Raditz scans the battlefield as he follows Vegeta. Zarbon and Dodoria have engaged the Namekian warriors. The image of Kakarot from the monitor plagues his mind. It digs up faint memories of his father. The frames of his memory come in tatters. No matter how he tries to recall the face of his father, Kakarot's face fills it each time.
He shakes his head as they come upon the fighters from Earth.
"So Kakarot," says Vegeta. "We meet again."
"I didn't think I'd see you so soon, Vegeta."
"That's Prince Vegeta to you, you low class scum."
The corners of Vegeta's mouth curl up as memories of their last battle jump to the forefront of his mind.
Goku frowns as the sight of Master Roshi's death replays itself. He tries to stop it before the end, but the gruesome resolution comes to pass.
"Did our previous encounter make you any stronger?" says Vegeta.
"I've improved since then."
"Good. Show me."
Raditz bounces his eyes back and forth between the two as they draw out their power. On his peripherals, he sees Krillin glaring at him. He finally returns the stare. "What do you want, ladybug?"
Krillin bears his gritted teeth. "I'd know that foul aura of yours anywhere."
"What?"
"You're the one who killed Yamcha!"
An aura bursts from Krillin as he takes flight at Raditz. The intimidating physique does nothing to deter him. He swings a left kick. Raditz blocks with his forearm. A deep rattle aches in his bones.
Krillin drives a punch. Raditz gets a palm up to catch it. The blow bends back his wrist, sending a burning sensation along the nerves.
What's with this guy? thinks Raditz. How can his power level match mine after my last battle? It took them a whole year to grow that much before.
A clash of blows breaks out between them.
The scouter system in Vegeta's right eye races up and levels off as it measures Goku's power level at 12,500.
"Impressive Kakarot," says Vegeta. "It seems you've found another worthy battle since we fought. I'm jealous."
"As a matter of fact, I did. Now I should be able to match you with Kaioken."
"Don't be absurd. You'll never ascend to the heights of a Saiyan elite."
Goku smiles as red steam fills his aura.
Vegeta's face lengthens as his robot eye heats up its socket trying to keep track of Goku's power level. The number 19,000 flashes before the scouter system shuts down to avoid exploding. Many of the nearby scouters are not as fortunate as their components spray in a plume of sparks and smoke.
"That feels about right," says Goku.
Vegeta grits his teeth.
How can this be! he thinks. How can his strength rival my own in such a short time? Is it possible he was gifted with the potential to become a Super Saiyan? No, that's ridiculous. That privilege is reserved for me.
Vegeta screams and flings himself at Goku. They both strike as hard and fast as they can. Though their power levels are nearly identical, Goku's movements carry a fraction more strength and speed.
Vegeta fumes as a couple of Goku's attacks sneak by his guard to rough up his armor. He pauses as Goku unexpectedly halts his advance. He stares into his opponent's serious gaze.
"Why do you work for Freeza?" says Goku. "How can you work for the monster that killed your people and destroyed your home?"
The words confound Vegeta. He does not know whether to speak or throw a punch. He inhales. "I see what you're doing Kakarot. But using mind games won't help you. Now stop with the cowardly tactics and fight like a true warrior."
"So you really don't know then? How sad."
The words infuriate Vegeta. This time there is no hesitation to respond with an attack.
###
Zarbon fires a laser from his palm that pierces a Namekian warrior's chest. Dodoria covers the mouth of a Namekian from behind and places a palm on the back of his victim's head. A quick twist snaps the Namekian's neck.
Nail senses their lives flicker out and roars.
"You two will pay for your crimes against my people."
Zarbon and Dodoria snicker.
"You may have a freakish power level for such a worthless species," says Zarbon. "But you're no match for the two of us."
Nail, says Slug from the subconscious. You must finalize the fusion to tap into its full potential. There's a terrible power in their ship. I know you can sense it.
Doing that would fully merge our spirits, thinks Nail. I'd lose you forever. I can't let that happen. I have all the power I need right now.
Nail draws out his champion's aura. It mixes with Slug's and brings a comforting warmth over him.
The scouters on Zarbon and Dodoria's faces race upward. Nail's power pushes past 20,000 causing them to malfunction and blow up. Surrounding ones suffer the same fate. Nail roars as he continues to pull forth more.
"How can his power be on par with our own?" says Zarbon.
"It must be a trick," says Dodoria. "There's no way he could maintain it. Besides, there's two of us. He can't fight two people of equal strength."
Nail smiles. "Without your scouters, you have no idea what you're dealing with. I'll show you Namek's true resilience."
Gold and white billow from his aura. His arms flex and bulge.
"I'll destroy you both with these powerful arms of mine."
He extends his palms and pushes a Kiai from both. The shock waves roll over Zarbon and Dodoria and knock them into a spin. Nail assaults Dodoria first. He dribbles him between a few punches before spiking him to the ground.
Nail then takes aim at Zarbon who regains some control. He fires a yellow beam that overtakes his target.
The force and heat of the blast bruises and burns Zarbon. The blast subsides, and he falls to the ground, landing on one knee beside Dodoria.
"How dare that scum," says Zarbon.
Dodoria stands up and screams in rage. He takes flight with Zarbon right behind him.
###
Raditz punches Krillin in the cheek, sending him downward. Krillin somersaults and flies straight back up as if the punch did nothing despite the redness and swelling. Krillin cups his hands at his hip while straightening his posture. The speed of his ascent catches Raditz off guard as he smashes a headbutt into the armored torso.
Raditz clutches his stomach as his breath escapes him. Krillin charges a Kamehameha without words, only anger. The rage builds it faster than usual. He fires a close range beam leaving Raditz no time to dodge.
Raditz catches the blast in his palms. His robotic left arm crackles with electricity as the force crashes against him. His muscles tense as he tries to take control of the attack. He shifts his hands down the sides of the ki and lifts with all his might. He feels the strain in his lower back as he grunts and heaves. He throws up his hands. The attack deflects upward.
Raditz breathes deep through a triumphant smile. As the beam finishes passing him, he sees Krillin on the other side with a razor thin disc swirling in his hand.
"You'll pay for killing Yamcha!"
Raditz's face contorts in horror as Krillin prepares to throw.
Vegeta catches the scene from the corner of his eye. He clenches his jaw and shoots away from his battle. Goku punches air as his target leaves him in total surprise.
Krillin swings his arm forward, aiming to cut Raditz in half at the waist. Raditz shifts to dodge, but there is no time to escape. As the sharp, slicing edge reaches his torso, something grabs his ankle and yanks him downward. The disc trims off the ends of his long hair as it flows behind him.
He finds himself beside Vegeta whose grimacing eyes burn deep into his own. Such a look would usually instill fear of punishment, but Raditz is so grateful to be alive he wants to hug Vegeta.
"You actually saved me?" he says.
Vegeta's grimace grows more pronounced.
"Don't underestimate them," he says. "And don't make me save you again."
Goku moves in beside Krillin, and they square up against the Saiyans.
###
Gohan and Medamatcha move back to back as two groups of soldiers flank them. One is led by a blue skinned man with a yellow mustache. The mustache merges with his sideburns that cascade from long, flowing hair. The other group is led by a purple skinned reptile man with a sail of skin forming a ridge atop his head.
"What do we have here, Sui?" says the blue man. Two horns protrude from his forehead.
"Looks like a boy and his pet frog, Banan," says the reptilian man.
"Why don't the two of you come quietly so you don't get hurt," says Banan.
"No way I'd go with the likes of you!" says Gohan. "Heyahhh!"
Their scouters tick up as Gohan unleashes his power.
"What's going on?" says Sui. "How can a child have such power?"
Gohan covers the distance between himself and Sui with an immense aura gusting around him. A jab to the face is all he needs to render Sui immobile. He follows with a flurry of strikes.
Banan attacks Medamatcha hoping to gain an advantage by hitting hard and fast. He leads with a sweeping kick.
Medamatcha twists sideways and falls back under the kick. His arms and legs grapple the limb. Banan tries to shake him free.
"I can tell you have very tasty energy," says Medamatcha with a crooked smile.
"What?"
A sick fatigue overcomes Banan as his ki drains from his body. Medamatcha uses the excess stamina to batter him around. He ends the beating with a clubbing from clasped hands. Banan rockets downward.
Gohan drives a foot into the side of Sui's head sending him careening at Banan. They smash together. Their armor cracks as they bounce off each other and fall unconscious to the ocean below.
The rest of the soldiers stare in disbelief. None are willing to endanger themselves.
###
An avalanche of ki buries Goku's senses in an overwhelming cold. He looks to the ship where Freeza, sitting in his hoverchair, rises from the large opening in its center.
That's him, he thinks. That's the one with the terrible power. That's Freeza.
The weight of the immense strength subdues Goku's will to fight. His mind panics as the desire to be anywhere but here takes control.
"Krillin, we have to get Gohan and leave."
"But what about Bulma?"
"We'll have to come up with a plan and save her later?"
A plan? thinks Krillin. Goku has never wanted to come up with a plan before. He always jumps right in.
He senses Goku's yuki fade. He has never known his friend to shy away from a confrontation.
"Are you sure? I know that little guy is packing some serious ki, but I still think Nail can take him after fusing with Slug."
"No. You're only sensing the surface of his power. It runs much deeper."
Krillin looks back at Freeza as he tries to assess this greater power Goku is talking about.
###
Freeza surveys the displeasing scene. All of his men are being made to appear like chumps. Even Zarbon and Dodoria seem foolish and incompetent compared to a lone warrior. The thought of how poorly this reflects on himself infuriates him.
His mouth forms a grotesque frown as he takes aim with just a single finger. A purple dot phases into existence at its tip. Without warning, the unassuming speck fires a thin beam. No wider than the width of his finger, the attack rips across the sky.
A purple light cascades over the battlefield as a thunderous boom fills the air. Everyone stops what they are doing to behold the sight. The attack has finished by the time they can ascertain its outcome.
Zarbon and Dodoria remain frozen in place. The scare of the death beam passing so close to them leaves their eyes wide as cold sweat runs down their necks and armpits.
Nail vomits blood as a wound opens in his chest. Splattered muscle and tissue spray from the entrance and exit wounds. He falls from the sky without a word. Everyone watches in silence.
Freeza's voice echoes out over the battlefield.
"People of Namek, I bring joyous news. For the small price of serving me, I am offering your kind the protection and benefits of being a citizen of my empire.
"All I ask in return is that you assist me in making my wish. And rest assured, I will get what I want. The only thing that is uncertain is how many of you will live to see it. So choose carefully."
The stalled action speeds up in slow motion. The soldiers embolden as the Dragon Team and Namekian warriors lose morale. Medamatcha dives after Nail who plunges into the ocean. Goku calls for Gohan and punches his way through the grunts to reach him. With Krillin's help, they reunite.
All three of them fly after the retreating Namekians. Gohan looks back to the still water Medamatcha and Nail disappeared into.
Zarbon and Dodoria land on Freeza's ship and kneel before their master as the soldiers await instructions.
"Zarbon, take this radar and a dozen soldiers to look for the Dragon Balls. And take the human with you in case you need her.
"Dodoria, lead the troops to kill off their warriors and capture their leader. He may be of use to me."
"Yes sir," says Zarbon and Dodoria.
Freeza smiles as his army does his bidding.