After Tights left as well.
Turles was alone in the main control room.
He gazed into the depths of space.
His state of mind quietly shifted.
He really had no intention of going to Earth on this trip.
There was no other reason. It really was just too far away!
Frieza would probably come looking to review his performance before he even reached Earth.
Now he understood.
Why the old hand had said Bardock and Gine were the only Saiyans outside the royal family to have formed a family through bonds of affection. Their feelings were genuine!
Just look where they had sent their son!
To protect their son, whose power level was low.
They were determined not to let him return to this perilous universe!
This oddball Saiyan couple had really gone to great lengths.
A Saiyan actually loved his wife and children?
If word got out, even Frieza would probably laugh his teeth out.
Turles shook his head, a self-deprecating smile spreading across his face.
Still, for every policy from above, there was a countermeasure below.
He had already made plans before leaving headquarters.
Earth is too far away, so why don't I just go to Planet Namek!
According to the search results, Planet Namek was somewhat remote too, but compared with Earth, it was much closer.
It was only a half-month journey from his assigned base.
And he was less than a month away from that base.
Compared that way, it was quite acceptable.
The Force's database rated Planet Namek much like Earth, classifying both as having no commercial value.
It was unlikely to draw the Force's attention, either.
The only question was, once he reached Planet Namek, could he obtain the Dragon Balls from the Namekians?
He knew there was a warrior on Planet Namek who, as he was now, could be considered powerful!
Nail!
If he remembered correctly, that guy's power level was as high as 42,000!
It really was higher than his current power level!
Unless he transformed into a Great Ape.
But would he be able to create an artificial moon on Planet Namek?
Most likely, but he couldn't be sure.
The safest course was still to raise his base power level as much as possible before going to Planet Namek.
Besides Nail, there were quite a few warrior-type Namekians on Planet Namek.
Their power levels were nothing to scoff at even on a universal scale.
The Turles finally reached the end of its voyage.
Outside the porthole, an ocher planet slowly grew larger in view. A massive ring-shaped space station hovered in orbit, its metal hull reflecting the cold light of a star.
"Lord Turles, we've arrived."
Reiz's voice came through the communicator.
Turles stood before the porthole in the main control room, his arms folded across his chest.
He was wearing the modified weighted Battle Suit.
After a month of acclimation training, he could move freely under its terrifying weight.
Of course, moving freely was all he could do.
Fighting as he once had was still quite difficult.
The ship adjusted its position and slowly descended toward a massive base on the planet's surface.
Seen from above, the entire base looked like a giant metal beast crouching on the ground.
At the very center of the base was an enormous landing field. Hundreds of soldiers in standard Frieza Force armor stood in neat formation, the light reflecting from their armor joining into a glare that was hard to look at.
"Whoa, quite a reception."
Amond leaned over to the porthole with a grin.
Whenever a new commanding officer took up his post, the base would submit a succession report complete with pictures and text to headquarters.
The ship landed smoothly.
The hiss of hydraulics sounded as the hatch opened.
Turles adjusted his Battle Suit and led the way out.
Behind him were Amond and Daiz, also wearing weighted suits.
The moment the three stepped onto the metal ramp, the steel plates beneath their feet let out a dull groan, far heavier than the sound of normal footsteps.
An invisible pressure swept over the soldiers on the landing field with the appearance of the three men.
The officers standing at the front of the formation tensed involuntarily.
Good grief, the new commander's entourage isn't large, but he sure is imposing!
Turles had just stepped off the ramp when a tall, slender alien with dark green skin hurried over to meet him.
He wore the uniform of an adjutant.
"Welcome to your post, Commander Turles!"
The alien gave a perfect ninety-degree bow, his voice respectful and polite.
"I am your subordinate Ogg, the base's former acting commander. I've been waiting for you, Commander!"
Turles grunted in acknowledgment and continued walking.
Ogg followed at Turles's side.
His gaze darted past Turles's shoulder to the hatch of the Turles.
They're all tough customers!
Uh, except that strange... woman?
What's going on there?
Ogg couldn't make sense of it, so he thought no more about it.
The group crossed the vast landing field, and the soldiers in formation greeted Turles in unison as they passed.
"Commander Turles, the base currently has 3,127 soldiers stationed here, including 215 junior officers. There are also three division commanders under your command, responsible for the base's defense, patrols, and logistics, respectively."
Ogg reported at length as he led the way.
"The base is currently equipped with two large warships and six medium reconnaissance vessels, enough to handle any emergency within our jurisdiction."
"There are nine resource planets in our sector where initial development has been completed, and another twenty-three unregistered, unclaimed planets with extremely abundant resource reserves..."
He spoke fluently, laying bare all the base's assets.
Throughout his report, he emphasized his own contributions and abilities.
He was afraid the new commander would remove him from his position as acting commander as soon as he took office.
With him acting this way, Turles wouldn't be stingy with his goodwill either.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Ogg."
"You flatter me, you flatter me! It's only what I should do!"
The smile on Ogg's face grew wider. He stepped aside and gestured toward the imposing command tower ahead.
"Commander Turles, this way, please. The base's central command room is at the top of the tower."
He kept talking as he led the way.
"Commander, even though our base is built on this godforsaken planet, its facilities were all built to the Force's highest standards! Regular maintenance has never been neglected. You'll find everything in good working order!"
Turles made no comment, maintaining a faint smile.
Turles's first impression of the place was quite good: orderly ranks, cold buildings, and this enthusiastic adjutant.
Ding-
The elevator reached the top floor, and the doors slowly slid open.
A massive circular command room appeared before them. Dozens of screens lined the walls, flashing with various data and star charts.
Three aliens in differently colored commander uniforms stood in the center of the room.
When they saw Turles enter, all three immediately stood straight and struck their left breasts with their right fists.
"Greetings, Commander Turles!"
Ogg hurried forward to introduce them.
"Commander, this is Buck, the defense division commander. His power level is 5,200." He pointed to a tall, muscular bull-headed man.
Buck the bull-man called out again in a deep, muffled voice, "Greetings, Commander!"
"This is Fizz, the patrol division commander. His power level is 4,800."
Ogg pointed to a small, slender mantis-man with a pair of compound eyes.
Fizz the mantis-man merely nodded in greeting.
"This is the logistics division commander and the base's general affairs officer, Mr. Gru."
The last to be introduced was a fat fellow shaped like a ball of flesh.
His face bore a smile just like Ogg's.
Turles nodded to each of them.
He walked straight to the sole commander's chair in the center of the command room.
He crossed his legs, his brown tail hanging down beside them and sweeping idly across the floor.
He raised his head and showed Ogg and the three division commanders a friendly smile.
"From now on, I hope you'll all work together and strive to accomplish great things!"
"We will heed your instructions, Commander!"