Gathering

Planet Vegeta.

Inside the palace, King Vegeta sat upon his throne, while a group of noble warriors stood below.

"My King, what exactly has happened to warrant summoning every warrior stationed off-world back home?"

A middle-aged Saiyan below asked, his face etched with confusion.

"Indeed. Even those currently in the heat of battle were ordered to return immediately. Is something wrong?"

"Hmm."

Looking at the questioning warriors, King Vegeta replied indifferently.

"This is an order from Frieza. He demands that we recall all warriors from abroad, claiming there is a powerful planet he wants us to conquer. He says its strength is too great, which is why he requires all our forces to be assembled."

"I see. So it was Frieza's order."

Upon hearing King Vegeta's explanation, the nobles below all wore expressions of sudden realization.

Watching their reactions, King Vegeta did not feel at ease. Although he had relayed the reason Frieza gave him, deep down, he felt there was more to it.

That bastard Frieza... there must be another reason.

A few days later.

A spaceship was slowly approaching the orbit of Planet Vegeta.

"Lord Bardock? Lord Bardock?"

"What is it?" Bardock was jolted from his sleep by a young voice.

"We're about to arrive at Planet Vegeta. It's been such a long time; it's been two years since I was last here."

"Indeed."

Bardock crossed his arms, staring silently at the giant red star ahead.

"I don't know why they're in such a rush to recall all the Saiyans to Planet Vegeta. It seems to be an order from that bastard Frieza."

The young man piloting the ship let out a resentful grumble as a thought crossed his mind.

"Take off your scouter."

Stopping the man from saying anything further, Bardock said calmly.

"We might be overheard."

"Ah! Right!"

Looking at the scouter over his left eye, the man reacted instantly, removing it and placing it on the floor.

"Look! Everyone is coming back!"

Ahead, the space around Planet Vegeta was filled with ships, all heading toward the planet's surface.

"Look over there!"

Bardock pointed into the distance. "That's Frieza's ship!"

"Huh! It really is. It isn't even time yet, so why is he here already?"

Looking in the direction Bardock pointed, the man saw Frieza's ship and immediately voiced his confusion.

"Don't you find it strange?"

Watching Frieza's ship ahead, Bardock sat in his seat and said calmly, "If he wanted to issue an order, he could have just used the scouters to contact us. There was no need to call everyone back. Even if he were issuing new weapons, an emergency assembly wouldn't be necessary. That guy Frieza is definitely up to no good."

"Up to no good? What do you mean?"

As he piloted the ship into Planet Vegeta's atmosphere, the man asked.

"Conquering planets and selling them has always been how we, the warrior race of Saiyans, make a living. But Frieza's father, King Cold, used force to coerce us into submission and demanded we acknowledge him as our king."

"That was a long time ago."

The man replied as he slowly landed the ship.

"How do you think we're doing now?"

Bardock didn't argue, continuing his line of questioning.

"Well, I'm not sure if we're doing 'well' or not, but it's true that the Saiyans don't really like Frieza."

The ship touched down, and the man replied.

"Exactly."

Bardock stood up from his seat, grabbed his gear, and agreed. "I imagine Frieza doesn't like us Saiyans either. The Frieza Army has grown quite large now; it wouldn't be a big deal to him if he got rid of the Saiyans he hates so much."

"Are you saying... Frieza intends to wipe us all out!?"

Hearing what Bardock said, the man who had followed him out of the ship turned pale with terror.

"Perhaps that's exactly it, don't you think?"

Turning back, Bardock offered a faint smile, as if he were only joking.

"Don't try to scare me, Lord Bardock."

Seeming to think Bardock was joking, the man scratched his head and let out a silly laugh.

Without further chatter, the two began to walk forward.

"Hey, isn't that Bardock! I never expected you to actually make it back alive; that's truly impressive!"

Suddenly, a burly man called out a greeting, causing Bardock to halt his steps.

"It's you. Long time no see. By the way, do you know why the recall order was issued!?"

Seeing the man before him, Bardock nodded, then suddenly thought of something and asked.

"As for that, I'm not entirely sure. Maybe they found an even larger planet, and we all have to head out together to conquer it."

The burly man looked up, pondered for a moment, and then offered his guess.

"That makes sense; that might be the reason!"

Behind Bardock, the young man heard the burly man's reply and couldn't help but agree.

With that said, the two prepared to leave.

Watching them walk away, the burly man suddenly remembered something and continued.

"But come to think of it, a few of Frieza's subordinates have been going around asking about the Super Saiyan."

"Super Saiyan?"

Stopping in his tracks, Bardock turned his head and asked in confusion.

"The one from the legends?"

Suddenly, Bardock's expression darkened as he realized something.

"So that's it! I understand now!"