The spacecraft hummed with quiet efficiency as Earth's blue marble faded into the star-speckled darkness behind them. Sage sat in the pilot's chair, his wild hair catching the console's soft glow as he monitored their trajectory. The red gi he wore was clean now, the white sash properly tied—a stark contrast to the battle-worn appearance he'd maintained since Vegeta's attack.
"How long until we reach Namek?" Gohan asked, pressing his small face against the observation window. Stars stretched into brilliant lines as they accelerated through hyperspace.
"Four months, twenty-three days," Sage replied, his tail curling around the chair's base. "Dr. Brief's calculations were precise, but space travel isn't like flying on Earth. We're crossing impossible distances."
Krillin floated cross-legged in the ship's center, already adapting to zero gravity. "Four months trapped in a tin can. This should be interesting."
The ship's design maximized their limited space. The main compartment served as living area, training room, and command center. A small galley provided meals, while sleeping quarters barely accommodated three people. Everything was functional, cramped, and efficient.
"At least we have the gravity generator," Gohan said, activating the system. Weight returned to their bodies as artificial gravity kicked in. "We can keep training the whole trip."
Sage nodded approvingly. The boy's enthusiasm for improvement reminded him of his own obsessive training, but Gohan's motivation came from wanting to help others rather than survival paranoia.
"We'll train in shifts. Physical conditioning, energy control, tactical coordination. By the time we reach Namek, we need to fight as one unit."
Their first week established routines. Mornings began with physical training under increased gravity—two, then three, eventually four times Earth's normal pull. The confined space forced creativity in their exercises.
Krillin excelled at adapting traditional martial arts to zero gravity combat. His experience and flexibility made him natural coordinator for their combination techniques.
Gohan's power continued growing at an astounding rate. His half-human, half-Saiyan heritage created unique advantages—Saiyan strength combined with human emotional depth and tactical thinking.
Sage found himself settling into an unexpected role as teacher and strategist. His analytical mind broke down complex problems while his Saiyan instincts provided insights into combat applications.
"Your energy control is improving," he told Gohan during evening practice. "But you're still holding back. Power without commitment is just waste."
"I don't want to hurt anyone," Gohan replied, his ki fluctuating as emotions affected his concentration.
"Good. That compassion makes you stronger, not weaker. But when the time comes to fight, you have to trust yourself completely."
The boy nodded seriously, his young face showing understanding beyond his years.
As weeks passed, their cramped quarters became familiar. Sage's sharp features softened slightly during quiet moments, his animalistic edge relaxing around his companions. His tail often twitched with restless energy, but he learned to manage the confined space.
"Tell us about Planet Vegeta," Gohan asked one evening as they shared dinner. "What was it like before Frieza destroyed it?"
Sage was quiet for several moments, his dark eyes distant with memory.
"I was very young when we left. But I remember the red sky, the harsh gravity, the constant sound of training. Saiyans lived for battle—not cruelty, but the challenge of becoming stronger."
His tail swished behind him as he continued.
"My father said our race had forgotten something important. We became conquerors instead of protectors. Maybe that's why Frieza found it so easy to manipulate us."
"Do you miss it?" Krillin asked gently.
"I miss what it could have been. A world of warriors who fought for honor instead of destruction."
The conversation drifted to Earth, to the friends they were trying to save, to hopes and fears about what awaited on Namek.
By their second month, the team had achieved remarkable synchronization. Under four times gravity, they moved together like dancers, anticipating each other's actions perfectly.
Sage's unique violet transformation remained controlled but accessible. He could channel its power without losing himself to rage, maintaining tactical awareness while accessing enormous strength.
Gohan's hidden power manifested more consistently. His golden energy flares became longer, more controlled, hinting at transformations beyond current understanding.
"Something's happening to both of you," Krillin observed during training. "Your power levels are still climbing."
"Space travel affects Saiyans differently," Sage explained, his tail coiling with concentration as he maintained energy control. "The stress, the isolation, the constant training—it's pushing our bodies to adapt."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Depends what we find on Namek."
Their third month brought unexpected challenges. The ship's navigation system detected energy signatures ahead—massive, artificial, definitely not natural phenomena.
"What is that?" Gohan pressed his face to the observation window, staring at metallic structures floating in the void.
"Space debris," Sage said, but his expression was troubled. "Ships, stations, battlefield remnants. Something happened here."
The wreckage told a story of devastating conflict. Twisted metal, scorched hulls, the unmistakable signs of energy weapon impacts. Whatever had occurred, it involved technology far beyond Earth's capabilities.
"Should we investigate?" Krillin asked, tension clear in his voice.
"No." Sage's response was immediate, his tail bristling with unease. "We maintain course and speed. Getting involved in cosmic conflicts isn't our mission."
But privately, he wondered what forces could create such destruction. The wreckage suggested battles between opponents of incredible power—power that might dwarf even Vegeta's abilities.
"Sage?" Gohan's voice was small. "Are we strong enough for this? For whatever we might find?"
The Saiyan warrior looked at his young companion, seeing fear mixed with determination in the boy's eyes.
"Strength isn't just about power levels, Gohan. It's about fighting for something bigger than yourself. We're not just trying to become stronger—we're trying to bring our friends home."
"That's what makes us different from Vegeta and Nappa?"
"Yes. They fought for pride and conquest. We fight for love and protection."
The distinction felt important, fundamental to understanding what separated Earth's defenders from typical Saiyan warriors.
Their final month of travel brought them within range of Namek's solar system. The ship's sensors detected the planet—green and beautiful, covered in vast oceans and scattered continents.
"It's incredible," Gohan breathed, watching their destination grow larger through the viewport. "So peaceful looking."
But Sage's enhanced senses detected something troubling. His tail twitched with nervous energy as he studied the sensor readings.
"There are other ships in orbit. Multiple vessels, some of them massive."
Krillin joined him at the control panel. "Friendly ships?"
"Unknown. But their energy signatures are enormous. Whatever's down there, we're not the only ones interested in Namek."
The implications were sobering. They'd traveled across the galaxy to find Dragon Balls and resurrect their friends, but others might have the same goal—or worse intentions.
"What do we do?" Gohan asked, his young voice steady despite obvious fear.
Sage's features hardened with resolve, his canine teeth showing as he made the decision.
"We proceed as planned. Land on the planet, find the Dragon Balls, make our wishes. But we stay alert and work fast."
His tail coiled around his waist as he prepared for atmospheric entry.
"Whatever's waiting down there, we face it together."
The ship shuddered as they entered Namek's atmosphere. Green skies stretched endlessly above pristine landscapes, three suns casting strange shadows across alien terrain.
But even from orbit, they could see signs of conflict—smoke plumes, crater impacts, the unmistakable scars of recent battles.
"We're not the first ones here," Krillin observed grimly.
"No," Sage agreed, his enhanced hearing picking up distant explosions. "And we might not be the last."
As their ship descended toward Namek's surface, each warrior prepared mentally for whatever awaited. They'd spent four months training, planning, hoping.
Now it was time to discover if they were strong enough to bring their friends home—or if they'd traveled across the galaxy only to join them in death.
The green world of Namek stretched beneath them, beautiful and dangerous, holding the power to restore life or destroy everything they loved.
Their real test was about to begin.