Timely Arrival

Chapter 3: Time To Do The Salza

After a dozen minutes, the Namekians and Bardock descended towards their first stop, only to freeze in the air.

"Are we too late...?" Necke whispered worriedly, gazing down at the ruined houses and smoke that rose up in several spots.

"No. I sense that some of our people are still alive down there. But... they're also still under attack!" Tsuburi declared.

"You can sense them?" Bardock questioned.

"Yes, but... later!" Tsuburi interrupted.

"Fine. I'll distract 'em while you get the people and the Dragon Ball outta here, then," Bardock told them.

"Are you sure you can handle these guys? There seems to be a lot more explosions happening here than where you saved us," Cargo inquired.

"Warrior race, remember?" Bardock simply retorted before descending rapidly, touching down to face the aggressors alone.

Meanwhile, the three Namekians snuck around the edges of the village, already knowing where the Dragon Ball was kept. They spotted some children and the village Elder hiding in a storage room, and crept inside.

"Tsuburi! You shouldn't be here! There-"

"It's going to be okay, Elder. We have a strong alien warrior distracting the invaders while we escape with you, the children and the Dragon Ball," Tsuburi reassured him.

"I... I'm scared!" one child exclaimed in a frightened tone.

"Not to worry, all of you. Our plan is solid. We're going to leave from the west side of the village. All the attackers are with our friend Bardock to the east side. Follow me. Cargo, carry the Dragon Ball," Tsuburi commanded.

"Right!" Cargo patted one of the children's shoulders and held the three-star ball under his arm.

As the remnants of the villagers and the Namekian team left, Tsuburi turned his head to glance at the spiky-haired... 'hero', who stood a ways off, in front of the threats.

"Don't be too reckless, Father of Goku. Our planet needs you," he whispered.

Dore stood tall, and chuckled, "Heheh. We haven't found any of their precious Balls yet, but I'm certain we're close!"

"Well, we've still got plenty of time to have some fun with the Nameks 'til they give 'em all up!" Neiz chuckled with a sqwarky voice.

"Zis place isn't fully cleaned out yet. Dore, Neiz?" came an accented command from a man with blue skin, who stood behind the two with a smirk on his face.

"We'll get right on it Salza!" declared Neiz.

Before the three could continue their destruction, a lone figure landed right in front of the trio. The three invaders' stances changed in an instant.

"A Saiyan? And here? I thought that your race was almost extinct!" Salza pointed at Bardock.

'So... they really did get practically wiped out, huh.' Bardock felt a tinge of sadness but then ignored it in favour of getting more angry. "Enough about me! Hope you give me a good warm-up before you die!" Bardock manifested a ki ball in his right hand and stood in a lowered stance.

This positioning reminded Salza of something, but he couldn't recall what exactly. He instructed Dore and Neiz to advance and attack the Saiyan... after posing, of course.

"Cooler's..."

"Armoured..."

"Squadron!"

...