sort of getting ready to face this world."

"There's really no need to," the albino said looking towards the island that was rapidly approaching. "We're only there to collect the Dragon Balls, make a few wishes, and obliterate the place. Easy."

Leaning against the control panel of the alien ship, Ronin's focus was intent on the blue-green planet. He had a strange feeling, and it unnerved him. A new feeling dawned on him, one that told him that his life was soon going to change, as they crashed into the earth.

Like most Saiyans, the team of four made it out alive, all of them jumping out of the ship enthusiastically. They were young, ranging in age from sixteen to twenty, and they're mental capacity took quite some time to fully develop which was why they were given such an easy assignment. Ronin knew that one day he was destined to be high ranking in the emperor's army, but the thought didn't seem fulfilling now that he was on this peaceful planet. Regardless of his feelings, though, Ronin would continue with his mission, uninterrupted. As the co-captain, Kisho, pulled out the foreign radar that would tell them of the Dragon Balls' whereabouts, Ronin took a look around the forest that they had virtually demolished.

His intense blue eyes scaled over the landscape, taking in the details. It wasn't completely alien to him. His own planet had been similar. Yet, even there, it wasn't his true home. Through his surrogate parent, he learned that the race from which he had originated had been wiped out, and it was through a single cell that he was derived.

Sunlight streamed through the leaves, bringing forgotten highlights in Ronin's hair to life. Something about this planet drew him in, intoxicating the genetically-altered Saiyan to the point of almost forgetting his mission. The outfit he wore was thin and black, resembling Under Armor. They all wore the same thing, signifying their mere soldier status.

"Alright," Kisho said, standing up from a large, smooth rock. "It seems like the closest Dragon Ball in the area is north, about twenty miles or so."

Ronin took in a sharp breath and replied, "Let's go then, Saiyans."

With an enormous amount of strength and speed, they took off into the sky, blasting themselves towards their goal. The albino, Haku, shielded himself against the sun, unaccustomed to the brilliant rays. Within a matter of minutes- or perhaps seconds- they arrived at a dome-like house, completely devoid of presence.

"Quick, search the place," Ronin commanded the younger Saiyan, Kanaye.

With quick movements, he dove down towards the house. Floating above the area with an authoritative air, Ronin frowned as Kanaye brought forth a single, golden Dragon Ball. Something about that ball brought forth a certain sense that everything wasn't as concrete as he once believed. Vaguely, he wondered if the others felt similarly. It was best, though, not to bring up the subject.

"Hand me that, Kanaye," Ronin demanded, holding out his palm.

Submissively, the young Saiyan gave it to his leader.

"One down, six to go," Haku said triumphantly.

"Where's the next one?" Ronin asked Kisho, avoiding the celebration.

Intently studying the small device in the Saiyan's large palm, Kisho replied, "I don't know. It's too far."

A low growl rumbled in Ronin's chest; he was clearly disappointed though he knew he shouldn't put on a big show about it. Deep in thought, a plan slowly formed in his slightly underdeveloped brain.

Clapping his hands together, Ronin said with a certain satisfaction, "We're going to split up. Kanaye and Haku will both search for one Dragon Ball, while me and Kisho will search for two each. When you've found it, go back to the ship and wait for the rest. This way, it will go much quicker."

It was evident that Kanaye and Haku were unhappy that Ronin held them to a lower standard than himself and the co-captain, but they were obliged to go along with the plan anyway. After all, he was their captain. He could easily just blow them into oblivion.

"So, go back to the ship and get yourselves a radar each," Ronin commanded, but just as they were about to take off, he added, "And don't associate with anyone on this pathetic planet."

"Yes, sir," Kanaye and Haku replied in unison, and they both blasted off towards the ship, Ronin on their tail.

The day was then spent on a persistent hunt through the thick forestry that Ronin searched through. Now that he was alone, he took out the one-starred Dragon Ball. There wasn't anything particularly unique about it- other than the fact that it had merely one star. Yet, an electric pulse ran up and down his arm as he beheld the object. What was with this thing?

His day was essentially fruitless, and as he laid himself down to get a good night's rest, he realized that he hadn't had anything to eat for hours. A deep rumble emanated through the night, startling even himself. He was starving, and it certainly didn't help anything that the Dragon Ball next to him was slowly pulsing. Wondering what that was all about, he frowned slightly at the shining bulb. However, his thoughts slowly faded as unconsciousness claimed him.