As he thought about it, Reiz realized they were getting closer and closer to the Spaceship Launch Center.
Ahead lay a wide, open plain. Several enormous spherical spaceships sat quietly there, their silver-white hulls gleaming in the sunlight.
Guards patrolled around the ships, while a few technicians carried out their final checks.
Then Reiz looked back.
Sure enough, Linoshi was right behind him, never straying from his side.
Her presence was as faint as ever, as though she had blended into the wind and sunlight.
If he hadn't looked directly at her, he wouldn't have noticed she was there at all.
"Over there!" Reiz pointed toward a spaceship in the distance.
It was a small ship, though a little larger than the others around it.
The Saiyan insignia was emblazoned on its hull, and its hatch stood open, as if it were waiting for someone.
"Mm." Linoshi nodded gently.
Reiz looked toward the ship from afar. Six people were already standing nearby.
He knew three of them: Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz.
Vegeta stood at the front. Though small, he radiated an arrogance far beyond his years.
He folded his arms across his chest, chin tilted up, wearing a haughty expression.
Nappa stood behind Vegeta on his right. He was burly, his bald head shining in the sun, and he looked fierce.
Raditz stood on the left, long hair spilling over his shoulders. His face bore its trademark arrogant expression, though he was more restrained than Vegeta.
As for the other three, they looked like they were only there to make up the numbers.
Reiz had seen them before, but couldn't remember their names.
They were all teenagers wearing identical Battle Suits. Their faces showed a mix of excitement and nervousness about the mission.
"Whoosh!"
Reiz and Linoshi swooped down from the sky, landing beside Vegeta and the others.
Vegeta and the rest were already geared up and ready to go, wearing Scouters and Saiyan armor.
Actually, calling it Saiyan armor wasn't quite right. It would be more accurate to call it armor issued by the Frieza Force.
It was standard-issue gear for the Frieza Force.
It had white shoulder guards, a dark blue bodysuit, and a round chest plate.
It looked sleek and practical when worn, but also carried the cold, militaristic air of the Frieza Force.
"Finally! You're slow as ever!" Vegeta shot Reiz a sidelong glance, then looked at Linoshi beside him.
Linoshi lowered her head and said nothing.
She could feel Vegeta's gaze on her. It was full of scrutiny and disdain, along with a clear hint of displeasure.
Her fingers began rubbing the hem of her Battle Suit again, clenching and loosening, loosening and clenching.
"Hello, Reiz. I'm Raditz!" Raditz stepped forward to introduce himself, a slight smile on his face.
He had heard of Reiz long ago.
The Super Genius Warrior, the prince's teacher—Reiz was a major figure among the Saiyans.
"I'm Nappa." Nappa followed, giving his name and a nod by way of greeting.
"Carnegie!"
"Kuri!"
"Baru!"
The other three teenagers introduced themselves too, their voices carrying a hint of respect.
Reiz nodded to them, his eyes passing over their faces as he memorized their names.
"Are we leaving now?" Reiz asked Vegeta with a smile.
"Of course. If we weren't waiting for you, we'd have left yesterday." Vegeta snorted, folding his arms and striking a pose, his little face full of displeasure.
Reiz gave Vegeta a long look.
Come to think of it, this kid might be arrogant, but waiting a whole day for me was no small thing.
With Vegeta's personality, he'd normally never wait for anyone.
The fact that he'd waited a day meant that he still valued me as his teacher.
"Bring my friend along. She's coming with us too." Reiz gestured to Linoshi behind him and called out to Vegeta.
Vegeta frowned and immediately tapped the Scouter over his eye, checking Linoshi's Combat Power.
"Beep! Beep!"
The Scouter gave two short beeps, and a string of numbers appeared on its screen.
The moment he saw them, Vegeta's face darkened.
"Combat Power 200! What are we supposed to do with a weakling like her along as support staff?" Vegeta said crossly, his voice full of disdain.
Linoshi lowered her head even further, looking embarrassed.
"Don't say that. Raditz's Combat Power isn't that high either." Reiz pointed at Raditz beside him, smiling as he tried to smooth things over.
Raditz: "..."
Raditz's mouth twitched, and his expression froze.
Come on...
Say what you want, but why drag me into it?
My Combat Power might not be high—it's only 500!
But that's still 300 higher than this support staffer's!
He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but couldn't think of what to say. He could only stand there awkwardly.
Linoshi said nothing, keeping her head bowed.
The sunlight fell on her, but couldn't reach her lowered eyes.
"Hmph. I don't mind if you want to bring her!" Vegeta snorted and said indifferently.
"But what?" Reiz asked with a smile, knowing the kid was bound to set some conditions.
Vegeta: "..."
Now that you put it like that, I don't even know what to say.
He choked for a moment and glared at Reiz before continuing. "Tch! Let me make this clear first! There are only four rooms on this ship! You and I each get a room, Nappa and Carnegie share a double room, and Raditz shares a triple room with the other two!"
Vegeta grumbled, then stole another look at Linoshi, his eyes full of distaste.
"Since you're bringing that woman along... let me make this clear: I don't want outsiders in my room!" Vegeta added.
Reiz looked thoughtfully at Vegeta, then casually glanced at Nappa.
Nappa's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Reiz, I'm really sorry, but I'm in a double room! There's no space for a third person!"
He spoke quickly, afraid Reiz would suggest squeezing in with him.
"We're in a triple room, and there are already three of us!" Raditz hurriedly added, taking a step back to make his position clear.
The other three teenagers nodded along, looking rather nervous.
"So the two of you will have to share a room!" Vegeta snorted, folding his arms. The corners of his mouth lifted in an amused smile. "If you don't mind the tight fit, suit yourself!"
Reiz: "..."
At that moment, Reiz suddenly felt that Vegeta and the others were really great.
There was such a beautiful girl standing right in front of them, and not one of them was interested?
But when he thought about it, it made sense.
The Saiyans were a warrior race, and they didn't seem particularly interested in women.
Besides, most Saiyans liked women with fierce personalities.
For example, Son Goku's wife, Chi-Chi, was rather domineering.
And Bulma looked gentle, but she was actually quite rough.
Before you continue