There was a special creature on one of the planets administered by Emperor Freezer's army. This planet had been erased from all records, and its native species had been completely eradicated. Now, it was called Planet Freezer 68.
Its body appeared to be made of slime, which allowed it to take on shapes impossible for beings with internal skeletons. For example, it could extend various tentacle-like appendages. What did it use those extra limbs for? To monitor screens.
Each tentacle ended in an eye capable of observing and capturing information. What were the screens constantly checking? The secret transmissions from the scouter devices of certain special individuals in the army.
These individuals were the Ginyu Force, who enjoyed a large budget, great freedom, and a stellar reputation within Freezer's army and throughout the universe. For that very reason, they had to be kept under surveillance.
Their work was delicate! In fact, they requested supervision themselves, as their loyalty to Emperor Freezer was absolute and almost pathological. They didn't want any doubts about their duties, actions, or capabilities, so an alien was tasked with watching over them, though he rarely did so.
It wasn't because they never made mistakes; they certainly did, but because they were so good at what they did that Emperor Freezer always forgave them. No, this alien barely paid them any attention because he was sick and tired of their dancing, posing, and ridiculous songs.
He couldn't understand how adult specimens of different species, separated by entire solar systems, could become so fanatical about the same activity. But it was unable to do such a thing and found itself utterly fed up every time they danced and posed after every invasion, war, fight, attack, or certain number of words.
It was sickening and obsessive! It focused more on the other monitoring and inspection targets, especially since the Ginyu Force had been sent to attack the famous planet Yadrat. A group of its inhabitants had become heroes in the galaxy and hindered some of Emperor Freezer's business dealings. Strangely, Freezer did not go in person; he was focused on another matter that seemed more urgent.
The alien whose name is unpronounceable to Earthlings without telepathic abilities routinely checks those screens. On one screen, Dodoria obsessively looked at himself in a mirror, and on another, Zarbon focused on administrative work.
Even though these two individuals held important positions in Freezer's army, Freezer was clearly distrustful of those close to him. It seemed that they were unaware of this surveillance, just as the members of the Ginyu Force were. Perhaps Emperor Freezer enjoyed the spectacle they put on.
Other screens showed key figures in the army, such as Sorbet and Beriblu. However, this alien paid the most attention to the scouter devices used by the Saiyans.
One of them had been destroyed some time ago, prompting the alien to report the event. Now, only the screens showing Nappa and Prince Vegeta remained. It had been noted that they had likely sensed they were being watched, which led to more thorough monitoring.
The scouter he wore wasn't the only thing monitoring them; their ships were too, with sensors always active and locked onto them. This hidden configuration couldn't be normally verified and had remained a secret for decades.
Another of their monitoring methods was the armor they wore. Yes! Not even their clothes were spared. Without their consent, micro-sensors were sewn into their garments and constantly transmitted their vital signs. This is why the alien knew many things, such as that Raditz was alive, unlike the Saiyans.
The alien reported all of this to its superior, and the information reached Lord Freezer directly. However, this powerful being didn't seem to care much about the news when he was certain he would soon discover the new location of Planet Namek.
The surveillance alien had been observing the actions of all the Saiyans since they arrived on legendary Planet Earth. It also noticed the peculiarity of the planet's soil and recorded this valuable information. However, when the Earthlings appeared, several alarms went off.
The scouter had detected two significant life forms! One was the Saiyan Raditz, who had fought Kakarot, Bardock's youngest son. Clearly, his existence was already known. However, the fact that he had been detected again wasn't important now.
One of the sons of the Saiyan who dared to attack Emperor Freezer didn't deserve much attention, nor did Prince Vegeta, whose father was killed by the Emperor.
A Namekian. This was direct confirmation of a living Namekian! Earlier, Raditz had picked up his energy signal, but it was classified as the ki of an earthling because they hadn't examined this being closely. Now, they had a clear image of him from which to make comparisons.
This was something that had to be reported immediately! The alien quickly transmitted this information, along with all the data collected so far from Earth. Due to the importance of this information, it quickly reached Freezer, who was enjoying a glass of wine in his completely dark observation deck.
He gazed into the void of the universe, lost in his thoughts, contemplating it in silence. Suddenly, his personal communicator emitted an alert sound, signaling something extremely important and urgent.
He languidly reviewed the information because, for a being like him, things deemed urgent by his subordinates' standards weren't all that urgent. How could they be when he was the strongest being in the universe? Emphasis on "active," since if certain beings took action, he would quickly lose that position, something he was well aware of.
Freezer soon arrived at the key information: a 100% reliable record of a Namekian specimen on Earth. The first sighting in many years! Now that was urgent! He was desperately searching for traces of them.
'But it's on Earth, that peculiar planet. They say Beerus himself once went there to wipe out a species that reappeared years later without a hitch.' Freezer thought hesitantly as he recalled all the stories about that planet, especially since it had been confirmed that the soil was strange, too.
Should he go to Earth himself despite his father's advice and warnings? No! He'd rather hope to find Namek. If there were a Namekian, then there would be hope of finding that world.
'Besides, I can send the Ginyu Force once they're done with those insolent Yadrats. Let them test the waters first,' the emperor mused, taking a sip of his expensive wine and enjoying the opulence that only he, the richest being in the universe, could afford.
How comfortable his life was!
...
Back on Earth, Vegeta stared intently at Piccolo. Piccolo felt uncomfortable under Vegeta's gaze. Since Vegeta made no effort to hide his actions, the rest of those present noticed what he was doing, prompting questions.
"Vegeta! It's a Namekian! A living one!" Nappa suddenly exclaimed, irritating the prince. Vegeta turned to glare at him, causing the bald Saiyan to realize his mistake and shrink his head.
"It seems my people still have a reputation in the universe," Piccolo remarked. He was now on high alert and had actively communicated with Kami-Sama using their special bond, which no other being could eavesdrop on.
"Legends about your people are something any spacefaring civilization must learn. Whether they're true or not, they're facts to be treasured, even if many seem exaggerated," Vegeta replied with a touch of resignation. However, he hadn't abandoned his plans; he clung to them even more tightly.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! His once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Given its dual importance, capturing the Namekian had become more than necessary. The Saiyan no longer wanted to waste any more time.
"Wait, Lord Vegeta," Bulma said, sensing his growing agitation and excitement. This caused the Saiyan to turn his gaze back to her, slightly more irritated since he had been interrupted.
"If you're so eager to fight, let's do it in the perfect location! What do you say?" the blue-haired woman suggested, ignoring the anger on Vegeta's face. After all, they were enemies, so she didn't have to worry about his fragile ego.
"Hehe, is there really a good spot? It doesn't matter if you have a trap set up there. In the face of overwhelming force, any scheme is just a meaningless spectacle," Vegeta replied, straightening his posture and striking a flying stance. He gestured for them to lead him and his partner to their new battlefield.
"There are no traps. It's just the right place," said Goku. He took the lead, speeding up and heading in a certain direction. His companions and the two Saiyan invaders followed behind him, maintaining a wide open space to avoid sudden attacks during the journey.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a deserted plateau covered in large, oddly shaped rocks. They both landed, maintaining a 50-meter distance between them and staring intently at one another.
"Vegeta, there are more of them than us. Should we use 'them'? With such strange terrain, there are sure to be some surprises in store." Nappa whispered to Vegeta, who nodded after considering it for several seconds.
The Saiyan knew he was strong but also knew his limits. Being swarmed by several warriors would clearly be dangerous, as many beings in the universe had fallen this way. This included Saiyans who were confident their Ozaru form was unbeatable, but later discovered it wasn't. By then, it was too late.
He also wanted to see what effect Earth's soil would have on the creatures. But first, he needed to buy some time before everything was ready. He looked at Kakarot, who was hopping around while stretching his arms.
"Hey, Kakarot! Are you all going to fight at the same time or one-on-one?" The Saiyan asked, addressing the pathological thirst for battle his species possessed. As a prince, he felt he had it under control.
"Huh? The plan was simply to attack both of you as a group until you're dead. Why would we let a threat like you or your partner act calmly in a one-on-one duel? That's stupid!" he said. However, to Vegeta's surprise, Goku responded unexpectedly, catching him off guard and making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
'Damn it! What normal Saiyan would respond like that? Which Saiyan would turn down an obvious invitation to a one-on-one duel? Wait, is this a result of Earth's assimilation power? What a terrifying power!' Vegeta thought to himself, remaining silent and not responding to Kakarot for quite some time.
"All set, Vegeta! I've planted them. Now, they just need to sprout," Nappa told the prince. He did so without lowering his voice, making sure his enemies, who had seen him crouch down and play with the dirt, could hear him clearly.
Piccolo had some doubts when he heard Nappa's whisper, but he didn't think anything could be done about the Earth. Now, he wished he had been more proactive and stopped his enemy.
He felt nervous about everything that was at stake. Though he portrayed himself as a cold and ruthless warrior, he lacked real combat experience. Sparring with teammates didn't count, not even against himself. His father's legacy of memories? He only knew how to overwhelm others with his brute strength! What about memories of training with Kami-Sama? There were a few battles there.
Including his most recent fights with Ginger and Garlic Jr., this was his third real battle, one where something important was at stake. His lack of experience made him take his enemy's signs and subsequent actions more seriously.
This will undoubtedly have consequences!