A few weeks had passed since Bulma had gotten a hold of Kami's old ship. She and her father were fast at work trying to figure out how to make it fly faster. He had managed to reverse-engineer the engine, and was working on upgrading it to a newer model. If it worked, it would take her to Namek in just a week's time. That was the best news that the team had.
Unfortunately, the search for Gero had come up short, yet again. Yamcha and Raditz investigated the last coordinate, and came up empty - it was just an abandoned tower. Bulma wasn't sure if there was much use looking through the other coordinates - they probably wouldn't find anything different. So, the two of them went back to their training. Where on Earth could he be hiding? And how were they going to figure that out?
Luckily, the ship was nearing completion. Bulma called upon Kami once more for another request. They stood in the garden behind her home.
"Kami," she asked. "I just thought of something. When we were fighting Frieza, do you remember how you got in contact with us?"
"Why yes, of course: I communicated with Piccolo telepathically."
"Are you able to do that with anyone? And does the distance matter?"
"Not anyone. I'm only able to commune with people I have a direct connection with. Either through knowing them personally or by blood. So long as I can do either of those, distance is not a problem."
Hopefully, he'd keep up with her line of thought. "So, since I'm gonna be heading for Namek, soon: do you think you can talk to the Grand Elder and tell him that I'm coming? You are related, after all."
He lifted his hand to his chin. "That I am not sure of. Yes, the Grand Elder is my brother, but since we have never met, I am not sure if that connection is there."
"Could you try? You were still able to talk to Piccolo, after all of that time he was in the Dragon Ball."
He hummed, as he thought to himself. Then, he straightened his back. "I suppose it's worth a shot. If you wish to listen in, grab onto my arm."
She nodded, holding onto his lower arm - she recalled doing the same with Piccolo on Planet Vegeta.
Kami closed his eyes, breathing in and out slowy as he concentrated. "Hello," he called. "Grand Elder of Namek? Can you hear me?"
After a moment of silence, there was a voice. "Yes, I can. Who might this be?"
"This is Kami of Earth. I was hoping to have a moment to speak with you. It's a matter of much urgency."
"Certainly. What is it you need, brother?"
"The Earth is facing a great crisis, and we may need your help in averting it. Would that be possible?"
"If you've found reason enough to ask, then it must be dire. If we are able, we will help in any way that we can. Though it would prove to be difficult, since we are so far apart."
"That can be remedied. One of our own will be heading to Planet Namek within the next few days. Hopefully, you'll be able to work out a solution." He looked down at Bulma and nodded to her.
"Hello," Bulma said. "Grand Elder?"
"Ah, Bulma. I should have known that you would be the one behind this. Am I correct in assuming this has something to do with the Saiyans?"
Her eyes widened. "You know?!"
"One of their own spoke with Moori not too long ago. We can discuss the details more once you've arrived, but I believe they're after the same thing you are."
She wanted to laugh. What a coincidence. "Alright. Thank you again, Elder. You've already done so much for us, and I'm sorry to have to burden you again."
"Nonsense. You know as well as any that we will do anything to help our friends. When you arrive, go straight to Moori's village and speak with him. I'll send Nail there on my behalf."
She nodded. The Grand Elder always knew what to say to make her feel confident. "Okay. I will."
"Kami, if you wouldn't mind the suggestion, perhaps you should join us."
Kami blinked in surprise. He grabbed his staff with both hands, leaning over. "I couldn't possibly do that. With all due respect, I must remain on Earth: especially in such dire circumstances."
"It would only be a short while. And you have the rest of the Earth warriors to protect the planet in your stead. If something were to happen, I would hate for you to never have the chance to visit your old home. The choice is yours to make, of course, but I urge you to consider it."
"He's right," Bulma said. "Plus, you're the one helping organize all of this. You should be there, when we meet with everyone else. I can't do it by myself - I need you."
He glanced at her, before looking at the ground in front of him. After a pause, he closed his eyes and looked ahead. "If both of you insist, then I will be there, as well."
"Excellent. I look forward to meeting the both of you. Until then, best wishes to you all."
Kami nodded. "The same with you, Grand Elder." After that he rolled his shoulders back and stood up straight once more. He put a hand behind his back and looked down at Bulma. "How soon do you think you'll be finished with the ship?"
She put her hands on her hips. "My dad said he's gonna do some test runs in a couple of days. If those go well, then she'll be ready to fly to Namek. So it should be any day now!"
"That's good. When it's ready, you know how to reach me." He hit his staff on the ground once more, and disappeared in a flash of light.
Bulma thought to herself. This was the second time she was going to Namek for help with problems that didn't involve it. If Gero figured out that the Namekians were helping, would he retaliate on them? It was bad enough she caused problems for two planets - she didn't want to drag a third one into it. But with the fates of the Earth and Planet Vegeta in the balance, they had no other options.
She hoped that this would give them the answers she needed.
In a few days time, Bulma and her father managed to complete the upgrades for Kami's old ship, just as promised. The engine was more efficient and much faster. With a simple voice command, it would fly like a shooting star across the galaxy, getting to Planet Namek in under a week's time. After being convinced that stereo speakers weren't a necessary component for space travel, Dr. Brief gave the go-ahead for the ship to make its maiden voyage.
Hours before lift-off, Kami had all of the Earth warriors gathered at the Lookout for a mission briefing.
"As you all are aware, Bulma will be leaving Earth soon, heading for Planet Namek. Once she's there, she will speak with the Namekians to figure out the best course of action to reunite with our Saiyan friends. At the request of the Grand Elder, I will be joining her. The roundtrip will take us approximately two weeks so this means I will not be here to guide any of you during that time. Possibly longer, depending on how the negotiations go. Focus on your training and remain vigilant, in my absence. If anything happens, tell me once I have returned. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes," they all spoke in unison.
"Good. Now go forth."
The warriors broke up, to discuss the recent change of events. As they did, Raditz stood back away from the rest of them with his eyes on Kakarot. He still couldn't believe his brother was alive and well. He seemed so cheerful and carefree about everything, even in the face of such dire circumstances. Which only made the fact that he was so closed off around him hurt even more. He was friends with everyone except his own brother.
He felt a hand on his arm. When he looked over, Yamcha was standing next to him. "This is your chance," he said. "Just go up and talk to him."
Raditz took a deep breath. Then, he walked up to join the rest of the group.
"I'm gonna head back to Kame House," Krillin said. "Roshi should know about all of this."
"I should probably tell Chiaotzu, too," said Tien Shinhan. "I'll be back at the dojo, if any of you need me."
"And I'll head home. Puar's probably worried sick." Yamcha looked over at Raditz. "What about you, man? Where are you heading?"
Raditz's eyes widened, caught off-guard by the sudden question. Everyone was looking over at him, now. And he couldn't help but notice the smile fall from Kakarot's face. He cleared his throat, as he tried not to think of the implications of that. "I'll be going back to Capsule Corp. Bulma wants me ready, if we're able to converse with any of the Saiyans."
"That makes sense," Krillin said, with a smile on his face. "Maybe they'll rethink everything, when they realize there are still Saiyans on Earth. Smart move!"
He looked over at him. "Thanks," he answered, shrugging awkwardly. He wasn't used to interacting with any of the warriors, apart from Yamcha.
"Can I come see you there?"
His heart stopped. When he looked back up, Kakarot was looking right at him. He knew they would have to talk everything out eventually, but he hadn't expected him to take the first step. Out of reflex, he looked back at Yamcha. He just smiled at him and nodded his head towards his brother.
Finally, Raditz looked back at him and smiled. "Of course you can." When his brother nodded and smiled back at him, the apprehension in him began to fade away. In a few simple words, they had already gotten over a hurdle in their relationship. He didn't think it would be that easy. Yamcha nudged his arm, stifling a laugh.
There was hope for them, after all.
Once the ship was complete, it was brought out onto the back lawn. Dr. Brief was busy putting on the finishing touches on the inside. With a new passenger brought in near the last minute, the ship needed more accommodations. Soon, everything would be ready for liftoff. Bulma was just finishing packing up. She brought all of her research on Gero and the Red Ribbon Army, some tech in case she needed it, a few changes of clothes, her medication, and some magazines to read during the trip - she needed to catch up on the newest issues of Pola and Roid.
As she packed up the last of her clothes, she turned to her father. He was screwing in a bolt. "Almost done, dad?"
He stepped back and tucked his wrench into his pocket. "I am now. Namekian technology sure is amazing, ain't it?" He popped a cigarette into his mouth, as he pointed out the features. "Extra capsules are in a case on the wall, if you need 'em. Bathroom with a shower's behind that door in the back. Fully-stocked fridge is underneath that floorboard. I managed to section off areas right there to be rooms for you and Kami. I kept the voice activation, like you asked, but made sure the coordinates were up to date. So just say the word and you'll be on Namek in six days tops."
"Wow," she said. "I didn't think you'd be able to get it to go that fast."
He shrugged. "It's all in a day's work, sweetheart. Now, are you sure you don't want those stereo speakers? Sound quality's very important."
She laughed and shook her head. "I think we'll manage."
"Yoohoo," her mother called from the outside. "Bulma! Your friend's here!"
"Well, sounds like duty calls." He stepped onto the platform in the middle of the room and pulled out a lighter from his lab coat pocket. "If you need anything, the phone on the wall should be working."
Bulma stepped up in front of him. "Thanks again, dad. We couldn't have done this without you." She crossed her arms. "Piccolo." With the magic word, the platform lowered down to the ground. Sure enough, Kami was outside waiting for them. Her mother stood behind him, with her hands clasped underneath her.
"Well, enjoy your trip! Have fun out there!" Dr. Brief jumped down onto the grass and walked over to his wife.
Kami walked up to the platform, looking up at the ship. "I can see that you haven't changed it much."
Bulma shrugged. "We didn't need to. Even outdated Namekian tech is amazing." As she looked at him, she saw that he didn't bring anything with him - just his staff and a small bag over one shoulder. "Traveling light?"
He chuckled. "I don't need as much to survive as the rest of you Earthlings do." His feet rose off of the ground and onto the platform.
"You got me there, I guess. The ship is still controlled by the same voice activation, so I have to ask - do you remember any of it?"
He nodded. "That I do. It wasn't until I was older that I realized how strange my home truly was - particularly in how it opened. Not with a doorknob or lock, but with a vocal command - Piccolo." As soon as he spoke the word, the platform rose back into the spaceship.
And so, the pair were off on a direct-course to Planet Namek. This trip would make or break their mission - either they got in touch with the Saiyans or they went all that way for nothing. And Kami's absence left the Earth without a guardian to watch over them for the first time in thousands of years. It felt like anything could happen.